Love him or hate him, Denny Hamlin’s 60th career win shook the NASCAR world. The 44-year-old has been the name on everyone’s lips ever since he punched his ticket into the Championship 4. And now, he’s in contention for the elusive Bill France Cup for the first time since 2021. Though nothing is guaranteed just yet, the title fight is very much on, and the momentum is on the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran’s side.
This win also puts Hamlin in an elite list of drivers. He is currently tied with 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kevin Harvick, capping off the 10th place in the all-time wins. But when Hamlin reflected on what this win meant to him, he went on to share an uncharacteristically humble opinion. He said, “I still feel like when I look at the names of the list that I’m now a part of, the top 10, I feel like my name does stick out as not one of the greats of the sport.” However, a NASCAR insider doesn’t share that stance and went on to back the veteran racer.
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Bob Pockrass opens up on Denny Hamlin’s huge accomplishment
When asked about “the greatest drivers of all time that’s never won a championship,” FOX’s Bob Pockrass kept his answer simple. He said on PRNLive,” Well, I think it’s a combined, when you talk about round numbers, because not only are you talking 60 as far as wins, but you were talking top 10 and all-time wins, right? Kevin Harvick was 10th at 60 by himself. Now, Denny kind of joins him. So I think when you talk about a driver who has, who is in the top 10 and all-time wins, that is a huge accomplishment.”
It all came down to those last 10 laps that etched Hamlin’s legacy. Starting from ninth position during the last restart, Hamlin methodically worked his way through the field, overtaking two competitors before snatching the lead from his teammate Chase Briscoe, with just four laps remaining. With fresh tires and a relentless hunger to win, Hamlin held off the day’s most dominant driver, Kyle Larson, securing a 1.533-second victory margin.
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This victory not only put him at the top of the leaderboard but also made him a favorite in the brutal dogfight for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship. But Hamlin‘s crew chief is pushing to focus more on being a threat at every track than on fixating on the title. He said, “Obviously, you elevate your mind and what you think you can accomplish as you go further along into the year. We’ve had such a good year, we feel like we should be a frontrunner for the championship. I don’t think it’s going to change what we do. We’re going to take it a week at a time and a few weeks ahead on Phoenix, and that’s about it.”
The win isn’t just a statistical milestone; it also means a lot emotionally. Hamlin has been sounding off on his father’s ailment, and knowing that Dennis Hamlin saw him claim his 60th win means the world to him. Moreover, the Virginia-native had a difficult playoff, as he found himself in the center of so many controversies.
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From spinning his teammate Ty Gibbs at New Hampshire to the controversial run-in with Bubba Wallace, Denny Hamlin has struggled to catch a break. The debate has been raging on social media about his team ownership and leadership qualities, and there were race manipulation concerns as well after his class with Ross Chastain. But despite it all, the No. 11 driver has remained focused on the prize.
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The next two races will give Hamlin some breathing room. Talladega and Martinsville will allow the veteran to explore race strategy and car setup with crew chief Chris Gayle, as the two prepare for the biggest race of the 44-year-old’s two-decade-long career. And with teammates Chase Briscoe and Christopher Bell very much in the mix, the No. 11 team is expected to play a support role in the upcoming fixtures. Gayle has already reiterated that he’s ready to give all the help to his driver to win the championship, while Dale Jr. refuses to buy Hamlin’s ‘retirement’ plans.
Dale Jr. refuses to put an expiry date on Hamlin’s racing career
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is confident that Denny Hamlin will continue competing in the NASCAR Cup Series for as long as he chooses. On the Dale Jr. Download podcast, the veteran racer discussed Hamlin’s career timeline and how long he might keep racing if he continues to rack up wins.
Sharing his thoughts about Hamlin’s future, Junior said, “He (Denny) said that he pretty much has an end date, or the end of the runway, in terms of his career. I guess that he’s happy to win whatever races there are in that short period of time. But should he still be winning at the end of that off-ramp, I find it hard to believe that he’s just going to hang it up and stop.”
NASCAR Insider Explains What Denny Hamlin’s 60th Cup Win Really Represents
Frankie Muniz Opens Up on Freak Ladder Fall and Lessons Learned From Injury
For a racer who is committed, no challenge is daunting. The same can be said about Frankie Muniz, the actor-turned-driver who has been making waves since 2022. Through his young career in NASCAR, the former ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ star has navigated ups and downs. For instance, coping with a lackluster 2023 season in ARCA after 7 top ten finishes in his rookie season in 2022.
Similarly, Frankie Muniz dealt with a gigantic roadblock just after a promising start to 2025. He was driving the No. 33 Reaume Brothers Racing Ford in the Craftsman Truck Series, but disaster struck at home. Yet he came out of it a wiser and more optimistic driver, as Muniz shared recently.
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Frankie Muniz needed a bigger ladder
Well, Frankie Muniz started the 2025 season with a bang. He collected a fascinating 10th-place finish at Daytona International Speedway, marking his first top ten in a NASCAR national series race. Just after that euphoric milestone, however, Muniz slipped back into average finishes. And to make matters worse, his season’s ambitions screeched to a painful halt in August. On 28th August, Muniz was trying to change some ring batteries in his house when he fell off a ladder. Consequently, he broke his left wrist and missed four Craftsman Truck Series races.
In a recent interview with journalist Bob Pockrass, Frankie Muniz expanded on the accident. “I lost my balance,” he said. “I had to heed to the warning that said do not stand on top step, especially when it’s on the grass. But you live and learn. It was my fault…I can’t blame anybody else except for my laziness to not go get a taller ladder out of my garage.” So for a shorter ladder, Muniz had to undergo medical treatment for the following two months. Now, however, doctors have approved his return to NASCAR, as Muniz will compete in the Love’s RV Stop 225 at Talladega Superspeedway.
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In his absence, Frankie Muniz’s truck was wheeled by Mason Maggio and Tyler Tomassi. The former actor admitted to feeling left out all this while: “Obviously, since I’ve been in the Truck Series, and Kind of painful to have to watch.” Yet Muniz also harbored optimism. “But at the same time, like you know, I had to heal up and excited to be back for the last three and just keep fighting for sure.”
Most of all, Frankie Muniz prioritized learning from all his ups and downs in 2025. Besides his nasty fall, Muniz’s poor finishes also provided solid lessons. “It has been an adventurous year, for sure. We’ve had a fair share of bad luck, but let’s just say I’m hoping just to get all the bad luck out of it this year. And hopefully, next year we’ll have smooth sailing.”
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Frankie Muniz is hardly alone in encountering freak falls this season. The Truck star even compared his situation to that of an Xfinity Series legend.
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Two bone-chilling accidents in a month
In early August, Xfinity Series fans were shocked. Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing’s Cup Series recruit for 2026, broke his collarbone. He did so just after winning his season’s 6th victory at Watkins Glen International. And the manner of his accident was quite similar to that of Frankie Muniz. Zilisch slipped and fell while standing on the roof of his No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, while Muniz fell from his ladder later the same month. Zilisch underwent successful surgery and resumed his winning streak. Now, the young stud is aiming for the championship with 10 wins.
As Frankie Muniz resumes his Truck Series competition, he draws a parallel with Connor Zilisch. Upon being asked if his fall was like the 19-year-old phenom’s, Muniz replied, “Pretty much.” He continued, “I think that his probably looked way more dramatic than mine did. I caught myself, but from a high spot. I immediately knew that I had hurt myself.”
Muniz declared that had he been targeting the championship like Zilisch, he would have sped up the process. Instead, he focused on getting better steadily: “It was so much pain, and it was one of those things, if I was competing for the championship, could I have fought through it? It would have been hard. I thought better to truly heal and then come back and not cause more damage and make it worse.”
As Frankie Muniz returns to NASCAR, he also returns to his pursuit of brilliance in the sport. Let’s wait and see if the former actor can make up for his adventurous year.
MLB approves roster move for Blue Jays’ Anthony Santander
Anthony Santander’s postseason for the Toronto Blue Jays ended Thursday, with Major League Baseball approving a roster substitution for the ailing outfielder.
Santander has been battling a back injury that led him to being scratched from Game 2 of the AL Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners. He started in right field in Game 3, but was replaced after two at-bats in an eventual 13-4 Toronto road win that cut its series deficit to 2-1.
MLB’s announcement came a little over an hour before Game 4 on Thursday night in Seattle.
The league said Dr. Gary Green, its medical director, confirmed Santander’s injury
What Mets can learn from teams still alive in MLB postseason
If the Mets want to be the best, they have to beat the best.
Professional sports leagues are all copycat leagues, meaning teams copy one another in hopes of replicating success in certain areas, or replicating the success that led the last team standing to a championship.
The playoffs are where the trends are set, with the World Series providing an inflection point for the game. With the League Championship Series in full swing, the Mets (and others) would be wise to learn from the teams battling it out to be the last standing in their respective leagues.
Here are some insights the team can glean from what has so far been an exciting postseason.
CONTACT HITTING
In the regular season, you might face a back-end starter with a penchant for walks or a wild reliever with regularity, but in the playoffs, hitters are seeing the best pitchers on each team, with off-days allowing teams to optimize their pitching plans.
The pitching has been sensational this October, with guys painting 104 MPH on the corners. Pitchers are throwing harder, and some of those high-velocity offerings have incredible movement profiles. The pitching might be harder than ever, which is making it harder to hit than ever. Still, there are more variables on a ball in play than on a strikeout.
The Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers reached the ALCS and the NLCS with their bat-to-ball skills. The Blue Jays have some big swingers, like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer, but they don’t strike out nearly as much as other power threats. Only Springer (111) and Addison Barger (121) struck out more than 100 times this season for Toronto, while the Mets had six hitters with 100 or more strikeouts.
The Brewers, owners of the best regular-season record in the league, reached the penultimate round without a lineup that hits a ton of home runs. The Seattle Mariners might have hit a lot of them in the regular season — the third-most in baseball — but they aren’t swinging for the fences in the postseason.
It would undoubtedly benefit the Mets to have a more patient approach, and a more contact-heavy approach to get the ball in the air would help put pressure on opposing defenses and create more opportunities to score runs.
GOOD FUNDIES
Orion Kerkering’s mistake in Game 5 of the NLDS underscored the importance of fundamentals.
Late in the season, manager Carlos Mendoza lamented the mistakes the Mets were making, many of which were on fundamental defensive plays. Run suppression was something president of baseball operations David Steans mentioned several times during his end-of-season media availability.
Pitcher’s fielding practice, bunts, cutting down runners with strong, accurate throws, and running the bases well offensively — these things will always matter in baseball. Yet at times, it seemed as if the Mets forgot how important they are to execute. They seemed to understand how costly their mental mistakes and defensive miscues were by the end of the season, but by then, there was little they could do.
They have to learn from their own mistakes, and the mistakes that have been both made and prevented in the playoffs.
ACE-FREE ISN’T THE WAY TO BE
True aces are a fading breed, which could be why the four teams left in the postseason don’t really have one. Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers were knocked out in the ALDS. Garrett Crochet and the Boston Red Sox were knocked out a round before that, and the Yankees advanced without Gerrit Cole.
However, the Mets shouldn’t be fooled into thinking they don’t need one themselves. This is where they should build for their own needs.
The team understands that depth is key, but their failure to make significant investments in the starting pitching staff last year hurt them in the end. The rotation mostly consisted of a group of project pitchers, back-end starters and struggling veterans whose sum of all parts was not greater than the whole.
Kodai Senga might have been a first-half ace, but his second-half struggles hurt the team’s playoff prospects. After two years of injuries and inconsistencies, Stearns and the Mets aren’t even sure what they can expect from him at this point. David Peterson faded down the stretch, Sean Manaea never found his stride and Clay Holmes, a former reliever, was good, and will likely be great next season as a starter, but there was a learning curve.
The good news is that Nolan McLean looks like a rising ace, and Jonah Tong could be at some point too. But not now. The Mets can’t count on inexperienced rookies to carry the staff.
How to Watch Blue Jays vs Mariners ALCS Game 4: Live Stream MLB Postseason, TV Channel
The Toronto Blue Jays will look to get another win on the road against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series at T-Mobile Park to tie up the series. The home team has yet to win a game in this series.
How to Watch Blue Jays vs Mariners
Date: Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025
Time: 8:33 PM ET
Channel: FS1
Stream: Fubo (TRY FOR FREE)
After winning the first two games in Toronto against the Blue Jays, the Seattle Mariners came into Game 3 in front of their home fans, ready to take a 3-0 series lead. The Blue Jays and their high-powered offense had different plans, getting a 13-4 win. Toronto had scored only four runs in the first two games.
Game 3 was the first ALCS game in Seattle since 2001 against the New York Yankees. However, the crowd was taken out of the game immediately in the first inning when the Blue Jays scored two runs. It was the first ALCS win on the road since 1993, which snapped a five-game losing streak for Toronto.
The Blue Jays had five home runs on Wednesday. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 4-for-4 with a solo home run, two doubles, a single, and an intentional walk. It was his first-career four-hit postseason game. George Springer also had an amazing night, going 3-for-6 leading off, and he hit his 22nd career postseason home run.
Future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer will make his postseason debut for the Blue Jays on Thursday. The veteran right-hander went 5-5 with a 5.19 ERA in a shortened 2025 regular season. Seattle will have Luis Castillo on the mound. The righty is 1-0 with a 0.83 ERA in two appearances this postseason.
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How much could Tarik Skubal demand on the open market?
The Tigers are now down to their final season of control over the American League’s best pitcher. Tarik Skubal is entering his last year of arbitration and trending toward the largest pitching contract in MLB history if he stays healthy.
Jon Heyman of The New York Post wrote this evening that Skubal could seek a deal of at least $400M. Heyman reports that Detroit’s extension offer last offseason was shy of the $170M which Garrett Crochet received from the Red Sox in April. Heyman specifies that the Tigers’ offer came before Crochet’s extension.
Much will be made of the more than $200M gap between those two numbers, but that doesn’t consider the timing of Detroit’s offer. The front office certainly wouldn’t be under any illusions now that a sub-$200M proposal would be close. Their previous offer came when Skubal was two years from free agency and before the Crochet precedent.
It wasn’t clear last offseason that Crochet would command as strong a deal as he did. That contract was nearly $50M above the previous top extension for a pitcher with between four and five years of service time (Jacob deGrom’s $120.5M deal with the Mets from 2019). The Red Sox certainly don’t have any regrets after Crochet’s dominant ’25 season, but that deal pushed the extension market dramatically forward. While it’s not clear precisely what Detroit had offered, it’s safe to presume it was north of the deGrom extension and would have been a record within his service class before the Crochet signing.
Skubal bet on himself and is really in position to cash in as a result. He’s going to win his second consecutive AL Cy Young Award after posting a 2.21 ERA with 241 strikeouts across 31 starts. He is now two and a half seasons removed from the flexor surgery that ended his 2022 campaign. Most importantly, he’s now 12 months away from the open market.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto received the largest guarantee for a pitcher in MLB history when he signed with the Dodgers for $325M. That was in large part due to his unusual circumstances coming over from Japan. He was an established ace in NPB and widely viewed as one of the two best pitchers (alongside Paul Skenes) who had yet to pitch in MLB at the time. Yamamoto came over before his age-25 season — earlier than any MLB ace could accrue the necessary six years of service time to hit free agency. He commanded a 12-year deal that was three years longer than any other pitching contract.
Tigers’ Tarik Skubal on track to become free agent at age 30
Among domestic free agent pitchers, Gerrit Cole has the record on his nine-year, $324M contract with the Yankees. Cole had yet to win a Cy Young but was coming off two straight top five finishes. He hit the market at age 29, while Skubal is on track to become a free agent at 30. Cole’s deal is six years old, so there’ll surely be an adjustment for inflation.
Cole’s $36M average annual value was a record for a pitcher at the time. It’s now down to sixth — not including the Shohei Ohtani deal — on an annual basis. Late-career aces Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Zack Wheeler have each reached or topped $42M on two- or three-year contracts. deGrom received $37M annually on his five-year deal with Texas, while Blake Snell is making $36.4M per season from the Dodgers (albeit with deferrals that drop the net present AAV to the $31-32M range).
Those are all free agent precedents. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projects Skubal for a $17.8M salary in his last arbitration year. Detroit wouldn’t get much of a discount on an extension, but a long-term deal this offseason would still come with the added risk that he suffers an injury next year.
The Tigers have signed two contracts above $200M: Prince Fielder’s free agent deal and Miguel Cabrera’s franchise-high $248M extension. Both deals are more than a decade old and came under the ownership tenure of the late Mike Ilitch. Since his son Christopher Ilitch took control of the organization in 2017, they’ve signed one nine-figure deal — the $140M Javier Baez addition. Detroit has a relatively clean long-term payroll outlook aside from Baez’s $24M salaries over the next two seasons. Jack Flaherty has a $20M player option for 2026, while Colt Keith is signed for $4-5M for the next four years.
There’s enough payroll space that it’s conceivable the Tigers could make a competitive extension offer to Skubal. If talks don’t gain traction, they’d need to decide whether to hold him for a final season or entertain trade possibilities. Detroit is coming off consecutive playoff berths and spent most of the ’25 season in control of the AL Central. It’s difficult to envision the Tigers being legitimate contenders in 2026 if they were to trade Skubal, even if they built a return around controllable big league talent. There’s a strong argument for simply holding Skubal in the hope that he carries them to a deep postseason run and making a qualifying offer next winter. If they struggle in the first half, he’d be a marquee deadline trade chip.
The alternative this offseason would be to follow the respective Red Sox, Padres and Astros precedents with Mookie Betts, Juan Soto and Kyle Tucker. Those teams all traded their superstar before his final season of arbitration. That went terribly for Boston. San Diego did very well on the Soto return and has won at least 90 games in each of the past two seasons. The jury is still out on Houston’s trade of Tucker. They got a strong three-player return but came up shy of the postseason this year. Those teams were all navigating short-term payroll restrictions from ownership that shouldn’t be an issue for Detroit with how little money they have on the books.
President of baseball operations Scott Harris gave a non-answer when asked about Skubal’s future during the Tigers’ end-of-season presser on Monday. “I can’t comment on our players being traded … so I’m going to respond by not actually commenting on it,” Harris said. “Tarik is a Tiger. I hope he wins the Cy Young for the second consecutive year. He’s an incredible pitcher and we’re lucky to have him.”
Manny Ramirez reportedly wants to return to MLB in this role
Manny Ramirez last appeared in an MLB game in 2011.
But the former Red Sox great and two-time World Series champion is reportedly seeking a return to pro baseball — this time as a coach.
According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, Ramirez “is getting word out to all 30 teams he’d love to serve as an MLB hitting coach.”
“He wants to bring his greatness to teach the young guys,” his agent Hector Zepeda told Heyman.
Ramirez does have the resume as far as his big-league credentials, with the left fielder establishing himself as one of the top right-handed sluggers in the game over a 19-year career.
He batted .312 with 555 home runs in his career, including 274 home runs with the Red Sox.
This is not the first time that Ramirez has taken part in a coaching role, as he served as a player-coach for the Iowa Cubs — Chicago’s Triple-A affiliate — during the 2014 season before becoming a hitting consultant in 2015.
MassLive’s Sean McAdam — citing a source — also reported in May that Ramirez reached out to a manager last offseason in hopes of landing a job as a big-league hitting coach.
It remains to be seen if the Red Sox would have any interest in bringing Ramirez aboard, especially with hitting coach Pete Faste expected back.
One thing’s for sure. Boston won’t be bringing back Ramirez to help shore up a lackluster defense.
Cubs’ Kyle Tucker Linked to Bold NL West Move
“Between that trade and their nine-figure investments in each of Jung Hoo Lee, Matt Chapman and Willy Adames over the past few years, San Francisco has made it clear that playing 81 games per season in a pitcher’s park isn’t going to prevent it from investing heavily in hitting,” Miller wrote.
“And despite those four big contracts and the combined $48 million due to Logan Webb and Robbie Ray in 2026, the Giants surprisingly have quite a bit of room to make some noise this winter.”
Tucker entered a big slump about halfway into the season, which could end up helping the Giants in their case of signing him because he may be slightly cheaper than he would have been if he had hit 30+ home runs.
Nonetheless, Tucker ended his 2025 season with 133 hits, 22 home runs, and 73 runs driven in. Furthermore, his accolades speak for themself. He’s a four-time All-Star, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner, and helped the Houston Astros win the 2022 World Series.
Why the Giants Make Sense for Kyle Tucker?
This isn’t to say the Cubs can’t make a late run for Tucker once the free agency period opens, but it’s expected that they won’t open up the checkbook to make him a monster offer. However, the Giants are still significantly under the luxury tax heading into the 2026 season, and have the room on their payroll to make either one huge signing like this or a couple of smaller signings that are still impactful.
The Giants have gone after many of MLB’s top free agents over the last few years, including Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Aaron Judge. However, they have been unsuccessful in landing that major star in the free agent market. However, that isn’t stopping them from trying again. Tucker is also in the realm of those names, and it would not be surprising to see the Giants go after the veteran outfielder.
San Francisco are also desperate to compete in the NL West. As a result, it can be assumed that the Giants will do whatever it takes to have a more competitive 2026 season under Buster Posey’s new front office leadership.
MLB playoffs: Dodgers win again, Blue Jays even series
Both Championship Series of the 2025 MLB playoffs were on tap Thursday. The Toronto Blue Jays evened up the series in Game 4 of the ALCS after an 8-2 win over the Seattle Mariners, while the Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching continued to dominate, holding the Milwaukee Brewers to just one run offensively for the third straight game to take a 3-0 lead in the NLCS.
Here are key takeaways from Thursday’s games:
Jackson Chourio removed after injury in seventh inning
Chourio left Game 3 with what appeared to be a leg-associated injury after a swing in his fourth at-bat of the game. He hobbled himself off the field straight into the dugout, needing to be replaced by Blake Perkins for the remainder of the game.
The Brewers have not yet confirmed the severity of the injury, but Chourio is optimistic. However, he has dealt with hamstring issues this season, including being removed in Game 1 of the NLDS.
Max Scherzer dominates in first game back from injury
Scherzer delivered a vintage performance for Toronto in Game 4, helping the Blue Jays even the series at two games apiece. The 41-year-old tossed 5 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs on three hits while striking out five.
With two outs in the fifth, manager John Schneider approached the mound to change pitchers, but Scherzer lobbied to stay in. He responded by striking out Randy Arozarena to close out the inning.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Andres Gimenez carry Blue Jays offense
Guerrero Jr. and Gimenez powered Toronto’s offense, combining for four hits and five RBI.
Guerrero continued his torrid postseason stretch with a solo home run in the seventh inning, passing Jose Bautista for the most home runs in a single postseason in Blue Jays history with five.
Gimenez hit a two-run home run in the third inning — his second consecutive game with a home run — to give the Blue Jays a lead they held for the rest of the game.
Dodgers’ dominant MLB playoff run began with gutting loss
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers were at a breaking point in September.
Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto was one pitch away from throwing a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles, and they somehow still lost.
They lost two of three games to Arizona, were swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and lost two of three games to the Orioles in a 10-day span.
The season was unraveling, the San Diego Padres were closing in, and panicking was starting to settle in.
Funny what a difference five weeks makes.
On a gorgeous Thursday evening in Los Angeles, the Dodgers stifled the Milwaukee Brewers yet again, with a 3-1 win in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series and are one victory away from a sweep and return trip to the World Series.
It’s over.
The Dodgers know it.
The Brewers know it.
“We know,
Suspension of Lions safety Brian Branch for postgame fight vs. Chiefs is upheld on appeal
NEW YORK – The one-game suspension of Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch was upheld Wednesday by a hearing officer appointed by the NFL and the NFL Players’ Association.
Jordy Nelson, the hearing officer, denied the appeal by Branch, who was suspended for a game without pay by the league Monday for unsportsmanlike conduct following a loss at Kansas City.
Branch punched Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Sunday night, setting off a postgame melee.
Detroit (4-2) will host NFC South-leading Tampa Bay (5-1) without Branch, another blow for a team with a banged-up secondary.
In a letter to Branch, Jon Runyan, the league vice president of football operations, wrote: “Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players.”
Runyan said Branch’s conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and had no place in the game.
Branch will be eligible to return to the active roster on Tuesday, Oct. 21, during the team’s bye week ahead of its home game against NFC North rival Minnesota on Nov. 2.
After Kansas City beat Detroit 30-17, quarterback Patrick Mahomes extended his hand toward Branch and the third-year pro walked past the superstar. Smith-Schuster then walked toward Branch. They exchanged a few words and Branch responded by throwing a right hook that knocked Smith-Schuster to the ground.
Smith-Schuster leapt to his feet and went after Branch. Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco tried to get between them, but Branch ripped Smith-Schuster’s helmet off as a slew of players converged on the scrum.
Smith-Schuster came away with a bloody nose.
Branch addressed his actions after the game.
“I did a little childish thing, but I’m tired of people doing stuff in between the play and refs don’t catch it,” Branch said. “They be trying to bully me out there and I don’t — I shouldn’t have did it. It was childish.”
Branch was fined $23,186 for facemask and unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties against Green Bay last month.
“I love Brian Branch, but what he did is inexcusable, and it’s not going to be accepted here,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said Sunday night. “It’s not what we do. It’s not what we’re about. I apologized to coach (Andy) Reid and the Chiefs, and Smith-Schuster. That’s not OK. That’s not what we do here. It’s not going to be OK. He knows it. Our team knows it. That’s not what we do.”
Detroit drafted Branch out of Alabama in the second round in 2023 and he has been one of the franchise’s top players during its recent run of success. He was a Pro Bowl player last season after finishing fifth in voting for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.
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Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch’s suspension upheld after appeal
NEW YORK (AP) — The one-game suspension of Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch was upheld Wednesday by a hearing officer appointed by the NFL and the NFL Players’ Association.
Jordy Nelson, the hearing officer, denied the appeal by Branch, who was suspended for a game without pay by the league Monday for unsportsmanlike conduct following a loss at Kansas City.
Branch punched Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Sunday night, setting off a postgame melee.
Detroit (4-2) will host NFC South-leading Tampa Bay (5-1) without Branch, another blow for a team with a banged-up secondary.
In a letter to Branch, Jon Runyan, the league vice president of football operations, wrote: “Your aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury, and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players.”
Runyan said Branch’s conduct reflected poorly on the NFL and had no place in the game.
Branch will be eligible to return to the active roster on Tuesday, Oct. 21, during the team’s bye week ahead of its home game against NFC North rival Minnesota on Nov. 2.
After Kansas City beat Detroit 30-17, quarterback Patrick Mahomes extended his hand toward Branch and the third-year pro walked past the superstar. Smith-Schuster then walked toward Branch. They exchanged a few words and Branch responded by throwing a right hook that knocked Smith-Schuster to the ground.
Smith-Schuster leapt to his feet and went after Branch. Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco tried to get between them, but Branch ripped Smith-Schuster’s helmet off as a slew of players converged on the scrum.
Smith-Schuster came away with a bloody nose.
Branch addressed his actions after the game.
“I did a little childish thing, but I’m tired of people doing stuff in between the play and refs don’t catch it,” Branch said. “They be trying to bully me out there and I don’t — I shouldn’t have did it. It was childish.”
Branch was fined $23,186 for facemask and unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties against Green Bay last month.
“I love Brian Branch, but what he did is inexcusable, and it’s not going to be accepted here,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said Sunday night. “It’s not what we do. It’s not what we’re about. I apologized to coach (Andy) Reid and the Chiefs, and Smith-Schuster. That’s not OK. That’s not what we do here. It’s not going to be OK. He knows it. Our team knows it. That’s not what we do.”
Detroit drafted Branch out of Alabama in the second round in 2023 and he has been one of the franchise’s top players during its recent run of success. He was a Pro Bowl player last season after finishing fifth in voting for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.
___
Pressure Bengals ownership to hire more NFL scouts
Ask columnist Jason Williams anything − sports or non-sports – and he’ll pick some of your questions and comments from his inbox and respond on Cincinnati.com. Email: jwilliams@enquirer.com
Subject: Cincinnati Bengals need pressured to hire more scouts
Message: Agree with Dennis Doyle (of The Enquirer Board of Contributors). There are no moral victories. Until enough pressure is put on the Brown family to invest in a scouting department, nothing changes. Please don’t be complicit in extending this considering what the taxpayers have ponied up. We deserve better.
Reply: Respectfully, Mr. Doyle missed the sarcasm in my column after the Bengals’ loss to Green Bay on Oct. 12, when I wrote they’ve
Expansion not discussed at the NHL’s Board of Governors meeting, Gary Bettman says
NEW YORK — Expansion was not discussed at the NHL’s Board of Governors meeting on Wednesday, Commissioner Gary Bettman said afterward.
The league has been at 32 teams since Seattle entered for the 2021-22 season. There are groups who have aspirations of franchises in Atlanta and Houston, among other places.
“There is, and continues to be, interest from lots of places,” Bettman said. “But none of it has reached the level that we need to focus on at this point.”
Asked if the door could be opened on the expansion front at the next board meeting in December in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Bettman said that’s not for the NHL to decide.
“If somebody knocks on the door, we’ll peek around to see who’s knocking and then decide what to do with it,” Bettman said.
Among other topics, Bettman expressed concern about the construction timeline of the main hockey arena in Milan for the upcoming Olympics and said it’s up to the International Olympic Committee.
“We are constrained in what we can and can’t do, request and demand and if it reached a certain point, we’ll have to deal with it,” Bettman said. “But I’m not speculating, and we’ve been constantly assured by the IOC and the (International Ice Hockey Federation) that it will be OK.”
The salary cap is seeing record increases this year and over the following two as revenues are skyrocketing. Bettman flatly denied buzz that had been going around about the cap being more than $104 million next season.
“There’s no change,” Bettman. “I know there’s a rumor going around that we’re in discussions about the cap. That’s absolutely, categorically untrue. There have been no discussions. It is what we’ve already agreed to.”
Bettman opened his chat with reporters by saying there was no news to report.
“Basically, it’s a nuts and bolts meeting,” Bettman said. “Nothing too dramatic.”
Governors – a mix of owners, team presidents, general managers and other executives – got updates on the state of the league, hockey operations and officiating and efforts to grow the game internationally.
Bettman said he had nothing to share on the sale process involving the Pittsburgh Penguins.
As planning continues for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said he expects 18 cities in North America and 10 in Europe to bid to host part of the event.
Asked about his future running the NHL, the 73-year-old Bettman said: “I’m here, and I’m not planning on going anywhere for a while. And I don’t know what a while is.”
How to watch Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues: FREE LIVE STREAM, Time, TV Channel for NHL game
The Chicago Blackhawks face the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025 (10/15/25) in a regular season game at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
How to watch: Fans can watch the game for free via a trial of DirecTV or via a subscription to Sling TV, which is offering half off your first month.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: NHL regular season
Who: Blues vs. Blackhawks
When: Oct. 15, 2025
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
Where: Enterprise Center
TV: TNT
Live stream: DirecTV, Sling TV,
***
Here’s an NHL story via the Associated Press:
CHICAGO (AP) — Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno is taking a leave of absence because his 12-year-old daughter is having follow-up surgery related to her congenital heart disease.
The team made the announcement on Wednesday. It said it had no further comment.
Foligno, who turns 38 on Oct. 31, is in his third season with Chicago. The forward has no goals and two assists in four games.
Foligno became the 35th captain of the Original Six team in September 2024. His father, Mike, played in the NHL for 15 years, and his brother, Marcus, plays for Minnesota.
The Blackhawks had a road game against St. Louis on Wednesday night.
Gary Bettman concerned over arena delays ahead of NHL Olympics return
The NHL is growing concerned about the progress of the ice hockey facilities being constructed for the 2026 Winter Olympics, which are just four months away.
Construction on the 16,000-seat arena, which will be the main venue for ice hockey during the Milan-Cortina Games, is going to come down to the wire, with the possibility that a test event for the venue might not be able to take place before the start of the Olympics.
The Associated Press reported Wednesday that local organizers confirmed the tight timeline for completion. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the league has been concerned over the rink’s construction for several years.
Due to the short timeline, the arena may not open until just days before the opening ceremony, leading players to potentially skate on untested ice.
“We’ve had a concern for the last two years on the progress of the rink — both rinks but mainly the main one — but it’s the [International Olympic Committee’s] responsibility,” Bettman said. “We’re invited guests, but they know of our concerns and we’re expecting that they’re going to make good on all the promises to have a facility that is, from a competitive standpoint, first class.”
The upcoming games mark the first time NHL players have participated in the Olympics since the 2014 competition in Sochi.
Bettman said Wednesday that the NHL would express any concerns it has with the NHL Players Association if needed, but reiterated that this was an event run outside the league. On top of the Olympics issues, plans for the arena to host an event as part of the IIHF under-20 world championship in December were scrapped and moved to the smaller Rho Fiera hockey venue.
“We are constrained in what we can and can’t do, request and demand and if it reached a certain point, we’ll have to deal with it,” Bettman said. “But I’m not speculating, and we’ve been constantly assured by the IOC and the [International Ice Hockey Federation] that it will be OK.”
Gavin Brindley, Adam Fantilli excited to share NHL ice for first time
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gavin Brindley and Adam Fantilli have been waiting to share the ice in an NHL game for years, particularly since the pair were drafted by the same team after completing their freshman year of college.
The plan changed when Brindley was traded in June, but they’re going to get that chance Thursday night at Nationwide Arena. Brindley’s sixth career NHL game is going to come against Fantilli and the franchise that drafted him — the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“I wasn’t here very long, but it’s a lot of familiar faces and good to get back in the city,” Brindley said after practicing Wednesday with his new team, the Colorado Avalanche, in his old town. “I liked it a lot here. Pretty cool city, passionate fans.
“I saw a couple of guys last night and will get to hang out with them a bit today. A lot of great people over there, great guys who took me under their wings. I’m really thankful for that. I know Adam really likes it over there. Happy for him.”
Fantilli was the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NHL draft after a stellar freshman season at Michigan. Columbus went back to Ann Arbor for its second-round selection, choosing Brindley at No. 34.
Avalanche ‘dodged a bullet’ when Brock Nelson’s wrist was cut by Bo Byram’s skate
While Fantilli has spent the past two seasons playing in the NHL, Brindley has been working to join him. He was the player of the year in the Big Ten as a sophomore after Fantilli, Luke Hughes and Mackie Samoskevich moved on to pro hockey.
Brindley made his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets at the end of that season after signing his entry-level contract, but Fantilli was injured and not in the lineup. Last year, Brindley spent his first pro season with Cleveland in the AHL.
His path to the NHL changed over the summer when the Avalanche sent Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to Columbus for him and a pair of draft picks. Brindley and Fantilli were hanging out together when they found out about the trade.
Moving from a franchise that has missed the playoffs five straight seasons to a Stanley Cup contender might seem like a tough break for a young player trying to break into the NHL, but Brindley was a standout at his first Colorado training camp and made the team.
He’s spent the first four games of the Avs’ season on the fourth line, and he picked up his first NHL goal Saturday against the Dallas Stars. Brindley also had the honor of the first water bottle shower from Gabe Landeskog — a tradition from the captain for first-time scorers — since his return after missing nearly three full seasons with knee issues.
“I feel great,” Brindley said. “Body feels good. I feel like every game the energy is good. I’m just trying to get better every game and get comfortable.
What happens with Martin Necas, both on and off the ice, could define this Avalanche season
“I’ve got to prove myself. I’ve got to do the little things right, and hone in on the details. Just whatever you get, you’ve got to take advantage of it. That’s what I’m focusing on right now.”
Brindley has always been one of the best players on his team. He’s used to earning a lot of ice time. For example, he played for the world junior championships team when he was an underage player for the United States and was a depth player. So he has a little experience forcing his way onto the ice.
He averaged 7:36 minutes per contest in the first three games, but got a bump up to 10:06 on Monday in Buffalo. It’s far from what Brindley has played in the past, but his coach has praised his play throughout camp and into the first two weeks of the regular season.
“I think he’s doing an exceptional job with that,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “There’s some big stretches in between some of his shifts because of special teams. I know he’s used to playing on those.
“He came out and scored a big goal after a long gap. He’s staying focused, staying ready, staying prepared. He understands the importance of every shift. For a young guy, I think that’s a really hard thing and he’s handling it real well.”
FOOTNOTES: Landeskog did not practice Wednesday, but Bednar said it was just a day off and he will play Thursday night. … The Avs won’t get a chance to play against Wood for the first time since the trade. He sustained an eye injury Monday night against the New Jersey Devils, and will miss at least a week.
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NHL aims to expand efforts to grow game outside of North America
NEW YORK — The NHL is looking to invest more time and money into efforts to grow the game internationally, particularly in Europe, Commissioner Gary Bettman said following the League’s Board of Governors meeting Wednesday.
International growth was addressed during the BOG meeting with a presentation from the NHL and a discussion.
Rangers see reasons to not hit panic button after historic Garden scoring woes
After three straight home games without a goal to open the season — a drought no other team in NHL history has endured — the Rangers finally got some good news: They won’t be back at Madison Square Garden until Monday.
They got blanked at the Garden by Pittsburgh in the season opener and suffered back-to-back shutout defeats to Washington and Edmonton this week and heard boos as their loss to the Oilers ended Wednesday.
But the Rangers continue to point to the number of chances they’ve generated, their solid defensive play and the fact it’s just three games at home as reasons to not make any significant changes.
And perhaps best of all, their next two games are on the road, Thursday in Toronto and Saturday at Montreal. The Rangers have outscored opponents 10-1 in two games away from the Garden.
“We’re generating a lot of high-quality looks and I do believe if we continue to generate the type of chances we have the last couple games, the puck will go in the net for us,’’ coach Mike Sullivan said following practice Wednesday in Tarrytown. “I think we have a number of people in our lineup that are pretty talented guys that have shown the ability to score. I believe they will.”
So don’t expect any eye-popping moves in the coming games.
“We’ve just got to stay the course here,’’ said Sullivan, in his first season behind the bench for the Rangers. “Are there areas where we can improve and get better to try to help that finishing ability? For sure. But it’s a really small sample size.’’
And that’s the message he and his staff have relayed to the Rangers, who are well aware of their lack of scoring at home, despite getting plenty of shots on goal and good chances.
“These guys care an awful lot,” Sullivan said. “They’re invested. They want to win and they want to score. Our offensive people want to score goals. They know the team relies on them to score goals, so when the puck doesn’t go in the net, it’s easy for things like doubt to creep in and that’s where we have to be vigilant.’’
Because he doesn’t want those goal scorers to alter the way they’re playing.
“I think the players deserve credit for their effort,’’ the coach said. “They’re a resilient group. We want to sustain the enthusiasm we have around the group. We’ve got to continue to dig in and we’ll find ways to score.”
Alexis Lafrenière, who has just one goal through the team’s first five games, said he and his teammates aren’t letting the scoreless streak at home affect their play while on the ice.
“We’re trying to score,’’ Lafrenière said. “And we’re playing well, even if we can’t score right now. We’re gonna have success.’’
He acknowledged the drought is tough to take.
“It’s frustrating,” Lafreniere said. “We have a lot of chances and it doesn’t go in, but we’ve talked about playing the right way and that’s what we’re doing right now. If we play like that consistently, they’re gonna start to go in and we’ll get better.”
And perhaps getting back on the road will help.
“We’re just trying to play hockey,’’ Lafreniere said. “We want to score a bunch of goals. It hasn’t been like that, but you stay positive and they’ll go in eventually. If we play the
Mammoth mascot Tusky emerges from block of ice before home opener
The Utah Mammoth have unveiled their mascot.
Tusky.
The 6-foot-5 mammoth in team colors — Mountain Blue fur, Dark Blue mohawk, Salt White tusks — burst from a massive block of ice at Delta Center on Wednesday before the home opener against the Calgary Flames.
According to the team, he’s a great skater. He shoots left and wears No. 00. His position? The center of attention.
“We named the Utah Mammoth mascot Tusky to lean into our team’s ‘Tusks Up’ rallying cry,” Utah owners Ryan and Ashley Smith said in a statement. “Tusky is going to be a big part of our community, creating memorable experiences in and out of the arena. Fans can expect to see Tusky everywhere — from Mammoth games and team events to community gatherings, schools and hospitals.”
This is the latest milestone since the NHL established a new franchise in Utah on April 18, 2024.
The branding process of a professional sports team usually takes at least 18 months from design to trademark clearance. On a compressed timeline, the team adopted the temporary identity of the Utah Hockey Club last season while working on a permanent one.
The team announced the permanent identity May 7 after four rounds of surveys and more than 850,000 votes. According to the team, Mammoth was the fans’ clear favorite in the final round of voting. It honors an animal that lived in Utah during the last Ice Age.
Smith Entertainment Group envisioned what a mascot could be during the branding process, and after May 7, it worked with a local company to bring it to life. The team says that “Tusky embodies the strength, momentum and earth-shaking presence of the herds that once roamed Utah more than 10,000 years ago.”
He’s also said to be mischievous, a prankster. Fans can follow @TuskyNHL on Instagram, X and TikTok for excusive content and behind-the-scenes adventures.
“We are excited for fans to get to know Tusky this season,” the Smiths said.
NHL Insiders Hint at Looming Blockbuster Move for the Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens started the 2025 NHL season on a positive note, with a record of 3-1-0, and are currently in third place in the Atlantic Division.
The Habs have registered 15 goals for and 12 goals against, and according to RG’s Marco D’Amico, the Canadiens are in a good position to make a midseason move, similar to the Nashville Predators last year.
“The Nashville Predators, prior to the trade freeze in December, were heavy, heavy on Dylan Cozens,” D’Amico said. “They thought he was available and were going to be able to do something, but they just didn’t have the salary-cap space to make it work.”
“Well, the Canadiens are not going to be in that kind of situation this time around,” he added.
Tage Thompson Could Be an Option as Canadiens Explore Trade for Center
D’Amico also explained that Montreal began the current season knowing that they had to be prepared to make in-season additions.
A player that fits the profile the Canadiens need is the Buffalo Sabres‘ Tage Thompson, who is running out of patience and could change teams, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman.
“I think the Sabres don’t have a long runway for this,” Friedman said in a recent edition of the “32 Thoughts” podcast, arguing that Buffalo’s 0-3-0 record with only two goals would be the main trigger.
“I do think that it gets into dangerous territory here for the Sabres quickly,” Friedman added.
This possibility also gained strength with D’Amico confirming that, according to his sources, the Canadiens are attentive to any opportunity that arises to make a move for a player with the characteristics they are looking for.
“From the people that I’ve spoken to, everyone expects the Canadians to be aggressive in that front when a player becomes available that they like,” D’Amico concluded.
NHL On Tap: Schaefer, McDavid face off when Islanders host Oilers
There are 11 games on the NHL schedule for Thursday, including one broadcast nationally. Thursday also marks the second week of
NBA 2K26 Updates Several Player Face Scans, But Miss One Star
Highlights:
NBA2K26-Patch2.0
Update 2.0 brings new player face scans, tattoo updates, and uniform tweaks.
Fans praise improvements but notice one star is missing from updated face scans.
It’s that time again — update season — when 2K players hold their breath hoping their favorite faces finally look human. NBA 2K26 has just dropped Update 2.0, a major patch that fine-tunes everything from uniforms to tattoos. Players who logged in after the October 14 release immediately noticed the improvements — fresh sponsor patches on jerseys, updated player likenesses, and a wave of subtle visual tweaks bringing the game closer to its real-world counterpart. For a title built on authenticity, this update pushes presentation quality even further, keeping the virtual court aligned with the real NBA season
Once inside the patch notes, fans quickly spotted the most eye-catching section: new player face scans. Twenty names made the list, including Deandre Ayton, Tyrese Proctor, Kam Jones, and Amari Williams. Alongside the fresh scans, 2K introduced a wave of tattoo updates for players like LaMelo Ball, Bronny James, Tre Mann, and Jayson Tatum, tightening up visuals across both established stars and incoming rookies.
But that wasn’t all—this update also brought minor uniform tweaks across five teams (Hawks, Hornets, Clippers, Kings, and Jazz) and quality-of-life upgrades spread through the 14-page changelog.
Fan Reaction: Excited but Searching for One Name
The community response came fast. Under Shuajota’s video breakdown and Reddit threads, most fans were impressed:
‘Finally Tre Mann.’
‘Good to see more scans added.’
Others were thrilled that scans were arriving on both console and PC, noting Shuajota’s confirmation that these face scans will be on all platforms. Still, the discussion turned the moment a few familiar names didn’t appear.
‘Dang no Tyler Herro.’
‘Surprised Herro didn’t get a hair update unless they just forgot to put him in the list.’
Despite new textures for stars like Tyrese Maxey and ongoing work on rookies, fans zeroed in on Tyler Herro as the standout omission. Coming off another strong season with Miami, his look has evolved — today, Herro’s hair is cut much lower than it appears in-game, and the community expected 2K to capture that.
Elsewhere, some asked about Bronny James and LaMelo Ball, curious whether their next-gen likenesses were still in progress. And while tattoo refreshes for both were noted, it wasn’t enough to quiet players hoping for full-fledged scan overhauls.
Takeaway
Patch 2.0 proves that 2K is still investing in realism, steadily layering details into every corner of the game. The added scans, updated ink, and new sponsor patches all push NBA 2K26 toward its mid-season stride.
But as fans pointed out, authenticity is a moving target — and until Tyler Herro and a few missing faces join the list, the conversation around who’s next in line for a digital facelift isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
NBA sends memo reminding teams to be proactive in handling unruly fan behavior
The NBA has reminded teams to prioritize addressing inappropriate fan behavior at games this season.
In a memo sent to all 30 clubs, the league told teams that it wants “consistent and vigilant enforcement of the NBA Fan Code of Conduct … to deter and address fan misconduct at NBA games and events.”
A copy of the memo was obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press.
Fan behavior has been a hot topic across sports for some time. Among the notable incidents in the NBA last season: some fans in Dallas were ejected for their reactions in the days following the team’s decision to trade longtime Mavericks star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Minnesota Timberwolves ejected a fan from a playoff game for racially charged comments directed toward Golden State’s Draymond Green.
Golf’s Ryder Cup was marred this year by hateful chants from some fans toward Rory McIlroy and other members of the European team, which defeated the U.S. to retain that trophy. In baseball, Jarren Duran of the Boston Red Sox was heckled by a fan about his mental health struggles which were chronicled in a Netflix series — the fan was ejected — and two other fans at Yankee Stadium were ejected from a World Series game last year after one pried a foul ball out of the glove of Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts.
The NBA, in the memo, told teams that arena staff “must be trained to identify behavior that violates NBA rules and to respond proactively.” The NBA, like many leagues, also has a video detailing a code of conduct for fans played in every arena before each game.
“It is critical that teams and arenas vigorously enforce the Code of Conduct and not tolerate any misconduct that impacts our players, fans, or otherwise disrupts the game,” the league said.
The NBA season opens Tuesday with a pair of games: Houston at defending champion Oklahoma City, then Golden State visiting the Los Angeles Lakers.
Five underrated NBA preseason performers pushing for a rotation spot
The NBA preseason won’t crown a champion, but it does decide jobs. These five players quietly turned October minutes into real cases for rotation roles.
Ryan Nembhard, Dallas Mavericks
Dallas picked up Ryan Nembhard on a two-way, and he’s making the most of it. He’s flashed the exact profile Dallas needs behind star usage — clean pick-and-roll reads, ball security and spot threes — earning praise as a “standout” heading into the preseason finale. Beyond the eyeball test, his 12-assist game against Utah showcased his style: a low-mistake floor general in the margins who can survive next to stars and keep second units organized.
If Nembhard keeps the turnover rate down and the catch-and-shoot holds near his college mark, he’s on track for backup-guard minutes.
Curtis Jones, Denver Nuggets
Undrafted guard Curtis Jones didn’t need much time to pop: 11 points in seven minutes, hitting 3-of-6 from deep with a steal and zero turnovers in a quick burst against the Clippers. That’s the exact low-usage, high-impact profile Denver craves on the wing around Nikola Jokic. The pitch is simple — run, space, defend and never hijack possessions.
If that shot volume is real (even in tiny samples), Jones becomes a plug-and-play high-IQ spacer in a second unit that’s been searching for a reliable tempo setter for a long time.
Jared Butler, Phoenix Suns
No box score turned more heads than Jared Butler against the Lakers: 35 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, drilling five three-pointers while running the show with real composure in a win. It’s not just the explosion — it’s how he did it: calm pace, smart usage, clean reads when the defense loaded up.
Phoenix is top-heavy; the backcourt behind Devin Booker/Jalen Green needs competence. If Butler’s pull-up holds and the assist-to-turnover ratio stays tidy, the Suns may have found a guard who can stabilize non-Booker minutes without bleeding points.
Johnny Juzang, Minnesota Timberwolves
Johnny Juzang arrived on an Exhibit-10 and started forcing the issue quickly: 16 points against Denver, then 20 points with six threes against Indiana. So far he’s posting 15.3 points while shooting an absurd 54.5% from three through four games — exactly the off-ball punch Minnesota wants around Anthony Edwards.
With the Wolves leaning even harder into spacing, Juzang’s corner-three reliability and improved physicality give Chris Finch a clean three-and-D plug when lineups stagger or injuries hit.
Luka Garza, Boston Celtics
Without Porzingis and Al Horford, Boston needed front-court stability — and Luka Garza is making a credible push. He posted a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double in 16 minutes at Memphis, then followed with a 12-point game against the Raptors.
The opportunity is real: Boston’s depth chart up front has been reshuffled, leaving minutes available behind Chris Boucher and Neemias Queta.
Garza won’t morph into a switch big, but his touch, quick decisions, and punishing work on the glass fit Joe Mazzulla’s offense. If he keeps stacking efficient second-unit minutes, he’s more than an injury patch.
Preseason context matters — small samples, varied competition — but the traits translate. Nembhard’s control, Jones’ plug-and-play shooting, Butler’s on-ball creation, Juzang’s sniper lane and Garza’s functional size all solve real needs on real teams. Keep these five circled when rotations tighten deep into the season.
Dawn Staley questions NBA’s readiness for female head coach
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Dawn Staley’s resume speaks for itself. She is a six-time WNBA All-Star. an Olympic gold medalist and a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. She has also coached the South Carolina women’s basketball team to three NCAA Division I national championships.
Staley was one of the candidates who drew interest from the New York Knicks after Tom Thibodeau was relieved of his head coaching duties in early June. The Knicks ultimately decided to hire Mike Brown.
This week, Staley reflected on her interview experience and raised questions about the NBA’s readiness to welcome a full-time female head coach.
Staley’s argument centered on her belief that a franchise may not be willing to contend with the inevitable scrutiny of a team’s performance under a female coach.
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What Are NBA Debut Patches and Why Are They a Game-Changer for Rookies?
The NBA is shaking things up in a big way this season. For the first time ever, rookies will wear special patches during their debut games, and those patches will turn into one of the most valuable trading cards a collector could ever get their hands on.
This is all part of a new partnership between the NBA, the National Basketball Players Association and Fanatics Collectibles, which brings Topps back to producing officially licensed NBA cards for the first time since the 2009-10 season.
Topps lost the NBA license 16 years ago, but now the iconic trading card company is returning with fresh ideas that connect fans to real moments in ways they never have before. So let’s dive deeper!
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What Is the NBA Debut Patch?
The NBA Debut Patch is a special commemorative patch that every rookie will wear on their jersey during their very first regular season game. It is a small, visually distinct patch designed specifically for this program. The sole purpose of this patch is to mark the exact moment a player steps onto an NBA court for the first time.
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After the game, this piece of fabric is removed to become the centerpiece of an extremely valuable trading card.
Additionally, award winners from the previous season (MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year) will wear a special gold NBA Logoman patch that will also be removed and used for similarly rare trading cards. This new collectible initiative aims to deepen fan engagement by connecting authentic, irreplaceable NBA moments directly to trading cards.
This initiative directly connects an on court event to the collector’s market. The patch captures a one of a kind moment that can never be replicated. For collectors, it offers a tangible piece of a player’s professional origin story. This program has already seen massive success in Major League Baseball, where a similar patch from pitcher Paul Skenes sold for over one million dollars.
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How Will Rookies Wear the Debut Patch?
The process for these patches is a carefully orchestrated event. Before a rookie’s debut game, the special patch is securely attached to their official team jersey.
They then wear it throughout the course of the game, literally playing their first NBA minutes with the marker on their uniform. As soon as the final buzzer sounds, the jersey is collected and the patch is immediately removed.
A company called Certified Guaranty Company, or CGC, then steps in to authenticate the patch. This official verification guarantees to collectors that the patch is the real deal from that specific game.
The rookie then personally signs the finished trading card that contains the authenticated patch. This creates an ultimate one of one rookie card that combines a game worn relic with an autograph.
The Gold NBA Logoman Patch: Extra Recognition for Award Winners
A separate and exclusive patch program is reserved for the league’s top performers from the previous season. The three players who won the Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year awards will wear a special Gold NBA Logoman Patch.
This season, that means Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Stephon Castle, and Evan Mobley will sport the gold patches on their jerseys.
The gold patch features the iconic NBA logo but in a distinctive gold color scheme. It will be placed on the back of the players’ jerseys, making it visible during games throughout the season.
Just like the rookie patches, these gold logos will be periodically removed from the jerseys and inserted into limited edition trading cards. This program is planned to continue for future seasons, honoring each year’s award winners.
Why NBA Debut Patches Are a Game Changer
These patches fundamentally change how fans and collectors can engage with a rookie’s career start. They create an immediate physical collectible tied to an unforgettable first moment.
The excitement around chasing these one of one cards is expected to drive massive interest in the trading card market. It transforms a rookie’s debut from a mere statistic into a owned piece of sports history.
For NBA rookies like Cooper Flagg, their debut patch card could instantly become their most valuable collectible. This innovation also shifts collecting focus beyond just rookie cards to include cards celebrating ongoing player achievements and awards.
This program significantly boosts a rookie’s personal brand from day one. It creates a landmark artifact that will be sought after for their entire career.
The partnership between the NBA, Topps, and Fanatics uses memorabilia to tell a deeper story about a player’s journey. It provides a new way for the next generation of fans to feel a tangible connection to their favorite new stars.
Patrick Beverley Trashes Lakers Over Russell Westbrook
The Sacramento Kings finally signed Russell Westbrook to a deal before the season, but there is still discussion about why the former MVP went so long without a roster spot. Westbrook’s value has taken a hit in recent years after his controversial stint with the Los Angeles Lakers damaged his reputation.
Patrick Beverley, once a rival of Westbrook, is now speaking positively about him. On The Pat Bev Pod, Beverley said that Westbrook taking a smaller role on the Lakers and trying to be a team player for the betterment of the franchise ended up hurting his career more than anything else.
“Russ got a bad take because of that Lakers team,” Beverley said. “That’s the truth, bro. Ever since Russ left the Lakers, bro, he’s been on a minimum. We’ve never seen this ever. We’ve never seen a player who’s been the MVP, who’s impacted the game—who they call him names and tell him that he can’t shoot.”
Westbrook’s struggles to fit alongside fellow stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis caused the Lakers experiment to fail badly. The team fell from a top title contender to a play-in squad during Westbrook’s tenure before he left and continued taking secondary roles elsewhere.
Russell Westbrook Pigeonholed As Sixth Man
Westbrook’s reputation was still strong before the Lakers trade changed everything. He averaged a triple-double of 22.2 points, 11.7 assists, and 11.5 rebounds during his season with the Washington Wizards before the trade. LeBron reportedly wanted another big name on the roster and pushed for the infamous Westbrook trade.
Beverley continued to criticize the Lakers, saying they caused Westbrook to be viewed as a bench player across the league.
“He’s been a sixth man ever since he’s left the Lakers. He’s a starting point guard in the NBA. He’s arguably one of the top three point guards to ever play the game. If you talk to anyone around the league, Russell is the best teammate I ever have.”
Westbrook has long been known as a hard worker who leaves everything on the floor. His playing style has always been polarizing, but Beverley is right about one thing. Westbrook’s Lakers tenure changed how he’s perceived from a star point guard to a sixth man struggling to find his place.
Sacramento May Start Russell Westbrook
Westbrook will get a fresh start with the Kings after Sacramento finally signed him following months of offseason rumors. The Kings feature a unique roster with Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, DeMar DeRozan, and Zach LaVine clearly projected to start if all are healthy. The point guard spot remains the only open position as one that Westbrook could easily claim.
Dennis Schroder, Malik Monk, and Westbrook will all have strong cases to start in that role. Monk has thrived in the Kings’ offense for years, while Schroder has impressed as a spark off the bench for several recent teams. If Westbrook performs well, he could take advantage of this dynamic and secure the starting job.
Draymond Green Criticizes Good Scorers On Bad Teams
Few NBA players hold as much controversy as Draymond Green does after years of polarizing comments and actions. The Golden State Warriors have become the ultimate winning franchise thanks to Stephen Curry and Green being the core pieces from the 2013 rise to today. Green considers himself a winning basketball player due to his impact being more impressive than his counting stats.
A podcast appearance with Jordan Schultz led to the discussion about whether Green could and would want to average closer to 20 points on a lesser team. Fadeaway Media transcribed Green sharing the following, while throwing shade at players who love stat hunting in losses:
“Could I average 20 on a lottery team? I have no interest in doing that. That’s like you want me to go play bad basketball? How about this? I once averaged 15 on the great team. I don’t know if I have I have that um that mindset anymore. Like, yeah, that’s a mindset that you have to have. And I left that mindset so long ago.”
Green has been mocked for putting up “triple singles” of having single digit stats across points, rebounds, and assists while playing heavy minutes. Curry, Jimmy Butler, and other more skilled offensive players on the roster today should be strongly above Green in the offensive pecking order.
Draymond Green Has Past Scoring Moments
The belief among fans and many players is that improving one’s scoring averages is the best sign of improvement. Green has delivered some strong scoring efforts, when the team really needed it in important games. The infamous 2016 NBA Finals is remembered for many reasons, but Game 7 is what defined that series.
Green delivered 32 points in the most important game of his life, despite the loss due to stars Curry and Klay Thompson struggling to score. Golden State never relied on Green scoring consistently due to his incredible defense and other players needing to create offense for the best-case results.
Green’s career high in points averaged per game is 14.0 back in the aforementioned 2015-2016 season. The Warrior won 73 games due to Green providing a little more offense, but that changed quickly once they added Kevin Durant. Draymond had no reason to put up many shots with three iconic scorers on his roster.
Important Season Coming For Draymond Green
The upcoming season is pivotal for Green, Curry, and Butler as aging veterans hoping to contend for another NBA championship. Golden State posted an impressive 22-5 record when all three veterans played last season. The Warriors have proven they can win with this roster, but they’ll need plenty of good luck through health and other contenders not reaching their full potential.
Green is unlikely to ever pursue scoring at a high level again. Even at his best, he would have topped out around 15 points per game. His recent comments criticizing players who focus on scoring for bad teams stand out more for the mental element of the game.
What Nets thought about preseason China trip that served dual purpose
One part of the Nets’ recent trip to China stood out in particular for Ziaire Williams.
“The egg-tart custard that’s here, the specialty, that’s really good,” Williams said as their trip came to a close Sunday. “I’m a big foodie. McDonald’s here is a lot better.”
But the trip carried much more weight than just unique foods and differences in fast-food chains.
The Nets and Suns — who squared off in two preseason games at Venetian Arena in Macao — became the first NBA teams to play in China since the league’s relationship with the Communist authoritarian nation fractured in 2019.
Macao is a “special administrative region” of China — it has its own governing and economic systems but is under Chinese sovereignty.
The games were part of a five-year partnership between the NBA and Sands China, a subsidiary of Las Vegas Sands, to bring the NBA to Venetian Arena — which Sands China owns — and Macao.
Mavericks owner Miriam Adelson owns Las Vegas Sands.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver recently said that the NBA is eyeing a return for games to be played in mainland China, too, concurrent with the league’s Macao arrangement.
This trip seems to have been a success and a strong step toward that goal.
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“It’s been an amazing experience,” Nets coach Jordi Fernández said after the second game, a 111-109 Nets win. “I’ve always known that we have all the support because the NBA is a global business and we impact a lot of people because this game is watched all over the world. But you don’t know until you know. When you see the crowds and the excitement and how well they treated us, it makes it special because we’re taking home a unique experience. An experience where culture is also involved.”
The strained relations stemmed from then-Rockets general manager Daryl Morey supporting pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong on social media.
China pulled NBA sponsorships and CCTV, China’s state broadcaster, stopped airing games. Significant revenue for the NBA was lost.
The Nets play an important role in the NBA recapturing the lucrative Chinese market. Owner Joe Tsai, who co-founded Alibaba, is one of the most successful businessmen in China.
Tsai is Taiwanese, which is a democratically run nation that considers itself sovereign, but China considers it part of its territory.
The U.S. government has warned that an attempt by China to conquer Taiwan “could be imminent,” though Tsai has largely publicly supported Chinese president Xi Jinping and his policies. Silver has previously said Tsai is “invaluable” to the league’s expansion in China.
As a result, the Nets are one of the most popular teams in China.
And Zeng Fanbo, one of China’s top prospects, got a shot in training camp on an Exhibit 10 deal, though he was waived Wednesday as the Nets subsequently signed Grant Nelson, who has been with the team in camp.
Fans were out in full force to support the Nets during the trip.
“Probably the fan event [was the best part of the trip],” Cam Thomas said. “Coming out, having fun with the fans, enjoying that moment, seeing how it was a sold-out crowd, so that was dope to see and be a part of.”
“It’s a fun game and it’s a global game and it’s continuously growing every year,” Williams said. “I feel like it’s great that we have the opportunity to play on the whole other side of the world and play in front of fans who are die-hard about the sport. Over the years, it’ll keep growing more and more and hopefully we inspire more kids to follow their dreams.”
Beyond the importance to the league, this trip can be significant for the Nets.
It provided valuable bonding time, and for a team that is counting on a record five first-round rookies to make up its core, it can perhaps mark the beginning of a new chapter for the organization.
“We’re really big into it,” Fernández said, “because we’ll never forget this trip.”
Adam Silver Announces New WNBA Vision for Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier & Others
Daryl Morey’s 2019 tweet in support of the Hong Kong protests froze one of the league’s most lucrative international relationships. The Chinese Basketball Association cut ties, and the NBA’s Global Games in China came to a screeching halt. What followed was years of silence, strained relations, and careful diplomacy behind the scenes. But in 2025, the NBA finally found its way back. After nearly six years, the league made its long-awaited return to China, signing a five-year deal to host two preseason games annually at the Venetian Arena in Macau. And if you know Adam Silver, you know he wasn’t going to stop there. The commissioner now has his eyes set on taking the WNBA to China next.
“We have to get through a new collective bargaining agreement with our players,” Silver said in an interview with CNBC. “But once we do, there’s so much interest in women’s basketball here, I think we’d love to bring a WNBA game to Macao or to mainland China.”
(This is a developing news…)
Fans Left Speechless as Stephen Curry Outdrives Bryson DeChambeau in Latest Break 50 Challenge
Bryson DeChambeau has built his reputation on power. The LIV Golf star crushes drives that leave competitors shaking their heads. He averaged 330.8 yards off the tee in 2025. But during his latest Break 50 episode with NBA superstar Steph Curry, something shocking unfolded. The golf world is still buzzing about it.
Steph Curry just outdrove Bryson DeChambeau. Yes, you read that correctly. The NBA champion bombed a drive past one of golf’s longest hitters. At the PGA Championship, DeChambeau cranked drives to 345.6 yards through two rounds at Quail Hollow. He ranks second on the LIV Golf tour with a 328.8-yard average. Yet Curry’s ball sailed past his.
The moment unfolded at Lake Merced Golf Club in San Francisco. Curry stepped up, launched his drive, and watched it sail past Bryson’s ball. The reactions captured everything. “You might have hit farther than me,” DeChambeau said, clearly shocked. Curry couldn’t contain his joy. “My golf life is complete,” he declared with a massive grin.
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But here’s the real kicker. This wasn’t just some lucky shot during a casual round. The duo was chasing history. They were attempting to break 50 in Bryson’s YouTube series—a two-man scramble format that requires near-perfection. And they absolutely crushed it. Curry and DeChambeau carded a 49, finishing 23 under par. First time ever in the series. This is the first time any duo has broken 50 in this format.
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Curry’s opening hole set the tone. He ripped a 320-yard drive on the first hole, a par-4 called Foghorn. The ball landed within 10 feet of the green. Eagle opportunity right out of the gate. That’s when everyone realized this wasn’t just a celebrity appearance. The four-time NBA champion came to play.
The numbers back up why this moment matters. Curry’s golf handicap sits at +1.3. He won the American Century Championship in 2023. He’s been playing since he was 10 years old. This collaboration reflects how YouTube golf channels have been growing rapidly, featuring athletes from various sports. Still, outdriving Bryson? That’s next-level stuff.
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Fans react to Curry’s impressive golf display
The NUCLR Golf X post went absolutely viral. The clip racked up 135.9K views within hours. Fans immediately flooded the comments section. And they weren’t holding back their amazement.
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One fan highlighted Curry’s complete performance. “Steph eagled the first hole himself. Crazy,” they wrote. That 320-yard bomb turned into a legit eagle. Not just setting up Bryson for success. Curry capitalized on his own power.
Another fan pointed out something even more impressive. “I got bad news for them. Steph tapped in on 14 before Bryson could putt.” Throughout the round, Curry wasn’t just riding shotgun. He contributed equally to that historic 49-stroke score. The duo went 14-under through nine holes. Best front nine in Break 50 history.
The comparisons started flying. “Is that equivalent to Bryson getting Steph to H-O in a game of Horse?” one fan joked. Fair question. Watching an NBA star outdrive a professional long-drive specialist feels like witnessing Bryson drain three-pointers over Curry. Both seem equally improbable.
Some fans couldn’t believe their eyes. “Do y’all know how good at golf you have to be to outdrive Bryson DeChambeau? Lol,” one comment read. The sarcasm dripped. But the underlying truth rang clear. This requires exceptional skill.
Perhaps the best takeaway came from fans praising Bryson’s reaction. “You have to admire Bryson smiling and laughing about being out driven by Steph Curry. He was actually happy for him instead of being insecure.” Throughout the video, Bryson’s genuine enthusiasm was evident. No ego. No defensiveness. Just pure appreciation for great golf.
This episode dropped on October 15, 2025. Break 50 averages over 5 million views per episode. The series keeps breaking records. And with crossover content like this, golf’s appeal continues expanding beyond traditional audiences.
Botafogo in court for transfer fee dispute with Atlanta United, FIFA
GENEVA (AP) — South American champion Botafogo, owned by American businessman John Textor, went to sport’s highest court Wednesday in a dispute over an unpaid $21 million transfer fee to Major League Soccer club Atlanta United.
The Brazilian club is challenging FIFA’s order that it must pay the full amount for signing Argentina attacker Thiago Almada, a 2022 World Cup winner, after the first two installments went unpaid last year.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport said the hearing in Botafogo’s appeal against FIFA and Atlanta United went ahead Wednesday. No deadline was given for a verdict by the court in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The FIFA-published verdict of its own judge’s ruling said Botafogo had asked “for more time to ‘sort it out,’” when the Rio de Janeiro club replied to MLS’ first request for an overdue scheduled payment on behalf of Atlanta.
Almada is a 24-year-old attacker who played one game off the bench for Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.
He now plays for Atletico Madrid, which in July became his fourth different club, including two owned by Textor, in less than 13 months.
Almada was a designated player on the Atlanta squad when MLS oversaw a league-record $21 million move to Botafogo in June last year, the FIFA document said.
After playing for Argentina at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Almada moved to Brazil and helped Botafogo win the storied Copa Libertadores continental title.
FIFA’s verdict showed Botafogo was due to make $3 million payments to Atlanta in July and September last year toward settling the full amount by September 2026. The first two payments were missed and MLS sent default notices to Textor’s club.
The $6 million “indeed remained outstanding” in February, FIFA’s judge said in the ruling, which imposed a heavier fine on Botafogo because of its “previous sanctions” from the world soccer body.
“In this connection, the single judge highlighted that a repeated offense will be considered as an aggravating circumstance and lead to a more severe penalty,” FIFA said, imposing a $150,000 fine plus $25,000 legal costs on Botafogo.
FIFA also set Textor’s club a 45-day deadline to pay its debts or be banned from registering newly signed players. The sanctions await the outcome of the CAS appeal.
Loan to Textor’s Lyon
In January, weeks after Botafogo won the Libertadores, Almada was loaned to Lyon — Textor’s club in France — for the rest of the season.
Lyon played under threat of demotion from Ligue 1 because of unstable finances and placed sixth to qualify for this season’s Europa League.
That resulted in English cup winner Crystal Palace, where Textor was a minority owner last season, being downgraded to the third-tier Conference League because of UEFA integrity rules on club ownership. Palace failed in an appeal at CAS to overturn its demotion.
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Botafogo disputing $21M fee to Atlanta for Thiago Almada
GENEVA — South American champion Botafogo, owned by American businessman John Textor, went to sport’s highest court Wednesday in a dispute over an unpaid $21 million transfer fee to Major League Soccer club Atlanta United.
The Brazilian club is challenging FIFA’s order that it must pay the full amount for signing Argentina attacker Thiago Almada, a 2022 World Cup winner, after the first two installments went unpaid last year.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport said the hearing in Botafogo’s appeal against FIFA and Atlanta United went ahead Wednesday. No deadline was given for a verdict by the court in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The FIFA-published verdict of its own judge’s ruling said Botafogo had asked
Dale Jr. Heaps Praise on His Teenage Championship Prospect Despite Vegas Struggles
At just 19, Connor Zilisch has become a known figure in NASCAR. It was not too surprising when Dale Earnhardt Jr. added him to JR Motorsports full-time. Raw pace, fearless driving, maturity beyond years, and whatnot, Zilisch has everything to build his legacy. Backed by Chevrolet, Silver Hare Racing, and Trackhouse, Zilisch entered the JRM stable with expectations sky-high. But under all that pressure, he’s managed to do something even more valuable than just chase wins.
In fact, he’s earned Dale Jr.’s unwavering respect, something that is hard to get. And recently, during his Las Vegas drive, even in a race that didn’t go his way, that respect only grew stronger. Connor Zilisch’s performance in the recent NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Las Vegas was nothing short of spectacular, especially in the final 20 laps, where the young driver aggressively chased leader Aric Almirola. Though Zilisch narrowly missed victory, settling for second place, his driving impressed even the toughest of critics.
Dale Jr. shared high praise on his podcast, saying, “The 88 of Zilisch. I’m telling you, man. The way the kid drove that car the last 20 laps was epic.” Jr. marveled at Zilisch’s commitment. He further noted how the teenager pushed his car to its limits, even going sideways and losing significant track position before tightening focus and continuing his charge. “You’re like, ‘All right, just settle in and bring it home.’ Then he makes another run, cools it down,” Earnhardt said.
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“I think you know we’re just seeing this kid show us that he really is the real deal,” Junior summed up his appreciation for Zilisch. And his assessment is backed by facts. Zilisch’s 2025 season has been impressive, marked by consistent top finishes and seven wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He currently sits on top of the playoff table, 82 points above the cutline and locked in the Championship 4 battle.
His skill and potential have not gone unnoticed, leading to a multi-year contract deal with Trackhouse Racing to compete full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series starting in 2026. Even Trackhouse Racing’s owner, Justin Marks, has lauded Zilisch’s talent and readiness for the Cup level, calling him “one of the hottest prospects in NASCAR history.”
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Connor himself expressed excitement and humility about the move, promising to “put in 100 percent effort, learn all that I can, plus have a little bit of fun along the way.” Dale Jr.’s enthusiasm for Zilisch echoes the broader motorsports community’s belief that a bright future lies ahead for this young star, who has already proven he can compete under pressure and deliver thrilling performances on the track.
From karting prodigy to NASCAR phenomenon
The passion and precision that Connor Zilisch displayed in Las Vegas didn’t emerge overnight. It’s the product of a relentless climb from grassroots racing to NASCAR’s national spotlight. At just nineteen, Zilisch has already built a résumé that rivals many veteran drivers.
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Born on July 22, 2006, in Charlotte, North Carolina, he began karting before his sixth birthday and quickly found fame on the international stage. Zilisch won the FIA Karting Academy Trophy in 2020, an honor previously claimed by Formula 1 talents like Charles Leclerc. He transitioned to cars in 2021, entering the Mazda MX-5 Cup and Trans-Am TA2 Series, and became the youngest driver to lead a session in series history and shattered track records at Virginia International Raceway.
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Zilisch’s rapid progression through multiple racing categories revealed a level of adaptability rare for his age. By 2024, he had conquered endurance racing, too. The talented young driver scored class wins in both the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring, feats that cemented his reputation as one of America’s most gifted all-around racers.
In stock cars, Connor Zilisch’s breakout moment came in 2024 at Watkins Glen, where he won his first NASCAR Xfinity Series start less than two months after turning 18. The victory announced his arrival as a generational talent and set the stage for his dominant 2025 campaign with JR Motorsports and his upcoming Cup Series debut with Trackhouse Racing in 2026.
From karting circuits in Europe to the high banks of NASCAR, Connor Zilisch’s journey reflects a rare blend of versatility and composure. As he readies for his full-time Cup ride next season, fans and analysts alike see him as the sport’s next breakout superstar, one already redefining what youth and talent can achieve on the American racing stage.
Stati joins Cusick Morgan HMD
Cusick Morgan Motorsports has signed 16-year-old Australian Nicolas Stati to drive one of its two Indy NXT entries run in partnership with HMD Motorsports.
Stati recently tested for the team founded and owned by Don Cusick, which has added Billy Morgan as its co-owner, and arrives in NXT after earning runner-up results in the F4 U.S. and F4 Australia championships.
“I’m excited to make my Indy NXT debut with Cusick Morgan Motorsports,” Stati said. “This is a big step in my career, and I believe the team and I can grow together as we take on this challenge for the first time. It’s an honor to represent Cusick Morgan Motorsports, and I’m looking forward to learning everything I can as we start this journey.”
Stati’s teammate will be announced in the coming days.
“Nicolas will be a great addition to our program,” Morgan said. “He’s shown maturity well beyond his years, and we’re confident he’ll adapt quickly to Indy NXT. He has a long-term commitment in Indy NXT as he continues to build his race craft and experience but has a bright future. For us as a new team, it’s important to have a driver who is hungry to learn and eager to push himself. Nicolas fits that mold perfectly, and we’re excited to build this foundation together.”
Trans Am heads to Barber for the first time
The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli heads into the penultimate round of the 2025 season at a track the series has never visited in its 59-year history: Barber Motorsports Park. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, the 2.38-mile road course opened in 2003 and is known for being a challenging and scenic track, with technical corners, rapid transitions and rollercoaster-like elevation changes. The beautifully maintained facility is also known for its world-class Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. Fans attending the race and watching at home will be treated to a Trans Am doubleheader, as both the TA/GT classes and CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series will compete on Sunday in an action-packed day of racing. With no testing and few drivers with past experience, adapting quickly is crucial on a weekend when championships are on the line.
Schedule:
This weekend’s races at Barber Motorsports Park will see the Trans Am Series debut of four different drivers. In the GT class, Jake Latham (No. 27 Coffey Motorsports/Traffic Grafix Maserati MC GT4) will join the series as a third entry on Chris Coffey’s Norwood Auto Italia team.
In the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series, three drivers will be making their first-career start. Jake Bollman (No. 75 Guy M. Turner/Waukegan Farms Chevrolet Camaro) joins Silver Hare Racing, while Ethan Ayars (No. 80 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) will make his debut with Nitro Motorsports. Finally, Norwegian driver Andreas Nilsson will make his first-career start in the No. 93 TeamTrysil.com Chevrolet Camaro. This weekend will be the first National Championship effort for Team Trysil, which recently began competing in the Western Championship earlier this year with driver Stein Frederic Akre.
Meet the TA2 Drivers
Fans attending the race this weekend will have the opportunity to meet the stars of the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series at an autograph session on Saturday from 3:00-3:30 p.m. local time. The meet and greet, which will be held at the SpeedTour Sim Trailer in the paddock near the frontstretch, will be one of the last opportunities this season to pick up the 2025 Trans Am Series poster.
Join the Checkered Flag Challenge
The SpeedTour Sim Trailer will be on site at Barber Motorsports Park, and drivers and fans alike can test their driving skills in the Checkered Flag Challenge, a sim racing face-off. With the experience free to all spectators and participants, everyone is invited to stop by the SpeedTour Sim Trailer to try the SimShop racing simulators and spin the prize wheel to win free swag. It will all be happening in the SpeedTour Town Center in the paddock near the frontstretch.
The Championship Race Continues
The TA championship race this season has been the tightest in recent history, with Paul Menard (No. 3 Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Ford Mustang) and Adam Andretti (No. 17 TOP LINER Chevrolet Camaro) still neck and neck. Just 46 points separate the 2024 champion and current points leader Menard from Andretti, who has been racing in Trans Am since 2013 but has yet to win a title. While the race remains close, Menard has the clear edge when it comes to statistics, as he has five victories, while GYM WEED Winners Circle has eluded Andretti this season. But with a brand-new track on deck this weekend, anything can happen.
Dyson Matches Mark Donohue
When Chris Dyson (No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang) drove from last to first in Trans Am’s last outing at VIRginia International Raceway, the three-time champion earned his 29th victory, tying him with fellow Trans Am Hall of Fame inductee Mark Donohue for the second most TA class wins. He now sits just two victories away from win-list leader Paul Gentilozzi, who has 31-career victories. With two races remaining this season, a strong finish to the season could tie him at the top of the list by Circuit of The Americas.
Dyson has an advantage in his favor, as he is one of only a handful of competitors who have previous experience at Barber Motorsports Park, racing there twice in his career. He has a 2003 start in the Grand-Am Cup, and in 2015, he represented Bentley in the Pirelli World Challenge Series at the Alabama track.
Father and Son Experience
With more than 500 races completed in his career, there aren’t many places that 2022 SGT champion Milton Grant (No. 55 Sentry Self Storage/Springhill Suites Porsche 991.1) hasn’t driven. Coming into this weekend, Milton and his son Carey Grant (No. 6 Grant Racing 2 Porsche GT3 Cup) both bring past Barber experience. The Alabama track is just three and a half hours away from their Tennessee home, and in 2008, the pair shared a Porsche GT3 Cup ride in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series.
Wlostowski Doing Double Duty
This weekend, the Trans Am Series is holding both its TA/GT class and CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series races on the same day, with just a few hours separating the end of the first 100-mile race and the beginning of the second. Despite the challenge, one driver on this weekend’s entry list is brave enough to do double duty: Adrian Wlostowski. Wlostowski will get behind the wheel of the No. 9 CMI/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Racing Howe HR6 for his GT class debut, then pilot his regular entry in the No. 3 CMI/Spot-On Services/AMT Motorsports Ford Mustang in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series.
Kaylee Bryson About to Make History
By taking the green flag this weekend, Kaylee Bryson will clinch the 2025 XGT championship. As the 2024 SGT champion, the XGT title will make her the first female driver to win championships in two different classes, and just the second woman in series history to claim two championships. TA’s Amy Ruman (No. 23 McNichols Co./Valley Automotive Group Chevrolet Corvette) was the first, winning back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016. Bryson has earned two victories this season at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Road America, and has finished on the podium in all but one start this season.
GT and SGT Championships Clinched
As of the series’ last outing at VIRginia International Raceway, both the SGT and GT championships have both been decided for 2025. SGT’s Joshua Carlson (No. 36 Enseva/Diercks Ltd./TC Fab Ford Mustang) clinched his first-career Trans Am title, and Chris Coffey (No. 97 Norwood Auto Italia/Traffic Grafix Maserati MC GT4) earned his second-consecutive GT championship. Both drivers have had stunning displays of dominance this season, with Carlson claiming seven-consecutive victories and Coffey tallying six wins in just seven starts.
TA2 news
Sunoco to Sponsor Young Gun Award
It was just announced that Sunoco Race Fuels, the Official Racing Fuel Sponsor of SpeedTour, will sponsor the 2025 Young Gun Award. The Sunoco Race Fuels Young Gun Award will reward the season’s top points earner under the age of 25 in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series with a $20,000 cash prize at Trans Am’s year-end awards gala. The Young Gun Award was introduced in 2022 as a way to foster competition between the series’ young, up-and-coming drivers, and it has since become one of the most highly-contested titles in the series, as the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series is a proving ground for young talent.
TeamSLR’s Win Streak Continues
TeamSLR enters this weekend’s race at Barber on a five-race win streak, with the team standing atop the podium at every CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series race since Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in June. Championship points leader Tristan McKee (No. 28 Spire/Gainbridge/SLR-M1 Chevrolet Camaro) started the winning spree at Mid-Ohio, while also taking the checkered flag at Watkins Glen International and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. Mike Skeen drove to victory at Road America in a podium sweep for the team, while 17-year-old Carson Brown earned his first-career win in the series’ last outing at VIR.
This weekend’s race will see the return of 19-year-old Corey Day to the TeamSLR stable, as he gets back behind the wheel of the No. 17 HendrickCars.com/SLR-M1Racecars Chevrolet Camaro for the fifth time this season. Day would like nothing more than to be the fourth different driver to visit Victory Lane and extend the team’s winning streak this weekend. Day is coming off of back-to-back NASCAR Xfinity Series races at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL and Las Vegas Motor Speedway, finishing a career-best fourth at the latter track.
McKee’s Chance to Clinch and Make History
With a 152-point advantage coming into this weekend’s event, CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series points leader Tristan McKee (No. 28 Spire/Gainbridge/SLR-M1 Chevrolet Camaro) has the opportunity to clinch the title at Barber. With an eighth-place finish or better, McKee can claim the championship regardless of where title rival Sam Corry (No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry) finishes in Sunday’s event. Earning additional points for qualifying or leading laps offers McKee even more flexibility with his result.
Should McKee claim the title, he would become the youngest champion in the history of the Trans Am Series at 15 years, two months and 16 days old, besting current record holder Brent Crews by more than four months. He would also become the first driver to capture the championship, Sunoco Race Fuels Young Gun Award and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season.
In addition to preparing for this weekend’s event at Barber, McKee has stayed busy since the checkered flag waved at VIR. The Chevrolet Motorsports development driver, who is under contract with NASCAR’s Spire Motorsports, won a Late Model Stock heat race during the NASCAR Regional Series event on September 28 at Martinsville Speedway, and finished third in the ARCA Menards Series season finale at Toledo Speedway on October 4.
Corry Comes with Barber Experience
At a track where the Trans Am Series has never raced before, Sam Corry (No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry) heads into Barber Motorsports Park with something most drivers don’t have: experience. The 17 year old raced at the track in USF Juniors in 2022, earning a second-place finish in Race 1. Corry is the only driver in Sunday’s field who can come between Tristan McKee and the 2025 championship. Sitting 152 points behind McKee, Corry, who scored one race win this season at Lime Rock Park, will have to gain the maximum points available and hope that the bad luck McKee experienced at VIRginia International Raceway carries through to Barber.
Matt Griffin a Winner
Another driver with experience on his side this weekend is CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Pro/Am Challenge contender Matt Griffin. The driver of the No. 67 Griffin Concrete Construction Chevrolet Camaro has a past victory at the track in SCCA.
Jake Bollman Joins Silver Hare
Silver Hare Racing is adding 18-year-old Jake Bollman to their roster for this weekend’s inaugural event at Barber Motorsports Park. Bollman will pilot the No. 75 Guy M. Turner/Waukegan Farms Chevrolet Camaro after recently testing with the team at VIRginia International Raceway. Bollman competes in the ARCA Menards Series West with Bill McAnally Racing, and also races in the CARS Tour. He recently made history as the first Armenian-American stock car racer to win a NASCAR-sanctioned event, capturing his first-career ARCA victory earlier this season at Colorado National Speedway.
Silver Hare Racing recently tested at Barber with Noah Harmon (No. 7 Streetside Classics/Flanagan’s Chevrolet Camaro) to prepare for this weekend’s event. Harmon scored his first-career podium finish in Trans Am’s last outing at VIR, an especially emotional moment for the team after the loss of hauler driver Mark “Rocket” Metcalfe, who passed away prior to the race.
Tyler Kicera in Champion’s Seat
Tyler Kicera returns to the driver’s seat this weekend at Barber, but he won’t be in the Nitro Motorsports ride he drove for two starts this season, including a runner-up finish at Watkins Glen. Kicera will be driving the No. 26 HP Tuners/Franklin Road/Cope Chevrolet Camaro for Mike Cope Racing, getting behind the wheel of the car that has primarily been driven by 2022 champion Thomas Merrill this season. When he isn’t driving, Kicera serves as a driver coach at Nitro Motorsports, which utilizes Mike Cope chassis, making him a perfect fit for the ride.
Annunziata Returns
When he started off the season with back-to-back victories, Thomas Annunziata immediately became the favorite for the 2025 title. But while sitting second in the standings, Annunziata took a two-race hiatus to focus on his NASCAR and ARCA efforts. Annunziata returns to Trans Am this weekend to race with Nitro Motorsports, but he’ll have a new number, getting behind the wheel of the No. 10 Nitro Motorsports Toyota Camry instead of his familiar No. 90.
Pro/Am Challenge Title Hunt Tightens
Jared Odrick (No. 00 Black Underwear/CoolBoxx Chevrolet Camaro) continues to lead the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Pro/Am Challenge standings, but his advantage over Keith Prociuk (No. 9 HP Tuners/Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang) has tightened to just six points now that one of his starts has been eliminated from his points total. Only a driver’s top-nine finishes contribute to the title, and now that Odrick has completed 10 events, his 11th-place finish at Watkins Glen has been eliminated. This puts him on even ground with Prociuk, who missed the race at Laguna Seca earlier this season and has only made nine starts. Now that both competitors, who each have three victories this season, are narrowed to nine races, the closeness of the race is evident and every point counts in the final two events.
Washington military leader warns of drone threat to World Cup, other events
What if a foreign enemy or terrorist organization launched a drone attack from Seattle’s waterfront towards the neighboring stadiums or SeaTac airport?
It is a sobering question that Washington state’s top military leader and emergency management official is now thinking about daily.
I’m concerned that we face another 9/11-style attack with the proliferation of attack drones these days. They’re everywhere,” said Major General Gent Welsh during an interview at his office on Tuesday at Camp Murray. “I’m just worried that it’s just a matter of time. It’s really kind of a when, not if, situation that the United States deals with a widespread weaponized attack drone situation.
Welsh wears multiple high-ranking hats for the state of Washington as the Adjutant General. He is the commanding general of the Washington Army and Air National Guard forces and oversees the state’s emergency management and enhanced 911 programs. He is also the Homeland Security Advisor to the Governor of Washington. He said recent events, combined with Seattle’s planned hosting of the 2026 World Cup, have raised his concerns.
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I think you’re seeing a preview of coming attractions you’ve seen over just the last three years of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict,” says Welsh, noting the recent surprise attack by Ukraine deep inside Russia that involved drones strategically launched near military bases. “The truck opens up, drones fly in, and then go attack the nearest Russian air base. If you picture that scenario playing out in the United States, picture the Port of Seattle, a lot of container traffic going in and out of the port. What would happen one day if one of those containers were to open up similarly, drones fly up and either attack folks in the nearby stadiums at a game, or, even worse, go up and over the hill and go to SeaTac?
In a draft report, being finalized this month, the State’s Emergency Management office is set to issue new guidance on drone activity to local and state jurisdictions, while also noting.
Preps: Aspen football handles Moffat on homecoming; AHS tennis heads to state
First-year Aspen High School football coach Bryce Sandoval wanted to see his players start fast last week in their homecoming game against Moffat County. And start fast they did, jumping out to an early 21-0 lead en route to an easy 47-14 win on the AHS turf.
“We actually started fast. That’s been our problem the last three weeks. The last three games we haven’t started fast. We move fast, so once we can start fast, good things happen,” Sandoval said after the game. “Showing some grit, and that’s what we want.”
The win snapped a three-game skid for the Skiers. After winning at still-winless Grand Valley in the season opener, 40-0, AHS lost in succession to Steamboat Springs (49-7), Summit (19-12), and Kent Denver (49-19). But the win over Moffat, which also happened to be the league opener for Aspen, put the Skiers back in playoff contention with only a few weeks remaining in the regular season.
“It’s big. I’m glad we could do it on homecoming,” senior center and defensive end Burton Pendarvis said after the game. Like his coach, he agreed the fast start was beneficial against the Bulldogs. “That was huge. Our defense put up a great stop the first play, got the ball, and made it very easy for our offense to score right away, which was awesome. That helped our momentum right from the start.”
According to the stats posted to MaxPreps by the team, senior running back Dylan Mika had another monster performance against Moffat, rushing for 251 yards and four touchdowns on only 14 carries (17.9 average). This was a season high, which is saying something considering his worst game through five outings is the 121-yard night against Steamboat on Sept. 12. He has 897 yards (about 180 per game) and seven rushing touchdowns so far this fall.
Sandoval was quick to credit the offensive line for Mika’s success, but Pendarvis wanted to make it clear they only handled half of the equation.
“He’s definitely great,” Pendarvis said of Mika. “We do the dirty work down in the middle, but you see him in the open field, he’s breaking all those tackles by himself. There is only so much we can do in the middle — 15 yards down the field, that’s all him.”
Sophomore quarterback Mickey Marolt also had what was arguably his best outing as a Skier, going 12 of 16 passing for 171 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions against the Bulldogs. Junior Malcolm Berg had seven catches for 107 yards and a TD, while senior Houston Benvenuto, fresh off the golf season, had the other TD catch.
Now 2-3 overall and 1-0 in West league play, the Skiers next play Friday at Delta (4-2, 0-1). Kickoff is 7 p.m. The Panthers are coming off a bye week; they last played Oct. 3, a 14-0 loss at Basalt.
“They work hard, they keep showing up,” Sandoval said. “We are going to keep working hard and keep showing up and focus on Delta next week. That’s all we can do.”
The Longhorns are 4-3 overall and 2-0 in league play following last week’s 37-25 win at Coal Ridge. Basalt plays this Friday at Moffat County (1-6, 0-2) before a late bye week. BHS will close out the regular season on Oct. 31 at Aspen.
As of Wednesday evening, the CHSAANow.com seeding index, which largely determines who makes the postseason, has Basalt at No. 21 in 2A, with Aspen at No. 27. The West league champion automatically makes the playoff field.
AHS tennis heads to state
The first round of the Class 4A boys state tennis tournament gets underway Thursday, with finals scheduled for Saturday at Pueblo City Park.
After battling to a second-place team finish last week at regionals in Grand Junction, Aspen saw six players — three doubles teams — qualify for state. This includes Chase Slesinger-Hall and Wyatt Weihs and No. 2 doubles; Luke Abbaszadeh and Charlie Morris at No. 3 doubles; and Gavin Smith and Soren Tudge at No. 4 doubles.
Basalt did not have any players qualify for state. Both Aspen and BHS had others make it as alternates (meaning they finished third at regionals), but are not scheduled to play this weekend.
Volleyball at home Thursday
Aspen volleyball is holding strong at 14-4 overall and 4-1 in league play following Tuesday’s 3-2 win at Vail Christian. AHS had lost 3-1 at Gunnison on Oct. 9. Next up, the Skiers host North Fork on Thursday; game time is 6:30 p.m. inside the AHS gymnasium.
Basalt is 5-6 (4-3 league) entering Thursday’s 6 p.m. home game with league-leading Gunnison (11-5, 7-0). The Longhorns played Tuesday at Roaring Fork, winning 3-0.
The Rams are 6-12 (3-4) with a 6 p.m. home game with Olathe coming up on Thursday.
As of Wednesday evening, Aspen was No. 8 in 3A in the CHSAA seeding index, while Basalt was No. 37 and Roaring Fork No. 46.
Aspen, BHS soccer play to draw
Aspen and Basalt boys soccer met Tuesday on the BHS field, the teams playing to a 2-2 draw. In their first meeting on Sept. 18, BHS had won, 2-0, in Aspen.
Basalt is 4-6-2 overall and 2-2-1 in league play heading into Thursday’s 4 p.m. home league game with Steamboat Springs (7-3-1, 4-1).
Aspen is 2-4-5 overall and 0-3-2 in league play heading into Thursday’s league game at Vail Mountain (1-10, 1-4).
Roaring Fork is 7-3-1 overall and 4-1 in league play heading into Thursday’s significant home league game with Coal Ridge (8-3-1, 4-1). Game time is 6 p.m. in Carbondale.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Roaring Fork was No. 13, Basalt No. 33, and Aspen No. 38 in the Class 3A seeding index. Only 32 teams will make the state tournament.
XC regionals are next week
Cross country teams are winding down the regular season and gearing up for the regional race, which for Aspen and Basalt will be Oct. 24 at Loudy-Simpson Park in Craig. State cross country is Nov. 1 in Colorado Springs.
Softball season ends
The local softball season has come to a close, with neither Aspen nor Basalt making postseason play. The Longhorns finish the fall 5-18 overall (3-9 league), while the Skiers finish 1-15 overall (0-12 league). Cedaredge, seeded No. 11, and Delta, seeded No. 13, are the top league representatives in the playoffs.
Golf season ends
In case you missed it, the local boys golf season ended last week with the Class 3A state golf tournament Oct. 6-7 at Eagle Ranch Golf Club. Aspen finished fourth as a team, while Basalt finished sixth, with Lutheran winning the 3A championship.
Aspen’s Benvenuto had the best local finish, tying for ninth overall with rounds of 75 and 74. For finishing in the top 10, Benvenuto was named first team all-state through CHSAANow.com .
Basalt’s top finisher was junior Hudson Arnold, who tied for 13th with rounds of 73 and 78. Arnold was named second team all-state by CHSAA alongside Aspen junior Oliver Pullis and Basalt sophomore Parker Strelecki.
Six Kings Slam Sparks Fan Outrage as Broadcast Draws Harsh Reactions: “Everything About This Is Disgusting”
The Six Kings Slam, a lavish exhibition tournament in Riyadh, was designed to be a spectacle. Boasting a $13.5 million prize pool and a lineup of the world’s top tennis stars like Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, the event promised elite competition for a global audience on Netflix.
However, the hype surrounding this showcase of tennis’s richest exhibition quickly collided with a wave of frustration from viewers, as the highly anticipated broadcast was marred by an unusual and widely criticized camera angle. During the quarterfinal match between Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz, the issue became glaringly apparent.
Tennis journalist José Morgado captured the sentiment of countless viewers watching the Six Kings Slam on X, stating, “This main angle is a bit weird…” The criticism highlighted a stark contrast between the event’s massive production budget and a fundamental failure in its broadcast presentation, with many observers pointing out how such a poor angle was chosen when millions of dollars were spent on other promotional elements.
Indeed, it’s clear from the social media post that both the journalist and fans noticed the camera issue right from the beginning of the Six Kings Slam. So, in the first set when the score was 1-0 for Fritz, the complaints started rolling in, and they just kept piling up, as one can see in the replies.
Tennis fans weren’t just having it with the Six Kings Slam’s broadcast
So, when you’ve got a $13.5 million prize pool and the best tennis players in the world are competing in an exhibition tournament like the Six Kings Slam, it’s pretty clear that there’s going to be some serious broadcasting backlash. “You think they would learn from the bad angles last year. Also not sure if it is Netflix but ball is skipping and not smooth on screen,” a fan mentioned.
Even though the 2025 tournament is just the second time around, people are still talking about the camera choices and the criticism that comes with it. The sentiments “Agree! Never a great angle!” and “Let’s be honest, it is horrible,” reflect a broader viewer frustration with the primary camera angle choice. Remember what happened last year in Riyadh? They got a lot of criticism for using that high “spider cam” angle. It really made the players look far away, and viewers at home had a tough time keeping up with the action.
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The comment “Possibly to hide all the empty seats?” connects to documented low attendance at other Saudi tennis events. Using tight camera shots to make a sparse live audience look less noticeable is a common trick in television broadcasting. Another fan shared, “Everything about this is disgusting oh you could not pay me to tune into this tournament.”
The broadcast issues with the Six Kings Slam show that even a big-budget event can’t thrive if it doesn’t prioritize the viewer experience. In the end, the tournament might be remembered less for its champions and more for the camera angles that left its global audience feeling disconnected.
Coach devoted to making tennis accessible has new players falling in love with the game
On a warm breezy Sunday evening, over 30 players came together with their racquets, colorful caps and a whole lot of enthusiasm for just one thing — tennis.
Music blasted from the speakers as players danced to the rhythm of the game on the dark blue courts at a DeSoto sports facility. Sweat dripped down their foreheads, their eyes focused on the neon green balls as their energy bounced off the courts.
Jamel Madison founded his own racquet sports organization in 2023. Now Madison Ace Racquet Sports has over 200 student players, six coaches, and several classes conducted each week.
Madison, 34, left the corporate world about three and a half years ago and started coaching full-time. He is now on a mission to make what can be an expensive sport more accessible and build community.
“I’ve been playing since I was 13,” Madison said. “It always was my passion to come back to tennis.”
Madison said he grew up in a family where almost everyone around him played tennis. He started with taking junior tennis lessons at a country club in Shreveport, La. — Southern Trace Country Club — where his parents used to play.
He said he left Louisiana over a decade ago and moved around with different corporate jobs in Austin and Arizona. Madison finally moved back to Texas about four years ago, where he worked at a corporate office in Irving.
Then he decided to pursue his passion and teach racquet sports.
He first coached at a local country club, Madison said. He gained experience and acquired certifications before starting his own coaching business. It’s not just a business or a school, it’s a “whole community,” he said.
In the early days of his coaching journey, Madison said he used to hold lessons at public parks. Now his coaching practice has found its home at Thorntree Golf Club in DeSoto.
This year in August, Madison received the Presidential Impact Award at the U.S. Open in New York.
Tennis is not an affordable sport, Madison said. With that in mind, his classes are priced at $19.99 for a 90-minute group class and $54.99 for a one-hour private lesson.
“I could be charging over $150 with my certification in our experience, but I don’t want to do that to my community,” he said.
The cost of attending tennis lessons in Dallas-Fort Worth varies widely depending on factors such as the city or area, the coach’s experience and certification, the instructional facility, and more.
Some coaches provide group lessons for $30 to $40 an hour, and private lessons for $90 to $100.
On Sunday evening, some players came to escape their daily routines, while others came to train for the Texas Open tournament, which started Oct. 2 and was organized by the Oak Lawn Tennis Association.
People from all walks of life — a personal trainer, a security guard, an accountant, an attorney — attend the weekly tennis lessons.
Jennie Tai, 27, joined the tennis class to find passion and consistency.
Tai said she used to be a competitive swimmer and soccer player growing up, but never played tennis. She was a big fan of the sport, she said. She said she always wanted to play but never really got a chance, as her schedule was filled up with soccer and swimming training.
“When I started making adult money, I thought — well.”
After college, going to the gym felt like a punishment, she said. She was looking for something to keep her body moving but was fun at the same time, Tai said.
Tai came across Madison’s coaching class on social media and decided to sign up.
“No matter how tired I am, I love coming here, and that is something I never thought I would do again,” she said.
Tai said because of this class, she got a chance to meet a lot of people and even build friendships — something that she does not always get to do with her corporate job.
Tai joined Madison Ace around the same time as Ashley Dennis, an attorney at a firm in Dallas.
Dennis, who has been a student of Madison’s coaching lessons for about a year, said she joined the lessons wanting to learn the fundamentals of the sport. She said she was looking for a sport she could continue playing consistently.
For Marlene Holmes, coming to class every week and witnessing her own progress on the court is an exhilarating experience.
Holmes, 39, a personal trainer who lives in Plano, started learning with Madison over a year ago. Holmes said she grew up playing volleyball but has always been around tennis as her family was heavily into the sport.
She said she saw an Instagram post about the coaching lessons and said, “‘Sure, my knees still work, so let’s give it a whirl,’ and I’ve honestly fallen in love with it way more than I anticipated.”
Linda McGill has been teaching tennis for over a decade. She is one of the coaches on the instructional team at Madison Ace Racquet Sports.
McGill, 62, born and bred in Dallas, said she enjoys her job and teaching tennis doesn’t feel like work to her. She works as the assistant coach for tennis at Bishop Dunne Catholic School in Dallas and teaches after-school tennis.
“You know what they say, if you find something that you love, you’ll never work another day in your life,” she said.
She started teaching the beginner class at Madison’s coaching organization last year and now, she teaches the advanced and intermediate groups too, McGill said.
Brandon Hardeman, 42, of Dallas is among the many excited people who come to the tennis lessons every week. Hardeman, who works in security, said he keeps coming back to the court for the people and the positive energy that surrounds the place.
He said this class reminds him of the ’90s TV show Cheers. “Everybody comes; everybody knows your name.”
Hardeman said whenever he is at the class, he finds himself smiling ear-to-ear.
It’s the same feeling for Dennis, who said she has always been very driven and ambitious, which made her feel like she always had to be a high achiever or performer. She said whether she does well during these lessons or not, she still has a lot of fun stepping out on the court — every single time.
“Maybe it’s the exercise, they claim gives endorphins,” Dennis said as the group of players broke out into laughter.
Six Kings Slam: Jannik Sinner Echoes Taylor Fritz’s Words on Riyadh Conditions Following Alexander Zverev’s Blunt Remarks
The 2025 tennis season has been electrified by a brewing controversy over court conditions, a debate thrust into the spotlight by Alexander Zverev’s pointed accusations. During the Shanghai Masters, the German world number three expressed frustration, stating, “I hate when [court speeds are] the same. I know that tournament directors are going in that direction because obviously they want Jannik and Carlos to do well every tournament.” His comments, echoing similar sentiments previously voiced by Roger Federer, suggested a deliberate homogenization of surfaces to favor the hyper-aggressive, baseline-dominated games of world number one Carlos Alcaraz and number two Jannik Sinner.
When initially confronted with these claims, Sinner offered a diplomatic rebuttal, calmly stating, “You know, me and Carlos, we don’t make the courts. It’s not our decision. We try to adapt ourself in every situation. I feel like still every week is a bit different. I’ve played some great tennis even when it was faster courts. But I’m not making the courts, you know, so I just try to adapt and play my best tennis I can, and that’s it.”
This measured response set the stage for a more substantive commentary that would emerge weeks later on the controversial courts of Riyadh. Following his straight-sets victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Six Kings Slam exhibition, Jannik Sinner shifted from defending his adaptability to actively echoing the very type of observational criticism Zverev had made, though without the accusatory tone.
