Pat Fitzgerald is now the head coach at Michigan State University after coaching at Northwestern from 2006 to 2022. He said he expects Michigan State to compete for championships and mentioned he is excited about having a strong home field advantage, which he felt he lacked at Northwestern.
Key Facts
Pat Fitzgerald coached Northwestern from 2006 to 2022 with a record of 110 wins and 101 losses.
He was fired by Northwestern before the 2023 season started.
Fitzgerald became Michigan State's head coach and attended Big Ten Media Days in Chicago.
Michigan State's stadium, Spartan Stadium, holds about 80,401 people, much larger than Northwestern's new Ryan Field, which holds 35,000.
Northwestern’s stadium capacity decreased from 47,130 to 35,000 with the new Ryan Field.
Fitzgerald said Michigan State has strong fan support and is expected to win championships.
He has never won a Big Ten championship despite being the winningest coach in Northwestern’s history.
Fitzgerald will face more pressure at Michigan State to compete for the Big Ten title and enter the College Football Playoff.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is likely to miss the entire 2026 NFL season due to a knee injury involving his posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The injury has not healed as expected, and surgery may be needed, which would impact his return and possibly the 2027 season as well.
Key Facts
Ricky Pearsall injured his posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his knee during the 2025 season.
He missed eight games last year because of this injury.
Pearsall and the 49ers chose not to have surgery after the 2025 season, hoping the injury would heal on its own.
Swelling returned when Pearsall tested his knee at training camp, indicating the injury has not healed fully.
If surgery is needed, he will miss the whole 2026 season.
Pearsall played 9 games in 2025, gaining 528 yards with 36 catches.
The 2026 season is his third in the NFL and the last year of his rookie contract unless the 49ers extend it.
Missing the 2026 season could put extra pressure on Pearsall during the 2027 contract year.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Brooklyn Nets are preparing for the 2026 basketball season with a focus on developing young players, especially point guard Mikel Brown Jr., who they hope will become a key player for the team. Brown, picked sixth in the draft, has good shooting skills and confidence but needs to prove himself after dealing with injuries in college.
Key Facts
The Brooklyn Nets selected Mikel Brown Jr. with the 6th overall pick in the draft lottery.
Brown played at Louisville but had back injuries during his first college season.
The Nets believe Brown’s shooting and ball handling skills can change the team’s playing style.
Brown must compete with other young guards on the Nets roster to stand out.
The Nets also drafted Joshua Jefferson and Tyler Bilodeau to develop more young talent.
Jefferson has four years of college experience and may contribute sooner than others.
The team is still figuring out its future strong players in the frontcourt (players who play near the basket).
The main goal this season is to see how Brown and the young players perform and grow.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers did not play on Thursday because of ongoing soreness in his left knee. The team decided to rest him after he reported renewed pain, although he continues to serve as the designated hitter and is expected to return to pitching later this season.
Key Facts
Shohei Ohtani has been dealing with left knee soreness since June 11.
He has not pitched since July 3 due to knee and right biceps issues.
Ohtani missed the All-Star Game to receive a lubricant injection in his knee.
The team rested him on Thursday after he reported renewed soreness following a game on Wednesday.
Tommy Edman took Ohtani’s spot in the lineup during his rest.
Ohtani continues to bat as a designated hitter despite not pitching.
Dodgers do not plan to shut down Ohtani completely and want to see how he recovers.
The team is cautious but optimistic as there are no major structural problems with his knee.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Charlotte Hornets added new young players to improve their team, especially focusing on improving defense and rebounding inside the paint. Hannes Steinbach, a new center from Germany, and Christian Anderson, a shooting guard, are expected to help fill important roles as the team prepares for the new NBA season.
Key Facts
The Charlotte Hornets are building their team around young players.
They picked Hannes Steinbach at No. 14 to add size and defense in the center position.
Steinbach is expected to help with rebounding, defense, and physical play near the basket.
Christian Anderson was picked at No. 18 for his shooting ability, even though his defense has concerns.
Anderson adds shooting from the outside, complementing Steinbach’s inside play.
