Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer remains expected to receive a contract extension despite rumors about leaving for Michigan. Alabama lost to Indiana in the Rose Bowl, but Michigan hired a different coach before that game. Talks for DeBoer's extension are ongoing.
Key Facts
Kalen DeBoer is the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team.
There were rumors he might leave for Michigan if Alabama performed poorly in key games.
Michigan hired another coach on December 26, ending speculation about DeBoer moving there.
Alabama lost to Indiana in the Rose Bowl, with a final score of 38-3.
Talks for a contract extension for DeBoer are still happening, despite the loss.
Critics question DeBoer's recruiting ability in the Southern U.S.
DeBoer has a record of 20 wins and 8 losses in his first two seasons at Alabama.
The Denver Nuggets face a series of player injuries, affecting their team lineup. Key players like Nikola Jokic and Cameron Johnson are out due to injuries, and this situation might lead the team to use a special league rule to temporarily add new players. Despite these challenges, the Nuggets maintain a strong record in the Western Conference.
Key Facts
The Denver Nuggets have a record of 23 wins and 10 losses.
Key player Nikola Jokic is out for four weeks with a knee injury.
Cameron Johnson is also injured and will miss three to five weeks.
Christian Braun, Aaron Gordon, and Jamal Murray have experienced recent absences due to injuries.
Jonas Valanciunas, a new addition to the team, injured his calf and is sidelined.
If key players remain out, the team might use the "10-day hardship exception" to sign temporary players.
This rule allows teams facing significant injuries to temporarily add new players to their roster.
Liam Rosenior, manager of French club Strasbourg, is a top candidate to become Chelsea's new manager. Rosenior has impressed with his ability to lead a young team at Strasbourg, which is part of the group that owns Chelsea. He may replace Enzo Maresca, who recently left Chelsea.
Key Facts
Liam Rosenior is the favorite to become the next Chelsea manager, 18 months after leaving Hull City.
Rosenior currently manages Strasbourg, a club connected to Chelsea's owners.
Enzo Maresca, the former Chelsea manager, left the club following disagreements with the team leadership.
If appointed, Rosenior would be the fourth of Chelsea’s last five managers to have a background in the Championship league.
Rosenior's team at Strasbourg is notable for its young players, similar to Chelsea's young squad.
Strasbourg was the first team in a top European league to field all players born in the 2000s.
Rosenior has experience managing players like Liam Delap and Andrey Santos.
Strasbourg's performance has seen recent challenges, with only one win in their last six Ligue 1 matches.
Top tennis players are saying the tennis season is too long and intense, leading to mental and physical stress. Major players and organizations are considering changes to help athletes rest and recover better, but changes are difficult due to how the sport is organized.
Key Facts
Daria Kasatkina and Elina Svitolina, both top players, have expressed concerns and taken breaks due to mental exhaustion.
The 2025 tennis season lasted 47 weeks for men and slightly shorter for women.
The Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA) is pushing for better player protection and has taken legal action against tennis tours.
The ATP Tour plans to reduce ranking events from 19 to 18 in 2026 to lessen player strain.
Current player schedules often include 20 mandatory events, which leading players find taxing.
The PTPA was created by players like Novak Djokovic to advocate for players' interests.
Some professionals suggest adding breaks or shortening the season to give players more rest.
Players face both mental fatigue and physical injuries due to the demanding schedule and pace of matches.
The Los Angeles Lakers had their worst month of the 2025-26 basketball season in December, ending with a record of 5 wins and 7 losses. As the trade deadline approaches, reports indicate that the Lakers might consider trading for former All-Defensive player Robert Williams III to strengthen their team, particularly in defense, as they are currently ranked low in defensive ratings.
Key Facts
The Lakers finished December 2025 with a 5-7 record.
They have been losing games by an average of 17.7 points.
All their losses this season have been by double digits.
The Lakers are considering trades to improve before the trade deadline.