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In his post-match remarks, Sinner provided a detailed technical assessment of the playing surface, stating, “It’s an unusual indoor court. It’s very bouncy. At times, it’s very fast, and the court slows down a little bit. So it’s many situations we have to handle with.”
This analysis directly aligned with the observations of Taylor Fritz, who had also secured a win in Riyadh against Alexander Zverev himself. After his match, Fritz remarked, “Yeah, I mean, the court, it seems like it’s playing pretty fast, especially for an indoor court. I can’t believe how high it’s bouncing. I felt like both of our serves were bouncing over each other’s heads at times. So it’s definitely more bouncy than I expected. It definitely feels like there’s a bit of altitude. It’s definitely, it’s playing fast. I expected to have more rallies tonight.”
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ATP Pro Banned From 18 Months Exposes Preferential Treatment:
The integrity of tennis’s anti-doping system faces a profound crisis of confidence, with recent controversies on both ATP and WTA scenes, exposing deep-seated concerns about transparency and consistency. While the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP) administers a comprehensive testing system that collected an average of 1,905 samples annually between 2003 and 2009, resulting in a relatively low positive test rate of 0.38%, the current landscape is dominated by debates over inconsistent sanctions.
The core issue revolves around the perception that the sport operates a two-tier system, where top-ranked players receive preferential treatment compared to their lower-profile counterparts, creating what many professionals now describe as a fundamental integrity problem within the sport.
In this volatile climate, Swedish ATP professional Mikael Ymer offered a telling silent protest at the Stockholm Open that spoke volumes about the sport’s current atmosphere. As reported by @tennismasterr on X, “There are a lot of things that could be said, but I don’t want to become suspended again. So no comment. I don’t have anything planned. I don’t know when my next tournament is going to be,” strongly implied a fear of reprisal should he speak openly about his concerns regarding the anti-doping system.
Ymer, who served an 18-month suspension in 2023 for missing three out-of-competition doping tests—a violation known as “whereabouts failures”—pointedly declined to comment on doping consistency when questioned by journalists. The context fueling Ymer’s hesitance becomes clear when examining the stark disparities in sanctions between recent high-profile cases.
While Ymer received an 18-month ban for procedural violations, world number two Jannik Sinner tested positive twice for the anabolic steroid clostebol yet ultimately negotiated a three-month ban through a case resolution agreement with WADA.
Similarly, women’s top player Iga Swiatek accepted a mere one-month suspension after testing positive for trimetazidine, which she attributed to contaminated melatonin. The system’s lack of transparency further fuels perceptions of inequality. Statistics reveal that between 2013 and 2019, as many as 103 tennis players failed doping tests yet faced no sanctions, with their cases never made public. This opacity, combined with what players describe as inconsistent outcomes, has eroded trust in the sport’s governing bodies. And cases like Sinner’s have also received sour reactions from other ATP pros.
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Nick Kyrgios called out the ATP for protecting Jannik Sinner
Nick Kyrgios has always been open about his opinions and hasn’t held back when it comes to criticizing the ATP for how they dealt with Jannik Sinner’s doping case. “Ridiculous – whether it was accidental or planned. You get tested twice with a banned substance (steroid)…you should be gone for two years. Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream…yeah, nice,” he remarked when the Italian came back positive for the banned substance Clostebol twice in March last year.
Sinner made a return to the court just in time for the Italian Open and the French Open, and he ended up clinching the title at Wimbledon. He also reached the final of the US Open this year and recently took home the title in Beijing. But even with all those accolades, Nick Kyrgios didn’t hold back.
In a recent episode of ‘UNSCRIPTED by Josh Mansour,’ Kyrgios was asked if there’s any player he doesn’t get along with, and he replied, “There are a couple. The thing about me is like I’m loved by a lot of the locker room, but then there are people that I can’t stand. Like obviously, me and Jannik Sinner now, it’s pretty grim. Obviously, after the whole doping scandal with him testing positive and all that type of stuff, yeah, there are a couple of people I don’t get along with at all…”
So, he just kept criticizing and quickly started blaming ATP, saying, “I mean, obviously, they’re protecting him to some degree. I mean, the CEO and all of the important people in the ATP are all Italian. And like the whole story for me is bulls***.” Kyrgios’ words might sting a bit for Sinner’s fans, but really, it’s a direct confrontation with the governing body that’s supposed to look out for the players. For sure, with those unfair bans, a lot of honest players might really start to wonder about their integrity in the sport.
5 BVSD and SVVSD preps events to watch the rest of the week
The boys soccer teams at Centaurus and Silver Creek are on a crash-course yet again.
In each of the past three years, the Warriors and Raptors have played each other on the final day of the regular season to decide the league champion. Last year, they played to a scoreless draw and tied atop the 4A/3A Granite Peaks standings with identical 5-0-2 records.
This past week, Centaurus (8-4) improved to 4-0 in league play and Silver Creek (8-1-1) to 3-0 after both had wins over Niwot and Frederick. The Warriors host Longmont on Thursday, while the Raptors faced Skyline late Wednesday night and then travel to 3A defending champ Holy Family on Saturday. Centaurus is at SC on Oct. 23.
Below are the five preps events to watch this week.
Our game of the week is Erie-Mullen football.
Monarch at Frederick volleyball; Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
In this 5A/4A Granite Peaks League bout, 5A No. 17 Monarch (14-4, 6-2) is looking to tip-toe closer to one of the state’s 12 regional hosting seeds, while No. 34 Frederick is looking to stay inside 5A’s 36-team regional field.
The Coyotes have lost all three meetings against the Golden Eagles over the past four years, including last season when Ava Reed had 18 kills in Frederick’s four-set win. But Monarch has already tied for its most wins in a season over the past 13 seasons (also won 14 matches in 2021) and is confident, fresh off a three-set sweep of defending GPL champ Niwot on Tuesday.
Frederick is looking to snap a three-match skid.
Boys individual state tennis tournaments; Thursday-Saturday with 5A at Denver Tennis Park and 4A at Pueblo City Park.
Thirty-four local players qualified to the state tournament from regionals.
Fairview and Monarch each qualified its entire singles line, led by Knights ace Luke Treleaven and Monarch No. 1 Isaac Anderson.
Peak to Peak, which fell in the 4A team dual semifinals Tuesday, is sending players at every position except No. 4 doubles. The Pumas’ Vivaan Bhardwaj will play at No. 1 singles alongside other area players in Dawson’s Cole Cohen and Frederick’s Josiah Brittenham.
Peak to Peak boys tennis falls to Colorado Academy in the team state semifinals
Softball regional tournaments; Friday-Saturday.
Each of the sport’s three classifications are made up of eight regional tournaments. Of the four teams in each region, two will advance to next week’s state tournament at Aurora Sports Park.
From the area, 5A No. 1 Broomfield, No. 4 Erie, 4A No. 3 Holy Family and 3A No. 7 Lyons are hosting this weekend. 5A No. 24 Legacy, 4A No. 9 Frederick, No. 20 Centaurus, No. 21 Mead, No. 25 Silver Creek and 3A No. 20 Peak to Peak are on the road.
Grand Junction at Centaurus football; Friday at 7 p.m.
The Warriors (5-2, 1-1) can jump right back into the thick of 4A I-25 League race with a win.
They opened league play with a loss to Cheyenne Mountain before routing Gateway 51-0 last week. But they control their own destiny once again after the Red-Tailed Hawks (6-1, 1-1) lost to Sand Creek (7-0, 2-0) last week.
After GJ, the Warriors host the Scorpions in Week 9.
Silver Creek at Holy Family; Saturday at 4 p.m.
Silver Creek hadn’t allowed a goal through its first three games in league, outscoring Mead, Niwot and Frederick a combined 7-0.
Coming into its game against Skyline on Wednesday night, Rien Pacaro led the team with eight goals and five assists.
Silver Creek is soccer powerhouse in 2025 — Mead bore the brunt of it, and got better
Holy Family (5-5-1, 1-2) is looking to snap a three-game skid. A good result against the Raptors would give the Tigers strong momentum heading into the postseason, which starts Oct. 29.
View a list of Prep sports and high school teams we cover.
Jannik Sinner Controversy in Tennis Sees Security Usher Fan Away
Security at the ongoing Six Kings Slam event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, had to usher a seemingly overzealous fan away who had made their way to the court only to confront Jannik Sinner and poke him on the chest.
It wasn’t the only controversy at the tennis event, which sees six of the best players on the men’s circuit compete in a four-day tournament that sees every competitor earn $1.5 million in participation fees, with a total of $6 million awarded to the eventual winner.
On Wednesday, the 15th of October — the first day of the exhibition — Taylor Fritz breezed past Alexander Zverev in straight sets (6-3, 6-4) and Sinner outclassed Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets (6-2, 6-3), too.
Sinner’s match was not without drama, though.
Security Ushered a Tennis Fan Away
In footage you can see below, Sinner seemed ready and content to engage with a fan, however, that fan began poking and prodding the four-time major winner. It is unclear what was said. However, it’s clear that it was enough to see security manhandle the fan and remove them from the court.
The fan incident wasn’t the only controversy from the opening day of the Saudi exhibition. Following his straight sets victory over Tsitsipas, which sets up a semi-final showdown against one of the sport’s greatest players, Novak Djokovic, Sinner blasted the
Fan wildly approaches Jannik Sinner on court at Six Kings Slam
Jannik Sinner was in for quite a shock during the Six Kings Slam on Wednesday when a fan managed to run onto the court and tried to ask the Italian tennis star for the Nike jacket he was wearing.
The bizarre moment played out as Netflix cameras captured the whole exchange in the background, as presenters were on screen talking after world No. 2 Sinner defeated No. 24 Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The fan calmly walked onto the court, unobstructed, and went right up to Sinner to shake his hand.
The somewhat confused Sinner politely engaged with the fan, who then started to gesture to the tennis player’s jacket in what appeared to be an attempt to get him to fork over the Nike swag.
The two spoke for several seconds before a security guard showed up and escorted the fan away from Sinner.
Sinner, no worse for the wear, put his bag on his shoulder and simply walked away.
Sinner is participating in the Six Kings Slam, alongside Tsitsipas, Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev. The event is running through Saturday.
It’s the second strange fan encounter that Sinner has had this year at a tennis event.
During the U.S. Open in Queens, a fan tried to go into Sinner’s bag and steal from it while he was near the stands after his round of 16 match against Alexander Bublik.
A quick-reacting security guard pushed the fan’s hand away from the bag before he could take anything.
The USTA did not punish the fan for the actions, but Sinner told reporters that he had never experienced anything like that before.
“You know it was …. I checked straight away if he took something because I don’t have only rackets there,” Sinner said at the time. “I have my phone, my wallet, but, you know, the security is doing a great job. Especially on court, there’s lots of security and I believe especially in big tournaments (they do) an amazing job to make us feel safe. New things happen like this that makes (what they’re doing) a great job
Everett, Stanwood boys tennis earn non-league wins
Prep roundup for Wednesday, Oct. 15:
(Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results and statistics, email sports@heraldnet.com. Please report results by 10:30 p.m.)
BOYS TENNIS
Non-league
Everett 7, Mariner 0
At Clark Park
Singles: Brody Rouse (E) def. Alex Le 6-1, 6-0. Samuel Russell (E) def. Thales Pham 6-0, 6-0. Colton Marks (E) def. Hyrum Camara 6-3, 6-2. Gavin Lewis (E) def. Colby Johnson 6-0, 6-0; Doubles: Owen Brunni-Evan Brunni (E) def. Bien Clarin-Kevin Luu 6-1, 6-2. Maxwell Bowman-Cobin Chadwick (E) def. Jaiden Nguyen-Tom Nguyen 7-5, 6-4. Jericho Brown-Isaac Taylor (E) def. Oliver Tetelepta-Daniel Moce 7-6(2), 6-4.
Stanwood 6, Sedro-Woolley 1
At Stanwood H.S.
Singles: Luiz Otavio Marques Peixoto (Stan.) def. Colton Knutson 6-0, 6-2. Max Reep (Stan.) def. Hunter Schneider 6-0, 6-1. Grady Lamb (Stan.) def. Odin Schultz 6-3, 6-1. Colin Manzuk (Stan.) def. Noah Hohmann 6-2, 6-2; Doubles: Kellan Zill-Oscar Cabe (Stan.) def. Jordan Janicki-Trey Gardner 6-1, 6-4. Declan Harp-Colby Silvis (SW) def. Brody Siegel-Booth Siegel 4-6, 6-4, 10-8. Derek Nguyen-Jaden Fozard (Stan.) def. Logan Boal-Jason Bond 7-6(6), 6-3.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
CROSS COUNTRY
Archbishop Murphy, Arlington, Monroe, Sultan vs. Lake Stevens
At Granite Falls H.S.
Girls team scores: Arlington 20, Lake Stevens 44, Monroe 71
Boys team scores: Arlington 29, Lake Stevens 34, Monroe 81, Sultan 120, Archbishop Murphy 125
Casper Ruud Stands Tall With Iga Swiatek and Others Over Hateful Social Media Messages: “No Shame”
Social media has opened the gates for fans to reach tennis stars like never before, but behind that access lurks a storm of venom. After tough losses, especially when betting stakes run high, players are bombarded with hate from bitter gamblers and faceless trolls. Daria Kasatkina admits the abuse never stops, while Diego Schwartzman exposes threats that cut deep. Even icons like Coco Gauff, Iga Świątek, and Taylor Fritz aren’t spared from this digital darkness. And now, as the Stockholm Open lights up, Casper Ruud steps forward, calling hateful social media messages a common thing: a brutal truth echoing across the sport.
On Wednesday, Ruud stumbled early but roared back with precision and purpose. After a shaky start against Marin Čilić, the Norwegian shifted gears, crafting a 7-6(2), 6-4 win to open his BNP Paribas Nordic Open campaign. Down 1-4 in the opening set, he recalibrated, found his groove, and pushed his season’s record in opening rounds to an impressive 14-3. But beneath that composed surface, another storm brewed, one not on the court, but online.
Ruud, calm as ever in demeanor, chose this victory stage to peel back the curtain on the game’s darker side, the venomous noise of social media. “Unfortunately, it has become a common thing for athletes due to bettors who have no filter and no shame about what they are writing,” Ruud confessed at the post-match press conference.
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He didn’t stop there. “It’s the dark side of that world. I try not to read it and not get affected by it. I like to think that they’re overreacting and throwing out crazy stuff because they’re angry that we didn’t do well for their bets. It’s just sad overall,” he added, his tone heavy with truth. In a sport built on poise and respect, this toxic undercurrent feels like an uninvited guest, persistent, loud, and cruel.
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And he’s far from alone. Jessica Pegula, known for her composure and grit, faced her own wave of vitriol after a shocking French Open exit this year. Her defeat to the French underdog Lois Boisson sparked outrage not from critics, but from bettors blinded by loss. The world No. 5 stood tall, responding with courage.
“These betters are insane and delusional, and I don’t allow DMs and try to remember when to shut my comments off during tournament weeks, but they always find a way to my timeline,” she said. Her frustration poured out in raw honesty. “This stuff has never really bothered me much but does any other sport deal with this to our level? I’d love to know because it seems to be predominantly tennis? It’s so disturbing.”
Even Iga Świątek, the world’s calm queen of clay, has admitted to feeling the strain. She explained last year why she keeps her distance from social media, saying, “I would say I’m doing good job, like, separating that. I don’t use really social media during the tournaments. I just post my stuff and that’s all.”
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And if you think the list ends there, think again. This is no isolated tale; it’s an epidemic. From rising stars to veterans, the avalanche of abuse from bettors and trolls grows by the day. The courts may be silent between points, but the echoes of online hatred are deafening.
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Sloane Stephens speaks out against online hate
In 2021, Sloane Stephens faced one of the ugliest sides of modern tennis fandom. After her exit from the US Open at the hands of Germany’s Angelique Kerber, the American star revealed that she had received “2,000-plus messages of abuse/anger” from furious fans who couldn’t accept her defeat.
The outpouring of hate was shocking, even for someone as composed as Stephens. She bravely shared a few of those vile messages on her Instagram story, writing, “I am human. It’s so hard to read messages like these. This type of hate is so exhausting and never-ending.” Her words resonated across the tennis world, revealing a hidden pain behind the athlete’s calm façade.
Years later, Stephens once again opened up about her emotional battles with online hatred. Appearing on the She’s So Lucky podcast with Les Alfred on April 15, 2025, she offered a raw and unfiltered look into the pressure that shadows her life. Stephens recalled how fan reactions sometimes even robbed her of personal moments. “I had so many crazy messages after the match that I was like ‘Oh we shouldn’t do a birthday post cuz it’s going to be like all the comments are just going to be like crazy betters or whatever,’” she said.
But Stephens is not alone in this battle. Young American Alex Michelsen, just 19, experienced his own share of digital cruelty after his debut at Wimbledon 2024. Following a first-round loss in his maiden main draw appearance, fans flooded his social media with venom. Some cruelly told him to “pack his bag,” while others demanded that he “quit tennis.” For a teenager chasing dreams on one of sport’s biggest stages, the hostility cut deep.
Then came Gaël Monfils, the French showman loved for his flair and spirit, who too faced the bitter sting of online hate. After his R32 loss to 20-year-old American Alex Michelsen at the Stuttgart Open, the trolls came for him as well. But Monfils met the hate with humor and brutal candor.
“Hey guys, it’s not financial advice, but really, you’re still betting on me? First tournament on grass, I play Alex Michelsen, 20 years old, 35 in a word, and you wanna bet on me? You are writing that I’m sh–. I know I’m sh–. We both know I’m sh– and you still bet on me? Who is the dumbest between you and me, to be honest? No, come on.” His words cut through the noise with wit, exposing the absurdity behind the anger.
As these incidents pile up, it’s clear that the problem is spiraling beyond control. The screens may hide faces, but the words pierce deep.
It’s about time this outburst of online hatred takes center stage, and unless players speak louder, the cruelty will keep echoing in the spaces where sport should only celebrate passion, not poison.
Controversial PGA Tour Decision Impacting Korn Ferry Players Is Defended by Ben Griffin
The PGA Tour’s decision to slash Korn Ferry Tour graduates from 30 to 20 has sparked outrage across professional golf. Tommy Gainey called it “insane,” while Brandel Chamblee warned it could “destroy the pipeline that builds stars.” Even casual observers see it as a gut punch to aspiring pros. But one voice is breaking from the chorus of criticism—and it’s coming from someone who knows the Korn Ferry grind better than most.
Ben Griffin, speaking at the DP World India Championship press conference on Wednesday, defended the controversial policy change that’s been vilified by players and pundits alike. “What we’ll see is better access from those 20 players on the Korn Ferry Tour and on the PGA TOUR on next year’s season,” Griffin argued, offering a perspective that contradicts the widespread backlash.
The 28-year-old’s defense centers on a critical detail critics have overlooked: priority positioning. “They will have more playing opportunities especially early in the season because the guys that finished 101 to 125 are now going to be behind them on the commitment sheet,” Griffin explained. In other words, while 10 fewer players get cards, the 20 who make it will actually have better access to tournaments than the previous 30-player system provided.
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Griffin acknowledged the tradeoff directly. “So in a way you’re limiting the amount of players that are now going to be on the PGA TOUR, the new and up-and-coming players maybe but at the same time, there’s 20 players who are playing a little bit better than the guys that are 21 to 30 are now going to have a way better chance of playing in not only more events but playing against the best players in the world.”
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Backlash Erupts as Former PGA Tour Pro Announces Return as Reinstated Amateur: ‘Dumbest Thing Ever’
Starting over is common in sports, but a former PGA Tour pro seeking amateur reinstatement is rare. Former PGA Tour professional and current CBS Sports analyst Colt Knost has sparked widespread debate after revealing that he has applied to regain his amateur status. The former U.S. Amateur champion made the announcement on his Golf’s Subpar podcast earlier this week, setting off a wave of criticism from fans and fellow golf followers online.
While Knost made his announcement a few days ago, stating “I have applied to get my amateur status back,” it was a recent post from Sean Martin on X, the content head of the PGA Tour, that stirred up the heat on Knost’s decision. “@ColtKnostannounced today that he’s seeking to become a reinstated amateur. This could lead to a most circuitous route to a Master’s debut,” Martin began.
The man who once earned a spot in the Masters by winning the 2007 U.S. Amateur, and then turned pro before ever teeing it up at Augusta, is now eyeing a return via the U.S. Mid-Am. Why? Because the winner of the mid-am gets a ticket to the Masters. So, this almost feels like Knost’s roundabout route to earning his way into play at Augusta and a path to redemption.
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But it’s not like Colt Knost has anything left to prove. He was one of the greatest amateurs of his generation, winning both the U.S. Amateur and the U.S Amateur Public Links in the same year (2007), something only two others in history have done (one of them being Bobby Jones). He represented the USA in the 2007 Walker Cup alongside Dustin Johnson and even won the Mark H. McCormack Medal as the top player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
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Then came the big leap. He turned pro right after the Walker Cup, giving up his hard-earned spot in the 2008 Masters. It seemed like the right call at the time, and it kind of was. He went on to win twice in his first 12 starts on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2008 and cruised to his PGA Tour card. But despite six full seasons on the PGA Tour, Knost never once made it to the Masters. “It’s frustrating the fact I never got there. But at the time I felt it was the right decision, 100%, and I still do,” Martin revealed Knost’s words in his post on X.
Colt Knost eventually retired in 2020 after wrist injuries and a dip in form, moving smoothly into a popular broadcasting role with CBS and co-hosting Golf’s Subpar with Drew Stoltz. Now, as he attempts to return to his amateur status, people are not happy with the move.
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Controversy Swells as Fans Slam Colt Knost’s Decision
While Colt Knost’s move has sparked debate among many, fans are downright furious, and they didn’t hold back under Sean Martin’s post on X. “Have him return the $5.2 million he won if he wants to be amateur again. Dumbest thing ever if it gets approved,” one fan fumed, cutting straight to the money Knost earned on the Korn Ferry and the PGA Tour. Another echoed the sentiment with growing frustration, “No offense, but if you have two wins as a pro, there is no way in hell anyone should be reinstated as an amateur. This is getting out of control and is lame as hell.”
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One fan took a dig at Knost but also directed the USGA to have stricter rules regarding players wanting to reinstate their amateur status. “USGA needs to have limits of reinstated Ams that want to qualify for Mid Ams and Senior Ams – If you won KFT or so much money, no entry,” the fan quipped. It’s a call for boundaries, especially when former Tour pros can swoop back into the fields meant for career amateurs.
Interestingly, Knost himself admitted he didn’t exactly stumble upon this plan on his own. In fact, it was the USGA that handed him the keys. “I talked to Scott Langley at the USGA a few weeks ago,” Knost said on Sub-Par. “He actually sent me the little link to apply for my amateur status back.”
One fan even flagged the issue of pensions. “If a former pro golfer is getting any compensation through a tour pension, they should not be eligible to be reinstated as an amateur,” the comment read, raising questions not just about fairness in competition, but financial integrity. And perhaps the most conflicted but telling comment of all? “I’m a Colt Knost fan, but this is ridiculous. That man is a professional golfer,” another added, seemingly torn between admiration for Knost and the frustration around his decision, which seemed like a clear overstep.
The message was the same from all no matter how much time had passed, a professional is a professional. It’s clear that for many, this isn’t just about Colt Knost. It’s about drawing a line, and one that ensures fair opportunities are given to all.
PGA Tour Veteran Backs Major Changes for the 2026 Season as He Issues Immediate Warning
Last month, Gary McCord was cleaning out his Colorado summer home when he stumbled upon something remarkable. An old leather briefcase sat collecting dust in the corner. Inside? A complete binder documenting his 1981 pitch for the All-Exempt Tour. “God damned if I haven’t got the binder with all of the information I had when I pitched the All-Exempt Tour in 1981, everything,” McCord told Golfweek. He spent seven weeks crafting that proposal over four decades ago.
The timing of this discovery feels almost prophetic. The PGA Tour just announced it’s reducing fully exempt cards from 125 to 100 for the 2026 season. And the man who fought to create that 125-card system? He’s completely on board with cutting it.
“It was exactly the right thing to do at this point,” McCord said without hesitation. This marks the first reduction since the All-Exempt Tour launched in 1983. Back then, McCord rallied over 100 players at a Holiday Inn in Tallahassee to support expanding exemptions from just 60 to 125. He pitched it as a grassroots uprising. The vote passed 7-2.
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Now, 42 years later, the landscape has undergone a complete transformation. The PGA Tour officially approved these sweeping changes on November 18, 2024. Field sizes will shrink across the board. Most tournaments will feature 120 to 144 players instead of 156. The Players Championship drops from 144 to 120. Seven events will eliminate Monday qualifying entirely. Others will reduce Monday qualifier spots from four to just two.
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The Korn Ferry Tour takes a hit, too. Only 20 players will graduate, instead of the original 30. Q-School cards drop from “top five and ties” to exactly five. Meanwhile, bubble players have voiced concerns about how these changes threaten their livelihoods.
McCord Questions PGA Tour’s LIV Response
McCord sees a fundamental difference between then and now. “When I did it, it was not competition,” he explained. In the 1980s, the Tour was struggling for basic financial viability. Players were broke. Travel expenses crushed them. McCord calculated that 76 percent of Tour competitors couldn’t break even after expenses.
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Today’s fight is entirely different. LIV Golf arrived in 2022 with Saudi money and guaranteed contracts. Jon Rahm signed for $300 million. Brooks Koepka got $130 million. The threat forced the PGA Tour to create eight signature events with $20 million purses. These showcase concentrated star power, competing with LIV’s 14-event schedule.
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But McCord questions the entire strategy. “My question is why do we need to genuflect to LIV? They have absolutely no one watching them on TV,” he said bluntly. The numbers back him up. LIV Golf averaged just 338,000 viewers on Fox in 2025. Meanwhile, PGA Tour Sunday broadcasts averaged 3.1 million viewers. That’s nearly 18 times more eyeballs.
The Tour’s official justification centers on the pace of play. Smaller fields mean faster rounds and Friday cuts. Commissioner Jay Monahan called it a “collaborative effort” to build a “stronger PGA Tour.” Yet players like Lucas Glover aren’t buying it. “And then hiding behind pace of play, I think challenges our intelligence,” Glover told reporters. He believes the real goal is appeasing top players to prevent more LIV defections.
McCord’s evolution from rebel to supporter reveals how drastically professional golf has changed. He fought for opportunity in an era of scarcity. Now he backs restriction in an era of excess. The irony isn’t lost on anyone. Yesterday’s rabbits became today’s mules. The fight for cards continues. But the magic number just dropped by 25.
Tommy Fleetwood Draws Strength from 7-Year-Old Son as He Announces Next Goal After PGA Tour Breakthrough
The Delhi Golf Club buzzed with activity on a warm October morning. Young Frankie Fleetwood, just seven years old, wandered through the practice area with wide eyes. He watched players hit balls on the range. He soaked in the tournament atmosphere. His father, Tommy Fleetwood, stood nearby, preparing for the DP World India Championship. The scene perfectly captured what drives the English golfer—family and ambition intertwined.
Tommy opened up about his son during Wednesday’s press conference. “He absolutely loves the game,” he said. “Like, he loves golf and he loves being around the golf courses and the tournaments and everything.” But then came the revelation that struck a chord. “He’s like such a big source of inspiration for me and motivation. So it’s always great having him around.”
The 34-year-old reflected on what it means to have Frankie at tournaments. “I feel very lucky that I get to bring our kids to such amazing places, really,” Tommy shared. He didn’t travel internationally until he was 14 or 15. Meanwhile, Frankie has already visited countless countries and experienced diverse cultures. “Frankie to have been as many places as he has and still get the chance to visit new cultures and new places I think is great,” Tommy added.
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This family inspiration fuels Tommy’s next ambitious goal. He’s setting his sights on winning a major championship in 2026. “It’s definitely something in my mind and I’ll have written down,” he declared. “I feel like majors are absolutely career-defining tournaments.” The People’s Champion has everything on his résumé except that coveted major title. He’s collected seven career top-5 finishes in majors, including a heartbreaking runner-up at the 2018 U.S. Open. Yet victory has remained just out of reach.
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Tommy’s 2025 major performances left him disappointed. “This year was actually, as good as the season has been, it was a poor major year for me,” he admitted honestly. “I didn’t come close to being in contention or competing in those majors.” He tied for 21st at the Masters. He struggled to tie for 41st at the PGA Championship. He missed the cut entirely at the U.S. Open. He managed only a tie for 16th at The Open Championship. Those results stung, especially after such a stellar overall season.
The frustration is understandable when considering Tommy’s journey throughout 2025. But understanding how he channeled that disappointment into breakthrough success reveals the true power of his family’s inspiration.
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Tommy Fleetwood’s resilience turned heartbreak into FedEx Cup glory
The 2025 season repeatedly tested Tommy’s mental fortitude. He finished second at the Travelers Championship in June, coming agonizingly close. Then came the FedEx St. Jude Championship in August. Tommy tied for third, losing by just one shot to Justin Rose in a playoff. He’d led by one stroke entering the final round. He faltered over the final three holes. The victory slipped away again.
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Each near-miss could have shattered his confidence. Instead, Tommy explained his philosophy during the press conference. “What’s the point in letting it have a negative effect on whatever happens next?” he asked. “I could have moped or sulked or been angry. But I really wanted to try and rewire as quickly as possible and see the positives.” That mindset separated him from other talented players who couldn’t break through. Tommy previously called his family, including Frankie, his biggest supporters through every disappointment. Showing his children that perseverance pays off mattered more than any trophy. “Being an example that it can happen for you if you keep going,” he said, became his driving force.
Tommy previously named his family, including Frankie, as his most prominent supporters through every disappointment. Showing his children that perseverance pays off mattered more than any trophy. “Being an example that it can happen for you if you keep going,” he said, became his driving force.
Then came August 24th at East Lake Golf Club. Tommy shot 18-under-par to win the Tour Championship by three strokes. The victory secured his first PGA Tour title after 164 attempts. It also delivered the FedEx Cup and its massive $10 million prize. After six runner-up finishes and 31 top-5s without winning, he’d finally done it.
The breakthrough validated everything. Tommy’s Ryder Cup heroics followed in September, where Europe won 15-13 at Bethpage Black. He posted a perfect 2-0 record in foursomes with Rory McIlroy. He went 2-0 in four-ball with Justin Rose. The world number five had arrived at golf’s summit through sheer persistence.
Now he brings that same resilience to his major championship quest. “Yeah, I’ll be looking towards those next year and try to give myself the best chance I can,” Tommy said with quiet determination. The inspiration walks beside him in Frankie. The goal sits clearly ahead. 2026 could finally be his year to complete the résumé.
Passing The Torch: Is This The Last We See Of The Woods Name?
With all of the many tournaments and different headlines to take place in this 2025 PGA Tour season, many may have forgotten about a top face in the sport. The pro since 1996 being Tiger Woods, who has recently been forced into recovery after major back surgeries. His most recent surgery coming in a lumbar disc replacement, another roadblock put in front of his already doubtful return back to the sport. With a career filled with 82 total wins, the soon to be 50-year-old is only becoming more seasoned and now maybe forced to step away from the game in its entirety. This sport has seen a multitude of highs with Woods as the front-runner, now it’s time to entertain a possible reality without arguably the best to ever play the sport.
Playing The Long Game
The long game is just that for Woods, another added input to an already frustrating equation for the veteran. Having to get yet another surgery on his back, only pushes his possible return back even more. Having to most recently repair a ruptured Achilles Tendon in March, Woods has spent most of his time on the outside looking in.
“After experiencing pain and lack of mobility in my back, I consulted doctors and surgeons to have tests taken,” Woods’ said. “The scans determined that I had a collapsed disc in L4/L5, disc fragments and a compromised spinal canal. I opted to have my disc replaced yesterday and already know I made a good decision for my health and back.”
At this stage in the career for Woods, time is unfortunately not on his side or a benefit. With those like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, the chance to add on more wins has become even more difficult than last seen. One plus that has come since the sidelining of Woods and company, is his very own design company named TGR Design. One of the most illustrious companies in the sport of golf, while also being a firm dedicated to the further development of golf courses around the world. Including his very own 13 created courses, a most recent coming in the “Marcella Club”. A private club located in Park City, Utah and the first mountain design done by the team. With the career Tour wins having slowed down in total, Woods is still a recipient of wins outside the course.
Passing The Torch
There is not much of a timetable or baseline, in terms of navigating the return back to golf for Woods. The recovery time will be one that must not be rushed, after dealing with an already difficult road back to competition after last spurts seen at the 2024 Masters. One positive that still will remain despite the ups and downs, is the uprising of his son in Charlie Woods. Working as the caddie for Charlie in some tournaments, Tiger has had a front row seat to the next possible chapter in the Woods run within the sport.
While many had their eyes glued to the Ryder Cup and deservingly so, The 16-year-old prodigy finished with an eye opening 68 and led The Benjamin School to a win. Putting on a show at the South Florida PGA Junior Golf West Coast High School Championship, at the TwinEagles Talon Course in Naples, Florida. Picking up right where his dad left off in his own career, totaling in with eight birdies to open up the round but finishing tied fourth overall.
Inaugural champion Scott McCarron is ready for his 9th DECC
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Billy Horschel Sends 9-Word Message to Former PGA Tour Pro After Controversial Decision Sparked Chaos
Colt Knost’s recent announcement, “I have applied to get my amateur status back,” has been the talk of the town nearly all week. And not in a good way. When the former PGA Tour pro and CBS Sports analyst revealed that he’s officially applied to regain his amateur status, it had everyone in splits. Many called it ridiculous and unfair to the existing mid-ams, but amidst all the backlash Knost is receiving for his decision, one notable voice has stepped up in his defense.
When Colt Knost explained why he’s heading toward this decision, he mentioned that he “would like to one day lead the United States Walker Cup team if at all possible,” on Gracy & The Sleeze podcast. That is his biggest motivation to turn towards this path, contrary to what most people are assuming about him. He represented the United States in the 2007 Walker Cup alongside Dustin Johnson, and now he’s hoping to return to that prestigious stage, not as a player, but as a captain. That’s the real driver behind his move.
And one fellow player is on board with his mission — Billy Horschel. Responding to Knost’s reasoning on wanting to reinstate his amateur status, Horschel had a message for Knost on X — “You’ve got my vote for future Walker Cup Captain! @ColtKnost.”
It was short, sharp, and just enough to add fuel to the existing fire Knost already started. Whether it was a playful jab or a genuine endorsement, Horschel’s message stood out amid a wave of skepticism Knost has been facing.
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Colt Knost even mentioned on the podcast that he would not be like other amateurs playing all the events on the circuit. “I wish people would just sit back and take a second to ask why I’m doing this instead of just assuming that I’m gonna be like our buddy Stewart Hagestad and play 25 events a year,” he stated. He referenced Stewart Hagestad, a popular name on the mid-am circuit, who has racked up five Walker Cup wins and plays nearly 17-20 events every year. Knost specified that he can’t do the same.
“Like, I have several jobs. I don’t really have time to play a lot on the amateur circuit when most of them are during the summer, and I’m traveling around the country for CBS,” he added. And it’s true. While he has a busy schedule with CBS, Knost is also a co-host on two podcasts – Gravy & The Sleeze and the Golf’s Subpar podcast. Imagine juggling all of this and competing full-time on the mid-am circuit. Sounds superhuman.
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But it’s clear that Colt Knost’s ambition is far more personal, and arguably more meaningful. He simply aspires to lead Team USA in the Walker Cup sometime in the future. And the only way he can do that is to return to the amateur circle. It’s a path he’s more than willing to take, even if it means facing criticism along the way. But why is Knost receiving so much backlash for this decision?
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Why Colt Knost’s Decision Is Getting So Much Criticism
Colt Knost’s bid to regain his amateur status has reignited a debate over what the mid-am is supposed to represent. Knost, once one of the most dominant amateurs of his generation, famously gave up his spot in the 2008 Masters by turning pro after the 2007 Walker Cup. Now, over 15 years later, many critics like Sean Martin feel that he is eyeing a different route to Augusta—through the mid-am, which awards its champion a coveted Masters invitation. For Knost, it feels like a shot at redemption. A full-circle moment. But to many, it’s contradictory to the very spirit of the event.
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Critics argue that letting former pros, especially ones like Knost, who has banked more than $4.3 million in 199 events in his 8 years on the PGA Tour, should not be allowed to reinstate their amateur status. As Lou Stagner pointed out on X, the USGA itself describes the mid-am as a championship “for whom the game is truly an avocation.”
But when a player like Knost, with years of grinding on the world’s biggest stages, returns to the amateur ranks, is it really a fair fight? His skill set doesn’t just vanish because he hasn’t played competitively in years. Wagner points out that, “even if they’re a bit rusty, a former tour player’s baseline skills remain FAR above a career amateur… Also, skill decay does not equal skill deletion.”
And it makes sense. It only takes a few months of good practice for a tour-level player to get back his elite playing skills, which is an unfair advantage if Knost gets to compete on the amateur circuit. But it’s not just Colt Knost; this has been a growing trend. In the 2025 mid-am alone, six of the eight quarterfinalists were reinstated professionals. And if former pros start dominating the mid-am scene, Knost’s case will be like the new norm that’s testing the boundaries of amateur golf.
Eugenio Chacarra Q&A: Lessons from LIV Golf, Weight Loss & PGA Tour Goals
Eugenio Chacarra joined LIV Golf in 2022 as a member of Fireballs GC. He won in Bangkok and was one of the most promising players there. But struggles came for him over the next two years, and as a result, his time with LIV came to an end.
Afterwards, he vocally called out LIV for being about “only money,” and also expressed his thoughts on LIV failing to deliver on its promise to provide OWGR points and access to majors. Despite all of this, Charcarra was “thankful” to the Saudi Tour for the financial security it gave him. After this incident, Chacarra found a new zeal to achieve his childhood dream: the European Tour and the PGA Tour. The chase has been in his favor so far.
Eugenio relied on the sponsor’s exemption to get started on the DP World Tour early in the season. Then in India, he won the 2025 Hero Indian Open: a victory that helped him earn DP World Tour status for the rest of the season. Now, he is back in India, at the Delhi Golf Club, but his performance might not be as eccentric as it was back in February because of some injuries he has been enduring.
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Essentially Sports had a quick chat with Eugenio before he officially started his play on October 16th at the DP World India Championship, and he gave us answers about his health, future goals, and his time with LIV.
EssentiallySports: You’re back in India just after a few months of your Hero Indian Open win. How are you feeling about your chances here this time?
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Eugenio Chacarra: Feeling great. It’s been a couple of tough weeks health-wise. Being sick. I have some problems with my hip and with my golf shoes and stuff. I was hearing some problems with my swing, but we figured it out, and yeah, back in the country, that’s been great to me. Love the country, love the people, and, yeah, it’s obviously to different course, but, of course, you need to hit a good one as well. And I’m excited for the week. Obviously, my game is not as sharp as I wanted it to be because of the illness and being a little hurt, but I think it’s, of course, that’s good for me. I love the grass here in India, and I love the support, so hopefully I can be up there again.
EssentiallySports: You recently spoke about losing some weight, roughly around 20 pounds. Can you walk us through what happened there? What led to that weight loss? What’s the journey?
Eugenio Chacarra: Yeah, I obviously, because when I stay with my team and make some decisions, and one of them, I need to be back physically good for my own health and for my golf swing. And that was one of them. I needed to go back to my weight where I had success, and I was feeling good. And yeah, that’s a goal for the year, and I was lucky enough that I cut it pretty quickly, and I just need to keep focusing on it. And, like I said, I’ve been feeling great. I don’t know if it’s because I didn’t have a lot of food or what the problem was, but I’m getting to get back to it. It was a tough three or four weeks, past weeks, but I’m happy that I’m here. I’m feeling better every day, and hopefully, I can get it run.
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EssentiallySports: It’s been some time since your association with LIV Golf? How do you look back on that time?
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Eugenio Chacarra: Yeah, it was great. It was a great experience. I think, like I said, I was really grateful for the opportunity. It saved my life in a lot of ways. But my team and I thought it was time to pursue what I dream of. I was losing motivation to do stuff. And some things that they said they were gonna do never really happened, but it was an awesome experience. It’s another great golf Tour, great players, and I was thankful that I have 3 years over there, but now I’m focusing on the European Tour, and hopefully I can get my dream since I was little, get to the PGA Tour.
EssentiallySports: Is getting onto the PGA Tour still your childhood dream?
Eugenio Chacarra: Yeah, obviously, growing up, that’s what we had, the PGA Tour and the European Tour, as in Spaniard, and as you’re a fellow European, I always wanted to win on the European Tour. I already accomplished that dream, but now my dream that I’m missing is to win on the PGA Tour and be a member of the PGA Tour. So hopefully, we can get that. I’m still young. I’m here way quicker than I thought I was gonna be when I left, so I’m still trying to learn, still trying to get better. But I know with hard work and with the team I have behind me, we’ll be on the PGA Tour one day.
EssentiallySports: Great, great. So, like, any favourite golfer growing up, any fond memory of any of, you know, the,
Eugenio Chacarra: Yeah, obviously, being from Spain, I need to go. I need to say 75 stairs. I got lucky enough that my family, from that side, is from Padrena. We go in the summer over there. So I grew up seeing all his family and seeing seven. So he’s probably my favourite player, and then I need to see Tiger. I think what Tiger did to the game of golf, and how he played the game of golf, and how good he was, and at least when I was growing up, he was the one who was dominating, and I was watching golf. So, yeah, those will be my 2 favourite players.
All the best, Eugenio!
Conservative Group Calls Out NASCAR Executives Over ‘Offensive’ Slogan
NASCAR’s push to modernize its image continues to clash with the conservative ideals that some groups hold. The past has seen quite some instances of this, but now, the controversy has flared up. NASCAR has once again found itself balancing commercial partnerships with its traditionally faith-based fan base, as a similar controversy has come knocking on its door.
Slogan sparks backlash
NASCAR is stirring up conversation long before the 2026 season even begins, and this time, it’s not about horsepower or playoff drama. The racing giant is reportedly rolling out a bold new marketing campaign centered around the slogan “Hell Yeah!”, a move meant to tap into its “rebellious, Americana roots” and reconnect with the blue-collar fan base that built the sport.
According to interviews NASCAR gave to Adweek and Ad Age, the goal is to modernize the brand while celebrating its rough-around-the-edges heritage. But the reaction has been anything but unanimous. Conservative and family-focused groups, including One Million Moms, have blasted the campaign as inappropriate, arguing that the slogan’s use of profanity crosses a line, especially for a sport that prides itself on family-friendly values and Sunday afternoon TV slots.
Critics say the phrase, while common in driver celebrations, shouldn’t headline a national ad campaign where kids are watching. Supporters of NASCAR’s new direction, on the other hand, argue that the slogan captures the unfiltered excitement and authenticity that fans have always loved about the sport.
For now, NASCAR hasn’t revealed when the “Hell Yeah” spots will officially debut, but one thing’s clear: this marketing push has already ignited a cultural debate before the engines even fire in 2026. The “Hell Yeah” tagline is meant to evoke the raw thrill of a green-flag drop or a last-lap pass, that unfiltered rush that’s been NASCAR’s DNA since Bill France Sr. turned moonshine runners into a sport.
But groups like One Million Moms see it as a step too far, a profane punch that clashes with the pre-race prayers and family tailgates. It’s a clash of worlds, NASCAR’s blue-collar edge versus its wholesome heart, and the slogan’s landing right in the middle.
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The “Hell Yeah” dust-up comes as NASCAR dives into gaming with NASCAR 25, a launch that’s got fans geeking out over a full-circle nod to the sport’s golden age.
NASCAR 25’s Golden Age reunion
The October 14, 2025, console drop for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S (PC on Steam November 11) packs 190 drivers, 400 paint schemes, and a career mode from ARCA to Cup. But the real magic? It’s built by the same teams behind NASCAR ‘00s classics like NASCAR 2003 (Papyrus), Dirt to Daytona (Monster Games), and NASCAR Thunder 2004 (EA Sports).
Matt Lewis, iRacing’s production director, called it a “dream team”: “If you ask anybody what their favorite NASCAR game in history was, you’re going to get one of those three. And now we have the teams that worked on all of those games building NASCAR ’25.”
iRacing, born from Papyrus, blends sim depth with console accessibility. Monster Games’ Dirt to Daytona progression and EA’s career loops make this the ultimate mashup: “Fast forward 20 years, and here we are. We are finally doing it.”
Nick Rend, NASCAR’s VP of Interactive Platforms, hyped the fusion: “iRacing has taken the foundation of their legendary sim and paired it with console veterans who know how to design careers, progression loops, user experiences, and live-service systems.”
It’s a nod to the golden age, when NASCAR 2003’s physics and Thunder 2004’s stories hooked gamers. iRacing’s 350,000 subscribers exploded during the pandemic with virtual Cup races at North Wilkesboro and Atlanta, proving that sims can revive tracks and fans.
Top 5 Best Michael Jordan Jumpman Paint Schemes In NASCAR
From Carolina Blue tributes to rebellious “Banned” liveries, these designs go way beyond branding. They tell stories, honor legacies, and bring streetwear energy to the speedway.
With Tyler Reddick at the wheel, the Jumpman has built a surprising but stylish presence in the NASCAR world. Below, we rank the five best Jordan-themed paint schemes to ever hit the track.
5.
NASCAR Talladega Schedule: Team Penske poised for Playoff Comeback as Toyota Confidence Wanes
Everyone is hearing whispers (and shouts) that Team Penske might be staging a serious playoff comeback just as Toyota’s grip seems to be loosening. After Penske’s domination in New Hampshire, where Ryan Blaney won, leading 116 laps, and teammate Joey Logano racked up 147 laps at the front, it was a clear signal that Ford means business this postseason.
Meanwhile, Toyota’s previously strong momentum has shown cracks. At Loudon, in what was supposed to be their stronghold, their performance fell short, with Bell as their top finisher in sixth, while Penske and Hendrick more than held their own. And in Kansas, while Hamlin led a ton of laps, he couldn’t close it out, and handling issues surfaced amid relentless pressure.
So now the narrative’s shifting: Penske, once chasing, looks like it’s charging, while Toyota has to fight to keep its edge. If Penske’s Fords continue this surge and Toyota stumbles even a bit more, the balance of power in this playoff could tilt fast. Meanwhile, the focus is now on the upcoming superspeedway.
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Schedule for Talladega
The Talladega weekend is a superspeedway showdown, with green flags flying across three series. As per Bob Pockrass’ tweet, Friday’s Trucks hit FOX at 4:23 p.m. ET (3:23 p.m. CT), Saturday’s Xfinity drops on CW at 4:10 p.m. ET (3:10 p.m. CT), and Sunday’s Cup main event roars on NBC at 2:28 p.m. ET (1:28 p.m. CT), with sundown at 7:06 p.m. ET (6:06 p.m. CT).
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Friday’s Truck qualifying is 12:30 p.m. ET on FS2, with the race at 4 p.m. ET on FOX, 20-20-45 stages, four tire sets, and 80s temps with 0% rain chance. Saturday’s Xfinity qualifying is 11:30 a.m. ET on CW App, Cup qualifying 1:30 p.m. ET on TruTV, prerace 3:30 p.m. ET on CW, and green flag 4 p.m. ET on CW, 25-25-44 stages, four tire sets, 80s with 20% rain.
Sunday’s prerace 1:30 p.m. ET on NBC, green flag 2 p.m. ET on NBC, 60-60-68 stages, six tire sets, 70s with 55% morning rain, 30% afternoon. It’s prime drafting weather, with mild temps setting up a pack race where one push can flip the script.
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Betting odds for Talladega
The Talladega odds have Ryan Blaney as the +950 favorite, so there is no shock for the three-time winner with a knack for the tri-oval’s draft. William Byron and Joey Logano sit at +1000, with Austin Cindric and Chase Elliott at +1200. Brad Keselowski and Kyle Larson are +1800, Kyle Busch and Bubba Wallace +2000, and Chris Buescher and Denny Hamlin +2200. Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, and Ryan Preece are +2500, Alex Bowman, Ross Chastain, and Tyler Reddick +2800, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. +3000.
Josh Berry and Carson Hocevar are +3500, Ty Gibbs, Erik Jones, Daniel Suarez +4000, and Todd Gilliland +4500. Austin Dillon and Justin Haley +5000, Noah Gragson and Zane Smith +5500, A.J. Allmendinger, Cole Custer, John Hunter Nemechek, and Shane van Gisbergen +6500.
Ryan Blaney Draws Upon Wife and Macho Man for Inspiration
Coming into this weekend’s race at Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney is looking up from the bottom in Round of 8 standings. After a disastrous last-place result at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last weekend because of a cut tire, the driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford is 31 markers below the cut line.
With only Martinsville Speedway after Dega to decide the Championship Four at Phoenix Raceway, Blaney is looking for some inspirational ways to help him succeed.
So, why not turn to WWE Hall of Famer “Macho Man” Randy Savage and the driver’s expectant wife, Gianna, to help out.
Macho Man Motivation
During a Media Availability session this week, the 2023 champion and 16-time NCS race winner shared an interesting take when asked about a quote Savage used during his wrestling career. Blaney used the phrase “unjustifiably in a position I’d rather not be in” when reflecting on his points position.
“I don’t think there is a person before or after him that could cut promos quite like that guy,” Blaney answered. “If I’m sitting at home and I’m bored, and maybe I’ve had a couple drinks, I will go watch Randy Savage interviews just because I think he was amazing (laughing). What was going through that man’s head, but that’s my favorite one.
“He keeps pulling out the creamer and unjustifiably in a position I’d rather not be in. But, the cream will rise to the top, and I hope that is what we can use for this weekend.
“I thought that was a perfect comparison to my situation, so, thank you, Mr. Savage.”
Much like Macho Man leaping off the top rope to claim victory over an opponent, Blaney has wrestled the steering wheel of his Ford to three wins at the 2.66-mile trioval of Talladega.
Expectant Wife Keeps it Real
Mrs. Gianna Blaney is expecting the couple’s first child. As the dad-to-be driver endures the pressures of making into the final four championship contenders, he already has the 24/7 job of being a husband. In a few months, he will add the role of Dad to his resume of life.
During the pregnancy, Blaney has watched the changes his wife has been going through. In doing so, it’s added a different view to life not all about race cars and going fast.
“If I have a bad day in my job, that’s one thing,” Blaney said. “But it has put it into perspective for me watching my wife go through having a child grow inside of her, of things that she has to deal with too from that level.
“The way that she’s been able to overcome things that her body is changing and things that maybe aren’t ideal that come up through her pregnancy that she has to deal with, and just how do we move forward together. I think you just realize that there are bigger things out there.
“Your job is obviously important, but other things are just as important if not more, so Gianna has honestly been amazing. It puts it into perspective for me like, ‘Hey, if I have a tough day, it’s nothing compared to if she has a tough day’ because she is having to deal with this and making sure that our child is all good and that she is being healthy.”
Dega Prep no Different
Blaney and the Jonathan Hassler led team know their points situation before Sunday’s race at Talladega. For some, it could cause them to alter how they ready for the weekend when it comes to practice, qualifying and the race itself.
For the No. 12 Ford team, they know what needs to done.
“It stinks where we are on points, but we’ve still got two races left and I don’t personally think we are in a must-win quite yet,” Blaney said. “At Talladega, you never know what can happen. Our prep is really no different.
“It’s how do we try to be efficient through the stages and gather up all the stage points. That could change. Let’s say the first two stages don’t go our way and, alright, maybe now it’s a must-win type scenario.
“That might switch up a little bit. But, as far as our prep this week, it’s kind of business as usual and try to go gather the most points we can and go try to figure out a way to win the race.”
Green flag is 2 p.m. ET on NBC-TV, MRN and Sirius XM Radio Ch. 90 for NCS race.
RFK Star Makes Bold Call: Goodyear Change Could Rewrite Race Tactics
In the 2025 NASCAR season, Goodyear rolled out a new right-side tire to amp up wear and shake up strategies, debuting at Kansas in September and hitting Las Vegas in October. The goal?
More tire management, longer green runs, and smarter pit calls. Goodyear’s Justin Fantozzi called it a grip-speed balancer for tracks like smooth Kansas, opening fresh strategy doors in the push for dynamic racing. And now RFK’s Ryan Preece is dropping a bold hint on how this tire flip could totally rewrite the playbook.
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Preece’s pit strategy wake-up
In a recent interview, Preece laid it out straight: “A lot of us drivers have been talking about needing tire wear and how it changes race approach. Drivers from late models, like me and Chase Elliott, are used to managing long green-flag runs, so this falls into our wheelhouse.”
He’s spot on with Goodyear’s 2025 tweaks to right-side compounds, cranking up wear to force real adjustments over those marathon greens. Guys like Preece, schooled in late models where you nurse tires through aggressive hauls, thrive here. The Kansas and Vegas tests? Built for pit variability, testing who can stretch rubber without folding.
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Preece kept the heat on his RFK ride: “That was my best race car at RFK. Even after a penalty, we came out and charged all the way toward the top five. It shows how well our car handled long runs.”
Under these new compounds, tire savvy and setup let him bounce back fast at Vegas, slicing through traffic post-setback. Strong long-run machines turn penalties into pit stops, not race-killers, proving teams that nail the wear game flip the script.
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Then he nailed the fresh-tire fireworks: “Once fresh tires were on, it was go time. From 20th to 9th in the final laps, it really showed the strength of our car and how tire strategy can change the race.”
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After Goodyear’s tire gamble at Bristol, even Ryan Blaney had admitted, “The tires were interesting. No one expected that. I guess that’s what they want.”
The new wear shifts gears from babying rubber to unleashing hell on restarts, where Vegas conditions handed aggressive pushes to the prepared. Preece’s late charge spotlights the edge: master the compounds, and you own the close, turning strategy into straight firepower across the Cup grid.
Preece hit stride at Vegas last weekend, snagging ninth, his second top-10 in nine races.
Preece’s Roval rebound
Vegas vibes were high after his March third there, and five of his top-10s at those ovals landed in his last seven starts. But starting from the 16th, he grinded: 14th in Stage 1, then a dip to 31st in Stage 2.
Then a final-segment surge to ninth for the No. 60 RFK crew. That late rip from 31st? Pure tire strategy is paying off under the new Goodyear wear, letting him carve up the pack despite a speeding penalty that forced a scramble.
“We had that little opportunity with 15 to go, and we took advantage of it and drove from 20th to ninth. And really, I thought, probably could have been top six. I just need to be a little bit more patient with some of the things I’m learning, but I’m really proud of this Sysco/crumbl Ford Mustang,” he said post-race, tipping his hat to the team’s long-run hustle that echoes those late-model roots he hyped.
NASCAR CEO Defends Multiple Media Giants’ Ruling Over the Cup Series Schedule
The NASCAR Cup Series has reached new lows this season, with viewership stats plummeting on particular race days. For example, New Hampshire scraped 1.29 million, a 28% drop from 2024’s 1.88 million. Then the 1.87 million viewers of the Pocono event marked a 22% drop from the 2.4 million from last year. These numbers spurred waves of criticism in the garage and the community. Yet those waves did not reach NASCAR’s upper echelons.
NASCAR signed a lucrative media rights deal at the end of 2023, worth $7 billion. It collaborated with four partners – Fox Sports, NBC Sports, Amazon Prime, and TNT Sports – to broadcast the 2025 schedule. Despite ominous signs, the sport’s CEO is defending this eclectic media situation.
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A stubbornly optimistic view
Before 2023, NASCAR had not signed a TV deal since 2013. At that time, cable was in 100 million homes, and NASCAR was a strong anchor property across the cable ecosystem with FS1 and USA. Back in 2010, cable subscriptions topped 105 million. However, times have changed. 23% of Gen Z and 18% of millennials are planning to cut subscriptions within a year, with subscriptions dropping to 68 million in 2024. People are shifting to newer options, and hence, NASCAR wanted to diversify its content distribution strategy.
That is the logic that Jim France, CEO of NASCAR, presented recently to defend the media rights deal. Journalist Matt Weaver posted France’s opinion on X: “NASCAR Chief Brand Officer Tim Clark says there was trepidation over having five very diverse broadcasters, but that Jim France has touted having five of the biggest brands in broadcasting having incentive to push NASCAR is important. Says there were some surprises along the way.
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This conception directly contradicts the recent backlash the sport has received. Having five media partners in a single season was overwhelming for fans, who had to switch between apps and channels frequently. In 2024, FOX and NBC aired 20 of 36 Cup races over the air; now that has dropped to just nine. The Coca-Cola 600’s streaming debut on Amazon Prime registered a few high points, though. It peaked at 2.92 million, solid for digital but nowhere near cable success.
Yet even Nielsen Sports takes the NASCAR CEO’s side. Jessica Forrest, Group VP of Nielsen, a partner of the second edition of Racers Forum, put forward her views recently. “The hybrid approach that NASCAR has employed is critical in a time where media consumption is as fragmented as it is. I think it would be very tough for one rights holder to put all their eggs in one media distribution basket. That would also be very expensive for a media company.”
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Meanwhile, a rival motorsports series is expecting more growth in viewership.
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Partnering with a much-criticized media giant
Fox Sports has been at the receiving end of controversy in NASCAR. From choppy images of the Daytona 500‘s final lap to inconsistency in broadcasters’ comments and camera views, the media giant has not been popular among stock car racing fans. Yet ironically, it is doing well in IndyCar, the open-wheel racing series owned by Roger Penske. Fox covered the 17-race 2025 NTT IndyCar season, averaging 1,362,000 viewers according to Nielsen Media Research. This marked a +27% year-to-year increase from 2024 and the most-watched season in 17 years.
What is more, there was a massive lift in coveted demographics. There were bumps of +81% in P18-34 and +51% in P18-49. The season also saw huge increases with women viewers – F18-34 (+72%) and F18-49 (+30%). This elicited optimistic comments from IndyCar CEO Mark Miles recently. Matt Weaver posted on X: “IndyCar CEO Mark Miles touts the FOX deal and the continuity for series growth. “We doubled our 18-35 … so don’t tell us network TV, at least this network, can’t draw a younger audience.” Miles says Eric Shanks believes there’s a real momentum opportunity for 2026.”
Clearly, IndyCar is trundling down a more promising path in viewership. NASCAR, on the other hand, is not yet in safe waters – let’s wait and see if there are encouraging updates soon.
NASCAR leadership execs were worried about PGA, LIV-esque split
Bombshell text messages were revealed on Wednesday by 23XI Racing/Front Row Motorsports in a court filing in the teams’ antitrust case against NASCAR.
The messages, which were sent in June 2022, per Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports, are between NASCAR president Steve O’Donnell and executive vice president Ben Kennedy.
Texts reveal NASCAR leadership was scared of potential golf-esque split
O’Donnell appeared to be worried about NASCAR facing a split similar to what the PGA Tour and LIV Golf went through in 2022 — especially in light of the antitrust lawsuit that was brought forth in October 2024, which was floated around as a fringe possibility in 2024.
Michael Jordan & Co. Demand Lawsuit Trial Ahead of Settlement Calls With NASCAR
Looks like Michael Jordan and Co. aren’t going down without a fight. Even though the odds are stacked against them, their preliminary injunction being denied, and talks of a settlement looming large in the background, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have decided to take the bull by the horns. In a surprising twist to the NASCAR lawsuit, they’ve issued a scathing response to the sanctioning body’s motion for summary judgment, going as far as to say that the “disputed facts…must go to trial.”
The plaintiffs haven’t just tossed NASCAR’s olive branch aside; they’ve doubled down on their stance ahead of the scheduled December 2025 trial. Could this prove to be the turning point for the so-called rebellion, which has repeatedly suffered one setback after another? Time will tell.
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The NASCAR lawsuit takes an unexpected twist
Few have taken on NASCAR and lived to tell the tale. The France family has been ruling the sport with an iron fist for decades, choosing to do things their own way despite the relentless pressure from stakeholders. But in a surprising turn of events, filings this week revealed that the sanctioning body has been pushing for a judge-mediated sit-down. This means that, in simple terms, they don’t want the ongoing mess to go through a trial.
But 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are not having it.
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A statement shared by FOX’s Bob Pockrass read, “Much of the motion appears to be written exclusively for the press, as counsel for NASCAR surely knows that the arguments they are presenting are not a basis for granting summary judgment. Stock car racing is a sport, but litigation is not. NASCAR’s tired retread of arguments this Court has repeatedly rejected should be disposed of quickly.”
What this means is that 23XI and Front Row believe that NASCAR pays below-market terms to premier stock car racing teams, harming the value of the charters. Teams also don’t have the flexibility to race their vehicles in other stock car racing events because of the agreement with the sanctioning body. And even the racetracks owned by the France family can’t host other events, which circles back to the point about NASCAR’s “monopolistic practices.”
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However, the majority of the garage would prefer a settlement between the two parties. The reason is simple. For the 13 teams that put pen to paper in last year’s charter agreement, the entire NASCAR ecosystem is at stake. Team owner Joe Gibbs even issued an open letter to the court, going as far as to say, “It’s important for this to be resolved before any real damage is done to the sport.” However, the likelihood of an ‘agreement’ is slim to none under the current circumstances.
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Judge Bell warns about the danger of going to trial
The NASCAR world isn’t the only one calling for a settlement to be reached. U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell has also issued a stern warning, highlighting the dangers of going to trial. The possible outcomes could be 23XI and Front Row ceasing to exist, being forced to leave the sport entirely, or the charter system being completely overhauled. And neither outcome is particularly favorable to either party.
Judge Kenneth Bell didn’t mince his words, bluntly saying, “Until the jury comes back and we start talking — and only if they find for the plaintiffs, and we start talking about equitable remedies — nobody knows what ’26 is going to look like. Sponsors don’t know, drivers don’t know, broadcasters don’t know. Because if plaintiffs prevail, NASCAR is going to look very different. And that’s a lot of uncertainty for everybody.”
‘Pretty surreal.’ Covington native gets first NASCAR win in pit crew
After 13 years, NASCAR pit-crew member Drew Morgan got his first Victory Lane celebration.
Morgan, a Covington native and Ryle graduate, was a last-minute replacement for an injured teammate at the Bank of America ROVAL 400.
He was part of the team for driver Shane van Gisbergen, who won the race.
You never know when your number is going to be called. For some, the chance is immediate. Others must practice patience.
Drew Morgan, a Covington native and NASCAR pit-crew member for Trackhouse Racing, had to wait over a decade before his finest hour arrived on a sun-splashed Sunday afternoon in North Carolina.
After 13 years as an over-the-wall pit crew member, Morgan was thrust into the spotlight when a teammate was injured prior to the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Oct. 5.
When Trackhouse Racing’s No. 88 car, driven by Shane van Gisbergen, ultimately took the checkered flag, Morgan made his long-waited debut in Victory Lane.
“It’s Personal”: NASCAR’s Internal Text Messages Reveals Real Reasons Behind Anti-Trust Lawsuit
Just when everyone thought that NASCAR and the two teams, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, were ready to shake hands on the ongoing intense lawsuit, talks about reaching a settlement sliced through the legal chaos like a late-lap pass. The antitrust showdown could be approaching a finishing line, but not so soon. Five days before the ‘settlement’ hearing, the two teams dropped a bomb.
On Wednesday, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports disclosed explosive text messages in a court filing as part of their antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR. And thanks to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, the messages, sent three years ago, have come to light. Turns out, NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell and Executive Vice President Ben Kennedy have some pretty big reasons for making the teams sign the refined charter system last year.
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Steve O’Donnell’s texts reveal NASCAR’s must-win scenario
Believe it or not, the real reason behind the antitrust lawsuit is actually because of the deteriorating state of golf. The messages, shared between Steve O’Donnell and Ben Kennedy, revealed a sport on edge, looking nervously at golf’s appeal, where Saudi-backed LIV Golf lured top players away from the PGA Tour.
O’Donnell didn’t hold back. Sharing his thoughts about 23XI co-owner Curtis Polk, he said, “Curtis thinks we (NASCAR) are dumb hillbillies… I want to win, and I know you do as well. It is personal now — we are against a guy who doesn’t care one bit about this sport.” He laid out threats bare, from private equity players indifferent to short-term returns to international series run by teams themselves.
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He painted a doomsday scenario of guaranteed multi-million dollar payouts tempting drivers away, calling it a real threat that could devastate NASCAR if ignored. O’Donnell spelled out the stakes bluntly: “I don’t ever want to see you in that position. We need to lock ourselves in a room and war-game this thing. Future of the sport is on the line and we need to assume — unfortunately — that 30 of 36 drivers will leave us and all owners will leave us… if we don’t want that to be the case, what should we do? And what do we really think is fair?”
Ben Kennedy’s replies struck a similarly strategic chord, but with a focus on opportunity. A scenario planning paired with revenue diversification. He wrote about broadening NASCAR horizons beyond broadcast deals into international markets, sports betting, and even NFTs, framing the challenge as both defensive and creative.
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“No one has the answers, but feels like we need someone constantly thinking about it,” Kennedy emphasized, underlining the need for a forward-looking mindset in a rapidly evolving sports landscape. The off-site O’Donnell suggested, gathering trusted executives to play out every possible scenario, was positioned as the first step in outsmarting potential deception.
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And that is exactly when the charter system had a shake-up. The charter system, established in 2016, functions similarly to the franchise agreements and other professional sports, guaranteeing teams a starting position in each race and a share of the revenue, which generates $1.5 billion.
Last year, NASCAR presented a take-it-or-leave-it charter agreement to the teams with a tight deadline for signing. While 13 of 15 teams agreed to the new terms, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports refused to sign, citing unfair terms and the lack of permanent charters. They argued that the system was monopolistic and restricted their ability to negotiate better financial terms.
Consequently, these two teams filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, alleging violations of competition laws. However, the internal texts reflect a deep concern over the potential for teams to break away and for competing series to disrupt the scene, just like the golf world experienced with the emergence of LIV Golf.
The text also revealed the NASCAR fight was not purely financial; it was deeply personal. This blend of business acumen and personal determination shows why the NASCAR antitrust lawsuit is not just about contracts or revenue streams; it is about protecting the soul of the sport. But with NASCAR recently pushing for a settlement and Steve O’Donnell refusing to take on the “monopoly accusations,” hoping to avoid the Dec 1 trial altogether, 23XI and FRM are fighting back.
23XI and FRM push for the December trial, disregarding the settlement agreement
In a twist this week, court filings revealed that the two teams aren’t seeing eye to eye with the idea of a judge-led settlement meeting. FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass reported, “ Much of the motion appears to be written exclusively for the press, as counsel for NASCAR surely knows that the arguments they are presenting are not a basis for granting summary judgment. Stock car racing is a sport, but litigation is not. NASCAR’s tired retread of arguments this Court has repeatedly rejected should be disposed of quickly.”
Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing team’s filings underline the core of the team’s complaints. Firstly, they argued that NASCAR pays below-market rates to top-tier teams, which undermines the value of their charters. On top of that, teams lack the flexibility to race in other stock car events due to NASCAR agreements, and even tracks owned by the France family can’t host independent events. Together, these restrictions feed into the teams’ allegations of NASCAR’s monopolistic practices.
But with 13 of the other teams urging NASCAR and 23XI/FRM to mend fences as soon as possible, October 21 couldn’t come fast enough.
ALCS history: Winners, key stats on the MLB playoff series
MLB altered its playoff structure in 1969 and established the League Championship Series. The LCS is a showdown between the winners of the Division Series to determine which team will represent its respective league – American League and National League – in the World Series. Baseball expanded both the ALCS and NLCS in 1985, from a best-of-five series to a best-of-seven format.
The New York Yankees defeated the Cleveland Guardians in the 2024 ALCS. In 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees in a 3-1 ALDS series to reach the 2025 ALCS. The Seattle Mariners defeated the Detroit Tigers in the longest winner-take-all postseason game in MLB history to punch their ticket to the 2025 ALCS.
Here’s a look at notable stats from ALCS history:
Franchise with the most appearances
New York Yankees, 19
Franchise with the most games
New York Yankees, 99
Franchise with the most wins
New York Yankees, 54
Franchise with the most series wins
New York Yankees, 12
Franchise with the fewest series wins
Seattle Mariners, 0 (reached the ALCS in 1995, 2000, 2001, and 2025)
Player with the most games
Derek Jeter, 54
Player with the most at bats
Derek Jeter, 226
Player with the highest batting average
Fred Lynn, .517
Player with the most hits
Derek Jeter, 58
Player with the most home runs
Manny Ramirez, 10
Player with the most RBIs
Bernie Williams, 33
Player with the most runs
Derek Jeter, 32
Player with the most stolen bases
Rickey Henderson, 16
Pitcher with the most games
Mariano Rivera, 33
Pitcher with the most wins
Dave Stewart, 8
Pitcher with the most losses
Doyle Alexander, 4
Pitcher with the most saves
Mariano Rivera, 13
Pitcher with the lowest ERA
Blue Moon Odom, 0.40
Pitcher with the most strikeouts
Mike Mussina, 66
Manager with the most wins
Joe Torre, 27 (6-1 in seven ALCS appearances with the Yankees)
All-time winners list
2024 – New York Yankees
2023 – Texas Rangers
2022 – Houston Astros
2021 – Houston Astros
2020 – Tampa Bay Rays
2019 – Houston Astros
2018 – Boston Red Sox
2017 – Houston Astros
2016 – Cleveland Indians
2015 – Kansas City Royals
2014 – Kansas City Royals
2013 – Boston Red Sox
2012 – Detroit Tigers
2011 – Texas Rangers
2010 – Texas Rangers
2009 – New York Yankees
2008 – Tampa Bay Rays
2007 – Boston Red Sox
2006 – Detroit Tigers
2005 – Chicago White Sox
2004 – Boston Red Sox
2003 – New York Yankees
2002 – Anaheim Angels
2001 – New York Yankees
2000 – New York Yankees
1999 – New York Yankees
1998 – New York Yankees
1997 – Cleveland Indians
1996 – New York Yankees
1995 – Cleveland Indians
1993 – Toronto Blue Jays
1992 – Toronto Blue Jays
1991 – Minnesota Twins
1990 – Oakland Athletics
1989 – Oakland Athletics
1988 – Oakland Athletics
1987 – Minnesota Twins
1986 – Boston Red Sox
1985 – Kansas City Royals
1984 – Detroit Tigers
1983 – Baltimore Orioles
1982 – Milwaukee Brewers
1981 – New York Yankees
1980 – Kansas City Royals
1979 – Baltimore Orioles
1978 – New York Yankees
1977 – New York Yankees
1976 – New York Yankees
1975 – Boston Red Sox
1974 – Oakland Athletics
1973 – Oakland Athletics
1972 – Oakland Athletics
1971 – Baltimore Orioles
1970 – Baltimore Orioles
1969 – Baltimore Orioles
Orioles reportedly interested in MLB veteran Albert Pujols for open managerial position
Add the Orioles to the list of teams with interest in future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols for their open managerial position. The O’s have expressed interest in Pujols but have yet to formally interview him, according to ESPN. The MLB veteran is reportedly also in talks with the Angels, his longtime team, about their opening.
Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias was a scout with the Cardinals when Pujols starred in St. Louis as a player.
Expected to contend for the World Series this year, Baltimore instead went 75-87 and finished in last place in the AL East. Erstwhile manager Brandon Hyde was fired with the team’s record sitting at 15-28 on May 17. The O’s played better under interim manager Tony Mansolino (60-59), but not better enough to stop Elias from looking for a new full-time skipper.
MLB manager tracker: Padres’ job becomes eighth opening as Mike Shildt retires
R.J. Anderson
Pujols, 45, retired following the 2022 season and last year won a championship with Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Winter League. It was his managerial debut. Pujols is slated to manage the Dominican Republic in next spring’s World Baseball Classic.
In parts of 22 seasons, Pujols batted .296/.374/.544 with 703 home runs and 117 stolen bases. He is an 11-time All-Star who won three MVPs, two Gold Gloves, six Silver Sluggers, and two World Series titles. Pujols will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2028.
Kyle Tucker Sends Message to Chicago Before MLB Free Agency
The Chicago Cubs came one game short of reaching the NLCS after losing to the Milwaukee Brewers in five games during the divisional round. As Chicago prepares for 2026 with hopes of remaining in playoff contention, the front office will be committed to retaining star outfielder Kyle Tucker. The Cubs acquired Tucker during the offseason last year in a blockbuster trade with the Houston Astros.
Although Tucker had his share of ups and downs, he still played a major role in helping Chicago return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Over 136 games, the 28-year-old slugger posted a .266 batting average, .377 on-base percentage, .841 OPS, 22 home runs, 73 RBIs and 25 stolen bases.
As Tucker prepares for MLB free agency, he took to Instagram to send a message to the city of Chicago for embracing him in his first, and possibly only, season with the organization.
“Thank you Chicago for riding with us all year long! Y’all’s support was there no matter what and we couldn’t have done it without you. #FlyTheW 🐻,” Tucker wrote.
While Tucker seemingly appreciated his time with the Cubs, the star will likely test out his options in free agency and sign with the organization that offers him the most lucrative contract. Tucker will likely be the highest prize on the free agent market, and every team in MLB could benefit from his bat in the lineup.
Tucker has been a consistent force throughout his eight-year career. He has never recorded an OPS under .800 in a full season and is still just 28 years old, signaling he has many more years of prime performance ahead.
His impact is undeniable, as Chicago went 78–58 with Tucker in the lineup during the regular season. While he dealt with some injury issues and a power dip in the second half, his overall production and track record remain strong. He is a four-time All-Star, as well as a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Award winner. Chicago’s front office has expressed interest in re-signing Tucker, though the club is expected to face competition from other teams around the league.
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Only one more sleep until the NFL Week 7 slate starts on Thursday night between the Steelers and the Bengals. This game admittedly lost a little bit of luster once Joe Burrow went down for the Bengals, but newly acquired QB Joe Flacco at least gives them a fighting chance.
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NFL First TD Second Chance Promo on BetMGM
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How to Watch Blue Jays vs Mariners ALCS Game 3: Live Stream MLB Postseason, TV Channel
The Seattle Mariners return home in control of the ALCS, needing two more wins over the Toronto Blue Jays to reach their first World Series, with Game 3 set for Wednesday at T-Mobile Park.
How to Watch Blue Jays vs Mariners
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Channel: FOX Sports 1
Stream: Fubo (TRY FOR FREE)
The Mariners finished off a two-game sweep at Toronto on Monday night with a 10-3 victory, with Jorge Polanco coming up big again.
Polanco’s three-run homer in the top of the fifth inning gave Seattle a 6-3 win. Julio Rodríguez belted a three-run shot in the top of the first before the Blue Jays battled back with two runs in the second and tied the game in the third. Josh Naylor also homered in the win, cracking a two-run blast in the seventh.
Trey Yesavage, dominant in a Game 2 victory in the ALDS against the New York Yankees, struggled, allowing five runs on four hits and three walks in four-plus innings. Nathan Lukes and Alejandro Kirk had RBI singles for the Jays in the loss.
George Kirby is scheduled to make his third start of the postseason for the Mariners on Wednesday. He took a pair of no-decisions in the ALDS win over the Detroit Tigers, allowing three runs with 14 strikeouts in 10 innings. Toronto turns to former Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber for Game 3. He allowed three runs, two earned, in just 2.2 innings in Game 3 against the Yankees, taking a no-decision in a 9-6 loss on Oct. 7.
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Subscribe to Fubo to watch the ALCS. Games 4-6 will air on FS1. If a Game 7 is necessary, that final game will air on FOX. Don’t miss out on this exciting series.
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MLB Star Makes History With ‘Abbott’ Cameo and 4 HR Game
Key Points
Kyle Schwarber made his acting debut on ‘Abbott Elementary’.
The cameo was filmed the same night Schwarber hit four historic home runs.
‘Abbott Elementary’ often features Philadelphia celebrities, connecting the show with local culture.
Philadelphia Phillies star Kyle Schwarber made his acting debut on tonight’s episode of Abbott Elementary—and it was filmed the same night he made history by hitting four home runs. While the Abbott cameo was pre-scheduled, Schwarber’s record-setting game wasn’t. But the writers of the Philadelphia-based ABC comedy worked Schwarber’s four-home-run game into the show and score a comedy grand slam in the process.
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Kyle Schwarber Guest Stars in ‘Ballgame’ Episode
Schwarber guest-starred on Wednesday’s Abbott episode titled Ballgame. When Ava (Janelle James) invites some of Abbott’s teachers to a Phillies game for Teacher Appreciation Day, Gregory (Tyler James Williams), Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter), Jacob (Chris Perfetti), Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis), Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph), and a reluctant Janine (Quinta Brunson) score the coveted seats.
While the teachers gear up for the game, Barbara flexes her inside baseball knowledge, hilariously calling herself a “baseball diva” and brazenly revealing the advice she plans to give Schwarber at the evening’s game.
The episode unravels with the razor-sharp comedy fans have come to expect from the ABC hit show, with the added bonus of a hilarious cameo by Schwarber. And while the script references the Phillies slugger hitting four home runs, the stat isn’t fiction—Schwarber’s cameo was filmed the same night he had his historic four-home-run game.
Kyle Schwarber Makes History Against the Braves
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Wednesday’s Ballgame episode of Abbott Elementary was filmed on August 28, 2025, at Citizens Bank Park. With Abbott’s cameras rolling, Schwarber hit not one, but four home runs—becoming just the 21st Major League Baseball player to do so and the fourth Phillies player to accomplish the feat. Not only did Schwarber make history that night, but the Phillies also beat the Atlanta Braves 19–4—and Schwarber made his acting debut.
Who else has guest-starred on Abbott Elementary?
Since Abbott Elementary is set in Philadelphia and based on creator and star Quinta Brunson’s real experiences in the Philadelphia public school system, the show frequently features the city’s most famous faces in guest appearances.
In addition to Schwarber, Philadelphia Eagles superfan Bradley Cooper has appeared on the show, as have former Eagles center Jason Kelce, quarterback Jalen Hurts, and the cast of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Prior to filming the historic episode, Brunson spoke at San Diego Comic-Con and said the show would be filming a “live event,” stating, “I do think that Philly sports fans will be very happy… and sports fans in general.”
Judging by the Phillies’ score that night and Schwarber’s epic performance, Philly sports fans aren’t the only ones who are happy—Abbott Elementary fans are too.
Mark Teixeira blames Democrats for government shutdown
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The government shutdown is more than two weeks old, and an MLB star turned congressional candidate is pointing the finger at Democrats on Capitol Hill.
Mark Teixeira, who launched his campaign for Texas’ 21st Congressional District in August, said the
MLB playoff takeaways: Blue Jays dominate Mariners in Game 3
Game 3 of the American League Championship Series was the only MLB postseason matchup taking place on Wednesday, as the Toronto Blue Jays dominated the Seattle Mariners 13-4 in an 18-hit performance to cut the series deficit to 2-1.
Here are the key takeaways from Wednesday’s game:
George Kirby allows a career-high eight runs in start
Kirby was roughed up by Toronto’s offense, allowing eight hits — including three home runs — and eight runs over just four innings. The eight runs marked a career high for him in a single game.
Despite a strong start — giving up just one hit and striking out two batters over the first two innings — things unraveled in the third, as Kirby surrendered five runs and lost control of the outing.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ties José Bautista in Blue Jays postseason history
Guerrero Jr. delivered a historic performance in Game 3, launching his fourth home run of the 2025 postseason. The blast tied José Bautista’s franchise record set in 2015 for the most homers in a single postseason.
On the night, Guerrero went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, including a solo home run off Kirby in the third inning and doubles in both the fifth and eighth innings.
Guerrero’s perfect hitting night was notable after he was hitless through the first two games of the ALCS, going 0-for-7.
Jason Kelce Dragged Into MAGA’s Bad Bunny Super Bowl Drama
Jason Kelce was forced set the record straight after getting tangled in MAGA’s uproar over Bad Bunny’s upcoming performance at the Super Bowl.
Social media lit up Tuesday with news that the retired NFL star had condemned MAGA for their outrage at Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl slot.
On Tuesday evening, Kelce, 37, clarified that he had never made such a statement.
“I normally don’t comment on things like this, but I feel I need to address that there are a number of accounts posting fake quotes and attributing them to me on this platform right now,” Kelce wrote on X.
The former Philadelphia Eagles center said he appreciated the community notes that had appeared on X posts to flag the false statement, which was also amplified by left-wing X accounts.
“But please know, unless you hear something directly from me via one of my platforms, it is not real,” he added.
A host of MAGA firebrands—including President Donald Trump himself—have lashed out at Bad Bunny’s upcoming Super Bowl appearance in Feb. 2026.
The president slammed the NFL’s decision to feature the Latino superstar—a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s hardline immigration policies—as “absolutely ridiculous” last week.
There has been widespread speculation about Kelce and his younger brother Travis’s politics, particularly since both are in relationships with outspokenly liberal women.
The older Kelce is married to podcast host Kylie Kelce, who has said her views “aggressively lean” left. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis is engaged to pop star Taylor Swift—who became a frequent target of Trump after she endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024.
Like Kelce, legendary guitarist Carlos Santana had to step in after false reports claiming he had criticized Bad Bunny’s booking and offered to take his spot circulated this week.
“I congratulate and celebrate Bad Bunny‘s success and his position right now with the world and with the Super Bowl,” Santana said in a statement. “I feel total oneness with what he’s doing because we are here to utilize art to complement and bring the world closer to harmony and oneness.”
2 Alabama alumni lose their NFL roster spots
Former Alabama players Javon Baker and Darrian Dalcourt lost their NFL roster positions on Tuesday. Both players had been members of practice squads.
The Philadelphia Eagles released Baker. The Carolina Panthers released Dalcourt.
Baker played in 11 games, caught one pass and returned three kickoffs last season for the New England Patriots, who had chosen the wide receiver from UCF in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Baker caught nine passes for 116 yards and one touchdown in two seasons at Alabama before posting 108 receptions for 1,935 yards and 12 touchdowns in two seasons at UCF.
Baker did not survive the roster cut from the preseason to the regular season with New England in August and joined the Philadelphia practice squad on Sept. 5.
Baker’s release on Tuesday came after the Eagles released former Alabama cornerback Eli Ricks from their practice squad on Monday. Philadelphia has waived or released Ricks five times since Aug. 26.
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Like Baker, Dalcourt is in his second NFL season. But the guard has never played in an NFL regular-season game and now has been released three times in the past seven weeks.
Dalcourt spent last season on the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad as an undrafted rookie. When he failed to make the Ravens’ regular-season roster in August, he signed with the Washington Commanders for practice-squad duty. But two weeks in, Dalcourt got hurt and was released on Sept. 16.
On Oct. 7, the Panthers picked up Dalcourt for their practice squad. But one week later, Carolina released him.
Ranking all 32 NFL teams entering Week 7 of the season
The Kansas City Chiefs are back on top of our weekly power rankings because they’re the NFL’s most complete team. Patrick Mahomes has the offense firing on all cylinders again, ranking among the top third in yards per play (5.7) and fifth in offensive efficiency (0.12 expected points added per play, a measure of how much each snap adds to scoring chances). Add in a solid defense that is playing particularly well on third down, and it’s clear why they’re back in the contenders mix.
Plus, they’re about to get even stronger. Wide receiver Rashee Rice’s six-game suspension has ended, giving Mahomes another weapon and making an already balanced offense even more explosive.
As a reminder: These rankings differ from most of our counterparts’ in that they are not tied to win-loss records or nonquantifiable ideas such as momentum or positive vibes. They are simply a reflection of what our model says are the best teams in the NFL right now and how they should be expected to perform moving forward.
Top contenders
1. Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)
2. Green Bay Packers (3-1-1)
3. Detroit Lions (4-2)
4. Seattle Seahawks (4-2)
5. Los Angeles Rams (4-2)
6. Buffalo Bills (4-2)
The Packers have lost some luster since their Week 1 win over Detroit, but they deserve the No. 2 spot because they’re quietly playing like a powerhouse on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Jordan Love has the offense running efficiently (5.8 yards per play, eighth), and Green Bay is holding opponents to just 4.4 yards per play, the second-best mark in the NFL.
Seattle bounced back in a big way after last week’s loss to Tampa Bay. The Seahawks’ defense dominated Jacksonville, sacking Trevor Lawrence seven times and shutting down big plays all game. Even with key injuries in the secondary, the Seahawks looked fast and aggressive again. Plus, quarterback Sam Darnold played smart football and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba torched the Jaguars for 162 yards and a touchdown. Mike Macdonald’s team is 4-2 overall and 3-0 on the road, with underlying metrics that show they’re a legitimate contender.
The Bills didn’t fall far in these power rankings after losing Monday night at Atlanta for their second loss in a row. They were missing key players on both sides of the ball and, while the first half was ugly, the defense allowed just three points after halftime. Most of Buffalo’s problems Monday night – penalties, turnovers and a few bad play calls – are fixable.
Strong challengers
7. Indianapolis Colts (5-1)
8. Houston Texans (2-3)
9. Philadelphia Eagles (4-2)
If you know a Philadelphia fan of any sport, you should check in to see if they need a hug. The latest gut punch was the Eagles’ 34-17 loss at the New York Giants on Thursday night, which showed their offense may have lost its spark. Jalen Hurts isn’t getting much help, and running back Saquon Barkley has barely touched the ball lately.
The Colts’ offense has been sharp, but their defense gives up too many long drives, holding them back from a higher ranking. They win by outscoring opponents, not by stopping them. Until the defense tightens up, they will look more like a fun team to watch than a true contender.
Houston’s placement here will surprise some, but the Texans’ record doesn’t show how well they have played. Their defense ranks among the league’s most efficient outside the red zone, and they limit opponents’ big plays. Plus, the offense moves the ball better than average, even if it hasn’t always finished drives.
Solid playoff teams
10. Washington Commanders (3-3)
11. Denver Broncos (4-2)
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1)
13. Los Angeles Chargers (4-2)
Despite a 5-1 record, Tampa Bay remains outside the top 10 in our model. That’s in part because of the Buccaneers’ success being driven by unsustainably high non-red-zone offensive performance (43.9 expected points added, fifth most per TruMedia). Their red-zone efficiency (minus-1.8 EPA) and negative success-rate differential (minus-2 percent) indicate a reliance on explosive plays and defense rather than consistent offensive execution. They will be tested by an upcoming schedule that includes four of five games on the road, including against the Lions, Bills and Rams.
Denver has an offense that ranks near the bottom in success rate (38 percent, 26th) and third-down conversion (37 percent, 24th), meaning the Broncos’ wins largely have hinged on unsustainable defensive dominance.
In the hunt for playoff spots
14. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1)
Mike Tomlin has the Steelers rolling again after Aaron Rodgers started slow this week but caught fire in the second half, throwing two touchdown passes to help Pittsburgh beat Cleveland, 23-9. Why so low on these power rankings? Because their plus-12 point differential is what we would expect from a 3-2 team, not one that is 4-1. The team’s net success rate – its ability to move the chains and score – is also underwater (minus-3 percent) and in the bottom third of the NFL (24th, per TruMedia).
Average teams
16. New England Patriots (4-2)
17. Minnesota Vikings (3-2)
18. San Francisco 49ers (4-2)
Quarterback Drake Maye has been great for the Patriots, but the rest of the team hasn’t separated itself from average. The Patriots are not moving the ball much better than their opponents, they struggle to finish drives in the red zone, and they aren’t winning the turnover battle. Three of their wins have been by six points or fewer.
Below-average teams
19. Dallas Cowboys (2-3-1)
20. Atlanta Falcons (3-2)
21. Arizona Cardinals (2-4)
22. New York Giants (2-4)
23. Chicago Bears (3-2)
24. Carolina Panthers (3-3)
Carolina is climbing the ranks because its offense is generating yards and success more consistently than its opponents’. On Sunday, the Panthers rode running back Rico Dowdle’s breakout performance to a win over his old team. Dowdle racked up 239 total yards against Dallas, a franchise record, and the Panthers’ defense stuffed the Cowboys’ ground game, allowing just 31 rushing yards. Lately, their efficiency on early downs and their ability to convert crucial third downs have bolstered their scoring chances. Their defense is improving and keeping games in reach even when the offense sputters.
Rebuilding phase or dealing with significant injuries
25. Miami Dolphins (1-5)
26. Las Vegas Raiders (2-4)
27. Cleveland Browns (1-5)
28. New Orleans Saints (1-5)
29. New York Jets (0-6)
30. Baltimore Ravens (1-5)
31. Cincinnati Bengals (2-4)
32. Tennessee Titans (1-5)
Things look bleak for this group, but it’s worth noting that the Ravens have a chance to move up if star quarterback Lamar Jackson returns from injury following their bye.
Charles Leno Jr. retires from NFL two years after wife’s miscarriage
Ten-year NFL veteran Charles Leno Jr. retired on Tuesday, two years after he and his family suffered a heartbreaking tragedy.
Leno, 34, announced his retirement in an emotional Instagram post on Tuesday, explaining that his wife, Jennifer, suffered a miscarriage on Oct. 14, 2023, which changed his entire perspective on life.
“We lost our precious daughter, Paitynn — our fourth baby girl,” the former Bears and Commanders left tackle wrote. That day changed everything for me. It changed the way I see life, the way I carry myself, and most of all, it changed what matters most to me.”
Leno said while he was extremely proud of his NFL accomplishments — including a 2018 Pro Bowl selection — the miscarriage fundamentally changed how he felt about playing football.
“But on that October day in 2023, something in me shifted,” Leno wrote. “I knew then that I was done with football. Not physically, but mentally and emotionally. My priority, my passion, my purpose had changed. My heart now belongs fully to my family. And I knew one day, when the time was right, I’d make it official.”
Leno was a seventh-round selection by the Bears out of Boise State in 2014, playing the first seven years of his career in Chicago, starting in at least 16 games five times.
He joined Washington before the 2021 season and played three seasons there, but suffered a calf injury at the end of 2023 and was released in March 2024. He did not sign with a team in either of the last two seasons.
Leno thanked the support of his, teammates, coaches, agent and family before concluding with how important being a father is to him.
“There’s nothing like the love of your daughters, nothing like the responsibility of raising them, protecting them, and being present for them,” Leno wrote. “That’s my purpose now. That’s my legacy.
“This isn’t goodbye — it’s just a new beginning. I love you, Paitynn. This one’s for you.”
Tua Tagovailoa comments rubbing veterans wrong way
Did you hear that Miami Dolphins‘ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa called out some unnamed teammate(s) following a devastating loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday? Yep, it’s true.
“I think it starts with the leadership and helping articulate that for the guys, and then what we’re expecting out of the guys,” Tagovailoa said. “We’re expecting ‘this.’ Are we getting that? Are we not getting that? We have guys showing up to player-only meetings late, guys not showing up to player-only meetings. There’s a lot that goes into that.
“Do we have to make this mandatory? Do we not have to make this mandatory? It’s a lot of things of that nature that we’ve gotta get cleaned up, and it starts with the little things like that.”
Some current and former NFL players didn’t care for how Tua handled his business here. Former Dolphins practice squad wide receiver – and teammate of Tua’s – DaeSean Hamilton said it’s the pot and the kettle.
“This dude…the starting QB…was late to the first team meeting during my 3 seconds on the Dolphins [laugh emojis] and everything was all cool in there,” Hamilton posted on X.
NFL Insider says veterans around the NFL aren’t happy with Tua Tagovailoa
James Palmer of The Athletic did some digging with his sources around the NFL this week and was told that what Tua did was beyond the pail.
“I talked to a lot of people around the league last night about this. Specifically wanted to talk to some veteran players that have been around for a long time and there were a few things that jumped out to me,” Palmer said. “One, universally everybody agreed, you don’t talk about what happens inside player-only meetings. You just don’t do it. And these guys have been around that I talked to for a long time.”
Palmer said that several veterans he spoke with think Tua’s comments were pointed and really directed towards one individual, even if we don’t know who that is yet.
“The second part I thought was interesting were two players separately told me there has to be somebody that he’s had it up to here with – that they’re not just late for the player-only meetings, but they’re late for everything,” Palmer said.
Of course, the first thought would be Tyreek Hill because it just is. But, that wouldn’t make a ton of sense since he’s out for the season.
Tua Tagovailoa’s comments are a bad look for Mike McDaniel
Regardless of where Tua’s comments were directed, the whole situation looks bad for general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel. It starts with Grier because he assembled this entire roster.
But, for McDaniel is really looks like he has no control over this team.
“Then Tua Tagovailoa stood at the podium saying Dolphins players were late for players-only meeting, calling them out in a public press conference,” CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr writes. “That’s a very bad look for the quarterback of the Dolphins and his head coach, who is fighting for his job every week.
“Miami has winnable games against Cleveland and Atlanta coming up, but does it matter? McDaniel seems to be a loss away from a change in leadership.”
Rams Trade Pitch Adds Chig Okonkwo Amid Puka Nacua Injury
The Los Angeles Rams are considering wide receiver Puka Nacua day-to-day with an ankle injury suffered during the win over the Baltimore Ravens, and they could use a trade to safeguard against an extended absence or any other negative developments.
CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin suggests just that, noting the precarious situation Nacua’s injury presents for the Rams.
However, the suggested target would not be a direct replacement or substitute for Nacua.
Rams Urged to Trade for Titans TE Chigoziem Okonkwo
Rather than target a receiver to fill in for Nacua should he miss extended time, Benjamin suggested the Rams bolster their tight end position. Benjamin named Tennessee Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo as a fitting target.
This Heavy Sports trade proposal aims to land Okonkwo with the Rams.
Rams get:
Chigoziem Okonkwo
Titans get:
2026 fifth-round pick
“Tyler Higbee just had a nice day for Los Angeles, but the former Super Bowl champion has been spotty this year after missing most of 2024 due to injury. Puka Nacua is also freshly banged up out wide, giving Sean McVay’s all-star unit a new dose of durability concerns. Enter Okonkwo, who’s one of the Tennessee Titans’ few legitimate trade chips thanks to a 71% catch rate for his career,” Benjamin wrote on October 14.
“He’s got dual value: as an immediate depth piece to aid Matthew Stafford’s passing attack, and as a potential long-term chess piece for McVay’s offense.”
Okonkwo is in the final year of his four-year, $4.1 million contract.
Chigoziem Okonkwo Having Career Year
Okonkwo has caught 23 passes for 213 yards. Okonkwo has yet to score this season. However, he is on track for a career-best line of 65 receptions and 617 yards. The versatile tight end has 161-1,675-6 for his career.
The Titans are 1-5 and could be targeted by teams like the Rams before the trade deadline.
That is on November 4, giving McVay and the Rams, who beat the Titans 33-19 in Week 2 of this season, two more games and the bye to sort through their options.
Nacua is expected to miss some time with his ankle injury.
The bye week is the X factor. It could allow Nacua – and Tutu Atwell, who missed Week 6 with a hamstring injury – to recuperate without the Rams risking losing any ground.
How quickly Nacua and the Rams’ other injured players can get healthy will likely determine how the Rams approach the 2025 trade deadline in general, let alone whether or not to pour more resources into the tight end position with needs at cornerback and, potentially, receiver.
Rams Boast Depth at Tight End
The Rams are not exactly hurting at the tight end position as the trade deadline approaches. In Week 6, Higbee tied his season high with four receptions to set new best marks for the campaign with 40 yards and his first touchdown of the year.
Higbee has a 10-102-1 line on the season and is on an expiring two-year, $17 million contract.
The Rams also have veteran backups Colby Parkinson (4-11-0) and Davis Allen (7-55-2). They also selected Terrance Ferguson (1-21-0) 46th overall in the 2025 draft.
The Rams have been linked to a proven tight end target on the trade market before. Ferguson has had trouble carving out a role. McVay has described tight end as a versatile position for the Rams. They have not typically leaned on it in the passing game, though.
Coach Prime’s Ex-Wife Nearly Missed Shedeur Sanders’ Browns Game but Settled the Score With His Father
When it came to the Sanders fam, they never had to look outside for validation. Shedeur Sanders walked into the NFL with a lot of hype. However, he had a rocky start in the pro league. He was technically inactive as the Browns’ emergency third quarterback for the first five games of the season. But the tables turned for the former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback. On Friday, October 10, Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski named Shedeur as QB2. Four days later, mom Pilar dropped a vlog where she revealed how she ran a race against time.
On October 4, Pilar posted important moments stitched to one vlog on Instagram. The caption read, “Shedeur named QB2 – BIG SHILO comes to show support!” Looking gorgeous with her curls as usual, the mother of two was seen walking beside Shilo. Pilar’s voice was revving with excitement as she said, “My baby… I got both of my boys. We barely made it to the stadium you guys. Happy mommy.”
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The game took place on October 12, Sunday at the Acrisure Stadium. Shedeur was the emergency third-string quarterback in the team’s first five games. Joe Flacco got the first four starts of the season, posting a 1-3 record, before being benched in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel, Cleveland’s No. 94 pick in this year’s draft. The move followed Cleveland’s narrow 21-17 loss to the Vikings. So, Pilar was all excited to be there for Shedeur’s big day.
She almost rushed to make it in time. And once Pilar was inside the stadium, the proud mommy was spotted having the best of times. She grabbed some hot dogs, popcorn, and a bottle of Gatorade and had the best companion for the game, her other son, Shilo. Pilar captured a funny moment, where the ex-Buffs safety mimicked Shedeur’s classic “watch flex” move. “I’m Shedeur today,” Shilo cheekily said.
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Pilar then captured the meet-up between the two brothers as the elder one kept pulling the quarterback’s leg. The trio even managed to pose for a picture. The smile on Pilar’s face said it all. The mom of three is super confident that Shedeur will start soon. Pilar uploaded a cooking video on Instagram.
That’s when a user commented, “Are you cooking all that for Shedeur being named QB2?” Pilar came up with a strong defense for her son. “For Shedeur’s yes – we know 2 has always been 1 – the matrix will try to make u believe anything hahahahah – never fall for tall tales.” While Shedeur owning the QB1 role is still a matter of time, Shilo gave Pilar a tough situation. This made the mom settle the score with her ex-husband.
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Pilar Sanders’ sharp response to Shilo’s imaginary situation ft. Deion Sanders
Given the current situation, had Pilar had the chance to sacrifice anything for Shedeur to receive the QB1 baton, she would have done it. Knowing his mom’s strong emotions, Shilo whipped up an imaginative scenario. As the trio caught up for a quick chat at the Acrisure Stadium, the ex-Buffs safety asked, “Alright, so how about this? What if Coach Stefanski said if you and dad (Deion Sanders) sit next to each other for a whole game, then Shedeur can start? Would you do it?”
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“Honey, you’re never getting in,” Pilar said while laughing. Yes, that’s it. A short and blunt answer is enough to give a glimpse of where things stand between Pilar and Deion. That’s how Pilar continues with her streak to grab the spotlight with every sideline entry she makes.
For Shilo’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the fashionista mom turned up donning a custom “28” outfit. Things had been going rough for Pilar at that time after Shedeur went unavailable for the Browns-Eagles game. But she ensured to lift herself up and her sons’ spirits. Earlier, Pilar was seen rooting for Shedeur wearing the “12” jersey. Wearing the “28’ jersey a week later, Pilar uploaded the clip with a sharp caption, “They say I’m Sassy…But that’s just the way I walk.”
Falcons Are Officially Buyers, Top Trade Targets To Fill ‘Biggest Need’
Rasul Douglas Miami Dolphins
Rasul Douglas is a veteran corner in this league. He didn’t have a team until just a few weeks before the start of his tenth NFL season when he was claimed by the Miami Dolphins. Given the 1-5 sinking ship that the Dolphins are, they are expected to be big time sellers.
From their edge rushers to their wide receivers, everyone is up for grabs. Douglas could be a perfect fit for the Dirty Birds and would come at a very low expense.
“There are likely a myriad of teams that would have liked to have added Douglas earlier based on his play in 2025. Doulgas has posted a 77.9 PFF coverage grade with three pass breakups across 161 coverage snaps, looking more like the standout player we saw in 2023,” writes Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker.
“At 1-5 and with persistent locker room turmoil, Miami will likely have a ‘for sale’ sign up. The 30-year-old rental could help the Falcons — who hold the worst PFF coverage grade at cornerback (47.1) — or the Bears, who are without Jaylon Johnson indefinitely.”
Cam Taylor-Britt Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals season ended with the Joe Burrow injury. They are losers of four straight and grasping at straws in an attempt to save the year. When they finally come to terms with the season they have been doomed to, I expect a full blown fire sale.
This will include the All Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. But I think an attractive piece is corner back Cam Taylor-Britt. The fourth year corner has been a starter since entering the league in 2022. He is in his fourth and final year of his rookie contract. This makes him both cheap, and expendable.
The Falcons are 27th in available cap space, so their options are limited this time of year. Bringing in a guy going into the final year of a cheap deal may be the only option.
Taylor-Britt is a depth piece on this current roster, but at 26-years-old if this coaching staff can get the most out of his ability he could become the a longer term piece.
Jonathan Owens Reveals Secret Tactic to Keep Simone Biles Close During NFL Games
If Simone Biles is at any NFL game, one can always spot her in custom-made apparel that shouts out her affection for Jonathan Owens. Just like she went to cheer for her husband with track pants highlighting Owens’ name and his jersey number at the Bears vs. the Commanders game. Not to mention her ‘Owens’ necklace that she proudly wears as a gesture of love for the Bears’ safety. But for Owens, his methods to keep Biles close on the field are a bit different. However, they certainly leave a lasting impression.
Prior to the big game between the Chicago Bears and the Washington Commanders, Owens got ready for Monday Night Football with GQ. He showed how his stylist, Marc Mogul, helped him choose his outfit. But all the attention soon shifted to the ring on his left ring finger. He showed his diamond-studded wedding ring and said, “And so, with my ring, I originally, I knew Simone. She wanted a oval shape cut. And so on my ring, I actually have ovals in the middle.” But he can’t always have his ring on when he is on the field.
And for those times, Jonathan Owens tattooed his wife’s initial ‘S’ on his ring finger. The NFL star stated, “But if I don’t have my ring on, though, like when I’m playing, that’s why I made sure I tattooed her initial right here. So, you know, she’s always with me.”
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Back in 2022, Jonathan Owens popped up with an engagement ring and proposed to Simone Biles. That ring was worth $300,000. And just like the 11-time Olympic medalist wanted, the ring had an oval-cut diamond, made by Zo Frost. As far as the specifications go, the Blue Nile’s Chief Merchandising Officer, Katie Zimmerman, claimed that it was a three-carat diamond with F color and a VVS2 clarity. But there’s more! She revealed that Owens actually wanted to add a special touch – A halo around the oval diamond.