The Hornets want to improve their team by adding players who fit specific needs, not just star shooters.
Steinbach will face challenges adjusting to the faster, stronger NBA but has the skills to contribute early.
The team expects these picks to help them take a step forward in the coming season.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Green Bay Packers wide receivers have been spending time together off the field to build strong relationships. Matthew Golden said they met at teammate Christian Watson’s house to share high school football highlights and get closer as a group this offseason.
Key Facts
The Packers wide receivers met outside of practice to build team chemistry.
Christian Watson hosted the group at his home.
They shared and watched each other’s high school football highlights.
Matthew Golden said this bonding has made them a tight group.
Golden believes their strong relationship will help them during games.
The Packers aim to improve on last season’s playoff loss to the Chicago Bears.
Golden mentioned differences in football competition levels between Texas and New Jersey.
The players feel confident and ready for the upcoming NFL season.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers made a trade, with the Orioles acquiring catcher Jake Rogers and the Tigers receiving pitcher Zane Barnhart. Rogers has major league experience, while Barnhart is a pitching prospect in the minor leagues.
Key Facts
The Orioles traded for catcher Jake Rogers from the Tigers.
The Tigers received pitcher Zane Barnhart in exchange.
Jake Rogers is 31 years old and has played 362 major league games.
In 2026, Rogers played 34 games with the Tigers, hitting 3 home runs and having a .161 batting average.
Rogers was designated for assignment by the Tigers before the trade.
Zane Barnhart is a 24-year-old right-handed pitcher who has not played in the major leagues yet.
Barnhart had a 2-3 record and a 4.05 ERA in 31 games at Double-A level in 2026.
The Orioles aimed to improve their catching options, while the Tigers added a potential future pitcher.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Ossie Blanco, a former baseball player from Venezuela who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians, has died at age 80. Blanco was well-known in Venezuelan baseball and was honored in the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.
Key Facts
Ossie Blanco played two seasons in MLB, mainly during 1970 and 1974.
He played for the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians in the major leagues.
Blanco spent 20 seasons playing in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.
He helped the Tiburones de La Guaira team win the Venezuelan Winter League championship in 1970-71.
He was the first Venezuelan-born player to bat cleanup in an MLB game.
Blanco was inducted into the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.
His Venezuelan league career included 860 hits and a .266 batting average.
The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League announced his death on July 24.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The New Orleans Saints signed wide receiver Chris Olave to a four-year contract extension worth up to $132 million, with $90 million guaranteed. Olave will earn about $33 million per year, making him one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL.
Key Facts
Chris Olave signed a four-year deal with the Saints valued at $132 million total.
The contract includes $90 million guaranteed money.
Olave’s average yearly salary will be about $33 million.
He will play the 2026 season on his current contract’s fifth-year option before the extension starts.
Olave caught 100 passes for 1,163 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2025.
He has achieved three 1,000-yard seasons in four years despite playing with many different quarterbacks.
The deal ties Olave with Garrett Wilson for the sixth-most guaranteed money among NFL wide receivers.
The Saints drafted Jordyn Tyson in 2026 to support Olave, not replace him.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Baltimore Orioles might trade their catcher Adley Rutschman, and the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are interested in him. Rutschman has improved his performance this season and could become a free agent in 2027, making him a valuable player for teams needing a catcher.
Key Facts
Adley Rutschman is a catcher for the Baltimore Orioles and a three-time All-Star.
The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are among the teams interested in acquiring him.
Both the Yankees and Red Sox have struggled with their current catchers’ batting averages this season.
Rutschman is batting .255 with eight home runs and 47 RBIs in 2026.
He lost his "catcher of the future" label to Samuel Basallo and may become a free agent in 2027.
Other catchers like Ryan Jeffers and Hunter Goodman are also being considered by different teams.
The Texas Rangers removed themselves from the trade race by acquiring catcher Logan O'Hoppe.
Teams are racing to decide if they need a catcher enough to make a trade.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Chicago Cubs are preparing for the 2026 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline and are interested in improving their team. They are open to trading their veteran catcher, Carson Kelly, possibly to get better players, while they have a promising young catcher named Owen Ayers coming up.
