At high school football stadiums around the D.C. area, fans are seeing a significantly increased police presence at games. This is after several high-profile incidents during and after games.
At Bowie High School in Prince George’s County Friday night when Bowie played against rival Wise High School, the number of officers was noticeably increased.
“If you do not have a ticket, we are asking you to exit the premises,” said a school official on a megaphone standing in front of the entrance to the stadium. “Your parent or guardian must remain with you, throughout the game.”
Before entering, spectators must pass through a metal detector, and tickets must be bought in advance to the sold-out game.
Police also cleared out the parking lot and made sure people were not milling around. A large eye in the sky camera platform, similar to the one used in shopping centers, also stood over the entrance to the stadium.
School officials are also moving some games to Saturday to allow for additional police and oversight.
The new rules also mean that only students of the two schools playing can attend and all tickets must be purchased in advance. There are no walk-up ticket sales.
Parent Kevin Wolfork, a former pro football player himself, is good with the security changes.
“Everybody’s going to be safe, the students, all the parents and all the players. That’s very important,” he said. “The students are safer. Parents are safer, and the kids are safer. That’s what it’s all about.”
At many stadiums, now if you leave during the game, you can’t come back in.
Bowie High Teacher Jessica Mealey supports the additional police.
“I know some people are very gung-ho about their teams and words can be spread quickly, to altercations,” she said. “Sometimes people get very spirited, and it’s good to have protection in case things get a little out of hand.”
Many school districts are urging spectators to arrive early at future games to get through security.
Expect the new restrictions to remain in place for the rest of the school year.
On September 19, at Wise High School, two students were arrested during a robbery that was taking place in the parking lot.
“We did not want to penalize the school when, in fact, the incident did not involve students from Wise or Flowers this weekend,” the Prince George’s County Public School District said in a statement to 7News. “Police and sheriffs will support monitoring the exterior and PGCPS security and staff will monitor inside the game. Only students from the schools playing will be able to attend and students must bring their student IDs.”
Former Wise High School player Travon Burrells says it’s important for people to experience the excitement of high school football, but he agrees fan safety is very important.
“I believe more students or more parents should get an opportunity to purchase their tickets, but I agree with the safety out here,” he said. “For the kids’ safety and for everybody’s safety out here, so there won’t be no nonsense going on.”
In D.C., officials recently announced that parents must be with their students at games following an incident at Archbishop Carroll High School when two students were stabbed.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that DC Public Schools and Charter Schools will increase security. This, after what officials called “instances of spectator conflict” and the mayor said the new security rules that began Sept. 12 will last through Oct. 10.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
© 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
DC area high schools increase police and security presence at football games
area high schools increase police and security presence at football games
At high school football stadiums around the D.C. area, fans are seeing a significantly increased police presence at games. This is after several high-profile incidents during and after games.
At Bowie High School in Prince George’s County Friday night when Bowie played against rival Wise High School, the number of officers was noticeably increased.
“If you do not have a ticket, we are asking you to exit the premises,” said a school official on a megaphone standing in front of the entrance to the stadium. “Your parent or guardian must remain with you, throughout the game.”
Before entering, spectators must pass through a metal detector, and tickets must be bought in advance to the sold-out game.
Police also cleared out the parking lot and made sure people were not milling around. A large eye in the sky camera platform, similar to the one used in shopping centers, also stood over the entrance to the stadium.
School officials are also moving some games to Saturday to allow for additional police and oversight.
The new rules also mean that only students of the two schools playing can attend and all tickets must be purchased in advance. There are no walk-up ticket sales.
Parent Kevin Wolfork, a former pro football player himself, is good with the security changes.
“Everybody’s going to be safe, the students, all the parents and all the players. That’s very important,” he said. “The students are safer. Parents are safer, and the kids are safer. That’s what it’s all about.”
At many stadiums, now if you leave during the game, you can’t come back in.
Bowie High Teacher Jessica Mealey supports the additional police.
“I know some people are very gung-ho about their teams and words can be spread quickly, to altercations,” she said. “Sometimes people get very spirited, and it’s good to have protection in case things get a little out of hand.”
Many school districts are urging spectators to arrive early at future games to get through security.
Expect the new restrictions to remain in place for the rest of the school year.
On Sept. 19, at Wise High School, two students were arrested during a robbery that was taking place in the parking lot.
“We did not want to penalize the school when, in fact, the incident did not involve students from Wise or Flowers this weekend,” the Prince George’s County Public School District said in a statement to 7News. “Police and sheriffs will support monitoring the exterior and PGCPS security and staff will monitor inside the game. Only students from the schools playing will be able to attend and students must bring their student IDs.”
Former Wise High School player Travon Burrells says it’s important for people to experience the excitement of high school football, but he agrees fan safety is very important.
“I believe more students or more parents should get an opportunity to purchase their tickets, but I agree with the safety out here,” he said. “For the kids’ safety and for everybody’s safety out here, so there won’t be no nonsense going on.”
In D.C., officials recently announced that parents must be with their students at games following an incident at Archbishop Carroll High School when two students were stabbed.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that DC Public Schools and Charter Schools will increase security. This, after what officials called “instances of spectator conflict” and the mayor said the new security rules that began Sept. 12 will last through Oct. 10.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
© 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
Will the Seahawks Be Forced to Reschedule Home Games? How Does the Mariners’ Title Game Affect NFL Fixtures?
The Seattle Seahawks’ upcoming home game might have to be rescheduled due to the Mariners’ American League West title game. The two teams’ stadiums, T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field, are located just a short walk apart in the SoDo neighborhood. If the Mariners host playoff games at the same time as the Seahawks’ games on October 5 and October 20, it could create major traffic and crowd issues. To prevent this, city officials and team management are planning for potential schedule adjustments as per Adam Schefter’s report.
The Seahawks will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 5, while they meet the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football. While such schedule overlaps are uncommon, both teams and city officials are taking necessary precautions to make sure that safety isn’t compromised.
Abhishek Sharma’s rumoured girlfriend: All you need to know about Laila Faisal
Team India’s left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma has been making waves with his explosive batting, but it’s his off-field life that has caught equal attention in recent weeks. The young opener, who recently smashed back to to back half-centuries in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, is rumoured to be dating Laila Faisal, an emerging figure in India’s luxury fashion industry. Their reported connection has quickly become a trending topic among cricket fans and lifestyle enthusiasts alike.
Who is Laila Faisal? The lady supporting Abhishek Sharma behind the scenes
Laila Faisal is more than just a familiar face at cricket stadiums. She is a London-educated entrepreneur, model, and co-founder of LRF Designs, a luxury fashion label she launched with her mother, Roohi Faisal.
The brand has carved a niche for itself with its use of Kashmiri silks, intricate embroidery, and elegant silhouettes, earning admiration in India’s premium fashion circles.
With a degree in psychology from King’s College London and further studies in fashion and branding at the London College of Fashion, Laila has combined academic rigour with international exposure. Her internships with designers like Malan Breton and Rocky Star added global perspective to her craft. Coming from a prominent Kashmiri Muslim business family, she grew up surrounded by entrepreneurship – her father’s side runs ‘Sound of Music’, one of India’s top luxury home theatre and AV solution companies.
Reports of a budding romance between Abhishek and Laila
Speculation around Abhishek and Laila’s relationship intensified after she posted a heartfelt congratulatory message on social media following his match-winning knock against England earlier this year. Since then, she has often been seen in the stands during his matches in the IPL – sometimes sitting alongside Abhishek’s sister, Komal Sharma -further fuelling the buzz.
Reports suggest the two share a comfortable, genuine rapport, with sightings at intimate dinner outings and subtle Instagram hints adding to the chatter. Their interactions have even sparked whispers of early family approval, though neither has publicly addressed the rumours.
Also READ: Abhishek Sharma’s girlfriend – Star India opener allegedly dating Laila Faisal
Laila’s growing presence in cricket and fashion circles
Laila’s presence at IPL matches and her frequent support for Abhishek on social media have turned her into a familiar figure among fans. As her Instagram following continues to grow, she is increasingly seen as a bridge between Indian cricket and high fashion, symbolizing the growing intersection of sport, glamour, and lifestyle in modern India.
Industry insiders view her rise as part of a new wave of fashion entrepreneurs blending heritage craftsmanship with contemporary branding, making her a potential star in her own right. Coupled with Abhishek’s meteoric rise in international cricket, the rumoured pairing has only amplified public curiosity.
As Abhishek continues to cement his place as India’s next big T20 powerhouse, and Laila expands her fashion label’s reach, the two appear to be charting parallel journeys of success – on the cricket pitch and the runway.
‘Freezing’ – Wayne Rooney Named 3 British Stadiums With Dressing Rooms He Hated
Wayne Rooney enjoyed a magnificent playing career, proving himself to be a legend for both Manchester United and England. He won five Premier League titles, one FA Cup, three League Cups and the Champions League with the Red Devils, in what was a glittering 13-year spell at Old Trafford.
As such, he played up and down at some of the most famous stadiums in British football, as well as some lesser-known venues. No doubt, some would have been better than others.
Interestingly enough, when recalling which dressing rooms were the worst, the retired striker named some very well-known ones that stuck in his mind, but for all the wrong reasons.
Rooney Hated ‘Freezing’ Anfield And Two Other ‘Hot’ Dressing Rooms
Speaking on his BBC podcast The Wayne Rooney Show, the former England star spoke about three Premier League dressing rooms he hated so much that he was always desperate to leave as soon as possible. He explained that two of them were too hot, and one 61,000 seater was always too cold:
Tennis star apologizes to Chinese fans after coughing outburst sparks outrage
Tennis star Lorenzo Musetti has apologized to Chinese fans after an on-court outburst in Beijing sparked outrage.
The Italian world No. 9 was annoyed by coughing in the crowd during his round-of-32 match against France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at the China Open on Friday.
In the second-set tie-break, Musetti lost a point to the Frenchman before shouting “these (expletive) Chinese are always coughing,” appearing to gesture to the crowd and pointing to his throat.
Local media also accused him of mouthing “damn Chinese.”
The outburst prompted outrage on social media, with accusations of racism leveled against the Italian.
“I would like to sincerely apologize for what I said in frustration yesterday during my match,” Musetti, 23, said Saturday in a message he posted on social media.
“My words were directed only at a few individuals in the crowd who were coughing repeatedly and disturbing the play,” Musetti continued in Saturday’s post. “They were never, in any way, meant for the Chinese people. It happened in a moment of stress and tension in the second tiebreak, but still, this is no excuse at all.”
Musetti went on to lose the tie-break, but eventually won the match.
Lorenzo is the second player this month to apologize to Chinese fans after American tennis player Taylor Townsend, who made comments about Chinese food that were widely criticized as culturally insensitive.
Townsend, 29, who was in the Chinese tech hub of Shenzhen for the finals of the Billie Jean King Cup, came under fire after she expressed shock and confusion at local delicacies served at a buffet, including bullfrogs and soft-shelled turtles.
“These people are literally killing frogs, bullfrogs,” she said in a video posted on her Instagram account that has since been deleted, adding that she would rate the dinner a “solid 2 out of 10” overall.
Townsend issued an apology shortly after, saying she had “had nothing but the most amazing experience” in China and that her previous remarks were “not representative of that at all.”
Musetti received a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct in June after accidentally kicking a tennis ball at a line judge during a win over Frances Tiafoe in the quarterfinals of the French Open.
“I really didn’t want to harm nobody, of course,” he said. “So I immediately went to the line umpire, and I of course said sorry. I apologize to everyone. It was right to have a warning.”
Actor Michael Caine’s former Oxfordshire estate hits market for millions
Michael Caine’s former home in England is looking for a new owner.
Originally built in the 17th century, the home in the small village of North Stoke, Oxfordshire, is on the market for $13.4 million in partnership with listing agent Victoria Knight at Savills in Henley-on-Thames.
Located near the River Thames, the home is set on an 8.3-acre property and features landscaped gardens, 600 feet of private riverside access and a one-bedroom guest cottage, a two-bedroom lodge and a barn with its own kitchen.
The legendary actor lived in the six-bedroom home for 15 years, and in that time made many changes.
CATHERINE ZETA-JONES INSISTS HER THREE-COUNTRY PROPERTY PORTFOLIO ISN’T ‘EXCESSIVE’
Scarlett Johansson’s $158 Tennis Necklace Is from BaubleBar
In Scarlett Johansson’s world, all that glitters is, in fact, gold — er, an 18-karat gold necklace.
On September 23, the Jurassic World Rebirth star dazzled in a brown blazer, silky pants, and a glittery necklace that caught our attention. Surely, such a sparkle is made from real mined diamonds, right? Guess again! Her necklace is actually from BaubleBar, a brand seen on Khloé Kardashian, Jennifer Garner, and Taylor Swift, and that’s more affordable than anything you’d find at a department store jewelry counter.
To be specific, Johansson wore the twinkling Billie 18K Gold Tennis Necklace around her neck — and it costs less than $160.
BaubleBar Billie 18K Gold Tennis Necklace
The necklace is crafted with round-cut cubic zirconia stones that have an undeniably beautiful shimmer and a lavish 18k gold-plated sterling silver finish. The stones come in three different sizes — 1.5, 2, and 3 millimeters — so you can choose between a more subtle or flashy look. And regardless of size, all stones are placed in a four-prong setting to keep them in place.
As for chain length, there are 15-inch and 17-inch options available, the latter of which works better over turtlenecks and sweaters for fall. And bonus, it has a fold-over clasp, which, as an acrylic nail girl, I’ve found is so much simpler than a miniscule lobster clasp.
Plus, it goes with everything — jeans, dresses, or heck, even sweatpants — and makes it look all the more polished, too. Just a thought: It’d be the perfect little package to open on Christmas morning for a special someone in your life.
BaubleBar Billie Gold Tennis Necklace
BaubleBar also has other bling that doesn’t cost a lot of cha-ching. The brand actually sells a more affordable version of the same exact necklace that’s made with gold-plated brass instead. And it’s an impressive $80 less than the one ScarJo wore. Also included in the tennis necklace inventory is this now-$22 gem, a bezel bauble, and more.
Head to BaubleBar to score Scarlett Johansson’s Tennis necklace. Then keep scrolling to shop more sleek options from the brand.
BaubleBar Ruth Initial Tennis Necklace
BaubleBar Amalie Bezel Tennis Necklace
Paula Badosa Leaves Fans Heartbroken With Teary Exit From China Open: “Her Body Hates Her”
It’s been a rough year for Paula Badosa. The Spaniard has been sidelined since Wimbledon with a recurring back injury, a psoas tear affecting her lower back and hip. She missed the entire North American hard-court swing, including the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Open, and the US Open. Earlier in the season, she also withdrew from Indian Wells, Miami, and her home event in Madrid. The Asian swing finally offered hope as she returned with a straight-sets win over Antonia Ruzic. But another setback has struck.
On Sunday, Badosa faced Karolina Muchova. What started well soon unraveled in the first set. She was playing her first tournament since her first-round loss at Wimbledon. But this comeback turned heartbreaking. Trailing 4-2, Badosa walked off the court in tears, unable to continue.
As reported by edgeAI on X, “Paula Badosa retired at 2-4 down in set 1 vs Karolina Muchova. Took an MTO for a left thigh / groin injury and couldn’t continue. Was crying during the 6th game. Tough scenes.” Fans couldn’t stand to see yet another painful blow for the star.
One fan wrote under the post, “her body hates her,” capturing the frustration she has endured these past two years. Badosa’s waves of injury began in 2023 when she suffered a stress fracture in her back, specifically the L4/L5 vertebrae. That forced her out of the last five months of the season. She later had to battle a psoas tear in 2025, only adding to her struggles.
Now, after another heartbreaking retirement at the China Open, Paula and her fans are left with a bitter pill to swallow.
5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
In the fast-moving world of professional golf, fans are paying closer attention not just to the players but also to the people standing alongside them. For Ludvig Åberg, one of golf’s brightest rising stars, that person is Olivia Peet.
Far from being a passive figure in the gallery, Peet has her own athletic pedigree, academic achievements, and career in sports administration. Their relationship, rooted in shared experiences at Texas Tech University, has become a story that extends beyond fairways and leaderboards.
Here are five fast facts you need to know about Olivia Peet.
1. She grew up in Manchester, England with tennis in her blood
Peet’s sports journey started far from the golf course. Born and raised in Manchester, England, she grew up in a tennis family. Her father, Chris Peet, was a professional tennis player who passed along his passion and skills.
By her teens, Peet was among the top 10 junior tennis players in the country. She captained her high school team to national championships and quickly built a reputation as one of England’s brightest young prospects. That early discipline in competition shaped the work ethic she carries today.
2. She was a standout at Texas Tech University in tennis and academics
In 2018, Peet made the leap across the Atlantic to join Texas Tech University, where she competed in Division I tennis. Over her career, she recorded more than 100 combined singles and doubles victories–a benchmark of consistency and endurance.
She didn’t just excel on the court. Peet graduated in December 2023 with a Master’s degree in Sport and Fitness Administration and Management. She was recognized multiple times for academic excellence, proving she could juggle top-level athletics with the classroom.
3. She works in sports administration after her playing career
After finishing her playing days, Peet stayed connected to sports through the administrative side. She currently serves as Associate Director of Athletics Annual Fund and Premium Seating at Texas Tech.
It’s a role that demands business savvy, relationship building, and organizational skill–very different from competing on a tennis court, yet still deeply tied to the athletic environment. This move shows she’s more than an athlete; she’s carving out her own space in the sports industry.
4. She met Ludvig Åberg at Texas Tech and the relationship went public in 2023
Peet and Åberg’s connection began in Lubbock, Texas, where both were student-athletes at Texas Tech. The friendship grew into something deeper, and by September 2023, they made their first public appearance as a couple at the Ryder Cup Gala Dinner in Rome.
Since then, Peet has been by Ludvig’s side at major events–from Ryder Cup ceremonies to the Masters. In 2024, the couple bought a home together in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, solidifying their shared base as Åberg’s pro golf career takes off.
5. She brings athlete credibility and unwavering support to Ludvig’s career
Peet’s background as a high-level tennis player means she knows the grind: the early mornings, the pressure, the travel, and the mental strain. That gives her a unique ability to support Ludvig, not just as a partner but as someone who understands the demands of elite sport.
She’s been vocal about how proud she is of Åberg’s rise, often praising both his skill on the course and his character off it. Their partnership shows a balance of two athletes turned professionals– one on the world stage with a club in hand, the other building a career behind the scenes in sports.
Coco Gauff Makes Feelings Clear on Chinese Crowd After Tough Win in Beijing: “Why Do You Like Me?”
Before Coco Gauff defeated Venus Williams at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships, little did anyone know that she was a star in the making. However, she proved that it wasn’t a one-off victory, as Gauff has gone on to win a couple of Grand Slam titles to date. While she isn’t done yet, Gauff possesses a stellar personality on and off the court, something that gives the vibes of the Williams sisters she is often compared with. Recently, the American sensation singled out one major reason why she continues to amass the love of the fans.
Gauff is currently playing in the China Open and has reached the round of 16 after a tough battle against Leylah Fernandez. The World Number 3 had to dig deep to overcome the challenge of the former US Open champion, but found support in the form of the Chinese fans, who were very vocal in her support. During the post-match interview, Gauff addressed why she has a global fanbase and why her fans love her.
Gauff revealed, “Yes, there are definitely moments like that. Honestly, here, every day, I wake up feeling very grateful to all the people who appreciate me (smiles). I ask them, ‘Why do you like me?’ They say, ‘We like your personality.’ For me, it means a lot when they say that rather than talking about my tennis or the way I play. It makes me feel more like a person. Every day when I wake up here, I really feel that gratitude.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Further, she went on to add, “Now, I want to take that with me when I travel. I don’t know if I’ll receive as many gifts anywhere else in the world. I hope Western fans will be as kind as Chinese fans with their gifts, because I love gifts. I love being spoiled. I like receiving things. It’s fun. Yes, I love this place. And I love my life, for sure.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Gauff has been showered with gifts during the ongoing China Open by her fans. From stuffed animals to Labubu dolls, the American sensation has received some amazing surprises during her stay at the tournament.
Meanwhile, Gauff has backed Carlos Alcaraz on his complaints that the current situation is a mess in terms of prize money. She called for a major rule change for the players to get a better deal.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Coco Gauff speaks out on the latest change required in tennis
Recently, Carlos Alcaraz slammed the distribution of prize money from Grand Slam events. While such events draw in a massive response from the fans and generate a huge revenue, Alcaraz felt that there must be a fair distribution of that revenue for the players. Coco Gauff backed Alcaraz’s claim and hoped for the situation to improve.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
She said, “I mean, overall it’s been a long, long process with that. We have a player representative. I like to keep most of the comments for him because they did have a meeting this week. I was not a part of it because I had practice at the same time. I think the goal is just obviously increasing the percentage of prize money, but also making it better, not just for us but throughout the field.”
The top players on the tour even signed a letter in this regard, with the likes of Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek, and others joining in. Do you agree with these claims from Alcaraz and Gauff that the players need to get better deals from Grand Slam tournaments? Let us know your views in the comments below.
Lorenzo Musetti under fire after complaining Chinese fans ‘are always coughing’
Italian tennis star Lorenzo Musetti is under fire after hurling a derogatory remark toward fans in China during a match in Beijing.
Musetti, 23, was set off when he heard coughing in the crowd during his match against France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at the China Open on Friday.
After dropping a point to the Frenchman in the second-set tiebreaker, the No. 9 ranked player in the world erupted at the crowd.
“They are always coughing, these f—ing Chinese,” he exclaimed. “They are always coughing, for f–k’s sake. They cough every three seconds.”
Musetti went on to win the match — but his victory was overshadowed by stern pushback on social media and allegations of racism.
The Italian took to Instagram on Saturday morning to address the Chinese fans and apologize for his actions.
“I would like to sincerely apologize for what I said in frustration yesterday during my match,” Musetti wrote.
“My words were directed only at a few individuals in the crowd who were coughing repeatedly and disturbing the play,” he continued. “They were never, in any way, meant for the Chinese people. It happened in a moment of stress and tension in the second tiebreak, but still, this is no excuse at all.”
Musetti’s outburst marks the second instance this month that a tennis star has had to walk back offensive remarks sent in China’s direction.
American player Taylor Townsend, in China for the Billie Jean Cup, recently made headlines for her comments about local delicacies served at a buffet.
She emphasized her shock and confusion while rating the meal “a solid 2 out of 10 so far, because this is crazy.”
Townsend, 29, went on to express her regrets on social media.
“I just wanted to come on here and apologize sincerely from the bottom of my heart,” Townsend said in a video posted on Instagram. She added that she had “nothing but the most amazing experience” in China and that her comments were “not representative of that at all.”
IHSAA boys tennis sectional pairings results for South Bend area
The 2025 HSAA boys tennis postseason is here. The sectional draw was revealed Sunday, Sept. 28, setting the stage for the 64 sectionals taking place across the state of Indiana this week. Of those 64 sectionals, six involve South Bend area teams.
South Bend Saint Joseph and Penn headline the area squads. The No. 6 Huskies are 13-3 on the season with losses to No. 1 Carmel (4-1), No. 2 Homestead (5-0) and No. 6 Culver Academies (3-2).
The Huskies, who lost to eventual state champion Brebeuf 5-0 in the state semifinals in 2024, are led by the Hix brothers. Junior Jacob Hix plays No. 1 singles and sophomore brother Oliver is at No. 2 for coach Matt Halfpenny’s team.
St. Joe has won a total of 35 sectional titles, including 16 in a row.
Penn, which lost 5-0 to Center Grove in the quarterfinals at state last season, sits at 15-4 prior to a regular season match versus LaPorte on Monday. The Kingsmen have lost to No. 2 Homestead, No. 3 Brebeuf, No. 4 Culver Academies and No. 6 St. Joe.
The Kingsmen, who are led by senior Quinn Lippert at No. 1 singles, have won 30 total sectionals, including 23 straight.
Below you will find all the South Bend area sectional pairings.
Stay tuned to this page, as the results being updated daily throughout the week.
AREA SECTIONALS (ALL TIMES ET)
At South Bend Saint Joseph (SB Adams is hosting due to construction at Leeper Park)
Wednesday, Oct. 1: 5 p.m.: South Bend Washington vs. South Bend Riley; 5 p.m.: John Glenn vs. South Bend Saint Joseph.
Thursday, Oct. 2: 5 p.m.: Championship
At LaPorte (At Kesling Park)
Wednesday, Oct. 1: 5:30 p.m.: New Prairie vs. Michigan City Marquette; 5:30 p.m.: LaPorte vs. Michigan City
Thursday, Oct. 2: 5:30 p.m.: Championship
At Concord
Tuesday, Sept. 30: 5 p.m.: Concord vs. Jimtown; 5 p.m.: Northridge vs. Elkhart
Wednesday, Oct. 1: 5 p.m.: Championship
At NorthWood
Tuesday, Sept. 30: 5 p.m.: Bethany Christian vs. Bremen.
Wednesday, Oct. 1: 5 p.m.: NorthWood vs. Goshen; 5 p.m.: Fairfield vs. NorthWood-Goshen winner
Thursday, Oct. 2: 5 p.m.: Championship
At Penn
Tuesday, Sept. 30: 4:30 p.m.: Penn vs. South Bend Adams; 4:30 p.m.: Mishawaka Marian vs. Mishawaka
Wednesday, Oct. 1: 4:30 p.m.: Championship
At Culver Academy
Dates and Times TBD
North Judson vs. Triton; Knox vs. Plymouth; Culver Academy vs. North Judson-Triton winner; Championship
Coco Gauff Opens Up on the Real Reason Behind Investment in $340M Startup
“Basketball is one of my favorite sports, and the chance to support a league that’s redefining the game is exciting,” Coco Gauff said earlier this year as she revealed herself as one investor in Unrivaled, a new women’s basketball league in the US. With its inaugural season kicking off on January 17, the 3×3 league has already pulled in an impressive $28 million in funding. For Gauff, the move comes as no surprise given her lifelong love for hoops, which she has often called one of her “favorite sports.”
The league’s Series A investment round is stacked with star names, from NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo and swimming legend Michael Phelps to actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis. And just yesterday, after her hard-fought 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 win over Leylah Fernandez at the China Open, the 21-year-old shed more light on what drew her to the project and why she wanted to be part of it.
Notably, a reporter asked Coco Gauff about her decision to invest in the Unrivaled League, pointing out her photo with Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. The urge to know more, they wanted a scoop on the 21-year-old’s reasons for investment, and she didn’t hesitate to answer. “Yeah, no, I’m an investor in it. I think the idea came, A, because I saw a lot of other prominent names being invested in the league. I’m like, Okay, I want to do it,” she explained. For her, it was both a natural progression and a chance to stand alongside other high-profile athletes and figures supporting women’s basketball.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
She credited a familiar face from her own sport. “Also Micky Lawler, she’s the head of league. I don’t know the right term to put it in. She’s coming from tennis. I had that personal connection with her,” Gauff said. Micky Lawler, a former WTA President, now leads Unrivaled as its Commissioner, in partnership with founders Collier and Stewart. Gauff reaffirmed that getting involved felt like a straightforward decision with that connection in place.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“Her and the team of Unrivaled asked if I wanted to be involved. Of course, the answer was yes because I love basketball, probably my second favorite sport outside of tennis. I love the WNBA.” It was a blend of passion and trust: basketball has long been a love of hers, and the leadership team had roots in tennis she could relate to. And if that wasn’t enough, the 2024 WTA Finals winner and World No.3 also highlighted the structuring of Unrivaled, noting the league’s foundation borrows heavily from tennis.
“I think this gives a lot of the players a different option to do outside of season. Honestly, the way Micky did it, I went and visited all the facilities, it’s really a lot modeled after tennis.” In professional tennis, traveling nurseries, top-notch locker rooms, and athlete-first amenities are staples at the biggest events. For Gauff, these standards for women’s basketball confirmed the league’s seriousness about player welfare and sustainability.
In the end, she highlighted the impact this model is already creating for athletes. Gauff cited how the facilities excited the players, which automatically resulted in reflecting on her own sport with gratitude. She admitted it was bittersweet, saying, “I’m like, what they have is kind of typical to what we have on tour. For them it’s like a plus and they don’t really have that.” She believes Unrivaled would raise the bar for women’s basketball. “I think a lot of WNBA teams are following notion on that and creating these better practice facilities for players.”
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
For Gauff, the investment goes far beyond finances – it’s about backing a vision that can elevate standards across all women’s sports.
Coco Gauff shares another reason behind Unrivaled investment
In early January, the official website of Unrivaled introduced Coco Gauff as one of its key investors. Sharing her excitement about the collaboration, Gauff said, “I look forward to being part of this movement and continuing to help elevate women’s sports to new heights,” as reported by the league’s website on January 6.
Shortly after, she took to X to share a more personal reason for joining. Joking about her father’s influence, she wrote, “My dad always wanted me to follow in his footsteps and play basketball. Haha sorry dad but this is as close as it will get 🤣.” She followed up with a heartfelt note: “In all seriousness, I’m incredibly grateful to get the opportunity to uplift women’s sports and I am super excited to join the @Unrivaledwbb family! I can’t wait to watch 💜💜.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Given the venture’s credibility and shared risk, Gauff joins a roster of high-profile investors for a greater cause. With her influence in the media, Gauff could help the brand get easy promotion. After a successful year 1 in place, year 2 returns to provide some quality basketball action.
Daniil Medvedev Slams $10 Million Technology at China Open After ‘Crazy’ Tennis Admission
If raw, fierce, and cunning tennis shots were a person, then Daniil Medvedev would be the perfect definition for it. Beyond his skill on the court, the Russian star is also known for his bold and upfront antics, which rarely go unnoticed. The latest one was witnessed at the 2025 China Open, where he took a dig at the $10 million technology.
Earlier today, the 2021 US Open winner squared off against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina for the round of 16 clash, where he secured a 6-3, 6-3 win against the Spaniard at the Lotus court. However, during the game, Medvedev didn’t hold back in speaking his mind, taking a dig at the stakeholders for not using their state-of-the-art Hawk-Eye technology.
A small clip shared by @tennistemple on X showcases the 29-year-old chatting with an official behind the camera, as it records him speaking about the technology. “Aren’t the ATP paying millions of dollars to Hawkeye no? When you pay 10 million every year, you should just show it, right?” says Daniil Medvedev.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Jake Knapp Grieving The Death Of Girlfriend Makena White
We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.
Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.
We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.
Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.
Golf Fans All Issue Same Complaint About Bethpage Setup Before Ryder Cup Final Day: ‘PGA Neutered It’
“WARNING! The Black Course Is An Extremely Difficult Course, Which We Recommend Only For Highly Skilled Golfers.” The disclaimer is written on a bright red board, visible to anyone who enters the course. Bethpage Black has long been one of the most feared courses in golf. Nicknamed “The Beast,” the course was once known for punishing rough, narrow fairways, and relentless length — a true test of skill. Excitement was high when it was selected for the 2025 Ryder Cup, but recent changes had stripped away much of its challenge. Now, those alterations are drawing sharp criticism as the event unfolds.
The course at Bethpage Black has seen a dramatic transformation since hosting past majors like the U.S. Open and the 2019 PGA Championship, where legends like Tiger Woods and Brooks Koepka struggled to find their footing. Back then, the rough was brutally thick, the fairways were narrow, and the layout demanded precision on every shot. Now, for the 2025 Ryder Cup, the rough is noticeably shorter, the fairways are wider, and even the overall length has been reduced compared to its usual public setup.
These changes have created a far more forgiving test for the highly anticipated USA vs. Europe showdown, encouraging aggressive play, bold risk-taking, and generating significantly more birdies than in past championships at Bethpage. The adjustments were intentional, made by the PGA of America to suit the match-play format of the Ryder Cup, which thrives on drama and momentum swings rather than punishing, defensive golf.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
As Viktor Hovland explained before the tournament, “If you get lucky and have a nice lie, you can easily make birdie from out of position here.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The setup changes have made the Ryder Cup more thrilling and entertaining, delivering the drama and excitement needed for an event that only happens every two years. With 50,000 fans in attendance, the course needs to offer something unique beyond the four majors played each year — something memorable and distinct.
As Captain Luke Donald put it, “Bethpage is a tough course, but it’s certainly not set up like a U.S. Open.” JJ Spaun’s winning score of 1-under at Oakmont, a course often called “the hardest fair course,” shows just how punishing major setups can be in comparison.
Bethpage Black is playing much shorter and more forgiving for this year’s Ryder Cup. The rough has been trimmed to below ankle height, and Thursday’s rain softened the greens, making birdies far more common than during past majors. As Harris English put it, “This is not the normal Bethpage Black. You’re going to see a lot more birdies out there than you normally would in the PGA or the U.S. Open.”
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
And he was absolutely right to predict that. Through the early sessions, birdies have been plentiful. Friday’s matches produced high birdie counts in both foursomes and fourballs. Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood combined for seven birdies in a single foursomes match. So did Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland in their 1-up win over Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley on Saturday’s foursomes.
So yeah, the aim for which the course was modified, it surely did achieve that. But fans across social media were not satisfied. For many, a more challenging course would have added extra competitiveness to the course. As of now, the PGA of America has simply made it easier for both teams.
Did the PGA of America make the Ryder Cup easy? Fans speak out
Well, with the current score of 11.5 – 4.5, it’s debatable how it was made easy, at least for USA. But the fans were unabashed in their remarks. Past recollections and comparisons with other courses gradually filled social media posts. Let us take a look at some of them.
“To be clear, Bethpage is a fantastic major-worthy course. Any criticism is that the PGA neutered it by shortening the course, widening the fairways, and chopping down the rough. The winning score here at the 2019 PGA was -8. If it were a regular tourney this week, it’d be -22 or so,” said one user. The 2019 PGA Championship saw Brooks Koepka win the title with a score of 8-under par. This was one of the lowest winning scores at Bethpage Black in a major tournament. To put into perspective, only six golfers in the entire field finished below par.
Along the same lines, another fan wrote, “Only 6 golfers were under par that week, and it took Brooks setting the course record and 36-hole record and then hanging on for dear life to even get to -8. Can’t believe we wasted Bethpage for a Ryder Cup.”
Contrast that with the 2002 US Open, when Tiger Woods famously became the only golfer under par, finishing at three-under. This Ryder Cup, as we have seen in the last two days, failed to reflect such challenges.
The PGA of America suffered a brutal blow for the way it modified the course. Renovation happens all the time, but the current modification deleted the ‘it’ factor of the course. Someone said, “Dude, these are the flattest, easiest greens I’ve ever seen. This course is all media hype. There is absolutely nothing special other than a few nice sand dunes.”
Here’s what has been changed. In 2019, for the PGA Championship, Bethpage Black played at 7,459 yards with fairways about 26 yards wide and thick, punishing fescue rough that severely punished wayward shots. But for the Ryder Cup, the PGA of America shortened the course to about 7,352 yards, including holes like the first and seventeenth reduced by 25 yards each. The rough was cut down to about two inches in height. “I just don’t understand why you would take the rough completely out of it. US doesn’t gain that much by having it down,” one fan noted.
Even Bryson DeChambeau was unable to recognise the course, lamenting the changes. “The golf course was a beast.”
Most of these changes were also done to favor the home team. But the current scoring proves that the calculation and strategies miserably failed. They also ignored the historical playbook. At the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, the U.S. won a home blowout by using a more difficult setup. Similarly, Europe used course setup to their advantage in their dominant 2023 home victory in Rome. By trying to force a “birdie-fest” at Bethpage, the U.S. removed its strategic advantage and allowed Europe to play to its strengths.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“The worst part is the U.S. would be doing much better if they kept the rough up. Just complete malpractice,” another fan posted.
Well, a decision meant to sway in their favor definitely turned opposite. If the course made it easier for both teams is a far-fetched remark. But it might be giving Europe a historic feat by Sunday evening.
Makena White Health Issues-What We Know After PGA Star’s Girlfriend’s Death
PGA golfer Jake Knapp’s girlfriend, Makena White, has died at the age of 28, a friend confirmed in a statement on her Instagram account.
“Hi everyone–this is Makena’s friend, writing with the heaviest heart to share that Makena passed away earlier this week,” the post read on Friday, September 26. The message added that she is “already so deeply missed by her dad, her family, her friends, and of course by Nelly and Fergie,” referencing White’s two dogs.
White’s friend described her as “one of a kind” with “this rare way of making you feel special,” and someone whose “huge heart was always overflowing with love.”
Knapp, who joined the PGA Tour in 2024, released a statement through PEOPLE following the news.
“Makena was such a thoughtful person whose selflessness toward others is something I will always appreciate,” he said. “We shared so many unforgettable memories together and now that she’s no longer with us, it’s a tough reality to comprehend. She had an incredible family, great friends, and her fun, outgoing energy will be missed by all of us. It’s an understatement to say how hard all of this is to process for everyone who knew Mak, especially her family and friends, who deserve privacy and respect during this difficult time.”
Knapp and White reportedly began dating in August 2023, according to an NBC broadcast after Knapp’s victory at the Mexico Open in February 2024. White was a visible presence at his tournaments, including his breakthrough win at the Mexico Open at Vidanta earlier this year.
Cause of Death
No information has been released regarding the cause of White’s death. However, she had previously shared glimpses of her health struggles on social media in the months leading up to her passing.
In June, she posted on X while following the U.S. Open Golf Championship scores from her laptop at work.
“We’re dialled #GolfsLongestDay,” she wrote. Later, she shared a photo of her Apple Watch displaying a heart rate of 133.
White explained that she suffered from tachycardia, a condition that can cause the heart to beat abnormally fast, typically more than 100 beats per minute in adults. The condition can have many triggers, including stress, dehydration, fever, certain medications, or underlying heart problems.
“(By dialled I mean tachycardic) #GolfsLongestDay,” she wrote.
There has been no confirmation that her death is linked to the condition.
What People Are Saying
A friend of Makena’s, announcing her death on Instagram:
Heather McMahan out as Ryder Cup MC after Rory McIlroy chants
The PGA of America said a Ryder Cup master of ceremonies stepped down after video of an expletive-laced chant toward Rory McIlroy was posted on social media on Saturday, Sept. 27.
On Sunday, the PGA released a statement to BBC Sports announcing that comedian and actress Heather McMahan will not return to emcee the first tee on the final day at Bethpage Black. This decision follows her involvement in directing the crowd to participate in a chant directed at McIlroy.
record five touchdowns in the first half
Sept. 29
1920 — Yankees slugger Babe Ruth sets then-MLB home run season record at 54.
1923 — Gene Sarazen beats Walter Hagen 1 up to capture the PGA championship.
1941 — Joe Louis knocks out Lou Nova in the sixth round at the Polo Grounds in New York to retain the world heavyweight title.
1954 — Willie Mays makes his over-the-shoulder catch of Vic Wertz’ long drive to center field and pinch-hitter Dusty Rhodes homers off Bob Lemon in the 10th inning to lead the New York Giants to a 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians in Game 1 of the World Series.
1967 — American boxer Emile Griffith regains his world middleweight crown on points in a brawling re-match with Italian Nino Benvenuti at Shea Stadium, NY; second of famous trilogy of fights.
1974 — Dr. Norbert Sander Jr. wins the New York City Marathon in 2:26:30 and Kathy Switzer capture the women’s division in 3:07:29.
1976 — Tommy Lasorda replaces Walter Alston as Los Angeles Dodgers manager.
1977 — Muhammad Ali wins a unanimous 15-round decision over Earnie Shavers at Madison Square Garden in New York to retain his world heavyweight title.
1984 — Mike Prindle of Western Michigan sets an NCAA record by kicking seven field goals in a 42-7 rout over Marshall.
1985 — Houston Oilers quarterback Warren Moon is sacked 12 times in a 17-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys to tie an NFL record.
1988 — American athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee wins her second gold medal of the Seoul Olympics by taking the long jump with an Olympic record leap of 7.40m; previously won the heptathlon.
1988 — American sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner sets women’s 200m world record 21.34; completes sprint double at the Seoul Olympics.
1988 — U.S. men’s basketball team beats Australia 78-49 to take the bronze medal at the Seoul Olympics; last time US represented by a team that doesn’t feature NBA players.
1988 — U.S. retain women’s basketball title at he Seoul Olympics with a 77-70 win over Yugoslavia; star guard Teresa Edwards top scores for the Americans with 18 points.
1991 — Pat Bradley wins the MBS LPGA Classic by one shot over Michelle Estill for her 30th career victory, qualifying her for the LPGA Hall of Fame.
1995 — The NHL and NHL Players Association strike a deal to allow league players to participate in the 1998 Winter Olympics.
2000 — At the Sydney Olympics, the U.S. men’s basketball team escapes the humiliation of playing for a bronze medal with an 85-83 victory over Lithuania in the semifinals. It’s the closest victory and biggest scare for a U.S. Olympic team since NBA players started competing in 1992.
2002 — After losing to Iowa State, Nebraska drops out of the Associated Press Top 25 football poll after being ranked for 348 consecutive weeks. The last time Nebraska was missing from the poll was Oct. 5, 1981.
2002 — Seattle’s Shaun Alexander scores an NFL-record five touchdowns in the first half of a 48-23 rout of Minnesota. He finishes with 139 yards rushing and 92 receiving and one TD short of the league mark of six in a game.
2004 — Major League Baseball announces the Montreal Expos will move to Washington to begin play at RFK Stadium in the 2005 season.
2012 — Geno Smith throws for 656 yards and ties a Big 12 record with eight touchdown passes to lead No. 9 West Virginia to a 70-63 win over No. 25 Baylor. Smith outduels Baylor’s Nick Florence, who has a standout game of his own with 581 yards and five TDs. Baylor’s Terrance Williams sets a Big 12 record with 314 yards receiving. The old mark was set minutes earlier by West Virginia’s Stedman Bailey, who had 303 yards and five TDs.
2015 — NCAA bans the SMU men’s basketball team from the postseason and suspends coach Larry Brown for nine games, saying he lied to investigators and ignored a case of academic fraud by a player.
2018 — Seventeen-year-old Hailie Deegan uses a bump-and-run on her teammate to become the first female winner of a NASCAR K&N West Series race. Her last-lap shove of Cole Rouse at Meridian Speedway in Idaho gives her the victory.
2020 — Ben Ainslie wins the Olympic gold medal in the Laser class, beating previous Laser Olympic champion Robert Scheidt.
_____
Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Ryder Cup keeping extra security for final day after fan chaos
The extra security added for Rory McIlroy’s four-ball match — as well as for the three other ones, too — Saturday will remain in place for the final day of the Ryder Cup during singles matches, PGA of America confirmed to The Post.
As fan conduct spiraled and led to heckles, slurs and boos being hurled toward the polarizing McIlroy during an ugly day at Bethpage Black, the organization in charge of the Ryder Cup placed added security and New York State police at the matches, while also adding additional messages on video boards scattered throughout the course about fan behavior.
“We will continue to closely monitor fan behavior and take appropriate action,” the PGA of America said in a statement Saturday night, hours after the passionate fandom that defines the Ryder Cup took an embarrassing turn.
The tension between McIlroy and the American fans — a contentious relationship that dates back to his last two Ryder Cups in the country, too — started to bubble Friday, when he flipped off a group of fans walking off the 11th hole.
He spread his arms out and blew a kiss to the crowd Saturday morning at the first tee. Then, on the 16th during foursomes, he stepped back from his shot and told fans to “shut the f–k up.” In the afternoon, on the sixth hole, McIlroy kept squatting as fans heckled him and said he wouldn’t putt “until they shut up,” too.
But by the time he neared the turn during four-ball, everything had worsened. Shane Lowry, his afternoon partner, reportedly had a spectator kicked out and faced taunts about his weight. McIlroy faced comments containing homophobic slurs, reminders of his collapse at the 2024 U.S. Open, taunts about his marriage with Erica Stoll and more, according to Golf Digest. “F–k you, Rory,” chants echoed throughout his rounds at Bethpage, and Heather McMahan, an emcee who initiated one herself at the first tee in the morning, stepped down.
At least a dozen state police were following McIlroy’s match by the time it reached the 16th green. Justin Thomas, who was one of the American golfers in McIlroy’s group, placed both hands in the air before shots to try and silence fans at times, too.
“When you play an away Ryder Cup, it’s really, really challenging,” McIlroy said following his match Saturday afternoon. “It’s not for me to say. People can be their own judge of whether they took it too far or not. I’m just proud of us for being able to win today with what we had to go through.”
Ryder Cup Global Playbook Turns Bethpage Into Broadcast Powerhouse
From the moment the 2023 Ryder Cup concluded, the PGA of America’s Global Media team has been at work planning not only the golf event itself, but the broadcast machinery behind it. The 2025 edition at Bethpage Black serves as one of the most ambitious media undertakings in golf history, involving nearly 100 international partners, layered feeds, and an expectation of flawless technical delivery.
This isn’t just about sending a feed to TV networks; it’s about constructing a media infrastructure that can adapt to local rights holders, variation in broadcast windows, and on-the-ground augmentation by partners. The logistics here go deep: site visits, hole-by-hole planning, signal routing, and contingency networks.
How Early Planning And Partnerships Set The Groundwork For Success
The Global Media team begins its work practically as soon as the prior tournament ends. That includes coordinating with NBC, Sky, Ryder Cup Europe, and other stakeholders to map out camera towers, broadcast compounds, signal paths, and course logistics. Onsite layouts are adjusted specifically for this event: ranges, spectator viewing zones, broadcast compounds–all recalibrated to support the media mission.
Close alignment between PGA of America, European Tour Productions, and rights holders is essential to prevent conflicting demands. The world feed needs to deliver a consistent base product, but many partners will layer their own commentary, features, or localized content over it. This requires constant communication, precise scheduling, and flexibility for last-minute tweaks.
Why NBC Is Producing The World Feed This Year, And How That Shapes The Coverage
In a strategic shift, NBC is producing the world feed (not just the U.S. domestic output). That decision is rooted in synergies from Comcast’s acquisition of Sky and past tendencies for NBC/Sky to co-produce. But it also reflects a confidence that NBC can manage continuous, global broadcasting demands better than segmented handovers.
This world feed must differ in structure; it cannot rely on commercial breaks, must sustain flow across time zones, and must be robust for augmentation by regional broadcasters. The PGA of America, Ryder Cup Europe, and NBC have all had to negotiate which portions of the feed are fixed and which are modifiable by local partners.
“One of the benefits of us handling the world feed is everyone benefits because we have walking announcers from both countries and interviews from both sides,” NBC Sports director of remote technical operations, Marc Caputo, said. “There are different voices and different opinions and that balance and diversity counts.”
What It Takes To Serve Over 100 International Partners With Different Needs
The sheer number of partners drives complexity. Some take only the world feed; others send their own crews to film customized content and local commentary. Some are photographers or written media only, others are full video operations in their home markets. The media hub PGA provides is critical, delivering press conferences, promos, communication assets, and live streams to registered partners worldwide.
Onsite, support must scale: technical liaisons, signal routing, redundant links, bandwidth allocation, and real-time coordination. The logistics don’t just end at providing feed–helping partners with integration, synchronization, and troubleshooting is a full-time demand.
How Innovation In Camera And Display Tech Enhances The Viewer And Fan Experience
This year, Bethpage Black hosts the most cameras ever deployed at a U.S. Ryder Cup. There are bunker cams on holes 4 and 14, multiple drones, cranes, even a plane giving aerial coverage, and tracing capability on all 18 holes. On the spectator side, 27 videoboards across the course produce more total pixels than iconic stadium displays combined.
Those displays are programmed dynamically–showing moments from around the course, alternate angles, and replays to bring fans onsite deeper into the action. The first tee also gets a major boost: a stage, DJ, and crowd engagement elements are layered into the broadcast plan so that the fan experience is part of the cinematic production.
Why This Production Strategy Is Critical For Global Impact And Brand Protection
It’s not just about making the event look good; it’s about ensuring that the Ryder Cup brand stands up everywhere in the world. Weak signals, feed dropouts, or technical missteps in some country can erode credibility and damage partnerships. The PGA of America knows that every broadcast is a statement of professionalism.
Moreover, consistent feed quality allows sponsors, advertisers, and rights holders to trust the product. For emerging markets, local broadcasters rely heavily on the world feed, so delivering a solid base is essential. Failure in one region can ripple through reputational risk.
By building redundancy, flexibility, and partner support into the plan, the PGA sets a higher bar for what a global sporting event’s production should be. In heavyweight sports coverage, this level of broadcast architecture is part of the battlefield.
PGA Tour Pro’s Wife Makes Feelings Clear on Rory McIlroy Amid Upsetting Row With American Fans
This Ryder Cup will be remembered for two things. When the away team brutally crushed the home team on their turf. And the types of hostilities that were to be seen on the majestic Bethpage Black. It is given that the Ryder Cup will be brutal towards its rival, but the likes of what went down over the last two days raise multiple questions. It is one thing to question and jeer a player’s game play, and completely another to bring someone’s personal life on the course. The tense situation has led to several people talking, including this PGA pro’s wife.
Jessica Hadwin, wife of Canadian pro Adam Hadwin, fired off a blunt response on X, calling out the hypocrisy of the spectators, “Imagine being legit furious and yelling insane shit to players who didn’t even know you existed in life and getting kicked out of a golf tournament. Same guys who DM players telling the to KYS over golf scores. Ultimate loser behavior.”
As fiery as her tweet is, the crowd behaviour on Saturday was indeed boisterous. Since Friday, Rory McIlroy was welcomed with the jeerings of “F*** you, Rory.”The highlight of the event was when a mic announcer rode on the bandwagon, urging New Yorkers to curse McIlroy. By the end of the day, she stepped down from her position, but by then the damage was done.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Most of the crowd’s rage was directed at McIlroy, the talisman for the European team. Fans dipped completely into personal jibes with remarks like, “How’s your divorce going?” one shouted. “Your ex is looking for you,” another added. This in the context of McIlroy and Erica’s divorce last year, which was called of a few months after and the couple reconciled.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
So, these comments certainly hit a nerve as McIlory was later seen flipping the bird towards the crowd. In one instance, he was seen pointing at people, mouthing the word “F*** you!”
But, “I don’t mind them having a go at us, that’s to be expected,” McIlroy said afterwards. “That’s what an away Ryder Cup is…In between shots, say whatever you want to me. That’s totally fine. But just give us the respect to let us hit shots and give us the same chance that the Americans have.”
The bile was not only reserved for McIlroy, however. Every European player who performed exceptionally faced the brunt of it. At the 13th green, Shane Lowry was being mocked with chants of “Ozempic” aimed at his physique. These were similar to what Robert MacIntyre heard the previous day, as well as Jon Rahm, who had to listen to these even before the event started.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
But unlike MacIntyre, who faltered, or Rahm, who laughed it off, Lowry responded to the bullies by draining a putt and screaming with his own four-letter word back at them. When he had had enough of them, he flagged the security and waved sarcastically when the man was ejected. This rage seemed to fuel the duo as Lowry poured in an eagle at the third, a birdie at the fourth, and he and McIlroy reached a 1-up victory.
The situation tensed so much at times that from the American side, Justin Thomas and Cameron Young had to step in, shushing the crowd. Referees and officials were seen rushing, and police troops kept patrolling around. It was at the height of the tension that bottles were reportedly thrown at McIlory and his wife from the crowd’s stand.
Despite the rascality, McIlroy’s dad, Gerry, affirmed his belief in his son, saying, “It’s OK, Rory can handle it.”But European captain Luke Donald was much sharper in his assessment, saying how the US fans had “crossed the line” with their behaviour.
Anyway, the jeerings did not seem to get into the head of the Europeans as the team rolled the USA with an 11.5 – 4.5 score. But it surely has affected Keegan Bradley out of all people.
Keegan Bradley defends hostile fan behaviour
US Captain Keegan Bradley is being called out in what is considered a failure of his strategies after Team USA fell to Team Europe in the Friday and Saturday sessions. But what is now making its roll in the media is his attempts to justify the jeerings and abuse hurled at Rory McIlroy and co.
He leaned on the idea of “passionate fans,” insisting the crowd was simply frustrated by Team USA’s poor play. “Part of it is our fault. We are not playing up to the standards that they want to see, and they are angry, and they should be.” He even further went on to minimize the situation by saying that, as per him, the fans of New York have been “pretty good.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Bradley also deflected the questions raised at him by drawing comparisons to Rome two years ago. He suggested that “violent” behaviour had occurred there as well. Eventually, he denied taking any responsibility for the crowd’s behaviour, calling out the media for presenting a negative rhetoric. “I don’t appreciate those words that you just said.”
Several users on the internet questioned the spirit of Keegan’s captaincy, and while that is up for debate, a certain sense of empathy should arise from a man whose team is hosting the opponents this time. While he is on good terms with fellow captain Luke Donald, he did go back and forth with McIlroy during his playing captaincy speculations a month ago.
Ryder Cup Cans MC For Chanting ‘F**k You’ at Professional Golfer
The PGA of America has confirmed that Heather McMahan will not be returning to her role as master of ceremonies at the Ryder Cup. The actress and comedian was heard leading chants of “f–k you Rory” against professional golfer Rory McIlroy earlier this weekend. “Heather McMahan has extended an apology to Rory McIlroy and Ryder Cup Europe and has stepped down from hosting the first tee of the Ryder Cup,” the group said in a statement. The chants are understood to have first started on Saturday morning. McIlroy told fans to “shut the f–k up” after being heckled while trying to tee up a shot. “I don’t mind them having a go at us,” the Northern Irish professional golfer told reporters later in the day. “Like, that’s to be expected. I mean, that’s what an away Ryder Cup is. Whenever they are still doing it while you are over the ball and trying to hit your shot, that’s the tough thing.”
An American man held in Afghanistan since December 2024 is coming home, according to an announcement from U.S. State Department. Amir Amiry, 36, had been detained by the Taliban since December of 2024. He was photographed returning to the U.S. alongside counterterrorism director Sebastian Gorka, US hostage negotiator Adam Boehler, and a Qatari diplomat on Sunday. Negotiations for Amiry’s release lasted months. Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked Qatar in a statement, saying “We express our sincere gratitude to Qatar, whose strong partnership and tireless diplomatic efforts were vital to securing his release.” He also stated that the return of Americans wrongly detained abroad remains one of President Trump’s priorities. Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi also thanked Qatar for its role in negotiating Amiry’s release. Muttaqi said the Taliban “do not view foreign nationals from a political perspective,” and thus engaged in diplomatic relations to negotiate Amiry’s release. While it’s unclear what, if anything, the U.S. promised in exchange for Amiry’s release, the Taliban and U.S. have exchanged prisoners in the past.
Advent calendars are so fun. What’s a better way to count down than with a daily treat? This year, Total Wine & More invites you to embark on a delicious wine-filled adventure with an expertly curated Advent calendar. It’s an incredible gift for a loved one—or a special gift to yourself—perfect for anyone who appreciates a fine glass of wine.
This calendar includes 24 unique 187 mL bottles, a little over one standard glass, from nations like France, Spain, Chile, Italy, Germany, Hungary, and South Africa. Without spoiling it completely, you can look forward to enjoying 12 bottles of red, nine bottles of white wines, and three bottles of rosé. But you’ll need to be faster than Dasher to snag this deal. Quantities are limited, and according to Total Wine & More, these Advent calendars typically sell out by early to mid-November.
Wine Adventure Advent Calendar
Selling out fast!
If you buy something from this post, we may earn a small commission.
The alleged gunman behind a deadly shooting at a North Carolina dockside restaurant over the weekend was once country singer Kellie Pickler’s date to the CMT Music Awards. Nigel Edge, who changed his name from Sean DeBevoise, could be seen alongside the American Idol star in his Marine uniform, according to a post on Pickler’s X account from June 6, 2012. “Me and my date (Sgt Sean DeBevoise) #CMTawards” Pickler captioned. According to a 2012 article from Taste of Country, DeBevoise was a Marine who was severely injured during his 2006 deployment to Iraq. “I am esctatic about being here at the CMT Music Awards with Kellie,” DeBevoise told the outlet. “She is the most sincere person I know. She is an angel.” The same night, Edge accused Pickler of attempting to kill him with a poisoned glass of Jim Beam, according to court documents obtained by TMZ. Edge is accused of killing three people and injuring eight at the American Fish Company saloon in Southport Saturday night. He faces three counts of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder. according to Southport Police Chief Todd Coring. Authorities described the crime as a “targeted” shooting carried out by a “lone wolf” gunman despite unclear motives; investigation is ongoing.
The family who appeared on the TLC series Meet the Putmans was in a car crash Friday, leaving three members dead and five hospitalized. The family announced that grandparents Bill “Papa” Putman and Barb “Neenee” Putman, as well as their daughter-in-law Megan Putman, died from their injuries following the crash in Tuscola County. “I come to you with a heavy heart asking for your prayers,” the family announced in a statement. “Our family was in a tragic car accident and we lost Papa, Neenee, and Aunt Megan. They have gone home to be with the Lord.” Eight members of the family were in a Jeep when a semi-truck ran through a stop sign and collided with their vehicle near Cass City, according to the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office. Megan Putnam’s husband Blake, and their three children, Lulu, Alena, and Noah and niece Gia were injured in the crash. “Of the 8 occupants in the Jeep, 3 were pronounced deceased on scene. All other occupants of the Jeep were transported to respective hospitals by helicopter and [ambulance], some in critical condition,” wrote authorities.Meet the Putmans aired on TLC in 2017 and centered around the multi-generational family living under one roof. The show ran for only one season, but the Putmans continued to document their lives on YouTube with their channel, “Growing Up Putman” in 2021.
Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission.
Turn your holiday countdown this year into something a little naughtier (and more fun) with Lovehoney’s Advent calendars. A spicy spin on the class tradition, these calendars are an erotic journey of passion, play, and connection. Choose from five tantalizing options, each loaded with toys and treats to keep things steamy all winter long. The ultimate pick? The Couples Calendar. With 24 luxe goodies—think card games, blindfolds, and whips—it’s full of ways to turn everyday into a new adventure with your partner.
Lovehoney Couple’s Advent Calendar (24 Day)
The standouts are definitely the Womanizer Classic 2 and the We-Vibe Sync Lite—worth $260 alone. The Womanizer Classic 2 is a clitoral stimulator that uses air to deliver a sucking sensation. The We-Vibe Sync excels at couples play. Hands-free, wearable, and flexible, it delivers pleasure to both partners all at once. Plus, with the app, you (or your partner) can get even naughtier, whether you’re in the same room or across the house. As always, Lovehoney ships its items in discreet packaging to keep your purchase confidential.
Boxing legend Tyson Fury’s 16-year-old daughter, Venezuela Fury, got engaged at her sweet 16 birthday bash. Venezuela’s mom, Paris Fury, captured the moment teen boxer Noah Price, 16, popped the question. “Congratulations to @venezuelafuryofficial and @7noahprice on getting engaged,“ Paris wrote on Instagram. ”Both only young but when you know you know! Still in shock but very happy for you both. Me and your Dad couldn’t be prouder xxx @tysonfury.
How Did Shane Lowry & His Wife Wendy Meet? PGA Tour Star’s Love Life Explored
Sitting six feet outside the cup, Shane Lowry needed a birdie to tie the match with Russell Henley. Only half a point would have helped the European team win the 2025 Ryder Cup. And he did it, hitting the perfect putt to give his team the title on American soil. Overwhelmed with emotions, Lowry embraced his wife, Wendy Honner, who rushed from behind the ropes to celebrate her husband’s outstanding comeback.
This is not the first time Wendy has been on the course, cheering her partner. But it did come as a surprise watching her at Bethpage, as Andrew Coltart had warned the partners of Team Europe players to stay away from the course. But Honner was afraid of some heckling. She has been with Lowry through thick and thin for the past 9 years. And we’re only talking about their life as a married couple.
What the NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings look like after Kansas
Chase Elliott won Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway and locked himself into the penultimate round of the postseason. Here’s what the Cup Series playoff standings look like going into the Round of 12 elimination race at the Charlotte Roval.
1. Chase Elliott (Win)
Elliott won’t be under any pressure next weekend following his win on Sunday.
2. Ryan Blaney (Win)
Blaney faced a tumultuous weekend at Kansas, but his victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway one week ago means his 24th-place effort on Sunday didn’t hurt him at all.
3. Kyle Larson (+54)
The 2021 Cup Series champion nearly clinched a spot on points going into the Roval.
4. Denny Hamlin (+48)
A runner-up finish left Hamlin disappointed on Sunday, but he should be in for a relatively stress-free race at the Roval.
5. Christopher Bell (+44)
Bell finished third on Sunday and is in a fantastic points position going into the Roval.
6. William Byron (+40)
Byron had a so-so day at Kansas with a ninth-place run, but he should be breathing easy next weekend.
7. Chase Briscoe (+21)
Briscoe had a huge points day on Sunday with a fourth-place finish at Kansas.
8. Joey Logano (+13)
Logano is the last man in the provisional Round of 8 field after finishing 21st at Kansas on Sunday.
9. Ross Chastain (-13)
Chastain only finished 11th on Sunday, which led to him losing ground to the cut line. He’ll need a big points day the Roval next week.
10. Bubba Wallace (-26)
Wallace led at the white flag on Sunday, but finished fifth after contact with Hamlin in the final corner.
11. Tyler Reddick (-29)
Reddick clawed his way to a seventh-place result on Sunday after struggling early at Kansas.
12. Austin Cindric (-48)
Cindric will need a win at the Roval next week after finishing 30th on Sunday at Kansas.
Chase Elliott passes Denny Hamlin on last lap of NASCAR race at Kansas
Chase Elliott won the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway after a dramatic overtime restart.
Elliott’s victory automatically advances him to the Round of 8 in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
A violent crash during overtime saw Zane Smith’s car flip multiple times before he climbed out uninjured.
Chase Elliott used the word “somehow.”
Somehow, he started eighth on an overtime restart Sunday, Sept. 28, and won the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway.
Somehow, he maneuvered his way to the inside of Denny Hamlin, side-bumped him and outran the No. 11, the same car that led a race-best 159 laps, to the stripe.
No matter how, Elliott is a two-time winner this season, and he automatically advanced to the Round of 8 in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. One week remains in the Round of 12.
“Everything just worked out perfect for me,” Elliott said on the USA Network broadcast. “Had a great push through (Turns) 1 and 2. That kind of all started with the 6 (Brad Keselowski). Big run off of 2.
“Seas kind of parted and just was able to keep my momentum up. That was really it. Obviously, we still had pretty good tires compared to those guys. What a crazy finish.”
Hamlin placed second. His Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Christopher Bell, followed in third.
Here are three takeaways:
1. Chase Elliott puts Hendrick Motorsports on playoff board
JGR swept the first round. Team Penske opened Round 2 with a victory last week. Hendrick Motorsports was 0-for-4 and on the verge of 0-for-5 as Bell and 23XI’s Bubba Wallace battled to begin the final restart.
Then, Elliott performed his magic trick.
He led 24 laps, good for third-most Sunday.
The driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet now owns 21 career victories. His first win of the year happened in late June at Atlanta.
As for his Hendrick teammates, Kyle Larson slotted fifth, William Byron ninth and already-eliminated Alex Bowman 28th. Larson sits third in the standings entering next weekend’s cutoff race, and Byron is sixth.
2. Zane Smith wrecks and skids and flips
It was like Zane Smith was surfing a wave.
John Hunter Nemechek elbowed Smith into the wall, and he went up on his left side, riding the barrier like that for a good five seconds. Then, he flipped twice and landed right side up coming down the track.
The crash brought out a red flag. Smith climbed out of the No. 38 under his own power.
“It was a wild ride, no doubt,” he told NBC Sports after being evaluated and released from the infield care center. “I had a decent restart going, and I just get wrecked by the 42. He just drives through me, and then I was sliding on the wall. I was just mad at that point from how our day was going, and this just pissed me off even more because that’s what really hurt was just flipping down the track. It was violent, no doubt.”
Smith was running near 15th during overtime when the incident happened. He finished 31st of 37 cars.
3. NASCAR schedule update: Playoffs finish Round of 12 at Charlotte ROVAL
Next week brings a rarity in the playoffs.
A road course.
The Cup Series will head to the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, also known as the ROVAL, for the lone roadie of the 10-week sprint.
The Bank of America ROVAL 400 will wrap up the Round of 12. It will feature 109 laps and 248.5 miles. The green flag is set for a few minutes after 3 p.m. Oct. 5.
Besides the four upcoming driver eliminations, the biggest question will be whether Shane van Gisbergen can continue his road dominance. The 36-year-old, who was cut following the first round of the playoffs, has won the last four road-course races. His most recent triumph came at Watkins Glen in August.
Joey Logano in precarious playoff position after Kansas
Defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano has a slightly tougher road to a fourth title following Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway.
After finishing fourth in the opening race of the Round of 12 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway one week ago, Logano had a solid gap to the cut line (+24) and some breathing room going into Kansas. Now, nearly half of that breathing room is gone.
Logano was forced to start at the rear of the field after his No. 22 Team Penske Ford sustained damage on Saturday. That led to an uphill battle all afternoon that culminated in a 21st-place finish after Logano was involved in a crash on a restart.
Logano will go to the Round of 12 elimination race at the Charlotte Roval just 13 points above Ross Chastain for the final spot in the penultimate round of the postseason.
NASCAR Hollywood Casino 400 takeaways
In a chaotic double-overtime finish that saw Denny Hamlin get together with his 23XI Racing driver and fellow playoff contender Bubba Wallace, Chase Elliott muscled his way around the two exiting Turn 4 to pick up his second win of the season and lock up his Round of 8 berth.
Here are three takeaways from the middle race in the Round of 12 of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs:
Elliott spoils Toyota party in wild finish
In a race dominated by Toyota, including four of the top five finishers and five of the top seven, Elliott played spoiler for his second Kansas win and 21st of his career. Despite restarting eighth for the double-overtime restart, the HMS driver maneuvered his way to the front and edged ahead of Hamlin to win by 0.069 seconds in a thrilling finish.
It capped a successful weekend all around for Elliott, who has struggled in qualifying all season. He took the green in fourth on Sunday, led 24 laps and scored the fourth-most stage points (15) of any driver, showing some positive signs midway through the playoffs.
Elliott joins Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney as the only two drivers currently locked into the Round of 8 and can rest easy going to next week’s Round of 12 finale at the Charlotte Roval.
What could have been for Toyota
For much of Sunday’s race at Kansas, it looked like Hamlin was on his way to extending his track record to five wins in the
Denny Hamlin Drops 5-Word Honest Verdict on Roval’s Place in NASCAR Playoffs
The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs are in a hot spot right now. Presently, four drivers are below the cutline – Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, and Austin Cindric. They contested their chances fiercely at Kansas Speedway’s Hollywood Casino 400, but that did not work out. Now, they have one last chance to make it to the Round of 8. And that chance is at a venue disliked by Denny Hamlin.
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver is safely riding above the cutline, owning 48 points to the good. Yet Denny Hamlin is also the team owner of 23XI Racing, and both of his drivers are below the cutline. Now he has more reasons to worry heading into the Charlotte Roval, a track he assigned little value to recently.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Denny Hamlin continues his diatribe
Well, the Charlotte Roval race may present problems for drivers below the cutline. A few days ago, Steve Letarte summed up the risks of drivers needing to crack the Round of 8. If they failed to gather sufficient points at Kansas, like Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, they may face a “kiss of death” at the Roval. That is because the last lap of the 17-turn road course can be tricky, a place where drivers are vulnerable to losing points. And Denny Hamlin agreed with Letarte, speaking in a pre-race media briefing at Kansas Speedway. “It’s really hard to bring an example where the Roval would be better unless you throw in a green white checkered,” he said.
Back in October 2024, Denny Hamlin and other drivers had lashed out at the Charlotte Roval’s new tweaks. The changes involved a “corkscrew” of chicanes, coupled with several repaved sections, particularly around turns 6-7, and the final corners. What is more, Hamlin also agreed with Brad Keselowski this year that North Wilkesboro should replace Roval’s points-paying race. And the JGR veteran expanded on his opinion now: “I truthfully believe that…the only reason (the Roval) is staying is because NASCAR wants to keep a road course in the playoffs.” Then Hamlin dropped his 5-word verdict about the Roval’s value, saying it is there “just as a competitive balance.” He continued, “Other than that, I can’t really see where it has a place.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Denny Hamlin extended his diatribe of the Charlotte Roval, the only road course in the NASCAR playoffs. He compared it to Charlotte Motor Speedway, the 2.25-mile asphalt oval, where we witnessed a thrilling race this year. Watching William Byron’s 283-lap dominance enthralled even Hamlin. Eventually, Ross Chastain won the race. Hamlin reflected, “Truthfully, when we had the Coke 600, it was just a great battle. I remember up front with us, the 1 and the 24, nobody could hold the lead. It just was wildly entertaining from my seat. The oval, you know, in this car seemed to really work well together.”
Clearly, there is no love lost between Denny Hamlin and the Charlotte Roval. While he candidly spoke out about this broken bond, he also spoke candidly about another feeble bond in his team – to try and revive it.
Efforts to make amends to the tense situation
Drivers frequently enter heated conflicts with rivals in NASCAR. When it involves drivers from opposing teams, the story is sensational and exciting. However, when it involves racers in the same team, then things are cold and embarrassing. In fact, the situation is more tense, as team meetings attain a different flavor. That is what JGR is currently facing after the fireworks in New Hampshire. Ty Gibbs, the only non-playoff contender in JGR, refused to give room to his teammates on lap 110. After a few warning bumps, Denny Hamlin got aggressive and spun out the No. 54. The three-time New Hampshire winner could not capitalize on it, however.
An online exchange of barbs ensued between Hamlin and Gibbs, both pointing out each other’s faults. However, Denny Hamlin eventually owned up to being too aggressive at the Magic Mile. Ahead of the Kansas race, he admitted, “Absolutely. I definitely got hot under the collar, and it went too far on my end. There were things I wish I could have done a little bit differently.” Yet neither Hamlin nor Gibbs would divulge details of their team meeting. All that the JGR veteran said was, “I think [we] are in a good place. The [conversations] were all productive. The guts of that are going to be confidential.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Denny Hamlin is trying to quietly grapple with the NASCAR playoffs. His efforts involve resolving team struggles and suggesting track changes – let’s wait and see how his fortunes play out.
SVG Gets Honest on NASCAR’s Oval Challenge After Kansas Breakthrough
Shane van Gisbergen can finally let out a deep sigh! In what was supposed to be an uphill battle, especially after his crew chief, Stephen Doran, was ejected for an unapproved adjustment on Saturday, the New Zealander worked his magic after serving a stop-and-go penalty in the opening laps. This left him two laps down, scrapping for the Lucky Dog with Michael McDowell, who was also penalised after Spire Motorsports made unapproved tweaks to the No. 71 Chevrolet Camaro. But no matter the curveball, SVG managed one of his best finishes on an oval in the Cup Series this afternoon.
Speaking to Frontstretch post-race, SVG was very modest in his conquest of the oval: “I don’t know about finally, I think it’s a process. This s*it’s pretty difficult, and I just — it’s taken me time to get better and better and yeah, the guys are doing a great job with the car and yeah, it was a tough one. We put ourselves two laps down with a penalty and had to come back, and yeah, it was a pretty awesome day. Had good car speed and had a lot of fun. “
SVG came up just one spot shy at the end of stage one on lap 80, but he didn’t have to wait long to claw back onto the lead lap. On lap 89, chaos struck when RFK Racing’s Ryan Preece tangled with John Hunter Nemechek on the front straight. The caution flew, and SVG snagged the Lucky Dog, finally back in the mix.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
However, stage 2 was a rollercoaster. The Trackhouse Racing driver battled a tight-handling car and struggled through setup swings that only made things trickier. The caution on lap 212 for JJ Yeley’s spin-off of Carson Hocevar’s nose gave SVG a chance to shine, with quick network voting him from 15th to 12th.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
But the following laps weren’t any calmer. But with 41 laps to go, the 33-year-old took a hit from William Byron, nudging him into Alex Bowman and sandwiching the No. 48 Chevy against the wall. Bowman finished two laps down, while SVG feared his own car had sustained damage, only to radio moments later that it might be okay and pressed on.
As the laps ticked down, SVG carved his way towards the top 10. A debris caution on Kyle Busch’s wall tap paused the action with 15 laps remaining. The restart was short-lived as well. In a dramatic first overtime attempt, Zane Smith was involved in a spine-chilling crash. John Hunter Nemechek had pinned Smith against the outside wall, causing him to flip twice down the banking. This triggered a red flag for cleanup. And despite the mayhem, SVG held steady.
Drawing on the insight he has gained from oval tracks and translating them into action, SVG said, “It’s just time on these tracks, like the vehicle dynamics and how the car works and the banking and the speed, the aero, yeah, I’ve started from zero and tracks like this are the most difficult so yeah, I still have a really lot to learn but I’m enjoying it. Cheers.”
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
After falling outside the top 20 earlier in the stint and finishing stage two in 19th, he regrouped for the final overtime start, launching from ninth and crossing the finish line in 10th ahead of teammate Ross Chastain. The result marked a season-best oval finish for SVG, surpassing his previous highs: 12th at Martinsville last fall and a pair of 14th-place runs at the Coke 600 and Richmond earlier this year.
Despite his penalty-plagued weekend, SVG finished topmost among the Trackhouse drivers. With SVG and Chastain claiming P10 and P11, fellow teammate Daniel Suarez closed off 17th. Now, as SVG has finally conquered the oval, his fellow Kiwi friend urges Gisbergen to dip his toes and maybe conquer IndyCar next…
Can SVG deliver in IndyCar amid Kansas oval success?
SVG and Scott McLaughlin both left Australia to chase racing careers in the United States, experiencing different degrees of success along the way. Three-time supercar champion McLaughlin has not only claimed victory in IndyCar but also believes SVG would excel in single-seater racing.
McLaughlin was honest when asked if he could picture SVG competing in the Indianapolis 500. He said, “I think he’s a little scared of us on the ovals. He’d be awesome at it. He’s just very diverse in what he does with his racing, and he’d be totally fine. It’d be pretty cool, definitely be pretty cool to see him in IndyCar.”
There is, however, one potential hurdle in the 32-year-old’s eyes. He explained, “I tell you what, he would be right on the max point of being able to fit in it, though. He’s a big boy, and it’s not just like height; he’s pretty broad. That’d be another challenge, but I think he would be bloody quick for sure. Just be able to fit in those things—until we get the new car, it’s just a little tight right now.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
He has already proven himself capable in single-seaters, notably winning the New Zealand Grand Prix after starting from the pit lane at Hampton Downs in 2021. While the three-time Bathurst 1000 winner has firmly shifted his focus to stock cars, taking on double duties isn’t unheard of, as shown by Kyle Larson’s recent ventures. However, the 36-year-old has signed a multi-year contract extension to stay with Trackhouse Racing. So, his IndyCar run seems impossible in the near future.
Toronto Blue Jays clinch AL East; Cincinnati Reds are in postseason
Alejandro Kirk hit two home runs, including his first career grand slam, and the Toronto Blue Jays clinched their first AL East title in a decade by routing the Tampa Bay Rays 13-4 in their regular-season finale Sunday.
George Springer and Addison Barger also went deep for the Blue Jays, who needed a win or a New York Yankees loss on the final day to take the division crown for the seventh time in team history and first since 2015. Toronto (94-68) also wrapped up the best record in the American League and will have home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs.
Kirk made sure of it with a first-inning slam and a two-run homer in the fifth as the Blue Jays capped their 11th series sweep of the year and extended their winning streak to four games.
The homers gave Kirk 15 this season, a career high. It was his second multi-home-run game of the season and the sixth of his career.
Kirk finished 3 for 5 with six RBIs. He also homered in Saturday’s 5-1 win.
BREWERS 4, REDS 2
MILWAUKEE — Cincinnati lost its regular-season finale to Milwaukee but still reached the playoffs because the New York Mets fell to the Miami Marlins.
Cincinnati entered Sunday knowing it could reach the playoffs if it beat Milwaukee or if the Mets lost to Miami. The Mets’ 4-0 loss to the Marlins enabled the Reds to get the National League’s third and final wild-card spot.
The Reds and Mets both finished the season at 83-79, but the Reds owned the head-to-head tiebreaker after going 4-2 against the Mets this season. The Reds head to Los Angeles to begin a wild-card series against the defending World Series champion Dodgers on Tuesday.
Cincinnati took an early 2-0 lead on leadoff homers by Elly De La Cruz in the second inning and TJ Friedl in the third. De La Cruz hit his 402-foot shot off Freddy Peralta, while Friedl delivered a 416-foot blast off DL Hall.
Milwaukee cut the lead to 2-1 when Jackson Chourio and Brice Turang opened the third inning with back-to-back doubles.
Danny Jansen put Milwaukee ahead 3-2 by hitting a two-run homer off Brady Singer in the fourth. Andrew Vaughn added a two-out RBI double off Nick Lodolo later in the inning to make it 4-2.
Singer (14-12) struck out five but allowed three runs, five hits and one walk in 3 1/3 innings.
Five Milwaukee relievers combined to hold the Reds hitless after the third inning. Abner Uribe retired the side in order in the ninth for his seventh save in nine opportunities.
MARLINS 4, METS 0
MIAMI — Edward Cabrera tossed five innings of two-hit ball and Miami used a four-run fourth to beat New York in its regular-season finale, preventing the Mets from making the playoffs.
The Mets (83-79) needed a win and a Cincinnati loss at Milwaukee to reach the postseason. The Reds (83-79) lost 4-2 to the Brewers but took the final National League wild card on a head-to-head tiebreaker after winning the season series against New York.
Cabrera (8-7) struck out seven and walked five.
Mets starter Sean Manaea fanned three in 1 2/3 hitless innings. But with little margin for error, manager Carlos Mendoza pulled Manaea following his second walk in the second, and reliever Huascar Brazobán got out of the inning.
Connor Norby began the Miami fourth with a single off reliever Brooks Raley (3-1).
Raley was replaced by Ryne Stanek — already the fourth Mets pitcher — and he gave up a run-scoring double to Eric Wagaman that put the Marlins on the board. Brian Navarreto hit another RBI double, followed by a run-scoring triple from Javier Sanoja and an RBI single by Xavier Edwards off Tyler Rogers.
The Mets used eight pitchers, including closer Edwin Díaz, who pitched scoreless innings in the fifth and sixth.
Francisco Lindor doubled in the seventh for one of five Mets hits, but New York went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 overall. The season ended when Lindor grounded into a game-ending double play.
The Marlins won the season series from their division rivals, 7-6.
GUARDIANS 9, RANGERS 8, 10 INNINGS
CLEVELAND — Brayan Rocchio hit a three-run homer in the 10th inning and Cleveland rallied for a victory over Texas, putting an exclamation point on their improbable AL Central title.
When the Detroit Tigers lost 4-3 at Boston earlier in the day, the Guardians completed the largest comeback to win a division or league championship in major league history.
Texas took an 8-5 lead on pinch-hitter Rowdy Tellez’s three-run homer off Zak Kent (1-0) in the top of the 10th.
But with George Valera as the automatic runner on second base, Bo Naylor hit an RBI double to bring Cleveland within two. Petey Halpin drew a walk before Rocchio drove a 1-2 fastball from Jose Corniell (0-1) off the right-field foul pole to give the Guardians their ninth walk-off win this season.
The Guardians (88-74) trailed 5-4 in the middle of the eighth when they found out they were division champs after Detroit’s Parker Meadows flied out to Boston left fielder Jarren Duran. If the two teams had ended up tied, Cleveland still would have won the division based on the head-to-head tiebreaker after taking the season series.
RED SOX 4, TIGERS 3
BOSTON — José De León pitched a career-high 6 2/3 innings in his first outing in two years, and Masataka Yoshida and David Hamilton homered to give Boston a victory over Detroit that clinched the AL Central title for the Cleveland Guardians.
After each team wrapped up a playoff berth during the series — the Red Sox on Friday and the Tigers on Saturday — they both sent out lineups for the regular-season finale that allowed some regulars to rest and others to get work if they needed it.
De León, called up from Triple-A so the Red Sox could line up their starters for the wild-card round, allowed three runs on eight hits and three walks. He struck out eight. Greg Weissert pitched the ninth for his fourth save.
The Tigers scratched ace Tarik Skubal after clinching a postseason spot on Saturday, even though they still could have won the division and the home-field advantage in the wild-card round that goes with it. Detroit needed a win Sunday and a Cleveland loss to Texas.
Chris Paddack (5-12) allowed four runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out four in 4 1/3 innings. The Tigers took a 3-1 lead in the fourth on Javier Báez’s three-run homer, but Boston answered in the bottom half with Hamilton’s two-run shot and Jarren Duran’s RBI double.
YANKEES 3, ORIOLES 2
NEW YORK — New York was on track to finish one win shy of repeating as AL East champion and lose to Toronto on a tiebreaker despite beating Baltimore behind a pair of Ben Rice home runs for a season-ending eight-game winning streak.
Toronto led Tampa Bay 13-4 in the eighth inning when the Yankees’ game ended. With a victory, the Blue Jays and Yankees would both finish 94-68 and Toronto would win the AL East on a tiebreaker because of its 8-5 advantage in the season series.
New York was on track to host Boston in a best-of-three wild-card series starting Tuesday, with the winner advancing to a Division Series next weekend.
Aaron Judge went 1 for 4 and won his first batting title, leading the major leagues at .331.. He had 53 homers and 114 RBIs.
Rice homered in the first against Kyle Bradish but Jordan Westburg and Gunnar Henderson hit back-to-back homers in the fourth off Luis Gil for 2-1 lead.
Giancarlo Stanton’s RBI single tied the score in the bottom half and Rice hit an opposite-field drive to left in the eighth off Rico Garcia (0-2).
Devin Williams (4-2) pitched a one-hit eighth and David Bednar finished for his 27th save in 30 chances.
New York started 35-20, slumped during a 25-34 stretch, then closed 34-14.
Baltimore went 75-87, winning 16 fewer games than last year, after firing manager Brandon Hyde in May.
New York’s Jazz Chisholm Jr. struck out as a pinch hitter in the seventh and took over at second base, a day after he was hit on the left forearm by a 96.8 mph pitch.
Rice hit the Yankees’ 50th first-inning home run, three more than the previous big league record set by Atlanta in 2023.
Gil, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, allowed two runs in five innings and finished 4-1 with a 3.32 ERA in 11 starts. He made his season debut Aug. 3 after recovering from a right lat strain.
DODGERS 6, MARINERS 1
SEATTLE — Clayton Kershaw tossed 5⅓ scoreless innings in the final regular-season start of his 18-year major league career, helping Los Angeles beat Seattle.
Kershaw (11-2) scattered four hits, three of them singles, and struck out seven, including the last batter he faced — the Mariners’ Eugenio Suárez. The 37-year-old left-hander turned to his slider in the top of the sixth to retire Suárez for the 3,052nd strikeout of his career. He then left the game to a standing ovation from a sellout crowd at T-Mobile Park.
The Dodgers scored early and often against Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller (4-6). Hyeseong Kim hit a two-run home run in the second inning and Freddie Freeman added a two-run shot in the third.
After Miller departed, Los Angeles two-way star Shohei Ohtani hit his franchise-record 55th home run of the season. Andy Pages added an RBI single in the eighth inning to complete the Dodgers’ scoring.
Seattle slugger Cal Raleigh went 1 for 3 in his regular-season finale, finishing with 125 RBIs and a major league-leading 60 homers.
PADRES 12, DIAMONDBACKS 4
SAN DIEGO — Manny Machado hit an RBI single during the five-run first inning and homered leading off the third for San Diego, who got a final tune-up for the postseason by routing Arizona for a three-game sweep.
San Diego heads to Chicago for a best-of-three NL wild-card series against the Cubs starting Tuesday. The teams split the season series 3-3, with each team going 2-1 at home. It’ll be the first time they’ve met in the postseason since the 1984 National League Championship Series, when the Padres rallied from an 0-2 deficit to beat the Cubs in five games and advance to their first World Series.
San Diego is 3-0 all-time in wild-card series. However, they’ve struggled on the road this season, going 38-43 away from Petco Park.
The Padres (90-72) recorded consecutive seasons of 90 or more wins for the first time. It was the sixth time they’ve reached that benchmark.
Two seasons removed from playing in the World Series, Arizona finished 80-82, a drop of nine wins from last season.
The Padres jumped on Brandon Pfaadt (13-9) for five straight hits to open the first, with every baserunner scoring. Machado had an RBI single, Jackson Merrill an RBI double and Xander Bogaerts a two-run double. Jake Cronenworth had a sacrifice fly.
Machado homered to left leading off the third, his 27th.
Arizona’s Ketel Marte hit his third leadoff homer of the season, off JP Sears (9-11). Geraldo Perdomo knocked in a run in his final at-bat to become the first Arizona shortstop to post 100 RBIs.
Trea Turner, Aaron Judge among leaders as MLB season ends
NEW YORK — Philadelphia’s Trea Turner won his second National League batting title with a record-low .304 average, and the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge earned his first American League championship by leading the major leagues at .331.
San Diego’s Tony Gwynn had the previous low for an NL champion at .313 in 1988. The only lower average by any batting champion was .301 by Boston’s Carl Yastrzemski, who won the AL title in 1968.
Turner, who went 0 for 2 on Sunday in his return from a strained right hamstring, was the NL’s only .300 hitter. The previous low of three was set in 2022 and matched last year.
MLB Postseason Glance
Cleveland vs. Detroit
Tuesday, Sep. 30: Detroit (Skubal 13-6) at Cleveland, 1:08 p.m. (ESPN)
Wednesday, Oct. 1: Detroit at Cleveland, 1:08 p.m. (ESPN)
x-Thursday, Oct. 2: Detroit at Cleveland, 1:08 p.m. (ESPN)
New York vs. Boston
Tuesday, Sep. 30: Boston (Crochet 18-5) at New York (Fried 19 – 5), 6:08 p.m. (ESPN)
Wednesday, Oct. 1: Boston at New York, 6:08 p.m. (ESPN)
x-Thursday, Oct. 2: Boston at New York, 6:08 p.m. (ESPN )
Chicago vs. San Diego
Tuesday, Sep. 30: San Diego at Chicago, 3:08 p.m. (ABC)
Wednesday, Oct. 1: San Diego at Chicago, 3:08 p.m. (ABC)
x-Thursday, Oct. 2: San Diego at Chicago, 3:08 p.m. (ABC)
Los Angeles vs. Cincinnati
Tuesday, Sep. 30: Cincinnati at Los Angeles, 9:08 p.m. (ESPN)
Wednesday, Oct. 1: Cincinnati at Los Angeles, 9:08 p.m. (ESPN)
Toronto vs. New York or Boston
Saturday, Oct. 4: New York-Boston winner at Toronto, TBD (FOX/FS1)
Sunday, Oct. 5: New York-Boston winner at Toronto, TBD (FOX/FS1)
Tuesday, Oct. 7: Toronto at New York-Boston winner, TBD (FOX/FS1)
x-Wednesday, Oct. 8: Toronto at New York-Boston winner, TBD (FOX/FS1)
x-Friday, Oct. 10: New York-Boston winner at Toronto, TBD (FOX/FS1)
Seattle vs. Cleveland or Detroit
Saturday, Oct. 4: Cleveland-Detroit winner at Seattle, TBD (FOX/FS1)
Sunday, Oct. 5: Cleveland-Detroit winner at Seattle, TBD (FOX/FS1)
Tuesday, Oct. 7: Seattle at Cleveland-Detroit winner, TBD (FOX/FS1)
x-Wednesday, Oct. 8: Seattle at Cleveland-Detroit winner, TBD (FOX/FS1)
x-Friday, Oct. 10: Cleveland-Detroit winner at Seattle, TBD (FOX/FS1)
Milwaukee vs. Chicago or San Diego
Saturday, Oct. 4: Chicago-San Diego winner at Milwaukee (TBS)
Monday, Oct. 6: Chicago-San Diego winner at Milwaukee (TBS)
Wednesday, Oct. 8: Milwaukee at Chicago-San Diego winner (TBS)
x-Thursday, Oct. 9: Milwaukee at Chicago-San Diego winner (TBS)
x-Saturday, Oct. 11: Chicago-San Diego winner at Milwaukee (TBS)
Philadelphia vs. Los Angeles or Cincinnati
Saturday, Oct. 4: Los Angeles-Cincinnati winner at Philadelphia, TBD (TBS)
Monday, Oct. 6: Los Angeles-Cincinnati winner at Philadelphia, TBD (TBS)
Wed, Oct. 8: Philadelphia at Los Angeles-Cincinnati winner, TBD (TBS)
x-Thursday, Oct. 9: Philadelphia at Los Angeles-Cincinnati winner, TBD (TBS)
Sunday, Oct. 12:
Monday, Oct. 13:
Wednesday, Oct. 15:
Thursday, Oct. 16:
x-Friday, Oct. 17:
x-Monday, Oct. 21:
x-Sunday, Oct. 19:
Monday, Oct. 13:
Tuesday, Oct. 14:
Thursday, Oct. 16:
Thursday, Oct. 16:
x-Friday, Oct. 17:
x-Saturday, Oct. 18:
Friday, Oct. 24:
Saturday, Oct. 25:
Monday, Oct. 27:
Tuesday, Oct. 28:
x-Wednesday, Oct. 29:
x-Friday, Oct. 31:
x-Saturday, Nov. 1:
Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
MLB playoff teams rankings and who’s the World Series favorite?
It’s that time of year when everything matters, and nothing matters.
Major League Baseball’s ever-rocky postseason is upon us, and heaven help us if any truisms hold up over the next month, where a dozen teams will be whittled to two participants in the finale of this bracket challenge we still call the World Series.
Coming in hot? Just know that can change if a pair of superstar sluggers suddenly can’t adapt to the way they’re pitched in a short series. Staggering punch-drunk into the field? Hey, all it takes is one hanging breaking ball and a three-run jack to correct all that was wrong in September.
Five days off with a bye into the Division Series? Staying sharp by surviving the crucible of a three-game wild-card series? Don’t listen to the fools who claim either scenario is preferable.
Yet one thing is true: The best teams are the ones that have earned the bye, and who have to win two fewer games than the other eight teams in the derby.
With that, USA TODAY Sports aims to break down the top eight World Series contenders as the postseason gets underway Sept. 30 with four wild card series:
1. Philadelphia Phillies
It’s been quiet, maybe too quiet around these guys for several weeks, save for some minor quibbles from Nick Castellanos. And it’s going to be a lot harder to do this without Zack Wheeler, who had a blood clot removed from his shoulder, preceding thoracic outlet surgery.
Yet they still represent the platonic ideal of a strong playoff team: Actual starting pitching, a lockdown closer with several relievers capable of “getting hot” in a postseason run and, of course, a lineup revolving around 56-homer man Kyle Schwarber. The dangerous Trea Turner is back. The Dodgers are an unfortunate potential NLDS draw, but hey, might be easier to dethrone them in a best-of-five than a best-of-seven. This feels like the Phillies’ time.
2. New York Yankees
Crazy to drop a wild-card team in the two slot, eh? Darn right it is. Yet the Yankees are freaking potent, no way about it. They ended the season on an eight-game winning streak and it only gets more impressive as the sample extends to 11-1, 14-3 and 25-8 over their last 33. Probably not a bad thing they’ll just keep playing into the wild card. It will be tough to burn lefty bulwarks Max Fried and Carlos Rodón against Boston, but should they advance, Fried would be on turn for a Game 2 at Toronto. Ben Rice’s emergence – he had a .943 OPS and 10 homers over his final 10 games – only makes it harder to gameplan around Aaron Judge and a locked-in Giancarlo Stanton.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
We’ll go ahead and say it: The Phillies-Dodgers NLDS might be a de facto World Series in the same way the Padres-Dodgers squabble was a year ago. It’s just kind of wild how the Dodgers were a high-priced mess all year and then you look up in late September and there’s Yoshinobu Yamamaoto pitching like an ace, Blake Snell punching out guys, Tyler Glasnow being upright and Shohei Ohtani completing six innings and breaking the club record with 55 home runs. Yes, they’re a problem again. But a quarter-century of evidence shows us how hard it is to repeat – especially with a wild-card series out of the chute.
4. Seattle Mariners
By far the “best draw” in the field, though they earned it with the AL’s second-best record. From there, the vagaries of MLB’s seeding provides a big boost. (In short: Ask the No. 1-seeded Blue Jays if they’d like to face the Yankees-Red Sox survivor or the Guardians-Tigers winner). The big questions: Which of their very good pitchers steps forward as a Playoff Dude? (And does Bryan Woo have enough in the tank to fill that role?) Can a team that strikes out a fair amount avoid swing-and-miss ruts that can short-circuit a playoff appearance? They’re a strong bet to reach the ALCS, but their depth will be tested in the best-of-seven portion of the proceedings.
5. Milwaukee Brewers
They’re back, for the seventh time in eight years, with ostensibly their best team yet – if snagging the No. 1 seed is your metric for such things. No team will be more fascinating, as the Brewers haven’t advanced a round in their past five playoff trips, yet will now avoid the nettlesome wild-card round. Things aren’t necessarily optimal: Closer Trevor Megill just returned from injury and lefty Jose Quintana (calf) might return by Game 3 of the NLDS. Jacob Misiorowski is headed to the bullpen. The bottom half of the order – Andrew Vaughn, Jake Bauers, Caleb Durbin and Joey Ortiz – is sneaky-good but can be pitched to in a playoff setting. Only the Padres have hit fewer home runs among NL playoff teams, so the Brewers will have to stay opportunistic.
6. Toronto Blue Jays
Even after losing shortstop Bo Bichette – in the midst of a season that was MVP-worthy – the vibes are really good in Ontario. They went 12-7 since Bichette went down to hold the division via tiebreaker. The bigger concern now might be the pitching staff: Blue Jays starters yielded a 4.04 ERA and 5.06 expected ERA in September. Little wonder they will likely pencil recently-recalled rookie Trey Yesavage into the playoff rotation. One X factor: George Springer had a resurgent year, finishing third in the majors with a .959 OPS and he also hit 32 home runs. The return of Playoff George, a fellow known well in Houston, could change Toronto’s calculus.
7. Chicago Cubs
What looked like a rock-solid club a few months ago is now one of its most befuddling. The Cubs are still dangerous, but key parts are in doubt. Rookie pitcher Cade Horton is out for the wild card series with a rib fracture. Lineup aircraft carrier Kyle Tucker played in just two games since returning from a calf problem. It’s an aesthetically pleasing ballclub, yet one that seems quite susceptible to trouble in a shorter series. Here’s hoping they advance one round simply to give Lake Michigan its proper due in a Brewers-Cubs NLDS.
8. Detroit Tigers
Tarik Skubal appreciation post, mostly. Perhaps the Tigers are as dead in the water as their 9-22 finish to the season would indicate. But with Skubal, there’s always a chance, and after a grim second half, Javy Báez sprang to life in the final series of the year to save Detroit’s season. Vital signs are grim, yet the Tigers seem the likeliest to make a run through a round or two that seemed highly implausible.
Also:
MLB Playoff Picture 2025: Predicting Red Sox’s Roster for Postseason
Boston spent three summers perfecting the art of mediocrity before Alex Cora finally found the reset button. Now the Boston Red Sox are back where they claim they always belonged, brushing off the dust as if the wilderness years were just a long rain delay. October baseball doesn’t forgive nostalgia, though, and Cora’s roster decisions will matter far more than sentimental clubhouse speeches.
Starting pitchers for the Red Sox
In the postseason, pitching is paramount, and the Boston Red Sox have assembled a formidable trio to anchor their rotation. Brayan Bello, Garrett Crochet, and Lucas Giolito have been instrumental in propelling the team to the playoffs. Their combined efforts have transformed the Red Sox into a legitimate postseason contender.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Bello has been a consistent force throughout the season. With an 11-9 record and a 3.35 ERA over 29 starts, he has demonstrated resilience and reliability. His 124 strikeouts and 1.24 WHIP reflect his ability to manage games effectively, keeping hitters off balance and minimizing scoring opportunities. Bello’s performance has been crucial in stabilizing the rotation and providing the team with a dependable option every fifth day.
Crochet’s emergence as a dominant ace has been a revelation. Boasting an 18-5 record and a 2.59 ERA, he leads the team with 255 strikeouts, showcasing his overpowering stuff and ability to dominate opposing lineups. His consistency and strikeout prowess make him a formidable presence on the mound, capable of delivering in high-pressure postseason scenarios. Crochet’s performance has elevated the entire pitching staff and instilled confidence in the team’s postseason aspirations.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Giolito’s acquisition has proven to be a masterstroke. With a 10-4 record and a 3.41 ERA, he brings veteran experience and a steady presence to the rotation. His ability to pitch deep into games and maintain composure under pressure adds invaluable depth. Giolito’s contributions have been pivotal in providing balance and stability to the rotation, complementing the strengths of Bello and Crochet.
Together, this trio forms a formidable starting rotation that gives the Red Sox a significant advantage heading into the postseason. Their combined efforts have not only propelled the team to the playoffs but have also positioned them as serious contenders. With Bello, Crochet, and Giolito leading the charge, the Red Sox are poised to make a deep postseason run.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
The Red Sox bullpen will define their postseason run
The bullpen is often the unsung hero of a postseason run. For the Boston Red Sox, the 2025 bullpen has been a revelation, ranking third in Major League Baseball with a 3.43 ERA and a 1.247 WHIP. This unit has been the backbone of their late-season surge, providing stability and confidence in high-leverage situations. Their performance will likely define how deep the team can go in October.
The Red Sox have assembled a bullpen that combines experience with emerging talent. Veterans like Aroldis Chapman, who boasts a 1.26 ERA and 0.68 WHIP, and Justin Wilson, with a 2.39 ERA, bring invaluable postseason experience. They are complemented by younger arms such as Garrett Whitlock, who has a 2.39 ERA and 2.1 WAR, and Payton Tolle, who has shown promise in his limited appearances. These pitchers collectively offer both reliability and upside for high-pressure situations.
In addition to these core relievers, the Red Sox have bolstered their bullpen with strategic flexibility. Steven Matz, who transitioned from a starting role to the bullpen, posted a 3.44 ERA over 55 innings. His postseason experience adds depth, while Zack Kelly provides multi-inning versatility. Connelly Early brings a fresh arm capable of generating swings and misses in crucial moments. This mix gives Boston a diverse set of options for every inning.
The decision to utilize former starters like Matz and Kelly in relief roles underscores the Red Sox’s commitment to maximizing their roster’s potential. Deploying pitchers with varied skill sets keeps opposing offenses off balance. The depth and flexibility of the bullpen will be crucial in navigating the high-stakes environment of the postseason. Cora’s ability to mix and match arms may make the difference in close games.
As the Red Sox approach the postseason, the bullpen’s performance will be under intense scrutiny. With a mix of seasoned veterans and dynamic newcomers, they possess the tools to close out games and secure victories. Every inning in the playoffs is magnified, and Boston’s bullpen must deliver in those high-pressure moments.
Fans can take solace in the fact that the bullpen has been a strength throughout the season. Their consistency and resilience have been key factors in the team’s success. Every strikeout, every scoreless inning, builds confidence for the entire roster heading into October. The energy and trust in this group could be the edge the Red Sox need.
The Boston Red Sox don’t have to worry about their catchers
As the Boston Red Sox gear up for their postseason run, the catcher position stands as a pillar of stability. With Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong behind the plate, manager Alex Cora can rest easy knowing his pitchers are in capable hands.
Narváez, in particular, has been a reliable presence, boasting a .240 batting average and 15 home runs in 396 at-bats. His defensive prowess, highlighted by a 1.94-second pop time to second base, showcases his ability to control the running game.
Connor Wong, while known for his versatility, has also proven valuable behind the plate. In 2025, he appeared in 126 games, hitting .280 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs. His adaptability across multiple positions, including catcher, first base, and second base, adds depth to the roster. Wong’s defensive skills complement Narváez’s, ensuring that the Red Sox have a formidable catching duo for the postseason.
Together, Narváez and Wong provide the Red Sox with a balanced and dependable catching tandem. Their combined experience and skill set behind the plate will be instrumental in navigating the challenges of October baseball.
Boston Red Sox: Infielders
As the Boston Red Sox prepare for their postseason run, the infield lineup has become a focal point. With key players sidelined due to injuries, the team must rely on a mix of seasoned veterans and versatile role players. This strategic combination aims to provide both stability and adaptability, ensuring the team remains competitive in the high-stakes environment of playoff baseball.
At the heart of the infield, Alex Bregman brings a wealth of experience and consistency. In the 2025 season, he maintained a .273 batting average, hit 18 home runs, and drove in 62 RBIs. His .822 OPS underscores his ability to contribute both in power and in on-base situations. Bregman’s leadership and defensive prowess at third base provide a solid foundation for the infield.
Trevor Story, with 25 home runs and 96 RBIs in the 2025 season, offers both power and experience at shortstop. His .746 OPS reflects his capacity to impact games offensively. Story’s presence in the lineup adds depth and a proven track record in postseason scenarios.
Nathaniel Lowe, despite a .227 batting average in 2025, has demonstrated resilience and clutch hitting, driving in 84 RBIs. His experience and ability to perform under pressure make him a valuable asset at first base. Romy Gonzalez has been a revelation, especially in recent games. In his last 30 games, he posted a .327 batting average with 14 RBIs. His versatility allows him to fill multiple roles, providing flexibility in the lineup.
David Hamilton, known for his speed and defensive skills, offers depth and versatility. While his .195 batting average in 2025 is modest, he remains a threat on the base paths and a reliable defensive option. Nick Sogard‘s .261 batting average, combined with his adaptability across multiple positions, adds another layer of depth to the infield. His ability to step into various roles as needed ensures the team can adjust to any situation during the postseason.
Together, this infield lineup blends experience, power, versatility, and depth. Each player’s unique strengths complement one another, creating a cohesive unit capable of handling the pressures of playoff baseball. Their collective contributions will be crucial in determining the Red Sox’s success in the postseason.
Boston Red Sox: Outfielders
As the Boston Red Sox gear up for their postseason run, the outfield lineup has become a focal point. With rookie sensation Roman Anthony sidelined due to injury, the team has turned to a seasoned and dynamic group. Ceddanne Rafaela, Jarren Duran, Masataka Yoshida, Wilyer Abreu, and Rob Refsnyder have been selected to fill the outfield spots, bringing a mix of power, speed, and experience.
Rafaela has been a revelation this season, boasting a .247 batting average, 16 home runs, and 63 RBIs. His defensive prowess and versatility make him a key asset in the outfield. Duran, with a .257 average, 16 home runs, and 83 RBIs, adds depth and consistency to the lineup. Yoshida, known for his disciplined approach, has a .266 average and a .683 OPS, providing stability in the middle of the order. Abreu has contributed 22 home runs and 69 RBIs, offering a power threat from the right side. Refsnyder, with a .269 average and .838 OPS, brings veteran leadership and clutch hitting to the team.
Together, this outfield group combines for over 80 home runs and 200 RBIs, creating a formidable presence at the plate. Their ability to cover ground defensively and contribute offensively will be crucial in the high-pressure postseason environment. While Anthony’s absence is a setback, the depth and versatility of this outfield unit provide the Red Sox with a strong foundation as they aim for postseason success.
In the absence of Anthony, the Red Sox have not only maintained but enhanced their outfield strength. The combination of youth and experience in Rafaela, Duran, Yoshida, Abreu, and Refsnyder offers a balanced and potent lineup. Their collective contributions will be pivotal as the Red Sox look to make a deep run in the postseason. With this outfield, the team has the potential to turn games in its favor and advance through the playoffs.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Red Sox’s outfield depth reflects meticulous planning and development, giving the lineup adaptability and strategic versatility. Each player brings unique skills, blending power, speed, and experience, which creates an unpredictable yet cohesive unit. Even without Roman Anthony, this group provides both stability and dynamic impact, elevating the team’s potential in high-pressure situations. Their combined talent and determination give Boston a legitimate chance to compete for the World Series championship this October.