Robert Williams III, a former All-Defensive player, is one potential trade target.
Williams plays as a big man for the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Lakers currently rank 25th in defensive rating.
Williams has struggled with injuries and has played only 48 games over the past three seasons.
Nick Marsh, a talented wide receiver from Michigan State, is exploring his options in the transfer portal, with Indiana and Notre Dame being strong contenders for his next college team. He plans to visit both schools shortly, as they both aim to have strong showings in upcoming college football seasons. The transfer portal will close on January 16, 2026.
Key Facts
Nick Marsh is a wide receiver at Michigan State who is currently in the transfer portal.
Marsh caught 59 passes for 662 yards and six touchdowns in 2025.
He is considering transferring to either Indiana or Notre Dame, with both schools eager to add him to their teams.
Marsh visited Indiana University to meet with the Hoosiers and head coach Curt Cignetti.
Notre Dame is also a potential choice, and he plans a visit with their head coach, Marcus Freeman.
Marsh has time to visit other programs before the transfer portal closes on January 16, 2026.
DJ Lagway, a sophomore quarterback, has entered the college football transfer portal after a challenging season with the Florida Gators. Four teams are interested in recruiting him: the Baylor Bears, Louisville Cardinals, Missouri Tigers, and Virginia Cavaliers. The transfer portal will remain open until January 16.
Key Facts
DJ Lagway played as the starting quarterback for the Florida Gators last season.
Lagway plans to transfer to another college football team and has entered the transfer portal.
His performance last season included 2,264 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
The Florida Gators ended the season with a 4-8 record.
Four teams are reportedly interested in Lagway: Baylor, Louisville, Missouri, and Virginia.
Lagway was a well-regarded recruit out of high school and has two more years of college eligibility.
The transfer portal, where players can switch schools, closes on January 16.
Notre Dame is interested in Caleb Herring, a football player entering the NCAA transfer portal. Herring, a pass-rusher from Tennessee, announced his decision to transfer. Notre Dame previously sought to recruit him and may try again for the 2026 season.
Key Facts
Caleb Herring, a pass-rusher from Tennessee, is entering the NCAA transfer portal.
Herring played high school football in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and was a four-star recruit.
Notre Dame previously attempted to recruit Herring three seasons ago.
During his recent season with Tennessee, Herring made 14 tackles, four sacks, and two pass breakups in nine games.
Notre Dame's head coach, Marcus Freeman, is being considered for NFL coaching positions.
Notre Dame missed the College Football Playoff in 2025 and is looking to strengthen its team for the next season.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss led his team to a win in the College Football Playoff. However, his NCAA eligibility for future games is uncertain as he awaits a decision on an appeal. Chambliss seeks an extra college football season due to limited play in a previous year because of illness.
Key Facts
Trinidad Chambliss is the quarterback for Ole Miss.
He led Ole Miss to a victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
Chambliss is waiting for an NCAA decision that affects his eligibility for another season.
He filed a waiver for a medical redshirt due to playing only two games in 2022.
His eligibility status does not affect the current playoff games but could impact the next season.
Chambliss started his college football career at Ferris State, a Division II school.
He transferred to Ole Miss in April 2025 after winning a national championship with Ferris State.
Tennis player Katie Boulter has partnered with coach Michael Joyce, who previously worked with Maria Sharapova, to improve her world ranking. Joyce's coaching agreement with Boulter is set for the remainder of the year unless either party decides otherwise during their time in New Zealand or the Australian Open. Boulter aims to return to her career-high ranking and is currently working to qualify for the Australian Open main draw.
Key Facts
Katie Boulter has hired Michael Joyce, Maria Sharapova's former coach.
Joyce was part of Sharapova's team when she won two major titles.
Boulter is the British number four and ranked outside the world's top 100.
She won three WTA titles with her former coach, Biljana Veselinovic.
Boulter needs to qualify to secure a spot in the Australian Open main draw.
Her highest career ranking was 23 in 2024.