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But would you believe if we told you that this $300,000 engagement ring wasn’t really the one from Biles’ first love? You read that right! There’s another ring that has charmed the world. But it’s not really from Owens.
Simone Biles’ ring from her first love
World Champions Centre, the gym owned by Biles’ parents, took to Instagram and shared a victory post following the gymnast’s win at the 2023 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Belgium. After all, Biles and Joscelyn Roberson stood out with their gold medals in he event. Well, Biles actually got four gold medals and a silver medal in Belgium. And to celebrate their victory, Word Champions Centre showed the presentation of their “World Champion” rings.
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This particular ring was made with a silver band, holding a blue stone at the center. And the best part? It was the words “World Champion” inscribed on the sides. Needless to say, Biles held this ring pretty close to her heart. But the question is – can this surpass the emotional stance of her engagement ring? Well, both have a strong stance in their own way. While she fell in love with gymnastics first, it holds a special spot in her heart. But so does Owens as her beloved husband. And it wouldn’t really be fair to make that comparison, don’t you agree?
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What do you think of the efforts that Jonathan Owens has put in to showcase his love for Simone Biles?
Football Star David Bell, 24, Retires After Being ‘Blindsided’ By ‘Off-Field Injury That Was Beyond My Control’
Cleveland Browns wide receiver David Bell announced his retirement from the NFL due to
Rangers are the 1st team in NHL history to be shut out in first 3 home games of a season
NEW YORK (AP) — Mika Zibanejad was at a loss for words after he and the New York Rangers made history Tuesday night by becoming the first team in NHL history to get shut out in each of its first three home games of the season.
“I don’t know whether to laugh or cry,” Zibanejad said after a 2-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. “I honestly don’t know.”
The Rangers’ 180-minute drought at Madison Square Garden is the second-longest to start a season at home, behind only the now-defunct Pittsburgh Pirates in 1928. They went the first 187:19 without a goal at Duquesne Gardens before Hib Milks scored in the third period of their home game.
The previous longest in modern era among teams that still exist was 155:17 by the Florida Panthers in 2001.
“This is a unique start to a season,” captain J.T. Miller said. “It sucks that we had a couple games where we feel like we’ve really thrown a lot at the other team and we’re not getting rewarded.”
Artemi Panarin had an early chance all alone in front against Edmonton that was stopped by Stuart Skinner. Will Cuylle also got the puck on net after an Oilers turnover only to be turned aside, and fourth-liners Adam Edstrom and Matt Rempe had quality opportunities on the edge of the crease.
“We can all go home and sleep well knowing we played another good home game,” Miller said. “We’re competitors. We want to win. We’d love to see the puck go in the net. Right now, it’s not.”
Sam Carrick, who arguably was one of New York’s best players, almost scored with 2:31 left, but Skinner flashed his glove to make the save.
None of those shots made it over the goal line, and a couple of other attempts rang off the crossbar and out.
“We have two crossbars that go crossbar or post that goes right by the goal line,” Zibanejad said. “I think we’re creating lots of chances. I think there’s enough high-danger chances that we’re creating, but we’re not scoring. Simple.”
The Rangers have failed to score score on their first 90 shots on goal at home, and fans booed at one point when they came up empty on consecutive power plays.
“You’re dying to give the fans a reason to cheer,” Carrick said. “They support us every night hugely here. Obviously they want to come and see goals. That’s the frustrating part.”
They’ll have to wait nearly a week for their next game on home ice. New York goes on the road for games at Toronto and Montreal before returning to host Minnesota on Monday night. Every player who spoke after the Oilers game had the same train of thought about not abandoning the structure that contributed to winning twice on the road and being competitive.
“It’s on us to make sure that the mindset stays the same in here and we don’t go off the grid to find something,” Miller said. “We need to stay the course. Over time, results will come.”
___
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Trent Frederic scores, Stuart Skinner makes 30 saves as Oilers shut out Rangers
By STEPHEN WHYNO
Trent Frederic scored, Stuart Skinner stopped all 30 shots he faced and the back-to-back defending Western Conference-champion Edmonton Oilers beat the New York Rangers 2-0 on Tuesday night.
The Rangers became the first team in NHL history to get shut out in each of their first three home games of a season. Their 180-minute goal drought at Madison Square Garden is the second-longest, behind only the now-defunct Pittsburgh Pirates’ 187:19 in 1928.
Skinner joined Washington’s Charlie Lindgren and the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Arturs Silovs in blanking New York over the past eight days. His best save early came after Evan Bouchard turned the puck over, and Skinner denied Will Cuylle on a high-danger scoring chance in front. He also gloved a shot from Sam Carrick with 2:31 left.
Adam Henrique sealed it with an empty-netter with 1:08 left.
Igor Shesterkin turned aside 20 of the 21 shots the Oilers put on net. The only goal he allowed came midway through the second period when Kasperi Kapanen sprung Frederic in all alone past defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and beat Shesterkin five-hole.
New York had opportunities, including consecutive power plays that included 12 seconds of five-on-three time. Fans booed late in the second of those after Edmonton cleared the puck down the ice and again later to express their dissatisfaction.
The Rangers kept three-time MVP Connor McDavid and longtime running mate Leon Draisaitl off the scoresheet, just as they did with Sidney Crosby last week. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch split McDavid and Draisaitl for the third after playing them together in each of the first two games of the season and the opening two periods on Tuesday night.
UP NEXT
Oilers: Visit the New York Islanders on Thursday night.
Rangers: Visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night.
Rangers Make History in Record-Breaking Home Goal Drought
The New York Rangers have opened the 2025-26 season mired in a frustrating home goal drought.
Through three games at Madison Square Garden, the Blueshirts have yet to score a goal in front of home fans. A whopping 180 minutes have gone by without the Rangers netting a home ice lamp-lighter. This is the first time in NHL history that a team has opened its first three home games without scoring.
On Tuesday, the Rangers lost 2-0 to the Edmonton Oilers on home ice despite outshooting the visitors 30-22.
“The message was that we have to make sure that we don’t get discouraged,” head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters following the defeat. “Because there’s a lot to like with our game over the last six periods.”
Some fans let out their anger at the final buzzer, though the Rangers have played more purposeful hockey and demonstrated much-improved structure under their newly-installed bench boss.
“I feel like we’re controlling play, we’re controlling territory, we’re limiting shots and scoring chances,” Sullivan said. “We’re generating a fair amount of our own on the other end of the rink.”
The Rangers are 2-3-0 through Sullivan’s first five games since being named the franchise’s 38th head coach in team history.
Rangers Did Plenty Right and Kept McDavid, Draisaitl Quiet
On Tuesday, the Rangers excelled at limiting scoring opportunities for Edmonton’s top stars. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were held to a combined three shots.
The Rangers can point to several positive trends throughout the contest. There were opportunities at even strength and on the power play where they came as close as humanly possible to lighting the lamp, yet there was no goal siren sounded and no blaring of “Slapshot,” the Rangers’ goal song.
During the second period, center Sam Carrick rang the crossbar on a rush that was agonizingly close to getting the Blueshirts on the board. The Rangers had plenty of high-danger opportunities and went 0-for-3 on the power play.
“We’re getting a lot of chances,” captain J.T. Miller said. “This is a unique start to the season in a sense of a couple of games where we feel like we’ve really thrown a lot together and we’re not getting rewarded. So, I think it’s on us to make sure that the mindset stays the same in here. The results will come.”
Carrick and fellow fourth liners Adam Edstrom and Matt Rempe excelled at taking away opportunities from Edmonton and generated more offensive looks than the Rangers’ scoring lines.
The Rangers had one bad defensive blemish, and it cost them.
Trent Frederic took advantage of the Rangers leaving a lane open through the middle and scored the game’s opening goal at 10:22 of the first period. Adam Henrique added an empty-net goal at 18:52 of the third period.
Unlucky Shesterkin Has Played Exceptionally To Open Season
Goaltender Igor Shesterkin has posted all-world numbers through his first four games of the new campaign by recording a .972 save percentage and a 0.76 save percentage.
On Tuesday, the 29-year-old netminder turned aside 20 of 21 Edmonton shots. You can’t ask for more than what the former Vezina Trophy winner is offering between the pipes. Despite his best efforts, his record stands at 2-2-0.
The ingredients are there for the Rangers to start stringing together wins. Shesterkin has been masterful. As a team, the Blueshirts are defending well in units of five and generating enough scoring chances on a nightly basis.
At some point, the Rangers’ goalscoring luck will turn in the other direction. You can’t keep doing all the right things and not get rewarded.
Mailbag: Slow starts for Sabres, Islanders; chances Rangers re-sign Panarin
The first week of games is filled with overreactions. Are there any that you feel might have some weight to them? And are there any that are simply that — an overreaction? — @WagnerHimself
It is not an overreaction to be concerned about the Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders three games into the season. They’re both 0-3-0. The Sabres have scored two goals in their three games; losing 4-0 to the New York Rangers, 3-1 to the Boston Bruins and 3-1 to the Colorado Avalanche. The Islanders have allowed 13 goals in their three games; losing 4-3 to the Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-2 to the Washington Capitals and 5-2 to the Winnipeg Jets.
Matthew Schaefer, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, has been an obvious bright spot for the Islanders with three points (one goal, two assists) and ice time that has increased in each of the three games. The defenseman has played 26:04 and 26:35 the past two games, respectively. But goalie Ilya Sorokin hasn’t looked comfortable yet and center Mathew Barzal looks like he’s re-adjusting to NHL game speed after missing 52 games last season, including the last 31. None of their forward lines seem to be clicking. Five teams in the Metropolitan Division have at least two wins; the Islanders have zero. You can’t get too far behind in October and expect to climb back into it. They need a win when they play the Edmonton Oilers at UBS Arena on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU, SN360).
Things are arguably more concerning in Buffalo. The Sabres are 0-3-0 for the second straight season. They’re dealing with debilitating injuries; goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body), forwards Josh Norris (upper body), Zach Benson (upper body) and Jordan Greenway (middle body), and defenseman Michael Kesselring (undisclosed) are out. Beyond that, we’re hearing complaints from coaches and players about compete level and incomplete efforts all around, which is always bad news for a team. This isn’t about the Sabres history of not making the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2011. Forget about that for a moment if you can. This is a repeat of things that went wrong early last season that the Sabres could not recover from. It’s not an overreaction to think or worry that the same thing is happening again.
I’m seeing a lot of panic in Hockeytown. Are the concerns for the Red Wings real? — @mugnoma
It was easy to conclude that there was panic in Detroit after the Red Wings lost 5-1 to the Montreal Canadiens in their season-opener on Thursday.
Snuggerud adapting quickly to life in NHL with Blues
Jimmy Snuggerud got a crash course in life in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues last season. He believes using what he learned in 14 games between the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs will provide a foundation for him to be a fixture as a top-six forward.
NHL On Tap: Kane, Red Wings aim to stay hot against Panthers
Kane consistency
The Detroit Red Wings (2-1-0) are on a roll after sweeping a home-and-home series against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday (6-3) and Monday (3-2) and want to maintain the momentum when they host the Florida Panthers (3-1-0) in the opener of an “NHL on TNT” doubleheader (7 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, TNT, TVAS). Detroit forward Patrick Kane has four points (one goal, three assists) in three games this season and needs 27 points to tie Mike Modano as the most prolific United States-born scorer in League history. The 36-year-old leads active players with 1,347 points (493 goals, 854 assists) in 1,305 regular-season games. Modano had 1,374 points (561 goals, 813 assists) in 1,499 games with the Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars and Red Wings from 1989-2011.
Buffalo boost
Zach Benson could make his season debut for the Buffalo Sabres (0-3-0) against the Ottawa Senators (1-2-0) in the second of a three-game homestand (7 p.m. ET; MSG-B, SN1, RDS). Benson, a forward who sustained a facial injury during practice on Oct. 8, was working on a line with center Tage Thompson and right wing Alex Tuch in practice on Tuesday. Forward Jordan Greenway (middle body) and goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) also practiced but are not expected to play. Buffalo has been outscored 10-2 in its opening three losses, and coach Lindy Ruff said Tuesday he needs to see more effort from his team. Rasmus Dahlin, who has had multiple assists in 49 games, looks to become the second defenseman in Sabres history to reach 50, following Phil Housley (77).
Sam I am
Sam Rinzel is putting every Calder Trophy voter for NHL rookie of the year on notice. The Chicago Blackhawks defenseman, who is in a top-pair role with Alex Vlasic, has one goal and leads his team in blocked shots (eight) and average ice time per game (21:12) through four games. The 21-year-old right-handed shot, who can quarterback the top power-play unit and kill penalties, will look to continue his impressive start to the season when the Blackhawks (1-2-1) play at the St. Louis Blues (2-1-0) in the nightcap on TNT (9:30 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, TNT).
Point man
Utah Mammoth forward Dylan Guenther had an assist in a 3-1 loss at the Blackhawks on Monday to extend his season-opening point streak to three games (four points; two goals, two assists) and become the third Utah player to achieve that, joining Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley, who each did it to begin last season. The 22-year-old right wing, who is coming off NHL career highs in goals (27), assists (33) and points (60) last season, will look to make it four straight games with at least a point when the Mammoth (1-2-0) host the Calgary Flames (1-2-0) at Delta Center (9:30 p.m. ET; Utah 16, SN360).
Surging Snuggerud
Jimmy Snuggerud looks like the next big rookie forward for the Blues. The 21-year-old right-handed shot scored two goals in a 5-2 win against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday and has three points (two goals, one assist) in three games in a middle-six role. He became the NHL’s first rookie with a multigoal outing in 2025-26 and the Blues’ first rookie with a game-winner since Jake Neighbours (March 23, 2023, against the Red Wings). Snuggerud looks to build on his hot start when the Blues host the Blackhawks.
Sandin-Pellikka adapting quickly to NHL as Red Wings rookie
Axel Sandin-Pellikka needed five games to know how much he didn’t know about playing professional hockey in North America.
But three games into his NHL career, the Detroit Red Wings defenseman has proven to be a quick learner.
The 20-year-old enters a game against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, TNT, TVAS) looking for his first point, but he’s third on the Red Wings with an average ice time of 21:02.
What’s helped Sandin-Pellikka make what appears to be a smooth adjustment to the NHL was the experience he got with Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League to end last season.
Once his season with Skelleftea in the Swedish Hockey League ended, Sandin-Pellikka had one assist in two regular-season AHL games and played in all three of Grand Rapids’ playoff games. It showed him how much more work he needed to do to reach his goal of playing in the NHL.
Furious Wild comeback falls just short in Dallas
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DALLAS – A determined offensive push by the Minnesota Wild came too late, in this case.
Trailing the Stars by a trio of goals, Minnesota threw everything at its disposal toward the Dallas net in the final period, but despite the work of its NHL-best power play, came up just short.
Third period man-advantage goals by Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy made it a nail-biter, but the Stars were able to hold on for a 5-2 win Tuesday night in north Texas.
Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger carried much of the load, stopping 38 shots as the Wild fell to 2-2-0 for the season, starting a long road trip on a down note. For Minnesota, goalie Filip Gustavsson had 20 saves in the loss.
Trailing 3-0 in the third, Minnesota pulled back within a goal, and outshot Dallas 16-4 in the final 20 minutes, only to see Radek Faksa and Roope Hintz score empty-net goals to squelch the drama.
While the power play for Minnesota has been a bright spot, the Wild have now gone three games without a 5-on-5 goal.
In the early going, the Wild looked nothing like a team that had played the night before and had gotten into their Texas hotel beds at 3 a.m. Tuesday morning. They pelted Oettinger with eight shots in the opening three minutes of the game, but the momentum was short-lived.
Dallas struck first just over five minutes into the game when an errant Vladimir Tarasenko pass was intercepted by Hintz, who fed defenseman Esa Lindell for a low shot through traffic that eluded Gustavsson.
When Minnesota took the first penalty of the game late in the first, Dallas needed 31 seconds of man advantage to double its lead. After Wild defenseman Jake Middleton lost his stick while guarding the front of the net, Stars forward Wyatt Johnston was able to walk around him and pop a shot into the top right corner of the net.
Despite being outshot 14-11 by its guests, Dallas took its two-goal lead into the first break.
Early in the middle frame, Minnesota killed all but seven seconds of the Stars’ second power play, but ended up in the three-goal hole thanks to an unfortunate bounce. With Zach Bogosian manning the top of the crease, Dallas forward Matt Duchene was able to bank a puck off the Wild defenseman’s skate and between Gustavsson’s knees.
Minnesota’s power play, which entered the game leading the NHL in efficiency, got its first opportunity of the night in the second period, and crowded Oettinger’s crease. But they came away empty after the goalie smothered a Kaprizov wrist shot from 12 feet out.
The Wild began the third period with 51 seconds of man advantage and spent all of that time in the offensive zone, with nothing to show for it on the scoreboard.
The handful of Minnesota fans at American Airlines Center finally had a reason to cheer when Middleton leveled Duchene with an open-ice hit in the neutral zone, then got in a scrap that ended with the Wild on a power play. They spoiled Oettinger’s attempt at a clean sheet when Zeev Buium’s shot from the blue line sailed through a crowd and was deflected by Boldy on the way to the back of the net.
Boldy, who has scored in every Wild game, became the first player in franchise history to open a season with a four-game goal streak.
Tuesday night’s game marked the Stars’ 32nd home opener since they moved to Texas in 1993. The franchise spent its first 26 seasons in the Twin Cities, playing home games in Bloomington as the Minnesota North Stars.
The Wild, who are in the midst of a five-game road trip – their second-longest of the season – have two days off before a 6 p.m. game on Thursday versus the Capitals in Washington.
Bussi makes 16 saves in NHL debut, Hurricanes cruise past Sharks
Sean Walker, William Carrier, Eric Robinson, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Jackson Blake all scored for the Hurricanes (3-0-0). Logan Stankoven had two assists.
William Eklund scored for the Sharks (0-1-2), and Alex Nedeljkovic made 38 saves. Michael Misa, who was selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, also made his NHL debut and had two blocks in 15:06 of ice time.
Walker put the Hurricanes in front 1-0 at 1:24 of the second period. Sebastian Aho sent a pass from the top of the right circle to the point, and Walker’s one-timer beat Nedeljkovic through traffic.
Eklund tied the game 1-1 at 4:38. Tyler Toffoli fed a lead pass to Eklund, who sent a low wrist shot between Bussi’s pads.
Carrier put the Hurricanes back in front 2-1 at 14:14. Alexander Nikishin’s backhand shot rebounded off Nedeljkovic before hitting the post and dropping into the crease, where Carrier then poked it over the goal line.
Robinson pushed the lead to 3-1 at 18:39. Mike Reilly threw a saucer pass from his own end to Robinson at the Sharks blue line, who slipped a backhander through the five-hole as he powered to the net.
Gostisbehere made it 4-1 at 1:52 of the third period, finishing a tic-tac-toe passing play between Taylor Hall and Stankoven with a wrist shot from the slot.
Blake’s one-timer from above the left face-off circle extended the lead to 5-1 at 7:25.
Allen Iverson reveals his picks for 5 greatest NBA players of all time
Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson has made his picks for the five greatest NBA players of all time.
During his heyday, Iverson played as a shooting guard and point guard and was renowned for his scoring and ball handling. Though he never won the NBA Championship, he was named the MVP in 2001 and was an 11-time NBA All-Star from 2000-2010, which marked the end of his run with the 76ers, and included stints at the Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and then back to the 76ers for his penultimate season.
Throughout his career, and whether as NBA teammates, in the Olympics, or in All-Star Games, Iverson played with some of the best players in history like Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal, while also playing against Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Suffice to say, Iverson knows first-hand all about greatness. But who made his final cut for the five-best players in basketball history?
Allen Iverson Picks 5 Greatest Players in NBA History
It was no surprise to hear the first name out of Iverson’s mouth, when talking to CBS News earlier this month.
Jaden Ivey sits with ‘discomfort,’ Pistons worked by Cavs in preseason
The Detroit Pistons, missing two of their top players, couldn’t hang against a Cleveland Cavaliers team boasting most of its stars on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
The Pistons fell to the Cavaliers on the road, 118-100, to fall to 1-2 in preseason. They will wrap up their four-game slate at home Thursday against the Washington Wizards, and tip off the regular season on the road against the Chicago Bulls next Wednesday.
They were without Cade Cunningham, who presumably is done for preseason after dominating their first two games, and Jaden Ivey, who missed his second consecutive game after starting the Pistons’ opener against the Memphis Grizzlies. Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Monday that Ivey is dealing with
Dawn Staley, passed over by Knicks, says NBA likely won’t name woman head coach ‘in my lifetime’
Dawn Staley has become a force in women’s basketball — from her three gold medals as a player to her three national titles as South Carolina’s coach.
So it should come as no surprise that the Hall of Famer from North Philly would want to expand her legacy as a trailblazer and be a head coach in the NBA. However, Staley doesn’t think the league is ready to make such a historic hire — yet.
When the coach was asked about the possibility of an NBA team having a female head coach during SEC media day on Tuesday in Birmingham, Ala., she responded: “No, I don’t [believe it will happen in my lifetime]. And I hope I’m wrong.”
This summer, Staley interviewed for the New York Knicks’ top job before they hired Mike Brown. Staley, who said Tuesday that she took the interview because of personal connections to the Knicks front office, said she would have left South Carolina for the position had she gotten the offer, but that never happened — and she has a theory as to why.
In an episode of the Post Moves podcast with Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston, Staley said the interview went well, but she believes she may have cost herself the job by asking follow-up questions regarding the impact the hire would have on the organization.
“How, if you hired me as the first female [head] coach in the NBA, would it impact your daily job? Because it would,” Staley said she told Knicks brass. “You’re going to be asked questions that you don’t have to answer if you’re a male coach. There’s going to be the media and all this other stuff that you have to deal with that you didn’t have to deal with and don’t have to deal with when you hire a male. That got them to thinking, ‘Maybe she’s right.’
“And I felt the energy change after that. So I shot myself in the foot by being inquisitive and asking all those darn questions.”
Becoming the first female head coach in NBA history would bring a lot more attention to the organization. Staley believes everything would be looked at under a microscope.
“If I’m the Knicks coach and you have a five-game losing streak, it’s not going to be about the losing streak,” Staley said Tuesday. “It’s going to be about being a female coach. So you, as an organization and a franchise, you have to be prepared for that and strong enough to endure those types of instances when you’re going to look to hire a female coach.”
However, she’ll be ready for the challenge when the opportunity presents itself — and wants to make sure any other female coaches are equally prepared.
“If there is somebody that is interested in knowing and interested in being the first female NBA coach, I’ve got all the information,” Staley said. “Come see me, because I’ll get you prepared for the interview. And if there are NBA franchises interested in hiring a female, I’m here too, because you’ve got to be ready to take on that and all the things that it comes with.”
What Happened Between Amen Thompson and Jose Alvarado? Rockets-Pelicans Fight Heats Up Preseason Game
During a preseason matchup between the Pelicans and Rockets, fans witnessed a tense confrontation between Rockets’ defensive pro Amen Thompson and Pelicans’ guard Jose Alvarado.
It all went down in the second quarter while both were fighting for a rebound. With their arms tangled, Thompson used his size to swing Alvarado to the ground. But the fiery Alvarado didn’t back down and pulled Thompson down with him. Things escalated quickly as Thompson then shoved Alvarado forcefully and appeared to throw a punch.
Players and coaches from both teams rushed in to separate them before the situation got worse, ending the scuffle before it could turn into something more serious.
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Ten burning questions for the upcoming NBA season
When the NBA launches the 2025-2026 season next week, the top-line story will be all of the missing faces: LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, Joel Embiid, Damian Lillard and Kyrie Irving are among the stars expected to be sidelined for opening night.
Even so, the formidable defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder and a fresh chase pack will fill that star-power vacuum, while new broadcasters NBC and Amazon will shake up the league’s television and streaming products.
Here are 10 defining questions to ponder as the NBA tips off its 80th season.
1. Can anyone stop the Thunder?
By now, most NBA fans have become conditioned to the parity era: No team has won consecutive championships since the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018, and only three teams have gone back-to-back in the past 20 years. Oklahoma City, which stormed through the NBA last season, has an excellent chance to make it four.
The winning formula in Oklahoma City will be virtually identical: The Thunder returns the top 12 players from its playoff roster, including reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, all-star Jalen Williams and a deep pack of all-defense candidates that includes Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace. That absurd continuity would be valuable for any team, but this isn’t just any team. Oklahoma City won 68 games last season – the second most by any team since Michael Jordan retired – and compiled the best point differential in league history.’
In the playoffs, the Thunder had to survive seven-game series against the Denver Nuggets and the Indiana Pacers, but it went 11-2 at home and its only losses came on game-winning shots in the closing seconds. Another year of aging should help the Thunder more than it hurts; Caruso is the only key member of its rotation who is older than 30. Coach Mark Daigneault is also uniquely positioned to manage minutes for his key players: Oklahoma City goes two deep at every position and can look forward to plenty of garbage time after winning 40 games by at least 15 points last season.
Where are the vulnerabilities? The league’s best defense will probably continue to be near-impenetrable, but the Thunder’s offense struggled at times on the road in the playoffs, and Gilgeous-Alexander showed signs of fatigue as the marathon Finals unfolded. Oklahoma City’s attack is reliant upon a fair number of so-so shooters hitting three-pointers to open things up for Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams, which leads to occasional droughts and choppy play. And while Oklahoma City got by during extended injuries to Holmgren and center Isaiah Hartenstein last season, the road would get much tougher if Gilgeous-Alexander or Williams were to miss significant time.
The oddsmakers have installed the Thunder as strong preseason title favorites, in part because none of its top competition enjoyed transformational summers. In the East, the Pacers, the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks were all kneecapped by major injuries. Out West, the Nuggets and the Houston Rockets can claim to be offseason winners, but they have a lot of ground to make up given that Oklahoma City won the conference by 16 games last year.
2. Who replaces the Celtics atop the East?
Since James left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, the Celtics have lorded over the Eastern Conference. Over the past seven seasons, the Celtics won one championship, reached the Finals twice, made the Eastern Conference finals four times and never missed the playoffs. All told, Boston has won a league-best 63 playoff games during that span and Milwaukee ranks a distant second among East teams with 42.
The Celtics can’t expect to keep up their typical pace without franchise forward Tatum, who was lost to a season-ending Achilles injury during the playoffs. Tatum is reportedly pushing hard to get back on the court at some point this season, but Boston also lost Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in salary-slashing summer trades and watched big men Al Horford and Luke Kornet find new homes in free agency.
While there’s still enough talent on hand to be competitive during Tatum’s gap year, Boston’s thin frontcourt rotation opens the door for the rest of the conference. Unfortunately for several rivals, the timing of Boston’s regression isn’t ideal: The Pacers will be without Haliburton because of an Achilles injury, the Bucks waived Damian Lillard after an Achilles injury, the Philadelphia 76ers continue to be hamstrung by injuries to Embiid and Paul George, and the Miami Heat is in transition following Jimmy Butler’s ugly trade saga.
Who’s left? The Cavaliers and the New York Knicks. The Cavaliers won 64 games last season before the injury bug bit in the playoffs, and they are seeking their first Finals appearance without James in franchise history. Knicks fans, meanwhile, are back dreaming of their first Finals appearance since 1999 after having their hearts ripped out by Haliburton and the Pacers in last year’s conference finals.
3. Can Luka Doncic rediscover his magic?
Lakers guard Luka Doncic put up 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game last season, a stat line that was matched only by Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. Make no mistake: Gaudy numbers aside, Doncic’s whirlwind season was clearly disappointing by his high standards.
Though Doncic couldn’t control the fact that he was blindsided by a midseason trade, he played a career-low 50 games and saw his overall output dip sharply from his last full season with the Dallas Mavericks. Doncic’s playoff run was forgettable: The Lakers were bounced in the first round, and his conditioning wasn’t up to par. Doncic responded by shedding weight during the offseason and committing to the Lakers on a three-year, $165 million extension, setting the table for a more stable and exhilarating campaign this time around.
But high expectations are inescapable in Hollywood. The Lakers have advanced in the playoffs just once in the past five years, and the 26-year-old Doncic is playing in the shadow of his sensational run to the 2024 Finals with Dallas. Given all the hype around his acquisition and his fitness-focused summer, the pressure is on Doncic to deliver an MVP-caliber season and a real playoff run.
4. Will LeBron James be on the move?
For the first time in his legendary career, James has been demoted to subplot status. The 40-year-old superstar forward didn’t receive a contract extension from the Lakers this summer, leaving him to play this season on an expiring deal. After saying all the right things at media day, James sat out training camp and is expected to miss the opening portion of the season as he deals with sciatica, a nerve condition in his back.
The Lakers were constructed as a two-star model, and they need both Doncic and James to play at a high level to have any hope of contending. But this doesn’t necessarily look like a long-term partnership: Both stars need the ball, the Lakers have signaled that Doncic represents the franchise’s future, and James’s playoff impact has slipped in recent years.
Perhaps James will get healthy at some point in November and the season will carry on as normal. It’s also possible that the time apart leads one or both sides to further consider a split, whether via midseason trade or contract buyout. James, who is entering his eighth season in Los Angeles, will earn $52.6 million this season, a huge chunk of the salary cap that the Lakers could theoretically spend on players who are more aligned age-wise with Doncic.
5. Did Kevin Durant find a functional home?
Unlike James, Kevin Durant settled his business during the summer thanks to a trade that sent him from the Phoenix Suns to the Rockets. After a star-crossed stint with the Brooklyn Nets and a demoralizing run in Phoenix, Durant has joined a young, defensive-minded team that finished second in the Western Conference with 52 wins. The Rockets are well-coached by Ime Udoka, and they have plenty of athletes to help cover for Durant’s age-related slippage.
Houston’s best-case scenario involves Durant providing reliable scoring and clutch shot-making to power a deep playoff run. The loss of lead guard Fred VanVleet, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in September, made achieving that goal substantially more difficult. The Rockets are short on ballhandlers and will probably lean heavily on Durant, who has averaged 55 games played over the past five seasons because of a series of minor injuries.
The biggest adjustment for Houston will be the expectations that follow Durant, who hasn’t reached the conference finals since leaving the Warriors in 2019. The Rockets’ steady rebuild around Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. has shifted into warp speed because the 37-year-old Durant has no time to waste. Is Houston ready for prime time?
6. Will Victor Wembanyama make the playoff leap?
It’s easy to forget that Wembanyama showed major progress in his second season before suffering a season-ending blood clot in his shoulder in February. The 2023 No. 1 pick made the most of his long summer, traveling the world in preparation for a possible breakthrough third season for the San Antonio Spurs. While the 7-foot-5 French center might enter the season as something of a forgotten man, it shouldn’t take more than a week of his impossible blocks and jaw-dropping dunks to return him to the national radar.
James, Durant and Anthony Davis are among the highly touted draft prospects who entered the MVP conversation and made their playoff debuts during their respective third seasons. To follow that path, Wembanyama must jell with star guard De’Aaron Fox, who was acquired from the Sacramento Kings last season in a midseason deal, and carry a defense that will feature plenty of young pieces, including intriguing rookies Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant.
7. What can we expect from Cooper Flagg?
Cooper Flagg is the definition of a basketball prodigy: The Maine native was the No. 1 pick and the youngest player in June’s draft after establishing himself as the best player in college basketball during his freshman year at Duke. With Irving sidelined for some or all of this season with a knee injury, the Mavericks plan to test Flagg’s readiness by putting the ball in his hands as a playmaker.
Even the most talented and polished rookies experience a learning curve, and Flagg will be tasked with setting up a veteran roster that includes Davis, an all-star forward, and centers Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford. Given the limited backcourt options around Flagg, Dallas will be counting on him to be an impact scorer, too.
Flagg’s pedigree as a coveted prospect and his experienced supporting cast place him at the head of the rookie-of-the-year list. From a statistical standpoint, one possible comparison would be Paolo Banchero, another former No. 1 pick from Duke. Banchero, who posted similar college numbers to Flagg, averaged 20 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Orlando Magic to win 2023 rookie of the year.
8. Did the Nuggets get Nikola Jokic enough help?
Just as Oklahoma City is the odds-on title favorite, Denver enters the season as the consensus top challenger. Jokic, a do-everything center, has finished first or second in MVP voting for five straight years, and he pushed the Thunder to seven games in the conference semifinals despite the firing of Coach Michael Malone shortly before the playoffs and injuries to Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr.
Denver finished its housecleaning this summer, naming interim coach David Adelman as Malone’s permanent replacement and installing Ben Tenzer and Jon Wallace to run the front office. The early returns were strong: The Nuggets traded Porter for Cam Johnson and brought back guard Bruce Brown, who was a key piece of their 2023 championship team. Denver also let Russell Westbrook go – a move that could be viewed as addition by subtraction – and added veterans Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jonas Valanciunas to the bench.
Oklahoma City still boasts more total talent, but the 30-year-old Jokic remains the best player in the sport and he will be surrounded by a battle-tested and complementary core. Johnson should replace Porter’s outside shooting, and guard Christian Braun showed rapid improvement last year in his first run as a full-time starter.
9. Which teams could make a Pacers-like run?
As the NBA commences its 80th season, it’s worth noting that it might be another 80 years until an unheralded team enjoys an improbable postseason joyride like the Pacers’ run to the 2025 Finals. A brief recap: Indiana had a losing record on Jan. 1, gained momentum after the all-star break, entered the playoffs as the No. 4 seed in the East and came within one win of its first NBA championship thanks to four Haliburton game-winners in the postseason. Haliburton’s Achilles injury, which he suffered early in Game 7 against the Thunder, instantly became one of the all-time “What if” moments in league history.
Replicating all of that is too much to ask of any team this year, but the wide-open nature of the East should create opportunities for young teams such as the Magic, the Detroit Pistons and the Atlanta Hawks to make noise in the playoffs.
In addition to Haliburton’s heroics, Indiana’s playoff push relied upon gutsy defense and a balanced approach on offense. The Magic, already flush with good defensive pieces, landed Desmond Bane in a summer trade to increase its offensive ceiling. Meanwhile, the Pistons have smartly surrounded dynamic former No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham with a physical supporting cast and shooters. And the Hawks will be counting on young forwards Jalen Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher to help diversify an offense led by Trae Young.
10. Who are the Wizards’ top challengers in the tank race?
The Washington Wizards are approaching a decade without a playoff series victory, but there doesn’t appear to be much urgency to win in what will be the third year of a deep rebuilding effort. Washington, which has collected lottery talent such as Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington and Bilal Coulibaly, is still seeking a franchise-changing headliner.
Talent evaluators see at least three strong candidates for that tag in the 2026 draft class: BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson and Duke forward Cameron Boozer. The 2026 lottery field is viewed as superior to the past two classes, so Washington can expect fierce competition from the Utah Jazz and the Nets, among others, in the race for ping-pong balls. The Jazz plunged further into a youth movement this summer and still has forward Lauri Markkanen as trade bait. The Nets somehow made five selections in the first round yet still appear to be lacking in franchise cornerstones.
Rockets, Pelicans get into heated fight in wild preseason scene
It might be the NBA preseason, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some intense action.
And Tuesday night’s Rockets-Pelicans game provided a bit of early fireworks.
During the second quarter at Legacy Arena at BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama, Houston’s Amen Thompson and New Orleans’ Jose Alvarado got into a heated tussle that resulted in fouls against both players.
The fracas ensued after the Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr. took and missed a three from 26 feet out, bouncing off the rim and into the hands of the Pelicans.
While all that was going down, Thompson and Alvarado got physical as Thompson appeared to be blocked off from getting the rebound by Alvarado.
The two then fell to the court as they got physical down to the floor. And when they got back up, Thompson went back to shove Alvarado as tensions escalated before the two players were separated.
When all was said and done, Thompson received a flagrant 1 while Alvarado was given a technical.
Thompson finished the night with 21 points, five rebounds and three assists as the Rockets won, 130-128. Alvarado scored eight with three rebounds.
The two teams will meet in the regular season on Dec. 18, so it will be interesting to see if there’s any spillover from this moment.
It took just one half of preseason for Luka Doncic to make his statement to the NBA
After a summer of pulling Slovenia well beyond their wildest imaginations at EuroBasket 2025, Luka Doncic was ready to bring his brand-new body back to the NBA. Rival players, coaches, and other parties are already wishing the Los Angeles Lakers superstar stayed overseas.
Doncic made his preseason debut for Los Angeles against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. With the Lakers leading the Suns 66-56 at the half, it did not take long for the presence of the superstar point guard to be felt mightily on the court.
At the break, Doncic has posted 22 points, leading the Lakers in scoring with an efficient 6-of-10 from the field. To go with that, the Lakers superstar has also added six rebounds and three assists, while posting an impressive +13 in the box plus/minus.
It is not just about Doncic thriving, everyone around him has been elevated by the impact of the five-time All-NBA First Team member. The NBA better take notice, becuase the message is clear: this is the best version of Luka that the league has ever seen.
Lakers superstar wasted no time showing he’s already in midseason form
Austin Reaves has gotten his first opportunity to be the second option to Doncic in this NBA calendar year. So far, Reaves looks like someone who has enjoyed the experience.
The talented offensive guard scored 18 points of his own in the first half for the Lakers, connecting on 6-of-10 from the field, 1-of-3 from deep, and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Reaves has been the beneficiary of more laxed defensive coverages after serving as the leading man for each of his previous outings in the preseason.
Deandre Ayton has finally gotten his opportunity to share the preseason court with his new floor general too. The Lakers center even got to be on the receiving end of a lob from Doncic in the first half.
That partnership will still need to be developed further. However, Doncic and Ayton showed some initial promise in the pick-and-roll sets they ran together, with the two displaying an early knack of helping generate offense for one another.
No one is perfect. Doncic did post five turnovers in the first half against the Suns, trying to force some passes that were either poorly timed or just not quite available. Even so, that much can be forgiven when witnessing the other promising signs of the debut for the Slovenian superstar.
Houston Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr. shines in return to Alabama
Former Auburn star Jabari Smith Jr. returned to Alabama and scored 26 points as the Houston Rockets held on for a 130-128 victory in an NBA preseason game in Birmingham on Tuesday night.
In the Rockets’ next-to-last preseason game, Smith spent 22:27 on the court. He sank seven of his 16 field-goal attempts, made all eight of his free throws and added five rebounds, one assist, one steal and one blocked shot.
Smith scored 10 of Houston’s 42 points in the third quarter, which propelled the Rockets to a 14-point lead entering the final period. Smith did not play in the fourth quarter, and New Orleans tied the game with 22 seconds left. Aaron Holliday hit the winning basket for Houston with two seconds to play.
Smith is preparing for his fourth NBA season. He joined the Rockets as the third pick in the 2022 NBA Draft after one season at Auburn and enters the 2025-26 season with career averages of 13.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
RELATED: JABARI SMITH JR. EXPECTING ROCKETS TO WIN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP
Rockets guard JD Davison and Pelicans guard Herb Jones also were back playing basketball in Alabama on Tuesday night. Both played at Alabama and were prep stars in the state – Davison at Calhoun and Jones at Hale County.
Jones had 10 points, two rebounds, one assist, one steal and one blocked shot in 24:16 of court time. Like New Orleans as whole, Jones couldn’t get his 3-point shot to fall. He made 1-of-6 from behind the arc. The Pelicans went 9-of-38 on 3-pointers as a team.
“It’s amazing,” Jones said on Tuesday about playing back home. “Not a lot of pro teams come to Alabama and play. To be from Alabama and get the opportunity to come back and play is always amazing.”
Davison won the NBA Gatorade League Most Valuable Player Award last season, his third with the Boston Celtics, while playing for their affiliate in Maine. He signed a two-way contract with Houston in the offseason, allowing the Rockets to move him freely between their NBA roster and their G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, this season.
Davison had three points, two assists and one steal in 12 minutes on Tuesday night.
More stories on the NBA
Pelicans, Rockets meet in Herb Jones homecoming game in Birmingham
Former Alabama guard working to continue NBA ascent
Walker Kessler feeling ‘like an old man’ with the young Utah Jazz
Houston concludes its preseason schedule against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night before tipping off its regular-season slate on Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
New Orleans concludes its preseason schedule against the Orlando Magic on Thursday night before tipping off its regular-season slate on Oct. 22 against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Wednesday’s TV/Radio listings (Oct. 15)
See Wednesday’s TV/radio listings below:
EVENTTIMETVMLB American League Championship SeriesToronto at Seattle7:00FS1NBA preseasonToronto at Boston6:30NBAMavericks at LA Lakers9:00Ch. 29, ESPNNCAA footballUTEP at Sam Houston6:00CBSSNDelaware at Jacksonville St.6:00ESPNGolfNCAA: St Andrews Links8 amGolfLPGA: Ladies Championship10:00GolfDP World: India Championship2am (Thu)GolfNHLFlorida at Detroit6:00TNTChicago at St. Louis8:30TNTFIFA U-20 World CupSemifinal: Morocco vs. France2:48FS2Semifinal: Argentina vs. Colombia5:48FS2
TODAY’S RADIO
NBA preseason: Mavericks at LA Lakers, 9 p.m., KTCK-AM 1310/KTCK-FM 96.7 The Ticket
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Analyst Details Warriors’ Potentially Fatal Flaw
The Golden State Warriors have constructed a veteran-heavy roster ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season. Al Horford and Seth Curry joined the over-30s contingent within Steve Kerr’s rotation.
In fact, the core four of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and Horford are all on the wrong side of 30. Steve Kerr is coaching one of the oldest rosters in the NBA. And, while the Warriors are still one of the more talented teams in the league, their age could work against them as we get deeper into the season.
According to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, Golden State’s current roster construction could be tested when facing younger, more athletic opponents in the upcoming season.
“For as well as things clicked upon Jimmy Butler’s deadline addition, they looked a bit old and slow at times after his arrival,” Buckley wrote. “Adding 30-somethings Al Horford and Seth Curry in free agency won’t change that. And while they managed to ultimately re-sign explosive swingman Jonathan Kuminga, it sure sounds like he could be gone as soon as he becomes trade-eligible in mid-January.”
Buckley continued.
“There are younger, more athletic teams all over the Association, and some of them rank among the Western Conference’s top contenders. Savvy and smarts can help overcome some of that deficit, but there’s no real way to fully hide athletic limitations.”
Fortunately, the Warriors do have a string of high-upside younger talents they can lean on when opponents lean into speed and athleticism.
Warriors Younger Rotation May Need to Step Up
Kerr does have a group of younger talents to lean on during the season. Brandin Podziemski has been impressive since entering the league as the 19th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quinten Post all project to have a spot in Kerr’s rotation.
Therefore, there should be enough balance between veteran savvy and youthful exuberance. The hardest part for Kerr, will be figuring out how to carry that balance onto the court and get the best out of the roster as a collective. After all, leaning on a rotation of pure veteran talent could backfire if their individual and collective minutes aren’t managed with one eye on the playoffs.
Al Horford’s Role With Warriors Still Unclear
The Warriors signed Horford to a two-year $11.6 million deal, expecting him to slot into a starting spot in the upcoming season. However, when speaking to the media following Golden State’s 126-116 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on October 12, Kerr discussed the need to manage Horford’s minutes.
“If Al were a little younger, he’d be in the starting lineup for sure,” Kerr said. “But if he’s playing limited minutes, it’s tougher to start him and finish the game. If he’s not playing as many minutes as he would have a few years ago, we still have a lot to think about.”
FC Cincinnati’s playoff scenarios heading into MLS Decision Day
After eight months of action, Decision Day has arrived in Major League Soccer.
FC Cincinnati hosts CF Montréal in the final regular-season game Saturday, Oct. 18, at TQL Stadium. Their result will help determine their final seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and their first-round pairing, which will be known soon after the final whistle as every team in the conference kicks off at 6 p.m.
Cincinnati is battling with Inter Miami CF for the No. 2 seed, with the other finishing as No. 3. The main prize is who gets home field if they play each other in the conference semifinals. Both teams already have home-field advantage over everyone else in the conference except for Philadelphia, a team FC Cincinnati wouldn’t face until the conference final.
The first round is a best-of-three series from Oct. 24 through Nov. 9. Cincy will host Game 1 then Game 3, if necessary, with the opponent hosting Game 2. The rest of the tournament is single-elimination. The playoff schedule will be announced sometime this weekend.
Cincinnati already has home field in a potential MLS Cup Final against every team in the Western Conference except Vancouver and San Diego. They can still finish ahead of both teams on Decision Day and ensure that they would play for the league championship at TQL Stadium if they advance. The Western Conference games start at 9 p.m. Oct. 18.
Where does FC Cincinnati stand in the MLS Eastern Conference?
Here are the updated playoff standings. The number in parentheses is the number of wins a team has, which is the first tiebreaker for seeding, then their Oct. 18 opponent is listed.
Eastern Conference
1. Philadelphia 66 (20) at Charlotte
2. Cincinnati 62 (19) vs. Montreal
3. Miami 62 (18) at Nashville
4. Charlotte 56 (18) vs. Philadelphia
5. New York City 56 (17) vs. Seattle
6. Nashville 54 (16) vs. Miami
7. Orlando 53 (14) at Toronto
8. Chicago 52 (15) at New England
9. Columbus 51 (13) vs. NY Red Bulls
Cincinnati will get the two seed ahead of Miami in any tie, because the Orange and Blue have one more win than Lionel Messi and company. So Cincy clinches the two seed with a win, or with a loss or draw combined with the same result or worse from Miami.
The two seed plays the seven seed in the first round, and the three faces the six. Entering Decision Day, Cincy could be paired against any of the other six playoff qualifiers currently in fourth place through ninth, and none of those teams play each other this weekend.
The only sure things are that Charlotte and NYCFC can drop to six but not seven, and Columbus can rise to seven but not six. Nashville, Orlando and Chicago could finish either six or seven.
Could there be a ‘Hell is real’ Columbus Crew vs. FC Cincinnati rematch in 2025 playoffs?
For those curious about the chances of a “Hell is Real” playoff series in the first round, that can only happen if Cincy gets the two seed.
Then, if the Crew earns the seven with a win, combined with losses by both Chicago and Orlando. Columbus loses any tie with Nashville and/or Orlando at 54 points.
How MLS Western Conference playoff standings affect FC Cincinnati
1. Vancouver 63 (18) vs. Dallas
2. San Diego 60 (18) at Portland
3. LAFC 59 (17) at Colorado
FC Cincinnati has clinched home field over LAFC because they would win a tie, with 62 points and 19 wins to LAFC’s 18. Cincy gets home field over Vancouver with a win, combined with a Vancouver loss or draw, or a draw combined with a Vancouver loss. In the latter, Cincy wins a tie at 63 points with 19 wins compared to Vancouver’s 18.
Cincy clinches home field over San Diego with a win, or if San Diego doesn’t win its game. With an SD win and Cincy draw, San Diego wins a tie at 63 points because both teams would have 19 wins, and San Diego will have a better goal differential (currently plus-19 to plus-9).
Has FC Cincinnati earned a 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup spot?
FC Cincinnati has officially earned a spot in next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup, the governing body announced Oct. 13. Cincy secured the spot based on MLS regular-season standings when LAFC lost to Austin Oct. 12.
There was some confusion over the weekend concerning how Concacaf would handle the Vancouver Whitecaps, because they earned a spot through winning the Canadian championship and also through the MLS standings. Concacaf cleared that up, giving the MLS spot priority because it’s based on a full season and not a tournament, then announcing they gave the Canadian spot to championship runner-up Vancouver FC from Canada’s premier league.
Cincy will play in the tourney for the third straight year, and the 2026 tourney will start in February. In the 2025 tourney, Cincinnati beat Honduras club Motagua in the first round then lost to Mexican power Tigres in the Round of 16.
How Today’s Developing Countries Can Drive Tomorrow’s Global Economy
MINNEAPOLIS/NEW YORK – According to conventional wisdom, if you want your predictions to hold up, it’s best to avoid too much detail – especially specific timelines. The McKinsey Global Institute, however, has taken the opposite approach, identifying 18 high-growth, dynamic “arenas” poised to reshape the global economy over the next 15 years.
These arenas include digital industries like e-commerce, AI, cloud services, digital advertising, streaming, and gaming; advanced technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous vehicles, batteries, semiconductors, robotics, and nuclear fission; emerging fields like space and biotechnology; and breakthroughs in cybersecurity, air mobility, modular construction, and obesity drugs. Collectively, they could account for 16% of global GDP by 2040, quadruple their current share, and drive economic growth, productivity, and living standards worldwide.
EVs and autonomous vehicles, for example, could reduce traffic deaths and help cut greenhouse-gas emissions. Likewise, modular construction promises higher-quality housing at a lower cost.
At first glance, such developments may appear relevant only to advanced economies. After all, the leading companies in those sectors are concentrated in the United States, Europe, and China. But the impact will be felt everywhere, and in some arenas, developing economies are especially well-positioned to lead.
For example, as internet access expands, e-commerce, online advertising, and streaming are likely to grow faster in low- and middle-income countries. Because they lack entrenched legacy infrastructure, developing economies may be able to leapfrog directly into emerging technologies, just as many of them once leapfrogged landline telephony in favor of cellular technology and became early adopters of digital banking.
India is a case in point. Its e-commerce market is the fastest-growing in the world, with revenues surging from $3.9 billion in 2009 to $200 billion in 2024. By 2030, online retail’s share of total sales is projected to rise from 25% to 37%. While the market is currently dominated by urban consumers, rural access is improving, providing hundreds of millions of people with higher-quality goods and services.
India also brings exceptional human capital to the table, with a growing talent pool that could drive global growth in AI, cloud services, and cybersecurity. As a low-cost innovator, it has shown that it can compete in sophisticated fields. The country is already a leading manufacturer of two- and three-wheeled EVs, and in 2013 its space program made headlines by launching the Mangalyaan Mars orbiter at a fraction of the cost of comparable US and European missions. Taken together, these strengths position India to expand in nine of the 18 arenas, generating up to $2 trillion in additional revenue by 2030.
Other low- and middle-income countries have the potential to forge their own paths. Brazil, for example, is investing in next-generation aviation, while Morocco and Indonesia have emerged as hubs for EV battery manufacturing by leveraging their reserves of critical raw materials.
The growth of these arenas is not only spawning new industries but also reviving traditional ones. Robots, delivery drones, and generative AI, for example, are rapidly transforming established sectors like manufacturing, retail, and health care.
Beyond their economic impact, many sectors could improve public services. AI can help governments collect and analyze data on everything from weather and traffic patterns to exam results. And new obesity treatments are delivering positive health outcomes in both developed and developing countries.
Yet few developing countries are prepared for a future shaped by these arenas. To strengthen their position, three priorities stand out. The first is to create a supportive business environment by adjusting trade, regulatory, and macroeconomic policies to give vital industries the space to grow. Modular construction, for example, can improve housing quality and affordability only if construction codes, zoning laws, and related regulations encourage innovation and investment.
The second priority is attracting foreign direct investment. Companies from China, Europe, and the US currently account for most of the 18 arenas and are actively seeking the best markets in which to expand. But since 2022, the share of announced FDI flowing to emerging economies has declined, accounting for only about 30% in areas like advanced manufacturing, AI infrastructure, and software services.
The third and most important priority is people. In the 20th century, many developing countries began their economic ascent with low-cost manufacturing before gradually moving up the value ladder. By contrast, most of the 21st century’s growth sectors are technology-driven, making a well-educated and trained workforce essential, even for upstream opportunities.
As global competition intensifies, countries that cultivate a deep pool of productive talent will be best positioned to achieve sustained growth and prosperity. While this is also true for advanced economies, the stakes are especially high for emerging markets still striving to catch up.
It is also worth keeping in mind that entirely new industries and technologies could emerge. After all, few had even heard of generative AI just five years ago. Moreover, not all 18 arenas will advance at the same pace; the trajectory of sectors like nuclear power and EVs will depend heavily on policy choices. Even so, they are likely to drive global growth in the years ahead, and developing countries that fail to adapt risk falling behind.
Where to buy tickets
One of Hip-Hop’s biggest stars is ending 2025 and kicking 2026 off with a bang.
Rod Wave just announced he’s embarking on his seven-concert ‘Redemption Experience Tour’ in support of his 2024 album “Last Lap” from early December ’25 through early January ’26.
Toward the end of the brief run, the talented 27-year-old will make his sole New York City stop when he headlines Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Tuesday, Dec. 23.
In addition to the tour announcement, Wave also delivered a stylish music video for the emphatic new single “Leavin’” via Instagram.
Prior to this quick winter trek, the “Heart on Ice” rapper most recently took the stage at Tampa, FL’s Benchmark International Arena on Aug. 29 this year. According to Set List FM, he performed 30 songs that evening including fan favorites “25,” “Great Gatsby” and “Street Runner” among others.
“Even though he only had a mic stand, microphone and towel, the reaction he received could only be compared to an arena performance equipped with a full production, including dancers, wardrobe changes and set props,” The Dallas Observer noted in a review of an earlier November ’24 concert the St. Petersburg, FL native headlined.
“Wave’s music is marked by pain and suffering, but when the audience sang the songs in unison, it felt like a healing experience between Wave and his audience.”
Need to witness the popular rapper’s “healing”-like flow live and in person?
We’re here to help.
Fans Bottom Boy Survivors can purchase tickets for all upcoming Rod Wave shows on sites like Vivid Seats; the official on-sale for the ‘Redemption Experience Tour’ is Friday, Oct. 17.
Vivid Seats is a secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.
They have a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and will be delivered before the event.
Rod Wave tour schedule 2025
A complete calendar including all tour dates, venues and links to buy tickets can be found below.
Rod Wave set list
As noted above, Wave’s most recent show went down on Aug. 29 at Tampa’s Benchmark International Arena. Based on our findings at Set List FM, here’s what he performed that evening.
01.) “Already Won” (Live debut)
02.) “Sky Priority”
03.) “Poison”
04.) “Green Light”
05.) “Dark Clouds”
06.) “Girl of My Dreams”
07.) “Forever Set In Stone” (Live debut)
08.) “Rags2Riches”
09.) “Tombstone”
10.) “Street Runner”
11.) “By Your Side”
12.) “Alone”
13.) “Call Your Friends”
14.) “Love Overdose” (Live debut)
15.) “HG4”
16.) “2018” (with Sadie Jean)
17.) “Boyz Don’t Cry”
18.) “Richer” (First Time Since 2021)
19.) “What’s Wrong” (First Time Since 2022)
20.) “Great Gatsby”
21.) “Fall Fast in Love”
22.) “Lost In Love”
23.) “IRan”
24.) “Passport Junkie”
25.) “25”
26.) “Westside Connection” (Live debut)
27.) “Karma”
28.) “Last Lap”
29.) “Federal Nightmares”
30.) “Lonely” (Live debut)
Rod Wave new music
After dropping his 2024 album “Last Lap,” Rod Wave has released a number of singles.
Most recently, he unveiled the bouncy “Leavin’.” Clocking in at a hair under three minutes, the gifted rhymesmith takes a minute before he unleashes his own powerful bars — delivering potent lines with evocative imagery like “on the road to the riches dodgin’ potholes” — over the recursive beat. In short, it’s a bop with heart, soul and brains.
If you’d like to hear for yourself, you can find “Leavin’” here.
For those hoping to dig deeper, click here to sift through Wave’s complete discography.
Hip-Hop icons on tour in 2025-26
Many iconic artists that define the sound of yesterday and today will be out and about this year and next.
Here are just five of our favorites we don’t want to miss live in 2025…or ’26.
• NBA Youngboy
• Lil Tecca
• Playboi Carti
• Gunna
• Kevin Gates
Who else is pounding the pavement? Check out our list of all the biggest Hip-Hop stars on tour to find the show for you.
Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post
What’s Next For NASCAR’s Justin Haley And Spire Motorsports
Spire Motorsports confirmed Tuesday that driver Justin Haley will leave the organization following the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season finale at Phoenix Raceway, ending a relationship that dates back to the team’s earliest days.
In a joint statement, the team said plans for its No. 7 Chevrolet in 2026 “will be announced at a later date,” leaving open the inevitable question of who replaces Haley—and where one of NASCAR’s youngest veterans might land next.
For Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson, the decision was clearly more complicated than it might appear on paper.
“This is a decision that was not taken lightly,” Dickerson said. “Justin has been a member of the Spire family since he was a teenager… He made us winners and returned home after forging his own path in the Cup Series. Justin is the embodiment of a true racer who has quietly become a respected competitor within the NASCAR garage and will be an incredible asset to his next team.”
That kind of language—“family,” “winners,” “true racer”—isn’t corporate boilerplate. It’s a send-off. It seems to signal a mutual respect and an understanding that both sides have taken the relationship as far as it can go.
A Quiet Competitor At A Crossroads
Haley, now 26, has done something few drivers in NASCAR can claim: score a win at every level of NASCAR’s national ladder. Since his 2016 ARCA East championship, he’s logged 338 starts across the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series—collecting one Cup win, four Xfinity victories, and three in Trucks. Only 40 others in NASCAR history can claim that triple-threat distinction.
He first drove for Spire in 2019, scoring his and the team’s first Cup victory at Daytona—a rain-shortened stunner that still stands as a turning point for the then-startup organization. He returned full-time in 2024 after two seasons with Kaulig Racing, but the partnership never quite translated into consistent top-10 runs.
Performance aside, Haley has earned a reputation as a cerebral, disciplined driver who doesn’t tear up equipment and keeps sponsors happy. That profile will matter in a Cup era where funding and charter security weigh just as heavily as lap times.
Spire’s Next Move
For Spire, electing to part ways with Haley gives a bit of insight into how the team wants to move ahead. The organization has expanded its shop footprint, added depth on the technical side, and brought in respected crew chiefs in recent seasons. In short, Spire is acting like a team that expects to win.
That means a driver needs to show measurable progress, something that sadly seemed to be missing this season. Replacing Haley could signal that Spire is ready to chase a more experienced hand—think Daniel Suárez or Ricky Stenhouse Jr.—or perhaps roll the dice on a rising star from the Xfinity or Truck ranks such as Corey Heim. Each option tells a different story: Suárez brings name value and sponsors, Stenhouse offers a veteran’s insights, and Heim represents long-term potential at a lower price point.
In the end it’s a business decision shrouded in the language of performance. In today’s Cup Series, the cost of a charter alone hovers near $40 million; every seat has to show its ROI not just on Sundays, but during the week in the corporate boardrooms where the checks are written.
Where Haley Goes Next
The more intriguing question might be where Haley goes from here.
Some are pointing to Kaulig Racing as a natural landing spot if a seat opens. He has history with the organization and could offer a cost-effective replacement should Kaulig shuffle its lineup. Maybe we see Haley landing with a smaller chartered team such as Rick Ware Racing or a potential new entrant for 2026, where his technical feedback and sponsor friendliness would be assets.
A longer shot is a one-year reset in the Xfinity Series, a route that’s revived careers before.
The Path Forward
Haley’s career path from here looks a bit like a three-lane highway—one smooth, one steady, and one that leads straight into a tire barrier.
The fast lane is a return to a mid-pack team with upward momentum—maybe Kaulig, maybe a Trackhouse satellite—where he can trade stability for another shot at relevance.
The middle lane keeps him where he is: inside the Cup garage, in the mix, holding steady until opportunity strikes. It’s not flashy, but survival in NASCAR is often its own form of success.
And then there’s the slow lane, where he steps back to Xfinity or runs part-time while waiting for the right seat to open. It’s a humbling path, but it beats the alternative—watching from home on Sundays.
A Split Without Bitterness
In NASCAR, breakups rarely end with polite handshakes. This one just might. Spire gets room to chase bigger ambitions, and Haley gets something every driver craves more than horsepower—another chance.
This is a sport where fortunes rise and fall between pit stops, where careers are measured not in years but in sponsors. Both sides are betting on growth, not grief. And for Haley, who won his first Cup race when the rain came early, the hope now is simple: that the next storm holds off long enough for him to finish what he started. For Spire they hope to see a bit more sunshine.
Viking Motorsports Makes Driver Change with Three Races Remaining
Viking Motorsports has made a driver change to its NASCAR Xfinity Series No. 99 Chevrolet. Out is Matt DiBenedetto as NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular Connor Mosack takes over with just three races remaining in the NXS season.
Mosack will make his team debut this Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway. DiBenedetto had been with VM since 2024 achieving one top five and four top 10 finishes in 58 starts. He was 22nd in driver points.
No Reasons Given
Via a team press release on Monday, Viking Motorsports just said they were making the driver change effective immediately for the remaining races of Talladega, Martinsville Speedway and Phoenix Raceway.
“We’d like to thank Matt for his contributions throughout our inaugural season,” said Jeremy Lange, general manager of Viking Motorsports. “He played a meaningful role in establishing the foundation of this team, and we wish him the best.”
It also said the team would announce a future driver for the 2026 season at a later date. This season, DiBenedetto had only one top 1o finish for the team which was achieved at Talladega in April. He was ranked 22nd in NXS driver points.
History Repeats Itself for Matty D
In 2023, DiBenedetto was driving the No. 25 Chevrolet for the NCTS team of Rackley W.A.R. when he was let go with three races remaining. During his two-season tenure, he won one race doing so at Talladega.
After two seasons with Wood Brothers Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series, he was relieved of his driving duties in the team’s No. 21 Ford and replaced with Harrison Burton. During his tenure there, the most memorable race for him took place at the 2019 Bristol Motor Speedway night event when he led 93 laps.
However, with 12 circuits remaining, he was passed by eventual race winner Denny Hamlin. A visibly upset DiBenedetto did his post-race interview as the crowd cheered for his tenacity and hard-fought battle when he was shown on the big screen.
Through his 248 NCS starts for several teams, he has nine top five and 31 top 10 finishes. In NXS competition, he has 1 top five and six top 10s through 127 career starts.
Mosack Moves Up
Mosack, who most recently finished fifth at the Charlotte Roval driving for JR Motorsports, is making his 32nd NXS start. He currently runs full time in NCTS driving the No. 81 Chevrolet for MHR Motorsports.
He will be pulling double duty running both series this weekend for the two different teams.
Mosack has made his name know by running road courses. This year, he raced two for SS green Light Racing at Chicago Street Racing and Portland Raceway, and the other for JR Motorsports at Charlotte.
Mosack has raced one full season in the NXS doing so for Sam Hunt Racing in 2023. During that year, he earned one top five and two top 10s with a best finish of fifth at Watkins Glen International.
What’s next for the 34-year-old driver of DiBenedetto remains to be seen as he has now been released from three different teams in three different series since 2021.
Tim Packman Tim Packman is a journalist for Heavy.com covering NASCAR. He grew up around the short tracks of Western New York watching his dad, stepdad and step brother race. His uncle was the head starter at many area tracks and member of the FOAR Score Hall of Fame. Tim’s passion for racing took him to the announcer’s tower and writing program stories for multiple tracks in the area, namely Lancaster National Speedway. In 2000, he moved to Mooresville, NC to become an award-winning journalist for NASCAR.com. He took a job with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. as the team’s Communications Director and was part of two Daytona 500 wins and two NASCAR Championships. The announcing experience led to becoming a Pit Reporter and News Director for MRN Radio. A return to the team side at Richard Childress Racing as the Director of Corporate Communications took place, which also included another Championship. From 2015 to 2018, Tim returned to where his career began in 1994 – Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway – as the Track President. He earned Short Track Promoter of the Year awards in 2016 and 2017. Upon returning to NC, he joined The Garage Shop as Communications Director and host of it’s Podcast and MAV-TV docuseries
Justin Haley will not return to Spire Motorsports after this season
Justin Haley will not return to Spire Motorsports after this season, the team announced Tuesday.
“This is a decision that was not taken lightly,” Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson said in a statement. “Justin has been a member of the Spire family since he was a teenager. We’ve watched Justin grow from a young driver trying to make his mark in the sport to a proven winner.
“He helped strengthen our organization into what it is today. He made us winners and returned home after forging his own path in the Cup Series. Justin is the embodiment of a true racer who has quietly become a respected competitor within the NASCAR garage and will be an incredible asset to his next team.”
The season ends Nov. 2 at Phoenix.
Haley returned to Spire Motorsports in September 2024. He started this season paired with champion crew chief Rodney Childers, but that pairing lasted only nine races.
Haley enters Sunday’s race at Talladega 31st in the points. He has four top-15 finishes in the last 14 races.
Haley first drove for Spire Motorsports in Cup in 2019 in the team’s inaugural season. He scored his lone Cup victory with the team that season in the summer Daytona race. He made 34 Cup starts for Spire Motorsports from 2019-20.
The team stated that next season’s plans for the No. 7 team will be announced later.
Developments at Spire Motorsports point to shakeup
The confirmed split announced on Tuesday between Spire Motorsports and driver Justin Haley after the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season has intensified speculation that two-time champion Kyle Busch could be the team’s next major signing, though a strategic analysis suggests a move is highly improbable before the 2027 season.
Busch, currently driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, is under contract through the end of the 2026 season. Any attempt to acquire him for 2026 would require a prohibitively expensive contract buyout, an unlikely scenario given both RCR’s and Spire’s financial positions.
Instead, industry focus has shifted to a 2027 partnership, an alignment driven by Spire’s aggressive infrastructure build-up and Busch’s visible competitive frustrations at RCR.
Spire Motorsports signaled a significant elevation of its competitive ambition by parting ways with Haley, who delivered the team’s first Cup Series victory in 2019. The move makes the No. 7 seat a prime vacancy.
Spire has systematically invested in elite personnel and infrastructure, making it a viable destination for a top-tier driver.
Spire utilizes Tier 1 engine supply from Hendrick Motorsports, providing a technical advantage within the Chevrolet camp over RCR, which uses in-house ECR engines.
In 2023, Spire purchased Kyle Busch Motorsports and Rowdy Manufacturing assets, including the 77,000-square-foot facility, establishing a deep, non-competitive business relationship. Busch already runs part-time in the Truck Series for Spire, operating out of his former shop, providing operational familiarity for a potential move.
This consolidation of infrastructure and elite talent provides the foundation necessary to attract and support a championship-caliber driver like Busch.
But despite finalizing a contract extension in May, Busch’s tenure at RCR is showing signs of strain.
Busch posted a career-low in Top 5s and Top 10s in 2024, ending the season 22nd in points. He is currently on a 61-race winless streak.
The internal competitive friction led to the confirmed separation between Busch and crew chief Randall Burnett for 2026, forcing RCR to hire a new crew chief immediately after extending Busch’s contract. This suggests Busch’s commitment was conditional on a major competitive reset.
RCR has initiated significant leadership changes, promoting Keith Rodden to vice president of competition, in an attempt to shore up its performance and satisfy Busch and his sponsors through 2026.
If these changes fail to deliver consistent wins in the 2026 season, the relationship is expected to fracture even greater, paving the way for a departure when his contract expires.
Busch is estimated to be the highest-paid driver in NASCAR, with annual compensation near $16.9 million. Spire would need to secure approximately $20 million to 25 million in primary sponsorship to fund a car for Busch at his market rate and cover the high operational costs, including the premium HMS engine lease.
However, a move to Spire offers a unique value proposition. The team already owns Busch’s former shop and fields his Truck Series program. Unifying his entire racing enterprise — Cup, Trucks and manufacturing — under the Spire umbrella provides massive synergy for corporate partners and unparalleled operational comfort for the veteran driver.
Busch has openly discussed plans to wind down his career around 2029 or 2030 and race alongside his son, Brexton. The Spire infrastructure is uniquely positioned to facilitate this complex transition and legacy building.
The evidence strongly suggests a calculated two-year timeline for this strategic move.
As it goes right now, Busch is expected to honor his RCR contract while Spire will aggressively pursue the necessary eight-figure primary sponsorship for a superstar.
If RCR fails to return the No. 8 car to consistent contention, Busch will enter the 2027 Silly Season as a free agent. Spire Motorsports, with its elite infrastructure and operational comfort, is positioned to be his most strategic and competitive destination.
The persistent rumors, therefore, are seen less as a reflection of an immediate 2026 possibility, and more as preparatory groundwork for a major, strategic free-agent signing in 2027.
There’s my take on the Busch to Spire rumors; it’s not going to happen anytime soon.
Safety concerns persist over Motorsports Gateway project in Howell, Michigan
The Motorsports Gateway in Howell, Michigan, is nearing completion — last week, members of the multimillion-dollar project were invited to a soft launch of the facility.
The motorsports complex will include about two and a half miles of track and garage condos. Local officials say they hope to make Howell a destination for car enthusiasts.
NFL’s international playbook calls for vigilance on field quality, from Sao Paulo to Bernabeu
LONDON (AP) — Nick Pappas rattles off the types of field surfaces at international stadiums the way a quarterback calls plays in the huddle.
Carpet hybrid ryegrass at Croke Park in Dublin. Stitched hybrid bluegrass at Olympiastadion in Berlin. Stitched hybrid ryegrass at Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid. Those three are the new host cities this season on the NFL’s busy international calendar.
As the NFL’s field director, it’s Pappas’ job to make sure the international playing surfaces meet league standards. Expanding American football around the world presents some challenges.
“Our athletes are very unique in the fact that they’re bigger and stronger and faster than most athletes,” Pappas said.
And when the likes of 300-pound linemen plant their feet and smash into each other for three hours on a Sunday, it can take a toll on a surface intended for soccer.
“So, the needs of the surface drastically increase when compared to soccer, where players are moving in space, moving in the open,” Pappas said in an interview with The Associated Press. “The style of game that they play is a little bit less demanding on the field.”
Here’s some more to know about the international fields:
Types of grass
Most European fields use cold-season grass, which is either ryegrass or bluegrass, or a blend of the two, Pappas said. Warm-season Bermuda grass is utilized at most of the natural-grass NFL facilities in the U.S.
Bermuda grass is stronger and provides more stability.
“Typical ryegrass and bluegrass can be a little bit more challenging, which is why we end up relying more on hybrid fields when we go internationally, and that’s already typically what’s being used by those locations,” said Pappas, who started overseeing the international fields in the 2022 season.
The hybrid versions still are mostly natural grass but reinforced with synthetic fibers comprising up to 7% of the surface, Pappas said.
Croke Park’s “carpet” hybrid surface was rolled into place more than three weeks before the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Minnesota Vikings 24-21 in Ireland’s first regular-season NFL game. Wembley Stadium, where the Jacksonville Jaguars will face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, uses the same type of surface.
At the Bernabeu, the synthetic fibers are stitched into the grass.
“A machine comes in and drives fibers about 7 inches down into the ground, and those fibers stick all the way up to the canopy of grass,” he said. “Like all the hybrid systems, that’s what is providing a lot of the traction and stabilization.”
The stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where the NFL has held two games, also uses a stitched system, Pappas added.
From Mbappe to Tua
On Nov. 16 in Spain’s first NFL game, the Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders will play on the same hybrid-grass surface that Kylian Mbappé and his Real Madrid teammates do.
“Correct, that exact surface,” Pappas said.
Early in its Bernabeu renovation, Real Madrid had outlined a plan similar to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a retractable grass field making way for a synthetic one to be used for American football.
Bernabeu’s multi-panel pitch is preserved underground.
“It’s all climate-controlled, and then they bring that field out when they are ready to play on it,” Pappas said.
“The Bernabeu, because they had not designed the stadium in conjunction with us, like Tottenham did — and didn’t build it specifically for NFL, there was still a lot to figure out when we started determining where we were going to play in Spain.”
Soccer pitches are shorter than what’s needed for the NFL, so they had to be sure there was enough room.
“Ultimately, we landed on being able to utilize their technologies and then build off of that versus having to just do a full brand-new artificial field in there,” Pappas said.
At Olympiastadion in Berlin, a stitched hybrid bluegrass field was installed this summer. The Indianapolis Colts face the Atlanta Falcons there on Nov. 9.
Not always smooth sailing abroad
In 2018, the NFL moved a game out of Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on short notice back to the U.S. because of poor field conditions.
Germany’s first-ever regular-season game was a big success three years ago. Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Seattle Seahawks 21-16 at Allianz Arena in Munich. The only downside? The slippery field.
The home stadium of Bayern Munich had a 100% natural grass field at that time. One Seattle player complained about flying 10 hours to play on a “terrible” field. Bucs coach Todd Bowles said it was “real slippery.” The next summer, Bayern Munich switched to a hybrid field.
“We’ve continued to learn that it’s important for us to make some of the changes we believe are necessary on the front end to ensure the quality on the back end,” Pappas said.
The NFL pushed to get a hybrid field for its two games at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt in 2023.
Postgame at Croke Park, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said the field was “pristine.” Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson described the grass as “a little slippery.”
Pappas, who also works on the Super Bowl field each season, knows criticism is part of the job.
“I’ve taken the good and the bad on the broadcast side. I’ve seen good fields perform really well, and I’ve seen fields perform not as well,” he said.
“Every single game that I do is an opportunity to learn something, and we take something new away from it and it makes us better for the next one.”
___
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Jannik Sinner’s Injury Woes Draw Serious Criticism as Ex-Pro Fires Shots at Constant Issues
“I had really bad cramping. I tried to keep fighting, but in the end, I couldn’t move properly. I’m disappointed, but I’ll rest and try to recover quickly,” Jannik Sinner said after his withdrawal against Tallon Griekspoor at the 2025 Shanghai Masters. Coming off of a strong victory at the China Open, Sinner was widely touted to defend his title in Shanghai. But what no one could’ve predicted was how big a role the muggy Shanghai weather would play in dictating results.
After more than two and a half hours of struggle in the brutal heat and humidity, Sinner’s body gave out. He started cramping badly in one leg and could barely move, forcing him to retire while trailing 6–7(3), 7–5, and 3–2. But even though Sinner was far from the only player to buckle under Shanghai’s heat, one former tennis star believes that his withdrawal is symptomatic of a general struggle with health issues.
Italian Davis Cup Captain from 1998 to 2000, Paolo Bertolucci weighed in on Sinner, saying, “The boy is a little fragile. He had cramps, then stomach problems, then elbow problems, then blisters and hip problems. In short, he’s starting to feel a lot. He doesn’t have the same physical consistency as Djokovic or Alcaraz, that seems obvious to me now, it’s not surprising. But we shouldn’t be overly worried either. I repeat, in this tragedy, we have the world number 2.” Not only did he speak about the injury that forced the world number 2 out of the Shanghai Open, but also about the injuries he has sustained over the entire season and previously.
A few months earlier, in August 2025, Sinner fell sick during the Cincinnati Open final against Carlos Alcaraz and had to retire while trailing 5–0, visibly struggling with stomach issues. Just weeks before that, at Wimbledon, he took a hard fall in his fourth-round match against Grigor Dimitrov, injuring his elbow badly enough to need scans and treatment afterward.
The year before, during the 2024 clay season, he battled persistent hip pain that eventually forced him to withdraw from both the Madrid and Italian Opens. An MRI later confirmed it was a real injury, not just discomfort.
While Bertolucci’s words comparing him with Djokovic and Alcaraz’s physicality might seem harsh, it does come without a solid base. While Djokovic and Alcaraz have had injuries too, they’ve shown far greater physical consistency.
Djokovic has played over 1,300 matches with only a handful of retirements and holds records for 24 Grand Slam titles and 428 weeks at No. 1, proving his endurance over two decades. Alcaraz, meanwhile, completed a 67–6 season in 2025 with no mid-match retirements, winning multiple titles back-to-back, including a run of hard court titles in Cincinnati, the US Open, and the Japan Open. In fact, his Japan Open victory came while he was nursing an injured ankle.
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In contrast, Sinner has had several recent retirements and withdrawals, and Paolo Bertolucci is not the only one to go after the world number 2.
Jannik Sinner accused of being protected by the ATP
In the UNSCRIPTED by Josh Mansour podcast, star Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios accused the ATP of protecting Sinner. “He was the number one player in the world [when he tested positive], and there is no doubt he is an incredible player and he is going to be carrying the sport for the next 10 to 15 years with Alcaraz,” he started. In early 2025, Jannik Sinner was suspended for three months after testing positive for the banned substance, clostebol, last year, which he said came from a contaminated cream used by his physiotherapist.
The ban ran from February to May 2025, but he retained his world No. 1 ranking during that time because his ranking points from earlier tournament wins kept him ahead of rivals, and the short ban didn’t erase his lead. Now Kyrgios also added, “So I mean obviously, they are protecting him (Sinner) to some degree. I mean, the CEO and all of the important people in the ATP are all Italian. And like the whole story for me is bulls–t.” While the current ATP CEO is Eno Polo, who is Kenyan, he succeeded Italy’s Massimo Calvelli in September 2025.
Kyrgios also praised Jannik Sinner, saying that when everything is said and done, Sinner will be remembered as one of the greatest players ever. Reflecting on their close match, Kyrgios remarked that he immediately realized how special Sinner was, thinking to himself that “this kid is going to be unbelievably good.” Sinner and Nick Kyrgios have faced each other once, at the 2022 Miami Open. Sinner won the match 7–6(3), 6–3. Despite Kyrgios’s theatrics, Sinner stayed composed and claimed the win.
Lincoln East’s Hunter Nelson is 4 matches away from undefeated high school tennis career
Hunter Nelson is four matches away from an undefeated high school career.
Think about that.
With varying degrees of positivity, the Lincoln East ace with the 135-0 record has thought about it as he seeks to make history this week at the Class A state tournament in Lincoln.
Only Bill Brown of Omaha Creighton Prep (1960 to 1963) had a career sweep of the Class A titles without losing a match. The last to win all four years was Joe Salerno of Omaha Central (1984 to 1987).
“I was definitely feeling pressure earlier in the season because I wasn’t on my game,
$6 Million for a Weekend: How the Six Kings Slam Rewrote Tennis’ Paybook Compared to Grand Slams
The Six Kings Slam is back this week as part of Riyadh Season, and the excitement is already building. The action unfolds at The Venue, an 8,000-seat arena buzzing from October 15 to 18. The event is backed by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Netflix, and the Saudi Tennis Federation, bringing together sport and entertainment on a grand stage.
The star lineup features Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. With a jaw-dropping prize pot on the line, the exhibition is shaping up as serious competition for even the ATP’s biggest tournaments.
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How much is the prize money for the 2025 Six Kings Slam?
Last year’s edition was pure spectacle, stacked with a $13.5 million prize pool that guaranteed every player $1.5 million. The champion score? A jaw-dropping $6 million after adding a $4.5 million bonus to that base check. Jannik Sinner took home that massive prize after beating Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling final. Fans also got a heart-tugging moment as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal shared the stage one last time, wrapping up twenty years of iconic battles just before Nadal announced his retirement.
This year’s event sticks to the same formula, $6 million waiting for whoever lifts the trophy. No ATP ranking points, no head-to-head tallies, just pure, firework-filled tennis fun. Matches roll out Wednesday and Thursday, players rest Friday, and the final showdown hits Saturday since ATP rules keep exhibitions from happening three straight days. Still, with such eye-popping sums in play, it’s no wonder the rest of the tennis world is asking if this prize money changes everything.
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A look at grand slam’s prize money compared to the Six Kings Slam
Everyone knows the Grand Slams are tennis royalty. They hand out 2000 ranking points, hold generations of history, and deliver some of the richest prize pools in sports. These four majors are the proving grounds where champions earn their legacy. Still, crunch the numbers and Riyadh’s new exhibition steals the spotlight, topping even the Slams for sheer payout. That’s wild, considering the majors stretch over two weeks and test every ounce of endurance.
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Just look at the breakdown. The US Open singles winners each bank $5 million from a total purse of around $90 million. Wimbledon crowns walk away with £3 million, about $3.99 million. The Australian Open offers A$3.5 million, roughly $2.28 million, and Roland-Garros champions take home €2.55 million, nearly $2.96 million. All massive numbers, until you see what the Six Kings Slam is offering for a fraction of the workload.
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If the champion in Riyadh plays only two matches, clocking roughly 180 minutes on court, the math gets jaw-dropping fast. That’s about $33,333 earned every minute. Even if the winner battles through three matches, around 270 minutes, they’re still pocketing roughly $22,222 per minute. That’s the kind of payday that makes even Slam winners do a double take.
Stack that against the US Open grind, seven matches, each averaging 165 minutes, a total of 1,155 minutes, and you start to see the gap. The champion’s $5 million prize works out to just $4,329 per minute. The Six Kings Slam may not have the tradition or ranking glory, but when it comes to pure earning power per swing of the racket, it’s in a league of its own. And the Masters aren’t faring much better on that front either.
Six Kings Slam’s prize pot exceeds ATP’s 1000 event
The ATP Masters tournaments throw around big money, but no single winner walks away with anything close to the Six Kings Slam payout. Indian Wells and Miami headline the list with more than $19 million each in total prize money. Madrid and Rome both top $9.3 million, while Monte Carlo trails just slightly behind in euros. Across the tour stops in Toronto, Montreal, Cincinnati, and Shanghai, totals hover near $9.2 million. Even on the WTA side, Cincinnati shines with a $5.1 million pool.
So far this season, eight Masters have wrapped up, leaving one last men’s 1000 showdown at the Paris Masters in early November. The event offers a €5,950,575 purse (about $6.9 million) which is a 2.96% bump from last year. The runner-up lands €501,880, roughly $582,665, another small rise from 2024.
Put it side by side with the Six Kings Slam’s $6 million winner’s prize, and suddenly those ATP payouts look tame. Grand Slams and Masters deliver prestige, but shorter matches mean smaller returns per minute. Best-of-3 matches usually run around 90 minutes, while Slam finals stretch to roughly 165 minutes. Run the math, and the Six Kings Slam champion cashes in at a rate no regular tour event can match.
It’s flashy. It’s new. And players can’t help wondering: Is it just big money grabbing attention, or is there something more behind the hype?
How is the Six Kings Slam giving more stability to players
The prize money debate is nothing new, but it’s heating up again as Saudi Arabia digs deeper into global sports. World No. 12 Casper Ruud said last year he actually turned down invitations to compete there. He wants the human rights conversation to be fair across all borders. “You can definitely discuss China and human rights in China, but we go there every year,” he told Danish outlet SpilXperten. “If you want to put Saudi Arabia as a controversial country, there should be other countries as well that should be mentioned, and we don’t mention those.”
Not everyone’s turning down that kind of cash, though. Taylor Fritz has been blunt about what’s motivating players to show up. “I’d love for them to show me a tournament where you can go play three matches — well, for the top two seeds, two matches — and potentially make $6 million,” Fritz joked in a video chat from Riyadh on Tuesday. “I’d love to hear that from them.”
Here’s how it works: six players split the pot, with each guaranteed $1.5 million even if they lose their first match. That’s serious money just for showing up. Compare that with a Grand Slam like the US Open, where prize pools stretch into tens of millions but get divided among 128 singles players. A first-round loser in New York this year earns $110,000, a solid payout but nowhere near the Saudi event’s scale.
Even defending champion and World No. 2 Jannik Sinner admits the stakes are impossible to ignore. “The money is nothing we’re trying to hide. We know how much is at stake here, and it would be a lie if I told you it wasn’t a motivation,” said Sinner, who’s fresh off winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon and reaching two more Slam finals against Carlos Alcaraz.
The event kicks off tomorrow, October 15, with live coverage streaming on Netflix for the first time ever. Alcaraz and Djokovic skip straight to the semifinals on Thursday, and by Saturday night, two finalists will be fighting for the $6 million crown. Who’s walking out the last king standing?
Undefeated Whippany Park makes history, captures 1st ever sectional crown in tennis
What has been a perfect season thus far morphed into a historic day for Whippany Park’s girls tennis program.
Sweeping close matches at second singles and both doubles pairs, the third-seeded Wildcats captured the NJSIAA Section 2, Group 1 title over sister school, defending champion and top-seeded Hanover Park, 4-1, in East Hanover.
Now a fabulous 15-0 on the season, the Wildcats captured their first title in program history and now advance to the group round on Thursday at Mercer County Park. Hanover Park, always a sectional contender, finished off a terrific season at 12-2.
Wildcats coach Matthew Samson is experiencing the program’s all-time peak in just his first year on the job.
“It’s ironic because our tram and Hanover Park started the year going to watch the U.S. Open, and it was a great experience, and then we wound up back here,” said Samson. “You see the enthusiasm they have supporting each other after their match is done, and it speaks to our chemistry. That’s what has made this year special.”
The first key domino decided came at second singles, where Whippany Park’s Amanda Wickenheisser won a thrilling first set, 7-6 via a 7-3 tiebreaker over Hanover’s Audrey Lee.
Wickenheisser would then rider that momentum into a 6-1 victory in the second stanza to secure the win for the ‘Cats there.
In another tight match at second double, featuring a number of extended volleys, the combination of Anna Koch and Aashi Shah combined to dispatch Asia Sohoni and Morgan Campbell, 6-3, 6-4 to clinch the title for Whippany Park.
The champions earned their first point when first doubles ace Audrey Rha swept Caroline Oriala, 6-0, 6-0. Rha has won the Morris County title in all three of her high school seasons thus far.
“It’s an amazing achievement for us to win this championship, we’ve never gotten to this point,” said Rha. “It takes a team effort to achieve something like this and we got it today.”
Hanover Park notched its lone victory at third singles, where Tanvi Daita had a very strong showing and knocked off Audrey Lee, 6-1, 6-3.
St. George Theatre Golf, Tennis, Bocce and Pickleball Outing a smashing success
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Under unseasonably warm October skies, the St. George Theatre held its ninth annual “Laughs on the Links” Golf, Bocce, Tennis & Pickleball Outing on Monday, Oct. 6, at the Richmond County Country Club, Dongan Hills.
Over 350 guests enjoyed a full day of sporting events followed by an evening dinner and open bar, all in support of St. George Theatre Restoration Inc., the nonprofit that manages the preservation and revitalization of Staten Island’s historic St. George Theatre.
Doreen Cugno and Luanne Sorrentino, co-founders of the theater and event organizers, opened the evening program with a warm welcome.
“We are thrilled to welcome everyone to our ninth annual golf, bocce, tennis, and pickleball outing and to celebrate this year’s remarkable honorees,” said Cugno, who also serves as president and CEO of the St. George Theatre. “As always, we look forward to seeing everyone enjoying the outdoors, participating in a sport, and mingling with friends and colleagues.
“We are so thankful for everyone coming out to support the St. George Theatre.”
Honorees
This year’s event honored individuals and organizations who have made lasting contributions to Staten Island’s arts and culture scene: A.F. Bennett Salon & Wellness Spa, Lynne Persing, and Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn, represented by Iphigenia Romanos and Albert C. Corhan, Sr.
Special thanks were given to major sponsors, including the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Lynne Persing, Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn, Empire Bank, the Staten Island Advance, Staten Island University Hospital, and the Law Office of Victoria Wickman.
“We’re deeply grateful to our dedicated Board of Directors, led by Brian Laline, our incredible A Team staff, and the outstanding outing chairpersons and committee members across golf, bocce, tennis, and pickleball,” added Cugno. “Your hard work has made this principal fundraiser a true success.”
The nonprofit organization is focused on restoring the historic venue while fostering its growth as a cultural and performing arts center through educational programs, community outreach, and live performances.
“Since our last outing, we’ve accomplished so much —presenting outstanding educational shows, exciting headline performances, and expanding one of our proudest initiatives, the Sensory Friendly Series,” said Sorrentino.
“This program creates a welcoming space for children and adults on the autism spectrum to enjoy the magic of live theatre with their families,” added Sorrentino. “We’ve also partnered with over 50 nonprofit organizations to offer a growing array of enriching programs.
“At the heart of it all is our mission to deliver impactful education to our community. Just this summer, we taught 65 students through our ‘Dancing Around the World’ theme.”
Event chairs included Ron J. Scimone, John Tardy, and Vincent Tardy for golf; Katherine Conners, Celeste Holmes-Bute, and Dr. Thomas Petrone for tennis and pickleball; and Diana Boland, Joanne Caridi, Linda Clemenza, and Leslie Kasegrande, Esq., for bocce.
Elected officials were also acknowledged for their support of the theatre’s restoration efforts, including Borough President Vito Fossella.
Also acknowledged were Rep. Nicole Malliotakis; Councilm embers David Carr, Kamillah Hanks, and Frank Morano; Assemblyman Charles Fall; State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton; and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo.
About the honorees
A.F. Bennett Salon & Wellness Spa
A family-owned business in New Dorp, A.F. Bennett Salon & Wellness Spa has been a longtime supporter of the St. George Theatre.
Founded by Anne and Frank Bennett and now operated with their son, Frankie, the salon is known for its commitment to wellness, beauty, and community engagement.
The Bennetts have supported the theatre’s mission through years of generous gala contributions and civic involvement.
Lynne Persing
A dedicated community leader and arts supporter, Lynne Persing has played a major role in fundraising efforts at the St. George Theatre for nearly two decades.
A South Shore Rotary member and a 2024 Staten Island Advance Woman of Achievement, Persing also serves on several nonprofit boards and remains active in the performing arts as a student at Mrs. Rosemary’s Dance Studio.
Iphigenia Romanos and Albert C. Corhan, Sr.
Representing Adelphi Academy of Brooklyn, Romanos and Corhan were recognized for their outstanding contributions to education and community outreach. Romanos has served as Head of School since 2013, while Corhan, an Adelphi alumnus, has worked at the school for 25 years.
They have spearheaded a highly successful Holiday Toy Drive, delivering thousands of gifts to children across Staten Island and partnering with groups like Ben-Bay Kiwanis to expand their reach.
Peak to Peak boys tennis falls to Colorado Academy in the team state semifinals
DENVER — Peak to Peak boys tennis rolled into Tuesday’s Class 4A team state semifinal match with relative ease, dropping opponents like flies. But the undefeated Pumas had yet to face a team like Colorado Academy.
During their meeting at Colorado Academy, the No. 3 Pumas saw their team-centric run come to an end with a 7-0 loss to the No. 2 Mustangs, who will now move on to play top-seeded Kent Denver in the state championship.
Pumas head coach Matt Palmer said he hopes the experience will help sharpen his boys ahead of the individual state tournament, which is set to take place from Thursday to Saturday at Pueblo City Park.
“We’ve played some good teams, but they’re at the next level,” Palmer said of CA. “It was an eye-opening experience for them, but this is the kind of match that will help prepare them for state on Thursday.”
That’s not to say the Pumas didn’t put up a good fight, especially at No. 2 and No. 3 singles.
Following a shaky first set that saw him lose 6-1, junior No. 2 singles man Shreyas Sundaresan battled all the way back in the second to make Oliver Neely play a tiebreak.
“I just got really caught off guard by how he played. It was really weird,” Sundaresan said. “I expected him to just slap everything, but it was a high, loopy ball. I got nervous and lost my head, and after the first set I had some time to reset. After that, I started kind of settling in, playing how I usually play. I’m usually really aggressive. I like to slap side to side.”
He won the second set with a 7-5 score, then lost the tiebreak 11-9. He said the rare setback helped open his eyes to what kind of competition he’ll see later this week. He was 10-0 before it.
“Now I know what to expect,” Sundaresan said. “I’m going to go in with a plan next time. I know what I’m up against now. I know relative to him how the other teams are going to fare after they play Kent, and I’ll have a solid game plan going in.”
At 3 singles, freshman Cody Palmer gave Colorado Academy senior Craig Stapleton a serious run for his money, making sure he earned every single point in a second set that saw Stapleton eventually win 7-6 (7-1). He claimed the first by a much smoother score of 6-2.
“I felt like I was playing myself and the opponent, so it was like one-vs.-two,” Cody said. “I just changed that and adrenaline. I was down 2-5, I think. I saved six match points. I kind of was like, if he wins, he’s going to win off of his shot, not my shot. I just tried to clear my mind.”
Despite the loss, Cody said he was proud of the way he held his own against an older opponent and looks forward to what the rest of his high school career will bring. His father echoed that statement, noting that the team’s earlier 4-3 victory over D’Evelyn — which lost in the semis to Kent Denver — was a huge step forward for the program.
Most of the boys will enter the individual state tournament as the No. 3 or No. 4 seeds in their respective lines.
“We’re really good at staying present in the moment,” Matt Palmer said. “We’ve had really good team camaraderie throughout the year. Our talent level maybe is slightly higher, but not that much higher. I think we’ve just battled a little bit more in the closest matches to win tiebreakers and close matches and make it so we were undefeated.”
Playing on
The team tennis tournament getting closer and closer to its acme, but that doesn’t mean that local athletes are done playing yet. Thirty-four boys from the BoCoPreps coverage area qualified for the 5A and 4A individual state tournaments, which will begin Thursday at Denver Tennis Park and Pueblo City Park, respectively.
In 5A, Fairview’s Luke Treleaven and Monarch’s Isaac Anderson lead the way at No. 1 singles, while Dawson’s Cole Cohen, Frederick’s Josiah Brittenham and Peak to Peak’s Vivaan Bhardwaj hold the same honor for the top line in 4A.
Here’s everyone who qualified.
Class 5A
No. 1 singles: Luke Treleaven, Fairview; Isaac Anderson, Monarch
No. 2 singles: Ajay Chandran, Monarch; Adhrit Sundaresan, Fairview
No. 3 singles: Troy Games, Monarch; Itay Kazatcker, Fairview; Kirby Pierce, Broomfield
No. 1 doubles: Ben Thomas/Eli Greene, Centaurus
No. 2 doubles: Rafa Cortes/Colin Ryan, Fairview; Dallin Shelley/Tanner Keegan, Broomfield
No. 3 doubles: Neal Blackwelder/Sam Vigmostad, Centaurus; Grant Garabed/Quinn Ruder, Fairview; Oliver Kopel/Jackson Beasley, Monarch
No. 4 doubles: Om Vegesna/Srikar Kurakula, Fairview; Owen Gryboski/Memphis Mackley, Broomfield
Class 4A
No. 1 singles: Cole Cohen, Dawson; Josiah Brittenham, Frederick; Vivaan Bhardwaj, Peak to Peak
No. 2 singles: Shreyas Sundaresan, Peak to Peak; Oskar Hansen, Niwot
No. 3 singles: Nick Steinkamp, Dawson; Cody Palmer, Peak to Peak
No. 1 doubles: Dmitri Zaronias/Noah Swartz, Peak to Peak; Colin McLeod/Bassam ElHoury, Dawson; Cooper Herchert/Rex Baxter, Silver Creek
No. 2 doubles: Claude Leonard/Zhuming Haratsaris, Niwot; Adi Gaur/Anders Todd, Peak to Peak; Leo Barrett/Mason Otten, Silver Creek
No. 3 doubles: Gryffin Lawrence/Rylan Hayes, Niwot; Marcos Lopez Flaus/Damian Gorsevski, Peak to Peak; Zach Hoppes/Matthew Tran, Prospect Ridge; Chayse Rawsky/Sam Price, Dawson
No. 4 doubles: Walker Karp/Ashwin Kothari, Dawson; Lex Lomanov/Rahul Agarwal, Niwot
View a list of Prep sports and high school teams we cover.
Nick Krygios Reveals Star Who Could Win More Majors Than Greatest Tennis Player Ever
Nick Kyrgios named a tennis champion who could win more majors than the player he’s long picked as the sport’s greatest of all time.
The 30-year-old Australian, who has won seven singles titles in his career to date, was speaking ahead of the 6 Kings Slam exhibition which takes place this week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In that event, which begins Wednesday, players like Taylor Fritz, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Jannik Sinner, all compete in a quarterfinals, for the right to play Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic in separate semifinals. The winner is expected to take home a $4.5 million prize in addition to $1.5 million participation money.
For Kyrgios, Djokovic is the greatest tennis player ever. However, there is one player at the 6 Kings Slam who he believes could emulate the Serbian.
6 Kings Star Could Win More Majors Than Djokovic
As quoted by Tennis Gazette., Krygios reserved special praise for Alcaraz, claiming that he doesn’t
Schedule, matchups for Thursday’s 2025 NJSIAA girls tennis group semifinals/finals
The 2025 NJSIAA girls tennis group semifinals and finals take place on Thursday, Oct. 16 at Mercer County Park in West Windsor.
The Groups 1 and 2 semifinals will be at 9 a.m., while Groups 3 and 4 semis will be at 11 a.m. The winners will then play in the finals at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.
The Non-Public final will also be at 1 p.m.
The NJSIAA formed the public semifinals matchups based on their UTR ratings.
NJ Advance Media will provide full coverage of the championship matches. Stay tuned for a preview of the day, which will be published Wednesday.
Have a look at the results from the sectional finals here.
GROUP 1
1-Glen Rock vs. 4-New Providence, 9 a.m.
2-Pitman vs. Whippany Park, 9 a.m.
Winners play in the final at 1 p.m.
GROUP 2
1-Holmdel vs. 4-Haddonfield, 9 a.m.
2-Demarest vs. 3-Mendham, 9 a.m.
Winners play in the final at 1 p.m.
GROUP 3
1-Colts Neck vs. 4-Tenafly, 11 a.m.
2-West Windsor-Plainsboro North vs. 3-Shawnee, 11 a.m.
Winners play in the final at 3 p.m.
GROUP 4
1-Bergen Tech vs. 4-Westfield, 11 a.m.
2-West Windsor-Plainsboro South vs. 3-Egg Harbor/Lenape winner, 11 a.m.
Winners play in the final at 3 p.m.
NON-PUBLIC
Final
1-Pingry vs. 2-Rutgers Prep, 1 p.m.
Finishing as the runner-up is getting old for Max Greyserman
Max Greyserman is up to No. 31 in the world ranking and can count on a return trip to the Masters next year if he stays in the top 50 over the next few months.
But this runner-up business is getting old.
Greyserman now has five runner-up finishes in his 53 starts over two years, the most recent when Xander Schauffele outlasted him at the Baycurrent Classic. Schauffele birdied the 17th hole for a two-shot lead, and Greyserman went down swinging — a 7-iron from 187 yards that stopped about 6 inches away from the cup.
“Kind of more of the same,” Greyserman said. “Feel like I executed. I did well, just didn’t play good enough.”
The PGA Tour is off this week, and the 30-year-old Greyserman might do well check in with south Florida neighbor Cameron Young.
Young, had seven runner-up finishes in three years — five of them as a rookie, when he nearly won two majors — before breaking through at the Wyndham Championship this year.
There are similarities, mainly the fact someone else has played better. Young had a Sunday scoring average of 67.5 in his six runner-up finishes (the other was in match play). Greyserman, who closed with a 65 in Japan, has a 65.8 scoring average in his five runner-up finishes.
Greyserman has earned $4,210,400 — more than half his career earnings — from those second-place finishes. That’s a mere consolation.
“I could take this a few different ways,” he said. “Another second would be one thought. Disappointed would be another thought. But on the flip side, I could say I played really well. I shot 65 on Sunday when I was tied for the lead and in the last group, so a lot of good.
“I don’t really know how to feel because I’m obviously very disappointed. But it’s the PGA Tour. You need to play exceptional on a Sunday to win a golf tournament. I played great, but I just didn’t play good enough.”
Rahm’s winless year
Jon Rahm heads into the longest break he’s ever had at the end of the year with plenty to digest. He was part of another winning Ryder Cup team. He won the LIV Golf individual title for the second straight year.
But it also was his first full season since he turned pro that the Spaniard didn’t win.
Rahm was runner-up four times on LIV Golf. He didn’t finish better than a tie for seventh in the three European Tour events and four majors he played. The only chance he had to win outside LIV was the PGA Championship, where he was briefly tied with Scottie Scheffler on Sunday before fading on the back nine, compounded by a bogey-double bogey-double bogey finish.
He told reporters in Spain, where he tied for ninth in the Spanish Open, he would not play again until the LIV Golf season opener in Saudi Arabia next year that starts Feb. 5.
“I’ve never had three months off, but I’m looking forward to it,” Rahm said. “Other athletes have it, and we’ll see. I’m lucky to be able to go home now, have a preseason, be a father, be with my family. And well, if I see that it’s too much, then maybe I won’t do it next year.”
Thitikul rises
For all the talk about parity on the LPGA Tour this year — different winners the first 25 tournaments of the year — all it took was an amazing rally by Jeeno Thitikul for her to truly stand out over everyone else.
Thitikul came from four shots behind with five holes to play to win a playoff in Shanghai over Minami Katsu to become the first multiple winner this season. Her 63 on Sunday was the lowest final round by a winner.
And now the 22-year-old Thai — who already had taken over No. 1 in the world from Nelly Korda — has a chance to become the third player in the last seven years to sweep all the important titles on the LPGA.
She has a big lead in the points-based Player of the Year award over Minjee Lee. She also has a commanding lead in the Vare Trophy for lowest adjusted scoring average. Thitikul still trails Lee — who won a major at the KPMG Women’s PGA — on the LPGA money list by $306,013.
Lydia Ko in 2022 and Jin Young Ko in 2019 also swept the player of the year, money title and the Vare Trophy.
Penge Plans
Marco Penge of England had been looked upon as a rising player whom LIV Golf might want. Penge won the Spanish Open for his third European Tour title of the year and was asked about the LIV speculation.
His heart is set on the PGA Tour. Penge will have a card next year from being among the top 10 in the Race to Dubai who aren’t already on the PGA Tour.
“I’m going to America tomorrow with my wife to find a place for when we move in January,” Penge told Spanish website Ten-Golf on Sunday. “So as far as I’m aware, I’m playing the PGA Tour next year and hopefully I’ll have a great season and finish in the playoffs there and then come back to the DP World Tour and play the rest of the season here.”
Penge said his goal was to compete against the best players and win big titles.
“I want to be playing national opens like this,” he said. “When you win a couple of national opens, that’s something that I’ll never forget and something that my family will never forget. So, that’s my plan.”
Squeaking in
Kirk Triplett has been playing long enough to know that every shot matters at the end of the year. This was another reminder.
He is headed to the Dominion Energy Charity Classic in Virginia to start the PGA Tour Champions postseason. The top 72 advance to the playoffs. Triplett, even a double bogey on his final hole Sunday, finished at No. 72 by a mere $201 over Brandt Jobe.
It didn’t have to be that close.
Triplett thought back to the American Family Insurance Classic, a team event he played with Paul Broadhurst. They were out of contention in the final round when the tournament was hit with a weather delay. They wound up withdrawing.
“I decide to withdraw because it’s just inconvenient. I don’t want to miss my flight,” Triplett said at the SAS Championship. “There’s a couple grand right there that would throw me up three places. … And if you’re a Monday morning quarterback in this game, man, man.
“I tell all these young players, ’You want to really, really see something interesting? Take one shot off every day’s score and see how much money, what a difference that makes at the end of the year. One stinking shot.”
