MANALAPAN, Fla. — Don Waddell went to bed on Jan. 12 knowing he wanted to make a coaching change. He made a list with five names.
The Columbus Blue Jackets general manager woke up at 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 13, hours before he was scheduled to meet with and inform ownership about his plan to replace former coach Dean Evason and thought of a sixth name.
“I woke up thinking Rick Bowness,” Waddell said on this week’s episode of the “NHL @TheRink” podcast.
One problem.
“I hadn’t talked to him or anything,” Waddell said. “So, I didn’t call him. I waited until I went and met with ownership, and once I met with ownership and Mike Priest, my boss, and said, ‘You know, this is what I recommend.’ They said, ‘Well, who are you going to replace him with?’ I said, ‘Give me a couple hours, I don’t have that yet.’”
Waddell called Bowness when he finished with the meeting, and, as it’s well known now, reached him while he was on his boat with his wife Judy near their Florida home.
After some small talk, Waddell asked Bowness if he missed coaching. When he heard, ‘Yes,’ he asked the 70-year-old coaching lifer if wanted to return.
“He goes, ‘For sure, but give me 10 minutes, let me talk to my wife,’” Waddell said. “He called me back in two minutes and said, ‘We’re all in.’ That’s how fast it happened and we’re very lucky for it.”
The Blue Jackets are 16-2-4 in 22 games since Bowness coached his first game on Jan. 13, including a 5-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. They have climbed the standings and are one point back of a wild card in the Eastern Conference, and two points behind for third place in the Metropolitan Division.
Their .818 points percentage is the best in the League since Jan. 13. They’re scoring 3.64 goals per game and allowing 2.55 with a power play that is clicking at 25.0 percent and a penalty kill at 80.7 percent.
“When I went to ownership I said, ‘I can’t guarantee you wins and losses — let’s see how things go — but I know one thing, what Rick will bring to the table is something we need with communication with the players and making our young players better,’” Waddell said. “So, that was the way I approached it and obviously it’s worked out pretty well so far.”
Listen to the latest episode of the “NHL @TheRink” podcast for more from Waddell on Bowness, the Blue Jackets’ rise under the coach, why he acquired forward Conor Garland before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, and some thoughts on the subjects being discussed at the NHL General Managers meetings
In addition, co-hosts Dan Rosen and Shawn P. Roarke breakdown the playoff races in each conference, detail the impact of Leon Draisaitl’s lower-body injury that will keep him out of the Edmonton Oilers lineup for the remainder of the regular season, discuss some of the storylines coming out of the GM meetings and go over New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer’s successful first game in Toronto in front of a large gathering of friends and family.
Blue Jackets ‘very lucky’ to hire Bowness, GM says
NHL EDGE stats: Kucherov building strong case for Hart Trophy
Nikita Kucherov continues to dominate offensively for the Tampa Bay Lightning this season and is building a strong case for the Hart Trophy with elite advanced metrics.
Kucherov, who has won back-to-back Art Ross trophies and is contending for another this season (111 points in 62 games; second behind Connor McDavid’s 115 in 69 games) for Tampa Bay, which has dealt with injuries to key players for much of the season. Kucherov, who won the Hart Trophy in 2019, has been a finalist for the Hart each of the past two seasons.
The 32-year-old, who has missed four games himself this season, has been on a scoring rampage in recent months. Since Nov. 19, 2025, Kucherov leads the NHL with 93 points (28 goals, 65 assists), the most by any NHL player in a 45-game span during a single season since Mario Lemieux in 1995-96. It’s worth noting Kucherov was as many as 22 points back of the NHL’s scoring lead earlier this season (prior to games Dec. 27).
Kucherov leads the NHL in four-point games (eight), four-assist games (three), multiassist games (22) and is second in multipoint games (36) behind McDavid (37). He’s also leading the NHL in points per game (1.79) for the season at large.
3. Shots by location
Kucherov is tied for ninth among forwards in long-range shots on goal (29) and ranks in the 95th percentile at the position in midrange shots on goal (68), high-danger goals (15), midrange goals (10) and long-range goals (two) this season. He also ranks tied for third in high-danger shooting percentage (41.7) indicating his finishing ability is the cause for this season’s goal scoring surge.
Kucherov, who is tied for fifth in the entire NHL in goals (37), is on pace for his fourth career 40-goal season which would tie him with Point for the second most in Lightning history behind Stamkos (seven).
Behind Kucherov’s charge up the scoring race, the Lighting are heading toward their first division crown since the 2018-19 season and possibly their fourth trip to the Stanley Cup Final over the past seven seasons. Kucherov could put himself in the company of former Lightning standout, Martin St. Louis, who is the most-recent NHL player to win the Hart Trophy and Stanley Cup in the same season (2003-04).
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Steelers Receive Notable Grade After Active Free Agency Period
There is no doubt that the Pittsburgh Steelers were one of the more active teams during the NFL’s early free agency window. They addressed both the offense and the defense with significant moves that came via actual signings and a trade. After adding notable defenders such as cornerback Jamel Dean and defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day, along with a star wide receiver in Michael Pittman Jr., the team looks much stronger.
These moves are why Pittsburgh received a strong grade from Pro Football Focus. In fact, the Steelers were one of three NFL teams that earned a B+ grade in free agency from PFF.
Watch Out for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026
After winning 10 games, along with the AFC North, in former head coach Mike Tomlin‘s final season with the organization last year, the Steelers are continuing to build as opposed to starting a rebuild.
On offense, Steelers GM Omar Khan traded for a two-time 1,000-yard wide receiver in Pittman, which adds to the size in the wide receiver room. Furthermore, the Steelers signed back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher Rico Dowdle after losing team MVP Kenneth Gainwell to the Buccaneers in free agency.
Defensively, the addition of Dean, a former Super Bowl champion, brings over 61 career pass deflections from his seven years in Tampa Bay. He can help shore up the cornerback position, as does the re-signing of veteran Asante Samuel Jr. Furthermore, former Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker comes over on a one-year deal after recording at least 90 combined tackles in three of his first four NFL seasons in the Windy City.
Along the defensive interior, Joseph-Day played in all 17 games for the second consecutive season and notched six quarterback hits. He can help provide stability next to future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Cam Heyward, who was extended this offseason.
Aaron Rodgers Can Take the Steelers Far If He Returns
Of course, the biggest question hanging over the Steelers is that of four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion Aaron Rodgers. Will the future first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback return for at least one more season? If he does, he will be playing for his old head coach with the Green Bay Packers, Mike McCarthy, whom he has already spoken to this offseason. After witnessing what he did in 2025, Steelers fans should want him back.
As the team’s starter, he went 10-6 and posted a modest passer rating of 94.8. After notching 25 total touchdowns and seven interceptions in the regular season, Rodgers led the Steelers to their first AFC North title in five years. In a win-or-go-home game in the final week of the regular season against the arch-rival Baltimore Ravens, Rodgers came up clutch by throwing for 294 yards and hitting wide receiver Calvin Austin III for the game-winning touchdown in the final minute.
His familiarity with the organization and its new head coach could be enough to bring him back. If he does return, the sky could be the limit for the team.
How to watch the Fanatics Flag Football Classic on FOX
NFL stars and entertainers are hitting the field to compete in the inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic airing on FOX.
NFL legend Tom Brady, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow and Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels will serve as the quarterbacks for two of the teams in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic.
Big picture view:
A pool of players will be drafted by either Brady and Hurts’ Founder FCC or Burrow and Daniels’ Wildcats FCC on Wednesday, which is three days before the game.
FILE-Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady come together as they join Fanatics, FOX Sports and OBB Media to announce their inaugural flag football event at Allegiant Stadium on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton will coach Founders FFC and San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan will coach Wildcats FFC. And Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh will be the defensive specialist for both teams.
RELATED: NFL considering expanding Thanksgiving games with this lineup
NFL legends Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald, who were both just voted for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, will be commissioners for the game, with actor and comedian Kevin Hart serving as the host of the event along with fellow actor and comedian Druski.
Two teams, plus the United States’ men’s national flag football team, are going to compete in a round-robin tournament in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, which is also the venue where flag football debuts for the 2028 Olympics.
Here’s what you need to know about Fanatics Flag Football Classic.
How to watch the Fanatics Flag Football Classic?
What you can do:
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic will air live on FOX, FOX One and Tubi at 4 p.m. ET on March 21, and the game will also be streamed internationally on the Fanatics YouTube channel.
Tom Brady talks Fanatics Flag Football Classic
What they’re saying:
Tom Brady sat down for a recent interview with FOX to discuss the upcoming Fanatics Flag Football Classic. “Everybody wanted to play. And I think everyone wants to kind of see where they’re at in terms of this game. It’s been kind of a focus of the Pro Bowl games over the years, but this game is gonna be a lot different. It’s gonna be way more competitive.”
“Guys really kind of want to feel it out because I think a lot of these guys that are playing in this game want to go for the gold in a couple years,” Brady continued. “So to test their skillset, to see where they are at, to understand the differences in the competitive game of football that so many of the pros have played, but now, okay, you’re going to a different, a little bit of a different sport, a little different format. But we’re gonna see who really matches up.”
Which NFL stars and entertainers are competing in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic?
NFL players
A number of past and present NFL players have been announced as competitors in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic.
Ashton Jeanty (Las Vegas Raiders)
Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints)
Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles)
Davante Adams (Los Angeles Rams)
DeVonta Smith (Philadelphia Eagles)
Deebo Samuel (NFL free agent)
Stefon Diggs (NFL free agent)
DeAndre Hopkins (NFL free agent)
Kyle Juszczyk (San Francisco 49ers)
Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns)
Derwin James Jr. (Los Angeles Chargers)
Tyrann Mathieu (NFL legend)
Von Miller (NFL free agent)
Jalen Ramsey (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Luke Kuechly (NFL legend, Pro Football inductee for 2026)
Rob Gronkowski (NFL legend, FOX Sports analyst)
Odell Beckham Jr. (NFL legend)
Entertainers
Logan Paul (Boxer, wrestler, social media influencer)
Terrence “Bud” Crawford (Boxing legend)
IShowSpeed (YouTuber and streamer)
Who are the United States’ men’s national flag football team players competing in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic?
Here’s the full roster for the United States’ men’s national flag football team that will compete in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic.
Aamir Brown, DB/WR
Tyler Davis, WR/DB
Darrell “Housh” Doucette III, QB/ATH
Velton Brown Jr., WR/DB
Isaiah Calhoun, DB/WR
Ja’Deion High, WR/DB
Nico Casares, QBJamie Kennedy, DB/WR
Mike Daniels, DB/WR
Shawn Theard Jr., Rusher/WR
Laval Davis, WR/Rusher
Laderrick “Pablo” Smith, WR/QB
Fanatics Flag Football Classic game format
Dig deeper:
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic will be played with the same rules as flag football is played for the 2028 Summer Olympics. According to FOX Sports, the game will consist of two 15-minute halves with a running clock on a 50×25 yard field. Each team is only allowed five players on the field at a time. The three teams are competing in a round-robin tournament and once those games are played, the top two teams advance to the championship game.
Lane Kiffin Hires Ex-NFL Coach With Past Ties for Key LSU Role: Report
A familiar reunion is set to spark fresh energy in Baton Rouge. After landing an elite QB like Sam Leavitt and bringing in an OC like Charlie Weis Jr., LSU’s new head coach, Lane Kiffin, doesn’t leave any chance to boost its 2026 offense. As a result, he has hired a new staff member with NFL experience.
Former Ravens QB coach Tee Martin has joined the Tigers as an offensive analyst, linking back up with Lane Kiffin.
Lane Kiffin and Tee Martin have a relationship spanning over a decade, primarily rooted in their time together at USC. Kiffin first hired Martin as the WRs coach at USC in 2012. Then Martin remained on the Trojans’ staff even after Kiffin’s mid-season firing in 2013, eventually rising to OC. However, their connection didn’t end there.
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When Kiffin took the head coaching job at Ole Miss in 2020, he offered Martin the OC position, but the ex-NFL coach chose to remain at his alma mater, Tennessee, at that time. Besides that, their relationship was close enough in 2017, when Kiffin was the head coach at Florida Atlantic, and he famously offered a scholarship to Martin’s then-13-year-old son, Kaden Martin.
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Now, with this kind of past ties, Martin makes the move after a solid stint with the Ravens, where he spent five seasons, including the last three as QB coach. Before that, he coached wide receivers, too. However, prior to his NFL chapter, Martin spent over a decade in the collegiate ranks, including a notable stretch at Tennessee, where he served as passing-game coordinator, assistant head coach, and WRs coach.
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Now reunited with Kiffin, Martin’s arrival signals LSU’s intent to sharpen its attack heading into the 2026 season.
This is a developing story…
2026 NFL mock draft roundup: Predictions for Patriots’ first-round pick
If the Patriots trade for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, they might have to give up their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Denver Broncos had to part with first- and third-round picks to acquire Miami Dolphins wideout Jaylen Waddle and a fourth-rounder earlier this week.
But in the event the Patriots don’t trade the No. 31 overall pick, which position should they upgrade in Round 1?
Despite a lack of a No. 1 WR and the need for more offensive line depth, many experts are predicting the Patriots will bolster their defense in the first round.
Edge rusher is a weakness Mike Vrabel’s team must address. The Patriots ranked 26th in sacks, 20th in sack percentage and 23rd in opponent’s time to throw last season, per Next Gen Stats, and that was before they lost pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson in free agency.
More depth at safety is needed, too, despite the recent addition of veteran Kevin Byard. Targeting a linebacker also makes sense after the Pats released Anfernee Jennings earlier this month.
The 2026 class is loaded with impressive prospects who rush the passer, so the Patriots should be able to boost their front seven in this draft. Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest ESPN mock draft has nine front seven players being taken in Round 1.
Which specific players should the Patriots consider targeting with the No. 31 overall pick in the draft? Here’s a roundup of the latest expert predictions from mock drafts.
Phil Perry, NBC Sports Boston: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri
“You don’t have to watch Young for very long to see that there is violence to his game. Both against the run and the pass, the Michigan State transfer uses whatever force he can muster with his imposing 6-foot-6, 262-pound frame to dispose of blockers and hunt down ball-carriers. He has the length (33-inch arms) and power to be able to bull-rush opposing tackles on his way to quarterbacks. Against the run, he uses those same traits to bully tackles and tight ends relentlessly.
“Young might not be the most polished pass-rusher in the class, but he generated 6.5 sacks and 52 pressures for the Tigers last season, per Pro Football Focus. He was also one of the best players at this year’s Senior Bowl, and at 22 years old still has loads of room to develop.”
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
“The Patriots signed receiver Romeo Doubs to a four-year deal worth up to $80 million to replace Stefon Diggs, who was released this month. I like the signing a lot, but I’m not sure it fully checks the wide receiver box for New England. Concepcion averaged 15.1 yards per catch last season, and he’d stretch the field for quarterback Drake Maye.
“But don’t sleep on his ability to also turn quick routes into big gains. Concepcion had 449 yards after the catch last season. He’d also make an instant impact in the return game (two punt returns in 2025).”
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
“McDonald gives New England a run-stopping force on the interior. He can do the dirty work and let Milton Williams get up the field.”
Mike Renner, CBS Sports: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
“CJ Allen is another culture fit for the Mike Vrabel-era Patriots in the first round. He’s the biggest thumper in the linebacker class and can also be a weapon as a blitzer.”
Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
“One of my favorite players in the class, McNeil-Warren doesn’t have game-changing speed, but his twitch, agility and nose for the ball (at 6-3, 201 pounds) make him a tantalizing hybrid prospect.”
Joel Klatt, FOX Sports: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
“Howell’s gotten a knock for short arms. Just with Bain, though, go watch Howell’s tape. He was incredibly productive at Texas A&M this past season, and I think Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel will love having a guy like him on his roster.”
A.J. Green calls for better NFL mental health care after Rondale Moore’s death
The last two seasons of A.J. Green’s 12-year NFL career were spent in Arizona, playing with Rondale Moore, who was in the first two seasons of his NFL career. Green became like family to Moore.
Last month, Green lost a member of his family when Moore took his own life. People who knew Moore say he became increasingly depressed at his inability to play after suffering season-ending injuries during the preseason each of the last two years. Green says it’s time for the NFL to do more to look after players’ mental health while they’re dealing with setbacks to their physical health.
“To me there’s a lot that could still be improved in the NFL, as far as how the league is helping its players with their mental health,” Green wrote at ThePlayersTribune.com. “And one way I would start is by making it mandatory, if you have a major injury, that you see an independent mental health counselor as part of your rehab. And by also making it mandatory, if you have a second major injury, that you see an independent mental health counselor for an extended period of time, even after your rehab.”
Green also says NFL teams need to embrace mental health care as something normal and positive for players to seek, and not look down on players who struggle with their mental health.
“None of that means anything if the people who are making the football decisions, in private, are viewing mental health issues how I feel like a lot of times they still get viewed: as a red flag. That’s the truth. No one in any front office will ever say it out loud. No scout is ever gonna put it in a scouting report. But that’s how it’s viewed in this league by a lot of people,” Green wrote. “And as long as that’s the case? Stories like Rondale’s will probably keep happening. Because it means we’re telling players that having a mental health issue is gonna fuck with their money. And if we’re telling players that, then we’re creating an incentive for them to lie about their mental health. And if players lie about their mental health, then they’re going to feel shame about their mental health. And they’re not going to get the help they need — and whatever issues they’re facing are not going to get better, and are probably going to get worse.”
Green’s reflections on Moore’s life and death are powerful. The NFL and its teams should listen.
Insider Drops Compelling Take Involving Dolphins, Lamar Jackson
The Miami Dolphins have a QB for the foreseeable future in Malik Willis. However, could the former Green Bay Packers signal-caller be only a stopgap for the organization until a better option emerges, such as a former MVP from the South Florida area?
Willis and the Dolphins agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract this offseason, as he looks to be the team’s starting QB. The 26-year-old had a passer rating of 145.5 with 422 yards and three touchdowns in four games in 2025, per StatMuse.
Nonetheless, if Willis fails to impress, could that lead the Dolphins to plot a long-term solution at QB? Miami is in a rebuild, but has the draft picks to accelerate it. While next season the team could be picking a signal-caller, could they instead go for Lamar Jackson?
With Jackson potentially being a free agent after two more seasons, NBC Sports NFL insider Mike Florio, half-jokingly said that the Baltimore Ravens QB could be looking to return home to play for Miami.
“[The Dolphins front office have] been able to see how [Willis] works, how he practices, how he carries himself, how he leads on the practice field, how he leads in the locker room when it’s his chance to play,” Florio said on the March 18 edition of Pro Football Talk.
“They’re all in with him, at least for two years, until Lamar Jackson’s contract expires and he tries to come home to Miami. So, and I’m kidding, but maybe I’m not. Who knows how the future’s going to go, but it’s not like the Dolphins are breaking up a championship team.”
Should Miami Consider Drafting a QB in Round 1?
The Dolphins are in a full-blown rebuild after parting ways with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Tua Tagovailoa. On March 17, Miami’s front office decided to load up on draft picks by trading Waddle. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported, citing sources, that the Denver Broncos will receive Waddle as well as the Dolphins’ fourth-round pick (111th overall).
Meanwhile, the Broncos will send their first-round pick (30th) and third- and fourth-round picks (94th and 130th) to Miami. With the Dolphins now having 11 draft picks, with two in the first round, could they decide to take a swing at a QB?
ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky believes the Dolphins should do their homework on former Alabama Crimson Tide QB Ty Simpson.
“I think they can get a draft wide receiver that they can build around earlier in the draft,” Orlovsky said on the March 17 edition of “NFL Live.“ “But it does make me think, because there are two teams that are great places for the Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. Arizona would be one, and Miami would be another.
“I know they just paid Malik Willis. I know that. But given the timeline, and given just the style of the quarterback with the style of offense that would be in Miami, at least under this regime, it makes me think, even though they signed Malik Willis, they should do their homework and entertain drafting Ty Simpson in Miami.”
Are the Dolphins Setting Up Malik Willis to Fail?
Meanwhile, Yahoo! Sports’ Nate Tice questions the signing of Willis, as it doesn’t align with the Dolphins’ timeline, given the team is now entering a full-blown rebuild.
“The Malik Willis signing seems like it’s on a different timeline than the rest of the Dolphins moves,“ Tice wrote on March 17 on X.
Moreover, Tice notes that Miami aren’t doing much to allow Willis to succeed and determine whether the quarterback is a player that they want to build around.
Fernando Mendoza Praised for His Personal Character Ahead of NFL Draft
With the NFL’s free agency period coming to a close and most of the action behind us, the next significant event on the league’s calendar is the 2026 NFL draft, and there’s no question that the No. 1 player in the draft is Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza led the Hoosiers to an undefeated season during his 2025-26 run and snagged Indiana the national championship title for the first time in franchise history. There’s literally no reason why the Las Vegas Raiders wouldn’t pick him with their first draft pick.
The 91st annual NFL draft is set to take place from April 23 through 25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The event has a long history, with its roots dating back to the 1930s, according to the NFL. The draft got its start in 1934, when Philadelphia Eagles co-owner Bert Bell felt that his team was at a disadvantage in getting the best players.
“At a 1935 league meeting, Bell proposed that the NFL hold an annual player draft to level the playing field and make sure that every franchise remained financially viable,” the league states in their history profile of the draft. “League owners voted unanimously to adopt his proposal, setting up the inaugural NFL Draft in 1936.”
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In a Monday, March 16 feature for USA Today, Nate Davis and Ayrton Ostly make their draft projections. While it’s no secret that they have the Las Vegas Raiders picking Mendoza, what’s special is that they note he’s an “outstanding person” at a personal level. That will go a long way for him in the NFL.
“As if there’s been any mystery surrounding this pick since the 2025 regular season ended, the Silver and Black’s position was further clarified by the trade of QB Geno Smith, who wasn’t even retained as a bridge option to Mendoza,” they note in the feature.
They add that, “His interactions with reporters and his fellow attendees at the scouting combine continued to burnish his reputation as an outstanding person and teammate. Might have been nice for this team to get extra youngsters around Mendoza had the Maxx Crosby trade gone through, yet playing with Crosby could be equally beneficial for the new face of the franchise – on the field and off.”
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His NFL draft profile boasts that he’s a “precision-based pocket passer whose game is built on rare accuracy and steady command in high-leverage moments.”
Mendoza’s profile adds that he’s “mechanically sound and intensely accurate,” as well as “fearless in attacking pre- and post-snap reads. He can feather throws into deep windows or between levels. He consistently hits moving targets in stride on digs, slants, outs and crossers.”
Ravens Lied About Maxx Crosby Trade Timeline
The fallout for the Baltimore Ravens — and the continued damage to their reputation — took another turn on Tuesday when Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby explained his side of the failed trade that would have sent him to the Ravens in exchange for 2 1st round draft picks.
Crosby, in very plain and believable terms, laid out what happened between himself and the Ravens after the trade seemed to directly contradict the story Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta shared after the Ravens claimed a failed physical prompted them to back out of the trade.
In Crosby’s version, it’s very clear that before a failed physical — he had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in January — the Ravens were already moving in another direction.
The greatest evidence of this seems to be that the Ravens signed free agent edge rusher Trey Hendrickson to a 4-year, $112 million contract just hours after they backed out of the Crosby trade.
“With what Maxx Crosby said (on Tuesday), it makes Eric DeCosta and the Ravens look worse than I originally thought,” NFL insider Chase Senior said on Tuesday. ” … how about this, he was in the Ravens facility for 5 hours and didn’t meet Eric DeCosta once. After he flew across the country. After you made a trade of 2 1st round picks for him. After he became one of the faces of your franchise. What are we doing here? Spare me with the ‘it almost brought me to tears’ … bull (expletive).”
Public Sentiment Against Ravens Continues to Grow
One of the more interesting things that’s come out of the failed Crosby trade is that it’s become apparent people in NFL circles really don’t like dealing with DeCosta or the Ravens.
“What’s come out of this is there is a universal disdain in the NFL for Eric DeCosta,” ESPN analyst and former NFL defensive back Ryan Clark said on March 12. “Nobody has come out and backed (DeCosta) as trustworthy and honest.”
Following Crosby’s side of the story on Tuesday, those feelings seemed to be even more pronounced.
“DeCosta is saying he’s gutted? Please. Ain’t nobody falling for that,” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said on Wednesday. ” … Instead, you put something out there leaning on the physical and hampered the Raiders’ ability to get what they were asking (in a trade) for Crosby. You also hurt Crosby’s value. Why? Because you were going to get a better deal with Trey Hendrickson. That’s not how you’re supposed to do business. It’s a bad look for DeCosta and a bad look for the Ravens.”
What Eric DeCosta Said After Trade Fell Through
DeCosta spoke to the media less than 24 hours following the decision to back out of the trade for Crosby. It would have been the 1st time in franchise history the Ravens ever included a future 1st round pick in a trade.
He addressed the rampant speculation about how the Ravens actually came to their decision. DeCosta also tried to sell the public on the idea that the franchise wanted to have both Crosby and Hendrickson on the roster in 2026. Which makes little to no sense in terms of salary cap space.
Nixed Raiders-Ravens trade had Maxx Crosby ‘livid, confused’
The Ravens pulling out of their trade with the Raiders to acquire Maxx Crosby shocked the NFL world.
It even shocked Crosby.
“I’ve gone through some (expletive) in my life, I can’t lie,” the star defensive end said on “The Rush” podcast. “But that whole situation was probably one of the most unique, crazy, wild, up-and-down roller coasters I’ve ever been a part of.”
Crosby revealed the Ravens flew him to Washington D.C. in first class due to the lack of direct flights to Baltimore. He then drove two hours after a five-hour flight.
Once he got the facility and the meetings began, he noticed Ravens coach Jesse Minter and general manager Eric DeCosta weren’t present for the first five hours.
When he finally met with the Ravens brass, Crosby could feel something wasn’t right.
“You could just tell the energy was off,” Crosby said. “I dapped him up, he had a blank face. And I’m like, ‘OK.’ I’m not thinking anything of it. Maybe he’s just different. I don’t know him. Whatever.
“I go into the room, they sit me down on the couch and he’s like, ‘Man, I don’t know how to say this, but one of our doctors has concerns with the results, with your knee. Some of them are concerned about the future,” he continued. “We really want you and this is what it is, but we’re going to have to get more and more opinions.’”
Crosby was caught off guard by the news and began to worry about state of his surgically repaired knee. He talked to Dr. Neal ElAttrache who performed the meniscus surgery in January and reassured Crosby everything was fine.
In fact, ElAttrache said Crosby might even be ahead of schedule in his rehab.
Crosby’s agent, CJ LaBoy, broke the news to Crosby that the Ravens were backing out of the trade.
“I’m frozen, I’m like, ‘Holy (expletive), what the (expletive),’” Crosby said. “I’m livid, confused.”
Despite the fallout, Crosby is excited to continue his career with the Raiders.
“I wasn’t supposed to be in Baltimore and that’s it,” he said. “You know what I mean? I’m meant to be a Raider. It’s through my damn core. That’s it.
“I’m in this (expletive) for life. Until that changes, which I don’t foresee,” Crosby continued. “Honestly, you never know in this damn league. I found that out for sure. I just feel like I’m meant to be a Raider.”
Tom Brady weighs in on Logan Paul’s athleticism
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Tom Brady suggested he had to turn down the temperature between NFL players and Logan Paul as the two traded barbs about athleticism ahead of the Fanatics Flag Football Classic.
Brady appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Tuesday and spoke about what football fans can expect from the upcoming game set to take place Saturday at BMO Stadium. Paul is expected to play in the game along with iShowSpeed and Bud Crawford.
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“They’re great athletes. Logan Paul is not really a great athlete. Just kidding!” Brady said with a smile. “He actually is. I saw a backflip from him today. But he literally called out these NFL players and I had all these guys come to me, ‘I’m gonna f–,’ and I’m like, ‘Guys, chill out. We’re not committing any crimes against Logan Paul.”
The feud began when Brady and Paul talked during Super Bowl week at radio row ahead of the Fanatics Flag Football Classic.
Brady and the WWE superstar had a conversation about the game.
“I’m actually a little worried for you. You’re a good athlete but you’re like … These guys are at another level,” Brady said of his NFL compatriots. “You’re not the level. You’re a good athlete.”
TOM BRADY TURNS UP HEAT ON LOGAN PAUL FEUD WITH EXPLICIT SHOT
“That’s cute. I love WWE. It’s very cute. But honestly, this is like real football. This is real competition,” Brady added.
Paul later posted a video showing how high he can leap, comparing himself to the way Barkley leaped over defenders during a Philadelphia Eagles game in 2024 on their way to a Super Bowl title.
Brady then called Paul a “b—h” while he was working out with Rob Gronkowski, who is also set to play in the game.
Later, Paul went further and challenged any NFL player to a boxing match. He said he was willing to put $1 million on the line. Former NFL star Le’Veon Bell was eager to challenge Paul, but any hope of the YouTuber fighting an NFL player seemingly was nixed quickly.
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Paul addressed the possibility of a physical confrontation with Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion, saying, “I wouldn’t be surprised if I throw hands with Tom Brady on the field.”
Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.
Pistons’ Chaz Lanier: Heading back to NBA team
Detroit recalled Lanier from the G League’s Motor City Cruise on Wednesday.
Lanier should be available for the Pistons following a four-day spell with the Cruise, but he’ll offer a depth option going forward. Prior to his last assignment period, he racked up just three points over 19 minutes of play across three appearances for the NBA side. He could eventually be assigned again to the G League squad, where he has been more active lately, averaging 16.8 points per game during the regular season.
Terrell Owens Offers Prayers After 3X NBA Champion Suffers Personal Loss
In the world of professional sports, public rivalries often overshadow private friendships. But a quiet message from Terrell Owens to a grieving NBA legend showed how deep those bonds can run. Mourning the passing of a beloved American TV host and actor at 74, an NBA coach took to social media with a tribute. While many messages poured in, it was Owens’ response that quietly stood out.
“Sorry for your loss 🙏🏾🕊️” wrote Terrell Owens on Byron Scott’s post on Instagram.
Three-time NBA champion Byron Scott posted a carousel of images of himself with television host Kiki Shepard after the latter passed away on March 16, 2026, because of a heart attack. Shepard was 74 at the time of her death.
The television host attained popularity when she co-hosted Showtime at the Apollo from 1987 to 2002. Besides that, she has worked as an actress and dancer in several Broadway theaters as well.
While Shepard and Scott are not blood-related, they are good friends and philanthropic partners. They have been a part of her annual Byron Scott & Kiki Shepard Celebrity Bowling Challenge, which raises money for sickle cell awareness through the KIS (Keeping it Sickle) Foundation.
Kiki founded the KIS Foundation in 2006. She had worked extensively with the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) to help in combating the disease. The television personality also saw its impact on a friend’s family, which ultimately led her to found the organization.
On March 8, 2026, she was honored at the International Women’s Day Gospel Brunch at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, just days later, she passed away, leaving behind an organization that has helped hundreds of individuals.
March has not just been about one loss. The passing of Kiki Shepard has come amid a string of heartbreaks, with respected voices like Ernie Anastos, the Emmy-winning face of New York television, and Ronnie Eldridge also leaving behind lasting legacies within days of each other.
Although Owens did not know them personally, he offered his condolences after the news broke. Moreover, it was not just the NFL legend, but several other people who came together to support the former Los Angeles Lakers player.
Fans rally behind Byron Scott with an outpouring of heartfelt tributes
Byron Scott knew Kiki Shepard for years and helped build the KIS Foundation together. However, from this point forward, he’s lost his partner.
The carousel of images he shared on Instagram also had a picture from their bowling challenge, with Scott holding a red bowling ball. There was another one where they posed together with the family.
As those moments surfaced online, fans rallied around him with messages of support, echoing the same comfort Terrell Owens had offered.
“Sorry for your loss,” a fan commented. “My sincere condolences.”
In times of distress, these small words help a lot. Likewise, Scott would be happy to see so many people showing their support for Kiki.
“My condolences brother,” another fan wrote. “😢 I know you will continue what you guys started.”
At the end of the day, it wasn’t just fans. People from the sports world joined in too. Former NBA Champion Isaiah Thomas also showered Scott with love.
“❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️,” wrote Isaiah Thomas.
For many, the loss had not yet sunk in. The impact that Kiki had on the community stood out in this moment.
“Oh no, we loved Kiki so much,” wrote a fan. “This is heartbreaking what a beautiful person inside and out 💔 So sorry sorry for your loss 🙏🏾”
“Sad to hear this❤️❤️❤️May she Rest in Peace and you will keep her vision going strong🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽” another fan commented.
Losing Kiki Shepard is not just about the end of an era on television, but the silence left behind in the lives she touched beyond it. Through her years on screen and her relentless work off it, Shepard built a legacy that stretched far beyond applause. While tributes continue to pour in, her impact now lives on where it mattered most: in the communities she uplifted and the cause she refused to stop fighting for.
NBA Championship Power Rankings: Lakers Make a Push to Avoid Elimination
Welcome back to Sports Illustrated’s weekly NBA championship power rankings.
In case you’re new here, the premise for these rankings is as follows: At the start of each NBA season there are, realistically, about 10 teams who could make a run at a championship. By the time the All-Star break hits, those teams have made themselves known. The last stretch of the season further separates those with a legitimate chance to win and those destined to go home disappointed.
We began this endeavor withthe first iteration of championship power rankings, ranking the top 12 teams in the NBA based on the standings at the time. Then the stakes were heightened: one team will get eliminated from the rankings every week as the season winds down. The first team to go was the 76ers. Then the Raptors got the axe. This week a new team will join them. The eliminations will continue until only six contenders remain for the NBA title when the regular season comes to a close.
After an entertaining week of basketball since our last entry, here’s how the championship landscape is shaping up in the third week of March.
Eliminated teams
76ers
Why they’re eliminated: Tyrese Maxey was playing some great basketball coming out of the All-Star break, but the 76ers still looked comically outmatched against any real contenders. Then the star guard hurt his finger and was ruled out for three weeks, effectively spelling the end of Philly’s contention hopes. The Sixers were a longshot to make a title run for most of the year but any belief this team could compete with the best, even at full health, is officially gone.
Raptors
Why they’re eliminated: The Raptors could definitely prove to be a tough playoff out against the right first-round opponent, but a deep playoff run culminating in a title? A touch too optimistic for our liking. Despite a consistently strong defensive effort led by Scottie Barnes, this is a mediocre team. Mediocre teams never come anywhere close to winning a title.
Rockets
Why they’re eliminated: This week was looking like it would be tough to cut a team but the Rockets wound up making it easy. Since our last rankings Houston got blown out by the Nuggets and came extremely close to dropping an otherwise easy game against the Pelicans. Most concerning was the Rockets’ most recent loss to the Lakers, a huge game for playoff seeding implications; they were completely shut down by a mediocre L.A. defense to the tune of 12 fourth-quarter points and 22 total turnovers. Alperen Şengün’s absence due to injury can’t be overlooked, but all three games highlighted the Rockets’ fatal flaw of late-game execution. Plus, even with Şengün in the lineup, Houston’s proven helpless against good teams without Kevin Durant making all his shots. Anything less and the team makes for an easy meal for their opponents. With the right playoff path the Rockets could certainly make a run, but they’ve shown too many warts to really believe they can make it out of the West.
NBA championship power rankings
9. Timberwolves
Last week’s ranking: 8
Record entering Mar. 18: 42–27
The title case: This Timberwolves roster is just as talented as last season with a better version of Anthony Edwards leading the way. Minnesota made a Western Conference finals run last season and hasn’t suffered any notable losses to the roster, so it should be ready to make another this season. On some nights that seems all but certain, especially given how Edwards has played after the All-Star break; the 24-year-old star is scoring north of 30 points per game since playing in his fourth All-Star exhibition.
Week in review: The Timberwolves solving their effort issues is easier to believe than the Rockets solving their personnel problems so Minnesota avoided elimination this week—barely. After back-to-back bad losses in Los Angeles the Wolves had a chance to remind everybody how good they can be in a conference finals rematch with the Thunder. They seemed to recognize that and took a lead into the locker room at halftime, but got thoroughly outplayed in the second half before losing. Now Edwards is out for at least a week with a knee injury. How his team fares in his absence will be reflective of how ready the supporting cast is for playoff basketball. Julius Randle inspired some optimism there with an important 30-point performance to beat the Suns and stay ahead of Phoenix in the standings on Tuesday.
8. Cavaliers
Last week’s ranking: 7
Record entering Mar. 18: 42–27
The title case: The Cavaliers have the talent to compete for a title, that’s for sure. The trade deadline brought James Harden to Cleveland, where he now suits up alongside Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. Between those three, the Cavs should check every box for championship contention. Harden’s acclimation has gone pretty well so far, which is encouraging, and Mitchell’s return from injury came with enough ramp-up time that he should be at 100% when the playoffs arrive.
Week in review: This was an unimpressive stretch for the Cavaliers, even if it wasn’t a disaster. Cleveland battled hard in a close loss to the thriving Magic before putting a beat-down on the Mavericks. However, the Cavs then lost to those same Mavericks days later as Harden shot 4-for-12, Mitchell scored 26 points on 24 shots and the defense gave up a 40-point quarter to blow the game open. We’re now at the point in the schedule where good teams need to take care of business against bad teams. Cleveland made up ground in that department by beating the Bucks on Tuesday night but still have been knocked down a few pegs.
7. Lakers
Last week’s ranking: 10
Record entering Mar. 18: 43–25
The title case: Starpower. Most opponents cannot handle the full might of Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves. The trio boast ludicrous shot-making and creation skills against any opponent. Of late, James seems to have accepted the Lakers are at their best when he plays like a supercharged role player and the dividends have been clear as day since he returned from injury last Thursday. Los Angeles is healthy and coalescing at a great time, showing a consistent spark only seen in short spurs previously.
Week in review: The Lakers were teetering on the brink of elimination in these rankings and then crushed for a week. L.A. has won six in a row and the roster is really coming together on the defensive end, which is a true stunner considering how disjointed they’ve looked for most of the year. Given the defensive reputations of Dončić, James and Reaves are rightfully poor, it’s fair to hesitate before declaring the Lakers a defensive juggernaut. But they’ve been very good at that end, and perhaps no better than when they completely shut down Kevin Durant’s Rockets in an important win earlier in the week. The idea of an offense led by those three paired with a competent defense should be frightening for nearly everybody else in the West.
6. Knicks
Last week’s ranking: 5
Record entering Mar. 18: 45–25
The title case: The Knicks boast a very talented starting five that is quite difficult to stop offensively. Jalen Brunson is a proven No. 1 playoff option and the OG Anunoby-Mikal Bridges combo is a terror on the wing. New York is skilled on both ends and shouldn’t be quite as worn down entering the playoffs with Mike Brown in charge instead of Tom Thibodeau. At this stage the orange and blue are just hoping to get to the playoffs healthy; their identity on both ends is well-established, although the bouts of inconsistency are frustrating and worrying in equal measure.
Week in review: The Knicks won the games they were supposed to win over the last week but didn’t really profile as a dominant contender in the process. New York beat the Jazz, Steph Curry-less Warriors and Pacers (twice) but only played well in the latest win over Indiana on Tuesday. The other victories were far too close for anybody’s liking; the Knicks gave up 41 points in the first quarter of the Utah win and needed a furious rally to overcome Golden State at home. Wins are wins but at this point in the year struggles like those can’t be dismissed out of hand.
5. Nuggets
Last week’s ranking: 6
Record entering Mar. 18: 42–27
The title case: The Nuggets are enjoying another vintage Nikola Jokić season. As long as he’s healthy Denver has a shot. Jamal Murray enjoying his first All-Star campaign could lead to an even better postseason for an already-proven playoff performer. They just barely lost to the Thunder last year and have gotten better this season. The kicker for these Nuggets, more than any other team, is health. Injuries have plagued the roster up and down all season long. If they can hit the postseason at full strength there’s plenty of reason for optimism.
Week in review: The general consensus around the Nuggets right now is pretty negative because when things get bad, they get really bad for Denver. Especially on the defensive end. But the team put in a good week of work to stay steady in these rankings. The overtime loss to the Lakers stings quite a bit standings-wise but wins over the Rockets and Spurs were of undeniable quality. After annihilating the 76ers last night the Nuggets own the best net rating in the league over the last four games. There’s still plenty to work on and the flaws are glaring when they show up, but Denver proved its championship case is still worth considering.
4. Celtics
Last week’s ranking: 4
Record entering Mar. 18: 45–23
The title case: The Celtics were an exceptionally well-coached team led by a true star in Jaylen Brown. Now they are all that plus Jayson Tatum. Boston has maintained its place as an elite offensive team while working extremely hard as a group to put forth strong defensive efforts every night despite boasting an unrecognizable roster from last year. Tatum’s return has gone very smoothly as well. The superstar forward already looks like a capable defender and rebounder who can hit open shots. It’s impossible to determine this team’s ceiling right now with the rotation still adjusting to Tatum’s presence, but that transition is going as well as the team could have hoped.
Week in review: The Celtics didn’t beat the Thunder last Thursday but they came awfully close in the two-point loss and that’s a great moral victory for a Boston team in the midst of an identity change. A clutch win over the Suns on Monday showed Brown’s place atop the hierarchy remains intact and Tatum is more than willing to recognize that by spacing the floor. The Celtics will be one of the most interesting teams to observe in the last month of the year as they continue to morph their strategy with Tatum getting more comfortable.
3. Pistons
Last week’s ranking: 3
Record entering Mar. 18: 49–19
The title case: The Pistons are an excellent, physical defensive squad with an MVP candidate leading the way offensively in Cade Cunningham. Jalen Duren’s All-Star leap has given the team a true centerpiece to man the middle on both ends. J.B. Bickerstaff has inspired a physical defense that overcomes a lack of offensive output from the players who surround Cunningham most nights. It’s all resulted in an in-your-face brand of basketball that offers multiple avenues to victory each night.
Week in review: The Pistons snapped out of a mid-March funk with two easy wins over tanking teams. Their Sunday loss to the Raptors wasn’t ideal and reflected the downside of relying solely on Duncan Robinson for outside shooting. But it wasn’t nearly a bad enough showing to raise the DEFCON level. As long as Detroit keeps the Celtics at arms length for the top seed and homecourt advantage throughout the East playoffs it’ll be in good shape.
2. Spurs
Last week’s ranking: 2
Record entering Mar. 18: 51–18
The title case: Victor Wembanyama. That’s the start and end of the Spurs’ case to win a title way ahead of schedule this year. The third-year All-Star has been a force unto himself since coming into the league but figured out how to best apply his outrageous skillset to winning games this season. San Antonio’s supporting cast has proven ready to rise to the moment alongside him. This is a very good team with a hard-to-see ceiling due to the generational superstar manning the middle.
Week in review: While the Spurs did lose a game this week (only their second since Feb. 1), there is no reason for any real concern. Wembanyama is gaining steam with the playoffs around the corner and as long as he remains healthy San Antonio is going to be extremely unpleasant to play against. Ideally De’Aaron Fox rounds into form down the stretch but otherwise it’s business as usual.
1. Thunder
Last week’s rankings: 1
Record entering Mar. 18: 54–15
The title case: The Thunder have fallen off the historic pace they set to kick off the year but were still the first team to hit 50 wins on the year, as well as the first team to clinch a playoff berth. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander broke a Wilt Chamberlain record and seems poised to take home a second consecutive MVP award. Jalen Williams’s absence looms larger with every passing week but the Thunder seem well-suited otherwise to make a serious run at defending their title.
Week in review: The Thunder have won nine straight games and ripped off three quality wins in a row this past week over the Celtics, Timberwolves and Magic. All is well in OKC. In the fine-tuning realm, SGA’s clutch-time heroics have been extremely fun to watch but reflective of OKC’s mortality when Williams and/or Chet Holmgren aren’t playing. The team hopes to get some easy ones with a stretch of bad opponents coming up after a bunch of recent close games that have kept SGA’s minutes count a little high for March.
More NBA from Sports Illustrated
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Wednesday NBA Schedule
There are a total of nine NBA games tonight, with the slate starting at 7 Eastern and the latest game tipping off around 9:30. Please see the full schedule of games below:
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With the tournament starting tomorrow, college basketball is going to get the majority of the attention, but that does not take away from a pretty sizable NBA slate of games tonight, highlighted by a fun Western Conference matchup between two teams in the playoff picture.
There are nine games total, with the full schedule outlined below:
Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code WTOPDYW: Get 10 100% Profit Boosts for NBA, March Madness
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NBA Odds, Preview via Caesars Sportsbook
Odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook and are accurate as of March 18, 2026.
When evaluating tonight’s matchups, we put a lot of stock in season-long situational statistics to find consensus odds value. In tonight’s premier 9:30 PM EDT tip-off, the Houston Rockets hold a distinct advantage on the glass. Houston boasts a stellar 54.9% Total Rebound Percentage, while the Lakers trail noticeably with a 49.9% rebound rate, making the Rockets an appealing favorite.
In the early game in Boston, Boston’s massive odds are justified by the data; the Celtics’ impressive 52.6% rebounding easily eclipses Golden State’s depleted 48.7% performance on the boards, cementing Boston as the significantly stronger side on paper.
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DraftKings promo code: Get $200 bonus bets for Celtics-Warriors, Rockets-Lakers basketball on Wednesday
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Wednesday NBA betting preview
The Boston Celtics (45-23) will spend the rest of the regular season hoping to fend off the Knicks and Cavaliers for the No. 2 seed in the East with a glimmer of hope to catch the Pistons at the top of the standings. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors (33-35) are ninth in the West and seemingly destined for a play-in spot ahead of Wednesday matchup in Boston that tips at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Celtics are favored by 12.5 and the over/under is currently 216.5 points.
The Chicago Bulls (28-40) will also host the Toronto Raptors (38-29) for an Eastern Conference clash that tips off at 8:10 p.m. ET. Chicago is focusing on its future after shaking up its roster considerably at the deadline while Toronto is trying to avoid getting sucked into the play-in vortex. The latest NBA odds from DraftKings list the Raptors as 7.5-point road favorites while the over/under is 234.5.
In what is likely the biggest matchup on the schedule, the Los Angeles Lakers (43-25) will put their six-game winning streak on the line against the Houston Rockets (41-26). Tipoff is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET in Houston and the Lakers beat the Rockets 100-92 in the Toyota Center on Monday. However, Los Angeles is actually the 2.5-point underdog tonight while the over/under is 222.5. Get $200 in bonus bets instantly after your first $5 wager:
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Peter’s Points: NBA Best Bets Today (Predictions, Prop Bets for Jaylen Brown, Lakers
It’s a prop night in today’s edition of Peter’s Points!
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown highlights three player props that I’m targeting for tonight’s nine-game slate, as he’s really stepped up as a playmaker even with Jayson Tatum back in action.
Back-to-back 2-for-4 nights has kept this season’s record right around +12.0 units, but I’m looking to have a strong showing on Wednesday with four more picks.
In addition to the props, I’m eyeing yet another upset after the Los Angeles Lakers came through with an outright win over the Houston Rockets on Monday.
Let’s examine the odds and analysis for each of these plays on Wednesday, March 18.
1 Season, 600 Bets: NBA Betting Record
2025-26 season record: 213-168 (+12.09 units)
2024-25 season record: 281-293-5 (-4.94 units)
OVERALL (since 2021-22 season): 1504-1405-27 (+45.24 units)
Find Peter Dewey’s NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.
NBA Best Bets Today
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Jaylen Brown OVER 4.5 Assists (-163)
Isaiah Hartenstein OVER 10.5 Rebounds and Assists (+103)
Jalen Johnson OVER 9.5 Rebounds (-138)
Los Angeles Lakers Moneyline (+114) vs. Houston Rockets
Jaylen Brown OVER 4.5 Assists (-163)
Brown has been awesome in the 2025-26 season, averaging 28.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game for a Boston team that is firmly in the mix for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
While Brown isn’t known for his passing, he’s cleared 4.5 assists in 10 of his 12 games since the All-Star break, averaging 7.1 dimes per game during that stretch. So, he’s a little undervalued at this number against a short-handed Golden State Warriors team on Wednesday.
The return of Jayson Tatum has opened up a few more lanes for Brown on offense, but all season long he’s been a willing passer, which is why Boston’s offense is in the top five in the league.
I’ll buy him to reach his season average in assists on Wednesday night.
Isaiah Hartenstein OVER 10.5 Rebounds and Assists (+103)
Oklahoma City Thunder big man Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) has been playing a limited role in recent games, but I believe he’s a steal at this line on Wednesday against the tanking Brooklyn Nets.
Brooklyn won’t have big man Day’Ron Sharpe in this matchup, which hurts an already bad rebounding team on the glass. The Nets are just 26th in rebound percentage this season and 27th over their last 15 games.
Hartenstein has back-to-back games with 15 rebounds and assists since returning from a calf injury, and he’s averaging 9.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Not only that, but he had eight rebounds and four dimes in just 24 minutes in a previous meeting with Brooklyn this season.
At +103, Hartenstein is a solid value on the second night of a back-to-back.
Jalen Johnson OVER 9.5 Rebounds (-138)
Atlanta Hawks All-Star Jalen Johnson has been a beast on the glass all season long, averaging 10.4 boards on 16.2 rebound chances per game.
Now, he takes on a Dallas Mavericks team that is 27th in the NBA in opponent rebounds per game in the 2025-26 season.
Johnson has at least 10 boards in 38 of his 61 games this season, though he was held to just seven boards in a meeting with Dallas earlier this month.
I’m still buying the former first-round pick at this line, as the Mavs have one of the worst offenses in the NBA (27th in offensive rating), which should give Johnson plenty of chances to hit the defensive glass. Since the All-Star break, Johnson has cleared this line in six of 11 games, averaging 9.5 rebounds per night.
Los Angeles Lakers Moneyline (+114) vs. Houston Rockets
Can the Los Angeles Lakers upset the Houston Rockets again?
L.A. dominated defensively down the stretch in Monday’s upset win, as Houston (22nd in clutch offense this season) continues to struggle organizing things with Fred VanVleet (torn ACL) out.
I’m buying the Lakers to win a seventh game in a row on Wednesday, as they’ve jumped into the top 10 in the league in defensive rating over their last 10 games and are fourth in offense during that same stretch.
Houston is just 20-17 against teams that are over .500 this season, and even with Alperen Sengun (back) returning on Wednesday, I’m not buying the Rockets to win this game outright. Houston has slipped to 12-18 against the spread as home favorite – the third-worst mark in the NBA.
The Lakers are red hot over the last few weeks, while the Rockets are just 17th in net rating over their last 15 games. L.A. is the play as a slight underdog.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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Best NBA Prop Bets Today (Predictions for LeBron James, Darius Garland, Ty Jerome)
A loaded nine-game NBA slate calls for a few player props, and there are three All-Stars that I’m targeting on Wednesday.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James may be a little undervalued against the Houston Rockets, even though he’s clearly taken a step back in the Lakers’ offense with Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic leading L.A. to the fourth-best offensive rating over its last 15 games.
James is one of four players that I’m eyeing on Wednesday, as I’m also taking a play for Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland, who has been red hot from beyond the arc since entering the starting lineup.
Here’s a breakdown of each pick – including the latest odds – for March 18.
Best NBA Prop Bets for Wednesday, March 18
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
LeBron James OVER 4.5 Rebounds (-156)
James is averaging just 5.7 rebounds per game this season, but he’s set below his season average in the prop market on Wednesday.
The four-time league MVP had five boards in Monday’s win over Houston, and he’s picked up at least five rebounds in eight of his 11 games since the All-Star break.
LeBron is only averaging 9.5 rebound chances per game this season, but he only needs to convert about half of them to clear this prop. Houston has the best rebound percentage in the league this season, but I think this line is a little bit of an overreaction to Alperen Sengun returning to the lineup.
James should be able to come close to his season average on Wednesday.
Jaylen Brown OVER 4.5 Assists (-163)
Earlier today, I shared in my NBA Best Bets column – Peter’s Points – why Jaylen Brown is a great target against Golden State:
Brown has been awesome in the 2025-26 season, averaging 28.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game for a Boston team that is firmly in the mix for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
While Brown isn’t known for his passing, he’s cleared 4.5 assists in 10 of his 12 games since the All-Star break, averaging 7.1 dimes per game during that stretch. So, he’s a little undervalued at this number against a short-handed Golden State Warriors team on Wednesday.
The return of Jayson Tatum has opened up a few more lanes for Brown on offense, but all season long he’s been a willing passer, which is why Boston’s offense is in the top five in the league.
I’ll buy him to reach his season average in assists on Wednesday night.
Darius Garland OVER 2.5 3-Pointers Made (-162)
Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland (questionable) has been lights out from beyond the arc over the last several games, making three or more shots from deep in five straight games since moving to the starting lineup.
Over that five-game stretch, Garland is shooting 48.9 percent from 3 on 9.0 attempts per game. He’s taken at least eight 3-pointers in all five games and has attempted 56 total 3-pointers in seven games as a Clipper.
Now, he takes on a New Orleans team that ranks 28th in the NBA in opponent 3-pointers made per game, making this an ideal matchup for the Clippers guard.
If he suits up on Wednesday, Garland is a must bet in this market now that he’s pushed his season-long 3-point percentage to 38.6 percent.
Ty Jerome OVER 2.5 3-Pointers (+108)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ty Jerome is shooting 40.5 percent from 3-point range in the 2025-26 season despite playing limited minutes in basically all of his 12 games.
Jerome has three or more 3-pointers in six of his games, averaging 6.6 attempts per night. Now, he takes on a Denver team that is 17th in opponent 3s made and 22nd in opponent 3s attempted in the 2025-26 season.
The Grizzlies guard was 3-for-7 from beyond the arc in his lone meeting with the Nuggets this season, and he’s taken 17 3-pointers over his last two games, clearing this prop in both.
There are worse plus-money props on the board, and Jerome should have a lead role on Wednesday with Scotty Pippen Jr. out of the lineup.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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Find Peter Dewey’s NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.
Best Fits For the Kings If They Fall Outside of the Top 5
Every week, it feels like we reach a new level of coping with the Sacramento Kings’ draft position. If they’re the worst team in the league, they guarantee a top-5 pick. Okay, no worse than 6th, then 7th, okay…. I guess 8th could be okay?
If any of this sounds like your internal monologue over the last week or so, I have just what you need. I’ll get into the best fits if the Kings fall outside the top-5 in the draft, their strengths and weaknesses, and talk about why trying to trade up will likely end up as a fool’s errand. Let’s jump in with the best overall fit and go from there.
Keaton Wagler
Number one on my list for best fits in Sacramento outside of the consensus top-5 is Illinois freshman guard Keaton Wagler. Wagler is an incredible story, going from a recruit outside ESPN’s SCNEXT 100 rankings to one of the best players in the country and a lock to be a top-10 pick. Luckily for Wagler (and all of us), Brad and Tyler Underwood saw the signs of a great player after he led his Shawnee Mission Northwest team to an undefeated season in Kansas and offered him a spot with the Fighting Illini.
This season, Wagler has put up 18 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 45% from the field, 40% from three, and 80% from the line. Wagler is a volume three-point shooter at almost six attempts per game and is extremely comfortable creating shots for himself and others off the dribble. Against Purdue in one of the most hostile away environments in college basketball, Wagler put up 46 points on 9-11 from three to knock off the 4th-ranked Boilermakers.
Wagler has his flaws, like any prospect, and they really come down to strength and athleticism for him. He’s is very slender after a big growth spurt sent him to a reported 6’6” and lacks the explosive ability that we’re often accustomed to with first-round guard prospects. While that isn’t something to disregard, Wagler’s IQ on both ends, shooting ability, and craftiness with the ball in his hands are all things the Kings need in a primary ball-handler.
Darius Acuff Jr.
Acuff Jr. is one of the most controversial prospects in college basketball this season, but the numbers are hard to argue with. The latest in the line of John Calipari’s elite recruits might be his best freshman guard ever, and that is not something to be taken lightly. Acuff Jr. is leading the SEC with nearly 23 points a game, 6.5 assists, and shooting splits of 49/45/80 on the season. He is simply one of the most productive players in college basketball, and consistently shows up in the biggest moments.
In the SEC championship game, Acuff put up 30 points and 11 assists to lead Arkansas over Vanderbilt, but that might not have even been his best game of the year. In a 2OT loss to Alabama, Acuff Jr. hung 49 points on the Crimson Tide while shooting 60% from the field and giving up just one turnover. Acuff has the makings of an offensive engine on the level of Damian Lillard or Jalen Brunson, but he isn’t without his flaws either.
Acuff Jr. might be one of the worst defenders in this upcoming class, and there have been very few signs of improvement. With either Domantas Sabonis or Max Raynaud manning the 5 spot, having a subpar point of attack defender like Acuff out front could make it impossible for the Kings to have even an average defense. Still, Acuff’s offensive game is as elite as it gets, and the Kings would be foolish to pass up on that level of talent even with the defensive worries.
Mikel Brown Jr.
The last player on my list is Mikel Brown Jr. from Louisville, who may have the most potential of all three players mentioned. Brown Jr. was ranked 8th on ESPN’s SCNEXT 100, but had a slow start to the season, and injuries have plagued him for most of the year. Still, Brown is averaging 18 points per game and has his three-point percentage up to near 35% after sitting in the 20s for much of the year.
Teams need to be patient with Brown Jr. and let him work out some kinks in terms of decision making and shot selection, but if he reaches his potential, we may be talking about him in the same breath as some of the best point guard shooters in the league. In a win against NC State, Brown Jr. put up 45 points on 10/16 from three and 61% from the field overall, and added 9 boards. I wouldn’t expect Brown to hit the ground running like Acuff or Wagler, but the potential to be the next franchise guard for Sacramento is definitely there.
Final Thoughts
The Kings could absolutely use a wing, but beyond AJ Dybantsa and Cam Boozer, the options are older players who would be better fits on already established teams, or, in the case of Nate Ament, have too many question marks. There has been talk of the Kings trying to trade up if they fall out of the top-5, but giving up what would likely need to be a future, unprotected first-round pick is simply too steep a price when there are still talented players on the board. It would obviously be disappointing to fall out of the top-5, but I believe there is plenty to be excited about with the guys projected 6-10.
NASCAR suspends Daniel Dye over livestream mocking IndyCar racer
NASCAR driver Daniel Dye was indefinitely suspended Tuesday — the second known major penalty of his racing career — for mocking IndyCar driver David Malukas during a recent livestream.
In the video, which circulated Tuesday on social media, Dye was on a livestream opening trading card packs and recalled speaking with Malukas in February at the IndyCar Firestone Grand Prix in St. Petersburg. Dye said he asked Malukas if he “races on any ovals.”
“He’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, yas, we race Indianapolis, too. Love Indianapolis. And Roger Penske. I love Roger. Love you, Roger!’” Dye said, using voices that made inferences about Malukas’ sexuality. “As soon as I start doing a David Malukas ‘gay voice’ I get a gold so let’s keep it going.”
Dye apologized to Malukas in a social media post, calling his comments “careless.”
“I chose my words poorly and I understand why it upset people,” he wrote. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s now I want to represent myself.
“I have some close friends in the LBGT+ community who would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard.”
He said conversations with those friends made him recognize that “a true friend would know better than to act the way I did.”
Malukas, a 24-year-old driver for Team Penske, often posts pictures on social media with a girlfriend.
Dye is a Truck Series driver for Kaulig Racing, which also suspended him. NASCAR ordered Dye to undergo sensitivity training.
This is the second time Dye has been suspended.
He was 18 and racing in the ARCA series when he was arrested at a Dayona Beach, Florida, high school and charged with felony battery for approaching a classmate and punching the student in the groin area.
The victim was treated at a hospital for a potential ruptured testicle.
Dye said it was a game and he’d be exonerated.
He was instead indefinitely suspended by ARCA, a lower-tier series owned by NASCAR. Dye was reinstated when the charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Dye in his third full season of racing in the Truck Series. He moved to Kaulig Racing this year to drive for Ram in the automaker’s return to NASCAR competition. Through three races, his best finish is 13th at Atlanta.
Dye raced at St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Truck Series when NASCAR partnered its third-tier series with IndyCar’s season opener. Malukas made his Team Penske debut that same weekend.
NASCAR suspends Daniel Dye over livestream mocking IndyCar racer
NASCAR driver Daniel Dye was indefinitely suspended Tuesday — the second known major penalty of his racing career — for mocking IndyCar driver David Malukas during a recent livestream.
In the video, which circulated Tuesday on social media, Dye was on a livestream opening trading card packs and recalled speaking with Malukas in February at the IndyCar Firestone Grand Prix in St. Petersburg. Dye said he asked Malukas if he “races on any ovals.”
“He’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, yas, we race Indianapolis, too. Love Indianapolis. And Roger Penske. I love Roger. Love you, Roger!’” Dye said, using voices that made inferences about Malukas’ sexuality. “As soon as I start doing a David Malukas ‘gay voice’ I get a gold so let’s keep it going.”
Dye apologized to Malukas in a social media post, calling his comments “careless.”
“I chose my words poorly and I understand why it upset people,” he wrote. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s now I want to represent myself.
“I have some close friends in the LBGT+ community who would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard.”
He said conversations with those friends made him recognize that “a true friend would know better than to act the way I did.”
Malukas, a 24-year-old driver for Team Penske, often posts pictures on social media with a girlfriend.
Dye is a Truck Series driver for Kaulig Racing, which also suspended him. NASCAR ordered Dye to undergo sensitivity training.
This is the second time Dye has been suspended.
He was 18 and racing in the ARCA series when he was arrested at a Dayona Beach, Florida, high school and charged with felony battery for approaching a classmate and punching the student in the groin area.
The victim was treated at a hospital for a potential ruptured testicle.
Dye said it was a game and he’d be exonerated.
He was instead indefinitely suspended by ARCA, a lower-tier series owned by NASCAR. Dye was reinstated when the charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Dye in his third full season of racing in the Truck Series. He moved to Kaulig Racing this year to drive for Ram in the automaker’s return to NASCAR competition. Through three races, his best finish is 13th at Atlanta.
Dye raced at St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Truck Series when NASCAR partnered its third-tier series with IndyCar’s season opener. Malukas made his Team Penske debut that same weekend.
Denny Hamlin Credits Michael Jordan’s Controversial Partner for 23XI’s Rapid NASCAR Growth as He Reveals Team’s Power Structure
While Denny Hamlin can be a spiteful and aggressive competitor to his rivals, he also has the capability to be a graceful and gentle person when he’s full of gratitude. The 23XI Racing co-owner recently showcased the latter side of his personality when talking about a couple of people who may have previously drawn his ire.
Denny Hamlin opens up on inner workings of 23XI
During the time 23XI Racing was in a legal battle against NASCAR, there were some leaks of chats. In those leaked chats, it was clear that both parties did not like each other at certain points. But then there were more leaked chats.
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This time it was a couple of 23XI executives, Curtis Polk and Eugene Mason. In those chats, they’re allegedly bad-mouthing Denny Hamlin. But despite this, during a recent interview on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, the #11 driver had nice things to say about the two confidants of Michael Jordan.
“It’s not just him. He has guys like Curtis Polk and Eugene Mason behind the scenes that work with me day to day. We consult and we confer on everything. A lot of the big decisions and they’re also ones that have had a lot of input on the direction of this team. So, I really feel happy about where that team is at and where it stands,” he described.
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This isn’t the first time Hamlin has defended Polk. Last year, when there were claims that Curtis Polk had arranged for a boycott of a qualifying race as a way to negotiate the charter agreement, Hamlin was surprised and completely denied such claims.
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“I was very surprised to hear some of the accusation of what was said. All I can really tell you is that I have been in business with Curtis now for five years. The guy is one of the most respected businessmen in all of sports.”
Hamlin claimed that the partnership between the majority owners and him and Michael Jordan is ‘perfect’ as the NBA legend believes in him. He revealed he has the autonomy to advise him on certain things, on which sometimes there are agreements and sometimes disagreements.
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He further mentioned that to see 23XI Racing put itself in the elite company and ‘upper echelon’ of NASCAR teams who have been around for decades, is what he aspires to be.
While Hamlin spoke highly of his team’s leadership, Michael Jordan in turn praised the #11 driver himself.
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Michael Jordan credits Hamlin majorly for 23XI’s growth
For an organization that was announced in 2020 as a one-car team, Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin have come a long way with 23XI. Since their first race in 2021 to the most recent in 2026, 23XI has 12 wins and 9 poles.
Three of those 12 wins came this season as Tyler Reddick won three races in a row, making NASCAR history in the process.
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Speaking about his team’s growth, Denny Hamlin looked back on the early days. He recalled the team had three employees, it was all zero, and that they built it, which he finds ‘pretty amazing.’
Michael Jordan shared a similar sentiment when it comes to 23XI’s growth.
“I’m proud of the team that we put together,” Jordan said as per The Athletic. “… I think a lot of credit goes to (Hamlin), because I think he’s the mastermind, finding Tyler and putting together (crew chief) Billy Scott and all of them.”
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NASCAR suspends Daniel Dye after mocking an IndyCar driver on a livestream
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR driver Daniel Dye was suspended Tuesday — the second known major penalty of his racing career — for mocking IndyCar driver David Malukas during a recent livestream.
In the video, which circulated Tuesday on social media, Dye used voices that made inferences about Malukas’ sexuality. He mimicked Malukas’ voice at one point.
Dye is a Truck Series driver for Kaulig Racing, which also suspended him. NASCAR ordered Dye to undergo sensitivity training.
Dye apologized to Malukas in a social media post, calling his comments “careless.”
“I chose my words poorly and I understand why it upset people,” he wrote. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s now I want to represent myself.
“I have some close friends in the LBGT+ community who would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard.”
He said conversations with those friends made him recognize that “a true friend would know better than to act the way I did.”
Malukas, a 24-year-old driver for Team Penske, often posts pictures on social media with a girlfriend.
This is the second time Dye has been suspended.
He was 18 and racing in the ARCA series when he was arrested at a Dayona Beach, Florida, high school and charged with felony battery for approaching a classmate and punching the student in the groin area.
The victim was treated at a hospital for a potential ruptured testicle.
Dye said it was a game and he’d be exonerated.
He was instead indefinitely suspended by ARCA, which is owned by NASCAR. Dye was reinstated when the charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Dye in his third full season of racing in the Truck Series. He moved to Kaulig Racing this year to drive for Ram in the automaker’s return to NASCAR competition. Through three races, his best finish is 13th at Atlanta.
Dye raced at St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Truck Series when NASCAR partnered its third-tier series with IndyCar’s season opener. Malukas made his Team Penske debut that same weekend.
NASCAR Insider Draws Stark Comparison Between Jeff Gordon’s 2009 Push and Denny Hamlin’s Late-Career Grind
MotoGP champion Casey Stoner once said, “Hard work beats talent, until talent decides to work hard.” This can very well apply to Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin. In a sport like NASCAR, where drivers often fade with time, Hamlin is rather enjoying a second wave in the later phase of his career. And one insider compared his late-career resurgence to Jeff Gordon’s 2009 comeback.
In a recent episode of The Teardown, NASCAR insider Jordan Bianchi was truly impressed with how Hamlin has turned himself around after his win at Las Vegas. He compared this to Jeff Gordon from the 2009 season. Back then, Gordon had crossed his peak years and was suffering from back pain. Despite that, he won a pole at Martinsville and triumphed at Texas that year, silencing many doubters.
Bianchi said, “People are questioning, ‘Why are you playing basketball. Why are you doing this?’ There’s just been moments throughout his career where it’s been like this.
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“We have seen the maturation of Denny Hamlin. Where he’s always been incredibly talented, but now he’s got a work ethic to match it. I think that is ultimately what separates him from everyone else.”
From his debut till 2019, Hamlin had some great years, and the wins came along steadily. But since 2019, there’s been a clear spike where we’ve seen him add 24 wins since then in a much shorter span. That’s what Bianchi emphasized as he explained why he could achieve that.
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“That is because he has embraced this grinding, behind-the-scenes, ‘I’m going to outwork everybody’ mindset. You talk to people in Gibbs, he’s the guy on the simulator. He’s the driver who’s in the simulator, doing all that stuff, and he’s the guy going, ‘Hey, we need to do this this and this.’ He’s putting in that time.”
The flip side
Sometimes, the very same late-career momentum that seems to be on the rise can suddenly stop. Bianchi gave an example of Jimmie Johnson for this. After winning his record seventh championship in 2016, Johnson entered 2017 with that boost, winning three races very early in the year.
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But in an unfortunate twist, those became his last ones. Bianchi used that example to explain how this uncertainty can apply to anybody in this sport, and right now, that figure could be Hamlin.
“He (Hamlin) wins in Dover and kicks everybody’s butt like, ‘Man! He’s on a roll now, he’s going to get that 8th championship.’ Guess what, never won again. You just don’t know, and that’s the sad reality. You hate to say it, but this could be Denny Hamlin’s last win. We have seen it happen before; it just stops, but that’s reality.”
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Nonetheless, for Hamlin, that possibility looks less likely right now if he continues on this momentum, where he’s finally using all his hardships to actually turn things around for him, rather than letting him down.
“If he continues to work like this and continues to put himself in position with a great team like this, the opportunity should be there,” he concluded.
Alex Bowman sidelined for at least 3 more NASCAR races as vertigo symptoms linger
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman will miss at least the next three NASCAR Cup Series races while he recovers from vertigo.
Bowman had to exit the March 1 race at Circuit of the Americas because he was not feeling well. He was replaced mid-race and diagnosed with vertigo, and has missed races at Phoenix and Las Vegas since.
Myatt Snider drove the No. 48 Chevrolet at COTA, Anthony Alfredo drove at Phoenix and Justin Allgaier drove Sunday at Las Vegas.
Allgaier will fill in for Bowman again starting this weekend at Darlington Raceway, then at Martinsville Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway.
“Alex continues to experience symptoms, so we are following the guidance of the medical team and giving him the time he needs to recover,” said Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. “We see how hard he’s working to get back behind the wheel, and we’re looking forward to his return when he’s medically cleared. Everyone at Hendrick Motorsports is 100 percent behind Alex.”
Bowman is 36th in the Cup standings, 232 points behind leader Tyler Reddick and 94 points behind Shane van Gisbergen, Daniel Suárez and AJ Allmendinger, who are tied for 16th place. The top 16 drivers qualify for NASCAR’s playoffs.
Bowman is coming off a 2025 season where he made the postseason and finished 13th in the standings. The 32-year-old from Tucson, Arizona, has eight wins, 46 top fives and 112 top 10s in 364 Cup starts over 12 seasons.
His best finish in the final standings was sixth in 2020 for Hendrick Motorsports, where he has been as a full-time driver since 2018.
Bowman also was supposed to drive in NASCAR’s second-tier series for JR Motorsports in the No. 88 Chevrolet at Darlington on Saturday. Kyle Larson, Bowman’s Hendrick teammate and winner in the same car Saturday at Las Vegas, will replace him.
NASCAR suspends driver Daniel Dye after he used ‘gay voice’ on livestream
Chaos erupts during spring break in Florida
Thousands of panicked people ran across the beach Saturday after what appeared to be gunshots ringing out in Daytona Beach, Florida. Officials say there was no gunfire and people were actually crushing water bottles to stampede the crowd. NBC News’ Jesse Kirsch has the story.
Meteor Seen and Heard Across Nearly a Dozen States. These Videos Capture the Shocking Moment
A meteor falling from the sky was responsible for a loud boom heard on March 17 heard throughout multiple states in the eastern part of the United States, reports the National Weather Service. “It shook my whole house,” Andrea Witt, who lives in Lorain county in Ohio, tells TODAY.com. Witt…
Woman killed by St. Patrick’s Day parade float in Louisville
A St. Patrick’s Day float struck and killed a woman in Kentucky after the victim’s foot got caught in one of the procession vehicles and pulled her into harm’s way, authorities said Sunday. The tragic accident unfolded in Louisville at about 4 p.m. ET Saturday on the parade route on…
I came home early and someone was measuring my front porch.
I arrived home around 2:30 PM, earlier than usual, and was surprised to find a man with a tape measure on my front porch. The sun was beating down, casting sharp shadows across the steps. I paused, trying to assess the situation. He was jotting something down on a clipboard without acknowledging my presence. Confused, I approached him, asking, “Can I help you with something?” He looked up, startled, and mumbled an apology, saying he thought it was the right house for some survey. No official ID, just a generic blue polo.
Executive caught on Coldplay kiss cam opens up to Oprah, says her estranged husband was also at concert
Kristin Cabot, the former HR executive at the center of the Coldplay kiss cam scandal, sat down with Oprah Winfrey in her first on-camera interview to share new details about the viral moment that caused a controversy in July 2025. While attending a Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts…
An exonerated Idaho man finally had his freedom. What came next was ‘incomprehensible.’
In September, Chris Tapp recorded an interview with “Dateline” at his Idaho home. He had served 20 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, and the interview was the last time he planned on publicly discussing the 1996 murder of his friend Angie Dodge — the 18-year-old Idaho woman whom Tapp was wrongfully convicted of killing.
My neighbor said he was “reinforcing” his fence. This morning, I found fresh concrete footings poured on my side of the line.
When my neighbor mentioned he was reinforcing his fence, it sounded like a reasonable project. Little did I know it would spill over onto my property in unexpected ways. The morning after the supposed reinforcement, I stepped outside to find fresh concrete footings lining my side of the property boundary. It was as if a subtle border invasion had quietly taken place overnight.
Meteor causes thunderous boom over Ohio and Pennsylvania
A thunderous boom heard and felt widely across northeastern Ohio and parts of Pennsylvania on Tuesday morning was likely the result of a meteor. Area residents took to social media, describing what they heard as “the loudest boom,” “a few sonic booms” and “rumbling.” Others reported seeing a fireball and a bright streak flash across the sky.
Amtrak train carrying more than 90 passengers collides with 18-wheeler in Texas
An Amtrak train carrying more than 100 people collided with an 18-wheeler in Texas on Tuesday morning, officials confirmed. In a statement, Amtrak said “a vehicle came into contact with the train on Union Pacific Railroad tracks near Houston.”. The train was traveling from Los Angeles to New Orleans…
Missing from Needles, California, since 1995, at 13, living with a man convicted of murder in 2012
Patrick Wayne Mello was only 13 years old when he went missing. He hasn’t been seen or heard from since July 28, 1995. He was from Needles, California. His photo above is age-progressed to 31 years. He would be 43 now.
At least 1 dead as Nebraska wildfires scorch nearly 800,000 acres
As historic wildfires in Nebraska continued to roar amid a Western heat wave, Gov. Jim Pillen and incident commanders expressed hope Tuesday that they may soon turn a corner. The state’s four major blazes, which were blamed for at least one death and have burned nearly 800,000 acres, were described by Pillen on Sunday as “the largest wildfires in our history.”
Jasmine Crockett’s Legs Steal Every Red Carpet Shot
Congressional clapbacks aren’t her only headline. Representative Jasmine Crockett keeps turning carpets into runways—legs first. In June 2024 at the Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards in Beverly Hills, she stunned in a high-low red gown with an uneven neckline, pairing tasteful glam with dangling black earrings and side-swept curls. November 2024’s Ebony Power 100 Gala brought a velvet black dress with a thigh-high slit, jeweled accents, and bold accessories that framed her toned calves.
Sweet 14lb Dog Whose Owner Passed Away is Still Looking For New Family
A local and dedicated foster-based dog rescue in Massachusetts, Great Dog Rescue New England (GDRNE), would like you to meet Petu, a sweet and loving dog who is in need of a new home and family after a tragic life change. According to the rescue, “He was recently surrendered when his primary owner sadly passed away. While Petu will miss and always love his previous home, he hopes to find the next home where he can continue to be the perfect companion.”
My husband begged me not to buy the hideous, heavy green vase at the estate sale. Then I showed him the faded stamp on the bottom.
I wasn’t deterred by the vase’s unsightly appearance, sensing there was more to it. The faded stamp on the bottom intrigued me, indicating it might be valuable. I consulted the Local Matters app, seeking input on my peculiar purchase. The app community identified the stamp as belonging to a renowned ceramics artist, suggesting a market value far beyond its humble estate sale price. Enthusiastic feedback from locals validated my hunch, proving the vase was indeed a hidden gem. For potential treasures disguised as eyesores, Local Matters is an invaluable resource. Download the app to connect with experts and enthusiasts who can help reveal the worth in your unique finds.
My neighbor shaved my $4,000 show Poodle bald because “dog shows are slavery.”
I breed and show champion Standard Poodles. My $4,000 prize-winning dog was resting in my fenced yard. I heard a clipper buzzing. I ran out. My neighbor had lured my dog to the fence and was actively shaving his magnificent, years-long show coat completely bald! “You ruined my champion dog!” I shrieked. “Dog shows are animal slavery,” she sneered, holding the clippers. “You force him to look ridiculous for your own vanity. I liberated him from his oppressive haircut. Now he’s a normal dog.” She destroyed years of grooming for her extreme animal rights agenda! I immediately pulled up the LocalAll legal hub. I filed a police report for animal cruelty and property damage, forcing her to pay $5,000 for lost competition fees.
I left my $1,500 Trek bike in my driveway. My neighbor let his son take it.
I bought a $1,500 Trek mountain bike for my marathon training. I left it on my driveway for five minutes to grab my water bottle. When I returned, my neighbor’s teenage son was riding it down the street! I ran to the neighbor’s house. “Your son stole my bike!” “I told him he could borrow it,” the dad smirked, leaning on the doorframe. “You have two cars in your garage. My kid needed to get to soccer practice. Share the wealth, man. It’s just a bicycle.” He authorized the theft of a $1,500 vehicle! I didn’t argue. I pulled up the LocalAll app and used the quick-dial feature for the non-emergency police dispatch. An officer pulled the kid over blocks away. The dad received a severe citation for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
My neighbor chained my $3,000 Honda riding mower to a telephone pole.
I own a heavy-duty, $3,000 Honda riding lawnmower for my massive yard. I left it in the driveway to grab lunch. I came out to find it immobilized. My neighbor had wrapped a thick steel logging chain through the rear axle and padlocked it to a telephone pole! “You chained my mower!” I yelled. “Gas mowers are toxic noise polluters,” he yelled from his porch. “They kill native insects. I’m forcing you to transition to a manual push-mower for the sake of the local ecosystem. I’ll unlock it when you agree to sell it.” He held my $3,000 machine hostage for his militant eco-agenda! I checked the extortion laws pinned on the LocalAll neighborhood board. I called the police for illegal restraint of property. They brought heavy bolt cutters, freed my machine, and cited him for criminal mischief.
Things to Know About Kiku Apples Before You Put Them in Your Cart
Learn all about the Kiku apple and why it is so similar to Fuji apples. A sport variety is a term that is used for a type of an apple that is similar enough to another apple that it is classified as its own apple, but has some characterstic to set it apart. Sometimes it might simply be that the apple is more red. That is the case with the Kiku apple, a sport variety of the Fuji.
Masters egg salad – golf fans’ favorite
Some foods feel like a memory you can taste, even before the first bite. This Masters inspired egg salad sandwich brings that kind of comfort to your kitchen with a simple, familiar vibe that works for spring weekends, casual guests, or an easy lunch you can count on.
‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ filming on pause amid Taylor Frankie Paul investigation, sources say
Filming for Season Five of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” has been halted as the show’s star, Taylor Frankie Paul, and her ex, Dakota Mortensen, are involved in an “ongoing investigation,” three sources close to the matter told NBC News on Tuesday. The Hulu…
Winter weather warnings for millions, with heavy snow, high winds and tornadoes
Spring may be almost here, but it might not feel like it for millions facing alerts for wintry weather, including heavy snow, possible tornadoes and high winds. More than half a million customers were without power early Monday as a wide-ranging pattern of severe weather spread across large parts of the country, according to poweroutage.us.
Undefeated in the regular season, Miami (Ohio) is now the ultimate March underdog
Over the last half-century, only a few handful Division 1 basketball teams have finished the regular season undefeated. The list includes some of the most memorable teams in the history of the sport — Larry Bird’s 1979 Indiana State team, the 1991 Runnin’ Rebels of UNLV and John Calipari’s 2015 Kentucky team full of future NBA stars.
Nearly Half of Potential Jurors Dismissed in Musk Trial After Many Admit They Hate Him Too Much
The jury selection in a federal courtroom in San Francisco offered an unusually blunt snapshot of Elon Musk’s public standing this week. In a class-action lawsuit brought by Twitter investors over Musk’s 2022 purchase of the platform, nearly half of the prospective jurors were dismissed after openly acknowledging they could not be impartial toward the billionaire. Some said they simply couldn’t set aside their opinions. Others went further, telling the court they “hated” Musk. One potential juror even said that if the case were criminal rather than civil, he would feel a “moral obligation” to convict him and send him to prison.
NASCAR suspends driver Daniel Dye after he used ‘gay voice’ on livestream
NASCAR on Tuesday indefinitely suspended Daniel Dye — a second major penalty against the young driver — after he used what he called a “gay voice” to mock another racer during a livestream.
The 22-year-old Dye was opening trading cards as another person on the stream said IndyCar driver David Malukas “plays for the other team,” leading to the offending, homophobic ridicule.
Dey responded in what he called his “David Malukas gay voice.”
“It’s like ‘Oh my gosh, we race Indianapolis. Love Indianapolis and Roger Penske, I love Roger, love you Roger,'” said Dye, heightening the inflection of his voice and bobbing his head in mocking fashion.
Those comments ran afoul of NASCAR rules that bar members from making any statement that “criticizes, ridicules, or otherwise disparages another person based upon that person’s race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, or handicapping condition,” the organization said.
Dye drives in NASCAR’s third-flight Craftsman Truck Series, a developmental level below the top Cup Series and second-flight O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
He’s in 13th place after three starts in this young season. Dye’s Kaulig Racing also suspended him.
Malukas, a 24-year-old son of Lithuanian immigrants, races in the top-flight NTT IndyCar Series. He’s currently in sixth place with a career-first pole and a pair of top 10 finishes.
Dye apologized and admitted fault on social media.
“I chose my words poorly and I understand why it upset people,” Dye said in a statement. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s now I want to represent myself.”
Dye said he needs to be “a better friend” to the community.
“I have some close friends in the LBGT+ community who would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard,” Dye continued. “In talking with them, I realized that a true friend would know better than to act the way I did and for that I need to be a better friend.”
Why Is Darlington So Hard? NASCAR’s Toughest Track Explained
Darlington Raceway has a reputation that drivers do not take lightly. It is often called “Too Tough to Tame” because of its unique shape, narrow racing groove, and tire wear that punish even the smallest mistakes. It has long been considered one of the most demanding tests in NASCAR.
The challenge is not just speed. It is precision, patience, and the ability to manage a race over time. At Darlington, even small mistakes can turn into bigger problems quickly.
At Darlington, drivers are not just racing each other. They are managing the track itself.
A Unique Shape That Changes Everything
One of the biggest reasons Darlington is so difficult is its layout. The raceway is 1.366 miles long and features asymmetrical turns, a result of the track’s original design working around a minnow pond.
Unlike most oval tracks, Darlington is egg-shaped, which means each end of the track drives differently. One corner is tighter and more technical, while the other allows more speed and momentum.
That forces teams into a compromise. A car that handles well in one end may struggle in the other, leaving drivers to adjust constantly over the course of a run.
That balance is part of what makes Darlington so challenging.
A Narrow Racing Groove
At many tracks, drivers can move around to find different lines and adjust throughout a run.
At Darlington, the preferred racing groove is narrow, especially in the corners. Drivers are often forced to run close to the outside wall to maintain speed.
That leaves very little margin for error. A slight miscalculation can lead to contact with the wall, something so common at Darlington that it has its own name: the Darlington Stripe.
Tire Wear That Changes the Race
Darlington’s surface adds another layer of difficulty.
The track is known for being abrasive, which means it wears down tires quickly. Drivers have to manage their tires carefully over long runs, especially during green-flag stretches.
Pushing too hard early in a run can lead to a loss of grip later. Drivers who manage their tires effectively often gain significant ground late in a run.
That creates a race that is often decided by patience as much as speed.
Over the course of a full fuel run, that difference becomes even more noticeable, forcing drivers to constantly adjust their approach as grip continues to fall away.
Mistakes Add Up Quickly
At Darlington, mistakes rarely stay small.
A light brush with the wall can damage the car or affect handling. Over time, that damage can build, making the car more difficult to control.
Because the track offers so little room to recover, drivers have to stay disciplined for the entire race.
It is not just about being fast. It is about avoiding the kind of errors that can derail a run.
Why Darlington Is Called “Too Tough to Tame”
Darlington Raceway earned its “Too Tough to Tame” nickname because it demands more than just speed. It forces drivers to balance precision, patience, and long-run discipline in a way few tracks do.
There is no perfect lap at Darlington. No perfect setup. Drivers are constantly adjusting, managing tire wear, and flirting with the edge of the wall.
That constant tension — between speed and survival — is what defines the track. And why it has remained one of NASCAR’s toughest tests for decades.
Why Drivers Respect Darlington
Darlington has been part of NASCAR for decades, and its reputation has only grown.
Drivers know that success at this track requires more than raw speed. It takes control, experience, and the ability to adapt over the course of a long race.
It is not the longest track or the fastest. But it may be the most unforgiving. That is why drivers respect it. And why Darlington remains one of the toughest tests in NASCAR.
Denny Hamlin Sounds Alarm Over NASCAR’s Darlington Gamble With Bold 3-Word Confession
The Darlington Raceway has always been a tough track to compete in, and there is no one better than Denny Hamlin who can confirm that. Despite having five wins there, Hamlin has also had his fair share of challenges in South Carolina. But this time, as the garage heads there with changes in their cars, Denny Hamlin revealed that the biggest challenge this time isn’t what they know, but what they don’t.
“What’s going to be challenging this time around is all the unknowns. We have less downforce, more horsepower,” said Hamlin on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast. “So the added 60 to 80 horsepower we have is going to feel like 200. I know everyone’s been pounding the drum, ‘Give me a 1000 horsepower, give me a 900,’ We’re going to have all that we want this weekend.”
The uniqueness of the track is its narrow, asymmetrical oval shape, which makes it tough for drivers. As the horsepower has increased this time, the cars will be harder to control, especially through Darlington’s uneven egg-shaped corners. Additionally, less downforce means less aero grip, which in turn means drivers won’t have that anchor to lean on. One small mistake and they’ll be sent into the wall, or as they call it, the infamous ‘Darlington stripe.’
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Already considered to be one of the toughest races in the season, Denny Hamlin believes the challenge this year in South Carolina is going to be difficult to predict.
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“It’s going to be a very mechanical grip type racetrack, which eventually means those tyres are going to wear out because all the load is going through it and not necessarily the downforce of the car,” said Hamlin. “The challenge is going to be all the unknowns. This is essentially like all the teams going to a new racetrack. I don’t think any of the notes you have from the previous years will correlate. I think somebody will hit it and absolutely crush the field, I just hope that it’s us.”
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Last year, at the Goodyear 400 in 2025, Hamlin won in a dramatic two-lap overtime shootout, beating William Byron, who led 243 of the 297 laps. Now, after his emotional win in Las Vegas, Hamlin is currently placed fourth in the driver standings. And he will be hoping to extend that at the 1.366-mile track.
