Category: Sports

Miami Dolphins General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan indicated Tuesday that all possibilities remain open regarding the franchise’s approach to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa heading into the offseason.

Speaking with media at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Sullivan emphasized that discussions with Tagovailoa and his agents have been constructive, even though the quarterback spent the final portion of last season as a backup under previous head coach Mike McDaniel.

“Everything’s on the table right now. It could go in a lot of different ways,” Sullivan stated. “A trade is a possibility, but Tua is aware, his representation is aware. We’ve had really positive conversations, and, like I said, it’s kind of all on the table when it comes to Tua at this moment.”

Sullivan added that Tagovailoa’s representatives have communicated their client’s commitment to continuing his playing career. “(Tagovailoa’s reps) have expressed that he wants to play and that they still think he can play at a high level. The conversations have been productive, but they have not in particular said that they want to be traded.”

The quarterback, who Miami selected fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, lost his starting position during the final three contests of the 2025 campaign to rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers. Tagovailoa struggled with turnovers, throwing 15 interceptions against 20 touchdown passes across 14 appearances.

Throughout his six-year tenure in Miami, Tagovailoa has maintained a 68% completion rate while accumulating 18,166 passing yards, 120 touchdowns, and 59 interceptions.

The quarterback, who will celebrate his 28th birthday on March 2, is currently at the midpoint of a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension signed before the 2024 season. His guaranteed compensation for the 2026 season totals $54 million.

Should Miami choose to release Tagovailoa prior to June 1, the organization would face an unprecedented $99.2 million dead money penalty against their salary cap.

The Dolphins are navigating significant organizational changes with Sullivan and newly appointed head coach Jeff Hafley, both former Green Bay personnel, now leading the franchise.

Miami has already made roster moves aimed at cost reduction, releasing injured veteran receiver Tyreek Hill and veteran pass rusher Bradley Chubb. Sullivan described these decisions as efforts to make the team “younger and cheaper.”

The Southeastern Conference handed down a $25,000 financial penalty to Kentucky basketball head coach Mark Pope on Tuesday after his controversial remarks about game officials following his team’s narrow 75-74 defeat to Auburn last weekend.

Auburn secured their victory when Elyjah Freeman scored on a last-second tip-in with just 1.1 seconds left on the clock. The decisive basket occurred after officials called an offensive foul against Kentucky’s Collin Chandler on the opposite end of the floor.

During his media session after the game, Pope made carefully worded but pointed statements about the officiating crew’s performance.

“We’re not allowed to talk about the referees, but you guys saw it, and I think sometimes it’s just super personal,” Pope said. “I’m not allowed to comment on the referees. I won’t comment on the referees. It’s unfortunate. It didn’t cost us the game.”

However, Pope’s most controversial statement came as he wrapped up his press conference, speaking directly to Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart:

“Mitch, if those mother F’ers try to fine me, screw ’em because I did not say a word about how they cheated us.”

Conference officials determined that Pope’s behavior violated SEC bylaw 10.5.3 concerning sportsmanship standards and the commissioner’s rules about public criticism of game officials, which “prohibit coaches, student-athletes and institutional staff from publicly criticizing officials or disclosing officiating-related communications.”

Earlier in his post-game remarks, Pope delivered another pointed statement without directly naming officials:

“We refuse to give control to people that are outside of our program. Refuse,” Pope said after the loss. “Regardless of how personal it might get or how bad it might get, we refuse to give control to fans, to give control to anybody else associated with this game. Regardless of how blatantly people are trying to make this not happen, we refuse to give them our power. … We don’t make excuses. We don’t do that. Regardless of what is happening. Regardless of how disgraceful things are, we don’t give away our power. Regardless of how embarrassing, personal, awful, unacceptable things are, we refuse to give away our power.”

The Wildcats, now 17-10 overall and 8-6 in conference play, are working to end a three-game losing skid when they travel to face South Carolina (12-15, 3-11) on Tuesday night in Columbia.

The Atlanta Braves have revealed plans for their own television network called BravesVision, making them the newest Major League Baseball franchise to take control of their game broadcasts.

The network will launch this season using a direct-to-distributor approach, reaching fans through cable, satellite, and streaming platforms within the team’s regional market. BravesVision plans to air more than 140 Braves games throughout the upcoming season.

Braves president and CEO Derek Schiller explained the reasoning behind the move, stating: “This endeavor will bring the most vital link to our fanbase — our television broadcast — back under the control of our organization. Generations of Braves fans were raised watching games on a network that shared ownership with the baseball team. With BravesVision, we believe that we can present Braves baseball in new and innovative ways allowing us to expand and elevate our storytelling capabilities across all of our platforms.”

Atlanta follows the path of several other franchises that have established their own broadcasting operations, including the Los Angeles Dodgers with SportsNet LA, the Chicago Cubs through Marquee Sports Network, and the New York Yankees via YES Network.

Roughly half of Major League Baseball’s 30 teams are making broadcasting adjustments as they work to deliver games to their local markets, largely due to ongoing financial difficulties plaguing Main Street Sports Group, the company behind the regional FanDuel Sports networks.

Last season, five teams — the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, Minnesota Twins, and San Diego Padres — turned to MLB’s broadcasting division to handle their local game coverage.

This year, seven additional franchises will depend on Major League Baseball’s television operations to distribute their games through cable and streaming platforms: the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Rays. The Los Angeles Angels have not yet finalized their broadcasting arrangement for the 2026 season.

MLB.com has reported that teams relying on the league’s television division will see their broadcast revenue drop by approximately 50% compared to their previous distribution agreements.

Cleveland Browns General Manager Andrew Berry may have saved his position after successful draft picks in 2025, following owner Jimmy Haslam’s decision to dismiss head coach Kevin Stefanski this past January.

Berry expressed his desire to continue building with younger players but emphasized that free agency moves would likely be more selective this year.

“Realistically we may be one more offseason away from being hyper-aggressive in that window,” Berry stated during Tuesday’s NFL Scouting Combine.

While uncertainty surrounds the quarterback position, Berry confirmed that both Deshaun Watson—who sat out the previous season due to dual Achilles surgeries—and Shedeur Sanders will compete for the starting role.

“We don’t have to make that decision anytime soon,” Berry noted.

Cleveland holds two first-round draft selections at sixth and 24th overall, with several roster gaps to address. Berry highlighted priorities including strengthening the offensive line and acquiring offensive weapons. He mentioned that veteran lineman Joel Bitonio is “still working through” his retirement decision.

“A year ago at this time, I wouldn’t have guessed the draft would have played out the way it did,” Berry explained. “You have to be flexible and adaptable. You have to be open to the fact that it may not look exactly like you’d hoped coming out of it.”

Berry indicated that first-year head coach Todd Monken will determine the quarterback rotation. Regarding Sanders specifically, Berry outlined organizational expectations for improvement in physical conditioning and reducing risky passes that result in turnovers.

“I think the biggest thing that we want to see from Shedeur is just continued growth. He grew a lot from start one to start seven,” Berry said. “Certainly playing more efficiently, not putting the ball in harm’s way as much would be important while maintaining the ability to produce out of structure and generate explosive plays.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Berry received recognition as the Buddy Teevens Forward Progress Award recipient, having employed more women in football operations than any other person or organization in NFL history.

The Colorado Avalanche made a significant roster move Tuesday, trading defenseman Samuel Girard along with a 2028 second-round draft selection to the Pittsburgh Penguins in return for defenseman Brett Kulak.

This marks Kulak’s second trade within the current season. The 32-year-old defender previously moved from the Edmonton Oilers to Pittsburgh on December 12th as part of a larger transaction involving goaltenders Tristan Jarry and Stuart Skinner.

Throughout this season’s 56 games split between Edmonton and Pittsburgh, Kulak has contributed nine points, including one goal and eight assists.

Over his NHL career spanning 636 games, Kulak has accumulated 134 total points with 29 goals and 105 assists while playing for Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton, and Pittsburgh.

Colorado’s general manager Chris MacFarland expressed gratitude for Girard’s contributions, stating: “First of all, we would like to thank Samuel for all he has done for the Avalanche organization both on and off the ice over the last nine seasons. ‘G’ is a great person and teammate and was a big part of the group that helped our turnaround back in 2017. We wish him and his family the best of luck in Pittsburgh.”

Regarding the incoming player, MacFarland added: “In Brett, we are acquiring a two-way defenseman who can play up and down the lineup. He logs big minutes in all situations and brings a ton of playoff experience that will help our blue line depth.”

The 27-year-old Girard has posted 12 points this season through 40 games, recording three goals and nine assists with a plus-12 rating for Colorado.

As a member of Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship team, Girard leaves the Avalanche with 235 career points, including 37 goals and 198 assists across 588 games with Nashville and Colorado.

The Kansas City Chiefs have adopted a wait-and-see approach as veteran tight end Travis Kelce deliberates his football future, with the organization remaining in limbo just two months before the NFL draft regarding whether their 37-year-old star will remain on the team come training camp.

The standout player is contemplating a return for what would be his 14th professional season, having considered retirement during each of the last two offseasons.

“We’ve kind of prepared for either scenario,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday. “We’re trying to position ourselves that either way, we have a plan moving forward.”

Veach indicated he would be sitting down with Kelce’s agents this week and acknowledged that “you need some sort of timeline and deadline,” while characterizing discussions with his representatives as “positive.”

Head coach Andy Reid mentioned maintaining regular communication with Kelce. The veteran player is scheduled to receive a $12.5 million roster bonus next month and carries a salary cap hit of nearly $20 million that Kansas City would likely need to restructure if he commits to playing through 2026.

During the previous season, Kelce recorded 851 receiving yards and five touchdowns, though his 76 catches marked his fewest since managing 72 receptions in 2015. The team’s backup tight end Noah Gray is also entering unrestricted free agency.

“Travis is the best, he’s an icon and hopefully he comes back,” Veach said. “We’ll just kind of let that process play out. It’s not your typical 27-year-old first-time-in-free agency.

“Travis has done everything. He’s accomplished everything. He’s about to get married, got a lot going on. We’re just going to continue to have positive dialog and see where this thing ends.”

DALLAS — Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen faces an extended absence after suffering a lower-body injury during Olympic play that will keep him off the ice for a minimum of two weeks.

Head coach Glen Gulutzan announced Tuesday that while the team’s top scorer should return before the regular season concludes, his recovery timeline extends well beyond a few games.

“It won’t be one or two games. It’ll be, let’s start in two weeks, and then see where it goes from there,” Gulutzan explained. “So he’ll be out for some time.”

The coach declined to provide specific details about Rantanen’s injury, which occurred during Finland’s Olympic semifinal matchup. The forward was unable to participate in Finland’s bronze medal victory over Slovakia due to the injury.

Following consultation with team medical staff, the Stars officially placed Rantanen on injured reserve Monday.

“It was kind of what I was expecting just from hearing what had gone on over at the Olympics,” Gulutzan commented following Tuesday’s practice session. “Not the best news, but the stuff you’ve got to deal with.”

Dallas faces Seattle at home Wednesday evening, followed by a Saturday matchup against Nashville. The team has 25 remaining regular season contests through April 15.

The injured forward is playing his first season under a massive $96 million, eight-year contract extension signed after his trade to Dallas at last season’s deadline. This year, he has accumulated 69 points through 20 goals and 49 assists.

The injury occurred during Finland’s 3-2 semifinal defeat to Canada on Friday evening.

Rantanen was among six Stars players who earned Olympic medals in Italy.

Goaltender Jake Oettinger served as backup for Team USA’s gold medal-winning squad, which defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime. That victory meant silver for Stars defenseman Thomas Harley, who played for Canada. Four Dallas teammates joined Rantanen on Finland’s bronze medal team: Roope Hintz, Esa Lindell, and Miro Heiskanen.

While Oettinger may participate in Wednesday’s morning skate, Gulutzan confirmed the goalie will not start against Seattle.

INDIANAPOLIS — While speaking at the NFL’s annual scouting combine on Tuesday, Las Vegas Raiders General Manager John Spytek avoided mentioning Fernando Mendoza directly, but his quarterback wishlist painted a clear picture.

The traits Spytek outlined — humility, selflessness, dedication to studying the game, and leadership presence in the locker room — mirror exactly how college teammates described Mendoza throughout his Heisman Trophy campaign last season.

With Las Vegas holding the top selection in April’s NFL draft, targeting Mendoza appears to be the logical choice.

“It’s such a hard game, your competitive spirit has to run really high,” Spytek explained. “You’ve got to be willing to play through, you know, tough circumstances and to me, it always goes back to the love of the game. The guys that truly love football, they love to practice, they love to prepare, they love to watch film, they love to play hurt, so I think those things are kind of uncompromising.”

During his sole campaign at Indiana, Mendoza displayed exactly these qualities. His clutch final-minute touchdown pass secured victory against Penn State, he sat out just one snap in the Big Ten championship despite an early injury, and he fought his way into the end zone for the game-winning score in the national title game against Miami.

Such leadership could transform the Raiders, who have started 10 different quarterbacks across the last four seasons. The franchise hasn’t enjoyed stability at the position since releasing Derek Carr in February 2023.

Las Vegas hoped Geno Smith would provide the answer after acquiring him through a trade last offseason, but a devastating 10-game skid contributed to a dismal 3-14 record, casting doubt on Smith’s future with the organization.

The Raiders are now pursuing a complete rebuild. They dismissed head coach Pete Carroll and brought in Klint Kubiak, who served as offensive coordinator for Super Bowl champion Seattle, creating an opportunity to establish the ideal partnership with running back Ashton Jeanty, their previous first-round selection.

“I think you want to limit the amount of pressure you have on that guy from the start,” Spytek noted. “I’m not necessarily in favor of running him out there right away, either. So, you know, having another quality player that can play the quarterback position could help. You have a young quarterback, you want to have a great offensive line, a run game, all the things that can like really limit his chances to have him really get killed — and a great defense, too.”

The Raiders expect Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby to anchor their defensive unit, despite offseason trade rumors surrounding him. Spytek confirmed Tuesday that he maintains regular communication with Crosby during his rehabilitation at team facilities and anticipates seeing him in Raiders gear next season.

The question remains whether Mendoza will join him after leading what was historically the worst program in FBS to Indiana’s inaugural national championship in a season full of memorable moments.

Though Spytek indicated he’ll consider trade proposals and won’t prioritize need over talent evaluation, Mendoza appears tailor-made for Las Vegas — including his Massachusetts background and connection to Raiders co-owner Tom Brady, who starred for both New England and in Florida, where Mendoza played high school football.

“I think whoever is playing quarterback for the Raiders has a unique opportunity to learn from the best,” Spytek said. “You know, Tom’s got a lot of humility to him, and just because he did it a certain way, he doesn’t have expectations that you do it that way. too. But there are some things he’s uncompromising on, and I think that whoever the quarterback is for the Raiders, I think Tom is a great resource.”

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves revealed Tuesday they will launch their own television network called BravesVision, which will begin broadcasting games starting with the 2026 season.

The team will handle all aspects of producing, selling, marketing and distributing telecasts for more than 140 games each season. Rather than allowing Major League Baseball to manage their broadcasts, the Braves decided to maintain direct oversight of the BravesVision initiative.

This move comes after several teams cut ties with their broadcast partners earlier this month. On February 2nd, six franchises — the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays — announced MLB would handle their local television coverage this season. These teams, along with the Braves, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels, ended their agreements after Main Street Sports Group, which runs the regional FanDuel Sports Network channels, failed to deliver promised rights payments on schedule.

Major League Baseball will manage broadcasts for 14 franchises this season. The league is also offering direct-to-consumer streaming for Braves and Angels games through braves.tv and angels.tv respectively.

According to the Braves, they are working to finalize partnerships with cable providers, satellite companies and streaming platforms. BravesVision programming will also be accessible through MLB’s streaming service.

Team president and CEO Derek Schiller expressed enthusiasm about returning broadcast control to the organization, noting it will remind fans of the days when games aired on TBS.

“Generations of Braves fans were raised watching games on a network that shared ownership with the baseball team,” Schiller said in a statement released by the team. “With BravesVision, we believe that we can present Braves baseball in new and innovative ways allowing us to expand and elevate our storytelling capabilities across all of our platforms.”

The organization announced that some games will air free of charge on Gray Media’s television stations throughout Atlanta and the Southeast region. The team plans to reveal which specific games will be available before the season starts.

Gray Media will also broadcast 15 Braves spring training contests.

NBA veteran Patrick Beverley will not face criminal charges after a Texas grand jury refused to move forward with a felony assault case against him.

The Fort Bend County grand jury ruled Monday that insufficient evidence existed to support the allegations stemming from an incident last November, effectively ending the criminal proceedings against the 37-year-old basketball player.

Following his arrest, Beverley’s social media account explained that he had discovered his underage sister in the company of an 18-year-old male while she was unaccompanied.

“He was understandably concerned, as any brother would be about his sister. However, we don’t believe what followed happened the way it’s been described and we look forward to the opportunity to address that in court,” the statement said.

In response to Monday’s grand jury ruling, Beverley issued another public statement.

“I am deeply grateful for all thoughts and prayers for the family,” he wrote. “We must continue to protect our children, especially our young girls. This ordeal has truly made our family stronger. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.”

Legal representatives Rusty Hardin and Letitia Quinones-Hollins spoke on behalf of their client following the decision.

“Patrick wants everyone to know that he would never do anything to harm his sister and that he is very grateful that the grand jury has recognized that with their no-bill,” the statement said. “He is thankful for all who prayed for him and supported him during this time. He is glad that the process was allowed to work as it did and his hope is that with these charges behind him now, his name and reputation will be restored.”

The basketball player currently competes professionally overseas in Greece.

Throughout his dozen-year NBA career spanning 2012 through 2024, Beverley suited up for seven different franchises, posting career averages of 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists across 666 regular season appearances, including 518 as a starter. His defensive prowess earned him recognition on three All-Defensive Teams during his tenure.

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni acknowledged uncertainty about star wide receiver A.J. Brown’s future with the franchise, stating he cannot promise the player will return for the upcoming season.

The talented receiver has achieved over 1,000 receiving yards in each of his four campaigns with Philadelphia, yet speculation about a potential trade has intensified following his public criticism of the team’s offensive approach during the 2025 season.

Even with tensions between Brown and the organization, Sirianni indicated both sides remain interested in continuing their partnership with the three-time Pro Bowl performer.

“My expectation is he wants to be here. And obviously you want good players like that in your building,” Sirianni told local reporters, according to ESPN.

“As (general manager) Howie (Roseman) said, it’s hard to get good players in this league. A.J.’s a great player and A.J. is a good teammate and A.J. is a good person. Does he want to be here? Yes. Do I want him to be here? Yes.”