Divots
Dean Robertson of Scotland has been selected to return as Walker Cup captain for Great Britain & Ireland next year at Lahinch. Robertson’s squad fell 17-9 to the Americans this year at Cypress Point. … Twelve of the 20 players on the Korn Ferry Tour who earned PGA Tour cards for 2026 will be rookies. … Johnny Keefer tied for 12th in the Korn Ferry Tour Championship, leaving him at No. 51 in the world with just over two months left in the year. The top 50 get into the Masters at the end of the year. Keefer already is in the U.S. Open from winning the Korn Ferry Tour points title.
Stat of the week
Scottie Scheffler has had more points deducted from his world ranking this year (455.871) than Rory McIlroy has earned (422.369).
Final word
“I’m so lucky that I have the best team ever. When I’m on the top they’re not going to compliment. But when I’m not having a good time, they will keep pushing me up.” — Jeeno Thitikul.
___
Europe to India and LPGA to South Korea, PGA Tour Champions begins postseason
European Tour
DP WORLD INDIA CHAMPIONSHIP
Site: New Delhi, India.
Course: Delhi GC. Yardage: 6,912. Par: 72.
Prize money: $4 million. Winner’s share: $666,667.
Television: Thursday-Friday, 2:30-4 a.m. (NBC Sports app), 4-7:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday, 4-7:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 2-4 a.m. (NBC Sports app), 4-7 a.m. (Golf Channel).
Defending champion: New tournament.
Race to Dubai leader: Rory McIlroy.
Last week: Marco Penge won the Spanish Open.
Notes: The new tournament is the second in India on the European tour with a field that includes five Ryder Cup players. … Rory McIlroy plays for the first time in India. This is his first appearance since the Ryder Cup. … Other European Ryder Cup members are Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Viktor Hovland. … Ben Griffin makes his first European Tour start and plays for the first time since his Ryder Cup debut. … The field also includes former British Open champion Brian Harman and two-time Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald. … Eugenio Chacarra won the Hero Indian Open earlier this year and now goes for a sweep of the Indian tournaments. … Michael Kim is in the field. He already has won the French Open on the European Tour schedule. … Marco Penge leads the European tour with three wins this year. He is second to McIlroy in the Race to Dubai.
Next week: Genesis Championship.
Online: https://www.europeantour.com/dpworld-tour/
___
LPGA Tour
BMW LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP
Site: Haenam, South Korea.
Course: Pine Beach GL. Yardage: 6,785. Par: 72.
Prize money: $2.3 million. Winner’s share: $345,000.
Television: Wednesday-Saturday, 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. (Golf Channel).
Defending champion: Hannah Green.
Race to CME Globe leader: Jeeno Thitikul.
Last week: Jeeno Thitikul won the Buick LPGA Shanghai.
Notes: This is the first of two straight tournaments in South Korea, with the International Crown next week. … Jeeno Thitikul last week became the first multiple winner on the LPGA this season. She is not playing this week but will be part of Thailand’s team in the International Crown next week. … Three of the four Americans in the International Crown are playing this week — Lauren Coughlin, Lilia Vu and Yealimi Noh. Angel Yin is not in the field. … The field only includes Miyu Yamashita, Minjee Lee and Hyo Joo Kim from the top 10 in the women’s world ranking. … Thitikul now has a commanding lead in all the major awards on the LPGA Tour, including a 40-point lead over Minjee Lee for LPGA player of the year. … Hannah Green won last year. It was her third win of the 2024 season, making her the first Australian since Karrie Webb to win three times in a season on the LPGA.
Next week: Hanwha Lifeplus International Crown.
Online: https://www.lpga.com/
___
PGA Tour Champions
DOMINION ENERGY CHARITY CLASSIC
Site: Richmond, Virginia.
Course: The Country Cub of Virginia (James River). Yardage: 7,025. Par: 72.
Prize money: $2.3 million. Winner’s share: $345,000.
Television: Friday-Sunday, 2-5 p.m. (Golf Channel).
Defending champion: Tim O’Neal.
Charles Schwab Cup leader: Miguel Angel Jimenez.
Last week: Alex Cejka won the SAS Championship.
Notes: This starts the three-tournament postseason for the Charles Schwab Cup. It starts with the top 72 players. … The top 54 players after this week will advance to the second postseason event. … Kirk Triplett finished at No. 72 by $201 over Brandt Jobe. … Miguel Angel Jimenez goes into the Charles Schwab Cup playoffs with a $520,494 lead over Stewart Cink. The Spaniard is the only player on the PGA Tour Champions to surpass $3 million in earnings this year. … Bernhard Langer has three tournaments remaining to extend his streak of winning at least once on the PGA Tour Champions in every season since the 68-year-old German became eligible in 2007. He won on the Legends Tour in Europe this year. … Fred Couples (No. 59) and Paul Broadhurst (No. 68) are the only eligible players who are not in the field. … The SAS Championship was the first tournament Alex Cejka won over 54 holes. The other three were majors.
Next week: Simmons Bank Championship.
Online: https://www.pgatour.com/pgatour-champions
___
PGA Tour
Last week: Xander Schauffele won the Baycurrent Classic.
Next week: Bank of Utah Championship.
FedEx Cup champion: Tommy Fleetwood.
Online: https://www.pgatour.com/
___
Korn Ferry Tour
Last week: Chandler Blanchet won the Korn Ferry Tour Championship.
Next tournament: End of season.
Points champion: Johnny Keefer.
Online: https://www.pgatour.com/korn-ferry-tour
___
Other tours
Japan Golf Tour: Japan Open, Nikko CC, Tochigi, Japan. Defending champion: Shugo Imahira. Online: https://www.jgto.org/en/
Asian Tour: SJM Macao Open, Macau Golf and CC, Macao, China. Television: Thursday-Friday, 1-5 a.m. (NBC Sports app); Saturday-Sunday, 12-4 a.m. (NBC Sports app). Defending champion: Rattanon Wannasrichan. Online: https://asiantour.com/
Challenge Tour: Hangzhou Open, Hangzhou West Lake GC, Hangzhou, China. Previous winner: Conor Purcell. Online: https://www.europeantour.com/hotelplanner-tour/
PGA Tour of Australasia: WA Open, Mount Lawley GC, Inglewood, Australia. Defending champion: Elvis Smylie. Online: https://golf.com.au/
Sunshine Tour: Fortress Invitational, Glendower GC, Edenvale, South Africa. Defending champion: Robin Williams. Online: https://sunshinetour.com/
Japan LPGA: Fujitsu Ladies, Tokyu Seven Hundred Club, Chiba, Japan. Previous winner: Miyu Yamashita. Online: https://www.lpga.or.jp/en/
Korea LPGA: Sangsangin-Hankyung Wownet Open, Lakewood CC, Yangju, South Korea. Defending champion: Bokyeom Park. Online: https://klpga.co.kr/
___
AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Wishes Pour in for Xander Schauffele as PGA Tour Pro Shares Emotional Fatherhood Moment With Fans
Xander Schauffele’s win at the 2025 Baycurrent Classic was already unforgettable. Not only was it his 200th PGA Tour start, but he also claimed the victory. This was a feat only he and Justin Thomas had matched since 2016. Yet the moment that truly stole hearts came after the trophy celebration: Schauffele shared the first-ever photo of his newborn son, Victor, and golf fans went wild.
The Instagram carousel told the story perfectly. The first three images featured Schauffele and his wife, Maya, with Maya proudly showing her baby bump. The fourth image captured little Victor sleeping peacefully while clutching a finger. The final shot was perhaps the sweetest: Victor snoozing on the chest of the 10-time PGA Tour winner, who himself had drifted off.
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As soon as the post went up on Instagram, it quickly racked up over 3,000 likes. Golf celebrities didn’t hold back either, showering the couple and their baby with love. Jessica Korda, a longtime friend and fellow pro golfer, kept it simple but heartfelt with a “Beautiful 😍,” echoing the thousands of fans in the comments.
Emojis did most of the talking, perfectly capturing the post’s adorable vibe. Jena Sims, married to Brooks Koepka, shared her excitement with a double “😍😍.”
Wishes came from across the continents, too. The wife of Luke Donald, captain of the rival European team in the Ryder Cup, also showered her love. She used three heart emojis, “❤️❤️❤️” to show her love for the couple and Victor.
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Alayna Galea’i-Finau, PGA Tour star Tony Finau, wrote, “Looove! 😍❤️,” and Golf broadcaster Celia Palermo rounded out the wave of reactions, writing, “So happy for you two ❤️.”
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Golf Glance: LPGA continues Asia swing, Champions begin playoffs
With the PGA Tour off this week, the eyes of the professional golf world are focused on the LPGA Tour’s annual visit to the Republic of Korea and the start of the three-leg Charles Schwab Cup playoffs.
LPGA TOUR
LAST TOURNAMENT: Buick LPGA Shanghai (Jeeno Thitikul)
THIS WEEK: BMW Ladies Championship, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea, Oct. 16-19
Course: Pine Beach Golf Links (Par 72, 6,785 Yards)
Purse: $2.3M (Winner: $345,000)
Defending Champion: Hannah Green
Race to the CME Globe leader: Thitikul
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV/Streaming: Wednesday-Thursday: 11 p.m.-3 a.m. ET; Friday: 11 p.m.-5 a.m.; Saturday: 11 p.m.-3 a.m. (All times Golf Channel, streaming on NBCSports.com and NBC Sports App)
X: @LPGATour
NOTES: This is the second of the five-event Asia swing, with the tour returning to the mainland United States in November. … Pine Beach is hosting the event for the first time. … Green, who won wire-to-wire last year, enters this week having missed five of her past six cuts. … The 78-player field includes 68 LPGA Tour members and 10 sponsor invites. Among the notable sponsor invites are major champions In Gee Chun, Eun-Hee Ji, Jeongeun Lee6 and Sung Hyun Park. … Chella Choi makes her return to competition after giving birth to her first son in March.
NEXT TOURNAMENT: Hanwha Lifeplus International Crown, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea, Oct. 23-26
PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS
LAST TOURNAMENT: SAS Championship (Alex Cejka)
THIS WEEK: Dominion Energy Charity Classic, Richmond, Va., Oct. 17-19
Course: The Country Club of Virginia (Par 72, 7,025 Yards)
Purse: $2.3M (Winner: $350,000)
Defending Champion: Jerry Kelly
Charles Schwab Cup leader: Miguel Angel Jimenez
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Friday-Sunday: 2-5 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
X: @ChampionsTour
NOTES: This is the first of three playoff events to determine the Charles Schwab Cup winner. … The field includes 69 players who finished the regular season within the top 72 in the standings. The top 54 in the standings after this week will advance to the Simmons Bank Championship, and the top 36 after that event will qualify for the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
NEXT TOURNAMENT: Simmons Bank Championship, Little Rock, Ark., Oct.17-19
PGA TOUR
LAST TOURNAMENT: Baycurrent Classic (Xander Schauffele)
THIS WEEK: OFF.
NEXT TOURNAMENT: Bank of Utah Championship, Ivins, Utah, Oct. 23-26
LIV GOLF LEAGUE
LAST TOURNAMENT: Team Championship (Legion XIII)
THIS WEEK: Season Complete
Season Winners: Individual: Jon Rahm; Team: Legion XIII
NEXT TOURNAMENT: LIV Golf Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 5-7
Tiger Woods Reportedly Went to Extreme Lengths to Get Inside the Head of PGA Tour Rivals
Tiger Woods didn’t just dominate golf with talent, he mastered the mental game. His relentless work ethic and strategic mind intimidated rivals and forced them to elevate their play, turning the sport into a global phenomenon. On more than one occasion, Woods reportedly went to extreme lengths to get inside the heads of his competitors.
During a recent golf challenge on Grant Hovart’s channel, Jason Day
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“Well, I heard that on a par-three, he’d place his hand on the head cover in a way that made you second-guess yourself. At Augusta, for example, he might swap an eight iron for a seven, just to make it look like, ‘Why did he hit that club?’”
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Essentially, Tiger would deliberately grab a longer club, like a seven iron, while obscuring his bag with his hand. This simple yet brilliant mind game forced rivals to question their own judgment constantly. “Day elaborated on why he believed this tactic worked.
“Most guys check what their competitor is hitting and adjust accordingly. Tiger would deliberately change club, take some off a seven iron, for example, just to throw everyone off. He did it on purpose.”
Tiger’s trick relied on standard golf etiquette. Players often gauge their club choice by watching others. Tiger would subtly adjust his swing, making a seven-iron fly the distance of an eight. This left rivals second-guessing and unsettled throughout the round.
Day could only shake his head at Woods’ brilliance. “Dude, this guy, he was nuts, man. Like, he was so freaking good,” he said, admiration clear in his voice. Even elite pros recognized that Tiger didn’t just outplay them with shots. He outthought and outmaneuvered them at every turn, exploiting the smallest tactical edges. This relentless mental game, combined with his physical talent, cemented his status as golf’s ultimate competitor.
How Woods played his mind games
Golf is a game of inches, angles, and precision. But in Tiger Woods’ prime, it was also a battlefield of the mind. Research shows that between 1998 and 2001, playing partners scored an average of 0.462 strokes worse per round when paired with Woods. His dominance was further pronounced among top-ranked players fighting for the biggest payouts.
As arch-rival Hunter Mahan put it, “He stepped on that tee and there was an intimidation, an intensity that was very unknown to everybody. He used that in a huge way because everyone was uncomfortable and couldn’t do anything about it.”
Woods’ focus and presence weren’t just physical. It struck a psychological cord with his opponents. It was often a calculated effort to unsettle opponents before a single shot was struck.
Beneath the statistics and testimonials lay a more insidious truth. Tiger didn’t just play golf. He played minds.
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Retired Pro Accuses PGA Tour of Copying Greg Norman’s Idea That Once Made Him Golf’s Villain
Greg Norman’s attempts to shake up professional golf have long drawn controversy, from his 1990s reforms to his tenure as LIV Golf CEO. While many criticized him for challenging the status quo, former tour pro Nick O’Hern now claims that the PGA Tour later embraced a strategy strikingly similar to Norman’s.
On the Talk Birdie To Me podcast, O’Hern and the fellow host Mark Allen were discussing Norman’s interview with Australian Golf Digest. “That goes back to when he was trying to do the world tour, wasn’t he? Back in the day, with the PGA against the PGA, well, not against the PGA Tour, but he wanted to start it with some of the players, and I think Jack and Annie and all that sort of said, ‘No, no, no, no. Don’t go down that route,” Nick O’Hern said.
Discussing Norman’s frustration, Allen noted that he had accomplished a lot by advocating for LIV Golf and its players, yet faced heavy backlash. O’Hern then touched on the long-standing tensions between Norman and the PGA Tour, hinting at the roots of their feud.
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Norman attempted to launch a “World Golf Tour” (WGT) in the mid-1990s with Fox. The aim was to globalize the game. This included an eight-event schedule with high prize money and TV revenue sharing for players. Many people thought that the proposal was a threat to the PGA Tour. Therefore, the tour revolted. The PGA Tour strongly opposed the idea. The rhetoric grew so heated that a 1994 Washington Post editorial used phrases like “Maybe Greg Norman really is a shark at heart. And that’s no compliment,” “The World Golf Tour is an ugly idea, both crass and alien to golf,” and “At the moment, Norman makes Al Bundy look classy.”
Many golfers Norman approached rejected the idea. Nick Faldo, then world No. 4, was among the most vocal, dismissing the WGT as unworkable. “What world tour? It’s not going to happen. There is nothing concrete, and the proposals haven’t been thought out. Nothing makes sense.” Even the legendary Arnold Palmer said no to the tournament.
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After Norman’s announcement, the Tour convened an evening players’ meeting, and Arnold Palmer delivered a scathing review of the World Golf Tour. “I was shell-shocked when I got out of that meeting,” said Norman, according to Sports Illustrated. “Are you kidding me? How about having an open discussion about this, guys? How about not slaying the dream and just shutting me down and ostracizing me in front of the other players?”
As a result, the WGT never launched, and instead, the PGA Tour later developed its own global events called the World Golf Championships with similar prize pools. However, tensions arose once again as Norman became the CEO of LIV Golf in 2021.
Norman accused the PGA Tour of copying LIV Golf’s format, including event scheduling and prize structures. He even shared an Instagram post about the same. The post featured an image of Jay Monahan and Greg Norman, and it had a text that read, “Jay: Hey, can I copy your homework? Greg: Sure, just make it look different so it doesn’t look to obvious.”
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Besides Norman, even former World No. 1 Lee Westwood also said that he believes the PGA Tour is copying LIV Golf. Although Norman didn’t say this directly in his interview with American Golf Digest, O’Hern believes he hinted at those feelings.
Despite the criticism, Norman reportedly described his tenure with LIV Golf as a “mission accomplished,” leaving many to wonder why he felt that way.
Greg Norman calls his tenure with LIV Golf a success
Greg Norman believes LIV Golf reshaped the financial landscape of professional golf. He pointed out that the league’s significant investment pressured the PGA Tour to raise prize money, creating more lucrative opportunities for players worldwide. Norman expressed quiet satisfaction at seeing the Tour increase payouts and reduce field sizes in key events.
He told Australian Golf Digest, “Are they going to recognize LIV for doing that? No, but I do know that was a significant uptick for them. For them to play for more money, even in smaller fields, they reduced the size of the fields. I just said, ‘Well, there you go.’ The adoption, to some degree, of what we implemented has been accepted.”
1X-PGA Tour Winner Struggles With ‘Visa Issues’ Ahead of DP World India Championship
The 1X-PGA Tour Winner was supposed to be teeing it up at the inaugural $4 million DP World India Championship. Instead, he’s stuck in Japan, dealing with unexpected visa issues just days before the event. While stars like Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, and Tommy Fleetwood light up Delhi Golf Club, Kim’s absence stands out. The brand-new tournament — the richest DP World Tour event ever held in India — was set to feature him in the field, but travel troubles have sidelined his debut on the Back 9 swing of the Race to Dubai.
Here, talking about Michael Kim, He took to X to share his woes a few hours ago. “I committed to play the DP World India champ, but I’ve had some visa issues and am still in Japan… Luckily, I think it’s going to work out, and headed to India now. No practice at all, have to go in blind. Let’s see how it turns out, haha. Will keep updating…” Kim posted, casually letting fans in on his rollercoaster of a week.
Michael Kim is in Japan, as he played the 2025 Baycurrent Classic last week at the Yokohama Country Club. While Xander Schauffele stole the spotlight with a dominant win and a trio of records, Kim quietly wrapped up his week with a 3-under-par final round, finishing tied for 56th. It wasn’t the flashiest result, but it showed glimpses of solid form, especially considering the travel demands and his recent transition to playing more on the DP World Tour.
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Just last month, Michael Kim claimed his first DP World Tour title at the 2025 FedEx Open de France. It was an emotional moment that marked a major milestone for the Korean-American golfer, who’s spent most of his career grinding it out on the PGA Tour. This was his second win of his career, winning the first at the 2018 John Deere Classic.
The win and that Sunday round in Yokohama could prove more valuable than it looks on paper, especially now, as Kim scrambles to make it to Delhi in time for the start of the inaugural DP World India Championship.
The good news? Time is still on his side. With the official practice round scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, and the tournament teeing off on Thursday, October 16, Kim can make it for the first round in time if his visa troubles are sorted out. IT’s not ideal to play an event, especially a new course, without getting in a practice round, but for a player who’s been navigating global schedules, it’s just another curveball to manage.
Visa complications have disrupted golf schedules before, even for top players. In 2024, former Masters champion Ángel Cabrera was denied a U.S. visa, preventing his return to Augusta despite a lifetime exemption. South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence also had to withdraw from the Canadian Open earlier this year after delays in securing his travel documents. On the LPGA Tour, Brittany Henderson, caddie and sister to Brooke Henderson, missed the Meijer LPGA Classic when her visa expired.
But while Kim’s visa issues get sorted just in time, let’s take a look at what’s at stake at the DP World India Championship for the entire field this week.
What’s at Stake and How to Catch All the Live Action from the DP World Tour India Championship
This week’s DP World India Championship isn’t just a historic debut—it’s a high-stakes moment in the DP World Tour season. As the penultimate event in the “Back 9” stretch, it’s one of the final two chances for players to either secure their cards for 2026 or make a late push into the Race to Dubai Play-Offs.
Only the top 110 in the season-long standings after next week’s Genesis Championship in South Korea will retain their full Tour status. Meanwhile, those ranked inside the top 70 will earn their ticket to the season-ending play-offs, starting with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship (Nov 6–9) and ultimately the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai (Nov 13–16). With so much on the line, every shot this week matters.
Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports Golf, with coverage beginning at 6:30 am on Thursday, 7:30 am on Friday, and Saturday’s action starting on Sky Sports Main Event at 7:30 am before switching to Sky Sports Golf at 8 am. As for the marquee groups, Rory McIlroy will tee off at 7:25 am local time (2:55 am BST) alongside Viktor Hovland and Ben Griffin, while Michael Kim, if his visa comes through in time, is scheduled to go off at 7:45 am (3:15 am BST) with Dylan Naidoo and Indian local Manu Gandas.
Schauffele Ends Winless Stretch With Emotional Baycurrent Classic Victory
Xander Schauffele added a deeply personal victory to his résumé this week, claiming the Baycurrent Classic in Yokohama, Japan–a place with profound ties to his family. Though not among golf’s biggest events, this win held weight far beyond prize money. Schauffele’s maternal roots in Japan made the triumph resonate on a unique level, turning a PGA Tour win into a tribute to heritage and identity.
The 2025 Baycurrent Classic marked Schauffele’s first PGA Tour victory of the year. He fired a final-round 7-under 64, bringing his total to 19-under (265) and edging out Max Greyserman by a single stroke. That narrow margin reinforced how tight the top of the leaderboard was, and how every shot mattered.
Playing the Course, And the Backstories
In many ways, the Baycurrent Classic is a tournament of stories and symbolism. Previously known as the Zozo Championship, the event’s move and rebranding doesn’t change what it represents: one of the rare PGA Tour stops in Japan. For Schauffele, whose mother grew up in Japan and whose grandparents still live there, this week was as much personal as professional. His family walked with him; his 81-year-old grandmother even walked the course on the final day.
Schauffele has visited Japan intermittently since he was young, fostering an affinity for the country and its culture. Now as a champion there, the emotional stakes added a layer to his competitive drive. He called the win “pretty cool” in part because of what it meant to share it with family.
“I’ve been coming here since I was about 9 years old to visit my grandparents,” Schauffele said. “I sort of fell in love with this country a long time ago. I can’t wait to bring my son here when he’s old enough to sort of understand and appreciate the culture here in Japan.”
How the Final Round Unfolded
The closing round was intense. Schauffele and Greyserman entered Sunday tied at 12-under, setting the stage for a final battle. Schauffele grabbed key birdies at the 14th and 17th holes, which were decisive in holding off Greyserman’s late charge. Though Greyserman nearly forced a playoff via a brilliant approach on the final hole, Schauffele responded with composure, making the clutch par to seal victory.
Other contenders also made noise: Michael Thorbjornsen carded a 64 and finished three strokes back. Takumi Kanaya of Japan closed with a strong 62, while Matt McCarty flirted with history, posting an 11-under 60, just missing a 58 by a bogey on his final hole.
With the win came a payday–Schauffele collected $1,314,000 from an $8 million purse. Beyond the money, the victory snapped a 14-month winless stretch on the PGA Tour.
What This Means: Confidence, Momentum, Identity
Coming off a season that had lacked a signature victory, this win gives Schauffele both validation and breathing room. It shows he can still close under pressure, and in a setting charged with personal meaning. As he returns to the U.S. swing, he’ll carry that confidence forward.
This victory also reinforces his identity as a global player. Few golfers can claim a home-course feel –even as visitors–in another country. For Schauffele, Japan is part of home. This week’s success could deepen his connection to Asian golf markets, fanbases, and sponsors.
NASCAR Broadcaster Met with Rare Praise from Fans After Impressive Coverage
Nowadays, that booming sound you hear isn’t just the cars on the track; it’s the multi-million dollar contracts fueling the future of NASCAR broadcasting. In 2025, the sport stepped into a complex, 7-year $7.7 billion media rights deal with 4 distinct partners: FOX, NBC, Amazon Prime Video, and Warner Bros. Discovery, with a staggering 40% increase in annual value that cemented NASCAR’s place in the premier tier of American sports media. This deal, which divided the 38-race Cup Series schedule among these partners, was meant to modernize the sport by integrating streaming services like Prime Video and Max. The quality of coverage, however, often hinges on what happens in the crucial, chaotic minutes following the checkered flag.
The post-race interview broadcast is arguably the most critical piece of real estate after the final burnout, serving as the bridge between high-speed drama and human emotion. For instance, NBC aptly showed the emotional interview of Denny Hamlin at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, after winning his milestone 60th career Cup Series win. While NBC’s main network is reserved for a select handful of high-profile events, USA Network has been the linear home for the majority of the NBCUniversal-covered races. This placement, sometimes referred to as the lesser channel compared to the main NBC broadcast, has, perhaps unintentionally, provided the broadcast team with the freedom to dramatically rethink its post-race approach.
This strategic allocation to the USA Network has paid dividends in terms of viewer experience, leading to fans writing on Reddit, “Gotta give props to USA Network for the extended post race each week. Obviously if helps being on the lesser channel over main NBC, but they really get in a ton of interviews and recap quite a bit. Huge difference from early in the year when they barely get the burnout in and rush the on track interview. Good job guys!” The USA Network has consistently demonstrated a commitment to interviewing a far wider range of drivers, often talking to the top-5 finishers.
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This stems from the earlier disappointment of fans with the broadcasting companies throughout the year. FOX Sports, which covered the first third of the season, drew familiar and widespread disgust for an unwatchable experience characterized by excessive commercial breaks that frequently miss crucial on-track action. Similarly, TNT, debuting with its mid-season package, received mixed reviews, with some viewers noting a clear downgrade from the brief coverage by Amazon Prime Video.
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The increasing voice of fans has become an increasingly significant factor in driving production changes. The success of USA Network’s post-race strategy proves that prioritizing content depth and driver engagement over a rigid, pre-set broadcast window resonates deeply with the core audience.
Fans celebrate more access to drivers after each race
USA Network’s approach was highlighted by one fan as, “Novel concept to talk to the top 5 drivers if not the top 10. Bravo NBC/USA.” Fans have lauded the network’s efforts to provide in-depth insights into the performance of drivers finishing in the top-5, a departure from the more limited coverage seen in previous seasons.
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On the other hand, one fan explained, “I’d say that it shouldn’t be possible for FOX to run back the same pile of slop they’ve been giving us after what Amazon and NBC have offered, but, you know.” This sentiment reflects widespread dissatisfaction among viewers regarding Fox’s broadcast quality. For instance, during the 2025 Indianapolis 500, Fox faced backlash for cutting away from the finish line to cover a crash that had no impact on the race outcome, missing the moment when Alex Palou crossed the finish line. These ongoing issues have prompted calls for improvements in Fox’s NASCAR broadcast approach.
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Others added to praising NBC’s coverage, saying, “Post race is something NBC has always done pretty well. Even when they put it on Peacock or the NBC sports app. They were the first network to shift their TV window to favor post-race over pre-race.” This approach allows viewers to hear directly from drivers, providing insights into their performances and emotions following the race. After the South Point 400 at LVMS, NBC’s extended coverage allowed fans to get a deeper understanding of the race’s dynamics.
Another fan pointed out, “Also the post race segment by Letarte Burton & Diffy is just amazing, Letarte always sheds some great wisdom and Diffy just lights up the room every time he talks.” As a former Cup Series crew chief of legends like Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr., Steve Letarte’s great wisdom often manifests in technical and strategic breakdowns, such as his detailed analysis of the impact of race strategy on track position at unique venues like Pocono Raceway, where he won three times as a crew chief. In contrast, Leigh Diffey’s enthusiastic play-by-play, which Letarte once noted as having ‘poetic and colorful’ calls that make for a bigger moment than the moment itself already is, perfectly complements their expertise.
Haley to depart Spire at end of 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season
Justin Haley will not return to Spire Motorsports next season.
The parties have agreed to part ways following the season finale at Phoenix Raceway next month. Haley, who drives the No. 7 Chevrolet, returned to Spire at the end of 2024, but has struggled this season, earning two top-10 finishes to date. He sits 31st in the standings with three races remaining, and the team underwent a crew chief change in the spring.
“This is a decision that was not taken lightly,” Jeff Dickerson, co-owner of Spire Motorsports, said. “Justin has been a member of the Spire family since he was a teenager. We’ve watched Justin grow from a young driver trying to make his mark in the sport to a proven winner. He helped strengthen our organization into what it is today. He made us winners and returned home after forging his own path in the Cup Series.
“Justin is the embodiment of a true racer who has quietly become a respected competitor within the NASCAR garage and will be an incredible asset to his next team.”
Haley joined Spire Motorsports when it debuted in the Cup Series in 2019. The team ran on a part-time basis that season, but won with Haley in the summer event at Daytona International Speedway, which was weather-shortened.
The triumph at Daytona was the organization’s first, and thus far, only Cup Series victory.
In five seasons at the Cup Series level, Haley has driven for Spire Motorsports, Kaulig Racing, and Rick Ware Racing. He has made 177 career starts.
Spire Motorsports will announce its 2026 plans for the No. 7 team at a later date.
NASCAR Team Part Ways with Cup Star Ahead of 2026, Leaving Hopes for Kyle Busch
The dust from Phoenix’s 2025 finale has barely settled, and Spire Motorsports is already shaking things up. The team and driver Justin Haley are parting ways after the season, with no word yet on who’ll slide into the No. 7 seat for 2026.
From Winamac, Indiana, Haley’s been a road warrior since his 2016 ARCA Menards Series East title at 17. He’s logged over 330 starts across Cup, Xfinity, and Trucks, with one Cup win, six top-5s, and 18 top-10s in 177 starts, 74 with Spire.
He juggled full Xfinity schedules with 34 Cup runs from 2019-2020, then went full-time at Kaulig in 2022 before circling back to Spire in September 2024. At 26, he’s one of just 41 drivers with wins in all three national series, four in Xfinity, three in Trucks, a mark of his versatility that’s left him respected but under the radar.
Spire’s parting with Haley feels like the end of an era. He was there from the start, helping the team find its feet in a Cup field stacked with giants. Haley grew up in the No. 7, from teen prospect to proven talent.
Now, with Haley eyeing his next chapter, the seat’s open, and whispers are flying about Busch, who’s been vocal about his frustrations at RCR. Spire’s move is a reset, but it’s bittersweet. Haley’s Daytona triumph in 2019 was the team’s first Cup win, a milestone that proved they belonged.
His 18 top-10s with Spire show the talent that grew alongside the team, from juggling schedules to full-time runs.
Dickerson’s tribute captures the family feel. Haley wasn’t just a driver; he was the kid who helped build the house. Now, with 2026 on the horizon, Spire is scouting for the next chapter, and Busch’s name is on everyone’s lips.
Justin Haley Out at Spire Motorsports
Justin Haley will not return to Spire Motorsports for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. As has been speculated for months regarding the driver’s future with the team, it is now official with three races left in the season.
Haley, 26 years of age, left Rick Ware Racing last year with seven races remaining to join Spire and drive the team’s No. 7 Chevrolet. After earning just one top five and two top finishes this season, and ranking 31st in driver points, the team is moving on from the native of Winamac, IN.
Spire Sends Haley Off with Praise
The team made the announcement on Tuesday regarding the driver’s tenure. No plans have been announced for his replacement in 2026.
“This is a decision that was not taken lightly,” said Jeff Dickerson, Spire Motorsports co-owner. “Justin has been a member of the Spire family since he was a teenager. We’ve watched Justin grow from a young driver trying to make his mark in the sport to a proven winner.
“He helped strengthen our organization into what it is today. He made us winners and returned home after forging his own path in the Cup Series.
“Justin is the embodiment of a true racer who has quietly become a respected competitor within the NASCAR garage and will be an incredible asset to his next team.”
The team still has drivers Micheal McDowell in the No. 71 and Carson Hocevar in the No. 77 Chevrolets.
Haley Has Had Bumpy Road
In 2019, Haley gave the team its first victory at Daytona International Speedway winning a rain-shorted event. He left Spire after 2022 to race at Kaulig Racing for two seasons going winless while earning four top five and 10 top 10 finishes.
Late in 2023, RWR announced Haley as its new driver for the 2024 season. Later that year, Spire and RWR swapped Haley for Corey LaJoie with seven races remaining.
When the 2025 season started, Spire put Haley and Championship winning crew chief Rodney Childers together. However, after just nine races, Childress left the team and moved Spire Competition Director Ryan Sparks to work with Haley.
Story to be updated
Tim Packman Tim Packman is a journalist for Heavy.com covering NASCAR. He grew up around the short tracks of Western New York watching his dad, stepdad and step brother race. His uncle was the head starter at many area tracks and member of the FOAR Score Hall of Fame. Tim’s passion for racing took him to the announcer’s tower and writing program stories for multiple tracks in the area, namely Lancaster National Speedway. In 2000, he moved to Mooresville, NC to become an award-winning journalist for NASCAR.com. He took a job with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. as the team’s Communications Director and was part of two Daytona 500 wins and two NASCAR Championships. The announcing experience led to becoming a Pit Reporter and News Director for MRN Radio. A return to the team side at Richard Childress Racing as the Director of Corporate Communications took place, which also included another Championship. From 2015 to 2018, Tim returned to where his career began in 1994 – Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway – as the Track President. He earned Short Track Promoter of the Year awards in 2016 and 2017. Upon returning to NC, he joined The Garage Shop as Communications Director and host of it’s Podcast and MAV-TV docuseries
Denny Hamlin punches ticket to NASCAR’s Championship 4
All Times Eastern
NASCAR CUP SERIES
YellaWood 500
Playoffs — Round of 8
Site: Talladega, Alabama.
Track: Talladega Superspeedway.
Race distance: 188 laps, 500.08 miles.
Schedule: Saturday, qualifying, 1:30 p.m.; Sunday, race, 2 p.m. (NBC).
Last year: Tyler Reddick secured the win in the second race of the Round of 8 with a thrilling pass of Ryan Blaney in the final turn that earned him a position in the Championship 4.
Last race: Denny Hamlin earned the first of four spots in the Championship finale, securing his 60th career win after a dramatic pass of Chase Briscoe with four laps to go in Las Vegas.
Next race: Oct. 26, Martinsville, Virginia.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR XFINITY SERIES
United Rentals 250
Playoffs — Round of 8
Site: Talladega, Alabama.
Track: Talladega Superspeedway.
Race distance: 94 laps, 250.04 miles.
Schedule: Saturday, qualifying, 11:30 a.m., race, 4 p.m. (CW).
Last year: Austin Hill earned his first-ever spot in the championship finale after taking the lead from Cole Custer with 12 laps to go in the second race of the Round of 8.
Last race: Aric Almirola secured a spot in the Championship 4 after a late pass of Connor Zilisch that earned him his 10th career series win and third of the season.
Next race: Oct. 25, Martinsville, Virginia.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES
Love’s RV Stop 225
Playoffs — Round of 8
Site: Talladega, Alabama.
Track: Talladega Superspeedway.
Race distance: 85 laps, 226.1 miles.
Schedule: Friday, qualifying, 12:30 p.m., race, 4 p.m. (FOX).
Last year: Grant Enfinger executed a fuel-saving strategy that helped him secure back-to-back playoff wins in the second race of the Round of 8.
Last race: After recovering from a first-lap crash, Corey Heim earned a record-setting 10 series wins in a single season with a win at Charlotte that secured him a spot in the Championship 4.
Next race: Oct. 24, Martinsville, Virginia.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
FORMULA 1
United States Grand Prix
Site: Del Valle, Texas.
Track: Circuit of the Americas.
Race distance: 56 laps, 191.8 miles.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 1:25 p.m., qualifying, 5:25 p.m.; Saturday, sprint race, 12:55 p.m., qualifying, 4:55 p.m.; Sunday, race, 3 p.m. (ABC).
Last year: Charles Leclerc earned his third win of the season, leading from the first lap to give Ferrari a 1-2 finish ahead of teammate Carlos Sainz.
Last race: George Russell’s second victory of the season was overshadowed by McLaren securing its second straight constructors’ championship at Singapore.
Next race: Oct. 26, Mexico City.
Online: http://www.formula1.com
INDYCAR
Season Wrap: Alex Palou won his third consecutive series championship, securing the title in four of the last five seasons.
Online: http://www.indycar.com
NHRA DRAG RACING
Next race: Nov. 2, Las Vegas.
Online: http://www.nhra.com
WORLD OF OUTLAWS
Putnamville Showdown
LaSalle Showdown
Badger State Triple
Next race: Oct. 24-25.
Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com
___
Denny Hamlin punches ticket to NASCAR’s Championship 4 and F1 rolls into COTA
All Times Eastern
NASCAR CUP SERIES
YellaWood 500
Playoffs — Round of 8
Site: Talladega, Alabama.
Track: Talladega Superspeedway.
Race distance: 188 laps, 500.08 miles.
Schedule: Saturday, qualifying, 1:30 p.m.; Sunday, race, 2 p.m. (NBC).
Last year: Tyler Reddick secured the win in the second race of the Round of 8 with a thrilling pass of Ryan Blaney in the final turn that earned him a position in the Championship 4.
Last race: Denny Hamlin earned the first of four spots in the Championship finale, securing his 60th career win after a dramatic pass of Chase Briscoe with four laps to go in Las Vegas.
Next race: Oct. 26, Martinsville, Virginia.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR XFINITY SERIES
United Rentals 250
Playoffs — Round of 8
Site: Talladega, Alabama.
Track: Talladega Superspeedway.
Race distance: 94 laps, 250.04 miles.
Schedule: Saturday, qualifying, 11:30 a.m., race, 4 p.m. (CW).
Last year: Austin Hill earned his first-ever spot in the championship finale after taking the lead from Cole Custer with 12 laps to go in the second race of the Round of 8.
Last race: Aric Almirola secured a spot in the Championship 4 after a late pass of Connor Zilisch that earned him his 10th career series win and third of the season.
Next race: Oct. 25, Martinsville, Virginia.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES
Love’s RV Stop 225
Playoffs — Round of 8
Site: Talladega, Alabama.
Track: Talladega Superspeedway.
Race distance: 85 laps, 226.1 miles.
Schedule: Friday, qualifying, 12:30 p.m., race, 4 p.m. (FOX).
Last year: Grant Enfinger executed a fuel-saving strategy that helped him secure back-to-back playoff wins in the second race of the Round of 8.
Last race: After recovering from a first-lap crash, Corey Heim earned a record-setting 10 series wins in a single season with a win at Charlotte that secured him a spot in the Championship 4.
Next race: Oct. 24, Martinsville, Virginia.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
FORMULA 1
United States Grand Prix
Site: Del Valle, Texas.
Track: Circuit of the Americas.
Race distance: 56 laps, 191.8 miles.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 1:25 p.m., qualifying, 5:25 p.m.; Saturday, sprint race, 12:55 p.m., qualifying, 4:55 p.m.; Sunday, race, 3 p.m. (ABC).
Last year: Charles Leclerc earned his third win of the season, leading from the first lap to give Ferrari a 1-2 finish ahead of teammate Carlos Sainz.
Last race: George Russell’s second victory of the season was overshadowed by McLaren securing its second straight constructors’ championship at Singapore.
Next race: Oct. 26, Mexico City.
Online: http://www.formula1.com
INDYCAR
Season Wrap: Alex Palou won his third consecutive series championship, securing the title in four of the last five seasons.
Online: http://www.indycar.com
NHRA DRAG RACING
Next race: Nov. 2, Las Vegas.
Online: http://www.nhra.com
WORLD OF OUTLAWS
Putnamville Showdown
LaSalle Showdown
Badger State Triple
Next race: Oct. 24-25.
Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com
___
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/apf-AutoRacing
Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Potential replacements for Justin Haley at Spire Motorsports
On Tuesday, Spire Motorsports announced that it will part ways with driver Justin Haley at the conclusion of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, leaving a full-time Cup Series seat at an up-and-coming organization open for 2026.
In 33 starts with Spire this season, Haley has only two top-10 finishes and is 31st in the Cup Series standings.
2025 was Haley’s first full-time season with Spire after he drove the final seven races of 2024 with the organization.
Here are three potential replacements for Haley behind the wheel of the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet in 2026.
Daniel Suarez
Per Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, Suarez, a 33-year-old veteran of 320 Cup Series starts and a two-time Cup Series winner, is the leading candidate for the ride. Suarez has spent the past five seasons with another Chevy team in the Cup Series in Trackhouse Racing, and while he’s struggled to consistently find success, he could be a nice balance at Spire in between a grizzled veteran in Michael McDowell and a flashy young gun in Carson Hocevar.
Corey LaJoie
LaJoie left Spire with seven races left in the 2024 Cup Series season to finish out the year with Rick Ware Racing before being left without a full-time ride in any NASCAR division for 2025. If Spire can’t get its No. 1 option in Suarez, LaJoie could at least be a stopgap for the No. 7 team for one season. LaJoie’s Cup Series resume isn’t all that impressive, but he drove for Spire for four years and, like Suarez, would strike a balance in experience between McDowell and Hocevar.
Kyle Busch
Busch is by far the most
Dale Jr. Warns Fans Not to Expect Overnight Results From NASCAR’s Recent Changes
“This year’s champion would end up feeling like a dud — like a lame duck kind of thing.” A week ago, Dale Jr. said that no news of changing the NASCAR Cup Series playoff format would drop in 2025. And to him, it made the most sense. Whoever ends up with the title, be it Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, or Ryan Blaney, would not receive the praise that they should. Even Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR President, vehemently defended not introducing the format this year.
However, the news of increasing the horsepower from 670 to 750 and changes in the rules have left fans on the edge of their seats. Fans and insiders alike seem to be mentally fast-forwarding through the remainder of the playoffs. Now, however, Dale Jr. claimed that this anticipation will not be rewarding.
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Dale Jr. gives a bitter reality check
Indeed, fans cannot wait to chuck the current playoff format. From Denny Hamlin wrangling with Ty Gibbs in New Hampshire to William Byron’s high-impact collision with Ty Dillon in Las Vegas, instances of desperation spurned by the elimination format are plenty. And Mike Forde, in a recent episode of ‘Door, Bumper, Clear’, fanned the flames of that desire. When DBC host Tommy Baldwin suggested a 32-race championship with four races in the playoffs, Forde dropped a hint. “I think that’s probably going to happen,” he said. But there is a caveat – exactly when will that happen?
According to Dale Jr., not anytime soon. Despite NASCAR’s constant hints at changes in 2026, the 26-time Cup race winner deflated that expectation. “You’re not going to see those results out of the gate,” Dale Jr. declared in a recent Dale Jr Download episode. “You won’t see them next year. You won’t see them the year after that. If you’re trying to get this sport back to where it was in its peak or anywhere close, that’s going to take your ass a decade or two. All right, so buckle up.” He added, “Whatever they change it to, next year, the numbers, the viewership, if anything, it’ll be just a bump better.”
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The current elimination format leaves drivers biting their nails after every playoff round. What is more, no merit is given to them for their regular-season achievements. Hence, Dale Jr. recognized the high anticipation for giving drivers who achieve throughout the year more credit. “There’s a lot of emotion around the changes that may be coming for next year. We’ve been moving through various stages of emotion through this – excitement, debate, anticipation, apprehensive, feelings around it.”
Yet Rome was not built in a day. Similarly, Dale Jr. explained that this massive change would take time in NASCAR. “NASCAR’s peak was a process of 40 years, 50 years of development, change, of evolution, and they must have done a lot of things right. Was everything right? I don’t know. Probably not. It’s probably unlikely. But they did a lot of good things to get us to a peak.” He added, “You don’t build something that big and that great in a 12-month period.”
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Dale Jr. is seeking patience from fans in expecting a tweaked playoff format. At the same time, however, the veteran is losing patience in a legal crisis.
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Seeking a fast solution
Denny Hamlin was visibly emotional when he won the race last week. Even after getting out of the No. 11 Toyota, the driver fought back tears due to several reasons, ranging from his father’s ailing health to finally achieving his 60th trophy. Yet another reason was the NASCAR lawsuit, which has been raging for over a year. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports took up arms against NASCAR’s ‘monopolistic practices’, refusing to sign the new charter deal and filing a lawsuit in October 2024. Now, however, the teams have lost their charters and are seeking a settlement deal before the case goes to trial in December.
All this time, there has been a lot of back-and-forth in their legal battles. These courtroom conflicts have left most in the NASCAR Cup Series garage worried. And they have left Dale Jr. simply fed up. “I am on the boat that absolutely wishes this would get settled soon,” he said. “Everybody is tired of this. I don’t know what it would take to make both sides happy. I think everybody has got their heels dug in. There’s some pride and ego involved.”
And Dale Jr. criticized 23XI Racing‘s defense at the same time. “You see 23XI’s response. And it doesn’t sound like they can even agree on how to come to terms with a conversation to settle, right? Not only can we not agree on the lawsuit and a settlement, we can’t agree on how to have that conversation.”
Clearly, Dale Jr. differs in his capacity for patience in separate matters. We can only wait and see how NASCAR acts in both situations.
Kevin Harvick Calls Out NASCAR Executives, Demands ‘Honesty’ After Years of Secrecy
NASCAR’s reputation for secrecy has long frustrated fans and drivers alike. Whether it’s penalties, rule changes, or safety concerns, too often the explanations seem half-given or come too late. Denny Hamlin recently pointed out how this lack of transparency has been hurting the sport’s credibility. He had recently argued that NASCAR executives sometimes twist narratives to make things sound better than they are, citing the claim of “67 lead changes” at Talladega as an example of how stats are used to gloss over deeper racing issues.
Fans have also voiced frustration over how decisions are made behind closed doors. The 2023 Chicago Street Race chaos and subsequent rule clarifications left many confused, and NASCAR’s delayed explanations didn’t help. Even the driver radio chatter captured that day showed confusion about caution calls and scoring, reinforcing the feeling that communication from the top down isn’t clear or consistent.
If NASCAR wants to rebuild trust, it may need to start treating its fans and competitors as true stakeholders by being upfront, even when the answers aren’t pretty. But now, in a recent interview, Harvick has praised their recent transparency.
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Harvick pushes for constant openness
On the latest episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, the former champ laid it out: “I wish they were more open like that consistently. … If you haven’t listened to it, you should go listen … it was very informative. But I think that if they want to be like this, they need to be like this all the time.”
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Harvick’s tipping his hat to Steve O’Donnell’s candid chat on The Dale Jr. Download, where the NASCAR exec dove into sanctioning and governance. But he’s not settling for one-off moments, teams and drivers get blindsided by rule tweaks and enforcement, and Harvick wants that wall torn down for good.
“I know this is a situation where it would cost the teams a lot of money, but sometimes you just have to say screw it. … It can’t always be about money. What point do we get back on track to say okay? Here’s a path to where we want to be,” Harvick continued.
He’s calling out the cash-driven hesitance, where aero changes or inspection drama stays hushed to protect wallets. Bold fixes might sting, but Harvick’s saying racing’s soul, fairness, trumps the ledger, echoing garage gripes over hidden penalties that split owners and crews.
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“But I think if we had a Dana White … Don’t care about this. Don’t care about that. … being in front of things … openness and honesty,” he added. Harvick’s channeling UFC’s brash boss Dana White as the blueprint: executives who own the mess publicly, no spin.
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NASCAR’s past with sneaky rule shifts, from aero packages to post-race checks, fuels the distrust, and Harvick wants leaders charging ahead, accountable and raw. “You don’t have to think about what you said or what you did, just shut up. That was good. That was bad. … Tell us where we’re going. What are we doing? How are we fixing it?” Harvick wrapped.
It’s a plea for straight talk: spell out the problems, the plan, the timeline. No more vague memos; clarity builds trust, easing the frustration from Chicago’s 2023 confusion to Talladega stat fluff-ups. Harvick’s vision? A sport where everyone’s in the loop, decisions demystified.
Harvick’s demand for NASCAR honesty ties into celebrating drivers like Denny Hamlin, whose Vegas win showed the raw heart the sport needs more of.
Harvick tips hat to Hamlin’s emotional Vegas milestone
Hamlin notched his 60th Cup victory, tying Harvick himself and punching into the November 2 Championship 4. “That 11 was on rails at the end. The driver of the 11 is very determined right now with everything he’s doing,” Harvick said on Happy Hour. Sharing the track for nearly 20 years, Harvick saw the No. 11’s fire, especially with Hamlin’s personal storms brewing.
“There was a lot of emotion after the race with everything going on in Denny’s life. You saw how important it was to get that 60th win. His dad’s been ill, he’s got the lawsuit going on, you’ve got all the pressure of the championship, and you could just see all of it hit him at once. But those guys are on a mission right now for sure,” Harvick reflected.
Hamlin’s tears in victory lane weren’t just for the tie or the final spot; they poured out amid family health woes, legal battles, and title weight. Harvick gets it: that vulnerability, unfiltered, mirrors the openness he craves from execs.
Hamlin’s surge validates Harvick’s push; transparency in racing lets stories like this breathe, connecting fans to the human side beyond secrecy. With the Championship 4 locked, Hamlin’s mission echoes Harvick’s call: face the chaos head-on, no hiding, and chase the win with everything on the line.
Kevin Harvick Echoes Kyle Larson’s Comments Impact of NASCAR’s Horsepower Increase
Kyle Larson’s response to NASCAR’s horsepower bump has certainly caught fans off guard. “I would encourage everybody to temper their expectations; it’s not way different,” he said, brushing off the 80 hp jump added to the existing 670 hp. The 2021 series champion tested the setup at Kershaw earlier this year and admitted he hardly noticed any change. And now with Kevin Harvick in the mix, he may just be on Larson’s side.
“It’s gotta have at least a 1,000 horsepower.” That’s what 2014 Cup Series champion Harvick had to say about the most talked-about horsepower issue last year. Harvick’s prayer may be partially answered. Ever since NASCAR president Steve O’Donnell dropped the bombshell about increasing the horsepower to 750 hp, there have been mixed reviews about this jump. Now, the former NASCAR driver has dropped his verdict on the hot topic.
While Harvick welcomed the move, he suggested the increase may not be significant enough to shift the on-track product. Speaking on his Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, the 60-time race winner offered his take. “I think that listening to the feedback from the drivers, they don’t notice the difference in the power, which you know, it’s 80 horsepower on paper, right?” he argued. “There’s a counterargument to how much it would cost for everybody to go with more horsepower than this. So, my hope is they’re looking to go more horsepower down the road as they look at how things evolve…Kudos to them for giving the cars more horsepower. I don’t want to knock it, but I don’t think anybody will notice.”
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Harvick might be right in pointing out the direction of costs, considering it’s one of the biggest factors. O’Donnell pointed out that pushing beyond 750 HP would impose an extra $40-$50 million in costs across the industry. He also emphasizes that increasing horsepower can’t be done in isolation; it must be balanced with changes to aerodynamics, the braking system, and other vehicle systems.
Moreover, Steve acknowledged Dodge’s entry, saying, “ When we looked at this, we said, ‘All right, we’ve got Dodge coming in. We know what they want to go. Can we put a Hemi in this? What can we do? Honda potentially, so any of those things, three-year runway. We didn’t want to say, “All right, it’s 1,000 (horsepower) now,’ then ‘Just kidding.’ Three years from now, we’re changing it again. That’s hundreds of millions of dollars to the industry.”
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However, as Steve plans an off-season test at North Wilkesboro to see how the car, tires, and package perform together, the results could determine whether the increase is meant to be evolutionary or radical. The change will affect 17 tracks in 2026, including the highly anticipated debut race at San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado, part of NASCAR’s celebration of the Navy’s 250th anniversary. Right now, a common consensus screams progress, but don’t expect fireworks just yet.
More importantly, Harvick’s measured response lines up with what Kyle Larson had to say ahead of the second-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Speaking with reporters, the Hendrick Motorsports driver shared similar thoughts, saying, “I think it’s definitely a step, probably in the right direction, or a better direction. I don’t know if right direction is right. Yeah, I think – I’m happy. I would encourage you all and fans to like, not overpromote it like it’s going to fix everything, you know?”
While Harvick and Larson keep their hopes low, Christopher Bell is definitely open to the change, calling it a “step in the right direction.” But as Harvick dropped his honest truth about the increase in horsepower, the former Stewart-Haas driver could not help but credit Denny Hamlin’s efforts at Las Vegas.
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Kevin Harvick hails Denny Hamlin’s determined championship run
Denny Hamlin was visibly emotional after clinching his 60th NASCAR Cup Series win over the weekend in Las Vegas, a milestone that only ties him with former champion Kevin Harvick on the all-time wins list but also secures his place in the championship 4 on November 2.
As the adrenaline faded and the celebration settled, Harvick took a moment to reflect on Hamlin’s achievement during the latest episode of his Happy Hour podcast.
Harvick wasn’t surprised by the fire fueling the No. 11 team, especially given what Hamlin has been carrying on and off the track. He said, “That 11 was on rails at the end. The driver of the 11 is very determined right now with everything he’s doing. There was a lot of emotion after the race with everything going on in Denny’s life. You saw how important it was to get that 60th win.His dad’s been ill, he’s got the lawsuit going on, you’ve got all the pressure of the championship — and you could just see all of it hit him at once. But those guys are on a mission right now for sure.”
With the Vegas win, Hamlin not only reached a major career benchmark but also sent a clear message to the rest of the field. He is still one of NASCAR’s fiercest competitors. As he continues the hunt for that long-elusive championship, his focus and raw emotion are turning this playoff run into one of the most captivating in recent memory
Red Sox Warned of Major Turnaround as Alex Bregman’s MLB Future Hangs in Balance
The Red Sox season was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, but the overall progress was undeniable. Despite an early postseason exit, the team showed real improvement in both performance and consistency. Emerging stars like Roman Anthony and Ceddanne Rafaela brought fresh energy and skill, while Alex Bregman’s contributions were key to their success. However, with Bregman rumored to be testing free agency, MLB analysts warn the team could face a major setback if they fail to retain him.
In a recent show on NESN, they discussed Bregman and the impact he has had on the team. One of the hosts said, “My mind hasn’t changed. I still think he’s going to be back… You know that if he’s as good as you want him to be… a really good player, impact your organization, and he did that… He has so much leverage… because of what he means to the young players… If that guy leaves the clubhouse… You really don’t know what’s going to happen… You can’t replace the leadership… I don’t know another player who can jump into an organization and take it over like Alex Bregman did.”
Alex Bregman’s current contract with the Red Sox includes opt-outs, giving him leverage for a bigger deal. Scott Boras confirmed he will wait until the offseason to decide on Bregman’s next contract. Reports suggest he might seek a five-year-plus deal at $35 million or more annually, reflecting his value. Boston’s front office could use savings from Rafael Devers’ trade to retain him long-term.
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This season, Bregman elevated the Red Sox, even during a severe quad injury in May. He batted .299 with a .938 OPS in his first 51 games before missing 43 contests. Beyond numbers, he guided rookies like Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer in hitting, strategy, and mental preparation. His presence helped the Red Sox remain competitive, finishing 37-21 since July, even without key players.
Players and former stars alike recognize Bregman’s leadership, from Dustin Pedroia to Trevor Story and Ceddanne Rafaela. His mentorship, strategic insights, and encouragement shaped the young roster’s development and confidence. Losing him could create a void in clubhouse leadership, making life difficult for emerging players. Without Bregman, the team risks weakening cohesion, preparation, and mentorship that have defined Boston’s success this season.
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So yes, the Boston Red Sox fell short this year, but they finally found their direction. Alex Bregman gave Boston more than numbers; he gave them belief, structure, and purpose again. If they let him walk now, the rebuild might just need rebuilding all over again.
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Two teams that should target Alex Bregman if he leaves the Red Sox
If the Boston Red Sox want to test the limits of heartbreak, they might be about to do it again. Alex Bregman, the guy who signed on thinking he’d stick around, seems ready to ghost the team once more. Baseball’s offseason is shaping up like a high-stakes game of musical chairs, and Red Sox fans will be left staring at an empty seat while Bregman considers his next big move.
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Alex Bregman, after the Red Sox’s early playoff exit, is expected to opt out of his contract. He can leave the final two years, worth eighty million dollars, testing free agency freely, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Fans are already imagining the team losing a cornerstone player, repeating last year’s free agency heartbreak.
The Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays appear as natural fits, based on past interest and team needs. Detroit could reunite Bregman with manager A.J. Hinch, recalling their 2017 World Series championship synergy. Meanwhile, Toronto might replace Bo Bichette and strengthen its lineup alongside Vladimir Guerrero Jr, giving fans genuine hope.
If Bregman chooses free agency, Red Sox fans will face another offseason full of uncertainty. Detroit and Toronto are positioned perfectly to capitalize, offering a winning culture and immediate lineup impact. One thing is certain: wherever Bregman lands, baseball’s offseason drama just became impossible to ignore.
MLB Insider Doubts Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani as Struggles Continue
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani has struggled during the postseason, and one MLB insider believes that it will take a while before he breaks out of his slump.
More news: Dodgers Veteran Sends Praise to Brewers Star Ahead of NLCS
Through seven playoff games, Ohtani is 4-for-29 with six walks, two home runs and five RBIs. He is slashing .138/.286/.345 in the postseason, far from his regular season numbers of .282/.392/.622.
Ohtani went 0-for-2 with three walks in NLCS Game 1, getting on base well, but still unable to get his bat going.
ESPN’s David Schoenfield predicts it could be a long series for Ohtani and it may take until the World Series for him to breakout — if the Dodgers get there.
More news: Dodgers’ Blake Snell Makes Unbelievable MLB History Amid Dominant Stretch
MLB postseason averaging highest viewership since 2010
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball is having its most-viewed postseason in the United States in 15 years.
Viewership is averaging 4.33 million through the division series, according to MLB and Nielsen, a 30% increase over last year and the best since 2010.
Last Friday’s 15-inning thriller between the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers averaged 8.72 million viewers on Fox, Fox Deportes and streaming. The Mariners’ 3-2 victory in the fifth and deciding game of the AL Division Series was the most-watched division round game on Fox since Detroit’s Game 5 win over the New York Yankees in 2011 averaged 9.72 million.
The two AL Division Series on Fox, FS1 and FS2 averaged 4.15 million, the most-watched division round on any network since the NL Division Series on TBS (Cubs-Cardinals and Mets-Dodgers).
The series between Toronto and the Yankees, which the Blue Jays won in four games, averaged 7.65 million in the U.S. and Canada.
Viewership for all four division series in the U.S. averaged 4.17 million, its highest since 2011, and a 17% jump from last year.
Blue Jays division series games in Canada averaged 3.65 million, a 10% increase from the team’s last ALDS appearance in 2016.
Sunday’s first game of the AL Championship Series between Seattle and Toronto averaged 5.31 million on Fox, Fox Deportes and streaming. That is a 32% increase over last year’s Game 1 of the ALCS between Cleveland and the Yankees on TBS.
Alex Bregman to opt out of Red Sox deal, enter MLB free agency, per report
Veteran infielder Alex Bregman will be opting out of his contract the Boston Red Sox and becoming a free agent this coming offseason, the New York Post reports.
Bregman, 31, is coming off a highly productive 2025 season for Boston in which he slashed .273/.360/.462 (128 OPS+) with 18 home runs and 28 doubles. Although he was limited to 114 games played because of a serious quad strain, Bregman still managed a WAR of 3.5 for the season. He earned his third career All-Star selection. For his career, Bregman boasts an OPS+ of 132 and a WAR of 43.1 across parts of 10 MLB seasons.
Last winter, Bregman turned down a higher offer from the Detroit Tigers in order to sign a shorter-term deal with the Red Sox. That deal paid him $36.67 million for 2025 and includes $41.67 million salaries for both 2026 and 2027 with opt-outs after each of those seasons.
Since Bregman on a rate basis enjoyed his best offensive season since 2022, he and agent Scott Boras are betting he’ll have a healthier market in the coming 2025-26 offseason.
Yankees part ways with Mike Harkey, Travis Chapman
Less than a week after the Yankees were eliminated in the ALDS by the Blue Jays, the club is making some coaching changes for 2026.
The Yankees are not bringing back bullpen coach Mike Harkey and first-base coach Travis Chapman, sources told MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. The club has not yet confirmed the news.
Harkey had been one of the longest-tenured coaches for the Yankees, with stints as the Yankees’ bullpen coach from 2008-13 and again from 2016-25. Harkey has reportedly been a favorite among players during his tenure with the Yankees.
Chapman held numerous roles within the organization beyond as a first-base coach with the Yankees. Before his final role, Chapman was a Minor League assistant infield coordinator. When Chapman was promoted to first-base coach with the Yankees, he was also in charge of the infield defense.
As The Athletic reported, the Yankees could also see more coaching changes in the coming weeks and months. Pitching coach Matt Blake and catching coordinator Tanner Swanson each have club options, while bench coach Brad Ausmus’ and third-base coach Luis Rojas’ contracts have expired.
How Rangers’ Skip Schumaker’s playing career helped prepare him to be an MLB manager
Skip Schumaker, the Texas Rangers new manager, is only about to enter his third season as a major league manager. But with 11 big league seasons under his belt as a player, he’s got plenty of experience.
An second basemen and utility outfielder, Schumaker was never a star player and frequently came off the bench during his career. He played mostly for the St. Louis Cardinals, but spent time with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds from 2005-2015. He was even on the 2011 Cardinals team that defeated the Texas Rangers in the World Series.
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On a recent radio appearance on The Sweet Spot on 96.7 FM/1310 The Ticket (KTCK-AM) he spoke about how his playing days have informed how he manages a ballclub.
Schumaker: “When I was a player, nobody wants to be a bench player. That’s the last thing I wanted to do was sit on the bench. But I will say that without knowing what my future was going to be — I’d never thought I was going to be a manager. When you’re a player, you’re trying to play as long as you can and provide for your family and win championships that’s the goal. It’s not like, oh man, if I sit on the bench longer it’s going to help me manage one day. But looking back on it, it really did.
“I got to watch Tony La Russa do his thing and Don Mattingly do his thing. And so that really helped me because, being in the National League, there’s so many moving parts and as a bench player, you have to be ready for so many different situations. And then I got to watch Albert Pujols do his thing and Chris Carpenter do his thing. I know you guys don’t want to hear that, but for me, I got to be around superstar players.
“I was part of the leadership committee with those players and seeing how they work and how they think really helped me and helped them see my vision of coming off the bench and how hard that is. So I just think it all was about taking that next step as a coach, I was doing everything I could to survive. And so like giving back and teaching the game, it just ended up being the perfect transition for me.”
X/Twitter: @dmn_rangers
Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Alex Bregman to be free agent after opt-out (source)
Bregman, who will turn 32 in March, is through the first year of a three-year, $120 million deal he signed in February after nine seasons in Houston.
Despite his being sidelined by a right quad strain for almost two months, Bregman’s first year in the AL East was a clear success. He had a slash line of .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs in 114 games. Bregman was named an All-Star for the first time since he received back-to-back honors from 2018-19.
Where the veteran third baseman’s career could take him from here is another question, but it wouldn’t necessarily be a surprise to anyone if Bregman remains in Boston, where his veteran leadership was appreciated, particularly by the host of young infielders who became integral to the Red Sox’s lineup in the second half.
The Red Sox also, notably, valued Bregman’s presence at third to the extent that they were willing to sever ties with Rafael Devers, who was traded to the Giants in June. The Devers deal importantly took a hefty contract off Boston’s books, potentially increasing the likelihood of a long-term extension for Bregman.
If Bregman and the Red Sox are unable to come to an agreement this winter, a few teams are expected to have interest, chief among them the Tigers, who reportedly made Bregman a six-year, $171.5 million offer last winter. Choosing Detroit would also mean a reunion for Bregman and A.J. Hinch, his manager with the Astros from 2016-19.
The Blue Jays and Mariners, both likely to be on the lookout for a long-term solution at third base this offseason, have been floated as potential landing spots. Reporting from Jon Heyman in the New York Post named the Royals as a surprise suitor.
Yamamoto throws 3-hitter as Dodgers beat Brewers 5-1 for 2-0 lead in NLCS
By STEVE MEGARGEE
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched a three-hitter for the first postseason complete game in eight years as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 on Tuesday night to extend their lead in the National League Championship Series.
Teoscar Hernández and Max Muncy each hit a solo homer as the Dodgers left Milwaukee with a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-seven series, which shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Thursday. Muncy’s 412-foot drive to center field was the 14th homer of his postseason career, breaking the Dodgers record he had shared with Corey Seager and Justin Turner.
Yamamoto allowed a home run to Jackson Chourio on the first of his 111 pitches but shut down the Brewers the rest of the way. The $325 million right-hander struck out seven and walked one during his first complete game in two major league seasons.
The previous postseason starter to go the distance was Justin Verlander when he tossed a five-hitter with 13 strikeouts for Houston against the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the 2017 ALCS on Oct. 14, 2017 — eight years ago to the day.
Yamamoto’s complete game was the first for Los Angeles since Gavin Stone’s gem on June 26 last year. The last Dodgers pitcher to throw a complete game in the postseason was Jose Lima against St. Louis in Game 3 of their 2004 NL Division Series.
This is the first time since 1970 that both LCS road teams started 2-0. The Seattle Mariners own a 2-0 lead over Toronto in the ALCS heading into Game 3 on Wednesday in Seattle.
Twenty-four of the previous 27 teams that took the first two games on the road in a best-of-seven series with a 2-3-2 format have gone on to win. The three teams to come back after losing Games 1 and 2 at home all came in World Series: the 1985 Kansas City Royals against the St. Louis Cardinals, the 1986 New York Mets against the Boston Red Sox, and the 1996 New York Yankees against the Atlanta Braves.
The Brewers pulled out all the stops Tuesday as they tried to avoid that 2-0 deficit. Former slugger Eric Thames got on the field to exhort fans just before the game and popped open his jersey to reveal his bare chest.
The 21-year-old Chourio then delighted a sellout crowd by sending Yamamoto’s first pitch over the right-center wall for his fourth career postseason homer, tying Orlando Arcia and Prince Fielder for the Brewers record.
That seemed like a foreboding start for Yamamoto, who lasted just two-thirds of an inning in an 8-1 loss the previous time he pitched in Milwaukee. But he bounced back and silenced the Brewers the rest of the way.
The Brewers have five hits in the series. Los Angeles left-hander Blake Snell limited them to one hit and no walks over eight innings during the Dodgers’ 2-1 victory in Game 1.
Los Angeles became the first team to have consecutive postseason starts of at least eight innings in the same series since San Francisco’s Madison Bumgarner and Tim Lincecum did it in Games 4 and 5 of the 2010 World Series against Texas.
After Chourio’s homer, Los Angeles wasted no time coming back against Brewers ace Freddy Peralta.
Hernández, whose baserunning mistake contributed to the Brewers’ unusual 8-6-2 double play in Game 1, sent a 3-2 curve over the left-field wall for his fourth homer of this postseason. Two outs later, Kiké Hernández singled and scored on Andy Pages’ double.
Pages had been 1 for 27 in the postseason before delivering his shot into the right-field corner.
Muncy extended the lead to 3-1 with his two-out homer in the sixth, which came on Peralta’s 97th and final pitch. The Dodgers added two more runs on RBI singles by Shohei Ohtani in the seventh and Tommy Edman in the eighth.
The Dodgers are making starting pitchers the main characters of the MLB playoffs again
The Los Angeles Dodgers — sorry, the defending World Series champion Dodgers — are up 2-0 in the best-of-seven NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers, who had the best record in baseball in the regular season. They are 7-1 in the playoffs this season, including 4-0 on the road against teams that finished with a better regular-season record.
How are the Dodgers doing it? Look no further than the NLCS Game 2 hero. It might take a bit of an adjustment after these last several years, but the Dodgers are putting the focus back on the starting pitcher. In Game 2, the Dodgers’ starter finished it. It was Yoshinobu Yamamoto starring for the Dodgers with MLB’s first complete game in the playoffs since 2017. In Game 1 against the Brewers, it was Blake Snell shining for eight innings.
The 2025 Dodgers are bringing back the Main Character Starting Pitcher.
Game planning can be cyclical in sports. Often, the teams ahead of the proverbial curve are the ones who have the most success. The Dodgers have been one of the teams at the forefront of changes for years and it appears to be happening again.
Last year, we saw them win the World Series with a rotation that featured Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler and a bullpen game. They didn’t usually take starters deep into games and pieced things together with a bevy of relievers, while also relying on good offense.
This time around, the Dodgers are rendering their bullpen meaningless by having morphed their rotation into a stable of workhorses.
I pointed out heading to the NLDS that the Dodgers were going to do this to guard against a leaky bullpen. Their starters are absolutely stacking up innings pitched, even more so than I expected. All the while, they are holding opposing offenses in check. That is to say, they aren’t just racking up innings. They are doing so while dominating.
Snell, notorious for not being able to get deep into games in his career due to erratic control and high pitch counts, has gone 21 innings in three starts with a 0.86 ERA. He has established a new career high in innings during a playoff start in two of his three outings. The eight innings he threw in Game 1 were the second-highest of his career including the regular season.
Yamamoto has now gone 19 ⅔ innings in three starts after throwing the first complete game in the playoffs since Justin Verlander did so in 2017 (also: Kudos to my colleague Mike Axisa for correctly predicting we’d see a complete game). It was the first Dodgers’ playoff complete game since all the way back in 2004 (Jose Lima). How about that, huh? A complete game in the playoffs!
Shohei Ohtani went six innings in his only playoff start to this point and he only averaged 3 ⅓ innings a start during the regular season as he built back up from elbow surgery. Tyler Glasnow in his only start so far also went six innings.
That is eight Dodgers playoff games with an average of 6 ⅔ innings per start. Have you glanced around the rest of the teams to find the assortment of openers and bullpen games and shorter starts? The Brewers aren’t even averaging three innings a start. The Mariners have a rotation of starters and haven’t used an opener or bullpen game, but they are averaging a touch less than five innings per start. The Tigers have Tarik Skubal, but averaged less than five innings per start in eight games. The Phillies also had a full rotation and averaged five innings per start, exactly.
For a good reference point, the MLB average during the regular season was 5.2 innings per start, or less than 5 ⅓ innings. The Phillies at 5 ⅔ innings per start led the majors. The Dodgers in the playoffs are dwarfing that and the average is only going up.
Putting aside the polarizing Dodgers being the ones to do this, fellow fans of the starting-pitcher-as-main-character have to be ecstatic seeing this. I noted above that teams ahead the curve can have success. Just as often, other teams notice what is happening and try to emulate that success.
Of course, it helps to have deep pockets and ridiculous talent. The Dodgers dealt with injuries to their rotation for much of the season, but things really lined up well for the playoffs, to the point that starters like Clayton Kershaw, Roki Sasaki and Emmet Sheehan were moved to the bullpen. Glasnow has also had an outing in relief.
There are a good number of teams where any one from the group of Snell, Yamamoto and Glasnow would be their No. 1 starter and Ohtani throws like a frontline starter as well. It’s an embarrassment of riches, which, yes, most other teams can’t afford.
Still, they have to go out and perform and the Dodgers’ stable of stallions is doing the job like no team we’ve seen in a century.
That foursome has a 1.54 ERA so far in the playoffs and, again, that’s with a heavy workload. If we sort for a minimum of seven games, that’s the lowest postseason ERA in the last 100 years. They’ve struck out 63 against only 13 walks in their 52 ⅔ innings.
While the Reds didn’t have a very good offense, the Phillies (8th in MLB in runs) and Brewers (3rd) were two of the best offenses in baseball this season. The Dodgers starters have held the Brewers to one run in 17 innings in two NLCS games. The Phillies did get them for some runs, but they still posted a 1.92 ERA and got six scoreless innings from both Snell and Glasnow.
If the Dodgers are going to become the first repeat champion since the 1998-2000 Yankees, it’ll have been on the strength of their rotation and the resurrection of a thing that looked like it was dying a slow death these last handful of postseasons.
Welcome back, Main Character Starting Pitcher. You’ve been missed.
NFL Monday night: Falcons, Bears post upset victories
The Chicago Bears capitalized on a fumbled handoff on a rainy Monday night to beat the Washington Commanders 25-24 to close Week 6 in the NFL.
Chicago scored 13 points after three Washington turnovers – the final one a missed connection between quarterback Jayden Daniels and running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt that the Bears recovered at the Chicago 44-yard line with 3:07 to play. After the Commanders had blocked a field-goal attempt and stopped a 2-conversion pass to keep the lead in the fourth quarter, backup kicker Jake Moody hit a 38-yard field goal on the final snap of the game.
In Monday night’s other game, the Atlanta Falcons beat the Buffalo Bills 24-14 with a strong first half.
Atlanta led Buffalo 21-7 at halftime as wide receiver Drake London had nine receptions for 147 yards and one touchdown and running back Bijan Robinson gained 138 yards on 12 rushing attempts, including an 81-yard TD run, in the first 30 minutes of play.
Both Buffalo and Washington were 4.5-point favorites to win.
Three players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field during the Buffalo-Atlanta game:
Falcons cornerback Cobee Bryant (Hillcrest-Evergreen) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Bills offensive tackle Tylan Grable (Jacksonville State) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
Falcons inside linebacker Ronnie Harrison (Alabama) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play
Falcons safety DeMarcco Hellams (Alabama) made one tackle on special teams.
Bills defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis (Alabama) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Bills wide receiver Tyrell Shavers (Alabama) had three receptions for 27 yards. Shavers entered Monday night’s game with three receptions in his eight NFL games.
Bills defensive end Javon Solomon (Troy) recorded one sack. The third sack for Solomon in his 20 NFL regular-season games also was his first of the 2025 season.
Buffalo (4-2) enters its bye week. The Bills return to the field against the Carolina Panthers at noon CDT Oct. 26 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Atlanta (3-2) will stay in prime time for its next game. The Falcons play the San Francisco 49ers at 7:20 p.m. Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE
Seven players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field during the Chicago-Washington game:
Trey Amos (Alabama) started at cornerback for the Commanders. Amos made seven tackles and broke up one pass.
Ja’Corey Brooks (Alabama) did not record any stats in his NFL debut. Washington elevated Brooks from its practice squad to make him eligible to play.
Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt (Sidney Lanier, Alabama State) started at running back for the Commanders. Croskey-Merritt ran for 61 yards on 17 carries and caught a 7-yard pass. Croskey-Merritt lost a fumble at the Washington 35-yard line with 1:59 left in the first quarter that set up a Chicago field goal as the Bears took a 13-0 lead.
Commanders cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (Hewitt-Trussville, Auburn) did not record any stats.
Commanders cornerback Jonathan Jones (Auburn) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
Commanders linebacker Ale Kaho (Alabama) was designated as a game-day inactive.
Daron Payne (Shades Valley, Alabama) started at defensive tackle for the Commanders. Payne made five tackles and blocked a field-goal attempt. Payne blocked a 48-yard field-goal attempt on the first snap of the fourth quarter to preserve Washington’s 17-16 lead.
Jeremy Reaves (South Alabama) started at safety for the Commanders. Reaves made five tackles and recorded his second NFL sack. The first came in 2020.
Trent Scott (Lee-Huntsville) started as a sixth offensive lineman for the Commanders.
Chicago (3-2) plays the New Orleans Saints at noon Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Washington (3-3) plays the Dallas Cowboys at 3:25 p.m. Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
NFL Week 7 Power Rankings: Chiefs and Giants Rise, Eagles and Jaguars Tumble
Week 6 of the NFL season came and went in the blink of an eye. While it wasn’t as thrilling as Week 5, which featured multiple double-digit comebacks, there were still quite a few entertaining games and upsets.
We learned a lot this week, so it’s time to power rank all 32 NFL teams and see how they stack up against last week’s rankings.
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32. New York Jets (0-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 32
Week 6 Result: 13-11 loss to Broncos
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PFF Rankings: Offense 27th, Defense 19th
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm vs Panthers
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The New York Jets are really bad at offense and pretty bad at defense. Still, there’s hope Aaron Glenn can turn things around…Just maybe not this year.
31. Tennessee Titans (1-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 31
Week 6 Result: 20-10 loss to Raiders
PFF Rankings: Offense 30th, Defense 17th
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm vs Patriots
The Tennessee Titans lost to one of the worst teams in the league by 10, and promptly fired their head coach. They’re about to turn over a new leaf, but there isn’t much hope for major change this year.
30. Cleveland Browns (1-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 28
Week 6 Result: 23-9 loss to Steelers
PFF Rankings: Offense 32nd, Defense 1st
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm vs Dolphins
Imagine if the Jets were really good defensively. They’d be the Cleveland Browns. Dillon Gabriel hasn’t played badly, but he’s playing scared, which at times can be worse. Is it time to see what Shedeur Sanders has? At least there’d be some sort of excitement in Cleveland.
29. Miami Dolphins (1-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 30
Week 6 Result: 29-27 loss to Chargers
PFF Rankings: Offense 25th, Defense 31st
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm vs Browns
The Miami Dolphins showed some signs of life in their 29-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Their offense played well, but defensively, they’re just awful. They should’ve won this game, but they couldn’t get a stop late when they needed it.
28. Cincinnati Bengals (2-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 25
Week 6 Result: 27-18 loss to Packers
PFF Rankings: Offense 31st, Defense 29th
Week 7 Matchup: Thursday, 8:15 pm vs Steelers
Joe Flacco did some good things in his first game with the Cincinnati Bengals. They showed signs of life on offense, but their defense still can’t get a stop in critical situations. Flacco may win them a few games, but making the playoffs is going to be tough.
27. Las Vegas Raiders (2-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 29
Week 6 Result: 20-10 win over Titans
PFF Rankings: Offense 17th, Defense 30th
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm vs Chiefs
The Las Vegas Raiders got their second win of the season, but it came against the Titans, so does it really even count? All it’ll do is drop them a couple of spots in the draft order and potentially make them miss out on a top quarterback.
26. New Orleans Saints (1-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 26
Week 6 Result: 25-19 loss to Patriots
PFF Rankings: Offense 28th, Defense 21st
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm vs Bears
The New Orleans Saints are the feistiest 1-5 teams I’ve ever seen. They’re not going to win many games, but they’re going to upset somebody at some point. You’re probably going to win, but it’s never going to be a comfortable game against the Saints.
25. Arizona Cardinals (2-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 26
Week 6 Result: 31-27 loss to Colts
PFF Rankings: Offense 23rd, Defense 26th
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 4:25 pm vs Packers
I was pleasantly surprised by the Arizona Cardinals this week. They took it to the Indianapolis Colts with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback. Maybe it is time to kick Kyler Murray out the door.
24. Baltimore Ravens (1-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 22
Week 6 Result: 17-3 loss to Rams
PFF Rankings: Offense 22nd, Defense 28th
Week 7 Matchup: Bye
The Baltimore Ravens looked more or less how I thought they would look this weekend. The offense was horrible, and while the defense held the Los Angeles Rams to 17 points, the weather and Puka Nacua’s injury played a role in that.
23. Dallas Cowboys (2-3-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 20
Week 6 Result: 30-27 loss to Panthers
PFF Rankings: Offense 6th, Defense 32nd
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 4:25 pm vs Commanders
Imagine the exact opposite of the Browns. That’s the Dallas Cowboys. Their offense is so good, but man, that defense is horrendous. And before you say it, no, Micah Parsons would not make it much better.
22. New York Giants (2-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 27
Week 6 Result: 34-17 win over Eagles
PFF Rankings: Offense 26th, Defense 12th
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 4:05 pm vs Broncos
The New York Giants are an interesting team. They just took down the Philadelphia Eagles. On the other hand, they just lost to the Saints. At their peak, they’re a good team, but when they’re not 100 percent, they’re not all that threatening.
21. Carolina Panthers (3-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 24
Week 6 Result: 30-27 win over Cowboys
PFF Rankings: Offense 13th, Defense 24th
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm at Jets
Ever since that Carolina Panthers podcast quit because they couldn’t justify spending their time on a losing team, the Panthers have won two straight games. They just outscored the Cowboys, and they looked sharp. I don’t think they’re a playoff team, but they’re on the rise, for sure.
20. Minnesota Vikings (3-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 19
Week 6 Result: Bye
PFF Rankings: Offense 24th, Defense 15th
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm vs Eagles
The Minnesota Vikings were on a bye in Week 6, so there’s not much to report about. Big game coming up against the Eagles, which will tell us a lot about where they stand for the rest of the year.
19. Houston Texans (2-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 17
Week 6 Result: Bye
PFF Rankings: Offense 16th, Defense 10th
Week 7 Matchup: Monday, 10 pm vs Seahawks
The Houston Texans were also on a bye this week, but have a big game coming up against the Seattle Seahawks. A win could propel them into the playoff hunt, but a loss would put them at 2-4, and they’d have to play catch-up for the rest of the year.
18. Washington Commanders (3-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 13
Week 6 Result: 25-24 loss to Bears
PFF Rankings: Offense 10th, Defense 16th
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 4:25 pm vs Cowboys
The Commanders let one slip away against the Bears. They had that game in their grasp; all they needed to do was milk the clock, but with some rain falling, Jayden Daniels couldn’t handle the snap, and the exchange with Jacory Croskey-Merritt was fumbled. It’s funny how a 60-minute game can come down to one play, but that’s what happened on Monday.
17. Chicago Bears (3-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 21
Week 6 Result: 25-24 win over Commanders
PFF Rankings: Offense 18th, Defense 27th
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm vs Saints
While the Bears were a bit fortunate on Monday night, you have to give credit where it’s due. They did what they needed to do to win the game, and sometimes that’s all that matters. I still want to see more from that offense, but they’re 3-2 and feeling decent about themselves in year one under Ben Johnson.
16. Los Angeles Chargers (4-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 14
Week 6 Result: 29-27 win over Dolphins
PFF Rankings: Offense 19th, Defense 6th
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 4:05 pm vs Colts
The Chargers beat the Dolphins, but it wasn’t very convincing. Their defense was suspect at best, but I liked what I saw from their offense – specifically the run game – with all their injuries.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
Week 6 Result: 20-12 loss to Seahawks
PFF Rankings: Offense 21st, Defense 8th
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 9:30 am vs Rams (London)
The Jacksonville Jaguars fall pretty far in our power rankings because I think the Seahawks exposed some glaring weaknesses in this team. First is the pass game, which is still figuring itself out. Trevor Lawrence has looked good at times, but overall, he’s just been average. I also think the secondary has some big issues that need ironing out.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 12
Week 6 Result: 23-9 win over Browns
PFF Rankings: Offense 29th, Defense 5th
Week 7 Matchup: Thursday, 8:15 pm vs Bengals
The Pittsburgh Steelers did exactly what they needed to do against the Browns. It was a convincing win, but a couple of teams that were behind them made significant jumps, so they fall two spots this week.
13. Atlanta Falcons (3-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 18
Week 6 Result: 24-14 win over Bills
PFF Rankings: Offense 13th, Defense 18th
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 5:20 pm vs 49ers
The Falcons picked up a major win against the Bills on Monday night. They now have three quality wins, but that 30-0 loss to the Panthers still looks really bad. They’re an up-and-coming team, and should keep on rising if they stay hot.
12. Green Bay Packers (3-1-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 11
Week 6 Result: 27-18 win over Bengals
PFF Rankings: Offense 7th, Defense 3rd
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 4:25 pm vs Cardinals
The Green Bay Packers looked solid coming off their bye week, beating the Bengals by nine. I would’ve liked to see more from their defense, but overall, nothing too big to complain about.
11. New England Patriots (4-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 16
Week 6 Result: 25-19 win over Saints
PFF Rankings: Offense 9th, Defense 22nd
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm vs Titans
Drake Maye continues to be the best second-year quarterback in the NFL, and it’s not particularly close at the moment. He’s playing at an unreal level right now, and they should continue to roll with games against the Titans and Browns coming up.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (4-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
Week 6 Result: 34-17 loss to Giants
PFF Rankings: Offense 12th, Defense 9th
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm at Vikings
I still believe the Eagles have the top two most talented rosters in the NFL, but they just can’t put it together this year. They’re 4-2, but have lost two straight and have a date with the Vikings coming up before a bye. I just don’t feel great about the direction of this team right now.
9. Denver Broncos (4-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Week 6 Result: 13-11 win over Jets
PFF Rankings: Offense 20th, Defense 7th
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 4:05 pm vs Giants
The Denver Broncos were a hard team to rank. They narrowly beat the worst team in the NFL. On the other hand, their defense proved they’re the best unit in football (in my opinion), and winning in London is hard, so I’m not knocking them for their poor performance offensively.
8. San Francisco 49ers (4-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Week 6 Result: 30-19 loss to Buccaneers
PFF Rankings: Offense 11th, Defense 25th
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 5:20 pm vs Falcons
Losing to one of the top teams in the league shouldn’t hurt you too much. The 49ers are still a very good team that deserves to be in the top 10. They’re very banged up at the moment, so they could start to pick up a couple of losses, but when they’re healthy, they’re as talented as anyone.
7. Buffalo Bills (4-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
Week 6 Result: 24-14 loss to Falcons
PFF Rankings: Offense 4th, Defense 23rd
Week 7 Matchup: Bye
The Bills looked lost for much of the game on Monday night. Their defense couldn’t get a stop in the first half, their offense constantly stalled out, and even though the Falcons scored just three second-half points, they never really came close to coming back. To make matters worse, the four teams the Bills have beaten have a combined record of 3-21.
6. Los Angeles Rams (4-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
Week 6 Result: 17-3 win over Ravens
PFF Rankings: Offense 2nd, Defense 2nd
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 9:30 am vs Jaguars (London)
The Rams didn’t look amazing in their win over the Ravens, but they did what they needed to do with some questionable weather and a big injury to Puka Nacua. I’m excited to see how they play against the Jaguars, because if they win convincingly, they’ll be a top-five team next week.
5. Detroit Lions (4-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Week 6 Result: 30-17 loss to Chiefs
PFF Rankings: Offense 5th, Defense 4th
Week 7 Matchup: Monday, 7 pm vs Buccaneers
The Chiefs are a really, really good football team, I don’t care what the record says. Typically, a loss to a team like that on the road wouldn’t drop you five spots, but the Detroit Lions just didn’t look great. They were fine in the first half, but they couldn’t get anything going in the second half. I’d love to see this game played again on a neutral field (and we might in February).
4. Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 15
Week 6 Result: 30-17 win over Lions
PFF Rankings: Offense 8th, Defense 14th
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 1 pm vs Raiders
I never really lost faith in the Chiefs; I just couldn’t justify putting them any higher than 15th because of their results. They were 2-3, but their win over the Lions has me convinced they’re still the team to beat in the AFC. There are just a couple of teams that have earned a higher spot because of their resume.
3. Seattle Seahawks (4-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 10
Week 6 Result: 20-12 win over Jaguars
PFF Rankings: Offense 1st, Defense 11th
Week 7 Matchup: Monday, 10 pm vs Texans
I really like what Mike Macdonald has going on in Seattle. They proved they’re a legit threat with their win over the Jaguars. I’m probably higher on the Seahawks than most people (I may be wrong), but these are my power rankings, and I think they’re the second-best team in the NFC as of today.
2. Indianapolis Colts (5-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Week 6 Result: 31-27 win over Cardinals
PFF Rankings: Offense 3rd, Defense 20th
Week 7 Matchup: Sunday, 4:05 pm vs Chargers
The Colts’ offense looked as good as it has all year, but their defense was exposed for one of the first times this year. Still, a win is a win, and right now, the Colts look like they’re going to be tough to beat.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
Week 6 Result: 30-19 win over 49ers
PFF Rankings: Offense 15th, Defense 13th
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Week 7 Matchup: Monday, 7 pm vs Lions
The latest idea to save the NBA All-Star Game: US vs. the World. And there’s no shortage of intrigue
By TIM REYNOLDS
Associated Press
Imagine this lineup: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama, all on the floor at the same time as teammates.
MVPs. Scoring champions. NBA champions. Triple-double machines. Defensive wizards. International players, all together in one highly decorated, incredibly accomplished, flat-out-scary lineup the likes of which probably has not been seen too many times in basketball history.
The NBA seems on the brink of making it possible.
Changes to the All-Star format are most certainly coming, once again, and the plan that the NBA has settled on is one that has U.S. players going up against players from the rest of the world in a tournament setting. Think Ryder Cup golf or 4 Nations Face-Off hockey, and it just so happens that this season’s All-Star weekend at Inglewood, California, is smack in the middle of another national-pride sporting event — the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
“I talk to a lot of fans, and All-Star Games for whatever reason take on particular interest around basketball,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “I think we should be able to create something that’s fun, exciting, engaging. Not expecting guys to play the way they would in the finals necessarily or even in a playoff game, but yet to go out, play hard, put on a good show for the fans.”
The plan, which isn’t yet finalized, calls for a three-team tournament: two American teams and one international team, all with eight-man rosters. The reason: Roughly two-thirds of NBA players are American and one-third are not, which is why the NBA thinks it’d be fair to give Americans two-thirds of the roster spots.
“Hopefully, it’s going to be better,” said Jokic, the Denver star.
It has become almost an annual exercise for the NBA: fixing the All-Star Game. Silver and other league officials — and to be fair, some players as well — desperately want the product to be better and more competitive. They tried having captains like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Antetokounmpo pick the teams for a few years, and not much changed. They tried go back to the standard Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference format, and it wasn’t great either. Having a final score of 211-186 in Indianapolis in 2024 was the last straw in many respects, so the NBA last year tried a mini-tournament on for size and few people cared for that.
Golden State’s Stephen Curry was MVP of that All-Star event, a four-teams-of-eight competition that had a 41-25 final score in the title matchup and saw the final game stopped for about 20 minutes for a tribute to TNT and its run as a league broadcaster.
“I honestly thought last year went great until it dragged on for a long time,” Curry said. “We all know that All-Star has changed over the years, but there has to be some type of solution for keeping the players fresh and loose and keeping the action going. Last year it came to a screeching halt. But whatever the format is, I know we’re going to keep taking swings at the plate to figure it out, and that’s what the league is supposed to do.”
International players have said they love the idea of a U.S. vs. The World concept. Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee star, has talked about it previously and playfully said that the league should give him credit for the idea.
“The NBA’s going to take all the credit. But I love it, man,” Antetokounmpo said.
“I think it’s going to be exciting for people to watch. I’m going to play hard. I’ve always been playing hard, but I think it’s going to put a little bit more juice to the game. … All players have ego. Nobody wants to be embarrassed. Guys will play harder because they don’t want to become — I don’t know how you say this — they don’t want to become viral. I’m excited for this format.”
The league has been working on the plan for a few months, and Silver has said he hopes that it can be formally announced by the start of the season. The season begins Oct. 21.
“The World vs. U.S.? We’ll see how it goes. I think it’s interesting,” said Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, who was a first-time All-Star last season. “I wanted to play in the East vs. West game, me personally, but I think I will have my opportunity to do that one day. … Playing for the U.S., I know we’re going to be playing hard. I think it will be good.”
Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP and scoring champion from the champion Oklahoma City Thunder, knows the league wants a more competitive All-Star event. He isn’t sure if the format is a reason why someone would play hard or not.
Like everyone else, he’s interested to see how it plays out.
“Guys that make it are grown men and they’re going to compete if they want or not compete if they don’t want to. And I think that’s what it’s going to come down to,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “So, the change in the format, it’s good, it’s fun. It keeps the fans engaged. It could be interesting. It’s what the league is supposed to do. They do a great job of that. But I think it’s just going to come down to if the players want to play or not.”
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AP Sports Writers Larry Lage in Detroit, Cliff Brunt in Oklahoma City, Arnie Stapleton in Denver, Steve Megargee in Toronto and Associated Press Writers Ian Harrison in Toronto and Michael Wagaman in Sacramento, California contributed.
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Shohei Ohtani Weaponized by $244.6M NBA Star in Fiery Milwaukee Feud During MLB Playoffs
Having Shohei Ohtani on your team is always a luxury, be it on the field or outside the ballpark. Ever since signing Ohtani, fandom for the Dodgers has only increased. And today, before the Dodgers took the Brewers down in Game of the NLCS, one such massive support they received was from the NBA star Tyrese Haliburton.
While the Dodgers made sure not to let Blake Snell’s eight shutout innings go in vain, the Pacers star was spotted donning an Ohtani jersey, which was screaming his support for the Dodgers.
One fan, who spotted Haliburton, was quick to share a photo of the same. “Wearing the Ohtani jersey cuz they’re playing Milwaukee. Haliburton is an S-tier troll.” While there is no doubt about Ohtani’s fandom, the $244.6 million star may have worn the Dodgers gear for a whole different reason.
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Tyrese Haliburton sat courtside wearing a Shohei Ohtani Dodgers jersey during Monday’s preseason game. Fans watching could sense the subtle tension, remembering Haliburton’s Wisconsin roots and past sports interactions.
Haliburton’s history with the Brewers goes back to a first-pitch invitation reportedly rescinded last summer. He had been scheduled to throw the ceremonial first pitch, but the Brewers canceled after the Pacers’ playoff wins. He later explained, “I’m no longer a Brewers fan,” reflecting his personal reaction to the change in plans. This context gives meaning to the Dodgers jersey, showing the gesture was more about history than preference perhaps.
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This is not the first time he has made a subtle statement during Brewers games, recalling the Cubs jersey. On October 11, he wore a Chicago Cubs jersey while the Brewers played the Cubs in the NLDS. The drama extends into the NBA, where the Pacers eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks in consecutive playoffs. Together, these moments create a layered narrative, letting fans feel the story beyond the games themselves.
Tyrese has mastered the art of subtle sports commentary without ever saying a word aloud. His Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani jersey was less about fandom and more about sending Milwaukee a playful reminder. Fans watching can only marvel as Haliburton turns courtside fashion into a perfectly executed statement.
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Shohei Ohtani must show up
The Dodgers fans have spent the season watching a masterclass from Shohei Ohtani, only to see it vanish when the stakes got real. In the postseason, the same bats that crushed records in July are suddenly silent, leaving Dodgers manager Dave Roberts staring at box scores like they’re abstract art. As the NLCS looms, the team’s championship hopes hinge on Ohtani remembering he’s still the best hitter in baseball.
Shohei Ohtani struggled mightily against the Phillies in the NLDS, going just 1-for-18 at the plate. He walked twice, struck out nine times, and batted a measly .056, highlighting postseason struggles. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts admitted, “We’re not going to win the World Series with that sort of performance.”
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Roberts emphasized that Ohtani must recalibrate and better manage the hitting zone against left-handed pitching. He noted, “I’m counting on it. We’re all counting on it,” showing team reliance on his resurgence. If Ohtani fails to regain form, the Dodgers’ championship aspirations could falter, leaving fans anxious and tense.
NBA Champ Warns Stephen A. Smith Against Presidential Campaign After Alexis Ohanian Drama
That’s one vote less for presidential hopeful Stephen A. Smith. Just when you think he can’t talk himself into another pool of hot water, he does it again. This time he triggered Serena Williams’ husband. When SAS is getting dragged, the other Stephen can’t resist stoking the flames. Stephen Jackson is not his greatest fan already. After his rant defending Shedeur Sanders, he once again called out the ESPN analyst for his tiff with Alexis Ohanian.
Ohanian’s appearance on First Take took an awkward turn when he pressed the resident analyst for his comments about Serena Williams’ brief appearance on Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime show. While Smith diffused that situation as banter, reactions poured in.
Among the many Internet denizens calling out SAS for being evasive was Stak. He was on his Instagram soon after First Take to slam Smith’s confrontational history.
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“Come on, Stephen A., bro. You get loud and all in your feelings about Bron. When talking to a Black billionaire, but when you talking to a white billionaire, you humble,” Jackson said, referencing Smith’s infamous altercation with LeBron James in 2024. In the ensuing press tour to defend himself, Smith made lofty claims about potentially clocking the Lakers star. He was contrastingly demure around Ohanian.
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“And you come back on your show talking real respectful, mild-mannered… Right, bro, listen. And you talking to Black woman?” He added and proceeded to call out Smith’s political ambitions. “Stay out of politics and stick to talking about sports you never played, alright? Just stick to doing that bro. We’re not gonna vote for you. I heard you talking about running, don’t do that, bro. We’re not gonna vote for you. No. No, no, no. We’re not. … You do not have the same energy for other people, but you got a lot of energy for Bron and Black women and not everybody else, stop it.”
Smith has been vocal about his presidential ambitions for a while now. But a good portion of the NBA community is iffy about his chances given his history of drama.
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Stephen A. Smith’s losing votes
A few days ago, Stephen Jackson reminded Smith that success has “no dress code“ after he criticized Shedeur Sanders’ attitude. Jackson feels some way about SAS dropping hot takes on sports he doesn’t play. They’ve had a history of bitter exchanges and never truly buried the hatchet. He was never giving his vote to the SAS for prez campaign.
That campaign probably also won’t get Alexis Ohanian’s funding that easily. In February, Smith commented on Ohanian’s wife, Serena Williams’ viral cameo in Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime show, specifically during “Not Like Us.” We all know that song is at the core of K-Dot’s beef with Drake, Williams’ rumored ex-boyfriend. A small part of the Internet thought it was the tennis legend’s jab at Drake. Most thought it was an ‘oh, snap!’ moment. Smith was maybe on Drake’s camp.
“If I’m your husband, I’m thinking, ‘Why are you up there trolling him? Trolling your ex?’” Smith had claimed. He’d later double down on it but claim he meant no disrespect to Williams.
Smith probably missed the part where Ohanian and Williams are marriage goals. When the Internet billionaire was on his show, Ohanian brought it up upfront. “Stephen A. Smith, I think you had some marriage advice for me. Is that right?” Just like Stak calling out Smith for commenting on professional athletes despite never being one, Ohanian said, “You hadn’t been married before, right?” Smith is, in fact, in a relationship.
Smith did not answer but Ohanian said, “I give advice to plenty of founders who want to build billion-dollar companies, and the reason I do that is because I build billion-dollar companies. So I generally try to stay in my lane.”
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Smith claimed, “If that was my wife, I don’t want to see that. He is her husband, he loves her dearly. They have two wonderful children together, and I have absolutely no issue with him whatsoever with him wanting to address that situation with me.”
He was not confrontational or defensive as is his usual MO. He was very awkward and monotonous though. That’s apparently irked the Internet and Stak. But who can blame Smith.
Mike Forde Issues Stunning Confession on NASCAR’s Controversial Playoff Format
Steve O’Donnell didn’t hold back when he joined the Dale Jr. Download this week. NASCAR’s President shared a thought that’s been echoing across the garage for years: the playoff format might be hurting the sport’s biggest stars. “I don’t want the next Christopher Bell, who’s 10 years old right now, thinking about NASCAR and saying, ‘Huh, this is a little bit more of a chance on a one race, right?’” O’Donnell said.
His comment struck a nerve with fans and insiders alike, reigniting the debate over whether NASCAR’s playoff system rewards chaos over consistency. And when NASCAR’s Managing Director for Racing Communications, Mike Forde, weighed in on the issue, his surprising confession took the discussion in an unexpected direction.
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Can NASCAR’s playoff drama create new legends?
Mike Forde’s recent comments on the Door Bumper Clear podcast illuminate a growing debate: NASCAR’s single-race championship finale makes it “hard to have a Jimmie Johnson again.” Johnson’s record, five straight titles (2006–2010), came under the old ‘Chase’ format, which rewarded consistency and resilience across ten pressure-filled playoff races. Today, a season can be decided by one race among four drivers.
Forde agrees with Steve O’Donnell’s point.
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Sustained dominance is nearly impossible now. Even spectacular seasons (like Kevin Harvick’s nine wins in 2020 or Kyle Larson’s five wins last year) can be derailed by one mishap during the playoffs, robbing superstars of dynasty potential and limiting the sport’s ability to build all-time icons.
Forde himself admits his views on the playoff system have evolved. “At the beginning of the year, I would have said, ‘No, I think we need a playoff.’ After hearing a lot of discussions and arguments for it, I think my mind has changed. I think Charlotte was way more interesting because of the playoffs.”
At the recent Charlotte Roval, the looming threat of elimination led to cutthroat racing for survival. Drivers like Joey Logano and Ross Chastain battled for their playoff lives, with chaos erupting on the final lap. Without playoffs, fights like that for the playoff spots, vital for narratives and ratings, would rarely matter as much.
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Ultimately, the playoff format delivers high-stakes moments, ensuring drama to the very end. But the risk is that it rewards chaos, not year-long excellence, possibly threatening the emergence of future legends. As NASCAR weighs tweaks to its championship structure, the pressure mounts: can they find the right balance between drama, fairness, and true superstar legacy?
NASCAR’s playoff system faces possible overhaul for 2026
As debate swirls around NASCAR’s playoff format, discussions about a dramatic overhaul (or even scrapping the postseason entirely) have gained traction for 2026. Industry leaders openly acknowledge that the one-race, winner-take-all finale heightens drama but sometimes diminishes season-long excellence and legacy-building.
This tension has fueled a serious reexamination of how the sport crowns its champion. Among the proposals on the table is a return to a full-season points system, used until 2003, or at least a longer multi-race championship showdown, like the original Chase that balanced drama with consistency. NASCAR executives are listening.
NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell weighed in, saying, “Whoever wins that championship, I’m going to stand behind them and say that’s our champion… But here’s what gets me to think about it: Christopher Bell… If I roll off 10 wins in a year, and I go to (a) one-race (championship), and a couple other guys get into me, I’m not the champion.” O’Donnell emphasized that the future format must reward long-term top performance as well as create exciting moments.
Committee discussions have welcomed input from legendary figures as well. Seven-time champion Richard Petty, advocating for a return to the old format, argued, “With a full season of 36 races, the championship should accurately reflect the top performer across all those events. If you run all those 36, who’s the best of those 36? They should be the champion.”
Drivers such as Ryan Blaney and Brad Keselowski echoed those sentiments, with Blaney stating, “I kind of like a change. I think you can put a bunch more emphasis on points. You have to have some consistency.”
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Although NASCAR executives remain noncommittal, stating no format will be finalized until after 2025, the very real prospect of a seismic shift by 2026 reflects a “remarkable shift” for the sport.
Whether the committee chooses to scrap the playoffs, revert to a classic points chase, or land somewhere in between, the coming months promise a pivotal moment for stock car racing’s future.
MLB playoffs: How Jorge Polanco put the Seattle Mariners on the brink
TORONTO — Every so often in the Seattle Mariners clubhouse, the
Falcons Ride Robinson’s 170 Rushing Yards, Including 81-Yard TD, to 24-14 Win Over Allen and Bills
ATLANTA (AP) — Bijan Robinson matched a career high with 170 rushing yards and gave Atlanta an early two-touchdown lead with the NFL’s longest run of the season, and the Falcons denied Josh Allen’s comeback attempt to beat the Buffalo Bills 24-14 on Monday night.
