Football News

Albuquerque, N.M. — Coming off the program’s most successful and best-attended campaign in recent memory, New Mexico’s football staff will operate with a modestly larger salary pool in 2024 while rewarding a handful of assistants for their role in the resurgence. Head coach Jason Eck, whose new five-year contract included a $400,000 raise in December, watched three of his on-field assistants receive pay increases when the athletic department posted updated contracts this week. The moves nudged UNM’s total staff salary pool to $2.07 million, up from $2.04 million last season. Every assistant remains on a one-year deal with identical performance-based incentives. Defensive line coach Hebron Fangupo secured the largest bump, jumping from $150,000 to $165,000 after a debut season that produced the Mountain West’s top run defense (112.8 yards per game) and a conference-best 36 sacks. Offensive coordinator Luke Schleusner, whose unit averaged 27.1 points per game, saw his salary rise $10,000 to $385,000, making him the highest-paid assistant on staff. Safeties coach Clay Bignell also netted a $10,000 increase, bringing his pay to $130,000 after guiding a position group that weathered multiple injuries. Defensive coordinator Spence Nowinsky ($375,000), offensive line coach Cody Booth ($165,000), cornerbacks coach Stanley Franks Jr. ($150,000) and linebackers coach Nate Palmer ($85,000) all return at their 2023 compensation levels. Two newcomers will earn more than the coaches they replaced. Associate head coach and tight ends coach Zach Lujan and wide receivers coach Carson Walch will each make $160,000, a combined $95,000 increase over predecessors Jared Elliott ($115,000) and Colin Lockett ($110,000). Conversely, new special teams coordinator Erik Link will earn $175,000, down from Daniel Da Prato’s $250,000, and running backs coach Darrius G. Smith will make $120,000, a drop from John Johnson’s $145,000. All four previous assistants departed for Power Four programs. Eck said the salary structure is intentional. “We have a pretty high spread between our highest-paid guys on the staff and our lowest-paid guys on the staff,” he told the Journal earlier this month. “And I want that systematically, because if you can keep your coordinators in place, you know, it keeps the overall system.” UNM will hold its annual pro day on Monday, with 17 Lobos and two New Mexico Highlands standouts — safety Trevor Romaldo and offensive lineman Joe Taase — scheduled to work out for NFL scouts.

Washington, D.C. — The Oklahoma City Thunder will not be celebrating their 2024-25 NBA title at the White House, the team confirmed Thursday, citing timing constraints that prevented the visit during their lone regular-season trip to the nation’s capital. The Thunder, who enter Saturday’s game against the Washington Wizards with a league-best 55-15 record, informed the White House that the traditional championship ceremony “just didn’t work out,” according to a statement shared with The Athletic. The franchise becomes the latest NBA champion to bypass the storied photo-op, following the precedent set by the 2017 Golden State Warriors, who also declined an invitation from President Donald Trump during his first term. White House visits have been a rite of passage for American sports champions since the 1963 Boston Celtics toured 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue after capturing the NBA crown. The Celtics most recently reprised the ritual in November 2024, when they were feted by then-President Joe Biden after defeating the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals. Trump, now in his second term, has continued the custom, welcoming Inter Miami and Lionel Messi last month to honor their MLS Cup triumph, while also hosting Super Bowl victors, College Football Playoff champions, World Series winners, and, in a first last week, the 2025 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world champions. The Thunder’s decision arrives against the backdrop of heightened U.S. diplomatic activity surrounding the Iran-Israel conflict, though the team offered no further elaboration on the “timing issue” that scuttled the visit. Oklahoma City is in Washington for only one game this season, eliminating any immediate opportunity to reschedule. Meanwhile, the NFL’s reigning champion Seattle Seahawks, who defeated the New England Patriots in last month’s Super Bowl in San Francisco, have yet to announce whether they will accept a White House invitation. The previous year’s winners, the Philadelphia Eagles, attended 12 months ago without quarterback Jalen Hurts; the Eagles had earlier declined the 2018 invitation after their Super Bowl LII victory. As the Thunder pursue a repeat championship and continue to lead the Western Conference, the franchise emphasized its appreciation for the dialogue with the White House, even as the historic visit will not take place.

MOSINEE — Mosinee High School has promoted longtime assistant Kevin Sanchez-Stevenoski to head football coach, the district announced via social media on Friday, March 20. Sanchez-Stevenoski, an alternative-education teacher at the school, has spent previous seasons on the Indians’ football staff and has served as head boys track and field coach for the past four years. He now inherits a program coming off one of the most successful campaigns in school history, set in motion by former coach Kyle Stoffel, who guided the 2025 squad to historic heights before stepping away to devote more time to family. In a statement released by the district, administrators highlighted Sanchez-Stevenoski’s vision for sustaining on-field success while prioritizing character development. “He is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment with a coaching philosophy that emphasizes accountability, resilience and a team-oriented approach,” officials said. “Kevin is dedicated to the comprehensive development of student-athletes—academic, athletic and personal—while cultivating programs built on trust, discipline and school pride.” The new coach views football as more than wins and losses, believing the sport is “a powerful tool for building confidence, discipline and lifelong character—both on and off the field.” Mosinee will look to build on last season’s momentum when preseason practices begin later this year.

AUSTIN, Texas — Oregon’s eighth-seeded women’s basketball team booked its ticket to the round of 32 with a commanding 70-60 victory over ninth-seeded Virginia Tech on Friday night, never trailing in a performance that showcased the Ducks’ postseason poise. The win lifts Oregon to 23-12 on the season and sets up a daunting Sunday showdown against the tournament’s top overall seed. Awaiting the Ducks at the Moody Center on March 22 will be host Texas, fresh off an 87-45 dismantling of No. 16 Missouri State. The Longhorns’ balanced attack and home-court advantage present a steep challenge for an Oregon squad that has already defied expectations by advancing past the opening round. Tip-off time for the Ducks versus the Longhorns has yet to be announced, though the game will be played in the same Austin venue that has already seen its share of March drama this weekend. Fans can follow every possession live on Fubo, with full coverage carried across ESPN’s family of networks. Oregon, which controlled tempo and glass against Virginia Tech, will need a similar complete effort to upset the nation’s No. 1 seed and continue its tournament run.

Boston, MA – The stat sheet will not scream MVP, but inside TD Garden the growing consensus is that no Celtic is more indispensable right now than Derrick White. With Brooklyn in town on Feb. 27, 2026, White spent the first half hounding Nets rookie Nolan Traore, sliding his feet, reaching for strips, and contesting every inch of hardwood. The sequence was a snapshot of a season-long theme: White is on pace to finish with 100 steals and 100 blocks, a benchmark that has become a rallying point for a roster that has overachieved in the face of roster turnover and injury chaos. “Derrick is just calculating,” said Celtics beat insider John Karalis, who has chronicled the guard’s evolution from role player to defensive lynchpin. “He rarely takes a chance that puts the team at risk. His mind and body are quick, and he uses that to his advantage.” That cerebral approach separates White from his predecessor Marcus Smart. Where Smart baited opponents into charges and emotional mistakes, White wins with timing and spatial awareness. Smart played mind games; White plays angles. Smart leapt for highlight rejections; White pounces in a blur, swatting drives before they reach the rim. The contrast has spawned a “thunder and lightning” comparison inside the locker room: Smart supplied the roar, White supplies the silent strike. The numbers back up the eye test. Entering the Brooklyn matchup, White sat just outside the league’s top-10 in both steals and blocks among guards, a rarity in an era when most back-court players specialize in one defensive category. Coaches credit his study habits: he charts opponent tendencies, notes preferred dribble moves, then anticipates the moment a crossover will expose the ball. Teammates credit his humility: White will switch onto 7-footers, fight over screens, then sprint in transition for corner threes without demanding a single play call. That selflessness has become the personality of the 2025-26 Celtics. Jaylen Brown has emerged as the undisputed vocal leader, but White sets the tone with consistency. When Kristaps Porzingis missed almost the entire season and Al Horford battled nagging injuries, White’s versatility allowed Boston to stay afloat. When rookie Hugo Gonzalez needed guidance navigating life in a new country, White invited him to post-practice shooting sessions, accelerating the teenager’s adjustment. The Nets game offered another example. Midway through the second quarter, Traore tried to isolate White on a high pick-and-roll. White slid under the screen, stayed attached to the hip, then reached in at the precise instant Traore brought the ball low. The steal led to a Payton Pritchard pull-up three in transition, a sequence that brought the Garden crowd to its feet and forced Brooklyn into a timeout. No chest-thumping, no trash talk—just business. Off the court, White’s chase for 100-100 has become a subplot that captiviates both fans and analytics departments. Only a handful of guards in league history have reached the century mark in both categories during a single season; accomplishing the feat would etch White’s name among elite company and validate Boston’s decision to build around a defense-first identity. Yet White shrugs at the milestone chatter. “I just want to win,” he said after the Nets win, towel draped over his head. “If I get there, cool. If not, as long as we keep playing in May and June, I’m happy.” For a Celtics team that has navigated cap constraints, roster turnover, and the lingering question of what might have been had last year’s core stayed intact, White’s steady hand provides clarity. Boston may not control health, schedules, or rival super-teams finally clicking, but they control effort, execution, and the quiet storm that is Derrick White. As the regular season hits the stretch run, opponents are learning what Traore discovered: the ball is never safe when White is near, and neither is the game plan. The 100-100 milestone is within reach, but the larger objective—another deep playoff push—remains the only number that truly matters in a season defined by resilience.

West Palm Beach, FL — In a spring training that has already produced its share of eyebrow-raising roster moves, the Washington Nationals dropped the biggest bombshell yet on Friday by optioning prized outfielder Dylan Crews to Triple-A Rochester, ensuring the 24-year-old will not break camp with the big-league club. The decision, announced ahead of the club’s final exhibition games, ends months of speculation about whether the 2023 No. 2 overall pick would be fast-tracked onto the Opening Day roster. While right-hander Jackson Rutledge was also reassigned, it is Crews — long viewed as a cornerstone of the Nationals’ rebuild — who dominates the conversation. Crews’ path through the minors last season was meteoric but turbulent. After posting a 126 wRC+ at Double-A, he slipped to 106 wRC+ at Triple-A and managed only an 80 wRC+ during his 2024 major-league cameo. Those numbers, coupled with a spring training that failed to show dramatic improvement, convinced president of baseball operations Paul Toboni that additional seasoning is required. “There was a clear feeling inside the organization that Dylan, like several other prospects, was accelerated too quickly,” a club source said. “This is about letting him slow the game down, rediscover his timing, and return with confidence.” The reassignment follows the earlier demotion of catching prospect Harry Ford, acquired this winter from Seattle, and signals a philosophical shift under Toboni’s leadership: development over immediacy, even for the most ballyhooed talents. Fans and analysts alike had projected Crews as a potential Opening Day starter ever since he rocketed through the collegiate ranks at LSU and signed for a franchise-record bonus. Yet the gulf between expectation and production has widened, prompting the front office to prioritize long-term gains over short-term headlines. By starting Crews in Rochester, Washington hopes the former Golden Spikes finalist will face consistent high-level pitching without the glare of the majors, refine his approach, and rekindle the power-speed profile that once made him a consensus top-five draft pick. If the reset works, the Nationals believe they will ultimately be rewarded with the perennial All-Star they envisioned on draft night in 2023. For now, the club will march into the regular season without its most heralded prospect, banking that patience now translates to production later.

