Kyle Whittingham was hired as the new head coach for the Michigan Wolverines after they fired Sherrone Moore. Just as Whittingham took over, Michigan lost a key player, Justice Haynes, to the NCAA transfer portal.
Key Facts
Michigan Wolverines fired head coach Sherrone Moore after their season ended.
Kyle Whittingham, formerly the Utah Utes head coach, signed a five-year contract with Michigan.
Justice Haynes, a top offensive player, announced he would enter the NCAA transfer portal.
Haynes had initially transferred to Michigan from Alabama.
Despite injuries, Haynes played in seven games, gaining 857 rushing yards and scoring 10 touchdowns this past season.
Early reports suggest Georgia Tech might be interested in Haynes, with a potential offer more than double his previous earnings at Michigan.
Matt Prior, a former England cricketer, has called for a deeper discussion about the drinking culture in English cricket. This follows England's poor performance in the Ashes series and an incident involving player Harry Brook, who apologized after an altercation in New Zealand. The England and Wales Cricket Board plans to review players' behavior during tours.
Key Facts
Former England cricketer Matt Prior suggests discussing the drinking culture in cricket.
England lost the Ashes series against Australia 4-1.
Reports emerged of English players drinking excessively during a series break in Noosa.
Player Harry Brook was involved in an altercation just before a match in New Zealand.
The incident happened a day before Brook captained a one-day international, which England lost.
A review of player behavior during tours will be conducted by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
England coach Brendon McCullum had previously removed a curfew that was in place since 2017.
James Anderson, a top England bowler, hopes Brook learns from his mistake and urges players to take responsibility.
The Atlanta Braves have signed Tristin English, a player who recently debuted in Major League Baseball with the Arizona Diamondbacks, to a minor-league contract. English, who also plays first base, excelled in Triple-A but struggled during his short time in the major leagues.
Key Facts
The Braves have improved their outfield with several players and signed Tristin English for additional depth.
Tristin English is 28 years old and previously played for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In seven major league games, English had a low batting average of .091.
He performed well in Triple-A, batting .325 with 14 home runs.
English chose free agency after being waived by the Diamondbacks in August.
He is originally from Stockbridge, Georgia, and went to Georgia Tech.
Junior Kpoku, a young rugby player from England, wants to leave his current team, Racing 92 in France, to join Sale, a team in England. Sale is interested in signing him, but there are challenges because of Kpoku's current contract, which lasts until 2027. Kpoku hopes the move will help him qualify for England's senior rugby squad for the World Cup.
Key Facts
Junior Kpoku is a rugby player interested in moving from Racing 92 in France to Sale in England.
He helped England's Under-20 team win the World Cup in 2024.
Kpoku is currently not eligible for the England senior team due to playing in France.
Sale is keen to sign Kpoku for his physical abilities and potential to join their pack.
Kpoku's contract with Racing 92 lasts until 2027, complicating the potential move.
Sale's co-owner might agree to cover the transfer fee to facilitate Kpoku's move.
If he stays in France, Kpoku could become eligible to play for France, but he prefers to represent England.
The next Rugby World Cup will take place in Australia in 2027.
England's cricket coach, Brendon McCullum, mentioned he might not remain as coach if someone else could do a better job. Despite losing the Ashes series to Australia 4-1, he and the director are likely to stay in charge while the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) reviews the team's performance. McCullum is open to change but believes in his current methods.
Key Facts
Brendon McCullum is England's head cricket coach.
England lost the Ashes series 4-1 to Australia.
The ECB is reviewing the team's performance on the Australia tour.
McCullum talked with ECB leaders about possible changes.
McCullum wants to continue but is open to changes in his methods.
Criticism of team culture includes allegations of a drinking culture.
McCullum is set to lead England in upcoming cricket series in Sri Lanka and the T20 World Cup.
Team member Harry Brook faced disciplinary action for behavior off the field.
The Washington Wizards have acquired Trae Young but do not plan for him to play much during the 2025-26 season due to ongoing injury recovery. They aim to have him fully ready for the 2026-27 season, aligning this with their long-term rebuilding plan.
Key Facts
The Wizards do not expect Trae Young to play significantly in the 2025-26 season.
Young is recovering from a knee sprain and right quadriceps contusion.
The team plans for Young to be the starting point guard in the 2026-27 season.
Washington's strategy is part of a broader rebuilding effort.
The Wizards want to retain their 2026 first-round draft pick, which is important for their future plans.
The league may scrutinize their decision to limit Young's playing time.
Washington's goal is to build a strong team around Young by 2026.
Tiffany Stratton, a wrestler in the WWE, has been missing from TV after losing her championship title. The reason for her absence is an injury she suffered, which has been confirmed in a recent report. The report does not mention how long she will be out of action.
Key Facts
Tiffany Stratton is currently not appearing on WWE shows.
She lost her WWE Women’s Championship to Jade Cargill.
Stratton was reportedly injured, which affected her performance in the match.
The injury was acknowledged in the storyline, and she was given a chance to withdraw from the match but chose to continue.