Robinson’s career-long 81-yard touchdown run in the second quarter put Atlanta (3-2) ahead 21-7. Allen threw two touchdown passes, including a 16-yarder to Ray Davis to open the second half.
Allen and the Bills (4-2) were stopped on fourth down near midfield late in the third quarter but were provided another opportunity when Greg Rousseau blocker Parker Romo’s 37-yard field-goal attempt early in the fourth.
Allen and the Bills again failed to capitalize. The Falcons secured the win with a 14-play, 5-minute drive that included Michael Penix Jr.’s 23-yard pass to Robinson. Romo’s 33-yard field goal extended the lead to 10 points, and the Bills were left with 1:47 on the clock and no timeouts.
Atlanta linebacker DeAngelo Malone intercepted Allen’s last throw with 41 seconds remaining. Allen completed 15 of 26 passes for 180 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, giving him four interceptions in his last three games. Last season’s MVP had only one pick in his previous 12 games, including the playoffs.
The Falcons (3-2) leaned on Penix, Robinson and Drake London, who had 10 catches for 158 yards and a touchdown.
Robinson got his 170 yards on 19 carries. He added six catches for 68 yards for a career-best 238 yards from scrimmage. Penix threw for 250 yards, including a 9-yard TD to London. Tyler Allgeier scored the Falcons’ first touchdown on a 21-yard run.
Allen had the support of a strong contingent of Buffalo fans who were so loud that Penix was forced to use a silent count on an early possession.
The Bills’ loss added more reasons to doubt their 4-0 start. Those wins came against teams that are now a combined 3-21: Baltimore (1-5), the New York Jets (0-6), Miami (1-5) and New Orleans (1-5).
Injuries
Bills: WR Joshua Palmer (left ankle) was ruled out early in the second half. … LB Terrel Bernard left with a right ankle injury. … TE Dalton Kincaid was inactive with an oblique injury. The decision was made after he participated in pregame warmups. Kincaid leads the team 287 receiving yards and three touchdowns and had a career-best 108 yards in his last game. DT DaQuan Jones, a starter, was held out after suffering a calf injury in pregame warmups.
Falcons: LT Jake Matthews (ankle) was escorted to the locker room late in the first half and ruled out. … Starting nickel back Billy Bowman Jr. (knee, hamstring) was inactive. In a surprise, WR Ray-Ray McCloud III was a healthy scratch and was on the sideline in street clothes. The move came despite another starter, WR Darnell Mooney (hamstring), getting ruled out on Saturday.
Up next
Bills: After a bye, Buffalo plays another NFC South team when it visits Carolina on Oct. 26.
Falcons: In another prime-time game, Atlanta visits San Francisco on Sunday night.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Brian Branch Takes Strong Action to Prevent $76K Loss After NFL Suspended Lions RB for 1 Game
The Chiefs might’ve snagged the win over the Lions in Week 6, but the postgame headlines had nothing to do with the sporting aspects of the game. Instead, all eyes were on the chaos that broke out after the final whistle when Lions safety Brian Branch straight-up smacked JuJu Smith-Schuster in the head. The league handed him a punishment, but Branch isn’t taking it lying down.
The league didn’t waste time handing out punishment, slapping Branch with a one-game suspension that’ll cost him a cool $76,624, per Spotrac and Ian Rapoport. But Brian Branch will be appealing the decision.
Stay here. More updates are coming soon…
Bijan Robinson’s monstrous game powers Falcons in Bills upset
ATLANTA — Bijan Robinson matched a career high with 170 rushing yards and gave Atlanta an early two-touchdown lead with the NFL’s longest run of the season, and the Falcons denied Josh Allen’s comeback attempt to beat the Buffalo Bills 24-14 on Monday night.
Robinson’s career-long 81-yard touchdown run in the second quarter put Atlanta (3-2) ahead 21-7. Allen threw two touchdown passes, including a 16-yarder to Ray Davis to open the second half.
Allen and the Bills (4-2) were stopped on fourth down near midfield late in the third quarter but were provided another opportunity when Greg Rousseau blocked Parker Romo’s 37-yard field-goal attempt early in the fourth.
Allen and the Bills again failed to capitalize. The Falcons secured the win with a 14-play, 5-minute drive that included Michael Penix Jr.’s 23-yard pass to Robinson. Romo’s 33-yard field goal extended the lead to 10 points, and the Bills were left with 1:47 on the clock and no timeouts.
Atlanta linebacker DeAngelo Malone intercepted Allen’s last throw with 41 seconds remaining. Allen completed 15 of 26 passes for 180 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, giving him four interceptions in his last three games. Last season’s MVP had only one pick in his previous 12 games, including the playoffs.
The Falcons (3-2) leaned on Penix, Robinson and Drake London, who had 10 catches for 158 yards and a touchdown.
Robinson got his 170 yards on 19 carries. He added six catches for 68 yards for a career-best 238 yards from scrimmage. Penix threw for 250 yards, including a 9-yard TD to London. Tyler Allgeier scored the Falcons’ first touchdown on a 21-yard run.
Allen had the support of a strong contingent of Buffalo fans who were so loud that Penix was forced to use a silent count on an early possession.
The Bills’ loss added more reasons to doubt their 4-0 start. Those wins came against teams that are now a combined 3-21: Baltimore (1-5), the New York Jets (0-6), Miami (1-5) and New Orleans (1-5).
Falcons ride Robinson’s 170 rushing yards, including 81
ATLANTA (AP) — Bijan Robinson matched a career high with 170 rushing yards and gave Atlanta an early two-touchdown lead with the NFL’s longest run of the season, and the Falcons denied Josh Allen’s comeback attempt to beat the Buffalo Bills 24-14 on Monday night.
Robinson’s career-long 81-yard touchdown run in the second quarter put Atlanta (3-2) ahead 21-7.
“We’ve been waiting for that moment,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said of the long run.
Robinson got his 170 yards on 19 carries. He added six catches for 68 yards for a career-best 238 yards from scrimmage. Morris said Robinson “is the best player in football; I’ve said it multiple times.”
For Robinson’s big game to come against Allen, last season’s MVP, was meaningful because he paid the same compliment to the Bills quarterback.
“I think he’s the best football player in the NFL,” Robinson said. “Shout out to our defense. They made him uncomfortable the whole day.”
Allen threw two touchdown passes, including a 16-yarder to Ray Davis to open the second half.
Allen and the Bills (4-2) were stopped on fourth down near midfield late in the third quarter but were provided another opportunity when Greg Rousseau blocker Parker Romo’s 37-yard field-goal attempt early in the fourth.
Allen and the Bills again failed to capitalize. The Falcons secured the win with a 14-play, 5-minute drive that included Michael Penix Jr.’s 23-yard pass to Robinson. Romo’s 33-yard field goal extended the lead to 10 points, and the Bills were left with 1:47 on the clock and no timeouts.
“They had a good plan,” Allen said of the Falcons. “Looks like they came off the bye week and got to game-plan us quite a bit. Again, I’ve got to be better in seeing the things they’re trying to do to us and make adjustments accordingly.”
Atlanta linebacker DeAngelo Malone intercepted Allen’s last throw with 41 seconds remaining. Allen completed 15 of 26 passes for 180 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, giving him four interceptions in his last three games. He had only one pick in his previous 12 games, including the playoffs.
The Falcons (3-2) leaned on Penix, Robinson and Drake London, who had 10 catches for 158 yards and a touchdown.
Penix threw for 250 yards, including a 9-yard TD to London. Tyler Allgeier scored the Falcons’ first touchdown on a 21-yard run.
Allen had the support of a strong contingent of Buffalo fans who were so loud that Penix was forced to use a silent count on an early possession.
From 4-0 to 4-2
The Bills’ loss added more reasons to doubt their 4-0 start. Those wins came against teams that are now a combined 3-21: Baltimore (1-5), the New York Jets (0-6), Miami (1-5) and New Orleans (1-5).
No Ray-Ray McCloud
In a surprise, Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III, normally a starter, was a healthy scratch and was on the sideline in street clothes. The move came despite another starter, Darnell Mooney (hamstring), getting ruled out on Saturday.
Morris called the move “a coaches’ decision” and said McCloud will “be back out competing next week.”
Injuries
Bills: WR Joshua Palmer (left ankle) was ruled out early in the second half. … LB Terrel Bernard left with a right ankle injury. … TE Dalton Kincaid was inactive with an oblique injury. The decision was made after he participated in pregame warmups. Kincaid leads the team 287 receiving yards and three touchdowns and had a career-best 108 yards in his last game. DT DaQuan Jones, a starter, was held out after suffering a calf injury in pregame warmups.
Falcons: LT Jake Matthews (ankle) was escorted to the locker room late in the first half and ruled out. … Starting nickel back Billy Bowman Jr. (knee, hamstring) was inactive.
Up next
Bills: After a bye, Buffalo plays another NFC South team when it visits Carolina on Oct. 26.
Falcons: In another prime-time game, Atlanta visits San Francisco on Sunday night.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
Los Falcons vencen a los Bills con 170 yardas terrestres de Robinson, con anotación de 81
Bijan Robinson igualó su récord personal con 170 yardas por tierra y le dio a Atlanta una ventaja temprana de dos touchdowns con la carrera más larga de la temporada en la NFL, y los Falcons negaron el intento de remontada de Josh Allen para vencer 24-14 a los Bills de Buffalo el lunes por la noche.
La escapada de touchdown de 81 yardas, la más larga en la carrera de Robinson, puso a Atlanta (3-2) adelante 21-7 en el segundo cuarto. Allen lanzó dos pases de anotación, incluido uno de 16 yardas a Ray Davis para abrir la segunda mitad.
Allen y los Bills (4-2) fueron detenidos en cuarto down cerca del medio campo al final del tercer cuarto, pero se les dio otra oportunidad cuando Greg Rousseau bloqueó el intento de gol de campo de 37 yardas de Parker Romo al inicio del período.
Allen y los Bills nuevamente no lograron capitalizar. Los Falcons aseguraron la victoria con una serie de 14 jugadas y cinco minutos que incluyó un pase de 23 yardas de Michael Penix Jr. a Robinson. El gol de campo de 33 yardas de Romo extendió la ventaja a diez puntos, y los Bills se quedaron con 1:47 en el reloj y sin tiempos muertos.
El linebacker de Atlanta, DeAngelo Malone, interceptó el último lanzamiento de Allen con 41 segundos restantes. Allen completó 15 de 26 pases para 180 yardas con dos touchdowns y dos intercepciones, sumando cuatro intercepciones en sus últimos tres juegos. El MVP de la temporada pasada solo había tenido una en sus 12 juegos anteriores, incluidos los playoffs.
Los Falcons (3-2) se apoyaron en Penix, Robinson y Drake London, quien tuvo diez recepciones para 158 yardas y un touchdown.
Robinson consiguió sus 170 yardas en 19 acarreos. Añadió seis recepciones para 68 yardas, logrando un récord personal de 238 yardas desde la línea de golpeo. Penix lanzó para 250 yardas, incluyendo un touchdown de nueve yardas a London. Tyler Allgeier logró la primera anotación de los Falcons con una carrera de 21 yardas.
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Deportes en español AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Ex-Wolverine kicks game-winning FG in first game with new NFL team
Thirty-four days after being cut by the San Francisco 49ers, Jake Moody won a game for another NFL team.
The former Michigan kicker drilled a last-second 38-yard field goal to give the Chicago Bears a 25-24 victory over the Washington Commanders during a misty and windy Monday night in Landover, Maryland.
Moody was elevated to the Bears’ active roster before the game and finished 4 of 5 in field-goal attempts. He connected on tries of 47, 48, 41 and 38 yards and had a 48-yarder blocked early in the fourth quarter.
The 2023 third-round pick of the 49ers had a tough finish to the 2024 season and missed two field goals in San Francisco’s 2025 opener. It waived him on Sept. 9, and he signed with Chicago’s practice squad three days later.
Monday was his first appearance with the Bears.
“To get all that support after the game from all my teammates – I got here not too long ago, but for everybody to embrace me and take me in as one of their own, it’s an amazing feeling,” Moody told ESPN on the field immediately after the game.
Chicago’s starting kicker, Cairo Santos, wasn’t on the injury report on Saturday but suffered a setback before Monday. Moody entered the game making 46 of 62 career field-goal attempts, although he was only 16 of 29 from 40-plus yards.
He was the first kicker selected in 2023 after a stellar career at Michigan. The Northville native is the only Wolverine to ever win the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s top kicker, going 23 of 25 with a long of 52. Moody hit a program-record 59-yarder in 2022 and finished his career 69 of 84 over five seasons.
2025 NFL playoff picture, standings: Patriots overtake Bills in AFC East; Commanders waste golden opportunity
Six weeks into the NFL season and playoffs — yes playoffs — are being discussed. The NFL is a third of the way through its 18-week slate after this week’s games, and there are already a few surprises.
The Indianapolis Colts lead the AFC South through a third of the season and the Jacksonville Jaguars are a playoff team. The New England Patriots have taken over the division lead in the AFC East with the Buffalo Bills suffering their second straight loss.
The NFC West currently has three teams in the playoff picture through six weeks, while the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles are still contenders for the top seed — even with the Eagles losing two in a row. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the first team in the conference with a 5-1 record!
Below is a breakdown of the conference standings after Week 6.
AFC playoff picture
SeedTeamWLTPCT1
Colts
5
1
0
.833
2
Steelers
4
1
0
.800
3Chargers
4
2
0
.667
4Patriots
4
2
0
.667
5Bills420.6676Jaguars420.6677Broncos420.6678Chiefs330.5009Texans230.40010Bengals240.333
11Raiders240.33312Ravens150.16713Dolphins150.16714Browns150.16715Titans150.16716Jets060.000
1. Indianapolis Colts (5-1)
The Colts are the only team in the AFC with five wins and hold the No. 1 seed after six weeks. They lead the Jaguars by a game in the AFC South.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1)
The Steelers are in command of the AFC North, leading the division by three games in the loss column over the Bengals. They face the Bengals on the road next week. Pittsburgh holds the tiebreaker over Buffalo based on conference record as the Steelers are 3-0 and Bills are 3-1.
3. Los Angeles Chargers (4-2)
The Chargers have the lead in the AFC West over the Broncos based on their head-to-head win earlier this season. Both teams are 4-2 in the division. The Chargers are 4-0 in conference games, giving them that tiebreaker over the Patriots.
4. New England Patriots (4-2)
The Patriots have the AFC East lead via the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Bills.
5. Buffalo Bills (4-2)
The Bills fell out of the AFC East lead after losing to the Falcons, as they lose the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Patriots. The Bills are 3-1 in conference games, so they have the tiebreaker over the Jaguars (2-1) and Broncos (3-2) for the No. 5 seed.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)
The Jaguars have the No. 6 seed in the AFC, holding a tiebreaker over the Broncos based on having a better conference win percentage in conference games. Jacksonville is 2-1 in conference play (.667), while Denver is 3-2 (.600).
7. Denver Broncos (4-2)
The Broncos are the No. 7 seed in the AFC, losing the head-to-head tiebreaker to the Chargers for the AFC West lead. They lead the Chiefs by a game for the final playoff spot.
8. Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)
The Chiefs sit one game in the loss column behind the Chargers and Broncos for the AFC West lead. They are one game out of the final playoff spot as well after Sunday’s win over the Lions.
9. Houston Texans (2-3)
The Texans are off this week and play the Seahawks next week. They are two games behind the Colts in the loss column for the AFC South.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (2-4)
The Bengals hold a conference win percentage tiebreaker over the Raiders, as they are 2-1 in the AFC (.667) while the Raiders are 2-2 (.500).
11. Las Vegas Raiders (2-4)
The Raiders sit in last place in the AFC West, two games in the loss column out of a playoff spot.
12. Baltimore Ravens (1-5)
The Ravens are the No. 12 seed in the AFC. Baltimore has the tiebreaker over Tennessee and Miami based on having a better win percentage in conference games. Baltimore is 1-3 in the AFC (.250), while Miami is 1-4 (.200). Cleveland (0-3) and Tennessee (0-4) don’t have a conference win. The division tiebreaker for third in the AFC North was initially used to eliminate Cleveland as Baltimore wins the tiebreaker based on head-to-head win percentage.
13. Miami Dolphins (1-5)
The Dolphins are the No. 13 seed in the AFC based on their lone conference win (over the Jets). They are three games in the loss column out of a playoff spot.
14. Cleveland Browns (1-5)
The Browns have a better strength of victory over the Titans, which is how they get the tiebreaker for the No. 14 seed in the conference standings. Cleveland has a .700 strength of victory while Tennessee is .333.
15. Tennessee Titans (1-5)
The Titans are the No. 15 seed in the AFC, three games in the loss column out of a playoff spot.
16. New York Jets (0-6)
The Jets are the only winless team in the NFL. They are four games in the loss column out of a playoff spot and last in the AFC East.
NFC playoff picture
RankTeamWLTPCT1
Buccaneers
5
1
0
.833
2Packers311.700349ers420.6674
Eagles
4
2
0
.667
5Seahawks420.6676Lions420.6677Rams420.6678Falcons320.6009Vikings320.60010Bears320.60011Panthers330.50012Commanders330.50013Cowboys231.41714Cardinals240.33315Giants240.33316Saints150.167
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1)
The Buccaneers are the No. 1 seed in the NFC and lead the NFC South. They play the Lions next week.
2. Green Bay Packers (3-1-1)
The Packers take over the NFC North lead with the Lions loss Sunday night. They lead teh NFC North by one game in the loss column.
3. San Francisco 49ers (4-2)
The 49ers lead the NFC West based on having a better divisional record (3-0) than the Rams (1-1) and Seahawks (0-1). They also beat the Rams and Seahawks head to head. The 49ers have a better conference win percentage (4-1, .800) than the Eagles (3-1, .750).
4. Philadelphia Eagles (4-2)
The Eagles lead the NFC East by a half game over the Commanders. Philadelphia has lost two straight.
5. Seattle Seahawks (4-2)
The Seahawks are the No. 5 seed in the NFC, holding a strength of victory tiebreaker (.478) over the Lions (.273). The Seahawks also hold the tiebreaker over the Rams for the No. 6 seed based on having a better division record than Los Angeles. Seattle is 1-1 in the NFC West while Los Angeles is 0-1.
6. Detroit Lions (4-2)
The Lions fall out of the NFC North lead with their loss to the Chiefs. They own the No. 6 seed based on having a better conference win percentage (1-1, .500) than the Rams (0-2, .000).
7. Los Angeles Rams (4-2)
The Rams hold the final playoff spot in the NFC, leading the Vikings and Commanders by a half game for the final playoff spot.
8. Atlanta Falcons (3-2)
The Falcons hold the tiebreaker over the Vikings based on their head-to-head victory earlier this season. The Vikings beat the Bears, so they have the head-to-head tiebreaker there.
9. Minnesota Vikings (3-2)
The Vikings had a bye this week and will face the Eagles in Week 7.
10. Chicago Bears (3-2)
The Bears are one game out in the loss column in the NFC North thanks to their win over the Commanders.
11. Carolina Panthers (3-3)
The Panthers are 2-1 in the conference and the Commanders are 1-3, so they hold the conference record tiebreaker for the No. 11 seed.
12. Washington Commanders (3-3)
The Commanders lost to the Bears, failing to force a tie for first place in the NFC East.
13. Dallas Cowboys (2-3-1)
The Cowboys are the No. 13 seed in the NFC, one game behind the Eagles in the loss column for the division lead.
14. Arizona Cardinals (2-4)
The Cardinals sit in last place in the NFC West, two games in the loss column behind the 49ers for first place. They have a better conference win percentage (2-2, .500) than the Giants (1-3, .250) for the No. 14 seed.
15. New York Giants (2-4)
The Giants have won two of their last three games, and sit two games out of the NFC East lead.
16. New Orleans Saints (1-5)
The Saints have the worst record in the NFC and are four games in the loss column out of the division lead.
Fantasy football Week 7 waiver wire adds: Be wary of popular running back
We are in the middle of the NFL bye weeks, injuries are piling up, and selecting the right players for your fantasy football roster can be difficult if you aren’t looking in the right place.
Most people simply look at what happened last week and pick players who scored the most points, regardless of context. They are the point-chasers, and they make their decision on what was. The savvy managers have a deeper knowledge of the game, understand the matchups and make their decisions based on what will be. It can be a fine line, but if you stay on the right side, you’ll come out on top.
If Chargers running back Kimani Vidal is available in your league, he is sure to be the most popular waiver claim. He surprised everyone by outperforming teammate Hassan Haskins and carved up the Dolphins for 124 yards on 18 carries. He also added three catches for 14 yards and a touchdown, and the numbers left everyone drooling over the possibilities. But can he repeat them? It seems unlikely.
Not only is the Miami run defense the worst in the NFL, but the Chargers’ upcoming schedule features games against the Colts, Vikings, Steelers and Jaguars — all of whom do a good job stifling the run. They aren’t going to lay down the way the Dolphins did, and with the Chargers offensive line concerns — they now are missing three starters — winning the battle in the trenches is going to be incredibly difficult. Not to mention, we should be seeing the return of Omarion Hampton in a few weeks anyway, so Vidal is actually running on borrowed time.
If you’re looking to make a splash in waivers this week, then now is the time to add Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. He was a hot commodity after Week, but has been dropped in numerous leagues, as David Njoku has been seeing more snaps and more targets.
Unfortunately, Njoku left Sunday’s game with a knee injury, and recent reports say he could miss a few games. Those games come against the Dolphins, Patriots, Jets and Ravens — all four ranking in the bottom 10 in fantasy points allowed to the tight end. With the way Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel leans on his tight end, Fannin is due for a heavy increase in both snaps and targets. That, in turn, leads to much better fantasy production.
Within the fantasy community, we refer to players as good chalk and bad chalk. Good chalk means the player is extremely popular and for good reason. You want to play him. Bad chalk means the player is popular but should not be leaned on for quality or consistent production. With regard to Vidal and Fannin, you should know which is which. Don’t be a point-chaser and fall for the bad chalk.
Mina Kimes Doesn’t Hold Back on Seahawks After Beating Jaguars
The Seattle Seahawks‘ defense had a bounce-back performance in the 20-12 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6. After giving up 38 points in the shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5, the Seahawks’ defense responded with an impressive performance.
Furthermore, the group made life difficult for Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The Seattle defense sacked Lawrence seven times in the game as they wouldn’t allow a repeat of Week 5, where an offense did whatever they wanted.
NFL Next Gen Stats (h/t Seahawks.com) shows the Seahawks pressured Lawrence on 25 of his 50 dropbacks, marking the highest rate of pressure he has faced this season. Seattle’s defense sacked him seven times—already surpassing his total sacks over the first five games (6)—and added 17 quarterback hits.
On the October 13 edition of “NFL Live,” ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes gave the Seahawks’ defense their flowers for how they performed against the Jaguars, which was something she didn’t expect to start the game.
“Early on there were a couple busted coverages,” Kimes said. “I’m thinking this is going to be another shootout like the Tampa game. And then the Seahawks defensive line said, ‘Nah.’ This was a feeding frenzy at the line of scrimmage. Seven sacks, 17 quarterback hits, 25 pressures. Going back and watching all the sacks.”
Mina Kimes Talks Seahawks Coach Mike Macdonald
Moreover, Kimes spotlighted the defensive play calling from head coach Mike Macdonald and how he never allowed Lawrence to get comfortable with the constant pressure that Seattle was generating.
“It really is amazing to watch Mike Macdonald,” Kimes added. “He’s a mad scientist at work with some of the overloads. He was using the defensive linemen like chessmen, the games they were running [and] some of the simulated pressures. And while if this was a group project, I would frankly give everyone on that defensive line an A.
“Leonard Williams is the best defensive lineman in football that people don’t talk about. He was borderline unblockable in this game. He dominates week after week, but he is a truly special player and part of a truly special defensive line.”
Seahawks Defense Came Up Big Late
Nonetheless, while the Seahawks had an impressive performance, Macdonald noted that the team’s ability to shut the door on the Jaguars after giving up a touchdown to make the scoreline 20-12 was just as outstanding.
“That’s been an emphasis for us,” Macdonald said of the defense’s finish (h/t Seahawks.com). “We weren’t shying away from it, and our guys were awesome. I think you could sense it on the sideline that they wanted the opportunity to go out there and play, and that’s all you can ask for as a coach.
“It’s not like—there’s no secret play calls that you hide on your play sheet until the fourth quarter then all of a sudden you just start waving the magic wand. We’re executing our defense and our guys did it at a high level, and that’s what it’s going to take.
“But I think the mentality was the driving force behind how we finished the game out, and that starts with our leaders on defense, our coaches—AD (defensive coordinator Aden Durde) did a tremendous job all week getting our guys ready to go. It was a fun group to be around as the fourth quarter started to unfold.”
San Jose Sharks’ Michael Misa to make NHL debut vs. Carolina Hurricanes
SAN JOSE – Michael Misa’s brief wait to make his NHL debut with the Sharks is coming to an end, but his bid to remain in San Jose for the rest of the regular season might be just beginning.
Misa will play in his first NHL game on Tuesday when the Sharks host the Carolina Hurricanes to close out their season-opening three-game homestand, coach Ryan Warsofsky confirmed.
Misa, 18, made the Sharks roster out of training camp earlier this month but was a healthy scratch for the team’s first two games, as San Jose let late leads slip away before losing in overtime to both the Vegas Golden Knights and the Anaheim Ducks.
In Monday’s practice, Misa centered the Sharks’ third line with wingers Ty Dellandrea and Philipp Kurashev. Misa could also find himself on the first or second power play unit on Tuesday as the Sharks look to earn their first win of the season.
Regardless, less than four months after he was drafted second overall by the Sharks, Misa is getting his chance to fulfill a childhood dream.
“Really excited. It’s what I’ve dreamed of,” said a smiling Misa, who will have his parents and older brother flying in for the game. “I’m going to enjoy it and hopefully get the win.”
Watching the Sharks’ first two games, Misa paid close attention to centers Macklin Celebrini, Alexander Wennberg, and Ty Dellandrea and their habits, particularly when they didn’t have the puck on their sticks.
Still, Misa won the Canadian Hockey League’s scoring title last season, with 134 points in 65 games, for a reason, and he plans to play to his strengths against the tight-checking Hurricanes.
“Just play my game,” Misa said of his approach. “I’m going to bring my offense, try to help the guys score a couple of goals. I have confidence in myself that when I get out there, I’ll try to make the best of it.”
Misa’s debut will come three days after Sam Dickinson made his NHL debut on Saturday, as the 19-year-old defenseman had 12 minutes of ice time in the Sharks’ 7-6 overtime loss to the Ducks. Dickinson will also be in Tuesday’s lineup as it appears he’ll be paired with veteran John Klingberg.
“I was happy for him. He looked really comfortable out there,” Misa said of Dickinson. “He’s obviously going to have a long NHL career, and I was happy that we’re kind of getting (a chance) to go through this together.”
The Sharks will have to decide at some point, likely early next month, whether to play Misa and Dickinson for more than nine games and burn the first years of their entry-level contracts, or return them to their respective OHL teams.
Dickinson, assuming he plays Tuesday, can reach the nine-game threshold by Oct. 28 when the Sharks host the Los Angeles Kings, and Misa can reach nine games by Oct. 30 when San Jose’s homestand continues against the New Jersey Devils.
What seems more likely is for both to sit and watch games here and there, giving the Sharks a chance to be patient with their development for the time being.
“Go enjoy it. Have fun,” Warsofsky said of his message to Misa. “You only get one NHL (debut). (Misa) looked good in practice today, too. You can see a little extra jump in him. Embrace it. We’ll coach through the mistakes. Go play like your head’s on fire.”
SMITH INJURED?
With Misa, Dickinson, Celebrini, and Smith, the Sharks could have four players 20 years old or younger in Tuesday’s lineup. Warsofsky said Smith, who briefly left practice Monday, has been dealing with a minor lower-body injury in recent days, but added, “We don’t think it’s too concerning for him not playing (Tuesday). But you saw him get off there during practice, so I’ve got to get an update.”
LINEUP SHUFFLE
After two disappointing losses, the Sharks moved William Eklund and Tyler Toffoli alongside center Celebrini, and Smith and Jeff Skinner were put with center Wennberg, although, considering Smith’s minor ailment, Warsofsky said after practice that the lines have not been finalized.
The Sharks began the season with Celebrini, Smith, and Kurashev on the first line, and Wennberg, Toffoli, and Eklund on the second.
The Sharks also shuffled their defense pairs for Monday’s practice, with Dmitry Orlov paired with Mario Ferraro and Nick Leddy alongside Timothy Liljegren, with Vincent Desharnais and Shakir Mukhamadullin the apparent scratches for Tuesday’s game. Desharnais and Mukhamadullin were also scratched for Saturday’s game.
Veterans Leddy and Klingberg had some struggles Saturday, as they were on the ice for all three Ducks goals during 5-on-5 play.
In some possible message-sending Monday, Warsofsky said, “We’ve got eight defensemen that are NHL defensemen that arguably should be in the lineup with (Mukhamadullin) and (Desharnais), and we’re going to have to make some changes here if guys don’t start playing well.
“And it doesn’t really matter to me if you’re a first-year guy or you’ve been in the league for 15 years. I really don’t care. We need to put the best team on the ice that gives us the best chance to win. There’s competition. We need guys to step up. I think collectively, we’ve been all right, but there are individuals who need to be better.”
WAIVER WIRE
Defensemen Lucas Carlsson and Jack Thompson, who both began the season on the Sharks’ injured non-roster list with lower-body ailments, cleared waivers on Monday and were assigned to the Barracuda of the AHL. Thompson, a right-shot defenseman, was injured late in the preseason, and Carlsson was unable to play in any of the six Sharks exhibition games.
How to watch Devils vs. Blue Jackets: FREE LIVE STREAM, Time, TV Channel for NHL
The New Jersey Devils face the Columbus Blue Jackets in an NHL game on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
You can watch with a subscription to fuboTV or DirecTV which both offer a free trial.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: NHL
Who: Blue Jackets vs. Devils
When: Oct. 13, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Nationwide Arena
TV: MSGSN
Live stream: fuboTV or DirecTV
Here’s an NHL story from the AP:
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Mark Scheifele broke a tie with 8:13 left with his second goal of the game, Connor Hellebuyck made 30 saves and the Winnipeg Jets beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 on Saturday.
Scheifele picked Josh Morrissey’s pass out of the air and deflected it past goalie Darcy Kuemper to give Winnipeg the lead. Alex Iafallo had a power-play goal for the Jets in the first period to help the Jets rebound from a season-opening home loss to Dallas on Thursday night.
Adrian Kempe and Mikey Anderson scored for Los Angeles, with Kuemper stopping 24 shots. The Kings played their third game, following an opening home loss to Colorado and a shootout victory at Vegas.
Scheifele tied it at 2 with 1:03 left in the second. In the tail end of killing a penalty, Morgan Barron stole the puck and fed Scheifele, whose backhander deflected off Anderson past Kuemper.
The Kings took a 2-1 lead midway through the second. Kempe finished off a pretty three-way passing play with Anze Kopitar and Andrei Kuzmenko.
BLUES 4, FLAMES 2
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Jake Neighbours scored two goals to lead St. Louis to a win over Calgary.
Robert Thomas had a goal and an assist and Pius Suter also scored for the Blues, who went with Joel Hofer over Jordan Binnington in net after the latter allowed five goals on 21 shots in their season opener, a 5-0 loss to Minnesota. Hofer made 27 saves.
Matt Coronato scored twice for Calgary, which had won three straight home openers. Dustin Wolf stopped 24 shots.
Neighbours scored the go-ahead goal at 11:07 of the third period when he tipped in Colton Parayko’a slap shot.
Suter tipped Tyler Tucker’s fluttering shot past Wolf at 13:33 of the third to give the Blues a two-goal lead.
RED WINGS 6, MAPLE LEAFS 3
DETROIT (AP) — Lucas Raymond scored twice, including the 100th goal of his career, and Detroit pulled away to a victory over Toronto.
Raymond’s milestone goal broke a 3-all tie at 6:45 of the third period. He scored on a slap shot off a pass from Patrick Kane during a power play.
Kane had a goal and two assists. Marco Kasper, Simon Edvinsson and Andrew Copp also scored, while Emmitt Finnie notched his first career point with an assist on Raymond’s first goal. Alex DeBrincat added three assists.
Cam Talbot made 20 saves and also had an assist on Edvinsson’s empty-netter.
Nicolas Roy, Calle Jarnkrok and Max Domi had Toronto’s goals. Anthony Stolarz made 29 saves.
PANTHERS 6, SENATORS 2
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Brad Marchand, Aaron Ekblad and Anton Lundell all finished with a goal and an assist, and Florida stayed unbeaten by topping Ottawa.
Mackie Samoskevich, Sam Reinhart and Evan Rodrigues also scored for the Panthers, who got two assists from Seth Jones. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 26 shots for Florida, which has trailed for a total of 63 seconds in its first three games.
Florida — which scored three power-play goals and has five with the man advantage already this season — is 3-0-0 for the third time in its 32-season history, joining 2020-21 and 2021-22.
Shane Pinto scored both goals for Ottawa, which is now 0-6-1 in its last seven games at Florida. Linus Ullmark stopped 21 shots for the Senators.
BRUINS 3, SABRES 1
BOSTON (AP) — Jeremy Swayman made 21 saves, Pavel Zacha, Mark Kastelic and Sean Kuraly scored and Boston beat Buffalo to run their season-opening winning streak to three.
Jason Zucker scored for Buffalo. Alex Lyon made 28 saves in his second straight loss to start the season.
Zacha’s first goal of the season came on a one-timer after Boston’s Jordan Harris led a rush with 4:12 remaining in the first period.
Playing without top-line center Josh Norris, who is out indefinitely after suffering an upper-body injury during Buffalo’s opener, the Sabres managed just one shot on Swayman during the first period.
CANADIENS 3, BLACKHAWKS 2
CHICAGO (AP) — Kaiden Guhle scored with 15.7 seconds left, and Montreal spoiled Chicago’s home opener with.
Cole Caufield and Zach Bolduc each had a goal and an assist for Montreal in its second straight win. Nick Suzuki had three assists, and Sam Montembeault made 20 saves.
With Chicago scrambling in the final seconds, Guhle converted a long slap shot for his first goal of the season.
Connor Bedard and Sam Rinzel scored for Chicago, and Spencer Knight made 25 saves. Frank Nazar and Teuvo Teravainen each had two assists.
RANGERS 6, PENGUINS 1
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Adam Fox scored twice and added an assist as New York beat the Penguins to give new coach Mike Sullivan a victory in his return to Pittsburgh.
Sullivan, who coached the Penguins to consecutive Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017, was back for the first time since parting ways with the team in April. Pittsburgh spoiled Sullivan’s debut with the Rangers by winning the season opener 3-0 on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, but New York exacted a measure of revenge on Saturday.
Mika Zibanejad scored a short-handed goal, his 251st goal with the Rangers, surpassing Mark Messier for the eighth-most in franchise history. Will Cuylle added a power-play goal, and Matt Rempe and Taylor Raddysh also scored for New York, which announced on Saturday that center Vincent Trocheck — a Pittsburgh native — is out week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
Igor Shesterkin made 18 saves for the Rangers.
DEVILS 5, LIGHTNING 3
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Connor Brown scored twice, Nico Hischier and Timo Meier each had a goal and two an assist, and New Jersey beat the Tampa Bay for their first win of the season.
Jesper Bratt also scored, and rookie Arseny Gritsyuk and Luke Hughes each had two assists for the Devils. Jacob Markstrom finished with 14 saves.
Darren Raddysh, Yanni Gourde and Ryan McDonagh scored for Tampa Bay, which has started 0-2 for the first time under coach Jon Cooper and the first time since 2008-09. Andrei Vasilevskiy had 22 saves.
CAPITALS 4. ISLANDERS 2
NEW YORK (AP) — Aliaksei Protas had two goals and an assist, and Washington beat New York, spoiling the Islanders’ home opener.
Martin Fehervary and Ryan Leonard also scored for Washington. Defenseman Jakob Chychrun had two assists and Alex Ovechkin added one, and goalie Logan Thompson finished with 34 saves to help the Capitals rebound from a 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins in their season opener earlier this week.
Matthew Schaefer, the top overall pick in this year’s NHL Draft, got his first career goal for the Islanders, and Anthony Duclair also scored. Ilya Sorokin had 25 saves as New York fell to 0-2.
HURRICANES 4, FLYERS 3, OT
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Seth Jarvis scored with 16.7 seconds left in overtime to lift Carolina Hurricanes to a win over Philadelphia.
Jarvis also scored the go-ahead goal in Carolina’s season-opening win over New Jersey. Jarvis, who has three goals this season, is building off his 2024-25 season when he was the team’s leading goal scorer.
Logan Stankoven, Taylor Hall and Jordan Staal also scored for the Hurricanes. Frederik Andersen made 20 saves.
Bobby Brink had a goal and an assist and Owen Tippett and Travis Sanheim also scored for the Flyers. Sanheim had the only goal in the third period, pulling Philadelphia even with four minutes left. Samuel Ersson stopped 35 shots.
MAMMOTH 3, PREDATORS 2, OT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dylan Guenther scored at 2:56 of overtime and Utah rallied for a win over the Nashville.
Logan Cooley and Jack McBain also scored for Utah, and Guenther also had an assist. Karel Vejmelka made 21 saves.
Filip Forsberg and Erik Haula scored for Nashville, and Juuse Saros made 20 saves.
In overtime Guenther forced a turnover by Nashville’s Fedor Svechkov on the right boards before skating in and beating Saros for the win.
The Mammoth killed off all five Nashville power plays in the game.
BLUE JACKETS 7, WILD 4
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Kirill Marchenko had his fourth career hat trick and Elvis Merzlikins made 48 saves in his season debut, carrying Columbus past Minnesota.
Zach Werenski and Boone Jenner each had a goal and two assists and Adam Fantilli scored for the Blue Jackets, who took the lead on Miles Wood’s wrist shot just 2:29 into the game and never trailed.
Kirill Kaprizov had his first two goals of the season and an assist for the Wild, just 11 days after signing the richest contract in NHL history with his eight-year, $136 million extension.
Matt Boldy had a goal and an assist and Zeev Buium got his first career goal for the Wild, who had a whopping 52-32 shots advantage but lost 62% of the faceoffs and blew several prime scoring chances early with sloppy stickwork and off-target shooting.
STARS 5, AVALANCHE 4, SO
DENVER (AP) — Jason Robertson and Mikko Rantanen scored shootout goals, Jake Oettinger stopped Nathan MacKinnon on Colorado’s final shot, and Dallas beat the Avalanche.
Oettinger had 35 saves through overtime and two more in the shootout for Dallas, which spoiled a milestone night for Brent Burns, who had an assist for his first point in a Colorado sweater.
Burns became the eighth defenseman to play in 1,500 career games and he extended his ironman streak in the NHL at 928 games, the longest active one in the NHL and fourth longest in league history.
Thomas Harley had a goal and an assist and Nathan Bastian and Robertson scored 3:03 apart in the second period to give Dallas a 3-2 lead.
OILERS 3, CANUCKS 1
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Noah Philp and Andrew Mangiapane scored in the second period, and the Edmonton beat the Vancouver.
Leon Draisaitl also scored, converting a long backhanded shot into an empty net for a short-handed goal with 1:13 remaining. Calvin Pickard had 14 saves to help the Oilers get their first win of the season.
Brock Boeser scored for the Canucks. and Thatcher Demko stopped 34 shots in the loss.
DUCKS 7, SHARKS 6, OT
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Leo Carlsson scored 46 seconds into overtime and Anaheim overcame a two-goal, third-period deficit to for a win over the San Jose.
Cutter Gauthier and Chris Kreider each scored two goals for the Ducks. Beckett Sennecke added his second goal of the season while Alex Killorn also scored. Mason McTavish had three assists.
The Ducks trailed 2-0 and 6-4 before rallying.
After San Jose missed an empty-netter late in the third period, Kreider knocked in his second goal with 49.5 seconds remaining to force overtime.
The Sharks won the face off in the extra period but Macklin Celebrini missed a high shot and the Ducks recovered to set up Carlsson’s winner from the left circle.
Tyler Taffoli, Ryan Reaves, Mario Ferraro, John Klingberg, Adam Gaudette and Jeff Skinner all had goals for San Jose. Yaroslav Askarov had 36 saves.
KRAKEN 2, GOLDEN KNIGHTS 1, OT
SEATTLE (AP) — Jared McCann score with 3.8 seconds left in overtime, lifting Seattle to a victory over Vegas.
With time running down, Matty Beniers, who put the Kraken up 1-0 in the second period, ripped a shot from the left circle that bounced off goalie Adin Hill’s pads. McCann was positioned right on top of the crease and shot the rebound past Hill for his second goal of the year and his 400th career point.
Joey Daccord made 26 saves, with four of those in overtime. He has 61 saves through his first two games.
The Kraken have their first 2-0-0 start in team history.
Pavel Dorofeyev scored his league-leading fifth goal of the season for the Knights. Hill made 20 saves.
Blackhawks owner Danny Wirtz ‘very pleased’ with GM Kyle Davidson’s performance so far
The Blackhawks’ rebuild has been a long and painful process, but its architect — general manager Kyle Davidson — continues to receive the full support of Hawks chairman and owner Danny Wirtz.
Wirtz expressed strong optimism in the franchise’s on- and off-ice future during an interview with the Sun-Times on Monday.
“Everything Kyle set out to do, he continues to deliver on,” Wirtz said. “All of that is predicated on ultimately building a winning team, by all means. But I can only evaluate everything he’s done, and he continues to back up his choices.
“He has built an incredibly exciting pipeline of talent that is coming to the surface now, and we have a lot more even to look forward to. From that standpoint, I’m very pleased with Kyle. He has built a great internal organization to support the development of our young players. He has built a great coaching staff this season, with the new coaches in place. And he has built a [good] culture within hockey operations.”
The four-year anniversary of Davidson’s promotion to GM is coming up, and the team’s cumulative record underneath him isn’t pretty: 107-187-35 entering Monday.
Much of that losing was by design, though, and the prospects drafted with the countless high draft picks are now finally reaching the NHL. Wirtz said he’s glad the team’s fan base can now witness those players’ development with their own eyes, which should help them understand better the purpose of all of the pain.
The prospects aren’t guaranteed, of course, to turn out well enough to transform the Hawks into contenders again. Wirtz admitted he’s “as anxious as anyone to see these prospects start to pop.” But his belief that they eventually will hasn’t wavered.
“If we weren’t having some success and seeing some of these players start to break through, I would be more concerned,” he said. “But the folks we’re seeing, it’s really exciting. There’s nothing better than seeing a young player start to figure it out in the league and start to find that confidence.”
And how long will Wirtz’s belief last? Is there a deadline — or even a timeline — for the team’s breakthrough in his head?
“My expectations are based around improvement,” he added. “We need to see positive improvement, moving in the right direction. That is, of course, on a standings level, but the standings are a result of our young players developing into the kinds of players that we know they can be. If you focus on those as the inputs, I believe the outputs — of increasing our standing — will flow from there.”
Salary-cap effect
The NHL’s skyrocketing salary cap will influence the process, and in the short term, it has arguably hurt the Hawks. They had been positioned as one of relatively few teams with cap flexibility; now every team has cap space to burn.
That squashed the trade and free-agent markets this offseason, because teams had no need to jettison existing big contracts and plenty of space to re-sign pending free agents to big new contracts. That prevented the Hawks from acquiring any established stars.
In the long run, though, the skyrocketing cap — estimated to reach $113.5 million in 2027-28 and continue rising from there — could benefit wealthier, bigger-market teams willing to continue spending all the way to the cap. That includes the Hawks.
“We will spend appropriately — where it makes sense — for us to go and win Stanley Cups,” Wirtz said. “That’s been a hallmark of us during the salary-cap era. We’re able to [plan ahead for] it now, and we’re fortunate we also have a really good business foundation here in Chicago to support that investment.
“From a cap management standpoint…it gives Kyle a little [more] visibility as to how he needs to plan and grow, knowing there’s going to be growing salaries across the board as he goes forward. He’s making very smart, deliberate choices.”
There will be pressure on the Hawks’ business department to keep revenue growth at a sufficient rate to support the additional spending on players, but Wirtz said the franchise’s financial state is “very solid” at the moment.
“Given team performance, [we’ve done] exceptionally well, considering,” he said.
NHL Notebook: Tocchet’s comments on Michkov, Hutson extends in Montreal, and more
The NHL is in full effect now, entering Week 2 of the season. Week 1 came with a lot of storylines and some miraculous performances – both good and bad.
Ex Canucks Head Coach speaks on star forward
Former Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet is two games into his tenure as Philadelphia Flyers head coach, and it’s not off to a great start.
While they’ve faced off against a few tough opponents (Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes), they have dropped both contests, albeit both were just one-goal losses. However, the biggest talking point in Philadelphia surrounds their promising star, Matvei Michkov.
Michkov has yet to find the scoresheet, but what’s more alarming is his ice time, logging just 14:54 and 13:27 minutes in the two games this season. Here is what Tocchet had to say regarding his young forward:
“You have to let him be who he is, but there’s parts of his game that he has to improve upon. I think sometimes he likes to slow the game down a bit, I would like to see him play more North style.”
On Monday morning, Tocchet spoke more about Michkov, but this time about his summer training:
With Michkov healing from injury over the summer and having that affecting the start of his season, it’s deja vu for Tocchet, as he dealt with that last season in Vancouver with Elias Pettersson.
It hasn’t been an ideal start to the marriage between Tocchet and Michkov, but at just 20 years old, there is plenty of developing left for the Russian winger to adapt to Tocchet-style hockey. But Tocchet should be careful to try and change Michkov too much with the level of talent this elite prospect possesses.
The Flyers play in a few hours. We’ll see if Michkov can get his first point of the season when they take on the Panthers for the second time this season.
Canadiens extend Lane Hutson
Three games into the 2025-26 season, the Montreal Canadiens extended their promising young defenceman, Lane Hutson, to an eight-year, $70.8 million contract, carrying an $8.85 million average annual value.
Hutson, 21, first appeared in the NHL at the tail end of 2023-24 season, where he picked up two assists in two games. He took the next step to superstardom in 2024-25, where he scored six goals and 66 points, which led all rookies in scoring. His efforts earned him the Calder Trophy, recognized as the NHL’s rookie of the year, as well as helped the Canadiens make the playoffs for the first time since they went to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2020-2021. Huston added five assists in five postseason games.
His number comes in slightly under another Canadiens defenceman who was acquired on draft day, Noah Dobson. Before the trade the New York Islanders signed Dobson to an eight-year, $76 million contract, carrying a $9.5 million average annual value. Despite nearly doubling Dobson’s point totals last year, Hutson comes in under him, and projects to be one of the best contracts in the NHL – if he can continue on the trajectory he’s on now.
Pair of Eastern Conference centremen on the shelf
Not even a week into the season and we’ve seen two significant injuries to two centremen in the Eastern Conference.
Josh Norris
Josh Norris started opening night as the Buffalo Sabres’ top centreman, however, he wasn’t able to finish the game after injuring himself on this faceoff:
Norris left the game and would not return. Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff told the media that Norris would “miss a significant amount of time” two days after the injury. He also shared that it was an upper-body injury, but nothing that he’s dealt with in the past – Norris has struggled with shoulder injuries often through his career.
Today, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said on 32 Thoughts – the Podcast, that Norris would be out for eight weeks, which amounts to over 20 regular season games.
The Sabres have already struggled with injuries in this young season, as forward Zach Benson, defenceman Owen Power and goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen have all missed games just three games into the year.
Buffalo has more losses (3) than goals for (2) for far this season. Things continue to be ugly in Buffalo.
Vincent Trocheck
In the exact same game, Vincent Trocheck left in the second period and did not return. It has yet to be reported what happened that ailed Trocheck.
The New York Rangers confirmed it was an upper-body injury for Trocheck, and that he would be out week-to-week.
Trocheck, 32, grabbed an assist on Alexis Lafreniere’s opening goal in the first period. Last season, Trocheck scored 26 goals, 33 assists and 59 points with an even rating in 82 games.
The 5’11” faceoff man had been centring a line between Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere – Mika Zibanejad has since stepped in his place.
How to Watch Blues vs Canucks: Live Stream NHL, TV Channel
The St. Louis Blues (1-1-0) look for a second straight road win when they visit the Vancouver Canucks (1-1-0) at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Monday.
How to Watch St. Louis Blues at Vancouver Canucks
When: Monday, October 13, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Where: Rogers Arena
TV Channel: FanDuel Sports Network Indiana Extra, FanDuel Sports Network Midwest
Live Stream: Fubo (TRY FOR FREE)
Jake Neighbors scored twice as the Blues got their first win of the season on Saturday afternoon, picking up a 4-2 road victory over the Calgary Flames. Joel Hofer, making his first start of the season in goal, made 27 saves, while Robert Thomas scored on the power play at 14:25 of the second period to give St. Louis a 2-1 lead before Neighbors’ second goal of the game at 11:07 of the third put the Blues ahead to stay. Pius Suter added a third-period marker.
Vancouver lost its first road game of the season on Saturday night, falling to the Edmonton Oilers 3-1. Thatcher Demko made 34 saves in the loss as the Canucks were outshot 37-15. Brock Boeser got Vancouver on the board 47 seconds into the third period. Boeser and Filip Chytil each have two goals in the first two games, with Jake DeBrusk contributing two assists so far.
This is a great NHL matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
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How to Watch Kings vs Wild: Live Stream NHL, TV Channel
The Minnesota Wild (1-1-0) and Los Angeles Kings (1-2-0) come off Saturday losses as they face off on Monday night at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
How to Watch Los Angeles Kings vs Minnesota Wild
When: Monday, October 13, 2025
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Where: Grand Casino Arena
TV Channel: FanDuel Sports Network North, FanDuel Sports Network West, FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin
Live Stream: Fubo (TRY FOR FREE)
The Wild never led on Saturday night in a 7-4 loss to the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets in Minnesota’s home opener. Matt Boldy posted a goal and two assists in the defeat, while Kirill Kaprizov scored twice and Zeev Buium notched a goal. The Wild were 4-for-8 on the power play but were outscored 5-0 at even strength as Filip Gustavsson followed up an opening-game shutout by allowing six goals on 31 shots. Boldy, Kaprizov, and Ryan Hartman have two goals apiece for Minnesota through two games, with Boldy and Kaprizov each notching six points already.
Los Angeles took a 2-1 lead midway through the second period on Saturday before dropping a 3-2 decision at the Winnipeg Jets. Mikey Anderson tied the game 50 seconds into the second before Adrian Kempe staked the Kings to a 2-1 lead at the 9:12 mark. Kempe also added an assist in the defeat. Kempe and Andrei Kuzmenko lead Los Angeles with a goal and two assists each, while captain Anže Kopitar has three helpers.
This is a great NHL matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
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How to Watch Mammoth vs Blackhawks: Live Stream NHL, TV Channel
The Utah Mammoth (1-1-0) closes out a season-opening three-game road trip on Monday night when they take on the winless Chicago Blackhawks (0-2-1) at the United Center.
How to Watch Utah Mammoth vs Chicago Blackhawks
When: Monday, October 13, 2025
Time: 8:30 PM ET
Where: United Center
TV Channel: Chicago Sports Network, KUPX – Utah 16
Live Stream: Fubo (TRY FOR FREE)
Dylan Guenther’s goal 2:56 into overtime gave the Mammoth their first win under their new name as they topped the Nashville Predators 3-2 on Saturday night. Jack McBain tied the game 11:37 into the third period after Utah surrendered an early 1-0 lead on Logan Cooley’s marker 2:21 into the game. Guenther finished with a goal and an assist, and Karel Vejmelka stopped 20 shots. Center Barrett Hayton (undisclosed) has yet to play this season, while defenseman Sean Durzi (undisclosed) left late in the game at Nashville. Guenther leads the Mammoth with two goals and three points in the early going.
Chicago surrendered the go-ahead goal with 15 seconds in their home opener remaining to remain winless, dropping a 3-2 decision to the visiting Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night. Frank Nazar continued his blistering pace with two assists in the loss, while Sam Rinzel and Connor Bedard scored second-period goals in a game the Blackhawks never led. Bedard leads the team with two goals, while Nazar already has five points on a goal and four assists.
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NHL Makes Scoring Change After Maple Leafs-Red Wings Game
The NHL announced a scoring correction following the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 3–2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Monday afternoon at Scotiabank Arena.
The update was posted by the league’s Public Relations account on X.
“OFFICIAL SCORING CHANGE: Game 43 @DetroitRedWings @MapleLeafs,” the NHL posted on X. “Toronto’s goal at 13:42 of the third period now reads Calle Jarnkrok from Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies. #NHLStats.”
The correction adjusted the assists on Jarnkrok’s third-period tally. Upon review, both Matthews and Knies were credited with helpers, reflecting the passing sequence that preceded Jarnkrok’s game-tying goal, making it 2-2.
The Leafs’ goal came during a wild third period in which Detroit got things going by doubling their first-period lead, only for Toronto to erase it in a span of six minutes.
Bobby McMann found Knies at the side of the net for a tap-in earlier in the period before Knies set up Jarnkrok with a behind-the-back pass to even the score.
The Maple Leafs dominated puck possession in the final frame, outshooting Detroit 17–5, but Red Wings goaltender Cam Talbot was stellar and prevented Toronto from completing the comeback.
Detroit ultimately capitalized on a late mistake when Morgan Rielly iced the puck with 45 seconds remaining. Off the ensuing faceoff, the Red Wings’ Mason Appleton scored the game-winner, sealing a 3–2 victory and spoiling Easton Cowan’s debut.
Related to that, Cowan’s first NHL game was one of the biggest stories entering the game. The 20-year-old rookie started on Toronto’s top line alongside Matthews and Knies, and he ended logging 14:05 of playing time while attempting one shot and completing three hits.
With the loss, Toronto fell to 1–2–0 on the season, while Detroit improved to 2–1–0 and overtook the Leafs in the standings.
Chicago Blackhawks get their first win under Jeff Blashill
The Chicago Blackhawks had to take a cup-half-full approach in the first three games of the regular season. Florida, Boston and Montreal all escaped the Hawks with one-goal wins.
After the defeat by the Canadiens — one where the Habs scored with 15.7 seconds left in regulation — fans left United Center deflated as the game results didn’t match the glory of the pregame centennial celebration. That wouldn’t keep this team down, at least on head coach Jeff Blashill’s watch.
“The answer is we have to do it ourselves, this is life (and it’s) not always easy,” Blashill said pregame. “You don’t just lace ’em up and win a hockey game, you have to find a way to dig in and win. We’re responsible for our morale, so we can keep our own morale up.”
The best way to boost morale is to win. After four games, the Hawks did just that.
The Hawks gained their first victory of the season with a 3-1 win over the Utah Mammoth. It’s the first win for Blashill as a head coach since he was the bench boss with the Detroit Red Wings.
“I really like this group, I like them as people, I like them as competitors (and) I like them as athletes,” Blashill said. “They’re a group that ultimately wants to be great.
“It was disappointing over the first three games (where) we had moments of good hockey and put ourselves in position to win and not. For me personally, it’s a good feeling to get that one out of the way and hopefully there’s many more to come.”
The teams entered the second period scoreless after an uneventful first. Ilya Mikheyev squeaked a goal past goaltender Vitek Vanecek to give the Hawks a 1-0 advantage. He sealed the win with an empty net tap-in, his second goal of the game.
Goaltender Spencer Knight’s hot start continued as he turned 22 shots away. He has saved 81 of 88 total shots this year en route to his 50th win as a starter.
“I don’t really like to focus on just winning the game, I think the process matters,” Knight said. “The more we focus on that, the more we’ll be in positions to win hockey games.”
After Utah’s JJ Peterka tied the game a minute into the second period, the Hawks used a power play to take the lead back for good. Left winger André Burakovsky launched a shot from a Nick Foligno assist for his second goal of the season. It was a perfect way to celebrate playing in his 700th NHL game.
“I saw they were collapsing down there and I was trying to find the open ice,” Burakovsky said. “Really good vision from (Foligno) to find and see that open ice for sure.
“It’s a really good group and I really enjoy being here. I’m super excited to be a part of this group and getting more comfortable every day.”
Center Jason Dickinson returned from an upper-body injury. He missed the Hawks’ home opener due to a hit taken in Boston. He earned a point on assisting Mikheyev’s first goal of the night.
“I spent the first period finding my game again and getting back into the rhythm of things, remembering my routes and how to play as a center iceman again,” Dickinson said. “You have to get back into it quickly and get yourself going.”
Defenseman Artyom Levshunov returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch versus Montreal. The 2024 No. 2 draft pick was the seventh dressed defenseman for the Hawks. He almost got an assist on Mikheyev’s goal, but it was switched to center/winger Ryan Donato and Dickinson.
“He did what I think could make him special and that’s be really strong in his own end, being able to skate himself out of a little bit of trouble and then make a little breakout pass,” Blashill said of Levshunov. “He was decisive, so I thought he did a really good job coming back in.”
Left winger Lukas Reichel was absent from the lineup after debuting against the Habs on Saturday. He played six minutes and 41 seconds against Montreal.
Burakovsky received a puck for his 700th NHL game played. So did Blashill for the win, but don’t expect any champagne to be popped.
“He probably holds things close to his chest,” Dickinson said. “He’s got a good poker face if he was emotional.”
The Hawks travel to St. Louis to face the Blues at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
Lakers’ Deandre Ayton Sends Message to NBA
The Nets waived former first-round pick Dariq Whitehead and training-camp hopeful Drew Timme on Monday as Brooklyn’s 15-man regular-season roster continues to take shape.
Whitehead, selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, got off to a slow start in his professional career following an injury-plagued freshman season at Duke. Brooklyn took a cautious approach to his development, betting that the athleticism and talent that once made him the nation’s No. 2 recruit would resurface once he regained full health.
But Whitehead never suited up for Summer League as a rookie, appeared in just two games and spent most of the year with the Long Island Nets. Last season, he showed flashes in limited NBA action, averaging 5.7 points on 44.6% shooting from 3-point range across 20 appearances, including five double-digit outings.
The burst, lift and lateral quickness that once defined his game never fully returned, though, leaving him buried on the depth chart, even as Brooklyn shifted its focus toward developing younger talent.
With four guards selected in June’s draft, the Nets’ backcourt quickly became more crowded, casting further doubt on the 21-year-old’s future with the team. Whitehead averaged just seven minutes across two preseason appearances and didn’t play in Brooklyn’s 132–127 overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns in Macao on Friday.
Once a blue-chip prospect, Whitehead’s time in Brooklyn was derailed by a string of untimely injuries that stalled his development during a critical stage of his career. He now becomes an intriguing reclamation option for a contender willing to take a low-risk chance on his upside with a two-way contract.
“I can tell you he’s gotten better,” head coach Jordi Fernandez told reporters after practice earlier in the month. “You look at his body from the summer, how hard he’s worked, he’s already gotten better and keeps taking advantage of his opportunities. I think that’s a big part of it.”
Timme signed a multi-year deal with the Nets in March. He appeared in nine games during the 2024–25 season, including two starts, and averaged 12.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 28.2 minutes per game. The 25-year-old built momentum over the summer with a strong showing in Las Vegas, briefly strengthening his case for a roster spot.
With Whitehead and Timme waived, the Nets now have 16 players on standard contracts and sit $161K above the minimum salary floor, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Tyrese Martin and Jalen Wilson, both on non-guaranteed deals, are expected to compete for the final roster spot ahead of opening night.
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Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton is continuing to acclimate himself with the team and the town, but he is coming off perhaps his best performance since donning the Purple and Gold.
More news: Lakers Announce Luka Doncic News Ahead of Preseason Game vs Suns
In Sunday’s preseason matchup against the Golden State Warriors, Ayton scored 14 points along with eight rebounds and five assists in the Lakers’ 126-116. While preseason results aren’t important, the performance of players is perhaps a prelude to the regular season.
Lawsuit over Blazers sale settles ahead of key court hearing
A lawsuit related to the sale of the Portland Trail Blazers has been resolved, seemingly clearing the way for an investment group led by Tom Dundon to purchase the NBA franchise.
The lawsuit, filed in September by RAJ Sports Holding LLC, alleged the deep-pocketed founders of Panda Express breached an exclusivity agreement and sought to bar them from joining Dundon’s investment group.
The case was scheduled for its first court hearing Wednesday.
But on Monday afternoon, a notice of dismissal was filed with the Delaware Court of Chancery, which was hearing the case. The filing doesn’t provide details about terms of the settlement, and it’s unclear what prompted the abrupt turn.
“We are pleased to have reached a resolution out of court which we believe recognizes our position while also preserving the future of basketball in Portland,” RAJ Sports said in a statement. “We look forward to working closely with the Trail Blazers as the Fire join them at Moda Center next spring.”
RAJ Sports declined to comment on specifics of the settlement, including whether the company received any financial compensation for withdrawing the lawsuit. A source with knowledge of the situation said RAJ Sports will not receive any ownership stake in the Blazers if Dundon’s deal proceeds.
RAJ Sports owns the Portland Thorns women’s soccer team and the Portland Fire, the city’s new WNBA team. It’s led by siblings Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, whose new basketball franchise will share the same arena with the Trail Blazers.
RAJ Sports had been among the suitors to buy the Trail Blazers from the estate of Paul Allen. RAJ Sports alleged in its lawsuit that it had an exclusive deal with the founders of Panda Express and were negotiating for them to be part of their proposed ownership group.
But Andrew and Peggy Cherng ultimately joined Dundon’s competing bid. The Cherngs have not commented publicly on the lawsuit. Legal representatives for the family did not immediately return messages.
Last week, Dundon filed a declaration in the lawsuit in which he said he’s “expecting to close the acquisition of the Trail Blazers without needing funding from the Cherngs,” seemingly an effort to take the wind out of the legal challenge.
The purchase price: $4.25 billion.
It’s not immediately clear what bearing Monday’s surprise announcement will have on the Cherngs’ involvement going forward.
Report: NBA approved Aspiration sponsorship deal with Clippers
The NBA “vetted and approved” the $300 million sponsorship deal between Aspiration and the Los Angeles Clippers more than eight months before the company struck a separate endorsement agreement with Kawhi Leonard. The NBA is now investigating the latter agreement under claims of salary cap circumvention.
The latest reporting on the case comes via Baxter Holmes and Bobby Marks at ESPN and dives into the initial sponsorship deal between the Clippers and Aspiration, a “green bank” company that team owner Steve Ballmer invested $50 million in around the same time. From the report:
Two sources with direct knowledge of the arrangement said the Clippers submitted the 23-year agreement to the NBA for approval before it was announced in September 2021, as required under league rules because it contained a jersey patch component, the sources said…
“Teams vet their own sponsorship partners and negotiate their own sponsorship agreements,” NBA spokesperson Mike Bass said in a statement to ESPN. “Given the jersey patch’s inclusion on player jerseys and its level of exposure across game telecasts, the league reviews and approves jersey patch arrangements pursuant to league rules that are intended to avoid potential brand issues or conflicts with league partnerships.”
The other thing the league looks into is the viability of the company — can it live up to the financial obligations of the sponsorship deal? On paper in 2021, Aspiration looked like it could, which is why Ballmer and other billionaires were investing in it. Within a couple of years, Aspiration had fallen apart, the sponsorship deal with the Clippers had been canceled, the company had filed for bankruptcy, and its CEO Joe Sanberg had pled guilty to two counts of wire fraud.
All of this is separate from the allegation that Ballmer and the Clippers used Aspiration and its $48 million endorsement deal with Leonard to skirt the salary cap and get the Clippers star more money, an allegation investigated and made by the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast. The NBA has hired the law firm of Wachtell Lipton, Rosen & Katz to investigate the claim that this was a “no show” endorsement deal — there is no public evidence at this point of Leonard having done any work, made any appearances or done any social media posts for Aspiration — used to circumvent the NBA’s salary cap and get more money to Leonard (and his family, including his uncle and business manager Dennis Rodgers). There is a lot of circumstantial evidence for the Clippers to explain, including Clippers minority owner Dennis Wong investing $2 million in Aspiration in late 2023 — when it was clear the company was failing — and Leonard getting a $1.75 million endorsement check days later.
Through all of this, the Clippers and Leonard have vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
“I mean, the NBA is going to do their job. None of us did no wrongdoing,” Leonard said at Clippers media day. “And, yeah, I mean, that’s it. We invite the investigation … I understand that full contract and the services that I had to do. Like I said, I don’t deal with the conspiracies or the clickbait analysts or journalism that’s going on.”
That same day, Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said, “We feel very, very confident we’re on the right side of this.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said the burden of proof is on the NBA to show there was something amiss. The league’s investigation is expected to last months, very likely into 2026 (the ESPN report suggests it could take until after the 2026 NBA playoffs). Whatever the investigation finds, Silver must bring it to an independent arbitrator — agreed to by the NBA and the players’ union — who will determine the next steps and whether Silver has enough to punish the Clippers or not.
Until then, expect the leaks of information to continue.
Lakers Legend Pinpoints How LeBron James and Co Changed Nikola Jokic’s NBA Career Dwight Howard
“He’s one of the best players to ever play this game. It’s that simple.” LeBron James kept it simple when discussing Nikola Jokic’s greatness last season. After all, the Joker recorded the league’s first 30-20-20 triple-double while also leading the league with 34 total triple-doubles on the season. The Denver Nuggets superstar center can do it all. But a former teammate of LeBron explained how this ties to their battle during the 2020 ‘Bubble era’.
Dwight Howard appeared on the former Nuggets and current Nets star Michael Porter Jr’s podcast. While speaking about Jokic, the host admitted to the 3x DPOY, “That’s why I got to give you so much flowers because like, these dudes really be trying to they give him no issues. You’re like probably one of the only dudes that I’ve seen actually somewhat like give him some resistance and all that. Yeah, that’s why it’s so crazy. Like, I see him do whatever he wants.”
Spending 6 seasons and 398 games with Jokic, MPJ has seen the evolution of his former teammate starting from the 2020 WCF in the bubble. That was the first playoff appearance in seven years for the Lakers. Along with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard was also instrumental despite having limited minutes. They would convincingly beat the Nuggets in the WCF, and Dwight says this helped ignite a fire in the Joker. “So it’s like, I really think when we played them in the bubble, I think that set a fire in him (Nikola Jokic). Like, man, ‘No way. I gotta, I gotta win now. I gotta go back and get better.’”
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In the five-game series, AD led with 31.2 points, while LeBron was behind with 27 points. For the Nuggets, Jamal Murray was the top scorer with 25 points, and Jokic averaged just 21.8 points per game. Continuing the conversation, Howard added, ” And then I could tell in his game, like I watched him slim down a little bit, but you know, I could just see bursts when he’s playing, he’s moving faster. He’s getting into actions fast. I watch it before the games, he doing dunks and stuff. So I’m like, I ain’t do actually. Like he took his game to another level…” Statistically, the difference was also visible.
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That’s why even the Serbian called it his toughest for him. “I think – that was the bubble, right? When [the Lakers] had three or four bigs.” Since that Bubble season, the Nuggets superstar would average 26.8 points per season. Not to forget bringing in the first and only championship to the Mile High City. Let’s not forget, in that period, Jokic has successfully won 3x MVPs, and last season, despite not winning the MVP, he had a career-high season in points (29.6) and assists (10.2), alongside grabbing 12.7 boards on a nightly basis.
One of the Worst NBA Draft Picks Ever Makes Brutal Statement About Bronny James
One of the worst draft picks in NBA history has blasted Bronny James ahead of the 2025/26 season. Kwame Brown was taken first by the Washington Wizards in the 2001 NBA Draft. Going first in the draft shows a team has immense faith in a player’s talent and expects them to be a key figure for them going forward. He was fortunate enough to join forces with the greatest basketball player of all time in Michael Jordan right off the bat.
Things didn’t work out for the two parties, though, and Brown struggled in Washington. He famously didn’t get along with Jordan, who was disappointed with his performances and after four seasons, he left and joined the Los Angeles Lakers. After three years in California, he moved to Detroit, before stints at the Charlotte Hornets, the Golden State Warriors and the Philadelphia 76ers. The former power forward retired in 2013, 12 years after he was taken first in the draft and averaged just 6.6 points-per-game throughout his NBA career.
In terms of number one picks, few have disappointed to the degree that Brown did. Still, that hasn’t stopped him sharing his opinions on the current state of basketball and he brutally slammed Bronny James recently.
Brown Said There Are High School Players Better Than Bronny James
A lot of attention has been paid to Bronny James early in his NBA career and it’s easy to see why. With a father like LeBron James, many were curious to see whether the youngster would replicate his dad’s incredible ability. He was drafted by the Lakers and played with his father, but his time in the NBA hasn’t been smooth.
He’s struggled and fell out of the rotation quickly. He was usually limited to garbage minutes last season, but has played often in preseason before the 2025/26 campaign gets underway. Brown is perplexed at this. He revealed that he thinks there are high school players who are already better than James. Taking to X (Twitter), and quoted by Basketball Network, he said:
Russell Westbrook’s stance on playing overseas is revealed
Russell Westbrook is eyeing another year in the NBA, come hell or high water.
The former MVP guard Westbrook has had “zero discussion” to date about potentially playing overseas next season, veteran NBA writer Marc Stein reported to Substack this week. Westbrook is reportedly focused on securing his next opportunity in the NBA, even if that means waiting until after the regular season begins on Oct. 21.
About to turn 37 years old, Westbrook remains unsigned after three-and-a-half months and counting now of being an unrestricted free agent. He had a $3.5 million player option to return to the Denver Nuggets for next season but turned that option down to test the free agent waters.
Earlier this week, we heard that Westbrook potentially had a lucrative eight-figure offer to play in China, which likely would have only spanned half a season. He also previously had reported interest from a team in the Middle East several months ago.
Westbrook, who averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game last season for the Nuggets, still has NBA-level talent. But the sticking point for him seems to be that he reportedly wants more than the veteran’s minimum (which is worth roughly $3.6 million for a player with at least 10 years of NBA experience).
Lakers Insider Provides Internal Review of Deandre Ayton After Strong Warning to 29 NBA Teams
DeAndre Ayton flexed his 7-foot frame in Los Angeles’ preseason clash with Golden State, finishing with 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. With LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Marcus Smart sidelined, Ayton became the Lakers’ defensive anchor. But with a stat-line like that comes the weight of narrative. Ayton’s arrival in Los Angeles isn’t quiet. It comes with huge expectations, and a very public reminder that the Lakers are watching, and so is the rest of the league.
Dan Woike, on the Zach Lowe Show, captured the tension perfectly as he went on saying, “I don’t want to say a bad first week, a little bit of a rocky first week did not play well in their opener. I think he’s settled in a little here. He played pretty well, relatively speaking, on Sunday against Golden State. But here’s the thing, Zach, with where the Lakers are right now… we have not seen this basketball team in any close version of it.” Woike’s words indicate the challenge Deandre Ayton faces.
The team’s chemistry is still finding its rhythm, LeBron James is sidelined with sciatica, Luka Doncic is resting post-EuroBasket, and Marcus Smart hasn’t yet hit the floor. Ayton is stepping into a moving puzzle. Though despite the chaos, Ayton made his intentions crystal clear after the Lakers’ 126-116 preseason win over the Warriors.
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Speaking to reporters, he said, “I’m just trying to let the world know and the league know that I’m the Lakers center and anchor of this defense.” He added that playing at home, feeling the fans’ energy, and integrating with Austin Reeves made for a solid night. “I played hard today, got a good sweat in, and yeah, we got to go,” Ayton said, efficient and pointed with the kind of tone that suggests both confidence and patience.
And well, Deandre Ayton’s history carries both promise and scrutiny. At 27, he’s a former No. 1 pick, a 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds machine last season in Portland, and a career 59% field goal shooter. Yet, advanced metrics and rankings like The Athletic’s Top-40 Big Men slot him at No. 30. For someone of his size and skill, it feels less like recognition and more like a referendum on potential versus production.
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This is a man expected to shift narratives, not just maintain them. Ayton’s role is amplified by Luka Doncic’s direct influence on roster construction. According to Marc Stein, Doncic actively pushed for Ayton, a move that reshapes internal dynamics. LeBron, seasoned and authoritative, and Reaves, the homegrown sharpshooter, now must adjust to Doncic’s influence extending off the court. Ayton is caught in the middle, a 7-foot barometer of how well these relationships translate into wins.
Woike highlighted Ayton’s defensive skills, saying, “His shot blocking and his size is a real thing. He’s not always in the right spot, but he’s really seven feet tall, has long arms, big hands, and knocks the ball away a bunch.” Woike also noted that Deandre Ayton’s short-mid-range shooting, between 13 and 17 feet, remains a powerful asset, offering the Lakers a dependable weapon without overextending beyond his comfort zone.
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How Deandre Ayton’s opportunity in LA meets the inevitable pressure
His passing, “just decent,” needs speed and decisiveness, especially in fast breaks or four-on-three situations, which could be pivotal in a LeBron-absent lineup. Offensively, Deandre Ayton offers the Lakers a short-pocket shot threat, finishing efficiently around the rim, while his defensive presence is designed to anchor a team still experimenting with rotations. The contract only adds to the pressure. A two-year, $16.2 million deal screams prove-it.
It’s manageable for the front office but heavy in expectation for Ayton as this has now become about proving he can anchor both the offense and defense, provide consistent rim protection, and integrate with the perimeter stars. Any misstep could magnify scrutiny and raise questions about the decision-making of both the front office and Doncic. But Ayton’s stats against the Warriors hinted at what’s possible.
14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists. It is a balanced stat line in a preseason context that already carries more weight than typical. His synergy with Reeves impressed him, while noting he’s “just waiting for the rest of the superstars to join us.” That shows awareness, as he understands the pieces must connect before any judgment is made. The Lakers’ frontcourt now hinges on chemistry and adaptation.
Deandre Ayton’s presence allows spacing for shooters, coverage for guards, and, sadly or not, relief for the aging LeBron. Yet, on a team with stars like Doncic and Reaves, navigating ego and responsibility is part of the assignment.
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Ayton’s challenge now is to surpass the rankings, justify Doncic’s influence, and thrive under scrutiny. Two years to prove more than a number and past inconsistency. If he succeeds, he cements his role as the defensive and offensive anchor.
NBA Commentator’s Live Tyler Herro Update Is the Only Positive About Heat’s Preseason
Injuries and losses have been the name of the game for the Miami Heat during the preseason. Facing the Atlanta Hawks in their 5th game before the regular season, the story remained the same for Erik Spoelstra’s team. Captain Bam Adebayo suffered an apparent injury and went straight to the locker room with 10 minutes left in the third quarter. The latest loss on Monday was the closest one, as both teams needed OT to find a winner, and it wasn’t the Miami franchise that won. But it seems there is a silver lining after all, as standout star, Tyler Herro, may be back before anyone expected.
Fresh off a career-best season, the All-Star guard underwent surgery to address posterior ankle impingement, which has limited his mobility. The announcement came on Sept 19, and the timeline then was 8 weeks of rehab. Meaning, Herro was supposed to be back by mid-to-late November, missing at least 14-15 games. But that’s not the case now. During the clash against the Hawks, the commentator revealed the apparent return date. “When I was talking to the Miami Heat, some of their personnel said, ‘Tyler Herro will be ready to go at the beginning of the regular season.’”
With zero minutes during the preseason, if true, the 25-year-old will suit up for the regular season opener on Wednesday, Oct. 22. Previously, the 2022 Sixth Man of the Year was very confident of being ahead of the schedule. “I told [Spoelstra] I’ll be back in six weeks, so we’ll see,” Tyler Herro said during the media day. “We’ll see what they let me do. But I’m doing everything I can, icing it five times a day. I’m doing everything I can to get back on the court and be available. I just can’t wait to get back out there and playing.”
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In the entire preseason, the Heat have noticed his absence. After all, last season, the All-Star guard had his best season of his six-year NBA career, averaging career highs in points (23.9 points per game) and assists (5.5 per game). Add to this his shooting contributions, again a career-best 47.2% from the field last season. So his potential return news came at the right time, as the team news some more firepower. As stated before, even their captain suffered an injury.
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Adebayo came up hobbling after an awkward landing on a shot attempt. Thankfully, it’s not the worst news. The Miami Heat announced it was a right knee contusion, and the 3x All-Star made his way back to the team’s bench to watch his teammates. Even Coach Spo’s words were encouraging. “He just landed awkwardly, but he says he feels fine.” It was the first time that Adebayo and Ware played their first minutes together of the preseason as the Heat’s starting frontcourt.
Injury trouble even for Tyler Herro’s replacement
Against the Hawks, Spoelstra preferred the starting lineup of Dru Smith, Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins, Bam Adebayo, and Kel’el Ware. Let’s also remember that guard Smith is back after less than a year after tearing his Achilles. So, if we assume that Tyler Herro will be ready for the first game, will he be 100%? With the question, Heat may put their star guard on a minutes restriction. In that case, the opportunities for other guards improve, but again, that’s not straightforward.
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Kasparas Jakucionis is the Heat’s 19-year-old rookie, is an option to fill minutes at the guard spot with Herro out. But even he was out of Monday’s exhibition in Atlanta because of right hip soreness. In the previous game, he played just four minutes against the Magic before leaving the contest late in the first quarter. Apart from this, the 20th overall pick in this year’s draft also missed the first two exhibitions because of a sprained left wrist. So his only full preseason game was against the Spurs.
20 pro sports teams that could use a new stadium
Shortly before the pandemic hit, several students came to faculty members at D’Youville University asking if they could play in a local gaming tournament under the school’s name.
D’Youville had already begun adding more sports programs as it transitioned from Division III to II athletics, so school officials figured why not enter the realm of esports as well.
What began as a handful of players representing D’Youville when the college officially began competing five years ago has grown to 22 varsity players and sometimes more than 40 participating at the club level.
The varsity program has been buoyed by D’Youville investing about $125,000 to build an esports arena inside a former classroom in Saints Center where students can compete or simply play for fun.
“We looked at the space and thought, ‘maybe this is a good place for esports,’” said Mark Alicea, a former esports player who now serves as D’Youville’s head coach, as well as manager of instructional technology. “It was just a classroom where we had a few classes, but as we developed the entire building as athletic space, this became a great fit.”
Colleges are embracing young people’s love for video games. For some, that’s meant bringing esports to their campus.
Local schools have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to start varsity and club teams and turn antiquated spaces into esports arenas equipped with broadcasting, surround sound and streaming capabilities and high-end gaming PCs and consoles.
Some are even adding programming and classes to appeal to gaming creation and design enthusiasts.
Local colleges like the University at Buffalo, St. Bonaventure, Villa Maria, Buffalo State, Niagara County Community College, Canisius and Daemen are now among the ranks of hundreds of schools competing in esports.
“As soon as we decided to put it out there and listed esports as a potential interest area, it took off,” said Dean Whitcomb, St. Bonaventure’s director of undergraduate admissions, who’s been with the enrollment team for over a decade. “The amount of people who listed that they’d be interested in participating is noticeable. It’s absolutely an enrollment driver.”
It’s a way to help recruit and retain more students during a difficult time for colleges to build enrollment. Schools are offering scholarships to students playing varsity and it’s created added appeal for those who simply enjoy gaming recreationally. There’s also tournament prize money at stake that can go toward students’ tuition and expenses.
It’s also helped students looking for an outlet for their mental health, while bringing students from all different backgrounds and majors together, building camaraderie and friendships.
“It builds that team bonding that I feel like you can’t always get in a traditional classroom,” said Sebastian Muzyka, a marketing major, who’s the captain for the Overwatch team at D’Youville. “Just working together as a team to get over a hardship is exciting and makes me want to keep coming back.”
Colleges are trying to connect with students in different ways and provide them with something above and beyond what they expect.
“It’s where the students’ interests are,” said Brian Emerson, executive vice president, Title IX coordinator and corporate compliance and enrollment officer at Villa Maria. “They play all the time, and this is what they expect to do. We want to capitalize on that to give them a great experience.”
It’s helping break stereotypes and stigmas about gaming, according to James Basta, who’s running the esports program at UB.
“UB is pumping money into esports because it is something that brings students together and brings them joy, especially in the post-Covid world where people are more likely to stick to themselves,” Basta said. “We’re creating these spaces where students can come and be together doing something that’s traditionally more of an isolating thing.”
More than 220 people are involved in either varsity, club or intramural teams at UB. The teams are playing games like League of Legends, Valorant, Overwatch 2 and Rocket League, competing in the Esports Collegiate Conference, which is operated by the NCAA’s Mid-American Conference.
To support all that interest, UB opened its high-tech Level Up space in 2022 on the second floor of Lockwood Memorial Library on the North Campus in what used to be a computer area. There’s also the Red Jacket Lounge space, which was finished in 2023 and is one of the biggest gaming labs in a dorm area in the country.
“The reason this is going so well at UB is that we’re not simply focusing on the competitive part of it,” Basta said. “Some schools recruit a few different teams but then they exist in a vacuum. Here, if you’re a gamer, people will point you to Level Up.”
St. Bonaventure invested over $500,000 into its Level Up Game Room, which opened in March as a gaming setup for competition teams and general student play in what was formerly a student recreation room.
“It’s been a game changer. The amount of student traction we have received as a result of our new facility is astonishing,” said Christian Greer, St. Bonaventure’s esports head coach since 2022.
Whitcomb said St. Bonaventure has found that esports is one of the fastest growing student interests for the university. It attracts around 15 new scholarship varsity players and at least 15 club players each year.
“We talked about if we’re going to do it, we’ve got to do it right,” Whitcomb said. “We feel like it’s something that’s already paying off for us.”
D’Youville treats its esports athletes like any other scholarship player on a team. They must adhere to academic standards and meet with nutritionists and mental health counselors.
“For someone who’s been playing games their whole life and sometimes playing them to help me cope, this is amazing,” said Mekhi Irvy, an exercise sports studies major who’s a player on the Overwatch team at D’Youville. “Sometimes you need that break in your life. When you’re stressed out, you can come here, play some games and now your mind is clear.”
Recruiting tool for schoolsColleges don’t just bring students interested in esports through their arenas, they try to show the space to just about every student visiting the school.
MD Islam of the Bronx, who’s in his third varsity year playing League of Legends, learned about UB’s esports program while touring the campus.
For UB, it’s a little bit more about retention and giving students who come to the school more of a reason to stay. UB does not offer scholarships to its varsity players but tries to support them in other ways through providing high-level coaching, uniforms and travel.
“When I heard UB had a really competitive varsity team, I was interested in playing,” he said. “My freshman year, I got in, and it’s been fun ever since.”
Western New York is playing a bit of catch-up in the esports realm and local colleges are trying to help fill that gap.
Alicea has been reaching out to local K-12 school districts to help build a platform for schools to get their feet wet in competitive play. Additionally, he’s hosted parks and recreation departments from municipalities to help them build an esports platform.
“It gives all of us a bigger recruiting pool to pick from,” Alicea said.
Gaming concentrations catching on Villa, which has about 25 players on its varsity esports teams, took the next step and created a game design program for gaming enthusiasts.
The college launched the program after weighing the viability of game design as a career track, market demand and whether there’s interest from students.
“It just sort of fits with the student personality profile,” Emerson said. “It’s an investment we’re making in the student experience.”
Villa offered the first classes toward a game design degree in 2023, and it already has 50 students in the program, making it one of the college’s largest areas of study. The school has invested heavily in equipment for a game design computer lab and digital media arts center, opened in the college’s former library and bookstore.
Eddie Mas, Villa’s head esports coach, said Villa hosts game design workshops and networking programs with professionals there for high schoolers and BOCES students.
Schools like D’Youville and St. Bonaventure are considering getting esports into their curriculum to match with degree areas like sports management and broadcasting.
But officials from some schools aren’t diving in too quickly, realizing esports is an increasingly competitive world to get into.
“Everyone wants to work in the world that they enjoy and make their passion, their career,” Basta said. “I try to tell students to enjoy the competition aspect of it but then also focus on what your career is going to be in. Sometimes it’s better to take the path of less resistance.”
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Pit-road penalty dooms Chase Elliott at Las Vegas
At a pivotal juncture in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs where there are zero mulligans, Chase Elliott and the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team made one pit-road mistake too many in Sunday’s South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
A penalty for an uncontrolled tire during a round of green flag pit stops in the opening race of the Round of 8 put Elliott a lap down, and while he was able to eventually get back onto the lead lap, the 2020 Cup Series champion didn’t make much hay.
When the checkered flag flew, Elliott finished 18th. He leaves Las Vegas sixth on the Cup Series playoff grid, 23 points below the cut line.
Pit-road penalty a huge setback for Chase Elliott
Tracy inducted into Ontario Sports Hall of Fame
Paul Tracy is among this year’s inductees into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.
The 2003 Champ Car champion was the sole motorsports representative in a class that also included multiple world record-holding swimmer Summer McIntosh and the 2019 NBA championship-winning Toronto Raptors team.
How Kenny Chesney’s Hall of Fame win honors Knoxville’s country roots
Kenny Chesney went from playing in stadiums as a Gibbs High School student athlete to playing stadiums as a country superstar. And he’s one of the greatest musicians ever to do it.
He has sold over 30 million albums worldwide, earned 23 No. 1 singles on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, won four Country Music Association entertainer of the year awards and is one of music industry’s top-grossing touring artists of all time.
Only a few have reached the heights Chesney has over the course of his 30-year career, and it’s forever earned him a spot next to other icons. Chesney will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Oct. 19.
It shouldn’t be too surprising that Knoxville, the “Cradle of Country Music,” produced the first country superstar of the 21st century. But it does feel extra special when considering how Knoxville’s country connections are often overshadowed by Bristol’s place in recording history and Nashville’s glamour.
Knoxville’s overshadowed country roots
By the time Chesney was a teen in Knoxville in the 1980s, there weren’t many local venues or live radio stations nurturing young country artists, according to Knoxville historian Jack Neely and veteran music reporter Wayne Bledsoe.
It wasn’t until Chesney started attending East Tennessee State University in Johnson City that he picked up a guitar and began honing his craft. Neely even called him “an outlier in the Knoxville country-music story” because, for previous generations, Knoxville was where careers started – it was the cradle.
“Knoxville was one of those places that fed the Grand Ole Opry for years,” Bledsoe explained. “Pretty much nearly everybody that went on to the Opry and became a big star came through Knoxville.”
When Knoxville’s Roy Acuff began playing the fiddle, experimenting with vocal techniques and performing around town with his band in the mid-1930s, local live radio stations helped spread the new sound. WNOX and WIVK, the city’s first single-genre station, helped launch artists in the emerging music genre, according to Knoxville History Project’s music guide.
The “Mid-Day Merry-Go Round” variety show (WNOX) and Cass Walker’s “Farm and Home Hour” (WROL and WIVK) were among the most influential radio broadcasts from Knoxville. Acuff, Chet Atkins, Homer and Jethro, Carl Smith, Carl Butler and Flatt and Scruggs are just a few of the musicians who were featured early on.
“It was the beginning of an era when musicians from other parts of the country would come to Knoxville just to perform on an influential radio station,” the Knoxville Music Guide notes.
A young Dolly Parton was just finding her voice on Cas Walker’s show as live radio in Knoxville started to dwindle in the late 1950s and Nashville’s recording industry began to boom.
Get the Your Week in Knoxville newsletter:Executive Editor Joel Christopher spotlights the journalism your subscription brings to life
How rock rolled out country
The gradual shift from country and bluegrass allowed a new wave of music to sweep over Knoxville and across the country: rock ’n’ roll.
The Everly Brothers began to experiment with their style, Chilhowee Park’s Jacob Building hosted Black rock pioneers like Fats Domino and Little Richard, and Knoxville’s localized rock scene thrived for decades.
“We no longer have the kind of venues, like live performance radio stations of the 1930s-’50s, or scenes like Buddy’s Barbecue in Bearden was (around)1975-80, that nurtured new talent and sometimes led toward stardom in country music,” Neely said.
While Chesney was teaching himself to play the guitar and joining a bluegrass band at ETSU, college rock acts like the JudyBats, the V-Roys and Superdrag found a following at clubs and bars near the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
Some of the bands signed with major record labels and found moderate success, but country stars rarely broke through from Knoxville at the time.
“Country music was looked on at that period as being older people music. It was not the hip thing,” Bledsoe explained.
Bledsoe saw blips of country music returning to Knoxville in the ‘80s and early ‘90s, but the issue of limited performance spaces for country-oriented talent persisted.
And then Garth Brooks happened.
“Garth Brooks hits and it changes country music forever,” Bledsoe said. “Suddenly it became, for a little while anyway, the most popular music in the country.”
Chesney was about to hop on the wave of a modern country music era.
Kenny Chesney calculated superstar success
Chesney released his first album in 1994, with his first top 10 single coming the following year. In 1997 he scored his first No. 1 single, “She’s Got It All.” Bledsoe traveled with Chesney across the country on tour that year, reporting from the road.
“He was always working. … And that’s one of the things that I really took from going on tour with him,” Bledsoe recalled to Knox News. “He was going to make it. He was determined to make it.”
Chesney was up in the wee hours of the morning planning his long-term career goals and working on new music. Then he’d be up at 7 a.m., Bledsoe said, doing interviews with radio stations and on conference calls with radio programmers, and put on a show that night.
“He told me he wanted to be at the top of the heap,” Bledsoe said, adding that Chesney was calculated in how he released songs and crafted his image.
“I think he likes a wider variety of music than he makes. He’s a more talented songwriter, probably, than he gives himself credit for,” Bledsoe said. “But he’s a commercial animal. He knows what’s commercial, he knows what’s going to sell and he found his niche. And man, when he found it, he dove in headfirst.”
That strategy paid off in record numbers. Chesney went from restaurant gigs and honky-tonks to filling stadiums nationwide.
He was a bona fide star by 2002 when his “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems” album became his first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart. The success led to the first headlining stadium concert of his career, which was at Neyland Stadium in 2003, a rare venue for music artists.
Over the course of 32 years and 20 albums, Chesney has become one of the greatest selling country artists of all time, and he’s one of the highest-grossing touring artists ever.
His tours have grossed over $1 billion, according to Billboard and Pollstar, with nearly 18 million tickets sold. That puts him up there with Billy Joel, Paul McCartney and the Eagles, and on the same list as Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and the Rolling Stones.
Chesney has received 12 total Country Music Association Awards, 11 Academy of Country Music Awards, six Grammy nominations and 32 No. 1 songs across various Billboard charts. He was even the first country artist to performat the Las Vegas Sphere. And yes, the performance featured Vols spirit.
“I’ll tell you, he absolutely deserves to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame. I don’t think anybody has worked their asses off as much as Kenny has,” Bledsoe said.
Is Kenny Chesney the first modern country star from Knoxville?
Chesney’s superstar status was something Knoxville hadn’t seen from a native since the days of live radio and Dolly Parton. But can Knoxville really claim him in the same way as country stars from the “cradle” era?
“He’s seemed plenty Knoxville enough,” Neely surmised. “It’s just music historians who are likely to raise a question about him, since he didn’t arrive where he is by way of a supportive music community in Knoxville, or local influences, as is the case with stars of previous generations. Johnson City has a right to claim that important part of his career, and for that matter so does Nashville.
Trump administration creates $500 million fund to prop up local drone defenses for World Cup
“Everybody from the governors to different commissioners of the police in these different cities to the stadium chief security officer say that this is something that they need in order to protect the [World Cup] sites,” Giuliani told POLITICO in an interview.
The program, which comes out of funds budgeted to the Department of Homeland Security by the One Big Beautiful Bill enacted in July, reflects growing concern within the White House and national security agencies about uncrewed aerial threats, especially at major events — from well-organized terrorists, criminal mischief-makers or just overeager amateurs unaware that the airspace has been closed.
The funding will further insert the White House into a controversial debate over which law enforcement officials should be able to intercept or disable drones. Currently only federal agencies can do so, and a House bill that would extend that capacity to local police appears stalled. The administration is exploring contingency plans that would allow the Justice Department to temporarily authorize state and local officials to take down rogue drones in the event that Congress fails to act.
“Drones are a disruptive technology. They have an amazing potential for both good and ill,” Seb Gorka, the National Security Council’s senior director for counterterrorism, has said. “We will increase the enforcement of current laws to deter two types of individuals: evildoers and idiots — the clueless and the careless.”
In August, Gorka joined Giuliani to meet with representatives of the local-organizing committees in the 11 American cities that will host World Cup matches. Drones have become “a key part” of planning by the White House task force, said Giuliani. The leading security officer for FIFA, soccer’s international governing body, has identified drones as the greatest security challenge for the 39-day tournament.
“Let’s use the World Cup as the urgency, right?” said Giuliani, whose task force was formed in coordination with the National Security Council, DHS and Department of Justice and now meets daily to align federal and local security efforts. “In nine months, World Cup games are going to kick off, and there’s no pushing that back. So let’s get the equipment we need to make sure that it’s as safe as possible.”
World Cup host cities already have access to a $625 million grant program, created by the One Beautiful Bill Act and now administered by DHS, to reimburse security costs related to tournament preparations. States and territories will soon receive guidance on how to apply for drone-security funds.
“There will be a certain minimal amount that’s available for every state, whether or not they host World Cup games or America 250 events,” Giuliani said.
The U.S., Canada and Mexico held the first trilateral meeting on counter-drone coordination this summer in Mexico City despite differing legal frameworks across the three World Cup co-hosts.
“We’re going to put our best practices forward and urge our co-hosts to come to the table with their best practices as well,” he said, “and see what ultimately are best practices for all three of the countries to move forward there.”
Still, gaps in U.S. law remain a key obstacle. Under current federal rules, only the Justice and Homeland Security Departments have the authority to take down or intercept unmanned aircraft in unauthorized locations or otherwise considered a threat.
“DHS, FBI, the FAA, and the state, local, tribal and territorial law enforcement partners who will partner with them during the FIFA World Cup matches must be equipped with the resources and legal frameworks necessary to mitigate drone threats across all venues where airspace security risks are identified,” FIFA Chief Safety and Security Officer G.B. Jones told a House Homeland Security Committee hearing last month. “This includes matches, FIFA fan training sites and other large outdoor gatherings where drone threats may compromise safety and security.”
That concern has prompted competing efforts in state capitals and on Capitol Hill to clarify lines of responsibility between governmental authorities. In September, more than 30 governors urged Congress to pass legislation granting states the same drone mitigation powers as federal agencies. The House Transportation Committee has approved a bill that includes a pilot program that would do so at certain events, but it is unclear when that will head to the House floor.
Beyond the World Cup, the administration is tying drone policy to broader industrial and defense goals. In June, Trump signed executive orders to enhance airspace security, accelerate domestic drone innovation and expand commercial operations.
Presenter Who Visited 92 English Stadiums Claims 3 Among ‘Most Hostile in World’
A stadium’s atmosphere can be the difference between three points and none. The roar from the crowd can help drive teams on right until the final whistle, but the abuse aimed at opposition players can be equally effective at making them shrivel from the occasion.
Certain fanbases in English football can be particularly boisterous and can create an atmosphere that’s incredibly intimidating. But, if you haven’t seen what each stadium has to offer, from the terraces of League Two to the back of the world-famous Kop, then it can be quite hard to say how one ground compares to another.
Fortunately, talkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham has visited the stadiums of the 92 professional clubs across England. Having already ranked the 10 best stadiums in the country across all divisions, he’s now picked out the most hostile grounds he came across during his travels, and believes that three of them are among the most hostile in world football.
Durham’s Criteria for Hostile Stadiums
Elaborating on what exactly made a stadium hostile, Durham picked out the qualities which made an away day particularly tough for teams at certain locations. He said:
Aryna Sabalenka nearly hits ballboy with dangerous racket throw
The world’s top women’s tennis player lost her cool — and nearly hurt a ballboy in her fit of rage.
While blowing her semifinal match to Jessica Pegula on Saturday at the Wuhan Open, Aryna Sabalenka threw her racket down onto the court after hitting a backhand out of bounds, and it narrowly missed bouncing into a ballboy standing next to the umpire’s chair.
“That is dangerous territory for Sabalenka, this semifinal has exploded into life in the last 10 to 15 minutes,” a member of the Sky Sports broadcast said, according to The Sun.
“Sabalenka gets a warning for the racket abuse, but she is lucky it is not more.”
The incident happened during the 11th game of the third set, which was tied 5-5 after Sabalenka lost three straight games. Sabalenka dropped that 11th game and went on to lose the match in a tiebreak, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2).
Pegula lost to fellow American Coco Gauff in Sunday’s final, 6-4, 7-5.
Sabalenka, 27, got a scare in the second round from 68th ranked Rebecca Sramkova, who took the opening set 6-4 before Sabalenka stormed back to take the next two sets 6-3, 6-1.
The world No. 1 then cruised to straight-set wins against No. 20 Liudmila Samsonova and No. 9 Elena Rybakina before falling to Pegula.
Sabalenka is coming off her second straight U.S. Open title last month at Flushing Meadows.
Her fourth Grand Slam title came at the end of a year in which she lost in the finals at the Australian and French Opens and fell in the semifinals at Wimbledon.
Post-Asian Swing WTA Power Rankings: Coco Gauff on Top
Coco Gauff has been missing a big win recently, but she got it at the Wuhan Open, which is why she’s emerged at the top of the WTA Power Rankings heading into the final weeks of the season—where she played fantastic tennis last year, winning the WTA Finals. Let’s see how the rest of the field stacks up and what we might expect from the WTA Tour in the final weeks of the 2025 season.
1. Coco Gauff
WTA Rank: 3
WTA Race: 3
Coco Gauff has had a strong year overall. She’s consistently been ranked #3, behind Sabalenka and Swiatek, but winning the Wuhan Open now puts her at the top. She still struggles with her serve, but the pressure she brings to every rally makes her nearly impossible to beat. Until someone dethrones her, she’ll stay at the top of this list.
2. Amanda Anisimova
WTA Rank: 4
WTA Race: 4
Amanda Anisimova proved during this Asian swing that her recent form wasn’t an anomaly but a new reality. She played fantastic tennis in Beijing, defeating everyone in her path to claim the trophy. She chose not to play in Wuhan, understandably taking some time to rest, but her trophy run in Beijing propels her to number 2 for now. If she keeps this up, she has a strong chance to climb to the top of this list.
3. Aryna Sabalenka
WTA Rank: 1
WTA Race: 1
Aryna Sabalenka won the US Open but wasn’t able to maintain that level in Asia. She only played in Wuhan, where she’s had a tremendous track record in the past, but this time she was stopped by Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals. Still, what she’s done this year is strong enough to keep her at #3 on this list.
This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.
Huntley girls tennis wins 6th straight FVC championship, Johnsburg claims 4th KRC title in a row
Huntley beat Crystal Lake Central by a point to capture the nine-team tournament, the program’s sixth straight conference championship.
The Red Raiders finished first with 48 points, Crystal Lake Central (47) was second and Cary-Grove (42) was third.
Prairie Ridge (41) took fourth, followed by Hampshire (39) and Crystal Lake South (34) in fifth and sixth, respectively. Dundee-Crown (22) placed seventh, McHenry (20) was eighth and Jacobs (18) was ninth.
Hampshire’s Isabella Kowalak won the No. 1 singles title, beating Crystal Lake Central’s Evie Johnson 6-2, 6-1.
Huntley’s Ella Doughty beat Prairie Ridge’s Anna Mertel 6-4, 6-0 to take third.
Gulnura Baidylaeva and Ainura Baidylaeva were one of three flight champions for Huntley, outlasting Dundee-Crown’s McKenna Fernstrom and Sasha Bozovic 7-6 (6), 6-3 for the No. 1 doubles championship.
Crystal Lake South’s Marissa Ulrich and Eliana Rankin won in two sets over Hampshire’s Alexa Schuring and Isabel Yu 6-3, 6-1, to take third at No. 1 doubles.
Huntley’s Gia Patel beat Cary-Grove’s Elle Stawarz 6-1, 6-0 for the No. 2 singles title, while Julie Klockner and Giuli Farraj beat C-G’s Darby Hennessey and Jelena Karlovsky 6-0, 6-0 to take first at No. 2 doubles.
Crystal Lake Central’s Ella DeSando beat C-G’s Kaitlin Lummis 6-1, 6-2 for the No. 3 singles title and the Tigers’ tandem of Audrey Kanellopoulos and Delaney Lisle beat Hampshire’s Aasiyah Nurmohamed and Annabelle Ionescu 6-2, 6-4 for the No. 4 doubles crown.
Cary-Grove’s Payton White and Presley Brainerd beat Prairie Ridge’s Maia Cassin and Anastasiya Halayko 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 for the No. 3 doubles title.
Kishwaukee River Conference Tournament: Johnsburg won five of seven flights to capture the KRC championship for the fourth season in a row. The Skyhawks won with 25 points, followed by Woodstock North (21), Woodstock (14) and Marengo (10).
Johnsburg’s Summer Toussaint and Lexie Dercole won the No. 1 doubles title with a 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) win against Woodstock North’s Hannah Reinhard and Maren Filetti. Woodstock’s Valerie Duarte and Daphne Oliveira beat Marengo’s Kenzi Carlson and Adelaide Spring to take third.
Woodstock North’s Katie Baker beat Marengo’s Ava Frederick 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 for the No. 1 singles title, while Johnsburg’s Abby Lane was third with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Woodstock’s Carie Zhang.
Johnsburg’s Charlie Eastland won the No. 2 singles title 6-2, 6-1 over Woodstock North’s Jasmine Garcia.
Johnsburg’s Allison Shaver defeated Woodstock North’s Makayla Stipak 7-5, 6-4 to take the No. 3 singles title.
Woodstock North’s Arabella Richer and Maya Villalva topped Johnsburg’s Riley Zupansic and Kalissa Sherman 6-0, 6-3 to win the No. 2 doubles title.
Johnsburg’s Kayla Hiller and Devynn Michel won the No. 3 doubles title 6-2, 6-0 over Woodstock’s Xin Berardi and Isabelle Alberto.
Johnsburg’s Jorja Cashmore and Brooke Butler defeated Woodstock North’s Stef Vanderstappen and Lia Hyrkas 7-5, 6-3 to claim the No. 4 doubles title.