Chicago — The image of Dana Altman stalking the United Center sideline on March 10, 2026, was that of a coach already thinking about next season. His Oregon Ducks had just closed a 12-20 campaign, 5-15 in the Big Ten, and the offseason could not come quickly enough. With center Nate Bittle gone and guard Jackson Shelstad’s status uncertain after a December hand injury, Altman’s first order of business is clear: keep junior wing Kwame Evans Jr. in Eugene. Evans, who posted career highs of 13.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists this winter, became Oregon’s primary offensive valve once Shelstad went down in the Dec. 28 win over Omaha. Over the final 18 games Evans reached double figures 13 times, topping out with 24 in a Jan. 28 loss to UCLA. Those numbers, compiled on a roster short on consistent shooting and reliable playmaking, underscore why Altman views the 6-foot-9 Maryland native as the one transfer-portal departure the program cannot absorb. “Kwame carried us when we had no margin for error,” Altman told reporters after the regular-season finale. “His versatility on both ends is the foundation we’re building on.” The foundation is otherwise unsettled. Bittle’s exit leaves a vacancy in the post, and Shelstad, who flashed lottery-level potential before the right-hand fracture, has yet to announce whether he will return for a third season. If Shelstad comes back, Evans could slide into a complementary scoring role; if not, Oregon will ask Evans to shoulder even more usage. Altman’s staff is already canvassing the portal for reinforcements. Last spring the Ducks landed Takai Simpkins, Devon Pryor and Sean Stewart, a trio that vaulted Oregon to the No. 12 transfer class in the Big Ten, per 247Sports. Expect a similar aggressive approach after a season in which Oregon ranked 13th in the league in offensive efficiency and 12th in rebounding margin. One internal candidate to ease Evans’ load is guard Wei Lin, whose 6.6 points and 1.7 assists in 18 minutes a night offered glimpses of shot-making craft. Lin’s 39 percent from three after the All-Break juncture suggests he can space the floor alongside Evans, provided both remain in Eugene. The stakes are obvious. Another sub-.500 finish would mark three straight losing seasons for Oregon, a stretch the program hasn’t endured since the mid-1990s. Retaining Evans, developing Lin and mining the portal for front-court help represent Altman’s clearest path back to relevance in a deepening Big Ten. As the Ducks boarded their charter back across the country, Evans’ phone buzzed with messages from programs coveting his blend of length, skill and experience. Altman’s next sales pitch may determine how quickly Oregon escapes the wilderness. Keywords:

Leicester, 10 April 2026 — A club that stunned the world by lifting the Premier League trophy at 5,000-to-1 odds now faces the unthinkable: a second relegation in as many seasons that would plunge the Foxes into the third tier of English football for only the second time in 143 years. Sitting third-from-bottom of the Championship with eight matches remaining, Leicester City have collected just six points from six fixtures under new manager Gary Rowett and have not won on the road since October. A 3-1 home defeat to Queens Park Rangers last weekend, in which Leicester surrendered an early lead, left Rowett lamenting “three really poor goals” and heightened the prospect of League One football next August. The nosedive comes only 12 months after relegation from the Premier League and a little over a decade after the most unlikely title triumph in modern sport. “Everything that was there 10 years ago — heart, determination, the underdog story — that’s gone,” Phil Holloway, editor of Leicester Fan TV, told reporters. “Now we’ve got overpaid players who don’t seem very bothered.” Off-field turmoil has compounded on-field struggles. The club was docked six points in February for breaching spending rules in the 2023-24 campaign, and the January departure of record goalscorer Jamie Vardy to Italy removed the last on-field link to the 2015-16 miracle. Manager Marti Cifuentes was sacked on 27 January; interim boss Andy King lost his first three league matches, ratcheting up pressure before Rowett’s appointment. Rowett, speaking ahead of Saturday’s trip to playoff-chasing Watford, insisted improvement is within reach. “I do believe we are close to being a very good team,” he said. “It’s just those little moments costing us.” Leicester’s survival bid rests on a threadbare squad led by 21-year-old Wales midfielder Jordan James, on loan from Rennes, whose 10 league goals make him the club’s top scorer. The Foxes have taken only 11 points from a possible 42 since the points deduction and must overhaul at least two sides to avoid the drop. Relegation would carry a brutal financial sting. Deloitte’s most recent review placed League One clubs’ average revenue at £9.1 million, roughly one-quarter of Championship levels and barely 3 per cent of the Premier League’s £316 million average. For a club still servicing top-flight wages and transfer instalments, the shortfall could be catastrophic. Leicester have spent only one campaign in the third tier in their history, winning League One in 2008-09 before climbing back to the Championship. Holloway, a lifelong supporter, clings to the memory of past resurrection. “Being a Leicester fan, I do believe in miracles,” he said, “because we’ve all seen one.” The Foxes have nine days to regroup during the international break before a run-in that includes fixtures against three of the current top six. Whether belief alone can avert a fall that once seemed impossible will determine the next chapter in one of football’s most remarkable modern sagas.

Chuck Norris, the stone-faced martial-arts grandmaster whose roundhouse kicks on screen and super-human exploits online turned him into a global symbol of indomitability, died Thursday at 86, his family announced. The statement described a “sudden passing” but asked for privacy regarding details, adding only that Norris “was surrounded by his family and was at peace.” From humble beginnings in Ryan, Oklahoma, born Carlos Ray Norris on March 10, 1940, he rose from poverty to become a six-time undefeated World Professional Middleweight Karate champion and the founder of Chun Kuk Do, his own Korean-based American hard style. The United Fighting Arts Federation, which he created, has awarded more than 3,300 Chuck Norris System black belts worldwide, and Black Belt magazine placed him in its hall of fame with a 10th-degree black belt, the discipline’s highest honor. Norris discovered martial arts while stationed in Korea with the U.S. Air Force, studying judo and Tang Soo Do after his 1958 enlistment. Following an honorable discharge in 1962, he opened a martial-arts studio that quickly expanded into a chain. Celebrity students—Bob Barker, Priscilla Presley, Donny and Marie Osmond, and Steve McQueen—filled his classes, and McQueen prodded him to try Hollywood. An uncredited fight scene opposite Dean Martin in 1968’s The Wrecking Crew led to the memorable Colosseum showdown with Bruce Lee in 1972’s Return of the Dragon. More than 20 action films followed, including Missing in Action, The Delta Force and Sidekicks, cementing his persona as a clear-cut hero in an era of cinematic anti-heroes. In 1993 Norris secured his most enduring role: cord-wearing Texas Ranger Cordell Walker in the CBS series Walker, Texas Ranger. The show’s nine-season run championed “fighting injustice with justice,” he told The Associated Press, and earned him an honorary Texas Ranger designation from Governor Rick Perry and the title of honorary Texan from the state senate. Even as film appearances dwindled—recent credits include 2012’s The Expendables 2 and the 2024 sci-fi release Agent Recon—Norris’s legend ballooned online. “Chuck Norris Facts” (“When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris”) flooded the internet, and the star embraced the phenomenon, compiling The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book to benefit Kickstart Kids, a nonprofit he launched with President George H.W. Bush to bring martial-arts training to schools. A devout Christian and vocal supporter of gun rights, Norris campaigned for political allies, most notably Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee in 2008, and endorsed Donald Trump in 2016. Presidents, pundits and partisans alike invoked his name as shorthand for unassailable toughness. Norris is survived by five children: Mike and Eric, both stunt performers, from his marriage to the late Dianne Holechek; twins Dakota and Danilee with wife Gena Norris; and daughter Dina. Just over a week before his death he posted a sparring video to Instagram, a final reminder that the man who once joked about counting to infinity—twice—never stopped moving. Keywords:

BARCELONA, Spain — Spain’s national team has turned diplomatic frustration into viral comedy, releasing a sketch that pokes fun at the collapsed Finalissima showdown with Argentina while announcing its squad for upcoming friendlies. The European champions were scheduled to meet Copa América holders Argentina on 27 March in Doha, but the match was scrapped after the widening Iran conflict rendered Qatar unsuitable. With no replacement venue agreed upon, Spain pivoted to a home date against Serbia in Villarreal on the same day, while Argentina will now be idle. On Friday the Royal Spanish Football Federation posted a 90-second video on its X account in which a fictional Argentine couple argue over the husband’s impulsive voice note to Spain coach Luis de la Fuente begging for tickets to Spain-Serbia. De la Fuente appears, grinning, and assures the stunned fan: “Of course, count on the ticket … although I would have liked to have seen you at a different game.” The light-hearted clip served a dual purpose: defusing tension over the high-profile cancellation and unveiling de la Fuente’s latest squad, which features four uncapped players including Olympic gold-medal winners Joan García and Cristhian Mosquera. UEFA and the Spanish federation insist they explored “every possibility” to rescue the Finalissima, proposing Madrid, a two-leg format, and even a 31 March date in Italy. All were declined by the Argentinian Football Association, according to European officials. CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez retorted that Argentina should be declared “two-time champions” for Spain’s “no-show,” referencing the Albiceleste’s 2022 win over Italy. De la Fuente reiterated his regret. “Both myself and the Spanish federation always wanted to play. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.” Spain will now face Serbia on 27 March in Villarreal and Egypt four days later at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona. The rejigged calendar gives de la Fuente a final competitive look at veterans such as Rodri—returning from a long leg injury—and in-form alternatives like Martín Zubimendi before June’s World Cup qualifiers. Goalkeepers: Joan García (Barcelona), David Raya (Arsenal), Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao), Álex Remiro (Real Sociedad). Defenders: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marcos Llorente (Atlético Madrid), Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), Cristhian Mosquera (Arsenal), Pedro Porro (Tottenham). Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal), Pedri (Barcelona), Pablo Fornals (Real Betis), Carlos Soler (Real Sociedad), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Fermín López (Barcelona). Forwards: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Yéremi Pino (Crystal Palace), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ander Barrenetxea (Real Sociedad), Víctor Muñoz (Osasuna), Alex Baena (Atlético Madrid), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo). Spain’s creative squad-release videos began under former coach Luis Enrique and have become a trademark under de la Fuente, blending humour with team news. This latest edition ensures that, even without Lionel Messi versus Lamine Yamal, the show goes on.

San Diego—Centerline Athletics, the performance apparel label purpose-built for today’s pickleball athlete, has enlisted one of the most relentless competitors in sports history as its newest brand ambassador: Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens. The partnership, announced today, positions Owens—who has traded end-zone celebrations for third-shot drops—as the face of Centerline’s push to merge elite-level mindset with pickleball’s fast-growing culture. A dedicated landing page on the company’s site now spotlights the exact pieces Owens wears during his own court sessions, allowing fans to shop the collection that carries him through tournament play and late-night rallies alike. “Pickleball doesn’t discriminate,” Owens said. “It doesn’t matter what age you are, what you look like, what your body type is—it’s a sport that welcomes everybody.” That inclusive ethos meshes with the philosophy Owens credits for his 15-year NFL career: the three D’s of Desire, Dedication, and Discipline. “Competition has always been part of who I am,” he noted. “Whether it’s football or pickleball, the mindset stays the same—show up prepared, compete hard, and bring energy every time you step on the court.” Centerline executives say the alliance runs deeper than a standard endorsement. Later this year Owens will unveil an exclusive performance apparel line co-developed with Centerline’s design team, blending his first-hand athletic insights with the brand’s technical fabrics and court-specific cuts. “Terrell embodies the competitive spirit that defines Centerline,” Managing Director Scott Brown said. “His passion for sport, athleticism, and community aligns perfectly with what we’re building.” As participation numbers surge and pickleball cements its status as America’s fastest-growing sport, Centerline views the Owens partnership as a statement that the game’s culture can honor both its social roots and an elite athletic standard. Owens will remain involved in product development, brand storytelling, and grassroots events throughout 2026, reinforcing the message that high-level competition belongs on every court—from neighborhood driveways to championship stadiums. Fans can explore Owens’ curated collection now at centerlineathletics.