Win at Darlington would be massive for Denny Hamlin’s championship hopes
The return of the Chase Championship means that every regular-season win is going to be valuable. With a race-win now worth 55 points, there is a lot at stake for teams. Hamlin, who is yet to win the coveted championship, will know this more than anyone as he missed out on the trophy in heartbreaking fashion last year.
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With the change in rules, Hamlin has emphasized the focus on regular-season wins.
“The point standings are not different this year than they were last year, other than for the guys that win,” said Hamlin on the Actions Detrimental podcast. “All we’re looking at now is the regular season. You’re going to see people winning stages and winning races, and so there’s going to be a big jump in points.”
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The 45-year-old entered the history books with his 61st career win at Las Vegas. He overtook Kevin Harvick on the all-time NASCAR wins list. He will now be hoping to take the momentum from that historic win to Darlington and continue piling the pressure on the points leader and his 23XI driver, Tyler Reddick.
3rd-generation drag racer Maddi Gordon is addicted to speed
Gordon is a third-generation racer who became the 100th female to win an NHRA national event in 2024.
She was selected by three-time national Funny Car champion Ron Capps to drive for his Top Fuel team.
It’s probably not a coincidence that Maddi Gordon, a 21-year-old rookie driver in the NHRA’s Top Fuel dragster series, doesn’t do anything slow on purpose.
She had to think about it for a moment, but said it’s true.
“It’s actually funny you bring that up,” Gordon, a native of Paso Robles, California, told The Arizona Republic ahead of advancing to the semifinal round before finishing fourth in her Top Fuel debut in the 2026 Gatornationals March 5-8 at Gainesville (Florida) Raceway. “I walk fast. I hate walking slow. When I get behind someone who’s walking slow, I get irritated because I feel like I’m losing time.
“So yeah, I walk fast. I eat really fast. I probably talk fast. It’s so funny. I don’t do anything slow. I definitely don’t do it slow on purpose. Oh, my gosh. I never thought about that before.”
When you’re born into a racing family, the need for speed becomes second nature. That’s what happened with Gordon, who attended her first drag race when she was just eight days old, began racing as an 8-year-old, and in 2024 became the first third-generation Top Alcohol Funny Car driver in NHRA history and the 100th female racer to win an NHRA national event in the organization’s 75-year history.
“It’s just a lifestyle,” said Gordon, who picked up Monster Energy as another top sponsor at the Gatornationals. “I wake up every day, and I think about drag racing. I wake up every day, and I don’t just think about driving, but the mechanics, ‘How can we make the car faster, how can I be a better driver, how can I be better for our sponsors?’
“It’s a lifestyle. As much as I love driving, I love everything about the sport. I love the fans. I love the camaraderie. I love our teammates, I love working on the cars. … There’s just so much to learn, and honestly, I just love learning. It’s a never-ending path of things to learn.”
Maddi Gordon landing at Arizona Nationals
Soon, Gordon will be in the Valley for the NHRA’s Arizona Nationals on March 20-22 at Firebird Motorsports Park in Chandler, where she plans to rocket her 12,000-horsepower, nitromethane-burning Carlyle Tools dragster to a speed of 330 mph in fewer than four seconds.
Firebird is no stranger to Gordon. She raced junior dragsters and other event classes here as a young teenager and won on the Alcohol Funny Car circuit each of the past two years at the Chandler drag strip.
“Firebird’s been really good to me and my family over the years,” she said. “It’s just a great, great place; we love the facility and it’s been lucky for us.”
Though she got her start thanks to her father, Doug, a three-time national Funny Car champion, Gordon is moving up to the sport’s fastest class with the help of veteran driver and race team owner Ron Capps, another three-time national Funny Car champ. Capps handpicked Gordon to pilot the Top Fuel dragster for Ron Capps Motorsports in the same way the legendary Don “The Snake” Prudhomme gave Capps a shot back in the 1990s.
“Oh, gosh. None of this would have been possible without Ron Capps. Absolutely not,” Gordon said. “Driving professionally with Top Fuel costs was something I never dreamed about because it just seemed unattainable. My favorite thing to say about it is people say, ‘Reach for the stars.’ This was outer space.
“He saw potential in me that I honestly didn’t even know I had. When I say this is an opportunity of a lifetime, I really, really mean it. This has changed my life. It really, really has.”
Dad’s violent NHRA crash nearly stopped Maddi Gordon’s career
In August 2022, Gordon’s pro racing career almost stopped before it ever had a chance to soar. That’s because the family had concerns about her continuing to pursue a role in drag racing following a horrific crash involving her father during the first round of eliminations at the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota.
The elder Gordon’s Chevy Camaro Funny Car got loose, crossed the center line going nearly 248 mph, flipped over on its side and slammed nose-first into the opposite-lane wall. The car broke apart, turned upside down and skidded to a stop with a tire hung up on the barrier.
Miraculously, Doug Gordon walked away from that crash with only a couple of minor bruises.
“The one time I was fearful was after that crash,” Maddi Gordon said. “I was supposed to get in the car two years later in 2024. When he crashed, there were some conversations between my family and whether or not they were actually going to let me get in the car. Obviously, it was their decision, and if they said no, I wasn’t going to get to do it.”
Once the family figured out how and why the accident happened, then made some necessary safety changes, Maddi’s racing career resumed as scheduled. She hasn’t looked back since.
Now, it’s only about going as fast as possible. If you’re like me, where sometimes even the spinning tea-cup ride at Disneyland gets a little unnerving, just imagine flying down the asphalt at 330 mph. A Top Fuel drag racer can experience 7Gs of pressure, which is akin to a fighter pilot or an astronaut on blastoff.
I asked her to describe what the feeling is like.
“I feel like my arms get 3 miles long,” she said. “It’s intense, absolutely. It’s very similar to the Alcohol Funny Car that I drove. But when you get to 400 feet and that engine drops and this thing just locks the clutch up and starts pulling, it’s just indescribable. My arms are getting like 3 miles long and the steering wheel is just going away.
“There’s so much pressure. It feels like an elephant is just sticking its foot on my chest. It’s pretty gnarly.”
But she loves it because she loves going fast. Maddi Gordon does everything fast. It’s the only type of speed she knows.
Reach McManaman atbob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azbobbymac and listen to him live every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. on Roc and Manuch with Jimmy B on ESPN 620 (KTAR-AM) and every Thursday on the Doug Franz Unplugged podcast via Apple or Spotify.
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Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson React to Alex Bowman’s Vertigo Absence
Alex Bowman will miss a second straight NASCAR Cup Series race as he continues recovering from vertigo, keeping him out of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet for Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Bowman first experienced symptoms earlier this month during the NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Hendrick Motorsports later confirmed the 32-year-old driver had been diagnosed with vertigo and would step away from racing while working through the condition.
With Bowman still sidelined, Justin Allgaier will drive the No. 48 Chevrolet at Las Vegas. The veteran Xfinity Series driver previously filled in for Bowman at Phoenix and again takes over the ride this weekend.
While Bowman continues focusing on recovery, several of his Hendrick Motorsports teammates addressed the situation during media availability at Las Vegas.
Chase Elliott Understands the Frustration of Sitting Out
Chase Elliott knows firsthand how difficult it can be when a driver is forced to step away from the car unexpectedly.
Elliott missed six of the first eight NASCAR Cup Series races in 2023 after fracturing his tibia in a snowboarding accident, giving him a personal understanding of how challenging the recovery process can be.
Speaking at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Elliott said situations like Bowman’s can feel especially frustrating because drivers have little control over the timeline.
“For me, I was just kind of up against the clock,” Elliott said. “You’re just sort of helpless in a lot of ways. You just try to do everything you can about it.”
Elliott said the uncertainty surrounding a condition like vertigo can be particularly difficult.
“I just really feel for him,” Elliott said. “The unknown of something like that is probably the scariest part and a really tough thing to deal with mentally.”
Kyle Larson Sends Support After Strong Vegas Weekend
Kyle Larson also expressed support for his teammate while speaking at Las Vegas.
Larson has historically been one of the strongest drivers at the 1.5-mile track and entered the Cup race weekend with significant momentum. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion won Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, continuing a strong stretch of performances at the Nevada track.
Despite his own success at Las Vegas, Larson said the focus inside the Hendrick Motorsports garage has been on Bowman’s health.
“You hate to see any driver go through something like that where they have to sit out,” Larson said. “Alex is a great teammate for us at Hendrick Motorsports.”
Larson said everyone on the team hopes Bowman can return once he is fully comfortable behind the wheel again.
“He’s just a good guy and a great teammate,” Larson said. “You just want to see him get back in the car and feel confident in what he’s doing.”
Bowman Has Overcome Setbacks Before
Bowman has faced adversity before during his NASCAR career but has repeatedly returned to competitive form.
The Tucson native became a full-time Hendrick Motorsports driver in 2018 after previously serving as a substitute driver for Dale Earnhardt Jr. the year prior.
Since then, Bowman has won eight NASCAR Cup Series races, beginning with his first victory at Chicagoland Speedway in 2019. His most recent win came during the 2024 Chicago Street Course race.
He also missed time during the 2022 season after suffering a concussion in a crash at Texas Motor Speedway but returned later that year.
Hendrick Motorsports Prioritizing Bowman’s Recovery
Hendrick Motorsports president Jeff Andrews said Bowman continues working with doctors while the organization monitors his progress.
“He’s put a lot into the recovery process,” Andrews said. “Our priority remains making sure Alex is fully ready before returning to the race car.”
Vertigo can cause dizziness and balance issues, symptoms that can be especially challenging for race car drivers competing at speeds over 180 mph.
For now, Bowman remains focused on getting healthy while Hendrick Motorsports continues to support its longtime driver.
Carson Hocevar Makes Blunt Comments on Las Vegas Speed
Carson Hocevar was tight-lipped following Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session in Las Vegas. The driver of the No. 77 will roll off 19th in today’s (March 15) Pennzoil 400 in Sin City.
When speaking to the media following his qualifying run, the Spire Motorsports driver was not thrilled with the way he performed.
Carson Hocevar on his qualifying run: ‘We’re just slow’
During the media scrum, Hocevar addressed his qualifying lap.
“I don’t know. The sim wasn’t very good, so we just kinda showed up with notes and it’s just been a handful to drive,” Hocevar said.
Hocevar’s Spire teammate, Daniel Suarez, posted a 13th-place qualifying run. Meanwhile, their other team car, Michael McDowell wound up with a 30th-place effort.
Although Suarez was able to run a faster lap, Hocevar believes all three of Spire Motorsports’ cars are having difficulties in Las Vegas.
“It seemed like they were fighting the same issues in practice,” Hocevar said.
When asked what he believed happened on his qualifying run that resulted in the 19th-place starting spot, Hocevar made a blunt remark.
“We’re just slow,” Hocevar said.
Hocevar was also asked if aspects from last year’s Las Vegas race would help in performance on Sunday. The 23-year-old was optimistic about the things they “could change” on his No. 77 machine, but was definite if it would make a difference.
“Hopefully, the stuff we’re allowed to change can get us there. Stuff we weren’t allowed to change is similar to last year. Hopefully, that can be the case,” Hocevar said.
Hocevar was asked a few off-topic questions, such as if he felt a difference in the increase in horsepower at certain tracks. Last week, the Cup cars ran at 750 horsepower, where they previously ran at 670.
Despite the increase, Hocevar didn’t sense any change.
“No, not really,” Hocevar said.
In another off-topic question, Hocevar was asked about the significance of this year marking 20 years since the release of the hit Pixar movie “Cars.”
Yet, after his performance in qualifying on Saturday, Hocevar wasn’t wanting to talk about movies.
“I qualified like [expletive] and I got to get asked about Cars,” Hocevar said.
Carson Hocevar still seeking first Cup Series win
Amid his third full-time season of NASCAR Cup Series competition, Carson Hocevar has yet to capture a checkered flag. Amid struggles in qualifying, Hocevar aims to seek his first victory in today’s Cup race at Las Vegas in his 86th start.
Unfortunately for Hocevar, he has also struggled to find results at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In five career starts at the 1.5-mile track, Hocevar has posted a best finish of 15th, while finishing 30th or worse three times.
In total, Hocevar has 16 career top-10 finishes and four top-five efforts in the NASCAR Cup Series. His best finish came last June at Nashville Superspeedway, where he ran runner-up to Ryan Blaney.
In 2026, Hocevar has posted one top-five effort, which was fourth at EchoPark Speedway. He currently sits 15th in the points standings after four races.
The Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway starts today (March 15) at 4 p.m. Eastern time. The race can be watched on FS1 or listened to on the Performance Racing Network.
NASCAR Odds: Can Kyle Larson Pull off Las Vegas Sweep?
The NASCAR Cup Series circuit takes on Sin City today (March 15) for the running of the Pennzoil 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The race around the 1.5-mile track is scheduled for 267 laps and 400 miles.
Entering today’s race, Kyle Larson aims to pull off the weekend sweep after winning yesterday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. Meanwhile, a group of Toyotas will look to upset the two-time and defending Cup Series champion.
Ahead of the fifth race of the 2026 Cup Series season, this is a look at the odds.
Kyle Larson enters Sunday as the favorite to win
After a fifth-place qualifying effort and a win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race, it’s no surprise Larson is the odds-on favorite to win on Sunday.
The driver of the No. 5 enters today’s race at +350 to win, via DraftKings Sportsbooks. The Hendrick Motorsports driver is a three-time Las Vegas winner, with his latest victory coming in March 2024.
In his last six races at the track, Larson has totaled three wins, two runner-up finishes, and has placed no worse than 11th in all of them. Larson is aiming for his first Cup-O’Reilly weekend sweep since Bristol in April of last year.
Toyota drivers seek to upset Larson at Las Vegas
Kyle Larson is not the only driver expected to have a fast race car in today’s race.
Christopher Bell will lead the field to green after earning the pole in Saturday’s qualifying. The driver of the No. 20 enters Sunday with the second-best odds to win at +500.
In the last five Las Vegas races, Bell has posted three top-five finishes, including runner-up efforts in October 2023 and October 2024. However, the Oklahoma native has failed to win in Sin City.
Making up a Joe Gibbs Racing 1-2-3 starting grid, Denny Hamlin starts second in today’s race.
At +550 odds to win, Hamlin secured his 60th career win at Las Vegas the last time the Cup Series raced at the track last October. In the last seven Las Vegas races, the driver of the No. 11 has only one finish worse than 11th.
Chase Elliott, other Cup stars enter as longshots
While many of the usual suspects are favorites to win Sunday’s race, there are a few longshots that are worth watching out for.
One of those is Chase Elliott, who goes into Sunday at +2200 to win. The driver of the No. 9 has struggled to find results at Las Vegas with one top-10 finish in the last six races.
However, Elliott knows how to win on the 1.5-mile tracks as he did last September at the Kansas Speedway.
Ross Chastain is another underdog to watch on Sunday. The driver of the No. 1, at +2800 odds to win, has bagged three top-five finishes and four top-10 efforts in the last five Las Vegas races.
Josh Berry, the defending winner of the Pennzoil 400, enters Sunday at +6500 to win. The driver of the No. 21 captured his first career win in this race one year ago after pacing the field for 18 laps.
The green flag for today’s (March 15) race is scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern time. The race can be watched on FS1 or listened to on the Performance Racing Network.
Bridgestone announces 2026 motorsports activities
Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) announced its motorsports activity plans for 2026. The company will continue to support a wide range of motorsports both in Japan and abroad, from top-tier races to grassroots race events for amateur drivers. The Bridgestone “POTENZA” brand will be at the forefront of four-wheel racing, while the “BATTLAX” brand will power two-wheel competitions. Guided by the fundamental principle that “Tires carry life,” Bridgestone places the safety and peace of mind of all competitors first, delivering tires developed and refined at the track, and contributing to the advancement of motorsports culture. Bridgestone leverages motorsports as a “Mobile Laboratory.” The technologies honed through the relentless pursuit of victory on the racetrack are directly applied to the evolution of consumer-grade and commercial tires, strengthening the Bridgestone brand and delivering new value to its customers.
In top-tier racing, Bridgestone supplies tires under both the “Bridgestone” and “Firestone” brands. The company’s “Bridgestone” tires power Japan’s premier four-wheel racing series, SUPER GT, where teams equipped with Bridgestone Potenza tires have achieved an unprecedented fifth overall series championship in both the GT500 and GT300 classes. On two wheels, Bridgestone BATTLAX-equipped teams have captured the series championship for the fifth consecutive year—and sixth time overall—in the world’s most prestigious endurance motorcycle race, the FIM1 Endurance World Championship (EWC). Meanwhile, the “Firestone” brand, with its 125-year legacy, remains the exclusive tire supplier for the iconic NTT INDYCAR® SERIES2, including the legendary INDY500, supporting the heritage of another exciting motorsport.
Quote from Hiroshi Imai, Vice President and Senior Officer, Global Motorsports Bridgestone Corporation
“Motorsports is the ultimate team sport. Everyone involved will come together as ‘One Team,’ embracing the challenge of motorsports with passion and supplying tires we have poured our hearts and souls into. We hope to bring joy to drivers, riders, teams, and all the fans who come to witness the thrill of racing. I feel as if I’m rolling along with our tires on the track! This year, we are also sharing the voices of 10 of our teammates who work in motorsports tire structural design, material development, production, and motorsports operations. Please look forward to the efforts of our dedicated teammates who work with tires every day, and their passion through “Genbutsu-Genba3” to pursue the ultimate tire performance.”
Motorsports is the “origin” of Bridgestone as a tire manufacturer, and the “Challenge to the Extreme.” We are driven by our “Passion to Turn the World®”—a message that expresses the commitment to enjoying racing, striving for victory, pushing the limits, and supporting a sustainable mobility society together with the company’s teammates and partners. Under this message, Bridgestone will continue to demonstrate the spirit of challenging itself to new extremes through sustainable global motorsports activities, building trust and empathy with all those who share that passion.
Through our sustainable global motorsports activities, Bridgestone remains committed to its “Bridgestone E8 Commitment”4, specifically to “Emotion: Supporting exciting and moving mobility experiences.” Now and always, the company will continue to pour boundless passion into motorsports.
Chris Gabehart to Face Joe Gibbs’ Wrath as Court Agrees to Digging Up ‘Dirty Laundry’
The legal battle between Joe Gibbs Racing and former competition director Chris Gabehart just took a significant turn. A federal judge has approved limited expedited discovery in the ongoing JGR lawsuit, potentially exposing private communications tied to Gabehart’s move to Spire Motorsports. While the ruling allows both sides to begin gathering evidence, it also carefully limits how deep either party can dig. At least for now.
Judge allows limited expedited discovery
At the center of the ruling is the legal process known as discovery, where both sides gather evidence such as emails, messages, and documents before a trial begins. In this case, the court approved expedited discovery, meaning the process will move quickly due to the temporary restraining order already in place. However, Judge Rodriguez made it clear the discovery would remain extremely narrow in scope.
Most importantly, the materials being requested are limited largely to documents and communications that Gabehart himself possesses. That distinction matters because it prevents Joe Gibbs Racing from immediately digging through the internal records of Spire Motorsports.
In other words, the early stage of this legal fight will focus almost entirely on Gabehart’s own messages, files, and communications rather than a broad investigation of Spire’s operations.
What the judge allowed JGR to see
While the ruling restricted the scope of discovery, it still gives Joe Gibbs Racing access to several potentially important categories of evidence in the JGR lawsuit.
Hiring communications between Spire and Gabehart
First, JGR can review communications between Chris Gabehart and Spire Motorsports regarding his hiring. This includes emails, messages, and documents discussing his recruitment and employment. However, the judge placed a key restriction: JGR can only access copies that Gabehart personally possesses. Spire itself does not yet have to hand over its internal records.
Possible legal protection promises
JGR also wants to determine whether Spire promised to protect Gabehart legally if a dispute with his former employer emerged. Specifically, they are looking for evidence that Spire offered to cover legal costs or shield Gabehart if Joe Gibbs Racing accused him of violating his contract, stealing trade secrets, or sharing confidential information. Again, the ruling allows access only to Gabehart’s own copies of such communications.
Recruitment and employment discussions
The judge also approved discovery of communications related to Gabehart’s recruitment and hiring process at Spire Motorsports. These materials could shed light on how early negotiations began and whether any confidential information from Joe Gibbs Racing was discussed during that process.
Documents about his role at Spire
Another approved category in the JGR lawsuit involves documents describing Gabehart’s responsibilities as Chief Motorsports Officer at Spire. These materials may help determine whether his new role overlaps with duties he previously performed at Joe Gibbs Racing. Once again, the scope remains limited strictly to documents that Gabehart personally has access to.
Documents created between October 2025 and February 2026
The court also granted access to documents Gabehart created between October 1, 2025, and February 17, 2026, that relate to his transition to Spire. However, both legal teams must still agree on the exact cut-off date, since communications after a certain point may fall under attorney-client privilege.
Requests the judge rejected
Not all of Joe Gibbs Racing’s requests were approved.
The team attempted to obtain communications between Gabehart, other JGR employees, and Spire Motorsports. The judge rejected that request, saying there was currently no clear evidence showing the material would be relevant. JGR also attempted to access communications about race setups, strategy, operations, sponsorship, and staffing decisions. The court ruled those requests were too broad.
Instead, the judge suggested narrowing the focus to the term “analytics.” Both sides must now negotiate what exactly qualifies under that category.
Gabehart also gains access to JGR evidence
The ruling didn’t just benefit Joe Gibbs Racing. Chris Gabehart also received permission to request internal communications from his former employer.
Specifically, Gabehart can seek documents related to Section 6, Paragraph 2 of his employment contract, the clause that reportedly became central to the dispute after he expressed interest in leaving the organization. The key issue is how Joe Gibbs Racing interpreted that clause internally after Gabehart announced his plans.
If internal communications reveal that JGR’s leadership had different interpretations (or doubts about the clause’s enforceability), it could weaken their case in court. For Gabehart’s legal team, this discovery could potentially expose inconsistencies in how the contract was understood inside the organization.
Both sides must negotiate details
Before the discovery process fully begins, the judge ordered both parties to meet and finalize the exact parameters of the evidence exchange for the JGR lawsuit. That includes defining which documents fall under terms like “analytics,” as well as confirming the precise timeline for discoverable communications. Both sides were given a tight deadline to reach an agreement. Once those details are finalized, the judge will issue a formal written order outlining the discovery process.
Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) extended
Another key part of the ruling involves the temporary restraining order currently affecting Gabehart. The judge extended the order, which prevents Chris Gabehart from performing duties similar to his former competition director role at Joe Gibbs Racing while working for Spire Motorsports. The restriction now runs through March 26 at 11:59 PM, temporarily limiting how fully Gabehart can participate in his new position.
What this means for the legal battle
Strategically, the ruling in the JGR lawsuit may slightly favor Gabehart and Spire Motorsports, at least in the short term.
First, Spire successfully avoided broad discovery requests that could have forced the team to open its internal systems and communications.
Second, limiting the evidence pool to Gabehart’s own documents significantly reduces the volume of materials JGR can examine during this early phase.
Third, Gabehart gaining access to internal Joe Gibbs Racing communications introduces a new layer of risk for the organization if those messages reveal conflicting interpretations of his contract.
The temporary restraining order extension keeps the status quo intact for now, but the discovery process could quickly reshape the case.
“I Really Wanted to… Fight”: Daniel Suárez Publicly Calls Out Ross Chastain Following Heated Las Vegas Exchange
While it was just a push on Sunday, things could’ve gotten uglier between Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain. Following the on-track incidents in Vegas, when the Spire Motorsports driver went to confront the Trackhouse star, the heated exchange quickly escalated to Chastain pushing his former teammate. And Suarez recently confessed his side of the story.
Daniel Suarez was left sad and angry with Ross Chastain in Vegas
During a recap of his weekend in Las Vegas on his YouTube channel, Daniel Suarez revealed what was going on in his head during his confrontation with Ross Chastain. He claimed that what happens on the track happens there only, which is part of racing. However, what really upset him and made him sad was what happened after the race.
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He claimed he has known Chastain for a long time and has also known that he and his former teammate are ‘very different’ people. But despite that understanding, it was what Chastain said that got to Daniel Suarez.
“I always respect him. But the kind of words that he said after the race is just completely unacceptable. Like that’s chicken stuff. That’s not good. I lost a lot of respect for him as a person. Because that’s just not good. It’s not a good look for him and not look for kind of person that he is.
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“I was getting fired up to fight but what I was going to gain, I mean there is nothing to gain with that, he’s not the kind of person I really want to fight, but yeah, I mean just disappointed,” he explained.
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Suarez claimed that Chastain also didn’t have his facts right about the on-track incidents between them in Vegas. The Spire driver revealed that Chastain denied hitting him. But he emphasized that is part of racing, those things one can move on from. However, the words and comments that Chastain made, Daniel Suarez said, crossed a line, which is ‘the sad part.’
This is a developing story.
Bowman’s season may as well be over after unfortunate injury update
A Tuesday update regarding the health of Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman may have put a dagger into the season of Bowman and the No. 48 HMS team.
Hendrick Motorsports announced Tuesday that Bowman will miss the next three Cup Series races at Darlington, Martinsville and Bristol. Bowman has missed the last two races at Phoenix and Las Vegas with vertigo symptoms.
Justin Allgaier, who filled in for Bowman at Las Vegas, will pilot the No. 48 Chevrolet in those three races.
Alex Bowman’s season is essentially over
Missing five races would be incredibly detrimental for Bowman regardless, but given his incredibly poor start to the season, his chances of making the Chase and competing for a championship are extremely low.
Bowman is last (36th) of full-time drivers in the standings, accruing only 23 points through the first three races of the season.
He’s already 232 points behind points leader Tyler Reddick and 94 behind Shane van Gisbergen, who is currently the 16th and final driver in the provisional 16-driver Chase field through five races.
If Bowman were to return at Kansas Speedway on April 19, he would need a waiver from NASCAR, which he’d almost assuredly receive for medical reasons, and a herculean effort to make up ground and be in the top-16 by the end of the 26-race regular season.
Alex Bowman sidelined for 3 more NASCAR races with vertigo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman will miss at least the next three NASCAR Cup Series races while he recovers from vertigo.
Bowman had to exit the March 1 race at Circuit of the Americas because he was not feeling well. He was replaced mid-race and diagnosed with vertigo, and has missed races at Phoenix and Las Vegas since.
Myatt Snider drove the No. 48 Chevrolet at COTA, Anthony Alfredo drove at Phoenix and Justin Allgaier drove Sunday at Las Vegas.
Allgaier will fill in for Bowman again starting this weekend at Darlington Raceway, then at Martinsville Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway.
“Alex continues to experience symptoms, so we are following the guidance of the medical team and giving him the time he needs to recover,” said Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. “We see how hard he’s working to get back behind the wheel, and we’re looking forward to his return when he’s medically cleared. Everyone at Hendrick Motorsports is 100 percent behind Alex.”
Bowman is 36th in the Cup standings, 232 points behind leader Tyler Reddick and 94 points behind Shane van Gisbergen, Daniel Suárez and AJ Allmendinger, who are tied for 16th place. The top 16 drivers qualify for NASCAR’s playoffs.
Bowman is coming off a 2025 season where he made the postseason and finished 13th in the standings. The 32-year-old from Tucson, Arizona, has eight wins, 46 top fives and 112 top 10s in 364 Cup starts over 12 seasons.
His best finish in the final standings was sixth in 2020 for Hendrick Motorsports, where he has been as a full-time driver since 2018.
Bowman was also supposed to drive in NASCAR’s second-tier series for JR Motorsports in the No. 88 Chevrolet at Darlington on Saturday. Kyle Larson, Bowman’s Hendrick teammate and winner in the same car Saturday at Las Vegas, will replace him.
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Hendrick Motorsports Faces Major Setback after Alex Bowman Misses Multiple Races Leaving Playoff Dreams Hanging by a Thread
Alex Bowman’s vertigo left Hendrick Motorsports three-legged in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship. As per recent developments, their pain has an extensive date, as the #48 driver will be gone for weeks, leaving them with no choice but to remain with Dale Earnhardt’s JR Motorsports star for the upcoming races.
Alex Bowman unsure in the near future?
As per recent reports, Hendrick Motorsports confirmed that Alex Bowman will not be available to race in the #48 car for three more race weekends, at Darlington, Martinsville, and Bristol. As a result, HMS will continue to field Justin Allgaier, the JR Motorsports star driver.
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“Hendrick Motorsports says Alex Bowman will miss “at least the next three races” as he recovers from vertigo,” NASCAR journalist Jeff Gluck wrote on X. “Justin Allgaier will drive the No. 48 car at Darlington, Martinsville, and Bristol.”
Bowman’s missed races will make his playoff journey, which has now changed to Chase, more difficult than ever. Although NASCAR will grant him a waiver for the Chase, the #48 driver needs to cover up several points to keep himself within 16 drivers and be eligible for the title.
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“NASCAR would grant a waiver, I would think, when he returns that would allow him to be eligible if he reaches top-16 in points, but that will be nearly impossible after the start he had. He’s 94 points behind cutoff now so likely at least 150 points behind after three more races,” NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass wrote.
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Alex Bowman participated in the first three races this season before getting ruled out due to vertigo. In the three races that he participated in, Bowman failed to gather enough points to put himself at an advantageous position.
With the 40th, 23rd, and 36th place finishes, the HMS Star is now in 36th place with just 23 points. With races running out for the top-16 berth, Bowman will need to claim multiple wins to fancy himself a chance.
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Shane van Gisbergen is currently in 16th place with 117 points. Moreover, the competition is incredibly tough this season as there is just one point’s difference between four drivers (118-117).
However, the equation will only work when Alex Bowman returns to the track to race. Meanwhile, HMS and Bowman can focus on the #48 driver’s speedy recovery amid wishes from his teammate, Kyle Larson.
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Alex Bowman’s HMS teammate lends support
Alex Bowman’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Kyle Larson, shared his thoughts on the #48 driver’s situation. Addressing how Bowman did not have an easy racing career, the defending champion said:
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“He’s gone through a lot in his career as a race car driver – even back before NASCAR – and having some injuries and a broken back a couple of years ago,” Kyle Larson told RACER. “The concussion. Now this. It’s tough. He’s a great guy and a great teammate. I hope they can figure out how to cure him quickly and get him back with us all.”
Bowman was diagnosed with vertigo after he fell sick during the COTA Cup Series race. As a result, HMS put Myatt Snider to replace him immediately at that race, and then put Anthony Alfredo in the #48 car at Phoenix.
However, Rick Hendrick’s team brought in JR Motorsports’ star driver Justin Allgaier to fill in for Bowman in the upcoming races. With that said, it will be interesting to see if Allgaier can make the most of his opportunity.
The ‘Active 40-homer MLB seasons’ quiz
Eugenio Suarez has quietly been one of the most productive hitters in baseball over the past decade, but there was nothing quiet about his night against Team USA in the World Baseball Classic championship game.
Team Venezuela shut out the Americans for the first 8 2/3 innings before surrendering a two-out, two-run home run to Bryce Harper in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game 2-2. But Venezuela’s Luis Arraez led off the ninth with a walk and was pinch-run for by Javier Sanoja, who stole second. Then Suarez smacked a Garrett Whitlock changeup on the seventh pitch of the at-bat to the gap in left-center field, giving the Venezuelans a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
The 3-2 win was the first-ever for Venezuela at the World Baseball Classic, while for the Unites States it was the second-consecutive 3-2 loss in the title game at the WBC.
Which brings us to today’s quiz. Suarez finished the 2026 World Baseball Classic 5-for-20 at the plate with two home runs, a double and four RBIs, and is one of 24 active MLB players to hit 40 home runs in a season. How many of those players can you name in five minutes?
Good luck!
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Tommy Kahnle, Red Sox agree to Minors deal (source)
“Changeups, throws strikes, been there, done that,” said Cora. “Had a great season two years ago with the Yankees. Last year, he was really good in the first part of the season [for the Tigers]. It just didn’t happen for him or them in the second part.”
Entering his age-36 season in 2026, Kahnle had been one of MLB’s most dependable relievers before taking a bit of a step back with Detroit last season. He posted a 4.43 ERA for the Tigers in 2025 — his highest in seven years — but the veteran right-hander pitched to a 2.90 ERA from 2019-24 (he pitched just once in ‘20 and missed the entire ’21 campaign recovering from Tommy John surgery).
Boston’s bullpen is starting to come into focus. Fireball lefty closer Aroldis Chapman will lead the way, followed by ace righty setup man Garrett Whitlock. Righties Greg Weissert, Justin Slaten and Zack Kelly should also pitch in high-leverage spots. From the left side, Coulombe expects to be ready for the start of the season despite his late signing. Jovani Morán, who pitched for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, could give Cora a third lefty.
If Kahnle has enough time to be ready by Opening Day on March 26, he projects as the final reliever in Boston’s bullpen. The alternative would be for Kahnle to open the season on a brief Minor League rehab assignment or get some work at the team’s training base in Fort Myers for a few extra days.
Given that he pitched twice for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic, Kahnle might be able to ramp up enough to head to Cincinnati with the Red Sox for the season opener.
While there were some troubling trends in 2025, particularly his lower strikeout rate (18.7%, 21st percentile in MLB) and higher walk rate (11.6%, eighth percentile), his changeup — which he uses more than any other pitch — was still effective and he induced relatively soft contact.
Opponents hit .217 against Kahnle’s changeup in 2025, which he threw 85.6% of the time, the highest usage right for a single pitch by any MLB pitcher. The hard-hit rate against him was a career-high 37.3%, but that still ranked among the top 25% of qualified pitchers. And Kahnle’s ground-ball rate, while down from 2024, was still 47.6%, which also ranked in the 75th percentile.
Kahnle, a fifth-round pick in 2010 by the Yankees, was taken by the Rockies in the Rule 5 Draft three years later. He made his Major League debut with Colorado in 2014, and he spent the first two seasons of his career with the Rockies before being traded to the White Sox. He was dealt to the Yankees ahead of the Trade Deadline in 2017.
Upon returning from Tommy John surgery, Kahnle signed with the Dodgers for the 2022 season. Elbow issues limited him to 13 appearances for Los Angeles before he re-signed with the Yanks and posted a 2.38 ERA over the next two seasons.
The hope is that since he’s just a year removed from an excellent performance — and he’s been fairly durable over the past three seasons — Kahnle’s middling 2025 will turn out to be just an aberration.
First Look at ‘Backyard Baseball’ and Exclusive Details on New Game Dropping in July
For the first time in 15 years, the beloved Backyard Sports franchise is releasing a new game later this summer.
On July 9, Pablo Sanchez, Kiesha Phillips and the rest of the Backyard gang will be back on the baseball diamond in Playground Production’s all-new Backyard Baseball video game. Announced last month, it will be the first new video game entry to the series since Playground Productions brought back the iconic franchise in August 2024.
Earlier this week, Sports Illustrated caught up with Playground Productions CEO Lindsay Barnett to discuss a few exciting specifics that Backyard Sports fans can expect to see, including if MLB players will be featured in the new game. Read on:
There will be a multiplayer mode
Friends and families, rejoice! You can now play against each other in the new Backyard Baseball. Barnett told Sports Illustrated that multiplayer mode was the top request she heard from fans over the past two years.
“Having that communal experience together as a family is something that I really love,” Barnett said. “I think it’s also a good even playing field for kids to be able to beat their parents maybe for the first time.”
You can bet I’ll be taking my 11-month-old daughter yard with Pablo Sanchez as soon as she’s old enough to play. Anyways, moving on …
It will be a 3D game with 2D elements
Something that Barnett and Playground Production’s team of animators focused on as they designed the game was to have this new edition reflect the originals that made the Backyard Sports franchise so special, all while launching the game into the third dimension.
“Technology has come a long ways in 15 years; it’s really exciting what we’re able to deliver,” Barnett said. “Being able to do this as a 3D game also allows us to do camera movements and updates and all sorts of things that the 2D game was not going to be able to do.”
Still, though, there will be 2D elements in the new game for a more nostalgic feel—like the baseball card in the image below. And yes, that is your first look at Pablo Sanchez in the new game:
Back, back, back … Introducing Backyard Derby mode
It’s just like MLB’s annual Home Run Derby—with a Backyard Sports twist.
“It’s really hard,” Barnett said. “Can you hit all of these wild card, power-up pitches thrown back-to-back-to-back? Millennials who grew up with the games are going to be really excited to see how competitive it is.”
There will be difficulty levels to appeal to all ages
In the February press release announcing the new Backyard Baseball game, Playground Productions called it the “most ambitious” entry in the Backyard Sports series yet. What makes it so ambitious? The wide range of difficulty levels in the new game.
“Most games in general have a very specific audience that they’re going after,” Barnett said. “They can say this game is for [a certain] age group. We don’t say that with ours because we have a very, very wide audience. … For the millennials who grew up playing these and are between 27 and 40, we need to make sure that this is hard enough for them. We have competitive modes in this game, really for the first time. On the flip side, we still need to be really conscious that we are creating a game that if you have never played baseball before, and you’ve never played a video game before, you’re going to have a great experience with this. Having the full spectrum of gamers is a big challenge. We have delivered on that.”
You can play under the lights in night mode
In all of the previous Backyard Sports games, every contest has been played in the daylight. That’s changing in this new game with the addition of night mode, which will arrive with fireworks. Literally.
“Being able to see all of the different stadiums at night is so beautiful and creates a new part of the game, but it feels so nostalgic,” Barnett said. “… We also have a really cool thing that if you hit home runs during night mode, you get [to see] incredible fireworks that are special for each character. … The [home run] blimps can’t fly at night, so you have to do something else, and fireworks felt so Backyard and also so ’90s nostalgic.”
All 30 original Backyard Sports characters are back. And there are other characters to unlock
Pablo Sanchez, Stephanie Morgan, Kenny Kawaguchi and the rest of the original 30 Backyard Sports characters are back in this new game, designed to reflect their look and feel from the originals.
“I think we went through over 20 iterations of Pablo just to get his face-to-hat ratio correct,” Barnett said. “It was really, really important to us.”
But that’s not all. If you notice in the art below, Kenny Kawaguchi’s baseball card notes he is 19 of 33—meaning there are three unlockable characters in the game.
But who are those unlockable characters?
“It might be a couple different Backyard characters that might be available to play for the first time, or available to play again as unlockables,” Barnett said, giving fans a hint of who it could be. “There will be additional unlockables at launch. We’re also really excited about how to expand the universe as well through [downloadable content] as it goes on. This is not a live service game, but what we’re committed to is making sure that we always have interesting updates for fans, whether it’s athletes or comedians or influencers or whatever it might be that could appear in the Backyard. “
And now, for the biggest question of all …
Will there be MLB players in the new ‘Backyard Baseball’ game?
It sounds like that answer will be yes. Barnett didn’t reveal any names, but she did say this:
“MLB players were very important to the original game. With that said, there also were a lot of iconic players who are now retired who were in the game originally. They might not be current MLB players; they could be iconic MLB players, or a little bit of a mixture of both. I think fans are going to be able to see that in some of the unlockables and also possibly some DLC [downloadable content] down the road.”
There you have it. We’re counting down the days until July 9. I’ll see all of you at Steele Stadium.
More MLB from Sports Illustrated
Was Venezuela’s WBC win baseball’s ‘Miracle on Ice’?
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Forget the score for a moment. Forget the lineups and the pitch counts and the spring training caveats. What happened when Venezuela knocked off a star-studded Team USA to win the World Baseball Classic championship was something that transcended box scores — and the latest episode of the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast made absolutely sure you understood why.
The final was 3-2. Eugenio Suarez delivered the dagger with a late RBI double. Bryce Harper gave the Americans a brief, electric lifeline with a tie-breaking home run in the eighth. And then — just like that — Venezuela finished the job in the ninth. Eduardo Rodriguez, the crafty left-hander, was brilliant on the mound. Team USA, assembled from a dream-lineup of the sport’s biggest names, never got its powerful offense untracked.
In the aftermath, beat reporters Joe Noga and Paul Hoynes on the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast asked the question nobody could sidestep: was this baseball’s Miracle on Ice?
Noga didn’t shy away from the comparison — or from acknowledging what it meant far beyond the diamond
“To see the passion and the joy and what it meant to those players and to that country to win that championship, it’s definitely the biggest sports moment in the history of Venezuela,” Noga said. “You’ve got to consider it that.”
The biggest sports moment in the history of Venezuela. That’s not hyperbole carelessly tossed into a conversation. That’s a statement that lands with full, devastating weight when you consider what’s happening in that country right now — the economic devastation, the political turmoil, the daily survival that millions of Venezuelans face. A group of their countrymen walked onto an international stage and beat the most powerful baseball nation on the planet. In that context, this championship carries an emotional charge that goes far beyond sport.
Noga pushed the Miracle on Ice comparison further, wrestling with whether the David vs. Goliath framework truly applied
“Were the Americans the big bad Russian hockey team there in this equation?” Noga asked. “Were the Venezuelans ragtag bunch? You know, there’s plenty of major leaguers on that Venezuelan roster that contributed, but for them to come together and knock off the United States, who had to have been the more heavily favored team, I gotta believe that the David and Goliath theme fits.” — Joe Noga, Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast
The argument holds. Venezuela’s roster was stocked with major leaguers — this wasn’t a true amateur underdog story. But Team USA wasn’t just a collection of baseball players either. They were an assembled juggernaut, a national brand, a lineup that reads like an All-Star ballot filled out by unanimous vote. They showed up with the weight of expectation, the resources of the richest baseball infrastructure in the world — and as Hoynes pointed out, something unmistakably symbolic.
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“Team USA came in wearing the USA Olympic hockey jerseys, the gold medal jerseys,” Hoynes said. “It was politically charged. Just like the 1980 Miracle on Ice. Instead of Russia in the U.S. this was Venezuela in the U.S. There’s a lot of similarities in that.”
Political. Charged. Gold medal jerseys as a deliberate statement. It wasn’t subtle, and it wasn’t meant to be. The United States arrived projecting dominance, a reminder of a championship already claimed. Venezuela arrived with something else entirely — pride, unity, and the weight of an entire struggling nation on their backs. That asymmetry of motivation is precisely what makes the upset so resonant.
Hoynes also noted that Venezuela faced arguably the tougher bracket road, playing back-to-back games in the semifinals and championship — a gauntlet that tested their pitching depth to the absolute limit. None of it slowed them down.
There are legitimate nuances to the Miracle on Ice comparison. The 1980 US hockey team was built from amateur college players facing a professional Soviet machine — that purity of amateurism doesn’t exist here. And Hoynes reasonably noted that spring training timing affects even elite players, which may partially explain Team USA’s offensive struggles. Both points are fair.
But none of those caveats diminish what Venezuela accomplished. A nation navigating genuine hardship watched its players step onto that field and beat the world’s most powerful baseball country in the biggest game the sport offers outside the World Series. That means something profound. The passion of that Venezuelan dugout, the tears, the unbridled celebration — that was not spring training emotion. That was history being made in real time.
Want to hear the full debate on Venezuela’s WBC win, the Miracle on Ice comparison, and what it all means for the sport? The latest episode of the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast dives deep into all of it — don’t miss this one. Listen now.
Read the automated transcript of today’s podcast below. Because it’s an AI-generated transcript, it may contain errors and misspellings.
Podcast Transcript
Joe Noga: Welcome back to the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast. I’m Joe Noga, joined by Paul Hoynes. Hoynsie, the Guardians come out on top and a road game in their home ballpark in Goodyear, Arizona last night, defeating the Reds 8 to 6. Comeback win for the Guardians. Colby Allard on the mound as a starter. We were used to seeing him as a reliever last season and sort of a guy who pitched in a variety of different roles, but Stephen Vogt telling us a couple weeks ago that they were going to get Allard stretched out. I guess that it doesn’t bode well for his chances to, to make the opening day roster, but it does sort of get him into a, a position where he can help the, the club out. And, you know, AAA Columbus is going to need guys in their starting rotation. It looks like that’s where Allard might be starting the season.
Paul Hoynes: Yeah, Joe, I mean, he pitched very well. Three innings, five strikeouts, gave up a home run, was char when gave up. You know, his line said two runs, one unearned run because of an error. But yeah, I thought he pitched really, really well. He was sharp. He’s, you know, he’s got some inner fortitude. I mean, he’s not throwing really hard, but he challenges hitters. He works the edge, but he’s really, really aggressive. He throws a lot of strikes and, you know, that’s what we saw last year and last night. That’s exactly what we saw against if he, you know, obviously I don’t think he’s going to make the ball club coming out of the camp, but if he agrees to go down and at Columbus get stretched out some more, I mean, I think he can really help this team at some point during the regular season.
Joe Noga: Yeah, you talk about mental fortitude. I guess there’s also the mental fortitude of just being able to be adaptable and accept whatever role. If they tell you right up front, hey, there’s not a spot for you right now either in the rotation or in the bullpen, but we know that you’re going to help us at some point during the season. Just in talking to Colby Allard all throughout last year, you see that sort of step through. It’s not just he knows himself, knows what he’s capable of and like you said, aggressive attacks the hitters but, but doesn’t necessarily blow you away with his stuff. He’s a pitcher, he pitches to guys and he gets guys out by pitching to them. And that’s, you know, not something you see a lot of in, in in baseball now, especially coming out of a bullpen. But you know, you’re talking about guys that, that you know are high 90s throwers that, that have crazy breaking stuff. Kobe Allard isn’t a guy who, whose metrics jump off the page at you in that regard, but he’ invaluable when it comes to, you know, go out there and get us three outs.
Paul Hoynes: He’s a, he’s a guy that gets it. There’s a lot of guys in the big leagues that don’t get it, that they play the game one way. This is a guy that, he’s been through the kind of the mill, so to speak. He’ll, he’s adaptable, he’ll, he’ll change roles. He knows what he has to do to be a long guy, to be a short guy, to be a starter. He’s kind of learned through the attrition of the game and come out and, and has come out the other end, I think much, much better for it. Yeah.
Joe Noga: And that comes to go through it. He was a first round draft pick. He was a guy who had a lot of expectations and demands who, who didn’t have a lot of success early on and he had to, he had to, you know, sort of be humbled and learn and come back and, and now you get the best version of him, I think. And I know that Stephen Vogt recognizes that in him. I see that just in the way he talks about him. Yeah, don’t, don’t count Colby Allard out at some point. He is definitely going to help this ball club during the regular season. A guy who’s definitely going to help the, the ball regular season is Reese Hoskins. I think we saw that last night. His, the birthday boy, 33 years old and he goes yard in the, the game against the Reds. His second home run of the season for, for Cleveland.
Paul Hoynes: Yeah, really a shot too. Two outs in the fourth. He almost hit the, he may have hit the scoreboard in left field, Joe, way beyond the left field fence. It just, it looks like he’s finally getting into a groove. They’ve been giving him a lot of at bats since they signed him as a, you know, brought him into camp as a minor league free agent. And this is a guy that right handed hitters got some power. You know, he really fits well into this club and this lineup and now they’ve, you know, he’s just got to stay healthy for the rest of camp these last few, you know, several days at camp and they’ve got to make you Know, find, you know, then they have to maneuver the 40 man roster to get, get him a spot.
Joe Noga: Yeah, I misspoke their third home run in the year for, for Hoskins, third home run in training camp for him. But I think between you and me, we, we both really, there’s, there’s no doubt that they’ve got a spot and they’re going to find a way to get him on the roster and he’s going to, to, to sort of help solidify that lineup, particularly against left handed pitching. I think we’re going to see him often against lefties but also, you know, wouldn’t be surprised to see him in there against right handers occasionally too. They’re, they’re going to play him and they’re going to find ways to use him during the regular season as well as Chase DeLauter, the, the rookie is doing just about everything that you, you want and expect and hope for him. They had him in the number three spot in the order last night. With Jose Ramirez still taking his time. Coming back off the shoulder injury, Lauder had a hit, 1 for 3, had a strikeout. But he’s batting.393 this spring with 1076 OPS. His double last night was 115.3 miles an hour off the bat. The hardest hit ball by a guardians player in spring training this year. Everything looks like it’s full steam ahead. All systems go with Chase DeLauter.
Paul Hoynes: Yeah, and he made a nice catch in right field. Showed some speed out there, you know, on a drive on near the left field. I mean the right field foul line I should say.
Joe Noga: Yeah.
Paul Hoynes: In right field. And Joe, you know, the countdown is on. It’s almost like Valera didn’t make it and it, you know, it doesn’t look like he’s going to be able to open the season because of the calf muscle. Every time, you know, the Lauder comes to the plate or catches a fly ball, you, you, you, you just kind of waiting for something, you know, the other foot of the other shoe to drop. So you know, hopefully that, you know, this is a good sign he’s played really and just, just make it to opening day and then, then we’ll go from there.
Joe Noga: Put him in bubble wrap for the next week. Make sure he gets on the plane to Seattle from, from Phoenix next week on, on Tuesday night. And as long as nothing happens between now and then, we’re looking at the, the starting right fielder and, and a guy who’s pretty much going to be a linchpin for this lineup, they’ll still take their time. They’ll, they’ll still, you know, don’t be surprised, don’t be shocked. You know, if he plays on opening day, then he doesn’t play in the second game or that they load him in that first week. But you know, they, they’ve seen what he can do and they want him to be able to perform at his, his max. So they’re, they’re going to do whatever they can to, to keep him on his feet and keep him healthy. Like you said, George Valeria didn’t make it. That was the other side of that equation was, you know, was Valera going to stay healthy finally in training camp? And, and once again the injury bug jumped up and, and bit him. We’ve got Valera and Hunter Gaddis both in that sort of same position where they might be close to being able to get, and get ready to play, but there’s just, they’re just running out of time in training camp to do that. And it looks more and more like both of those guys are going to open the, the season on the injured list.
Paul Hoynes: Yeah, and there’s no reason to push them right now, Joe. I mean I heard Hunter Gaddis might be ready by the time they get off this, you know, the seven game season opening trip through Seattle and in Los Angeles, he might be ready for the home opener. But we’ll wait and see and probably the same, you know, I would think Valera will probably, you know, who knows with the, with the calf muscle, how long it’ll take. But they’re not, I don’t think they’re, they’re, they’re serious, serious injuries. You’re not looking at a lot of time down. You know, as long as Gaddis, you know, right forearm is, is, is a minor injury and they’re being careful with it.
Joe Noga: Yeah. And I think about like the, the guys who were likely to start the season on the injured list. Usually you’re talking about off season guys who had surgery or anything like that. I believe it was year David Fry was open the season on the injured list because he was still recovering from elbow surgery. You can use that 60 man injured list as well to free up a spot on the 40 man roster and maybe that’s the way they get Reese Hoskins on. If, if a guy like Andrew Walters is, is not ready or won’t be ready for an extended period of time because Walters is coming back off of surgery, maybe he’s the, the spot where they, they can manipulate and get Hoskins on the 40, man.
Paul Hoynes: That’s a good point. Definitely. You know, he’s, you know, he is making progress, but still he’s not going to be ready for opening days. You know, he. And he’s going to have to, you know, go through an entire spring training. So, yeah, he’s, he’s somewhere down the road there and he’s, you know, a good candidate for the 60 day high.
Joe Noga: L. Yeah, and that again, that takes them off the 40 man roster in terms of using up a spot there. So it’s, there’s possibilities all over the place as far as the, you know, the rest of the game. Last night we did see Travis Bazzana come up late in the game. He got a nap batter. Two actually. He got, he started the game three. Three. Three at bats. Two hits. No, I’m sorry, three at bats. And he drove in a pair of runs with a double late in the game. Batting.294.897 OPS in in spring training. Limited number of at bats. Uh, 17 so far. Uh, hitting the ball well, uh, and, and playing solid defense.
Paul Hoynes: Yeah, he just, you know, he. This was a really good at bat that Bazzana had and turned into a two run double. It came off red starter Nick Lodollo, a lefty. So it was a left on left at bat and Bazzana went the other way. He drove a double into the gap and in the left center to the fence and scored two runs. So, you know, we’re starting to see more and more of this guy’s game develop. Joe, I think he may have maybe, you know, getting the word that he, okay, you’re going to go down, you’re going to start the season at Columbus. Maybe just relaxed him a little bit. He knows where he’s going because that was a, that was just a great at bat that he had and going the other way against the lefty. So that, that was encouraging. And we saw him the night before make some nice plays at second base. So, you know, his. We’re starting to see why, you know, the Guardians made this guy the number one pick in 2024.
Joe Noga: And DeLauter and Bazzana likely to both be participating in the spring breakout game on Thursday. That game has a new start time. It’s 11am out in Arizona, 2pm here in Cleveland. They’re making all sorts of time changes because of the weather, because the heat. While we’re getting snowed out at the St. Patrick’s Day parade, they’re worried about 100 degree temperatures out in Arizona out there. Hoynsie yeah, Bazzana and DeLauter are probably on that, that roster because like we were talking here, Major League Baseball wants the top rated prospects playing in these showcase games. They’re making Connor Griffith play for the, the Pirates and that’s a guy who all the, you know, all the signs point to Griffin making the opening day roster for Pittsburgh and he’s the number one overall prospect going right. Likely that we’ll see Bazzana and probably DeLauter as well. Don’t know how much of them we’ll see in that game. But you definitely don’t want to expose either of those guys to any sort of injuries, getting extra playing time or anything like that in spring training when both are so close to contributing and being such a big part of what the major league team is ready to do this year. I just, you know, how much are we looking forward to that, that spring breakout session as it comes up tomorrow afternoon?
Paul Hoynes: Yeah, I think it’ll be fun, Joe. I mean, it was, it was enjoyable last year when they played it and you know, you’re going to see some of the Guardians top prospects. You know, I’m sure Ralphie Velasquez will be there. We had such a good spring. We might see Tolentino there, although he’s, he’s kind of still up with the big league. You know, he’s still kind of bouncing between a big league team and helping them. He played last night, but yeah, I think, you know, you really get a good look at, you know, some of the top players in Cleveland’s farm system, which, you know, is, is highly rated by a number of publications this year.
Joe Noga: Yeah, the Guardians Cactus League, you know, games have, have been like spring breakout games for most of these guys anyways. We, we’ve seen so much of the, these top prospects already playing in the Cactus League games. It’s like, why, why do we need an extra showcase? Haven’t you been paying attention? I don’t know, it’s. To me, it, it seems like the guys who, who already have one foot sort of on the major league roster, making them participate in the extra, you know, game there almost feels like when the NBA has its All Star game and it’s, it’s rookie showcase and they make the second year players go back and play in that, you know, you’ve got Victor Wembanyama playing in that game a couple of years ago and it’s like, you know, this guy’s like a frontline NBA superstar. Why are you making him play in a rookie game? It didn’t make a lot of sense to me, but that’s sort of the feeling that I get with, with this spring breakout is if these guys are already close to making the major league roster, then they shouldn’t be forced to have to play in some showcase. You know, bring up the guys from, from single A and let them play.
Paul Hoynes: Yeah, guys like, you know, I think James Violet. Yeah, yeah, sure. Jason Cheerio could play. Kahlil Watson. Those, those kind of guys, I think are, you know, would. Should make the, the. The roster or would be on the roster. You know, pitchers like Cal, Stephan, Raylan, Doty. What is it? Doty, Maybe even Espino might get an inning. So, you know, we’ll see how that goes.
Joe Noga: Yeah, and maybe let Espino start that game. That’d be kind of fun. But yeah, that’s the spring breakout. Definitely something to keep an eye on tomorrow. Pedro Avila, who was, who had signed after playing a year in Japan and had gone through a camp, was informed on Monday that he was not going to make the opening day roster, asked for and was granted his release yesterday. So Pedro Avila going, going shopping for a major league gig. What do you think the chances are he finds one with another team or maybe could he come back to Cleveland?
Paul Hoynes: Yeah, I think this is a tough time to be a free agent, to be making calls around. Everybody is trying to get their roster down to, you know, 26 or they’re not necessarily looking to add. You’re looking to subtract now. So tough, tough time of the year to be looking for work. Pedro, you know, was, you know, not coming off a great, great year with Japan in from his. With the, the Yakult Swallows last year in Japan. So, you know, I think I’d say it’s, it’s 50, 50 that he, you know, he comes back and probably signs a minor league deal with Cleveland. You know, hopefully I, you know, I’m. Hopefully he gets a big league job. Pedro’s a good guy, pitched well here in 2024 and you know, he’s, you know, you’re doing what you got to do. You got to ask for your release. You’ve got to have your agent call around trying to see if there’s another job available and if not, you got the guardians to back on.
Joe Noga: Yeah. And Stephen Vogt spoke very highly of Pedro on Monday. Sort of really gassed him up in terms of what he, you know, contributed and what he means to the club. I guess it sounds like there’s a, you know, door is always open sort of policy there. But you Know, you never know who might take a chance on him at this point in 2024. Avila was getting ready to go to, you know, start the season with the Padres and they, he cut him. The Guardians picked him up right away and early in April there that, that first week of April and he, he stayed with the club and, and really contributed all the way through the playoff run. So, you know, even, even contributed emotionally during that, that playoff run, as we recall. So no, just. We’ll, we’ll, we’ll keep an eye on where, where Avila ends up and if he does resign and, and accept a minor league assignment from the, the Guardians as well. All right, Last, the World Baseball Classic championship game against Venezuela. Bit of a struggle on offense for the US The Venezuelan team scoring, you know, what, what’s probably considered one of the biggest upsets in World Baseball Classic history. I think to win that, win their first title in that game. They, they come through Eugenio Suarez with the, the big RBI double late in the game and what, four, two was the final branch. Three, two, three, two. The United States really never got it going offensively. Bryce Harper with a late home run to, to tie the game in the eighth inning. But, you know, Suarez comes back in the ninth and, and there’s. What do you have to say about the, the United States getting to the championship game, getting to the end, being so close once again and not being able to finish the job in the, the World Baseball Classic?
Paul Hoynes: Yeah, I think, I think we got to remember this is still spring training. That’s, that’s the key to me that throw these, all these teams, you know, I think, you know, the upper echelon teams, you know, really performed well. When you take into effect the, you know, the time of year it is, especially for the players, big league players who are, you know, not, you know, I don’t think they’re in top form yet. Maybe that caught up to the U.S. you know, Team USA. It seemed like they, like you were saying, Joe, they never got on track offensively. They had the, you know, one of the best lineups, you know, a dream lineup in, in, you know, and they just, But I think they showed they were human. They showed that this is. You don’t play the season yet starts in March, but it usually starts in late March. And so these, you know, these games were, were highly charged. And I think sometimes that gets the better of even great players in a,
Joe Noga: in a best of five or even a best of three series. Do you think the United States takes two out of three in that or, or do you think they have a better chance in a longer series? I mean, obviously, baseball playoffs are a longer format. You know, the team that’s, you know, the better team that day doesn’t necessarily win the series because there’s more of an opportunity to, for your players to sort of come to the, come to the front and perform over a longer series. A single elimination tournament like this, you know, you really sort of have to build your roster for that. To, to win one game, I guess, is the way to look at it. Was it a failure, maybe, of roster construction, the, the approach? Or was it just the pressures of, you know, 30 different managers and GMs calling Mark DeRosa and telling him how to use their players?
Paul Hoynes: I think that’s, there’s a little bit of all of the above in, in the, in that answer, for sure. I think when you get a lot of those, you know, kind of a. Personalities in one room and, you know, all those, you know, those, like those great players, you know, who’s the leader, who’s not the leader, you know, that, that, that seems to, that would be a tough job for a manager to manage to just the kind of. Who plays, who doesn’t play. You tell Bobby Witt he’s, you know, I, I don’t know. That’s, that’s a little tough. And so I think, you know, there’s a lot of, there’s a lot of that. And like you said, Joe, there, there’s a lot of outside influences, you know, at work with this team, too, because, you know, you can’t use certain pitchers past a certain pitch limit or you’re going to use this guy two days in a row. All that stuff comes into play because it’s still spring training.
Joe Noga: But on the other hand, you. It’s still spring training for Venezuela, too. And to see the, the passion and the, you know, joy and what it meant to those players and to that country to win that championship. It’s, it’s probably the biggest, it’s definitely the biggest sports moment in the history of Venezuela. You’ve got to consider it that. But does it equate to the miracle on ice? Does it, you know, were the Americans, the, the big bad Russian hockey team there in this equation? Were the, were the Venezuelans, the, the ragtag bunch? You know, there’s plenty of major leaguers on that Venezuelan roster that contributed, but for them to come together and knock off the United States, who had to have been the more heavily favored team, I gotta believe that, you know, the David and Goliath sort of theme there fits. And no country has needed a shot in the arm more than Venezuela, considering the, the, you know, economic and political times that we’re living in. So you got to think of. Think of this as one of the biggest upsets in, in the. The history of the sport.
Paul Hoynes: Yeah. I think, you know, Team USA came in wearing the USA Olympic hockey jerseys, rather championship, the gold medal jerseys. Yeah. It was political and it was politically charged. Just like the 1980, the Miracle on Ice. There was instead of Russia in the U.S. this was Venezuela in the U.S. there’s a lot of similarities in that, Joe. And Venezuela, you know, played a great game. They came back late and won it. They had probably the tougher road to go. They had to have played back to back games in the semifinals and the finals. So. Yeah. And their, you know, depth was tested on the pitching end of it. Hats off to Venezuela. They won it and they deserve to win it.
Joe Noga: Yeah. And as you predicted, Eduardo Rodriguez going out there and, and really shoving on the mound, a guy that, in a big situation, you don’t want to face a crafty lefty like Rodriguez. That was an outstanding performance by him to lead Venezuela to the championship. All right, Hoynsie, that’s going to wrap up today’s edition of the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast. Off day for the Guardians on Wednesday. They’ll be back at home against the Royals on Thursday and we’ll talk to you tomorrow.
Paul Hoynes: Good deal.
MLB teams pressure WBC managers to be careful with their pitchers. But Venezuela pushed back.
MIAMI — Venezuela manager Omar López went beyond the limit to help his nation win its first World Baseball Classic.
Major league clubs routinely place restrictions on how national team managers can use pitchers at the WBC. One key for López and Venezuela in Tuesday night’s championship game was that he talked some MLB team executives into dropping their initial limitations. U.S. manager Mark DeRosa accepted such restraints.
That allowed López to pitch Chicago Cubs closer Daniel Palencia for the second straight night and third time in four days. Palencia retired three straight batters to seal a 3-2 win.
“I woke this morning, three text messages from different organizations trying not to pitch guys back to back,” López said before the game. “One of my strengths is talk, and I send my text back fighting for my guys and then set a phone call with everybody. When you talk and you get an agreement, you negotiate it, everything is going to go well.”
López relaxed a bit after the back and forth.
“I have my guys tonight to go back to back if I need to, and that’s the most important thing,” he said.
DeRosa didn’t use Mason Miller, perhaps baseball’s best reliever, because he promised the San Diego Padres he would pitch the 27-year-old righty only in a save situation. Miller had Monday off after throwing 22 pitches in the ninth inning of Sunday’s 2-1 win over the Dominican Republic, when his fastball averaged 101 mph.
After Bryce Harper’s two-run homer tied the score 2-2 in the eighth against Venezuela, DeRosa brought in Boston’s Garrett Whitlock to start the ninth. Whitlock walked Luis Arraez, and pinch-runner Javier Sanoja stole second. Sanoja came home when Eugenio Suárez doubled to the left-center gap on a full-count changeup.
“Honoring the Padres,” DeRosa said of Miller’s absence. “Had we taken the lead, he was coming in, but I wasn’t going to bring him in to a tie game.”
With the U.S. the home team and batting last, there was no chance for a save situation once the game entered the ninth inning tied.
“I wanted to honor the fact that there was a situation there where, if it was tied, we were going to use Whitlock,” DeRosa said. “We had talked to the Red Sox about that. And if we had the lead, we were going to use Mason.”
Palencia, a 26-year-old right-hander, threw 13 pitches in a perfect ninth to close out Saturday’s 8-6 quarterfinal win over Japan, striking out two and ending the game by retiring Shohei Ohtani on a popup.
He threw 15 more pitches Sunday in a 1-2-3 top of the ninth that finished a 4-2 win over Italy.
Against the U.S, he needed just 11 pitches that raised his three-game total to 39. Palencia struck out Kyle Schwarber on a 98.5 mph four-seamer, induced a popup from pinch-hitter Gunnar Henderson and blew a 99.7 mph fastball by Roman Anthony for a title-winning strikeout.
Palencia’s fastball velocity averaged 98.1 mph against the U.S., down from 99.3 mph vs. Italy and 98.8 mph vs. Japan, but it was good enough.
He threw 30 fastballs over the three games, seven sliders and two splitters, totaling 26 strikes and 13 balls.
“With that fastball, it is not easy to have good control, but I train that with my coaches in Venezuela,” he said during the tournament. “I trained like a sprinter because I learned that it is about velocity, the capability of the muscle to move.”
Walmart has a $20 portable charcoal grill you can use for tailgate season
If you’re getting the itch to get outdoors and start enjoying all those weekend tailgate parties, you’re not alone. That’s why we dug up the perfect Portable Charcoal Grill at Walmart to use all MLB season long.
The Expert Grill 14.5-Inch Portable Charcoal Grill is now retailing for just $20 at Walmart.
Not only is this Expert Grill Portable Grill the ideal size to transport in your vehicle, but it’ll give you that bold charcoal flavor you’ve been craving all winter. With 138 square inches of cooking space, you can feed a hungry crowd with ease. The grill can serve up to eight burgers at once on its steel cooking grid that’s also easy to clean.
Adjust the temperature of this Expert Grill Charcoal Grill with the stainless steel air damper on the lid. The lid and fire bowl have a porcelain coating for durability. The grill weighs in at just 5.29 pounds, so you can take it anywhere, including the beach, on a picnic, camping and, of course, all those tailgate parties.
Plus, Walmart is offering this Expert Grill Charcoal Grill with free same-day delivery, so it’ll arrive ASAP.
More Walmart portable gril deals
You can also check out even more portable grills at Walmart, including these popular picks that are also on sale.
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How to watch, stream Texas Rangers games during 2026 MLB regular season
After undergoing a full-scale revamp last offseason, the waters have calmed on the Texas Rangers’ television front.
Thanks in large part to the Rangers Sports Network, fans can enter the 2026 season with a little more stability on where to watch their favorite MLB team. That new stability brought with it a ratings boost last season, as RSN broadcasts produced a 37% increase in households delivered over the 2024 season average in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, according to Nielsen ratings.
Rangers broadcasts are mostly sticking with what works in 2026, with another 130+ Rangers games to be viewed on RSN via cable and direct-to-consumer streaming platforms along with a handful of games on over-the-air broadcasts
Here’s how to watch the Texas Rangers in Year 2 of the Rangers Sports Network.
2026 Rangers schedule
Cable and satellite providers
RSN has partnered with several traditional cable providers to air Rangers’ games in Dallas. Customers of DirecTV, U-Verse, Spectrum and Astound Broadband will be able to watch the RSN channel, which will air around 135 games this year.
For specific channel numbers and more information about individual providers, go to rangers.com/tunein.
Streaming options
More digitally inclined Rangers fans will be able to watch RSN on Victory+, the same streaming platform that currently hosts Dallas Stars games. While the Stars’ games air for free on the platform, the Rangers Sports Network will cost fans $100 for a subscription to watch.
FuboTV is another streaming option for RSN. The streaming platform will offer Rangers Sports Network as a standalone subscription that can be locally paired with a Fubo Free plan or Latino plan. This would include the same games available to cable customers.
Related
Over the air
The Rangers will once again air games as free over-the-air broadcasts. The club’s television schedule has 15 games, all Friday night games (plus two preseason exhibition games) set to be televised on KDAF CW33 for viewers in the Dallas-Fort Worth market. These can be watched using an antenna.
For over-the-air availability in other areas of the Rangers’ TV territory, go to rangers.com/tunein.
National broadcasts
A number of Rangers games will air exclusively on national broadcasts throughout the season. This includes four games on Fox, four on Peacock/NBC, three on ESPN and one on Apple TV.
Out-of-market viewers
For Rangers fans living outside of the team’s TV territory, all local broadcasts will be available on MLB.TV. The single team package costs $129.99 for the year. while the service’s All-Teams offering (except for local blackouts) costs $149.99 for a year.
Twitter/X: @Coylio33
Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
MLB teams pressure WBC managers to be careful with pitchers. Venezuela pushed back
MIAMI — Venezuela manager Omar López went beyond the limit to help his nation win its first World Baseball Classic.
Major league clubs routinely place restrictions on how national team managers can use pitchers at the WBC. One key for López and Venezuela in the championship game was that he talked some MLB team executives into dropping their initial limitations. U.S. manager Mark DeRosa accepted such restraints.
That allowed López to pitch Chicago Cubs closer Daniel Palencia for the second straight night and third time in four days. Palencia retired three straight batters to seal a 3-2 win.
“I woke this morning, three text messages from different organizations trying not to pitch guys back to back,” López said before the game. “One of my strengths is talk, and I send my text back fighting for my guys and then set a phone call with everybody. When you talk and you get an agreement, you negotiate it, everything is going to go well.”
López relaxed a bit after the back and forth.
“I have my guys tonight to go back to back if I need to, and that’s the most important thing,” he said.
DeRosa didn’t use Mason Miller, perhaps baseball’s best reliever, because he promised the San Diego Padres he would pitch the 27-year-old righty only in a save situation. Miller had Monday off after throwing 22 pitches in the ninth inning of Sunday’s 2-1 win over the Dominican Republic, when his fastball averaged 101 mph.
After Bryce Harper’s two-run homer tied the score 2-2 in the eighth against Venezuela, DeRosa brought in Boston’s Garrett Whitlock to start the ninth. Whitlock walked Luis Arraez, and pinch-runner Javier Sanoja stole second. Sanoja came home when Eugenio Suárez doubled to the left-center gap on a full-count changeup.
“Honoring the Padres,” DeRosa said of Miller’s absence. “Had we taken the lead, he was coming in, but I wasn’t going to bring him in to a tie game.”
With the U.S. the home team and batting last, there was no chance for a save situation once the game entered the ninth inning tied.
“I wanted to honor the fact that there was a situation there where, if it was tied, we were going to use Whitlock,” DeRosa said. “We had talked to the Red Sox about that. And if we had the lead, we were going to use Mason.”
Palencia, a 26-year-old right-hander, threw 13 pitches in a perfect ninth to close out an 8-6 quarterfinal win over Japan, striking out two and ending the game by retiring Shohei Ohtani on a popup.
He threw 15 more pitches Sunday in a 1-2-3 top of the ninth that finished a 4-2 win over Italy.
Against the U.S, he needed just 11 pitches that raised his three-game total to 39. Palencia struck out Kyle Schwarber on a 98.5 mph four-seamer, induced a popup from pinch-hitter Gunnar Henderson and blew a 99.7 mph fastball by Roman Anthony for a title-winning strikeout.
Palencia’s fastball velocity averaged 98.1 mph against the U.S., down from 99.3 mph vs. Italy and 98.8 mph vs. Japan, but it was good enough.
He threw 30 fastballs over the three games, seven sliders and two splitters, totaling 26 strikes and 13 balls.
“With that fastball, it is not easy to have good control, but I train that with my coaches in Venezuela,” he said during the tournament. “I trained like a sprinter because I learned that it is about velocity, the capability of the muscle to move.”
Mets Get Update on Top Prospect’s Bid to Make Opening Day Roster
With the World Baseball Classic coming to an end on Tuesday night and Spring Training barreling to its end, the MLB season is finally within reach after a long winter. For the New York Mets, it’s been a winter of chaos, as multiple long-time Mets left in free agency or were traded away.
Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz, two fan favorites, opted to sign with the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers, respectively, and Brandon Nimmo was traded to the Texas Rangers. After a collapse in the final months of the 2025 regular season, these losses signaled even more panic among New York fans.
With that being said, the Mets didn’t let their losses dictate their offseason. In the midst of losing cornerstone players, New York’s front office stepped up to acquire plenty of impact players, like Bo Bichette, Freddy Peralta, Marcus Semien, Devin Williams and Jorge Polanco.
Each of these players will have a big role to play as the Mets look to rebound as an organization from their disappointing 2025 season, but a surprise name has emerged to make the roster out of camp, and it isn’t anyone they acquired this offseason.
Carson Benge Pushing to Make Mets’ Opening Day Roster
The No. 2 prospect in the Mets’ farm system is outfielder Carson Benge, who has had nothing short of a spectacular Spring Training. In 11 games this March, Benge has carried a batting average of .406, an OPS of .972, and has electrified fans in the field.
Benge didn’t come into camp expecting to crack the Mets opening day roster, but his stellar play may be forcing New York’s hand. A first round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, Benge shot through the Mets farm system last year; he started the season in high-A, and was in AAA by the end of the season.
And he was a stud at every level; across all three teams, Benge hit .281 with 15 home runs and 73 RBI in the 2025 season. He has the potential to be a true five-tool player at the MLB level, but no one thought his emergence would come so soon.
Benge on Cusp of Making Mets’ Opening Day Roster
With the loss of Brandon Nimmo, an outfield spot has opened up. The only sure thing in the Mets outfield now is Juan Soto.
Benge, Luis Robert Jr., Tyrone Taylor, and Brett Baty are all vying for everyday roles to start the season.
In a year with so much turnover, Benge may not have been what Mets fans were expecting to provide them some relief, but he may be just the guy to re-ignite the future of the team.
Cubs Urged to Trade for Yankees’ Jasson Dominguez After Seiya Suzuki’ PCL Strain
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced yesterday that Seiya Suzuki has been diagnosed with a minor PCL strain, and he will be further evaluated in the final week before MLB Opening Day. Suzuki appeared to have injured his right knee when attempting to steal a base in the first inning of Team Japan’s WBC quarterfinal match.
The initial diagnosis is somewhat positive news for the Cubs, but the speculation that he could miss time opens the door for trade speculation as well, and FanSided’s Mark Powell is now urging the Cubs to trade for New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez.
More MLB on Heavy: Eugenio Suarez’s Clutch RBI Lifts Venezuela Over Team USA in World Baseball Classic Final
Should the Cubs Trade for Jasson Dominguez?
According to Powell, a trade for Jasson Dominguez makes sense right now due to the Cubs’ need for an outfielder and the fact that Dominguez might come at a relatively low price considering he’s set to start the season in Triple-A.
Here is the full hypothetical trade by Powell:
Cubs receive: Jasson Dominguez, New York Yankees receive: OF, Josiah Hartshorn, RHP, Brandon Birdsell
With Seiya Suzuki set to become a free agent after the season’s end, it makes partial sense to offload Suzuki now, because if he does post another monster offensive season, Chicago will at least have a replacement option in Dominguez, who is still just 23 years old.
There are shaky aspects of Dominguez’s game, like his defense and ability to drive the ball against left-handed pitching. Still, Dominguez comes with several years of team control and has also recorded fewer than 1,000 at-bats in his career. The 1,000 MLB AB mark is usually when you can really judge a player’s ability to hit at the big-league level.
Dominguez isn’t there yet, but with New York already having a strong outfield, that leaves Dominguez on the outside looking in.
More MLB on Heavy: Braves Sign Former Diamondbacks Pitcher to Minor League Deal
Will Jasson Dominguez Get Traded?
It seems like, as of now, the Yankees’ plan for Jasson Dominguez is to get him as many at-bats as possible in the minor leagues to start the season before he’s eventually brought back up.
There’s no doubt that he will be called upon at some point this season, but the situation and timing are unclear.
So, while the speculation continues to grow, urging the Yankees to trade him, which isn’t a far-fetched idea, New York would also like to hold onto its former top prospect, because it would be even more alarming for the Yankees if they trade Dominguez somewhere and he thrives in another organization.
Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah receive lifetime ban from MLS for betting on matches
Two soccer players received lifetime suspensions from Major League Soccer for betting on MLS matches, the league announced on Monday.
Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah, neither currently on an MLS roster, are accused of engaging in “extensive gambling on soccer, including placing wagers on their own teams during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, according to a statement released by the league.
Jones and Yeboah both played with the Columbus Crew in 2024 and were found to have placed a wager on Jones to receive a yellow card in a match against the New York Red Bulls on Oct. 19, 2024 and likely shared that information with outside bettors.
The activity was flagged by the league’s integrity partners and the MLS decided to place the two players on administrative leave in 2025.
By that point, Yeboah was a member of Los Angeles Football Club while Jones was still rostered by Columbus.
In the league’s statement, commissioner Don Garber pushed for reform to the markets available to bettors on MLS matches, specifically singling out the ability to bet on players receiving yellow cards.
“The League will continue to enforce its policies, enhance education efforts, and advocate for the elimination of yellow card wagering in all states to protect the integrity of our competition for clubs, players, and fans,” Garber said.
It’s not the first time a league has pushed for betting reform regarding niche markets.
Sportsbooks placed a $200 limit on MLB pitch-level markets after the Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted on federal charges for their alleged involvement in an illegal betting scheme.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Malik Smith has been immersed in the sports betting industry since 2017. He’s a data nerd with a particular focus on the NBA and combat sports. He spends his weeknights in the winter looking for edges on plus-money NBA player props.
Two MLS players banned for life for betting on games
Former Major League Soccer players Yaw Yeboah and Derrick Jones received lifetime bans for betting on MLS matches — including their own — the league announced Monday.
Yeboah, 28, most recently played for LAFC in 2025 and is a former teammate of Jones with the Columbus Crew. Both were placed on administrative leave last October while awaiting league review of potential MLS rules violations.
MLS hired the law firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP to investigate after the league received suspicious betting alerts through integrity partners. The law firm found that Jones and Yeboah “engaged in extensive gambling on soccer, including on their own teams, during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.”
During a match on Oct. 19, 2024, between the Crew and the New York Red Bulls, both players wagered on Jones receiving a yellow card, which occurred in the 35th minute due to a foul. According to the league, it “determined that the players likely shared confidential information with other bettors about their intent to draw yellow cards.”
MLS added that there was “no evidence that was identified that suggested any of these betting activities affected the outcome of a match.”
MLS has been successful with removing yellow and red cards as part of betting opportunities in jurisdictions that allow betting. Of the 52 jurisdictions in the United States (including Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico), 41 allow betting. Of those 41, 33 do not allow betting on cards, including 15 who changed their rules after the league reached out, per an MLS spokesperson.
The league also requires players to undergo training on its gambling policy, and they then sign an agreement certifying they have completed the training.
“Major League Soccer remains steadfast in its commitment to match integrity,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said in a statement. “The league will continue to enforce its policies, enhance education efforts, and advocate for the elimination of yellow card wagering in all states to protect the integrity of our competition for clubs, players, and fans.”
Yeboah is playing for Qingdao Hainiu in China and scored a goal in his debut this past weekend. The midfielder won an MLS Cup and Leagues Cup as a member of the Crew. In 91 MLS games (46 starts), with LAFC and Columbus, he totaled five goals and nine assists from 2022-25.
Jones, also a midfielder, played for Philadelphia, Nashville, Houston, Charlotte and Columbus from 2017-25, compiling one goal and five assists over 131 games (67 starts).
Yeboah and Jones are not the first MLS players to receive lifetime bans. In 2021, MLS suspended Sporting Kansas City’s Felipe Hernandez, then terminated his contract three years later for placing bets on league matches.
Visa issues may leave Jamaican club short-handed against LA Galaxy in Champions Cup
CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Mount Pleasant, a team from the Jamaican Premier League, is bracing to be without as many as 10 players on Wednesday when it takes on the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer in a CONCACAF Champions Cup matchup.
The reason: Those players, including six from Haiti, were unable to get visas to enter the U.S. for the match, Jamaican officials said.
Officials said Monday the match is still set to be played as scheduled, even while the Jamaican club — which plans to add younger players from the academy level if necessary — and CONCACAF seek a solution. The U.S. has travel restrictions on citizens from some nations, including Haiti, though there are mechanisms that can assist athletes in some cases.
The Jamaican club has been dealing with the issue since at least last week, apparently to no avail.
The match is the first of a two-leg Round of 16 matchup in the tournament, with the second leg set to be played in Kingston, Jamaica on March 19.
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Visa woes leave Jamaican side down 10 players against Galaxy
CARSON, Calif. — Mount Pleasant, a team from the Jamaican Premier League, is bracing to be without as many as 10 players on Wednesday when it takes on the LA Galaxy of MLS in a Concacaf Champions Cup matchup.
The reason: Those players, including six from Haiti, were unable to get visas to enter the U.S. for the match, Jamaican officials said.
Officials said Monday the match is still set to be played as scheduled, even while the Jamaican club — which plans to add younger players from the academy level if necessary — and Concacaf seek a solution.
The U.S. has travel restrictions on citizens from some nations, including Haiti, though there are mechanisms that can assist athletes in some cases.
The Jamaican club has been dealing with the issue since at least last week, apparently to no avail.
The match is the first of a two-leg round of 16 matchup in the tournament, with the second leg set to be played in Kingston, Jamaica on March 19.
Last year’s champion Cruz Azul beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 5-0 in the final.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Federico Bernardeschi reveals Juventus denied him the number 10 shirt
Federico Bernardeschi was a Juventus player between 2017 and 2022, before leaving to join Toronto FC in Major League Soccer. The winger arrived at Juve from Fiorentina, where he had been one of Serie A’s standout performers, despite La Viola doing everything possible to prevent the transfer from taking place.
During his time at Juventus, Bernardeschi was regarded as one of the club’s more talented players and was relied upon in several key matches. His versatility and attacking flair made him a valuable asset in various tactical setups, and he quickly adapted to the demands of a top club competing for major honours.
The Number 10 Ambition
Upon his arrival, Bernardeschi expressed a desire to wear the number 10 shirt, a number historically associated with some of the club’s most iconic figures. At that time, the shirt was vacant, and the young Italian hoped to continue the legacy associated with it.
However, Juventus had other plans. The club decided not to award him the number immediately, and the shirt was soon given to Paulo Dybala, who was already in his third year at Juventus and widely considered to have earned the honour. The decision sent a clear message regarding the club’s view of Bernardeschi’s readiness to assume such a prestigious role.
Reflecting on the Past
Bernardeschi has recalled the moment and shared his perspective on the situation. As quoted by Tuttojuve, he said, “The number 10 at Juve? I asked to have the number 10 shirt, they told me I was too young and had to wait at least a year. Then Dybala took it, who was already in his third year at Juventus, and that train passed for me.”
The experience highlighted both the challenges of stepping into a club with a rich history and the patience required for young players to make their mark. Despite not receiving the number 10 shirt, Bernardeschi went on to contribute significantly during his five years with Juventus before embarking on a new chapter in North America with Toronto FC.
Orlando City, coach Oscar Pareja parting ways after 3 losses to open the season
Orlando City and head coach Oscar Pareja have agreed to part ways just three games into the Major League Soccer season.
Orlando City is coming off a 5-0 loss to New York City FC on Saturday, the team’s third straight defeat.
Pareja became head coach of Orlando ahead of the 2020 season. The team went to the playoffs in each year of his tenure and reached the semifinals in 2024.
Assistant coach Martín Perelman will take over as interim head coach.
“I want to thank Oscar for the dedication, leadership and professionalism he brought to our club,” Ricardo Moreira, Orlando’s general manager and sporting director, said Wednesday in a statement. “He delivered one of the most significant moments in Orlando City’s history with the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and helped establish the competitive foundation that has propelled us forward, highlighted by our active club-record run of six straight playoffs appearances, which is currently the longest streak in MLS.”
Pareja, who is from Colombia, had previous head coaching stints with FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids, as well as Liga MX’s Tijuana.
He finishes his career at Orlando with a 103-72-66 record at the helm.
“Together, we shared moments that will stay with me forever,” Pareja said about his time in Orlando. “While it is the right time for both me and the Club to move in new directions, I leave proud of the work we did and with deep appreciation for the people who made it possible.”
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MLS suspends Philadelphia Union’s Ernst Tanner after misconduct probe
Major League Soccer has suspended Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner without pay through June 1, 2026 for violating the policies and standards of professional conduct required of league and club leadership.
According to a report by The Guardian, Tanner made use of sexist and anti-gay language in the workplace while also being reported for making racist comments about Black players, coaches and referees. The report revealed that the allegations were made in an MLS Player’s Association complaint to the league.
MLS previously conducted an investigation into the allegations but closed the case after failing to verify the initial claims. Since the release of The Guardian’s report, however, the league announced the investigation would be reopened.
Tanner was then placed on administrative leave on November 19, 2025, when MLS reopened its investigation into the allegations of inappropriate and insensitive comments made by the Union’s sporting director.
“Following the completion of an investigation conducted by the law firm Littler Mendelson, Major League Soccer has suspended Philadelphia Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner without pay through June 1, 2026,” said the league in a news release.
“Based on new information obtained during outside counsel’s independent review, the investigation substantiated violations of MLS policies and standards of professional conduct required of League and Club leadership.”
MLS also revealed that Tanner must complete a league-approved restorative practices program before being reinstated into his position.
Tanner first joined the Philadelphia Union as a sporting director in 2018, before signing a contract extension with the club in 2021.
Philadelphia Union exec Ernst Tanner suspended after misconduct investigation
Major League Soccer suspended Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner without pay through June 1 following a months-long investigation after a November report alleged wide range of inappropriate workplace behavior.
The Guardian detailed several allegations of misconduct against Tanner and corroborated several claims mentioned in a previous MLS Players Association complaint involving multiple instances of racist, sexist and homophobic behavior.
Following the Guardian report, MLS reopened its inquiry into Tanner with the law firm of Littler Mendelson leading the investigation.
“Based on new information obtained during outside counsel’s independent review, the investigation substantiated violations of MLS policies and standards of professional conduct required of League and Club leadership,” the league said in a statement to the outlet on Monday.
MLS did not provide details about specific allegations the league had substantiated.
The Union put Tanner on an administrative leave of absence after the league’s inquiry was announced in November.
His suspension of pay began on Monday, the Guardian reported, and it’s unknown whether he was paid during his leave.
Tanner will be required to complete an MLS-approved restorative practices program before he can be reinstated.
“Based on the findings from Major League Soccer’s investigation, the Philadelphia Union supports the league’s disciplinary action and restorative practices program for Sporting Director Ernst Tanner. The Union will evaluate the best and appropriate structure for the organization following the disciplinary process,” the Union said in a statement. “The Philadelphia Union remains committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone associated with our club.”
Tanner has denied the allegations against him and, in a statement of his own on Monday, said he regrets “the impact that this situation has had” on the club.
“I remain proud of my work with the Philadelphia Union and look forward to my return and future work with the team,” he said.
The inquiry was the second MLS has made involving Tanner.
The MLSPA made its initial complaint last year, but MLS said it was unable to substantiate the claims at the time.
Most of Olympic soccer tournament will be played outside of LA
While the Rose Bowl will host the men’s and women’s gold medal soccer matches for the 2028 Olympic Games, the iconic venue, site of the 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup finals, will be limited to holding five matches during the Games because of field condition and security concerns.
Under a tournament schedule released Monday by LA 28, just five of the 58 matches, less than nine percent, for the Olympic women’s and men’s tournaments will be played in the Los Angeles-Orange County market, the fewest number of matches held in a Games host city area since the 1996 Olympic Games when no matches were played in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The 1996 men’s and women’s finals were played at Sanford Stadium on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, 70 miles and 80 minutes from Atlanta.