How Much Prize Money Is at the Six Kings Slam 2025? Is It the Largest in Tennis History?
As the season winds down, it feels bittersweet. But tennis exhibitions always bring back some fire, and the Six Kings Slam is about to do just that! Since debuting last year, the Riyadh event has been the talk of the town, featuring six of the top ATP-ranked players. Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and more lit up the court for jaw-dropping prize money. Each of the six players was guaranteed $1.5 million just for showing up, with the winner grabbing a massive $6 million. Now, as its second edition rolls around, the question is: What’s at stake this time?
What is the total prize money for the Six Kings Slam 2025?
Saudi Arabia is turning up the spotlight this week with the high-stakes Six Kings Slam, where five of the world’s top ten men are set to battle for serious cash and bragging rights. The exhibition comes with a massive $13.5 million prize pool, matching last year’s total. Each player has a locked-in participation fee of $1.5 million, while the champion will earn an additional $4.5 million, taking home a total of $6 million, which was won by Jannik Sinner last year. Some players are also said to have banked seven-figure appearance fees just to compete.
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There are no ATP ranking points or head-to-head records on the line here, just pure tennis entertainment. Matches will take place on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday since ATP rules prevent players from playing exhibitions three days in a row. The Venue, an 8,000-seat arena in Riyadh, will host the action as part of the city’s annual Riyadh Season, which mixes sports and concerts in a festival of lights. The three-set matches will stream live on Netflix after being shown on DAZN last year. So, who’s vying for this prize this year?
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Who are the players competing in the 2025 Six Kings Slam?
As the name suggests, only six players make up the main draw at this week’s event, which means the format needs a twist. The setup, already used in 2024, gives two top seeds a straight ticket to the semifinals, while the other four fight it out for the remaining spots. It’s an all-star lineup featuring world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, No. 2 Jannik Sinner, No. 3 Alexander Zverev, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, world No. 4 Taylor Fritz, and two-time major finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, who steps in for Jack Draper after the Brit ended his season early with an arm injury.
The seeds are exactly who you’d expect: Djokovic and Alcaraz, the two biggest Grand Slam collectors on the list, with 24 and six titles each. They sit on opposite halves of the draw, which means a blockbuster final between them is still on the table. The opening round features Sinner against Stefanos Tsitsipas for a shot at Nole’s side of the draw. On the top half, Zverev and Fritz meet in a clash of heavy hitters, with the winner earning a semifinal date with Alcaraz.
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As with most exhibition events, the mission is to entertain and bring the sport to new fans. Organisers know world-class names fill seats and screens alike. History backs that up. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal once drew a crowd of 51,954 fans in Cape Town in 2020, setting a record attendance for a tennis match, even if it did not count officially.
Few stars embrace the spirit of these events like Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard loves to keep the crowds guessing with his flair and creativity. Earlier this year, he faced Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe in New York and North Carolina, then joined Tiafoe again for an event in Puerto Rico. In December, he’s expected to appear alongside Emma Raducanu and Amanda Anisimova in New Jersey. On the other hand, the tournament hasn’t exactly been in the good book with other touranments. Many might even crticise it for it’s prize pot!
How does the Six Kings Slam prize money compare to other tennis tournaments?
Each of the six superstars at the event gets a guaranteed participation fee of $1.5 million, and the champion will pocket an extra $4.5 million, bringing the total to $6 million—easily eclipsing the prize money the singles champion receives at the Grand Slams.
Across the Grand Slams in 2025, the money on offer is still eye-catching. The Australian Open winner claims $3,500,000 and the runner-up receives $1,900,000. At Roland Garros, the champion earns €2,550,000 (29,49,878.25 USD) while the finalist gets €1,275,000 (14,74,939.12 USD). Wimbledon’s champion takes home £3,000,000 (39,99,900 USD), with £1,520,000 (20,26,616 USD) for the runner-up. The US Open tops the Grand Slam charts with $5,000,000 for the winner and $2,500,000 for the finalist.
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The ATP Masters tournaments present big numbers for overall prize funds, but the individual payouts barely compare. Indian Wells and Miami reach just over $19 million each for their total pools. Madrid and Rome both come in above $9.3 million, with Monte Carlo slightly behind in euros. Toronto, Montreal, Cincinnati, and Shanghai all offer about $9.2 million each, while Cincinnati’s WTA event features a $5.1 million pool.
As anticipation builds in Riyadh, tennis fans are ready for the desert showdown. Top players like Zverev and Sinner are already in town, with Alcaraz, Djokovic, Fritz, and Tsitsipas set to light up the tournament. With the Six Kings Slam starting on Wednesday, speculation is swirling over who will walk away with the record-breaking prize and global attention. Drop your thoughts below! Who do you think will walk away with this prize?
Serena Williams Shares Her VC Philosophy and Why She Backs Startups Solving for the 98%
23-time singles Grand Slam champion Serena Williams is looking for tech founders with a compelling story to tell.
The tennis icon became interested in technology long before retiring from the sport in 2022. In 2017, while still on the professional tournament circuit, Williams teamed up with Alison Rapaport Stillman to found Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in early stage tech companies.
The firm raised $111 million for its inaugural fund and has since built out the team to include six other members. Serena Ventures has backed companies like gaming upstart Bunch, education-focused social platform Fiveable, Black- and Latinx-focused digital healthcare company Hued, and a smattering of fintech and web3 companies.
At the Zeta Live 2025 conference, Williams spoke candidly about her approach to investing.
A focus on personal connection
Though Serena Ventures seeks out early signs of growth and market fit, these aren’t the first factors it considers.
“One thing that we really look for is a true story. When we talk to founders and they say, ‘Oh, this is a great white space,’ we love that, but usually, we’ve found that founders don’t do as well unless they had some sort of personal experience” tying them to their mission, Williams said. “Obviously, there has to be a marketplace for it, and a market fit, but [a personal connection] is one of the main things that we look at in founders.”
One founder in the Serena Ventures portfolio—whose company she referred to as a “major unicorn”—told her that his mother had to sell her jewelry to fund his ambitions. He struggled financially to get started, and now, Williams said, “he was tackling an idea not because it was a white space” but because he was personally compelled by solving a specific problem.
Dedication to the 98%
Beyond a personal narrative that indicates a founder’s potential, Williams looks for startups that aim to address widespread needs.
“A lot of VC focuses on 2% to 3% to 4% of the population. We really focus on that 98%,” she said.
She pointed to fintech startup Esusu as an example. The company reports rent payments to major credit bureaus, helping tenants build credit—a benefit rarely available since rent has historically not counted toward credit scores.
“You know how many people are affected by that, and how you can’t build credit?” Williams said. “Your car bill works for credit, but your rent doesn’t. So that problem is facing [a huge percent] of the population. And so we try to look at companies that most VC people [would pass up because they] want to focus on that smaller number. These are trillion-dollar industries that we’re looking at that affect most of the population.”
Backing women and people of color
Since its launch in 2017, Serena Ventures has prioritized women founders and those from underrepresented backgrounds, as well as upstarts developing innovative solutions that seek to improve equity for women and people of color.
As of last year, more than half of the companies in Serena Ventures’ portfolio are women-founded. The portfolio also includes almost 50% Black founders and over 10% Latino founders.
As a Black woman venture capitalist, Williams is uniquely positioned to bolster businesses run by people from underrepresented groups, she said, because “you have to start at the top. If you don’t change that, it doesn’t flow down at all.”
“It’s really about who writes the checks,” she continued. “Once you change who’s writing the checks, then you get different founders. When it’s the same people writing the checks, they’ll get the same investors, and it’s a vicious cycle, right?
“We have several women on our team. We find more underrepresented founders. We find more women founders. That’s why our portfolio has so much diversity—because we see things differently.”
La Costa Canyon’s Chloe Katz an ‘all-court player’ who’s among San Diego’s best
CARLSBAD — The large plastic bin, stored in the garage, was filled with tennis trophies Chloe Katz had earned. She was 10 years old at the time and the family was moving to Rancho Santa Fe.
Somehow, the trophies never arrived.
“I kept waiting for that box,” said Katz, now a 16-year-old sophomore at La Costa Canyon High School. “And it never quite made it.”
Chloe’s father told her the trophies must have been lost in the move. Years later, he leveled with his daughter. He tossed them in a recycling bin.
“Downsize,” explained her father, Mark Katz. “Less is more, that’s my motto.”
Sitting in the first row of bleachers on the Mavericks’ No. 1 court last week, a wistful Chloe said: “It was kind of heartbreaking.”
Chloe’s solution? Restock. By her estimate, the new trophy count is up to 40 to 50. And forget a bin. She has them proudly displayed on shelves above her bed.
“They’re stable,” said Katz, “and it makes me happy.”
Katz is a regular on the United States Tennis Association junior circuit. In the last year, she played in 32 tournaments, usually in both singles and doubles. In girls 16s, she’s ranked 43rd in Southern California.
After not playing high school tennis as a freshman, Katz is representing LCC this fall, part of a team in an individual sport where there can be pressure to win, and there’s nowhere on the court to hide.
She has played 21 high school sets, winning them all, dropping only 12 games. She has won 13 sets at love. Under the new World Tennis Number ranking system, Katz is the San Diego Section’s highest-ranked girl.
Katz said it can get “super lonely sometimes” in junior tennis.
High school tennis, she said, is “definitely a lot less stressful. No matter whether you win your match, there are 10-15 girls giving you high-fives walking off the court, which is definitely not the case in juniors.”
Mark Katz said it’s apparent his daughter is enjoying the team environment.
“She doesn’t want me to drive her to the competitive site of a match,” he said. “She wants to go with the girls on the bus. The whole nine yards. Singing karaoke, holding hands. All the things girls do.”
At 5-foot-10, Katz is tall as high school tennis players go. She hits the ball hard from the baseline and is blessed with a big serve, but is athletic enough to approach the net and volley.
“She hits a big ball,” said Canyon Crest Academy coach Kevin Brown, who has coached high school tennis for 39 years. “She plays more mature for her age, for sure. She knows what her strengths and weaknesses are.”
Asked what Katz’s weaknesses are, Brown said: “I couldn’t find one, stroke-wise. Forehand, backhand, backhand volley, serve, overhead.”
After Katz beat Poway’s Kailey Long 6-0, Long said: “She’s quite focused, and she has pure talent.”
Twice a week, Katz and her 13-year-old brother, Adrian, go to Newport Beach to be coached by Dan Willman with Cali Performance Tennis.
Willman, who has worked with Katz for two months, said she hits the ball hard, adding, “It can get a lot better.”
Added Willman: “She has a lot of potential. She hasn’t tapped into that potential yet. She’s still developing, working a bunch on the serve, forehand and transition to the net. I would classify her as an all-court player. But she’s not even close to tapping into her potential.”
In April, Katz advanced to the finals of the 123rd Ojai Tennis Tournament in Girls 16s. In July, she played her first national tournament, losing in the first round of doubles and singles. The 6-3, 6-0 loss in singles left her distraught.
“She was very upset and had kind of a sad moment, literally crying,” said her father.
Since August, Katz has focused on playing junior tournaments in the girls 18s. In September, she won a Level 4 USTA tournament in Albuquerque, N.M., placing third in doubles.
Junior tournaments are ranked from level 1 (the highest) to level 7.
“When they get to their teenage years, sport is not something you tell them, ‘You have sport today,’” said Katz’s mother, Alina. “They have to be willing to do it. She has made the decision that tennis is the way to go for her. She is very determined with this.”
Sit down with Katz for 20 minutes and you’ll walk away as impressed with her sense of humor as her groundstrokes. Just as her game is well-rounded, so too can she be thoughtful and playful.
Regarding her chemistry teacher, June Honsberger, Katz said: “My teacher is amazing and I love her. She makes the learning super easy and direct. She’s a gem.”
As for what she likes about tennis, Katz bobbed her head up and down for a moment, then said, “It’s a great outlet for a lot of things. If I fail a test at school, I can smack a 110 mph serve, which I don’t think is acceptable in any other sport. You can’t truck someone when you’re playing lacrosse.
“In tennis, you can hit the ball as hard as you want, as long as you get it between the lines.”
Vote for Fort Collins-area Blue FCU Athlete of Week (Oct. 13)
The Coloradoan is again proud to present our weekly Athlete of the Week series, partnering with Blue Federal Credit Union to honor the best Fort Collins-area high school athletes in the 2025-26 school year.
There are five nominees every week, and fans can vote every Monday through Wednesday at coloradoan.com/sports.
This is the eighth edition of the 2025-26 sports season, as the temperature drops but the fall sports season keeps heating up.
You can find the nominees and the ballot below. Voting is open this week until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 15, with the winner announced Oct. 16.
Fans can nominate their favorite athletes (deadline: 11:59 p.m. every Sunday) and the Coloradoan sports staff will ultimately select the nominees each week.
If you have nominations for a future Athlete of the Week, please send them via email to ChrisAbshire@coloradoan.com for consideration.
Meet the Blue FCU Athlete of the Week nominees
The following Fort Collins-area athletes are nominated for their performances from Oct. 6-11:
Briella Myers, Fossil Ridge softball: It was a prolific week for Myers in three games that helped the SaberCats clinch a 5A regional spot. The junior infielder combined to go 10-for-11 with 2 home runs, 4 RBI, 3 doubles and 12 runs scored with a .933 on-base percentage in Fossil’s 2-1 week.
Sage Raymond, Timnath volleyball: The Cubs junior was instrumental in wins over local rival Wellington and previously-unbeaten Berthoud. Raymond compiled 23 kills, 16 digs and 9 aces, highlighted by an emphatic ace to end the victory over the top-5 Spartans.
Cadel Ruthven, Fort Collins boys XC: The Lambkins runner is having a great senior campaign and that continued at the league championships. Ruthven won the Northern Conference boys title in 15:29.90 at Spring Canyon Park and helped Fort Collins win a second straight team crown.
Izzy Schimmelpfennig, Timnath girls XC: It was a similar story for Schimmelpfennig, the Cubs junior who remains one of the state’s top girls runners. She won the Long Peaks League girls championship by 18 seconds (18:19.50) and led Timnath to a dominant team title.
Drake Solley, Rocky Mountain boys tennis: The Lobos senior is a regional champion and Class 5A state qualifier, winning the 5A Region 8 No. 2 singles title. Solley bounced back from a first-set loss to win the next two sets 6-2, 6-1 to beat ThunderRidge’s Carter Neill.
Vote here:
Chris Abshire covers high school and community sports for the Coloradoan.
IVCC women’s tennis wins region tournament: Saturday’s NewsTribune roundup
College tennis
IVCC wins regional: The IVCC women’s tennis team followed off an undefeated regional season with a regional championship on Saturday at Richton Park. The Eagles advance to the NJCAA National Tournament, which will be held in Tyler, Texas, in May 2026.
Volleyball
At Princeton: Princeton repeated as champions of its own tournament with a 4-0 run, defeating Plano 21-18, 21-6, Mendota 21-19, 21-12, Byron 21-11, 21-18 and Mercer County 20-21, 21-12, 15-13.
Leaders for Princeton (18-13) were Keely Lawson with 27 kills, 27 points and 10 digs, Caroline Keutzer with 24 kills, 18 points and four aces, Camryn Driscoll with 44 points, four aces and 20 digs, Keighley Davis with 18 kills, four blocks, 19 points and six aces and Ava Kyle with 19 points, six aces and 12 digs.
Princeton senior Keely Lawson was named as MVP and classmate Camryn Driscoll joined her on the all-tournament team along with Mendota senior Laylie Denault and junior Mariyah Elam.
Earlville def. Leland 25-23, 23-25, 25-11: The Raiders defeated the Panthers in three sets to claim the consolation championship at the Little Ten Tournament in Serena.
For the Raiders, Payton Actis had 12 points, five aces and 15 assists, Jacey Helgesen 11 points, two aces and five kills, Liz Vazquez 25 digs and Bailey Miller 29 digs and 14 kills.
Boys soccer
Mendota 6, Ottawa 1: Johan Cortez and Cesar Casas each scored a hat trick with assists from 3 goals as the Trojans won on the road Saturday. Danny Garcia, Ramiro Palacios and Cortez each had assists while Mateo Goy made six saves in goal.
Cross country
At Sterling: The Princeton girls finished sixth of nine teams with 118 points in the Sterling Invite, led by ninth-place Payton Frueh (20:25) and 15th-place Ruby Acker (20:44).
Also scoring for the Tigresses were 27th Alexandra Waca (21:34), 40th Avery Waca (23:17) and 47th Natalie Meyer (24:22).
Princeton did not field a boys team with Augustus Swanson (19:46) placing 47th and Jackson Drozda (24:12) 67th.
College soccer
At Elgin: The IVCC women’s team lost 8-1 and the men followed with an 8-0 loss on the road.
Josie Goerne scored the women’s lone goal.
Friday’s highlights
Football
Amboy 62, Ridgewood 12: Quarterback Tanner Welch attempted four passes and completed each on to Cody Winn for touchdowns as the Clippers to a blowout win in 8-Man football at the Harbor in Amboy.
Colt McCoy rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns for the Clippers, who improved to 6-1.
Monmouth-Roseville 57, Hall-Putnam County 14: Braden Curran, who took over at quarterback for the injured Dylan Glynn, scored both touchdowns for Hall in a road loss at Monmouth.
Illini West 28, Bureau Valley 20: The Storm scored the game-tying touchdown only to have Illini West follow with a 70-yard touchdown run for a heartbreaking Homecoming defeat.
Dane Stewart rushed for 62 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-tying score, while Keenyn Richter added 66 yards and a TD.
Ridgeview/Lexington 48, Fieldcrest 6: Lucas Anson scored on a 20-yard TD catch and rushed for 120 yards on 27 carries as the Knights fell in HOIC play.
Volleyball
Earlville def. IMSA 25-21, 27-25: Audrey Scherer had eight points, 10 assists and four kills as the Raiders advanced in the Little Ten Tournament consolation bracket.
Also for Earlville, Bailey Miller had eight digs and eight kills, Payton Actis had 12 assists and Addie Scherer added four kills.
Women’s volleyball
Hollidaysburg Lady Tigers win Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference team tennis title
HOLLIDAYSBURG — Hollidaysburg and Bedford met for the third straight year in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference tennis championship on Monday.
For the third time, the Lady Tigers came out on top — this time by a 5-0 score.
The two teams entered play undefeated, but Hollidaysburg had no trouble handling Bedford in all five matches.
“Being undefeated coming in, we knew that Bedford once again had another really strong team,” Hollidaysburg coach Brian Denis said. “They have given us all we could handle in the last two championships, and I thought we played really well today.”
Crosby Denis, Grace Muriceak and Emma Moritz were singles winners, while the doubles teams of Taylor Eardley-Brooklyn Klingner and Olivia Panaro-Katherine Wang came out on top.
Hollidaysburg’s record moved to 18-0, while Bedford fell to 16-1.
“Having played Altoona and State College recently really helped us with playing a third straight really solid team,” Brian Denis said. “We will now shift our focus to the first round of the PIAA state playoffs next Tuesday. We are still waiting to see who we play, but any of the top teams from the WPIAL will be extremely talented.”
SINGLES: 1. Denis, H, def. Shuke, 6-1, 6-3; 2. Muriceak, H, def. Ruhlman, 6-0, 6-1; 3. Moritz, H, def. Lohr, 6-0, 6-0.
DOUBLES: 1. Eardley-Klingner, H, def. Clapper-Shaffer, 6-1, 6-2; 2. Panaro-Wang, H, def. Pemberton-Heeter, 6-1, 6-2.
Records: Bedford (16-1); Hollidaysburg (18-0).
Justin Thomas sends message to 20 new PGA Tour card holders after Korn Ferry Tour season ends
Justin Thomas is about to enter his 11th season on the PGA Tour, and he’s firmly established as one of its cornerstones these days.
With two PGA Championship titles to his name, he hasn’t looked back since earning his tour card for the 2015 season.
The American has become a familiar face in Ryder Cups and other top events, and his presence has only grown over the years.
But like many experienced players, Thomas now finds himself watching a new wave of talent rise up from the Korn Ferry Tour into the professional game.
After this year’s class wrapped up their journey through the amateur ranks, Thomas reached out with an encouraging message to those who made it through.
Justin Thomas shares his thoughts as 20 Korn Ferry Tour players earn PGA Tour cards
Stepping up from the Korn Ferry Tour to the PGA Tour is no easy feat, and not everyone finds their footing straight away.
Just like in any sport, making the jump from amateur to professional can be a tough adjustment. Thomas has been through it himself and knows just how challenging that transition can be.
But he managed to find his stride early on, winning back-to-back CIMB Classic titles in 2015 and 2016. Then in 2017, five more wins helped establish him as a rising star on tour.
PGA Tour players reveal what they think would happen if Tiger Woods used a cart
Tiger Woods’ ongoing battle with injury took another hit on Sunday, raising fresh concerns across the golf world.
Woods’ career has once again been thrown into question, after it was revealed he’s had his seventh back operation.
Ernie Els was among those to reach out, posting a message of support on social media: “Hang in there Tiger. Like so many I have enjoyed seeing you get back out there again and hope you’re up and about again soon. I know how much you love to compete. Sending strength.”
This isn’t new ground for him either. He famously came back from multiple surgeries to win The Masters in 2019, two years after having a lower back fusion. But now it’s hard not to wonder if this might be one comeback too many.
What PGA Tour players have said will happen if Tiger Woods is allowed to use a cart
Woods’ latest setback was a really sobering one for him and his fans. At 49, his focus now needs to be on recovery rather than a return to competitive golf.
Over the past few years, it’s become clear just how hard it has been for him to walk even 36 holes in two days, let alone 72 over four rounds.
If he does manage a comeback, using a golf cart could be an option available to him under medical grounds.
And there has been plenty of talk about what that could mean for his game. Trey Wingo recently spoke about what he’s heard from players on the subject.
He said: “I’ve had Tour players tell me, if Tiger would just take a medical exemption, if he’d just take a medical exemption and take a cart he’d probably win three times a year on the PGA Tour and maybe find a way to bag another major, which would be his 16th.”
“But he won’t do it, and I just think this last surgery could be the exclamation point or the period on Tiger Woods’ competitive career.”
It’s not something many expect him to accept easily either. He’s always held himself to high standards.
Questions remain if Tiger Woods would accept golf cart exemption
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), PGA Tour players are able to request the use of a cart, though it’s not a simple process and each case is looked at individually.
The first high-profile example came in 2001 when Casey Martin was granted permission after a court battle that went all the way to the Supreme Court. The ruling forced the PGA Tour to make ‘reasonable accommodations’ for players with disabilities.
In 2019, John Daly was allowed to use a cart at the PGA Championship due to his arthritis, showing that these exemptions, while rare, do happen.
READ MORE: Jon Rahm’s long break from golf could cost him form ahead of the 2026 Masters
Tiger Woods has every reason to qualify given his back and leg issues, but according to Trey Wingo, it’s unlikely he’d ever take up that option. It speaks volumes about Woods’ mindset – even if he met all criteria, winning with a cart probably wouldn’t sit well with him.
On the Champions Tour, carts are much more widely used. It will be interesting to see if Woods chooses that route should he decide to play on the senior circuit in future years.
PGA Tour to Re-sign Major Deal With American Giant That Left Them 9-Years-Ago for Event at Donald Trump’s Course
In 2026, two of golf’s biggest rivals will converge on properties owned by Donald Trump. This will be the first time the two leagues, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, have scheduled tournaments at Trump venues in the same year. LIV Golf will return to Trump National D.C. from May 8–10, while the PGA Tour heads to Trump National Doral about a week earlier. And now, a familiar corporate name may soon join the Miami event’s return.
A decade after the PGA Tour exited Doral, it is preparing to reintroduce the event with a revival of both its venue and its onetime sponsor. According to industry sources, Cadillac is expected to resume its title sponsorship when the Tour stages the Miami Championship next spring. Previously, the automaker lent its name to the WGC Cadillac Championship from 2011 to 2016. The event is set for April 30 to May 3, just weeks after the Masters and before the PGA Championship.
When the PGA Tour left, speculation quickly tied the decision to the political climate surrounding Trump, who had purchased the resort in 2012. Then-commissioner Tim Finchem maintained otherwise, saying that Cadillac did not renew its agreement and the Tour “was not able to find a replacement.” The loss of that sponsorship effectively ended Doral’s long-standing run. And now, the cost of that reunion is likely to reflect the Tour’s new financial landscape.
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Signature event deals now cost between $25 and $30 million a year. These are spread over multiyear terms to fund golf’s massive prize purses. Truist, for instance, reportedly put up $200 million over seven years for its Charlotte event. Sources say the PGA Tour was seeking a similar $30 million a year for Miami, and Cadillac’s return would likely match that level of investment. Their reentry into golf coincides with a broader expansion in sports.
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The company is preparing to launch a Formula 1 team in 2026. For this, the brand is seeking up to $70 million annually for a title sponsorship. Meanwhile, it also serves as the official vehicle of the Cognizant Classic of the Palm Beaches. Jack Morton Worldwide remains Cadillac’s agency of record, a continuation of the partnership that helped shape its earlier golf presence.
Monahan meets Trump at White House to secure PGA investment deal
Interestingly, the PGA Tour declined to comment on the developing sponsorship. However, one of the observers noted that golf in Miami “seems ready to look like itself again.” Hints of the same could be traced as early as February 2025. During this time, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan met President Trump to finalize a major investment deal with Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
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Monahan disclosed that he had met with President Trump as the Tour approached the conclusion of its investment discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. The February 2025 meeting, attended also by player director Adam Scott, signaled a rare alignment of sporting administration and political influence, a rare show of cooperation aimed at ending a two-year standoff in men’s professional golf.
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Monahan stated that he and Scott had invited Trump to “get involved in the negotiations for the good of the game, the good of the country, and for all the countries involved.” Monahan credited Trump’s role. He added, “his leadership has brought us closer to a final deal, paving the way for reunification of men’s professional golf.”
As both tours prepare to compete on Trump-owned soil, the stage is set, commercially and politically. The return of Cadillac and Doral highlights how the sport’s future can change with powerful brands and backroom alliances.
Three down, four to go: Where things stand in FedExCup Fall points
Max Greyserman didn’t get his first PGA Tour victory at the Baycurrent Classic, but he got closer to earning a couple of signature-event starts next season.
Greyserman closed in 65 Sunday in Japan, but fell one shot shy of Xander Schauffele. The runner-up showing, however, moved him from 58th to 51st in FedExCup points. Nos. 51-60 at the end of the Tour’s fall season will qualify for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Genesis Invitational.
Current Aon Next 10
51. Max Greyserman
52. Aldrich Potgieter
53. Chris Kirk
54. Aaron Rai
55. Min Woo Lee
56. Jordan Spieth
57. Garrick Higgo
58. Jake Knapp
59. Wyndham Clark
60. Joe Highsmith
Four tournaments remaining in FedExCup Fall:
Oct. 23-26: Bank of Utah Championship
Nov. 6-9: World Wide Technology Championship
Nov. 13-16: Butterfield Bermuda Championship
Nov. 20-23: RSM Classic
At the conclusion of the RSM on St. Simons Island, Georgia, the top 100 (down from 125 in previous years) in FEC points will earn full exempt status in 2026.
Among the notable movers this past week: Micheal Thorbjorsen (third at Baycurrent) jumped 18 spots to 72nd; Takumi Kanaya (T-4) moved from 135th to 113th; and Alex Smalley (T-4) got some breathing room, moving up 10 places to 77th.
Nos. 95-105 on the FedExCup Fall points list (*exempt for 2026):
Tiger Woods: A Medical Journey Through Triumph, Tragedy, and Unwavering Determination
The Early Warning Signs: Knee Problems Emerge (2002-2008)
Tiger’s injury saga began earlier than most fans realize. In 2002, he underwent his first knee surgery to remove fluid and a benign tumor from his left knee. Looking back through the lens of his complete medical history, that surgery was the first crack in what would become a comprehensive physical breakdown.
The knee issues persisted. By April 2008, Woods underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee. What happened next became legend and perhaps set a dangerous precedent for how Tiger would approach his body’s limitations.
Just two months after surgery, Woods competed in the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. Over four grueling days, playing on what was essentially a broken leg, he battled Rocco Mediate in one of the most memorable championships in golf history. Woods prevailed in a playoff, capturing his 14th major championship while hobbling on a severely compromised left leg.
Days after that victory, Woods made a stunning announcement: he would miss the remainder of the 2008 season for reconstructive ACL surgery and to repair a double stress fracture in his left tibia. He had won the U.S. Open on a torn ACL and broken leg. The victory was heroic. In retrospect, it was also a preview of the physical toll Tiger would willingly endure in pursuit of victory.
The Back Problems Begin (2013-2017)
Tiger’s physical problems continued mounting. He withdrew from multiple tournaments in 2010 and 2011 with neck, Achilles, and knee injuries. In March 2011, Woods underwent surgery on both his left knee and Achilles tendon.
If those issues were concerning, what came next was career-threatening. Back problems emerged in 2013, and what started as occasional discomfort evolved into a condition requiring multiple surgeries.
In March 2014, Woods underwent his first back surgery, a microdiscectomy to alleviate a pinched nerve. The significance cannot be overstated: Tiger Woods missed the Masters for the first time in his career. For a player who had won four green jackets and contended in nearly every appearance, missing Augusta National was unthinkable.
The relief proved temporary. In September 2015, Woods underwent a second microdiscectomy. The pattern was troubling: surgical intervention would provide temporary relief, but the underlying problem persisted.
The year 2017 represented the nadir of Tiger Woods’ physical condition. He underwent two more back surgeries that year, including spinal fusion surgery (anterior lumbar interbody fusion, or ALIF) in April. Before the procedure, Woods described himself as barely able to walk or play with his children. The chronic pain had become so severe that basic daily activities were nearly impossible.
Spinal fusion is typically considered a career-ending procedure for a professional golfer. The loss of mobility, particularly in rotation, seemed incompatible with the demands of competitive golf at the highest level. Most medical experts and golf professionals believed Tiger’s competitive career was over.
They were wrong.
The Miraculous Comeback: 2018-2019, Including a Masters Victory
Following the 2022 Masters, Tiger made limited appearances. He competed at The Open Championship at St. Andrews in July 2022, withdrew after Round 3 of the Genesis Invitational in February 2023 due to back spasms, and struggled through the 2023 Masters. Woods also underwent surgery for plantar fasciitis in 2023, adding yet another layer of complexity to his physical challenges.
The 2024 and 2025 Setbacks
Throughout 2024 and 2025, Tiger Woods has undergone two back surgeries and one Achilles tendon surgery while also withdrawing from a PGA Tour event due to illness. The frequency and severity of these medical interventions paint a sobering picture of an athlete whose body is breaking down despite his indomitable will.
In September 2024, Woods had a microdecompression procedure on his lumbar spine to address a nerve impingement. This was his sixth back surgery overall.
In March 2025, while training at home, Woods ruptured his left Achilles tendon and underwent successful minimally invasive surgery to repair it. The injury caused him to miss the Masters Tournament. The Achilles rupture was especially concerning because it occurred during routine training, not during competition.
The most recent and perhaps most significant surgery came in October 2025. After experiencing pain and lack of mobility, scans revealed Woods had a collapsed disc in his L4/5, along with disc fragments and a compromised spinal canal. He underwent lumbar disc replacement surgery, his seventh back surgery overall.
In a statement, Tiger said:
20 Earn PGA Tour Cards After Korn Ferry Finale at French Lick
The culmination of the Korn Ferry Tour season always brings with it tension, celebration, and fresh storylines. In 2025, the stakes were higher than ever: only 20 PGA Tour cards would be awarded, and the final event–the Korn Ferry Tour Championship at French Lick–was where dreams would either be sealed or slip away.
Over four grueling days, the pressure mounted as players jockeyed not just for prize money, but for a chance to join golf’s biggest stage. Many entered the week already with status secured; others needed one final push to break into the top 20. And by the end, 20 stories of perseverance, momentum, and clutch play emerged victorious.
How the System Works: A Higher Bar in 2025
The Korn Ferry Tour is golf’s primary pathway to the PGA Tour, and in 2025, the promotion threshold sharpened considerably. Only the top 20 finishers on the points list after the season-ending Championship would earn full PGA Tour membership for 2026.
Unlike past years, where broader classes of graduates advanced, this reduced window placed even more importance on consistency, clutch performances, and timing. Many players finished the regular season with momentum; others used the four playoff events to surge upward.
French Lick served as the final proving ground, with 75 or so competitors (after withdrawals) fighting for those career-changing spots. The focus wasn’t just on winning the tournament; it was on securing enough points to stay in the top 20.
The Big Winner and Key Graduates
At the top of the leaderboard, Chandler Blanchet won the Korn Ferry Tour Championship, firing a final-round 66 to finish at -14 and win by two strokes over Barend Botha. He entered the week already assured of his PGA Tour promotion, allowing him to play with freedom down the stretch.
“I knew there was a TOUR card coming at the end of the day, but this is just the cherry on top,” Blanchet said.
But the real drama unfolded among those chasing spots. Names like Johnny Keefer, Neal Shipley, Austin Smotherman, Hank Lebioda, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, S.T. Lee, and Jeffrey Kang all locked in their status with strong campaigns in the finale.
Here’s the full list of 2025 Korn Ferry graduates:
Johnny Keefer
Chandler Blanchet
Austin Smotherman
Neal Shipley
Emilio Gonzalez
Hank Lebioda
Adrien Dumont de Chassart
S.H. Kim
Christo Lamprecht
Davis Chatfield
Zach Bauchou
Pierceson Coody
S.T. Lee
Jeffrey Kang
Kensei Hirata
Trace Crowe
John VanDerLaan
Zecheng Dou
Sudarshan Yellamaraju
Pontus Nyholm
What’s Next for the Graduates
Graduating to the PGA Tour is just the beginning. These 20 new members will face deeper fields, tougher courses, and higher expectations. Their priority will be maintaining status, earning starts, and building momentum in a league that rewards consistency.
For many, their ability to compete early in 2026–especially in events where reshuffles and priority rankings can make or break access–will matter just as much as their performance in majors or big tournaments. The tour’s priority system places Korn Ferry graduates behind fully exempt PGA Tour categories and those gaining status via alternate paths.
At the same time, the PGA Tour’s structural changes–including reducing field sizes and tightening membership criteria–will put added pressure on these newcomers to hit the ground running.
LIV Golf Rumors Swirl Around Tony Finau After Another Disappointing PGA Tour Season
LIV is reportedly looking to poach two very recent PGA Tour winners. With virtually unlimited money to spend (something it regrets now), LIV has made a habit of luring away big names year after year (count Mickleson, DeChambeau, Niemann…so on). And one name that refuses to fade from such conversations is Tony Finau. On a recent episode of The Sliced Podcast, hosts Sam Harrop and Ben Coley dissected the latest wave of speculation.
“You’ve basically got a load of 40-year-olds on the PGA Tour thinking, well, it would be quite nice to get 50 grand for finishing last…Other people have mentioned Tony Finau, who comes up every single year,” Harrop said.
This prompted Coley to quip jokingly, “He’s sh*t now, so maybe that makes sense. He’s got legal settlements to do. He’s got an abundance of children,” Ben joked. “Tony, where he be now, maybe the answer is LIV.”
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Finau, as everyone knows, assumes a family-oriented image with six children on his back, rooting for him. At the same time, he has been the target of two high-profile contract disputes in Utah courts, stemming from early back-stage investments in his brother’s golf career. Both cases have got several hundred thousand dollars at stake, and with Finau’s current PGA Tour performance, not much monetary help from tournament earnings can be expected.
Tony had an underwhelming 2025 campaign. In his first ten starts, Finau missed four cuts – including The Masters and THE PLAYERS Championship. He was able to notch only one top-five finish (a T5 at the Genesis Invitational). After April, he has not teed off professionally anywhere.
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So of course, Finau might be looking for a career revival, which LIV’s rather easier setup might provide him. But that is not the only reason why his name has popped up in this infamous rumor circle, which every PGA Tour player secretly frets.
Finau’s name has been circulating on LIV since 2022, the inception year of the Saudi-backed league. It somehow gained traction last year, when he withdrew from Tiger Woods‘ Hero World Challenge without explaining. Although later he did clarify that he had a nagging injury as a reason for his withdrawal.
“I called Tiger and made sure he knew. He said, ‘I would’ve told you to do the same thing,’” said Finau as reported by bunkered.
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But the internet has never been merciful to any. Almost immediately, the internet sleuths concluded that Finau’s absence at Woods‘s event was a hint at his pending move to LIV.
And of course, it didn’t help when weeks later, his wife posted a cryptic TikTok video, which naturally intensified the chatter. Alayna Finau posted a playful video on the app, which was set to a Hannah Montana audio about avoiding “more drama.” The clip showed the couple lounging poolside as she turned the camera to Tony and lip-synced, “Hey Miley.” “Hello, drama,” he replied. To many, it was a cheeky link to her husband’s alleged switch.
However, Finau has always been upfront and has done his best to quash the rumors. In an interview with Golfweek last year, he called such allegations “not true” and ardently insisted that his commitment lies completely with the PGA Tour.
“I’m more than happy where I’m at on the PGA Tour and looking forward to 2025,” he said. “When I tee it up in Maui, it will all go away, so I don’t worry about it one bit.”
But somehow, these rumors have found their way back to Finau. As Ben Coley and Sam Harrop discuss, Finau might be looking for “one last career payday.”
At the same time, Finau holds a certain connection with LIV that certainly doesn’t help his case.
The Jon Rahm connection
What doesn’t help is Tony Finau’s close friendship with Jon Rahm. “There’s a strong friendship with Jon Rahm, however, which won’t help the cause of those hoping that he stays on the PGA Tour. But, anyway, like I say, it came up last year. It came up the year before. And he hasn’t gone, so I don’t know,” Harrop says.
Rahm, who has been on the Tour since 2023, reportedly joined it for more than $300 million. The two have often shared practice rounds at the exclusive Silverleaf Club. When the Spaniard defected to LIV, Finau was one of the very few who supported his decision. “I think he made the best decision that he felt was right for his family and himself,” he told Sports Illustrated. “I’m happy for him.”
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For now, Finau seems content to stay put, and that’s exactly what those around him would hope for. Despite the swirling speculation, the hosts of The Sliced Podcast couldn’t help but acknowledge the Utah native’s unique character. “Finau’s got the reputation of being, like, the nicest, most lovable man in golf. But I just think there’s an edge. That’s all I’m saying. I’ve always thought there was a bit of an edge,” Harrop added.
Only time will tell who those two new names joining the LIV base camp are. And if our six-time major champ is one among them or not.
Garage Rumor: NASCAR to Go Against Denny Hamlin Despite Million Dollar Losses
The NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race, an event traditionally held the week before the Coca-Cola 600, has always been designed as a no-holds-barred, high-stakes spectacle, originally called “The Winston” in 1985 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. However, the recent change in location of the All-Star Race is a clear sign of NASCAR’s strategy to break with tradition and seek new energy.
For 34 of its first 35 years, the race resided at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This tradition was broken in 2020 when the race moved to Bristol Motor Speedway, then to Texas Motor Speedway for 2 years, and then to the resurrected, historic North Wilkesboro Speedway for 2023 through 2025, marking NASCAR’s 75th anniversary. Now, the official announcement that Dover Motor Speedway will host the 2026 All-Star Race signals NASCAR’s intent to keep the event dynamic and unpredictable.
The constant state of flux within the sport is precisely what the insiders are dissecting, as NASCAR attempts to undo controversial decisions from its past. As Jordan Bianchi noted, “They talk about the All-Star Race next year against Dover, and what that could look like, and I think everybody’s agreed that you have to do something really special for that race. And the expectation is that you’re probably going to see a one-way-to-one kind of thing, to really kind of allow that. And OD said that on the show, like, ‘hey, we give the team more of a runway, get ready for this, we feel like we can do that, so we’ll see.’” He also noted that Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s executive vice president, acknowledged the necessity of providing teams with ample preparation time to execute the vision.
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Denny Hamlin addressed the controversy over NASCAR’s proposed ‘Run What Ya Brung’ All-Star format, explaining that while the idea is exciting in theory, it’s financially impractical for teams. On the Actions Detrimental podcast, the 23XI Racing co-owner said, “I couldn’t imagine what this would cost us. More than likely, 2 million dollars? It just doesn’t make sense, guys. Trust me, as a fan and a driver, I wish we could do it. But under the parameters that were set, it just wasn’t thought out enough. It’s not feasible. No team is going to sign up to voluntarily lose millions of dollars.” He further explained the limitations of satellite teams like 23XI, saying, “I don’t have the CNC machines and all this stuff that the Gibbs, Hendrick, and Penske teams have…we’d have to go to ‘Big Brother.’”
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This suggestion of an “unrestricted” or unique package is a direct response to a legacy of decisions that, as Jeff Gluck stated, “Especially with the tires getting better, and Goodyear has unquestionably made gains with the tires they can fall for. When you combine the tire gains they’ve made with some percentage, who knows what percentage is better, 10% better, 5% better? So to have 750, you know, they’re at 670 right now. So it’s not going from 670 to 900. But O’Donnell on the podcast said, I think he said it would be like $40 or $50 million for the industry.”
This collective move toward more power and a willingness to stage spectacle-driven events at new, challenging tracks signals a strong pivot by NASCAR’s leadership to re-engage with its core audience. But what are fans saying about it?
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Fans speculate on NASCAR’s big changes
One fan playfully remarked, “Haas Factory Team just rolls in with an F1 car.” This sentiment echoed the excitement from a 2022 event where Haas F1 drivers Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher took NASCAR hot laps with Stewart-Haas Racing drivers at Charlotte Motor Speedway. While another jokingly added, “Finally a way for Cole Custer to win again.” Custer, returning to the Cup Series with the No. 41 Ford Mustang Dark Horse after a successful stint in the Xfinity Series, has been facing a tough season ahead.
Another wrote, “Can’t wait to see 2000 hp Garage 56 with Dodge Daytona wings hybrid looking a– cars drifting through the turns going 230 mph into them. Yeah I think that’s a little too much to ask for lol.” For instance, the Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 that races at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, was heavily modified NASCAR Next Gen car featuring a naturally aspirant 5.8-liter V8 engine producing around 650-700 horsepower.
Furthermore, the iconic Plymouth Superbird and Dodge Charger Daytona of 1969-1970 allowed Buddy Baker to break the 200 mph barrier in 1970, which fans think will happen at the All-Star Race too, as one fan stated, “Richard Petty & LMC Pulling up with the Plymouth Superbird Winged Cars.” But the modern Cup Series cars, including the Garage 56 version, use a much smaller, integrated rear spoiler and underwing designed under strict rules. So, while they can exceed 200 mph on superspeedways, a top lap speed at a 1-mile oval is closer to 167 mph for a Cup car.
While one fan further joked, “Watch Justin Marks Pull Up with his Trackhouse Moto GP bikes.” This is a literal realization of Marks’ desire for a globally relevant American vibe motorsport brand, culminating in the bold move to acquire a spot on the MotoGP World Championship grid in 2024 as the first fully American-owned team in over a decade, fielding Aprilia motorcycles for riders like Miguel Oliveira and Raúl Fernándes.
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The satirical fan comment saying, “Brad Keselowski gonna show up with a literal Submarine (reference to his build your submarine sponsor)” is a playful extension of the unusual, high-profile sponsorship RFK Racing secured with an initiative by the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base program via the non-profit BlueForge Alliance.
Garage Rumor: NASCAR Team To Dump Chevy for Ford in 2026
Emerging from the ashes of Martins Motorsports, which had ceased operations in 2018, Alpha Prime Racing made a triumphant return in 2020. Co-owners Tommy Joe Martins and Rodney Riessen re-entered the Xfinity Series with the No. 44 Chevrolet Camaro SS, purchasing chassis from GMS Racing and JGL Racing to bolster their inventory. Despite early challenges, including a failure to qualify for the season opener at Daytona and the temporary layoff of all employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, the team persevered.
The 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season witnessed APR’s continued evolution. Brennan Poole returned to the team, building on his 16th-place finish in the 2024 standings. The No. 45 car, driven by a rotating lineup including Caesar Bacarella, Josh Williams, and Mason Massey, showcased the team’s depth and adaptability. But with the end of this season, the team plans to switch alliances with a long-time manufacturer.
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How manufacturer loyalty yields to technical gain in NASCAR
Alpha Prime Racing’s potential switch from Chevrolet to Ford for the 2026 NASCAR Xfinity Series season has ignited considerable speculation within the motorsport community. While the team has not officially confirmed any manufacturer change, rumors have been circulating, fueled by insiders and fans alike. The rumor, circulating within the NASCAR “Silly Season” mill, posits that APR, currently fielding Chevrolet Camaros, could become a key beneficiary of Ford’s urgent need for a stronger, reliable presence in the Xfinity developmental ladder.
The primary catalyst for this rumor is the dramatic departure of Haas Factory Team (HFT) from the Ford umbrella, as HFT announced a switch to Chevrolet and a technical alliance with Hendrick Motorsports for the 2026 season. The loss of HFT, which inherited the Xfinity program from the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing and was Ford’s flagship Xfinity team, even winning the 2023 championship with Cole Custer, left Ford’s developmental program severely depleted.
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Ford’s remaining Xfinity teams, such as RSS Racing and AM Racing, while capable, do not currently offer the consistent front-running performance or multi-car scale Ford desires for prospect development. This void creates a critical power vacuum and a unique, lucrative opportunity for a solid, multi-car Chevrolet team like APR to step in and immediately become one of Ford’s most resource-supported entries.
An example of a similar switch for an alliance upgrade was SS-GreenLight Racing, which moved from Chevrolet to Ford in 2022 to align with Stewart-Haas Racing, receiving not only Ford Mustangs but also SHR-supplied cars and Roush Yates Engines, a move designed to “raise their competitiveness to the next level,” as owner Bobby Dotter stated. APR would likely be seeking a similarly comprehensive technical alliance, potentially with an existing Ford powerhouse like RFK Racing or a newly incentivized Team Penske, to acquire race cars and a competitive engine program.
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While APR has achieved notable results, such as their first top-5 finish with Sage Karam at Daytona in 2022, they often operate on a tighter budget and utilize customer engine programs that may not be on par with the highest-tier leases enjoyed by organizations like JR Motorsports. By aligning with Ford, APR would likely gain a substantial injection of OEM funding, premium technical support, and potentially a pipeline for developing Ford prospects.
Team owner Tommy Joe Martins has often been praised for his business acumen and passion for the sport, striving to do more with less. This move might just secure APR’s future in the increasingly competitive landscape of the NASCAR Xfinity Series. However, another rumor has been circling the Cup garage.
Sam Hunt Racing eyes NASCAR Cup Series as ambitions grow
Sam Hunt Racing began as DRIVE Technology in 2013, founded by former racer Sam Hunt, who once lived in a van chasing his dreams. The team made its Xfinity Series debut in 2019 at Homestead-Miami Speedway and has steadily grown, expanding operations in Mooresville, North Carolina. Their 2025 season has been pivotal, featuring a rotation of drivers in the No. 24 car, including Ryan Truex, Corey Heim, Patrick Staropoli, and Jeffrey Earnhardt, who also returned for multiple races, notably at Talladega.
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Looking ahead, SHR’s ambitions appear to extend toward NASCAR’s top tier. The team has reportedly acquired Cup Series chassis, signaling preparations for a potential Cup Series entry as early as late 2025 or 2026. Hunt emphasized the team’s competitive goals, saying, “We have one step left to be there consistently. We’ve covered the bingo card all around Victory Lane. I want all of the people who have left bigger, Cup-affiliated teams and have gotten on board with what we’re building to be in victory lane. I won’t say it’ll be the most special day in my life because I am married, but it’ll be close to it.”
Denny Hamlin’s NASCAR season: Lawsuits, podcasts and playoff drama
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Denny Hamlin has been NASCAR’s main character this season, from his lawsuit against NASCAR and his weekly, opinion-laden podcasts to the defining role he played in setting the final eight drivers in the playoff field.
He could be the busiest driver in the Cup Series; he also welcomed the birth of his third child in June, an occasion that caused him to skip NASCAR’s race in Mexico City.
Through it all, he has prevailed.
At Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, he became the first driver to lock up a berth in the championship-deciding season finale — his first appearance in the winner-take-all race since 2021 — with his series-best sixth win of the season. It was win No. 60 for Hamlin, which was always his career goal, and cemented him as not only the winningest driver in Joe Gibbs Racing history but also for Toyota.
It was the most emotional anyone has ever seen Hamlin in his two-plus decades racing in NASCAR. His 75-year-old father, a Virginia native who mortgaged his home multiple times, signed up for every credit card possible and nearly bankrupted the family trying to get his son to the top level of racing.
Hamlin wanted No. 60 for his father. A three-time Daytona 500 winner, he is considered the greatest driver to never win a championship and now wants to give a Cup title to his dad. He was in tears the final three laps, emotional on his radio on his cool-down lap and needed to compose himself on the frontstretch as he collected his checkered flag.
“I’m probably softer than what I put off. I maybe shed a tear during a love story on a movie or something if it’s a really emotional moment. I’ll never let my kids see it. But I do have feelings. I know it’s hard to believe,” Hamlin said. “I just know how much work it took for this to happen. It didn’t just happen. It wasn’t just luck. It just was so gratifying because of all the things I talked about.
“Maybe y’all played recreational sports as a kid, had that game-winning moment, but it’s just so big for me personally because this is what I do, this is what I’m paid to do,” he continued. “It will take a few days for it all to sink in. I knew there was no chance I was holding it back, no chance. Just let it go.”
It’s been a tough month for Hamlin alongside his father’s health woes:
— He spun JGR teammate Ty Gibbs at New Hampshire in a playoff race when he believed Gibbs, a non-title contender and grandson of the team owner, should not have been racing him so hard.
— He raced Bubba Wallace, who drives for Hamlin at 23XI Racing (the team co-owned by Michael Jordan that is suing NASCAR), too hard in the closing laps at Kansas in pursuit of No. 60. The battle cost Hamlin the win and Wallace a spot in the round of eight of the playoffs.
— Last week at Charlotte, his last-lap pass of Ross Chastain prevented Chastain from eliminating Joey Logano from the round of eight. Logano is the reigning Cup champion and winner of two of the last three titles. Hamlin complained he didn’t know the points picture and NASCAR is now eyeing all playoff drivers for possible race manipulation.
Hamlin has tuned it all out in a remarkable way.
“Probably nobody has more going on in their life than Denny. But he has an amazing ability I think to kind of handle all of it, all the stuff that’s going on in his life right now,” Gibbs said. “Most of us would say how does he handle that? I’m probably one of those.”
Chris Gayle, who is in his first season as crew chief for Hamlin and has never advanced to the championship race, says Hamlin has a remarkable ability to compartmentalize.
“I don’t care what’s going on, whatever controversy last week, lawsuit related, he’ll walk in, ‘OK, it’s time to go to work,’” Gayle said. “Not once do we have conversations about all the other stuff going on in his life. Not once. I think he does a good job of focusing on the task at hand in front of him.”
Hamlin likens all this to three-time NASCAR champion and Hall of Famer Tony Stewart, a former Gibbs driver who always thrived when his personal life was at its most disruptive points.
“The cliche things I’ve said is thriving in chaos. The record would show it,” Hamlin said. “There’s absolutely a correlation to the more stuff that goes on, the more that you’re going to get out of me in those moments. It’s really, really hard to do.”
As for the win at Las Vegas that has him back into title contention? “I’m going to take a mental break from racing a little bit,” he said.
It might just be what he needs to finally get that Cup title.
___
How Denny Hamlin’s emotional win at Las Vegas has him back in title contention
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Denny Hamlin has been NASCAR’s main character this season, from his lawsuit against NASCAR and his weekly, opinion-laden podcasts to the defining role he played in setting the final eight drivers in the playoff field.
He could be the busiest driver in the Cup Series; he also welcomed the birth of his third child in June, an occasion that caused him to skip NASCAR’s race in Mexico City.
Through it all, he has prevailed.
At Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, he became the first driver to lock up a berth in the championship-deciding season finale — his first appearance in the winner-take-all race since 2021 — with his series-best sixth win of the season. It was win No. 60 for Hamlin, which was always his career goal, and cemented him as not only the winningest driver in Joe Gibbs Racing history but also for Toyota.
It was the most emotional anyone has ever seen Hamlin in his two-plus decades racing in NASCAR. His 75-year-old father, a Virginia native who mortgaged his home multiple times, signed up for every credit card possible and nearly bankrupted the family trying to get his son to the top level of racing.
Hamlin wanted No. 60 for his father. A three-time Daytona 500 winner, he is considered the greatest driver to never win a championship and now wants to give a Cup title to his dad. He was in tears the final three laps, emotional on his radio on his cool-down lap and needed to compose himself on the frontstretch as he collected his checkered flag.
“I’m probably softer than what I put off. I maybe shed a tear during a love story on a movie or something if it’s a really emotional moment. I’ll never let my kids see it. But I do have feelings. I know it’s hard to believe,” Hamlin said. “I just know how much work it took for this to happen. It didn’t just happen. It wasn’t just luck. It just was so gratifying because of all the things I talked about.
“Maybe y’all played recreational sports as a kid, had that game-winning moment, but it’s just so big for me personally because this is what I do, this is what I’m paid to do,” he continued. “It will take a few days for it all to sink in. I knew there was no chance I was holding it back, no chance. Just let it go.”
It’s been a tough month for Hamlin alongside his father’s health woes:
— He spun JGR teammate Ty Gibbs at New Hampshire in a playoff race when he believed Gibbs, a non-title contender and grandson of the team owner, should not have been racing him so hard.
— He raced Bubba Wallace, who drives for Hamlin at 23XI Racing (the team co-owned by Michael Jordan that is suing NASCAR), too hard in the closing laps at Kansas in pursuit of No. 60. The battle cost Hamlin the win and Wallace a spot in the round of eight of the playoffs.
— Last week at Charlotte, his last-lap pass of Ross Chastain prevented Chastain from eliminating Joey Logano from the round of eight. Logano is the reigning Cup champion and winner of two of the last three titles. Hamlin complained he didn’t know the points picture and NASCAR is now eyeing all playoff drivers for possible race manipulation.
Hamlin has tuned it all out in a remarkable way.
“Probably nobody has more going on in their life than Denny. But he has an amazing ability I think to kind of handle all of it, all the stuff that’s going on in his life right now,” Gibbs said. “Most of us would say how does he handle that? I’m probably one of those.”
Chris Gayle, who is in his first season as crew chief for Hamlin and has never advanced to the championship race, says Hamlin has a remarkable ability to compartmentalize.
“I don’t care what’s going on, whatever controversy last week, lawsuit related, he’ll walk in, ‘OK, it’s time to go to work,’” Gayle said. “Not once do we have conversations about all the other stuff going on in his life. Not once. I think he does a good job of focusing on the task at hand in front of him.”
Hamlin likens all this to three-time NASCAR champion and Hall of Famer Tony Stewart, a former Gibbs driver who always thrived when his personal life was at its most disruptive points.
“The cliche things I’ve said is thriving in chaos. The record would show it,” Hamlin said. “There’s absolutely a correlation to the more stuff that goes on, the more that you’re going to get out of me in those moments. It’s really, really hard to do.”
As for the win at Las Vegas that has him back into title contention? “I’m going to take a mental break from racing a little bit,” he said.
It might just be what he needs to finally get that Cup title.
___
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Copyright © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
NASCAR Cup Series Standings After Playoff Race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin tops the NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings after the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He secured victory after leading the race for nine laps, elevating him to the Championship 4.
Hamlin did not expect to go home with this 60th win before the race, but the right calls made by his team at the right time placed him in a position to win. The 44-year-old driver even faced gearbox problems early in the race, but it all came together in the final stage when he overtook Kyle Larson and his JGR teammate Chase Briscoe to make it first to the checkered flag.
Larson is placed second in the standings after securing the runner-up spot in the race, followed by Christopher Bell in third, and Briscoe in fourth. Hamlin holds a significant advantage to win his maiden title going into Talladega and Martinsville. He is now tenth on the list of the top ten NASCAR drivers who have won the most Cup Series races. Speaking after an emotional victory, Hamlin said:
“This win means a lot, this is the point where I kind of give the fans some [expletive], but not today, I appreciate you all so much.
“Obviously, just want to say ‘hi’ to my dad and family back at home. We were hoping to get 60 [wins] today, but I didn’t think we were. Just put the pedal down those last 10 laps and made it happen.”
Hamlin credited his crew chief, Chris Gayle, for turning the situation around on the final stop. He added:
Why No.60 was Hamlin’s most emotional win ever
The build-up to his 60th career win in the NASCAR Cup Series led Denny Hamlin to admit that Sunday was the most emotional he had ever been in his career.
“When I moved the bar from 50 to 60, I had to stew on that for a few years,” Hamlin said.
Hamlin hit the 50-win mark in 2023. He entered this season at 54 and was reluctant to say 60 would happen sooner rather than later, given the number of wins he was averaging per season. Las Vegas Motor Speedway was Hamlin’s sixth win of the year, the most he’s had since a seven-win season in 2020.
“When I won the Daytona 500, I had always hoped to win the Daytona 500,” Hamlin said. “There’s a letter that I wrote when I was eight years old that’s in my garage that my mom kept that says, ‘My wish is to win the Daytona 500. I hope that this comes true on February 18th, 1998.’ I thought when I was 18 years old, I was going to be in Cup for some reason. There’s something about manifesting, because I’ve won it twice on February 18th. Some things are kind of meant to be.
“So, while that took 30 years to happen, that was just one race. There were no other implications to it, right? The reason this one is more is because of all the things. I got the home things, we got the lawsuit things, we’ve got just the Final 4, the 60. There were just so many other factors that played into today, which is why I think that it’s my biggest win. Certainly, one that I was absolutely the most excited about.”
The home life includes Hamlin wanting his father, Dennis, to see him win his 60th race. Dennis, who is 75 years old, has not been doing well health-wise, although Denny did not elaborate on specifics. Hamlin says he owes his racing career to his father and mother, Mary Lou, for their sacrifices in getting him to the point where he was discovered by J.D. Gibbs and signed to Joe Gibbs Racing.
On the legal front, Hamlin could potentially win the Cup Series championship on Nov. 2 and then be in court on Dec. 1 as the antitrust lawsuit brought by 23XI Racing and Front Row against NASCAR begins. Sunday’s win clinched Hamlin a spot in the championship race for the first time since 2021.
And when it comes to 60 wins, Hamlin is now tied with Kevin Harvick for 10th on the all-time wins list.
All of which came together to show Hamlin in tears on the in-car camera after taking the checkered flag. By the time Hamlin came around to the frontstretch for his celebration and television interview, he was still visibly emotional and got choked up when talking to NBC Sports.
“I’m probably softer than what I put off,” Hamlin said. “I maybe shed a tear during a love story in a movie or something if it’s a really emotional moment. I’ll never let my kids see it. But I do have feelings. I know it’s hard to believe.”
Hamlin has never been as emotional, certainly with tears, as he was Sunday. There have been races that brought joy, disappointment, and frustration, but Las Vegas was a different side of Hamlin. And he wasn’t going to try to suppress it when the cameras were there for his interview.
The victory came down to a 14-lap sprint to the finish. Hamlin lined up sixth on the restart and took the lead with four laps to go by driving around the outside of teammate Chase Briscoe with four tires.
“I just know how much work it took for this to happen,” Hamlin said. “It didn’t just happen. It wasn’t just luck. It was just so gratifying because of all the things I talked about. Then I had the ball at the very end and made it. Maybe y’all played recreational sports as a kid, had that game-winning moment, but it’s just so big for me personally because this is what I do, this is what I’m paid to do.
“I don’t know. It will take a few days for it all to sink in. I knew there was no chance I was holding it back, no chance. Just let it go.”
Frankie Muniz Announces Long-Awaited NASCAR Truck Return After Injury
Frankie Muniz has confirmed his return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with No. 33 Reaume Brothers Racing Ford after an injury saw him out of the championship since the end of August.
The actor-turned-racing driver, known for playing the title character in Malcom in the Middle, announced on August 28, 2025, that he would be out of the driver’s seat for six to eight weeks after suffering a distal radius fracture. But he has now confirmed that he will return to Talladega.
Podcast | Who is this ‘Humble Denny Hamlin’ of whom you speak?
Denny Hamlin, who won Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff race in Las Vegas, was described by our Rod Mullins as downright “humble” post-race, which leads to the question: did somebody do something to our Denny Hamlin?
Rod joins the show to discuss.
We also go in depth on the latest development in the NASCAR charter lawsuit, which appears to be headed to trial in December – though I wonder if NASCAR might be better advised to settle ahead of time, instead of allowing a judge to decide how the series does its business going forward.
Richard Childress’ Grandson Takes Heat as 23XI Insider Dissects Las Vegas Pit Chaos
8 months ago, a harrowing yet bizarre crash unfolded. It happened in the Xfinity Series race in Daytona, with 30 laps remaining. A group of Chevrolets was coming to pit road when Kris Wright missed a braking cue. As a result, the former Our Motorsports driver barrelled into the pit row traffic ahead of him. Wright blamed it on “super bad miscommunication with the spotter.” Yet he bore the brunt of the blame, as Richard Childress’ grandson, Ty Dillon, is doing at present.
The Kaulig Racing driver had entered the South Point 400 with an ill-handling car anyway. Yet the No. 10 Chevrolet had a bigger misfortune awaiting, as Ty Dillon wrecked with William Byron. The No. 10 left the race in an absolutely battered shape. However, a rival team’s spotter figures that Dillon could have done more.
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Ty Dillon’s nerve-racking fiasco explained
Well, most fans raised their eyebrows at William Byron. The Hendrick Motorsports driver was one of the top contenders in Las Vegas, as he led for 55 laps. He was also running second with 31 laps to go, just before the chaos unfolded. With no sign of warning, the No. 24 Chevrolet rammed straight into the rear bumper of Ty Dillon’s No. 10. That left jaw-dropped fans wondering why Byron undertook this bizarre mishap. However, the issue of communication, both between the spotters and the drivers of the rival teams, tilts the blame more towards Dillon. “Ty would be the one I put the most fault on just because he didn’t execute his entry very well,” said Freddie Kraft, spotter for the No. 23 Toyota.
The 23XI Racing spotter shared his own dissection of the incident. While Ty Dillon claimed he tried to wave and his spotter also tried to communicate that the No. 10 was pitting, William Byron’s fold denied it. On a recent episode of ‘Door, Bumper, Clear’, Freddie Kraft narrowed down that confusion to hand signals. “My hand signals for pitting and I’m going to the bottom are the same,” Kraft explained. “Miscommunication is the best term for it because I don’t know. Obviously, nothing was done maliciously.”
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He continued how William Byron may have misinterpreted the messages from Ty Dillon‘s team. “Usually, if they’re right behind me or whatever, they’ll know, especially if we’re battling for position. But it’s possible that the spotter of the 10 did like pitting…and you hear the spotter of the 24 tell William that the 10’s going to run the second or third lane. Because I think that maybe if he did see a hand signal saying down, he might have thought that he was going to give him the bottom… And that was the message that got relayed…that can be easily confused with I’m pitting or you’re going to you go to the bottom.”
At the end of the day, both drivers’ days ended in a confused mess. While Ty Dillon’s day was not going very well from the beginning, William Byron’s disappointment may have been worse.
The first sign of heartbreak
William Byron has been on a glorious ride during the regular season. Between clinching his second Daytona 500 victory in a row and winning at Iowa Speedway, Byron fetched 10 top fives and 15 top tens. He topped off this spectacular run with a regular-season championship in Daytona. However, as soon as the playoffs began, the No. 24 Chevrolet went for a spiraling ride. Darlington presented a pan-HMS disaster, as three drivers somehow persisted until the Round of 12. Twin top ten finishes perked up Byron’s hopes for the Round of 8, as he entered Las Vegas with a good advantage.
With 31 laps to go, Byron was in good shape, being 22 points above the cutline. However, the accident with Ty Dillon crippled the championship hopeful, as Byron left the race 15 points below the elimination line. And Talladega’s carnage has yet to arrive on the Round of 8 schedule. So maybe the Las Vegas debacle was the first sign of heartbreak in Byron’s 2025 title run. So Byron’s disappointment hit home for fans: “Yeah, I mean, just as good as we were, and just as good as the race was going, for random s— to happen like that, it just sucks. So, I don’t know, I can’t believe it. I obviously would never do that. During the cycle, you’re anticipating guys pitting, and it just sucks.”
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The concerning debacle in Las Vegas left both Ty Dillon and William Byron in dire straits. Let’s see if the latter can retrieve his pace for the playoffs.
Sandy Alomar Sr., All-Star infielder, former Texas Ranger, dies at 81
Sandy Alomar Sr., an All-Star infielder during his playing days in the 1960s and ’70s who went on to coach in the majors and manage in his native Puerto Rico, has died. He was 81.
A spokesperson for the Cleveland Guardians said Monday that the team was informed by Alomar’s family about his death. Sandy Alomar Jr., who along with Hall of Fame brother Roberto played for their father in winter ball and in the minors, is on the Guardians’ staff.
“Our thoughts are with the Alomar family today as the baseball community mourns his passing,” the Guardians said on social media.
Alomar broke into the big leagues in 1964 with the Milwaukee Braves, one of six teams he played for. He also spent time with the New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, California Angels, New York Yankees and Texas Rangers before calling it a career in 1978.
Known more for his speed and fielding than his hitting, Alomar batted .245 with 13 home runs and 282 RBIs in 1,481 regular-season games.
He was named an All-Star in 1970. He stole 227 bases, including a career-high 39 in 1971, when he led the American League with 689 at-bats and 739 plate appearances, and took part in one playoff series with the Yankees in ’76.
Alomar went into coaching in San Diego’s system in the ‘80s and was the Padres third-base coach from 1986-90. He coached for the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies and the Mets in the 2000s.
How to Watch Dodgers vs Brewers NLCS Game 1: Live Stream MLB Postseason, TV Channel
Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers will face Christian Yelich and the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Monday.
How to Watch Dodgers vs Brewers
When: Monday, October 13, 2025
Time: 8:08 PM ET
TV Channel: TBS, truTV
Live Stream: Sling (watch now); DIRECTV (watch now)
This is a battle between the top two teams in the National League, with the winner of the series earning a trip to the World Series. The Brewers held the better record during the regular season and were a perfect 6-0 against Los Angeles, but in the postseason, the slates are wiped clean.
The Dodgers were not healthy for much of the year, but they are now as close to full strength as possible. Their starting pitching has been the catalyst for them during the first two rounds of the playoffs, as Blake Snell (who gets the start tonight), Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow have formed a dynamic starting rotation.
Milwaukee will try to ride the momentum of its Game 5 NLDS win over the Cubs into this series. They had to exhaust many of their top pitching resources to advance, making their plan for Game 1 up in the air. If their bats get going early, they might be more inclined to use some of their better pitchers out of the bullpen.
This is a fantastic MLB matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
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You can catch the MLB Postseason all October long with subscriptions to either of these streaming services.
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ALCS: Mariners homer their way past Blue Jays for 2-0 series lead
By IAN HARRISON The Associated Press
TORONTO — With another triumph in Toronto, the surging Seattle Mariners moved two wins away from the team’s first World Series.
Jorge Polanco and Julio Rodríguez hit three-run homers, Josh Naylor added a two-run drive and the Mariners took a 2-0 lead in the American League Championship Series by routing the Blue Jays, 10-3, on Monday.
Seattle, the only major league team never to host a World Series game, headed home for Wednesday’s Game 3 halfway to clinching this best-of-seven series and ending a drought for a team that started play in 1977.
“We’re super excited to get back home,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “We know what that atmosphere is going to be like.”
Toronto had just six hits, only one after the second inning, and had eight hits combined in the first two games. Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was 0 for 3 with a walk Monday and is hitless in the series.
“Slug hasn’t been there for us, has been there for them,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said.
Rodríguez homered for a 3-0 lead three batters in against rookie Trey Yesavage, a 22-year-old making just his fifth major-league start.
Nathan Lukes and Alejandro Kirk had RBI singles in the bottom half off Logan Gilbert, and Lukes’ run-scoring single tied the score in the second.
Polanco’s three-run homer off Louis Varland put Seattle back ahead 6-3 in the fifth.
“To get the three-run homer was a huge turnaround for us,” Wilson said.
Schneider blamed poor pitch location for Polanco’s pivotal homer.
“Didn’t execute up where we wanted to and paid the price,” he said.
J.P Crawford added an RBI single in the sixth and Naylor had a two-run homer in the seventh against Braydon Fisher.
Six of Polanco’s first seven hits this postseason drove in runs. He had the game-ending single in the 15th inning of Friday’s Division Series clincher against Detroit and went 2 for 4 with two RBIs in Seattle’s series-opening 3-1 win against Toronto.
“He’s come up in situations where we’ve had guys on, and he’s been able to do the job and drive them in,” Wilson said. “That’s what this game is all about.”
Polanco’s two previous home runs this October both came off Detroit’s Tarik Skubal, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner.
The roof was open on a breezy 62-degree day on the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday, but the sellout crowd of 44,814 had little to celebrate.
Seattle’s bullpen has combined for nine scoreless innings in the series, allowing just one hit. Winner Eduard Bazardo, Carlos Vargas and Emerson Hancock each pitched two innings.
Going back to the ALDS, Mariners relievers have thrown 18 consecutive shutout innings.
“Just an outstanding job again tonight from the bullpen,” Wilson said. “You can’t ask for more than that and these guys really delivered.”
Naylor, born in Mississauga, Ontario, fouled a ball off his right foot in the first inning and looked uncomfortable in the batter’s box in the fifth, prompting Wilson to come out and check on him. With Miles Mastrobuoni getting ready to come into the game, Naylor convinced Wilson to leave him in and homered in the seventh.
Naylor finished 3 for 5 with two RBIs.
“I was very thankful to get some hits, help the team out,” Naylor said. “Super cool to do it in front of my family, too. Very blessed to have them all here, all my friends. It was a really cool moment for them.”
Yesavage, who took the loss, gave up three runs and four hits in four-plus innings. He set a Blue Jays postseason record by striking out 11 Yankees in 5⅓ hitless innings in ALDS Game 2 but had two swings and misses on his splitter Monday, down from 11 against New York.
“I thought his stuff was pretty similar,” Schneider said. “Had the three strikeouts but wasn’t getting as much swing-and-miss. That was the biggest thing.”
UP NEXT
Mariners right-hander George Kirby is expected to start against Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber, the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner from Laguna Hills High, in Game 3. Kirby struck out six and allowed one run and three hits in five innings Game 5 of the Division Series . He doesn’t have a decision in two postseason starts. Bieber gave up three runs, two earned, and five hits in 2⅔ innings in Game 3 against the New York Yankees.
MLB All-Star Sandy Alomar Sr. dead at 81 after playing, coaching career
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Ex-MLB All-Star Sandy Alomar Sr., who spent 15 seasons playing in the league while also coaching and managing the Puerto Rican national team, has died at 81.
Alomar played for six teams during his MLB tenure, and many of them, including the New York Yankees, mourned the loss of one of their own.
The Brewers turned a Dodgers grand slam into a double play in one wild NLCS sequence
Nothing about the Milwaukee Brewers’ ascent to a National League powerhouse this season has felt normal, so it’s fitting they benefitted from one of the wildest plays of the 2025 MLB Playoffs in Game 1 of their NLCS series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers had the bases loaded with one out in the top of the fourth when Max Muncy came to the plate. Muncy drove a pitch from Quinn Priester deep into centerfield, and it looked like it was about to go over the wall. Milwaukee’s Sal Frelick tracked the ball to the wall, got a glove on it …. but the ball popped out of his glove, off the wall, and back into his glove. Frelick then threw home, where LA’s runners were scrambling to get back and tag up. The relay throw beat the runner home for the force out, and then catcher Willson Contreras ran over to third to get the third out of the inning.
The Dodgers thought Frelick caught it, and Teoscar Hernández tried to tag from third to home. The ball hit the wall, so it wasn’t a catch. The throw beat Hernandez home for the force out, and then the runners needed to advance but didn’t, so Milwaukee was able to get the force out at third as well.
The Dodgers were so close to a grand slam, and instead it turned into an inning-ending double play. There’s nothing like playoff baseball.
MLB playoff takeaways: Dodgers’ Blake Snell dominates in Game 1
The 2025 MLB playoffs have reached the Championship Series, with both games unfolding on Monday. The Seattle Mariners trounced the Toronto Blue Jays 10–3, taking a 2–0 lead in the ALCS. The Los Angeles Dodgers held off a late ninth-inning rally to outlast the Milwaukee Brewers 2–1, grabbing a 1–0 lead in the NLCS.
Here are key takeaways from Monday’s games:
Jorge Polanco stays hot to lift Mariners to a 2-0 ALCS lead
Polanco delivered another standout performance in the Mariners’ 10–3 win over the Blue Jays, leading Seattle to its 2–0 series lead.
He went 2-for-4 at the plate, highlighted by a three-run home run in the fifth inning that broke a 3–3 tie. With the homer, he became the first player in MLB history to record a go-ahead hit in the fifth inning or later in three consecutive postseason games, per Stats Perform.
Polanco’s bat has been scorching throughout October — he’s driven in six runs across the first two games of the series, with six of his first seven hits resulting in an RBI.
With the next three games being played in Seattle, the Mariners are now just two wins away from punching their ticket to the franchise’s first-ever World Series.
Blake Snell dominates for the Dodgers to take Game 1
Snell delivered a near-perfect outing in Game 1, leading the Dodgers to a 2–1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers to take a 1–0 series lead.
Snell faced the minimum number of batters through eight innings — the first pitcher to do so in a postseason game since Don Larsen’s perfect game in 1956, per Stats Perform. He also extended his record-setting streak to five consecutive playoff wins with more strikeouts than innings pitched, the longest streak in MLB postseason history.
NPB’s Yomiuri Giants Interested in Yankees’ Minor League Pitcher
According to a report from Yahoo Sports Japan, the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball have interest in signing right-handed Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda.
Maeda, 37, is a Major League Baseball veteran of nine years and ended the 2025 season with the New York Yankees‘ Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders. He was designated for assignment by the Detroit Tigers in early May after posting a 7.88 ERA in seven appearances.
In August, Maeda announced he had an interest in returning to Japan, where he played the first eight years of his career with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
Kenta Maeda Was an Ace in Japan
The best pitcher in a given NPB season receives the Eiji Sawamura Award, and Maeda took home the trophy in 2010 and 2015 with the Carp. In 2015, the year before he signed an eight-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he led the Central League in wins with 15 and had a 2.09 ERA in 29 starts.
Maeda won the NPB Pitching Triple Crown in 2010 and was a five-time All-Star. All of his success in Japan led him to a starting gig with the Dodgers. After four seasons with Los Angeles, an offseason trade sent him to the Minnesota Twins. Since then, his performance on the mound has taken a downward spiral.
“The veteran’s decision to leave MLB behind isn’t exactly a surprise given how difficult the past two seasons have been for him. After he struggled to a 6.09 ERA in 112 1/3 innings of work with the Tigers in 2024, he failed to make the club’s rotation out of spring training and opened the season as a long relief option out of the bullpen,” Nick Deeds of MLB Trade Rumors wrote Sunday.
“He ultimately wound up making just seven appearances, however, and allowed eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits, six walks, a home run, and three hit batsmen while striking out eight across eight innings of work. He was ultimately released in early May, bringing the two-year, $24M contract between the sides to a disappointing end.”
Is Kenta Maeda’s time in MLB over?
Furthermore, Maeda made his intentions clear in August that he would like to pitch in NPB again. If he decides to stay in the United States, he would likely have to accept a minor league deal and hope to make the club out of spring training.
“Weak as Maeda’s results at the big league level have been over the past two years, one shouldn’t forget that he was a quality starter for several years for the Dodgers and Twins after making his big league debut back in 2016,” wrote Deeds. “Through the end of his age-35 campaign in 2023, Maeda had posted a career 3.92 ERA and 3.74 FIP in 866 1/3 regular-season innings in the majors to go along with a strong postseason resume that saw him pitch to a 3.24 ERA and strike out 26.8% of his opponents in 41 2/3 playoff innings.”
MLB playoffs winners and losers from ALCS-NLCS doubleheader
We’re still a way off from a World Series matchup. But it’s starting to come into view, just a bit.
In a frenetic few hours, Game 2 of the American League Championship Series and Game 1 of its National League counterpart unfolded, revealing more and more about the four teams still vying for a spot in the Fall Classic.
With that, USA TODAY Sports breaks down the winners and losers from a wild day of playoff developments:
Winners
Blake Snell
Beyond joining folks like Sandy Koufax and Don Larsen in postseason lore, perhaps the most remarkable thing about Blake Snell in NLCS Game 1 was just how unbothered he was.
Was the man’s heart rate even measurable? Did he exult, even a little, after any of his 10 strikeouts? Was he nervous watching the bullpen nearly unravel his eight near-perfect innings as he sipped on his purple drink of electrolytes in the dugout?
Snell became the first pitcher since Don Larsen’s World Series perfect game in 1956 to face the minimum 24 batters through eight innings of a postseason game, Caleb Durbin’s scratch hit immediately erased when Snell picked him off first. And he joined Koufax and Clayton Kershaw as the only Dodgers with a 10-strikeout game in a scoreless postseason start.
Had Rōki Sasaki and Blake Treinen conspired to blow this masterpiece in the bottom of the ninth, the discourse would have been wild: Dave Roberts questioned for yanking Snell after 102 pitches, the wound from Snell’s early hook – against the Dodgers no less – in Game 5 of the 2020 World Series reopened.
Instead, the Dodgers held on and Snell’s masterpiece had no smudges.
Jorge Polanco
If we had our way and a Conn Smythe Trophy was awarded for baseball’s ever-expanding playoffs, Polanco would be firmly entrenched in the favorite’s role.
What an eight-day run: A two-homer game off Tarik Skubal, a walk-off, ALDS-ending 15th-inning RBI single, a go-ahead hit in Game 1 of the ALCS and then the go-ahead, three-run homer in Game 2 that sent Seattle home with a real chance to win its first pennant.
His postseason tote board so far: Eight hits, 11 RBIs and a folk hero status for life, probably, for a team that declined his option one year ago yet brought him back. Good thing.
The Mariners bullpen
They coughed up Game 4 of the ALDS – and have been essentially unhittable since. These fellows – with help from a couple of starters making cameos – covered 10 innings, giving up just one run, in the 15-inning ALDS Game 5 epic.
And in the ALCS? Through two games: Nine innings, one hit, no runs, four strikeouts, four walks.
Bryan Woo
Remember this guy? Best pitcher on the Mariners? Well, an ill-timed pectoral strain kept him out of the ALDS, but his mates rallied to extend the season. The Mariners put him on the ALCS roster, scheduled a bullpen session and held their breath that they might not need him for a minute.
Now, they have a 2-0 lead and can safely slot Woo into a Game 5, if necessary. Or get him into a game at his leisure, ideally in a low stress environment that shakes the cobwebs so he can steer fully into a potential World Series start.
Losers
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
After pulverizing Yankees pitching in their ALDS, Guerrero seemed destined for an October star turn. Instead, he’s hitless in his first seven ALCS at-bats and the Blue Jays are starving for offense.
Certainly, it can turn in a hurry for sluggers like Vladdy, and the Blue Jays typically play well at T-Mobile Park, though we’ll see how many fans straggle down from British Columbia with playoff ticket demand as it is.
John Schneider
Been a rough couple games for the Toronto manager, who didn’t give ace Kevin Gausman the chance to finish the sixth inning after he was stellar up to that point in Game 1. A reliever allowed the go-ahead run to score, and the Blue Jays have been down since.
A night later, with phenom Trey Yesavage’s velocity down a bit, Schneider decided to let him go out for the fifth. Two batters later, it was first-and-second, nobody out, Louis Varland trying to punch out of the mess and Polanco dinged him for the pivotal three-run homer.
The decisions won’t get any easier as the series winds on, with Shane Bieber likely to create a similar early- or middle-innings conundrum in Game 3, and a potential bullpen fest in Game 4.
Thanksgiving, Canada-style
Those Canadians are on to something: If you drop Thanksgiving in early October, it gives the holiday the run it deserves, and we’re not exposed to Halloween candy on store shelves by August.
Yet this Canadian Thanksgiving fell on the high holy day of ALCS Game 2 – and it was ruined in part by a native son. Josh Naylor, hailing from Mississauga, about 25 kilometres from Rogers Centre, put Game 2 out of reach with a sky-high two-run home run to right field.
Naylor has been an absolute godsend for the Mariners since coming over in trade from Arizona, stealing bases and hitting bombs and largely providing stout defense and veteran leadership. Just don’t expect them to save him any turkey legs up north this year.
Tagging up
If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a few thousand times: “Tag! Tag! Tag!”
That’s the siren call of the third base coach, and it’s almost always wise to heed it. Yet Teoscar Hernández got stuck in no man’s land by one of the strangest plays in baseball history, one that likely left third base coach Dino Ebel singing a different tune.
“Run! Run! Run!”
Hernández was on third when a bases-loaded fly ball was seemingly hauled in by Brewers center fielder Sal Frelick. Yet the ball popped out of his glove enough that Hernández saw that flash of white, stopped his run home, went back to the bag and finally began his journey of 90 feet toward home.
Alas, the ball was never caught, as it grazed the wall between Frelick bobbles, making it a force play at home. And somehow, the Brewers made 8-6-2 from about 400 feet away a reality, Hernández sliding in just late as William Contreras recognized the situation and stretched like a first baseman to ensure the out.
As a little treat, the Brewers got a double play out of it thanks to the confusion on the basepaths. And the rest of us were reminded of an oft-forgotten provision about tagging up: The runner can leave as soon as the defense touches the ball, not when the catch is completed.
Hey, this isn’t the NFL.
Patrick Mahomes, George Pickens, Maxx Crosby Lead Top 10 Performers of NFL Week 6
Last week, this list was dominated by quarterbacks. Three guys made the cut, and it could’ve been more, but I wanted to have some diversity among the position groups. This week, though, it was the running backs, receivers and defenders who stood out.
There were a ton of great individual performances this week, and it was very hard to narrow this list down to 10, but I did my best. Here are the top 10 performers from Week 6 of the NFL season.
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Cam Skattebo, RB, New York Giants
Kicking off our top 10 performers of Week 6 is none other than Cam Skattebo. The New York Giants rookie running back had a massive game against NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, rushing for 98 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries (5.2 yards per carry).
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If you include Skattebo’s 12 receiving yards, it was his second career 100-yard game, the other coming in Week 3 when he had 60 rushing and 61 receiving yards.
The 23-year-old went off on Thursday night, and was a big reason the Giants were able to upset the Eagles.
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Stat Line: 19 carries, 98 yards, 2 receptions, 12 receiving yards, 3 TD
Brian Burns, DE, New York Giants
Another Giant who had a big game on Thursday Night Football was Brian Burns. The Giants star defensive end got after Jalen Hurts all night, sacking him twice, but he also played a big role in the run game, recording two tackles for loss and four run stops. He helped the Giants’ defense shut Hurt and Saquon Barkley down all night long, and was a big reason they won this game.
Stat Line: 2 sacks, 3 TFL, 4 Run Stops
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is going to find himself on this list plenty of times this year if he keeps playing the way he has through six weeks. He is on pace to lead the league in receiving yards after today’s games are over, and I think it’s time we start talking about him as one of the best receivers in the league.
On Sunday, Smith-Njigba caught seven passes for 150 yards and a touchdown in the Seattle Seahawks‘ win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. At one point in the second quarter, JSN had all 117 of the Seahawks’ receiving yards. He’s been nothing short of amazing this year.
Stat Line: 7 receptions, 150 yards, TD
Rico Dowdle, RB, Carolina Panthers
Another guy who makes his second consecutive appearance on this list is Rico Dowdle, who torched the Dallas Cowboys‘ defense on Sunday. With Chuba Hubbard out for the second straight week, Dowdle got the start against his former team and totaled 249 yards and a touchdown. This came just a week after he ran for 206 yards the week prior.
I know he hasn’t done it against the best competition, but you don’t stumble upon back-to-back 200-yard games. There’s going to be a running back controversy in Carolina once Hubbard is healthy.
Stat Line: 30 carries, 183 yards, 4 receptions, 56 receiving yards, TD
George Pickens, WR, Dallas Cowboys
With CeeDee Lamb still out, George Pickens continues to shine as Dallas’ WR1. Coming into the game, Pickens had 23 receptions for 357 yards and five touchdowns. He’s been a deep ball threat for the Cowboys, and it feels like every time they need him in the red zone, he’s come through.
Sunday was no exception. Pickens went off, catching nine passes for 168 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys’ loss to the Carolina Panthers. Unfortunately, since the Cowboys lost, this performance will fly under the radar, but it was another big day for Pickens.
Stat Line: 9 receptions, 168 yards, TD
De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins upset the Los Angeles Chargers in the early window, and that was largely due to their star running back De’Von Achane.
The 24-year-old has been one of the few bright spots on the Dolphins this season, but today was his best performance yet. Achane carried the ball 16 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns while adding another 22 yards through the air. He had his way with the Chargers’ defense, which provided no resistance to anything the Dolphins did all day long.
Despite the Dolphins’ struggles this year, Achane has consistently been one of the top running backs week after week.
Stat Line: 16 carries, 128 yards, 4 catches, 22 receiving yards, 2 TD
Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots
Drake Maye is the first quarterback to make our list this week. The New England Patriots’ QB1 had himself a day against the New Orleans Saints, throwing for 261 yards and three touchdowns in the win. If you watched the game, though, you know it could’ve been a lot more.
Maye had over 70 yards and a touchdown called back because of offensive pass interference, both of which were suspect calls. He easily could’ve had 350+ yards and four touchdowns on Sunday, but even with those penalties and negated yards, he put up one of the best stat lines of the day.
Stat Line: 18-for-26, 261 yards, 3 TD
Maxx Crosby, DE, Las Vegas Raiders
I’m sure not many of you watched the Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders duke it out on Sunday afternoon (and if you did, you’re a sicko), but if you did, you certainly felt Maxx Crosby’s presence.
The Raiders’ star defensive end was all over the Titans’ backfield on Sunday, racking up two sacks, two tackles for loss and three QB hits. I don’t have the exact pressure numbers yet, but it felt like every time Cam Ward dropped back to pass, Crosby was in his face.
Stat Line: 3 QB hits, 2 sacks, 2 TFL
Jalen Ramsey, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s not often that a cornerback will make this list for his sack total, but here we are. The Pittsburgh Steelers used Jalen Ramsey in a plethora of different ways on Sunday. Not only was he lockdown in coverage, but he was blitzing, and having success doing so, finishing with two sacks.
The Steelers haven’t sent Ramsey on a lot of blitzes this year, but maybe this is a sign to keep doing so. It helped that he came off the blindside of the left-handed Dillon Gabriel, but still, two sacks for a corner is impressive.
Stat Line: 6 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 TFL, 2 QB hits
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes has been playing at an MVP level, but because the Chiefs lost three of their first five games, not many people have been talking about it. Coming into tonight, Mahomes had 1,257 passing yards and eight passing touchdowns, along with 190 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Tonight, he maintained that MVP pace and became the second quarterback to make our top 10 list.
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Mahomes was in full command of the Chiefs’ offense on Sunday night, completing 22 of his 30 attempts for 257 yards and three touchdowns while adding 31 yards and a score on the ground. The Chiefs defense played their part, and Mahomes thanked them with his best game of the season.
What the NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings look like after Las Vegas
Denny Hamlin won Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, clinching a berth in the Championship 4. Here’s what the Cup Series playoff grid looks like after the first race of the Round of 8.
What playoff standings look like after Las Vegas
1. Denny Hamlin (win)
Hamlin and the No. 11 team can spend the next two weeks preparing for Phoenix. The veteran driver won’t have anything to worry about at Talladega or Martinsville with his playoff fate secured for the time being.
2. Kyle Larson (+35)
Larson won Stage 2 at LVMS on Sunday and has a solid points cushion headed to Talladega, where it may come in very handy.
3. Christopher Bell (+20)
Bell didn’t get the win he so badly wanted, but he finished third and has two stages’ worth of a gap to the cut line.
4. Chase Briscoe (+15)
All things considered, being above the cut line — especially by double digits — is a great spot to be in for Briscoe, who finished fourth.
5. William Byron (-15)
Byron is now below the cut line by double digits after he was involved in a bizarre late-race incident with Ty Dillon.
6. Chase Elliott (-23)
A pit road mistake from Elliott during the race’s middle stages put the 2020 champion behind the eight ball. Elliott finished 18th and needs a big day at Talladega.
7. Joey Logano (-24)
Despite a strong sixth-place effort, Logano is still in need of a pair of very strong races if he is to get back to the Championship 4.
8. Ryan Blaney (-31)
NASCAR Fans Weigh In on Balancing Racing and Football Seasons Amid Declining Playoff Viewership
The 2025 Charlotte Roval had everything NASCAR fans could ask for. Chaos, comebacks, and championship heartbreaks. Shane van Gisbergen scored his fifth win of the season after surviving a wild, fender-banging showdown that left even veteran fans holding their breath. Joey Logano barely snuck into the Round of 8 thanks to a late-race pileup involving Ross Chastain and Denny Hamlin, while tire strategies and door-to-door battles kept the tension sky-high.
On paper, it was the kind of race that should’ve lit up TV screens across the country. But surprisingly, the Roval numbers told a different story. Viewership dropped by nearly a third compared to last year. 2025 drew in 1.544 million fans while 2024 had delivered 2.419. With ratings slipping during one of NASCAR’s most thrilling playoff races, fans have started raising an important question that goes beyond tire compounds and stage wins.
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NASCAR ratings slide continues even in playoff season
NASCAR has struggled with declining TV ratings in recent years, and the trend has only worsened during the 2025 season. Overall, average viewership for Cup races is down 15-17%, with this year’s race average slipping to about 2.45 million viewers compared to nearly 3 million in 2024. While declines in regular-season numbers are concerning, the more alarming drop is happening mid-playoffs—a time traditionally expected to draw bigger audiences as championship drama ramps up.
Playoff races in 2025 average just 1.54 million viewers, a steep 29% fall from last year’s 2.17 million. Key events like the Charlotte Roval drew just 1.54 million viewers (down from 2.4 million), and New Hampshire dipped to 1.29 million, a full 31% drop year-over-year.
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Multiple factors play a role, but one persistent narrative is NASCAR’s direct competition with the NFL. The NFL season dominates US television from September through winter—every Sunday and Monday, where high-profile pro football games take the spotlight, including marquee matchups and flexible scheduling across networks like NBC, CBS, FOX, and ESPN.
With massive ratings (sometimes triple or quadruple NASCAR’s), football reliably draws attention away from racing, especially during crucial playoff weekends in October and November. This disconnect between playoff expectations and ratings has not escaped fans.
On Reddit, one user recently asked, “Does NASCAR take a back seat during football season?” The replies highlight just how layered the viewership conversation has become. The next section will explore those responses and what fans see as the path forward.
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Fans weigh in on viewership decline debate
Fan reactions to NASCAR’s viewership decline, especially during the NFL season, reveal a range of perspectives rooted in regional interests, technology, and sports loyalty. One Reddit user quipped, “For some, yeah, I don’t really get into football until the playoffs so Nascar is wrapped up by then.”
Indeed, the NASCAR Cup season typically ends at Phoenix in the first week of November, while the NFL regular season runs September through late December and the playoffs stretch into mid-January. That way, fans are lucky to finish the NASCAR season and then jump into the NFL.
Others pointed out, “For die-hard fans, no. For the masses, absolutely. The TV ratings for NASCAR plummet once the NFL season kicks off.” Recent stats show NASCAR playoff ratings dropping by 29% year-over-year. However, loyal fans still tune in to watch every NASCAR playoff race, even sacrificing headline NFL matchups for their favorite drivers.
Another response: “I mean yeah for some people but at the same time it is 2025 so watching both via flipping through the channels or multiview or watching on multiple devices is a lot easier now so i gotta imagine racing and football are able to still watch both.”
Streaming services and cable apps allow viewers to watch races and games side-by-side on phones, tablets, or smart TVs. Thus, people who want to tune in to the action of both concurrent sports can do so easily without any sacrifices.
A fourth fan explained, “College football is the priority for me on Saturdays, but NASCAR is the priority for me on Sundays. So other than the Bristol night race, it normally works out that Xfinity/Trucks take a back seat but Cup doesn’t.” This comment highlights how scheduling quirks impact viewing habits.
NASCAR Cup Series playoff races are typically held on Sunday afternoons, whereas the NFL Sunday games are lined up for afternoon, late afternoon, and late evening slots. Thus, viewers can easily choose to watch an NFL game, depending on the schedule and teams that are playing, without sacrificing their favorite NASCAR races.
Still, not everyone’s convinced by NASCAR’s playoff format, which can be a reason for a decline in viewership. “Yes, for me. There are 36 race weekends, but only half as many NFL Sundays… and the Chase/Playoffs have never really interested me anyway.”
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The NASCAR playoff format has received backlash since its inception, with many arguing that the format is unfair. A single race can decide the champion, often ignoring season-long consistency and rewarding luck rather than overall excellence.
With shifting schedules, streaming options, and playoff fatigue all in play, fans continue debating whether football truly overshadows NASCAR. But the question arises: what can NASCAR do to recapture broader support going forward?
NASCAR playoffs at Las Vegas results: Denny Hamlin makes the Championship 4 with his 60th Cup Series win
At the end of a charge from third to first in the closing laps, Denny Hamlin drove away to a milestone victory that may serve as one of the most important of his entire career, winning the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to earn his sixth win of the 2025 season and the 60th win of his Cup Series career. Hamlin’s 60th win ties him with Kevin Harvick for 10th on NASCAR’s all-time wins list, and it also secures him a spot in the Championship 4, ensuring him the opportunity to race for the Cup title that has long eluded him in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway.
Sunday’s race, and the complexion of the championship picture, swung dramatically in a sequence of events that began with 32 laps to go. Only a few laps after losing the lead to Kyle Larson on a bobble in turns 1 and 2, William Byron was running second and trying to run Larson back down for the lead, only to be caught completely unaware of the lapped car of Ty Dillon peeling off to come to pit road in front of him. Byron ended up slamming into the back of DIllon’s car at nearly full speed, taking him out in a grinding crash and bringing out the caution.
NASCAR playoffs 2025 race schedule, results: Complete list of Cup Series race dates, winners, tracks
Steven Taranto
Two playoff drivers, Chase Briscoe and Joey Logano, elected to gamble on the ensuing round of pit stops by taking two tires, and a multi-car crash on the restart helped their gambit by creating just a 14-lap run to the finish. But the four tires that Hamlin took would eventually win out: After taking second at the end of several laps battling with Kyle Larson, Hamlin quickly drove down Briscoe and powered around his outside with four laps to go, driving away to earn a win with many different layers to it.
Normally a driver who relishes the role of heel and instigator, Hamlin was noticeably emotional over his team radio and then on the frontstretch after the checkered flag. Emotion which came out, in part, given that his father Dennis has been ill.
Hamlin siezes emotional 60th Cup Series win at LVMS to advance into Championship 4
Denny Hamlin scored an emotional victory and claimed a significant career milestone with a dramatic win in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series’ South Point 400 Playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Hamlin passed two cars in the final 10 laps, ultimately taking the lead from his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe with four laps remaining then holding off the day’s most dominant driver Kyle Larson by 1.533s to claim his series’ best sixth win of the season and 60th win of his career.
The win secures the first of four positions in the Nov. 2 Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway – landing Hamlin his first title shot since 2021.
Hamlin was notably moved in the moments after climbing out of his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Instead of the typical playful banter the veteran normally delivers to the crowd after a win, the 44-year-old Virginian spoke more solemnly, mentioning his father Dennis, who has been ill.
“This win means a lot. This is the point where I kind of give the fans some [grief] but not today. I appreciate you all so much,
Hamlin Earns Emotional Victory at Las Vegas
After a wild Stage 3 with several cautions and multiple-car wrecks, NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin took the checkered flag at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The victory was monumental for the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota driver for several reasons. It was his 60th career win, tying him with Kevin Harvick on the all-time list, his sixth of the season and it he once again rolls his way into the Championship Four.
This One is for Dad
Hamlin broke down during his Victory Lane interview sharing “this one was for his dad,” who is battling health problems. After starting on the pole, the JGR driver led only twice for eight laps, doing so for the final four to earn the win.
“This one really means a lot,” Hamlin said at the Start/Finish Line. “This is the part where I usually give the fans some sh#t, but not today. I appreciate all of you so much.”
As he wiped tears from his eyes, the usual boos from the crowed turned to cheers. He was also visibly emotional during the cool down lap as the team radioed him saying “we know this one is for your dad.”
“Obviously, I want to say hi to my dad and family back at home,” he continued. “I was hoping we were going to get win No. 60, but I didn’t think we were. I just put the pedal down on those last 10 laps and made it happen.
“Chris (Gayle, crew chief) did an amazing job on that final stop to get the car just right and I just held it down. That’s all I could do, just go for it. I felt like I had nothing to lose.
“We’ve punched our ticket now, and it just feels great. I’m super proud of this team for making the adjustments they did and the pit crew for doing a great job. In those last 15 laps, I didn’t think we were going to win but I knew I was going to give it all I had.”
Playoff Contenders Come Close, Others Crash Out
During the final Stage 3, it looked the race could have been won by Playoff contenders William Byron, Chase Briscoe, Kyle Larson or Joey Logano.
Briscoe was leading in his No. 19 Toyota before getting passed by his JGR teammate of Hamlin with nine laps to go. After that happened, Briscoe had to battle with former champion and Las Vegas winner Kyle Larson. Then, it was fellow Playoff contender and JGR teammate Christopher Bell in the No. 20 who got by to finish third as Briscoe took fourth.
Larson led four times for a race high 129 laps.
“I thought we did everything that we could do,” Larson said. “The Toyota’s were really fast for the short run there. I saw the No. 11 (Hamlin) line up behind me and I knew he’d be difficult to hold off. If any one of the Toyota’s got clear and could get rolling, I knew it would be tough.
“He did a great job, though. He still had to make the right moves, which he did. I felt like I was doing all I could to stay in front of him, while also trying to track down the No. 19 (Chase Briscoe).”
William Byron had a stout day going in his No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. After starting fifth, he led four times for 55 laps. However, his bid for a good finish came to an end on lap 237.
As he was coming through Turns 3&4, he didn’t see the No. 10 of Ty Dillon that had slowed down to hit pit road. Byron was also running low and plowed into the back of Dillon ending his race with heavy damage in 36th place.
“Yeah, I never saw him (Ty Dillon) wave,” Byron said. “I didn’t see any indication that he was pitting. It was probably 12 to 15 laps after we had pitted, so I thought the cycle was fully over. Nobody said anything to my spotter, from what I know. I had zero idea
“With as good as we were and as good as the race was going, for random things like that to happen, it just sucks. I can’t believe it.
“Obviously I would never do that. During the cycle, you’re anticipating guys pitting. It just sucks.”
NASCAR South Point 400 takeaways: Denny Hamlin surges late to lock up Championship 4 berth
After a couple of late cautions, pole sitter Denny Hamlin made the winning move around Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe with four laps to go to win at Las Vegas and secure his spot in the Championship 4 at Phoenix in three weeks.
Here are three takeaways from the Round of 8 opener in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs:
Denny Hamlin notches milestone win at Las Vegas
Some two-tire calls gave Briscoe and Joey Logano the track position after the race’s final caution with 28 laps to go, but Hamlin utilized his four fresh tires to run them down and win his 60th Cup Series race to tie him with Kevin Harvick for 10th-most all-time.
Hamlin dedicated his series-leading sixth win of the season to his father, who has been battling some health issues. He was solid the entire race despite only leading nine laps, but it looked like the win would go through the Hendrick Motorsports duo of William Byron and Kyle Larson, who combined to lead 154 of the 267 laps.
A few late restarts were all that Hamlin needed, though, to insert himself back into the picture and take the pressure off his shoulders for the next two weeks while the rest of the drivers fight for the other three positions that await at Phoenix.
William Byron’s strong day ends in disaster
It was no secret coming into the Round of 8 that Byron’s playoff run up to this point had been disappointing. The regular-season champion only had a pair of top-10s in the last six races and zero laps led, but claimed the Stage 1 win, paced the field for 55 laps and appeared to be on his way to a long overdue win at LVMS.
That was not meant to be, however, after Byron ran into the back of Ty Dillon at full speed with 31 laps remaining as Dillon tried to make his way to pit road. Byron had just lost the lead to Larson five laps earlier, but scored 18 stage points and was in an excellent position to come out of
Joey Logano Points Fingers at Rick Hendrick’s NASCAR Driver for Robbing His Vegas Push
Team Penske donned a formidable look for the Round of 8 playoff opener. After the Toyotas dominated the Round of 16, the Ford drivers of Penske made a spectacle in the Round of 12. Ryan Blaney won the New Hampshire race, while Joey Logano dramatically ousted Ross Chastain to clinch the final playoff spot at the Charlotte Roval. What is more, Logano is the defending winner at Las Vegas, a track where Penske racers are renowned.
However, things did not go according to Roger Penske’s plan. Penske’s rivals – Rick Hendrick and Joe Gibbs – were in equally hot forms in Las Vegas. Although a collaboration between OEMs is not a possibility, an unexpected move saw Hendrick’s driver favoring one rival OEM over another.
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Joey Logano boils down to the turning point
Well, the South Point 400 focused a lot of the spotlight on Joey Logano. The No. 22 Ford driver started from the 9th position. However, Logano’s four victories, 8 top fives, and 16 top tens made fans believe that the Team Penske driver would be a formidable presence. Remember the 2024 playoffs? Alex Bowman’s shock disqualification at the Roval vaulted Logano back into the playoffs, and then the latter won in Vegas en route to his third title. This time, however, Bowman did not make things easy for Penske’s champion.
After lingering around P9 and slipping into the top 15 in the first two stages, Joey Logano gained ground in the final stage. Within the final 20 laps, he climbed into the top five, running for some time. However, Alex Bowman made a decision with his lapped car, choosing to push a Toyota car. So Logano took shots at Rick Hendrick’s driver in the post-race interview: “(Alex Bowman) had an option of going three-wide or push (Briscoe). Dang it, he pushed (Briscoe). Kind of shoved him ahead to get distance into the corner and three and clear me. Put us in a bad spot.”