Key Facts
The Cubs are buyers at the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline but may trade a veteran player.
They have discussed trading catcher Carson Kelly with other teams.
Kelly is a right-handed hitter and a reliable player for the Cubs.
The Cubs want to avoid having weak spots in their lineup, especially facing strong teams like the Dodgers and Braves.
Owen Ayers is a promising catching prospect in the Cubs’ system.
Carson Kelly has been playing well this season with 6 home runs, 37 runs batted in (RBI), and a .260 batting average in 80 games.
Trading Kelly could help the Cubs improve their roster for the postseason.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The article ranks the wide receiver groups of the NFL teams in the NFC South division ahead of the new season. It highlights key players and the overall strength of each team's receiving lineup.
Key Facts
The Carolina Panthers have the current Offensive Rookie of the Year, Tetairoa McMillan, with strong support from Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers feature Emeka Egbuka, who had a breakout season last year, and veteran Chris Godwin Jr., a four-time 1,000-yard receiver.
The New Orleans Saints rely on Chris Olave, who has averaged over 1,100 yards per season when healthy, and rookie Jordyn Tyson, a recent first-round draft pick.
The Atlanta Falcons’ top receiver is Drake London, who was close to 1,000 yards last year despite injuries, but the team has weaker depth behind him.
The NFC South teams are preparing for the NFL preseason starting August 6, with the regular season beginning on September 9.
Each team’s wide receiver group shows a mix of experienced players and promising young talent.
Injuries have affected some key players' past performances, influencing team rankings.
The article is part of a series analyzing offseason storylines for all 32 NFL teams.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
ESPN analyst Jordan Rodgers said the Dallas Cowboys need to improve their defense to become Super Bowl contenders. He said the offense, including players like George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb, is strong, but the defense, which was the worst for pass defense last season, must get better.
Key Facts
Jordan Rodgers is an ESPN football analyst and former quarterback.
He spoke on the show "First Take" about the Cowboys’ chances this year.
Rodgers said the Cowboys’ offense is good and can score many points.
The Cowboys had the worst pass defense in the NFL last season.
Rodgers said the defense needs to improve, especially by pressuring the opposing quarterback.
New defensive players include Rashan Gary, Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and Malachi Lawrence.
Caleb Downs, a rookie safety, is expected to have a big impact on defense.
Rodgers believes the Cowboys can only be true contenders if their defense gets at least good.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The article ranks the wide receiver groups of NFL teams in the NFC North division based on their offseason moves and past performance. It highlights key players and their potential impact for the upcoming season, focusing on how strong each team's receiver lineup looks.
Key Facts
The Minnesota Vikings have three top receivers: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings, all with strong past performances.
Jefferson has had six straight seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards.
The Green Bay Packers' receivers include Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and Matthew Golden, with some injury challenges but good potential.
Amon-Ra St. Brown leads the Detroit Lions' group and has had four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
Jameson Williams of the Lions overcame injuries and a suspension to have two 1,000-yard seasons recently.
The Chicago Bears traded D.J. Moore and now rely on Rome Odunze and Luther Burden as their main receivers.
The article reviews how each team's wide receiver room stacks up heading into the NFL preseason and regular season.
The NFL preseason starts with the Hall of Fame Game on August 6, and the regular season begins on September 9.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Dallas Wings lost a close game to the Atlanta Dream, 82-81, after a key foul late in the game gave the Dream free throws and the lead. Paige Bueckers, a Wings player, reflected on a critical play where she chose to pass instead of trying to score herself.
Key Facts
The Dallas Wings led by 12 points at the end of the third quarter but lost in the final moments.
With 18.7 seconds left, Atlanta’s Allisha Gray was fouled during a 3-point shot attempt, which was upgraded to a Flagrant Foul 1 after review.
Gray made all three free throws and then scored the winning basket, resulting in an 82-81 win for Atlanta.
Paige Bueckers admitted she could have tried to score herself rather than passing the ball in the final possession.
Arike Ogunbowale scored a team-high 24 points for Dallas, while Azzi Fudd added 20 points.