The calendar has always been sacred to football fans. Sundays for the bulk of the slate, Monday for the nightcap, Thursday for a taste of mid-week action—simple, predictable, comforting. That rhythm is about to be shattered. When the 2026 NFL season kicks off on Wednesday, September 9, with the Seattle Seahawks hosting a primetime tilt on NBC at 8:20 p.m. ET, the league will officially test how much calendar chaos its audience will tolerate. The Seahawks’ Wednesday showcase is only the opening salvo. Roughly 16 hours later—Thursday, September 10—the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will collide in the first NFL game ever played on Australian soil, launching from the Melbourne Cricket Ground at a locally inconvenient 10:15 a.m. to preserve U.S. prime-time visibility. Two opening nights, two different weeknights, one sport that no longer asks permission before redrawing its own map. Social media erupted as soon as the dates leaked. Longtime supporters called the Wednesday kickoff “ridiculous,” accusing the league of “completely disregarding the dependable rhythm of the schedule.” The outrage centers on a single idea: football’s cultural power came from scarcity. Sundays were church, Mondays were dessert, Thursdays were a bonus. Now fans joke they’ll need a spreadsheet to track a single week that could stretch across seven days if the league finalizes its rumored Thanksgiving Eve game on November 25. What officials haven’t trumpeted is that Wednesday wasn’t a marketing whim; it was a legal escape hatch. The 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act bars the NFL from televising games on Friday nights from the second Friday in September through mid-December to protect high-school and college gates. In 2024 and 2025, an early Labor Day left the first Friday of September outside that window, letting the league stage its Brazil games. In 2026, Labor Day lands on September 7, pushing Week 1’s first Friday to September 11—legally off-limits. Thursday was already booked for Australia. The only runway left was Wednesday. The Melbourne factor shaped everything. To fill the 100,000-seat MCG, the NFL built the entire Week 1 framework around that contest first, then back-filled the domestic schedule. Seattle’s reward for winning Super Bowl LX was supposed to be the traditional Thursday curtain-raiser; instead, the champs inherit the league’s first Wednesday opener since 2012, when the Giants and Cowboys were shifted to avoid a presidential convention. That move was sold as a one-time political courtesy. This one is structural, driven by international expansion, streaming revenue, and broadcast windows that now span six of the seven weekdays—Tuesday alone remains unused. Networks are following the money. NBC retains its season-opener rights, while the Melbourne telecast is still on the block, with streaming heavyweights circling after Netflix reportedly paid $75 million per game for the 2024 Christmas doubleheader. The league’s economics have turned every new day into a potential inventory slot: Black Friday since 2023, international Fridays since 2024, a Christmas Day doubleheader, and now a Wednesday in Week 1. OutKick distilled fan anxiety into a single line: “Scarcity helped elevate football to America’s new pastime. The NFL is taking that away.” Players face a different squeeze. A Wednesday opener compresses preparation for clubs assigned to Sunday Week 1, and the NFLPA has previously flagged short-rest situations as safety issues. With 17 games already in place and an 18th reportedly under discussion alongside a record nine international fixtures in 2026, the union may soon confront a season that stretches both bodies and calendars to new limits. For all the backlash, history says viewers will still tune in. The league is betting that convenience is no match for habit—and that fans who complain today will still click the remote tomorrow night. In the zero-sum contest between tradition and expansion, the NFL just tore up the old contract in broad daylight and dared anyone to change the channel. Seattle will open defense of its title under the lights on a weeknight that never used to belong to football, against an opponent yet to be named, in a schedule that drops this May. By then, Wednesday, Australia, and streaming will be baked into the narrative, and the seven-day football week will feel less like an experiment than the new normal.

Atlanta—Nearly seven weeks after Tuskegee University head basketball coach Benjy Taylor was handcuffed and led from the gymnasium following a heated rivalry game at Morehouse College, the veteran coach is taking his fight to court. Taylor, flanked by a team of prominent civil-rights attorneys, will announce a federal lawsuit Friday against Morehouse and two campus officers, R. Clark and M. Roberson, alleging unlawful detention and civil-rights violations stemming from the Jan. 31 post-game confrontation that stunned players, fans, and the broader HBCU community. The incident, captured in a viral social-media clip, occurred moments after Morehouse edged Tuskegee 77-69 in front of a raucous home crowd. According to Taylor and Tuskegee officials, the coach approached game security to report what he termed a “security breach”: members of the Morehouse football team had joined the traditional handshake line, a move Tuskegee Athletic Director Reginald Ruffin says contravenes standard Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference protocol. Taylor says he asked officers to intervene when the football players “followed right behind me and the team yelling obscenities,” creating what he feared was a dangerous environment for his players and their families. Instead of de-escalating the situation, campus police handcuffed the 35-year coaching veteran and escorted him outside the arena, an image that ricocheted across sports media within hours. No charges were filed, and Taylor traveled back to campus with his squad that night, but the fallout was immediate. Tuskegee President and CEO Mark A. Brown issued a statement praising Taylor’s conduct as “measured, professional, and entirely consistent with the expectations of a head coach entrusted with the safety of his team.” Now Taylor is seeking accountability. Represented by Harry Daniels, John Burris, Gerald Griggs, and Gregory Reynald Williams—attorneys known for high-profile civil-rights litigation—Taylor’s suit will claim unlawful seizure and emotional distress. “To put him in handcuffs, humiliate him and treat him like a criminal in front of his team, his family and a gym full of fans is absolutely disgusting,” Daniels said. Morehouse has not publicly commented on the impending litigation. Friday’s press conference, scheduled for 11 a.m. EST in downtown Atlanta, is expected to detail damages sought and broader allegations of inadequate game-management protocols that Taylor’s legal team argues placed both teams at risk. The case adds a legal chapter to one of the most visible HBCU basketball rivalries and raises fresh questions about security procedures at collegiate sporting events—particularly when emotions run high and conference traditions collide. Keywords:

Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler addressed the media on Friday ahead of the Seagulls’ lunchtime Premier League meeting with Liverpool, declaring Kaoru Mitoma fit for selection and urging supporters to turn the Amex into a venue “that no-one wants to go”. Mitoma, the Japan international winger, had been a doubt after a recent setback but is now available, giving Hurzeler a welcome boost as he plots a first victory over the Reds since taking charge in the summer. “There are no new injury concerns and winger Kaoru Mitoma is available for contention,” the German confirmed. Brighton arrive at the weekend looking to arrest a wobble that has seen them slip from the European conversation, yet Hurzeler insists the squad’s mentality has not wavered. “I never stop thinking about how I can improve the team and how we can improve as a club, on the pitch and off it,” he said. “My team always stick together. It’s important to keep working hard and keeping standards high. We do that well.” With the Premier League table tighter than ever, the 31-year-old believes every remaining fixture carries cup-final significance if Brighton are to re-enter the top-eight picture. “The Premier League is unpredictable this season,” he noted. “We need to play every game like it’s a final to see if we can get into the top eight.” Saturday’s assignment is daunting: Liverpool swept past Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday and have lost only once in all competitions since September. Hurzeler praised the Merseysiders’ form, saying: “We all know Liverpool are still one of the best teams with incredible individual quality. They came into a flow and when Liverpool get into a flow they are dangerous for every team.” The Albion boss, however, sees no reason to be passive. “It’s our responsibility to disrupt Liverpool’s flow,” he stated. “We can do that by being prepared and intense.” Central to that plan will be the club’s 12th man. Hurzeler revealed his “relationship with the fans has never been closer” after navigating a testing run of results together, and he hopes the bond will translate into decibels at a sold-out Amex. “Be as loud as possible, be behind us, be pushing, be creating an energy,” he implored. “We can create a place that no-one wants to go and that will help our intensity and performance. The fans against Arsenal were on it and they influenced the game.” Selection dilemmas also occupy the coach’s thoughts. Competition for starting berths is fierce, but Hurzeler views the variety of profiles across his squad as an asset rather than a headache. “The competition is on for a starting place,” he acknowledged. “A lot of my players have different attributes and the squad can benefit game-to-game.” Kick-off on Saturday is at 12:30 GMT, with Brighton seeking a statement result to reignite their season and Liverpool aiming to maintain the momentum that has carried them to the summit of domestic and European competitions.

The scoreboard is set for another fascinating duel of forecasts as Essential Football renews its head-to-head with artificial-intelligence rival ChatGPT ahead of a potentially seismic round of Premier League fixtures. With ten points awarded for nailing the exact scoreline and five for calling the correct result, bragging rights are once again up for grabs. Saturday’s early kick-off sees AFC Bournemouth welcome Manchester United to the south coast. Essential Football labels the Cherries the division’s great enigma—no side has drawn more games—while tipping Erik ten Hag’s visitors to exploit their openness in a 2-1 away win. ChatGPT largely concurs, citing United’s top-four motivation and Bournemouth’s habit of letting promising displays drift into draws; the algorithm forecasts the same 2-1 score, only reversing the order of the scorers. Liverpool’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion shapes as the weekend’s headline tussle. Buoyed by a dramatic Champions League fight-back in Istanbul, Jurgen Klopp’s men remain erratic domestically. Essential Football believes the Reds’ continental momentum will be enough to edge a revitalised Seagulls side that has won three of its last four. ChatGPT, noting Brighton’s expansive but defensively vulnerable approach, foresees Liverpool’s pace on the break producing a comfortable away victory. At Craven Cottage, Fulham are viewed as bankers against a Burnley outfit still anchored in relegation trouble. Essential Football argues Marco Silva’s side, chasing a late surge toward the European places, cannot afford another slip, while ChatGPT highlights Fulham’s home control and the Clarets’ chronic scoring woes in predicting a routine home win. Sunday’s early assignment pitches Everton against Chelsea at Goodison Park. Essential Football contends that the Toffees’ organised, limitation-aware approach under David Moyes can ambush a Blues outfit bruised from a mid-week setback. ChatGPT, emphasising Everton’s deep-block resilience and Chelsea’s well-documented inconsistency, anticipates a low-scoring draw. Leeds United versus Brentford offers a contrast of styles in West Yorkshire. Essential Football flags the Bees’ proficiency from set pieces and on the counter, weaknesses Leeds have repeatedly displayed. ChatGPT echoes that assessment, forecasting a narrow Brentford triumph born of superior efficiency. The Tyne-Wear derby promises raw emotion. Essential Football expects a scrappy 1-1 stalemate, citing Newcastle’s wounded pride after a 7-2 Champions League humbling and Sunderland’s poor away form. ChatGPT agrees, arguing derby fever often overrides league logic and produces a high-scoring, mistake-riddled 2-2 draw. In the Midlands, Aston Villa’s wobble has seen European hopes fade after three straight league defeats. Essential Football fancies West Ham to capitalise, backing the Hammers to spring an upset. Data-driven ChatGPT, however, trusts Villa’s home strength and motivation to secure a slender 2-1 win. Monday Night Football closes the gameweek with Tottenham hosting Nottingham Forest in what Essential Football labels a relegation six-pointer. Spurs’ recent uptick in urgency leads the column to forecast a home win, while ChatGPT, citing both sides’ inconsistency, opts for a 1-1 draw. With each forecast carrying either ten or five points, the running tally between flesh-and-blood pundits and silicon-powered algorithms remains too close to call—setting the stage for another dramatic swing when the final whistle blows.