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Joey Logano had an average day, which was not expected from the defending South Point 400 winner. Besides blaming Alex Bowman’s moves, Logano observed some internal trouble as well: “We were good on the long haul, couldn’t quite get to cleaner air towards the front because our restarts weren’t good up in. At the start of the third stage, we lost balance on the car, got way loose, lost all our track position. Paul (Wolfe) made a great call again to put two on it, put us on the front row.”
Overall, the three-time Cup Series champion focused on the ultimate goal, a fourth title. All that matters to Joey Logano now is surviving until the Championship 4 round. He said, “Overall, a good battle, but not good enough. … I think it’s pretty clear what we got to do looking at the points. I mean, one spot’s already taken up. I think we’re 24 out. Yeah, it’s possible. You have to be pretty special the next two weeks without winning the race.”
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Meanwhile, Joey Logano’s teammate was in dire straits. After rocking the previous round, dark clouds are indeed hovering over Team Penske.
An unforeseen disaster
Like Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney heralded high hopes for Team Penske. The No. 12 Ford driver had clinched 6 top fives and 10 top tens earlier in Las Vegas. Moreover, he entered the race with 19 points above the cutline. However, disaster unfolded for the 2023 Cup Series champion on lap 72, shortly after the first stage. The left front tire of his No. 12 Ford blew up in Turn 3, sending his car into the wall. This marked Blaney’s eighth DNF of the 2025 season, but his first during the playoffs. The last time he failed to finish a race was at Sonoma Raceway in mid-July. “Nope, no warning,” Blaney said after the wreck.
Yet the good news for Joey Logano’s teammate is on the next tracks. Blaney has multiple wins at both Talladega Superspeedway (three) and Martinsville Speedway (two). So he said, “Maybe we can look forward to those — obviously, we have to look forward to them. Not the spot you want to be in. We actually got our car feeling decent there. Was looking forward to keep going, but never got it, so yeah, it’s pretty simple. We got to win one of the next two weeks. Hopefully, we can rebound and do it.”
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Clearly, Team Penske needs to step up to continue excelling in their championship push. Let’s wait and see what they can accomplish in the following weeks.
Christopher Bell Welcomes NASCAR’s 750 HP Move Despite Kyle Larson’s Warning
It is no secret that Kyle Larson’s reaction to NASCAR’s horsepower increase has left the racing world a bit stunned. “I would encourage everybody to temper their expectations; it’s not way different,” Larson said, downplaying the 80-HP boost on top of the current 670 hp. The 2021 cup series champion tested the change at Kershaw earlier this year and admitted he barely noticed it. And while Larson remains skeptical about its impact, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell sees it differently.
Interestingly, Larson wasn’t informed about the power boost beforehand and only realized it after the test. However, the No. 5 driver didn’t feel the difference, but he acknowledges that the adjustment is a step in the right direction, even though it is not a drastic overhaul. However, Bell is warming up to the idea of more horsepower under his hood.
Speaking in a media availability before the Las Vegas Round of 8 opener, he said, “ I mean, I’m super excited about it and I’m glad that you know NASCAR and the team that engine builders have taken a step in the right direction. I think it will it’s definitely going to play a role in the races. You know, we especially with the tires Goodyears have been Goodyear has been bringing.”
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And Bell is right in bringing up the tires. With this power boost, tire performance becomes a critical factor. Goodyear is actively developing new tire compounds to accommodate this increased power. For instance, during a recent tire test at Iowa Speedway, Goodyear introduced new left- and right-side tire compounds to handle the sustained load and equal challenges of the track.
These developments suggest that Goodyear is prepping to provide tires that can withstand the added stresses of higher horsepower, ensuring safety and performance on the track.
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The Joe Gibbs Racing driver added, ” You know, a couple years ago we were talking about the road courses, the cars were just locked down, and I can promise you last week at Charlotte Road Course, those things were anything but locked down. And you add us you give us more horsepower. It’s what we had last week. We’re going to, it’s going to be, you know, a big deal. So, I think it’s definitely a step in the right direction.”
But amid Larson’s warning to the NASCAR community to keep their expectations low, the No. 5 driver’s teammate, Chase Elliott, called it a “good effort” and said that he just wants to see what direction it takes the car.
And not every track will see more horsepower under its hood. The 750 hp is only reserved for certain road courses and oval tracks less than 1.5 miles. Five of the first eight races of the 2026 series are scheduled to use the new 750 hp package, and it’ll provide an early test for its performance and a glimpse at expanding on larger ovals.
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But as the #20 JGR driver rallies behind the 750 hp, Bell‘s mind is preoccupied with something far more serious amid the discussions of the recent race manipulations.
Last weekend, the community witnessed an incident that once again caught the attention of race officials: Denny Hamlin’s late pass on Ross Chastain at Charlotte. However, the 44-year-old’s admission that he may have acted differently if he had known what Joey Logano’s points situation may have been raised sirens for NASCAR, and Bell is well aware of the culprit.
Christopher Bell blames NASCAR’s playoff system for festering race manipulations
NASCAR recently put its foot down by stating that actions will be taken against teams that discuss playoff points or positions over the radio, as that can fall under race manipulation. This sparked a firestorm of debate among drivers, and Christopher Bell knows that it is all because of the current elimination-style playoff system that encourages race manipulation.
Speaking in a media availability on Saturday at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the 31-year-old said, ” I mean, it is. You know, I, but it’s a product of the format that we’re, you know, racing under right now. So, it’s been happening a lot longer than I think most people realize, and people are just, you know, finally starting to talk about it. Uh, but yeah, I think everything that happens, uh, is a product of the, you know, the format that we’re racing under.”
Bell, who has never been fond of the current playoff system and is backing the traditional full-season points format, is very clear that the need to advance into the next round is what is causing the problem.
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This elimination-style system, where drivers are cut off after each round based on points, has dialled up the pressure on teams by 100 to employ aggressive strategies to secure a spot to advance. This high-stakes scenario can lead to actions that will prioritize short-term gains over the integrity of the race, as many teams will be tempted to resort to tactics and manipulate outcomes to their benefit in the playoff positioning.
But with NASCAR being hopeful about the revised playoff system that is going to be announced after the showdown at Phoenix, the officials will definitely keep tabs on the teams
Kyle Larson Left Stunned as Denny Hamlin Pulls Off Rare Move to Steal Las Vegas Win
Kyle Larson rolled into Las Vegas sitting third in the playoff standings, carrying a solid resume in Next-Gen cars at this track. His average Vegas finish of 8.7 ranks third-best among current contenders. Larson’s weekend began with a sixth-place qualifying spot, putting him in a prime position for another top result at the venue. His Hendrick Motorsports crew approached the South Point 400 with confidence, knowing Larson’s Vegas adaptability and sharp tire management gave him every chance for a big points day.
As the pre-race buzz centered on playoff scenarios and Hamlin’s pole-winning performance, Larson fans and pundits alike speculated whether the No. 5 Chevy could translate statistical strength into a much-needed Round of 8 victory. Little did anyone know that this year’s Vegas race would demand more than numbers. Ultimately, it delivered a finish that would leave Larson both awestruck and agonizingly close to glory.
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Kyle Larson dominates, but falls short of a win
Kyle Larson delivered a strong performance at the South Point 400, finishing second after dominating much of the race. He was second in the first stage, won the second stage, and led a race-high 129 laps, showcasing his Next Gen car mastery on the Vegas oval. Larson was poised for victory, controlling the pace and holding off challengers for nearly two-thirds of the event.
However, Denny Hamlin’s late-race charge reshaped the outcome. Larson explained, “I thought I had a big enough gap down the backstretch to go to the top, get momentum. His car, the Toyotas in general, were really, really, really fast on a short run, had a lot of speed. He must have nailed the bottom behind me, got inside. It was over from there.”
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Hamlin executed a rare outside pass in turns three and four, a move Larson notes is unusual for Hamlin’s racing style. “I tried to take his line away in three and four. He got to my outside. Rarely do you see Denny do that. He did a great job. Hats off to them,” Larson reflected.
In NASCAR, “taking the line away” means strategically positioning your car to block or prevent a rival from using their preferred racing path through a corner. Drivers (including Hamlin) often run the inside line, which is typically the fastest and safest route around an oval track. Passing from the outside is less common and considered riskier because it requires carrying more speed on a less optimal line and exposes a driver to greater chances of losing grip or being pushed wide (and into the wall).
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When Hamlin executed a move from the outside in turns three and four to pass Larson, it caught him by surprise. It’s a high-risk, high-reward move that requires precise timing and confidence in car control.
Despite the tough loss, Larson praised his team’s overall effort. “Hats off to my team, too. We had an awesome day, as well. I think we were second maybe in the first stage, won the next stage, and second in the race. Good points day obviously.” The point haul moved Larson up to second in the playoff standings, positioning him virtually locked in for the Championship 4 race next month at Phoenix.
Though victory slipped away, Larson’s performance confirmed his elite status in the playoffs. Hamlin’s bold late move reminded everyone that in NASCAR, races aren’t won until the checkered flag waves. On the other hand, Larson and his team remain optimistic as they prepare for the next thrilling round at Talladega against tough competition.
Denny Hamlin’s emotional victory
Denny Hamlin’s drive to victory at the South Point 400 was a masterclass in late-race execution, marking his 60th career NASCAR Cup Series win and tying him with Kevin Harvick for the 10th most all-time victories. The win also locked Hamlin into the Championship 4 race at Phoenix, making it the first time for the JGR veteran in the Gen 7 car era.
Reflecting on his win, Hamlin said, “Definitely means a lot. This is the point where I usually give the fans some (grief) but not today. I appreciate all of you so much. I felt like I had nothing to lose. Just go for it, try to punch a ticket now. Man, this one feels great.”
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Hamlin’s path to victory wasn’t smooth; he battled through the field after briefly losing the lead due to a gear issue in Stage 1 itself. Yet, with just four laps remaining, Hamlin passed Chase Briscoe and Kyle Larson to seize the lead and the checkered flag. “Just super proud of this team for making the adjustments they did. Pit crew for doing a great job all day,” Hamlin thanked his team members.
Kyle Larson Concedes NASCAR Title To Denny Hamlin After Heartbreaking Vegas Loss
The South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was a nail-biter down to the wire. Around Lap 260, Chase Briscoe clung to a half-second lead over Kyle Larson, with Denny Hamlin charging hard on the outside. By Lap 263, Hamlin’s fresher tires powered him past Briscoe, snatching the lead with just four laps to go.
It was a gutsy move that locked Hamlin into the Championship 4, leaving Larson to settle for second, 1.533 seconds back, and Christopher Bell grabbing third after a late pass on Briscoe. The Vegas showdown reshaped the playoff picture, and Larson’s post-race words showed a driver who knows the title fight’s slipping away.
Kyle Larson hands Denny Hamlin the Edge
In the post-race presser, Kyle Larson didn’t mince words: “Yeah, I mean, I think you know the 12 had a bad day. The other 22 didn’t win. So right now, as long as the Team Penske car doesn’t win the next two races or I wouldn’t say that they’re not in must-win. But you know, obviously, we don’t want to see them win because they will be crazy fast at Phoenix.”
Larson’s sizing up the field like a chess master. Ryan Blaney’s early Vegas tire blowout, crashing out for a single point, tanked his title hopes, dropping him 34 points below the cutline. Joey Logano’s sixth kept him alive but 24 points back. Hamlin’s win, though, punched his Phoenix ticket, making him the man to beat.
“So if they don’t make it, then yeah, I think it’s wide open. I think the 11 is the only one guaranteed right now, so he would be the favorite, but you know, hopefully we can get in there because I do feel like you know,” Larson added.
He’s got a point. Hamlin’s Vegas masterclass, leading late and holding off Larson’s No. 5, makes JGR’s No. 11 the title favorite. Larson’s second-place finish, leading 129 laps, locked his own Championship 4 spot, but he’s giving props to Hamlin’s execution. The Hendrick driver knows Phoenix is JGR’s playground. Hamlin’s got three wins there and a 10.2 average finish.
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“That’s an area where we have closed the gap a lot with them and maybe surpassed JGR on our flat track program. You know Iowa as well. New Hampshire was good. Richmond was better than we typically are. So yeah, I think I think we’re getting better,” Larson said.
His confidence in Hendrick’s flat-track game and tracks like Vegas, Iowa, and Richmond shows his Vegas performance. Leading the most laps with killer long-run speed, Larson proved his No. 5 is peaking. But Hamlin’s late-race tire advantage and bold pass stole the show, leaving Larson to tip his cap to a rival who’s now the one to chase in Phoenix.
Larson’s Vegas loss ties straight into the chaos awaiting at Talladega, where he knows anything can happen.
Talladega’s wild card looms
“We’ll just try and go and execute like we have been this year at those places. Hopefully, we can have another good points day, and maybe Martinsville will be a little bit easier. I know right now it shows plus 35; somebody below the cut line wins. It’s a lot less. Playoff is crazy,” he said.
Sitting third with a 35-point cushion, Larson’s in decent shape, but Talladega’s a beast. His 21.0 average finish in 21 starts, with just three top-fives, screams volatility. A wreck could slash his buffer, especially if a desperate Blaney or Logano steals a win.
Larson’s banking on his team’s superspeedway gains in 2025. Hendrick’s draft game has levelled up, with strong runs at Daytona and Atlanta. But Talladega’s pack racing is a crapshoot; one bad move, and you’re collecting a single point like Blaney in Vegas.
Larson’s eyeing a clean run to set up Martinsville, where he’s golden: a 15.5 average finish, seven top-fives, and a 2023 win. “Hopefully, we can have another good points day,” he said, knowing a solid Talladega could make Martinsville his ticket to Phoenix.
The Vegas sting hurts, but Larson’s not out. Hamlin’s win puts him ahead, but Larson’s flat-track gains and playoff savvy keep him in the fight. Talladega’s wild card could flip the script. Blaney’s got to win, Logano’s clawing, and Larson’s just trying to survive the chaos.
If he can dodge the wrecks and bank points, Martinsville’s his shot to lock in and challenge Hamlin’s title grip. For now, Larson’s conceding the favorite’s role to the No. 11, but his eyes are on Phoenix, where he’s got one win and a hunger to even the score.
Kansas City Chiefs too much in Week 7 NFL game
KANSAS CITY, MO — The Detroit Lions couldn’t match a desperate Kansas City Chiefs team in Week 6 at Arrowhead Stadium, losing 30-17 on Sunday, Oct. 12.
At the end of the game, Lions safety Brian Branch shoved Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster in the head and the teams got into a short fight before referees and teammates separated everyone.
It was a Sunday Night Football matchup that was circled right from when the 2025 schedule was announced, a rematch of an epic 2023 Week 1 game that the Lions came out on top in. This time it was the Chiefs who emerged victorious, taking advantage of a beat-up Lions secondary to get back to .500 as the Lions fell to 4-2.
The Lions opened the game with an impressive drive that nearly lasted 10 minutes but ended with just three points because of a late call that took a Jared Goff touchdown catch off the board when he came in motion on a trick play and didn’t get set. After the penalty moved the Lions back 5 yards, the Lions ultimately decided to not go for it and settled for a field goal. The four points proved to be crucial for the game flow.
The Chiefs then responded with a good drive of their own, taking a 7-3 lead on an Xavier Worth touchdown, which was again met with a scoring drive from the Lions, this time finding the end zone on 22-yard catch from Jameson Williams, who had a big day. But that was when the Lions loss the momentum for a while.
Kansas City scored one more touchdown in the first half for a 13-10 lead at the break, and added to their lead with an eight-play, 81-yard opening drive in the third quarter for a 20-10 lead to fully take control.
The Lions finally showed some life again on offense with an 81-yard drive to make it a 20-17 game just a few seconds into the fourth quarter, but the Lions just couldn’t slow down the Chiefs offense pretty much all night and couldn’t hold serve on offense.
The Chiefs added two more scores to make it 30-17 and made the necessary plays to ice the game over the course of the fourth quarter.
Kansas City outgained the Lions by a wide margin, 354-297, as star quarterback Patrick Mahomes looked comfortable in an offense that suddenly is looking a lot more potent.
The schedule won’t get any easier from the Lions from here as Dan Campbell’s squad returns to Ford Field for Week 7 to host a red-hot Tampa Bay Buccaneers team on Monday Night Football.
This story will be updated.
Dak Prescott’s NFL Week 6 feat highlights Cowboys’ issues
Dallas Cowboys fans should be basking in the exceptional play of quarterback Dak Prescott over the past three weeks. However, the Cowboys wrapped up the last three weeks with a 1-1-1 record, which includes a lone victory over the winless New York Jets and a loss to the previously sub-.500 Carolina Panthers.
Over that span, Prescott has reeled off a staggering 10 touchdown passes and zero interceptions while rushing for one additional score. It’s a record-setting three-game span for Prescott, but not in the way the Cowboys, their struggling defense and frustrated fanbase would like.
As ESPN’s Todd Archer highlighted, according to ESPN Research, Prescott is the first quarterback to account for 11 or more passing/rushing touchdowns with no turnovers, and hold a non-winning record in a three-game stretch.
What Cowboys’ issues does this Dak Prescott feat highlight?
This highlights an issue that was almost expected after the team traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. Unfortunately, it’s unknown if Parsons would have even been able to factor in enough to impact the results.
The Cowboys gave up 40 points in their overtime tie against the Green Bay Packers, but it was the porous effort against the Carolina Panthers in Week 6 that highlighted all of the struggles.
In Dallas’ 30-27 loss to quarterback Bryce Young and their former starting running back Rico Dowdle, the defense simply had no answers. Young threw three touchdown passes while Dowdle tormented the Cowboys’ defense. While owner Jerry Jones said the trade of Parsons addressed the team’s run defense, it’s hard to envision that he expected Dowdle to rip off 183 rushing yards on 30 carries.
For good measure, Dowdle also led the Panthers in receiving, catching four passes for 56 yards and one touchdown. It was an incredible revenge game from Dowdle, and an even worse performance from the Cowboys’ defense.
Prescott is playing at an elite level, and maybe more than any year in his career, his exceptional play is being wasted by a woeful defense. Prescott is being dealt the same hand Tony Romo received throughout his career, and Jones refuses to acknowledge it.
Lions DB gives Chiefs WR a ‘pie face’ shove after snubbing Patrick Mahomes
Tempers flared at the end of Sunday night’s game at Arrowhead Stadium, which could result in a key Detroit Lions defender receiving another fine from the NFL.
Following their 30-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Lions safety Brian Branch was involved in a brief postgame scuffle with Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, leading to both teams stepping in to separate the two.
As the clock expired, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes approached Branch for what appeared to be a routine handshake. Instead, Branch brushed him off and walked away.
Seeing the exchange, Smith-Schuster went over to confront Branch, which ended with Branch shoving the Chiefs receiver to the ground with an open-hand “pie face.” Players and coaches from both teams quickly moved in to break up the altercation.
“I mean, we play the game in-between the whistles,” Mahomes said regarding the altercation in a postgame interview. “They can do all the extracurricular stuff they want to do. But we play the game in-between the whistles and we thought we played a great game today.”
This incident isn’t the first time Branch has drawn attention from the league office. The second-year safety has already been fined multiple times this season, including twice in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers — two $11,593 penalties for facemasking and taunting. He was later fined $11,598 for a low block during the Week 3 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
While the NFL typically announces fines on the Saturday before its Sunday slate of games, Branch’s recent history suggests another penalty could be coming his way for instigating the postgame confrontation.
With the loss to the Chiefs, the Lions dropped to 4-2 on the season.
Mahomes leads Chiefs past Lions
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Patrick Mahomes threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns, scrambled for another score, and led the Kansas City Chiefs to a 30-17 victory over the ailing Detroit Lions on Sunday night in a game that ended with a fistfight among players.
Mahomes had tried to give Brian Branch a high-five after the final whistle, and the Lions safety walked right by him. Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster took umbrage and had words with Branch, who delivered a punch to set off the brief melee.
It took players and coaches from both teams to break up the skirmish and clear the field.
Marquise Brown had two touchdown receptions and Xavier Worthy had another for the Chiefs (3-3), who played a near-flawless game — no penalties, no turnovers — one week after a mistake-strewn, last-second loss at Jacksonville.
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Kansas City also managed to hold in check the NFL’s highest-scoring offense to snap Detroit’s four-game winning streak.
Jared Goff finished with 203 yards passing for the Lions (4-2), though he did connect with Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta for scores. Amon-Ra St. Brown was held to 45 yards receiving and Jahmyr Gibbs needed 17 carries to gain just 65 yards.
Detroit was intent on trying to grind down the Chiefs’ defense and keep their potent offense off the field.
The Lions did a good job on the opening drive, too. They ran 15 plays over a span of 9 minutes, 39 seconds, chewing up so much clock that Mahomes and company looked downright bored on the sideline. And it looked as if it would pay off when David Montgomery took a direct snap and threw to Goff, who powered into the end zone from 1-yard out for a touchdown.
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But the officials came together to discuss the play, and even though nobody had thrown a flag, they eventually said Goff was not set — an illegal motion penalty. After a delay of game, the Lions had to settle for Jake Bates’s chip-shot field goal.
Kansas City wasted no time answering, marching 70 yards in eight plays. Mahomes hit three different targets on the drive, and Worthy hauled in a 6-yard touchdown pass on fourth and goal to give the Chiefs the lead.
The back-and-forth continued throughout the first half. The Lions went the other way with Williams grabbing a 22-yard pass to give them the lead back, and the Chiefs answered with Mahomes scoring on a keeper for a 13-10 edge at halftime.
But a banged-up Lions defense missing cornerbacks D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, and Avonte Maddox couldn’t slow down the Chiefs, who are finding their offensive mojo again just in time to get suspended wide receiver Rashee Rice back next week.
They roared downfield on the opening drive of the second half, this time with Brown hauling in the touchdown catch to extend the lead. And when the Lions finally answered behind a flurry of passes to St. Brown and a nifty toss to LaPorta in the end zone, Kansas City rolled right back downfield as Brown pulled in another touchdown reception for a 27-17 lead.
Detroit proceeded to go three-and-out, and the Chiefs put the game away from there.
Will Brian Branch Be Punished by NFL? How Much Will Lions RB Be Fined for Slapping JuJu Smith-Schuster?
After a sluggish start to the season, the Kansas City Chiefs just beat the best offensive team this season, the Detroit Lions, 30-17. But the biggest highlight was from the sidelines when the Lions’ Brian Branch appeared to slap the Chiefs’ WR JuJu Smith-Schuster in the face after the game was just over.
While there was no penalty as the incident happened after the game was over, can we expect that the NFL might step in to fine Branch? According to the league’s rules, Branch’s action will come under the category of “Striking/kicking” with a fine of $12,172.
But only time will tell if the NFL is involved in this. However, Cris Collinsworth believes, “The league’s gonna take action on that one against (Brian) Branch.”
Lions’ Brian Branch Could Face NFL Suspension for Actions After Chiefs Game
The Kansas City Chiefs got their season back on track with an emphatic 30-17 Week 6 win over the Detroit Lions on “Sunday Night Football.”
But as the teams were leaving the field, Lions defensive back Brian Branch seemed intent on ruffling some feathers before he went to the locker room.
As he walked past Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Branch blew off his attempt to shake hands, prompting Mahomes to tap his shoulder pads as they went their separate ways.
Then as Chiefs receiver Juju Smith-Schuster extended his hand to exchange pleasantries, Branch reached out and struck him in the head, knocking the veteran WR to his knees.
Smith-Schuster got up and bolted after Branch, who was being restrained by Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco. Branch and Smith-Schuster began wrestling on the turf as players from both sidelines flocked to the field.
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Though Smith-Schuster retaliated, Branch’s head strike was seemingly too egregious to not warrant some sort of penalty from the NFL. “Sunday Night Football” commentators Cris Collinsworth and Mike Tirico agreed.
“The league’s going to take action on that one against Branch,” Collinsworth stated.
“Especially Branch, who has a history of multiple fines — three times this year, seven times last year,” Tirico added.
Branch has been fined a total of $118,391 over the last two seasons, with his most recent offense coming in Week 3 when he was hit with an $11,598 fine for a low block against the Baltimore Ravens.
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The league typically fines players for striking opposing players $12,172 on the first offense and $17,968 on the second offense. But former Washington Commanders quarterback Robert Griffin III believes the NFL should take it a step further and suspend Branch for his violent actions.
“Brian Branch started the fight in the field,” Griffin III wrote. “Brian Branch threw a punch and knocked JuJu Smith-Schuster down. Brian Branch should be suspended. THERE IS NO PLACE IN SPORTS FOR THAT.”
The NFL can skip the fines and go straight to suspending players for fighting after a game ends, and given Branch’s history for racking up fines and his aggressive nature, he could be a prime candidate to be suspended.
Mahomes addressed the situation moments after the game ended during an interview with NBC Sports.
“We play the game in between the whistles,” he stated. “They can do all the extracurricular stuff in between the whistles. I thought we played a great game today. And we’ll keep this momentum moving forward.”
Dan Campbell Breaks Silence on Brian Branch Smacking Chiefs WR, as NFL Fine All but Confirmed for DB
It had to happen. The Lions were coming off a strong start to the season, and just when the Chiefs put the brakes on their offense, DB Brian Branch could not control his anger. His actions after the game started a huge fight on the sidelines. However, the Lions’ head coach, Dan Campbell, tried to make things right.
During the post-game conference, the coach said that what happened after the game was inexcusable and unacceptable, and also apologized to the Chiefs.
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Former NFL receiver Cris Collinsworth also gave his hard take on the situation. “The league’s gonna take action on that one against (Brian) Branch,” he said.
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NFL Injury Updates: Troubling Emeka Egbuka News, Puka Nacua’s Status Remains Unclear & More
We’ve almost wrapped up Week 6, and like clockwork, the injury bug bit again. This week’s list isn’t short of big names, but two stand out: Emeka Egbuka and Puka Nacua. Both playmakers went down at what could be crucial moments for their teams. So let’s look at their situation.
According to Fox Sports’ Greg Auman, head coach Todd Bowles had no update on wide receiver Egbuka after the game, saying it was a hamstring injury but didn’t know the severity. “It’s rare you leave a game with a hamstring and don’t miss at least the following game as a result,” Bowles said.
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That’s a tough sign for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In the second half against the San Francisco 49ers, the rookie suffered the injury. It wasn’t clear when it happened, but it was bad enough to rule him out for the rest of the contest. Egbuka Egbuka had 2 catches for 24 yards before the injury. The Bucs will send him for more tests to figure out how serious it is.
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Now switching coasts, let’s talk about Puka Nacua.
Puka Nacua’s scare shakes Rams’ offense
The Los Angeles Rams’ wide receiver 1 scared everyone in the City of Angels after a nasty fall. While trying for a touchdown on a jump ball, he hit the ground awkwardly. But soon after that, he tried to stand up but eventually went down again. And then trainers helped him and took straight to the locker room.
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However, despite being questionable, he returned in the second half. But even with that return, things didn’t look right.
He had two catches for 28 yards in Week 6’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, but nothing after halftime. Even head coach Sean McVay is unsure about Nacua’s availability in Week 7 despite his late return. So if Nacua misses time, the Rams’ offense could lose its rhythm and explosiveness.
He leads the team with 52 receptions for 588 yards and 2 touchdowns through Week 6, ranking first in the NFL in catches and receiving yards. Without him, the Rams would rely more heavily on secondary options like Tutu Atwell and Tyler Higbee, who haven’t matched his production or versatility.
Nacua’s ability to win contested catches, stretch the field, and block in the run game makes him central to Sean McVay’s scheme. His absence would likely reduce third-down efficiency and limit deep-threat opportunities, forcing the Rams into a more conservative, less dynamic approach.
More stars sidelined: Week 6 injury toll grows
Apart from Emeka Egbuka and Puka Nacua, the injury list is long. So let’s explore 4 more important injuries happened in Week 6.
First up is Calvin Ridley. The Tennessee Titans’ WR1 grabbed an 18-yard reception early in the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders, but that was it. After that, he was out with a hamstring injury and never made it back on the field. That’s a bad sign for the Titans, who can’t afford to lose another weapon in an already struggling offense.
And the Arizona Cardinals also just can’t catch a break. Their backfield, already thin after Trey Benson hit injured reserve, took another blow in Week 6. RB Emari Demercado went down with an ankle injury against the Indianapolis Colts. He had stepped up as part of a committee backfield, but now the Cards might be down to scraps.
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And there is Marvin Harrison Jr. The Arizona Cardinals WR1 left the same game in the second quarter with a concussion and never returned. That’s tough to watch because Harrison was finally finding his rhythm. Over the last two weeks, he had racked up 164 receiving yards and a touchdown. Just when he was heating up, the Cardinals lost him.
Cowboys Defensive Woes, Bucs Atop NFC and Chiefs Statement Win Lead Top Takeaways From NFL Week 6
Week 6 of the NFL season was nothing short of a bang, with the New York Giants taking down the defending champs Philadelphia Eagles, on Thursday Night Football. While this week may not have ended up being as thrilling as last week, there were still some close matchups that came down to the wire.
We learned a lot in Week 6, and here are my 10 takeaways from Week 6 of the NFL season.
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Eagles are in serious trouble
Yes, Philadelphia is 4-2, but they have one of the best overall rosters in the sport, and yet they make everything look so hard whenever they are playing.
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Offensively, Jalen Hurts and his receivers have looked completely out of sync. His stat line never looks bad, but he just keeps on missing so many big throws. It would take at least two hands to count how many times he’s missed one of his receivers for a big play downfield.
Defensively, the Eagles look like a shell of what they were last year. They have held just one of their opponents to under 20 points this season (which oddly enough was the Kansas City Chiefs), and just gave up 34 to Jaxson Dart and the Giants, who only scored 14 last week against the New Orleans Saints.
Something’s wrong in Philly, and they need to figure it out soon.
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Jaxson Dart is the real deal
Have the NY Giants finally found their franchise QB? Well, it seems so. Through three games, Dart has thrown for 508 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions while adding another 167 yards and two scores on the ground. Yes, he had a really bad game against the Saints, where he threw two picks and fumbled once, but I actually thought he didn’t look that bad outside of those mistakes.
One of the key traits of being an NFL quarterback is remaining calm under pressure, and Dart never looks rushed. He’s fine with taking a hit while delivering the ball, but he can also take off and run if he needs to.
Dart’s composure is going to pay dividends in the future. If he can continue to develop and keep that same coolness in the pocket, he’ll be a quarterback in this league for a long time.
The Cowboys could miss the playoffs despite having one of the best offenses
The Dallas Cowboys have one of the best offenses in football. There’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Dak Prescott is an MVP candidate, George Pickens is playing to his potential with CeeDee Lamb out, and even though they weren’t great this week, owner Jerry Jones would be happy with their run game.
Still, the Cowboys are in danger of missing the playoffs.
The fact of the matter is, their defense is horrible. They’re giving up an average of 30 points per game this season, and that’s with teams like the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers on their schedule (no disrespect to them). They can’t get pressure on the quarterback consistently, they can’t stop the run, and they can’t cover.
Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong for them defensively, so despite having a top-five offense, do not be surprised if they do not make it to the playoffs.
The Broncos’ defense is something else
I’ll preface this by saying I know it’s the Jets, but come on, you can’t watch that game and tell me you don’t think the Denver Broncos have one of the best defenses in football right now.
The Broncos held the Jets to NEGATIVE 10 net passing yards. Justin Fields threw for 45 yards, and the Broncos had 55 yards worth of sacks. I don’t recall that happening in my lifetime, but even if it has, it’s very, very rare. They also held the Jets to a 3.0 rushing average, and if you take away Field’s rushing yards, that average drops to 2.5.
It’s not like it was just one guy wrecking everything. It was a concerted effort. Eight players recorded at least 0.5 sacks, and even when Fields had time, nobody was open downfield.
The Broncos’ offense looked bad, but it didn’t matter because their defense was so great.
Aaron Glenn had a similar start to Dan Campbell
Aaron Glenn is having a very similar start to his head coaching career as his former boss, Dan Campbell. In his first year with the Detroit Lions, Campbell started 0-8. His first non-loss wasn’t even a win; it was a tie. After that, they’d lose two more games (0-10-1) before finally getting their first win.
One thing about the 2021 Lions is that they never gave up. They fought hard until the final whistle every single game, no matter how much they were trailing. The same can be said about the Jets. No matter how much they’re down, they’re going to fight for every yard, and that’s the sign of a team that believes in their head coach.
HC Glenn even gets under the media’s skin a little bit, which Campbell did plenty of early in his tenure. When asked about Justin Fields’ play and whether he could be benched, Glenn responded with, “what kind of question is that? Come on, you know better.”
That didn’t sit well with the media. I understand being frustrated, but it was a perfectly reasonable question after Fields’ performance.
I’m not trying to say he’s the next Dan Campbell, because he’s not. I’m just saying the two had similar starts, so you can’t just count him out because he inherited a bad team that is playing bad football. Hopefully, the Jets give him time and don’t cut the cord too early.
I think we just saw a Super Bowl preview
The Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions met on Sunday Night Football, and man, was it a good game. I know the Chiefs are off to a slow start and all that good stuff, but with their win tonight, I still believe they’re the favorites in the AFC, and this could’ve been a Super Bowl preview.
In my opinion, as good as the Indianapolis Colts and some of the other AFC teams have been, the only team that’s a real threat to the Chiefs in the AFC is the Buffalo Bills. But they haven’t proven that they can beat the Chiefs in January. Right now, I’d take the Bills, but there’s something about Mahomes in the playoffs that’s hard to pick against.
In the NFC, I think there are a lot of teams that could make it to the Super Bowl. The Eagles, Buccaneers, Packers, and Seahawks are all threats, but as of today, the Lions are still my pick to represent the NFC.
I know nobody wants to see the Chiefs in the Super Bowl again, but if we got to see this game played on a neutral field, I wouldn’t have too many complaints.
Yeah, this Drake Maye kid is pretty good
The New England Patriots have their guy. All the talk last season was about Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels (rightfully so), but the best second-year quarterback this year has been Drake Maye.
If you just look at Maye’s stat line, you’d think he played really well. He threw for 261 yards and three scores on just 18 completions, but it could’ve been so much more. He had two deep passes called back for offensive pass interference, and one was a 50+ yard touchdown that, to be quite frank, was not a penalty (and that’s coming from a Saints fan).
This easily could’ve been a 300+ yard, 4+ touchdown game for Maye. He is the real deal, and he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
The Buccaneers are 100 percent NFC contenders
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a somewhat fluky start to the season. They won each of their first four games with last-minute scores, but after seeing how they played tonight, I’m convinced they’re contenders in the NFC.
Baker Mayfield just seems to have that “it” factor that someone like Tom Brady had. Even when things are going horribly wrong, he finds ways to win games. Today, Emeka Egbuka went out early, leaving him without his top three receivers. And what did he do? Threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns as he led the Bucs to 30 points.
Defensively, I thought the Buccaneers played really well, too. They held the 49ers to 19 points, sacked Mac Jones six times, and held San Fran to 3.0 yards per carry. I know they were injured (so were the Bucs), but the 49ers looked like a shell of themselves on Sunday.
This team has what it takes to contend with everyone in the NFC. They may not be as good as the Detroit Lions, but I guarantee you, Detroit does not want to see Tampa in January.
The Ravens’ 1-5 record doesn’t really matter
Obviously, nobody wants to start 1-5. You put yourself on the back foot in the playoff race, but when you really look at it, the Baltimore Ravens still have a realistic shot at the playoffs.
Both the Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers have one win in the AFC North. The Ravens are three games behind overall, but with two head-to-head matchups against the Steelers still to come, anything can happen. If they can win both of those games, all they need to do is out-play the Steelers by one game the rest of the way, and the automatic AFC North bid is theirs.
With a bye week coming up, the Ravens are hoping they can get a lot of players back for Week 8. Then, all they need to do is win, and they’ve done a lot of that with Lamar Jackson under center. Nothing is off the table for Baltimore right now, but they do need to clean up a lot of things defensively.
Plus, despite the three-game deficit to the Steelers, the Ravens still have +140 odds to win the division. And we all know Vegas knows things nobody else does.
Add Kimani Vidal in fantasy
For my final takeaway, let’s talk some fantasy. If Kimani Vidal is still available in your league (45 percent rostered in Sleeper), pick him up right now.
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How Utah ties performed in Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season
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It’s rivalry week in Utah, as No. 15 BYU prepares to host No. 23 Utah at LaVell Edwards Stadium next weekend.
Sunday was also a good day from a scoring standpoint for a former Ute and a former Cougar.
Tim Patrick, who starred at Utah, caught a 26-yard touchdown pass for his first touchdown with Jacksonville after being traded to the Jaguars this offseason. That TD grab came in a 20-12 loss to Seattle.
Special Collector’s Issue:
Capitals face Rangers in second game of season’s first back-to-back
The game, which will be Charlie Lindgren’s first start in net for Washington in 2025-26, is the only one on the NHL’s schedule Sunday.
October 12, 2025 at 6:04 p.m. EDTJust now
NEW YORK — For the first of 14 times this season, the Washington Capitals will play for the second time in as many nights Sunday at Madison Square Garden.
All 32 teams in the NHL played Saturday, but there’s just one game Sunday: Washington’s meeting with the New York Rangers. The Capitals beat the New York Islanders, 4-2, on Saturday night, while the Rangers were in Pittsburgh and beat the Penguins, 6-1.
How to Watch Heat vs Magic: Live Stream NBA Preseason, TV Channel
The winless Miami Heat (0-3) visit the unbeaten Orlando Magic (2-0) at the Kia Center in the second meeting of the warmup schedule between the NBA’s Florida rivals.
How to Watch Miami Heat vs Orlando Magic
When: Sunday, October 12, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM ET
Where: Kia Center
TV Channel: FanDuel Sports Network Florida, FanDuel Sports Network Sun
Live Stream: Fubo (try for free)
The Magic had to go through the play-in tournament to return to the playoffs last season, but were dispatched in five games by the Boston Celtics in the first round. Injuries played a major role in the backslide as Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and Moe Wagner all missed significant time. Banchero signed a five-year extension, and Orlando acquired a needed 3-point threat in Desmond Bane in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies while also adding veteran Tyus Jones for backcourt depth.
Miami came from the No. 10 spot in the play-in tournament to secure the eighth seed for its sixth straight playoff appearance despite a 37-45 record. The Heat were obliterated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round, losing by an average of 30.5 points per game. The team’s biggest move came in February when they added Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell in exchange for disgruntled Jimmy Butler. In the offseason, Miami added guard Norman Powell from the LA Clippers and picked up wing Simone Fontecchio from the Detroit Pistons as part of the Duncan Robinson sign-and-trade arrangement.
The Magic routed the host Philadelphia 76ers 128-98 on Friday night, while the Heat last played on Wednesday, losing 112-107 to the visiting San Antonio Spurs. The teams met in their preseason opener on Oct. 4, with Orlando picking up a 126-118 victory in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
This is a great NBA matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
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The 25 greatest nicknames in NBA history
Outside of the NBA, Alston was also a streetball legend. His ball-handling exploits on outdoor courts earned him the nickname Skip To My Lou. While his professional playstyle was more in line with traditional basketball, the nickname stuck during his NBA days.
A lot of contemporary NBA nicknames are boring, just a player’s initials and/or number (JT for Jayson Tatum, CP3 for Chris Paul, and so on). Giannis has a great one, though. He’s from Greece, he’s a physical specimen, and thus, Greek Freak.
Usually, it’s not that cool to give yourself your own nickname. It worked for Kobe, though, as he adopted
Lakers Could Stun NBA With Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade
The Los Angeles Lakers have so many question marks surrounding the team heading into the 2025-26 season.
More news: Warriors GM Reveals Timeline for Steve Kerr’s Future in Golden State
For one, LeBron James is set to miss the start of the season with sciatica. A competitive Western Conference means the Lakers will have to hold it down without the superstar.
Luka Doncic’s leadership will have to be on full display as the Lakers make the organizational transition with the 26-year-old at the helm. LA is shifting gears with Doncic as the face of the franchise, and Lakers insider Jovan Buha believes the team’s new perspective could lead to making a trade for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
LeBron James Sends Message to Jeremiah Smith After Ohio State Game
The Ohio State Buckeyes improved to 6-0 on the season after defeating the No. 17 Illinois Fighting Illini 34-16.
Star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith led the way in receiving for the Buckeyes yet again, catching five passes for 42 yards and a touchdown.
Smith is arguably the best wide receiver in all of college football, and many have said he could play in the NFL now if rules permitted.
On Sunday, NBA star and Ohio State fan, LeBron James, took to social media to share a video of Smith’s touchdown reception.
James also added a caption, saying, “UNFAIR & TOO DAMN GOOD!!”
Smith uses his 6-foot-3, 223-pound frame to his advantage and is a hard receiver for cornerbacks to guard.
So far this season, the 2024 Big Ten Receiver of the Year has totaled 40 receptions for 505 yards and seven touchdowns. Last season, he finished with 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Smith was a five-star recruit and the No. 1 player in the class of 2024.
Smith and the Buckeyes will look to stay perfect in their defending College Football Playoff National Championship season when they travel to Wisconsin to face the Badgers on Saturday.
Kickoff between Ohio State and Wisconsin is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
Hall Of Famer Says Russell Westbrook Should Avoid OKC Reunion
Russell Westbrook remains one of the biggest names still available in NBA free agency. The former MVP guard has surprisingly received little interest despite his Hall of Fame résumé and strong performance with the Denver Nuggets last season.
While there are whispers of teams monitoring his situation, there hasn’t been much movement toward a deal. For a player with nine All-Star appearances, nine All-NBA honors, and one MVP award, the silence is startling.
During his 7 PM podcast in Brooklyn, Carmelo Anthony, a fellow NBA legend and Hall of Famer, spoke out against Westbrook’s situation, expressing his frustration. “There’s a lot of teams that Russ could help right f*cking now.”
Anthony is convinced that Westbrook is still a member of the league, but he’s certain that returning to Oklahoma City, where he was a star, would be the wrong choice.
Carmelo Anthony’s Message: Don’t Go Back to OKC
“You cannot bring Russell Westbrook back to OKC and don’t play him,” Anthony said. “He cannot go from the greatest player in your franchise history to maybe playing or maybe not playing.”
Many former players share Anthony’s concern that late-career’ farewell tours’ can sometimes tarnish a legacy instead of celebrating it.
The Oklahoma City Thunder just won their first NBA Championship behind a young and dynamic roster led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams. There’s no time or room for a veteran like Westbrook because almost every key contributor is returning.
Anthony is concerned that Westbrook’s return to OKC now could mean Anthony spending most nights watching from the bench rather than contributing on the floor.
“It doesn’t work. You diminish that man’s legacy by that,” Anthony emphasized. “Let’s protect the legacy of these players. This is someone that put in pain, pressure, number one jersey sales, MVP of the league.”
Chasing the Right Opportunity, Not Just a Ring
Anthony also made it clear that Westbrook shouldn’t feel pressured to join any team simply to chase a championship ring.
“It’s a difference with chasing the ring, and I still got to enjoy this game,” he said. “You can’t send the greatest player back — he left to come back, and then he’s not playing? No. As a player, I know I can still play? Hell no.”
Westbrook’s drive and competitiveness have always been his trademarks. At this stage of his career, he’s looking for a role where he can both compete and contribute meaningfully.
Last season with the Denver Nuggets, Westbrook proved he still has plenty left in the tank. Across 75 games, he averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds, while providing veteran leadership and energy off the bench. In the postseason, he added 11.7 points per game as the Nuggets made another deep run.
For teams seeking a reliable backup guard or a veteran spark plug, those numbers should be enticing. The question is whether a contender will offer him a chance before the season tips off.
Westbrook’s Legacy in Oklahoma City Remains Untouchable
Even without a return to the Thunder, Westbrook’s place in Oklahoma City lore is secure. From his triple-double seasons to his relentless playing style, he gave the franchise its identity after Kevin Durant’s departure.
He is the Thunder’s all-time leader in points, assists, and rebounds — and his fiery passion became the heartbeat of the city. One day, Westbrook will likely retire as a member of the Thunder, but Carmelo Anthony believes that day shouldn’t come while he’s still capable of playing high-level basketball.
Isaiah Thomas on Prime Westbrook: “He Was the Hardest to Guard”
While discussions about Westbrook’s future continue, many around the league still speak with awe about his prime years. Former NBA guard Isaiah Thomas recently praised Westbrook’s dominance on the Got Sole podcast.
“The hardest to guard was OKC Russell Westbrook,” Thomas said. “It looks hard to guard Steph, but when Russell Westbrook was with OKC and he was faster, stronger, jumped higher than everybody, getting triple-doubles… that was the most difficult player I’ve ever had to guard.”
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Thomas compared him to some of the league’s best offensive players, including Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving, noting that Westbrook’s size and strength made him a different kind of challenge. “Curry, we had our battles, Kyrie, we had our battles. But Westbrook is a little bigger and stronger than those guys.”
The Next Chapter Awaits
Russell Westbrook will always have something to give, regardless of where he goes next. The passion Westbrook has for the game is unmatched, ranging from his experience as a veteran leader, a second-unit catalyst, or a steadying presence in the locker room.
Carmelo Anthony has a clear message: Westbrook deserves to end his career competing, not reminiscing, even if a storybook reunion with Oklahoma City tugs at the hearts of Thunder fans. The former MVP is currently waiting – not for nostalgia, but for an opportunity to demonstrate his skill in playing the game his way.
Nuggets vs. Clippers free live stream: How to watch NBA preseason without Streameast
The Denver Nuggets face the Los Angeles Clippers in an NBA preseason game on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025 (10/12/25) at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.
How to watch
Here are your best options to watch the game if you don’t already have cable:
Watch for free with a trial of DIRECTV or FuboTV.
You can also watch with a subscription to ESPN Unlimited or Sling.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: NBA Preseason
Who: Nuggets vs. Clippers
When: Oct. 12, 2025 (10/12/25)
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
Where: Intuit Dome
TV: ESPN
Live stream: DIRECTV (free trial), FuboTV (free trial), ESPN Unlimited, Sling
Here’s an NBA story via the Associated Press:
NEW YORK (AP) — NBA general managers overwhelmingly expect the Oklahoma City Thunder to be the league’s first repeat champion in nearly a decade, while Denver’s Nikola Jokic is their pick to reclaim the MVP award and Miami’s Erik Spoelstra was once again the pick as best coach.
Those were among the findings of the league’s annual preseason polling of general managers, the results of which were released Thursday.
The Thunder got 80% of the vote — teams could not vote for themselves or their own personnel in the survey — in response to the question of which team would win this season’s title. No team has gone back-to-back since Golden State in 2016-17 and 2017-18.
Cleveland and Denver each got 7% of the vote, while Houston and New York each 3%.
MVP
The GMs were clear: They expect another international player to be MVP — players born outside the U.S. have won each of the last seven MVP trophies — and Jokic is the overwhelming pick to win what would be his fourth in a span of six seasons.
He got 67% of the vote, followed by Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers (10%), reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City (8%), and Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs (7%).
Top 4 seeds
If the GMs are to be believed, the top four playoff seeds in the Eastern Conference will be, in order, Cleveland, New York, Orlando and Atlanta.
In the West, Oklahoma City was followed by Denver, Houston and Minnesota.
Best at their position
Gilgeous-Alexander (73%) was the runaway pick as best point guard, with Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards (70%) the top pick at shooting guard, Doncic (40%) the best small forward, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo (93%) the top votegetter at power forward and Jokic (97%) was the pick of almost everyone at center.
The Nuggets couldn’t vote for Jokic; by process of elimination, that means Denver’s vote for best center likely went to Wembanyama, since he was the only other player to receive a vote as the best center.
And the best pure shooter was nearly unanimous: Golden State’s Stephen Curry (93%) got almost all votes, with his former Warriors teammate Klay Thompson — now with Dallas — getting the other 7%.
Curry was also the pick as best leader, and the player GMs would want taking the shot with the outcome of a game hanging in the balance.
Most improved team
The GMs expect to see big jumps from Orlando (47%) and Atlanta (20%), making those clubs two of the top three votegetters when asked which team will be improved the most this season.
San Antonio tied Atlanta, getting 20% of the voting.
Rookie of the year
To no surprise, No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg of Dallas was the pick to win rookie of the year. Flagg got 97% of the vote, likely meaning 29 of the 30 if all teams submitted an answer.
The only other player to get a vote was Philadelphia’s VJ Edgecombe (3%).
Best defensive player
Again, no surprise: Wembanyama got 80% of the vote, with Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert and Cleveland’s Evan Mobley (7%) a distant second.
Wembanyama was widely picked as the favorite to win defensive player of the year last season before he was shut down in February following a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.
Best coach
Spoelstra once again was picked as the best coach in the league, getting 52% of the vote. Oklahoma City’s Mark Daigneault (34%) was second.
Spoelstra was the narrow choice as best manager or motivator of people as well, his 28% of the vote there barely edging Houston’s Ime Udoka (24%), Golden State’s Steve Kerr (14%) and Boston’s Joe Mazzulla (14%).
Cavaliers’ Kenny Atkinson Looks Ahead to 25-26 Season [EXCLUSIVE]
![Cavaliers’ Kenny Atkinson Looks Ahead to 25-26 Season [EXCLUSIVE]](https://sportsmedia.news/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/news_198494-768x433.png "Cavaliers’ Kenny Atkinson Looks Ahead to 25-26 Season [EXCLUSIVE]")
His team finished atop the regular season Eastern Conference last year, and all expectations are that the Cleveland Cavaliers will be again in that vicinity in 2025-26.
But Kenny Atkinson’s coaching resume qualifies him to look West, too, and he believes people may be sleeping on a group of players sittin’ on the dock of The Bay.
While Oklahoma City is odds-on to repeat their conference dominance and maybe even repeat as league champion — and Houston with Kevin Durant is poised to crash that party — the Cavs’ leader is saying the Warriors, the team for which he spent three years as an assistant before taking over in Cleveland, are ready to come out and play.
And win.
The in-season acquisition of Jimmy Butler last year altered the Golden State course, giving Steph Curry a different and in some ways better scoring counterpoint than departed Splash Brother Klay Thompson. Things were looking up, but Curry went down — and out for the remainder — with a hamstring injury after 13 minutes (and 13 points) in the second round series opener against Minnesota, and the Warriors were gone in five games.
Atkinson now thinks it would be foolish or worse to overlook them.
“Especially with Al (Horford), and they added (De’Anthony) Melton, too,” he told Heavy following a Sunday morning shootaround at TD Garden before that evening’s preseason meeting with the Celtics. “They did a great job with the roster. And they’ve got Steph (Curry) and Draymond (Green) still. If they’re healthy in the playoffs, they can beat anybody.”
Anybody?
“Yeah, I think they’re that good. And they’ve got great coaching.”
Kenny Atkinson Says ‘I Never Talk About Winning or Championships, What Place We’re Going to Finish
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have the reigning NBA Coach of the Year.
So, Kenny A., who’s gonna win the East?
“Ha-ha-ha-ha,” he replied. (Yes, I went back over the recording to count the “ha”s.) “Wide open, they tell me. That’s what everyone says.”
Not a confident answer, Mr. Atkinson.
“Seriously, you know, I never talk about winning or championships, what place we’re going to finish. I never do that with my guys. It’s just the daily work, the daily process, the daily grind. That’s just the way I look at it, and I’ve always looked at it that way.”
Perhaps part of his thinking is rooted in the knowledge gained from 16 years on an NBA bench that success on this level is so fragile.
“Yeah,” said Atkinson. “You have to stay healthy to win in this league. So some of it’s luck; some of it’s preparation. We know that, but it’s hard. It’s hard to win in the playoffs. You’ve got to have a lot of things go right.
“We got out of the gate great against Miami (4-0 first round sweep), then ran into a juggernaut quite honestly in Indiana (4-1 loss to the Pacers in next series).
“But we’ll be in the mix again, so… good challenge. We made some tweaks strategically, and we’ve had some adds. We’ve added Lonzo (Ball, from Chicago for Isaac Okoro) and Larry (Nance, Jr.) and TB (Thomas Bryant). So we tweaked the roster, and we’re going to tweak some stuff strategy-wise and see where we’re at.”
‘You Have to Keep Building & Getting Better Individually & as a Team’
A key may be getting the Donovan Mitchell-led club revved up again for the vaunted First 82 Games after winning 64 last year and seeing it all go poof.
“Yeah, but I think if you’re about improvement, then you have to keep building and getting better individually and as a team.” Atkinson said. “There’s no, ‘Ah, the regular season doesn’t matter. We’ve done that already.’ We’re not in that mindset at all.”
And, hey, the playoffs and opportunity for redemption are just six months away.
3 Burning Questions For Pacers Heading Into 2025-26 Season
The Indiana Pacers aren’t the first team to looking down a dark path the season after reaching the NBA Finals. In 2011, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the mighty Miami Heat, only to have their title-winning roster gutted by former majority owner Mark Cuban. 14 years later, the Mavs traded franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic after he and co-star Kyrie Irving led Dallas to the 2024 NBA Finals.
Ironically, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was the Mavericks head coach in 2011. Fortunately, his most recent Finals-bound roster wasn’t scraped clean. Yet, Indiana still has an arduous path ahead, one on which a few important questions must be answered.
3 Burning Questions For Pacers Heading Into 2025-26 Season
Who Replaces Myles Turner?
By the time the Pacers’ nearly miraculous NBA Finals run had ended, there was no doubt that the higher-ups were already thinking of ways to replace the injured Tyrese Haliburton, be it in the short-term or long-term. However, they didn’t appear prepared for Myles Turner to depart in free agency. Of course, they did know that he would hit the open market. Nonetheless, when Carlisle appeared on 107.5 the Fan on June 24, he stated that re-signing Turner was their “No. 1 priority.”
As it turns out, Turner didn’t feel like he was Indiana’s priority. In fact, he signed with the Milwaukee Bucks on the first day of July. Had the Pacers known that was the likely outcome, they may have utilized their 2025 first-round selection (23rd overall) differently, perhaps drafting a big man rather than trading the pick to the New Orleans Pelicans. Instead, the only new big in their center rotation is Jay Huff, a 27-year-old floor-spacer with 95 career games under his belt.
Last season, Huff averaged 6.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 11.7 minutes per game, shooting 40.5% from 3. In the 37 games that he played 10+ minutes, he averaged 10.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, shooting 44.0% from 3. In terms of being able to stretch the floor and protect the rim, he bears more similarity to Turner than either Isaiah Jackson, James Wiseman or Tony Bradley.
With Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard projected to be Indiana’s starting guards, having Huff in the lineup could be essential for floor-spacing. However, the other bigs have more familiarity with Carlisle’s system, particularly Jackson. Furthermore, the Pacers could still opt to trade for a starting-level big man, such as Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen.
Can Bennedict Mathurin Score At An All-Star Level?
Carlisle has already revealed that Mathurin will be starting for Indiana in 2025-26. Now, this isn’t necessarily a new role for Mathurin, who has started in 85 career games. On top of that, similar to those previous instances, this is more experimental than set in stone. Yet, with Haliburton set to miss the entire season and Turner playing for their division rival, the Pacers undoubtedly have more of a reason to cater to the 2022 No. 6 pick’s scoring-mindedness.
That doesn’t mean Mathurin will be Indiana’s top scoring option in 2025-26. Instead, expect three-time All-Star selection Pascal Siakam to be their go-to player. Since joining the Pacers, Siakam has averaged 20.6 points per game on 53.0% shooting from the field and 38.8% shooting from deep. However, Siakam’s career-high is 24.2 points per game, a mark he set in 2022-23. Meanwhile, Haliburton and Turner averaged 34.2 points per game combined last season.
Siakam can’t possibly fill the void left by Haliburton or Turner alone, let alone both. He’ll need to rely on teammates like Mathurin, who averaged (a career-high) 16.7 points per game as a rookie. Interestingly, when Mathurin plays 30+ minutes, he averages 20.7 points per game. The question is if Mathurin can score even more than that though.
Ultimately, if both Siakam and Mathurin play at an All-Star level and average around 25 points per game, they’ll make it a lot easier to manage without Haliburton. But is that too far-fetched?
How Will Andrew Nembhard Fare?
Frankly, though continuous improvement should always be the goal, every player in the Pacers rotation needs to try to play even better than they did in 2024-25. In other words, Siakam and Mathurin aren’t the only ones that will have to step up their game. With that being said, Nembhard could get the first opportunity to step into Haliburton’s place, especially with TJ McConnell sidelined for about a month due to a hamstring injury.
There’s a stark difference between Nembhard and Haliburton and it’s not just their star power. While Nembhard is at his best attacking the rim and defending the perimeter, Haliburton’s rim pressure and on-ball defense have been criticized. Conversely, Haliburton is an elite facilitator and long-distance shooter but Nembhard is neither a nominal point guard nor a natural 3-point shooter.
Even so, Nembhard has shown that he’s best under pressure. In the playoffs, he’s averaged 13.5 points and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 47.3% from 3. He won’t be on that bright of a stage for a few months at least. However, if he can get in that zone he enters in the postseason during the regular season, he’ll be a key reason why Indiana was able to exceed expectations.
Insider Clears Russell Westbrook’s Stance on Overseas Lure as Kings’ Trouble Keeps NBA Hopes Alive
From declining his $3.5 million player option with the Nuggets in June to still being a free agent. Many former stars and even current players like Kevin Durant have voiced that Russell Westbrook deserves another chance to write his own ending in the league. Currently, only the Sacramento Kings remain as a viable option, but let’s not forget that there is significant interest from overseas. The former MVP will reportedly get ‘Quadruple’ of the salary that he can get from the Kings. So, is the 9x All-Star interested?
Marc Stein added on his Substack. Russell Westbrook currently has zero interest in playing overseas, as his focus is to play in the NBA. “There has been ‘zero discussion’ to date about him weighing interest to play abroad this season, league sources say. He’d naturally generate a slew of overseas offers if he was open to them, but I’m told that securing his next NBA opportunity has been the focus for Westbrook’s camp. Even if that means, as it increasingly appears, options fail to materialize until after the 2025-26 regular season starts on Oct. 21.”
Less than two weeks before the 2025-26 regular season tips off, the 17-year veteran is still looking for a home in the league. Recently, ESPN’s Shams Charania was quick to report about “strong” mutual interest between Russell Westbrook and the Sacramento Kings. This was right after their forward Keegan Murray suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. With Murray set to undergo surgery and be out for approximately 4–6 weeks, this provides a lifeline for Russ to still play in the NBA.
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Loss to Seattle leaves Real Salt Lake’s playoff hopes up in the air
Real Salt Lake’s quest for a Major League Soccer playoff spot will come down to its final regular-season game of the season, after RSL lost to the host Seattle Sounders 1-0 on Saturday night.
Seattle’s Paul Rothrock scored in the fourth minute with assists from Pedro de la Vega and Jordan Morris, and Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei made five saves to earn the shutout.
Real Salt Lake (12-17-4, 40 points) sits in ninth place in the Western Conference — in wild-card position — and will visit St. Louis next Saturday. A victory for RSL would would clinch a fifth straight postseason berth.
But the 10th-place Colorado Rapids (11-15-7, 40 points) and 11th-place San Jose Earthquakes (10-15-8, 38 points) are both within striking distance of RSL. At this point, RSL holds a tiebreaker advantage over Colorado, with 12 wins to the Rapids’ 11.
Colorado will host LAFC next Saturday, and San Jose will host Austin FC.
After Seattle’s fast start on Saturday night, RSL goalkeeper Rafael Cabral stopped Morris’ penalty kick in the 14th minute to keep the game close, but RSL could not score and had its two-game win streak snapped.
RSL and Seattle each had 14 shots in the game, while RSL had a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal.
USC Coach Eric Musselman Updates Freshman Star Alijah Arenas’ Potential Return from Injury
Few freshmen in college basketball have faced more adversity before their first game than USC Trojans shooting guard Alijah Arenas.
The five-star guard — and son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas — endured a brutal summer that began with a car crash in April and continued with a torn meniscus in July.
Yet, despite the setbacks, USC coach Eric Musselman made it clear at Big Ten Media Days that Arenas’ freshman year isn’t lost just yet.
“He’ll be reevaluated in mid-January to determine whether he’ll suit up this season,” Musselman told reporters in Chicago. “He’s progressed really well. He’s so resilient — it’s insane. He’s wired different.”
A Rough Start to a Promising Career
Arenas’ journey took a shocking turn last spring when he was involved in a serious car accident that left him hospitalized and placed in a medically induced coma for several days.
He recovered at home over the following weeks, showing the same competitive toughness that once made his father one of the NBA’s most fearless scorers.
Just as his recovery gained momentum, Arenas suffered another setback.
In July, Arenas suffered a torn meniscus, an injury that typically sidelines players for several months and put his entire freshman season in jeopardy.
Even so, the 6-foot-6 guard hasn’t stayed still.
He’s been seen around USC’s facilities in a knee brace and scooter, sometimes dribbling or taking stationary shots while rehabbing on the sidelines — a glimpse of the passion and work ethic that made him one of the nation’s most coveted recruits.
What USC Is Missing
Arenas arrived in Los Angeles as the No. 12 overall prospect and No. 3 shooting guard in the 2025 recruiting class, per the Rivals Industry Rankings.
The five-star talent from Chatsworth, California, was Musselman’s top addition in his first USC recruiting class, paired with fellow top-50 guard Jerry Easter.
Before the injury, Musselman envisioned Arenas as a primary playmaker in an uncommonly tall lineup — one that could have featured 6-foot-5 Rodney Rice as the shortest starter.
That vision is now on hold, but not forgotten. If Arenas can return by February, he could offer a late-season spark as the Trojans enter Big Ten play and fight for NCAA Tournament positioning.
Arenas was recruited to inject life into USC’s offense — a player with the confidence to create his own shot and the energy to push the pace in Musselman’s aggressive, transition-heavy system.
His presence was supposed to give the Trojans the edge and swagger they sometimes lacked a year ago.
What Comes Next
The plan now is patience. Musselman and the USC training staff will reevaluate Arenas in January to determine whether he can safely take the floor.
That timeline would likely align with the midpoint of the Trojans’ Big Ten schedule, giving them flexibility to either ease him in late or preserve his redshirt if the recovery window proves too tight.
For now, Arenas’ focus remains on rehab and rebuilding confidence in his knee.
But his resilience and determination — the same traits Musselman praised publicly — suggest that writing off his freshman year would be premature.
After all, if there’s one thing Alijah Arenas has proven already, it’s that he refuses to let setbacks define him.
Hendrick Motorsports Insider Credits NASCAR’s Rising Stars for Reviving Jeff Gordon’s Legacy
Those were the days when ‘Iron Man’ took NASCAR by storm. Right from his debut in 1993 to his retirement in 2015, Jeff Gordon racked up 93 Cup Series wins, four championships, and three Daytona 500 wins, all while redefining what it meant to be a superstar on the track. With his record-breaking feats like five Brickyard 400 wins and six Southern 500 victories, Gordon wasn’t just dominating laps; he was changing the game. And now he shapes NASCAR’s future as Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman; however, his colleague has doubled down on finding the next Jeff Gordon…
Bubba Wallace had raised eyebrows about the decline in NASCAR’s star power and issued concerns about the global reach of NASCAR. He even drew parallels to F1, stating how everyone knew of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, but due to the lack of recognition in NASCAR, the organization seems to be lagging. However, Chas Knuas, the Vice President of Competition, believes that the sport is in good hands with emerging raw talent.
Speaking to RacingAmerica, the veteran crew chief has a list. When asked about finding the next “Jeff Gordon,” Knaus simply replied, “That is something that you just don’t make. That’s something that is. And if you look at guys — let’s just go back, Richard Petty — you will never find a person cooler than Richard Petty. This is true. People try, they want to emulate, you’re not going to beat it. Jeff Gordon, he rolls in, he’s got that thing, he’s got that it. And we’ve got a lot of young drivers that are coming up with the it. And Kyle Larson has it. Chase Elliott has it. You’ve got Connor Zilich has it. There’s a lot of those folks.”
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The recognition is not fully and only based on the global reach but also on how a driver chooses to extend his legacy and is focused on being the best. Chad Knaus didn’t hesitate to pick two drivers from his own Hendrick Motorsports camp. Kyle Larson, who won the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series championship with HMS, is definitely still in the mix, despite his recent slump in 2025. Known for his versatility and calm demeanor, Kyle Larson has emerged as a fan favorite. Larson has excelled on all types of tracks, including road courses, short tracks, and dirt tracks. This type of raw talent exists and isn’t created.
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His ability to perform under pressure and his genuine personality have endeared him to fans. As of 2025, Kyle Larson has secured 32 Cup Series victories, including a dominant win at Bristol Motor Speedway this year, where he led 411 of the 500 laps. And that is the type of it factor that Chad admires.
Similarly, pointing to Larson’s teammate Chase Elliott, who has followed in the footsteps of his Hall of Fame father, Bill Elliott, but has carved out his own legacy. Chase secured the 2020 Cup Series championship, marking Hendrick Motorsports’ 13th overall title. Beyond his own track success, Elliott’s consistent engagement with the fans and his approachable nature stand out. As of 2025, he has accumulated 21 Cup Series wins and was named NASCAR’s most popular driver for seven consecutive years.
And looking at NASCAR’s newest entry for 2026, Chas’ eyes are on Connor Zilisch, who has absolutely stormed the Xfinity Series. The 19-year-old rookie has achieved remarkable feats. With his win at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Zilisch won his 10th NASCAR Xfinity win of the season, something drivers would kill for in their entire racing careers. His blend of raw talent, determination, and charisma has garnered attention, positioning him as a future star in NASCAR.
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As of now, he leads the Xfinity Series and looks to join Trackhouse Racing next year. Zilisch, however, knows what it takes to jump from Xfinity to Cup and has recently admitted the difficulties of Cup racing, but isn’t backing down from the challenge.
These drivers do not ask for attention but are just concentrated on their work and the need to be fast on the track. And that type of resilience to show up again and again is what makes them the best and earns them a shelf with the sports’ greats.
Knaus recognizes that “it” factor and looks hopeful at the future of racing: “So we have so many guys in the industry right now that are young in their 20s or maybe early 30s that are going to be the ones that are like Jeff Gordon. But I think there’s a lot of guys that have that it factor and they’re going to continue to drive the sport forward. ”
But as drivers look to create their own legacy and keep the sport going, it is safe to say that there is no one like Knaus, and recently he just added another building block in his legacy as he joined the sport’s elite…
Chad Knaus creates his own legacy amid NASCAR drivers
Hendrick Motorsport’s top brass added another trophy to its already glittery résumé, taking home the coveted 2025 Smokey Yunick Award just before Sunday’s Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The award, named after the iconic mechanic and innovator Henry “Smokey” Yunick, celebrates those who start from humble beginnings but leave an outstanding mark on motorsports through ingenuity and daring. Since its inception in 1997, it has honored some of NASCAR’s brightest minds, from Dale Inman to Rick Hendrick, and now Chad Knaus joins their ranks, a fitting nod to a career defined by pushing boundaries and rewriting the playbook.
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Presented by Speedway Motorsports president and CEO Marcus Smith at the very track where Knaus and his No. 48 team dominated for two decades, that moment was more than ceremonial. Gleaming with nostalgia, Chad Knaus said, “This means a lot to me. I have been a Smokey Yunick fan for my career, quite honestly, and the biggest reason is because of the stemming of invention and pushing the boundaries – that if there’s not a rule, try to exploit that opportunity. When I was a young man, the stories, and the lore of Smokey Yunick, was there. That was a bit of a fuel for me – it was something that I wanted to try to create. That was something that was really cool for me. It’s unfortunate I never got the opportunity to meet [Yunick].”
Joey Logano Confirms Stance as Fans Demand NASCAR Villain Arc
Joey Logano’s no stranger to being NASCAR’s bad guy, and the label’s been sticking for years. Fans boo, social media roasts him, and rivals like Denny Hamlin have called him out, once even blasting him as a “piece of trash human” over a Martinsville wreck. His aggressive style, clutch wins, and that smirky grin spark love and hate in equal measure.
Some cheer his grit; others call his victories “manufactured drama,” especially when bold moves, like his 2018 Martinsville bump on Martin Truex Jr., steal the spotlight. The playoff system itself gets heat, with fans saying Logano’s knack for surviving chaos proves it’s flawed. In 2023, he owned the villain tag but shrugged it off, saying his inner circle, family, team, and those who know the real Joey matter most. Now, he’s doubling down, refusing to play the heel fans want.
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Logano stays true
On the Rubbin is Racing podcast, Logano got real when he was asked if he wants to turn heel at the boos he faces: “No, I don’t want to do that because I always want to be true to who I am, and I don’t want to let somebody that doesn’t know who I am affect my character. I was surprised.” That defiance sums up his career. Since his 2009 Cup debut with Joe Gibbs Racing, Logano’s been a lightning rod; his 2013 Hamlin feud at Auto Club Speedway, ending in a fiery crash, cemented his rep as a hard-charger.
The “Sliced Bread” nickname, coined by Mark Martin for his talent, got overshadowed by scraps and wrecks. NASCAR.com and FOX Sports have called him polarizing, yet his 32 wins and two titles (2018, 2022) show a driver who thrives under fire.
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“Like I don’t know. I feel like I’m misunderstood in a lot of ways. I don’t know what it is, and I hate it. Like, I look in comments on social media, try to figure out like, okay, why? Why is it? And people say, Oh, it’s your smile,” he said. Logano’s admitted on The Dale Jr. Download in 2024 to scrolling X, puzzled by the hate.
His smile, seen as cocky after wins like 2018’s Martinsville, fuels the villain narrative. ESPN and The Athletic noted how that Truex move, securing his title shot, lit up fans who felt it was dirty. But Logano’s not faking it; he’s confident, shaped by 600+ starts and a team that’s got his back.
“I’m not going to turn into somebody different because somebody else says something about me, right? I’m going to be who I am. The people that matter most to me are the ones who know me the best, right? The people I love, my family, my team, they know me really well,” Logano added.
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His wife, Brittany, married in 2014, and their three kids ground him, as he told USA Today. Team Penske’s Paul Wolfe praises his focus, especially in playoff pressure cookers. Logano’s words echo his 2022 NBC Sports interview, where he leaned on his inner circle to stay steady amid boos.
“Like the inner circle of the NASCAR industry knows me, that opinion matters. But if you’ve never really met me, you know, I think anyone would feel the same way,” he said. Dale Jr. backed him on The Dale Jr. Download, calling him a “genuine guy” and a “hell of a racer.”
Even Denny Hamlin, on his 2023 Actions Detrimental podcast, admitted to Logano’s maturity, racing smarter. His unique stat, championships in both Gen 6 and Next Gen eras, shows a grit fans misread as villainy. Logano’s not budging; he’s staying Joey, haters be damned.
Logano’s defiance connects to his early days, when he was just a kid learning stock cars with Venturini Motorsports in ARCA, a team that shaped his character.
Logano’s Venturini roots
As Bill and Cathy Venturini, founders of the ARCA powerhouse, retire, Logano reflected: “This was obviously very early in my career, and I was learning pretty much everything I could about stock cars”.
He continued, “I remember the first test we had in Daytona, and we weren’t very fast and were changing everything we could. When we went down for the race, we were pretty strong. I think we finished second or third or something like that.” That Daytona run, likely 2008, showed his raw talent, turning a rough test into a podium.
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“It was cool to think about the test and how off we were and how we were able to overcome that and be strong there. Then you built that relationship because we had gone through some adversity, even though it was only one week. And then [in the next race] at Rockingham, we destroyed them. We were just a couple laps away from lapping the whole field, which was really cool. “
The Venturinis, starting as a two-person Chicago outfit in 1982, were surrogate parents to young drivers, teaching Logano passion and resilience. That foundation, built on family and fight, shaped the guy who shrugs off boos today, staying true to the emotional, driven kid who tore up ARCA.
Dale Jr. Is Out of Solutions for NASCAR Charter Issue
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is one of the most influential individuals in NASCAR, and his opinions are much respected in all circles. Seldom does he not have an idea that would resolve conflicts within the sport. But even he doesn’t know how the sanctioning body and 23XI Racing/Front Row Motorsports are going to put an end to the ongoing charter dispute.
NASCAR and the teams are currently at a crossroads ahead of the December 1 trial. While both parties are willing to settle the matter ahead of the date, they can’t seem to come to an agreement over who must mediate the settlement talks. The sanctioning body wants a new judge to take up the role, while the teams want the existing mediator to continue.
This clash is something that has frustrated Junior to a great extent. He said on the “Dale Jr. Download” podcast, “I am on the boat that absolutely wishes this would get settled soon. I am… everybody is tired of this. I don’t know what it would take to make both sides happy. I think everybody has got their heels dug in. There’s some pride and ego involved.”
NASCAR was the first to come out and say that it was willing to reopen settlement talks once again after the failed attempt in August. This appeared to be a showcase of goodwill, but Junior believes that it did so just to change the public perception in its favor and tell the message that it is open to peace if the terms it dictates can be accepted.
How Junior’s Hopes Got Crushed by 23XI Racing
For a while after NASCAR extended its hand, Junior had gotten his hopes up, thinking that it would be a step in the right direction to sort things out. But the response that 23XI Racing/Front Row Motorsports filed blew out the flickering candle he held.
He said, “You see 23XI’s response, and it doesn’t sound like they can even agree on how to come to terms with a conversation to settle, right? Not only can we not agree on the lawsuit and a settlement, we can’t agree on how to have that conversation.”
A work stoppage or strike in a large-scale sports operation, such as the Major League Baseball, would spell big trouble and cause severe damage. Junior put those detrimental effects on the same line as what NASCAR is experiencing currently because of this utter fiasco that is running in the court.
“As unfun as that is to talk about, it’s definitely what’s happening in the sport today,” he declared with a grim face. In its most recent filing on Friday night, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports underplayed what the promotion called a “massive” increase in payment to teams.
It noted that the said increase will not even keep up with inflation over the life of the charter agreement and that it is a lower figure than the average per charter payment that was offered back in 2022. What’s certain is that the spiral keeps spinning out of control with each passing day and every response the parties deliver.
If all this does come down to December 1, the existing structure of NASCAR might change, and it might not be in a way that either party is completely satisfied with.
Fans Fume as HMS Star Slips in Title Race After Disastrous Wreck
William Byron’s shot at securing a spot in the Championship 4 may get bloody thanks to Ty Dillon. Things began to unravel with 35 laps to go; Byron got loose while leading, allowing Kyle Larson to retake the top spot. Despite the setback, he remained solidly in second place and seemed set for a strong runner-up finish until disaster struck a few laps later.
By lap 237, Byron, who was running second at the time, slammed into Ty Dillon’s car at full speed after not realizing Dillon was heading to pit road. The collision was severe, ending Byron’s day on the spot. It was a heartbreaking finish for what had been one of Byron’s most commanding performances of the playoffs. “I didn’t know he was pitting,” Byron said over the radio.
After leading significant positions of the race and winning stage 1, his early exit not only cost him a chance of victory but also crucial points in the playoff battle. The crash also collected John Hunter Nemechek. Byron came to rest on pit road, where the team and safety crews determined the No. 24 could no longer continue with severe front-end damage. Byron now joins Ryan Blaney as they both suffer DNFs this race.
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For a driver who had shown the speed and composure to win, the crash was a tough reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in NASCAR, from domination to devastation in just one split-second miscommunication. And the NASCAR fans could not let it go.
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The closing laps at Las Vegas left fans and drivers shaking their heads in disbelief. What should have been a routine pit sequence turned chaotic when Ty Dillon, who has earned the nickname “the human track debris” from a user for his unpredictable presence, disrupted the field. The impact was so severe that some fans immediately placed the blame squarely on the crew chief, saying, “That should be a crew chief suspension ngl. That was bad and could’ve killed someone.”
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The frustration was palpable. As one fan put it, “The driver that has scored the most points so far all year may be eliminated from a shot at the championship because of a back marker messing up pit entry.” Byron, with 4032 points collected throughout the season and who dominated much of the race for his championship hopes, vanished not because of his own mistakes but because of a slower, unpredictable driver.
Fallout factor is a mix of sarcasm and frustration across social media. One fan bluntly reminded everyone, “The world doesn’t revolve around William Byron…I know that’s probably shocking to him but…,” highlighting the harsh reality of racing. Meanwhile, Christopher Bell supporters were warned to “look away” by a user as the playoff pictures shifted dramatically in a matter of seconds.
Byron left in disbelief after Las Vegas crash
William Byron struggled to find the words at times, seemingly in disbelief and still digesting the crash that ended his afternoon at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
He was running second to Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson when he plowed into the back of Ty Dillon in Turn 4. Dillon slowed to come to pit road, which Byron was unaware of, and the No. 24 had nowhere to go. The contact, which occurred on lap 336 of 267, destroyed Byron’s Chevrolet and left him with a 36th-place finish.
“I never saw him wave, so I didn’t see any indication that he was pitting,” Byron said. “It was probably 12 to 15 laps after we had pitted, so I thought the cycle was fully over. Nobody said anything to my spotter, from what I know. I had zero idea.
“Everybody had been wrapping the paint really far around the corner, and that’s what I was doing to have a good lap. I was watching him thinking, OK, he missed the bottom a little bit here, and then he started slowing, and I had no idea what was going on. I’m just devastated. I had no indication. I obviously wouldn’t have just driven full speed into the back of him like that.”
Dillon did not feel he changed his line or did anything different on that pit cycle when coming to pit road than at any other point in the afternoon. The Kaulig Racing driver admitted he was still trying to compete as hard as he could despite his team struggling throughout the afternoon.
“I don’t think I was egregious in that,” said Dillon of his pit road entry. “Maybe just a lack of information being transferred.”
Byron and Dillon had different views of what communication was shared.
“My spotter told me that he let the [No.] 24 spotter know we were coming to pit road,” Dillon said. “Maybe I didn’t wave him off enough, but I feel like at this level, you kind of trust your spotter to do that. I don’t know what we do different there. … I hate it for the Hendrick guys. I hate it for Chevrolet that it happened that way, but I’m not even looking out the mirror at that point, I’m just trying to hit my points to get on pit road, and he hit me hard. It’s an unfortunate way for that to happen.”
The incident was the second moment in less than 10 laps that changed Byron’s day. Byron was leading the South Point 400 when the car got loose in Turns 1 and 2, costing him the lead to Larson. It happened on lap 232 – four laps before the crash.
“We were right there with the [No.] 5,” Byron said. “I got loose a few laps before and lost the lead, which I was bummed about, but I was going to try to get my balance back to a reasonable place. I was a little bit loose on that run; looser than I expected to be, and I was kind of pacing it. Yeah, as good as we were and just as good as the race was going, for random [expletive] to happen like that – it just sucks.
“I don’t know. I can’t believe it. I obviously would never do that. During the cycle, you’re anticipating guys pitting, and it just sucks.”
Byron fell out of a transfer spot with the DNF. He is 15 points behind Chase Briscoe going into Talladega Superspeedway.
William Byron Drops 6-Word Honest Verdict on His Championship Chances
Heartbreaking. That’s one way to describe William Byron’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Hendrick Motorsports driver led 55 laps at the South Point 400, and even looked likely to cruise his way into the Championship 4 with a victory. But everything changed on Lap 236 when Byron slammed into the back of Ty Dillon’s No. 10 Chevy while running second, forcing both drivers to retire prematurely at Sin City.
With just two races remaining before the season ends, Byron needs to get his act together to fulfill his championship hopes. With fixtures at Talladega Superspeedway and Martinsville on the horizon, will the North Carolina-native pull off a clutch result in the coming weeks?
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William Byron has his eyes on the prize
The stage was set for William Byron. The 27-year-old entered Sunday’s race fourth in the Cup Series playoff grid, four points above the cutline. Starting in 5th place, he quickly gained track positions as the laps ticked on, and even won Stage 1 by finishing above Kyle Larson. However, the situation quickly took a turn for the worse after a vicious crash destroyed both Chevrolets, relegating Byron to 36th place, dropping him 15 points below the cutline going into the YellaWood 500.
When asked by FOX’s Bob Pockrass if the result in Vegas would change the way he would approach the next few races, William Byron candidly said, “No, we just gotta go and win one of the next two. Doesn’t really change.” However, he couldn’t help but feel emotional after the result as well, admitting, “Just bummed out. You know, these opportunities are few. We had a really good car today. In contention to win. Everything has to go right in this Round of 8, and something major went wrong. I feel that was out of our control.”
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The path ahead is far from easy for Byron. In his 15 appearances at Talladega Superspeedway, the Hendrick Motorsports driver hasn’t won a single race at the venue yet, despite finishing runner-up twice. However, he did end up on the podium at Jack Link’s 500 earlier this year, and will try to build on that result next weekend.
As for Martinsville, William Byron did win at the short track in last year’s Cook Out 400 and entered Victory Lane at the venue in 2022. Considering those factors, the No. 24 Chevy driver has reasons to be optimistic, despite his disastrous finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. But while he has shown the speed consistently this year, Rick Hendrick and Co. will be praying Lady Luck is on his side in the weeks ahead.
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Ty Dillon shares his side of the story
Unlike William Byron, Ty Dillon was racing for nothing but pride at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Struggling with handling issues, the Kaulig Racing driver was attempting to get back onto pit road when the incident occurred, forcing him to settle for a 37th-place finish. While the narrative revolved around the No. 24 Chevy being wrecked and the possible playoff implications, Dillon’s side of the story was largely overlooked.
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Sharing his thoughts afterwards, the 33-year-old said, “My spotter told me that he let the No. 24 spotter know that we were coming to pit road. Maybe I didn’t wave him off enough, but I feel like at this level, you trust your spotter to do that. I don’t know what we do different there.”
Banana Ball coming to Alabama as Savannah Bananas announce 2026 schedule: 4 games set
Banana Ball is coming to Alabama.
Montgomery and Birmingham were announced as stops on the 2026 Savannah Bananas season tour.
Montgomery and Birmingham will each host two nights of the super-popular league. The announcement was made during Thursday night’s Banana Ball City Selection Show, which included the unveiling of two new teams, the Indianapolis Clowns and the Loco Beach Coconuts.
The Clowns and the Coconuts join the Savannah Bananas, Party Animals, Texas Tailgaters and Firefighters in the six-team league.
On March 21 and March 22, Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery will host the Firefighters as they compete against the Indianapolis Clowns.
Then, on Sept. 19 and Sept. 20, the Indianapolis Clowns will take on the Loco Beach Coconuts at Rickwood Field in Birmingham.
The newly announced schedule will be the inaugural Banana Ball Championship League season, where all six teams will compete to be the final two with a chance to participate in the Banana Bowl in October 2026.
In total, the barnstorming league will be visiting 75 stadiums in 45 states throughout the course of the season.
Business leaders want to fix traffic at the South Philly stadiums
“How many of you have attended a sporting or a concert event at our stadium complex and say to yourself, on the way out, there’s got to be a better way to get out of this parking lot?”
That’s the question Christopher Franklin, the new board chair of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, asked a crowd of business leaders on Friday.
The audience laughed knowingly at the universally frustrating experience.
The Chamber gathered hundreds of people at the Convention Center Friday for its annual meeting, sharing an update on the business group’s priorities.
Franklin, who is also the CEO of Essential Utilities, and succeeds Independence Health Group’s Gregory E. Deavens as board chair, highlighted three areas that need improvement, including the traffic problem in South Philly.
The Chamber is focused on a short-term plan to improve the traffic in the area that includes computerized traffic signals, improved signage, upgraded ramps, and “better training [for] traffic personnel to support the Philadelphia Police Department,” he said.
“This could be big,” said Franklin.
Beyond the stadium area, Franklin noted the Chamber also wants to prioritize improvements to Philadelphia International Airport and find a long-term funding solution for SEPTA.
Funding public transit is not a city issue, he argued, but a regional one, pointing out that some city residents commute to the suburbs for work.
“We cannot continue to run to Harrisburg every few years and ask for short-term fixes,” he said. “We’ve got to work together to find a shared solution, and we recognize that we’re going to need the House and the Senate and the governor all to be engaged,” said Franklin, noting that State Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R., Indiana) was in attendance Friday.
At the airport, the Chamber acknowledged recent improvements to the bathrooms, but Franklin emphasized there was still much work to do as PHL continues to rank last in traveler satisfaction in a national survey.
“We need to elevate the Philadelphia International Airport to a regional priority,” he said.
He called SEPTA, the airport, and the stadium complex “three of the most important assets in our region,” and noted that prioritizing the issues they face would “improve the flow of goods and services from our region to all areas around the world.”
Huntley volleyball wins own invite, girls tennis takes 1st at FVC Meet: Saturday’s Northwest Herald roundup
Girls volleyball
Huntley wins own invite: The host Red Raiders went 5-0 to win their own tournament, defeating Glenbrook South in the championship 25-22, 10-25, 25-17. Huntley also beat Westminster-Harvest Christian 25-12, 25-16 and Crystal Lake Central 25-15, 25-20 on Saturday. Huntley beat Mundelein 25-15, 25-19 and Johnsburg 25-14, 25-9 in their first two matches Friday.
During Saturday’s three matches, Izzy Whitehouse (23 kills, 11 digs), Lucy Watson (20 kills) and Mia Jacobelli (19 kills, 17 digs, seven aces) led Huntley’s attack. Rachael Hein recorded two kills, nine assists and 19 digs, Sophia Tocmo had 21 digs and three aces, and Abby Whitehouse had 23 assists, eight blocks, five digs and four aces. Summer Massow chipped in seven blocks and five aces, and Emily Ernst had 11 assists and six blocks.
Prairie Ridge finished fifth and beat Hononegah 25-19, 26-24 and Woodstock North 25-17, 25-11 on Friday. The Wolves lost to Glenbrook South 25-21, 25-10 on Saturday before defeating Dundee-Crown 23-25, 25-22, 25-15 and Belvidere North 25-19, 25-19.
Addison Smith had 56 assists, Adeline Grider had 24 kills, Abigail Smith had 18 kills and Tegan Vrbancic had 25 digs on Saturday. On Friday, Maizy Agnello had 16 kills, Sonora Bekere had four aces and four blocks, Abigail Smith had nine kills, Addison Smith had 38 assists, eight digs and three aces, and Grider had 13 kills.
Johnsburg’s Adelaide Bruns broke her team’s single-season record for aces in a 25-7, 25-12 win over Westminster Christian on the first day of the tournament. Bruns had three aces, 10 assists and nine assists, Alexis Sweetwood had seven kills and Abriana Bruns added eight digs on Friday.
Girls tennis
Fox Valley Conference Tournament: At Crystal Lake, Huntley defeated Crystal Lake Central by a point to capture the nine-team tournament title. The Red Raiders finished first with 48 points, Crystal Lake Central (47) was second and Cary-Grove (42) was third.
Prairie Ridge (41) took fourth, followed by Hampshire (39) and Crystal Lake South (34) in fifth and sixth, respectively. Dundee-Crown (22) placed seventh, McHenry (20) was eighth and Jacobs (18) was ninth.
Hampshire’s Isabella Kowalak won the No. 1 singles title, beating Crystal Lake Central’s Evie Johnson 6-2, 6-1.
Huntley’s Ella Doughty beat Prairie Ridge’s Anna Mertel 6-4, 6-0 to take third.
Gulnura Baidylaeva and Ainura Baidylaeva were one of three flight champions for Huntley, outlasting Dundee-Crown’s McKenna Fernstrom and Sasha Bozovic 7-6 (6), 6-3 for the No. 1 doubles championship.
Crystal Lake South’s Marissa Ulrich and Eliana Rankin won in two sets over Hampshire’s Alexa Schuring and Isabel Yu 6-3, 6-1 to take third at No. 1 doubles.
Huntley’s Gia Patel beat Cary-Grove’s Elle Stawarz 6-1, 6-0 for the No. 2 singles title, while Julie Klockner and Giuli Farraj beat C-G’s Darby Hennessey and Jelena Karlovsky 6-0, 6-0 to take first at No. 2 doubles.
Crystal Lake Central’s Ella DeSando beat C-G’s Kaitlin Lummis 6-1, 6-2 for the No. 3 singles title and the Tigers’ tandem of Audrey Kanellopoulos and Delaney Lisle beat Hampshire’s Aasiyah Nurmohamed and Annabelle Ionescu 6-2, 6-4 for the No. 4 doubles crown.
Cary-Grove’s Payton White and Presley Brainerd beat Prairie Ridge’s Maia Cassin and Anastasiya Halayko 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 for the No. 3 doubles title.
Boys soccer
Huntley 2, Barrington 2: At Barrington, Tyler Murray scored twice in the second half for the Raiders (11-1-3), who rallied for a tie after trailing 2-0 at the half. Cody Hammer and Daiven Trivedi had assists for Huntley. Christian Cuellar made saves on all three Broncos’ shots in the second half.
Cary-Grove 1, Lakes 1: At Cary, the Trojans (1-18-1) tied the Eagles in a nonconference game.
High school girls tennis: final 5A state tournament scores
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5A state tournament
Team scores
Woods Cross, 70
Hillcrest, 37
Skyline, 27
Timpview, 24
Pleasant Grove, 19
Springville, 18
Olympus, 16
Maple Mountain 15
First singles
First round (Oct. 6)
No. 16 Phoebe Dallimore, Bonneville def. No. 17 Bianca Noyes, West, 6-2, 1-6, 6-4
No. 9 Ava Quinton, Wasatch def. No. 24 Megan Hansen, Box Elder, 6-0, 6-0
No. 12 Cecily Hancock, Payson def. No. 21 Bea Hohl, Alta, 6-1, 6-1
No. 13 Ava Peay, Olympus def. No. 20 Katherine Reynolds, Taylorsville, 6-1, 6-2
No. 14 Sophia Robison, Viewmont def. No. 19 Mabel Tejeda, Hunter, 6-2, 6-0
No. 11 Bailey Smith, Spanish Fork def. No. 22 Annika Pardee, Northridge, 6-0, 6-1
No. 10 Kate Barton, Salem Hills def. No. 23 Megan Mckay, Cyprus, 6-0, 6-0
No. 18 Quincy Mcconkie, Fremont def. No. 15 Sienna Duncan, Maple Mountain, 6-3, 2-6, 6-0
Round of 16 (Oct. 9)
No. 1 Lyla Bergeson, Woods Cross def. No. 16 Phoebe Dallimore, Bonneville, 6-0, 6-0
No. 8 Lorel Silva, Springville def. No. 9 Ava Quinton, Wasatch, 6-4, 6-1
No. 5 Tally Johnston, Pleasant Grove def. No. 12 Cecily Hancock, Payson, 7-5, 6-2
No. 4 Chloe Mills, Brighton def. No. 13 Ava Peay, Olympus, 6-1, 6-1
No. 3 Sofia Stahle, Skyline def. No. 14 Sophia Robison, Viewmont, 6-0, 6-3
No. 6 Addison Burt, Timpview def. No. 11 Bailey Smith, Spanish Fork, 6-3, 7-6(3)
No. 7 Lola Sulser, Bountiful def. No. 10 Kate Barton, Salem Hills, 6-4, 6-2
No. 2 Luciana Gonzalez, Hillcrest def. No. 18 Quincy Mcconkie, Fremont, 6-0, 6-0
Quarterfinals (Oct. 9)
No. 1 Lyla Bergeson, Woods Cross def. No. 8 Lorel Silva, Springville, 6-0, 6-0
No. 5 Tally Johnston, Pleasant Grove def. No. 4 Chloe Mills, Brighton, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
No. 3 Sofia Stahle, Skyline def. No. 6 Addison Burt, Timpview, 6-3, 6-1
No. 2 Luciana Gonzalez, Hillcrest def. No. 7 Lola Sulser, Bountiful, 6-0, 6-0
Semifinals (Oct. 11)
No. 1 Lyla Bergeson, Woods Cross def. No. 5 Tally Johnston, Pleasant Grove, 6-1, 6-0
No. 2 Luciana Gonzalez, Hillcrest def. No. 3 Sofia Stahle, Skyline, 6-4, 6-4
Championship (Oct. 11)
No. 1 Lyla Bergeson, Woods Cross def. No. 2 Luciana Gonzalez, Hillcrest, 6-2, 6-2
Second singles
First round (Oct. 6)
No. 17 Brielle Yates, Box Elder def. No. 16 Cassandra Baird, Northridge, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4
No. 9 Courtney Call, Bonneville def. No. 24 Kiera Fricks, Taylorsville, 6-1, 6-1
No. 12 Millie Cook, Pleasant Grove def. No. 21 Adelyn Crane, Clearfield, 6-3, 6-3
No. 13 Eva Truman, Maple Mountain def. No. 20 Abby Bingham, Alta, 7-5, 6-3
No. 14 Layla Stevenson, Bountiful def. No. 19 Katelynn King, Fremont, 6-1, 6-2
No. 11 Lydia Goodwin, Olympus def. No. 22 F. McIntyre, West Jordan, 6-1, 6-0
No. 10 Hattie Templeman, Springville def. No. 23 Jordyn Staheli, Payson, 6-0, 6-0
No. 15 Annie Tejeda, Hunter def. No. 18 Olivia Jiang, West, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
Round of 16 (Oct. 9)
No. 1 Joshya Yerrapureddy, Hillcrest def. No. 17 Brielle Yates, Box Elder, 6-1, 6-0
No. 8 Brielle Vogelsberg, Spanish Fork def. No. 9 Courtney Call, Bonneville, 7-6(9), 6-4
No. 5 Brinley Studdert, Wasatch def. No. 12 Millie Cook, Pleasant Grove, 6-2, 6-2
No. 4 Maci Meier, Timpview def. No. 13 Eva Truman, Maple Mountain, 6-0, 6-0
No. 3 Olivia Stahle, Skyline def. No. 14 Layla Stevenson, Bountiful, 6-0, 6-0
No. 11 Lydia Goodwin, Olympus def. No. 6 Sadie Maxfield, Brighton, 6-2, 6-3
No. 10 Hattie Templeman, Springville def. No. 7 Mackenzee Nicholls, Salem Hills, 7-5, 6-1
No. 2 Ruby Robbins, Woods Cross def. No. 15 Annie Tejeda, Hunter, 6-0, 6-0
Quarterfinals (Oct. 9)
No. 1 Joshya Yerrapureddy, Hillcrest def. No. 8 Brielle Vogelsberg, Spanish Fork, 6-1, 6-2
No. 4 Maci Meier, Timpview def. No. 5 Brinley Studdert, Wasatch, 7-5, 6-4
No. 3 Olivia Stahle, Skyline def. No. 11 Lydia Goodwin, Olympus, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2
No. 2 Ruby Robbins, Woods Cross def. No. 10 Hattie Templeman, Springville, 6-1, 6-0
Semifinals (Oct. 11)
No. 1 Joshya Yerrapureddy, Hillcrest def. No. 4 Maci Meier, Timpview, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1
No. 2 Ruby Robbins, Woods Cross def. No. 3 Olivia Stahle, Skyline, 6-2, 6-4
Championship (Oct. 11)
No. 2 Ruby Robbins, Woods Cross def. No. 1 Joshya Yerrapureddy, Hillcrest, 6-3, 3-2
Third singles
First round (Oct. 6)
At Brighton High School
No. 17 Lily Henderson, West Jordan def. No. 16 Francine Mcintyre, West Jordan, 7-5, 6-3
No. 9 Lucille Long, Pleasant Grove def. No. 24 Clara Torres, Taylorsville, 6-0, 6-0
No. 21 Kate Zito, Box Elder def. No. 12 Ava Ingalsbe, Fremont, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2
No. 13 Makayla Smith, Maple Mountain def. No. 20 Lizzy Debry, Alta, 6-1, 6-0
No. 14 Eve Willis, Bountiful def. No. 19 Jordin Madsen, Clearfield, 6-3, 6-2
No. 11 Rylee Proctor, Bonneville def. No. 22 Ella Jewell, Payson, 6-4, 6-0
No. 10 Lauren Hafen, Springville def. No. 23 Arina Ispolatova, West, 6-2, 6-3
No. 15 Brooke Ludwig, Salem Hills def. No. 18 Bailey Swan, Viewmont, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
Round of 16 (Oct. 9)
At Liberty Park
No. 1 Grace Jaggi, Brighton def. No. 17 Lily Henderson, West Jordan, 6-1, 6-0
No. 9 Lucille Long, Pleasant Grove def. No. 8 Leah Fraser, Hunter, 6-3, 6-4
No. 5 Kate Schanz, Woods Cross def. No. 21 Kate Zito, Box Elder, 6-1, 6-1
No. 4 Riley Leverenz, Skyline def. No. 13 Makayla Smith, Maple Mountain, 6-3, 6-1
No. 3 Nivedita Bakshi, Hillcrest def. No. 14 Eve Willis, Bountiful, 6-1, 6-4
No. 6 Chandler Davies, Wasatch def. No. 11 Rylee Proctor, Bonneville, 6-0, 6-0
No. 7 Tatum Peterson, Olympus def. No. 10 Lauren Hafen, Springville, 7-5, 7-5
No. 2 Sasha Tolman, Timpview def. No. 15 Brooke Ludwig, Salem Hills, 6-0, 6-1
Quarterfinals (Oct. 9)
No. 9 Lucille Long, Pleasant Grove def. No. 1 Grace Jaggi, Brighton, 6-3, 6-4
No. 5 Kate Schanz, Woods Cross def. No. 4 Riley Leverenz, Skyline, 6-1, 6-1
No. 3 Nivedita Bakshi, Hillcrest def. No. 6 Chandler Davies, Wasatch, 6-0, 6-1
No. 2 Sasha Tolman, Timpview def. No. 7 Tatum Peterson, Olympus, 6-1, 6-2
Semifinals (Oct. 11)
No. 5 Kate Schanz, Woods Cross def. No. 9 Lucille Long, Pleasant Grove, 6-4, 6-3
No. 3 Nivedita Bakshi, Hillcrest def. No. 2 Sasha Tolman, Timpview, 6-2, 7-6
Championship (Oct. 11)
No. 3 Nivedita Bakshi, Hillcrest def. No. 5 Kate Schanz, Woods Cross
First doubles
First round (Oct. 6)
At Brighton High School
No. 16 Violet Madsen/Kate Wolfgramm, Bountiful def. No. 17 Alyssa Sanders/Gracie Harding, Hunter, 6-2, 6-2
No. 9 Stella Schroeder/Samantha Russell, Alta def. No. 24 M. Hospodarsky/S. Brinkerhoff, Taylorsville, 6-2, 6-0
No. 12 Alyssa Kasteler/Catherine Cook, Brighton def. No. 21 Sarah Larsen/Maya Huntinghouse, Northridge, 6-0, 6-0
No. 13 Miranda Rasmussen/Celeste Hammond, Fremont def. No. 20 Eva Dvoretskiy/Andrea Delgado, West, 6-3, 6-3
No. 14 Halle Ludwig/Halle Bladen, Salem Hills def. No. 19 Ellie Harman/Megan Field, Spanish Fork, 5-7, 6-3, 6-0
No. 11 Ava Booker/Junee Ngo, Hillcrest def. No. 22 Brianna Nguyen/Allison Torres, Granger, 6-1, 6-1
No. 10 Ashlyn Rowley/Sophie Slater, Pleasant Grove def. No. 23 London White/Paisley Mitchell, West Field, 6-0, 6-2
No. 15 Hallie Hamblin/Brighton Bernards, Clearfield def. No. 18 Chloe Anderson/Brielle Francom, Bonneville, 7-6(7-5), 6-2
Round of 16 (Oct. 9)
At Liberty Park
No. 1 Sydney Kemp/Lila Johnson, Woods Cross def. No. 16 Violet Madsen/Kate Wolfgramm, Bountiful, 6-0, 6-2
No. 8 Sophie Stokes/Annalee Nelson, Box Elder def. No. 9 Stella Schroeder/Samantha Russell, Alta, 6-2, 6-0
No. 5 Ruby Santiago/Holland Hafen, Wasatch def. No. 12 Alyssa Kasteler/Catherine Cook, Brighton, 6-4, 6-2
No. 4 Wilhelmina Hoggan/Samantha Hall, Olympus def. No. 13 Miranda Rasmussen/Celeste Hammond, Fremont, 6-0, 6-1
No. 3 Helena Nordhoff/Alice Ferreira, Skyline def. No. 14 Halle Ludwig/Halle Bladen, Salem Hills, 6-2, 6-3
No. 6 Elizabeth Gouff/Elizabeth Bednar, Timpview def. No. 11 Ava Booker/Junee Ngo, Hillcrest, 7-5, 6-2
No. 10 Ashlyn Rowley/Sophie Slater, Pleasant Grove def. No. 7 Abigail Wright/Paislee Bell, Springville, 6-1, 6-3
No. 2 Maiah Crandall/Natalie Nobuhara, Maple Mountain def. No. 15 Hallie Hamblin/Brighton Bernards, Clearfield, 6-1, 6-0
Quarterfinals (Oct. 9)
No. 1 Sydney Kemp/Lila Johnson, Woods Cross def. No. 8 Sophie Stokes/Annalee Nelson, Box Elder, 6-0, 6-0
No. 4 Wilhelmina Hoggan/Samantha Hall, Olympus def. No. 5 Ruby Santiago/Holland Hafen, Wasatch, 6-1, 7-5
No. 3 Helena Nordhoff/Alice Ferreira, Skyline def. No. 6 Elizabeth Gouff/Elizabeth Bednar, Timpview, 6-2, 6-4
No. 2 Maiah Crandall/Natalie Nobuhara, Maple Mountain def. No. 10 Ashlyn Rowley/Sophie Slater, Pleasant Grove, 6-1, 6-0
Semifinals (Oct. 11)
No. 1 Sydney Kemp/Lila Johnson, Woods Cross def. No. 4 Wilhelmina Hoggan/Samantha Hall, Olympus, 6-2, 6-0
No. 2 Maiah Crandall/Natalie Nobuhara, Maple Mountain def. No. 3 Helena Nordhoff/Alice Ferreira, Skyline, 6-4, 6-4
Championship (Oct. 11)
No. 1 Sydney Kemp/Lila Johnson, Woods Cross def. No. 2 Maiah Crandall/Natalie Nobuhara, Maple Mountain
Second doubles
First round (Oct. 6)
At Brighton High School
No. 17 Ava Rigby/Brinley Jenson, Payson def. No. 16 Eliza Hunsaker/Danielle Johnson, Bonneville, 7-6(7-5), 6-3
No. 9 Krithika Karthikeyan/Ameera Al-Sweedy, Hillcrest def. No. 24 S. Welch/J. Jorgenson, Viewmont, 6-0, 6-1
No. 12 Beatrice Richards/Emery Barnett, Bountiful def. No. 21 Celine Sanders/Kylee Brooks, Hunter, 6-1, 6-0
No. 13 Maggie Goodfellow/J. Richards, Alta def. No. 20 Kennedy Owen/Minna Tu, West, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
No. 14 Brynlie Austad/Lucy Welch, Clearfield def. No. 19 Arabella Bendixsen/Nataly Cuevas, Northridge, 6-2, 6-1
No. 11 Millie Shupe/Cambelle Hardcastle, Fremont def. No. 22 Milie Browne/Mykell Blacker, Box Elder, 6-2, 6-3
No. 10 Tess Benson/Claire Roper, Pleasant Grove def. No. 23 Aubrynn Maxfield/Aspen Fordham, West Jordan, 6-0, 6-0
No. 15 London Johnson/O. Stewart, Spanish Fork def. No. 18 Kloe Chapman/Oaklee Martin, Salem Hills, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4
Round of 16 (Oct. 9)
At Liberty Park
No. 1 Lillie Bennion/Liza Eyring, Woods Cross def. No. 17 Ava Rigby/Brinley Jenson, Payson, 6-0, 6-0
No. 8 Kesli Hawkes/Evie Droz, Maple Mountain def. No. 9 Krithika Karthikeyan/Ameera Al-Sweedy, Hillcrest, 6-1, 6-4
No. 5 Sienna Hansen/Gianna Sanone, Skyline def. No. 12 Beatrice Richards/Emery Barnett, Bountiful, 6-1, 6-4
No. 4 Laura Kotter/Mikaela McCluskey, Olympus def. No. 13 Maggie Goodfellow/J. Richards, Alta, 6-2, 6-3
No. 3 Jolie Boots/Piper Clawson, Timpview def. No. 14 Brynlie Austad/Lucy Welch, Clearfield, 6-0, 6-0
No. 6 Lucy Randall/Kate Jones, Wasatch def. No. 11 Millie Shupe/Cambelle Hardcastle, Fremont, 6-2, 6-3
No. 10 Tess Benson/Claire Roper, Pleasant Grove def. No. 7 Hailey Newitt/Madison Farley, Brighton, 7-6(8), 3-6, 6-4
No. 2 Avery Parker/Caroline Felix, Springville def. No. 15 London Johnson/O. Stewart, Spanish Fork, 6-3, 6-3
Quarterfinals (Oct. 9)
No. 1 Lillie Bennion/Liza Eyring, Woods Cross def. No. 8 Kesli Hawkes/Evie Droz, Maple Mountain, 6-0, 6-1
No. 5 Sienna Hansen/Gianna Sanone, Skyline def. No. 4 Laura Kotter/Mikaela McCluskey, Olympus, 6-4, 6-3
No. 3 Jolie Boots/Piper Clawson, Timpview def. No. 6 Lucy Randall/Kate Jones, Wasatch, 6-4, 6-2
No. 2 Avery Parker/Caroline Felix, Springville def. No. 10 Tess Benson/Claire Roper, Pleasant Grove, 6-4, 6-0
Semifinals (Oct. 11)
No. 1 Lillie Bennion/Liza Eyring, Woods Cross def. No. 5 Sienna Hansen/Gianna Sanone, Skyline, 6-0, 6-2
No. 2 Avery Parker/Caroline Felix, Springville def. No. 3 Jolie Boots/Piper Clawson, Timpview, 6-4, 6-1
Championship (Oct. 11)
No. 1 Lillie Bennion/Liza Eyring, Woods Cross def. No. 2 Avery Parker/Caroline Felix, Springville
South Bend Saint Joseph, Penn boys tennis win IHSAA semistate titles
The Northern Indiana Conference is going to be well represented come Friday, Oct. 17, at the IHSAA boys tennis state finals.
