Category: Sports

Sports journalist Christine Brennan recalls how her male peers would mock her dedication to covering women’s athletics during the 1990s.

“It was absolutely infuriating to me,” stated Brennan, a bestselling writer who became the inaugural president of the Association for Women in Sports Media.

Today, the landscape looks dramatically different. Specialized media companies focused exclusively on women’s athletics are emerging everywhere, experiencing rapid expansion and handling their own coverage, including upcoming events like the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

As women’s sports experience unprecedented growth, the media ecosystem supporting them is similarly thriving. Organizations such as TOGETHXR, The GIST, Just Women’s Sports, The IX Sports, GOALS and Good Game with Sarah Spain are broadening their influence.

“The male-dominated mainstream sports media totally missed the boat on women’s sports,” commented Brennan, who writes for USA Today and is currently covering her 22nd Olympic Games. She expressed enthusiasm about these newer platforms “doing a job that should have been done by mainstream sports media.”

Although traditional sports media have improved by expanding their women’s sports coverage, University of Michigan sport management professor Ketra Armstrong describes the recent wave of women-led platforms as uniquely “liberating” since female athletes are “owning their stories and not waiting for it to be filtered through any traditional lens.”

This frustration drove the creation of Just Women’s Sports. After founder Haley Rosen concluded her professional soccer career, she struggled to find quality coverage of her sport.

“Everything I was seeing just felt nothing like the world I had known,” Rosen explained. “It felt very young, very pink and glitter, a lot of lifestyle content. And I was just like, where are the sports?”

Rosen launched Just Women’s Sports as an Instagram page in 2020, which has since evolved into a major industry platform with partnerships including Nike and Amazon Prime. She emphasizes covering women’s athletics with equal seriousness and intensity as men’s competitions.

“These women are the best athletes in the world, competing at the highest level. And I think we have to treat them as such,” Rosen stated.

The GIST, a Toronto-based “fan-first sports media brand,” emerged from similar frustrations.

Co-founder Ellen Hyslop calls herself “a super-massive avid sports fan.” Despite watching ESPN SportsCenter daily, “the default was always, ‘Oh, you’re a girl, so you’re not a sports fan,’ as opposed to just being welcomed into those communities,” she shared.

Launched with college friends Jacie deHoop and Roslyn McLarty, Hyslop said The GIST was created for audiences excluded from traditional sports media. The platform now boasts equal coverage of men’s and women’s athletics and reaches approximately 1 million newsletter subscribers — nearly 50% growth in two years — primarily Gen Z and millennial women.

“Sports are supposed to be for everyone. They really do have the ability to unite people,” Hyslop noted.

Sarah Spain, an ESPN veteran who hosts the daily women’s sports podcast Good Game, attributes the industry’s acceleration to social media, WNBA star Caitlin Clark, and the women’s national soccer team, citing “a very organic and natural push for more women’s sports coverage.”

Spain emphasized that media attention drives professional league success, and women’s sports have historically lacked this support.

“There was this blaming of the product of women’s sports, without understanding the incredible ecosystem and infrastructure that was lifting up and bringing fans back over and over again to men’s sports,” she explained. “Now we’re finally catching up in terms of investment.”

According to Spain, who has 16 years of sports journalism experience and is covering her first Olympics for Good Game in Italy, the Olympics have consistently demonstrated that meaningful media coverage of women’s sports attracts passionate audiences.

The Milan Cortina Games continue this trend, with skiing star Lindsey Vonn, downhill champion Breezy Johnson and snowboarding sensation Chloe Kim capturing major headlines.

“The Olympics are the shining star for women’s sports coverage that proves if you tell people that there’s value, and you give them the information, and the nuance, and the context to care, that they will be die hard for it,” Spain said.

However, Armstrong from the University of Michigan points out that women’s sports media still constitutes a “very small piece of the pie” compared to the broader sports media industry. Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism professor Craig LaMay warns that growth doesn’t guarantee long-term viability, noting that coverage decisions have historically been “relentlessly a business decision.”

“For all the changes, there’s a lot of things that haven’t changed,” he observed, highlighting that Forbes’ annual list of the world’s 100 highest-paid athletes contains no women.

Despite these challenges, TOGETHXR, a media and commerce company established in 2021 by four star athletes including Olympic halfpipe silver medalist Kim, promotes the motto “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports.” This slogan acknowledges the industry’s recent momentum while rejecting “very antiquated rhetoric in women’s sports that no one watches,” according to co-founder and chief brand officer Jessica Robertson, whose company has generated over $6 million in sales of T-shirts, tote bags and hoodies featuring this message.

Robertson believes the audience for women’s professional sports has always existed but was “starved and underserved.” She says enhanced accessibility has resulted in record engagement and viewership. TOGETHXR now reaches more than 4 million users across platforms, representing a 17% increase from 2024. The company produces newsletters, docuseries, and podcasts, including “A Touch More” featuring Olympic champion and co-founder Sue Bird alongside soccer star Megan Rapinoe.

Streaming services like Netflix, Amazon, and Apple are also expanding opportunities to consume women’s sports in an industry no longer dependent on traditional linear television networks, according to Danette Leighton, CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation. However, she notes this growth began years ago.

“It takes generations to make generational change,” said Leighton, whose organization was established by Billie Jean King in 1974, two years following the enactment of landmark equality legislation Title IX. “This is really a tipping point.”

Former University of Florida quarterback Jaden Rashada has reached a settlement agreement on Tuesday, bringing closure to his name, image and likeness legal battle against former Gators head coach Billy Napier and several other parties.

The settlement terms have not been made public.

Those named in the lawsuit included Napier, Florida booster Hugh Hathcock, Hathcock’s business, and former Florida staff member Marcus Castro-Walker, according to reports from The Athletic.

Rashada filed the lawsuit claiming the defendants failed to honor a four-year NIL deal worth $13.85 million that was negotiated while he was completing his senior year of high school in Pittsburg, California, during late 2022.

The signal-caller had originally committed to the University of Miami before switching his commitment to Florida, though he ultimately never took the field for the Gators.

Following the settlement announcement, Rashada’s legal representative, Rusty Hardin, shared with ESPN: “He’s a bright young man with great judgment. He thought it was time to move on. He made the point he wanted to make, and now he’s ready to go play football.”

Legal counsel for Napier, attorneys Hank Coxe and Michael Lockamy, issued a statement to The Athletic saying: “The parties have reached a confidential resolution of the litigation. The case will be dismissed, and all parties are moving forward.”

During the litigation process, a federal judge noted in 2025, according to The Athletic, that Rashada’s claims “advance a compelling narrative that the Defendants were all marching to the beat of the same drum throughout Rashada’s failed recruitment to UF, each taking interwoven and often overlapping steps designed to lure Rashada away from Miami all while knowing they would never make good on the NIL promises made and leading Rashada on until his other NIL offers dried up.”

Rashada saw limited action at Arizona State during the 2023 season, taking the field in three contests where he completed 53.7% of his throws for 485 yards, recording four touchdown passes and three interceptions.

Following his time with the Sun Devils, he moved to the University of Georgia but never appeared in games for the Bulldogs before transferring to Sacramento State. During his stint with the Hornets last season, he completed 40.5% of his passing attempts for 264 yards with one touchdown and one interception across six appearances.

Just three weeks ago, Rashada made another transfer, this time joining Mississippi State.

A former University of Michigan football coach achieved a significant legal win Tuesday as a judge approved his request to examine the circumstances behind his December arrest warrant.

Washtenaw County Judge Cedric Simpson set a hearing date of March 2 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to review Sherrone Moore’s case.

Authorities took Moore into custody on December 10, leading to charges of stalking, breaking and entering, and third-degree home invasion. The complainant was identified as a female employee within Michigan’s athletic department.

The purported incident took place on the identical date Michigan terminated Moore’s employment, citing the discovery of “credible evidence” that the coach participated in an improper workplace relationship.

Defense attorney Ellen Michaels contended that the investigating detective from Pittsfield Township Police Department withheld crucial information from the district court magistrate during the December 12 warrant request — specifically omitting that the complainant served as Moore’s supervisor.

Although law enforcement documented Moore’s numerous text messages and phone calls to the woman, they failed to inform the magistrate about the professional connection between the two individuals. Michaels argued that such communication could be interpreted differently when considering their working partnership.

Judge Simpson responded Tuesday by stating, “It seems to me, if I’m the magistrate, I’m getting half the story. I’m not getting the full story. … I’m very worried about the omission.”

The judge further commented, “What is clear from this court’s perspective is that an omission in certain contexts can be more damaging, more problematic, more troublesome than what might be an intentional misrepresentation.”

Speaking to media following Tuesday’s proceedings, Michaels declared, “Judge Simpson got it right in this motion, and due process matters. Coach Moore maintains his innocence, and the truth will come out.”

The 40-year-old Moore compiled a 16-8 coaching record at Michigan following his promotion from offensive coordinator when he replaced Jim Harbaugh. Both coaches faced scrutiny during a sign-stealing scandal connected to the university’s 2023 national championship season, resulting in Moore receiving a two-game suspension.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans plans to return to the NFL for another season, but his future with the franchise remains uncertain.

Evans’ representative, Deryk Gilmore, confirmed Tuesday to NFL.com and ESPN that the 32-year-old veteran will suit up for a 13th campaign in 2026.

“He is opening it up,” Gilmore stated regarding Evans’ upcoming free agency status. “He will play next season with someone. It could be Tampa. But he will definitely play a 13th season.”

The veteran receiver has spent his entire professional career in Tampa Bay since the team drafted him with the seventh pick in 2014. Evans played a crucial role in the Buccaneers’ championship run during the 2020 season alongside quarterback Tom Brady.

After recording over 1,000 receiving yards in his first 11 campaigns, Evans struggled with injuries during the most recent season. He managed only 30 receptions for 368 yards and three scores across eight appearances, missing nine total games due to hamstring and collarbone injuries before returning for the final stretch.

The former Texas A&M standout recently finished a two-year deal worth an average of $20.5 million annually.

Throughout his career spanning 176 games with 175 starts, Evans has recorded 866 catches for 13,052 yards and 108 touchdowns. He holds Tampa Bay franchise records in receptions, receiving yards, touchdown catches, and total points scored with 662.

Spanish tennis star Paula Badosa issued a strong response Wednesday to online critics who accused her of showing disrespect to the sport after a thigh injury forced her to withdraw from her Dubai Tennis Championships match.

The 28-year-old athlete, who previously held the world No. 2 ranking, had been leading 4-1 against Elina Svitolina in Tuesday’s second-round contest before losing five consecutive games and the opening set. Following medical treatment for her right thigh, Badosa made the difficult decision to retire from the match.

After facing criticism on social media, Badosa responded with a passionate defense of her decision and career struggles.

“You have no idea what it’s like to live with a chronic injury and still choose to keep going,” Badosa wrote. “To wake up everyday not knowing how your body will respond, searching for solutions, and fighting for something you love and give everything even when it’s so difficult.”

The Spanish player has battled multiple injuries throughout her career, including persistent back problems that nearly led her to consider early retirement in 2024. Despite these setbacks, she managed to climb back into the top 10 rankings last year through determined performances.

Badosa described experiencing “endless nightmares” while seeking permanent solutions to her health issues, but emphasized that her love for tennis makes the struggle worthwhile.

“So I’ll keep trying,” she stated. “Because it’s all about trying and that won’t change. I’ll always try one more time. I’m doing this for my passion … If there’s even a 1% chance to keep going, I’ll take it. That’s just how I see and understand life.”

Her response has sparked broader discussion about the harmful impact of social media criticism on professional athletes.

“For me the only disrespect here is to open social media and read messages like this,” Badosa continued. “Then we complain if we see players suffering and having mental health issues, but I’m not surprised with the amount of hate and ‘experts’ we have here.”

The Women’s Tennis Association confirmed to Reuters that shielding players from online harassment and threats remains a top priority for the organization.

This issue extends beyond Badosa’s experience. Australian player Destanee Aiava announced last week her intention to leave professional tennis this year, citing a culture she described as “racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile” while pointing to the online negativity she has endured.

Multiple female players have shared similar experiences, including Svitolina, who revealed receiving death threats after her Canadian Open loss last season. She attributed this “shameful” behavior to upset gamblers.

Research conducted jointly by the WTA and International Tennis Federation last year found that frustrated bettors were responsible for 40% of detected player abuse cases.

World No. 6 Amanda Anisimova expanded on the problem’s scope, explaining it goes beyond gambling-related harassment.

“I’d say it’s not just betting, it’s overall cyber bullying all the time,” Anisimova said. “Commenting on everything, like my body all the time, every single day. It’s difficult.”

“I don’t think that people realise the extent of it, how much of an effect it can have on someone,” she added.

The Women’s National Basketball Players’ Association has reduced its financial demands in ongoing contract negotiations with the WNBA, according to multiple media reports released Tuesday.

This revised offer follows the league’s own proposal submitted earlier this month during collective bargaining discussions.

According to reports, the players’ union now wants an average of 27.5% of the league’s total revenue, starting at 25% in the first year of any new agreement. The salary cap for the initial season would sit under $9.5 million based on the WNBPA’s updated proposal.

The union’s earlier demands called for 31% of total revenue on average, with 28% in the opening year. Their previous salary cap request stood at $10.5 million for the first season.

A WNBA spokesperson responded to ESPN about the union’s modified position: “The Players Association’s latest proposal remains unrealistic and would cause hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for our teams. We still need to complete two Drafts (a two-team expansion draft and college draft) and free agency before the start of training camp and are running out of time. We believe the WNBA’s proposal would result in a huge win for current players and generations to come.”

The league’s current offer includes a $5.65 million salary cap. A major disagreement centers on the league wanting to tie player compensation to net revenue instead of gross revenue. While the WNBA reportedly offers more than 70% of net revenue to players, ESPN noted this would equal less than 15% of gross revenue.

The union’s updated proposal also seeks to maintain player housing benefits, which the WNBA has attempted to eliminate from previous agreements. The WNBPA wants housing to continue for the initial years of any new contract, though players earning higher salaries would eventually secure their own accommodations.

The WNBA has reportedly proposed one-bedroom units for minimum-wage players and studio apartments for two developmental players on each team.

The upcoming WNBA season is set to begin May 8 with three games, including expansion team Toronto Tempo hosting the Washington Mystics. The new Portland Fire will face the visiting Chicago Sky on May 9.

Nashville SC put themselves in prime position to advance in the CONCACAF Champions Cup after defeating Atletico Ottawa 2-0 in Tuesday’s first-leg matchup in Hamilton, Ontario. Goals from Woobens Pacius and Sam Surridge in the second half gave the MLS side a crucial away victory.

The return leg of this two-match series is scheduled for February 24th in Nashville. Whichever team progresses will meet defending MLS Cup champions Inter Miami in the tournament’s round of 16 stage next month.

Nashville broke through in the 66th minute when Pacius finished off a well-constructed attack along the left side. The play involved Josh Bauer, Warren Madrigal, and Alex Muyl before Matthew Corcoran delivered a pass into the box, where Pacius created space and fired a 14-yard right-footed strike into the lower left corner.

The visitors secured their advantage deep into stoppage time through a swift counterattack. When Ottawa’s keeper rushed forward but couldn’t reach the ball, Nashville’s Cristian Espinoza squared it across to Surridge, who had an easy finish into the empty goal.

Los Angeles FC 6, Real Espana 1

Denis Bouanga scored three goals to lead LAFC to a dominant 6-1 victory over Real Espana in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, in their first-leg encounter.

The Black and Gold will welcome Real Espana for the return match on February 24th, virtually guaranteed a spot in the round of 16 where they would face Costa Rica’s Alajuelense.

Bouanga opened the scoring just three minutes in from the penalty spot. David Martinez extended the lead in the 11th minute, curling his shot into the upper left corner to cap off a counterattack initiated by Son Heung-Min.

Two more penalty conversions followed in quick succession, with Son finding the net in the 22nd minute and Bouanga scoring his second in the 24th minute for a 4-0 advantage. Timothy Tillman added a clever back-heel finish in the 39th minute to make it 5-0.

Real Espana managed to get on the scoreboard through Jack Jean-Baptiste in the 51st minute, but Bouanga wrapped up his hat trick with a close-range effort in the 71st minute to complete the rout.

The Wolverines demonstrated why they earned the top spot in college basketball by overwhelming seventh-ranked Purdue 91-80 on Tuesday night in West Lafayette, Indiana. Elliot Cadeau spearheaded Michigan’s well-rounded offensive effort, contributing 17 points and seven assists.

Michigan (25-1, 15-1 Big Ten) maintained a comfortable double-digit advantage throughout most of the contest, marking their first appearance as the nation’s premier team since 2013. The victory extended their winning streak to 11 games.

The Wolverines received significant contributions across their roster. Yaxel Lendeborg delivered 13 points and seven assists, while both L.J. Cason and Trey McKenney chipped in 13 points each. Morez Johnson Jr. provided 12 points and hauled in 11 rebounds, and Aday Mara recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Purdue (21-5, 11-4) fought back behind Trey Kaufman-Renn’s impressive 27-point, 12-rebound performance. Braden Smith contributed 20 points and six assists, while Fletcher Loyer added 11 points for the Boilermakers.

Iowa 57, No. 9 Nebraska 52

The Hawkeyes delivered a crucial upset victory over the Cornhuskers in Iowa City, significantly boosting their March Madness aspirations. Bennett Stirtz paced all scorers with 25 points in the triumph.

Cooper Koch provided 10 additional points for Iowa (19-7, 9-6 Big Ten), which overcame poor shooting at 33.3% from the field to secure their first victory against a ranked opponent since February 2024.

Former Hawkeye Pryce Sandfort managed 13 points in his return to his former home court for Nebraska (22-4, 11-4). The Cornhuskers have now suffered four defeats in their last six outings.

No. 12 Florida 76, South Carolina 62

The Gators maintained their position atop the Southeastern Conference standings with a convincing victory over the Gamecocks in Gainesville. Alex Condon registered 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Rueben Chinyelu dominated the boards with 17 rebounds to go with 15 points.

Florida (20-6, 11-2 SEC) controlled the game from the early moments, never surrendering the lead after the first two minutes. The victory marked their sixth consecutive win. Thomas Haugh contributed 10 points and Micah Handlogten grabbed nine rebounds as the Gators outrebounded their opponents 47-30.

South Carolina (11-15, 2-11) received 22 points and three steals from Meechie Johnson, but dropped their seventh straight contest. Elijah Strong added 10 points, though the Gamecocks struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 4 of 19 three-point attempts.

No. 15 Michigan State 82, UCLA 59

The Spartans bounced back from recent struggles with a dominant performance against the Bruins in East Lansing. Jeremy Fears Jr. recorded 16 points and 10 assists, while Coen Carr matched that scoring output.