London – A change to British law will make it a criminal offence to enter a soccer match without a valid ticket, with the new rules coming into force in time for Sunday’s English League Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium. The legislation, announced ahead of the showpiece fixture, means that anyone found inside a ground without the appropriate accreditation will face potential prosecution. Authorities say the measure is designed to strengthen crowd-safety protocols and protect legitimate supporters. The timing of the law’s activation underscores its immediate relevance, as tens of thousands of fans are expected to converge on the national stadium for the high-profile contest. Officials have not detailed specific penalties, but the reclassification marks a significant shift from previous civil regulations. With the new statute now on the statute book, stewards and police will have expanded powers to intervene before, during and after matches across the country.

By Saturday evening the Championship will fall silent for the international break, but not before a weekend that could redraw the promotion picture and intensify the relegation fight across the English Football League. Ipswich v Millwall, 12:30 GMT at Portman Road, is the headline act. Kieran McKenna’s Tractor Boys have taken 14 points from the last 18 and sit third, level on points with Alex Neil’s Millwall, whose four-match winning run was halted by a controversial 2-1 loss to Blackburn. Zak Sturge’s red card in that game has been overturned, leaving the left-back free to face Ipswich as the Lions chase a fifth consecutive away victory. Should Millwall leapfrog Ipswich, Middlesbrough—winless in four at the Riverside—would need at least a point at Blackburn to cling to second place. Coventry, seven points clear at the summit, are the only side guaranteed to spend the break in an automatic spot, yet the identity of their nearest pursuer could change twice before tea-time. At the bottom, only four points separate the teams in 20th and 24th. Oxford, third-bottom, travel to a Southampton side unbeaten in 13 and chasing a top-six place, though the U’s won the reverse fixture 2-1 on Boxing Day. Leicester, a point beneath Oxford, have lost nine away matches in a row and visit Watford, still in the play-off mix. West Brom, lifted out of the drop zone by a thumping defeat of Hull, have not won on the road since 1 October and now head to Bristol City, who have taken one point from their last four home games. Portsmouth, above Albion on goal difference, face QPR hunting a first victory in six. The drama is equally fierce in League One. Gary Caldwell returns to Exeter exactly a month after leaving St James Park for a second spell at Wigan. When he departed, Exeter were 13th and comfortable; on Saturday they sit 19th, level on points with Caldwell’s new side, who are a point above the relegation places. Exeter are winless in 12; Wigan have taken 11 points from Caldwell’s seven matches. A Blackpool win at Cardiff in the lunchtime kick-off could dump Exeter into the bottom four by full-time. The play-off picture is equally volatile. Three points cover fifth-placed Stockport to Plymouth in 10th. Stevenage, eighth with a game in hand, host Reading, who occupy the final play-off berth. Huddersfield, seventh, travel to in-form Argyle after blowing a 2-0 lead to draw with leaders Lincoln. Stockport, meanwhile, visit Luton in a dress-rehearsal for next month’s Vertu Trophy final. In League Two, only two points separate the bottom four. Barrow, on their fifth manager of the season, are winless in seven ahead of a trip to promotion-chasing Grimsby. Harrogate, a point better off, visit an Oldham side unbeaten in nine and eyeing a late surge into the play-offs. Newport, a point above the drop, go to resurgent Walsall after a last-gasp loss to leaders Bromley, while Crawley, winless in nine but drawing five of their last six, make the long journey to Fleetwood. By the time British Summer Time begins, the league tables from Coventry to Barrow could have a very different complexion. March, as the old saying almost goes, has one more chance to plant the seeds for May’s final harvest.

Liverpool’s decision to extend Mohamed Salah’s stay until 2027 is already under the microscope, and fresh revelations have intensified the debate. Sporting director Richard Hughes sanctioned a two-year extension last spring that, according to The Athletic’s James Pearce, eclipses the previously reported £400,000-a-week mark. The upward revision means the club could commit more than £40 million in basic wages alone before the Egyptian turns 35. The timing of the disclosure is awkward. Salah, who finished 2024-25 as the Premier League’s top scorer, top creator and overall player of the year, has struggled to replicate that dominance this season. A winter falling-out with head coach Arne Slot led to the winger being dropped, and although he has since regained double-figure goal involvement, sources inside Anfield concede his influence has waned. Hughes, appointed last summer, celebrated few bigger victories than tying down two Liverpool legends. While Trent Alexander-Arnold ultimately departed for Real Madrid in a £10 million deal, Virgil van Dijk and Salah put pen to paper on extensions through 2027. Yet the wisdom of retaining an ageing star on English football’s heftiest individual salary is now being questioned. Saudi Pro League clubs maintain a watching brief, but their willingness to pay a transfer fee remains uncertain. If no acceptable offer materialises, Liverpool risk carrying the league’s largest single wage packet into a World Cup year for Egypt, limiting room to refresh a squad that may soon need rebuilding. When the contract was signed, rewarding a record-breaking campaign felt instinctive. In hindsight, allowing Salah to leave at his peak might have preserved both legacy and salary structure. Instead, FSG face the prospect of a marquee name on a mammoth deal whose best days, on current evidence, could be behind him.

Since the opening kickoff of football season, a modest Monday-night ritual has turned into a must-attend event at Backwoods Bar and Grill. Between 5 and 7 p.m. each week, patrons pack the rustic venue for the Queen of Hearts raffle, a nonprofit drawing whose swelling prize pot has become the talk of the town. What began as a handful of curious players now fills tables and barstools, the anticipation thick as participants watch the board for the card that could unlock the growing jackpot. Organizers say every ticket purchased fuels both the purse and local charitable efforts, turning an evening of casual fun into a community-driven fundraiser with stakes that rise week after week.

Tehran – Iran’s all-time leading scorer Sardar Azmoun has been expelled from the national team only weeks before the World Cup kicks off across North America, leaving Team Melli to contemplate a first-round campaign shorn of its most prolific forward. The 31-year-old striker, who has netted 57 goals in 91 senior appearances since his 2014 debut, was removed from the squad after Iranian authorities deemed a recent social-media post an act of disloyalty, the Fars News Agency reported on Thursday. The outlet, which maintains close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, cited an unnamed national-team source confirming Azmoun’s banishment. The controversy erupted when Azmoun, who plies his trade for UAE club Shabab Al-Ahli, uploaded a photograph to Instagram showing him alongside Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The image surfaced amid heightened regional tensions: Tehran has launched rocket and drone strikes against the Emirates in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli air raids that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Although Azmoun deleted the post, state television devoted prime airtime to denouncing the player on Thursday night. “It’s unfortunate that you don’t have enough sense to understand what kind of behavior is appropriate at a given time,” football pundit Mohammad Misaghi declared on the broadcast. “We should not mince words with such people. They should be told that they are not worthy of wearing the national team jersey. We have no patience for this sulking and childish behavior. National team players should be people who proudly belt out the national anthem and deserve to wear the Iran jersey.” The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran did not respond to requests for comment, but the fallout has already widened: an unsourced report on the Novad News channel claimed that judicial authorities have ordered the seizure of assets belonging to Azmoun, fellow UAE-based forward Mehdi Ghayedi, and former international Soroush Rafiei. Azmoun’s absence would deal a severe blow to a side already operating under a cloud. Iran’s participation in the June 11-July 19 tournament—co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada—remains uncertain given the deteriorating geopolitical climate between Tehran and Washington. Should Team Melli take their place in the group stage, they will now face the prospect of attacking depth depleted by the loss of a veteran marksman who featured prominently in both the 2018 and 2022 editions. Preparations continue for now: the federation has scheduled friendlies against Nigeria on March 27 in Antalya, Turkey, and Costa Rica four days later. Yet with Azmoun exiled and questions swirling over squad unity, Iran’s World Cup blueprint has been thrown into disarray only months before the global showcase kicks off.

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has hailed the fearless approach of 18-year-old Lennart Karl after awarding the Bayern Munich teenager a maiden senior call-up that vaults him past several youth levels and straight into the senior squad. Speaking via the @iMiaSanMia social channel, Nagelsmann outlined his expectations for the youngster, who has caught the eye since breaking into the Bavarian club’s first-team picture earlier this campaign. “I expect him to bring his youthful exuberance to the pitch,” the national-team boss said. “He likes to play centrally, but we also plan to use him on the right. However, I won’t put any pressure on him to perform miracles. He should bring exactly what a young player embodies and play football freely and from the heart, as he’s been doing at FC Bayern.” Karl’s rapid ascent means he will join the senior setup barely a month after turning 18, underscoring both his early-season form and the coaching staff’s willingness to fast-track emerging talent. Aside from a brief off-field distraction involving Austria international Alexander Prass, whose ill-advised comment and accompanying thumbs-up gesture drew criticism, the teenager’s trajectory remains steeply upward. For Nagelsmann, the message is clear: Karl’s invitation is a reward for fearless, creative play, and the youngster will be encouraged to express himself without the burden of unrealistic expectations.

London — For months the rest of the game has watched Tottenham Hotspur’s spiral with the same horrified fascination reserved for a multi-car pile-up. With eight Premier League fixtures remaining the club sit one place above the relegation zone, winless in the league since New Year’s Day and, in the blunt verdict of one Champions League club executive, guilty of “incompetence of the highest order”. The Athletic canvassed more than a dozen figures — sporting directors, chairmen, analysts, agents and coaches across England and Germany — to discover how the sport views Spurs’ predicament. Every respondent was granted anonymity to speak candidly; several conversations took place before Wednesday’s 3-2 second-leg victory over Atlético Madrid, a result that merely trimmed an ultimately fatal 7-5 aggregate Champions League exit. Inside Bundesliga boardrooms the scenario feels ominously familiar. “We saw this with big German clubs — wrong decisions stacked up for years,” said one director. “Hamburg assumed promotion would be automatic. They spent seven seasons in the second division.” The search for a single scapegoat ends empty-handed. Igor Tudor, appointed in February after the dismissal of Thomas Frank, has found no public defenders inside the game. “They hired the only coach in Europe willing to risk relegating a Super League side,” an English club executive said. “He’s never worked in England, never stayed anywhere longer than a year, and fans looked at the CV and said, ‘What the hell?’” Yet managerial churn is viewed as symptomatic, not causal. Since 2016 Spurs’ revenues have rocketed 152 per cent to a record £528.4 million, turbo-charged by a state-of-the-art stadium hosting NFL fixtures, concerts and boxing. The training ground, opened in 2012, remains the envy of the country. “They built the perfect platform,” said a Premier League sporting director, “then forgot the team.” Recruitment is painted as directionless. “They don’t know what they are,” a rival chairman concluded. “They can’t replicate Brighton’s model, can’t outspend Arsenal or Chelsea, and end up with a Frankenstein squad stitched together by different coaches with different philosophies.” January’s panic signing of Conor Gallagher on wages that instantly eclipsed those of senior pros has further unsettled the dressing room. “If Gallagher is suddenly the top earner, Van de Ven and Romero are saying, ‘Hold on…’” an agent noted. “Daniel Levy would not have done that deal.” Levy’s removal last September after 24 years as chairman divides opinion among fans but not among industry peers. “He was never the problem,” one executive said. Another agent added: “If Daniel was there, no chance they’d be in this mess. The seismic boardroom change has left them looking inexperienced.” On the pitch the identity has evaporated. Analysts see neither the defensive rigour of Antonio Conte’s tenure nor the front-foot pressing of Ange Postecoglou. “They’re trying to combine both and achieving neither,” said a data specialist. The nadir arrived in Madrid: 4-0 down after 21 minutes, rookie goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky substituted in the 17th minute, eventually eliminated 7-5 on aggregate. Still, the consensus says Spurs will scrape clear. “Whatever happens, they face years of surgery: moving on average players, rebuilding the squad, finding people who understand football, not just revenue streams,” warned one board member. Sunday’s home fixture against Nottingham Forest, one spot below them in 17th, shapes as a season-defining six-pointer. Spurs have not won a league match at their own stadium since 6 December. The football world will be rubbernecking once again.