Boulter plans to marry tennis player Alex de Minaur, ranked world number seven.
Boulter expressed her ambitions to return to being ranked inside the world's top 20.
Ian Balding, a well-known horse trainer and former amateur jockey, has died at 87. He was famous for training the champion racehorse Mill Reef, which won several major races in 1971. Balding's son Andrew took over the training business after Ian retired in 2002.
Key Facts
Ian Balding was a horse trainer and former amateur jockey.
He died at the age of 87.
Balding trained Mill Reef, winner of the 1971 Epsom Derby.
He started as an amateur jockey and won a race at the 1963 Cheltenham Festival.
Balding's family announced his death on social media, calling him a successful trainer and sportsman.
He retired in 2002, and his son Andrew now runs the training yard.
Balding's daughter, Clare, is a well-known broadcaster and former amateur rider.
Sam Leavitt, a top college football quarterback, has entered the transfer portal, which allows players to change schools. He has decided to leave Arizona State University and considers LSU, Miami, and Oregon as possible new teams. He included a "do not contact" tag, suggesting he already knows where he plans to transfer.
Key Facts
Sam Leavitt is a prominent quarterback in college football.
He previously played for Arizona State University.
Leavitt entered the college football transfer portal.
The transfer portal lets players move to different schools.
Leavitt marked his entry with a "do not contact" tag.
Possible new teams for Leavitt include LSU, Miami, and Oregon.
During his college career, he threw for 4,513 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Brennan Johnson will join the Crystal Palace team for their upcoming game against Newcastle. He is transferring from Tottenham to Crystal Palace for a club record fee of £35 million.
Key Facts
Brennan Johnson will be part of Crystal Palace's squad playing against Newcastle this Sunday.
Johnson is moving from Tottenham to Crystal Palace for £35 million, a club record fee for Palace.
Crystal Palace will officially announce his transfer within the next 24 hours.
Johnson previously joined Tottenham in 2023 for £47.5 million from Nottingham Forest.
He helped Tottenham win the Europa League last season.
Johnson has scored four goals in 22 appearances this season for Tottenham.
Bournemouth was also interested in signing Johnson.
Crystal Palace's previous transfer record was £27 million for Christian Benteke in 2016.
After losing to Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff, Georgia's football team sees several players entering the transfer portal. Players looking for more playing time are choosing to leave, a trend influenced by recent changes in college football rules.
Key Facts
Georgia lost to Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl, part of the College Football Playoff.
Several Georgia players plan to enter the transfer portal, seeking more opportunities to play.
Roderick Robinson II, a player from San Diego, is one of those expected to transfer.
Jordan Thomas, a defensive lineman from New Jersey, is also looking for a new team.
The transfer portal allows college athletes to change schools more easily.
New rules, like the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies, mean players can now get endorsement deals.
Georgia's head coach, Kirby Smart, is known for strong recruitment but faces challenges with these new rules.
The transfer portal will be open until January 16, 2026.
Senegal will play against Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) round of 16 on January 3 at the Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier. Senegal, ranked as a top team, is facing Sudan, which is in the knockout stage for the first time in 14 years. Despite ongoing conflict in their country, Sudan's team has made significant progress in the tournament.
Key Facts
The match between Senegal and Sudan will occur on January 3 at 5 PM (16:00 GMT).
Senegal is the AFCON 2021 champion, seeking their second title, and they finished top of Group D.
Sudan qualified for the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams, marking their first time in 14 years.
The conflict in Sudan has displaced millions and created a severe humanitarian crisis.
Sudan's goalkeeper, Mohamed Abooja, has been personally affected as his brother is a prisoner.
Senegal's key players include attackers Nicolas Jackson and Sadio Mane.
Sudan's notable players are midfielders Walieldin Khidir and Ammar Toaifour.
The winner of this match will play against the winner of the Mali vs Tunisia match in the quarterfinals.
