Category: Sports

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.

Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner made a strong comeback Monday, securing a commanding 6-1, 6-4 victory over Czech player Tomas Machac during opening round action at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha. This marked Sinner’s return to competition following a heartbreaking semifinal defeat at the Australian Open in late January.

The second-seeded Sinner, who had claimed back-to-back Australian Open titles before falling to Novak Djokovic in a five-set thriller (3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4) in Melbourne, showed no signs of that disappointment on Monday. The Italian played flawless tennis, avoiding any break point situations while limiting his unforced errors to just nine throughout the match.

Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, seeded fourth and the 2023 tournament winner in Doha, also cruised through his opening match with a 6-4, 6-2 triumph over China’s Juncheng Shang.

Czech Republic’s Jakub Mensik, the sixth seed, managed to overcome British qualifier Jan Choinski in three sets, 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-4. Other players advancing included Australia’s Alexei Popyrin and French competitors Arthur Fils and Valentin Royer.

At the Delray Beach Open in Florida, American Alex Michelsen dominated on serve, capturing 86% of his service points in a 7-6 (4), 6-4 upset victory over Monaco’s sixth-seeded Valentin Vacherot. Michelsen’s serving was particularly sharp, winning an impressive 92.3% of points when landing his first serve (36 of 39 attempts).

American Frances Tiafoe, the eighth seed and 2018 Delray Beach champion, advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata. Fellow American Marcos Giron also moved forward, defeating Japanese qualifier Sho Shimabukuro 6-3, 7-5. France’s Terence Atmane and Hong Kong’s Chak Lam Coleman Wong also claimed first-round victories.

The Rio Open saw a disappointing day for Brazilian tennis, as all three home country players competing Monday suffered first-round exits.

Peru’s Ignacio Buse mounted a comeback to eliminate Brazilian qualifier Igor Marcondes 4-6, 7-5, 6-4. Czech player Vit Kopriva defeated Brazil’s Gustavo Heide 6-2, 7-6 (5), while Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann ousted Joao Lucas Reis Da Silva 7-6 (3), 6-4.

In Monday’s biggest upset, Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic, who entered as a lucky loser from qualifying, knocked out Germany’s seventh-seeded Daniel Altmaier 6-4, 7-6 (7). Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo and Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante both advanced with straight-set victories.

British heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury revealed Monday that Anthony Joshua’s devastating car accident in Nigeria became the pivotal moment that convinced him to end his retirement and step back into the boxing ring.

The former heavyweight titleholder Joshua suffered minor injuries in the December crash that tragically took the lives of two members of his training team – strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami and trainer Latif “Latz” Ayodele.

Speaking to media at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where he’s scheduled to battle Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 for his comeback fight, Fury explained how the tragedy influenced his thinking.

“The biggest turning point in this comeback for me was the tragedy that happened with Anthony Joshua,” Fury stated during Monday’s press conference.

“I hear all that bad news that’s gone on and I thought, you know what, life is very short, very precious and very fragile.

“Tomorrow is a mystery, we have to live for today. And me living for that day, I made my mind up there and then that I’m going to come back to boxing – because it’s something that I love, I’m passionate about and that I’ve always been in love with.”

The 37-year-old fighter officially announced his comeback from retirement this past January. His upcoming match will mark his first time in the ring since suffering a defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024, ending his second reign as world heavyweight champion.

Boxing legends Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have tentatively scheduled their highly anticipated exhibition match, with reports indicating the bout will occur in Africa next spring.

Sources suggest the exhibition is planned for April 25, 2026, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The venue would be Kinshasa, Congo, the same historic location that hosted the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” championship fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman back in 1974.

The 59-year-old “Iron” Mike Tyson, who holds a professional record of 50-7 with 2 no contests, recently returned to the ring against Jake Paul in a Netflix-streamed event on November 15, 2024. Tyson was defeated by unanimous decision in that eight-round contest and hasn’t secured a victory since his February 22, 2003 win over Clifford Etienne.

Meanwhile, 48-year-old Floyd “Money” Mayweather, who maintains his perfect 50-0 professional record, last competed against John Gotti III on August 24, 2024. This marked Mayweather’s eighth exhibition since hanging up his gloves as an undefeated champion following his victory over MMA fighter Conor McGregor in August 2017.

Initial announcements about the potential matchup surfaced in September 2025, though specific details remained scarce. Questions arose about the fight’s status when Mayweather’s exhibition against Mike Zambidis was scheduled for June 27 in Athens, Greece.

However, Tyson confirmed the plans during a Friday interview with TMZ, stating: “Yeah, that’s happening. You think I’d give that up? I was minding my business, he challenged me!”