Sydney’s Stadium Australia will stage a shot at redemption on Saturday night when an unbeaten Australia meet two-time champions Japan in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup final, kick-off at 8pm local time (09:00 GMT). The same stretch of turf that witnessed the Matildas’ 3-1 World Cup semi-final heart-break to England in 2023 now offers the hosts the chance to claim a first major trophy in front of an expected 83,500-strong crowd and finally erase the memory of two previous final losses to the Nadeshiko. Australia’s road to the decider has been dramatic. After finishing second in Group A behind a late 3-3 draw with South Korea, Joe Montemurro’s side edged North Korea 2-1 in the quarter-finals before a bruising 2-1 semi-final win over nine-time champions China. Skipper Sam Kerr, four goals in five games since returning from a two-year ACL lay-off, struck the decisive goal mid-week, while centre-back Alanna Kennedy has contributed five goals in as many matches and Caitlin Foord has created three assists. Japan, by contrast, have been ruthless. World No 6 and the tournament’s highest-ranked side, the Nadeshiko topped Group C with a perfect record, scoring 17 goals without reply, then demolished the Philippines 7-0 and South Korea 4-1 to reach their fourth consecutive final. Riko Ueki’s six goals lead the competition, while winger Kiko Seike has four in four. Across five matches Japan have tallied 28 goals and conceded only once. History favours the visitors. Japan defeated Australia 1-0 in both the 2014 and 2018 finals and routed the Matildas 4-0 in last year’s SheBelieves Cup. Australia’s lone continental triumph came in 2010, when a 16-year-old Kerr opened the scoring in a penalty shoot-out victory over North Korea. The victors will pocket US$1.8 million, unchanged from 2022 and a fraction of the US$14.8 million awarded to the men’s Asian Cup champions last year. Montemurro is expected to reward defender Winonah Heatley with a start ahead of Clare Hunt. Mackenzie Arnold will anchor a back four that includes Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley and Kaitlyn Torpey, while Kyra Cooney-Cross, Kennedy and Katrina Gorry marshal the middle. Kerr will spearhead the attack alongside Mary Fowler and Caitlin Foord. Japan coach Nils Nielsen, who labelled Australia “massive favourites” on home soil, is likely to stick with the XI that overcame South Korea: Ayaka Yamashita in goal; Hana Takahashi, Toko Koga, captain Saki Kumagai and Hikaru Kitagawa across the back; Fuka Nagano, Hinata Miyazawa and Yui Hasegawa in midfield; and the front three of Maika Hamano, Ueki and Aoba Fujino. Al Jazeera Sport’s build-up begins at 06:30 GMT, with live text commentary streaming from the opening whistle. Japan vs Australia, Women’s Asian Cup final, Stadium Australia, Sydney, Saturday 8pm (09:00 GMT)

Portland, Ore. — The Arkansas Razorbacks and High Point Panthers now know exactly when they will collide for a berth in the NCAA Tournament’s West Region Sweet 16. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. Central Time on Saturday, March 21, inside the Moda Center, the downtown arena normally home to the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. No. 4 seed Arkansas (27-8) advanced with a dominant opening-round victory over Hawaii, while No. 12 seed High Point (30-4) turned heads by toppling fifth-seeded Wisconsin in the first major upset of this year’s bracket. The winner will move within one victory of the Elite Eight. Saturday’s contest will be carried nationally on either TBS or truTV as part of the tournament’s second-round television rotation. The appearance marks the 25th NCAA Tournament trip for Arkansas coach John Calipari, who owns a 60-23 record in national-bracket games. It is his second March Madness run at the helm of the Razorbacks. Arkansas vs. High Point represents one of the more intriguing pairings of the round, pitting the Razorbacks’ high-major athleticism against a Panthers squad fresh off a statement win and looking to extend its historic season. Keywords:

Las Vegas – The verbal volley between seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady and the WWE locker room shows no signs of dying down. Weeks after Brady’s headline-graining exchange with Logan Paul on the ImPaulsive podcast, the future Hall of Fame quarterback doubled down on his critique of sports-entertainment while attending the Fanatics Flag Football Draft night. “You know all their stuff is so cute and scripted,” Brady told Sports Illustrated. “And they know what’s going on. In a football game, you don’t know. So they wouldn’t even get near me. Plus, if I had a good offensive line, they’d punch those guys right in the throat, and they’d be probably crying. There’s no fake BS we do in American football. So, for those guys, it would be a whole different story.” The remarks ricocheted across social media, prompting a wave of responses from WWE talent. Charlotte Flair, a record-setting multi-time women’s champion, distilled Brady’s comments into a single sentence: “A lot of words to say ‘if I had five guys to protect me, I might be ok’.” Danhausen, the promotion’s newest signee known for his comedic supernatural persona, issued a warning steeped in his trademark humor: “It would only take one [WWE] superstar to CURSE Tim Bordy.” The Bella Twins, Nikki and Brie, kept their retort short and direct: “I bet I can sack you.” Austin Theory, Logan Paul’s on-screen associate, also chimed in, tagging the YouTube star and writing, “[Logan Paul] let me know when you want to drop this goof.” Perhaps the most biting reply came from former WWE performer James Ellsworth, who alluded to past NFL controversies: “Says the guy who was a part of more obvious ‘fixed’ games in sports history.” With WrestleMania 42 slated for Las Vegas, speculation is mounting that the back-and-forth could culminate in a surprise appearance by Brady—or at least a satellite-fed segment—on WWE’s biggest stage. For now, fans will continue to monitor social media for the next salvo in this unlikely cross-sport feud.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — When Jay Hill steps to the lectern inside Schembechler Hall, he carries more than a playbook; he carries a lineage that stretches from the Wasatch Range to the Big Ten. Michigan’s new defensive coordinator confirmed Thursday that the scheme he will deploy this fall is “awfully similar” to the one Jesse Minter used to guide the Wolverines to a national title, yet the DNA of the defense traces back three decades to Salt Lake City and a family named Whittingham. Fred “Mad Dog” Whittingham installed the aggressive, multi-front system as Utah’s defensive coordinator from 1992-94. When the elder Whittingham stepped away, his son Kyle—today the longest-tenured head coach in major college football—took the reins of the Utes’ defense and refined the concepts he had learned at his father’s knee. The scheme survived coaching changes, conference realignments and the evolution of spread offenses because, as Hill puts it, “the roots and the bare bones…go all the way back to those guys.” Hill would know. He was a defensive back at Utah in the late 1990s, making him one of the few current Power Five coordinators who actually played in the system he now teaches. After a nine-year head-coaching tenure at Weber State, Hill returned to the scheme in 2022 as BYU’s defensive play-caller, importing the Whittingham blueprint wholesale. When Michigan lured him to Ann Arbor this off-season, he packed the same playbook—tweaked for Big Ten physicality but philosophically unchanged. The appeal, Hill says, is the marriage of complexity and soundness. Pre-snap rotations disguise coverage shells; post-snap blitz paths spring from unexpected angles without exposing the secondary to one-on-one isolation. “Everything we do is sound,” Hill emphasized. “We’re not guessing…It’s evenly spaced, but it’s coming from different directions, and it’s tough to pick up.” That multiplicity is coached by a former offensive mind. Hill spent six seasons on the other side of the ball at Utah, tutoring tight ends and running backs. Those meetings taught him how protections are slid, how blitz hot routes are identified, how quarterbacks tip run-pass checks. “I got to know how we tried to beat certain coverages,” he said. “Now I can take the flip of that and just try to beat the offensive mind on the other side of the ball.” Michigan has completed only two of 15 spring practices, but players already speak of a defense that feels familiar yet refreshed. The terminology mirrors Minter’s 2023 unit; the ethos harkens to the days when Fred Whittingham prowled the Rice-Eccles Stadium sideline and a teenage Jay Hill first learned to read an offense’s intentions. As the Wolverines grind toward the April spring game, Hill’s mission is clear: honor the past, torment the present, and keep a Utah tradition thriving under the bright lights of Michigan Stadium.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The reunion of two former Alabama standouts has already become the most-watched subplot of Broncos training camp. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and cornerback Pat Surtain II, teammates during their championship days in Tuscaloosa, are now lining up on opposite sides of the ball, turning each practice rep into a high-stakes chess match. Coaches and teammates say the daily collisions between the explosive Waddle and the technically polished Surtain have produced instant fireworks. Every route, every press look, every downfield challenge is freighted with the kind of competitive tension that can sharpen an entire roster. Their shared history adds an extra layer of intrigue: the pair spent seasons perfecting their craft together in the SEC, giving each an intimate knowledge of the other’s tendencies. Now, separated by only a stripe of paint on the Broncos’ practice fields, they are using that familiarity to push one another toward mid-season form before the first preseason snap. While Denver’s staff has declined to detail specific practice statistics, observers note that the matchups have been refreshingly even, a testament to both players’ rapid adjustment to the professional environment. With each rep, Waddle tests Surtain’s hip fluidity and press technique; Surtain counters by trying to disrupt Waddle’s lightning release and top-end speed. The outcome of these camp battles may foreshadow how Denver’s receiving corps and secondary evolve in the coming months, but for now the focus remains on the daily grind and the electric atmosphere generated whenever Alabama’s former stars realign under the Colorado sun.

DAYTON, Ohio — SMU just wanted to put the narratives to bed. In football, the shadow of the death penalty stretched more than 30 years. In basketball, it was a decade-long NCAA Tournament drought and a reputation for falling short. Now, with the Mustangs back on the national stage, the program is determined to show the past no longer defines them. The long-awaited return has been framed as both a breakthrough and a referendum: can SMU finally turn appearances into staying power? For a university whose football legacy was derailed by sanctions in the 1980s and whose basketball team spent ten years absent from March Madness, the moment carries weight far beyond the box score. Athletes, coaches, and alumni alike see the current spotlight as an overdue chance to rewrite the storyline. Each possession, each game, is an opportunity to chip away at decades of skepticism. The Mustangs know perception won’t change overnight, but sustained success on this stage could finally quiet doubts that have lingered since the program’s darkest days. Whether SMU can seize the opportunity remains to be seen, yet the very fact they are here—playing meaningful games under the bright lights—signals a new chapter. The narrative is no longer about the drought; it is about what the Mustangs do now that the drought is over.

12Sports’ Cameron Cox and recruiting influencer Chilly return for the 29th installment of their popular podcast, Dropping Dimes with Cam and Chilly, delivering another round of insight on Arizona and Valley sports. The episode continues the duo’s season-long examination of the region’s high school, college, and professional storylines, offering listeners a concise but informed rundown of the latest developments. Cox, a veteran 12Sports reporter, and Chilly, a well-connected recruiting analyst, combine on-the-ground reporting with insider perspective. Their conversation spotlights key matchups, emerging prospects, and community-level trends shaping the state’s athletic landscape. Episode 29 maintains the show’s fast-paced format, balancing quick-hit news updates with deeper discussion on the storylines most relevant to Arizona fans. Listeners can stream the episode on the 12Sports digital platforms, where previous shows remain available for on-demand playback.