Jessica Shepard had 16 points and 14 rebounds, marking her 19th double-double this season.
On the Atlanta Dream, Allisha Gray scored 25 points and Angel Reese added 22 points with 12 rebounds.
Dallas Wings’ record fell to 18 wins and 10 losses but they remain in the playoff race with 16 games left in the season.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Denver Nuggets rely heavily on their star player Nikola Jokic but need support from younger players. Two second-round picks, Trevon Brazile and Bryce Hopkins, may play important roles this season if they develop their skills.
Key Facts
The Nuggets' success centers on Nikola Jokic, a top NBA player.
Trevon Brazile is known for his athleticism and ability to make exciting plays.
Brazile has shown talent but needs to play more consistently.
Bryce Hopkins is a 6-foot-7 forward with four years of college experience.
Hopkins needs to improve his 3-point shooting, which was 32.4% in college.
Neither player is expected to be a star immediately but could add valuable depth.
Playing alongside Jokic may help both players find chances to contribute.
The Nuggets hope these young players can help sustain their team’s strong performance.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Zach Neto, a shortstop for the Los Angeles Angels, is likely to be traded soon as the team looks to improve. Four teams—Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves—are seen as the most probable destinations for him.
Key Facts
Zach Neto plays shortstop for the Los Angeles Angels.
The Angels are having a poor season with a 42-67 record.
Neto is performing well, with strong hitting and base-running stats through 103 games.
He has three years left on his contract under team control after 2026.
Boston, Tampa Bay, New York, and Atlanta are the main teams interested in acquiring Neto.
Boston needs a replacement for an injured infielder.
Tampa Bay has been searching for a shortstop for several years.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies are also potential teams considering Neto, mainly to increase trade value.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The San Francisco 49ers lost running back Jordan James to a rib injury during training camp. The team is now considering three possible backup players—Khalil Herbert, Raheem Blackshear, and Owen Wright—to support their main running back, Christian McCaffrey.
Key Facts
Jordan James suffered fractured ribs and will miss significant time.
James was expected to be the backup to Christian McCaffrey after the team released Brian Robinson.
The 49ers currently have rookies Kaelan Black and Isaac Guerendo on the roster as running backs.
The team held tryouts for three running backs: Khalil Herbert, Raheem Blackshear, and Owen Wright.
Khalil Herbert has the most NFL experience, with over 1,900 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in his career.
Raheem Blackshear played three years with the Carolina Panthers but has not played since 2024.
Owen Wright appeared in a few games with the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the past two seasons.
The 49ers are searching for a solid backup to support their star running back after James’s injury.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham spoke publicly about transgender athletes competing in women's sports, leading to a debate within the WNBA. This sparked discussions among players, fans, and the media about policies and inclusivity in sports.
Key Facts
Sophie Cunningham is a guard for the Indiana Fever, a WNBA team.
She made comments about transgender athletes participating in women's sports.
Her remarks caused controversy and debate in the WNBA community.
The discussion includes questions about fairness and inclusion in sports.
The issue has attracted media attention beyond the basketball world.
The WNBA has been involved in conversations about transgender athlete policies.
Players and fans have expressed varied opinions on the topic.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
DeAndre Hopkins joined the New England Patriots last week as a coach to gain experience but left the team shortly after. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said it was a good experience, and Hopkins’ future as a player or coach is still uncertain.
Key Facts
DeAndre Hopkins recently joined the Patriots as a coach, not as a player.
Hopkins played for coach Mike Vrabel when they were both with the Tennessee Titans.
Coach Vrabel announced that Hopkins is no longer with the Patriots.
Hopkins is 34 years old and last played in the 2024 season with the Titans and Chiefs.
In 2023, Hopkins had 22 catches for 330 yards and two touchdowns with the Baltimore Ravens.
He had better stats with the Titans in 2023: 75 catches, 1,057 yards, and seven touchdowns.
Hopkins could still continue as a player if he is in good shape or may choose a coaching career.
There is interest from NFL teams looking for receivers, so Hopkins might get new offers.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