MILAN, Feb 16 – Japanese figure skater Ryuichi Kihara revealed he performed through constant tears during his historic Olympic comeback, as he and skating partner Riku Miura delivered Japan’s inaugural pairs figure skating gold medal with an emotionally charged performance Monday.

The accomplished duo, who hold two world championship titles, faced heartbreak after placing fifth in Sunday’s short program following a costly lift mistake. However, they bounced back with a commanding free skate routine set to the Gladiator theme that their coaching team described as fueled by determination, faith, and seven years of perseverance.

The 33-year-old Kihara admitted he arrived at practice still emotionally affected by their previous performance and unable to move past the error.

“I couldn’t stop crying since this morning, I just couldn’t bounce back from yesterday’s mistake, I really couldn’t snap out of it, the tears kept flowing … even on the ice I couldn’t stop crying,” he explained, though he credited the overwhelming support from others with helping him regain focus.

“Riku, my coach, my friends in Japan… everyone around me sent me messages of support. Everyone said it’s not over yet… Normally I’m the stronger one but this time around Riku really supported me,” Kihara added.

His 24-year-old partner Miura explained that witnessing Kihara’s emotional state motivated her to step up as the team’s anchor.

“Ryuichi has been crying since this morning, and so I felt like I needed to be strong and support him and help him focus,” Miura stated.

The skating partnership, which began in 2019, arrived at the Olympics as top contenders following their victory at December’s Grand Prix Final in Nagoya and their first-place finish in the pairs portion of the team competition, where they contributed to Japan’s silver medal.

However, their journey has been marked by significant physical challenges. Kihara has dealt with ongoing back problems, while Miura has consistently competed despite a shoulder that frequently dislocates. During the 2025 Japan Championships, she popped her shoulder back into place during warmups after it dislocated, then went on to achieve a personal-best short program score.

Their free skate routine embodied these battles through its themes of warfare, endurance, and victory.

Performing to Andrea Bocelli’s rendition of music from the “Gladiator” film score, the pair executed each element with the precision that had eluded them the day before, their movements reflecting the toughness that has characterized their collaboration.

“We made a huge mistake yesterday but for the past seven years we’ve worked so hard … we have grown over the last seven years,” Miura reflected, explaining their mindset to “forget what happened yesterday and start from scratch.”

This groundbreaking gold medal represents another significant achievement for Japan in a sport traditionally controlled by European and North American teams. Prior to earning world silver in 2022, Japan had not reached a major ISU pairs podium for ten years.

Kihara, who broke down emotionally after completing their routine, admitted they hadn’t anticipated winning the top prize.

“We knew that the last group was filled with amazing skaters, and so we honestly didn’t think that we would win gold tonight,” he shared. “It’s a little bit of a disbelief … that we’re able to get a medal for Japan pair skating for the first time ever.”

The NBA’s annual midseason celebration achieved the ratings success it has been seeking for years.

Sunday’s All-Star Game broadcast on NBC drew 8.8 million viewers combined across television and streaming platforms, representing the largest viewership for the event since 2011, based on initial Nielsen ratings and Adobe Analytics released Monday.

This viewership total represented an 87% increase from the previous year’s 4.7 million viewers, with the dramatic improvement attributed to the league’s new tournament structure pitting “USA vs. the World” teams that provided genuine competition beyond typical exhibition play.

Peak viewership reached 9.8 million during the 7:00-7:15 p.m. Eastern time slot, coinciding with the most competitive moments as USA Stripes edged the World squad 48-45 in the tournament’s most intense and decisive period.

Individual standouts included Anthony Edwards, who earned MVP recognition after posting 32 points, nine rebounds and three assists for USA Stars throughout the three 12-minute contests, while Victor Wembanyama led the World team’s effort with 33 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots.

While acknowledging room for improvement, the revised format provided the competitive element league officials have sought to restore in recent seasons.

Strategic scheduling also contributed to the success, as the game aired following NBC’s comprehensive Winter Olympics coverage for the 2026 Milan Cortina games and transitioned smoothly into the network’s primetime lineup.

Tennis champion Coco Gauff expressed her concerns about recent developments in the United States during a media session Sunday at the Dubai Tennis Championships, stating she remains “proud to be an American” while condemning the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti that occurred in Minneapolis recently.

“Everything going on in the U.S. — obviously I’m not really for it. I don’t think people should be dying in the streets just for existing. I don’t like what’s going on,” Gauff said.

The 21-year-old, who has won two Grand Slam titles, joins a number of other American athletes who have publicly criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following the agency’s involvement in the deaths of Good and Pretti.