Frankfurt, Germany – Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann used Thursday’s DFB press conference to explain his decision to omit three Eintracht Frankfurt players from the latest national squad and to voice personal support for recently dismissed Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmöller, his former assistant and “very good friend.” Fielding a question from Hessen broadcaster FFH roughly one third of the way through the briefing, Nagelsmann confirmed he had spoken individually with Robin Koch, Jonathan Burkardt, and rising star Nathaniel “Nene” Brown about their absence from the team sheet. While he declined to elaborate on Koch’s omission—widely linked to a dip in form—or on Burkardt’s, attributing the Mainz forward’s non-selection to a combination of injury rehabilitation and the strong recent performances of Stuttgart’s Deniz Undav, Nagelsmann offered an extended endorsement of Brown. “I’ve had relatively positive exchanges with all three players,” Nagelsmann said. “I explained to all of them the whys of their selection and non-selections.” Turning to Frankfurt’s turbulent season, the 36-year-old tactician praised the club’s willingness to embrace new tactical concepts under the incoming coaching staff. “Frankfurt haven’t had an easy season. They’re stabilizing a bit now. There’s a lot of new ideas from the new head coach,” he noted, before adding a warm tribute to Toppmöller, who was relieved of his duties earlier this month. “I found their previous head coach to be a very good one as well,” Nagelsmann continued. “He is a very good friend of mine. It’s always a shame when your friends lose their job.” Nagelsmann suggested that the coaching change should be viewed not as a verdict on quality but as a shift in philosophy. “Right now they are experimenting with different ideas. That doesn’t mean better or worse ideas, just different ones,” he said. “Players are playing in different positions, which I’m in favor of.” The Germany boss singled out Brown, 19, as the standout performer in an inconsistent Frankfurt side. “Nene is very fast, creative, and very composed on the ball. I think that Nene has delivered the most consistent performances of all Eintracht players,” Nagelsmann stated. “He does have strong competitors in the form of Maxi Mittelstädt and David Raum, but we expect a lot of him and his time will come soon.” While Nagelsmann stopped short of guaranteeing Brown an imminent call-up, his comments indicate the teenager is firmly on the German setup’s radar as the team prepares for upcoming international fixtures.

Columbia, Mo. — Kristen White’s hustle set the tone. The Alabama outfielder sprinted to first and slid safely under the tag on the opening day of the Crimson Tide’s three-game Southeastern Conference set at Missouri, a moment that underscored the visitors’ aggressive style despite limited familiarity with Taylor Stadium. Only four Alabama players—Larissa Preuitt, White, Marlie Giles and Abby Duchscherer—had previously competed in Columbia, making Friday’s 5 p.m. first pitch a learning experience for the rest of the roster. Head coach Patrick Murphy emphasized the challenge of SEC road play, noting that a brief Thursday-evening practice on the Tigers’ diamond would be his team’s lone chance to gauge sightlines and outfield hops before game action. “Anytime it’s SEC on the road, it’s going to be a big series,” Murphy said. “Only four girls have seen their field. So when we get up there Thursday night, you know, we get to practice on their field. So it’s not much, but it’s at least an opportunity to see it, feel it, see how the ball goes.” Alabama enters the weekend at 27-1 overall and 5-1 in league play, while Missouri carries a 14-16 mark and an 0-3 SEC record. All three contests will stream exclusively on SEC Network+, with Saturday’s start scheduled for 2 p.m. and Sunday’s series finale set for noon.

Columbia, Mo.—Less than a year after his last snap in Oxford, Austin Simmons has already secured the most coveted job on Missouri’s campus. Head coach Eliah Drinkwitz confirmed Tuesday that the redshirt-sophomore transfer from Ole Miss will open 2026 as the Tigers’ starting quarterback, ending a spring competition that began when Simmons arrived in January. The announcement marks the latest twist in a career that has moved at breakneck speed. A former top-ranked high-school passer, Simmons sat out 2023 as a redshirt, then appeared in nine games for the Rebels in 2024. When Jaxson Dart moved on, Simmons was anointed Ole Miss’ QB1 heading into 2025. An ankle injury in Week 2 sidelined him for multiple games, however, and backup Trinidad Chambliss seized the role, leaving Simmons to finish the year 45-of-75 for 744 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions across six appearances. Now healthy and immersed in Missouri’s system, Simmons has convinced coaches he can replicate the ball-security emphasis that Lane Kiffin preached at Ole Miss last August. “We continue to emphasize … taking care of the football at that position,” Kiffin said at the time, noting that discipline had fueled the Rebels’ recent success. Simmons will be expected to bring that same mindset to an SEC East program looking to rebound in 2026. While Simmons settles into his new starting role, Ole Miss continues re-tooling its quarterback room. Chambliss is set to return, joined by former five-star Auburn transfer Deuce Knight and Walker Howard, who previously played at UL-Lafayette. The Rebels open spring practice later this week under a retooled staff hoping to recreate the stability Simmons was once projected to provide. For Simmons, the focus is now on translating offseason reps into Saturday production—this time in black and gold.

Memphis (Tenn.) White Station edge rusher Antwan Jackson, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound rising senior, will arrive in Oxford this Friday for an unofficial visit with Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding and the Rebels staff, intensifying one of the offseason’s most closely watched SEC recruiting battles. Jackson’s breakout 2025 campaign—46 tackles, 13 for loss, 5.5 sacks, seven pressures, three forced fumbles and an interception—vaulted him into the national spotlight and onto the boards of every heavyweight in the region. What was once a quiet recruitment exploded this winter when Alabama, LSU, Georgia and Ole Miss all extended offers, placing the 2027 prospect inside the Top-30 at his position. The Crimson Tide, led by Kalen DeBoer, are currently surging; industry projections now list Alabama as the team to beat for Jackson’s eventual commitment. Jackson toured Tuscaloosa on a recent unofficial visit, and the staff’s pitch has clearly resonated. Still, Golding and the Rebels refuse to concede ground. Beyond Friday’s stopover, Ole Miss has locked in Jackson for an official visit June 5-7, giving the Rebels a second high-level opportunity to showcase Oxford’s gameday atmosphere and the program’s developmental track record along the defensive line. With LSU and Georgia also maintaining contact, Jackson’s recruitment is shaping up as a marquee spring and summer showdown—one that could swing the balance of defensive talent in the SEC when the fast-rising Tennessee native finally signs.

Wembley’s EFL Cup final could finish all-square, Wigan can tighten the survival screw on fellow strugglers Exeter and Juventus prodigy Kenan Yildiz is tipped to score at any time as The Racing Post’s James Milton delivers his weekend betting dossier. Milton’s headline selection is the draw in Sunday’s showpiece between Arsenal and Manchester City, priced 23-10 with Coral and Ladbrokes. Pep Guardiola took a conservative approach when the sides shared a 1-1 league stalemate at the Emirates in September, and with City still digesting a 5-1 aggregate Champions League exit to Real Madrid—compounded by Bernardo Silva’s early red card in the second leg—Guardiola may again favour pragmatism over adventure. Arsenal, meanwhile, laboured to narrow league wins over Chelsea, Brighton and Everton and were unconvincing in the first-leg draw with Bayer Leverkusen. Four of the last six meetings have finished level, and Milton believes the trend can continue for a 2-point wager. Saturday’s Premier League action sees Everton hosting Chelsea in the teatime slot. The Toffees, unbeaten in their previous two against Newcastle and Burnley, defended manfully for 88 minutes at Arsenal despite missing centre-backs Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski. Both could return, so Milton nicks Everton with the draw-no-bet safety net at 8-5 with BoyleSports, staking 1 point. In League One, Wigan and Exeter sit just a point above the drop zone, but form favours the Latics. Exeter have lost five of six since January 24, whereas Wigan have beaten promotion-chasing trios Luton, Huddersfield and Bradford to nil at the DW. Milton marks Wigan to win at 21-20 with Coral, Hills and Ladbrokes, putting 2 points on Shaun Maloney’s side. Juventus teenager Kenan Yildiz is the anytime goal banker. The Turkey international fired five shots on target in January’s 3-0 win at Sassuolo without scoring; back on home soil, where he has six goals from 42 attempts in his last ten league appearances, he is offered at 13-10 with Paddy Power for a 2-point strike. Milton’s other shouts include Oldham at 13-20, Athletic Bilbao at 23-20, Aston Villa at 4-6, Southampton at 8-11 and Watford at 8-11, all forming part of his weekend accumulator portfolio.

Flushing, N.Y.—The New York Mets hoped to ride the wave of baseball’s most notorious eating dare when they unveiled a ballpark version of the viral 9-9-9 challenge at Citi Field this week. Instead, the club has found itself on the receiving end of a full-count roasting from fans who say the promotion is more gimmick than gluttony. The original 9-9-9 gauntlet is straightforward: nine hot dogs, nine beers, nine innings. Streamers and in-stadium thrill-seekers have chased the feat for years, with former NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt polishing off his attempt in a brisk five-and-a-half frames last July. When the Mets teased their own packaged version ahead of Thursday’s 2026 season opener, social-media timelines filled with images of the offering—only to reveal what critics are calling “kids-meal” portions. Concession signage shows bite-sized franks and visibly smaller beer cups bundled into a single nine-and-nine box, prompting skeptics to question whether the club understands the spirit—or the stomach capacity—of the challenge. “The mini hot dogs and smaller beers are being marketed to the 12-and-under crowd, correct?” one fan posted. “No self-respecting adult would accept a 9-9-9 Challenge without regulation-sized beers and hot dogs.” Others worried about game-time logistics. “Warm beers and stale hot dogs… yum,” another commenter quipped, noting that anyone purchasing the entire allotment at once faces tepid refreshments by the middle innings. A different post suggested the Mets scrap the boxed set in favor of an inning-by-inning delivery system to keep the fare fresh. Despite the backlash, the promotion has generated buzz as the Mets look to turn the page on a 2025 season that fell short of expectations after the high-profile addition of Juan Soto. With oddsmakers listing them among the top World Series contenders—trailing only the Dodgers, Mariners, and Yankees—New York begins its 162-game slate on March 26. Whether fans will be raising miniature dogs—or torches—remains to be seen.

Anfield rediscovered its voice and, with it, Liverpool rediscovered something resembling their old selves. On a Champions League night stripped of away supporters, the ground still crackled, the players still surged, and for 90 minutes the uneasy compromise between Arne Slot’s measured blueprint and the club’s visceral past blurred into something far more familiar. The backdrop had been uneasy. Three days earlier a draw that felt like defeat to Tottenham was soundtracked by boos and the sight of thousands heading for the exits early. Slot, who had once insisted the crowd would embrace control if the football was right, admitted this week that “our fans will be like they always are, especially on European nights.” It sounded like a plea. From the first whistle against Galatasaray it was answered. The Kop roared, the team snapped into tackles, and the ball was funnelled forward at pace. Mohamed Salah, stationed centrally and far closer to goal than in recent weeks, slammed home a stunning opener, provided a sumptuous assist and still found time to rattle the woodwork and miss a penalty. By full-time he had registered seven attempts, six on target, 13 touches inside the opposition box and a performance that felt like a personal rebuke to the season’s earlier inertia. Florian Wirtz, liberated on the floating left, created more chances than any Liverpool player in a Champions League fixture since Opta records began, allowing Dominik Szoboszlai to orchestrate centrally while Cody Gakpo watched from the bench. Width came from full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, freeing the forwards to wreak havoc inside. The result was a breathless five-minute spell that yielded three goals – one disallowed – and a decibel level not heard on L4 since the days of heavy-metal football. Slot’s post-match demeanour was that of a man who had stumbled across a winning formula. The high press, the direct running, the refusal to sit on a lead: all hallmarks of the previous regime, all exactly what the crowd had craved. Whether this was a tactical epiphany or simply the perfect opponent remains to be seen, but the symbiosis between stands and pitch was unmistakable. The Dutchman now faces a quarter-final date with PSG, the side that eliminated Liverpool last season. If he is to avenge that exit he will need the same Anfield roar, the same intensity, the same identity. Wednesday night offered a tantalising reminder that when Liverpool marry urgency with quality, the outcome can still be thunderous. Anfield, it seems, still knows how to remind its team of who they are.