Carson Cooper provided 12 points and seven rebounds, and Jordan Scott added 11 points for Michigan State (21-5, 11-4 Big Ten). Jaxon Kohler contributed nine points and 10 rebounds as the Spartans snapped a troubling stretch where they had lost three of four games.

UCLA (17-9, 9-6) got 22 points from Tyler Bilodeau and 12 bench points from Skyy Clark. The Bruins concluded a difficult road trip, losing by an average margin of 26.5 points in games against both Michigan schools.

NC State 82, No. 16 North Carolina 58

The Wolfpack delivered a stunning upset victory over their in-state rivals in Raleigh, powered by Quadir Copeland’s 20-point performance. Copeland also recorded six rebounds, seven assists and four steals in the comprehensive victory.

Matt Able knocked down five three-pointers en route to 19 points, while Darrion Williams added 13 points for NC State (19-8, 10-4 ACC). Paul McNeil scored 10 points and former Tar Heel Ven-Allen Lubin tallied 12 points and six rebounds against his former squad. The victory marked first-year coach Will Wade’s initial triumph in the storied rivalry.

North Carolina (20-6, 8-5) played without key contributors Caleb Wilson (hand injury) and Henri Veesaar (lower body injury). Zayden High led the Tar Heels with 13 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out late, while Jarin Stevenson contributed 13 points and nine rebounds.

Rhode Island 81, No. 18 Saint Louis 76

Jonah Hinton erupted for a career-best 29 points, draining nine three-pointers, to lead the Rams to a major upset in Atlantic 10 action in Kingston. The victory snapped Saint Louis’s impressive 18-game winning streak.

Myles Corey added 15 points and converted all 11 of his free throw attempts for Rhode Island (15-11, 6-7 A-10). Tyler Cochran chipped in 11 points as the Rams defeated their first ranked opponent since November 2017.

Saint Louis (24-2, 12-1) received 21 points from Robbie Avila, 19 from Dion Brown, and 10 points, five rebounds and five assists from Amari McCottry. However, the Billikens committed 18 turnovers that resulted in 28 Rhode Island points.

SMU 95, No. 21 Louisville 85

The Mustangs outlasted the Cardinals in a high-scoring affair featuring the ACC’s top two offensive units. Jaron Pierre Jr. led SMU with 25 points and seven rebounds, scoring 13 of those points after halftime.

The contest featured 16 ties and 17 lead changes in a back-and-forth battle. Boopie Miller finished with 23 points and nine assists for SMU (18-8, 7-6 ACC).

Louisville (19-7, 8-5) saw their five-game winning streak come to an end, surrendering 90-plus points for the first time this season. Mikel Brown Jr. paced the Cardinals with 29 points on 11-of-18 shooting but committed a season-high seven turnovers, five coming in the second half when Louisville turned the ball over 12 times.

No. 22 Miami (Ohio) 86, Massachusetts 77

The RedHawks preserved their perfect season with a victory over the Minutemen in Mid-American Conference play in Amherst. Peter Suder led all scorers with 23 points for Miami.

Luke Skaljac contributed 16 points for Miami (26-0, 13-0 MAC), which remains the only undefeated team in Division I basketball. The RedHawks connected on 26 of 52 field goal attempts, maintaining their season-long shooting efficiency.

UMass (15-12, 6-8 MAC) received a career-high 19 points from Isaiah Placide, who made five of seven attempts from three-point range.

Ohio State 86, No. 24 Wisconsin 69

The Buckeyes secured a crucial victory for their tournament hopes, led by Bruce Thornton’s explosive second-half performance. Thornton scored 24 of his 27 points after intermission in Columbus.

Devin Royal posted a season-high 25 points and Amare Bynum added 13 for Ohio State (17-9, 9-6 Big Ten). The Buckeyes led by 12 at halftime and controlled the final 20 minutes, trailing for just 44 seconds total.

Wisconsin (18-8, 10-5) got 20 points from Braeden Carrington, who connected on five second-half three-pointers. Nick Boyd and John Blackwell each contributed 14 points for the Badgers.

While Olympic figure skaters glide across the ice with apparent grace and ease, these elite athletes face injury challenges similar to everyday fitness enthusiasts who visit gyms or participate in recreational sports.

“No athlete at this level is 100% fully healthy,” Gretchen Mohney, the director of medical and performance services for U.S. Figure Skating, told The Associated Press from Milan. “It’s about managing whatever it is that may be breaking down.”

Olympic-level skaters benefit from immediate access to doctors, trainers, and physical therapists when problems arise, whether it’s knee swelling, back pain, or cuts from sharp blades.

Mohney, who earned her doctorate in interdisciplinary health sciences, identified warning signs that skating professionals monitor and shared wellness advice for recreational athletes.

First, address sudden injuries right away. “Recognizing and responding to acute injury is huge and what we are going to do about it versus ignoring it, because it usually gets worse,” Mohney said. “You have to get rid of the old-school philosophy of just suck it up and don’t do anything about it.”

Second, manage ongoing injuries properly. Elite competitors can’t take extended breaks, especially during Olympic competition where timing is everything. “We don’t say rest for two weeks, we say let’s get you to perform as safely as possible … without causing further injury,” Mohney said. Sometimes solutions are straightforward, such as adding extra padding inside skates to reduce friction.

Third, maintain flexibility and watch for compensation patterns. Proper stretching and warm-up routines are essential. “When we lose mobility or flexibility our bodies start to compensate and the stress is put on another part,” Mohney explained. For competitive skaters, this flexibility “could mean the difference between doing a double jump and a quadruple jump.”

Fourth, prevent overuse injuries by varying training intensity and volume. Since skaters compete throughout the year, they must balance their workload. Mohney cited the example of layback spins, where skaters repeatedly arch their backs. “You are going to have back pain no matter who you are,” she said. “All of our athletes vary their training. You want to make sure you are changing your load so the body can recover.”

Dr. Fred Workman, who has served as a team physician for U.S. Figure Skating for a quarter-century, reports seeing more head injuries recently. While audiences may only notice the artistic elements, modern figure skating involves increasingly dangerous technical elements.

Common injuries among skaters include cuts from razor-sharp blades, problems with hips, knees, ankles and feet, plus shoulder injuries for male skaters who lift partners during pairs routines.

“They’re doing overhead lifts, spinning around on the ice — and smiling,” Workman said. “Skaters are doing much more demanding and aggressive — risky if you will — maneuvers. The hard ice always wins. When you fall on the ice, something is going to give.”

Workman’s responsibilities extend beyond physical treatment to include a comprehensive approach to athlete development, encompassing stress management and mental wellness.

“Life doesn’t always go your way,” Workman said. “We’re in a judged sport. You may not always get the scores you think you deserve. But how do you handle it? You have to get yourself mentally focused and be ready to perform.”

The mental pressure on elite skaters was evident when Ilia Malinin fell twice during competition in Milan last week, later describing feeling overwhelmed. “I just felt like I had no control,” he said.

Beyond competition preparation, Workman encourages skaters to diversify their training routines and personal interests.

“Not only cross-train in your sport, but cross-train as a human,” he said. “Diversify your interests. A very common mistake is spending all of your time on the ice and less time in off-the-ice training.”

Workman advocates for a broader perspective, even among Olympic-caliber athletes. He referenced a previous NCAA television campaign that reminded college athletes about life beyond sports.

“At the end of the day, competitive careers end,” Workman said. “Why do we even have sport? It’s to build resilience, to build the life skills you need.”

American pairs skaters Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea understand injury challenges firsthand. Kam missed a month last year due to concussion, while O’Shea required foot surgery.

Despite these setbacks, they delivered an outstanding performance that contributed to the United States winning consecutive Olympic gold medals in the team competition.

“We just wanted to kind of give it our all, and I feel like that’s part of the reason why Danny and I have been able to work through so much of what people would see as obstacles,” Kam said. “I think in the obstacles we found a way to connect better and be a stronger team.”

Deanna Stellato-Dudek, a 42-year-old American-born skater competing for Canada, suffered a head injury during practice on January 30th. She and partner Maxime Deschamps had to withdraw from the team event during the Olympics’ opening week.

“You have to take extremely specific care of your body,” she told The AP. “I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I’m extremely healthy. And I do think being able to treat my body like that for the last decade has helped me to heal very quickly.”

World number one Carlos Alcaraz overcame a challenging test in his return to action Tuesday, battling past France’s Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 7-6 (5) in the opening round of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha.

The Spanish superstar was making his first appearance since achieving tennis’s ultimate milestone – completing the career Grand Slam at the Australian Open. Rinderknech pushed Alcaraz to the brink in the second set, earning two opportunities to level the match before the four-time Grand Slam champion rallied to force a tiebreak and secure the win.

Until those crucial moments late in the second set, Alcaraz had cruised without facing a single break point opportunity for his opponent.

Tuesday’s action saw all seeded players successfully navigate their first-round hurdles. Russia’s fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev dispatched Netherlands’ Jesper De Jong 6-4, 6-3, while seventh-seeded Karen Khachanov, also from Russia, overcame Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka, seeded eighth, dominated American Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 6-3.

Other players advancing included Belgium’s Zizou Bergs, Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics and Fabian Marozsan, France’s Quentin Halys, Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, and China’s Zhizhen Zhang.

Delray Beach Open

Defending champion Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia launched his title defense successfully, overwhelming Italy’s Mattia Bellucci 6-1, 6-4 in first-round action at Delray Beach, Florida.

The Serbian dominated on return, capturing 12 of 20 points when Bellucci served his second serve, while maintaining perfect hold of his own service games without facing a break point.

American Brandon Nakashima, seeded seventh, edged past Croatian veteran Marin Cilic in a pair of tiebreakers, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5). Domestic battles saw Sebastian Korda eliminate Mackenzie McDonald 6-4, 7-5, and qualifier Zachary Svajda defeat Aleksandar Kovacevic 7-6 (4), 6-3. Spain’s Rafael Jodar and Adam Walton also recorded straight-set victories.

The evening’s final match featured dramatic late-match tension as fifth-seeded Tommy Paul of the United States eventually prevailed over France’s Corentin Moutet 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Paul endured a nerve-wracking finish, squandering 10 consecutive match points in the final set before finally converting his 11th opportunity.

Rio Open

Argentine players dominated the opening day at Rio de Janeiro, with top-seeded Francisco Cerundolo, eighth-seeded Tomas Martin Etcheverry, and Roman Andres Burruchaga all claiming victories in all-Argentine encounters.

Cerundolo handled Mariano Navone 6-3, 6-4, while Etcheverry rallied past Francisco Comesana 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. In the day’s biggest upset, Burruchaga stunned fifth-seeded Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-3, 6-4.

The tournament saw additional seeded casualties as Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo shocked second-seeded Italian Luciano Darderi 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, and Portugal’s Jaime Faria eliminated fourth-seeded Argentine Sebastian Baez 7-5, 6-1.

Brazil’s third-seeded Joao Fonseca, Italy’s Matteo Berrettini, Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur, and Lithuania’s Vilius Gaubas also secured opening-round wins.

A teenage figure skater from Japan delivered the performance of her life Tuesday, capturing an unexpected first-place position after the short program portion of Olympic women’s figure skating competition in Milan.

Seventeen-year-old Ami Nakai executed a flawless routine that included a challenging triple Axel, earning her a personal season-best score of 78.71 points in what marks her first-ever Olympic appearance.

Veteran competitor Kaori Sakamoto, a three-time world champion also from Japan, claimed second place with 77.23 points, while Team USA’s Alysa Liu secured third position scoring 76.59 points. The final medal standings will be determined during Thursday’s free skate competition.

“I wasn’t nervous at all, so I was able to perform as my usual self and excel,” Nakai shared with media following her routine.

“Since this is my first Olympics, I had nothing to lose, and that mindset definitely translated into my results.”

The young skater revealed she found motivation from watching Japan’s pairs skating duo Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, who rallied from fifth place to capture gold on Monday.

“I was deeply moved by the pairs performance yesterday, and it really brought home to me how important it is to never give up until the very end,” she explained.

Sakamoto, who has announced this will be her final Olympic competition, relied on her veteran experience to deliver a polished performance to “Time To Say Goodbye” before the packed Milano Ice Skating Arena crowd.

“I wanted to be myself as usual, and there was a little bit of nerve, but I was able to sustain the nerve,” commented Sakamoto, who earned bronze at the Beijing 2022 Olympics.

“In the first half, I was a little bit anxious. But as the music goes on, I got very comfortable, and I was able to really enjoy my performance today.”

Current world champion Liu, competing in her second Olympic Games, appeared relaxed and confident throughout her clean routine. The American skater, who stepped away from competition in 2022 at just 16 years old before making her comeback, seemed free from competitive pressure.

“A medal? I don’t need a medal,” Liu stated to reporters.

“I just need to be here, and I just need to be present, and I need people to see what I do next.”

American teammate Amber Glenn experienced heartbreak during her performance, successfully opening with a triple Axel before encountering trouble later in her routine. The three-time U.S. national champion reduced a planned triple loop to a double jump, receiving zero points for that element.

Glenn departed the ice visibly emotional and chose not to speak with media after her 13th-place finish effectively ended her medal prospects.

Russian competitor Adeliia Petrosian, participating as a neutral athlete due to Russia’s Olympic ban following the Ukraine invasion, emerged as an early surprise contender. Performing a Michael Jackson-inspired routine as the second of 29 skaters, she successfully completed three triple jumps to achieve a personal-best 72.89 points.

Her score held the top position for over two hours until Nakai’s performance displaced her. Petrosian ultimately finished fifth and remains in medal contention heading into Thursday’s final.

The Russian teenager chose not to attempt a quadruple jump or triple Axel during the short program, potentially saving those elements for the free skate as she pursues a fourth straight Olympic women’s title for Russian competitors.

“I would like to keep this a secret because I never tell about my programme,” Petrosian responded when questioned about her free skate strategy.

Due to the international competition ban on Russian athletes, Petrosian has had limited competitive exposure and secured her Olympic qualification by winning a September event in Beijing.

The competition also featured Israeli skater Mariia Seniuk, a 20-year-old Moscow native and four-time national champion for Israel. The crowd welcomed Seniuk warmly as she scored 58.61 points to advance to the free skate in 22nd position.

Seniuk served as Israel’s flag bearer during the opening ceremony, where the nation’s 10-athlete delegation received mixed reactions from spectators.

“I’m skating for Israel and some of the people don’t support [it] but I really enjoyed the atmosphere today,” she noted.

“It’s very, very special … you can just feel it.”

Two veteran Canadian speed skaters are signaling the end of an era after capturing their second consecutive Olympic team pursuit championship at the Milano Cortina Games on Tuesday.

Isabelle Weidemann and Valerie Maltais, competing alongside teammate Ivanie Blondin, crossed the finish line in 2 minutes and 55.81 seconds, nearly a full second faster than the Dutch team to claim Canada’s inaugural speed skating gold medal at these Olympics.

The victory represents Canada’s third gold medal overall at the current Games, joining earlier wins by Mikael Kingsbury in men’s dual moguls and Megan Oldham in women’s freestyle skiing big air.

Following their triumph, both Weidemann and Maltais indicated their competitive careers are winding down as they prepare to make way for emerging Canadian talent.

“We skated together for eight years. I don’t think there are a lot of other teams that haven’t changed their team over the last eight years,” said Weidemann, who previously earned silver in the 5,000 meters and bronze in the 3,000 meters at the Beijing Olympics.

“Defending together meant a lot, but I also think we knew going in that we need to pass the torch a little bit. There’s another generation of Canadian speed skaters coming up and we’re really excited to watch them.”

Weidemann expressed pride in their lasting impact on the sport, adding: “We’ve done a lot for the team pursuit, the three of us. We’re ready to watch the next generation. I’m proud of where we’re leaving speed skating in Canada. We’ve paved the road a little bit with this team.”

The 35-year-old Maltais confirmed their Olympic careers are concluding, stating with humor about their future prospects.

“The future? I think we’re not going to be there in four years,” Maltais said with a laugh. “That’s the straight answer. Isabelle, at the end of the race, when we still had our skates on, she was like, ‘so this is it?’”

While Blondin, also 35, hasn’t made a definitive announcement about continuing her competitive career beyond these Games, she expressed intentions to stay connected with Speed Skating Canada in an advisory role.

Veteran NFL wide receiver Robert Woods has officially ended his 12-season professional football career, inking a ceremonial one-day agreement with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday to retire where he experienced his greatest success.

The 33-year-old pass catcher played his most productive years in a Rams uniform from 2017 through 2021, a period that reached its peak when the team captured Super Bowl LVI. However, Woods missed that championship playoff run due to an ACL injury he sustained during a practice session in November.

During his prime years in Los Angeles, Woods delivered back-to-back seasons with 90 or more receptions leading up to the 2021 campaign. His most impressive statistical year came in 2018 when he hauled in 86 passes while setting personal records with 1,219 receiving yards and six touchdown catches.

“After 27 unforgettable years of putting my heart into this game, and 13 incredible years in the NFL, it’s time to step away from playing the sport that has given me everything,” Woods wrote on social media. “Football has never just been a game to me. It has been my passion, my purpose and my lifelong dream. I cherished every moment my cleats touched the grass. Every time I stepped onto the field, I was determined to leave a piece of myself in every snap.”

Woods began his professional journey in 2013 when the Buffalo Bills selected him in the second round of the NFL Draft. After four seasons in Buffalo, he moved to Los Angeles to join the Rams. His career later included stops with the Tennessee Titans in 2022 and the Houston Texans from 2023-24.

Throughout his 171 regular season appearances, including 145 as a starter, Woods accumulated 683 receptions for 8,233 yards and 38 touchdowns. He also contributed 514 rushing yards and five rushing scores, with most of that ground production coming during his time with the Rams.

His postseason statistics include 42 catches for 449 yards and one touchdown across 10 playoff contests, seven of which he started, while playing for Los Angeles and Houston.

Woods sat out the 2025 season after the Pittsburgh Steelers released him during the summer months.

Multiple media outlets reported Tuesday that the New England Patriots have elevated Zak Kuhr from his role as inside linebackers coach to the position of defensive coordinator.

The promotion comes after former defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, who was absent for much of the season due to his battle with prostate cancer, received medical clearance to return and was promoted to a senior position on head coach Mike Vrabel’s coaching staff.

Kuhr took over defensive play-calling responsibilities in the second week of the season and played a key role in leading the defensive unit to an outstanding campaign that culminated in a Super Bowl LX berth. The Patriots’ defense finished the season ranked eighth nationally in total yards allowed per game at 295.2, while placing fourth in points allowed per game with 18.8.