However, when reporters asked directly whether the 28-year-old receiver would wear an Eagles jersey in 2026, Sirianni offered a measured response.

“Will A.J. be here next season? I think we’re still in a spot, like, I can’t guarantee how anything is going to play out into next season,” Sirianni explained. “I’m thinking I’m going to be the coach next season but you can’t guarantee anything past tomorrow.”

Recently, Brown appeared on Micah Parsons’ podcast during Super Bowl week, where he described Philadelphia as his “home” and expressed feeling “fortunate” to play for the organization.

Throughout his four-year tenure with the Eagles, Brown has compiled impressive statistics with 339 receptions, 5,034 receiving yards, and 32 touchdown catches across 62 games. His achievements include a Super Bowl championship in 2024 and NFC East division titles in 2022, 2024, and 2025.

The receiver secured a lucrative three-year contract extension worth $96 million in April 2024, with $84 million in guaranteed money. His salary cap impact for the 2026 season stands at $23.4 million.

ARLINGTON, Texas — The United Football League unveiled dramatic rule modifications Tuesday that will prohibit teams from punting once they advance past midfield and reward kickers with four points for successful field goal attempts from 60 yards or beyond.

League officials revealed these changes alongside the ban of the controversial “tush push” maneuver, which prevents teammates from shoving the quarterback forward immediately following the snap.

Since the NFL incorporated significant alterations to kickoff procedures two years ago based on UFL innovations, the spring league’s rule modifications have attracted increased attention. The UFL is also revising its own kickoff format as the eight-team circuit prepares for its March 27 launch.

Under the updated kickoff system, the kicking squad will position themselves at the opposing team’s 45-yard line rather than the 40, while receiving team blockers will shift five yards in the same direction, providing additional space for return specialists. Neither coverage units nor blockers may advance until the ball is secured or touches down in the specified area.

“It is a tremendous source of pride,” stated UFL head of officials Dean Blandino regarding the league’s influence on NFL regulations. “And I think it speaks to the need to have spring football. We’re not competing with the NFL, but we’re working in conjunction with the NFL. We’re preparing players, coaches, officials, to take that next step and to also try things and innovate, that the NFL can use.”

The punting restriction will not apply during the closing two minutes of each half. When active, squads that advance beyond the 50-yard line must attempt fourth-down conversions regardless of whether they subsequently lose ground back into their own territory.

With NFL franchises increasingly attempting field goals from distances exceeding 60 yards after barely reaching midfield, the UFL’s four-point reward system addresses this trend. Teams positioned exactly at the 50-yard line without crossing it retain punting privileges.

“At first glance, it feels like a major, major change,” Blandino explained to The Associated Press. “That’s how I looked at it when we started talking about it. Then you dive into the numbers a little bit and look at the NFL last year, fewest punts per game in modern history, most fourth-down attempts per game in modern history. So the game is trending that way anyway.”

The UFL’s motivation extends beyond statistical analysis.

“We just felt, what are we trying to promote?” Blandino questioned. “We’re trying to provide exciting plays. We’re trying to promote scoring and fan excitement, engagement, those types of things. So we don’t want to see a ton of punts where it’s just a fair catch at the 10-yard line. It’s a non-action play.”

The punting modification complements the enhanced scoring system for lengthy field goals. Former spring league participant Brandon Aubrey of the Dallas Cowboys has demonstrated that such distances are increasingly achievable.

Jacksonville’s Cam Little established a new NFL distance record with a 68-yard conversion in November, surpassing Justin Tucker’s previous Baltimore Ravens mark from 2021 by two yards. Little also connected on a 70-yard attempt during last year’s preseason.

According to Blandino, Mike Repole, who assumed the role of principal investor last year, strongly advocated for recognizing exceptional kicking performances.

“We just felt like, ‘OK, let’s add a layer to this,’” Blandino noted. “Kicking a 65-yard field goal is a lot harder than a 35-yard field goal. Why should they be the same?”

The NFL narrowly voted down a proposal to eliminate the tush push last year, a technique popularized by the Philadelphia Eagles and frequently employed by the Buffalo Bills.

“Some of our teams used it and we just felt with everything, whether it’s safety, whether it’s the difficulty in terms of officiating it,” Blandino explained. “We’re going to give them the opportunity to see how you can officiate it, how you kind of get it out. And we just feel like that’s not a play that we want in our game.”

The league will also implement the collegiate standard requiring receivers to establish only one foot inbounds for completed catches, compared to the NFL’s two-foot requirement.

Regarding post-touchdown scoring, a 33-yard conversion attempt will yield one point, while successful plays from the 2-yard line earn two points and conversions from the 8-yard line are worth three points.

During overtime periods, teams will take turns on three conversion attempts from the 5-yard line, continuing to alternate until a winner emerges.

The Atlanta Braves have locked up veteran left-handed pitcher Chris Sale with a contract extension that could keep him in uniform through the 2028 season, the team announced Tuesday.

Atlanta already activated an $18 million team option for the 2026 season at the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, preventing Sale’s contract from expiring as originally scheduled. The new extension adds $27 million for the 2027 season, plus gives the Braves a $30 million option for 2028.

Despite battling a fractured ribcage that sidelined him for 10 weeks during the 2025 season, Sale posted a solid 7-5 record with a 2.58 earned run average. The veteran southpaw recorded 165 strikeouts, including an impressive stretch in September where he notched four games with nine strikeouts in just five starts after returning to the rotation.

Sale will celebrate his 37th birthday on March 30, which coincidentally falls on the opening game of Atlanta’s second series in the 2026 regular season.

The pitcher made a spectacular National League debut in 2024, his first season with the Braves, topping the NL in three major categories: 18 victories, a 2.38 ERA, and 225 strikeouts.

Before joining Atlanta, Sale spent 13 seasons competing in the American League. He began his major league career with the Chicago White Sox in 2010 before moving to the Boston Red Sox via trade in 2017.

Over his career spanning 393 games with 312 starts, Sale has compiled a 145-88 win-loss record. His career statistics include a 3.01 ERA and 2,579 strikeouts across 2,084 innings pitched.

The NFL revealed Tuesday that the Detroit Lions have been chosen to compete in Munich, Germany during a regular season matchup in 2026.

Officials will announce the opposing team and specific game date once the complete 2026 schedule becomes available this spring.

This Munich contest represents one of nine international games scheduled across four continents for the upcoming season, marking a new record for the league.

The matchup will take place at Allianz Arena, the 70,000-capacity stadium that serves as home base for German soccer giant FC Bayern Munich. The venue is also set to host another NFL game in 2028, while Berlin will welcome games in 2027 and 2029.

Alexander Steinforth, NFL Germany’s general manager, emphasized the significance of the German market. “Germany continues to be a key market in the NFL’s international growth ambitions, with Europe’s largest fanbase,” Steinforth stated. “We are excited to welcome the Detroit Lions to play in the 2026 NFL Munich game — and in partnership with the Lions, FC Bayern Munich and the City of Munich, we look forward to bringing an incredible NFL experience to fans across the region in the NFL 2026 season.”

Through the league’s global markets initiative, the Lions maintain marketing privileges across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Lions president and CEO Rod Wood expressed enthusiasm about the international opportunity. “We are thrilled to be playing internationally and specifically in Munich for the 2026 season,” Wood commented. “As an organization, we have invested greatly in the German market and are excited to play in front of our passionate German fans.”

The upcoming German game carries particular meaning for Lions standout Amon-Ra St. Brown.

The two-time All-Pro wide receiver shared his personal connection to the opportunity. “It has been a dream of mine to play a game in my mother’s home country of Germany since coming to the league,” St. Brown explained. “I cannot wait to play in front of the incredible fans that I’ve gotten to know through my visits and football camps in the country. Their support for me and the country’s instant connection to the Lions brand is inspiring, and I’m looking forward to our team getting to showcase Detroit football on an international scale.”

Detroit previously participated in international contests during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, with both games taking place in London.

MUNICH — A childhood aspiration is about to become reality for Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, following confirmation that his team will compete in this year’s NFL international game in Munich.

The talented receiver has deep ties to Germany through his mother, who was born there, and has cultivated a devoted following among the nation’s growing NFL fanbase.

“It has been a dream of mine to play a game in my mother’s home country of Germany since coming to the league,” St. Brown expressed in an official league announcement released Tuesday.

“I cannot wait to play in front of the incredible fans that I’ve gotten to know through my visits and football camps in the country. Their support for me and the country’s instant connection to the Lions brand is inspiring, and I’m looking forward to our team getting to showcase Detroit football on an international scale.”

The Lions’ matchup opponent remains to be announced. Munich’s contest is among a historic lineup of nine international NFL games scheduled for 2026, featuring debut appearances in France, Australia and Brazil.

This marks the NFL’s third return to Munich’s renowned stadium, which typically serves as the venue for German soccer powerhouse Bayern Munich. The Bavarian city welcomed the league’s inaugural German game in 2022, followed by another contest in 2024. Frankfurt and Berlin have previously served as host cities for NFL games as well.

The Atlanta Braves have locked up their Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Chris Sale through the 2027 season, announcing Tuesday they’ve added $27 million to his existing contract.

Sale, who turns 36 next year, captured the 2024 National League Cy Young Award during his debut season in Atlanta. The new agreement also features a $30 million team option that could keep him with the Braves through 2028.

The Braves obtained Sale from the Boston Red Sox in a December 2023 trade, subsequently restructuring his deal into a $38 million contract spanning two years with an $18 million club option for 2026. Atlanta picked up that option last November.

Since joining the Braves, Sale has compiled a 25-8 record with a 2.46 earned run average across 49 starts and one relief outing. His performance earned him two All-Star selections, bringing his career total to nine.

Throughout his 15-year major league career with Chicago White Sox, Boston, and Atlanta, Sale has posted a 145-88 record with a 3.01 ERA, accumulating 2,579 strikeouts over 2,084 innings pitched. His rate of 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings leads all pitchers who have thrown at least 1,500 innings.

Sale’s success in Atlanta marks a remarkable turnaround after struggling with injuries during his time in Boston, where he landed on the disabled or injured list nine separate times due primarily to shoulder and elbow problems. He underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2020 and didn’t return to major league action until August 2021.

Sports financiers are finding success backing innovative soccer formats designed for digital consumption, though concerns persist about whether these ventures can sustain growth over time.

Alternative leagues featuring shortened matches and tech-savvy rule changes have emerged as competitors to conventional 90-minute soccer, targeting younger viewers who prefer streaming content. Organizations like Spain’s Kings League and Germany’s Baller League have gained traction by combining gaming elements with matches featuring retired professionals and social media personalities.

These competitions are posting impressive viewership numbers on streaming platforms while expanding across continents, including entry into America’s profitable sports market. Investment capital is following the audience growth.

Alignment Growth, a U.S. sports investment firm, recently spearheaded funding for the Kings League, which features seven players per side and was established by former Spanish national team player Gerard Pique. The January investment round brought in $63 million, pushing total funding beyond $160 million since the league’s 2023 debut.

“From an investment perspective, these properties offer something traditional sports can’t,” Kevin Tsujihara, Alignment’s co-founder and managing partner, explained to Reuters.

“Direct audience ownership, lower infrastructure costs, rapid international scalability, and monetization models aligned with digital platforms.”

The Kings League plans its U.S. debut this year, marking its eighth national competition spanning from Italy to Saudi Arabia. Each new market typically requires 5-7 million euros ($5.9-8.3 million) in startup capital, though the American expansion will demand higher investment.

Meanwhile, the six-player Baller League will launch in America this March before the World Cup, following successful expansion into Britain. EQT Ventures, a major financial backer, coordinated a $25 million funding round in December 2024.

“The upcoming U.S. launch and the CBS Sports broadcast deal represents global consumer appetite for the format and a world-dominating ambition from the team that is hungry to leave an impression on the biggest sport on Earth,” Tom Mendoza, an EQT Ventures partner representing the venture capital division of Swedish private equity company EQT, told Reuters.

Financial backers cite rapidly changing sports viewing patterns, with growing numbers of fans watching on mobile devices rather than traditional television broadcasts.

“What attracted us is the convergence of three powerful trends: the shift of younger audiences to digital-first content consumption, the creator economy’s ability to drive authentic engagement, and soccer’s universal appeal,” Tsujihara noted.

Research from Deloitte indicates approximately 90% of Generation Z and Millennial consumers now access sports content through social media platforms.

These newer leagues frequently broadcast on free services including YouTube and Twitch.

“Pull of user-generated content for youngsters was far greater than the levels we initially anticipated at the time of investment,” EQT’s Mendoza observed.

However, one anonymous investor cautioned that strong viewership and stadium attendance don’t automatically guarantee profitable returns, emphasizing the importance of solid financial performance.

Some industry observers remain skeptical about these alternative formats, pointing to traditional soccer’s continued worldwide dominance.

“I think there’s a misconception that alternative formats like Baller League are as compelling as the highest level of the sport. They’re not competing on the same emotional or competitive plane,” said Jordan Wise, a soccer agent and business owner.

Wise, who founded advisory company EDEN and creative firm CAOS, projected that a serious U.S. launch would require $8 million-$15 million or more during the inaugural year “if you want to make real noise,” considering America’s elevated costs for talent acquisition, media coverage and staffing.

One potentially concerning development involves the Baller League suspending its German operations while focusing resources on the American launch, though no official explanation has been provided.

Investment diversification into smaller leagues reflects broader enthusiasm from other sectors.

Traditional sports properties like soccer and basketball saw 192 private equity transactions in 2025, compared to just 54 in 2019, according to financial consulting firm Oaklins.

Asset values are climbing as well: the Ross-Arctos Sports Franchise Index, which monitors North America’s four major leagues, increased 5.2% during the third quarter, achieving a 16.9% year-to-date return in 2025.

These trends encourage investors to explore emerging sports properties for potential future profits, despite uncertainties in this untested market.

Multiple soccer matches across Mexico were called off indefinitely following widespread violence that erupted near Guadalajara after military forces killed a notorious cartel leader, prompting FIFA to closely watch the situation in what will be a 2026 World Cup host city.

The violence began after Nemesio Oseguera, nicknamed “El Mencho” and the leader behind the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), died while in custody following injuries sustained during a special forces raid along Mexico’s Pacific coastline in Jalisco state, defense ministry officials confirmed.

“At FIFA Mexico, we are closely monitoring the situation in Jalisco and remain in constant communication with the authorities,” a FIFA spokesperson told Reuters.

“We will continue to follow the actions and directions from the different government agencies, aimed at maintaining public safety and restoring normalcy, and we reiterate our close collaboration with federal, state, and local authorities.”

Estadio Akron, located in Zapopan near Guadalajara, stands as one of three Mexican stadiums designated to host World Cup matches this summer. The venue is also slated to host playoff games featuring Congo, Jamaica and New Caledonia between March 26-31.

Mexican league officials announced through social media that two premier matches set for Sunday would be delayed without a new date – Queretaro versus FC Juarez in men’s competition and Chivas versus America in women’s play.

Two lower-division contests scheduled for the same day were similarly canceled, according to local media outlets.

A women’s match between Necaxa and Queretaro in Aguascalientes was temporarily halted Sunday when players rushed off the field after hearing loud sounds outside Estadio Victoria, which media outlets identified as gunfire. Play eventually continued, with Necaxa claiming a 2-1 victory.

Mexico’s national squad is scheduled to meet Iceland Wednesday in an international friendly at Corregidora Stadium in Queretaro.

Organizers of the Mexican Open men’s tennis championship in Acapulco announced the tournament would start Monday as planned with established safety measures in place.

The Merida Open women’s tennis event in eastern Mexico also continued without interruption.

“The WTA is aware of security incidents reported in parts of western Mexico,” the WTA said in a statement, adding that authorities had increased police presence around the tournament venue.

“The safety of players, staff, and spectators remains our top priority.”

Following news of El Mencho’s death, suspected cartel associates blocked major highways with burning vehicles and set fire to businesses across more than six states. Officials reported no civilian fatalities.

In Jalisco’s tourist destination Puerto Vallarta, worried visitors posted on social media about thick black smoke clouds rising above the bay area.

Air Canada, United Airlines, Aeromexico and American Airlines all suspended flight operations in the affected region.

Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant has his sights set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, even though he’ll be approaching his 40th birthday when the games begin. Following Monday night’s 125-105 victory over the Utah Jazz, where Durant contributed 18 points, the veteran forward revealed he’s already spoken with USA Basketball Managing Director Grant Hill about his Olympic aspirations.

“I didn’t want to just take my name out of consideration just because of the simple fact that I’m older and I did it before,” Durant explained after the game. “Grant understands my love for Team USA. That’s my family. The level of love I have for Team USA and the whole organization over there is unmatched, so I’d love to be part of it until I’m done playing.”

The seasoned athlete has participated in four consecutive Olympic Games and holds the record as the all-time leading scorer for USA men’s basketball. However, Durant emphasized he doesn’t expect automatic selection for the 2028 roster and is prepared to compete for his position.

“I understand how tough that decision is for Grant, and how many great players are going to emerge the next year and a half, and I’m also very old compared to a lot of these players,” Durant acknowledged. “I know I’ve got my work cut out for me to make that team.”

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Durant made history by becoming the first male American basketball player to capture four Olympic gold medals. While female athletes Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird have earned five golds each, Durant clarified that matching their record isn’t driving his desire to continue his Olympic journey.

“I just love playing for Team USA. I love representing my country. That’s the first and most important thing — it’s putting that USA across my chest and representing where I come from,” he stated.

Currently in his 18th NBA season, Durant maintains impressive statistics with 25.9 points per game while shooting 50.7% from the field.

The Sacramento Kings finally broke free from their historic slump Monday night, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 123-114 to end a franchise-record 16-game losing streak that had plagued the team.

Russell Westbrook led Sacramento’s offensive charge with 25 points, while Precious Achiuwa delivered a strong double-double performance with 22 points and 12 rebounds. The victory marked Sacramento’s first win since January 16th and just their fourth road victory in 30 attempts this season.

DeMar DeRozan contributed 19 points for the Kings, matching the output of Daeqwon Plowden, who proved crucial down the stretch with 10 fourth-quarter points as Sacramento seized control. Maxime Raynaud also made his mark with 10 points and a team-leading 13 rebounds.

Despite a solid effort from Javon Small, who tallied 21 points, nine assists and six rebounds, Memphis couldn’t avoid their sixth loss in seven contests. Olivier-Maxence Prosper chipped in 17 points for the Grizzlies, while GG Jackson added 16.