Alex Scott’s name is etched into European football folklore for one swing of her right boot. In second-half stoppage time of the 2006-07 UEFA Women’s Cup final first leg in Sweden, the Arsenal right-back carried the ball 30 yards and lashed a rising shot under the bar to defeat Swedish giants Umeå. A goalless second leg in north London delivered the trophy—the first continental crown ever won by an English women’s side. “That goal is stuff you can’t write,” Scott told The Athletic’s Full Time podcast this week. “To fly top corner, the whole team jumping on me, and to put my name down in history with the club … it’s special.” Yet the strike was only part of the story. Scott’s primary assignment across both legs was nullifying Umeå’s Brazilian superstar Marta, then FIFA World Player of the Year. “I was having sleepless nights,” Scott recalled. “How do you stop the best player in the world?” She answered her own question by keeping Marta scoreless over 180 minutes, a defensive performance she remembers as vividly as the goal that clinched silverware. Arsenal entered that final as underdogs. Training twice a week and still semi-professional, the squad coached by Vic Akers shocked the Swedish champions, then guided by Andrée Jeglertz—now leading a title-chasing Manchester City. On the bench for Arsenal was assistant Emma Hayes, whose tactical briefings helped convince Scott she could become “the best right back in the world.” Hayes later crossed London to build a dynasty at Chelsea, collecting 16 trophies but never the Champions League. Her 2021 final defeat to Barcelona remains the closest the Blues have come. “She left Arsenal to create her own magic,” Scott said. “A few ex-Arsenal players followed, and the rivalry has been there ever since.” That rivalry resumes next week when Chelsea and Arsenal meet in the 2025 Women’s Champions League quarter-finals. Arsenal, defending champions after upsetting Barcelona 1-0 in last season’s final, host the first leg at Emirates Stadium on 24 March before the return at Stamford Bridge eight days later. They remain the only English club to have lifted the trophy. Scott, now an ESPN presenter for live Champions League coverage on Disney+, will watch from the touchline rather than the back line. “To have won it and now present it—that’s stuff I haven’t wrapped my head around,” she said. Since 2016 she has helped normalise former women’s players in mainstream broadcasting, inspiring colleagues such as ex-teammate Karen Carney. From a fairytale strike in Sweden to fronting global television coverage, Scott’s journey mirrors the growth of the women’s game itself. “Ten years in, having presented World Cups and Euros, male and female, it’s still a pinch-me moment,” she said. The next chapter unfolds in north and west London over the next fortnight, with Scott’s voice guiding viewers through a rivalry she helped ignite.

Madison College’s Mitby Theater buzzed with more than pre-game energy Saturday morning as 41 local students in grades three through eight stepped onto the stage for a community spelling bee that put academics in the spotlight. The competition, styled as a “tailgate” event, served as an early-season celebration of learning ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers’ home opener at American Family Field. After several rounds of increasingly challenging words, Casey Barnhill clinched the title of star speller by correctly spelling “Ecuador,” earning applause from families, teachers and fellow contestants. Organizers said the tailgate theme was chosen to pair the excitement of sports season with a tribute to classroom achievement, underscoring that scholarly success merits the same community enthusiasm usually reserved for athletics. The event comes at a time when education advocates are calling for greater public support for academic programs. While the University of Wisconsin athletic department faces scrutiny over its football coaching contract—reportedly requiring more than $20 million to terminate—the spelling bee offered a reminder that taxpayer investment in young minds can yield victories measured in knowledge rather than scoreboards. With the Madison Public Market poised to open after decades of planning, local leaders hope collaborations like the tailgate spelling bee will continue to spotlight youth achievement and strengthen community pride beyond the playing field.

Liverpool and Manchester United are poised for a transfer tug-of-war over 19-year-old goalkeeper Kit Margetson, according to a Daily Mail report that has set North Wales buzzing. United scout Tony Coton, the man who recommended Senne Lammens to Old Trafford, was tracked in Flintshire last week watching Swansea City’s on-loan youngster during his spell with Connah’s Quay Nomads in the 2025/26 Cymru Premier campaign. Crystal Palace have also registered interest, but the presence of Coton on United’s behalf has intensified speculation that Margetson could soon be trading the Welsh top flight for the Premier League. The teenager, son of former Manchester City keeper Martyn Margetson, has come through the Swansea academy and is already a Wales age-group international. His performances for the Nomads have drawn admiring glances from Anfield and beyond, with Liverpool’s under-21 set-up—currently led by ex-Wales senior boss Rob Page—viewed as a potential next step. Page and Martyn Margetson share a long-standing connection, having first shared a Wales U21 dressing room in the early 1990s before later turning out together for Cardiff City. Although Margetson senior served as Wales’ goalkeeping coach, he was not part of Page’s national-team staff between 2020 and 2024. With two of English football’s most decorated clubs now circling, Margetson’s immediate future promises to be one of the winter window’s most intriguing sub-plots.

When the Saint Louis Billikens stepped onto the NCAA Tournament stage in 2026 for the first time since 2019, television screens lit up with more than just buzzer-beaters and bracket-busting drama. Viewers across the country found themselves asking the same question: “What exactly is that light-grey, blue-clad creature cheering on the Billikens?” The figure—equal parts impish charm and good-luck talisman—has represented Saint Louis University for more than a century, yet its backstory remains one of college sports’ quirkiest origin tales. The journey begins with the school’s 1910 and 1911 football squads. John Bender, SLU’s coach at the time, reportedly bore such a striking resemblance to a popular good-luck figurine called a Billiken that Charles McNamara, a law student and cartoonist, sketched the coach re-imagined as the sprite-like character. McNamara placed the drawing in a local drugstore window, and passers-by quickly dubbed the team “Bender’s Billikens.” The nickname stuck, migrating from the gridiron to every SLU sport. So what is a Billiken? In 1908, Missouri art teacher and illustrator Florence Pretz patented the design after, legend says, the figure appeared to her in a dream. Part Buddha, part elf, the Billiken was marketed nationwide as the “god of things as they ought to be.” Manufacturers cranked out Billiken dolls, marshmallow candies, metal banks, hatpins, pickle forks, belt buckles, auto-hood ornaments, even salt-and-pepper shakers. Ownership rules were simple: buy one for good luck, but receive one as a gift for even better fortune. Similar icons surfaced well beyond St. Louis. Alaska’s ivory carvers modeled “Happy Jack” figurines after an Inuit deity of prosperity, while Osaka, Japan, enshrined its own Billiken as a harbinger of good luck. Chinese folklore also features a comparable god of wealth, underscoring the symbol’s universal appeal. Today, Saint Louis’ modern mascot keeps the tradition alive: a light-grey Billiken sporting the university’s blue and white, rallying fans at Chaifetz Arena and, as of 2026, on college basketball’s biggest stage. Whether viewed as a troll, an elf, or simply a lucky charm, the Billiken endures as one of the most distinctive—and storied—nicknames in NCAA history.

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – March 18, 2026) – Jackpot Digital Inc. (TSXV: JJ) (OTCQB: JJPF) has officially launched its gaming technology at the Monte Carlo Gaming Lounge in Jamaica, marking the company’s latest expansion into the Caribbean market. The deployment, announced today, positions the Vancouver-based supplier inside one of the island’s most recognized gaming venues and represents a strategic milestone for the firm as it broadens its international footprint. The Monte Carlo Gaming Lounge, known for its upscale atmosphere and prime location, becomes the first Jamaican property to feature Jackpot Digital’s proprietary electronic table games. Patrons will now have access to the company’s signature multiplayer poker and progressive jackpot offerings, which are designed to deliver a fast-paced, social experience while maintaining regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Jake Kalpakian, CEO of Jackpot Digital, said the installation underscores the company’s commitment to growth in emerging markets. “Jamaica’s vibrant tourism sector and strong local gaming culture make it an ideal environment for our products,” Kalpakian noted in the release. “We are confident that our technology will enhance the Monte Carlo experience and drive incremental revenue for the property.” The rollout follows a series of recent installations throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, where electronic table games continue to gain traction among operators seeking lower labor costs and higher game velocity. Jackpot Digital’s platform is engineered for rapid deployment, allowing venues to convert under-utilized floor space into revenue-generating hubs within days. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but the company indicated that the Jamaican debut is expected to generate recurring service revenue and open additional opportunities across the region. Investors responded positively to the news, sending shares of Jackpot Digital up modestly in early trading on the TSX Venture Exchange. With the Monte Carlo Gaming Lounge now live, Jackpot Digital has set its sights on further Caribbean penetration, targeting properties in the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad & Tobago for future installations.

The draw is official: Bayern Munich will meet Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, setting up a titanic clash between two of Europe’s most decorated clubs. Real Madrid, 15-time winners of the competition, advanced by ousting Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate, while Bayern swept Atalanta aside 10-2 over two legs, scoring six in Bergamo and four at home. Vincent Kompany’s side arrive in the last eight with momentum, having produced the kind of commanding aggregate scoreline that has become a hallmark of Bayern’s European pedigree. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have reaffirmed their perennial contender status with a statement victory over the English champions, and Vinícius Júnior has already stoked the flames by praising Bayern as one of Europe’s most in-form teams. Kompany labeled the tie “special,” promising a spectacle for supporters worldwide. With both clubs eyeing a path to the final, the quarterfinal pairing feels almost premature, yet it guarantees elite drama over 180 minutes of high-stakes football. May the best team advance.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Arkansas’ frontcourt depth, already considered a concern, may be tested further in the Razorbacks’ NCAA Tournament opener. The No. 4 seed Razorbacks (26-8) listed starting center Nick Pringle as questionable for Thursday’s first-round matchup against No. 13 Hawaii, according to an availability report released Wednesday night. Pringle did not take part in Arkansas’ open practice at the Moda Center, instead observing from the sideline with a sleeve covering his right leg. He performed light ball-handling work, collected rebounds and fed teammates during portions of the session visible to reporters. Should Pringle be unavailable, the burden inside will fall primarily on forwards Trevon Brazile and Malique Ewin, the only other frontcourt players who consistently log minutes. Freshman Elmir Dzafic, who has appeared in seven games this season, joined Brazile and Ewin during Wednesday’s practice. Pringle averages 4.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 19 minutes per contest. His potential absence would be magnified against a Hawaii front line anchored by 7-foot center Isaac Johnson, the Big West Player of the Year, who posts 14.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Arkansas will also be without guard Karter Knox, who remains out after undergoing meniscus surgery in mid-February.

WEST UNION, W.Va. — Experience is shaping up as the early storyline for the 2026 Doddridge County baseball team. The Bulldogs will bring back a wealth of familiar faces, and the roster will be bolstered further by the return of a key player who sat out the entire 2025 campaign. That combination of seasoned veterans and a healthy reinforcement has heightened expectations inside the program as preseason workouts intensify. Doddridge County’s coaching staff believes the continuity developed over previous seasons will translate into sharper defense, more consistent at-bats, and a deeper pitching staff. With so many positions anchored by upper-class athletes who have logged significant innings, the Bulldogs are aiming to turn last year’s lessons into this year’s victories. The reintegration of the previously injured player adds another layer of promise. His presence is expected to strengthen both the lineup and the clubhouse dynamic, giving the Bulldogs additional flexibility when constructing batting orders and defensive alignments. As the team opens fall practice sessions, the prevailing mood is unmistakable: optimism is high on the ridge, and Doddridge County is eager to channel its collective experience into a competitive 2026 season.