The Rose Bowl schedule was dictated largely by concerns FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, and local organizers had about the wear and tear on the stadium’s pitch. Security concerns and overburdening the area also contributed to the Rose Bowl’s limited schedule. The Olympic diving competition will take place at the nearby Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.
In addition to the men’s and women’s finals July 28-29, the Rose Bowl will also host a women’s quarterfinal on July 21 and a men’s and women’s semifinal match July 24-25.
The bulk of the tournament, 53 matches, will be played in Major League Soccer Stadiums in six cities across three time zones. San Diego will host 11 matches, including a men’s and women’s semifinal match and the men’s and women’s bronze medal matches. New York, Columbus and Nashville will host nine matches each. Eight games will be played in St. Louis, while seven will be played in San Jose.
The MLS stadiums, which range in capacity from 18,000 (San Jose) to 35,000 (San Diego), are a better fit for the Olympic tournaments than larger stadiums such as Stanford Stadium, which held 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup matches.
Half of the 2024 Olympic women’s tournament first round matches, nine of 18, drew less than 10,000 spectators and Germany and Zambia drew just 2,642 at St. Etienne’s 41,965-seat Stade Geoffrey-Guichard.
Nine matches at the 2024 Olympic Games were played in Paris’ Parc de Prince stadium, 37 matches in the 2021 Olympics were played in the greater Tokyo area, 12 matches for the 2016 Games were held in Rio de Janeiro and Wembley Stadium hosted nine matches at the 2012 Games.
The Rose Bowl hosted nine of the 16 matches for the 1984 Olympic men’s tournament. The International Olympic Committee did not include women’s soccer until the 1996 Games. The Rose Bowl also hosted eight of the 52 matches for the 1994 World Cup.
The Los Angeles area’s two MLS venues will be used for other sports during the Olympics. BMO Stadium will host the Olympic flag football and lacrosse competitions. Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson is the site of the Games’ archery and rugby events.
NBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year learning new role: Soccer team owner
Stephon Castle had been playing for a professional sports team for only a few months last year when the then-20-year-old began considering owning a piece of another.
A 6-foot-6 guard, Castle was finishing his first season with the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs last spring when his agent, Joe Smith, and parents, Quannette and Stacey, ran an investment opportunity past him. Such approaches are common for newly minted millionaires, such as NBA rookies. But this one felt different.
Andre Swanston, one of only a handful of Black majority team owners in all of North American professional sports, wanted Castle to join the ownership group for a new soccer franchise in Connecticut. Castle was raised in Georgia but had committed to play at the University of Connecticut before his junior year of high school, and in 2024 won an NCAA championship in his lone collegiate season. The state has become a “second home,” he said.
“Everything kind of happened fast from there,” Castle said.
By December, Castle’s Spurs teammates, many of them serious soccer fans, learned that their point guard was not only last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, but also one of several minority owners of CT United of Major League Soccer’s developmental second division, called Next Pro. CT United began its first season this month.
“We got a lot of soccer fans on our team,” Castle said, “so it started some trash talk, kind of instantly.”
He had become the latest basketball star to become an owner in another sport — and specifically soccer. LeBron James bought a minority stake in Liverpool of the Premier League in 2011. As MLS grew to 30 teams, James Harden joined the ownership of the Houston Dynamo in 2019, and Kevin Durant bought a piece of the Philadelphia Union in 2020. Five years later, Durant bought into Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain too.
Athletes are increasingly interested in owning equity in teams or brands, said Smith, Castle’s agent, yet he described Castle as an outlier. At the time James, Harden and Durant purchased their stakes, each was already an NBA veteran on a lucrative contract. Castle was only 21 and a rising star still on his rookie contract when his minority ownership in CT United — he declined to say the percentage of his ownership stake — became official in December.
The decision was not out of character for Castle, Smith said. The two met when Castle was still in high school, and Smith said he was struck by how much the teenager was already considering his “legacy,” Smith said. Castle never switched high schools or flipped his college commitment, both rarities among top prospects.
“I feel like that’s just the way me and all my siblings were raised, just to think smart, think ahead and try and not to skip steps,” Castle said.
As he founded CT United from scratch, the 44-year-old Swanston also wasn’t looking to skip steps, understanding the soccer club would need to prove to MLS leaders that it was worthy of inclusion in the sport’s top domestic league.
“To show that we can be the first team to actually grow from within the Major League Soccer ecosystem from an academy team to a minor league team to major league team is, I think, earning it in a way that no one else can say they’ve ever done,” he said.
United’s placement in Connecticut is no accident.
Raised in the Bronx, Swanston attended boarding school in Connecticut and later went to the University of Connecticut, where he was a triple jumper on the school’s track team. While there, he learned that UConn’s wildly successful men’s and women’s basketball programs weren’t the only uber-popular teams on campus. The women’s soccer team played for a national championship in 2003, while the men won the title in 2000 and regularly topped NCAA attendance rankings.
“On a Friday night, thousands of people, everybody, went to soccer matches,” Swanston said.
As recently as last fall, the men still drew the fifth-highest attendance average in the NCAA. Such a built-in fan base was part of Swanston’s calculus for wanting a team in the state, an idea he said first took hold in 2018 and became more possible in 2020, when the data company he founded sold for nine figures, he said.
Not long after, he heard that MLS was starting a second division as part of a plan to develop younger players, staffers, executives and even test on-field rules in markets where there weren’t already MLS teams, like Chattanooga, Tennessee, and High Point, North Carolina.
“Connecticut is the most densely populated, affluent market in America with none of the top five major sporting leagues, right?” Swanston said. “A billion dollars a year pretty much goes to subsidize New York and Boston out of Connecticut.”
In 2021, Swanston met with Ali Curtis, the president of MLS Next Pro. Curtis had started as the general manager of Toronto, making him the first Black general manager in league history, before rising through the ranks. Swanston can talk at length about soccer prospects and playing styles, and believes that knowledge helped MLS officials take him seriously.
Curtis was impressed by Swanston’s ambition and confidence. And, “as a person of color,” Curtis added, “you don’t always meet a prospect that is also a person of color that is going to be a potential owner within the league.”
MLS does not keep demographic data on its teams’ ownership groups, a spokeswoman said. The league describes Swanston as “one of only a few Black majority team owners in the history of U.S. pro sports.” There are currently no Black majority owners of MLB, NBA, NHL or NFL teams.
MLS has league rules for vetting potential team owners, who are the league’s de facto business partners, Curtis said, calling it “probably the first and the last point that you focus on. What’s the ownership group going to be? Who are they? What are their values? What are their principles?”
As valuations of U.S. pro teams have spiked over the last decade, there is also the question of how many individuals have enough money to buy teams. Leagues carefully review the wealth of a controlling owner, but Swanston believes minority representation could grow if more value were placed on an ownership group’s combined wealth.
“If you talk about four groups or four families worth $2 billion instead of one [family], you’ve dramatically increased the potential for minority ownership and female ownership,” Swanston said. “I think in the meantime, where we’re gonna see diversity and ownership is in minority positions, with people owning 1% to 10% of clubs, and I think we have seen a huge jump in that over the last decade.”
Swanston and his wife, Michelle, the team’s co-owner, have intentionally kept CT United’s identity local. They started a free youth academy. Eight wolf’s tails in the team logo represent one for each of Connecticut’s counties. The sponsor on the front of the jersey is headquartered in Stamford; the jersey was designed by a Bridgeport-based company. As the team waits to build a stadium in Bridgeport, its home games this season will be held around the state in a barnstorming tour.
And to fill out his ownership group, he began talking with Smith and Castle’s father about including Stephon, in part because of his role on the 2024 Connecticut team that won an NCAA basketball championship. It was Castle’s shared affinity for Connecticut that mattered to Swanston, not his soccer knowledge — “I know he likes winning,” Swanston said.
Castle knew about the lack of Black ownership when he agreed to join.
“I wouldn’t say that was a sole reason why I think I made that decision, but it definitely played a factor for sure,” he said.
Castle was drawn more to keeping his connection to Connecticut and being part of a team from its inception. He also appreciates soccer, even if he doesn’t compete himself. He has long played soccer video games — typically as established powers Liverpool and Manchester City — and he attended a game at Barcelona’s famed Camp Nou stadium in 2023 on a trip with the UConn basketball team.
Castle envisions being involved and wants to build relationships with United players, many of whom are similar in age. But that will have to wait; the Spurs this season have become overnight NBA title contenders and could play deep into June. He might try to strike up a conversation with the Spurs’ owners to get advice, he said.
For now, he keeps CT United jerseys and a scarf at his Texas home. He’s been part of the club for less than six months yet already believes this won’t be his last investment in pro sports.
“Just being able to connect with people on that [ownership] level is obviously a big thing for me. So just that in itself I feel like is a success,” he said. “So later down the line, even after my career, I’m probably definitely going to look into doing this again.”
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
NBA draft prospect Alijah Arenas refuses to see his dreams derailed
Barely a minute or two ticked away at Galen Center last month,but USC freshman Alijah Arenas already was exhausted. His legs felt like anchors dragging across the court. Every trip down and back left his lungs howling.
Not 48 hours earlier, Arenas was confined to his bed, sick with a particularly unforgiving form of the flu. The virus sapped him of the strength he’d built during his first seven games at USC — another frustrating setback during a season with too many to count.
At practice the day before, Arenas felt so tired he spent most of the session lying down, trying not to move. But after all the games missed and all the opportunities lost during the past 10 months, Arenas never willingly gave up another.
He came to USC, after all, as a surefire NBA lottery pick, a sinewy playmaking marvel capable of creating his shot anywhere, anytime. He seemed like the sort of tantalizing five-star talent who could change not just the present but future of a program.
But he spent almost three-quarters of what could be his only college season sidelined. So, with a top-10 Illinois team coming to town, Arenas fought to play. He ended up slogging his way through 18 minutes and scored eight points. USC lost to Illinois by 36, its largest margin of defeat of the regular season.
That was three weeks ago. USC hasn’t won a game since. It opens Big Ten tournament action against Washington on Wednesday in need of a miracle run just to make the NCAA tournament.
Arenas isn’t one to make excuses. “I’m not going to blame it on [being sick,]” he said the day after the Illinois loss.
There has been plenty of blame to go around during USC’s seven-game losing streak. But Arenas blames himself. He should have been more prepared for this season, he says. He should have been working out harder, recovering faster.
“The facts speak for themselves,” Arenas said. “I just have to point out the obvious.”
He thinks about his little brother, Aloni. He’s only 14. He’s been hounding Alijah about getting in the gym. Why hadn’t he listened?
“It’s becoming a problem,” he said. “Lately, I’ve been talking about striving for perfection, instead of actually practicing it.”
He’s spent all night thinking about this. Obsessing over it.
But on the other hand … maybe he’s being a bit hard on himself.
One morning last April, Arenas was driving home from the gym when his Tesla Cybertruck malfunctioned, crashed into a tree and burst into flames, briefly trapping him inside. He managed to escape, but he was placed in a medically induced coma to aid recovery from smoke inhalation and hospitalized for six days. Then, within days of finally being cleared to practice during the summer at USC, Arenas learned his meniscus was torn. He had one surgery on his knee, only to learn he needed a second about a month later.
Doctors told Arenas at the time that the knee injury was likely season-ending. But he refused to accept that fate. When his knee responded well to the second surgery, doctors conceded he might be able to return sometime in February. He ran with it.
“He worked so hard to come back,” said Zach Becerra, Arenas’ trainer, “that he got it to mid-January.”
But while his knee might’ve technically been healthy as he suited up against Northwestern on Jan. 21, Arenas didn’t have his stamina back. It’d been 10 months since he last played five-on-five basketball.
Arenas still played 29 minutes. He shot three of 15. Afterward, USC coach Eric Musselman worried he might’ve thrown the freshman into the fire too soon.
But Musselman told the Arenas family from the beginning that he would give Alijah a blank canvas on which to create and the space to make mistakes, to grow. So he kept his word — and kept giving Arenas the ball. Musselman stuck with the freshman even as he shot just 29% and struggled to find his footing during his first four games. And he has continued to stick with his star freshman, even as USC’s season unraveled.
He’s done so because Musselman and his staff have seen glimpses of what Arenas could be.
During a three-game stretch in early February, Arenas showed the world his sky-high potential. He dropped 29 against Indiana, 25 at Ohio State and hit a game-winner at Penn State. It seemed, at the time, like he was on the brink of his long-awaited breakout.
Then, he got sick.
“It’s a shame that the circumstances were what they were,” USC assistant coach Michael Musselman said. “Because I truly know that [Arenas] would have been one of the best players in the country with a full season.”
Arenas, though, doesn’t waste any time feeling sorry for himself. Even that stellar three-game stretch, he says, “wasn’t what I was waiting for.” He calls it “decent towards bad.”
Two days later, USC blew a lead to Oregon in the final minute. The ball was in Arenas’ hands during the final two possessions. He missed a contested jumper on the first trip. On the second, he drove into traffic and lost the ball.
After the game, Becerra said Arenas was “crushed.” “He feels like, ‘It’s all on me. ‘It’s all on my shoulders.’”
Arenas took a half-hour after the game to shoot and clear his head.
When he finally got home that night, Arenas headed straight for his father’s sauna. He sat inside for a while, alone, hoping to sweat away whatever was holding him back.
Seventh grade was when it all started to click. That’s the version of himself Arenas wants to recapture.
Back then, he said, it was fun to set his alarm for 4 a.m., getting to the gym hours before another soul would show up.
“I was a very disciplined kid in seventh grade,” he says. “I’d get eight workouts a day in.”
Eight? Really? Yes, at his middle school, Core Prep Academy in Northridge, Arenas’ entire day was consumed by hoops. There were pre-dawn workouts, mid-morning core, mid-afternoon skills training and late-night shooting sessions. Lunch was usually sacrificed to get up extra shots. Sometimes he’d get in a short morning nap on a couch in an office. Classes, somehow, were crammed in the between workouts.
It was a pretty grueling schedule for a seventh grader. But Arenas chose it. He fell in love with the work. “That kid was obsessed,” Arenas says of his younger self. “Nothing distracted him. No outside noise, no talking, no anything. Just gym, school, sleep, repeat.”
Becerra, his trainer, saw that shift firsthand. He’d started training Arenas’ dad, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, when Alijah was in the fifth grade. Alijah was only 5-foot-4 when Becerra took him on as a client, too.
“But he was already a madman,” Becerra said. “He gets that from his dad.”
That motivation wasn’t the product of his famous father nudging him. Alijah said Gilbert never put any expectations on him to follow in his father’s footsteps.
In middle school at Core Prep, Alijah was pinned against older, stronger prospects on a daily basis. When it came time to choose a high school, instead of sending him to Sierra Canyon, where other local top prospects congregated, Alijah enrolled at Chatsworth High, the local public high school.
“I just think Gilbert wanted him to have to fight,” said Etop Udo-Ema, the founder of Compton Magic, Arenas’ AAU program. “You’re gonna do everything [at Chatsworth.] You’re gonna have to carry the team and wear every game on your shoulder.”
Some nights, Chatsworth coach Sam Harris would ask Alijah to play the point. Others he played center. He posted up in the paint, with his back to the basket. He initiated the offense. He rebounded. He even did the opening tip.
“He had to learn to do everything,” Harris said.
Arenas ended up staying all three of his high school seasons at Chatsworth. Most nights, Arenas was the sole focus of opponents’ game plans. Still, in three seasons, he became the Los Angeles City Section’s all-time leading scorer.
He developed an uncanny ability to create his own shot under the most difficult of circumstances, manipulating defenses and contorting his way through the lane with ease. He learned how to elevate his teammates, putting them in positions to succeed. And he also sprouted up to 6-foot-7, which didn’t hurt.
“Every game I was getting triple-teamed,” Arenas said. “At first it was frustrating. But then I realized, like, that’s just preparing me for the next level. I had to learn how to read the game differently, how to stay patient, how to trust my work even when things weren’t going right.”
Those lessons have been tested at USC, where little has gone as planned for Arenas so far this season. The Trojans have lost nine of the 13 games in which Arenas has suited up. They dismissed leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara last month and their NCAA tournament hopes are on life support.
It hasn’t been easy. But whenever life has been the hardest, he has found himself thinking of his Cybertruck crash. It’s made him slow down, made him take a breath.
“I just tell myself, like, ‘You’re still here,” he said.
In the same breath, Arenas refuses to let himself off the hook. He insists again this season hasn’t been good enough, that he hasn’t been good enough.
His former coaches, however, happily come to his defense. They insist this version of Arenas is, as Udo-Ema put it, “a shell of what he’s going to be.” They point to the fact that he’s only just now in playing shape.
That’s what the Compton Magic founder has told any NBA teams who have asked. “If he’s not a top-10 pick, there are 10 dumb NBA teams that are going to miss out,” he says.
Harris, the Chatsworth head coach, said Arenas is still just getting comfortable. He was supposed to be a high school senior, but he chose to reclassify and head to college early. Then suddenly he was thrust into the fire of a Big Ten slate at midseason.
“It’s just growing pains,” Harris said.
Stepping in during the final six weeks certainly required adjusting — not just from Arenas, but also his teammates. At Chatsworth, Arenas did everything because he had to. At USC, that instinct has sometimes led him to try too hard, to do too much.
“He can get a shot off whenever he wants, which is super unique,” said Michael Musselman, the USC assistant. “So he’s trying to figure out, ‘When do I need to use that?’ versus ‘When do I need to find my teammates or get other guys involved?’”
It may be too late to figure it all out at USC. The expectation has long been that Arenas would play one season of college basketball before declaring for the NBA draft. But considering how the past year has gone, could that change in the coming weeks as we learn more about how the NBA views Arenas’ limited freshman tape?
No one is ruling anything out. But those closest to Arenas assure that his struggles this season have done nothing to alter his trajectory in the NBA.
“Just the things he can do, the IQ he has, what he can see, the way that he moves, the length, the size — he’s the most talented guy I’ve ever seen,” Udo-Ema said. “Now realizing that talent is a whole different story. But let’s say everything perfect happens for him, he’s going to be the face of the NBA.”
Of course, nothing has gone perfectly to this point for Arenas. But if this past year has taught him anything, it’s how critical it is to keep on course. He won’t allow himself to veer any further.
“Because talent isn’t enough at this level,” Arenas said. “Everybody is talented. So if I’m not out working people, I’m behind.
“I know what I’m capable of. And I’m not there yet. Simple as that.”
March Madness 2026: Every City and Arena Hosting NCAA Tournament Games
March Madness is just a day away, and the anticipation around it is off the charts. As college basketball embarks on its final chapter in 2026, the teams look ready to sweat it out for the grand prize. But where will these games be held? Let’s dive right in and find out about the venues where the NCAA 2026 March Madness games will be hosted.
Which Arena Hosts the First Four Games in March Madness 2026?
The 2026 calendar will see the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, hosting the First Four Games on March 17th and 18th. These play-in games determine the final four teams that advance into the traditional 64-team March Madness bracket. Dayton has always been the longstanding home for the First Four ever since the format was introduced in 2011.
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The First Four consists of four play-in games involving eight teams. The match-ups usually include the four lowest-seeded at-large teams against the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers.
Dates : March 17th and 18th 2026
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City: Dayton, Ohio
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Venue: University of Dayton Arena (UD Arena), located at 1801 Edwin C. Moses Blvd., Dayton, OH 45417.
The venue was opened in 1969 and has been renovated multiple times, with its last work happening in 2019, and can house approximately 13,409 people. Because of its rich association with college basketball, it has also earned itself the nickname “Epicenter of College Basketball.”
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Since 2011, this has been the proven ground where college basketball teams have slogged it out for a chance to etch their names into basketball supremacy. Dayton fans have a history of coming in numbers and selling out arenas as March Madness tips off from here. This is exactly why the slogan “The Road Starts Here” has become so entwined with this particular city.
Irrespective of the teams playing, the fans have never shirked away, and this is exactly why Dayton is a top-10 media market for college basketball viewership.
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Which Cities and Arenas Host the First and Second Round Games in 2026?
The 2026 NCAA Tournament’s First and Second Rounds (Round of 64 and Round of 32) will be played March 19–22 across eight host cities: Buffalo, Greenville, Oklahoma City, Portland, Tampa, Philadelphia, San Diego, and St. Louis. These regional pods spread the opening weekend action nationwide, giving fans across the U.S. a chance to experience March Madness live from the different locations.
The Round of 64 and Round of 32 games will be staggered from Thursday to Sunday. The host cities are arenas are:
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Well, all the venues in question have a history to begin with, which is why they have been chosen as the host sites for a tournament of this caliber. Take Buffalo, for instance, which is a frequent NCAA site, home of the NHL’s Sabres, or Greenville, which has become a regular host in recent years, popular in the Southeast, or Portland, with the NBA Trail Blazers’ arena of the West Coast pod.
The NCAA rotates these pods annually to make the games more accessible and provide different regions with hosting opportunities. While Dayton, Ohio, always gets the First Four, the first and second rounds move around each year. But that does not apply to cities like Buffalo, St. Louis, and Philadelphia, which have a history of repeatedly hosting the tournaments because of their strong attendance and basketball culture.
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Which Cities Will Host the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight in the 2026 NCAA Tournament?
Four cities will host Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games in the second weekend. These matchups will determine which teams win their respective regions and walk away with a Final Four bid. So this is exactly the part where the game gets most cutthroat. It will be played in four cities, and the dates for the Sweet 16 are March 26 and 27, and the Elite Eight are March 28th and 29th, respectively.
As you will notice, both rounds are hosted in the same city/arena for each region, creating a mini-tournament atmosphere. The winners of the Sweet 16 will automatically advance to play for a spot in the Final Four.
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Where Is the 2026 NCAA Final Four and National Championship Game Being Played?
For the first time since 2021, the Final Four will be making its much-awaited comeback to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. A couple of months after the NFL Combine was hosted here, its seats will be filled to watch who will be crowned champions of DI basketball. So far, Indianapolis has hosted the Final Four eight times between 1980 and 2021, and now it will again get a chance to do so.
During the 2021 final, Baylor defeated Gonzaga 86-70 in a battle of the No. 1 seeds. Before that, legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski won his fifth title at Duke, as the Blue Devils defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 68-63 in the championship game. So it has its own elaborate history that they will hope to live up to this year as well, when they host the elites of the game.
While Indianapolis has hosted the Women’s Final Four three times (RCA Dome in 2005, Bankers Life Fieldhouse in 2011 and 2016), the home of the Indianapolis Colts has not. However, Lucas Oil Stadium is scheduled to host its first Women’s Final Four in 2028.
The Final Four will be the culmination of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and will see the last four teams left battle it out for the title. The weekend will comprise two national semi-final games that will be played on the same date, Saturday, April 4, 2026, followed by the finals on April 6th that will determine this season’s champion.
Indianapolis has hosted the Final Four nine times, more than any other city. The last three years it hosted these prestigious finals were in 2010, 2015, and 2021, and now it will do so again this year, making it the fourth time overall.
For the record, the NCAA headquarters are located in this city itself, and so you can imagine why the city gets its precedence. The Lucas Oil Stadium also has its own charm to it, with its fancy retractable roof setup and modern amenities, and is ideal for this kind of large-scale event.
Where to buy tickets, best prices, schedule
Say hello to the belles of the ball (and Cinderellas).
On Sunday, March 15, the NCAA announced the sprawling 68-team field that will compete at arenas all over the country in the 2026 Men’s Basketball Tournament, aka March Madness.
This year’s No. 1 seeds are Cameron Boozer’s Duke Blue Devils, Thomas Haugh’s Florida Gators, Jaden Bradley’s Arizona Wildcats and Yaxel Lendeborg’s Michigan Wolverines.
They’ll be joined by buzzy upstarts like Mark Mitchell’s Missouri Tigers, Pryce Sandfort’s Nebraska Cornhuskers and Peter Suder’s Miami Ohio Redhawks who are battling in the “First Four.”
As for New York, they’ll be represented by not one, not two, not three but four (!) squads in the Big Dance. They are Zuby Ejiofor’s No. 5-ranked St. John’s Red Storm as well as Cruz Davis’ No. 13 Hofstra Pride along with as No. 16 seeds Gavin Doty’s Siena Saints and Jamal Fuller’s Long Island University Sharks.
Early-round games are scheduled to go down at:
University of Dayton Arena
Dayton, OH
Moda Center
Portland, OR
Paycom Center
Oklahoma City, OK
Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Greenville, SC
KeyBank Center
Buffalo, NY
Other first and second-round contests are scheduled for Philadelphia, Tampa, St. Louis and San Diego before the games relocate for the Sweet 16.
If you’d like to root on the squad of your choosing, see future NBA stars and/or witness an earth-shattering bracket-busting upset, last-minute tickets are available for all 67 games leading up to the April 6 Championship at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium.
At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find for any pair of contests was $17 including fees on StubHub.
Multi-game session passes for the first two rounds that get you into six games over three days start at $343 including fees (that’s for Philadelphia).
Not bad considering that The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy dubbed this year’s crop as “Arguably the greatest — and deepest — freshman class in the sport’s history.”
Want to catch a game or three?
We’re here to help, hardwood fanatics.
Our team has everything you need to know and more about the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament below.
NCAA Men’s Basketball March Madness tickets 2025
A complete breakdown of all upcoming games separated by venues — including game dates, teams and ticket prices — can be found here:
University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, OH
Moda Center in Portland, OR
Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC
Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK
KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY
Viejas Arena in San Diego, CA
Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO
Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, FL
Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, PA
Final Four tickets 2026
The Big Dance will come to a close this year in Indianapolis.
On Saturday, April 4, the Final Four goes down at the Lucas Oil Stadium aka the home of the Indianapolis Colts.
Two days later, March Madness ’26 wraps things up with the National Championship game at the same venue on Monday, April 6.
You can find tickets for all three high-stakes games here.
Sweet 16 tickets 2026
Before the playoff picture fully sorts itself out, the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 will take place in four major cities.
To make sure you’re in the loop, here’s how to grab tickets for all sessions at each of the four venues hosting the middle of the tourney.
March Madness 2026 bracket
Want to start making predictions ASAP?
You can get to it right now with our printable bracket below.
For all things March Madness, check out The Post’s bracket coverage and top storylines.
How to watch March Madness on TV
If you’re looking to scream at the TV enjoy the games from the comfort of your own home, we’re happy to report that that should be a cinch this year.
Most games can be found on CBS, TNT, TBS or truTV; all of these channels are available with a free trial of DIRECTV’s choice plan.
As always, be sure to check your local listings ahead of time to find the game you’re looking for ahead of time.
Huge 2026 concerts
Love March Madness…and music?
If that’s the case, here are just five shows you won’t want to miss live these next few months.
• J. Cole
• A$AP Rocky
• Kid Cudi
• Don Toliver
• Earth Wind and Fire with Lionel Richie
Who else is on the road? Take a look at our list of all the biggest concert tours in 2026 to find the show for you.
Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post
Kenyon Martin Explains Reason Behind Embarrassing ‘Gils Arena’ Employee Who Mocked His Speech Impediment
Usually, there is a lot of chatter on Gil’s Arena, but this time, when Kenyon Martin spoke, everyone else was silent. Because the issue was personal, a person from his inner circle mocked his speech impediment. The 15-year NBA veteran gave a teaching moment on the Gilbert Arenas podcast and then explained on Instagram why it was important.
Martin has suffered from stuttering right from his childhood days in Dallas, when he also had to deal with bullying and avoided speaking in school. So, dealing with ‘name-calling’ was not the real issue. The main problem was that the disrespect came from someone close to him, a person who had been to his home multiple times. The person of interest here is Suge, a member of the production crew.
“It was about me addressing the situation, y’all, but it wasn’t about me,” said Martin. “It was for the other people that stutter, that’s been teased and bullied and, like I said, missed out on opportunities because of it. This was about them and letting them know you don’t have to put up with it. You don’t. It’s a special thing that we have. It’s not going anywhere.”
K-Mart also stated that he was on the board of the National Association for Stuttering, and they are constantly working to find more effective ways of therapy through speech. “But I am here for you guys. Deada–. I am here to speak up for you because I once was someone who didn’t have a speaking platform to let people know about this and to speak up for yourself. This is for you guys, man.”
On Tuesday’s Gil’s Arena, Kenyon Martin replayed the video of the staffer apparently making fun of him and his stuttering. He emphasized that speech impediment is a deeply personal issue for him. The statements and comments affected the 6’9″ forward from Michigan. He called out Suge and labeled him “disloyal.”
“This is what disloyalty and people who don’t respect you look like,” said Martin in Gil’s Arena. “People like him. Be careful who you invite into your home. Who you have around your loved ones, your friends, and family. This is what you get. People like this. That talk about something that is near and dear to my heart.”
Even during the live episode and on his Instagram, K-Mart made sure that he wanted no apology despite the staffer pleading multiple times.
Kenyon Martin did not accept the apology
When the former NBA veteran replayed the video, Suge, the person responsible for making these comments, recalled apologizing for this situation. But at the time, Martin had no context and did not expect the person close to him to say something this insensitive. In fact, K-Mart never watched the video until two weeks ago.
Someone else sent him the video, which is why Martin was done with Suge, and the last thing he wants is an apology. “I drew a line in the sand a long time ago with this. There is no apology ever as an adult that I would accept for this. I came in here one day over at Gil’s house, and you walked up to me and tried to apologize out of the blue. I blew you off because I didn’t know what you were talking about,” he added.
Since Kenyon Martin didn’t expect somebody close to him to mock him, the pain and disappointment were more. But once it was brought to his attention, the former number 1 pick decided to stand up for what’s right. Even if it meant breaking the bond with a close associate.
FBC Firebreak Has Received its Last Major Update With New Arenas, and a New Friends Pass, Will Remain Online “For Years to Come”
Remedy Entertainment’s failed multiplayer shooter FBC Firebreak has finally reached the inevitable point we all expected once Remedy admitted it did not perform well on the sales charts despite reaching 1M players. The studio known mostly for its excellent single-player experiences has confirmed that FBC Firebreak will no longer receive new content updates, and its final content update titled Open House is now live for those remaining players to dig into.
The news was revealed with a blog post on the game’s Steam page, where Remedy revealed that the update includes “new arenas inspired by locations from Control for the Endless Shift game mode, gameplay improvements, balance updates, Twitch drops armor sets, and lastly, the new Friend’s Pass.”
Not mentioned in that first list of highlights is the fact that Remedy is also permanently lowering the price of FBC Firebreak. Instead of its initial $39.99 USD price tag, Remedy has cut it in half for the foreseeable future and will now charge only $19.99 for the standard edition. The deluxe edition is down from its original $49.99 price to $29.99. It’s also currently on sale on Steam for an additional 20% off.
You might be wondering why the price change for a game that won’t get any more content, since the next step is usually for these multiplayer games to disappear from existence. Well, that’s the other layer to this announcement: FBC Firebreak will not be going offline anytime soon, according to Remedy.
“FBC Firebreak will stay online and continue to be playable for years to come,” the studio wrote. “We have done engineering work to ensure we can sustain the upkeep of the relay servers when the player volume is lower.” Which is also where the new Friend’s Pass comes into play. If you’re someone who bought the game and was unable to convince your friends to do the same, now you’ll be able to invite them to play with you without also making them fork over any cash. You’ll still have to convince them to spend time playing FBC Firebreak, though.
“FBC Firebreak was built by a team fueled by passion and experimentation,” said game director Mike Kayatta. “That spirit shaped the game, but the moments that brought it to life were the ones that players created together. We want to make sure those moments can continue for the players who are already here, and for anyone else looking for a high-energy, low-pressure game night with friends. That’s why the relay servers are staying up, the price is going down, and a Friend’s Pass is going in. From all of us on the team, thank you for your own passion and experimentation, and we’ll see you in there.”
Remedy will continue to patch the game to ensure it is maintained and runs well, but that’s about it for the future until it goes offline. Though it’ll remain online for the future, Firebreak’s story altogether remains an unfortunate one. Remedy is known for making excellent single-player games that never get the sales recognition they deserve in the eyes of its fans, so it’s easy to see why the studio wanted to at least try its hand at making a bigger commercial success with a multiplayer game.
It had the best of intentions, but those don’t always lead to the reality they have in mind. Even as Firebreak reached 1M players, the studio admitted it had made a few major errors that ended up being pretty fatal, particularly with how the game’s opening hours were structured. It’s financial drop off also resulted in the company’s chief executive officer of the last nine years stepping down.
For all of that said, when Wccftech’s Francesco De Meo reviewed FBC Firebreak at launch, he recognized that there was a solid foundation that could’ve been built on, if Remedy could pace out a solid roadmap.
“FBC: Firebreak makes excellent use of the Oldest House from Control and the Remedy Connected Universe’s signature weirdness to deliver a co-op experience full of personality, but that’s not quite enough to make it one of the best in the genre. While the game shines during its first dozen hours, thanks to the Crisis Kits’ unique abilities and solid mission and map design, the combination of a grindy upgrade system and limited content quickly leads to repetition and fatigue. With its promising content roadmap, however, FBC: Firebreak could evolve into a co-op shooter worth the time and money even for those beyond Remedy’s most devoted fans, as the foundation is undoubtedly solid.”
Olympic success energizes NHL’s Hockey Day on the Hill
WASHINGTON — The NHL’s Hockey Day on the Hill on Tuesday had an added luster to it.
The Stanley Cup was there at the annual event, standing in its silver glory in a U.S. Senate room in the morning and in House Majority Whip Tom Emmer’s office in the afternoon for lawmakers, staffers and anyone else to see.
But there was an added glow from people who were still basking in the U.S. men’s and women’s hockey teams winning gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics and the U.S. sled hockey team winning gold at the 2026 Paralympics in Milano Cortina.
“After the huge year or the U.S. women’s and men’s Olympic hockey teams, and the Paralympic sled hockey team, the Capitol is buzzing with a new appreciation for the greatest game on Earth,” said Emmer, a Minnesota Republican who was a forward with the University of Alaska Fairbanks from 1980-84.
Like Emmer, Sen. Rick Scott of Florida was all smiles as he hosted the Cup on the Senate side of the Capitol.
Scott said he was proud of the United States’ showing in Milano Cortina and is still beaming from the Florida Panthers winning the Stanley Cup in June for the second consecutive season.
“I think it’s great that Florida keeps winning, it’s nice for the Panthers,” Scott said. “I tell everybody we’ve got the best teams in the country. We keep winning everything. We won the national championship in basketball with the (University of Florida) Gators won last year and the Panthers won twice.”
The good hockey vibes shifted from the halls of Congress to a nearby Capitol Hill restaurant in the afternoon, where players from the congressional hockey team and a squad of lobbyists gathered for a reception.
The lawmakers and lobbyists will go head-to-head in the annual Congressional Hockey Challenge charity game on March 26 at MedStar Capital Iceplex, the Washington Capitals practice facility.
They were surprised when Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk arrived at the restaurant smiling and wearing the gold medal he won with Team USA around his neck.
“You realize the significance when you come to a place like this,” said Tkachuk, whose Senators face the Capitals on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; MNMT, SN, TVAS). “I didn’t realize it until after the fact and after all the emotions come down how special it was, not just for the guys in that room but for the country.”
Tim Regan, captain of the lawmakers team and chief of legislative operations in the Office of the Clerk in the House, said Tkachuk’s visit was a great way to cap off the day.
“I think it means more this year because of the back-to-back-to-back gold medals within the past month,” he said. “It’s pretty impressive. Obviously, all of us have been American hockey fans for our whole lives, and to just be able to keep promoting the game and what we’re doing with the game, what we’re able to provide to the game is great.”
Regan said he was especially impressed by the U.S. women at the Winter Olympics and by the growth in the number of girls and women playing hockey in the United States.
USA Hockey, the nation’s governing body, reached a milestone earlier this month when it registered its 100,000th female player.
“It’s always been Canada and America leading the way in women’s hockey, but now it’s America in Canada,” Regan said. “Now they’ve been dominating on the world stage over the most recent games, the Rivalry Series and now the Winter Olympics.”
The NHL Foundation U.S. is also helping to get more girls and women involved in the sport. The foundation announced on March 6 that in partnership with Megan Keller, alternate captain of Team USA and captain of the Boston Fleet of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, it will make a $100,000 donation to two organizations of her choosing as part of its Empowerment Grant for Girls Hockey program.
Haley Skarupa, NHL U.S. Foundation ambassador and gold medal winner with Team USA at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, said the grant comes at a watershed moment for women’s hockey in the United States.
“I think, especially coming off of a win at the Olympics, just the momentum that girls and women’s hockey has right now to be able to spark more involvement, participation … is really crucial at this time,” said Skarupa, who attended the Hockey Day on the Hill events. “I mean, especially the Olympics there every four years, you want to strike when the iron’s hot. And right now, a lot of girls are excited about the sport.”
Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl out for the rest of the regular season
EDMONTON, Alberta — Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss the rest of the NHL regular season because of a lower-body injury, the Oilers said Tuesday, leaving the back-to-back defending Western Conference champions left to try to hold on to a playoff spot without one of the best hockey players in the world.
He will miss at least the remaining 14 games through April 16.
It was not immediately clear exactly what the injury was or whether Draisaitl will miss any time once the playoffs begin the weekend of April 18-19.
Draisaitl left his team’s game Sunday against Nashville after getting bumped hard by the Predators’ Ozzy Wiesblatt during the first period. He did not return.
The Oilers sit in third place in the Pacific Division, one point back of Vegas and two behind Anaheim, though the Golden Knights and Ducks each have an extra game left to play.
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Draisaitl has been a big part of getting Edmonton to this point. The 30-year-old ranks fourth in the league in scoring with 97 points in 65 games, second on the team behind only Connor McDavid, atop the NHL with 114 points.
Draisaitl won the Hart Trophy as MVP in 2020 and was the runner-up last season. Last month, he played at the Olympics and was Germany’s leading scorer with seven points in five games.
Draisaitl is the second prominent player to be sidelined for the rest of the regular season. Toronto’s Auston Matthews won’t play again because of a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee.
Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin: Among NHL’s best in net so far
Sorokin made 26 saves in a 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs on Tuesday.
The Leafs put up a solid number of shots, but he didn’t really have to push himself. The lone goal that got past him came on a spinaround shot by a fourth-line player. Sorokin is 5-2-0 in seven starts after the Olympic break. Overall, he’s 25-15-2 with a 2.49 GAA and .914 save percentage in 42 starts. Sorokin’s GAA is eighth overall in the NHL. He’s tied with Andrei Vasilevskiy and Devin Cooley for second in the NHL in save percentage.
Blue Jackets’ Charlie Coyle: Ties NHL-career high in points
Coyle had a goal and three assists in a 5-1 win over Carolina on Tuesday.
Coyle’s four points tied an NHL-career high. His goal, which came on the power play late in the first period, stood as the game winner. He also set up a goal on the power power play Coyle continues to pace toward a career season. He has 17 goals, 38 assists, 121 shots, 87 hits and 11 power-play points in 67 games. Coyle’s best season ever came in Boston in 2023-24 when he put up 25 goals, 35 assists, 11 power-play points and 147 shots.
Avalanche, Stars set for crucial Central matchup
MANALAPAN, Fla. — The top two teams in the NHL will face off against each other Wednesday in a nationally televised game in the United States that has far-reaching implications on the Central Division standings and what’s to come in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Colorado Avalanche, in first place in the Central with 97 points in 66 games, are home at Ball Arena against the Dallas Stars, the second-place team in the division with 94 points in 67 games (9:30 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, TNT, TVAS2).
It’s the second of three games between the Stars and Avalanche in a span of 30 days. Colorado won 5-4 in a shootout in Dallas on March 6. The Stars are also home against the Avalanche on April 4.
“These games do (feel different) because there’s a mutual respect between both teams,” Dallas general manager Jim Nill said. “They know that, ‘Hey, this is a team we’re probably going to have to go through if we want to win the Stanley Cup.’ The players know that. They understand that. And they’ve got a lot of pride.
“But win or lose, it’s not the end all be all. There’s a long ways to go yet.”
That sentiment is shared by the Avalanche and their GM, Chris MacFarland, and it is important for many reasons, but the emphasis on the standings plays a big role in why the game Wednesday is so meaningful and intriguing.
The Avalanche (44-13-9) and Stars (42-15-10) are the top two teams in the League. The Minnesota Wild (38-18-12), who were third in the Central with 88 points in 68 games entering Tuesday, were fifth in the overall League standings, tied in points with the Buffalo Sabres. They still have two games remaining against the Stars.
Because the playoff format guarantees one of the Avalanche, Stars and Wild will be eliminated in the first round and two will be out following the second round, finishing first in the division matters as it all but ensures avoiding playing one of the other two in the first round.
“With the start we had I think it’s important (to finish first in the division),” MacFarland said Tuesday from the League’s GM meetings. “I think Dallas would say the same thing. I think Minnesota would say the same thing.”
But saying that now and stressing it with still a double-digit number of games to play are different, which is why MacFarland and Nill are choosing to focus on how their teams are playing instead of the standings even when pressed on the importance of finishing first.
“I get the question, but I think for us ‘Bedsy’ (coach Jared Bednar) does a good job and our coaches do a good job of just focusing on the process day by day, and if we do our thing right day after day then the scoreboard, the standings will kind of take care of themselves,” MacFarland said. “It’s our job to be ready to play Dallas, Chicago on Friday and then, you know, a month from now, wherever we are in the standings we’ll be ready to go for Game 1 somewhere.”
Said Nill, “This is probably an easy way out of the question, it’s really just getting ourselves ready for the playoffs. We know we’ve got to be at our best to beat these teams so we have to make sure we’re at that level.”
The Stars were, up until a 6-3 loss to the Utah Mammoth on Monday. It was their first regulation loss since Jan. 22, ending a 14-0-1 stretch in which they scored 4.13 goals per game and allowed 2.33, were 33.3 percent on the power play, including scoring in 12 consecutive games, and were 86.0 percent on the penalty kill.
They gained nine points on the Avalanche in that stretch, doing so with injuries to three key forwards: Roope Hintz, Mikko Rantanen and Radek Faksa.
The Stars will play their sixth straight game and for the 10th time in 11 games without them when the puck drops against the Avalanche.
The hope is all three will be back before the end of the regular season.
“We’re playing very cohesive,” Nill said. “Our defensive structure is very good. Our 5-on-5 play has come up, which was a concern early in the year and kind of midyear when we hit a little bit of a bump. That’s come up. Our power play has been outstanding and the PK is finally getting its traction. Right now, we’re playing well. We’ve got a lot of injuries, but it has been an opportunity for these young guys and some other players to grab it, and they have.”
The Avalanche are also battling injuries up front, with Artturi Lehkonen set to miss his eighth consecutive game, Gabriel Landeskog his sixth and Ross Colton his fourth.
MacFarland said the hope is to have Landeskog, Lehkonen and forward Logan O’Connor, who hasn’t played all season after having hip surgery in June, in the lineup soon, with an update coming in the next week or two. He didn’t have a firm timetable on Colton.
The injuries have forced the Avalanche to use center Nazem Kadri, who was acquired in a trade with the Calgary Flames on March 6, at right wing on the top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas. Kadri was acquired to be Colorado’s No. 3 center.
“We haven’t really seen what we envision, but that’s what you’ve got to do when you’re missing guys,” MacFarland said.
They won’t see it Wednesday either, but they will see a team hungry to catch them in the race for first place in the Central Division.
With less than one month to go in the regular season and the playoff picture around them blurry with so many teams still in the race, to the Avalanche and Stars, it is abundantly clear why finishing first matters so much, even if the day-to-day focus is more macro than that.
“There’s not a lot of weaknesses on either team,” Nill said. “These are big games.”
State Your Case: Avalanche or Stars as NHL’s top team
The Central Division is the toughest in the NHL this season.
It is home to the League’s best team almost since the puck dropped in October in the Colorado Avalanche, who are 44-13-9 with a League-high 97 points.
It is home to the League’s hottest team in the Dallas Stars (42-15-10), who had a 15-game point streak (14-0-1) end with a 6-3 loss to the Utah Mammoth on Monday. The Stars have 94 points and have made up seven points on the Avalanche since Jan. 1.
Just for fun, the Central also boasts the fourth-best team in the NHL in the Minnesota Wild, who are 39-18-12 with 90 points.
But it is the battle between the Avalanche and Stars that will take center stage during the second half of a national TV doubleheader when the teams meet at Ball Arena on Wednesday (9:30 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, TNT, TVAS2). The New Jersey Devils visit the New York Rangers in the first part of the doubleheader at Madison Square Garden (7 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, TNT).
Dallas has the opportunity to make a case as the League’s best team, coming off a points streak that tied the Stars/Minnesota North Stars record set in 1998-99 (12-0 with three ties). A victory Wednesday would put them within one point of Colorado in the race for the Presidents’ Trophy and the top seed in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
So which of these teams is the NHL’s cream of the crop? We put that question before NHL.com senior writers Tom Gulitti and Amalie Benjamin in this edition of State Your Case.
Benjamin: Let’s make this easy: The Avalanche have been the best team in the NHL all season and, at points, it wasn’t even close. They’ll win the Central Division, the toughest in the League, case closed. OK, fine. I’ll back that up, starting with Nathan MacKinnon. The center has played like he’s on a mission all season, with 110 points (45 goals, 65 assists) in 65 games, second only to the 114 points (37 goals, 77 assists) of Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid. But Colorado’s success goes beyond MacKinnon; there’s also forward Martin Necas, who has been a more than worthy replacement for forward Mikko Rantanen, who ended up with the Stars after a stopover with the Carolina Hurricanes last season. Necas has 81 points (31 goals, 50 assists), as the Avalanche lead the NHL in goals for per game with 3.73. Plus there’s defenseman Cale Makar (68 points; 19 goals, 49 assists in 66 games), center Brock Nelson (30 goals as part of his 55 points) and newly acquired forward Nazem Kadri (43 points; 13 goals, 30 assists in 66 games with the Calgary Flames and Colorado). So the offense is there — specifically at 5-on-5, with 181 goals, a whopping 27 more goals at even strength than the next-highest team (Buffalo Sabres, 154). That should be enough — and I haven’t even started in on their defense.
Gulitti: I agree with Amalie to a point. The Avalanche have been the best team in the NHL for most of the season. The Stars have been the better team for close to two months now, though, and are surging at the right time with the help of a franchise record-tying 15-game point streak. The Stars have been doing this despite being without forwards Mikko Rantanen (lower body) and Radek Faksa (initially upper body, now lower) since they were injured during the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, Roope Hintz (lower body) since March 6 and Tyler Seguin (knee) since Dec. 2. Despite those personnel losses, Dallas has continued to thrive, thanks to its superior depth. The Stars had eight players reach double digits in points during their point streak: forwards Jason Robertson (22), Matt Duchene (21), Wyatt Johnston (20), Jamie Benn (16), Sam Steel (13) and Mavrik Bourque (13) and defensemen Miro Heiskanen (18) and Thomas Harley (11). Johnston leads the NHL with 22 power-play goals this season. Unfortunately, Seguin is out for the season, but Dallas will be even better when Rantanen, Faksa and Hintz return.
Benjamin: Everything Tom said is true: The once world-beating Avalanche have fallen back to earth a bit and the Stars have risen in that time. After all, Colorado entered the 2026 calendar year with two regulation losses. Two. Let that sink in. And while the Avalanche have seen that regression since, which was bound to come, I think that will make them all the better at the end of the season, when they’re fighting it out for a division title they still have the inside track to win. That being said, I’m headed back to talk about Colorado’s defense, which is (much like its offense) tops in the NHL, giving up 2.50 goals per game. Though their defensive core doesn’t necessarily set the world on fire outside of Makar and Devon Toews, their goalies have become a formidable tandem, with Scott Wedgewood (25-5-5, 2.23 goals-against average, .915 save percentage, two shutouts) and Mackenzie Blackwood (18-8-1, 2.48 GAA, .904 save percentage, three shutouts). I believe this group can turn defense into offense on a dime, and they’ll be more than enough to get the Avalanche to the finish line in the Central.
Gulitti: It’s difficult to make a case against the Avalanche because of the many points Amalie mentions. They’re one of the best teams in the NHL, for sure. So I’ll just focus on the Stars, who are playing their best hockey at the right time and measure up well against Colorado on defense and in net, too. Dallas has one of the most underrated defensemen in the NHL in Heiskanen, and he’s supported by a deep group that includes Esa Lindell, Harley and Tyler Myers, who was acquired in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks on March 4 to add size (6-foot-8, 229 pounds) and physicality. The Stars also have one of the best goalie duos in the NHL, headed by Jake Oettinger (28-10-5, 2.62 GAA, .900 save percentage, two shutouts) with Casey DeSmith (14-5-5, 2.40 GAA, .907 save percentage, one shutout) backing up. Since Jan. 11, Dallas is ninth in the NHL in scoring with 3.50 goals per game, and Colorado is 18th (3.09). During that same period, Dallas is first in allowing 2.45 goals per game and Colorado is 20th (3.18). There isn’t much difference between the teams. The winner Wednesday probably will win the division.
Schaefer makes family proud during NHL homecoming with Islanders
TORONTO — Matthew Schaefer admitted he played through a bit of a sore stomach during his NHL homecoming in southern Ontario on Tuesday.
Whatever it was, the cause of the discomfort certainly wasn’t from nerves, given the way the rookie defenseman performed for the New York Islanders in a 3-1 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.
Playing in the same building where he used to cheer on the Leafs as a kid, Schaefer displayed the type of calm, cool and collectiveness that an 18-year-old shouldn’t have, especially in front of what he estimated to be up to 1,000 family, friends and acquaintances in the stands.
Then again, this is no ordinary teenager, in case you hadn’t noticed.
By the time the final horn sounded, Schaefer had led the Islanders in ice time at 22:57 and had the secondary assist on Calum Ritchie’s power-play goal in the first period, which ended up being the game-winner. Schaefer, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, now has 49 points (20 goals, 29 assists) in 68 games this season and continues to be the leading candidate to win the Calder Trophy as NHL’s rookie of the year.
“I had a little tummy ache out there, so, honestly, it was just so good to get the two points,” Schaefer said. “I mean, I just love playing hockey. Sometimes if you have a long shift, you just need a couple of deep breaths and kind of recoup.
“But then, once you’re ready to go you’re back out there.”
Twenty minutes later, Schaefer skated onto the same rink that the heroes of his youth had played on. He paused to look up at the stands, taking it all in as part of the special moment it truly was.
“To finally step onto that ice, that was awesome,” he said after the morning skate.
Schaefer’s comments came in front of a scrum of 20-plus reporters and several TV cameras. He handled it with the same poise with which he plays.
When asked about the prediction he’d made on Monday that an entourage of about 1,000 would be on hand for the game, he broke into a wry grin.
“Maybe I was pushing it a bit,” he said with a chuckle. “But there’s going to be a lot.”
There certainly were, which he found out firsthand during warmups.
“It was awesome, seeing so many friends and family in the stands and getting out there,” Schaefer said. “It’s pretty cool. It brings back memories of coming here as a kid with friends and things like that.”
One of the first familiar faces he spotted was Brady Scriven, who is the brother of Matthew’s best friend, Ryan. Brady is a goalie for the Brantford 99ers U12 AAA minor hockey team that Schaefer served as an honorary coach for during the Olympic break.
“I threw a puck up to Brady when I saw him, and everyone came up and tackled him because they’re all trying to get the puck,
Pettersson scores twice to reach 200 NHL goals, Canucks defeat Panthers
Marco Rossi had a goal and two assists, and Brock Boeser had three assists for the Canucks (21-38-8), who won for the third time in the past six games (3-2-1) after winning just three of the previous 26 (3-19-4). Kevin Lankinen made 21 saves for his first win in 10 starts dating back to Jan. 21.
Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and an assist, Carter Verhaeghe had two assists and Sergei Bobrovksy, playing his 800th NHL game, made 17 saves for the Panthers (33-31-3), who have lost the first two of a four-game road trip after winning their previous three games.
Pettersson put the Canucks ahead 1-0 on a power play at 3:49, one-timing a cross-ice pass from Rossi under the arm of a sliding Bobrovsky from the right dot for his first goal since Jan. 13.
Tkachuk tied it at 11:41 with a quick shot between Lankinen’s pads after a pass by defenseman Elias Pettersson bounced off Verhaeghe and right to Tkachuk unchecked in front of the net.
Pettersson made it 2-1 on another power play at 13:40, scoring his 200th goal in his 530th game with a wrist shot from above the right dot that deflected in off both Panthers defensemen.
Rossi made it 3-1 at 17:46 after the Panthers failed to clear the defensive zone and Boeser won a puck battle along the right boards before making a backhand pass to Rossi all alone in front of the net. He made a quick deke shot past Bobrovsky’s blocker as he reached out with a poke check attempt for his third goal and seventh point on a three-game point streak.
Sam Bennett, back after missing one game with an undisclosed injury, made it 3-2 off the rush at 11:28 after Tkachuk collected a cross-ice pass from Verhaeghe and waited for Lankinen to slide past his post before dropping the puck back to the left hash mark to leave Bennett with an open net.
Aatu Raty restored the two-goal lead at 14:27 after another turnover at the Florida blue line left him alone in front of Bobrovsky for a quick move from backhand to forehand and a shot past the blocker to make it 4-2.
Drew O’Connor was also left alone in front to make it 5-2 at 14:25 of the third period, taking a pass from Linus Karlsson behind the net off his right skate and over to his stick for a quick shot past Bobrovsky’s blocker.
Elias Pettersson scores twice to lead Canucks over Panthers 5-2
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Elias Pettersson scored twice, including the 200th goal of his NHL career, and the Vancouver Canucks held on for a 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.
The Swedish center opened the scoring at the 3:49 mark of the first period, blasting a one-timer in from inside the faceoff circle during an early power play. It was his 14th tally of the season and his first goal in 21 games.
Marco Rossi also scored and contributed a pair of assists for the Canucks, who rebounded from a lopsided 5-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Saturday.
Vancouver center Aatu Raty and Drew O’Connor also scored and Brock Boeser added three assists. Kevin Lankinen — playing in his 200th NHL game — stopped 21 of the 23 shots he faced for his first win since Jan. 21.
The Panthers got a goal and an assist from Matthew Tkachuk. Sam Bennett also scored and Carter Verhaeghe had two assists.
Sergei Bobrovsky made 17 saves for the defending Stanley Cup champions, who lost their second straight game.
Panthers defenseman Seth Jones returned to the lineup after missing 26 games with an upper-body injury. Bennett also played after an undisclosed ailment kept him out of Florida’s 6-2 loss to the Kraken in Seattle on Sunday.
Winger Nolan Foote played his first game for the Panthers after getting called up from the AHLs Charlotte Checkers on Sunday. His dad is Canucks head coach Adam Foote.
Up next
Panthers: Visit Edmonton on Thursday.
Canucks: Host Tampa Bay on Thursday.
___
Elias Pettersson scores twice to lead Canucks over Panthers 5-2
Elias Pettersson scored twice, including the 200th goal of his NHL career, and the Vancouver Canucks held on for a 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night
March 18, 2026 at 12:56 a.m. EDT3 minutes ago
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Elias Pettersson scored twice, including the 200th goal of his NHL career, and the Vancouver Canucks held on for a 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.
The Swedish center opened the scoring at the 3:49 mark of the first period, blasting a one-timer in from inside the faceoff circle during an early power play. It was his 14th tally of the season and his first goal in 21 games.
Bears’ Draft Plans Suddenly in Hot Water After Latest Prospect Injury
Just as the Chicago Bears begin to zero in on draft needs, one potential target may be slipping away.
According to draft analyst Dane Brugler, former Florida Gators football defensive tackle Caleb Banks suffered a fractured foot at the NFL Scouting Combine and had surgery on March 9.
For a player once projected in the first round, it’s a brutal setback at the worst possible time, and one that could directly impact the Chicago Bears’ draft plans.
A potential first round option suddenly in question
At 6’6” and roughly 327 pounds, Caleb Banks is a beast. Some mock drafts even projected him as high as the top 10, while others had him landing with the Chicago Bears at No. 25.
Pro Football Focus analyst Max Chadwick highlighted just how glaring the need is, and why Banks fits it:
“No Bears defensive tackle earned a 60.0 PFF overall grade this season. Banks played in only three games in 2025 at Florida due to a foot injury, but his 12% pressure rate since 2023 still ranked sixth among Power Four interior defenders over that stretch. He also has the second-largest wingspan ever recorded for a defensive tackle (85 3/4 inches).”
The fit is perfect. However, the broken foot dramatically changes the equation.
The injury reportedly occurred the night before Banks participated in on field testing at the combine… He still managed to complete a partial workout, running the 40 yard dash and participating in the vertical and broad jumps, before ending his session early.
Banks is expected to be sidelined until at least June now after surgery to repair a fracture in the fourth metatarsal. That timeline would keep him out of rookie workouts and potentially make him questionable for minicamp.
Foot injuries for players of Banks’ size are often viewed as a significant red flag during the draft process. When a 330 pound defensive lineman begins to develop recurring foot problems, teams tend to approach with caution.
And for a team like Chicago (which badly needs to hit on its first round pick), that risk may now be too much.
Things may still work out
If the Chicago Bears use their first round pick on the defensive line, they likely need a player who can contribute sooner rather than later.
But while Caleb Banks may now be off the table at No. 25, that doesn’t necessarily mean Chicago’s interest would disappear entirely.
The Bears still hold a second round pick acquired in the blockbuster trade that sent DJ Moore to Chicago, a selection that currently sits around No. 60 overall. If Banks’ injury causes his draft stock to tumble into that range or beyond, the conversation could become very different.
At that point, a team could justify taking a chance on his upside while giving him time to develop and recover.
And in that scenario, the Bears could still end up with a player many once believed was worthy of a first round selection. For now, though, Chicago’s draft board may have just shifted.
Cowboys Hit With Blunt Draft Message Involving David Bailey
The Dallas Cowboys’ defense needs improvement this offseason after a challenging 2025 NFL season. Last year, Dallas decided to move on from Micah Parsons, but it came at a cost: The team recorded 35 sacks, per StatMuse.
As a result, bolstering the team’s pass rush is a must-do this offseason. Moreover, if the Cowboys can find a replacement for Parsons, that would be an ideal scenario, and there’s a name who could do it: Former Texas Tech Red Raiders’ David Bailey.
Bailey recorded 14.5 sacks for Texas Tech last season, and Bobby Belt of 105.3 The FAN believes that if the 22-year-old falls outside of the Top 5, Dallas should consider trading up for the edge rusher.
Read more: Jets Projected to Land Powerhouse QB to Compete With Geno Smith
JC Tretter has been elected the new executive director for the NFL Players Association
JC Tretter is the new executive director for the NFL Players Association.
The 35-year-old former center for the Packers and Browns was elected by the union’s board of player representatives on Tuesday.
Tretter previously served as NFLPA president from 2020 to 2024.
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“There are times in your life when you know that you are exactly where you’re supposed to be,” Tretter said in a statement. “That’s where I am today. I’m grateful for the trust my fellow players have placed in me, and I’m going to reward that trust with my fullest commitment to these players and chart a new course for our union. My sole goal is to build up the strength of the NFLPA.
“I understand the responsibility that comes with this role and how important it is to stand shoulder to shoulder with player leadership. This union has always played a critical role in shaping the game, and that work is as important now as it’s ever been. The NFLPA needs leadership that listens, leads with integrity, and puts players first every day. That’s exactly how I plan to lead.”
Tretter’s election follows a tumultuous period for the NFLPA, which went from DeMaurice Smith to Lloyd Howell to interim executive director David White. Howell stepped down last July after a series of distractions during his short tenure.
Tretter already played an integral role as president during COVID-19 and helped negotiate key CBA amendments and launched the NFLPA’s team report cards.
“On behalf of the board of player representatives, we are proud to welcome JC Tretter as our new executive director and confident in the leadership that he will bring to our union,” the NFLPA said in a statement. “This decision reflects the responsibility our board of player Representatives carries on behalf of every player. We conducted a thorough, deliberate search to identify the right long-term leader to deliver sustained, meaningful progress for our members. JC earned the trust of our Board and demonstrated a clear commitment to serving this membership. We’re excited about what’s ahead.
“As our union moves into this next chapter, we’d like to thank David White for his steadfast leadership and dedication over the past seven months, which brought stability and focus back to our union.”
Tretter is the fifth executive director in the NFLPA’s 70-year history. The union said more than 300 candidates were considered from five primary backgrounds: football, other professional sports, government, labor and executive management.
Tretter takes over at a time when the NFL is thriving and players’ salaries are skyrocketing. He’ll lead negotiations for the next collective bargaining agreement. The league’s desire to expand the regular season to 18 games will be a major point, one the union has said is not negotiable.
“I want to congratulate JC Tretter on his election as Executive Director of the NFL Players Association,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “As a former player, JC brings a unique perspective to this critical leadership role shaped by his firsthand experience and a deep understanding of the men he represents. We have worked with JC for several years, first as union president when he helped the league and the NFLPA successfully navigate through COVID during the 2020 season. We look forward to building upon that relationship to further our shared priorities, including our commitment to advancing player health and safety and ensuring the global growth of our game for our fans, the players and our clubs.”
Sam Darnold and Bucky Irving Biggest NFL Offseason Losers So Far
For every winner, there are fantasy football losers. One changed role can mean the difference between glory and a drop that is disastrous to the bottom line. Injuries, signings, trades, and releases can also spell doom from any angle.
We take a look below at three players who stand, so far, to lose quite a bit potentially when it comes to the 2026 season. Brace for impact and let’s take a closer look. Who knows? We may even include a couple possible dishonorable mentions.
Sam Darnold – Seattle Seahawks
We are going in a way different direction and arguably off the reservation some. Sam Darnold experienced the ultimate glory of winning a Super Bowl. From a fantasy football standpoint, his standing has taken several steps downward in the offseason.
When Kenneth Walker III left for Kansas City, there was a void. Emanuel Wilson is a nice signing but is he really a starter in this league? That is an excellent question with an unclear answer. Zach Charbonnet may not be 100% until late 2026 or 2027. That adds more problems to the Seattle offensive structure.
People forget that Sam Darnold was starting to decline some over the second half of 2025. He had eight touchdowns and eight interceptions over the final eight games of the regular season. The key in the playoffs was he did not make any major mistakes (+5 turnover differential).
Seattle will have a much more nasty schedule in 2026 and teams will try to defeat the Seahawks like a badge of honor. Darnold will not have it so easy this time around.
Malik Willis – Miami Dolphins
Again, the quarterback position can be a fickle one. Malik Willis finally gets an opportunity to start. Unfortunately, the Miami Dolphins have far more questions than answers. They replaced their coach, made a bunch of moves that were questionable, and then traded Jaylen Waddle. Waddle is now a member of the Denver Broncos.
Miami desperately needs an influx of talent on offense. Otherwise, Willis is going to have one long 2026 season. It will be intriguing to see what the Dolphins’ strategy will be ultimately. One thing is certain. Willis will not have an easy time against the AFC East and the rest of the league. Miami’s latest moves make Willis’ job that much more difficult.
Bucky Irving – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Agatin and again, the running back position has been a chaotic one. Bucky Irving burst onto the scene in 2024. Last season saw injuries bring Irving down to an average running back at best. Rachaad White ate into some of Irving’s value. Unfortunately, this year may be even worse. Kenneth Gainwell is one of the better pass catching running backs, period!
The one thing that makes matters worse is that Sean Tucker is still in the mix. It was previously and erroneously reported that Tucker would not be tendered. Tucker could cause Irving to lose red zone carries and Gainwell would result in Irving seeing fewer pass catching opportunities.
If Irving thought 2025 was rough, fantasy owners might disagree and say 2026 might be worse.
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Indianapolis Colts sign cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt
The Indianapolis Colts have signed free-agent cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, the NFL team announced on Tuesday.
An All-State quarterback at Park Crossing High School in Montgomery, Taylor-Britt played the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals to complete his four-year, $5.953 million rookie contract signed as a second-round selection in the 2022 draft.
Taylor-Britt became an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday. Terms of his contract with the Colts were not disclosed.
In 2025, Taylor-Britt had 21 tackles and five passes defended in eight games, with two starts. He sustained a foot injury in the Bengals’ 34-12 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 16 and spent the final seven games of the season on injured reserve. Taylor-Britt had played 61 percent of Cincinnati’s defensive snaps when he went down.
In his first three seasons, Taylor-Britt played in 42 games, including three playoff contests, and started all but one of them. He had seven interceptions, 33 passes defended, 182 tackles and two forced fumbles in regular-season play from 2022 through 2024. He also had a postseason interception.
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By joining Indianapolis, Taylor-Britt reunites with Lou Anarumo. The Colts defensive coordinator was the Cincinnati defensive coordinator in Taylor-Britt’s first three NFL seasons.
During Taylor-Britt’s first three NFL seasons, opposing quarterbacks had a 93.5 passing-efficiency rating when targeting receivers covered by him. In 2025, that number ballooned to 134.1.
Indianapolis returns the four cornerbacks who played the most defensive snaps for the Colts in 2025, along with two-time first-team All-Pro Sauce Garner, who joined the team halfway through the season in a trade with the New York Jets.
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In his final season at Park Crossing, Taylor-Britt passed for 1,466 yards and 16 touchdowns and ran for 1,030 yards and 14 touchdowns to earn All-State recognition as the Thunderbirds quarterback.
Taylor-Britt made the transition to the secondary at Nebraska, where he earned All-Big Ten honorable-mention recognition as a sophomore and all-conference second-team selection as a junior and a senior.
NFL Announces Suspension Decision on Former Steelers DB After Major Policy Violation
Beanie Bishop fought his way into the NFL as an undrafted free agent, but his biggest battle is just beginning. Before he can even take a snap in 2026, the league has sidelined him, putting a promising career in jeopardy. Now, just as he looks to carve out a role for himself, an unexpected setback has cast uncertainty over what comes next.
“New Orleans Saints defensive back Beanie Bishop was suspended for the first three games of the 2026 season, according to the NFL’s transaction wire,” Matthew Paras reported. “The league did not list a reason for Bishop’s ban, but a source with knowledge of the situation said it stemmed from a violation of the substances of abuse policy.”
As revealed by Paras, Beanie Bishop’s suspension stems from “violation of the substances of abuse policy.” Hence, the cornerback will miss the first three games of the new NFL season. The 26-year-old doesn’t have a team for the new season and will be eligible to participate throughout the Saints’ offseason after joining the franchise’s practice squad last December. He also signed a futures contract with New Orleans at the end of the season. As a result, he will be part of the team’s offseason activities, but if he makes the roster for 2026, Bishop will be required to miss the first three games.
The suspension will clearly have a major impact on a young career, which started on a positive note in Pittsburgh. Beanie Bishop joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent from West Virginia on a three-year contract, worth $2,855,000. The 26-year-old, as a rookie, appeared in all 17 games and recorded 45 tackles, two tackles for loss, seven passes defended, and four interceptions.
However, Bishop was waived during the 2025 roster cuts and signed with the Steelers’ practice squad. He was let go in November and signed with the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad in December. The Saints were hoping to use Bishop as a potential slot corner, similar to Alontae Taylor in Brandon Staley’s scheme, but the former West Virginia star did not play in any games last year.
With focus shifting towards 2026, the early-season suspension complicates things for the Saints and Bishop as the franchise will use the time to evaluate whether the 26-year-old corner is part of their long-term plans. Furthermore, the New Orleans front office is also facing a significant decision regarding a franchise legend, who is expected to test the market this free agency.
Cam Jordan expresses willingness to test the market during this free agency
After spending 15 years with the Saints, star edge rusher Cameron Jordan expressed his willingness to stay in New Orleans, but only if a deal works out in his favor. The veteran recorded a team-high 10.5 sacks last season after six combined the past two campaigns, highlighting that he could be an in-demand commodity for a contender.
Hence, during a conversation with former teammate Terron Armstead on his “The Set with T.Stead” podcast, Jordan spoke about his future with the franchise.
“In my mind, I’m like, ‘of course,’ you see guys my age re-sign with a team because that’s the only team they’ve ever been with, and you’re like, ‘hell yeah, we love that,’ but that’s to his situation,” Cam Jordan said. “That may not be to my situation. As football players, we can only control what we can control. … You gotta be able to take your emotions out of it. Of course, I’d love to be in New Orleans, but at the same time, if the cents don’t make sense, then we have to find our own path.”
With Beanie Bishop facing a three-game suspension and Cam Jordan potentially departing in free agency, the New Orleans Saints enter the 2026 offseason navigating uncertainty at key positions. How the franchise handles both situations will go a long way in shaping its roster and competitiveness for the upcoming season.
Giants Addition Dubbed Best NFL Free Agency Signing
Coming off a season where they failed to make the playoffs, the New York Giants have been hard at work bolstering the roster ahead of the 2026 campaign. As they continue to make moves, one addition received high praise from an NFL analyst.
In the initial waves of free agency signings, the Giants inked tight end Isaiah Likely to a three-year deal worth $40 million. Like countless others have done, he departs from the Baltimore Ravens to reunite with head coach Jon Harbaugh.
While free agency rages on, the people at ESPN weighed in on all the moves that have happened thus far. When discussing the best overall signing, Jeremy Fowler went with New York locking down Likely.
“A tight end who gets open is a friendly addition for a young quarterback, and Likely will be that for Jaxson Dart,” Fowler wrote. “His presence allows New York to lean into two tight end sets, and at $40 million over three years, Likely’s contract is cheaper than that of former Giants receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, who signed a four-year, $78 million deal with Tennessee.”
Likely, 25, is coming off a season with the Ravens where he notched 307 yards and one touchdown across 14 appearances.
Giants TE Isaiah Likely Named Among NFL’s Top Breakout Candidates
Likely signing with the Giants is big for his career for multiple reasons. Not only will he get to catch passes from a talented young quarterback in Jaxson Dart, but he’ll also get to showcase his talents in an expanded role. For years, Likely had to play behind an elite-level tight end in Mark Andrews. Now, he has an opportunity to showcase everything he’s learned as the TE1 for New York this upcoming season.
Seeing that his role in the offense is going to drastically increase, Likely is lined up to have a career year in 2026. Now set to be a full-time starter, Bleacher Report‘s Moe Moton named him among the top breakout candidates in the NFL.
Not only will his reps increase as the Giants’ starting tight end, but Likely’s offensive versatility should make him an intriguing weapon for Dart to utilize.
NFL Analyst Excited to See Isaiah Likely on the Giants
Since the signing became official, countless people in and around the NFL have praised New York’s addition of Likely. Among the many to do so was longtime analyst Kay Adams.
During the March 12th episode of her “Up & Adams” show, Adams gave some quick thoughts on the Giants’ first wave of signings. She touched on Likely the most, raving about how excited she is to see what he can do in a larger role.
“So so happy for him, he’s gonna be the man now,” Adams said of Likely. “He gets to be the lead dog for this first time in his career. I can’t wait to see him, he’s just scratching the surface. I love it for Jaxson. You get Nabers and Likely, that’s about as fun as it gets.”
As he gears up for his first season with his new team, Likely enters the 2026 campaign as arguably one of the Giants’ biggest X-factors.
JC Tretter es elegido nuevo director ejecutivo del sindicato de jugadores de la NFL
JC Tretter es el nuevo director ejecutivo de la Asociación de Jugadores de la NFL.
El excentro de 35 años de los Packers y los Browns fue elegido el martes por la junta de representantes de jugadores del sindicato.
Tretter se desempeñó anteriormente como presidente de la NFLPA de 2020 a 2024.
“Hay momentos en tu vida en los que sabes que estás exactamente donde se supone que debes estar. Ahí es donde estoy hoy”, expresó Tretter en un comunicado. “Agradezco la confianza que mis compañeros jugadores han depositado en mí, y voy a retribuir esa confianza con mi máximo compromiso con estos jugadores y trazando un nuevo rumbo para nuestro sindicato. Mi único objetivo es fortalecer a la NFLPA”.
“Entiendo la responsabilidad que conlleva este cargo y lo importante que es estar hombro con hombro con el liderazgo de los jugadores. Este sindicato siempre ha desempeñado un papel crucial en dar forma al juego, y ese trabajo es tan importante ahora como lo ha sido siempre. La NFLPA necesita un liderazgo que escuche, lidere con integridad y ponga a los jugadores en primer lugar todos los días. Así es exactamente como planeo liderar”.
La elección de Tretter llega tras un periodo tumultuoso para la NFLPA, que pasó de DeMaurice Smith a Lloyd Howell y luego al director ejecutivo interino David White. Howell renunció en julio pasado tras una serie de distracciones durante su breve gestión.
Tretter ya desempeñó un papel fundamental como presidente durante el COVID-19 y ayudó a negociar enmiendas clave al convenio colectivo, además de lanzar las boletas de calificaciones de equipos de la NFLPA.
“En nombre de la junta de representantes de jugadores, nos enorgullece dar la bienvenida a JC Tretter como nuestro nuevo director ejecutivo y confiamos en el liderazgo que aportará a nuestro sindicato”, indicó la NFLPA en un comunicado. “Esta decisión refleja la responsabilidad que nuestra junta de representantes de jugadores asume en nombre de cada jugador. Realizamos una búsqueda exhaustiva y deliberada para identificar al líder adecuado a largo plazo que impulse un progreso sostenido y significativo para nuestros miembros. JC se ganó la confianza de nuestra junta y demostró un claro compromiso de servir a esta membresía. Nos entusiasma lo que viene”.
Tretter es el quinto director ejecutivo en los 70 años de historia de la NFLPA. El sindicato indicó que se consideró a más de 300 candidatos de cinco ámbitos principales: fútbol americano, otros deportes profesionales, gobierno, movimiento sindical y gestión ejecutiva.
Tretter asume el cargo en un momento en que la NFL está en auge y los salarios de los jugadores se disparan. Encabezará las negociaciones del próximo convenio colectivo. El deseo de la liga de ampliar la temporada regular a 18 partidos será un punto importante, uno sobre el que el sindicato ha dicho que no es negociable.
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NFL-Bound OSU Star’s Father Joins Buckeye Legend’s Coaching Staff in FBS Program
The Styles name was already familiar in Columbus since the early 1990s. It only took Lorenzo Style’s sons Sonny and Lorenzo Jr. to reignite the spark. Back in 1994, he was the guy setting the tone with 12 tackles beating Michigan 22-6. He was a hero for snapping a losing streak since 1987. So when news dropped that the Styles patriarch is stepping back into the college game, people paid attention. And what’s more interesting is that he’s linking back up with an old teammate.
Lorenzo Styles has officially joined Eddie George’s coaching staff at Bowling Green as a senior analyst for the D-line. The duo shared the field at Ohio State in the ‘90s on opposite sides of the ball. Now, three decades later, they’re about to build something together. The 52-year-old former LB didn’t waste time setting the tone in his first statement.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to join such a respected defensive staff,” he said in a statement. “I approach this role with a lot of humility and appreciation for the game, and I’m looking forward to collaborating, developing young men and helping build a physical, disciplined Falcons defense.”
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The staff Lorenzo Styles is joining is not light on experience either. Working alongside names like Clyde Simmons and Joe Bowden gives him a real platform to contribute, not just observe. But don’t mistake this for a nostalgia hire because he has experience that comes from putting in the work for years.
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After a six-year NFL run split between the Atlanta Falcons and the St. Louis Rams, Lorenzo Styles stepped into coaching the trenches of the game. From indoor leagues to college stops like Ohio Dominican, and then a long stretch at Pickerington Central High School, he built his resume the hard way.
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At Pickerington Central, Lorenzo Styles won two state titles in 2017 and later in 2019 where both his sons were part of the team. But more importantly, that’s where the next chapter of this story really takes shape because while he was coaching, he was also raising two future pros. And now that he is stepping into a new coaching role, his sons are stepping onto the biggest stage of their lives.
Lorenzo Style coached his sons from backyard drills to NFL dreams
If you need proof of how impactful a coach he is, look at where his sons are right now. Let’s start with Lorenzo Jr., because his combine performance turned heads across the league. He recorded a 4.27-second 40-yard dash, the fastest at this year’s combine. It’s also the fastest recorded by a safety at the event since at least 2003. He came into college as a WR at Notre Dame, transitioned to DB at Ohio State, and helped win a national title with his younger brother.
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Sonny Styles, meanwhile, is a projected top-10 pick who finished the combine with a 4.46 40-yard dash, a 43.5-inch vertical, and an 11-foot-2 broad jump. There’s even chatter about the Washington Commanders at No. 7 with draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. already floating him as a “best player available” type selection. And behind all of this is a detail that makes everything click.
“My husband has worked with these boys since they were like 4 or 5 years old,” their mother, Laverna, revealed. “They thought they were playing games. They were running outside with parachutes on their back. They were 4 and 5 thinking it was a game, not realizing their dad’s getting them ready for this day today.”
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Now, in a matter of months, one Styles is joining a college staff while two others could hear their names called on draft night. Bowling Green should be excited for what’s ahead with Lorenzo Styles in the fold.
Roger Goodell Issues Statement After NFLPA Elects JC Tretter as New Executive Director
The NFL enters a crucial phase as the NFL Players Association elects JC Tretter as its next executive director. Relations between the NFL and the NFLPA haven’t been smooth lately following the league’s filing and winning a grievance against the union’s annual team reports. But Roger Goodell’s latest message to the ex- Cleveland Browns center showed how important this appointment could be for the league’s future, especially for player safety and its global expansion plans.
“I want to congratulate JC Tretter on his election as Executive Director of the NFL Players Association,” NFL commissioner Goodell said via ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler on X.
“As a former player, JC brings a unique perspective to this critical leadership role shaped by his firsthand experience and a deep understanding of the men he represents. We have worked with JC for several years, first as union president when he helped the league and the NFLPA successfully navigate through COVID during the 2020 season. We look forward to building upon that relationship to further our shared priorities, including our commitment to advancing player health and safety and ensuring the global growth of our game for our fans, the players, and our clubs.”
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On Tuesday, the NFL Players Association announced JC Tretter’s appointment following a search that lasted for months. To secure the position, the former offensive lineman left behind over 300 candidates. These included interim leader David White and American Athletic Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti. Soon after the decision, Roger Goodell shared a message and discussed common interests.
These included improving player health and safety and continuing the push for global growth. The idea of globalization has long been supported by owners such as Robert Kraft, who earlier proposed a new structure. He wants to expand the regular season to eighteen games, including sixteen international ones. Meanwhile, Tretter takes on the role during a turbulent time following Lloyd Howell Jr.’s resignation in July.
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According to multiple reports, Tretter’s predecessor misused the union’s funds for inappropriate expenses and had ties to the Carlyle Group. It’s the very company that sought minority stakes in the league. Moreover, there were allegations that the union struck a confidential agreement with the NFL. They allegedly kept the arbitration findings on potential owner collusion from the players.
At the time, Tretter said he was unaware of such an agreement. After wearing many hats and distancing himself, the former NFL player is back in power during negotiations that could shape the league’s future. In his latest message, JC acknowledged the weight of his new role.
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What does JC Tretter have to say after Roger Goodell’s statement?
While still playing for the Browns, JC Tretter became the NFL Players Association’s president on March 10, 2020. He represented players in negotiations, leading to the creation of new health and safety protocols. Moreover, he played a major role in negotiations over the collective bargaining agreement that runs through 2030.
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In October 2024, he transitioned to chief strategy officer before stepping down in July last year. He was one of the potential candidates to replace Howell as executive director. But Tretter pulled his name out as he “wasn’t interested,” according to CBS Sports. Despite that, he has returned to take charge and has shared an important message.
“I understand the responsibility that comes with this role and how important it is to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with player leadership,” Tretter said on X. “This union has always played a critical role in shaping the game, and that work is as important now as it’s ever been.”
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He’s likely to resume the talks around the collective bargaining agreement. As of now, the league hasn’t decided on a fixed date for Super Bowl LXII. So, the push toward an 18-game season by 2027 adds even more urgency. In the past, supporters have admired his strong player-first approach. It showed when he played an instrumental role in launching the union’s annual report cards. It gathered player feedback on team facilities and working conditions.
He also pushed initiatives such as a players-only offseason golf event and efforts to limit media access inside locker rooms. However, his tenure hasn’t been without controversy. Most recently, the distribution of these report cards didn’t sit well with owners. They claimed these reports breached the collective bargaining agreement by “[disparaging] NFL clubs and individuals.”
Over the past years, the union has fought several legal battles. As a result, its expenses have surged from an annual average of about $5 million to over $18 million during this stretch. Now, JC Tretter must balance financial pressure as the union continues to push for stronger player advocacy.
How OKC Thunder Earned Distinction as the NBA’s ‘Model Franchise’
Since arriving in Oklahoma City, the Thunder have had an impressive stretch.
OKC won 50 games in just its second season, reaching the NBA Finals in the team’s fourth season calling the Modern Frontier home. Since then, the team has produced a trio of MVP winners and a number of additional playoff appearances.
In 2024-25, 16 years after the team’s inaugural campaign, the Thunder took home their first NBA championship behind a historic defense and a Finals MVP performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
In less than two decades, the Thunder acheived what many teams have been chasing for their entire history, churning out a number of exciting players and reaching the mountaintop.
Now, Oklahoma City is preparing to move into a new arena. The Thunder have started building the new stadium, which is set to open in the summer of 2028. With solid success both on and off the court in a short time frame, OKC has earned praise from national media members.
The Hawks Can No Longer Be Ignored After Their Dominant Win Over Orlando
Since the NBA All-Star Break, the Atlanta Hawks have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA, going 11-1 and becoming one of the league’s best defensive teams in that span. However, while many people could argue that their schedule has been one of the easiest in the NBA, Atlanta has recently played some of the top teams and players in the Eastern Conference.
After yesterday’s win against Orlando, the Hawks are now on a 10-game winning streak, which is their longest in over a decade since the 2014-15 season. During this winning streak, the Hawks have proven they are one of the scariest teams in the Eastern Conference, especially after yesterday’s dominant win over Orlando.
With the win, the Hawks are now on the verge of sweeping another season series against another Eastern Conference playoff team in the Orlando Magic. The thing that stands out most about this matchup is that the last two games have been blowouts, and the game before those, Atlanta came back and won in Orlando.
After the first win this season, Okongwu had the following to say about Orlando:
NBA Draft Prospects to Watch in New College Basketball Crown Event
The NCAA Tournament is underway, with the First Four kicking off on March 17.
There are a number of NBA Draft prospects in March Madness this year, as most of this year’s potential lottery picks are seeded in the big dance. A few other prospects, however, weren’t on teams who reached the NCAA Tournament, with players like Hannes Steinbach likely finishing their college careers.
Steinbach wasn’t the only potential first-round pick to not earn a bid in March Madness, though. Players like Baylor’s Cameron Carr and Tounde Yessoufou aren’t competing for a national title, but they have an opportunity to play a few more games at the collegiate level.
The Bears aren’t playing in the NIT, college basketball’s traditional alternative to the NCAA Tournament. Instead, Baylor, alongside Oklahoma, Rutgers, Stanford, Creighton, Colorado, Minnesota and West Virginia, will compete in the new College Basketball Crown event.
After 16 teams competed in the tournament last season, the event welcomes the aforementioned eight teams to Las Vegas from April 1-5 for a shot at winning $500,000 prize pool.
Carr and Yessoufou are the highest profile draft prospects in the event, as both players will likely be selected in the first round.
Listed at 6-foot-5 and 190 pounds, Carr is averaging 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 51% from the field and 39.4% from beyond the arc. The redshirt sophomore wing started his career at Tennessee, where he spent two seasons, before transferring to Baylor ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
After appearing in just 18 contests, averaging 5.7 minutes per game, in his time with the Volunteers, Carr enjoyed a breakout season in Waco, significantly boosting his draft stock. In a recent projection from Derek Parker at NBA Draft on SI, the former four-star recruit went No. 20 overall to the Toronto Raptors.
Unlike Carr, Yessoufou entered the 2025-26 season as a well-known prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft.
After an illustrious prep career in California, the Benin-born wing player was rated the No. 14 overall player and No. 2 small forward in the 2025 recruiting class by 247Sports. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, Yessoufou is a strong and powerful athlete who could blossom at the next level.
As a freshman, the five-star recruit averaged 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2 steals per game while shooting 46.9% from the field and 30.2% from 3-point range. Parker’s latest mock draft slotted Yessoufou to the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 16 overall.
ESPN Personality Refuses To Vote Luka Doncic All-NBA First Team
ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins upset Los Angeles Lakers fans by revealing he’s not planning to vote for Luka Doncic to make the All-NBA first team. Stellar play from Doncic has saved a struggling Lakers season and elevated them to the third seed for the time being. More importantly, Luka is leading the league in scoring by putting up 32.9 points per game in close games that often require this level of play to get wins.
Perkins made it clear that he sees no path towards Doncic getting his vote for the All-NBA first team of the top five players:
“You’re only able to pick five, correct? So, you have SGA. I have Jokic. I have Jaylen Brown. I have Cade Cunningham because they have the best record in the Eastern Conference. And I have Wemby [because] they are second in the West.
So, Luka doesn’t make my top first-team All-NBA. I’ll have him on my second team. Now granted I get it, he’s leading the league in scoring. But when I look at the impact that those other guys are having on their franchise.”
Doncic is considered a solid bet to make the All-NBA first team and have a top five MVP finish, but Perkins doesn’t believe he deserves it over these other names. Another month is left before the votes come in after the regular season ends.
Does Perkins Have A Point About Luka?
The overall talking point of Perkins is that the other five names mentioned have stronger impacts than Doncic. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic are likely locks to make the All-NBA first team as the top two MVP candidates and the best players in the league.
Many have Luka ranked third, but Perkins does have a point about the other three deserving credit. Cade Cunningham has led a team few expected to contend into a dominant top seed placement and an Eastern Conference contender.
Jaylen Brown has stepped up to help the Boston Celtics contend, but Jayson Tatum’s return has already hurt his overall usage. Victor Wembanyama’s time missed and stronger team is often argued against him in favor of Doncic. However, Perkins is not unfair for having this opinion and giving the nod to other deserving names.
Luka Doncic Will Likely Still Get Selected
Perkins does have a vote, but he’s one of many names getting to vote on the year-end NBA awards. Doncic has received more praise from across the media and is currently considered a top five candidate.
MVP betting odds have seen Luka moving up in the odds as players like Jokic and Cunningham start to fall. Gilgeous-Alexander likely has the MVP secured due to the Oklahoma City Thunder having the best record in the league and looking like the strong title favorites.
Chris Mannix’s NBA Notes: Lakers Rolling in LeBron’s New Role, Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown Debate
Editor’s note: This first appeared in the Open Floor newsletter, a free, twice-weekly publication straight to your inbox. Subscribe now.
Greetings from Los Angeles again this week. I spent Monday night with an NBC mic in my hands working the sidelines of a surprisingly competitive game between the Spurs and the Kawhi Leonard–less Clippers. I’ve done a handful of interviews with Victor Wembanyama over the years, including this 2024 magazine cover story. But standing next to him at center court, having to reach up to get the microphone to him, that was a new experience. Can confirm: Wemby is very tall.
LeBron’s new Lakers role
Last week I posed the question: Should we be taking the Lakers more seriously? Los Angeles had won three straight games without LeBron James, who returned to the lineup Thursday channeling his inner Andre Iguodala, stuffing the stat sheet while shooting a tidy 53.8% from the floor. Let’s see how this plays out, I wrote. The Lakers had a tough home game against Denver on Saturday before heading out on a six-game road trip that began with a pair of games against a Rockets team nipping at L.A.’s heels.