Following Williams’ advancement to a higher role last week, multiple reports indicated that Kuhr was considered the leading candidate to assume the defensive coordinator position permanently.

The 37-year-old Kuhr spent the 2024 season as a defensive assistant with the New York Giants before joining New England. Prior to that, he worked under Vrabel with the Tennessee Titans from 2020 through 2023, where he held positions as defensive quality control coach and inside linebackers assistant. His coaching background also includes several assistant coaching positions at the collegiate level.

The Green Bay Packers are facing an unexpected coaching vacancy after Rich Bisaccia announced his resignation as special teams coordinator and assistant head coach, according to head coach Matt LaFleur on Tuesday. The departure leaves the organization scrambling to fill a key position with the 2026 season staff otherwise largely intact.

LaFleur expressed disappointment over losing Bisaccia in an official statement. “While we are disappointed to lose a person and coach as valuable as Rich, we respect his decision to step down from the Packers,” LaFleur said. “Rich was a tremendous resource to me and our entire coaching staff who had a profound impact on our players and our culture throughout the building. We can’t thank him enough for his contributions to our team over the last four years.”

Bisaccia originally came to Green Bay in February 2022 to lead special teams operations and was promoted to include assistant head coach duties in March 2023. During his tenure, the Packers saw remarkable improvement in special teams performance, achieving a seventh-place NFL ranking in field-position margin over the four-year span while building a return unit known for consistently changing field position.

In his own statement, Bisaccia explained his decision came after careful consideration. “After taking some time to reflect over the last few weeks, I have made the decision to step down,” Bisaccia said. He expressed gratitude to LaFleur and the organization, stating, “Coaching for the Green Bay Packers was truly an honor, and I will always be grateful for my time here. I look forward to whatever is next for me and my family, and I wish nothing but the best for everyone in the organization.”

The unexpected resignation creates a challenging situation for Green Bay, as special teams coordinator positions are typically secured early in the offseason coaching cycle.

In a thrilling display of determination at the Winter Olympics in Anterselva, Italy, French biathlete Emilien Jacquelin orchestrated one of the most dramatic comebacks in Olympic relay history, propelling his team from near-disaster to their first-ever men’s biathlon relay gold medal.

The French squad found themselves in deep trouble after teammate Fabien Claude struggled during the standing shooting portion, dropping the team to 13th place and trailing by more than 50 seconds. That’s when Jacquelin took control of the race.

The 30-year-old athlete, sporting an earring borrowed from the family of legendary Italian cyclist Marco Pantani, delivered a masterful performance combining aggressive skiing with rapid-fire shooting accuracy. His relentless pursuit closed the massive gap and actually put France in the lead when he handed off to teammate Quentin Fillon Maillet.

As the race reached its climax with Eric Perrot skiing the final leg, Jacquelin positioned himself against a wall in the snow, eyes glued to the large video screen. “He’s gonna do it,” he declared, watching Perrot maintain a slim advantage over Norway’s Vetle Staastad Kristiansen.

Perrot successfully held off the Norwegian challenger, securing France’s historic victory. When Perrot appeared on the final stretch with clear space behind him, an elated Jacquelin pointed toward the sky before rushing forward to embrace his teammate and rally the cheering spectators.

The bronze medalist from the pursuit event reflected on the emotional journey of Olympic competition. “The Olympics are all about emotions, it’s not just about winning. I’ve had all the emotions here. You have stress, fear, but you have to go through these emotions,” Jacquelin explained.

This marked Jacquelin’s third Olympic appearance, having started his Games career at age 22 in South Korea. He recalled his previous relay experiences: finishing fifth alongside Martin Fourcade in his debut, then earning silver four years ago – France’s best relay result since the Turin Olympics.

“But today it was win or hospital. We are a team. Penalty laps can happen; it doesn’t mean the race is over. I started with that idea in mind. I looked more at the gap: 50 seconds. There are relays where we finish second or third and we’re more than a minute behind. A medal was within reach. I thought less about winning,” Jacquelin said.

The veteran athlete described his strategic mindset during the crucial comeback leg: “I told myself it would be complicated if the Norwegians controlled the race. I don’t feel like I took risks. I skied my race, I felt I managed my effort. The last lap was difficult, but they have a different vision of racing. I went for it with panache, with desire and with heart.”

Tiger Woods continues his recovery from back surgery performed last October, but the golf superstar isn’t closing the door on participating in this year’s Masters Tournament.

During a media session on Tuesday before this week’s Genesis Invitational in Pacific Palisades, California, where Woods serves as tournament host, reporters questioned whether the April 9-12 Masters was completely out of consideration.

“No,” Woods responded with a broad grin. The golf legend hasn’t competed since failing to make the cut at the 2024 British Open.

The winner of 15 major championships underwent additional surgery in March 2025 to fix a torn left Achilles tendon. In December, doctors gave Woods permission to begin chipping and putting again following his lumbar disc replacement procedure.

Woods indicated his Achilles injury has healed, though his back continues to cause discomfort.

“As far as the disc replacement, it’s just sore. It takes time,” Woods explained. “My body has been through a lot. It’s just one of those things where it’s each and every day, I keep trying, I keep progressing, I keep working on it, trying to get stronger, trying to get more endurance in this body and trying to get it at a level at which I can play at the highest level again.”

Though Woods hasn’t participated in tournament play since July 2024, he remains active in golf administration as a PGA Tour policy board player director and vice chairman of PGA Tour Enterprises.

The 50-year-old golfer faces another major decision regarding potential Ryder Cup captaincy for 2027, revealing that the PGA of America has sought his thoughts on the position.

“Yeah, they have asked me for my input on it, and I haven’t made my decision yet,” Woods stated Tuesday. “I’m trying to figure out what we’re trying to do with our tour.

“That’s been driving me hours upon hours every day and trying to figure out if I can actually do our team, our Team USA and our players and everyone that’s going to be involved in the Ryder Cup, if I can do it justice with my time.”

Woods previously declined the U.S. captaincy for the 2025 Ryder Cup citing scheduling conflicts and PGA Tour obligations, though he indicated the possibility remained open for future opportunities.

Professional golfer Justin Thomas will step back into competitive play next week, though not on the PGA Tour just yet.

The 32-year-old golfer revealed Tuesday that he’ll make his return to competition in the TGL league, representing Atlanta Drive GC this Monday. Thomas confirmed his comeback through a response to a social media message from country music star Luke Bryan, finalizing a return date that golf fans have been speculating about for weeks.

Thomas has been absent from competitive golf since competing in the Ryder Cup back in September. In November, he had a microdiscectomy operation to fix a disc problem that had been causing what he described as “nagging hip pain” for several months. Medical professionals gave him the green light to resume full golf activities earlier this month.

Speaking in January, Thomas said, “I’m looking to come back competitively at some point during the Florida swing. I know how important it is to get this injury behind me so that I’m only looking forward over the course of the season.”

The Florida portion of the PGA Tour schedule kicks off with the Cognizant Classic, scheduled for February 26 through March 1, located roughly 30 minutes from Thomas’ Jupiter residence.

Atlanta Drive has two matches scheduled for Monday, beginning with a 5 p.m. ET contest against Boston Common Golf, followed by a 9 p.m. matchup versus Los Angeles Golf Club. Thomas played a key role in Atlanta’s championship victory during TGL’s inaugural 2025 season, helping secure the SoFi Cup, and Monday will mark his first competitive action since the surgical procedure.

The accomplished golfer has claimed 16 victories on tour and placed seventh in the 2025 FedEx Cup rankings after achieving eight top-10 results, highlighted by his playoff victory at the RBC Heritage.

Detroit Tigers infielder Javier Baez has publicly taken full responsibility for a marijuana-related drug test failure that cost him the opportunity to represent Puerto Rico in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday at the Tigers’ spring training facility in Lakeland, Florida, Baez made his first public statements regarding the suspension. “Honestly, I don’t want to point fingers at anybody, because this is all my fault,” the veteran player said. “I’m the one that failed the test, and the rules are there.”

The 33-year-old shortstop’s positive test occurred on March 12, 2023. As a result, the World Baseball Softball Confederation imposed a two-year prohibition that started April 26, 2024, and extends through April 26, 2026.

The timing is particularly painful for Baez, as the 2026 World Baseball Classic is scheduled for March 5-17.

While Major League Baseball has allowed marijuana use since 2020, meaning Baez faces no penalties from MLB or his team, the international governing body maintains stricter standards.

“There’s one job that I have to do: Play baseball,” Baez explained. “I don’t know if they didn’t want me in the WBC or whatever, but it’s just really frustrating that I won’t be able to be there and to be part of this.”

The missed opportunity holds special significance for the Puerto Rican native, who noted the tournament’s rare return to his homeland. “It’s been a long, long time (since) we played this tournament in Puerto Rico, and when we did, I think in 2006, I was in the stands as a fan,” he reflected. “To have the chance to be part of that and now it’s away from me, it really hurts. It really hurts my family, my reputation. But it’s part of it.”

Baez had been preparing during the offseason to join Team Puerto Rico, having previously competed in the 2017 and 2013 tournaments. Despite his disappointment about missing this “dream” opportunity, he emphasized his intention to move forward and concentrate on the upcoming MLB season.

“Honestly, I understand the rules,” Baez stated. “The rules are not for us. It’s for different sports. It’s not like I was taking steroids or anything to last longer, whatever. They (made) that decision. I’m fine with it. I mean, I’m not fine with it. I just keep my mouth shut.”

The veteran infielder enjoyed a strong 2023 campaign, earning All-Star recognition while posting a .257 batting average with 12 home runs and 57 RBIs across 126 games. His career achievements include a Silver Slugger Award as a National League second baseman in 2018 and a Gold Glove as an NL shortstop in 2020, both earned during his tenure with the Chicago Cubs.

Throughout his major league career spanning the Cubs (2014-21), New York Mets (2021), and Tigers (2022-present), Baez has compiled a .252 batting average with 193 home runs and 685 RBIs over 1,348 regular-season contests. He was part of the Cubs’ 2016 World Series championship team.

Sweden’s men’s hockey team is showing no signs of intimidation as they prepare for Wednesday’s high-stakes quarter-final clash against Team USA at the Milan Olympics, determined to pursue Olympic gold despite their unexpected rocky path to this stage.

The Swedish team was originally anticipated to dominate their group and secure an automatic quarter-final spot alongside powerhouses Canada and the United States. However, they found themselves ranked seventh after preliminary rounds, forcing them into the qualification playoff bracket.

This surprising turn of events marked one of the few upsets in Milan’s men’s tournament, which has otherwise followed expected outcomes. Sweden quickly recovered from this setback, overwhelming Latvia with a commanding 5-1 victory on Tuesday to secure their quarter-final berth.

“It doesn’t matter how you get here, we’re here now,” forward Adrian Kempe stated.

A single loss to Finland during group play put Sweden in jeopardy, and Slovakia ultimately pushed them into qualification playoffs based on goal differential within their highly competitive group – a situation so complex that media members needed calculators to track the tiebreaker scenarios.

Against Latvia, Sweden demonstrated their championship caliber at the perfect moment, netting multiple goals in rapid succession during the opening period before maintaining control throughout the remainder of the game.

NHL enthusiasts have been anticipating a potential gold medal showdown between Canada and the United States since the premier league confirmed its Olympic return following a 12-year hiatus.

However, Sweden remains eager to disrupt those dreams as they elevate their performance in Milan, seeking their first Olympic gold since the Games were previously held in Italy two decades ago in Turin.

“It’s going to be a tough challenge but one we’re prepared for,” said Mika Zibanejad, who will face his New York Rangers teammates J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck on the opposing team, while also competing against his NHL coach who is leading the U.S. squad.

“Little by little it’s been getting better, so that’s a good sign,” Zibanejad added.

Swedish cross-country skiing star Linn Svahn won’t compete in Wednesday’s women’s sprint relay at the Winter Olympics after coming down with minor cold symptoms, according to Sweden’s national team officials on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old athlete will be replaced by teammates Joanna Sundling and Maja Dahlqvist, who will now shoulder Sweden’s expectations for another medal in the event taking place in Tesero, Italy.

Svahn captured gold in last Tuesday’s women’s classic sprint, leading a complete Swedish domination of the podium alongside Sundling and Dahlqvist. Team officials confirmed she will remain separated from other squad members as a safety measure while staying in Val di Fiemme, Italy, the location of the cross-country competitions.

According to team representatives, Svahn’s illness symptoms are mild, and she continues to stay in the Olympic venue area.

The Swedish team earned silver in Beijing’s women’s team sprint competition and enters Wednesday’s race as heavy favorites following their impressive showing at these Games. Sweden has already claimed eight medals in women’s cross-country skiing events, including three gold medals, making them the dominant force in the discipline.

The Carolina Panthers have secured veteran long snapper JJ Jansen for another year, bringing the 40-year-old back for what will be his 18th campaign with the franchise. The team announced the one-year agreement on Tuesday, though contract details remain undisclosed.

Since arriving in Carolina back in 2009, Jansen has established himself as a franchise cornerstone, appearing in a team-record 277 games. His durability puts him well ahead of the next-closest player in team history – former kicker John Kasay, who suited up for 221 regular-season contests during his Panthers tenure from 1995 to 2010.

Special teams coordinator Tracy Smith couldn’t help but marvel at Jansen’s longevity when discussing the veteran late last season. “He’s everlasting,” Smith said with a laugh. “He can do this for as long as he wants to. He’s everlasting. There’s no proof that he’s not a robot. Nobody knows that he is not AI. We’re just going forward to the end of time, as far as I’m concerned.”

Carolina obtained Jansen through a trade with Green Bay in 2009, although he never actually took the field for the Packers. His consistent excellence earned him Pro Bowl recognition in 2013, highlighting his status among the NFL’s elite at his position.

Veteran first baseman Dominic Smith has inked a minor league agreement with the Atlanta Braves and will attend spring training as a non-roster player, according to several media outlets.

The 30-year-old Smith was selected by the New York Mets as their top draft choice in 2013. After spending his initial six major league seasons in Queens, Smith has moved frequently among clubs, suiting up for Washington, Boston, Cincinnati, and San Francisco over the past three years.

During the 2025 campaign, Smith appeared in 63 contests for the Giants, posting a .284 batting average along with five home runs, 12 two-base hits, and 33 runs batted in.

Smith achieved his finest statistical season during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, batting .316 with 10 homers across 50 games for New York. Throughout his nine-year career spanning 756 games, Smith maintains a .250 lifetime batting average with 69 home runs, 292 RBIs, 543 strikeouts, and 185 walks.

While Smith has started 473 games at first base during his career, he has also logged 182 games in left field, though he hasn’t patrolled the outfield since the 2021 season.

After 14 seasons leading Yale University’s football program, head coach Tony Reno announced his resignation Tuesday, stating that health issues prompted his decision to leave the Bulldogs.

The 52-year-old Reno took over the program in January 2012 and achieved a historic milestone by guiding Yale to its first FCS playoff appearance in 2025. The Bulldogs made a remarkable comeback from a 28-point second-half deficit to defeat Youngstown State 43-42 in their opening playoff game, though they later lost to Montana State, who went on to claim the national championship.

“Given my current health situation, I have made the decision to step down as head coach of Yale Football,” Reno said in a statement. “When I arrived at Yale 14 years ago, I could never have imagined what this journey would become. The relationships formed, the moments shared, and the people I have been privileged to be surrounded by have changed my life and my family’s lives forever. I am deeply grateful to the players, the coaches, and the staff who gave everything they had to Yale Football.”

“From the very beginning, I spoke about honoring the proud tradition of Yale Football and fully embracing the responsibility that comes with leading this program. Together, we pursued excellence and built something truly meaningful. I am incredibly proud of the foundation we laid and confident in the future of Yale Football. Serving as the head coach of this program has been the greatest honor of my life.”

During his tenure at Yale, Reno compiled an impressive 83-49 overall record while capturing five Ivy League championships. His victory total ranks second only to the iconic Carm Cozza in Yale football history.

Athletic Director Vicky Chun praised Reno’s contributions to the program and university community.

“Coach Reno’s leadership has been truly transformational,” Chun stated. “His impact on Yale Football, our department, and the university extends far beyond championships and wins — it lives in the countless people he has inspired. Coach Reno led with integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, giving his whole heart to this program every day. He cared deeply about his players as people, challenging them to excel on the field, in the classroom, and in life. Coach Reno’s devotion to Yale and to the young men he coached was total, and his legacy will endure for generations.”

The university has announced it will launch a nationwide search to find Reno’s replacement as head coach.

The head of Major League Baseball’s players union plans to step down from his position while federal investigators examine the organization’s business dealings, according to sources close to the situation.

Tony Clark will leave his role as executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, a person with knowledge of the union’s internal discussions told the Associated Press. The individual requested anonymity since Clark’s departure, which ESPN first reported, hasn’t been officially announced. His exit comes as federal prosecutors in Brooklyn investigate OneTeam Partners, a licensing business created jointly by baseball and football player unions.

In golf news, Tiger Woods continues to focus on boardroom responsibilities rather than tournament play, though he hasn’t completely dismissed the possibility of competing in the Masters this spring. Woods spent 2024 without playing in any professional tournaments for the first time in his career and underwent spinal disk replacement surgery last October. He’s currently serving as chairman of a PGA Tour committee working to restructure the competitive schedule. His potential role as future Ryder Cup captain also remains undecided.

At the Winter Olympics in Milan, Japan dominated the women’s figure skating short program as American competitors faced difficulties. Ami Nakai led the field with a personal-best score of 78.71 points after executing a triple axel, while teammate Kaori Sakamoto placed second with 77.23 points. American skater Alysa Liu managed third place, but her teammates struggled significantly – Isabeau Levito finished eighth and U.S. national champion Amber Glenn dropped to 13th place.

Champions League soccer action was marred by allegations of racial abuse during Real Madrid’s victory over Benfica. Brazilian star Vinicius Junior claimed an opponent used racial slurs against him after he scored the winning goal in Madrid’s 1-0 triumph. The match was stopped for several minutes when Vinicius accused Benfica’s Argentine player Gianluca Prestianni of calling him a “monkey.” French referee François Letexier halted play in the 52nd minute to address the situation. In other Champions League action, Paris Saint-Germain rallied for a 3-2 victory over Monaco, with substitute Desire Doue sparking the comeback.

The basketball world mourns the loss of Doug Moe, the unconventional coach who led Denver’s high-scoring teams in the 1980s. Moe passed away at age 87 following a lengthy battle with cancer, according to his son David and confirmed by longtime Denver sports broadcaster Ron Zappolo. The former North Carolina All-American player turned coach was known for his fast-paced offensive system and colorful personality. He earned NBA Coach of the Year honors in 1988 and also coached San Antonio and Philadelphia during his career.