MLB Power Rankings entering 2025 playoffs
And just like that … 18 teams are gone from the Power Rankings. That’s right, it’s playoff season, which means there are only 12 teams remaining. One of these 12 teams, in a month, is going to be able to call itself champions. Which one? Our voters looked at the final 12 and ranked them in order of their likelihood to win a World Series and how it’s all lining up for them heading into the postseason.
These rankings, as always, are compiled from MLB.com contributors whose names you can find at the bottom of this (and every) piece, but the words are mine. If you dislike the rankings, yell at all of us. But if you dislike the words, feel free to yell at me.
In these rankings, in honor of the possibility of them winning that World Series, we’ll take a look at what it would mean for each team, franchise and fanbase, were they to take home the Commissioner’s Trophy.
1. Phillies (previously: 2)
Kyle Schwarber — you may vaguely remember a cold night in Cleveland nine Octobers ago — and Trea Turner have won World Series before, so the idea that the Phillies are a bunch of veterans trying to win that long-elusive World Series is a little overstated. But Bryce Harper’s career is going to feel incomplete without a ring. And this may be as good a chance as he’ll ever have.
2. Dodgers (previously: 3)
No one has won two World Series in a row this century, and it would be fitting if the Dodgers — undeniably the team of the century so far — were the first team to do it. Also, a title would be quite the way for Clayton Kershaw to say goodbye, wouldn’t it?
3. Mariners (previously: 6)
The Mariners remain the only team in baseball to never to reach a World Series, an absurd fact considering how many great players and teams they’ve have had in their history. So just making one would be the best moment in franchise history. But winning one? There might end up being statues of every player on this team in downtown Seattle.
4. Brewers (previously: 1)
It has been so long since the Brewers made their lone World Series that the team they played has been their division rival for two decades now. For Milwaukee to win the World Series with the franchise’s best regular-season record, the year we lost Bob Uecker, would feel like the universe smiling on the famously loyal Brewers fans.
5. Yankees (previously: 7)
You may have noticed that the Yankees haven’t won a World Series in 16 years, which is like 160 for any other franchise. More to the point: Aaron Judge is an all-time Yankee already, but at some point, he’s going to have to win a World Series in pinstripes, isn’t he?
6. Blue Jays (previously: 4)
The Jays have already justified this whole new era of players with how this season has gone, but winning the first title in 30 years would erase the bad memories of the José Bautista teams never quite getting where they wanted to go.
7. Cubs (previously: 5)
The notion of the Cubs winning the World Series was a central MLB storyline for more than 100 years, so we’re not going to let that little 2016 title make us think it wouldn’t be a huge, huge deal if the Cubs won the World Series again. Maybe they could do it at Wrigley Field this time.
8. Padres (previously: 11)
The Padres are the only big four professional team left in San Diego, and the city has gotten behind them in a way that’s nearly unprecedented in sports right now. They’ve of course also never won a World Series, which means their legend, were they to do so this year, would veer toward the infinite.
9. Red Sox (previously: 8)
Can you imagine if the year they trade Rafael Devers and lose two of their best young players to injury is the year the Red Sox win another World Series?
10. Tigers (previously: 10)
The fall off from the first half should not distract from the fact that this has been a breakthrough season for the Tigers, a team that was regularly losing 100-plus games not long ago. Detroit loves its Tigers, and they are long, long overdue for a champion.
11. Guardians (previously: 9)
If you were to write a script for how the Guardians finally win that World Series, and you couldn’t already use the Major League script, wouldn’t you go with “trade away key players at the deadline of a season that seems long lost … and then go on a crazy run leading into a postseason like no other?” Also: José Ramírez becomes such a Cleveland legend that they might project his image on buildings downtown for the next 50 years.
12. Reds (previously: 14)
Terry Francona has won three pennants and two World Series, and he’ll of course be forever known as the skipper who broke the Curse of the Bambino. But winning a World Series again? With the Reds? Forget the Hall of Fame … can he be knighted somehow?
Cincinnati Reds hired Terry Francona to win now in MLB postseason
This is it, Cincinnati. This is what the Cincinnati Reds have been telling everyone about.
Just wait. And wait. And keep waiting some more. Hunter and Elly are the future. All those pitching prospects the Reds got in trades and early rounds of the draft will get them to the playoffs someday.
That day has arrived.
Reds and Dodgers, Tuesday night under the lights in Chavez Ravine. The Southern California air will be crisp and perfect. Playoff baseball at last. Believe it.
The storied Cincinnati franchise is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2013. (Sorry, it’s hard to count the pandemic-shortened season playoff appearance in 2020).
Next: Go win a playoff series for the first time since 1995. The Reds’ last postseason series victory came against the Dodgers. Maybe it’ll happen again, even amid a way different economic climate in baseball than 30 years ago.
Win? The Dodgers have a $350 million payroll and home field advantage in this best-of-three wild card series, don’t you know?
Oh, were you just happy the Reds made the postseason after barely finishing above .500, losing on Sunday in Milwaukee and having to rely on the New York Mets to collapse?
Let’s hope not. Expect better, Cincinnati. Expect victory in Los Angeles. Expect the Reds to get past the wild card series and gift you October baseball again at Great American Ball Park in the division series.
You deserve it. You’re owed it. You’ve waited way too long for championship baseball to return to Cincinnati to just be happy the Reds narrowly got in. You’ve been beaten down too much by disappointment and despair from the Reds in the 21st century to just be happy they made the playoffs.
The window is now.
It’s not too much to expect the Reds to beat the Dodgers. The Reds signaled a win-now approach when they hired future hall of fame manager Terry Francona almost a year ago. Reds owner Bob Castellini set the expectation to bring championship baseball back to Cincinnati when took ownership of the club in 2006.
Tito Francona isn’t a “just happy to be here” kind of guy.
We’ve heard for years “just get in.” So many wild card teams in recent years have shown that’s all it takes. Two years ago, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers both made the World Series as wild card entrants.
That Diamondbacks team is a model for the Reds. Arizona won 84 games in the regular season and barely eked in, nudging out the Chicago Cubs by one game for the final wild card spot. Arizona was an up-and-down team all that season, just like the 2025 Reds.
The Diamondbacks were maddening one day, exciting the next. They looked like the worst team in baseball for a series. They looked like the National League champions they ended up being in the next series.
We can sit here and dwell on all the Reds’ flaws and come up with a bunch of reasons why they could get swept in Los Angeles.
It’s pointless.
Look at what could push the Reds past the Dodgers and maybe further into October.
They have championship-caliber pitching. It gives them a shot to make a deep run. In fact, the Reds may have some of the deepest pitching any Cincinnati postseason team has had in franchise history.
This is what the Reds front office and ownership promised when they dismantled the roster before the 2022 season and started stockpiling prospects.
This is the moment the Reds talked about on the day they drafted Hunter Greene to be their future ace with the No. 2 overall pick in 2017.
This is the moment the Reds dreamed about when they signed some uber-talented kid out of the Dominican Republic named Elly De La Cruz in 2018. They did that a few weeks after taking Matt McLain in the first-round of the draft.
And then the Reds got lefty Nick Lodolo in the first round in 2019.
Those guys are still developing big leaguers. But they’re no longer talked about as being part of some future that never seemed to come.
It is hard to comprehend that future has arrived. Especially after an 83-win regular season and all those infuriating one-run losses where the Reds couldn’t get a clutch hit and all the recent struggles against bad teams like the Athletics and Pirates.
How many Reds fans told themselves and their buddies for six frustrating and fun months: I’ll believe it when I see it.
The Reds got in. You’ve seen it. Now believe it.
MLB playoffs: Tigers sneak in as No. 6 seed after squandered division lead
BOSTON — The Detroit Tigers are in — barely.
The Cleveland Guardians will be remembered for a historic surge, but by making the field, the Tigers may have avoided being remembered for a historic collapse. They came awfully close.
Detroit finished the season 87-75, one win better than last year, and will enter the postseason as the third Wild Card and No. 6 seed for the second straight year.
The Tigers will face AL Central champion Cleveland on Tuesday and Wednesday, with a potential Game 3 on Thursday. The winner of the best-of-three series advances to play second-seeded Seattle in the best-of-five AL Division Series.
“We got through 162 and now we picked up the second season, which is awesome,” said Tigers manager A.J. Hinch.
“We’ve traveled a long road to get here. But I think we’ve earned it, and I think we’re going to come out with a ton of energy (in Cleveland).”
The Tigers finished tied with the Houston Astros (87-75) but made the playoffs by virtue of the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Remember that Aug. 19 showdown at Comerica Park between Tarik Skubal and Hunter Brown that ended with a 1-0 Tigers win on a walk-off walk in the 10th inning? That swung the season series and may go down as one of the most consequential Tigers victories of the year.
Of course, no one realized it at the time.
Nor did anyone suspect on July 8, when the Tigers were 59-34 and held a 14-game lead on the Royals, a 14-game lead on the Twins, and a 15.5-game lead on the Guardians, that they could possibly fumble the division.
But they did. The Guardians stormed back to mount the largest comeback in MLB history, although the ultimate effect of that rally on the Tigers was simply a change in venue — playing the Guardians in Cleveland instead of Detroit.
But there were costlier consequences to the Tigers’ ugly finish. As recently as Sept. 18 — just 10 days ago — the Tigers weren’t only leading the division, they were positioned for a top-two seed and a first-round bye. At one point, such status seemed not just realistic but almost certain.
Instead, the Tigers went 3-13 over their final 16 games of the regular season. According to reporter Chris Brown, they are just the second team in MLB history to finish 3-13 and still make the playoffs. The other was the 2000 New York Yankees, who went on to win the World Series.
“There are countless examples of teams that maybe didn’t play their best baseball at the end of the regular season, got a fresh start, lined up their pitching, and got really hot in October,” said Scott Harris, the Tigers’ president of baseball operations.
The Tigers will get that chance starting Tuesday in Cleveland.
“When you show up for spring, which was about six and a half months ago, you’re ready to go and there’s talk of postseason aspirations, and then here we are. So I’m very proud of this group,” Hinch said.
NFL Week 4 injury report: Latest updates on Jayden Daniels, Brock Purdy, Malik Nabers, Terry McLaurin, others
Ready or not, another week of NFL action is on deck. Week 4 is jam-packed with storylines, ranging from Micah Parsons making his return to Dallas to face the Cowboys to the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs duking it out at Arrowhead Stadium. We also have a doubleheader on Monday night to wrap up the week. Of course, those are the angles we’re looking forward to seeing unfold, but there’s also an ugly side of the upcoming slate: injuries.
Several prominent players have been dealing with injuries in the early stages of the season, and Week 4 will be impacted by a handful of them, including CeeDee Lamb and Mike Evans, who have both already been ruled out. New York Giants star Malik Nabers (shoulder) will play on Sunday while Washington Commanders. No. 1 option Terry McLaurin (quad) was ruled out. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (turf toe) doesn’t have a game status and will return in Week 4 after missing the last two weeks.
Below, we’re going to take a closer look at of all the injury situations across the league with almost everyone putting out their final game statuses. We’ll also look at the final injury report for the two Monday night matchups: the AFC East showdown between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins, as well as the Cincinnati Bengals at the Denver Broncos.
NFL odds via DraftKings (unless otherwise noted). Bet NFL Week 4 games and NFL odds at DraftKings, where new users get $200 in bonus bets and over $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket. Click here to get started.
Minnesota Vikings (-2.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (in Dublin)
Vikings: QB J.J. McCarthy (ankle), OL Donovan Jackson (wrist), OLB Andrew Van Ginkel (neck), TE Ben Yurosek (knee) OUT
Steelers: LB Alex Highsmith (ankle) OUT; CB Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring), RB Jaylen Warren (knee), TE Jonnu Smith (hip) QUESTIONABLE
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle), outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (neck), tight end Ben Yurosek (knee) and guard Donovan Jackson (wrist) all did not practice for Minnesota this week. That’s why they were all ruled out. Ten-year veteran quarterback Carson Wentz will make his second start of the season in place of McCarthy.
Pittsburgh ruled out edge rusher Alex Highsmith (ankle) after he didn’t practice all week. The Steelers limited cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring) and running back Jaylen Warren (knee) all week, and they are both questionable for Sunday. Tight end Jonnu Smith (hip) didn’t practice Wednesday but did so in a limited fashion the rest of the week, so he is questionable for Week 4.
Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions (-10)
Browns: OT Jack Conklin (elbow) QUESTIONABLE
Lions: LB Zach Cunningham (hamstring), S Daniel Thomas (forearm), RB Sione Vaki (groin) OUT; OT Taylor Decker (shoulder), DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (knee) QUESTIONABLE
The Browns have an incredibly clean injury report. Only one of Cleveland’s players has a game status: right tackle Jack Conlklin (elbow) after he was limited in practice all week.
Safety Daniel Thomas (forearm) and running back Sione Vaki (groin) did not practice all week for the Lions and were ruled out. Linebacker Zach Cunningham’s practice status devolved each day, going from a clean bill of health, to limited on Thursday to not practicing and out on Friday. Left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) is questionable while edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad (knee) is questionable after being limited on Thursday and Friday.
Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots (-5.5)
Panthers: OLB Patrick Jones II (hamstring), WR Xavier Legette (hamstring), TE Ja’Tavion Sanders (ankle), OLB D.J. Wonnum (hip), OUT; WR Tetairoa McMillan (calf), DT Tershawn Wharton (hamstring), RB Chuba Hubbard (calf) QUESTIONABLE
Patriots: G Jared Wilson (ankle/knee) OUT; LB K’Lavon Chaisson (knee), CB Christian Gonzalez (hamstring), G Mike Onwenu (shoulder) QUESTIONABLE
The Panthers will be without edge rusher Patrick Jones II (hamstring), wide receiver Xavier Legette (hamstring), tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders (ankle) and edge rusher D.J. Wonnum (hip) on Sunday. Carolina quarterback Bryce Young is certainly hoping first-round rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan (calf) can play Sunday after being limited in practice Thursday and Friday.
New England guard Jared Wilson (ankle, knee) is the only Patriots player already ruled out for Sunday. All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez (hamstring) is questionable after being limited in practice all week.
New Orleans Saints at Buffalo Bills (-14.5)
Saints: OL Dillon Radunz (toe), DE Chase Young (calf) OUT; WR Devaughn Vele (hip) QUESTIONABLE
Bills: LB Matt Milano (pectoral), DT Ed Oliver (ankle) OUT; OL Spencer Brown (calf), DE AJ Epenesa (pectoral) QUESTIONABLE
New Orleans held guard Dillon Radunz and defensive end Chase Young out of practice all week, so it’s no surprise the Saints ruled them both out. Meanwhile, wide receiver Devaughn Vele (hip) is questionable after being limited in practice all week.
Buffalo will be without linebacker Matt Milano (pectoral) and defensive tackle Ed Oliver (ankle) on Sunday after neither of them practiced all week. Defensive end A.J. Epenesa (pectoral) was limited all week and is questionable, while offensive lineman Spencer Brown (calf) is questionable after only practicing in a limited fashion Friday.
Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans (-7)
Titans: OT JC Latham (hip), WR Bryce Oliver (knee) OUT; S Kevin Winston Jr. (hamstring) DOUBTFUL; LB Dorian Mausi (back) QUESTIONABLE
Texans: CB Derek Stingley Jr. (oblique) QUESTIONABLE
The Titans ruled out offensive tackle JC Latham (hip) and wide receiver Bryce Oliver (knee) after not practicing all week. Safety Kevin Winston Jr. (hamstring) is doubtful after being limited in practice all week. Linebacker Dorian Mausi (back) is questionable after not practicing Thursday and Friday.
Texans’ No. 1 corner Derek Stingley Jr. (oblique) is questionable after only practicing, in any capacity, on Friday as a limited participant.
Washington Commanders at Atlanta Falcons (-2.5)
Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels (knee), WR Terry McLaurin (quad), WR Noah Brown (groin/knee), TE John Bates (calf/groin) OUT; S Percy Butler (hip), RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (knee) QUESTIONABLE
Falcons: CB A.J. Terrell (hamstring), WR KhaDarel Hodge (groin), RB Nate Carter (hamstring) OUT
Jayden Daniels was a limited participant at practice Wednesday and Thursday, but the Commanders held him out Friday and ruled him out for Sunday as he continues to deal with a knee injury. Marcus Mariota will start at quarterback once again. Tight end John Bates (calf, groin), receiver Noah Brown (groin, knee) and receiver Terry McLaurin (quad) were also ruled out for what is now an incredibly depleted Washington offense. Running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (knee) and safety Percy Butler (hip) are both questionable. Croskey-Merritt, who practiced fully Friday, is the only one of the two to practice at all this week.
Corner A.J. Terrell (hamstring), running back Nate Carter (hamstring) and receiver KhaDarel Hodge (groin) all missed the entire week of practice, which is why the Falcons ruled them out for Sunday.
Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Eagles: CB Adoree’ Jackson (groin) DOUBTFUL
Buccaneers: WR Mike Evans (hamstring), S Christian Izien (quad) OUT; WR Chris Godwin (ankle), DL Logan Hall (groin), QB Baker Mayfield (right biceps), OT Tristan Wirfs (knee) QUESTIONABLE
Eagles corner Adoree’ Jackson (groin) was limited Thursday and Friday after not practicing Wednesday, so Philadelphia listed him as doubtful. Everyone else is good to go.
Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) and defensive back Christian Izien (quad) did not practice all week, so they were ruled out. Quarterback Baker Mayfield (right biceps) is questionable after being limited in practice all week. Offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) should be good to go after practicing fully Thursday and Friday. Wideout Chris Godwin, who has yet to play this season due to an ankle injury, was a full participant Wednesday and Friday this week, a good sign for his availability. Defensive lineman Logan Hall practiced for the first time Friday as a limited participant.
Los Angeles Chargers (-6) at New York Giants
Chargers: G Mekhi Becton (concussion), WR Derius Davis (knee), TE Will Dissly (knee) OUT; C Bradley Bozeman (back), DB Elijah Molden (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
Giants: K Graham Gano (groin), RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (shoulder), DE Chauncey Golston (ankle)OUT; DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (foot) DOUBTFUL
L.A. listed guard Mekhi Becton (concussion), receiver Derius Davis (knee) and tight end Will Dissly (knee) as out after all three did not practice this week. Defensive back Elijah Molden (hamstring) and center Bradley Bozeman are both questionable after being limited Friday.
Kicker Graham Gano (groin), running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. and defensive lineman Chauncey Golston (ankle) were all ruled out. Veteran Younghoe Koo will fill in for Gano this week. Defensive lineman Rakeem Nuñez-Roches Sr. (foot) is doubtful after only practicing Friday as a limited participant.
Jacksonville Jaguars at San Francisco 49ers (-3.5)
Jaguars: OT Wyatt Milum (knee) OUT; LB Yasir Abdullah (hamstring), WR Dyami Brown (shoulder) QUESTIONABLE
49ers: WR Jordan Watkins (calf), DL CJ West (thumb) OUT; OL Connor Colby (groin), CB Renardo Green (neck), WR Jauan Jennings (ankle/shoudler), QB Mac Jones (knee), WR Ricky Pearsall (knee) QUESTIONABLE
Wideout Dyami Brown (shoulder) is questionable for the Jaguars after being limited the past two days. Offensive lineman Wyatt Milum (knee) was ruled out.
The 49ers will be without receiver Jordan Watkins (calf) and defensive tackle CJ West (thumb) this week. However, starting quarterback Brock Purdy (left shoulder/toe) will return, as he does not have an injury designation. Receivers Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jauan Jennings (ankle), as well as quarterback Mac Jones (knee) and corner Renardo Green (neck), are questionable.
Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Rams (-3.5)
Colts: WR Alec Pierce (concussion), CB Kenny Moore (Achilles), G Matt Goncalves (toe) OUT; DT DeForest Buckner (back), WR Anthony Gould (illness) QUESTIONABLE
Rams: WR Davante Adams (hamstring), OL Rob Havenstein (ankle), TE Colby Parkinson (shoulder), TE Tyler Higbee (hip) QUESTIONABLE
Indy will be without guard Matt Goncalves (toe), cornerback Kenny Moore II (Achilles) and receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) in Week 4. Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (back) is questionable after only practicing Thursday in a limited capacity.
Rams wideout Davante Adams (hamstring) and offensive lineman Rob Havenstein (ankle) were limited Friday, but head coach Sean McVay said it should not impact their status for Sunday.
Chicago Bears at Las Vegas Raiders (-1.5)
Bears: LB T.J. Edwards (hamstring), DT Grady Jarrett (knee), OL Darnell Wright (elbow) OUT; CB Kyler Gordon (hamstring), TE Colston Loveland (hip), RB D’Andre Swift (hip) QUESTIONABLE
Raiders: TE Michael Mayer (concussion) OUT; CB Decamerion Richarson (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
Chicago ruled out linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring), defensive lineman Grady Jarrett (knee) and offensive lineman Darnell Wright (elbow). The Bears limited running back D’Andre Swift (hip) all week, so he is questionable for Sunday. Defensive back Kyler Gordon (hamstring) and tight end Colston Loveland (hip) both practiced in a limited capacity on Friday only.
Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (concussion) did not practice this week and was ruled out. Meanwhile, Las Vegas listed corner Decamerion Richardson (hamstring) as questionable after practicing fully on Friday.
Baltimore Ravens (-2.5) at Kansas City Chiefs
Ravens: DL Nnamdi Madubuike (neck), FB Patrick Ricard (calf), DL Broderick Washington (ankle) OUT; DL Travis Jones (knee), TE Isaiah Likely (foot), OT Ronnie Stanley (ankle), OLB Kyle Van Noy (hamstring) QUESTIONABLE
Chiefs: DE Mike Danna (quad) DOUBTFUL; CB Kristian Fulton (ankle), DE Ashton Gillotte (elbow) QUESTIONABLE
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters Wednesday that defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike will not play this week due to his neck injury. Fullback Patrick Ricard (calf) and defensive tackle Broderick Washington (ankle) joined him in being ruled out. On a more positive note, the Ravens are optimistic tight end Isaiah Likely will make his season debut in Week 4 and listed him as questionable. Defensive tackle Travis Jones (knee), tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) and linebacker Kyle Van Noy (hamstring) are also questionable
Defensive end Mike Danna (quad) is doubtful, but corner Kristian Fulton (ankle) is questionable after being limited all week. Meanwhile, receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder) will return to action for the first time since his Week 1 collision with teammate Travis Kelce.
Green Bay Packers (-7) at Dallas Cowboys
Packers: RT Zach Tom (oblique), OT Anthony Belton (ankle) OUT; LG Aaron Banks (groin) DOUBTFUL; S Javon Bullard (concussion) QUESTIONABLE
Cowboys: WR CeeDee Lamb (ankle) and RG Tyler Booker (ankle) OUT
Neither Green Bay right tackle Zach Tom (oblique) nor rookie offensive tackle Anthony Belton (ankle) will play Sunday night. Left guard Aaron Banks (groin) is unlikely to play while safety Javon Bullard (concussion) is questionable.
All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons (back), running back Josh Jacobs (ankle), tight end Tucker Kraft (knee, elbow), tackle Rasheed Walker (quad) and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (knee) are all good to go.
As expected, tackle Tyler Booker and wideout CeeDee Lamb were ruled out with sprained ankles. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Friday that the team is still figuring out whether either player will be placed on injured reserve. Corner DaRon Bland (foot) will make his return in Week 4 after being out the past two weeks.
New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (-2.5) (Monday)
The Jets have had two players not practice all week: defensive back Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (ankle) and linebacker Jermaine Johnson II (ankle). Quarterback Justin Fields (concussion) practiced fully on both Thursday and Friday after missing Week 3.
The Dolphins have also had two players not practice all week: cornerbacks Storm Duck (ankle) and Jason Marshall Jr. (hamstring). Tight end Darren Waller (hip) and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (shoulder) have been limited all week.
Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos (-7.5) (Monday)
The Bengals have had two players not practice all week: tight end Noah Fant (concussion) and first-round edge rusher Shemar Stewart (ankle). Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (hamstring) has been limited in practice all week.
Week 4 Texas parlay: This DraftKings NFL parlay involving Cowboys and Texans pays over 5-1
The Houston Texans (0-3) host the Tennessee Titans (0-3) in an AFC South showdown at 1 p.m. ET. Houston has lost to the Rams, Buccaneers, and Jaguars, all by one possession. According to the latest Week 4 NFL odds, Houston is a 7-point favorite, and SportsLine’s model is backing the Texans to cover the spread at home. SportsLine’s model is also backing Over 47.5 points to be scored when the Green Bay Packers travel to play the Dallas Cowboys at 8:20 p.m. ET. Those NFL picks are part of a Texas sports betting parlay at DraftKings Sportsbook that pays out over 5-1.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model is on a sizzling 39-19 run on top-rated picks dating back to 2024. Anybody following its NFL betting picks at sportsbooks and on betting sites could have seen strong returns.
Three Texas betting picks for NFL Week 4 (odds subject to change):
Titans vs. Texans (-7) (-112)
Packers (-7) (-105) vs. Cowboys
Packers vs. Cowboys: Over 47.5 points (-115)
Combining the model’s three picks into a Texas parlay at DraftKings would result in a payout of +570 (risk $100 to win $570).
Titans vs. Texans (-7) (-112, DraftKings)
The Texans have defeated the Titans in four of their last five outings, with two of them coming at home. The Titans are struggling on both sides of the ball, ranking 31st in the league in total offense (222.3) and 27th in total defense (373.7). For a Texans offense that needs a spark, this is the ideal opponent. In three career games against the Titans, C.J. Stroud has thrown for 510 passing yards, four touchdowns, and a 2-1 record. SportsLine’s model has Houston covering the spread in 55% of simulations.
Packers (-7) vs. Cowboys (-105, DraftKings)
The Cowboys and Packers both took losses in Week 3. The biggest storyline around this game is the return of Micah Parsons to Dallas, but Green Bay has dominated this series dating back to 2009. The Packers have won 10 of the last 11 games, including five straight matchups. With the Cowboys slated to be without CeeDee Lamb and the Packers ranked third in total defense (232.3), look for the Packers to take control of this contest. SportsLine’s model has Green Bay covering the spread in 51% of simulations.
Packers vs. Cowboys, Over 47.5 points (-115, DraftKings)
The Cowboys are fourth in the NFL in total offense (393.7) with 24.7 points per game. Green Bay is coming off a 10-point performance, but scored 27 points in Weeks 1 and 2. Dak Prescott is third in the NFL in passing yards (800) with three passing touchdowns. Meanwhile, Jordan Love has 663 passing yards with a 5-1 touchdown-interception ratio. The last five games between these teams have also gone over 47.5 total points. SportsLine’s model is expecting that trend to continue on Sunday as the model projects these teams to combine for 52 total points, helping the Over hit in 58% of simulations.
El atacante que mató a cuatro personas en Nueva York padecía una enfermedad cerebral degenerativa
Por Melissa Chan – NBC News
El atacante que sospechaba que padecía encefalopatía traumática crónica (ETC) cuando mató a cuatro personas y se suicidó en un edificio de oficinas de Manhattan en julio sí sufría esa enfermedad cerebral degenerativa, según informó este viernes un forense.
Shane Devon Tamura, de 27 años, que jugaba al fútbol americano en la preparatoria, tenía “pruebas diagnósticas inequívocas” de ETC en fase inicial, según el médico forense de la ciudad de Nueva York.
Esta enfermedad cerebral es causada por lesiones repetidas en la cabeza y, en Estados Unidos, se asocia principalmente a los jugadores de la NFL. Sin embargo, los investigadores afirman que Tamura no es ni mucho menos el primer deportista joven en desarrollar ETC a pesar de no haber practicado deporte después de la preparatoria o la universidad.
“Sabemos que hay muchos casos como este. Sabemos que los jugadores de fútbol americano de preparatoria pueden desarrollar ETC”, afirmó Chris Nowinski, cofundador y director ejecutivo de la organización sin fines de lucro Concussion Legacy Foundation.
[El tirador que mató a 4 personas en un edificio de Nueva York tenía como objetivo la sede de la NFL pero tomó el ascensor equivocado, dice el alcalde]
Nowinski señaló que los hallazgos sobre Tamura deberían ser una llamada de atención para los entrenadores de fútbol americano y otros líderes del mundo del deporte, y originar directrices más estrictas para el deporte más popular de Estados Unidos.
“No necesitamos más investigaciones para convencer a los entrenadores de secundaria de que cambien las reglas del juego”, afirmó. “Es necesario que haya voluntad para hacerlo”.
El médico forense realizó un examen cerebral como parte de la autopsia de Tamura después de que, según las autoridades, el agresor dejara una nota en el lugar del tiroteo del 28 de julio en la que expresaba su enfado por la posibilidad de que sus problemas mentales pudieran estar relacionados con practicar fútbol americano y solicitaba que se estudiara su cerebro para detectar ETC.
Las autoridades dijeron que Tamura intentaba atacar la sede de la NFL, que se encuentra en el edificio de Park Avenue donde sucedió el tiroteo.
Tamura jugó al fútbol americano en la preparatoria en California hace aproximadamente una década y recibía golpes frecuentes de otros jugadores en sus posiciones de corredor y defensa, según dijeron anteriormente sus antiguos compañeros de equipo y un exentrenador a NBC News.
[Cinco muertos incluyendo al atacante tras un tiroteo en el centro de Nueva York. El sospechoso se quitó la vida]
Nowinski dijo que la cobertura mediática de los casos de ETC se ha centrado en gran medida en jugadores de alto perfil de la NFL, lo que, según él, crea la falsa percepción de que el problema solo afecta a los atletas profesionales. Sin embargo, afirmó que los expertos que estudian las lesiones cerebrales saben que los atletas de secundaria también corren riesgo.
Un estudio de 2023, dirigido por Ann McKee, una destacada neuróloga en la investigación del ETC, confirmó que el ETC puede generarse en jóvenes atletas que practican deportes de contacto. De los 152 cerebros de atletas menores de 30 años que examinaron los investigadores, se encontró ETC en aproximadamente el 41 % de ellos, según el estudio. Las edades de los 152 donantes de cerebro oscilaban entre los 13 y los 29 años.
Los cerebros pertenecían a jóvenes atletas fallecidos que practicaban deportes de contacto y que habían presentado síntomas mientras vivían. Sus cerebros fueron donados al Banco de Cerebros para la Comprensión de las Lesiones Neurológicas y la Encefalopatía Traumática (UNITE, por su sigla en inglés).
Se trata de una preocupación apremiante, según Nowinski, que jugó al fútbol americano universitario en la Universidad de Harvard y sufrió una conmoción cerebral que puso fin a su carrera en 2003 como luchador profesional de la WWE.
Nowinski dijo que espera que el caso de Tamura lleve a las asociaciones de fútbol americano de secundaria a educar a los entrenadores y jugadores sobre la ETC y a establecer límites más estrictos sobre el número de veces y la intensidad con la que los atletas pueden recibir golpes en la cabeza.
“Sería una locura no tomar medidas para prevenir la ETC”», afirmó.
[En 2024 han ocurrido 83 tiroteos escolares. Esta es la crónica del último que deja dos muertos]
Se estima que más de 300,000 atletas de secundaria en el país sufren una conmoción cerebral cada año, según ha declarado anteriormente la Federación Nacional de Asociaciones Estatales de Secundaria. En 2019, recomendó limitar el contacto físico durante las sesiones de entrenamiento y limitar el número total de cuartos o periodos jugados por semana en deportes como el fútbol americano y el hockey sobre hielo.
La asociación afirmó que ha puesto en marcha numerosas medidas en los últimos 10 a 15 años para reducir el riesgo de lesiones en los jugadores de fútbol americano de secundaria, incluida la prohibición de los golpes de casco contra casco. Se negó a comentar el diagnóstico de ETC de Tamura.
La NFL reconoció por primera vez la relación entre la ETC y el fútbol americano en 2016. En un comunicado emitido el viernes, la NFL afirmó que seguía “lamentando la pérdida sin sentido de vidas humanas, y nuestros corazones siguen estando con las familias de las víctimas y nuestros dedicados empleados”.
“No hay justificación para los horribles actos que sucedieron”, añadía el comunicado.
El exjugador de la NFL Aaron Hernández tenía uno de los peores casos de ETC para su edad que los investigadores habían visto, según afirmó el centro de Boston en 2017. El joven de 27 años se suicidó ese año tras ser condenado por asesinato.
Otro exjugador de la NFL, Phillip Adams, que mató a tiros a seis personas antes de quitarse la vida en 2021, también padecía ETC.
Más recientemente, cuando el excorredor del Pro Bowl Rudi Johnson murió en lo que parece ser un suicidio este mes, su agente pidió que se investigara y previera más el CTE, aunque no está claro si el tres veces corredor de 1,000 yardas lo padecía.
[El tiroteo mortal en un centro de ICE en Dallas aterró a los inmigrantes que acudían a sus citas]
El CTE solo se puede diagnosticar después de la muerte, ya que no existe ninguna herramienta de diagnóstico por imagen que pueda detectar lesiones cerebrales como el CTE mientras la persona está viva, según Ross Zafonte, especialista en lesiones cerebrales y vicedecano ejecutivo de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Missouri.
Esto ha dificultado el estudio de cómo el CTE afecta al comportamiento, afirmó.
Mientras que el Centro de ETC de la Universidad de Boston afirma que la degeneración cerebral está asociada a síntomas comunes de la ETC, como problemas de control de los impulsos, agresividad, depresión y tendencias suicidas, Zafonte y otros dos expertos que estudian las lesiones cerebrales afirman que la ETC no se ha relacionado de forma definitiva con cambios en el comportamiento.
Las autoridades afirmaron que Tamura tenía antecedentes de problemas de salud mental y enfrentamientos con las fuerzas del orden. En 2022, amenazó con suicidarse mientras sufría depresión, migrañas crónicas e insomnio, según una llamada telefónica que su madre realizó a la policía.
Zafonte afirmó que el último caso de estudio de gran repercusión mediática podría ayudar a los investigadores a comprender mejor el papel de la impulsividad. Sin embargo, advirtió que hay muchos factores que afectan al comportamiento y que los investigadores aún no conocen en profundidad los antecedentes de salud mental de Tamura.
[El autor del tiroteo en un centro de ICE en Dallas iba tras los agentes de inmigración que “trabajan a cambio de un cheque sucio”]
“Debemos recordar que se trata de una ciencia en constante evolución y cambio”, afirmó.
El médico forense de la ciudad de Nueva York se hizo eco de esta declaración y afirmó que “la ciencia en torno a esta enfermedad sigue evolucionando y las manifestaciones físicas y mentales de la ETC siguen siendo objeto de estudio”.
Ohio State Heisman Winner Gets Another Pro Football HOF Shot After 2 Failed Attempts
The best thing that can happen to NFL players is getting inducted into the Hall of Famer. It’s every NFL player’s end goal. Super Bowl or not. So, getting into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a huge deal, a real big-time honor that means you were absolutely one of the best to ever play the game. It’s like reaching the mountaintop in the NFL, separating the truly elite players, coaches, and contributors who made a massive impact on the sport from the rest of the pack. It’s basically the ultimate stamp of approval for a career well done. So basically, former Ohio State Buckeyes got nominated into the Hall of Fame despite failing twice.
Each year, very few people are lucky enough to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This usually includes up to 5 modern-era players, like players who have been retired for at least five years. On top of that, the Hall can also include senior players, coaches, and influential contributors like owners or executives—people who helped shape the game behind the scenes.
On September 26, Ohio State legend and Bowling Green Falcons HC Eddie George was listed among 128 nominees for the Hall’s Modern-Era players for the third time. For context, the process is brutal as it gets. 128 names will get trimmed to 25 semifinalists this fall, then 15 finalists, before the committee makes its final call ahead of the Super Bowl. Only three to five Modern-Era players usually get the nod, so the margin is razor-thin. Eddie has already failed twice to get into the Hall of Fame. In both 2022 and 2024, he reached the semifinals but fell short. Hoping this time would be different.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
But what makes Eddie George standout is his stacked résumé. He rushed over 10,441 career rushing yards, bagged 4 Pro Bowls, and already got that reputation as one of the toughest backs of his era. People are still talking about Eddie’s prime years in Nashville. George rumbled for more than 10,000 yards in Tennessee alone, making him the franchise’s all-time rushing leader. He posted seven 1,000-yard seasons, carried the ball more than 300 times in 8 straight years—a record nobody else has touched—and helped drag the Titans to a Super Bowl in 1999.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Eddie George was the epitome of a running back. His best season came in 2000, when he rushed for 1,509 yards, scored 16 touchdowns, and had 6 games over 100 yards. By the time he retired, he had 12,668 all-purpose yards, putting him in the same conversation as some of the greats already in Canton. But even with a Heisman Trophy, George is still chasing history. Only 10 Heisman winners have made it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with Charles Woodson being the most recent in 2021.
Eddie George’s time at Ohio State was pretty epic, after a slow start in Columbus, George erupted his junior year before going full beast mode in 1995. That senior campaign saw him rack up a ridiculous 1,927 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns. He was averaging over 150 yards a game. He ripped off 100-yard outings in 12 straight contests, including a jaw-dropping 314-yard explosion against Illinois. That performance single-handedly locked up the Heisman, got his No. 27 jersey retired, and secured his place as one of the Buckeyes’ all-time greats.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
How’s Eddie George and Bowling Green holding up in 2025?
Eddie George is in his first year as head coach of the Bowling Green Falcons in Ohio, and things are a bit of a mixed bag. He took over a program that wasn’t exactly tearing it up but had made a few bowl games. Coming in from Tennessee State, he brought some hype, especially with his coaching style which he calls GUTS, meaning he wants his team to play with Gumption, Understanding, Tenacity, and Sacrifice. So far, his squad has a 2-2 record, which isn’t terrible, but it’s not exactly setting the world on fire either. They started off with a solid win against Lafayette, winning 26-7 at home in Bowling Green, Ohio. The offense is putting up an average of 27.1 points per game, which is fifth in their conference, and racking up 377.4 total yards per game, good for fourth in the MAC.
But then they ran into some tougher competition, taking losses against Cincinnati and Louisville. They did manage another good win against Liberty, but the offense has been a bit up and down, still trying to find its rhythm with unfamiliar faces. They’re getting 240.6 passing yards per game, ranking third in the MAC, but the rushing game has been a little lackluster at 136.8 yards per game, eighth in the conference.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The defense, on the other hand, has had some strong showings and is looking pretty solid so far. They’re only allowing opponents 21.6 points per game on average, which is fourth best in the MAC and 30th nationally. Their total defense is also pretty stout, giving up only 331.3 yards per game, good for third in the MAC and 32nd nationally.
Did BYU produce the NFL’s best punter?
The 2024 calendar year was a roller coaster professionally for former BYU punter Ryan Rehkow, as he went from being an undrafted rookie free agent to being signed and released by the Kansas City Chiefs to being signed by the Cincinnati Bengals and excelling as a first-year player.
Now through three games of the 2025 season, Rehkow has been arguably the best punter in the entire NFL. Most notably, he is not only leading the league in average yards per punt at exactly 54, but he is also tied for second in total number of punts at 15.
The two players just behind Rehkow in yards per punt at 53.5, the Green Bay Packers’ Daniel Whelan and the Philadelphia Eagles’ Braden Mann, have both punted just 12 times on the young season.
Regarding total number of punts, the Minnesota Vikings’ Ryan Wright is just ahead of him with 16, but Wright is all the way down at 21st in the league in average yards per punt at 47.3.
The player Rehkow is tied with at 15 punts on the season, the Arizona Cardinals’ Blake Gillikin, is fifth in the NFL in average yards per punt at 51.4.
Rehkow and Mann are also both tied for second in the NFL for longest punt at 70 yards, just one yard behind the New England Patriots’ Bryce Baringer.
Rehkow is excelling for a Bengals team that lost star quarterback Joe Burrow to a turf toe injury in Week 2 that could sideline him for the rest of the season.
Colorado Coach Makes Clear Demands From CU WR Who Could Leave NFL Scouts in Awe
A 2024 Alamo Bowl rematch awaits this weekend. And what’s the fever in Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes? They are now back to form with their 37-20 win over Wyoming. After 28,469 days, or nearly eight decades of waiting, the Buffs and Cougars finally meet again in a league matchup. So one can feel the heat, right? Unfortunately, Deion will not have his star player, dual-threat Travis Hunter, around this time. But he has been lucky enough to find a star transfer to provide the explosive playmaking in the receiving game, as Hunter did.
That’s none other than former Campbell Fighting Camel star Sincere Brown. The young chap has already picked up NFL buzz, and Deion’s coach comes with a list of ‘do’s and don’ts.’ On September 26, DNVR Buffs posted a clip of an interview with Deion’s wide receiver coach, Jason Phillips. Given the current hype, the discussion had to be about Brown.
The wide receiver had hit 22.3 miles per hour last week, the second fastest of any player that week. And it’s now about how he charts his path for his next step to the NFL. To Phillips, Brown needs to develop himself into a complete package in Deion’s squad. “I think he understands what he has to do, and like I mentioned earlier, he’s just got to continue to develop. I mean, I think he had a lot of playing time at Campbell,” said Phillips. “The level of competition is obviously different. So, you know, a guy at that size and can run that fast, he has to develop to be a total package receiver, not just a guy that can run, not just a guy that’s tall.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Brown has emerged as a true home-run hitter. The 6’5” and 190-pound star snagged a 68-yard bomb from Kaidon Salter last week, after already hauling in a 71-yarder from Ryan Staub. Colorado has only seen this kind of magic twice before. Rae Carruth in 1995 (Koy Detmer and John Hessler) and Paul Richardson in 2013 (Connor Wood and Sefo Liufau).
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Brown flashes, but asterisks are attached. His highlight reel is undeniable, yet his lone Power 4 outing, two grabs for 15 yards vs. Houston, tells a different story. Deion’s newly found, Hunter-like talent’s explosion came against Delaware and Wyoming. Receiver is still Colorado’s shiniest room on offense, but without Hunter and the NFL-bound trio of LaJohntay Wester, Will Sheppard, and Jimmy Horn Jr., it’s not nearly as loaded.
But Phillips is hopeful about what Brown can bring to the table. “But to be able to run curls, be able to run crossing routes more consistently, you know, down the field, catching the ball down the field, and turning small plays into big plays. He’s aware of that, and he will get opportunities to do that,” said the coach. Now that Brown has turned into an attention magnet, what propelled him to come this far?
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Here’s Sincere Brown’s idol, who inspires his game and ambitions
Brown is quickly building his reputation as one of the Buffs’ most electric weapons. He’s already cleared 200 yards on just seven catches, averaging nearly 30 yards a pop and proving he doesn’t need many touches to change a game. Even with three quarterbacks taking turns under center, Brown has been the constant, stretching the field for both Salter and Staub and turning deep shots into game-shifting plays.
With blazing speed and a knack for big moments, Brown is fast becoming a defensive coordinator’s nightmare and one of the most feared receivers in the Big 12. So, it’s definitely going to make the NFL world already start having FOMO. Looks like Deion’s star might have had the poster of an NFL star, an idol in his room. To Brown, San Francisco 49ers legend Randy Moss has been his idol.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
As he shared, “I idolized Randy Moss ever since I was a little kid That’s still to this day the best football player to ever touch a football in my life. Ever since I saw him as a young player, I always wanted to be like him in some type of way on the field.” As he now takes baby steps, Brown fits into the energy of Deion’s Colorado perfectly.
Forense: Atacante de edificio de Manhattan tenía ETC. Había culpado a NFL de lesiones cerebrales
NUEVA YORK (AP) — El exjugador de fútbol americano de secundaria que mató a cuatro personas dentro de una torre de oficinas en Manhattan, que alberga la sede de la NFL, y que culpó a la liga de ocultar los peligros de las lesiones cerebrales, estaba sufriendo de encefalopatía traumática crónica (ETC), dijo el viernes un médico forense de la ciudad.
Shane Tamura, de 27 años, tenía
Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson Named Trade Candidate For NFC Contender
Trade speculation surrounding Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Trey Hendrickson has abounded of late, especially with quarterback Joe Burrow out with a turf toe injury.
If the Bengals do move Hendrickson before the NFL trade deadline in November, the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles could come calling. USA Today’s Nate Davis named the Eagles as a “team to watch” among potential suitors for Hendrickson.
“They were linked to Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons earlier this year and could certainly use a veteran pass rusher after losing Super Bowl 59 hero Josh Sweat in free agency,” Davis wrote. “Also, OLB Nolan Smith just landed on IR.”
Philly’s challenge will be affording Hendrickson, as Bengals fans know all too well. Hendrickson has a one-year, $29 million deal with the Bengals, and he has been seeking a bigger contract all year.
A Look at the Trey Hendrickson Saga
Cincinnati acquired Hendrickson in 2021 as a free agent when he signed a four-year, $60 million deal. That has paid off for the Bengals with three seasons of 14 or more sacks, but Hendrickson’ asking price has been steep for the team, amid his strong production.
“He had an eventful summer, briefly holding out from training camp amid protracted negotiations with the team to agree on the raise both Hendrickson and the Bengals acknowledged he deserved after leading the NFL with 35 sacks over the 2023 and ’24 seasons,” Davis wrote. “Still, even though Hendrickson could now make up to $30 million in 2025, he’s nevertheless scheduled to walk in 2026.”
“Clearly, the Bengals didn’t pay him to trade him and have historically not been inclined to make splashy in-season moves. But Cincinnati, which did deal QB Carson Palmer during the 2011 campaign, also didn’t know two weeks ago that it would likely be without injured QB Joe Burrow for most of, if not the remainder of, the 2025 season.”
“And if the Bengals D is going to continue looking as bad as it did last Sunday in Minnesota, why not move on from Hendrickson, 30, at a time when his production could still warrant a nice return given he’ll very likely be on the move in a few months anyway,” Davis added.
How a Trey Hendrickson Trade With Philadelphia Could Look
If the Bengals do trade Hendrickson to the Eagles, here’s how it could look based on a trade proposal from ESPN’s Bill Barnwell before the season.
Barnwell proposed that the Eagles could send defensive lineman Jalyx Hunt, a 2026 third-round pick, and a conditional 2027 pick. Cincinnati would get a young talent in Hunt, who had 1.5 sacks and 10 tackles in four games as a rookie in 2024. He has four tackles in three games this season.
Philadelphia selected Hunt with a third-round pick out of Houston Christian, an FCS program. During his time at Houston Christian and Cornell, Hunt tallied 133 tackles, 13.5 sacks, an interception, and five forced fumbles across five collegiate seasons.
How much Hunt can develop is the unknown for the Bengals if that’s who the Eagles offer. In addition, the Bengals might not find comparable talent with a third-round pick or conditional pick, depending on where it falls, in comparison to what the team will lose with Hendrickson’s departure.
Gunman in NYC Shooting Had CTE
The gunman who killed four people in an NYC office building in July had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), according to the New York City medical examiner’s office.
The degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head injuries sustained in football and other contact sports can only be diagnosed posthumously. The gunman, identified as Shane Tamura, died by suicide following the shooting, which took place in the building that houses the headquarters of the National Football League. The suspect had no known connection to the NFL.
The medical examiner “found unambiguous diagnostic evidence of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as C.T.E., in the brain tissue of the decedent. The findings correspond with the classification of low-stage C.T.E., according to current consensus criteria,” according to a statement.
A multi-page note was found in Tamura’s pocket, claiming he was suffering from CTE related to his time playing high school football, a law enforcement source previously told Rolling Stone.
“Study my brain please. I’m sorry,” Tamura wrote, according to the source. The note also mentioned a 2013 Frontline documentary on the topic of CTE and referenced former NFL players who suffered from the disease. The note also accused the NFL of hiding football’s potential risk to players’ brains. “He blamed the NFL,” the law enforcement source said.
Trending Stories
CTE, a neurodegenerative brain disease that has been connected to repeated blows to the head, has been seen in athletes, including hockey players and boxers, as well as military veterans. The disease, which was found in a study of donated brains of NFL players, has been associated with “impulsivity, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and explosivity,” according to one study. Symptoms can include loss of memory, changes in mood, confusion, and difficulty thinking clearly.
Spencer Shrader’s Wife: Who Is Korbin Shrader, the USWNT Soccer Star?
The 2024 NFL season marked a journey of movement for rookie kicker Spencer Shrader. Initially an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts, Shrader later joined the New York Jets and then played for the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2025, however, he finally found stability, securing the role of starting kicker for the Colts. This newfound stability extends beyond the field, as Shrader also revealed a significant personal milestone this year.
On July 5th, Spencer took to Instagram to announce his engagement to women’s national team midfielder Korbin Albert. The post featured a series of photos accompanied by a caption quoting Walt Whitman’s poem: “Will you come travel with me? Shall we stick by each other for as long as we live?” With their engagement public, NFL fans and followers flocked online to learn more about Korbin.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Who Is Spencer Shrader’s Wife, and What Does She Do?
Korbin Albert, now Korbin Shrader, is a professional soccer player and a prominent midfielder known for her versatility and dynamic playing style. She currently plays for OL Reign in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and is a vital member of the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT).
Originally from Grayslake, Illinois, Korbin’s impressive journey includes playing collegiate soccer at the University of Notre Dame, where she earned accolades like ACC Midfielder of the Year and First-Team All-American honors. She finished her college career with over 20 goals and 30 assists, becoming one of the most decorated players in Notre Dame’s history and helping her team consistently rank among the nation’s best.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
After college, she took her talents to Europe, signing with French giants Paris Saint-Germain in 2023. At PSG, she quickly established herself as a creative force in midfield, contributing crucial goals and assists while helping the team reach the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finals. Her performances in France drew significant attention, both for her technical skills and her ability to perform under pressure.
In 2024, Korbin returned to the U.S. to join OL Reign, where she has become a central figure in the club’s midfield, combining defensive grit with attacking vision. At just 21, she also proudly won an Olympic gold medal with the USWNT at the 2024 Paris Games, showcasing her growing influence on the international stage and cementing her reputation as one of the brightest young stars in women’s soccer.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Spencer and Korbin Shrader’s love story
Spencer and Korbin Shrader met at the University of Notre Dame, where Spencer played football and Korbin played soccer. They bonded over similar values and faith, which became the foundation of their relationship. In July 2025, Spencer proposed using a Walt Whitman quote, “Will you come travel with me? Shall we stick by each other for as long as we live?” and they married soon after. Their relationship seems about faith, teamwork, and mutual support, naturally admired by friends, teammates, and fans alike.
Support throughout Spencer Shrader’s career & their partnership
From Spencer’s early days as a college kicker to his professional tenure with the Indianapolis Colts, Korbin has been a critical source of encouragement and moral support. She often attends his games when her schedule allows, traveling between France and Indianapolis to be there for him. Her belief in his talent and perseverance has helped him face the pressures and uncertainties of a competitive football career, especially during high-stakes moments like contract negotiations and game-winning kicks. Spencer reciprocates by being deeply involved in her career — watching her matches live whenever possible and using his platform to celebrate her achievements.
As Spencer embraces the role of starting kicker for the Colts, their partnership continues to serve as a foundation for resilience, motivation, and shared success. They openly speak about relying on each other during tough stretches, leaning on their faith and shared values to maintain balance. Spencer Shrader and Korbin Albert’s journey from college sweethearts to a power couple balancing professional sports careers is truly inspiring. Their deep bond, rooted in faith and unwavering support, continues to fuel their growth on and off the field. Together, they look forward to building a future filled with love, success, and shared dreams.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Korbin Shrader’s social media
Fleury thrilled ‘to finish where everything started’ with Penguins
CRANBERRY, Pa. — Marc-Andre Fleury hadn’t been gone that long.
Actually, it was less than a year. On Oct. 28, 2024, the 40-year-old goalie practiced at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, the training facility of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Fleury was a visitor, though, playing his final season for the Minnesota Wild.
Friday was different. It was the same rink. This time, it was home.
“It’s good to be on this side of the locker room for once,” Fleury said, sitting at his old stall, now belonging to goalie Tristan Jarry.
Fleury signed a professional tryout contract with the Penguins on Sept. 12 and will play one period of a preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN-PIT), capping a 21-year NHL career that began with 13 seasons in Pittsburgh.
“I feel like I’ve said goodbye like 17 times already to everybody,” Fleury said. “I was a little banged up too, you know, after the season. I wasn’t planning on working out or skating, and I didn’t. Then, we talked a few weeks back.
“I was like (at) home, kids in school, you know? And I was like, ‘Yeah, I think it’ll be fun and spend some time with the guys and the staff, and see the fans and all that stuff too.’ So, yeah, I’m happy that it all worked out.”
About 20 minutes before practice, Fleury walked from the locker room sporting bright yellow pads reminiscent of a pair from his first several seasons. He took the ice to an estimated crowd of just under 800.
The fans chanted. Fleury did a few laps. Centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Kris Letang, his longtime Penguins teammates, waited at the other end.
He took the crease eventually, facing shots from Crosby, Letang and forward Bryan Rust.
“That might be what I loved the most,” Fleury said, “just being on the ice and have a lot of shots, see the guys a bunch, be able to chirp a bit here and there. That’s a lot of fun for me.”
Crosby scored on his second attempt with Fleury looking to the rafters, his customary wry smile visible through the bars of his mask. Crosby laughed in the right face-off circle, then had his next few shots turned away — one with Fleury windmilling in the crease.
“The one where I batted it out of the air and scored, that’s the one you’re talking about?” Crosby said, chuckling. “Yeah, it was a good initial save, for sure. Yeah.”
Every little thing Fleury did got a reaction — taking the crease and leaving it, making a save and letting in a goal.
It was a reception earned long ago. The No. 1 pick in the 2003 NHL Draft, Fleury won the Stanley Cup three times (2009, 2016, 2017) before being selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft.
Mike Sullivan, now coach of the New York Rangers, was Fleury’s coach for the last two championships.
“He just represents everything that makes us proud to be associated with the game,” Sullivan said. “He’s a great person. He’s a fierce competitor. And he loves hockey. I don’t think you play as long as ‘Flower’ did and play in as many games as he has if you don’t love the game. His energy is so contagious.”
Fleury is 575-339-97 in 1,051 games, with the second-most wins and games played by a goalie in NHL history behind Martin Brodeur (691, 1,266).
Fleury has the most wins (375) and games played (691) on Pittsburgh’s all-time list. His 2.58 goals-against average is the lowest in its history and his .912 save percentage is tied for second (minimum 100 games played) with Casey DeSmith, behind Matt Murray (.914).
Crosby, Malkin and Letang are the Penguins’ core-three. It was once four. Fleury was the foundation.
“He was here before us,” Crosby said. “He had some, at least a year there, where it was a struggle. I remember, early on, he was getting 40, 50 shots, playing unbelievable. We couldn’t get wins for him. It was tough. He couldn’t get shutouts. It was the hardest thing. He’d have a shutout for, like, 57 minutes and then let one in, it was crazy.
“I don’t know how many shutouts he has, but he should have, like, 15 to 20 more. He just had those nights where he just took over.”
Fleury has 76 shutouts in his NHL career, tied with Tony Esposito and Ed Belfour for 10th in League history.
The numbers aren’t what endears Pittsburgh to Fleury.
On June 14, 2017, he grasped one side of the Stanley Cup with the other held by Murray, his successor, at the end of a championship parade.
Six days later was his last appearance in a Penguins jersey before Friday. Fleury held an autograph signing at a DICK’s Sporting Goods down a hill from this practice rink, knowing he was destined for Vegas.
He wanted to do right by Pittsburgh. He’s now trying to do the same for Minnesota.
Marc-Andre Fleury takes a final bow for the Penguins
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — There was a time when Marc-Andre Fleury would take days like Friday for granted. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, too.
Days when the four players most closely associated with the Pittsburgh Penguins’ run of excellence 2008-17 — an era in which they played for the Stanley Cup four times and raised it above their head in triumph three — would spend an hour competing against each other during training camp, gather for a picture afterward for whomever might stop by and think nothing of it.
Not this time. Not when it was the last time.
And it is, the second-winningest goalie in NHL history stressed, the last time.
Wearing a specially-made mask featuring various symbols of his 21-year career and the No. 29 jersey that may someday soon find itself hanging in the rafters at PPG Paints Arena, Fleury made it a point to drink in every last moment of his final practice as a professional ahead of a one-period cameo during the Penguins’ preseason game against Columbus on Saturday.
Skating onto the ice in front of several hundred fans who chanted his name and carried signs like “We Came All The Way From Canada To See You Come Home,” Fleury did what he did nearly every day of his two-plus decade stay in the NHL: he leaned into it.
There he was, theatrically flopping his signature yellow pads in an attempt to stop a Crosby deflection. There he was, laughing after robbing Letang with a glove save. There he was, making Malkin shake his head after turning the Russian star away from in close.
“That might be what I love the most (about hockey), just to be on the ice and have a lot of shots, see the guys a bunch (and) be able to chirp a little bit,” Fleury said afterward while sitting in his familiar corner stall inside the club’s dressing room. “Yeah, it’s a lot of fun for me.”
The 40-year-old officially retired from the NHL as a member of the Minnesota Wild in the spring but signed a professional tryout contract with the Penguins earlier this month after being approached by Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas, who wanted the future Hall of Famer to take one final bow in the city where he remains beloved nearly a decade since leaving in the 2017 expansion draft.
While the pathologically upbeat Fleury joked afterward he wished he had more stamina, for about 90 minutes there were flashes of the form — and the style — that helped the Penguins morph from the worst team in the league when he arrived as the top overall pick in the 2003 draft to two-time defending Stanley Cup champions when he left.
“It’s just the enthusiasm,” Crosby said. “I think the energy that he brings, it’s really unique.”
The franchise relied on that energy, particularly early on in Fleury’s 13-year stay. Wins were hard to come by in the early days as the Penguins poured the foundation of what came as close to a dynasty as the NHL allows in the salary-cap era.
Yet the losing and the pressure never seemed to get to Fleury. He simply kept moving forward. Six years after he arrived, the player universally known as “Flower” sealed the franchise’s third championship by making a diving stop of Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom in the waning seconds of Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup finals.
The save — an athletically unorthodox act of desperation that encapsulated his talent — cemented Fleury’s spot in Penguins history. And while he went on to have great success elsewhere, including guiding the expansion Vegas Golden Knights to the Cup finals in 2018 and winning the Vezina Trophy as the game’s top goalie in 2021, Pittsburgh was never too far from his mind. Or his heart.
Every return trip to the city where he came of age over the last eight years felt a little strange. Not just for Fleury but for a crowd thrilled to see him while simultaneously hoping he’d lose.
Those mixed emotions for all involved are gone now and his unexpected (if brief) return represents a full-circle moment not just for Fleury, but the Penguins.
While Crosby remains a force at 38, Pittsburgh is no longer a playoff fixture. Dubas is overseeing a youth movement that includes young goaltenders like Sergei Murashov, who wasn’t even born when Fleury made his NHL debut. Fleury spent a portion of practice kneeling alongside the 21-year-old Russian, listening and offering a little bit of advice.
Asked what that advice might be, one of the league’s notorious practical jokers just laughed.
“‘You better try hard, I’m coming to take your spot,’” Fleury said.
Only, he’s not. Though he thinks his wife Veronique is “tired of him already,” Fleury has not had any second thoughts about stepping away from the game he played so passionately and so well for so long.
“I’ve found out there’s nothing else I can do. There’s nothing else I can do that will fulfill that hole, right, of playing hockey,” Fleury said. “But at the same time, I’m older, slower, more hurt, you know, a little more sore, and less flexible, less fast, maybe.
“Yeah, I think it’s time.”
___
‘Flower’ blooms one last time in Pittsburgh as Marc-Andre Fleury takes final bow for Penguins
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — There was a time when Marc-Andre Fleury would take days like Friday for granted. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, too.
Days when the four players most closely associated with the Pittsburgh Penguins’ run of excellence 2008-17 — an era in which they played for the Stanley Cup four times and raised it above their head in triumph three — would spend an hour competing against each other during training camp, gather for a picture afterward for whomever might stop by and think nothing of it.
Not this time. Not when it was the last time.
And it is, the second-winningest goalie in NHL history stressed, the last time.
Wearing a specially-made mask featuring various symbols of his 21-year career and the No. 29 jersey that may someday soon find itself hanging in the rafters at PPG Paints Arena, Fleury made it a point to drink in every last moment of his final practice as a professional ahead of a one-period cameo during the Penguins’ preseason game against Columbus on Saturday.
Skating onto the ice in front of several hundred fans who chanted his name and carried signs like “We Came All The Way From Canada To See You Come Home,” Fleury did what he did nearly every day of his two-plus decade stay in the NHL: he leaned into it.
There he was, theatrically flopping his signature yellow pads in an attempt to stop a Crosby deflection. There he was, laughing after robbing Letang with a glove save. There he was, making Malkin shake his head after turning the Russian star away from in close.
“That might be what I love the most (about hockey), just to be on the ice and have a lot of shots, see the guys a bunch (and) be able to chirp a little bit,” Fleury said afterward while sitting in his familiar corner stall inside the club’s dressing room. “Yeah, it’s a lot of fun for me.”
The 40-year-old officially retired from the NHL as a member of the Minnesota Wild in the spring but signed a professional tryout contract with the Penguins earlier this month after being approached by Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas, who wanted the future Hall of Famer to take one final bow in the city where he remains beloved nearly a decade since leaving in the 2017 expansion draft.
While the pathologically upbeat Fleury joked afterward he wished he had more stamina, for about 90 minutes there were flashes of the form — and the style — that helped the Penguins morph from the worst team in the league when he arrived as the top overall pick in the 2003 draft to two-time defending Stanley Cup champions when he left.
“It’s just the enthusiasm,” Crosby said. “I think the energy that he brings, it’s really unique.”
The franchise relied on that energy, particularly early on in Fleury’s 13-year stay. Wins were hard to come by in the early days as the Penguins poured the foundation of what came as close to a dynasty as the NHL allows in the salary-cap era.
Yet the losing and the pressure never seemed to get to Fleury. He simply kept moving forward. Six years after he arrived, the player universally known as “Flower” sealed the franchise’s third championship by making a diving stop of Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom in the waning seconds of Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup finals.
The save — an athletically unorthodox act of desperation that encapsulated his talent — cemented Fleury’s spot in Penguins history. And while he went on to have great success elsewhere, including guiding the expansion Vegas Golden Knights to the Cup finals in 2018 and winning the Vezina Trophy as the game’s top goalie in 2021, Pittsburgh was never too far from his mind. Or his heart.
Every return trip to the city where he came of age over the last eight years felt a little strange. Not just for Fleury but for a crowd thrilled to see him while simultaneously hoping he’d lose.
Those mixed emotions for all involved are gone now and his unexpected (if brief) return represents a full-circle moment not just for Fleury, but the Penguins.
While Crosby remains a force at 38, Pittsburgh is no longer a playoff fixture. Dubas is overseeing a youth movement that includes young goaltenders like Sergei Murashov, who wasn’t even born when Fleury made his NHL debut. Fleury spent a portion of practice kneeling alongside the 21-year-old Russian, listening and offering a little bit of advice.
Asked what that advice might be, one of the league’s notorious practical jokers just laughed.
“‘You better try hard, I’m coming to take your spot,’” Fleury said.
Only, he’s not. Though he thinks his wife Veronique is “tired of him already,” Fleury has not had any second thoughts about stepping away from the game he played so passionately and so well for so long.
“I’ve found out there’s nothing else I can do. There’s nothing else I can do that will fulfill that hole, right, of playing hockey,” Fleury said. “But at the same time, I’m older, slower, more hurt, you know, a little more sore, and less flexible, less fast, maybe.
“Yeah, I think it’s time.”
Bold Dallas Trade Pitch Swaps RFAs to Land Rising Star Center
Trade proposals from national media types can often be a lot like online shopping. The picture looks great, but when it shows up and you try it on, the fit is all wrong.
But the host of Daily Faceoff’s “The Sheet with Jeff Marek” might be on to something with his “irresponsible” idea involving a swap of restricted free agents between the Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks:
Anaheim gets: Jason Robertson
Dallas gets: Mason McTavish, Olen Zelwigger, 2026 first-round pick
A lot of times, pundits who likely have no emotional ties to the teams involved will throw out names, toss in a few prospects, maybe a draft pick or two, and voila! A potential deal is born.
Hopefully, there is an explainable rationale behind at least one of the players in the hypothetic transaction.
It makes no sense to go off the rails and suggest that Superstar A in the middle of a team-friendly contract could be acquired for Prospects 1, 2 and 3 in a blockbuster swap. But add the uncertainty of pending free agency – the 28-year-old veteran entering unrestricted status for the first time, the 22-year-old on the verge of a breakout coming off an entry-level contract – and a case can reasonably be made that a team might entertain the idea of a trade.
Vague reports of stalled negotiations only add fuel to the fire, spurring claims of an unbreachable chasm between team and player that will inevitably lead to a parting of the ways. But sometimes, it sure can feel like a contract stalemate couldn’t possibly end any other way.
The situation with Mason McTavish and the Anaheim Ducks has started to give off that vibe.
Bad Vibes Emanate From Stalled Negotiations Between Mason McTavish & Anaheim
The 22-year-old center, who was drafted No. 3 overall in the 2021 draft, is one of a handful of restricted free agents who did not report to training camp with their teams last week. But as NHL insider Elliotte Friedman stated during an appearance on “NHL Tonight,” there is a particularly negative tone emanating from lack of negotiations between the Ducks and McTavish, who traveled back to Ottawa to train with his former junior team.
“It’s always a bad sign when that happens,” Friedman said.
While reports indicate the two sides are close to agreement on the length of a contract, they are “pretty far apart” on the money issue. And with Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek, a notoriously tough negotiator, looking at the rising stable of promising young players in Anaheim who will also be seeking new contracts, Friedman suggested that Verbeek is “trying to hold the line a bit” on salaries.
“Pat Verbeek, tough player, tough negotiator. Jeff Solomon, who does the contracts for the Ducks, tough negotiator. Pat Morris, who represents McTavish, tough negotiator,” Friedman said. “There’s a lot of grinders in this negotiation.”
Jason Robertson Will Enter Free Agency In a New Salary Cap Era for the NHL
Robertson’s pending RFA status has not generated a ton of buzz amid the discussion about what could be a crazy deep pool of free agents next summer. But undoubtedly, the Stars front office has given it a lot of thought.
The 26-year-old left winger is entering the final season of a four-year, $31 million contract, and he will be seeking a boost from his current cap hit of $7.75 million. As the NHL enters a new salary cap era, Robertson will be able to command a lot of years and a lot of money, potentially topping $10 per season, and Dallas, having just recently signed Mikko Rantanen to an eight-year, $96 million deal, could be leery about committing to another deal of that magnitude.
Anaheim, meanwhile, has a lot of salary cap space, and the timing seems right to add a player like Robertson to a young cast of talent like Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Jackson LaCombe.
Or, as Marek put it, “Let’s just have some fun and be irresponsible here.”
Robertson could create a super duo with Carlsson on the Ducks’ top line, and McTavish can be the Stars’ No. 2 center, allowing Wyatt Johnston to play on the wing.
“It’s a great idea. It’s a great idea,” podcast guest Greg Wyshinski said. “I think it would help both teams now and in the future.”
Drew Commesso believes he’s NHL-ready, but no Blackhawks roster spot is available
Blackhawks goalie prospect Drew Commesso must be wondering how much more he needs to do to get a serious NHL opportunity, even though he isn’t willing to speak that feeling aloud.
Commesso went on a torrid run last spring in the AHL, posting a .930 save percentage over his final 22 regular and postseason games, only to see the two goalies ahead of him on the Hawks’ depth chart — Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom — both receive contract extensions over the summer.
The 23-year-old Boston University product — a second-round pick back in 2020 — at least got to make his NHL debut last December. But he has otherwise spent the entirety of his first two pro seasons in Rockford, where his cumulative save percentage over 87 appearances is a stellar .911.
“I feel like I’m NHL-ready,” Commesso said Thursday. “That’s where I feel like my game is right now. I’ve put in a lot of work, and I feel confident in practice. I’m excited to get into games. I feel ready right now.”
The Hawks, however, aren’t even pretending there’s a goaltending competition in training camp. For now, Knight and Soderblom — who improved substantially last season after a rough 2023-24 campaign — comprise their set-in-stone NHL duo.
“It’s a hard league, and those guys have both played well,” coach Jeff Blashill said Friday. “My biggest message [to Drew] is, ‘You have to make sure you’re ready to jump through that window of opportunity.’
“Go down and have another great run. [If] you keep knocking on the door, at some point and somewhere, you get your opportunity.”
Goalies infamously take a long time to develop, so it’s not like Commesso is running up against any deadlines (although his entry-level contract does expire after this season). Plenty of current NHL starters didn’t break through until age 23 or 24.
Commesso has even become friends with his competition, since he and Knight discovered they have a lot in common. Nevertheless, this situation must be testing his patience.
Before his amazing stretch run, he actually hit a psychological low point last winter after his roommate, forward Landon Slaggert, got called up to the Hawks. Feeling like a “lost puppy” in his dreary, empty Rockford apartment, Commesso realized he needed to develop some hobbies beyond hockey.
One hobby ended up being cooking — partly because he enjoyed it, and partly because it improved his health. He eliminated snacks and candy in favor of all-natural, simple-ingredient foods. He also started listening to a health podcast and researching how to consume fewer toxins.
“I’ve become a great chef in the last six months,” he said. “It has helped me put on more muscle and cut off body fat…and I’ve been sleeping a lot better.”
Some Hawks have teased Commesso for lugging a glass — rather than plastic — water bottle around Fifth Third Arena this month, but he has won back their approval by cooking delicious dinners.
His signature dish consists of steak, eggs, asparagus and sweet potatoes roasted with salt and pepper, all covered in a honey drizzle.
“I’ve had a few people tell me they’ve never had better sweet potatoes, so that’s a nice feather in my cap,” he added, grinning.
Perhaps it’s not surprising that the most intelligent, innovative prospect in the Hawks’ system has a new fascination.
In the past, Commesso has dived headfirst into things like virtual-reality headsets, Andrei Vasilevskiy’s yoga program and Braden Holtby’s meditation routine in the past. Meditation, it’s worth noting, remains a key part of his pregame prep to this day.
Talented as he is, it’s impressive how tirelessly he searches for ways to optimize and out-perform his talent. Nobody knows yet how he’ll eventually fare as an NHL goalie, but it would be unwise to doubt him.
“I’m in a really good spot mentally and physically,” he said.
John Gibson makes preseason debut in 3-2 loss to Penguins
John Gibson made his Detroit Red Wings exhibition debut Friday, perfectly timed to have him play in his hometown.
Gibson was one of the few NHL veterans the Wings took into their game Friday, Sept. 26, against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena, which marked the Wings’ third of eight preseason outings. Instead the lineup was again heavy on young players, including Nate Danielson, Emmitt Finnie, Carter Bear, and minor leaguers.
The Wings gave up three straight goals and lost for the first time in the preseason, falling 3-2 to a Penguins lineup that likewise featured few regular NHL players.
John Leonard, a 27-year-old minor leaguer, made it 2-0 for the Wings in the first period. .
Connor Dewar scored on one of five Penguins shots on Gibson in the secodn period before he was, as planned replaced by newcomer Michal Postava, who finished the second half of a game for the second time in two nights.
It’s common practice for teams to switch up goaltenders during the preseason.
The Wings played 2021 first-round draft pick Sebastian Cossa all 60 minutes of their first exhibition game, against the Chicago Blackhawks, and split duties between veteran Cam Talbot and newcomer Michal Postava in the second one.
Aleksander Barkov’s Injury Update Makes NHL Fans Lose Hope for Florida Panthers’ Stanley Cup Three-Peat
Bagging 22 points in 23 postseason games, Aleksander Barkov was undoubtedly one of the main driving forces behind the Panthers’ second-straight Stanley Cup win last season. Naturally, with the elusive three-peat on the table, Cats’ fans had hoped to see their beloved Finnish captain lead the charge into the history books. However, as fate would have it, Barky will need to remain on the sidelines for most of the season, and things are looking grim already.
Just a few hours ago, via a post on X, the official Florida Panthers’ social media handle confirmed that their 29-year-old center picked up an injury at practice and will be decommissioned off the ice for the foreseeable future. “Florida Panthers Captain Aleksander Barkov suffered injuries to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) at yesterday’s practice,” the post notes, before revealing that the Finn has already undergone a successful knee surgery at the Baptist Health Doctors Hospital.
But here’s the big blow: “The expected recovery timeline for these injuries is 7 to 9 months,” the social media update dropped the bomb on the fans. And with that, thoughts of the three-peat seem to be slipping away already. The news came as such a shcok that even the Cats’ foes seemed to be reeling from it. “That’s probably gonna do it for the three peat I hate the panthers but they should at least get a shot at history,” one hockey connoisseur felt the anguish as much as the reigning NHL champs.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Sept. 26: NHL Preseason Roundup
Victor Hedman did not play after the first period for the Tampa Bay Lightning in a 6-5 win against the Carolina Hurricanes at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa on Friday.
The Lightning captain had an assist but played just nine shifts totaling 7:24 of ice time.
Wojciech Stachowiak had two goals and an assist, and Zemgus Girgensons also scored twice for Tampa Bay (3-0-0). Oliver Bjorkstrand had a goal and an assist, and Jonas Johansson made 16 saves on 17 shots before being replaced by Harrison Meneghin, who allowed four goals on 14 shots in the third period.
Bradly Nadeau and Givani Smith each had a goal and an assist, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi also scored for Carolina (0-3-0). Justin Robidas and Joel Nystrom each had two assists, and Amir Miftakhov made 22 saves.
Girgensons gave the Lightning a 1-0 lead at 5:03 of the first period, scoring on a one-timer in the slot after Maxim Groshev forced a turnover on the forecheck.
Girgensons then made it 2-0 at 11:30 when he lifted his own rebound into the net from below the right face-off circle. The forward finished with two goals in 82 games last season.
Smith cut it to 2-1 at 14:46. He scored on the doorstep off a pass from Kevin Labanc from below the goal line.
Stachowiak extended the lead to 3-1 with a power-play goal at 19:05 of the second period, knocking in his own rebound from the right side following a pad save by Miftakhov.
Groshev made it 4-1 at 2:55 of the third period, scoring in the crease after Miftakhov couldn’t keep the puck covered at the left post.
Carolina quickly responded with two goals in 50 seconds. Gleb Trikozov cut it to 4-2 at 3:25 before Kotkaniemi made it 4-3 at 4:15 by lifting a wrist shot over Meneghin’s glove.
Kotkaniemi, however, left the game with 4:24 remaining in the third after taking a stick to the face from Girgensons, who was assessed a double minor for high-sticking.
Stachowiak scored his second of the game with a redirection of J.J. Moser’s point shot to make it 5-3 at 8:55.
Noel Gunler scored into an open net to cut it to 5-4 at 10:00.
Bjorkstrand pushed it to 6-4 at 12:27, one-timing a backhand feed from Jake Guentzel in the slot for a power-play goal.
Nadeau scored with 12 seconds left to make it 6-5. He stuffed the puck in from near the left post after Smith’s tip attempt went off the crossbar.
Penguins 3, Red Wings 2: John Gibson made 13 saves in his preseason debut for the Detroit Red Wings, but the Pittsburgh Penguins rallied for the win at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
Gibson was acquired by Detroit in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks on June 28. The 32-year-old played his first 12 seasons with Anaheim, where he went 204-217-63 with a 2.89 goals-against average, .910 save percentage and 24 shutouts in 506 regular-season games (494 starts).
Philip Tomasino, Robby Fabbri and Connor Dewar scored for the Penguins (1-1-1). Tristan Jarry started and allowed two goals on 13 shots before being replaced midway through the second period by Arturs Silovs, who stopped all seven shots he faced.
John Leonard scored both goals for the Red Wings (2-1-0). Michal Postava allowed two goals on six shots in relief of Gibson.
Leonard gave the Red Wings a 1-0 lead at 13:38 of the first period, scoring on a breakaway with a wrist shot from the left circle following a turnover by the Penguins. He then scored on the power play with a wrist shot from the point at 18:20 to extend the lead to 2-0.
Leonard signed a one-year contract with Detroit on July 2 after scoring 36 goals in 72 games for Charlotte of the American Hockey League last season.
Dewar cut it to 2-1 at 2:32 of the second period. With his back to the net, he was able to score with a backhand to the far side from the left circle.
Fabbri tied the game 2-2 at 4:46 of the third period. The 29-year-old forward is in camp with the Penguins on a professional tryout after playing 44 games for the Ducks last season (16 points; eight goals, eight assists).
Tomasino gave the Penguins a 3-2 lead at 9:54, scoring in the slot off a pass from below the goal line from Filip Hallander.
Devils 4, Islanders 2: Nathan Legare and Angus Crookshank each had a goal and an assist in the third period for the New Jersey Devils in their win against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on Friday.
Luke Glendening and Arseny Gritsyuk also scored, and Seamus Casey had two assists for the Devils (2-1-0). Jake Allen made 11 saves before being replaced midway through the second period by Jakub Malek, who also allowed one goal on 12 shots.
Anthony Duclair and Marc Gatcomb scored for the Islanders (1-2-1). Ilya Sorokin played the whole game and made 23 saves in his first start this postseason.
Glendening, who is attending training camp on a professional tryout, gave the Devils a 1-0 lead on their first shot of the game at 2:01 of the first period. He knocked down a pass from Seamus Casey on a rush before beating Sorokin blocker side from the right circle.
Gatcomb tied it 1-1 at 11:30 of the second period. He slid in a rebound with his backhand from the top of the crease.
Legare put the Devils back in front 2-1 at 8:44 of the third period. He poked the puck away from Matthew Schaefer at the blue line, skated in on a short breakaway, and beat Sorokin blocker side.
Gritsyuk extended the lead to 3-1 at 12:21, knocking in his own rebound on a breakaway.
Duclair cut it to 3-2 at 16:50, but Crookshank scored an empty-net goal at 18:57 for the 4-2 final.
Maple Leafs’ Signing of Reimer Sends Alarming Message
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed former fourth-round pick from the 2006 NHL Draft, James Reimer, to a Professional Tryout Agreement (PTO) on Friday.
News of the PTO signings comes on the heels of the team’s announcement that goaltender Joseph Woll was placed on leave due to personal issues. Regardless of the issues Woll is facing, and respecting his privacy, signing Reimer sends an alarming message.
The Maple Leafs’ need for another goaltender could mean that Woll will be away from the team for a while. Based on the move, it would appear that Reimer will be earmarked to back up Anthony Stolarz to start the season.
While the talk has been that Dennis Hildeby could be Stolarz’s backup, it’s tough to envisage the Maple Leafs sending the 37-year-old Reimer to the Marlies to start the season. If anything, the move could mean that Hildeby, who’s waivers exempt, will go down to be the Marlies’ starter.
Meanwhile, Reimer stays with the big club. Potentially, the Maple Leafs could sign Reimer to a two-way deal. Doing so would give the club the flexibility to swap Reimer or Hildeby depending on the situation.
Depending on how long Woll is away from the team, the Maple Leafs might need to find another netminder this season. In the meantime, it looks like Reimer, who played for the Leafs in parts of six seasons, will provide veteran support for a team looking to contend this season.
Reimer Stopgap Solution for Maple Leafs at Best
James Reimer is a stopgap solution for the Maple Leafs at best. The team needs depth in the crease, and Reimer delivers that. He’s a solid, if unspectacular netminder. Last season, Reimer played 22 games for the Buffalo Sabres, posting a 2.90 GAA and a .901 SV%. Those numbers were pretty good considering how the Sabres played last season.
The Anaheim Ducks claimed Reimer after the Sabres placed him on waivers last season. He played two largely regrettable games for the Ducks down the stretch. Over the last four seasons, Reimer has played with less-than-stellar teams. He’s played backup roles for the San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Sabres, and Ducks.
As such, Reimer’s numbers don’t look overly flattering. But that’s more the product of the teams in front of him than his overall performance. During the two seasons he served as a backup for the Carolina Hurricanes, Reimer had much more respectable stats.
Overall, the Maple Leafs will get exactly what they pay for in Reimer. They’ll get a veteran backup who they can trust to support Stolarz, particularly in the grueling back-to-back sets awaiting the Buds this season.
Reimer Becomes Toronto’s Third-String Goalie Upon Woll’s Return
If and when Joseph Woll returns to the Maple Leafs’ crease, James Reimer likely drops down to the third-string role. That’s a huge plus for the club, as they have a clear need for a veteran depth goalie.
In 2024-25, Matt Murray occupied that role. However, Murray was coming off a massive hip surgery and wasn’t fully ready for the season.
That won’t be the case with Reimer. He’ll be ready to hit the ground running whenever he gets the call. Again, considering the grueling schedule facing the Maple Leafs, having a capable third-stringer will be crucial in determining the Leafs’ success this season.
San Jose Sharks lose to Vegas Golden Knights; Yaroslav Askarov shines
SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks hope their days as being one of the NHL’s cellar-dwellers are now in the rear-view mirror.
To have that happen, there’s no question that goalie Yaroslav Askarov will need to do his part.
Askarov, who projects to be the Sharks’ starting goalie for their regular season opener on Oct. 9, made his preseason debut for the Sharks on Friday night and made 27 saves in a 2-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center.
Askarov allowed an even-strength goal to Golden Knights forward Cole Schwindt at the 8:15 mark of the second period and a power-play goal to Lukas Cormier at the 5:12 mark of the third, but was otherwise solid in his first official tune-up for the regular season.
Defenseman Dmitry Orlov scored the Sharks’ lone goal at the 4:48 mark of the second period, as his one-timer from the top of the circle beat Golden Knights goalie Akira Schmid high to the glove side. Alex Wennberg and Ethan Cardwell had the assists.
Cardwell almost scored near the end of the second period. Immediately after the Sharks killed his elbowing penalty, Barclay Goodrow came out of the box, retrieved a puck that had been cleared out of the San Jose zone, and found Cardwell, whose backhand shot from in close went off the post before Schmid covered the puck.
The final score could have been a lot worse without Askarov, as the Golden Knights, with 5:24 left in the third period, held a 29-11 advantage in shots on goal. The Sharks were also on the penalty kill five times.
The Sharks last season traded Vitek Vanecek to the Florida Panthers and, unsurprisingly, opted not to re-sign pending free agent Alexandar Georgiev. They acquired veteran goalie Alex Nedeljkovic from the Pittsburgh Penguins in July, but the opportunity is still there for Askarov to become the Sharks’ No. 1 goalie this year.
Askarov, now in the first season of a two-year, $4 million contract, showed he was ready for the NHL last season despite missing significant time with a lower-body injury.
In 22 regular-season games with the Barracuda, Askarov was 11-9-2 with a .923 save percentage. In six AHL playoff games, Askarov was 3-2 with a .935 save percentage and a shutout. He also played 13 games for the Sharks last season and went 4-6-2 with an .896 save percentage.
Asked last week what he worked on, Askarov said, “Pretty much everything. It’s a lot of stuff. You have to grow every day if you want to be, like life’s going on, life’s moving forward, you have to move forward too if you want to be play in the best league.”
Michael Strahan & Country Singer Pair Up for Ryder Cup to Beat European NBA Legend
Michael Strahanthere’s a life beyond the gridiron.Miranda Lambert
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Catherine Zeta-Jones
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Pau Gasol“The #RyderCup is here! @michaelstrahan hit the fairway and competed with other celeb golf enthusiasts ahead of the big weekend. Did he help Team USA take home the win?”
AD
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
In the video, Strahan is seen admitting to the pressure,
“I was representing our country, the USA. The pressure was real,” he said. The celebrities compete in a two-person scramble over 11 holes of the golf course. Each will be played twice and is worth a point. Playing a new sport can be daunting for many. But Strahan didn’t let the pressure get to him. With a cigar in his mouth, he played the goal. 3 holes down, Team USA had a narrow lead, and the final verdict? They won the match, 6-5. GO TEAM USA! GO GMA, the crowd echoed.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Good Morning America (@goodmorningamerica)
Expand Post
The celebrity Ryder Cup is an event that precedes the main Ryder Cup. It is different from a traditional golf game because of its players. The tournament pits famous personalities from different industries against each other from the USA and Europe. In the video posted, Super Bowl champion Strahan also showed his fans what went on behind the friendly match. Strahan was seen in a friendly attitude, talking to both his rivals. In fact, he also joked about his height while comparing it with Pau Gasol. “Everybody at GMA goes, Oh, Michael is so big. Backup. How big is Michael?” Standing together, the two rivals had a clear height difference, with the NBA legend being the taller of the two. Actress Catherine Jones was also in full spirits and shared a light moment with her fans. “Don’t forget I’m married to an American. So go easy on me,” she pleaded to the crowd. That being said, how has Team USA fared in the rest of the celebrity matches?
American victory in the star-studded Ryder Cup
The Celebrity Ryder Cup has a total of 4 matches, with only two teams, the USA and Team Europe. For every match, each team is represented by two players across the fields. This time, the 2025 Celebrity Cup truly is star-studded. Famous names like
Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, Pau Gasol, and Tom Felton are on the roster. The first match of the cup had Colin Jost, an American actor, and Eli Manning, a former Giants QB, pair up against the Europeans, Toni Kukoč and Brooklyn Peltz Beckham. The final score was 7.5 to 3.5, giving an early boost to the American team. As for the second match, we already know it was another win for Team USA. Catherine Jones and Pau Gasol lost with a tiny margin, 6-5. In the third match, Tom Felton and Oliver Phelps, both known for their roles in the Harry Potter series, represented the European side. However, they could not overcome the sheer force of American talent. It was Kane Brown and Noah Kahan who orchestrated a compelling performance. The final tally read 6.5 to 4.5, leaving the European wizards short of their spell and giving away the win to the musicians. In the last match, team Europe was led by the hockey player, Teemu Selänne, and the celebrated chef José Andrés. They pulled off a slim 6–5 win over Team USA’s pair of tennis great John McEnroe and chef Bobby Flay.
But this European victory in the last match wasn’t enough to alter the final result. Though they won the battle, Team USA won the war, as they had a cumulative score of 25 points on all four games against Team Europe’s 19. With that, the celebrity Ryder Cup ends, and let the real games begin!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Adam Silver Teases Groundbreaking NBA Playoffs Change
Adam Silver dropped a bombshell regarding the proposed NBA Europe league this week.
On the heels of reports suggesting that the league will tip off in either 2027 or 2028, Adam Silver has thrown out the idea of the NBA Playoffs going global one day.
In addition to NBA Europe teams potentially crossing the pond to compete in the NBA Playoffs, Silver also mentioned Basketball Africa League (BAL) teams as well.
During an on-stage appearance at Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum at the United Nations this week, Silver explained:
“You could imagine teams from Europe, potentially Africa, competing in that tournament. You possibly could see teams coming into our playoffs, top seeds from other leagues. But over time, I think, for example, certainly in Europe as plane travel gets faster… I’m reading all the time about more opportunities in aviation.
“When I think of the flight from New York to LA for example, there’s no reason if we had four teams in Europe, you couldn’t travel, play the Knicks or Nets, travel to London, play three, four times in Europe, come back home. So I think it’s very doable in our league.”
Adam Silver Drops New Details About Cities for NBA Europe
While Adam Silver and the NBA still have to iron out the details regarding a potential NBA Europe league, the expectation is that both London and Paris will wind up with teams.
As Silver went on to explain at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum, despite Europe being home to massive football stadiums in various countries, the NBA would focus on major European capitals:
“There are not many state-of-the-art arenas in Europe. It’s like even for those who were over in Paris last summer for the Olympics, we had fantastic basketball competition in the Bercy Arena in Paris. They revitalized it to a certain extent for the Olympics.
“But if you’re in the industry, everything seems fine if you’re in the seats and watching the competition on the floor, but it doesn’t have the suites, the restaurants, the back of house room to do larger events… London has the O2 [Arena], which has been a great advancement in Europe, but that arena is now already old and they’re looking at a new development. So we think there’s the opportunity to go in the major European capitals, again with a joint proposition, both arena development, a multi-use facility and all the opportunities around it.”
Mark Cuban Talks NBA Europe
Amid all the talk of the NBA going global, former Dallas Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban weighed in on the NBA Europe talk, saying that at the end of the day, it all comes down to execution.
During a virtual sitdown with Rich Kleiman, Cuban explained:
“It depends how they do it. Do they work with the Real Madrids and kind of become part of them and supportive? Or do we say we’re creating a whole new league and you’re either in or out and we’ll compete with what’s going on now with Euro League, Euro Cup, etc.
“That that’s going to be tough because, you know, as like you talked about football, you know, and their football the teams are the same. Real Madrid soccer and Real Madrid basketball are part of the same club. It’s just a whole different beast and you know you’re gonna have to ask them to upgrade facilities and spend a lot of money or we spend a lot of money. So I understand the goal.”
As Cuban pointed out, it will be interesting to see how the NBA handles things in the years to come.
Phoenix Suns taking intentional approach to have new center ready
The Phoenix Suns have a long-term plan for Mark Williams.
Taking Williams’ battles with multiple injuries into account, the Suns are working more on his strength than anything else so far in training camp.
“We know Mark’s history and we’re trying to change it,” Suns coach Jordan Ott said. “We’re taking an approach. He’s been out here and has been good. This is Sept. 26. Definitely added some strength to him. You can see it when he walks in the building. He definitely has great size. Excited to see where he goes, but we still do have a couple more weeks.”
Williams may see limited action in their four preseason games from Oct. 3 to Oct. 14. They play their regular season opener Oct. 22 against the Sacramento Kings at PHX Arena.
The 7-footer has played a total of 106 games in his three NBA seasons, with injuries ranging from his foot, back, knee, ankle and thumb. The Charlotte Hornets tried to deal Williams to the Los Angeles Lakers before the 2025 trade deadline, but the deal was rescinded after Williams failed a team physical.
“I don’t think anyone is thinking tomorrow is the games,” Ott said. “We have a practice tomorrow, not a game. Everything is going to be an intentional plan with whoever it is, young guys, veteran guys. He’s right on the plan. Keep staking days.”
The Suns concluded Day 2 of training camp on Friday, Sept. 26, seeing an increase in the competition.
‘Weak in the Mind’ – Michael Jordan Called Out NBA Legend Who ‘Bullied’ Players
In the history of the NBA, there has perhaps been no-one quite like Michael Jordan when it comes to the psychological warfare that comes with having to compete at a high level and in a pressure-cooker environment. The Last Dance documentary gave basketball fans around the world a small insight into the inner workings of how the Chicago Bulls’ legend’s mind operates.
His ability to ‘make it personal’ with some of his fiercest rivals contributed to the intense drive and passion to win that led the Bulls to six NBA championships and five MVP awards during the 1990s. Whether it was rallying teammates or finding inspiration in opponents trash-talking him, Jordan played the game like nobody else before him.
So, when it comes to assessing the mentality of NBA players, there is no-one better placed than Jordan to pass his verdict.
Well, Jordan opened up on the NBA star who he felt his Bulls teammate Dennis Rodman got into his head in particular, stating that he needed to learn some more about the intricacies and psychological side of things.
Michael Jordan Revealed Dennis Rodman Got Under NBA Rival’s Skin
Given the kind of winning culture that Jordan helped build with the Chicago Bulls, it’s no surprise that players had to take responsibility and be mentally strong to deal with the pressures and expectations that came with playing with one of basketball’s greats and for a yearly championship contender too.
Aside from Jordan, the likes of Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen ensured there was never a shortage of leadership or big personality in the Bulls’ locker room, and while there may have been clashes in terms of their characters meshing with each other, they all found a way to deal with it in order for the betterment of the team.
Of course, our guy Dennis Rodman can be irritating. But he used to guard me when he was with Detroit, and I didn’t let him get to me. I didn’t get irritated by any of the Pistons, because that was their tactic, to get into your head.
But while Jordan admitted that Rodman was
NBA Insider Says LeBron James Distanced Himself From Lakers’ Future Plans Amid Cleveland Speculations
LeBron James has spent more than two decades bending the NBA to his will. Four championships, 21 All-Star selections, and a resume that doubles as a history book. But the catch is, for the first time in his 23-year career, James enters a season on an expiring contract. At 40 years old, he’s still logging 24.4 points a night and carrying the highest career minutes total (59,041) in league history. Yet somehow, the most fascinating story is not about what he’s doing on the court. It’s rather about what he’s not doing off of it.
That’s where the intrigue starts. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, James has taken a backseat this summer. There is no roster meddling or behind-the-scenes nudges happening. Just golf swings, family time, and well, the occasional business venture. “My understanding is LeBron James hasn’t been involved at all in Lakers operations,” Charania reported on NBA Today. “He’s gonna report for media day, training camp, and we’ll see how this team looks. There haven’t been any inquiries from LeBron James on what’s going on here… He’s been enjoying his summer, and then he’s gonna report on media day, and we’ll be off to the races from there.”
For a player who has arguably always positioned himself as part-GM, part-superstar, that seems unnatural. Remember, this is the same player who helped engineer moves from Kevin Love in Cleveland to Anthony Davis in Los Angeles. The Lakers’ title in 2020? That roster had James’ fingerprints all over it. For years, he’s set the tone: if you wanted to play next to LeBron, you had to fit the mold. This time? General manager Rob Pelinka built out the roster without a single public peep from No. 23. The Lakers didn’t exactly sit still, either.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
They extended young coach JJ Redick, doubled down on Luka Doncic as the centerpiece of their future, and swung deals for Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, and Adou Thiero. In another era, LeBron might have had a say, or at least a whisper. Instead, Pelinka operated with full autonomy. For once, James wasn’t the gravitational force in every decision. And maybe that’s the point. James’ legacy doesn’t need more boardroom wins.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
It needs moments left on the hardwood. He’s still expected to provide bursts of greatness when the Lakers need them most. If this is the beginning of the end, he wants the story to be written in games, not trade calls. But here’s where it gets tricky. James’ expiring contract changes everything. His $52.6 million player option means he enters the 2025–26 season on an expiring contract, setting up a pivotal summer ahead. For a player who redefined leverage with short deals, player options, and constant control, this is unfamiliar territory.
League executives believe he wanted a one-plus-one extension, the kind of deal that gives security and flexibility. The Lakers didn’t offer it. Rich Paul insists James never asked. What’s clear? He’s playing this year without a safety net. Which leads us to the obvious question: are the Cleveland Cavaliers creeping in?
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
LeBron James and the long-standing Cavaliers dilemma
Every time James hits free agency, the Cavaliers’ name comes up. This summer was no different. Agents and executives whispered that Cleveland remains the only plausible destination if he ever leaves Los Angeles. Narratives matter to LeBron, and a farewell tour in his hometown uniform would be the perfect closing chapter. It’s the only alternative that rivals the Kobe Bryant script in purple and gold. But financially, the Cavs can’t make it work without gutting their roster.
Trading for James would mean sacrificing stars like Darius Garland or Jarrett Allen, moves the franchise won’t entertain. The buyout path? Also complicated. With the Cavs sitting above the second apron, league rules prevent them from signing a player coming off such a massive contract. Even if the logistics cleared, would James really want the optics of a buyout, a move that screams desperation more than control? Around the league, opinions split. One agent says LeBron wouldn’t care, as joining the Cavs in the East makes them instant contenders.
Another counters that James has always shied away from buyouts, never switching teams mid-season. For a player obsessed with image, perception matters almost as much as reality. And then there’s his own voice. In February, after the Lakers swung the Doncic trade, James told reporters: “If I had concerns about it, I’d waive my no-trade clause and get up out of here. I’m here right now… I’m committed to the Lakers organization.” If you really look at it closely, this is vintage LeBron. Firm enough to quiet rumors, flexible enough to leave the door cracked. So what does he really want?
More rings? More money? A proper farewell? Maybe all of the above. But as one executive put it bluntly: “He’s put himself in a situation where it’s impossible for him to get everything he wants. He has no leverage here, and he’s not used to that.” The irony is that the Lakers might actually be set up well this year. Doncic enters his first full season as the franchise cornerstone. Ayton and Smart bring balance. The supporting cast looks deeper than it has in years. The Lakers aren’t Oklahoma City-level juggernauts yet, but they’re contenders.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
And for the first time, it doesn’t feel like James alone is propping up the entire operation. That leaves us with a strange but fitting reality: LeBron James, the man who once dictated the direction of franchises, is now just another piece in the puzzle. Not the piece, but rather a part of the picture. If he adjusts, he could preserve his body, extend his career, and maybe even lift a fifth trophy.
If he resists, the season could loop into a standoff between his fading leverage and the Lakers’ new vision. The final chapter of LeBron’s career isn’t written yet. But for the first time, it’s not clear he holds the pen.
Who Is Tevian Jones? Lakers Add Undrafted Guard to Boost Roster Ahead of Training Camp
Tevian Jones is officially a Laker. The 25-year-old guard, undrafted but hard to ignore, has impressed in the G League with scoring bursts and defensive instincts at the wing spot. With training camp around the corner, Jones could turn from an under-the-radar talent into a player fans can’t stop talking about. But who is Jones really? And how did we get here?
Who is Tevian Jones?
Tevian Jones is a 25-year-old guard from Chandler, Arizona, listed at about 6’6 and 220 pounds. He came into college ball as a mid-major prospect, spent time at Illinois, and finished his five-year collegiate career at Southern Utah, where he broke out as a go-to scorer. In his final season with the Thunderbirds, he averaged 17.8 points per game on 36.2% shooting and earned All‑WAC First Team honors.
Though Jones’ path to the pros didn’t follow the clean, one-and-done route. He played high school ball in the Culver City/Chandler area and developed steadily in college. Public records on his immediate family are unavailable, for now anyway, as Jones keeps his private life quiet, which is typical for a player grinding through the lower rungs of the pro system.
Tevian Jones’ pro career and G League brilliance
Despite his talent, Jones went undrafted in 2023 after five collegiate seasons, two at Illinois and three at Southern Utah. But he didn’t let that setback slow him down. He signed briefly with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2023 and was waived during camp, making him the now-familiar undrafted swing. From there, he landed in the G League, where the production strengthened into a clear pro profile.
Jones’ senior year stats at Southern Utah were impressive with 17.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 36.2% from three-point range. Transitioning to the G League, he averaged 15.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.2 steals with the Grand Rapids Gold last season, showing consistency and growth.
Over two G League seasons, spanning 98 games, he averaged 11 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, illustrating a reliable all-around game. His brief stint with the Pelicans in 2023 ended quickly, but it didn’t derail his path, but rather added another layer of flexibility to his story. So, how did Travis Jones end up becoming a Laker?
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Why did the Lakers sign Tevian Jones?
The short answer is because of matchup depth and upside. The Lakers waived Jarron Cumberland to open a roster slot and signed Jones to take his place on the training-camp roster. And the reported deal is almost certainly an Exhibit 10, a common short-term contract that brings players into camp and funnels them to the G League affiliate if they’re waived.
Jones was previously signed and waived by the Pelicans in 2023. If he’s waived prior to the start of the season, he will be eligible to join the South Bay Lakers and could earn a bonus of up to $83,500 if he stays with the team for 60 days or more. Cumberland and Kaluma are eligible for the same deal. That structure protects the Lakers’ investment while giving Jones a somewhat clear path to South Bay and a chance at a two-way conversion.
For the Lakers, Jones represents a low-cost, high-upside addition. He adds wing size and shot creation to a camp group that will be measured against the roster’s veteran core. If he clears waivers and reports to the South Bay Lakers, he could earn a development bonus for sticking with the affiliate and earn his way onto the team’s radar for a mid-season call-up. But the reality check here is that Exhibit 10 signings are a long list of hopefuls.
What’s next for Tevian Jones and the challenges ahead
The margin for error stays put at little to none. Jones must show consistent shooting, quick decision-making, and the defensive discipline coaches demand at the NBA level. He’ll be judged in practice, in preseason minutes, and in scrimmages. Consistency matters more than the occasional 30-point outing.
If he earns a two-way deal, Jones could split time between South Bay and the Lakers, which is a fast track for players who show both polish and potential. If he doesn’t, the G League remains a viable proving ground as many players convert camp invites into summer-league invitations, then into two-ways and full contracts.
For Jones personally, the next few weeks are pivotal. Training camp offers exposure to NBA coaching, game plans, and veteran mentorship. For the Lakers, he’s a small bet on developmental upside and roster depth. For fans, he’s a player to watch as not a headline signing today, but possibly a useful piece tomorrow.
Training camp will be the proving ground, and every minute on the court will tell the story if Jones can turn potential into impact. For now, the Lakers and their fans will be watching closely, and hopefully, Tevian Jones will become a name worth remembering this season.
Fred VanVleet Breaks Silence After Successful Surgery Amid NBA Legend’s Harsh Verdict
The Houston Rockets’ offseason took an unfortunate turn when Fred VanVleet suffered an ACL injury during a team minicamp organized by him. While such a setback would rattle most players, VanVleet has approached it with confidence, showing fans and teammates that his determination is keeping him going. Even in recovery, the veteran guard is showing his championship mindset with his latest post.
Recently, on X, VanVleet shared a video of him reading fan comments on the way to his surgery, and recording from the hospital, said, “We gon get that Houston ring,” following which he was seen walking on crutches. The clip captured his refusal to let an injury decide the team’s season, giving the Rockets locker-room a dose of optimism during a challenging start.
Last season, VanVleet averaged 14.1 points and 5.6 assists, serving as the veteran floor general for a surging team filled with young talent, providing stability and late-game shot creation. Now, without his steady production, the Rockets lack a reliable playmaker in the backcourt, but his own reaction shows a sense of control and the grit to come back stronger, reframing the narrative around his resilience.
4x Warriors Champion Admits Planting Spy on Kobe Bryant for Personal Gain
Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson have previously shared their experience of facing Kobe Bryant. Curry was “in awe”, Green recalled being ‘starstruck,’ and Thompson called him ‘his Michael Jordan’. Despite facing the Lakers legend who was not in his prime, the influence of Black Mamba never diminished. Another teammate and a crucial player from the Golden State team detailed his learnings from the Lakers legend.
Yes, it involves spying. “I have the same agent as Kobe Bryant, so I was always stealing, you know, tips. I had somebody watching Kobe, you know, stealing things, writing things down, giving it to me.“Andre Iguodala said on the Young Man and the Three podcast. The 19-year-old veteran added that Bryant’s attention to detail, even during the practice session, was admirable. Next, he detailed one of those lessons that he secretly added to his armor.
“Like, Kobe would dribble on the wall with his left hand in one angle for 20 minutes and then change the angle for another 20 minutes, and so on and so forth. So, I would steal that.” Let’s not forget that at the age of 16, Kobe Bryant realised the importance of stretching and relaxation. So, it’s obvious that his eye for detail before the workouts, too, would be precise. Iguodala would then try to implement that into his routine, gradually incorporating it into his game.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Which is why he was an important member of the Warriors dynasty that won 4 championships. In fact, Iggy also got the nod for the 2015 NBA Finals. Largely due to his lockdown defense on LeBron James. When Iguodala was in the game, James made only 38.1% of his shots, compared to 44% without Iguodala. This is how he stayed ahead of the curve.
“And so, I was always trying to identify who was the best at any particular thing, and then I would just try to implement that into my regimen and my schedule. And then, you know, as you get older, it’s not about how hard you work, it’s how smart you work.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Kobe Bryant was also the one to notice the 4x Warriors champion’s defensive ability. Iggy previously said on Gil’s Arena, “The only reason I made the Olympic team in 2012 is because Kobe Bryant was like, ‘This is the best defender in the league. And I never made the All-Defensive First Team”. This was also due to their previous matchup in which Iguodala dominated.
