Category: Sports

Following 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli’s dominant debut Formula One victory at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is working to keep expectations realistic for his young Italian driver who now finds himself in championship contention.

The Austrian team boss expressed concern about the mounting excitement surrounding Antonelli’s breakthrough performance in Shanghai on March 15th, particularly from Italian media outlets.

“You can kind of see the hype that is going to start now. Especially in Italy, I see already the headlines: ‘World Champion Grand Kimi’, and whatever, and that’s really not good because those mistakes are going to come,” Wolff explained to media members. “He’s just a kid, and it’s too early to even think about the championship.”

Antonelli’s youth and inexperience showed during the race’s final stages when he locked his front brakes and went off course, despite holding a comfortable lead. Wolff noted this error demonstrated his driver’s inability to resist pushing for faster lap times even when victory was virtually secured.

“I said to Bono (Antonelli’s race engineer), ‘come on, let’s tell him to calm down… we don’t want him to lose this race!’” Wolff recalled.

“We are going to have other moments this year where there will be mistakes, because he’s still just a very young man.”

The Mercedes chief made headlines when he selected Antonelli to fill the seat left vacant by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who stunned the racing world by announcing his move to Ferrari for the 2025 season. Many observers expected Wolff to choose a more seasoned driver for the coveted position.

When questioned about potential friction between Antonelli and teammate George Russell as both pursue their first world championship, Wolff remained optimistic about team dynamics.

“At the moment (we have) a car that is capable of winning, both (drivers) have equal opportunity,” he stated.

Wolff indicated he doesn’t foresee a repeat of the intense competition that characterized the relationship between Hamilton and Nico Rosberg during their partnership from 2013 to 2016.

The team leader commended Russell for assuming Hamilton’s leadership role and suggested Antonelli has an excellent mentor in the British driver.

Discussing what impresses him most about Antonelli’s abilities, Wolff highlighted the teenager’s natural speed.

“You can never learn raw speed,” Wolff observed. “He has that, and there’s not many that have that.

“But to become a really big champion… it needs the maturity, the personality, needs the humility, the intelligence, the empathy around the team, there’s like 20 factors that matter to become a great world champion.

“But there’s one you can’t learn, and that’s the talent.”

Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton believes his first victory with Ferrari is within reach after securing third place at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on Sunday, marking his initial podium appearance with the Italian racing team.

The 41-year-old racing legend crossed the finish line behind two Mercedes drivers in what he described as potentially his most satisfying race experience. This marked Hamilton’s return to the podium for the first time since his 2024 season with Mercedes.

“I definitely feel like I’m back to my best, both mentally and physically,” Hamilton stated. “I still think there’s room to improve.”

Since switching to Ferrari in January of last year, Hamilton had struggled through an entire season without reaching the podium – a first in his illustrious career. However, Sunday’s performance has renewed his optimism about future victories.

“I definitely feel that I could say that it’s more in sight than ever before,” Hamilton expressed regarding his prospects for a maiden win with Ferrari. “Last year it couldn’t have been further from view.”

“I really do believe in everyone back in Maranello and that it’s not an impossible feat to overcome. So yeah, forza Ferrari, we’ve just got to keep pushing.”

YOUNG STAR CLAIMS MAIDEN VICTORY

The race belonged to 19-year-old Italian driver Kimi Antonelli, who captured his first Formula One victory in the seat Hamilton previously occupied at Mercedes. George Russell finished second, creating a podium that represented Mercedes’ past, present, and future generations.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff described the podium ceremony as among the most emotional moments of his career, with Hamilton’s former race engineer Peter Bonnington joining the celebration as Antonelli’s current engineer to collect the constructors’ trophy.

Hamilton offered congratulations to Antonelli and his former team, with whom he claimed six of his seven championship titles.

“I had so much fun and we had a great start. I wasn’t able to keep these guys behind, but to stay in the fight, it was one of the most enjoyable races I’ve had in a long time, if ever,” the British driver explained, referencing his intense battle with Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc.

This marked Mercedes’ second consecutive one-two finish, with Russell maintaining his championship lead by four points over Antonelli following their victory in Australia the previous weekend.

Hamilton, whose mother attended the race on British Mother’s Day, briefly held the lead at the start and credited lessons learned from his fourth-place finish in Melbourne.

“We learned a lot in the main race (in Melbourne), brought it into this race,” Hamilton told Sky Sports television.

“Still some improvements to be made but my race pace has been really good, particularly on the hard tyres in these first two races.”

“To fight back and get to third was a hell of a push but just a massive big thank you to Ferrari for my first podium for them. It’s a huge moment for me.”

Hamilton praised his wheel-to-wheel combat with Leclerc, during which their cars made brief contact, calling it the essence of motorsport. He expressed enthusiasm for the current generation of Formula One cars.

“The cars are easier to follow, much better than past years. You can get very close. There’s not a bad wake where you’re losing too much downforce. I think it’s the best racing that I’ve ever experienced in Formula One,” he noted.

“Hopefully it was an exciting race to watch for you guys because it was awesome in the car. It felt like go-karting, back and forth, back and forth, and you could really position your car in a nice way.”

SHANGHAI – Formula One champion Max Verstappen delivered scathing criticism of the sport’s current state following his disappointing exit from Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix due to mechanical failure.

The four-time world champion’s Red Bull car suffered a power unit malfunction on lap 46, forcing him to slowly return to the garage and ending his race early. Verstappen finished among just 15 drivers who completed the event.

The Dutch driver has been vocal about his displeasure with F1’s current engine technology, which features enhanced electrical components and requires drivers to carefully manage energy usage throughout races.

“It’s not about being upset at where I am, because I’m actually fighting even more now,” Verstappen explained to media members. “I would say the same if I was winning races, because I care about the racing product.”

“For me, it’s a joke,” he stated bluntly, describing the current regulations as “fundamentally flawed.”

The 71-time race winner has faced unusual challenges this season, spending more time battling for minimal points rather than dominating races as he’s accustomed to doing. Following a qualifying crash at the previous weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, he started Sunday’s race from the back of the field in 20th position.

His struggles continued during Saturday’s sprint race in China, where he fell from eighth place to 14th before ultimately finishing ninth without earning championship points.

However, not everyone in the paddock shares Verstappen’s perspective on the sport’s direction. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff praised the competitive racing displayed between his drivers and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

The Ferrari drivers also spoke positively about their on-track battles in a race that ultimately saw Kimi Antonelli claim his first F1 victory for Mercedes.

“Sometimes we are nostalgic about the good old years, but I think the product is good in itself,” Wolff commented following the race. “The vast majority, through all demographics, like the sport at the moment.”

The Austrian team boss acknowledged Verstappen’s difficult situation, saying: “Max is really in a horror show. I’m sure for someone like Max, who is a full attack guy, it’s difficult to cope and digest.”

Verstappen expressed concerns that Formula One might be sacrificing racing integrity to attract new audiences by making passing maneuvers easier.

“I hope they don’t think like that, because it will eventually ruin the sport. It will come and bite them back in the ass,” he warned. “Maybe some fans like it, but they don’t understand racing.”

American skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin solidified her dominance on the World Cup circuit Sunday, claiming another slalom victory that pushed her overall season lead to 140 points.

The Olympic gold medalist’s triumph in Are, Sweden marked her eighth slalom win out of nine attempts this season, adding to what has already been a record-breaking campaign. Shiffrin has already secured the slalom crystal globe and notched her 109th World Cup victory across all skiing events, setting a new benchmark in the sport.

Germany’s Emma Aicher finished as the runner-up in Sunday’s competition, while Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener claimed the third spot on the podium.

Shiffrin demonstrated her technical prowess by leading Aicher by 0.51 seconds after the opening run, then maintained her advantage to win by a total margin of 0.94 seconds across both runs.

The current World Cup standings show Shiffrin with 1,286 points compared to Aicher’s 1,146, while Switzerland’s Camille Rast sits in third place with 989 points.

With four competitions still to come at next week’s World Cup finals in Norway, a maximum of 400 points remain available. Shiffrin is pursuing her sixth overall Crystal Globe title as she looks to cap off another dominant season on the slopes.

A dramatic baseline shot by Luka Doncic with just half a second remaining lifted the Los Angeles Lakers to a thrilling 127-125 overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday evening at home.

Doncic recorded his eighth triple-double of the campaign with 30 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds. The victory marked the Lakers’ fifth consecutive win and secured their season series triumph over Denver.

Austin Reaves led all scorers with 32 points and delivered a crucial basket in the closing moments of regulation to force overtime. Marcus Smart contributed 21 points while LeBron James added 17 for Los Angeles. Smart’s fifth three-pointer of the evening put the Lakers ahead 125-123 with 31 seconds remaining in the extra period. Nikola Jokic answered with a tying basket with 15.1 seconds on the clock, setting the stage for Doncic’s decisive 17-foot fadeaway.

Jokic recorded 24 points, 16 rebounds, and 14 assists for his 27th triple-double this season and fifth in his past six contests. Christian Braun scored 12 points for Denver.

Spurs 115, Hornets 102

Victor Wembanyama dominated with 32 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, and four blocked shots in his first game back from a calf injury, powering San Antonio past Charlotte in a matchup of two surging teams.

De’Aaron Fox contributed 17 points for the Spurs, while Stephon Castle recorded 15 points and 10 assists. Keldon Johnson tallied 13 points and Luke Kornet added 10 for San Antonio, which improved to 17-2 since February began.

Miles Bridges paced Charlotte with 22 points, followed by Kon Knueppel with 20, Coby White with 18 off the bench, and LaMelo Ball with 17. The defeat ended the Hornets’ two-game winning streak, though they remain 8-3 since February 22.

Magic 121, Heat 117

Paolo Banchero tallied 27 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists as Orlando captured its fifth straight victory over Miami.

Despite building a 22-point advantage, Orlando needed clutch free throws from Wendell Carter Jr. with 11 seconds left and two more from Banchero with 7.8 seconds remaining to seal the win. Desmond Bane scored 21 points for the Magic, who extended their winning streak to seven games. Carter finished with 15 points, Jalen Suggs had 14, and Jamal Cain contributed 12 as Orlando completed a perfect 5-0 season series sweep.

Miami’s seven-game winning streak came to an end despite strong performances from Bam Adebayo (20 points, seven rebounds, four steals, two blocks) and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (22 points, seven assists, three steals). Reserve Norman Powell scored 20 points, while Pelle Larsson added 13 of his 15 points in the final quarter.

Celtics 111, Wizards 100

Neemias Queta posted a game-high 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to help Boston snap a two-game skid with a victory over Washington.

Jayson Tatum provided 20 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists for the Celtics, while Jaylen Brown scored 16 points. Derrick White and Luka Garza each added 15 points, with Garza coming off the bench. Boston dominated the boards 55-38 and collected 19 offensive rebounds.

The defeat extended Washington’s losing streak to 11 games, including nine consecutive road losses. Tristan Vukcevic connected on 6 of 7 three-point attempts to lead the Wizards with 22 points. Reserve Jamir Watkins scored 15 points, and Trae Young had 11 points with six assists.

Hawks 122, Bucks 99

CJ McCollum erupted for 30 points and connected on seven three-pointers as Atlanta stretched its winning streak to nine games with a dominant victory over Milwaukee.

Jalen Johnson recorded his 12th triple-double of the season with 23 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds as Atlanta achieved its longest winning streak since a 19-game run during the 2014-15 campaign.

Ryan Rollins scored 22 points with eight assists for Milwaukee, which suffered its eighth loss in nine games. Kevin Porter Jr. added 18 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds.

76ers 104, Nets 97

Quentin Grimes poured in 28 points to lead Philadelphia to a home victory over Brooklyn.

Adem Bona added nine points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks for Philadelphia, which continued playing without key players Tyrese Maxey (finger), Joel Embiid (oblique), and Paul George (suspension). VJ Edgecombe scored 16 points with seven assists for the Sixers, who had lost five of their previous seven contests. Justin Edwards chipped in 19 points.

Brooklyn dropped its 13th game in 15 tries despite erasing a 28-point second-half deficit. Danny Wolf led the Nets with 15 points and 10 rebounds, as Brooklyn also played without several key contributors, including leading scorer Michael Porter Jr. due to an ankle injury.

Kings 118, Clippers 109

DeMar DeRozan scored 27 points and Precious Achiuwa added 25 points with 13 rebounds as Sacramento earned a road victory over Los Angeles in Inglewood.

Maxime Raynaud contributed 23 points, while Russell Westbrook recorded 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists against his former team as the Kings won their third game in four tries, continuing to recover from a devastating 2-20 stretch. Sacramento was playing just their second road game in a 10-game span and improved to 3-3 during this stretch.

Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points for the Clippers, tying the franchise record with his 45th consecutive game of at least 20 points. Leonard briefly left the game in the first half with a cut above his left eye and exited for good with 9:27 remaining after rolling his left ankle.

Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar reached a historic milestone Saturday night, claiming the franchise record for most career points, though his achievement came during a thrilling 6-4 defeat to the New Jersey Devils in Newark.

Kopitar found the net twice to reach 1,308 career points, surpassing Marcel Dionne’s long-standing Kings record. The veteran center, who recently announced this 20th season with Los Angeles will be his last, has accumulated 450 goals and 858 assists across 1,505 NHL games.

Jack Hughes delivered the decisive blow for New Jersey, netting the go-ahead score late in the final period to cap off an exciting comeback victory. Nico Hischier led the Devils’ offensive charge with two goals in a four-point night, while Arseny Gritsyuk and Timo Meier each contributed a goal and assist. Cody Glass rounded out the scoring for New Jersey, which ended a two-game losing streak behind Jake Allen’s 27-save performance.

Despite the loss, Los Angeles received strong contributions from Artemi Panarin, who recorded three points including one goal, and Taylor Ward, who also scored. Brandt Clarke distributed three assists for the Kings, who remain in contention for the Western Conference’s final wild-card position. Anton Forsberg made 22 stops in the losing effort.

Elsewhere around the NHL, Winnipeg moved closer to playoff contention with a 3-1 victory over league-leading Colorado. Connor Hellebuyck was stellar between the pipes with 28 saves, while Kyle Connor provided a goal and assist. Alex Iafallo and Cole Perfetti also scored for the Jets, who now sit five points behind the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Dallas extended their franchise-record point streak to 15 games (14-0-1) with a 3-2 overtime victory over Detroit. Thomas Harley scored the winner 2:06 into the extra period, while Wyatt Johnston contributed a goal and assist for the Stars.

Vegas claimed first place in the Pacific Division by blanking Chicago 4-0 at home. Pavel Dorofeyev scored twice and added an assist, marking his second consecutive three-point performance. Adin Hill earned his first shutout of the season with 21 saves as the Golden Knights leapfrogged Anaheim atop the division standings.