The Detroit Pistons have emerged as the NBA’s surprise leaders heading into post-All-Star break play, sporting a remarkable 40-13 record. The franchise has transformed from years of poor performance to hold a slim lead over Oklahoma City Thunder. Detroit’s success stems from avoiding extended losing streaks and consistently defeating top-tier opponents. Star player Cade Cunningham credits the team’s sustained focus and continuous improvement for their dramatic turnaround.

Olympic hockey has found an unexpected connection to popular culture through “Heated Rivalry,” a television series featuring a romantic relationship between two male players from competing teams. The show, which follows Canadian Shane Hollander and Russian Ilya Rozanov’s secret romance, has drawn new fans to the sport. The series’ stars, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, even participated in Olympic torch ceremonies, and both athletes and spectators from North America have embraced the show’s influence on the Games.

In other Olympic results, Germany claimed all three medals in two-man bobsled competition, while Italy’s speedskating team defeated American world record holders in men’s team pursuit to capture gold. The Italian trio of Davide Ghiotto, Andrea Giovannini and Michele Malfatti outpaced Casey Dawson, Emery Lehman and Ethan Cepuran from the United States.

MILAN – The Olympic figure skating short program delivered contrasting emotions for Team USA on Saturday, as world champion Alysa Liu positioned herself for a potential medal while three-time national champion Amber Glenn experienced devastating disappointment in Milan.

Liu delivered a graceful performance set to “This Is How It Feels,” earning 76.59 points to claim third place heading into the free skate. The reigning world titlist appeared composed and confident throughout her routine.

Glenn’s evening began promisingly with a spectacular triple Axel – only the second landed among all 29 competitors – but disaster struck when she reduced a mandatory triple loop to a double, receiving zero points for the element. The error dropped her to a stunning 13th place with 67.39 points.

The emotional toll was immediately visible as Glenn broke down in tears after completing her final pose. Fellow American skater Ilia Malinin, who had his own struggles in the men’s event finishing eighth, rose to his feet in applause for his teammate. Glenn declined to meet with media following her performance.

Liu credited her family’s presence in the arena for her successful skate.

“A ton of my family is out there, and I saw them on the warm-up. I also saw them during my programme,” she said. “It was a really cool moment, because they never come to watch like this. So and I’m really glad I did super well. I felt super grounded, and I connected with my programme on another level compared to the rest of the season.”

The performance marks a remarkable chapter in Liu’s career journey. She stepped away from competition after the 2022 Olympics at just 16 years old, citing a loss of passion for the sport. Her return two years later culminated in an unexpected world championship victory in Boston, making her the first American woman to claim that title since Kimmie Meissner in 2006.

Both skaters contributed to the United States’ team event gold medal earlier in these Games.

Despite her medal position, Liu maintained perspective about her individual competition goals.

“A medal? I don’t need a medal. I just need to be here, and I just need to be present, and I need people to see what I do next,” Liu stated.

Glenn had received an unexpected boost before competition when pop icon Madonna, whose “Like a Prayer” serves as Glenn’s short program music, sent an encouraging video message.

“You are an incredible skater, so strong, so beautiful, so brave,” the Queen of Pop said in a video message. “I can’t imagine that you would not win, so I just want to say good luck. Go get that gold.”

The third member of the American trio, known collectively as the “Blade Angels,” Isabeau Levito, finished in eighth position.

TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees power hitter Giancarlo Stanton believes something crucial is missing from his time in the Bronx.

“It’s definitely incomplete,” the veteran slugger told reporters on Tuesday as he prepares for his ninth campaign wearing pinstripes. “The point of being a Yankee is being a champion.”

At 36 years old, Stanton is beginning the last two guaranteed years of the massive 13-year, $325 million deal he originally inked with Miami. Despite spending time on the injured list for seven straight seasons, he remains a powerful offensive weapon when available.

Following a delayed start to 2024 due to elbow tendon inflammation that sidelined him for the team’s opening 70 contests, Stanton posted a .273 batting average alongside 24 home runs, 66 RBIs and a .944 OPS across 77 appearances.

The ongoing elbow issues demand continuous care and attention.

“I’m good. Ready to go,” Stanton insisted. “As I said before, it’s not going anywhere. It’s always going to be maintenance, but it didn’t hinder me from any work.”

He described his training regimen as “a lot of hold, strengthening, make sure I’m able to maintain holding and swinging with power and throwing.”

The five-time All-Star and 2017 National League MVP holds a .258 career batting average with 453 home runs — leading all current players — plus 1,169 RBIs over 16 major league campaigns. He remains a crucial piece of New York’s offensive puzzle.

“With us over the last couple of years (having) become more and more left-handed, his presence in the middle is just really big,” Yankees skipper Aaron Boone explained. “It’s like having that guy lingering there, that’s Big G in the middle.”

While Stanton launched 38 homers and drove in 100 runs during his debut 2018 season in New York, injuries forced him to miss 266 of 708 possible games over the following five years. His ailments included strains to his right biceps, right knee, left hamstring twice, and left quadriceps, plus right ankle inflammation and left Achilles tendinitis.

Appearing noticeably leaner in 2024, he reduced his missed time to just 28 games due to a left hamstring strain. Stanton concluded the regular season with 27 homers and 72 RBIs in 114 games, then contributed seven homers and 16 RBIs during 14 playoff contests.

Personal milestones aren’t occupying his thoughts.

“Numbers like the next one and the next one is good for now,” he stated. “Those numbers, 500 or what not, is the same as we’re going to win the World Series right now. You got each day to do work and prove and do something positive.”

The Yankees owe Stanton $64 million in guaranteed compensation: $29 million this season, $25 million in 2027, and a $10 million buyout for a $25 million club option in 2028. Miami helps offset costs by paying New York $30 million total: $5 million each July 1 and October 1 from 2026 through 2028.

For luxury tax calculations, Stanton counts as $25 million against the Yankees’ payroll, and with New York likely facing the maximum 110% tax rate, he adds $27.5 million to their tax obligations.

Fellow players seek Stanton’s brief advice before their at-bats.

“He just processes things really well and really gains from the things he sees: the experience, the times he faces a pitcher, how he processes that and puts it to use in future at-bats against guys,” Boone noted. “I think he knows himself incredibly well as a hitter, but his presence with just the makeup of our club is huge.”

Meanwhile, shortstop Anthony Volpe won’t be available for the March 25 season opener but expects to return sometime in April after October 14 surgery to fix his left shoulder labrum.

Volpe began his hitting progression Monday with dry swings — without using a ball — and anticipates soon advancing to tee work and soft toss drills.

“My body’s ready to go defensively and running, so the hitting will be what we work through next, and judging on how everything’s gone so far, I’m just excited,” he said.

The shoulder injury occurred May 3, though Volpe returned to action two days afterward and struggled throughout much of the season. After receiving two cortisone injections, he batted .212 with 19 homers and a career-best 72 RBIs. He managed just one hit in 15 at-bats with 11 strikeouts during the AL Division Series defeat to Toronto, making outs in his final 13 plate appearances.

Post-MRI results revealed Volpe’s surgery would be more complex than initially anticipated.

“When I woke up from the surgery and we went through everything, we kind of had an idea of what the best case and what the worst case and everything in between would have been, so I wasn’t shocked,” he explained. “I was just more excited and in pain and motivated.”

Reflecting on the aftermath, his left shoulder and side never felt comparable to his right following the injury. Manager Boone indicated after the procedure that Volpe could resume hitting within four months but couldn’t dive on the shoulder for six months.

“The first half rehabbing was tough. It felt like rock bottom as far as physically,” Volpe recalled. “Probably at the turn of the New Year is when I really started to feel good and I started to do stuff, baseball activity.”

Tony Clark is stepping down as executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association amid a federal investigation into his conduct, according to multiple news outlets.

The departure was announced Tuesday, coinciding with what should have been Clark’s traditional visits to spring training facilities across the country.

Clark, age 53, has led the players’ union since 2013. The former major league player who spent 15 seasons in professional baseball has been under scrutiny by federal prosecutors in New York’s Eastern District since last summer over allegations of improper handling of licensing funds. ESPN’s reporting Tuesday also revealed the investigation uncovered an inappropriate relationship between Clark and his sister-in-law, whom the union employed in 2023.

Federal investigators are examining the MLBPA’s involvement with OneTeam Partners, a multi-billion dollar licensing enterprise the union launched alongside the NFL players association in 2019. They’re also looking into Players Way, a for-profit youth baseball program that consumed at least $3.9 million while hosting minimal events, according to ESPN’s investigation. The youth program has reportedly been discontinued, though union representatives wouldn’t confirm this development.

The union brought in external legal counsel to keep members informed about the federal probe, which started after a whistleblower filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board in November 2024. The complaint accused Clark of conflicts of interest, resource mismanagement, power abuse, and favoritism toward family members.

Neither Adam Braverman, the attorney representing the union, nor Daniel Collins, Clark’s personal counsel, responded to ESPN’s requests for comment Tuesday.

Union leadership was set to convene Tuesday afternoon to address Clark’s departure, ESPN reported.

“This happening during the investigation is not overly surprising,” New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien, also a subcommittee member, told reporters on Tuesday. “But it still hurts. It’s still something I’m processing and I just want our player group to move forward this year and be able to have a good year of negotiating with leadership that cares about what players want.”

“The timing being February, when we’re looking forward to December when the CBA expires, is better than it happening in November if something came out.”

Clark assumed leadership of the MLBPA in 2013 following the death of his predecessor, Michael Weiner. During his tenure, he negotiated two collective bargaining agreements – one completed on schedule in 2017 and another following the 2021 season that required a 99-day work stoppage before being resolved just before Opening Day.

The current labor agreement concludes after this season, with both sides appearing distant on several major issues. Team owners have pushed for implementing a salary cap similar to other major American professional sports leagues.

The players’ association has firmly rejected this proposal, with Clark strongly opposing any salary cap implementation, arguing it wouldn’t improve competitive balance in the sport.

Questions remain about how quickly the union can select Clark’s replacement and whether the leadership transition will impact ongoing contract discussions, which typically continue throughout the season.

Professional baseball hasn’t lost games to a work stoppage since the 1994 strike that resulted in canceling that year’s World Series.

Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban posted extensive comments on social media Tuesday defending the controversial practice of NBA teams intentionally losing games to secure better draft positions, while blasting the league’s recent disciplinary actions against franchises suspected of tanking.

Cuban’s lengthy social media statements came just three days after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver discussed potential changes to the draft lottery system and mentioned the possibility of taking away draft picks from offending teams.

Last week, Silver announced a $500,000 penalty against Utah after the Jazz benched key players Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. during the final quarter of their defeat to Orlando. The commissioner warned the league “would respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games.”

Cuban fired back at Silver’s stern warning with pointed criticism of the league’s approach.

“The worst that the NBA dishes out is that if you don’t lie to your fans about what you are doing, even though it’s obvious to them, you get fined,” Cuban wrote. “And (they) threaten you with losing picks.”

Kevin Pritchard, Indiana’s basketball operations president, joined the conversation after his Pacers received a $100,000 fine alongside Utah for roster management decisions. Pritchard asked fans on social media whether they supported Cuban’s position, and most responded affirmatively.

Indiana advanced to the NBA Finals last season before falling to Oklahoma City. Star player Tyrese Haliburton suffered an Achilles injury in Game 7 and is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 campaign. The Pacers stumbled through their first 13 games with 12 losses and endured a 13-game skid that left them at 6-31, though they’ve played .500 basketball since.

Dallas faces comparable circumstances one year after sending generational talent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for frequently injured center Anthony Davis, just nine months following the Mavericks’ Finals appearance.

Davis spent more time injured than playing for Dallas before being dealt to Washington at this year’s trade deadline, completing the franchise’s retreat from the unsuccessful Doncic transaction. The organization had already dismissed general manager Nico Harrison in November, the architect of the Doncic trade.

Despite having only a 1.8% lottery probability, Dallas secured the top overall selection to draft former Duke standout Cooper Flagg this past summer.

Flagg represents the franchise’s future cornerstone, while the Mavericks must soon determine whether nine-time All-Star Kyrie Irving will see any action this season. Irving tore his ACL in March, and Dallas entered the All-Star break mired in a nine-game losing streak, their longest drought in nearly three decades.

Though Cuban no longer holds decision-making authority after relinquishing majority ownership, the league previously fined him $600,000 during the 2022-23 season for publicly acknowledging Dallas was tanking to preserve a first-round selection. That strategy ultimately netted center Dereck Lively II, a talented prospect who has battled injury issues.

As tanking discussions resurface, Cuban opened his social media post with “Why the NBA should embrace tanking,” arguing that supporters don’t object to the strategy because it provides optimism for franchise improvement.

“Few can remember the score from the last game they saw or went to,” Cuban wrote. “They can’t remember the dunks or shots. What they remember is who they were with. Their family, friends, a date. That’s what makes the experience special.”

Given this perspective, Cuban suggested the league should prioritize affordability over integrity concerns surrounding tanking.

“The NBA should worry more about fan experience than tanking,” he wrote. “It should worry more about pricing fans out of games than tanking.”

While Dallas wasn’t formally accused of tanking during the 2017-18 season, Cuban’s post essentially confirmed they employed the strategy. The Mavericks posted their worst record in three decades at 24-58 but didn’t benefit from lottery luck like this year. Dallas received the fifth selection and had to make trades to move up and select Doncic.

“We didn’t tank often,” wrote Cuban, who also highlighted how current salary cap regulations have increased the value of productive rookie contracts for competitive teams. “Only a few times over 23 years, but when we did, our fans appreciated it. And it got us to where we could improve, trade up to get Luka and improve our team.”

DENVER — Former NBA coach Doug Moe, whose unconventional style and explosive offensive teams made him a basketball legend during the 1980s, passed away Tuesday at age 87 after battling cancer for an extended period.

David Moe informed close friends of his father’s death, according to longtime Denver television personality Ron Zappolo, who shared the news with reporters. The coach had been fighting the disease for some time before his passing.

The Denver Nuggets organization honored Moe through social media, describing him as “a one-of-a-kind leader and person who spearheaded one of the most successful and exciting decades in Nuggets history.”

Throughout his 15-year head coaching career, Moe compiled a 628-529 record while leading the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, and Philadelphia 76ers. Although he never captured a championship, his most notable playoff run occurred in 1985 when Denver reached the Western Conference finals before falling to the Los Angeles Lakers. The NBA recognized his excellence by naming him Coach of the Year in 1988.

Rather than championship rings, Moe’s legacy centers on his revolutionary motion offense and the captivating spectacle he created while coaching from the sidelines during games.

His Denver squads topped the NBA in scoring for five consecutive seasons during the early 1980s, achieving this success while rarely implementing structured plays.

Moe affectionately referred to his most beloved players as “stiffs” or used even stronger language, particularly when addressing favorites like Kiki VanDeWeghe, Danny Schayes, and Bill Hanzlik to emphasize his coaching points.

During games, the coach paced the sidelines wearing one of his trademark worn sports jackets, typically without a necktie (though he kept several “emergency suits” reserved for special occasions), his disheveled hair and strained voice often reduced to a whisper by the final buzzer.

The area near Denver’s bench and the ten rows of seats behind it became notorious for adult language, yet within hours of games ending, Moe could be found socializing with the same players he had criticized, often questioning where his intense sideline persona had originated.

“Sometimes I think I have a Jekyll-and-Hyde personality. I clown around a lot before and after a game, but once a game starts, my emotions just take over,” Moe explained during a 1983 New York Times interview.

Before John Elway’s arrival in Denver, Moe stood as the city’s most prominent sports figure. Zappolo, the veteran broadcaster, described discovering a gentle soul beneath Moe’s game-day intensity.

“I don’t know if there’s ever been a more important sports figure in Denver, not only because of how successful he was, but how colorful he was and how kind he was,” Zappolo explained. “There are a lot of people walking around today who feel like they were Doug’s best friend.”

Born Douglas Edwin Moe on September 21, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, he gained recognition in New York basketball communities as a teenager, sometimes using false identities to join teams for which he wouldn’t normally qualify.

He formed a partnership with close friend Larry Brown at North Carolina, where the 6-foot-5 small forward earned All-America recognition twice. However, his college career ended prematurely due to a point-shaving scandal, though Moe only accepted $75 for travel expenses to attend a meeting and refused to manipulate game outcomes.

Following several years playing professionally in Europe, Moe reunited with Brown as they navigated careers in the emerging ABA. Moe achieved three All-Star selections during his five-year playing career, which concluded early due to chronic knee problems.

After retiring as a player, he joined Brown’s coaching staff with the Carolina Cougars, then moved to the Nuggets during the franchise’s final ABA seasons.

Despite claiming he never desired a head coaching position and preferred avoiding such demanding work, Brown convinced him to accept the San Antonio job. With George Gervin’s assistance, Moe captured two division titles and reached one conference final during his four seasons with the Spurs.

Denver became Moe’s next destination when he replaced another Carolina associate, Donnie Walsh, who was dismissed in 1980. The following decade represented a golden period for the Nuggets, who wore rainbow uniforms and established scoring records while remaining overshadowed by the Lakers and Celtics dynasties.

Alex English and VanDeWeghe claimed the top two scoring positions during the 1982-83 season, an achievement no teammates have duplicated since. The Nuggets participated in a 186-184 loss to Detroit in 1983 that remains the NBA’s highest-scoring contest. Moe accumulated 432 victories with Denver, and the organization retired that number in his honor.

More than three decades passed after Moe’s retirement and relocation to San Antonio before the Nuggets finally achieved NBA championship success.

Ironically, one of Moe’s most memorable coaching moments came while opposing Denver on the 1977-78 season’s final day when he coached San Antonio. Earlier that day, Denver, then coached by Brown, assisted David Thompson in scoring 73 points against Detroit, temporarily placing him ahead of Gervin in their tight scoring title race.

That evening, Moe instructed the Spurs to clear the way for “Ice.” Gervin responded with 63 points against Utah, winning the scoring championship by .07 points.

Moe’s coaching pinnacle occurred in Denver, where his teams improved significantly after acquiring Fat Lever and Calvin Natt through a 1984 trade. However, both players suffered injuries during the 1985 conference finals against Los Angeles. Denver lost the final three games in a 4-1 series defeat, marking Moe’s closest approach to a championship.

While Denver emphasized offense, Moe dedicated considerable time promoting defensive play, arguing that defense, rather than scoring prowess, would determine victory or defeat.

During one particularly frustrating blowout loss in Portland, he angrily ordered his team to abandon defensive efforts and allow easy baskets during the final minutes, enabling the Trail Blazers to establish a franchise single-game scoring record. This decision resulted in a fine and suspension, occurring just weeks after he was penalized for throwing water at an official.