Kobe Bryant warned Andre Iguodala before their battle
During his prime, everybody tried to stop the 5x NBA champion. Naturally, many of them failed, and some who got success called themselves ‘Kobe Stopper’. But that term and its meaning, Kobe never took that seriously. As it would end up scoring more points on so-called defenders. Although Andre Iguodala never called himself ‘Kobe Stopper’ he still managed to limit the Black Mamba once during their matchup on November 11, 2005, when Iguodala was a second-year pro with the Philadelphia 76ers.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Kobe Bryant could only score 17 points; what was more shocking was his shooting on 7-of-27, which was too low in his prime. This is why Iggy called this his favorite defensive performance of his career. Again, everybody knows that the Lakers legend will keep his receipts and return the favor. Thanks to Phil Jackson, it became an unforgettable moment. Recalling the actions of the Zen Master, Andre said, “After the game, Phil Jackson said it was the best he’d seen someone defend Kobe.”
Unrivaled Commentator Confirms NBA-Style G-League Among Major Changes in Year 2
As the Lunar Owls and the Mists got ready to tip off in the debut game of Unrivaled, there were a lot of uncertainties. Sure, the buildup was full of hype, and the Wayfair Arena was packed. But there was still a sense of concern. However, despite all the odds, Unrivaled was a success. And cashing in on that success, the new and bigger season is set to tip off on January 5, 2026. To further increase the reach and popularity of the league, and to deal with certain limitations, a new NBA-style element is coming in season 2.
Appearing on a recent episode of No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Show podcast with Zena Keita and Sabreena Merchant, Brendan Glasheen, the play-by-play announcer for the league, said, “One of the key adjustments that folks are becoming aware of, with 54 total players, there is going to be a development league. Which, yes, the first reaction to that is, oh, because they had injuries. And those injuries were not fun and that was definitely a detriment to the product on some nights.”
Unrivaled was originally planning to stick with six teams for Year 2. But the league crushed its financial and viewership expectations, and player demand was through the roof, so they decided to accelerate growth. There will be two new teams this season and 12 more roster spots, and on top of that, six players will join a development pool, bringing the league’s total player count to 53.
“If we didn’t expand rosters, there were going to be All-Stars [wanting to join] who we didn’t have space for,” Alex Bazzell, Unrivaled’s president, told ESPN. “We want to be the home for all of the best players in the world.“
The development pool is designed for WNBA rookies looking for extra growth and a bigger paycheck. When they’re not officially on a team, they’ll follow a training and practice schedule and take part in scrimmages. And yes, they’ll earn the same minimum six-figure salary as active players, Bazzell confirmed. “It’s about getting experience and getting to rub shoulders with the best players in the world, learning from them during the offseason,” Bazzell said. “It’s the perfect scenario.”
Talking about the benefits of the development pool, Brendan said, “But I think it also allows for more growth for players that maybe did not think they would have the potential to play in Unrivaled, they can be part of this development process, over the 10 weeks that you’re in Miami, to not only get their chances to play, those will come up. That’s the nature of the beast, but also to be part of something special where these players have equity in the league.”
The change also tackles an issue from Unrivaled’s inaugural season, when injuries meant six players had to be brought in midseason just to keep the games going. While injuries are part of basketball, they can really shake up a young league, sometimes even affecting the overall quality and credibility.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Doubling down on how the Unrivaled is planning to tackle the very problem the WNBA faced a lot of criticism for – injuries due to back-to-backs and poor scheduling, Brendan said, “That’s why there’s an extra night of games. Uh you’re seeing a developmental player of a pool of players, right? So that people can step in and, you know, add when like you need an extra player on the roster, so that there’s not an extra load for the players who are already, you know, suiting up for their team“.
With two new teams joining, Unrivaled is ramping up to four game nights each week, up from three in its first season. That shift means back-to-back games are officially out as the league’s trying to give players a bit more breathing room. In Year 1, teams faced two or three back-to-back matchups each, adding up to 15 across the league.
“So uh I will say that like 3×3 looked more physical than I expected it to be. Uh, I guess that shouldn’t have been a surprise considering like what it looks like at the Olympics and at the international level, but uh, it definitely feels like it takes a toll on the players and something that I would imagine all of the parties involved are like considering and aware of and trying to do their best to make sure that they are protecting the assets which are the players, right? And making sure that they are available for Unrivaled and for the WNBA,” Brendan added.
More details on this development league are yet to be unveiled. However, as of now, the professional women’s 3-on-3 league, set to tip off this January in Miami, has revealed its roster of 18 players. Eleven are returning stars from Year 1, and seven fresh faces are joining the mix this season.
Yet, everyone’s eyes remain on one certain player.
Is Catilin Clark Playing in Season 2 of Unrivaled?
As Caitlin Clark made the sad announcement of her missing the rest of the season, there was a wave of disappointment amongst the fans. However, after a few days of mourning, a new rumor about Caitlin Clark’s offseason plans came to be. Per the rumors, Caitlin Clark was also set to appear in season 2 of Unrivaled. But how true is that rumor?
Well, as of now, there have been no confirmations that she will play in the league. Judging from the statements she had made, her sole focus in the offseason will be to get as much rest as she can so that her recovery from the groin injury is as good as it can be. The rumors suggested that she would make an appearance in the league to get some rust off. But, as of now, it seems like season 2 is not going to feature the most popular player in the WNBA.
Having her in the league would have been monumental for the popularity, but alas, it does not seem like this is going to happen. Although the way the Unrivaled is growing, Caitlin Clark’s entry into the league seems more like a question of when and not if.
Dalton Knecht Urged to Rescue Lakers From Shameful Situation After JJ Redick’s Public Support
The Los Angeles Lakers are entering the 2025-26 season with heightened expectations following major roster shifts after their disappointing first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves last year. With the addition of Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton, spots in their new rotation are going to be competitive for young players. One such player is sophomore guard Dalton Knecht, whose potential growth is going to determine how much he can contribute.
Analyst Trevor Lane believes that Knecht has an opportunity to make a significant impact in limited minutes. “The best case scenario for Knecht right now would be slotting him in, maybe as the eighth man, maybe ninth man on this roster,” Lane said. “But even if he’s playing 12 minutes a night, 14 minutes, limited minutes, he could still give you six, seven, eight points, something like that during that stretch and be a big, big boost to the Lakers’ bench scoring.”
The Lakers’ need for bench scoring is extremely pressing. Besides his previous statement, Lane also pointed out that LA ranked dead last in bench points per 100 possessions last season, which highlights just how much the starters had to carry the load. If Knecht can score in small bursts, it could alleviate the potential pressure on LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and even Austin Reaves, which will let them retain decent conditioning late into games. His ability to contribute effectively off the bench is pivotal for a team looking to contend around its superstar duo.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Knecht’s rookie campaign showed glimpses of his potential. He averaged 9.1 points on 37.6% shooting from three in around 19 minutes per game. Apart from his floor spacing, which is his greatest attribute, he has shown the ability to score efficiently on all levels. Consistency is key, and Lane’s assessment of the situation highlights that even limited time on the floor for the Lakers can make a difference if Knecht can hit his rhythm
Lane touched on the trade angle for Knecht as well. He asked, “Could he rehab some of his value and then get traded again? The Lakers did already trade him once in the Mark Williams trade that got rescinded. So could he become a trade asset again?” He added that Knecht’s increased production could make him a valuable asset and perhaps move him if a suitable return is offered. But Redick has faith in his young player.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
JJ Redick Reinforces Belief in Knecht’s Development
Despite Knecht’s struggles during Summer League, where he had subpar efficiency from the field, Lakers head coach JJ Redick has been positive about his development. He told reporters during a press conference, “Dalton’s in a really good spot right now. I’ve had a number of conversations with him throughout the summer. They’ve all been very positive. I really believe this — the guy did too much after the season, and I think in Summer League he was burnt out.” Redick highlighted that Knecht’ workload contributed to his struggles. According to Redick, “He was coming in here at 5 a.m. getting shots up, then doing two workouts with our summer league staff and in the weight room.”
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Redick emphasized that Knecht is ready physically, noting, “He’s in phenomenal shape. He’s in a great spot mentally. He’s played well throughout September.” His improvement will position Knecht to make an immediate impact once he receives consistent playtime, potentially reinforcing depth and bench scoring.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Redick, during his playing career, had a similar beginning to Knecht – great long-range shooter who had to earn his spot on a contending Orlando Magic team. Redick’s guidance is going to be key for Knecht’s development, and, with his coach’s endorsement, Knecht’s trajectory could lead to becoming a reliable option for the Lakers’ evolving roster.
Former Barcelona midfielder Busquets to retire at end of MLS season
Sept 25 (Reuters) – Former Spain and Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets will retire from football at the end of the Major League Soccer (MLS) season, his club Inter Miami said on Thursday.
Busquets came up through the Barcelona youth ranks and spent 18 years overall at the club, making his senior debut in 2008, before joining Miami in 2023 where he was reunited with former teammates Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez.
Sign up here.
He played 143 times for the national team and was part of the side that won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the European Championship two years later in Poland and Ukraine.
Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Busquets to retire at end of MLS season
MIAMI (AP) — Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets is retiring from soccer at the end of his current season with Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer team said Friday.
The 37-year-old Busquets is widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders of his generation, forming a storied three-man midfield at Barcelona with Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta behind Lionel Messi.
Busquets arrived at Barcelona in 2005 and played 722 matches for the club — putting him third all-time behind Xavi and Messi – while winning nine Spanish league titles and the Champions League three times.
He played 143 games for Spain, winning the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship in 2012.
In 2023, Busquets joined Inter Miami where he was reunited with Messi. The team said Busquets has had an “extraordinary career” and is “one of the greatest midfielders in football history.”
___
How to watch ‘Spartacus: House of Ashur’ online – when is it coming out?
If you love the blood-and-sand intensity and intricate scheming that defined Spartacus,
Connor Zilisch Signs with Spire Motorsports For NASCAR Truck Series Entry
NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch has signed with Spire Motorsports for a Truck Series race entry at the Charlotte Roval. He will manage racing in both series that weekend.
Zilisch is currently focused on the Xfinity Series championship with the upcoming race at Kansas, followed by the elimination race at the Roval. But with a Truck race on the cards, it could offer him a double advantage.
The 19-year-old driver has never raced at the Roval before. But with him being a master on road courses, Spire could secure a win with him at the road-oval hybrid circuit. Zilisch has not won a Truck race before, and this could be a great chance for him to tick one off the list before his full-time Cup Series debut next year with Trackhouse Racing.
Zilisch’s earlier Truck race at Watkins Glen saw him finish in eighth place, while Corey Heim secured the victory. Thus, Zilisch in the No. 7 Chevy Silverado could battle with Heim at the Roval for a potential win.
Spire Motorsports posted an update on X about Zilisch’s Truck Series entry. It read:
Jeff Gordon Concedes to Roger Penske in Championship Race, Issues Strict Directive to HMS
Team Penske has continued its formidable presence in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, building upon its previous successes. In the Round of 12, Penske drivers Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano delivered commanding performances at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, securing a 1-2 finish and reinforcing the team’s reputation for excellence. Blaney’s victory at Loudon also locked him into the Round of 8. This dominance is a continuation of their recent championship streak, with Logano clinching his third Cup Series title in a dramatic Phoenix finale in 2024, marking the first 1-2 championship finish in the team’s history.
However, Hendrick Motorsports has shown resilience in the 2025 playoffs, with drivers William Byron, Kyle Larson, and Chase Elliott all advancing past the Round of 16. In New Hampshire, Larson and Byron secured top-5 finishes, while Elliott rallied from a 27th-place starting position to finish 5th, demonstrating the team’s adaptability and determination. However, they are yet to secure a win in the 2025 playoffs, and Jeff Gordon’s warning echoes back as the Round of 8 continues in Kansas next.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Jeff Gordon’s wake-up call for Hendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports has recently been navigating the delicate balance of the tortoise and the hare on flatter race tracks, but in the current landscape, the hare has proven nearly untouchable. The groundwork for improvements stretches back to the 2024 season, when HMS Vice Chairman Jeff Gordon recognized the team’s vulnerabilities. “If we are going to go win a championship at a track like Phoenix, we’ve got to get to work on that,” Gordon explained. “You can’t lay down on the other tracks though, either. A lot of effort and a lot of collaboration with all of the teams and coming together with ‘how can we make that better? What are we lacking or missing with the speed and the comfort?’” Kyle Larson’s performance at World Wide Technology Raceway, where he led 52 laps before finishing 12th, reflects the incremental progress being made as HMS continues to refine comfort, stability, and driver confidence in its cars.
Looking ahead, Hendrick’s focus is on leveraging these lessons for the remainder of the playoffs while keeping an eye on track-specific advantages. Gordon elaborated, “Now this weekend, we go to Kansas, a track that we feel is very strong for us. We had a good first race for this round. We follow it up with another solid one and hopefully we’re leading more laps and have more presence at a mile-and-a-half this weekend than we did at New Hampshire. That can put some pressure back on our competitors and hopefully gets us in a position where we can move on to that next round and continue to find speed for when we get to Phoenix. First, we have to get to Phoenix. That’s the first goal.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
After coming up short in the previous three NASCAR Cup Series Championship races to Team Penske at Phoenix Raceway, HMS knew it needed to seriously overhaul its flat-track program. That effort bore fruit last weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where 3 Hendrick entries cracked the top 10 in the finishing order, a feat the organization hadn’t accomplished in literally a decade. This performance demonstrated the progress HMS has made in closing the gap to the perennial Penske juggernaut.
William Byron, reflecting on the weekend, highlighted the significance of the improvement. “We weren’t close today in terms of [Penske’s] pace, but I thought we were so much improved for our standard,” the two-time Daytona 500 champion said. “This is definitely a shot in the arm for us. It shows what we’re capable of and that we can put our mind to. I’m excited going forward after today.” Byron’s words underscore the morale boost the organization received from seeing tangible results on a track style that had been a weakness in prior years.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Kyle Larson, the 2021 Cup Series champion, also saw positive developments at New Hampshire, although he acknowledged the dominance of Penske. “Penske was even better than I think they are compared to the rest of the field in the past,” he said. “When I was behind [Ryan Blaney], his car was crazy gripped up compared to mine. Mine didn’t even feel that bad that run, and I just let him go and he was flying.” Larson’s candid assessment illustrates both the progress HMS has made and the challenge that remains in bridging the gap to Penske’s performance, particularly on flatter tracks where grip and car setup are paramount.
With all three Hendrick cars safely above the playoff cutline, Byron with +47, Larson with +41, and Chase Elliott with a +14 point buffer in 7th, are positioned to capitalize on the team’s steady development as the championship rounds loom.
Is Hendrick Motorsports relying too much on one driver?
HMS has long been NASCAR’s standard-bearer, setting the bar with infrastructure, top-tier equipment, and elite drivers. Kyle Larson has been the cornerstone since joining in 2021, winning the championship in his first season with 10 victories and now totaling 16 wins in the Next Gen era. This year alone, Larson has led 939 laps and earned 11 top-5 finishes. But as the team leans heavily on him, questions arise: has Larson’s dominance spotlighted HMS’s glaring weaknesses?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
William Byron has emerged as a consistent performer, capturing the Daytona 500 and the Iowa Corn 350 this year and securing a long-term contract through 2029. However, Chase Elliott has struggled, hampered by injuries and adaptation issues with the Next Gen car, managing only a single win at EchoPark Speedway this season. Alex Bowman has been similarly inconsistent, breaking an 80-race winless streak in 2024 but struggling to maintain momentum, despite using the same equipment as his teammates.
Inside MX-5 Cup: Helio Meza is finding opportunities
Helio Meza kind of fell into the Mazda Motorsports ladder and Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin. But as it turns out, the series has boosted his skills like no other form of car racing he’s tried.
“I would say it’s probably the series that I’ve learned the most in cars. I mean, the field is super tight,” he says, adding that, because it’s a spec class, it allows a driver’s talent to shine and develop.
“You’re always going to be racing against someone in the pack. When I first started at the beginning of the year, I was kind of a mid-pack guy, but still racing against really great drivers. And then as you move forward and progress, you go up against guys who’ve been racing for a long time, like Jared Thomas, Tyler Gonzalez, Gresham Wagner… All these guys have a ton of experience, not only in this series, but they’ve raced a bunch of stuff over the years as well. I feel like you learn so much just being around them on the track.”
Meza wasn’t familiar with Mazda’s ladder or scholarship system until he was invited to the end-of-season Mazda Shootout after some success in karting. He won a Spec MX-5 Scholarship for the 2024 season and then returned for a second Mazda Shootout at that year’s end, netting the MX-5 Cup runner-up prize to race in the 2025 series.
“My family never really came from a lot of money, at least for the racing life, and so we were always picking up the scraps in karting – using old equipment, using tires out of the trash can to save money, to just make it as far as we could,” he recounts. “And when I got nominated for Spec MX-5, we were debating whether we should keep racing or not, or what the next step would be.”
Lack of money was one obstacle Meza had to overcome. Another was a hearing issue – Meza was born with bilateral microtia atresia, a condition in which the inner ear is absent or not fully developed – there’s no connection from his outer ear to his eardrum.
“When I was three or four months old, with the help of doctors, I was able to get a bone conduction hearing aid, and kind of wore that on a headband. It wasn’t until I was seven years old where I got surgery and got a bone anchored hearing aid implant, and that’s how I’m able to hear today,” he explains.
There was just one problem – the external part of the hearing aid wouldn’t fit when he was wearing a helmet. In karting, it was less of an issue – he could feel the vibrations. But moving into cars, there was no way for him to listen to a radio and have communication from the pits or a spotter.
“We reached out to many companies, and we were never really able to get help from anyone,” Meza says. “And so, my dad – I’m super grateful to have him – he came up with a bone-conduction system that we put inside of my racing helmet that has allowed me to hear my team and spotter whenever I’m in the car. It’s been a winding road to get where I am today, to allow me to do what I love. But thanks to the doctors and my dad, I’ve been able to chase my dreams so far.
Rodney Childers Breaks Down ‘Dream Scenario’ Behind JR Motorsports Signing
This summer has been a whirlwind of reflection and recalibration for Rodney Childers. After parting ways with Spire Motorsports and Justin Haley just nine races into the 2025 Cup Series season, Childers then faced an unexpected pause in his high-octane career. Winning and contending at the sport’s highest level has always been his driving force, but for a while, those opportunities didn’t materialize.
Instead, he returned to his roots, taking the helm in the CARS Tour with Kevin Harvick and young standout Landen Lewis. The duo has dominated, claiming four victories and leading the championship, while Childers also cherished more time at home with his wife Katrina and sons Brody and Gavin. Ultimately, this summer of introspection reshaped his outlook and opened the door to a brand new dream chapter in his racing journey.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Rodney Childers’ future at JR Motorsports
“For me, the last couple of months, I just started to look at things differently,” Childers said. “I always felt like I needed to prove something and needed to win more Cup championships or the Daytona 500 but then I realized there is more to life than that.” This realization, aided by the break and family time, changed his outlook towards racing and helped him particularly see life beyond the Cup series.
Ultimately, as he took action on that changed perception, life gifted him his “dream scenario” on a platter. “I opened myself up to talking to some Truck Series teams about some opportunities and that caught Dale by surprise. He asked me, ‘Do you really not have anything lined up, yet?’ and I told him where I was at, and then he told me about Connor and Carson and it was just a dream scenario.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
As Childers is set to join JR Motorsports as crew chief of the No. 1 car next season in the Xfinity Series (soon-to-be O’Reilly Auto Parts Series), working with young talents Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch perfectly fits with his scenario.
He highlighted the blend of familiarity and excitement as the reason for his newfound happiness: “This is basically the old car that we had a lot of success with, Sundays at church with Katrina and the boys, racing with two really exceptional young drivers and I couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough.”
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
While Childers hasn’t closed the door on returning to the Cup Series, he recognizes the value of this new chapter. He admires Mardy Lindley’s work with the No. 88 car and sees a similar chance to help these young drivers grow. “It’s about getting them some confidence and making them know that they belong,” he explained.
But for now, he’s pretty excited for his new role and couldn’t help but show that in his words for Kvapil. “I can’t wait to get to know Carson better. I know I have a lot of respect for him and his family. I know how serious Carson takes his racing and its just making sure he has the right people around him to keep progressing.”
And not just that, his work ethic and spirit make him take responsibility and ownership even for things that might not be directly in his hands. “When I raced with Kevin, if we didn’t win, it was my fault,” he said. “This car is my responsibility. That means getting the most out of it, finding the right people, and making it go fast. It needs to win.”
For Childers, JR Motorsports offers the perfect mix of family, mentorship, and competition. It couldn’t get any better than this for him. At 49, this is his perfect chance to continue shaping his legacy while building the next generation of racing stars.
Rodney Childers’ journey through NASCAR
As Rodney Childers begins a new chapter with JR Motorsports, his path to this point reflects one of the most accomplished crew chief careers in modern NASCAR. Born in Mooresville, North Carolina, Childers started not on the pit box, but behind the wheel – racing go-karts and late model stock cars. Though his driving career never reached the Cup Series, that foundation shaped his technical instincts and understanding of what drivers need to succeed.
Childers transitioned to the garage early, working as a mechanic and car chief before earning his first full-time crew chief role. At Michael Waltrip Racing, he quickly showcased his abilities by guiding David Reutimann and Brian Vickers to unlikely wins, proof of his knack for turning underdog teams into contenders. That reputation opened the door to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014, a move that would define his career.
Teamed with Kevin Harvick, Childers became a household name in NASCAR. The duo’s chemistry translated into immediate dominance, capturing the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in their first season together. This is where he peaked. Over their partnership, they earned 36 points-paying victories, 25 poles, and an All-Star race win, cementing their place as one of the most successful pairings of the Next Gen era. And completing a full circle, the duo renewed their partnership recently with late grassroots racing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Even after stepping away from Stewart-Haas, Childers remained influential. His brief stint at Spire Motorsports with Justin Haley in 2025 didn’t produce wins, but it reinforced his enduring presence in the Cup garage. Still, his decision to step back and seek balance ultimately set the stage for his current “dream scenario” at JRM.
With more than two decades of experience, a championship pedigree, and a reputation for building trust with drivers, Childers enters 2026 not just as a crew chief but as a veteran mentor with deep experience. His next chapter may be focused on development, but his career legacy already guarantees him a spot among NASCAR’s all-time greats.
Bobby Fong fastest rider on Friday at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Cameron Beaubier crashes twice
Bobby Fong posted a lap of 1:19.912 in the first qualification session for Round 9 of the MotoAmerica Superbike season at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, New Jersey, placing him on top of the board.
His time was half a second faster than his teammate Jake Gagne in second, and 0.803 seconds faster than Josh Herrin, who entered this round with a shot at winning the championship. Herrin posted the fastest time in the first practice session with a time of 1:20.545.
Hayden Gillim (1:20.902) and Sean Dylan Kelly (1:20.972) rounded out the top five.
20 Best Stadiums in World Football Ranked on Atmosphere by AI – Celtic Park 4th
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pittsburgh’s so-called jock tax, which levies a 3% tax on income earned by visiting athletes and performers at publicly funded stadiums, discriminates against nonresidents, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
City residents who play or perform at the stadiums pay a 1% tax on income, plus a 2% school district tax. The city argued that the net effect of the taxing scheme was therefore the same. However, the high court, like lower courts who first heard the case, disagreed, noting that nonresident workers are not subject to the school tax.
“The city does not provide concrete reasons that would justify taxing nonresident athletes and entertainers more than resident athletes and entertainers,” Justice David N. Wecht wrote for the seven-member court. The decision was unanimous, although the judges were divided in their reasoning.
The ruling, which echoed those issued by lower courts in the case, is expected to cost the city millions in lost revenue. The city had collected $2.6 million from the tax so far in 2025, a mayoral spokesperson said.
“This decision will further shift the cost burden of essential city services onto our residents, while reducing the responsibility of performers and professional athletes to contribute to covering the significant costs associated with large public events,” Olga George, a spokesperson for Mayor Ed Gainey, said in an email.
The judges, though, noted that state lawmakers authorized the tax in the early 2000s not to offset the cost of stadium construction but to boost the city’s strained finances.
The plaintiffs include former Pittsburgh Penguin Scott Wilson; Kyle Palmieri of the New York Islanders; former baseball player Jeff Francoeur; and the players’ associations of the National Hockey League, National Football League and Major League Baseball.
Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Tennis legend turns 44: Celebrity birthdays for Sept. 26
A tennis legend and three actresses are among the celebrities celebrating birthdays today, Sept. 26.
In order of their ages, today’s featured birthdays are:
Talulah Riley, 40: English actress known for her roles in “Pride & Prejudice,” “St Trinian’s” and “Inception.” She also starred in “Westworld” and directed the indie film “Scottish Mussel.”
Christina Milian, 44: Singer and actress who rose to fame with the hit single “Dip It Low” and starred in films such as “Love Don’t Cost a Thing,” “Be Cool,” and “Pulse.” She also appeared in the sitcom “Grandfathered” and the Netflix film “Falling Inn Love.”
Serena Williams, 44: Retired tennis champion who won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era. She also earned four Olympic gold medals and held the world No. 1 ranking for 319 weeks.
Linda Hamilton, 69: Actress best known for playing Sarah Connor in “The Terminator” franchise. Her other notable roles include “Beauty and the Beast,” “Dante’s Peak” and “Chuck.”
Félix Auger-Aliassime Marries Nina Ghaibi in Moroccan Wedding
Wedding bells are ringing for tennis player Félix Auger-Aliassime and equestrian Nina Ghaibi.
Auger-Aliassime, 25, announced on Instagram that the pair officially said “I do” on Saturday, Sept. 20 at the luxury hotel Selman Marrakech in Morocco alongside photos from the ceremony and reception.
The athlete kicked off his update posted on Wednesday with a snap of the pair walking down the aisle in their wedding attire with their hands clasped together in the air after exchanging their vows. Auger-Aliassime donned a classic black Dior suit, slacks and bowtie while Ghaibi wore a strapless Vera Wang dress with a corseted top that flared out at the waist.
Additional pictures showed the bride and groom getting ready for the big day, sharing a first look and the bride being walked down the aisle by her father. Auger-Aliassime also shared shots taken from the reception, including of the couple slicing into their extra large three-tiered cake, feeding each other and sharing a kiss.
The final two snaps in the post illustrated just how in love the couple is. In one, the tennis player could be seen kissing his bride’s hand inside the hotel and in another, the groom could be seen bending his bride over for a kiss underneath a white flower arch.
“A love that never stopped growing from the moment we laid eyes on each other, and never will 🤍💍,” he captioned the photos, adding, “September 20th, 2025, our dreams became reality.”
All the photos shared by the tennis player were taken by Lebanese international photographer Rani Fawaz (@ranifawazofficial).
Auger-Aliassime shared the details of the special day with Vogue, and noted that the nuptials were a culmination of 10 months of planning and included a guest list of 120 of their closest friends and family.
Ultimately, the day was exactly as he had pictured it, saying that it “was private, warm, emotional, and everything we could have ever wanted.”
As for the ceremony itself, he recalled that he had “butterflies” in his “stomach” before walking the aisle in front of their loved ones. He noted that he “made sure to take time to soak in what was about to happen” as it was “a moment that will never come again in our lives.”
“The image of my beautiful wife walking with her father is an image I’ll forever cherish,” he said. “It’s also hard to describe what a gift it was for us to look out into the incredible crowd. It brought tears to our eyes when the officiant mentioned the names of our grandparents, who are no longer with us yet whose presence is overwhelmingly strong in our hearts.”
“All in all, the ceremony was the perfect combination of emotions such as bliss, gratitude, nostalgia, peace, euphoria, and hope. And it ended with the sweetest kiss we’ve ever had,” he added.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
After the ceremony, the couple said that guests were ushered to a sunset cocktail hour set up between the horse stables before moving onto the reception dinner in the garden, which was illuminated with candles and lanterns. They were serenaded by the Festival Band as they dined and danced the night away.
“Our all time favorite parts of the night came from the touching and hilarious speeches given by our family absolutely pouring their hearts out and myself having the chance to say everything I’ve ever wanted to those I love the most,” Auger-Aliassime told Vogue.
“We were dancing, singing, and laughing as if there were no tomorrow. I wish I could have stopped time and stayed there forever,” he explained. “It’s bittersweet to know that those moments have now become memories, but we will relive them for the rest of our lives through conversations, photos, and videos — and one day, we’ll share the stories with our future kids.”
Carlos Alcaraz to headline first-ever tennis event at Miami Marlins’ ballpark
MIAMI — Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz will headline the Miami Invitational later this year — a one-day exhibition that marks the first tennis event ever held at the Miami Marlins’ home ballpark.
Scheduled for Dec. 8 at loanDepot Park, the one-time event will also feature No. 42 João Fonseca, No. 4 Amanda Anisimova and No. 33 Emma Raducanu.
The invitational will include two singles matches, each best-of-three sets with a 10-point tiebreaker deciding a third set.
Anisimova, a U.S. Open and Wimbledon finalist this year, will face the 2021 U.S. Open champion Raducanu. After that, six-time major champion Alcaraz will take on the 19-year-old Fonseca, Brazil’s top-ranked singles player. It’ll be the first meeting between Alcaraz and Fonseca.
Molly Pendleton, a senior vice president at Unified Events, which is partnering with loanDepot Park for the event, said the goal is in part to grow the game of tennis.
“To feature two of the brightest women’s stars in Anisimova and Raducanu alongside the first ever meeting between Alcaraz and Fonseca should
Serena Williams’ Day Made Extra Special by Billie Jean King as She Drops Heartfelt Message
Tennis legends Billie Jean King and the Williams sisters have long stood as champions for women’s rights, making their impact off the court just as powerful as their dominance on it. Serena Williams once captured this spirit perfectly, saying, “The day I stop fighting for equality and for people that look like you and me will be the day I’m in my grave.” And it is this shared commitment that built a lasting bond between Serena Williams and Billie Jean King. Reflecting on Serena Williams‘ influence, King once remarked, “When Serena steps away from tennis, she will leave as the sport’s greatest player.” Today, as Serena Williams celebrates her 44th birthday, the trailblazer who founded the Women’s Tennis Association in 1973 couldn’t resist sharing a heartfelt tribute.
Just hours ago, Billie Jean King took to X to post a throwback selfie featuring Serena, herself, and her wife Ilana Kloss, sharing it with her 535k followers to commemorate Williams’ 44th birthday on September 26th . She captioned the post, “It’s @serenawilliams’ special day! Sending our best wishes to the 23x Grand Slam singles champion, and the highest-earning woman athlete of all time! 🎊.”
Their bond runs deep – after all, it was King who played a pivotal role in Serena’s early journey. Back in 2000, Williams wasn’t able to qualify for the singles event at the Sydney Olympics despite her US Open triumph the year before. However, she teamed up with sister Venus in doubles, and under King’s guidance (the Olympic team coach at the time), they struck gold. But when exactly did Serena and Billie Jean King first cross paths?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Billie Jean King first met the Williams sisters at a Domino’s Pizza World Team Tennis clinic in Long Beach back in 1988. Venus was just eight years old, while Serena was only seven, but even then their raw talent was unmistakable.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Recalling that first encounter, King shared a post on X earlier this year with a nostalgic picture, writing, “On April 30, 1988, 37 years ago today, I first met @Venuseswilliams and @serenawilliams at a Domino’s Pizza @WorldTeamTennis clinic in Long Beach, CA. They were as impressive then as they are now. 📷: Carol Newsom, taken at our second meeting, 1992, with Rosie Casals.”
To her, Serena Williams “changed how tennis is played,” and consistently pushed her rivals to raise their level. But what does the 44-year-old have to say about King’s invaluable contributions on and off the court?
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Serena Williams hails Billie Jean King’s role in tennis boom
From demanding equal prize money to her iconic victory over Bobby Riggs in the ‘Battle of the Sexes,’ Billie Jean King has repeatedly broken down barriers and challenged outdated notions of gender in the sport.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
So, in an interview with Vanity Fair in July 2024, Serena Williams reflected on King’s influence, saying, “We had Billie Jean King, and not every sport had that. I think I would be remiss not to say that because Billie did so much for women’s tennis and put it on the map. I don’t think other sports necessarily had that person, that one person, but now they have media; now they have a lot of people. But I think we were so fortunate to have that.” Her words capture just how unique and pivotal the 81-year-old’s presence was in shaping women’s tennis for future generations.
And in case you missed, given her extraordinary contributions, King was recently honored with a ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard, where she became the first woman to receive a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s new Sports Entertainment category. Her impact on Serena Williams, both as a role model and as a pioneer, remains undeniable. That said, does Serena Williams see herself carrying forward the same torch of advocacy that King lit more than five decades ago? What do you think?
Rory McIlroy’s Wife Erica Stoll: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About PGA Tour WAG
The Northern Irishman, a former world number one, has built an extraordinary career, becoming one of only six golfers to complete the modern Grand Slam and the first European to achieve the feat. Behind Rory McIlroy’s success, his wife Erica Stoll actively supports him, providing a steady presence that shapes his career, even if it often stays out of the spotlight. Here, we highlight five lesser-known facts about her that even the most dedicated golf fans might not know.
Used to work for the PGA of America
Long before meeting Rory McIlroy, Stoll built a respected reputation at the PGA of America. She joined the organization in 2008 as office manager for the Senior PGA Championship at Oak Hill. Over the years, she managed championship volunteer operations and earned recognition for her professionalism behind the scenes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Stoll embraced the culture at the PGA. Reflecting on her experience, she once said, “The way PGA employees present themselves is so admirable and professional. That’s the kind of job I want.” She remained a constant presence at the PGA of America, continuing in her role even after marrying McIlroy. In 2020, she shifted her focus once again. After the birth of their first child, she left her career in golf to devote herself fully to motherhood.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Came to Rory’s rescue during Ryder Cup 2012
Erica Stoll first encountered Rory McIlroy in a way that resembled a Hollywood script. The pair met more than a decade ago at the 2012 Ryder Cup, when McIlroy came dangerously close to missing his tee time after oversleeping. Working behind the scenes in operations, Stoll quickly stepped in to manage the crisis, taking on the responsibility of getting him to Medinah Country Club in Illinois before it was too late.
Under immense pressure, she arranged a police escort that sped McIlroy to the venue, where he arrived with just ten minutes to spare. The drama of that morning has since become part of Ryder Cup lore, with current U.S. captain Keegan Bradley often recalling the episode as one of the tournament’s most memorable moments. From that day forward and even after marrying McIlroy, Stoll has kept up her unofficial role of making sure “everyone’s in and out.”
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Great friends with Shane Lowry’s wife Wendy
Friendships among WAGs are nothing new in sports, and Rory McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, and Shane Lowry’s wife, Wendy, have built one of the closest. They often showcase their camaraderie on social media, appearing together in countless posts and stories. Whether traveling with their husbands or attending tournaments side by side, the two have forged a bond that sometimes feels even stronger than the one between McIlroy and Lowry themselves.
That connection shone brightest last year when their husbands captured the Zurich Classic title. Erica and Wendy raised their champagne glasses in celebration, sharing a toast immortalized in a lively photo. Wendy later called Erica her “work wife,” a playful but telling nod to the shared journey they embrace. From celebrating wins to quietly supporting their husbands behind the scenes.
Is originally from New York but has now moved to UK
Nothing embodies the “Land of Opportunity” quite like America, a nation that has drawn dreamers for decades, seeking success on their own terms. Rory McIlroy has carved his legacy here, dominating from the PGA Tour to the DP World Tour, his trophy cabinet a testament to his enduring excellence. It’s likely overflowing by now.
Yet, despite his triumphs on U.S. soil, McIlroy has never pursued American citizenship. Earlier this year, he and his family announced plans to relocate to the United Kingdom after the 2025 U.S. Open in June, completing the move from their Florida residence to their Wentworth home with his wife, Erica Stoll. For now, McIlroy will retain his Florida mansion as a U.S. base for future tournaments, while Wentworth will serve as his permanent home.
Used to be a tennis player in high school
Erica Stoll grew up in Irondequoit, initially drawn to tennis rather than golf. She distinguished herself as a standout high school player before turning her attention to academics, ultimately earning a marketing degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Her professional journey eventually led her into the golf world.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Though she became a mother in 2020 and stepped back from her career, Erica continues to appear alongside her husband at major golf events. In May 2023, Rory McIlroy returned to Erica’s hometown to compete at the PGA Oak Hill Country Club, which he recalls as “good memories.”
With the 2025 Ryder Cup underway, all eyes are on this power couple. Backed by Erica’s unwavering support, can Rory McIlroy make history once again? Stay tuned.
Daniil Medvedev Blames Tennis for Losing His Cool: “Sometimes Act a Bit Crazy”
Daniil Medvedev is the fiery showman of tennis. Fans know his crafty tactics, his fierce rants, and his famous racket smashes. Passion drives every point. Who could forget the net camera he smashed at the 2025 Australian Open? Or how he stirred up the US Open crowd when the umpire handed Benjamin Bonzi a first serve back? That’s pure Medvedev. Back in 2019, he admitted, “I lost a lot of matches in my career when I was getting crazy. You never know, when you lose a match, [whether it is] because you lost it or because you get crazy and lose concentration. You can never be sure.” Six years later, the question lingers: what would he say now?
On Friday, Daniil made a strong debut at the China Open by beating Cameron Norrie in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. This one must have tasted good. The last time they met was French Open first round, where Norrie took him down in a five-set battle. For Medvedev, who’s had a tough season, this win is definitely a step in the right direction.
Asked about his complicated season in the press conference, Daniil offered one of his trademark answers and got candid. “Yes, I mean, what’s beautiful about tennis, what’s difficult about this sport, and sorry, I go a bit far, I sometimes act a bit crazy on the court. A lot of fans come to see me in France or Monaco,” He said recalling:
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“They say to me: ‘Listen, I’m like you, I’m calm. In life, I’m calm. On the road, I’m calm. It doesn’t matter. I argue with my wife, I’m calm. And as soon as I go to play tennis, I go crazy, I go crazy.’ Tennis can make you crazy.” He’s not wrong.
Tennis isn’t just about athletic talent. It’s a test of the mind. The isolation makes it brutal. Unlike in team sports, there’s no one to share the stage or pressure. Players are out there alone, no clock to run things down, no teammates for backup. Momentum can change in a flash. Every point feels massive. You must master your shots, but your emotions, too. Often, it’s composure, not forehands or serves, that settles a match.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Few players know that better than Daniil Medvedev. As he admitted: “It makes me crazy because you don’t know. People ask me why I had a bad year? I don’t have the exact answer. It could be my second daughter. It could be my relationship with Gilles (Cervara, her former coach). It could be because I’ve grown up and started to think more than I did when I was younger. It could just be bad luck, or maybe I just wasn’t feeling well somewhere. You never know.”
This year has been full for the Russian. In January, he announced the birth of his second child. That alone can add weight to his shoulders. He hasn’t lifted a trophy since Rome 2023. He did make the final in Halle this season, but titles have slipped out of reach.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
After his US Open exit, the former World No.1 even shook up his team. Rohan Goetzke and Thomas Johansson stepped in for his longtime coach, Gilles Cervara, who had been with him since 2017. Trainer Eric Hernandez, part of his setup since 2014, also parted ways. Will these changes pay off? Time will tell. For now, Medvedev sounds hopeful.
Daniil Medvedev feels positive about his journey ahead
Medvedev opened his Beijing Open campaign with a bang, brushing past Britain’s No. 2 Cameron Norrie. After the match, he faced the familiar question: “You’ve said to us that in practice you produced top 5 level tennis at times. How much of that was in evidence today?” Daniil stayed honest. “Not completely, but I played not bad. I served pretty well except a couple of games. Same on the return. I had a lot of chances to break. I think I deserved to win in terms of the game plan and the stats. I’m happy to go through.”
The Russian laid down the pressure from the start. He broke Norrie five times in just 75 minutes, firing nine aces and sealing his spot in the last 16. Revenge couldn’t taste better, just four months ago at Roland Garros, Norrie had caught him cold and sent him packing in round one.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
This time, Daniil Medvedev zeroed in on the forehand and never gave an inch, turning the rematch into a statement win. He’s still on the lookout for his next title, and Daniil is up for the challenge: “I can play much, much better than that. But the way back is step by step. Today was a small step forward.”
Next up in Beijing is Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, a tricky test but one Daniil seems fired up for. With new coaches in his box and momentum finally clicking, the Russian swings forward. Another win would book him a quarterfinal ticket at the China Open. Can he do it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
West Ranch girls’ tennis shines in win over Hart
West Ranch girls’ tennis defeated Hart, 15-3, on the road and extended their undefeated start to the year.
The Wildcats’ No.1 singles player Ta’leighah Saulter swept all three of her matches to end the day 6-0.
Saulter remains the player to beat this season as she has yet to lose in any of her 18 matches.
“She’s played 18 matches, and each one she won 6-0,” West Ranch head coach Paul Orzsag said in a phone interview. “That to me, was pretty impressive.”
West Ranch won eight singles matches out of nine over the Hawks and in doubles play, won seven matches out of nine.
The Wildcats’ No.1 doubles duo Suprita Yeole and Maddie Park won all three of their matches with a performance that was highlighted by their head coach.
“I’m very proud of these girls,” Orzsag said. “We’re proud of these girls and we’re leading the league so I’m very pleased about it.”
The Wildcats are in first place in the Foothill League standings with Valencia just one game behind with a 5-1 record.
West Ranch narrowly defeated Valencia at home 10-8 earlier in the year.
“We were able to overcome our big foe annually which is Valencia High School,” Orzsag said. “So, that was our great achievement by them, I’m impressed with their teamwork, and I’m impressed with their fantastic results.”
Looking ahead, the Wildcats hit the road on Tuesday at Golden Valley with the first match set to begin at 3 p.m.
Andre Agassi Branded a ‘Clown’ as Tennis Legend Makes Honest Admission on His Rise in the Sport
Rebellious, modern, and influential. Andre Agassi stepped foot on the tennis court in the early ’90s like a flamboyant young kid with long hair and a sprinkle of tennis magic in his racket. Known for his aggressive brand of tennis and quirky fashion sense, he became the Allen Iverson of the tennis court. Around the same time, legends like Boris Becker had already carved a niche, and battles with Agassi promised fireworks.
During the early years of Agassi’s career, he had an intriguing rivalry with Becker. It began way back in 1988 when they faced each other in Indian Wells. While Becker dominated the early parts of their rivalry, winning three consecutive matches, Agassi found his way back and leads 10-4 in their head-to-head battles. Unlike other rivals like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the two didn’t have the warmest of relationships on and off the court, and Becker spoke about it during an interview with Virgin Radio.
He said, “When I debuted in 1985, I was labeled the new superstar, and I enjoyed that. You know, we all have a little bit of vanity, and we like people to like us. So when he came on the scene in the early ’90s, with his long, colored hair, earrings, and the ‘born and raised in Las Vegas’ thing, I thought he was a clown, but he stole all the publicity, all the attention.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Further, Becker added, “To make matters worse, he was a very good tennis player. Then he started beating me and took away all the status I had, so I was seriously, you know… I was very upset, I was very upset about Andre Agassi coming in. I didn’t like it.” Winning the last ten matches, Agassi got his number following initial struggles with Becker. Well, he might have found a hack, too.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
With various unique tales of superstitions and traditions, sometimes, the smallest analysis becomes a game-changer. Agassi noticed Becker’s tongue movement during his serve to understand where the ball lands. It’s a trick that deeply unsettled Becker. Yet, the level of respect they have for one another remains true to their personalities.
Despite Becker’s revelations, Agassi carved a niche for himself in tennis. He won eight Grand Slam titles along with a host of other big trophies as he carried American tennis on his back. Years later, Agassi remains a force in the tennis world and guided Team World to the Laver Cup victory. Subsequently, he reflected on one of the most memorable weeks of his life in San Francisco.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Andre Agassi can’t get over Team World’s Laver Cup win
Last week, Team World delivered a stunning performance under Agassi’s leadership to lift the Laver Cup crown. Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur played scintillating tennis to help their team to victory. The tournament’s unfolding brought Agassi great joy, and he labeled it one of the most unforgettable experiences of his life.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
He said, “Everybody played a part in making this one of the most memorable weeks I’ve ever spent on a tennis court. I can honestly say that, and that’s saying something, because it was a lot of years I’ve been out there in one form or another with a perceived team, but this really was a team. So proud of the guys. Just unflappable. They never stopped believing.”
Prayers Pour In as Ex-Grand Slam Semifinalist Joins Jack Draper in Shocking 2025 Season Blow
Injuries are the biggest foe and woe of any athlete. Jack Draper is no exception, having had to retire from the US Open a few weeks ago. His official statement read, “It is very difficult for me to accept as I was building some incredible momentum this year and playing some great stuff.” And now, it seems another ATP star and former Wimbledon semifinalist has taken a similar route to wind up this calendar year. For former top 10 star and Polish player Hubert Hurkacz, the decision did not come easy.
Hurkacz took to his Instagram on September 26 and shared a note. “I would like to thank you very much for all the messages, support and kind words I receive from you. This is extremely important to me and gives me a lot of energy. 💪”, he began. Sharing the big decision on his remaining journey this season, he added, “I know that in order to return to tournaments and compete at the highest level, I need to be prepared 110%. That is why the best decision is to start in the next season – fully ready to fight. 🎾”
For the uninitiated, Hubert Hurkacz went through arthroscopic right knee surgery back in June. He even withdrew from the second-round match in the Libéma Open due to a back injury at that time. Since then, he hasn’t competed in an ATP tournament.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Explaining why he went for the knee surgery, Hurkacz previously revealed, “I’ve been dealing with knee issues, such as pain, fluid build-up, and other problems that made it hard to train and compete. After exploring different options, we decided that having an arthroscopy this past Monday was the best solution.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
While the Pole has opted to stay off the court until early next year, avid fans are rallying behind him. Heartwarming messages have flooded his comments section in the last few hours as Hurkacz continues his recovery journey.
Fans wish Hubert Hurkacz a speedy recovery
One hardcore fan of Hurkacz wrote, “Come on !! Hubi !!! Let’s go do the next season with everything 💪💪💪 you will be back again !!! 🔝 🔥🔥🔥” while another person echoed this sentiment saying, “Always behind you and the team, Hubi 💚 No matter how long it takes, I’ll be here waiting and cheering for you. Take your time, focus on yourself, and come back when you’re ready – I believe in you. 🎾✨”
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Even Hubert Hurkacz made sure to remain positive during his recovery phase. In his post, he mentioned that “I feel good, everything is going as it should and looks really positive. Every day I work with my Team in the gym, on the court and with physiotherapist.” The 28-year-old has a 15-11 singles record this season. Last year, he achieved his career-best ranking of No.6. However, he has now come down to the 69th spot.
One supporter prayed for his quick recovery while writing, “Take care of yourself and come back stronger, Hubi! ❤️🔥” Another fan justified his decision of taking a long break to ensure proper fitness. After all, health comes first. “Hubi, you made the right choice✨
Next season will be amazing for you. Our hearts are with you. We’re grateful that you’re focusing on your treatment🙏🌹”
For the uninitiated, this is not the first time Hurkacz has been battling injury woes. Exactly a year ago, he had to withdraw from the 2024 Paris Olympics. He had sustained a torn meniscus during Wimbledon, due to which he had to go through arthroscopic surgery. This year, it is the same right knee for which he needed arthroscopic surgery to remove an overgrown synovial membrane.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
On missing out the chance to play for his nation, he had confessed, “It was a very, very difficult decision because I dreamed of representing Poland at the Games and being able to win a medal for the team, but unfortunately my health won’t allow me to do so this year,” as reported by Eurosport in July 2024. Lastly, one fan hoped for his timely recovery and a huge comeback to the top 10 list. “We will wait for you in the top ten station… get well soon 👏”
Hopefully, Hubert Hurkacz will get well soon before the first Grand Slam of 2026, the Australian Open. Do you think he will be able to make it happen? Let us know in the comments below.
Dunlap lineman recruit helped by stepdad tennis coach
Dunlap senior lineman Landon Dillavou uses tennis footwork drills to improve his football skills.
Dillavou received his first Division I offer from Drake after attending a summer camp at the University of Iowa.
The Dunlap Eagles improved to 5-0 and secured a playoff berth after defeating East Peoria 48-0.
EAST PEORIA — Lineman Landon Dillavou’s journey to Division-I college football recruit has included several detours to the tennis court.
No, the Dunlap senior right tackle doesn’t play the racquet sport, but his stepdad and Eagles tennis coach, Patrick Gornik, has provided some drills along the way.
Believe it or not, Dillavou is utilizing them.
“Of all the sports … there’s a lot of similarities between the offensive line in football and playing tennis,
Makena White spoke about her health online before her sudden death at 28
Makena White, the girlfriend of PGA golfer Jake Knapp, died earlier this week at age 28.
The tragic news was shared in an Instagram post written by her friend on Friday. “Hi everyone – this is Makena’s friend, writing with the heaviest heart to share that Makena passed away earlier this week,” the post began.
No cause of death was given.
However, in the months leading up to her death, White had started to share details about her health online. On X (formerly Twitter), she revealed she had multiple surgeries scheduled this summer.
On June 2, 2025, White, who is from Canada, posted about the start of the RBC Canadian Open, the country’s pro golf championship, which Knapp played in. She also shared some details about some procedures she had scheduled.
“Happy RBC Canadian Open week & 1st week of June! 2 cardiac & 1 vascular surgery standing between me and watching my crush play in my home country!” she wrote.
Although White didn’t get into the specifics of her surgeries, in a different post shared on June 2, she seemingly revealed that she had tachycardia, a medical condition in which one’s heart rate exceeds 100 beats per minute, according to Mayo Clinic.
In the post, White shared a photo of her in a hospital bed with the US Open Golf Championship scores open on her computer with the caption “We’re dialled #GolfsLongestDay.” She also shared a follow-up photo of her Apple Watch showing her heart rate elevated at 133, writing, “By dialled I mean tachycardic.”
In another post shared in May, White, who worked as a software engineer, took a photo of herself at work, wearing a heart rate monitor around her waist.
Additionally, in her X bio, she referred to herself as a “vascular and cardio surgery nerd.”
PGA Tour Pro Snubbed by Keegan Bradley Breaks Silence to Complain About USA vs Europe Round
If anything marred American fans’ first day at the Ryder Cup (beyond Team USA’s disastrous performance), it was the coverage of the event itself. The atmosphere was nonetheless charged, at times toeing the mark of what is acceptable. But unfortunately, most of these were missed by the ones streaming from the comfort of their homes, making it not so comfortable. The glitchy broadcast induced a lot of groans, including from a player who could have been on the course, if not for Keegan Bradley‘s snub.
Among the many disappointed voices at the tournament’s far-from-perfect broadcast, Chris Gotterup took to his X account to express his disappointment with a tinge of sarcasm.
“I don’t think there is enough commercials.”
Later, correcting his grammatical error, he reposted: “I suck at English (*are) but point stands.”
His point does stand, because this was exactly what hundreds of fans and golf nerds complained about the moment the day started. The entire coverage, as put by many US fans, was blasted with endless interruptions. Every few minutes, the play was chopped up by ads, adding to the frustration of an already struggling US Team. They lost the morning session to Team Europe by 3-1. Through all this, the flow of the match could not find its rhythm.
It hits hard because this is an event that is played once every two years. Graeme McDowell, a former Ryder Cupper from Europe, also put his words bluntly.
“This @USANetwork coverage is driving me insane already. Think we are on the 5th commercial break. May have to flip on the @SkySports version”
In what can be considered a coincidence, McDowell also reportedly suffered a snub from the Ryder Cup. He was one of the potential candidates for captaining Team Europe, but was sidelined due to his affiliation with LIV.
Several other players, like Byeong Hun An and Michael Kim, used humor to address the discrepancy. The former said that there were more commercials than golf, and the latter was baffled by how the network could possibly miss so many shots when only eight balls were in play.
And while these comments do stand out, Chris Gotterup’s remarks are the ones that hit home. Until August, his name kept rotating as a potential captain’s pick for the team. He even admitted that Keegan Bradley reached out to him, texting him about his good form. But days later, when Captain America announced his six choices, Gotterup’s name was missing.
In hindsight, it might make sense as to why Bradley omitted Gotterup. Although Gotterup stood tenth at the FedEx Cup standings with a third-place finish at The Open Championship and a stellar victory at the Genesis Scottish Open, his form emerged only later in the season. Initially, he faltered with eight missed cuts from his first eleven starts. But after the USA’s questionable performance today, one might wonder if choosing Gotterup could have been the right choice after all? You see, he defeated Rory McIlroy in the Genesis Scottish Open, a tournament held at McIlory’s European turf.
These questions can be answered eventually, but what remains is the poor coverage of an elite biennial tournament. Apart from nagging commercial breaks, audio and sync issues were also reported. The sound of the club striking the ball lagged behind the video, and the cheers from the crowd came seconds late. It was not just the television streaming, but YouTube viewers were also affected. When the coverage returned from breaks, alerts were plastered across the screen about a possible NBC-YouTube TV carriage dispute.
At the same time, Canadian viewers were left without access for hours, stuck with filler programming until cable providers resolved the feed. A poll by No Laying Up on X revealed that 94% of over 4,500 respondents rated the coverage “Bad” within minutes of the first break. In contrast, the UK’s coverage, especially by Sky Sports, seemed much better.
Whatever the issue, hopefully, officials will resolve it soon. But what’s noteworthy is that the Ryder Cup has been plagued with this problem often, the 2023 one, for instance.
Ryder Cup Rome suffered the same fate
The 2025 Ryder Cup’s coverage finds similar echoes from its last edition in Rome, when NBC Sports and Golf Channel faced heavy backlash during the opening day. Airing on USA Network, the coverage drew criticism for missing critical moments, including introductions and tee shots from the third match of Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka versus Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa. The complaints were very similar to what is seen today — too many ads!
Well, part of the issue came down to production choices. While the broadcast included a score bug showing live results and match details, viewers pointed out that it still lacked proper context when key shots were skipped. Interestingly, similar to today, Sky Sports commentary and the quality of their coverage were praised. For American viewers, though, the missed action overshadowed the excitement of Europe’s historic 4-0 sweep on day one.
The constant backlash over coverage, especially for a tournament like the Ryder Cup, highlights a wider problem in golf’s broadcasting. It leaves many questioning whether the network had put profit before the fan experience.
Makena White’s heartbreaking last post to Jake Knapp before her death
In her final Instagram post, Makena White wrote a heartfelt message for her boyfriend, PGA Tour winner Jake Knapp, just weeks before her death at 28 years old.
White, who was dating Knapp for two years, posted a tribute to their relationship back in August.
“Year 2 of first fairway hugs & watching you live out your dreams,” White wrote on Aug. 11. “Second season in the books — forever grateful to be on this walk with you, here’s to many many many more! I looooove you sweet boy, you make it so dang easy to be proud.”
A friend of White announced her death, which happened earlier this week.
“Hi everyone – this is Makena’s friend, writing with the heaviest heart to share that Makena passed away earlier this week,” the post on Friday read. “She is already so deeply missed by her Dad, her family, her friends, and of course by Nelly and Fergie.
“Makena was one of a kind. She had this rare way of making you feel special, and her huge heart was always overflowing with love. To be loved by Makena was a gift; one that came with endless laughter, so much joy, and a healthy sprinkling of chaos as we tried to keep up with her travel schedule.”
The cause of White’s death is still unknown.
Sympathy for White was shared in the comments section of her final post, with golf insider Dan Rapaport writing, “What a light she was.”
“Getting to know Makena was one of my favorite parts of this last year,” CBS gold reporter Amanda Balionis commented. “So much laughter, passion and she never met a stranger. I will miss her light… it touched so many.”
Knapp and White went public with their relationship following the 31-year-old’s win at the Mexico Open last year.
Knapp has yet to comment publicly on White’s death.
What Is Xander Schauffele’s Ethnicity? Family Background of PGA Tour Pro Explored
Xander Schauffele was born on October 25, 1993, in San Diego, California, to Stefan Schauffele and Ping-Yi-Chen. Xander was raised in Japan. He began playing when he was 9, and his father, who had been a track-and-field decathlete, became his first and only swing coach. Under Stefan’s guidance, Xander Schauffele developed the fundamentals of his game.
His father’s scientific approach to golf, including emphasis on golf mechanics and ball flight physics, altered Schaueffle’s own approach to golf. He didn’t observe his own swing until the age of 18. Instead of focusing on visual feedback, Schauffele placed his trust in the science behind the swings. That provided him a deeper understanding of the sport’s intricacies, making him a largely adaptable golfer.
When he represented America in the 2021 Olympics, Taiwanese reporters congratulated him on his gold, honoring Schaueffle’s Taiwanese roots. However, the golfer’s ethnicity is a bit more complicated than this. Xander Schauffele’s ethnicity is German-French-Taiwanese.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Xander Schauffele’s Father – Stefan Schauffele’s German and French Heritage
Schauffele’s father, Stefan Schauffele, is half French from his mother’s side and half German from his father’s side. Inspired by his grandfather, Richard Schaueffle, Stefan began his journey in the decathlon. However, a car accident, when a drunk driver hit Stefan, dislodging a shard of glass into his left eye, ended his hopes of the Olympics. Even through multiple surgeries, Stefan’s vision could not be restored in that eye.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“The last memory of my Olympic dream was all the guys from the German decathlon team coming to my hospital room. It was an emotional farewell. Everything was over! My independence, my new life, my track career, my plans, and all my dreams. I certainly had a death wish. Dark times,” Stefan shared.
However, being the resilient figure he is, Stefan did not let that accident stop his athletic fuel. He turned a pro in Hawaii and worked as an assistant golf pro in Kauai. Stefan later moved to San Diego, where he attended a golf academy, learning under a local teacher named A.J. Bonar. These lessons in golf and his first-hand experience on the greens qualified him as the perfect swing coach for his son. Xander Schauffele affectionately calls his father “Orge,” showcasing their close relationship.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Schaueffle’s mother has an intriguing heritage, too.
Xander Schauffele’s Mother – Ping-Yi Chen’s Taiwanese and Japanese Heritage
As per the PGA Tour’s official website, Ping-Yi is from Chinese Taipei (Taiwan). However, she was raised in Japan, much like her son. She moved to Tokyo with her father when she was 4. She stayed there until her junior school graduation, after which she moved to the US for college. While originally from Taiwan, Ping-Yi’s ties to Japan are just as deep, if not more. These years served as an essential phase in her life, when she adopted a lot of the Japanese culture.
Speaking on her ethnicity, she remarked, “I’m not even sure of my identity, to be honest with you. I am Chinese but grew up in Japan. I spent most of my school years in Japan. So, I would say the way I think about things is closer to Japanese than Chinese, but I can’t say that I am Japanese either, but there are many things I love about Japan.”
Schaueffle has often acknowledged his upbringing for the discipline and resilience on the PGA Tour.
“I felt the Asian side from my mom, making sure that we were on top of all our stuff, and being tough in that manner. I’d definitely say that upbringing helped when it comes to being successful on the golf course,” Schaueffle said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Staying connected with this rich heritage, the golfer maintains close ties with his family through regular trips to Japan. Competing professionally in Japan, at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP has only deepened his bond with the country where his mother grew up. For Schauffele, embracing this mix of cultures has not only grounded him as a person but also fueled his ability to thrive on the world stage.
When could Frisco’s PGA of America potentially host a Ryder Cup?
PGA of America officials said Friday there is to be no announcements of future Ryder Cup sites in America this week. The PGA Frisco East Course is a candidate to host the event.
As part of the master agreement signed by the City of Frisco and the PGA of America for the expansive facility, officials targeted 2041 as the date for a Ryder Cup in Frisco. Provided the course meets certain financial targets mainly tied to 2027 PGA Championship, which will be held on the Gil Hanse-designed East Course.
The next Ryder Cups in America are scheduled for the Hazeltine Golf Course in Chaska, Minn. in 2029, the Olympic Club in San Francisco in 2033, and Congressional Golf Club outside Washington, D.C. in 2037. That leaves the 2041 date as the next unawarded date.
Raider power
Sports Roundup
Get the latest D-FW sports news, analysis and opinion delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, Kevin Sherrington’s A La Carte.
Or with:
Google
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
The large European crowd had plenty of cheer about on a sunny Friday, but when former Texas Tech golfer Ludvig Aberg made to the 14th hole on Friday morning, he was greeted by several fans shouting “Raider power,” with their finger guns high in the air.
Advertisement
More Ryder Cup coverage
— Dallas’ Scottie Scheffler opens Ryder Cup with frustrating outing for U.S. vs. Europe
— Europe takes commanding lead at Ryder Cup with dominant performance vs. U.S.
Advertisement
— DeChambeau’s strong start erased by Rahm-Hatton as Ryder Cup main event goes to Europe
Advertisement
Art Sticklin is a freelance writer based in Dallas.
Find more golf coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Jake Knapp Issues Heartbreaking Plea After GF Makena White Dies at 28: ‘It’s a Tough Reality’
Jake Knapp is no stranger to pressure on the golf course, but nothing could’ve prepared him for this. The PGA Tour golfer now finds himself facing a heartbreak no victory or trophy could ever soften. Knapp finally broke his silence following the tragic death of his girlfriend, Makena White, announced on Friday, and his words are as raw as they are moving.
“Makena was such a thoughtful person whose selflessness toward others is something I will always appreciate,” Knapp shared in an emotional statement to PEOPLE. “We shared so many unforgettable memories together and now that she’s no longer with us, it’s a tough reality to comprehend. She had an incredible family, great friends, and her fun, outgoing energy will be missed by all of us,” he added. It’s clear he’s still grappling with the weight of it all.
The two had only started dating in August 2023, but their connection was unmistakable. Fans saw her tearful reaction during his 2024 Mexico Open win in February. Now, all that joy feels bittersweet, echoing a love story cut tragically short.
This is a developing story…
Jake Knapp’s Heartbreaking Message After Makena White’s Death
PGA Tour golfer Jake Knapp’s girlfriend, Makena White, died suddenly at age 28 last week. The devastating news was shared on White’s Instagram page on Friday, September.
The caption read, “Hi everyone – this is Makena’s friend, writing with the heaviest heart to share that Makena passed away earlier this week. She is already so deeply missed by her Dad, her family, her friends, and of course by Nelly and Fergie,” her two dogs.
“Makena was one of a kind. She had this rare way of making you feel special, and her huge heart was always overflowing with love. To be loved by Makena was a gift; one that came with endless laughter, so much joy, and a healthy sprinkling of chaos as we tried to keep up with her travel schedule.”
“If you would like to honour Makena’s memory, donations to the Bruyère Brain Health & Memory Clinic or the Griffin Bell Endowment Fund would mean a lot. We love you Mak. We’ll miss you always, and we’ll be looking for you in the sunset 💛.”
A cause of death has not been made public. White is preceded in death by her mother, Crystal, who died on April 2, 2022. White commemorated her mom’s death on Instagram at the time and wrote, “01/08/53 – 04/02/22. I hope heaven has a dance floor 💛.”
While Knapp didn’t post on Instagram following White’s death, he shared a heartbreaking statement on her passing.
Jake Knapp Said, ‘It’s An Understatement To Say How Hard All Of This Is’ After His Girlfriend Died
Knapp, who’s not competing in the 2025 Ryder Cup, shared an exclusive statement with People after news of White’s death became public.
“Makena was such a thoughtful person whose selflessness toward others is something I will always appreciate,” Knapp wrote. “We shared so many unforgettable memories together and now that she’s no longer with us, it’s a tough reality to comprehend. She had an incredible family, great friends, and her fun, outgoing energy will be missed by all of us.
“It’s an understatement to say how hard all of this is to process for everyone who knew Mak, especially her family and friends, who deserve privacy and respect during this difficult time.”
Jake Knapp Didn’t Share Any Photos of Makena White On Instagram, But Left Loving Comments On Her Posts
While the 31-year-old golfer kept his Instagram page strictly sports-related, White’s Instagram page was filled with photos of the couple. The Ottawa-native was also active on Twitter despite the “crippling anxiety” she felt on social media.
White celebrated his birthday last year by calling him “the kindest, hardest working, most generous, handsome, talented person I’ll ever know.” He commented, “Best girlfriend award ❤️ See you so soooooooon ❤️.”
When White celebrated Knapp carding 12-under 59 in the opening round of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches in March, he commented, “Get this girl a united sponsorship and a backup passport ❤️.”
Pro Golfer Jake Knapp Pays Tribute After Girlfriend’s Death
Jake Knapp has broken his silence following the heartbreaking death of his girlfriend, Makena White.
Just hours after news of her passing was shared on Friday (Sept. 26), the PGA Tour golfer released an emotional statement remembering White and honoring the life they shared — however briefly.
‘It’s a Tough Reality to Comprehend’
In a statement shared exclusively with People, Knapp described White as a selfless and thoughtful person whose energy touched everyone around her.
“Makena was such a thoughtful person whose selflessness toward others is something I will always appreciate,” he wrote. “We shared so many unforgettable memories together, and now that she’s no longer with us, it’s a tough reality to comprehend.”
Knapp went on to reflect on the depth of loss felt by those closest to her: “She had an incredible family, great friends, and her fun, outgoing energy will be missed by all of us.”
Knapp added, “It’s an understatement to say how hard all of this is to process for everyone who knew Mak — especially her family and friends, who deserve privacy and respect during this difficult time.”
A Public Love, Cut Short
Knapp and White had reportedly been together since August 2023, according to NBC’s broadcast coverage of the Mexico Open in early 2024 — a tournament Knapp won.
Read More: Erika Kirk Delivers Heartbreaking Tribute to Husband Charlie Kirk — Watch + Read Full Speech
After his victory, the PGA Tour’s official account on X (formerly Twitter) shared a heartfelt video of White reacting from the crowd, celebrating alongside friends and family.
That post — along with several of White’s own Instagram tributes — offers a glimpse into a relationship full of admiration, support, and joy. One that ended far too soon
Josh Berry Calls Out the Dangers of Wrecking Teammates in NASCAR Playoffs
Following a below-average performance in the Round of 16, Wood Brothers Racing driver Josh Berry is no longer a championship contender. But his race at New Hampshire last Sunday proved that one doesn’t have to be in the playoffs to be in the middle of the typical NASCAR drama that plays out this time of the year.
He fought long and hard against his Ford teammate, Ryan Blaney, and finished the race in second place. Blaney thanked him for not crossing the lines and wrecking him, even when he had the chance to do so. Berry had raced him hard and clean. Just as any driver should race against a teammate still competing for the title.
Berry said in a Ford media call this week, “I made him work for it, for sure, but I knew if I was able to get up beside him that I was gonna have to be careful. I was gonna have to make sure that nothing bad happened.” This responsibility that he took is what earned him respect all over the garage.
It is also what Ty Gibbs failed to take when racing against his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates, Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin. The youngster made it a point not to let them pass and got wrecked by Hamlin for it. As a result of the incident, his entire team now finds itself in a toxic environment.
Berry Doesn’t Want To Be in the JGR Situation
Berry continued to note that the Team Penske/Wood Brothers Racing camp does a good job of making sure that drivers are held accountable for not taking care of their teammates. He put great value on the teammate code and expressed that a toxic environment would be the outcome if drivers aren’t punished for wrecking teammates.
He strongly believes that the non-playoff drivers have to take care of the playoff drivers. His reasoning went, “It’s bigger than you. There’s a company with hundreds of employees.”
He went on about the mood in the rival camp, “I think you need to obviously race your teammates hard, and we’re racing everybody hard, but it goes a long way if you just cut your guy a break and hopefully receive it on a later day, but you don’t want to be in a situation like they’re in.”
Berry’s mindset is refreshing to see in times when intentional wrecks have become the norm. Hopefully, more young drivers will learn from him the importance of not burning bridges for a few clicks on social media.
Ty Gibbs’ Dirty Laundry Brought Up as NASCAR Fans Give Up on JGR Star’s Redemption
Joe Gibbs’ grandson Ty Gibbs has lately been testing the patience of NASCAR fans. Early on, the young driver blasted through the ARCA Menards and Xfinity Series with speed and skill that made him a rising star. But since stepping up to the Cup level, his aggressive on-track style and high-profile clashes with teammates have sparked growing criticism. Fans have been airing frustrations and hinting at a bigger reckoning about his attitude and what it could mean for his future.
The most notable flashpoint came at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. This was where Gibbs tangled with teammate Denny Hamlin in a battle over 11th place. Hamlin, visibly frustrated, spun Gibbs out, ending his race and igniting criticism from across the NASCAR community.
Analysts pointed out that Gibbs’ actions suggested he prioritized personal gain over team strategy. Veterans like Dale Jr also questioned his motive, “I have a hard time trying to figure out Ty Gibbs…I don’t know what his motive is.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The reason this shoots up now is because it isn’t the first time with Gibbs. He has had multiple incidents of on-track aggression or controversial moves. Take the example when he wrecked his teammate, Brandon Jones, at Martinsville in 2022, a move many called selfish and “dirty.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Though he’s made statements afterwards apologizing, expressing regret, saying he wants to race more cleanly. However, fans believe that despite apologies, his actions repeat his stints. They were quick to weigh in online, debating whether this instance was a one-off rookie mistake or an addition to that pattern he’s followed.
Then came the raw discussion that left many scratching their heads. A Reddit post titled “Ty Gibbs attitude” became the epicenter of fan frustrations. Many questioned whether Gibbs would ever grasp the opportunities being handed to him in a cut-throat sport. Comments poured in dissecting his aggressive driving, clashes with teammates, and the influence of his family ties on his career trajectory. The thread painted a portrait of fans losing patience.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
The discussion has broader implications for Gibbs’ reputation and for Joe Gibbs Racing. Analysts argue that Gibbs’ talent could overshadow his accomplishments if left unchecked.
As the season continues, the pressure is mounting for Gibbs to prove that he can combine speed with accountability. But for now, fans are scrutinizing his every move and questioning whether lessons learned off the track will ever translate into maturity.
Fans don’t hold back on their feelings for Ty Gibbs
Ty Gibbs’ jump from domination to struggle in the Cup Series has been hard to miss. Fans expected him to carry his winning ways into the top tier, but a string of incidents and clashes with teammates has put his temperament under the microscope.
“I don’t know him. Haven’t liked the way he’s come off on camera or racing. It’s gotta be brutal to go from being THE guy in the lower series to not winning and seeing your new teammate winning and running for the championship, and your other two teammates winning and running for the Cup while you miss the playoffs.” It shows that while some understand the pressure Gibbs faces, many are frustrated with the way he’s handling it.
Time and experience often mellow young drivers, but some fans don’t see that with Gibbs. One wrote, “I figured he would have had some humbling the last couple of years but I do not think that’s the case at all.” The comment reflected the belief that Gibbs hasn’t grown much since his early career. Fans expected setbacks and higher-level competition to teach him patience and humility, but they feel those lessons haven’t stuck.
Certain incidents have become symbolic of the problem. After a wreck in ARCA with Jones, Gibbs’ reaction rubbed fans the wrong way. One said, “Not only were the circumstances with the Jones wreck egregious, but what really did it for me was when he went on to celebrate after like he just won the championship. Then he gets out of the car all giddy, talking about how he had to get himself a clock. It was the epitome of oblivious. And being 18 years old doesn’t even begin to excuse it. This was a very basic matter of perception and knowing right from wrong.”
The fan was pointing to more than just the celebration. They saw a young driver oblivious to how his behavior comes across, reinforcing a sense of entitlement.
But then, Gibbs’ public image, according to fans, has been shaped since his very first Xfinity race. One commenter reflected, “I’ve not been a fan of his since his first Xfinity race when he made those comments about Daytona. Not that I’m defending Daytona, but he came across as way too arrogant.” For many, arrogance early on set the tone for everything that followed. It’s a reminder that first impressions stick, and fans have long memories in motorsports.
It’s not just on-track behavior that fans are watching. They’re also concerned about his influence in the garage. One fan wrote, “The fact that he’s actively blocking Heim from joining JGR, because they didn’t like each other in ARCA, should tell you all you need to know about JGR’s future under NepoTYsm’s leadership.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Here, the criticism goes beyond driving. Fans questioned whether Gibbs’ personal grudges are shaping team decisions, which feeds the narrative of entitlement and nepotism.
Taken together, these reactions show a clear trend. Gibbs’ talent behind the wheel is unquestioned, but fans are increasingly frustrated with his attitude. Across social media, the conversation isn’t just about mistakes on track. It’s about character, growth, and whether the hype around him can survive these controversies.
Truex’s trophies: Not for sale
Martin Truex Jr. is not selling memorabilia from his NASCAR career, even though it appeared that way for a short period of time.
“It has been brought to my attention some of my trophies were for sale online,” Truex posted on social media. “These items were sold without my knowledge. Every one of these items holds a special significance to me.”
Truex made the post after online listings for trophies from his NASCAR career went viral earlier this week. Not only did it bring surprise that Truex would part with such items, such as the shirt and watch presented to him as one of NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers, and the regular-season championship trophies from 2017 and 2023 (main image), but left others posting on social media that it seemed he truly was done and walking away from all things racing.
The items were listed on the Race Day Authentics Facebook page. However, an administrator of the page has since posted:
“Earlier this morning, we received a phone call from Martin Truex’s team regarding the trophies and stuff we purchased late Tuesday evening from an individual. The person we purchased them from worked alongside Martin for over 10 years and sold the trophies to us under the assumption he had been gifted them as he was clearing out his house. We have been in contact with Martin all day and we have a plan in place to get the trophies back to their rightful owner.
“As all of our customers and teams we deal with know, we are not the type of people to go out and damage our reputation over something like this. We were lied to by the person we bought them from and we appreciate everybody being understanding with this matter. Thank you to all of our customers who continue to support us through everything and we hope to continue to bring you some more exciting stuff soon!”
Truex retired after the 2024 season after winning 34 races in the Cup Series and the 2017 championship. He ran the season-opening Daytona 500, but has not entered any additional races.
Pat McAfee’s Absurd Rumor Mill Gets Taken Down By Denny Hamlin’s ‘Wonderkid’
Pat McAfee thrives on chaos. The former NFL punter turned media firebrand took aim at NASCAR this week, dragging rising star Corey Heim into his latest offbeat rant. Heim, the Truck Series points leader with six wins and a reputation as Denny Hamlin’s handpicked prospect. The rising star suddenly found his name tied to Ram’s 2026 return. The rumor was wild enough to spark chatter across the garage, but the real twist came when Heim and his team decided to answer back.
For Heim, this kind of talk is nothing new. Ever since Denny Hamlin and 23XI Racing labeled him as their development ace, speculation about his future has been nonstop. Heim is doing way more than just racking up wins in the Truck Series. He’s also showing everyone he belongs on the Cup stage sooner rather than later. However, the cup stage may be at least another season away thanks to Toyota’s commitment. Toyota clearly sees him as a cornerstone for the future, especially with the records he’s been setting. This is a sentiment Hamlin made clear earlier this year. He said, “We think Corey is the next guy in line.” So when McAfee stirred the pot with his Ram comments, it wasn’t just about a rumor. It was about watching how Heim and his team would handle the spotlight. That response ended up being louder than the original rumor itself.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
McAfee stirs the NASCAR rumor, Heim shuts it down
On McAfee’s show, the conversation turned lighthearted but quickly spiraled. When someone mentioned Heim’s Truck dominance, McAfee jumped in with, “What’s he driving?” Once told it was a Toyota, McAfee fired back, “Wait till next year, bud. RAM has got you backed up. RAM get your ass off the track.” He even teased that Heim himself might “want this” once Ram returned. It was classic McAfee: bold, absurd, and guaranteed to spark chatter. The only problem was, none of it lined up with reality.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
TRICON Garage didn’t waste a second letting the rumor die. Their X account fired back with a blunt remark, “NAH.” Heim followed up to make things clear on his part. He conveyed that he was “more of a Toyota Tundra guy.” Just like that, the speculation was over. His loyalty to Toyota was crystal clear. In a sport where vague answers often leave doors open, this was as firm a statement as you could get. Heim had taken control of the story with a single word and a simple nod to his truck.
The whole back-and-forth also shone a spotlight on just how big Heim’s profile has become. Even an offhand comment from someone like McAfee makes headlines, showing that Heim is now a name that carries weight well beyond the Truck Series garage. And the way he handled the situation showed he’s already playing the media game like a veteran. As Ram prepares its re-entry into the Truck Series and Toyota continues building for the future, Heim’s place looks secure. Especially when he’s been breaking all sorts of records.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Corey Heim equals a NASCAR legend’s record
Corey Heim just added another bold chapter to what’s already shaping up as a historic season. At New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Heim edged out Chandler Smith by 0.823 seconds to claim his ninth win of 2025. This tied the Truck Series single-season record set by Greg Biffle in 1999. He didn’t just win. He dominated: from the pole, he swept both stages and over a hundred laps. With four races left, he now has a real shot at rewriting the record books entirely.
The feat becomes even more remarkable when framed in Heim’s career arc. In just 85 career Truck starts, Heim now owns 20 total wins, pushing him into the upper tiers of the all-time list. He’s not only chasing legacy records. Heim isn’t just winning, he’s the one name on everybody’s mind. The field is stacked, the playoffs are brutal, and yet he consistently pulls away from the pack.
After the New Hampshire race victory, Heim was in a league of his own. After the race, he spoke about how meaningful the achievement was while keeping his eyes on the remaining races. He expressed his desire to break the single-season win record and gave credit to Greg Biffle, whose mark he had tied.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Looking ahead, tying Biffle’s record places a target squarely on Heim’s back. More importantly, his rivals are watching closely, and every misstep is magnified. At the same time, this reinforces his status as a generational talent. With Toyota firmly behind him, Heim has a real shot to set even higher benchmarks before the season ends.
NASCAR Rumor: Chevy ‘Drops the Ball’ on 2026 Camaro Changes Leaving Fans Worried
The NASCAR garage is buzzing with rumors, and this one’s got fans on edge. The Next Gen car, a game-changer since its 2022 debut, was supposed to get a big upgrade for 2026, with Chevrolet teams expecting new Camaro body panels to replace the discontinued 2018-2024 design. But word’s out that those panels are stuck in limbo, and a key October 20 Roval test for a new ECU and wiring harness, built by NASCAR and McLaren, has been pushed back due to reliability hiccups.
The Next Gen era’s been all about leveling the playing field, with standardized parts like wheels, chassis, and suspensions slashing costs and tightening races. But the ECU, the car’s brain for engine management and data, is hitting snags. Teams reported issues during testing, stalling production, and forcing NASCAR to delay the Roval session.
Each team gets one car per test, so nailing this component is critical; misfire here, and you’re limping into 2026. Add in the Camaro body delay, and it’s a double whammy. The current body’s been out of production since 2024, and with no replacement in sight as of August 2025, teams might be stuck racing a mix of old and new setups.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
This isn’t just about looks. The new body panels could shift aerodynamics, affecting handling and speed, especially at high-stakes tracks like Daytona or Talladega. Teams like Hendrick and Trackhouse, Chevy’s heavy hitters, rely on precision to stay ahead of Ford and Toyota.
A botched rollout could throw a wrench into their prep, leaving drivers like Kyle Larson or Chase Elliott at a disadvantage. The November 17 Charlotte oval test is now under a cloud, with no clear timeline for when the new panels will arrive. It’s a logistical mess, and fans are feeling the heat.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
NASCAR’s no stranger to tech growing pains. The 2018 spec pit gun rollout was a nightmare. Kyle Busch trashed it after Bristol fumbles, but teams adapted, and it faded into the background. The 2022 single-lug wheel had its own drama, with loose wheels costing Bubba Wallace and Christopher Bell penalties. A spec ECU and body delay could follow that script, early chaos, then a new normal. But with the season creeping closer, the clock’s ticking louder than a V8 at full throttle.
The bigger picture is about NASCAR’s push for innovation versus reliability. The new ECU isn’t about more horsepower, despite some fan hopes for a hybrid powertrain, but better data and engine control. McLaren’s tech is top-tier, but these glitches show how tough it is to integrate cutting-edge systems across 36 races. Chevy’s delay on the Camaro body only adds fuel to the fire, raising questions about whether the Bowtie brigade’s ready to roll.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Fans are torn; some see it as a hiccup, others a sign Chevy’s dropping the ball at a critical moment. Reddit is a wildfire of worry over Chevy’s 2026 stumbles.
Fans freak out on Reddit
“The more worrying detail is the one about Chevy teams not having the 2026 body panels yet. We’re 4 months away from Daytona, and Chevy is gonna MASSIVELY drop the ball if we have a field that’s even 70/30 teams with 2025 and 2026 cars,” one fan vented.
The Camaro’s been out of production since 2024, and with no new body style confirmed by August 2025, the fear’s real; teams could hit Daytona with a patchwork of old and new panels, throwing off aero and fairness. Hendrick and Trackhouse thrive on consistency, and this delay could leave Larson or William Byron playing catch-up.
“Will the Chevy drivers be called ‘Ghost Riders’ in 2026? Since the ghost of Camaro returns,” another quipped, poking fun at the outdated Camaro body haunting the grid. It’s a playful jab, but it stings. Chevy’s stuck running a discontinued design while Ford and Toyota push forward. Fans love the Camaro’s legacy, but racing a “ghost” feels like a step back.
“This is either: A new ECU related to the increased HP, which would explain why they ultimately killed the idea of bringing in the new package this year. Or a new ECU related to a rumored hybrid powertrain,” one speculated. The ECU’s about data, not power, but the hybrid rumors got folks dreaming, even if NASCAR’s mum on it.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“On a scale from whatever to panic, how much should we care?” a user asked, summing up the unease. The Roval test delay and ECU glitches are bad enough, but the body panel lag has fans sweating. Will teams be ready by February?
“Anyone have any idea what Chevy has cooking for 2026?” another begged. With no official word from Chevy or NASCAR, the silence is deafening. Fans see shades of past Next Gen woes, pit gun flops, loose wheels, and worry Chevy’s teams, from Spire to Richard Childress Racing, could start 2026 behind the eight ball, leaving the Cup Series’ competitive edge in question.
Amy Earnhardt Fails to Hold Back Tears as Dale Jr’s Family Faces Tragedy
NASCAR drivers have always been a tight-knit bunch, and their bonds often extend to their four-legged family members, who tag along for the ride and offer a steadying paw amid the chaos. Shane van Gisbergen, the Aussie Supercars champ now tearing up NASCAR, hauls his 130-pound Rhodesian Ridgeback, Ronald, everywhere, even flying him 21 hours from Australia with a custom crate. It’s that kind of loyalty that keeps SVG grounded.
Ryan Blaney’s no different, with his Shepherd/Lab mix, Sturgill, rescued in 2018, as his constant trackside buddy. Blaney calls him his “guy,” especially when the kids aren’t around, a furry anchor in the whirlwind of race weeks. Losing a pet hits like a lap 1 wreck, sudden, shattering, and leaving you spinning for weeks. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his wife Amy know that pain all too well.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Amy’s tearful goodbye to Junebug
On the latest Bless Your ‘Hardt episode, Dale and Amy Earnhardt got raw about their pet Junebug’s passing. Dale Jr started, “Amy, we lost Junebug. He was 14 years old. A teacup Pomeranian, you could hold him in your hands. He was so tiny and perfect.” Junebug joined the family during their early years, a pocket-sized bundle of joy who fit right into their nomadic life. Amy and Dale Jr often shared stories of his playful antics, a little spark of normalcy amid racing’s roar.
Amy’s voice cracked as she recalled, “Junebug was so tiny he could sit on the corner of my laptop while I worked. He didn’t have any manners and would run off into the woods thinking he was funny, and we’d have to close the door and wait for him to come back.” Those quirky escapes were classic Junebug, mischievous and independent, always turning heads. The family’s grief is a shared wave, with Amy holding him as he slipped away.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“I’m going to miss him. I was holding him when he passed away, which I’m grateful for because choosing to put him down would have been harder. He was sleeping next to me, and as soon as I picked him up to go outside, he passed away. I feel like he waited for me to wake up,” she said. That quiet grace, waiting for her touch, makes the loss even more poignant.
The ripple hit the kids, too. “Isla was sad yesterday again, so I think she’s going to go in and out of it with me.” Daughters Isla Rose and Nicole Lorraine are navigating the waves of grief right alongside their parents, a family united in missing their little shadow. Junebug’s health had been fading since a 2025 stroke that messed with his balance, but his spirit stayed bright. Amy’s tears on the podcast hit fans hard, a reminder that even NASCAR royalty feels the ache of everyday loss.
Amy’s emotional tribute to Junebug echoes the deeper bonds in NASCAR, where family, furry or otherwise, grounds the high-speed life. It’s that same heart that drives Dale Jr.’s passion for the sport’s soul, like his recent plea for a return to the full-season points system.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Dale Jr. pushes for full-season playoff
On Actions Detrimental, Dale Jr. laid it out: “What I am missing right now is the heavy drama that would play out in the regular season.” The playoffs, with their resets and eliminations, have fans tuning out once their driver clinches a spot, killing the year-long tension.
He reminisced about his dad, Dale Earnhardt Sr., in a tight 1980s battle with Rusty Wallace at Charlotte, where a cam failure dropped him 80 points back. “We don’t go to a race track in the summer and leave with pure elation because our favorite driver just extended his points lead from 25 to 80, or he crawled himself out of a hole,” Dale Jr. said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The highs aren’t as high, the lows aren’t as low, and the playoffs’ chaos neuters that emotional rollercoaster. The final call comes after 2025’s Phoenix finale on November 2, with the playoff committee’s mid-September meeting narrowing options like a top 10/12 plus winners or a four-race championship.
Until then, Dale Jr.’s words, wrapped in the family warmth of Amy’s Junebug story, remind us NASCAR is at its best when every race feels like it matters, win or wreck.
NASCAR playoffs at Kansas: Where to watch, live stream, race preview, pick to win for the Hollywood Casino 400
If there was one major takeaway from the opening race of the Round of 12 at New Hampshire, it’s that the way teams perform in the most critical portion of the season goes a long way toward whether they can win a Cup Series championship.
In a dominant performance highlighted by Ryan Blaney’s win, Team Penske reminded everyone yet again that the path to a Cup championship runs through them as they seek their fourth straight. And that reminder came through an on-track display of cohesion that was decidedly the opposite of what was displayed by another one of NASCAR’s top programs in Joe Gibbs Racing.
With Blaney and Team Penske already having moved onto the Round of 8, it’s up to the other playoff teams to respond in the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, the middle race in the second round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. While Ross Chastain and Trackhouse Racing enter this race as its defending winner, it is Hendrick Motorsports and Kyle Larson who present the rest of the field with its target to beat after a dominant performance in the spring where the No. 5 Chevrolet led 221 of 267 laps.
NASCAR playoffs 2025 race schedule, results: Complete list of Cup Series race dates, winners, tracks
Steven Taranto
Where to watch the NASCAR playoffs at Kansas
Date: Sun., Sept. 28 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Kansas Speedway — Kansas City, Kan.
TV: USA | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
Storyline to watch
After a Round of 16 sweep led to talk of Joe Gibbs Racing potentially dominating the playoffs, the narrative surrounding the organization has now swung swiftly in the other direction thanks to on-track drama from a week ago in New Hampshire. After a sequence where Ty Gibbs — who took umbrage with the way teammate Christopher Bell had raced him — made life extremely difficult for both Bell and Denny Hamlin racing for a spot outside the top 10, Hamlin finally spun Gibbs out and put him in the wall, leading to public tensions over the manner in which Gibbs had raced his playoff contender teammates as well as his alleged influence as the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs.
With neither Hamlin or Gibbs saying anything of substance at the racetrack, things instead played out over their own respective media platforms: In an Instagram story, Gibbs posted a clip from Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast with a pointing emoji in apparent agreement with Harvick’s assertion that Hamlin spun Gibbs out on purpose. Hamlin, meanwhile, articulated his issues on
Brad Keselowski Warns NASCAR Against Financial Doomsday in Grave 6-Word Exposé
NASCAR’s got a problem, and it’s not just the racing. The sport’s staring down a financial cliff, with TV viewership tanking and the whole business model hanging by a thread. In 2025, Cup Series races are pulling in just 2.52 million viewers on average, a 13% drop from 2024’s 2.916 million. Even the big dogs are hurting. New Hampshire’s playoff race scraped by with 1.29 million eyeballs, a brutal 28% slide from last year.
Fewer viewers mean less leverage when NASCAR sits down to hash out those big media rights deals, the lifeblood of purses and team budgets. With sponsorships already a tightrope walk, the sport is feeling the pinch like never before. Brad Keselowski, driver and co-owner of RFK Racing, isn’t mincing words; he dropped a six-word bombshell that sums it up: “Wholly reliant on the TV money.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Keselowski’s warning rings alarm bells
On Stacking Pennies, Keselowski laid it out plain, “The number one problem with the sport right now is the model with the tracks. The tracks aren’t able to generate enough revenue on their own. They’re wholly reliant on the TV money and they’re comfortable with that, which is the scariest part of all.”
He’s hitting the nail on the head. About 65% of NASCAR’s revenue comes from media rights, flowing to tracks and teams. But with attendance down since the late ‘90s, when Daytona pulled 200,000 fans in person, tracks are leaning on TV dollars instead of ticket sales. That’s a risky bet when viewership’s crumbling.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
He didn’t stop there, “That creates a subset of problems… where the teams have to [find revenue] because they’re not necessarily incentivized. That flows down into revenue problems for the teams, which makes the teams wholly reliant on sponsorship.” NASCAR teams live or die by sponsor logos, with 60-80% of their budgets coming from them. When big names like Lowe’s ditched Jimmie Johnson in 2018 or Target left Chip Ganassi in 2017, it was a body blow. Drivers like Ross Chastain or Bubba Wallace are as much brand ambassadors as racers, hustling for Fortune 500 deals to keep the lights on.
Keselowski’s take on the charter system cuts deep: “Fortune 500 companies or they don’t have a job… the charter system… is a reflection of the fact that the teams needed some protection against a revenue model that’s just not strong enough to sustain them.” Introduced in 2016, charters guaranteed entry and boosted team valuations, with Hendrick and 23XI charters hitting $25-30 million by 2023, but it’s a patch, not a fix. Smaller teams like Spire or Rick Ware Racing can’t keep up with Hendrick’s war chest, and sponsorship dependence leaves everyone vulnerable.
The structural issue stings, “You look at your typical sports team… Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets… their arena costs are paid for by the city. NASCAR doesn’t have that, so they’re beholden to a different model.” Unlike the NFL’s Panthers, who got $87.5 million from Charlotte for stadium upgrades, NASCAR tracks like Daytona or Homestead foot their own bills, like Daytona’s $400 million Rising project. That puts pressure on every race weekend to deliver.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
“Some have done a good job with that, but not enough. Look at Las Vegas Motor Speedway or here in Charlotte, where they have a lot of external events… but others have not been able to do that,” Keselowski noted. Tracks like Vegas, with its Electric Daisy Carnival, or Charlotte’s holiday lights rake in millions off-season, but rural spots like Martinsville lean on two race days a year, leaving them exposed if fans don’t show.
Keselowski’s financial warning ties right into his gripes about the racing itself, where the Next Gen car’s lack of juice is hurting the show and the dollars.
Keselowski calls for more horsepower
On Stacking Pennies, he didn’t hold back, “The Next Gen car changed me in some ways for the worse as a driver because you have to drive it way differently. You know, the cars in 2008, 2009, first off, were significantly faster… My first Cup start was at Texas, and you could literally spin the tires off the corner. You did. You spun the tires up.”
Compare that to now, “Like, all right, here it goes. But you know what I mean? Like I’m in an old pickup truck.” The numbers back him up. Ryan Blaney’s 2025 New Hampshire pole was 29.159 seconds, while Keselowski’s 2014 track record was a blistering 27.281. Today’s 670-hp engines pale next to 2014’s 900 hp, and Corey Heim’s faster Truck Series pole this year just twists the knife.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
NASCAR’s tried tire compounds at Bristol to spice things up, but Keselowski’s on team horsepower, “NASCAR has tried to address this with tire compounds that wear out and lose grip faster at some tracks, like Bristol, which might not be needed if they were more powerful.” Younger drivers, raised on the Next Gen’s 670 hp, burn tires faster, lacking the finesse of the high-horsepower era.
NASCAR’s eyeing a boost to 740-750 hp for short tracks in 2026, but costs are a hurdle. Keselowski’s point is clear. Better racing could pull fans back, boosting ratings and easing the TV money crunch. His old-school passion, from spinning tires at Texas to begging for drama, mirrors the fight to keep NASCAR’s financial engine running. If the sport doesn’t rev up, Keselowski’s doomsday warning might just come true.
Denny Hamlin Should Rescue Kyle Busch’s Struggling NASCAR Career, Claims Insider
Remember the 2010 NASCAR All-Star race at Charlotte? Battling in the final 10-lap shootout, Denny Hamlin forced then-teammate Kyle Busch into the wall. Over the radio, Busch exploded, “Somebody better keep me away from Denny Hamlin after this race. I am going to kill that m———–. I had this race won. Won.” However, the relationship has evolved since then, and the two aren’t engaged in such fiery situations for the win. And with Busch riding on a winless streak since 2023, several solutions have been offered, and the most recent involves his rival and friend, Denny Hamlin.
It is no secret that Kyle Busch’s 2025 season has been a frustrating one. So far, he has logged just two top fives and eight top tens and has only led 62 laps in 30 races. His best outing came on the Chicago Street course, where he clawed back to 5th despite a spin and penalty, but inconsistency and car issues have plagued his campaign. Still with a fresh contract extension through 2026 with Richard Childress Racing, the veteran insists the focus remains on finding speed and turning his luck around before the season slips away. However, there may be one alternative, and Danielle Trotta thinks that it is time for Denny Hamlin to play the white knight.
Speaking on Rubbin’ is Racing, Danielle Trotta has carved out a path for Denny Hamlin to save Kyle Busch from his slump: “I’ll tell you where I would want to put him if I could. I would put him in that third 23XI car. He has a really good relationship with Denny. They get along great. He knows the Toyota landscape. Riley Herbst is not performing, and he’s got a little money that he brings with him in sponsorship. Like, if I’m Denny, if I’m Kyle, I’m like, ‘Bro, do your boy a favor. Get me in your car.’ Yeah. I want to win again.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Denny Hamlin, who co-owns 23XI Racing, will have quite a decision to make if this claim comes true. It is no secret that Riley Herbst has had quite a rollercoaster of a rookie season in the Cup Series. Driving the No. 35 for 23XI Racing, he hasn’t cracked the top 10 just yet, but has turned heads with a string of solid performances, a notable 14th at Talladega, 17th at Daytona, Atlanta, and COTA, and 19th at Las Vegas, keeping his nose clean with 343 points.
Moreover, Herbst has only led one lap and is sitting nil on wins, top fives, and pole positions. He has an average start of 27.23 and an average finish of 26.10 with 3 DNFs. But in NASCAR, performance matters, and when you are the only driver in your camp that has not made it into the playoffs, eyebrows are bound to be raised. And who knows, Kyle Busch might actually get a breakthrough with a potential place at 23XI Racing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
However, Trotta believes that Busch has more in him before he decides to call it quits: “Yeah. I don’t know if he, but I don’t think he should hang it up. I hope he is. I mean, I know what you’re saying. Like, it’s hard to watch him run in the back, but I don’t want to see him walk away.”
And if you think about it, 23XI Racing would be the perfect fit for Busch. The team has benefited from Toyota’s overall dominance in the Round of 16 and circled the wagons around Bubba Wallace and Reddick by avoiding real elimination danger in that stretch. Meanwhile, Wallace had been the stronger contributor for the team; he led all playoff drivers in stage points (35) and continuously positioned himself as a championship threat. Reddick, on the other hand, has hovered near the bubble; after entering the round below the cut line, he has shown flashes like a runner-up at Darlington.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
However, currently, the duo sits below the cut-off line as the NASCAR Cup garage heads to Kansas Speedway. Tyler Reddick is positioned 11th in the standings with 23 points below the cut line, and Bubba Wallace is 12th with 27 points. It is going to be an uphill battle for the team to make it into the Round of 8, but so far, they have been delivering. And amid all this, Kyle Busch’s crew chief has left the veteran to be part of Connor Zilisch’s team, abandoning the two-time champion.
But now, when it matters the most, one NASCAR veteran believes in his ex-rival (Busch) more than ever.
Kevin Harvick overcomes his hate and demands hope for a Busch redemption
On the Happy Hour podcast, Kevin Harvick confessed that once he passionately hated ‘Rowdy.’ But hate has faded into something heavier: disappointment. Looking at Busch’s current slump, Harvick couldn’t help but wince: “I can’t imagine Kyle Busch going out like this. It’s bad for everything. It’s bad for the sport. It’s bad for him. It’s bad for everything that says ‘Kyle Busch.’ I hate to see where it’s at.” For Harvick, it’s not about rivalry anymore; it’s about watching a two-time champion stuck in quicksand, with no clear way out.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
And it’s not the car to blame, as Austin Dillon, Kyle Busch’s teammate, managed to snag a win this year while Busch continues to struggle. The mystery isn’t just in the numbers but in the pit box too. Crew chief Randall Burnett, who has been glued to the No. 8 team since 2020, is already packing his bag for Trackhouse Racing’s Connor Zilisch in 2026. Harvick’s old buddy Rodney Childers was floated as a replacement, but he is off to JR Motorsports instead. That leaves Busch standing in the garage with more questions than answers. Harvick added, “I don’t believe Kyle Busch is that bad. I have a hard time believing that. So, it’s definitely kind of a mess.”
Time isn’t exactly his teammate anymore. Retirement whispers are getting louder than before. But before Busch hangs up his helmet, fans and even Harvick are desperate for one last flash of vintage ‘Rowdy.’ The lap-leading, trash-talking, fire-breathing Busch that made NASCAR love and loathe him all at once. For now, though, it feels like the sport is waiting for a comeback that may never come.
Why a Cincinnati car is at the center of a NASCAR Cup Series race
A Cincinnati-branded racecar is at the center of a NASCAR Cup Series race.
Driver William Byron will operate the No. 24 Cincinnati Chevrolet on Sept. 28 at Kansas Speedway as he vies for a spot in the next round of the playoffs.
Why Cincinnati?
The car actually features the logo for Cincinnati Incorporated, a machine tool manufacturer based in Harrison which sponsors Byron and the Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 Chevrolet team.
Sunday is the first time the design will be on the track, according to Hendrick Motorsports.
Cincinnati Incorporated plans to be a primary sponsor for the same team on Oct. 26 at the Martinsville Speedway. A new paint scheme will be used in this race.
Rafaela’s walk-off triple clinches first Red Sox postseason spot since 2021
On a September night as warm as July, the Boston Red Sox kicked down the doors of October baseball for the first time since 2021, with a come-from-behind walk-off that will not be forgotten any time soon.
But for most of the nearly three-hour game, it seemed champagne and beer showers would have to wait another day.
The Red Sox have asked a lot of their young arms this year, and more often than not, they have delivered. That was not the case for left-hander Kyle Harrison, whose Fenway Friday ended when he allowed five men to reach without recording an out in the fourth inning. Over three innings (plus five batters in the fourth) he yielded three earned runs on seven hits, struck out six, and walked three.
Harrison threw 65 pitches in his first career start against the Tigers. Struggling to find the zone, only 37 were for strikes. He issued two four-pitch walks when loading the bases in the first; Jarren Duran’s leaping catch prevented the Tigers from capitalizing, but he could only prolong the inevitable. The Tigers stranded a two-out single apiece in the second and third.
It took Harrison, Justin Slaten, and Steven Matz nine batters to complete a fourth inning that could have gone even worse than a 3-0 Tigers lead. When Harrison loaded the bases and gave up an RBI single and two-run double, Alex Cora could wait no longer.
Casey Mize, meanwhile, needed only 59 pitches to bulldoze his way the first five innings; 60, after Duran’s first-pitch leadoff groundout in the sixth. The Tigers righty set the Red Sox down in order in the first, third, fifth and sixth. In total, he struck out eight in a walk-less 7.1 innings.
After the Tigers took a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth, it was promising to see the home team answer back immediately. Alex Bregman’s ground-rule double and Masataka Yoshida’s RBI single put a run on the board to begin the bottom of the fourth, but just as quickly as the Red Sox rally began, it ended on a Romy Gonzalez lineout and Ceddanne Rafaela double play.
Yoshida’s leadoff single and Rafaela’s 33rd double finally knocked Mize out of the game in the seventh. Rafaela missed a game-tying two-run homer by mere inches; held by the Monster, it instead put two in scoring position and brought Tigers manager A.J. Hinch out to the mound. Nathaniel Lowe greeted Kyle Finnegan with a sacrifice fly that brought Boston within a run before the Tigers righty reliever could end the seventh.
Garrett Whitlock, the last vestige of the pitching staff from Boston’s most recent playoff run, shifted the energy in the top of the eighth. Dillon Dingler went down swinging. So did Parker Meadows. And, with the sold-out crowd of 37,052 on their feet and hanging on every pitch, so did Javier Báez. The jubilant roars flowed into “Sweet Caroline” like a stream of water.
Back out for the bottom of the eighth, Finnegan attempted to pick up where he’d left off. Instead, the inning unraveled just long enough for the Red Sox to create a brand-new ballgame. Carlos Narváez led off with a single, then walked back to the dugout as Nate Eaton took his place. Eaton didn’t remain on first for long; a stolen base and error by catcher Dingler brought the speedster to third. His sojourn at the hot corner lasted mere seconds. Jarren Duran lined a low single through the left side of the infielder, and Eaton raced home.
Tie game.
The Fenway Faithful began to rise as closer Aroldis Chapman worked around a Justyn-Henry Malloy’s pinch-hit leadoff double, and when he punched out Torkelson, they drowned out their own cheers from the previous inning.
They were still standing moments later when everything finally came together for the Red Sox. It began with Romy Gonzalez’s one-out single to center. It ended with Rafaela’s RBI triple.
But in truth, it was not the end.
This is only the beginning.
Red Sox clinch playoff berth for first time since 2021, become third AL East team to make MLB postseason
The Boston Red Sox became Major League Baseball’s latest team to clinch a playoff berth and did so in dramatic fashion on Friday night. They trailed 3-1 through six innings, but then scored a run in the seventh and another in the eighth to tie it up heading to the ninth inning. And then Ceddanne Rafaela hit a playoff-clinching walk-off triple that scored Romy Gonzalez from first base.
In turn, the Red Sox will be making their first trip to the postseason since 2021, when they lost to the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series.
Boston can credit its success to a few key contributors in particular. Southpaw Garrett Crochet, acquired from the Chicago White Sox last offseason, had a year that could earn him a second-place finish in AL Cy Young Award voting. Homegrown outfielders Rafaela and Jarren Duran ranked second and third on Boston’s roster in Wins Above Replacement — to think that’s without touching on injured rookie sensation Roman Anthony. On the infield, shortstop Trevor Story authored an impressive bounce-back season while third baseman Alex Bregman demonstrated why the Red Sox were thrilled to sign him over the winter.
It was Bregman’s signing, of course, that directly led to the Rafael Devers drama and subsequent trade earlier this summer. CBS Sports recently detailed how both sides, the Red Sox and the San Francisco Giants, had benefitted from that swap. The Red Sox were only 36-36 when they made the deal, having since vindicated top executive Craig Breslow’s prediction that his team would perform better after the trade was completed.
The Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and Seattle Mariners are the other AL squads to punch their tickets to the tournament. That leaves two more spots open on the Junior Circuit’s side of the bracket: the AL Central winner and the other wild card representative. That also makes Boston the third AL East team to secure a spot in October.
Dodger fan says tickets were stolen from MLB Ballpark app
LOS ANGELES (KABC) — As it heads into playoff season, Major League Baseball is dealing with a flurry of online ticket thefts tied to its Ballpark app.
Across the country, app users are reporting tickets that have disappeared, many times leaving fans stuck outside stadiums turned away or forced to buy new tickets.
The Reds beat the Brewers and control their playoff fate again
MILWAUKEE − The Cincinnati Reds are back in control of their playoff fate with two games remaining in the 2025 MLB regular season.