Well, on Saturday, the Lakers outlasted the Nuggets, with James shooting 53.8%. On Monday they beat back the Rockets … with James shooting 53.8%. In three games since his return from injury, James has shot exactly 7 of 13 in each game, chipping in at least five assists and five rebounds in each one. Lakers coach JJ Redick has acknowledged the obvious, “That the best thing for our team is [James] being the third-highest-used player.”
As I wrote last week, this version of the Lakers, with Luka Dončić carrying the bulk of the scoring burden, Austin Reaves serving as the second option and James picking up the rest, can be dangerous come postseason. The Lakers are fifth in offensive rating over the last three games, per NBA.com. They are 12th in defensive rating. They have solidified their hold on the No. 3 seed which could mean a second-round series against inexperienced San Antonio instead of battle-tested Oklahoma City.
Credit James for this. Only a handful of superstars have successfully made the transition to lesser roles, and even fewer with the teams they were superstars on. James has embraced a different role in L.A. on the fly. And it may have opened the door for some unexpected success this season.
Jayson Tatum–Jaylen Brown debate
Interesting comments out of Boston from Jaylen Brown this week. The Celtics have won four of the five games Jayson Tatum has played in this season, with the one loss the game in San Antonio in which Brown was ejected in the second quarter. While the fit has appeared relatively seamless, Brown told reporters that successfully integrating Tatum has taken sacrifices from everyone—including him.
“It takes some humility, it takes some understanding,” Brown said. “I think JT is extremely important to us for what we want to do. Obviously, I’m having a great season, but then I have to just think, what’s the big picture? And sometimes that’s not easy, but I always put the team first and what the bigger picture is first.”
Celtics fans get triggered by the Tatum vs. Brown debate, as if the media is trying to pit them against each other (disclaimer: I am not). But this is Brown’s team, for this season at least, and to make it work he was going to have to sacrifice some offense. Consider: Brown averaged 24.5 shots per game in January. In February, it’s 22. In March, it’s ticked down to 17. He still has some scoring outbursts—the 41 points he scored against Phoenix on Monday, backed by 19 of 21 from the free throw line, is an example—but his unselfishness has allowed Tatum to ease his way back into the rotation. And Boston is better for it.
NBA expansion fee numbers
ESPN reported this week that the NBA would take the next step toward expansion at this month’s Board of Governors’ meeting, with Las Vegas and Seattle the front-runners to secure new NBA teams. No surprise there. The league has long been interested in returning to Seattle (I’d expect the Thunder to quickly give up all claims to the SuperSonics history when they do) and the NBA has been invested in Las Vegas for decades. I’m told the owners are hoping to extract a $10 billion expansion fee for each team, with prospective team owners already lining up.
Will NBA shorten its schedule?
While some may interpret Steve Kerr’s crusade to reduce the NBA’s schedule by 10 games as yelling into the wind, you would be surprised how much support Kerr has behind the scenes. Kerr is absolutely right, of course. The NBA season is too long, and the breakneck speed the game is played at makes players more susceptible to injury, regardless of what the NBA data says.
The financial component, an obstacle in roughly the same way the iceberg was an obstacle for the Titanic, is daunting, but it’s a challenge several team officials hope NBA commissioner Adam Silver takes head on. An argument I hear a lot is that the short-term financial pain teams will feel by a shortened schedule could be reversed in the long term if it increases the value of the regular season.
Teams will never be able to make up the ticket revenue but a more competitive league could be more valuable to broadcast partners when the NBA goes back to the table a decade from now. Any changes to the schedule have to be collectively bargained, of course, so nothing will happen until 2029, when both the league and players can opt out of its current agreement.
Carter Bryant’s full-circle Kawhi Leonard moment
Reported out a fun story this week on Carter Bryant, the Spurs rookie forward who has emerged as a fixture in San Antonio’s rotation over the last three months. Bryant is from Riverside, Calif., a town about an hour east of Los Angeles and the same town Kawhi Leonard grew up in. Bryant’s father, D’Cean, actually coached Leonard for two years at Martin Luther King High School. When Bryant was 4 years old he would go to the gym with them. As Leonard worked out on one end, Bryant would mimic his moves on the other.
Things came full circle a couple of weeks ago when San Antonio rallied from 25 points down to beat the Clippers. Bryant helped spark that comeback, scoring five points and collecting three rebounds in 21 minutes while chipping in reliable defense on (you guessed it) Leonard. A photo quickly circulated of Bryant digging in defensively on Leonard in the closing minutes.
Bryant told me he didn’t think about defending Leonard in the moment. “It was just, ‘I have to be better than this guy in front of me.’ ” Later, though, when he saw the picture the significance of it hit him.
“I saw a picture of it and it was just me guarding him one-on-one at half court, and I’m like, ‘This is ridiculous. This is crazy,’ ” says Bryant. “If you would’ve told me I would’ve got to guard one of the best players in the world one-on-one with the game on the line, like, what?”
Inside the Spurs’ book club
Speaking of the Spurs … have you heard about San Antonio’s book club? Started last season, the club consists of “four or five members” Harrison Barnes told me this week, which includes some support staff. Victor Wembanyama, whose voracious appetite for reading I covered in this 2024 Sports Illustrated cover story, is the unofficial president of the club. Barnes told me the group reads between two to three books a month (or around 18 to 20 per year) and will often discuss them after practices or while getting taped up before games.
Anyone can suggest a book, Barnes says, though Wembanyama usually has thoughts. That means plenty of fantasy novels. Patrick Rothfuss’s The Kingkiller Chronicle, a two-part series. The Stormlight Archives, a series of novels by Brandon Sanderson, a Wemby favorite. The Wheel of Time, a collection by Robert Jordan. The group’s latest book is The Suicide Shop, a dark French comedy that is about … well, exactly what it sounds like.
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Graphic Photo From Cavs-Bucks Confirms Donovan Mitchell’s Concerning Eye Injury
Today was only the thirteenth time this season that Donovan Mitchell scored to register 20 points in a game. The Cleveland Cavaliers talisman struggled against a shorthanded Milwaukee Bucks. Mitchell only made four field goals. However, the reason behind his shaky shooting didn’t need any explanation when the cameras showed all the damage.
During one of the timeouts, a frame caught Mitchell’s apparent eye injury. His left eye looks completely bloodshot. Looking at the state of it, there’s a high chance it impaired his vision or caused some discomfort while playing against the Bucks. Donovan Mitchell couldn’t go out and score as freely as he usually would.
Spida shot just 28.6% from the field. 10 of his 19 points for the game came from the free throw line. The seven-time All-Star didn’t appear on the Cavaliers’ injury report prior to facing Milwaukee. There is little confirmation of the exact details of his eye ailment. An update making the rounds is that Mitchell suffered the knock from teammate Evan Mobley.
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There will probably be more information about the injury going forward. Kenny Atkinson felt Donovan Mitchell was just “off” tonight. That’s where he needed his teammates, and they stepped up.
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Evan Mobley and James Harden helped the Cavaliers bounce back from losing against the Dallas Mavericks. The tandem combined for 54 points. Mobley also performed his defensive duties to perfection, blocking three shots on the night. Head coach Kenny Atkinson raved about the duo in his press conference. He feels Harden’s entry has really helped Mobley be an imposing figure on the offensive end.
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The Cavs head coach was also pleased with the team’s effort in closing the game out to secure a narrow win.
Kenny Atkinson left to make hard decisions as Cavaliers get healthy
The Cleveland Cavaliers are still without Jarett Allen. However, the team has surely gotten healthier over their past few games. Guard Max Strus returned after six months. Moreover, Sam Merrill was also able to have a dynamic impact in his return after a two-game absence tonight.
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Atkinson is pleased to have so many options. However, in the time remaining until the postseason, he’s in a process of evaluation. During the postseason, the Cavaliers head coach wants to maintain a lean rotation. And he implied players will have to “earn” their spot.
“I’m still, you know, evaluating who fits and who’s going to kind of um, take the lead in terms of getting in that rotation. I still think we haven’t made a clear decision on who those nine are. But it’s tough to play 10… You know, you can do it in the early games, but eventually get to nine or eight. So, we know that, but still think we have to evaluate, especially our wings, right? We have a lot of wings right now,” said the Cavaliers head coach.
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Strus and Merrill were just the returning options. The Cavaliers already have a locked starter in Evan Mobley, and Jaylon Tyson is likely to play after a breakout campaign. Everything else is a puzzle. Keon Ellis and Nae’Qwan Tomlin provide defensive energy as opposed to Dean Wade, who is a more reliable shooting threat.
Matchups will also play a vital role. Depending on the opposition and the flow of the playoffs, Atkinson can switch personnel around. The Cavaliers are that deep. But there’s an urgency to get these decisions right. The Cavs haven’t reached a conference finals, despite having one of the most expensive rosters in the NBA.
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The championship window for a group has drastically decreased in the modern era. The Cavs have a stunning roster with a variety of options. But do you think Kenny Atkinson can get it right this time? Let us know your views in the comments below.
Shaquille O’Neal to cover funeral costs for 12-year-old girl who died after fight at bus stop
VILLA RICA, Ga. (KABC) — Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal says he will cover funeral expenses for 12-year-old Jada West, a Georgia girl who died after a fight at a school bus stop.
The fight between Jada and another student from Mason Creek Middle School broke out at an intersection near the girl’s home on the afternoon of Thursday, March 5, police said. Her death is being investigated by police in suburban Villa Rica, about 30 miles west of Atlanta.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says O’Neal learned about Jada’s story through media reports.
Russell Westbrook Joins Elite Company with Latest Historic NBA Feat
It’s been a season to forget for the Sacramento Kings, but one of their veteran stars is putting together a solid season and adding to his Hall of Fame resume.
Kings’ point guard Russell Westbrook continued his ascent in the NBA record books on Tuesday night, rising to become No. 5 on the league’s all-time assists leaderboard.
In a contest against the San Antonio Spurs, Westbrook started dishing out assists quickly, giving him 10,336 in his career. By hitting that mark and continuing past it later in the game, he surpassed a pair of NBA greats in the process: Mark Jackson (10,334) and Steve Nash (10,335).
It’s plausible to say that this might be the highest Westbrook gets on the list, with LeBron James ahead of him at No. 4 and with a significant edge. James boasts 11,909 career assists and is still playing. The top three are Jason Kidd (12,091), Chris Paul (12,552) and John Stockton (15,806).
The Kings weren’t shooting well, leaving Westbrook to surpass Jackson and Nash midway through the second quarter after entering the game needing just three assists to do so. It’s another feather in the cap of a potentially Hall of Fame career. Westbrook is also the NBA all-time leader in triple-doubles with 209.
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At 37 years old, Westbrook has accomplished a ton in his 18-year NBA career. A former MVP, nine-time All-Star, two-time scoring champion and three-time assists leader, the only thing missing from Westbrook’s career is a championship. He came close in his 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but never secured the win.
That won’t be coming this season with the Kings, who own the worst record in the Western Conference. Still, this is a moment Westbrook should be remembered for and solidify his place in NBA history.
NBA Star Josh Hart Made New York Knicks History Against Pacers
On Tuesday night, the New York Knicks played the Indiana Pacers (at home).
The Knicks won by a score of 136-110.
Josh Hart finished with 33 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals while shooting 12/13 from the field and 5/5 from three-point range in 26 minutes of playing time.
Josh Hart Made New York Knicks History Against Pacers
In addition to his strong performance, Hart also made Knicks history.
Real App wrote: “Josh Hart just recorded the most efficient 30-point game in Knicks history.”
Hart is in the middle of his fourth season playing for the franchise.
He is averaging 12.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 50.6% from the field and 39.5% from three-point range in 56 games.
The New York Knicks wrote: “Josh is the fourth Knick in franchise history to score 30+ points on 90% or better shooting, joining Walt Bellamy, Willis Reed, and Bernard King.”
Knicks This Season
The Knicks are the third seed in the Eastern Conference with a 45-25 record in 70 games.
They are in the middle of a four-game winning streak (and 7-3 over their last ten).
“There Is Always Expectation”: NBA Legend Makes Crucial Lakers Judgment, Praises 32-Year-Old Star
The Los Angeles Lakers are unbeaten in their last six games and have also won nine of their last 10 games. They are heating up at the right time with just 14 games left before the postseason. Finally, after adjustments, the trio of Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves has seemingly figured out their roles, but the scrutiny is over, as Reggie Miller pointed out.
The Pacers legend and the Hall of Famer appeared on the Dan Patrick Show on March 17. “I know they play again on Wednesday, which will be another big-time game. There is always expectations with the Lakers, just like with Boston. There’s always going to be expectations to win, and we dissect every single thing they do.”
Recently, the Lakers were able to limit the Rockets to their lowest-scoring fourth quarter of the season with just 12 points. After the 100-92 win, Miller emphasized the Lakers’ improved defense. “It’s that simple,” stated Miller. “At the end of the day, the defense will either do them in, or that’ll be the defining moment for them. And I think they’re starting to understand how the roles will be situated. Let’s give Marcus Smart a lot of credit. He’s not getting enough.”
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Miller credited Smart for being the leader and setting the example for diving for those loose balls. But the Pacers legend also wants fans to appreciate the 32-year-old for making tough shots. The former DPOY made a 25-foot three-point jumper to give the Lakers a two-point advantage in OT against the Nuggets. On both ends of the floor, Smart has been the standout; almost everyone on that team appears to be playing better defense now than at the start of the season.
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Since March, the Lakers have had a 109.7 defensive rating, good enough for sixth-best in the NBA. It’s much better than the Pre All-Star break numbers, which were hovering mid-116s, which puts them firmly in the bottom tier of NBA defenses.
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The credit also goes to Marcus Smart, who in the past 6 games has led with an unbelievable 98.2 defensive rating. But it’s not a one-man job; the Lakers’ Big 3 has also improved immensely. Pre All-Star break, Austin Reaves had 114.1, LeBron James had 115.0, and Luka Doncic had 117.4 defensive rating. In the last 6 games, Luka improved to 105.1, LeBron James to 105.9, and AR to 109.0 rating, proving that the Lakers are improving on the defensive end.
A Lakers legend also credits Marcus Smart for the change in mentality
In the most recent win over the Rockets, the defensive plan of JJ Redick was visible. Kevin Durant scored 16 points and shot 7-of-11 from the field in the first half, but shot just 1-of-5 from the field after halftime. The Lakers started to send a second defender at him, which created problems for KD, who took the blame for the loss. Defensively, the Lakers have been putting in massive efforts.
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During the OT win against the Nuggets, in the final minute of the fourth quarter, the Lakers were trailing 112-111. LeBron James put his body on the line to grab the ensuing rebound. The 41-year-old put his body on the line with a full-extension in diving for the loose ball, beating two Nuggets. This moment from James didn’t go unnoticed, and James Worthy credited Marcus Smart for bringing out this side of LeBron.
“Marcus Smart, man, he’s a godsend for us. Never seen LeBron dive on the floor like that until Marcus Smart showed up,” Worthy stated on the Lakers’ broadcast post the win.
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The assessment is not wrong. In the win against New Orleans, Smart threw his body on the line multiple times against a physically imposing Zion Williamson. So, repeatedly against any opponent at any time, Marcus Smart is always locked in, looking for any small advantage for his team. That’s why the 32-year-old is getting his flowers from the legends of the game.
Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah receive lifetime ban from MLS for betting on matches
Two soccer players received lifetime suspensions from Major League Soccer for betting on MLS matches, the league announced on Monday.
Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah, neither currently on an MLS roster, are accused of engaging in “extensive gambling on soccer, including placing wagers on their own teams during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, according to a statement released by the league.
Jones and Yeboah both played with the Columbus Crew in 2024 and were found to have placed a wager on Jones to receive a yellow card in a match against the New York Red Bulls on Oct. 19, 2024 and likely shared that information with outside bettors.
The activity was flagged by the league’s integrity partners and the MLS decided to place the two players on administrative leave in 2025.
By that point, Yeboah was a member of Los Angeles Football Club while Jones was still rostered by Columbus.
In the league’s statement, commissioner Don Garber pushed for reform to the markets available to bettors on MLS matches, specifically singling out the ability to bet on players receiving yellow cards.
“The League will continue to enforce its policies, enhance education efforts, and advocate for the elimination of yellow card wagering in all states to protect the integrity of our competition for clubs, players, and fans,” Garber said.
It’s not the first time a league has pushed for betting reform regarding niche markets.
Sportsbooks placed a $200 limit on MLB pitch-level markets after the Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted on federal charges for their alleged involvement in an illegal betting scheme.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Malik Smith has been immersed in the sports betting industry since 2017. He’s a data nerd with a particular focus on the NBA and combat sports. He spends his weeknights in the winter looking for edges on plus-money NBA player props.
Two MLS players banned for life for betting on games
Former Major League Soccer players Yaw Yeboah and Derrick Jones received lifetime bans for betting on MLS matches — including their own — the league announced Monday.
Yeboah, 28, most recently played for LAFC in 2025 and is a former teammate of Jones with the Columbus Crew. Both were placed on administrative leave last October while awaiting league review of potential MLS rules violations.
MLS hired the law firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP to investigate after the league received suspicious betting alerts through integrity partners. The law firm found that Jones and Yeboah
Visa issues may leave Jamaican club short-handed against LA Galaxy in Champions Cup
CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Mount Pleasant, a team from the Jamaican Premier League, is bracing to be without as many as 10 players on Wednesday when it takes on the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer in a CONCACAF Champions Cup matchup.
The reason: Those players, including six from Haiti, were unable to get visas to enter the U.S. for the match, Jamaican officials said.
Officials said Monday the match is still set to be played as scheduled, even while the Jamaican club — which plans to add younger players from the academy level if necessary — and CONCACAF seek a solution. The U.S. has travel restrictions on citizens from some nations, including Haiti, though there are mechanisms that can assist athletes in some cases.
The Jamaican club has been dealing with the issue since at least last week, apparently to no avail.
The match is the first of a two-leg Round of 16 matchup in the tournament, with the second leg set to be played in Kingston, Jamaica on March 19.
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Visa woes leave Jamaican side down 10 players against Galaxy
CARSON, Calif. — Mount Pleasant, a team from the Jamaican Premier League, is bracing to be without as many as 10 players on Wednesday when it takes on the LA Galaxy of MLS in a Concacaf Champions Cup matchup.
The reason: Those players, including six from Haiti, were unable to get visas to enter the U.S. for the match, Jamaican officials said.
Officials said Monday the match is still set to be played as scheduled, even while the Jamaican club — which plans to add younger players from the academy level if necessary — and Concacaf seek a solution.
The U.S. has travel restrictions on citizens from some nations, including Haiti, though there are mechanisms that can assist athletes in some cases.
The Jamaican club has been dealing with the issue since at least last week, apparently to no avail.
The match is the first of a two-leg round of 16 matchup in the tournament, with the second leg set to be played in Kingston, Jamaica on March 19.
Last year’s champion Cruz Azul beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 5-0 in the final.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Federico Bernardeschi reveals Juventus denied him the number 10 shirt
Federico Bernardeschi was a Juventus player between 2017 and 2022, before leaving to join Toronto FC in Major League Soccer. The winger arrived at Juve from Fiorentina, where he had been one of Serie A’s standout performers, despite La Viola doing everything possible to prevent the transfer from taking place.
During his time at Juventus, Bernardeschi was regarded as one of the club’s more talented players and was relied upon in several key matches. His versatility and attacking flair made him a valuable asset in various tactical setups, and he quickly adapted to the demands of a top club competing for major honours.
The Number 10 Ambition
Upon his arrival, Bernardeschi expressed a desire to wear the number 10 shirt, a number historically associated with some of the club’s most iconic figures. At that time, the shirt was vacant, and the young Italian hoped to continue the legacy associated with it.
However, Juventus had other plans. The club decided not to award him the number immediately, and the shirt was soon given to Paulo Dybala, who was already in his third year at Juventus and widely considered to have earned the honour. The decision sent a clear message regarding the club’s view of Bernardeschi’s readiness to assume such a prestigious role.
Reflecting on the Past
Bernardeschi has recalled the moment and shared his perspective on the situation. As quoted by Tuttojuve, he said, “The number 10 at Juve? I asked to have the number 10 shirt, they told me I was too young and had to wait at least a year. Then Dybala took it, who was already in his third year at Juventus, and that train passed for me.”
The experience highlighted both the challenges of stepping into a club with a rich history and the patience required for young players to make their mark. Despite not receiving the number 10 shirt, Bernardeschi went on to contribute significantly during his five years with Juventus before embarking on a new chapter in North America with Toronto FC.
Orlando City, coach Oscar Pareja parting ways after 3 losses to open the season
Orlando City and head coach Oscar Pareja have agreed to part ways just three games into the Major League Soccer season.
Orlando City is coming off a 5-0 loss to New York City FC on Saturday, the team’s third straight defeat.
Pareja became head coach of Orlando ahead of the 2020 season. The team went to the playoffs in each year of his tenure and reached the semifinals in 2024.
Assistant coach Martín Perelman will take over as interim head coach.
“I want to thank Oscar for the dedication, leadership and professionalism he brought to our club,” Ricardo Moreira, Orlando’s general manager and sporting director, said Wednesday in a statement. “He delivered one of the most significant moments in Orlando City’s history with the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and helped establish the competitive foundation that has propelled us forward, highlighted by our active club-record run of six straight playoffs appearances, which is currently the longest streak in MLS.”
Pareja, who is from Colombia, had previous head coaching stints with FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids, as well as Liga MX’s Tijuana.
He finishes his career at Orlando with a 103-72-66 record at the helm.
“Together, we shared moments that will stay with me forever,” Pareja said about his time in Orlando. “While it is the right time for both me and the Club to move in new directions, I leave proud of the work we did and with deep appreciation for the people who made it possible.”
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MLS suspends Philadelphia Union’s Ernst Tanner after misconduct probe
Major League Soccer has suspended Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner without pay through June 1, 2026 for violating the policies and standards of professional conduct required of league and club leadership.
According to a report by The Guardian, Tanner made use of sexist and anti-gay language in the workplace while also being reported for making racist comments about Black players, coaches and referees. The report revealed that the allegations were made in an MLS Player’s Association complaint to the league.
MLS previously conducted an investigation into the allegations but closed the case after failing to verify the initial claims. Since the release of The Guardian’s report, however, the league announced the investigation would be reopened.
Tanner was then placed on administrative leave on November 19, 2025, when MLS reopened its investigation into the allegations of inappropriate and insensitive comments made by the Union’s sporting director.
Philadelphia Union exec Ernst Tanner suspended after misconduct investigation
Major League Soccer suspended Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner without pay through June 1 following a months-long investigation after a November report alleged wide range of inappropriate workplace behavior.
The Guardian detailed several allegations of misconduct against Tanner and corroborated several claims mentioned in a previous MLS Players Association complaint involving multiple instances of racist, sexist and homophobic behavior.
Following the Guardian report, MLS reopened its inquiry into Tanner with the law firm of Littler Mendelson leading the investigation.
“Based on new information obtained during outside counsel’s independent review, the investigation substantiated violations of MLS policies and standards of professional conduct required of League and Club leadership,” the league said in a statement to the outlet on Monday.
MLS did not provide details about specific allegations the league had substantiated.
The Union put Tanner on an administrative leave of absence after the league’s inquiry was announced in November.
His suspension of pay began on Monday, the Guardian reported, and it’s unknown whether he was paid during his leave.
Tanner will be required to complete an MLS-approved restorative practices program before he can be reinstated.
“Based on the findings from Major League Soccer’s investigation, the Philadelphia Union supports the league’s disciplinary action and restorative practices program for Sporting Director Ernst Tanner. The Union will evaluate the best and appropriate structure for the organization following the disciplinary process,” the Union said in a statement. “The Philadelphia Union remains committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone associated with our club.”
Tanner has denied the allegations against him and, in a statement of his own on Monday, said he regrets “the impact that this situation has had” on the club.
“I remain proud of my work with the Philadelphia Union and look forward to my return and future work with the team,” he said.
The inquiry was the second MLS has made involving Tanner.
The MLSPA made its initial complaint last year, but MLS said it was unable to substantiate the claims at the time.
Most of Olympic soccer tournament will be played outside of LA
While the Rose Bowl will host the men’s and women’s gold medal soccer matches for the 2028 Olympic Games, the iconic venue, site of the 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup finals, will be limited to holding five matches during the Games because of field condition and security concerns.
Under a tournament schedule released Monday by LA 28, just five of the 58 matches, less than nine percent, for the Olympic women’s and men’s tournaments will be played in the Los Angeles-Orange County market, the fewest number of matches held in a Games host city area since the 1996 Olympic Games when no matches were played in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The 1996 men’s and women’s finals were played at Sanford Stadium on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, 70 miles and 80 minutes from Atlanta.
The Rose Bowl schedule was dictated largely by concerns FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, and local organizers had about the wear and tear on the stadium’s pitch. Security concerns and overburdening the area also contributed to the Rose Bowl’s limited schedule. The Olympic diving competition will take place at the nearby Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.
In addition to the men’s and women’s finals July 28-29, the Rose Bowl will also host a women’s quarterfinal on July 21 and a men’s and women’s semifinal match July 24-25.
The bulk of the tournament, 53 matches, will be played in Major League Soccer Stadiums in six cities across three time zones. San Diego will host 11 matches, including a men’s and women’s semifinal match and the men’s and women’s bronze medal matches. New York, Columbus and Nashville will host nine matches each. Eight games will be played in St. Louis, while seven will be played in San Jose.
The MLS stadiums, which range in capacity from 18,000 (San Jose) to 35,000 (San Diego), are a better fit for the Olympic tournaments than larger stadiums such as Stanford Stadium, which held 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup matches.
Half of the 2024 Olympic women’s tournament first round matches, nine of 18, drew less than 10,000 spectators and Germany and Zambia drew just 2,642 at St. Etienne’s 41,965-seat Stade Geoffrey-Guichard.
Nine matches at the 2024 Olympic Games were played in Paris’ Parc de Prince stadium, 37 matches in the 2021 Olympics were played in the greater Tokyo area, 12 matches for the 2016 Games were held in Rio de Janeiro and Wembley Stadium hosted nine matches at the 2012 Games.
The Rose Bowl hosted nine of the 16 matches for the 1984 Olympic men’s tournament. The International Olympic Committee did not include women’s soccer until the 1996 Games. The Rose Bowl also hosted eight of the 52 matches for the 1994 World Cup.
The Los Angeles area’s two MLS venues will be used for other sports during the Olympics. BMO Stadium will host the Olympic flag football and lacrosse competitions. Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson is the site of the Games’ archery and rugby events.
NBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year learning new role: Soccer team owner
Stephon Castle had been playing for a professional sports team for only a few months last year when the then-20-year-old began considering owning a piece of another.
A 6-foot-6 guard, Castle was finishing his first season with the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs last spring when his agent, Joe Smith, and parents, Quannette and Stacey, ran an investment opportunity past him. Such approaches are common for newly minted millionaires, such as NBA rookies. But this one felt different.
Andre Swanston, one of only a handful of Black majority team owners in all of North American professional sports, wanted Castle to join the ownership group for a new soccer franchise in Connecticut. Castle was raised in Georgia but had committed to play at the University of Connecticut before his junior year of high school, and in 2024 won an NCAA championship in his lone collegiate season. The state has become a “second home,” he said.
“Everything kind of happened fast from there,” Castle said.
By December, Castle’s Spurs teammates, many of them serious soccer fans, learned that their point guard was not only last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, but also one of several minority owners of CT United of Major League Soccer’s developmental second division, called Next Pro. CT United began its first season this month.
“We got a lot of soccer fans on our team,” Castle said, “so it started some trash talk, kind of instantly.”
He had become the latest basketball star to become an owner in another sport — and specifically soccer. LeBron James bought a minority stake in Liverpool of the Premier League in 2011. As MLS grew to 30 teams, James Harden joined the ownership of the Houston Dynamo in 2019, and Kevin Durant bought a piece of the Philadelphia Union in 2020. Five years later, Durant bought into Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain too.
Athletes are increasingly interested in owning equity in teams or brands, said Smith, Castle’s agent, yet he described Castle as an outlier. At the time James, Harden and Durant purchased their stakes, each was already an NBA veteran on a lucrative contract. Castle was only 21 and a rising star still on his rookie contract when his minority ownership in CT United — he declined to say the percentage of his ownership stake — became official in December.
The decision was not out of character for Castle, Smith said. The two met when Castle was still in high school, and Smith said he was struck by how much the teenager was already considering his “legacy,” Smith said. Castle never switched high schools or flipped his college commitment, both rarities among top prospects.
“I feel like that’s just the way me and all my siblings were raised, just to think smart, think ahead and try and not to skip steps,” Castle said.
As he founded CT United from scratch, the 44-year-old Swanston also wasn’t looking to skip steps, understanding the soccer club would need to prove to MLS leaders that it was worthy of inclusion in the sport’s top domestic league.
“To show that we can be the first team to actually grow from within the Major League Soccer ecosystem from an academy team to a minor league team to major league team is, I think, earning it in a way that no one else can say they’ve ever done,” he said.
United’s placement in Connecticut is no accident.
Raised in the Bronx, Swanston attended boarding school in Connecticut and later went to the University of Connecticut, where he was a triple jumper on the school’s track team. While there, he learned that UConn’s wildly successful men’s and women’s basketball programs weren’t the only uber-popular teams on campus. The women’s soccer team played for a national championship in 2003, while the men won the title in 2000 and regularly topped NCAA attendance rankings.
“On a Friday night, thousands of people, everybody, went to soccer matches,” Swanston said.
As recently as last fall, the men still drew the fifth-highest attendance average in the NCAA. Such a built-in fan base was part of Swanston’s calculus for wanting a team in the state, an idea he said first took hold in 2018 and became more possible in 2020, when the data company he founded sold for nine figures, he said.
Not long after, he heard that MLS was starting a second division as part of a plan to develop younger players, staffers, executives and even test on-field rules in markets where there weren’t already MLS teams, like Chattanooga, Tennessee, and High Point, North Carolina.
“Connecticut is the most densely populated, affluent market in America with none of the top five major sporting leagues, right?” Swanston said. “A billion dollars a year pretty much goes to subsidize New York and Boston out of Connecticut.”
In 2021, Swanston met with Ali Curtis, the president of MLS Next Pro. Curtis had started as the general manager of Toronto, making him the first Black general manager in league history, before rising through the ranks. Swanston can talk at length about soccer prospects and playing styles, and believes that knowledge helped MLS officials take him seriously.
Curtis was impressed by Swanston’s ambition and confidence. And, “as a person of color,” Curtis added, “you don’t always meet a prospect that is also a person of color that is going to be a potential owner within the league.”
MLS does not keep demographic data on its teams’ ownership groups, a spokeswoman said. The league describes Swanston as “one of only a few Black majority team owners in the history of U.S. pro sports.” There are currently no Black majority owners of MLB, NBA, NHL or NFL teams.
MLS has league rules for vetting potential team owners, who are the league’s de facto business partners, Curtis said, calling it “probably the first and the last point that you focus on. What’s the ownership group going to be? Who are they? What are their values? What are their principles?”
As valuations of U.S. pro teams have spiked over the last decade, there is also the question of how many individuals have enough money to buy teams. Leagues carefully review the wealth of a controlling owner, but Swanston believes minority representation could grow if more value were placed on an ownership group’s combined wealth.
“If you talk about four groups or four families worth $2 billion instead of one [family], you’ve dramatically increased the potential for minority ownership and female ownership,” Swanston said. “I think in the meantime, where we’re gonna see diversity and ownership is in minority positions, with people owning 1% to 10% of clubs, and I think we have seen a huge jump in that over the last decade.”
Swanston and his wife, Michelle, the team’s co-owner, have intentionally kept CT United’s identity local. They started a free youth academy. Eight wolf’s tails in the team logo represent one for each of Connecticut’s counties. The sponsor on the front of the jersey is headquartered in Stamford; the jersey was designed by a Bridgeport-based company. As the team waits to build a stadium in Bridgeport, its home games this season will be held around the state in a barnstorming tour.
And to fill out his ownership group, he began talking with Smith and Castle’s father about including Stephon, in part because of his role on the 2024 Connecticut team that won an NCAA basketball championship. It was Castle’s shared affinity for Connecticut that mattered to Swanston, not his soccer knowledge — “I know he likes winning,” Swanston said.
Castle knew about the lack of Black ownership when he agreed to join.
“I wouldn’t say that was a sole reason why I think I made that decision, but it definitely played a factor for sure,” he said.
Castle was drawn more to keeping his connection to Connecticut and being part of a team from its inception. He also appreciates soccer, even if he doesn’t compete himself. He has long played soccer video games — typically as established powers Liverpool and Manchester City — and he attended a game at Barcelona’s famed Camp Nou stadium in 2023 on a trip with the UConn basketball team.
Castle envisions being involved and wants to build relationships with United players, many of whom are similar in age. But that will have to wait; the Spurs this season have become overnight NBA title contenders and could play deep into June. He might try to strike up a conversation with the Spurs’ owners to get advice, he said.
For now, he keeps CT United jerseys and a scarf at his Texas home. He’s been part of the club for less than six months yet already believes this won’t be his last investment in pro sports.
“Just being able to connect with people on that [ownership] level is obviously a big thing for me. So just that in itself I feel like is a success,” he said. “So later down the line, even after my career, I’m probably definitely going to look into doing this again.”
Trump backs ‘powerful caps’ on college athlete pay
WASHINGTON — President Trump wants “very powerful caps” to limit college athlete salaries so that universities won’t “go out of business.”
Trump told ESPN host Pat McAfee that he fears that “lesser” sports also are being scrapped due to the newly allowed practice of directly paying athletes, which has been allowed since July on top of name, image and likeness (NIL) sponsorships by companies and booster clubs permitted since 2021.
“It is a very serious problem because even football, when they give quarterbacks $12 million, $13 million, $14 million — I read a couple of them — and all of a sudden you’re going to see it’s going to be out of control, and even rich colleges are going to go bust,” Trump said in a Tuesday interview.
“They had the old way. They gave scholarships, and they did lots of good things. But there could be some form of payments, but… look, the NFL, and all of you know, all teams, they have caps. You don’t really have that in college sports,” the president said.
“When the guard comes along that weighs 350 pounds and he’s phenomenal, and they say, ‘That’s going to make the difference between having a great team and a lousy team’, and they give him $10 million — that’s going to start happening pretty soon — all of a sudden you’re going to have NFL-type payrolls.”
The reform allowing for direct payment of players by universities came through a court-approved settlement involving the NCAA, with an estimated initial annual cap of $20.5 million per player. Without changes, the salary cap is expected to rise to $33 million over the next decade, CBS Sports reported.
Trump, whose administration this year paused federal grants to prominent universities to force policy changes, added, “colleges don’t make that much money, even the most successful, so they’re not going to be able to do this. Bad things are going to happen unless they figure this out…
“And frankly, the college football, it’s very big. But as big as it is, if they don’t do some very powerful caps, these colleges are all going to go out of business no matter how rich they are.”
Trump floated Nick Saban, the retired longtime football coach at the University of Alabama, as a potential point person to lead a group to devise new salary caps.
“I don’t want to use any particular sport, because it’s, you know, degrading. But they are really terminating a lot of sports… you would call them lesser sports, but big sports, good sports, and sports where they have tremendous interest, they’re getting rid of them,” Trump added.
“A lot of the lesser sports are being totally terminated. You know that? It’s a shame. It was almost like a training ground for the Olympics, and a lot of those training grounds are being lost.”
Mavs honoring VP of corporate sponsorships Billy Phillips as he retires after 33 years
A wave of emotion overcame Billy Phillips as he went through a list of acknowledgements that included his Dallas Mavericks colleagues, corporate sponsorship partners and immediate family.
Phillips, the Mavericks’ longtime vice president of corporate sponsorships, was the final voice to speak on Saturday to commemorate his retirement after 33 years of tenure with the franchise. It was a celebration inside the Executive Lounge at American Airlines Center to honor one of the most respected employees in the team’s 45-year history.
“Many of you know his Dallas Mavericks legacy and what he’s done for this community, but what he’s done for the overall sports business community in North Texas is unparalleled,” said Gina Miller, the Mavericks’ new chief communications officer.
Phillips’ storied sports legacy in the Dallas-Fort Worth area didn’t start in basketball. The Long Island, N.Y., native played soccer as a goalkeeper from 1980 to 1981 for the Dallas Tornado in the North American Soccer League. He played an instrumental role with the Dallas Sidekicks, both as a player from 1984 to 1987 and manager from 1987 to 1996.
Phillips helped establish soccer in North Texas in the 1970s and 1980s, and the momentum led to Dallas being the host city for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The quadrennial international men’s soccer tournament will return in 2026, with AT&T Stadium hosting nine matches in Arlington, including a semi-final game. FC Dallas president Dan Hunt said Phillips played a role in the Cup’s return.
Phillips joined the Mavericks in 1992 as a senior director of corporate sponsorship. He was promoted to vice president in 2018, the role he serves in currently until his final day on Dec. 23. As an athlete, he can’t help but reflect on the team’s lone championship in 2011 as a standout moment, but the people he worked with is what he’ll cherish the most.
“At the end of the day, it’s relationships,” Phillips said. “I have so many amazing relationships from people who work for the Mavericks and partners that I’ve worked with now…It’s always the people who’s the most important part of my job.”
Several influential people around the Mavericks spoke during Phillips’ retirement ceremony, including minority shareholder Mark Cuban and CEO Rick Welts. Co-interim general manager Michael Finley was also in attendance.
“This man can sell,” Cuban said. “Billy has been a rock, not just for the young salespeople, but for the whole organization. When things were up, when things were down, Billy was steady. Billy has this calming influence that he brings to anybody that he’s met, but he also can sell. What’s the rule, Billy?”
“If you’re talking to someone, you better have a check,” Phillips said.
The celebration didn’t stop during the pregame. Phillips was honored during halftime of Saturday’s game with a tribute video, which included cameos by Dirk Nowitzki and former Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd began his pregame news conference with a congratulatory message for Phillips.
“I want to congratulate Billy Phillips,” Kidd said. “He’s retiring after 33 years with the Mavs. He’s a big influence in sports here in Dallas. Goalkeeper for the Dallas Sidekicks. He did everything and he’s a big reason why soccer is coming to Dallas for the Cup.”
Twitter/X: @MikeACurtis2
TKO Stock Slides despite Receiving a New Street-High Price Target
TKO Group Holdings (TKO) had a standout year in 2025, thanks to major media rights deals and a surge in sponsorships. In fact, the sports and entertainment company signed agreements to broadcast UFC and Zuffa Boxing with Paramount (PSKY) and licensed WWE content through Endeavor Group. These deals were big enough that TKO raised its outlook for the year, and the stock climbed by more than 50%, thereby making it one of the top performers in its sector.
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Importantly, analysts believe there’s more room to grow, even after this big run. For instance, BTIG analyst Tyler DiMatteo noted that 2026 looks promising for both the sports and entertainment industry and TKO specifically. While he does expect some short-term ups and downs due to the stock’s recent surge, he’s comfortable giving TKO a higher valuation. He points to strong consumer interest in live events and what many call the “experience economy” as key reasons why the company should keep performing well.
TKO is also betting on newer trends, such as prediction markets. It signed a multi-year deal with Polymarket that will apply to UFC and Zuffa Boxing in an attempt to increase fan engagement. Interestingly, that market was worth $1.4 billion in 2024 and could grow to $95.5 billion by 2035. As a result, DiMatteo gave TKO a Buy rating and raised his price target to a street high of $250 per share.
Is TKO Stock a Good Buy?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Strong Buy consensus rating on TKO stock based on 14 Buys, one Hold, and zero Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. Furthermore, the average TKO price target of $225.73 per share implies 7.9% upside potential.
See more TKO analyst ratings
How shared values drove Ferrari’s first crypto partnership: Interview with BingX
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The multi-year agreement between Formula One racing team Scuderia Ferrari and crypto exchange BingX represents the Italian team’s first partnership with a crypto exchange.
For Vivien Lin, Chief Product Officer at BingX, the connection is built on performance rather than just visibility. She notes that Ferrari’s “engineering excellence and uncompromising standards” mirror the platform’s own approach, stating that the goal is to demonstrate that a crypto exchange can operate with the “same discipline, transparency and ambition” as the iconic automotive brand.
In this interview, Lin sheds light on the strategic vision behind the collaboration, the maturity of the crypto landscape and how shared values with Ferrari are influencing BingX’s global roadmap.
Cointelegraph: How is the convergence of high-performance sports and financial technology reshaping global marketing strategies?
Vivien Lin: High-performance sports attract fans who are deeply committed and loyal, much like the community we’ve built at BingX with our 40 million users. In Formula 1, this engagement is clear. Recent research shows that 94% of fans plan to follow the sport five years from now, and 86% watch at least 16 races each season.
This kind of loyalty gives us a unique chance for us to build lasting relationships, not just short-term awareness. In my experience, it’s rare to find a partnership that fits so well. I also believe that sponsorship shapes how fans experience the sport.
The same research found that about three-quarters of fans think sponsors make Formula 1 better, and one in three are more likely to buy from F1 partners. For Gen Z, that number rises to 40%. For BingX, this trend means our marketing is now more focused on values, performance and long-term relevance, not just visibility.
CT: Why are elite sporting institutions increasingly looking toward the cryptocurrency sector for strategic alliances?
VL: In our experience, elite sports organizations have always focused on progress and winning. To stay ahead, they keep evolving, adopt new technologies and look to the future. The crypto sector and BingX share this forward-thinking approach, so there is a unique purpose behind these partnerships.
Furthermore, 2026 marks a change. As the industry grows, crypto is now about infrastructure, security and global access — not just experimentation. Sports organizations see this obvious shift and want to work with partners who are leading the way. These partnerships show a shared belief that responsible innovation can create lasting value for people around the world.
CT: What does the evolving relationship between Formula 1 and digital assets signal about the maturity of the crypto industry?
VL: The growing relationship between Formula 1 and digital assets is a strong signal that the crypto industry is entering a more mature phase. One that is defined less by speculation and more by credibility, infrastructure and long-term brand building.
Both Formula 1 and crypto are built on resilience. Progress is never linear. There are moments of rapid innovation, periods of pressure and times when patience matters more than speed. After seven years in this industry, I’ve seen crypto evolve through multiple cycles, shaped by both breakthroughs and hard lessons. Formula 1 understands this reality deeply.
From BingX’s perspective, Formula 1 represents the highest standards of performance, precision and trust. It is a global sport governed by rigorous regulation and scrutiny. The fact that teams and stakeholders are increasingly selective about their partners reflects how the crypto industry itself is changing.
Partnerships today are about values, governance and the ability to perform at scale. As the industry matures, we are seeing leading crypto platforms focus on compliance, security and user protection, foundational elements that are essential for long-term adoption.
The presence of digital asset companies in Formula 1 signals that these platforms are now capable of meeting the expectations of world-class institutions and global audiences. It also reflects a move away from short-term hype toward sustainable engagement and education.
CT: How does becoming a cryptocurrency partner for Ferrari differentiate BingX from its competitors?
VL: This partnership is significant not only because of Ferrari’s global brand and history, but also because it marks their first collaboration with a cryptocurrency exchange, which we do not take lightly. For BingX, it reinforces our position as a top-of-mind brand in crypto and reflects how far we’ve come as a platform.
For example, we were the first major exchange to introduce copy trading, which helped us become recognized as a top 5 derivatives platform, and today we are the first all-in-AI crypto exchange, with a $300 million commitment to implementing AI across our platform. It shows that we are seen as a long-term partner capable of meeting the standards of one of motorsport’s most iconic teams.
CT: What specific shared values between BingX and Scuderia Ferrari form the foundation of this multi-year collaboration?
VL: At the heart of this collaboration is a shared mindset of pioneering breakthroughs and redefining what’s possible. Both BingX and Scuderia Ferrari operate in environments where precision, performance and continuous innovation matter deeply.
Ferrari’s culture of constant innovation, race after race and season after season, closely mirrors how BingX approaches product innovation and platform evolution. We also share a long-term view that goes beyond short-term wins. There is a strong mutual respect for data, technology and discipline, as well as a belief that innovation should always be purposeful.
On the product side, this philosophy translates directly into action. Just as Ferrari continuously refines performance to push limits on the track, BingX is committed to helping traders go beyond their current potential through continuous platform upgrades, BingX Academy and AI-driven innovation.
CT: How do you plan to turn this partnership into tangible benefits for the BingX trading community?
VL: For us, partnerships like this are about delivering a more premium experience for our users. We are intentional about who we align with because those relationships reflect how we build our platform and our community.
Our partnerships with globally respected teams like Chelsea Football Club and Ferrari are not coincidences. They represent excellence, discipline and a commitment to performing at the highest level.
For our trading community, this translates into elevated experiences, stronger engagement and a brand they can trust and feel proud to be part of. Whether markets are moving fast or slowing down, our focus remains on quality, reliability and long-term value. These partnerships, along with racing-inspired campaigns, race-week activations and limited-edition experiences, reinforce that we are building BingX to operate at a global, premium standard.
CT: How does aligning with the most iconic team in motorsport reinforce BingX’s commitment to security and technological excellence?
VL: Ferrari’s reputation is built on precision, reliability and performance under pressure. Partnering with a team of that caliber reinforces how we think about building BingX and our own commitment to building secure, resilient and high-performing systems.
For years, we’ve focused on creating a resilient, AI-native platform, with intelligence embedded directly into the trading experience and a long-term $300 million commitment to AI.
In crypto, trust is built through infrastructure, not promises. We treat security as a foundation, supported by proof-based protections such as a $150 million Shield Fund and 100% proof-of-reserves.
This partnership reflects confidence in our technology and governance, and it sends a clear message that innovation and security are not trade-offs. They must work together to create a platform that can perform at a global, world-class standard.
CT: How will this alliance influence BingX’s strategic roadmap and expansion plans over the next few years?
VL: This partnership builds on a foundation we’ve already established. With over 40 million users globally and a position among the top five derivatives trading platforms, BingX has reached a scale where brand trust, consistency and global relevance matter more than ever.
Our multi-year partnership with Chelsea Football Club reflects that same thinking. Whether on the pitch or in the market, we align with teams that operate at the highest level of performance.
Working with Ferrari represents the next stage of that journey. It opens new opportunities for global storytelling, deeper regional engagement and innovation across markets. More importantly, it aligns with our long-term view of crypto as part of global finance and culture, not a niche industry.
CT: What role will this partnership play in BingX’s long-term goal to redefine standards within the cryptocurrency landscape?
Partnerships like this help set a new benchmark for what crypto brands can represent. They show that it’s possible to combine innovation with discipline, and ambition with responsibility.
Our goal is to help move the industry forward by building trust, raising standards and focusing on long-term value. If crypto wants to be part of global culture, it must meet the standards of the world’s most demanding institutions. This partnership is our commitment to that future.
NCAA D1 Cabinet Approves Jersey Patch Sponsorships in College Sports
If you felt that the influx of NIL and other cash influences had already thoroughly corrupted college sports, you may want to brace yourself.
The NCAA Division I Cabinet voted to approve jersey patch sponsorships in college sports. The new ruling will take effect on August 1, allowing patches to be placed on uniforms just in time for the start of the 2026 college football season.
“College sports are in an exciting new era of increased financial benefits for student-athletes, and the Cabinet’s vote today reflects the ongoing commitment of Division I members to drive additional revenues and fully fund those benefits,” said Illinois Athletics Director and D-I Cabinet chair, Josh Whitman, in a statement.
“This also continues the NCAA’s efforts to expand flexibility in areas of NCAA rules, thereby allowing schools and conferences to set standards that reflect their values and serve their unique needs. This important policy change is another step forward in advancing that philosophy and providing members with increased flexibility.”
As On3 reports, “Under the new legislation, schools will be able to place up to two additional commercial logos on uniforms and one additional logo on equipment during both the preseason and postseason. They can also add another logo on uniforms and apparel during conference championships.
“Patches are limited to a maximum of 4 square inches per logo, according to the NCAA. The legislation is in effect for non-NCAA championship competition.”
In anticipation of the rule’s passing, several schools, most notably LSU and UNLV, have already inked sponsorship deals.
The move will undoubtedly accelerate the commercialization of the game-day experience. In the last two years, fans in the stands and those watching at home have seen the emergence of company logos on the field and on the court, resulting from the House v. NCAA settlement approval.
Adding sponsorship patches to jerseys will create yet another revenue stream for college athletics, likely adding tens of millions of dollars annually.
Watch Brands Increasingly Turn to Sports for Spark
Could sports be the tonic that revives the luxury watch market?
Over the past few months, Swiss watch brands have lined up to announce multimillion-dollar deals with elite professional sports leagues and athletes, hoping to leverage their star power and the emotions of sports fandom to fire up a cooling market.
Last week, Breitling became the latest high-end brand to hitch its wagon to Formula 1, signing a deal with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 Team, adding to a deal it announced in August to be the official timepiece partner of the National Football League (N.F.L.).
In November, Norqain became what it called the Official Luxury Sports Watch of the National Hockey League (N.H.L.), and in January Frederique Constant introduced its first sports sponsorship, connecting with the nascent Pro Padel League, in which athletes compete in padel, a game often described as a cross between squash and tennis.
Brands such as Rolex, Omega and TAG Heuer have built their profiles on ties with sports, but in today’s saturated market, can sports sponsorships really help brands achieve their goals?
Fears of foreign influence spark bipartisan crackdown on college sports funding
Student-athletes are increasingly exploring name, image and likeness contracts to benefit from their emerging stardoms. But lawmakers want to make sure those deals don’t provide loopholes for foreign adversaries to exert their influence in the United States.
Utah Rep. Blake Moore introduced the No Foreign NIL Funds Act on Tuesday that would implement a number of restrictions banning foreign governments and adversarial entities from investing in U.S. college sports. The bill would mostly apply to NIL contracts, but it would also extend to sponsorships, media rights deals, hosting amateur athletic conferences, and other joint ventures.
“College sports are woven into American campus life, local communities, and family traditions. But allowing foreign entities to funnel money and sponsorships into college athletics through NIL deals risks undermining the integrity of the game and exposing universities to unintended foreign influence or national security concerns,” Moore, a former student-athlete himself, said in a statement. “NIL should be used to support college athletes, not as a backdoor for moving foreign money into American institutions.”
Since NIL contracts have been accepted in recent years, lawmakers have struggled to adopt comprehensive laws regulating those deals. As a result, there are no federal restrictions banning foreign governments from funding those contracts so long as the agreements are cleared through a list of requirements settled in the House vs. NCAA lawsuit in 2024.
That settlement now allows each school to pay its athletes up to $20.5 million per year, which works out to about 22% of the average athletic department revenue at Power Four schools.
However, many of the organizations that coordinate NIL contracts operate as limited liability companies, or LLCs, that do not require donor lists to be made public. That has raised national security concerns among some lawmakers who said adversarial countries could quietly pour money into a university’s sports program and try to build political influence or gain leverage.
The bill would go beyond those NIL contracts to also block foreign countries from investing in collegiate athletic streams, and it would prohibit entering into contracts with individual universities, media rights distributors, bowl games or postseason football organizations.
Bill would have exceptions for foreign NIL donations
The legislation would carve out some exceptions to allow members of NATO, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland to still participate in those contracts.
Moore pointed to recent incidents in which college football coaches have engaged in foreign trips for lobbying or fundraising as well as some athletic conferences who are finalizing plans to organize tournaments in foreign countries.
The bill has garnered the support of bipartisan lawmakers, and even has the backing of Utah State University’s athletic director, who said it’s crucial “to create a safe and sustainable future.”
“Utah State Athletics firmly supports our student-athletes and their ability to seek name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities through the appropriate channels,” USU athletic director Cameron Walker said. “However, the origin of these sources is critical for NIL to function effectively and operate in the best interest of our university, state, and student-athletes. We are thankful for Congressman Moore’s work in this area and support his efforts to create a safe and sustainable future.”
Arkansas Razorback athletics announces its jersey sponsor
Recently, the Tyson Foods logo has shown up on the field at Razorback Stadium.
Now, the iconic food brand will be on the Razorback uniforms for all varsity sports beginning in 2026-27. Under the new multi-year agreement, Tyson Foods will also serve as the official protein of the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Expect to see the Tyson Foods brand on things such as backdrops for press conferences, stadium branding with on field/court placements.
“This historic sponsorship is transformative for Razorback Athletics. For decades, Tyson Foods has been more than a corporate partner—they are an integral part of the Arkansas story,
How LinkSports is Democratizing the Talent Pipeline by Leveraging Data-Driven Reinvention of Sports Sponsorships
LinkSports, a Canadian technology company operating across 29 countries, is building what it calls the new infrastructure of sports sponsorship. Founded by Neissan Monadjem, LinkSports is a fintech company with sports content that combines artificial intelligence, standardized athletic challenges, and micro-sponsorship funding into a single platform designed to connect amateur athletes with corporate capital. The greater objective, however, lies in eliminating the problem of gatekeeping in sports sponsorship.
According to Monadjem, corporate budgets in sports often concentrate on elite professionals, while grassroots athletes, who may be equally driven, compete for limited visibility and even scarcer funding. The global sports sponsorship market exceeds $100 billion annually, yet he believes that the vast majority of that capital flows to a narrow section of top-tier talent.
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
NBA draft prospect Alijah Arenas refuses to see his dreams derailed
Barely a minute or two ticked away at Galen Center last month,but USC freshman Alijah Arenas already was exhausted. His legs felt like anchors dragging across the court. Every trip down and back left his lungs howling.
Not 48 hours earlier, Arenas was confined to his bed, sick with a particularly unforgiving form of the flu. The virus sapped him of the strength he’d built during his first seven games at USC — another frustrating setback during a season with too many to count.
At practice the day before, Arenas felt so tired he spent most of the session lying down, trying not to move. But after all the games missed and all the opportunities lost during the past 10 months, Arenas never willingly gave up another.
He came to USC, after all, as a surefire NBA lottery pick, a sinewy playmaking marvel capable of creating his shot anywhere, anytime. He seemed like the sort of tantalizing five-star talent who could change not just the present but future of a program.
But he spent almost three-quarters of what could be his only college season sidelined. So, with a top-10 Illinois team coming to town, Arenas fought to play. He ended up slogging his way through 18 minutes and scored eight points. USC lost to Illinois by 36, its largest margin of defeat of the regular season.
That was three weeks ago. USC hasn’t won a game since. It opens Big Ten tournament action against Washington on Wednesday in need of a miracle run just to make the NCAA tournament.
Arenas isn’t one to make excuses. “I’m not going to blame it on [being sick,]” he said the day after the Illinois loss.
There has been plenty of blame to go around during USC’s seven-game losing streak. But Arenas blames himself. He should have been more prepared for this season, he says. He should have been working out harder, recovering faster.
“The facts speak for themselves,” Arenas said. “I just have to point out the obvious.”
He thinks about his little brother, Aloni. He’s only 14. He’s been hounding Alijah about getting in the gym. Why hadn’t he listened?
“It’s becoming a problem,” he said. “Lately, I’ve been talking about striving for perfection, instead of actually practicing it.”
He’s spent all night thinking about this. Obsessing over it.
But on the other hand … maybe he’s being a bit hard on himself.
One morning last April, Arenas was driving home from the gym when his Tesla Cybertruck malfunctioned, crashed into a tree and burst into flames, briefly trapping him inside. He managed to escape, but he was placed in a medically induced coma to aid recovery from smoke inhalation and hospitalized for six days. Then, within days of finally being cleared to practice during the summer at USC, Arenas learned his meniscus was torn. He had one surgery on his knee, only to learn he needed a second about a month later.
Doctors told Arenas at the time that the knee injury was likely season-ending. But he refused to accept that fate. When his knee responded well to the second surgery, doctors conceded he might be able to return sometime in February. He ran with it.
“He worked so hard to come back,” said Zach Becerra, Arenas’ trainer, “that he got it to mid-January.”
But while his knee might’ve technically been healthy as he suited up against Northwestern on Jan. 21, Arenas didn’t have his stamina back. It’d been 10 months since he last played five-on-five basketball.
Arenas still played 29 minutes. He shot three of 15. Afterward, USC coach Eric Musselman worried he might’ve thrown the freshman into the fire too soon.
But Musselman told the Arenas family from the beginning that he would give Alijah a blank canvas on which to create and the space to make mistakes, to grow. So he kept his word — and kept giving Arenas the ball. Musselman stuck with the freshman even as he shot just 29% and struggled to find his footing during his first four games. And he has continued to stick with his star freshman, even as USC’s season unraveled.
He’s done so because Musselman and his staff have seen glimpses of what Arenas could be.
During a three-game stretch in early February, Arenas showed the world his sky-high potential. He dropped 29 against Indiana, 25 at Ohio State and hit a game-winner at Penn State. It seemed, at the time, like he was on the brink of his long-awaited breakout.
Then, he got sick.
“It’s a shame that the circumstances were what they were,” USC assistant coach Michael Musselman said. “Because I truly know that [Arenas] would have been one of the best players in the country with a full season.”
Arenas, though, doesn’t waste any time feeling sorry for himself. Even that stellar three-game stretch, he says, “wasn’t what I was waiting for.” He calls it “decent towards bad.”
Two days later, USC blew a lead to Oregon in the final minute. The ball was in Arenas’ hands during the final two possessions. He missed a contested jumper on the first trip. On the second, he drove into traffic and lost the ball.
After the game, Becerra said Arenas was “crushed.” “He feels like, ‘It’s all on me. ‘It’s all on my shoulders.’”
Arenas took a half-hour after the game to shoot and clear his head.
When he finally got home that night, Arenas headed straight for his father’s sauna. He sat inside for a while, alone, hoping to sweat away whatever was holding him back.
Seventh grade was when it all started to click. That’s the version of himself Arenas wants to recapture.
Back then, he said, it was fun to set his alarm for 4 a.m., getting to the gym hours before another soul would show up.
“I was a very disciplined kid in seventh grade,” he says. “I’d get eight workouts a day in.”
Eight? Really? Yes, at his middle school, Core Prep Academy in Northridge, Arenas’ entire day was consumed by hoops. There were pre-dawn workouts, mid-morning core, mid-afternoon skills training and late-night shooting sessions. Lunch was usually sacrificed to get up extra shots. Sometimes he’d get in a short morning nap on a couch in an office. Classes, somehow, were crammed in the between workouts.
It was a pretty grueling schedule for a seventh grader. But Arenas chose it. He fell in love with the work. “That kid was obsessed,” Arenas says of his younger self. “Nothing distracted him. No outside noise, no talking, no anything. Just gym, school, sleep, repeat.”
Becerra, his trainer, saw that shift firsthand. He’d started training Arenas’ dad, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, when Alijah was in the fifth grade. Alijah was only 5-foot-4 when Becerra took him on as a client, too.
“But he was already a madman,” Becerra said. “He gets that from his dad.”
That motivation wasn’t the product of his famous father nudging him. Alijah said Gilbert never put any expectations on him to follow in his father’s footsteps.
In middle school at Core Prep, Alijah was pinned against older, stronger prospects on a daily basis. When it came time to choose a high school, instead of sending him to Sierra Canyon, where other local top prospects congregated, Alijah enrolled at Chatsworth High, the local public high school.
“I just think Gilbert wanted him to have to fight,” said Etop Udo-Ema, the founder of Compton Magic, Arenas’ AAU program. “You’re gonna do everything [at Chatsworth.] You’re gonna have to carry the team and wear every game on your shoulder.”
Some nights, Chatsworth coach Sam Harris would ask Alijah to play the point. Others he played center. He posted up in the paint, with his back to the basket. He initiated the offense. He rebounded. He even did the opening tip.
“He had to learn to do everything,” Harris said.
Arenas ended up staying all three of his high school seasons at Chatsworth. Most nights, Arenas was the sole focus of opponents’ game plans. Still, in three seasons, he became the Los Angeles City Section’s all-time leading scorer.
He developed an uncanny ability to create his own shot under the most difficult of circumstances, manipulating defenses and contorting his way through the lane with ease. He learned how to elevate his teammates, putting them in positions to succeed. And he also sprouted up to 6-foot-7, which didn’t hurt.
“Every game I was getting triple-teamed,” Arenas said. “At first it was frustrating. But then I realized, like, that’s just preparing me for the next level. I had to learn how to read the game differently, how to stay patient, how to trust my work even when things weren’t going right.”
Those lessons have been tested at USC, where little has gone as planned for Arenas so far this season. The Trojans have lost nine of the 13 games in which Arenas has suited up. They dismissed leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara last month and their NCAA tournament hopes are on life support.
It hasn’t been easy. But whenever life has been the hardest, he has found himself thinking of his Cybertruck crash. It’s made him slow down, made him take a breath.
“I just tell myself, like, ‘You’re still here,” he said.
In the same breath, Arenas refuses to let himself off the hook. He insists again this season hasn’t been good enough, that he hasn’t been good enough.
His former coaches, however, happily come to his defense. They insist this version of Arenas is, as Udo-Ema put it, “a shell of what he’s going to be.” They point to the fact that he’s only just now in playing shape.
That’s what the Compton Magic founder has told any NBA teams who have asked. “If he’s not a top-10 pick, there are 10 dumb NBA teams that are going to miss out,” he says.
Harris, the Chatsworth head coach, said Arenas is still just getting comfortable. He was supposed to be a high school senior, but he chose to reclassify and head to college early. Then suddenly he was thrust into the fire of a Big Ten slate at midseason.
“It’s just growing pains,” Harris said.
Stepping in during the final six weeks certainly required adjusting — not just from Arenas, but also his teammates. At Chatsworth, Arenas did everything because he had to. At USC, that instinct has sometimes led him to try too hard, to do too much.
“He can get a shot off whenever he wants, which is super unique,” said Michael Musselman, the USC assistant. “So he’s trying to figure out, ‘When do I need to use that?’ versus ‘When do I need to find my teammates or get other guys involved?’”
It may be too late to figure it all out at USC. The expectation has long been that Arenas would play one season of college basketball before declaring for the NBA draft. But considering how the past year has gone, could that change in the coming weeks as we learn more about how the NBA views Arenas’ limited freshman tape?
No one is ruling anything out. But those closest to Arenas assure that his struggles this season have done nothing to alter his trajectory in the NBA.
“Just the things he can do, the IQ he has, what he can see, the way that he moves, the length, the size — he’s the most talented guy I’ve ever seen,” Udo-Ema said. “Now realizing that talent is a whole different story. But let’s say everything perfect happens for him, he’s going to be the face of the NBA.”
Of course, nothing has gone perfectly to this point for Arenas. But if this past year has taught him anything, it’s how critical it is to keep on course. He won’t allow himself to veer any further.
“Because talent isn’t enough at this level,” Arenas said. “Everybody is talented. So if I’m not out working people, I’m behind.
“I know what I’m capable of. And I’m not there yet. Simple as that.”
March Madness 2026: Every City and Arena Hosting NCAA Tournament Games
March Madness is just a day away, and the anticipation around it is off the charts. As college basketball embarks on its final chapter in 2026, the teams look ready to sweat it out for the grand prize. But where will these games be held? Let’s dive right in and find out about the venues where the NCAA 2026 March Madness games will be hosted.
Which Arena Hosts the First Four Games in March Madness 2026?
The 2026 calendar will see the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, hosting the First Four Games on March 17th and 18th. These play-in games determine the final four teams that advance into the traditional 64-team March Madness bracket. Dayton has always been the longstanding home for the First Four ever since the format was introduced in 2011.
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The First Four consists of four play-in games involving eight teams. The match-ups usually include the four lowest-seeded at-large teams against the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers.
Dates : March 17th and 18th 2026
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City: Dayton, Ohio
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Venue: University of Dayton Arena (UD Arena), located at 1801 Edwin C. Moses Blvd., Dayton, OH 45417.
The venue was opened in 1969 and has been renovated multiple times, with its last work happening in 2019, and can house approximately 13,409 people. Because of its rich association with college basketball, it has also earned itself the nickname “Epicenter of College Basketball.”
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Since 2011, this has been the proven ground where college basketball teams have slogged it out for a chance to etch their names into basketball supremacy. Dayton fans have a history of coming in numbers and selling out arenas as March Madness tips off from here. This is exactly why the slogan “The Road Starts Here” has become so entwined with this particular city.
Irrespective of the teams playing, the fans have never shirked away, and this is exactly why Dayton is a top-10 media market for college basketball viewership.
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Which Cities and Arenas Host the First and Second Round Games in 2026?
The 2026 NCAA Tournament’s First and Second Rounds (Round of 64 and Round of 32) will be played March 19–22 across eight host cities: Buffalo, Greenville, Oklahoma City, Portland, Tampa, Philadelphia, San Diego, and St. Louis. These regional pods spread the opening weekend action nationwide, giving fans across the U.S. a chance to experience March Madness live from the different locations.
The Round of 64 and Round of 32 games will be staggered from Thursday to Sunday. The host cities are arenas are:
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Well, all the venues in question have a history to begin with, which is why they have been chosen as the host sites for a tournament of this caliber. Take Buffalo, for instance, which is a frequent NCAA site, home of the NHL’s Sabres, or Greenville, which has become a regular host in recent years, popular in the Southeast, or Portland, with the NBA Trail Blazers’ arena of the West Coast pod.
The NCAA rotates these pods annually to make the games more accessible and provide different regions with hosting opportunities. While Dayton, Ohio, always gets the First Four, the first and second rounds move around each year. But that does not apply to cities like Buffalo, St. Louis, and Philadelphia, which have a history of repeatedly hosting the tournaments because of their strong attendance and basketball culture.
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Which Cities Will Host the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight in the 2026 NCAA Tournament?
Four cities will host Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games in the second weekend. These matchups will determine which teams win their respective regions and walk away with a Final Four bid. So this is exactly the part where the game gets most cutthroat. It will be played in four cities, and the dates for the Sweet 16 are March 26 and 27, and the Elite Eight are March 28th and 29th, respectively.
As you will notice, both rounds are hosted in the same city/arena for each region, creating a mini-tournament atmosphere. The winners of the Sweet 16 will automatically advance to play for a spot in the Final Four.
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Where Is the 2026 NCAA Final Four and National Championship Game Being Played?
For the first time since 2021, the Final Four will be making its much-awaited comeback to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. A couple of months after the NFL Combine was hosted here, its seats will be filled to watch who will be crowned champions of DI basketball. So far, Indianapolis has hosted the Final Four eight times between 1980 and 2021, and now it will again get a chance to do so.
During the 2021 final, Baylor defeated Gonzaga 86-70 in a battle of the No. 1 seeds. Before that, legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski won his fifth title at Duke, as the Blue Devils defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 68-63 in the championship game. So it has its own elaborate history that they will hope to live up to this year as well, when they host the elites of the game.
While Indianapolis has hosted the Women’s Final Four three times (RCA Dome in 2005, Bankers Life Fieldhouse in 2011 and 2016), the home of the Indianapolis Colts has not. However, Lucas Oil Stadium is scheduled to host its first Women’s Final Four in 2028.
The Final Four will be the culmination of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and will see the last four teams left battle it out for the title. The weekend will comprise two national semi-final games that will be played on the same date, Saturday, April 4, 2026, followed by the finals on April 6th that will determine this season’s champion.
Indianapolis has hosted the Final Four nine times, more than any other city. The last three years it hosted these prestigious finals were in 2010, 2015, and 2021, and now it will do so again this year, making it the fourth time overall.
For the record, the NCAA headquarters are located in this city itself, and so you can imagine why the city gets its precedence. The Lucas Oil Stadium also has its own charm to it, with its fancy retractable roof setup and modern amenities, and is ideal for this kind of large-scale event.
Where to buy tickets, best prices, schedule
Say hello to the belles of the ball (and Cinderellas).
On Sunday, March 15, the NCAA announced the sprawling 68-team field that will compete at arenas all over the country in the 2026 Men’s Basketball Tournament, aka March Madness.
This year’s No. 1 seeds are Cameron Boozer’s Duke Blue Devils, Thomas Haugh’s Florida Gators, Jaden Bradley’s Arizona Wildcats and Yaxel Lendeborg’s Michigan Wolverines.
They’ll be joined by buzzy upstarts like Mark Mitchell’s Missouri Tigers, Pryce Sandfort’s Nebraska Cornhuskers and Peter Suder’s Miami Ohio Redhawks who are battling in the “First Four.”
As for New York, they’ll be represented by not one, not two, not three but four (!) squads in the Big Dance. They are Zuby Ejiofor’s No. 5-ranked St. John’s Red Storm as well as Cruz Davis’ No. 13 Hofstra Pride along with as No. 16 seeds Gavin Doty’s Siena Saints and Jamal Fuller’s Long Island University Sharks.
Early-round games are scheduled to go down at:
University of Dayton Arena
Dayton, OH
Moda Center
Portland, OR
Paycom Center
Oklahoma City, OK
Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Greenville, SC
KeyBank Center
Buffalo, NY
Other first and second-round contests are scheduled for Philadelphia, Tampa, St. Louis and San Diego before the games relocate for the Sweet 16.
If you’d like to root on the squad of your choosing, see future NBA stars and/or witness an earth-shattering bracket-busting upset, last-minute tickets are available for all 67 games leading up to the April 6 Championship at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium.
At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find for any pair of contests was $17 including fees on StubHub.
Multi-game session passes for the first two rounds that get you into six games over three days start at $343 including fees (that’s for Philadelphia).
Not bad considering that The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy dubbed this year’s crop as “Arguably the greatest — and deepest — freshman class in the sport’s history.”
Want to catch a game or three?
We’re here to help, hardwood fanatics.
Our team has everything you need to know and more about the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament below.
NCAA Men’s Basketball March Madness tickets 2025
A complete breakdown of all upcoming games separated by venues — including game dates, teams and ticket prices — can be found here:
University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, OH
Moda Center in Portland, OR
Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC
Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK
KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY
Viejas Arena in San Diego, CA
Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO
Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, FL
Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, PA
Final Four tickets 2026
The Big Dance will come to a close this year in Indianapolis.
On Saturday, April 4, the Final Four goes down at the Lucas Oil Stadium aka the home of the Indianapolis Colts.
Two days later, March Madness ’26 wraps things up with the National Championship game at the same venue on Monday, April 6.
You can find tickets for all three high-stakes games here.
Sweet 16 tickets 2026
Before the playoff picture fully sorts itself out, the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 will take place in four major cities.
To make sure you’re in the loop, here’s how to grab tickets for all sessions at each of the four venues hosting the middle of the tourney.
March Madness 2026 bracket
Want to start making predictions ASAP?
You can get to it right now with our printable bracket below.
For all things March Madness, check out The Post’s bracket coverage and top storylines.
How to watch March Madness on TV
If you’re looking to scream at the TV enjoy the games from the comfort of your own home, we’re happy to report that that should be a cinch this year.
Most games can be found on CBS, TNT, TBS or truTV; all of these channels are available with a free trial of DIRECTV’s choice plan.
As always, be sure to check your local listings ahead of time to find the game you’re looking for ahead of time.
Huge 2026 concerts
Love March Madness…and music?
If that’s the case, here are just five shows you won’t want to miss live these next few months.
• J. Cole
• A$AP Rocky
• Kid Cudi
• Don Toliver
• Earth Wind and Fire with Lionel Richie
Who else is on the road? Take a look at our list of all the biggest concert tours in 2026 to find the show for you.
Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post
3rd-generation drag racer Maddi Gordon is addicted to speed
Gordon is a third-generation racer who became the 100th female to win an NHRA national event in 2024.
She was selected by three-time national Funny Car champion Ron Capps to drive for his Top Fuel team.
It’s probably not a coincidence that Maddi Gordon, a 21-year-old rookie driver in the NHRA’s Top Fuel dragster series, doesn’t do anything slow on purpose.
She had to think about it for a moment, but said it’s true.
“It’s actually funny you bring that up,” Gordon, a native of Paso Robles, California, told The Arizona Republic ahead of advancing to the semifinal round before finishing fourth in her Top Fuel debut in the 2026 Gatornationals March 5-8 at Gainesville (Florida) Raceway. “I walk fast. I hate walking slow. When I get behind someone who’s walking slow, I get irritated because I feel like I’m losing time.
“So yeah, I walk fast. I eat really fast. I probably talk fast. It’s so funny. I don’t do anything slow. I definitely don’t do it slow on purpose. Oh, my gosh. I never thought about that before.”
When you’re born into a racing family, the need for speed becomes second nature. That’s what happened with Gordon, who attended her first drag race when she was just eight days old, began racing as an 8-year-old, and in 2024 became the first third-generation Top Alcohol Funny Car driver in NHRA history and the 100th female racer to win an NHRA national event in the organization’s 75-year history.
“It’s just a lifestyle,” said Gordon, who picked up Monster Energy as another top sponsor at the Gatornationals. “I wake up every day, and I think about drag racing. I wake up every day, and I don’t just think about driving, but the mechanics, ‘How can we make the car faster, how can I be a better driver, how can I be better for our sponsors?’
“It’s a lifestyle. As much as I love driving, I love everything about the sport. I love the fans. I love the camaraderie. I love our teammates, I love working on the cars. … There’s just so much to learn, and honestly, I just love learning. It’s a never-ending path of things to learn.”
Maddi Gordon landing at Arizona Nationals
Soon, Gordon will be in the Valley for the NHRA’s Arizona Nationals on March 20-22 at Firebird Motorsports Park in Chandler, where she plans to rocket her 12,000-horsepower, nitromethane-burning Carlyle Tools dragster to a speed of 330 mph in fewer than four seconds.
Firebird is no stranger to Gordon. She raced junior dragsters and other event classes here as a young teenager and won on the Alcohol Funny Car circuit each of the past two years at the Chandler drag strip.
“Firebird’s been really good to me and my family over the years,
Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson React to Alex Bowman’s Vertigo Absence
Alex Bowman will miss a second straight NASCAR Cup Series race as he continues recovering from vertigo, keeping him out of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet for Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Bowman first experienced symptoms earlier this month during the NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Hendrick Motorsports later confirmed the 32-year-old driver had been diagnosed with vertigo and would step away from racing while working through the condition.
With Bowman still sidelined, Justin Allgaier will drive the No. 48 Chevrolet at Las Vegas. The veteran Xfinity Series driver previously filled in for Bowman at Phoenix and again takes over the ride this weekend.
While Bowman continues focusing on recovery, several of his Hendrick Motorsports teammates addressed the situation during media availability at Las Vegas.
Chase Elliott Understands the Frustration of Sitting Out
Chase Elliott knows firsthand how difficult it can be when a driver is forced to step away from the car unexpectedly.
Elliott missed six of the first eight NASCAR Cup Series races in 2023 after fracturing his tibia in a snowboarding accident, giving him a personal understanding of how challenging the recovery process can be.
Speaking at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Elliott said situations like Bowman’s can feel especially frustrating because drivers have little control over the timeline.
“For me, I was just kind of up against the clock,” Elliott said. “You’re just sort of helpless in a lot of ways. You just try to do everything you can about it.”
Elliott said the uncertainty surrounding a condition like vertigo can be particularly difficult.
“I just really feel for him,” Elliott said. “The unknown of something like that is probably the scariest part and a really tough thing to deal with mentally.”
Kyle Larson Sends Support After Strong Vegas Weekend
Kyle Larson also expressed support for his teammate while speaking at Las Vegas.
Larson has historically been one of the strongest drivers at the 1.5-mile track and entered the Cup race weekend with significant momentum. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion won Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, continuing a strong stretch of performances at the Nevada track.
Despite his own success at Las Vegas, Larson said the focus inside the Hendrick Motorsports garage has been on Bowman’s health.
“You hate to see any driver go through something like that where they have to sit out,” Larson said. “Alex is a great teammate for us at Hendrick Motorsports.”
Larson said everyone on the team hopes Bowman can return once he is fully comfortable behind the wheel again.
“He’s just a good guy and a great teammate,” Larson said. “You just want to see him get back in the car and feel confident in what he’s doing.”
Bowman Has Overcome Setbacks Before
Bowman has faced adversity before during his NASCAR career but has repeatedly returned to competitive form.
The Tucson native became a full-time Hendrick Motorsports driver in 2018 after previously serving as a substitute driver for Dale Earnhardt Jr. the year prior.
Since then, Bowman has won eight NASCAR Cup Series races, beginning with his first victory at Chicagoland Speedway in 2019. His most recent win came during the 2024 Chicago Street Course race.
He also missed time during the 2022 season after suffering a concussion in a crash at Texas Motor Speedway but returned later that year.
Hendrick Motorsports Prioritizing Bowman’s Recovery
Hendrick Motorsports president Jeff Andrews said Bowman continues working with doctors while the organization monitors his progress.
“He’s put a lot into the recovery process,” Andrews said. “Our priority remains making sure Alex is fully ready before returning to the race car.”
Vertigo can cause dizziness and balance issues, symptoms that can be especially challenging for race car drivers competing at speeds over 180 mph.
For now, Bowman remains focused on getting healthy while Hendrick Motorsports continues to support its longtime driver.
Carson Hocevar Makes Blunt Comments on Las Vegas Speed
Carson Hocevar was tight-lipped following Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session in Las Vegas. The driver of the No. 77 will roll off 19th in today’s (March 15) Pennzoil 400 in Sin City.
When speaking to the media following his qualifying run, the Spire Motorsports driver was not thrilled with the way he performed.
Carson Hocevar on his qualifying run: ‘We’re just slow’
During the media scrum, Hocevar addressed his qualifying lap.
“I don’t know. The sim wasn’t very good, so we just kinda showed up with notes and it’s just been a handful to drive,” Hocevar said.
Hocevar’s Spire teammate, Daniel Suarez, posted a 13th-place qualifying run. Meanwhile, their other team car, Michael McDowell wound up with a 30th-place effort.
Although Suarez was able to run a faster lap, Hocevar believes all three of Spire Motorsports’ cars are having difficulties in Las Vegas.
“It seemed like they were fighting the same issues in practice,” Hocevar said.
When asked what he believed happened on his qualifying run that resulted in the 19th-place starting spot, Hocevar made a blunt remark.
“We’re just slow,” Hocevar said.
Hocevar was also asked if aspects from last year’s Las Vegas race would help in performance on Sunday. The 23-year-old was optimistic about the things they “could change” on his No. 77 machine, but was definite if it would make a difference.
“Hopefully, the stuff we’re allowed to change can get us there. Stuff we weren’t allowed to change is similar to last year. Hopefully, that can be the case,” Hocevar said.
Hocevar was asked a few off-topic questions, such as if he felt a difference in the increase in horsepower at certain tracks. Last week, the Cup cars ran at 750 horsepower, where they previously ran at 670.
Despite the increase, Hocevar didn’t sense any change.
“No, not really,” Hocevar said.
In another off-topic question, Hocevar was asked about the significance of this year marking 20 years since the release of the hit Pixar movie “Cars.”
Yet, after his performance in qualifying on Saturday, Hocevar wasn’t wanting to talk about movies.
“I qualified like [expletive] and I got to get asked about Cars,” Hocevar said.
Carson Hocevar still seeking first Cup Series win
Amid his third full-time season of NASCAR Cup Series competition, Carson Hocevar has yet to capture a checkered flag. Amid struggles in qualifying, Hocevar aims to seek his first victory in today’s Cup race at Las Vegas in his 86th start.
Unfortunately for Hocevar, he has also struggled to find results at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In five career starts at the 1.5-mile track, Hocevar has posted a best finish of 15th, while finishing 30th or worse three times.
In total, Hocevar has 16 career top-10 finishes and four top-five efforts in the NASCAR Cup Series. His best finish came last June at Nashville Superspeedway, where he ran runner-up to Ryan Blaney.
In 2026, Hocevar has posted one top-five effort, which was fourth at EchoPark Speedway. He currently sits 15th in the points standings after four races.
The Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway starts today (March 15) at 4 p.m. Eastern time. The race can be watched on FS1 or listened to on the Performance Racing Network.
NASCAR Odds: Can Kyle Larson Pull off Las Vegas Sweep?
The NASCAR Cup Series circuit takes on Sin City today (March 15) for the running of the Pennzoil 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The race around the 1.5-mile track is scheduled for 267 laps and 400 miles.
Entering today’s race, Kyle Larson aims to pull off the weekend sweep after winning yesterday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. Meanwhile, a group of Toyotas will look to upset the two-time and defending Cup Series champion.
Ahead of the fifth race of the 2026 Cup Series season, this is a look at the odds.
Kyle Larson enters Sunday as the favorite to win
After a fifth-place qualifying effort and a win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race, it’s no surprise Larson is the odds-on favorite to win on Sunday.
The driver of the No. 5 enters today’s race at +350 to win, via DraftKings Sportsbooks. The Hendrick Motorsports driver is a three-time Las Vegas winner, with his latest victory coming in March 2024.
In his last six races at the track, Larson has totaled three wins, two runner-up finishes, and has placed no worse than 11th in all of them. Larson is aiming for his first Cup-O’Reilly weekend sweep since Bristol in April of last year.
Toyota drivers seek to upset Larson at Las Vegas
Kyle Larson is not the only driver expected to have a fast race car in today’s race.
Christopher Bell will lead the field to green after earning the pole in Saturday’s qualifying. The driver of the No. 20 enters Sunday with the second-best odds to win at +500.
In the last five Las Vegas races, Bell has posted three top-five finishes, including runner-up efforts in October 2023 and October 2024. However, the Oklahoma native has failed to win in Sin City.
Making up a Joe Gibbs Racing 1-2-3 starting grid, Denny Hamlin starts second in today’s race.
At +550 odds to win, Hamlin secured his 60th career win at Las Vegas the last time the Cup Series raced at the track last October. In the last seven Las Vegas races, the driver of the No. 11 has only one finish worse than 11th.
Chase Elliott, other Cup stars enter as longshots
While many of the usual suspects are favorites to win Sunday’s race, there are a few longshots that are worth watching out for.
One of those is Chase Elliott, who goes into Sunday at +2200 to win. The driver of the No. 9 has struggled to find results at Las Vegas with one top-10 finish in the last six races.
However, Elliott knows how to win on the 1.5-mile tracks as he did last September at the Kansas Speedway.
Ross Chastain is another underdog to watch on Sunday. The driver of the No. 1, at +2800 odds to win, has bagged three top-five finishes and four top-10 efforts in the last five Las Vegas races.
Josh Berry, the defending winner of the Pennzoil 400, enters Sunday at +6500 to win. The driver of the No. 21 captured his first career win in this race one year ago after pacing the field for 18 laps.
The green flag for today’s (March 15) race is scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern time. The race can be watched on FS1 or listened to on the Performance Racing Network.
Bridgestone announces 2026 motorsports activities
Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) announced its motorsports activity plans for 2026. The company will continue to support a wide range of motorsports both in Japan and abroad, from top-tier races to grassroots race events for amateur drivers. The Bridgestone “POTENZA” brand will be at the forefront of four-wheel racing, while the “BATTLAX” brand will power two-wheel competitions. Guided by the fundamental principle that “Tires carry life,” Bridgestone places the safety and peace of mind of all competitors first, delivering tires developed and refined at the track, and contributing to the advancement of motorsports culture. Bridgestone leverages motorsports as a “Mobile Laboratory.” The technologies honed through the relentless pursuit of victory on the racetrack are directly applied to the evolution of consumer-grade and commercial tires, strengthening the Bridgestone brand and delivering new value to its customers.
In top-tier racing, Bridgestone supplies tires under both the “Bridgestone” and “Firestone” brands. The company’s “Bridgestone” tires power Japan’s premier four-wheel racing series, SUPER GT, where teams equipped with Bridgestone Potenza tires have achieved an unprecedented fifth overall series championship in both the GT500 and GT300 classes. On two wheels, Bridgestone BATTLAX-equipped teams have captured the series championship for the fifth consecutive year—and sixth time overall—in the world’s most prestigious endurance motorcycle race, the FIM1 Endurance World Championship (EWC). Meanwhile, the “Firestone” brand, with its 125-year legacy, remains the exclusive tire supplier for the iconic NTT INDYCAR® SERIES2, including the legendary INDY500, supporting the heritage of another exciting motorsport.
Quote from Hiroshi Imai, Vice President and Senior Officer, Global Motorsports Bridgestone Corporation
“Motorsports is the ultimate team sport. Everyone involved will come together as ‘One Team,’ embracing the challenge of motorsports with passion and supplying tires we have poured our hearts and souls into. We hope to bring joy to drivers, riders, teams, and all the fans who come to witness the thrill of racing. I feel as if I’m rolling along with our tires on the track! This year, we are also sharing the voices of 10 of our teammates who work in motorsports tire structural design, material development, production, and motorsports operations. Please look forward to the efforts of our dedicated teammates who work with tires every day, and their passion through “Genbutsu-Genba3” to pursue the ultimate tire performance.”
Motorsports is the “origin” of Bridgestone as a tire manufacturer, and the “Challenge to the Extreme.” We are driven by our “Passion to Turn the World®”—a message that expresses the commitment to enjoying racing, striving for victory, pushing the limits, and supporting a sustainable mobility society together with the company’s teammates and partners. Under this message, Bridgestone will continue to demonstrate the spirit of challenging itself to new extremes through sustainable global motorsports activities, building trust and empathy with all those who share that passion.
Through our sustainable global motorsports activities, Bridgestone remains committed to its “Bridgestone E8 Commitment”4, specifically to “Emotion: Supporting exciting and moving mobility experiences.” Now and always, the company will continue to pour boundless passion into motorsports.
Chris Gabehart to Face Joe Gibbs’ Wrath as Court Agrees to Digging Up ‘Dirty Laundry’
The legal battle between Joe Gibbs Racing and former competition director Chris Gabehart just took a significant turn. A federal judge has approved limited expedited discovery in the ongoing JGR lawsuit, potentially exposing private communications tied to Gabehart’s move to Spire Motorsports. While the ruling allows both sides to begin gathering evidence, it also carefully limits how deep either party can dig. At least for now.
Judge allows limited expedited discovery
At the center of the ruling is the legal process known as discovery, where both sides gather evidence such as emails, messages, and documents before a trial begins. In this case, the court approved expedited discovery, meaning the process will move quickly due to the temporary restraining order already in place. However, Judge Rodriguez made it clear the discovery would remain extremely narrow in scope.
Most importantly, the materials being requested are limited largely to documents and communications that Gabehart himself possesses. That distinction matters because it prevents Joe Gibbs Racing from immediately digging through the internal records of Spire Motorsports.
In other words, the early stage of this legal fight will focus almost entirely on Gabehart’s own messages, files, and communications rather than a broad investigation of Spire’s operations.
What the judge allowed JGR to see
While the ruling restricted the scope of discovery, it still gives Joe Gibbs Racing access to several potentially important categories of evidence in the JGR lawsuit.
Hiring communications between Spire and Gabehart
First, JGR can review communications between Chris Gabehart and Spire Motorsports regarding his hiring. This includes emails, messages, and documents discussing his recruitment and employment. However, the judge placed a key restriction: JGR can only access copies that Gabehart personally possesses. Spire itself does not yet have to hand over its internal records.
Possible legal protection promises
JGR also wants to determine whether Spire promised to protect Gabehart legally if a dispute with his former employer emerged. Specifically, they are looking for evidence that Spire offered to cover legal costs or shield Gabehart if Joe Gibbs Racing accused him of violating his contract, stealing trade secrets, or sharing confidential information. Again, the ruling allows access only to Gabehart’s own copies of such communications.