Generally, however, Moe built his reputation on maintaining perspective and humor, serving as a disheveled contrast to the polished Pat Riley and the Lakers’ Showtime teams that controlled the Western Conference throughout the decade.

Moe even turned his lowest moment—his 1990 dismissal by Denver—into theater by wearing a Hawaiian shirt and opening champagne at the press conference while his wife, whom he called “Big Jane,” watched. He declared it a celebration since he would now receive payment for doing nothing.

His head coaching career concluded with an unsuccessful Philadelphia stint lasting less than one season before returning to Denver in various support roles, including serving as George Karl’s assistant coach.

“Because I’m stupid, or something like that,” Moe responded when asked why he returned to coaching.

That assessment proved far from accurate.

Despite his claims of simply providing a basketball and letting players perform, a sophisticated and well-rehearsed system underlied what appeared to be the chaos of his fast-paced passing offense.

“There will never be another sports figure like Doug Moe,” Zappolo concluded. “He really was one of a kind.”

Following Miami’s decision to part ways with star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, buzz is building around a possible return to Kansas City, where the speedster spent his first six NFL seasons. However, the Chiefs will face stiff competition from numerous franchises looking to bolster their receiving corps.

The 31-year-old receiver, who celebrates his 32nd birthday on March 1, continues his rehabilitation from a torn ACL and dislocated knee suffered in late September. During a recent Twitch livestream, Hill shared that his recovery is “going good,” though he mentioned needing one additional surgical procedure.

Given Hill’s injury status and unlikely participation in offseason training programs, his availability for Week 1 remains questionable. This uncertainty means his free agency market may develop slowly as teams assess whether the player known as “Cheetah” can return to his trademark explosive performance.

Nevertheless, speculation continues about Hill’s 2026 destination.

During his Kansas City tenure, Hill accumulated impressive statistics with 479 receptions for 6,630 yards and 56 touchdowns. The Chiefs struggled with their passing game last season, ranking 16th in aerial yards, while dealing with inconsistent performance and injury issues from young receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy.

Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones publicly campaigned for Hill’s return on Monday, posting on X: “@cheetah it’s ‘time’” along with a clock emoji.

However, Kansas City faces significant offseason challenges beyond wide receiver needs, including Patrick Mahomes’ recovery from ACL surgery, decisions regarding tight end Travis Kelce’s future, and improvements to their struggling ground game.

Despite these concerns, sportsbooks have established Kansas City as the +400 betting favorite to secure Hill’s services, though several other teams are expected to pursue him aggressively.

The Buffalo Bills emerge as strong contenders with +500 odds, featuring new offensive coordinator Joe Brady and desperately seeking playmakers for quarterback Josh Allen.

In the NFC, the New York Giants present an intriguing option under new head coach John Harbaugh. The franchise is building around young quarterback Jaxson Dart and features receiver Malik Nabers, who is also recovering from a torn ACL.

Additional contenders include the Denver Broncos (+700) following their AFC Championship Game appearance and the San Francisco 49ers (+900), who plan significant changes to their receiving unit.

The New England Patriots (+1000) also join the conversation after their Super Bowl run, seeking deep threats to support quarterback Drake Maye’s development.

Complete betting odds for Hill’s next destination include:

Kansas City Chiefs (+400)
Buffalo Bills (+500)
New York Giants (+600)
Denver Broncos (+700)
Green Bay Packers (+750)
San Francisco 49ers (+900)
Las Vegas Raiders (+1000)
New England Patriots (+1000)
Baltimore Ravens (+1200)
Atlanta Falcons (+1400)
Pittsburgh Steelers (+1600)
Los Angeles Chargers (+1800)
Tennessee Titans (+2200)
Chicago Bears (+2500)
Arizona Cardinals (+2800)
Carolina Panthers (+2800)
Cleveland Browns (+3300)
Los Angeles Rams (+3300)
Indianapolis Colts (+4000)
New Orleans Saints (+4000)
New York Jets (+4000)
Washington Commanders (+4000)
Houston Texans (+4500)
Seattle Seahawks (+4500)
Jacksonville Jaguars (+5000)
Philadelphia Eagles (+5000)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+5000)
Dallas Cowboys (+6600)
Detroit Lions (+6600)
Minnesota Vikings (+6600)
Cincinnati Bengals (+7500)

Before his injury, Hill managed 21 catches for 265 yards and one touchdown across four games. His career totals include 819 receptions for 11,363 yards and 83 touchdowns over 145 games with Kansas City (2016-21) and Miami.

Hill addressed his situation Monday via Instagram, expressing gratitude to the Dolphins organization while emphasizing his determination to return.

“Every chapter in life has taught me something. This one taught me leadership, resilience, and mostly gratitude,” Hill wrote. “The love I have for this game is unexplainable. And right now, this off season, for the first time ever, The Cheetah is all the way turned up and locked in. Focused.

“The Cheetah don’t slow down. Ever.

“So to everyone wondering what’s next… just wait on it. The Cheetah will be back…Born Again.”

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Minnesota Twins received devastating news during their initial full-team practice session when star pitcher Pablo López sustained a serious elbow injury that could end his 2025 season before it begins.

Team General Manager Jeremy Zoll announced to media at their spring training complex on Tuesday that López suffered a “significant tear” in the ulnar collateral ligament of his right arm. While awaiting additional medical consultation, Zoll indicated that Tommy John surgery would most likely be required. The injury occurred after López cut short his Monday bullpen session due to discomfort in his pitching arm.

López, who has served as Minnesota’s opening day starter for the past three seasons, faces the crushing reality of missing both the upcoming MLB campaign and next month’s World Baseball Classic, where he was set to represent Venezuela.

“I already feel I’m letting a lot of people down,” López stated. “I’m letting myself down. I’m letting the Twins down. I’m letting my family down.”

The pitcher, who will celebrate his 30th birthday on March 7, is earning $21.75 million this season and remains under contract through 2026.

“We know injuries are part of the game. You’re always trying to get through spring training as healthy as possible,” Zoll explained. “It’s definitely a blow, but we’re going to just do the best we can to push forward.”

López began his professional career with the Miami Marlins in 2018, playing five seasons before joining Minnesota through a trade. During his inaugural year with the Twins, he earned All-Star recognition and played a crucial role in breaking the franchise’s historic 18-game postseason losing streak in North American professional sports, posting a 2-0 record with a 0.71 ERA across two playoff appearances in 2023.

This won’t be López’s first experience with Tommy John surgery, as he underwent the procedure while in the Seattle Mariners system, missing the entire 2014 minor league season.

“We’re not designed to throw things that hard for an extended time,” López remarked to reporters at the Lee Health Sports Complex. “Having done it once, I can do it again. Doesn’t mean I want to, but I’m going to have to and I know I can.”

Last season proved challenging for López, who missed approximately three months due to a shoulder problem, limiting him to just 75 2/3 innings. Despite being frequently mentioned in trade discussions as the Twins reduced payroll, management chose to retain both López and fellow right-hander Joe Ryan to anchor what was anticipated to be a formidable starting rotation.

With López sidelined, the Twins must now rely on Ryan, a 2025 All-Star selection, to lead the pitching staff, while Bailey Ober faces increased expectations to serve as a dependable second starter.

The team’s younger pitchers, including 25-year-olds Simeon Woods Richardson, Zebby Matthews, and David Festa—who collectively started 98 games over the previous two seasons—are expected to compete for rotation spots. Additionally, Taj Bradley and Mick Abel, both acquired during last summer’s trade deadline activity, remain strong candidates for starting roles.

“In a lot of ways, we view this as a real opportunity for someone to step up and take advantage of that,” Zoll noted. “We’ll pick up the pieces once we have a better handle on things.”

Basketball coaching legend Doug Moe passed away Tuesday at the age of 87, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in professional basketball.

The Denver Nuggets expressed their sorrow in an official statement shared on social media. “The Denver Nuggets organization was devastated to learn of the passing of legendary coach Doug Moe,” the team said in a statement posted to social media. “Coach Moe was a one of a kind leader and person who spearheaded one of the most successful and exciting decades in Nuggets history.”

Moe became synonymous with fast-paced, offensive basketball throughout his coaching career. His innovative approach earned him NBA Coach of the Year honors during the 1987-88 season, and he later received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

Throughout his coaching tenure, Moe accumulated an impressive 628-529 record while leading three franchises: the San Antonio Spurs from 1976-80, the Denver Nuggets from 1980-90, and the Philadelphia 76ers during the 1992-93 season. His teams qualified for postseason play 12 times, compiling a 33-50 playoff record.

Under Moe’s leadership, Denver made nine straight playoff appearances and advanced to the Western Conference finals in 1985, ultimately falling to the championship-bound Los Angeles Lakers in five games.

The Nuggets became the league’s top scoring team six different times during Moe’s tenure. His 432 victories with Denver place him second in franchise history, trailing only current coach Michael Malone’s 471 wins.

“He will forever be loved and remembered by Nuggets fans and his banner commemorating his 432 career victories as head coach will hang in the rafters to forever honor his incredible legacy,” the team statement said.

Prior to his coaching career, Moe distinguished himself as an All-American forward at the University of North Carolina. His playing career included professional stints in Italy and the American Basketball Association, where he earned three All-Star selections and captured a championship with the Oakland Oaks in 1968-69.

University of North Carolina’s standout freshman Caleb Wilson is expected to make his comeback from a fractured left hand in the near future, according to head coach Hubert Davis.

The towering forward broke his non-shooting hand during the Tar Heels’ 75-66 defeat against Miami on February 10th.

Wilson has been a dominant force for the 16th-ranked North Carolina squad (20-5, 8-4 Atlantic Coast Conference), putting up impressive numbers with 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.

During his Monday evening radio program, Davis praised Wilson’s determination and eagerness to return to action.

“Caleb, he is great,” Davis stated. “I think if I said ‘OK,’ I think he would play with his cast on or his splint. I think he would. He’s just champing at the bit to come back because obviously he loves to play, but he loves his teammates and he loves playing here.”

Davis continued with optimism about the timeline, saying, “He’ll be back on the floor soon, so that’ll be great.”

The 6-foot-10 Wilson has garnered significant attention as a potential top-five selection in the 2026 NBA Draft.

With Tuesday evening’s matchup against Pittsburgh in Chapel Hill included, North Carolina faces six remaining contests in their regular season schedule.

The NFL’s trading period is set to intensify as teams prepare for franchise tag decisions starting Tuesday and the upcoming free agency period next month.

A year ago, major player movements dominated headlines before free agency officially began, including DK Metcalf’s move from Seattle to Pittsburgh, Geno Smith’s trade from the Seahawks to Las Vegas, and Laremy Tunsil’s relocation from Houston to Washington alongside Deebo Samuel, who joined the Commanders from San Francisco.

Though Seattle’s strategy seemed unclear initially, the Seahawks ultimately signed Sam Darnold as a free agent and captured Super Bowl LX. Now, numerous franchises are exploring potential trades as part of their long-term rebuilding efforts.

Several prominent veterans could find themselves in trade discussions, each carrying significant financial implications for both their current teams and potential suitors.

Philadelphia Eagles WR A.J. Brown

The 29-year-old receiver presents a complex situation with over $110 million remaining across four contract years. His 2026 salary cap impact would be $23.4 million for Philadelphia but only $7 million for an acquiring team.

Tensions between Brown and quarterback Jalen Hurts have created an uncomfortable dynamic that simple apologies cannot resolve. Trading Brown would saddle the Eagles with a massive $43.5 million dead money hit on their 2026 cap. However, General Manager Howie Roseman might prioritize team chemistry over financial concerns. Brown’s situation mirrors that of cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who has been traded three times during his career.

Las Vegas Raiders DE Maxx Crosby

The 29-year-old pass rusher carries a 2026 cap hit of $35.88 million, which would drop to $30.79 million for a new team. Las Vegas would absorb only about $5 million in dead money.

With minority owner Tom Brady’s input, the Raiders’ front office might consider moving Crosby if they receive substantial compensation. Teams like the New York Jets or Dallas Cowboys could offer multiple first-round selections or valuable assets such as an offensive tackle to entice General Manager John Spytek. Without a premium offer, Las Vegas should wait until October’s trade deadline when Crosby’s value remains high.

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray

Murray’s contract situation reflects concerning value concerns, as the Cardinals paid him $158.5 million in salary and bonuses from 2023-25 while he appeared in just 30 games over three seasons. His 2026 cap hit of $52.7 million would decrease to $24.9 million for a trading partner, making the deal structure potentially attractive despite his injury history and inconsistent play.

Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa

At 28, Tagovailoa represents the most expensive option with a $56.3 million cap hit in 2026, reduced to $42.9 million for an acquiring team. Miami would face a devastating $45.2 million dead money penalty.

Despite the financial pain, the Dolphins could survive this hit if they believe in seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers or plan to draft a replacement in April. Tagovailoa’s current cost exceeds what the Rams pay Matthew Stafford and surpasses contracts for Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Sam Darnold, Jordan Love, Jalen Hurts, Brock Purdy, and Trevor Lawrence.

Miami’s new leadership experienced similar decisions in Green Bay when Aaron Rodgers was traded and the Packers committed to Jordan Love. The Dolphins likely won’t receive significant compensation for Tagovailoa, similar to Denver’s situation with Russell Wilson, where the Broncos absorbed over $80 million in dead money after one season with Sean Payton. Denver’s decision proved correct as they drafted Bo Nix and earned the AFC’s top playoff seed in 2025.

Federal authorities have indicted a 46-year-old Jacksonville man on charges of orchestrating a doping scheme designed to impact major international athletic competitions, including last year’s Paris Olympics, according to an announcement Tuesday from U.S. prosecutors.

Paul Alexander Askew stands accused of working with others to supply performance-enhancing substances to at least one athlete between July 2023 and January 2024, according to U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe’s office.

The alleged scheme targeted several high-profile competitions, including the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, the U.S. Olympic Trials, and the Paris Summer Olympics, federal prosecutors stated in the indictment.

Under federal law, an indictment represents formal criminal charges, though defendants remain innocent until proven guilty in court.

Should he be found guilty, Askew could face up to a decade behind bars in federal prison.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency praised the charges, noting they were brought under the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act. This 2020 federal law allows American prosecutors to pursue penalties of up to $1 million in fines and 10-year prison sentences, even against foreign nationals whose actions impact American competitors.

“While athletes face clear sanctions under the World Anti-Doping Code, others have escaped responsibility for undermining the integrity of sport,” USADA said in a statement.

“Without RADA, this indictment of an athlete support person never would have happened, demonstrating how it can be a powerful complement to the Code in ensuring that all those who engage in doping fraud are held accountable.”

Television viewers watching Major League Baseball games this season will notice something missing from their screens – the familiar strike zone graphics that previously showed whether pitches were balls or strikes.

This change comes as MLB introduces its new automated ball-strike challenge system, which allows teams to contest umpire decisions. While broadcasters can still display the strike zone outline, they will no longer include indicators showing the accuracy of each call.

League officials made this decision to prevent teams from gaining an unfair advantage by watching broadcast feeds to determine which calls to challenge. Under the new system, each team receives two challenges per nine-inning game.

The automated challenge technology debuts this season following extensive testing in Triple-A baseball and during spring training games in 2025. Baseball fans will get their first look at the system on March 25 when the New York Yankees face the San Francisco Giants on Opening Night, marking Netflix’s inaugural live MLB broadcast.

According to Yahoo Sports, an MLB representative explained the reasoning behind removing the visual aids: “With ABS now determining the zone, we want fans to trust the system without second-guessing every call through a digital strike box.”

United States women’s soccer coach Emma Hayes announced Tuesday her 26-player roster for the upcoming SheBelieves Cup tournament, marking the first time since she took over two years ago that no newcomers made the squad.

Hayes is using the March tournament as preparation for the team’s World Cup qualifying matches scheduled for this fall. The competition will allow teams to use expanded rosters for the first time.

“The SheBelieves Cup is a fantastic tournament which gives us the opportunity to replicate the group stage of a FIFA tournament,” Hayes said in a statement.

“Three quality games in quick succession also allow us to replicate conditions that will prepare us for the World Cup qualifying campaign this fall.”

The roster includes eight players who won Olympic gold medals at the 2024 Paris Games and brings back 13 athletes from last year’s tournament, which Japan captured to break the Americans’ five-year championship run.

Missing from the squad is Catarina Macario, who leads the team in scoring this year. Hayes explained that the Chelsea striker is recovering from a heel injury and hasn’t been cleared to play for her club team.

“She’s getting closer and closer with every day, but she’s not available for selection yet at Chelsea,” Hayes told reporters. “I don’t know when that is going to come – I don’t know if that’s a week, two or three weeks away.”

Portland Thorns striker Sophia Wilson also won’t participate after taking maternity leave for the 2025 season following her daughter’s birth in September.

“Soph and I spoke and she’s just not ready. The return to play protocol just isn’t giving her enough time, I think, for her to be in the place that she wanted to be in,” Hayes added.

The team features sisters Alyssa and Gisele Thompson, who will compete together in their second SheBelieves Cup.

Just three athletes on the roster have earned more than 100 international caps: Lindsey Heaps with 170, Rose Lavelle with 116, and Gisele Thompson with 113, highlighting the squad’s younger composition.

The tournament’s 11th edition kicks off March 1 in Nashville, where Team USA will open against Argentina before meeting Canada and Colombia.

Complete U.S. women’s roster:

Goalkeepers: Claudia Dickey, Mandy McGlynn, Phallon Tullis-Joyce

Defenders: Jordyn Bugg, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Lilly Reale, Tara Rudd, Emily Sonnett, Gisele Thompson, Kennedy Wesley, Kate Wiesner

Midfielders: Sam Coffey, Lindsey Heaps, Claire Hutton, Riley Jackson, Rose Lavelle, Olivia Moultrie, Jaedyn Shaw, Lily Yohannes

Forwards: Maddie Dahlien, Jameese Joseph, Trinity Rodman, Emma Sears, Ally Sentnor, Alyssa Thompson

Atlanta United has brought aboard seasoned midfielder Fafa Picault, the team revealed on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old player from Haiti has signed a deal running through 2026, with the club holding an option to extend until June 2027.

Picault was part of Inter Miami’s championship squad that captured the MLS Cup this past season, contributing four goals across 20 regular-season appearances.

“I first met Fafa two decades ago at a clinic for the Haitian community while I was playing for Miami Fusion,” Atlanta chief soccer officer and sporting director Chris Henderson said. “Just a kid at the time, his pace, quality, and joy for the game stood out. I followed his journey closely and worked to bring him to Inter Miami CF.