In other NBA action, the San Antonio Spurs extended their winning streak to nine games with a 114-103 victory over Detroit, ending the Pistons’ five-game run. Devin Vassell exploded for 28 points, connecting on seven three-pointers, while Victor Wembanyama overcame a slow start to finish with 21 points, 17 rebounds, six blocks and four assists.

Julian Champagnie added 17 points for the Western Conference’s second-place Spurs, and Stephon Castle recorded 16 points with 11 assists. Detroit’s Jalen Duren paced the East-leading Pistons with 25 points and 14 rebounds, though Cade Cunningham struggled mightily, shooting just 5-of-26 from the field for 16 points and 10 assists.

Meanwhile, Houston dominated visiting Utah 125-105 behind Jabari Smith Jr.’s game-high 31 points on six three-pointers. Kevin Durant facilitated the offense with 18 points and a season-best 12 assists, while Tari Eason registered 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Amen Thompson was nearly perfect for the Rockets, scoring 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting, while Alperen Sengun nearly achieved a triple-double with 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Reed Sheppard provided a spark off the bench with 15 points on five three-pointers.

Utah got strong individual efforts from Lauri Markkanen (29 points) and Brice Sensabaugh (26 points and four threes). The Jazz managed to convert 27 Houston turnovers into 34 points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent their third consecutive defeat.

In a stunning first-round performance at the ATX Open in Austin, Texas, Swiss qualifier Rebeka Masarova dominated third-seeded Xinyu Wang of China with a decisive 6-3, 6-2 victory on Monday.

Masarova’s serving proved exceptional as she captured 85.7% of her first-serve points, winning 30 out of 35 attempts. The Swiss player also demonstrated strong defensive skills, successfully defending four out of five break point opportunities. This victory served as redemption for Masarova, who had fallen to Wang just three weeks earlier during the second round in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Another seeded player faced elimination on Monday as seventh-seeded Anna Bondar from Hungary suffered a defeat against Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova, losing 6-3, 7-5.

Among American qualifiers, Whitney Osuigwe mounted an impressive comeback against Elizabeth Mandlik, recovering from an opening set loss to win 2-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Taylor Townsend from the United States secured a hard-fought victory over Czech Republic’s Linda Fruhvirtova 4-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5. However, other American players faced setbacks as Czech qualifier Nikola Bartunkova eliminated Katie Volynets 6-4, 7-5, and Russia’s Oksana Selekhmeteva overcame Alycia Parks 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

At the Merida Open Akron in Mexico, 21-year-old Canadian Marina Stakusic, currently ranked 142nd globally, scored a major upset by defeating fifth-seeded Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska 6-4, 6-3 in opening round action.

This marked Stakusic’s first tour-level victory of the season after previous first-round exits in Canberra, Australia, and at the Australian Open in Melbourne, despite qualifying for the latter tournament. Yastremska’s struggles with consistency, including six double faults, contributed to Stakusic’s breakthrough win.

Additional first-round results from Merida saw straight-set victories for Great Britain’s Katie Boulter and Colombia’s Emiliana Arango, while Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva from Andorra secured a hard-fought 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 triumph over Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva.

The son of former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers has decided to continue the family legacy at North Carolina State University. Gunner Rivers, a standout signal-caller in the high school Class of 2027, announced his commitment to the Wolfpack, choosing the same program where his father made his mark two decades ago.

The younger Rivers has earned recognition as a consensus four-star recruit. Rivals ranks him as the 12th-best quarterback in his graduating class, while ESPN lists him as the 11th-ranked pocket passer nationally. Both recruiting services place him within the top 150 prospects for 2027.

Currently preparing for his final high school campaign at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, Gunner has played under the guidance of his father, who serves as the team’s head coach. The talented quarterback has been the team’s starter since his freshman year, leading St. Michael to three consecutive state titles during his first three seasons.

His junior season statistics were impressive, with reports indicating he completed passes for 3,176 yards and 46 touchdowns while throwing just five interceptions, though ESPN recorded his 2025 totals at 2,813 passing yards.

Several major college programs pursued Rivers, including Miami, Georgia, Auburn, Missouri, Boston College, and South Carolina, according to multiple recruiting reports.

Philip Rivers established himself as one of NC State’s greatest players during his collegiate career from 2000 through 2003. As a senior, he ranked second nationally with 4,491 passing yards and earned seventh place in Heisman Trophy balloting.

The elder Rivers went on to have a distinguished professional career after being selected fourth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He spent 16 seasons with the San Diego and Los Angeles Chargers organization before joining Indianapolis for the 2020 season. After a four-year retirement, he returned to action last December, starting three games for the Colts.

Philip Rivers compiled impressive career numbers during his NFL tenure, finishing with a 134-109 record as a starter. His career statistics place him among the league’s all-time leaders: sixth in touchdown passes with 425, eighth in passing yards with 63,984, ninth in completions with 5,335, and tenth in attempts with 8,226.

DETROIT — In what could serve as a preview of the NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs demonstrated they won’t be intimidated by aggressive play, matching Detroit’s physicality with skill and determination during Monday night’s 114-103 victory over the Pistons.

Victor Wembanyama delivered an impressive performance with 21 points, 17 rebounds and six blocked shots, while Devin Vassell led all scorers with 28 points as San Antonio extended their winning streak.

“It’s definitely a night where we confirmed progression and confirmed potential as well,” Wembanyama said. “That was a good test.”

San Antonio successfully met that challenge despite their franchise player experiencing shooting difficulties. Wembanyama connected on just 6 of 16 attempts, but his supporting cast stepped up significantly with Vassell draining seven three-point shots and three additional players reaching double-digit scoring. The team collectively hit 18 three-pointers on 40 attempts from beyond the arc.

“We know how talented Wemby is and how impactful he can be, but it’s not a one-man show over there,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “They have a bunch of talented perimeter players.”

The victory marked San Antonio’s ninth consecutive win, a season-best streak that positions them second in the Western Conference behind only defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

Detroit, currently leading the Eastern Conference, saw their five-game winning streak end. The Pistons will face another test Wednesday night when they host Oklahoma City in another measuring stick game against elite competition.

“No matter who the opponent is, our guys are looking forward to those challenges,” Bickerstaff said.

Cade Cunningham struggled significantly against San Antonio’s defense, particularly with Stephon Castle as his primary defender. Cunningham made only 5 of 26 shot attempts, finishing with 16 points and 10 assists.

“I don’t know what the playoffs are like, but I know we’re going to need some of that,” said Wembanyama, who is in his second NBA season with a franchise that hasn’t reached the postseason since 2019.

Detroit aims to make significant playoff progress this season after not advancing past the first round since 2008. Last season marked one of the most dramatic turnarounds in NBA history for the Pistons, who ended a lengthy playoff drought but fell to the New York Knicks in the opening round.

Tensions escalated during the first half of Monday’s contest. Cunningham received an offensive foul call after extending his arms and sending Castle to the floor. Spurs forward Keldon Johnson retaliated by shoving Cunningham, prompting Pistons center Jalen Duren, who recently served a league suspension, to point his finger at Johnson’s face.

“That sparked a lot of energy on our team because we’re not going to back down,” Castle said.

Following official review, both Johnson and Duren received technical fouls during the second quarter of the tightly contested game.

The NBA recently suspended Detroit center Isaiah Stewart for seven games after he left the bench during a fight in the team’s game at Charlotte. Stewart remained suspended during San Antonio’s visit, while Duren previously served a two-game suspension for his role in initiating that altercation.

Wembanyama characterized Detroit’s approach as “bully ball,” expressing appreciation for experiencing their aggressive style of play.

“This is probably the team that is most capable of playing that ball,” he said.

San Antonio proved capable of matching Detroit’s intensity and physicality throughout the contest.

“They are going to test your toughness,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “Detroit just toes the line. I don’t think they cross it.”

The 18th-ranked Baylor Bears dominated Kansas State with an impressive 80-54 victory Monday evening in Waco, Texas, keeping their championship aspirations alive with stellar performances from Taliah Scott and Bella Fontleroy.

Scott led the Bears with 20 points while Fontleroy contributed 16 points in the commanding win. Darianna Littlepage-Buggs recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, helping Baylor control the boards with a 43-29 rebounding advantage over the Wildcats.

The Bears found their rhythm in the final 20 minutes, connecting on an impressive 61.5% of their shots in the second half to pull away from Kansas State and secure the blowout victory.

With the win, Baylor improves to 24-6 overall and 13-4 in Big 12 conference play, keeping their hopes for both the regular season championship and the top seed in the conference tournament within reach. The Bears trail 11th-ranked TCU by just half a game, setting up a crucial showdown when they travel to face the Horned Frogs this Sunday.

Kansas State received balanced scoring efforts from Tess Heal and Jordan Speiser, who each finished with 12 points, while Brandie Harrod added 10 points. The loss drops the Wildcats to 15-15 overall and 8-9 in conference action.

In other Top 25 action, 23rd-ranked Georgia defeated Auburn 74-52 behind Dani Carnegie’s 17-point performance that included four rebounds and four steals. Rylie Theuerkauf and Mia Woolfolk each scored 16 points as the Lady Bulldogs shot an efficient 56.8% from the field and an even better 65% in the second half.

Georgia overcame an early six-point deficit by closing the opening quarter with a 10-0 scoring run and maintained control throughout the remainder of the contest. The Lady Bulldogs improve to 21-7 overall and 7-7 in SEC play, while Auburn falls to 14-14 and 3-11 in conference games.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers star pitcher Tarik Skubal has announced he will limit his participation with Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic to just a single start, no matter how deep the American squad goes in the tournament.

The left-handed pitcher, who has claimed the last two American League Cy Young Awards, wants to stick with his typical spring training preparation schedule to be ready for Detroit’s season opener.

“The reason I didn’t announce it (sooner) was I wanted to keep the momentum on the WBC, but I’m just making one start and then I’ll stick around for a few games,” Skubal explained to media members Monday in Florida. “I haven’t determined what games I’m going to watch. If they go to the finals, I think I’m going to try and lobby to just go watch and be with the guys. But yeah, I’m just making one start and getting back on track and getting back to here.”

The 29-year-old made his spring training debut Monday, recording four strikeouts across two shutout innings while allowing just two hits in Detroit’s 3-0 defeat to Minnesota. His next scheduled appearance will be Sunday versus Toronto, followed by his lone Team USA outing during pool play in Houston next week.

Following that international appearance, Skubal plans to return to the Tigers for the remainder of spring training.

“It’s kind of the best of both worlds. That was the communication I had with those guys,” Skubal noted. “There’s some risk obviously, and I’m trying to do both things, trying to pitch for Team USA, but also I understand I need to be here with these guys and get ready for the season. I think it’s kind of the best of both worlds in that aspect, and I’m grateful they took me in that capacity.”

Skubal, who could enter free agency this fall, is set to take the mound for Detroit’s March 26 season opener in San Diego. The pitcher recently won his arbitration case against the Tigers, securing a $32 million salary for this season rather than the team’s proposed $19 million.

The World Baseball Classic will take place March 5-17 across multiple cities including Tokyo, Houston, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Miami, where the championship game will be held for the second consecutive tournament.

“The whole point of me doing the WBC was to make sure that I could stay on a normal workload of a spring training regimen and be able to make a start for Team USA and then come back here and continue my normal routine to get ready for opening day,” Skubal emphasized. “I think everything’s going to stay the same. I’m not ramping up earlier than I need to. I don’t want that narrative out there. I’m treating this as I’m going to Team USA, making a start, coming back to Lakeland and getting ready to go for opening day.”

The two-time All-Star has dominated American League hitters over the past two seasons, capturing back-to-back Cy Young Awards and ERA titles. Last season, he posted a 13-6 record with a career-low 2.21 ERA across 31 starts, striking out 241 batters while issuing only 33 walks in 195 1/3 innings. His 0.891 WHIP led all qualifying pitchers.

The Women’s National Basketball Association has established March 10 as a crucial target date to complete collective bargaining agreement discussions with its players’ union to prevent any disruption to the upcoming 2026 season, according to reports from ESPN and the New York Post released Monday.

League officials communicated this timeline during a virtual meeting Monday that drew participation from more than 50 players, the reports indicated.

While this date doesn’t serve as a firm deadline for reaching an agreement, it does establish a goal for both parties to conclude their discussions and ensure the 2026 league schedule remains intact.

Both the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association require a completed CBA to move forward with an action-packed offseason. Free agency must commence, and officials need to organize an expansion draft for two new franchises: the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire.

Currently, the college draft is scheduled for April 13, with training camps set to begin six days afterward. The season’s opening games are planned for May 8.

On Monday morning, the union informed ESPN that the league achieved a revenue milestone in 2025 that activated revenue sharing with players for the first time. This achievement will result in $8 million being distributed among players across the 13 teams that competed last season.

Revenue sharing arrangements and player housing provisions remain central issues in the ongoing CBA discussions between league management and the union. Recent reports indicated the union has softened its position on certain revenue-sharing elements in its most recent counterproposal.

A significant disagreement exists between the negotiating parties: the union seeks a percentage of gross revenue, while league officials are proposing a share of net revenue instead.

Canadian tennis player Felix Auger-Aliassime made a successful comeback to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Monday, securing a challenging 6-3, 7-6 (4) victory against Zhizhen Zhang from China in the tournament’s opening round.

The Canadian competitor, who reached the finals at this same event in 2025 before falling to Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, demonstrated resilience throughout the match. While Auger-Aliassime successfully defended against all four break point opportunities he encountered, Zhang proved equally tenacious by saving five match points during the contest. Zhang rescued two match points in the second set’s 10th game and defended three additional match points in the 12th game, ultimately pushing the set into a tiebreaker.

Auger-Aliassime will face French qualifier Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the next round, after Mpetshi Perricard defeated Tunisian wild card Moez Echargui in a grueling three-set battle, 7-6 (3), 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4). The French player dominated with his serve, delivering 29 aces during the marathon match that lasted two hours and 36 minutes.

In other Dubai tournament action, Britain’s fourth-seeded Jack Draper defeated French qualifier Quentin Halys 7-6 (8), 6-3, while Swiss wild card Stan Wawrinka claimed victory over Lebanese wild card Benjamin Hassan with a 7-5, 6-3 result.

Meanwhile, at the BCI Seguros Chile Open in Santiago, Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann dominated the opening of his first-round match, claiming the initial seven games en route to a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic. Hanfmann controlled the match with a 22-9 advantage in winners, completing the victory in an efficient 74 minutes despite recording 24 unforced errors.

Seventh-seeded Francisco Comesana required nearly three hours to advance, overcoming Spain’s Pedro Martinez 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (4) after saving a match point in the final set. Comesana will meet Italian qualifier Andrea Pellegrino next, who defeated Argentine qualifier Alex Barrena 6-2, 2-6, 6-1. The day’s final match between Chile’s Nicolas Jarry and Croatia’s Dino Prizmic was still in progress.

The United States women’s ice hockey squad that claimed Olympic gold by defeating Canada last week will not be attending President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday evening, multiple news outlets reported Monday.

The team’s absence from the 9 p.m. congressional address stems from scheduling conflicts, according to USA Hockey officials who expressed appreciation for the presidential invitation while acknowledging the honor of having their recent Olympic victory recognized.

“Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate,” USA Hockey said in a statement. “They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”

The women’s squad secured their gold medal triumph in dramatic fashion, edging out Canada 2-1 in an overtime showdown at the Milano Cortina Olympics last week.

Meanwhile, the U.S. men’s ice hockey team, which also claimed gold by defeating Canada with an identical 2-1 overtime victory in Milan, has received invitations to both Tuesday’s State of the Union and a White House celebration scheduled for Wednesday. Their attendance remains unconfirmed.

Following their championship win, the men’s team received a congratulatory phone call from Trump in their locker room, during which the president extended the invitation to visit Washington.

The chief executive of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics organizing committee is firmly standing by his embattled chairman, despite mounting calls for the leader to resign following revelations in federal documents.

Reynold Hoover, CEO of LA28, expressed his complete confidence in Chairman Casey Wasserman during an interview Monday, marking his first public comments since Wasserman’s name surfaced in Justice Department files connected to Jeffrey Epstein released last month.

“The board has taken their position – they support him and I support him,” Hoover, a former three-star Army lieutenant general, stated following the conclusion of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

The controversy stems from flirtatious email communications between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted associate, that occurred over twenty years ago. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has publicly urged Wasserman to resign from his position.

Earlier in February, the LA28 board reinforced its backing of Wasserman after an independent legal review determined his previous connections to Maxwell and the deceased convicted sex offender Epstein were limited to what was already known publicly.

Hoover emphasized the organization’s impressive financial achievements as proof of effective leadership under the current structure.

“We’ve got a great leadership team here at LA28,” he declared. “Just look at the results.”

The privately-funded Olympic Games have already secured more than $2 billion in commercial sponsorship deals, according to Hoover, putting the organization at 80% of its $2.5 billion target with over two years remaining before the opening ceremonies.

Public enthusiasm for volunteering at the Games has also exceeded projections, he noted.

“We’ve exceeded all expectations, we’ve broken all Olympic records by any measure,” Hoover explained. “If that doesn’t give people confidence, I don’t know what will.”

According to Hoover, the Wasserman situation has not prompted discussions about leadership changes, disrupted daily operations, or raised concerns among current or prospective sponsors.

“I was at a meeting in Dallas with a potential sponsor – hopefully we’ll get them signed up – and it wasn’t even raised,” he revealed, noting that LA28 will soon unveil another major sponsor to join existing partners including Delta Air Lines, Honda, Google, Starbucks, Comcast, Intuit and Korn Ferry.

“No one is asking about it.”

Hoover, who began his role with LA28 nearly two years ago, described his relationship with Mayor Bass as “great, very close” and admitted he was “a little surprised” by her recent statement calling for Wasserman’s departure.

“Look, that’s her opinion. But she also said that the LA28 board has taken a position and is supporting Casey, so there’s nothing more to really be said on it,” he responded.

These comments represent the first official LA28 response since Wasserman issued a statement in late January expressing regret over his communications with Maxwell, which he said occurred “long before her horrific crimes came to light.”

Wasserman has maintained he never maintained personal or business ties with Epstein.

Los Angeles City Council member Monica Rodriguez has denounced the LA28 board’s support for Wasserman and recently proposed a resolution “reaffirming Los Angeles’ commitment to the core values of the Olympic movement, including excellence, respect and integrity in leadership.”

The 51-year-old Wasserman has dedicated more than ten years to bringing the Olympic Games back to Southern California, and Hoover stressed their commitment to organizing what he described as the largest and most spectacular Summer Games in Olympic history.

“This is going to be an incredible, incredible Games and people need to start focusing on that aspect of it, and let’s move on,” Hoover concluded.