Recruitment and employment discussions
The judge also approved discovery of communications related to Gabehart’s recruitment and hiring process at Spire Motorsports. These materials could shed light on how early negotiations began and whether any confidential information from Joe Gibbs Racing was discussed during that process.
Documents about his role at Spire
Another approved category in the JGR lawsuit involves documents describing Gabehart’s responsibilities as Chief Motorsports Officer at Spire. These materials may help determine whether his new role overlaps with duties he previously performed at Joe Gibbs Racing. Once again, the scope remains limited strictly to documents that Gabehart personally has access to.
Documents created between October 2025 and February 2026
The court also granted access to documents Gabehart created between October 1, 2025, and February 17, 2026, that relate to his transition to Spire. However, both legal teams must still agree on the exact cut-off date, since communications after a certain point may fall under attorney-client privilege.
Requests the judge rejected
Not all of Joe Gibbs Racing’s requests were approved.
The team attempted to obtain communications between Gabehart, other JGR employees, and Spire Motorsports. The judge rejected that request, saying there was currently no clear evidence showing the material would be relevant. JGR also attempted to access communications about race setups, strategy, operations, sponsorship, and staffing decisions. The court ruled those requests were too broad.
Instead, the judge suggested narrowing the focus to the term “analytics.” Both sides must now negotiate what exactly qualifies under that category.
Gabehart also gains access to JGR evidence
The ruling didn’t just benefit Joe Gibbs Racing. Chris Gabehart also received permission to request internal communications from his former employer.
Specifically, Gabehart can seek documents related to Section 6, Paragraph 2 of his employment contract, the clause that reportedly became central to the dispute after he expressed interest in leaving the organization. The key issue is how Joe Gibbs Racing interpreted that clause internally after Gabehart announced his plans.
If internal communications reveal that JGR’s leadership had different interpretations (or doubts about the clause’s enforceability), it could weaken their case in court. For Gabehart’s legal team, this discovery could potentially expose inconsistencies in how the contract was understood inside the organization.
Both sides must negotiate details
Before the discovery process fully begins, the judge ordered both parties to meet and finalize the exact parameters of the evidence exchange for the JGR lawsuit. That includes defining which documents fall under terms like “analytics,” as well as confirming the precise timeline for discoverable communications. Both sides were given a tight deadline to reach an agreement. Once those details are finalized, the judge will issue a formal written order outlining the discovery process.
Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) extended
Another key part of the ruling involves the temporary restraining order currently affecting Gabehart. The judge extended the order, which prevents Chris Gabehart from performing duties similar to his former competition director role at Joe Gibbs Racing while working for Spire Motorsports. The restriction now runs through March 26 at 11:59 PM, temporarily limiting how fully Gabehart can participate in his new position.
What this means for the legal battle
Strategically, the ruling in the JGR lawsuit may slightly favor Gabehart and Spire Motorsports, at least in the short term.
First, Spire successfully avoided broad discovery requests that could have forced the team to open its internal systems and communications.
Second, limiting the evidence pool to Gabehart’s own documents significantly reduces the volume of materials JGR can examine during this early phase.
Third, Gabehart gaining access to internal Joe Gibbs Racing communications introduces a new layer of risk for the organization if those messages reveal conflicting interpretations of his contract.
The temporary restraining order extension keeps the status quo intact for now, but the discovery process could quickly reshape the case.
“I Really Wanted to… Fight”: Daniel Suárez Publicly Calls Out Ross Chastain Following Heated Las Vegas Exchange
While it was just a push on Sunday, things could’ve gotten uglier between Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain. Following the on-track incidents in Vegas, when the Spire Motorsports driver went to confront the Trackhouse star, the heated exchange quickly escalated to Chastain pushing his former teammate. And Suarez recently confessed his side of the story.
Daniel Suarez was left sad and angry with Ross Chastain in Vegas
During a recap of his weekend in Las Vegas on his YouTube channel, Daniel Suarez revealed what was going on in his head during his confrontation with Ross Chastain. He claimed that what happens on the track happens there only, which is part of racing. However, what really upset him and made him sad was what happened after the race.
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He claimed he has known Chastain for a long time and has also known that he and his former teammate are ‘very different’ people. But despite that understanding, it was what Chastain said that got to Daniel Suarez.
“I always respect him. But the kind of words that he said after the race is just completely unacceptable. Like that’s chicken stuff. That’s not good. I lost a lot of respect for him as a person. Because that’s just not good. It’s not a good look for him and not look for kind of person that he is.
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“I was getting fired up to fight but what I was going to gain, I mean there is nothing to gain with that, he’s not the kind of person I really want to fight, but yeah, I mean just disappointed,” he explained.
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Suarez claimed that Chastain also didn’t have his facts right about the on-track incidents between them in Vegas. The Spire driver revealed that Chastain denied hitting him. But he emphasized that is part of racing, those things one can move on from. However, the words and comments that Chastain made, Daniel Suarez said, crossed a line, which is ‘the sad part.’
This is a developing story.
Bowman’s season may as well be over after unfortunate injury update
A Tuesday update regarding the health of Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman may have put a dagger into the season of Bowman and the No. 48 HMS team.
Hendrick Motorsports announced Tuesday that Bowman will miss the next three Cup Series races at Darlington, Martinsville and Bristol. Bowman has missed the last two races at Phoenix and Las Vegas with vertigo symptoms.
Justin Allgaier, who filled in for Bowman at Las Vegas, will pilot the No. 48 Chevrolet in those three races.
Alex Bowman’s season is essentially over
Missing five races would be incredibly detrimental for Bowman regardless, but given his incredibly poor start to the season, his chances of making the Chase and competing for a championship are extremely low.
Bowman is last (36th) of full-time drivers in the standings, accruing only 23 points through the first three races of the season.
He’s already 232 points behind points leader Tyler Reddick and 94 behind Shane van Gisbergen, who is currently the 16th and final driver in the provisional 16-driver Chase field through five races.
If Bowman were to return at Kansas Speedway on April 19, he would need a waiver from NASCAR, which he’d almost assuredly receive for medical reasons, and a herculean effort to make up ground and be in the top-16 by the end of the 26-race regular season.
Alex Bowman sidelined for 3 more NASCAR races with vertigo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman will miss at least the next three NASCAR Cup Series races while he recovers from vertigo.
Bowman had to exit the March 1 race at Circuit of the Americas because he was not feeling well. He was replaced mid-race and diagnosed with vertigo, and has missed races at Phoenix and Las Vegas since.
Myatt Snider drove the No. 48 Chevrolet at COTA, Anthony Alfredo drove at Phoenix and Justin Allgaier drove Sunday at Las Vegas.
Allgaier will fill in for Bowman again starting this weekend at Darlington Raceway, then at Martinsville Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway.
“Alex continues to experience symptoms, so we are following the guidance of the medical team and giving him the time he needs to recover,” said Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. “We see how hard he’s working to get back behind the wheel, and we’re looking forward to his return when he’s medically cleared. Everyone at Hendrick Motorsports is 100 percent behind Alex.”
Bowman is 36th in the Cup standings, 232 points behind leader Tyler Reddick and 94 points behind Shane van Gisbergen, Daniel Suárez and AJ Allmendinger, who are tied for 16th place. The top 16 drivers qualify for NASCAR’s playoffs.
Bowman is coming off a 2025 season where he made the postseason and finished 13th in the standings. The 32-year-old from Tucson, Arizona, has eight wins, 46 top fives and 112 top 10s in 364 Cup starts over 12 seasons.
His best finish in the final standings was sixth in 2020 for Hendrick Motorsports, where he has been as a full-time driver since 2018.
Bowman was also supposed to drive in NASCAR’s second-tier series for JR Motorsports in the No. 88 Chevrolet at Darlington on Saturday. Kyle Larson, Bowman’s Hendrick teammate and winner in the same car Saturday at Las Vegas, will replace him.
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Hendrick Motorsports Faces Major Setback after Alex Bowman Misses Multiple Races Leaving Playoff Dreams Hanging by a Thread
Alex Bowman’s vertigo left Hendrick Motorsports three-legged in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship. As per recent developments, their pain has an extensive date, as the #48 driver will be gone for weeks, leaving them with no choice but to remain with Dale Earnhardt’s JR Motorsports star for the upcoming races.
Alex Bowman unsure in the near future?
As per recent reports, Hendrick Motorsports confirmed that Alex Bowman will not be available to race in the #48 car for three more race weekends, at Darlington, Martinsville, and Bristol. As a result, HMS will continue to field Justin Allgaier, the JR Motorsports star driver.
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“Hendrick Motorsports says Alex Bowman will miss “at least the next three races” as he recovers from vertigo,” NASCAR journalist Jeff Gluck wrote on X. “Justin Allgaier will drive the No. 48 car at Darlington, Martinsville, and Bristol.”
Bowman’s missed races will make his playoff journey, which has now changed to Chase, more difficult than ever. Although NASCAR will grant him a waiver for the Chase, the #48 driver needs to cover up several points to keep himself within 16 drivers and be eligible for the title.
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“NASCAR would grant a waiver, I would think, when he returns that would allow him to be eligible if he reaches top-16 in points, but that will be nearly impossible after the start he had. He’s 94 points behind cutoff now so likely at least 150 points behind after three more races,” NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass wrote.
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Alex Bowman participated in the first three races this season before getting ruled out due to vertigo. In the three races that he participated in, Bowman failed to gather enough points to put himself at an advantageous position.
With the 40th, 23rd, and 36th place finishes, the HMS Star is now in 36th place with just 23 points. With races running out for the top-16 berth, Bowman will need to claim multiple wins to fancy himself a chance.
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Shane van Gisbergen is currently in 16th place with 117 points. Moreover, the competition is incredibly tough this season as there is just one point’s difference between four drivers (118-117).
However, the equation will only work when Alex Bowman returns to the track to race. Meanwhile, HMS and Bowman can focus on the #48 driver’s speedy recovery amid wishes from his teammate, Kyle Larson.
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Alex Bowman’s HMS teammate lends support
Alex Bowman’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Kyle Larson, shared his thoughts on the #48 driver’s situation. Addressing how Bowman did not have an easy racing career, the defending champion said:
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“He’s gone through a lot in his career as a race car driver – even back before NASCAR – and having some injuries and a broken back a couple of years ago,” Kyle Larson told RACER. “The concussion. Now this. It’s tough. He’s a great guy and a great teammate. I hope they can figure out how to cure him quickly and get him back with us all.”
Bowman was diagnosed with vertigo after he fell sick during the COTA Cup Series race. As a result, HMS put Myatt Snider to replace him immediately at that race, and then put Anthony Alfredo in the #48 car at Phoenix.
However, Rick Hendrick’s team brought in JR Motorsports’ star driver Justin Allgaier to fill in for Bowman in the upcoming races. With that said, it will be interesting to see if Allgaier can make the most of his opportunity.
Seater British Stadium With the Best Atmosphere He Ever Played in
Roy Keane saw and achieved almost everything during his long and decorated football career. The combative yet highly skilled midfielder dominated the Premier League with Manchester United and competed at the highest level in the Champions League during the club’s powerful era under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Captaining the club to seven league titles and a famous European Cup triumph, Keane remains one of the most influential figures in Manchester United’s history. Opponents often dreaded travelling to Old Trafford to face a Keane-led United side, with many feeling beaten before the match had even kicked off.
Whether it was the endless stream of elite players in Ferguson’s squad or the deafening support from the home crowd, United frequently won the psychological battle long before the physical contest began on the pitch. But among all the stadiums he visited, which away ground did Keane believe produced the best atmosphere?
Roy Keane in No Doubt About Best Atmosphere
Despite becoming accustomed to the incredible noise generated at Old Trafford every week, it still took something special to impress the Irishman. Yet when asked about his favourite away ground during an interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap, Keane didn’t take long to answer:
Ohtani back in Miami, where he’s had some magical moments
MIAMI (AP) — Shohei Ohtani calls Miami’s loanDepot Park, the site of the knockout rounds of this year’s World Baseball Classic, one of his favorite stadiums.
It’s not hard to imagine why. It’s the place where he delivered two of baseball’s quintessential moments from the last few years.
It’s the ballpark where, on Sept. 19, 2024, he entered — created, really — baseball’s 50-50 club. All Ohtani did that night: go 6 for 6, hit three home runs, steal two bases, drive in 10 runs, become the first player ever to reach 50 homers and 50 steals in a season. And if that wasn’t enough, the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched a playoff berth that night to officially begin down the path of what has become back-to-back World Series titles.
And in 2023, the last time he wore the Japan uniform in Miami, Ohtani delivered the knockout punch in the WBC — striking out Mike Trout, his then-teammate with the Los Angeles Angels, on a full-count curve to seal Japan’s 3-2 win over the U.S. in the title game.
Ohtani is back, and so is Japan, looking for another title. They worked out on the Miami Marlins’ field Thursday, two days before they’ll take on Venezuela in a WBC quarterfinal game.
“This is the place I have very good memories,” Ohtani said through an interpreter Thursday.
Ohtani has won three consecutive MVP awards — one in the AL, then two in the NL since joining the Dodgers — and was the AL’s MVP in 2021 as well. That’s four in five seasons, something only Barry Bonds (who won four of his seven MVPs consecutively) has done in baseball history.
All four of Ohtani’s MVP awards have come in unanimous votes. He was MVP of the 2023 WBC as well, and if Japan — the only three-time champion in the event’s history — wins again, Ohtani will have yet another reason to celebrate in Miami.
It won’t end exactly the same way this year, since Ohtani isn’t pitching in this year’s WBC, but another title — however it arrives — would be good enough. He likes Miami, likes the memories he has there, but knows it’s time to create new ones.
“Of course, I’m not going to bring memories to the next game,” Ohtani said. “But I think there is a very positive influence to myself.”
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Hutchins’ new barbecue restaurant in Dallas-Fort Worth is now open
Visitors to Dallas Cowboys or Texas Rangers games in Arlington might be able to smell the smoke from The Original Roy Hutchins Barbeque before they pull into the parking lot.
The massive new restaurant, open as of March 12, 2026, is situated between Fort Worth and Dallas on Interstate 30. Its 10 puffing smokestacks beckon tourists and locals alike for a bite of brisket. Crowds are welcome; there’s room for more than 450 people in the restaurant’s five sprawling rooms.
Zack Hutchins, grandson of the restaurant’s namesake and the director of operations, said expanding from Trophy Club into Arlington was important for the company growth.
Beyond football and baseball fans traveling to D-FW, the FIFA World Cup will bring people from all over the world to Arlington in summer 2026. Soccer games will take place less than a mile south of Hutchins.
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“It’s always nice to have regulars,” Zack Hutchins said, “but here, we also have a chance to feed people for the first time — to give them their first Texas barbecue experience.
Barcelona have Bastoni transfer hope despite high Inter price tag
According to Tuttosport, the hostile reception Alessandro Bastoni receives at Italian stadiums could encourage the Italy international to consider a move to Barcelona, though Inter are unwilling to sell the defender for less than €70m.
Inter are unwilling to sell their star defender Bastoni even if the Nerazzurri could be tempted by offers in the region of €70m, reports Tuttosport (via FCInter1908).
The Italian newspaper claims that neither the Serie A giants nor their defender are currently considering a summer split, but this doesn’t mean Barcelona are without hope.
Inter, in fact, might sit down for offers worth €70m, while Bastoni could be tempted to leave at the end of the season, especially after the hostile welcome he has received in Italian stadiums over the last few weeks.
Fans across Italy are still targeting the Italy international following an incident that led to a red card for Pierre Kalulu in a Serie A match between Inter and Juventus in February.
Tuttosport quotes Spanish sources saying that Barcelona director Deco has already met the player’s entourage.
Want to pop the question at the next Yanks or Mets game? Pay up!
Baseball fans in the New Jersey/New York area who have wedding plans on their minds as the season starts soon should be prepared to dig deep if they want everyone in the ballpark to know they are proposing.
Citi Field in Queens, NY, the home of the New York Mets, charges $1,500 for a video-board marriage proposal, the highest amount among the 30 Major League Baseball stadiums, according to a recent survey by the sports betting website Sportsbook Review. The home base for the New York Yankees, Yankee Stadium, charges $150.
However, the reported costs for proposals at both stadiums do not tell the whole story, as indicated on their team websites.
The $1,500 Citi Field price tag is for a package that includes tickets for the home game where the proposal will take place, a parking pass, scoreboard video, and a message for the proposal. Contact the stadium for more pricing information.
Story continues below photo gallery
The $150 at Yankee Stadium is a fan marquee message during the game. But for $2,000 and up, there’s a deal that includes an enhanced scoreboard display, a Yankee Stadium tour, and access to various locations around the park for a photo shoot, such as the batters’ deck on the morning of a home game. Contact the stadium for more information.
Fans of the other professional sports teams that play on both sides of the Hudson River, who are looking to pop the question, televised in front of an audience, can also expect to shell out some dough for the privilege.
Madison Square Garden in Manhattan charges between $125-$150 for video displays of proposals for New York Rangers and New York Knicks home games. The Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets, charges $100.
MetLife Stadium, which the New York Giants and New York Jets call home, does not list a fee. Prudential Center in Newark, where the New Jersey Devils play, and the UBS Arena on Long Island, where the New York Islanders play, also do not list a fee. But contact the various venues to find out if and what they charge for displaying proposals.
Ricardo Kaulessar covers race, immigration, and culture for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com
Twitter/X: @ricardokaul
Kyle Kirkwood wins another IndyCar street race, this one to be first winner in Arlington
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kyle Kirkwood keeps taking it to the streets in IndyCar, and this time he won a new race to take over the series lead.
Kirkwood made an aggressive pass below four-time series champion Alex Palou with 15 laps to go, stayed in front the rest of the way and took the checkered flag for the Grand Prix of Arlington under caution Sunday. It was his sixth career win, the fifth on a street course.
On a day when Andretti Global had some pit issues, including a long stop for Kirkwood, all three of its Hondas finished in the top four while combining to lead 47 of the race’s 70 laps. Will Power was third for a podium finish while Marcus Ericsson, who started on the pole for the first time in his 171 series starts, led 15 laps and was fourth.
The winning pass by Kirkwood, a 27-year-old from Jupiter, Florida, came on the last of 14 turns on the temporary 2.73-mile circuit that ran between the home stadiums of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers.
Palou, who finished second, described the pass by Kirkwood as awesome.
While matching Kirkwood and Power for a race-high 16 laps led, Palou wasn’t able to regain the series points lead. The three-time defending champion had been on top of the IndyCar standings since June 2024 before not finishing in Phoenix last weekend after early contact. But he did move up from fifth to second behind new leader Kirkwood.
A final sprint for the checkered flag never materialized because of a collision in the back of the field on the restart as Kirkwood and Palou were beginning the final lap. That crash in the tight 14th turn brought out a full-course caution, and safety crews were still on the track when they got back around nearly two minutes later to cross the finish line.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Quiz: Can You Name the 2026 World Cup Stadiums?
The 2026 World Cup stands to be the biggest of all time—literally.
For the first time in competition history, the World Cup will be held across three different countries. The United States, Canada and Mexico are all gearing up for a share of the festivities, with no fewer than 16 different stadiums selected to host games from the group stage all the way up to the final.
Want to test your knowledge? Take our quiz and see if you can put a name to a picture of each famous venue lined up for a role at the 2026 World Cup.
A World Cup for the History Books
With three host countries, the 2026 World Cup will become the grandest tournament in history in that regard, but it will only rank third on the all-time list when it comes to the number of stadiums used.
Leading the way when it comes to host venues is the 2002 World Cup, shared between Japan and South Korea, Both countries offered up 10 stadiums each to reach a grand total of 20, headlined by the 70,000-seater Yokohama International Stadium.
That tournament broke the record previously set by the 1982 iteration of the tournament in Spain, when a total of 17 stadiums shared hosting duties for 52 matches. Barcelona’s Camp Nou saw the most games played on its famous turf but missed out on the final, which was contested at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu.
Now, with 2026’s World Cup celebrations inching closer, no fewer than 16 cities are preparing to welcome fans from across the globe.
Of those 16 stadiums, 11 are based in the United States, with three in Mexico and two calling Canada home.
The largest venue braced to play a part in the celebrations is the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, which holds up to 94,000 fans. While usually reserved for the Dallas Cowboys, it has plenty of soccer experience after hosting Concacaf Gold Cup action over the years. It will play host to one of the semifinals.
Mexico City’s famous Estadio Azteca sits marginally behind on the capacity charts at 83,000, just 500 more than MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which will have the honor of hosting the final at the end of the summer.
BC Place in Vancouver will be Canada’s largest venue for the tournament. The home of the Vancouver Whitecaps can host 54,000 fans and will host games up to the round of 16.
READ THE LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC
Most of Olympic soccer tournament will be played outside of LA
While the Rose Bowl will host the men’s and women’s gold medal soccer matches for the 2028 Olympic Games, the iconic venue, site of the 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup finals, will be limited to holding five matches during the Games because of field condition and security concerns.
Under a tournament schedule released Monday by LA 28, just five of the 58 matches, less than nine percent, for the Olympic women’s and men’s tournaments will be played in the Los Angeles-Orange County market, the fewest number of matches held in a Games host city area since the 1996 Olympic Games when no matches were played in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The 1996 men’s and women’s finals were played at Sanford Stadium on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, 70 miles and 80 minutes from Atlanta.
The Rose Bowl schedule was dictated largely by concerns FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, and local organizers had about the wear and tear on the stadium’s pitch. Security concerns and overburdening the area also contributed to the Rose Bowl’s limited schedule. The Olympic diving competition will take place at the nearby Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.
In addition to the men’s and women’s finals July 28-29, the Rose Bowl will also host a women’s quarterfinal on July 21 and a men’s and women’s semifinal match July 24-25.
The bulk of the tournament, 53 matches, will be played in Major League Soccer Stadiums in six cities across three time zones. San Diego will host 11 matches, including a men’s and women’s semifinal match and the men’s and women’s bronze medal matches. New York, Columbus and Nashville will host nine matches each. Eight games will be played in St. Louis, while seven will be played in San Jose.
The MLS stadiums, which range in capacity from 18,000 (San Jose) to 35,000 (San Diego), are a better fit for the Olympic tournaments than larger stadiums such as Stanford Stadium, which held 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup matches.
Half of the 2024 Olympic women’s tournament first round matches, nine of 18, drew less than 10,000 spectators and Germany and Zambia drew just 2,642 at St. Etienne’s 41,965-seat Stade Geoffrey-Guichard.
Nine matches at the 2024 Olympic Games were played in Paris’ Parc de Prince stadium, 37 matches in the 2021 Olympics were played in the greater Tokyo area, 12 matches for the 2016 Games were held in Rio de Janeiro and Wembley Stadium hosted nine matches at the 2012 Games.
The Rose Bowl hosted nine of the 16 matches for the 1984 Olympic men’s tournament. The International Olympic Committee did not include women’s soccer until the 1996 Games. The Rose Bowl also hosted eight of the 52 matches for the 1994 World Cup.
The Los Angeles area’s two MLS venues will be used for other sports during the Olympics. BMO Stadium will host the Olympic flag football and lacrosse competitions. Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson is the site of the Games’ archery and rugby events.
LA28 Olympic soccer schedule reveals most matches not in LA
They call it the Los Angeles Olympics, but when it comes to soccer, the game is packing a suitcase.
The LA28 organizing committee pulled back the curtain Tuesday, and the message was clear: This tournament belongs to the country, not just to the City of Angels.
Out of 58 total matches, only five — yes, five — will touch down in the Los Angeles-Orange County footprint. The rest? Scattered across Major League Soccer stadiums in San Diego, St. Louis, Nashville, Columbus, New York and San Jose.
It’s a logistical pivot, but not a reckless one. Smaller soccer-specific venues — ranging from intimate 18,000-seat bowls to 35,000-seat stages — offer something that oversized stadiums cannot: Atmosphere that breathes.
After underwhelming attendance numbers at the Paris Olympics in 2024, organizers chose precision over pageantry. Fill the house. Let the game echo. It also gives fans outside Los Angeles the chance to participate in the 2028 Summer Olympics by seeing matches closer to home.
The Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena still gets its moment, cradling both gold medal matches on July 28 and 29, plus a pair of semifinals and a quarterfinal. But even that iconic stage is on a pitch count, limited by concerns over field wear and security strain. In a twist of Olympic irony, Los Angeles’ own MLS homes — BMO Stadium and Dignity Health Sports Park — won’t host soccer at all, instead shifting to flag football, lacrosse, rugby and archery.
The tournament itself begins before the Olympic flame is even lit — men’s matches kick off July 10, four days ahead of the Opening Ceremony, stretching across a 20-day marathon that gives players rare breathing room between matches.
If you want in, don’t wait. Registration for the first LA28 ticket draw is open now at tickets.la28.org, with the initial wave dropping April 2–6 (presale) and April 9–19 for the general public. Over five million fans have already raised their hands to secure a spot in the stadium.
Northwestern OT Caleb Tiernan is a college rarity – and a future pro
Offensive tackle Caleb Tiernan has played for two different head coaches, two different offensive coordinators and in two different home stadiums. He’s played in a conference with 14 teams — and one with 18 teams.
What’s unusual is that Tiernan did it all at one place.
The Northwestern offensive tackle is the rarest of modern college athletes — one that stayed at the same school for five years. He’s leaving school having played more than 3,000 snaps and having started the last 38 games at left tackle.
Tiernan stuck around, even as Northwestern changed coaches, the Big Ten expanded and college football turned into a free-for-all. He rode a rollercoaster — the Wildcats went 3-9 and 1-11 the two years before Pat Fitzgerald was fired and then 8-5, 4-8 and 7-5 under David Braun — and didn’t ask to get off.
“Transferring is not always bad,” Braun said Tuesday. “But this illusion that transferring is always a good thing is a bunch of B.S.”
The Livonia, Michigan, native has a simple explanation for why he stayed.
“When I made a commitment as a high schooler, I didn’t just commit to the staff,” he said. “I committed to the guys in the locker room and to the school.”
Soon, he’ll get to know a new locker room. Tiernan is expected to be picked in Round 2 or 3 of next month’s NFL draft. Scouts from 30 of 32 teams — including the Bears — watched Tiernan work out at Northwestern’s on-campus pro day Tuesday. Some asked about why he never transferred.
“Really, you just hope it shows that I’m committed and I just love those guys in the locker room,” he said.
At 6-foot-8, 323 pounds, Tiernan was the tallest tackle at the NFL Scouting Combine — and one of the best pass-blockers in the draft. Physically, he’s eerily similar to Ozzy Trapilo, another 6-8 player, who, the Bears took in Round 2 last year. Unlike Trapilo, though, Tiernan’s arms are considered short for his position. They’re 32 ¼ inches long — below the 33-inch ideal for the position.
Because of the arm length question, Tiernan has told scouts he’d be comfortable playing guard at the next level. That’s what happened to Peter Skoronski, Tiernan’s former Northwestern teammate. The Titans drafted him No. 11 overall in 2023 as a tackle, though there were concerns about his short arms. He quickly became of the league’s best guards, starting all but three games over the past three years.
The Bears don’t need a guard, but Tiernan’s versatility could be attractive. He could help fill in for the injured Trapilo this year and move inside in the future.
Skoronski has counseled Tiernan about the pre-draft process. Skoronski and Rashawn Slater, both tackles, are two of the Wildcats’ three first-round picks of the last 20 years. Tiernan could become the first Northwestern player taken in either Rounds 2 or 3 during that same span.
Braun is proud of that offensive line legacy, though quick to give Tiernan the credit for his own success. He stuck around.
“I think sometimes with college recruiting it’s so easy to say, ‘Look at all these guys we got drafted — it’s all because of us,’” he said. “No. … You’re not the only one responsible for that success. It’s about finding the right young men.”
Why Taylor Fritz Should Skip Clay Court Season
Few, if any, of the ATP’s top-tier players can match Taylor Fritz’s workload. The American star rarely takes a break from the marathon schedule, and the mileage is starting to take a toll on his body.
Over the past year, Fritz has begun to share more details of his injury management. Yet, the 28-year-old continues to push through despite myriad nagging injuries.
Speaking with reporters at the Miami Open on Monday, Fritz revealed that he is considering skipping the upcoming clay court season if his knee tendonitis does not improve.
Fritz’s Comments
Humanoid robot seen playing tennis with humans in video
Can a robot keep up with Serena Williams?
Researchers have taught a humanoid robot to play tennis with humans — and it can hold its own.
Chinese AI robotic company Galbot designed software to teach a Unitree G1 humanoid robot to play tennis against a human engineer.
The company posted a video to social media showing a white robot holding what appears to be an unmodified tennis racket and using it to return the ball as it shuffles across the court.
“Your humanoid tennis player is here!” Galbot wrote on X. “For the first time, a humanoid robot can sustain high-dynamic, long-horizon tennis rallies with millisecond-level reactions, precise ball striking, and natural whole-body motion.”
“This marks a leap from mechanical motion imitation to intelligent, decision-driven athletic interaction.”
The software is dubbed LATENT (Learning Athletic Humanoid Tennis Skills from Imperfect Human Motion Data), and the company claims it’s the world’s first real-time whole-body planning and control algorithm for athletic humanoid tennis.
According to a yet-to-be-peer-reviewed paper, the system had to rely on “imperfect human motion data” consisting only of “motion fragments that capture the primitive skills used when playing tennis” rather than clean motion capture from “real-world tennis matches.”
The short fragments of human movement used were made up of things like forehand swings, backhand strokes and basic footwork. These motion fragments become a library of movement building blocks which the robot stitches together and figures out how to combine them in real time.
When it comes to wrist control, the robot’s high-level controller directly adjusts the wrist during play rather than using the “imperfect” data.
The robot can sustain multi-shot tennis matches with humans, reacting to balls traveling over 15 meters per second, which is about 33.5 miles per hour, and manages to produce coordinated strokes and footwork.
The movements produced look relatively natural — especially for a robot. It’s not exactly fluid like a human, but it’s not rigid and robotic either.
“Our key insight is that, despite being imperfect, such quasi-realistic data still provide priors about human primitive skills in tennis scenarios,” the researchers found.
“With further correction and composition, we learn a humanoid policy that can consistently strike incoming balls under a wide range of conditions and return them to target locations, while preserving natural motion styles.”
In simulation tests, the system achieved up to 96% success in forehand shots.
However, the engineers said that the software could be useful beyond the ability to play tennis.
“Although this work primarily focuses on the tennis return task, the proposed framework has the potential to generalize to a broader range of tasks where complete and high-quality human motion data are unavailable,” they noted.
If a robot can learn a complicated physical skill like tennis from imperfect data, it suggests that similar approaches can work for real-world tasks as well.
Sabalenka says she might avoid Dubai after tourney director’s remarks
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., March 17 (UPI) — Aryna Sabalenka said Tuesday that she could skip future editions of the Dubai Tennis Championships because of a slight by tournament director Salah Tahlak.
The top-ranked Belarusian made the comments at Miami Open media day in Miami Gardens, Fla. Sabalenka withdrew from the WTA 1000 event last month, saying she did “not feel 100%.” She competed in the previous nine editions of the tournament.
No. 3 Iga Swiatek of Poland also withdrew from the tournament. She cited a “change of schedule.” The stars’ absences led to a scathing statement from Tahlak, who questioned their excuses for not participating.
“It was an unfortunate surprise [Feb. 13] to get news of the withdrawal of Aryna and Iga,” Tahlak told The National. “And the reasons for withdrawal were a bit strange. Iga said she wasn’t mentally ready to compete, while Sabalenka said she has some minor injuries.”
The Dubai event is one of 10 mandatory WTA 1000 tournaments on the tennis calendar. Players who miss the events without injury or an approved reason receive zero-point rankings penalties
Tahlak suggested “a harsher punishment” than fines for player withdrawals, including a docking of rankings points. Sabalenka called his comments “ridiculous.”
“It’s actually so sad to see that the tournament director and the tournaments are not protecting us as players,” Sabalenka said. “They just care about their tournament and that’s it, and his comment was ridiculous.
“I’m not sure if I ever want to go there, like, after his comment. For me, it’s too much.”
No. 4 Coco Gauff of the United States also said she “didn’t really like Tahlak’s comments.
“I just feel Iga and Aryna have played that tournament so many times and it wasn’t anything personal to it,” Gauff said. “It’s tough. We’re trying our best to play the calendar. It’s tough. I completely understand why she would feel like that because I do think the comments were unnecessary.
“I think that tournament directors, players, everyone just has to hear each other out and understand. Unfortunately, I think that was a moment where people weren’t being understanding. I think we just need to try to understand each other.”
Sabalenka is among several players to recently suggest an overhaul of the tennis calendar. The WTA announced a 13-person Tour Architecture Council last month to address the “physical, professional and personal pressures of competing at the highest level.”
No. 5 Jessica Pegula of the United States chairs the council.
Sabalenka, who recently became engaged to boyfriend Georgios Frangulis, said she felt “happy, confident and strong” before her first match of the 2026 Miami Open. She beat Pegula in the women’s singles final last year in Miami Gardens.
The four-time Grand Slam champion earned a first-round bye and will start her title Miami defense Thursday with a Round of 64 match against No. 39 Ann Li of the United States or a qualifier/lucky loser.
Tennis Superstar Daniil Medvedev’s Bags Missing Ahead of Miami Open
Daniil Medvedev is on the verge of another signature outburst — the tennis superstar is begging for assistance after touching down in Florida for the Miami Open … only for his bags not to arrive.
The Russian pro went to social media to explain his current situation … saying he could use
Solo training is reinvented – PONGBOT’s AI robots will get you match-ready like a 24/7 coach
Game improvement is not only about techniques for athletes, but is a result of continuous practice. A reliable training partner, quality coaching with a coordinated schedule can be quite tricky, especially for players training independently.
This gap has been a core focus that sports technology has been working on to overcome.
Pongbot is one prominent investor, founded in 2019, that has developed AI training robots aimed at smarter training, improving endurance, and speed to be match-ready for athletes even during solo practice.
Its robotic training system is built combining detailed engineering with AI automation that can effortlessly adapt to the player’s movements, one step at a time.
Athletes can also customize their training sessions through the easy-to-use mobile app, which contains in-depth analyzed match data. Pongbot, in collaboration with player communities across the world, like Germany, Australia, the United States, Italy, etc., focuses on growing the smart sports ecosystem globally.
Scaling from Table Tennis Tech to AI Tennis Court
Early innovation by Pongbot began at the training space for table tennis with robotic ball servers made for improving reflexes, spin control and practice consistency. This came with the realization that other serving machines, too, came with similar limitations in their function; repetitive ball feeds with no adaptation to player movements.
Practice turned out to be predictable and not reflective of real matches.
To change this, Pongbot started developing training robots using extensive match data with its proprietary AI system, PongSmart algorithm. Resulting in the training robots reading player positioning accurately, then dynamically adjusting their ball throw. Leading to the innovation of Pongbot Pace S series, an AI tennis training system made to overcome all the conventional limitations of ball machines.
Since launch, the Pace S series has received lots of positive response, raising more than $2.7 million on Kickstarter, and it secured 69 R&D patents while becoming the #1 Tech & Sports campaign on Kickstarter 2024.
This ultimately earned Pongbot massive recognition from sports influencers as well as professional tennis media, Tennis.com.
NextGen Robotic Tennis kit: Pace S Pro
Among all the innovations by Pongbot, at its centre is Pongbot Pace S Pro, a flagship tennis lineup designed precisely to re-enact a real-time rally at the court as it adapts to each player and their practice techniques.
What makes it different?
It doesn’t just fire balls during training at the same set location; using ultra-wideband (UWB) tracking technology, it can accurately position its throw up to 10 cm. Moreover, the 100Hz tracking rate enables the robot to monitor movements, 3X faster than the usual camera-driven systems. Working absolutely great on both low-light and bright outdoor courts, setting a completely new benchmark for tennis ball machines as automated trainers.
This gives a match-like competition to the athletes without the entire experience being too mechanical, and is ideal for solo practice.
Training Sessions Evolving with Players
Pace S Pro analyses its data to perfect its timing, tracking and intensity during practice drills. So, players training solo can easily run complex shot combinations or try out tricky sequences without worry.
A feature that makes it more intriguing is the Recovery Trigger, a mechanism that only shoots the next ball after the player is back in their designated spot on the court. This shows that the system learns with each practice session, and in no time, it adapts to the drill patterns, improving training with automation.
It can also ensure the natural pace with realistic practice:
Through match-like speed for refining advanced footwork for athletes
Beginners playing for recreation can play without getting overwhelmed
Smart drills delivering pro-level thrills
In bringing smart tennis to the court, Pongbot Pace S Pro goes beyond just intelligent tracking. Pace S Pro has the launch power of up to 80 mph, spins reaching about 60 per second, which can assist the tennis players in training their backspin, heavy topspin, as well as combined shots.
It is completely built for full-court practice, from baseline to net, inclusive of 564+ tennis training routines approved and designed by professional coaches; ready and customizable for the players right from the companion app. Easily set a one-on-one match right from the phone.
Smart game planning through a mobile app can further assist the players to form a signature playing style or recreate the training styles of tennis prodigies like Nadal, Djokovic or Federer for a real-match-like thrill during their practice session. Even when the training machine is offline.
Connected training beyond the machine
For Pongbot, the training robots represent a vast connected training system rather than being just a machine. Connecting the use of this smart training robot with mobile app for setting match trajectories enables the following:
Access to numerous user-generated training practices
Points and rewards with milestones
Track progresses through practice-match data
Download or share drills with the global sports community
Additionally, over-the-air updates in bringing future wearable sensors as part of advanced AI, alongside tennis ball pickers or ball connectors, can lead to smarter training practices.
Table Tennis Robot Joins the Game
Though the latest lineup of Pongbot focuses on Tennis, its table tennis series remains the brand’s core part.
Pongbot Nova S Pro is a portable ball machine, crafted for players looking for a compact yet equally capable training partner. With a launching power of up to 30 to 90 balls per min between 2 and 15m/s, with combined top and backspin, it is designed to be backpack-friendly.
Connecting with the mobile app, players can access over 264 pro-training drills, customizing their game plan with ease.
This is far from basic, but there’s more. The Pongbot Omni S Pro is a series featuring 360° spin adjustment with spins up to 100 per second at speeds up to 15 m/s. Not to miss out the 396 preset drills it has, supported with unlimited custom sessions.
Next comes the Pongbot Halo S Pro, a floor-standing training robot for intense practices. This series is made to support and recreate the tactical sequences, besides the calculative footwork and swing coordination.
It consists of wide oscillation, over 576 preset routines that can be personalised by the players and has 21 speed gears. It is the absolute premium design with app plus remote control and ball-catching net for pro table tennis practice.
Both the models, Omni and Halo, are crafted with the valuable inputs from Chen Bin, a former coach of the Chinese national table tennis team, to ensure these robotic trainers exactly portray the professional techniques.
Get set with Spring Sale Campaign 2026
Coinciding with the start of the training season, Pongbot has also launched its Spring Sale campaign 2026, themed “From Rusty to Ready – Get Back in Form This Spring.” Starting from the 11th of March till 11th of April (PST), Pongbot is bringing up to 45% discounts on its tennis as well as table tennis training robots.
Its flagship model, Pongbot Pace S Pro, stands as the highlight with a massive price drop to $1199.99 from $1999.99, among others, during this sale.
Beyond the exciting offers, customers can also get complimentary accessories or surprise coupons as a newsletter subscriber of Pongbot or spin a lucky wheel for more offers and a free order. The campaign also has a Wish Wall giveaway, a chance for 3 random participants to win a wish from Pongbot.
The campaign, through this comeback season for athletes, brings the opportunity to train smarter with upgraded training robots without burning a hole in their pockets.
Pongbot is redefining smart training for beginners and pro athletes alike. Combining automation with sports routine is an evolution. It is blurring the line between professional coaching and solo training with these robotic training machines, presenting real-match-like challenges for players to adapt to, which could soon make these intelligent training robots as essential to the court as rackets and balls.
Brecksville-Broadview Heights Schools to rebuild tennis courts for second time in 4 years
BRECKSVILLE, Ohio — The Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District — for the second time in about four years — will rebuild five tennis courts behind the middle and high schools on Mill Road.
The courts are cracking and ponding, Superintendent Jefferey Harrison told the Board of Education in February.
It began happening just weeks after the last rebuild in 2022-2023.
“We feel that it’s time we need to take it into our own hands and repair it how it should have been done in the first place,” Brian Koss, the district’s safety and facilities coordinator, told the school board Feb. 25.
The school board is expected to vote Wednesday (March 18) on whether to hire Vasco Sports Contractors in Massillon to rebuild the tennis courts.
Vasco offered to perform the work for $302,199, which was the lowest bid.
Other bidders were Precision Engineering & Contracting Inc. in Solon ($349,574), Sona Construction LLC in Cleveland ($380,000), Protect-A-Cote Inc. in Cleveland ($386,000) and Geauga Highway in Middlefield ($475,000).
In February, the board hired ThenDesign Architecture — the same Willoughby firm that designed the tennis courts reconstruction the last time — to design the rebuild once more, for a fee of $19,750.
ThenDesign, as part of its services, has designed the repair of the tennis courts’ asphalt and stormwater lines, according to the company’s proposal to the school district.
Harrison told cleveland.com in an email that the tennis courts were rebuilt in the summer of 2022 by SCG Fields LLC in Brecksville for $607,832.
The courts reopened in fall 2023, about four months after Harrison was hired as superintendent, replacing Joelle Magyar.
This was after board member Mark Dosen, during an August 2019 meeting, noted that the existing courts were old and patched and needed replacing.
At the Feb. 25 board meeting, Koss said the tennis courts have failed sooner than they should have. He said the district had asked several agencies to perform tests in the hope of finding the cause.
Harrison told the board that district officials have worked with SCG Fields on the problem.
“We are in disagreement with them (SCG) on the reason for this,” Harrison said.
“We’ve done every imaginable testing possible to help find out why they (the courts) have failed.
“We believe we know why they have failed and we are taking it into our own hands to replace or remedy the courts and then we will figure it out after that,” Harrison said.
When asked by cleveland.com why the district believes the courts have failed, Harrison said, “The cause is yet to be fully determined.”
Harrison said that before the new tennis courts are built, the existing courts will be deconstructed. Photos and videos will be taken in an effort to find clues to what went wrong.
Harrison said the tennis courts replacement a few years ago was a major project to which residents donated money.
“If our community is going to trust that we do what’s best with the resources they give us, we need to make sure we stand by and give them a good product,” Harrison told the school board.
Harrison said the district will try not to interrupt the boys’ or girls’ tennis seasons when building the courts, but added that construction schedules will depend on the weather.
Sabalenka says she might avoid Dubai after tourney director’s remarks
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., March 17 (UPI) — Aryna Sabalenka said Tuesday that she could skip future editions of the Dubai Tennis Championships because of a slight by tournament director Salah Tahlak.
The top-ranked Belarusian made the comments at Miami Open media day in Miami Gardens, Fla. Sabalenka withdrew from the WTA 1000 event last month, saying she did
Watch: Humanoid Robot Returns Tennis Shots With 96% Accuracy In Simulation Tests
Authored by Atharva Gosavi via Interesting Engineering,
Galbot Robotics has released a video on its official X handle on March 16 showing a humanoid robot rallying tennis shots with a human player in real time.
The demonstration showcases the company’s LATENT system, developed in collaboration with researchers from Tsinghua University and Peking University.
The system was tested on the Unitree G1 humanoid robot, which demonstrated the ability to respond to fast-moving balls, navigate across the court, and sustain rallies with a human opponent.
“For the first time, a humanoid robot can sustain high-dynamic, long-horizon tennis rallies with millisecond-level reactions, precise ball striking, and natural whole-body motion,” Galbot’s X post read.
Teaching robots on limited movement data
One of the key challenges in training robots for sports lies in the lack of accurate human movement data. This is especially true for tennis, where players cover large areas, balls can reach speeds of up to 30 m/s, and racket-ball contact lasts only a few milliseconds.
To address this, the researchers avoided recording full matches. Instead, they focused on collecting short fragments of essential movements such as forehands, backhands, and side steps.
The data were captured using a motion-tracking system within a compact 3×5-meter court, more than 17 times smaller than a standard tennis court. A total of five players contributed approximately five hours of recorded motion data.
From basic motions to coordinated gameplay
Using this dataset, the LATENT system first trains the robot to replicate individual movements.
These learned actions were combined into sequences that allowed the robot to perform specific tasks, including reaching the ball, executing a shot, and returning to a designated position on the court.
To improve real-world performance, the model was trained in a simulation environment where key physical parameters, such as the robot’s and the ball’s mass, friction, and aerodynamics, were randomly varied.
This approach helped reduce the gap between simulated training and real-world conditions.
“Our key insight is that, despite being imperfect, such quasi-realistic data still provide priors about human primitive skills in tennis scenarios,” they said.
“With further correction and composition, we learn a humanoid policy that can consistently strike incoming balls under a wide range of conditions and return them to target locations, while preserving natural motion styles,” they continued.
Real-world validation
In simulation tests, the system achieved up to 96% success in forehand shots. When deployed on a real Unitree G1 robot, it demonstrated the ability to maintain rallies with a human player and consistently return the ball to the opponent’s side of the court.
The researchers noted that this approach could extend beyond tennis to other domains where capturing complete human motion data is difficult, including football, badminton, and other sports-related robotic skills.
“Although this work primarily focuses on the tennis return task, the proposed framework has the potential to generalize to a broader range of tasks where complete and high-quality human motion data are unavailable,” they concluded.
Daniil Medvedev makes plea to United to find his missing bags after flight to Miami Open
Daniil Medvedev found out the hard way that there’s nothing more humbling than air travel.
The tennis star made a public plea to United Airlines after he said it misplaced all of his bags en route to this week’s Miami Open.
“Hi @united…need a little help,” he wrote on X on Tuesday. “Flew from PSP to Florida yesterday and none of my bags arrived. Kind of need them to play in the @MiamiOpen….can you help?” he added, along with a winking emoji.
It didn’t take long for the ATP World No. 10 to receive a response, though he didn’t seem too satisfied.
It was a more generic answer from United, which addressed the case like any middle-of-the-road lost luggage claim, prompting some humorous replies from Medvedev and his followers alike.
“The amount of AI help has been overwhelming,” Medvedev responded with a facepalm and shrugging emojis.
“He’s one of the top tennis players on the planet. This will be a very bad look for you folks if you cannot get him his bags. And Dave Carroll may write and record another song about you too,” another user commented, alluding to the Canadian singer’s viral protest song, “United Breaks Guitars.”
Quipped one more: “I actually appreciate he was treated as sh-ttily as the rest of us.”
It was a chucklesome “reality check” for Medvedev, who had just handed World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz his first loss of the year on his way to the Indian Wells final.
Medvedev ultimately fell short against No. 2-ranked Italian phenom Jannik Sinner on Sunday.
Perhaps United enforces a strict, “If you’re not first, you’re last” policy.
COC tennis completes season sweep over AV
By Jesse Muñoz
COC Sports Information Director
College of the Canyons women’s tennis won a second straight conference match to complete its season sweep over Antelope Valley College last week.
Canyons (7-4, 6-3) took two points in doubles play before sweeping all six singles matches.
COC freshman Emma Chodur, the top-ranked player in Southern California, remained unbeaten with a straight sets victory from the No. 1 position. Chodur (11-0) also teamed with Baylee Renfro to earn a No. 1 doubles victory.
Renfro (4-7) won from the No. 2 singles position to get back on track after back-to-back singles losses in her last two outings.
Breana Lemos (5-6) won a point in No. 3 singles play to also snap an individual losing streak that had spanned four matches. Lemos had previously teamed with Michele Figg for an 8-0 win in the No. 2 doubles match up.
Lauren Neal (5-4) emerged victorious in her fifth straight singles match to win a point at the No. 4 spot. The sophomore’s individual win streak dates back to Feb. 12.
Sophomore Nadia Godoy-Ortega (3-8) had to go to extra sets to claim her point as the No. 5 player.
Olivia Snyder (4-5) inched closer to .500 on the season with the freshman’s convincing win in the No. 6 singles matchup.
The win left COC third in the Western State Conference standings behind second-place Santa Barbara City College (9-1, 6-1) and conference leader L.A. Mission College (14-0, 8-0).
The Cougars’ next match was scheduled Thursday against conference opponent Glendale College (5-6, 4-3).
Valspar Championship prop bet picks and PGA Tour predictions
Innisbrook Resort is once again hosting the 2026 Valspar Championship this week as the PGA Tour wraps up its Florida Swing for the year. The first round begins on Thursday morning at the Copperhead Course in West Palm, Florida. Below, we search for the best value prop bets for the Valspar Championship and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
The Valspar Championship features a strong field despite coming after 2 straight signature events, with Xander Schauffele being the headliner with the shortest odds of anyone (+1000). Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400), Viktor Hovland (+1600), Akshay Bhatia (+2000) and Jacob Bridgeman (+2000) are all near the top of the odds board, as well. Hovland is the defending champion after winning with a score of 11-under last year.
The Copperhead Course is a par 71 and plays at 7,352 yards, challenging players with water hazards and tree-lined fairways. It features the Snake Pit, a difficult 3-hole finish that will test contenders down the stretch Sunday afternoon.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Top-5 picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 4:24 p.m. ET.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+280)
Fitzpatrick nearly won the Players Sunday, only to be outdone by Cam Young on the 18th hole. He remains one of the hottest players on tour, notching his fourth top-25 finish in his last 5 starts. He finished T-5 here in 2022 before missing the cut in 2023, but he’s a real threat to win this week.
Valspar Championship: Best outright winners
Jacob Bridgeman (+400)
Bridgeman made his tournament debut in 2024, but missed the cut. He followed it up by coming in third by himself last year, and he’s now playing the best golf of his life. He won the Genesis last month and finished fifth at the players, continuing his hot streak.
Brooks Koepka (+500)
Koepka is gaining some momentum after a slow start to his PGA Tour season, finishing ninth and 13th in his last 2 starts. He tied for 12th at this event the last time he played it in 2022 and now that the putter has gotten going, he should be in contention this weekend.
Valspar Championship – Top-10 picks
Ryo Hisatsune (+320)
Fitzpatrick is the only player in the field gaining more strokes from tee to green than Hisatsune in the last 3 months, which is impressive. It’s translated to 4 top-13 finishes in his last 6 starts, including a sneaky T-13 at the Players this past week.
Wyndham Clark (+500)
Clark has not played very well and he just split with his caddie, so things may start to trend up. He’s still 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months, based on players in the field, so if he can learn how to putt, he’ll put himself in position to win once again.
Justin Thomas (+225)
It’s been quite the rollercoaster start to the year for Thomas. He missed the cut at 14-over par at the Arnold Palmer Invitational before tying for eighth at the Players this past week. Now he gets to play a course where he’s finished T-13, T-3, T-10, T-64 and T-2 in his last 5 appearances.
Valspar Championship – Top-20 picks
Austin Smotherman (+200)
Smotherman bounced back after withdrawing from the API 2 weeks ago, finishing T-13 at TPC Sawgrass. He’s third among players in the field in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months, evidence of how good his ball-striking has been. He finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at the Valspar.
Lucas Glover (+400)
Glover is a longshot again this week but he seems to love the Copperhead Course, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 starts at the Valspar. He’s been deadly accurate off the tee, which will keep him out of trouble at Innisbrook, which is easy to find.
Valspar Championship – Matchups
Suggested play is golfer in bold.
Akshay Bhatia (-105) vs. Viktor Hovland (-118)
As well as Hovland has played here before, Bhatia is scorching hot. Even after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he finished T-13 at the Players – which came after 3 straight top-16 finishes before then. In what’s essentially a toss-up matchup, take the underdog.
Jacob Bridgeman (-135) vs. Patrick Cantlay (+110)
Cantlay is not playing very well right now, missing 2 of 6 cuts this season with nothing better than T-32 since Pebble Beach in February. Bridgeman is trending the very opposite direction. Ride that momentum.
Valspar Championship – Top Asian
Ryo Hisatsune (+225)
Hisatsune, Tom Kim (+550), Rico Hoey (+600) and Sungjae Im (+600) are the top players in this market, but no one is playing better than Ryo right now. Plus, he’s finished T-33 and T-4 in his 2 career starts at the Valspar, making him a strong bet this week.
Valspar Championship – First-round leader
Jacob Bridgeman (+3000)
Bridgeman was 1 of 5 players tied for the first-round lead last year after shooting 67 on Thursday. He’s one of the hottest players on tour right now and could jump out to another lead this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
WATCH: LeBron James, Tom Kim star in new Nike x Beats golf commercial
Dressed for Success: Cam Young’s Peter Millar apparel at the Players
Valspar Championship prop bet picks and PGA Tour predictions
Innisbrook Resort is once again hosting the 2026 Valspar Championship this week as the PGA Tour wraps up its Florida Swing for the year. The first round begins on Thursday morning at the Copperhead Course in West Palm, Florida. Below, we search for the best value prop bets for the Valspar Championship and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
The Valspar Championship features a strong field despite coming after 2 straight signature events, with Xander Schauffele being the headliner with the shortest odds of anyone (+1000). Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400), Viktor Hovland (+1600), Akshay Bhatia (+2000) and Jacob Bridgeman (+2000) are all near the top of the odds board, as well. Hovland is the defending champion after winning with a score of 11-under last year.
The Copperhead Course is a par 71 and plays at 7,352 yards, challenging players with water hazards and tree-lined fairways. It features the Snake Pit, a difficult 3-hole finish that will test contenders down the stretch Sunday afternoon.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Top-5 picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 4:24 p.m. ET.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+280)
Fitzpatrick nearly won the Players Sunday, only to be outdone by Cam Young on the 18th hole. He remains one of the hottest players on tour, notching his fourth top-25 finish in his last 5 starts. He finished T-5 here in 2022 before missing the cut in 2023, but he’s a real threat to win this week.
Valspar Championship: Best outright winners
Jacob Bridgeman (+400)
Bridgeman made his tournament debut in 2024, but missed the cut. He followed it up by coming in third by himself last year, and he’s now playing the best golf of his life. He won the Genesis last month and finished fifth at the players, continuing his hot streak.
Brooks Koepka (+500)
Koepka is gaining some momentum after a slow start to his PGA Tour season, finishing ninth and 13th in his last 2 starts. He tied for 12th at this event the last time he played it in 2022 and now that the putter has gotten going, he should be in contention this weekend.
Valspar Championship – Top-10 picks
Ryo Hisatsune (+320)
Fitzpatrick is the only player in the field gaining more strokes from tee to green than Hisatsune in the last 3 months, which is impressive. It’s translated to 4 top-13 finishes in his last 6 starts, including a sneaky T-13 at the Players this past week.
Wyndham Clark (+500)
Clark has not played very well and he just split with his caddie, so things may start to trend up. He’s still 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months, based on players in the field, so if he can learn how to putt, he’ll put himself in position to win once again.
Justin Thomas (+225)
It’s been quite the rollercoaster start to the year for Thomas. He missed the cut at 14-over par at the Arnold Palmer Invitational before tying for eighth at the Players this past week. Now he gets to play a course where he’s finished T-13, T-3, T-10, T-64 and T-2 in his last 5 appearances.
Valspar Championship – Top-20 picks
Austin Smotherman (+200)
Smotherman bounced back after withdrawing from the API 2 weeks ago, finishing T-13 at TPC Sawgrass. He’s third among players in the field in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months, evidence of how good his ball-striking has been. He finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at the Valspar.
Lucas Glover (+400)
Glover is a longshot again this week but he seems to love the Copperhead Course, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 starts at the Valspar. He’s been deadly accurate off the tee, which will keep him out of trouble at Innisbrook, which is easy to find.
Valspar Championship – Matchups
Suggested play is golfer in bold.
Akshay Bhatia (-105) vs. Viktor Hovland (-118)
As well as Hovland has played here before, Bhatia is scorching hot. Even after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he finished T-13 at the Players – which came after 3 straight top-16 finishes before then. In what’s essentially a toss-up matchup, take the underdog.
Jacob Bridgeman (-135) vs. Patrick Cantlay (+110)
Cantlay is not playing very well right now, missing 2 of 6 cuts this season with nothing better than T-32 since Pebble Beach in February. Bridgeman is trending the very opposite direction. Ride that momentum.
Valspar Championship – Top Asian
Ryo Hisatsune (+225)
Hisatsune, Tom Kim (+550), Rico Hoey (+600) and Sungjae Im (+600) are the top players in this market, but no one is playing better than Ryo right now. Plus, he’s finished T-33 and T-4 in his 2 career starts at the Valspar, making him a strong bet this week.
Valspar Championship – First-round leader
Jacob Bridgeman (+3000)
Bridgeman was 1 of 5 players tied for the first-round lead last year after shooting 67 on Thursday. He’s one of the hottest players on tour right now and could jump out to another lead this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
WATCH: LeBron James, Tom Kim star in new Nike x Beats golf commercial
Dressed for Success: Cam Young’s Peter Millar apparel at the Players
Valspar Championship prop bet picks and PGA Tour predictions
Innisbrook Resort is once again hosting the 2026 Valspar Championship this week as the PGA Tour wraps up its Florida Swing for the year. The first round begins on Thursday morning at the Copperhead Course in West Palm, Florida. Below, we search for the best value prop bets for the Valspar Championship and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
The Valspar Championship features a strong field despite coming after 2 straight signature events, with Xander Schauffele being the headliner with the shortest odds of anyone (+1000). Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400), Viktor Hovland (+1600), Akshay Bhatia (+2000) and Jacob Bridgeman (+2000) are all near the top of the odds board, as well. Hovland is the defending champion after winning with a score of 11-under last year.
The Copperhead Course is a par 71 and plays at 7,352 yards, challenging players with water hazards and tree-lined fairways. It features the Snake Pit, a difficult 3-hole finish that will test contenders down the stretch Sunday afternoon.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Top-5 picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 4:24 p.m. ET.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+280)
Fitzpatrick nearly won the Players Sunday, only to be outdone by Cam Young on the 18th hole. He remains one of the hottest players on tour, notching his fourth top-25 finish in his last 5 starts. He finished T-5 here in 2022 before missing the cut in 2023, but he’s a real threat to win this week.
Valspar Championship: Best outright winners
Jacob Bridgeman (+400)
Bridgeman made his tournament debut in 2024, but missed the cut. He followed it up by coming in third by himself last year, and he’s now playing the best golf of his life. He won the Genesis last month and finished fifth at the players, continuing his hot streak.
Brooks Koepka (+500)
Koepka is gaining some momentum after a slow start to his PGA Tour season, finishing ninth and 13th in his last 2 starts. He tied for 12th at this event the last time he played it in 2022 and now that the putter has gotten going, he should be in contention this weekend.
Valspar Championship – Top-10 picks
Ryo Hisatsune (+320)
Fitzpatrick is the only player in the field gaining more strokes from tee to green than Hisatsune in the last 3 months, which is impressive. It’s translated to 4 top-13 finishes in his last 6 starts, including a sneaky T-13 at the Players this past week.
Wyndham Clark (+500)
Clark has not played very well and he just split with his caddie, so things may start to trend up. He’s still 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months, based on players in the field, so if he can learn how to putt, he’ll put himself in position to win once again.
Justin Thomas (+225)
It’s been quite the rollercoaster start to the year for Thomas. He missed the cut at 14-over par at the Arnold Palmer Invitational before tying for eighth at the Players this past week. Now he gets to play a course where he’s finished T-13, T-3, T-10, T-64 and T-2 in his last 5 appearances.
Valspar Championship – Top-20 picks
Austin Smotherman (+200)
Smotherman bounced back after withdrawing from the API 2 weeks ago, finishing T-13 at TPC Sawgrass. He’s third among players in the field in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months, evidence of how good his ball-striking has been. He finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at the Valspar.
Lucas Glover (+400)
Glover is a longshot again this week but he seems to love the Copperhead Course, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 starts at the Valspar. He’s been deadly accurate off the tee, which will keep him out of trouble at Innisbrook, which is easy to find.
Valspar Championship – Matchups
Suggested play is golfer in bold.
Akshay Bhatia (-105) vs. Viktor Hovland (-118)
As well as Hovland has played here before, Bhatia is scorching hot. Even after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he finished T-13 at the Players – which came after 3 straight top-16 finishes before then. In what’s essentially a toss-up matchup, take the underdog.
Jacob Bridgeman (-135) vs. Patrick Cantlay (+110)
Cantlay is not playing very well right now, missing 2 of 6 cuts this season with nothing better than T-32 since Pebble Beach in February. Bridgeman is trending the very opposite direction. Ride that momentum.
Valspar Championship – Top Asian
Ryo Hisatsune (+225)
Hisatsune, Tom Kim (+550), Rico Hoey (+600) and Sungjae Im (+600) are the top players in this market, but no one is playing better than Ryo right now. Plus, he’s finished T-33 and T-4 in his 2 career starts at the Valspar, making him a strong bet this week.
Valspar Championship – First-round leader
Jacob Bridgeman (+3000)
Bridgeman was 1 of 5 players tied for the first-round lead last year after shooting 67 on Thursday. He’s one of the hottest players on tour right now and could jump out to another lead this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
WATCH: LeBron James, Tom Kim star in new Nike x Beats golf commercial
Dressed for Success: Cam Young’s Peter Millar apparel at the Players
Valspar Championship prop bet picks and PGA Tour predictions
Innisbrook Resort is once again hosting the 2026 Valspar Championship this week as the PGA Tour wraps up its Florida Swing for the year. The first round begins on Thursday morning at the Copperhead Course in West Palm, Florida. Below, we search for the best value prop bets for the Valspar Championship and make our PGA Tour picks and predictions.
The Valspar Championship features a strong field despite coming after 2 straight signature events, with Xander Schauffele being the headliner with the shortest odds of anyone (+1000). Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400), Viktor Hovland (+1600), Akshay Bhatia (+2000) and Jacob Bridgeman (+2000) are all near the top of the odds board, as well. Hovland is the defending champion after winning with a score of 11-under last year.
The Copperhead Course is a par 71 and plays at 7,352 yards, challenging players with water hazards and tree-lined fairways. It features the Snake Pit, a difficult 3-hole finish that will test contenders down the stretch Sunday afternoon.
Watch the PGA Tour on Fubo!
Valspar Championship – Top-5 picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 4:24 p.m. ET.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+280)
Fitzpatrick nearly won the Players Sunday, only to be outdone by Cam Young on the 18th hole. He remains one of the hottest players on tour, notching his fourth top-25 finish in his last 5 starts. He finished T-5 here in 2022 before missing the cut in 2023, but he’s a real threat to win this week.
Valspar Championship: Best outright winners
Jacob Bridgeman (+400)
Bridgeman made his tournament debut in 2024, but missed the cut. He followed it up by coming in third by himself last year, and he’s now playing the best golf of his life. He won the Genesis last month and finished fifth at the players, continuing his hot streak.
Brooks Koepka (+500)
Koepka is gaining some momentum after a slow start to his PGA Tour season, finishing ninth and 13th in his last 2 starts. He tied for 12th at this event the last time he played it in 2022 and now that the putter has gotten going, he should be in contention this weekend.
Valspar Championship – Top-10 picks
Ryo Hisatsune (+320)
Fitzpatrick is the only player in the field gaining more strokes from tee to green than Hisatsune in the last 3 months, which is impressive. It’s translated to 4 top-13 finishes in his last 6 starts, including a sneaky T-13 at the Players this past week.
Wyndham Clark (+500)
Clark has not played very well and he just split with his caddie, so things may start to trend up. He’s still 13th in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months, based on players in the field, so if he can learn how to putt, he’ll put himself in position to win once again.
Justin Thomas (+225)
It’s been quite the rollercoaster start to the year for Thomas. He missed the cut at 14-over par at the Arnold Palmer Invitational before tying for eighth at the Players this past week. Now he gets to play a course where he’s finished T-13, T-3, T-10, T-64 and T-2 in his last 5 appearances.
Valspar Championship – Top-20 picks
Austin Smotherman (+200)
Smotherman bounced back after withdrawing from the API 2 weeks ago, finishing T-13 at TPC Sawgrass. He’s third among players in the field in SG: tee-to-green in the last 3 months, evidence of how good his ball-striking has been. He finished 25th and 36th in 2 career starts at the Valspar.
Lucas Glover (+400)
Glover is a longshot again this week but he seems to love the Copperhead Course, finishing T-36, 11th and eighth in his last 3 starts at the Valspar. He’s been deadly accurate off the tee, which will keep him out of trouble at Innisbrook, which is easy to find.
Valspar Championship – Matchups
Suggested play is golfer in bold.
Akshay Bhatia (-105) vs. Viktor Hovland (-118)
As well as Hovland has played here before, Bhatia is scorching hot. Even after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he finished T-13 at the Players – which came after 3 straight top-16 finishes before then. In what’s essentially a toss-up matchup, take the underdog.
Jacob Bridgeman (-135) vs. Patrick Cantlay (+110)
Cantlay is not playing very well right now, missing 2 of 6 cuts this season with nothing better than T-32 since Pebble Beach in February. Bridgeman is trending the very opposite direction. Ride that momentum.
Valspar Championship – Top Asian
Ryo Hisatsune (+225)
Hisatsune, Tom Kim (+550), Rico Hoey (+600) and Sungjae Im (+600) are the top players in this market, but no one is playing better than Ryo right now. Plus, he’s finished T-33 and T-4 in his 2 career starts at the Valspar, making him a strong bet this week.
Valspar Championship – First-round leader
Jacob Bridgeman (+3000)
Bridgeman was 1 of 5 players tied for the first-round lead last year after shooting 67 on Thursday. He’s one of the hottest players on tour right now and could jump out to another lead this week.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Golfweek:
WATCH: LeBron James, Tom Kim star in new Nike x Beats golf commercial
Dressed for Success: Cam Young’s Peter Millar apparel at the Players
Kevin Kisner’s theory why PGA Tour players keep crumbling when leading events on Sundays
Kevin Kisner has suggested the reason why he believes that several players have struggled to get over the line and win a PGA Tour event this season having given themselves a commanding lead.
Ludvig Aberg became the latest player to stumble when he seemingly had a tournament victory within his grasp. The Swede went into the final round of The Players Championship with a three-shot lead.
Unfortunately, he found the water on 11 and 12 on Sunday to fall out of contention, leaving the path clear for Cameron Young and Matthew Fitzpatrick to battle it out at TPC Sawgrass.
Kevin Kisner suggests why PGA Tour players are struggling to close out tournaments
Young’s eventual victory came just a week after Akshay Bhatia clinched a dramatic playoff victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
Daniel Berger had led for the large majority of the week after a stunning 63 on Thursday. However, he ran out of steam and lost on the first additional hole.
And of course, Shane Lowry managed to conspire to lose the Cognizant Classic as he made two double bogeys in the final three holes at PGA National.
Elsewhere, the likes of Hideki Matsuyama and Bhatia himself have failed to convert 54 hole leads this season. Jacob Bridgeman nearly squandered a sizeable advantage heading into Sunday at the Genesis Invitational.
Speaking on the Fore Play Podcast following Aberg’s final round at the weekend, Kevin Kisner suggested why he believes players are finding it so difficult to get across the line.
“I think it’s the length at which they’ve held the lead. They’re holding the leads longer than we normally see. Berger was leading wire to wire, that just weighs on you, man. Four days in a row of everyone chasing me. Ludvig basically for 36 hours, 48 hours, everybody’s chasing him. That continuous pressure that you feel as you’re out there on an island by yourself. I think it just weighs on you,” he said.
“When you’re being chased, everyone else is chasing, so they’re all systems go, foot on the pedal at all times, and you’re just trying to do your status quo, continue doing what you’re doing because you’re playing great, and suddenly you look up and you’re like, man, everyone’s catching me. Now I’ve got to go, and it’s just a hard situation to be in. I always felt like if I was within one or tied for the lead, it was easier on my mental space to be playing to go win the golf tournament because now it’s like I’ve just got to beat you heads-up.
“It’s so easy, no matter how hard you try when you have a three, four shot lead to be like, alright man, I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing, and you kind of forget these dudes are good, they’re going to keep making birdies. Somebody is going to shoot 65, I’ve got to keep my foot on the gas pedal. And I think that is such a difficult thing over the course of three or four days.”
Why Scottie Scheffler may be partially to blame for players collapsing while leading
There is perhaps an argument to be made that Scottie Scheffler is partially responsible for some of the collapses this season.
As Kisner notes, the mentality changes when a player is in the lead and looking to capitalise. The only problem is that Scheffler has ensured that so many players on the PGA Tour have not got that experience in the last couple of years.
Throughout the 2024 and 2025 seasons, most players only had the option to try and make as many birdies as possible to stand any chance of closing the gap to the world number one.
But playing with the lead requires a different skillset. The likes of Lowry, Aberg, and Berger are not prolific winners. They have one PGA Tour victory – should you discount the Zurich Classic – between them since the end of the 2022 season.
Obviously, there are much bigger factors. But it perhaps does not get spoken enough about how Scheffler’s dominance has probably impacted so many of those with world-class potential.
Wayne Riley makes eye-catching Shane Lowry Masters claim after recent meltdown
Shane Lowry approaches The Masters with more questions than answers after a difficult few weeks on the PGA Tour.
The Irishman let a golden opportunity slip at the Cognizant Classic, making costly mistakes late on Sunday, before missing the cut at both the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship.
However, despite that run, former European Tour star Wayne Riley still believes Lowry could be a major contender at Augusta National.
Wayne Riley backs Shane Lowry to bounce back at Augusta
Lowry’s recent form does not make for encouraging reading, particularly after his late collapse at the Cognizant Classic was followed by two missed cuts.
But Riley is not concerned, instead focusing on how well the Ryder Cup star’s game should translate to Augusta.
“He is coming into not great form, [but] I like Shane Lowry for Augusta. The way he plays,” Riley said on Sky Sports.
“He played alright at the Cognizant a couple of weeks ago. Come on, Shane, lift your game, don’t make a fool out of me.”
Riley’s confidence stems from Lowry’s skillset, with his short game, creativity and experience all seen as major assets at Augusta National.
While results have not gone his way recently, the Irishman has proven before that he can rise to the occasion on the biggest stage, and Riley clearly believes that could happen again.
Dame Laura Davies tips Robert MacIntyre to contend at The Masters
Dame Laura Davies offered a different perspective, highlighting Robert MacIntyre as a player to watch closely at Augusta.
“I am going to throw Bob MacIntyre out there. They all go well, the lefties. There have been a lot of left-handed winners,” she said.
“What happened to him at the US Open last year – he did everything right, apart from one massive putt which went against him.”
Davies’ comments point to both history and potential, with Augusta having a reputation for favouring left-handed players.
MacIntyre has already shown he can compete at the highest level, and after going close in a major last year, he could be ready to take the next step.
With both Lowry and MacIntyre tipped by respected voices, the European challenge at The Masters could be stronger than recent form suggests.
Wyndham Clark Faces Heat After Taking Controversial Caddie Decision 2 Days Before $9.1M PGA Tour Event
Most golfers finalize their setup weeks before any event. But Wyndham Clark just flipped his entire operation 48 hours after ending a nine-year-long partnership with his caddie. Fans noticed, and they were not impressed.
According to reports, Clark and Ellis drifted apart in March 2026 after the PLAYERS Championship. And now it’s Dave Pelekoudas, known as “Big Wave Dave,” who will carry Clark’s bag at the Valspar Championship. The tournament begins on March 20, leaving the 32-year-old with little time to acclimate to his new caddie before a week where $9.1 million is at stake.
The split carries extra weight when you consider what Ellis meant to Clark’s career. Ellis was not just a caddie; he was on the bag for all 3 PGA Tour wins Clark has recorded, including the 2023 US Open at LACC, where he also received the first-ever US Open Caddy Award.
The two were close off the course, too, regularly playing gin together while traveling. Ellis came into Clark’s life when the golfer was still at the University of Oregon, having been assigned to him by head coach Casey Martin. Ellis has caddied for him since he turned pro in 2017.
What makes the timing harder to ignore is Wyndham Clark’s 2026 form. Since January, Clark has posted a T13 at the American Express but followed it with a T65 at the Farmers Insurance Open, a T35 at the WM Phoenix Open, a T58 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, a T41 at the Genesis Invitational, and, most recently, a T42 at THE PLAYERS Championship.
These numbers don’t look acceptable for a golfer of his level, who was ranked in the top 30 in the world just a few months ago. In 2026, he has won about $446,000 so far, which is a big drop from the amount he won in 2023 and 2024.
Wyndham Clark might be looking for something to get him going. Before becoming a caddy, Pelekoudas played golf at Pepperdine University and Orange Coast College. He had also filled in for Clark before, so he might be able to help him make the switch.
Well, Pelekoudas is not a complete stranger to Wyndham Clark’s game. At the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational, he stepped in for Ellis, who was ill, and carried the bag for the first two rounds. Clark shot 67 and 71 in those rounds, sitting in second place at -6 after Round 2. It was a temporary arrangement, but the results were immediately strong.
Caddie changes lately have become very routine. For instance, in July 2025, Joel Dahmen and his longtime friend and caddie Geno Bonnalie parted ways. And Brett Waldman came in his place on a trial basis. The move ended a ten-year partnership, but the two got back together for a short time at the 2026 PLAYERS Championship.
In April 2025, Collin Morikawa and his longtime caddie J.J. Jakovac split, even though they had won two majors together. At first, he hired Joe Greiner, but that partnership only lasted five events before he made another change.
The news of Clark’s split spread quickly, and fans were not quiet. Reactions ranged from questioning the timing to debating whether the move actually improves Clark’s chances this week.
Fans question the timing and intent behind Wyndham Clark’s decision
“Player-caddie breakups after a major win always feel weird,” one fan noted, hinting at Clark’s career’s most notable US Open win.
Another fan chimed, “Would you classify this as an upgrade? If so, I think Wyndham is viable next week if he plays.”
It is a fair question. Clark has not finished better than T13 in six starts this season, and can a caddie change alone fix his inconsistent form? We might find out with upcoming events.
“It’s always the caddy to blame, oh, and the locker room,” one fan wrote sarcastically.
Lately, the trend has been to blame the looper in case things go wrong. But in Clark’s case, Ellis was there to help the golfer navigate all the changes. For example, when Clark lost his composure at Oakmont in 2025 after missing the cut, he damaged the lockers, but Ellis was there to support him.
“No one cares,” came one flat response, speaking for fans who see caddie changes as routine business, especially from a player not currently in contention.
Another fan took a funny jab, “Should have gotten Kay Adams on the bag.”
The humor lands because Adams is a sportscaster who interviewed Clark at TPC Sawgrass recently. During the interview, a giddy Clark, who is notoriously silent, was witnessed. On another note, she is not a caddie, and suggesting her name mocks how abrupt and unstrategic the timing looks. It is less criticism and more disbelief dressed up as a punchline.
Now, the event result will reveal whether the decision will favor the 3x Tour winner or if the fans’ jabs will prove true.
Joel Dahmen Faces Brutal Scenario Every PGA Tour Pro Dreads After PLAYERS Championship Setback
There is a point in every PGA Tour season when chances start to shrink. Crossing that line immediately alters the calendar, where events become qualifiers and security is lost. That is precisely what has happened to Joel Dahmen after he missed the cut at TPC Sawgrass, and he isn’t sugarcoating the situation.
“From API and The Players to Ubering to a Monday qualifier #playbetter,” he wrote on X.
No complaints, no excuses, just a man who knows exactly where he stands and what he needs to do about it.
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But let’s circle back a little to see how he ended up there. The PGA Tour shifted its card-holding threshold from the top 125 players down to the top 100 after 2025, and Dahmen finished that season ranked 122nd, just outside the cut line.
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Last year, he missed cuts in 16 of 28 events, including the WM Phoenix Open, Valspar, and the Charles Schwab Challenge, with only scattered bright spots like a T2 at Corales Puntacana and a T6 at the Mexico Open keeping him relevant.
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Joel Dahmen then entered 2026 with a determination to make things better, and for a while, it seemed like he had. He finished T7 at the Farmers Insurance Open, which was worth $301,600, and T9 at the Cognizant Classic, which was worth $252,000. These were good results to enter the Arnold Palmer Invitational and THE PLAYERS Championship. But he didn’t make the cut at either one, shooting 75-72 at API and 77-73 at THE PLAYERS.
Now, without eligibility for the next stretch of events, the 38-year-old headed to Southern Hills Plantation Club to try to get one of only two qualifying spots for the Valspar Championship. The Tour cut the number of spots available from four to two for 2026, making it even harder for conditional players to stay active week to week.
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But as fate would have it, the Monday qualifier did not go to plan. One of 60 players to tee up, the Washington native carded a three-over-par 75 in the 18-hole shootout to finish in 45th place, nine shots adrift of the qualification mark.
Tyler Wilkes and Luke Guthrie tied for medalist honors at six under and secured their tickets for the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook.
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However, the hopes of playing this week are not over for the 1x PGA Tour winner. After a flurry of withdrawals on Monday, he is the next alternate in line should a spot in the field open up.
If anything, though, Joel Dahmen’s struggles in 2026 go beyond the scorecard.
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Joel Dahmen’s best friend is no longer carrying his bag
Joel Dahmen’s split from his longtime caddie Geno Bonnalie last summer added another layer to an already difficult season. The two grew up together in the LC Valley and worked side by side for 13 years, making this far more than just a professional change.
Dahmen himself called it “the hardest thing I’ve done in my professional career.”
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The reason was straightforward, though. They stopped pushing each other to be better, and both knew it.
Despite the split, the bond never broke. Bonnalie actually returned temporarily to caddie for Joel Dahmen at THE PLAYERS Championship last weekend, which speaks to how much mutual respect exists between the two.
However, finding a permanent replacement has proven difficult. After all, Bonnalie understood Dahmen’s game instinctively, knowing what he needed before the golfer even asked. Replacing that kind of chemistry is not something that happens overnight, and Dahmen is still navigating that process carefully.
Rory McIlroy Finally Confirms His PGA Tour Schedule Before Masters After Giving Cryptic Response
For weeks, the defending champion Rory McIlroy left his pre-Masters schedule open. Now, a TGL semifinal win on Tuesday night appeared to settle it, and it looks very different from 2025.
When asked at the post-match press conference about his pre-Masters plans, McIlroy kept it brief. “I think the Masters is going to be my next event,” he said, “and I’ve got a press conference on Zoom at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow to reveal the menu.”
Last year, before teeing off at Augusta, McIlroy played the Texas Children’s Houston Open and finished tied fifth at Memorial Park. This schedule worked in his favor, obviously.
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The confirmation came after a few days of being unsure whether to play before the Masters or not. After shooting 1 under to finish par at TPC Sawgrass, McIlroy had shared that his schedule ahead would depend on how his back holds up.
“I’ll see. I haven’t really made a decision either way,” McIlroy said after his round. “I’ll see how my body feels. We’ll see how I feel in practice and at home, and if I get itchy feet at home, maybe add an event at some point.”
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His back forced him to withdraw from Bay Hill and disrupted his preparation for the PLAYERS. Though his back held up across four rounds, his game did not fully click. McIlroy lost more than five strokes to the field on the greens over the week and finished at even par, tied for 46th.
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Meanwhile, his teammates had clearer plans: Keegan Bradley heads to Tampa for the Valspar before Augusta, while Adam Scott is still weighing whether to add an event.
(This is a developing story..)
8x PGA Tour Winner Cuts Off Reporter Mid-Question as He Takes a Stand for Tiger Woods’s League Amid ‘Preposterous’ Allegations
The theory had been building for weeks. Six TGL players, all nursing injuries, all within the same stretch of the season. Rory McIlroy had already heard enough. Turns out, so had Billy Horschel, and he didn’t even let the question finish!
“Are players getting injured…?” asked the reporter, and the 8X PGA Tour winner had an immediate response.
“No, they’re not getting injured because of TGL. We’re used to hitting golf balls all the time, and the majority of the time, we’re probably hitting fewer golf balls on a match day than we would on a normal day. To think that players are getting injured because of TGL is, in Rory’s words from last week, preposterous.
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Last week, when the Northern Irishman withdrew from Bay Hill due to lower back spasms, the questions surrounded whether playing more than usual with TGL was creating an issue. The #2 declined and cited another reason.
“It’s a little more travel for the guys, a little more. To put it [injuries] solely on that is preposterous. No,” McIlroy said.
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The travel side of the argument, however, does have some basis. TGL is scheduled on weeknights to avoid PGA Tour events, but players’ schedules aren’t exempt. The league runs throughout the Florida Swing, so players often switch between tournaments and TGL matches within 24 hours. Tom Kim, for instance, went from PGA National to the SoFi Center for a TGL match the day after his Cognizant Classic final round.
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But the swing mechanics argument is harder to justify. However, the data present a different picture. Rory McIlroy averaged 185.3 MPH ball speed in TGL this year, compared to 186.89 MPH on the PGA Tour. His clubhead speed was actually higher in TGL, too: 128.4 MPH versus 124.06 MPH on Tour. If harder swings were the problem, the PGA Tour would be the bigger culprit, not the simulator.
The injury list, though, is long enough to understand why the theory gained traction. Sahith Theegala missed several events in 2025 with an oblique issue that spread to his neck and back. Justin Thomas was sidelined for nearly six months after back surgery following the Ryder Cup. Xander Schauffele missed two months with a rib cartilage tear. Horschel himself had hip surgery in May 2025. And when Collin Morikawa withdrew from the PLAYERS it created a fuss that TGL might be responsible for all those injuries.
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Moreover, Ryan French of Monday Q Info pointed to all of this, suggesting extra travel and harder simulator swings were a factor. Notably, Billy Horschel pushed back on that, too, saying that his injury wasn’t because of TGL. Then he further asked what the excuse would be if a player simply practiced or played a money game on a Monday without any TGL involvement.
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The real culprit, according to most experts, is a packed schedule and the physical demands of the modern high-speed swing, not a Tuesday night in a simulator. In the same presser, along with Billy Horschel, Patrick Cantlay was also there, and he just reflected on another aspect, which says TGL is helping them.
Tiger Woods’s TGL is becoming useful for golfers
While the injury debate continues, some players are pointing to the opposite effect. Rather than draining them, TGL is giving players something hard to replicate elsewhere: competitive pressure without the full weight of a Tour event on the line.
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Cantlay, who lives 15 minutes from the SoFi Center, keeps it simple. He doesn’t see TGL as remotely comparable to Tour golf, which actually makes it easier to treat it as a low-stakes sharpening tool rather than an added burden on his schedule.
Billy Horschel, on the other hand, takes a more profound approach. He argues that hitting shots with fans watching, cameras rolling, and nerves genuinely activated is more valuable than a Monday money game with buddies. That kind of pressure rep is difficult to manufacture outside of actual competition.
And that’s the part the injury narrative misses entirely. TGL isn’t just an entertainment product. For players between Tour events, it’s a controlled environment to stay sharp, stay competitive, and walk into the next tournament having already felt the pressure once that week.
NASCAR Suspends Daniel Dye After Livestream Mockery of IndyCar’s David Malukas
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR driver Daniel Dye was suspended Tuesday — the second known major penalty of his racing career — for mocking IndyCar driver David Malukas during a recent livestream.
In the video, which circulated Tuesday on social media, Dye used voices that made inferences about Malukas’ sexuality. He mimicked Malukas’ voice at one point.
Dye is a Truck Series for driver Kaulig Racing, which also suspended him. NASCAR ordered Dye to undergo sensitivity training.
Dye apologized to Malukas in a social media post, calling his comments “careless.”
“I chose my words poorly and I understand why it upset people,” he wrote. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s now I want to represent myself.
“I have some close friends in the LBGT+ community who would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard.”
He said conversations with those friends made him recognize that “a true friend would know better than to act the way I did.”
Malukas, a 24-year-old driver for Team Penske, often posts pictures on social media with a girlfriend.
This is the second time Dye has been suspended.
He was 18 and racing in the ARCA series when he was arrested at a Dayona Beach, Florida, high school and charged with felony battery for approaching a classmate and punching the student in the groin area.
The victim was treated at a hospital for a potential ruptured testicle.
Dye said it was a game and he’d be exonerated.
He was instead indefinitely suspended by ARCA, which is owned by NASCAR. Dye was reinstated when the charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Dye in his third full season of racing in the Truck Series. He moved to Kaulig Racing this year to drive for Ram in the automaker’s return to NASCAR competition. Through three races, his best finish is 13th at Atlanta.
Dye raced at St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Truck Series when NASCAR partnered its third-tier series with IndyCar’s season opener. Malukas made his Team Penske debut that same weekend.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
NASCAR suspends Daniel Dye after livestream mockery of IndyCar’s David Malukas
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – NASCAR driver Daniel Dye was suspended Tuesday — the second known major penalty of his racing career — for mocking IndyCar driver David Malukas during a recent livestream.
In the video, which circulated Tuesday on social media, Dye used voices that made inferences about Malukas’ sexuality. He mimicked Malukas’ voice at one point.
Dye is a Truck Series for driver Kaulig Racing, which also suspended him. NASCAR ordered Dye to undergo sensitivity training.
Dye apologized to Malukas in a social media post, calling his comments “careless.”
“I chose my words poorly and I understand why it upset people,” he wrote. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s now I want to represent myself.
“I have some close friends in the LBGT+ community who would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard.”
He said conversations with those friends made him recognize that “a true friend would know better than to act the way I did.”
Malukas, a 24-year-old driver for Team Penske, often posts pictures on social media with a girlfriend.
This is the second time Dye has been suspended.
He was 18 and racing in the ARCA series when he was arrested at a Dayona Beach, Florida, high school and charged with felony battery for approaching a classmate and punching the student in the groin area.
The victim was treated at a hospital for a potential ruptured testicle.
Dye said it was a game and he’d be exonerated.
He was instead indefinitely suspended by ARCA, which is owned by NASCAR. Dye was reinstated when the charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Dye in his third full season of racing in the Truck Series. He moved to Kaulig Racing this year to drive for Ram in the automaker’s return to NASCAR competition. Through three races, his best finish is 13th at Atlanta.
Dye raced at St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Truck Series when NASCAR partnered its third-tier series with IndyCar’s season opener. Malukas made his Team Penske debut that same weekend.
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NASCAR suspends Daniel Dye after livestream mockery of IndyCar’s David Malukas
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR driver Daniel Dye was suspended Tuesday — the second known major penalty of his racing career — for mocking IndyCar driver David Malukas during a recent livestream.
In the video, which circulated Tuesday on social media, Dye used voices that made inferences about Malukas’ sexuality. He mimicked Malukas’ voice at one point.
Dye is a Truck Series for driver Kaulig Racing, which also suspended him. NASCAR ordered Dye to undergo sensitivity training.
Dye apologized to Malukas in a social media post, calling his comments “careless.”
“I chose my words poorly and I understand why it upset people,” he wrote. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s now I want to represent myself.
“I have some close friends in the LBGT+ community who would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard.”
He said conversations with those friends made him recognize that “a true friend would know better than to act the way I did.”
Malukas, a 24-year-old driver for Team Penske, often posts pictures on social media with a girlfriend.
This is the second time Dye has been suspended.
He was 18 and racing in the ARCA series when he was arrested at a Dayona Beach, Florida, high school and charged with felony battery for approaching a classmate and punching the student in the groin area.