Stratton's absence from WWE is due to a need to recover from this injury.
There is no information on when Stratton will return to WWE programming.
Gabby Logan, a well-known sports presenter, paid tribute to her father, Terry Yorath, a former Welsh football player and manager, who passed away at 75. Yorath had a successful career both as a player and as a coach, and he was the first Welsh footballer to play in a European Cup final in 1975. Logan shared her memories and thanked healthcare workers who cared for her father during his illness.
Key Facts
Terry Yorath, a former Welsh football player and manager, died at 75 after a short illness.
Gabby Logan, his daughter, paid tribute to him on Instagram.
Yorath was the first Welshman to play in a European Cup final.
He captained and managed the Wales football team.
Logan left a TV broadcast due to a family emergency when her father passed away.
The Valley Parade fire was a significant event in Yorath's life; he was a coach during that tragedy.
Logan expressed gratitude to NHS staff for their care of her father.
Notable sports figures and presenters sent condolences to Logan.
Ole Miss Rebels lost to Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, ending their College Football Playoff hopes. Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss to coach LSU, and defensive coordinator Pete Golding took over as head coach. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is waiting to find out if he can play another year in college, but he impressed during his CFP games.
Key Facts
Ole Miss lost 31-27 to Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss to become head coach at LSU.
Pete Golding, the defensive coordinator, is now the head coach of Ole Miss.
Trinidad Chambliss played Division II football at Ferris State before transferring to Ole Miss.
Chambliss completed 294 of 445 passes for 3,937 yards and 22 touchdowns this season.
He passed for 277 yards and a touchdown against Miami.
Chambliss is appealing for another year of eligibility to play college football.
Golding believes Chambliss has shown the potential to join the NFL.
CJ Perry, once known as Lana in WWE, announced her return to pro wrestling. She plans to re-enter the wrestling scene in 2026, focusing on managing talent and enhancing her verbal skills.
Key Facts
CJ Perry, formerly known as Lana, is coming back to professional wrestling.
She announced this on the "TMZ Inside The Ring" podcast.
Perry plans to be active in the independent wrestling circuit starting in 2026.
Her focus will be on managing talent and using her speaking skills.
Perry is inspired by WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman and is taking comedy classes to improve her skills.
Her husband, Rusev (Miro), is opening a wrestling school called "Catch Academy" in Nashville in March 2026.
Perry's first stand-up comedy show is scheduled for March 26 in Los Angeles.
Everton defender Michael Keane received a three-match ban after being sent off for pulling an opponent's hair during a game against Wolves. Everton appealed the decision, stating that the punishment was too harsh, but the Football Association panel did not overturn the ban. Everton manager David Moyes expressed frustration with the ruling and the involvement of the video assistant referee (VAR).
Key Facts
Michael Keane of Everton was banned for three matches for pulling the hair of Wolves player Tolu Arokodare.
The incident happened during a 1-1 draw after a VAR review led to Keane's red card.
Everton appealed the ban, but the Football Association panel upheld the original decision.
Keane will miss an FA Cup game against Sunderland and Premier League games with Aston Villa and Leeds.
Everton's manager, David Moyes, expressed anger and surprise at the panel's decision.
The manager also criticized the VAR process, calling it a mistake in this case.
Hair-pulling is not listed explicitly in the game's rules but is treated as violent conduct.
Donovyn Hunter is a notable player for Texas Christian University (TCU) who overcame early injuries and challenges to become a key leader on her basketball team. Hunter started playing basketball at a young age and developed a strong defensive game with the help of her family. She has shown growth both as a leader and in her offensive skills since transferring to TCU.
Key Facts
Donovyn Hunter is a guard for Texas Christian University's (TCU) basketball team.
She began playing basketball as a child in Oregon, inspired by her brother and supported by her father.
During high school, she suffered two major knee surgeries that kept her from playing for nearly two years.
Despite her injuries, Hunter was named MaxPreps Oregon player of the year and led her school to a state championship game as a senior.
Hunter initially played for Oregon State, helping the Beavers reach the Elite Eight in her freshman year.
She transferred to TCU after the PAC-12 conference ended, joining the team alongside player Hailey Van Lith.
At TCU, Hunter has become a team leader, emphasizing defense and improving her scoring significantly.
She credits her improvement to persistent training sessions and a strong mindset.
The Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal and the team did not agree on a salary, so they are headed for an arbitration hearing. The Tigers want to keep Skubal, but they are open to trading him if they receive a big enough offer. Skubal is still expected to play for the Tigers next season.
Key Facts
Tarik Skubal is a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers.
The Tigers and Skubal did not reach an agreement on his salary for next season.
The Tigers want to pay him $19 million, but Skubal wants $32 million.
Because they did not agree, the issue will go to an arbitration hearing.
Skubal has won the Cy Young Award twice, which is a top award for pitchers.
The Tigers might trade Skubal if they get a very good offer.
Skubal is still expected to play with the Tigers next season.