The Reds got the help they needed elsewhere in the form of a New York Mets loss to the Miami Marlins, and helped themselves with a 3-1 victory in their Sept. 26 series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers at a sold-out American Family Field.
The Mets’ 6-2 loss in Miami, coupled with the Reds’ win, pulled the teams into a tie for the third and final National League wild card berth on identical 82-78 records. Cincinnati holds every two-way and three-way tiebreaker. By virtue of winning the season series against New York, 4-2, Cincinnati would earn the final wild card berth if the teams finish with identical records.
The third team in this equation is the Arizona Diamondbacks, who the Reds led by one game when play started and were still in action when Cincinnati and Milwaukee went final.
On Sept. 27, the Reds will send All-Star Andrew Abbott (9-7, 2.80 ERA) to the mound for a 7:15 p.m. (ET) game in the hope of taking another step toward the postseason. Abbott is scheduled to be opposed by Robert Gasser, who will be making just second start of 2025.
In Miami on Sept. 27, the Mets and Marlins are scheduled for a 4:10 p.m. (ET) contest. The day could end with the Reds confirmed for the MLB postseason if they win and New York loses again (and the Diamondbacks would also be eliminated).
Runs weren’t plentiful for the Reds against the Brewers’ starting pitcher Quinn Priester in the series opener. Cincinnati still managed to rough up Priester for nine hits and three runs after Milwaukee took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning.
Cincinnati came right back and tied the game in the top of the fourth on a Spencer Steer single that scored Gavin Lux.
In the sixth inning, Miguel Andujar singled home Lux, who led the inning off with a double and took third on an error. Andujar later scored on a Tyler Stephenson sacrifice fly for a 3-1 lead.
All the while, Cincinnati’s pitching staff silenced the Brewers’ bats. Reds starter Zack Littell (no decision) went four and 2/3 innings, allowing a lone run and three hits. He was relieved by Connor Phillips (one and 1/3 innings) after an Elly De La Cruz error that would have ended the Milwaukee at-bar. Phillips got the Reds through the error anyway, and was followed in relief by Graham Ashcraft (one inning, no hits), Tony Santillan (one inning, one walk) and Emilio Pagán (one inning), who earned his 31st save in 37 opportunities.
The Enquirer will update this game.
Shohei Ohtani Edges Aaron Judge Again With 3rd Consecutive Major MLB Milestone
Crushed his 54th home run of the season, threw over 40 innings on the mound, helped the Dodgers clinch their fourth straight NL West title—safe bet that it’s Shohei Ohtani’s world. We’re just living in it. Matching the magnitude of his on-field accolades, it’s his jersey sales that continue to lead the pack. For the third consecutive season, the two-way superstar has led the way in MLB jersey sales while vying for the NL MVP award.
MLB has been tracking jersey sales for fifteen years. Since then, only three players—Derek Jeter (2010–12), Aaron Judge (2017–19), and Mookie Betts (2020–22)—have led for three straight years. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani didn’t even make it to the top 20 in 2019 and 2020. Largely because injuries derailed his season, keeping him out for 72 games across those two seasons.
On the other hand, leading AL MVP candidate Aaron Judge ranks second for most popular MLB jerseys since the 2025 Opening Day. Interestingly, Judge’s AL MVP rival Cal Raleigh, who leads the league with 60 home runs, ranks last, 20th, in that list.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Now, besides Ohtani topping the list, the reigning World Series winners have a heavy presence there. Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw, who will retire after this season, holds the No. 12. Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts are at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively.
But Shohei Ohtani leading the jersey sales didn’t exactly come as a surprise.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
After all, even his memorabilia has spiked to unprecedented values. His last season’s 50th home run ball was sold for a whopping $4.392 million—the most expensive baseball ever.
Moreover, he’s one of the only three active players, alongside Mike Trout and Paul Skenes, with a $1 million trading card. Now that he’s right on pace to win the NL MVP this season. And if he wins, he will have secured more MVP awards (four) compared to the years leading MLB in jersey sales.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
It’s hard to argue that he loves to make wild history.
Shohei Ohtani scored more runs than any Dodger in centuries
When Ohtani homered in the Dodgers’ win against the Diamondbacks on Thursday, it marked his 54th home run of the season. That matched the franchise record set by Ohtani himself in 2024. That’s why they say if there’s someone who can beat Shohei Ohtani, it’s Ohtani himself.
While that feat is incredible on its own, there’s more.
In the fourth inning of that game, when he touched home plate, he recorded the 144th run of the season. With that, he broke Babe Herman’s total for Brooklyn in 1930 for the most in the modern era in franchise history.
To find out the only two others who have scored more runs than Shohei Ohtani in 2025, we will have to go back to the 1800s.
Hub Collins (1890): 148 runs
Darby O’Brien (1889): 146 runs
Shohei Ohtani (2025): 144 runs
Not to forget, the season hasn’t ended yet. Shohei Ohtani is still in the middle of the Dodgers-Mariners three-game set at T-Mobile Park. So, he may score even more. But even if he doesn’t, Shotime has already done what nobody could in the 1900s.
Rightfully so, he even earned praise from Andrew Friedman recently.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
While speaking with ESPN, Friedman expressed, “I can’t say enough for a star of that level to be so selfless in opening the door to whatever we think gives us the best chance to win.”
MLB Slammed as Local Broadcasters’ Reaction to Red Sox’s Potential Playoff Clinch on Apple TV Revealed
You could definitely call tonight’s matchup between the Red Sox and Tigers an all-or-nothing game for Boston. Because a win would lock up their first postseason spot since 2021, and you can imagine the buzz among Sox fans. Till yesterday, Boston was at 87–72, and everyone was hoping to see that 88th win seal a Wild Card berth. And the job is done! But for fans?
A majority of them might have missed the action. Courtesy: MLB’s media policy.
Unless you’re heading to Fenway, tuning in from home won’t be so simple. Normally, fans would flip over to NESN, the team’s broadcast partner, but this one did not air there. That means no local TV coverage, leaving MLB fans scrambling for other ways to catch the action. But fans could have still watched the live action hidden behind a paywall. Reportedly, Apple TV was broadcasting the game, and surely NESN isn’t happy about that…
“Let me make myself clear: I think the game should be on NESN. I think MLB is doing a massive disservice to fans by having a game like this behind a paywall. At least they shouldn’t allow games in September to be streaming only. I assure you, NESN is not happy to lose the game.” NESN announcer Tom Caron didn’t hide his frustration over MLB’s weird broadcasting decision.
A massive disservice to MLB fans? Caron thinks so because watching this particular game would come with additional costs.
Tonight’s game didn’t stream on FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, NESN, or any regular cable channel, but streaming only on Apple TV+ as part of the Friday Night Baseball package. And that comes with a cost!
An Apple TV+ subscription runs $9.99 a month, but there are a couple of ways fans can watch without paying, too.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
For instance, if you’ve recently bought a new Apple device, you might qualify for a three-month free trial. So, while most Boston fans are subscribed to their local media, NESN, they would need to put an additional effort/cost to watch a single game. For Caron, that’s enough disservice for MLB fans.
MLB’s local vs. national media battle continues
It is well known that MLB is struggling to match NFL and NBA in initiating uniform national media rights for all the games. And the dominance of local media rights by certain teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, and Dodgers is what is making things even more difficult.
Back in March 2022, Apple struck a seven-year deal with MLB worth $85 million per year for exclusive rights to stream Friday night games. These matchups air only on Apple TV+ and aren’t subject to local blackout rules. At first, Apple offered the first half of the 2022 season for free. But since then, you need an Apple TV+ subscription to watch.
That means every Friday night game is off local networks like NESN, and fans have to subscribe to Apple TV+ to tune in to their favorite pastime. And it is hurting the interests of fans the most.
Red Sox fans are feeling that frustration now, and the same happened with Dodgers fans, too. They missed out on Clayton Kershaw’s final home start because it was locked behind Apple TV+.
So, what’s next?
With MLB commissioner Rob Manfred pushing to bring all teams under national media deals, there’s hope for a smoother setup down the road. But for now, fans will still have to deal with some big games being tucked away behind a paywall.
Respected MLB Writer Makes Opinion Known In Aaron Judge vs Cal Raleigh MVP Debate
According to Jayson Stark, there is no wrong answer in the Aaron Judge vs Cal Raleigh debate for American League MVP.
Yet, according to the longtime MLB writer for The Athletic, the New York Yankees captain should be the MVP of the league for the third time in his legendary career — and second straight year — in spite of the Seattle Mariners catcher’s record-setting home run total in 2025.
Raleigh became the fourth player in American League history, and seventh of major-league history, to hit 60 home runs — including Judge, who set the AL record by hitting 62 homers in 2022. Raleigh broke the major-league home run record for catchers and has carried the M’s to their first division title since 2001.
Yet, Judge is also having another astronomical year and is about to win his first batting title of his legendary career. He is second, behind Raleigh, in the AL in home runs (52) — despite the fact he missed 11 games with an elbow injury that has affected his play.
Judge is ‘Orbiting A Different Planet’ Offensively
Stark, who has previously written for ESPN and has been at The Athletic for years, laid out the case for Judge over Raleigh.
“I don’t know if it’s hit you yet that Aaron Judge is having another one of those seasons,” Stark wrote. “Unless something weird happens this weekend, he’s going to lead his league in average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, runs scored, total bases, walks, most times on base, Win Probability Added and wins above replacement. Does that seem good?”
Judge is known primarily as a power hitter, since he is now one of four players with four 50-homer seasons in major-league history. So the fact Raleigh has out-homered Judge this year, especially as a catcher and with potential voter fatigue with Judge, has created a spot for Raleigh to win the award.
Yet, Stark reminded voters — and fans, alike — why the Yankees slugger has been immensely valuable in pushing the Yankees back to the October for the eighth time in his 10-year major-league career.
“It’s easier to lock in on when all you have to do is count home runs,” Stark wrote. “But just because Judge isn’t going to make that kind of history this year, we shouldn’t overlook the staggering season he is having, while reviving his team from an August funk and leading it back to October.”
Stark: ‘No Wrong Answers’ in Raleigh vs Judge Debate
Stark dropped some history lessons that simply hitting the most home runs isn’t the be-all end-all, especially since Mark McGwire hit 70 home runs for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1998 and lost the MVP to Sammy Sosa. Plus, Mickey Mantle hit 54 homers and lost MVP to Roger Maris in 1961, the latter of whom hit an AL-record 61 home runs.
Yet, Stark also addressed those trying to make the case for Raleigh and admitted there are no absolutes to the argument.
“There are no wrong answers in this debate!” Stark wrote. “I wish I could cast this imaginary vote for the catcher for the Mariners. But it’s not an insult to Raleigh to say he finished second to the greatest right-handed hitter of the last 100 years.”
Cal Raleigh’s Mariners teammate made MLB history of his own
While the 2025 season will be forever remembered by Seattle Mariners fans as the summer of Cal Raleigh, it was one of his teammates who made MLB history on Friday night.
In the series opener of Seattle’s regular season finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Josh Naylor, who started the year with the Arizona Diamondbacks before a trade, picked up his 30th stolen base. After stealing 11 bags with Arizona, Naylor now has 19 as a Mariner.
But Naylor’s 30 stolen base season means more than just achieving a new career-high — his previous single-season best was 10 in 2023.
Naylor, a primary first baseman who also occasionally serves as a designated hitter like on Friday, is now among some rare company historically.
Josh Naylor joins exclusive club
He’s one of only three first baseman in MLB history to hit 20 home runs and steal 30 or more bases in a season. Naylor has exactly 20 home runs and 92 RBI.
Before Naylor, only Astros legend Jeff Bagwell — he did it twice in 1997 and 1999 — and current Yankee Paul Goldschmidt, who did it in 2016 as a Diamondback, reached at least 20 home runs and 30 steals in the same season.
To further emphasize Naylor’s overall contributions to Seattle’s memorable season, he entered the weekend with a .294 batting average, an on-base percentage of .353, a slug of .462 and an .815 OPS.
So even though Raleigh is stealing most of the headlines thanks to setting a new standard of power for catchers, Naylor made sure to finish his season with a piece of history of his own and show why it took a total team effort for the Mariners to win the franchise’s first American League West division title since 2001.
MLB magic numbers, playoff matchups: Red Sox clinch; Mets lose spot to Reds (9/27/25)
With 160 games down and two to go in MLB’s 26-week season, two division titles and two wild card spots still are on the line.
Three things were decided on Friday night:
The Red Sox clinched a wild card spot with a walk-off win over the Tigers.
With the Mariners losing, the AL East winner is guaranteed of being the top seed in the American League playoffs.
The Diamondbacks were mathematically eliminated from wild-card contention.
This also was a good night for the Reds, who caught the Mets for the last NL wild card with the tiebreaker in hand.
Nothing changed in the two American League divisions that went into the weekend with two clubs tied for first place.
The Blue Jays and Yankees both won, so they’re still sharing the lead in the AL East and the AL Central remained tied with the Guardians and Tigers both losing.
Toronto and Cleveland hold the tiebreakers, so both are two wins away from a division title.
Two very tight wild-card races have the Reds tied with the Mets but ahead via tiebreaker in the NL and the Tigers leading the Astros by one game in the AL.
Here are highlights from Friday’s games:
In Boston, the Red Sox returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2021 when Ceddanne Rafaela hit a ninth-inning triple off the center-field wall for a 4-3 win over the Tigers, who have lost 12 of 14 but still can make the playoffs with one win or one Astros loss.
In Anaheim, Calif., Mike Trout broke a seventh-inning tie with his second homer of the game and the Angels held on for a 4-3 win over Astros, who are on the brink of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The Astros need two wins plus two losses by either the Tigers or Guardians to claim the last AL wild-card spot.
In Cleveland, the Guardians lost to the Rangers 7-3, but maintained control in the AL Central thanks to the Tigers’ losing, too. Rangers rookie Jack Leiter capped a standout rookie season by holding the Guardians to two runs over seven innings with 10 strikeouts.
In Miami, the Mets’ 6-2 loss to the Marlins forces them to gain a game on the Reds in the final two games or miss the playoffs. Marlins two-time All-Star Sandy Alcantara held the Mets to two runs over seven-plus innings.
In Milwaukee, Miguel Andujar broke a sixth-inning tie with an RBI single to center in a 3-1 Reds win over the Brewers that has them holding a playoff spot. The Reds can clinch a first playoff berth since 2020 with two wins, two Mets losses or one win plus one Mets loss. The Brewers need one win or one Phillies loss to clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs
In Chicago, Seiya Suzuki hit a grand slam in a 12-1 Cubs romp over the Cardinals that left them one win or one Padres loss away from clinching the first NL Wild Card, which brings home-field advantage for all games in a best-of-three Wild Card Series. The Cubs will play the Padres.
In Toronto, Nathan Lukes hit a two-run home run for the Blue Jays, who beat the Rays 4-2 to stay tied with the Yankees for first in the AL East. The Blue Jays hold the tiebreaker, so two more wins would make them division champs for the first time since 2014.
In New York, Giancarlo Stanton blasted a pair of two-run homers and Aaron Judge belted his 53rd in an 8-4 Yankees win over the Orioles that kept them tied with the Blue Jays. The Yankees need to pick up a game in the final two days to win the division or they will begin the playoffs hosting the Red Sox in a Wild Card Series.
In Los Angeles, Kike Hernandez wiped out a Mariners 1-0 lead with a two-run, fourth-inning homer and the Dodgers held on for a 3-2 win. The Mariners’ first loss in eight games locked them into the third seed for the AL playoffs. They’ll be home for a Wild Card Series against the sixth seed, which will be the
In Philadelphia, Aaron Nola held the Twins to one run and two hits over eight innings in a 3-1 Phillies win that kept them alive for the best record in the league. The Phillies already are assured of a first-round bye, but they can get the first seed with two wins and two Brewers losses.
In San Diego, Fernando Tatis Jr. returned to the Padres lineup after missing three games with an illness and hit a grand slam in a five-inning fifth inning in a 7-4 win over the Diamondbacks, whose playoffs hopes were ended. Arizona trails the Reds and Mets by two games for the last NL wild card, but was eliminated because it lost the tiebreaker to Cincinnati.
Here’s a look at magic numbers plus the remaining schedules and tiebreakers for the contenders through Friday, Sept. 26 along with playoff matchups if the postseason began on Saturday, Sept. 27:
AL EAST
TORONTO BLUE JAYS (92-68)
Standings: Tied with Yankees in AL East. Blue Jays hold tiebreaker.
Tiebreakers: Blue Jays won season series with Yankees 8-5; Blue Jays won season series with Mariners 4-2.
Magic number to clinch AL East: 2
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 21.
Games remaining: 2 (2 home, 0 road).
Blue Jays schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 27: Rays, 3:07 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Rays, 3:07 p.m., EST
NEW YORK YANKEES (92-68)
Standings: Tied with Blue Jays for first in AL East. Blue Jays hold tiebreaker. First in AL wild-card standings. Lead Astros by 7 games for third wild card.
Tiebreakers: Yankees lost season series with Blue Jays 8-5; Yankees won season series with Mariners 5-1.
Magic number to clinch AL East: 3
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 23.
Games remaining: 2 (2 home, 0 road).
Yankees schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 27: Orioles, 1:05 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Orioles, 3:05 p.m., EST
BOSTON RED SOX (88-72)
Standings: Third in AL East. Trail first-place Blue Jays by 4 games. Second in AL wild-card standings. Lead Astros 3 games for 3rd AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Red Sox tied season series with Mariners 3-3; Red Sox won season series with Astros 4-2; Red Sox won season series with Guardians 4-2; Red Sox trail season series with Tigers 3-1.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 26.
Games remaining: 2 (2 home, 0 road).
Red Sox schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 27: Tigers, 4:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Tigers, 3:05 p.m., EST
AL CENTRAL
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS (86-74)
Standings: Tied with Tigers for first in AL Central. Guardians hold tiebreaker.
Tiebreakers: Guardians won season series with Tigers 8-5; Guardians won season series with Astros 4-2; Guardians lost season series with Red Sox 4-2.
Magic number to clinch AL Central: 2
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 1
Remaining games: 2 (2 home, 0 road).
Guardians schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 27: Rangers, 6:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Rangers, 3:10 p.m., EST
DETROIT TIGERS (86-74)
Standings: Tied with Guardians for first in AL Central. Guardians hold tiebreaker. Third in AL wild-card standings. Lead Astros by 1 game for third AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Tigers lost season series with Guardians 8-5; Tigers won season series with Astros 4-2; Tigers lead season series with Red Sox 3-1.
Magic number to clinch AL Central: 3
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 1
Remaining games: 2 (0 home, 2 road).
Tigers schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Red Sox, 4:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Red Sox, 3:05 p.m., EST
AL WEST
SEATTLE MARINERS (90-70)
Standings: First in AL West. Lead Astros by 5 games.
Tiebreakers: Mariners lost season series with Yankees 5-1; Mariners lost season series with Blue Jays 4-2.
Magic number to clinch AL West: Clinched Sept. 24.
Remaining games: 2 (2 home, 0 road).
Mariners schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 27: Dodgers, 9:40 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Dodgers, 3:10 p.m., EST
HOUSTON ASTROS (85-75)
Standings: Second in AL West. Trail first-place Mariners by 5 games. Fourth in AL wild-card standings. Trail Tigers by 1 game for third AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Astros lost season series with Red Sox 4-2; Astros lost season series with Guardians 4-2; Astros lost season series with Tigers 4-2.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 1
Remaining games: 2 (0 home, 2 road).
Astros schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Angels, 9:38 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Angels, 3:07 p.m., EST
NL EAST
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES(95-65)
Standings: First in NL East. Lead second-place Mets by 13 games.
Tiebreakers: Phillies won season series with Dodgers 4-2; Phillies lost season series with Brewers 4-2.
Magic number to clinch NL East: Clinched Sept. 15.
Remaining games: 2 (2 home, 0 road).
Phillies schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 27: Twins, 7:05 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Twins, 3:05 p.m., EST
NEW YORK METS (82-78)
Standings: Second in NL East. Trail first-place Phillies by 13 games. Tied with Reds for third in NL wild-card standings. Reds hold tiebreaker.
Tiebreakers: Mets lost season series with Reds 4-2.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 3
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 2
Remaining games: 2 (0 home, 2 road).
Mets schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Marlins, 4:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Marlins, 3:10 p.m., EST
NL CENTRAL
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (96-64)
Standings: First in NL Central. Lead second-place Cubs by 6 games.
Tiebreakers: Brewers won season series with Phillies 4-2.
Magic number to clinch NL Central: Clinched Sept. 21.
Remaining games: 2 (2 home, 0 road).
Brewers schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 27: Reds, 7:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Reds, 3:10 p.m., EST
CHICAGO CUBS (90-70)
Standings: Second in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 6 games. First in NL wild-card standings. Lead Reds and Mets by 8 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Cubs tied season series with Padres 3-3, but lose tiebreaker on division record.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 16.
Remaining games: 2 (2 home, 0 road).
Cubs schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 27: Cardinals, 2:20 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Cardinals, 3:20 p.m., EST
CINCINNATI REDS (82-78)
Standings: Third in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 14 games. Tied for Mets for third in NL wild-card standings. Reds hold tiebreaker.
Tiebreakers: Reds won season series with Mets 4-2.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 2
Remaining games: 3 (0 home, 3 road).
Reds schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Brewers, 7:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Brewers, 3:10 p.m., EST
NL WEST
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (91-69)
Standings: First in NL West. Lead second-place Padres by 3.5 games.
Tiebreakers: Dodgers won season series with Padres 9-4; Dodgers lost season series with Phillies 4-2.
Magic number to clinch NL West: Clinched Sept. 25.
Remaining games: 2 (0 home, 2 road).
Dodgers schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Mariners, 9:40 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Mariners, 3:10 p.m., EST
SAN DIEGO PADRES (88-72)
Standings: Second in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 3 games. Second in NL wild-card standings. Lead Reds and Mets by 6 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Padres lost season series with Dodgers 9-4.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 22.
Remaining games: 2 (2 home, 0 road).
Padres schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 27: Diamondbacks, 8:40 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Diamondbacks, 3:10 p.m., EST
POSTSEASON MATCHUPS
AL WILD CARD SERIES (best-of-3)
Blue Jays (1), Mariners (2), byes
Tigers (6) at Guardians (3)
Red Sox (5) at Yankees (4)
NL WILD CARD SERIES (best-of-3)
Brewers (1), Phillies (2), byes
Reds (6) at Dodgers (3)
Padres (5) at Cubs (4)
Langeliers hits walk-off double, Wilson has 3 RBIs as A’s beat Royals 4-3
WEST SACRAMENTO — Shea Langeliers hit a walk-off RBI double in the ninth inning, Jacob Wilson drove in three runs and the Athletics beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Friday night.
Langeliers singled and Brent Rooker and Tyler Soderstrom walked before Taylor Clarke replaced Royals starter Noah Cameron (9-7) with two out in the fifth. Five pitches later, Wilson hit a bases-clearing double to left field that made it 3-3.
Maikel Garcia and Carter Jensen singled before Jonathan India’s three-run homer for Kansas City opened the scoring in the fourth.
Soderstrom hit his 34th double of the season and walked twice.
Justin Sterner (4-3) got the final four outs to earn the win. Athletics starter Mason Barnett allowed three runs in 5-2/3 innings and Hogan Harris pitched two scoreless inning.
Luinder Avila (1-1) gave up a run and two hits in a third of an inning.
Wilson finished 1 for 4 and the rookie is hitting .313 this season, second in MLB behind Aaron Judge (.330) of the New York Yankees.
Key moment
Angel Zerpa struck out Lawrence Butler swinging to lead off the ninth and was replaced by Avila. Darell Hernaiz singled before Brett Harris reached on force out and was replaced by pinch-runner Max Schuemann, who scored when Langeliers doubled.
Key stats
Cameron has a 2.99 ERA this season, the lowest by a first-year pitcher in the American League (minimum of 20 games started) since 1995 behind Masahiro Tanaka (2.77 in 2014) and Tanner Bibee (2.98 in 2023).
Up next
Kansas City’s Michael Wacha (9-13, 4.00 ERA) is scheduled to start Saturday against Luis Morales (4-2, 3.07) in the second of a three-game series to close the season.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Opens Up About Tom Brady Conflict of Interest
The NFL Commissioner weighed in on the hottest league controversy this month, and he echoed what others around the league have said this month.
Roger Goodell put the onus on NFL teams to protect sensitive information while participating in production meetings with Tom Brady in his capacity as lead NFL analyst with FOX Sports.
Brady, of course, is also a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, owning roughly 5 percent of the team since October 2024.
Goodell opened up to CNBC reporter Alex Sherman for his newsletter. Aside from discussing Brady, Goodell also addressed expansion and the league’s potential media-rights expansion.
Goodell On Brady: ‘Where’s the Conflict?’
Though independent media members have pointed out the perceived conflict of interest of a minority owner — who reportedly participates in Raiders offensive gameplans and discusses concepts with Las Vegas offensive coordinator Chip Kelly — Goodell apparently doesn’t see it that way since Brady is barred from visiting rival teams’ facilities.
“Where’s the conflict?” Goodell continued. “He’s not hanging around in the facilities. We don’t allow that.”
Under the terms of Brady’s ownership approval, he is required to do interviews with coaches and players remotely and is barred from attending practices and getting other access. Brady, himself, opened up about it in a blog post on his website Wednesday.
Goodell’s logic has been backed by current coaches like Brian Schottenheimer and Ben Johnson. The coach of the Chicago Bears said “there’s not going to be any trade secrets that are going to be exchanged,” according to ESPN.
According to Sherman, “Goodell was animated when speaking about the perceived conflict of interest. He fundamentally dismissed the notion that there was a problem.”
“Teams have the right to say whatever they want,” Goodell said. “They don’t have to disclose information if they think it’s a conflict of interest. We have a lot of former players in those meetings who are close to their former teams. Our clubs are smart enough to say, ‘I’m not sharing something with him.’”
NFL ‘Could’ Expand Outside the United States, per Roger Goodell
The NFL has had 32 teams for 23 years and surprisingly, the topic of expansion has not come up in recent years, despite open markets like St. Louis, San Diego, San Antonio and others.
Still, Sherman asked Goodell about expanding internationally, which has apparently piqued the commissioner’s interest.
“I don’t know if I could predict that, but I would say that the markets outside the U.S. are very, very attractive,” said Goodell, “and we’ve got pretty good coverage here.”
Goodell and the NFL are openly flirting with London as a potential expansion market, since the league has played more games there since opening games in the United Kingdom in 2007.
The Minnesota Vikings will play the first of two straight games in Great Britain on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Ireland before playing the Cleveland Browns the London on Oct. 5.
Minnesota’s game against Cleveland will be the first of three games in London this season, and Goodell explained why it is attractive, albeit challenging, as a potential NFL market.
“There are markets that could certainly support a team,” Goodell said. “We’ve always focused on, what are the competitive consequences of that? Can we manage that, and so every year we try to learn something from the international series.”
Deion Sanders Gives Son Shilo a Harsh Reality Check After He Takes up 49ers Opportunity
Last year in June, Deion Sanders and his Colorado Buffaloes players came together for a shoot. Before the event, Deion was in his van taking care of his amputated foot. That’s when the Buffs’ head coach engaged in sharing some philosophical thoughts. He said, “This is no joke. Sometimes it hurt where the toes are supposed to be..how does that hurt where the toes are supposed to be? You know that makes me know that we care about things in life that are no longer with us but it’s with us.” That’s when Shilo barged in and put up a mischievous act, imitating Kurdish butcher chef, Nusret Gökçe, aka Salt Bae, sprinkling salt on his dad’s legs. But the tables turned as Deion now sprinkles salt with a reality check for Shilo.
Deion’s son didn’t secure a spot on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster after training camp. But looks like NFL aspirations aren’t over. The setback is just a bump in the road for Shilo. He took his talents to the West Coast, working out with the San Francisco 49ers. Now, who better knows Shilo in and out than his father? Looks like he spent his time in California discussing a little more than football. That’s when Deion shared the current status of his son.
Colorado insider JaKi posted a clip from Coach Prime’s latest interview. In the clip, he thought of lighting up the mood and shared how he pulled Shilo’s leg. Deion said, “Shilo is an entertainer. If I close my eyes and pick a kid that’s going to make it out of my five, Shilo will make it. That’s who he is. He also had a workout with the 49ers this past week. I said, ‘Son, just a random question. When was the last time you run?’ He said, ‘I’ve been working out.’ ‘I know you like a book, son.’”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Deion, being the typical dad, always pushes their children to be the best version of themselves. He came with the reality check in the hope that it might stir up Shilo, motivating him to leave no stone unturned in his efforts. After going undrafted, Shilo signed with the Buccaneers and jumped into training camp and preseason action. He was waived after the third preseason game, which also saw him ejected for throwing a punch and fined $4,669. Looks like more than Shilo, Deion prays for his son to achieve great heights, being part of the San Francisco squad.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Kyle Shanahan’s secondary has been battered by injuries, prompting the team to bring in six players for tryouts. And they tried with Shilo. The connection between the former Buffs safety and the NFL program carries a bit of history, too. Deion spent a standout season with the 49ers in 1994, helping them capture a Super Bowl title.
Landing with the 49ers would be a feel-good story, but the odds are running slim for Shilo. After coming up short with the Buccaneers, even on their practice squad, he faces an uphill climb to carve out a place in the NFL. While dad Deion keeps things light, yanking Shilo’s chain, Deion has one more thing keeping him up at night.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Deion Sanders’ plate is full of too many worries
This weekend is going to be a real test for Deion’s boys. Colorado’s wound from last year’s Alamo Bowl is still fresh. Kalani Sitake’s BYU Cougars crushed the Buffaloes, handing them a 14-36 defeat. Already, Deion and co. might be looking for some motivational juice to oomph up their 2-2 record. Apparently, the head coach looks all cool. In an interview with BYU Sports analyst Ben Criddle, he only had good things to say about Sitake.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“BYU Coach Sitake, I consider him a friend. I consider him a dear, dear, dear friend and a God-fearing man, which I adore. Man of standard, man of principle, and a darn good coach, and a good dude. He’s gonna have his team ready,” said Deion. But deep inside, the Buffs’ head coach is running impatient to make his failed promise come true.
Before the Alamo Bowl last season, Deion had kept the expectations high. He promised, “I’m pretty sure we’re going to break that [record], because I know what Coach [Sitake] is going to bring to the table, and I know how deep our fans come, so we’re going to sell this game out, expeditiously. So get ready to put a little tickets in the cut.” But the result was truly disappointing. While they had to break the 66,166 record, only 64,261 turned out.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Raiders’ Chip Kelly Gives Blunt Words Over Ashton Jeanty Worries
The Las Vegas Raiders‘ rushing game continues to be a major concern, a point highlighted in their 41-24 loss to the Washington Commanders on September 21 at Northwest Stadium.
In that game, the Raiders totaled just 93 rushing yards, with rookie Ashton Jeanty leading the way with 63. The 21-year-old carried the ball 17 times, averaging 3.7 yards per carry.
Though it shows a modest improvement, Las Vegas will need a much stronger ground attack to achieve consistent success as the season progresses. While the focus is on the Raiders’ offensive line and Jeanty, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly credits the opposing defenses for stopping their run game plans.
“I think it’s the defenses right now,” Kelly told reporters on September 25. “If you look at it statistically, Ashton Jeanty’s tied for 10th in the league for carries with two other guys. Of the top 12 backs in the National Football League through three games, there are only four who average over four yards a carry: Jonathan Taylor, Kyren Williams, Bijan Robinson, and [James] Cook from Buffalo.
“Everybody else—Saquon Barkley averages 3.3 yards per carry, Christian McCaffrey averages three yards per carry. So Ashton Jeanty’s right in the bunch with those guys. I think across the league through the first three games, defenses are ahead of offenses at a big rate… That’s just the league. Sometimes defenses are ahead, then offenses catch up, and it goes back and forth. That’s the nature of this game.”
Raiders Have Faced Top Run Defenses
In the first three games, the Silver and Black have played a couple of the top run defenses in the NFL. The New England Patriots (181 yards), Los Angeles Chargers (284 yards), and Commanders (302 yards) are the top defenses in rushing yards allowed, per Pro Football Reference.
Against the Chicago Bears, the Raiders should be able to run the football, considering the NFC North side has allowed 418 rushing yards so far this season. This Week 4 game might be what Jeanty needs to get going.
NFL Analyst Calls Out Raiders O-Line
Despite Chicago being one of the worst run defenses, it will all depend on the Las Vegas offensive line to generate running lanes for Jeanty. Nonetheless, NFL analyst Mark Schlereth isn’t sold on the Raiders’ unit after what he saw against the Commanders.
“The concern is the Raiders couldn’t block their way out of a wet paper sack,” Schlereth said during an appearance on the September 23 edition of the “Rich Eisen Show.”
“I’ve got a couple of guys on there. Daron Payne for Washington is a really good player, and I think they’ve got a bunch of really good players, but they don’t have anybody other than Daron Payne who’s an absolute war daddy on that line of scrimmage. [The Raiders] offensive line was awful. It was purely awful in this game.”
“Being unable to block anybody and then Ashton learning exactly what he is supposed to do is a bad combination right off the start. I thought the right side of their offensive line, with their right tackle and their right guard, was just subpar at best. That’s probably an insult to subpar things, but they were subpar at best.”
Tua Tagovailoa Sends Message To Former MVP After Critique
Tua Tagovailoa remains as easily one of the most polarizing players – let alone quarterbacks – in all of football.
The kind of player that will put up a very respectable stat line – like he did against the New England Patriots – where he went 26/32 for 315 yards and 2 touchdowns, but then also threw one of the worst interceptions of the season so far.
A similar thing happened the very next week against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night football, when, just as the Miami Dolphins were heading down the field with all the momentum, looking for what would have been a game-tying touchdown, Tagovailoa threw an interception to linebacker, Terrel Bernard, on the Bills’ 20 yard line with 3 minutes to go – a move that ultimately ended all hopes of Miami coming away victorious.
This prompted some harsh words from former NFL first overall pick and ex-MVP, Cam Newton, who on the Friday after the game said that Tua was not living up to his lofty 4 year, $212 million deal signed last offseason, which nets him an average of $53 million/year.
Cam Newton Not Impressed With Tua Tagovailoa
“Tua Tagovailoa is making more than Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, Matthew Stafford, Jayden Daniels. Am I pocket watching? No, I’m putting things into perspective here…When I see Tua Tagovailoa over this year alone I heard him more than I ever had…I like quiet Tua.”
In response to Newton calling out Tua for being loud, and not fulfilling the duties of his contract through his play on the field, Tagovailoa pointed out the discord between talking about playing quarterback and actually playing the game itself.
“Anybody can play quarterback in this league then,” Tua said rhetorically. “I mean I wanna see anybody on the streets come and play quarterback..I think its easier to be able to hold a clicker and talk about it that way. Or talk about what someone else is doing wrong when you’re not having to go out and do the same as them. So I think it’s easy to do that – I think anybody can do that. I don’t think anybody can play quarterback.”
Tua Has Some Strong Words For Cam Newton After Criticism
The irony in the whole statement is obviously that Newton did play in the NFL for over a decade, and faced much of what Tagovailoa is going through now, at least outside of his dominating 2015 season, where he lead the Carolina Panthers to Super Bowl 50, where the team ultimately fell to the world-class Denver Broncos defense.
More to follow…
Glen Powell Recalls Filming ‘Chad Powers’ With Real NFL Players
Glen Powell got the full pro experience as he played the titular college football star in Hulu‘s Chad Powers.
Speaking to Deadline on the red carpet of Thursday’s premiere, the Golden Globe nominee recalled the “really special” experience of working with real former NFL players on the comedy series he co-created with Michael Waldron.
“When I was actually on the field, it felt very immersive,” he explained at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. “Because they also had former NFL players playing with us, putting on pads. Guys that are 350, 6’7, sprinting at me with everything they got.”
Powell continued, “But it felt very much like Chad Powers in the fact that Russ Holliday is getting a second chance to be on that field, these guys got to put on pads and be back on that field with me. And you could see their eyes light up, and their hearts were full. It was really special.”
The actor noted that executive producers Eli and Peyton Manning connected him to Patrick Mahomes’ coach Nic Shimonek and Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Pat O’Hara.
In Chad Powers, the first two episodes premiering Sept. 30 on Hulu, Powell plays hotshot quarterback Russ Holliday, who disguises himself as the titular football player to join a new team after tanking his own college career.
Featuring a pilot co-written by Powell and Waldron, Chad Powers is based on the sketch produced by NFL Films and Omaha Productions that aired on ESPN+ as part of the Eli’s Places series.
‘TNF’: New rule burns Cardinals in another close loss
Even though they blew a 14-point fourth quarter lead, the Seattle Seahawks were still able to leave Thursday night with a thrilling 23-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals to improve to 3-1 on the season. Jason Myers’ 52-yard field goal as time expired was the winning play. Here are some takeaways from the Seahawks’ win.
New kickoff rule burns Cardinals
The Cardinals trailed by two touchdowns with 11 minutes to play and looked to be completely out of Thursday’s game. But thanks to a couple of defensive stands and a missed Myers field-goal attempt midway through the quarter, the door was left open. It was at that point that Kyler Murray led a furious rally that saw Arizona tie the game with 28 seconds to play in regulation.
The game seemed destined for overtime.
But on the ensuing kickoff, Chad Ryland’s kick failed to make it into the landing zone, instead landing at the 21-yard line.
That infraction resulted in Seattle getting a chance to start its drive at the 40-yard line, dramatically cutting down the distance it would need to get into field-goal range.
The Seahawks needed just four plays to move 26 yards to get into field-goal range for Myers to redeem himself for an earlier miss, drilling a 52-yard field goal to win it.
In an effort to increase the number of kickoff returns, as well as cutting down on injuries, the NFL has made significant changes to the kickoff rule over the past couple of years, including the requirement for kickoffs to land inside of the 20-yard line. Any kick that lands outside of that is treated the same as a kick out of bounds and gives the receiving team the ball at the 40-yard line.
It played a major role in the outcome of this game.
Mike MacDonald’s defense is making Seahawks early season contender
In 2023, one year before they hired Mike Macdonald to be their head coach, the Seahawks had one of the NFL’s worst defenses, ranking near the bottom of the league in yards against and points against. They had no identity, few playmakers and simply did not offer any resistance.
In 2024, in year one of Macdonald’s tenure, they rapidly improved up to a middle-of-the pack defense, finishing 14th in yards against and 11th in points against. Nothing special, but considerable improvement.
This year’s version looks even better and is bringing back memories of the Legion of Boom era that defined the Seahawks’ back-to-back Super Bowl runs in 2013 and 2014.
They are fast. They are physical. And through the first four games of the 2025 season, they are dominating their opponents. Following Thursday’s game, they have allowed just 67 points in four games, averaging out to only 16.7 points against per game. They have not allowed more than 20 points in any one game.
That sort of defense, combined with a strong running game, can win a lot of football games. So far it’s won Seattle three out of four games.
Sam Darnold delivered again
The Seahawks rolled the dice by getting rid of Geno Smith and bringing in Darnold this offseason in the hopes it could upgrade the offense. The early returns are promising, with Darnold delivering again on Thursday. He completed 18 of 26 passes for 242 yards (9.3 yards per pass attempt), threw a touchdown, ran for 24 yards and did not turn the ball over. He also made some huge throws in the fourth quarter and led the game-winning drive in the closing seconds.
Another brutal loss for Cardinals
After starting the season with back-to-back wins, the Cardinals have now dropped each of their past two games in pretty brutal fashion, losing both of them on walk-off field goals as time expired. Even worse, both losses — to San Francisco and Seattle — were divisional losses in the NFC West.
It’s hard to get a read on the Cardinals through four weeks. Their two wins came against two of the NFL’s worst teams (New Orleans and Carolina), and while they were competitive against potential playoff teams, they still ended up falling just short. The jury is still very much out on them.
Cardinals need more from WR Marvin Harrison Jr. this season
When the Arizona Cardinals picked wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the No. 4 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, they were expecting him to be the go-to player in their passing game and give quarterback Kyler Murray a bona fide No. 1 wide receiver. So far it has not exactly worked out that way.
Cardinals need more from their top wide receiver
Harrison Jr. had a very mixed bag rookie season that flashed the potential for greatness, while also showing some inconsistency. The overall numbers were fine, even if not eye-opening. He caught 62 passes for 885 yards and eight touchdowns, which is perfectly fine for a rookie, especially if it preceded a bigger breakout in Year 2.
Well, after Thursday’s 23-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks the Cardinals are now 2-2 and still not seeing the expected return from Harrison Jr. in the passing game. If anything, he has shown more regression than progression.
Thursday was an especially frustrating game. While he did haul in a big touchdown in the fourth quarter as part of the Cardinals’ 14-point comeback to tie the game, the overall performance left a lot to be desired. He caught just six of the 10 passes thrown his direction for a pedestrian 66 yards, and was a big part of some bad miscommunications and two turnovers.
Including Thursday’s game, he has caught just 16 passes for 208 yards in four games. That projects out to only 68 receptions for 867 yards over a full 17-game season.
That’s not good enough for a hopeful No. 1 wide receiver. It’s not good enough for what you expect to see from a top-five pick that is supposed to be a franchise-changing player and a potential superstar.
Quarterback Kyler Murray needs to share in at least some of the blame for Harrison Jr.’s early struggles, but some of these issues are just simply plays that Harrison Jr. has to make. He needs to use his size, strength and athleticism more to his advantage and win some of those contested catches. He can’t have passes in traffic bounce off of his hands and go right to a defender. There can not be those miscommunications.
Arizona has very little margin for error in its games and have now lost consecutive contests on walk-off field goals. There is a very thin line between winning and losing in the NFL every week. As long as its top wide receiver is this much of a non-factor, it’s not going to get on the correct side of that line anytime soon. The Cardinals need more from him moving forward.
Commanders G.M. Adam Peters will serve on six-person UCLA coaching search committee
Adam Peters’s current NFL team is thriving. His alma mater, however, is struggling.
And so the Commanders G.M. will serve on UCLA’s football coach search committee.
Via Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times, Peters will serve with Martin Jarmond, Casey Wasserman, Bob Myers, Eric Kendricks, and Erin Adkins.
Peters played for UCLA from 1999 through 2001. He worked for the Bruins as a football operations assistant in 2002.
Earlier this month, UCLA fired head coach (and former Bruin) DeShaun Foster after a disastrous 0-3 start to his second season on the job.
While not a full-blown Tom Brady-style conflict of interest for Peters, things could get awkward if, for example, Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury emerges as a target. Or if, for example, an effort is made to hire Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo.
However it plays out, it’ll be interesting to see who is, and isn’t, on the eventual list of candidates.
NFL Fans Catch Chiefs’ Chris Jones Red-Handed as He Changes Tune on MVP Award With Lamar Jackson Statement
Out of all the cultures of rivalry and animosity, the NFL also has a culture of respect for teammates and rivals. We have seen it plenty of times. Just last year, during the AFC divisional round, the Ravens QB Lamar Jackson made headlines after losing when he told the Bills QB, “Go win something.” That was a sweet gesture. Now, as we stand before the Chiefs vs Ravens week 4 clash, the Kansas City DT Chris Jones made a respectful yet interesting statement.
Speaking to reporters on September 25, the Super Bowl winner praised his rival QB and said, “It’s always tough to play against Lamar in the Baltimore Ravens. Stopping Lamar is one thing, trying to contain him is another, and over the years, you look how prolific as a passer he’s become. I think he’s completing 70% of his passes, which I think he should have won MVP last year, have so much respect for.” That’s right.
This year, in 3 games, Jackson has completed 54 of 75 passes (72% completion rate) for 722 passing yards and 9 TDs with no interceptions. He even logged 15 carries for 118 rushing yards and 1 TD. But for the fans, it was funny. Why? Chris Jones & Co. defeated the Bills 32-29 in the AFC Championship game last season. But Josh Allen won the NFL MVP, his first in his career. And that time, Jones had something else to say about the winner.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Back on February 4 this year, Jones had remarked, “I wish the Bills organisation the best. Absolutely respect their quarterback. I think he was the MVP this year. They got a heck of a team, man. I absolutely respect their head coach.” Now, when Chris Jones backtracked on his statement, everyone was shocked.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Many fans noticed this change of heart and pointed it out on social media.
Chris Jones is the fans’ target after a shocking turnaround
Last year, both Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson were on fire. While the Bills’ QB scored 40 TDs overall and 6 interceptions, the Ravens QB marched ahead with 45 touchdowns (total) and 4 interceptions. But Allen took the Bills into the AFC Championship round. Plus, they were the only team last year that defeated the Chiefs in week 11.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
However, this year, the Chiefs are already struggling with a 1-2 win-loss record and are 4th in the AFC West. One fan mentioned that Chris Jones needs to focus, “Still whining about that huh, maybe you better start worrying about the ‘25 season.” But others got a moment to have a good laugh.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The situation turned comical when fans started sharing the video of his February 4 comment about Allen being the MVP beneath the video of him praising Jackson. One fan had just one emoji reaction with his comment, “😂.” That was the moment of truth.
However, others wrote their hearts out. Another Bills Mafia member reminded the Ravens flock not to be too happy about the praise as he wrote, “Said the same exact thing about Josh Allen btw.” Well, no one, including Chris Jones, could deny it now. “Of course he has respect for a guy they beat all the time 💀” commented one fan. And he is 100% right. The Chiefs won the AFC Championship game. Even last year, Kansas City defeated Baltimore by 27-20 in the season opener. In the 2025 season, they will face the Bills in the week 9 game.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Red Wings could use some of what this prospect can bring
DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings could use a little more grit and be tougher to play against.
Carter Mazur brings those elements, which he hoped to show late last season before getting injured minutes into his NHL debut on March 6.
A heavier, stronger Mazur continues his bid to earn a job tonight when the Red Wings host the Buffalo Sabres in their second preseason game (no TV, livestreamed on DetroitRedWings.com).
“If a player can bring that and contribute everywhere else, doesn’t matter what your name is, we could use that,” coach Todd McLellan said. “You know, certainly Carter has that. He’s worked really hard over the summer. He’s put on some weight, so he’s just getting used to carrying that weight around. We expect him to get even faster and anticipate a little bit more once that weight settles in and he can carry it around the ice and it should protect him more from injury. But I think he’s just going to get better.”
Mazur scored a goal in the preseason opener Tuesday, his first game action since his elbow injury.
“I’ve been out for six months now, so getting back into that game feel and getting back to how I was playing is kind of my goal right now,” Mazur said.
“It was a very hard time to get injured, but I feel like I’m in a good spot right now. I had a full summer, five months to get ready and get my body right for the season. I was here all summer working with Rob (Barwis, Red Wings director of sports science and human performance), and we did a really good job. I put on 12 to 15 pounds of muscle, so I was headed in the right direction for sure.”
He’s pushing 200 pounds now.
“I notice it a lot out there,” Mazur said. “I know I can use my body more against players, and it’s just really keeping weight on my frame. I know I’ve been hurt a lot, so it’s something that I needed to do, and it’s something that I’m very happy that I got done.”
He also changed from No. 43, which he wore in his NHL debut, being a fan of former Red Wing Darren Helm, to No. 34.
“I think I just needed to change something,” Mazur said. “That was my number in college (at Denver) and I did pretty well there.”
Here is the Red Wings lineup tonight:
Forwards: Andrew Copp, Mason Appleton, Lucas Raymond, Michael Rasmussen, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Nate Danielson, Carter Mazur, Emmitt Finnie, Dylan Larkin, Amadeus Lombardi, Elmer Soderblom, Marco Kasper.
Defensemen: Ben Chiarot, Albert Johansson, Jacob Bernard-Docker, Axel Sandin Pellikka, Moritz Seider, Jacob Truscott.
Goaltenders: Cam Talbot (starting), Michal Postava (back-up).
First NHL 26 update addresses stability issues
The first update for NHL 26 is available on all platforms, focusing on fixing stability issues with the ice hockey sim. EA Sports emphasized, however, that it was actively collecting information and player feedback to address gameplay problems in future updates.
Among the issues the studio is currently investigating are adjustments to vision control, saucer passes over short distances and post-hit frequency.
While the released update concentrated on fixes, the Be A Pro mode received some quick balance changes to health and form score calculations.
Here are all changes made in patch 1.1.1 for NHL 26:
Gameplay
– Fixed an issue where a player who was AFK was not being removed in a World of CHEL game.
Be a Pro
– Tuning adjustments to Health to include TOI as a factor and scaling down the amount of health reduction to hits thrown, hits received and shots blocked give.
– Updated the following form score contributing values to make form score feel more balanced for games that are low event for the user:
Goals
Assists
PP Pts
SH Pts
Body Checks
Plus/minus
Giveaways
Takeaways
Shots
– Fixed an issue where the Custom option was not available in the Play Game flow.
– Fixed an issue in the Draft Interview media convo where some responses didn’t line up with the correct Brand, Management or Teammate impact.
Franchise Mode
– Fixed an issue where line chemistry was not being generated properly from X-Factors.
– Fixed an issue where AHL coach conversations were not available.
– Fixed an issue where earning the Quick Draw X-Factor through a season goal could cause a crash when entering Edit Lines.
Hockey Ultimate Team
– Fixed an issue where completing training camp objectives did not give users access to the Auction House.
– Fixed an issue where matchmaking in Ranked users would see an error message.
World of CHEL
– Fixed a crash when navigating from the club members menu in EASHL 6v6.
Penguins insider predicts if Crosby, Malkin will be traded
For different reasons, Pittsburgh Penguins icons Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin continue to be the subjects of trade rumors ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season.
For a mailbag published on Thursday, Penguins reporter Josh Yohe of The Athletic revealed that he believes Crosby
How gambling could hurt Utah’s MLB, NHL and NBA teams
How many gambling scandals would it take for regular fans to begin doubting the outcome of sporting events? Let’s hope we don’t find out, but the news lately has not been good.
Sports Illustrated reported earlier this month that the NCAA is investigating 13 former players from six different schools — Eastern Michigan, Temple, Arizona State, New Orleans, North Carolina A&T and Mississippi Valley State.
A press release from the NCAA said the allegations involve student players betting either on or against their own teams, providing information to third-party gamblers, deliberately manipulating scores or outcomes, and/or “refusing to participate in the enforcement staff’s investigation.” The facts vary in each case.
The allegations of “manipulating scores or outcomes” caught my eye.
Public investments at risk
As I have noted before, the state of Utah and Salt Lake City, not to mention private investors, are investing a lot of money in renovating the Delta Center, building a sports and entertainment district downtown and possibly building a Major League Baseball stadium on Salt Lake City’s west side in the next few years. They could be left holding the bag if the general public ever lost faith in the outcome of the games that will be played there as teams roll in from out of town. That’s what is at stake with sports’ newfound obsession with the riches derived from gambling.
The NCAA said it is releasing this information, minus the names of the student-athletes involved, because of the public reporting that already has been done on these cases. The subjects of the investigation all are no longer enrolled at their NCAA schools.
In a separate case, the NCAA announced this month that three men’s basketball players, two from Fresno State and one from San Jose State, were banned permanently from the sport for point shaving and betting on games last season.
A large investigation
This is likely only the beginning of an unfolding investigation that extends to pro basketball, Sports Illustrated said. It noted the filings of U.S. attorneys “imply that the scheme is significantly wider than what they have alleged so far.”
Some of the allegations involved proposition bets, or “prop bets” for short. These allow people to wager on specific aspects of an athlete’s performance, such as whether they will score less than their average in a particular game.
Meanwhile, Major League Baseball has put two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, starter Luis Ortiz and closer Emmanuel Clase, on paid leave pending investigations into alleged gambling.
Cleveland sports columnist Terry Pluto noted recently that Major League Baseball has a partnership with Fan Duel, and that nearly every team has a deal with some gambling site.
He wrote that all of this “makes you wonder if this was going on with other teams … And how many of these ‘microbets’ went undetected in the last few years? This is a mess, and it’s likely not over.”
Each scandal raises more questions.
A student athlete’s concerns
Amid all of this, Eli Thompson, a freshman quarterback at North Greenville University in South Carolina, wrote an op-ed last week for USA Today, in which he lamented that too many fellow students care more about gambling than about the actual games.
“Last spring, when I was a senior in high school, I noticed a friend furiously tapping his phone during class,” he said. “He wasn’t texting with a friend. Instead, he was placing a bet of well over $100. He was a teenager secretly using his mom’s credit card.”
When it comes to football, he said, “Some of my peers don’t feel like watching an NFL game is exciting anymore without money on the line. That’s what makes this season dangerous: Every game is a gambling opportunity.”
It often ends with out-of-control debts and failing grades.
“My friends aren’t bad kids — they’re chasing a high they don’t understand,” Thompson wrote.
Is gambling here to stay?
NCAA President Charlie Baker was quoted in a press release saying, “The rise of sports betting is creating more opportunity for athletes across sports to engage in this unacceptable behavior, and while legalized sports betting is here to stay, regulators and gaming companies can do more to reduce these integrity risks by eliminating prop bets and giving sports leagues a seat at the table when setting policies.”
I don’t think any sports fan or taxpayer participating in the cost of an arena or stadium should accept the notion that sports betting is here to stay. Utah and Hawaii are the only two states that allow no form of legalized gambling, but 12 states still do not allow any sports gambling.
With the Wasatch Front poised to expand its major league presence, state leaders should be leading the charge nationally to assure their investments are safe from a catastrophic loss of faith in the credibility of final scores.
Keep your tailgate drinks cold with the YETI x Fanatics Coolers collection for NFL, NCAA, MLB and NHL fans
Enjoy a cold beverage on game day from anywhere with the YETI x Fanatics Coolers collection for the NFL, NCAA, MLB and NHL.
Perfect for tailgating, these team-themed coolers are available in three different sizes:
The YETI Roadie 15 Hard Cooler fits 22 cans, 16 pounds of ice and most standard wine bottles and two liter bottles on their side. It comes with a double duty strap designed for carrying.
YETI Roadie 15 Hard Cooler
$250
Fits 22 cans and 16 pounds of ice.
$250 on Fanatics
The YETI Tundra 45 Hard Cooler fits 54 cans and 37 pounds of ice and includes one removable dry goods basket.
YETI Tundra 45 Hard Cooler
$375
Fits 54 cans and 37 pounds of ice.
$375 on Fanatics
The YETI Roadie 32 Wheeled Cooler fits 50 cans, 36 pounds of ice and most standard wine bottles and two liter bottles on their side. It has a retractable handle and impact-and puncture-resistant tires.
YETI Roadie 32 Wheeled Cooler
$425
Fits 50 cans, 36 pounds of ice and most standard wine bottles and two liter bottles on their side.
$425 on Fanatics
Here are some other YETI products you can snag on Fanatics:
YETI 7oz. Flask for $64
YETI 42oz. Rambler Straw Mug for $60
YETI 20oz. Rambler Tumbler with Magslider Lid for $50
YETI 12oz. Rambler Colster Can Cooler for $40
YETI 18oz. Rambler Chug Water Bottle for $47
Browse the YETI x Fanatics line by organization:
NFL
NCAA
MLB
NHL
BetMGM promo code NYPDM1500: Net up to $1,500 on Rangers vs. Islanders
The Rangers and Islanders play their first of two preseason games on Thursday night with six total NHL matchups on tap.
Puck drop is slated for 7:15 p.m. ET at MSG as the Rangers look to flesh out their bottom-six forward group and the Islanders begin their rebuild, showcasing 2025 No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer.
In the meantime, Philadelphia and Washington will lace up for a rare meeting in Hershey, Pa., home of the Capitals’ AHL affiliate.
BetMGM bonus code NYPDM1500 for NHL preseason
The BetMGM bonus code NYPDM1500 can net up to $1,500 in bonus value through a 20% deposit match.
You get 20% worth of your initial deposit in bonus bets, so a $1,000 deposit gets you $200 in bonus bets.
The catch is you need to bet 10x the bonus amount you receive before you can withdraw anything. This is called a playthrough requirement.
This welcome offer is only live if you’re betting in Arizona, Colorado, Washington D.C., Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia or Wyoming.
How to sign up at BetMGM Sportsbook
Select your bonus offer.
Choose your state.
Fill out your login details.
Enter the promo code NYPDM1500.
Make a deposit.
What our Post expert thinks about Rangers vs. Islanders
The Rangers may have missed the playoffs last season, but they swept the season series against the Islanders 4-0. In those games, the Rangers outscored the Isles 23-5.
Artemi Panarin led the Rangers with 89 points despite having his worst full-length season output.
The Islanders were led by Bo Horvat’s 57 points, but still ranked in the upper half of the NHL in expected goals rate at 5-on-5 play per Moneypuck.
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. AZ, CO, DC, IA, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, PA, TN, WV, WY. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA). Participant must complete the Wagering Requirements and satisfy the (10x) playthrough requirement. Deposit Match unavailable in IL, LA, OH and VA. US Promotional Offers Not Available in MS, NY, ON, or PR. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post. He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.
Fantasy spin on NHL training camps for 2025-26
MORE FANTASY COVERAGE
Rankings | Projections | Cheat sheet
—
Anaheim Ducks: Wing Chris Kreider, acquired in a trade with the New York Rangers during the offseason, has opened training camp in the Ducks’ top six with center Leo Carlsson and wing Troy Terry. Forward Mikael Granlund, who signed with Anaheim during the offseason after spending last season with the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars, is starting at center on a line with wings Cutter Gauthier and Alex Killorn. Kreider (ADP: 170.0) and Granlund (ADP: 182.8) are potential fantasy draft bargains with a change of scenery.
Buffalo Sabres: Wing Zach Benson has opened training camp on the top line with elite goal-scorer Tage Thompson and center Josh Norris. Benson, who is going undrafted on average in fantasy, has breakout potential and could see extended top-six usage after the Sabres traded JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth during the offseason. Norris, a bounce-back candidate, also is being undrafted on average in fantasy. It’s worth noting wing Alex Tuch (undisclosed) and goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) are day to day.
Carolina Hurricanes: Rookie defenseman Alexander Nikishin has opened training camp on the top pair with veteran Shayne Gostisbehere. It’s worth noting forward Nikolaj Ehlers, who signed with the Hurricanes during the offseason, is playing on the top line with Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis and also the first power play with Aho, Jarvis, Andrei Svechnikov and Gostisbehere (ADP: 128.7). Ehlers is worth prioritizing in fantasy drafts inside the top 100 overall (90.8). Nikishin, meanwhile, has the highest fantasy ADP (105.8) among rookie defensemen, ahead of Zayne Parekh of the Calgary Flames (139.3) and Zeev Buium of the Minnesota Wild (143.5).
Colorado Avalanche: Forward Gabriel Landeskog is healthy for training camp and skating on the second line with center Brock Nelson and wing Artturi Lehkonen; Landeskog had four points (one goal, three assists) in five games during the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs after returning from a long-term knee injury. It’s worth noting goalie Mackenzie Blackwood (undisclosed) is week to week but is hopeful for the start of the season. Backup Scott Wedgewood (ADP: 187.5) is worth rostering in fantasy, especially as a handcuff after taking Blackwood (26.9) in the early rounds.
Edmonton Oilers: Wing Zach Hyman (wrist) will not be available for the start of the season but is targeting Nov. 1 for his return. Elite forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are expected to play on the same line to begin this season, and wing Trent Frederic is expected to see time on that unit in the preseason. Frederic is not being drafted on average in fantasy and has deep sleeper potential in late round or off the waiver wire.
Florida Panthers: Elite wing Matthew Tkachuk will miss the start of the season because of a lower-body injury and likely is out until December. Tkachuk (ADP: 45.5) is worth selecting in mid-to-late rounds and stashing on injured reserve. Panthers center Aleksander Barkov was helped off the ice on Thursday favoring his right leg. Barkov’s fantasy ADP was 55.8 prior to the injury.
Montreal Canadiens: Center Kirby Dach (knee surgery) has been skating with Ivan Demidov and Patrik Laine at training camp. Demidov (ADP: 132.8) is the frontrunner for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year and worth reaching for anytime outside the top 100 in redraft leagues. Laine (ADP: 170.3) is a bounce-back candidate; Dach is a deep sleeper going undrafted on average in fantasy.
New Jersey Devils: Elite center Jack Hughes (shoulder surgery) is taking part in training camp and skating on a line with wings Jesper Bratt and offseason addition Evgenii Dadonov. Hughes is being drafted among the top 20 overall players in fantasy (ADP: 19.0), while Dadonov is a deep sleeper going undrafted on average.
New York Islanders: Defenseman Matthew Schaefer, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, had an assist, five shots on goal and played 24:39 in his preseason debut against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday. Wings Maxim Shabanov (rookie) and Jonathan Drouin are skating on the top line with center Bo Horvat. Both Shabanov and Drouin are deep sleepers that are going undrafted on average in fantasy. Horvat, who is healthy after sustaining an ankle injury during the 2025 IIHF World Championship, is a potential draft bargain (ADP: 150.2). Wing Anders Lee (upper body) is expected to be out 1-2 weeks.
New York Rangers: Forward Mika Zibanejad said he will start the season at wing on a line with center J.T. Miller and wing Alexis Lafreniere; Miller and Zibanejad factored on the same goal 15 times in 32 games after Miller was acquired in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks last season. Zibanejad is a fantasy bounce-back candidate attainable outside the top 100 overall (ADP: 134.5).
Ottawa Senators: Wing Drake Batherson (upper body) is expected to be out for two weeks and uncertain for the start of the season. Wing Fabian Zetterlund took Batherson’s spot at right wing on the second line at practice with center Dylan Cozens and wing David Perron. Zetterlund, who has scored 43 goals over the past two seasons combined, is a fantasy breakout candidate who’s going undrafted on average.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Rookie wing Ville Koivunen has opened training camp in a top-six role and is currently skating on the second line with center Evgeni Malkin. Koivunen, who had seven assists in eight games last season, is going undrafted on average in fantasy. It’s worth noting rookie forward Rutger McGroarty (upper body) is out indefinitely, while veteran defenseman Kris Letang (heart surgery) is taking part in training camp.
San Jose Sharks: Forward Will Smith said he’ll mostly play wing this season, which could mean more exposure to elite center Macklin Celebrini and/or touted rookie Michael Misa, the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Misa played 17:40 in his preseason debut against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday and was on the ice for two of the Sharks three goals skating at center on mostly the second line with wing Tyler Toffoli. Smith’s fantasy ADP is 173.3, while Misa is being selected at 190.0 on average. Rookie defenseman Sam Dickinson, who’s skating on the first power play with Celebrini, Smith, Toffoli and William Eklund, has a fantasy ADP of 189.0.
St. Louis Blues: Defenseman Logan Mailloux, acquired in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens during the offseason, had one assist and played 25:29 against the Dallas Stars on Saturday. The 22-year-old has five points (two goals, three assists) in eight NHL games over the past two seasons with the Canadiens. Mailloux, who could see time on the Blues second power play, is a rookie to watch and is going undrafted on average.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Forward Matias Maccelli, acquired in a trade with Utah during the offseason, has opened training camp on the top line with elite center Auston Matthews and wing Matthew Knies. Maccelli, who is going undrafted on average in fantasy, has bounce-back appeal upon joining the Maple Leafs considering his strong assist (40) and point (57) totals with the Arizona Coyotes in 2023-24.
Utah Mammoth: Forward JJ Peterka, acquired in a trade with Buffalo during the offseason, has opened training camp on the top line with center Logan Cooley and wing Dylan Guenther. Peterka, who has an ADP of 126.3, should be considered a full-fledged breakout candidate after he set NHL career highs in points (68) and assists (41) in 77 games with the Sabres last season. UPDATE: Cooley is day to day with an undisclosed injury, and Barrett Hayton is filling in on the top line. Hayton, a fantasy breakout candidate who’s going undrafted on average in fantasy, was tied for eighth in high-danger shots on goal (93) last season, per NHL EDGE stats.
Rangers face a key decision on this superstar’s future
The New York Rangers are entering a new stage and are considering the future of Artemi Panarin, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
Panarin, 33, is entering the final year of his $81.5M contract signed in 2019. The Russian has a cap hit of $11.6M, the highest among NHL wingers.
Friedman reported the Rangers are considering a discounted extension for the veteran forward.
Sept. 25: NHL Preseason Roundup
Scott Laughton had two goals and two assists for the Toronto Maple Leafs in their 7-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre in Montreal on Thursday.
Steven Lorentz had two goals and an assist and Dennis Hildeby made 11 saves for the Maple Leafs (2-0-1).
Sam Montembeault allowed five goals on 17 shots in the first two periods for the Canadiens (2-1-0). Jacob Fowler made six saves in the third period.
Laughton gave the Maple Leafs a 1-0 lead at 4:35 of the first period when he stole the puck, raced up the right wing and scored on a wrist shot from the circle.
Laughton made it 2-0 at 13:15 after he beat Montembeault five-hole on the rush.
Mike Matheson cut it to 2-1 at 16:26, scoring a power-play goal on a point shot through traffic.
Bobby McMann extended it 3-1 just 30 seconds later at 16:56 on a delayed penalty when his wrist shot from the high slot beat Montembeault, who had lost his stick.
Patrik Laine made it 3-2 with a power-play goal at 5:08 of the second period, one-timing a cross-crease pass from Ivan Demidov into the net.
Lorentz pushed it to 4-2 at 8:32 after Laughton’s shot through traffic went in off of Lorentz’s skate.
Lorentz scored again to make it 5-2 at 10:09 when he redirected Laughton’s centering pass.
Matt Benning scored on a one-timer from the point 5:02 into the third period to make it 6-2.
Ryan Tverberg skated through two Canadiens players on the rush and scored at 12:23 for the 7-2 final.
Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson left the game after the second period.
Islanders 5, Rangers 4: The New York Islanders scored three goals in the third period to rally past the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Gleb Veremyev scored twice, Cameron Berg had a goal and an assist, and Adam Pelech and Alex Jefferies each had two assists for the Islanders (1-1-1). David Rittich allowed four goals on 24 shots before being replaced at the start of the third period by Marcus Hogberg, who stopped all five shots he faced.
Vincent Trocheck had a goal and an assist, and J.T. Miller scored for the Rangers (1-1-1). Jonathan Quick made 13 saves before also being replaced at the start of the third period by Dylan Garand, who allowed three goals on 10 shots.
Berg cut the lead to 4-3 at 6:59 of the third period. He scored with a rising shot from the top of the left circle that trickled under the blocker arm of Garand.
Veremyev tied it 4-4 with his second goal of the game at 15:17.
Kyle Palmieri then scored 57 seconds later to put the Islanders in front 5-4. He skated down the left wing and shoveled a backhand under the glove of Garand.
Veremyev gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead at 14:23 of the first period, chipping in a centering pass from Sean Day near the left post.
Chris Terry scored 23 seconds later to make it 2-0. He jammed a shot in off Quick’s left skate from behind the net.
Trocheck responded just 16 seconds after that with a redirection to cut it to 2-1.
Brennan Othmann tied it 2-2 with a power-play goal at 17:21, and Brett Berard scored 12 seconds later to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead.
Miller, who was named the 29th captain in Rangers history on Sept. 16, gave the Rangers a 4-2 lead with a power-play goal at 10:17 of the second period. He buried a one-timer from the left hash marks off a pass from Trocheck.
Red Wings 5, Sabres 2: Andrew Copp had a goal and an assist, and the Detroit Red Wings pulled away for a 5-2 win against the Buffalo Sabres at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
Dylan Larkin scored the go-ahead goal, and Lucas Raymond had two assists for the Red Wings (2-0-0). Cam Talbot made six saves on eight shots before being replaced by Michal Postava (10 saves) midway through the second period.
Noah Ostlund and Josh Doan each had a goal and an assist, and Jack Quinn had two assists for the Sabres (2-1-0). Alexandar Georgiev made 35 saves.
Mason Appleton put Detroit in front 1-0 with a short-handed goal at 5:39 of the first period. Copp gained possession of the puck near the left post on the forecheck and fed Appleton for the finish from the low slot.
Ostlund tied it 44 seconds later during the same power play, making it 1-1 with a one-timer from the bottom of the right face-off circle at 6:23.
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard then gave the Red Wings a 2-1 lead on the power play at 9:04 when his wrist shot from high in the left circle beat Georgiev to the glove side.
Georgiev kept it a one-goal game when he sprawled to make a pad save on Emmitt Finnie’s backhand at the right post at 4:42 of the second.
Buffalo then tied it 2-2 on the man-advantage at 6:59 when Doan converted a rebound into an open net following Talbot’s save on Quinn.
Detroit regained the lead again when Larkin made it 3-2 by tapping in a loose puck from the left side at 10:04.
Moritz Seider extended it to 4-2 at 12:35. He tried to send the puck in front from behind the net and it deflected in off Sabres defenseman Jack Rathbone near the left post.
With the teams at 4-on-4, Copp pushed the lead to 5-2 at 18:23 by batting down a rebound through Georgiev’s five-hole.
Capitals 5, Flyers 1: Sonny Milano scored two goals for the second time in two preseason games, and the Washington Capitals defeated the Philadelphia Flyers at Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Hendrix Lapierre had three assists for the Capitals (2-0-0) and Clay Stevenson made 16 saves.
Jacob Gaucher scored for the Flyers (1-2-0). Dan Vladar made eight saves in one period of play before being replaced by Aleksei Kolosov, who made 16 saves.
Andrew Cristall gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead, going short side with a wrist shot from the left circle at 8:11 of the first period. The 20-year-old forward, Washington’s second-round pick (No. 40) in the 2023 NHL Draft, led the WHL last season with 132 points (48 goals, 84 assists) in 57 games.
Ivan Miroshnichenko, Washington’s first-round pick (No. 20) in 2022, beat the Philadelphia defense on a rush, crossing in front of Kolosov and tucking the puck inside the right post for a 2-0 Washington lead at 9:10 of the second period.
Milano gave the Capitals a 3-0 lead, scoring from in front off a pass from Vincent Iorio from below the goal line at 11:13.
Gaucher scored off a rebound in the slot to cut the lead to 3-1 at 15:11.
Connor McMichael scored on the rush for a short-handed goal that put Washington up 4-1 at 1:07 of the third period and Milano scored from the slot to make it 5-1 with 1:03 remaining.
New Celtics owner Chisholm vows
BOSTON — The Celtics are expecting a smooth ownership transition — and not just because much of the old brain trust is sticking around.
New owner Bill Chisholm says he isn’t going to mess with the success of the people who won two NBA championships in their 23 years in charge.
GloRilla Isn’t Afraid For Us To Know She’s On Brandon Ingram Bad
GloRilla is letting the world know she’s head over heels for her boyfriend, NBA star Brandon Ingram.
The Memphis native sparked conversation this week after a viral clip showed her taking a call from Ingram while partying at a packed nightclub. In the video, GloRilla immediately lights up when she sees his name on the screen, smiling and laughing into the phone while a friend captures the sweet exchange on camera.
The moment quickly made its way across social media, with fans praising the rapper’s candid reaction. GloRilla even weighed in herself, hopping on X (formerly Twitter) to respond to the chatter. “Yes I’m on my man bad,” she wrote unapologetically, making it clear she had no intention of hiding her affection.
Supporters flooded the Shade Room’s comment section, applauding the rapper’s openness. “Real love and happiness changes your whole smile,” one Instagram user commented, while another added, “This the best feeling. They be on their best behavior the first six months.”
Many shared stories of their own relationships, comparing her reaction to the thrill of late-night FaceTimes or public displays of affection.
MORE: GloRilla & Brandon Ingram Confirm Their Romance By Going Instagram Official
GloRilla & Brandon Ingram
The couple’s relationship has been a growing topic of interest since July, when the two first fueled dating rumors during GloRilla’s birthday trip to Cabo San Lucas. At the time, TMZ cameras caught them holding hands, sparking speculation that they were more than friends. Since then, the pair have slowly gone public with glimpses into their romance.
Earlier this month, Ingram included GloRilla in a casual Instagram photo dump, featuring the rapper with her arm wrapped around him inside a sprinter van. She later returned the favor, sharing playful images of the pair together, including one where the NBA forward covered her eyes as she grinned at the camera.
Unlike many celebrity couples who keep their romances under wraps, GloRilla and Ingram appear comfortable sharing unpolished, genuine moments. For fans, those glimpses have only deepened the sense of rooting interest in their happiness. And for GloRilla, the joy is hard to miss.
Whether she’s answering his call in a crowded club or posting carefree snapshots, she seems content balancing a rising rap career with love offstage.
Sam Presti brings back title team roster
Berry Tramel
Tulsa World Sports Columnist
Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!
Your notification has been saved.
There was a problem saving your notification.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Followed notifications
Please log in to use this feature
Log In
Don’t have an account? Sign Up Today
OKLAHOMA CITY — Sam Presti says that strangers everywhere always are ready to talk about the Thunder’s 2025 NBA championship. But they come with different salutations.
Out-of-staters congratulate Presti.
Oklahomans thank Presti.
The Thunder general manager long has reveled in the relationship between the NBA franchise and the city and state it calls home. He calls it a “really unique experience … people feel a part, and I think that makes it special.”
Maybe it’s that way everywhere. The Thunder is our only reference point with major-league sports. Presti’s reference points are Boston, where he grew up and which has four historic, landmark franchises in all the major team sports, and San Antonio, a one-franchise city like OKC.
But there’s no doubt that the Thunder has been easy for Oklahomans to embrace, because of wildly-successful teams and superstars with worldwide popularity.
Now the 18th Thunder season arrives — October 21 against the Rockets, with the unfurling of the championship banner — and the Thunder is blessed with even greater bounty.
Uncommon continuity. No, amazing continuity.
Your heroes from last spring, when the Thunder capped one of the best NBA seasons in history, with 68 regular-season victories and a playoff run capped by a seven-game triumph over the Indiana Pacers?
They’re all back.
I mean, all of them.
OK, so Dillon Jones is gone. The 2024 first-round draft last season ranked 13th in minutes played and 14th in points scored. He was traded in the off-season, to make way for 2025 first-round pick Thomas Sorber, who will miss this season with a knee injury.
All the other Thunders return. Stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Santa Clara Williams and Chet Holmgren. Defensive dynamos Alex Caruso, Luguentz Dort and Cason Wallace. The lovable Isaiah Hartenstein. Role players Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, Kenrich Williams and Arkansas Williams. Ousmane Dieng and Ajay Mitchell. And rookie Nikola Topic, who missed last season with a knee injury.
In the free-agency, salary-cap era, in a transient world, it’s incredible to run back the same roster that just took the NBA by storm. All with a team that still is the sixth-youngest in the NBA.
The Thunder figured to improve by osmosis. It also can improve by familiarity.
“Basketball is a game that is played instinctively, and when it’s at its best, it’s played improvisationally,” Presti said Thursday at his preseason press conference. “In order to play improvisationally, the other people playing with you have to be able to anticipate what it is you’re about to do or react effectively to those choices.”
Presti uses big words, but that’s OK. He’s got big ideas. He preached patience and steadiness and taking no shortcuts. That philosophy paid off with a team for the ages that took two months off and is back together.
Presti gave continuity his highest praise, tying it to Manu Ginobili. The Spurs’ icon was a favorite of Presti’s during his San Antonio days.
“I understood the value of continuity from watching Ginobili’s Argentinian national teams over the years, because those guys play together from when they’re like 10 years old,” Presti said. “You want to talk about a team that we all know as humans when we’re watching basketball…
“Every one of us can say this. When a team is playing together and in sync and the ball has energy, everybody feels better. It makes you feel good when you see that, when the ball pings around and you know where it’s going to end up and you know the guy is going to make the shot because he’s in such rhythm and the team is so connected. People, our fans particularly, I think they get joy out of that, and that’s a beautiful thing. I think continuity helps breed that.”
In 2022, the Thunder drafted Holmgren, Jalen Williams (Santa Clara) and Jaylin Williams (Arkansas). They joined a core of Gilgeous-Alexander, Dort, Kenrich Williams and Wiggins. Then Presti signed Joe.
Since then, Presti’s tinkering has been minimal.
In 2023-24, the season that resulted in the Western Conference semifinals loss to Dallas, the Thunder returned its top nine players. It traded Jeremiah Robinson-Earl before the season, added Wallace in the draft and traded Tre Mann in February.
In 2024-25, the Thunder returned nine of its top 10 players. Presti traded Josh Giddey for Caruso, drafted Topic and signed Hartenstein.
Now in 2025-26, the top 12 players return.
Recent NBA champions haven’t done anything close to that, except the 2024 Celtics, who returned their top nine players last season and since have had to trim Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet from that title team.
But the 2023 Nuggets kept only seven of their top 10 players from the title team. The 2022 Warriors kept just six of the top 10 after winning. The 2021 Bucks eight of 10 and the 2020 Lakers five of 10.
Thunder fans are incredibly blessed. They got high-quality basketball, an NBA championship and still didn’t lose fan favorites like Arkansas Wiliams and Aaron Wiggins, through Presti’s strong management of contracts and culture.
“Coming off the year we had and the ability to keep everybody without going above our tax threshold, a big part of that is guys wanting to be here and our ability to get some of these things done,” Presti said. “Never underestimate that. That’s the mutual aspect of this entire project for us.”
It’s quite a story. Great teams. Championship team. And the bonanza that the guys who made it possible are back, ready to try it again, as the lucky fans who love them don’t have to say goodbye.
berry.tramel@tulsaworld.com
Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter
Sent weekly directly to your inbox!
* I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Berry Tramel
Tulsa World Sports Columnist
Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!
Your notification has been saved.
There was a problem saving your notification.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Followed notifications
Please log in to use this feature
Log In
Don’t have an account? Sign Up Today
Everything about Terance Mann’s Brooklyn homecoming is new
Terance Mann is the oldest player on what may end up the NBA’s youngest team.
Brooklyn brought Mann back home — he grew up just blocks from where Barclays Center now sits — partly to be the steadying seasoned veteran for this inexperienced roster.
“It’s a lot different for me, just being the oldest guy on the team. Usually I’m one of the youngest,” said Mann. “So, just a different outlook on everything, just trying to lead these young guys on what to do, what not to do.”
For Mann — who turns 29 on Oct. 18, four days before the regular-season opener in Charlotte — being the old head is a new experience. But it’s one that so far he’s relishing, and quickly taking to.
ESPN NBA top 100: How many Utah Jazz players made the list?
Over the past few days in preparation for the 2025-26 NBA season, ESPN has been rolling out a ranking of the top 100 players in the league.
It first rolled out Nos. 100-51, then Nos. 50-11 and finally the top 10 on Thursday.
Among players on the rebuilding Utah Jazz squad, Lauri Markkanen came in at No. 43, while Walker Kessler snuck in at No. 98.
Of Markkanen, Ramona Shelburne wrote, “Markkanen had an incredible performance leading Finland to the bronze medal game at EuroBasket — including an upset of Serbia. But Markkanen didn’t quite reach expectations last season in Utah after signing a monster extension in the offseason, playing in just 47 games and averaging 19 points and just 5.9 rebounds for the tanking Jazz.
“That’s as much on the Jazz as it is Markkanen, who reminded everyone this summer just how versatile and dangerous he can be.”
Of Kessler, Shelburne wrote, “The Jazz have made it clear the fourth-year center is part of their future by consistently rebuffing trade calls from inquiring teams. From the moment Kessler came into the league, he has been an elite shot blocker and defensive presence.
“The issue is that Utah is still a perennial lottery team, so it’s hard to evaluate Kessler’s growth when his games played has declined each season with the Jazz jockeying for draft positioning. Kessler started all 58 games he played last season and averaged career highs in points (11.1), rebounds (12.2) and assists (1.7).”
In addition to current Jazzmen Markkanen and Kessler, there are several former Jazz players on the list. Donovan Mitchell is at No. 15, Rudy Gobert is at No. 49 and Nickeil Alexander-Walker is at No. 96.
One other player with Utah ties — former Utah Runnin’ Utes big man Jakob Poeltl now of the Toronto Raptors — came in at No. 93.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, the older brother of Jazz second-year forward Cody Williams, is ranked No. 11. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the cousin of Alexander-Walker and the reigning NBA MVP, is at No. 2.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is at No. 1.
Lakers want LeBron James to ‘choose his story’ as free agency looms after 2025-26 season
With LeBron James entering the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, uncertainty around his long-term future as a professional basketball player will be a pertinent storyline until he makes a decision. The Lakers, respecting his status as an all-time great, are content to let James chart his own path forward with Luka Dončić also in the fold as one of the faces of the franchise.
This season is James’ 23rd in the NBA. The four-time MVP, now 40, is the oldest active player in the league. Retirement is bound to come sooner rather than later, but James has not been clear about when he will step away or which team will be his last.
What Happened to LeBron’s Ex-Teammate Delonte West?
Delonte West once shared the court with LeBron James, cashed NBA checks worth millions, and looked set for a stable career. Since his untimely retirement, West has faced devastating challenges with mental health and substance abuse, recently culminating in a 2024 drug overdose and further public sightings in 2025. Despite repeated interventions from Mark Cuban, his ongoing journey remains a heartbreaking example of a promising career consumed by unseen battles.
Who is LeBron’s ex-teammate Delonte West?
West spent eight seasons in the NBA, carving out a role as a reliable guard and earning more than $16 million during his career. To look back at his journey, let’s start from the beginning.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Delonte West was born on July 26, 1983, in Washington, D.C., in what he later called a “happy-poor” household with plenty of turbulence. Standing 6-foot-3, and now 43 years old, West is an American with a mixed heritage of African American, Native American, and European roots. Being of mixed race, his light skin and red hair made him a target for constant bullying, essentially affecting his self-confidence. From a young age, he was troubled. He admitted in one interview, “I used to try to kill myself all the time.”
Basketball was his way out. It was the one place he could channel the chaos around him. But when he suffered an injury in eighth grade, that escape was suddenly gone. His mother sent him to live with his father in Louisa County, Virginia, and West recalls this as the first time he “spiraled downhill.” That was the beginning of a tormented suffering, with a young West getting exposed to abusive pills.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Yet basketball never left him. His early promise carried him to Saint Joseph’s University, where he and Jameer Nelson turned out to be strong contenders in college hoops during their 2004 run. That same year, the Boston Celtics selected him with the 24th pick in the first round of the NBA Draft, giving him his start in the league. West spent four seasons in Boston over two separate stints, showing flashes of toughness and versatility.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
His journey later took him through several franchises: a three-year stretch with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the start of his friendship with LeBron, and finally a season with the Dallas Mavericks from 2011 to 2012.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Delonte West: From NBA Courts to Personal Struggles
Delonte West entered the league in 2004 as the 24th overall pick by the Boston Celtics. He quickly earned a reputation as a tough guard who could defend, pass, and score when needed.
In his eight NBA seasons, West averaged 9.7 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game. He was never a superstar, but he was reliable. With Cleveland, he started next to LeBron James and helped the Cavaliers reach the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals. West’s best individual year came in 2006-07 with the Celtics, when he averaged 12.2 points and 4.4 assists. Later, with the Dallas Mavericks, he played a steady veteran role before leaving the league in 2012. On the court, he was respected for his toughness and versatility. Off the court, however, bigger battles were waiting.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Delonte West: Personal Struggles and Challenges
The same year Delonte joined the Cavs, with the hopes of forming a long-term career, he was hit with a tragedy. He separated from his first wife around the same time, and doctors diagnosed him with bipolar disorder. This was a long culmination of a wounded childhood.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Things spiraled further in September 2009. Police in Fort Washington, Maryland, pulled West over for a traffic violation and found three loaded guns in a guitar case with him. He was sentenced to eight months of home detention, two months of probation, and 40 hours of community service after pleading guilty to two charges. It looked like his earnings were being drained out in legal fights.
By the end of his career, West’s struggles had taken a visible toll. During the 2011 NBA lockout, he was back home in Brandywine, Maryland, working in a furniture store to make ends meet. After the lockout, he joined the Dallas Mavericks, but a pair of preseason incidents led to his release before the 2012-13 season. He never returned to the NBA.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Delonte West: Homelessness and Public Struggles
After his diagnosis, West tried to explain what bipolar disorder meant to him: “I am bipolar, just like the rest of us in the world. So bipolar is defined as something sad happens you’re sad. Something happy happens you’re happy. I think pretty much everyone in the world is like that. Now there’s different levels. How long do you stay sad? How does it affect your behavior? How do you handle these emotions?”
Sadly, he couldn’t handle it well. After his career ended, West’s money was gone quickly. Legal issues followed, and so did worrying public sightings. In 2016, a photo of West surfaced in Maryland showing him homeless and begging for money. In 2020, more pictures of West panhandling appeared online. This time, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban stepped in. He picked West up personally and paid for his rehab treatment. By early 2021, West had a job at the facility and seemed to be recovering.
But the progress didn’t hold. In July 2022, he was again seen asking for money on the streets. Later that year, he was arrested on misdemeanor charges. In 2024, police found him unresponsive from a drug overdose. He survived, but the incident showed how fragile his condition remained.
Now, in 2025, another video spread online. A family filmed him for their son, who idolized West, as they handed him twenty dollars. West looked distant, unfazed, a shell of the NBA guard he once was. As Mark had said in 2023, “lots of guys wanted to help him, he just couldn’t help himself.”
Delonte West: Efforts for Rehabilitation and Support
Cuban called watching West’s struggles “brutal” and said, “I thought we had him turned around. Only so much you can do … Mental illness is real, and you don’t just wish it away. You don’t just rehab it away.” As West appeared in the public eye, he was just as invisible. His struggles were not seen. Despite support from James, Jameer Nelson, it seemed as though he had failed.
Delonte West: Recent Developments
The resurfacing of West in 2025, while heartbreaking for fans, serves as a stark reminder that mental health issues have been the single most significant factor in his life’s trajectory. His most recent spotting, following the 2024 drug overdose, visually confirms that his condition remains extremely fragile, highlighting the critical importance of continuous, long-term support systems. As his former supporter Mark Cuban noted, “Mental illness is real, and you don’t just wish it away.”
West’s story is not only a tragedy of personal loss but a powerful, ongoing case study on the pressures athletes endure and the human battles that continue to rage off the court.
Guerschon Yabusele Contract: Explore Knicks Star’s NBA Salary, Wealth & More
Guerschon Yabusele has taken the long road back to the NBA spotlight, and now he’s primed to become a key figure in the New York Knicks’ frontcourt. Once a forgotten first-round pick, the 6-foot-8 French forward rebuilt his game overseas, starred for Real Madrid, shone in the 2024 Olympics, and returned to the league last season with the Sixers. After averaging 11 points, 5.6 rebounds, and hitting 38% from deep in 70 games for Philly, he’s officially back.
Yabusele spoke clearly about why he chose the Knicks: “I like the team, the spirit that they had on the court. They play tough, every possession – they play together and you could tell they were bonding together. They had a goal together. They fight.” He’s not here to blend in. “Be a good teammate first, on and off the court. Bring all the energy possible. Play every day with joy and bring the fun out there – the rest is going to take care of itself,” he added.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What is the Knicks Star Guerschon Yabusele’s NBA Salary?
Guerschon Yabusele signed a two-year of $11.275 million with the New York Knicks in July 2025. The deal includes a player option in the second year with control over his future heading into 2026-27.
2025-26: $5,500,000
2026-27: $5,775,000 (Player Option)
Cap Hold 2027-28: $7,507,500
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
His salary is just below the full mid-level exception, giving the Knicks flexibility to fill out the rest of the roster.
Yabusele’s Earnings Over the Years
Yabusele’s NBA career earnings reflect his journey across leagues and continents:
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
He was a steal in free agency. The Knicks signed him for less than the full MLE, allowing space for two veteran minimum signings. This kind of front-office savvy might be the margin between a second-round exit and a Finals run.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Yabusele Is the Knicks’ Gain and the Sixers’ Loss
The Philadelphia 76ers had him, then let him walk. “I didn’t have any hard feelings or hard time. But they almost didn’t make really like an offer,” Yabusele told SKWeek. “They did, but it was really, really low, to be really transparent. So it was I felt like, ‘Oh my god, you guys, it seems like you don’t really want me to stay, kind of.’ So it was a situation.”
That “situation” turned into a masterclass in mismanagement. While the Sixers shuffle through names like Dominick Barlow and Johni Broome for backup forward minutes, the “Dancing Bear” will likely become the most important big man off the bench in New York. He can float between four and five, bang with size, and stretch the floor. For Knicks fans, this signing is gold. For Philly, it’s a miss they might come to regret. Yabusele wanted a team with fight, while the Knicks wanted a forward who could bring energy. Now, both sides have what they were looking for.
Ex-Warriors Lottery Pick in Fight for Final Pacers’ Roster Spot Ahead of 2025-26 NBA Season: Report
The Indiana Pacers are coming off a successful season last year that saw them reach the NBA Finals, though they ultimately fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games.
Of course, the Pacers suffered an even bigger loss in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last season when star guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles that will keep him sidelined for the entire 2025-26 NBA season.
With Haliburton sidelined, the Pacers are not expected to be a title threat this season, though they do still have a solid core led by Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard.
Despite this, it may be a tough season for Indiana this season with Haliburton sidelined, along with the loss of Myles Turner, who signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency.
With the loss of Turner this offseason, the Pacers’ frontcourt is extremely thin but while that may be the case, one of their big men is reportedly fighting for one of their final roster spots heading into the new season.
James Wiseman to Battle for Pacers’ Final Roster Spot
According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, James Wiseman is not guaranteed a spot on the Pacers’ roster this season and he will have to battle both Tony Bradley and Monte Morris for their final roster spots.
This is a massive report by Siegel and somewhat of a surprising one as the Pacers are in need of frontcourt depth entering the season.
Of course, Wiseman was the second overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 2020 NBA Draft but he has not lived up to the hype that surrounded him entering his rookie season.
The 24-year-old center spent only two and a half seasons with the Warriors, one of which he missed due to injury, before they sent him to the Detroit Pistons in 2023.
After being traded to Detroit, Wiseman played one and a half seasons with the Pistons before he joined the Pacers last season where he played in only one game before suffering a torn Achilles.
Indiana then traded him to the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline last season where he was then waived, though the Pacers brought him back in the offseason.
While it has been a difficult career at the NBA level thus far for Wiseman, he will now have the opportunity to battle for the Pacers’ final roster spot and if he does make the team, he could have a large role this season due to Indiana’s lack of frontcourt depth.
Philadelphia 76ers
Kyle Lowry Taking On New Role During 2025-26 Season While Still Playing for 76ers
Nathaniel Holloway
Tyrese Haliburton Keeps Pacers in Dark on Personal Wishes That Could Affect ACL Recovery
Tyrese Haliburton tore the Achilles in the opening quarter of Game 7 of the NBA Finals this past June. A few weeks ago on the Pat McAfee Show, the 25-year-old shared a positive update. “I’m good. I’m on to shoes now, so we’re out of the boot, which is nice. I feel like I do a million calf raises a day but we’re getting there, bro.” But could the recovery be in jeopardy?
Well, the 2x All-Star wants to put on a show for WWE and is not afraid to put his body on the line. Talking to Stephanie McMahon on her podcast, Haliburton said, “Trust me. You know how many times I’ve tried to convince your husband to let me go through a table or do something? Every time I say it, I’m like, okay, so, like, ‘What if we, you know.’” Thankfully, Triple H, aka Paul Levesque, the Chief Content Officer of WWE, is not letting it happen on his watch. “Yeah. Like, if you want me to be. If you want…Put me through a table.”
Going through a table in WWE would mean an added physical activity for the Pacers guard. Which the NBA and the Indy franchise won’t be a fan of. Levesque reminded Tyrese Haliburton of this. “And I keep telling him, and he’s like ‘the NBA would never let us’. I said, ‘Who cares? I don’t have to ask them.‘” In fact, Hali already had plans to even lie to the Pacers front office about it. “I tell our front office that all the time, cuz I’m like, ‘I’m going to WWE.’ (They ask)’You doing anything?’ I’m like, ‘No, but if I was, you would never know cuz you would tell me I couldn’t do it.‘”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The 25-year-old may be injured now and recovering from his ACL, but he has made plans to take a physical bump in WWE. “So I’m a big believer in ask for forgiveness, not permission. Eventually, I’m gonna get annoying enough that he’s gonna let me do something. I don’t know what it is, I’m gonna jump off the top. I feel like that’s my cheat code. Jump off the top rope into a crowd of, like, 10 guys standing up catch me,right?”
From going through a table, Haliburton then suggested a safer option of attempting a top rope dive on 10 people. Let’s see which of these demands Triple H actually listens to.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Walmart partners with European soccer giant LaLiga
Sept. 25 (UPI) — Walmart is joining with LaLiga, a major European soccer league, to connect the United States fan base with soccer enthusiasts and teams overseas.
Sergio Busquets announces he’ll retire after MLS season
Inter Miami CF midfielder Sergio Busquets announced he will retire at the end of the 2025 Major League Soccer season.
The Spaniard revealed his decision by publishing a video to his Instagram account, detailing his experience after an almost 20-year career with Barcelona, Miami and Spain.
Serie A President Delivers Brutal San Siro Verdict Amid Ongoing Saga: ‘Inadequate & Can’t Be Refurnished’
Serie A president Ezio Simonelli has delivered a damning verdict on AC Milan and Inter’s stadium San Siro amid the clubs’ bid to purchase the venue.
Speaking to La Repubblica via FCInterNews, Simonelli assessed the current state of one of Europe’s most iconic football arenas.
Milan and Inter are determined to purchase the property.
Furthermore, the clubs plan to demolish the outdated San Siro and design a new next-generation stadium.
However, negotiations between the Serie A giants and the city authorities have progressed slowly.
Despite submitting an official bid months ago, the clubs are still waiting for a response.
Yet, their wait will soon come to an end, with the Milan City Council expected to reach the final verdict by Monday.
Meanwhile, Simonelli has backed Milan and Inter’s efforts, admitting it would be in everyone’s best interest to reach an agreement.
With San Siro no longer able to host major international events, demolition is the only solution.
Ezio Simonelli Delivers Damning San Siro Verdict
“It’s painful to say, but by now it’s an inadequate stadium,” Simonelli claimed. “The proof is that UEFA rejected it as the venue for the 2027 Champions League final.
“The stadium cannot be renovated. It wasn’t possible even when the owner of one of the two clubs was in government.
“And how can you safely overhaul a venue that hosts 70,000 people every three days?”
Then, the Serie A chief slammed the city over its stubborn stance. He also highlighted the magnitude of the project.
“Scrapping this process over petty ideological reasons is an own goal,” Simonelli added. “It would be a loss for the city.
“If they don’t get San Siro, the two clubs will end up building stadiums outside the municipality of Milan.
“But the damage would affect the whole country. The temporary economic impact of constructing the new facilities alone is worth €6 billion.”
Finally, he named several massive shortcomings.
“The stands, TV studios, and spaces for clubs to generate revenue,” Simonelli continued. “The hospitality area cannot be integrated.
“Luckily, our fans aren’t heavy beer drinkers – there are even problems with going to the restroom. We all have memories and nostalgia.
“But the only way to preserve the history of a stadium is to build a new one in the same area.
“Take Wembley: it was demolished and rebuilt, yet nobody says ‘I went to the new Wembley.’
“It’s still the stadium of legend. It will always be San Siro.
“Although I think the naming rights will be acquired by a very well-known Italian brand.”
The Talent Gap No One’s Talking About at NASCAR’s Top Team
Hendrick Motorsports has always been the team to beat. As NASCAR’s most successful team, they’ve traditionally set the standard when it comes to infrastructure, top-tier equipment, significant investment, and some of the best drivers on the grid. And even though Team Penske has dominated in the Next-Gen era, HMS hasn’t lagged too far behind.
They are being right up there in the mix. But a quick look at the numbers proves that while one driver is carrying a significant load in the team, others are struggling to catch up. And, that raises the question: Is HMS still evolving, or just living off past glories?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Kyle Larson factor
Kyle Larson has been the main man at Hendrick Motorsports ever since he joined in 2021. He won the championship in his very first season, securing a staggering 10 wins in the process.
And, as things stand, he has 16 wins in the Next-Gen era, far more than any of his teammates, and this year, he has already led 939 laps and finished in the top-five 11 times. Though he was unlucky to make it to the Championship 4 last year, he won six times (more than any other Cup driver). So, has his dominance highlighted Rick Hendrick’s and Hendrick Motorsports’ glaring weaknesses?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Here’s the breakdown:
Kyle Larson isn’t competing for the win (either because of a bad day or a mechanical failure/ crash)
The rest of Hendrick Motorsports’ drivers don’t step up to take his place.
NASCAR has seen some encouraging signs from William Byron this season, who won the Daytona 500 and the 2025 Iowa Corn 350 this year, but Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman have underperformed.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
But that raises another important question: If Hendrick Motorsports is over-reliant on Kyle Larson to perform, while others aren’t being held to the same standard?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
To us, it certainly seems like it. But in a sport defined by fine margins, small deficits matter; perhaps their lack of silverware in the Next-Gen era has been an overreliance on a single driver.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What’s with William Byron’s NASCAR rise?
Byron, too, has shown consistent improvement since his debut in 2018. The North Carolina-native has thrived in the Next-Gen era, finishing sixth in 2022 and third in the last two years.
While he only got half as many wins last year, Byron won the prestigious Daytona 500 and became the only Hendrick Motorsports driver to reach the Championship 4. In May this year, he even got his contract renewed, securing his long-term future until 2029. And, apart from Kyle Larson, Byron is the only real championship contender Hendrick Motorsports has.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Raw speed. Consistency. Ability to drive cleanly under pressure to secure results. That’s what he brings to the table. But there’s room for improvement.
While he can rack up those top-10 finishes, sweep stages, and lead laps, that kind of ‘dominance’ should translate into race wins. He’s had promising moments in the playoffs as well, and a couple of Championship 4 appearances, but no silverware to his name yet. And, that’s also the case with NASCAR’s golden boy, Most Popular driver, Chase Elliott.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Elliott slide
Chase Elliott’s decline has been one of the most glaring issues at Hendrick Motorsports over the last few years. He’s undoubtedly been the fan favorite for years now, but his performances have left a lot to be desired in the Next-Gen era.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In 2023, he was sidelined for six races because of a snowboarding incident, and ended the season with zero wins for the first time since 2017. He also underwent a shoulder procedure during the off-season before the 2024 campaign, which may have taken a toll.
In 2024, he finally broke his 42-race winless streak at Texas Motor Speedway, but that one-off result wasn’t enough to indicate that he’s back to his dominant self.
And, as things stand, he has a single win to his name at EchoPark Speedway, which was enough to qualify for the playoffs, but for a racer who was once called a ‘Road Course King’ and was accustomed to winning multiple races a season, the drop in performance is pretty noticeable.
Something has changed.
Perhaps Elliott hasn’t adapted to the Next-Gen car like his teammates either, or the racer has lost his edge with age. Perhaps his injuries have finally taken a toll, affecting his on-track performances.
Alex Bowman’s vanishing act
Back in 2018, Bowman took over the reins from Dale Earnhardt Jr., filling some pretty big boots and living with the expectation of taking over the mantle from a crowd favorite. Since then, he has moved to the No. 48 team in 2021, and while he has shown moments of speed, his performances have been too inconsistent.
His 80-race winless streak was finally broken at the Chicago Street Course in 2024, and while he’s often in the mix, he rarely dominates during the regular season or the playoffs. But that’s the true nature of NASCAR, you don’t always stay on top.
Additionally, Alex Bowman has also suffered setbacks off the track. In 2023, He suffered a back injury that sidelined him for three races, and that kind of setback affected his momentum. But still, he’s been pushing himself.
We saw him finish on pole at Homestead-Miami Speedway earlier this year. And considering he’s using the same equipment as Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Chase Elliott, his underperformance isn’t going unnoticed, with many believing he’s the weak link in the team.
So, while it looks like an above-average team, the championship hasn’t been easy. Apart from the top 4, maybe that’s why they’ve had no new ‘prospects’ joining the team in recent years. After William Byron was recruited from Kyle Busch Motorsports, it looks like there are no promising young drivers who are ready to challenge for one of the four seats on the team.
But it’s a stark comparison to what Toyota is doing, or even Trackhouse Racing’s aggressive push to promote youngsters such as Connor Zilisch.
What’s the pipeline?
Mr. H has the resources, but he’s known for a model that has traditionally favored continuity and long-tenured drivers. At what point does that stability turn into complacency, and a team that once was the gold standard in performance starts lagging?
Maybe they need pre-emptive measures. Considering Kyle Larson’s performances, it might be in Rick Hendrick’s best interest to devote more investment into the No. 5 Chevy and let others play a supporting role. Or perhaps poach Zilisch from Trackhouse Racing in the foreseeable future.
Conclusion – The Cost of Stability
Hendrick Motorsports needs a change. They’re winning races, competing in the front, and have one of the strongest teams in NASCAR. But it’s been four years since they won the championship. So are they fully equipped to challenge Roger Penske in the Gen-7 era? That’s what Chevy and HMS fans want to know.
Maybe they need a lineup of young and promising drivers like Dale Jr. is doing, who can step up and replace the existing roster if drivers continue to underperform.
JR Motorsports Announces Signing of New Crew Chief for 2026 Season
JR Motorsports announced the signing of Rodney Childers as the new crew chief for the No. 1 car for the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (currently called the Xfinity Series). Coming from a championship-winning background, Childers will bring a wealth of NASCAR experience to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team next year.
The NASCAR veteran headed Michael Waltrip Racing, securing multiple victories before the team concluded its operations. He then partnered with Stewart-Haas Racing for around ten years before moving to Spire Motorsports. He parted ways with Spire early this season, paving the way for his JRM signing.
Some highlights from Childers’ racing career thus far include 40 race wins out of his 600-race Cup Series experience. He also helped Kevin Harvick secure the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series championship. The new role with JRM marks his first crew chief role in the Xfinity Series. Speaking on Childers’ appointment, team co-owner Dale Jr. said:
Childers joins JR Motorsports for 2026
Rodney Childers, a former NASCAR Cup Series championship crew chief, will have a new home with JR Motorsports in 2026.
Childers will oversee the No. 1 team in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, with drivers Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch sharing the ride. It will be the first time that Childers has been a crew chief in the series.
“Rodney’s resume and career speak for themselves,” said Dale Earnhardt Jr., co-owner of JR Motorsports. “Rodney and I grew up together and have known each other since we were kids. That’s a relationship that has always been close, and has remained close to this day. We’ve always had interest in working together in motorsports, and I’m thankful that this opportunity came about and we could bring him into the JRM family.”
Childers has been a free agent since the spring after parting ways with Spire Motorsports. He and Justin Haley worked together for the first nine races of the Cup Series season on the No. 7 team. But a split came when both sides admitted it was not working as hoped, and Childers acknowledged he wasn’t happy.
The short tenure at Spire Motorsports came after Childers won 40 races and a Cup Series championship with Kevin Harvick at Stewart-Haas Racing. In 2024, Childers worked with Josh Berry, who took over Harvick’s ride, in what was the final year of Stewart-Haas Racing.
“I’m so excited to be joining the JRM family,” Childers said. “To see what Dale, Kelley and [Rick Hendrick] have built here is quite amazing and their results show for themselves. Dale and Kelley have meant a lot to me for some 30 years and I can’t wait to be part of this group. Plus, I get to be the lucky guy to lead two amazing young men that have a huge amount of talent and a big future in our sport.”
Kvapil is the current driver of the No. 1 car in the series. Andrew Overstreet, the crew chief, will remain with the organization next season in a different role.
United Autosports, Tower Motorsports confirm IMSA LMP2 return for 2026
The 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship LMP2 grid is taking shape this week as two more teams have announced plans to return for next season.
United Autosports USA has announced that it will return with its two ORECA 07-Gibson LMP2s. The Anglo-American team has also announced that American Daniel Goldburg will return to drive the No. 22 ORECA for a third season, while Canadian Phil Fayer will make his full-time LMP2 debut in the No. 2 ORECA.