Boston ended a seven-game road winless streak with a shootout victory over Washington, decided in the ninth round by Fraser Minten’s lone goal. Charlie McAvoy scored twice for the Bruins to extend his point streak to six games.

Pittsburgh rallied from an early two-goal deficit to defeat Utah 4-3, with Noel Acciari providing the game-winner with less than 12 minutes remaining. San Jose continued their recent success with a 4-2 victory over Montreal, led by Macklin Celebrini’s two goals and assist.

Buffalo defeated Toronto 3-2 in a shootout, with Alex Tuch scoring the decisive goal. The Sabres have now won nine of their last 10 games. Carolina maintained their Eastern Conference lead with a 4-2 victory over Tampa Bay, highlighted by Jordan Martinook’s third-period winner.

Ottawa shut out Anaheim 2-0 behind Linus Ullmark’s 23-save performance, while New York Rangers held off Minnesota 4-2 despite Igor Shesterkin facing a career-high 46 shots. The Islanders secured a crucial 3-2 victory over Calgary to maintain their playoff positioning, and Columbus extended their point streak to nine games with a shootout win over Philadelphia.

Seattle snapped a four-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over Vancouver, as new acquisition Bobby McMann scored twice in his debut with the Kraken.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In Saturday night’s ACC Tournament championship game, Duke freshman Cameron Boozer repeatedly drove toward the basket with a conference title hanging in the balance. However, the star player encountered an unfamiliar challenge each time he attacked.

Virginia’s Ugonna Onyenso consistently rejected his attempts at the rim.

“Well,” Boozer acknowledged, “I definitely got frustrated.”

The matchup between the 6-foot-10, 250-pound Boozer and the 7-foot, 245-pound Onyenso became a central storyline as top-ranked Duke defeated No. 10 Virginia 74-70 to claim the ACC Tournament crown. Onyenso proved instrumental in limiting the highly-regarded NBA prospect to his most difficult shooting night of the campaign.

Coming into Saturday’s contest, Boozer ranked eighth in the nation with 22.8 points per game while converting 57.9% of his field goal attempts. He managed just 13 points on 3-of-17 shooting — both season lows — as Onyenso rejected four of his shots, including three in the second half.

Despite the offensive struggles, Boozer collected eight rebounds and eight assists to earn tournament MVP recognition, though he battled throughout the evening while trying to establish the interior presence that has powered Duke’s dominance since January.

Onyenso recorded nine blocks, seven coming after halftime, surpassing former Wake Forest standout and NBA legend Tim Duncan’s single-tournament blocked shots record.

“First of all I’ve got give props to him,” Boozer said. “He’s a great defender, great shot blocker. I think there’s a lot I can learn from this game, but I just want to keep attacking, keep attacking, figure it out, find other ways to win. Obviously, my shot wasn’t falling. I wasn’t getting in a rhythm. But just had to find a way.”

Boozer’s 17.6% shooting performance marked his worst efficiency of the season, falling below his previous low of 25% (3-for-12) against Texas in the same venue during the season opener. The three made field goals represented only his third such limited output all year.

Virginia has now held Boozer to 6-of-26 shooting (23.1%) across their two meetings, including a contest at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium two weeks earlier.

Nevertheless, the Blue Devils (32-2) emerged victorious in both encounters and now enter March Madness positioned for a No. 1 seed.

“One thing with me is I’m really good with my timing, so when we played them at Duke, I was a little bit off,” Onyenso said. “So coming into today’s game, I was like, okay, this is what I’ve got to do, steel my feet, don’t jump. That really helped me with my timing.

“Cam, he does a lot of shot faking. That’s his thing. So being able to stay on my feet when he shot faked really helped me with my timing.”

Boozer typically challenges opposing big men with his ability to stretch beyond the three-point line and serve as a facilitator, sometimes functioning like a point guard in Duke’s offensive schemes. This versatility allows him to create movement with his dribbling before using his strength to score through contact with post moves and spins in the paint.

When he doesn’t convert, he frequently draws fouls and gets to the free-throw line.

However, Onyenso consistently neutralized these options in ways no other opponent has managed this season, including No. 3 Michigan’s talented frontcourt in a high-profile non-conference matchup last month. He also stayed out of foul trouble, picking up just one personal foul with 6:33 remaining in the second half, despite Boozer’s aggressive attacks and physical play.

“Look, we’re going to continue to go to him regardless of how he’s playing,” coach Jon Scheyer said while standing on the court surrounded by confetti as players began cutting down the nets. “He didn’t have his best stuff. But in fairness to him, we rely on him so heavily. We played three games in a row. They’re loaded up, they have a great frontcourt.”

Appropriately, Boozer delivered the crucial play that helped Duke secure the victory, coming as he challenged Onyenso again in the final 30 seconds while the Blue Devils protected a two-point advantage. Onyenso blocked the attempt — his 21st rejection across the three Charlotte games — but Boozer grabbed the offensive rebound.

Rather than forcing another shot, Boozer passed the ball out to run clock. Isaiah Evans subsequently made two free throws to extend the lead to 72-68, and Boozer sealed the championship with two foul shots with 3.9 seconds left, giving Scheyer his third ACC Tournament title in four seasons as head coach.

“Give them credit, because they protect the rim probably better than anybody we’ve played,” Scheyer said. “You just believe he’s going to come through, and he did.”

In a major upset at the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals on Saturday, Venezuela knocked out defending champion Japan with an 8-5 victory, while Italy secured their spot in the final four by defeating Puerto Rico 8-6.

The action started early in Miami when Venezuela’s Ronald Acuna Jr. connected for a solo homer against Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the opening frame, but Japan’s superstar Shohei Ohtani responded right back with his own solo blast off Ranger Suarez.

Japan appeared to take control in the third inning when Shota Morishita delivered a three-run blast, putting the defending champions ahead 5-2. However, Venezuela battled back as Maikel Garcia crushed a two-run homer in the fifth inning, cutting the deficit to just one run.

The game’s turning point came in the sixth inning with Ezequiel Tovar and Gleyber Torres on the basepaths. Wilyer Abreu stepped up and launched a massive 409-foot three-run homer that sent the crowd into a frenzy and gave Venezuela a 7-5 advantage.

Venezuela added insurance in the eighth inning when Ezequiel Torres crossed home plate for another run. From there, Venezuela’s relief pitchers dominated, retiring 13 consecutive Japanese batters during one stretch before Angel Zerpa finished off the upset by striking out Ohtani.

“Its very hard to describe what went through my mind when I hit that home run,” Abreu told reporters afterward. “It was definitely one of the best moments in my career.”

The victory marks Venezuela’s first semifinal appearance since 2009 and also guarantees them a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Meanwhile, Japan, winners of three previous World Baseball Classic titles, suffered their first-ever failure to reach the tournament’s final four.

In Houston at Daikin Park, underdog Italy continued their remarkable run by outlasting Puerto Rico without relying on the home run ball. The Italians, who entered the tournament having already upset both the United States and Mexico to finish pool play undefeated at 4-0, quickly erased an early 1-0 deficit.

Italy knocked Puerto Rican ace Seth Lugo out of the game in the first inning and never trailed again, building a 4-1 advantage. JJ D’Orazio contributed three RBIs while Andrew Fischer added two more. A decisive four-run fourth inning extended Italy’s lead to 8-2 and essentially put the game away, with all nine Italian starters managing to reach base safely.

Puerto Rico made things interesting late in the contest, highlighted by Christian Vazquez’s two-run hit in the eighth that brought them within 8-6. However, reliever Greg Weissert closed out the victory by getting five of the final six batters he faced, earning his third save of the tournament.

“This team has been building character in the last couple of days,” said Italy manager Francisco Cervelli, a former MLB catcher born in Venezuela. “We have the same mission, which is to continue until the last day of the tournament.”

Venezuela and Italy will face off in Monday’s semifinal in Miami, while the United States takes on the Dominican Republic in Sunday’s other semifinal matchup.

Multiple reports indicate the New York Giants have reached an agreement with wide receiver Darnell Mooney on a one-year deal valued at up to $10 million, according to Saturday sources.

Atlanta cut ties with the 28-year-old Mooney earlier this month in a cost-cutting move, despite the receiver being under contract through a three-year, $39 million deal he inked in March 2024. The Falcons faced an $18.4 million salary cap hit from Mooney but freed up $7.42 million by releasing him.

New York’s receiving corps took a hit this week when their top pass-catcher from 2025, Wan’Dale Robinson, departed for Tennessee in free agency. Robinson led the team with 92 catches for 1,014 yards last season. The Giants have since brought in former Steelers wideout Calvin Austin and retained Gunner Olszewski to complement existing targets Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton.

During his debut campaign with Atlanta in 2024, Mooney hauled in 64 passes for 992 yards and reached a personal-best five touchdown receptions across 16 starts. His 2025 production dipped to 32 catches for 443 yards and one score over 15 starts, as injuries limited his availability. A broken collarbone sidelined him for the season opener, while a hamstring issue cost him two additional contests.

Throughout his NFL tenure spanning five seasons with Chicago (2020-23) and Atlanta, Mooney has accumulated 309 receptions for 4,028 yards and 17 touchdowns across 91 games with 80 starts.

The Bears selected Mooney during the fifth round of the 2020 draft following his collegiate career at Tulane University.

MIAMI — Baseball history was made Saturday night when two superstar players launched back-to-back leadoff home runs during a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal matchup, marking the first time this feat has occurred in tournament play.

Ronald Acuña Jr. wasted no time getting his team on the scoreboard, connecting on just the second delivery from World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Atlanta Braves outfielder sent a fastball soaring 401 feet into right-center field for his second tournament home run.

Japan’s Shohei Ohtani answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning, crushing a 2-1 slider from Ranger Suárez that traveled 427 feet to center field. The ball rocketed off Ohtani’s bat at 113.6 mph, prompting the Los Angeles Dodgers star to admire his work before flipping his bat and gesturing enthusiastically toward his teammates in the dugout. The blast evened the score at 1-1 for the defending tournament champions and marked Ohtani’s third WBC home run.

According to Elias Sports Bureau records, no regular season or playoff game has ever featured leadoff home runs hit by two MVP award winners in the same contest.

The 31-year-old Ohtani brings impressive credentials to the tournament, having earned four MVP awards while helping guide the Dodgers to their last two World Series championships.

Acuña, 28, captured the 2023 National League MVP honor and was instrumental in the Braves’ 2021 World Series victory.

INDIAN WELLS, California – World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz saw his hopes of capturing a third straight Indian Wells championship come to an end Thursday as Daniil Medvedev delivered a commanding performance, defeating the Spanish star 6-3, 7-6(3) in the semifinals.

The victory sets up a championship showdown between Medvedev and Italy’s Jannik Sinner, who dominated Alexander Zverev 6-2, 6-4 in the other semifinal match. Sinner’s impressive display included eight aces and 18 winners while making only 13 unforced errors – eight fewer than his German opponent.

The second-ranked Sinner controlled the net effectively, winning seven of eight points there, and continued his recent dominance over Zverev with a sixth straight victory. Despite Zverev taking an early advantage in the first set, Sinner responded with two breaks to capture the opener, then secured another crucial break at 4-3 in the second set to close out the match.

The 24-year-old Italian has maintained perfect form throughout the tournament, advancing to the final without losing a single set – a streak that highlights his mastery on hard court surfaces.

In his semifinal battle, Medvedev executed a tactical approach against Alcaraz, securing an early break to establish a 3-1 advantage in the first set and maintaining that edge to take the opener.

The second set delivered much more drama as Alcaraz elevated his play, breaking the Russian’s serve to build a 3-1 lead. However, the 30-year-old Medvedev showed his resilience, capitalizing on several unforced errors from the Spaniard to even the score at 3-3.

Both players exchanged powerful shots in an entertaining battle that eventually required a tiebreaker, where Medvedev proved decisive in securing his spot in Sunday’s final.

Christopher Bell secured the top starting position for Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after posting a lightning-fast qualifying speed of 187.156 mph during Saturday’s time trials.

The driver completed his run around the 1.5-mile track in 28.853 seconds, edging out Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin, who qualified second with a speed of 186.188 mph. Bell’s margin of victory was 0.150 seconds.

This marks Bell’s first pole award of the current season, his fourth at the Las Vegas venue, and the 15th pole position of his NASCAR Cup Series career.

Toyota dominated qualifying as Ty Gibbs from JGR earned the third starting spot with a speed of 185.803 mph, while 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace claimed fourth at 185.771 mph. This represents only the seventh time Toyota has captured the top four qualifying positions in NASCAR Cup Series competition, with their last such performance occurring at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2023.

Las Vegas has been particularly favorable for Toyota recently, as this marks the second consecutive race at the track where Toyota drivers have locked up the first three starting positions. Last fall, Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and Bell accomplished that feat.

“It was pretty simple, really,” Bell explained regarding his pole-winning performance. “It takes a lot of commitment here at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to qualify well. My team got their Ps and Qs right. We had a lot of grip, and I held my foot down, and we won the pole.”

Bell’s machine handled the challenging Turn 1 surface irregularities better than many competitors, which proved crucial to his success.

“It’s a compromise,” Bell noted about the track’s unique challenges. “Every time you come to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, it’s a compromise of getting your car to have as much grip as you can have in (Turns) 3 and 4 without the bump hindering you in (Turns) 1 and 2.”

“Anytime you make the car drive better across the bumps, you’re giving up performance on the smooth part of the race track, and my team nailed it,” he added.

Current series champion Kyle Larson qualified fifth at 185.548 mph, leading all Chevrolet entries. Phoenix race winner Ryan Blaney captured sixth position at 185.185 mph as the fastest Ford qualifier.

Points leader Tyler Reddick, who has won the season’s first three races, will begin Sunday’s race from seventh position. Ryan Preece, William Byron, and Chris Buescher round out the top ten starting positions.

Last year’s Las Vegas race winner Josh Berry struggled in qualifying, earning only the 32nd starting position in his Wood Brothers Racing Ford.

Bell has shown strong performance when starting from the pole, finishing in the top ten in his last seven pole-winning races. His previous two pole positions at Las Vegas in 2023 and 2024 both resulted in runner-up finishes.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal made an impressive comeback to spring training action, striking out seven batters across 4 2/3 innings as his team dominated the Toronto Blue Jays 6-1 on Saturday in Dunedin, Florida.

In his first appearance since representing Team USA against Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic earlier this week, Skubal gave up just three hits and one run while issuing no walks on 61 pitches. Tigers outfielder Matt Vierling contributed significantly to the offensive effort with two RBI doubles.

Blue Jays veteran Max Scherzer delivered an equally strong performance, throwing four shutout innings while allowing only two singles and two walks with five strikeouts. Toronto’s Daulton Varsho managed to connect for a solo home run off Skubal in the fifth inning, while Riley Tirotta recorded two hits including a double.