A former basketball journalist is making the transition from covering sports to working behind the scenes in professional women’s basketball.

Ben Pickman has been brought on board by the Portland Fire as their new salary cap and strategy analyst, according to a Monday report from Front Office Sports.

Pickman’s journalism career included a four-year stint at Sports Illustrated from 2018 through 2022, where he reported on both collegiate and professional basketball. He later transitioned to The Athletic, focusing specifically on women’s basketball coverage including both the WNBA and college levels.

In January, Pickman revealed he was departing from The Athletic, hinting that he had “more to come soon” while keeping details about his next move under wraps.

The Portland franchise is assembling their administrative team as they gear up for their return to professional women’s basketball. The city previously hosted a WNBA team under the same Fire name that competed from 2000 through 2002. Leading the organization as general manager is Vanja Cernivec, who brings experience from her previous role with the Golden State Valkyries during their inaugural WNBA season in 2025.

The Dallas Cowboys are expected to use the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens as their preferred strategy to retain the talented pass-catcher while maintaining financial flexibility to bolster their defensive roster.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones outlined this approach during Monday’s discussions at the NFL Scouting Combine, where league personnel conduct business throughout the week.

“We want Pickens here. We think the world of him,” Jones stated. “Want him here. Love him, and I think he wants to be here. So all that’s a plus.”

Should Dallas apply the franchise tag to Pickens, the organization would face a one-year commitment of approximately $28 million, though both parties could still negotiate a multi-year deal before the July 15 deadline.

The 24-year-old receiver, who celebrates his 25th birthday on March 4, recorded 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns during the 2025 campaign.

Dallas has already secured running back Javonte Williams with a three-year, $24 million extension, preventing another key offensive weapon from entering free agency.

Following the dismissal of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after the 2025 season, the Cowboys brought in Christian Parker to rebuild their defensive unit. Jones emphasized that personnel improvements are essential to this reconstruction effort.

“We want to fix this defense,” Jones explained regarding the team’s spending priorities. “We feel really good about the offensive side of the ball now that we got Javonte done and we know that we’ll have George back. So, we feel really good about that side of the ball. Obviously we spent a lot of time on it already in the offseason, revamping the defensive coaching staff, and now we’ll take the next steps, which are to improve the personnel on that side of the ball.”

Pittsburgh originally drafted Pickens in the second round of 2022, where he spent his initial three NFL seasons. Throughout his 65-game career spanning 55 starts, Pickens has accumulated 267 catches, 21 touchdowns, and 4,270 receiving yards.

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal made an impressive spring training debut Monday, tossing two scoreless frames despite his team falling 3-0 to the Minnesota Twins in Lakeland, Florida.

The two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award recipient, who secured a $32 million salary after prevailing in arbitration, recorded four strikeouts while keeping Minnesota off the scoreboard during his stint. In his first inning of work, Skubal fanned two hitters with runners on base to escape trouble.

Following his outing, Skubal informed media members he intends to make just one appearance for Team USA during the World Baseball Classic’s round-robin portion before heading back to Detroit’s training facility.

Minnesota secured the victory behind home runs from Emmanuel Rodriguez and Alex Jackson, while pitcher Mick Abel contributed three scoreless innings with five strikeouts for the Twins.

Detroit’s offense managed only three base hits, including a triple from Matt Vierling and a double off the bat of Javier Baez.

Mets 4, Blue Jays 3

In Dunedin, Florida, New York edged Toronto as Cristian Pache connected for a home run and MJ Melendez drove in a run with a double.

Veteran hurlers Clay Holmes and Jose Berrios each surrendered two earned runs in their spring debuts for the Mets and Blue Jays respectively.

Toronto’s major offseason signing from Japan, Kazuma Okamoto, launched his first homer of the spring – a two-run blast in the second frame. The slugger inked a four-year, $60 million contract during the winter.

Braves 10, Orioles 7

Atlanta rallied past Baltimore in Sarasota, Florida, scoring eight times in the sixth inning, capped by Jorge Mateo’s grand slam.

The Braves collected 13 hits total, with Dominic Smith, Eli White, Lizandro Espinoza and Aaron Schunk each recording two hits apiece.

Baltimore got a two-run homer from Vance Honeycutt but left 11 runners stranded on the bases.

Rays 2, Red Sox 1

Tampa Bay completed a dramatic comeback in Port Charlotte, Florida, as Jonny DeLuca delivered a walk-off two-run single to defeat Boston.

Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen struck out three batters across two shutout innings. Tampa Bay managed just two hits through eight innings before collecting three more in the decisive ninth.

Boston took the lead when Mickey Gasper drove in a run with a triple in the top of the ninth.

Cardinals 5, Marlins 4

St. Louis scored three runs in the final inning to beat Miami in Jupiter, Florida, with Ryan Weingartner and Jeremy Rivas contributing RBI doubles before a wild pitch ended the game.

Rivas finished with two of St. Louis’ five hits, while Jose Fermin added an RBI single in the opening frame against Miami starter Eury Perez.

The Marlins got on the board first via Jakob Marsee’s spring training home run debut in the first inning, but Miami struggled with runners in scoring position, going 2-for-13 and leaving 13 men on base.

Yankees 6, Pirates 2

New York pulled away from Pittsburgh in Bradenton, Florida, scoring four times in the second inning behind RBI hits from Ben Rice and Jasson Dominguez.

Rice started the rally with a two-run single, followed by Dominguez’s RBI double. The Yankees also received a home run from prospect Miguel Palma and drew 11 walks to compensate for managing only five hits.

Pittsburgh’s highly regarded pitching prospect Bubba Chandler struggled in his spring debut, walking four batters and allowing four runs despite not surrendering a hit over 1 2/3 innings. The Pirates got an early RBI single from newly signed Marcell Ozuna, who joined the team on a one-year, $12 million contract.

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association announced that the WNBA has achieved a historic financial milestone, becoming profitable enough to share revenue with players for the first time in the league’s history.

WNBPA officials informed ESPN on Monday that players across all 13 teams from the 2025 season will split $8 million in revenue sharing payments.

This achievement stems from a collective bargaining agreement signed in early 2020, which established specific financial targets that would unlock revenue sharing opportunities once met. While the union confirmed the milestone was reached, they declined to reveal the league’s complete 2025 revenue figures or specify the exact threshold required.

The league actually set aside $16 million from its revenue for players, but half of that amount is designated for marketing partnerships rather than direct player compensation, according to the report.

“I’m just hopeful that this distribution gives them a little bit of comfort and a lot of confidence in what we’re doing,” WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson told ESPN.

Additionally, players will collectively earn $9.25 million from licensing deals involving merchandise sales, video games, and jersey purchases.

This revenue sharing development comes during ongoing contract negotiations between the union and league officials. With the draft and training camp approaching in just a few months, the players association recently modified its financial demands in a new proposal submitted last week.

The union’s updated proposal requests an average of 27.5% of total league revenue, starting at 25% in year one of any new agreement. Their revised salary cap proposal would begin below $9.5 million for the first season.

The union’s earlier demands were significantly higher, seeking 31% of gross revenue on average, with an initial year starting at 28%. Their previous salary cap proposal called for $10.5 million in the opening year.

The champion U.S. women’s hockey squad that captured Olympic gold has respectfully turned down President Trump’s offer to join him at Tuesday evening’s State of the Union address.

In a statement issued Monday, the women’s team expressed appreciation for the recognition while explaining their absence. “We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” the team’s statement read. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.”

President Trump extended similar invitations to both the men’s and women’s Olympic hockey champions. However, timing presents obstacles as NHL action resumes Wednesday with five scheduled contests, while the PWHL returns to play Thursday. Both championship teams touched down in Miami Monday.

White House officials have not yet responded to inquiries regarding the attendance status of either squad.

The recent Olympic hockey competition delivered dramatic championship matches, with both gold medal contests decided in overtime periods. The American women claimed victory over Canada 2-1 in Thursday’s final, while the men’s team also defeated Canada on Sunday.

Men’s team member Matthew Tkachuk shared his excitement upon returning to U.S. soil in Miami. “It’s been a whirlwind, it’s been amazing. It’s a dream of ours, it was such an amazing way to unite the country,” Tkachuk commented after the team’s arrival.

“We felt the support being across the Atlantic and now being back on home soil we could feel it the second the wheels hit the ground. So excited to be back in the greatest country in the world and so excited to celebrate.”

Tkachuk described receiving communication from Trump following their victory as meaningful. “And so we are definitely honored to represent him and the millions and millions across the country.”

During the Games’ opening week, Vice President JD Vance and his family were present for two of the U.S. women’s preliminary victories.

The National Football League may grant replay officials the authority to call penalties for certain infractions, marking a potential first in professional football history.

Troy Vincent, the NFL’s vice president of football operations, announced that league officials are exploring giving replay booth personnel the power to flag specific violations, particularly those involving non-football conduct.

“You don’t want to just be just expanding the Pandora’s box, but we believe that things like the non-football act, you can really, really restrict what that is,” Vincent explained during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where committee members gathered Monday afternoon. “That’s something that we believe that potentially there’s a little bit of tweaking in the language, that may be the first step.”

Vincent referenced a controversial moment from Super Bowl LX as an example of when this new authority could prove valuable. During that game, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe punched New England Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs, but field officials failed to call a penalty despite the clear violation.

Television replays clearly captured Diggs receiving a left-handed strike to his helmet, while cameras lingered for over 30 seconds on Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel’s frustrated response to the missed call – exactly the type of non-football conduct Vincent discussed during Monday’s meetings.

According to Vincent, there’s decreased opposition to this concept compared to previous discussions, though he emphasized any implementation would be gradual and serve as “the first step in getting to putting flags on the field” for replay officials.

Vincent also confirmed reports that no franchise proposed eliminating the controversial “tush push” play this year. The specialized short-yardage technique, perfected by Philadelphia, sparked heated debate last season when Green Bay raised player safety concerns, but efforts to ban the Eagles’ signature move ultimately failed.

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey will be sidelined for an extended period following an upper-body injury he suffered during the Milan Cortina Olympics, according to TSN’s Monday report.

The veteran player left Canada’s opening match against Czechia on February 12 and remained out for the rest of the Olympic tournament, missing Sunday’s 2-1 overtime defeat to the United States in the championship game.

Morrissey managed only 7:10 of playing time during the Olympics, marking another setback after he previously sat out last February’s 4 Nations Face-Off title game due to sickness. Canada claimed victory in that Boston event, defeating the U.S. 3-2 in overtime.

The injury creates a significant void for the Jets, who resume play following the Olympic pause with a Wednesday matchup against the Vancouver Canucks. Morrissey serves as a crucial offensive contributor from the blue line and plays in all game situations.

The 30-year-old ranks as Winnipeg’s fourth-highest point producer with 42 points across 56 contests this season, while logging the 11th-most ice time league-wide at 24:37 per game.

“We want Josh in this game. He helps us with puck moving and everything he does, but in the end, if you’re not physically able to do it…” Canada head coach Jon Cooper stated prior to the Olympic championship. “When it comes to the flag, no one is getting in the way of it. If (players are) incapable of giving what they think is optimal effort, they don’t want to put the country in harm. They understand what we have here.”

Now in his tenth complete campaign with Winnipeg, Morrissey was selected 13th overall by the franchise in 2013. Throughout his career, he has accumulated 415 points on 90 goals and 325 assists over 718 NHL appearances.

Following their Presidents’ Trophy championship last year, Winnipeg has fallen dramatically to 13th place in the Western Conference standings, sitting 11 points behind a playoff position.

Detroit Tigers star pitcher Tarik Skubal will limit his participation in next month’s World Baseball Classic to a single appearance for Team USA.

The two-time Cy Young Award recipient announced following his first spring training outing on Monday that he intends to make only one start during the tournament’s group stage, which kicks off March 5. After that appearance, he’ll head back to Detroit and won’t be available for any potential elimination round starts.

Reports indicate Skubal’s single outing for the American squad will occur March 7 during pool play against Great Britain.

“If they go to the finals, I think I’m going to try and lobby to just go watch and be with the guys,” Skubal said.

This decision represents a setback for Team USA, which seeks its second World Baseball Classic championship and first since capturing the title in 2017. Over the past two seasons, Skubal has established himself as baseball’s premier pitcher, accumulating 31 victories combined with an ERA below 2.40 in both 2024 and 2025. Throughout his six-year career with Detroit, he’s compiled a 54-37 record with a 3.08 ERA across 137 games, including 134 starts.

Despite Skubal’s limited availability, the U.S. roster remains deep with pitching talent, featuring 2025 Cy Young winner Paul Skenes alongside 2025 All-Stars Logan Webb, Joe Ryan and Matthew Boyd.

Team USA has been placed in Group B and will begin tournament play March 6 against Brazil in Houston. The group also includes Great Britain, Italy and Mexico. The World Baseball Classic championship game is scheduled for March 17 in Miami.

Multiple sources indicate the Atlanta Falcons intend to place the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts to keep him from entering free agency.

The 25-year-old player was scheduled to become a free agent, but the franchise designation would guarantee him roughly $16.5 million for the 2026 season, which represents the average of the five highest-paid players at the tight end position.

According to NFL Network, both parties plan to negotiate a multi-year contract that would make the franchise tag unnecessary for the coming season. The deadline for reaching such an agreement is July 15.

Selected fourth overall by Atlanta in the 2021 NFL Draft, Pitts has experienced a mixed professional trajectory. While his rookie campaign remains his only season surpassing 1,000 receiving yards, he returned to prominence last year with 88 receptions for 928 yards and five touchdowns, marking a career best in scoring.

Under new head coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, Pitts will continue serving as a key target in the passing game alongside wide receiver Drake London.

Though the organization has not made an official announcement, Pitts appears to be the first player subject to the franchise tag this offseason. Reports suggest the Dallas Cowboys may apply the designation to wide receiver George Pickens.

NFL teams must finalize their franchise tag decisions by March 3.

An Iowa angler has made fishing history by reeling in a black crappie that shattered the state’s previous record. The achievement has garnered attention from fishing enthusiasts across the Midwest.

Mickey Thompson, the angler behind this remarkable catch, recently spoke about his record-breaking experience. The fish exceeded the previous Iowa state record for black crappie, marking a significant milestone for the state’s fishing community.

Details about the exact weight, location, and circumstances surrounding the catch have made this story particularly noteworthy among local fishing circles. Thompson’s achievement represents years of dedication to the sport and knowledge of Iowa’s waterways.

The new record has been officially recognized by state wildlife authorities, cementing Thompson’s place in Iowa fishing history. His success story continues to inspire other anglers hoping to land their own trophy fish in the state’s lakes and rivers.

Notre Dame’s star running back Jeremiyah Love is poised to make a spectacular impression at this week’s NFL Scouting Combine, with the potential to deliver a performance reminiscent of Saquon Barkley’s memorable showing.

The 20-year-old athlete is expected to clock a 40-yard dash in the low 4.3-second range, showcasing the explosive speed and athleticism that could create a highlight-reel moment in Indianapolis.

During his time with the Fighting Irish, Love accumulated 40 touchdowns while serving as the team’s primary ball carrier and currently sits at the number two spot on Field Level Media’s rankings of top 2026 draft candidates.

Love’s game-breaking velocity represents his strongest asset heading into the draft. While he may not reach the second overall selection that Barkley achieved with the Giants, his combination of skills positions him as a strong candidate for a top-10 pick, particularly given the number of franchises in that range seeking backfield help.

Several teams picking early could target Love, including the Arizona Cardinals (third pick), Tennessee Titans (fourth), New York Giants (fifth), Washington Commanders (seventh), New Orleans Saints (eighth), and Kansas City Chiefs (ninth) – all organizations that could view him as a crucial offensive weapon.

When Barkley tested at the 2018 combine, he registered 233 pounds with a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, 41-inch vertical leap, and 29 repetitions at 225 pounds on the bench press.

Love’s anticipated 40-yard dash and vertical jump measurements could surpass Barkley’s numbers, with his 10-yard split potentially showing exceptional acceleration compared to Barkley’s 1.54-second mark.

Scouts are drawing parallels between Love and former Arkansas speedster Darren McFadden, who posted a 4.33-second 40-yard dash in 2008.

For context, Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten recorded the fastest time among running backs at last year’s combine with a 4.32, eventually being selected 104th overall by Jacksonville.

Michelle Wie West, the former U.S. Women’s Open winner, has announced she’s ending her retirement to participate in a cutting-edge indoor golf competition backed by golf superstars Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

The Hawaiian golfer stepped away from professional competition in 2023 after capturing five LPGA Tour victories during her career. She holds a limited ownership stake in TGL’s Los Angeles Golf Club squad, which features players Collin Morikawa, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Sahith Theegala.

“I’m excited for the chance to compete again through WTGL, which will be a powerful platform for women’s golf,” stated Wie West, who represented the U.S. in five Solheim Cup competitions. “I’m passionate about growing the game, and TGL has proved how new formats through the lens of innovation and creativity can bring golf to a broader audience.”

The LPGA partnered with TMRW Sports in January to launch the WTGL, featuring elite female golfers in rapid-fire team competitions at the SoFi Center located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Several top-ranked players have already committed to the league, including world number one Jeeno Thitikul, along with Charley Hull (ranked 3rd), Lydia Ko (6th), and Lottie Woad (8th).

Wie West made history in 2003 when she became the youngest player ever to survive the cut in an LPGA tournament at just 13 years old. Her career trajectory included a near-miss at making the cut in a men’s PGA Tour event the following year, though injuries and health issues plagued her throughout her professional journey.

The NBA handed down identical $35,000 fines Monday to Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. and Miami Heat forward Myron Gardner following their involvement in a court brawl during Saturday’s game in Miami.

The incident unfolded during the final minutes of Miami’s 136-120 win over Memphis, with just 1 minute and 55 seconds left on the clock. After Pippen missed an attempt and began retreating down court, Gardner made contact with him from behind, sending Pippen tumbling to the ground. Pippen then pursued Gardner to the opposite end of the court, confronted him verbally while pointing, then delivered a forceful shove that sent both players tumbling off the court where they continued wrestling until officials and teammates separated them.

According to the league’s official statement, “Gardner initiated the incident by bumping Pippen from behind, causing Pippen to fall to the floor. Pippen further escalated the altercation by forcefully shoving Gardner in response.”

Officials issued technical fouls to both players and removed them from the contest, though neither received a suspension.

The 25-year-old Pippen is posting averages of 12.5 points and 4.8 assists through four appearances this season for Memphis, including one starting assignment.

Gardner, age 24, has appeared in 28 games for Miami this year with four starts, averaging 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per contest.