Goldburg, the President of construction contractor CSCI, debuted in LMP2 in 2023 at Indianapolis, then moved to United Autosports for the full 2024 season.
This year, Goldburg has asserted himself as one of LMP2’s top Bronze drivers: He won the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, finished second at the Chevrolet Grand Prix (CTMP), and sits second in the LMP2 Drivers’ Championship with one race left to go for the title.
“It’s my third season already? Wow,” said Goldburg. “These first two seasons have been the best experience of my racing career. I can’t thank Richard [Dean] and the whole United Autosports organization enough. They, along with my co-drivers Paul and Rasmus, have brought the best out of me. I’m training harder than ever, pushing harder than ever and we’re having great results. I want to keep the momentum going so I’m very pleased to announce my third season with the team.”
Fayer, the founder, chair, and CEO of fintech company Nuvei, will be the full-time Bronze driver in the No. 2 car after making his IMSA LMP2 debut earlier this year at his home circuit and finishing fourth – both at CTMP and at Road America in his second appearance.
“I’m thrilled to be joining United Autosports USA for the full IMSA season in 2026,” says Fayer. “IMSA is such a fun and competitive series. I’m looking forward to continuing to develop as a driver and contributing to the team’s success throughout the season.”
United Autosports CEO Richard Dean said, “It is fantastic news that United Autosports USA will be on the IMSA grid in 2026. It has been a really exciting journey over the past two years, establishing our Stateside team, and one that we are committed to continuing.
“In the No. 22, Daniel Goldburg is a deserved IMSA and Daytona race winner who we are thrilled to have for another year – and, following Phil Fayer’s debut with the team this summer, we think he has huge potential for the 2026 season. We are building strong momentum in IMSA and I am confident that, together with Daniel and Phil, we can keep that positive, race-winning trajectory going in 2026 and beyond.”
Additional drivers will be announced in due course.
Also announced earlier this week, 2022 LMP2 Champion team Tower Motorsports will return for its seventh season of IMSA LMP2 racing, with John Farano as the first announced driver in the No. 8 ORECA.
Tower Motorsports appeared to have won this year’s Rolex 24 At Daytona until the No. 8 ORECA was stripped of its win for a skid block wear violation. Farano, Sébastien Bourdais, and Sebastian Alvarez bounced back to finish second at the Twelve Hours of Sebring the following round.
BHA targeting IMSA GTP program with Genesis
Bryan Herta has thrown his team’s hat into the ring as a potential IMSA partner for the upcoming Genesis GTP program.
Bryan Herta Autosport is preparing to follow up its very successful TCR program with a move into prototype racing next year, partnering with PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports to field an LMP2 entry. Herta said at the time the LMP2 deal was announced that prototype racing’s top class was the ultimate goal, and he now says that the Genesis program could be the opportunity he’s looking for.
“I’m not shy about saying, we’ve got great interest in the Genesis GTP program, and it’s certainly something we’ve discussed with them, and they’re aware of our interest,” Herta told RACER.
“So we hope that this [LMP2 entry] could be a precursor to that, but there’s no guarantees of that. And regardless, this is a direction for our team that we want to go.
“I think this is a chance for us to just grow, grow our program, gain some WeatherTech experience, put all the sort of building blocks in place to really be able to tackle, any class, any series within the IMSA paddock at this point, I think we could do.”
The Genesis GMR-001 LMDh car completed its first endurance test this week with Genesis Magma Racing at the Algarve circuit in Portugal (main image). The car is scheduled to make its FIA WEC debut in Qatar next year.
The end goal behind Bryan Herta’s massive new venture
Bryan Herta Autosport stepping up to LMP2 next year is already significant news, but it’s actually a small part of a much bigger masterplan for the ex-IndyCar star and his consortium.
BHA has joined with current team PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports for next year, fielding the No.52 ORECA 07-Gibson.
For Herta, that’s merely a stepping stone to a much bigger goal. Genesis – Hyundai’s luxury brand – is still looking for a team to run its IMSA program in 2027, and Herta is bullish.
With Ford announcing the unusual step of running its own GTP program without team help, and McLaren having already announced United Autosports as its operational partner, Genesis is the next big fish to fry.
“I’m not shy about saying, we’ve got great interest in the Genesis GTP program, and it’s certainly something we’ve discussed with them, and they’re aware of our interest,” Herta tells RACER.
“So we hope that this [LMP2 entry] could be a precursor to that, but there’s no guarantees of that. And regardless, this is a direction for our team that we want to go.
“I think this is a chance for us to just grow, grow our program, gain some WeatherTech experience, put all the sort of building blocks in place to really be able to tackle, any class, any series within the IMSA paddock at this point, I think we could do.”
BHA has run Hyundai TCR cars since 2018 and in IMSA’s Michelin Pilot Challenge since 2019. So you have to think it has a great chance, although there are some enormous teams that have run GTP programs before which are currently without partners for 2026, like Chip Ganassi Racing and Rahal Letterman Lanigan.
But that shouldn’t count BHA out. After all, Herta is enormously well respected in any racing paddock and what he’s built is more that just a team, it’s one with outstanding culture.
You only have to look at the work it has done with Michael Johnson and Robert Wickens to develop hand controls, which formed the basis of what Wickens has developed with Bosch to run in his Corvette IMSA GTD car.
The team has won in TCR, Indy Lights, Global RallyCross, SRO, built hand controls, built an all-electric car to take on Pikes Peak, and continues to push the envelope.
“If you walk through our shop on any given day with our TCR program, you’ll see crew members who have been part of Indy 500-winning efforts, who’ve come from NASCAR, who’ve been in drag racing,” Herta says.
“We value people above almost all else, and so having really strong people with really good, diverse backgrounds, it’s already part of what we do.
“We’re already not a small group of people when we go to the track. I think we’re over 50 people when we come to the track, just with the TCR program. So adding the LMP2 program, it’s another step, but it’s not overwhelming.”
Not overwhelming, but it will certainly be a big challenge.
Herta knows a thing or two about career challenges, but after such a high-profile IndyCar career, his second life as a team owner is giving him the chance to gain so much more diverse experience.
“The growth phases are always tough, because you get stretched a little thinner and there’s a lot to do again,” Herta says.
“But it’s also one of the most exciting things for me, when you get to challenge yourself, and your team gets to challenge itself at something new and really, again, not shy away from or be afraid of doing something different, but really embracing new challenges.
“That’s something I think we’ve always done since we started in racing.”
Engineering is the key here for BHA and this new project. PR1/Mathiasen knows the LMP2 car inside out and provides the experience and immediate familiarity with running a car at the front. For BHA, it’s about adding more engineering staff and training the ones they have already more in the prototype realm.
Herta says he’s already had lots of interest from engineers, and has a few he wants to “go after” himself.
“Where we really want to grow is in the background where, we’re looking to really significantly increase our engineering base, our engineering presence, and get some more of our people involved in the operation of a prototype race car,” adds Herta.
“So really, it’s the perfect scenario where we’re able to partner with a team that has a great pedigree in the class, but at the same time, I think we’re going to be able to grow a lot on our own side, and add a lot of engineering strength to it.
“It’s going to position us well for the future.”
It’s not just engineers Herta is going after either. He says there’s been “tremendous interest” from drivers of all gradings. No one is signed yet, but he hopes to have a line-up confirmed by Petit Le Mans. No doubt many fans will be keen to see Logan Sargeant back in the car after he made his racing return at Indianapolis for PR1/Mathiasen recently and was the fastest driver in the car; third-fastest in the race over a single lap.
Speaking of big decisions, BHA could have gone down the GT route to try and score a future manufacturer deal, something that teams like DragonSpeed are trying. But Herta reckons to do GTD/Pro in IMSA properly you need to aligned with a manufacturer, and that defeats the object of trying to attract another manufacturer to partner with.
For PR1/Mathiasen, this new venture adds an incredible wealth of knowledge, with Bobby Oergel and his team operating from BHA’s shop in Brownsburg, which is as big as some IndyCar teams. All the tools are there for all parties involved to take it to the next level.
Robert Hanley, a successful racer in his own right, has also joined the group. He’s got a very simple goal for the project.
“I want to win,” he replies. You’ve got to love that.
“When you look at what Bobby brings, what Herta Autosport brings, I don’t want to get ahead of myself, we haven’t even been on the race track together yet, but there are so many elements to this thing that say this could be really something special, and I would love for that to be the case.”
On paper, it all seems too perfect. The group still has to convince Genesis of its credentials as the absolute best candidate to choose, but BHA’s culture, success record, sheer number of relatively unusual challenges it has successfully taken on, its facilities already and its long-standing relationship with Hyundai, it really does fit perfectly.
And what it might lack in direct GTP experience it more than makes up for in the diversity of its knowledge base, which includes electrification after that Pikes Peak program.
It’s hard not to root for this team, and its ‘no challenge is too big’ attitude that put wins on the board and Wickens back in a race car.
Now it just has to convince Genesis.
“I feel like we have a lot of really diverse success and really, really diverse background,” adds Herta.
“What I’ve learned, or what I feel like has been important for us, out of all that, is, we’re not afraid of challenges, and we look at it as opportunities to learn and grow. And everything we’ve done, I think adds to the next thing we’re going to do.”
Fans Stand Divided as Dale Jr Makes Way for Bubba Wallace’s Star Prodigy
NASCAR’s always been a sport where the next big thing can come from anywhere, and Rajah Caruth is proof of that. From grinding in virtual racing sims to etching his name in history, Caruth’s journey is one for the books.
In 2024, he clinched his first national series win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, joining legends Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace as the only Black drivers to win at NASCAR’s top levels. The 2025 season saw him keep the pedal down, taking the checkered flag at Nashville Superspeedway and cementing his status as a rising star in the Craftsman Truck Series with Spire Motorsports, backed by HendrickCars.com.
But Caruth’s not just a driver, he’s a scholar too, balancing the grind of racing with a motorsports management degree from Winston-Salem State University, earned in 2025. That mix of brains and speed has fans buzzing, especially now that he’s poised to level up. Word’s out that Caruth will join JR Motorsports in 2026 for a part-time ride in the newly rebranded O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, formerly the Xfinity Series, while keeping his full-time Truck Series gig.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Running about half the 33-race schedule, he’ll share the stage with young guns like Sammy Smith and Connor Zilisch, under the guidance of championship crew chief Rodney Childers. It’s a big move, and it’s got the NASCAR world talking.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Caruth’s rise feels personal for fans. As a product of the Drive for Diversity program, he’s carried the weight of representation while proving he belongs with back-to-back Truck wins. His link to Bubba Wallace, another trailblazer, adds extra juice.
Both have ties to the program and share a knack for breaking barriers. JRM’s decision to bring him aboard, even part-time, signals a bet on his potential to climb higher, maybe even to the Cup Series someday. With the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series kicking off a new era in 2026, Caruth’s arrival is timed perfectly to make waves.
The move also shines a light on JR Motorsports’ legacy. Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team has a history of nurturing talent, think Brad Keselowski or Chase Elliott, and Caruth fits that mold. The No. 88 car, a fan favorite from Dale Jr.’s days, could be his ride, stirring nostalgia for the days when JRM was a proving ground for future champs.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
But not everyone’s cheering. Fans are split, with some hyped for Caruth’s shot and others grumbling about JRM’s shift to part-time rides over full-season contenders. It’s a bold pivot, and the fan chatter on Reddit shows just how much this shake-up has got folks fired up.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
For Caruth, this is more than a schedule change. It’s a chance to race alongside the best while keeping his Truck Series roots. With Childers calling shots for the No. 1 Chevy and Zilisch tearing up Xfinity, the stage is set for Caruth to show what he’s got. As NASCAR’s 2026 season looms, all eyes are on this young star, ready to see if he can turn potential into something legendary.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Fans split on Caruth’s JRM move
Reddit’s been a hotbed of reactions to Rajah Caruth’s part-time JRM deal, and fans aren’t holding back. “I guess that takes away all the Suarez to JRM stuff. Although Junior did say it’d be a familiar face, would Rajah be that face?” one user pondered.
Dale Jr.’s tease about a “familiar face” had folks betting on Daniel Suárez, but Caruth’s Hendrick ties and Truck Series buzz make him a fitting pick. Set to run half the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, possibly in the No. 88, Caruth’s a name fans know from his Vegas and Nashville wins, but some still wonder if he’s the blockbuster JRM promised.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“Please give us the 88 Hendrick Cars car again, JRM,” another fan begged. The No. 88 is JRM royalty, driven by Dale Jr. and now Connor Zilisch, who’s been a beast with multiple Xfinity wins despite a collarbone injury in August. With Zilisch eyeing a 2026 Cup jump, Caruth sliding into the 88 feels like a nostalgic torch-pass. Fans love the idea, but it’s bittersweet.
Zilisch’s star power leaves big shoes, and Caruth’s part-time role has some questioning JRM’s focus. “So, JRM down to two full-time rides for next year? Saving up money for a Cup team. Probably not, but one can dream,” one user sighed, noting the No. 1 Chevy’s split between Zilisch and Carson Kvapil. JRM’s part-time strategy has fans speculating about a Cup Series leap, but it’s a gamble that could dilute their Xfinity dominance.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“This would play a huge role in his development. Wishing him all the luck in these select starts next season. I do truly want to see him excel and hopefully one day end up in the NASCAR Cup Series in a competitive ride,” a supporter cheered. Caruth’s Drive for Diversity roots and historic wins alongside Scott and Wallace have fans rooting for him to climb to the Cup. His Nashville victory showed he’s got the chops, and JRM’s track record of building stars like Elliott fuels hope he’s next.
But not everyone’s sold. “Every bit of news I’ve heard about JR Motorsports today has made me more and more depressed, just upset that JR Motorsports is apparently gonna have a bunch of all-star cars next season instead of full-season contenders. If Rajah was getting a full-time ride, I’d be over the moon,” one fan vented. The shift to part-timers like Caruth, Kvapil, and Zilisch has some worried JRM’s sacrificing full-season grit for a developmental experiment.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The divide’s clear. Some see Caruth as Bubba’s prodigy, ready to shine under Dale Jr.’s wing, while others want JRM to double down on full-time title chasers. Either way, Caruth’s 2026 JRM stint is set to be a proving ground, and fans are ready to watch him chase history.
Pittsburgh’s ‘Jock Tax’ on Visiting Athletes, Performers at Publicly Funded Stadiums Shot Down
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pittsburgh’s so-called jock tax, which levies a 3% tax on income earned by visiting athletes and performers at publicly funded stadiums, discriminates against nonresidents, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
City residents who play or perform at the stadiums pay a 1% tax on income, plus a 2% school district tax. The city argued that the net effect of the taxing scheme was therefore the same. However, the high court, like lower courts who first heard the case, disagreed, noting that nonresident workers are not subject to the school tax.
“The city does not provide concrete reasons that would justify taxing nonresident athletes and entertainers more than resident athletes and entertainers,” Justice David N. Wecht wrote for the seven-member court. The decision was unanimous, although the judges were divided in their reasoning.
The plaintiffs include former Pittsburgh Penguin Scott Wilson; Kyle Palmieri of the New York Islanders; former baseball player Jeff Francoeur; and the players’ associations of the National Hockey League, National Football League and Major League Baseball.
The judges noted that state lawmakers authorized the tax in the early 2000s not to offset the cost of stadium construction but to boost the city’s strained finances.
The ruling could cost the city millions in lost revenue. Phone and email messages left with the mayor’s office were not immediately returned Thursday.
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Pittsburgh’s ‘jock tax’ on visiting athletes, performers at publicly funded stadiums shot down
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pittsburgh’s so-called jock tax, which levies a 3% tax on income earned by visiting athletes and performers at publicly funded stadiums, discriminates against nonresidents, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
City residents who play or perform at the stadiums pay a 1% tax on income, plus a 2% school district tax. The city argued that the net effect of the taxing scheme was therefore the same. However, the high court, like lower courts who first heard the case, disagreed, noting that nonresident workers are not subject to the school tax.
“The city does not provide concrete reasons that would justify taxing nonresident athletes and entertainers more than resident athletes and entertainers,” Justice David N. Wecht wrote for the seven-member court. The decision was unanimous, although the judges were divided in their reasoning.
The ruling, which echoed those issued by lower courts in the case, is expected to cost the city millions in lost revenue. The city had collected $2.6 million from the tax so far in 2025, a mayoral spokesperson said.
“This decision will further shift the cost burden of essential city services onto our residents, while reducing the responsibility of performers and professional athletes to contribute to covering the significant costs associated with large public events,” Olga George, a spokesperson for Mayor Ed Gainey, said in an email.
The judges, though, noted that state lawmakers authorized the tax in the early 2000s not to offset the cost of stadium construction but to boost the city’s strained finances.
The plaintiffs include former Pittsburgh Penguin Scott Wilson; Kyle Palmieri of the New York Islanders; former baseball player Jeff Francoeur; and the players’ associations of the National Hockey League, National Football League and Major League Baseball.
Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Suspect in fatal Douglas County road rage shooting said it was his ‘only option’
The man killed Tuesday in a Douglas County road rage shooting had exited his car and was reaching into the suspect’s vehicle, allegedly punching him, when he was shot, according to court records.
Parker police responded to the shooting at Twenty Mile Road and Longs Way, near Railbender Skate & Tennis Park, just after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
When officers arrived, they found a gray sedan stopped on northbound Twenty Mile, with a man slumped on the ground outside the open door, police wrote in court documents.
The victim, identified as 25-year-old Carl John Cooper, was dead, police said.
Matthew Littlefield, 27, was arrested roughly 2 1/2 hours after the shooting on suspicion of second-degree murder, according to court records.
A witness who was at the intersection when the shooting happened, waiting to turn, told investigators that two vehicles stopped next to each other on northbound Twenty Mile. An SUV stopped in the left turn lane for the Railbender parking lot, next to Cooper’s sedan in a through lane.
She heard shouting but couldn’t make out what was being said, according to Littlefield’s arrest affidavit.
Cooper exited his car and was reaching into the other vehicle when the witness heard at least three shots in quick succession, she told investigators in the affidavit. The SUV then made a U-turn onto southbound Twenty Mile and fled the scene as Cooper collapsed to the ground.
Another witness told police that Cooper appeared to be “beating on” the SUV driver, believed to be Littlefield, before the shooting, according to the arrest affidavit.
Police traced the suspect vehicle to two Elizabeth residents, the parents of Littlefield. Shortly after, a Douglas County sheriff’s deputy stopped Littlefield near Parker Road and Founders Parkway in Franktown, police said.
Littlefield told the deputy he had a gun in the car, police said. He was taken to the Parker Police Department for questioning.
The man told investigators that he and the gray sedan had collided on Mainstreet, and he made an illegal U-turn to follow the driver. When the pair stopped on Twenty Mile, they each rolled down their windows.
Littlefield said he was trying to tell Cooper he wanted to exchange insurance information, but said Cooper exited his vehicle and began repeatedly hitting Littlefield in the face. Littlefield then reached into what he described as a “go bag” to grab his handgun.
When Cooper kept punching him, Littlefield said he felt like “the only option he had was to ‘put round(s) in him,” according to the arrest affidavit. Littlefield told investigators the first rounds didn’t seem to have an impact, so he kept firing. He later admitted it was “overkill.”
Littlefield left the scene and hid the bullet casings in a friend’s trash, who later surrendered the evidence to Parker police officers. He estimated he fired eight or nine shots at Cooper. It’s unclear how many times Cooper was struck.
Littlefield also told investigators he previously spent two years on probation for pointing a handgun at two men during a separate Parker road rage incident in 2022.
He is being held on a $250,000 cash or surety bail, which had not yet been posted as of Thursday afternoon, and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday for a hearing on charges, according to Douglas County court records.
Sign up to get crime news sent straight to your inbox each day.
Tennis legend fat-shamed by trainer before shocking split? ‘She thought I was judging her’
Serena Williams and former trainer Patrick Mouratoglou had unparalleled success on tennis courts around the globe from 2012 to 2022, when the legend won 10 Grand Slam singles titles, a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics, and regained the world No. 1 ranking. However, few knew the details of their sudden split.
That all changed this month when Mouratoglou was interviewed by “the Guardian‚” and revealed the main catalyst — Williams’ baby weight.
“It was after the pregnancy — not right after; I know these things take time,” Mouratoglou said. “I told her: ‘Listen, this is not a comment on how you look. It’s not my problem.’ But tennis is a sport in which you can’t afford to be overweight.”
“First of all, the pressure on your joints and everything is so big that your chances [of injury] become much higher,” he explained. “The second thing is it’s a sport in which you change directions all the time and with a lot of speed. Even one kilo overweight is a lot. When you go full speed in one direction with one kilo extra and then need to stop and come back, the time that you lose is really important.”
MORE SPORTS COVERAGE
Eagles’ injury updates on four starters ahead of their unbeaten showdown with Buccaneers
Keep your tailgate drinks cold with the YETI x Fanatics Coolers collection for NFL, NCAA, MLB and NHL fans
Roger Goodell weighs in on Tom Brady conflict of interest
Giants fans won’t like who this NFL analyst thinks is at ‘top of MVP lists’
Is $30M coming to Daniel Jones? Ex-agent makes case for ex-Giants QB
Williams gave a terse, and dismissive response when asked how she felt about moving on from Mouratoglou at a press conference in 2022.
“I didn’t even think about it… I don’t know, it feels good. I’m having a wonderful time here and I just didn’t even think about it,” she said at the time.
In total, Williams won a record 23 Grand Slam singles titles in the Open Era, the most by any player. She is a four-time Olympic gold medalist, including in singles and as part of the most successful Olympic doubles team in history with her sister, Venus.
Williams won her first 13 Grand slams prior to working with Mouratoglou.
2025 NJSIAA girls tennis state singles and doubles tournaments seeds
The top 24 seeds for the NJSIAA girls tennis state singles tournament, and the top 12 duos for the state doubles tournament were released on Thursday following the discussion at the NJSIAA headquarters in Robbinsville during the seeding meeting.
Have a look below to see who was seeded for the two tournaments.
Note that the draws won’t be posted until Sept. 29.
The tournaments will be played, weather permitting, from Oct. 4-12 at Mercer County Park in West Windsor and Veterans Park in Hamilton.
New for this year, a player must have competed in 50% of her team’s matches up until the cutoff date in order to be eligible for the postseason. Those with extraordinary circumstances such as injuries/medical reasons or return from academic ineligibility, must compete in at least 50% of the team’s remaining matches through the cutoff date.
Also, a singles wildcard entrant for this fall also needs to have at least a 5.38 UTR (last year’s median UTR). Doubles wildcards should not have a combined UTR lower than 7.00.
Stay tuned for a full preview for both tournaments and complete coverage.
SINGLES TOURNAMENT
TOP SEEDS
1-Nina Abalos, Montclair Kimberley
2-Britney Lee, Ridgefield Park
SEEDS 3-4 (Alphabetical)
Sofia Basto-Cabrera, Shawnee
Fiona Hu, Pingry
SEEDS 5-8 (Alphabetical)
Jaime Carlin, Holy Angels
Kylee Hung, Saddle River Day
Jordan Lee, Ridge
Sylvie Yao, Dwight-Englewood
SEEDS 9-16 Alphabetical)
Amelia Burroughs, Columbia
Sheryl Chen, Pingry 2
Laura Galeano, North Bergen
Janvi Kothagundla, Robbinsville
Michelle Lee, Ridgefield Park 2
Molly Martin, Rumson-Fair Haven
Audrey Rha, Whippany Park
SEEDS 17-24 (Alphabetical)
Sabrina Chu, Demarest
Nandini Iyer, Pingry3
Veronika Matulskaya, Colts Neck
Ritika Maurya, Woodbridge Magnet
Jazmine Natividad, Bergenfield
Emily No, Holy Angels 2
Lily Schonbraun, Newark Academy 2
Valerie Sinitsyn, Bergen Tech
DOUBLES TOURNAMENT
TOP SEEDS
1-Mia Custodio/Norah Park, Holy Angels
2-Rachel Bai/Angelina Gao, Pingry
SEEDS 3-4 (Alphabetical)
Logan McCarthy/Gracyn Walsh, Manasquan
Alexis Zhang/Yuxi Zhang, Newark Academy
SEEDS 5-8 (Alphabetical)
Kaira Tan/Maddie Rost, Livingston
Driti Ayinala/Olivia Liang, Millburn
Sivan Abir/Alisa Sahovic, Millburn 2
Charlotte Hao/Nicole Rubin, Pingry 2
SEEDS 9-12 (Alphabetical)
Kaitlin Wang/Prisha Patel, East Brunswick
Audrey Wang/Mysha Kahn, Holmdel
Emma Geppel/Sophia Bremm, Kent Place
Ashna Bushan/Sophia Bruhn, Princeton
SCHEDULE
Oct. 4: First and second rounds of singles – MCP/Vets
Oct. 4: First round of doubles – MCP/Vets
Oct. 5:Third/fourth rounds of singles, MCP
Oct. 5: Second and third round of doubles, Vets
Oct. 11: Quarterfinals semifinals at MCP
Oct. 12: Finals at MCP
Wheelchair tennis Paralympian receives $1,000 to finance Australian Open trip
San Diego resident David Wagner, a five-time Paralympic Games participant who’s brought home eight medals over the years, now has starter money to help him fund his participation in next year’s Australian Open tennis tournament.
On Thursday morning, the Challenged Athletes Foundation teamed up with EōS Fitness to provide Wagner with a $1,000 check during a workout at an EōS gym in Encinitas.
“It’s going to go directly into more training and probably the next tournament,” Wagner said, grinning after the check presentation.
Wagner, a lifelong athlete who played basketball and tennis in Washington as a child, became a quadriplegic at age 21 after attempting to jump a wave while playing Frisbee on the beach, a press release states. During rehabilitation after his accident, he started playing table tennis.
In the years since, he’s become one of the top wheelchair tennis players in the world. He has collected three gold medals, three silver medals and two bronze ones in Paralympic Games competitions.
Wagner, 51, said Thursday morning that he’s already contemplating participating in his sixth Paralympic Games — the one in Los Angeles in 2028.
“That’s kind of the hope,” he said after patiently posing for dozens of photos at the Encinitas fitness gym. “I hope to give it a run — you get older and it gets harder.”
Bob Babbitt, co-founder of the Challenged Athletes Foundation, said he’s known Wagner for years and he’s definitely driven enough to make it to the Paralympics once again.
“He’s an amazing young man — not young — (but) young for me,” he said, laughing.
Babbitt said he was inspired to establish the Challenged Athletes Foundation in 1985 when he writing about Iron Man competitions for Competitor Magazine. An athlete at one event — Jim MacLaren, an amputee due to a motorcycle accident — placed in the top 20 percent of all the competitors. A few years later he was struck by a vehicle during the biking portion of an Iron Man competition, became a quadriplegic and needed help paying for an adaptive van, Babbitt recalled.
What began as an effort to help one man grew into a foundation that assists athletes with physical disabilities around the world compete in 105 different sports, ranging from baseball for the blind to para-Nordic skilling, Babbitt said. Over the years, the San Diego-based foundation has raised nearly $200 million to support these athletes, he added.
The foundation has given Wagner at least eight grants in the past decade to pay for competition-related expenses and buy fitness equipment. It’s much needed support, Wagner said, mentioning that participating in the Australian Open, which is set for Jan. 12 to Feb. 1, involves a three- to four-week hotel stay, plus costly plane tickets and food expenses.
Wagner added that the organization provides far more than just financial assistance — it creates a network of athletes who can support each other and train together. And, he said, he’d tell someone like his long-ago, recently injured, 21-year-old self to seek out the foundation’s help and try new sports.
“The best advice I was ever given was to jump in and try it … don’t worry about failure, don’t worry about success,” he said.
Coppa Italia Round of 16: Lazio vs. AC Milan biggest fixture
The Coppa Italia Round of 16 fixture list is now complete, including Lazio vs. Milan, Roma vs. Torino, Juventus vs. Udinese and Inter vs. Venezia.
The tournament is structured around a tennis-style bracket, meaning the teams know who is coming up next after qualification.
The Second Round fixtures were rounded off this evening, with Torino and Genoa booking their spot in the next phase.
Without doubt, the biggest match scheduled for December is between Lazio and Milan, where the Biancocelesti will have the home advantage at the Stadio Olimpico.
These are again one-off games, to be decided after 90 minutes or on a penalty shoot-out, as extra time is not planned.
The only Serie B side still in the running is Venezia, who eliminated local rivals Verona on penalties to set up a clash with Inter.
Cincinnati high school girls tennis 2025 sectional preview, top seeds
Chase Souder
Cincinnati Enquirer
The Ohio High School Athletic Association girls tennis tournament sectionals begin at the end of September.
Athletes will compete at three sectional locations: Lindner Tennis Center, Mason High School, and Centerville High School.
Top seeds include defending state singles champion Addison Cassidy and back-to-back doubles champions Emma Wagner and Pratyusha Chaudhuri.
Several doubles teams feature sister tandems, including pairs from Oak Hills, Walnut Hills and Sycamore.
Now that the 2025 Coaches Classic has come and gone, athletes across the city turn their eyes towards the Ohio High School Athletic Association girls tennis tournament.
Division II sectionals begin on Sept. 30 and Division I sectionals begin Oct. 1, both concluding Oct. 4. Qualifying athletes advance to the district tournament for a chance to compete in the state tournament.
Local athletes will compete at three sectional locations: Lindner Tennis Center, Mason High School, and Centerville High School. The following athletes are the top seeds at each sectional.
Lindner Tennis Center sectional, Division I
Singles seeds
Renee Harper, sophomore, Oak Hills – Harper has proven herself as one of the area’s very best, turning in a 14-1 overall record, including an unbeaten 6-0 in Greater Miami Conference play. Last season, she qualified for the state tournament in doubles.
Libby Goedde, senior, Ursuline Academy – Goedde has impressed in Greater Girls Catholic League first singles play, losing only one match all season.
Alyssa Dittman, sophomore, Turpin – Dittman’s 13-1 record (6-1 in Eastern Cincinnati Conference competition) reflects her tremendous growth in year two.
Odette Kraus, freshman, Lakota West – In her first season of varsity tennis, Kraus made a strong impression to earn the fourth seed in the bracket.
Doubles seeds
Paige Lint and Brooke Lint, freshman and senior, Oak Hills – After Brooke qualified for the state doubles tournament with Harper last season, she’ll look for an even deeper run with her younger sister, Paige, in 2025. Paige has been off to a phenomenal 13-1 start in second singles, and the pair are undefeated in doubles to this point.
Perasa Poompanit and Irisa Poompanit, junior and senior, Walnut Hills – Another sister tandem, both have dominated their respective singles matchups in 2025. Perasa is 13-0 in first singles, while Irisa has cleaned up the second singles spot to go 12-0.
Auri Hall and Ciara Molinsky, senior and junior, Ursuline Academy – Hall and Molinsky were hard to handle in the regular season, both individually and as a team. They both went 10-0 in singles play, while as a unit they went 14-3 with an 8-0 GGCL record.
Josie Fitzpatrick and Emily Burkhardt, sophomores, Ursuline Academy – Neither Fitzpatrick nor Burkhardt suffered a loss in doubles play this season, though they played in several different combinations. Fitzpatrick went 11-2 in singles play and Burkhardt was not far behind at 9-4.
Be sure to check out the entire Division I singles bracket and doubles bracket at the Lindner Tennis Center sectional.
Lindner Tennis Center sectional, Division II
Singles seeds
Sophia Thompson, senior, Indian Hill – Thompson proved she was the very best singles player in the area at the Coaches Classic, defending her undefeated record against the city’s top teams. The sectional should be a tune-up as the senior seeks her first state title after reaching the finals twice and semifinals last year.
Jayden Puryear, senior, Summit Country Day – Puryear sports the best record in the Miami Valley Conference in first singles, turning in a 7-1 output for the season.
Elle Mikula, freshman, Indian Hill – Mikula stepped in as a freshman to help make Indian Hill the top team in the Cincinnati Hills League.
Reema Arebi, junior, Cincinnati Country Day – Arebi was a key contributor, leading CCD to the best record in the Miami Valley Conference with a 15-2 overall record.
Doubles seeds
Corinne Labin and Miranda Wang, juniors, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy – Labin and Wang were instrumental in helping CHCA take down CCD, putting the Eagles at 6-1 in the MVC.
Genevieve Chasar and Grace Nguyen, junior and senior, Indian Hill – Chasar and Nguyen were the first doubles team for CHL-leading Indian Hill.
Caroline Connelly and Katherine Connelly, seniors, Cincinnati Country Day – Twin sisters, Caroline and Katherine, were dominant in first doubles competition this season, turning in a 13-2 overall record with a perfect 8-0 record in MVC play.
Grace Perry and Reese Hazen, juniors, Indian Hill – The juniors Perry and Hazen took second doubles to push Indian Hill to first place in the CHL.
Don’t miss the entire Division II singles bracket and doubles bracket at the Lindner Tennis Center sectional.
Mason sectional, Division I
Singles seeds
Addison Cassidy, senior, Mason – Cassidy, the defending Division I singles state champion, certainly seems poised for another deep tournament run in 2025. Cassidy once again led the Comets to first place in the Greater Miami Conference as 12-0 Mason has dispatched all challengers.
Lisa Kai, senior, Sycamore – The senior secured a strong 19-3 record across all three singles slots for Sycamore. Kai’s singles performances led the Aces to a 19-2 overall record.
Abby Jagers, sophomore, St. Ursula – The sophomore stepped up with a 9-4 overall record and a 6-2 GGCL record in singles play.
Becca Wilson, junior, St. Ursula – Wilson shone for St. Ursula in singles competition with a 10-2 overall record, including a 7-1 mark in GGCL play.
Doubles seeds
Emma Wagner and Pratyusha Chaudhuri, junior and senior, Mason – Defending back-to-back Division I doubles state champions, Wagner and Chaudhuri hope the sectional is a launching pad for a three-peat.
Saanvi Reddy and Adriana Moreno, junior and senior, Mason – Moreno qualified for the state doubles tournament a season ago, but this season will be teamed up with a new partner in Reddy. The experience of the upperclassmen duo may give them an edge over competitors.
Bhavana Singidi and Vanmayi Podili, sophomores, Mason – Singidi qualified for the state doubles tournament (alongside the aforementioned Moreno), but will pair up with fellow sophomore Podili to make a run at a repeat.
Allison Sayles and Serena Sayles, senior and sophomore, Sycamore – Sisters Allison and Serena Sayles qualified for the state doubles tournament in 2024 and are a force to be reckoned with yet again. Serena went 14-5 in first singles, whereas Allison turned in a 14-3 record in second singles.
Check out the entire Division I singles bracket and doubles bracket at the Mason sectional.
Mason sectional, Division II
Singles seeds
Nina Myatt, junior, Wyoming – Myatt advanced to districts in doubles last year with her since-graduated sister, Eva. This year, Myatt led Wyoming from the first singles position as she went 10-6.
Lily Fraser, junior, Seven Hills – Fraser has been a boon for Seven Hills all season in the second singles slot.
Katie Tully, junior, Mariemont – Tully was reliable across all three singles slots this season, going a combined 11-3 for Mariemont.
Allyson Crim, junior, Middletown Madison – Crim stacked win after win in 2025, putting up a 17-2 overall record in first singles competition.
Doubles seeds
Lucy Hanser and Lauren Gaughan, junior and senior, Mariemont – Hanser and Gaughan both had strong records in singles play, with Hanser going 13-3 and Gaughan going 9-1. Gaughan added five wins in doubles play as well.
Allie Tully and Mia Eberlein, sophomore and junior, Mariemont – Tully and Eberlein both played in a variety of doubles team-ups, with Tully posting a 15-1 record and Eberlein posting a 12-1 record. Eberlein and Tully went 5-1 together.
Cammy Rogers and Bea Kennedy, junior and freshman, Seven Hills – Rogers was a MVC second-team selection in 2024, and will be joined by the freshman Kennedy to make a run for districts.
Evie Cooper and Amrutha Juluri, senior and junior, Seven Hills – Cooper, the other member of the second-team all-conference doubles team for Seven Hills last season, will join forces with Juluri to take on the 2025 field.
Take a look at the entire Division II singles bracket and doubles bracket at the Mason sectional.
Centerville sectional, Division I
Seeded area players
Jaira McNealy, freshman, Springboro – The No. 4 seed in the singes bracket, the freshman McNealy stepped into the lion’s share of first singles responbilities this year.
Jenna Callahan and Avery Givens, seniors, Lebanon – The senior duo holds the No. 1 seed in the doubles bracket. Calahan and Givens were a dynamic doubles team this season, putting up a 13-3 record, which includes a 7-1 conference mark.
Don’t forget to check the entire Division I singles bracket and doubles bracket at the Centerville sectional.
Non-seeded players to watch
Singles
Haley Johnson, senior, Colerain – Johnson finished the regular season with an impressive 17-4 record in first singles. The senior takes the court in the Division I singles bracket at Mason.
Jara Huerzeler, junior, New Richmond – Huerzeler, a Swiss transfer student, went undefeated in first singles play to lead New Richmond to a 15-0 season. She will compete in the Division II singles bracket at Lindner Tennis Center.
Rylee Kempton, senior, East Clinton – Kempton turned in a perfect 10-0 Southern Buckeye Athletic & Academic Conference record and a 14-1 overall record in first singles play. The senior will compete in the Division II singles bracket at Lindner Tennis Center.
Jasmine Ashbrook, junior, Western Brown – Ashbrook won 17 matches this year with only a single loss for Western Brown. The junior will compete in the Division I singles bracket at Lindner Tennis Center.
Doubles
Josi Balon and Abigail Prater, seniors, East Clinton – The senior duo of Balon and Prater went 10-1 this season in first doubles competition. The experienced doubles team competes in the Division II doubles bracket at Lindner Tennis Center.
Ava Escudero and Rachel Kremp, seniors, Sycamore – Escudero and Kremp turned in an 8-1 record in tough Greater Miami Conference play. The pair of seniors will compete in the Division I doubles Bracket at Mason.
How to watch Coco Gauff’s China Open tennis match for free today
Coco Gauff will face Kamilla Rakhimova in the second round of the China Open Thursday at 11 p.m. ET. Gauff returns to the court for the first time since losing to Naomi Osaka in the fourth round of the US Open.
Gauff vs. Rakhimova will air on Tennis Channel, which you can stream on DirecTV (free trial).
Here’s what you need to know:
What: China Open, first round
Who: No. 2 Coco Gauff vs. Kamilla Rakhimova
When: Thursday, Sep. 25, 2025
Time: 11 p.m. ET
Where: Capital Group Diamond Court, Beijing, China
TV: Tennis Channel
Live stream: DirecTV (free trial), fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling
Here’s a recent tennis story, via The Associated Press:
A collection of top-10 tennis players sent a second letter to the four Grand Slam tournaments to push for a greater share of revenues — aiming to rise from the current 16% to 22% by 2030 — contributions to pension, health and maternity benefits that would go from zero to $12 million annually by that same year, and greater say via a new player council.
This letter, signed by stars such as Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Jack Draper — but not, unlike the original letter sent by players to the Slam events in March, Novak Djokovic — was dated July 30.
The second letter, which was seen this week by The Associated Press, set out specific benchmarks for ways in which the sport’s four most prestigious, and profitable, tournaments could offer more money and influence to the athletes.
The players are working with Larry Scott as a consultant; he used to be the chairman and CEO of the WTA women’s tennis tour and, later, ran the Pac-12 conference in American college sports.
There have been meetings among Scott, some players and the leaders of the All England Club, which runs Wimbledon; the French Tennis Federation, which runs Roland-Garros; Tennis Australia, which runs the Australian Open; and the U.S. Tennis Association, which runs the U.S. Open.
All four were asked to reply to the July 30 letter, and all four did.
The USTA’s response, dated Aug. 18 and obtained this week by the AP, was signed by Brian Vahaly, the group’s interim co-CEO, and Stacey Allaster, the USTA’s chief executive of professional tennis who just completed her last U.S. Open as tournament director.
“As you are aware, we have always been willing to increase compensation for players — as evidenced by the 57% growth of the U.S. Open purse over the past five years — particularly when additional collaboration on the part of the players helps to create additional revenue,” Vahaly and Allaster wrote. “For example, this year’s significant increase in compensation to $90 million reflects the addition of an extra day to the main draw singles competition and the resulting contribution made by players.”
U.S. Open singles champions Sabalenka and Alcaraz each received a record $5 million this month.
Vahaly and Allaster also wrote that they wanted “to reiterate our commitment to engaging in direct, honest and transparent discussions with the players to build a stronger future for the entire tennis ecosystem — including a healthier calendar, enhanced player consultation, and greater financial value for all involved.”
The March letter from players to the four Slam hosts came not long after the players’ association co-founded by Djokovic — the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) — filed an antitrust lawsuit against the women’s and men’s professional tours in federal court in New York. Djokovic was not listed as one of the plaintiffs.
That antitrust filing seeks more money for players, saying too little of the revenues end up in the athletes’ hands, and lays out a series of other complaints about the way the sport is run. In May, the WTA and ATP tours jointly filed a motion to dismiss the case against them.
The original case did not list the four Grand Slam tournament organizers as defendants, but they have been added, the PTPA announced this week.
“This is a necessary next step to guarantee accountability from all parties,” the PTPA said, “and accelerate long-overdue reform across the entire tennis ecosystem.”
Luke Treleaven-Led Fairview dazzles in Granite Peaks League boys tennis championships
NIWOT — A small crowd of teammates and players from other schools gathered in awe to watch Fairview’s Luke Treleaven work his magic with the racket.
“It’s just not fair, bro,” one onlooker said.
“There’s no chance,” another admitted through a chuckle. “I don’t think I’d hit a return.”
Making it look easy with his natural instincts and flair for dropping jaws, Treleaven rolled through the No. 1 singles field at the Granite Peaks League boys tennis championships Thursday. The junior won all three of his matches at host Niwot High School, including a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Monarch’s Isaac Anderson in the championship round.
“I felt good today,” the humble Treleaven said. “I felt like I was hitting the ball in the middle of my racket throughout the whole day.”
After moving from South Africa to the United States only six months ago, Treleaven is navigating his first full year at Fairview.
“It was a big change,” said Treleaven, who has lost only one match on the season. “Here, there’s so many more tennis players compared to South Africa, where you kind of played the same people over and over again. Here, I’ve just met so many people. It’s very nice.”
With six combined singles and doubles champions, Treleaven’s Knights secured the Granite Peaks League team title, followed by second-place Monarch and third-place Broomfield.
Fellow Knight Adhrit Sundaresan beat Monarch’s Ajay Chandran (6-3, 6-4) in the No. 2 singles finals. At No. 3 singles, Monarch flipped the script as Troy Games beat Fairview’s Itay Kazatcker, 6-2, 7-6.
“When I play, I don’t think about anything else,” said Games, the lone individual or doubles champion not from Fairview. “Don’t let your emotions get the best of you. I tend to let that happen to me a lot. In a situation like that, I wasn’t in physical form to play a full third set, so that’s all I was thinking: finish it right now.”
Games added that Monarch is trending well as regionals near, particularly its doubles lines.
“We all showed in this tournament how good we are by getting second place,” Games said. “A lot of our doubles lines have gotten better throughout the season, and they showed in this tournament.”
In both the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles matches, a Fairview duo got the best of Broomfield. Still, the third-place Eagles enjoyed a strong overall performance.
“It’s certainly something to be proud of,” said Broomfield No. 1 doubles player Oliver Ball. “Our guys, we’ve been working hard this season. We’ve been having a very successful season. Being able to come out and snag third in this tournament of 14 teams is something that we can all go home at the end of the day being super proud of.”
Centaurus’ Sam Vigmostad and Neal Blackwelder (No. 3 doubles) represented the only duo not from Fairview, Broomfield or Monarch to reach a finals match. The two Warriors fell to Fairview’s Grant Garabed and Quinn Ruder, 6-3, 6-2.
Granite Peaks League champions:
1 singles: Luke Treleaven (Fairview) def. Isaac Anderson (Monarch) 6-3, 6-3
2 singles: Adhrit Sundaresan (Fairview) def. Ajay Chandran (Monarch) 6-3 6-4
3 singles: Troy Games (Monarch) def. Itay Kazatcker (Fairview) 6-2, 7-6
1 doubles: Gavin Torgusen/Chase Harrah (Fairview) def. Oliver Ball/Kellan Rosenfels (Broomfield) 6-2, 6-2
2 doubles: Rafa Cortes/Colin Ryan (Fairview) def. Dallin Shelley/Tanner Keegan (Broomfield) 6-3, 6-4
3 doubles: Grant Garabed/Quinn Ruder (Fairview) def. Sam Vigmostad/Neal Blackwelder (Centaurus) 6-3, 6-2
4 doubles: Om Vegesna/Srikar Kurakula (Fairview) def. Logan Zawistowski/Ethan Jeffries (Monarch) 6-2, 7-5
Lleyton Hewitt’s Father Blasts ITF Over “Shambolic” Davis Cup Ruling After Son’s Suspension
What Lleyton Hewitt thought was “self-defence” last year has spiraled into far worse consequences than he could have imagined. The second half of the tennis season typically brings rivalries, rankings drama, and on-court tension. But this time, the spotlight shifted to the courtroom. Two-time Davis Cup champion and Australian team captain Lleyton Hewitt has found himself in hot water with the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The situation escalated so much that even his father stepped in to address the concerns.
On September 10, the ITIA announced Hewitt had received a two-week suspension and an AU$30,000 ($19,600) fine. The ruling came after an independent tribunal reviewed his case under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP). But this wasn’t the usual story of a failed test. It was about crossing the line with doping officials, something Hewitt discovered the hard way. His father, Glynn Hewitt, has issued a fiery rebuke of the ITIA after his son received the ban for allegedly shoving an anti-doping volunteer.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Lleyton Hewitt backed as his father criticized the process
Hewitt’s father has come out swinging against the ITIA, claiming the process against his son was unfair and biased. Hewitt shoved a 60-year-old volunteer anti-doping chaperone after Australia lost to Italy in the Davis Cup semi-final in Malaga, Spain, last November. In a statement issued by WRP Legal, Glynn said the ITF played too significant a role in the proceedings, even though the tribunal was meant to be independent. He pointed out that the ITF “is a member of the ITIA, has representation on its board, requested attendance at the tribunal and supplied witnesses,” suggesting the case was stacked against his son from the start.
He also linked the ITF’s treatment of Hewitt to his long-standing criticism of how they managed the Davis Cup. According to him, the ITF had never been pleased with Hewitt’s outspoken stance. “It is well known that the ITF have been unhappy with Lleyton’s criticism of their management of the Davis Cup competition,” he said. Moreover, he highlighted decisions like selling rights to Gerard Piqué’s company and changing the historic competition’s format. Glynn described the result as a “shambolic example of its former self.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The statement further accused the ITIA of focusing solely on removing Hewitt from his Davis Cup role. “The ITIA’s sole objective was to have Lleyton banned from performing his role as Davis Cup captain and to that extent they failed,” he said. This reflected his belief that the agency acted with an agenda rather than pursuing fairness.
Finally, the 72-year-old explained why his son chose not to appeal the sanction, saying there was “a total lack of trust in the process” and that going ahead would have been like “having the ITIA mark their own homework.” He added about the family’s request to redirect fines to the Ken McGregor Tennis Foundation to help junior players. Yet, they rejected the decision.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
In a nutshell, the 44-year-old’s father says the ITIA’s process was unfair because the ITF, which has clashed with Lleyton over his Davis Cup criticism, had too much influence in the case. He believes the agency aimed to remove his son as Davis Cup captain, not uphold integrity. He is upset because he sees the process as biased, untrustworthy, and dismissive of their request to use the fine to support junior players. But what exactly triggered the entire fiasco?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Hewitt defends his conduct as self-protection
It all traces back to November 23, 2024, right after Australia’s Davis Cup semifinal defeat to Italy in Malaga, Spain. After pushing the 60-year-old chaperone, he was officially charged with breaching Article 7.15.1.1 of the TADP for “engaging in offensive conduct towards a doping control official” on January 6, 2025. The charge highlighted just how seriously tennis views these kinds of incidents.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
However, the former world No. 1 in men’s singles denied the accusation. He pleaded not guilty, saying he acted in self-defence to stop the man from touching him while he was still recovering from abdominal surgery. He also insisted he did not know the man’s role. The ITIA countered with video footage, witness accounts, and interviews to strengthen their case. From there, the issue escalated into a formal tribunal process. It automatically put Hewitt in a battle to defend his reputation in a court and courtroom setting.
Ultimately, the legal fight dragged on for months. Hewitt sought extensions, traveled, and pushed to cross-examine witnesses, insisting he appear in person. The hearing eventually occurred in Sydney on July 21-22, 2025, after two earlier online sessions in June and July. In the end, the tribunal ruled against him. His suspension runs from September 24 to October 7, barring him from every tennis-related activity, whether coaching, mentoring, or captaining Australia in the Davis Cup. That said, what are your thoughts on the situation?
Sandwich’s Kai Kern wins Kishwaukee River Conference golf title: Thursday’s Record Newspapers sports roundup
Boys Golf
Kishwaukee River Conference meet
Sandwich senior Kai Kern shot a 4-over par 75 for a one-shot win at the Kishwaukee River Conference meet at Randall Oaks in West Dundee.
Sandwich, which went undefeated during the conference dual meet season, took a close third at the tournament with a team score of 338. Woodstock was first at 335, Woodstock North second at 336.
Based on the results from the regular season and the tournament, Woodstock and Sandwich ended up tied in team points and were named co-champions of the Kishwaukee River Conference.
Plano’s Brandon Ramos shot an 80 for seventh place, Sandwich’s Nolan Oros an 81 to tie for eighth and Plano’s Quentin Santoria an 82 for 11th place.
Sandwich’s Kyle Michels and Finley Taxis each shot a 91. Plano’s Aidan Grooms shot a 91 and Adrian Lazarit a 92.
Plano was sixth with a team score of 345.
Girls Tennis
Yorkville 5, Plainfield East 2
The Foxes dominated on all doubles courts, only giving up five games total between four teams and eight sets.
Audry Converse/Sarah Blaise, Callie Ferko/Alana Hogan, Niah Kallan/Christy Silva, and Abby Urzua/Macie Jones all won in straight sets.
At No. 2 singles, Yorkville’s Analiese Garretson came back from being a set down to win 4-6, 6-2, match tiebreaker 10-4.
Girls Volleyball
Earlville d. Sandwich 25-21, 25-19
Mikayla Brain had six blocks and five digs, Alayla Harris six blocks and two kills, Rylee Huml seven digs, Bella Isadore nine digs, Khloe White eight assists and three aces, and Bailey Frieders, Kyra Johnson and Kayden Corneils three kills for Sandwich (5-16).
Brandel Chamblee Rectifies Bryson DeChambeau Stance as PGA Tour & LIV Golf Pros Join Forces Against Him
Just days after labeling Bryson DeChambeau a “captain’s nightmare” and suggesting he was more interested in YouTube clicks than playing for his country, Brandel Chamblee is now singing a very different tune. In Golf Channel’s latest Ryder Cup segment, Chamblee didn’t just soften his stance, but he practically named DeChambeau as Team USA’s anchor, even suggesting he should play all matches.
Speaking to Paul McGinley and Todd Lewis during a discussion on potential Foursomes pairings before the Ryder Cup kicks off in a day, Chamblee was asked for his opinion if Bryson DeChambeau was to be paired with Justin Thomas in the opening matches. And Chamblee’s reaction was unexpected. “Yeah, look, I mean, I’d be surprised if Bryson didn’t play all five matches,” he said. He then went on to add that “this golf course is not a major championship setup,” doubling down on why DeChambeau’s power would dominate.
“The fairways have been widened. The rough has been cut. It’s going to be soft…” Chamblee continued. And then he dropped another shocker — “Bryson is, it may well be, and again, the data is hard to find, but if you go look and you stack it up, the best driver in this field likely is not Scottie Scheffler. It likely is not Jon Rahm. It is likely Bryson DeChambeau.” The comments from Chamblee marked a stunning reversal from his earlier criticism, where he basically painted Bryson DeChambeau as a self-obsessed YouTube influencer.
Just a few days ago, on Chamblee’s ‘Live From’ segment, he took a brutal dig at DeChambeau’s pre-Ryder Cup priorities, saying, “He didn’t talk about playing on a team and how much that meant. Nope, he didn’t do that. What he did do was talk about his YouTube channel…” He even went as far as claiming Bryson DeChambeau’s YouTube views were boosted by “bots” and that he’d be “a difficult person to get paired with…” and flat-out declared, “I think he would be a captain’s nightmare.”
But now? Bryson DeChambeau is suddenly indispensable. Chamblee even floated potential pairings for him with Justin Thomas, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, and highlighted how key holes like 2, 4, 6, and 16 set up perfectly for Bryson DeChambeau’s left-to-right bombs. He added that DeChambeau “does have the luxury of all that length” and confidently said that “It would surprise me if Bryson didn’t tee off first on one.”
This abrupt pivot from Chamblee has left golf fans scratching their heads and maybe raising an eyebrow or two. Maybe it’s the course. Or maybe Chamblee caught wind of the backlash. Several fans on X even joked a day ago that all the fans surrounding DeChambeau were probably not real — “Brandel will call those fans bots.” Whatever the reason, the narrative has flipped—and Bryson DeChambeau now finds himself not on the outside looking in, but possibly leading the charge in New York.
But Chamblee even had a strategy laid out for DeChambeau and his team.
Brandel Chamblee’s strategy – Win the Foursomes, Win the Ryder Cup
Brandel Chamblee didn’t just back Bryson—he issued a war cry for the importance of Foursomes. “If we’re looking at the importance, going back to 2014, of the Foursomes,” he said, leaning into the drama, “you know that line, that great line in Gladiator—‘win the crowd, win your freedom’—where you could put a little twist on that — ‘win the Foursomes, and win the Ryder Cup.’” It wasn’t just words out of thin air or flair for television. Chamblee made a compelling case that the Foursomes format, often overshadowed by the fourballs format, is where momentum is truly forged.
Citing history and numbers, Chamblee pointed to 2014 and 2023 as proof. “You look at the foursomes, of course, all opened up with four ball, the very next session, they both raced the United States. And you can see the same thing happen in 2023, whereas Europe was 4-0 after the first session,” he said. “The only winning team on the U.S. side in Foursomes was Max Homa and Brian Harman—and they’re not here, you know? Their form has fallen off a little bit.”
His message was clear —Foursomes aren’t just another format, they’re the backbone of Ryder Cup dominance. “So you see the advantage that you get in foursomes, and it just speaks that you get to go to that well over and over and over again throughout the Ryder Cup,” he added. All he is implying is that you get your foursomes pairings right, or prepare to lose.
PGA Tour Pro Sounds Unimpressed on Donald Trump’s Ryder Cup Presence During Press Conference
Donald Trump’s presence on Friday afternoon at Bethpage will probably be the most talked-about news in the 2025 Ryder Cup. The POTUS will be there to show his support for Team U.S. against a strong European side in New York. This would have rung some alarm bells in the Team Europe dressing room. But Luke Donald’s side is completely focused, and Robert MacIntyre set a great example of that in an interview.
Bob Mac sat down for a press conference preceding the 2025 Ryder Cup. During the conversation of the reporters asked him if Trump’s proud Scottish heritage would have any impact on his presence at Bethpage. MacIntyre bluntly told the reporter, “I just play golf. I don’t — politics and stuff is out of my — I mean, I’m not bright enough, for one, to be worrying about politics. I’m worrying more about what goes on this week on the golf course.”
Robert seems unfazed about the President’s appearance on Friday. Over the last few weeks, Luke Donald and his team have been trying various tactics to help the team prepare for the onslaught in New York. Rory McIlroy revealed how the Team Europe captain had provided everyone with VR headsets that simulate the abuse they might be subject to at Bethpage. Seems that the strategy has desensitized MacIntyre enough that he is not bothered about the presence of Donald Trump on the course as well.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Speaking about his role for the squad, the Scotsman added, “As a European, we’ve got a job to do, and yeah, try and compete as hard as we can and hopefully win the Ryder Cup.” At the end of the day, whatever approach they take, every Team Europe player’s primary goal would be to help their team get the maximum points to win at Bethpage. Whether it’s to ignore the noise or avoid Donald Trump.
So when MacIntyre was asked if he found the President’s presence on the course distracting, he didn’t shy away from giving his honest take on the situation. The Scottish pro said, “It’s just another spectator,” as far as he’s concerned. And as he has been preparing to use the VR headsets, if the spectators at Bethpage become too distracting, then they are to be ignored.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
MacIntyre might greet him graciously when he is not handling his club. But when he is on the fairway, then President Donald Trump will be treated like any other American supporter trying to derail the Europeans. However, when the tournament is over, Robert MacIntyre might face the President once again. This time, he won’t be able to ignore him as Luke Donald has already invited him into the conversation.
Donald Trump heads to the Ryder Cup, embraced by golf world
Four years ago, President Donald Trump was persona non grata in the professional golf world, ostracized from the sport he loves in the wake of the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. The PGA of America pulled his chance to host its major championship and officials in his hometown, New York City, tried ousting his company from the golf course it had hired him to run.
On Friday, Trump will be front and center at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black — welcomed to the first day of competition by the very powers that once shunned him. The Ryder Cup is run by the PGA of America, the organization that yanked its 2022 PGA Championship from his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf course.
U.S. captain Keegan Bradley said he’s “deeply honored” that Trump will be there to cheer on his squad. European captain Luke Donald said the president’s attendance “just shows how big the Ryder Cup is,” calling it a “mark of respect,” even if he’s rooting for the other side.
Trump, a Republican, will be the first sitting U.S. president to attend the biennial U.S.-Europe clash in its nearly 100-year history.
During his first term, he dropped in on the final day of the 2017 Presidents Cup at Liberty National in New Jersey.
His visit, expected in the late morning or early afternoon when the tournament is well underway, will mean extra security screenings in the areas where Trump is expected to be — near the clubhouse and first tee — and restrictions on what fans can bring. No rangefinders, laptops or tablets.
European stalwart Justin Rose predicted even more of a ruckus around the usually rowdy first tee when Trump is around. It’ll be a “very intense and entertaining
Elementary students meet PGA Tour Americas pros at B.C. golf course
It’s not every day you get to walk a hole on the golf course alongside a pro.
As part of the PGA Tour Americas’ Fortinet Cup Championship, students from South Surrey’s Rosemary Heights Elementary as well as other area schools had the chance to watch the pros golf, learn about the golf course and even, walked the entire 18th hole at Morgan Creek Golf Course with AJ Ewart, a Canadian golfer from B.C. who grew up in Coquitlam.
During the RBC Pro-Am Wednesday (Sept. 24), the young students also had the chance to participate in a skills clinic, an RBC Community Junior Golf initiative, with some of the other professional golfers set to compete for the cup — and a chance to make it into the PGA’s Korn Ferry Tour — Thursday through Sunday (Sept. 25 to 28) at the beautifully maintained golf course.
Ewart, 26, is fresh off setting a record with a career-low 11-under 59 in the second round to set a new course record at Uplands Golf Club in Victoria last weekend, carding 12 birdies and one bogey. He entered the tournament 12th on the PGA Tour Americas’ Fortinet Cup points list, and if he can move up at least two spots, he will receive one of the 10 2026 Korn Ferry Tour cards that will be handed out after Sunday’s final round.
But making it to the top 10 isn’t Ewart’s only goal.
Scottie Scheffler Won’t Endure Same Fate as Tiger Woods Against Europe Due to a Critical Factor, Says Insider
After 82 PGA Tour wins, you’d think Tiger Woods would be a force to be reckoned with in the Ryder Cup. The same goes for Phil Mickelson, who has 45 championships to his name. They were two of the most dominant players of the 21st century, but their record for Team U.S. was abysmal to say the least. Tiger was 12-21-3, and Phil was 18-22-7. And Mickelson’s former long-term caddie, Jim “Bones” Mackay, shed some light on their terrible performance and why Scottie Scheffler won’t suffer the same fate.
Mackay joined the Golf Channel for an exclusive pre-Ryder Cup interview to discuss his former boss and their dynamic with Woods. During one of the segments, he was asked why Mickelson and Woods performed so terribly in the Ryder Cup and why Scottie Scheffler hasn’t had a tough time in the tournament. Mackay told the analyst, “When you talk about them playing specifically together as they did in ’04, I tell people all the time, if you went and had dinner with Tiger and Phil, you will leave that dinner thinking to yourself, well that was fascinating, but boy are those two guys different.”
While both of them dominated the course, they had a very different approach to the game. Tiger was always more calculated and methodical. He worked hard to develop every aspect of his game and knew how to adapt in every situation. The Open Championship 2006 win at Royal Liverpool was a prime example of that. However, as far as Mickelson goes, even Woods had admitted that he was much more naturally gifted. Not that Phil didn’t work hard on his game. But his natural abilities made his approach a lot different than that of the big cat. Hence, their pairing was a recipe for disaster in the 2004 Ryder Cup. They lost both the matches they played on Friday.
Coming back to the interview, Mackay explained why Scheffler won’t face that problem in the Ryder Cup: “I’m certainly not worried about Scottie Scheffler because I think they found his partner in Russell Henley. I’m a little concerned about Russell’s length off the tee this week. This is a big golf course. He’s not a particularly long hitter. But he is a gutsy, gutsy player who makes big putts at big moments. I think he’s Scottie’s guy.”
Henley and Scheffler have already proven themselves to be a clinical pairing. They were outstanding together during the 2024 Presidents Cup, where their win inspired the American side to go for the big win and retain the title. With Russell’s amazing form in 2025, he will certainly be able to do a lot more than play a supporting role for Scottie at Bethpage this time around. That will make their pairing a huge threat for Team Europe.
However, just having a great pairing of Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley in your team won’t get the job done for Team U.S.. Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay suggests that the squad will have to plan ahead for a lot of things and rely on the captain to make the right decisions to ensure the world’s #1 is used efficiently.
Jim Mackay reveals why Keegan Bradley will have to use Scottie Scheffler & Co. properly
Having a strong pairing like Scottie Scheffler & Russell Henley means Keegan Bradley can guarantee 5 points for Team U.S.. But only if he uses their team perfectly. He can’t have them go up against the best of Team Europe and risk losing even one of those points. They can’t face the weakest picks of Luke Donald as well, or their abilities will be put to waste.
Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay said, “You can’t speak enough about how important the captain’s role is this week. I used to think when I got started, you just roll these guys out there and you let them decide ultimately what’s going to happen. But there’s so much more than people might think in terms of the captain’s role. And I think Keegan’s been doing one heck of a job for the U.S. side.”
Just by not picking himself as a Captain’s Pick, Keegan Bradley has convinced everyone about his commitment to leading the squad to victory. His next job is to ensure that the right mix of players is taking the field at Bethpage to ensure maximum effectiveness. Bryson DeChambeau has been heavily criticized for being an incompatible player for alternate shots by the analyst. If Bradley thinks it’s wise to make him skip the matches, then he should make that decision. He could also decide to give limited match time to other out-of-form players. In the end, the Team U.S. captain’s job will be to do what’s best for them to win in New York. Anything else will be forgotten & forgiven.
Richest Golfer at 2025 Ryder Cup Revealed and It’s Not Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler’s run over the past two years has kept him firmly at the top of the PGA Tour mountain: seven wins in 2024 (including a major), six in 2025 (including two majors), 33 top-10 finishes across both campaigns and another season leading the Tour’s official money list (his fourth straight).
Scheffler accumulated roughly $27.66 million in PGA earnings for 2025 and moved up the Tour’s all‑time money ranks, with his $194.34 million in career earnings second only to Rory McIlroy ($207.43 million), according to Spotrac.
These accomplishments have kept him world No. 1 for 158 straight weeks and made him the highest‑profile American on Team USA for the highly anticipated Ryder Cup, which tees off Friday.
Despite all of this, Scheffler still isn’t even the highest-paid golfer competing in the event, according to Forbes.
Forbes reported on Thursday that Jon Rahm is actually the highest-paid golfer, with an estimated $99 million in total earnings this year; Scheffler’s earnings are placed at about $90 million.
Rahm’s LIV season provided large, concentrated payouts plus ongoing commercial deals, producing overall higher 12‑month earnings despite Scheffler’s dominant run in majors and signature PGA events this year.
The Ryder Cup, while offering no tournament prize money, now stages a clash not only of teams but of competing commercial models in golf.
Team USA is headlined by Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay and others, with Keegan Bradley as the captain.
Team Europe, meanwhile, will be led out by Rahm, McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry and company, with Luke Donald as captain.
The Ryder Cup begins at 7 a.m. ET Friday. It will be televised on USA and streamed on Fubo and rydercup.com.
Who Is Keegan Bradley’s Aunt, Pat Bradley? All About PGA Tour Pro’s Legendary Relative Explored
With 8 PGA Tour wins and 11 runner-ups across 374 events, Keegan Bradley has become a household name. But he is not the only one in his family who loves and plays golf. His father, Mark Bradley, started playing golf at nine and has been a PGA member for 26 years. “When Keegan was born, I coached skiing and was a Club Professional. We skied in the winter and we played golf in the summer,” said Mark. And while it was Mark who encouraged Keegan to play golf as much as he likes, it was his aunt, Pat Bradley who influenced the 2025 Ryder Cup captain’s career. It won’t be wrong to say that Pat’s career is even better than that of Keegan, who himself is an elite.
Who is Pat Bradley? Early life and rise in golf
Pat Bradley, now 74, was born to Richard and Kay Bradley on March 24, 1951. Born in Westford, Massachusetts, Pat started playing golf when she was 11 at Nashua Country Club. John Wirbal was her early-day coach and mentor, whom, along with Gail Davis and Richard Bradley, she credits for her success.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
As an amateur, the LPGA legend won the New Hampshire Amateur twice, in 1967 and 1969. She also holds the 1972-73 New England Amateur championship under her name. The 1973 Burdine’s Invitational marked her last tour as an amateur, where she tied for 12th position.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Pat Bradley’s illustrious LPGA career and major wins
The best way to demonstrate Pat Bradley’s illustrious LPGA career is in numbers, and they are amazing. She has won 31 LPGA Tours and six major championships over her career. After turning professional in 1974, her first victory came in 1976 at the Girl Talk Classic. She won in the playoff by outlasting Judy Rankin, Bonnie Lauer, and Sandra Post.
This win at the Girl Talk Classic kicked what can only be titled as a remarkable career. 1977 was the same, as she again won only a single tour, the Bankers Trust Classic. But this changed in 1978, when she enjoyed her first of the eight multiple-win seasons. The three titles Pat won this year included the Lady Keystone Classic, the Hoosier Classic, and the Rail Charity Classic.
This brings us to her first major win in 1980, the Peter Jackson Classic, along with the Greater Baltimore Classic. She then won five more majors, three of which came in 1986 alone. This made her the only golfer ever to win three of the four modern-day majors in a single season.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
She didn’t just make a reputation with her LPGA Tour and major victories; her winnings were also historical. After crossing the $1 million mark at Nabisco Dinah Shore in 1983, she became the first golfer ever to cross $2 million, $3 million, and $4 million in career earnings in 1986, 1990, and 1991, respectively. Her last LPGA title in 1995 also made her the second LPGA player to cross $5 million.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Pat Bradley then won the BJ’s Charity Championship. It is a Women’s Senior Golf Tour event, now the Legends Tour.
Her illustrious career got her inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame in 1991.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The family connection: How aunt Pat inspired Keegan Bradley
There’s no denying that watching Aunt Pat Bradley had a significant influence on Keegan Bardley’s career.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Keegan wanted to emulate his aunt from the early days of his career. “I grew up going to Pat’s tournaments and totally idolising her and wanting to be like her out there,” Keegan told Sport360. “I remember as a kid going to her tournaments and literally staring her in the face, and she was so into it, she would not even recognise me. And I’m her nephew! I thought that was cool. I always wanted to be like her.”
Pat reciprocated similar feelings in a letter she shared with Keegan before the Ryder Cup. “You were 13 years old, standing on tiptoes on the 18th green, too short to see anything through the crowd. Your dad lifted you onto his shoulders, and that’s when it hit you. Watching the Americans rally in one of the most epic comebacks in Ryder Cup history, you looked at your dad and said, ‘I want to play in a Ryder Cup someday!’,” wrote Pat in her letter.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The letter reflects Keegan’s journey from his first encounter with the Ryder Cup to captaining the American team in 2025. She notes that Keegan has already had experience playing in the Ryder Cup in 2012 and 2014. They both know that it is not just a golf competition but so much more than that.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The six-time major winner has also shared how Keegan still calls her about fresh developments in his life. “I’ll never forget when you called and said, ‘Aunt Pat, we’ve made history.’ It didn’t hit me until then that there are now two captains from the same family,” she said.
Pat captained the American team in the sixth edition of the Solheim Cup in 2000.
The team lost to Europe with a score of 14 ½ – 11 ½.
While her team lost to Europe in 2000, she played a significant role in Team America’s victory in the inaugural 1990 Solheim Cup. It was this year that Pat rolled Trish Johnson to record the largest margin of victory in the history of the Solheim Cup. Besides this, she also represented her country in the 1992 and 1996 Solheim Cups.
PGA Tour Star Forced to Accept Cold Hard Bryson DeChambeau Truth Despite Bad Blood
Months after publicly jabbing Bryson DeChambeau, Michael Kim is softening his stance. On The Ryen Russillo Podcast, he discussed DeChambeau’s rivalry with Rory McIlroy, the Ryder Cup, and shifting public opinions on the LIV Golf star.
As Russillo said on the podcast, “When everyone hated Bryson, it did make it a little bit more interesting to have everybody collectively rooting against this guy that played the game in a way that just seemed engineered in a lab.” But now, that villain might just be turning into the unlikely fan favourite, and even Michael Kim’s.
“For whatever… however you feel about Bryson, he makes you feel something,” Kim began. “And that’s whether you love him or hate him.” Kim compared Bryson DeChambeau to the likes of Scottie Scheffler, who he stated is “just like a machine out there” with “no emotion on the golf course for the most part, just handles his business.” Bryson, on the other hand, is anything but robotic.
“And Bryson, with the way he’s gone about it with the YouTube, going to LIV, like people are… people really feel something when he plays golf, and you know, for 99% of PGA Tour golfers or golfers, you know, that that’s that kind of emotion just doesn’t come out with a lot of the other golfers,” Kim continued.
His main point was, love him or not, Bryson DeChambeau makes golf less predictable, and that’s exactly what keeps people watching. Michael Kim’s comments were a surprising shift in his feelings toward the former “villain” of the sport, and it didn’t feel like it was the same Michael Kim who, back in May, couldn’t resist throwing a sarcastic remark at DeChambeau on social media.
During the first round of the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, Bryson DeChambeau, who had admitted to some early equipment issues, was struggling to gain traction. He had carded a 71 on the opening day, which was mediocre by his standards, given that he had won the U.S. Open just 11 months prior. And many were shocked at his distance control, with Jon Sherman posting on X — “Bryson’s distance control is shocking for a guy who works so hard on the range and has all the numbers dialled in. Legitimately perplexing.”
And Michael Kim couldn’t resist but chime in under that tweet — “Give him time till tomorrow. He’s not used to playing on Thursday.” It was a playful remark, but a little sarcastic too, taking a jibe at LIV, too, in the process, that hosts only 3-day tournaments, unlike the PGA Tour. And Kim’s remark was very much in line with the general vibe of how PGA Tour players usually look at LIV players.
But going back on Kim’s words, DeChambeau’s persona, once viewed as over-engineered and overly dramatic, is now strangely magnetic. And it’s been evident with his appearance during the practice rounds of the Ryder Cup.
Bryson DeChambeau is a favourite at the Ryder Cup
Bryson DeChambeau may have once been labelled a “Captain’s Nightmare,” but if the scenes at Bethpage Black are anything to go by, he’s quickly becoming Team USA’s favourite player. Just days after Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee took a swipe at him on air, DeChambeau was greeted with a swarm of fans during the Ryder Cup practice rounds. Fans lined the barricades — and nearly toppled them — just to snag an autograph or glimpse of the long-hitting LIV Golf star.
Bryson DeChambeau could even be seen surrounded by a roaring crowd, calmly signing hats, flags, and shirts while security struggled to hold the barriers up. One fan shouted, “The man of the people!” — and honestly, it was hard to argue. But this Ryder Cup buzz isn’t just about fan frenzy. Even DeChambeau’s own teammates have been displaying their admiration towards him.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler praised him as both a fierce competitor and an electric presence in the team room. “He’s a great guy and a good friend… he brings a lot of energy, the people love him, and I think he loves the opportunity to represent his country,” Scheffler said. “I’m excited to kind of unleash him this week.” Xander Schauffele echoed the sentiment, calling the raucous New York crowd “his arena” and describing Bryson as a “gladiator golfer” built for the biggest stage. And even Russillo made it clear in his podcast — “The crowd is obviously going to be behind Bryson in a massive way against any European team.”
With the Ryder Cup returning to the grounds of Bethpage Black, where fan energy borders on chaotic, there may be no better fit for the spotlight than DeChambeau. Love him or hate him, he’s built for this — and this time, everyone seems to know it.
Closest finishes in NASCAR Cup history since advent of electronic scoring
With NASCAR returning to Kansas Speedway for the next race in the Cup playoffs — remember that finish there in May 2024? — it’s a good time to look back at the sport’s closest finishes.
NASCAR has used electronic scoring since 1993 and this list is the closest finishes since then.
Kansas has the closest finish in NASCAR in that era. Could Sunday’s race (3 p.m. ET on USA Network) join the list?
1. May 2024 Kansas: Kyle Larson wins by .001 at Kansas
It was a heartbreaker for Chris Buescher, who did not win a race and missed making the playoffs by .001 seconds from this race.
2. April 2011: Jimmie Johnson wins by .002 at Talladega
This would be Jimmie Johnson’s second and final Cup win at Talladega, as he nipped Clint Bowyer at the finish line.
2. March 2003: Ricky Craven nips Kurt Busch by .002 at Darlington
One of the most thrilling last-lap duels in the 2000s. This was the second and final Cup win in Ricky Craven’s career.
4. February 2024: Daniel Suarez wins by .003 at Atlanta
This was the closest 1-2-3 finish in Cup. Daniel Suarez finished ahead of Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch. Suarez beat Blaney by .003 seconds and Busch by .007 seconds.
5. July 2007: Jamie McMurray beats Kyle Busch by .005 at Daytona
Jamie McMurray scored his second career Cup win in exciting fashion. This was his first win since his 2002 victory at Charlotte in just his second Cup start.
5. July 1993: Dale Earnhardt wins by .005 over Ernie Irvan at Talladega
Dale Earnhardt scored this narrow victory in a season that saw him win his sixth Cup title. He would add his seventh Cup championship the following season.
7. Oct. 2024: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. beats Brad Keselowski by .006 at Talladega
“I just needed half a foot I guess,” Brad Keselowski said after his close loss to Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
7. March 2001: Kevin Harvick scores emotional win by .006 over Jeff Gordon at Atlanta
In just the third race after Dale Earnhardt’s death in the 2001 Daytona 500, Kevin Harvick took Dale Earnhardt’s team to victory lane with his emotional triumph. The win was the first in Cup for Harvick.
9. June 2020: Ryan Blaney beats Ricky Stenhouse Jr. by .007 at Talladega
Ryan Blaney held off Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in a slam-banging finish that had a couple of cars crashing across the finish line.
9. Oct. 2019: Ryan Blaney nips Ryan Newman by .007 at Talladega
Ryan Blaney earned his first win of the season in this playoff race and advanced to the third round with this result.
Longtime NASCAR Exec’s Exit Clears Path for Ben Kennedy’s Expanded Role
“I’m only going to be able to do so much as a driver, and I could have this big impact over here on the business side.” Ben Kennedy said these words in January 2025. Indeed, his 11-year-long racing career involved ARCA, Craftsman Trucks, and Xfinity. He finished top ten in the Truck Series standings three years in a row, 2014-2016. However, Kennedy leveled up in his business role – and he continues to level up today.
Currently serving as NASCAR’s executive vice president and chief venue and racing innovation officer, Ben Kennedy’s name is highlighted frequently. From preparing for the sport’s visit to Mexico City to grappling with veterans about the playoff format, Kennedy is involved in many things. Now, he can be involved in more matters with another executive stepping out.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
NASCAR witnesses a shuffle of duties
While drivers dominate the racetracks and fans watch from the grandstands, executives have the reins behind the scenes. The top official responsible for NASCAR’s venues has been Chip Wile, Senior Holdings Executive. He became the first chief track properties officer in early 2021. The sport owns and manages over a dozen racetracks. To lead the day-to-day insight of these properties, Wile has been a frequent flyer. He traveled across 200+ days in a year. However, this hectic job took its toll on Wile’s familial responsibilities. And so the longtime executive is planning to bow out at the end of 2025.
Ben Kennedy will now expand his clout in the sport, assuming Chip Wile’s duties. A 2017 SBJ 40 Under 40 honoree, Wile expressed his gratitude to NASCAR’s proprietor family while explaining his exit reasons. He said, “What the FRANCE family has done for me and our family is beyond measure. They have changed our lives, and I am so grateful. But at some point, you have to take a step back and say, ‘I’ve got four years left with my boys (before college) and being on an airplane every weekend isn’t what I want to be doing.’ … It’s an honor to work in the sport, but everything in life comes with some sort of sacrifice.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Chip Wile, although holding a top executive role, debuted in NASCAR differently. He started working for Motor Racing Network in 2012. But he got his calling immediately, becoming president of Darlington Raceway in South Carolina the next year. He helped ideate and execute the sport’s first throwback weekend in 2015. That was just the beginning, as Wile took over premier tracks like Daytona. Yet he gave away his responsibilities as well – like when he made way for Phoenix Raceway to attain its first female Black president, Latasha Causey, in 2022.
What is more, Chip Wile also worked a great deal on NASCAR’s recent ventures. These involve racing and experimenting at venues like the L.A. Coliseum and the city streets of Chicago. He even worked on the upcoming racetrack at a naval base near San Diego. Even though Wile would not be part of the 2026 operations, NASCAR is soaring forward with changes.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Rolling out more hints for eager drivers
Since Joey Logano clinched the 2024 Cup Series title as the worst average finisher, the NASCAR community has been in unrest. Drivers and fans alike have clamored for a change to the current playoff format. It fails to reward consistency and instead applauds clutch performances en route to the championship. Therefore, NASCAR formed a playoff committee at the start of 2025 and has been constantly dropping hints about a tweaked format. Jordan Bianchi dropped a major rumor a few weeks ago. He floated the idea of three playoff rounds, the first two with three races each and the final one with four races.
While it has not been confirmed yet, NASCAR executives are making moves. The next step is “to get its leadership in position and really have a discussion and lock ourselves in a room and figure it out from there.” NASCAR Managing Director of Communications Mike Forde slipped out some interesting snippets on the podcast ‘Hauler Talk’. He said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if there is a playoff format that does not have playoff points. Also, Forde would be “very surprised if the one-race championship is still around.” Whatever decision they arrive at, it will be made after the 2025 championship race in Phoenix.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Clearly, NASCAR is on the cusp of a major overhaul. With Chip Wile stepping down and Ben Kennedy stepping up, big changes are expected for 2026.
NASCAR and the U.S. Navy Set for Unique Pit Crew Showdown in 2026
In 2025, NASCAR’s schedule got unique twists. The Cup Series started the season with a bang at the Bowman Gray Stadium. The grassroots short-track racing took the fans’ breath away. Then, in June, the sport took on a Mexican flavor at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where Shane van Gisbergen dominated the show. While these events made the 2025 season special, a similarly new venture will make the 2026 season special as well. And it may be extra special due to a particular part of the event.
NASCAR is putting its foot down as 2026 approaches. From dropping huge hints about a tweaked playoff format to key executives stepping up their duties, the changes are plenty. But fans’ eyes are bound to be locked to a particular weekend exactly two weeks before the nation’s 250th anniversary.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
NASCAR will roll up its sleeves against the Navy
The big racetrack debuting for the 2026 season is in San Diego, at the Naval Base Coronado. All three NASCAR national series will race in the June 19-21 weekend. The Cup Series will mark its first race ever held on an active military base. Established US Navy veterans have already expressed their enthusiasm for the event. “NASCAR embodies the very best of the American spirit,” said Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan. “It’s an honor to partner with NASCAR at NAS North Island as part of our 250th anniversary celebration,” added Captain Loren Jacobi. However, this excitement for the crossover will reach fever pitch with a unique event.
Journalist Adam Stern updated on X that NASCAR employees will lock horns with US Navy personnel in a special contest. He wrote, “@NASCAR will put on a “Pit Crew vs. Sailor Challenge” with the @USNavy as part of next year’s @NASCARSanDiego event.” What a unique way to showcase the NASCAR-Navy crossover! We might see a follow-up of Noah Gragson getting scolded by a senior Navy official back in June. Moreover, this competition might be titillating for fans to watch.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The other special features of NASCAR’s San Diego visit are plenty. They include hosting a Navy Community Day on June 19th and utilizing the Navy personnel for event presentation support and other dignitary roles. Anduril, a renowned defense products company, will be the presenting sponsor of the San Diego Weekend and the Cup Series street race entitlement partner. Craig Stimmel, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at NASCAR, welcomed Anduril’s entry. “Anduril is an American company that’s pushing boundaries in defense technology…It’s a great match — two high-performance teams coming together with a shared vision for the future, both on and off the track.”
While NASCAR rolls out an exciting blueprint for its San Diego visit, a veteran driver also revealed some heartwarming news.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Going back to his roots
Jimmie Johnson may be driving limited races now. However, the 7-time Cup Series champion could not hide his enthusiasm when NASCAR announced its San Diego plans. Growing up in nearby El Cajon, California, Johnson loved to surf off the beaches of San Diego. While doing so, he could see the massive Naval Base Coronado structure. This emotional attachment to the venue had left Johnson excited for the 2026 event. And in a recent episode of his podcast ‘Never Settle’, Johnson will likely attempt the Cup Series race in San Diego next year. He competed in nine races in 2024 and just two races in 2025. But Johnson is already preparing for 2026.
The Legacy Motor Club team owner’s enthusiasm was heavily apparent in late July. Jimmie Johnson said, “To enter into the NASCAR space in the way that NASCAR as an industry honors men and women that serve, it’s just been a good collaboration of sorts. I feel fortunate to be in a series that is so focused on it. With all that, it gives me great confidence as we come to San Diego and race on a military base that it will be done top-notch and be correct.” He added, “(I’m) excited to come back for personal and, I guess, professional reasons. I think NASCAR’s pre-race show, their intentionality around honoring men and women who serve or have served, I think they do it better than anybody. I can’t wait for them to shine again.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Evidently, the anticipation is high for NASCAR’s visit to San Diego. Let’s wait and see how the garage prepares itself for its classic showdown with the US Navy.
Martin Truex Jr. Calls Out Unauthorized Sale of Career-Defining NASCAR Memorabilia
What appeared to be a jaw-dropping detachment has turned out to be a ruse. Martin Truex Jr. retired at the end of the 2024 season with a heavy heart. He had played around with his retirement plans for over two years, finally executing a mic drop exit by finishing 10th in last year’s Cup Series standings. He teased returning to racing in 2025, and even ran Daytona.
So a recent social media update left fans flabbergasted. Martin Truex Jr. has indeed retired, but letting go of his most precious NASCAR memorabilia seemed uncanny. And now, the real truth has finally been revealed as the 2017 Cup Series champion spoke out.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Martin Truex Jr. smashes the confusion
A NASCAR fan recently set off a buzz in the community, posting a number of items on sale on Race Day Authentics. These included Martin Truex Jr.’s highest achievements – like the trophy and flag from his final career win at New Hampshire in 2023, his NASCAR 50 Greatest Drivers Shirt and watch, and even his 2023 regular-season championship trophy. A wave of earth-shattering responses hit social media, as fans could not believe this was happening. Retiring from the sport is one thing, but parting from one’s hard-earned trophies? Guess what, Truex is on the same page of disbelief as those fans.
In a recently posted Instagram story, the former Joe Gibbs Racing veteran revealed the truth. Martin Truex Jr. wrote, “It’s been brought to my attention some of my trophies were for sale online. These items were sold without my knowledge. Every one of these items holds a special significance to me.” Talk about getting trapped in a world plagued with cyber hacking and AI-generated deepfakes!
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
This Instagram story shattered all the notions swirling around Martin Truex Jr.’s rumored sales. Media agencies racked their brains around the veteran grappling with the death of his late girlfriend, Sherry Pollex, who passed away in 2023 due to ovarian cancer. Then, in early 2025, he also lost his father, Martin Truex Sr. What is more, people also justified his sale, terming it a follow-up of his listing of a $7.5 million Lake Norman mansion. The 14,000-square-foot European-style manor is in Mooresville, North Carolina – the heart of NASCAR racing.
Evidently, Martin Truex Jr. was not detaching himself from the sport after all. Stay tuned for more updates!
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Ryan Blaney Admits HMS & JGR’s Playoff Supremacy With Humbling NASCAR Message
‘The Magic Mile’ belonged to Team Penske as Ryan Blaney slammed the door on the field with a statement win. Penske affiliate Josh Berry chased him home and second, and hometown hero Joey Logano, leading a race high 147 laps, settled for fourth, an emphatic display that left no doubt about who owned Loudon’s 1-mile stage. As the dust settles in New Hampshire, talk of Penske’s title hopes has picked up — and Ryan Blaney is here to drop the hammer on it.
Blaney fulfilled his childhood dream as he lifted the lobster that afternoon. The 2023 Cup champion seized control of the race by leading 116 laps, including the final 39 on Loudon’s tricky oval. With clean pit stops and sharp restarts, Blaney kept his rivals at bay and crossed the line with breathing room, earning his third victory of the season. The win not only locked him into the Round of 8 but also underscored his growing reputation for peeking when the stakes are highest, cementing Penske’s stranglehold on the track.
Speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Blaney didn’t completely rule out Team Penske’s chances. The 31-year-old driver said, “Every team that’s in this deal is really talented. Every driver is incredibly talented. You know, so you never know who is gonna come on strong at what time. You know, this sport is a week-to-week sport, and you can be on top of the world one week and then you can be struggling to find your own way the next week. So the best thing that I figured out, you know, that we can just do is just focus on this group and how do we continue to get better and better each week.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Before Penske’s dominance at New Hampshire, Toyota was king. The Round of 16 sweep proves that, with Chase Briscoe winning at Darlington, followed by Denny Hamlin’s Gateway win, and the last round, Bristol, dominated by Christopher Bell. Beyond the victories, Joe Gibbs Racing’s dominance was evident in their performance metrics; the team led 870 of the 1,107 laps across the three races, accounting for 78.6% of the total laps led in the Round of 16. This level of control not only highlighted JGR’s strategic prowess but also underscored Toyota’s strength in the playoffs. But Hendrick Motorsports pulled through as well.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Hendrick Motorsports camp delivered one of its strongest collective performances at New Hampshire amid its early playoff struggles, with all three of its playoff drivers finishing inside the top 10. William Byron led the charge, finishing third after scoring points in two stages and snapping a five-race skid outside the top 10. Chase Elliott staged an impressive recovery from 27th to finish fifth, marking his third career top five at the track, while Kyle Larson secured seventh with a steady pace throughout the day. Though they couldn’t quite match the front-running speed of Team Penske, the trio’s consistency reflected clear gains for Hendrick and flat tracks, offering a timely boost in the middle of the playoffs.
Ryan Blaney admitted and tipped his cap to the rivals, saying, “But yeah, I mean, the Gibbs camp is strong. Our camp is strong. Hendrick’s strong as always. You know, you kind of know your competition, but you never know how good or off they can be week in and week out. So, I’m just proud of all of Team Penske right now. And we’ll face the challenges as they come.” However, Joe Gibbs Racing had a rough outing at New Hampshire. Denny Hamlin started in ninth but slipped back to 12th. While Christopher Bell clawed his way from 19th to a respectable sixth, Chase Briscoe also made ground, turning his 18th-place start into a top 10 finish. The hardest hit came for Ty Gibbs, whose race ended in 35th after contact with teammate Hamlin forced him out.
Not one JGR entry broke into the top five, a sharp contrast to the dominance shown by Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano. The teammate love was on full display at Loudon as Ryan Blaney backed up Logano’s chance at another title. With Chevrolet, Toyota, and now Ford in the picture, questions about Blaney’s surge have become the hot topic.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
NASCAR insiders decide Ryan Blaney’s future wins in the upcoming rounds
On the Teardown Podcast, Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic raised the question: Will Ryan Blaney add another win to his season? Blaney, fresh off his victory at New Hampshire, now has three wins in 2025, matching his total from each of the past two seasons. What is more, he has 17 top-10s, 13 top-5s with 2 poles and 647 laps led across 30 races. Gluck noted the consistency and turned to Bianchi for his take on whether Blaney has more wins in him this year.
Jordan Bianchi, without any hesitation, said, “Yes, because I have him in Phoenix, and I think he probably wins Martinsville.” Moreover, Jeff Gluck agreed, backing plane to capture Martinsville as well. Bianchi then reflected on how far Blaney has come.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
He added, “It’s interesting to watch the evolution of Ryan Blaney. There wasn’t many years ago where it was like he’d win one race, and that would be it for his career, and you’re looking at it now. How many times did we talk about come the playoffs, where he would make a mistake, and it was like, man, what are you doing?” Now, Blaney looks more confident and more consistent, and very much in the hunt.
NASCAR Insider’s NFL Take Sparks Backlash From Frustrated Fans
Right now, NASCAR has more than one issue. The playoff system is just one piece of that puzzle. Even in a rumored 36-race season, attracting viewers would be difficult when competing against the powerhouse that is the NFL. Unlike stick and ball sports, racing isn’t the easiest sport to be on or casually engaged with, which limits its broader appeal. As the NFL continues to post record-breaking ratings, every sport is searching for answers. NASCAR insiders have delivered their take on the matter, and the fans aren’t here for it.
The ongoing debate between NFL and NASCAR viewership is reaching a fever pitch. The difference between the two sports highlights the striking gap in popularity. The NFL continues to dominate television ratings with the 2025 season’s opening week average, averaging 22.3 million viewers per game, a 19% jump from 2023. In contrast, NASCAR’s average viewership has taken one on the chin. The viewership average per race hovers around 2.1 million, a decline from the previous year’s 2.2 million. And amid rumors about NASCAR returning to the 36-race format, NASCAR analysts aren’t sleeping on this.
Taking to X, Todd Fuhrman didn’t hold back: “Is NASCAR’s playoff problem an issue with the sport, drivers, format etc or is it that by year end (from a ratings standpoint) they’re just going head-to-head with the 800lb gorilla in the room known as the NFL.” And NASCAR reporter Danielle Trotta didn’t hesitate to support Fuhrman’s take, saying, “Say it louder for the people in the back Todd 🗣️.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
While NASCAR has seen an overall decline in inconsistent viewership, it still draws big attention during marquee events. The 2025 Daytona 500, for example, attracted over 8 million viewers, proving that high engagement is possible when the stakes are high. However, these spikes are exceptions rather than the rule, and sustaining audience interest in an entire season remains a challenge.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The NFL’s dominance is reinforced not only by viewership but also by its lucrative media rights deals and broad fan base. With an average of 17.5 million viewers per game in the 2024 regular season, the league enjoys consistent appeal across demographics. NASCAR, despite efforts to expand its audience, has struggled to match this level of entrenched popularity, highlighting the hurdles it faces in competing with the NFL’s nationwide reach. The call for the playoff system change in 2026 couldn’t be louder. While Jeff Burton and NASCAR insiders have confirmed that TV partners will not have a say in the format change, the TV viewership numbers keep declining.
Moreover, the TV viewership at New Hampshire Motor Speedway took a hit. It attracted a modest 1.29 million viewers, marking a 32% decline from the 1.88 million viewers of the previous year’s race at the same track list. This drop reflected a broader trend in NASCAR viewership, with the 2025 season averaging just 2.52 million viewers per race, down from 2.98 million in 2024. The race at Loudon’s was notably low compared to other events in the season.
However, the New Hampshire race performance underscores the challenges NASCAR faces in maintaining a consistent view across its schedule. The timing of the New Hampshire race also coincided with the NFL’s Week 3 slate, which averaged over 25 million viewers per game, further intensifying the competition for viewers. This overlap highlights the difficulty NASCAR faces in attracting audiences during the NFL season, especially when competing for attention during prime viewing hours.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Fans slam NASCAR’s dipping TV viewership, blaming NASCAR itself
Critics have pushed back hard against the idea of NASCAR’s playoff membership. Problems are simply because it competes with the NFL. One fan dismissed the notion, saying, “Terrible take. NFL has been around for the duration of the sport. Insane to just now be saying football is the problem when races are on cable and no one under the age of 50 buys cable.” While another added, “Not buying that logic. The NASCAR season starts long before the NFL starts their regular season. The older fans are either dying off or don’t recognize these younger drivers. There are only a couple of races that have good tv and cable viewership. The viewership for these races will diminish if the single-file racing continues.”
The NASCAR playoff viewership numbers started dropping as soon as Gateway was underway. USA Network got a 0.82 rating and 1.525 million viewers for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at WWT Raceway, down from 1.8 million for last year’s second playoff race (at WGI) and from 2.5 million for the 2024 event at the same venue on FS1, though that was held in June. Moreover, fans have urged that NASCAR take this decline more seriously.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Someone went further, arguing that their shift and ratings don’t even matter if the racing delivers its primary goal: “ Or doesn’t matter at all. Even if Fall ratings remain the same, at least we crown the legitimate best driver and team of the entire season at the end of the year. That alone is worth the change.” The criticism doesn’t stop with scheduling or demographics. Fans have been vocal about the product on track, noting, “Racing on track is terrible car sucks supper speedways and short tracks are bad teams race kit cars now with no innovation stop blaming others like the NFL and fix what’s in your control such as your product on the track .Nascars problem is they blame everything but themselves.”
Some trace decline for the back, saying, “From the back I seen the downfall since Toyota came in, then the gimmicks of “playoffs” in auto racing! And let’s have Toyota win the entire first round of this gimmick! That’ll keep folks from watching.” Others echoed that the ratings drop was not new during the NFL season, pointing out, “I reckon NASCAR has always raced during the NFL season and ratings were never this bad.” Collectively, these voices argued that the real challenge isn’t football, it is the sport itself and the choices NASCAR has made over the past two decades.
Fan Outrage Erupts as ‘Gas Can’ Rumor Floods NASCAR Garage
A few days ago, Tyler Reddick ranted about the Next-Gen car. The 23XI Racing driver finished runner-up in the 2025 Daytona 500, a vast improvement from his previous 27th-place finish. However, he confessed he had no hand in it, as the Next-Gen’s faults caused massive wrecks en route to his finish. What is more, he slammed the tendency to save fuel, as drivers cannot pass in this car. Guess what, NASCAR may be making things more difficult for next season.
The 2026 season is already inundated by several upcoming changes. Ranging from NASCAR’s new street course in San Diego, the Naval Base Coronado, to fresh tweaks to the playoff format, the sport is in a state of overhaul. However, the latest rumors about next season’s changes did not put fans in a good mood.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Controlling the race-determining factor
In 2024, Joey Logano set off a controversial conversation. After being an afterthought in the initial stretch of the season, the Team Penske star won in Nashville. And the circumstances surrounding that victory caught people’s attention – Logano powered to a quintuple overtime finish, solely relying on fuel mileage. He used the same strategy during the playoffs in Las Vegas, running the final 72 laps without stopping. After he went on to win the championship, Logano inspired his competitors for 2025. From William Byron’s Iowa victory to Bubba Wallace’s Brickyard 400 win, fuel saving played a major role.
So now, NASCAR is apparently trying to control this novel race-winning factor. Introducing the Next-Gen car in 2022 was not enough to compel race teams to rely on single-spec parts for their cars. This meant increased parity on the racetrack, fewer opportunities for passing, and wildcard outcomes. A NASCAR fan released a concerning rumor on Instagram. They wrote, “Filling in the blanks from what I’ve heard here, sounds like the Cup Series could be getting a spec gas can next season.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
This means that the critics of the Next-Gen car, including Tyler Reddick, along with veterans like Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin, will have yet another topic to bash NASCAR on next season. According to a YouTube video of Joe Gibbs Racing, each gas can holds approximately 12 gallons of gas. The weight of both the container and the fuel amounts to a hefty 95 pounds. Teams do not bear the financial burden of the fuel, as Sunoco generously supplies around 10,400 gallons of fuel to NASCAR teams at no charge.
The last time NASCAR updated its fuel can policy was in early 2024. The sport announced back then that Xfinity and Truck Series teams would use lighter cans for the season. Instead of the traditional 11-gallon can, the teams got nine-gallon cans. This allowed teams to have less specialized athletes to fuel the race cars. This was in response to requests from many teams, and so was an agreeable decision.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
However, if the latest rumor turns out to be true, the response may not be so heartening. We can already see that in the fans’ comments.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
NASCAR fans clutch their heads in despair
Ever since the Next-Gen car debuted in 2022, drivers and fans have been waging a battle. Ranging from the car’s proclivity to cause wrecks to aerodynamic problems, there were multiple issues that the community urged NASCAR to solve. However, the latest rumor left fans hopeless, as it places another issue on the table. “Fix the cars 🙅 Fix the cans 🙌,” one fan wrote. Somebody else came up with a perfect name for the upcoming gas cans. They also lamented the fact that this might deepen passing problems on the racetrack. The comment read, “Next Gen gas can🥀🥀🥀 dirty air gonna be even worse.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Given the Next-Gen car’s faults already dominating every racing weekend, another fan confessed to a slight misunderstanding. According to this fan and probably many others, NASCAR had already monopolized the gas can like the Next-Gen’s other spec parts. The comment read, “Imma be real, I thought the gas cans were already spec 💀.” Somebody else officially lost all hope in NASCAR to consciously improve the sport. Despite teasing changes in the playoff format and also raising the car’s horsepower, the latest update just brings things back to square one. The fan wrote, “Toss the whole series away.”
Somebody else brought the NASCAR lawsuit into the conversation. They referred to Michael Jordan’s comments about the sport indulging in ‘monopolistic practices.’ Evidently, those practices may seep into preparations for the 2026 season and into the gas cans. The fan wrote, “Almost sounds like a monopoly they’re running.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Clearly, the responses are already turning out to be negative for NASCAR’s rumored change. We can only wait and see if the gas cans also escape the race teams’ advantage.
NASCAR Driver Turned FOX Reporter Breaks Silence on Greatest Racing Regret
After hanging up his helmet, the 42-year-old shifted gears to the fast-paced world of broadcasting in 2018. His last full-time ride came behind the wheel of Tommy Baldwin Racing’s No. 7 Chevrolet in 2016, with a brief return in 2018, filling in for Kasey Kahne at Leavine Family Racing. Now, as a FOX Sports reporter, he brings insider knowledge from the driver’s seat straight to the viewers, offering a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective that viewers and the broadcast both can match. However, in a sit-down conversation, the NASCAR veteran doubles down on his racing career and reflects on how things could have been.
Regan Smith marked his debut at the Bristol Motor Speedway in 2007. He drove with Mark Martin for the first half of the season before the team merged with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI). His first full season came in 2008, where he earned Rookie of the Year honors and became the first rookie in the series history to finish every race he started. And his Cup Series tenure? Yes, Smith delivered. He competed in 224 races, securing one victory, the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. He also achieved 14 top 10 finishes, with his best overall position coming in 2012, where he placed 24th in the standings. Fast forward to today, the pit crew reporter for FOX Sports wishes things were a bit different.
Speaking on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, Regan Smith didn’t hesitate when asked what he would like to change in his past racing decisions. He said, “I would have waited if I could have. There was other factors in play in that decision and, and that I couldn’t get around and, and it was stuff that had nothing to do with the racetrack, and it was stuff that had to do with at the time, Ginn had merged with DEI, right? And it was a really complicated merger and, and the way the teams were consolidated.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
While waiting would have been preferred, if possible, the merger between Ginn and DEI at the time was highly complicated. In 2007, then-rookie Regan Smith joined Ginn Racing, which had recently merged with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI). This major combined Ginn Racing’s No. 01 team with DEI’s existing tunes, including the No. 8 and No. 15. Smith was slated to run 12 races alongside veteran driver Mark Martin, who was transitioning to the new Car of Tomorrow and preferred a limited schedule.
However, midway through the season, plans shifted, and Smith was promoted to a full-time role in the No. 14 car, previously driven by Sterling Marlin. This change occurred despite the team’s strong performance in the Busch Series, where it had been driving a competitive car. Reflecting on this period, Smith acknowledged that, given the choice, he would have preferred to wait before stepping into the Cup role.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
He added, “Had I been able to say, ‘No, I’m going to wait and, and I’m not ready for Cup,’ I would have done it in a heartbeat and, and you know, it’s interesting because I think there’s some scenarios in the garage right now to where you see some of that happening and, and it’s it’s tough to do that, right, when the opportunities there. But I think a driver also knows when they are and when they’re not ready. I think I had enough Cup races to be able to see, like, you know, I need to refine my skill and my craft a little bit here to be able to compete with what those guys are doing.”
However, besides the challenges, Smith appreciated the opportunity to learn from experienced drivers like Mark Martin to gain exposure to the series. Throughout the transition, Smith emphasizes the importance of recognizing one’s readiness for competition. He believed that drivers should assess their skills and comfort level before advancing to higher levels of racing. And now, as the broadcaster heaps praise on the 2026 NASCAR schedule, he deep dives into his hectic NASCAR life.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Regan Smith gets real about his double NASCAR life
In a candid conversation with fellow broadcaster Kevin Harvick on his Happy Hour podcast, Regan Smith reflected on the challenges of balancing or demanding career with family life, noting that the current NASCAR schedule has made the juggling act more manageable. He explained, “The beauty of the TV schedule being the way it’s broken up is it kind of gives opportunity to focus on other stuff. And other stuff that maybe for the first 35 years of my life, I never paid any attention to.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In 2025, he was part of the broadcast team for several reasons, including the DSQ solutions and staffing 250 at Darlington, the iLuna! 150 at Pocono, and the Mission 176 at Watkins Glen. Describing the rhythm of his season, he said, “Yeah, and everything’s flowing good and feels good. The second part of the year, I do some of the truck races.”
Even with careful balancing, Smith admits that time remains a precarious commodity. He added, “Time is one thing that I wish I had a little bit more of. Obviously, we’ve got our first, what, 14, 15 episodes a year that we do, and it’s fun. And I think that we all get to the end, especially this year, because it’s a little shorter than it normally is. And it’s like, ‘Oh, man, we’re having fun right now, and we don’t want it to stop.’”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Alongside his broadcasting duties, Smith also provides commentary for select NASCAR Truck races and contributes to the ARCA Menards Series coverage. If anything, Smith has had quite a journey from driver to reporter.
Daniel Suárez Warns of Split-Agenda Madness at the Charlotte Roval Playoff Cutoff
The Round of 12 has already proven it’s not for the faint of heart. New Hampshire brought the fireworks. Ryan Blaney locked himself into the Round of 8 with a clutch win, Josh Berry bounced back from an early spin to nearly steal it, and William Byron and Denny Hamlin kept things spicy with some elbows-out racing inside the top ten. And of course, no playoff race would be complete without controversy.
This time, courtesy of Ty Gibbs and Hamlin trading paint, fans are buzzing over the feud. With Kansas up next, the pressure only ramps higher, especially for teams hanging by a thread after Loudon. But even beyond Kansas, the real chaos might be lurking just a little further down the road at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Daniel Suárez sounds an alarm about “different agendas” at the Roval
Daniel Suárez labeled the Charlotte Roval as “the most difficult road course in the Cup schedule” due to its distinct features. “It’s very bumpy. There is a lot of elevation changes. You have an area that is part of the oval. So, you have a big banking.” The Roval’s unique layout, blending the fast NASCAR oval with tight, technical road course turns, with 24 degrees of banking, presents an ever-changing, high-risk challenge that pushes drivers and cars to their limits.