In other spring training action, Philadelphia rallied past the New York Yankees 4-6 in Tampa when Felix Reyes launched a decisive two-run homer in the ninth inning to break a deadlock. Justin Crawford scored twice and drove in one run for the Phillies, while Edmundo Sosa collected two hits. Philadelphia starter Bryse Wilson dominated early with three no-hit innings, improving the team’s spring record to 8-11-1.

Yankees pitcher Max Fried worked 5 1/3 innings, surrendering five hits and three runs with four strikeouts. Braden Shewmake tied the game at 4-4 with an eighth-inning solo blast, and Jasson Dominguez had a productive day going 2-for-2 with a walk, run, RBI and stolen base.

Pittsburgh overcame a two-run deficit when Marcell Ozuna delivered a three-run homer in the seventh inning, leading the Pirates to an 8-6 victory over Baltimore in Bradenton, Florida. Henry Davis and Billy Cook also went deep as Pittsburgh accumulated 12 hits, with Ryan O’Hearn and Nick Yorke each collecting two hits. Pirates starter Carmen Mlodzinski struck out five batters over five innings while giving up seven hits and two runs.

Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, and Dylan Beavers added another two-run blast while going 2-for-3. The Orioles managed 13 hits despite the loss. Starting pitcher Trevor Rogers allowed four hits and two runs across four innings with three strikeouts and one walk.

Miami’s split squad defeated Washington 4-1 in Palm Beach, powered by rookie catcher Bennett Hostetler’s two-run homer and two stolen bases. Marlins opener Cade Gibson recorded four strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings as seven Miami pitchers combined to limit the Nationals to four hits while striking out 13.

Washington’s Brady House drove in their only run with a fifth-inning RBI double. Nationals starter Alex Clemmey pitched three hitless innings with one walk but was charged with two unearned runs after his team committed three errors in the third inning alone.

St. Louis and Miami’s other split squad battled to a 7-7 tie in Jupiter, Florida, with Cardinals slugger Nolan Gorman hitting his third spring training home run. Cardinals starter Andre Pallante struck out four and walked three while allowing one run over five innings. Gorman, Jose Fermin and Nathan Church each contributed two hits for St. Louis.

Miami’s Ryan Ignoffo homered in the eighth inning while going 2-for-2, and Ian Lewis and Yiddi Cappe each drove in two runs. Marlins starter Ryan Gusto gave up six hits and two runs in four innings of work.

The Hawks dropped their second contest of the series against Stonehill, falling 6-0 despite a strong pitching effort from Richard De Jesus.

De Jesus took the mound for seven innings in what proved to be a solid outing for the Hawks starter, though his team was unable to provide the offensive support needed to secure a victory.

The defeat marks the second loss of the series for the Hawks as they continue to face challenges against the Skyhawks.

Despite De Jesus’s quality start on the mound, the Hawks offense struggled to generate runs throughout the contest, ultimately being shut out by Stonehill’s pitching staff.

MESA, Ariz. — Oakland Athletics backstop Shea Langeliers put on a power display during Saturday’s spring training contest, launching three home runs in as many trips to the plate against Kansas City.

The catcher was removed from the game following the fifth inning, but not before connecting for three solo blasts that helped Oakland build a commanding 5-0 advantage. Kansas City starter Ryan Bergert surrendered all three long balls to Langeliers.

The 28-year-old slugger started his impressive afternoon by sending a ball over the left field wall in the opening frame, followed by a center field shot in the third inning, and capped off his performance with another drive to center field during the fourth inning.

During the previous season, Langeliers established a personal best with 31 home runs across 123 contests for Oakland. The catcher has accomplished the three-homer feat twice during regular season play — once on April 9, 2024, in a game at Texas, and again on Aug. 5, 2025, during a contest at Washington.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County basketball team punched their ticket to March Madness on Saturday, defeating Vermont 74-59 in Baltimore to claim the America East Conference championship.

Leading scorer DJ Armstrong Jr. put on a spectacular performance, netting 33 points to power the top-seeded Retrievers to their first conference tournament championship since 2018. The victory guarantees UMBC an automatic spot in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

The Retrievers (24-8) dominated the second half, outscoring their opponents 44-31 and closing the game with an impressive 26-8 scoring surge. This marks the third conference tournament championship in the program’s history.

Armstrong Jr. delivered an outstanding shooting display, connecting on 9 of 11 field goal attempts and sinking a championship game record seven shots from beyond the arc. His exceptional performance throughout the tournament earned him Most Outstanding Player recognition, averaging 17.6 points while shooting an impressive 64% from the field.

Supporting Armstrong Jr.’s heroics, Jose Roberto Tanchyn controlled the boards with 10 rebounds, while Ace Valentine contributed 13 points for UMBC, which has now won 12 consecutive games.

At halftime, the Retrievers held a narrow 30-28 advantage over Vermont (22-12). The Catamounts received their strongest offensive contribution from bench player TJ Long, who scored 17 points, while Gus Yalden and TJ Hurley each added 11 points.

In other conference championship action, Howard University captured the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title with a 70-63 victory over North Carolina Central in Norfolk, Virginia. Bryce Harris recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Cedric Taylor III added 13 points and 12 rebounds for the top-seeded Bison (23-10). Howard has now won eight straight games and will make their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance, having last participated in 2024. North Carolina Central’s Dionte Johnson led the Eagles (14-18) with 14 points in the losing effort.

A record-breaking crowd of 30,207 spectators packed Gillette Stadium to witness Boston Legacy FC’s first-ever NWSL match, but the celebration was cut short as defending champion Gotham FC secured a 1-0 victory on Saturday in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

The decisive moment came in the 55th minute when Esther Gonzalez capitalized on an unfortunate defensive mistake. After Lilly Reale delivered a low cross into the penalty area, Boston defender Bianca St-Georges inadvertently redirected the ball with her heel directly to Gonzalez, who converted the easy opportunity.

Gonzalez, who scored 13 goals last season for the championship-winning Gotham squad, helped her team start the new campaign with three points and a 1-0-0 record.

Boston’s troubles deepened when St-Georges received her second yellow card in the 77th minute, leaving Legacy with only 10 players for the final stretch. The expansion club finished their debut match with a 0-1-0 record and no points.

U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Casey Murphy showcased her skills in her Legacy debut, making three crucial saves including a spectacular stop on Jordynn Dudley’s point-blank attempt during second-half stoppage time. Meanwhile, Gotham’s Ann-Katrin Berger required only two saves to preserve the clean sheet.

During their inaugural season, Legacy will play home matches at both the New England Patriots’ Gillette Stadium and in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, while their permanent Boston venue undergoes renovations scheduled for completion in 2027.

Legacy represents one of two new franchises joining the NWSL this year. Denver Summit FC will also make their league debut on Saturday when they face Bay FC. Denver’s first home match on March 28 against the Washington Spirit will take place at the Broncos’ Empower Field at Mile High, where more than 50,000 tickets have already been sold, potentially setting a new league attendance record.

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will sit out Saturday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks due to a left ankle sprain, the team announced.

This absence brings his total missed games this season to 31.

The Greek Freak made his comeback on March 2nd following a right calf strain that kept him sidelined for 15 contests, but he hasn’t appeared in consecutive games since his return.

The 31-year-old forward was initially listed as questionable on Milwaukee’s injury report for calf strain management before being downgraded due to the ankle injury. Head coach Doc Rivers confirmed Saturday that the ankle problem occurred during Thursday’s 112-105 loss to the Miami Heat.

The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player is posting averages of 27.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists across 35 appearances this season. This campaign is guaranteed to be his lowest game total in his 13 seasons wearing a Bucks uniform. His previous career-low was 61 games during the 2020-21 season.

Throughout his career, the 10-time All-Star selection has compiled averages of 24.0 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists over 894 games, starting 829 of them.

The Colorado Rapids have promoted forward Mamadou Billo Diop from their developmental team to a first-team contract that will keep him with the club through the 2027-28 season.

The agreement also contains team options for the 2028-29 and 2029-30 campaigns.

“We’re excited to add Billo to our first-team group,” Rapids Sporting Director Fran Taylor said. “He’s earned this opportunity through his production, and impact at the Next Pro Level. We believe he has the ability to impact the game at the first team level.”

The Rapids chose Diop with the sixth overall selection in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft.

The teenage striker from Senegal concluded the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro campaign with an impressive tally of 14 goals and two assists while playing 1,614 minutes for Colorado Rapids 2. His outstanding performance earned him both the team’s Player of the Year and Golden Boot honors, and he played a key role in helping the squad reach the Western Conference Final and secure their inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Cup appearance.

“Billo has impressed in his training exposure with the 1st team,” Rapids Head Coach Matt Wells said. “He really caught the eye in the final pre-season fixture, combining his physicality with moments of high technical quality. He arrives in good positions in the penalty box and is becoming more decisive with each week.”

Cincinnati has added veteran quarterback Josh Johnson to their roster with a one-year contract signed on Saturday, bringing back a familiar face who previously played for the franchise in 2013 and 2015.

The 39-year-old quarterback most recently played for the Washington Commanders last season, adding to his remarkable journey through the NFL that has seen him play for a record-setting 14 different franchises since entering the league as a fifth-round draft selection in 2008.

During his time with Washington last season, Johnson completed 34 of 54 pass attempts for 372 yards and one touchdown across five appearances, which included two starting assignments. His starts marked his first since playing for the Baltimore Ravens in 2021. Johnson also contributed 55 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.

The signing addresses a significant need for Cincinnati, as the team currently has no quarterback depth behind franchise star Joe Burrow.

The Bengals’ quarterback situation changed dramatically during the offseason, with Joe Flacco remaining unsigned as a free agent after joining the team following Burrow’s injury last year.

Additionally, Jake Browning, who served as the team’s third-string quarterback, departed to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Throughout his NFL career spanning 50 games with 10 starts, Johnson has completed 242 of 412 passing attempts for a 58.7% completion rate, accumulating 2,669 passing yards, 14 touchdown passes, and 18 interceptions. He has also rushed for 481 yards and two touchdowns.

The World Anti-Doping Agency has issued a firm denial regarding Friday reports claiming the organization planned to block President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other American government leaders from the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics and 2026 FIFA World Cup.

An Associated Press story on Friday indicated that WADA was exploring measures against nations behind on their financial obligations, potentially including prohibiting government representatives from those countries from major sporting events. America has stopped paying its yearly contributions since 2024 due to disagreements about the organization’s ability to maintain drug-free athletic competitions.

The original reporting suggested WADA would address this matter during Tuesday’s scheduled meeting.

In a response posted to its website Friday evening, WADA did not rule out such policies in the future but clarified that the “FIFA World Cup, LA and Salt Lake City Games [2034] would not be covered given that the rules would not apply retroactively.”

The agency explained that any such measures would require approval from WADA’s Foundation Board, which will not convene until November.

This dispute began during former President Joe Biden’s time in office and has persisted into the Trump era, with politicians from both major parties opposing WADA’s positions.

America has refused to pay its financial obligations partly due to objections over WADA’s response to 23 Chinese swimmers who had positive tests for prohibited substances in 2021 yet were permitted to participate in that year’s Tokyo Summer Olympics.

“Discussions related to the issue of governments unilaterally withholding funding from WADA have been ongoing since early 2020 and have nothing specifically to do with the U.S.,” WADA stated. “A working group involving representatives of governments, the Sport Movement and WADA was set up in 2022, a period when the U.S. was still paying its annual contribution.”

The Associated Press reports that America’s unpaid obligations exceed $7 million for just the previous two years.

Vice President Vance and his spouse Usha recently represented the United States at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, participating in the opening ceremonies and various competitions while supporting American competitors.

Belmont University has declined an invitation to participate in the NIT basketball tournament, the school announced Saturday, just one day following the departure of longtime head coach Casey Alexander to Kansas State.

The 53-year-old Alexander, who previously played at Belmont, recently signed a five-year deal to lead the Kansas State program after spending seven seasons guiding his former school.

Under Alexander’s leadership this season, the Bruins compiled an impressive 26-6 record and secured the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title in 2026. However, their postseason hopes were dashed when they lost to Drake during the conference tournament.

The university released a statement explaining their decision: “In light of recent developments, Belmont University men’s basketball has elected not to participate in the Postseason NIT. We appreciate the meaningful dialogue and consideration postseason tournament committees have extended Belmont throughout the year.”

Tennessee Tech University announced Saturday that Tobin Anderson will take the helm as the new men’s basketball head coach.

The 54-year-old Anderson most recently worked as special assistant to head coach Bryan Hodgson at South Florida during the past season. Anderson gained national attention when he guided 16th-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson to a stunning upset over top-seeded Purdue in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, and later took over the coaching position at Iona following Rick Pitino’s departure.

Tennessee Tech athletic director Casey Fox praised the hiring decision, stating: “Tobin Anderson has a proven track record of building successful programs, developing student-athletes, and leading teams to championships. His winning experience and passion for the game make him an outstanding fit to lead our men’s basketball program. We are excited to welcome Coach Anderson and his family to Tennessee Tech.”

Anderson steps into the role previously held by John Pelphrey, who was dismissed on March 3 following seven years at the helm. Pelphrey compiled a 79-138 record during his tenure with the Golden Eagles.

The new coach expressed his enthusiasm about the opportunity, saying: “I am incredibly honored to be named the head coach at Tennessee Tech. This is a program with a proud tradition and passionate supporters. My family and I are excited to join the Cookeville community and begin building a program that Golden Eagle fans will be proud of.”

Tennessee Tech completed the recent season with a 13-18 overall record and an 8-12 mark in conference play. The team failed to earn a spot in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament.

Four potential ownership groups are preparing to submit their concluding offers to purchase the San Diego Padres over the next month, according to a Saturday report from The Athletic.

Originally, five groups presented preliminary offers, but the field has been narrowed to four finalists. Representatives from these remaining groups recently conducted meetings with Padres leadership at the team’s spring training facility in Peoria, Arizona, The Athletic reported.

The current MLB franchise sale record stands at $2.4 billion, set when hedge fund manager Steve Cohen acquired the New York Mets in November 2020. That purchase surpassed the previous high of $2 billion when Guggenheim Baseball Management bought the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012.

The Padres were purchased for $800 million in August 2012 by an ownership group that included the late Peter Seidler, and the team is anticipated to fetch another record-setting sum. Seidler became the franchise’s controlling owner in 2020, and his family is now selling the organization.

“The Padres, they’re going to probably sell in the next couple months for close to $3 billion,” CNBC sports reporter Mike Ozanian said on the CNBC Sport podcast. “That’s going to set a new record for Major League Baseball by far, about $600 million more than the Mets. Why? One of the reasons why is they’ve really built up their non-baseball business. Concerts, all these other events that they have at Petco Park. Now they’re helping other teams and parks do the same thing.”

The deadline for the second round of bids is set for mid-April.

According to The Athletic, three billionaires who currently own sports franchises are among the potential final bidders.