The Las Vegas Raiders find themselves in a familiar position – starting from the bottom with hopes of climbing back to the top following a disastrous 2025 season.

After posting a league-worst 3-14 record, the Silver and Black have earned the top selection in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft as the new league year approaches in March.

The franchise faces substantial challenges in returning to competitive form, with extensive roster needs across multiple positions.

However, Las Vegas enters this crucial offseason period with significant resources at their disposal. The organization possesses ten draft picks and boasts more than $87 million in available salary cap room, providing ample opportunity to rebuild a depleted roster and challenge for relevance in the competitive AFC West division.

Financial flexibility highlights the Raiders’ rebuilding position:

Available salary cap space for 2026: $87.2 million

Largest individual cap hit: Defensive end Maxx Crosby at $35.791 million

Notable players entering free agency include offensive guard Dylan Parham, defensive end Malcolm Koonce, center Jordan Meredith (restricted free agent), quarterback Kenny Pickett, cornerback Eric Stokes, linebacker Elandon Roberts, and kicker Daniel Carlson.

Priority positions for improvement include quarterback, offensive line, wide receiver, and defensive line.

The Raiders’ 2026 draft capital includes:

Round 1: Pick 1

Round 2: Pick 36

Round 3: Pick 67

Round 4: Picks 102, 117, and 134

Round 5: Pick 174

Round 6: Picks 180 and 183

Round 7: Pick 220

This combination of draft assets and financial resources positions the Raiders to make substantial improvements as they prepare for the NFL Scouting Combine and a potentially franchise-altering offseason.

American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn disclosed Monday that emergency medical intervention following her devastating crash at the Milano Cortina Olympics prevented the amputation of her left leg. The 41-year-old athlete is now recovering at home and expects to transition from a wheelchair to crutches within weeks.

In a detailed Instagram video post, Vonn explained that her terrifying accident just 13 seconds into the highly-anticipated women’s downhill race resulted in compartment syndrome – a dangerous condition where trauma causes pressure buildup within muscle groups, cutting off blood circulation.

The 2010 Olympic gold medalist and second-most accomplished female World Cup skier in history praised Dr. Tom Hackett from Team USA for his life-changing intervention. Hackett happened to be present in Cortina specifically because Vonn was competing despite recently tearing her left knee’s ACL.

“He saved my leg from being amputated,” Vonn explained in her video message, detailing how she fractured her tibia, fibular head and tibial plateau. “He did what’s called a fasciotomy, where he cut open both sides of my leg, kind of filleted it open, so to speak, let it breathe. And he saved me.”

The dramatic accident occurred while Vonn was skiing with a knee brace. She struck a gate with her shoulder, lost control, and was thrown airborne before careening off the course at tremendous speed and crashing in a devastating heap. Television audiences could hear her agonized screams while spectators and fellow competitors watched in stunned silence.

Following the crash, Vonn endured four surgical procedures at an Italian medical facility before returning to the United States, where she underwent an additional six-hour operation.

“It has been quite the journey and by far the most extreme and painful and challenging injury I’ve ever faced in my entire life, times 100,” Vonn stated.

The skiing champion also fractured her right ankle in the accident and spent longer than anticipated in the hospital. She experienced dangerously low hemoglobin levels due to blood loss from multiple surgeries, struggled with severe pain management, and required a blood transfusion that marked a turning point in her recovery.

Vonn anticipates approximately one year for complete bone healing before deciding whether to undergo additional surgery to repair her ACL injury.

“But I’m going to get right to work on rehab and see what I can do and take it one step at a time, like I always do,” Vonn said. “But it’s been – I can’t tell you how painful it’s been. It’s been really hard. And it was definitely not the way I wanted to end my Olympics.”

Phoenix Suns guard Dillon Brooks faces a lengthy recovery after breaking his left hand during weekend action, with ESPN reporting Monday that the injury will keep him off the court for four to six weeks.

The 30-year-old player exited Saturday’s matchup against Orlando with under five minutes remaining in the opening quarter and was unable to continue playing. Despite his absence, Phoenix managed to defeat the Magic 113-110 in a thrilling double-overtime contest at home.

This season marks Brooks’ debut campaign with the Suns, where he has posted impressive numbers with 21.2 points per game and 3.7 rebounds across 50 contests, all as a starter. These scoring figures represent the highest average of his professional career.

The injury compounds Phoenix’s current personnel challenges, as star player Devin Booker remains out approximately one week due to a right hip strain, while Haywood Highsmith faces a two to three-week absence with a right knee issue.

Currently sitting in seventh position within the competitive Western Conference standings, Phoenix trails both the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves by two games as of Monday.

Should Brooks require the full six-week recovery period, his return would coincide with early April, just days before the regular season concludes on April 12.

Throughout his NBA tenure spanning 542 games with Memphis (2017-23), Houston (2023-25), and now Phoenix, Brooks has compiled career statistics of 14.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per contest, starting 515 of those appearances.

Olympic skiing champion Lindsey Vonn revealed Monday through social media that she came dangerously close to losing her leg following a catastrophic accident during the women’s downhill event at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

The American athlete has endured five surgical procedures following a severe left tibia fracture that occurred when she struck a gate and went off course just 13 seconds into her February 8th race.

In her social media statement, Vonn praised Dr. Tom Hackett, the orthopedic surgeon for both herself and Team USA, for his life-saving intervention. Hackett performed an emergency fasciotomy to address compartment syndrome that developed after the crash, a condition where excessive internal pressure from bleeding and swelling can cut off blood circulation and cause permanent damage without immediate treatment.

“When you have so much trauma to one area of your body that there’s too much blood and it gets stuck and it basically crushes everything … all the muscle and nerves and tendons — it all kind of dies,” Vonn explained in an Instagram video. “He (Hackett) kind of filleted it open, so to speak, let it breathe, and he saved me.”

The surgeon’s presence at the Olympics proved crucial, as he was only there due to Vonn’s previous ACL injury before the games began.

“If I hadn’t had done that, Tom wouldn’t have been there. He wouldn’t have been able to save my leg,” she explained. “I feel very lucky and grateful for him.”

Speaking from a hotel room after her hospital discharge, Vonn detailed her medical journey. Her first four operations took place at an Italian medical facility after emergency crews airlifted her from the mountain. She later returned to America on a stretcher aboard an aircraft and immediately underwent a fifth procedure at an undisclosed U.S. hospital.

The skiing legend disclosed that she remains wheelchair-bound and “very much immobile” due to also fracturing her right ankle in the same incident. Her recovery timeline includes at least two months using crutches during rehabilitation.

“Now I will focus on rehab and progressing from a wheelchair to crutches in a few weeks,” she wrote alongside her video message. “It will take around a year for all of the bones to heal and then I will decide if I want to take out all the metal or not, and then go back into surgery and finally fix my ACL.”

The 41-year-old athlete had emerged from retirement with a partially reconstructed right knee and was considered a strong medal candidate before tearing her left ACL during a World Cup race one week prior to the Olympics. Despite the injury, she maintained she could still compete in the games.

Vonn was pursuing her second Olympic gold medal in downhill skiing, having previously claimed victory in Vancouver during 2010. She also holds two Olympic bronze medals.

Despite the disappointing conclusion to her Olympic campaign, Vonn expressed no second thoughts about her decision to compete.

“I’d rather go down swinging than not try at all, and I think what I was able to achieve was more than anyone expected to begin with,” Vonn stated. “I worked really hard to get back and it was so worth it.”

Throughout her distinguished career, Vonn accumulated 84 World Cup victories, ranking second among female competitors. Only her Olympic teammate Mikaela Shiffrin surpasses her record. Two of those victories occurred during this current season.

“It’s going to be a long road. But I always fight and I’ll keep going, no regrets,” Vonn concluded. “It really knocked me down but I’m like Rocky — I’ll keep getting back up.”

According to ESPN, the Kansas City Chiefs are closely watching former wide receiver Tyreek Hill’s rehabilitation from ACL surgery as they explore the possibility of bringing him back to the organization.

Hill, who will celebrate his 32nd birthday on March 1, played for Kansas City from 2016 through 2021 before moving to the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins cut him loose on February 16 as part of budget reduction efforts.

Following his release, Hill made a public commitment to return from the knee dislocation and ACL tear he suffered during the fourth week of the 2025 season.

“The Cheetah don’t slow down. Ever,” Hill posted on Instagram. “So to everyone wondering what’s next … just wait on it. The Cheetah will be back…Born Again.”

Hill later shared on Snapchat that he had returned to Kansas City to spend time with family while continuing his recovery process, and his profile picture showed him in a Chiefs jersey.

When Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was questioned about Hill on Friday, he addressed the Pro Bowl receiver who earned eight Pro Bowl selections and five first-team All-Pro honors during his career, including a Super Bowl LIV championship with Kansas City.

“We go through everything and everybody (in free agency),” Reid told ESPN. “That’s how (general manager) Brett (Veach) does (it). I’m sure (Hill’s) working hard on that (rehab) part of it and trying to get all that straightened out. We talk about everything, so there’s nothing happening there, but we know he’s out there and cranking away trying to get himself back to where he can play.”

Kansas City failed to reach the playoffs in 2025, ending a decade-long postseason run. Their campaign concluded without two-time MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who suffered torn ACL and LCL injuries to his left knee during Week 15.

The Chiefs’ current wide receiver group includes five players: Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Jalen Royals, Jimmy Holiday and Jason Brownlee.

Before his injury, Hill recorded 21 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown across four games. Throughout his professional career spanning 145 games with 127 starts between Kansas City (2016-21) and Miami (2022-25), Hill has accumulated 819 catches for 11,363 yards and 83 touchdowns since Kansas City selected him in the fifth round of the 2016 draft.

Major League Baseball Network announced Monday that veteran outfielder Michael Conforto has signed a contract with the Chicago Cubs as a free agent.

The financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed for the player who will celebrate his 33rd birthday on March 1.

Originally selected in the first round of the 2014 draft by the New York Mets, Conforto earned All-Star recognition in 2017. Most recently, he played for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 2024 season under a one-year contract worth $17 million.

His performance with the Dodgers marked the lowest point of his career, as he managed just a .199 batting average alongside 12 home runs and 36 RBIs across 138 games. Despite the team’s World Series championship, Conforto was excluded from their postseason lineup.

Throughout his major league career spanning 1,150 games, Conforto maintains a .245 batting average with 179 home runs and 556 RBIs. His career included stints with the Mets from 2015 to 2021, the San Francisco Giants in 2023 and 2024, and the Dodgers. A shoulder injury sidelined him for the entire 2022 season.

MILAN (AP) — After more than a decade away from Olympic competition, the world’s elite hockey talent delivered the excitement fans had been craving.

Seven of the tournament’s elimination matches in Milan went into extra time, culminating with Team USA defeating Canada in a thrilling, high-speed championship game to claim the gold medal. The sport captured the attention it deserved as NHL stars returned to Olympic play after a 12-year absence.

“This is as good as it gets,” said U.S. forward Vincent Trocheck. “They’ve got to keep doing it.”

Officials plan to do exactly that.

An existing partnership between the league, players’ union, and International Ice Hockey Federation ensures participation in the 2030 Games in the French Alps, assuming final negotiations with the International Olympic Committee succeed. However, the next opportunity for elite international competition arrives sooner: February 2028 will host the World Cup of Hockey.

The NHL and NHLPA share common ground on numerous matters, particularly their goal of creating a regular international schedule featuring these high-level tournaments every two years. The IIHF supports this vision as well.

“The hockey world from NHL/NHLPA standpoint is in a better place when The Players’ Association and the league are cooperating and, internationally, when these three organizations are collaborating the hockey world is in a better place,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. “And it gives us an opportunity to grow the game in places where we’re not as strong as, say, we are in North America and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with (IIHF president Luc Tardif) in furtherance of growing the game. That’s the goal, and the more things that we can figure out to do together, the better it will be for everybody.”

Milan marked the sixth Olympic Games featuring NHL athletes since the tradition began in Nagano in 1998. Missing the 2018 Games and having 2022 cancelled due to the pandemic left many in Milan disappointed — yet the extended break somehow enhanced the overall experience.

“It’s been so long since the last one,” said Canada defenseman Drew Doughty. “Wish it had never happened this way, but here it is.”

Team USA secured their first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey during the NHL era, breaking Canada’s streak of two consecutive titles and three victories in four tournaments. This marked America’s first Olympic hockey championship since the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice,” though the only miraculous element this time was goaltender Connor Hellebuyck’s extraordinary performance — one of the greatest goaltending displays in international hockey history.

“He was our best player by a mile,” said Jack Hughes following his overtime winning goal, speaking with several missing teeth after taking a stick to the face during the match.

Hughes scored the decisive goal within two minutes of 3-on-3 overtime beginning, highlighting what many consider the tournament’s biggest flaw that needs addressing for future competitions — particularly in championship games and the upcoming NHL and NHLPA-organized World Cup.

Canada’s head coach Jon Cooper argued that 3-on-3 play rather than traditional 5-on-5 hockey, which decides NHL playoff contests, “is not hockey anymore.”

“There’s a reason overtime and shootouts are in play: It’s all TV-driven to end games, so it’s not a long time,” Cooper explained, referencing regular season game formats. “There’s a reason why (3 on 3) is not in the Stanley Cup Final or playoffs.”

After Team USA’s victory and before celebrations commenced, winning players expressed no objections to the current format.

“Right now, I think it’s great,” said Brock Nelson.

Two-time WNBA champion Kara Braxton has passed away at the age of 43, the league confirmed Sunday.

The WNBA did not release details about where or how Braxton died. Her 43rd birthday had been just this past Wednesday.

“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of 2x WNBA Champion Kara Braxton,” the WNBA said in a statement on social media. “A 10-season veteran, Kara played with the Detroit Shock, Tulsa Shock, Phoenix Mercury, and New York Liberty. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and former teammates at this time.”

Detroit chose the 6-foot-6 forward/center as the seventh pick in the 2005 WNBA Draft.

During her decade-long career, Braxton posted averages of 7.6 points and 4.7 rebounds while playing 16.5 minutes per game across 297 regular-season contests. She made 120 starts while suiting up for Detroit/Tulsa from 2005-10, Phoenix from 2010-11, and New York from 2011-14.

In postseason play, she contributed 7.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game over 46 playoff appearances, starting 11 times.

Braxton captured WNBA titles in both 2006 and 2008 as a member of the Detroit Shock, the franchise that later moved to Tulsa in 2010. The league named her to the All-Rookie squad in 2005, and she earned All-Star recognition in 2007.

“We mourn the loss of Kara Braxton, a former Liberty player whose presence and passion left a lasting impact on our organization and the women’s game,” the Liberty wrote on the team’s X account. “Our hearts are with her family, friends, teammates, and all who were touched by her spirit. Her impact will not be forgotten.”

A native of Jackson, Michigan, Braxton attended Westview High School in Portland, Oregon, before playing college basketball at Georgia.

As a Bulldog from 2001-04, she compiled impressive numbers with 15.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.8 blocks per game over 71 contests. Georgia honored her as SEC Rookie of the Year and named her to both the All-Freshman and All-SEC teams during the 2001-02 season.

Reports indicate Braxton continued her professional playing career internationally until the 2017-18 season. Following retirement, she took a position with Nike in Oregon before relocating to the Atlanta region, according to USA Today.

Braxton leaves behind her husband Jarvis Jackson and two sons, Jream Jackson and Jelani Thurman, USA Today reported. Thurman played tight end for Ohio State’s 2024 national championship squad before transferring to North Carolina this past January after his junior season.

The Dallas Mavericks finally found relief from their lengthy losing streak, defeating the Indiana Pacers 134-130 on Sunday in Indianapolis to end a 10-game skid.

Khris Middleton paced the Mavericks with 25 points, leading a balanced offensive attack that featured six Dallas players reaching double-digit scoring. Pascal Siakam topped all scorers with 30 points for Indiana, which dropped its third consecutive game.

The Mavericks, who hadn’t tasted victory since January 22, controlled the game from start to finish but never established a commanding advantage, with their biggest margin reaching just 11 points. Dallas extended their largest cushion early in the final quarter before the Pacers cut the gap to 117-114 with 5:37 left on the clock.

Middleton stepped up during crunch time, contributing seven points during a crucial 9-5 Dallas run that provided the necessary separation in the closing minutes.

Coming off the bench, Klay Thompson connected on three of seven three-point attempts, with all nine of his points coming from beyond the arc. P.J. Washington contributed 23 points to Dallas’s well-distributed scoring effort.

Thunder 121, Cavaliers 113

Oklahoma City received outstanding performances from Isaiah Joe, who tallied 22 points and a career-best five steals, and Cason Wallace, who recorded 20 points and a career-high 10 assists, in their victory over visiting Cleveland.

With star guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams sidelined, Joe and Wallace stepped into starting roles for the Thunder. Oklahoma City dominated from three-point range, connecting on 21 attempts including an impressive 8-of-12 performance in the opening quarter, finishing at 51.2% from deep.

Cleveland’s seven-game winning streak came to an end, while Oklahoma City improved to four wins in their last five contests. The Cavaliers received 20-point efforts from James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, and Sam Merrill.

Knicks 105, Bulls 99

Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 28 points and 11 rebounds while Jalen Brunson contributed 19 points and nine assists, leading visiting New York past struggling Chicago.

The Bulls extended their losing streak to nine games, matching their longest skid since a 10-game slide during the 2018-19 campaign. Sunday’s defeat was the closest margin during their current slide. Matas Buzelis led Chicago with 15 points, and Guerschon Yabusele posted 11 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double.

New York also received double-figure contributions from Landry Shamet (16 points), Josh Hart (11), and Bridges (11).

Hawks 115, Nets 104

Jalen Johnson erupted for 14 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, helping Atlanta erase an 11-point deficit to defeat visiting Brooklyn.

Trailing 102-91 with eight minutes remaining, the Hawks dominated the final stretch with a 24-2 run. Atlanta seized the lead 105-104 with 2:28 left when C.J. McCollum drained a three-pointer, and Johnson extended the advantage with a three-point play followed by another basket. Johnson shot 11-of-22 from the field and grabbed 12 rebounds for his 38th double-double. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jock Landale each scored 17, while McCollum added 16 points and eight rebounds.

Brooklyn was led by Michael Porter Jr.’s 18 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, with Nic Claxton adding 15 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. The Nets were held scoreless over the final 5:19.

Raptors 122, Bucks 94

Immanuel Quickley exploded for 32 points and distributed nine assists, powering Toronto to a convincing victory over host Milwaukee.