“Now, after winning MLS Cup this past season, it’s special for me to welcome him to Atlanta United. He has been a productive player in this league for a long time, and he brings experience, professionalism, and championship mentality to our group. For me, this signing is truly full circle, and I’m thrilled we could make it happen.”

Throughout his MLS career beginning in 2017, Picault has tallied 60 goals and 28 assists across 244 matches while suiting up for six different clubs. His professional journey has taken him through Philadelphia Union, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Nashville SC, Vancouver Whitecaps and most recently Miami.

Atlanta United kicks off their 2026 MLS campaign with a road match against FC Cincinnati this Saturday.

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — The harrowing scene of Lindsey Vonn writhing in pain on the slopes before being evacuated by helicopter following her Olympic accident served as a brutal reminder of downhill skiing’s inherent risks.

Perhaps most troubling: Her skis never detached.

During her tumbling crash at the Milan Cortina Games, Vonn’s boots stayed locked to her skis, twisting unnaturally as she came to rest while clearly suffering tremendous pain.

While it’s unclear if releasing skis would have prevented her severe tibia break — which has already necessitated several operations — the catastrophic injury has highlighted concerns about binding technology, which connects boots to skis and represents one of skiing’s most outdated systems.

Associated Press sources reveal that an advanced binding mechanism engineered to automatically detach skis when racers like Vonn lose control remains in early conceptual stages following years of delayed conversations.

“Unfortunately, sometimes it does take horrific accidents to shine even more of a light on what can be done,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, president and CEO of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association. “It’s an area we can’t be competitive in; we’ve all got to be in it together with our different country counterparts and FIS (the International Ski and Snowboard Federation).”

Ski bindings have maintained essentially the same fundamental structure for fifty years: After a skier enters toe-first and secures by pressing down their heel, force must be exerted for the mechanism to free the boot. Recreational skiers use bindings calibrated to release more readily to prevent leg trauma; elite competitors have theirs tightened significantly to maintain connection during high-speed racing.

Most observers weren’t shocked that Vonn’s skis stayed on. The real debate centers on whether they should have released.

An intelligent binding system utilizing algorithmic technology and engineered to automatically disengage when skiers lose control “would have surely” prevented Vonn’s leg fracture, according to Peter Gerdol, FIS women’s race director for both Olympic and World Cup competitions.

“That’s exactly what the system will be designed to do,” Gerdol told AP. “Her skis would have definitely popped off. … We’ve seen a lot of other cases in which the bindings don’t open and it results in knee issues, especially when the still-attached ski acts as a lever, either on the net or on the snow or on a gate or on any other obstacle. The leg becomes blocked and the knee gives out.”

Just nine days prior to her Olympic accident, Vonn damaged her left ACL during a crash in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. She ended up tangled in protective netting with her skis still connected.

This intelligent binding technology could utilize components from the protective airbag systems that became required for speed event competitors this season.

“It’s still going to take time to develop but the idea is that the binding would be triggered by the same algorithm that prompts the air bag to inflate,” Gerdol said. “The heel piece would slide back and the athlete’s skis would pop off.”

Dainese and its affiliated company, D-Air Lab, invested years creating algorithmic technology for airbags that inflate beneath racers’ suits after establishing similar systems for motorcycle competition.

Working alongside FIS, Dainese is providing the airbag algorithm to major binding manufacturers including Look, Tyrolia, Salomon, Atomic and Marker to modify the technology for ski release applications.

Automatic ski release presents greater complexity than airbag deployment. Elite athletes sometimes achieve remarkable recoveries after becoming airborne and frequently rely on their skis for braking before colliding with protective barriers.

“It’s a very complicated project,” said Marco Pastore, a Dainese representative on the circuit for the air bag system. “If you release a binding, you’ve got to be absolutely sure you do it at the right moment. For the air bag you can look at the rotations and the entire body position. But with the bindings you’ve got to examine how the feet move, what the trajectory of the skis is — plus a series of other variables.”

Although FIS seeks to oversee the initiative, funding questions persist.

“These are very costly projects and to be honest Dainese has not made much” from the air bags, Pastore said. “Right now it’s costing us money. Everyone wants these great things but at the end of the day someone has to pay for it.”

Sasha Rearick, who led the U.S. men’s ski team from 2008-18, remembers binding discussions during his tenure with the World Cup coaches’ working group almost ten years ago.

“The problem is that Dainese is the one who’s putting the money and all the investments,” Rearick said. “So if they’re sharing it with the binding companies, the binding companies now need to invest heavy, and it probably costs (a lot).”

Markus Waldner, director for men’s World Cup and Olympic racing, stated earlier this season that FIS is “working with bio-mechanists and manufacturers to refine boot and binding standards to reduce the likelihood of catastrophic edge catches at high speed.”

Nevertheless, Gerdol estimates the project could require anywhere from two to six years before implementation.

To prevent accidental ski detachment, technicians adjust racers’ bindings to create virtually permanent connections.

Leo Mussi, who services equipment for American downhill racers Bryce Bennett and Sam Morse, calibrates his athletes’ bindings to withstand up to 200 kilograms (440 pounds) of force — more than twice the capacity of consumer-grade bindings.

Austrian competitor Marco Schwarz sustained significant knee damage during a December 2023 crash at the Bormio downhill. His skis remained attached as he slid into safety barriers.

“It’s tough to say,” he said of whether the skis popping off would’ve saved him from injury, and he isn’t sure about changing things.

“The best way is to keep it simple,” Schwarz said. “I don’t want to push too much into more technology.”

Nina O’Brien, an American athlete who underwent four operations following a severe compound fracture at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, said she didn’t fault any equipment issues for her crash and credited her technician.

“Regardless if I’ve worn the skis that morning, clicked out and gotten a coffee,” O’Brien said, “when I step back in, he checks them to make sure they’re perfect.”

The protective airbag system underwent initial World Cup testing in 2013 and only became mandatory for downhill and super-G speed events this season. During the interim period, some athletes complained the devices affected their aerodynamics, caused discomfort, or potentially contributed to injuries.

Safety concerns gained urgency recently following the death of Italian skier Matteo Franzoso after a preseason training crash in Chile.

“Unfortunately, it always takes something serious to happen for people to say, ‘No. Now we need to do something,’” Pastore said.

This season also marks the first time cut-resistant undergarments are mandatory for all World Cup and Olympic events.

Significant opportunities exist for safety improvements. While smart-binding development continues, Rearick — currently director of Apex 2100, an international ski academy in Tignes, France — recommends addressing racing suit standards.

“Make one suit of material for everybody that’s a little bit warmer, that’s a little bit slower, that’s cut-proof,” Rearick said. “That will make the sport a lot safer for everybody.”

Minnesota Twins star pitcher Pablo Lopez faces a lengthy recovery after suffering a major tear to the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm, team General Manager Jeremy Zoll announced on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old right-handed ace may require Tommy John surgery, which would end his 2025 season. Lopez is seeking additional medical opinions before making a final decision on treatment.

The injury became apparent during Monday’s live batting practice session, which Lopez had to stop early. Manager Derek Shelton described the issue at the time as “a little bit of elbow soreness.”

Lopez was participating in spring training activities at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida, where he pitched more than two innings against live batters. He had been getting ready to represent Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

The veteran pitcher, who celebrates his 30th birthday on March 7, has dealt with multiple injuries recently. Despite making 32 starts in both 2022 and 2024, Lopez spent time on the injured list three separate times in 2025 due to hamstring, shoulder muscle, and forearm problems. He finished with a 5-4 record and 2.74 ERA across 14 starts, pitching 75 2/3 innings.

Throughout his eight-year major league career split between Miami (2018-2022) and Minnesota, Lopez has compiled a 59-53 record with a 3.81 ERA. The 2023 All-Star has struck out 994 batters while walking 251 over 965 innings pitched across 172 career starts. He is currently in the third year of a four-year contract worth $73.5 million that he signed in 2023.

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – The Swedish women’s curling team’s perfect record came to an end Tuesday at the Winter Olympics, but Anna Hasselborg and her squad still found reason to celebrate after securing their place in the semi-finals.

The Swedish team, which had dominated their first six round-robin matches, fell 8-6 to Canada’s Rachel Homan-led squad, marking their initial setback of the tournament. Canada, holding two world championship titles, handed Sweden their first defeat in what proved to be a closely contested match.

Hasselborg expressed surprise and joy upon learning of her team’s semi-final qualification despite the loss.

“What! I didn’t know. Oh, wow. Okay, this made me very happy,” Hasselborg remarked when told of their advancement. “We’re qualified. Woo! Okay, that’s good news and also a little weird, because I’m very disappointed with my own performance there. But that was a bandage!”

The Swedish skip reflected on the competitive nature of the match, adding, “I think this game could have gone either way, with two teams trying to figure it out. It’s just like proof that we have done something really right, all the other games.”

This marks the third consecutive Olympics where Hasselborg’s team has reached the semi-final round. The squad captured gold at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and earned bronze four years later in Beijing.

Canada’s victory brought their tournament record to four wins, placing them in a tie for fourth position with South Korea.

“Every game here is huge for us,” Homan commented following the win. “We have to keep playing our game, keep staying within ourselves. We’re just taking it one shot at a time right now.”

Tuesday’s action also saw Switzerland and the United States both claim victories, creating a deadlock for second place in the standings. Switzerland, led by Silvana Tirinzoni and boasting four world championship titles, defeated South Korea 7-5. Meanwhile, Tabitha Peterson’s American team dominated Denmark with a commanding 10-3 victory.

In other Tuesday results, host nation Italy secured their second tournament win by defeating Japan 8-6.

The round-robin format continues Wednesday, with each team scheduled to play nine total matches. The top four finishers will advance to Friday’s semi-final competition.

Canada’s women’s speed skating squad captured their second consecutive Olympic championship in the team pursuit competition on Tuesday at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, bringing home the nation’s inaugural speed skating gold medal of these Games.

The Dutch team finished in second place to take the silver medal, while Japan rounded out the medal ceremony by securing bronze after defeating the United States in the consolation final.

The triumph continues Canada’s dominance in the women’s team pursuit discipline, as they successfully retained the title they previously won at the last Winter Olympics.

A brand-new Olympic sport is making its historic debut this week in the Italian Alps, where ski mountaineering has deep roots dating back centuries.

The discipline, commonly called SkiMo, will hold its first-ever Olympic competitions starting Thursday with men’s and women’s sprint races in Bormio, Italy. The location is particularly meaningful since this mountainous Alpine region is considered the birthplace of competitive ski mountaineering.

THE COMPETITION FORMAT

SkiMo blends uphill climbing and downhill skiing into one intense race. The Olympic sprint version features rapid-fire heats lasting approximately three minutes each, with 36 total athletes competing across three elimination rounds leading to the finals.

Each competitor must navigate three distinct segments: climbing uphill on skis equipped with special gripping “skins,” carrying their skis in backpacks while running up stairs on foot (called boot-packing), and finally skiing downhill to the finish through a course that may include jumps and rolling terrain features.

Success depends heavily on how quickly athletes can transition between these different phases, making it a true race against time where the fastest finisher claims victory.

Saturday will feature a mixed-gender relay format, with male-female teams each completing two rounds together.

DEEP ROOTS IN HOST REGION

While ski mountaineering’s origins stretch back hundreds of years to Alpine military training, the sport holds special significance in the Bormio area hosting these Olympic events.

“It’s kind of where ski mountaineering racing came to life,” explained Michela Martinelli, who serves as sport manager of ski mountaineering for Milano Cortina, describing the Alpine region around Bormio. The area has produced numerous elite SkiMo athletes and houses a premier ski equipment manufacturer specializing in the sport.

The modern competitive version developed primarily during the 1980s when recreational races began emerging. The sport held its inaugural World Championships in 2002 in Serre Chevalier, France, later joined the Youth Olympic Games in 2022, and now reaches the Winter Olympics at Milano Cortina.

Adding to the local connection, two Italian competitors – Giulia Murada and Michele Boscacci – hail from the surrounding region, with both of their fathers actually helping construct the Olympic course.

Their fathers, Ivan Murada and Graziano Boscacci, are accomplished ski mountaineers themselves who captured the team event at that first-ever World Championship, contributing significantly to Italy’s prominence in the sport.

TOP CONTENDERS TO FOLLOW

France’s Emily Harrop enters as the defending world number one in women’s sprint from last year, while Spain’s Oriol Cardona Coll holds the same distinction in the men’s division.

However, they’ll face strong challenges from competitors including Switzerland’s Marianne Fatton and Jon Kistler, plus France’s Thibault Anselmet, who claimed the most recent World Cup men’s sprint victory in Spain earlier this February.

The French pair of Harrop and Anselmet, who won the mixed relay at that same competition, will battle not only Spanish and Swiss teams but also Italian married couple Michele Boscacci and Alba de Silvestro, along with promising American newcomers Anna Gibson and Cam Smith from the United States.

Four years ago, the Detroit Pistons held the franchise’s worst record when the All-Star break arrived. Two seasons back, their standing was even more dismal.

The transformation has been remarkable.

As the NBA resumes action Thursday following the All-Star break, the Pistons — a team that hasn’t claimed a playoff series victory since 2008 — hold the league’s top record by the narrowest of margins over defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Detroit stands at 40-13, while Oklahoma City sits at 42-14.

While the Thunder’s position was anticipated, the Pistons’ rise has surprised many. Whether Detroit can maintain its grip on the top position becomes one of the most compelling narratives as the season’s final stretch begins — with roughly one-third of the campaign remaining as teams either push toward playoff positioning or tank for improved draft lottery chances.

“We’re just going to run our race,” said Pistons All-Star guard Cade Cunningham. “We like where we’re at, and we’re going to continue to try to finish our season strong.”

Several factors favor Detroit heading into the season’s final phase.

The team has avoided significant slumps, posting an 11-2 record following defeats and joining just Oklahoma City and San Antonio as the only franchises without a losing streak exceeding two games. They rarely suffer blowout losses, recording a league-low three defeats by double digits. Most impressively, they’ve compiled a league-best 17-6 mark against teams with .500 records or better.

Postseason basketball returns to Detroit, marking the first time since 2008 that the Pistons should host a playoff series opener. Several other franchises — including Oklahoma City, Boston, New York, San Antonio, Denver, Houston, and Cleveland — appear virtually guaranteed playoff spots at this stage.

The coming two months will determine which teams advance to the first round versus those competing for the top draft selection.

“It’s been hard. It’s been a long journey so far, but just going to work every day, finding ways to connect with my teammates, connect with the city the best I can, and bring wins to the city,” Cunningham explained. “That’s what the city respects and loves is people that go out there and compete every day. There were times they didn’t like how we played. We figured it out, and now we have something going, something building. Just have to keep going now.”

The current top five teams by record include: Detroit, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Boston, Denver and New York (with the Nuggets and Knicks tied for fifth).

History suggests the eventual champion will emerge from this group.

While acknowledging the league’s smaller size in earlier eras, only four times has the NBA Finals winner failed to rank among the top five teams record-wise at the All-Star break.

Milwaukee ranked seventh during the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season. Detroit held seventh place in 2003-04, Houston was ninth in 1994-95, and Washington sat eighth in 1977-78.

The scoring title appears to be a two-player battle between Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic and Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Doncic leads with 32.8 points per game, while Gilgeous-Alexander — last season’s scoring champion — averages 31.8.

After capturing the 2023-24 scoring crown, Gilgeous-Alexander could join just 13 other players in NBA history to win consecutive scoring titles.

Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton — both All-NBA selections last season — were expected to miss awards consideration this year due to Achilles injuries sustained in last year’s playoffs, signaling a different group of honorees this spring.

The changes will be more dramatic than anticipated.

Due to the 65-game minimum requirement for most individual awards, Lakers star LeBron James will see his 21-year All-NBA streak conclude. He joins four other previous All-NBA picks guaranteed to miss this year’s team: Tatum, Haliburton, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams.

Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Golden State’s Stephen Curry teeter on the edge, essentially unable to miss more than one additional game to maintain award eligibility.

Cleveland’s Evan Mobley — a second-team All-NBA pick last season — has missed 13 games this year, leaving little margin for additional absences. The Lakers’ Austin Reaves, Washington’s Anthony Davis, and Memphis’ Ja Morant have all exceeded the eligibility threshold.

Additional players approaching the cutoff include Doncic, San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, Utah’s Lauri Markkanen, and Phoenix’s Devin Booker.

The destiny of two magnificent Olympic flame cauldrons that have captured worldwide attention during the 2026 Winter Games hangs in the balance as Milan and Cortina officials continue discussions about their permanent locations after the Olympic torch is extinguished.

One thing is definite: these beloved installations won’t stay in their current spots. Both structures, which debuted during the February 6 opening ceremonies in Olympic history’s first-ever dual-city lighting, will be dismantled and moved elsewhere, according to representatives from both municipalities.

Drawing inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci’s geometric “Knots” and designed to represent the sun, these cauldrons blend natural beauty with Renaissance craftsmanship principles.

The Olympic flames burn within sophisticated structures crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum, featuring intricate mechanisms with 244 moving joints and over 1,400 precision-engineered parts that allow them to open and close.

Milan’s cauldron hangs elegantly below the Arco della Pace, a 19th-century victory arch commemorating the historic entrance of Napoleon III and Vittorio Emanuele II into the city following their 1859 triumph at the Battle of Magenta—a pivotal moment in Italy’s journey toward unification.

In Cortina, the cauldron stands tall on a platform in Piazza Dibona, positioned close to the church that anchors this Alpine resort town’s traditional center.

Nightly from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m., spectators flock to both locations to capture photos of the cauldrons and witness an enchanting four-minute display of illumination and music that occurs every hour on the hour. Visitors including families, couples, and tourists pause to experience the audio composition created by Roberto Cacciapaglia.

“The show was great. I watched it from the back, and it was spectacular,” Dominic Bruce, a Games fan from London, told Reuters TV.

Natasha Marchionne made a return visit to experience the display again, explaining: “I came yesterday evening to see it, but since I was filming it with my phone, I didn’t fully enjoy it. I really wanted to see it again tonight without filming it, without my phone.”

Most tourists remain unaware these installations are only temporary fixtures.

“I did not know it would be removed. As a Milan resident, I think it should remain in the city,” said Alessandro, who proposed moving it to Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie, where Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper masterpiece is housed.

Another spectator, Roberto, described it as having already transformed into “a symbol” and believed it deserves to stay “somewhere visible and appreciated.”

Milan’s Mayor Giuseppe Sala expressed the city’s desire to retain their cauldron, while designer Marco Balich has proposed creating a citizen petition to determine its permanent location.

Potential new homes being considered include the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology—known for displaying significant engineering achievements—or the Palazzo Reale adjacent to the famous Duomo cathedral.