The victim was treated at a hospital for a potential ruptured testicle.
Dye said it was a game and he’d be exonerated.
He was instead indefinitely suspended by ARCA, which is owned by NASCAR. Dye was reinstated when the charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Dye in his third full season of racing in the Truck Series. He moved to Kaulig Racing this year to drive for Ram in the automaker’s return to NASCAR competition. Through three races, his best finish is 13th at Atlanta.
Dye raced at St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Truck Series when NASCAR partnered its third-tier series with IndyCar’s season opener. Malukas made his Team Penske debut that same weekend.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Alex Bowman sidelined for 3 more NASCAR races with vertigo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman will miss at least the next three NASCAR Cup Series races while he recovers from vertigo.
Bowman had to exit the March 1 race at Circuit of the Americas because he was not feeling well. He was replaced mid-race and diagnosed with vertigo, and has missed races at Phoenix and Las Vegas since.
Myatt Snider drove the No. 48 Chevrolet at COTA, Anthony Alfredo drove at Phoenix and Justin Allgaier drove Sunday at Las Vegas.
Allgaier will fill in for Bowman again starting this weekend at Darlington Raceway, then at Martinsville Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway.
“Alex continues to experience symptoms, so we are following the guidance of the medical team and giving him the time he needs to recover,” said Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. “We see how hard he’s working to get back behind the wheel, and we’re looking forward to his return when he’s medically cleared. Everyone at Hendrick Motorsports is 100 percent behind Alex.”
Bowman is 36th in the Cup standings, 232 points behind leader Tyler Reddick and 94 points behind Shane van Gisbergen, Daniel Suárez and AJ Allmendinger, who are tied for 16th place. The top 16 drivers qualify for NASCAR’s playoffs.
Bowman is coming off a 2025 season where he made the postseason and finished 13th in the standings. The 32-year-old from Tucson, Arizona, has eight wins, 46 top fives and 112 top 10s in 364 Cup starts over 12 seasons.
His best finish in the final standings was sixth in 2020 for Hendrick Motorsports, where he has been as a full-time driver since 2018.
Bowman was also supposed to drive in NASCAR’s second-tier series for JR Motorsports in the No. 88 Chevrolet at Darlington on Saturday. Kyle Larson, Bowman’s Hendrick teammate and winner in the same car Saturday at Las Vegas, will replace him.
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Denny Hamlin Eyeing to Take Down Kyle Busch After Dethroning Kevin Harvick from Prestigious Record
Last weekend, Denny Hamlin officially banished the demons of 2025 with a win at Las Vegas. He was probably 10 laps away from finally getting the monkey off his back, but fate had other ideas. A late caution and a questionable strategy meant that Hamlin lost once again. However, he has since managed to pick himself back up to try once again. Needless to say, he announced his intention of gunning for the title once again, in Vegas.
Denny Hamlin is on the hunt for records
Thanks to his Vegas win, the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing driver has overtaken Kevin Harvick on the win tally. In a recent episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin outlined his next goal. In the coming week, NASCAR heads to Darlington, followed by Martinsville, Bristol, Kansas, and Talladega.
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Hamlin said on his podcast, “Get another win, that’s the goal. One of those three. Talladega, I wish, guys. I’m trying everything when it comes to superspeedway racing. Just not getting the proper finishes. I’m trying to run up front as much as I can. Doesn’t matter, crash. Next three races, how many points?. If I said you get 150 points, it’d be 50-50-50. We would take that, but also I mean bigger than the next three races.”
The JGR star believes that his best chance of racking up more wins is either at Darlington or the two short tracks. He acknowledged that Talladega is way too unpredictable. This is likely because it is a superspeedway, and that type of racing is unpredictable, just like at Daytona. Hamlin has won at Darlington, Bristol, and Martinsville in the past, so he should be a favorite once again. Reddick has proven that after clinching one win, a driver can build momentum and win more races.
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He also dropped a hint about his future in NASCA.R
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Now, Denny Hamlin is no spring chicken and is steadily approaching the twilight of his career. At the age of 45, who knows how long he has left in the tank and can keep performing at the highest level. Hamlin admitted that there will come a time when he will stop winning, and then eventually he will call time on his career.
He said, “Right, I thought that realistically, I think I’m going to fall at 67, that’s where I think it ends. Until the end of next year, more than likely 67. That’s just by the numbers, that’s not any, ‘OH,h I feel this, I feel that.’ That’s just where the numbers land, averaging 3-4 wins a year.”
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The next person on his hit list is former teammate and 2-time Cup champion Kyle Busch. Busch is 5 years younger and has 63 wins, but does not look like he is adding to that tally any time soon. He has struggled a lot with Richard Childress Racing, enduring two winless seasons, ns and this year could be a third. That is, unless the organisation has a dramatic turnaround and he gets back in Victory Lane.
Coming back to Denny Hamlin, though, he is actually in a pretty good position, championship-wise. After his Pennzoil 400 triumph, he sits in 4th place in the standings. This puts him behind the 23XI Racing duo of Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, and Phoenix winner, Ryan Blaney. All in all, it is a great time for Hamlin, as he is in the title fight, as are two of his drivers.
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Thabeingig said, the season is long, and anything can happen in the next few races to shake up the order. Hendrick Motorsports has been looking strong, and Team Penske isn’t too far behind. Also, if 23XI is any indication, other Chevy, Ford, and Toyota teams are well and truly in the mix.
NASCAR Weather Update Darlington: Will the East Coast Storm Cancel the Race Weekend?
NASCAR doesn’t seem to be catching a break with the weather this season. After the North Carolina snowstorm almost ruined the pre-season Clash, temperatures soared, affecting tires and drivers at COTA and Phoenix. Now, heading into Darlington Raceway, an East Coast storm is threatening another one of NASCAR’s premier races.
While Washington’s Mayor, Muriel Bowser, has advised people to “stay inside” during the storm, the question remains: will it affect the race weekend?
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How does the weather look for the weekend in Darlington?
The storm has significantly lowered the temperature around the region right now, but it will soon start changing in the upcoming days. As per The Weather Channel, there will be a drastic increase in the temperature by Friday, with slightly cloudy skies keeping the track slightly cool. Moreover, the threat of the storm does not seem urgent.
The Truck race on Friday is expected to have much cooler temperatures. With the temperatures soaring between 50° and 72°F, there wouldn’t be much to worry about. A cloud cover is expected throughout the day, and by evening, the race should go on without any major heating issues.
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On Saturday, the heat will increase significantly, with the mercury peaking at 80°F and dropping to 60°F at night. However, the cloud cover should once again keep the asphalt relatively cool, making it an easier race for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. However, there could be a massive change on Sunday for the Cup teams.
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Sunday is expected to be extremely sunny with little to no cloud cover. The temperature will rise to 86°F. Furthermore, the asphalt at Darlington will be heated to an extremely high temperature by the time the Cup race goes green. This will provide significant challenges for the teams, with the risk of another tire emergency like the one at Phoenix.
The tire situation at Darlington
The ‘Lady in Black’ has never been easy on the tires, but it could be especially difficult this year. With the increase in horsepower to 750hp, the rear tires will be especially under stress, and the heated asphalt will not help the situation either.
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As for the tire allocation, the Cup Series teams will get 10 sets, along with one scuffed from qualifying, making a total of 11. For the Truck and the NOAP Series, each team is allocated five sets. They will have two sets for the practice sessions because of the increase in duration.
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The race could be interesting. While the drivers will have the advantage with the increase in total engine output, they will also have to manage the tires well. At the end of the day, a large part of the racing will depend on the correct strategy.
Daniel Dye Suspended After Making Insensitive Comment on Live Stream
The No. 10 MOPAR RAM 1500 will have a different driver in Friday’s Buckle Up South Carolina 200 at Darlington Raceway, after Daniel Dye, the full-time pilot of the Kaulig Racing entry, was suspended by NASCAR on Tuesday evening.
Dye was reprimanded by the sanctioning body after multiple clips surfaced early in the week of a homophobic comment made by the 22-year-old about NTT IndyCar Series driver David Malukas.
According to the NASCAR Rule Book (Section 4.3.C),
Who Is Omar López? Venezuela’s Coach’s Net Worth, Wife, Parents, Siblings, Ethnicity & MLB Contract
Omar López is the kind of manager who emphasizes combining hard work with team chemistry. He’s a key mind behind the success of the Houston Astros, but now he’s carrying the weight of an entire nation on his shoulders. After a stunning 8-5 victory over the defending champions, Japan, and a tough semifinal win, López has taken Venezuela to its first-ever WBC final. For a country with an extreme passion for the sport, López is now one win away from securing his legacy.
Before we find out if the Venezuelans can secure their first-ever WBC title, let’s dig deeper into the man behind their success so far.
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Who is Omar López?
Omar E. López was born on January 3, 1977, in Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela. He loved playing baseball as a kid and was influenced by ‘legends’ Ozzie Guillen and Andres Galarraga. His early performance translated into a professional career at the age of 19. But he never made it to the MLB.
López’s short stint as a baseball player is limited to the minor leagues. He was signed as a rookie by the Chicago White Sox in 1996 and played for the Bristol White Sox for 2 years. The Diamondbacks signed him as a Class A player in 1998, and he played for the South Bend Silver Hawks for one year. He was able to excel as an infielder in his short stint.
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He moved on to coaching and scouting at the age of 22. Omar López was a part of the Astros’ Venezuelan program from 1999 to 2007. He coached many players who later proved to be big names in the major league.
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Omar López has been the bench coach for the Astros since 2024. He has also managed the Venezuelan national team in the 2023 WBC and 2024 WBSC Premier12. It is under his leadership that Team Venezuela has beaten the defending champions Japan in the quarterfinals and a strong Italian side in the semis in the current WBC.
People often wonder how he finds time to manage Cangrejeros de Santurce, a Puerto Rican winter league team as well.
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Who Is Omar López’s Wife?
Omar López married Helen Barreto more than two decades ago, and the couple has two children. Both his children, Omar Eduardo López and Emily Gabriela López, are into sports. While Omar Jr. followed his father’s footsteps, Emily is into volleyball.
He is a senior infielder for the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats, and she is a student-athlete at Belmont Abbey College. López is often spotted bringing his family to the stadium or visiting his children’s games.
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Helen plays an integral part in Omar Sr.’s career decisions. She is the one who pushed him for the managerial duties in the Puerto Rican winter league.
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Who are Omar López’s Parents & Siblings?
There is no documentation on López’s parents. The same goes for his siblings. But the closest thing he has to that is his colleague Rodney Linares. He thinks of him as a brother and is very thankful “to God for putting Rodney in [his] career.”
What is Omar López’s Ethnicity & Nationality?
Omar López has often spoken emotionally of his pride in the national flag and respect for those who have represented the country before him. His birth makes him every bit as Venezuelan as the people he looked up to while growing up and watching baseball.
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His Latino/Hispanic ethnicity made him extremely effective for coaching the Spanish-speaking young prospects in his early Astros days. However, there is no publicly available information to confirm his religious ties.
What is Omar López’s Net Worth?
Omar E. López isn’t overly fond of showing off his wealth. There is hardly any info of his earnings to substantiate a specific figure. However, as the Astros’ bench coach, his annual salary is estimated to be between $200,000 and $350,000.
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Notably, he doesn’t earn anything for managing the Venezuela national team. Well, anything but respect.
“Because it is the only thing I can do,” López admits. “It is the only thing I can do for my country.”
What is Omar López’s MLB Contract & Salary?
His current role as a member of the coaching staff for the Houston Astros indicates a multi-year deal. But neither the organization nor López has ever disclosed any amount. However, it is expected that his earnings have increased following his promotion to bench coach from first base coach.
What Are Omar López’s MLB Career Highlights?
During his coaching and scouting time with the Astros’ Venezuelan program, he identified José Altuve. And it is often termed as one of the most famous finds in modern baseball. Notably, Altuve was rejected by the academy for his 5’4’’ height at that time.
Under his management, Altuve won the Venezuelan Summer League MVP, leading his team to the championship in 2007. But he wasn’t the only highlight of López’s scouting skills. His ability to guide the young Spanish-speaking prospects earned him the Astros’ Player Development Man of the Year in 2010.
Since then, López has coached many players like Carlos Correa, Yordan Alvarez, and Teoscar Hernández, among others, who excelled in the Major League later in their careers.
He won multiple winter league championships and led the Quad Cities to a Midwest League title in 2013. López went on to win the Texas League Manager of the Year award in 2018.
He was also an integral part of the Astros’ World Series triumph in 2022. Under his leadership, Venezuela reached the quarterfinals in the WBC 2023. He also led the national team to a fourth-place finish in the 2024 WBSC Premier12.
Right now, Venezuela is one of the finalists in the 2026 WBC, ready to take on tournament favorites this Wednesday.
Omar López might not have been a big name as an MLB player. But he is a symbol of dedication in the sport. He has proved his scouting and coaching skills time and again.
Now we wait to see if he can add another feather to his cap.
Padres Pitcher Suddenly Retires From MLB at 27 Years Old
Carter Loewen, a right-handed pitcher in the San Diego Padres organization, has suddenly retired from Major League Baseball, according to his MLB.com transactions log.
Loewen, 27, appeared in two games with the Padres this spring, allowing two runs over one inning with two strikeouts. Now, he’s retired from the game of baseball.
Loewen was initially drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 40th round of the 2016 MLB Draft. He elected to go to college, though, and ended up signing with the Padres as an undrafted free agent out of Hawaii in June 2020.
Loewen started in High-A and gradually worked his way up through the minor league ranks. Last year, he reached Triple-A for the first time in his career, where he pitched well in limited action, throwing 2.1 shutout innings with three strikeouts. Across his 18 appearances in Double-A, he had a 2.38 ERA with 20 strikeouts across 22.2 innings.
Loewen has dealt with a series of injuries over the last few years. He missed a majority of the 2022 season recovering from Tommy John surgery and missed half of last season due to an injury. However, less than two weeks ago, he spoke to Blue Jays Nation’s Ben Wrixon about his plans to prioritize his diet and stay healthy for the 2026 season.
“One very low-hanging fruit for me is diet, and what I put in my body,” Loewen said in early March. “If I’m lacking in iron or calcium or whatever the bloodwork comes back to show, I’ll try to do the best that I can to hit the areas where the level might not be fully filled.”
He also wanted to focus on sleep.
“The sleep aspect is obviously huge because that’s when your body recovers from going out and throwing 96 (mph) every night. That’s not a very easy thing to do on the body,
Diamondbacks unveil new Chase Field food options for 2026 MLB season
Baseball fans were already spoiled in 2026 by a seat-gripping World Baseball Classic. And as the worldwide tournament comes to an end, the excitement continues with the transition into the regular MLB season.
Ahead of Opening Day on March 26, the Diamondbacks held a media event showcasing ballpark upgrades — such as a new and improved ribbon board and a huge new scoreboard that Dbacks’ President Derrick Hall said was the height of
Killer MLB star’s mistress gets slap on the wrist for covering up shooting of his wife’s parents
The mistress of killer pitcher Dan Serafini escaped with a slap on the wrist after admitting she covered up his 2021 deadly attack on his in-laws.
Samantha Scott, who worked as a nanny for Serafini and his wife Erin Spohr’s family, was sentenced to two years’ probation Monday for helping the baseball star after he shot Spohr’s parents in a twisted bid to win her inheritance.
Scott, 35, was the prosecution’s key witness against Serafini and told the jury how she drove Serafini from Nevada to the Lake Tahoe area on the day he shot his in-laws at their Lake Tahoe home.
Scott also drove Serafini back to Nevada after the shooting and lied to investigators about it afterward, according to KCRA. She pled guilty to an accessory charge in February 2025.
The former pitcher’s mistress at her sentencing Monday said “fear and misplaced loyalty” clouded her judgment.
“My heart goes out to the victims and their family,” said Scott in her appearance before a judge at a Placerville court. “I cannot undo what happened, but I truly wish that I had acted differently.”
Serafini, 52, last month was sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering his father-in-law, Gary Spohr and shooting his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, in the head. Wood recovered after Serafini shot her but subsequently took her own life.
“[Serafini] is a monster who knows no moral boundaries and has zero reservations about taking the lives of others to benefit himself,” the victims’ daughter, Adrienne Spohr, said of Serafini his sentencing, according to the news station.
Spohr spoke out again about the terrible impact of her father’s murder and her mother’s death at Scott’s sentencing this week.
“House arrest with the ability to travel within 150 miles is not accountability,” said Spohr of Scott’s punishment.
“That radius allows vacation, leisure and freedom. My parents have none of that,” she added.
The deadly ambush stemmed from a $1.3 million loan intended for his wife’s horse ranch business, prosecutors argued at his six-week trial last year, prosecutors said.
They alleged Serafini murdered his in-laws to claim their $23 million fortune through his wife’s inheritance.
Serafini, who was arrested with Scott in 2023, was convicted in July of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and first-degree burglary.
The former baseball player at his sentencing rejected the charges against him and railed against the justice system.
“Justice is fragile. I am just a man,” he whined, according to KCRA.
“I am far from perfect, but I am no murderer. We live in a society that lacks compassion and empathy. A society that sadly thrives on hearing the misfortunes of others. I sit before you today, a broken man, humiliated, embarrassed, angry, and sad. But I am not a murderer. I am a survivor, but I am no murderer.”
Serafini was a No. 26 draft pick by the Twins in 1992 who finished his MLB career with the Rockies in 2007, when he was suspended 50 games for using performance-enhancing drugs.
Serafini revealed he had lost $14 million through bad investments and a divorce settlement during a “Bar Rescue” episode showcasing the Nevada bar he opened in 2013.
Red Sox players were fantastic in the World Baseball Classic
“Me and Roman were like, ‘Man, it’s gonna be a little different going back to Fort Myers after this,’ ” Whitlock said.
Still, the Sox have found reason to be excited about how their players have performed on an elevated March stage. As a group, they have had a spectacular tournament.
“It is amazing seeing my teammates doing a really good job in this tournament, because that gives them the opportunity to be ready for the season,” said Abreu. “If they keep doing that, we’re gonna have a really good season with the Red Sox.”
Anthony, who’d been unable to experience the playoffs last year due to the oblique injury that ended his year, has been one of the best players on the field for a loaded Team USA. His .318/.423/.591 line — along with a go-ahead, left-on-left homer in the semifinals against the Dominican Republic — reinforced the sense that he’s a budding star.
“Playing in this game and playing in this tournament the way he has has obviously showed everybody what we all know about him,” said Team USA (and former Sox) teammate Alex Bregman. “I feel like he’s going to be one of the best players in the game of baseball for a long, long time. I feel like there will be many playoff runs for him, and he’ll lead many teams to the postseason.”
Abreu authored a seminal moment in the tournament and in Venezuelan baseball history with his go-ahead homer (and epic bat flip) against Japan in the quarterfinals. Jarren Duran was electric for Mexico, slashing .333/.412/1.000 with three homers. Masataka Yoshida (.375/.444/.813) excelled for Japan. Nate Eaton even took Tarik Skubal deep for Great Britain, and slashed .316/.316/.579.
Anthony, mindful of suggestions the Sox will be power-deficient, took some amusement at the show of muscle by his Boston teammates in the tournament, and what it might say about the adequacy of their thump.
“I mean, the bar isn’t very high. Nobody seems to think any of us has any power, or any of us is going to hit many home runs,” said Anthony. “So it’s easy [to exceed expectations] when the bar is set low.
“It’s funny, but we know the players that we are, and we know how we work, and we believe in our ability and what we can do, what we’re going to do this year. When [you] look at all these guys [in the WBC], I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised.”
Added Whitlock: “We know we’ve got juice.”
The eye-opening performances haven’t been limited to the batter’s box. Whitlock (3 scoreless innings with 5 strikeouts entering Tuesday) was dominant in the late innings, including in a perfect inning of work in the semifinals.
“Garrett Whitlock doesn’t get enough love,” said Team USA manager Mark DeRosa. “He’s one of the best relievers in the sport.”
Greg Weissert was equally impressive as the closer for Team Italy, firing 3⅓ scoreless innings and recording a tournament-high three saves. Brayan Bello allowed one hit and struck out seven over five innings in his start for the Dominican.
There were exceptions. Both Contreras and Suarez had only limited playing time in the tournament, and will now have to get on an accelerated track to be ready for the start of the season.
That said, in nearly every WBC game, it felt like there was a noteworthy contribution from a member of the Red Sox — making the tournament something of a showcase for the team’s potential. The players hope they’ll be able to carry the energy of what they’ve experienced — and their on-field production — into the regular season.
“It’s not surprising to see what these guys are doing,” said Anthony. “It’s not surprising to see a guy like Wilyer hit a ball into the second deck. But to see him and the passion for his country, this event brings out the best in you. To see that, you can’t help but be excited as a Red Sox player, as a fan, whatever it may be, watching everyone do their thing.”
field earnings shatters previous record
There was a time—not long ago—when baseball believed it understood its place in the modern sports economy. The sport was a regional game masquerading as a national pastime, rich in history, but lagging in marketing muscle.
Without a salary cap, baseball’s biggest stars made their money in contracts, not commercials. The legends of the sport sold jerseys, not entire industries.
Then Shohei Ohtani arrived like a rocket tearing across the sky. He didn’t just change the economics of baseball, he transformed them.
In 2026, Ohtani is expected to earn more than $127 million dollars in off the field earnings alone. A number so staggering that it doesn’t just shatter the record for baseball, but it shatters the record for all of sports. Period. The number eclipses Tiger Woods’ once untouchable mark of $105 million dollars in endorsement deals from 2009. It’s a number that places Ohtani in a category all his own.
And yet, the most absurd part isn’t the number itself. It’s the gap.
According to Sportico, Ohtani makes more in endorsements than the top 15 highest paid MLB players who make a combined $47 million in off-field earnings. It’s more than likely that Ohtani earns more money in endorsements than every single player in MLB combined. Think about that for a moment. In a league filled with MVPs, Cy Young winners, and billion-dollar franchises, one player has turned the endorsement economy into a one-man monopoly.
That’s not a gap. That’s a canyon.
Ohtani’s rise to this record-breaking milestone is a triumph, but it’s also an indictment on Major League Baseball. For decades, the sport failed to globalize its stars the way the NBA, PGA, NFL, and soccer did. MLB marketed teams, not individual personalities. It tried to sell the country on tradition instead of transcendence.
Even Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton ($20M) makes more money in off-field endorsements than any other MLB player outside of Ohtani.
According to Forbes, the list of highest paid athletes in terms of off-field earnings in 2025 reads like a who’s who of global superstars.
Stephen Curry, thanks to his Under Armour deal that ended in 2026, was the only other athlete close to Ohtani at just under $100 million. Next was LeBron James ($85M), Lionel Messi ($75M), Cristiano Ronaldo ($50M), Kevin Durant ($50M), Giannis Antetokounmpo ($45M), Rory McIlroy ($45M), and Woods ($45M).
Scottie Scheffler ($30M), Neymar ($30M), Patrick Mahomes ($28M), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($25M) round out the top-ten, but Ohtani is on an island all his own.
Ohtani is baseball’s first true modern global superstar—an athlete who moves seamlessly between cultures, languages, and markets. In Japan, he is omnipresent. Billboards. Television. Subways. Taxis. Entire city blocks feel like extensions of his brand.
His endorsement portfolio reads less like a sponsorship sheet and more like a corporate empire: Seiko, Kosé, Kowa, Hugo Boss, Japan Airlines, New Balance, Fanatics, and more than 20 total partnerships. When Japanese brand Kirin signed him as the face of its “Immune Care” campaign, it wasn’t just a deal—it was a nationwide event.
This is what baseball never had before: an athlete who isn’t just famous, but culturally embedded.
And here’s the twist that makes the entire story even more audacious—Ohtani is doing all of this while technically being one of the lowest-paid players on his own team.
His $2 million salary with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2026 ranks 17th on the roster. A number that would be laughable if it weren’t so strategically brilliant.
Because Ohtani understood something most athletes never do: money isn’t always about what you earn—it’s about when you earn it, and what it allows you to build.
By deferring $680 million of his $700 million contract, Ohtani didn’t sacrifice wealth. He weaponized it. He gave the Dodgers financial flexibility to construct a superteam, stacking talent around him like kindling around a fire. The result? Back-to-Back World Series Championships. Global visibility. Baseball dominance.
And dominance, in turn, feeds the machine.
Winning amplifies relevance. Relevance drives endorsements. Endorsements create empires.
That’s why the Dodgers are the modern day Evil Empire, and Ohtani is at the center of it.
Even the Dodgers’ clubhouse culture reflects his reach. Last season’s home run celebration—a playful gesture mimicking a Japanese skincare ad—wasn’t just a joke. It was a signal. A reminder that Ohtani’s influence stretches beyond the diamond and into the everyday rhythms of global commerce.
He isn’t just in advertisements. He is a walking advertisement.
New Balance understood this early. Their partnership with Ohtani isn’t structured like a traditional baseball deal—it mirrors the architecture of an NBA signature empire. Shoes, apparel, global campaigns. In 2026, the brand expanded his collection into dozens of products, effectively turning him into a walking, swinging, pitching marketplace.
And still, somehow, this might only be the beginning.
Because what makes Ohtani truly dangerous to the record books isn’t just his popularity—it’s his duality. He is the only athlete in modern sports who can dominate two roles at once, a once-in-a-century talent at the plate and a Cy Young Award caliber pitcher on the mound. Ohtani has the only two 50-50 seasons in MLB history. 50+ homers and 50+ stolen bases in 2024, and 50+ homers and 50+ strikeouts as a pitcher in 2025. He has four MVP awards. Two World Series titles. A résumé that reads like fiction.
The word “unicorn” gets thrown around too easily in sports. With Ohtani, it still feels insufficient.
Even when you widen the lens beyond active athletes, the only name that truly dwarfs him is Michael Jordan, whose Jordan Brand empire generated an estimated $300 million in 2025. But that’s a different kind of legacy—built over decades, fueled by nostalgia and ownership.
Ohtani is doing this in real time.
And that’s what should both excite and terrify the rest of baseball.
Because this isn’t just about one player making more money than everyone else. It’s about one player changing the economic blueprint of an entire sport. The next generation of stars won’t chase contracts the same way. They’ll chase markets. They’ll chase global reach. They’ll chase what Ohtani has built—a brand that transcends borders and turns performance into currency.
Baseball didn’t create this moment.
Shohei Ohtani did.
And now the sport is racing to keep up with the future he’s already living in.
Altafiber announces long-term agreement with MLB to broadcast Reds
Altafiber made an announcement on its website that it
John Smoltz wants WBC played during MLB season
Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz believes he has a way to make the World Baseball Classic even better.
Smoltz appeared on “The Dan Patrick Show” on Tuesday and was asked how MLB could up the ante with the international baseball tournament.
“I think you make it bigger when you do it in the middle of the season and shut it down for a week,” Smoltz opined. “I’ve been saying that for years. I think it’s the perfect spot to showcase the international talent, you would have everybody wearing that uniform, they’d be in midseason form, there would be no restrictions, you truly get to see the Goliath against the Goliath without them coming out and throwing a million arms.”
This year’s World Baseball Classic has been incredibly successful for the sport, with Tuesday’s championship, won 3-2 by Venezuela over Team USA, expected to shatter viewership records.
While Smoltz acknowledged it likely wouldn’t ever happen, he pointed to the success of the Four Nations Face-Off the NHL put on in 2025 instead of an All-Star Game.
“This tournament has accomplished its goals,” Smoltz said about the WBC. “Team Italy, baseball’s gonna be thought of differently there. You’ve got other countries that are bringing baseball to the forefront when other sports were really kinda marquee and king. That has worked. Is it the perfect timing? No.”
He said he passed along his idea to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and said he would be OK with the idea of doing a World vs. USA format to replace the MLB All-Star Game.
“If you shut the game down for a week and give everybody the break they need, you could do so many things to promote within that week and own that week,” Smoltz said.
While Smoltz’s ideas are interesting, it would be a tough sell for MLB to hold the event in the middle of a season.
And while the eight-time All-Star made a fair point in the tough job Team USA manager Mark DeRosa has, having to run decisions by players’ MLB managers first, that likely wouldn’t go away during some sort of in-season international tournament.
Maikel Garcia wins 2026 World Baseball Classic MVP
With a breakout season for the Royals last year, Maikel Garcia made his name known around MLB. Now his name is resonating on the world stage.
The 26-year-old infielder was named MVP of the World Baseball Classic after Venezuela defeated the tournament favorite USA with a thrilling 3-2 victory in the final on Tuesday night.
Garcia hit .385 for the Classic with a home run and seven RBIs, and he drove in the first run of the game in the final with a sac fly off USA starter Nolan McLean. He also had a key hit in Venezuela’s decisive three-run rally in the seventh inning of the semifinals against Team Italy.
“The place I come from, we are born with that characteristic, to be competitive every day no matter where you are playing or what you are playing,” Garcia said earlier in the tournament. “I love facing the best rivals.”
Dodgers Shohei Ohtani is driving MLB’s boom in Japan
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani isn’t just the best baseball player in the world. He’s also the driving force behind why Japanese fans are watching Major League Baseball.
In a country where baseball already pulses through the culture like oxygen, Ohtani has turned passion into obsession. According to a YouGov Sport survey, nearly 8 in 10 Japanese fans now say he’s one of their favorite MLB players, and more importantly, 79 percent admit he’s the reason their interest in Major League Baseball has grown.
Ohtani’s current team, the Dodgers, have now become Japan’s team. A commanding 59 percent of the nation said the Dodgers are their favorite MLB team. That’s no coincidence. Ohtani, alongside countrymen Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, has turned Dodger Stadium into a second home for millions of fans watching from across the Pacific.
When the Dodgers reached the 2025 World Series, more than half of Japanese sports fans tuned in—and 86 percent of them weren’t just watching. They were emotionally invested.
This is the rarest kind of athlete, the kind who doesn’t just dominate a sport but redefines its geography. Ohtani hasn’t simply bridged Japan and America—he’s collapsed the distance between them. Every home run, every splitter, every moment under the lights pulls two baseball worlds closer together.
NASCAR Suspends Daniel Dye After Livestream Mockery of IndyCar’s David Malukas
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR driver Daniel Dye was suspended Tuesday — the second known major penalty of his racing career — for mocking IndyCar driver David Malukas during a recent livestream.
In the video, which circulated Tuesday on social media, Dye used voices that made inferences about Malukas’ sexuality. He mimicked Malukas’ voice at one point.
Dye is a Truck Series for driver Kaulig Racing, which also suspended him. NASCAR ordered Dye to undergo sensitivity training.
Dye apologized to Malukas in a social media post, calling his comments “careless.”
“I chose my words poorly and I understand why it upset people,” he wrote. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s now I want to represent myself.
“I have some close friends in the LBGT+ community who would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard.”
He said conversations with those friends made him recognize that “a true friend would know better than to act the way I did.”
Malukas, a 24-year-old driver for Team Penske, often posts pictures on social media with a girlfriend.
This is the second time Dye has been suspended.
He was 18 and racing in the ARCA series when he was arrested at a Dayona Beach, Florida, high school and charged with felony battery for approaching a classmate and punching the student in the groin area.
The victim was treated at a hospital for a potential ruptured testicle.
Dye said it was a game and he’d be exonerated.
He was instead indefinitely suspended by ARCA, which is owned by NASCAR. Dye was reinstated when the charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Dye in his third full season of racing in the Truck Series. He moved to Kaulig Racing this year to drive for Ram in the automaker’s return to NASCAR competition. Through three races, his best finish is 13th at Atlanta.
Dye raced at St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Truck Series when NASCAR partnered its third-tier series with IndyCar’s season opener. Malukas made his Team Penske debut that same weekend.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
NASCAR suspends Daniel Dye after livestream mockery of IndyCar’s David Malukas
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – NASCAR driver Daniel Dye was suspended Tuesday — the second known major penalty of his racing career — for mocking IndyCar driver David Malukas during a recent livestream.
In the video, which circulated Tuesday on social media, Dye used voices that made inferences about Malukas’ sexuality. He mimicked Malukas’ voice at one point.
Dye is a Truck Series for driver Kaulig Racing, which also suspended him. NASCAR ordered Dye to undergo sensitivity training.
Dye apologized to Malukas in a social media post, calling his comments “careless.”
“I chose my words poorly and I understand why it upset people,” he wrote. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s now I want to represent myself.
“I have some close friends in the LBGT+ community who would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard.”
He said conversations with those friends made him recognize that “a true friend would know better than to act the way I did.”
Malukas, a 24-year-old driver for Team Penske, often posts pictures on social media with a girlfriend.
This is the second time Dye has been suspended.
He was 18 and racing in the ARCA series when he was arrested at a Dayona Beach, Florida, high school and charged with felony battery for approaching a classmate and punching the student in the groin area.
The victim was treated at a hospital for a potential ruptured testicle.
Dye said it was a game and he’d be exonerated.
He was instead indefinitely suspended by ARCA, which is owned by NASCAR. Dye was reinstated when the charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Dye in his third full season of racing in the Truck Series. He moved to Kaulig Racing this year to drive for Ram in the automaker’s return to NASCAR competition. Through three races, his best finish is 13th at Atlanta.
Dye raced at St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Truck Series when NASCAR partnered its third-tier series with IndyCar’s season opener. Malukas made his Team Penske debut that same weekend.
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NASCAR suspends Daniel Dye after livestream mockery of IndyCar’s David Malukas
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR driver Daniel Dye was suspended Tuesday — the second known major penalty of his racing career — for mocking IndyCar driver David Malukas during a recent livestream.
In the video, which circulated Tuesday on social media, Dye used voices that made inferences about Malukas’ sexuality. He mimicked Malukas’ voice at one point.
Dye is a Truck Series for driver Kaulig Racing, which also suspended him. NASCAR ordered Dye to undergo sensitivity training.
Dye apologized to Malukas in a social media post, calling his comments “careless.”
“I chose my words poorly and I understand why it upset people,” he wrote. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s now I want to represent myself.
“I have some close friends in the LBGT+ community who would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard.”
He said conversations with those friends made him recognize that “a true friend would know better than to act the way I did.”
Malukas, a 24-year-old driver for Team Penske, often posts pictures on social media with a girlfriend.
This is the second time Dye has been suspended.
He was 18 and racing in the ARCA series when he was arrested at a Dayona Beach, Florida, high school and charged with felony battery for approaching a classmate and punching the student in the groin area.
The victim was treated at a hospital for a potential ruptured testicle.
Dye said it was a game and he’d be exonerated.
He was instead indefinitely suspended by ARCA, which is owned by NASCAR. Dye was reinstated when the charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Dye in his third full season of racing in the Truck Series. He moved to Kaulig Racing this year to drive for Ram in the automaker’s return to NASCAR competition. Through three races, his best finish is 13th at Atlanta.
Dye raced at St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Truck Series when NASCAR partnered its third-tier series with IndyCar’s season opener. Malukas made his Team Penske debut that same weekend.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Alex Bowman sidelined for 3 more NASCAR races with vertigo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman will miss at least the next three NASCAR Cup Series races while he recovers from vertigo.
Bowman had to exit the March 1 race at Circuit of the Americas because he was not feeling well. He was replaced mid-race and diagnosed with vertigo, and has missed races at Phoenix and Las Vegas since.
Myatt Snider drove the No. 48 Chevrolet at COTA, Anthony Alfredo drove at Phoenix and Justin Allgaier drove Sunday at Las Vegas.
Allgaier will fill in for Bowman again starting this weekend at Darlington Raceway, then at Martinsville Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway.
“Alex continues to experience symptoms, so we are following the guidance of the medical team and giving him the time he needs to recover,” said Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. “We see how hard he’s working to get back behind the wheel, and we’re looking forward to his return when he’s medically cleared. Everyone at Hendrick Motorsports is 100 percent behind Alex.”
Bowman is 36th in the Cup standings, 232 points behind leader Tyler Reddick and 94 points behind Shane van Gisbergen, Daniel Suárez and AJ Allmendinger, who are tied for 16th place. The top 16 drivers qualify for NASCAR’s playoffs.
Bowman is coming off a 2025 season where he made the postseason and finished 13th in the standings. The 32-year-old from Tucson, Arizona, has eight wins, 46 top fives and 112 top 10s in 364 Cup starts over 12 seasons.
His best finish in the final standings was sixth in 2020 for Hendrick Motorsports, where he has been as a full-time driver since 2018.
Bowman was also supposed to drive in NASCAR’s second-tier series for JR Motorsports in the No. 88 Chevrolet at Darlington on Saturday. Kyle Larson, Bowman’s Hendrick teammate and winner in the same car Saturday at Las Vegas, will replace him.
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Denny Hamlin Eyeing to Take Down Kyle Busch After Dethroning Kevin Harvick from Prestigious Record
Last weekend, Denny Hamlin officially banished the demons of 2025 with a win at Las Vegas. He was probably 10 laps away from finally getting the monkey off his back, but fate had other ideas. A late caution and a questionable strategy meant that Hamlin lost once again. However, he has since managed to pick himself back up to try once again. Needless to say, he announced his intention of gunning for the title once again, in Vegas.
Denny Hamlin is on the hunt for records
Thanks to his Vegas win, the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing driver has overtaken Kevin Harvick on the win tally. In a recent episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin outlined his next goal. In the coming week, NASCAR heads to Darlington, followed by Martinsville, Bristol, Kansas, and Talladega.
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Hamlin said on his podcast, “Get another win, that’s the goal. One of those three. Talladega, I wish, guys. I’m trying everything when it comes to superspeedway racing. Just not getting the proper finishes. I’m trying to run up front as much as I can. Doesn’t matter, crash. Next three races, how many points?. If I said you get 150 points, it’d be 50-50-50. We would take that, but also I mean bigger than the next three races.”
The JGR star believes that his best chance of racking up more wins is either at Darlington or the two short tracks. He acknowledged that Talladega is way too unpredictable. This is likely because it is a superspeedway, and that type of racing is unpredictable, just like at Daytona. Hamlin has won at Darlington, Bristol, and Martinsville in the past, so he should be a favorite once again. Reddick has proven that after clinching one win, a driver can build momentum and win more races.
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He also dropped a hint about his future in NASCA.R
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Now, Denny Hamlin is no spring chicken and is steadily approaching the twilight of his career. At the age of 45, who knows how long he has left in the tank and can keep performing at the highest level. Hamlin admitted that there will come a time when he will stop winning, and then eventually he will call time on his career.
He said, “Right, I thought that realistically, I think I’m going to fall at 67, that’s where I think it ends. Until the end of next year, more than likely 67. That’s just by the numbers, that’s not any, ‘OH,h I feel this, I feel that.’ That’s just where the numbers land, averaging 3-4 wins a year.”
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The next person on his hit list is former teammate and 2-time Cup champion Kyle Busch. Busch is 5 years younger and has 63 wins, but does not look like he is adding to that tally any time soon. He has struggled a lot with Richard Childress Racing, enduring two winless seasons, ns and this year could be a third. That is, unless the organisation has a dramatic turnaround and he gets back in Victory Lane.
Coming back to Denny Hamlin, though, he is actually in a pretty good position, championship-wise. After his Pennzoil 400 triumph, he sits in 4th place in the standings. This puts him behind the 23XI Racing duo of Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace, and Phoenix winner, Ryan Blaney. All in all, it is a great time for Hamlin, as he is in the title fight, as are two of his drivers.
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Thabeingig said, the season is long, and anything can happen in the next few races to shake up the order. Hendrick Motorsports has been looking strong, and Team Penske isn’t too far behind. Also, if 23XI is any indication, other Chevy, Ford, and Toyota teams are well and truly in the mix.
NASCAR Weather Update Darlington: Will the East Coast Storm Cancel the Race Weekend?
NASCAR doesn’t seem to be catching a break with the weather this season. After the North Carolina snowstorm almost ruined the pre-season Clash, temperatures soared, affecting tires and drivers at COTA and Phoenix. Now, heading into Darlington Raceway, an East Coast storm is threatening another one of NASCAR’s premier races.
While Washington’s Mayor, Muriel Bowser, has advised people to “stay inside” during the storm, the question remains: will it affect the race weekend?
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How does the weather look for the weekend in Darlington?
The storm has significantly lowered the temperature around the region right now, but it will soon start changing in the upcoming days. As per The Weather Channel, there will be a drastic increase in the temperature by Friday, with slightly cloudy skies keeping the track slightly cool. Moreover, the threat of the storm does not seem urgent.
The Truck race on Friday is expected to have much cooler temperatures. With the temperatures soaring between 50° and 72°F, there wouldn’t be much to worry about. A cloud cover is expected throughout the day, and by evening, the race should go on without any major heating issues.
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On Saturday, the heat will increase significantly, with the mercury peaking at 80°F and dropping to 60°F at night. However, the cloud cover should once again keep the asphalt relatively cool, making it an easier race for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. However, there could be a massive change on Sunday for the Cup teams.
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Sunday is expected to be extremely sunny with little to no cloud cover. The temperature will rise to 86°F. Furthermore, the asphalt at Darlington will be heated to an extremely high temperature by the time the Cup race goes green. This will provide significant challenges for the teams, with the risk of another tire emergency like the one at Phoenix.
The tire situation at Darlington
The ‘Lady in Black’ has never been easy on the tires, but it could be especially difficult this year. With the increase in horsepower to 750hp, the rear tires will be especially under stress, and the heated asphalt will not help the situation either.
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As for the tire allocation, the Cup Series teams will get 10 sets, along with one scuffed from qualifying, making a total of 11. For the Truck and the NOAP Series, each team is allocated five sets. They will have two sets for the practice sessions because of the increase in duration.
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The race could be interesting. While the drivers will have the advantage with the increase in total engine output, they will also have to manage the tires well. At the end of the day, a large part of the racing will depend on the correct strategy.
Daniel Dye Suspended After Making Insensitive Comment on Live Stream
The No. 10 MOPAR RAM 1500 will have a different driver in Friday’s Buckle Up South Carolina 200 at Darlington Raceway, after Daniel Dye, the full-time pilot of the Kaulig Racing entry, was suspended by NASCAR on Tuesday evening.
Dye was reprimanded by the sanctioning body after multiple clips surfaced early in the week of a homophobic comment made by the 22-year-old about NTT IndyCar Series driver David Malukas.
According to the NASCAR Rule Book (Section 4.3.C),
Who Is Omar López? Venezuela’s Coach’s Net Worth, Wife, Parents, Siblings, Ethnicity & MLB Contract
Omar López is the kind of manager who emphasizes combining hard work with team chemistry. He’s a key mind behind the success of the Houston Astros, but now he’s carrying the weight of an entire nation on his shoulders. After a stunning 8-5 victory over the defending champions, Japan, and a tough semifinal win, López has taken Venezuela to its first-ever WBC final. For a country with an extreme passion for the sport, López is now one win away from securing his legacy.
Before we find out if the Venezuelans can secure their first-ever WBC title, let’s dig deeper into the man behind their success so far.
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Who is Omar López?
Omar E. López was born on January 3, 1977, in Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela. He loved playing baseball as a kid and was influenced by ‘legends’ Ozzie Guillen and Andres Galarraga. His early performance translated into a professional career at the age of 19. But he never made it to the MLB.
López’s short stint as a baseball player is limited to the minor leagues. He was signed as a rookie by the Chicago White Sox in 1996 and played for the Bristol White Sox for 2 years. The Diamondbacks signed him as a Class A player in 1998, and he played for the South Bend Silver Hawks for one year. He was able to excel as an infielder in his short stint.
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He moved on to coaching and scouting at the age of 22. Omar López was a part of the Astros’ Venezuelan program from 1999 to 2007. He coached many players who later proved to be big names in the major league.
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Omar López has been the bench coach for the Astros since 2024. He has also managed the Venezuelan national team in the 2023 WBC and 2024 WBSC Premier12. It is under his leadership that Team Venezuela has beaten the defending champions Japan in the quarterfinals and a strong Italian side in the semis in the current WBC.
People often wonder how he finds time to manage Cangrejeros de Santurce, a Puerto Rican winter league team as well.
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Who Is Omar López’s Wife?
Omar López married Helen Barreto more than two decades ago, and the couple has two children. Both his children, Omar Eduardo López and Emily Gabriela López, are into sports. While Omar Jr. followed his father’s footsteps, Emily is into volleyball.
He is a senior infielder for the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats, and she is a student-athlete at Belmont Abbey College. López is often spotted bringing his family to the stadium or visiting his children’s games.
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Helen plays an integral part in Omar Sr.’s career decisions. She is the one who pushed him for the managerial duties in the Puerto Rican winter league.
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Who are Omar López’s Parents & Siblings?
There is no documentation on López’s parents. The same goes for his siblings. But the closest thing he has to that is his colleague Rodney Linares. He thinks of him as a brother and is very thankful “to God for putting Rodney in [his] career.”
What is Omar López’s Ethnicity & Nationality?
Omar López has often spoken emotionally of his pride in the national flag and respect for those who have represented the country before him. His birth makes him every bit as Venezuelan as the people he looked up to while growing up and watching baseball.
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His Latino/Hispanic ethnicity made him extremely effective for coaching the Spanish-speaking young prospects in his early Astros days. However, there is no publicly available information to confirm his religious ties.
What is Omar López’s Net Worth?
Omar E. López isn’t overly fond of showing off his wealth. There is hardly any info of his earnings to substantiate a specific figure. However, as the Astros’ bench coach, his annual salary is estimated to be between $200,000 and $350,000.
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Notably, he doesn’t earn anything for managing the Venezuela national team. Well, anything but respect.
“Because it is the only thing I can do,” López admits. “It is the only thing I can do for my country.”
What is Omar López’s MLB Contract & Salary?
His current role as a member of the coaching staff for the Houston Astros indicates a multi-year deal. But neither the organization nor López has ever disclosed any amount. However, it is expected that his earnings have increased following his promotion to bench coach from first base coach.
What Are Omar López’s MLB Career Highlights?
During his coaching and scouting time with the Astros’ Venezuelan program, he identified José Altuve. And it is often termed as one of the most famous finds in modern baseball. Notably, Altuve was rejected by the academy for his 5’4’’ height at that time.
Under his management, Altuve won the Venezuelan Summer League MVP, leading his team to the championship in 2007. But he wasn’t the only highlight of López’s scouting skills. His ability to guide the young Spanish-speaking prospects earned him the Astros’ Player Development Man of the Year in 2010.
Since then, López has coached many players like Carlos Correa, Yordan Alvarez, and Teoscar Hernández, among others, who excelled in the Major League later in their careers.
He won multiple winter league championships and led the Quad Cities to a Midwest League title in 2013. López went on to win the Texas League Manager of the Year award in 2018.
He was also an integral part of the Astros’ World Series triumph in 2022. Under his leadership, Venezuela reached the quarterfinals in the WBC 2023. He also led the national team to a fourth-place finish in the 2024 WBSC Premier12.
Right now, Venezuela is one of the finalists in the 2026 WBC, ready to take on tournament favorites this Wednesday.
Omar López might not have been a big name as an MLB player. But he is a symbol of dedication in the sport. He has proved his scouting and coaching skills time and again.
Now we wait to see if he can add another feather to his cap.
Padres Pitcher Suddenly Retires From MLB at 27 Years Old
Carter Loewen, a right-handed pitcher in the San Diego Padres organization, has suddenly retired from Major League Baseball, according to his MLB.com transactions log.
Loewen, 27, appeared in two games with the Padres this spring, allowing two runs over one inning with two strikeouts. Now, he’s retired from the game of baseball.
Loewen was initially drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 40th round of the 2016 MLB Draft. He elected to go to college, though, and ended up signing with the Padres as an undrafted free agent out of Hawaii in June 2020.
Loewen started in High-A and gradually worked his way up through the minor league ranks. Last year, he reached Triple-A for the first time in his career, where he pitched well in limited action, throwing 2.1 shutout innings with three strikeouts. Across his 18 appearances in Double-A, he had a 2.38 ERA with 20 strikeouts across 22.2 innings.
Loewen has dealt with a series of injuries over the last few years. He missed a majority of the 2022 season recovering from Tommy John surgery and missed half of last season due to an injury. However, less than two weeks ago, he spoke to Blue Jays Nation’s Ben Wrixon about his plans to prioritize his diet and stay healthy for the 2026 season.
“One very low-hanging fruit for me is diet, and what I put in my body,” Loewen said in early March. “If I’m lacking in iron or calcium or whatever the bloodwork comes back to show, I’ll try to do the best that I can to hit the areas where the level might not be fully filled.”
He also wanted to focus on sleep.
“The sleep aspect is obviously huge because that’s when your body recovers from going out and throwing 96 (mph) every night. That’s not a very easy thing to do on the body,
Diamondbacks unveil new Chase Field food options for 2026 MLB season
Baseball fans were already spoiled in 2026 by a seat-gripping World Baseball Classic. And as the worldwide tournament comes to an end, the excitement continues with the transition into the regular MLB season.
Ahead of Opening Day on March 26, the Diamondbacks held a media event showcasing ballpark upgrades — such as a new and improved ribbon board and a huge new scoreboard that Dbacks’ President Derrick Hall said was the height of
Killer MLB star’s mistress gets slap on the wrist for covering up shooting of his wife’s parents
The mistress of killer pitcher Dan Serafini escaped with a slap on the wrist after admitting she covered up his 2021 deadly attack on his in-laws.
Samantha Scott, who worked as a nanny for Serafini and his wife Erin Spohr’s family, was sentenced to two years’ probation Monday for helping the baseball star after he shot Spohr’s parents in a twisted bid to win her inheritance.
Scott, 35, was the prosecution’s key witness against Serafini and told the jury how she drove Serafini from Nevada to the Lake Tahoe area on the day he shot his in-laws at their Lake Tahoe home.
Scott also drove Serafini back to Nevada after the shooting and lied to investigators about it afterward, according to KCRA. She pled guilty to an accessory charge in February 2025.
The former pitcher’s mistress at her sentencing Monday said “fear and misplaced loyalty” clouded her judgment.
“My heart goes out to the victims and their family,” said Scott in her appearance before a judge at a Placerville court. “I cannot undo what happened, but I truly wish that I had acted differently.”
Serafini, 52, last month was sentenced to life in prison without parole for murdering his father-in-law, Gary Spohr and shooting his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, in the head. Wood recovered after Serafini shot her but subsequently took her own life.
“[Serafini] is a monster who knows no moral boundaries and has zero reservations about taking the lives of others to benefit himself,” the victims’ daughter, Adrienne Spohr, said of Serafini his sentencing, according to the news station.
Spohr spoke out again about the terrible impact of her father’s murder and her mother’s death at Scott’s sentencing this week.
“House arrest with the ability to travel within 150 miles is not accountability,” said Spohr of Scott’s punishment.
“That radius allows vacation, leisure and freedom. My parents have none of that,” she added.
The deadly ambush stemmed from a $1.3 million loan intended for his wife’s horse ranch business, prosecutors argued at his six-week trial last year, prosecutors said.
They alleged Serafini murdered his in-laws to claim their $23 million fortune through his wife’s inheritance.
Serafini, who was arrested with Scott in 2023, was convicted in July of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and first-degree burglary.
The former baseball player at his sentencing rejected the charges against him and railed against the justice system.
“Justice is fragile. I am just a man,” he whined, according to KCRA.
“I am far from perfect, but I am no murderer. We live in a society that lacks compassion and empathy. A society that sadly thrives on hearing the misfortunes of others. I sit before you today, a broken man, humiliated, embarrassed, angry, and sad. But I am not a murderer. I am a survivor, but I am no murderer.”
Serafini was a No. 26 draft pick by the Twins in 1992 who finished his MLB career with the Rockies in 2007, when he was suspended 50 games for using performance-enhancing drugs.
Serafini revealed he had lost $14 million through bad investments and a divorce settlement during a “Bar Rescue” episode showcasing the Nevada bar he opened in 2013.
Red Sox players were fantastic in the World Baseball Classic
“Me and Roman were like, ‘Man, it’s gonna be a little different going back to Fort Myers after this,’ ” Whitlock said.
Still, the Sox have found reason to be excited about how their players have performed on an elevated March stage. As a group, they have had a spectacular tournament.
“It is amazing seeing my teammates doing a really good job in this tournament, because that gives them the opportunity to be ready for the season,” said Abreu. “If they keep doing that, we’re gonna have a really good season with the Red Sox.”
Anthony, who’d been unable to experience the playoffs last year due to the oblique injury that ended his year, has been one of the best players on the field for a loaded Team USA. His .318/.423/.591 line — along with a go-ahead, left-on-left homer in the semifinals against the Dominican Republic — reinforced the sense that he’s a budding star.
“Playing in this game and playing in this tournament the way he has has obviously showed everybody what we all know about him,” said Team USA (and former Sox) teammate Alex Bregman. “I feel like he’s going to be one of the best players in the game of baseball for a long, long time. I feel like there will be many playoff runs for him, and he’ll lead many teams to the postseason.”
Abreu authored a seminal moment in the tournament and in Venezuelan baseball history with his go-ahead homer (and epic bat flip) against Japan in the quarterfinals. Jarren Duran was electric for Mexico, slashing .333/.412/1.000 with three homers. Masataka Yoshida (.375/.444/.813) excelled for Japan. Nate Eaton even took Tarik Skubal deep for Great Britain, and slashed .316/.316/.579.
Anthony, mindful of suggestions the Sox will be power-deficient, took some amusement at the show of muscle by his Boston teammates in the tournament, and what it might say about the adequacy of their thump.
“I mean, the bar isn’t very high. Nobody seems to think any of us has any power, or any of us is going to hit many home runs,” said Anthony. “So it’s easy [to exceed expectations] when the bar is set low.
“It’s funny, but we know the players that we are, and we know how we work, and we believe in our ability and what we can do, what we’re going to do this year. When [you] look at all these guys [in the WBC], I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised.”
Added Whitlock: “We know we’ve got juice.”
The eye-opening performances haven’t been limited to the batter’s box. Whitlock (3 scoreless innings with 5 strikeouts entering Tuesday) was dominant in the late innings, including in a perfect inning of work in the semifinals.
“Garrett Whitlock doesn’t get enough love,” said Team USA manager Mark DeRosa. “He’s one of the best relievers in the sport.”
Greg Weissert was equally impressive as the closer for Team Italy, firing 3⅓ scoreless innings and recording a tournament-high three saves. Brayan Bello allowed one hit and struck out seven over five innings in his start for the Dominican.
There were exceptions. Both Contreras and Suarez had only limited playing time in the tournament, and will now have to get on an accelerated track to be ready for the start of the season.
That said, in nearly every WBC game, it felt like there was a noteworthy contribution from a member of the Red Sox — making the tournament something of a showcase for the team’s potential. The players hope they’ll be able to carry the energy of what they’ve experienced — and their on-field production — into the regular season.
“It’s not surprising to see what these guys are doing,” said Anthony. “It’s not surprising to see a guy like Wilyer hit a ball into the second deck. But to see him and the passion for his country, this event brings out the best in you. To see that, you can’t help but be excited as a Red Sox player, as a fan, whatever it may be, watching everyone do their thing.”
field earnings shatters previous record
There was a time—not long ago—when baseball believed it understood its place in the modern sports economy. The sport was a regional game masquerading as a national pastime, rich in history, but lagging in marketing muscle.
Without a salary cap, baseball’s biggest stars made their money in contracts, not commercials. The legends of the sport sold jerseys, not entire industries.
Then Shohei Ohtani arrived like a rocket tearing across the sky. He didn’t just change the economics of baseball, he transformed them.
In 2026, Ohtani is expected to earn more than $127 million dollars in off the field earnings alone. A number so staggering that it doesn’t just shatter the record for baseball, but it shatters the record for all of sports. Period. The number eclipses Tiger Woods’ once untouchable mark of $105 million dollars in endorsement deals from 2009. It’s a number that places Ohtani in a category all his own.
And yet, the most absurd part isn’t the number itself. It’s the gap.
According to Sportico, Ohtani makes more in endorsements than the top 15 highest paid MLB players who make a combined $47 million in off-field earnings. It’s more than likely that Ohtani earns more money in endorsements than every single player in MLB combined. Think about that for a moment. In a league filled with MVPs, Cy Young winners, and billion-dollar franchises, one player has turned the endorsement economy into a one-man monopoly.
That’s not a gap. That’s a canyon.
Ohtani’s rise to this record-breaking milestone is a triumph, but it’s also an indictment on Major League Baseball. For decades, the sport failed to globalize its stars the way the NBA, PGA, NFL, and soccer did. MLB marketed teams, not individual personalities. It tried to sell the country on tradition instead of transcendence.
Even Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton ($20M) makes more money in off-field endorsements than any other MLB player outside of Ohtani.
According to Forbes, the list of highest paid athletes in terms of off-field earnings in 2025 reads like a who’s who of global superstars.
Stephen Curry, thanks to his Under Armour deal that ended in 2026, was the only other athlete close to Ohtani at just under $100 million. Next was LeBron James ($85M), Lionel Messi ($75M), Cristiano Ronaldo ($50M), Kevin Durant ($50M), Giannis Antetokounmpo ($45M), Rory McIlroy ($45M), and Woods ($45M).
Scottie Scheffler ($30M), Neymar ($30M), Patrick Mahomes ($28M), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($25M) round out the top-ten, but Ohtani is on an island all his own.
Ohtani is baseball’s first true modern global superstar—an athlete who moves seamlessly between cultures, languages, and markets. In Japan, he is omnipresent. Billboards. Television. Subways. Taxis. Entire city blocks feel like extensions of his brand.
His endorsement portfolio reads less like a sponsorship sheet and more like a corporate empire: Seiko, Kosé, Kowa, Hugo Boss, Japan Airlines, New Balance, Fanatics, and more than 20 total partnerships. When Japanese brand Kirin signed him as the face of its “Immune Care” campaign, it wasn’t just a deal—it was a nationwide event.
This is what baseball never had before: an athlete who isn’t just famous, but culturally embedded.
And here’s the twist that makes the entire story even more audacious—Ohtani is doing all of this while technically being one of the lowest-paid players on his own team.
His $2 million salary with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2026 ranks 17th on the roster. A number that would be laughable if it weren’t so strategically brilliant.
Because Ohtani understood something most athletes never do: money isn’t always about what you earn—it’s about when you earn it, and what it allows you to build.
By deferring $680 million of his $700 million contract, Ohtani didn’t sacrifice wealth. He weaponized it. He gave the Dodgers financial flexibility to construct a superteam, stacking talent around him like kindling around a fire. The result? Back-to-Back World Series Championships. Global visibility. Baseball dominance.
And dominance, in turn, feeds the machine.
Winning amplifies relevance. Relevance drives endorsements. Endorsements create empires.
That’s why the Dodgers are the modern day Evil Empire, and Ohtani is at the center of it.
Even the Dodgers’ clubhouse culture reflects his reach. Last season’s home run celebration—a playful gesture mimicking a Japanese skincare ad—wasn’t just a joke. It was a signal. A reminder that Ohtani’s influence stretches beyond the diamond and into the everyday rhythms of global commerce.
He isn’t just in advertisements. He is a walking advertisement.
New Balance understood this early. Their partnership with Ohtani isn’t structured like a traditional baseball deal—it mirrors the architecture of an NBA signature empire. Shoes, apparel, global campaigns. In 2026, the brand expanded his collection into dozens of products, effectively turning him into a walking, swinging, pitching marketplace.
And still, somehow, this might only be the beginning.
Because what makes Ohtani truly dangerous to the record books isn’t just his popularity—it’s his duality. He is the only athlete in modern sports who can dominate two roles at once, a once-in-a-century talent at the plate and a Cy Young Award caliber pitcher on the mound. Ohtani has the only two 50-50 seasons in MLB history. 50+ homers and 50+ stolen bases in 2024, and 50+ homers and 50+ strikeouts as a pitcher in 2025. He has four MVP awards. Two World Series titles. A résumé that reads like fiction.
The word “unicorn” gets thrown around too easily in sports. With Ohtani, it still feels insufficient.
Even when you widen the lens beyond active athletes, the only name that truly dwarfs him is Michael Jordan, whose Jordan Brand empire generated an estimated $300 million in 2025. But that’s a different kind of legacy—built over decades, fueled by nostalgia and ownership.
Ohtani is doing this in real time.
And that’s what should both excite and terrify the rest of baseball.
Because this isn’t just about one player making more money than everyone else. It’s about one player changing the economic blueprint of an entire sport. The next generation of stars won’t chase contracts the same way. They’ll chase markets. They’ll chase global reach. They’ll chase what Ohtani has built—a brand that transcends borders and turns performance into currency.
Baseball didn’t create this moment.
Shohei Ohtani did.
And now the sport is racing to keep up with the future he’s already living in.
Altafiber announces long-term agreement with MLB to broadcast Reds
Altafiber made an announcement on its website that it
John Smoltz wants WBC played during MLB season
Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz believes he has a way to make the World Baseball Classic even better.
Smoltz appeared on “The Dan Patrick Show” on Tuesday and was asked how MLB could up the ante with the international baseball tournament.
“I think you make it bigger when you do it in the middle of the season and shut it down for a week,” Smoltz opined. “I’ve been saying that for years. I think it’s the perfect spot to showcase the international talent, you would have everybody wearing that uniform, they’d be in midseason form, there would be no restrictions, you truly get to see the Goliath against the Goliath without them coming out and throwing a million arms.”
This year’s World Baseball Classic has been incredibly successful for the sport, with Tuesday’s championship, won 3-2 by Venezuela over Team USA, expected to shatter viewership records.
While Smoltz acknowledged it likely wouldn’t ever happen, he pointed to the success of the Four Nations Face-Off the NHL put on in 2025 instead of an All-Star Game.
“This tournament has accomplished its goals,” Smoltz said about the WBC. “Team Italy, baseball’s gonna be thought of differently there. You’ve got other countries that are bringing baseball to the forefront when other sports were really kinda marquee and king. That has worked. Is it the perfect timing? No.”
He said he passed along his idea to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and said he would be OK with the idea of doing a World vs. USA format to replace the MLB All-Star Game.
“If you shut the game down for a week and give everybody the break they need, you could do so many things to promote within that week and own that week,” Smoltz said.
While Smoltz’s ideas are interesting, it would be a tough sell for MLB to hold the event in the middle of a season.
And while the eight-time All-Star made a fair point in the tough job Team USA manager Mark DeRosa has, having to run decisions by players’ MLB managers first, that likely wouldn’t go away during some sort of in-season international tournament.
Maikel Garcia wins 2026 World Baseball Classic MVP
With a breakout season for the Royals last year, Maikel Garcia made his name known around MLB. Now his name is resonating on the world stage.
The 26-year-old infielder was named MVP of the World Baseball Classic after Venezuela defeated the tournament favorite USA with a thrilling 3-2 victory in the final on Tuesday night.
Garcia hit .385 for the Classic with a home run and seven RBIs, and he drove in the first run of the game in the final with a sac fly off USA starter Nolan McLean. He also had a key hit in Venezuela’s decisive three-run rally in the seventh inning of the semifinals against Team Italy.
“The place I come from, we are born with that characteristic, to be competitive every day no matter where you are playing or what you are playing,” Garcia said earlier in the tournament. “I love facing the best rivals.”
Dodgers Shohei Ohtani is driving MLB’s boom in Japan
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani isn’t just the best baseball player in the world. He’s also the driving force behind why Japanese fans are watching Major League Baseball.
In a country where baseball already pulses through the culture like oxygen, Ohtani has turned passion into obsession. According to a YouGov Sport survey, nearly 8 in 10 Japanese fans now say he’s one of their favorite MLB players, and more importantly, 79 percent admit he’s the reason their interest in Major League Baseball has grown.
Ohtani’s current team, the Dodgers, have now become Japan’s team. A commanding 59 percent of the nation said the Dodgers are their favorite MLB team. That’s no coincidence. Ohtani, alongside countrymen Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, has turned Dodger Stadium into a second home for millions of fans watching from across the Pacific.
When the Dodgers reached the 2025 World Series, more than half of Japanese sports fans tuned in—and 86 percent of them weren’t just watching. They were emotionally invested.
This is the rarest kind of athlete, the kind who doesn’t just dominate a sport but redefines its geography. Ohtani hasn’t simply bridged Japan and America—he’s collapsed the distance between them. Every home run, every splitter, every moment under the lights pulls two baseball worlds closer together.
Bengals Hosting Intriguing QB Prospect for Visit as Search for Joe Burrow’s Backup Continues
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals signed veteran quarterback Josh Johnson over the weekend. They’re also hoping to re-sign Joe Flacco at some point this offseason.
Johnson’s return to Cincinnati isn’t stopping them from doing their due diligence at quarterback.
Pre-Draft Visit Scheduled
The Cincinnati Bengals will host Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis for a pre-draft 30 visit according to Justin Melo of NFL Draft On SI.
Kaliakmanis appeared in 48 collegiate games, spending two years at Minnesota before transferring for Rutgers, where he spent the past two seasons.
He threw for a career-high 3,124 yards at Rutgers last season, which was the fourth-most in school history. He completed 62.2% of his passes with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Kaliakmanis is projected to be a late day three draft pick or undrafted free agent. The Bengals have two sixth and two seventh round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. it’s reasonable to think they could use one on a quarterback.
What Bengals Are Looking for Behind Joe Burrow
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The Bengals haven’t used a draft pick on a quarterback since they took Joe Burrow in the 2020 NFL Draft. This could be the year they end that streak.
That pick may not be their backup this season—especially if they can re-sign Flacco, but adding a developmental piece could go a long way toward addressing the long-term need.
Chiefs Blockbuster Draft-Day Trade Pitch Nets Team Bailey or Bain
The Kansas City Chiefs are candidates to make an NFL draft-day splash by trading into position for one of the three elite pass-rushers in the 2026 class.
Field Yates of ESPN in his most recent mock draft last week predicted that David Bailey and Arvell Reese will come off the board at pick Nos. 2 and 3 to the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals, respectively, leaving only Rueben Bain Jr. as the last elite edge-rusher before the prospect talent level drops to its second tier.
Yates had Bain heading to the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 10 overall.
Max Loeb of Bleacher Report was a bit more generous with regards to the potential availability of Bailey in the range of pick Nos. 5 and 6 on Monday, March 16, when Loeb suggested a trade proposal involving the Chiefs and one of the two teams selecting in those spots.
“[The Chiefs] have nine picks in the draft and they are picking ninth overall,” Loeb said. “But the reality with this Chiefs team is they need an immediate impact player with their roster built to win now, and the top edge-rushers in the draft may not fall to them at nine. I could see the New York Giants or the Cleveland Browns trading down and the Kansas City Chiefs moving up to take someone like David Bailey or Rueben Bain.”
Chiefs Could to Stay Put at Pick No. 9 in Hopes of Top Edge Defender Falling, or Drafting for CB Need Instead
The question Kansas City will have to ask itself after the first four picks are made on Thursday, April 23 is what are the chances the franchise can hold fast at No. 9 and still grab a top edge-rusher?
If Bailey falls to at least pick five and is still there with Bain when the Giants go on the clock, the Chiefs might feel secure in remaining at No. 9 and hoping one of the two falls. That said, Bailey’s presence at No. 5 and the Giants’ lack of need for another pass-rusher could open the floodgates on trade talk from teams further down the draft order looking to move up and nab a potentially game-changing drive wrecker.
Another factor that might keep Kansas City at No. 9 overall is how badly the team needs to add a top cornerback who can contribute immediately. Yates has no cornerbacks and just one safety, Caleb Downs of Ohio State, coming off the board before the Chiefs’ first selection, which would mean they would have first dibs on every cornerback in the class if that is the direction they choose.
Browns Could Potentially Drop 3 Spots in Trade With Chiefs, Still Land Top Draft Target
The value should be there for the Browns to hop down three spots and pick up a solid asset in return from the Chiefs, perhaps the 74th overall selection in Round 3.
Cleveland is most likely looking at adding an offensive tackle or a wide receiver with the No. 6 pick and should still be able to get an excellent player to fill either void three spots later, particularly if the Browns know that the Chiefs are moving up to draft an edge-rusher and won’t consider taking a player at another position.
Yates has wideout Carnell Tate of Ohio State coming off the board at No. 4 to the Tennessee Titans anyway, but also projected that the New Orleans Saints will take receiver Makai Lemon of USC at No. 8. If the Browns want Lemon, then trading down could be a problem.
However, Yates predicted after the opening day of free agency that the Browns will key in on offensive tackle Monroe Freeling out of Georgia with the sixth pick to complete their offensive line rebuild. In that scenario, the Browns can move down three spots, grab an extra third-round selection and still get their player of choice in Freeling at No. 9 overall.
Micah Parsons, Lane Johnson & Others Pay Respect as Darius Slay Announces NFL Retirement
When the Pittsburgh Steelers waived cornerback Darius Slay in December 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles moved to bring him back. They had dealt with cornerback inconsistency all season, and Slay was an obvious call. The Buffalo Bills, holding a higher waiver priority, claimed him first. But he never reported to the Bills. With no way back to his old team, the 13-year veteran was left with a decision. And on Monday, March 16, Big Play Slay gave his answer.
Darius Slay announced his retirement on Instagram, and the journey spanning Detroit to Pittsburgh came to an end.
“Dear football, I wanna thank you for all you’ve done for me. I’ve been blessed to play the game I loved since I was 5yrs old for an amazing 13yrs at the highest level,” Slay wrote in his announcement. “Football was my peace, my joy, my everything.”
Slay’s message, posted as the caption to an Instagram reel highlighting his NFL career, went further.
“This game put me in a position to help take care of my family and loved ones and I’m forever grateful,” Slay wrote. “It’s hard to say goodbye, but God has a new chapter for me and I’m ready to turn the page and start my new journey. To all my BigPlay fans, I will always appreciate the love and support y’all have given to me. I couldn’t have done it without you. Just A kid from Brunswick, GA with BIG dreams… ✊🏽.”
Choosing retirement instead of going somewhere he didn’t want to was a true Darius Slay move, too. Back in December 2021, Darius Slay appeared on the All Things Covered podcast, and told host Bryant McFadden exactly why he’d never play for the Dallas Cowboys.
“I heard Dallas had wanted to trade for me,” Slay said. “I said, ‘nah I ain’t going there.’ I wasn’t going to Dallas. I couldn’t stand them. They cheated us.”
That grudge traced back to a 2014 NFC Wild Card game, where the officials first threw a pass interference flag on Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens, and then picked it back up. The Detroit Lions lost 24-20. Slay was a starting cornerback for those Lions. Whether Dallas or Buffalo, he was never going anywhere he didn’t choose.
A second-round Lions pick out of Mississippi State in 2013, Slay played 187 career games across 13 seasons. He now ends his NFL career with 28 interceptions, 163 passes defended, and 655 tackles on the stat sheet. Beyond that, he’s got six Pro Bowls, a 2017 First-team All-Pro, and a Super Bowl ring (LIX).
Slay’s retirement post moved fast. And what followed was a genuine roll call of opponents, peers, and former teammates in the comments.
NFL peers and rivals react to Darius Slay’s retirement
Former Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons had been one of Slay’s longtime NFC East rivals. But when the retirement post dropped, Parsons didn’t let division history get in the way.
“We gonna miss you legend !! 👑🦁,” Parsons wrote.
Another NFC East rival, former Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs, also weighed in. Playing the same position as Slay, Diggs’ words carried the standard Slay had set for other players.
“The biggest!!!!” Diggs wrote.
Sauce Gardner, himself among the league’s elite corners, also spoke about what Slay meant to the league.
“ you jus don’t know how many people you gave hope to in detroit.. i’m one of em🤞🏾,” Gardner commented.
Offensive tackle Lane Johnson shared a locker room with Slay through two Eagles Super Bowl runs. From a teammate who’d seen it all up close, just two words were enough.
“Congrats bro!,” Johnson shared.
Former Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell went with a “Big play slay!!” Corner Zech McPhearson, who played alongside Slay in Philly during his final seasons with the team, offered his own, “TBE!! Congrats my boy💪🏽🔥.”
But out of all the tributes, the one that hit differently came from Jennifer Slay, Darius’s wife.
“You had an amazing 13 years my love!!!! Put in the work, Sweat, tears all the above,” Jennifer wrote. “Extremely blessed! We are all super proud of all your accomplishments! We love you and can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!!! GREATNESS my love!!! G.O.A.T out✌🏽❤️.”
But that wasn’t enough. Jennifer, who’d seen every aspect of Slay’s NFL career, followed it up shortly later with another comment.
“Ngl this made me cry….😭,” she wrote.
From Brunswick, Georgia, to a Super Bowl ring, Big Play Slay always played on his own terms. And 13 seasons later, he went out the same way.
Felon posed as porn star while running racket targeting NFL, NBA athletes: feds
A Georgia felon allegedly posed as an adult film star to target NFL and NBA athletes in a phishing scam and ran a sex-trafficking scheme — coercing a woman into filming sex acts with the top athletes, according to authorities.
Kwamaine Jerell Ford, 34, of Buford, was charged in connection with the elaborate racket, targeting a slew of professional athletes, that he started while in prison in November 2020, the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Georgia announced on Monday.
Ford, who was already convicted of computer fraud and aggravated identity theft, allegedly obtained login credentials for Apple accounts belonging to NBA and NFL players after posing as a well-known porn star and offering to send them sexually explicit videos, federal prosecutors said.
The scammer also “spoofed” legitimate Apple customer service accounts and posed as an Apple customer support representative to get victims to send their sensitive username and password information to access videos that the fraudulent porn star’s persona was trying to send to athletes, authorities alleged.
Ford then obtained credit and debit card information belonging to the victims and used it toward his own personal spending, prosecutors added.
In May 2021, Ford also allegedly recruited and disturbingly coerced a woman into engaging in commercial sex acts with the pro athletes while still posing as an adult film star, promising her that he could boost her modeling career.
He used additional fake personas to threaten the victim and pressure her to continue having sex with the athletes — which he profited from and coerced her into filming without the athlete’s consent, officials charged.
The athletes targeted in the intricate scheme have not been publicly identified.
“While serving time for stealing credit card numbers from athletes and celebrities to fund his lifestyle, Ford allegedly engaged in the same conduct again,” US Attorney Theodore Hertzberg said in a statement.
“Disturbingly, the indictment alleges that Ford went even further and used a fraudulent online persona to traffic a young woman and coerce her to produce hidden camera videos of commercial sex acts with unknowing individuals,” Hertzberg added.
Ford appeared in federal court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to nine counts of wire fraud, seven counts of computer fraud, one count of access device fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of sex trafficking.
He was ordered held without bail pending his trial. The case is being investigated by the FBI, authorities said.
“Kwamaine Ford clearly did not learn from his prior conviction for a similar scheme. This time, he allegedly escalated his criminal activity—stealing identities and money while also moving into coercion and sex trafficking,” FBI Georgia Acting Special Agent in Charge Peter Ellis said in a statement.
“The FBI’s dedicated agents remain committed to staying ahead of schemes like this and protecting the public from individuals who exploit and harm others for personal gain.”
Matthew Stafford’s Wife Kelly Pens Heartbreaking Message After Darius Slay’s Retirement
For years, Darius Slay Jr. built a reputation as one of the NFL’s most reliable shutdown corners, a player who thrived on competition and never backed down from the game’s biggest moments. But every career, no matter how decorated, eventually reaches its final snap. On Monday, the six-time Pro Bowler and Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champion made it official that he’s stepping away from football after 13 remarkable seasons. Now, after announcing his retirement from the league, Slay Jr. received a special message from the family of his friend and former teammate, Matthew Stafford.
“This sport won’t be the same without Slay,” Matthew Stafford’s wife, Kelly Stafford, wrote as a caption of her Instagram story, including a broken heart emoji on ESPN’s post about the 35-year-old’s retirement.
Slay and Stafford were teammates for seven seasons with the Detroit Lions from 2013 to 2019 and developed a deep friendship that extends beyond the gridiron. Hence, when the champion cornerback decided to hang up his boots, Stafford’s wife, Kelly, shared an emotional message on social media. The Lions drafted Stafford with the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the season after they went 0-16. Then, five years later, the franchise selected Slay 36th overall in 2013.
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This friendship is further highlighted by Slay’s comments about Stafford ahead of an Eagles-Rams game in January of the 2024-25 season.
“He’s one of my good friends, and I’m happy for him,” Slay said, as per the Eagles’ website. “Guys were always questioning him and ‘can he do this’ and ‘can he do that’ and as soon as he went somewhere else, he showed everybody what he can do. He’s a smart dude, amazing arm talent. He gets it done. He’s in that elite-arm-talent conversation. He can put the ball anywhere, fit it anywhere. Honestly, he’s been doing ‘no looks (passes)’ before they had that going on. Now, everybody is hype about it.”
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With this reaction, it’s clear that the duo share a deep bond, and hence Kelly Stafford’s comments are the perfect way to celebrate a player who calls it time after an illustrious career spanning over 13 seasons. In this tenure, Slay recorded 28 interceptions, 163 passes defended, and 655 tackles in his 13-season career while receiving six Pro Bowl and a first-team All-Pro nod.
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Furthermore, the 35-year-old also won the Lombardi Trophy in the later stages of his career, playing a key role for the Eagles team that emerged victorious in Super Bowl 2024 against the Kansas City Chiefs. But after this triumphant year, Slay was released by the Eagles before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2025-26 season.
Now that he has announced his retirement, Darius Slay shared an emotional message reflecting on his 13-year NFL career.
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“I’ve been blessed to play the game I loved since I was 5yrs old for an amazing 13yrs at the highest level,” Slay wrote on an Instagram post, which included video of the jerseys he’s worn throughout his life. “Football was my peace, my joy, my everything. This game put me in a position to take care of my family and loved ones, and I’m forever grateful. It’s hard to say goodbye, but God has a new chapter for me, and I’m ready to turn the page and start my new journey.”
Not long ago, Slay joked that no team besides Philadelphia should even bother calling him about playing in 2026. Now, it seems the veteran corner is ready to close the door on that chapter entirely and embrace whatever comes next.
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“This game put me in a position to take care of my family and loved ones, and I’m forever grateful. It’s hard to say goodbye, but God has a new chapter for me, and I’m ready to turn the page and start my new journey.”
Meanwhile, Kelly Stafford, the Rams QB1’s wife and the host of The Morning After podcast, has never shied away from sharing her emotions on social media when it comes to those close to the family. And it seems the Stafford household is not done with goodbyes just yet. As the players continue to switch teams through the offseason, Kelly also shared a heartfelt message for one of Matthew’s favorite targets, who is set to leave Los Angeles.
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Kelly Stafford bids adieu to Tutu Atwell after his LA exit
Throughout a dominant 2025 run, which ended with an NFC Championship defeat, the Los Angeles Rams built one of the best teams in the league. Hence, when a key offensive weapon like wide receiver Tutu Atwell left the team during free agency after signing a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins, Matthew Stafford’s wife, Kelly Stafford, posted a heartfelt goodbye to the veteran wideout.
“One of the favs of my family, including my daughters…You will be missed, but so happy you’re going home ©tutuatwell,” Kelly Stafford wrote in a parting message on her Instagram story.
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Tutu Atwell will leave the Rams after being drafted by the franchise as the 57th overall in the 2021 draft. Since then, the new Dolphins wideout recorded 105 catches for 1,535 yards and five touchdowns in 64 regular-season games while winning Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Steelers’ Impatience With Aaron Rodgers May Force Another QB Move: Report
Here’s a sentence that has rang true for the past three years: An NFL team is waiting on Aaron Rodgers to make a decision.
In February 2023, the future Hall of Fame quarterback entered a
Richard Sherman Makes Feelings Clear on 49ers, Brandon Aiyuk Situation
The San Francisco 49ers have yet to release Brandon Aiyuk, as neither party appears willing to continue the relationship heading into the 2026 NFL season. Nonetheless, the team has not released him yet because they reportedly feel they can trade him.
“They clearly think they can trade him for something,” Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area told NBC4 Sports’ JP Finlay. “I dont know if there is a bit of pettiness going on here…The pettiness is very obvious to look at but I dont think they would ruin the franchise’s reputation.”
As a result, with the NFL Draft still a few weeks away, there likely won’t be any solution until then, unless a team really wants to trade for Aiyuk, who missed the entire 2025 season.
Speculation has the receiver linked to the Washington Commanders, but nothing is concrete. Amid the discussion that the Niners are holding Aiyuk hostage, former 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman weighed in on the situation.
“The Brandon Aiyuk situation is interesting,” Sherman said on the March 16 edition of “The Richard Sherman Podcast.” “I see a lot of people commenting on that, that the 49ers are holding him hostage, and it’s unfair and they’re doing wrong by him [and] I want to give my two cents on that; I don’t think so. I think the opposite, because what would Brandon Aiyuk fetch in free agency right now, coming off a major injury? No tape for this season.
“Whatever you feel about reputation with the San Francisco 49ers or the league, etc., etc. The contract right now is for almost $30 million a year. If they cut him, the contract’s torn up, thrown away, and somebody’s going to re-sign him to a one-year, prove-it kind of deal.”
Brandon Aiyuk Should Hope That the Niners Trade Him
Moreover, Sherman believes that it’s in Aiyuk’s best interest to get traded rather than have the 49ers cut him and have him seek a new contract.
“If I’m Brandon Aiyuk, that’s the situation I want to be in; I want to be where you’re trading me and my contract to the new team so that I’m not on a one-year, $8 million prove-it deal,” Sherman added.
“I’m on the contract that I’ve been on, and if I play well, then that contract just continues, as it should. And so I don’t, I’m not in the camp of people that say the San Francisco 49ers are doing wrong by him. They’re doing what’s in their best business interest.
“But if I’m Brandon Aiyuk, it’s also in my best business interest, because if they cut me, then I have to convince a team that I’m worth $30 million and, hey, could you pay me $27 million for next season, even if it’s a one-year deal? That’s tougher to do. If they trade you, that’s already your contract. So I think that’s a big deal that people are ignoring.”
Are the 49ers the Bad Guys In This Entire Situation?
Meanwhile, 49ers reporter Grant Cohn of On SI believes the Niners are the bad guys in this situation for not cutting ties with Aiyuk and ending this long saga that took up all of the 2025 season.
Michael Strahan, Sauce Gardner & Others Send Congratulations as Jets QB Makes Personal Announcement
Not long ago, quarterback Tyrod Taylor was trying to navigate a difficult 2024 season with the struggling New York Jets while also facing turmoil away from the field, including a legal dispute with his former girlfriend over a Los Angeles home they once shared. Two years later, the football challenges haven’t entirely disappeared for Taylor, but life off the field looks very different. This time, the backup quarterback is stepping into a new chapter, one that brings a sense of fresh beginnings and a new love by his side.
“You are my everything 💙♾️,” Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor wrote in a collaborative Instagram post announcing his engagement to Bianka Charity-Parker.
In the pictures shared by the player, the duo can be seen hugging each other against the stunning backdrop of the Duomo di Milano. Tyrod Taylor stands in a sleek black suit, smiling as he holds his fiancée close. Bianka, on the other hand, is wearing an elegant white dress with a backless design and delicate straps, leaning into him with a bright, joyful expression.
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In one of the photos, Tyrod Taylor can be seen sliding the ring onto Bianka’s finger, as the couple happily embraces their new chapter, drawing love and congratulatory reactions from NFL personalities like Michael Strahan and Sauce Gardner.
“Congratulations to you both!!👏🏾❤️,” Michael Strahan wrote. The message carried extra meaning considering both players’ ties to the New York Giants.
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Soon after, Taylor’s former teammates also joined the celebration.
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“this 🅿️ congrats my dawg🤞🏾,” Sauce Gardner commented.
The two were teammates during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Taylor joined the Jets as an experienced backup in 2024, while Gardner was already a key player after being drafted in 2022.
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Meanwhile, more familiar names chimed in as the congratulatory messages kept coming. Mark Ingram II commented, “Heavy Blessings 🙏🏾👑.” He and Taylor were teammates on the Houston Texans in 2021.
Former wide receiver Torrey Smith also shared his excitement, saying, “There she is 🦄 🙌🏿.”
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Taylor’s current teammates also celebrated the moment as well. Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard shared his support by writing, “My brotha, so happy for y’all !! 🍾🔥.”
The love extended beyond the locker room, too. Patriots star Stefon Diggs added, “Congrats !!!!,” while Giants quarterback Jameis Winston wrote, “Yessuh! Blessings, brother!”
As the congratulations keep coming, Tyrod Taylor and his fiancée have made waves across the internet. There is currently no public timeline detailing when their relationship began, as neither of them has spoken publicly about it. However, fans already know that Taylor parted ways with his ex, Draya Michele, in 2023. Because of that, his relationship with Bianka Charity-Parker likely began sometime after their breakup.
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Besides being a partner of the quarterback, Bianka also has her own identity. She works as a part-time psychologist at the Boston Child Study Center.
According to the center’s website, “She specializes in evidence-based treatments, notably Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and primarily treats children, adolescents, and young adults with difficulties in emotion regulation, mood, and anxiety disorders, trauma-related symptoms, and co-occurring suicidal behaviors and non-suicidal self-injury.”
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Dr. Bianka Charity-Parker also works as a psychologist for a public charter school system in Washington, DC. Dr. She built her journey with patience, purpose, and a deep passion for helping others.
Bianka first graduated from Spelman College, earning a B.A. in psychology and comparative women’s studies. Soon after, she stepped into the classroom as a kindergarten teacher with the Knowledge Is Power Program in Metro Atlanta, pouring her energy into young students at the very start of their educational journeys. But her path was only beginning. Driven by a desire to understand and support children on a deeper level, she went on to pursue doctoral studies at the University of Virginia, where years of dedication and hard work eventually led her to earn a Ph.D. in clinical and school psychology in August 2022.
Along the way, she trained at the Center for Multicultural Psychology and Training, gaining valuable experience during her clinical psychology predoctoral internship. Later, she continued that mission at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, completing a postdoctoral fellowship within the Clinical Child Psychology Specialty Program. While at Brown, she received extensive training at Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital, working closely with children and adolescents in intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and inpatient programs.
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After years of focusing on her professional work, she is now looking forward to enjoying her personal time with Tyrod Taylor, who is also preparing for the 2026 season. This new chapter might also help Taylor emotionally, given his difficult past with Michele
Tyrod Taylor’s past legal battle with his ex-girlfriend
Tyrod Taylor has been dealing with a legal dispute with his former girlfriend, Draya Michele, over a house they previously shared in California. Throughout their relationship, they didn’t often post pictures together. Since then, the longtime NFL quarterback has mostly stayed quiet about the matter.
Draya Michele is a well-known actress and social media star from Pennsylvania. She and Tyrod Taylor began dating in 2020 but broke up in 2023. Since then, neither side has ever publicly shared a specific reason for the breakup. Instead, reports suggested the split happened after disagreements involving finances and their housing situation.
After the relationship ended, things got complicated legally. Michele sued Taylor, saying he broke a promise about their shared property. She claimed that they agreed she would buy the house for $3.2 million, but she said Taylor later refused to go along with it.
Travis Kelce, Jason Kelce, Get Disappointing News Amid NFL Offseason
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is one busy man.
In addition to preparing to play his 14th season in the NFL and planning his wedding with pop star Taylor Swift, he has numerous side-career ventures.
He launched a clothing line with American Eagle, opened up 1587 Prime steakhouse with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and serves as the brand ambassador for numerous major companies. Kelce does all this in addition to co-hosting the “New Heights” podcast with his older brother, ESPN analyst Jason Kelce.