These individuals include Jose E. Feliciano, who co-owns Chelsea Football Club in the English Premier League; Dan Friedkin, a San Diego native who owns multiple European soccer teams; and Joe Lacob, who has been a co-owner of the Golden State Warriors since 2010.

Team USA has earned its place in the World Baseball Classic semifinals following a crucial 5-3 victory over Canada Friday evening in Houston. The American squad will now face the Dominican Republic on Sunday after displaying what players described as heightened concentration and determination.

The triumph was especially significant given that the star-laden U.S. roster had suffered an unexpected 8-6 defeat to Italy during pool competition, putting their tournament advancement in jeopardy and requiring assistance from other results to reach Friday’s elimination game.

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge noted the team’s renewed intensity following the Italy setback. “Guys really locked in. We saw a different level of focus at our workout the other day and then even pregame today. It felt like the boys were locked and ready to go,” Judge commented.

Meanwhile, the WNBA and its players’ association continue intensive negotiations for a fifth consecutive day Saturday, racing against Monday’s deadline to finalize a new collective bargaining agreement and prevent disruptions to the upcoming season. Both parties indicated Friday evening that significant progress is being made toward what could be a groundbreaking deal, having invested roughly 50 hours in discussions since Tuesday.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert emphasized Friday night that reaching an agreement by Monday is essential to avoid any delays to the season’s start.

In professional football news, the historic Chicago Bears franchise finds itself at the center of a cross-state competition as Indiana actively pursues the team to relocate from Illinois. The Bears are seeking to depart Soldier Field after five decades, having previously outlined plans for a $5 billion domed stadium complex in Arlington Heights.

Indiana has enacted new legislation enabling stadium financing and construction in Hammond specifically to attract the Bears, while Illinois legislators have countered with proposed property and sales tax incentives for major developments exceeding $100 million.

College basketball action features sixth-ranked UConn preparing to meet 13th-ranked St. John’s for the third time this season, with the Big East Tournament championship on the line Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. The longtime conference rivals split their regular season encounters and have both dominated their tournament games leading to this decisive rubber match.

In Big 12 Tournament action, second-seeded Arizona edged seventh-ranked Iowa State 82-80 in a thrilling semifinal after Jaden Bradley connected on a game-winning jumper with seconds remaining. Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd praised Iowa State’s effort, calling the contest an epic battle. Anthony Dell’Orso contributed 26 points off the bench with six three-pointers, while Iowa State’s Milan Momcilovic answered with 28 points on eight three-point shots.

Across the Atlantic, American-owned Burnley FC’s relegation concerns deepened following a scoreless draw with Bournemouth, leaving the club eight points from safety with only eight matches remaining in the Premier League season. The team has managed just four victories in 30 league contests this campaign.

On the golf course at TPC Sawgrass, Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg fired a spectacular 63 to grab a two-stroke lead at The Players Championship, while world number one Scottie Scheffler struggled to make the cut. Aberg’s round featured two eagles and multiple chip-ins, with Xander Schauffele trailing by two shots after shooting 65.

Finally, in Formula 1 action from Shanghai, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli became the youngest driver ever to earn pole position for a Grand Prix after teammate George Russell encountered technical difficulties during qualifying despite winning the earlier sprint race. Antonelli’s pole time was 0.222 seconds faster than Russell, who managed to set a qualifying time despite his car troubles.

The Women’s National Basketball Association is racing against the clock to finalize a new collective bargaining agreement, with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert emphasizing that negotiations must conclude by Monday to prevent scheduling conflicts with critical league operations.

Speaking to media on Friday, Engelbert stressed the time-sensitive nature of the talks. “We have to get it done by Monday. I should say, we have to get it done without disrupting some part of the fact that we’ve got to run this two-team expansion (draft),” she explained. “We’ve got to get expansion going. We’ve got to get free agency going. We’ve got to get the college draft, which is now a month from today.”

Negotiating teams have engaged in marathon bargaining sessions this week, beginning Tuesday with daily meetings extending well into double-digit hours. According to Front Office Sports, Friday’s session at a Manhattan hotel continued until nearly 3 a.m., totaling 16 hours of discussions.

The league previously established March 10 as the final deadline for reaching an agreement to prevent cancellation of regular-season games. Key upcoming dates include the 2026 WNBA Draft on April 13, training camp openings on April 19, and the regular season launch on May 8.

Contract negotiations have stalled for several months, with major disagreements centering on revenue sharing arrangements, salary cap modifications, and player housing provisions.

Terri Carmichael Jackson, who serves as executive director of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association, emphasized Friday that establishing a compensation structure “tied to revenue in a meaningful way” continues to be the players’ main objective. She noted positive momentum in recent discussions.

“I think the league, and particularly the commissioner and her team, have heard that transformational remains the goal,” Jackson stated to reporters Friday. “As long as movement keeps us going in a forward direction, then I think we’re good.”

The players’ negotiating team includes Women’s National Basketball Players Association executive committee president Nneka Ogwumike, along with Breanna Stewart, Brianna Turner, Alysha Clark, and Carmichael Jackson. League representatives consist of Engelbert, league operations head Bethany Donaphin, New York Liberty owner Clara Wu Tsai, and Connecticut Sun president Jennifer Rizzotti.

The Washington Commanders have secured running back Jerome Ford with a one-year contract, according to a Saturday report from NFL Network.

The 26-year-old Ford departs Cleveland after spending four seasons with the Browns, who selected him in the fifth round during the 2022 NFL Draft. Prior to this past season, Ford took a significant pay cut to stay with Cleveland, accepting a guaranteed $1.75 million instead of his original $3.49 million salary for 2025.

Ford’s most recent season was hampered by injury troubles. He landed on injured reserve December 9th following a hamstring injury that limited his playing time after Week 6. Throughout 13 games without any starts in 2025, Ford managed just 73 rushing yards on 24 attempts while adding 26 catches for 103 receiving yards.

The running back enjoyed his most productive campaign with Cleveland during the 2023 season, accumulating 1,132 total yards from scrimmage and finding the end zone nine times.

Throughout his professional career spanning 57 games with 18 starts, Ford has compiled 1,463 yards rushing, 647 yards receiving, and 12 total touchdowns.

Seattle’s championship-winning running back Kenneth Walker III appears headed for free agency after reports indicate the Seahawks will not use their franchise tag to retain the Super Bowl LX Most Valuable Player.

According to ESPN’s Tuesday report, Walker will become an unrestricted free agent when the new NFL league year opens next week. The news came on the same day the New York Jets used their franchise tag on running back Breece Hall, who now has until July 15 to negotiate a long-term deal or will earn $14.293 million for the 2026 season.

Should Walker join a different team next season, he would make history as only the fourth Super Bowl MVP to change uniforms the year after winning the award. The previous three players to accomplish this feat were Larry Brown following Super Bowl XXX, Desmond Howard after Super Bowl XXXI, and Dexter Jackson following Super Bowl XXXVII.

Teams face a Tuesday 4 p.m. ET deadline to apply franchise tags to players.

Walker delivered a stellar performance in Seattle’s 29-13 championship win against New England on February 8, accumulating 135 rushing yards to earn MVP recognition.

The Michigan State product, selected in the second round of the 2022 draft, is completing his initial four-year rookie deal that paid him $8.4 million total.

Following a regular season where he gained 1,027 yards and scored five rushing touchdowns, Walker elevated his play during the postseason. He compiled 313 rushing yards and four touchdowns across Seattle’s three playoff contests, stepping into an expanded role after Zach Charbonnet suffered a season-ending knee injury during the divisional round victory against San Francisco.

Throughout his four-year tenure in Seattle, Walker has accumulated 3,555 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground, while adding 133 receptions for 1,005 yards and two receiving scores across 58 regular-season appearances, including 54 starts.

Atlanta Braves outfielder and designated hitter Jurickson Profar will be sidelined for an entire season following his second positive drug test for banned performance-enhancing substances, according to a Tuesday report from ESPN.

The 33-year-old veteran will lose his complete $15 million earnings for the 2026 campaign and cannot participate in playoff games or this month’s World Baseball Classic, where the Curacao-born player was scheduled to represent the Netherlands.

This makes Profar only the sixth major league player to receive a complete season ban for PED violations since baseball officials strengthened penalties for repeat offenders in 2014, ESPN noted.

Following his first All-Star selection with San Diego in 2024, Profar inked a three-year deal worth $42 million with Atlanta this past January. During his debut season with the Braves, he posted a .245 batting average along with 14 home runs and 43 RBIs across 80 contests, after completing an 80-game ban that ran from March 31 through July 1.

His original punishment resulted from a positive test for human chorionic gonadotropin, a pregnancy hormone that can elevate testosterone levels in the body.

After undergoing sports hernia surgery during the off-season, Profar was slated to transition from left field duties to designated hitter for the upcoming campaign.

Once ranked as baseball’s top prospect when he joined the Texas Rangers as a 19-year-old in 2012, Profar holds career statistics of .245 batting average with 125 home runs and 487 RBIs spanning 1,199 games across multiple teams including Texas (2012-13, 2016-18), Oakland (2019), San Diego (2020-24), Colorado (2023), and Atlanta.

Throughout his career, injuries have limited Profar to playing more than 150 games in just two seasons, including missing both the 2014 and 2015 seasons entirely due to shoulder problems.

While most elite athletes focus solely on training for the upcoming 2026 Winter Paralympics, Sydney Peterson has taken on an additional challenge that hits close to home.

The American Paralympic skier is simultaneously pursuing advanced neuroscience research, specifically investigating movement disorders that mirror her own medical condition. Peterson conducts her doctoral studies at the University of Utah, where she examines fruit flies to evaluate how various medications affect specific genetic movement conditions.

Peterson represents one of the talented U.S. competitors preparing for the next Winter Paralympic Games. Her unique dual pursuit of athletic excellence and scientific research creates an unusual balance as she works toward both Paralympic success and advancing medical understanding of neurological conditions.

In laboratory settings, Peterson carefully analyzes containers filled with fruit flies as part of her academic work. This research directly relates to her personal experience with movement disorders, giving her studies both professional and personal significance.

The combination of rigorous athletic training and demanding doctoral research demonstrates Peterson’s commitment to excellence both on the slopes and in the scientific community.

The New York Knicks extended the Indiana Pacers’ misery on Friday night, defeating the struggling franchise 101-92 in Indianapolis behind a stellar performance from guard Jalen Brunson, who contributed 29 points and nine assists in the victory.

The loss marks the Pacers’ 12th consecutive defeat, highlighting their continued struggles this season. Meanwhile, New York secured its second consecutive win, wrapping up a road trip with a 3-2 record.

Supporting Brunson’s effort, OG Anunoby contributed 25 points for the Knicks, while Mitchell Robinson dominated the boards with 22 rebounds to go along with 12 points. Mikal Bridges provided additional scoring with 11 points in the winning effort.

For Indiana, Jarace Walker paced the team with 18 points, followed by Aaron Nesmith’s 12 points and Ivica Zubac’s 11-point contribution. T.J. McConnell rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points for the Pacers.

The contest remained competitive through three quarters, with New York holding just a two-point advantage entering the final period. However, the Knicks seized control early in the fourth quarter with five consecutive points, and later responded to Indiana’s comeback attempt with a decisive 7-0 scoring run when the Pacers closed within two points.

In other NBA action Friday night, several teams posted impressive victories. Detroit dominated injury-depleted Memphis 126-110 behind Jalen Duren’s 30-point, 13-rebound performance, while Cade Cunningham distributed 15 assists alongside his 17 points.

Cleveland overwhelmed Dallas 138-105 in the opening game of a home-and-home series, with Evan Mobley scoring a season-high-tying 29 points and Donovan Mitchell adding 24 points. The Cavaliers have now won 24 of their last 34 games since December 29.

Toronto rallied from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Phoenix 122-115, with Brandon Ingram leading the comeback with 36 points. The Raptors closed the game on a 27-10 run to snap the Suns’ four-game winning streak.

Houston narrowly escaped New Orleans 107-105 despite a late Pelicans surge, with Kevin Durant’s 32 points leading the way. The Rockets survived after Jabari Smith Jr. hit a crucial corner three-pointer in the final seconds.

Minnesota ended a three-game slide by defeating Golden State 127-117, powered by Anthony Edwards’ 42-point explosion. The Timberwolves won the season series against the Warriors 3-1.

Los Angeles Clippers continued their March success with a 119-108 victory over Chicago, as Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points while matching a franchise record for consecutive 20-point games. The Clippers improved to 7-1 for the month.

Portland completed a season sweep of Utah with a 124-114 victory, getting 25 points each from Jrue Holiday and backup Scoot Henderson. The Blazers never trailed after overcoming an early 16-point deficit with a 20-0 run.

A battle between two neighboring states is heating up over one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, as Indiana attempts to steal the Chicago Bears away from Illinois.

The legendary Bears are looking to move away from Soldier Field, their home for the past 50 years. Indiana legislators have crafted an enticing offer to bring the team across state lines, proposing to finance and construct a covered stadium in Hammond, Indiana – roughly 25 miles from the Bears’ current lakefront location.

Illinois lawmakers have fired back with their own proposal, introducing legislation that would provide tax incentives for major developments worth at least $100 million. This package would cover the Bears’ plans to create a new complex in Arlington Heights, a northwestern Chicago suburb located about the same distance from Soldier Field as the Indiana option.

However, the Illinois proposal faces criticism from those who argue it’s unfavorable for a state already burdened with some of the nation’s steepest property taxes. Adding to the controversy, taxpayers are still paying off hundreds of millions in debt from Soldier Field improvements completed 20 years ago.

The Bears represent one of just two original NFL franchises still in operation. With nine championship titles, including one Super Bowl victory, their trophy case trails only their bitter rivals, the Green Bay Packers. Despite recent struggles on the field, Forbes values the franchise at $8.9 billion, ranking it among the league’s most valuable teams.

Founded in Decatur, Illinois in 1920, the Bears have made Chicago their home for 105 years. Losing the team to neighboring Indiana would represent a significant blow to the city’s pride.

Soldier Field presents several limitations for the organization. Housing only 61,500 spectators, it ranks as the NFL’s most compact venue. Throughout their history, the Bears have operated as tenants – first at Wrigley Field from 1921 to 1970, then at Soldier Field under Chicago Park District management. Like most modern franchises, they desire stadium ownership to control operations, scheduling, and various revenue sources including tickets, concessions, parking, and naming rights.

The outdoor nature of Soldier Field also restricts opportunities to host premium events like Super Bowls, NCAA Final Four tournaments, or major entertainment spectacles that require enclosed facilities.

The interstate rivalry extends beyond sports, rooted in cultural, economic, and political differences, plus intense college basketball competition. Tensions escalated recently when Indiana established a commission to explore incorporating certain central Illinois counties whose residents have voted in favor of separating from the Chicago metropolitan area.

This isn’t the Bears’ first threat to relocate. When the team considered leaving in 1975, then-Mayor Richard J. Daley famously responded, “Like hell they will.”