Brandon Ingram chipped in 22 points with six assists for Toronto, which captured its fourth win in five games. Sandro Mamukelashvili added 15 points and Jamal Shead provided 12 points, six rebounds, and six assists off the bench. The Raptors shot 46.8% from the field while committing just eight turnovers.

Milwaukee’s three-game winning streak ended with Giannis Antetokounmpo still sidelined due to a calf injury. Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins each scored 21 points to pace the Bucks, while Cam Thomas added 15 and Myles Turner contributed 14. Porter also dished out 10 assists.

Warriors 128, Nuggets 117

Brandin Podziemski ignited a decisive 15-0 run in the final period, Moses Moody led a balanced scoring attack with 23 points, and short-handed Golden State used 21 three-pointers to overcome a triple-double from Nikola Jokic and stun Denver in San Francisco.

Podziemski scored 15 fourth-quarter points and finished with 18 for the game, while also recording team-highs of 15 rebounds and nine assists. Al Horford scored a season-high 22 points, De’Anthony Melton added 20, Gui Santos contributed 17, Payton scored 15, and Will Richard added 11 for the Warriors, who outscored Denver 63-24 from three-point range.

Jokic posted game-highs of 35 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists for Denver, suffering their second loss in three games since the All-Star break. The triple-double marked Jokic’s 21st of the season. Jamal Murray contributed 21 points, Christian Braun scored 18, and Bruce Brown added 12 for the Nuggets, who lost despite a 25-11 advantage in made free throws.

Hornets 129, Wizards 112

LaMelo Ball set a career-high with 10 three-pointers in a 37-point showcase, leading visiting Charlotte past Washington to snap a two-game losing streak.

Ball shot 12-of-20 from the field and 10-of-15 from three-point range for Charlotte, which led by as many as 29 points and made a season-high 25 three-pointers, one short of the franchise record. Kon Knueppel connected on five three-pointers and finished with 28 points, while Brandon Miller scored 22 points on 5-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc.

Washington was paced by Bilal Coulibaly’s 17 points. Jaden Hardy scored 16, Kyshawn George and Jamir Watkins each added 13, and Tre Johnson and Will Riley both finished with 11. The Hornets completed a season sweep of the Wizards with their fourth victory in four meetings, shooting 49.4% overall and 54.3% (25-of-46) from three-point range.

Celtics 111, Lakers 89

Jaylen Brown recorded 32 points with eight rebounds and seven assists, Payton Pritchard contributed 30 points with eight assists, and Boston continued its February hot streak by defeating host Los Angeles.

Derrick White added 12 points with eight assists as the Celtics’ defense limited the Lakers to 39.1% shooting, improving Boston to 8-1 since January 30. The Celtics shot 48.2% while starting their four-game Western Conference road trip 2-0. Neemias Queta contributed 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Luka Doncic led Los Angeles with 25 points and LeBron James added 20. Austin Reaves scored 15 points as the Lakers’ star trio fell to 8-4 when all three play together this season. James, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, surpassed the 43,000-point milestone in his record 23rd season.

76ers 135, Timberwolves 108

Tyrese Maxey erupted for 39 points, leading Philadelphia to a decisive victory over Minnesota in Minneapolis and ending a four-game losing streak.

VJ Edgecombe contributed 24 points, Quentin Grimes scored 19, and Kelly Oubre Jr. added 18. The Sixers dominated from three-point range, shooting 21-of-37, led by Edgecombe (6-of-7), Grimes (5-of-8), Maxey (4-of-7), and Oubre (3-of-7).

Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 28 points as the Timberwolves’ three-game winning streak ended. Jaden McDaniels added 19 points and Julius Randle scored 18 for the hosts, who were outscored in every quarter.

Trail Blazers 92, Suns 77

Donovan Clingan recorded 23 points and 13 rebounds, Jerami Grant added 23 points, and visiting Portland overcame the early loss of leading scorer Deni Avdija to defeat short-handed Phoenix.

Toumani Camara contributed 12 points and Clingan blocked four shots for the Trail Blazers. Avdija appeared to re-injure his lower back, an issue that had sidelined the All-Star forward for five of the previous eight games. He grabbed his back during a play and was removed just 59 seconds into the contest.

Collin Gillespie paced Phoenix with 18 points on four three-pointers and Jalen Green added 13. The Suns played without injured top scorers Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Grayson Allen, dropping three of their last five games. Both teams recorded season-low point totals.

Magic 111, Clippers 109

Desmond Bane scored 36 points on 13-of-19 shooting, leading Orlando past Los Angeles in Inglewood, California.

Paolo Banchero contributed 16 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, while Wendell Carter Jr. added 15 points and 14 rebounds for the Magic. Tristan da Silva scored 13 points and Anthony Black contributed 11 for Orlando.

Bennedict Mathurin missed a potential game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer for the Clippers. Kawhi Leonard scored 37 points on 14-of-25 shooting and collected eight rebounds for Los Angeles, surpassing 20 points for the 36th straight appearance. Mathurin finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, and five assists off the bench for the Clippers.

The family of Ronyell Whitaker, a defensive back who played college football at Virginia Tech and professionally in the NFL, announced his death on Sunday. Whitaker was 46 years old.

Details regarding where Whitaker died and what caused his death were not disclosed. He would have celebrated his 47th birthday on March 19.

“Ronyell lived a life marked by passion, perseverance and purpose,” his family stated. “A gifted athlete, he proudly played high school football for Lake Taylor High School in Norfolk, Virginia, and college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies, where his talent, determination and leadership on the field made a lasting impact.”

During his college career spanning 1999 to 2002, Whitaker intercepted seven passes across 47 games for the Hokies, with five of those picks coming during the 2000 season when he appeared in 11 contests. He also handled punt return duties, bringing back 20 punts for an average of 13.7 yards per return.

Following his college career, Whitaker entered the 2003 NFL Draft but was not selected. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him as an undrafted free agent and later placed him on their practice squad. With Tampa Bay, he appeared in four games with one start, recording 12 tackles, one tackle for loss, and two pass breakups.

The Minnesota Vikings became Whitaker’s next NFL home, where he saw action in 16 games with two starts during the 2006 season and 11 games as a backup in 2007. His Vikings statistics included 31 tackles, one fumble recovery, and one pass defended.

In May 2008, the Detroit Lions signed Whitaker but released him the following month. He continued his professional career in the Canadian Football League before hanging up his cleats in 2010, according to his family.

After his playing days ended, Whitaker transitioned into coaching, serving as the defensive backs coach at Chanhassen High School in Minnesota from 2014 through 2018. He also became an entrepreneur, operating as owner and CEO of Whitaker Group, LLC, a company focused on relocation transactions and short sales, which he established in 2011.

“While many knew him for his athletic accomplishments, those closest to him knew him best for his generous heart, unwavering loyalty and deep love for his family,” his family shared. “He was a protector, a mentor and a source of strength and laughter to all who had the blessing of knowing him.”

Whitaker’s death occurred just one day after another former Minnesota player, receiver Rondale Moore, died at age 25.

Multiple news sources in Minnesota and Indiana reported Saturday that New Albany, Indiana Police Chief Todd Bailey confirmed Moore was discovered in a garage and died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. An autopsy was planned for Sunday.

Moore, who played collegiately at Purdue University, also had stints with the Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons during his NFL career.

Eight professional golfers received approval Saturday from the DP World Tour to compete in LIV Golf tournaments during 2026, following negotiations that resulted in a conditional agreement.

However, Jon Rahm, the former top-ranked golfer worldwide and 2023 Masters winner, was excluded from this group of eight players who secured release.

The golfers who successfully obtained conditional approval include Tyrell Hatton, who plays alongside Rahm, as well as Adrian Meronk, Tom McKibbin, Laurie Canter, David Puig, Thomas Detry, Victor Perez and Elvis Smylie. Their agreement permits them to maintain their DP World Tour membership status while also participating in LIV competitions.

The approval comes with specific requirements, including settling unpaid penalties, withdrawing pending Tour appeals, and committing to greater participation in Tour competitions.

“The conditions these members have accepted will provide additional value to the DP World Tour and benefit to the entire membership,” the Tour stated Saturday. “Provided each member satisfies the conditions of their individual releases, no disciplinary action under the Regulations will be taken against them for playing in conflicting tournaments on LIV Golf in 2026 and they will retain their membership status.”

Starting in 2022, the DP World Tour implemented financial penalties for members who participated in competing events. The following year, the organization successfully defended its right to impose these sanctions through an arbitration ruling.

Rahm has openly declared his intention to refuse payment of the penalties he has accrued and continues to challenge the sanctions through appeals. This ongoing dispute threatens his qualification for the 2027 Ryder Cup competition.

“The releases apply for the 2026 season only and they are not precedent-setting,” the Tour explained. “Requests for releases will continue to be considered on their individual merits in accordance with the Regulations that all members agree to abide by.”

The National Football League’s controversial short-yardage strategy commonly called the “tush push” appears unlikely to face another prohibition attempt this year, according to a top league official.

Rich McKay, who serves as co-chairman of the NFL’s competition committee, indicated Sunday that no franchise has submitted a proposal targeting the disputed play.

“There’s no team proposal that I’ve seen from it,” McKay stated after committee meetings concluded at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. “So, I wouldn’t envision it. But you never know.”

The league witnessed intense discussions surrounding the rugby-inspired play throughout 2025, culminating in a failed ban proposal during owners meetings last May. That effort fell two votes shy of the necessary 24-vote threshold, ultimately failing with a 22-10 tally according to ESPN’s reporting.

Philadelphia has popularized the technique, dubbing it the “Brotherly Shove,” which typically involves Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts receiving the snap in tight-yardage scenarios before driving forward while teammates provide a push from behind.

Green Bay originally championed the prohibition effort, reportedly encouraged by league officials who raised player safety questions. However, the NFL has not released health statistics to substantiate those safety claims.

The Packers initially proposed in February 2025 to prevent offensive players from immediately pushing teammates positioned directly behind the center when taking snaps, ESPN documented. League owners postponed that discussion during March 2025 meetings.

Green Bay later modified their proposal to forbid pushing any ball carrier anywhere on the field, essentially restoring a rule that existed until 2005, according to ESPN’s coverage. This revised version also failed to gain approval at the May gathering.

Officials faced additional scrutiny during the 2025 season, with reports indicating they received instructions to monitor more closely whether offensive linemen moved prematurely before snap counts.

ESPN’s data shows Philadelphia executed the play 27 times while Buffalo used it 17 times to lead all teams among 112 total attempts in 2025, compared to 101 total uses in 2024. Success rates for first-down conversions reached 82% from 2022-24 and dropped slightly to 76.8% last season, per ESPN statistics.

McKay also revealed Sunday that committee members have explored potential changes to playoff seeding methods, though no formal proposal has emerged. The group has additionally examined catch rule applications, which drew significant attention during last season’s postseason play.

“Our technology today is extraordinary, so the ability to go frame by frame and slow things down, it’s a great solution for a lot of things,” McKay explained, “but it does present challenges for others. We need to make sure your rules, as written, don’t just match up (with) what’s on the field but how it’s looked at in replay.”

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton is dealing with another health setback after being diagnosed with shingles, head coach Rick Carlisle announced on Sunday.

The 25-year-old player has been out of action this entire season due to a ruptured right Achilles tendon he suffered during Game 7 of the NBA Finals against Oklahoma City Thunder back in June. The Thunder went on to win the championship.

Despite his injury, Haliburton has been present at most Pacers games throughout the season. However, Carlisle indicated the guard will need to stay away from the team for approximately two to three weeks while battling this latest condition.

“It’s a very painful thing,” Carlisle explained to media members on Sunday. “He will make a full recovery, but this happened over the last few days. He was meeting us in D.C. and had some odd symptoms and he came back here. That’s what’s happening with him. We certainly wish him a speedy recovery. It’s a unique case and a unique situation, but I talked to him a few times and he’s always in a good mood, so he’ll get through it.”

Shingles develops from a viral infection that creates a painful skin rash, stemming from the same virus responsible for chickenpox. The Mayo Clinic explains that once someone contracts chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in their body permanently and can resurface as shingles years later.

Without their star player, the Pacers have struggled significantly this season, posting a 15-43 record that places them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Only the Sacramento Kings, with a 12-46 record, have performed worse league-wide.

During the 2024-25 regular season, Haliburton put up impressive numbers with 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game across 73 contests, all as a starter. His performance earned him All-NBA third team recognition for consecutive seasons.

The two-time All-Star has compiled career statistics of 17.5 points, 8.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds over 333 regular-season appearances (294 as a starter) split between Sacramento from 2020-22 and Indiana since then.

Haliburton entered the NBA when Sacramento drafted him 12th overall in 2020 following his college career at Iowa State.

Baltimore’s newest star Pete Alonso continued his impressive spring training debut, connecting for his second consecutive home run as the Orioles battled the Detroit Tigers to a 4-4 deadlock on Sunday in Lakeland, Florida.

The slugger, who joined Baltimore in December on a five-year deal worth $155 million, has wasted no time making an impact. After launching a two-run blast against the New York Yankees on Friday, Alonso went yard again in Sunday’s third inning.

The Orioles received additional offensive support from Heston Kjerstad, who also went deep, while Jose Barrero contributed with an RBI double during the fourth inning to give Baltimore a 4-3 advantage. Detroit’s Max Clark evened the score with a clutch run-producing single in the ninth frame.

Austin Slater provided Detroit’s power with a solo home run in the third inning.

In other spring training action across Florida, Pittsburgh’s split squad had a successful day with victories in both their games. The Pirates defeated Philadelphia 4-3 in Clearwater thanks to Esmerlyn Valdez’s sixth-inning grand slam, while overcoming Tampa Bay 7-4 in Bradenton behind Bryan Reynolds’ three-hit performance.

Nicholas Dombrowski earned the victory against the Phillies, striking out four while surrendering just one run across two innings. Philadelphia got solo homers from Kyle Schwarber, who topped the National League with 56 home runs last season, and Carson DeMartini.

Washington dominated Miami 16-8 in Jupiter, with Brady House driving the offensive explosion by hitting two home runs, including a first-inning three-run shot. The Nationals capitalized on 13 walks issued by Marlins pitching while collecting 14 hits in the victory.

Minnesota topped Atlanta 8-1 in North Port, highlighted by Alan Roden’s sixth-inning grand slam and Emmanuel Rodriguez’s two-run homer in the eighth. Boston edged Toronto 11-10 in Fort Myers, with Braiden Ward delivering two RBI singles and the Red Sox amassing 15 hits in the high-scoring affair.

The Mets defeated the Yankees 6-4 in Tampa behind JT Schwartz’s clutch three-run homer in the eighth inning, while St. Louis held off Houston 6-5 in Palm Beach with two-RBI performances from both Yohel Pozo and Cesar Prieto.

The curling competitions at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics became the center of intense drama and athletic achievement, with Sweden playing a central role in both storylines.

A major scandal erupted when Sweden’s men’s team alleged that Canada was cheating through illegal stone contact, sparking a profanity-filled reaction from Canadian curler Marc Kennedy that spread across social media platforms and captured international headlines.

This controversy sparked debates about the quality of officiating and whether World Curling has the capability to oversee a sport that’s becoming increasingly competitive while maintaining its traditional honor system.

Despite the negative attention, the incident succeeded in bringing widespread visibility to a sport that typically receives little coverage outside of Olympic years.

Beyond generating controversy, Sweden demonstrated exceptional performance on the ice, leading all nations with two gold medal victories.

Although their men’s defending champions under Niklas Edin’s leadership were eliminated early following a lackluster showing, siblings Rasmus and Isabella Wranaa secured the mixed doubles championship, while Anna Hasselborg’s squad earned their second women’s title.

“It was super inspiring watching Isabella and Rasmus before we got here. It for sure gave us a lot of energy and inspiration from the start when they played,” Sofia Scharback, who plays lead for the women’s team, explained.

“It’s like riding the wave from their performance. It’s a big thing now coming home with two gold medals for Sweden in curling. It’s huge.”

Canada, widely considered the global center of curling, recovered from previous Olympic setbacks to earn their first men’s championship since 2014, even as Brad Jacobs’ squad faced off-ice disruptions during the cheating allegations.

The country also earned women’s bronze through Rachel Homan’s team, marking the two-time world champions’ inaugural Olympic medal.

“Curling has changed a lot over the last five, ten years, internationally. It’s more challenging than ever to get on top of this podium,” men’s team member Brett Gallant stated.

“It feels like we’ve climbed a mountain together, lifting each other all the way there to the top. What an incredible feeling. We’re so proud to represent Canada.”

Switzerland captured two medals with women’s silver and men’s bronze, while the United States earned silver in mixed doubles competition – marking their first medal in that category.

Italy’s home crowd celebrated as Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner took mixed doubles bronze, though the defending champions from Beijing likely felt some disappointment in not repeating their gold medal performance.

The most crushing defeat may have belonged to Britain’s Bruce Mouat, whose team entered as strong favorites for men’s gold but came up short, falling to Canada in the championship match.

MESA, Ariz. — Standing tall at 6-foot-5 among his Oakland Athletics teammates, Nick Kurtz maintains a low-key presence in the clubhouse despite the increased attention surrounding his remarkable rookie campaign.

The 22-year-old first baseman, fresh off capturing American League Rookie of the Year honors, spent his offseason the same way he always has — returning to North Carolina where he enjoys relaxing, gaming, and catching up on movies between training sessions.

“First of all, I’m excited for Year 2, I kind of know what to expect and what it’s like to play in the big leagues,” Kurtz explained Sunday prior to his initial Cactus League appearance versus Cleveland. “Am I embracing the spotlight? Not so much, I’m a guy who likes to be out there, but obviously there’s a lot more eyes, a lot more expectations, which I’m all about. I use that as our team, we have higher expectations of ourselves and what we think that we can do, so it’s a good thing.”

Manager Mark Kotsay is exploring the possibility of utilizing Kurtz in the leadoff position — where he batted Sunday — to increase the power hitter’s plate appearances throughout the season.

Following his outstanding 2025 campaign, Kurtz remains humble and consistently acknowledges his teammates’ contributions to his success, according to Kotsay.

“The same way like he’s 13 years old, he’s never going to change,” Kotsay observed at Hohokam Stadium. “It’s awesome to watch him in the clubhouse, on the back field, he comes in the same way, the same guy, just feels blessed to be here, and I don’t think that’s ever going to change for him.”

During his debut season, Kurtz posted a .290 batting average alongside 36 home runs, 86 RBIs and a 1.002 OPS across 117 games, joining an exclusive group as only the eighth rookie since 1901 to achieve an OPS above 1.000 with a minimum of 400 plate appearances. His historic July performance saw him become the first major league rookie to launch four home runs in a single game, powering the Athletics to a commanding 15-3 triumph over Houston.