The Philadelphia Phillies signed 24-year-old free-agent shortstop Christian Cairo to add depth to their Triple-A team and provide backup in case of injuries. Cairo, who played Triple-A for the Cleveland Guardians, is the son of former major league player Miguel Cairo.
Key Facts
The Philadelphia Phillies signed Christian Cairo, a 24-year-old free agent, on December 19.
Cairo played in Triple-A for the Cleveland Guardians last season.
The signing is meant to add depth to the Phillies' Triple-A roster.
Cairo is the son of former MLB player Miguel Cairo.
Cleveland drafted Cairo in the fourth round in 2019.
He has a .672 OPS in 469 minor-league games, meaning he's had moderate success at bat.
Cairo spent time with the Atlanta Braves during spring training due to the Rule 5 Draft.
A golden retriever named Gracie showed a funny reaction when her owner introduced a new puppy to the family. The video of Gracie's response became popular on TikTok, showing how pets can sometimes struggle to adjust to new "siblings."
Key Facts
Gracie is a 6-year-old golden retriever.
Gracie's owner, Danielle Vespi, shared the video on TikTok.
The video received over 961,000 views since being posted on January 8.
Gracie made a scrunched nose face showing her teeth at the new puppy, Cappuccino.
Commenters found Gracie's reaction amusing rather than aggressive.
The American Kennel Club suggests a "SUPER" method for introducing new pets to each other.
The Miami Hurricanes, led by quarterback Carson Beck, won against the Ole Miss Rebels to advance to the national championship. Beck transferred to Miami from the University of Georgia, securing a large NIL deal worth about $4.3 million, which former Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin criticized.
Key Facts
Miami Hurricanes' quarterback Carson Beck played a key role in defeating Ole Miss Rebels 31–27.
This victory led Miami to the national championship game.
Carson Beck previously spent five years at the University of Georgia.
Beck transferred to Miami with an NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deal valued at about $4.3 million.
Lane Kiffin, former Ole Miss head coach, criticized the NIL deal given to Beck.
Kiffin left Ole Miss to become the head coach at LSU after the regular season.
The NIL era in college football is seeing players earn large sums, with some expected to earn over $5 million.
Australia recently won the Ashes series against England, finishing with a 4-1 victory. They did well with their basic cricket skills and strong team performance, especially from players like Mitchell Starc. Australia's next goal is to win in England, as they haven't done so since 2001.
Key Facts
Australia won the Ashes series against England with a 4-1 score.
Mitchell Starc was the leading wicket-taker with 31 wickets in the series.
Australia's bowlers, including Starc, Scott Boland, and Michael Neser, performed well.
Travis Head played an important role as an opener and boosted the team's batting.
Australia has not won an Ashes series in England since 2001, drawing the last two series there.
Australia aims to win the Ashes in England in 2027.
The Australian team sees this upcoming goal as their next major challenge or "Everest."
The New York Yankees are in negotiations to bring back Cody Bellinger, but talks face challenges over the length of his contract. The Kansas City Royals have emerged as a potential surprise team interested in signing Bellinger. If successful, Bellinger would join the Royals' roster as a key player in their outfield.
Key Facts
The Yankees want to re-sign Cody Bellinger but have not yet agreed on contract terms.
Bellinger is looking for a seven-year contract, which is causing negotiation delays.
The Kansas City Royals are seen as a "dark horse" team that might sign Bellinger.
Bellinger hit 29 home runs last season, making him a valuable player.
The Royals need a stronger outfield lineup and see Bellinger as a potential fit.
If Bellinger joins the Royals, his contract would be one of the largest on the team, next to Bobby Witt Jr.'s.
The New York Yankees are trying to re-sign Cody Bellinger with a contract, but the discussions are taking longer than expected. The Yankees have offered Bellinger a deal with a high yearly salary, but he wants a longer contract, possibly for seven years.
Key Facts
The Yankees want Cody Bellinger to stay with the team for next season and beyond.
Negotiations are slow because Bellinger's side wants a longer contract than the Yankees offered.
The Yankees' latest offer includes more than $30 million per year.
Bellinger wants a seven-year deal, while the Yankees prefer a five-year deal.
The New York Mets also show interest in signing Bellinger.
The Mets' president tends to avoid long contracts with players over 30 years old.
Bellinger will be 31 next season, influencing the contract length discussion.
Jeff Hardy, a professional wrestler, revealed he has been dealing with a neck injury involving two bulging discs. Despite this, he has been cleared to compete and plans to adjust his wrestling style to protect himself. Hardy and his brother are set to participate in upcoming wrestling events, including TNA Genesis.
Key Facts
Jeff Hardy has neck issues with two bulging discs on the left side of his neck.
The injury occurred during a wrestling match where he lost the NXT Tag Team Titles.
He has been cleared by doctors to continue wrestling but needs to be cautious.
Hardy is scheduled to defend his TNA World Tag Team Championship with his brother, Matt.
They will also appear on the premiere of "Thursday Night Impact" on January 15.
Adjusting his wrestling style is necessary for him to manage the injury safely.
TNA's move to AMC involves Hardy and his brother as part of the launch strategy.