Chicago’s concerns became more concrete in 2023 when the Bears invested approximately $200 million in a 326-acre former horse racing facility in Arlington Heights. Their vision includes a $5 billion development featuring a domed stadium surrounded by residential units, hotels, entertainment venues, and shopping centers, with partial taxpayer support.

When the Bears presented a $5 billion proposal in 2024 for an enclosed stadium adjacent to Soldier Field, also seeking partial public funding, Springfield officials showed minimal enthusiasm. By late fall, the team began exploring Indiana opportunities.

Indiana’s attraction package establishes the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to fund, build, and lease a domed facility near Hammond’s Wolf Lake. Governor Mike Braun approved the legislation on February 26th. The arrangement would lock the Bears into a 35-year lease agreement, with state borrowing covering construction costs and repayment coming through enhanced local hospitality taxes.

Illinois Democrats have pushed forward House legislation offering incentives for major developments worth at least $500 million, or as low as $100 million based on job creation numbers. Developers would benefit from property taxes frozen at pre-construction levels for up to 45 years, making negotiated payments to local governments instead. The package also includes sales tax exemptions on construction materials lasting up to 15 years.

Critics argue the Illinois legislation’s extended property tax freeze would shift tax burdens to homeowners and other businesses, with the alternative payments serving as additional revenue rather than replacements.

Democratic Governor JB Pritzker defended the proposal last week, stating it would stimulate development on currently non-productive land while guaranteeing increased revenue for local governments.

Taxpayers continue servicing debt from previous accommodations. The 2001 public investment of $399 million helped finance Soldier Field’s $587 million renovation. Including interest, the outstanding balance reaches $467 million, according to the state’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.

The Bears’ current $7 million annual lease extends through 2033. Early termination would cost the organization $10.5 million for each remaining year on the contract.

Cleveland’s Evan Mobley put on a first-half scoring clinic, netting 23 points before halftime and finishing with a season-high-tying 29 points to power the Cavaliers past the Dallas Mavericks 138-105 on Friday night in the opener of a two-game series.

Donovan Mitchell contributed 24 points and dished out eight assists, while James Harden added 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists as Cleveland maintained its grip on fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The victory improved the Cavaliers to 24-10 since December 29.

For Dallas, rookie sensation Cooper Flagg led the way with 25 points, and Naji Marshall chipped in 17 points and seven rebounds. However, the Mavericks continued their recent struggles, dropping their ninth game in the last 10 contests and falling to 3-19 since January 24. Ryan Nembhard recorded eight points and nine assists in the losing effort.

Cleveland dominated the paint, outscoring Dallas 72 points to exploit the absence of Mavericks center Daniel Gafford. The Cavaliers reached their biggest advantage in the fourth quarter when Thomas Bryant’s hook shot made it 129-94. Bryant finished with 11 points coming off the bench.

Dallas veteran Klay Thompson endured a rough shooting night, missing all five of his three-point attempts and snapping his impressive 49-game streak of making at least one shot from beyond the arc.

A bizarre officiating moment occurred in the third quarter when referees incorrectly allowed Dallas to inbound the ball toward the wrong basket following a timeout. Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson had to inform the officials of the error before it was corrected.

The Cavaliers seized control early, taking a 67-50 halftime lead behind scorching 60.9% field goal shooting. Mobley was nearly perfect in the first half, connecting on 10 of 12 field goal attempts, while Marshall managed 12 points for Dallas and Flagg struggled with just six points before the break.

Dallas got off to a quick start with Marshall scoring the team’s first eight points, but Mobley quickly took over. The Cleveland big man poured in 16 points during the opening seven minutes to give the Cavaliers a 20-14 edge, and they extended their lead to 38-21 after the first quarter.

Both teams dealt with key absences. Dallas was without P.J. Washington Jr. due to left ankle soreness and rested Gafford after the pair combined for 34 points in Thursday’s 120-112 victory over Memphis. Cleveland continued to miss center Jarrett Allen, who sat out his fourth straight game with right knee tendinitis, while swingman Sam Merrill was sidelined with left hamstring tightness.

The two teams will meet again Sunday when the series shifts to Cleveland.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins have decided to part ways with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, ending his six-season tenure with the franchise.

The organization announced Monday that Tagovailoa, who has served as the team’s main signal-caller for the past five and a half years, will be cut from the roster. This decision comes fewer than 24 months after the quarterback inked a massive $212 million contract extension with Miami.

The release will create an unprecedented $99 million dead money penalty against the salary cap, setting a new NFL record. Despite this enormous financial burden, Miami’s front office believes this represents their best option moving forward.

“I recently informed Tua and his representation that we are going to move in a new direction at the quarterback position and will be releasing him after the start of the new league year,” stated Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan in an official team announcement.

The new league year begins Wednesday afternoon. Should Miami designate this as a post-June 1 cut, they can spread the $99 million penalty across two seasons, with roughly two-thirds counting against this year’s cap and the remainder hitting in 2027.

“As I shared with Tua, I have great respect for the person and player he is,” Sullivan continued. “On behalf of the Miami Dolphins, I expressed our gratitude for his many contributions, both on the field and in the community, during his six seasons in Miami.”

This decision represents another major change in what has been a transformative offseason for the Dolphins organization.

Both Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley are newcomers to their roles, while established stars including wide receiver Tyreek Hill and edge rusher Bradley Chubb will not return to the team. The quarterback situation remained the most pressing uncertainty, with questions swirling about whether Tagovailoa would receive another opportunity.

Monday’s announcement provided that answer, though signs had been pointing in this direction for some time.

Many observers anticipated either a trade or release following Tagovailoa’s benching late last season due to subpar performance under former head coach Mike McDaniel. The 2020 fifth overall draft pick expressed his displeasure with the demotion at the time and voiced uncertainty about his franchise future.

Miami promoted rookie Quinn Ewers to the starting role during the final three games of the season, effectively signaling the end of Tagovailoa’s six-year stint with the organization. The 28-year-old quarterback, who celebrated his birthday earlier this month, posted league-leading passing yardage in 2023 along with a personal-best 29 touchdown passes, but failed to maintain that elite level of play.

Last season saw Tagovailoa throw a career-worst 15 interceptions while completing just 67.7% of his passes — his lowest accuracy rate since his rookie campaign.

“I would say the biggest thing, and it’s being honest with myself as well, had been my performance,” Tagovailoa acknowledged following his benching. “I haven’t been performing up to the level and the capabilities that I have in the past.”

The financial penalty surpasses the previous record of $85 million that the Denver Broncos absorbed when they released Russell Wilson in 2024.

Miami selected Tagovailoa with hopes he would become their long-term franchise quarterback following his championship-winning collegiate career at Alabama.

However, the young quarterback faced difficulties during his initial two seasons under former Miami head coach Brian Flores, experiencing multiple benchings as a rookie. This led to persistent speculation about whether the Dolphins — who hold the NFL’s longest active playoff victory drought at 25 years — would commit to Tagovailoa long-term.

The organization dismissed Flores and brought in McDaniel for the 2022 campaign. McDaniel worked closely with Tagovailoa and publicly backed him throughout the coach’s four-year tenure in Miami.

With McDaniel’s departure and new leadership in place, Miami has apparently determined now is the appropriate time to begin fresh at the quarterback position once again.

The Dallas Cowboys have obtained pass rusher Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers through a trade that coincided with the opening of NFL free agency, according to a source familiar with the transaction who spoke to The Associated Press on Monday.

In return for Gary, Dallas will provide Green Bay with a late-round draft selection in 2027, the source revealed.

The individual requested anonymity as the transaction was still undergoing final approval procedures.

The agreement between Dallas and Green Bay was completed precisely as unrestricted free agents gained permission to negotiate with teams and establish contract terms that cannot be officially executed until Wednesday when the new league year commences.

Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins have announced the release of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, contributing another prominent signal-caller to the free agent pool that will also feature Kyler Murray, whom Arizona is releasing.

This represents the second consecutive season that Dallas and Green Bay have exchanged pass rushers. Just one week prior to last season’s opener, the Cowboys dealt young standout Micah Parsons, who promptly secured a four-year, $188 million extension with $136 million in guarantees. The contract established a new record as the most lucrative deal for a non-quarterback in NFL history.

Gary entered the league as the 12th overall selection in 2019, two years ahead of Parsons being chosen by Dallas at the identical draft position. The 28-year-old defender has recorded 7.5 sacks in each of the last two campaigns and has reached that threshold in five of his six professional seasons.

The New York Giants have retained veteran tight end Chris Manhertz, maintaining both him and running back Devin Singletary as offensive carryovers under new head coach John Harbaugh.

New York also secured receiver and return specialist Gunner Olszewski last week, while 25-year-old Wan’Dale Robinson could potentially leave via free agency after becoming only the third player standing 5-foot-8 or under to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a season since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

Minnesota prevented one of their unrestricted free agents from reaching the open market by finalizing terms with 10th-year linebacker Eric Wilson on a three-year agreement worth $22.5 million, including $12.5 million in full guarantees, per NFL Network reports.

Wilson, who rejoined his original franchise last season, established personal bests in tackles for loss (17), sacks (6.5), quarterback hits (10), and forced fumbles (four). NFL NextGen Stats indicates Wilson stands as the only linebacker to register 40-plus quarterback pressures and 20-plus run stuffs in any single season from 2020 through 2025.

The New York Jets have completed a blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins to obtain star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, immediately locking him up with a three-year, $40 million contract extension, according to a source familiar with the transaction who spoke to The Associated Press on Monday.

In exchange for the five-time Pro Bowl defender, the Jets will send Miami a seventh-round selection in this year’s draft, two sources confirmed to the AP under condition of anonymity since the transaction cannot be finalized until Wednesday when the NFL’s new league year begins.

This move, which ESPN first broke, fills a critical gap for New York after the franchise became the first NFL team in history to complete an entire season without recording a single interception.

The 29-year-old defensive back had one season remaining on his Miami contract valued at $15.6 million, though the money was not guaranteed.

This marks the second significant trade of the offseason for New York, as the organization continues upgrading its defense during coach Aaron Glenn’s sophomore campaign. The Jets previously obtained nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat from Tennessee in exchange for edge rusher Jermaine Johnson last month.

Glenn dismissed defensive coordinator Steve Wilks with three games remaining in the season and brought in Brian Duker in January to oversee the defensive unit, though Glenn announced he will handle play-calling duties this upcoming season.

The safety position was anticipated to be a priority for the Jets during free agency, with rookie Malachi Moore being the only player on the current roster with substantial experience at the position. Both Andre Cisco and Tony Adams, who have served as starters, are expected to enter free agency.

Throughout his career, Fitzpatrick has recorded 21 interceptions, though he managed just one pick in 14 appearances last season with Miami.

This transaction occurs on the same day Miami announced its decision to part ways with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The organization revealed that Tagovailoa, who served as the primary starter for the past five and a half seasons, will be released.

Oakland Athletics rising star Tommy White extended his remarkable spring training performance Friday, delivering seven RBIs in a commanding 13-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Phoenix.

White, selected by Oakland in the second round of the 2024 draft, recorded three hits in five at-bats, including a double and home run. His stellar spring campaign now includes four homers and 13 RBIs, matching teammate Tyler Soderstrom for the major league lead in runs batted in during exhibition play.

The Athletics’ split squad offense overwhelmed Milwaukee starter Kyle Harrison (0-1), who surrendered six runs while striking out four and walking one. Harrison also gave up a home run to catcher Chad Wallach. Right-handed reliever Mark Manfredi struggled severely, allowing four runs without recording a single out in the ninth inning.

Left-handed pitcher Gage Jump (1-1), another 2024 draft selection, earned the victory after throwing four scoreless innings for Oakland.

Meanwhile, Oakland’s other split squad fell to San Diego 13-9 in Mesa, Arizona. The Padres erupted for six runs against Athletics starter Aaron Civale, who allowed nine hits and three strikeouts across four innings. Marcos Castanon contributed a home run and two RBIs for San Diego, while Clay Dungan delivered the tying and go-ahead runs.

In other spring action, Philadelphia defeated Baltimore 11-8 behind Alec Bohm’s pair of two-run home runs. The third baseman, batting .375 with nine RBIs this spring, broke a 3-3 deadlock with his second blast in the fifth inning.

Toronto dominated Minnesota 6-1 as Daulton Varsho went 3-for-3 with a two-run homer and three-run shot. The Blue Jays’ pitching staff held the Twins to one run despite allowing six hits and 10 walks, as Minnesota went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

Boston edged Tampa Bay 7-6 on Carlos Narvaez’s three-RBI performance, part of a 14-hit offensive display. Jason Delay broke a 6-6 tie with a seventh-inning solo home run for the Red Sox.

Atlanta held off a late New York Yankees rally for a 7-6 victory, with Maurico Dubon homering in a four-run first inning. Despite Garrett Martin’s three-run homer in a four-run ninth for the Yankees, the Braves’ early lead proved sufficient.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have reached a three-year, $33 million agreement with cornerback Montaric “Buster” Brown, preventing the defensive back from entering free agency, according to a source with knowledge of the deal who spoke to The Associated Press on Monday.

The source requested anonymity since neither the team nor player had publicly announced the contract.

Brown, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2022 draft, has been a starter in 29 contests during his four seasons with Jacksonville and just completed his most productive year. In 2025, he recorded 51 tackles, defended 12 passes, and intercepted two passes while successfully adapting to the team’s zone coverage system. Throughout his professional career, he has accumulated 166 tackles, 24 pass breakups, and three interceptions.

By retaining Brown, the Jaguars ensure their defensive backfield remains largely unchanged for 2026, as cornerbacks Travis Hunter, Jourdan Lewis, Jarrian Jones, and Christian Braswell are already under contract, along with safeties Eric Murray, Antonio Johnson, and Caleb Ransaw.

Last season, Jacksonville’s defense ranked 11th overall in the league and placed sixth in limiting passing yards per play.

However, the Jaguars still face defensive personnel challenges, particularly with linebacker Devin Lloyd anticipated to join another team during free agency. The organization also needs to add a third pass rusher and may need to find a replacement for defensive tackle Arik Armstead, whose contract carries a $19.4 million salary cap hit for 2026.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has made his decision to continue his NFL career for a 14th season in 2026, according to multiple league sources who say he has notified interested teams that he plans to remain with the Chiefs.

Despite earlier speculation about potential moves to other franchises, Kelce has chosen to stay put in Kansas City, even though he could have earned more money elsewhere, according to NFL Network and Sports Illustrated reports. The veteran is expected to sign a new one-year contract with the Chiefs.

The 36-year-old star has earned 11 Pro Bowl selections and four All-Pro honors during his time in Kansas City, where he was drafted in the third round back in 2013.

After spending recent offseasons contemplating retirement, Kelce faced a decision as an unrestricted free agent, but sources indicate he has no intention of leaving the organization that drafted him.

Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach addressed the situation during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 24, stating: “We’ve kind of prepared for either scenario. We’re trying to position ourselves that either way, we have a plan moving forward.”

Veach mentioned plans to meet with Kelce’s representatives after the combine, noting that “you need some sort of timeline and deadline,” while describing discussions with his team as “positive.”

Head Coach Andy Reid maintains regular communication with Kelce, who experienced a statistical decline during what many consider a Hall of Fame career trajectory.

Last season, Kelce recorded 851 receiving yards and five touchdowns, with his 76 catches marking his fewest since managing 72 receptions in 2015.

“Travis is the best, he’s an icon and hopefully he comes back,” Veach commented in his February interview. “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.”

Before the 2025 season began, Kelce acknowledged considering retirement while noting how his life has transformed since beginning his relationship with global pop sensation Taylor Swift, to whom he is now engaged.

The three-time Super Bowl champion holds every major Chiefs receiving record, including receptions (1,080), receiving yards (13,002), and touchdown catches (82).

Jacksonville has reached an agreement with cornerback Montaric Brown on a lucrative three-year extension worth $33 million, the team announced Monday.

The 26-year-old defensive back was originally selected in the seventh round of the 2022 draft and was scheduled to become a free agent before finalizing this new contract. Representatives from Milk & Honey Sports, who represent Brown, confirmed the agreement to ESPN.

During the previous season, Brown emerged as a key defensive contributor for Jacksonville, recording a team-high 12 pass breakups while hauling in two interceptions across 15 appearances, including 12 as a starter. He also contributed 51 tackles to the team’s defensive effort.

Brown’s performance in pass coverage was particularly impressive, as his 69.6 passer rating allowed ranked sixth-best among all NFL cornerbacks who played at least 200 coverage snaps, according to ESPN’s Next Gen Stats.

Throughout his professional career spanning 52 games with 29 starts, Brown has accumulated three interceptions, 24 pass deflections, and 166 total tackles.

Houston has locked up veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins with a new two-year contract, multiple sources confirmed Monday.

The agreement guarantees the former first-round draft selection $12 million, NFL Network reported.

The 31-year-old joined Houston as a free agent before the 2023 campaign but departed after just one year to ink a two-year contract with Cincinnati.

After the Bengals cut him following his first season there, Rankins made his way back to Houston where he became a full-time starter, appearing in every game during the most recent season. His 2024 performance included 35 total tackles, five stops behind the line of scrimmage, three quarterback sacks, and one fumble recovery that he took to the end zone for six points.

Originally selected 12th overall by New Orleans in 2016, Rankins brings a decade of NFL experience with 133 career appearances and 90 starts under his belt. Throughout his professional career, he has accumulated 281 total tackles, 49 tackles for loss, 33.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and one interception.

The University of Nebraska announced Monday that men’s basketball head coach Fred Hoiberg has received a contract extension that will keep him with the program through the 2031-32 season.

This season, Hoiberg led the Cornhuskers to an unprecedented 15 victories in Big Ten Conference play, establishing a new program milestone. With their current 26-5 overall record entering this week’s conference tournament, Nebraska sits just one victory away from setting an all-time program record for wins, which would surpass the mark currently shared with the 1990-91 team that finished 26-8.

The new agreement extends Hoiberg’s tenure beyond his previous contract, which was set to expire following the 2028-29 season. University officials did not reveal the financial details of the extension.

“Fred Hoiberg is a tremendous representative of the University of Nebraska, the Lincoln community, and our state. We are extremely proud that he will continue to lead the Nebraska men’s basketball program well into the future,” Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen said in a press release. “Fred has built this program step by step and his leadership has Nebraska positioned to continue to compete at a high level in the Big Ten Conference and nationally. Fred is one of the most respected coaches in the country by his peers, and his success has been recognized throughout the college basketball world.”

The 53-year-old coach has compiled a 110-113 record during his seven-year tenure with the Cornhuskers. His program development showed steady improvement, beginning with just seven victories in each of his initial two campaigns and reaching a historic milestone with three straight 20-win seasons over the past three years – something never before accomplished in the program’s history.

“I’m appreciative of the continued confidence from Troy Dannen and Jeffrey Gold and thank them for the support they have shown in our staff’s leadership of the Husker basketball program,” Hoiberg said in a press release. “We have a long family history with the University of Nebraska, and the support we have received over the last seven years is truly remarkable. We are blessed with world-class facilities, but the people are what make Nebraska special. Our goal is to continue building a program that our fans can embrace and have pride in because it represents the values of Nebraska.”

Under Hoiberg’s guidance, Nebraska returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2024 for the first time since 2014. The program has yet to claim victory in the national tournament, falling in the opening round during all eight of their tournament appearances throughout history.

With ESPN’s current bracket projections placing them as a No. 3 seed in this year’s tournament field, the Cornhuskers are expected to have their best opportunity to break through for their first NCAA Tournament victory.

Before arriving at Nebraska, Hoiberg competed as a player at Iowa State from 1991-95 and spent a decade in the NBA from 1995-2005. His coaching career included leading his former school, Iowa State, from 2010-15, followed by a stint with the Chicago Bulls from 2015-18. During his time with the Cyclones, he guided the team to four consecutive NCAA Tournament berths, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2014. His NBA coaching experience with Chicago resulted in a 115-155 record and one playoff appearance across three complete seasons.

Multiple media sources confirmed Monday that the Chicago Bears have reached an agreement with linebacker D’Marco Jackson on a new two-year contract valued at $7.5 million.

The agreement, set to become official when the new league year begins Wednesday, includes performance incentives that could increase the total value to $10.5 million.

During his inaugural campaign with Chicago in 2025, the 27-year-old Jackson took the field for 16 games, making four starts while recording 43 tackles, one sack, one interception, and recovering one fumble.

Originally selected by New Orleans in the fifth round of the 2022 draft, Jackson has accumulated 69 tackles and two fumble recoveries across 43 career games with four starts, splitting time between the Saints from 2023-24 and the Bears.

Multiple media outlets reported Monday that the Indianapolis Colts have locked up wide receiver Alec Pierce with a massive four-year contract extension worth $116 million.

According to NFL Network, the lucrative deal features $84 million in guaranteed money, with $60 million fully secured upon signing.

Pierce, who will celebrate his 26th birthday in May, enjoyed a career-best campaign during his final rookie contract season in Indianapolis. The receiver topped the team’s stats with 1,003 receiving yards on 47 receptions, adding six touchdown catches while playing alongside quarterback Daniel Jones.

Indianapolis used their transition tag on Jones last week following his December Achilles injury. This move ensures Jones will play under a one-year, $37.8 million deal unless the organization and player negotiate a longer agreement or the Colts decline to match competing offers from other franchises.

Since Indianapolis selected him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft from the University of Cincinnati, Pierce has accumulated 157 receptions for 2,934 yards and 17 touchdowns across 64 games, starting 55 contests during his four-year career.

Multiple sources confirmed Monday that the New England Patriots have decided to part ways with linebacker Jahlani Tavai as free agency approaches.

The 29-year-old defender still had one season remaining on his three-year, $16 million extension that he inked before the 2024 campaign. Tavai has been with the Patriots for five seasons, earning starting positions in 51 out of 76 total appearances during his time in New England.

This past season marked a significant decline in Tavai’s playing time, as he appeared in only 12 contests with seven starts, a sharp drop from his 16 starts in each of the two previous years. His statistical production also fell dramatically, recording 42 tackles compared to over 110 in each of the past two seasons, along with four tackles behind the line of scrimmage and one forced fumble.

During New England’s playoff run, Tavai contributed in two of the team’s four postseason contests, tallying eight tackles.

Originally selected by Detroit in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Tavai spent his first two professional seasons with the Lions before joining the Patriots. Throughout his career spanning 107 games with 67 starts, he has registered 466 total tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four interceptions, 14 defended passes, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

The Miami Heat will receive a second-round draft selection from the Charlotte Hornets as additional compensation stemming from their Terry Rozier trade dispute two years ago.

Charlotte will transfer the better of either Golden State’s or Denver’s second-round picks to Miami. League general managers learned of this arrangement on Monday, which resolves disagreements about Rozier’s trade circumstances and his current federal gambling case.

Rozier remains under contract with Miami for this final season but hasn’t played since the team’s season opener in Orlando last October. Federal authorities arrested him the following day on charges of providing non-public information about his playing availability to assist gamblers.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver described Rozier’s situation in December as “an unprecedented situation” while noting the player occupies $26.6 million in Heat salary cap space this season. Silver stated the league was working “to try to work something through, work this out with them.”

Silver’s objective was achieving “satisfactory relief,” which ultimately resulted in the second-round pick settlement. Both organizations declined to provide immediate statements.

Miami obtained Rozier from Charlotte on January 23, 2024, trading Kyle Lowry and a 2027 first-round selection that Miami must still deliver. The NBA had previously identified suspicious prop betting patterns around Rozier’s performance during a March 2023 Charlotte game against New Orleans, with sportsbooks flagging the activity that same afternoon. However, the league’s investigation at that time found no grounds to prevent him from participating.

During that March 23, 2023 contest, Rozier started for Charlotte and performed adequately in his 9½ minutes, recording five points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. This marked just one of two occasions in his career achieving those statistical benchmarks in an opening quarter.

Rozier left that game citing foot discomfort and never returned. Bettors who wagered against his prop bet lines won their wagers.

Charlotte has not disclosed whether they knew about any federal investigations into Rozier’s actions during that period.

Miami was not informed about the federal investigation details when completing the trade. The Heat likely would not have proceeded with the transaction if they had known about potential criminal charges.

Throughout his career with Boston, Charlotte, and Miami, Rozier has maintained a 13.9 points per game average. He participated in 95 games wearing a Heat uniform.

A source close to contract negotiations revealed Monday that Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce is on the verge of signing an agreement to return for his 14th NFL campaign.

The individual, who requested anonymity since the contract remains unsigned, confirmed discussions between the team and the veteran tight end are progressing toward completion.

The 36-year-old veteran had previously indicated he would reach a retirement decision by early March, providing Kansas City management clarity as they work to reconstruct their lineup. Monday marked the opening of free agency negotiations, with the official league year starting Wednesday when trades and signings become official.

Kansas City is simultaneously preparing for next month’s draft. Following last week’s trade that sent cornerback Trent McDuffie to Los Angeles, the team now holds two first-round selections: their original ninth overall pick and the 29th selection acquired from the Rams.

“I think we’ve kind of taken a different approach with Travis in the sense that we’ve prepared for either scenario,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach explained during last month’s scouting combine. “Coach (Andy Reid) had mentioned on Friday he’s had great dialogue with Travis. On our end, myself, (assistant general manager) Chris Shea and Travis’ crew, we’ve had some good dialogue there.

“Travis is the best, he’s an icon and hopefully he comes back and we’ll just let that process play out.”

Beyond football, Kelce maintains numerous pursuits, including co-hosting the “New Heights” podcast alongside his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, plus various entertainment projects. His engagement to pop superstar Taylor Swift has also garnered significant attention, with their wedding anticipated in the near future.

Despite these outside interests, Kelce has consistently emphasized football’s continued importance in his personal life.

Retirement considerations first surfaced two seasons ago, but he returned last year largely motivated by not wanting his career to conclude with a disappointing Super Bowl defeat to Philadelphia. Similar feelings likely influenced his decision to continue after Kansas City’s recent 6-11 campaign — their poorest record since 2012.

Another significant factor is his desire to play alongside quarterback Patrick Mahomes for at least one more season.

Mahomes, one of Kelce’s closest friends, missed the final three games after suffering an ACL tear during a loss to the Chargers that ended Kansas City’s playoff hopes. The two-time MVP underwent surgery immediately afterward and publicly committed to being ready for the season opener.

Last season saw Kelce return in excellent physical condition. Though his 76 receptions marked his lowest total since 2015, he still accumulated 851 receiving yards and five touchdowns — statistics that placed him among the league’s top tight ends.

Kelce, who turns 37 in October, has compiled 1,080 career catches for 13,002 yards and 82 touchdowns across 192 regular-season contests, ranking fourth all-time among tight ends in receptions and third in receiving yards. His postseason resume includes 178 catches for 2,078 yards and 20 touchdowns, contributing to five AFC championships and three Super Bowl victories.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City has reached an agreement with Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker on a three-year contract valued at up to $45 million, bringing the former Seattle Seahawks running back to the Chiefs, according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on Monday.

The contract features $28.7 million in guaranteed money and carries a base value of $43.05 million, according to the source, who requested anonymity since deals cannot be finalized until the new league year officially starts on Wednesday.

This signing addresses what may be Kansas City’s most pressing roster concern as the franchise attempts to recover from a disappointing 6-11 campaign. With top rushers Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco both entering free agency, the Chiefs had only sophomore player Brashard Smith remaining under contract at the position.

The Walker acquisition comes as Kansas City moves closer to securing four-time All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce for his 14th season, according to another source familiar with those discussions who also spoke anonymously to the AP due to the preliminary nature of the agreement.

Selected in the second round of the 2022 draft, Walker accumulated 3,555 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns during his four seasons in Seattle. This past regular season, he posted 1,027 yards and five touchdowns, but elevated his performance in the postseason with 116 yards and three scores against San Francisco, another touchdown versus Los Angeles, and 135 yards in Kansas City’s 29-13 Super Bowl victory over New England.

Walker becomes only the fourth Super Bowl MVP to switch teams the season after winning the award, joining Larry Brown (Cowboys to Raiders), Desmond Howard (Packers to Raiders), and Dexter Jackson (Buccaneers to Cardinals).

Kansas City has historically relied on a combination of late-round draft selections and budget-friendly free agents at running back. However, the team desperately needed upgrades after finishing 25th in the league in rushing offense, averaging just 106.6 yards per game on the ground.

Hunt led the team with 661 rushing yards while Pacheco contributed 462 yards. Remarkably, quarterback Patrick Mahomes ranked as the team’s third-leading rusher with 422 yards and five touchdowns before missing the season’s final three games due to a torn knee ligament.

Kansas City had been connected to Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love in the upcoming NFL draft, but his impressive showing at the scouting combine may have elevated his draft stock beyond the Chiefs’ reach when they select ninth overall.

The franchise also holds the 29th pick in the first round as part of the trade that sent cornerback Trent McDuffie to Los Angeles. With Walker now in the fold, Kansas City gains greater draft flexibility to address other areas of need, including pass rush, interior defensive line depth, offensive line reinforcements, and wide receiver.

American soccer defender James Sands faces an uncertain path to the World Cup after undergoing ankle surgery following an injury that cut short his professional season in Germany.

The 25-year-old New York native went under the knife Friday in Munich, where his club team FC St. Pauli confirmed the procedure on his left ankle. Team officials have not provided any timeline for when Sands might return to competitive play.

Sands sustained the injury during last Sunday’s match when he was fouled during play against Eintracht Frankfurt. Medical scans conducted over several days following the incident revealed the severity of the ankle damage that required surgical intervention.