Teammate Zack Gelof, a second baseman recovering from September shoulder surgery, playfully described watching Kurtz’s daily performance.

“It’s extremely annoying, not fun, because I know whatever I do I can never hit it opposite field that far, so I would say annoying,” Gelof joked from his neighboring locker. “Not as fun.”

The young star believes the Athletics can build upon their late-season momentum from their 76-86 finish and establish themselves as AL West contenders. He’s enthusiastic about the organization’s young core, many secured with long-term deals, and wants to contribute to the franchise’s success before their planned relocation to Las Vegas in 2028.

“My plan is to be here for as long as I can,” Kurtz stated. “I’ll be here for the next six years, minimum, so it’s really exciting to know that when we go to Vegas we have guys that we’ll be super familiar with and some of my best friends I’ve made for life, so it’s really fun.”

Several of those teammates were vacationing together in Maui for left fielder Tyler Soderstrom’s November wedding when news of Kurtz’s Rookie of the Year selection broke, allowing them to share in his achievement. True to form, the celebration remained modest.

“Not a whole lot, maybe a couple beers, just hanging out,” he recalled.

The left-handed batter dedicated his winter to maintaining peak physical condition for another complete major league season, one he hopes concludes with postseason baseball. While he delayed his swing work until December and intensified his weight training, his approach remained consistent.

“I’m not a big changing guy, if it worked last year let’s do it again this year,” he explained.

Center fielder Denzel Clarke admires how the modest Kurtz conducts himself professionally. The first baseman exchanged pleasantries with Cleveland catcher David Fry during his first-inning at-bat before grounding out to third base on four pitches.

“I don’t know how under the radar you can be at 6-5, but he’s just a very calm, very chill guy who’s going to go about his day-to-day life,” Clarke noted. “Nothing too crazy, nothing too flashy, he’s just going to be him.”

Chosen fourth overall in the 2024 amateur draft from Wake Forest, Kurtz demonstrated remarkable poise from his April debut. He celebrates his 23rd birthday on March 12.

“I think he learned it really quickly when he got to us, and he mentioned that,” Kotsay reflected. “He did go through a little bit of failure but he found his routines and his processes pretty quickly and recognized you can’t get caught in the results, you just get caught in your process, and I think for a young player to realize that as quickly as he did it showed in the success that he had.”

Major League Soccer has officially exonerated Lionel Messi after conducting an investigation into video footage that showed the soccer superstar entering what appeared to be a restricted area following Inter Miami’s season-opening loss, league officials announced Sunday.

The incident took place Saturday night after Inter Miami’s 3-0 defeat to LAFC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. According to an MLS spokesperson who spoke with Reuters, league officials examined the footage and concluded that Messi did not breach any regulations since the space he entered was neither the officials’ changing room nor a prohibited zone.

Video from the incident shows teammate Luis Suarez attempting to hold back Messi by grabbing his arm, but the Argentine soccer star proceeded to walk through the doorway located in the lower levels of the stadium before emerging shortly afterward.

League officials explained that any truly off-limits areas at the facility would have been clearly marked with appropriate signage, according to the spokesperson.

Inter Miami representatives had not provided a response to requests for comment as of Sunday.

The defending MLS champions began their season with the disappointing shutout loss in front of 75,673 spectators, marking the largest crowd for any MLS season opener in the league’s history.

Virginia pulled off a major upset in Atlantic Coast Conference play Sunday, knocking off eighth-ranked Louisville 74-72 on a clutch three-pointer from Romi Levy with just 13 seconds on the clock.

After Levy’s crucial shot put the Cavaliers ahead 74-72, the Cardinals had two chances to answer back. Reyna Scott missed a layup attempt with four seconds remaining, but Laura Ziegler pulled down the offensive rebound. Following a timeout, Imari Berry’s three-point attempt fell short, and Levy grabbed the defensive rebound to clinch the victory for Virginia.

The Cavaliers (19-8, 11-5 ACC) got a balanced scoring attack led by Kymora Johnson’s 16 points. Levy contributed 15 points while Paris Clark chipped in 14 points along with eight assists and six rebounds. Tabitha Amanze dominated the boards with 11 rebounds to go with nine points. Virginia shot an impressive 55.6% from the field in the opening half to build a 41-30 advantage.

For Louisville (24-5, 14-2), Elif Istanbulluoglu paced the scoring with 20 points. Scott finished with 16 points despite the crucial miss, while Berry added 12. Ziegler recorded a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, also dishing out seven assists.

No. 1 Connecticut 81, Providence 38

The top-ranked Huskies cruised to another Big East Conference win at home in Storrs, Connecticut, behind 13 points each from Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd.

UConn (29-0, 18-0 Big East) remained perfect on the season, building a commanding 40-14 halftime advantage. Allie Ziebell contributed 11 points and Ashlynn Shade added 10, while KK Arnold stuffed the stat sheet with 10 rebounds and eight steals.

Providence (14-15, 7-11) was led by Princess Moody’s 11 points and Payton Dunbar’s nine. The Friars struggled with ball security, committing 39 turnovers while managing just 15 field goals.

No. 3 South Carolina 85, No. 17 Mississippi 48

Joyce Edwards poured in 21 points as the Gamecocks dominated the Southeastern Conference matchup in Columbia, South Carolina.

South Carolina (27-2, 13-1 SEC) got additional contributions from Madina Okot, who recorded 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Ta’Niya Latson with 12 points. The Gamecocks were perfect from the free-throw line, converting all 13 attempts.

Ole Miss (21-8, 8-6) was paced by Christeen Iwuala’s 12 points but struggled offensively, managing only nine points in both the second and third quarters. The Rebels shot poorly from beyond the arc, connecting on just 3 of 17 three-point attempts.

No. 13 Iowa 62, No. 6 Michigan 44

Ava Heiden recorded a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds as the Hawkeyes outfinished the Wolverines in Iowa City, Iowa.

Heiden was efficient from the field, making 11 of 17 shots. Hannah Stuelke added 11 points for Iowa (22-5, 13-3 Big Ten), which overcame poor three-point shooting at 4-of-15. The Hawkeyes sealed the win with a 20-9 scoring advantage in the final quarter.

Michigan (22-5, 13-3) got 13 points from Olivia Olson and 11 from Mila Holloway but couldn’t overcome 24 turnovers. The Wolverines managed just eight points in the second quarter as Iowa built a 27-20 halftime lead.

No. 22 North Carolina 78, Pitt 50

Nyla Brooks scored 18 points and Laila Hull added 17 as the Tar Heels rolled to an ACC victory in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

North Carolina (23-6, 12-4 ACC) broke the game open early in the second quarter, outscoring Pitt 27-6 in the first six minutes to establish a 39-21 lead. Hull was deadly from three-point range in that quarter, knocking down four shots from beyond the arc. Alina Aarnisalo contributed 11 points.

Pitt (8-21, 1-15) was led by Theresa Hagans Jr. with 19 points and Fatima Diakhate with 12, but the Panthers struggled from long range, hitting just 3 of 18 three-point attempts.

No. 25 Alabama 76, Florida 71

Jessica Timmons exploded for 34 points and Ta’Mia Scott added 21 as the Crimson Tide rallied late for a Southeastern Conference road victory in Gainesville, Florida.

Timmons was lights-out from three-point range, making seven of Alabama’s 12 long-range baskets, while Scott connected on the other five. Karly Weathers facilitated the offense with nine assists for Alabama (21-7, 7-7 SEC).

Florida (16-13, 4-10) trailed 38-32 at the break but took the lead in the third quarter before fading down the stretch. Liv McGill scored 19 points and Jade Weathersby had 13 for the Gators, who hurt themselves by missing 10 of 25 free throws.

Team USA has reached the pinnacle of international hockey for the first time since the legendary ‘Miracle on Ice’ nearly half a century ago. Jack Hughes delivered the decisive overtime goal as the United States topped Canada 2-1 in Sunday’s gold medal match at the Milan Olympics, securing the nation’s third-ever men’s hockey championship at the Games.

The victory required no miracle this time around – just grit and determination from Hughes, who found the back of the net despite playing with a bloodied mouth after losing several teeth to a high stick. The 24-year-old New Jersey Devils forward took a stick to the face from Sam Bennett during the third period but managed to beat Canadian netminder Jordan Binnington in the extra frame to deliver Olympic glory.

Meanwhile, in Premier League action, Eberechi Eze continued his dominance over Tottenham by netting a brace in Arsenal’s commanding 4-1 triumph, breathing new life into the Gunners’ championship aspirations. The English midfielder has now found the net in his last five appearances against Spurs, including a hat trick in their previous meeting. Viktor Gyokeres also contributed two goals in the victory. Arsenal has restored their five-point advantage, though Manchester City maintains a game in hand.

Liverpool secured a dramatic 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest thanks to Alexis Mac Allister’s stoppage-time strike, while Crystal Palace and Fulham also claimed wins during the weekend’s fixtures.

Unfortunately, the weekend was marred by racist incidents targeting three Premier League athletes on social media platforms. Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana and Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri both revealed discriminatory messages they received via Instagram following their teams’ 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Wolverhampton’s Tolu Arokodare similarly shared hateful content sent to him after missing a penalty in their 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.

In tragic NFL news, authorities in New Albany, Indiana discovered former Arizona Cardinals receiver Rondale Moore deceased in his hometown garage on Saturday. The 25-year-old athlete, who had signed with the Minnesota Vikings for 2025, died from what police believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Moore’s promising career was derailed by consecutive season-ending knee injuries during training camps after starring at Purdue University.

The WNBA has presented a revised collective bargaining agreement proposal to the players’ union, maintaining their housing payment commitments for this season while making minimal adjustments to revenue-sharing terms. League sources indicate teams would continue covering all player accommodations this year, then provide housing for minimum-wage players and first-year rookies going forward.

World number one Jeeno Thitikul finally captured victory at her home tournament, winning the LPGA Thailand event by a single stroke. The Thai golfer carded a final-round 68 to finish at 24-under par, claiming her eighth LPGA title in emotional fashion. Japan’s Chizzy Iwai finished runner-up at 23-under, while defending champion Angel Yin struggled to a tie for 48th place.

In college basketball, third-ranked Duke made a compelling argument for the tournament’s top seed by dismantling number-one Michigan 68-63 at Capital One Arena in Washington. The Blue Devils, led by freshman sensation Cameron Boozer, snapped the Wolverines’ 11-game winning streak in what coach Jon Scheyer called a perfect ‘tournament environment’ preparation for March Madness.

The Golden State Warriors will be without center Kristaps Porzingis for Sunday’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets in San Francisco after the team announced he’s dealing with an illness.

The 30-year-old big man recently joined Golden State through a trade with the Atlanta Hawks earlier this month. Porzingis took the court for his first game as a Warrior on Thursday during a 121-110 defeat to the Boston Celtics at home. Playing as a reserve, he contributed 12 points along with one rebound, one assist, and one block across 17 minutes of action.

The Warriors limited Porzingis’ playing time in his return to action, marking his first game since January 7 when he suited up for Atlanta. A six-week absence due to Achilles tendinitis had kept him sidelined before the trade.

This season, Porzingis has posted averages of 16.8 points and 4.9 rebounds across 18 appearances, including 12 games as a starter.

MILAN – In a stunning upset that shook the hockey world, Team USA claimed Olympic gold Sunday with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory against heavily favored Canada in Milan.

The defeat delivered a crushing blow to Canada, a nation where hockey excellence defines national pride. With nine Olympic men’s hockey championships compared to just three for the United States, Canada entered the final as the expected victor in this storied rivalry.

“Losing hurts, doesn’t matter who it’s to,” Canadian head coach Jon Cooper stated following the match. “I look at this game, I’m so proud of what went on. I’m proud of our country. I’m proud of our players and proud of our team.”

Cooper added: “At the end, you’re going to read in a book that in 2026 USA won the gold in Olympic hockey and Canada won the silver. I think in the grand scheme, the big winner of this tournament was ice hockey.”

Across Canada, devoted fans had risen before dawn to watch their team, with establishments opening their doors at 5 a.m. on the Pacific coast. Instead of celebration, they witnessed American players rejoicing while their own squad absorbed a devastating loss on hockey’s most prestigious platform.

The absence of team captain Sidney Crosby loomed large over the championship game. The Pittsburgh Penguins star, who scored the game-winning goal when Canada defeated the US for Olympic gold in 2010, suffered an injury during the quarterfinal match against the Czech Republic.

“You want to be out here and you want to find any way possible, but not at the expense of what needs to be done,” Crosby explained regarding his decision to sit out. “And watching the way we played today, guys played incredible.”

When questioned about potentially missing his final opportunity for a third Olympic gold medal, the 38-year-old hockey legend, nicknamed “Sid the Kid,” acknowledged: “It might have crossed my mind a little bit. But ultimately it was about what’s best for our group.”

Canadian players expressed their disappointment at being unable to secure victory for their injured captain.

“He’s been everything for this country,” said 19-year-old San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini. “We wanted to get that for him and make him proud.”

Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand shared similar feelings of regret.

“You feel bad letting a guy like that down,” Marchand commented. “One of the best ever to play. Wish we could have got it done for him.”

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid stepped into the leadership role, wearing the captain’s armband in Crosby’s absence – a moment many observers interpreted as a generational transition. However, Crosby downplayed such symbolism.

“I was just so grateful to be part of this group, the way we played, the way we got better with every game, that was so important. You could feel it,” Crosby reflected.

“I was thinking more about that, and just being grateful and thankful to be part of this group more than I was thinking about passing the torch or anything like that. (McDavid) was incredible. And as his teammate, it was fun to watch.”

The championship loss served as a stark reminder that past success provides no guarantee of future victories. Canada had previously triumphed in their last three decisive matchups against the Americans – in 2002, 2010, and during last year’s 4 Nations tournament.

The team had also demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the Milan tournament, mounting comeback victories in both the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds.

However, despite controlling significant portions of Sunday’s final, Canada’s tournament magic finally expired when they needed it most.

Jack Hughes delivered a storybook finish for Team USA, scoring the decisive goal in overtime to defeat Canada 2-1 and capture Olympic hockey gold in Milan. The victory provided a perfect conclusion to a men’s hockey tournament that exceeded all expectations.

The triumph marked the first time NHL players participated in Olympic competition since 2014, and the league couldn’t have asked for a better showcase. The championship game featured the dream matchup between hockey’s two powerhouse nations, battling for the final gold medal available in Milan.

In a remarkable coincidence, the American victory occurred precisely 46 years after their legendary “Miracle on Ice” triumph against the Soviet Union. Fans filled the newly constructed Santagiulia arena to witness what became another historic moment in American hockey history.

“We’re just so proud to be American and win,” Hughes commented after the game.

Tournament organizers faced early challenges completing the venue and addressing complaints about the ice surface dimensions. However, once competition began, those concerns faded as the arena’s distinctive blue lighting made it a prominent landmark for visitors and residents alike.

Hockey emerged as the most sought-after event in Milan, with NHL superstars rushing from airports to practice facilities with minimal preparation time, adjusting to different regulations and schedules.

Both Canada and the United States entered as tournament favorites and maintained flawless records during group play, though they encountered intense opposition in elimination rounds.

The knockout phase delivered exceptional drama, with three of the four quarterfinal matches requiring overtime as NHL teammates found themselves competing against each other for Olympic medals.

Canada, the defending champions from the last NHL-participated Olympics in 2014, mounted an impressive comeback from a two-goal deficit against Finland in semifinal action. Meanwhile, Slovakia surprised many by advancing to the final four, demonstrating the tournament’s competitive depth.

Finland secured the bronze medal with a commanding 6-1 victory over Slovakia on Saturday, but the Americans had the final celebration.

“I know I’m going to speak on behalf of a lot of guys,” said U.S. forward Brady Tkachuk. “This is the most fun two weeks that I’ve almost ever had in my life.”

An Austrian bobsled team pilot narrowly escaped severe injuries following a frightening crash during Olympic competition that left his sled completely overturned, according to Austria’s Olympic Committee announcement on Sunday.

Jakob Mandlbauer’s dramatic accident was among three separate crashes that repeatedly interrupted Saturday’s Four-Man bobsleigh competition, with his upside-down sled creating the most alarming scene. All three of his crew members were able to walk away unharmed from the incident.

Following the crash, the 27-year-old athlete received initial medical evaluation at Codivilla Hospital in Cortina before being moved to Treviso Hospital where doctors monitored a spinal disc condition.

“Jakob Mandlbauer was transferred by air ambulance from Treviso to Salzburg on Sunday afternoon and taken to the accident hospital there,” the Austrian Olympic Committee said in a statement.

“Prior to this, extensive pressure tests on his arms and legs were carried out, along with pain therapy.”

Although Mandlbauer has been wearing a protective neck brace since the accident occurred, he has successfully stood without assistance and maintains a positive outlook regarding his medical treatment.

“I was and still am receiving excellent care,” Mandlbauer said.

Medical professionals plan to have a spine specialist evaluate the bobsledder in Salzburg on Monday as they take a careful approach to his healing process.

“Then hopefully I’ll be able to go home soon,” he added.

MILAN – The United States men’s hockey team made history in Milan, capturing their first Olympic gold medal in 44 years thanks to an overtime goal by Jack Hughes and a spectacular goaltending performance by Connor Hellebuyck in their victory over Canada.

The 32-year-old Hellebuyck turned away 40 shots during regulation as Canada relentlessly attacked the American net seeking the tying goal. When the Canadians finally managed to score, Team USA managed to survive the remaining time and push the championship game into overtime.

During the medal presentation, the loudest applause was directed toward both Hellebuyck and Hughes, with supporters showing equal appreciation for their goaltender’s heroics and their overtime hero.

“Unbelievable game by Hellebuyck,” Hughes said. “He was our best player tonight, by a mile. Unbelievable game, Unreal game by our team. That’s just a ballsy, gutsy win. That’s American hockey right there.”

Forward Matthew Tkachuk also praised the netminder’s championship performance.

“We’re going to be talking about this performance for generations. It was an all-time performance from a superstar at his position,” Tkachuk said. “If we don’t have him, we don’t win.”

The Winnipeg Jets goaltender had faced knee surgery in November and frequently dealt with media scrutiny regarding his playoff performances, but the veteran put those concerns to rest at Milano Cortina.

“At the time, though, it was scary moments having a big injury, and there was some doubt whether it was going to affect my game, but that process played its way out,” Hellebuyck said. “Those critics, they can keep writing, but they don’t understand goaltending. They definitely don’t understand my game. I know what I’m putting forward, and I know what I’m building. You know these are the moments that prove it.”