Cortina’s Mayor Gianluca Lorenzi spoke with greater certainty about his city’s plans.

“It is the symbol of the Olympics and we want to keep and promote it,” he stated. “I hope it will be in place by next summer; it must become a landmark of Cortina’s tourist offering.”

He pointed out that while the cauldron from the 1956 Winter Olympics still remains atop the town’s ice arena, its distance from downtown limits its appeal as a tourist destination.

Following the Olympic closing ceremony on Sunday, February 22, both flames will be temporarily put out. The host cities will go without the Olympic fire for several days until a modified version featuring new colors and musical accompaniment is lit for the Paralympic Games running from March 6 through 15.

Germany delivered a commanding performance against France on Tuesday, cruising to a decisive 5-1 victory that punched their ticket to the Olympic men’s ice hockey quarterfinals in Milan.

The Germans will now face Slovakia, who surprisingly topped Group B, in Wednesday’s quarterfinal matchup.

Team captain Leon Draisaitl led the charge, netting the opening goal during the first period and later assisting Edmonton Oilers teammate Joshua Samanski for another score in the third period.

Additional goals came from forwards Frederik Tiffels, JJ Peterka, and Nico Sturm during the qualification playoff contest at Santagiulia arena.

France entered the game short-handed, missing defenseman Pierre Crinon after their federation benched him for “provocative behaviour” following his altercation with Canada’s Tom Wilson during Sunday’s loss to the tournament favorites.

Draisaitl struck first on a power play just four minutes into the game, marking his second tournament goal, before Tiffels managed a solo effort that bounced the puck off the goalkeeper’s mask and into the corner.

Peterka added another score with an effortless wrist shot in the final two minutes before the break.

France caught a break early in the second period when captain Pierre-Edouard Bellemare’s shot deflected off a German player’s skate and found the net, while goaltender Antoine Keller made several impressive glove stops to keep his team competitive.

However, Germany sealed the victory when Draisaitl delivered a perfect pass to Samanski in the scoring zone, and Sturm added an empty-net goal in the closing minute.

ANTERSELVA, Italy – Despite facing challenges during his closing shooting session, France’s Eric Perrot managed to hold off a determined Norwegian competitor to claim the gold medal in Tuesday’s men’s 4 x 7.5km biathlon relay at the Winter Games.

Norway’s Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen made a strong push in the final stretch but couldn’t make up enough ground, settling for the silver medal position 9.8 seconds after the French team crossed the finish line. Sweden claimed the third spot on the podium after Sebastian Samuelsson delivered a flawless performance at the shooting range during his team’s final leg, securing the bronze medal for his squad.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta characterized his squad’s commanding position atop the Premier League standings as a hard-earned privilege, speaking ahead of Wednesday’s match against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Gunners currently hold a four-point advantage over second-place Manchester City through 26 matches, setting up a crucial midweek fixture against the league’s bottom club.

Speaking to media on Tuesday, Arteta emphasized the sustained effort required to maintain their league-leading status. “The position we are in is a privilege because we have earned it and for so long,” the Spanish manager stated.

“Seven and a half months is a long time to every single day do the right things and perform at the level we are. We need to embrace that,” Arteta continued. “When you get to the latter stages of the season you understand the importance of every win and what you have to do. The team are in a good emotional state, really looking forward to playing tomorrow.”

Despite the significant 48-point gap separating the two clubs in the table, Arteta warned against underestimating Rob Edwards’ Wolves squad. Arsenal required two own goals, including a stoppage-time winner, to secure victory in their December meeting.

“We know we are going to play a really difficult match,” Arteta explained. “Our recent past with them showed how tough it was to win the three points. I know Rob really well and how he sets his teams up. It’s going to be a really tough test.”

When questioned about his confidence in Arsenal’s title chances, the manager pointed to his team’s consistent excellence across multiple competitions as the source of his optimism.

Arsenal currently compete on four fronts, having secured top position in their Champions League group to advance to the knockout rounds, reaching the FA Cup’s fifth round, and earning a spot in the League Cup final against Manchester City next month.

“They have given me the confidence because of what we’ve done up until now and every single day,” Arteta noted. “That’s the biggest reassurance, to do it in every single competition and the manner we’ve done it with all the challenges we have faced already. It gives me confidence because it’s the way we prepare.”

“I don’t get confidence from the things I imagine, I get it from what I see every day in the preparation and also how much the players want it. We are where we want to be, that’s for sure,” he added.

Regarding team fitness, Arteta confirmed that captain Martin Odegaard and striker Kai Havertz will miss the Wolves fixture due to injuries, though both could return for Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.

Defender Riccardo Calafiori has returned to training after being withdrawn from the starting lineup before Sunday’s 4-0 FA Cup victory over Wigan Athletic, while Ben White has recovered from a hamstring problem related to fatigue.

TAMPA, Fla. — Major League Baseball Players Association leader Tony Clark is stepping away from his position, according to a source with knowledge of the union’s internal discussions who spoke Tuesday.

The individual requested anonymity when speaking with reporters since Clark’s departure, initially reported by ESPN, has not yet been formally announced. An official statement is expected to be released later today.

Clark’s exit occurs while federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, New York are conducting an investigation into One Team Partners, a licensing business established jointly by the baseball and football players’ unions.

His resignation comes at a crucial time, just months before collective bargaining talks are set to begin in April. The current five-year labor agreement between players and team owners is scheduled to end on December 1st. Baseball management is widely expected to push for implementing a salary cap during negotiations, which could potentially trigger a work stoppage and result in the first canceled regular season games since 1985.

In a related development, the players’ union called off the scheduled start of their annual spring training facility visits on Tuesday.

The 53-year-old Clark, a former All-Star first baseman, made history as the first active player to lead the organization.

Clark concluded his playing career in 2008 and was serving on the union’s staff when then-leader Michael Weiner received a brain tumor diagnosis.

Following Weiner’s death in late 2013, Clark assumed leadership of the union and guided players through contract negotiations that resulted in labor agreements in both 2016 and 2022. The most recent deal was reached only after a 99-day lockout period.

Bruce Meyer, who served as the primary negotiator under Clark’s leadership during the 2021-22 talks, received a promotion to deputy executive director during summer 2022 and is expected to once again lead the upcoming contract discussions.

MILAN – Despite winning her appeal against doping charges, Italian biathlete Rebecca Passler will miss the Winter Olympics after team officials chose not to include her in the women’s relay squad.

Italy’s national anti-doping organization (NADO) ruled in Passler’s favor last week, reversing a temporary ban that stemmed from testing positive for Letrozole on January 26.

The 24-year-old athlete explained in her appeal that cross-contamination likely occurred when she used a spoon to eat Nutella for breakfast the morning before her drug test. Passler lives with her mother, who takes Letrozole as part of her breast cancer treatment.

Although Passler returned to team training on Monday following her successful appeal, team leader Klaus Hoellrigl did not include her in the four-woman relay team selected for Wednesday’s competition.

The Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) announced that Hannah Auchentaller, Dorothea Wierer, Michela Carrara and Lisa Vittozzi will comprise the relay team instead.

The women’s relay represented Passler’s sole qualifying event for the Milano Cortina Games.

Italy celebrated its first biathlon gold medal on Sunday when Vittozzi captured victory in the 10km pursuit race.

A Swiss television network has removed controversial commentary from its website after a reporter extensively questioned whether an Israeli bobsled competitor should participate in the Olympics because of his purported backing of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

Radio Television Suisse (RTS) aired the commentary during Monday’s two-man bobsled competition featuring Israeli athletes Adam Edelman and Chen Menachem at the Milano Cortina games in Italy.

Commentator Stefan Renna argued that Edelman had endorsed Israeli military actions in the Gaza conflict and suggested this violated International Olympic Committee regulations prohibiting political statements by Olympic participants.

“Our journalist wished to question the IOC’s policy regarding the statements made by the athlete concerned,” RTS explained in a statement to Reuters.

“However, although factual, such information may have appeared inappropriate due to its length within the context of a sports commentary. For this reason, we removed the segment from our website last night.”

On Tuesday, the IOC stated that inquiries about individual broadcaster commentary should be addressed directly to the networks. The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation has not yet responded to requests for comment.

During his commentary, Renna claimed Edelman identified as a Zionist, shared social media posts supporting what Renna termed the “genocide” in Gaza, and had ridiculed a “Free Palestine” message he spotted on a wall during a World Cup competition.

“One can therefore question his presence in Cortina during these Games,” Renna stated, referencing IOC regulations concerning athletes’ military ties and active war support, including through social media activity.

Edelman, an American-born athlete who the Times of Israel reports is the first Orthodox Jewish competitor to represent Israel at the Winter Olympics, acknowledged Renna’s remarks on social media, calling them a “diatribe.”

“(We are) a team of six proud Israelis who’ve made it to the Olympic stage. No coach with us. No big program. Just a dream, grit, and an unyielding pride in who we represent,” Edelman posted. “I don’t think it’s possible to witness that and give any credence to the commentary.”

IOC regulations regarding active war support currently apply exclusively to Russian and Belarusian competitors, who are permitted to participate as neutral athletes despite their countries’ bans following Russia’s 2022 Ukraine invasion.

Renna, who RTS has prohibited from discussing his commentary further, also referenced Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, who was disqualified from last week’s competition for wearing a helmet honoring fellow Ukrainian athletes killed during the Russian invasion.

Edelman and Menachem are scheduled to complete their final two bobsled runs on Tuesday. After their initial two attempts, they ranked last in the competition.

LIVIGNO, Italy – Swiss freestyle skiing champion Mathilde Gremaud’s Olympic journey concluded on a disappointing note after a training accident left her hospitalized and unable to compete in Monday’s big air finals.

The 26-year-old athlete, who had successfully defended her slopestyle Olympic championship just days earlier, was considered among the favorites to medal in big air competition following her third-place finish in qualifying rounds.

“It’s still a big success; it’s just a bummer that it ends like this,” Gremaud shared in an audio recording her team released Tuesday while she remained hospitalized awaiting medical clearance for discharge.

The accomplished skier, who previously earned slopestyle gold and big air bronze at the Beijing 2022 Games and slopestyle silver in Pyeongchang 2018, sustained a serious hip contusion but avoided any fractures.

“I just have to be slow and I cannot really bend on my side and stuff, so it’s okay. I’ll be sore for a while, but nothing broken and nothing that will give my body too much to fight for, I think,” she explained about her condition.

According to Gremaud, her primary objective for the Milano Cortina Games was successfully defending her slopestyle title, and after accomplishing that goal, she struggled to maintain concentration for subsequent competitions. She acknowledged that she “completely messed up” the maneuver that resulted in her crash.

Switzerland faced additional setbacks when Gremaud’s 22-year-old teammate Anouk Andraska also withdrew from Monday’s finals after sustaining injuries during practice.

The big air competition concluded with Canada’s Megan Oldham claiming gold, while American-born Chinese athlete Eileen Gu secured silver and Italy’s Flora Tabanelli earned bronze on home soil.

TESERO, Italy – In a thrilling finish at the Winter Olympics on Tuesday, Norwegian athlete Jens Luraas Oftebro claimed the gold medal in men’s Nordic combined large hill competition with a spectacular final sprint that left his competitors behind.

The dramatic conclusion saw Austria’s Johannes Lamparter earn the silver medal, while Finland’s Ilkka Herola took home bronze. Oftebro’s victory came through a commanding final push up the last hill in the closing meters of the 10-kilometer course, reminiscent of the signature finishing style displayed by his countryman Johannes Klaebo in the cross-country sprint event earlier during these Games.

Following the ski jumping portion, Lamparter began the cross-country race trailing by eight seconds from the lead position. He quickly took control in the race’s opening phase and established a modest lead over his competitors. However, his momentum began to diminish at the midpoint of the course, enabling his pursuers to close the gap. By the finish line, Lamparter crossed 5.9 seconds after Oftebro’s winning time.

Team Switzerland’s men’s curling squad, led by skip Yannick Schwaller, extended their flawless performance at the Winter Olympics on Tuesday, crushing Sweden 9-4 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The decisive victory keeps Switzerland’s perfect record intact while officially crushing the defending Olympic champions’ hopes for another medal.

Sweden’s title defense had already been hanging by a thread following Monday’s 7-3 loss to Germany under skip Niklas Edin’s leadership. While a narrow path to the playoffs still existed through an improbable series of outcomes, that slim possibility has now vanished completely.

The former champions find themselves tied for ninth position in the round-robin tournament with just a single victory in seven matches played. Meanwhile, Switzerland dominates the standings in first place, boasting a pristine 6-0 record.

“We worked very hard and we had a lot of very good discussions leading up to this,” Schwaller said. “I think everything is coming together nicely, and we play with so much confidence out there right now, and just enjoy each other and enjoy the moment.”

In other Tuesday action, China’s team under skip Xiaoming Xu secured an 8-5 victory against the United States in a contest that remained tied entering the final end. The Czech Republic also notched a 9-7 triumph over Germany, the reigning 2024 European champions.

The Czech victory marked a historic milestone as their first Olympic win in men’s curling competition, although the team has previously claimed victories in mixed doubles events at the Games.

The round-robin format requires each team to compete in nine total matches, with play continuing later Tuesday. The tournament’s top four finishers will advance to this week’s semifinal rounds.

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – American alpine skiing legend Mikaela Shiffrin faces her final opportunity to claim Olympic hardware at the Milano Cortina Games when she takes to the slopes Wednesday for the slalom competition, capping off the alpine skiing program.

The 30-year-old athlete enters the race as the clear frontrunner, having established herself as the most accomplished World Cup alpine skier in history. Her season statistics paint a picture of complete dominance – capturing seven victories in eight slalom competitions while placing second in the remaining event.

Shiffrin’s credentials in the discipline are unmatched. She claimed Olympic gold in 2014 and has secured four world championship titles in slalom. This season alone, she clinched the women’s World Cup slalom crystal globe for an unprecedented ninth time. Among her 108 World Cup victories, an impressive 71 have come in slalom events – more than any alpine competitor has achieved in a single discipline.

However, mounting expectations continue to intensify as observers frequently reference her inability to medal at the Beijing 2022 Olympics. Her last Olympic podium appearance dates back to 2018, creating additional pressure despite her remarkable World Cup achievements.

Earlier in these Games, Shiffrin entered the team combined event as the gold medal favorite. Following downhill specialist Breezy Johnson’s strong opening performance, the competition hinged on the slalom portion. Shiffrin recorded the 15th-fastest time in that segment, ultimately placing fourth alongside her teammate.

The giant slalom proved equally challenging for the American star, where she finished 11th following her second run. The course for that event was set by her coach Karin Harjo, who made history as the first woman to design an Olympic alpine course. Shiffrin has struggled with giant slalom since sustaining a puncture wound during a November 2024 race.

Prior to the giant slalom competition, Shiffrin addressed the intense scrutiny through social media, acknowledging that while Olympic coverage centers on medal outcomes, athletes face “vulnerability to erroneous judgment and narratives built on a limited understanding of what this sport truly demands.”

Reflecting on her performance after the giant slalom, Shiffrin analyzed her struggles during the opening week.

“There were a lot of turns where I was quite quick on the team combined day, and a handful where I missed. There was just a misalignment, and it was a combination of course setting, equipment, and conditions, and then my mentality was not matching the day,” she explained.

“So I’m kind of going into it (the slalom) with my eyes open that we can see a very similar situation, and I will try to handle it differently in my head.”

Shiffrin’s competitors are hoping course conditions and slope design will work in their favor come race day.

Switzerland’s Camille Rast stands as the only skier to defeat Shiffrin in slalom this season. The current world champion seeks her first Olympic medal. Her Swiss teammate, 32-year-old Wendy Holdener, earned silver at the 2025 world championships where Shiffrin placed fourth. The five-time Olympic medalist chose to skip Sunday’s giant slalom to focus additional training time on slalom preparation.

Several other contenders have reached World Cup podiums this season, including Austria’s Katharina Truppe, Germany’s three-time Olympic silver medalist Emma Aicher, and Lara Colturi, who was born in Italy but competes for Albania. Germany’s Lena Duerr and American Paula Moltzan, who earned bronze in the team combined, also pose potential threats.

The host nation Italy will field only three competitors after officials denied their request to replace injured 16-year-old Giada d’Antonio.

Cricket legends from around the world, including Indian superstars Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, have united in a humanitarian plea for Pakistan’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, demanding better treatment for the cricket icon behind bars.

The 73-year-old Khan, who transitioned from cricket stardom to politics, has remained incarcerated since August 2023 after being found guilty in multiple cases he claims were politically motivated revenge following his removal from office through a 2022 parliamentary no-confidence vote.

Concerns mounted last week when Khan’s legal representative informed Pakistan’s Supreme Court that the former cricket champion had suffered substantial vision loss in his right eye during his imprisonment. Medical officials reported Monday that swelling has decreased following treatment and his eyesight has shown improvement.

Setting aside the tense relationship between India and Pakistan, which included military confrontations in the past year, former Indian team leaders Gavaskar and Kapil Dev added their signatures to a petition voicing “deep concern” regarding Khan’s treatment and jail conditions.

“Many of us competed against him, shared the field with him, or grew up idolizing his all-round brilliance, charisma, and competitive spirit,” the petition stated.

“Recent reports concerning his health — particularly the alarming deterioration of his vision while in custody — and the conditions of his imprisonment over the past two and a half years have caused us profound concern.

“As fellow cricketers who understand the values of fair play, honour, and respect that transcend the boundary rope, we believe that a person of Imran Khan’s stature deserves to be treated with the dignity and basic human consideration befitting a former national leader and a global sporting icon.”

The petition garnered support from numerous cricket luminaries, including former Australian captains Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Allan Border, Steve Waugh, as well as Belinda Clark and Kim Hughes from Australia.

English cricket stars Mike Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Mike Brearley and David Gower also signed the appeal, joined by West Indies legend Clive Lloyd and New Zealand’s John Wright.

The cricket veterans “respectfully” called upon Pakistan’s government to guarantee immediate and proper medical care, respectful treatment, and unrestricted access to legal proceedings for Khan.

“Our shared history on the field reminds us that rivalry ends when the stumps are drawn—and respect endures. Imran Khan embodied that spirit throughout his career.”

Khan’s cricket career spanned from 1971 to 1992, during which he played 88 Test matches and 175 one-day internationals for Pakistan, leading the national team to their sole ODI World Cup championship in 1992.

Speaking to Reuters, Khan’s son Kasim Khan emphasized that while his father’s health remains the immediate priority, other critical issues include “his freedom, abiding by correct human rights processes and also the rule of law and just ensuring that he’s allowed a proper, fair trial.”