The defender has earned 14 caps with the national team since 2021, most recently taking the field as a starter during October’s exhibition victory over Australia.

Team USA is set to begin World Cup competition on June 12 when they face Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

A Charlotte, North Carolina man became the first defendant to admit guilt in a massive college basketball gambling conspiracy that federal prosecutors say generated millions through rigged games.

Jalen Smith entered guilty pleas to wire fraud and bribery charges during a federal court hearing in Philadelphia on Monday. He is the first among 26 defendants charged in the widespread betting operation to formally accept responsibility. The plea comes just days before March Madness kicks off, when billions will be wagered both legally and illegally on the 64-team tournament.

According to federal prosecutors, Smith leveraged his background training local basketball players for professional tryouts to build relationships that he later exploited as part of the gambling conspiracy.

Federal authorities unveiled charges against Smith and 25 co-defendants in January. The case encompasses not only the organizers who enlisted players and placed wagers, but also 17 former college athletes and four players who were still competing for their university teams this season.

Prosecutors revealed that over a dozen players attempted to manipulate game outcomes as recently as last season, with some actively recruiting additional participants into the scheme.

The scandal represents the most recent gambling controversy to emerge since the Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling triggered explosive growth in legal sports betting nationwide.

Federal authorities say Smith participated in game-fixing activities during both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, placing wagers while recruiting players with promises of substantial payments in return for deliberately poor performance.

The conspirators would then wager against those players’ teams during the manipulated contests, defrauding both sportsbooks and other bettors, according to investigators.

Prosecutors detailed how Smith frequently made personal trips to deliver cash payments directly to players. In one instance, authorities say he traveled to Louisiana to arrange the delivery of approximately $32,000 in cash to two players now facing charges in the case.

Smith also entered a guilty plea to a separate firearms violation following an FBI search of his North Carolina bedroom last May, where agents discovered a loaded gun hidden in a laundry hamper beneath clothing.

Due to a 2018 drug conviction, Smith was legally prohibited from possessing firearms. According to the plea agreement, he told agents he purchased the weapon from someone outside a Charlotte sneaker store, though investigators later determined it had been reported stolen.

The point-shaving operation initially began with two Chinese Basketball Association games in 2023, according to the federal indictment. After achieving success there, organizers brought Smith and two other recruiters into the conspiracy before expanding into NCAA games. Their final fixed game occurred in January 2025.

The scheme eventually encompassed more than 39 players across over 17 different NCAA Division I men’s basketball programs, who manipulated or attempted to manipulate more than 29 contests, prosecutors stated.

The conspirators wagered millions of dollars while generating substantial profits for themselves and paying hundreds of thousands in bribes to participating players. Individual player payments typically fell between $10,000 and $30,000 per game, authorities said.

Federal prosecutors identified more than 40 universities where games were allegedly targeted, including Tulane University and DePaul University.

The manipulated contests spanned major conferences and postseason play, including first-round Horizon League championship and second-round Southland Conference championship games, according to prosecutors.

Players often enlisted teammates to participate by performing poorly, sitting out plays, or preventing non-participating players from scoring opportunities. However, some attempted fixes failed, resulting in losses for the betting conspirators, prosecutors noted.

The debut Fanatics Flag Football Classic featuring Tom Brady has relocated from its original Middle East venue to California, organizers announced. The March 21 competition will now take place at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles rather than the previously planned Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.

Event organizers cited ongoing conflicts in Iran and current travel warnings as reasons for the international venue change. The new Los Angeles location holds special significance as BMO Stadium is set to host flag football when the sport joins the Olympic program during the 2028 Summer Games.

The retired quarterback Brady, who captured seven Super Bowl championships, will make his first official comeback to competitive play since stepping away from the NFL in 2023. He’ll team up with Jalen Hurts as co-captains of the Founders FFC team, with Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton leading their sideline.

Their opponents, the Wildcats FFC, will be captained by rookie sensation Jayden Daniels alongside Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, with San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan calling the plays.

Both captains will select 12-player rosters from a star-studded pool that features running back Saquon Barkley, defensive end Myles Garrett, receiver Odell Beckham Jr., tight end Rob Gronkowski, and social media personality Logan Paul. Hall of Fame quarterbacks Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald will oversee the competition as commissioners.

A third squad consisting entirely of USA Football athletes will also participate, giving fans a unique opportunity to watch elite flag football specialists compete against professional tackle football players. Team USA will be led by co-captains Aamir Brown and Darrell “Housh” Doucette, with Jorge Cascudo serving as head coach.

Competition will follow adapted Olympic flag football regulations on a compact 50-by-25 yard field. Each game consists of two 15-minute periods with continuous clock operation. The three teams will compete in round-robin format, with the top two advancing to a championship finale.

Fanatics Studios will produce the event for broadcast on FOX Sports, FOX One, and streaming platform Tubi.

“This event features our world champion flag football athletes on the same field as some of the top current and former pro tackle stars, and I know our players are up for the challenge,” USA Football CEO and executive director Scott Hallenbeck stated.

The Seattle Seahawks’ success in building championship rosters through strategic drafting and free agency signings led them to a Super Bowl LX victory this past February. But a newly approved tax policy in Washington state may create significant challenges for future player acquisitions.

Washington state senators voted 27-21 on Wednesday to approve legislation implementing a 9.9% tax on annual income above $1 million. Governor Bob Ferguson, who has publicly backed the proposal, is expected to sign the measure into law. The tax obligation will begin in 2029.

While the legislation is projected to impact only half a percent of Washington residents, professional athletes represent a substantial portion of those affected earners.

Seahawks General Manager John Schneider expressed concerns about the tax’s impact during a KIRO-AM radio interview. “It’s gonna sting. There’s no question about it,” Schneider stated. “All the pro teams here in town, (not having a state income tax has) always been a huge attraction, especially competing with the California teams. It’s been a big deal for us. So, yeah, it’s going to sting from a recruiting standpoint.”

The timing creates particular challenges since the NFL’s 2026 minimum salary for players with at least one year of experience is scheduled at $1.005 million, placing virtually every potential recruit above the tax threshold. During this offseason, Seattle has signed three outside free agents to single-year contracts while losing notable players including Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III.

With this legislation, Washington becomes the seventh jurisdiction to implement a version of high-earner taxation, joining California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and the District of Columbia.

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews will be out for the remainder of the hockey season after suffering a serious knee injury, the team announced Friday.

The 28-year-old star forward suffered a Grade 3 tear to his medial collateral ligament in his left knee, along with a bruised quadriceps muscle, according to team officials.

The injury occurred during the second period of Toronto’s matchup with the Anaheim Ducks when Matthews received a knee-on-knee collision from Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas. Matthews went down in obvious pain and required assistance from team medical staff.

Officials penalized Gudas with a five-minute major penalty and ejected him from the game for the hit.

Team medical staff will reassess Matthews in two weeks, with the organization planning to provide additional updates on the former Hart Memorial Trophy recipient at that time.

Despite the injury, Matthews managed to score a goal in Toronto’s 6-4 victory over Anaheim. His season concludes with 53 points, including 27 goals and 26 assists, across 60 games played.

Throughout his decade-long career with the Maple Leafs, Matthews has accumulated 428 goals and 780 points over 689 regular-season contests. The former Calder Trophy winner as rookie of the year has earned seven All-Star Game selections, participating in five events and capturing MVP honors in 2024. Previous injuries forced him to withdraw from the 2020 All-Star Game due to a wrist problem and the 2023 event because of knee issues.

Multiple sources confirm that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will ink a one-year agreement with the Atlanta Falcons following his expected release from the Miami Dolphins when the new NFL league year opens Wednesday.

Atlanta plans to part ways with veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins before the new season begins, creating a quarterback room featuring two southpaw passers alongside Michael Penix Jr. With Penix still working back from a knee injury, the Week 1 starting role remains uncertain.

Penix, who was selected eighth overall in the 2024 draft and is now in his third campaign, tore his left ACL during Week 11 action. However, he has expressed confidence to media members that he’ll be cleared for the season kickoff.

After Penix’s injury, Cousins stepped in and led the Falcons to four consecutive victories, finishing 8-9 overall. Despite the late surge, Atlanta extended their playoff drought to eight years.

When Tagovailoa’s contract becomes finalized, he’ll be playing for a franchise with fresh leadership. Former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan now serves as president of football operations, overseeing both the head coach and general manager positions filled by Kevin Stefanski and Ian Cunningham respectively. The organization dismissed previous head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot following the 2025 campaign.

Miami’s decision to release Tagovailoa creates an unprecedented $99.2 million dead money hit against their salary cap. The move includes a post-June 1 designation for accounting benefits, allowing the dead money to be divided across two seasons. The Dolphins will absorb a $67.4 million cap penalty in 2026, with the remaining $31.8 million carrying over to 2027.

Miami selected Tagovailoa fifth overall in 2020, envisioning him as their franchise quarterback solution. He was the draft’s second quarterback chosen after Cincinnati’s selection of Joe Burrow at number one, and came off the board before Justin Herbert, who went to Los Angeles at sixth overall.

Tagovailoa earned Pro Bowl recognition in 2023 after guiding Miami to an 11-6 season and leading the NFL with 4,624 passing yards.

That campaign represented the sole season where he appeared in every contest, as his career has been marred by numerous concussions and additional injuries, including hip problems.

Despite these concerns, Miami committed to Tagovailoa with a four-year, $212.4 million extension in July 2024 that was scheduled to run through 2028.

His standing deteriorated during the previous season, with former head coach Mike McDaniel benching him for rookie Quinn Ewers in the final three games. Over his first 14 appearances, Tagovailoa posted a 6-8 record while throwing a career-worst 15 interceptions compared to 20 touchdown passes.

Washington Commanders have secured defensive end Odafe Oweh with a massive four-year contract worth $100 million, ESPN reports confirmed Monday.

The deal includes $68 million in guaranteed compensation for the 27-year-old pass rusher.

Over his last two NFL seasons, Oweh has tallied 17.5 quarterback sacks, with his best single-season performance coming in 2024 when he recorded 10 sacks while playing for Baltimore.

His 2024 campaign started slowly, failing to register any sacks through the season’s first five contests, leading Baltimore to ship him to Los Angeles via trade. Playing 12 regular season games with the Chargers, Oweh managed 7.5 sacks and contributed three more sacks plus two forced fumbles during a postseason defeat against New England.

Throughout his five-year professional career spanning 79 games with 27 starts, Oweh has accumulated 30.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and 176 total tackles.

Baltimore selected the Penn State product with the 31st overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Washington has also secured cornerback Amik Robertson on a two-year contract valued at $16 million, with $9.3 million guaranteed according to NFL Network sources.

The 27-year-old defensive back recorded a personal-best 52 tackles during his most recent season with Detroit, while also contributing one interception and two forced fumbles in his second campaign with the Lions.

Before joining Detroit, Robertson played four seasons with Las Vegas. His career statistics include 213 tackles, seven forced fumbles, and five interceptions across 86 games with 35 starts over six professional seasons.

Additionally, Washington reportedly finalized a two-year extension worth $60.2 million with returning left tackle Laremy Tunsil, featuring a $32.5 million signing bonus. This contract makes Tunsil the first NFL offensive lineman to earn an average annual salary exceeding $30 million.

A flag football competition spearheaded by Tom Brady and Fanatics has been relocated from the Middle East to California due to regional conflicts, organizers announced Monday.

The sporting event will proceed as scheduled on March 21, but will now take place at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles instead of its originally planned venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Los Angeles stadium will serve as the host site for Olympic flag football during the 2028 Games.

The competition format will feature three squads of 12 players each. Team USA’s current world championship flag football roster will compete alongside two additional teams made up of current and former NFL players plus other athletes.

Brady will lead one squad alongside Jalen Hurts, with Sean Payton serving as head coach. A second team will be captained by Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels under Kyle Shanahan’s coaching. Robert Saleh will work with both teams as a defensive coordinator.

The third squad will be led by captains Aamir Brown and Darrell “Housh” Doucette, with Jorge Cascudo coaching the team.

Fox Sports will continue broadcasting the competition, with comedian Kevin Hart serving as the event’s host.

Brady’s Shadow Lion studio is producing the event. A roster of 24 current and former NFL players and other athletes will be available for Wednesday’s draft, including notable names like Saquon Barkley, CeeDee Lamb, Christian McCaffrey, Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, Tyreek Hill, Odell Beckham Jr., and retired tight end Rob Gronkowski.

“With LA28 on the horizon, events like the Fanatics Flag Football Classic are exactly where Team USA Football belongs,” USA Football CEO and executive director Scott Hallenbeck said in a statement. “We’re ready to showcase world-class Olympic-style 5-on-5 flag football. This event features our world champion flag football athletes on the same field as some of the top current and former pro tackle stars, and I know our players are up for the challenge. We’re grateful to Fanatics Studios for making this possible and for supporting one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.”

The competition was initially set to occur at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, but organizers made the decision to relocate following recent military strikes by the United States and Israel targeting Iran, which have intensified regional instability in the Middle East.

Center Tyler Linderbaum is taking his talents to Las Vegas after contract talks with the Baltimore Ravens collapsed, leading to a massive payday with the Raiders.

Multiple sources confirm that Linderbaum has committed to a three-year deal worth up to $81 million, announced Monday as unrestricted free agents became eligible to negotiate with new teams. While Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta had presented what he called a “market setting” proposal to Linderbaum back in February, the parties were unable to reach a final agreement.

At 25 years old, Linderbaum represents the initial addition in what’s expected to be a complete overhaul of Las Vegas’ offensive line unit.

During his four-year tenure in Baltimore, Linderbaum earned Pro Bowl honors in three seasons. The Ravens had the opportunity to secure Linderbaum’s services for 2026 by activating the fifth-year option available for former first-round selections. However, DeCosta chose not to exercise the $23.4 million option, expressing confidence that a long-term deal would be reached.

Las Vegas struggled with injuries along their interior offensive line last season, forcing them to rotate multiple players and position combinations throughout the year.

The Raiders were anticipated to make significant moves during free agency following their agreement to send pass rusher Maxx Crosby to Baltimore in a trade.

The team also secured cornerback Eric Stokes with a three-year, $30 million extension on Monday, according to published reports.

This deal prevents the former Green Bay first-round selection from entering free agency and guarantees him $20 million.

The 27-year-old Stokes appeared in 16 games as a starter during his inaugural Raiders campaign, recording 53 tackles and five pass breakups in 2025.

Stokes emerged as one of the few positives for Las Vegas during their disappointing 3-14 campaign, holding opposing quarterbacks to just a 54.5% completion percentage and an 85.3 passer rating when targeted.

MESA, Ariz. — The Oakland Athletics delivered a spectacular display of power hitting during their spring training clash with San Diego on Friday, as three batters launched consecutive home runs off Padres pitcher Michael King.