Suárez also addressed the chaotic playoff dynamics leading into the Roval: “Everyone is either going for the win or going for points, and everyone is in different agenda.” With the Charlotte Roval serving as the critical Round of 12 cutoff, playoff pressure is at its peak. Some teams outside the transfer position need nothing short of a victory to advance, especially the bottom four drivers – Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, Austin Cindric, and Ross Chastain.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
On the other hand, others like Chase Elliott, Chase Briscoe, Joey Logano, and Denny Hamlin are laser-focused on points, aiming to protect narrow margins above the cut line. All playoff drivers except Ryan Blaney, who secured his next round position with a win at NHMS, will be forced into desperate, high-risk strategies that can dramatically affect the outcome for everyone on track. Moreover, drivers who are eliminated from the playoffs will be looking to help their contending teammates in every possible way, adding to the madness and action.
Despite the chaos, Daniel Suárez approaches the Roval with optimism. “I feel like I’ve been very strong there in the past and looking forward to it again.” In recent years, Suárez has shown consistent speed at the Roval (despite the final result). He has qualified third on two occasions and managed a best finish of thirteenth at the October 2021 race.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
As the field turns its attention to Charlotte, Suárez’s warnings underscore the unpredictability and intensity awaiting both playoff hunters and underdogs. The result will hinge on nerves, adaptability, and seizing opportunity in NASCAR’s ultimate split-agenda madhouse.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Daniel Suárez is positive about 2026
With just six races remaining in his time at Trackhouse Racing, Daniel Suárez is facing the uncertainty of free agency but remains upbeat about his future. “Things are looking good, that’s all I can say,” Suárez explained confidently to Atlanta’s 11Alive. He further teased, “Hopefully, we can announce what we’re going to do next month, I think. It should be public.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
This optimism comes after a challenging 2025 Cup Series campaign (his second-worst to date), where he’s battled through 30 starts without a win and with only 2 top-five and 6 top-ten results. As rumors swirl, Suárez’s name has been linked to teams like Spire Motorsports, Hyak Motorsports, Rick Ware Racing, Kaulig Racing, and even the Haas Factory Team. There’s also been speculation about a step down to the Xfinity Series.
There are rumors of even a return to the NASCAR Mexico Series competition. Despite the noise, Suárez’s focus is on closing out the 2025 season on a high note and staying competitive at the Cup level if possible, emphasizing, “I’m happy where I am, that’s all I can say. I’m very, very blessed. I have so many great people in my corner, so many great sponsors as well.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
He acknowledged that certain final contract details are still being hashed out: “If it was a done deal, you guys would know already.” However, the tone is set for an encouraging announcement soon. NASCAR fans, teammates, and sponsors anxiously await to see if the sport’s only full-time Hispanic Cup driver will return to the top tier or take his talents elsewhere within the NASCAR ranks.
Ultimately, Suárez’s positivity and persistence in the face of uncertainty have made him a respected figure in the garage and a cherished ambassador for motorsports diversity. His upcoming decision will not only steer his own trajectory but could also influence key storylines heading into the 2026 NASCAR season.
Brad Keselowski Warns NASCAR Tracks Are Ignoring the Sport’s Scariest Problems
Remember the 2020 NASCAR attendance policy? It had introduced a minimum attendance clause under which sanctioning agreements required tracks to achieve at least 70% occupancy of available grandstand seats during Cup Series races. It was implemented to ensure that the race remains financially viable and to encourage its use in enhancing the event’s appeal to fans. Moreover, the clause specified that the 70% target applied to all seats that were not obstructed by signage or other coverings. Yet, as of today, NASCAR’s struggle to keep its fan base engaged continues…
And speaking on Corey LaJoie’s Stacking Pennies podcast, Brad Keselowski was very real about the issue at hand. He said, “You know, the number one problem with the sport right now is the model with the tracks is the number one issue, hands down, in my opinion. The tracks aren’t able to generate enough revenue on their own. They’re wholly reliant on the TV money, and they’re comfortable with that, which is the scariest part of all.”
NASCAR tracks generate revenue through a combination of race-related income and alternative uses of their facilities. While ticket sales contribute to their earnings, they are not the primary source. Television broadcasting rights play a significant role, with tracks receiving a substantial portion of the revenue. For instance, in 2021, tracks earned $26.75 million from TV revenue alone.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The revenue split typically allocates 65% to the tracks, 25% to the teams, and 10% to NASCAR. Some tracks also explore alternative revenue streams by leasing their facilities for non-racing purposes. This can include renting out space for storage or other commercial activities. For example, during the chip shortage in 2020, Kentucky Speedway leased space to store Ford trucks. However, Brad Keselowski is hinting at a more deep-rooted issue.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
He added, “And so that creates a subset of problems that flow down through the ecosystem, where we don’t promote enough to the fans that are at the track to sell tickets. We cascade into other issues where the teams have to, because they’re not necessarily incentivized to, you know, the kind of the costs are mostly covered before the day ever starts. Uh, and that flows down into revenue problems for the teams, which makes the teams wholly reliant on sponsorship.”
And there is a case in point of this. Ticket sales for this year’s Brickyard 400 dipped slightly compared to last year’s NASCAR event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. An IMS spokesperson estimated attendance fell from just over 70,000 in 2024 to just under 70,000 in 2025. IMS and IndyCar president Doug Boles projected the final turnout would be down 5,000 to 6,000 tickets from 2024, landing around 65,000, noting that walk-up members were not expected to be strong due to the intense heat and lingering concerns.
The slight drop follows NASCAR’s monumental return to the oval in 2024 after a three-year hiatus, which coincided with the Brickyard 400’s 30th anniversary, a pair of milestones that had boosted race-day attendance for the first time since 2002. However, all of this intersects.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
On the TV side of things, the NASCAR New Hampshire race took one on the chin amidst the most-awaited playoffs. The Mobil 1 301, broadcast on the USA Network, attracted only 1.29 million viewers, marking a 31% decrease from the previous year’s 1.8 million viewers. This drop is part of a concerning trend as it represents the fourth consecutive NASCAR race to fall below the 2 million viewers threshold, a first in the sport’s modern era. Amid all this, Jeff Burton detailed the role of TV in deciding the 2026 NASCAR playoffs.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The ground reality, though, offered some respite. The capacity crowd at ‘The Magic Mile’ featured vans traveling from 44 states and seven countries, reaching as far as Australia, New Zealand, and Israel. NHMS Executive Vice President and General Manager David McGrath couldn’t stop smiling, saying, “This weekend is a perfect combination of great weather, intense playoff racing, and New England fans who know and love their NASCAR. We don’t take a moment like this for granted, and we are grateful for the amazing show of support from race fans.”
With the viewership numbers taking a big hit, NASCAR veteran Kenny Wallace is telling people to have some patience. However, amid playoff concerns, dipped TV viewership, and the longstanding issue with the Next-Gen car, Brad Keselowski has some good news to reveal.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Brad Keselowski drops the hammer on increased horsepower speculation for 2026
NASCAR is gearing up for a seismic shift in 2026, and Brad Keselowski is here to spill the horsepower secrets. The Cup Series is gearing up for a turbo charge makeover with the engine set to roar louder and faster than ever. The Next-Gen cars, which have been humming along at around 670 hp since 2022, are set to get a serious upgrade.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Keselowski revealed on Corey LaJoie’s Stacking Pennies podcast that the power output could climb to a thrilling 740 to 750 hp. He explained, “It looks like NASCAR is going to change the rules next year to where we’re like 740, 750 (horsepower). It’s not quite 100, because, you know, right now, technically, they’re at 670, but realistically, they’re like 685, 690, so.”
The excitement isn’t limited to the 41-year-old. Other drivers, including three-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano, are pumped for the change. Logano said, “It’s definitely cool. I like it. I want to do it. Like, not just the engine, but the drive train. It’s got to be beefed up more… You want to just make the racing better, right?” Keselowski hinted at tweaks for the engine spacer, which could make the jump from 670 to 750 hp smoother for all teams, promising a 2026 season that could be one for the history books.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What do you think about the potential increase in horsepower? Let us know in the comments!
MLB Superstar Freddie Freeman is Related to ‘Golden Bachelor’ Contestant
Golden Bachelor contestant Carol Freeman-Branstein has a connection to the world of sports — she’s the aunt of Los Angeles Dodgers player Freddie Freeman.
Season 2 of the reality dating show premiered on Wednesday, Sept. 24, on ABC, and among its cast is striking blonde Carol, who just so happens to be related to the World Series winner. Freeman-Branstein, who works full-time as Freddie’s manager, has been an avid supporter of his professional baseball career from the beginning.
Carol originally hails from Canada, but currently lives in Florida. Her youngest, Carson Branstine, is a professional tennis player who represents Canada. Her two other daughters, Cassidy and Constance, played collegiate tennis at the University of California, Irvine and the University of Southern California, respectively.
According to her ABC bio, “Carol has a life full of love and hard work, but she’s missing one important piece — a man by her side. For Carol, this journey is all about finding her forever, so here’s to hoping she can find that meaningful connection with Mel.”
Carol is one of 23 single ladies competing for the hand of Mel Owens, 66, who also hails from the world of professional sports.
Owens is this season’s Golden Bachelor. He is a former NFL player, sporting nine seasons as a linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams. After retiring from football in 1989, Owens turned to law, aiding athletes with cases involving sports-related injuries. Now, Owens is looking for romance.
Per ABC, Owens hopes to find a love “rooted in the simple joys of companionship — sharing life’s everyday moments, making plans for the future and growing stronger together as a couple.”
“As the Golden Bachelor, he’s eager to meet someone who shares this vision and finally find that perfect teammate he’s been waiting for in his golden years,” the show’s press release states.
The Golden Bachelor airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
MLB Stats of the Week ending September 25
Corbin Barrels: Corbin Carroll became the first player in D-backs history with 30+ home runs and 30+ stolen bases in a season on Sunday. But that’s not all. Add in his triples and he’s just the third player in MLB history with at least 30 homers, 15 triples and 30 stolen bases in a season, joining Jimmy Rollins (2007) and Willie Mays (1957).
Classic Soto: Juan Soto drew his 893rd career walk on Tuesday, passing Mickey Mantle for the most in MLB history before turning 28 years old. Soto is still just 26. He also set the record for most walks before turning 27 earlier this season. Soto now has the most career walks before turning 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28.
You can absolutely call it a comeback: The Guardians tied the Tigers in the AL Central on Tuesday and took sole possession on Wednesday. It’s now tied again. Cleveland was as many as 15 1/2 games behind Detroit in early July. This is the largest deficit overcome to tie or take the lead in a division (since 1969) or league (since 1900-68), per Elias. Their 11-game September deficit is the largest September deficit overcome to tie or lead in that same span.
Shotime: Shohei Ohtani made his 100th career start as a pitcher on Tuesday and finished the day with a .202 opponents’ batting average. That’s the fifth-lowest batting average against allowed in a pitcher’s first 100 career starts, among those to debut since 1900, per Elias. He trails only Herb Score (.194), Nolan Ryan (.195), Freddy Peralta (.197) and Ed Reulbach (.201).
All Rise: Aaron Judge hit his 50th and 51st home runs of the season on Wednesday. This is his fourth season with at least 50 homers, tying Babe Ruth, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire for the most such seasons in MLB history. It was his 46th career multihomer game, tying Mickey Mantle for second-most in Yankees history. Only Ruth has more, with 68 multihomer games for the Yankees.
Skenes Day: Paul Skenes finished his season with a microscopic 1.97 ERA after his final start on Wednesday. He’s the first qualified pitcher with a sub-2.00 ERA in his age-23 season or younger since Dwight Gooden (1.53) in 1985. He’s also the first qualified Pirates pitcher with a sub-2.00 ERA in the Live Ball Era (1920).
Philly special: The Phillies set a franchise record with eight home runs in a game on Wednesday. Four of those came in the seventh inning. That tied the Phillies’ seventh inning on Aug. 17, 1985, for the second-most in any single inning in franchise history. The most was five, in the Phillies’ eighth inning on June 2, 1949.
Double Dumper: Cal Raleigh hit his 59th and 60th home runs of the season on Wednesday, becoming the seventh individual in MLB history with at least 60 home runs in a season. He joined Aaron Judge, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Roger Maris and Babe Ruth. Raleigh now has 11 multihomer games this season, tying the MLB single-season record, also held by Judge (2022), Sosa (1998) and Hank Greenberg (1938).
How the West was won: Raleigh’s homers came during the Mariners’ division clincher. Dan Wilson played for the Mariners when they last won the AL West in 2001 — and now he manages them. He’s the third individual to play for and then manage sequential division titles for a team, joining Craig Counsell with the Brewers (2011 player, ‘18 manager) and Bruce Bochy with the Padres (1984, ‘96), per Elias.
Current Ironman: Matt Olson has played 779 consecutive games entering Friday, dating to May 2, 2021. There have been only five other streaks of at least 700 to begin in the Divisional Era (since 1969), per Elias. They belong to Cal Ripken Jr. (2,632 consecutive games between 1982-98), Steve Garvey (1,207 games between 1975-83), Miguel Tejada (1,152 games between 2000-07), Pete Rose (745 games between 1978-83) and Dale Murphy (740 games between 1981-86).
MLB magic numbers, playoff matchups: Dodgers clinch; Tigers, Mets hold spots (9/26/25)
There’s still a lot to decide heading into the final weekend of the Major League Baseball regular season.
Two division races are up for grabs with the Yankees and Blue Jays tied for first in the AL East plus the Guardians and Tigers sharing the top spot in the AL Central.
The Blue Jays and Guardians hold the tiebreakers, so they all they have to do is win out to take the crown.
There are close wild-card races in both leagues with the Mets up a game on the Reds for the last NL spot and the Tigers one game ahead of the Astros for the final AL wild card.
One division race was settled on Thursday:
The Dodgers are NL West champs for the fourth year in a row and 12th time in the last 13 seasons.
Also decided:
The Yankees and Blue Jays won their games to clinch no worse than the first AL wild card, which brings home-field advantage for the entire best-of-three Wild Card Series.
The AL East winner will receive a first-round bye and be the top seed in the AL until it’s passed this weekend by the AL West-champion Mariners, who lost the tiebreaker to both the Yankees and Blue Jays.
Here are highlights from Thursday’s games involving contenders:
In Phoenix, Freddie Freeman homered twice and Shohei Ohtani hit his 54th in an 8-0 Dodgers win over the Diamondbacks that clinched another NL West title.
In Cleveland, Jahmai Jones led off the game with a homer and the Tigers ended an eight-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Guardians that forced a first-place tie in the AL Central. This was only the third loss in the last 20 games for Cleveland.
In Cincinnati, the Reds stayed one game out of a playoff spot with a 3-2 win over the Pirates that was highlighted by right fielder Noelvi Marte robbing Bryan Reynolds of a game-tying, ninth-inning homer. “Under the circumstances, that’s one of the best plays I’ve ever seen,” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “You take the time of the game, the time of the season, how high he got up.”
In New York, Giancarlo Stanton turned a two-run deficit into a one-run lead with a fifth-inning, three-run double for the Yankees, who beat the White Sox 5-3 for a three-game series sweep. The Yanks can repeat as AL East champs by winning one more game than the Blue Jays this weekend. The Yanks are home against the Orioles and the Blue Jays play the Rays in Toronto.
In Toronto, Daulton Varsho broke up a scoreless game with a sixth-inning grand slam and the Blue Jays beat the Red Sox 6-1 to maintain control of their division title fate. The Red Sox, who had no baserunners for six innings facing three Toronto pitchers, need one win or one Astros loss this weekend to clinch a wild-card berth. Boston will be home against the Tigers, the Astros on the road facing the Angels.
In Chicago, Francisco Lindor hit his 30th homer for second 30/30 season and the Mets beat the Cubs 8-5 to maintain a one-game NL wild-card lead over the Reds and go two games ahead of the Diamondbacks. Lindor’s homer also gave the Mets three players with 30 homers for the first time. The others are Juan Soto (43) and Pete Alonso (37).
In Sacramento, Calif., Christian Walker drove in three runs with a homer and single for the Astros, who remained one game out of a wild-card berth with an 11-5 win over the Athletics that snapped a five-game losing streak. A’s rookie first baseman Nick Kurtz hit his 34th and 35th homers.
In Philadelphia, Alec Bohm drove in the only run of the game on a first-inning groundout in a 1-0 Phillies blanking of the Marlins. The Phillies will have the NL’s No. 2 seed in the playoffs unless they sweep the Twins at home this weekend along with the Brewers losing three to the Reds in Milwaukee.
In Seattle, the Mariners played a West Coast game against the Rockies a day after clinching their first AL West title since 2001.
Here’s a look at magic numbers plus the remaining schedules and tiebreakers for the contenders through Thursday, Sept. 25 along with playoff matchups if the postseason began on Friday, Sept. 26:
AL EAST
TORONTO BLUE JAYS (91-68)
Standings: Tied with Yankees in AL East. Blue Jays hold tiebreaker.
Tiebreakers: Blue Jays won season series with Yankees 8-5; Blue Jays won season series with Mariners 4-2; Blue Jays split season series with Guardians 3-3.
Magic number to clinch AL East: 3
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 21.
Games remaining: 3 (3 home, 0 road).
Blue Jays schedule:
Friday, Sept. 26: Rays, 7:07 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Rays, 3:07 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Rays, 3:07 p.m., EST
NEW YORK YANKEES (91-68)
Standings: Tied with Blue Jays for first in AL East. Blue Jays hold tiebreaker. First in AL wild-card standings. Lead Astros by 6 games for third wild card.
Tiebreakers: Yankees lost season series with Blue Jays 8-5; Yankees lost season series with Red Sox 9-4; Yankees won season series with Mariners 5-1; Yankees tied season series with Guardians 3-3, but lose tiebreaker on division record.
Magic number to clinch AL East: 4
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 23.
Games remaining: 3 (3 home, 0 road).
Yankees schedule:
Friday, Sept. 26: Orioles, 7:05 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Orioles, 1:05 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Orioles, 3:05 p.m., EST
BOSTON RED SOX (87-72)
Standings: Third in AL East. Trail first-place Blue Jays by 4 games. Second in AL wild-card standings. Lead Astros 2 games for 3rd AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Red Sox won season series with Yankees 9-4; Red Sox tied season series with Mariners 3-3; Red Sox won season series with Astros 4-2; Red Sox won season series with Guardians 4-2.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 1
Games remaining: 3 (3 home, 0 road).
Red Sox schedule:
Friday, Sept. 26: Tigers, 7:10 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Tigers, 4:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Tigers, 3:05 p.m., EST
AL CENTRAL
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS (86-73)
Standings: Tied with Tigers for first in AL Central. Guardians hold tiebreaker.
Lead second-place Tigers by 1 game.
Tiebreakers: Guardians won season series with Tigers 8-5; Guardians lost season series with Mariners 4-2; Guardians won season series with Astros 4-2; Guardians lost season series with Red Sox 4-2.
Magic number to clinch AL Central: 3
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 2
Remaining games: 3 (3 home, 0 road).
Guardians schedule:
Friday, Sept. 26: Rangers, 7:10 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Rangers, 6:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Rangers, 3:10 p.m., EST
DETROIT TIGERS (86-73)
Standings: Tied with Guardians for first in AL Central. Guardians hold tiebreaker. Third in AL wild-card standings. Lead Astros by 1 game for third AL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Tigers lost season series with Guardians 8-5; Tigers lost season series with Mariners 4-2; Tigers won season series with Astros 4-2.
Magic number to clinch AL Central: 4
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 2
Remaining games: 3 (0 home, 3 road).
Tigers schedule:
Friday, Sept. 26: at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Red Sox, 4:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Red Sox, 3:05 p.m., EST
AL WEST
SEATTLE MARINERS (89-69)
Standings: First in AL West. Lead Astros by 4.5 games.
Tiebreakers: Mariners won season series with Tigers 4-2; Mariners won season series with Guardians 4-2.
Magic number to clinch AL West: Clinched Sept. 24.
Remaining games: 3 (3 home, 0 road).
Mariners schedule:
Friday, Sept. 26: Dodgers, 9:40 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Dodgers, 9:40 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Dodgers, 3:10 p.m., EST
HOUSTON ASTROS (85-74)
Standings: Second in AL West. Trail first-place Mariners by 4.5 games. Fourth in AL wild-card standings. Trail Tigers by 1 game.
Tiebreakers: Astros lost season series with Red Sox 4-2; Astros lost season series with Guardians 4-2; Astros lost season series with Tigers 4-2.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 3
Remaining games: 3 (0 home, 3 road).
Astros schedule:
Friday, Sept. 26: at Angels, 9:38 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Angels, 9:38 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Angels, 3:07 p.m., EST
NL EAST
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (94-65)
Standings: First in NL East. Lead second-place Mets by 12 games.
Tiebreakers: Phillies won season series with Dodgers 4-2; Phillies lost season series with Brewers 4-2.
Magic number to clinch NL East: Clinched Sept. 15.
Remaining games: 3 (3 home, 0 road).
Phillies schedule:
Friday, Sept. 26: Twins, 7:45 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Twins, 7:05 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Twins, 3:05 p.m., EST
NEW YORK METS (82-77)
Standings: Second in NL East. Trail first-place Phillies by 12 games. Third NL wild-card standings. Mets lead Reds by 1 for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Mets lost season series with Reds 4-2; Mets tied season series with Diamondbacks 3-3, but lose on division record.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: 3
Remaining games: 3 (0 home, 3 road).
Mets schedule:
Friday, Sept. 26: at Marlins, 7:10 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Marlins, 4:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Marlins, 3:10 p.m., EST
NL CENTRAL
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (96-63)
Standings: First in NL Central. Lead second-place Cubs by 7 games.
Tiebreakers: Brewers won season series with Phillies 4-2.
Magic number to clinch NL Central: Clinched Sept. 21.
Remaining games: 3 (3 home, 0 road).
Brewers schedule:
Friday, Sept. 26: Reds, 8:10 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Reds, 7:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Reds, 3:10 p.m., EST
CHICAGO CUBS (89-70)
Standings: Second in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 7 games. First in NL wild-card standings. Lead Reds by 8 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Cubs tied season series with Padres 3-3, but lose tiebreaker on division record.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 16.
Remaining games: 3 (3 home, 0 road).
Cubs schedule:
Friday, Sept. 26: Cardinals, 2:20 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Cardinals, 2:20 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Cardinals, 3:20 p.m., EST
CINCINNATI REDS (81-78)
Standings: Third in NL Central. Trail first-place Brewers by 15 games. Fourth in NL wild-card standings. Trail Mets by 1 for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Reds won season series with Mets 4-2; Reds won season series with Diamondbacks 4-2.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 3
Remaining games: 3 (0 home, 3 road).
Reds schedule:
Friday, Sept. 26: at Brewers, 8:10 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Brewers, 7:10 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Brewers, 3:10 p.m., EST
NL WEST
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (90-69)
Standings: First in NL West. Lead second-place Padres by 3 games.
Tiebreakers: Dodgers won season series with Padres 9-4; Dodgers lost season series with Phillies 4-2.
Magic number to clinch NL West: Clinched Sept. 25.
Remaining games: 3 (0 home, 3 road).
Dodgers schedule:
Friday, Sept. 26: at Mariners, 9:40 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Mariners, 9:40 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Mariners, 3:10 p.m., EST
SAN DIEGO PADRES (87-72)
Standings: Second in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 3 games. Second in NL wild-card standings. Lead Reds by 6 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Padres lost season series with Dodgers 9-4.
Magic number to clinch playoffs: Clinched Sept. 22.
Remaining games: 3 (3 home, 0 road).
Padres schedule:
Friday, Sept. 26: Diamondbacks, 9:40 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: Diamondbacks, 8:40 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: Diamondbacks, 3:10 p.m., EST
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (80-79)
Standings: Third in NL West. Trail first-place Dodgers by 10 games. Fifth in NL wild-card standings. Trail Mets by 2 games for third NL wild card.
Tiebreakers: Diamondbacks tied season series with Mets 3-3, but Arizona has tiebreaker based on best division record. Diamondbacks lost season series with Reds 4-2.
Magic number for playoffs elimination: 2
Remaining games: 3 (0 home, 3 road).
Diamondbacks schedule:
Friday, Sept. 26: at Padres, 9:40 p.m., EST
Saturday, Sept. 27: at Padres, 8:40 p.m., EST
Sunday, Sept. 28: at Padres, 3:10 p.m., EST
POSTSEASON MATCHUPS
AL WILD CARD SERIES (best-of-3)
Blue Jays (1), Mariners (2), byes
Tigers (6) at Guardians (3)
Red Sox (5) at Yankees (4)
NL WILD CARD SERIES (best-of-3)
Brewers (1), Phillies (2), byes
Mets (6) at Dodgers (3)
Padres (5) at Cubs (4)
Mets’ Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto join rare 30-30 MLB history
Francisco Lindor joined Juan Soto in the 30-homer, 30-stolen base club with a monstrous shot during Thursday’s 8-5 win over the Cubs.
And, on top of that, the Mets stars joined rare company.
Lindor and Soto became just the third pair of teammates in MLB history to go 30-30 in the same season.
Former Mets All-Stars Howard Johnson and Darryl Strawberry became the first-ever teammates to accomplish the feat in 1987.
Dante Bichette and Ellis Burks were the second with the 1996 Rockies.
Lindor, who already had a 30-30 season with the Mets in 2023, stepped up as a right-handed batter with the bases empty against Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga and sent it 408 feet to left field and out of Wrigley Field entirely.
CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND METS STATS
Soto had joined the 30-30 club earlier in September, the first time he’s done so in his big league career.
If Soto were to steal four more bases over the last four games of the regular season, he’d become the first Met to go 40-40.
How Cincinnati Reds make MLB playoffs in final series
The Cincinnati Reds enter the final three games of the season one game behind the New York Mets who own the final National League wild card playoff position.
The Reds hold the tiebreaker over the New York Mets and would earn the final playoff spot should the two teams tie at the end of the season.
The Reds have lost 13 consecutive series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
An hour or two after their dramatic win over the Pirates in the final home game of the season, the Cincinnati Reds found out who they would play in the first round of the playoffs when the Los Angeles Dodgers beat Arizona to clinch the National League West title.
Now all they have to do is erase a one-game deficit in the next three days to beat out the New York Mets for the league’s final berth to earn their flight to Los Angeles.
This is where nearly six months of ebbs, flows, ups, downs, debuts, departures, trades, aches, pains, thrills and hard knocks have led this team in its first year under manager Terry Francona.
In Milwaukee. With a chance. On the final weekend of the season.
They trail the Mets by one game, but they own the tiebreaker in every remaining possible two- and three-way tie scenario as they take the field Sept. 26.
That means they have three days to swing one game and they’re in – with the Diamondbacks trailing the Reds by a game and needing a near miracle to make up two games on both teams in front of them (again, a tie for the final berth with Arizona puts the Reds in the playoffs).
The only added hurdle for the Reds is the opponent is a Brewers team they haven’t beaten in a series in more than three years.
They’ve lost 13 consecutive series against their white whale of Wisconsin and 32 of their past 42 games against the Brewers.
“It’s exactly what we want,” Reds first baseman Spencer Steer said. “They’ve had our number for the last couple years. If we go in there and beat them, that would be pretty big for us. I’m excited for the opportunity.”
How the three-team race stacks up for the third NL wild-card berth with each team’s remaining three-game series:
New York Mets (82-77) – at Miami (77-82)
Cincinnati Reds (81-78) – at Milwaukee (96-63)
Arizona Diamondbacks (80-79) – at San Diego (87-72)
As the Reds headed out from their final homestand of the season, they had no way of knowing whether they would be returning home for good after three days or moving on to the west coast for a first-round of the playoffs — and possibly even Philadelphia after that for the first two games of a Division Series round.
They would not have a home playoff game until Game 3 of the Division Series if they make it that far.
Pack for 10 days? Three?
“I would say that this would be a very good test to see who believes,” Francona said. “Because if we see people with like 10 underwear, they believe. If you see people with two, might wanna filter them out.”
What’s at stake final weekend 2025 mlb season
While four teams have clinched their respective divisions, the AL East and Central divisions are still up for grabs, as are the final Wild Card spots in each league. Meanwhile, a slugging catcher is vying to break the American League record for the most home runs in a season.
The Guardians could very well pull off one of the biggest late-season comebacks in MLB history. A whopping 15 1/2 games back of the Tigers in the AL Central as late as July 8, the Guardians are, stunningly, tied with them entering the final weekend. Cleveland has gone 18-6 this month and erased the 10 1/2-game deficit in the AL Central it had entering September.
With the Guardians taking the season series against the Tigers, Cleveland has also guaranteed the tiebreaker advantage, meaning if the two clubs ended the season with the same record, the Guards would be the AL Central champions. Essentially, the Guardians, who play the Rangers this weekend, need to match what the Tigers do (Detroit plays Boston) and Cleveland will be the AL Central champion.
Toronto’s struggles haven’t been quite as drastic as Detroit’s, but the Blue Jays have nonetheless made the AL East race much more interesting than expected. The Blue Jays had a lead as big as 6 1/2 games in the East as late as July 28, but they’re tied with the Yankees with a 91-68 record entering the final weekend.
While the Blue Jays have struggled of late, there’s still a chance they not only win the division but also finish as the top seed in the American League. Having won the season series against the Yankees and Mariners, the Blue Jays would hold a tiebreaker advantage over both clubs. That means:
Through the end of July, the Mets were seriously vying for the NL East division and were battling for the No. 1 seed in the National League. It’s been downhill since then, with the Mets going 20-30 since the beginning of August, the fifth-worst record in the Majors. The Mets, however, had a pivotal win against the Cubs on Thursday and remain a game ahead of the Reds for the final NL Wild Card spot.
It’s important that the Mets stay a game ahead of the Reds, too, as Cincinnati won the season series vs. New York. If the two clubs end the season with the same record, the Reds would take the third Wild Card spot. The D-backs are also still in the mix at two games behind the Mets, but they’ll need a lot to go right to secure the last playoff spot.
It’s been a historic season for Cal Raleigh, who hit home runs No. 59 and 60 on Sept. 24 against the Rockies, becoming the seventh player in MLB history to hit 60 homers in a season, this coming on the night the Mariners won the AL West for the first time since 2001. Along the way, Raleigh set the record for the most homers by a switch-hitter in MLB history, the most in Mariners franchise history and the most by a primary catcher.
Next on the list is getting to 62 home runs and tying Aaron Judge (2022) for the most home runs in a season in AL history. Raleigh is already firmly in the AL MVP race with Judge, but reaching or exceeding 62 homers could be a deciding factor.
The Brewers and Phillies won their respective divisions and secured the top two seeds in the National League, meaning they’ll get a bye in the Wild Card round. The Dodgers secured their 12th NL West title in 13 seasons with a win on Thursday, giving them the No. 3 NL seed. The Cubs and Padres, too, secured NL playoff berths and will take the top Wild Card seeds, with the order yet to be determined. The last Wild Card spot will come down to the Mets, Reds or D-backs.
Over in the American League, much is still to be decided. The Mariners won the AL West and the Blue Jays and Yankees secured playoff berths. But the final two AL Wild Card spots and the East and Central divisions are still up for grabs.
Raleigh (60 home runs), Kyle Schwarber (56), Shohei Ohtani (54) and Judge (51) have all cleared 50 home runs in 2025, tying an MLB record for the most players with 50 homers in a season, which was also done in 2001 and 1998. One more player could join them, however, with Eugenio Suárez sitting at 49 home runs as we enter the final weekend. If the Mariners third baseman can get there, the ‘25 season would stand alone with five 50-homer players, the most in a single season in MLB history.
What a year it’s been for Devers. The longtime Red Sox third baseman and franchise cornerstone was traded to the Giants in a blockbuster move in mid-June and has had another ho-hum Devers season, posting an .844 OPS with 34 home runs between the two teams. After playing in 73 games with the Red Sox, Devers has played in 87 games with the Giants, giving him 160 total games. If he plays in San Francisco’s final three games, Devers will become the first player to play in more than 162 games in a season since Justin Mourneau for the Twins in 2008.
With 144 runs scored entering the final weekend, Ohtani is vying for a level of run-scoring that few players have ever reached. If Ohtani manages to score six runs in the Dodgers’ final three games, he’d be the first player with 150 runs scored since Jeff Bagwell had 152 for the 2000 Astros. Before Bagwell, you have to go all the way back to Ted Williams in 1949. A 140-run season is impressive in its own right, but 150 runs is incredibly rare.
MLB Umpire’s Bizarre Act Favoring Yankees After George Springer’s Claims Triggers Uproar
Remember back in August when the Nationals complained about Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm using a distracting glove? He was asked to swap it because it had white on it. Now, fast forward to the ongoing White Sox vs. Yankees game, and a similar move sparked a full-blown cheating accusation. This time involving White Sox pitcher Tyler Gilbert.
And to make things even weirder, the umpires responded with some really unusual steps. MLB Rule 3.06 states that pitching gloves, if found to be violating, could be seized by the umpires. It would be sent for further checking, but surely the seized gloves aren’t given to the rival clubhouse.
“Umpires removed the glove of White Sox pitcher Tyler Gilbert as he entered the game and gave the glove to the Yankees dugout. Gilbert was given a new glove and remained in the game,” Jomboy Media reported.
The incident happened at the bottom of the 5th inning. The umpires gave the confiscated glove of Gilbert to the Yankees’ clubhouse.
The Yankees complained about something unusual in the glove. Allegedly, the glove had some sticky substance on it. While the accusation is subject to investigation, the umpire’s bizarre act further amplified what the Blue Jays’ George Springer remarked.
“If they want New York to win, just tell me and give it to them already.” Jomboy Media cited Springer yesterday after his hit was called a foul ball by the umpires against the Red Sox.
This time, fans can’t help but wonder whether Springer was right with his rant. And that uproar is not about the Yankees’ complaint, but how the umpires could offer the confiscated gloves to the opponents!
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
The Yankees got called out by the fans
What do the Yankees have to do with the umpires after complaining? The fans are wondering… “Why not bring the glove to the White Sox dugout? And why not have someone in the White Sox dugout give him a new glove?” one asked.
“Yankees getting all the benefit of the doubt, you get an opponent’s property off suspicion? Lmao,” added another. In the case of Strahm, the umpires have returned the distracting glove and asked the player to replace it. The next option is that if the player is not adhering to the umpires, they could seize the same and send it for further investigation. And the investigation will surely not be carried out by the opposing team.
With that came another remark. “They gave it to the opposing team? That can’t be legit.”
A few are even skeptical if the Yankees are really getting favored by MLB as ranted by Springer. “Yankees paying the umps,” read one comment.
“Someone’s under the Yanks’ payroll,” another added. This accusation, right when the Yankees and Blue Jays are fighting for the pole position, is undoubtedly grave. Probably, the entire act was harmless, with the ump handing out the glove to the MLB employee at the Yankees clubhouse, or probably not! Nothing can be told for sure, at least as of now!
We would wait for the outcome of the investigation. All we know is that maybe the Yankees instigated the uproar unknowingly.
Predicting 2025 MLB postseason stars
Just last year, a likely future Hall of Famer in Freddie Freeman hit one of the most memorable home runs in postseason history, on his way to World Series MVP honors. And yet, the Dodgers may never have reached the Fall Classic in the first place without the efforts of NLCS MVP Tommy Edman.
So, who might be next? With the start of the 2025 postseason just around the corner, we asked six writers — three from Yahoo Sports and three from MLB.com — to each pick one candidate to emerge as a main character of the sport over the next month. Here were their picks:
I’m going to have a difficult time matching my October breakout pick from last year — it was Edman, who went on to win NLCS MVP — but I’ll go with Hoerner for some of the same reasons I tabbed Edman. Edman’s defensive versatility and underrated bat gave him ample opportunity to make an impact for the Dodgers, and I think Hoerner’s splendid second base defense and recent offensive surge (.909 OPS in September) set him up to play a key role in Chicago’s success this October. He has also taken on more responsibility at or near the top of the Cubs’ lineup in September, while Kyle Tucker has been on the injured list, and if Tucker remains out — or is limited upon his return — Hoerner might be relied upon as an offensive catalyst.
Hoerner isn’t exactly an unknown quantity, as he has been a fixture in the Cubs’ infield for several years now and quietly ranks as one of the 10 most valuable players in the National League this season by fWAR. But the postseason amplifies the attention significantly, and October will represent Hoerner’s first real taste of playoff baseball. He was on Chicago’s playoff roster in 2020 as a rookie, but that was on the bench, and he didn’t end up appearing in either of the Cubs’ two games in their swift fall to Miami. This time around, Hoerner is a main character for a premier franchise looking to recapture some October magic, and he should be in prime position to contribute to the cause on both sides of the ball.
Grisham is having a career year — with 34 home runs, after his previous career-high had been 17 in 2022. Sure, the Yankees have plenty of power hitters, but each and every one of them will prove important in the playoffs. Hitting the ball over the wall is crucial in the postseason. Over the last four postseasons, teams are 95-20 when outhomering their opponents — a .826 winning percentage. Grisham’s power is a key part of that recipe for the Yankees.
But the real reason he was my pick has nothing to do with statistics and everything to do with continued redemption. We don’t have to rehash it, but Grisham played an unfortunate role in the Brewers’ Wild Card Game loss in 2019. Since then, he’s been in the playoffs twice entering this year, including going 4-for-8 with two homers in the 2022 Wild Card Series. The next phase of this Grisham playoffs evolution is full-fledged postseason hero. Because these are the stories baseball is all about.
It has already been a career year for the gregarious center fielder who was traded from Minnesota to Philadelphia at the Deadline. Bader played well enough for the Phillies in August that he effectively supplanted big-money veteran Nick Castellanos as an everyday starter. Statistically, Bader has been the single most productive player dealt at the Trade Deadline, and he’s the exact type of character who will demand even more attention under October’s bright lights.
High energy and unrelentingly boisterous, with a distinct nest of blonde curls, Bader is extremely easy to identify on TV. And he has taken over a playoff series before — remember that three-homer 2022 ALDS performance with the Yanks? In less than two months, Bader has gone from a Deadline afterthought — the Phils were understandably more amped to get closer Jhoan Duran, who has been brilliant — to a crucial component of this team, one whose catchy saying “what a gift” has already evolved into an inside-joke-type mantra for a club looking to finally get over the hump.
The reigning World Series champs hardly needed Pages during their 2024 title run; he received only 20 plate appearances across eight postseason games and none in the Fall Classic. However, he did have one memorable moment: a two-homer performance in NLCS Game 5 at Citi Field. This season, the second-year outfielder has been integral to L.A.’s operation. His 26 homers are the second-most on the club, trailing only Shohei Ohtani, obviously. And by Baseball Savant’s batting run value metric, Pages has been the fifth-most valuable hitter on the star-laden Dodgers.
Pages can also make a difference in the field as much as at the plate. He ranks among the top 10 outfielders in outs above average. Plus, with a cannon strapped to his right shoulder, Pages’ nine outfield assists are tied for seventh-most in the big leagues. Unlike last October, the 24-year-old will get plenty of chances to make his mark this postseason, and he can do so in multiple ways.
In a lineup featuring stars such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and George Springer, it can be easy to get lost in the shuffle. But make no mistake: Varsho is providing the Blue Jays with some big-time thump as we head into the postseason. Since coming off the injured list on Aug. 1, the Blue Jays’ center fielder has 11 homers and a .550 slugging percentage in 43 games.
The
Best pitches MLB postseason 2025
Yes, there are still four action-packed days left in the regular season, with a number of playoff spots up for grabs. But it’s never too early to use our microscopes and look ahead to the nastiest pitches primed for the October spotlight.
Mason Miller (SD), slider
Miller is the hardest thrower in baseball, and his fastball — which averages 101.2 mph — is actually faster than it was last year. It’s an overwhelming weapon, but it’s not Miller’s best pitch. That would be his slider, which eludes barrels thanks to exceptional two-plane movement. Among 503 qualified pitches, Miller’s slider is the only offering yet to allow an extra-base hit this season, while its 55.2% whiff rate trails only Fernando Cruz’s splitter. On a rate basis, it’s the most valuable pitch in baseball — and the eye test backs that up. Earlier this month, he threw an immaculate inning by simply unleashing nine consecutive sliders. Who needs triple-digit heat?
Andrés Muñoz (SEA), slider
Miller isn’t the only flamethrower with an elite slider: Enter Seattle’s All-Star closer. Over half of the swings against Muñoz’s slider are whiffs, and, when hitters do make contact, it’s not of the good variety. Muñoz’s slider is holding the opposition to a .103 batting average, the lowest against any qualified pitch in the Majors this season. This isn’t the first time that Muñoz has wielded a dominant slider — it was one of the most valuable pitches in baseball in 2022 — but it’s a much different pitch now. A shoulder injury in ‘23 led to a new grip, which created significantly more downwards movement. Now, it falls off the table, with 3.2 inches more drop than average and 8.7 in. more drop than it had back in ‘22.
Abner Uribe (MIL), slider
Uribe seems poised to play an outsized — albeit deserving — role for the Brewers this postseason, with All-Star closer Trevor Megill still working his way back. Uribe’s best pitch is his slider, which, while not a sweeper, has outlier side-to-side movement. With 10.6 inches of horizontal break, it touts 6.5 in. more horizontal movement than comparable pitches, diving away from barrels. That’s part of the reason why only one pitch — Paul Skenes’ sweeper — induces softer contact at a higher rate than Uribe’s slider, which is running a 17.0% hard-hit rate. The expected BA — which uses Statcast metrics to assess the likelihood that a batted ball becomes a hit — against Uribe’s slider is just .132, tied for the second lowest among qualified pitches.
Logan Gilbert (SEA), splitter
Only two qualified pitches have been harder to hit this season than Gilbert’s splitter, against which the opposition is hitting .115 with a 50.0% whiff rate — the fifth-best mark in the Majors. This isn’t a fluke, either. Gilbert has the best splitter in baseball by Stuff+, a metric that grades a pitch based on velocity, movement, spin and other physical characteristics. Its low spin rate causes exceptional downwards movement, generating 42.0 inches of drop — more than all but two qualified splitters. While Gilbert is throwing his splitter only 20% of the time, he’s thrown it more this September (23.3%) than at any other point in his career.
Jhoan Duran (PHI), splitter
Call it a splitter, splinker, whatever you so choose — this is an elite pitch. Averaging 97.7 mph, it’s the hardest splitter in baseball, and 11 mph faster than the average splitter from a right-handed pitcher. By Statcast’s Run Value metric — which assigns every pitch a run value based on its outcome, attempting to quantify a pitch’s worth — Duran owns the most valuable splitter in baseball, with a +13 Run Value. For good reason, he’s throwing his splitter more than ever before, with a career-high 39% usage rate. The pitch also pairs well with Duran’s four-seam fastball, as he throws them off the same spin axis, only for their movement profiles to diverge at the plate.
Bryan Woo (SEA), four-seam fastball
A bout of pectoral inflammation has cast a bit of doubt on Woo’s availability for the start of the postseason. When healthy, Woo wields a uniquely dominant four-seam fastball. On a Run Value basis, only Ryne Nelson has a more valuable fastball than Woo, who relies on a flat approach angle. His fastball has better-than-expected carry from a low three-quarters arm slot and low release height, creating an illusion of “rise,” or a “flat” angle as the ball enters the zone; hitters will often swing underneath the pitch. He’s also seen a significant velocity bump, with his four-seamer sitting at 95.7 mph — up nearly a full mile per hour from last year. Batters are hitting just .153 against the pitch, the lowest BA against any qualified four-seamer from a starting pitcher this year.
Garrett Crochet (BOS), sweeper
We’re overdue for Crochet’s return to the postseason, and the left-hander looks poised to dominate — not only is he one of the game’s best pitchers, but, on a rate basis, he has two of baseball’s most valuable weapons at his disposal. We’ll focus on his sweeper, against which opponents are hitting just .127 with a 41.6% whiff rate, heading into his start on Wednesday. Crochet tweaked the shape of his sweeper in the offseason, sacrificing velocity (-1.5 mph) for depth (+4.0 in. vertical drop). Among left-handed starting pitchers, only Kris Bubic, Max Fried and Kyle Freeland have sweepers with more drop than Crochet. The changes have worked: Per Stuff+, it’s the highest-rated sweeper in baseball, and he’s racked up 87 strikeouts with his sweeper alone.
Tarik Skubal (DET), changeup
If the Tigers can limp across the finish line and into the postseason, we’ll get to see one of the best pitchers — and pitches — in the Majors. Skubal’s changeup is the most valuable pitch in baseball, with a +25 Run Value. Among changeups, specifically, it’s the hardest to hit (.156 batting average against) and induces the second-highest whiff rate (47.0%). It makes sense that it’s become his No. 1 option, with a 32% usage rate. Since Skubal throws from an over-the-top arm angle, his changeup doesn’t drop like a typical changeup does. Instead, he leverages seam-shifted wake to create unexpected movement on the ball’s flight to the plate, befuddling hitters.
Cristopher Sánchez (PHI), changeup
It’s not quite Skubal’s changeup, but Sánchez’s signature pitch is nasty, too. His changeup has recorded more strikeouts (124) than any pitch in baseball, benefitting from a significant spike in whiffs: Its 44.9% whiff rate is better than all but 14 qualified pitches, and up from 34.8% in ‘24. Sánchez’s changeup has outlier movement, with 5.5 inches more drop than comparable pitches — ninth on the leaderboard — and he’s throwing the pitch 4.3 mph harder than he was just two years ago. Often, an increase in velocity will lead to less vertical break — the ball has less time to drop on its way to the plate — but Sánchez has done the reverse. It’s no wonder that batters are hitting just .173 against it.
Mets, Tigers fight for MLB playoff life in MLB schedule’s 2025 finale
Major League Baseball’s drive to expand the playoffs was, of course, about generating gobs of television revenue thanks to the additional TV inventory. And it also served a secondary purpose: Creating greater relevance through the month of September.
As the 2025 season comes down to the final weekend, you can say that mission was well accomplished.
Ten of the 15 final three-game series have some connection to either playoff qualification or seeding, with several head-to-head matchups affecting both teams. A look at the six most important series, all of them concluding with virtually simultaneous 3 p.m. ET start times on Sunday:
Detroit Tigers at Boston Red Sox
At stake: For the Tigers (86-73), a puncher’s chance at the AL Central title they gifted to Cleveland, or the No. 3 wild card slot. The Red Sox (87-72) need one victory or a Houston loss to ensure a playoff berth, and two victories to hold onto the No. 2 wild card spot since Detroit holds the tiebreaker over them.
State of affairs: The Tigers could simply place a big “stock falling” emoji on the calendar in place of September. They’ve lost 15 of 21 games to give up all of their 9 1/2-game Central lead and imperil their playoff hopes. Snapping an eight-game losing streak to salvage a game against Cleveland (86-73) and pull even kept their division hopes alive, but the Guardians hold the tiebreaker. Detroit envisioned for weeks skipping Tarik Skubal’s scheduled start on Sunday, Sept. 28 and lining him up for the playoff opener. Instead, he may be pitching to save the season.
The Red Sox will let their playoff stock fall where it may without the services of ace and Cy Young contender Garrett Crochet. He recorded a key victory Wednesday against Toronto and won’t pitch in the final series, lined up for Game 1 of the wild card round. Assuming they get there.
Pitching matchups: RH Casey Mize vs. LH Kyle Harrison; TBD vs. LH Connelly Early; LH Tarik Skubal vs. TBD.
Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee Brewers
At stake: For the Reds, the third NL wild card spot, which they trail by one game. For the Brewers, the No. 1 seed in the NL and homefield advantage through the World Series.
State of affairs: You might as well take the September schedule and crumple it up instead of trying to predict Ws and Ls. The Reds swept the playoff-bound Cubs in four games before losing two games to last-place Pittsburgh, putting their hopes on life support. Noelvi Marte breathed life back into them with a game-saving catch in the series finale. They simply need to win one more game than the Mets – who finish at Miami – this weekend, and they’re in. (And also avoid a sweep while Arizona sweeps San Diego.)
The Brewers just need one win or a Phillies loss to nail down the majors’ best record. Yet for those thinking they’ll lay down once that’s secured, there’s five days off before their NL Division Series assignment, and they should give their regulars significant playing time through the weekend.
Pitching matchups: Reds RH Zack Littell (10-8, 3.86 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Quinn Priester (13-2, 3.25); Reds LH Andrew Abbott (9-7, 2.80) vs. TBD; Reds RH Brady Singer (14-11, 3.95) vs. TBD
Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays; Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees
At stake: Please excuse our paired entry, but this four-pack of AL East teams will determine the division title under remarkably similar circumstances. Though the Blue Jays and Yankees (both 91-68) are playoff-bound, the weekend stakes are particularly large: The difference between hosting a wild card series beginning Tuesday or a bye into the AL Division Series, beginning Oct. 3. The Blue Jays hold the tiebreaker.
State of affairs: The Rays and Orioles both figured to contend for the division title, faded late and early, respectively, but remain credible opponents. The Blue Jays had a five-game lead with 11 to play, blew all of it and now need a sweep to ensure they don’t need the Orioles’ help in New York. They’re 9-7 since Bo Bichette went down with a knee injury.
The Yankees have been rock steady, going 15-7 this month and taking care of business with six wins in their past seven games against the White Sox and Orioles. But they couldn’t beat Orioles lefty Trevor Rogers last week at Camden Yards and will get another shot at him at Yankee Stadium.
Pitching matchups: Rays-Blue Jays: RH Adrian Houser (8-4, 3.18) vs. RH Shane Bieber (3-2, 3.57 ERA); RH Joe Boyle (1-3, 4.40 ERA) vs. RH Trey Yesavage (0-0, 5.00); LHP Ian Seymour (4-2, 2.85) vs. TBD. Orioles-Yankees: LH Trevor Rogers (9-2, 1.35) vs. RHP Will Warren; RH Tomoyuki Sugano (10-9, 4.54) vs. RHP Cam Schlittler; RH Kyle Bradish (1-1, 2.25) vs. RHP Luis Gil.
Texas Rangers at Cleveland Guardians
At stake: The Guardians (86-73) can win the AL Central by winning one more game than Detroit this weekend and their magic number is two over Houston to nail down a playoff spot as they own tiebreakers against both clubs.
State of affairs: They missed the kill shot on the Tigers in their series finale but no team is hotter than Cleveland, now 18-6 in September. The Rangers have lost nine of their last 10.
Pitching matchups: RH Jack Leiter (9-10, 3.92) vs. RHP Slade Cecconi (7-6, 4.15); TBD vs. TBD; TBD vs. TBD.
New York Mets at Miami Marlins
At stake: The Mets (82-77) are a game ahead of Cincinnati (81-78) but do not hold the tiebreaker. So they need to stay a game ahead of the Reds.
State of affairs: Can a team survive an eight-game September losing streak and a record of 37-53 since June 12? The Mets are about to find out. Despite their longstanding woes, they come into Miami on a high, stealing a pair of games at Wrigley Field against the Cubs to keep the Reds and Diamondbacks at bay. Francisco Lindor joined Juan Soto in the 30-30 club with a home run in their series-clinching win at Chicago.
Miami is not your average spoiler. The Marlins have won 12 of their last 15 and are 40-36 since July 1.
Pitching matchups: RH Brandon Sproat vs. RH Sandy Alcantara; TBD vs. Eury Perez; TBD vs. Edward Cabrera.
Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres
At stake: The Diamondbacks (80-79) need a sweep to stay alive and hope the Reds and Mets each lose at least two of three. The Padres (87-72) can steal home field advantage in their wild card series with the Cubs (89-70) if they can make up two games this weekend since they hold the tiebreaker.
State of affairs: It’s a key weekend tuneup for the Padres, who will need to move on without outfielder Ramón Laureano, who suffered a finger fracture this week. Arizona’s last gasp will depend on its Jekyll-and-Hyde starting pitching showing its good side this weekend.
Pitching matchups: RH Zac Gallen (13-14, 4.70) vs. RH Yu Darvish (4-5, 5.51); LH Eduardo Rodriguez (9-8, 4.91) vs. RH Michael King (5-3, 3.57); RH Brandon Pfaadt (13-8, 5.00) vs. TBD.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Seattle Mariners
At stake: The Mariners (90-69) can clinch the top seed in the AL if they make up two games on the Blue Jays (or the Yankees if they win the East). And heck, since this very much looks like a World Series preview, home field advantage in a Fall Classic matchup against the Dodgers (90-69) is also at stake.
State of affairs: Lest we forget, Cal Raleigh can tie or break Aaron Judge’s AL home run record with two or three home runs this weekend; that would surely put a bow on his MVP case.
The Dodgers can’t improve their lot in the NL bracket but the three games remain an important tuneup as they workshop the notion of Rōki Sasaki rescuing their bullpen in October and Clayton Kershaw finding a comfy relief role, as well.
Insiders Identify the Real Problem with Miami Dolphins’ Offense
The Miami Dolphins don’t have the worst passing stats in the NFL by any stretch, which is fine if you are looking for a few fantasy points. But, when watching the games you can see that something isn’t right.
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill simply hasn’t been able to get going. For a player with his pedigree and salary, 198 yards and one touchdown through three games isn’t good enough. Oh, and the Dolphins are 0-3 so they can certainly use a boost anywhere they can get it.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network went on the Rich Eisen Show this week and said the problem is the overall design of Mike McDaniel’s offense and that starts with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and his injury history.
“There is not enough talk about with the hoops that Mike McDaniel has to jump through on a week-in and week-out basis to design a game plan for a quarterback who can’t get hit,” Pelissero said. “You can’t have him holding the ball, you can’t (run) designed runs, you can’t really run quarterback sneaks…Tom Brady ran a pass route in the Super Bowl. It didn’t end well, but they put that in the game plan.
“You can’t do that with Tua. You can’t run a naked bootleg, you’re not going to run zone read to keep people honest…all of those things combined make it really hard to produce on a week-in and week-out basis.”
James Palmer also thinks Tua Tagovailoa needs too much protection
Through three weeks, Tua has completed 69.7% of his passes for 575 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions. You might be able to live with those numbers (sort of) if you were 3-0 or even 2-1. But, you’re winless so something needs to change.
NFL insider James Palmer also said something similar to what Pelissero said regarding the orchestration (or lack thereof) of the passing game.
“The thing I was told is holding Tyreek Hill back is Tua (Tagovailoa),” Palmer said on his podcast with Steve Smith. “It’s not that Tua can’t play. It’s that Mike McDaniel has to run an offense to protect Tua. Think about it, Steve. You’re running an offense with a quarterback that you cannot allow to get hit. It’s a timing offense…but now with it being a timing offense and you can’t allow yourself to be in a position to where you run these longer developing plays.
“These longer developing concepts that also need to be on time. Can you allow Tua to sit back there that long with the injury concerns that the Dolphins have for Tua? You can’t.”
Tua Tagovailoa getting more of the blame for the Dolphins’ struggles
Former Dolphins’ tight end and current 560 WQAM radio broadcaster Joe Rose voiced his issues with the quarterback the other day on his Dolphins Talk podcast. He simply thinks he can’t do it.
“Tua can’t make all the throws you need to make for what the weapons you have,” Rose said. “You got too much horsepower for that guy to drive. He can’t drive the car, it’s go too much horsepower. He can’t handle it.”
Tua is in his sixth year and – like with many aspects of the Dolphins – patience is starting to wear thin with the fan base. For all the talk about getting rid of general manager Chris Grier and McDaniel, it may be time to start thinking about a complete house cleaning.
How Spencer Knight’s three-year Blackhawks contract alters the NHL goalie market
Once Spencer Knight’s contract negotiations with the Blackhawks got rolling a few weeks ago, the 24-year-old goalie sat back and reflected on his situation.
The sides were discussing a three-year deal, which would lock him in for four more years since his current contract has a year left on it. That seemed perfectly reasonable.
However, the recent trend for Knight’s peers — notable goalies in their mid-20s around the NHL — has been maximum-term eight-year contracts. The Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman and the Stars’ Jake Oettinger got them last October. Dustin Wolf just signed one with the Flames on Sept. 9. Even the recent exceptions — Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal — signed for five years.
There’s a big difference between four years and nine years from now, which Knight was able to put into perspective just by exam-ining his own life. Nine years ago, in 2016, he was starting his sophomore year of high school at Avon Old Farms School in Connecticut, a world away. Four years ago, in 2021, he was starting his rookie season with the Panthers. And since then, he has experienced a lot: 153 pro starts, a stint in the NHL/NHLPA assistance program, a playoff run, a high-profile trade and more.
Ultimately, the exercise helped him decide a three-year extension made sense.
“It’s not a short amount of time,” Knight said. “There’s so much time to change and evolve. I didn’t really see a need to go all the way out and even try to do eight years. Both sides were very comfortable with three.
“Obviously, when you get to the third year from now, you make more decisions. But that’s not something I’m even thinking about now. It’s plenty of time for [the Hawks] to really grow and for me to work on my game.”
Knight’s against-the-grain decision could have ripple effects on the goalie market. In the short term, his new salary-cap hit of $5.83 million could influence the negotiations of Filip Gustavsson (Wild), Anthony Stolarz (Maple Leafs) and Stuart Skinner (Oilers), three starting goalies who currently make less than $4 million per year on contracts that expire next summer.
Further out, Knight, who’ll be an unrestricted free agent in 2029, could benefit from a market scarcity at that point, since his peers who signed eight-year deals won’t hit free agency until much later.
“Goalies are interesting, because when [Jets star Connor] Hellebuyck was looking for his contract [in 2023], people were like, ‘He’s already 30,’ ” Knight said. “Well, he’s won two Vezinas and one Hart Trophy since.
“A word that I think of a lot when I think about my career is ‘sustainability.’ That’s something I’m looking for. I’m looking to not just peak at 28 or 29, but to sustain this over the course of time.”
Knight’s former mentor in Florida, Sergei Bobrovsky, exemplifies sustainability, considering he’s 37 and still dominating the sport. But Knight isn’t seeking to specifically replicate Bobrovsky’s career, either.
Sergei Bobrovsky, former mentor with the Panthers, exemplifies sustainability, considering he’s 37 and still dominating. But Knight isn’t seeking to follow his exact path.
“When I was growing up, the big goalies were Carey Price, Bobrovsky in Columbus, and [Andrei] Vasilevskiy was just starting to pick up,” he said. “You look at their games and you try to pick things up. But when I turned pro, I started realizing, ‘I’m my own person.’
“I say this when I look at Connor [Bedard] or Frank [Nazar]. Everyone is comparing their stats to [various] players from four or five years ago [and asking], ‘Are they going to be on the same track?’ I always think, ‘Let Connor be Connor, let Frank be Frank, and I’m just going to be me. Those guys don’t have to be anyone else but themselves.’ It’s a refreshing mindset to have.”
NHL Status Report: Lee out 1-2 weeks for Islanders with upper-body injury
New York Islanders
Anders Lee will be out 1-2 weeks because of an upper-body injury, the Islanders announced Wednesday. Their captain was not in the lineup for a 6-2 preseason loss at the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. Forward Maxim Tsyplakov (maintenance) skated Wednesday but is day to day.
Washington Capitals
Alex Ovechkin skated in a noncontact jersey for the second straight day Wednesday prior to practice. The Capitals captain sustained a lower-body injury a few minutes into the first day of training camp Sept. 18. Coach Spencer Carbery said Tuesday he wasn’t concerned. “[There’s] still plenty of runway in training camp with a decent amount of time for him to get back and get a bunch of practices under his belt and potentially get into some preseason games,” Carbery said.
San Jose Sharks
Macklin Celebrini returned to practice Tuesday. The center and No. 1 pick from the 2024 NHL Draft skated before the group went on the ice Sunday but had not practiced with the team since the opening day of camp Sept. 16 because of an illness. Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said John Klingberg is day to day with an upper-body injury that the defenseman sustained during their 3-0 preseason win against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday. Klingberg, 33, signed a one-year, $4 million contract with San Jose on July 1 after helping the Edmonton Oilers reach the Stanley Cup Final last season.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joseph Woll has taken a leave of absence from the Maple Leafs to attend to a personal family matter. The team is asking that the goalie’s privacy be respected.
New York Rangers
Artemi Panarin (lower body) is skating on his own but remains day to day. The forward left practice early Sept. 19 for what Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said was
Nine NHL teams have a new coach. Here’s what to expect from the changes
When Mike Sullivan’s time in Pittsburgh came to an end after nearly a decade behind the bench produced two Stanley Cup championships, he became the most-sought after coach on the market.
With plenty of vacancies around the NHL, Sullivan had his pick of the litter. He landed with the New York Rangers, tasked with taking over an Original Six franchise that missed last season’s playoffs but is loaded with talent.
Sullivan has coached Sidney Crosby and was picked by USA Hockey to lead the country at the upcoming Olympics in Milan. Starting this journey with the Rangers had him struggling to find a way to capture his emotions.
“This is a new challenge for me,” Sullivan said. “It’s hard for me to express in words how excited I am about this challenge and about this opportunity.”
Sullivan is one of nine coaches with a new challenge in front of him. A look at the changes for nearly a third of the league and what to expect:
Mike Sullivan, Rangers
Sullivan made trips over the summer to begin building personal relationships with his players. The 57-year-old from Massachusetts wanted to get to know players away from the rink and vice versa. When it comes to hockey, Sullivan’s straightforward approach is evident.
“Obviously a good pedigree,” defenseman Carson Soucy said. “He’s intense, very detail-focused and he wants to win.”
The Rangers haven’t won it all since 1994 but reached the Eastern Conference final in 2024.
Joel Quenneville, Ducks
Quenneville is back in the league with Anaheim, four years since resigning from Florida in the wake of an investigation into Chicago’s 2010 sexual assault allegations. Quenneville said at his introductory news conference he understands those who question is return and will “demonstrate (by) my actions that I am a man of character.”
The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup three times with Quenneville as their coach. Only Scotty Bowman has more NHL wins.
“Just to have a voice like that behind the bench guiding and leading our team, we got a good mix of some veterans and some young guys, so I think it’s a great hire and I’m really, really excited to play for him,” winger Sam Colangelo said.
Rick Tocchet, Flyers
Tocchet nearly was as prized as Sullivan after he decided not to renew his contract in Vancouver. Philadelphia is a homecoming of sorts for Tocchet, who played over 700 games in orange and black during separate stints.
“Him being back in Philly and wanting to be there and picking us, his excitement for where we’re headed, I think it excites us as a team and kind of the growth that we’re about to take,” defenseman Travis Sanheim said. “He’s already a step ahead. He already knows the organization, the city, the fans and so I think that’s going benefit us moving forward.”
Glen Gulutzan, Stars
Dallas fired Peter DeBoer following three consecutive trips to the West final. Pulling franchise goaltender Jake Oettinger in the series-deciding loss and his handling of it afterward played a part.
“You never want to see anyone lose their job,” Oettinger said. “It’s a tough business and with how good we’ve been the last three years, it’s tough. … Looking forward to getting a fresh start.”
That comes with Gulutzan, rehired 12 years after being fired by the Stars his first time around. Gulutzan the past seven seasons has been an assistant in Edmonton, where he ran the power play and earned praise from Connor McDavid for his communication skills.
Marco Sturm, Bruins
Playing over 1,000 games in the NHL, coaching Germany at the Olympics and spending multiple years as a Los Angeles Kings assistant didn’t prepare Sturm for taking over in Boston. It took three full seasons running a bench with Ontario of the American Hockey League to be ready.
“This is the time,” Sturm said. “Timing is everything. And I couldn’t end up in a better spot than Boston.”
Jeff Blashill, Blackhawks
Connor Bedard, the top pick in 2023, might finally have a long-term coach after Chicago fired Luke Richardson last December and played out the season with Anders Sorensen in an interim role. Blashill gets his second head-coaching job in the league after seven years with Detroit from 2015-22.
“We’re excited to have him,” Bedard said. “He’s thrilled to be with us. He’s showing a ton of excitement.”
Lane Lambert, Kraken
Dan Bylsma lasted one season in Seattle after he was promoted from the minors to replace Dave Hakstol. Lambert, fired in January 2024 by the New York Islanders, is tasked with getting the Kraken back to respectability.
“He brings a structure, an emphasis on structure that we desperately need a little bit,” captain Jordan Eberle said.
Dan Muse, Penguins
Muse, who was an assistant under former Rangers coach Peter Laviolette, takes over with Pittsburgh nearing a crossroads. Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang still are around but a youth movement is coming. Muse has caught players’ attention.
“I came and grabbed dinner here at the rink,” Letang said. “When I left, I think it was 8 o’clock and he was still on his computer working on some stuff. So there you go. You see the passion that he has for the game and trying to work on every little detail to make us better and improve every single guy out there.”
Adam Foote, Canucks
Tocchet’s exit opened a void for the Canucks, who would love to convince elite defenseman and captain Quinn Hughes to stick around beyond the end of his current contract in 2027. Hughes said he had his two best seasons with Foote, a former defenseman, as an assistant, but that guarantees nothing.
“It’s different being a head coach,” Hughes said. “I’m sure there’s going to be challenges as a first-year head coach that he’s going face, just like anyone else would. But I think he’s prepared for it.”
Bill Simmons Doesn’t Hold Back on Zion Williamson’s Body Transformation
The New Orleans Pelicans and their fans got a long awaited surprise recently as their star power forward Zion Williamson showed up to media day looking like a new person.
Williamson shed a large percentage of the body fat that many fans, coaches and media members felt has held him back since he entered the NBA as the number one overall pick out of Duke in 2019.
Williamson told Erin Summers of the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network recently that he’s feeling really good heading into the 2025-26 season.
On Wednesday, longtime NBA writer Bill Simmons shared his instant thoughts on the Williamson changes, leading to an enthusiastic take that captured his thought process.
Williamson’s Transformation Draws Simmons’ Attention
Williamson recanted the offseason plan that transformed his body heading into Media Day.
Simmons reposted it on his X account as evidence of his full buy-in on the Pelicans forward.
“We came up with a plan and from boxing to working out on the football field a lot to just different, random, workouts,” Williamson started off.
“And then during that timeframe last year I really felt a shift in my body to where I would look and go, ‘Dude, it feels good to feel good,” he added, saying he hasn’t felt that way since college or high school.
“Zion won me back in like 14 seconds,” Simmons wrote along with his re-post.
“I’m back!”
Pelicans Need Williamson at His Best
The Pelicans have not been seen as a realistic title contender or even a budding title contender in quite some time, in large part due to Williamson’s injuries and weight problems.
The Pelicans star is expected to lead an intriguing, revamped roster that includes Jordan Poole, Trey Murphy III and Kevon Looney.
The new-look Pelicans almost certainly won’t threaten for an NBA title anytime soon but Williamson’s transformation gives fans, and Simmons, hope for better days ahead in the NBA’s Western Conference.
NBA Champion Puts Devin Booker on Notice Despite Suns Star’s Future Promise
The Phoenix Suns are entering a new era. Following a disappointing era of trying to build a scoring super-team with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal, Phoenix is moving on and getting younger. While they make this transition, all eyes remain on Book, their franchise cornerstone.
Booker is on the clock. The Suns guard, after over a decade in the league, has to once again take the reins of the franchise, going into the next season. The question for the Suns is simple: Can Booker step into the elite company of true number one options and lead Phoenix back into prominence?
Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins has made it clear that Booker not only has a chip on his shoulder but also a lot of eyes and a blinding spotlight on him. “I’m looking at Devin Booker right now and I’m saying he’s on the clock,” Perkins said on ESPN. He compared Booker to other elite guards, Anthony Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, emphasizing that his past success isn’t enough with how quickly the league has progressed.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
He went on, highlighting the weight of expectations on Booker without elite supporting stars, saying, “When I say on the clock, it’s time for Devin Booker to show the world that he belongs. Belong in the company of an Anthony Edwards. Belong in the company of an SGA. Can he be a guy that could be that number one option of this Phoenix Suns franchise? I’m waiting to see it.” Perkins also reminded everyone that Booker reached the NBA Finals in 2021 alongside Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton, but the Suns’ constant roster and coaching turnover in the years since has left the responsibility for success firmly on Booker’s shoulders.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Phoenix‘s offseason makes his task even more challenging. The Suns went through a significant change, moving Kevin Durant in a blockbuster seven-team trade to the Houston Rockets, replacing him with young Rockets guard Jalen Green, defensive forward Dillon Brooks, and rookie #10 pick Khaman Maluach. Meanwhile, Booker’s personal milestones have kept going – just last year, he became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, and secured a contract extension worth $133M that will keep him on the team until 2029-30.
All eyes are on him: can he translate his individual success to team excellence?
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Devin Booker on Unfinished Business and Leadership
Devin Booker has addressed the challenge head-on. He spoke at the Suns’ media day, telling reporters, “From being at the bottom and, you know, almost getting the job done, I have unfinished business here.” He knows that there are a lot of expectations on him going into the next season, considering that he is the Suns’ longest-tenured player.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
He continued, speaking about his leadership role within the organization, saying, “I know how much it would mean to this city and this organization. So, you know, that’s my job as a leader. It’s my responsibility as a franchise player to communicate to everybody the importance of basketball in this town and how serious we take it.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Valley of the Sun has embraced a new direction going into the 2025-26 season, centered on toughness and youth. With how he has stressed accountability, communication, and team culture, all eyes will be on Devin Booker, and whether he can fulfill the expectations that have driven his Phoenix career so far.
Rodney Childers Reveals the Surprising Reason Why He Joined JR Motorsports for 2026
JR Motorsports announced on Wednesday evening that the iconic Rodney Childers will be joining the team as the crew chief of the No. 1 entry in 2026. The 49-year-old’s move to NASCAR’s second-highest level of competition after spending so long and achieving so much success in the Cup Series is shocking.
But it appears to be a well-thought-out decision. Following the departure from Spire Motorsports in April, he had spent long hours waiting for an opportunity worthy of his status in the Cup Series. That chance never came, and retrospection led him to go back to his roots in Late Model Stock Car Racing.
It was only in the last couple of months that his view began changing for the better. He told Motorsport.com, “I always felt like I needed to prove something and needed to win more Cup championships or the Daytona 500, but then I realized there is more to life than that.”
From 2014 to 2023, Childers had worked with Kevin Harvick at Stewart-Haas Racing. The pair won a staggering 37 races in this time, won the 2014 Cup Series championship, and secured five Championship 4 appearances.
The realization that he doesn’t have to prove himself more allowed him to explore jobs in the Truck Series. When Dale Earnhardt Jr. learned of this, he was taken by surprise and saw the golden opportunity in front of him. He pitched to Childers the idea of signing for JR Motorsports, and that’s how things got going.
Childers Hasn’t Ruled Out a Return to the Cup Series
Childers explained that the notion of working with a car akin to the Gen 6 Cup Series car, spending Sundays at church with his family, and racing with two exceptional drivers [Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch will share the No. 1 entry] were compelling reasons for him to say ‘yes’ to Dale Jr.
But he hasn’t yet ruled out a return to the big show. He said, “I will learn a lot more about myself next year as we go along. Maybe I really love having Sundays at home. Maybe it’s really going to bother me that I’m not out there when I get home and they’re still racing on Sundays.”
For now, he ponders pleasingly at the possibility of winning an Xfinity Series championship or winning 40 races, as he did in the top level. As would any man worthy of such respect and admiration, Childers has taken complete responsibility for the entry that he has been given control of.
“This car is my responsibility,” he declared. “That means getting the most out of it, finding the right people, and making it go fast. It needs to win.”
Bound for JR Motorsports? Rajah Caruth Heads to Kansas Amid Promotion Talks
JR Motorsports is steadfastly shaping itself for the 2026 season as it cruises strongly towards the 2025 Xfinity Series championship. After securing Rodney Childers’s signature as crew chief in a groundbreaking development, the team could next bring in 23-year-old Rajah Caruth as a part-time driver.
Caruth is currently employed full-time by Spire Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series. He also races for Jordan Anderson Racing in the Xfinity Series on a sporadic basis. What the rumor mill has spun for some time now is that the driver is close to signing for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports.
It has been confirmed that the team’s No. 1 entry will be shared by Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch. The No. 7 will remain with Justin Allgaier, and the No. 8, with Sammy Smith. The speculation is that the No. 88 will be shared by Caruth and one other driver. Official confirmations are yet to arrive.
Caruth made history in Las Vegas last year when he became the third Black driver ever to win a NASCAR national series race. He could achieve greater things with the resources of a team like JR Motorsports. Rick Hendrick is a key part of the ownership at JR Motorsports, along with Dale Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt.
Which is why it’s rather interesting that the driver will be piloting the No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports car at the Kansas Speedway this weekend. This could very well be an audition of sorts.
Caruth Is Eager To Perform Well at Kansas
Caruth said in a team statement when the news of his participation in the Xfinity Series race at Kansas broke, “I believe my experience I’ve accumulated the last few years in the Truck Series, and my partial Xfinity stuff will put me right where I need to be to run up front and hopefully have a good race.”
The youngster has been backed by HendrickCars.com throughout his Truck Series career and is a proven winner, finishing the 2024 season in seventh place on the final standings. Among 21 starts in the Xfinity Series so far, his best result was 12th at the Martinsville Speedway (2022).
A top-10 or a better result would go a long way in making the rumors of his position with JR Motorsports a reality.
How Many Children Do Xander Schauffele & His Wife Maya Have Together? PGA Tour Pro’s Family Life Explored
Xander Schauffele, the Olympic gold medalist and a 2 time major is no stranger to the pressure the golf world has to offer. He has consistently been at the top in every tournament he has attended and is known to be one of the most reliable stars in the sport. But in early September, his whole life would change, one where it would be very difficult to plan going ahead, both personally and professionally.
In early September, Xander Schauffele withdrew from the Procore Championship in Utah. This was a surprise to many fans, since this tournament would lead up to one of the most prestigious tournaments, the Ryder Cup. Many golfers withdraw from tournaments, usually when they are suffering from fatigue, injuries, or when they are travelling. But Xander’s withdrawal from the tournament was for a whole different reason. This moment was personal and would be an integral part of Xander’s life; he withdrew to be there for his newborn baby.
On 29th August 2025, Xander Schauffele and his wife Maya welcomed a new baby boy into their family. The couple named the baby boy Victor, a very close and personal choice of naming for their son. Many fans speculated that it was to honour Xander’s long-time rival Victor Hovland, but no. Xander Jokinly explained to the media later that Victor was his own middle name.”That’s my middle name. No, I didn’t name him after Viktor Hovland,” Schauffele joked Tuesday during his media session at Bethpage Black. “I was Victor way before Viktor (Hovland) was born,” he continued.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
This event had a direct impact on how the Ryder Cup dynamics were going to change. ESPN had confirmed that Xander told the U.S team captain, Keegan Bradley, that he won’t be available for the selection of the Ryder Cup, which would be conducted on his home soil this year. Xander’s reliability has been a staple at the Ryder Cup as his experience can be invaluable in high-stakes moments, but Xander made his priorities clear. Family came first for Xander Schauffele.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Maya’s Role in Xander Schauffele’s Journey
While Xander stays in the spotlight, many people fail to notice the support Maya has provided throughout his journey. “It’s been awesome. I feel very lucky to have my wife. She’s at home with him right now. I miss him a bunch,” Xander expressed during a media coverage by the PGA tour. The couple’s romance began when they met at Xander’s college in San Diego, and they have been together ever since. They then got married privately in 2021, after nearly 10 years of being together.
Maya seems not to like the spotlight that often, but she does make a few appearances. She has attended many of Xander’s tournaments and has supported him through his ups and downs. She has become quite active recently, though. She caddied for Xander in the 2024 Masters Par-3. Many fans got to see rare glimpses of how strong the bond of their relationship was.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Now with the arrival of their new baby boy, the role of Maya in their relationship will be more crucial and hectic in a good way as well. Xander Schauffele will also have to juggle being a father while keeping up with the competition that the golf world has to offer. But knowing his track record, we all expect him to pick up right where he left off, even though his 2025 season didn’t start strongly.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The arrival of baby Victor is sure to begin a new chapter in Xander Schauffele’s life, one where every victory and challenge on the course will now be shared with his growing family. In the end, while championships will always define his career, it’s the quiet, personal moments at home that promise to leave the most lasting mark on his life.
NASCAR discussing playoff format change for future years
The NASCAR Cup Series playoff committee has concluded its meetings to discuss the championship format, but any changes won’t be announced until after the current season concludes on Nov. 2 in Phoenix.
A potential new format would come in the form of an announcement from NASCAR’s board of directors.
NASCAR exec Mike Forde speaks out
Joey Logano Admits Championship Pressure Mounts as Playoff Survival Becomes His Focus
It is that time of the year — the time when Joey Logano reminds the NASCAR community who he is. The playoffs’ opening race at Darlington’s Cookout Southern 500 proved challenging, with the 2024 champion finishing 20th after struggling with car handling and tricky track conditions. He bounced back at World Wide Technology Raceway, claiming a strong fifth-place finish and gaining a crucial 21-point cushion over the playoff cutline. The final race of the round at Bristol Motor Speedway saw Logano navigate 14 cautions and intense competition to finish 5th once again. Logano’s graph shows an upward trend, but the important question is, will Joey Logano be able to defend his title this year amid intense pressure?
Just this past weekend in New Hampshire, Logano owned the spotlight despite Ryan Blaney winning the race. The No. 22 started from pole and dominated 147 laps, his most led in a race since the 2022 season finale at Phoenix Raceway. He also captured Stage 2 before crossing the finish line in fourth place. Even more striking was the point swing. Entering the race with just two points below the Round of 8 cut-off, he left 24 points above it, giving him a comfortable cushion heading into Kansas Speedway and Charlotte Roval. Add in three straight top-five finishes, and his playoff momentum couldn’t look stronger. This definitely hikes up the debate about his championship hopes, and Logano has doubled down on it.
Speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR radio, the 35-year-old driver sounded confident: “The goal is the, you know, obviously, when it matters the most and right now is when it matters the most is the most on the line that the championships always the number one goal and no matter where you start the playoff. As long as you’re still in it, you got a chance, and we’ve proven that in the past, so we just got to stay alive, right, just continue to move on, and weekends like last weekend sure helps that a lot.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Logano is a different beast in the playoffs altogether. Just look at his 2024 season, culminating in a dramatic championship victory. After initially being eliminated in the second playoff round, he capitalized on a second chance following Alex Bowman’s disqualification. He clinched the Round of 8 opener in Las Vegas and secured his spot in the Phoenix finale. In the championship race, the No. 22 driver led 107 laps and narrowly defeated teammate Ryan Blaney by 0.330 seconds, marking Team Penske’s first 1-2 finish in a championship race.
This victory added a third Cup Series title to his career, solidifying his reputation as a formidable contender in the postseason. And this year, Ryan Blaney, fresh off his win at Loudon, has even come to the defense of Logano’s championship chances. He said, “It’s not a big surprise to me anymore. I’ve been teammates with Joey for long enough that I know and how good he is and how kind of methodical he goes about things,” highlighting the calculated mindset that drives Logano’s success.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The three-time Cup Series champion knows what is at stake, as he said, ” You know when you come in behind the eight ball a little bit from a playoff point standpoint, you don’t have more, so you can’t make mistakes, you can’t screw up. But you still have a chance. And we’ve taken that still have a chance mentality pretty far a few times, so you know, kind of the same thing day once again hopefully.”
If anything, his performance should speak for itself in the 2025 Cup Series season. Competing in 30 races, he secured one win, two pole positions, and six top-five finishes with 10 top-10 finishes. Further, he boasts an average starting position of 12.9 with an average finish of 15.9 while leading 541 laps.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Despite a challenging season with three DNFs, including a notable incident at Talladega Superspeedway, he maintained a strong presence in the standings, finishing sixth, just 25 points behind the leader. And now, amid Kevin Harvick’s revelation of Logano’s secret to dominating the playoffs, Joey Logano is focused on a larger issue at hand.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Joey Logano reveals the hard truth for New England NASCAR hopefuls
For over three decades, New Hampshire Motor Speedway has stood as a beacon of New England’s motorsport passion, yet Joey Logano’s recent reflections shine a light on the uphill climb facing drivers from the region who dream of the NASCAR top tier. Despite a rich local heritage and enthusiastic crowds, inspiring New England racers often confront barriers that appear for more established racing hubs rarely face, underscoring the challenges of breaking into the sport’s highest ranks.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
And Logano shared a candid perspective on the realities for regional talent. While his own road crew comprises 5 out of seven or eight members from New England, he noted that chasing a career in NASCAR usually requires relocating. Sanding off the troubles, he said, “I think all of us, when we come up here, we really want to perform because it’s home. You’re representing New England, to your point, if it may be harder for people to make it in NASCAR. I mean, most of the time, you’ve got to move to Charlotte, no matter where you’re from…if you want to do it right, because that’s where all the race teams are… So, yeah, you have to move and that makes it tough, but when you come home, you want to be able to show what you can do, so you feel like you’re representing everyone up here.”
Even with these hurdles, New England’s legacy in NASCAR remains strong. States like Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut have produced celebrated drivers and professionals from Mike Stefanik to Andy Santerre, Pete Hamilton, and Joey Logano himself. For aspiring racers, the path is challenging, but the pull of representing their roots drives every lap, whether at their home track or far from it. The story of New England in NASCAR is one of grit, pride, and persistence, where geography may dictate the journey, but passion fuels the pursuit.
Martin Truex Jr. Sparks Concern Leaving Fans Baffled by the Sale of NASCAR Keepsakes
“I really appreciate everyone at Bass Pro Shops, TRICON, and Toyota helping put this together to go have some fun.” These words came from Martin Truex Jr. ahead of his Daytona 500 start this year. The former Joe Gibbs Racing driver left full-time racing at the end of 2024. Yet he still looked forward to sporadic appearances in 2025. Although Truex finished disastrously in 38th place, fans still looked forward to his return. But he went off the grid after Daytona.
Over his almost two-decade-long career, Martin Truex Jr. has collected several accolades. Those include NASCAR’s highest achievements – two consecutive Xfinity Series titles (2004, 2005) and a Cup Series title (2017). That is why a recent development left his fans dazed and confused.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Martin Truex Jr. undertakes a spring cleaning
NASCAR is a rich sport where racers accrue heavy cheques for race wins. But more than the monetary benefits, the trophies carry the true meaning of victories. Over his career, Martin Truex Jr. has picked up 34 Cup Series race trophies alongside 13 trophies in the Xfinity Series. From New Hampshire’s iconic Loudon lobster to Martinsville’s grandfather clock, Truex’s collection is dazzling in its sheer variety. However, the veteran driver may be detaching himself from all this NASCAR memorabilia, according to a recent X post by a fan. The caption read, “Lot of interesting Truex stuff for sale on race day authentics, especially the final win trophy from Loudon. Surprising he’d get rid of that specifically.”
Among the pictures added to this intriguing X post are Martin Truex Jr.‘s top honors. One shows his 2023 NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers’ honorary t-shirt and watch. Despite “only 1 of these made and given to the drivers,” Truex sold them for $700. He also sold his Toyota diecast, presented by TRD, for $700. Then Truex’s last Cup Series trophy, the Loudon lobster at the 2023 race, also went out for $1750. Lastly, his 2023 regular-season championship trophy was picked up for $2750.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
This development is bizarre to say the least. When Martin Truex Jr. retired at the end of 2024, it was a decision he approached with much difficulty. He had avoided that conversation, delaying it for two years. Yet now, the veteran is easily giving away his precious souvenirs from his career. Yet this seems to be a follow-up to an update earlier in June. It was reported that his Mooresville, N.C., mansion along Lake Norman (a property he bought in 2006) was put on sale for $7.5 million. That indicated that Truex was willing to move away from North Carolina, the base of NASCAR, and the roots of his star-studded career.
The recent pictures, however, sent ripples of concern through the NASCAR community. After all, it has hardly been a year since Truex decided to retire.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Fans rack their brains over this sale
Usually, diehard NASCAR fans drool over any merchandise related to their favorite drivers. However, getting access to the items that racers keep close to their hearts seems a tad bizarre, as fans questioned Martin Truex Jr.’s sudden spring cleaning. One fan wrote, “Selling his final win and 75 Greatest Driver stuff is wiiiiiild lol.” What is more, Truex’s career has been one of long-awaited success. Despite starting his career in 2006 at the same time as Denny Hamlin, it took time for Truex to get his breakthrough. So one fan questioned his giving away of his hard-earned spoils: “Idk I think it’s weird in general he of all drivers is selling his actual trophies.”
Others drew out speculative reasons for Martin Truex Jr.’s sudden selling spree. When drivers like Carl Edwards or Jimmie Johnson retired, they took up extra-curricular hobbies like sailing and marathons. So somebody suggested that Truex tried to follow a similar path, but it turned sour. “If Truex is selling these things why do I think he got into a hobby he didn’t realize was so expensive 😏” Another fan referred to Truex’s hobby for hunting. It is either that or Truex genuinely wants to move on from NASCAR: “So either he’s buying new stuff for hunting or he just wants to be gone gone from the sport.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Somebody else brought out a more tragic reason. Martin Truex Jr. lost his long-time girlfriend, Sherry Pollex, to ovarian cancer in September 2023. What is more, he also lost his father, Martin Truex Sr., in January this year. The weight of these losses may be bearing down heavily on him, as a fan wrote, “I hope he’s ok. Losing Sherry and his dad is tough.”
No matter what the reason is, it is genuinely baffling the NASCAR community. Let’s wait and see if Martin Truex Jr.’s spring cleaning extends to more of his memorabilia from the sport.
Olivia Dunne Has the Perfect Reaction While Fans Demand Big Change for Paul Skenes After Final MLB Game
Paul Skenes ended his 2025 season with six scoreless innings against the Cincinnati Reds, showcasing his complete pitching skill set. It capped a dominant sophomore year with fans buzzing about his future beyond Pittsburgh. The 22-year-old ace posted a 1.97 ERA over 187.2 innings with 216 strikeouts and a 0.95 WHIP, struck out seven batters, and allowed four hits over six innings. And of course, it was the Pirates who won the game with a scoreline of 4-3 in 11 innings. But Skenes’ performance kick-started a debate that garnered a perfect reaction from his partner, Olivia Dunne, and the MLB fans.
Needless to say, ‘Livvy’ found Skenes’ performance against the Reds to be the best season. Taking to Instagram, she shared a post showcasing the Pirates’ post-victory celebration, and wrote, “Best szn I did ever see.” Meanwhile, ESPN shared some visuals showcasing Dunne’s reaction to Skenes’ pitching. She looked locked in, similar to Skenes, and her response to the point was, “Can’t blame a gal for being nervous,” followed by a shrugging emoji.
And it’s natural. Despite their busy schedule and fame, Skenes and Dunne have stuck together since 2023. Dunne has publicly cheered Skenes at games, and he credits her for helping navigate the pressure of fame. Even though they’re like ‘Yin and Yang’, the couple has made their relationship work via continuous support for each other. And while the love story of Skenes and ‘Livvy’ deepened, the fans took the story differently.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
MLB fans took charge of the comments section of an Instagram post made by MLB’s official profile and expressed a single demand for Skenes. It’s no surprise the Pirates have been missing the playoffs since 2015. This has given the players fewer high-pressure wins and less postseason exposure. Hence, the fans believe Skenes should consider moving or getting world-class players to complement his talent at the Pirates.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Fans demand a change of scene for Paul Skenes
Most fans felt the Pittsburgh Pirates aren’t the right team for Skenes. The Pirates’ lineup has been among the poorest in MLB for runs, home runs, slugging, and overall hitting. So, even if Skenes dominates on the mound, a lack of scoring support often means they lose games. They lie fifth in the National League Central with 89 losses and a winning percentage of .437. Hence, fans began to demand a new team for the athlete. One fan commented, “Get this man some hitters or trade him to anywhere but the Dodgers or Yankees.” Well, Skenes has already shown an interest in the Yankees.
Concurrently, many others looked at him as a future Yankee or a Dodger. One comment read, “Get ready to learn dodgernese buddy.” Another comment branded Skenes as a “Future dodger 🥲.” And some fans even asked, “Send this man to the Phillies already.” The emotions were crystal clear. The fans want nothing but to give Paul Skenes the desperately needed offensive support. One fan highlighted this and wrote, “Just imagine if they gave him offensive support. What his record would be.”
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Moreover, there is a chance the Pirates could hire a new coach, like Don Mattingly, to lead the team. Mattingly, a respected figure in MLB, could enhance the team’s chances for the next season. It could be a make-or-break deal for Skenes, who could stay with the Pirates. Yet, fans don’t believe he should stay and waste his career. Another fan claimed, “What an absolute WATSE of talent and a good career.” He suggested Skenes should fake an injury until he got traded, or demand a trade because his current team has “ZERO shot of being good the next FIVE years.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
According to the fan, Skenes would likely require a Tommy John (a common elbow ligament reconstruction surgery for pitchers) at least once after five more years. Of course, the fan believed that Skenes’ career ERA will probably remain under 3.000, and will have quite some wins as a pitcher. But his postseason experience might be zero. The fan continued, “@pittsburghpirates please let this man live up to his potential on a team who doesn’t BLOW.”
The postseason could be a busy time for the Pirates regarding their ability to keep Paul Skenes. He remains one of their essential players, and getting him on board for a convincing project would tick all the right boxes.
Max Fried’s dominant Yankees season continues with MLB leading 19th win
In early March, the Yankees lost their ace, creating questions about the top of their starting rotation.
Gerrit Cole wasn’t going to pitch at all this season, leaving a heavy burden to newcomer Max Fried.
He didn’t blink.
Outside of a shaky stretch in July and early August, the Yankees couldn’t have expected anything else out of their $218 million left-hander.
Wednesday night in the final regular-season start of his first season in pinstripes, he continued to excel. Fried picked up his major league-leading 19th victory while lowering his ERA to 2.86 in the Yankees’ 8-1 rout of the White Sox in The Bronx.
“Just everything you would want from a guy at the top of your rotation. He’s just such a pro, so talented, such a great teammate, such an important part of our pitching culture now here. Navigated the season so well,” manager Aaron Boone said after the Yankees moved into a first-place tie in the AL East with the skidding Blue Jays. “He was a horse for us, an ace, and now looking forward to giving him the ball in October.”
Fried continued his recent string of dominance, limiting the White Sox to four hits and one earned run over seven innings while striking out seven.
Fried ran into some trouble in the second. The first two White Sox singled, then Corey Julks reached on Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s fielding error.
But he retired the next two batters and didn’t have to sweat the rest of the evening.
CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND YANKEES STATS
Over his past seven outings, the southpaw hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs. He has a microscopic ERA of 1.55 spanning 46 ¹/₃ innings and has given up just a single home run, back on Sept. 13 to Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman.
His midseason struggles seem like a distant memory. He has also provided leadership, similar to the team’s injured ace.
“Pretty amazing to see the work he’s done with a lot of our younger guys,” Aaron Judge said. “We’re talking about game-planning, pitching. It’s almost like having another Gerrit.”
The southpaw will finish his first season as a Yankee with career highs in innings pitched (195 ¹/₃), strikeouts (189) and wins (19).
But he wasn’t ready to take any victory laps. Asked to sum up the season, Fried was already focused on taking the ball in October.
“Not finished yet. It’s been very apparent the goal of this team is to go to [the] playoffs, get deep in the playoffs and win a World Series,” Fried said. “I like to put a lot of team goals in front of how I individually do. If we come out and go deep in the playoffs and win a World Series, I’ll say it was successful. But we have a long way to go.”
MLB Playoffs: Red Sox magic number down to one with Astros latest loss
TORONTO — When the Red Sox wake up on Thursday morning, they’ll be one win away from clinching a playoff berth.
The Red Sox continue to get help from the flailing Houston Astros, who lost 6-0 to the Athletics late Wednesday night for the club’s fifth straight loss.
Boston (87-71) now holds a three-game lead plus the tiebreaker over Houston (84-74), meaning that the Red Sox will clinch a playoff spot with one more win or one more Astros loss over the last four games.
Because the Astros and Athletics play their series finale Thursday at 3:35 p.m., it’s possible the Red Sox might have a postseason berth locked up before they even take the field for their 7:07 p.m. game in Toronto.
Elsewhere in the American League, the Cleveland Guardians (86-72) beat the Detroit Tigers (85-73) again to take over sole possession of first place in the AL Central. The Tigers have now lost eight straight and have seen what not long ago looked like an insurmountable division lead completely evaporate.
As recently as Sept. 10 Detroit led Cleveland by 9.5 games in the division. Since then they’ve gone 1-10, enduring one of the most shocking collapses in baseball history.
They aren’t the only ones who have potentially allowed a division title slip away.
While not as dramatic a meltdown as the Tigers, the Toronto Blue Jays (90-68) also held a five-game lead in the AL East as recently as Sept. 16 but now sit tied with the New York Yankees atop the division. Toronto has lost five of six, while the Yankees (90-68) have won four straight.
The Red Sox are mathematically still alive in the AL East race too, though that would require winning out, the Blue Jays losing out and the Yankees losing at least three more games.
The Blue Jays own the tiebreaker over both the Yankees and Red Sox.
The Seattle Mariners (89-69) officially clinched their first AL West title since 2001 on Wednesday, beating the Colorado Rockies thanks to two home runs by MVP candidate Cal Raleigh, who became the first catcher in MLB history to record 60 home runs in a season.
Playoff picture
American League: 1. Toronto Blue Jays 90-68 (z), 2. Seattle Mariners 89-69 (x), 3. Cleveland Guardians 86-72, 4. New York Yankees (z) 90-68, 5. Boston Red Sox 87-71, 6. Detroit Tigers 85-73 … Houston Astros 84-74
National League: 1. Milwaukee Brewers (x) 96-63, 2. Philadelphia Phillies (x) 93-65, 3. Los Angeles Dodgers (z) 89-69, 4. Chicago Cubs (z) 89-69, 5. San Diego Padres (z) 87-72, 6. New York Mets 81-77 … Arizona Diamondbacks 80-78, Cincinnati Reds 80-78, St. Louis Cardinals 78-81, Miami Marlins 77-81
Yankees’ Max Fried: Clinches MLB-best 19th win
Fried (19-5) picked up the win Wednesday against the White Sox, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out seven over seven innings.
Coming off arguably his best start of the year, when he blanked Baltimore over seven innings while striking out 13, the left-hander produced another gem Wednesday. Fried gave up back-to-back singles followed by a sacrifice fly to Lenyn Sosa in the second inning, but he was nearly flawless otherwise, generating 12 whiffs and notching at least seven strikeouts for the 14th time this season. The victory was the 31-year-old’s seventh in his last eight starts and his sixth straight, securing him the top of MLB’s wins leaderboard with 19. Fried finishes his first season with the Yankees at a 2.86 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 189:51 K:BB across 195.1 innings, cementing himself as one of most consistent arms fantasy managers could find.
Skip Bayless Has Blunt Reality Check for Browns’ Shedeur …
After drafting two quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns have found themselves in a tough situation going forward as there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding their future and who will be leading them.
While rookie Shedeur Sanders was a standout in college at Colorado, he wasn’t drafted until Round 5 back in April — two rounds after Cleveland picked former Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
Both passers are sitting behind Joe Flacco, who turned 40 back in January, so the Browns don’t exactly have much time left to make a decision whether or not either is their QB of the future. Ideally, the team would know by the end of the season if either would be its QB1 heading into next year.
That said, only Gabriel has seen any action so far in the regular season, and even that was limited to less than five minutes in a blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Skip Bayless ‘Gets Real’ on Sanders’ Chances to Start With Browns
Three weeks into the regular season, Sanders is still the Browns’ third-string quarterback, seemingly diminishing his chances of getting to showcase what he can do. Considering Gabriel completed each of his three passes and threw for a touchdown in his lone appearance this season, some have wondered if Sanders will ever be more than a third-stringer.
Following the Browns’ upset victory over the Green Bay Packers, NFL analyst Skip Bayless went on
SportsDay’s expert NFL picks for Week 4: Cowboys-Packers, Ravens-Chiefs and more
Week 4 of the NFL season has arrived.
It’ll be an action-packed week in the NFL, highlighted by Micah Parsons’ Sunday night return to Dallas as the Cowboys host the Green Bay Packers. Before that showdown, fans can look forward to an interesting slate of games across the league.
The Week 4 schedule begins with a Thursday night meeting between the Seattle Seahawks and Kyler Murray’s Arizona Cardinals. On Sunday, Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens head to Kansas City to face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. The action wraps up with a Monday night doubleheader featuring Jets-Dolphins and Bengals-Broncos.
Below you’ll find picks for every Week 4 game — straight up and against the spread — from our panel of columnists, insiders and special contributors.
Cowboys
Be the smartest Cowboys fan. Get the latest news.
Or with:
Google
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Advertisement
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Travis Etienne Jr. Net Worth 2025: Salary, Contract, Career Earnings and More
When it comes to questioning which of the running backs entered the NFL with a bang, Travis Etienne Jr.‘s name will top the list for sure. However, talk about a long wait to finally hit the gridiron; his name will top that list, too. Once Again! Despite a solid collegiate career, his pro football debut got delayed. All thanks to a foot injury that sidelined him in his rookie season.
So get this: before he even made it declared for the NFL draft, Etienne was out there shattering records in his senior year at Clemson University. That includes rushing TDs, total TDs, and total points scored. And the 25th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, well, the Jacksonville Jaguars came prepared for the young RB.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What is Travis Etienne Jr.’s Net Worth in 2025?
As of 2025, Travis Etienne Jr.’s estimated net worth is $6 million, according to publicly available NFL salary data. This figure primarily comes from his rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, which includes a $6.74 million signing bonus and $12.9 million in total guaranteed earnings over four years.
Etienne’s NFL earnings have been bolstered by consistent on-field performance after a rocky start due to a Lisfranc injury in 2021. Since returning, he’s proved himself as a reliable dual-threat running back, rushing for over 2,000 yards and tallying 11 touchdowns in the last two seasons combined.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In addition to his NFL contract, Etienne has started building his endorsement portfolio, which further contributes to his financial status. With the Jaguars exercising his fifth-year option for 2025 and a rising market value, Etienne is set to secure an even larger deal in the near future, boosting his net worth even further.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Travis Etienne Jr.’s Contract
Travis Etienne Jr. signed a 4-year rookie contract worth $12,898,105 with the Jacksonville Jaguars after being selected 25th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. The deal included a $6,740,440 signing bonus, and all $12.9 million was fully guaranteed. His average annual salary stands at $3.22 million.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Despite missing his rookie season due to a foot injury, Etienne bounced back and became a key player for Jacksonville’s offense. Recognizing his contributions, the Jaguars picked up his fifth-year option for the 2025 season, worth $6.14 million. This move signals the team’s confidence in his development and continued role in their system.
Here’s a breakdown of his contract over the years:
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
2021: $660K base + $6.74M signing = $7.4M
2022: $1.25M
2023: $1.83M
2024: $2.41M
2025 (5th-year option): $6.14M
With this structure, Etienne will earn $19.04 million across five seasons. As of now, there have been no restructures or performance bonuses reported. If Etienne maintains or elevates his current level of play, he could command a multi-year extension with significantly more guaranteed money.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What is Travis Etienne Jr.’s Salary?
Travis Etienne Jr.’s 2025 salary is set at $6,143,000, thanks to the Jaguars exercising his fifth-year option. For 2024, his base salary is $2,418,833. Here’s a year-by-year salary breakdown:
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Etienne’s total NFL compensation by 2025 will reach $19,041,106, excluding any new deals or endorsements.
Travis Etienne Jr.’s Career Earnings
As of the 2025 NFL season, Travis Etienne Jr. has earned a total of $19,041,106 over five seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Etienne’s rookie deal remains one of the more lucrative rookie contracts for a running back drafted outside the top 20. His performance has lived up to his pay so far, with two back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and solid receiving stats. If he signs a contract extension or hits the open market after 2025, his future earnings could soar, potentially crossing the $40 million mark by 2028, depending on health and continued performance. His career earnings include:
Base salaries from 2021 to 2025: $12.3 million
Signing bonus (2021): $6.74 million
Here’s a quick breakdown:
2021: $7.4M (base + bonus)
2022: $1.25M
2023: $1.83M
2024: $2.42M
2025: $6.14M (projected)
Travis Etienne Jr.’s Brand Endorsements
In addition to his NFL income, Travis Etienne Jr. has endorsement deals contributing to his net worth. One confirmed partnership is with HCA Florida Memorial Hospital, where he serves as a brand ambassador. His growing NFL presence could soon attract more high-profile endorsements, particularly in health, fitness, and apparel sectors.
A Look at Travis Etienne Jr.’s College and Professional Career
Travis Etienne Jr. starred at Clemson University, where he became the ACC’s all-time leading rusher with 4,952 yards and 70 total touchdowns. He was a two-time ACC Player of the Year and helped Clemson to a National Championship in 2018. His elite combination of speed and vision made him a top RB prospect.
Drafted 25th overall in 2021, Etienne suffered a Lisfranc injury during preseason and missed his rookie year. However, he returned in 2022 and quickly became Jacksonville’s top offensive weapon. He ran for 1,125 yards and 5 TDs in 2022, and 1,008 yards and 5 TDs in 2023, while also contributing heavily in the passing game.
Known for his dual-threat ability, Etienne’s dynamic play style has made him a core piece of the Jaguars’ offense and a favorite among fantasy football owners. With the fifth-year option secured, his future with the team appears strong heading into 2025.
From a decorated college career to becoming a crucial part of Jacksonville’s offense, Travis Etienne Jr. has justified his $12.9 million rookie contract. His $19M net worth reflects both NFL earnings and early brand partnerships. With the fifth-year option secured and future contract talks on the horizon, Etienne’s financial and athletic trajectory is only rising.
Lions Announce Jared Goff Achievement on Wednesday
Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions secured their second-straight win in Week 3, taking down Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens on the road. With the win, the Lions move to 2-1 on the 2025 NFL season, tied for first place in the NFC North with the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. Against the Ravens, Detroit relied heavily on the run, with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combining for four touchdowns.
Still, Goff had a nice game in the season’s third edition of “Monday Night Football,” completing 20-of-28 passes (71.4%) for 202 yards and one touchdown strike to Amon-Ra St. Brown. And through three games in 2025, Goff has now completed 74-of-95 passes (77.9%) for 761 yards and seven touchdowns to one interception.
The former California quarterback also has an impressive passer rating of 120.2 through three games, fourth in the NFL. Jackson is in first at 141.8.
With his hot start to the new season, Goff joins some legendary company, becoming one of just four quarterbacks to accomplish this historic feat through the first three games of any season:
Throw for seven or more touchdowns
77.0% or higher completion rate
Passer rating of 120.0 or more
Goff (2025) joins some of the best quarterbacks the league has ever seen, including former Kansas City Chiefs star Alex Smith (2018), New Orleans Saints legend Drew Brees (2018) and seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady (2007).
“The only QBs in @NFL history to throw for 7+ TDs, complete at least 77.0% of their passes & accumulate a 120.0+ passer rating through the first three games of any season: 1. @Lions QB @JaredGoff16 (2025) 2. Drew Brees (2018) 3. Alex Smith (2017) 4. Tom Brady (2007).”
Big Sky Now: Montana vs. Idaho preview and Week 4 recap
Week 4 brought drama across the Big Sky Conference — Montana rolled past Indiana State, Montana State stalled in the second half, and Idaho let a huge one slip away against San Jose State.
Our panel breaks it all down, from Idaho State’s 90-point explosion to Eastern Washington’s first win of the season.
We spotlight Big Sky standouts making noise in the NFL, including Cooper Kupp, Rashid Shaheed, Ty Okada, and Alex Singleton.
Plus, we preview the start of conference play, highlighted by the Montana vs. Idaho rivalry matchup under the lights on ESPN2.