Throughout the contest, Hellebuyck remained steadfast against Canada’s offensive pressure, including a remarkable save in the third period when he denied Devon Toews by reaching behind himself with his stick to stop a point-blank attempt.

“It’s not my first stick save in my career,” Hellebuyck said. “It’s probably the biggest moment to make a stick save. But when I’m rolling back and the puck’s not in the net, it’s just an overwhelming feeling of ‘I got this’.”

The 24-year-old Hughes, who lost teeth during the game before netting the decisive goal, had also battled through injuries leading up to the Olympics.

His brother and teammate Quinn Hughes reflected on Jack’s journey to this moment.

“I remember when he got injured last year in Vegas, and he was just crushed,” teammate and brother Quinn Hughes said. “For him to make that impact, I’m not surprised, because when I look around the room before overtime, there’s probably three or four guys that look at him like, ‘that guy’s not nervous’. He wants to be that guy. And I felt that way about Jack, just a special guy, happy it happened to him, and just my best friend, but also a special player.”

MILAN – Team USA’s men’s hockey squad has finally broken their decades-long Olympic gold medal drought, claiming victory over Canada in a heart-stopping 2-1 overtime battle that concluded Sunday’s championship match.

Jack Hughes netted the decisive goal to secure America’s third Olympic hockey title and their first golden triumph since the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice” achievement. The timing couldn’t have been more poetic – the victory came precisely 46 years after that historic Lake Placid moment.

During the intense three-on-three overtime period, Hughes received a feed from Zach Werenski and buried the puck into the net just one minute and 41 seconds into the extra frame. The hero’s celebration was marked by a bloodied, gap-toothed smile after taking a high stick to the face during the third period.

Equipment went flying across the ice as Hughes’ teammates rushed to celebrate with their champion after the goal.

“The best experiences I have are playing for my country, playing to break the golden drought with this group of guys and for us to win gold here at the Olympics,” Hughes stated.

Speaking to reporters afterward with a noticeable lisp from his injury and the scent of victory champagne in the air, Hughes added, “Just an unbelievable moment.”

The Americans struck first when Matt Boldy found the net six minutes into the game on their opening shot attempt. Canada answered back through Cale Makar’s equalizer, setting up a tension-filled final period.

American netminder Connor Hellebuyck delivered a stellar performance with 40 saves throughout regulation time, capping off an outstanding tournament run where he never allowed a power-play goal in Milan.

Canada played without their leader Sidney Crosby, the 38-year-old who famously scored the overtime winner against the U.S. for gold on Canadian soil in Vancouver 2010. Crosby departed the quarterfinals with an injury, leaving fans to wonder if they witnessed his final Olympic appearance.

“You want to be out there and you want to find every way possible but not at the expense of what needs to be done,” Crosby commented. “It’s just unfortunate we couldn’t find a way.”

This marks the first occasion where American teams have swept both the men’s and women’s hockey tournaments at a single Olympics, following the women’s overtime victory over Canada on Thursday.

The competition unfolded amid ongoing political friction between the United States and Canada, with President Donald Trump repeatedly suggesting he might make Canada America’s 51st state through “economic force.”

The White House’s social media account shared an image showing an American eagle dominating a Canadian goose, and U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan revealed that Trump phoned to congratulate the team following their triumph.

“This game in a lot of ways was an inspiration to our country,” Sullivan remarked.

The highly anticipated matchup between these North American powerhouses lived up to expectations after NHL stars returned to Olympic competition following a 12-year hiatus, delivering an aggressive battle for the final gold medal of the Milano Cortina Games.

Spectators at the Santagiulia arena created a raucous atmosphere with competing “USA!” and “Canada!” chants as both teams exchanged physical play.

America waited until the sixth minute to register their first shot, but Boldy made it memorable by maneuvering past two Canadian defenders and slipping a backhand shot past the goaltender.

The Americans had maintained a perfect penalty kill record throughout the tournament, but faced their biggest test when two players were penalized simultaneously. They successfully defended during the five-on-three disadvantage in the second period’s middle stages.

Canada finally solved Hellebuyck with under two minutes remaining in the second period when Devon Toews found Makar wide open, and the Canadian defenseman converted with a precise wrist shot.

Team USA missed a golden opportunity to avoid overtime when Sam Bennett, a late addition to Canada’s roster, received a four-minute penalty for striking Hughes in the mouth during the third period.

“I looked down at the ice and saw my teeth. I was like ‘Here we go again’,” Hughes recalled. “The last time that happened, it wasn’t very fun.”

Despite the crowd’s passionate pleas, neither team could break the deadlock as regulation time expired.

Following his older brother Quinn’s heroic quarterfinal performance four days earlier, Jack Hughes seized his moment to shine, proudly displaying his battle-scarred grin while draped in the Stars and Stripes.

The team honored the memory of late Johnny Gaudreau by holding up his jersey after the victory, paying tribute to the Columbus Blue Jackets forward who represented the United States. Gaudreau and his brother Matthew tragically died in a vehicle accident in 2024.

“Just a subtle reminder that him, his brother, that they’re kind of with us in spirit,” team captain Auston Matthews explained.

Following their historic overtime victory over Canada that secured America’s first Olympic hockey gold in over four decades, the U.S. men’s hockey team made sure to remember a fallen teammate who couldn’t be there to celebrate with them.

Johnny Gaudreau, a 31-year-old forward who had competed alongside many of these players, was tragically killed in August 2024 when a drunk driver struck him and his brother Matthew while they were riding bicycles. The fatal accident occurred just three months after Gaudreau had represented the United States at the World Championships.

During Sunday’s medal presentation ceremony in Milan, team members displayed Gaudreau’s number 13 jersey as they stood together celebrating their dramatic victory. The touching tribute continued when players Zach Werenski and Dylan Larkin brought Gaudreau’s children from the spectator area down to the ice surface, where they participated in the championship team photograph alongside their father’s jersey.

“Just to get it done, to score that big goal that USA Hockey, the guys that have worn this jersey before us, have been missing, it’s just an incredible feeling,” Larkin said.

“This is for a lot of people. This is for the guys that wore this jersey before us, and Johnny Gaudreau especially. All those people, they should be here with us, Johnny, Matty his brother, and to get it done today is just an unbelievable feeling.”

American supporters in the Santagiulia arena could be heard shouting “Johnny Hockey” — Gaudreau’s well-known nickname — throughout the celebration that followed the championship victory.

Team captain Auston Matthews explained the deep connection many players shared with Gaudreau and how the team kept his memory present throughout their Olympic journey.

“I think he’s had a big impact on a lot of guys in our room, a lot of guys grew up with him, played with him, spent a lot of time with him,” captain Auston Matthews said.

“We had his jersey in our room last year at the Four Nations. We had his jersey in the room here at the Olympics.

“Just a subtle reminder that him and his brother, they’re kind of with us in spirit. And to be able to get it done like that, to win, to have his jersey out there and the team photo and have his kids come out and be with us.

“We’re obviously thinking of him and we just felt like the impact that he’s had on so many guys in our room was special and he was with us here in spirit the whole tournament.”

A decade ago, critics questioned whether NBC made a costly mistake when the network committed $7.75 billion in 2014 to broadcast the Olympics in America through 2032.

Those doubts are fading as NBC celebrates its highest Winter Olympics viewership in more than a decade.

Data from Nielsen and Adobe Analytics shows NBC drew an average of 24 million viewers during its afternoon block from 2-5 p.m. and evening coverage from 8-11 p.m. through Friday’s Milan Games coverage. This represents a dramatic 94% jump compared to the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

The Milan success continues a positive trend that began with the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, which saw an 82% increase over the Tokyo Games in 2021.

Final viewership statistics covering all 17 days of competition, including Team USA’s thrilling 2-1 overtime hockey victory against Canada on Sunday, will be announced Monday.

“I think that the Paris Games deserve a lot of the credit for rejuvenating that interest and enthusiasm, and some of that momentum continued through to Milan,” NBC Sports President Rick Cordella said from Milan.

NBC’s Olympics president and executive producer Molly Solomon and her production team earned recognition for overhauling the network’s broadcasting strategy following Beijing’s disappointing ratings.

Rather than saving marquee events for evening broadcasts, NBC began streaming competitions live across multiple platforms while transforming primetime programming into a highlight show featuring athlete interviews and expert commentary for audiences who watched events earlier.

“How do we best make sure that we are continuing to tell the story (of athletes) after they leave the venues? I do think that one of the improvements we made from our Paris coverage was to follow the athletes to their after-parties and reunions with their friends and families,” said Solomon, who is overseeing coverage from NBC Sports’ headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.

“When Alex Ferreira won (the gold medal in men’s halfpipe), we went to the bar where he was celebrating. There was a Team USA celebration for Mikaela Shiffrin, where we were there for the toast, and she talked about not being able to help Breezy Johnson get on the platform.”

“These athletes trusted us to have our cameras there, and I do think it made for even richer storytelling and taking the audience there.”

NBC embraced broadcasting methods long used internationally while responding to American viewers calling for changes. Although the network had offered online streaming for all Olympic events since London 2012, the launch of Peacock in 2020 marked a significant expansion.

By Friday, Americans had streamed 14.8 billion minutes of Milan Olympics content, more than twice the combined total of all previous Winter Games at 6.9 billion minutes.

Increased viewership also reflects improved American athletic performance after disappointing showings in Tokyo and Beijing, both held in isolated, largely empty venues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thursday’s overtime victory by the U.S. women’s hockey team over Canada, combined with Alysa Liu’s figure skating gold medal, drew 26.7 million viewers across NBC, USA Network, Peacock and other NBCUniversal digital properties.

The women’s hockey championship game alone attracted 5.3 million viewers on USA Network and Peacock, setting a new record for women’s hockey television audience. Viewership peaked at 7.7 million during overtime when Megan Keller scored the winning goal.

“It was truly a golden hour. We popped between control rooms, and you just never know what’s going to happen,” Solomon said. “The energy in our control rooms on site, we couldn’t believe the confluence of drama and excitement, but that really is what the Olympics is about. It’s unpredictable, thrilling, and it just coincided in the golden 64 minutes.”

NBC expects to maintain this positive trajectory for upcoming Games. The 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics will feature comprehensive live coverage throughout each day, while the 2030 Winter Olympics in France’s Alps will use the successful formula developed for Paris and Milan.

The 2032 Brisbane Summer Games present scheduling challenges since most events will occur overnight for American audiences, but the 2034 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics will again provide live coverage in favorable time zones.

NBC secured Olympic broadcasting rights through 2036 after agreeing to a $3 billion deal last year for the 2034 and 2036 Games.

“Paris begets Milan, and Milan will beget LA. I think the Olympics are just unique in many respects,” Cordella said. “The U.S.-Swiss curling match, there are hundreds of thousands of people online streaming. They’re seeking it out and watching these matchups of these athletes; they probably didn’t know about them before the Olympics began. It’s compelling TV, and that’s kind of what the Olympics does.”

Sweden’s women’s curling team has reached new heights after capturing their second Olympic gold medal on Sunday, with team captain Anna Hasselborg declaring the squad is at peak performance following their historic victory in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

The Swedish team edged Switzerland 6-5 in the final match, making Olympic history as the first women’s curling squad to secure three total Olympic medals. This latest gold joins their 2018 Pyeongchang victory and their 2022 Beijing bronze medal.

“Everything we’ve been working for the last four years – we’re going a little bit harder without the hammer, going aggressive, really putting rocks in play – everything just came together this weekend,” Hasselborg explained after the victory.

“Technically, we’re so strong, but I think the key one thing is our team spirit, and the trust we have for each other, and all the fun we’re having…”

“Eight years later (after Pyeongchang), I think this is the strongest we have ever been, mentally, technically, strategically and just that we have believed in each other for the whole way. It’s never been a doubt. It’s just unreal,” the team leader added.

The path to gold wasn’t expected to be easy for Sweden, as they entered the Games without favored status. The team faced significant personal challenges during the previous Olympic cycle, including roster changes and the fact that three players, including Hasselborg, welcomed babies in 2023.

The squad gradually regained their competitive edge leading up to the Games, securing their third European Curling Championships crown in November. Their Olympic performance was dominant, finishing with a strong preliminary round and becoming the first team to advance to the semifinals.

In the semifinals, they defeated Canada, the world’s top-ranked women’s team and two-time world champions, before claiming the gold medal match.

Hasselborg, 36, had previously characterized her team as a “circus” due to their large traveling family group, and she emphasized how meaningful this victory was with her children watching from the stands.

“It’s everything I ever dreamt of. Becoming a mother, it’s not always easy to find that balance and motivation, because becoming a mom is so much more important than everything else,” she reflected.

“But we found that, we found that at the right time. We just found the balance that was perfect… I think they (children) have had a really fun weekend. They were also taken by the moment. They understood there was something big happening.”

“Especially my daughter, who is a little bit older. I’m so proud to be able to show them that anything is possible, with the support of the family. You can do anything,” Hasselborg concluded.

According to a report from The Athletic, the Cleveland Guardians have reached an agreement with veteran first baseman Rhys Hoskins on a minor league contract.

Sources indicate Hoskins would receive a base salary of $1.5 million if he successfully makes Cleveland’s major league roster. The deal remains contingent on the player passing a physical examination, though Hoskins was already present at the team’s spring training facility in Arizona on Sunday.

The veteran slugger will celebrate his 33rd birthday next month and brings significant experience from his time in the National League. Hoskins spent his first six professional seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies before joining the Milwaukee Brewers for the last two campaigns.

His 2023 season was completely wiped out after suffering a torn ACL during spring training preparations. Throughout his major league career, Hoskins has compiled a .238 batting average while launching 186 home runs and driving in 530 runs.

Injuries limited Hoskins to just 90 appearances for Milwaukee last season, as he dealt with both a left thumb UCL sprain and bone bruise. During that abbreviated campaign, he managed a .237 batting average with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs. The Brewers eventually acquired Andrew Vaughn from the Chicago White Sox to handle first base duties.

Golf superstar Tiger Woods has fans buzzing after hinting at a potential return to competitive play at this year’s Masters tournament during a Saturday television appearance.

The legendary golfer, who has claimed five Masters victories and 15 major championships throughout his career, created excitement during his guest commentary stint with Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman in the CBS broadcast booth. Woods was providing analysis during the third round of the Genesis Invitational, an event he hosts at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California.

The 50-year-old athlete hasn’t played competitively since the 2024 Open Championship, after which he underwent disc replacement surgery in October. He also had surgical treatment for a torn Achilles tendon last March.

During the broadcast, Nantz mentioned that world-ranked golfer Rory McIlroy would be defending his Augusta National title and that top-ranked Scottie Scheffler would also be participating. Nantz then posed the question to Woods: “Anybody else you know who might be playing this year?”

“I know I’ll be there,” Woods responded with a grin. “We’re going to open up The Patch (a local municipal golf course), and Trev and I are going to be part of a great (champions) dinner.”

After Nantz clarified he wasn’t specifically referring to Woods, the golf champion continued his playful exchange.

Immelman then posed a straightforward question to Woods.

“Is there a possibility that you can get out there?” Immelman inquired.

“There is,” Woods confirmed.

When Nantz followed up by asking whether Woods planned to participate in any tournaments prior to the Masters, Woods replied with uncertainty.

“I don’t know,” Woods stated.

Throughout his illustrious career, Woods has secured 82 PGA Tour victories, including Masters wins in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2019.

The United States men’s hockey team made history Sunday at the Milan Cortina Olympics, claiming the gold medal with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over Canada in the championship game.

Jack Hughes delivered the game-winning goal in the extra period, securing America’s third Olympic men’s hockey title and ending a 46-year championship drought that dated back to the legendary “Miracle on Ice” victory in 1980. Remarkably, Sunday’s triumph came exactly 46 years to the day after that iconic upset against the Soviet Union.

The gold medal match served as the final event of the Winter Olympics, providing a dramatic conclusion to the Games with Team USA’s long-awaited return to the top of the Olympic hockey podium.

Minnesota Twins All-Star pitcher Joe Ryan is dealing with lower back inflammation after missing his scheduled spring training appearance on Saturday, the team announced.

The 29-year-old right-hander received an MRI and shared the results with media on Sunday. The injury news comes just two days after the organization revealed that pitcher Pablo Lopez will need Tommy John surgery this week, sidelining him for the entire 2026 season.

“I didn’t do any deep dives and don’t have Twitter. … I’m sorry to scare everyone,” Ryan said when speaking with reporters on Sunday.

Ryan recently signed a $6.2 million deal to avoid going to arbitration this offseason.

During the 2024 campaign, the right-handed pitcher compiled a 13-10 win-loss record along with a personal-best 3.42 earned run average and 194 strikeouts across 31 games, including 30 starts. Last summer marked his debut appearance in the All-Star Game.

MILAN – Team USA’s men’s hockey squad secured Olympic gold Sunday evening, edging out Canada 2-1 in a nail-biting overtime showdown that captivated viewers worldwide.

The dramatic victory in Milan represents the third time American men have claimed hockey’s top Olympic prize, ending a 44-year drought that stretched back to the iconic 1980 Lake Placid games when the underdog U.S. team stunned the hockey world.

Sunday’s championship game required extra time to determine a winner, with the Americans ultimately prevailing in the sudden-death overtime period to deny Canada what would have been their latest addition to an already impressive Olympic hockey legacy.

VERONA, Italy – Several hundred demonstrators filled the streets of Verona on February 22nd, staging a protest just hours before the Winter Olympics closing ceremony was set to begin at the city’s historic Roman arena at 8:30 p.m.

University students and advocacy groups organized the demonstration under the banner “Olympics? No thanks,” expressing opposition to what they describe as an event that harms forests, covers sensitive land with concrete, and worsens social disparities.

“We are here to defend our territory from speculation… and from the impossible cost of attending events,” declared 76-year-old activist Giannina Dal Bosco, pointing out that closing ceremony tickets were priced around 400 euros.

Demonstrators carried signs with messages like “Fewer Games for the few, more homes for everyone.”

Francesca, a 34-year-old who made the 60-kilometer journey from Vicenza, criticized how new Olympic facilities have altered the natural environment. “They built concrete monstrosities like the bobsleigh track, which will serve no purpose,” she stated. “Public money has been wasted that could have been used for hydrogeological safety and housing plans.”

Among the crowd, some participants displayed Palestinian flags and wore keffiyeh scarves as they marched.

The demonstration route took protesters on a two-hour walk outside the security zone, starting at the historic 16th-century Porta Palio and ending at Arsenal Square from the 19th century.

This protest was smaller than an earlier demonstration in Milan that drew nearly 10,000 participants on the Games’ opening day and eventually became violent.