League powers South Bend Saint Joseph and Penn saw to that with a pair of impressive semistate showings on Saturday. No. 5 Saint Joe downed No. 4 and host Culver Academy 3-2, and No. 18 Penn beat No. 14 Carroll (Fort Wayne) 4-1 to win the Homestead Semistate.
The Huskies (18-3) and the Kingsmen (21-4) will now travel to Indianapolis to meet each other Friday in a quarterfinal match at 10 a.m. at North Central High School. The winner advances to the semifinals Saturday at 10 a.m., with the state title match at 2 p.m.
St. Joe and Penn, who both competed in the state finals in 2024, met in an NIC matchup in South Bend back on Aug. 26, with the Huskies winning 4-1.
Huskies get payback
The Huskies picked the perfect time to flip the script on a strong Culver Academy squad.
The Eagles had downed St. Joe 3-2 at Culver back on Sept. 13. The Huskies had changed their lineup since that loss, and freshman Jaxson Ashfeld got the clinching point with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 win Saturday at No. 3 singles. Ashfeld was playing at No. 1 doubles in the first meeting with Culver with junior Jack Mattison at No. 3 singles.
High school girls tennis: 3A final state tournament scores
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3A state tournament
Team scores
1. Rowland Hall, 58
2. Morgan, 47
3. American Heritage, 34
4. Logan, 24
5. Grantsville, 22
6. Waterford, 17
7. Carbon, 11
8. South Sevier, 9
8. Richfield, 9
8. Juab, 9
First singles
First round (Oct. 9)
No. 16 Celeste Marsing, Manti def. No. 17 Lillian Colasurdo, Providence Hall, 5-7, 7-5, 6-3
No. 9 Paya Maughan, Grand County def. No. 24 Olivia Aston, South Summit, 6-0, 6-1
No. 12 Bree Belnap, Ogden def. No. 21 Sydnee Clift, Canyon View, 6-1, 6-0
No. 13 Paislee Lloyd, South Sevier def. No. 20 Charvi Satyanarayan, Maeser Prep, 6-0, 6-2
No. 14 Savannah Saunders, Richfield def. No. 19 Madison Shelley, North Sanpete, 6-1, 6-1
No. 11 Marvella Young, Delta def. No. 22 Bryler Blackburn, Gunnison Valley, 6-1, 6-2
No. 10 Lynsey Hatch, Millard def. No. 23 Olivia Ocaña, St Joseph, 6-0, 6-0
No. 15 Jackie Rasmussen, Union def. No. 18 Izzi Turner, Emery, 6-2, 6-2
Round of 16 (Oct. 10)
No. 1 Scarlett Corey, Rowland Hall def. No. 16 Celeste Marsing, Manti, 6-2, 6-0
No. 9 Paya Maughan, Grand County def. No. 8 Magenta Mcdonald, Juab, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
No. 5 Demi Larsen, Logan def. No. 12 Bree Belnap, Ogden, 6-1, 6-1
No. 4 June Wang, Waterford def. No. 13 Paislee Lloyd, South Sevier, 6-3, 6-1
No. 3 Macey Dee, Morgan def. No. 14 Savannah Saunders, Richfield, 6-0, 6-1
No. 6 Lisa King, Carbon def. No. 11 Marvella Young, 6-2, 6-4
No. 10 Lynsey Hatch, Millard def. No. 7 Chloe Rucker, American Heritage, 6-3, 7-6
No. 2 Mya Orgill, Grantsville def. No. 15 Jackie Rasmussen, Union, 6-0, 6-1
Quarterfinals (Oct. 10)
No. 1 Scarlett Corey, Rowland Hall def. No. 9 Paya Maughan, Grand County, 6-1, 6-0
No. 5 Demi Larsen, Logan def. No. 4 June Wang, Waterford, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4
No. 3 Macey Dee, Morgan def. No. 6 Lisa King, Carbon, 6-0, 6-4
No. 2 Mya Orgill, Grantsville def. No. 10 Lynsey Hatch, Millard, 6-2, 6-0
Semifinals (Oct. 11)
No. 1 Scarlett Corey, Rowland Hall def. No. 5 Demi Larsen, Logan, 7-5, 6-3
No. 3 Macey Dee, Morgan def. No. 2 Mya Orgill, Grantsville, 6-1, 7-6
Championship (Oct. 11)
No. 1 Scarlett Corey, Rowland Hall def. No. 3 Macey Dee, Morgan, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2
Second singles
First round (Oct. 9)
No. 16 Nora Wood, Manti def. No. 17 Halle Francis, Providence Hall, 6-4, 6-4
No. 9 Shreya Garg, Logan def. No. 24 Tandy Bennett, Emery, 6-1, 6-1
No. 12 Berlynn Evans, South Summit def. No. 21 Camrie Anderson, Delta, 6-3, 6-2
No. 13 Autumn Anderson, Gunnison Valley def. No. 20 Sophia Scott, Grand, 7-5, 6-3
No. 14 Emma Hacker, Maeser Prep def. No. 19 Preslie Morwood, Union, 6-4, 6-3
No. 11 Summer Johnson, North Sanpete def. No. 22 Sophie Matthews, St Joseph, 6-0, 6-1
No. 10 Victoria Reese, Richfield def. No. 23 Jaynie Bergstrom, Canyon View
No. 15 Lucy Beutler, Juab def. No. 18 Kylee Jackson, Millard, 6-1, 6-1
Round of 16 (Oct. 10)
No. 1 Vyvian Bailey, Morgan def. No. 16 Nora Wood, Manti, 6-0, 6-0
No. 9 Shreya Garg, Logan def. No. 8 Kimi Belnap, Ogden, 6-2, 6-3
No. 5 Presley Blackburn, South Sevier def. No. 12 Berlynn Evans, South Summit, 6-2, 6-2
No. 4 Shelby Mcbride, Grantsville def. No. 13 Autumn Anderson, Gunnison Valley, 6-0, 6-1
No. 3 Sophie Shirazi, Waterford def. No. 14 Emma Hacker, Maeser Prep, 6-3, 6-1
No. 6 Jessi King, Carbon def. No. 11 Summer Johnson, North Sanpete, 6-0, 6-2
No. 7 Scarlett Patterson, American Heritage def. No. 10 Victoria Reese, Richfield, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
No. 2 Fiona Kean, Rowland Hall def. No. 15 Lucy Beutler, Juab, 6-1, 6-0
Quarterfinals (Oct. 10)
No. 1 Vyvian Bailey, Morgan def. No. 9 Shreya Garg, Logan, 6-0, 6-1
No. 4 Shelby Mcbride, Grantsville def. No. 5 Presley Blackburn, South Sevier, 7-5, 6-1
No. 3 Sophie Shirazi, Waterford def. No. 6 Jessi King, Carbon, 6-2, 6-1
No. 7 Scarlett Patterson, American Heritage def. No. 2 Fiona Kean, Rowland Hall, 6-4, 2-6, 7-5
Semifinals (Oct. 11)
No. 1 Vyvian Bailey, Morgan def. No. 4 Shelby Mcbride, Grantsville, 6=2, 6-3
No. 3 Sophie Shirazi, Waterford def. No. 7 Scarlett Patterson, American Heritage, 6-0, 6-1
Championship (Oct. 11)
No. 1 Vyvian Bailey, Morgan def. No. 3 Sophie Shirazi, Waterford, 7-6, 6-2
Third singles
First round (Oct. 9)
No. 16 Leah Sweeney, Carbon def. No. 17 Marin Brough, Union, 6-4, 6-1
No. 9 Lily Echols, Juab def. No. 24 Meg Denise Romero, Draper APA, 6-1, 6-0
No. 12 Dani Torgerson, South Sevier def. No. 21 Kate Flygare, South Summit, 6-0, 6-0
No. 13 Dan Tidwell, Richfield def. No. 20 Mia Vilgiate, St Joseph, 6-0, 6-0
No. 19 Leah Freeman, Millard def. No. 14 Marion Seely, Manti, 6-3, 6-0
No. 11 Kynlee Kjar, Gunnison Valley def. No. 22 Lori Bailey, Canyon View, 6-0, 6-1
No. 10 Rebekah Cox, North Sanpete def. No. 23 Kimber Mccandless, Grand, 6-2, 6-0
No. 15 Evelyn Covey, Delta def. No. 18 Londyn Sweeney, Providence Hall, 6-0, 6-2
Round of 16 (Oct. 10)
No. 1 Isabella Dickman, Morgan def. No. 16 Leah Sweeney, Carbon, 6-0, 6-1
No. 9 Lily Echols, Juab def. No. 8 Danica Nguyen, Maeser Prep, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3
No. 5 Blythe Huefner, Waterford def. No. 12 Dani Torgerson, South Sevier, 6-3, 6-3
No. 4 Saydee Thornton, Grantsville def. No. 13 Dan Tidwell, Richfield, 6-1, 6-2
No. 3 Halina Downs, American Heritage def. No. 19 Leah Freeman, Millard, 6-3, 6-1
No. 6 Ashbie Ellis, Logan def. No. 11 Kynlee Kjar, Gunnison Valley, 6-2, 6-2
No. 7 Berlin Beasley, Ogden def. No. 10 Rebekah Cox, North Sanpete, 6-2, 6-1
No. 2 Avalon Oconnell, Rowland Hall def. No. 15 Evelyn Covey, Delta, 6-0, 6-0
Quarterfinals (Oct. 10)
No. 1 Isabella Dickman, Morgan def. No. 9 Lily Echols, Juab, 6-0, 6-2
No. 4 Saydee Thornton, Grantsville def. No. 5 Blythe Huefner, Waterford, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
No. 3 Halina Downs, American Heritage def. No. 6 Ashbie Ellis, Logan, 6-4, 6-1
No. 2 Avalon Oconnell, Rowland Hall def. No. 7 Berlin Beasley, Ogden, 6-1, 6-0
Semifinals (Oct. 11)
No. 1 Isabella Dickman, Morgan def. No. 4 Saydee Thornton, Grantsville, 6-7, 6-1, 6-2
No. 2 Avalon O’Connell, Rowland Hall def. No. 3 Halina Downs, American Heritage, 6-1, 6-0
Championship (Oct. 11)
No. 2 Avalon O’Connell, Rowland Hall def. No. 1 Isabella Dickman, Morgan
First doubles
First round (Oct. 9)
No. 17 Campbell Jones/Ari Fiederer, St Joseph def. No. 16 Brinlee Allgood/Toree Stevens, Millard, 6-0, 7-5
No. 9 Keira Pettit/Abygale Guerra, Juab def. No. 24 I. Jensen/P. Baldwin, Maeser Prep, 6-1, 6-1
No. 12 Mackenzie Butler/Quinn Potts, Grand County def. No. 21 Samantha Everitt/Brianne Dover, Manti, 6-2, 6-1
No. 13 Caroline Beales/Emma Beales, Union def. No. 20 Brindlayn Grange/Ella Kelley, Emery, 4-6, 6-0, 6-0
No. 14 Lyla Cabarcas/Emelia Fry, Providence Hall def. No. 19 Paige Peterson/Ally Vincent, Gunnison Valley, 6-3, 6-2
No. 11 Brynlie Chidester/Addison Boyer, Grantsville def. No. 22 Ella Brown/Kate Bezzant, Canyon View, 6-1, 6-2
No. 10 Danyou Tang/Nitya Sunkara, Waterford def. No. 23 Amy Moyano/Paige Hillner, Delta, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0
No. 15 Afton Cook/Reagan Anderson, North Sanpete def. No. 18 Ashley Anderson/Ellery Malan, Ogden, 6-4, 6-1
Round of 16 (Oct. 10)
No. 1 Jane Borst/Savanna O’Connell, Rowland Hall def. No. 17 Campbell Jones/Ari Fiederer, St Joseph, 6-0, 6-0
No. 9 Keira Pettit/Abygale Guerra, Juab def. No. 8 Bentley Allen/Bella Zand, Draper APA, 6-1, 6-2
No. 5 Maggie Twohig/Sarah Willden, Logan def. No. 12 Mackenzie Butler/Quinn Potts, Grand, 6-3, 6-3
No. 4 London Myers/Jaci Tidwell, Richfield def. No. 13 Caroline Beales/Emma Beales, Union, 2-6, 6-2, 6-1
No. 3 Maycee Selin/Emma Gay, South Sevier def. No. 14 Lyla Cabarcas/Emelia Fry, Providence Hall, 6-3, 6-4
No. 6 Devaney Barney/Syd Jensen, Morgan def. No. 11 Brynlie Chidester/Addison Boyer, Grantsville, 6-2, 6-3
No. 7 Emily Dufour/Ireland Keil, Carbon def. No. 10 Danyou Tang/Nitya Sunkara, Waterford, 6-2, 6-3
No. 2 Annie Pearson/Grace Davis, American Heritage def. No. 15 Afton Cook/Reagan Anderson, North Sanpete, 6-1, 6-1
Quarterfinals (Oct. 10)
No. 1 Jane Borst/Savanna O’Connell, Rowland Hall def. No. 9 Keira Pettit/Abygale Guerra, Juab, 6-2, 6-1
No. 5 Maggie Twohig/Sarah Willden, Logan def. No. 4 London Myers/Jaci Tidwell, Richfield, 6-0, 6-3
No. 3 Maycee Selin/Emma Gay, South Sevier def. No. 6 Devaney Barney/Syd Jensen, Morgan, 6-3, 6-0
No. 2 Annie Pearson/Grace Davis, American Heritage def. No. 7 Emily Dufour/Ireland Keil, Carbon, 6-3, 6-2
Semifinals (Oct. 11)
No. 1 Jane Borst/Savanna O’Connell, Rowland Hall def. No. 5 Maggie Twohig/Sarah Willden, Logan, 6-1, 6-1
No. 2 Annie Pearson/Grace Davis, American Heritage def. No. 3 Maycee Selin/Emma Gay, South Sevier, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2
Championship (Oct. 11)
No. 1 Jane Borst/Savanna O’Connell, Rowland Hall def. No. 2 Annie Pearson/Grace Davis, American Heritage, 7-5, 6-2
Second doubles
First round (Oct. 9)
No. 17 Beni Stephenson/Payge Tolbert, Delta def. No. 16 Morgan Hirschi/Madalyn Larson, Manti, 7-6, 6-4
No. 9 Sophia Bentley/Lhayaashree Prem Kishove, Providence Hall def. No. 24 Eliza Massey/Cecily Nelson, St Joseph, 6-2, 6-3
No. 12 Malia Schlappi/Mariah Schlappi, North Sanpete def. No. 21 Tylie Bond/Emma Robison, Millard, 6-4, 6-4
No. 13 Evelyn Vanderschaaf/Ella Reeves, Ogden def. No. 20 Eiliyah Khan/Sadie Hutchinson, Waterford, 6-1, 6-1
No. 14 K. Hilton/C. Crafts, Maeser Prep def. No. 19 Tesni Maughan/O. Ricks, Grand County, 6-0, 6-2
No. 11 Jayleigh Twitchell/Alice Gay, South Sevier def. No. 22 Sadie Wirsch/Caitlin Barlow, Gunnison Valley, 6-2, 6-1
No. 10 Timmy McBride/Isabelle Brimhall, Grantsville def. No. 23 B. Crafts/S. Allen, Draper APA, 6-0, 6-0
No. 18 Mackenzie Beck/Chloe Neil, Canyon View def. No. 15 Josephine Williams/Skully Brown, Union, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6
Round of 16 (Oct. 10)
No. 1 Annie Bott/Gracie Bott, American Heritage def. No. 17 Beni Stephenson/Payge Tolbert, Delta, 6-1, 6-2
No. 9 Sophia Bentley/Lhayaashree Prem Kishove, Providence Hall def. No. 8 Ayana Ashby/Audrey Livingston, Emery, 6-2, 6-3
No. 12 Malia Schlappi/Mariah Schlappi, North Sanpete def. No. 5 Gianna Valdez/Emme Stockdale, Carbon, 7-5, 6-1
No. 4 Chloe Dutson/Rylee Telford, Morgan def. No. 13 Evelyn Vanderschaaf/Ella Reeves, Ogden, 6-0, 6-3
No. 3 Emma Peterson/Emma Larsen, Richfield def. No. 14 K. Hilton/C. Crafts, Maeser Prep, 6-4, 6-2
No. 6 Eva Bateman/Louisa Ricks, Logan def. No. 11 Jayleigh Twitchell/Alice Gay, South Sevier, 6-3, 6-2
No. 10 Timmy McBride/Isabelle Brimhall, Grantsville def. No. 7 Dallas Wright/Peyton Lynn, Juab, 6-3, 6-4
No. 2 Ada Tyser/Mae Wakefield, Rowland Hall def. No. 18 Mackenzie Beck/Chloe Neil, Canyon View, 6-0, 6-1
Quarterfinals (Oct. 10)
No. 1 Annie Bott/Gracie Bott, American Heritage def. No. 9 Sophia Bentley/Lhayaashree Prem Kishove, Providence Hall, 6-0, 6-0
No. 4 Chloe Dutson/Rylee Telford, Morgan def. No. 12 Malia Schlappi/Mariah Schlappi, North Sanpete, 7-5, 6-3
No. 6 Eva Bateman/Louisa Ricks, Logan def. No. 3 Emma Peterson/Emma Larsen, Richfield, 6-2, 7-5
No. 2 Ada Tyser/Mae Wakefield, Rowland Hall def. No. 10 Timmy McBride/Isabelle Brimhall, Grantsville, 6-2, 6-3
Semifinals (Oct. 11)
No. 1 Annie Bott/Gracie Bott, American Heritage def. No. 4 Chloe Dutson/Rylee Telford, Morgan, 6-2, 6-0
No. 2 Ada Tyser/Mae Wakefield, Rowland Hall def. No. 6 Eva Bateman/Louisa Ricks, Logan, 6-2, 6-4
Championship (Oct. 11)
No. 1 Annie Bott/Gracie Bott, American Heritage def. No. 2 Ada Tyser/Mae Wakefield, Rowland Hall
Standards and surprises at the Alaska State Tennis Tournament
There were plenty of familiar winners Saturday at the Alaska State Tennis Tournament.
West High continued its dominant run of state titles by taking the team competition. The Eagles’ top girls player, Lana Cebrian, notched her second state singles title.
Likewise, the Chugiak girls doubles team of Mary Jo Landon and Timber Fleischhacker repeated as champions.
But several newcomers joined the winners circle as well.
Juneau-Douglas senior Elliot Welch used a straight set victory to become the first boys singles champion in the history of the school.
And the mixed doubles team of Evan Dimmick and Emery Bryan earned the first state tennis title of any type for the Wolves.
Welch had to win a battle with West’s Boden Mason in the quarterfinals before topping Dimond’s Todd Debenham in straight sets for two straight matches to take the title.
“Everyone that made it to state made it for a reason, so everyone’s really good,” Welch said.
While Juneau-Douglas has produced state champions before, it never had in the boys singles competition.
“Already winning it is cool,” he said. “I didn’t know going through the whole season that it would be the first. My coaches did know, they just didn’t want to tell. Probably a good thing but it’s really cool.”
The scrappy Eagles team of Dimmick and Bryan cruised in the first set against Marais Anderson and Leif Anderson of Lathrop but needed a tiebreaker in the second set.
The team erupted into cheers after taking the final point.
“We came into regionals and state just trying to do our best, diving for balls, bleeding, sweating, just giving it everything we got,” Dimmick said.
Bryan said the team’s ability to stay in the present helped them to the state title.
“Just keeping each other positive is the best thing,” she said. “Making sure none of us hangs our head. Just focus on this point and have fun.”
Cebrian battled Chugiak’s Emerson Sims in a pair of epic matches over the course of the tournament.
In the semifinals, Cebrian won 5-7, 6-4, 1-0 (10-3) to advance to the final. But in the double elimination tournament, the two seniors met again with another competitive battle.
Cebrian won that one as well, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.
She said the two battles drained her.
“I’m tired,” she said, adding with a laugh. ”I want to go to sleep. I didn’t drink enough electrolytes.
Valentin Vacherot defeats Novak Djokovic and then his own cousin to win Shanghai Masters
By Issy Ronald, CNN
(CNN) — Of all the runs that Valentin Vacherot could have embarked upon to win his first ever major tennis tournament, this was surely the most unlikely.
The world No. 204 had to navigate qualifying to even appear at the Shanghai Masters, then defeat four players all seeded far above him before stunning world No. 11 Holger Rune in the quarterfinals.
Next was the small matter of Novak Djokovic in the semifinals whom he promptly defeated 6-3, 6-4. And that secured his place in the final where, remarkably, he faced his cousin Arthur Rinderknech who had upset Daniil Medvedev in the other semifinal.
There, the 26-year-old defeated his cousin 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to become the lowest ranked player ever to win an ATP Masters 1000 title, capping a fairytale tournament for him, and his family.
They became the first cousins to compete against each other in a Masters 1000 final and the first family members since John McEnroe defeated his brother Patrick in 1991 at the Chicago Open, per Opta.
“Grandpa and Grandma would be proud,” Vacherot wrote on the camera lens afterward.
Both Vacherot and Rinderknech, who played college tennis together at Texas A&M, struggled to talk in their post-match interview, such was the overwhelming emotion of the occasion.
“It is unreal what just happened. I have no idea what is happening right now. I am not even dreaming, it is just crazy,” Vacherot said, per the ATP Tour.
“I am just so happy with my performances the past two weeks. I just want to thank everyone who has helped with my career since the beginning. There has to be one loser but I think there is two winners today. One family that won and I think for the sport of tennis, the story is unreal.”
Rinderknech, the favorite going into the match and the world No. 54, won the first set, conceding just two unforced errors and hitting 12 winners in a dominant display. But Vacherot rallied in the second set to level the match before making just one unforced error in the third to take the win.
Before this tournament, Vacherot had only won once on the ATP Tour, accumulating $594,077 in prize money throughout his entire career. Now, he is set to rocket up the world rankings into the top 50 and will pocket $1,124,380 in prize money for this tournament alone.
Rinderknech was also breaking new ground in Shanghai, progressing beyond the third round of a Masters 1000 event for the first time in his career but he was only able to focus on his cousin’s achievement afterward.
“To Valentin, my love, you just gave everything, I’m so happy for you, I hope we’re going to have more,” Rinderknech said afterward.
Elkhorn Mount Michael win Nebraska’s Class B dual tennis title
KEARNEY, Neb. — Elkhorn Mount Michael won 13 of 15 matches Saturday to be the Class B dual state champion.
The Knights swept Lincoln Christian 5-0 in the final after beating Alliance 5-0 and Lincoln Pius X 3-2. Elkhorn North took third place by beating Pius X 3-2.
Connor Chen and Andrew Pentel played singles for the Knights. The doubles teams were Noah Stricklett and Patrick Killeen, John Krueger and Holden Kotash and Eli Zimmerman and Ashton Burroughs.
The Class A duals are Monday at Kearney.
stu.pospisil@owh.com, twitter.com/stuOWH
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Xander Schauffele Shows Regret for Letting Patrick Cantlay Down After Winning 10th PGA Tour Title
Xander Schauffele won three out of the four matches he played in the Ryder Cup. He and Patrick Cantlay were lethal together, as they have been in the previous editions of the event. In fact, only their pairing won the opening foursome match, while the rest of the teams faced big defeats on Friday. However, despite their excellent form, Schauffele & Cantlay couldn’t overpower the pairing of Jon Rahm & Tyrrell Hatton on Saturday. And the 2025 Baycurrent Classic champion believes he’s the reason behind his team’s downfall against the LIV Golf duo.
After winning his first PGA Tour title of the season in Japan, the 31-year-old sat down for a press conference when he was asked about his singles win against Rahm on Sunday. Schauffele told the media, “I thought at the Ryder Cup I played pretty solid, I let Pat hang in our second alternate match or foursomes match, I played really poor there and let him down, but the other rounds I felt like I was starting to kind of play some good golf. It’s very high stakes, high-pressure golf, and I started to hit some shots that I wasn’t really hitting throughout the year.”
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Cantlay & Schauffele struggled to overcome the threat of the European duo. Despite their best efforts, Rahm & Hatton ended up winning the foursome match on Saturday 3 & 2. And while Patrick was pushing hard to help his team win, this was probably Xander’s worst performance at Bethpage. However, he still wasn’t that disappointed because he got to take his revenge against Rahm on Sunday, winning the singles match on the day by the biggest margin, 4 & 3. And that’s the positive Schauffele took out of the event.
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“I think the whole tournament, even though we lost, for me personally, I was able to hit a few shots in high-stakes moments that sort of gave me a little bit of confidence for sure.” The excellent performance in New York certainly helped boost Schauffele’s confidence. And even though he didn’t directly say it, the confidence gain certainly contributed to his first PGA Tour win of the season at the Yokohama Country Club.
Fred Couples’ 2011 call between Tiger Woods and Keegan Bradley that didn’t go as planned
The 2011 PGA Championship was expected to play a big role in Fred Couples’ choices for the Presidents Cup team, with Keegan Bradley’s major debut win putting him right in the frame.
Bradley defeated Jason Dufner in a playoff to take the title at Atlanta Athletic Club, becoming just the sixth player to win on his first appearance in a major. It seemed almost certain that his name would be among Fred Couples’ two captain’s picks for the U.S. team.
Tiger Woods had a different kind of week, missing the cut and finishing 10 over par. It was his second major start of the season and marked the first time he had finished outside the top 100 in a major championship.
When play began at Royal Melbourne, Woods had fallen to 50th in the world rankings – a far cry from where he’d been just a few years earlier.
Keegan Bradley’s first snub came after Tiger Woods got a controversial Team USA pick
It was always going to take a brave captain to leave Woods out. Just three years earlier, he had claimed his 14th major title, putting on an incredible display at Torrey Pines despite playing through injury. But with only two spots available, Fred Couples had a difficult choice to make.
And it wasn’t as if he kept his thinking private. As Golf Digest reported at the time, Couples made it clear a month before the deadline that he planned to give one of those spots to Woods.
Then Bill Haas won the FedEx Cup and changed everything. With that result, the decision became even more complicated.
In the end, Bradley was the one left out. Couples stood by his plan to take Woods and added Haas as well, who had finished 12th in the points standings anyway.
Bradley would go on to find himself in similar situations again later in his career, despite strong cases each time for being included.
How Tiger Woods played a part in Presidents Cup history
Couples managed to avoid becoming just the second American captain to lose the Presidents Cup, and Woods did contribute two points, including the singles win on Sunday that clinched it for the away side.
But his involvement was notable for another reason. On the opening day, he and Steve Stricker suffered a 7&6 defeat to Adam Scott and KJ Choi, setting a new record for the largest margin of victory in foursomes at the event.
The result was matched at Royal Montreal in 2024 when Hideki Matsuyama and Sung-jae Im beat Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay by an identical margin.
Woods went on to lose both fourball sessions alongside Dustin Johnson. His only win over the first three days came on Saturday morning when he and Johnson finally got one back against Scott and Choi.
His second point came with a strong putting performance in Sunday singles, beating Aaron Baddeley 4&3. Even so, only three Americans finished with fewer points than Woods, including Haas.
READ MORE: Edoardo Molinari admits surprise at Keegan Bradley’s Ryder Cup pairing decision
Bradley didn’t have to wait long for another opportunity. By 2013, he had made his way onto Couples’ team automatically along with Woods and Haas. That year’s event at Muirfield Village saw Bradley play his part as Team USA claimed another victory under Couples’ leadership.
Alex Cejka closes out 3-stroke victory at SAS Championship
Alex Cejka of Germany shot a 1-under-par 71 on Sunday to finish with a three-stroke win at the PGA Tour Champions’ SAS Championship in Cary, N.C.
On a high-scoring day at Prestonwood Country Club, Cejka managed one of the lower scores of the final round by weathering a slow start and finishing hot. Cejka suffered bogeys on Holes 4, 12 and 15 that balanced against birdies on the sixth and 13th to leave him at 1 over going into the final three holes.
That came in contrast to his Saturday, when he shot a tournament-best 6-under 66 to give him a three-stroke cushion coming into the final round.
But Cejka recaptured some of that magic and closed with birdies on his final two holes to finish 9-under 207 and secure his first title since the 2023 Senior Open Championship, which also was earned in rugged weather. The 54-year-old collected a $315,000 check for his troubles.
Chandler Blanchet wins Korn Ferry Tour Championship; Johnny Keefer leads 20 new PGA Tour members
In the end, no one moved in or out of the top 20 in Korn Ferry Tour points at the season finale, where Chandler Blanchet prevailed by two shots over Barend Botha.
Blanchet picked up his second title of the year at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship, closing in 6-under 66 to finish at 14 under par. The 66 tied the lowest round of anyone on the week at The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort.
The 29-year-old Floridian finished second on the season-long points list, where the top 20 earned PGA Tour cards for next year.
Johnny Keefer tied for 12th in French Lick, Indiana, good enough to retain his spot atop the standings. In addition to his PGA Tour card, the 24-year-old who had two wins this season, also earned spots in the 2026 Players Championship and U.S. Open. Perhaps more importantly, he is immune from the periodical reshuffles the other 19 graduates will endure next year.
Mitchell Meissner (T-37) was the first man out, staying in the 21st position in which he began the week. Botha needed to win in order to have a chance, but his final-round 70 left him in 28th place.
Previously, the Korn Ferry Tour was allotted 30 PGA Tour cards for the following season, but with the big tour reducing its threshold for full exempt status by 25 cards (down from 125 to 100), the developmental circuit also felt the squeeze.
Nos. 21-75 in points will have full KFT status next season and automatically advance to the final stage of PGA Tour Q-School in December, where five cards will be on offer.
Here are the top 20 finishers this season on the Korn Ferry Tour:
Former Georgia Tech golfer Christo Lamprecht earns PGA Tour card
Former Georgia Tech All-American and 2023 U.S. Amateur Champion Christo Lamprecht has earned his PGA Tour card.
The 6-foot-8 native of South Africa finished ninth on the final Korn Ferry Tour’s points list, placing him among the 30 players who earned playing privileges for the 2026 season.
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These 20 Korn Ferry Tour players just earned their 2026 PGA Tour cards
The final round of the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour Championship started with two players who needed to win to earn their PGA Tour card leading the way.
For Barend Botha and Sandy Scott, only a win would put them in the top 20 and onto the PGA Tour. But Sunday at the Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort was not their day. Scott quickly faded, making three bogeys on his front nine en route to a final-round two-over 74 and a T8 finish. Botha lost the lead early as Chandler Blanchet, who had already clinched his PGA Tour card for next season, opened with three straight birdies. Botha hung tough but could not catch Blanchet, who shot a Sunday 66 to post 14 under and beat Botha by two.
Blanchet’s win saw him finish the season in second place on the Korn Ferry Tour points list just behind Johnny Keefer. The 29-year-old, who will be a PGA Tour rookie in 2026, became emotional after the final putt dropped and he turned his attention to what he hopes is a long future on the top circuit.
“I hope I can lead by example,” Blanchet told Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine about having his two kids watch him chase his dreams. “Hopefully we can be on the PGA Tour for a long time, and they can see that perseverance and hard work and translate that into their life.”
The drama was everywhere at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship. As the weekend leaderboard unfolded, Pontus Nyholm found himself at the center of it.
The 27-year-old Swede entered the week at 18th in the standings but fell onto the bubble over the weekend. With Botha making a weekend charge at the trophy, the pressure was ratcheted up on Nyholm to try to secure his card. On Sunday, the pressure came from Botha, who had to win to get his card, and Mitchell Meissner, who made a late charge as Nyholm leaked oil down the stretch, shooting a back-nine 40. Meissner birdied 12, 13, and 15 to enter the conversation and needed at least two more to finish to have a chance at catching Nyholm. But a wayward tee shot on 16 led to a bogey and caused Meissner to finish 21st in the standings.
“Really proud of how I fought,” Meissner told Romine after finishing one spot shy of his card. “It was cool to have a chance today. I’m grateful to be in this position. My buddy last night, he said, when I was a senior in college and going through the yips, I didn’t think I’d be in this spot. So grateful to be here and happy to have a chance.
After dodging Meissner, Nyholm just had to sweat out Botha’s Sunday charge. But once Blanchet held him off, Nyholm could exhale.
“Yeah, I’ve got a new favorite golfer in Chandler Blanchet,” Nyholm said after he secured his card.
On the other side of the coin was Zecheng “Marty” Dou. Three weeks ago, Dou was considered a long shot to make it back to the PGA Tour. But the 28-year-old posted a T2 finish at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship and followed that with a solo second at the Compliance Solutions Championship to jump into the top 20. Dou entered the Korn Ferry Championship at 19 and posted rounds of 72, 69, 72 and 72 to finish T18 and punch his ticket back to the PGA Tour.
“I haven’t really put much thought into getting my card this year,” Dou told Romine after the round. “I was just looking to get into Q School, maybe second stage or third stage. Two runner-ups, and suddenly it turns out to be getting my card. Coming in at 19, I was nervous all week.
“You want to show it on the best stage. Getting it done this week, I’m just looking forward to next year.”
Chandler Blanchet interview after winning Korn Ferry Tour Championship
Check out the full list of Korn Ferry Tour graduates below, in order of their finish on the Korn Ferry Tour points list.
2025 Korn Ferry Tour graduates
1. Johnny Keefer
2. Chandler Blanchet
3. Austin Smotherman
4. Neal Shipley
5. Emilio Gonzalez
6. Hank Lebioda
7. Adrien Dumont de Chassart
8. S.H. Kim
9. Christo Lamprecht
10. Davis Chatfield
11. Zach Bauchou
12. Pierceson Coody
13. S.T. Lee
14. Jeffrey Kang
15. Hensei Hirata
16. Trace Crowe
17. John VanDerLaan
18. Zecheng Dou
19. Sudarshan Yellamaraju
20. Pontus Nyholm
Amanda Balionis and Fans Rally Behind Neal Shipley as He Earns His PGA Tour Card for 2026 Season
Neal Shipley lit up a cigar on October 13, 2025, and the golf world lit up with him. Brentley Romine’s viral X post captured the 24-year-old Pittsburgh native celebrating with “a well-deserved stogie” at French Lick, Indiana, where the Korn Ferry Tour Championship had just concluded. The image garnered over 202,400 views as fans and analysts flooded social media with congratulations for Shipley’s official graduation to the PGA Tour.
The stogie moment marked something significant. While Shipley had mathematically secured his 2026 PGA Tour card back in August, the formal awarding ceremony for all 20 graduates took place on October 13. The season-ending celebration at the Pete Dye Course brought the journey full circle—from conditional status to confirmed PGA Tour membership.
The traditional cigar celebration resonated across the golf community. It’s a classic sports gesture for milestone achievements, and Shipley had earned every puff of it. He finished the season ranked No. 3 on the Korn Ferry Tour Points List with 1,627.62 points, trailing only Johnny Keefer (2,295.11 points) and Austin Smotherman (1,866.11 points).
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However, what made the moment even sweeter was that Shipley started 2025 with a conditional status. He’d earned it through non-member FedExCup points from eight PGA Tour starts in 2024. The journey began rocky—he missed cuts in his first two Korn Ferry events. Then something clicked at The Panama Championship, where a T9 finish positioned him perfectly for the season’s first reshuffle.
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What followed was nothing short of remarkable. Shipley captured his first professional victory at the LECOM Suncoast Classic in April, erasing a four-stroke final-round deficit. The victory included a clutch 38-foot birdie putt on the fifth playoff hole to defeat Seungtaek Lee. He pocketed $180,000 and proved he could win when it mattered most.
Three months later, he did it again—only bigger. At The Ascendant presented by Blue in July, Shipley won his second win by erasing a seven-stroke final-round deficit. His 8-under 64 featured eight birdies, one eagle, and just one double bogey. The comeback represented the largest since 2024 and made him the first player since 2020 to start the final round 7+ strokes behind and win in regulation.
The victories sparked consistency. Shipley strung together five consecutive top-10 finishes: Memorial Health Championship (T5), The Ascendant (Won), Price Cutter Charity Championship (T7), NV5 Invitational (T3), and Pinnacle Bank Championship (T8). That stretch effectively secured his PGA Tour card well before season’s end. It also propelled him to a career-high No. 85 in the Official World Golf Ranking—his first time cracking the top 100.
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Golf World Celebrates Shipley’s Achievement
The golf community erupted with congratulations. Fans flooded social media with enthusiastic responses. One wrote, “He’s got a lot of game. I’m bullish and excited to watch Shipley. It was amazing to watch him perform so well at The Masters playing with Woods.” Another simply stated, “Well deserved! Congrats Neal!!” A third chimed in with, “Congrats Neal!”
Industry voices joined the chorus. Dan Rapaport tweeted his excitement: “Stoked to watch Neal Shipley on the big tour next year.” Tee Times highlighted his roots: “Very cool and inspiring to see a kid from a blue-collar club like Oakmont make it to the PGA Tour!” Even Amanda Balionis celebrated Pittsburgh’s pride with “A couple of dubs for Pittsburgh today!”
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The recognition feels earned. Shipley’s 2024 amateur season included low amateur honors at both the Masters and U.S. Open—joining Viktor Hovland (2019) as the only players to accomplish that feat in the same year. His Sunday pairing with Tiger Woods at Augusta National became one of his career highlights.
Now he’s headed to the big show. Shipley will enter 2026 as a first-year member, having made eight PGA Tour starts in 2024 with a best finish of T6 at the ISCO Championship. His proven clutch gene and comeback ability position him as one of the most promising talents joining the tour. The Pittsburgh native turned conditional status into a PGA Tour card in one remarkable season—and the golf world can’t wait to watch what comes next.
KFT Pro Breaks Down After Career Milestone as Family Struggles Come to Light
The Korn Ferry Tour is golf’s ultimate proving ground — where ambition meets reality and only the toughest endure. Players chase 20 golden tickets to the PGA TOUR, each swing carrying the weight of years of sacrifice. It’s a grind: cross-country drives, shared motel rooms, maxed-out credit cards, and instant noodles for dinner. One good week can change everything. This week, Chandler Blanchet lived that redemption — his tears weren’t just for victory, but for survival, for proving that perseverance outlasts every reason to quit.
At the Price Cutter Charity Championship in Springfield, Blanchet dominated from start to finish. He shot 62-62-69-68, finishing 27-under-par (261) the second-lowest total in tournament history. He led wire-to-wire, the first player this season to do so, and beat Patrick Welch by three shots.
That performance marked his first Korn Ferry Tour win in his 89th start. The victory vaulted him to No. 7 on the season-long points list, officially securing his PGA TOUR card.
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But the numbers only tell half the story. Eighteen months earlier, Blanchet stood over a wedge from 124 yards, weighed down by debt and pressure. His wife was about to give birth. He led by one. The ball disappeared into the cup. That eagle changed everything — his confidence, his finances, his trajectory.
Now, as a father of two, Blanchet’s reality looks different. The family that once lived apart to save money will now travel together. No more counting credit card limits. No more wondering if the dream is slipping away.
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“I hope I can lead by example they can watch me,” Blanchet said. “Hopefully, when we travel on the PGA Tour for a long time, they can see that perseverance and hard work. And translate that into their life.”
His wife watched from home, tears streaming, as his name stayed locked atop the leaderboard. The gamble on his dream had finally paid off.
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Blanchet’s story mirrors countless others grinding through golf’s lower tiers. Jeffrey Kang, who turned pro nine years ago, still fights for his first PGA TOUR card. He’s traveled the world from Korea to Canada to Mexico chasing stars, often sleeping in rental cars. His career earnings barely cover the costs. Yet he keeps showing up.
Players like Wilson Furr and Mac Meissner have faced the same relentless uncertainty — sponsorships falling through, travel costs eating into winnings, mental exhaustion setting in. But they stay. Because belief is the only currency that matters here. That’s the essence of the Korn Ferry Tour. It doesn’t just build golfers, forges character and rewards endurance, not comfort.
Sometimes, a one-holed wedge changes everything. Sometimes, 18 months of grinding end in tears of joy. The Korn Ferry Tour isn’t just about reaching the PGA Tour; it’s about proving you belong there.
The Shrinking Pathway on the Korn Ferry Tour: Why Only 20 Cards Are Available in 2026
The Korn Ferry Tour has never been for the faint-hearted. But as the 2026 PGA TOUR season approaches, the stakes have never been higher. For the first time in years, only twenty players will graduate from the Korn Ferry Tour to the PGA TOUR. Just two seasons ago, thirty earned that honor. That 33% cut changes everything.
The decision wasn’t random. It follows the PGA TOUR’s broader tightening of its ecosystem. The FedExCup Fall now protects only the top 100 exempt members instead of 125. Fewer cards at the top means fewer openings below. The system is shrinking to reward elite consistency rather than participation.
However, there’s a silver lining. Those who do earn promotion will now gain stronger access to full-field PGA TOUR events. Instead of thirty rookies fighting for limited starts, twenty will have clearer schedules and better opportunities. It’s survival of the sharpest. But the ripple effect is brutal. Every Korn Ferry Tour round now feels like a playoff. A single missed cut could erase months of work. Finishing 21st instead of 20th means another year chasing points, paying entry fees, and stretching faith. The margin for error has vanished.
Chandler Blanchet’s climb, finishing seventh on the points list, stands as proof of how fine the margins have become. Each week, he held his nerve while others cracked. Hundreds of players now chase the same dream with fewer lifelines and heavier stakes.
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Even Scottie Scheffler once walked this path. In 2019, he led the Korn Ferry standings and graduated with quiet confidence. His rise shows what this tour can produce: precision under pressure, trust in the grind, and readiness for the main stage. Yet today’s players face a leaner route than he ever did.
With twenty cards on the line across twenty-six events, the math is unforgiving. The Korn Ferry Tour has always been golf’s proving ground. Now it’s something tougher a gauntlet where talent, timing, and belief decide who survives.
‘The Tour Is Doing Fine Without Brooks Koepka,’ Says Chamblee
Earlier this year, there were many rumors about LIV Golf defections spreading around. They started coming up because several former PGA Tour stars had LIV contracts that were about to expire. This included players like Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka. The talks only grew as the PGA-LIV merger stalled again and again. However, there is a path for players like Koepka to get back in the PGA, but those star players may need to jump through a few more hoops.
Brooks Koepka and LIV Golf
Despite splitting with the PGA early into LIV Golf’s run, Brooks Koepka has had a few words about the start-up league. Back in March, he went as far as saying that the league is “behind where we should be.” Behind financially, in viewership, and in sponsorship. If the league stays behind, it might not live to see another year. There is a lot that goes into keeping a league running. However, if the league were to go under tomorrow, players on the PGA are eager to play with the LIV players again outside of majors. Unfortunately for those LIV players, they will need to jump through a couple of hoops before they are welcomed back.
Brandel Chamblee On What Will happen
In the past, Brandel Chamblee has never been shy about criticising LIV Golf. He and Rory McIlroy are competing to be the league’s number one hater. Before Chamblee has bashed the league for its low viewership numbers, often dwarfed by any PGA tournament. When Chamblee went on Trey Wingo’s Straight Facts Homie Podcast, they started talking about how many contracts were due to expire as soon as this year. The conversation turned towards how players like Koepka could come back. Chamblee said:
“I know everybody will say, ‘We want Brooks back straight away’. Well, the Tour is doing fine without Brooks Koepka, they’re doing fine without Phil Mickelson, they’re doing fine without Dustin Johnson, doing fine without Jon Rahm. There has to be some penalty. Let’s not forget, the Tour had to spend a lot of money to fight that litigation and eventually end that litigation. A lot of their rainy day fund would have gone to waste.“
The line about the PGA Tour doing fine without the players like Koepka is what should sting them the most. Financially and ratings-wise, these players don’t have a lasting impact on the PGA. Players like Dustin Johnson even started fading from the public eye.
Koepka And The Return Of Other Players
As of 2025, Brooks Koepka is still under contract, and that contract won’t expire until the end of 2026. Currently, LIV Golf is facing numerous issues; the league is being kept afloat by the deep pockets of the PIF. The PGA is in a position of power over LIV Golf and is willing to show it. The LIV players, like Koepka, want to play, but if or when they leave, will the PGA Tour welcome them back? In order for them to be even considered for coming back, they will need to prove themselves again.
Top 5 Korn Ferry Tour Pros Who Secured Their Card for PGA Tour 2026 Season
The Korn Ferry Tour, launched in 1990 as the Ben Hogan Tour, is the primary pathway to the PGA Tour. It has evolved through several sponsors into the top proving ground for aspiring professionals. Each season, players battle for limited PGA Tour cards, where consistency and composure determine success. The 2025 season concluded at French Lick, Indiana, with only 20 cards available—down from 30 last year—intensifying every round. Despite the pressure, the standout performers rose to the occasion, securing their spots on golf’s biggest stage for 2026.
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1. Johnny Keefer
Keefer’s rise from rookie to season-long leader was nothing short of electric. The 24-year-old from Baylor University played with the confidence of a veteran, stringing together multiple wins early in the year. His game combined balance and aggression, often leading him to birdie streaks that broke tournaments wide open.
Throughout 2025, Keefer rarely faltered under pressure. He topped the Korn Ferry Tour points list by a comfortable margin, proving his consistency across diverse conditions. Whether facing windy afternoons in Texas or tight fairways in Florida, Keefer adapted with calm precision. His ability to recover from mistakes and close strong set him apart.
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Heading into 2026, Keefer represents the new generation of fearless, fast-playing pros. His poise and attacking mindset could help him make an immediate splash on the PGA Tour.
2. Chandler Blanchet
The Steady Climber Blanchet’s season reflected persistence and timing. Early on, he hovered near the middle of the standings. Then came a surge of top-five finishes that turned his campaign around. Each week, he sharpened his approach play and trusted his short game when it mattered most.
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Known for his calm demeanor, Blanchet rarely let momentum slip away. He handled pressure with quiet confidence, especially during the season’s closing stretch. His ability to stay patient and capitalize late in rounds made him one of the most composed players on Tour. Blanchet now heads to the PGA Tour with the reputation of a grinder who knows how to close. His steady rhythm and mental discipline could earn him plenty of weekend tee times against golf’s elite.
3. Neal Shipley
Shipley’s journey to the PGA Tour has been a blend of talent, work ethic, and timing. The former Ohio State standout first caught attention as the low amateur at the 2024 Masters and U.S. Open. That confidence carried into his first full Korn Ferry season, where he delivered on every promise.
Shipley claimed two wins, including a dramatic playoff victory at the LECOM Suncoast Classic. His mix of power off the tee and soft hands around the greens helped him thrive on varied layouts. Week after week, he displayed the same calm he once showed at Augusta. Fans see him as more than a promising rookie — he’s viewed as a future PGA Tour mainstay. Shipley’s rise has been fast but well-earned, and his polished game looks ready for the big stage.
4. Jeffrey Kang
For Kang, this PGA Tour card represents years of persistence. The 33-year-old has played around the world — from Asia to the Americas — grinding on smaller circuits and chasing a long-delayed dream. In 2025, that dream finally came true.
Kang’s late-season surge, including a clutch win under pressure, secured his spot inside the top 20. His calm approach and experience gave him an edge over younger players in key moments. He played smart golf, managing risk while maximizing opportunities when the field tightened. Now, Kang finally earns a full PGA Tour season after more than a decade of hard work. His story proves that perseverance in golf pays off sometimes when you least expect it.
5. Christo Lamprecht
The Powerhouse from South Africa, standing at 6’8”, Christo Lamprecht brings a presence that’s impossible to ignore. The former Georgia Tech star turned professional with sky-high expectations, and his first Korn Ferry season didn’t disappoint. His length off the tee made him one of the Tour’s most intimidating players, while his touch around the greens surprised many.
Lamprecht notched several top-10s in 2025, showing that his power game comes with control. He used his frame and mechanics to generate effortless speed but relied on precision to stay competitive. Fans love his confidence and calm personality, both vital traits for PGA Tour success.
With global appeal and an explosive game, Lamprecht has the tools to become South Africa’s next golf sensation. Expect plenty of highlight-reel drives when he tees it up next season.
Despite the tighter field, this year’s Korn Ferry Tour graduates form a compelling class. Keefer’s dominance, Shipley’s polish, Blanchet’s steadiness, Kang’s perseverance, and Lamprecht’s power define a new generation ready for golf’s biggest stage. The 2026 PGA Tour rookie lineup isn’t just promising — it’s poised to make headlines from day one.
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After all, the Korn Ferry Tour has launched some of golf’s biggest names. Scottie Scheffler, the current World No. 1, earned his PGA Tour card through this same pathway in 2019. Will Zalatoris built his reputation on the KFT before becoming a Masters contender. Even Jason Day and Justin Thomas once sharpened their skills on this developmental circuit.
These stars prove the Korn Ferry Tour isn’t just a stepping stone — it’s a launching pad for greatness. With talents like Keefer, Shipley, and Lamprecht now joining the mix, golf fans could be witnessing the next wave of champions ready to shape the PGA Tour’s future.
How to watch MLB League Championship Series 2025: live stream from anywhere
The 2025 MLB League Championship Series sees the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays facing off in the ALCS, while the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers trying to take the NLCS pennant.
You can watch MLB League Championship Series 2025 from anywhere with a VPN and potentially for free.
Could 2025 finally be the year that the Seattle Mariners end their (in)famous World Series drought? Just four wins — and John Schneider’s high flying Toronto Blue Jays — stand in their way of finally bringing baseball’s least envious record to an end. Much will depend on whether Cal Raleigh can maintain his awesome slugging form.
The Dodgers have the chance to go back-to-back in the NLCS to set up a second straight championship. Shohei Ohtani is a shoo-in for the NL’s MVP, but he’ll want to ensure he navigates the LA franchise through this series. The Brewers are attempting to end 43 years of hurt since they made it all the way through to the end of the season and notching up seven visits to the playoffs in the last eight years will only have fuelled frustration.
Which two teams will be heading to the 2025 Fall Classic? Check out all of the TV and streaming details below to find out how to watch MLB League Championship Series 2025 from anywhere, including free options.
Watch MLB League Championship Series 2025 from anywhere
Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching the baseball on your usual subscription?
You can still watch MLB League Championship Series live thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are, making it ideal for viewers away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN — we explain why in our NordVPN review.
How to watch MLB League Championship Series live streams in the U.S.
The rights for the 2025 MLB League Championship Series games are split between TNT and Fox.
Fox is showing game 1 of Mariners vs Blue Jays, with Fox and FS1 both showing game 2 of the ALCS onwards. The Dodgers vs Brewers in the NLCS will be on your choice of TBS or truTV, and simulcasting on HBO Max (from $17/month).
Not got cable? You can also catch these MLB Playoff games via one of the best cable TV alternatives.
Sling TV is one of the most affordable options available. Its Orange plan carries TBS and plans cost only $5/day, $15/week or $46/month. Its Blue plan has Fox (in selected cities), FS1, TBS and truTV and costs from $51/month.
The likes of Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV Stream will also get you comprehensive postseason coverage.
How to watch MLB League Championship Series live streams in Canada
In Canada, MLB coverage is exclusive to Sportsnet.
You can stream MLB League Championship Series games live on Sportsnet Plus, which starts at CA$29.99/month. Both Standard and Premium plans let you watch MLB.
If you live in Canada but aren’t at home right now, you can still watch MLB live streams by using a quality VPN like NordVPN to unlock your usual service.
How to watch MLB League Championship Series live streams in the U.K.
Comprehensive MLB postseason coverage is being provided by TNT Sports, across multiple channels.
You can stream TNT Sports live online by subscribing to the Discovery Plus Premium plan from £30.99/month, or you can add TNT Sports through Sky, BT, EE or Virgin Media to watch via your television provider.
If you’re on holiday outside the U.K. you can still tap into your free MLB stream by using one of the best VPN services, such as NordVPN.
How to watch MLB League Championship Series live streams in Australia
Aussies will find MLB League Championship Series live streams on ESPN via Foxtel.
Don’t have Foxtel and don’t want to subscribe? The games will also be shown on Kayo Sports, with its affordable, commitment-free plans starting from just AU$30/month, and hosting plenty of NFL, cricket, AFL, rugby, F1 and loads of other live sports besides. Anybody who hasn’t used the service can do so with its 7-day FREE trial.
Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like NordVPN to watch all the action on your account as if you were back home.
MLB League Championship Series schedule 2025
American League Championship Series
Game 1: Mariners vs Blue Jays — Sunday, October 12, 8:03 p.m. ET / 5:03 p.m. PT
Game 2: Mariners vs Blue Jays — Monday, October 13, 5:03 p.m. ET / 2:03 p.m. PT
Game 3: Blue Jays vs Mariners — Wednesday, October 15
Game 4: Blue Jays vs Mariners — Thursday, October 16
*Game 5: Blue Jays vs Mariners — Friday, October 17
*Game 6: Mariners vs Blue Jays — Sunday, October 19
*Game 7: Mariners vs Blue Jays — Monday, October 20
National League Championship Series
Game 1: Dodgers vs Brewers — Monday, October 13, 8:08 p.m. ET / 5:08 p.m. PT
Game 2: Dodgers vs Brewers — Tuesday, October 14, 8:08 p.m. ET / 5:08 p.m. PT
Game 3: Brewers vs Dodgers — Thursday, October 16
Game 4: Brewers vs Dodgers — Friday, October 17
*Game 5: Brewers vs Dodgers — Saturday, October 18
*Game 6: Dodgers vs Brewers — Monday, October 20
*Game 7: Dodgers vs Brewers — Tuesday, October 21
* indicates ‘if required’
More from Tom’s Guide
Who Is Eugenio Suarez? Seattle Mariners Star’s Net Worth, Wife, Parents, Ethnicity, MLB Contract & More
Few players in today’s game bring the power and grit that Eugenio Suarez does. Back in April this season, he didn’t just have a by-chance good day; he made history. He crushed four home runs in a single game and joined one of baseball’s most exclusive clubs as just the 19th player to be able to do that. Suarez is someone who always leaves a mark, be it the gameplay or the big smile he rocks. But his story is more than just the numbers. Learn more about his history, his stats, and his achievements here.
Who Is Eugenio Suarez?
Eugenio Suarez is not just another name on the Mariners roster. He is one of the most seasoned and electric sluggers they have. He was born on July 18, 1991, in Venezuela, and began his pro journey with the Detroit Tigers. They had signed him as an amateur free agent way back in 2008. Then by 2014, he made his MLB debut in Detroit, and since then, he has not stopped making headlines.
After his rookie season, he was traded to the Reds, which is where his career took off. He became a fixture in the lineup and earned several all-star nods. Then, in 2018, he got a seven-year extension with the team. But baseball is all about business, and by 2022, he was on the move again, to the Seattle Mariners. Then, following a trade, he ended up with the Diamondbacks in late 2023. Suarez, however, found his way back to Seattle in July 2025. Now, the veteran third baseman is once again helping the Seattle Mariners get a great shot at the WS championship ring.
Who Are Eugenio Suarez’s Wife & Children?
Eugenio Suarez may have plenty of fans cheering for him from the stands, but he has someone who has been cheering for him for a long time. And that is his wife, Genesis Marichales. The couple’s love story goes far back, to when he was not a household name in MLB. They then tied the knot on December 20, 2014, and have been inseparable ever since.
Born on March 28, 1990, in Venezuela, Genesis is now 34 years old and is known for her deep faith and her strong values on family. She generally keeps a very low profile and is not very socially active. But her Instagram does show how important spirituality is to her. She often thanks God for everything, from her life to her family. She is Suarez’s rock and the person who helped him stay positive, even when things were rocky.
The couple has two daughters named Nicholle and Melanie. The former was born on September 20, 2017, and the latter on September 17, 2020. Both girls are seen celebrating at the big moments with their dad.
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Who Are Eugenio Suarez’s Parents & Siblings?
The Eugenio Suarez that you see today- a promising Seattle Mariners player- his journey began long before he made his debut in the big leagues. It began in Venezuela, with his parents, Alejandro Suárez and Rosalia De Suárez. His dad was the one who had introduced him to the game. When Suarez was only six years old, his dad would take him to the local fields and hit ground balls for him to practice. Those simple father-son sessions turned into a foundation for him, and couple that with hard work and love for the game—you have the recipe for how to make an MLB player.
And while his father gave him the tools to chase his dream, his mother gave him the heart. She has been the biggest supporter of him and has always been cheering for him from afar. Not much is known about her life or profession, but her influence clearly shines through her son. As far as siblings go, there is no such information right now in public.
Although not much is publicly known about Rosalia’s life or profession, her influence clearly shines through in Eugenio’s humility and gratitude. Family, for Suárez, isn’t just where he came from—it’s what keeps him grounded, no matter how high his home runs soar.
What Is Eugenio Suarez’s Ethnicity?
Eugenio Suarez is Venezuelan, and he wears that identity with plenty of pride. He has always been someone who carries his roots close to his heart. He has represented his country in various international competitions. And he doesn’t miss the chance to show love for the place that shaped him into the player and person that he is today.
What Is Eugenio Suarez’s Net Worth?
Eugenio Suarez has built quite a great resume, and his earnings do reflect that. He takes home a salary of $11 million per year with no additional signing bonus included. As of now, his net worth is estimated to be around $61.1 million.
What Is Eugenio Suarez’s MLB Contract & Salary?
Over the years, Suarez has signed several deals with plenty of teams. Here’s a look at his salary progression throughout his MLB career:
Year | Team | Salary
———-|———————–|————-
2018 | Cincinnati Reds | $4,250,000
2019 | Cincinnati Reds | $7,000,000
2020 | Cincinnati Reds | $2,592,593
2021 | Cincinnati Reds | $10,500,000
2022 | Seattle Mariners | $11,000,000
2023 | Seattle Mariners | $11,000,000
2024 | Arizona Diamondbacks | $11,000,000
2025 | Seattle Mariners | $4,838,710
What Are Eugenio Suarez’s MLB Career Highlights?
Eugenio Suarez has given his fans plenty to cheer about over the years. In April this season, he completely stole the show by hitting four home runs in a single game against the Atlanta Braves. He joined an elite club as the only 19th player in MLB history to pull off that feat. Beyond that, he also got the National League Player of the Week multiple times during the season. He was also selected for his second All-Star Game in 2025. He also hit 49 home runs, the most for a Venezuelan-born player, in both 2019 and 2025.
MLB announces umpires, crew chiefs for ALCS, NLCS
NEW YORK — Alfonso Márquez is working his seventh League Championship Series, serving as a crew chief along with James Hoye.
Ryan Additon, Ben May, Adam Beck and John Libka are working the LCS for the first time, Major League Baseball said Sunday.
Márquez will umpire the Toronto Blue Jays’ series against the Seattle Mariners starting Sunday. Hoye, umping his fifth LCS, will head the NL matchup between the Milwaukee Brewers and defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers starting Monday.
Seven-man crews will work each series, with one umpire off each game.
Additon will be behind the plate for the AL opener, with May at first, Márquez at second, Marvin Hudson at third, D.J. Reyburn in left, Quinn Wolcott in right and Doug Eddings as the reserve umpire.
Eddings will work the plate in Game 2, followed by May, Márquez, Huston, Reyburn and Wolcott.
The NL series starts Monday with Libka behind the plate, Hoye at first, Beck at second, Vic Carapazza at third, Chad Fairchild in left, Mark Ripperger in right and Gave Morales as the reserve umpire.
Morales will be behind the plate in Game 2, followed by Hoye, Beck, Carapazza, Fairchild and Ripperger.
Hudson will be AL crew chief in Game 3, when Márquez is the reserve ump, and Carapazza will be the NL chief in Game 2, when Hoye is the reserve.
Hudson is umpiring his fifth LCS, Carapazza and Eddings their fourth LCS, Fairchild his third, and Morales, Reyburn, Ripperger and Wolcott their second each.
Alex MacKay, Bill Miller and David Rackley will be the replay umpires at Major League Baseball’s office in New York.
Where to watch Mariners vs. Blue Jays Game 1 today: MLB Playoffs free stream
The Toronto Blue Jays host the Seattle Mariners in Game 1 of the ALCS Sunday at 8:03 p.m. ET. The Mariners have one day of rest between Game 1 and their 15th inning win in the ALDS Friday.
Mariners vs. Blue Jays Game 1 will air on FOX, which you can stream on DirecTV (free trial).
Here’s what you need to know:
What: MLB Playoffs, ALCS Game 1
Who: Seattle Mariners vs. Toronto Blue Jays
When: Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025
Time: 8:03 p.m. ET
Where: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada
TV: FOX
Live stream: DirecTV (free trial), fuboTV (free trial)
BET: Bet365 Bonus Code “SYRACUSE”: Updated $200 “Bet & Get” bonus for MLB Playoffs
Here’s a recent MLB story, via The Associated Press:
SEATTLE (AP) — Jorge Polanco hit a game-ending single in the 15th inning, and the Seattle Mariners advanced to the AL Championship Series by outlasting the Detroit Tigers for a 3-2 victory Friday night in the longest winner-take-all postseason game in baseball history.
With one out and the bases loaded, Polanco drove in J.P. Crawford with a liner to right on a full-count changeup from Tommy Kahnle. Crawford held his arms in the air as he touched home plate while the Mariners poured out of the dugout to celebrate in front of a frenzied crowd of 47,025.
Crawford hit a leadoff single, Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch and Julio Rodríguez was intentionally walked before Polanco’s big swing on the 472nd pitch of an epic Game 5 that clocked in at 4 hours, 58 minutes.
It was the third one-run game — all with a 3-2 score — in a tightly contested AL Division Series.
“I know we played a long game, but this team never gave up,” Polanco said. “I know there is a lot of emotion, but we are always trying to keep it simple. I’m just trying to go out there and play and trying to get the win.”
The Mariners left 12 runners on base and still managed to advance to the ALCS for the first time since 2001. Next up is a matchup with the AL East champion Blue Jays, beginning on Sunday night at Toronto.
“Just an incredible ballgame from top to bottom,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said.
Luis Castillo pitched 1 1/3 innings for the win in his first major league relief appearance. Logan Gilbert, another member of Seattle’s rotation, worked two scoreless innings in his first relief outing since his college days at Stetson University in 2017.
“It was such a tough night,” Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh said. “Everyone put their other stuff side and did everything for the team, including Logan and Luis.”
Detroit wasted a stellar performance by Tarik Skubal, who struck out 13 while pitching six innings of one-run ball. The Tigers went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base.
“We had an incredible game today that — unfortunately, somebody had to lose, and that somebody was us, and it hurts,” manager A.J. Hinch said.
Kerry Carpenter put Detroit in front when he hit a two-run homer off Gabe Speier in the sixth inning. Carpenter had four hits and walked twice, becoming the first player to reach five times and hit a home run in a winner-take-all postseason game since Babe Ruth in 1926, according to STATS.
The Mariners tied it at 2 on Leo Rivas’ pinch-hit single off Tyler Holton in the seventh. Rivas celebrated his 28th birthday with his first postseason hit.
“He was up to the task tonight,” Wilson said. “It was a huge hit.”
The Mariners had a runner on second with no outs in the 10th, 12th and 13th inning — and came up empty each time. Arozarena and Eugenio Suárez both grounded into a double play in extra innings.
The Tigers threatened in the 12th, putting runners on second and third with one out. Zach McKinstry was cut down at home when he attempted to score on Javier Báez’s grounder to third. After Carpenter was walked intentionally, Gleyber Torres flied out to right.
Dillon Dingler hit a one-out double for Detroit in the 14th, but he was stranded there when Parker Meadows struck out looking against Eduard Bazardo and Castillo retired Báez on a popup to first.
“Guys just kept battling. There were opportunities on both sides after the ninth inning,” Hinch said.
Up next
Seattle dropped four of its six games against Toronto this season. The Mariners won two of three in an April series in Toronto, but they were swept by the Blue Jays at home from May 9-11.
Who Is Josh Naylor? Seattle Mariners Outfielder’s Net Worth, Wife, Parents, Siblings, MLB Contract & More
One of Canada’s most promising baseball players, Josh Naylor, is renowned for his clutch performances, power hitting, and fierce competitiveness. From his early debut with the San Diego Padres to his stellar seasons with the Cleveland Guardians and Arizona Diamondbacks, the Seattle Mariners outfielder and first baseman has established himself with several Major League Baseball teams.
Fans are just as interested in Naylor’s off-field life, which includes his marriage to singer Chantel Collado, his close-knit baseball family, and his consistent ascent in the league’s earnings. Here is a thorough look at Josh Naylor’s wife, parents, siblings, MLB contract, and other details as he continues his 2025 campaign with Seattle.
Who is Josh Naylor?
Joshua-Douglas James Naylor was born on June 22, 1997, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. He is a Canadian professional baseball player who currently plays as a first baseman and outfielder for the Seattle Mariners in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Naylor was drafted 12th overall by the Miami Marlins in the 2015 MLB Draft, making him one of the highest Canadian draft picks of his era. He made his MLB debut on May 24, 2019, with the San Diego Padres and later played for the Cleveland Guardians and Arizona Diamondbacks before being traded to the Seattle Mariners in July 2025.
Known for his aggressive hitting approach, clutch performances, and fiery on-field demeanor, Naylor has built a reputation as one of MLB’s most passionate competitors. Despite his size, he has also impressed fans with his improved baserunning, stealing 28 bases in 30 attempts during the 2025 season.
Now 28 years old, Naylor continues to be a driving force for the Mariners as they push for postseason success in 2025.
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Who is Josh Naylor’s wife, Chantel Collado?
Josh Naylor is married to Chantel Collado, a Canadian-Latin singer and songwriter. The couple tied the knot in January 2025, following their engagement in June 2023, which Naylor announced with the caption: “I choose you forever, baby.”
Collado, who performs simply under the name “Chantel,” has earned popularity for her soulful Latin pop music. She has accumulated over 790,000 Spotify streams and is known for singles such as “Ultima Mujer.”
According to her LinkedIn profile, Chantel previously worked as an administrative assistant at ProTemps ProTege before fully pursuing her music career. She frequently supports her husband at games and has a growing fan base of over 30,000 followers on Instagram.
Who are Josh Naylor’s parents & siblings?
Josh Naylor was born to Jenice and Chris Naylor in Mississauga, Ontario. His parents have been central to his journey, supporting all three of their sons in pursuing professional baseball careers.
“Both our parents play a huge role in our success and our upbringing,” Josh once said in an interview with the Cleveland Guardians’ official site.
Josh comes from one of baseball’s most talented families. His father, Chris Naylor, introduced his sons to baseball and coached them during their youth years, while his mother, Jenice, played a vital role in their academic and personal development. His younger brother Bo Naylor is a catcher for the Cleveland Guardians, drafted 29th overall in 2018, and his youngest brother Myles Naylor was selected 39th overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2023 MLB Draft and is currently working his way up through the minors. Their cousin, Denzel Clarke, is also an outfielder in the Athletics organization.
What is Josh Naylor’s ethnicity & nationality?
Josh Naylor is Canadian by nationality and of mixed ethnicity, reflecting both Caribbean and European heritage. Raised in Mississauga, Ontario, he proudly represents Canada on the international baseball stage.
Before reaching the MLB, Naylor played for the Canadian junior national team, where he won a silver medal at the 2012 Under-18 Baseball World Cup and a bronze medal in 2014. He remains one of the most recognizable and accomplished Canadian players currently active in Major League Baseball.
What is Josh Naylor’s net worth?
As of 2025, Josh Naylor’s estimated net worth stands between $7 million and $8 million. His financial success is the result of consistent MLB contracts, performance-based bonuses, and brand endorsements.
Following standout seasons with the Cleveland Guardians and Arizona Diamondbacks, Naylor’s value has continued to rise. His midseason trade to the Seattle Mariners in 2025 only strengthened his financial and athletic reputation as a reliable run producer for competitive teams.
What is Josh Naylor’s MLB contract & salary?
Josh Naylor is currently signed to a one-year, $10.9 million contract originally agreed upon with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the 2025 MLB season. After his trade to the Seattle Mariners, his adjusted salary for the season is approximately $3.8 million.
He is set to become a free agent in 2026, and given his recent performances and All-Star credentials, he is expected to command a multi-year contract in the next free-agent cycle.
His career earnings are estimated at $39,511,906.
Josh Naylor salary breakdown
What are Josh Naylor’s MLB career highlights?
Over the years, Josh Naylor has evolved into one of the league’s most consistent and emotionally driven players. His career has been defined by steady offensive production and a leadership style that resonates both in the clubhouse and on the field.
As of the 2025 season, Naylor has appeared in 697 games, maintaining a .269 batting average with 104 home runs, 435 RBIs, and 55 stolen bases, combining for an overall .776 OPS. These numbers underline his balance of power and contact hitting, as well as a strong ability to perform in high-pressure situations.
Naylor was named to his first MLB All-Star Game in 2024 while playing for the Cleveland Guardians, marking a milestone in his professional career. His 2025 campaign has further showcased his versatility, highlighted by 28 stolen bases in 30 attempts, proving that his athleticism continues to improve.
His performance on both sides of the ball and his influence in the clubhouse make him one of the most respected players among peers, particularly as he continues to rise as a leader in Seattle’s lineup.
Conclusion
Josh Naylor’s journey has been driven by perseverance, hard work, and the support of his family, from his early years in Mississauga to his rise to prominence as a key member of the Seattle Mariners. He is a player who thrives on passion and tenacity, as evidenced by his marriage to Chantel Collado, his strong bond with his baseball-playing brothers, and his steady improvement on the diamond.
With his value at an all-time high and free agency approaching, Naylor remains one of Canada’s most significant baseball stars, inspiring fans at home and throughout the major leagues.
Who Is Ernie Clement? Net Worth, MLB Contract, Parents, & Career Highlights
A few players quietly work their way into the spotlight during every MLB season, and this year, Ernie Clement is one of those unsung heroes. The Toronto Blue Jays infielder has established himself as one of baseball’s most dependable role players thanks to his adaptability, keen intuition, and unwavering work ethic. However, Clement’s journey to the major leagues wasn’t a straight line; rather, it was a gradual ascent supported by perseverance, modesty, and an unwavering faith in hard work.
Who is Ernie Clement?
Born in Rochester, New York, on March 22, 1996, Ernie James Clement was raised in a sports-loving family, which influenced his competitive spirit. Clement, who stands six feet tall and weighs about 160 pounds, started his career at Brighton High School, where he excelled in hockey and soccer in addition to dominating baseball. He was named to the All-New York State Team three times and won the Rochester City Athletic Conference Player of the Year award in both his junior and senior seasons for his all-around athleticism.
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After high school, Clement took his talents to the University of Virginia, where he became one of the program’s most consistent hitters. Across his college career, he registered 745 at-bats, ranking 11th in school history, and struck out just 31 times, showcasing an exceptional contact rate. His grit and discipline made him one of the toughest players to strike out in college baseball.
Clement helped Virginia win a national championship in the 2015 College World Series by putting up clutch performances that earned him a spot on the All-College World Series Team.
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Clement’s ascent continued in 2016, as he led the Cavaliers with 92 hits and 62 runs while playing second base and earning Third-Team All-ACC honors. He hit .351 with exceptional plate discipline, earning him the nickname “toughest out in the ACC.” He was recognized as the Cape Cod Baseball League MVP, one of the most coveted awards for amateur athletes, for his consistency during summer ball.
Clement capped off his collegiate career in 2017 with another standout season before being selected by the Cleveland Indians in the fourth round (132nd overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft. It marked the beginning of his professional journey, one built not on flash but on pure dependability.
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Ernie Clement’s Net Worth, Contract, and Salary
Ernie Clement’s road to financial stability in the majors mirrors his steady progression on the field—earned through patience and persistence. Since being drafted in 2017, Clement has steadily climbed through MLB’s salary tiers. After signing his rookie deal with a $350,000 signing bonus, he spent his first few seasons developing in the minors before making his MLB debut on June 13, 2021.
Clement’s contracts have followed a natural progression through pre-arbitration and arbitration years. His 2025 deal saw him earn $1.97 million, while his 2026 arbitration contract jumped to $3.5 million, signaling Toronto’s confidence in his role as a versatile infield presence. Over his career, he has accumulated total MLB earnings of approximately $7 million, with an estimated net worth of around $2 million as of 2025.
Clement’s reliability, which teams pay for when adding depth, adds to his financial worth in addition to his salary. He is a mainstay on the Blue Jays’ roster because of his versatility, playing second base, third base, and even shortstop. If Clement’s upward trend continues, he will be eligible for an even bigger payout when free agency is anticipated in 2029.
Who Are Ernie Clement’s Parents?
Clement’s story has always revolved around family. Peter and Julie Clement, both of whom were successful athletes, were his parents. His mother, Julie, was a standout soccer player at Babson College, and his father, Peter, was a rugby player at St. Lawrence University. His sisters, Glennie and Ellie, have both participated in athletics, and his cousin, Abby Clement, was a track star at the University of Virginia.
Clement was taught discipline at a young age because he grew up in such an athletic environment. Regardless of his accomplishments, his parents made sure he remained grounded by emphasizing both academics and sportsmanship. In interviews, Clement frequently attributes his perspective on humility and competition to the values of his family. His professional demeanor—calm, self-assured, and quietly focused—is a direct result of those lessons.
From high school competitions in upstate New York to his college years in Virginia and now his developing MLB career, the Clement family has consistently supported Ernie along the way. His major league debut, which seemed to be the result of years of mutual sacrifice and dedication, was a moment of great pride for them.
Does Ernie Clement Have a Girlfriend?
As of 2025, Ernie Clement has kept his personal life extremely private, with no confirmed reports of a girlfriend or relationship. The infielder maintains a relatively low profile off the field, focusing primarily on baseball and training. Unlike many modern athletes, Clement doesn’t share much on social media, preferring to let his work speak for itself. His focus and quiet confidence have become part of his identity, earning him respect from teammates and fans alike.
While his personal life remains out of the public eye, Clement’s discipline and composure continue to set him apart in a sport where attention and pressure often go hand in hand.
Ernie Clement’s Career Highlights
Ernie Clement’s baseball career is a blueprint of steady growth and dedication. After his collegiate success at Virginia, he entered professional baseball with Cleveland and made his MLB debut in 2021. Though his early years were spent adjusting to the league, his adaptability soon made him a valuable utility player. By 2025, Clement had carved out a regular spot in Toronto’s lineup, playing across the infield and posting one of his most complete offensive seasons.
In 2025, Clement appeared in 145 games, recording 151 hits, nine home runs, 50 RBIs, and a .277 batting average, establishing himself as a dependable bat and glove for the Blue Jays. His postseason numbers were even more impressive—going 9-for-14 with a .643 average, one home run, and five RBIs, a clutch performance that underscored his reliability under pressure.
Defensively, Clement’s versatility has been his calling card. Over his career, he has played at first, second, third, and shortstop, seamlessly adapting to team needs. That flexibility, combined with his contact hitting and leadership presence, has solidified his role as one of the Blue Jays’ most dependable contributors.
Clement’s style isn’t built on power but precision. His ability to put the ball in play, avoid strikeouts, and make smart defensive reads has made him invaluable in a league often dominated by analytics and power numbers. For Toronto fans, he represents the kind of player every contender needs—the quiet constant who delivers night after night.
Conclusion
Ernie Clement’s story is a testament to what persistence and consistency can achieve in professional sports. From Brighton High to the big leagues, he’s earned every opportunity through hard work and humility. His journey hasn’t been about instant stardom but about building a career brick by brick—earning respect from coaches, teammates, and fans along the way.
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Seattle Mariners vs. Toronto Blue Jays in ALCS
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Reusse: Former Gophers standout Dan Wilson has guided Mariners to ALCS
After starring for the Gophers as a catcher and a 14-year career in the majors, Wilson has led Seattle to its first ALCS since 2001.
By Patrick Reusse
The Minnesota Star Tribune
October 12, 2025 at 9:35PM
A former star catcher for the Gophers, Dan Wilson has led Seattle to its first ALCS since 2001. The Mariners begin the series Sunday night at Toronto. (Lindsey Wasson/The Associated Press)
The Twins and the Milwaukee Brewers have never had that Packers-Vikings or Badgers-Gophers rivalry thing going, one reason being the nature of the sports.
The other reason is straightforward: The teams have been in the same division only six seasons in the Brewers’ 56 years of existence, including the 1994 strike year.
Point being, the majority of Minnesotans choosing to pay attention to the baseball playoffs — small as that number might be — should have no problem rooting for the relentless, low-budget Brewers against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team with one strength beyond all others:
Outrageous payroll.
Throw in the luxury tax and the Dodgers’ payroll is $509 million, and that’s with the spineless leadership of Commissioner Rob Manfred allowing them to not count $25 million annually of the “deferred” money for Shohei Ohtani.
As MLB’s winningest team at 97-65, the Brewers’ end-of-season payroll was estimated at $121.6 million.
Let’s go, Brewers.
As for the American League, with Toronto a more unlikely top winner than the Brewers in the NL, and Seattle, winning its first playoff series since 2001 with Friday night’s wondrous, 3-2, 15-inning victory over Detroit in a decisive fifth game, it’s a tougher call.
Adam Amin’s exciting MLB, NFL calls are Week 6 top announcer moments
This will be the second week we lead the best broadcasting moments column with the announcer of the Carolina Panthers game. Who would have thought that two weeks ago? Not me. That’s why we love watching the NFL on television.
We’re highlighting Carolina for a couple of reasons. They are:
It was another exciting Panthers game! Carolina won 30-27 – the highest-scoring game of the week as of this writing – over the Dallas Cowboys on Ryan Fitzgerald’s walk-off field goal from 33 yards out.
Adam Amin.
Amin was behind the mic for Fox for the epic 15-inning American League Division Series winner-take-all Game 5 between the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners on Friday. He nailed the call for a game that will go down in history as a classic.
About 36 hours after that game ended, he and Greg Olsen were live from the opposite coast. Once again, Amin nailed it.
That is the combination of range and grind we love at
Does Cal Raleigh Use a Torpedo Bat? Is It Legal?
Torpedo bats became one of the most talked-about topics when the season started, and many people were against it. But it made the game more entertaining, and that means that people were still watching the games. Using that bat, history was made by the New York Yankees after they hit 18 homers in the first 4 games and set a record. But there was another player who was setting records silently.
Another person who uses Torpedo bats is Cal Raleigh, and he is making history with the Mariners.
Cal Raleigh, the Mariners’ power-hitting switch catcher, has recently started using a torpedo bat, but only from the left side, where it suits his swing mechanics. Since adopting it, he has hit five home runs in 21 plate appearances from that side, posting a .333 batting average and a 1.603 OPS, showing a clear performance boost.
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The bat, made of birch, is legal in MLB because it meets safety and material regulations, allowing a larger barrel without dangerous breakage. Raleigh’s selective use highlights his adaptability and focus on optimizing performance while maintaining safety.
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While the Yankees grabbed headlines with homers, Cal Raleigh quietly redefined consistency with strategic brilliance. Torpedo bats may divide opinion, but Raleigh’s numbers prove innovation sometimes outweighs tradition in baseball. If the league watches carefully, Raleigh might teach even skeptics how to hit history responsibly.
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Joe Flacco embraces Bengals move, explains drive to compete
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Joe Flacco will once again wear a different uniform when he takes the field this Sunday. Just a few days ago, the Cleveland Browns traded the veteran quarterback to the in-state rival Cincinnati Bengals.
Cincinnati received Flacco and a sixth-round draft pick in next year’s draft, while Cleveland picked up a fifth-round pick in the trade, multiple outlets reported on Tuesday.
On Friday, Flacco spoke to the media for the first time since his arrival in Cincinnati. At one point during the wide-ranging news conference, the Super Bowl winner revealed what keeps him motivated to continue competing in the NFL.
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Avanza globalización de la NFL: uno de los deportes más vistos en España
La NFL continúa su estrategia de expansión global y, a partir del 12 de octubre, se convertirá en uno de los deportes más televisados en abierto en España. Mediaset España confirmó un acuerdo con la National Football League que permitirá transmitir 37 partidos, entre ellos el esperado NFL Madrid Game 2025, que enfrentará a los Miami Dolphins y Washington Commanders el 16 de noviembre en el estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
Del total de juegos, 18 serán emitidos por Cuatro y 19 por Mediaset Infinity, además de una cobertura integral en los espacios deportivos de ElDesmarque, que incluirán un segmento especial dedicado al fútbol americano. Este acuerdo, según el grupo audiovisual, busca acercar “uno de los eventos más seguidos del planeta” al público español.
Cuatro estrenará su programación con una doble jornada el domingo 12 de octubre, transmitiendo los duelos Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs (2:15 h) y Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets (15:30 h), este último desde el Tottenham Stadium de Londres. Desde esa fecha y hasta el 4 de enero, el canal emitirá cada domingo el tradicional Sunday Night Football, el partido estelar de cada jornada.
España se suma a los mercados clave de la NFL
La temporada regular culminará con tres juegos de playoffs y la Super Bowl LX, programada para el 8 de febrero de 2026 en el Levi’s Stadium de Santa Clara (California), con Bad Bunny como artista principal del espectáculo del medio tiempo.
España se suma así a la lista de países donde la NFL ha ganado gran terreno. Actualmente cuenta con 11.3 millones de aficionados, ubicándose como el cuarto mercado europeo detrás de Alemania (20.9 millones), Reino Unido (17.3) y Francia (14.2), según cifras reveladas por la agencia EFE.
En América Latina, México encabeza la lista con 39.9 millones de seguidores, seguido de Brasil (26.1) y Canadá (15.6). México, además, es el país fuera de Estados Unidos que más partidos de temporada regular ha albergado —cinco en total—, aunque el estadio Azteca se encuentra actualmente en remodelación de cara al Mundial 2026.
El impacto económico de estos encuentros internacionales es significativo. Londres, que ha sido sede de 40 juegos desde 2007, ha generado más de 2.669 millones de dólares. Brasil también ha entrado en escena con partidos en la Arena Corinthians de São Paulo y un acuerdo para llevar tres duelos más al legendario Maracaná de Río de Janeiro a partir de 2026.
Con este nuevo impulso en España, la NFL refuerza su presencia global y da un paso más en su objetivo de consolidarse como un fenómeno deportivo verdaderamente mundial.
Sigue leyendo:
Tres jugadores muertos en un mes: El crimen organizado se apodera del futbol en Ecuador
Mark Sánchez y los momentos después de ser presuntamente acuchillado (video)
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Colts’ Steichen Named Early Candidate For Award This Season
Before the start of the 2025 season, many considered Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen to be in the hot seat entering his third year with the organization.
Steichen led the team to a 9-8 record in his first season and an 8-9 record in his second.
Now in his third season at the helm of the franchise, Steichen has led the Colts to an impressive 4-1 record. The Los Angeles Rams gave the Colts their first loss of the season in a single-score loss, with the game possibly going in Indy’s favor if not for a couple of mistakes the Rams took advantage of to win.
The Colts are one of the better teams in the NFL, despite many expecting another down year for the team. Now, Steichen finds himself as a candidate to win an award after turning Indy around this season.
Shane Steichen COTY Winner?
There were many questions with the Colts entering the 2025 season, mainly the questionable signing of quarterback Daniel Jones.
Jones had to compete for his starting spot with Indianapolis against third-year QB Anthony Richardson,
SB Nation’s Bill Williamson names Colts’ Shane Steichen as an early favorite to win the Coach of the Year award after five weeks.
“He is the current FanDuel betting favorite to win the award at +260. That shouldn’t be a surprise. The Colts are 4-1 and look like they’re for real. A big reason for the Colts’ early season success, of course, is the stunning success of free-agent quarterback Daniel Jones. He is an early MVP candidate. No one saw that coming. If Jones and the Colts keep this up, Steichen could walk away with the award,” Williamson wrote.
Jones is in the top 3 in passing yards this season with the Colts, helping the team to their 4-1 record.
Daniel Jones On Being With Indianapolis
Daniel Jones said earlier in the offseason that he signed with the Indianapolis Colts as it gave him the best chance to win the starting job. He won it and is now looking revitalized under Shane Steichen and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter.
After the dominant win in Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Jones was asked about his time in Indy with how the season is going for them so far. Here’s what he had to say:
“It’s been fun. It’s been a good start for us. We’re excited, we’re confident as a group, confident on offense on what he can do.”
“We’ve been good throwing it, we’ve been good running it. It starts with a lot of guys up front and how well they’ve played. We got to continue to grow, continue to progress, but we’re excited about our start.
Many viewed the Jones signing as questionable, but under Steichen, he is showing that he is worth the $14 million signing as a possible MVP winner
Beat the bye weeks with these quarterback streamers
Streaming quarterbacks in fantasy football is often a necessary tactic when the NFL hands us a week when 4-6 teams are on a bye.
Though just two teams are off in Week 6, many are still turning to potential waiver wire additions due to the rash of injuries combined with the overall decline in scoring production.
Pass attempts from year-to-year remain the same, but receptions and receiving yards are down, and those who drafted Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow or Brock Purdy probably didn’t think their season would come to this.
Nor did those who drafted Justin Herbert or Kyler Murray, yet here we all are looking for available options.
Fortunately, help is more than available.
Before you run out and start believing Joe Flacco is the savior of the Bengals or that Geno Smith versus Tennessee will be a positive experience, take a moment to understand they are not.
The Bengals’ offensive line has been atrocious, and a flat-footed 40-year-old with the mobility of a refrigerator is not going to be gunslinging to Ja’Marr Chase downfield all day.
Smith’s play has not only been subpar, but with how soft the Titans’ run defense is, Ashton Jeanty should be the Raider eating most often. There are much better options available.
Start with Matthew Stafford.
He has two of the most gifted receivers in the game, and he is facing a Ravens defense that has had 40 points dropped on it twice already and is allowing an average of 35.4 points per game.
On top of that, much of their secondary remains questionable for the week.
Despite the travel concerns many have with West Coast teams heading east, Stafford is more than experienced enough to handle this.
Beyond Stafford, Sam Darnold and Mac Jones stand head and shoulders above quarterbacks like Smith or Flacco.
Darnold is coming off a spectacular performance against the Buccaneers and now faces a Jaguars team that is “feeling itself” coming off a big upset of the Chiefs, yet still allows the sixth-most passing yards per game.
With a strong rushing attack to support him and one of the most prolific wide receivers in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Darnold is in a place where he doesn’t even need to overproduce to return strong value.
And Jones gets to face that same Buccaneers secondary that just allowed Darnold to throw for 341 yards and four touchdowns.
He has worked beautifully in Kyle Shanahan’s system doing everything Purdy does and has averaged over 300 yards per game thus far.
Add to it the possible returns of Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall, and you’re all set.
Should every one of those options remain unavailable, then Carolina’s Bryce Young is your next target.
The Dallas pass defense ranks dead last, its pass rush is minimal, and given how prolific its offense can be, this one might turn into a shootout.
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Young also has a supportive ground game and is adding Jalen Coker to a receiving corps that already boasts assets like Tetairoa McMillan and Xavier Legette.
The depth at the quarterback position is cited year after year, and 2025 is no different.
Obviously, you would prefer to have your top starter available, but not having them shouldn’t cost you your week.
Play the right matchups and your fantasy team won’t miss a beat.
Aaron Rodgers Receives Bad News Before Browns Game
The Pittsburgh Steelers found their quarterback in NFL star Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers is playing in his first season with the Steelers after spending most of his career with the Green Bay Packers and having a short stint with the New York Jets.
In his first season with the Steelers, Rodgers has led Pittsburgh to a 3-1 record.
The Steelers have defeated the Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots and New York Jets. They suffered their only loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Pittsburgh is set to play its first division game in Week 6. The Steelers will face the Cleveland Browns after enjoying their bye week.
Ahead of the matchup against the Browns, Aaron Rodgers and his team suffered a blow to the lineup. Rodgers will be playing without an electric playmaker, who continues to be sidelined despite the extra time.
Calvin Austin did not practice on Friday due to a shoulder injury. He has been ruled out for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ matchup against the Browns in Week 6.
Calvin Austin began the season with a bang. Austin posted one touchdown and four receptions on 70 yards in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 1 matchup against the New York Jets.
So far this season, Austin has posted 139 yards on 10 receptions and two touchdowns.
Calvin Austin was the only scratch on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ injury report before the matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
It’s a loss for Aaron Rodgers, who will be missing one of the Steelers’ best receivers and certainly their best speedster while playing against one of the top defenses in the NFL.
Indy Judge Makes Legal Decision on Mark Sanchez’s Request as FOX NFL Future Remains Uncertain
Former Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez is caught up in a mess, facing a felony battery charge after things reportedly got heated with a truck driver. At this point, everything’s up in the air, from what happens next in court to whether he’ll ever be back in the Fox Sports booth. But for now, Sanchez just picked up a small win.
On Thursday, he filed a motion asking to travel outside Indiana while he waits for his pretrial conference on November 5. And on Friday, Judge Jennifer Prinz Harrison gave him the green light. But she made it clear that Sanchez will need to be fingerprinted and processed before he can pack his bags.
NFL Legend Tom Brady Reacts to News Away From Football
Tom Brady has entered his second season with Fox Sports after signing a 10-year, $375 million deal to join the lead team, joining Kevin Burkhardt and sideline reporter Erin Andrews. In his first year with the network, he called the Super Bowl LIX matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. Now, he prepares for his assignment in Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season when the Baltimore Ravens host the Los Angeles Rams.
But Brady has done much more than call games since his seven Super Bowl career with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After retiring, he began investing in sports franchises, purchasing a 5% minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders. And in 2023, he also acquired a minority stake in the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces.
On Friday, the Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, securing the sweep to win the franchise’s third championship in four years, and the second since Brady bought the team. Aces star A’ja Wilson, the 2025 WNBA MVP, tallied 31 points, nine rebounds and four assists, securing the 2025 WNBA Finals MVP as well. For the series, Wilson averaged 28.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
Brady expressed his excitement for the Aces’ championship run, sharing a photo of the team on his Instagram Story with the caption:
“What a TEAM!!!!!!!!” Brady wrote. “2025 WNBA CHAMPIONS LAS VEGAS ACES”
Brady also added a separate story to celebrate Wilson’s Finals MVP win: “AURA,” he wrote with a photo of Wilson.
Wilson and the Aces had an incredible run to the finals. After starting the season 14-14, they won 16 straight to secure the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. They proceeded to take down the No. 7 seed Seattle Storm and the No. 6 seed Indiana Fever, without Caitlin Clark, on their way to the title.
Brady, on the other hand, prepares for his sixth NFL game of the season, calling the Ravens vs. Rams on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Raiders Get Strong Message on Geno Smith Amid Struggles
The Geno Smith era with the Las Vegas Raiders is beginning to turn sour, if it hasn’t already. With the veteran leading the league in interceptions and the Silver and Black at 1-4 while riding a four-game losing streak, this 2025 NFL season could be a nightmare if the team doesn’t turn the situation around.
Las Vegas have the perfect opportunity to snap their losing skid when they face the Tennessee Titans in Week 6. The Titans are in the same boat as the Raiders, but nothing in the NFL is guaranteed, and a loss to Cam Ward and Co. would be a significant blow.
Ahead of Week 6, NFL Insider Tom Pelissero shared his thoughts on the Smith situation, and while the Raiders are dealing with injuries, a lot of the fault should be on the signal-caller.
“It’s bad right now,” Pelissero told Suzy Shuster on “The Rich Eisen Show.” “He’s really struggling, which you know, so I was at the Week 1 game in Foxborough, where it was bumpy in the first half, but Geno stepped up and made a bunch of big-time throws in the second half to guys like Tre Tucker and other players that I don’t think the average fan has heard of.
“Not having Brock Bowers is a big deal — that’s the straw that stirs the drink. He got banged up, I think, in the fourth quarter of that game. He’s played several games but wasn’t himself, then missed last week’s game. No sign he’ll be back…. But a lot of this just boils down to Geno — whether it’s decision-making or accuracy, he’s just not playing like we’ve seen Geno at his best.”
Could the Raiders Move On From Geno Smith?
If the situation doesn’t turn around, Pelissero believes that Las Vegas will jump back into the quarterback market in the offseason, which is hard to hear for any fan knowing that Year 1 under head coach Pete Carroll could be a waste.
“You go back to all those years with Russell Wilson,“ Pelissero added. “As much as people wanted to ‘Let Russ cook,‘ a big part of the reason they were successful was that they were the best running team in the NFL for a large portion of that time. They didn’t need Russ to go out and throw the ball all over the yard for the first three quarters of the game until, hey, fourth quarter — we’re down. ‘All right, Russ, now do your magic.’
“It’s kind of the same thing with Geno Smith, who was in that same type of structure here. Right now, for whatever reason, they don’t really have that balance. Bowers’ absence is a huge part of it. But certainly, the longer the struggles go on for Geno Smith, the more we’re talking about whether the Raiders are back in the quarterback market in 2026.”
How Much Would Geno Smith’s Exit Cost?
While Carroll continues to back Smith, it’s unclear if the same confidence exists in Las Vegas’ front office. ESPN’s Dan Graziano recently broke down how much it would cost the Raiders financially if they decide to move on from him.
“What’s interesting to me is that the contract Smith signed with the Raiders after the trade doesn’t really tie them to him beyond this year,“ Graziano wrote in an article published on October 8. “He has an $18.5 million salary guarantee for 2026, after making $40 million this year.
“If the Raiders cut him after this season, they’d have paid him $58.5 million for one (presumably disappointing) year. That’s a lot, but as Jeremy said, this team wants to win soon. If absorbing $18.5 million in dead money next year to move on helps them do that, I doubt it would stand in the Raiders’ way.”
Bengals Veteran Joe Flacco Gets Real on Playing at 40 Ahead of Potentially Historic NFL Game
Joe Flacco may not be having a great season yet, but the 18-year NFL veteran is not willing to give up just yet. After switching his bases from Cleveland to Cincinnati, Flacco does not see his age as a factor that should stop him from playing the game, where the average retirement age is not more than 28 years.
Ahead of his Week 6 matchup as the Bengals’ QB1 against the Packers, the veteran confirmed his stance on playing a premium position at 40. “I just feel like I have a lot to offer to a football team,” Flacco said to the media on Friday when asked about his motivation to play at 40. “I feel like I’ve put in a lot of work my whole life to get to this point. And I hopefully will have a long life when I’m done.”
The season, the Bengals are relying on the veteran to steer their sinking ship. After 5 weeks, they are 2-3 while the starter Joe Burrow struggles with a grade 3 toe injury. A few days back, Burrow posted a photo of healing stones, indicating he is trying hard to come back soon. But a grade 3 tear means his ligaments have completely torn off, and he is expected to be out of the game at least until Week 16.
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As for the Bengals vs. Packers matchup, it’s a game that will serve both parties in a friendly manner. Flacco wants to prove his worth, and the team needs wins.
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“I feel like I’ve worked really hard to be a guy that gets to play in the NFL, and I don’t want to take that for granted,” the veteran explained. However, he then also revealed a personal reason that keeps him going. “I still feel like I can play the game at a high level, and I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror when I’m 50 years old and be able to say that I gave it everything I had,” the Bengals’ QB added.
Well, playing at 40 is not something the NFL is unfamiliar with. Tom Brady retired at 45, while Aaron Rodgers is still going strong at 42. But to achieve that, Flacco needs to stay at the top level. And as we head into Week 6 football, Flacco has one fine opportunity to etch his name in the record books.
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Can Joe Flacco break the record?
Joe Flacco is about to become only the seventh quarterback in NFL history to start against the same team twice in one season while playing for two different teams. It’s something that rarely happens, and only one player, Jack Kemp, back in 1962, has ever won both of those games. Now, Flacco has a chance to match that record.
If Cincinnati beats the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, he’ll become the first quarterback in the Super Bowl era to defeat the same team twice in one season with two different franchises.
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Just three weeks ago, Flacco faced the Packers as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. The Browns beat the Packers 13–10. Joe Flacco made key throws in the final moments to help set up the game-winning field goal. He finished with 21 completions for 142 yards and one interception, but most importantly, he led his team to victory.
Now, as he is set to face the Packers again this weekend, do you think Flacco will lead his team to victory once again? Well, if he does, it would be another special milestone in a long and surprising career.
Raiders Get Blunt Words After Brock Bowers Injury Announcement
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) has been ruled out for the second straight week and will miss Sunday’s Week 6 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
Without Bowers, the Raiders’ passing game takes a hit, which they have done so since he injured his knee in Week 1. Although the second-year tight end played after that with a brace, it was clear he wasn’t the same player.
Now that Bowers is out for a second straight week, former Raiders offensive lineman Lincoln Kennedy outlined what the game plan should be against the Titans as he made a surprising admission.
“I still think you can open it up [the passing game],” Kennedy said on the latest episode of “The Silver and Black Show.” “You’ve got other playmakers who can [find a way to] get the football. But I think at this particular point, because they’re struggling in all three phases, it’s a coaching point where you go back to the basics. Let’s get back to what makes us work on all phases of the ball — offense, defense, and special teams — and [focus on executing] from there.
“The Raiders are going up this weekend against the Tennessee Titans. I wouldn’t necessarily call them a great team, but the Raiders have had their fair share of struggles too. I’m sure Tennessee is probably saying the same thing about Las Vegas. They’ve just got to get back to basics, put some confidence out there by winning football games, scoring touchdowns, and taking it one game at a time — [starting with] this weekend.”
How Will the Raiders Replace Brock Bowers?
The reason for the decision on Bowers is because he hasn’t taken part in practice this week, with coach Pete Carroll noting the All-Pro receiver is “not quite there yet.” Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly added that Bowers’ absence “changes everybody’s job.”
“You lose the premier tight end in the NFL, and play calling is different,” Kelly said (h/t Ryan McFadden of ESPN). “…You have to be able to make adjustments when you lose players like that, and you’ve got to move on, because no one’s feeling sorry for you when you have a guy down.
“So, that’s just the nature of the game, and we’re hopeful we’ll get Brock back soon here. He’s working his tail off to get back in the rehab process, so we’ll see how that goes.”
Raiders Get Good News at the Tight End Position
Even with Bowers sidelined again, the Raiders are set to have tight end Michael Mayer back in action against the Titans, per ESPN. Mayer cleared concussion protocol and fully participated in practice this week after missing the past two games.
Mayer suffered a concussion in Week 3 during the loss to the Washington Commanders. The injury occurred when he took a hit to the head while tackling wide receiver Jaylin Lane on a 25-yard punt return, leaving him in the fencing position.
The second-round pick in 2023 said he’s “ecstatic” to be back on the field and has been practicing as if he will start at tight end. This season, Mayer has recorded six catches for 47 yards.
Capitals’ power play struggles as new NHL season begins
Before the Washington Capitals even dropped the puck on the regular season, Coach Spencer Carbery preached patience and accountability when he talked about his team’s power play.
“We’ve really got to put some work in. It’s going to be a work in progress early,” Carbery said Wednesday morning, before the Capitals lost to the Boston Bruins in their season opener and went 0 for 5 on the power play. “We’ve changed some different things on it. We’re asking some guys to work a little bit harder in some areas. We’re asking guys to be more detailed in some areas.