Can the Vandals shock Washington-Grizzly again, or will the Griz defend their turf?
Don’t miss our expert picks, analysis, and storylines that will shape the race for the Big Sky crown.
READ MORE:
Big Sky honors Ah Yat, Morrison
Washington football recap
Kenny Dillingham Sends Clear Message to ASU Locker Room as 25 NFL Scouts Expected to Evaluate Week 5
There’s going to be buzz in Tempe on Friday night. NFL people are coming to town for the Big 12 showdown between Arizona State and TCU. A stage big enough for FOX’s primetime slot, a top-25 opponent, and about two dozen NFL scouts roaming the press box with clipboards and sharp eyes. The Sun Devils aren’t sneaking into this one. The spotlight is huge and Kenny Dillingham knows it.
When Kenny Dillingham spoke to the media about the NFL attention, he exuded confidence in his guys. “Kudos to our players. It means people are noticing our players and their players,” he said per an X post on September 24. “It’s a game on Friday that everyone wants to be at because there’s a lot of potential guys that can play on Sunday.” He’s reminding his locker room that Week 5 is about showing 20-25 sets of NFL eyes that this program is producing Sunday stars.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
That kind of message matters when you’re the defending Big 12 champs trying to prove last year wasn’t a one-time wonder. ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid already has ASU pegged in Tier 3 of “teams scouts are watching,” with projections as high as 10 future draft picks, including a first-round grade on wideout Jordyn Tyson. That’s rarefied air for a program that wasn’t even sniffing the scouting radar before Kenny Dillingham rolled in. And yet, the scouting buzz is only half the story.
The other half is the football game itself, one that could swing the balance of the Big 12 before September even ends. TCU just punched into the AP Top 25 after a clean 3-0 start capped by a rivalry win over SMU. ASU, sitting at 3-1, has strung together seven straight wins at home and has the kind of gritty, late-game DNA that makes you believe no lead is safe. And that’s where the transition comes in because if the scouts want fireworks, ASU’s offense needs to stop sputtering when the lights get hottest.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Kenny Dillingham has the weapons
If last week’s 27-24 win at Baylor proved anything, it’s that Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson are the lifeline of this offense. Down in the fourth quarter, the QB found his WR for a clutch touchdown and a two-point conversion that flipped the script. Jesus Gomez drilled the 43-yard walk-off field goal, but the Sun Devils didn’t get that chance without their stars dragging them there. The problem is too many of those drives are ending with Gomez’s right leg instead of six points.
Kenny Dillingham’s frustration boiled over this week. “We kicked four field goals. It just pains me to say it out loud. That’s usually not a recipe for success,” he said, and he’s right. Style points matter to scouts but so do red-zone conversions when you’re trying to win championships. The flip side, of course, is potential. The HC insists his offense is “right on the brink” of turning into something explosive. Week by week, he sees improvement. The question is whether they can make that leap against a TCU defense that isn’t forgiving and against Josh Hoover, the quarterback leading the nation in passing yards per game at 333.3.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
On Friday night, ASU won’t just be playing for a win. They’ll be playing for respect, for credibility, and for the kind of validation only 25 NFL scouts and a national audience can give. And if Kenny Dillingham’s message rings true, the locker room won’t shrink from that stage. They’ll embrace it.
Jim Harbaugh Gets Honest About Facing Rookie Quarterback
The 2025 season has started perfectly for the Los Angeles Chargers, having an undefeated record after three weeks playing against divisional AFC West teams.
Week 4 will be the first non-divisional team for the Bolts and will get the opportunity to welcome a first-round pick to the NFL.
The New York Giants will reportedly bench Russell Wilson after suffering three straight defeats to start the season and give rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart his first NFL start against the Chargers in Week 4.
Dart was the second quarterback selected in the 2025 NFL Draft and had impressive showings in the preseason. Dart threw for 372 yards and three passing touchdowns in the preseason, outperforming the rest of the quarterback room in two of the games.
Now, Dart will make his first start against one of the last six undefeated teams in the league.
Harbaugh On Facing Jaxson Dart
A reporter asked Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh how the team will prepare for the rookie quarterback, with the coach offering praise for Dart.
“He’s going to be good,” Harbaugh said. “Pro football quarterback, who’s the starting quarterback. He’s a good player. You can already see that on the tape that we have seen.”
“Presence, mobility, sees the entire field, accurate thrower, all the good things, he’s got it. He’s got the it factor too. Can see that as well.”
As of now, all the Chargers have of Dart is his collegiate tape and the snaps he shared during the preseason. The new Giants starting quarterback was the receiving nods to be the starter after his preseason performances and will now have to make the most of it before Wilson gets another shot to be behind the center.
The Bolts’ defense has recorded 7 sacks on the season and could raise their sack tally against Dart, who may be nervous making his first professional start.
LA will be without one of its best pass rushers, Khalil Mack, due to a dislocated elbow that placed the defender on IR, giving Dart some breathing room in his pro debut.
Dart On Making His First Start
The New York Giants used a first-round pick on Jaxson Dart, showing how much they value the quarterback and have him as the future of the organization.
The quarterback shared his thoughts on becoming the starter before the Week 4 matchup against the Chargers.
“I’m ready,” Dart said, via NBC Sports. “You always try to say I’m going to prepare each week the same, but in all reality you have different responsibilities as a starter, so I’m just locked in… Excited for the opportunity and very humbled.”
Dart says that Wilson has been supporting him and has been handling the benching “great.”
NFL approval of Bears’ sale of minority stake raises valuation to $8.9 billion: report
The Bears are valued at $8.9 billion after the NFL approved the sale of a minority stake in the team, CNBC reported Wednesday.
It’s the highest official valuation for any team in the league, though CNBC’s unofficial estimates have six other teams ahead of them: the Cowboys ($12.5 billion), Rams ($10.7 billion), Giants ($10.5 billion), Raiders ($9.3 billion), Patriots ($9.3 billion) and Jets ($9.1 billion).
The sale itself is relatively inconsequential. The 2.35% of the team formerly owned by the late Andrew McKenna’s estate was bought by the McCaskey and Ryan families. The McCaskey family owns 77% of the Bears, with the Ryan family owning the remainder.
The deal was agreed to in the summer and reportedly was finalized in the last several days.
The valuation includes the organization’s 326-acre property in Arlington Heights, where it plans to build a new stadium. Team president Kevin Warren has repeatedly said the plan is to break ground this year and open in time for the 2028 season.
Michigan LB Jaishawn Barham Compared by Teammate to 2025 NFL First Rounder
The Michigan Wolverines won their second biggest road game of the season this past Saturday and are resting up in preparation for the Wisconsin Badgers on October 4 at the Big House in Ann Arbor.
The Wolverines’ defense gave up 27 points to the Cornhuskers but seven came off of a Hail Mary before halftime that caused Michigan fans to question the team’s players and coaches.
A redemptive second half included strong play from Michigan’s pass rushers including Jaishawn Barham, many of whom harassed Huskers QB Dylan Raiola into a rough half in Lincoln.
Recently, Michigan guard Nate Ofobi spoke about the Wolverines’ rising star at rush linebacker, comparing him to a 2025 NFL Draft pick whose name will be instantly familiar to Michigan fans.
Barham Compared to Star Defensive Tackle
Barham was compared to former Michigan star Mason Graham by Efobi, based on the leverage, strength and power he plays with near the line of scrimmage.
Efobi’s comparison is an unusual one considering linebackers are almost never compared to defensive tackles.
Barham’s burst and ability to track down and hit the ball carrier are unique talents that change the complexion of the game for Michigan, as noted by Efobi and others recently.
“Nate Efobi says blocking Jaishawn Barsham in practice is like ‘blocking Mason Graham if he lost 100 pounds,’” reporter Anthony Broome said.
“Says he’s happy the rest of the country gets to see what he can do as a pass rusher now.”
Barham has 11 solo tackles and three sacks this season.
His impact is felt by opposing offensives even when he doesn’t hit the quarterback considering his acceleration and stopping power as a tackler who generally doesn’t miss opportunities to put ball carriers on the turf.
Wolverines Studying Two NFL Teams, Efobi Says
Efobi, a junior offensive guard from Atlanta, told Broome that the Wolverines have studied two of the NFL’s top rushing teams to improve their rushing plays.
“(Efobi) says the staff shows them a lot of Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions film on how to effectively run outside zone,” Broome wrote.
“Says those are two teams they see a lot of in film study.”
The Lions and Ravens combined for 309 rushing yards on Monday Night Football earlier this week, showing the power of a multi-faceted offensive attack with multiple runners each capable of reeling off 100-plus yard games.
The Wolverines have three or more players capable of ground game explosions including Bryce Underwood, Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall.
Efobi and the rest of the Wolverines’ offense goes up against top tier talents including Barham every day in practice.
It’s beginning to pay off for a team with hopes of a deep run in the College Football Playoffs later this season.
Ex-NFL QB Shifts Blame From Lamar Jackson After Lions Loss as Ravens QB Sends Blunt Message
The Ravens walked into Week 3 with hope, but it ended ugly. Lamar Jackson and co. fell 38-30 to the Lions, and it wasn’t just a normal L. It was one of those games where they got outplayed from start to finish. The team looked flat, the defense couldn’t match Detroit’s energy. For a franchise that sells itself as a contender, this was a gut punch.
And the stats back that up. The Lions sacked Lamar Jackson seven times and bullied Baltimore on the ground, rushing for 224 yards while the Ravens managed only 85. Yet former NFL QB Dan Orlovsky didn’t pin the blame on Lamar. He went on X and broke it down. “1) Lamar didn’t have chances to take off more. He was often spied or double spied. 2) The reason he held the ball longer was, and credit to Detroit, they were very sticky in coverage and not a lot was open downfield.” Orlovsky basically said Lamar had nowhere to go, and that’s not on him.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
NHL/NHLPA Player Orientation Program setting future players on right path
Note: This article originally appeared on the website of the NHL Players’ Association. NHL.com is reproducing the article with the NHLPA’s permission.
Long before the Player Orientation Program became a permanent part of life for rising young National Hockey League players, Sheldon Souray recalled listening to experts talk about substance abuse and other problems he and his teammates might encounter as pro hockey players after being drafted by the New Jersey Devils.
“I’m sitting in the back of the room going, ‘What are they talking about? I don’t have a drinking problem. I don’t have anxiety,” Souray recalled with a rueful grin.
“The old culture was you suffer in silence, right? You’re a rookie, shut up, do what you’re told,” added Souray who played in 758 NHL games. “I guess my point is that I never expected I’d be in this position.”
This position, to be exact, is sitting in the lobby of a resort complex in Virginia hosting the Player Orientation Program, sharing his story of recovery with 85 eager young NHL players and prospects all on the cusp of what they hope will be long and robust NHL careers.
Souray is the key speaker during a series of breakout sessions that explain the inner workings of the Player Assistance Program of the NHLPA and NHL.
Souray is blunt about what his life would look like were it not for the Player Assistance Program.
“I’d be dead,” said Souray who celebrated five years of sobriety in July.
Souray’s journey through the darkest of days here to POP, where he shares his struggles with players, many of whom were not long out of diapers when he retired in 2015, brings him almost full circle both as it relates to hockey and life.
“The program for me has been about just being honest,” Souray said of the Player Assistance Program that has confidentially helped hundreds of players dealing with myriad issues related to addiction, substance abuse and mental health since the program was launched in 1996.
“And this isn’t for everyone,” Souray explained. “This is for one or two or maybe three guys [at the POP] that are having some problems with anxiety, depression, pressure, peer pressure, parents’ pressure, [marital] problems.
“I think it’s just important for them to hear that there’s a place where there’s not judgment,” Souray added. “You’re not going to get judged by your GM, your coach, your parents, your agent. You kind of need a place where you can go and just let some of that out and take some recommendations from the experts.”
If it were just the Player Assistance Program presentation, this event would represent a world of learning and education for the young players in attendance. But this particular breakout session represents just a sliver of the opportunities offered during the nearly three-day POP to help attendees prepare for new pressures as NHL players.
Presenting Knowledge and Experience: Empowering NHL Players with Information to Start Their Careers
From mental, medical and financial health education workshops to guest speakers from NHL security and the NHL’s Department of Player Safety to social media and media training, the touchpoints are many for those players chosen by their teams to attend the POP.
As one player noted, “Oh yeah, it’s busy.”
To understand the importance of the POP to the NHL and NHLPA is to understand the program’s genesis. As another contentious labour dispute between the league and players’ association dragged on through the fall of 2012 and the eve of 2013, the Player Orientation Program, initially known as the Rookie Orientation Program, was the first major piece of common ground agreed upon by the two sides.
“I think both sides agreed that it was time, that the sport had evolved to a point where it was time to create a program for our young players to help them transition,” said NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.
“It has been remarkable over the years,” added Daly, who has been with the league for almost three decades, two-thirds of that as Deputy Commissioner.
Marty Walsh is attending his third POP since taking over as NHLPA Executive Director. What continues to strike the veteran labor leader and politician is the wide scope of information made available to these young players, many of whom have yet to play a single NHL game.
“I thought it was really a unique, great way for introduction of players into the National Hockey League and opportunities for them to learn about what’s available for them as far as benefits go, finance, networking, sexual harassment and other areas of importance to them,” Walsh said.
“They might not see themselves as famous stars, but in a lot of ways they are. And preparing them for what their career is going to bring is important,” Walsh added.
“Their life’s moving fast, and to have them in one location for a couple of days, have different workshops, get to work with each other, talk to each other, get to know people from the Players’ Association, get to know people from the league, ask questions if they want, have the recreational time that they have here, it’s really important. It’s unique.”
The POP trip is informational based by nature, but it isn’t without its perks.
There are multiple golf courses, tennis, swimming and a lounge with billiards and shuffleboard and, of course, loads of nutritious food for players with an eye on the start of NHL training camps in a couple of weeks. There is team trivia, and many of the breakout sessions feature fun role-playing exercises.
But the program’s sessions all convey critical, potentially life-changing information that requires the full attention of players.
Columbus Blue Jackets netminder Jet Greaves, who wowed fans with his play after a late-season call-up from the American Hockey League last season, was eagerly anticipating what was in store for him at this event.
“It really is just so valuable,” said Greaves, who, at age 24, is among the oldest of participants at this year’s event.
“Early in your careers, there’s so many new experiences. There are good things, there are bad things, and there’s everything in between. So, I think with a program like this, you just learn so much and you meet so many new people,” added Greaves. “I think it’s just a good foundation to build on as you go through your career and have many different experiences.”
Matthew Schaefer celebrated his 18th birthday during the POP. The first overall pick in the 2025 NHL draft by the New York Islanders understands that the door is opening to a brand new world for himself and his colleagues in attendance, that these moments are critical to being ready for what is next.
“It’s been awesome. Obviously, you learn so much,” said Schaefer, who headed straight to the POP from NHLPA Rookie Showcase. “I think the biggest thing you take is just all these meetings and lectures, and you get to chat with people you haven’t met before, ask questions, and just learn so much about the league, and life lessons in general.”
Zeev Buium went from the NCAA hockey tournament to the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Minnesota Wild last spring, but these few days with his peers are a true stepping stone to his new chapter in life.
“It’s really cool to be able to be a part of something like this. I mean, look at all of us. This was our dream to be in the NHL and hopefully make a team and be a part of this,” Buium said.
“You learn so much here. There’s so many different aspects, and how much they care about you and really want all of us to succeed,” Buium added. “And it’s nice to have the resources and know we can come to them with any questions at any time. And I think they just do a really good job of making us feel comfortable that we can do that.”
Setting a Financial Foundation
One session that resonated with many of the young players in attendance was the one presented by Omaha-based financial advisor Brian Kelly and his partner, Boston-based financial lawyer Steve Kidder.
The pair use a Jeopardy-style competition as a framework for their critical discussion on financial education.
Many of the questions posed during the session are a sobering reminder that being a professional hockey player doesn’t guarantee lifelong wealth.
The players learned that the average career length for the bottom 75% of NHL players is two years. That means if you’re thinking about a strong financial plan in your fourth or fifth year, it’s too late.
Over the eight or nine years he’s been presenting at the POP the level of financial sophistication has risen, Kelly said.
“But there’s still a big gap within the group,” Kelly explained. “So, there’s guys that are very novice to investing and saving and budgeting and all of that stuff and debt. There’s a lot of guys that really are sharp. We get really good questions about pretty in-depth topics.”
Zayne Parekh, the ninth overall NHL Draft pick of the Calgary Flames in 2024, came away from the session already planning a discussion with his family in the Toronto area about putting a financial plan together.
“It’s really informative stuff, stuff that we’re going to need for the rest of our careers. So, I’m glad I’m able to come in and learn even just a little bit about some of this financial stuff here because it’ll benefit me in the long run,” Parekh said.
“I thought a lot of these sessions would be a little boring, but I’m staying pretty engaged, and you have to know this stuff,” Parekh added.
“You need to be prepared for what to do after your hockey career,” added Los Angeles Kings prospect Andre Lee. “To start thinking about that early, so you don’t stand there and think, what am I doing now?”
Shifting the Team Mentality to off the Ice
Jared Maples, formerly a member of the CIA and Homeland Security before joining NHL as executive vice president and chief security officer, challenged players to be aware when it comes to vulnerable positions from outside forces looking to take advantage of their wealth and status. He was especially blunt when it came to gambling and specifically gambling on hockey.
“Do not bet on hockey, that’s the rule,” Maples said. “Don’t do it. Don’t go near it. Don’t have conversations about it.”
Some of the workshops demand a little more introspection, like the session on inclusivity led by former NHL player, and current analyst and NHL Player Inclusion Coalition member, Anthony Stewart.
The Toronto native described growing up in impoverished conditions and an incident of racial taunting at the hands of a teammate when he was a teenager. His teammates didn’t step in during the incident that turned violent.
Stewart left the dressing room vowing he was done with hockey.
He boarded a bus home to the motel his large family was staying in at the time, but on the way he reconsidered. Stewart ended up playing 262 NHL games and was part of two Canadian entries in the World Junior Championships.
“I almost quit the game because of racism,” Stewart said. “I packed my bag and I left.”
Imagine the ripple effect on the game from that decision.
Perhaps equally as meaningful, his decision to stay in the game helped pave the way for his brother, Chris, to play 668 NHL games. The brothers were peers and supporters of other Black players from Toronto, like Wayne Simmonds and Devante Smith-Pelly, the former of whom won the 2018 Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award and the latter won a Stanley Cup with Washington in 2018.
Now, how would the players listening to his story react in a similar situation, Stewart asked the group.
Stewart, also the chair of Hockey Equality and active in other inclusivity programs, presented with fellow NHL PIC members Georges Laraque and Jon Merrill.
Merrill and his wife have been active in the LGBTQ+ community and speaking out about inclusivity in the game. He challenged the players in attendance to be positive role models and voices in their locker rooms and in their communities.
“Allyship requires action,” Merrill explained.
Some of the Sessions are Stark in Their Messaging
Another thought-provoking session focused on the issue of sexual assault and harassment, led by Rickie Houston, the Chief Program Officer for A Call to Men, an organization that meets with groups of men and teens to help end violence against women and girls by helping create a better next generation of manhood.
“I think this is an ideal place for us to be,” said Houston, who has been presenting at the POP for four or five years.
By remaining silent on sexual harassment, men play a role in allowing the problem to persist, Houston explained to the group.
“What if we begin to talk about the subject of men’s violence against women, and as men, we stop remaining silent, but we take interest in the subject as well? What we think is that we can reduce men’s violence against women and girls when we begin to hold other men accountable,” Houston said.
Houston believes these young NHL players embrace their role in affecting change.
“We talk to them, as they’re part of the solution. When we think about influence and platform, they’re playing hockey at the highest level now, getting ready to play professional, and so there are a lot of young kids that look up to them,” said Houston.
“So, they have influence, and so those things they talk about become their platform,” he added. “So, we engage them as, hey, this can become your platform as you engage younger players, as you go back to your hometowns and maybe do a hockey camp, you can talk to young players about this particular subject.”
Shaping the Future From Past Player Experiences
The theme that players are not alone as they embark on this adventure is an important and recurring one.
Players are reminded that as part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, they are entitled to a second opinion on medical assessment and proposed care provided by their teams. Players were encouraged to talk to veteran teammates and agents about their experiences with certain injuries and related treatments what worked, what didn’t.
Former NHLer Joe Reekie, now an NHLPA Player Representative, recalled how twice he opted against team-suggested surgery and both times he suffered no ill effects. This was long before the second opinion option was enshrined in the CBA.
“We have this in place for you guys, and it’s important,” Reekie said.
“It’s your body, it’s your career,” Reekie added, “ask questions.”
U.S. lawmakers raise concerns on ESPN’s recent NFL and MLB deals
U.S. lawmakers raise concerns on ESPN’s recent NFL and MLB deals
Sep. 24, 2025 3:31 PM ETThe Walt Disney Company (DIS) StockBy: Ahmed Farhath, SA News Editor
Comment
(1)
Democratic senators, led by Elizabeth Warren, have sent a letter to top executives of the media and entertainment giant Disney (NYSE:DIS), raising concerns that the recent deals by ESPN with the NFL and the NHL could restrict competition and
Recommended For You
About DIS Stock
SymbolLast Price% Chg
1D
5D
1M
6M
1Y
5Y
10Y
Market Cap
PE
Yield
Rev Growth (YoY)
Short Interest
Prev. Close
Related Stocks
SymbolLast Price% ChgDIS–The Walt Disney Company
Trending Analysis
Trending News
Keaton Middleton is an NHL player now, but his rugged identity remains
Keaton Middleton had the type of year last season that thousands of hockey players who have toiled away in the minors dream of.
He made it.
So, after five months with the Colorado Avalanche and what looks like a spot sewn up on the NHL roster before training camp even began, how did Middleton approach his first exhibition contest? He met with the biggest, meanest-looking dude on the other team at center ice during warmups and agreed to a fight.
“I don’t have an identity crisis. I know who I am,” Middleton said. “I’ve known who I am for years. That won’t be a problem for me. I know my game and I know what to do to help our team win.”
Aside from a quick stint with an injury-riddled Avalanche team in April 2021, Middleton spent the previous six seasons in the American Hockey League. He began year No. 7 of his professional career in the minors, too, but then the Avs gave him another chance.
Avalanche power play loaded with talent, but also pressure to regain elite form
Middleton played Nov. 30, 2024, for the Colorado Eagles, was called up to the big club two days later and hasn’t played in the AHL since. He appeared in 41 games for the Avalanche last year and settled into the NHL as a guy who played on the third pairing when needed.
“It was a learning experience,” Middleton said. “It was like a cup of coffee, maybe even half a pot, but I want another pot now. I spent a lot of time playing professional hockey at the AHL level, and now you get a taste of this, you want to do whatever you can to stick around.”
When last season ended, Middleton was Colorado’s No. 8 defenseman. Ryan Lindgren signed with Seattle, and Brent Burns arrived in early July. Erik Johnson was seventh on the depth chart and remains available as an unrestricted free agent, but there isn’t a spot in Denver for him because, with Burns, the Avs already have four right-handed shots at the position.
While the Avs added further depth at forward late in the summer, the NHL depth chart on the blue line hasn’t changed. That certainly looks like a vote of confidence from the organization.
“He’s a physical, hard, stay-at-home defender and he improved his puck play enough to the point where now he’s come up and played games for us and played well and been able to help us,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “Just has to continue to do that. He has an element there of toughness that is nice to have in the lineup sometimes. He earned the right to come up last year and hopefully he earns the right to stay here again this year.”
When everyone is healthy, Middleton slots in as the No. 7 guy. Given that Samuel Girard is in a race against time to get healthy with a lower-body injury, Middleton might even get to play on opening night for the first time in his career.
So this camp feels a lot different for the 27-year-old Edmonton native, right?
“Yes, but also no, because I know I’m still fighting for a job,” Middleton said. “I’m always fighting for a job. That’s a position I’ll be in for my career. The only difference is now I know I’m an NHL defenseman, and I have the capability to be one. But there’s always new guys, young guys, guys having good camps.
“I have to fight for a spot. I’ll be like that ’till I’m 40. It’s just how it is, just the mindset that I have.”
Middleton spent a couple of seasons with the San Jose Sharks organization, so he knew Burns from training camps years ago. They might be partnered at times this season, if Bednar wants his two biggest defensemen on the ice together.
Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog’s full-time return off to strong start: ‘He looks great’
They also skated together this summer for a few weeks before camp began.
“The way he shoots and gets pucks to the net and gets it through lanes, I’ve been trying to watch,” Middleton said. “I had one shot that was similar to what he does in the preseason game (Saturday). So maybe I can add that. I’m not going to break an ankle on the blue line, but just getting more pucks through and finding different ways to do it.”
Trying to find little ways to improve his overall game has been a staple of Middleton’s career and part of the grind that eventually led to his NHL breakthrough. But he’s still a 6-foot-6, 240-pound guy who has to embrace the rugged aspects of hockey.
So, when Curtis Douglas, who is listed at 6-foot-9 and 242 pounds, was in the lineup for Utah at Magness Arena, Middleton offered a reminder of what isn’t going to change. He and Douglas spoke briefly during warmups and then dropped the gloves for a spirited fight 1:51 into the first period.
“I’ve been playing against (Douglas) for years and he’s just that big, tough presence,” Middleton said. “It’s just the physicality of the game. It’s part of my game. So that’s just how it is.”
Canucks’ Willander pushing for NHL job, but not shying away from possiblity of launching pro career in Abbotsford
Make absolutely no mistake about it, Tom Willander wants to start the season with the Vancouver Canucks. However, the 20-year-old rookie understands that the best place for him to begin his professional career may very well be in Abbotsford, where he’ll suit up tonight when the Canucks host the Calgary Flames in National Hockey League preseason action.
And if that’s the way the cards fall when the organization gets down to its final roster cuts, Willander understands the Canucks will be doing what’s best for the young defenceman’s development both in the short term and with an eye to a long and successful career. So he’s trying to avoid getting caught up in the numbers game and doing all he can to make those decisions difficult for the coaching staff and management.
“At the end of the day, I don’t think you can do more than your best so I always try to do that,” Willander told CanucksArmy after morning skate at the Abbotsford Centre. “Whether you play up (NHL) or down (AHL), I think those are two scenarios that are good for you. Playing pro hockey is going to be an experience; it’s going to be fun and cool. But maybe starting on the middle step (AHL), people look down on it. But I think many times I feel that people forget that it’s a good middle step to keep your game and help you get to that next level. I’ll keep doing my best and see what happens.”
The 2023 first-rounder is very much in the mix for a spot on the big league blueline through the first week of training camp and exhibition play. But he’s in tough with five of the six spots in the lineup already locked up, while Willander battles the likes of PO Joseph, Elias Pettersson and Victor Mancini for a couple of depth positions on defence.
Tonight, Willander will be paired with veteran Marcus Pettersson against the Flames and is also expected to see some power play duty on the team’s second unit. It will be the young Swede’s fourth game in a Canucks jersey after playing a pair in the prospects showcase 10 days ago and then opening the preseason in a 5-3 loss in Seattle on Sunday night.
Willander’s straight line skating already looks NHL-ready. However, at 6’1” and 180 pounds, he still has work to do to learn the nuances of using his body position to defend effectively at the professional level after two strong seasons at Boston University.
“Obviously it’s a learning curve getting into a new team and new systems and with that playing at a higher pace, too,” he explained. “The more time I spend on the ice and the more time I get to practice these scenarios, I feel like I get better every time so I definitely feel like it’s going in the right direction. I think, fundamentally, playing defence one on one when it comes to playing without the puck I think that’s my strength and using my skating to be on top of plays and escape tight situations I think that’s where I excel. But using my skills in the system and getting used to the system and getting these plays that should be in the back of my mind that you do automatically I think that’s probably where I’m the most not there yet, but the more I do it the closer I get.”
While Willander is in competition with fellow youngsters Pettersson and Mancini, he’s also forming bonds with both players. So, it presents a fascinating dynamic in which the two guys he’s battling with are two of his closest friends in camp. And Willander is choosing to think about a day where all three of them are staples on the NHL Canucks blueline rather than worry about where they each sit on the organization’s current depth chart.
“I think they’re both great guys and they’re both a lot of fun to be around, so I’m very thankful in that regard,” he said. “I also think you’ve got to be able to think longer term than that. They’re both young, very good players. I hope we can all play for a long time. I see it as less of a competition and more about teammates making each other better.”
Tom Willander will play in Abbotsford for the first time in his career tonight. He doesn’t want to get too comfortable there, though. He wants to continue to push for employment at the highest level possible, but understands that starting in the minors may be his best path to a long and prosperous NHL career.
Zeev Buium’s experience with MN Wild last season helps him for this one
Zeev Buium skated out for warmups by himself ahead of his NHL debut in April like rookies traditionally do, but Buium had to wait months for a different rite of passage: his first training camp.
The defenseman’s accelerated arrival to the Wild has meant he hasn’t hit milestones in their typical order, like competing in the playoffs before he has even appeared in a regular-season game or an exhibition matchup.
Buium is filling in the blanks, getting reps in at camp after a puck to the hand last Thursday sidelined him for three practices, and he could draw in for preseason action as soon as Thursday night, when the Wild host Dallas at the newly renamed Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul.
He went from winning a national championship as a freshman at the University of Denver and getting drafted by the Wild to capturing a second consecutive gold medal with Team USA at the World Junior Championship and returning to the Frozen Four. After the Pioneers failed to repeat, he signed with the Wild to turn pro and was in their lineup for four of the six games vs. the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round of the playoffs.
“A lot of hockey over the last two, three years [with] no breaks really,” Buium said. “No Christmas break. No summer break, really. But it’s been good. Can’t complain when things are going well.”
“I prepared my body and mind the best I could,” Buium said. “Now it’s just playing hockey and playing with instincts and trying to get to my game as soon as possible and helping this team win. I’m going to try to do whatever I can.”
Whether that’s quarterbacking the power play or being tidy in his own zone, Buium has the potential to be a difference maker for the Wild, but he’s aware of the challenge that awaits him in trying to deliver at this level.
“The game is quicker. The puck is moved quicker. You can’t make mistakes,” he said. “In college, you make a mistake, it might not be in the back of your net. You make a big-time mistake here, nine times out of 10 they’re going to score.
“It’s little things like that, but it’s also just how dialed in on every little detail you have to be every game, every shift, and you can’t take a shift off. But I think that’s the most fun when you play like that. It’s like when you play in a Frozen Four or you play in those big games: You can’t take one second to take a breath. So, you get to do that every game, and I think that’s exciting.”
The Wild are expected to have more veterans in action Thursday vs. the Stars, but their prospects-turned-pros who have been in the minors (and are call-up possibilities in-season) have been competitive in the previous two preseason games, with coach John Hynes spotlighting defensemen David Spacek and Carson Lambos and forward Hunter Haight.
“Among others,” Hynes said, “but those few particularly to me stand out of guys that are of that ilk. … I see a difference in those guys.”
Sept. 24: NHL Preseason Roundup
Nikolaj Ehlers made his debut for the Carolina Hurricanes in a 4-2 loss to the Florida Panthers at Lenovo Center on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old, who signed a six-year, $51 million contract ($8.5 million average annual value) as a free agent on July 3, was minus-3 and had four shots in 17:02 of ice time.
Daniil Tarasov made 48 saves for the Panthers (1-2-0). Ben Harpur and Mike Benning, who signed a one-year, two-way contract with Florida on Aug. 14, each had a goal and an assist.
Ryan Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored for the Hurricanes (0-2-0). Frederik Andersen stopped all eight shots he faced before being replaced by Amir Miftakhov, who allowed three goals on seven shots in the third period.
Suzuki gave Carolina a 1-0 lead at 10:07 of the first period, redirecting Mike Reilly’s shot from the left point.
Kotkaniemi made it 2-0 at 16:20. Following a turnover by Florida below its own goal line, Kotkaniemi took a short pass from Andrei Svechnikov and scored under the glove of Tarasov from the right hash marks.
Harpur, who is attending camp on a professional tryout agreement, cut it to 2-1 at 3:56 of the third period. He scored through a screen with a shot from the right point.
Noah Gregor, who is also attending camp on a PTO, tied it 2-2 at 16:02. He poked the puck away from Miftakhov behind the net, skated out front, and took a pass from Gracyn Sawchyn before quickly scoring into the open cage.
Three questions the Clippers must answer to make a playoff run
For the majority of the summer, the news was really good for the Los Angeles Clippers. They restocked the team with two former All-Stars in Bradley Beal and Brook Lopez. The Clippers will host the All-Star Game in their new arena, the Intuit Dome. The team got a real power forward by trading for John Collins and brought back the franchise’s greatest player, point guard Chris Paul.
But then Pablo Torre reported on the highly suspicious endorsement deal between superstar Kawhi Leonard and Aspiration, a Clippers jersey sponsor that received highly suspicious investments from owner Steve Ballmer and co-owner Dennis Wong. Now the NBA is investigating, and a promising Clippers season is starting under a cloud. Here are three big questions the Clippers need to answer to get their season on track.
1. What is going to happen with the NBA’s investigation?
The NBA reportedly won’t conclude its investigation of the Clippers and Leonard until after the All-Star Game in February, which means the team will have the scandal hanging over its head for at least four months. Expect questions from the media all season long, even if Leonard himself is notoriously quiet. Meanwhile, the Clippers won’t know if they’ll face severe penalties from the NBA or what those penalties might be.
If they determine the Clippers circumvented the salary cap, the NBA could suspend Ballmer, assess fines or take away the Clippers’ future draft picks. Could the Clippers try to preemptively trade some of the picks they do have — swaps with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers in 2027 and 2029, plus their own picks from 2030-32 — before the NBA takes them away?
2. How much do the Clippers’ older players have left?
There are five former All-Stars on this Clippers team, but the key word is
All-time All-NBA Defensive First Team: New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans has been home to the Hornets and Pelicans for 24 seasons and along the way, some terrific defenders have suited up in the Big Easy. Four different players, including a current one, have made First Team All-Defensive teams while with the franchise. Read on to see more on the best individual defensive seasons in New Orleans’ history.
Herbert Jones – 2024
Jones is off to a terrific start to his career. He finished top six in Kia Rookie of the Year voting in 2022 and by the end of his third season, he had a First Team All-Defense accolade to his name. That came in 2024 when Jones averaged 1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks per game while playing a level of lockdown defense that doesn’t always show up in the box score.
Jones missed much of the following season due to injury but the future is bright for Jones.
Anthony Davis – 2018
Davis was one of two Pelicans to be named First Team All-Defense in 2018 along with Jrue Holiday. Davis patrolled the paint while Holiday hounded the perimeter. That season, Davis led the league in blocks (2.6) for the third time in his career and finished third in both Kia Defensive Player of the Year and Kia MVP voting.
Davis was a two-way force that year in particular as he also averaged 28.1 points per game, which still stands as his career-high. In all, Davis made three All-Defense teams during his seven seasons with the Pelicans.
Jrue Holiday – 2018
While Davis was dominating the paint, Holiday was locking down ball-handlers on the perimeter. Holiday played in 81 games that season and averaged 19.0 points, 1.5 steals and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting just under 50% from the floor.
The combination of Holiday and Davis helped lead the Pelicans to the No.6 seed in the Western Conference. They made it to the Western Conference semifinals but ran into a juggernaut of a Golden State Warriors team, which would go on to win the NBA championship.
Chris Paul – 2009
Paul is one of the most accomplished players in NBA history. A 12-time All-Star and six-time steals champ with nine All-Defensive honors to his name, Paul had some incredible seasons with the franchise. He started to find his footing at age 22 in his third season (2008) with his first All-Star nod.
In 2009, he finished fifth in MVP voting, sixth in DPOY voting, and made the first of seven First Team All-Defensive teams in his career. Paul led the league in steals per game for the second straight year (2.8) while also leading the league in assists. Paul spent two more seasons in New Orleans, earning an All-Star nod in each before moving onto the Clippers.
Jazz prospect learns refusing draft workouts often backfires
Bailey parted ways with his agent, Omar Cooper, the man behind his controversial strategy of refusing workouts with teams at the top of this year’s NBA draft, to get Bailey to the Washington Wizards at No. 6. That didn’t stop the Jazz from drafting Bailey with the No. 5 pick.
But Bailey ended up in a solid situation in Utah, with a talented young head coach in Will Hardy, ample available playing time and plenty of future draft picks and salary cap space. He’s not the first player who may have erred in trying to pick his team, rather than the reverse.
2020: Tyrese Haliburton, Sacramento Kings
Why did Tyrese Haliburton fall to the No. 12 pick in the 2020 draft? It’s because if he didn’t go to the Golden State Warriors, who selected James Wiseman at No. 2, Haliburton wanted to go to the Sacramento Kings — and his agent asked other teams not to draft him.
Haliburton wanted to be in Sacramento long-term, but his new team didn’t feel the same. Midway through his sophomore season, the Kings traded him to the Indiana Pacers for Domantas Sabonis. It worked out for Haliburton and the Pacers, who came within a game of an NBA title last season. The Kings still haven’t won a playoff series since 2004.
2017: Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles Lakers
Ball grew up in the L.A. area, went to college at UCLA and only wanted to play for the Los Angeles Lakers, who held the No. 2 pick in 2017. He refused to work out for the Boston Celtics, who had No. 1, so they ended up trading down to No. 3 and selecting Jayson Tatum.
Trading down was amazing for the Celtics, who won a title with Tatum in 2024, and not so amazing for Ball. After two seasons with the Lakers, they sent him to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the Anthony Davis trade, which led to the Lakers winning the 2020 title without their hometown guard.
2014: Jabari Parker, Milwaukee Bucks
Parker wouldn’t work out for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who had the No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft. They selected Andrew Wiggins instead, then traded him to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Love before Wiggins ever played a game in Cleveland.
The Bucks swooped up Parker at No. 2, one pick ahead of future MVP Joel Embiid. Parker and the Bucks never got to see what he could become, as he suffered ACL tears in both his first and third seasons. Even without the injuries, Parker may never have thrived in Milwaukee, thanks to a forward drafted one year ahead of him named Giannis Antetokounmpo.
2009: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
By all accounts, Steph Curry wanted to be drafted by the New York Knicks in 2009 at No. 8, not the Warriors at No. 7. But the Warriors snapped up Curry anyway, despite having a similar small scoring guard in Monta Ellis. Going to the Warriors led to four championships, two MVP awards and the greatest shooting career in NBA history.
Had Curry gone to the chaotic Knicks, he likely would have been included in their 2011 trade for Carmelo Anthony. The New York media wouldn’t have been patient with his frequent early ankle injuries. And, like most Knicks picks from that era, he probably wouldn’t have developed into a good player, let alone a Hall of Famer.
Matthew Stafford says nothing to worry about after off game
No reset necessary. No reason to make more of some rare misfires.
After 16-plus seasons, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford knows how to put less-than-efficient performances behind.
So the passes he missed in last Sunday’s defeat by the Philadelphia Eagles are not cause for concern as he prepares for Sunday’s game against the unbeaten Indianapolis Colts at SoFi Stadium.
“It happens,” Stafford said Wednesday before practice. “I’m not too worried about it.”
Stafford completed 19 of 33 passes (57.6%) for 198 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. Despite missing on some passes he usually completes, he finished the game by directing a two-minute drive that positioned the Rams to win the game. The Eagles blocked a last-second field-goal attempt and returned it for a touchdown.
Stafford compared a rare off day to those sometimes experienced by NBA players.
“You go to an NBA game, you watch guys shoot the ball, the best shooters in the world, the guys that can make it every time,” Stafford said, “and sometimes they have nights where it doesn’t go down.”
On Sunday, Stafford will go against a surprising Colts team led by quarterback Daniel Jones.
Stafford, 37, has completed 63 of 95 passes (66.3%) for 739 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions. He has been sacked five times. Stafford’s longest touchdown pass play covered 44 yards.
Jones, 28, has completed 63 of 88 passes (71.6%) for 816 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. He has been sacked twice. Jones’ longest touchdown pass play covered 44 yards.
It has been a renaissance of sorts for Jones, the sixth pick in the 2019 NFL draft, after six-plus seasons with the New York Giants and a short late-season stint with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024.
In two losses to the Rams when he played for the Giants, Jones passed for zero touchdowns with four interceptions.
But he has not committed a turnover this season.
“He’s seeing the field well,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “He’s playing in rhythm. He’s playing on time. … He’s obviously got the mobility to make you pay as a runner, but I think he’s reading well. … He throws the ball with great accuracy and anticipation.”
That has been Stafford’s trademark during his four-plus seasons with the Rams.
Despite being sidelined all of training camp and most preseason practices because of a back issue, Stafford opened the season strong. He completed 21 of 29 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown in a 14-9 victory over the Houston Texans at SoFi Stadium. He also eclipsed 60,000 career yards passing in the win.
The next week, he completed 23 of 33 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns with an interception in a 33-19 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Nashville.
But Stafford’s ball placement and efficiency fell off against the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field as the Rams converted only three of 10 third downs.
“Those kind of days are going to happen,” Stafford said. “Frustrating when it happens, but was able to kind of get it going. … That two-minute drive, was putting the ball right where I wanted to every time for the most part.
“So just continue to throw, trust the process.”
Jones has thrived with the Colts since beating out Anthony Richardson for the starting role.
In the season opener against the Miami Dolphins, Jones led scoring drives on all seven of his team’s possessions. He passed for 272 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for two touchdowns in a 33-8 victory.
The next week, he passed for 316 yards and a touchdown and rushed for a touchdown in a 29-28 victory over the Denver Broncos.
And last week, he passed for 228 yards and a touchdown in a 41-20 victory over the Titans.
The Colts, with star running back Jonathan Jones and receiver Michael Pittman Jr. among others, rank second in the NFL in total offense.
“It’s been impressive to watch their overall operation,”’McVay said, “with Daniel leading the way.”
Jayson Tatum flames the Lakers again for regrettable blunder
Jayson Tatum is exactly what fans of the Los Angeles Lakers hate: a bona fide superstar playing for the Boston Celtics. He led them to a championship just over a year ago and the Celtics have been consistently a better team than the Lakers for the entirety of Tatum’s career. And he refuses to let the Lakers forget that he could have worn purple and gold this entire time.
The year was 2017, and the NBA Draft featured a number of future stars. For the teams picking at the top of the draft, it was an opportunity to secure franchise-changing cornerstone players. Unfortunately, those teams missed out on finding those future stars.
Donovan Mitchell just finished fifth in MVP voting and is a six-time All-Star; he fell to 13th. One pick later Bam Adebayo, a three-time All-Star and five-time All-Defense selection, went to the Miami Heat. Jarrett Allen came off the board at pick No. 22, while Derrick White, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart all went even later in the first round.
The Top 10 had its fair share of stars as well. De’Aaron Fox went fifth overall to the Sacramento Kings. Lauri Markkanen went No. 7. And the unquestioned best player in the draft, Jayson Tatum, went third overall to the Boston Celtics.
The story of the Celtics’ move in that draft is legendary. They originally held the No. 1 pick, courtesy of the Brooklyn Nets, and were so confident in their intel on what other teams would do in the draft that they felt confident moving back from No. 1 to No. 3, trusting Jayson Tatum to still be available.
He was, as the Philadelphia 76ers traded up to No. 1 to draft point guard Markelle Fultz. Injuries and some sort of mental yips destroyed Fultz’s career and he turned into a gargantuan bust for the 76ers — and that’s saying something for the franchise that also took Jahlil Okafor and Ben Simmons in the Top 3.
The Lakers passed on Jayson Tatum
At No. 2, the Los Angeles Lakers came onto the board. They had a decision to make between taking Lonzo Ball, a California native who played his freshman season at UCLA, or Tatum, a Missouri kid who played for Duke. They went with Ball, who has been a solid player but never attained stardom, either before or after the Lakers traded him away.
Tatum hasn’t let go of the fact that the Lakers passed on him. In a recent appearance on First Take, Stephen A. Smith asked Tatum about how he has felt since being passed over by the 76ers and Lakers. A diehard Lakers fan growing up, Tatum’s favorite player in NBA history is Kobe Bryant. When the 2017 NBA Draft was approaching, he dreamed of playing for his favorite team. He shared that it
Jonathan Kuminga Faces Rejection From 29 NBA Teams After Warriors Call Agent’s Bluff
The Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga are stuck in a high-stakes game of chicken. With an October 1 deadline to accept a $7.9 million qualifying offer, the young forward and his agent, Aaron Turner, are pushing for a better long-term deal. The Warriors have already increased their offer significantly, putting a three-year, $75.2 million contract on the table. However, the catch is the third year, which is a team option, not the player option Kuminga desires. This standoff has frozen the Warriors’ entire offseason, preventing them from officially signing veterans like Al Horford and Seth Curry as they wait for a resolution.
The situation is tense, with Turner publicly stating, “There’s a lot of upside if he wants to pick where he wants to go and the opportunity to be an unrestricted free agent.” Reports now suggest this public negotiation strategy has backfired spectacularly. Instead of forcing the Warriors to cave, the very public threats from Kuminga’s camp have reportedly alarmed the rest of the NBA. According to insider reports, the Warriors have effectively called Turner’s bluff, refusing to grant the player option. More importantly, the fallout is not limited to the Bay Area. The agent’s aggressive tactics have seemingly damaged Kuminga’s standing across the league.
The main angle is clear from league insiders: Turner’s methods have caused a cold reaction from the other 29 NBA teams. “From what I hear around the league, no team, including the Warriors, would want to give Turner the power to keep negotiating in public even after signing a deal,“ Tim Kawakami of The SF Standard revealed. The concern is that granting the player option would set a precedent, allowing Turner to leverage public pressure again next summer when Kuminga would have even less time left on his contract. This fear of perpetual drama has caused a reported cooling of interest from potential trade partners, leaving Kuminga with fewer options than anticipated.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
This leaves Kuminga and Turner leveraging implied tension as their last bargaining chip. The idea is that the Warriors would not want an unhappy player on a one-year deal, especially one who could block trades. However, the Warriors’ front office, led by Mike Dunleavy and Joe Lacob, appears ready to face that awkwardness. Their primary goal is protecting Kuminga’s trade value, not necessarily ensuring his happiness as a role player.
The financial reality also heavily favors the Warriors’ offer; by choosing the qualifying offer, Kuminga would be turning down nearly $67 million in guaranteed money over the next two seasons, a massive gamble for a player yet to secure a full-time starting role.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
This stalemate is concluding with the Warriors holding firm, and the rest of the league seemingly backing their play by distancing themselves from the situation. This firm stance from the Warriors serves as a strong warning to Kuminga’s camp about the risks of their current path- about which let’s now talk.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
A Costly Gamble For Jonathan Kuminga’s Future
Accepting the one-year qualifying offer is far from a guaranteed victory for Jonathan Kuminga. While it offers a path to unrestricted free agency, it comes with immense financial risk and potential professional consequences. Analyst Sam Vecenie laid out the brutal math, noting, “Let’s call it 67 million over the next two seasons, which means you need Jonathan Kuminga to make $35 million a year basically in free agency after taking the qualifying offer.” This would be an incredibly high bar for any player, let alone one whose fit in Golden State has been inconsistent.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Furthermore, choosing the qualifying offer could backfire on the court. The Warriors would have little incentive to feature a player who is essentially a lame duck and who has openly challenged the organization. Vecenie added, “They will have no reason to like, really give you the chance to like, go out and go nuts and ball”. This could hurt Kuminga’s ability to put up the kind of stats needed to justify a massive contract in free agency next summer, creating a vicious cycle that devalues him.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Jordan Clarkson adds much-needed flavor, scoring to Knicks bench
Jordan Clarkson’s reputation precedes itself. He lets it fly.
“I know it’s the first day of training camp, but definitely I feel like down the line, all the guys know,” Clarkson, fresh off his first practice Wednesday with the Knicks, said as he cracked a smile, “throw it to me and it’s getting in the air.
“Majority of the time, I feel like I’m open.”
For most of his 11 NBA years, Clarkson brought this no-conscience shooting mindset off the bench. He once averaged about 16 field goal attempts and 18.4 points in 26.7 minutes as a reserve. That season, Clarkson won Sixth Man of the Year.
Magic Johnson Finally Shares True Feelings on Canelo-Crawford Ten Days After Record-Breaking Bout
The sports world has been buzzing nonstop about the night Terence Crawford toppled Canelo Alvarez under the bright lights of Allegiant Stadium. The fight wasn’t just another clash between two champions; it became a cultural event, a spectacle that grabbed the attention of millions around the globe.
Yet through all the noise, one voice remained quiet, until now. Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, the NBA legend whose opinion still carries weight in every corner of sports media, finally revealed how he felt about the record-shattering showdown. And when Magic speaks, fans tend to listen. So, what exactly did he see that night in Las Vegas?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Magic Johnson reveals how Terence Crawford vs Canelo Alvarez “revitalized” boxing
The Lakers legend didn’t hold back as he wrote on X, “I had the great pleasure of attending the Crawford vs. Canelo fight and it blew my mind that over 70,000 fans were in attendance at Allegiant Stadium generating over $47 million in live gate revenue – the third highest in boxing history!”
For a man who’s seen plenty of historic sporting moments, that says something. He went further, pointing out the sheer reach of the event. According to him, “There were over 41 million global viewers on Netflix, making it the most viewed men’s championship boxing match of the century. “
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Let’s pause here for a second, as the backdrop is already etched in boxing history. Terence Crawford became the first male boxer in the four-belt era to claim undisputed titles in three divisions. At nearly 38, he made the leap from 154 pounds to 168 to dethrone boxing’s biggest star. Judges scored it 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113, but anyone watching knew Crawford looked firmly in control.
Canelo Alvarez had entered the bout as the heavy favorite. Size was meant to be his trump card. But when the bell rang, Crawford’s quickness, timing, and jab dismantled that narrative.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
And even Magic Johnson pointed it out as he further wrote, “Crawford did a great job of commanding the fight and winning with his quickness, endurance, masterful movement, and strong jabs.” And perhaps the most telling part? Johnson ended his post with, “I was entertained from beginning to end. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to witness this historic fight in-person! The Crawford vs. Canelo fight revitalized boxing.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
That’s a bold statement, but one that echoes the sentiment many fans felt as they watched a new era unfold. Over 41 million tuned in on Netflix, making it the most-watched men’s title fight of this century. While it didn’t surpass Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson’s jaw-dropping 108 million from last year, it still crushed every traditional championship fight in recent memory.
Add to that the record-setting live gate revenue, which was also pointed out by Magic Johnson, and you get a night that blended spectacle with sport in perfect fashion. For Terence Crawford, the victory adds another jewel to his crown, but the question now becomes, what’s next for ‘Bud’?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Sebastian Fundora ready to roll out the red-carpet if Crawford moves to super welterweight
The question of Terence Crawford’s next move looms larger than ever. Fresh off dethroning Canelo Alvarez and cementing himself as a three-division undisputed champion, ‘Bud’ stands at a crossroads. Fans and fighters alike are already speculating.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
One man who isn’t shying away from the conversation is Sebastian Fundora. The towering WBC super welterweight champion has made it clear that if Crawford decides to return to 154 pounds, the door is open. Speaking to FightHype.com, Fundora admitted uncertainty about Crawford’s plans but still extended the invitation as he stated, “I don’t know [if Crawford will return to super welterweight]. From what I saw, he’s going back to 160. But, yeah, we welcome him.”
For now, Fundora has business of his own. On October 25, he’ll defend his WBC strap against Keith Thurman in Las Vegas. A victory would mark his third successful defense, further solidifying his reign. Meanwhile, the other belts in the division sit with Abass Baraou (WBA), Xander Zayas (WBO), and Bakhram Murtazaliev (IBF). The path is crowded, but for a fighter of Crawford’s stature, doors tend to open quickly.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Still, there’s a wrinkle. The WBA already stripped Crawford of his super welterweight title, and he hasn’t shown much interest in reclaiming it. Instead, whispers of a middleweight run have grown louder. At 160, Terence Crawford could chase an unprecedented sixth division crown, something that would add another layer to his already historic career!
LeBron James Gave a Brutally Honest Take on his 2011 NBA Finals Loss
LeBron James is the greatest basketball player of all time, depending on who you ask. The Akron, Ohio native came into the NBA with an absurd amount of hype out of high school, and he somehow exceeded all of it.
James has played with three teams in his career in four separate stints. And in each of these stints, the transcendent small forward has put together a Hall of Fame resume.
But LeBron’s decorated career still has had several low moments where there was serious doubt about where he was going to stand in the all-time pecking order. That trepidation may have peaked in the 2011 NBA Finals.
James made the controversial decision to take his talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat. Now having a roster with three superstars in their prime, Miami was expected to dominate the NBA for years to come.
And LeBron added fuel to the fire when he made the
Michael Porter Jr. Says He Split Rent with Ex-Girlfriend During His $200 Million NBA Contract
Michael Porter Jr. revealed that he won’t foot every bill in his relationships.
The Brooklyn Nets forward, 27, appeared on the Tuesday, Sept. 23, episode of Respectfully The Justin Laboy Show and said that he chose to split rent with his ex-girlfriend because he wanted to know if the women he dates are
Jayden Nelson Exclusive: Beating Cancer, Vancouver Whitecaps and World Cup Dream
Vancouver Whitecaps star Jayden Nelson was warned by doctors that the possibility of him becoming a professional footballer was close to non-existent when he was fighting for his life as a child, having been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, but he overcame those odds and is now aiming to represent Canada at a much-anticipated home World Cup next year.
The winger headed back to his homeland in February, after a spell on the books of Norwegian giants Rosenborg and a loan stint with German outfit SSV Ulm, and he has played a key role in Jesper Sorensen’s Caps challenging to win Major League Soccer’s Western Conference.
Although he has long-term aspirations to eventually test himself in the Premier League – and even secure a move to Arsenal after supporting the north Londoners growing up – Nelson is desperate for his current form to propel him into the forefront of Canada head coach Jesse Marsch’s plans.
Nelson Grateful for Opportunities After Cancer Battle
Nelson has been on an inspirational journey to the top. When he was just 18 months old, he was diagnosed with a form of testicular cancer. There were fears this would significantly impact his life, especially when the cancer spread to his lungs.
But now, at the age of 22, Nelson is dreaming of helping the Vancouver Whitecaps to honours at the same time as improving his personal chances of earning a call-up to the fast-approaching 2026 World Cup. The 10-cap Canada international is proud to have defied the odds and be in a position to tell his story.
In an exclusive interview with GIVEMESPORT, Nelson said:
‘You have to pay’: UFC owners detail how site fees decide which cities and states land marquee events
UFC 319 at the United Center in Chicago set a new record with a live gate totaling more than $11 million for a sold out show that welcomed over 20,000 fans into the arena.
The success of that card already has the city clamoring for another event with hopes of bringing a fight card back to Chicago in 2026 but the message from ownership is clear — if you want the UFC, you’ve got to pony up a hefty site fee. That’s according to TKO Group Holdings president and COO Mark Shapiro, who detailed how the company is making travel plans moving forward into 2026 with 13 pay-per-view level events up for grabs as well as 30 UFC Fight Night cards per year.
“UFC is breaking records everywhere they go,” Shapiro said during the Goldman-Sachs Communicopia and Technology conference. “The last numbered event in Chicago was the highest grossing event in the history of the United Center. Dating back through the Michael Jordan days. The highest grossing event and they’re already at the table trying to get another fight for next year. We’re just a couple weeks post [event].
“We still have 30 Fight Nights to sell for UFC and they can be smaller but if we’ve got a St. Louis up against a Des Moines, Iowa, if you want us back there and you’ve sold out and broken records in both your arenas, you have to pay for us to come back or else we’ll take it to another town. That goes for NXT and Raw and Smackdown on the WWE side.”
Site fees are payments made by cities, states or local governments to bring high profile events to a particular place. For instance, Saudi Arabia reportedly paid around $20 million to bring a UFC card there for the first time in 2024.
Shapiro specifically mentioned U.S. cities like Atlanta, Charlotte and Detroit all vying to host UFC events in the near future.
The same goes internationally with the UFC just recently visiting Paris while continuing to expand its footprint in the Middle East through a partnership with the government in Abu Dhabi as well as a growing relationship with the powers-that-be in Saudi Arabia.
“Even in the Middle East where we’re breaking out of just the Middle East, we’re in conversations right now with the Saudis and with Abu Dhabi on bringing a UFC Fight Night to Saudi,” Shapiro revealed. “We’ve done one before but we’re embarking on bringing a second one there and that should be financially a very good story for everyone involved.”
The traveling UFC show isn’t slowing down any time soon and Shapiro made it clear that price really is going to drive the demand when it comes to landing a fight card.
“No shortage of countries similar to F1 that want to see is bring our show to town,” Shapiro said. “We’re going to maximize those opportunities in kind but most important to me is cash. Cash kills. That’s where we are.”
As further proof that TKO is all about site fees determining where events take place, WWE announced just days ago that for the first time ever the company’s biggest, marquee event WrestleMania would happen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027. While no financial figures were disclosed, it’s safe to assume Saudi Arabia more than likely broke the bank to get the biggest WWE event of the year to take place in the Middle East.
Andretti Global hires Ron Ruzewski as team principal, reuniting him with driver Will Power
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — TWG Motorsports made yet another power move for Andretti Global on Wednesday by naming Ron Ruzewski, one of three Team Penske executives fired during an Indianapolis 500 scandal, team principal of its IndyCar team.
Ruzewski will start in January, per the Andretti announcement, and take over for Rob Edwards, who will transition into chief performance officer for TWG Motorsports. The motorsports division is an arm of TWG Global, which owns the new Cadillac F1 team that will debut in 2026.
The hiring of Ruzewski will reunite him with driver Will Power, who after a full season of not being told by Roger Penske if he would return in 2026 for an 18th season instead signed with Andretti Global after last month’s season finale.
Power’s contractual rights are being held by Penske through the remainder of the year — a flashpoint amongst Penske critics who believe the two-time IndyCar champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was not treated fairly by an organization the Australian was extremely loyal to for his entire career.
Many believe that since David Malukas has already been hired to replace Power in the No. 12, has a merchandise line up on the Penske website and is free to get a start on his new job, that Power should be afforded the same luxury since Team Penske didn’t want him anyway. Questions about Penske’s ability to maintain separation between ownership of the IndyCar Series and a three-car team are being asked because in holding on to Power through the end of December, Penske is prohibiting a rival team from a competing manufacturer to get a start on its 2026 season while Team Penske is able to do so with Malukas.
In the case of Ruzewski, who was IndyCar managing director for Penske, his contract likely held a clause that prohibited him from working within the series for a specified amount of time following his May dismissal. Penske fired team president Tim Cindric, Ruzewski and IndyCar general manager Kyle Moyer in the wake of the Indianapolis 500 scandal.
The firings were the result of the discovery that two-time defending Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden and Power had an illegally modified spec part on their cars ahead of the final round of qualifications for the 109th running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” It was the second major checks-and-balances failure at Team Penske in just over a year.
Moyer was hired by McLaren Racing midseason and worked the entire second half of the schedule. Cindric, a member of the Team Penske Hall of Fame, has not yet landed anywhere after working for Penske since 2000 as President of Penske Racing Inc. He was long assumed to be Penske’s successor on the racing part of Penske’s empire.
Cindric was elevated to the role of President of Penske Performance in 2005 and, until February, essentially ran the day-to-day operations of all of Penske’s racing properties.
But Penske’s right-hand man in February was stripped of most of his roles although he said he chose to step back as the overall leader of the organization. He remained president of the IndyCar program until his May dismissal.
The hirings of Power and Ruzewski come as Dan Towriss, who took over as majority owner from Michael Andretti after the 2024 season, shows his commitment to rebuilding the Andretti organization into a powerhouse. Penske and Andretti feuded all of the 2024 season over Andretti’s criticism of how Penske was running IndyCar, and many speculated that was partly what led to Towriss taking control of the entire operation.
Towriss has been aggressive in both successfully pushing the Cadillac F1 team across the finish line after three years of rejections from Formula 1, and now he’s charging hard at making big hires for the IndyCar program.
On Tuesday, Andretti Global announced a technical partnership with Dale Coyne Racing for 2026 that will place reigning INDY NXT champion Dennis Hauger in one of the Coyne cars. The Norwegian driver earned six wins, five additional podium finishes, 13 top-10 finishes and seven poles in 14 races en route to winning the development series championship in 2025 as a rookie with Andretti.
He clinched the title at the penultimate race of the season, at the Milwaukee Mile.
The Honda-powered IndyCar team at Andretti in 2026 will consist of Power, Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood. Colton Herta will become Cadillac’s test and reserve driver and potentially compete in F2 as a way to gain the super license needed to compete in F1.
Herta’s move opened the seat for Power, who turns 45 in March but was the most consistent of the three Penske drivers in what was a terrible 2025 season for the organization. Power’s late-season win at Portland and Newgarden’s victory in the season finale were the only two wins for Penske in IndyCar this year.
___
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Motorsports industry education coming to mid-Michigan university
MIDLAND, MI — Northwood University officials announced new academic programming designed to prepare students for leadership roles in the global motorsports industry, with courses beginning this fall.
The Midland-based university developed the programming in collaboration with leading motorsports professionals and industry organizations, combining business education with motorsports management training and real-world experience at motorsports events, organizers said
“Motorsports is not only an exciting spectacle to watch, it’s one of the fastest-growing global industries, expected to double its economic impact by 2035,” Northwood University President Kent MacDonald said in a statement. “Competing in this dynamic field requires sharp commercial insight, bold strategic vision and relentless innovation.”
Starting this fall, current students can enroll in a three-part motorsports-focused workshop series as part of a new Motorsports Essentials digital badge. Students can earn the badge through existing degree programs, including the Automotive Marketing and Management as well as the Automotive Aftermarket Management programs.
To earn the badge, students will complete Northwood courses, experiential learning opportunities at motorsports industry events and the workshop series.
In fall 2026, the university will offer a new Fundamentals of Motorsports course for current and new students. Enrollment for this course opens in spring 2026.
The university appointed motorsports industry pioneer and alumnus Steve Madincea to lead the program. Madincea has created commercial activities in Formula 1, NASCAR, IndyCar, and IMSA, and will use his global motorsport network to provide students with industry case studies, professional engagement and work experience at motorsport events worldwide.
“Spanning Formula 1, NASCAR, IndyCar, World Rally, MotoGP, World Superbike, AMA Motocross and Supercross, as well as a host of other racing organizations, the motorsports industry is an international business that blends innovation, sponsorship, media and technology,” David Oventhal, Subaru of New England Professor of Automotive Strategy at Northwood University, said in a statement.
Oventhal said global motorsport fan surveys reveal a shift toward a younger and more diverse audience with increased female engagement.
“Recent global motorsport fan surveys reveal a significant shift toward a younger and more diverse audience, with increased female engagement, and these fans expect fresh, innovative activations from teams and sponsors,” he said.
The courses will be taught by Northwood faculty and guest lecturers from the motorsports and sports management industries, including executives, media personalities, engineers and team principals.
“We are honored to have the support of so many different motorsports entities from around the globe helping us shape our programming,” Matthew Bennett, vice president of Enrollment, Strategic Partnerships, and the Center for Automotive and Mobility Studies at Northwood University, said in a statement. “Students will greatly benefit from this invaluable input as well as the practical experiences being offered.”
Academic Vice President and Provost Kristin Stehouwer in a statement said the programming reinforces Northwood’s educational leadership in automotive and mobility sectors.
“Northwood has always been a place where students learn by doing, and where values like free enterprise, entrepreneurial spirit and innovation guide every program,” Stehouwer said. “By offering programming to prepare students for business careers in the motorsports sector, we’re expanding opportunities for students while reinforcing Northwood’s role as an educational leader at the forefront of automotive and mobility.”
Information about enrolling in the fall 2025 Motorsports Essentials workshop series or the fall 2026 Fundamentals of Motorsports course is available at northwood.edu/cams/motorsports-workshop-series/.
Generative AI was used to organize and structure information for this story, based on data provided by Northwood University. It was reviewed and edited by MLive staff.
Former Cup champion crew chief Rodney Childers to join JR Motorsports in 2026
Cup championship winning crew chief Rodney Childers will join JR Motorsports and serve as crew chief for the the team’s No. 1 car with Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch in 2026, the team announced Wednesday.
“Rodney’s resume and career speak for itself,” said JRM team owner and NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a statement from the team. “Rodney and I grew up together and have known each other since we were kids. That’s a relationship that has always been close and has remained close to this day. We’ve always had interest in working together in motorsports and I’m thankful that this opportunity came about and we could bring him into the JRM family.”
Childers has 40 career Cup victories and won the 2014 series title with Kevin Harvick. Childers moved to Spire Motorsports this season after Stewart-Haas Racing closed at the end of the 2024 campaign. Childers and Spire Motorsports parted ways after nine races this year.
“I’m so excited to be joining the JRM family,” said Childers in a statement from JRM. “To see what Dale, Kelley and (Rick Hendrick) have built here is quite amazing and their results show for themselves. Dale and Kelley have meant a lot to me for some 30 years and I can’t wait to be part of this group. Plus, I get to be the lucky guy to lead two amazing young men that have a huge amount of talent and a big future in our sport.”
JR Motorsports stated that Andrew Oversteet, who is the crew chief on the No. 1 car with Kvapil, will remain with the organization in 2026.
JR Motorsports stated that announcements on its 2026 driver and crew chief lineup for all its cars in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will come at a later date.
JR Motorsports Announces Massive Crew Chief Upgrade for 2026 season
When Rodney Childers left his job at Spire Motorsports in April, in the middle of the ongoing season, there were a lot of questions about where he might end up. The iconic crew chief courted the idea of getting to spend more time with his family and left it to god to show him the path ahead.
Well, the man above appears to have done a great job at it. JR Motorsports has announced that Childers will be joining them as the crew chief of the No. 1 team beginning in 2026. The team’s current driver, Carson Kvapil, and Connor Zilisch, who is bound for the Cup Series next year, will share a ride and be his drivers.
JR Motorsports team owner and NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt Jr. said about the signing, “Rodney’s resume and career speak for themselves. Rodney and I grew up together and have known each other since we were kids. That’s a relationship that has always been close and has remained close to this day.”
“We’ve always had an interest in working together in motorsports, and I’m thankful that this opportunity came about and we could bring him into the JRM family.” A 40-time race winner in the Cup Series, 2026 will be Childers’ first season in the NASCAR’s second highest level of competition.
Childers’ Excitement Over the Big Step
Childers’ most successful stint in the show was with Stewart-Haas Racing as the crew chief of the 2014 Cup Series champion, Kevin Harvick. The pairing was one of the most successful in NASCAR history and secured 37 wins, 148 top-5s, 230 top-10s, and five Championship 4 appearances.
For such a legend to team up with one of the most iconic franchises in recent history is a groundbreaking development. He said in the team statement, “To see what Dale, Kelley and Mr. H [Rick Hendrick] have built here is quite amazing and their results show for themselves.”
“Dale and Kelley have meant a lot to me for some 30 years and I can’t wait to be part of this group. Plus, I get to be the lucky guy to lead two amazing young men that have a huge amount of talent and a big future in our sport.”
Childers will be replacing Andrew Overstreet, who is the current crew chief of Kvapil. It has been confirmed that Overstreet, having been with the team since 2020, will continue to be a crucial part of the organization in a different role.
Ravichandran Ashwin set for historic Big Bash League (BBL) debut
In a move that has captured global attention, legendary Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is set to make his maiden appearance in the Big Bash League (BBL). This historic step will see one of India’s greatest modern-day cricketers feature in Australia’s flagship T20 tournament—an unprecedented moment that marks a shift in the participation of Indian stars in foreign leagues.
Ravichandran Ashwin set to become first major Indian star in BBL
For decades, the idea of active or recently retired Indian cricketers playing in international franchise leagues remained a distant dream, largely due to the BCCI’s restrictions. Ashwin’s retirement from international and IPL cricket has created an opening, enabling him to pursue this groundbreaking opportunity. His entry into the BBL paves the way for other Indian veterans to follow suit, setting a precedent that could reshape global T20 dynamics.
What Ashwin offers his new franchise
Ashwin will be donning the colors of Sydney Thunder for the 2025-26 season. His inclusion is not just about adding another overseas recruit; it’s about bringing in a cricketing brain trusted worldwide. With over 700 international wickets to his name, Ashwin’s variations—ranging from the subtle slider to the tricky carrom ball—are bound to test even the most seasoned BBL batters.
For the Thunder, who endured a poor campaign last season with only one win in ten games, his arrival is a massive boost. Skipper David Warner led their batting charts with 405 runs, while Chris Green managed 12 wickets with the ball. Ashwin’s expertise in the spin department adds the missing link, offering both skill and leadership in high-pressure moments.
Also READ: Ravichandran Ashwin set for double stint in ILT20 and BBL
The ‘Ashwin Effect’: A boost for the BBL
Ashwin’s presence is expected to transcend on-field impact. Known as a global icon of the sport, his participation is likely to bring thousands of Indian fans into stadiums across Australia and millions more to TV screens worldwide. This surge in viewership, dubbed the ‘Ashwin Effect,’ could propel the BBL into new markets and significantly enhance its global profile. For Sydney Thunder, it also means a stronger fan base, greater ticket sales, and a buzz around their games that few overseas signings could generate.
Reports suggest that Ashwin will link up with the Thunder in January 2026, after completing his stint in the International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE. Although he wasn’t part of the official BBL overseas draft, Cricket Australia is expected to provide a special exemption for this signing, recognizing its historical importance.
If confirmed, Ashwin will become one of the marquee names of the upcoming season. His presence offers Sydney Thunder a chance to turn their fortunes around as they chase a second title, having last lifted the BBL trophy in the 2015-16 season.
Why is doing ‘The Wave’ frowned upon at Wrigley Field?
As the Chicago Cubs face a potential playoff matchup against the San Diego Padres, a common sight in sports stadiums could feel slightly more distasteful than usual.
That celebratory movement known as “The Wave” has been duplicated across the sports world over the years, but it’s a rare sight indeed to see it at Wrigley Field, and the reason why has plenty to do with those Padres.
While the origins of “The Wave,” which sees fans mimic the rolling nature of a wave around a stadium, are disputed, an account of its invention compiled by ESPN in 2013 pins the first recorded “Wave” as occurring during a game between the Athletics and Yankees in Oakland in 1981.
Professional cheerleader “Krazy George” Henderson helped to spearhead the move, and became a legend in the process.
For Cubs fans however, “The Wave” has a far more annoying place in the history of the franchise, and one that represents the frequent pain that accompanies being a supporter of the team.
In 1984, the Cubs reached the National League Championship Series, clinching a playoff spot for the first time in 39 years. They then promptly won the first two games of their series against the Padres at Wrigley Field, with the scene then shifting to San Diego’s Jack Murphy Stadium, with the team playing its first home games in franchise history.
Already the annoyance level of Cubs fans was undoubtedly piqued by the fact that the Cubs, despite winning four more regular season games than the Padres, would potentially have to play a deciding Game 5 in San Diego because Major League Baseball alternated home-field advantage between the divisions at that time (though a popular urban legend remains that the Cubs lost hosting duties for that pivotal Game 5 because Wrigley Field lacked lights in 1984).
Chicago Cubs
It was during those three games that Cubs fans, and baseball fans in general, were exposed to San Diego fans doing “The Wave” at every given opportunity, and the image became associated with the downfall of the Cubs, who lost the final three games of the series by a combined score of 20-9 and missed out on a trip to the World Series.
It wasn’t just Cubs fans who ended up being disgusted by “The Wave” after that series, with this excerpt from legendary baseball scribe Thomas Boswell describing a common feeling:
Since then, fans who come to Wrigley Field in all likelihood have noticed that “The Wave” rarely occurs at the Friendly Confines, and when fans try to start it, they are typically met with derisive boos or even shouted insults.
In fact, the idea of doing “The Wave” at Wrigley Field is so hated that it has spawned many a ballpark argument, blog post, and even a t-shirt produced by the folks at Obvious Shirts that simply says “No Wave at Wrigley.”
Now, Cubs fans are potentially going to have to deal with their first playoff series against the Padres since that infamous 1984 NLCS, and if anyone tries to do “The Wave” at Wrigley Field, they may have to “wave” goodbye to their fan card in the process.
St. George Theatre announces 2025 fundraiser with golf, tennis options
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The St. George Theatre will host its ninth annual “Laughs on the Links” Golf, Bocce, Tennis & Pickleball Outing to raise funds for the historic venue’s non-profit organization.
The fundraising event will take place on Monday, Oct. 6, at Richmond County Country Club. Dinner and an open bar will follow the sporting events.
The event benefits St. George Theatre Restoration Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to restoring one of Staten Island’s most iconic venues and developing it as a cultural and arts center for New York City through community outreach, educational programs and public performances.
This year’s honorees, who have made a lasting impact on Staten Island’s cultural landscape, are Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn, led by Iphigenia Romanos and Albert C. Corhan, Sr.; A.F. Bennett Salon & Wellness Spa; and Lynne Persing.
“We are thrilled to welcome everyone to our ninth annual golf, bocce, tennis, and pickleball outing and to celebrate this year’s remarkable honorees,” said St. George Theatre President & CEO Doreen Cugno.
Co-Founder Luanne Sorrentino emphasized the event’s community atmosphere. “This event is full of fun and sunshine! As always, we look forward to seeing everyone enjoying the outdoors, participating in a sport, and mingling with friends and colleagues,” she said. “We are so thankful for everyone coming out to support the St. George Theatre.”
The event chairpersons include Ron J. Scimone, John Tardy, and Vincent Tardy for golf; Katherine Conners, Celeste Holmes-Bute, and Dr. Thomas Petrone for tennis; and Diana Boland, Joanne Caridi, Linda Clemenza, and Leslie Kasegrande, Esq. for bocce.
Tickets are priced at $475 for individual golfers ($1,800 per foursome), $350 for individual bocce players ($1,300 per foursome), and $335 for tennis and pickleball players.
All tickets include breakfast, lunch, cocktail hour, and dinner. Cocktail and dinner-only tickets are available for $265. Sponsorships start at $200.
The headline sponsors include the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Lynne Persing.
The Marquee sponsors include Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn, Empire State Bank, Staten Island Advance, Staten Island University Hospital, and The Law Office of Victoria Wickman.
“The growth and success of the theatre are made possible by the dedication of our community, and gatherings like this play a vital role in helping us continue our mission of preserving the historic theatre while delivering exceptional programming and meaningful community initiatives,” said Cugno.
How Top Tennis Coaches Keep Pros Strong, Fast, and Fresh
In any sport, going from good to great takes more than talent—it takes a relentless work ethic and a coach who knows how to push an athlete past their limits. In tennis, few coaches have earned the reputation of taking top players to the next level quite like Patrick Mouratoglou. While the sport has plenty of renowned names, his track record with champions like Serena Williams speaks for itself.
What sets Mouratoglou apart is that his coaching doesn’t stop at the baseline. He hones every off-court element that gives players an edge, from optimizing recovery and sharpening mental focus to fine-tuning the small, often overlooked details that turn great athletes into champions.
“The coach also plays an important role,” he says. “You have to know your players’ psychology—what drives them and how they respond. As an example, a coach should challenge their player, [which] can reinforce their motivation.”
Why Recovery and Mental Focus Are Non-Negotiable for Elite Players
Beyond understanding what drives a player, Mouratoglou says recovery is one of the most critical elements he can add to their routine—especially for athletes who rarely slow down (after all, they didn’t reach the top by sitting still). He emphasizes that for real progress to manifest, rest is just as important for the mind as it is for the body.
“Recovery is a very important component when it comes to building champions,” he says. “The body needs it, and the mind needs it just as much. We saw last year with Carlos Alcaraz—he came into the US swing exhausted and couldn’t perform at his best. This year, he adjusted, skipped Toronto, gave himself more rest, and arrived much fresher.”
Precision, Preparation, and Tech in Elite Tennis
Mouratoglou also stresses that success is in the details. Just as NFL and NBA players break down game tape, tennis players and their coaches analyze every swing, serve, and movement to gain an edge.
“For me, coaching at the highest level is about precision, preparation, and performance, and technology plays a big role in making that possible,” he says.
As part of Motorola’s new campaign, Icons Behind the Icons, Mouratoglou has integrated the AI-powered Razr Ultra into his coaching workflow. The device allows him to elevate training without adding extra gear or complexity.
“I use it to review match footage, capture training sessions, and share tactical breakdowns on the spot,” he says. “The Flex View mode is especially useful—I can set it up hands-free, record, and immediately analyze everything, no extra equipment required.”
Whether it’s helping players dial in on recovery or tweak their form, Mouratoglou leverages every tool available to keep his players performing at the highest level.
Top tennis players push Grand Slams again for more money, more say
A collection of top-10 tennis players sent a second letter to the four Grand Slam tournaments to push for a greater share of revenues — aiming to rise from the current 16% to 22% by 2030 — contributions to pension, health and maternity benefits that would go from zero to $12 million annually by that same year, and greater say via a new player council.
This letter, signed by stars such as Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Jack Draper — but not, unlike the original letter sent by players to the Slam events in March, Novak Djokovic — was dated July 30.
The second letter, which was seen this week by The Associated Press, set out specific benchmarks for ways in which the sport’s four most prestigious, and profitable, tournaments could offer more money and influence to the athletes.
The players are working with Larry Scott as a consultant; he used to be the chairman and CEO of the WTA women’s tennis tour and, later, ran the Pac-12 conference in American college sports.
There have been meetings among Scott, some players and the leaders of the All England Club, which runs Wimbledon; the French Tennis Federation, which runs Roland-Garros; Tennis Australia, which runs the Australian Open; and the U.S. Tennis Association, which runs the U.S. Open.
All four were asked to reply to the July 30 letter, and all four did.
The USTA’s response, dated Aug. 18 and obtained this week by the AP, was signed by Brian Vahaly, the group’s interim co-CEO, and Stacey Allaster, the USTA’s chief executive of professional tennis who just completed her last U.S. Open as tournament director.
“As you are aware, we have always been willing to increase compensation for players — as evidenced by the 57% growth of the U.S. Open purse over the past five years — particularly when additional collaboration on the part of the players helps to create additional revenue,” Vahaly and Allaster wrote. “For example, this year’s significant increase in compensation to $90 million reflects the addition of an extra day to the main draw singles competition and the resulting contribution made by players.”
U.S. Open singles champions Sabalenka and Alcaraz each received a record $5 million this month.
Vahaly and Allaster also wrote that they wanted “to reiterate our commitment to engaging in direct, honest and transparent discussions with the players to build a stronger future for the entire tennis ecosystem — including a healthier calendar, enhanced player consultation, and greater financial value for all involved.”
The March letter from players to the four Slam hosts came not long after the players’ association co-founded by Djokovic — the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) — filed an antitrust lawsuit against the women’s and men’s professional tours in federal court in New York. Djokovic was not listed as one of the plaintiffs.
That antitrust filing seeks more money for players, saying too little of the revenues end up in the athletes’ hands, and lays out a series of other complaints about the way the sport is run. In May, the WTA and ATP tours jointly filed a motion to dismiss the case against them.
The original case did not list the four Grand Slam tournament organizers as defendants, but they have been added, the PTPA announced this week.
“This is a necessary next step to guarantee accountability from all parties,” the PTPA said, “and accelerate long-overdue reform across the entire tennis ecosystem.”
___
Chris Evert Honors Billie Jean King & WTA’s 55th Anniversary of Biggest Revolution
The year 1970 was a turning point in women’s tennis history. The official tour of professional women’s tennis players came into existence when the Original 9—Peaches Bartkowicz, Rosie Casals, Judy Dalton, Julie Heldman, Billie Jean King, Kristy Pigeon, Kerry Melville, Nancy Richey and Valerie Ziegenfuss—collectively signed a $1 contract. The movement was led by none other than Billie Jean King, who was the pioneer for women’s rights in tennis. Three years later, this movement led to the foundation of the WTA, and women’s tennis has been on the rise ever since. With the professional women’s tennis tour completing 55 years of its inception, Chris Evert celebrated this occasion in a special way.
Evert took to her official Instagram handle and shared a glimpse of the Original 9, with a message that read “55 years of rallying the world.” The American legend paid tribute to those involved in the foundation of the women’s tour while celebrating 55 years of its inception. Additionally, Evert wrote, “@wta it’s been an amazing 55 years!”
Although Evert wasn’t a part of the Original 9, her contribution to women’s tennis during those early days will never be forgotten. She committed to the early professional tournaments on the women’s tour and became a dominant force in it. Her successes in the Virginia Slims Circuit were crucial to the foundation of the WTA, and they helped legitimize women’s tennis.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Reflecting on those days, Evert said, “The culture at that time was that women athletes were frowned upon. They were strong. That was everything the culture dictated that a woman wasn’t. I came along, a teenager who was trying to be feminine. I wasn’t a Billie Jean King or Martina Navratilova with these big messages, but after I showed up it was OK. `Oh, those are beautiful tennis dresses and those are pretty ribbons. She wears nail polish.’”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
While Evert was an important member of that movement, Billie Jean King led the pack to form the women’s tour. The legendary figure in women’s tennis recalled the meeting that led to the foundation of the professional women’s tennis tour.
Billie Jean King shares interesting details of the inception of the women’s tour
Be it fighting for women’s rights or matters of equal pay, Billie Jean King was at the forefront of all. Not only did she identify the concerning areas in women’s tennis, but she also fought for them to get them resolved. One such incident was the meeting among the founding members of the WTA before the launch of the women’s tour.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Recalling the details of that event, Billie Jean King said, “Standing at that podium and telling them, ‘This is it. We have to do this. I’m not going to spend any more time on it if we don’t make it happen now. But I know we’re going to make it.’ I said, ‘This is our moment of truth. It’s probably the most important decision we’re ever going to make for our sport. So let’s get it right. I kept saying, ‘We have to do this. We’ve got to be together.’”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
SB-L sweeps SL/O to earn spot in 1A regional finals
SERGEANT BLUFF — It’s been quite an evolution for the Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School tennis program.
The school didn’t even field a team prior to the 2021 season.
In its first season of existence, the SB-L boys and girls teams combined for nine points between them at the 2021 Missouri River Activities Conference Championships.
Now, both are the two-time defending MRAC champions and are coming off bids to the team state tournaments, and the program has a brand new athletic complex to host matches in Sergeant Bluff for the first time as the school district broke ground on a baseball, softball and tennis facility.
Novak Djokovic Pays Tribute to ‘Tennis Father’ Nikola Pilic
This week, the ‘tennis father’ of Novak Djokovic, former French Open finalist and world No. 6 Nikola Pilic, died at the age of 86.
Players and fans alike immediately began to share tributes in honor of the five-time Davis Cup captain.
Now, Novak Djokovic, who was accepted to Pilic’s academy in Germany when he was 12, despite the academy only allowing students over 14, paid tribute to his ‘tennis father’ in a series of posts on social media.
Editor’s Note: These posts have been condensed into cohesive paragraphs for readability.
“Dear Mr. Niko, I received sad news today while I was on the court, finishing my training. A feeling of emptiness and sorrow overwhelmed me. I hope you felt how much you meant to me in my career and life. Your impact on my development as a person and a tennis player remains indelible.
“I feel eternal gratitude to you and your wonderful wife Mia for accepting me as your own son when I was 12 years old. My parents and brothers have always felt you as a member of the family. When almost everyone turned their backs on us and while our country was being devastated by bombing, Mija and you extended a hand of support to us and did everything in your power so that my brothers and I could continue to live our dream and engage in the sport we love.”
“Thank you for all the moments that relived in my mind today and that will remain etched in my memory for as long as I. Alongside the sadness and mixed emotions I feel, your image and memories of our shared moments bring joy and gratitude to my heart.”
“Your legacy will endure for a long time, and will look back on your persona and achievements with great admiration. All your accomplishments as a player, coach, and selector are inscribed in golden letters in the books of Balkan and world tennis history. For me, however, the most important thing is that I can proudly call you “Sjor Niko, my tennis Father”. Rest in peace ”
(Translations via X/Twitter)
Monica Seles Pays Tribute to Nikola Pilic
Of the many tributes that were shared for Pilic over the past few days, one that stands out is Monica Seles.
Selesa, who had a stellar career in her own right, winning nine Grand Slam titles and three tour finals, is someone Djokovic has looked up to since childhood.
When he was young and training under his ‘tennis mother’ Jelena Gencic, Djokovic did everything he could to emulate the training of Seles, whom Gencic had also worked with.
At the US Open this year, Seles notably sat in Djokovic’s player box after the 24-time Grand Slam champ teased a potential coaching partnership.
In a post on her Instagram story this week, Seles paid tribute to Pilic:
“Remembering Nikki Pilic, a tennis legend whose incredible talent and sportsmanship inspired me and my dad so much. His contributions to the sport will never be forgotten, and he will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, Nikki.”
Davis Cup Pays Tribute to Nikola Pilic
Another notable tribute to Nikola Pilic was shared by the Davis Cup’s official page.
Back in 2010, after captaining four Davis Cup teams to titles, Pilic began serving as an advisor to the Serbian team.
Heading into the tournament, the players had a bet. If they won, they would all shave their heads.
Pilic then decided to join them, as seen in the photos shared by the Davis Cup on Tuesday.
Hershey tennis takes down Mechanicsburg in MPC-Keystone action
Hershey tennis earned a close 3-2 home victory over Mechanicsburg on Wednesday in Mid-Penn Conference Keystone Division action.
Annaliese Tsyapa and Riley Sprecher picked up singles wins for the Trojans while Avni Desai and Navya Mathur teamed up to take down Lindsay Cameron and Rosslyn Gingrich-Brown in doubles play.
Ryma Saha earned a singles win for the Wildcats while Anna Krueger and Rachel Yeager defeated Asa Wang and Tess Mariano in doubles action.
Hershey improves to 12-3 on the season with the victory while Mechanicsburg drops to 6-8 with the loss.
Frances Tiafoe Calls for Immediate Change in Tennis That Novak Djokovic Cannot Fulfil
Right now, the scope of men’s tennis belongs to World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, making his debut at the Japan Open, and World No. 2 Jannik Sinner. The 2025 season proves it. Jim Courier even dubbed them the “New Two” at the US Open. They have clashed in five finals this year: Italian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, Cincinnati, and the US Open. In that, Alcaraz has won four of those, but Sinner stole Wimbledon, taking the crown from the defending champion. The rivalry is fierce, and the big question lingers: who will come between them? Frances Tiafoe thinks he has an answer.
So far, Alcaraz and Sinner have swept every Grand Slam in 2024 and 2025. The U.S. has waited since Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open for a men’s major champion. But Tiafoe isn’t backing down. He’s throwing them a challenge. “There’s a couple more guys who’ve got to join them. I’m not saying beat them, but there’s got to be (other) guys—and that motivates me,” Tiafoe told Olympics.com. He recalled their last meeting, at Wimbledon last year, when Alcaraz edged him in five sets. “I’m like, yo, who’s that third guy? Who’s that fourth guy?”
One player Tiafoe refuses to count in this mix is Novak Djokovic. “Novak doesn’t count. He’s 40. I love him, but doesn’t count. He’s 40. He’s a GOAT, he’s the best player of all time. He’s not with those guys,” Tiafoe said with a grin. He knows exactly what Alcaraz and Sinner bring, but he’s eager to unsettle their rhythm. And he wants more players to jump in, to shake up the story.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
But why not Novak? The Serb’s 2025 season saw him maintain a high level of performance, particularly in Grand Slam tournaments, despite the rise of younger rivals. He finished the season with a 31–10 record and one title. In his H2H matchups against his two main rivals in 2025, Djokovic holds a 1-1 record against Alcaraz and a 0-2 record against Sinner. His win over the Spaniard at the Australian Open marked his only victory against either player in a Grand Slam this season. He’s been the only player to truly challenge the new two.
Not to mention, Frances’ call echoes what Alexander Zverev said a few months ago: he wanted to “spoil” the Alcaraz and Sinner party. But the truth? The top two look a league apart from the rest. Alcaraz has racked up seven titles this year. Sinner owns two Slam trophies in 2025 and held No. 1 for 65 weeks before being dethroned in New York. Even now, he sits close behind Alcaraz, ready to reclaim the top spot with a few big wins.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Frances Tiafoe believes he sees what separates the two. “With Jannik, you know what product you’re going to get from him every single day. Alcaraz is more similar to me, as in the flashier talent or whatever, but still, his effort and what he brings out is the same every day,” he said. He even thinks he can close the gap. If he can “bring in a high-intensity effort to practice, I’ll be all right.”
But Tiafoe’s own results remind him how steep the climb is. He hasn’t lifted a title since Stuttgart 2023. This year, he reached one final in Houston, an ATP 250. His best Slam run came at Roland Garros, where he broke through to the quarterfinals for the first time, becoming the first Black American man since Arthur Ashe to do so. He also made the quarters in Washington. But at the US Open, where he was a semifinalist last year, his run ended in the third round. And in the Asian swing, his first tournament started badly.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Frances Tiafoe sees an unfortunate end to his Japan Open run
On September 24, Tiafoe’s run at the Japan Open ended with a shocker. Up against qualifier Marton Fucsovics in Tokyo, he grabbed the first set 6-3 but couldn’t hang on. Fucsovics stormed back to take it 3-6, 6-1, 7-5, handing Tiafoe his first opening-round hard-court loss of the year (10-1). The 2022 Tokyo finalist fought through a tense decider with three breaks of serve, but the Hungarian outlasted him in heavy baseline rallies to clinch it. The win gave Fucsovics a 3-2 lead in their H2H and pushed him up seven spots to No. 51 in the ATP Live Rankings.
The frustration poured out instantly. After losing match point, Frances Tiafoe walked to the net and smashed his racket again and again until nothing was left. The clip spread fast online, showing just how much the loss stung.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
From once being a top face of U.S. men’s tennis, Tiafoe now sits at No. 29 in the ATP Rankings. Reflecting on the year, he admitted it hasn’t gone as planned. “I lost a lot of tough ones, struggled to put matches together like the three, four in a row that you kind of need to sit on top of the game. And I didn’t have a couple of big results that I normally have every year. I have a chance to end strong and put some things together. But ultimately, it’s been a very up-and-down year,” he said.
Last month brought a third-round exit at the US Open and a late Laver Cup withdrawal. Now, a stinging first-round loss in Tokyo adds to the struggles. He’s still in the doubles draw this week, but the bigger question hovers: what comes next for Frances Tiafoe? Will he follow through on his own words, commit to the grind in practice, and return ready to battle Alcaraz and Sinner? Share your takes in the comments below!
Top tennis players push Grand Slam tournaments again in bid for more money and more say
A collection of top-10 tennis players sent a second letter to the four Grand Slam tournaments to push for a greater share of revenues — aiming to rise from the current 16% to 22% by 2030 — contributions to pension, health and maternity benefits that would go from zero to $12 million annually by that same year, and greater say via a new player council.
This letter, signed by stars such as Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Jack Draper — but not, unlike the original letter sent by players to the Slam events in March, Novak Djokovic — was dated July 30.
The second letter, which was seen this week by The Associated Press, set out specific benchmarks for ways in which the sport’s four most prestigious, and profitable, tournaments could offer more money and influence to the athletes.
The players are working with Larry Scott as a consultant; he used to be the chairman and CEO of the WTA women’s tennis tour and, later, ran the Pac-12 conference in American college sports.
There have been meetings among Scott, some players and the leaders of the All England Club, which runs Wimbledon; the French Tennis Federation, which runs Roland-Garros; Tennis Australia, which runs the Australian Open; and the U.S. Tennis Association, which runs the U.S. Open.
All four were asked to reply to the July 30 letter, and all four did.
The USTA’s response, dated Aug. 18 and obtained this week by the AP, was signed by Brian Vahaly, the group’s interim co-CEO, and Stacey Allaster, the USTA’s chief executive of professional tennis who just completed her last U.S. Open as tournament director.
“As you are aware, we have always been willing to increase compensation for players — as evidenced by the 57% growth of the U.S. Open purse over the past five years — particularly when additional collaboration on the part of the players helps to create additional revenue,” Vahaly and Allaster wrote. “For example, this year’s significant increase in compensation to $90 million reflects the addition of an extra day to the main draw singles competition and the resulting contribution made by players.”
U.S. Open singles champions Sabalenka and Alcaraz each received a record $5 million this month.
Vahaly and Allaster also wrote that they wanted “to reiterate our commitment to engaging in direct, honest and transparent discussions with the players to build a stronger future for the entire tennis ecosystem — including a healthier calendar, enhanced player consultation, and greater financial value for all involved.”
The March letter from players to the four Slam hosts came not long after the players’ association co-founded by Djokovic — the Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) — filed an antitrust lawsuit against the women’s and men’s professional tours in federal court in New York. Djokovic was not listed as one of the plaintiffs.
That antitrust filing seeks more money for players, saying too little of the revenues end up in the athletes’ hands, and lays out a series of other complaints about the way the sport is run. In May, the WTA and ATP tours jointly filed a motion to dismiss the case against them.
The original case did not list the four Grand Slam tournament organizers as defendants, but they have been added, the PTPA announced this week.
“This is a necessary next step to guarantee accountability from all parties,” the PTPA said, “and accelerate long-overdue reform across the entire tennis ecosystem.”
Donald Trump will arrive for Ryder Cup opening day in the afternoon
His attendance at a recent U.S. Open tennis match caused significant delays for fans entering the stadium.
Ryder Cup captains Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald both expressed appreciation for the president’s support of golf.
FARMINGDALE, NY — Donald Trump arriving at a golf course on the weekend during his presidency is not unusual.
Trump spending time at a course and not playing … that is rare.
The president will make an appearance at Bethpage Black Sept. 26, the opening day of the Ryder Cup, but he is not expected to arrive until the afternoon, according to reports.
Trump was invited to the event by the PGA of America, the governing body of the U.S. Ryder Cup team, but it was not clear early on if he would show up for the opening foursomes session, which starts at 7:10 a.m.
The issue was heightened when Trump attended the U.S. Open men’s single final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner Sept. 7 at Arthur Ashe Stadium and chaos ensued.
Shop for U.S. Ryder Cup gear!
With strict security measures in place for the biggest tennis event in this country, the match was delayed by about 40 minutes and there were several thousand empty seats when play started with thousands of fans still in line to enter the stadium.
With the Ryder Cup expected to draw at least 50,000 per day, more than twice the crowd for the Alcaraz-Sinner final, and the first tee shot being hit so early, reports are that Trump will delay his arrival until the afternoon.
Ryder Cup captains Keegan Bradley, Luke Donald appreciate Donald Trump’s passion for golf
Ryder Cup captains Keegan Bradley of the U.S. and Europe’s Luke Donald were asked about the president attending the Ryder Cup.
Bradley said he was
You might want to rethink your plans
Who’s buying?
If you’re planning to attend the 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, think about pregaming.
While double-digit beer prices are nothing new to those who flock to Yankee Stadium or Madison Square Garden, the PGA of America has taken a sledgehammer to the ethos of “The People’s Country Club” by charging fans a minimum price of $15 per beer.
A “premium beer” costs $19 (plus tax and tip) and a hard seltzer is listed for $16, while a non-alcoholic Michelob Ultra Zero runs $12.
The cost of four 16-ounce Bud Lights, plus tax, will cost about as much as a New York State resident pays to play a weekday round at the legendary course ($70).
Things don’t get any cheaper if you want a mixed drink, with an All-American Transfusion costing spectators $19.50.
But there was no sticker shock for the many who walked away with beer cans before 9 a.m., nor should it be expected amongst a crowd that coughed up $255 to attend practice rounds and $750 per day of official play, which includes food and non-alcoholic beverages.
More than 500,000 fans applied for Ryder Cup tickets, which sold out in 48 hours, and featured a premium hospitality package for $10,000 per day.
The massive merchandise tent, located just beyond the main entrance of the event, features polo shirts for $145, sweatshirts for $245 and commemorative coins signed by U.S. captain Keegan Bradley, listed for as much as $7,500.
Tickets to this year’s Masters cost $140 per day, while tickets to the U.S. Open at Oakmont could be purchased for $150.
Prop bets and vice captains highlight week for U.S. Ryder Cup team
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – Collin Morikawa added some much-needed levity to a week that has been dominated by talk of player stipends and perceived greed.
After deftly sidestepping the issue of stipends – which are being given to U.S. Ryder Cup players this week at Bethpage – Morikawa was asked if there was anyone in the U.S. team room who was particularly motivating.
“It’s actually been great. The vice captains we have are definitely trying to get into our wallets and in our heads, and that’s like something you normally don’t get,” Morikawa said.
Morikawa explained that during practice rounds on the Black Course the vice captains, led by Brandt Snedeker and Kevin Kisner, have been challenging players with an assortment of prop bets.
“I’ve had a lot of prop bets. I’ve had a lot of fairway bets, birdie bets,” Morikawa explained. “I’m up on [Snedeker] but not by much. Xander [Schauffele] is taking the cake this week [from Kisner]. I’m positive on Sneds. Sneds is the main one that I think we all love to pick on and we love to have him as our bank.”
As for the “other” financial questions this week and the $200,000 stipend U.S. players are receiving from the PGA of America for their participation, Morikawa had a more nuanced answer to what has become a complicated and polarizing issue.
“There’s no number. It could be zero. It could be one dollar. There isn’t a right or a wrong amount,” Morikawa said when asked if he thought the team was being “fairly” compensated. “All 12 of us here playing, when we tee it up on Friday, and before this all started, we just want to win the Ryder Cup. We want to win it for ourselves. We want to win it for our country.
“When we stood out [on the first tee] two days ago and we got speeches from the Nassau Players Club and we got speeches from the firefighter and his son, look, I’m not an emotional guy, but like there was emotions. And sometimes it just hits home.”
The PGA of America altered its policy for Ryder Cup player compensation last December, increasing the amount given to each player for charity to $300,000 and adding the $200,000 stipend that can be used however the player wants.
The move has been questioned by those from Europe who have been quick to point out that those playing for the Continent are not compensated.
How Is Bryson DeChambeau Playing in the Ryder Cup Despite Being a LIV Golf Player? His Eligibility Explored
Brooks Koepka, who joined LIV in 2022, was part of the 2023 American team. Until now, he’s been the only one who has done so. But this year, Bryson DeChambeau will play alongside Scottie Scheffler and the company. The PGA Tour has banned LIV Golf players from participating in its events. These golfers are suspended and have to end their association and wait out the suspension before playing PGA Tour events again. So why is Bryson DeChambeau playing in the Ryder Cup? Did he leave LIV Golf, or were the rules changed just for him?
Bryson DeChambeau’s 2025 Ryder Cup status
The two-time U.S. Open champion has appeared in two Ryder Cup tournaments. He was on the 2018 team that faced defeat, and then on the 2021 team that beat Europe with a score of 19-9. But both appearances were before he started playing in LIV Golf events. He was not part of the 2023 biennial event, but this time, Bryson is playing in the 2025 Ryder Cup despite his affiliation with LIV Golf.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Bryson’s journey was challenging because the PGA Tour barred him from its events. The scores achieved in these events play a significant role in helping a golfer become automatically qualified for the Ryder Cup. Therefore, Bryson’s only option was to outperform others in major tournaments. He achieved six top-10 finishes in eight majors over the qualifying period, one of them being his second U.S. Open victory in 2024.
The British Open was Bryson’s last major before the Ryder Cup. He finished tied for 10th in the event, thanks to his final-round 64. He was in the top 6 rankings. However, there were four other PGA Tour events, the 3M Open, Wyndham Championship, FedEx St. Jude Championship, and BMW Championship, before the completion of the qualifying period. These were the events Bryson could not play. So his standings at the end of the British Open did not confirm his position on the team.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Despite his position in the rankings, Bryson was bound to make it to the team, as confirmed by captain Keegan Bradley.
“Bryson is going to be a very important piece to us winning the Ryder Cup,” Bradley said to Sports Illustrated via a text message. “He brings so much. He brings energy, passion, but most importantly, he’s one of the best players on the planet,” he continued.
So, while Bryson couldn’t earn points after the British Open, his place on the team was certain. Captain Keegan Bradley would have eventually selected him as one of the captain’s picks. This could have resulted in backlash at Bradley for picking a golfer associated with LIV Golf. However, none of it happened because Bryson ended in the sixth position after calculating the BMW Championship points. Thus, he was automatically qualified as a member of Team America.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Bryson DeChambeau and LIV Golf Ryder Cup eligibility
The confusion about Bryson’s eligibility arises because of the PGA Tour’s ban on LIV Golf players. However, the Ryder Cup is managed by the PGA of America, which is a distinct entity. The PGA of America has no specific regulations barring LIV Golf players from participation. Even the captain can choose any LIV Golf player as one of the six picks he gets.
Like the American team, the European team also has six members who automatically qualify based on points and another six who are the captain’s picks. And LIV Golf players from Europe can also take part in the Ryder Cup. However, the rules are a little different for them. They must maintain an active DP World Tour membership. Additionally, they also have to pay fines to remain eligible for selection.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm are two golfers associated with LIV Golf but are part of the European team.
Since the PGA of America organizes the Ryder Cup and it doesn’t have any bans, Bryson DeChambeau is eligible despite his LIV Golf affiliation.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Team USA’s perspective on Bryson DeChambeau
Many golf fans and even some star European players are criticizing Bryson DeChambeau.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“I think the only way he gets attention is by mentioning other people,” said McIlroy to The Guardian. The 2025 Masters Tournament winner said this when asked about Bryson’s comment, “chirp in the ear,” about playing him at Bethpage. McIlroy said, “That is basically what I think of that. To get attention, he will mention me or Scottie [Scheffler] or others.”
Brandel Chamblee, an American golfer and commentator, even titled Bryson as a ‘captain’s nightmare.’
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
However, his teammates have backed DeChambeau. To begin with, Keegan Bradley has branded him as the X-factor for his team.
“I think Bryson, just his golfing ability alone, is an X-factor for our team, but also, he’s a really fiery player. When you come to a Ryder Cup, you don’t want guys to try to be something they’re not. We have a lot of calm, mellow guys, so we need the energy from Bryson, and he brings that every day in practice rounds, in the team room, and hopefully in the tournament competition too.”
It’s not just Bradley; however, his teammates are also backing Bryson and sticking it to Brandel Chamblee. Scottie Scheffler also praised DeChambeau.
“I think Bryson is a tremendous competitor. He’s a great partner as well. I partnered with him in 2021 at Whistling Straits. And he was a tremendous guy to be out there on the golf course with. He’s a great guy. He’s a good friend. And, he’s been great in our team room,” said the World No.1.
It does not end there. Xander Schauffele said, “I was telling Keegan, I was like, I feel Bryson could be the difference for us in a strange way.” He even called him a gladiator. “This is his arena. If he views himself as a gladiator golfer, this is as good as it gets,” Xander reflected.
Patrick Cantlay, the veteran who will play his third consecutive Ryder Cup in 2025, is happy that he won’t face Bryson as an opponent. “We’ve played in a few team events together, Presidents Cups and the [2021] Ryder Cup. He’s great in team events. I was watching him hit drivers on the range the other day, and I’m glad he’s on our side. He’s a showman out there. I think he’s going to get the crowd fired up. It’s really great anytime he’s on these teams because he’s such a fantastic player,” said Patrick.
Other players, like Russell Henley and J.J. Spaun, have also backed their teammate. Many of the US team members believe he can be the key differentiator because of the energy he brings in. Even fans are backing Bryson after he faced criticism from Brandel Chamblee.
Following the 2023 Ryder Cup victory, European team members attributed their success to the strong bond they formed off the golf course. Bryson can do the same for the American team.
How public gem Bethpage Black became iconic Ryder Cup home
They come in darkness, adrenaline surging, imagination unchained. They drive through silent suburban streets, equipped with beer, snacks and childlike enthusiasm. They curl up in discomfort, in cars turned cots, accepting what little sleep they get before the 4:30 a.m. wake-up knock — presenting a ticket to their dream.