The podcast was immediately successful after it first launched in 2022. As their popularity exponentially grew, the Kelce brothers inked a deal with Amazon’s Wondery for over $100 million in August 2024, Variety reported.
At the time, “New Heights” was fresh off winning the iHeartPodcast’s marquee award, Podcast of the Year. They also won for Best Overall Ensemble that year. In 2025, “New Heights” took home the iHeartPodcast for Best Sports. However, Travis and Jason didn’t fare too well this year.
‘New Heights’ Went Home Empty-Handed at the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards
“New Heights” was nominated in the Best Sports category at the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards, which took place in Austin, Texas on March 16. However, they lost to “Pardon My Take.” Other nominees included “The Zach Lowe Show,” “Club 520,” and “The Ringer Fantasy Football Show.”
“New Heights” was not nominated in any other category. While the show went home empty-handed, “New Heights” remains incredibly popular. Star studded guests over the past few months include Leonardo DiCaprio, Randy Moss, Cooper Kupp, Matt Damon, Caitlin Clark, Paul Rudd, George Clooney, Matthew Stafford, and more.
After winning Podcast of the Year in 2024, Travis, 36, and Jason, 38, shared a heartfelt message with fans. “We would be remiss if we didn’t immediately thank all of the 92%ers out there, aka Swifties, who voted for us to win this award,” Jason said. “Listen, this is an incredible honor, especially for two jabronis like us. To receive an award like this is beyond humbling.”
Travis added, “Thank you guys for everything, and we truly do have the best fan base in the entire world. Thank you guys for voting every single day of every single month and every hour that day.”
‘New Heights’ Made It Into The Guinness World Records Following Taylor Swift’s Podcast Appearance
Swift’s appearance on “New Heights” drew record-breaking viewership numbers. The show’s official X account posted in August, “NEW NEWS… we’re officially Guinness World Record holders 👀.”
Guinness World Records reported, “With a total of 1.3 million, it pulled in the most concurrent views for a podcast on YouTube on 13 August. At the time of writing, the episode ‘Taylor Swift on Reclaiming Her Masters, Wrapping The Eras Tour, and The Life of a Showgirl’ has been viewed more than 20 million times on the platform.
“The two-hour long episode was a real rarity for fans. It’s been years since Taylor has sat down for an interview this in-depth.”
Packers Put on Notice in NFL Free Agency
In the middle of March, the roster building has just begun for general managers such as Brian Gutekunst. But with the Green Bay Packers, Gutekunst might have a lot more work to do than he thought.
Well, that’s the case according to a few analysts grading roster moves early in NFL free agency.
SI on Packers’ Bill Huber argued the additions Gutekunst made early in free agency isn’t enough to move the needle.
As a final grade to the first few days of free agency, Huber gave the Packers a D-plus.
“As far as winning the Super Bowl, which should be what matters in Titletown, the whole season might boil down to if or when Parsons and Kraft return to form. A roster that wasn’t good enough to overcome their injuries last season hasn’t been sufficiently upgraded this offseason,” wrote Huber.
“There’s a saying that states if you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse. It’d be hard to argue the Packers have gotten better.”
Pro Football Focus’s Gordon McGuinness didn’t disagree. While grading the entire league’s free agency moves one week into the new year, the PFF analyst gave the Packers a D.
That was the worst grade McGuinness gave any team Monday.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton didn’t give the Packers a bad grade. However, he just omitted Green Bay entirely while listing the top 10 rosters around the league as of Monday.
Moton also included three “honorable mentions” on his list. The Packers, though, remained nowhere to be found.
That means, at best, Moton sees Green Bay as having about an average roster around the league.
Brian Gutekunst’s Packers Getting Poor Marks in NFL Free Agency
Other analysts have been more favorable to Green Bay with offseason grades this month. Still, it’s never a good sign that any pundit has the ability to give a team a D-grade in free agency.
In Green Bay’s case, it’s multiple pundits.
The most alarming diss for the Packers, though, might have been missing the top 13 roster rankings list at Bleacher Report.
There’s a lot of subjectivity to grades and exactly placement on rankings list. But for Moton to feel confident enough that Green Bay wasn’t even worth an honorable mention when talking about the best rosters around the league is a strong statement.
It’s simple not where the Packers, who have been to the playoffs six of the past seven years, are used to being.
At one point a few months ago, Green Bay arguably had one of the best rosters in the league while sitting at 9-3-1. But the franchise started heading in the wrong direction in the middle of December and arguably have yet to truly turn back into the right direction.
Packers Roster Exposed Late in 2025 Season
Green Bay suffered several key injuries in Week 15 versus the Denver Broncos. The biggest of which was to superstar edge rusher Micah Parsons.
After that week, the Packers didn’t win another game last season.
It’s hard in the NFL to overcome injuries to superstars. It’s the superstars that often win championships, and to have superstars, teams have to pay them like stars. They account for a big chunk of the salary cap.
No defender is more expensive than Parsons.
That can cause a roster to be top heavy, which is a problem when the stars aren’t in the lineup.
Without Parsons for the final four games, Green Bay gave up an average of 27.5 points per game including the playoffs. In three of those four contests, the Packers also allowed at least 400 yards.
During the postseason, the Chicago Bears posted 31 points and 445 yards.
Yet through the first week of free agency, Green Bay’s biggest external defensive additions were 33-year-old defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste.
Analysts who saw Green Bay’s roster as an issue during the five-game losing streak to end 2025 are unlikely to feel differently about it now.
That’s a problem for Gutekunst. According to some analysts, the roster needs a lot of work.
Bengals Hosting Intriguing QB Prospect for Visit as Search for Joe Burrow’s Backup Continues
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals signed veteran quarterback Josh Johnson over the weekend. They’re also hoping to re-sign Joe Flacco at some point this offseason.
Johnson’s return to Cincinnati isn’t stopping them from doing their due diligence at quarterback.
Pre-Draft Visit Scheduled
The Cincinnati Bengals will host Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis for a pre-draft 30 visit according to Justin Melo of NFL Draft On SI.
Kaliakmanis appeared in 48 collegiate games, spending two years at Minnesota before transferring for Rutgers, where he spent the past two seasons.
He threw for a career-high 3,124 yards at Rutgers last season, which was the fourth-most in school history. He completed 62.2% of his passes with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Kaliakmanis is projected to be a late day three draft pick or undrafted free agent. The Bengals have two sixth and two seventh round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. it’s reasonable to think they could use one on a quarterback.
What Bengals Are Looking for Behind Joe Burrow
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The Bengals haven’t used a draft pick on a quarterback since they took Joe Burrow in the 2020 NFL Draft. This could be the year they end that streak.
That pick may not be their backup this season—especially if they can re-sign Flacco, but adding a developmental piece could go a long way toward addressing the long-term need.
Chiefs Blockbuster Draft-Day Trade Pitch Nets Team Bailey or Bain
The Kansas City Chiefs are candidates to make an NFL draft-day splash by trading into position for one of the three elite pass-rushers in the 2026 class.
Field Yates of ESPN in his most recent mock draft last week predicted that David Bailey and Arvell Reese will come off the board at pick Nos. 2 and 3 to the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals, respectively, leaving only Rueben Bain Jr. as the last elite edge-rusher before the prospect talent level drops to its second tier.
Yates had Bain heading to the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 10 overall.
Max Loeb of Bleacher Report was a bit more generous with regards to the potential availability of Bailey in the range of pick Nos. 5 and 6 on Monday, March 16, when Loeb suggested a trade proposal involving the Chiefs and one of the two teams selecting in those spots.
“[The Chiefs] have nine picks in the draft and they are picking ninth overall,” Loeb said. “But the reality with this Chiefs team is they need an immediate impact player with their roster built to win now, and the top edge-rushers in the draft may not fall to them at nine. I could see the New York Giants or the Cleveland Browns trading down and the Kansas City Chiefs moving up to take someone like David Bailey or Rueben Bain.”
Chiefs Could to Stay Put at Pick No. 9 in Hopes of Top Edge Defender Falling, or Drafting for CB Need Instead
The question Kansas City will have to ask itself after the first four picks are made on Thursday, April 23 is what are the chances the franchise can hold fast at No. 9 and still grab a top edge-rusher?
If Bailey falls to at least pick five and is still there with Bain when the Giants go on the clock, the Chiefs might feel secure in remaining at No. 9 and hoping one of the two falls. That said, Bailey’s presence at No. 5 and the Giants’ lack of need for another pass-rusher could open the floodgates on trade talk from teams further down the draft order looking to move up and nab a potentially game-changing drive wrecker.
Another factor that might keep Kansas City at No. 9 overall is how badly the team needs to add a top cornerback who can contribute immediately. Yates has no cornerbacks and just one safety, Caleb Downs of Ohio State, coming off the board before the Chiefs’ first selection, which would mean they would have first dibs on every cornerback in the class if that is the direction they choose.
Browns Could Potentially Drop 3 Spots in Trade With Chiefs, Still Land Top Draft Target
The value should be there for the Browns to hop down three spots and pick up a solid asset in return from the Chiefs, perhaps the 74th overall selection in Round 3.
Cleveland is most likely looking at adding an offensive tackle or a wide receiver with the No. 6 pick and should still be able to get an excellent player to fill either void three spots later, particularly if the Browns know that the Chiefs are moving up to draft an edge-rusher and won’t consider taking a player at another position.
Yates has wideout Carnell Tate of Ohio State coming off the board at No. 4 to the Tennessee Titans anyway, but also projected that the New Orleans Saints will take receiver Makai Lemon of USC at No. 8. If the Browns want Lemon, then trading down could be a problem.
However, Yates predicted after the opening day of free agency that the Browns will key in on offensive tackle Monroe Freeling out of Georgia with the sixth pick to complete their offensive line rebuild. In that scenario, the Browns can move down three spots, grab an extra third-round selection and still get their player of choice in Freeling at No. 9 overall.
Micah Parsons, Lane Johnson & Others Pay Respect as Darius Slay Announces NFL Retirement
When the Pittsburgh Steelers waived cornerback Darius Slay in December 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles moved to bring him back. They had dealt with cornerback inconsistency all season, and Slay was an obvious call. The Buffalo Bills, holding a higher waiver priority, claimed him first. But he never reported to the Bills. With no way back to his old team, the 13-year veteran was left with a decision. And on Monday, March 16, Big Play Slay gave his answer.
Darius Slay announced his retirement on Instagram, and the journey spanning Detroit to Pittsburgh came to an end.
“Dear football, I wanna thank you for all you’ve done for me. I’ve been blessed to play the game I loved since I was 5yrs old for an amazing 13yrs at the highest level,” Slay wrote in his announcement. “Football was my peace, my joy, my everything.”
Slay’s message, posted as the caption to an Instagram reel highlighting his NFL career, went further.
“This game put me in a position to help take care of my family and loved ones and I’m forever grateful,” Slay wrote. “It’s hard to say goodbye, but God has a new chapter for me and I’m ready to turn the page and start my new journey. To all my BigPlay fans, I will always appreciate the love and support y’all have given to me. I couldn’t have done it without you. Just A kid from Brunswick, GA with BIG dreams… ✊🏽.”
Choosing retirement instead of going somewhere he didn’t want to was a true Darius Slay move, too. Back in December 2021, Darius Slay appeared on the All Things Covered podcast, and told host Bryant McFadden exactly why he’d never play for the Dallas Cowboys.
“I heard Dallas had wanted to trade for me,” Slay said. “I said, ‘nah I ain’t going there.’ I wasn’t going to Dallas. I couldn’t stand them. They cheated us.”
That grudge traced back to a 2014 NFC Wild Card game, where the officials first threw a pass interference flag on Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens, and then picked it back up. The Detroit Lions lost 24-20. Slay was a starting cornerback for those Lions. Whether Dallas or Buffalo, he was never going anywhere he didn’t choose.
A second-round Lions pick out of Mississippi State in 2013, Slay played 187 career games across 13 seasons. He now ends his NFL career with 28 interceptions, 163 passes defended, and 655 tackles on the stat sheet. Beyond that, he’s got six Pro Bowls, a 2017 First-team All-Pro, and a Super Bowl ring (LIX).
Slay’s retirement post moved fast. And what followed was a genuine roll call of opponents, peers, and former teammates in the comments.
NFL peers and rivals react to Darius Slay’s retirement
Former Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons had been one of Slay’s longtime NFC East rivals. But when the retirement post dropped, Parsons didn’t let division history get in the way.
“We gonna miss you legend !! 👑🦁,” Parsons wrote.
Another NFC East rival, former Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs, also weighed in. Playing the same position as Slay, Diggs’ words carried the standard Slay had set for other players.
“The biggest!!!!” Diggs wrote.
Sauce Gardner, himself among the league’s elite corners, also spoke about what Slay meant to the league.
“ you jus don’t know how many people you gave hope to in detroit.. i’m one of em🤞🏾,” Gardner commented.
Offensive tackle Lane Johnson shared a locker room with Slay through two Eagles Super Bowl runs. From a teammate who’d seen it all up close, just two words were enough.
“Congrats bro!,” Johnson shared.
Former Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell went with a “Big play slay!!” Corner Zech McPhearson, who played alongside Slay in Philly during his final seasons with the team, offered his own, “TBE!! Congrats my boy💪🏽🔥.”
But out of all the tributes, the one that hit differently came from Jennifer Slay, Darius’s wife.
“You had an amazing 13 years my love!!!! Put in the work, Sweat, tears all the above,” Jennifer wrote. “Extremely blessed! We are all super proud of all your accomplishments! We love you and can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!!! GREATNESS my love!!! G.O.A.T out✌🏽❤️.”
But that wasn’t enough. Jennifer, who’d seen every aspect of Slay’s NFL career, followed it up shortly later with another comment.
“Ngl this made me cry….😭,” she wrote.
From Brunswick, Georgia, to a Super Bowl ring, Big Play Slay always played on his own terms. And 13 seasons later, he went out the same way.
Felon posed as porn star while running racket targeting NFL, NBA athletes: feds
A Georgia felon allegedly posed as an adult film star to target NFL and NBA athletes in a phishing scam and ran a sex-trafficking scheme — coercing a woman into filming sex acts with the top athletes, according to authorities.
Kwamaine Jerell Ford, 34, of Buford, was charged in connection with the elaborate racket, targeting a slew of professional athletes, that he started while in prison in November 2020, the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Georgia announced on Monday.
Ford, who was already convicted of computer fraud and aggravated identity theft, allegedly obtained login credentials for Apple accounts belonging to NBA and NFL players after posing as a well-known porn star and offering to send them sexually explicit videos, federal prosecutors said.
The scammer also “spoofed” legitimate Apple customer service accounts and posed as an Apple customer support representative to get victims to send their sensitive username and password information to access videos that the fraudulent porn star’s persona was trying to send to athletes, authorities alleged.
Ford then obtained credit and debit card information belonging to the victims and used it toward his own personal spending, prosecutors added.
In May 2021, Ford also allegedly recruited and disturbingly coerced a woman into engaging in commercial sex acts with the pro athletes while still posing as an adult film star, promising her that he could boost her modeling career.
He used additional fake personas to threaten the victim and pressure her to continue having sex with the athletes — which he profited from and coerced her into filming without the athlete’s consent, officials charged.
The athletes targeted in the intricate scheme have not been publicly identified.
“While serving time for stealing credit card numbers from athletes and celebrities to fund his lifestyle, Ford allegedly engaged in the same conduct again,” US Attorney Theodore Hertzberg said in a statement.
“Disturbingly, the indictment alleges that Ford went even further and used a fraudulent online persona to traffic a young woman and coerce her to produce hidden camera videos of commercial sex acts with unknowing individuals,” Hertzberg added.
Ford appeared in federal court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to nine counts of wire fraud, seven counts of computer fraud, one count of access device fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of sex trafficking.
He was ordered held without bail pending his trial. The case is being investigated by the FBI, authorities said.
“Kwamaine Ford clearly did not learn from his prior conviction for a similar scheme. This time, he allegedly escalated his criminal activity—stealing identities and money while also moving into coercion and sex trafficking,” FBI Georgia Acting Special Agent in Charge Peter Ellis said in a statement.
“The FBI’s dedicated agents remain committed to staying ahead of schemes like this and protecting the public from individuals who exploit and harm others for personal gain.”
Matthew Stafford’s Wife Kelly Pens Heartbreaking Message After Darius Slay’s Retirement
For years, Darius Slay Jr. built a reputation as one of the NFL’s most reliable shutdown corners, a player who thrived on competition and never backed down from the game’s biggest moments. But every career, no matter how decorated, eventually reaches its final snap. On Monday, the six-time Pro Bowler and Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champion made it official that he’s stepping away from football after 13 remarkable seasons. Now, after announcing his retirement from the league, Slay Jr. received a special message from the family of his friend and former teammate, Matthew Stafford.
“This sport won’t be the same without Slay,” Matthew Stafford’s wife, Kelly Stafford, wrote as a caption of her Instagram story, including a broken heart emoji on ESPN’s post about the 35-year-old’s retirement.
Slay and Stafford were teammates for seven seasons with the Detroit Lions from 2013 to 2019 and developed a deep friendship that extends beyond the gridiron. Hence, when the champion cornerback decided to hang up his boots, Stafford’s wife, Kelly, shared an emotional message on social media. The Lions drafted Stafford with the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the season after they went 0-16. Then, five years later, the franchise selected Slay 36th overall in 2013.
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This friendship is further highlighted by Slay’s comments about Stafford ahead of an Eagles-Rams game in January of the 2024-25 season.
“He’s one of my good friends, and I’m happy for him,” Slay said, as per the Eagles’ website. “Guys were always questioning him and ‘can he do this’ and ‘can he do that’ and as soon as he went somewhere else, he showed everybody what he can do. He’s a smart dude, amazing arm talent. He gets it done. He’s in that elite-arm-talent conversation. He can put the ball anywhere, fit it anywhere. Honestly, he’s been doing ‘no looks (passes)’ before they had that going on. Now, everybody is hype about it.”
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With this reaction, it’s clear that the duo share a deep bond, and hence Kelly Stafford’s comments are the perfect way to celebrate a player who calls it time after an illustrious career spanning over 13 seasons. In this tenure, Slay recorded 28 interceptions, 163 passes defended, and 655 tackles in his 13-season career while receiving six Pro Bowl and a first-team All-Pro nod.
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Furthermore, the 35-year-old also won the Lombardi Trophy in the later stages of his career, playing a key role for the Eagles team that emerged victorious in Super Bowl 2024 against the Kansas City Chiefs. But after this triumphant year, Slay was released by the Eagles before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2025-26 season.
Now that he has announced his retirement, Darius Slay shared an emotional message reflecting on his 13-year NFL career.
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“I’ve been blessed to play the game I loved since I was 5yrs old for an amazing 13yrs at the highest level,” Slay wrote on an Instagram post, which included video of the jerseys he’s worn throughout his life. “Football was my peace, my joy, my everything. This game put me in a position to take care of my family and loved ones, and I’m forever grateful. It’s hard to say goodbye, but God has a new chapter for me, and I’m ready to turn the page and start my new journey.”
Not long ago, Slay joked that no team besides Philadelphia should even bother calling him about playing in 2026. Now, it seems the veteran corner is ready to close the door on that chapter entirely and embrace whatever comes next.
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“This game put me in a position to take care of my family and loved ones, and I’m forever grateful. It’s hard to say goodbye, but God has a new chapter for me, and I’m ready to turn the page and start my new journey.”
Meanwhile, Kelly Stafford, the Rams QB1’s wife and the host of The Morning After podcast, has never shied away from sharing her emotions on social media when it comes to those close to the family. And it seems the Stafford household is not done with goodbyes just yet. As the players continue to switch teams through the offseason, Kelly also shared a heartfelt message for one of Matthew’s favorite targets, who is set to leave Los Angeles.
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Kelly Stafford bids adieu to Tutu Atwell after his LA exit
Throughout a dominant 2025 run, which ended with an NFC Championship defeat, the Los Angeles Rams built one of the best teams in the league. Hence, when a key offensive weapon like wide receiver Tutu Atwell left the team during free agency after signing a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins, Matthew Stafford’s wife, Kelly Stafford, posted a heartfelt goodbye to the veteran wideout.
“One of the favs of my family, including my daughters…You will be missed, but so happy you’re going home ©tutuatwell,” Kelly Stafford wrote in a parting message on her Instagram story.
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Tutu Atwell will leave the Rams after being drafted by the franchise as the 57th overall in the 2021 draft. Since then, the new Dolphins wideout recorded 105 catches for 1,535 yards and five touchdowns in 64 regular-season games while winning Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Steelers’ Impatience With Aaron Rodgers May Force Another QB Move: Report
Here’s a sentence that has rang true for the past three years: An NFL team is waiting on Aaron Rodgers to make a decision.
In February 2023, the future Hall of Fame quarterback entered a
Richard Sherman Makes Feelings Clear on 49ers, Brandon Aiyuk Situation
The San Francisco 49ers have yet to release Brandon Aiyuk, as neither party appears willing to continue the relationship heading into the 2026 NFL season. Nonetheless, the team has not released him yet because they reportedly feel they can trade him.
“They clearly think they can trade him for something,” Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area told NBC4 Sports’ JP Finlay. “I dont know if there is a bit of pettiness going on here…The pettiness is very obvious to look at but I dont think they would ruin the franchise’s reputation.”
As a result, with the NFL Draft still a few weeks away, there likely won’t be any solution until then, unless a team really wants to trade for Aiyuk, who missed the entire 2025 season.
Speculation has the receiver linked to the Washington Commanders, but nothing is concrete. Amid the discussion that the Niners are holding Aiyuk hostage, former 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman weighed in on the situation.
“The Brandon Aiyuk situation is interesting,” Sherman said on the March 16 edition of “The Richard Sherman Podcast.” “I see a lot of people commenting on that, that the 49ers are holding him hostage, and it’s unfair and they’re doing wrong by him [and] I want to give my two cents on that; I don’t think so. I think the opposite, because what would Brandon Aiyuk fetch in free agency right now, coming off a major injury? No tape for this season.
“Whatever you feel about reputation with the San Francisco 49ers or the league, etc., etc. The contract right now is for almost $30 million a year. If they cut him, the contract’s torn up, thrown away, and somebody’s going to re-sign him to a one-year, prove-it kind of deal.”
Brandon Aiyuk Should Hope That the Niners Trade Him
Moreover, Sherman believes that it’s in Aiyuk’s best interest to get traded rather than have the 49ers cut him and have him seek a new contract.
“If I’m Brandon Aiyuk, that’s the situation I want to be in; I want to be where you’re trading me and my contract to the new team so that I’m not on a one-year, $8 million prove-it deal,” Sherman added.
“I’m on the contract that I’ve been on, and if I play well, then that contract just continues, as it should. And so I don’t, I’m not in the camp of people that say the San Francisco 49ers are doing wrong by him. They’re doing what’s in their best business interest.
“But if I’m Brandon Aiyuk, it’s also in my best business interest, because if they cut me, then I have to convince a team that I’m worth $30 million and, hey, could you pay me $27 million for next season, even if it’s a one-year deal? That’s tougher to do. If they trade you, that’s already your contract. So I think that’s a big deal that people are ignoring.”
Are the 49ers the Bad Guys In This Entire Situation?
Meanwhile, 49ers reporter Grant Cohn of On SI believes the Niners are the bad guys in this situation for not cutting ties with Aiyuk and ending this long saga that took up all of the 2025 season.
Michael Strahan, Sauce Gardner & Others Send Congratulations as Jets QB Makes Personal Announcement
Not long ago, quarterback Tyrod Taylor was trying to navigate a difficult 2024 season with the struggling New York Jets while also facing turmoil away from the field, including a legal dispute with his former girlfriend over a Los Angeles home they once shared. Two years later, the football challenges haven’t entirely disappeared for Taylor, but life off the field looks very different. This time, the backup quarterback is stepping into a new chapter, one that brings a sense of fresh beginnings and a new love by his side.
“You are my everything 💙♾️,” Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor wrote in a collaborative Instagram post announcing his engagement to Bianka Charity-Parker.
In the pictures shared by the player, the duo can be seen hugging each other against the stunning backdrop of the Duomo di Milano. Tyrod Taylor stands in a sleek black suit, smiling as he holds his fiancée close. Bianka, on the other hand, is wearing an elegant white dress with a backless design and delicate straps, leaning into him with a bright, joyful expression.
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In one of the photos, Tyrod Taylor can be seen sliding the ring onto Bianka’s finger, as the couple happily embraces their new chapter, drawing love and congratulatory reactions from NFL personalities like Michael Strahan and Sauce Gardner.
“Congratulations to you both!!👏🏾❤️,” Michael Strahan wrote. The message carried extra meaning considering both players’ ties to the New York Giants.
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Soon after, Taylor’s former teammates also joined the celebration.
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“this 🅿️ congrats my dawg🤞🏾,” Sauce Gardner commented.
The two were teammates during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Taylor joined the Jets as an experienced backup in 2024, while Gardner was already a key player after being drafted in 2022.
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Meanwhile, more familiar names chimed in as the congratulatory messages kept coming. Mark Ingram II commented, “Heavy Blessings 🙏🏾👑.” He and Taylor were teammates on the Houston Texans in 2021.
Former wide receiver Torrey Smith also shared his excitement, saying, “There she is 🦄 🙌🏿.”
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Taylor’s current teammates also celebrated the moment as well. Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard shared his support by writing, “My brotha, so happy for y’all !! 🍾🔥.”
The love extended beyond the locker room, too. Patriots star Stefon Diggs added, “Congrats !!!!,” while Giants quarterback Jameis Winston wrote, “Yessuh! Blessings, brother!”
As the congratulations keep coming, Tyrod Taylor and his fiancée have made waves across the internet. There is currently no public timeline detailing when their relationship began, as neither of them has spoken publicly about it. However, fans already know that Taylor parted ways with his ex, Draya Michele, in 2023. Because of that, his relationship with Bianka Charity-Parker likely began sometime after their breakup.
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Besides being a partner of the quarterback, Bianka also has her own identity. She works as a part-time psychologist at the Boston Child Study Center.
According to the center’s website, “She specializes in evidence-based treatments, notably Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and primarily treats children, adolescents, and young adults with difficulties in emotion regulation, mood, and anxiety disorders, trauma-related symptoms, and co-occurring suicidal behaviors and non-suicidal self-injury.”
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Dr. Bianka Charity-Parker also works as a psychologist for a public charter school system in Washington, DC. Dr. She built her journey with patience, purpose, and a deep passion for helping others.
Bianka first graduated from Spelman College, earning a B.A. in psychology and comparative women’s studies. Soon after, she stepped into the classroom as a kindergarten teacher with the Knowledge Is Power Program in Metro Atlanta, pouring her energy into young students at the very start of their educational journeys. But her path was only beginning. Driven by a desire to understand and support children on a deeper level, she went on to pursue doctoral studies at the University of Virginia, where years of dedication and hard work eventually led her to earn a Ph.D. in clinical and school psychology in August 2022.
Along the way, she trained at the Center for Multicultural Psychology and Training, gaining valuable experience during her clinical psychology predoctoral internship. Later, she continued that mission at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, completing a postdoctoral fellowship within the Clinical Child Psychology Specialty Program. While at Brown, she received extensive training at Emma Pendleton Bradley Hospital, working closely with children and adolescents in intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and inpatient programs.
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After years of focusing on her professional work, she is now looking forward to enjoying her personal time with Tyrod Taylor, who is also preparing for the 2026 season. This new chapter might also help Taylor emotionally, given his difficult past with Michele
Tyrod Taylor’s past legal battle with his ex-girlfriend
Tyrod Taylor has been dealing with a legal dispute with his former girlfriend, Draya Michele, over a house they previously shared in California. Throughout their relationship, they didn’t often post pictures together. Since then, the longtime NFL quarterback has mostly stayed quiet about the matter.
Draya Michele is a well-known actress and social media star from Pennsylvania. She and Tyrod Taylor began dating in 2020 but broke up in 2023. Since then, neither side has ever publicly shared a specific reason for the breakup. Instead, reports suggested the split happened after disagreements involving finances and their housing situation.
After the relationship ended, things got complicated legally. Michele sued Taylor, saying he broke a promise about their shared property. She claimed that they agreed she would buy the house for $3.2 million, but she said Taylor later refused to go along with it.
Travis Kelce, Jason Kelce, Get Disappointing News Amid NFL Offseason
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is one busy man.
In addition to preparing to play his 14th season in the NFL and planning his wedding with pop star Taylor Swift, he has numerous side-career ventures.
He launched a clothing line with American Eagle, opened up 1587 Prime steakhouse with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and serves as the brand ambassador for numerous major companies. Kelce does all this in addition to co-hosting the “New Heights” podcast with his older brother, ESPN analyst Jason Kelce.
The podcast was immediately successful after it first launched in 2022. As their popularity exponentially grew, the Kelce brothers inked a deal with Amazon’s Wondery for over $100 million in August 2024, Variety reported.
At the time, “New Heights” was fresh off winning the iHeartPodcast’s marquee award, Podcast of the Year. They also won for Best Overall Ensemble that year. In 2025, “New Heights” took home the iHeartPodcast for Best Sports. However, Travis and Jason didn’t fare too well this year.
‘New Heights’ Went Home Empty-Handed at the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards
“New Heights” was nominated in the Best Sports category at the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards, which took place in Austin, Texas on March 16. However, they lost to “Pardon My Take.” Other nominees included “The Zach Lowe Show,” “Club 520,” and “The Ringer Fantasy Football Show.”
“New Heights” was not nominated in any other category. While the show went home empty-handed, “New Heights” remains incredibly popular. Star studded guests over the past few months include Leonardo DiCaprio, Randy Moss, Cooper Kupp, Matt Damon, Caitlin Clark, Paul Rudd, George Clooney, Matthew Stafford, and more.
After winning Podcast of the Year in 2024, Travis, 36, and Jason, 38, shared a heartfelt message with fans. “We would be remiss if we didn’t immediately thank all of the 92%ers out there, aka Swifties, who voted for us to win this award,” Jason said. “Listen, this is an incredible honor, especially for two jabronis like us. To receive an award like this is beyond humbling.”
Travis added, “Thank you guys for everything, and we truly do have the best fan base in the entire world. Thank you guys for voting every single day of every single month and every hour that day.”
‘New Heights’ Made It Into The Guinness World Records Following Taylor Swift’s Podcast Appearance
Swift’s appearance on “New Heights” drew record-breaking viewership numbers. The show’s official X account posted in August, “NEW NEWS… we’re officially Guinness World Record holders 👀.”
Guinness World Records reported, “With a total of 1.3 million, it pulled in the most concurrent views for a podcast on YouTube on 13 August. At the time of writing, the episode ‘Taylor Swift on Reclaiming Her Masters, Wrapping The Eras Tour, and The Life of a Showgirl’ has been viewed more than 20 million times on the platform.
“The two-hour long episode was a real rarity for fans. It’s been years since Taylor has sat down for an interview this in-depth.”
Packers Put on Notice in NFL Free Agency
In the middle of March, the roster building has just begun for general managers such as Brian Gutekunst. But with the Green Bay Packers, Gutekunst might have a lot more work to do than he thought.
Well, that’s the case according to a few analysts grading roster moves early in NFL free agency.
SI on Packers’ Bill Huber argued the additions Gutekunst made early in free agency isn’t enough to move the needle.
As a final grade to the first few days of free agency, Huber gave the Packers a D-plus.
“As far as winning the Super Bowl, which should be what matters in Titletown, the whole season might boil down to if or when Parsons and Kraft return to form. A roster that wasn’t good enough to overcome their injuries last season hasn’t been sufficiently upgraded this offseason,” wrote Huber.
“There’s a saying that states if you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse. It’d be hard to argue the Packers have gotten better.”
Pro Football Focus’s Gordon McGuinness didn’t disagree. While grading the entire league’s free agency moves one week into the new year, the PFF analyst gave the Packers a D.
That was the worst grade McGuinness gave any team Monday.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton didn’t give the Packers a bad grade. However, he just omitted Green Bay entirely while listing the top 10 rosters around the league as of Monday.
Moton also included three “honorable mentions” on his list. The Packers, though, remained nowhere to be found.
That means, at best, Moton sees Green Bay as having about an average roster around the league.
Brian Gutekunst’s Packers Getting Poor Marks in NFL Free Agency
Other analysts have been more favorable to Green Bay with offseason grades this month. Still, it’s never a good sign that any pundit has the ability to give a team a D-grade in free agency.
In Green Bay’s case, it’s multiple pundits.
The most alarming diss for the Packers, though, might have been missing the top 13 roster rankings list at Bleacher Report.
There’s a lot of subjectivity to grades and exactly placement on rankings list. But for Moton to feel confident enough that Green Bay wasn’t even worth an honorable mention when talking about the best rosters around the league is a strong statement.
It’s simple not where the Packers, who have been to the playoffs six of the past seven years, are used to being.
At one point a few months ago, Green Bay arguably had one of the best rosters in the league while sitting at 9-3-1. But the franchise started heading in the wrong direction in the middle of December and arguably have yet to truly turn back into the right direction.
Packers Roster Exposed Late in 2025 Season
Green Bay suffered several key injuries in Week 15 versus the Denver Broncos. The biggest of which was to superstar edge rusher Micah Parsons.
After that week, the Packers didn’t win another game last season.
It’s hard in the NFL to overcome injuries to superstars. It’s the superstars that often win championships, and to have superstars, teams have to pay them like stars. They account for a big chunk of the salary cap.
No defender is more expensive than Parsons.
That can cause a roster to be top heavy, which is a problem when the stars aren’t in the lineup.
Without Parsons for the final four games, Green Bay gave up an average of 27.5 points per game including the playoffs. In three of those four contests, the Packers also allowed at least 400 yards.
During the postseason, the Chicago Bears posted 31 points and 445 yards.
Yet through the first week of free agency, Green Bay’s biggest external defensive additions were 33-year-old defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste.
Analysts who saw Green Bay’s roster as an issue during the five-game losing streak to end 2025 are unlikely to feel differently about it now.
That’s a problem for Gutekunst. According to some analysts, the roster needs a lot of work.
Capitals are ushering in a youth movement on the fly as they prepare for life after Alex Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin is 40 years old and nearing the end of his 21st season in the NHL, all with the Washington Capitals, and his latest contract is up
March 16, 2026 at 5:09 p.m. EDT1 minute ago
Alex Ovechkin became the fresh face of the franchise for the Washington Capitals more than two decades ago when they selected the big, skilled Russian winger with the first pick in the 2004 NHL draft.
He’s now 40 and nearing the end of his 21st season with them. He hoisted the Stanley Cup as playoff MVP in 2018 and last year passed Wayne Gretzky as the league’s career goal-scoring leader.
NHL commish says ‘time will tell’ if Russia plays in World Cup
Whether Russia and its collection of NHL stars will be invited to the 2028 World Cup of Hockey remains very uncertain.
Where to watch Penguins vs. Avalanche NHL game tonight on free streams, TV
The Pittsburgh Penguins are off to the Mile High City on Monday night for a matchup with the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche. The game is scheduled to start at 9:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. MT) with TV coverage on ESPN and streaming on-demand.
How to watch Penguins vs. Avalanche on TV and stream without cable:
When: Monday, March 16 at 9:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. MT)
Where: Ball Arena, Denver, Colo.
TV channel: ESPN
Streaming on: FuboTV (free trial) | DirecTV (free trial) | SlingTV (low intro rate) | ESPN Unlimited ($29.99/mo.)
Penguins vs. Avalanche: The matchup
The Avalanche own the NHL’s best overall record (44-12-9) as well as the league’s best home record (23-5-4), plus the top scoring offense, top scoring defense and top goal differential. They return to Colorado after a trip to the Northwest and a stretch of two losses in three games, most recently a 3-1 setback in Winnipeg to the Jets. The Avalanche fired off 29 shots in that matchup and won the faceoff battle, but saw Jets defenders block 24 shots on their way to a big home win.
See also: NHL coverage on PennLive
The Penguins enter the new week with a 33-18-15 record and 81 points, which is good for second in the Metropolitan Division and fourth in the Eastern Conference. Pittsburgh continues to grind out tight victories and has more overtime losses (15) and shootout losses (10) than any team in the league. The Pens are 1-1-1 on their current five-game road swing that wraps Wednesday night in Carolina, having last beaten the Utah Mammoth (4-3) on Saturday.
Penguins vs. Avalanche: Know your live streams
FuboTV (free trial): FuboTV offers the most extensive package of live sports with rates competitive with DirecTV. The FuboTV Pro ($48.99 first month), Elite ($53.99) and Deluxe ($73.99) all come with first-month discounts. Monthly rates rise to $73.99, $83.99 and $103.99 after the first-month discount.
DirecTV (free trial): DirecTV offers a 5-day free trial and a total of $30 off over the first three full months for the Choice Package, which includes 125-plus channels and access to ESPN Unlimited, a $29.99 standalone value featuring all ESPN channels and ESPN+.
SlingTV (low intro rate): First full month of streaming runs as low as $29.99 with current offer for 50% off Sling’s Orange & Blue Plan. Day passes are also available for 24 hours ($4.99), as well as three-day ($9.99) and seven-day access ($14.99).
Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving breaks silence on team’s struggles
The Toronto Maple Leafs are having one of their worst seasons in recent NHL history, and general manager Brad Treliving finally broke his silence.
Speaking to TSN, Treliving revealed that they have a plan in place and noted that some questions will be answered in the future.
Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving addresses Auston Matthews’ future
After winning gold at the recent Olympics in Milan, but not responding to expectations when he returned to the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the future of Auston Matthews has been called into question. General manager Brad Treliving addressed the topic.
Speaking to TSN, Treliving noted that Matthews, 28, is still under contract with the team and that any matters related to his future will be discussed in the offseason. For now, the GM’s priority is the final 14 games.
born career goals list in Red Wings’ win over Flames
DETROIT (AP) — Patrick Kane scored twice for Detroit to move into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time goals list for NHL players born in the U.S. and lead the Red Wings to a 5-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Monday night.
Kane has 504 career goals, trailing Mike Modano (561), Keith Tkachuk (538) and Jeremy Roenick (513). The 19th-year veteran entered the night tied with Joe Mullen (502). Earlier this season, Kane passed Modano to become the highest-scoring American-born player in league history. Kane now has 1,383 career points in 1,355 games.
Emmitt Finnie, Moritz Seider and Dominik Shine also scored and Alex DeBrincat had three assists for the Red Wings, who started a four-game homestand by stopping a three-game losing streak.
J.T. Compher added two assists and John Gibson made 25 saves for Detroit, which moved into a tie with Montreal for third place in the Atlantic Division. The Canadiens have two games in hand on the Red Wings, who currently occupy the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Morgan Frost scored late in the first period to put the Flames on the board first, but Detroit scored three times in a span of 5:34 early in the second period to take control. Kane had the first and third goals in that surge.
Matt Coronato added a goal and an assist and Dustin Wolf made 20 saves for Calgary, which finished a five-game road trip through the Eastern Conference at 1-4. The Flames, who have the NHL’s second-worst record ahead of only Pacific Division rival Vancouver, are 2-7-1 in their last 10 games.
Up next
Calgary hosts St. Louis on Wednesday.
Detroit hosts Montreal on Thursday.
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Red Wings’ Patrick Kane now 4th in goals by U.S.-born player
DETROIT — Patrick Kane scored twice for Detroit to move into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time goals list for NHL players born in the U.S. and lead the Red Wings to a 5-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Monday night.
Kane has 504 career goals, trailing Mike Modano (561), Keith Tkachuk (538) and Jeremy Roenick (513). The 19th-year veteran entered the night tied with Joe Mullen (502). Earlier this season, Kane passed Modano to become the highest-scoring American-born player in league history. Kane now has 1,383 career points in 1,355 games.
Emmitt Finnie, Moritz Seider and Dominik Shine also scored, and Alex DeBrincat had three assists for the Red Wings, who started a four-game homestand by stopping a three-game losing streak.
J.T. Compher added two assists and John Gibson made 25 saves for Detroit, which moved into a tie with Montreal for third place in the Atlantic Division. The Canadiens have two games in hand on the Red Wings, who currently occupy the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Morgan Frost scored late in the first period to put the Flames on the board first, but Detroit scored three times in a span of 5:34 early in the second period to take control. Kane had the first and third goals in that surge.
Kane’s 2 goals lead Red Wings past Flames
DETROIT (AP) — Patrick Kane scored twice for Detroit to move into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time goals list for NHL players born in the U.S. and lead the Red Wings to a 5-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Monday night.
Kane has 504 career goals, trailing Mike Modano (561), Keith Tkachuk (538) and Jeremy Roenick (513). The 19th-year veteran entered the night tied with Joe Mullen (502). Earlier this season, Kane passed Modano to become the highest-scoring American-born player in league history. Kane now has 1,383 career points in 1,355 games.
Emmitt Finnie, Moritz Seider and Dominik Shine also scored and Alex DeBrincat had three assists for the Red Wings, who started a four-game homestand by stopping a three-game losing streak.
J.T. Compher added two assists and John Gibson made 25 saves for Detroit, which moved into a tie with Montreal for third place in the Atlantic Division. The Canadiens have two games in hand on the Red Wings, who currently occupy the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Morgan Frost scored late in the first period to put the Flames on the board first, but Detroit scored three times in a span of 5:34 early in the second period to take control. Kane had the first and third goals in that surge.
Matt Coronato added a goal and an assist and Dustin Wolf made 20 saves for Calgary, which finished a five-game road trip through the Eastern Conference at 1-4. The Flames, who have the NHL’s second-worst record ahead of only Pacific Division rival Vancouver, are 2-7-1 in their last 10 games.
DEVILS 4, BRUINS 3, OT
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Jack Hughes had three assists to extend his productive run since scoring the gold medal-winning goal for the U.S. at the Olympics, and New Jersey dented Boston’s playoff chances by beating them in overtime.
Hughes set up Connor Brown’s goal to become the fastest player in franchise history to 400 career points. He also had a hand in Jesper Bratt’s goal and assisted on Paul Cotter’s winner with 6.2 seconds left in 3-on-3 overtime to reach 402 in his 414th regular-season game. Hughes has 12 points in 10 games since returning from Milan.
Cotter also scored early in the third period to give New Jersey a 3-2 lead before David Pastrnak tied it 1:42 later.
KINGS 4, RANGERS 1
NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Laferriere had a goal and two assists to lead Los Angeles to a win over New York.
Drew Doughty, Mikey Anderson and Trevor Moore also scored for Los Angeles, which has won three of five.
Darcy Kuemper stopped 21 shots.
Despite 22 saves from Igor Shesterkin, New York’s four-game winning streak ended.
Vincent Trocheck’s power-play goal 2:29 into the third period spoiled Kuemper’s bid for his third shutout of the season.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Patrick Kane’s 2 goals lead Detroit Red Wings past Calgary Flames in 5-2 victory
Patrick Kane scored twice for Detroit to move into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time goals list for NHL players born in the U.S. and lead the Red Wings to a 5-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Monday night.
Kane has 504 career goals, trailing Mike Modano (561), Keith Tkachuk (538) and Jeremy Roenick (513). The 19th-year veteran entered the night tied with Joe Mullen (502). Earlier this season, Kane passed Modano to become the highest-scoring American-born player in league history. Kane now has 1,383 career points in 1,355 games.
Emmitt Finnie, Moritz Seider and Dominik Shine also scored and Alex DeBrincat had three assists for the Red Wings, who started a four-game homestand by stopping a three-game losing streak.
J.T. Compher added two assists and John Gibson made 25 saves for Detroit, which moved into a tie with Montreal for third place in the Atlantic Division. The Canadiens have two games in hand on the Red Wings, who currently occupy the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Morgan Frost scored late in the first period to put the Flames on the board first, but Detroit scored three times in a span of 5:34 early in the second period to take control. Kane had the first and third goals in that surge.
Matt Coronato added a goal and an assist and Dustin Wolf made 20 saves for Calgary, which finished a five-game road trip through the Eastern Conference at 1-4. The Flames, who have the NHL’s second-worst record ahead of only Pacific Division rival Vancouver, are 2-7-1 in their last 10 games.
DEVILS 4, BRUINS 3, OT
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Jack Hughes had three assists to extend his productive run since scoring the gold medal-winning goal for the U.S. at the Olympics, and New Jersey dented Boston’s playoff chances by beating them in overtime.
Hughes set up Connor Brown’s goal to become the fastest player in franchise history to 400 career points. He also had a hand in Jesper Bratt’s goal and assisted on Paul Cotter’s winner with 6.2 seconds left in 3-on-3 overtime to reach 402 in his 414th regular-season game. Hughes has 12 points in 10 games since returning from Milan.
Cotter also scored early in the third period to give New Jersey a 3-2 lead before David Pastrnak tied it 1:42 later.
KINGS 4, RANGERS 1
NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Laferriere had a goal and two assists to lead Los Angeles to a win over New York.
Drew Doughty, Mikey Anderson and Trevor Moore also scored for Los Angeles, which has won three of five.
Darcy Kuemper stopped 21 shots.
Despite 22 saves from Igor Shesterkin, New York’s four-game winning streak ended.
Vincent Trocheck’s power-play goal 2:29 into the third period spoiled Kuemper’s bid for his third shutout of the season.
Malkin gets 2 goals in his return from suspension as the Penguins beat the NHL-leading Avalanche 7-2
Evgeni Malkin scored twice in a four-goal first period and added an assist in his return from a five-game suspension for slashing, sparking the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 7-2 victory over the league-leading Colorado Avalanche
March 17, 2026 at 12:58 a.m. EDT1 minute ago
DENVER — Evgeni Malkin scored twice in a four-goal first period and added an assist in his return from a five-game suspension for slashing, sparking the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 7-2 victory over the league-leading Colorado Avalanche on Monday night.
Former All-Star claims Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game is bad for the NBA
Former NBA All-Star Gordon Hayward is not a big fan of Bam Adebayo’s record-setting night.
Hayward spoke candidly about Adebayo’s 83-point performance during a recent appearance on ESPN’s “Unsportsmanlike” radio show. The 14-year NBA veteran made his case for why the stellar scoring night from the Miami Heat center was not “great for the league.”
“No disrespect to Bam. I think Bam is one of the best two-way players in the league at his position. But he’s not a scorer, right? So for him to break Kobe’s record, I don’t think it’s great for the league,” Hayward said.
“I think it highlights how they’re already struggling with how it kind of feels like a pick-up game when you’re watching. For him to shoot 43 free throws and 22 threes when that’s not what he does … it kind of makes it feel not legit.”
Hayward echoed the sentiments of some fans and media members who pointed to the vastly different circumstances of Adebayo’s 83 compared to Bryant’s 81. The Los Angeles Lakers icon put up his total in a competitive game in which his team needed every point. The Heat, meanwhile, were intentionally fouling to give Adebayo more possessions against a clearly tanking Washington Wizards team.
But while Hayward’s gripes make some sense, it’s still tough to discount anyone scoring 83 points, no matter the context. There’s a reason only three players have surpassed the 80-point mark in NBA history.
Hawks remain NBA’s hottest with win during nixed Magic City Night
The NBA may have successfully nixed Magic City Night, but no one’s having nearly as much luck breaking up the surging Atlanta Hawks.
On Monday, the Eastern Conference’s two hottest teams met in Atlanta when the Orlando Magic (38-29, sixth in Eastern Conference), winners of seven in a row, came to town and were handed a 124-112 loss, giving the Hawks (37-31, eighth in Eastern Conference) a 10th consecutive victory.
Guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored a career-high 41 points, on 12-of-22 shooting, including 9-of-15 from beyond the arc. Forward Jalen Johnson continued his breakout campaign, finishing with 24 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists, his 13th triple-double of the season.
Atlanta Hawks rout Orlando Magic during nixed Magic City Night
Monday was supposed to be Magic City Night, a promotional night celebrating Atlanta’s popular Magic City strip club. While remnants of the event remained — including the club’s famous lemon pepper wings and a halftime show by rapper T.I. — the NBA formally canceled it last Monday.
Like Whos in Whoville waking to a barren Christmas, Atlanta didn’t let the league office ruin a good time. And the Hawks made it a day worth celebrating even more.
Atlanta’s 10-game win streak is the league’s longest active streak. Before the stretch began, the Hawks were sliding down the East standings thanks to a prolonged slump, going 14-23 from December 1, 2025, through February 20, 2026.
It’s been a completely different story in the weeks since. Tuesday’s win was Atlanta’s ninth by double digits during the current streak. The Hawks are averaging 122.9 points per game, but the main reason for the turnaround has been their defense. Opponents are averaging 104.8 points per game, and Atlanta has held four under 100 points, the same number of opponents it held under the century mark during its first 58 games, when it allowed 118.6 points per game.
The Hawks have bounced back from a long, disappointing stretch with their best basketball of the season as the playoffs approach. While the NBA spoiled Magic City Night, slowing Atlanta’s roll won’t be as easy.
NBA expansion puts Las Vegas, Seattle in spotlight as process unfolds
The chances of the NBA expanding to Seattle and Las Vegas to start play in the 2028-29 season look good, and of course you have questions.
Like the name of the two prospective NBA teams.
In Las Vegas, it’ll be the High Rollers. Or the Outlaws. Or the Spades. Or, maybe this needs be decided by ballot.
In Seattle, is this even a discussion? It’ll be the SuperSonics again. Now, will it be appropriate to wear those throwback Sean Kemp and Gary Payton jerseys? We’re not here to judge, only to help make sense of it all.
Let’s get down to businesses of the league expanding to 32 teams from 30 teams. Because expansion is all about business.
How much an NBA expansion team cost?
There is a price for any city wanting to join the NBA, and it’ll be extracted through an expansion team. According to ESPN, the fee expected from ownership groups in Seattle and Las Vegas will range from $7 billion to $10 billion. That means existing team ownership groups could pocket roughly $500 million.
Meaning the decision over expansion is the equivalent of 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama standing underneath the basket.
A slam dunk.
Is possible NBA expansion a surprise?
On December 16, at the NBA Cup championship game in Las Vegas of all places, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league would decide in 2026 whether to add two teams, and Las Vegas and Seattle were the most likely expansion cities.
“We’re in the process of working with our (existing) teams and gauging the level of interest and having a better understanding of what the economics would be on the ground for those particular teams and what a pro forma would look like for them,” Silver said.
The operative word being economics.
Under Silver, who took over as commissioner in 2014, NBA franchise valuations ballooned from approximately $500 million to almost $4 billion by 2024, according to Front Office Sports.
Last year the Los Angeles Lakers sold for $10 billion.
In the NBA’s executive offices, score is kept in part with dollar signs.
What’s next in NBA expansion talks?
The NBA’s board of governors, which consists of the league’s 30 team owners, will meet next week to discuss adding expansion teams in Las Vegas and Seattle, according to ESPN.But that will not result in a binding resolution. ESPN reported something concrete is likely to come at the board of governors meeting in July.
The players have no say in matters of expansion.
What’s in it for the players?
Team owners will keep the massive expansion fees. So what’s in it for players?
It’ll be another 30 roster spots with an average salary this season that tops $10 million a year.
Why Seattle?
The NBA owes Seattle.
In 2008, the city of Seattle balked at building a new arena or renovating KeyArena. So the NBA allowed the owner of the Supersonics to relocate the team to Oklahoma City, where the Sonics became the Thunder.
But KeyArena, now known as Climate Pledge Arena, was redeveloped with private financing and reopened in 2021. The state of-the-art arena, home of the WNBA’s Storm, is co-owned by Seattle and a group known as Oak View Group. It is NBA ready; so is the city.
The largest metropolitan area and media market without an NBA team? That’s right, Seattle.
Why Las Vegas?
For decades, the major sports league treated Las Vegas like a scandal waiting to happen. Which meant, keep your distance.
Then came 2017, when the NHL awarded Las Vegas an expansion team, the Vegas Golden Nights. A year later, the WNBA moved the Aces to Las Vegas from San Antonio, Texas. In 2022 came the NFL’s turn, and the Raiders moved to Las Vegas from Oakland, California. Next up: Major League Baseball has cleared the way for the A’s to move to Las Vegas from Oakland.
Yes, there have been gambling scandals. But they can be traced to legalized gambling across the country, not Sin City.
In truth, the NBA was trailblazers and risk takers. In 2004, the league launched its summer league in Las Vegas.
Last summer, the NBA summer league drew 136,130 total fans over the 11 days games were played at the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion. There were two sellouts, with a seating capacity of 17,500.
Other NBA expansion possibilities
Let’s say something goes wrong with Seattle or Las Vegas. There are other options for the league.
Though European expansion may be several years away, Nashville, Tennessee; Kansas City (Missouri or Kansas); and Louisville, Kentucky have emerged as possibilities. Looking beyond the borders, Vancouver, Montreal and Mexico City are possibilities.
Felon posed as porn star while running racket targeting NFL, NBA athletes: feds
A Georgia felon allegedly posed as an adult film star to target NFL and NBA athletes in a phishing scam and ran a sex-trafficking scheme — coercing a woman into filming sex acts with the top athletes, according to authorities.
Kwamaine Jerell Ford, 34, of Buford, was charged in connection with the elaborate racket, targeting a slew of professional athletes, that he started while in prison in November 2020, the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Georgia announced on Monday.
Ford, who was already convicted of computer fraud and aggravated identity theft, allegedly obtained login credentials for Apple accounts belonging to NBA and NFL players after posing as a well-known porn star and offering to send them sexually explicit videos, federal prosecutors said.
The scammer also “spoofed” legitimate Apple customer service accounts and posed as an Apple customer support representative to get victims to send their sensitive username and password information to access videos that the fraudulent porn star’s persona was trying to send to athletes, authorities alleged.
Ford then obtained credit and debit card information belonging to the victims and used it toward his own personal spending, prosecutors added.
In May 2021, Ford also allegedly recruited and disturbingly coerced a woman into engaging in commercial sex acts with the pro athletes while still posing as an adult film star, promising her that he could boost her modeling career.
He used additional fake personas to threaten the victim and pressure her to continue having sex with the athletes — which he profited from and coerced her into filming without the athlete’s consent, officials charged.
The athletes targeted in the intricate scheme have not been publicly identified.
“While serving time for stealing credit card numbers from athletes and celebrities to fund his lifestyle, Ford allegedly engaged in the same conduct again,” US Attorney Theodore Hertzberg said in a statement.
“Disturbingly, the indictment alleges that Ford went even further and used a fraudulent online persona to traffic a young woman and coerce her to produce hidden camera videos of commercial sex acts with unknowing individuals,” Hertzberg added.
Ford appeared in federal court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to nine counts of wire fraud, seven counts of computer fraud, one count of access device fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of sex trafficking.
He was ordered held without bail pending his trial. The case is being investigated by the FBI, authorities said.
“Kwamaine Ford clearly did not learn from his prior conviction for a similar scheme. This time, he allegedly escalated his criminal activity—stealing identities and money while also moving into coercion and sex trafficking,” FBI Georgia Acting Special Agent in Charge Peter Ellis said in a statement.
“The FBI’s dedicated agents remain committed to staying ahead of schemes like this and protecting the public from individuals who exploit and harm others for personal gain.”
Nick Wright Calls For LeBron James to Own NBA Expansion Team
After finishing the greatest NFL career of all time, Tom Brady became a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders moved from Oakland to Las Vegas in 2020, and Brady’s bid to purchase a minority stake was approved by league owners in October 2024.
LeBron James is currently still authoring one of the greatest NBA careers of all time. (This is not the space for the LeBron vs. Michael Jordan debate.) This season is the last year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. The jury is still out on whether he will return for an NBA-record 24th season or retire. Either way, he has breathing room to follow Brady’s pattern. Retire as a GOAT, and then become a minority owner in Vegas.
On Monday morning, ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news that the NBA will hold a vote at next week’s board of governors meetings on whether to move forward with exploring the addition of two expansion teams. One in Seattle — long live the SuperSonics — and one in Las Vegas. If approved, those teams would join the league in 2028-29.
By Monday afternoon, this was a topic of discussion on FS1’s First Things First. Nick Wright pushed James as the most sensible owner in Vegas.
Lakers Get Concerning Prediction for Upcoming NBA Playoff Run
Despite being a top team in the tight Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers aren’t getting votes of confidence from former players.
Over the weekend, the legendary Charles Barkley stated that a win or loss against the Denver Nuggets shouldn’t change the idea that he believes the Lakers aren’t true championship contenders.
On Monday, the former Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce shared a similar sentiment. The standings say the Lakers are a top-three team. His eyes tell him they are one-and-done material this time around.
Lakers Get A Concerning Prediction From Paul Pierce
“Like, if they have to play Timberwolves, Nuggets, Rockets. I don’t think they can beat any of these three teams,” Pierce said on the ‘No Fouls Given’ podcast.
“I don’t think they will make it out of the first round.”
Beyond the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, the West is too tight to make a call on seeding. The Lakers have a 0.5 lead over the Houston Rockets, and just a 1.5 lead over the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves.
A lot can change in the final few weeks of the regular season.
But if the 2025-2026 NBA season ended on March 16, the Lakers would draw a first-round series against the Timberwolves. Although Pierce lacks confidence in the Lakers in that matchup, LA has had plenty of success against the Wolves this year.
In three meetings, the Lakers are 3-0. They’ve won four games in a row against Minnesota and picked up the seasonal sweep.
What NBA Fans Are Saying
Here’s what NBA fans are saying in response to Paul Pierce’s statement on X:
@RenzWinford: Lakers been exposing a lot of teams lately
@mantitoy: I don’t think any of those teams can beat the Lakers 4 times in a series. 😎
@black_adam_9: This is not a controversial take. They wouldn’t beat any of the teams who are the 4-6 seeds right now in a series. Currently they’re the 3 and MN is the 6th and they would lose to them again if they had to play them.
@SubjectivelyLen: Paul’s right. Regardless of the matchup or the seeding, they will not escape the first round. Excluding the pandemic, they’ve only gotten out of the first round with LBJ ONCE. The West is insanely brutal and I don’t see it happening.
@Sa1ntLuhrant: So we beating good teams and now we still can’t make it out the first round????
The Lakers are red-hot as the season reaches the middle of March.
Their overtime win against the Denver Nuggets was the fifth-straight victory for LA. During that stretch, they’ve secured wins over the Chicago Bulls, Timberwolves, New York Knicks, and the Indiana Pacers.
On Monday, March 16, the Lakers are taking on the Houston Rockets. LA is searching for its 43rd win of the season.
Steve Kerr becomes fourth-fastest NBA coach to 600 wins
WASHINGTON (AP) — Steve Kerr could finally celebrate win No. 600.
The Golden State coach is one of the fastest to reach the milestone, but after he made it to 599 the Warriors lost five in a row. They snapped that skid with a 125-117 win over Washington on Monday night.
“Not a great basketball game,” Kerr said. “But we needed the win and were good enough to get the win.”
Kerr reached 600 in his 943rd regular-season game. Only three coaches have needed fewer, according to information from the Elias Sports Bureau distributed by the Warriors. Phil Jackson did it in 805 games, Pat Riley in 832 and Gregg Popovich in 887.
“It’s surreal to hear my name in that group, but I can tell you that one thing that bonds us all together — those names and mine — is talent,” Kerr said. “You can’t win in this league without great players, and I was blessed from the day I took this job with incredible talent.”
There hasn’t been as much of it in Golden State’s recent lineups. Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler are out with injuries, and the Warriors are mired in a race for positioning in the play-in round in the Western Conference. They did have Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzingis back after resting them in Sunday’s loss at New York.
Porzingis scored a game-high 30 points.
“He’s quite a talent,” Kerr said. “We’re also on the Kristaps Porzingis reunion tour. It’s kind of crazy. We’re playing every one of his former teams. The Knicks, Washington, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas — all five of his teams, we’re seeing on this trip. Players usually get up for playing against their old teams.”
Up next for the Warriors is a matchup with the Celtics on Wednesday night.
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Depleted Mavericks handled by Pelicans in game that could prove key in NBA draft lottery
NEW ORLEANS — Zion Williamson scored 27 points and the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the injury-depleted Dallas Mavericks 129-111 on Monday night.
Saddiq Bey had 23 points, while Jeremiah Fears and Trey Murphy III each added 17 to help the Pelicans win for the eighth time in 12 games.
Naji Marshall scored 32 points for the Mavs against his former team. Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg, the top pick in the 2025 draft, had 21 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
Williamson made 11 of 13 shots in 28 minutes. Often injured during his first six seasons since being drafted first overall out of Duke in 2019, Williamson has played in 52 games in his seventh NBA campaign, averaging 21.5 points.
New Orleans led for most of the game and by as many as 19 points.
P.J. Washington scored 18 for the Mavericks, who played without Klay Thompson (rest), Daniel Gafford (illness) and Caleb Martin (sore right foot). Max Christie had 12 points on four 3-pointers.
New Orleans played without Dejounte Murray (illness), and coach James Borrego adjusted to the starting point guard’s absence by playing Murphy and Herb Jones in the backcourt and giving second-year center Yves Missi his ninth start of the season. Meanwhile, veteran guard Jordan Poole came off the bench for his first playing time in eight games.
Missi grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked five shots. Pelicans reserve Karlo Matkovic had 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Up next
Mavericks: Host the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.
Pelicans: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night in the first of a two-game set between those teams on consecutive nights.
Nets, Blazers make ‘special’ history with three Israelis in same game
With the Nets hosting Portland — and rising Trail Blazers star Deni Avdija taking on Nets rookies Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf — Monday marked the first time three Israelis ever faced off in the NBA.
“Yeah, it’s special,” said Nets coach Jordi Fernández. “When other countries outside the US and Europe can be represented with three players here, it means the world, and it’s a special day that everybody has to enjoy. And I think they are already. …I don’t know Deni, but I’m sure he’s excited to play. I know Ben and Danny are.
“And that’s good. It’s one of the two times that we’ll see this and hopefully for many years, see how these guys grow. Obviously Deni, a career year and how much better he has gotten. And then our two young guys, they’re getting better. And I want to see this matchup over the years and how interesting, how cool it is to see them play against each other.”
Wolf started a third straight game with Michael Porter Jr. out.
He came into Monday averaging 12.2 points and 6.2 rebounds over his prior ten games before Portland.
Porter missed a third straight game with a sprained right ankle Monday vs. Portland, but has resumed on-court work and appears to be close to a return.
“Yeah, I’m not qualified to talk about grades [on his sprain], but I can share that he did form shooting in the last game that we played, and [Monday] is going to be his first workout,” Fernández said before Brooklyn hosted the Trail Blazers. “So let’s see how he feels after it. He’s getting better, and then we’ll assess.”
Porter has sat out four of the past five games.
With 14 games left in the regular season, the Nets host the reigning champion Thunder on Wednesday.
Backup center Day’Ron Sharpe (left thumb UCL tear) and rookie lottery pick Egor Dëmin (left plantar fascia injury management) have both already been ruled out for the season. Veteran Terance Mann missed Monday’s tilt with left Achilles soreness and Noah Clowney was simply rested.
Saraf was available after having been listed as questionable with a left calf contusion.
The Nets started rookies Wolf, Nolan Traore and Drake Powell, along with Ziaire Williams and Nic Claxton.
Portland’s Damian Lillard and Shaedon Sharpe were both out. Chinese rookie Hansen Yang was with the G-League Remix.
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MLS bans Jones, Yeboah for life after gambling investigation
March 9 (Reuters) – Major League Soccer has handed lifetime bans to midfielder Derrick Jones and winger Yaw Yeboah for violating its gambling policy, the league announced on Monday.
Jones, 29, played 23 games for Columbus Crew in 2024 and 2025, while 28-year-old Yeboah was his teammate before joining Los Angeles FC in January 2025 after three seasons at the Crew.
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Suspicious betting alerts were investigated by the MLS who said the two players engaged in extensive gambling on matches, including on their own teams, during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
The violations included Jones’ time at Columbus and Yeboah’s stints with the Crew in 2024 and LAFC in 2025.
In one instance, both players wagered on Jones receiving a yellow card during the Crew’s 3-2 win at the New York Red Bulls in an October 19, 2024 match, which he did.
Investigators also determined that the pair likely shared confidential information with other gamblers about their intent to draw bookings, though no evidence emerged that any of the activity influenced the outcome of matches.
Both players were provisionally suspended in October 2025 pending the investigation. Yeboah, who has been capped by Ghana, joined Chinese Super League side Qingdao Hainiu after a mutual agreement to terminate his contract with LAFC in January.
Ghana-born Jones, who has played for the U.S. at under-20 and under-23 level, is currently without a club after being released by the Crew in November.
Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement that the MLS
Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah receive lifetime ban from MLS for betting on matches
Two soccer players received lifetime suspensions from Major League Soccer for betting on MLS matches, the league announced on Monday.
Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah, neither currently on an MLS roster, are accused of engaging in “extensive gambling on soccer, including placing wagers on their own teams during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, according to a statement released by the league.
Jones and Yeboah both played with the Columbus Crew in 2024 and were found to have placed a wager on Jones to receive a yellow card in a match against the New York Red Bulls on Oct. 19, 2024 and likely shared that information with outside bettors.
The activity was flagged by the league’s integrity partners and the MLS decided to place the two players on administrative leave in 2025.
By that point, Yeboah was a member of Los Angeles Football Club while Jones was still rostered by Columbus.
In the league’s statement, commissioner Don Garber pushed for reform to the markets available to bettors on MLS matches, specifically singling out the ability to bet on players receiving yellow cards.
“The League will continue to enforce its policies, enhance education efforts, and advocate for the elimination of yellow card wagering in all states to protect the integrity of our competition for clubs, players, and fans,” Garber said.
It’s not the first time a league has pushed for betting reform regarding niche markets.
Sportsbooks placed a $200 limit on MLB pitch-level markets after the Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted on federal charges for their alleged involvement in an illegal betting scheme.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Malik Smith has been immersed in the sports betting industry since 2017. He’s a data nerd with a particular focus on the NBA and combat sports. He spends his weeknights in the winter looking for edges on plus-money NBA player props.
Two MLS players banned for life for betting on games
Former Major League Soccer players Yaw Yeboah and Derrick Jones received lifetime bans for betting on MLS matches — including their own — the league announced Monday.
Yeboah, 28, most recently played for LAFC in 2025 and is a former teammate of Jones with the Columbus Crew. Both were placed on administrative leave last October while awaiting league review of potential MLS rules violations.
MLS hired the law firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP to investigate after the league received suspicious betting alerts through integrity partners. The law firm found that Jones and Yeboah
Visa issues may leave Jamaican club short-handed against LA Galaxy in Champions Cup
CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Mount Pleasant, a team from the Jamaican Premier League, is bracing to be without as many as 10 players on Wednesday when it takes on the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer in a CONCACAF Champions Cup matchup.
The reason: Those players, including six from Haiti, were unable to get visas to enter the U.S. for the match, Jamaican officials said.
Officials said Monday the match is still set to be played as scheduled, even while the Jamaican club — which plans to add younger players from the academy level if necessary — and CONCACAF seek a solution. The U.S. has travel restrictions on citizens from some nations, including Haiti, though there are mechanisms that can assist athletes in some cases.
The Jamaican club has been dealing with the issue since at least last week, apparently to no avail.
The match is the first of a two-leg Round of 16 matchup in the tournament, with the second leg set to be played in Kingston, Jamaica on March 19.
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Visa woes leave Jamaican side down 10 players against Galaxy
CARSON, Calif. — Mount Pleasant, a team from the Jamaican Premier League, is bracing to be without as many as 10 players on Wednesday when it takes on the LA Galaxy of MLS in a Concacaf Champions Cup matchup.
The reason: Those players, including six from Haiti, were unable to get visas to enter the U.S. for the match, Jamaican officials said.
Officials said Monday the match is still set to be played as scheduled, even while the Jamaican club — which plans to add younger players from the academy level if necessary — and Concacaf seek a solution.
The U.S. has travel restrictions on citizens from some nations, including Haiti, though there are mechanisms that can assist athletes in some cases.
The Jamaican club has been dealing with the issue since at least last week, apparently to no avail.
The match is the first of a two-leg round of 16 matchup in the tournament, with the second leg set to be played in Kingston, Jamaica on March 19.
Last year’s champion Cruz Azul beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 5-0 in the final.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Federico Bernardeschi reveals Juventus denied him the number 10 shirt
Federico Bernardeschi was a Juventus player between 2017 and 2022, before leaving to join Toronto FC in Major League Soccer. The winger arrived at Juve from Fiorentina, where he had been one of Serie A’s standout performers, despite La Viola doing everything possible to prevent the transfer from taking place.
During his time at Juventus, Bernardeschi was regarded as one of the club’s more talented players and was relied upon in several key matches. His versatility and attacking flair made him a valuable asset in various tactical setups, and he quickly adapted to the demands of a top club competing for major honours.
The Number 10 Ambition
Upon his arrival, Bernardeschi expressed a desire to wear the number 10 shirt, a number historically associated with some of the club’s most iconic figures. At that time, the shirt was vacant, and the young Italian hoped to continue the legacy associated with it.
However, Juventus had other plans. The club decided not to award him the number immediately, and the shirt was soon given to Paulo Dybala, who was already in his third year at Juventus and widely considered to have earned the honour. The decision sent a clear message regarding the club’s view of Bernardeschi’s readiness to assume such a prestigious role.
Reflecting on the Past
Bernardeschi has recalled the moment and shared his perspective on the situation. As quoted by Tuttojuve, he said, “The number 10 at Juve? I asked to have the number 10 shirt, they told me I was too young and had to wait at least a year. Then Dybala took it, who was already in his third year at Juventus, and that train passed for me.”
The experience highlighted both the challenges of stepping into a club with a rich history and the patience required for young players to make their mark. Despite not receiving the number 10 shirt, Bernardeschi went on to contribute significantly during his five years with Juventus before embarking on a new chapter in North America with Toronto FC.
Orlando City, coach Oscar Pareja parting ways after 3 losses to open the season
Orlando City and head coach Oscar Pareja have agreed to part ways just three games into the Major League Soccer season.
Orlando City is coming off a 5-0 loss to New York City FC on Saturday, the team’s third straight defeat.
Pareja became head coach of Orlando ahead of the 2020 season. The team went to the playoffs in each year of his tenure and reached the semifinals in 2024.
Assistant coach Martín Perelman will take over as interim head coach.
“I want to thank Oscar for the dedication, leadership and professionalism he brought to our club,” Ricardo Moreira, Orlando’s general manager and sporting director, said Wednesday in a statement. “He delivered one of the most significant moments in Orlando City’s history with the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and helped establish the competitive foundation that has propelled us forward, highlighted by our active club-record run of six straight playoffs appearances, which is currently the longest streak in MLS.”
Pareja, who is from Colombia, had previous head coaching stints with FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids, as well as Liga MX’s Tijuana.
He finishes his career at Orlando with a 103-72-66 record at the helm.
“Together, we shared moments that will stay with me forever,” Pareja said about his time in Orlando. “While it is the right time for both me and the Club to move in new directions, I leave proud of the work we did and with deep appreciation for the people who made it possible.”
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MLS suspends Philadelphia Union’s Ernst Tanner after misconduct probe
Major League Soccer has suspended Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner without pay through June 1, 2026 for violating the policies and standards of professional conduct required of league and club leadership.
According to a report by The Guardian, Tanner made use of sexist and anti-gay language in the workplace while also being reported for making racist comments about Black players, coaches and referees. The report revealed that the allegations were made in an MLS Player’s Association complaint to the league.
MLS previously conducted an investigation into the allegations but closed the case after failing to verify the initial claims. Since the release of The Guardian’s report, however, the league announced the investigation would be reopened.
Tanner was then placed on administrative leave on November 19, 2025, when MLS reopened its investigation into the allegations of inappropriate and insensitive comments made by the Union’s sporting director.
Philadelphia Union exec Ernst Tanner suspended after misconduct investigation
Major League Soccer suspended Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner without pay through June 1 following a months-long investigation after a November report alleged wide range of inappropriate workplace behavior.
The Guardian detailed several allegations of misconduct against Tanner and corroborated several claims mentioned in a previous MLS Players Association complaint involving multiple instances of racist, sexist and homophobic behavior.
Following the Guardian report, MLS reopened its inquiry into Tanner with the law firm of Littler Mendelson leading the investigation.
“Based on new information obtained during outside counsel’s independent review, the investigation substantiated violations of MLS policies and standards of professional conduct required of League and Club leadership,” the league said in a statement to the outlet on Monday.
MLS did not provide details about specific allegations the league had substantiated.
The Union put Tanner on an administrative leave of absence after the league’s inquiry was announced in November.
His suspension of pay began on Monday, the Guardian reported, and it’s unknown whether he was paid during his leave.
Tanner will be required to complete an MLS-approved restorative practices program before he can be reinstated.
“Based on the findings from Major League Soccer’s investigation, the Philadelphia Union supports the league’s disciplinary action and restorative practices program for Sporting Director Ernst Tanner. The Union will evaluate the best and appropriate structure for the organization following the disciplinary process,” the Union said in a statement. “The Philadelphia Union remains committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone associated with our club.”
Tanner has denied the allegations against him and, in a statement of his own on Monday, said he regrets “the impact that this situation has had” on the club.
“I remain proud of my work with the Philadelphia Union and look forward to my return and future work with the team,” he said.
The inquiry was the second MLS has made involving Tanner.
The MLSPA made its initial complaint last year, but MLS said it was unable to substantiate the claims at the time.
Most of Olympic soccer tournament will be played outside of LA
While the Rose Bowl will host the men’s and women’s gold medal soccer matches for the 2028 Olympic Games, the iconic venue, site of the 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup finals, will be limited to holding five matches during the Games because of field condition and security concerns.
Under a tournament schedule released Monday by LA 28, just five of the 58 matches, less than nine percent, for the Olympic women’s and men’s tournaments will be played in the Los Angeles-Orange County market, the fewest number of matches held in a Games host city area since the 1996 Olympic Games when no matches were played in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The 1996 men’s and women’s finals were played at Sanford Stadium on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, 70 miles and 80 minutes from Atlanta.
The Rose Bowl schedule was dictated largely by concerns FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, and local organizers had about the wear and tear on the stadium’s pitch. Security concerns and overburdening the area also contributed to the Rose Bowl’s limited schedule. The Olympic diving competition will take place at the nearby Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.
In addition to the men’s and women’s finals July 28-29, the Rose Bowl will also host a women’s quarterfinal on July 21 and a men’s and women’s semifinal match July 24-25.
The bulk of the tournament, 53 matches, will be played in Major League Soccer Stadiums in six cities across three time zones. San Diego will host 11 matches, including a men’s and women’s semifinal match and the men’s and women’s bronze medal matches. New York, Columbus and Nashville will host nine matches each. Eight games will be played in St. Louis, while seven will be played in San Jose.
The MLS stadiums, which range in capacity from 18,000 (San Jose) to 35,000 (San Diego), are a better fit for the Olympic tournaments than larger stadiums such as Stanford Stadium, which held 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup matches.
Half of the 2024 Olympic women’s tournament first round matches, nine of 18, drew less than 10,000 spectators and Germany and Zambia drew just 2,642 at St. Etienne’s 41,965-seat Stade Geoffrey-Guichard.
Nine matches at the 2024 Olympic Games were played in Paris’ Parc de Prince stadium, 37 matches in the 2021 Olympics were played in the greater Tokyo area, 12 matches for the 2016 Games were held in Rio de Janeiro and Wembley Stadium hosted nine matches at the 2012 Games.
The Rose Bowl hosted nine of the 16 matches for the 1984 Olympic men’s tournament. The International Olympic Committee did not include women’s soccer until the 1996 Games. The Rose Bowl also hosted eight of the 52 matches for the 1994 World Cup.
The Los Angeles area’s two MLS venues will be used for other sports during the Olympics. BMO Stadium will host the Olympic flag football and lacrosse competitions. Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson is the site of the Games’ archery and rugby events.
Trump backs ‘powerful caps’ on college athlete pay
WASHINGTON — President Trump wants “very powerful caps” to limit college athlete salaries so that universities won’t “go out of business.”
Trump told ESPN host Pat McAfee that he fears that “lesser” sports also are being scrapped due to the newly allowed practice of directly paying athletes, which has been allowed since July on top of name, image and likeness (NIL) sponsorships by companies and booster clubs permitted since 2021.
“It is a very serious problem because even football, when they give quarterbacks $12 million, $13 million, $14 million — I read a couple of them — and all of a sudden you’re going to see it’s going to be out of control, and even rich colleges are going to go bust,” Trump said in a Tuesday interview.
“They had the old way. They gave scholarships, and they did lots of good things. But there could be some form of payments, but… look, the NFL, and all of you know, all teams, they have caps. You don’t really have that in college sports,” the president said.
“When the guard comes along that weighs 350 pounds and he’s phenomenal, and they say, ‘That’s going to make the difference between having a great team and a lousy team’, and they give him $10 million — that’s going to start happening pretty soon — all of a sudden you’re going to have NFL-type payrolls.”
The reform allowing for direct payment of players by universities came through a court-approved settlement involving the NCAA, with an estimated initial annual cap of $20.5 million per player. Without changes, the salary cap is expected to rise to $33 million over the next decade, CBS Sports reported.
Trump, whose administration this year paused federal grants to prominent universities to force policy changes, added, “colleges don’t make that much money, even the most successful, so they’re not going to be able to do this. Bad things are going to happen unless they figure this out…
“And frankly, the college football, it’s very big. But as big as it is, if they don’t do some very powerful caps, these colleges are all going to go out of business no matter how rich they are.”
Trump floated Nick Saban, the retired longtime football coach at the University of Alabama, as a potential point person to lead a group to devise new salary caps.
“I don’t want to use any particular sport, because it’s, you know, degrading. But they are really terminating a lot of sports… you would call them lesser sports, but big sports, good sports, and sports where they have tremendous interest, they’re getting rid of them,” Trump added.
“A lot of the lesser sports are being totally terminated. You know that? It’s a shame. It was almost like a training ground for the Olympics, and a lot of those training grounds are being lost.”
Mavs honoring VP of corporate sponsorships Billy Phillips as he retires after 33 years
A wave of emotion overcame Billy Phillips as he went through a list of acknowledgements that included his Dallas Mavericks colleagues, corporate sponsorship partners and immediate family.
Phillips, the Mavericks’ longtime vice president of corporate sponsorships, was the final voice to speak on Saturday to commemorate his retirement after 33 years of tenure with the franchise. It was a celebration inside the Executive Lounge at American Airlines Center to honor one of the most respected employees in the team’s 45-year history.
“Many of you know his Dallas Mavericks legacy and what he’s done for this community, but what he’s done for the overall sports business community in North Texas is unparalleled,” said Gina Miller, the Mavericks’ new chief communications officer.
Phillips’ storied sports legacy in the Dallas-Fort Worth area didn’t start in basketball. The Long Island, N.Y., native played soccer as a goalkeeper from 1980 to 1981 for the Dallas Tornado in the North American Soccer League. He played an instrumental role with the Dallas Sidekicks, both as a player from 1984 to 1987 and manager from 1987 to 1996.
Phillips helped establish soccer in North Texas in the 1970s and 1980s, and the momentum led to Dallas being the host city for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The quadrennial international men’s soccer tournament will return in 2026, with AT&T Stadium hosting nine matches in Arlington, including a semi-final game. FC Dallas president Dan Hunt said Phillips played a role in the Cup’s return.
Phillips joined the Mavericks in 1992 as a senior director of corporate sponsorship. He was promoted to vice president in 2018, the role he serves in currently until his final day on Dec. 23. As an athlete, he can’t help but reflect on the team’s lone championship in 2011 as a standout moment, but the people he worked with is what he’ll cherish the most.
“At the end of the day, it’s relationships,” Phillips said. “I have so many amazing relationships from people who work for the Mavericks and partners that I’ve worked with now…It’s always the people who’s the most important part of my job.”
Several influential people around the Mavericks spoke during Phillips’ retirement ceremony, including minority shareholder Mark Cuban and CEO Rick Welts. Co-interim general manager Michael Finley was also in attendance.
“This man can sell,” Cuban said. “Billy has been a rock, not just for the young salespeople, but for the whole organization. When things were up, when things were down, Billy was steady. Billy has this calming influence that he brings to anybody that he’s met, but he also can sell. What’s the rule, Billy?”
“If you’re talking to someone, you better have a check,” Phillips said.
The celebration didn’t stop during the pregame. Phillips was honored during halftime of Saturday’s game with a tribute video, which included cameos by Dirk Nowitzki and former Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd began his pregame news conference with a congratulatory message for Phillips.
“I want to congratulate Billy Phillips,” Kidd said. “He’s retiring after 33 years with the Mavs. He’s a big influence in sports here in Dallas. Goalkeeper for the Dallas Sidekicks. He did everything and he’s a big reason why soccer is coming to Dallas for the Cup.”
Twitter/X: @MikeACurtis2
TKO Stock Slides despite Receiving a New Street-High Price Target
TKO Group Holdings (TKO) had a standout year in 2025, thanks to major media rights deals and a surge in sponsorships. In fact, the sports and entertainment company signed agreements to broadcast UFC and Zuffa Boxing with Paramount (PSKY) and licensed WWE content through Endeavor Group. These deals were big enough that TKO raised its outlook for the year, and the stock climbed by more than 50%, thereby making it one of the top performers in its sector.
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Importantly, analysts believe there’s more room to grow, even after this big run. For instance, BTIG analyst Tyler DiMatteo noted that 2026 looks promising for both the sports and entertainment industry and TKO specifically. While he does expect some short-term ups and downs due to the stock’s recent surge, he’s comfortable giving TKO a higher valuation. He points to strong consumer interest in live events and what many call the “experience economy” as key reasons why the company should keep performing well.
TKO is also betting on newer trends, such as prediction markets. It signed a multi-year deal with Polymarket that will apply to UFC and Zuffa Boxing in an attempt to increase fan engagement. Interestingly, that market was worth $1.4 billion in 2024 and could grow to $95.5 billion by 2035. As a result, DiMatteo gave TKO a Buy rating and raised his price target to a street high of $250 per share.
Is TKO Stock a Good Buy?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Strong Buy consensus rating on TKO stock based on 14 Buys, one Hold, and zero Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. Furthermore, the average TKO price target of $225.73 per share implies 7.9% upside potential.
See more TKO analyst ratings
How shared values drove Ferrari’s first crypto partnership: Interview with BingX
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The multi-year agreement between Formula One racing team Scuderia Ferrari and crypto exchange BingX represents the Italian team’s first partnership with a crypto exchange.
For Vivien Lin, Chief Product Officer at BingX, the connection is built on performance rather than just visibility. She notes that Ferrari’s “engineering excellence and uncompromising standards” mirror the platform’s own approach, stating that the goal is to demonstrate that a crypto exchange can operate with the “same discipline, transparency and ambition” as the iconic automotive brand.
In this interview, Lin sheds light on the strategic vision behind the collaboration, the maturity of the crypto landscape and how shared values with Ferrari are influencing BingX’s global roadmap.
Cointelegraph: How is the convergence of high-performance sports and financial technology reshaping global marketing strategies?
Vivien Lin: High-performance sports attract fans who are deeply committed and loyal, much like the community we’ve built at BingX with our 40 million users. In Formula 1, this engagement is clear. Recent research shows that 94% of fans plan to follow the sport five years from now, and 86% watch at least 16 races each season.
This kind of loyalty gives us a unique chance for us to build lasting relationships, not just short-term awareness. In my experience, it’s rare to find a partnership that fits so well. I also believe that sponsorship shapes how fans experience the sport.
The same research found that about three-quarters of fans think sponsors make Formula 1 better, and one in three are more likely to buy from F1 partners. For Gen Z, that number rises to 40%. For BingX, this trend means our marketing is now more focused on values, performance and long-term relevance, not just visibility.
CT: Why are elite sporting institutions increasingly looking toward the cryptocurrency sector for strategic alliances?
VL: In our experience, elite sports organizations have always focused on progress and winning. To stay ahead, they keep evolving, adopt new technologies and look to the future. The crypto sector and BingX share this forward-thinking approach, so there is a unique purpose behind these partnerships.
Furthermore, 2026 marks a change. As the industry grows, crypto is now about infrastructure, security and global access — not just experimentation. Sports organizations see this obvious shift and want to work with partners who are leading the way. These partnerships show a shared belief that responsible innovation can create lasting value for people around the world.
CT: What does the evolving relationship between Formula 1 and digital assets signal about the maturity of the crypto industry?
VL: The growing relationship between Formula 1 and digital assets is a strong signal that the crypto industry is entering a more mature phase. One that is defined less by speculation and more by credibility, infrastructure and long-term brand building.
Both Formula 1 and crypto are built on resilience. Progress is never linear. There are moments of rapid innovation, periods of pressure and times when patience matters more than speed. After seven years in this industry, I’ve seen crypto evolve through multiple cycles, shaped by both breakthroughs and hard lessons. Formula 1 understands this reality deeply.
From BingX’s perspective, Formula 1 represents the highest standards of performance, precision and trust. It is a global sport governed by rigorous regulation and scrutiny. The fact that teams and stakeholders are increasingly selective about their partners reflects how the crypto industry itself is changing.
Partnerships today are about values, governance and the ability to perform at scale. As the industry matures, we are seeing leading crypto platforms focus on compliance, security and user protection, foundational elements that are essential for long-term adoption.
The presence of digital asset companies in Formula 1 signals that these platforms are now capable of meeting the expectations of world-class institutions and global audiences. It also reflects a move away from short-term hype toward sustainable engagement and education.
CT: How does becoming a cryptocurrency partner for Ferrari differentiate BingX from its competitors?
VL: This partnership is significant not only because of Ferrari’s global brand and history, but also because it marks their first collaboration with a cryptocurrency exchange, which we do not take lightly. For BingX, it reinforces our position as a top-of-mind brand in crypto and reflects how far we’ve come as a platform.
For example, we were the first major exchange to introduce copy trading, which helped us become recognized as a top 5 derivatives platform, and today we are the first all-in-AI crypto exchange, with a $300 million commitment to implementing AI across our platform. It shows that we are seen as a long-term partner capable of meeting the standards of one of motorsport’s most iconic teams.
CT: What specific shared values between BingX and Scuderia Ferrari form the foundation of this multi-year collaboration?
VL: At the heart of this collaboration is a shared mindset of pioneering breakthroughs and redefining what’s possible. Both BingX and Scuderia Ferrari operate in environments where precision, performance and continuous innovation matter deeply.
Ferrari’s culture of constant innovation, race after race and season after season, closely mirrors how BingX approaches product innovation and platform evolution. We also share a long-term view that goes beyond short-term wins. There is a strong mutual respect for data, technology and discipline, as well as a belief that innovation should always be purposeful.
On the product side, this philosophy translates directly into action. Just as Ferrari continuously refines performance to push limits on the track, BingX is committed to helping traders go beyond their current potential through continuous platform upgrades, BingX Academy and AI-driven innovation.
CT: How do you plan to turn this partnership into tangible benefits for the BingX trading community?
VL: For us, partnerships like this are about delivering a more premium experience for our users. We are intentional about who we align with because those relationships reflect how we build our platform and our community.
Our partnerships with globally respected teams like Chelsea Football Club and Ferrari are not coincidences. They represent excellence, discipline and a commitment to performing at the highest level.