Winter Olympic athlete Hunter Hess previously made headlines on February 6 when he told the media, “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.” His comments prompted President Donald Trump to label Hess a “real Loser” on Truth Social.

Tennis player Madison Keys, currently ranked 17th globally and fourth among U.S. women’s players, has also shared her thoughts on the situation.

“I am hopeful that we as a country can come together and get back to the values that I think make our country great,” Keys said. “We are very diverse. We are a home of immigrants. and I hope that we can get back to those values.”

However, Taylor Fritz, the highest-ranked American male tennis player, chose not to discuss the matter publicly.

“I feel like whatever I say here is going to get put in a headline, and it’s going to get taken out of context,” he said. “So, I’d really rather not do something that’s going to cause a big distraction for me in the middle of the tournament.”

Gauff, whose grandmother made history as the first Black student to integrate public schools in Delray Beach, Florida, in 1961, believes athletes have the “right” to remain silent on political matters, though she plans to continue addressing such topics when asked.

“I think the biggest thing I hate is when people say stay out of it when we’re being asked it,” she said. “If you ask me, I’m going to give you my honest answer. For me, that’s my honest answer. I always try to always answer honestly. I have no problems. I lived this. My grandma is literally an activist. This is literally my life. I’m OK answering tough questions.”

The stage is set for another epic showdown between North American rivals as the United States and Canada advance to the Olympic women’s hockey championship game, though this time around, Team USA appears to hold all the advantages.

Team USA dominated Sweden 5-0 in semifinal action, while Canada barely squeezed past Switzerland 2-1 despite outshooting them by a massive 46-8 margin.

Thursday’s gold medal contest at Santagiulia arena will mark the eighth straight Olympics where either the U.S. or Canada claims the top prize in women’s hockey, a streak dating back to the sport’s Olympic debut in 1998.

“You want to beat the best teams, and I think for women’s hockey, that’s the best match-up you can ask for,” Canadian goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens commented. “It’s going to be intense, it’s going to be competitive.”

While Canada enters as the reigning Olympic champions with five gold medals to their credit, they’ve been playing catch-up to the Americans lately. Team USA has captured their last six head-to-head matchups and delivered a stunning blow during group play with a 5-0 shutout – the first time Canada had ever been blanked in Olympic competition.

That defeat followed an equally lopsided showing in the November-December Rivalry Series, where the U.S. outscored Canada 27-4 across four games, including a crushing 10-4 victory. The Americans also topped Canada twice while capturing last year’s World Championship.

The two nations have taken different roster approaches. Canada stuck with their veteran core, selecting all players from the PWHL, while Team USA mixed seasoned players with fresh talent, including seven collegiate athletes.

Throughout the Milan tournament, the Americans have been absolutely unstoppable. They remain the only undefeated squad, having netted 31 goals while allowing just one score – which came in their tournament opener.

Remarkably, the U.S. has scored multiple first-period goals only once during the competition, and that came against Canada as other opponents managed to stay competitive early before American superiority took over.

“Believe it or not, we have been challenged,” American defender Laila Edwards noted. “We have just overcome it and succeeded. We will take what we can get and hopefully come out on top.”

Despite their recent struggles, Canada holds a 4-2 advantage in previous Olympic finals between these teams and hopes to channel their latest setback into championship motivation.

“I honestly think it makes us more hungry,” Canadian forward Julia Gosling said following Monday’s semifinal win. “It’s a gold-medal game, anything can happen.”

NEW YORK — A Cleveland Browns defensive back is recovering at home after being attacked by a group of four men in a Manhattan hotel lobby during the early morning hours on Monday.

Ronnie Hickman, a 24-year-old safety for the Browns, sustained minor injuries in the assault and received medical treatment before being discharged, according to team officials. The player is now resting with his family as he recovers from the incident.

New York City police responded to an emergency call at 4:35 a.m. Monday regarding an assault taking place in a hotel lobby, according to law enforcement officials.

“Upon arrival, officers were informed that four unidentified individuals punched a 24-year-old male about the body following a verbal dispute,” police said. “The suspects fled the location in an unknown direction.”

The investigation remains active, and authorities have not made any arrests in connection with the attack, the New York Police Department confirmed in their official statement.

Hickman joined the Browns as an undrafted free agent after completing his college career at Ohio State University. During his three-year NFL tenure, he has appeared in 41 games and compiled impressive defensive statistics, including 173 total tackles, three interceptions, and one fumble recovery.

Source: https://srnnews.com/police-browns-safety-ronnie-hickman-jumped-by-4-men-in-a-new-york-hotel-lobby/