Intense snowfall disrupted Winter Olympic competition schedules in Livigno, Italy on Tuesday, forcing officials to call off the women’s snowboard slopestyle medal competition and postpone qualifying rounds for freestyle skiing aerials.

Event organizers kept the aerials competition on standby while monitoring weather conditions to determine if snowfall would subside enough to start competition later in the day. Crews worked with shovels attempting to clear the steep launching ramp that competitors would use at the Livigno Aerials and Moguls Park, where temperatures remained at a frigid -6 degrees Celsius.

At another venue across the city, officials made the decision to cancel Tuesday afternoon’s women’s slopestyle event at the Livigno Snow Park, announcing plans to reschedule the competition for a later date.

New Zealand’s Zoi Sadowski-Synnott enters as the top contender for the slopestyle championship after topping the qualifying rounds. The defending Olympic champion and current world titleholder faces strong competition from Japan’s Murase Kokomo among others.

Female aerials athletes managed to finish their practice sessions moments before organizers announced the postponement of their qualifying event.

The men’s aerials qualifying rounds remain on the schedule for later Tuesday.

The aerials discipline involves skiers propelling themselves from a jump to execute aerial maneuvers before touching down.

Among the women’s medal favorites are China’s Xu Mengtao, who won gold in the previous Olympics, and Belarus native Hanna Huskova, who is participating under neutral athlete status.

MILAN (AP) — The world of Olympic hockey is experiencing an unexpected cultural phenomenon.

A television series called “Heated Rivalry,” which follows the romantic relationship between two gay hockey players from rival teams, has captured the attention of both athletes and spectators, drawing new audiences to the sport and generating discussions about diversity in professional hockey.

The dramatic storyline centers on Canadian player Shane Hollander and Russian athlete Ilya Rozanov, whose passionate but secretive romance has resonated with viewers worldwide. According to reports, the NHL has experienced increased ticket purchases, suggesting the show’s influence extends beyond entertainment.

The series made headlines even before the Milan Cortina Olympics began, with lead actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie participating in the Olympic torch ceremony. Now, North American athletes and supporters are witnessing the program’s growing influence firsthand.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, competing for Team USA, acknowledged that teammates have been discussing the series in their locker room.

“Everyone is saying how great it is, I just haven’t seen it yet,” Werenski shared with The Associated Press following a 5-1 win against Latvia. “It’s definitely good for the sport of hockey. Whenever you can add more eyes to the game and have people talk about the game and talk about inclusivity, I think it’s just great for the sport.”

Fellow U.S. defenseman Jake Sanderson from the Ottawa Senators admitted he’s aware of the show but lacks detailed knowledge about it. When questioned about the timeline for an openly gay NHL player, Sanderson referenced Luke Prokop, who made history in 2021 as the first contracted NHL player to publicly come out while with the Nashville Predators organization, though he hasn’t yet competed at the professional level.

“You never know if that show (will) instill some confidence in some people,” Sanderson remarked, emphasizing that any openly gay teammate would receive complete support. “I don’t think we would treat them any differently. They’re our teammate, we love them no matter what, and obviously embrace them, absolutely.”

The television adaptation stems from Rachel Reid’s 2019 novel of the same name. Initially created for Canadian streaming platform Crave, the series achieved top ratings on HBO Max during its debut season and has secured approval for a second season.

Canadian Olympic team members appear to be among the show’s most enthusiastic supporters.

During the Olympic experience, competitors received potted plants as gifts. According to team press liaison Tara MacBournie, numerous Canadian athletes chose to name their plants either Shane or Ilya, referencing the main characters.

Canadian alpine skier Kiki Alexander extended this tribute further by sharing on TikTok that the Olympic village’s Canadian moose mascot had been dubbed Shane.

“If you know, you know,” she posted.

Adam van Koeverden, who won Olympic gold in canoeing in 2004 and currently serves as Canada’s secretary of state for sport, expressed enthusiasm for the program.

“We’re the perfect country to be having the conversation and be putting that art out there that I think is advancing the conversation on diversity in hockey,” van Koeverden explained to AP during the Games. “Hockey is for everyone and ‘Heated Rivalry’ makes it clear.”

The series debuted in Europe during January and has surprisingly succeeded in Russia, despite that nation’s restrictive policies toward LGBTQ+ individuals. Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the IOC permitted only a small number of Russian competitors to participate in the Milan Cortina Games as independent athletes, with no official team representation.

Spectators are also embracing the “Heated Rivalry” phenomenon. Calgary resident Kim Sweet, currently watching Episode 3, finds the storyline compelling.

“The show has me very intrigued,” Sweet, age 50, commented before entering the venue to watch Canada face Czechia recently. “How a very male-dominated sport has two guys having to work through the privacy of it all, and whether you ever want to come out.”

“It’s great having more eyes on the sport,” added Sweet, who identifies as “a huge hockey fan.”

California visitor Angie Campos attended games wearing apparel featuring the jerseys of the show’s protagonists.

Campos represents a new hockey convert attracted by the series, joining many others in this trend. Data from ticketing service SeatGeek indicates that weekly NHL ticket purchases increased by more than 20% following the show’s late November premiere, with no comparable increase during the previous year’s corresponding timeframe.

“The series didn’t just light up social media feeds, it may have sent fans straight to hockey games themselves,” SeatGeek stated in their January 16 analysis. “While it’s impossible to attribute all of this growth to a single show, the timing is hard to ignore.”

Campos drew parallels between her new interest and that of other “Heated Rivalry” watchers to the increase in female NFL viewership after Taylor Swift began dating Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce and attending their games.

“It just makes it a little bit more relatable and it has definitely opened eyes to a human side of competition,” she explained.

Hockey traditionally features intense physical play, occasional fights, and aggressive contact, even during important matches where penalties can be decisive. During Canada’s recent victory on Sunday, Tom Wilson from Canada and France’s Pierre Crinon both received ejections for fighting.

This masculine and combative atmosphere makes the ice rink an unexpected and bold backdrop for examining sensitive emotions around forbidden romance and societal attitudes toward male sexual identity. Throughout the NHL’s century-long history, no active player has publicly identified as gay.

While “Heated Rivalry” has gained tremendous popularity among female viewers, male audiences are beginning to appreciate its appeal.

At the Canada-France match, 20-year-old Christopher Ryan York said he had joined the growing fanbase. The show’s widespread popularity made it difficult to avoid, he noted, and he appreciates its role in creating new hockey enthusiasts.

“Anything to grow the sport, for sure,” he commented.

His father, 60-year-old Kevin York, hasn’t viewed the series but constantly hears about it in Alberta. He believes the program must be genuinely inspiring, citing the case of Canadian hockey player Jesse Kortuem from Vancouver, who left the sport at age 17 due to fears about acceptance and shared his coming-out message on Instagram January 13.

“Something has sparked in me (ok — yes credit to #HeatedRivalry),” Kortuem wrote. “I thought I would share because I want to speak to the athletes out there who are still in the closet or struggling to find their way. I want you to know that there is hope and you’re not alone.”

The head of Olympic Broadcasting Services revealed ambitious plans Tuesday for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, promising an unprecedented viewing experience powered by artificial intelligence and Hollywood star power.

Yiannis Exarchos, CEO of OBS, outlined his vision during an interview from Milan, where the current Winter Games have captivated audiences with cutting-edge drone technology. Fifteen First-Person View drones have been racing alongside skiers at speeds reaching 120 kilometers per hour and following luge and skeleton competitors through ice tracks, creating spectacular footage that has become the visual highlight of these Games.

The success in Milan has established high expectations for Los Angeles, according to Exarchos, whose organization creates the global television feed distributed to broadcasters worldwide.

“If the destination is a city which is a metropolis of story-telling and one of the greatest metropolises of technology in the world then expectations are very, very big,” Exarchos explained to Reuters. “This is a nice challenge to have. We need to think about how we can excite people.”

Currently, OBS operates more than 1,300 cameras and 1,800 microphones in Milan to document every angle of competition. By 2028, advancing artificial intelligence capabilities will transform how viewers interact with Olympic coverage, potentially allowing them to pause action, access instant statistical information, or compare current performances with historical records in real-time.

“AI unleashed new opportunities with the way people are interacting with content. By the time of LA we will have many more opportunities to use AI technologies to further personalise the experience,” Exarchos stated.

The technology will enable viewers to engage conversationally with broadcasts, Exarchos explained. “In LA we will start facilitating viewers to be having a conversation. To be able to say ‘Stop here, show me this image again’ or ‘Show me what this reminds me of’ or ‘Has anyone done this better?’,” he said. “This is the vision that will start being manifested.”

Beyond technological advances, the Los Angeles Games will leverage the entertainment industry’s talent pool to attract broader audiences beyond traditional sports fans. The International Olympic Committee seeks to expand viewership by incorporating major celebrities into Olympic programming.

OBS pioneered celebrity integration with the “Prelude to the Olympics” red carpet event before Paris 2024, featuring stars like Zendaya, Charlize Theron, and Serena Williams. A comparable gathering at Milan’s La Scala opera house included American actors Stanley Tucci, Jeff Goldblum, and Marisa Tomei, along with singer Usher and fashion designer Donatella Versace. Los Angeles plans to expand this celebrity presence significantly.

“The Olympics are being watched not just by sports fans. Half of the viewers are what we call casual viewers, so there will be this mix of entertainment culture and sports culture,” Exarchos noted.

“Increasingly the presentation of all these events involves a wider number of talent. Apart from sports talent we see a tendency to bring into the Olympics talent from other entertainment industries. Just what NBC has been doing with (rapper) Snoop Dogg.”

Snoop Dogg has maintained a prominent presence at both Paris and Milan Games as NBC’s entertainment ambassador, energizing Team USA supporters and performing at Long Beach during the LA 2028 handover ceremony.

“The Olympics remain one of only a few massive audience aggregators in the world. They have the capacity to focus the attention of the whole world in the event,” Exarchos concluded.

Three talented American figure skaters who might have been fierce competitors against each other have instead formed a supportive team known as the ‘Blade Angels.’

Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito are carrying Team USA’s hopes in women’s figure skating competition, marking the nation’s strongest chance at capturing gold in this event since 2002.

Rather than viewing each other as opponents, these three athletes have embraced a collaborative approach as they represent the United States on the Olympic stage. Their partnership could prove crucial as America seeks to end these Winter Games with a memorable triumph in figure skating.

The women’s figure skating competition offers one of the final opportunities for Team USA to secure a major victory before the Olympic closing ceremonies.

Croatian tennis player Antonia Ruzic expressed her appreciation for deciding to remain in Dubai after losing her qualifying match, as the unexpected opportunity led to a stunning upset victory over Grand Slam champion Emma Raducanu at the Dubai Tennis Championships.

The world No. 67 initially suffered defeat in her first qualifying round match against Rebecca Sramkova last week, but secured a main draw position when seven high-profile players, including top stars Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, withdrew from the tournament.

The 23-year-old Croatian found herself facing 2021 U.S. Open champion Raducanu following Elisabetta Cocciaretto’s withdrawal due to injury, and she seized the opportunity to claim a commanding 6-1 5-7 6-2 victory on Monday, marking her first career win against a top-30 opponent.

“The whole turnaround was crazy,” Ruzic said.

“I was a lucky loser who had lost in the first round of the qualifiers. A lot of the girls were cancelling and a lot of them were not here to sign (as alternates). I was like ‘OK, I’m going to sign and let’s see what happens’.”

Ruzic revealed that she and fellow Croatian Petra Marcinko – who also gained main draw entry as one of seven lucky losers – had stayed in Dubai to compete in the doubles competition together.

“We were going to stay here for two-three days. It’s crazy because I got in on Monday. Playing against Emma, of course, is a tough match,” Ruzic added.

“We played three sets of good tennis and it was a battle in the third. I’m happy I managed to get it under control and that I won in the end.”

The loss concluded a disappointing Middle East tour for world No. 25 Raducanu, with the British player requiring medical assistance during her match against Ruzic for an undisclosed health concern.

The former world No. 10 had battled illness during her Qatar Open first-round encounter with Camila Osorio the previous week, ultimately retiring in the third set while down two games to love.

Raducanu had recently competed in the Transylvania Open final earlier this month, where she fell to Sorana Cirstea.

Yankees captain Aaron Judge didn’t hold back when describing his feelings about his team’s sluggish offseason activity, calling the experience “brutal” during his first spring training media session Monday in Tampa.

The three-time American League MVP winner, who claimed the award again this past season, openly shared his frustration with watching other teams make moves while New York remained inactive.

“It was brutal. I’m like, ‘I see a lot of free agents out there,’” Judge said. “I’m like, ‘Let’s sign these guys right now and start adding more pieces,’ because I’ve seen other teams around the league get better.”

“Early on, it was pretty tough to watch. I’m like, ‘Man, we’re the New York Yankees. Let’s go out there and get the right people, get the right pieces to go out there and finish this thing off.’”

When reporters asked if he shared these concerns with team management, Judge smiled and confirmed, “Yeah, oh, yeah.”

The Yankees essentially retained most of their 2025 squad that posted a 94-68 record but lost the American League East division to Toronto in a tiebreaker before falling to the Blue Jays in the divisional round.

After center fielder Trent Grisham accepted his qualifying offer in November, the historically big-spending franchise went silent. The Yankees actually became the sole Major League Baseball team that hadn’t added any new talent at one point during the winter months.

The drought ended when New York acquired left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers from the Miami Marlins in exchange for four prospects. However, their most significant signings involved retaining familiar faces – outfielder Cody Bellinger secured a five-year contract worth $162.5 million last month, while veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt returned on a one-year deal valued at $4 million.

Those moves satisfied Judge’s expectations.

“We’re right where we need to be,” Judge told reporters. “I love it. I don’t know, people might have their opinions on (running it back) because we didn’t win it all last year and fell short in the Division Series.”

Judge also provided an update on his health, confirming his right elbow has returned to full strength following a flexor strain last summer that never completely healed. Manager Aaron Boone recently announced Judge will participate in four or five of the Yankees’ initial nine Grapefruit League contests as he returns to game-speed throwing.

The team captain admitted feeling “definitely concerned” after the postseason concluded, uncertain whether surgery would be necessary until team physicians cleared his worries.

“They ran all the checks again and did all the tests and they said, ‘You’re good to go,’” Judge said. “And I said, ‘All right, when can we start throwing?’ So it was good. It was great. It was great to hear those words so that now I can go into the offseason and just prepare the way I need to be in the best shape to start the year.”

The San Diego Padres bolstered their organizational depth Monday by signing first baseman Ty France and right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler to minor league contracts, multiple sources reported.

France returns to the franchise that originally selected him in the 2015 draft. His contract reportedly includes a spring training invitation to the major league camp, though the agreement remains subject to completing a physical examination.

The 31-year-old France earned his first Gold Glove Award in 2025 during his time with the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays, posting a .257 batting average along with seven homers and 52 runs batted in across 138 contests.

France enjoyed his most productive campaign in 2022 as a member of the Seattle Mariners, recording a .274 average with career-best totals of 20 home runs and 83 RBIs while earning his only All-Star Game selection.

Throughout his seven-year major league career spanning 840 games with San Diego, Seattle, Cincinnati, Minnesota and Toronto, France has compiled a .262 batting average with 81 long balls and 364 RBIs.

Meanwhile, the 31-year-old Buehler continues working to regain his previous effectiveness after missing the entire 2023 campaign due to his second Tommy John elbow reconstruction procedure.

During his dominant stretch from 2017 through 2022 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Buehler compiled a 46-16 record and 3.02 earned run average over 115 appearances, including 106 starts. However, since returning from his second elbow surgery, he has posted an 11-13 mark with a 5.10 ERA in 42 outings for the Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies.

Boston signed Buehler to a one-year, $21 million contract last winter, but the Red Sox released him mid-season after he went 7-7 with a 5.45 ERA in 23 games. Philadelphia subsequently signed him in September, where he finished strong with a 3-0 record and 0.66 ERA in three appearances.

The two-time All-Star played crucial roles in the Dodgers’ World Series championships in 2020 and 2024. His postseason resume includes a 2-0 record with one save and a 0.75 ERA in three World Series games, contributing to his overall 4-4 playoff record and 3.04 ERA across 19 postseason contests.

Buehler is expected to compete for San Diego’s fifth starter position, while France will likely serve in a backup role behind newly acquired Nick Castellanos, who reportedly leads the competition for the starting first base job.

The mayor of Los Angeles is publicly demanding that the leader of the 2028 Olympic Games organizing committee step down after revelations about his past communications with Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein.

Mayor Karen Bass stated Monday that Casey Wasserman should resign from his role as chairman of LA28, the committee responsible for planning the upcoming Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The controversy stems from Justice Department documents released in late January that revealed flirtatious email correspondence between Wasserman and Maxwell from over twenty years ago. Maxwell was the longtime companion of Jeffrey Epstein, both of whom were later convicted on sex trafficking charges.

While Wasserman has stated he never maintained personal or professional ties with Epstein, he has publicly expressed regret for his connection to Maxwell, emphasizing that their association occurred years before either individual’s criminal activities became known.

Last week, the LA28 board conducted an investigation and determined that Wasserman should remain in his leadership position. Their review concluded that his connections to Epstein and Maxwell were limited to what had already been made public.

Speaking to CNN, Bass expressed her disagreement with this decision. “My opinion is that he should step down,” the mayor stated. “That’s not the opinion of the board.”

According to the board’s findings, Wasserman’s involvement with these individuals dates back 23 years, when he and his former spouse participated in a humanitarian trip to Africa. They traveled on Epstein’s aircraft at the request of the Clinton Foundation, during a time when neither Wasserman nor the general public were aware of any criminal conduct.

LA28 officials indicated this African mission represented Wasserman’s only direct interaction with Epstein, and the email exchanges with Maxwell occurred shortly afterward.

The organizing committee’s board commended Wasserman for his “strong leadership” during his decade-long tenure with LA28.

Bass acknowledged she lacks the authority to remove Wasserman from his position, noting her primary responsibility involves ensuring Los Angeles is ready to host the Games.

“The board made a decision,” Bass explained. “I think that decision was unfortunate, I don’t support the decision. I do think that we need to look at the leadership.”

Despite her concerns about the leadership situation, the mayor emphasized her commitment to the Olympic preparation process.

“However, my job as mayor of Los Angeles is to make sure that our city is completely prepared to have the best Olympics that has ever happened in Olympic history,” she said. “So my focus is a little different, but the behavior of Maxwell, what they were involved in is abhorrent, and it’s an issue that I’ve worked on for a long time.”

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Wasserman has begun the process of selling his talent and marketing company. He reportedly informed his employees that he felt he had “become a distraction” to the business and decided to move forward with the sale.