Las Vegas entered the 2026 league year determined to escape the AFC West cellar, and the Raiders’ front office wasted no time writing some of the biggest checks of free agency. While additions of linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker plus wide receiver Jalen Nailor drew modest applause, the transaction that has the NFL buzzing is the three-year, $81 million pact—$60 million guaranteed—handed to former Baltimore standout center Tyler Linderbaum. The deal instantly reset the market at a position that rarely sees headline-grabbing numbers. Linderbaum’s $27 million average annual value eclipses the previous high-water mark held by Kansas City’s Creed Humphrey by roughly $9 million a season, a leap that has many cap analysts shaking their heads. Ethan Woodie of NFL Trade Rumors labeled the contract one of the six worst bargains struck in the opening wave of free agency. “As the cap grows over time and the league makes more and more money, player contracts get larger. That’s not a surprise,” Woodie wrote. “But Linderbaum making $27 million a year is still an absurd jump for the center position. Were the Raiders forced to pay him that much to make sure he didn’t sign elsewhere? That’s possible, even likely, but while the Raiders can afford a bloated contract on their books right now, that doesn’t make it a good one.” Las Vegas clearly saw an on-field problem that needed fixing. Jordan Meredith, the team’s primary center in 2025, graded 32nd out of 40 qualifiers by Pro Football Focus. Linderbaum, who logged more than 1,000 snaps last season, posted an 80.2 mark—good for fifth best at the position. The Raiders are gambling that the upgrade will ripple across an offensive line that struggled to protect and create lanes for a moribund rushing attack. Yet the structure of the contract leaves little margin for error. With two-thirds of the total value guaranteed, Linderbaum must not only stay healthy but also deliver All-Pro production to justify the outlay. Critics contend that sinking premium dollars into a non-premium position could hamstring the club’s ability to address gaping needs elsewhere on the roster. For a franchise coming off a tie for the league’s worst record, bold moves were expected. Whether this particular gamble accelerates the rebuild or becomes an albatross will be one of the dominant storylines surrounding the Silver and Black in the seasons ahead.

Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady will return to the field this Saturday when he captains the Founders FFC squad in the inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. PST, with national coverage beginning at 4 p.m. EST on FOX Sports, FOX One, and Tubi, and a simultaneous stream available on Fanatics’ YouTube channel. Brady, who officially retired from the NFL in February 2023 after a brief 2022 un-retirement with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, headlines a star-studded exhibition that also features Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts as his fellow Founders FFC captain. Opposing them will be the Wildcats FFC, led by Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Washington Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels, as well as the U.S. men’s national flag football team. Fanatics founder and CEO Michael Rubin stoked speculation about Brady’s future during a Wednesday appearance on FS1’s First Things First, telling host Nick Wright that the 48-year-old remains “at an elite level.” Rubin declined to speak for Brady regarding a potential run at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics but noted, “I see him practice. He’s been sending me videos. He’s still at an elite level. He’s in great shape.” Saturday’s four-and-a-half-hour broadcast window will give fans their first live look at Brady in competitive action since he walked away as the league’s all-time passing leader, offering an early gauge of whether the greatest quarterback of all time still holds that title—even on a flag football field.

By [Staff Writer] Lake Forest, Ill. – The Chicago Bears continued their offseason raid on familiar NFC North faces Wednesday, agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle James Lynch. The move reunites the 2020 fourth-round pick with the division he once called home and gives the Bears another experienced body along an interior line that has seen heavy turnover. Lynch, 28, arrives after two seasons in Tennessee in which he appeared in all 34 regular-season games for the Titans, logging 45 tackles and 1.5 sacks while playing roughly 30 percent of the defensive snaps. His durability in Nashville marked a stark contrast to his injury-marred tenure in Minnesota, where knee and ankle issues limited him to 37 games and three starts across three-and-a-half seasons. “He’s a depth piece who knows the division and has shown he can stay on the field,” an NFC North scout said. “If Chicago doesn’t double-dip at tackle in the draft, Lynch has a real shot to stick.” Indeed, Lynch’s roster fate may hinge on how aggressively general manager Ryan Poles addresses the position later this month. The Bears have already added veterans Kentavius Street and Neville Gallimore this spring, and the room currently lists Lynch alongside returning second-year pro Zacch Pickens and 2024 starter Andrew Billings. One or two early-to-mid-round draft picks could push Lynch to the bubble of the 53-man roster—or even the practice squad. For Minnesota, the signing is the latest reminder that rival clubs have mined the Vikings’ recent past for depth. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, tight end Tyler Conklin and edge rusher D.J. Wonnum all joined the Detroit Lions within the past week, while center Garrett Bradbury was shipped to Chicago via trade earlier this offseason. Lynch will now face his original organization twice in 2026 as part of a Bears defense retooling under head coach Ben Johnson. Drafted 130th overall by then-Vikings GM Rick Spielman, Lynch never blossomed into the three-technique disruptor Minnesota envisioned, managing only 53 tackles and two sacks in purple. His Pro Football Focus grade bottomed out at 53.0 last fall, reinforcing the perception that his value lies in rotational reps rather than starter-level impact. Still, the Bears see upside in a 6-foot-4, 295-pound lineman who has proved he can absorb double-teams and hold the point of attack. “Many Bears fans would prefer to have a starting-caliber defensive tackle join the team,” Bear Goggles On analyst Anthony Miller noted, “but Lynch at least gives Chicago more depth at a position that saw multiple players leave.” Lynch will turn 28 during the 2027 playoffs, placing him in the prime window for a defensive lineman whose game relies on technique and leverage. If he survives August cuts, the former Baylor standout will bring 61 career games—including three postseason appearances—to a Bears front that ranked 25th against the run a year ago. Training camp opens in late July, and the battle for the final interior spots figures to be one of Chicago’s most competitive. For Lynch, the stakes are simple: prove the best days of a once-injury-riddled career are still ahead, or risk becoming a footnote in another team’s rebuild.

Oklahoma State’s softball squad is set to open a Big 12 conference series on its home field this weekend, welcoming BYU for a three-game set. The Cowgirls will look to capitalize on the familiar surroundings of the Cowgirl Stadium as they continue league play. The series marks the first meeting between the two programs in Stillwater since BYU joined the conference, adding a fresh layer of intrigue to the matchup. Oklahoma State enters the weekend aiming to build momentum within the Big 12 standings, while the Cougars hope to secure a pivotal road victory. First pitch for the opening game is scheduled for Friday evening, with a doubleheader slated for Saturday afternoon. Both teams are expected to lean heavily on their pitching staffs to navigate the condensed schedule. Cowgirl Stadium is anticipated to draw a lively crowd for the conference clash, with OSU athletic officials encouraging fans to arrive early and wear orange to create a unified home-field advantage.

Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis – Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad, known throughout draft circles as DB23, used the NFL Scouting Combine as a springboard to reinforce his rising stock, clocking a 4.42-second 40-yard dash and drawing formal attention from a handful of clubs, among them the Buffalo Bills. Speaking with NFL Draft OnSI’s Justin Melo, Muhammad confirmed he sat down with Buffalo’s decision-makers during the week-long evaluation period. “I met with the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills,” he said while rattling off a list of visits that also included the Falcons, Cowboys, Commanders and Panthers. “Those are off the top of my head.” The 6-foot, 180-pound cover man logged 41 games for the Longhorns, finishing his collegiate career with 97 tackles, 16 passes defensed and three interceptions. His 2025 senior tape featured personal bests in interceptions (2), tackles for loss (2.5) and sacks (1), while Pro Football Focus charted a stingy 57.8 passer rating when quarterbacks tested him. Although Muhammad believes his natural home is on the outside—“I’m an outside cornerback. There’s no doubt about that,” he asserted—he stressed that versatility is part of the package. “Teams see that I can play every position in the defensive backfield, though. I can play corner, nickel, and sometimes I can even play the deep side of the field as a safety.” That Swiss-army skill set meshes with the vision new Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard has outlined for an odd-front scheme that prizes “positionless” athletes. Buffalo parted ways with nickel Taron Johnson and boundary corner Dane Jackson this offseason, leaving a clear path for a rookie to compete for snaps behind recently signed veteran Dee Alford. With the draft roughly one month away, Muhammad’s itinerary remains busy: a two-day visit to Dallas is on the docket, and a second virtual meeting with Carolina is scheduled. Yet after turning heads in Indianapolis, the Texas product has already left an impression on a Bills secondary in transition.

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State’s 2026 Pro Day drew a larger crowd of prospects and scouts than a year ago, as 20 Nittany Lions took over Holuba Hall for four hours of measurements, drills and position work. Eight more athletes participated than in 2025, and the afternoon delivered a familiar blend of soaring moments and disappointing hiccups as the NFL Draft inches closer. Quarterback Drew Allar commanded the largest gallery of evaluators. Working with receivers Kyron Hudson, Trebor Pena, Devonte Ross and Liam Clifford, plus running back Kaytron Allen, Allar flashed the arm strength that has kept him in early-round conversations. He layered short and intermediate throws with confidence, hitting Hudson on a highlight-reel sideline fade that ended with a toe-tapping catch. Deep accuracy remained inconsistent; two long shots to Pena and Ross sailed beyond reach. Allar, who broke his ankle against Northwestern last October and is currently rated QB5 by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., said the script was designed to show pro-style concepts. “My game plan was to showcase play-action from under center, driving the ball and putting it in tight windows you see on Sundays,” Allar said. “I feel good about the variety we put on tape.” Defensive back Jaylen Wheatley, fresh off February’s NFL Scouting Combine, skipped only the bench press and proceeded to top all Nittany Lions with a 6.89-second 3-cone and a 4.11-second pro shuttle, tying receiver Trebor Pena for the fastest shuttle time. Wheatley is listed as the No. 8 safety in Kiper’s positional rankings and viewed the workout as validation of his short-area burst. Guard Diego Ioane, Penn State’s lone first-round projection, elected to test only in position drills. The 6-4, 320-pound mauler showed quick feet and violent punch in one-on-ones, rebounding from a middling combine that saw him finish 33rd among linemen in the broad jump (8-8) and 19th in the vertical (31.50). “Knowing I put my best foot forward feels good,” Ioane said. Specialists seized the spotlight early. Punters Gabe Nwosu and Riley Thompson each launched balls beyond 60 yards and pinned directional kicks inside the numbers. Long snapper Tyler Duzansky snapped with rifle-like speed and pressed 20 bench-press reps, fifth-best among his teammates. “Once the first punt leaves your foot, it feels like you’re home again,” Thompson said. Not every Nittany Lion left satisfied. Center Nick Dawkins, a two-year captain, clocked a 5.16-second 40 and admitted lingering injuries hampered change-of-direction work. “I really wish I could have shown more athleticism,” Dawkins said. “You train for months and it doesn’t come together—disappointing.” Tackle Nolan Rucci recorded a 4.87-second pro shuttle he called “a little frustrating,” while receiver Devonte Ross dropped two potential catches during Allar’s session. “I’ve got to finish those,” Ross said. Receiver Kyron Hudson shrugged off average testing numbers, saying, “I’m blessed to be here; a lot of people dream of this chance.” With private visits on the horizon for several prospects, Penn State’s 2026 Pro Day offered another data point in an under-the-microscope draft cycle. For some, the afternoon cemented rising stock; for others, it provided a harsh reminder of how slim the margin is when every rep counts.