Ben Stokes, England's cricket captain, supports continuing with Brendon McCullum as head coach despite their recent series loss to Australia. Stokes and McCullum took over the team in 2022 and have contracts until 2027. Stokes believes they are the right leaders to guide the team forward.
Key Facts
Ben Stokes supports Brendon McCullum remaining as the head coach of England's cricket team.
Stokes and McCullum started leading the team in 2022.
Their contracts are valid until 2027, and they want to continue in their roles.
England lost the recent Ashes series in Australia after winning only the fourth Test.
England won their first Test match in Australia in almost 15 years during this series.
England's leadership changes often follow losses in Australia, but Stokes argues against it.
Stokes wants to be involved in any decision about changes in team leadership.
McCullum is set to lead England in the T20 World Cup next month, delaying any immediate decisions about his future.
The Rice Owls play against the Texas State Bobcats in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl. This college football game takes place on Friday, January 2, 2025, at 1:00 PM EDT. The game airs on ESPN and can be streamed on Fubo.
Key Facts
The game is between Rice and Texas State.
It is part of the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.
The game will happen on Friday, January 2, 2025, at 1:00 PM EDT.
The match will be shown on ESPN and can be streamed via Fubo.
Rice has a season record of 5 wins and 7 losses.
Texas State has a season record of 6 wins and 6 losses.
Texas State's freshman quarterback, Brad Jackson, has led the team to several big plays this season.
Texas State plans to join the Pac-12 conference after this game.
Billy Ray Barnes, a notable athlete from Wake Forest University, played nine seasons in the NFL and was known for his achievements with the Philadelphia Eagles, including winning the 1960 NFL Championship. Barnes, who also had a successful coaching career, passed away at age 90. He is remembered for his contributions to both football and baseball and was inducted into multiple Halls of Fame.
Key Facts
Billy Ray Barnes was born in North Carolina in 1935.
He played football and baseball at Wake Forest University.
Barnes was part of the Philadelphia Eagles team that won the 1960 NFL Championship.
He made the Pro Bowl three times during his NFL career.
Barnes finished his NFL playing career with teams like the Eagles, Washington, and Vikings.
He coached in professional football, including seven seasons in the NFL.
Barnes was inducted into the Wake Forest University Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.
Ole Miss defeated Georgia in the Sugar Bowl and will next play against Miami in the Fiesta Bowl. Head coach Pete Golding leads Ole Miss, having taken over after Lane Kiffin left for LSU. Some LSU-bound assistant coaches, including Charlie Weis Jr., did not return with the team as they joined Kiffin for the NCAA transfer portal opening.
Key Facts
Ole Miss won against Georgia with a score of 39-34 in the Sugar Bowl.
They will play Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
Pete Golding is the head coach of Ole Miss after Lane Kiffin left the team.
Lane Kiffin took some assistant coaches, including Charlie Weis Jr., to LSU.
The LSU-bound coaches did not fly back with Ole Miss after the Sugar Bowl.
These coaches were expected to be with Kiffin at LSU for the opening of the NCAA transfer portal.
It is unclear if any LSU assistants will continue coaching Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl.
The Fiesta Bowl game will be held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Newly hired LSU head coach Lane Kiffin is working to strengthen his team by targeting players in the transfer portal. LSU is focused on filling important positions like quarterback and wide receiver, especially after losing several key players. Michigan State's Nick Marsh, a top wide receiver in the transfer portal, is among LSU's targets.
Key Facts
Lane Kiffin is the new head coach for LSU.
Kiffin previously coached at Ole Miss and joined LSU before the College Football Playoff.
LSU is looking for new players through the transfer portal to compensate for recent player departures.
The team particularly needs a quarterback since Garrett Nussmeier is leaving for the NFL.
LSU is also focusing on wide receivers after multiple four-star receivers left.
Michigan State's Nick Marsh, a top wide receiver, is a target for LSU.
Marsh had 59 catches for 662 yards and six touchdowns in the recent season.