“I needed to check Bethpage Black off the bucket list,” Missouri native Ben Czarnacki said. “When you decide to fly from out of state, you have no idea if you’re even gonna get a tee time. We knew we were gonna have to sleep in the car to ensure we did. … We woke up around 1:30 a.m. because cars were piling in. Every spot was filled.
“When you get that ticket and you walk in, the butterflies in your stomach, I can’t explain it. There’s no other golf experience like it.”
A fixture on lists of the world’s top 100 golf courses, Bethpage Black is open to all. It is the rare truly public course deemed worthy of hosting golf’s grandest events — made incalculably more iconic by the sign affixed to the railing behind the first tee, where all pose for photos before embarking on an 8-mile trek (carts are prohibited) down a track that’s vexed the world’s best:
PGA Tour Pro Points Fingers at Extreme Actions Taken for Donald Trump’s Bethpage Black Appearance
It’s confirmed! The 47th POTUS, Donald Trump, will be attending the first round of the Ryder Cup on Friday, September 26. With his presence, special arrangements and security concerns have already been raised. With that being added, Byeong Hun An has already shared his thoughts on X.
After the news of Trump’s presence was out, Hun An wrote, “US Open Tennis final 🤝 1st rd at Ryder cup.” Trump attended the US Open men’s final at the beginning of September. However, with his attendance, the fans had to undergo an additional security check, creating an extra delay. Even the fans seemed frustrated at times due to the extra effort. Given the ongoing security risk, the president must follow security protocols, and the same will be in place at the Ryder Cup as well.
In fact, for fans, the list of prohibited items is already shared for the 1st tee and clubhouse area. The list includes portable folding chairs, torch-style lighters, and metal/ hard plastic insulated beverage containers, range finders, laptops, tablets, and more. Additionally, all personal items will be thoroughly inspected before access is granted. Organizers have already shared tips for fans.
According to the Ryder Cup organizers, it is advisable to arrive at the course as early as possible to avoid potential delays and plan accordingly to allow for extra time. Further, they even shared, “Temporary delays moving around publicly accessible areas inside and outside of the Bethpage Black Golf Course. These areas may briefly become restricted or frozen spaces before, during, or after the event.”
Fans will have to pass through TSA-style security screenings at the entrance gates to the ground, and if they leave those areas or travel to other parts of the course, the screening might happen again. But with the president’s estimated arrival time being 7:10 AM, the PGA of America has made a special request to the president.
PGA of America requested a delay for Donald Trump
At the men’s tennis final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, Trump was the one who came in early, causing a delay for fans and long queues due to security reasons. But unlike a tennis match, a golf match cannot be delayed, which is why a special request has been made.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
The Ryder Cup director, Bryan Karns, said, “We actually won’t be able to delay the tee times because we don’t have the evening. At Arthur Ashe Stadium, you can flip those lights on, you can go late. Whereas we don’t have that luxury of doing that, and you obviously want to make sure, if possible, you’re finishing both sessions on the day we start them so the fans can see it from start to finish,”
The US Open tennis finals started after a 48-minute delay, with the artificial lights that could have been addressed. However, in the case of golf, it will become tough to complete. In fact, the tour has already faced situations like this. In 2014, the PGA Championship’s final round was delayed by two hours due to rain. As a result, players had to complete the remaining round in the dark, which led to a decline in their performance.
Crucial Jordan Spieth Update Surfaces 45 Days After His PGA Tour Season Ended on a Sour Note
Jordan Spieth’s tough season saw missed cuts and poor finishes, but a recent viral video shows him back in the spotlight, sparking fresh buzz. In an update shared by the Dallas Mavericks, the NBA players were seen sharing a poignant moment with the golf star, Jordan Spieth.
The post first appeared on Clutch Points, where a “special guest” joined the Mavericks’ gym. The athletes shared memorabilia, with Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Max Christie giving some Mavericks’ gear to the 13-time PGA Tour champ. Spieth exchanged merch with the team, too. Moreover, the group captured the moment on the court with a basketball as a prop.
The Mavericks team will kick off their 2025-26 season against the San Antonio Spurs in less than a month. They will be expecting some of Spieth’s golfing caliber to leave an impression on them in the October rivalry. While this moment in itself is touching and prides strong cross-sports bonds, the undertones are more profound.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
For Spieth, as a Dallas native, his appearance at the gym reinforces his ties to the city. However, not only does it highlight hometown pride, but it also shines a light on Spieth’s relevance to the sports community. Being on the court, smiling, giving gear, and receiving Mavericks swag frames Spieth as still in the game, still relevant, still respected. Given his underwhelming season, this moment becomes all the more profound.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The PGA Tour pro failed to make it past the St. Jude Championship in this year’s playoffs. Entering the first week with a 48th in the FedExCup standings, the golfer grinded through the rounds in an attempt to improve the rankings. However, after a 1-under first round, even pars on the second and third, and a 2-under on the final day, Spieth dropped 6 rankings, down to 54th. That placed just outside of the Top 50 players who advance to the following BMW Championship. That brief stint in the playoffs marked a heartbreaking season-ending, leaving him out of the Bethpage squad.
After five straight appearances at the Ryder Cup, the US team overlooked Spieth due to his struggling form. With a record of 8-9-5 at the Ryder Cup, the 32-year-old failed to make a case for Captain Keegan Bradley with his struggling driver. However, that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Spieth’s struggles this year.
The PGA Tour pro faced heavy criticism for receiving sponsor exemptions into major events instead of working his way in. These exemptions included signature PGA Tour events, such as the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Moreover, despite an 80th-place finish in the FedExCup standings last year, Spieth received a free pass to the Genesis Invitational earlier this year. Add to that the Memorial Tournament, and Spieth seems to have enjoyed his reputation more than a convincing performance.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
His visit to the Dallas Mavericks’ gym, trading gear and sharing moments with stars like Anthony Davis, hints at Spieth regrouping and aiming for a comeback. However, Spieth’s falling form highlights a major underlying issue.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Jordan Spieth’s health battles this year
Jordan Spieth’s form has seen a general downward trend since 2024. However, that was not a mere turn of events. Spieth, who had been battling a nagging pain in his wrist since May 2023, underwent an injury to his tendon sheath. The golfer noted that the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon would often pop out of the sheath, causing agonizing pain and weakness. That nudged him to go with the surgery in August last year. That placed him out of the golfing scene until February this year, at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
However, his performances have been mixed throughout the year, with rare T4 finishes threatening almost-victories. Entering the playoffs this year, Spieth noted that he was in a better place than earlier. While not fully recovered, Spieth had made considerable progress. “I’m super, super happy about everything that’s happened [surgically],” Spieth quipped. “Structurally, whether it was making a difference or not, it was a reset and a chance to try to position things a little bit better and for the long-term going forward.”
However, more recently, Spieth withdrew from the Travelers Championship due to a neck and upper back injury. This marked the first time the PGA Tour pro withdrew due to an injury, out of 297 starts. That brings forward the disturbing season Spieth had. However, his return to the sports media hints at his relevance in the athletic bubble. Whether that will show up in his 2026 season or not, that’s up for debate.
Corey LaJoie Speaks Out on NASCAR Future Amid Media Interest
Corey LaJoie managed to secure four Cup Series race starts with Rick Ware Racing this year, after parting ways with Spire Motorsports, for whom he had been racing full-time last year. Amid his media role interest, LaJoie has spoken about his NASCAR future and the possibility of his return to stock car racing.
LaJoie returned with Spire Motorsports this season, but to race in the Craftsman Truck Series. However, that might not seem very appealing to the 33-year-old driver at this stage of his career.
He explained that he had
Veteran Journalist Pushes Back on Fan Criticism Over NASCAR’s Dropping Views
The first race of the 2025 Cup Series Round of 12 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway ended with a dominating win by Ryan Blaney. But a few moments, like Joey Logano’s solid P4 with his playoff capabilities and on-track confrontation between Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs, made it even more interesting. However, under the racing arose a greater issue regarding the sport’s popularity, as the event attracted a new low of 1.29 million viewers as opposed to higher ratings earlier in the season.
That sharp difference is noticeable in the regular-season finale at Daytona, which attracted the largest summer rating in seven years. In the meantime, viewership in the playoffs is declining, and the total number of 2025 Cup Series viewership, regardless of race, has fallen by 13.436% since 2024, equating to a loss of 12.787 million. Kyle Busch had expressed his concern, saying, “I just think the problem we’re running into is there’s not a lot of race fans anymore.” These trends are controversial, but some input coming in through an insider like Jeff Gluck can help illuminate certain factors at work.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Jeff Gluck justifies NHMS viewership dip
NASCAR journalist Jeff Gluck, known for his coverage at The Athletic, created a discussion with an X post that attributes the poor attendance at the New Hampshire race to external factors. He wrote, “I saw one report that said Fox News alone averaged 5.2 million viewers during the Charlie Kirk memorial service, so I would certainly think that had some impact on NASCAR’s viewership for New Hampshire.”
I saw one report that said Fox News alone averaged 5.2 million viewers during the Charlie Kirk memorial service, so I would certainly think that had some impact on NASCAR’s viewership for New Hampshire. https://t.co/VlRhByZcej
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) September 24, 2025
Charlie Kirk‘s memorial service event was held on the same day (September 21), around the same time as the race at 3 p.m. ET. The point that Gluck makes is how the broadcasting of competing events, including high-profile political events like these, could affect the USA Network on which NASCAR airs.
Fans soon countered, claiming that Gluck is trying to whitewash more underlying problems in the NASCAR product, and he is being a sport activist who never criticizes structural issues such as the lack of Next Gen car performance in short track racing or the playoff structure. This criticism echoes broader frustrations, with 1.29 million viewers of Sunday’s Loudon race facing a 31.4 percent decline in comparison to the 1.88 million viewers of the 2024 NHMS event. Moreover, it was also a 28 percent decline compared to last year’s Round of 12 opener at Kansas with 1.79 million viewers.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
To that, Gluck responded in a subsequent post, “The comments here are making it out like I’m excusing NASCAR’s low viewership for other races. Give me a freaking break. I’m just saying on Sunday, you would think they lost a few hundred thousand viewers because of the memorial. Has nothing to do with any other low viewership,” emphasizing his point was race-specific amid a season where playoff races alone are down 16.853%.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Fellow content creator Eric Estepp chimed in on X, listing more fundamental issues: “1. NFL is hitting new viewership highs every year. It’s widening the gap to almost everything. 2. Cable subscriptions hit new lows every year. There are more Cup races on cable this year than ever before. 3. NASCAR’s demo has always been one of the oldest in pro sports. Many are aging out or are more interested in politics. 4. 20 year olds aren’t watching cable or sitting through 3+ hour races. Even the NBA commissioner admitted they’re a “highlight league.””
These arguments point to bigger trends, such as the weakening reach of the cable, aging fanbase, and youth’s impatience, among other things. So while insiders Jeff Gluck and Eric Estepp highlight the specifics, the fans are right on their end, pointing out the overall downfall.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Meanwhile, as these discussions highlight immediate hurdles, some in the sport are looking ahead with concrete ideas to turn things around.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Brad Keselowski’s fixes for NASCAR revival
A recent interview with Brad Keselowski, 2012 Cup winner and RFK Racing’s co-owner, presented practical measures to consider for NASCAR growth, beginning with reconsidering the way the tracks are operated. He stated, “The first one is the tracks, in general, need to find more ways to generate revenue outside of NASCAR. A lot of these tracks you go to, if you come to them on a Tuesday, three weeks before or after the race, there’s like three people that work there. There’s nobody around…,” he said.
This expands upon the use of race weekends as a primary source of revenue, which suggests the need to diversify such events or facilities to increase annual revenue and fan interest, given the economic pressure of reducing attendance since the 2008 recession.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The playoff system is another area that received the attention of Keselowski, claiming that it’s not in the sport’s favor. “The whole playoff thing has to go away.” As the RFK co-owner claims, “very unhealthy for the sport.” This, he believes, is an insult to their tracks, races, and the drivers who do not make it to the playoffs. “It muddies the water; it’s not working for the sport,” he explained.
Introduced in 2004 to spike excitement, the format has faced backlash for overshadowing consistent performers, and Keselowski’s view aligns with calls for a return to season-long points to restore fairness and broader appeal.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Finally, he stressed bringing in more manufacturers: “Third, I’d look at new OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) as very important — a high tide that raises all ships. They’ll invest in the teams while concurrently investing in the tracks through advertising, along with our media rights holders. A new OEM is right there behind it.”
NASCAR Today: Vice President JD Vance Visits Richard Childress Ahead of Key North Carolina Speech
Politicians and motorsports have a long, colorful history, where the roar of engines meets the roar of crowds in ways that blend policy with passion. In 2004, President George W. Bush turned heads at the Daytona 500, stepping into the spotlight as grand marshal and delivering the timeless “Gentlemen, start your engines!” to a sea of 180,000 fans. It was a savvy re-election play, tapping into NASCAR’s massive Southern and swing-state pull, where the sport’s blue-collar vibe and high-stakes drama made it a perfect stage for connecting with everyday Americans.
Fast-forward to 2020, President Donald Trump followed suit, serving as grand marshal for that year’s Daytona 500. He led a ceremonial lap in the presidential motorcade, gave the start-your-engines command, and praised the fans and the “spectacle of speed and competition.” These visits weren’t random. Now, in 2025, Vice President JD Vance is stepping into that tradition, visiting Richard Childress Racing in North Carolina on September 24 ahead of a key speech in Concord.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Vance met Richard Childress
The stop was a private event, with Vance’s 25-vehicle motorcade rolling up to RCR’s shop, flanked by local first responders like North Carolina state troopers, Greensboro firefighters, and Forsyth County paramedics.
It wasn’t Vance’s first brush with NASCAR. Richard Childress hosted him at the October 2024 Charlotte ROVAL and Trump at the May 2024 Coca-Cola 600, plus a pre-2025 Daytona 500 meetup.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
RCR, with its storied No. 3 legacy from Dale Earnhardt and over 200 wins across NASCAR’s top three series, plus 14 championships, made for a fitting backdrop. The team fields two full-time Cup cars, No. 3 with Austin Dillon and No. 8 with Kyle Busch, and two in Xfinity, a powerhouse that aligns with Vance’s North Carolina swing.
Earlier this month, RCR dipped into politics with tribute stickers for conservative activist Charlie Kirk on their Cup and Xfinity cars after his death on September 10 in Utah. It’s a move that fits Childress’ history of blending racing with personal beliefs, from his 2017 anthem protest stance to hosting Trump and Vance.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
The visit comes amid a packed playoff weekend, with the Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway setting the Round of 12 opener. For Vance, it’s a chance to rally in a racing hotbed, connecting with fans and teams like RCR that embody NASCAR’s grit.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Vance’s RCR visit lands amid big news for the team: Randall Burnett, Kyle Busch’s crew chief since 2023, is heading to Trackhouse Racing for 2026 to lead Connor Zilisch’s No. 99.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Who’s going to crew chief Kyle Busch now?
The split, confirmed September 23, ends a partnership with three wins but no playoff berths in two years, Busch’s longest drought. Busch’s 2025 has been rough, with career-low top-fives (two), laps led (62), and 22nd in points, leaving him on the verge of setting marks he’d rather forget.
At 40, he’s not washed up like some say; Harvick won a title at that age, and Johnson won his seventh at 41. But RCR has to find a new boss to unlock Kyle Busch’s fire. Burnett’s a steal for Zilisch, the 19-year-old phenom with 10 Xfinity wins in 30 starts.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Burnett’s résumé includes six Busch wins with Tyler Reddick and Allmendinger’s best Cup year in 2016, making him underrated gold. For RCR, it’s a scramble. Social media is wild with trades like Ty Gibbs’ seat, but Busch’s contract ties him to the No. 8 through 2026.
The smart play? An in-house vet or a free agent like Rodney Childers, Harvick’s ex-champ with 40 Cup wins. RCR’s pattern of value hires, like Justin Alexander for Dillon, leans toward Brian Pattie, who meshed with Busch in Trucks. Whatever the pick, it has to reignite Busch’s legacy before time runs out.
Fayetteville Motor Speedway closing after sale of land
This season of racing will be the last at Fayetteville Motor Speedway.
The 500-acre property on which the speedway sits has been sold by Broadwell Land Company
Kevin Harvick’s Former Crew Chief Powers Dale Jr.’s Xfinity Squad Igniting Championship Ambitions
After Justin Allgaier won the 2024 championship, Dale Jr. has been on a roll. The veteran’s Xfinity Series team, JR Motorsports, has an eclectic set of unstoppable drivers in 2025. Connor Zilisch has set the golden standard, winning nine races already in his rookie season. Allgaier has been on a similarly stellar run with 3 wins, while Carson Kvapil, another rookie, is riding high in 4th rank in points. Dale Jr. does not want to let go of this glittering streak for 2026. So he tapped Kevin Harvick’s former colleague.
The 2014 Cup Series champion hung up his helmet at the end of 2023. But we all remember the golden years of Kevin Harvick. During his 11-year tenure in Stewart-Haas Racing, he won a title and 37 trophies. And Dale Jr. is focusing on the crew chief who helped Harvick fetch these wins.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Dale Jr. redeems a future Hall of Famer
Well, Rodney Childers was briefly out of a role. His golden times with Kevin Harvick far behind him, Childers’ position after SHR shut down was uncertain. Childers joined Spire Motorsports to be Justin Haley’s crew chief, but unfortunately, had to part ways in April after just nine races. Yet Childers had that itch to win, so he joined Harvick’s CARS Tour, going back to his Late Model Stock Car roots. Childers conjured his magic again, helping driver Landen Lewis win four times and become the championship contender. So when Dale Jr. caught Childers talking to Truck Series teams about opportunities, he was surprised that such a high-flyer did not have a NASCAR role yet.
So Dale Jr. capitalized on that. He called Kevin Harvick‘s former colleague to join JRM for the 2026 season. And with the prospect of working as the crew chief for the No. 1 car, Rodney Childers is excited. He told Sirius XM NASCAR, “Obviously, the last 12 months haven’t been the way that we wanted to go, but everything happens for a reason. And when Dale called me, we sat down and talked about this. I was blown away. What Dale means to me, what Kelly means to me, what Mr. H means to me. It’s just a dream come true. When you can have talent in the seed with Carson and Connor both, it’s going to be a ton of fun. To be in the building with so many racers, so many people that I’ve already worked with, already have relationships with, and I have a ton of respect for. It’s just going to mean a lot.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Despite his fallout with Spire Motorsports, Rodney Childers remains dedicated to his work. After all, the 40-time Cup race-winning veteran is currently the most successful crew chief in the NASCAR garage. Childers continued, “To me, it’s really about winning races. You know, I’m just at that point in my life, especially after working with Kevin Harvick for the amount of time that I did. I said that before Kevin retired, it’s gonna be hard to ever replace this. And I really feel like what we have for 2026 is one of those situations that’s just gonna be a lot of fun. Really competitive, and just something that you wake up every single morning ready to do.”
Evidently, Kevin Harvick’s brother-in-arms is ready to take up the next challenge in his NASCAR career. In the meantime, Harvick broods over another veteran in the Cup Series.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Lamenting about a lost spectacle
Notice anything missing in NASCAR headlines this year? Or rather, over the last two years? Yeah, Kyle Busch is almost non-existent in Victory Lane narratives. The two-time Cup Series champion, who was once a source of intimidation to his rivals, is now merely an afterthought every weekend. The last time Busch won was during the June 2023 Gateway race. And the last time Busch was in the Championship 4 race while running for Joe Gibbs Racing was in 2019, when he won the title. Six years later, it seems unimaginable that the Richard Childress Racing driver can be a threat to his competitors. This fall of a star concerns not only Rowdy fans, but one of his former rivals as well.
The conflicts between Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick are very well-known. Yet the latter downplayed all of that while worrying about his rival’s present state. “We all want to see Kyle Busch win,” Harvick stated on the podcast. “As much as I’ve gone through moments where I hate Kyle Busch. I’ve hated Kyle Busch with a passion at moments. That’s all come full circle, and we’re very much able to communicate and have a good relationship.” He continued, “But I can’t imagine Kyle Busch going out like this. It’s bad for everything, bad for the sport. It’s bad for him, bad for everything that says Kyle Busch. I hate to see where it’s at.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Evidently, Kevin Harvick worries about veterans in the Cup Series. He must be happy now that Rodney Childers has got a 2026 role – let’s wait and see how the stellar crew chief performs!
Former NASCAR Executive Exposes the Chaotic Downfall of Car of Tomorrow’s Failed Wing Design
The Next-Gen car’s troubles reign supreme in today’s NASCAR. From passing problems to increased parity on the racetrack, the problems are plenty. When it first debuted in 2022, safety problems emerged with Cup Series drivers like Kurt Busch and Denny Hamlin incurring concussions in crashes. While that has been resolved, the lack of aerodynamic advantages has amplified the demand for more horsepower. But complaints about the Next-Gen hardly compare to those of its predecessor.
Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s fatal crash in 2001 spurred a safety revolution in NASCAR. But in the process of achieving the most secure race car, the sport hit lows. The most significant of those low points was probably the Car of Tomorrow, as a former executive recalled recently.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
How NASCAR threw out the ‘flying brick’
Robin Pemberton’s career in the sport spanned 37 years. He worked with stellar drivers like Richard Petty and Mark Martin, scoring 26 wins in 17 seasons as a crew chief. However, Pemberton entered a new phase in 2004, becoming a top NASCAR executive. He spent 11 years as senior vice president of competition – and consequently, bore the brunt of controversy when the Car of Tomorrow surfaced. Introduced in March 2007, the COT had many flaws – an unusual front-shelf design, foam attached to the right side to absorb the impact of crashes, and the massive expenses. But the topmost point of controversy was the rear wing.
And Robin Pemberton revealed in a recent Dale Jr Download episode that he had a big hand in it. He revealed, “When I was there, we were now down into the aero part of it, which is the wing. You know the roof.” And that left Dale Jr. curious, as he asked Pemberton why it could not stay. The rear wing was not well-received. Tony Stewart called the car a ‘flying brick’. It made even Kyle Busch, who won the first COT race in Bristol, say that the cars “suck.” NASCAR officials eventually replaced the wing with a spoiler in 2012.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
So Pemberton delved into the nitty-gritty of the COT’s pros and cons. The former NASCAR official said, “The wing was good for a number of reasons, and it was bad for a number of reasons. It was good for traffic, less weight. And they got blamed for cars getting upside down. One of the reasons is with the wing, it’s not a lot of drag. So when I turned sideways, the drag didn’t go up as fast as it did with a spoiler. So lift-off speeds were wrong. There was that part of it, and then some people weighed in that said stock cars don’t have wings. They don’t have wings. Yeah, that was part of it, I hate that because we put a lot of development in.”
Despite the regret involved with scrapping a high-effort enterprise, Robin Pemberton had to take the tough call eventually. He recalled his interaction with Mike Helton, former president of NASCAR. “I’ll never forget. Mike comes up for lunch one day, and he goes, Well, I gotta tell you. We need to get rid of the wing, like we just spent a year on it. Yeah, okay. Well, I will go work on it…What do you mean? Like, asap. It took my breath. Like if you got a month or six weeks, whatever, in like it came in a hurry, you know.” Eventually, the COT went out of business. Recently, Denny Hamlin referred to its flaws to highlight the Next-Gen’s defects.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Well, Pemberton chafed about the loss of the wing, but in the long run, it was a good call. While Dale Jr. brooded over the resolution of a crisis almost 13 years ago, he is also concerned with a crisis in the present day.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Urging the offender to take action
Fireworks broke out in New Hampshire last Sunday. More precisely, the fireworks of Joe Gibbs Racing’s in-house drama. On lap 110, Ty Gibbs would not leave room for Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin, both playoff contenders. And Gibbs, who could not crack the postseason, fell prey to Hamlin’s aggression and spun out. Although no face-to-face encounter happened, there has been an online exchange of barbs. Hamlin called out JGR’s leadership to teach Gibbs a lesson, while the latter delivered a subtle jab. However, Dale Jr. pointed out how the first step needs to be taken by Ty. As he started the whole ordeal, he should step up.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What is more, if Ty Gibbs does not speak up, then JGR’s unity can be in jeopardy. “This is a big teaching moment for Ty, well beyond like next week and his racing career and all of that. like how they managed this little hiccup,” Dale Jr. said. “What happened on the racetrack? It sucks. He shouldn’t have raced him like he did. He got wrecked by his teammate, Denny. All that sucks…You go into the meeting. You talk about it. Ty should, I think, stand up and say, ‘I f*cked up. Should let y’all guys go. I don’t know what I was thinking. That was foolish of me. Won’t happen again going forward in these playoffs. You got my word. I’m gonna be a good teammate.’”
With things at a standstill at present, we can only wait and see what comes of the JGR fallout. Meanwhile, NASCAR could work on the Next-Gen like they did on the Car of Tomorrow.
Roger Penske’s Star Downplays Kansas Threats While Eyeing Strong NASCAR Playoff Run
Team Penske put on a clinic at New Hampshire right from qualifying to race day. Joey Logano snagged the pole position, his first ever at the track, and led a race high 147 laps, even winning a stage. Right beside him, Ryan Blaney qualified second and went on to steal the show, leading 116 laps and clinching the victory that locked him into the Round of 8. The dominance didn’t stop there. Josh Berry, part of Penske’s extended Ford family, recovered from an early spin to rally to a runner-up finish. But while most of the camp burst in glory, not every car in the Penske camp left with reason to celebrate. And heading into Kansas, that margin for error has vanished for one.
At Kansas Speedway this season, Team Penske showed flashes of strength but also revealed tracks that need patching. Ryan Blaney, for example, managed a solid finish; he placed fifth in the May Kansas race, starting from 10th. Joey Logano, meanwhile, didn’t break into the top five in the same Kansas outing, finishing ninth after starting fifth. However, while Penske is an upper-tier team, drivers continue to salvage points and avoid disaster; there is clearly a gap between their potential and what they’ve consistently delivered at Kansas. And as for Austin Cindric, he is raising alarms on his next stint in the Round of 12 to keep his playoff hopes alive.
Speaking to Bob Pockrass, Cindric didn’t waste time in giving a brutal reality check: “So, you know, Kansas is definitely one of those tracks that the teams, you know, push, push it right to the edge. And so I don’t think that’s, that’s going to be any different this weekend. Yeah. I don’t expect it to be too much different. You know, I think it’s a little bit of a construction change that we’ve ran before, I believe a couple of times this year on different intermediate tracks. So, you know, the fall off might change a little bit, but you know, really a lot of that time week to week, we kind of judge off of practise and see, cause I mean the weather changes it, the track conditions that, you know, what, what all the series are there a particular weekend can have a little bit of effect on that.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
At Kansas, Austin Cindric’s record is a mixed bag. His best finish has been 11th place; he has hit that mark twice, including earlier this season. His worst outings, by contrast, have seen him finish in the low 30s or suffer accidents. 2024 and 2023 saw some of those less-than-ideal results. On average, over his eight Kansas starts, Cindric finishes around 23.6th place. So while he is shown he can run decently there, consistency and higher-tier point-earning finishes have largely eluded him at that track. And this could have serious implications for his playoff hopes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
He currently sits 10th in the driver standings with 3,028 points. He has one win, zero pole positions, two top fives, and five top 10 finishes so far this season. After New Hampshire, Austin Cindric had a rough day. He missed out on stage points, ending the race in 17th place, and dropped a 19-point deficit from safety in the playoff cut line. Moreover, he hasn’t quite hit the mark yet, and for several reasons. A surprise fire at Bristol nearly cost him a playoff spot, though he squeezed past Alex Bowman of Hendrick Motorsports to stay in. At New Hampshire last weekend, Cedric had a chance to grab some crucial points, ones that could have set him up nicely heading into Kansas and the Roval, but it simply didn’t click.
Meanwhile, his Penske teammates delivered much stronger runs. Blaney took the win at New Hampshire, Logano grabbed fourth, and Josh Berry, tied in the extended Penske family, grabbed second place. Austin Cindric has to put in the work and pull up his socks to keep himself in contention. Meanwhile, his teammate, Ryan Blaney, has pulled back the curtain on the team’s playoff mindset.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Ryan Blaney spills the beans on Team Penske’s playoff teamwork
Ryan Blaney walked out of New Hampshire with more than just a trophy; he walked out with a spotlight. While the rest of the NASCAR world buzzed over fiery tempers and teammate drama within Joe Gibbs Racing at Loudon, Blaney’s win carried a different kind of headline: the strength of Team Penske’s unity. On the Dale Junior download, he didn’t just bask in his victory; he pulled fans behind the curtain to explain why Penske‘s garage isn’t imploding like so many others amid the playoffs.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
They revealed that the magic isn’t complicated. There are no backdoor schemes, no rigged finishes. The one rule that Roger Penske drills into his drivers is brutally simple: do not wreck each other. Ryan Blaney said, “And I’d say the racing around each other—there’s never team orders. Ever. The only thing Roger has ever said is, ‘Just don’t wreck each other trying to win the race.’ Don’t be foolish and run one-two and wreck each other out of first and second. He has an expectation: race as hard as you want. Have at it. I don’t care who runs first or second. But please do not wreck each other doing it, because then we just look like a bunch of fools.”
That philosophy has turned Blaney, Joey Logano, and the extended Penske family into a rare breed in NASCAR. Teammates who can duel at full tilt without letting grudges poison the garage. It is why Blaney has risen for championship glory and why Joey Logano’s consistency shines, and why Penske’s banner keeps flying high. In a spot where ego clashes can derail entire seasons, Blaney’s New Hampshire win felt like proof that Blaney’s trust-first code isn’t just talk; it is a winning formula.
Veteran Insider Gives Blunt Reality Check to NASCAR Fans Over Broadcast Ratings Meltdown
Remember when Amazon Prime rolled out NASCAR streaming for the first time and fans went wild? From the Coca-Cola 600 to the Great American Gateway 400, Prime kept viewers hooked with post-race coverage, a slick double-box format, and plenty of extra features. The payoff? An impressive 2.16 viewers per race on average. Unfortunately, the story has been very different for NASCAR’s current broadcast partner, NBC. And as the playoffs roll on, the most exciting segment in NASCAR, the TV viewership has done a 360, and the fans have sounded off on it. But a NASCAR veteran has put his foot down on the number of complaints that are flying in.
NASCAR is facing a stubborn itch it just can’t scratch: TV ratings. Throughout the 2025 season, audiences have been drifting away, and the Cup Series playoffs have felt the burn hardest. Viewership for Cup Series races has slipped over 13% from last year, and playoff events — this supposed crown jewel meant to draw eyeballs — plunged nearly 17%. And with a whirlwind of talks about the role of TV in deciding the 2026 NASCAR playoff and the dipping viewership, Kenny Wallace is here to reassure the community to sit tight.
Kenny Wallace rolled no punches, saying, ” NASCAR is already announced that they’re gonna change the point system. And next year, the racing is going to be different. They’re going to give you 3 or 4 races to determine the champion. What the f— don’t you understand? I said, this reminds me of a friend I had. I said, ‘Oh, you sure you b—- a lot?’ Because yeah, I just, I just want to b—-. Let me b—- for a little bit. I said, ‘Charlie, is that what you want to do? You just want to bitch?’ So, that’s what I would say to all of you. Get the b——- out of your system.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
NBC Sports’ addition to the Cup Series schedule hasn’t reversed the trend. When USA Network, NBC’s partner, covered Watkins Glen, it dipped to 1,850,000, marking the Cup series’ third-lowest audience of the year and the smallest on the USA Network since 1.03 million watched New Hampshire in 2023. Richmond averaged just 1,390,000 viewers, and Gateway followed suit with disappointing numbers: a 0.82 rating and 1.525 million viewers, down sharply from both last year’s race at Watkins Glen and the June 24 event at the same track on FS1. Even with Denny Hamlin leading for 75 laps to claim his first Gateway victory, the ratings for the Enjoy Illinois 300 are a stark reminder that spectacular wheels don’t always translate to TV audiences.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Another debate about how TV has a hold on deciding which direction the NASCAR playoff system should head in has been heating up. As Jeff Burton sounded off on it, NASCAR analyst and reporter Jeff Gluck has confirmed that NBC has no say in the changing playoff system. 2026 brings fresh hopes and new expectations as fans hope they get what they want.
Kenny Wallace wants the community to quit its whining and give NASCAR a chance. He added, “I’m with Jeff Burton, and a lot of us agree that, you know, you gotta earn everything right now. I know another Charlie said nobody likes the car. I’m like, ‘OK, well, they’re gonna change that.’ It gets to be where it’s exhausting. I said OK, so really what the deal is, Everybody just wants to keep this. Yeah, I guess so. But I want the automatic ball to strike count starting tonight on the first baseball game. So in the end, everybody, you all are gonna get what you want. You’re just gonna get it next year. Not right f—— now.”
Moreover, Burton had shut down the conspiracy by saying, “I hear that all the time… I’m in these meetings, and NASCAR takes all the information from all the people… and they make a decision. TV is not when… this format that we are currently racing under was created. I was in every damn meeting. TV didn’t make this decision…” But as hope prevails, last weekend’s New Hampshire race faced similar problems.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
TV viewership takes another hit during the New Hampshire weekend
New Hampshire stands as a glaring example of NASCAR’s growing dilemma. While the grandstands were packed with passionate local fans, that same fire didn’t translate to national viewership. Last fall, NASCAR’s playoff races boosted steady midtier TV numbers, solidifying its space as a beloved American motorsport with millions of viewers. But this fall, the combination of broadcast shifts and fierce competition from the NFL raised alarms about NASCAR’s national visibility. And the fans are urging NASCAR to take things more seriously.
A shift away from traditional TV broadcasts to cable networks and streaming platforms like Amazon Prime has only added to the confusion. The latest ratings for the Cup Series race at New Hampshire exposed the depth of the decline. 0.70 rating and 1.2 million viewers, a far cry from the 1.0 rating and the 1.88 million viewers for last year’s race. To make matters worse, the dip mirrors a broad trend, including a drop from the 1.79 million viewers in last year’s fourth playoff race at Kansas.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
When comparing this year’s New Hampshire race to the same event in 2024, NASCAR nearly lost 600,000 viewers, a huge blow, especially given the sellout at Loudon. The 0.70 rating is one of the weakest for a playoff race in recent years, sparking serious concerns over the NASCAR community. Typically, the postseason draws a larger audience, making this downturn all the more worrying.
Tyler Reddick Exposes Daytona 500’s Declining Allure Amid NASCAR Next Gen Controversy
Tyler Reddick is fighting it out in the playoffs. Despite not being able to match up to his three-win, regular-season championship 2024 season, Reddick still cracked the postseason. What is more, he survived the Round of 16 with three top 20 finishes, including a runner-up spot in Darlington. However, the 23XI Racing driver still has reasons to lament.
NASCAR’s Next-Gen car, ever since its debut in 2022, has caused ripples of discontent in the community. From expenses involved in single-spec parts to increased parity on the racetrack, its flaws are plenty. But what stands out for Tyler Reddick is the car’s impact on superspeedway racing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Tyler Reddick abandons credit for runner-up
Entering the 2025 Daytona 500 race, the No. 45 Toyota was in a tough spot. Tyler Reddick had a 30.8 average result, and his best finish was 27th in 6 previous bids. With five laps remaining, Reddick was sure that he would get a similarly bleak result, running 25th. But right then, Christopher Bell’s barrel-rolling wreck allowed him to move up to 20th. Then, on the restart, he went up to 13th place. But the final harrowing crash on the final lap, involving several cars, allowed Reddick to speed up ahead right behind eventual race winner William Byron. The utterly chaotic nature of events made Reddick admit in a recent ‘Door, Bumper, Clear’ episode: “I did nothing to get second place.”
In the age of the Next-Gen era, the allure of the Daytona 500 has dropped. Gone are the days when legends like Dale Earnhardt or Tony Stewart could seamlessly pass their competitors en route to victories. Now, since drivers cannot pass each other in the Next-Gen cars, they resort to fuel saving to extract track positions – just like William Byron did. So when Freddie Kraft asked Tyler Reddick if the Great American Race had lost its appeal, the Toyota driver had his answer. “I hate to even answer that question. But if I’m being honest, yes. For me, it has lost some of it because of the way racing plays out,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Then there comes the sheer unpredictability of superspeedway racing. Previously, the more skilled drivers could stand apart from their rivals. But the increased parity and lack of aerodynamic control have made it a chaotic mess. Even Tony Stewart does not like the Daytona 500 anymore because “anybody can win.” Kraft also chimed with this opinion: “Before this car, you would know on Thursday, I’ve got a shot to win the Daytona 500. And you go into Sunday, it doesn’t matter. As long as we were there at the end, we’ve got a shot at this thing. And now it’s like I don’t know. We’ll see what happens at the last pit stop.”
While Tyler Reddick laments about superspeedway racing in the Next-Gen era, he also feels dejected about his ongoing season.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Owning up to a drab streak
At this time last year, Tyler Reddick was one of the top contenders for the 2024 Cup Series title. He won three races, clinched the regular season championship, and was in the Championship 4 race. But this year, the 23XI Racing driver has yet to fetch his first victory through 30 races. He led just 156 laps this season, tallying 10 top 10s and six top 5s. Despite cracking the Round of 12, Reddick sits 11th in the playoff standings heading into Kansas Speedway, -23 below the cutline.
So, Tyler Reddick owned up to his season’s faults. He said, “I think when you really look at the details of it, it is not an improvement over last year, yes. Yeah, we haven’t performed quite like what we did last year. But it’s not like to an astronomical level. When you don’t execute, when you don’t have a clean race, you’re not going to have the opportunity to win races, and you’re not going to get those top 10s and top 5s that you’re able to get when you have those clean days. I think when I was looking at it last, we scored like 50 or 60 less points than we did last year. It just shows the top teams have had cleaner years.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
At the same time, Tyler Reddick is fifth in passing, ninth in defense, sixth in speed, and fifth in restarts. The No. 45 Toyota pit crew is notably ranked 19th in the Cup Series. What is more, if not for brake issues impeding his pace, Reddick would have finished better than 21st in last week’s New Hampshire race. So Reddick is not giving up: “I know [23XI co-owner] Michael [Jordan] feels this way, I know a lot of people at 23XI feel this way — we don’t show up just to run 10th. I don’t do this just to run 10th; I show up to make a difference and take a car that’s capable of winning and get it to Victory Lane. We have days just get away when we’re capable of winning [and] it’s frustrating, for sure.”
Evidently, Tyler Reddick is grappling with a number of challenges. If he can wade through the Next-Gen car’s faults and focus on winning, then miracles can still happen this season.
Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh hits MLB-leading 59th home run against Rockies
SEATTLE (AP) — Cal Raleigh hit his MLB-leading 59th homer on Wednesday night, a solo shot for the Seattle Mariners in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies.
Raleigh, batting left-handed, connected off Tanner Gordon for his home run to right field that reached the top deck at T-Mobile Park.
With four games remaining in the Mariners’ regular season, Raleigh has a chance to pass Yankees star Aaron Judge for the American League single-season home run record. Judge hit 62 home runs in 2022 to break the previous record set by Roger Maris, which stood since 1961.
Raleigh’s shot came just four days after he passed Ken Griffey Jr. for the franchise’s single-season home run record with his 57th homer. Griffey hit 56 in both 1997 and 1998.
Raleigh has also surpassed Mickey Mantle’s previous MLB record of 54 home runs by a switch-hitter that had stood since 1961. He also set the MLB record for homers by a catcher this season, eclipsing the 48 hit by Salvador Perez in 2021.
Raleigh is three home runs ahead of Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber and six home runs ahead of Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
___
Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh hits MLB
SEATTLE (AP) — Cal Raleigh hit his MLB-leading 59th homer on Wednesday night, a solo shot for the Seattle Mariners in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies.
Raleigh, batting left-handed, connected off Tanner Gordon for his home run to right field that reached the top deck at T-Mobile Park.
With four games remaining in the Mariners’ regular season, Raleigh has a chance to pass Yankees star Aaron Judge for the American League single-season home run record. Judge hit 62 home runs in 2022 to break the previous record set by Roger Maris, which stood since 1961.
Raleigh’s shot came just four days after he passed Ken Griffey Jr. for the franchise’s single-season home run record with his 57th homer. Griffey hit 56 in both 1997 and 1998.
Raleigh has also surpassed Mickey Mantle’s previous MLB record of 54 home runs by a switch-hitter that had stood since 1961. He also set the MLB record for homers by a catcher this season, eclipsing the 48 hit by Salvador Perez in 2021.
Raleigh is three home runs ahead of Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber and six home runs ahead of Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Aaron Judge ties MLB record by hitting 50 home runs for the 4th time, matching Ruth, McGwire and Sosa
NEW YORK — Aaron Judge tied a major-league record by reaching 50 home runs for the fourth time, hitting a three-run drive for the New York Yankees in the second inning against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night.
The seven-time All-Star added his 51st of the season in the eighth.
Judge drove a 96.6 mph sinker from Jonathan Cannon (4-10) into the Yankees bullpen in right-center field for a 3-1 lead in an 8-1 victory. He hit a solo shot six innings later against Cam Booser for his 46th multi-homer game.
Judge hit 52 homers as a rookie in 2017, an AL-record 62 in 2022 and 58 last year. The only other players with four 50-homer seasons were Babe Ruth (1920, ‘21, ’27, ’28), Mark McGwire (1996-99) and Sammy Sosa (1998-2001).
A two-time AL MVP, the 33-year-old Judge leads the major leagues in batting average (.328) and OPS (1.136). He has 109 RBIs.
Judge became the fourth player to hit 50 homers this year, joining Seattle’s Cal Raleigh (58), Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber (56) and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani (53). The only prior seasons with a quartet reaching that mark came during the Steroids Era: by McGwire, Sosa, Ken Griffey Jr. and Greg Vaughn in 1998, and by Barry Bonds, Luis Gonzalez, Alex Rodriguez and Sosa in 2001.
Judge made an 85.8 mph throw to second base on Colson Montgomery’s second-inning drive that went off the right-field wall on a hop, Judge’s hardest throw since hurting his right elbow in late July.
Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber sets record in multi-homer game
Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber did much more than just blast two mammoth home runs on Wednesday night. He did it while breaking an obscure MLB record in the process.
Schwarber’s two-homer performance as part of the Phillies’ 11-1 win over the Miami Marlins now gives him 56 on the year.
That mark includes 23 home runs off left-handed pitching, which means he now holds the record for the most home runs by a left-handed hitter off left-handed pitching in a season.
Phillies star Kyle Schwarber close to making more history
But while making MLB history only adds to his monster season, he’s now just two more long balls away from an accomplishment that will make his 2025 season even more special for Phillies fans.
With two more home runs, Schwarber will reach Ryan Howard’s Phillies record of 58. Then, with one more, Schwarber will stand alone as the franchise’s single-season home run king.
And based on Schwarber’s ability to crush home runs in bunches, he could end up with three home runs by the end of the week. Schwarber’s multi-homer night on Wednesday was his seventh game with at least two home runs this season.
Looking even beyond just his home runs, Schwarber now has 136 RBI, 110 runs scored, an on-base percentage of .370, a slugging percentage of .576 and an OPS of .946.
The question now becomes if Schwarber’s power can be enough for him to capture the National League MVP over Los Angeles Dodgers unicorn Shohei Ohtani.
While most still predict Ohtani to repeat as NL MVP and win his fourth overall — he also has two American MVPs as well — Schwarber is surely doing all he can to impress voters in the final days of the season.
Mariners’ Cal Raleigh becomes first MLB player with 60-homer season since Yankees’ Aaron Judge
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh homered for the 60th time on Wednesday against the Colorado, crossing a new threshold as he puts the finishing touches on his historic season. Raleigh is just the fourth player in American League history to clear 60 home runs, and the first who wasn’t a member of the New York Yankees at the time.
Indeed, Raleigh is the first player to homer 60 or more times since Yankees slugger Aaron Judge broke the American League and franchise single-season record with 62 home runs in 2022. Prior to Judge, no player had cleared 60 home runs since 2001.
PlayerTeamSeasonHR
Aaron Judge
Yankees
2022
62
Roger Maris
Yankees
1961
61
Cal Raleigh
Mariners
2025
60 and counting
Babe Ruth
Yankees
1927
60
Additionally, Raleigh set the single-season record for most home runs by a primary catcher (previously 48) back in late August, and he’s since toppled the single-season record for most home runs by a switch hitter (55) and Mariners player (56) in September. It’s been that kind of magical, historic season.
Raleigh, 28, entered Wednesday hitting .245/.359/.586 (168 OPS+) with 58 home runs, 121 runs batted in, and 14 stolen bases. His contributions had been worth an estimated 6.9 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball Reference’s calculations. Yet Raleigh is also an above-average framer behind the plate, something not incorporated in Baseball Reference’s WAR model. As such, it’s fair to suggest Raleigh has been worth even more to the Mariners throughout the year.
No wonder Raleigh is considered to be one of the favorites to win the AL Most Valuable Player Award, with the aforementioned Judge serving as his stiffest competition.
The Mariners were on the verge of clinching the American League West on Wednesday, securing their first division title since 2001. Previously, the Mariners had ensured they would make it to the playoffs for just the second time in the last 24 years. Seattle snapped a 21-year drought in 2022, advancing to the Division Series before being swept in three games by the Houston Astros.
Seattle Mariners’ catcher Cal Raleigh joins an exclusive list of MLB sluggers
SEATTLE — Cal Raleigh hit his MLB-leading 59th and 60th homers on Wednesday night, solo shots for the Seattle Mariners in the first and eighth innings against the Colorado Rockies.
Raleigh, batting left-handed, connected off Tanner Gordon in the first inning for his first home run to right field that reached the top deck at T-Mobile Park. Then in the eighth inning, Raleigh, batting left-handed again, connected off Angel Chivilli.
Raleigh has 11 multihome run games this season, tied with Aaron Judge (2022), Hank Greenberg (1938) and Sammy Sosa for the MLB record.
With four games remaining in the Mariners’ regular season, Raleigh has a chance to pass Yankees star Aaron Judge for the American League single-season home run record. Judge hit 62 home runs in 2022 to break the previous record set by Roger Maris, which stood since 1961.
Raleigh is one of seven players to hit 60 or more home runs during a season in MLB history.
Raleigh’s latest homers came just four days after he passed Ken Griffey Jr. for the franchise’s single-season home run record with his 57th homer. Griffey hit 56 in both 1997 and 1998.
Raleigh has also surpassed Mickey Mantle’s previous MLB record of 54 home runs by a switch-hitter that had stood since 1961. He also set the MLB record for homers by a catcher this season, eclipsing the 48 hit by Salvador Perez in 2021.
Cal Raleigh hits MLB-leading 59th and 60th homers to help the Mariners wrap up AL West
SEATTLE (AP) — Cal Raleigh hit his major league-leading 59th and 60th home runs of the season and the Seattle Mariners won their fourth AL West title with a 9-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night.
Raleigh opened the scoring in the first inning off Tanner Gordon with a shot to the top deck in right field, and capped it in the eighth with a two-out blast to right off Angel Chivilli. Julio Rodríguez and Jorge Polanco also homered off Gordon (6-8) in the first.
With four games remaining, Raleigh has a chance to break the AL record of 62 set by Yankees star Aaron Judge in 2022.
Luis Castillo (11-8) threw 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball to help the Mariners — the only team in the major that has never reached the World Series — win for the 16th time in 17 games. Castillo didn’t give up at hit until Blaine Crim hit a solo shot in the fourth.
Eugenio Suárez hit his 48th homer in the seventh.
Key moment
Rodríguez hit a no-doubt, solo shot to left field in the first inning immediately after Raleigh’s blast.
Key stat
Raleigh has 11 multi-home run games this season, tied with Aaron Judge (2022), Hank Greenberg (1938) and Sammy Sosa for the MLB record.
Up next
Rockies right-hander Bradley Blalock (2-5, 9.16) was set to start Thursday night. The Mariners had not announced a starter.
___
Kansas City usher, 66, ruthlessly beaten by teen who was asked to change seats during NBA YoungBoy concert at T-Mobile Center
An elderly usher was thrown to the ground and ruthlessly attacked by a teen as concertgoers watched the disturbing assault unfold in front of them during an NBA YoungBoy gig.
Thomas Schlange, 66, was working the rap concert at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City Sunday night when he asked the teen to move because he wasn’t sitting in his assigned seat, Fox 4 News reported.
Footage recorded by a bystander shows the teen going berserk on Schlange and throwing him into a row of seats.
The disoriented usher then tries to get to his feet, but the teen stands over him. Schlange raised an arm to defend himself, but the teen repeatedly slapped it aside.
The teen then angrily delivered a series of violent punches to the 66-year-old victim’s head as a crowd of other concert-goers stood by.
Schlange said all he remembers from the assault was the teen’s rage and needing to get away to safety.
“I mean, it is serious; I went down and had blows to my head,” Schlange told Fox 4 News. “He was so enraged, so we were just, in essence, trying to protect the fans.”
Police arrested the teen after the violent outburst on Sunday night, but he was later released to his parents while authorities continue to investigate.
The Kansas City Police Department confirmed the teen was under 16, and it’s unclear what charges the juvenile may face.
The attack put Schlange in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Schlange said after nearly two decades on the job, he never imagined he would become a victim of such a violent assault at work.
“The message is: we, as young adults or people growing into adulthood, we need to learn how to control our anger,” he said.
Schlange is expected to meet with police on Friday as they continue their investigation.
A spokesperson for the T-Mobile Center, Shani Tate Ross, told the outlet that the attack on the employee was “horrific” and unacceptable.
“This isolated incident does not reflect our venue, our city or the thousands of guests of all ages who enjoyed the show without incident,” Ross said. “Violence of any kind is unacceptable at T-Mobile Center.”
The video of the assault, which has gone viral across social media, has heightened public concern regarding youth violence and event safety.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas’s office condemned the violence and asked the public to share any information about violent assaults during the concert with police.
“Concerts, sporting events and community gatherings should be safe places of joy and connection, not fear or harm,” the mayor’s office told Fox 4 News.
“The venue will work with KCPD, our prosecutors and our employees to ensure the assailants are identified and charged for the criminal conduct that occurred Sunday evening.”
Following the violence that broke out at the T-Mobile Center, the United Center in Chicago announced it had canceled an NBA YoungBoy concert set to be held on Wednesday night.
The venue did not provide a specific reason for canceling the show, but no other shows scheduled at the venue have been canceled.
The Baton Rouge-based rapper, currently on his “MASA Tour,” is on his first tour in five years.
Elina Svitolina and Beatriz Haddad Maia end their tennis seasons early
Former No. 3-ranked Elina Svitolina said she will end her tennis season early because she is “not in the right emotional space.”
“I haven’t been feeling like myself lately,” Svitolina said in a social media post on Instagram which was followed by a statement on the WTA Tour’s website. “I don’t feel ready to play, so I am therefore ending my season here.”
Svitolina, now ranked 13th, said she needed time to rest and recharge.
“When I step back on the court,” she said, “I want to fight with everything I’ve got and put my best self on the court for the fans, for the game and for myself.”
Svitolina had a strong 2025, finishing with a 35-14 record and one title, the WTA 250 clay tournament in Rouen, France in April. She also had quarterfinal showings at the Australian and French Opens.
But after reaching the quarterfinals in Montreal, she lost her first match in Cincinnati and her first-round match at the U.S. Open.
After her loss to Naomi Osaka in Montreal, Svitolina spoke out about receiving hateful online abuse from frustrated gamblers.
Last week Svitolina helped lead Ukraine to the semifinals of the Billie Jean King Cup in China before losing to Italy’s Jasmine Paolini.
The 31-year-old Svitolina married French veteran Gael Monfils in 2021 and they have a daughter, Skai, who was born in 2022.
Fellow player Beatriz Haddad Maia also said that she needs an extended period of rest time and will end her 2025 season.
“I am posting this to share with you that I am wrapping up my 2025 season a little ahead of schedule so that I can rest my body and mind for a longer period,” the Brazilian player said. ”…Rest assured that I will come back stronger and the best is yet to come!”
___
Elina Svitolina ‘not in the right emotional space,’ ends season
Former No. 3-ranked Elina Svitolina said she will end her tennis season early because she is
MLB wild card standings, bracket, playoff picture, 2025 predictions
Major League Baseball’s playoff race is going down to the wire with multiple postseason spots still up for grabs as the 2025 season approaches the final weekend.
The Cleveland Guardians have run down the Tigers atop the American League Central, a shocking comeback that may go down as one of the biggest collapses in baseball history for Detroit. The rivals face off in Cleveland this week while scoreboard-watching the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox in the wild-card race.
In the National League, the New York Mets fell out of a playoff spot for the first time since the beginning of April and have nearly completed an impressive meltdown of their own, now fighting with the Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks for the final NL wild-card spot.
Here’s the latest look at the playoff race:
Standings entering play Wednesday, Sept. 24
MLB playoff bracket if season ended today
American League
Byes: Blue Jays, Mariners
AL wild card series
Tigers at Guardians
Red Sox at Yankees
National League
Byes: Brewers, Phillies
NL wild card series
Mets at Dodgers
Padres at Cubs
AL wild card standings
Top three reach playoffs
New York Yankees (89-68): +4 games
Boston Red Sox (86-71) + 1 game
Detroit Tigers (85-72)
Houston Astros (84-73): 1 GB
NL wild card standings
Top three reach playoffs
Chicago Cubs (88-69): +7 games // clinched postseason berth
San Diego Padres (87-71): +5½ games // clinched postseason berth
New York Mets (81–76)
Cincinnati Reds (80-77): 1 GB
Arizona Diamondbacks (80-77): 1 GB
St. Louis Cardinals (78-80): 3.5 GB
Miami Marlins (77-80): 4 GB
San Francisco Giants (77-81): 4.5 GB
AL East
Toronto Blue Jays (90-67) – clinched postseason berth
New York Yankees (89-68): 1 game back // clinched postseason berth
Boston Red Sox (86-71): 4 GB
AL Central
Cleveland Guardians (85-72) – holds head-to-head tiebreaker vs Tigers
Detroit Tigers (85-72)
AL West
Seattle Mariners (88-69) – clinched postseason berth
Houston Astros (84-73): 4 GB
NL East
Philadelphia Phillies (92-65) – clinched NL East title
New York Mets (81-76)
NL Central
Milwaukee Brewers (95-63) – clinched NL Central title
Chicago Cubs (88-69)
NL West
Los Angeles Dodgers (88-69) – clinched postseason berth
San Diego Padres (87-71): 1½ GB – clinched postseason berth
NY Yankees 2025 MLB playoff ticket prices at Yankee Stadium
The Yankees are officially playoff bound.
Following a dramatic, 3-2 walk-off win over the White Sox on Tuesday night, the Yankees punched their ticket to the postseason for the eighth time in the last nine seasons.
Buy New York Yankees playoff tickets
The Yankees are still in search of their 28th World Series championship, as the franchise has now gone 16 years since winning their last Fall Classic in 2009 against the Phillies.
Here’s everything you need to know on how to get Yankees playoff tickets this postseason:
Yankees playoff tickets
Here are the current lowest ticket prices on StubHub.
StubHub: Two tickets starting at $258 (including taxes and fees) in Section 434B, Row 5, Seats 18-19
Buy Yankees tickets on StubHub
La rica historia de Croke Park incluye el ‘Bloody Sunday’, pelea de Ali y visita de la reina
El Croke Park será el escenario del primer partido de temporada regular de la NFL en Irlanda cuando los Steelers de Pittsburgh se enfrenten a los Vikings de Minnesota el domingo.
El “Croker” es más que solo un estadio nacional. Es el hogar de la Asociación Atlética Gaélica, que está profundamente arraigada en la cultura e historia irlandesa.
El estadio de Dublín, con capacidad para 82.300 personas —Páirc an Chrócaigh en irlandés— alberga las muy populares finales de fútbol gaélico y hurling cada verano. Son el equivalente irlandés de un Super Bowl.
La capacidad para el partido de la NFL del domingo será de alrededor de 75.000, en parte porque una sección de pie será equipada con asientos.
“Es difícil exagerar lo que significa para muchas personas en Irlanda”, dijo Alan Milton, jefe de comunicaciones de la GAA, sobre el estadio. “Estamos emocionados por lo que podría llegar a significar para personas fuera de Irlanda también”.
Aquí hay algunos momentos clave en la historia de Croke Park:
El ‘Bloody Sunday’ ocurrió en medio de la lucha de Irlanda por la independencia
Catorce personas fueron asesinadas cuando las fuerzas de seguridad británicas dispararon contra la multitud en un partido de fútbol gaélico entre Tipperary y Dublín el 21 de noviembre de 1920. Un parlamento irlandés separatista había declarado la independencia de Gran Bretaña en 1919, respaldado por el recién formado Ejército Republicano Irlandés al inicio de la guerra de independencia de Irlanda (1919-21).
El sitio web de la GAA describe cómo las fuerzas de seguridad británicas llegaron al Croke Park horas después de que el ERI hubiera llevado a cabo tiroteos en Dublín contra agentes de inteligencia británicos, resultando en 14 muertes. Alrededor de 10.000 aficionados asistieron al partido. Después del inicio, las fuerzas de seguridad “irrumpieron en el Croke Park y abrieron fuego contra la multitud”, explica el sitio de la GAA. Un jugador de Tipperary y 13 seguidores, incluido un niño de diez años, fueron asesinados mientras docenas más resultaron heridos en la estampida hacia las salidas. Una de las gradas de Croke Park lleva el nombre del jugador que fue asesinado: Michael Hogan.
No se debe con el ‘Bloody Sunday’ del 30 de enero de 1972 en Irlanda del Norte.
La reina británica visita el Croke Park durante una histórica visita de estado
La reina Isabel II realizó una visita de estado a la República de Irlanda en mayo de 2011 — la primera de un monarca británico desde la independencia irlandesa. Habría sido impensable décadas antes en medio de la violencia sectaria en Irlanda del Norte conocida como “Los Problemas”. Ella y el príncipe Felipe visitaron el Croke Park, donde Felipe recibió un hurley (palo de hurling) y un sliotar (pelota de hurling).
Cuatro años antes, un partido de rugby entre Irlanda e Inglaterra en Croke Park ayudó a sentar las bases para la visita. El estadio principal de rugby de Irlanda en Landsdowne Road estaba siendo remodelado, por lo que la GAA levantó provisionalmente su Regla 42 que prohibía el rugby y el fútbol en Croke Park para permitir partidos internacionales en el estadio. La visita de Inglaterra para el torneo de rugby de las Seis Naciones de 2007 causó inquietud ante el temor de lo que podría suceder cuando se tocara “God Save the Queen” en el Croke Park antes del partido. Pero una recepción respetuosa del himno fue considerada un hito importante de reconciliación en la turbulenta relación de los países. La visita del monarca británico fue otra.
Muhammad Ali gana por nocaut en el Croke Park
“El Más Grande” llegó a la Isla Esmeralda en julio de 1972 para una pelea de 12 asaltos sin título contra Alvin “Blue” Lewis. Ali tenía 30 años y la pelea en Croke Park tuvo lugar 16 meses después de su derrota ante Joe Frazier en el Madison Square Garden.
Ali noqueó a Lewis en el undécimo asalto frente a unos 20.000 aficionados. Cuando Ali llegó al aeropuerto, se le presentó un shillelagh — un bastón irlandés que también puede usarse para un poco de autodefensa en ocasiones. Ali regresó a Irlanda en 2009 después de que los historiadores descubrieran que su bisabuelo era originario de la ciudad de Ennis en el condado de Clare. La AP estuvo allí para informar sobre el viaje.
Los Steelers jugaron un partido de pretemporada en el Croke Park en 1997
Los Steelers y los Bears de Chicago se enfrentaron en el Croke Park en un partido de pretemporada en 1997 como parte de la serie “American Bowl” de la NFL. Kordell Stewart acababa de asumir como mariscal de campo titular y lideró dos series de anotación en el único cuarto que jugó. Pittsburgh ganó 30-17.
NFL Week 3 betting recap, trends, line movement: Texans flailing, Bills a massive favorite
Week 3 is in the books.
With six undefeated and six winless teams, teams are starting to sort themselves out.
Let’s take a look at some NFL betting trends and storylines ahead of Week 4.
The disappointing Texans
No team has played further below its preseason expectations than the Texans.
After making the playoffs in each of the past two seasons and coming into the year as the favorite in the AFC South, the Texans’ chances in 2025 are already teetering.
Houston is 0-3 with one-score losses to the Rams, Buccaneers, and Jaguars ahead of their matchup against the Titans next week.
The Texans came into the season at -150 to make the playoffs at FanDuel Sportsbook — they’re now just +300 to make the postseason for the third straight year.
Eagles deliver brutal bad beat
We already may have the worst beat of the year.
Rams bettors were sitting pretty through the first half against the Eagles with Los Angeles seemingly pulling away with a 26-7 lead as 3.5-point underdogs in Philadelphia.
It went sideways from there.
The Eagles stormed back, taking a 27-26 lead before the Rams marched down the field to set themselves up for a 44-yard game-winning field goal with three seconds left in the game.
Even if Rams kicker Joshua Karty simply kicked the ball wide of the uprights, his team would have covered the spread.
Of course, that’s not how it turned out.
Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis jumped the offensive line to block the field goal and returned the ball for a touchdown to widen Philadelphia’s lead to 33-26 as the time expired, securing the win and covering the spread in a terrible loss for those who put their money on the Rams.
Dart time
Jaxson Dart is taking over in New York.
After being named the Giants’ starting quarterback to replace Russell Wilson, Dart’s odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award skyrocketed to +750, which is tied for the third-best odds at FanDuel.
If Dart plays anywhere near how he did during the preseason, when he completed 32 of 47 passes for 372 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions while also running the ball six times for 52 yards and a touchdown, look for those odds to get even better.
Betting on the NFL?
Read our expert guide on how to bet on the NFL
Check out the best NFL betting sites
Get the BetMGM Bonus Code
A wild spread in Buffalo
We might get our biggest mismatch of the season on Sunday.
The Super Bowl favorite Bills will welcome the lowly Saints to Buffalo, and oddsmakers are expecting it to get ugly.
Josh Allen and Co. are currently a 16.5-point favorite – the largest spread of the year thus far.
It would have been the second-largest spread of the season last year, trailing only an early January contest between the Ravens and Browns in Baltimore when the former was a 19.5 favorite.
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.
Eagles denied appeal of $75K fine for Big Dom using cellphone in prohibited area
The NFL fined the Philadelphia Eagles $75,000 because team official Dom DiSandro used his cellphone in a prohibited area during a preseason game on Aug. 22, two people with knowledge of the punishment told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Both people, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the league hasn’t disclosed the fine, said an appeal was denied. The NFL declined comment.
DiSandro, affectionately known as “Big Dom” throughout Philadelphia and across the NFL, is the senior adviser to general manager Howie Roseman, chief security officer and gameday coaching operations executive.
Use of cellphones and smart watches are not permitted in the locker room, coaches’ booth and team bench areas. DiSandro was spotted using his cellphone inside the bench area, both people said.
In 2023, the league fined the Eagles $100,000 and banned DiSandro from the sideline for the remainder of the regular season after he was involved in a sideline altercation with Dre Greenlaw during a game against San Francisco on Dec. 3.
NFL reporter Derrick Gunn was the first to report the recent fine.
___
Eagles denied appeal of $75K fine for Big Dom using a cellphone in a prohibited area
The NFL fined the Philadelphia Eagles $75,000 because team official Dom DiSandro used his cellphone in a prohibited area during a preseason game on Aug. 22, two people with knowledge of the punishment told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Both people, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the league hasn’t disclosed the fine, said an appeal was denied. The NFL declined comment.
DiSandro, affectionately known as “Big Dom” throughout Philadelphia and across the NFL, is the senior adviser to general manager Howie Roseman, chief security officer and gameday coaching operations executive.
Use of cellphones and smart watches are not permitted in the locker room, coaches’ booth and team bench areas. DiSandro was spotted using his cellphone inside the bench area, both people said.
In 2023, the league fined the Eagles $100,000 and banned DiSandro from the sideline for the remainder of the regular season after he was involved in a sideline altercation with Dre Greenlaw during a game against San Francisco on Dec. 3.
NFL reporter Derrick Gunn was the first to report the recent fine.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
NFL Pathetic-O-Meter: Predicting which 0-3 teams will get their first win in Week 4
There are six winless teams in the NFL entering Week 4 of the 2025 season, and based on the matchups, somebody out of that group is going to have to win a game this week. Let’s take a look at the six teams still vying for their first win and try to assess which ones have the best chance to get it this week.
Somebody has to win: Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets
More specifically, two of these teams are going to win this week because they are all playing each other. And if none of them get a win, that means a nearly unprecedented week of two ties, which might actually be kind of fitting given the way things have gone for this group.
The Texans seem to be the best bet out of this group to get a win for two reasons. The first is they have the best quarterback out of the four in C.J. Stroud.
They are also at home against a bad Titans team that is still playing with a rookie quarterback (Cam Ward) that is still trying to find his way in the NFL. Of the six win-less teams the Texans have by far the best roster on paper and are the most likely team to rebound and stay competitive. Whether or not they can actually do that remains to be seen. But they have the talent at some of the key positions. By default, that should leave the Titans as the least-likely out of this group.
The Jets and Dolphins, meanwhile, will subject the entire nation to their brand of football on Monday night, and it’s sure to go poorly for everybody. Miami put together a valiant effort against the Buffalo Bills last week and is coming in with some extra rest. That could help. It’s also a team that should be better than this.
The Jets are still trying to get rookie head coach Aaron Glenn his first win and are not that far away from being 2-1 as opposed to 0-3. They lost on a 60-yard field goal in Week 1, and then lost a crushing game in Tampa Bay this past Sunday. This one might be a coin-flip.
Not very likely to win: New York Giants
Maybe the Giants get the
Sean Payton Poaches NFL Employee After Broncos’ Back-to-Back Losses
Looks like Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos are doing everything they can to get back to winning ways after two back-to-back losses.
As Seth Walder reported, “The Broncos hired Meyappan Subbaiah as a Senior Data Scientist, per sources. Subbaiah had been a data scientist in the NFL league office and previously worked for Zelus Analytics.”
With his experience at the league office and Zelus Analytics, Subbaiah can analyze player performance, tendencies, and opponent strategies using advanced statistics and can help in several areas.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
This is a developing story…
Younghoe Koo lands an opportunity with new NFL team
The signing comes after Giants kicker Graham Gano suffered a groin injury in warmups before New York’s Sunday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Punter Jamie Gillan, who took Gano’s place to start the game, had his extra point try blocked after the Giants scored the game’s first touchdown.
Gano later returned to kick a 25-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter of the Giants’ 22-9 loss to the Chiefs.
Koo took over as the Falcons’ primary kicker midway through the 2019 season. He became the full-time starter in 2020, which was when he earned a Pro Bowl nod for converting on a career-best 94.9% of his field goal attempts. He remained an above-average kicker through the 2023 campaign.
Pro DE After Nick Bosa Injur…
The San Francisco 49ers began the year with one of the more intimidating defensive fronts in the NFL.
But that unit got a little less threatening after the season-ending ACL injury to former Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa in Sunday’s 16-15 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
It’s the second time in the last six seasons that Bosa’s year was ended before Week 4 due to an ACL injury. He missed 14 games during the 2020 season after tearing his other ACL in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears.
But the 49ers are in a precarious position.
They’re 3-0 and sit atop the NFC West, and despite injuries to quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle, and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, they still have a good shot of making some noise in the playoffs.
But they acquired edge-rusher Bryce Huff in the offseason to work opposite Bosa along the defensive line, not replace him.
The 28-year-old Huff likely isn’t ready to step into Bosa’s shoes, which is why Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard believes they should turn their attention toward the trade market — more specifically the Cincinnati Bengals.
More NFL: Andy Reid Breaks Silence on Suspended Chiefs Star Before Ravens Clash
More NFL: Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb to Miss Significant Time With Ankle Injury
“There’s one trade scenario that stands out far above other possibilities,” Kawakami wrote. “What about checking with the Cincinnati Bengals about Trey Hendrickson?
“… Hendrickson isn’t likely to cost the multiple first-round picks it took for the Packers to get Parsons from Dallas this month…I’ll put it this way: I don’t think that’s what it’d cost if Cincinnati is ready to trade Hendrickson.”
Kawakami posed a trade package that could pique the Bengals interest with several tiers that only sweeten the deal for Cincinnati provided Hendrickson hits certain thresholds.
His proposal would send first- and third-round picks in 2026 and a second-rounder in 2027 if Hendrickson plays at least 60% of the team’s remaining defensive snaps, the 49ers make it to the playoffs, and they sign him to a contract extension.
More NFL: Chiefs’ Andy Reid Doesn’t Hold Back on His Sideline Confrontation With Travis Kelce
He then poses a scenario where San Francisco parts with just its 2026 first-rounder if Hendrickson plays at least 60% of the snaps and the team reached the postseason but he doesn’t sign an extension, and another one where the 49ers surrender a 2026 second-rounder if Hendrickson plays less than 60% of the snaps or the team misses the playoffs.
“If the 49ers and Bengals can find a way to do something like this, it would get the Bengals the shot at quality compensation in a lost season for a player they’re likely losing anyway,” Kawakami reasoned.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan did tell reporters earlier this week that filling Bosa’s spot via trade is something the team is exploring.
Rams Urged To Sign Recently Released Super Bowl Winner
The Houston Texans have released defensive back CJ Gardner-Johnson after acquiring the player in the trade back in March.
Gardner-Johnson was released due to “friction behind the scenes,” according to Aaron Wilson. The defender was reportedly complaining about his role, wanting to blitz and mentioned being traded.
Now, the safety is without a team and should have several teams calling his camp about his talents. One NFL writer believes the Los Angeles Rams should go after CJ Gardner-Johnson as the team deals with blows to the secondary.
CJ Gardner-Johnson To LA?
The Los Angeles Rams lost one of their starting cornerbacks, Ahkello Witherspoon, to a broken collarbone. While Witherspoon has the opportunity to return late in the season, the Rams need assistance in the secondary regardless of position.
Sports Illustrated’s Brock Vierra believes the Rams should sign CJ Gardner-Johnson after his release.
“Gardner-Johnson is a proven winner who is willing to die on the field for his team as long as he’s emotionally invested in the cause and in my opinion, the cause in Houston was not a fit for him. Is Gardner-Johnson outspoken? Yes. Is he violent on the field? Yes. Does he voice his opinions, sometimes not in the best of ways? Yes,” Vierra wrote for Sports Illustrated. “When push comes to shove, Gardner-Johnson is the exact person anyone wants beside them on the wall when the invaders are at the gate. He’s perfect for the aggressive nature of this defense, his personality should assimilate well within the Rams.
“Gardner-Johnson is weird differently. That’s why he’s a great player. Teams also don’t win Super Bowls through the power of friendship. Plus, if the Rams don’t sign him, the [Philadelphia] Eagles probably will.”
CJGJ logged 15 tackles in his short stint with the Texans, with 11 of those tackles being solo takedowns.
Before being traded to Houston, Gardner-Johnson was a member of the 2025 Super Bowl-winning Eagles squad. In that season, the DB had 6 interceptions and 12 pass deflections.
Restructure of Secondary Room
The Los Angeles Rams have a solid safety group, led by Quentin Lake, who was voted a captain this season.
Lake has been receiving snaps at the nickel corner spot. If the Rams were to sign CJ Gardner-Johnson, Lake could make a switch to cornerback to deal with the injuries woes to the team and have CJGJ play in one of the safety spots.
In the recent matchup with the Eagles, Lake had a game high of 4 pass deflections, being a positive cover player against Devonta Smith and AJ Brown.
The Rams could benefit if Lake were to make a one-time season switch to corner, with a player knowing the defensive scheme Chris Shula runs instead of a whole new CB.
CJ Gardner-Johnson has Super Bowl-winning experience and could be a benefit to the defense at the safety position.
NFL Vet Makes Big Dante Moore Admission but Oregon Nation Learns Harsh Dillon Gabriel Truth
Before Bo Nix got to Eugene, he had already had experience of winning games in historic CFB cathedrals like Tiger Stadium (LSU) and Kyle Field (Texas A&M). His successor, Dillon Gabriel, won at Georgia Tech as Central Florida’s starter and beat BYU as a visitor with Oklahoma. Dante Moore will only play his first ranked team this weekend. So should he really be seated on the same table? An eight-year NFL veteran thinks so.
Former Oregon Ducks lineman and ex-Panther Geoff Schwartz is here with his hot take. “Dante Moore is better than Gabriel. It’s not debatable. He connects on throws that Gabriel only wishes he could make.” He posted on X. His reasoning? The kid’s outside throws. Schwartz even pulled out the receipts, posting a clip from the Oregon St. game where Moore uncorked a 45-yard beauty down the sideline. When Oregon fans pushed back, Schwartz doubled down. “Ppl arguing with me who don’t watch Oregon play is just peak Twitter. Gabriel made this throw zero times.”
That’s the sort of a bold claim that lights up message boards. And to be fair, Dante Moore does have a special knack for working the edges of the field. The arm talent is evident. Throwing velocity, placement, and a willingness to test the boundary windows Gabriel often left untouched during his Ducks run. It’s not all roses. Moore still struggles in the middle of the pocket. Reading coverage across the middle isn’t his strength yet, and defenses that disguise looks can bait him into hesitation. He has shown efficiency in his passing game, but on a relatively light workload compared to what Gabriel shouldered in 2023.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The sample size is small, and the stage has been relatively forgiving. #5’s only road wins as a starter? San Diego State, back when he was a UCLA freshman, and Northwestern three weeks ago in front of about 12,000 people at a pop-up stadium built on a lacrosse field. This week? Add 94,000 more voices, dressed in white, breathing down on him at Beaver Stadium.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Plus, Penn State isn’t just about atmosphere. James Franklin’s defense is giving up only 224 yards/game and already has seven interceptions in three contests. They’re athletic, disciplined, and also the exact type of group that exposes a young QB. It’s why Saturday feels like the first true test for QB1. Still, none of that erases Moore’s bright start. The 20-year-old has given the right amount of production required to win games. And win them well. He’s already thrown 11 touchdowns, matching what he did across nine appearances at UCLA. Penn State will be the perfect game to prove he belongs in the conversation that Schwartz insists Moore already owns.
But Moore needs to walk out of Happy Valley with either a win or show a heroic effort in the ensuing loss. Then Ducks fans can start whispering “Heisman” again. Maybe AD Rob Mullens really does need to save an extra December flight to New York. But if Moore falters, it will give the critics enough material to last the entire week.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
Franklin sizes up Dante Moore vs. Gabriel ahead of White Out
Even James Franklin isn’t ready to paint Dante Moore as a drastic departure from Dillon Gabriel, but he knows PSU’s defense will have its hands full. Breaking down the QBs this week, Franklin pointed out that Oregon’s system hasn’t skipped a beat despite the change under center.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“I don’t think it’s a whole lot different,” Franklin said. “He’s a throw-first guy. Very accurate, can extend plays. Obviously, has a ton of playmakers around him. They both had the ability to extend plays. I would say that Dante runs a little bit more. You know, runs a little bit more than maybe they had in the past. But the other guy was a really good athlete as well.”
Oregon currently boasts the nation’s seventh-ranked scoring offense, averaging 50.8 points per game. But it is also true that they are yet to face an opponent the likes of Penn State.
Shane Doan’s Wife Reveals Secret Help Pushing Arizona to Revive NHL Team
You can’t always just connect with a new place like Shane Doan did when he came to Arizona. But there is actually a deep reason behind everything just clicking from the get-go. “I think Shane being like a cowboy and a ranch guy, coming to Arizona was just the perfect fit for him,” Rich Nairn, the former Coyotes executive vice president, said in 2019 while talking about the winger’s legacy to AZ Central. “He was a great player but also he fell in love with this place. It was his second home. It became his new home.”
But as his legacy was getting more and more intertwined with Arizona, the Arizona people also fell in love with hockey, and the Coyotes became the symbol for the desert state. Though the Coyotes left Arizona last year, efforts to bring the team back have continued. But now those efforts have received a huge boost: Andrea Doan, Shane Doan’s wife, and the face of a fresh new endeavor to bring the team back, will play probably the most important role in bringing the NHL back to Arizona. But she won’t be alone. She already has big help come her way.
On September 23, Cameron Cox, the 12 News anchor, shared a clip on X from the interview they did with Andrea Doan and Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chair Thomas Galvin. There, she spoke about all the various aspects she is focusing on to make it a successful return for the Coyotes. And more importantly, she is adamant they will revive the Arizona Coyotes. Why? Because this is where passion meets the profit.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“I know people love hockey here and are huge Coyotes fans,” Andrea said in the clip. And being the fifth-largest metropolitan area in the nation comes with a vast market for the NHL to explore. Having a team here is a no-brainer. They just have to sort out the ownership and Arena problems. Talking about the support, she said, “The alumni here also is unbelievable. There are so many players that come back here.”
And they are ready to lend Andrea all the support she needs. “They all want to be involved, like they all want to get the team back.” In fact, one ex-Coyote is already making a big show of support. “Keith Yandle’s texting us this morning like, ‘I can’t wait. Come on Spittin’ Chicklets, this is so awesome.’” Well, it wouldn’t be surprising given Yandle’s first team was the Coyotes, and he spent 9 seasons there.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Spittin’ Chicklets platform would be huge for them to showcase their bid, to connect with a massive NHL fanbase, and get the revival movement proper on track. Mind you, the Spittin’ Chicklets will want the Coyotes to be back; their very own Paul Bissonnette was a Coyotes winger for 4 years. They have so many connections to this operation.
And with her intentions to not just bring the team back but also the Stanley Cup to Arizona, it would get so much mileage on the podcast; it won’t be long before candidates line up for ownership and being the host arena for the Coyotes. That’s the power of broadcast. But Andrea Doan has to spearhead it till the end. She has the all-important Doan connection.
Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports
Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Shane and Andrea Doan link that has gotten things started
Tom Galvin had made the key decision to set up a committee that would orchestrate the NHL Arizona revival plans. That was almost 9 months ago. Only on Monday, September 22, did he officially decide to make Andrea Doan the chair of that committee. Her connection to being Shane Doan’s wife doesn’t exactly explain her importance in this revival mission. But how she has lived and breathed this sport in Arizona for the last 20+ years puts her in the perfect position to helm this project.
In fact, even Shane Doan himself believes his wife is the person who can successfully oversee this in a way that fulfills the community’s needs while making it a successful business venture for the stakeholders. “She not only saw the game from the professional level, she sees it as a parent and for people that played or got to experience hockey with all the good that it can provide for a family and teaching kids and helping kids and giving them a community outside of just their family or their school. She has the ability to connect all of that,” the Coyotes legend said, according to Arizona Insider.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Andrea Doan had seen her husband go from a fan favorite to a hockey legend for the state. Then she raised her son, Josh Doan, to become a Coyote player. She had lived the previous history of the Coyotes. She knows why it all fell apart. So, Andrea Doan knows what ownership dynamics she needs to look for and which locale would provide the best host arena experience.
Now, it’s all about fast-tracking the process to bring the Arizona Coyotes back in the least possible time, especially with multiple cities vying to be the next franchise that enters the NHL.
Patrik Allvin weighs in on Braeden Cootes, Canucks’ recent signings, and more
The NHL season might be less than a week old, but Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin already had a lot to say when he met with reporters on Tuesday.
Looking on during the team’s practice at UBC, Allvin took stock of what he saw across the week of training camp in Penticton and his club’s preseason opening loss to the Kraken in Seattle.
“I thought the pace was good through the three days up [in Penticton]. A lot of young guys got a taste of it here, and the older guys picked it up too,” Allvin said. “It was a significantly higher pace in the drills that Adam and his staff was running here over the last couple days.”
“I thought we struggled a little bit earlier there in Seattle with a fairly young lineup. Tolopilo kept us in the game, played really well. I did like that there was no quit. The guys were playing hard to the end there, so good for them to have a day off yesterday and back at it here today.”
When it comes to how they want the Canucks to play, Allvin and Foote are on the same page about pace of play. Last season, the Canucks struggled to strike the right balance between attacking and defending, and Allvin knows that has to change for them to find success this season.
“The game is so fast now, and I think that’s [where] the eye test with the data test comes in, that the pace is higher,” Allvin said. “We’ve got a lot of guys who can skate, and Adam is running with simple, basic drills that you play fast, predictable hockey, so good for the players buying in there.”
If there was one topic Allvin knew he’d be asked about Tuesday, it was always going to be the impressive play of Braeden Cootes. The GM had a pretty glowing review of his top pick from June’s draft, calling Cootes’ early returns a ‘pleasant surprise’.
“We talked about his character and compete leading up to the draft. He’s taking an opportunity and earning another day, really fitting in well here and continue to practice with us.”
But Allvin was quick to sidestep any discussion about Cootes’ staying with the NHL club long term, seeing this more as a learning opportunity for him and the other prospects still skating with the team.
“For all the young players here, the mindset of earning another day, I don’t think they should look too far ahead of themselves,” Allvin said. “We all know that the veteran guys are picking it up here once we get closer to the opening night, so for them it’s just to learn every day, and I thought in this group practice today was hard.”
“So far, he’s definitely earned his way, and based on his performance in the first game, I would be hoping that he earned another game here.”
Tuesday’s scrum also marked the first availability since the Canucks signed draft picks Riley Patterson and Gabriel Chiarot to entry-level contracts. Both forwards were officially assigned back to their respective junior teams on Sunday, but Allvin noted the development he’s already seen – particularly from the older Patterson – in the short time since they each joined the organization.
“It’s more of a long-term commitment with a guy like Riley, and Gabe here as well,” Allvin said of his two newest signings. “My message to the players as of yesterday, nothing really changed. It’s actually getting harder now.
“We want to continue to work with both of them. But both of them were, in my opinion, really impressive in different ways. Obviously different style of players. Hopefully they feel good about themselves, but it’s just the start of the journey.”
Ahead of Wednesday night’s tilt in Abbotsford with the Calgary Flames, Allvin confirmed the first skating group would be ones in the lineup. Among them is Max Sasson, who’s expected to centre a line of Abbotsford legends with Arshdeep Bains and Linus Karlsson on his wings.
But that decision is a slight change of pace for Sasson, who’s spent most of his time with the NHL club as a winger himself. Allvin sees that two-position skillset as a part of the ‘adaptable’ game plan Foote is constructing.
“I think Max with his speed gives us a good opportunity to play as a center,” Allvin said. “I think this line played together last year in Abbotsford and played well here. With most of our guys, their ability to play two positions really helps us as well with the depth.”
Running the third line down the middle will be Aatu Räty, centering a line between Vitali Kravtsov and Chase Stillman. The 22-year-old Räty is entering a make or break year of sorts, as he looks to crack the NHL roster full time after being a key part of Abbotsford’s regular season success last season.
Allvin feels that he’s seen a more learned version of Räty so far. “I think he’s more confident coming in here this year. And I know it’s early here, but he’s a really talented player and I think he looks good so far in camp.”
With Räty (and Sasson) vying to fill the roster gap down the middle, Allvin thinks it’ll only serve to make him a stronger and more NHL-capable player. “It definitely helps the internal competition and helps the coaches with different options. And a center-ice man like [Räty], strong on faceoffs, strong two-way game, and his ability to produce as well definitely helps.”
San Jose Sharks’ John Klingberg out with upper body injury
SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks have their first notable injury of training camp, as veteran defenseman John Klingberg is now considered day-to-day with an upper body ailment.
Klingberg sustained the injury in the Sharks’ 3-0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday at SAP Center in the preseason opener for both teams. Klingberg played over 21 minutes and scored a second period power play goal.
Coach Ryan Warsofsky said it appears unlikely that Klingberg will be available Friday when the Sharks again host the Golden Knights. The Sharks are scheduled to practice Wednesday and Thursday with a team day off on Saturday.
Warsofsky said Klingberg’s injury is not related to the double hip resurfacing surgery he had in Dec. 2023 and kept him out for over a year. In January, Klingberg signed with the Edmonton Oilers and was part of the team’s run to the Stanley Cup Final in the spring.
Klingberg signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Sharks as a free agent in July.
Klingberg said at the start of camp last week that, “there’s no pain in the joint anymore, which is really nice, but (it’s) still a work in progress. It’s just going to be week by week here. But it’s better than it’s been in the past, but it’s just getting used to the new normal.”
Klingberg, 33, figures to be a big part of the Sharks power play this season. Of his 416 career NHL points, 160 have come with the man advantage.
Sam Dickinson, the Sharks’ top prospect on defense, took Klinbgerg’s spot on the first power play unit during Tuesday’s drills. Other skaters on that unit were forwards Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, William Eklund, and Tyler Toffoli.
Blues tinker with lineup to bring NHL look to training camp
On the fifth day of training camp, the Blues presented a first look at what could be molded into an NHL lineup on opening night in less than three weeks.
During practice Tuesday morning, the Blues ran out forward lines and defensive pairings that could — with some slight adjustments — become the ones that face the Wild on Oct. 9. Here were the NHL-relevant combinations:
Pavel Buchnevich — Robert Thomas — Jimmy Snuggerud
Dylan Holloway — Pius Suter — Jordan Kyrou
Jake Neighbours — Brayden Schenn — Mathieu Joseph
Alexandre Texier — Nick Bjugstad — Justin Carbonneau
Alexey Toropchenko — Oskar Sundqvist — Nathan Walker
Milan Lucic — Dalibor Dvorsky — Otto Stenberg
Cam Fowler — Colton Parayko
Philip Broberg — Justin Faulk
Tyler Tucker — Logan Mailloux
Theo Lindstein — Matthew Kessel
“We want to put guys back together that have played together before or see some guys that are new with other players that have been here,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “That was a little bit (of the thinking) behind it. We’re starting to get people together that we think might be part of our lineup.”
Previously in training camp, the Blues mixed and matched their lines and pairs. On the first two days of camp, they placed a young prospect with two veterans in order to give them an opportunity to show themselves and also to ask experienced players to elevate others. Then came jumbled groups due to preseason games on Saturday in Dallas and Sunday in Columbus and an off-day Monday.
Tuesday offered a look into the ongoing battles in training camp.
The biggest one is the race for the final spot in the bottom six, notably on the wing of the third line, which could impact what happens on the fourth line, of course.
The Blues used newcomer Pius Suter as the second-line center between Dylan Holloway and Jordan Kyrou, pushing captain Brayden Schenn to third-line duty.
It was Jake Neighbours’ first day back skating with the club after missing the first three days due to personal reasons, and he took his position on Schenn’s wing. That Mathieu Joseph was the player that joined them was a mild surprise.
“I think his habits and his details have been better,” Montgomery said of Joseph. “He’s really made an effort to be really good with his stick on the forecheck, his stick in the D-zone, in tracking situations. He’s playing fast. He’s hitting holes with his speed, which is always very noticeable. But now he’s having time and space with the puck because of those things.”
If the fourth line ends up as it was in practice, with Alexey Toropchenko and Nathan Walker flanking Oskar Sundqvist, that leaves Nick Bjugstad without a home. He could be an easy fit at right wing on the third line, even if he has played exclusively center during training camp.
The three recent first-round forwards (Justin Carbonneau, Dalibor Dvorsky and Otto Stenberg) remain in notable positions to battle for a roster spot, though it might appear that Carbonneau could be more highly regarded at this moment as at least one player on his line (Bjugstad) is guaranteed to be in the NHL this fall.
“We have a lot of guys,” Montgomery said. “Camp is only five days going or six days going. We have a lot of days left here before (the regular season). Everyone’s going to be moved around here, right wing and center, and seeing different people with different combinations.”
On the back end, the defense unfurled as anticipated on Tuesday morning.
The top pair of Cam Fowler and Colton Parayko remained steady, as did the second pair of Philip Broberg and Justin Faulk. Tyler Tucker and Logan Mailloux formed a new third pair that should be physical and balanced between Tucker’s defensive skills and Mailloux’s offensive ones.
Lucic leaves practice early
Forward Milan Lucic, trying to earn an NHL contract in St. Louis, left the ice early during the late group on Tuesday. Montgomery said Lucic tweaked his groin on a rut in the ice and is 50-50 to participate in practice on Wednesday.
When Lucic was first injured, he whacked his stick on the top of the boards in front of the bench in frustration.
If the injury hampers Lucic throughout the remainder of camp, it will hurt his chances of making the team. The 37-year-old winger has not played professionally in almost two years.
AHL-contracted forward Matthew Peca was not on the ice for practice Tuesday after getting injured late in Sunday’s practice. Montgomery said he was also 50-50 to practice on Wednesday.
Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter
Sent weekly directly to your inbox!
* I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Matthew DeFranks | Post-Dispatch
Hockey reporter
Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!
Your notification has been saved.
There was a problem saving your notification.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Followed notifications
Please log in to use this feature
Log In
Don’t have an account? Sign Up Today
Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin releases new cereal to celebrate making NHL history
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is celebrating his historic, record-breaking season with a new cereal called “Ovi’s Great Crunch.”
“It’s crunch time,” Ovechkin said. “The most important thing is my kids love it.”
The NHL’s all-time goals leader surprised grocery shoppers on Tuesday at a Giant Food store on Wisconsin Avenue in Northwest D.C. Ovechkin handed out boxes of cereal, worked the checkout line and poured the milk at a cereal bar. He also joined a group of kids trying their first bowls of Ovi’s Great Crunch.
One boy said the cereal “tastes like winning.” Another person joked that he hopes the classic cornflakes make him better at hockey.
A box costs $2.99, with a portion of sales going to charity, including Ovechkin’s THE GR8 CHASE for Victory Over Cancer fund.
Ovi’s Great Crunch is available for a limited time, only at Giant Food. It’s their second cereal collaboration with the Russian hockey star — you may remember “Ovi O’s” in 2019.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
© 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
NHL writer explains reasons for Rangers’ optimism in 2025-26 season
The New York Rangers have reasons for optimism for the 2025-26 season, despite having missed the playoffs in the previous NHL campaign.
The Athletic’s Vince Mercogliano argued that things cannot go worse than last year for the Rangers, and that the hiring of new coach Mike Sullivan, the appointment of a new captain and new reinforcements can only be positive.
Scotty Bowman and Ron Francis headline the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Hall of Fame class of 2025
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Scotty Bowman and Ron Francis headline the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Hall of Fame class of 2025.
Bowman, the NHL’s all-time winningest coach, and Francis, the league’s fifth all-time leading scorer, were both important members of the Pittsburgh teams of the early 1990s that claimed the franchise’s first two Stanley Cups.
The duo, both of whom are in the Hockey Hall of Fame, will be joined by forward Kevin Stevens and former coach/general manager Eddie Johnston during an on-ice ceremony when the Penguins host Columbus on Oct. 25.
All four inductees played a role in Pittsburgh becoming one of the league’s marquee attractions during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Johnston was the general manager when the Penguins drafted Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux with the first overall pick in 1984 and later served as the club’s head coach from 1993-97.
Bowman was Pittsburgh’s director of player personnel during the 1990-91 season, during which he helped the club bring in a series of veterans — including Francis — to round out a roster ready to compete for a title. Bowman took over as head coach in 1991 after Bob Johnson was forced to step down because of a brain cancer diagnosis shortly after leading the Penguins to a championship.
Pittsburgh won its second straight Stanley Cup in 1992 with Bowman behind the bench. He then guided the Penguins to the Presidents’ Trophy in 1992-93 but exited the following offseason in a contract dispute.
Francis spent eight seasons in Pittsburgh after coming over in a trade with the Hartford Whalers. He scored 164 goals to go with 449 assists with the Penguins, adding another 100 points in the playoffs.
Stevens was a three-time All-Star across his two stints in Pittsburgh, scoring 260 goals and adding 295 assists in 522 games with the club.
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL
Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Scotty Bowman, Ron Francis make Penguins’ Hall of Fame class
PITTSBURGH — Scotty Bowman and Ron Francis headline the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Hall of Fame class of 2025.
Bowman, the NHL’s all-time winningest coach, and Francis, the league’s fifth all-time leading scorer, were both important members of the Pittsburgh teams of the early 1990s that claimed the franchise’s first two Stanley Cups.
The duo, both of whom are in the Hockey Hall of Fame, will be joined by forward Kevin Stevens and former coach/general manager Eddie Johnston during an on-ice ceremony when the Penguins host Columbus on Oct. 25.
All four inductees played a role in Pittsburgh becoming one of the league’s marquee attractions during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Johnston was the general manager when the Penguins drafted Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux with the first overall pick in 1984 and later served as the club’s head coach from 1993-97.
Bowman was Pittsburgh’s director of player personnel during the 1990-91 season, during which he helped the club bring in a series of veterans — including Francis — to round out a roster ready to compete for a title. Bowman took over as head coach in 1991 after Bob Johnson was forced to step down because of a brain cancer diagnosis shortly after leading the Penguins to a championship.
Pittsburgh won its second straight Stanley Cup in 1992 with Bowman behind the bench. He then guided the Penguins to the Presidents’ Trophy in 1992-93 but exited the following offseason in a contract dispute.
Francis spent eight seasons in Pittsburgh after coming over in a trade with the Hartford Whalers. He scored 164 goals to go with 449 assists with the Penguins, adding another 100 points in the playoffs.
Stevens was a three-time All-Star across his two stints in Pittsburgh, scoring 260 goals and adding 295 assists in 522 games with the club.
Sept. 23: NHL Preseason Roundup
Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki each had a goal and an assist, and the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 at Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday.
Defenseman Arber Xhekaj and forward Florian Xhekaj, brothers playing as teammates for the first time, also scored for Montreal (2-0-0). Jakub Dobes stopped all nine shots he faced, and Kaapo Kahkonen made 10 saves on 12 shots in relief after entering midway through the second period.
Kahkonen was making his Canadiens debut after signing a one-year contract July 1.
Anthony Richard and Owen Tippett scored for Philadelphia (1-1-0). Samuel Ersson made seven saves on nine shots before being replaced by Aleksei Kolosov (12 saves) to start the second.
Caufield gave Montreal a 1-0 lead 53 seconds into the first period, scoring on the rush with a one-timer from the left face-off circle.
Florian Xhekaj then made it 2-0 at 9:58 with a wrist shot from the right circle. The 21-year-old, who has not played in an NHL regular-season game, played with Laval, the Canadiens’ American Hockey League affiliate, last season.
Richard pulled the Flyers within 2-1 on a breakaway at 11:11 of the second period, beating Kahkonen to the blocker side.
Suzuki extended the lead to 3-1 at 16:05. He scored with a wrist shot from the right dot off a pass from Juraj Slafkovsky.
Tippett cut it to 3-2 with a power-play goal at 17:35, putting a shot from low in the left circle inside the near post.
Arber Xhekaj scored a short-handed goal into an empty net with 14 seconds remaining for the 4-2 final.
Bruins 5, Rangers 4 (OT): Nikita Zadorov scored at 3:25 of overtime to give the Boston Bruins a comeback win against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Zadorov took a pass up ice from Marat Khusnutdinov, curled past the Rangers net and into the right circle before firing a wrist shot past Talyn Boyko.
Michael Eyssimont had two goals and an assist for the Bruins (1-1-0) and Khusnutdinov had a goal and an assist. Joonas Korpisalo made 31 saves on 34 shots.
Trey Fix-Wolansky, Gabe Perreault, Sam Carrick and Vladislav Gavrikov scored for the Rangers (1-0-1). Igor Shesterkin made 10 saves before being relieved halfway through the second period by Boyko, who made 20 saves.
Matej Blumel tapped in a pass from Casey Mittelstadt in front of the net to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead at 8:30 of the first period.
Just 44 seconds later, Fix-Wolansky tied the game 1-1 for the Rangers, scoring off his own rebound at 9:14.
Perreault scored for the second time in two preseason games with a wrist shot from the top of the left circle for a 2-1 Rangers lead at 3:25 of the second period.
Carrick controlled a loose puck when the Bruins turned it over trying to clear the zone and skated down the slot to score from the netfront on Korpisalo for a 3-1 lead at 9:53.
Gavrikov, who signed a seven-year, $49 million contract with the Rangers on July 1, scored a short-handed goal put the Rangers up 4-1 at 11:07.
Eyssimont swiped the puck from Adam Fox and beat Boyko high to the glove side with a backhand to cut the lead to 4-2 at 7:05 of the third period.
Eyssimont went top shelf from the right circle at 11:11 to make it 4-3.
With the Boston net empty, Khusnutdinov tied the game 4-4 with 1:05 remaining.
Red Wings 3, Blackhawks 2: Connor Bedard scored for the Chicago Blackhawks in their loss to the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
It was the preseason opener for each team.
It was also the first game as Chicago coach for Jeff Blashill, who was hired May 22. He coached Detroit for seven seasons from 2015-22.
Arvid Soderblom made 40 saves for the Blackhawks.
Emmitt Finnie scored the go-ahead goal in the third period and had an assist, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard had two assists for the Red Wings, also playing their first preseason game. Sebastian Cossa made 15 saves.
Carter Mazur made it 1-0 for Detroit with a power-play goal at 14:26 of the first period, scoring from the low slot off a no-look, between-the-legs pass by Finnie.
Bedard tied it 1-1 on the power play at 2:41 of the second period. He took a feed from Sam Rinzel and scored with a one-timer from the top of the left face-off circle.
The Red Wings went back ahead 2-1 at 4:21 on Nate Danielson’s redirection of William Wallinder’s shot.
Wyatt Kaiser tied it 2-2 at 6:23 of the third with a wrist shot through traffic.
Finnie made it 3-2 at 12:38 when he put in a rebound at the side of the net after Soderblom stopped a Brandsegg-Nygard shot from the slot.
Devils 6, Islanders 2: Jack Hughes had two assists in his first game since March 2 for the New Jersey Devils against the New York Islanders at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Hughes missed the final 19 games of last season after undergoing surgery for a shoulder injury on March 5.
Connor Brown and Evgenii Dadonov each scored in his Devils debut, and Dawson Mercer and Dougie Hamilton each had a goal and an assist.
Brown (four-year, $12 million contract), and Dadonov (one year, $1 million) both signed with New Jersey (1-1-0) on July 1.
Jacob Markstrom allowed one goal on three shots for the Devils before being replaced by Georgi Romanov with 16 seconds remaining in the first period. Romanov stopped 11 of 12 shots in relief.
Emil Heineman and Calum Ritchie each scored in his Islanders (0-1-1) debut. Marcus Hogberg stopped 22 of 25 shots before he was replaced midway through the second period by Tristan Lennox, who allowed three goals on 13 shots.
Hamilton’s power-play goal gave the Devils a 1-0 lead at 13:52 of the first period, a one-timer from just behind the left face-off circle off a cross-ice pass from Hughes.
Heineman tied it 1-1 at 15:56 with a wrist shot from the slot after New Jersey recorded the first 14 shots on goal. He was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens on June 27, along with two first-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft, in the trade for defenseman Noah Dobson.
Nico Hischier put the Devils back in front 2-1 with a power-play goal 44 seconds into the second period on a one-timer from the right circle.
Brown extended it to 3-1 at 9:31 of the second period, scoring on a wrist shot from the right face-off dot.
Mercer’s one-timer 1:08 later pushed it to 4-1 at 10:39 off an assist from Timo Meier.
Ethan Edwards made it 5-1 at 4:52 of the third period before Dadonov extended it to 5-1 at 6:53.
Ritchie scored a power-play goal at 10:09 to cut it to 6-2. The 20-year-old forward, who was the No. 27 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche on March 6 as part of the trade for Brock Nelson.
Senators 3, Maple Leafs 2 (OT): Shane Pinto scored twice, including the overtime winner, and the Ottawa Senators rallied for the win against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Pinto slipped behind the defense, skated in alone and sent a wrist shot past Artur Akhtyamov 16 seconds into overtime.
Auston Matthews and Bobby McMann scored, and Matias Maccelli had two assists for the Maple Leafs (1-0-1). Dennis Hildeby made 23 saves in two periods and Akhtyamov stopped 15 of 18 shots in relief.
Fabian Zetterlund scored, and Leevi Merilainen allowed two goals on 25 shots in the first two periods for the Senators (1-1-0). Hunter Shepard stopped all eight shots he faced.
Matthews opened the scoring 4:24 into the first period, finishing off a give-and-go with Oliver Ekman-Larsson with a wrist shot from the slot.
McMann pushed it to 2-0 with a power-play goal at 18:23.
Zetterlund cut the lead to 2-1 at 7:33 of the third period with a short-handed goal when he tapped in a rebound in front off a Donovan Sebrango shot.
Pinto tied it at 2-2 on the power play at 17:58 with Shepard pulled for the extra attacker.
Sabres 2, Blue Jackets 1: Jason Zucker scored the go-ahead goal in the third period to help the Buffalo Sabres to the win against the Columbus Blue Jackets at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Zucker gave the Sabres a 2-1 lead at 11:57 of the third. Konsta Helenius couldn’t get a shot off in front, but the puck went to Zucker to the right of the net for the goal.
Alex Lyon, who signed a two-year contract with Buffalo on July 1, allowed a goal on 14 shots in two periods in his debut with the Sabres (2-0-0). Devon Levi made five saves in relief.
Ivan Fedotov made 24 saves in two periods and Zach Sawchenko allowed a goal on nine shots in relief for the Blue Jackets (1-2-0).
Miles Wood gave the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead at 8:37 of the second period on the power play when he deflected Daemon Hunt’s point shot past Lyon.
Tage Thompson tied it 1-1 for the Sabres at 17:54, scoring on a one-timer off a Zach Benson feed from behind the net.
Oilers 3, Jets 2: Jonathan Toews made his debut for the Winnipeg Jets in a loss to the Edmonton Oilers at Canada Life Centre.
The 37-year-old-forward, who signed a one-year contract with the Jets on July 1, was minus-1 in 18:36 of ice time. He left the NHL following the 2022-23 season after battling ongoing health issues through his final few seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Quinn Hutson and Isaac Howard scored for the Oilers (2-0-1), and Calvin Pickard stopped all eight shots before being replaced midway in the second period by Matt Tomkins. Tomkins made 13 saves. Noah Philp had two assists.
Colin Miller and Colby Barlow scored, and Brad Lambert had two assists for the Jets (0-1-1). Eric Comrie allowed three goals on 17 shots.
Hutson put the Oilers up 1-0 at 7:39 of the second period when his backhander deflected in off the skate of Jets defenseman Kale Clague.
Miller tied it 1-1 at 15:23 with a wrist shot through traffic from the left point.
Howard put Edmonton back up 2-1 at 17:28 on the power play. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins sent a cross-ice pass to Howard in the right circle, who one-timed it past Comrie.
Howard, a 21-year-old forward, had 52 points (26 goals, 26 assists) in 37 games at Michigan State University and won the Hobey Baker Award as the best player in the NCAA last season. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract after being traded to Edmonton from the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 8.
Ty Emberson increased the lead to 3-1 at 11:57 of the third period with a wrist shot from the right circle that went in off the far post.
Barlow scored on a deflection at 18:49 for the 3-2 final.
Stars 3, Wild 2 (OT): Tyler Seguin scored at 1:52 of overtime to give the Dallas Stars the win against the Minnesota Wild at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
Seguin tapped in a cross-ice pass from Miro Heiskanen on the rush for the winning goal.
Seguin and Jason Robertson each had a goal and an assist for the Stars (2-0-0) and Jake Oettinger made 19 saves.
David Jiricek and Ben Gleason scored for the Wild (1-0-1) and Cal Petersen made 34 saves.
Jiricek scored on the power play to give the Wild a 1-0 lead at 9:35 of the first period.
Mikko Rantanen scored with a wrist shot on the rush from the right circle off a cross-ice pass from Robertson 17 seconds into the third period, tying the game 1-1.
Robertson then scored at 3:18, jamming in a loose puck to give Dallas a 2-1 lead.
Gleason scored off a snap shot at the top of the slot to tie the game 2-2 at 7:39.