The remarkable sequence began in the fourth inning when Henry Bolte connected on a 0-1 offering from King, sending a three-run blast 401 feet into right field. Breyson Guedez stepped up next and crushed King’s first pitch even deeper, launching a mammoth 450-foot shot to right. King’s very next delivery found Nick Kurtz, who managed to clear the left-field fence to complete the unprecedented trio of consecutive long balls.

Despite the fireworks from Oakland’s offense, San Diego managed to secure a 13-9 victory in the exhibition contest.

Kurtz enters spring training looking to continue his exceptional momentum from 2025, when he captured American League Rookie of the Year recognition. His impressive debut campaign featured a .290 batting average, .383 on-base percentage, 36 home runs and 86 RBIs across 117 games.

After more than a decade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, star wide receiver Mike Evans is moving on to a new chapter with the San Francisco 49ers.

Multiple sources reported Monday that the 32-year-old veteran has agreed to a three-year deal with San Francisco, ending his dozen seasons in Tampa Bay colors.

The Glazer family, who own the Buccaneers, released a statement acknowledging the departure of their longtime star player.

“Saying goodbye to a legend such as Mike Evans is never easy, but today we are filled with appreciation and gratitude for all that he did during his extraordinary 12-year career as a Buccaneer,” the ownership group stated. “Our goal was always to ensure that Mike would play his entire career as a Buccaneer, but as we got further in the process it became clear he was looking for a new challenge.”

According to both Tampa Bay officials and Evans’ representative Deryk Gilmore, the veteran receiver’s quest for fresh opportunities drove his decision to leave, though the move won’t become official until Wednesday when the 2026 league year begins.

Gilmore emphasized in his statement to ESPN that financial considerations didn’t influence Evans’ choice to depart Tampa Bay.

“The Buccaneers made it clear they would have loved for Mike to finish his career in Tampa and potentially become just the fourth player in franchise history to spend his entire career as a Buccaneer and ultimately walk into Canton representing the organization,” Gilmore explained.

“Mike Evans’ decision to leave Tampa was never about money. The Buccaneers were extremely aggressive in their pursuit and presented a very strong offer, demonstrating how much they value him and everything he has meant to the franchise. In the end, this decision simply came down to Mike wanting a new challenge and a fresh opportunity while he still feels he has a great deal left to give the game.”

Tampa Bay chose Evans with the seventh pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. The receiver became instrumental in the franchise’s Super Bowl victory following the 2020 campaign alongside quarterback Tom Brady.

“Tampa Bay will always be a special place for Mike Evans, and his respect and gratitude for the organization and its fans will never change,” Gilmore’s statement continued.

The former Texas A&M standout achieved remarkable consistency throughout his career, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards in each of his initial 11 campaigns to establish an NFL milestone. However, injuries limited him to just eight games last season, where he managed 30 receptions for 368 yards and three scores. A hamstring problem sidelined him for three contests, while a fractured collarbone cost him six additional games, though he returned for the final month of the season.

Evans recently finished a two-year contract worth an average of $20.5 million annually.

Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht reflected on selecting Evans as his inaugural draft choice in 2014.

“My first draft pick as general manager in 2014 was a 20-year-old Mike Evans,” Licht said. “From the moment he walked in the door, Mike made an immediate and lasting impact on our franchise. Over the years, we watched him grow, thrive and develop into a franchise icon whose legacy will carry on well past his playing days. He has always meant a great deal to me professionally and personally, so it’s difficult to see him go elsewhere.”

Throughout 176 career contests (175 as a starter), Evans accumulated 866 catches for 13,052 yards and 108 touchdowns. He holds Tampa Bay’s all-time records in each statistical category, plus overall scoring with 662 points.

The Glazer family praised Evans’ contributions beyond football statistics.

“He leaves as the most accomplished offensive player in franchise history — a six-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion — but it was his dedication to making a difference off the field that will define his lasting legacy in our community,” the ownership statement read.

Head Coach Todd Bowles, who worked with Evans during his final four seasons in Tampa Bay, offered his farewell thoughts.

“Mike Evans was a true competitor who always found a way to rise to the occasion for us. It’s hard to see him leave, but I respect his decision,” Bowles commented. “More than anything, I want to thank him for all the work he poured into making himself an elite player and the leadership he displayed during his outstanding 12-year run here. He provided all of us with special moments on and off the field that we won’t soon forget. I wish him well as he continues his Hall of Fame career.”

The NBA has blocked the Atlanta Hawks from moving forward with their controversial tribute night honoring Magic City, a well-known Atlanta strip club, after facing pushback from multiple sources within the league.

The Hawks revealed their promotional plans last month, describing their intention to honor what they called a significant “iconic cultural institution” through special menu items – including the venue’s signature lemon pepper wings that bear the name of former Hawks player Lou Williams – along with themed music and special merchandise.

The promotional event drew divided reactions from the public, with supporters and critics voicing strong opinions on both sides. San Antonio Spurs player Luke Kornet publicly criticized the strip club promotion and called on those involved to abandon the plan.

League officials apparently received similar feedback from numerous other sources.

“When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks’ scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “While we appreciate the team’s perspective and their desire to move forward, we have heard significant concerns from a broad array of league stakeholders, including fans, partners and employees.

“I believe canceling this promotion is the right decision for the broader NBA community.”

Hawks representatives did not immediately respond with a statement. The themed event had been planned for Monday’s matchup against the Orlando Magic.

The team has established connections to the entertainment venue. Team principal owner Jami Gertz served as a producer on a documentary series examining the club’s background, its significance within Black and hip-hop communities, and its role in Atlanta’s identity.

“This collaboration and theme night is very meaningful to me after all the work that we did to put together ‘Magic City: An American Fantasy,’” Gertz, who works as both a filmmaker and actor, said when announcing the original promotion. “The iconic Atlanta institution has made such an incredible impact on our city and its unique culture.”

The Hawks had also planned to record a Magic City-themed podcast with fans who arrived early to the game.

Miami will shoulder a historic financial burden after parting ways with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, creating the largest dead money penalty in NFL history.

On Monday, the Dolphins revealed their decision to release Tagovailoa, creating a staggering $99.2 million dead cap hit that surpasses the previous record of $85 million when Denver released Russell Wilson two seasons ago. This comes barely two years after Miami committed $212 million to the quarterback through a contract extension.

Miami can divide this financial penalty between the 2026 and 2027 seasons by designating Tagovailoa as a post-June 1 cut, though the money must still count against their salary cap regardless of timing.

Dead money represents salary cap charges for players no longer with the team, typically stemming from signing bonuses already paid but spread across multiple years to reduce annual cap impacts. Teams may distribute these bonuses over five years with equal yearly charges, but releasing or trading a player accelerates all remaining bonus money to the current cap.

Beyond the bonus acceleration, Miami owes Tagovailoa $54 million in guaranteed 2026 salary, contributing to the massive dead money total. Meanwhile, a source familiar with the situation confirmed to The Associated Press that Tagovailoa has reached agreement with Atlanta on a one-year contract worth slightly more than the veteran minimum of $1 million. The deal cannot be official until Wednesday when the new league year begins.

The veteran minimum salary Tagovailoa receives from Atlanta will eventually offset some of Miami’s cap burden through league accounting rules.

Rising salary caps have made NFL franchises more comfortable absorbing large dead money hits in recent years, as the financial penalties become less restrictive relative to overall spending limits.

Tagovailoa provided minimal return on Miami’s substantial investment following his 2024 extension. Rather than extending him, the Dolphins could have kept him on his fifth-year rookie option worth $23.2 million in 2024 and applied a franchise tag of approximately $38 million for 2025.

Instead, Miami will pay nearly $125 million for one additional season where Tagovailoa started 14 games, completed 2,660 passing yards and 20 touchdowns while the team finished 7-10 and dismissed both general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel.

Denver’s situation with Wilson provides a similar cautionary tale. The Broncos surrendered two first-round and two second-round draft picks to acquire Wilson from Seattle in 2022, then immediately signed him to a five-year, $245 million extension despite having two contract years remaining. Wilson never reached his new deal, getting released after two disappointing seasons in Denver where he earned approximately $124 million before signing with Pittsburgh for minimum wage in 2024. Wilson’s dead money counted $53 million against Denver’s 2024 cap and $32 million in 2025, though the Broncos still secured the AFC’s top seed and reached the conference championship game.

Arizona created another major dead money situation last week by informing Kyler Murray of his release despite significant cap consequences. The 2019 first overall pick signed a five-year, $230.5 million extension in 2022 with $36.8 million guaranteed for 2026, plus additional bonus money, creating a $54.7 million dead cap charge for the Cardinals.

Atlanta previously experienced massive dead money when trading Matt Ryan to Indianapolis in 2022 after their relationship deteriorated during the team’s pursuit of Deshaun Watson. Ryan’s five-year, $150 million extension from 2018 had money repeatedly pushed into future years, forcing Atlanta to absorb all remaining charges in 2022 when they moved him.

The New York Giants recently joined this costly trend after rewarding Daniel Jones with a four-year, $160 million contract following their 2022 playoff run, while also franchise-tagging running back Saquon Barkley. Both players departed within two years, with Barkley joining division rival Philadelphia and helping the Eagles win a Super Bowl, while Jones was released mid-season. Jones had earned $36 million in 2024 when cut, with an additional $11.1 million in dead money that year and $22.2 million the following season.

HOUSTON (AP) — Detroit Tigers star pitcher Tarik Skubal spent two sleepless nights wrestling with a difficult choice about his future with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

The two-time American League Cy Young Award winner ultimately chose to step away from additional pitching duties for the United States squad.

“My spring training start days were scripted out in January with the original plan being starting and then being done,” Skubal said. “And obviously when I got here my emotions kind of changed a little bit, my thought process changed a little bit and tried to make it work but just couldn’t. And I hate it, but it’s all right.”

The decision came after discussions with Detroit’s organization and manager A.J. Hinch, his representative Scott Boras, and fellow players both in Houston and at the Tigers’ Florida spring training facility.

“The resounding message was to kind of be done but still be around the team as much as I can,” Skubal said.

With free agency looming after this season and a potential contract worth over $100 million on the horizon, Skubal acknowledged the financial stakes influenced his choice. He admitted his decision would have “probably” been different without those contract considerations.

In Saturday night’s 9-1 triumph over Britain, Skubal surrendered a home run to Nate Eaton on his opening pitch but dominated afterward, allowing only one hit while recording five strikeouts across three innings.

Team USA manager Mark DeRosa expressed complete understanding and backing for Skubal’s choice.

“I know what’s at stake for him,” DeRosa said. “I’m over the moon he decided to show in the first place for us — I really am — and take the ball for us. I think it meant a lot to a lot of guys in that room. We know where his heart is. If he was in a different situation, he wouldn’t be leaving.”

Previously, Skubal had indicated he planned to make just one WBC appearance regardless of Team USA’s tournament progress, wanting to stick with his regular spring preparation routine for Detroit’s season opener.

However, he was caught off guard by the intense emotions he felt while pitching for his nation, which led him to reconsider his original plan.

“I totally misread how I would feel,” he said. “And I feel like I’m genuinely a guy that kind of understands emotions, I pitch with a lot of them, but, yeah, I missed it there, and that’s what made this decision tough.”

Despite stepping back from pitching duties, Skubal plans to travel from the Tigers’ Lakeland, Florida training facility to Miami to support his teammates should the United States reach the tournament’s final rounds.

When questioned about whether he felt comfortable with his decision, Skubal was candid.

“No, no, I’m still not,” he said. “I think the only way I’ll be at peace with it is in Miami celebrating after we win the whole (expletive) thing.”

Looking ahead, Skubal expressed enthusiasm about potentially representing the United States in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if major league players receive approval to compete, and he’s already committed to participating in the next World Baseball Classic.

“I love America,” he said. “I love our country. I love everything that this tournament is about.”

College basketball programs are receiving advisories from the NCAA regarding possible transportation complications as the men’s and women’s tournaments approach. Charter aircraft shortages, ongoing government shutdown effects, and international conflicts in the Middle East may create challenges for the 68-team brackets in both competitions. This situation isn’t unprecedented for tournament organizers. Bernadette McGlade, who serves as Atlantic 10 commissioner and previously directed the women’s tournament, recalls encountering similar logistical challenges in past years. Despite potential complications, the NCAA maintains its standard operational approach. McGlade emphasizes that tournament participation benefits significantly exceed any transportation difficulties that may arise.

Jordan Spieth delivered another unpredictable performance at The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The golfer recorded five consecutive birdies to remain competitive while sinking lengthy putts from off the putting surface. However, his round also included striking three trees and needing spectator assistance to locate his ball on multiple occasions. His day concluded with another double bogey at TPC Sawgrass, marking the second consecutive day with that score. Spieth finished with a 68 after making six birdies across a seven-hole span. “I feel my game is close and it showed,” Spieth commented, “but there’s always one bad hole.”

Anaheim Ducks defender Radko Gudas could receive up to a five-game ban for his knee-to-knee contact that injured Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. The 35-year-old player will participate in a Friday hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. Since the hearing will be conducted via conference call rather than video, league rules limit any potential suspension to five games maximum. Gudas received a five-minute major penalty and game ejection during Thursday night’s contest. Matthews required assistance leaving the ice and remained out for the game’s remainder.

Athletes at this month’s Milan Cortina Paralympics competed in summer clothing including shorts, T-shirts, and tank tops due to unusually warm conditions. One competitor described the environment as “tropical,” while a snowboarder expressed frustration with soft, sluggish snow that he believed created competitive disadvantages. Safety concerns have also emerged among participants. These conditions have prompted discussions similar to those within the International Olympic Committee about scheduling these events earlier in the year when colder temperatures are more dependable. The International Paralympic Committee acknowledges that date changes present more complexity than initially apparent but may become necessary to guarantee optimal competitive conditions.

Aday Mara contributed 17 points, with 13 coming after halftime, as third-ranked Michigan defeated Ohio State 71-67 in Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal action in Chicago. Elliot Cadeau added 15 points along with seven assists and three steals for the Wolverines, who extended their winning streak to five games. Trey McKenney contributed 12 points while Morez Johnson Jr. added 11 for Michigan. Mara led a defensive performance that contained Ohio State during the closing minutes. The top-seeded Wolverines played their tournament opener while the Buckeyes had advanced with Thursday’s 72-69 win over Iowa.

Louisiana Tech’s football program appears on both Sun Belt and Conference USA scheduling lists as the Bulldogs’ disputed conference transition continues. Tech announced its Sun Belt intentions last July with a stated deadline of July 1, 2027, though the university clearly preferred moving for the 2026-27 academic year. Negotiations between Louisiana Tech and Conference USA regarding financial compensation for the departure have stalled. The University of Louisiana System, which oversees Louisiana Tech, filed legal action last week requesting judicial intervention to compel Conference USA to permit the Bulldogs’ departure this summer.