For our trading community, this translates into elevated experiences, stronger engagement and a brand they can trust and feel proud to be part of. Whether markets are moving fast or slowing down, our focus remains on quality, reliability and long-term value. These partnerships, along with racing-inspired campaigns, race-week activations and limited-edition experiences, reinforce that we are building BingX to operate at a global, premium standard.
CT: How does aligning with the most iconic team in motorsport reinforce BingX’s commitment to security and technological excellence?
VL: Ferrari’s reputation is built on precision, reliability and performance under pressure. Partnering with a team of that caliber reinforces how we think about building BingX and our own commitment to building secure, resilient and high-performing systems.
For years, we’ve focused on creating a resilient, AI-native platform, with intelligence embedded directly into the trading experience and a long-term $300 million commitment to AI.
In crypto, trust is built through infrastructure, not promises. We treat security as a foundation, supported by proof-based protections such as a $150 million Shield Fund and 100% proof-of-reserves.
This partnership reflects confidence in our technology and governance, and it sends a clear message that innovation and security are not trade-offs. They must work together to create a platform that can perform at a global, world-class standard.
CT: How will this alliance influence BingX’s strategic roadmap and expansion plans over the next few years?
VL: This partnership builds on a foundation we’ve already established. With over 40 million users globally and a position among the top five derivatives trading platforms, BingX has reached a scale where brand trust, consistency and global relevance matter more than ever.
Our multi-year partnership with Chelsea Football Club reflects that same thinking. Whether on the pitch or in the market, we align with teams that operate at the highest level of performance.
Working with Ferrari represents the next stage of that journey. It opens new opportunities for global storytelling, deeper regional engagement and innovation across markets. More importantly, it aligns with our long-term view of crypto as part of global finance and culture, not a niche industry.
CT: What role will this partnership play in BingX’s long-term goal to redefine standards within the cryptocurrency landscape?
Partnerships like this help set a new benchmark for what crypto brands can represent. They show that it’s possible to combine innovation with discipline, and ambition with responsibility.
Our goal is to help move the industry forward by building trust, raising standards and focusing on long-term value. If crypto wants to be part of global culture, it must meet the standards of the world’s most demanding institutions. This partnership is our commitment to that future.
NCAA D1 Cabinet Approves Jersey Patch Sponsorships in College Sports
If you felt that the influx of NIL and other cash influences had already thoroughly corrupted college sports, you may want to brace yourself.
The NCAA Division I Cabinet voted to approve jersey patch sponsorships in college sports. The new ruling will take effect on August 1, allowing patches to be placed on uniforms just in time for the start of the 2026 college football season.
“College sports are in an exciting new era of increased financial benefits for student-athletes, and the Cabinet’s vote today reflects the ongoing commitment of Division I members to drive additional revenues and fully fund those benefits,” said Illinois Athletics Director and D-I Cabinet chair, Josh Whitman, in a statement.
“This also continues the NCAA’s efforts to expand flexibility in areas of NCAA rules, thereby allowing schools and conferences to set standards that reflect their values and serve their unique needs. This important policy change is another step forward in advancing that philosophy and providing members with increased flexibility.”
As On3 reports, “Under the new legislation, schools will be able to place up to two additional commercial logos on uniforms and one additional logo on equipment during both the preseason and postseason. They can also add another logo on uniforms and apparel during conference championships.
“Patches are limited to a maximum of 4 square inches per logo, according to the NCAA. The legislation is in effect for non-NCAA championship competition.”
In anticipation of the rule’s passing, several schools, most notably LSU and UNLV, have already inked sponsorship deals.
The move will undoubtedly accelerate the commercialization of the game-day experience. In the last two years, fans in the stands and those watching at home have seen the emergence of company logos on the field and on the court, resulting from the House v. NCAA settlement approval.
Adding sponsorship patches to jerseys will create yet another revenue stream for college athletics, likely adding tens of millions of dollars annually.
Watch Brands Increasingly Turn to Sports for Spark
Could sports be the tonic that revives the luxury watch market?
Over the past few months, Swiss watch brands have lined up to announce multimillion-dollar deals with elite professional sports leagues and athletes, hoping to leverage their star power and the emotions of sports fandom to fire up a cooling market.
Last week, Breitling became the latest high-end brand to hitch its wagon to Formula 1, signing a deal with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 Team, adding to a deal it announced in August to be the official timepiece partner of the National Football League (N.F.L.).
In November, Norqain became what it called the Official Luxury Sports Watch of the National Hockey League (N.H.L.), and in January Frederique Constant introduced its first sports sponsorship, connecting with the nascent Pro Padel League, in which athletes compete in padel, a game often described as a cross between squash and tennis.
Brands such as Rolex, Omega and TAG Heuer have built their profiles on ties with sports, but in today’s saturated market, can sports sponsorships really help brands achieve their goals?
Fears of foreign influence spark bipartisan crackdown on college sports funding
Student-athletes are increasingly exploring name, image and likeness contracts to benefit from their emerging stardoms. But lawmakers want to make sure those deals don’t provide loopholes for foreign adversaries to exert their influence in the United States.
Utah Rep. Blake Moore introduced the No Foreign NIL Funds Act on Tuesday that would implement a number of restrictions banning foreign governments and adversarial entities from investing in U.S. college sports. The bill would mostly apply to NIL contracts, but it would also extend to sponsorships, media rights deals, hosting amateur athletic conferences, and other joint ventures.
“College sports are woven into American campus life, local communities, and family traditions. But allowing foreign entities to funnel money and sponsorships into college athletics through NIL deals risks undermining the integrity of the game and exposing universities to unintended foreign influence or national security concerns,” Moore, a former student-athlete himself, said in a statement. “NIL should be used to support college athletes, not as a backdoor for moving foreign money into American institutions.”
Since NIL contracts have been accepted in recent years, lawmakers have struggled to adopt comprehensive laws regulating those deals. As a result, there are no federal restrictions banning foreign governments from funding those contracts so long as the agreements are cleared through a list of requirements settled in the House vs. NCAA lawsuit in 2024.
That settlement now allows each school to pay its athletes up to $20.5 million per year, which works out to about 22% of the average athletic department revenue at Power Four schools.
However, many of the organizations that coordinate NIL contracts operate as limited liability companies, or LLCs, that do not require donor lists to be made public. That has raised national security concerns among some lawmakers who said adversarial countries could quietly pour money into a university’s sports program and try to build political influence or gain leverage.
The bill would go beyond those NIL contracts to also block foreign countries from investing in collegiate athletic streams, and it would prohibit entering into contracts with individual universities, media rights distributors, bowl games or postseason football organizations.
Bill would have exceptions for foreign NIL donations
The legislation would carve out some exceptions to allow members of NATO, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland to still participate in those contracts.
Moore pointed to recent incidents in which college football coaches have engaged in foreign trips for lobbying or fundraising as well as some athletic conferences who are finalizing plans to organize tournaments in foreign countries.
The bill has garnered the support of bipartisan lawmakers, and even has the backing of Utah State University’s athletic director, who said it’s crucial “to create a safe and sustainable future.”
“Utah State Athletics firmly supports our student-athletes and their ability to seek name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities through the appropriate channels,” USU athletic director Cameron Walker said. “However, the origin of these sources is critical for NIL to function effectively and operate in the best interest of our university, state, and student-athletes. We are thankful for Congressman Moore’s work in this area and support his efforts to create a safe and sustainable future.”
Arkansas Razorback athletics announces its jersey sponsor
Recently, the Tyson Foods logo has shown up on the field at Razorback Stadium.
Now, the iconic food brand will be on the Razorback uniforms for all varsity sports beginning in 2026-27. Under the new multi-year agreement, Tyson Foods will also serve as the official protein of the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Expect to see the Tyson Foods brand on things such as backdrops for press conferences, stadium branding with on field/court placements.
“This historic sponsorship is transformative for Razorback Athletics. For decades, Tyson Foods has been more than a corporate partner—they are an integral part of the Arkansas story,
How LinkSports is Democratizing the Talent Pipeline by Leveraging Data-Driven Reinvention of Sports Sponsorships
LinkSports, a Canadian technology company operating across 29 countries, is building what it calls the new infrastructure of sports sponsorship. Founded by Neissan Monadjem, LinkSports is a fintech company with sports content that combines artificial intelligence, standardized athletic challenges, and micro-sponsorship funding into a single platform designed to connect amateur athletes with corporate capital. The greater objective, however, lies in eliminating the problem of gatekeeping in sports sponsorship.
According to Monadjem, corporate budgets in sports often concentrate on elite professionals, while grassroots athletes, who may be equally driven, compete for limited visibility and even scarcer funding. The global sports sponsorship market exceeds $100 billion annually, yet he believes that the vast majority of that capital flows to a narrow section of top-tier talent.
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
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Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
Find a hotel in Portland
Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
Find a hotel in Tampa
Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Find a hotel in Philadelphia
Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
Find a hotel in San Diego
Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
Find a hotel St. Louis
When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
Where to stay for March Madness
The 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament is a major driver of sports tourism across the U.S.
Dayton, Ohio, will host the ‘First Four’ games on March 17 and 18 to kick off the tournament.
First and second-round games will be held in various cities, including Buffalo, San Diego, and Philadelphia.
Many hotels close to the stadiums across the country still have limited availability.
2026 is the year for sports travel, from the Winter Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, to increased traffic in many major cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Those are all unique to this year—while the NCAA March Madness tournament happens every year, it still drives tourism to the host sites for basketball fans from all over the country.
Whether you’re heading to Dayton, Ohio in the hopes of catching the beginning of an incredible Cinderella story, heading to a host site like San Diego to see your favorite team play between trips to the beach, or headed to Philadelphia for a little history lesson between games, you’ll have plenty of options on where to stay. The USA TODAY Shopping team has curated some hotel options for you, depending on your location.
Book your hotel stay for March Madness today
Where to stay for March Madness
If you’re waiting to see where your team is going to play in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, bookmark this page, a list of all the men’s March Madness sites for the first week of games, and available hotels by proximity to the stadiums.
See all March Madness hotel options
Where to stay in Dayton for March Madness
Dayton, Ohio is going to host the first two games of the March Madness tournament, on March 17 and March 18. These two games are known as the ‘first four’—the first four games in the March Madness bracket, which are play-in games for the at-large bid teams and the No. 16-seeded teams. We won’t know the teams or the matchups until the bracket is revealed, but it will be two nights with two games each. See hotels close to the University of Dayton arena.
Find a hotel in Dayton
Where to stay in Buffalo for March Madness
Buffalo is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Find a hotel in Buffalo
Where to stay in Greenville for March Madness
Greenville, S.C. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Greenville.
Find a hotel in Greenville
Where to stay in Oklahoma City for March Madness
Oklahoma City is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Paycom Center, which is home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Find a hotel in Oklahoma City
Where to stay in Portland for March Madness
Portland, Ore. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Moda Center, which is home to the Portland Trailblazers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Moda Center in Portland.
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Where to stay in Tampa for March Madness
Tampa, Fla. is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Benchmark International Arena, which is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the stadium in Tampa.
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Where to stay in Philadelphia for March Madness
Philadelphia is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
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Where to stay in San Diego for March Madness?
San Diego is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Viejas Arena, home of the San Diego Aztecs men’s and women’s basketball teams, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Viejas Arena in San Diego.
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Where to stay in St. Louis for March Madness?
St. Louis is one of the host sites for the first and second round. First round games will take place March 19-20, while second round games will take place March 21-22. Games will be played at Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues, but the NCAA tournament matchups have not been announced yet. See hotels close to Enterprise Arena in St. Louis.
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When is March Madness 2026?
The 2026 March Madness tournament will kick off after the 68-team bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday, which lands on Sunday, March 15 this year. The tournament will continue through March, ending with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
NBA draft prospect Alijah Arenas refuses to see his dreams derailed
Barely a minute or two ticked away at Galen Center last month,but USC freshman Alijah Arenas already was exhausted. His legs felt like anchors dragging across the court. Every trip down and back left his lungs howling.
Not 48 hours earlier, Arenas was confined to his bed, sick with a particularly unforgiving form of the flu. The virus sapped him of the strength he’d built during his first seven games at USC — another frustrating setback during a season with too many to count.
At practice the day before, Arenas felt so tired he spent most of the session lying down, trying not to move. But after all the games missed and all the opportunities lost during the past 10 months, Arenas never willingly gave up another.
He came to USC, after all, as a surefire NBA lottery pick, a sinewy playmaking marvel capable of creating his shot anywhere, anytime. He seemed like the sort of tantalizing five-star talent who could change not just the present but future of a program.
But he spent almost three-quarters of what could be his only college season sidelined. So, with a top-10 Illinois team coming to town, Arenas fought to play. He ended up slogging his way through 18 minutes and scored eight points. USC lost to Illinois by 36, its largest margin of defeat of the regular season.
That was three weeks ago. USC hasn’t won a game since. It opens Big Ten tournament action against Washington on Wednesday in need of a miracle run just to make the NCAA tournament.
Arenas isn’t one to make excuses. “I’m not going to blame it on [being sick,]” he said the day after the Illinois loss.
There has been plenty of blame to go around during USC’s seven-game losing streak. But Arenas blames himself. He should have been more prepared for this season, he says. He should have been working out harder, recovering faster.
“The facts speak for themselves,” Arenas said. “I just have to point out the obvious.”
He thinks about his little brother, Aloni. He’s only 14. He’s been hounding Alijah about getting in the gym. Why hadn’t he listened?
“It’s becoming a problem,” he said. “Lately, I’ve been talking about striving for perfection, instead of actually practicing it.”
He’s spent all night thinking about this. Obsessing over it.
But on the other hand … maybe he’s being a bit hard on himself.
One morning last April, Arenas was driving home from the gym when his Tesla Cybertruck malfunctioned, crashed into a tree and burst into flames, briefly trapping him inside. He managed to escape, but he was placed in a medically induced coma to aid recovery from smoke inhalation and hospitalized for six days. Then, within days of finally being cleared to practice during the summer at USC, Arenas learned his meniscus was torn. He had one surgery on his knee, only to learn he needed a second about a month later.
Doctors told Arenas at the time that the knee injury was likely season-ending. But he refused to accept that fate. When his knee responded well to the second surgery, doctors conceded he might be able to return sometime in February. He ran with it.
“He worked so hard to come back,” said Zach Becerra, Arenas’ trainer, “that he got it to mid-January.”
But while his knee might’ve technically been healthy as he suited up against Northwestern on Jan. 21, Arenas didn’t have his stamina back. It’d been 10 months since he last played five-on-five basketball.
Arenas still played 29 minutes. He shot three of 15. Afterward, USC coach Eric Musselman worried he might’ve thrown the freshman into the fire too soon.
But Musselman told the Arenas family from the beginning that he would give Alijah a blank canvas on which to create and the space to make mistakes, to grow. So he kept his word — and kept giving Arenas the ball. Musselman stuck with the freshman even as he shot just 29% and struggled to find his footing during his first four games. And he has continued to stick with his star freshman, even as USC’s season unraveled.
He’s done so because Musselman and his staff have seen glimpses of what Arenas could be.
During a three-game stretch in early February, Arenas showed the world his sky-high potential. He dropped 29 against Indiana, 25 at Ohio State and hit a game-winner at Penn State. It seemed, at the time, like he was on the brink of his long-awaited breakout.
Then, he got sick.
“It’s a shame that the circumstances were what they were,” USC assistant coach Michael Musselman said. “Because I truly know that [Arenas] would have been one of the best players in the country with a full season.”
Arenas, though, doesn’t waste any time feeling sorry for himself. Even that stellar three-game stretch, he says, “wasn’t what I was waiting for.” He calls it “decent towards bad.”
Two days later, USC blew a lead to Oregon in the final minute. The ball was in Arenas’ hands during the final two possessions. He missed a contested jumper on the first trip. On the second, he drove into traffic and lost the ball.
After the game, Becerra said Arenas was “crushed.” “He feels like, ‘It’s all on me. ‘It’s all on my shoulders.’”
Arenas took a half-hour after the game to shoot and clear his head.
When he finally got home that night, Arenas headed straight for his father’s sauna. He sat inside for a while, alone, hoping to sweat away whatever was holding him back.
Seventh grade was when it all started to click. That’s the version of himself Arenas wants to recapture.
Back then, he said, it was fun to set his alarm for 4 a.m., getting to the gym hours before another soul would show up.
“I was a very disciplined kid in seventh grade,” he says. “I’d get eight workouts a day in.”
Eight? Really? Yes, at his middle school, Core Prep Academy in Northridge, Arenas’ entire day was consumed by hoops. There were pre-dawn workouts, mid-morning core, mid-afternoon skills training and late-night shooting sessions. Lunch was usually sacrificed to get up extra shots. Sometimes he’d get in a short morning nap on a couch in an office. Classes, somehow, were crammed in the between workouts.
It was a pretty grueling schedule for a seventh grader. But Arenas chose it. He fell in love with the work. “That kid was obsessed,” Arenas says of his younger self. “Nothing distracted him. No outside noise, no talking, no anything. Just gym, school, sleep, repeat.”
Becerra, his trainer, saw that shift firsthand. He’d started training Arenas’ dad, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, when Alijah was in the fifth grade. Alijah was only 5-foot-4 when Becerra took him on as a client, too.
“But he was already a madman,” Becerra said. “He gets that from his dad.”
That motivation wasn’t the product of his famous father nudging him. Alijah said Gilbert never put any expectations on him to follow in his father’s footsteps.
In middle school at Core Prep, Alijah was pinned against older, stronger prospects on a daily basis. When it came time to choose a high school, instead of sending him to Sierra Canyon, where other local top prospects congregated, Alijah enrolled at Chatsworth High, the local public high school.
“I just think Gilbert wanted him to have to fight,” said Etop Udo-Ema, the founder of Compton Magic, Arenas’ AAU program. “You’re gonna do everything [at Chatsworth.] You’re gonna have to carry the team and wear every game on your shoulder.”
Some nights, Chatsworth coach Sam Harris would ask Alijah to play the point. Others he played center. He posted up in the paint, with his back to the basket. He initiated the offense. He rebounded. He even did the opening tip.
“He had to learn to do everything,” Harris said.
Arenas ended up staying all three of his high school seasons at Chatsworth. Most nights, Arenas was the sole focus of opponents’ game plans. Still, in three seasons, he became the Los Angeles City Section’s all-time leading scorer.
He developed an uncanny ability to create his own shot under the most difficult of circumstances, manipulating defenses and contorting his way through the lane with ease. He learned how to elevate his teammates, putting them in positions to succeed. And he also sprouted up to 6-foot-7, which didn’t hurt.
“Every game I was getting triple-teamed,” Arenas said. “At first it was frustrating. But then I realized, like, that’s just preparing me for the next level. I had to learn how to read the game differently, how to stay patient, how to trust my work even when things weren’t going right.”
Those lessons have been tested at USC, where little has gone as planned for Arenas so far this season. The Trojans have lost nine of the 13 games in which Arenas has suited up. They dismissed leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara last month and their NCAA tournament hopes are on life support.
It hasn’t been easy. But whenever life has been the hardest, he has found himself thinking of his Cybertruck crash. It’s made him slow down, made him take a breath.
“I just tell myself, like, ‘You’re still here,” he said.
In the same breath, Arenas refuses to let himself off the hook. He insists again this season hasn’t been good enough, that he hasn’t been good enough.
His former coaches, however, happily come to his defense. They insist this version of Arenas is, as Udo-Ema put it, “a shell of what he’s going to be.” They point to the fact that he’s only just now in playing shape.
That’s what the Compton Magic founder has told any NBA teams who have asked. “If he’s not a top-10 pick, there are 10 dumb NBA teams that are going to miss out,” he says.
Harris, the Chatsworth head coach, said Arenas is still just getting comfortable. He was supposed to be a high school senior, but he chose to reclassify and head to college early. Then suddenly he was thrust into the fire of a Big Ten slate at midseason.
“It’s just growing pains,” Harris said.
Stepping in during the final six weeks certainly required adjusting — not just from Arenas, but also his teammates. At Chatsworth, Arenas did everything because he had to. At USC, that instinct has sometimes led him to try too hard, to do too much.
“He can get a shot off whenever he wants, which is super unique,” said Michael Musselman, the USC assistant. “So he’s trying to figure out, ‘When do I need to use that?’ versus ‘When do I need to find my teammates or get other guys involved?’”
It may be too late to figure it all out at USC. The expectation has long been that Arenas would play one season of college basketball before declaring for the NBA draft. But considering how the past year has gone, could that change in the coming weeks as we learn more about how the NBA views Arenas’ limited freshman tape?
No one is ruling anything out. But those closest to Arenas assure that his struggles this season have done nothing to alter his trajectory in the NBA.
“Just the things he can do, the IQ he has, what he can see, the way that he moves, the length, the size — he’s the most talented guy I’ve ever seen,” Udo-Ema said. “Now realizing that talent is a whole different story. But let’s say everything perfect happens for him, he’s going to be the face of the NBA.”
Of course, nothing has gone perfectly to this point for Arenas. But if this past year has taught him anything, it’s how critical it is to keep on course. He won’t allow himself to veer any further.
“Because talent isn’t enough at this level,” Arenas said. “Everybody is talented. So if I’m not out working people, I’m behind.
“I know what I’m capable of. And I’m not there yet. Simple as that.”
March Madness 2026: Every City and Arena Hosting NCAA Tournament Games
March Madness is just a day away, and the anticipation around it is off the charts. As college basketball embarks on its final chapter in 2026, the teams look ready to sweat it out for the grand prize. But where will these games be held? Let’s dive right in and find out about the venues where the NCAA 2026 March Madness games will be hosted.
Which Arena Hosts the First Four Games in March Madness 2026?
The 2026 calendar will see the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio, hosting the First Four Games on March 17th and 18th. These play-in games determine the final four teams that advance into the traditional 64-team March Madness bracket. Dayton has always been the longstanding home for the First Four ever since the format was introduced in 2011.
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The First Four consists of four play-in games involving eight teams. The match-ups usually include the four lowest-seeded at-large teams against the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers.
Dates : March 17th and 18th 2026
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City: Dayton, Ohio
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Venue: University of Dayton Arena (UD Arena), located at 1801 Edwin C. Moses Blvd., Dayton, OH 45417.
The venue was opened in 1969 and has been renovated multiple times, with its last work happening in 2019, and can house approximately 13,409 people. Because of its rich association with college basketball, it has also earned itself the nickname “Epicenter of College Basketball.”
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Since 2011, this has been the proven ground where college basketball teams have slogged it out for a chance to etch their names into basketball supremacy. Dayton fans have a history of coming in numbers and selling out arenas as March Madness tips off from here. This is exactly why the slogan “The Road Starts Here” has become so entwined with this particular city.
Irrespective of the teams playing, the fans have never shirked away, and this is exactly why Dayton is a top-10 media market for college basketball viewership.
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Which Cities and Arenas Host the First and Second Round Games in 2026?
The 2026 NCAA Tournament’s First and Second Rounds (Round of 64 and Round of 32) will be played March 19–22 across eight host cities: Buffalo, Greenville, Oklahoma City, Portland, Tampa, Philadelphia, San Diego, and St. Louis. These regional pods spread the opening weekend action nationwide, giving fans across the U.S. a chance to experience March Madness live from the different locations.
The Round of 64 and Round of 32 games will be staggered from Thursday to Sunday. The host cities are arenas are:
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Well, all the venues in question have a history to begin with, which is why they have been chosen as the host sites for a tournament of this caliber. Take Buffalo, for instance, which is a frequent NCAA site, home of the NHL’s Sabres, or Greenville, which has become a regular host in recent years, popular in the Southeast, or Portland, with the NBA Trail Blazers’ arena of the West Coast pod.
The NCAA rotates these pods annually to make the games more accessible and provide different regions with hosting opportunities. While Dayton, Ohio, always gets the First Four, the first and second rounds move around each year. But that does not apply to cities like Buffalo, St. Louis, and Philadelphia, which have a history of repeatedly hosting the tournaments because of their strong attendance and basketball culture.
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Which Cities Will Host the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight in the 2026 NCAA Tournament?
Four cities will host Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games in the second weekend. These matchups will determine which teams win their respective regions and walk away with a Final Four bid. So this is exactly the part where the game gets most cutthroat. It will be played in four cities, and the dates for the Sweet 16 are March 26 and 27, and the Elite Eight are March 28th and 29th, respectively.
As you will notice, both rounds are hosted in the same city/arena for each region, creating a mini-tournament atmosphere. The winners of the Sweet 16 will automatically advance to play for a spot in the Final Four.
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Where Is the 2026 NCAA Final Four and National Championship Game Being Played?
For the first time since 2021, the Final Four will be making its much-awaited comeback to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. A couple of months after the NFL Combine was hosted here, its seats will be filled to watch who will be crowned champions of DI basketball. So far, Indianapolis has hosted the Final Four eight times between 1980 and 2021, and now it will again get a chance to do so.
During the 2021 final, Baylor defeated Gonzaga 86-70 in a battle of the No. 1 seeds. Before that, legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski won his fifth title at Duke, as the Blue Devils defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 68-63 in the championship game. So it has its own elaborate history that they will hope to live up to this year as well, when they host the elites of the game.
While Indianapolis has hosted the Women’s Final Four three times (RCA Dome in 2005, Bankers Life Fieldhouse in 2011 and 2016), the home of the Indianapolis Colts has not. However, Lucas Oil Stadium is scheduled to host its first Women’s Final Four in 2028.
The Final Four will be the culmination of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and will see the last four teams left battle it out for the title. The weekend will comprise two national semi-final games that will be played on the same date, Saturday, April 4, 2026, followed by the finals on April 6th that will determine this season’s champion.
Indianapolis has hosted the Final Four nine times, more than any other city. The last three years it hosted these prestigious finals were in 2010, 2015, and 2021, and now it will do so again this year, making it the fourth time overall.
For the record, the NCAA headquarters are located in this city itself, and so you can imagine why the city gets its precedence. The Lucas Oil Stadium also has its own charm to it, with its fancy retractable roof setup and modern amenities, and is ideal for this kind of large-scale event.
Where to buy tickets, best prices, schedule
Say hello to the belles of the ball (and Cinderellas).
On Sunday, March 15, the NCAA announced the sprawling 68-team field that will compete at arenas all over the country in the 2026 Men’s Basketball Tournament, aka March Madness.
This year’s No. 1 seeds are Cameron Boozer’s Duke Blue Devils, Thomas Haugh’s Florida Gators, Jaden Bradley’s Arizona Wildcats and Yaxel Lendeborg’s Michigan Wolverines.
They’ll be joined by buzzy upstarts like Mark Mitchell’s Missouri Tigers, Pryce Sandfort’s Nebraska Cornhuskers and Peter Suder’s Miami Ohio Redhawks who are battling in the “First Four.”
As for New York, they’ll be represented by not one, not two, not three but four (!) squads in the Big Dance. They are Zuby Ejiofor’s No. 5-ranked St. John’s Red Storm as well as Cruz Davis’ No. 13 Hofstra Pride along with as No. 16 seeds Gavin Doty’s Siena Saints and Jamal Fuller’s Long Island University Sharks.
Early-round games are scheduled to go down at:
University of Dayton Arena
Dayton, OH
Moda Center
Portland, OR
Paycom Center
Oklahoma City, OK
Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Greenville, SC
KeyBank Center
Buffalo, NY
Other first and second-round contests are scheduled for Philadelphia, Tampa, St. Louis and San Diego before the games relocate for the Sweet 16.
If you’d like to root on the squad of your choosing, see future NBA stars and/or witness an earth-shattering bracket-busting upset, last-minute tickets are available for all 67 games leading up to the April 6 Championship at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium.
At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find for any pair of contests was $17 including fees on StubHub.
Multi-game session passes for the first two rounds that get you into six games over three days start at $343 including fees (that’s for Philadelphia).
Not bad considering that The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy dubbed this year’s crop as “Arguably the greatest — and deepest — freshman class in the sport’s history.”
Want to catch a game or three?
We’re here to help, hardwood fanatics.
Our team has everything you need to know and more about the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament below.
NCAA Men’s Basketball March Madness tickets 2025
A complete breakdown of all upcoming games separated by venues — including game dates, teams and ticket prices — can be found here:
University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, OH
Moda Center in Portland, OR
Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC
Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK
KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY
Viejas Arena in San Diego, CA
Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO
Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, FL
Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, PA
Final Four tickets 2026
The Big Dance will come to a close this year in Indianapolis.
On Saturday, April 4, the Final Four goes down at the Lucas Oil Stadium aka the home of the Indianapolis Colts.
Two days later, March Madness ’26 wraps things up with the National Championship game at the same venue on Monday, April 6.
You can find tickets for all three high-stakes games here.
Sweet 16 tickets 2026
Before the playoff picture fully sorts itself out, the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 will take place in four major cities.
To make sure you’re in the loop, here’s how to grab tickets for all sessions at each of the four venues hosting the middle of the tourney.
March Madness 2026 bracket
Want to start making predictions ASAP?
You can get to it right now with our printable bracket below.
For all things March Madness, check out The Post’s bracket coverage and top storylines.
How to watch March Madness on TV
If you’re looking to scream at the TV enjoy the games from the comfort of your own home, we’re happy to report that that should be a cinch this year.
Most games can be found on CBS, TNT, TBS or truTV; all of these channels are available with a free trial of DIRECTV’s choice plan.
As always, be sure to check your local listings ahead of time to find the game you’re looking for ahead of time.
Huge 2026 concerts
Love March Madness…and music?
If that’s the case, here are just five shows you won’t want to miss live these next few months.
• J. Cole
• A$AP Rocky
• Kid Cudi
• Don Toliver
• Earth Wind and Fire with Lionel Richie
Who else is on the road? Take a look at our list of all the biggest concert tours in 2026 to find the show for you.
Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post
Corey Day Reminded of Rick Hendrick’s Warning Against Kyle Larson in Las Vegas Battle
Usually, it is tough for young racecar drivers not to let their emotions take over their actions behind the wheel. But not for Corey Day, not at least after Rick Hendrick’s intervention, the impact of which was clearly visible in how he approached racing against Kyle Larson.
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Corey Day looks back on thrilling battle with Kyle Larson
In the High Limit season opener at Las Vegas, Corey Day and Kyle Larson shared a thrilling finish, which saw the 2x Cup champion emerge victorious against the young gun. Following the race, Day shared his thoughts on his speed and his issues with the traffic.
He claimed that the traffic was ‘pretty bad’, and the bottom was tough to hit. “If you run on the top it’d mess you up and if you run on the bottom you’d have to wait for them to miss it to get under them,” Day said. Because of this, he felt he had made a couple of bad decisions in traffic.
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And Day knew that if it wasn’t for those bad decisions, he would have had a better chance at outsmarting Larson in the end. “I think if I wouldn’t have made those I’d have been to Kyle a little sooner. But that’s all right we got two more nights,” he admitted.
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It’s worth mentioning that after his on-track incidents in NASCAR where he took out drivers associated with his own team, he got a stern talking-to by Rick Hendrick. This was something Dale Jr. revealed on his podcast following COTA.
Junior claimed that he, Mr. H, and Day got together with Hendrick leading the conversation with the intent of trying to make the young driver understand. Day was told that both Hendrick and Earnhardt Jr. want him, believe in him, and his prowess. But at the same time, he was told that he’ll have to contend for wins and be competitive without being a detriment to his own teammates.
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Perhaps that advice struck deeply with Day as he emerged incident-free against Larson in the High Limit race.
Larson isn’t losing faith in Day despite the on-track incidents
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Speaking to Bob Pockrass, Kyle Larson shared his thoughts on Corey Day’s current situation following his incidents with JR Motorsports driver. Larson admitted that Day has had a lot of rough Mondays this season with a lot of mentoring and work he had to go through.
“For me, it was lending support and just letting him know that we all believe in him and keep your head high and keep focused on the process,” Larson said. He claimed that most drivers have to go through such moments in their careers and Day will be fine.
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In fact, the #5 driver believed that Day would emerge a better, more skilled, and knowledgeable driver from this rough stretch.
Larson emphasized that he has complete faith in Corey Day and looks forward to seeing his progression in NASCAR.
Joe Gibbs & Co. Double Down on Chris Gabehart Lawsuit With Bombshell ‘Spire Folder’ Claim
Just when the legal battle seemed to be tilting in Chris Gabehart’s favor, Joe Gibbs Racing has fired back with a bombshell claim that could change everything. At first, it seemed kind of unfair for Gabehart. Especially due to his declaration, which claims that there was no such action of his that could prove that his intentions were to steal necessary data from Joe Gibbs Racing. However, the latest evidence that Joe Gibbs brings to the court shows they won’t let him off the hook so easily.
Joe Gibbs gets ready to expose Chris Gabehart’s secrets
Joe Gibbs will be filing in against Chris Gabehart and his declaration tonight. According to reports from Bob Pockrass on social media,
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“It is undisputed that he took photos of his computer screen with his cell phone and saved more than 200 JGR proprietary files in a folder named ‘Spire.’ This is sufficient to support a preliminary injunction as to Gabehart.”
Not only that, but they are also arguing that his current role at Spire Motorsports directly disobeys the non-compete clause of his release from the team. The basis of Gibbs’ current accusations stems from a recent blunder unveiled by his team against Gabehart.
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Reportedly, Gabehart took multiple pictures of sensitive information from Joe Gibbs Racing on his phone. In Gabehart’s defense, his attorneys label it as an embarrassing mistake. However, JGR is trying to expose the very same mistake as malicious intent on his end.
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“There is no innocent explanation for secretly accessing, reviewing, and selectively deleting an employer’s confidential files after your employment has ended and you are negotiating with a direct competitor. Gabehart’s belief that he was acting in secret is itself powerful evidence of wrongful intent.”
With this revelation, everything suddenly changes in favor of Joe Gibbs. If Chris Gabehart does have an unknown folder that he was hiding from JGR, it does hurt his defense.
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The said ‘Spire Motorsports’ folder, which was found by JGR’s team among these files, refutes his entire claim of not using sensitive information from his former team for Spire’s profit. As JGR states,
“Perhaps tellingly and nefariously, Gabehart chose not to let Mr. Walton (Clark, the examiner) examine the unknown Microsoft OneDrive before litigation or disclose he accessed it while simultaneously interacting with JGR’s materials he saved in his Spire folder.
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“Gabehart’s assertion that there is no risk of spoliation is unreliable and falls flat.” Now those are some serious accusations against Gabehart. Since the start of the lawsuit, he has been pleading innocent on the basis of the said examination of his devices.
This new angle and new revelation about secret folders and labels with Spire Motorsports put him at risk of being proven false. A new examination for expedited discovery is being requested by Joe Gibbs Racing to bring the truth to light.
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But Chris Gabehart is not the only one whose claims are under review.
Joe Gibbs Racing denies involvement with Spire Motorsports
While Spire Motorsports was claiming that Joe Gibbs did not fulfill his agreement with them, Gibbs’ team has reportedly thrashed these claims. According to Toni Rogers, Chief People Officer of Joe Gibbs Racing, there was no such agreement that she was aware of.
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Spire was claiming that Joe Gibbs Racing had agreed to pay $100,000 to the team if they did not let Spire hire an employee to release Chandler Smith from his contract with Spire early. Rogers also refutes the said trade deal, trying to reveal the reality behind the same.
“The understanding was that if the Spire spotter joined JGR, JGR would take over his existing salary, and if it was greater than what JGR had been paying the JGR spotter, that differential would be offset against the $100,000.00.
“Ultimately, that trade never happened as the Spire spotter chose not to leave Spire. To my knowledge, JGR has never received an invoice for the referenced payment of $100,000.00.” Now this statement throws the entire Spire team under the bus.
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The lawsuit between Gabehart and Joe Gibbs keeps overcomplicating certain situations. In this case, it is quite visible that Spire Motorsports is getting dragged in, no matter their earlier stance on the matter.
Carson Hocevar’s Frustration Boils Over After Vegas Misery as Christopher Bell Storms to Pole
Carson Hocevar is so close, yet so far. He took the lead on the white flag at Daytona, but a last-lap heartbreak sent him to 18th. The 4th-place Atlanta finish was some consolation, but post that, he’s just not able to get that form he’s looking for. Therefore, it was only natural that after a poor show in qualifying at Las Vegas, the Spire driver wasn’t in the highest spirits.
Carson Hocevar not satisfied with his start to Vegas weekend
On Saturday, Christopher Bell took the pole for the Las Vegas Cup race. While Bell was joyous, Carson Hocevar was left frustrated. He managed 19th place start on the grid for Sunday, leaving a lot of gap to be covered. When asked about how he intends to bridge that gap, Hocevar said:
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“At the end of practice we were pretty good, just didn’t qualify or when you practice that bad you’re probably going to be pretty timid and qualified and that’s kind of what happened.”
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He claimed that the sim session wasn’t ‘very good’ and the car has been ‘a handful’ to drive for him. As for whether his teammates, Michael McDowell and Daniel Suarez fighting the same issues as him, Carson Hocevar mentioned that while Suarez seems to be running a better lap than him, he also faced similar issues in practice.
It’s worth mentioning that Hocevar is currently sitting 14th in the points table. His teammates, Daniel Suarez and Michael McDowell, are in 17th and 8th place, respectively. While Hocevar qualified in 19th, Suarez managed a 13th and McDowell a 30th-place spot for the race.
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Hocevar was handed a major reward by Spire
Even though Carson Hocevar hasn’t won at the Cup level yet in his three seasons so far, Spire Motorsports continues to believe in his potential. This was evident earlier this year when Hocevar was announced to have signed a contract extension ‘into the next decade.’
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Speaking after the announcement, Jeff Dickerson of Spire claimed it has been ‘an absolutely rewarding’ experience for him to see Hocevar grow and learn from both good and bad on and off the racetrack.
“I love him like a son and it means a great deal to me, personally, knowing he’ll be here for several years,” he claimed.
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Dickerson joked that the contract extension announcement could test his blood pressure medication’s effectiveness. But he mentioned it’ll be worth it. Spire’s faith in him also reassured Hocevar in how much faith he and his team have in each other on racing together for a long period of time.
“Everyone in the building has really become a family to me. Spire is such a different team now compared to how it was my rookie season, and especially when I made my debut in 2023,” he claimed. He added that it has been to know that he’ll be a regular name in the Cup garage thanks to Spire, which he called ‘a dream come true.’
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But do you think Hocevar will taste high levels of success in NASCAR in the future? Let us know in the comments below.
3rd-generation drag racer Maddi Gordon is addicted to speed
Gordon is a third-generation racer who became the 100th female to win an NHRA national event in 2024.
She was selected by three-time national Funny Car champion Ron Capps to drive for his Top Fuel team.
It’s probably not a coincidence that Maddi Gordon, a 21-year-old rookie driver in the NHRA’s Top Fuel dragster series, doesn’t do anything slow on purpose.
She had to think about it for a moment, but said it’s true.
“It’s actually funny you bring that up,” Gordon, a native of Paso Robles, California, told The Arizona Republic ahead of advancing to the semifinal round before finishing fourth in her Top Fuel debut in the 2026 Gatornationals March 5-8 at Gainesville (Florida) Raceway. “I walk fast. I hate walking slow. When I get behind someone who’s walking slow, I get irritated because I feel like I’m losing time.
“So yeah, I walk fast. I eat really fast. I probably talk fast. It’s so funny. I don’t do anything slow. I definitely don’t do it slow on purpose. Oh, my gosh. I never thought about that before.”
When you’re born into a racing family, the need for speed becomes second nature. That’s what happened with Gordon, who attended her first drag race when she was just eight days old, began racing as an 8-year-old, and in 2024 became the first third-generation Top Alcohol Funny Car driver in NHRA history and the 100th female racer to win an NHRA national event in the organization’s 75-year history.
“It’s just a lifestyle,” said Gordon, who picked up Monster Energy as another top sponsor at the Gatornationals. “I wake up every day, and I think about drag racing. I wake up every day, and I don’t just think about driving, but the mechanics, ‘How can we make the car faster, how can I be a better driver, how can I be better for our sponsors?’
“It’s a lifestyle. As much as I love driving, I love everything about the sport. I love the fans. I love the camaraderie. I love our teammates, I love working on the cars. … There’s just so much to learn, and honestly, I just love learning. It’s a never-ending path of things to learn.”
Maddi Gordon landing at Arizona Nationals
Soon, Gordon will be in the Valley for the NHRA’s Arizona Nationals on March 20-22 at Firebird Motorsports Park in Chandler, where she plans to rocket her 12,000-horsepower, nitromethane-burning Carlyle Tools dragster to a speed of 330 mph in fewer than four seconds.
Firebird is no stranger to Gordon. She raced junior dragsters and other event classes here as a young teenager and won on the Alcohol Funny Car circuit each of the past two years at the Chandler drag strip.
“Firebird’s been really good to me and my family over the years,
Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson React to Alex Bowman’s Vertigo Absence
Alex Bowman will miss a second straight NASCAR Cup Series race as he continues recovering from vertigo, keeping him out of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet for Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Bowman first experienced symptoms earlier this month during the NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Hendrick Motorsports later confirmed the 32-year-old driver had been diagnosed with vertigo and would step away from racing while working through the condition.
With Bowman still sidelined, Justin Allgaier will drive the No. 48 Chevrolet at Las Vegas. The veteran Xfinity Series driver previously filled in for Bowman at Phoenix and again takes over the ride this weekend.
While Bowman continues focusing on recovery, several of his Hendrick Motorsports teammates addressed the situation during media availability at Las Vegas.
Chase Elliott Understands the Frustration of Sitting Out
Chase Elliott knows firsthand how difficult it can be when a driver is forced to step away from the car unexpectedly.
Elliott missed six of the first eight NASCAR Cup Series races in 2023 after fracturing his tibia in a snowboarding accident, giving him a personal understanding of how challenging the recovery process can be.
Speaking at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Elliott said situations like Bowman’s can feel especially frustrating because drivers have little control over the timeline.
“For me, I was just kind of up against the clock,” Elliott said. “You’re just sort of helpless in a lot of ways. You just try to do everything you can about it.”
Elliott said the uncertainty surrounding a condition like vertigo can be particularly difficult.
“I just really feel for him,” Elliott said. “The unknown of something like that is probably the scariest part and a really tough thing to deal with mentally.”
Kyle Larson Sends Support After Strong Vegas Weekend
Kyle Larson also expressed support for his teammate while speaking at Las Vegas.
Larson has historically been one of the strongest drivers at the 1.5-mile track and entered the Cup race weekend with significant momentum. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion won Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, continuing a strong stretch of performances at the Nevada track.
Despite his own success at Las Vegas, Larson said the focus inside the Hendrick Motorsports garage has been on Bowman’s health.
“You hate to see any driver go through something like that where they have to sit out,” Larson said. “Alex is a great teammate for us at Hendrick Motorsports.”
Larson said everyone on the team hopes Bowman can return once he is fully comfortable behind the wheel again.
“He’s just a good guy and a great teammate,” Larson said. “You just want to see him get back in the car and feel confident in what he’s doing.”
Bowman Has Overcome Setbacks Before
Bowman has faced adversity before during his NASCAR career but has repeatedly returned to competitive form.
The Tucson native became a full-time Hendrick Motorsports driver in 2018 after previously serving as a substitute driver for Dale Earnhardt Jr. the year prior.
Since then, Bowman has won eight NASCAR Cup Series races, beginning with his first victory at Chicagoland Speedway in 2019. His most recent win came during the 2024 Chicago Street Course race.
He also missed time during the 2022 season after suffering a concussion in a crash at Texas Motor Speedway but returned later that year.
Hendrick Motorsports Prioritizing Bowman’s Recovery
Hendrick Motorsports president Jeff Andrews said Bowman continues working with doctors while the organization monitors his progress.
“He’s put a lot into the recovery process,” Andrews said. “Our priority remains making sure Alex is fully ready before returning to the race car.”
Vertigo can cause dizziness and balance issues, symptoms that can be especially challenging for race car drivers competing at speeds over 180 mph.
For now, Bowman remains focused on getting healthy while Hendrick Motorsports continues to support its longtime driver.
Carson Hocevar Makes Blunt Comments on Las Vegas Speed
Carson Hocevar was tight-lipped following Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session in Las Vegas. The driver of the No. 77 will roll off 19th in today’s (March 15) Pennzoil 400 in Sin City.
When speaking to the media following his qualifying run, the Spire Motorsports driver was not thrilled with the way he performed.
Carson Hocevar on his qualifying run: ‘We’re just slow’
During the media scrum, Hocevar addressed his qualifying lap.
“I don’t know. The sim wasn’t very good, so we just kinda showed up with notes and it’s just been a handful to drive,” Hocevar said.
Hocevar’s Spire teammate, Daniel Suarez, posted a 13th-place qualifying run. Meanwhile, their other team car, Michael McDowell wound up with a 30th-place effort.
Although Suarez was able to run a faster lap, Hocevar believes all three of Spire Motorsports’ cars are having difficulties in Las Vegas.
“It seemed like they were fighting the same issues in practice,” Hocevar said.
When asked what he believed happened on his qualifying run that resulted in the 19th-place starting spot, Hocevar made a blunt remark.
“We’re just slow,” Hocevar said.
Hocevar was also asked if aspects from last year’s Las Vegas race would help in performance on Sunday. The 23-year-old was optimistic about the things they “could change” on his No. 77 machine, but was definite if it would make a difference.
“Hopefully, the stuff we’re allowed to change can get us there. Stuff we weren’t allowed to change is similar to last year. Hopefully, that can be the case,” Hocevar said.
Hocevar was asked a few off-topic questions, such as if he felt a difference in the increase in horsepower at certain tracks. Last week, the Cup cars ran at 750 horsepower, where they previously ran at 670.
Despite the increase, Hocevar didn’t sense any change.
“No, not really,” Hocevar said.
In another off-topic question, Hocevar was asked about the significance of this year marking 20 years since the release of the hit Pixar movie “Cars.”
Yet, after his performance in qualifying on Saturday, Hocevar wasn’t wanting to talk about movies.
“I qualified like [expletive] and I got to get asked about Cars,” Hocevar said.
Carson Hocevar still seeking first Cup Series win
Amid his third full-time season of NASCAR Cup Series competition, Carson Hocevar has yet to capture a checkered flag. Amid struggles in qualifying, Hocevar aims to seek his first victory in today’s Cup race at Las Vegas in his 86th start.
Unfortunately for Hocevar, he has also struggled to find results at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In five career starts at the 1.5-mile track, Hocevar has posted a best finish of 15th, while finishing 30th or worse three times.
In total, Hocevar has 16 career top-10 finishes and four top-five efforts in the NASCAR Cup Series. His best finish came last June at Nashville Superspeedway, where he ran runner-up to Ryan Blaney.
In 2026, Hocevar has posted one top-five effort, which was fourth at EchoPark Speedway. He currently sits 15th in the points standings after four races.
The Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway starts today (March 15) at 4 p.m. Eastern time. The race can be watched on FS1 or listened to on the Performance Racing Network.
NASCAR Odds: Can Kyle Larson Pull off Las Vegas Sweep?
The NASCAR Cup Series circuit takes on Sin City today (March 15) for the running of the Pennzoil 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The race around the 1.5-mile track is scheduled for 267 laps and 400 miles.
Entering today’s race, Kyle Larson aims to pull off the weekend sweep after winning yesterday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race. Meanwhile, a group of Toyotas will look to upset the two-time and defending Cup Series champion.
Ahead of the fifth race of the 2026 Cup Series season, this is a look at the odds.
Kyle Larson enters Sunday as the favorite to win
After a fifth-place qualifying effort and a win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race, it’s no surprise Larson is the odds-on favorite to win on Sunday.
The driver of the No. 5 enters today’s race at +350 to win, via DraftKings Sportsbooks. The Hendrick Motorsports driver is a three-time Las Vegas winner, with his latest victory coming in March 2024.
In his last six races at the track, Larson has totaled three wins, two runner-up finishes, and has placed no worse than 11th in all of them. Larson is aiming for his first Cup-O’Reilly weekend sweep since Bristol in April of last year.
Toyota drivers seek to upset Larson at Las Vegas
Kyle Larson is not the only driver expected to have a fast race car in today’s race.
Christopher Bell will lead the field to green after earning the pole in Saturday’s qualifying. The driver of the No. 20 enters Sunday with the second-best odds to win at +500.
In the last five Las Vegas races, Bell has posted three top-five finishes, including runner-up efforts in October 2023 and October 2024. However, the Oklahoma native has failed to win in Sin City.
Making up a Joe Gibbs Racing 1-2-3 starting grid, Denny Hamlin starts second in today’s race.
At +550 odds to win, Hamlin secured his 60th career win at Las Vegas the last time the Cup Series raced at the track last October. In the last seven Las Vegas races, the driver of the No. 11 has only one finish worse than 11th.
Chase Elliott, other Cup stars enter as longshots
While many of the usual suspects are favorites to win Sunday’s race, there are a few longshots that are worth watching out for.
One of those is Chase Elliott, who goes into Sunday at +2200 to win. The driver of the No. 9 has struggled to find results at Las Vegas with one top-10 finish in the last six races.
However, Elliott knows how to win on the 1.5-mile tracks as he did last September at the Kansas Speedway.
Ross Chastain is another underdog to watch on Sunday. The driver of the No. 1, at +2800 odds to win, has bagged three top-five finishes and four top-10 efforts in the last five Las Vegas races.
Josh Berry, the defending winner of the Pennzoil 400, enters Sunday at +6500 to win. The driver of the No. 21 captured his first career win in this race one year ago after pacing the field for 18 laps.
The green flag for today’s (March 15) race is scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern time. The race can be watched on FS1 or listened to on the Performance Racing Network.
Bridgestone announces 2026 motorsports activities
Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) announced its motorsports activity plans for 2026. The company will continue to support a wide range of motorsports both in Japan and abroad, from top-tier races to grassroots race events for amateur drivers. The Bridgestone “POTENZA” brand will be at the forefront of four-wheel racing, while the “BATTLAX” brand will power two-wheel competitions. Guided by the fundamental principle that “Tires carry life,” Bridgestone places the safety and peace of mind of all competitors first, delivering tires developed and refined at the track, and contributing to the advancement of motorsports culture. Bridgestone leverages motorsports as a “Mobile Laboratory.” The technologies honed through the relentless pursuit of victory on the racetrack are directly applied to the evolution of consumer-grade and commercial tires, strengthening the Bridgestone brand and delivering new value to its customers.
In top-tier racing, Bridgestone supplies tires under both the “Bridgestone” and “Firestone” brands. The company’s “Bridgestone” tires power Japan’s premier four-wheel racing series, SUPER GT, where teams equipped with Bridgestone Potenza tires have achieved an unprecedented fifth overall series championship in both the GT500 and GT300 classes. On two wheels, Bridgestone BATTLAX-equipped teams have captured the series championship for the fifth consecutive year—and sixth time overall—in the world’s most prestigious endurance motorcycle race, the FIM1 Endurance World Championship (EWC). Meanwhile, the “Firestone” brand, with its 125-year legacy, remains the exclusive tire supplier for the iconic NTT INDYCAR® SERIES2, including the legendary INDY500, supporting the heritage of another exciting motorsport.
Quote from Hiroshi Imai, Vice President and Senior Officer, Global Motorsports Bridgestone Corporation
“Motorsports is the ultimate team sport. Everyone involved will come together as ‘One Team,’ embracing the challenge of motorsports with passion and supplying tires we have poured our hearts and souls into. We hope to bring joy to drivers, riders, teams, and all the fans who come to witness the thrill of racing. I feel as if I’m rolling along with our tires on the track! This year, we are also sharing the voices of 10 of our teammates who work in motorsports tire structural design, material development, production, and motorsports operations. Please look forward to the efforts of our dedicated teammates who work with tires every day, and their passion through “Genbutsu-Genba3” to pursue the ultimate tire performance.”
Motorsports is the “origin” of Bridgestone as a tire manufacturer, and the “Challenge to the Extreme.” We are driven by our “Passion to Turn the World®”—a message that expresses the commitment to enjoying racing, striving for victory, pushing the limits, and supporting a sustainable mobility society together with the company’s teammates and partners. Under this message, Bridgestone will continue to demonstrate the spirit of challenging itself to new extremes through sustainable global motorsports activities, building trust and empathy with all those who share that passion.
Through our sustainable global motorsports activities, Bridgestone remains committed to its “Bridgestone E8 Commitment”4, specifically to “Emotion: Supporting exciting and moving mobility experiences.” Now and always, the company will continue to pour boundless passion into motorsports.
Chris Gabehart to Face Joe Gibbs’ Wrath as Court Agrees to Digging Up ‘Dirty Laundry’
The legal battle between Joe Gibbs Racing and former competition director Chris Gabehart just took a significant turn. A federal judge has approved limited expedited discovery in the ongoing JGR lawsuit, potentially exposing private communications tied to Gabehart’s move to Spire Motorsports. While the ruling allows both sides to begin gathering evidence, it also carefully limits how deep either party can dig. At least for now.
Judge allows limited expedited discovery
At the center of the ruling is the legal process known as discovery, where both sides gather evidence such as emails, messages, and documents before a trial begins. In this case, the court approved expedited discovery, meaning the process will move quickly due to the temporary restraining order already in place. However, Judge Rodriguez made it clear the discovery would remain extremely narrow in scope.
Most importantly, the materials being requested are limited largely to documents and communications that Gabehart himself possesses. That distinction matters because it prevents Joe Gibbs Racing from immediately digging through the internal records of Spire Motorsports.
In other words, the early stage of this legal fight will focus almost entirely on Gabehart’s own messages, files, and communications rather than a broad investigation of Spire’s operations.
What the judge allowed JGR to see
While the ruling restricted the scope of discovery, it still gives Joe Gibbs Racing access to several potentially important categories of evidence in the JGR lawsuit.
Hiring communications between Spire and Gabehart
First, JGR can review communications between Chris Gabehart and Spire Motorsports regarding his hiring. This includes emails, messages, and documents discussing his recruitment and employment. However, the judge placed a key restriction: JGR can only access copies that Gabehart personally possesses. Spire itself does not yet have to hand over its internal records.
Possible legal protection promises
JGR also wants to determine whether Spire promised to protect Gabehart legally if a dispute with his former employer emerged. Specifically, they are looking for evidence that Spire offered to cover legal costs or shield Gabehart if Joe Gibbs Racing accused him of violating his contract, stealing trade secrets, or sharing confidential information. Again, the ruling allows access only to Gabehart’s own copies of such communications.
Recruitment and employment discussions
The judge also approved discovery of communications related to Gabehart’s recruitment and hiring process at Spire Motorsports. These materials could shed light on how early negotiations began and whether any confidential information from Joe Gibbs Racing was discussed during that process.
Documents about his role at Spire
Another approved category in the JGR lawsuit involves documents describing Gabehart’s responsibilities as Chief Motorsports Officer at Spire. These materials may help determine whether his new role overlaps with duties he previously performed at Joe Gibbs Racing. Once again, the scope remains limited strictly to documents that Gabehart personally has access to.
Documents created between October 2025 and February 2026
The court also granted access to documents Gabehart created between October 1, 2025, and February 17, 2026, that relate to his transition to Spire. However, both legal teams must still agree on the exact cut-off date, since communications after a certain point may fall under attorney-client privilege.
Requests the judge rejected
Not all of Joe Gibbs Racing’s requests were approved.
The team attempted to obtain communications between Gabehart, other JGR employees, and Spire Motorsports. The judge rejected that request, saying there was currently no clear evidence showing the material would be relevant. JGR also attempted to access communications about race setups, strategy, operations, sponsorship, and staffing decisions. The court ruled those requests were too broad.
Instead, the judge suggested narrowing the focus to the term “analytics.” Both sides must now negotiate what exactly qualifies under that category.
Gabehart also gains access to JGR evidence
The ruling didn’t just benefit Joe Gibbs Racing. Chris Gabehart also received permission to request internal communications from his former employer.
Specifically, Gabehart can seek documents related to Section 6, Paragraph 2 of his employment contract, the clause that reportedly became central to the dispute after he expressed interest in leaving the organization. The key issue is how Joe Gibbs Racing interpreted that clause internally after Gabehart announced his plans.
If internal communications reveal that JGR’s leadership had different interpretations (or doubts about the clause’s enforceability), it could weaken their case in court. For Gabehart’s legal team, this discovery could potentially expose inconsistencies in how the contract was understood inside the organization.
Both sides must negotiate details
Before the discovery process fully begins, the judge ordered both parties to meet and finalize the exact parameters of the evidence exchange for the JGR lawsuit. That includes defining which documents fall under terms like “analytics,” as well as confirming the precise timeline for discoverable communications. Both sides were given a tight deadline to reach an agreement. Once those details are finalized, the judge will issue a formal written order outlining the discovery process.
Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) extended
Another key part of the ruling involves the temporary restraining order currently affecting Gabehart. The judge extended the order, which prevents Chris Gabehart from performing duties similar to his former competition director role at Joe Gibbs Racing while working for Spire Motorsports. The restriction now runs through March 26 at 11:59 PM, temporarily limiting how fully Gabehart can participate in his new position.
What this means for the legal battle
Strategically, the ruling in the JGR lawsuit may slightly favor Gabehart and Spire Motorsports, at least in the short term.
First, Spire successfully avoided broad discovery requests that could have forced the team to open its internal systems and communications.
Second, limiting the evidence pool to Gabehart’s own documents significantly reduces the volume of materials JGR can examine during this early phase.
Third, Gabehart gaining access to internal Joe Gibbs Racing communications introduces a new layer of risk for the organization if those messages reveal conflicting interpretations of his contract.
The temporary restraining order extension keeps the status quo intact for now, but the discovery process could quickly reshape the case.
“I Really Wanted to… Fight”: Daniel Suárez Publicly Calls Out Ross Chastain Following Heated Las Vegas Exchange
While it was just a push on Sunday, things could’ve gotten uglier between Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain. Following the on-track incidents in Vegas, when the Spire Motorsports driver went to confront the Trackhouse star, the heated exchange quickly escalated to Chastain pushing his former teammate. And Suarez recently confessed his side of the story.
Daniel Suarez was left sad and angry with Ross Chastain in Vegas
During a recap of his weekend in Las Vegas on his YouTube channel, Daniel Suarez revealed what was going on in his head during his confrontation with Ross Chastain. He claimed that what happens on the track happens there only, which is part of racing. However, what really upset him and made him sad was what happened after the race.
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He claimed he has known Chastain for a long time and has also known that he and his former teammate are ‘very different’ people. But despite that understanding, it was what Chastain said that got to Daniel Suarez.
“I always respect him. But the kind of words that he said after the race is just completely unacceptable. Like that’s chicken stuff. That’s not good. I lost a lot of respect for him as a person. Because that’s just not good. It’s not a good look for him and not look for kind of person that he is.
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“I was getting fired up to fight but what I was going to gain, I mean there is nothing to gain with that, he’s not the kind of person I really want to fight, but yeah, I mean just disappointed,” he explained.
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Suarez claimed that Chastain also didn’t have his facts right about the on-track incidents between them in Vegas. The Spire driver revealed that Chastain denied hitting him. But he emphasized that is part of racing, those things one can move on from. However, the words and comments that Chastain made, Daniel Suarez said, crossed a line, which is ‘the sad part.’
This is a developing story.
Reader photo pick of the week: Sports stadiums
This week, we asked our readers to toss on their jerseys and root for their favorite sports teams while commemorating a few of the amazing stadiums they’ve visited. From all-star rivals to historic landmarks, our readers did not disappoint this week!
The winner this week is Angela Carbonetti of Baltimore, Md., with a wide shot of a ball game at Camden Yards.
Honorable mentions go to William Hine of Mount Pleasant with a photo of Boston Red Sox’s Ted Williams at batting practice and Robert Peterson of Summerville with rafter seats at Madison Square Garden to see Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier duke it out.
Next week’s topic is
NWSL ambition rankings: All 16 clubs judged by the big moves they are or aren’t making
Welcome to Year 3 of ESPN’s NWSL ambition rankings, the semi-scientific way to determine which franchises are pushing boundaries, and which are just trying to keep up.
NWSL franchise valuations continue to rise to record highs, and the balance of ownership groups across the league keeps shifting in favor of those with more money and bigger ambitions. But some teams continue to step up more than others.
Two new teams, Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC, will play their first games in a few days, and their debuts on the ranking adds some shake-ups. Atlanta, which will begin playing in 2028, is sure to challenge for the top spot before even playing a game.
For this ranking to be useful in an ever-growing league (16 teams and counting), we have simplified our process. Criteria remain the same, with key factors being the willingness of franchise owners to invest in their teams on and off the field.
We’re asking: Is the team pushing the limits of the salary cap (and the new, fluid High Impact Player rule) to build a contender? Has team ownership spent money on a training facility or stadium improvements? Quite simply, are their stated goals ambitious (win a championship, be the best team in the world) or do they have a low ceiling?
One important reminder: Ambition is not the same as execution. There are teams that have lofty aspirations, but have failed to successfully realize them. There are teams with more modest ambitions who overperform. We have absolutely deducted points for poor execution, but the willingness to aim high — even if it means falling short — outweighs not trying at all.
The idea is inspired by the late Grant Wahl, who annually did a similar ranking for MLS. Measuring ambition, especially for a league as young as the 14-year-old NWSL, is a worthwhile endeavor. Let’s get to it!
• Watch Gotham vs. Boston: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, live on ABC
• Stream NWSL matches live on ESPN+ all season (U.S.)
• NWSL kit rankings: See every new jersey from all 16 teams
16. Chicago Stars FC (Last year: 13)
While the Stars’ ranking dipped this year, there is finally progress in Chicagoland.
The team’s move to Martin Stadium is a temporary, but necessary, step to move on from the abyss of Bridgeview. The Stars had to do something, and they did. They also recently announced plans to build a dedicated training facility, which will be relatively small but, again, was one of many pain points for this team.
Where do they play beyond 2026? That still needs to be resolved, which is hardly ideal.
On the field, they finished last for the second time in three years. And yet, their biggest offseason move was selling forward Ludmila to San Diego. Mallory Swanson’s return from maternity leave can’t come soon enough.
15. Houston Dash (Last year: 14)
The Dash remains for sale after one of the most bizarre stories in a decently long list of them failed to produce a new owner. Until there is a new, motivated owner with a clearly stated direction for the team, it’s impossible to fully understand the ambitions of the Dash.
The good news: There is progress on the soccer front. Houston was inconsistent last year as another rebuild got underway, but the Dash have talent and more direction than before. Houston has also built out a robust technical staff — including the recent addition of Twila Kilgore as technical director — that is larger than most of its peers in this section of the rankings, which requires investment.
14. Racing Louisville FC (Last year: T-10)
Louisville’s facilities are great and plenty of teams would love to have them. Of course, those facilities are more expensive to build in bigger markets, and the rub on having a nice stadium is that there need to be butts in the seats. Louisville finished last in average attendance in 2025 and recorded its worst attendance in its five-year history. That is ominous.
Those struggles stand in stark contrast to what happened on the field. Bev Yanez won NWSL Coach of the Year for galvanizing a gritty team and earning Racing’s first playoff berth. Louisville was a difficult opponent for every team last season and could build upon that success this year — even while being outspent by other teams.
13. North Carolina Courage (Last year: T-10)
A reported $40 million investment from team owner and billionaire Marc Lasry, per Sportico, could be a sign of this team moving forward and making long-term, much needed investments.
Attendance improved to over 7,600 fans per game in 2025, the team’s best since it arrived in the market in 2017. First Horizon Stadium still needs major modernization, but improved attendance is a good sign for a team that struggled to gain a local foothold even during its successful years. Long-term, the Courage still need to either gut the stadium or finally build one inside Raleigh limits.
On the field, the team regressed and missed the playoffs in a chaotic season that included the confusingly messaged firing of head coach Sean Nahas and the abrupt re-sale of USWNT star Jaedyn Shaw (who ended the year by winning a title with Gotham FC) eight months after acquiring her.
12. Utah Royals (Last year: 12)
We’ve been begging Utah to splash some more cash on the field to compete, so the $800,000 transfer fee to get Kiana Palacios from Club América is a welcomed sign. Now, what does this team want to be? For two straight years, the Royals have endured miserable starts to the campaign before salvaging results and playing the role of spoiler late in the season.
The Royals have their own training ground, and they play at the (too empty, too often) America First Field, which is from a previous wave of MLS stadium projects. The facilities are there, and there are new owners since we last did our ambition rankings. This year will be telling of their ambitions.
11. Seattle Reign FC (Last year: 9)
This is the point in the rankings where there’s nothing inherently wrong with what a team is doing; our task is to compare them to the rest of the NWSL.
The Reign’s joint ownership with the Sounders allows for bigger thinking and better staffing, including more support staff than ever around head coach Laura Harvey. On the field, the Reign made major improvements in 2025, finishing fifth and conceding the third-fewest goals (an Achilles heel in 2024).
But nobody has yet solved the riddle in Seattle: Why do the Reign still struggle to crack the local market the way the Sounders have? Reign attendance dropped last year, and 8,000 fans is always an aesthetic struggle in a cavernous NFL stadium. It’s time to take bigger swings.
10. Orlando Pride (Last year: 5)
Average attendance in Orlando improved for the third straight year following the team’s 2024 NWSL Shield and Championship double, although the Pride are still fighting for better crowds and local relevance in a tough media market.
Orlando already has the soccer-specific stadium that it shares with its men’s team, and they will soon upgrade their training facility. What’s next? Their encore on the field in 2025 was respectable — a whisker away from making it back to the final. Haley Carter has moved on from her VP/sporting director role, and Caitlin Carducci is tasked with pushing the team forward.
Elimination in the group stage of Concacaf play was a failure, though a healthy Barbra Banda should help them return to championship contention again. And to the Pride’s credit, the $1.5 million transfer fee to acquire Jacquie Ovalle last summer was a world record at the time.
9. Boston Legacy FC (Last year: N/A)
Here we have a perfect example of the dichotomy between ambition and execution. It would be a disservice to sugarcoat the early years (!) of Boston’s launch. The club wasted that historic lead time on a name, BosNation, that was almost immediately ridiculed and scrapped, anchored by a disastrous
Seater British Stadium With the Best Atmosphere He Ever Played in
Roy Keane saw and achieved almost everything during his long and decorated football career. The combative yet highly skilled midfielder dominated the Premier League with Manchester United and competed at the highest level in the Champions League during the club’s powerful era under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Captaining the club to seven league titles and a famous European Cup triumph, Keane remains one of the most influential figures in Manchester United’s history. Opponents often dreaded travelling to Old Trafford to face a Keane-led United side, with many feeling beaten before the match had even kicked off.
Whether it was the endless stream of elite players in Ferguson’s squad or the deafening support from the home crowd, United frequently won the psychological battle long before the physical contest began on the pitch. But among all the stadiums he visited, which away ground did Keane believe produced the best atmosphere?
Roy Keane in No Doubt About Best Atmosphere
Despite becoming accustomed to the incredible noise generated at Old Trafford every week, it still took something special to impress the Irishman. Yet when asked about his favourite away ground during an interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap, Keane didn’t take long to answer:
Ohtani back in Miami, where he’s had some magical moments
MIAMI (AP) — Shohei Ohtani calls Miami’s loanDepot Park, the site of the knockout rounds of this year’s World Baseball Classic, one of his favorite stadiums.
It’s not hard to imagine why. It’s the place where he delivered two of baseball’s quintessential moments from the last few years.
It’s the ballpark where, on Sept. 19, 2024, he entered — created, really — baseball’s 50-50 club. All Ohtani did that night: go 6 for 6, hit three home runs, steal two bases, drive in 10 runs, become the first player ever to reach 50 homers and 50 steals in a season. And if that wasn’t enough, the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched a playoff berth that night to officially begin down the path of what has become back-to-back World Series titles.
And in 2023, the last time he wore the Japan uniform in Miami, Ohtani delivered the knockout punch in the WBC — striking out Mike Trout, his then-teammate with the Los Angeles Angels, on a full-count curve to seal Japan’s 3-2 win over the U.S. in the title game.
Ohtani is back, and so is Japan, looking for another title. They worked out on the Miami Marlins’ field Thursday, two days before they’ll take on Venezuela in a WBC quarterfinal game.
“This is the place I have very good memories,” Ohtani said through an interpreter Thursday.
Ohtani has won three consecutive MVP awards — one in the AL, then two in the NL since joining the Dodgers — and was the AL’s MVP in 2021 as well. That’s four in five seasons, something only Barry Bonds (who won four of his seven MVPs consecutively) has done in baseball history.
All four of Ohtani’s MVP awards have come in unanimous votes. He was MVP of the 2023 WBC as well, and if Japan — the only three-time champion in the event’s history — wins again, Ohtani will have yet another reason to celebrate in Miami.
It won’t end exactly the same way this year, since Ohtani isn’t pitching in this year’s WBC, but another title — however it arrives — would be good enough. He likes Miami, likes the memories he has there, but knows it’s time to create new ones.
“Of course, I’m not going to bring memories to the next game,” Ohtani said. “But I think there is a very positive influence to myself.”
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Hutchins’ new barbecue restaurant in Dallas-Fort Worth is now open
Visitors to Dallas Cowboys or Texas Rangers games in Arlington might be able to smell the smoke from The Original Roy Hutchins Barbeque before they pull into the parking lot.
The massive new restaurant, open as of March 12, 2026, is situated between Fort Worth and Dallas on Interstate 30. Its 10 puffing smokestacks beckon tourists and locals alike for a bite of brisket. Crowds are welcome; there’s room for more than 450 people in the restaurant’s five sprawling rooms.
Zack Hutchins, grandson of the restaurant’s namesake and the director of operations, said expanding from Trophy Club into Arlington was important for the company growth.
Beyond football and baseball fans traveling to D-FW, the FIFA World Cup will bring people from all over the world to Arlington in summer 2026. Soccer games will take place less than a mile south of Hutchins.
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“It’s always nice to have regulars,” Zack Hutchins said, “but here, we also have a chance to feed people for the first time — to give them their first Texas barbecue experience.
Barcelona have Bastoni transfer hope despite high Inter price tag
According to Tuttosport, the hostile reception Alessandro Bastoni receives at Italian stadiums could encourage the Italy international to consider a move to Barcelona, though Inter are unwilling to sell the defender for less than €70m.
Inter are unwilling to sell their star defender Bastoni even if the Nerazzurri could be tempted by offers in the region of €70m, reports Tuttosport (via FCInter1908).
The Italian newspaper claims that neither the Serie A giants nor their defender are currently considering a summer split, but this doesn’t mean Barcelona are without hope.
Inter, in fact, might sit down for offers worth €70m, while Bastoni could be tempted to leave at the end of the season, especially after the hostile welcome he has received in Italian stadiums over the last few weeks.
Fans across Italy are still targeting the Italy international following an incident that led to a red card for Pierre Kalulu in a Serie A match between Inter and Juventus in February.
Tuttosport quotes Spanish sources saying that Barcelona director Deco has already met the player’s entourage.
Want to pop the question at the next Yanks or Mets game? Pay up!
Baseball fans in the New Jersey/New York area who have wedding plans on their minds as the season starts soon should be prepared to dig deep if they want everyone in the ballpark to know they are proposing.
Citi Field in Queens, NY, the home of the New York Mets, charges $1,500 for a video-board marriage proposal, the highest amount among the 30 Major League Baseball stadiums, according to a recent survey by the sports betting website Sportsbook Review. The home base for the New York Yankees, Yankee Stadium, charges $150.
However, the reported costs for proposals at both stadiums do not tell the whole story, as indicated on their team websites.
The $1,500 Citi Field price tag is for a package that includes tickets for the home game where the proposal will take place, a parking pass, scoreboard video, and a message for the proposal. Contact the stadium for more pricing information.
Story continues below photo gallery
The $150 at Yankee Stadium is a fan marquee message during the game. But for $2,000 and up, there’s a deal that includes an enhanced scoreboard display, a Yankee Stadium tour, and access to various locations around the park for a photo shoot, such as the batters’ deck on the morning of a home game. Contact the stadium for more information.
Fans of the other professional sports teams that play on both sides of the Hudson River, who are looking to pop the question, televised in front of an audience, can also expect to shell out some dough for the privilege.
Madison Square Garden in Manhattan charges between $125-$150 for video displays of proposals for New York Rangers and New York Knicks home games. The Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets, charges $100.
MetLife Stadium, which the New York Giants and New York Jets call home, does not list a fee. Prudential Center in Newark, where the New Jersey Devils play, and the UBS Arena on Long Island, where the New York Islanders play, also do not list a fee. But contact the various venues to find out if and what they charge for displaying proposals.
Ricardo Kaulessar covers race, immigration, and culture for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com
Twitter/X: @ricardokaul
Kyle Kirkwood wins another IndyCar street race, this one to be first winner in Arlington
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kyle Kirkwood keeps taking it to the streets in IndyCar, and this time he won a new race to take over the series lead.
Kirkwood made an aggressive pass below four-time series champion Alex Palou with 15 laps to go, stayed in front the rest of the way and took the checkered flag for the Grand Prix of Arlington under caution Sunday. It was his sixth career win, the fifth on a street course.
On a day when Andretti Global had some pit issues, including a long stop for Kirkwood, all three of its Hondas finished in the top four while combining to lead 47 of the race’s 70 laps. Will Power was third for a podium finish while Marcus Ericsson, who started on the pole for the first time in his 171 series starts, led 15 laps and was fourth.
The winning pass by Kirkwood, a 27-year-old from Jupiter, Florida, came on the last of 14 turns on the temporary 2.73-mile circuit that ran between the home stadiums of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers.
Palou, who finished second, described the pass by Kirkwood as awesome.
While matching Kirkwood and Power for a race-high 16 laps led, Palou wasn’t able to regain the series points lead. The three-time defending champion had been on top of the IndyCar standings since June 2024 before not finishing in Phoenix last weekend after early contact. But he did move up from fifth to second behind new leader Kirkwood.
A final sprint for the checkered flag never materialized because of a collision in the back of the field on the restart as Kirkwood and Palou were beginning the final lap. That crash in the tight 14th turn brought out a full-course caution, and safety crews were still on the track when they got back around nearly two minutes later to cross the finish line.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Quiz: Can You Identify All 16 of the 2026 World Cup Stadiums?
The 2026 World Cup stands to be the biggest of all time—literally.
For the first time in competition history, the World Cup will be held across three different countries. The United States, Canada and Mexico are all gearing up for a share of the festivities, with no fewer than 16 different stadiums selected to host games from the group stage all the way up to the final.
Want to test your knowledge? Take our quiz and see if you can put a name to a picture of each famous venue lined up for a role at the 2026 World Cup.
A World Cup for the History Books
With three host countries, the 2026 World Cup will become the grandest tournament in history in that regard, but it will only rank third on the all-time list when it comes to the number of stadiums used.
Leading the way when it comes to host venues is the 2002 World Cup, shared between Japan and South Korea, Both countries offered up 10 stadiums each to reach a grand total of 20, headlined by the 70,000-seater Yokohama International Stadium.
That tournament broke the record previously set by the 1982 iteration of the tournament in Spain, when a total of 17 stadiums shared hosting duties for 52 matches. Barcelona’s Camp Nou saw the most games played on its famous turf but missed out on the final, which was contested at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu.
Now, with 2026’s World Cup celebrations inching closer, no fewer than 16 cities are preparing to welcome fans from across the globe.
Of those 16 stadiums, 11 are based in the United States, with three in Mexico and two calling Canada home.
The largest venue braced to play a part in the celebrations is the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, which holds up to 94,000 fans. While usually reserved for the Dallas Cowboys, it has plenty of soccer experience after hosting Concacaf Gold Cup action over the years. It will play host to one of the semifinals.
Mexico City’s famous Estadio Azteca sits marginally behind on the capacity charts at 83,000, just 500 more than MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which will have the honor of hosting the final at the end of the summer.
BC Place in Vancouver will be Canada’s largest venue for the tournament. The home of the Vancouver Whitecaps can host 54,000 fans and will host games up to the round of 16.
READ THE LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC
Most of Olympic soccer tournament will be played outside of LA
While the Rose Bowl will host the men’s and women’s gold medal soccer matches for the 2028 Olympic Games, the iconic venue, site of the 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup finals, will be limited to holding five matches during the Games because of field condition and security concerns.
Under a tournament schedule released Monday by LA 28, just five of the 58 matches, less than nine percent, for the Olympic women’s and men’s tournaments will be played in the Los Angeles-Orange County market, the fewest number of matches held in a Games host city area since the 1996 Olympic Games when no matches were played in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The 1996 men’s and women’s finals were played at Sanford Stadium on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, 70 miles and 80 minutes from Atlanta.
The Rose Bowl schedule was dictated largely by concerns FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, and local organizers had about the wear and tear on the stadium’s pitch. Security concerns and overburdening the area also contributed to the Rose Bowl’s limited schedule. The Olympic diving competition will take place at the nearby Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.
In addition to the men’s and women’s finals July 28-29, the Rose Bowl will also host a women’s quarterfinal on July 21 and a men’s and women’s semifinal match July 24-25.
The bulk of the tournament, 53 matches, will be played in Major League Soccer Stadiums in six cities across three time zones. San Diego will host 11 matches, including a men’s and women’s semifinal match and the men’s and women’s bronze medal matches. New York, Columbus and Nashville will host nine matches each. Eight games will be played in St. Louis, while seven will be played in San Jose.
The MLS stadiums, which range in capacity from 18,000 (San Jose) to 35,000 (San Diego), are a better fit for the Olympic tournaments than larger stadiums such as Stanford Stadium, which held 1984 Olympic, 1994 World Cup and 1999 Women’s World Cup matches.
Half of the 2024 Olympic women’s tournament first round matches, nine of 18, drew less than 10,000 spectators and Germany and Zambia drew just 2,642 at St. Etienne’s 41,965-seat Stade Geoffrey-Guichard.
Nine matches at the 2024 Olympic Games were played in Paris’ Parc de Prince stadium, 37 matches in the 2021 Olympics were played in the greater Tokyo area, 12 matches for the 2016 Games were held in Rio de Janeiro and Wembley Stadium hosted nine matches at the 2012 Games.
The Rose Bowl hosted nine of the 16 matches for the 1984 Olympic men’s tournament. The International Olympic Committee did not include women’s soccer until the 1996 Games. The Rose Bowl also hosted eight of the 52 matches for the 1994 World Cup.
The Los Angeles area’s two MLS venues will be used for other sports during the Olympics. BMO Stadium will host the Olympic flag football and lacrosse competitions. Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson is the site of the Games’ archery and rugby events.
Medvedev elimina a Alcaraz en semifinal de Indian Wells y detiene racha de 16 victorias seguidas del español
El ruso Daniil Medvedev puso fin a la racha de 16 victorias consecutivas del español Carlos Alcaraz al derrotarlo el sábado 6-3, 7-6 (3) y avanzar a la final del BNP Paribas Open que se disputa en Indian Wells.
Medvedev se impuso en una hora y 43 minutos en el Estadio 1 del Indian Wells Tennis Garden, frustrando el intento de Alcaraz de extender su dominante paso por el torneo californiano.
Medvedev enfrentará el domingo (11 a.m.) al italiano Jannik Sinner por el título, después de que el número dos del mundo derrotara al alemán Alexander Zverev por 6-2 y 6-4 en la primera semifinal del día.
“Cuando juegas contra alguien como Carlos, te enfrentas muchas veces y pierdes muchas veces”, dijo Medvedev tras el partido. “Es un jugador increíble con golpes increíbles, defensa, ataque, devolución, todo. Así que tienes que estar en tu mejor momento”.
La victoria fue la primera de Medvedev sobre Alcaraz desde el Abierto de Estados Unidos luego de haber perdido sus cuatro enfrentamientos previos ante el español. También marcó su primer triunfo sobre un número uno del mundo desde que venció a Sinner en cuartos de final de Wimbledon en 2024.
Alcaraz, de 22 años, llegaba con gran impulso tras conquistar el Australian Open, donde completó el Grand Slam de su carrera, y el Qatar Open, donde había ligado sus 16 últimas victorias.
El español mostró señales de desgaste físico bajo las altas temperaturas y cedió su servicio en el cuarto juego del primer set pese a tener ventaja de 40-15, tras una serie de errores que permitieron a Medvedev tomar el control del partido.
Medvedev, cabeza de serie número 11, se ha mostrado sólido durante todo el torneo y ha avanzado a la final sin ceder un solo set en Indian Wells.
En la final femenina, la bielorrusa Aryna Sabalenka enfrentará a la kazaja Elena Rybakina a primera hora (11 a.m.) en el Estadio 1. Será la revancha del Abierto de Australia 2026. Sabalenka disputará su tercera final de Indian Wells, aunque ha perdido anteriormente las dos finales, una de ella ante Rybakina en 2023.
Iga Swiatek’s Indian Wells Exit Dubbed “Worse” in a Bold Statement: “Can’t Forget How To Play Tennis”
Having won Indian Wells twice, in 2022 and 2024, Iga Swiatek entered as one of the favorites to win the event. But as fate would have it, the six-time Grand Slam champion suffered an unexpected quarterfinal exit against Elina Svitolina. Though Swiatek tried to push through in the second set, the ninth seed proved stronger overall. Naturally, the Polish star’s three-set struggle did not go unnoticed.
Interestingly, before this matchup, Swiatek had not lost a set throughout the event and looked strong to make a run to the final. Even though the match looked close on the scorecard, it did not turn into the high-quality contest that everyone expected. And this is exactly what tennis commentator Tomasz Wolfke is highlighting.
“The only real explanation is the head and that it’s emotional. You can’t forget how to play tennis in a single day. Statistically, she should feel confident mentally after two good matches like that. She seems to be well prepared physically,” Wolfke said, as translated from Dutch.
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“Everything was worse for Iga. It was a very ugly match overall, ripped apart from both sides. Svitolina also played well below her potential. There was a shocking moment at the beginning of the second set, where the first ten rallies were one rally. At times, it was unwatchable. And that’s what hurts the most, not the minimal loss after a close match against a very good Svitolina.”
One of the most worrying aspects of the 24-year-old’s game was her serve. She committed eight double faults in the match, five of which came in the first set. Making matters worse, 42 unforced errors added to her struggles.
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After losing the first set 6-2, the Pole mounted a comeback in the second set, winning it 6-4. Then came the third set, where the first eight games saw no break points, leaving the score tied at 4-4. The turning point came in the ninth game, when Elina Svitolina earned two break points and converted one to go up 5-4. She then served out the match with a love hold, setting up a semifinal clash against third seed Elena Rybakina.
After the break earned by the 31-year-old, Swiatek had a serious breakdown. She threw her towel to the ground in anger and then engaged in a brief but blunt exchange with the staff.
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“Iga’s reaction after losing a game at 4-5 in the third set was intense. I was afraid she’d break down on the court, which happened a few years ago. It was just one break, after all, and she’d already made up for it many times in this match, and it was completely manageable,” said the commentator.
“All players who lose seek help from the coaching staff, and that’s the norm. However, when Iga loses, not much happens on the bench, and everyone sits with a grim look on their faces. Sometimes Maciej Ryszczuk (Physiotherapist) or Daria Abramowicz (Sports Psychologist) shouts something, sometimes Wim Fissette gives instructions. However, there’s not a single person who could shout, ‘Come on! I think I only heard one, ‘Go!’” the tennis commentator concluded.
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However, this breakdown was not the first time this year. At the United Cup final, Swiatek faced a tough loss against Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic. After the loss, she threw her racket and broke down in tears.
Another incident happened at the Qatar Open.
The quarterfinal clash between Iga Swiatek and Maria Sakkari started with Swiatek dominating. Soon enough, though, Sakkari flipped the script to stun the world number two, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, reaching her third Doha semifinal. But the spotlight quickly shifted to events unfolding off the baseline.
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When cameras repeatedly cut to Swiatek’s box, particularly to her long-time sports psychologist, Daria Abramowicz, animated gestures, shouting, and visible frustration from the stands triggered a wave of reactions online. Fans described the scenes as counter-productive rather than supportive. Observers felt the Pole looked increasingly unsettled, with her rhythm breaking down just as Sakkari raised her level.
Such incidents make Wolfke’s concern genuine. Be that as it may, Swiatek’s run has now come to a stop in Indian Wells. So, what did her opponent have to say about that?
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Elina Svitolina on her win against Iga Swiatek at the Indian Wells Masters
After the clash that lasted for 2 hours and 9 minutes, at the post-match conference, Svitolina shared her mindset regarding the match.
“There is no champion who is waiting for mistakes. And you really have to try to set yourself up in a good position to attack. I was feeling good, and I was trying to really, you know, open up the court and try to take advantage, because Iga is such an aggressive player, and she moves really well. So if you don’t take the opportunity at the right time, she’s going to take it,” Svitolina said after bagging her second win against the Pole.
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With that, the Ukrainian advanced to the semifinals, and the clash against world No. 3 was not short of drama. Rybakina outclassed her with pinpoint serving. She won 85% of her first-serve points, which completely pushed the ninth seed onto the back foot. Svitolina battled hard in the first set, but two double faults at 5-5 cost her, losing it 7-5.
The Kazakh player was leading 4-0 in the second, but Svitolina showed her trademark resilience, saving two match points and bringing the score to 5-4. However, it was not enough to stop the two-time Grand Slam champion from marching into the final of the BNP Paribas Open.
The final will be a rematch of the Australian Open final at the Californian Gardens, as Elena Rybakina will take on World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the showdown on Sunday, March 15.
University boys tennis places fourth at National All-American tournament
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Four starters graduated. The reigning Orange County player of the year isn’t playing. And injuries and scheduling conflicts have further depleted the lineup.
Yet, when the semifinals began Saturday in the 25th National High School Tennis All-American Boys Team Tournament in the South Bay, University was again in the mix.
The Trojans showed their resolve to join Menlo, Harvard-Westlake and Peninsula in the semifinals but fell short of reaching a 12th final.
University lost to eventual champion Menlo 5-1 in the semifinals at Mira Costa and to host Peninsula 3-3 on games (67-45) in the third-place match.
Peninsula swept University in singles while the Trojans swept in doubles.
“I’m super happy we are in this position given our team this year,” said veteran University coach John Kessler, whose 11 appearances in the tournament final is a record.
University, the two-time defending CIF State champion, defeated Mira Costa 3-3 on games (65-52) in the first round Friday. The Trojans beat San Francisco University 4-2 to reach the semifinals.
University made the run despite playing without reigning O.C. player of the year and Ojai champion Rishvanth Krishna. The junior, who is committed to Rice, isn’t playing high school this season, Kessler said.
University’s record is 6-3 after after Saturday. The Trojans suffered a 13-5 loss to Corona del Mar in late February.
NOTES
Orange County’s players to watch include: University junior JiHyuk Im, JSerra junior Michael Geffre, Corona del Mar senior Ivan Pflueger, Woodbridge senior Brady Tallakson, Beckman senior Rohan Grewal, Mater Dei junior Matteo Huarte and Portola sophomore Garran McKay. …
Tallakson, a Boise State commit, is 15-0. His resume includes a 6-2 win against the 6-foot-7 Pflueger, who is committed to UC San Diego. …
Huarte, the Ojai runner-up last season, has committed to USC.
Baton Rouge’s Wheelchair Tennis Association helps players
Lynn Serio has been fixing wheelchairs for over 40 years — and he doesn’t plan to stop.
After Serio graduated from high school in 1981, he went to LSU for a year and a half.