The New York Mets are interested in signing free agent Kyle Tucker, but their interest has recently cooled, according to an MLB insider. Tucker is expected to seek a contract worth around $400 million, which limits the number of teams that can afford him. The Mets have lost several key players this winter, increasing the desire for a high-profile signing like Tucker.
Key Facts
Kyle Tucker is a free agent linked to the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Toronto Blue Jays.
Tucker's expected contract is about $400 million over 10 years.
The Mets traded outfielder Brandon Nimmo recently, possibly to make room for another outfielder like Tucker.
MLB insider Jon Heyman reported the Mets' interest in Tucker but said it has cooled.
The Mets lost several key players this offseason, including Jeff McNeil and Pete Alonso.
Tucker's free agency status remains unresolved with little progress on signing a deal.
If the Mets don't sign a big player, it might mean they trust their current younger players.
The Kansas City Chiefs finished their season with a losing record for the first time since Andy Reid became head coach in 2013. Despite this, Reid plans to continue coaching and may seek a contract extension to match the rising market for NFL coaches. Additionally, the Chiefs are expected to face some challenges in the offseason, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes' return from injury.
Key Facts
The Kansas City Chiefs ended their season with a 6-10 record after playing against the Las Vegas Raiders.
This marks the first losing season for Andy Reid as the Chiefs' head coach since 2013.
Reid, 67, has expressed his intention to continue coaching the Chiefs in 2026.
Key player Patrick Mahomes is recovering from an ACL injury and may not be ready by Week 1 of the next season.
Reid currently holds the fourth-most wins as an NFL coach, with 279 victories.
A new stadium deal was announced, with Kansas committing $1.8 billion in public money for the project.
NFL insider Ben Dogra mentioned that Reid could ask for a contract extension and pay raise due to the increased market value for NFL coaches.
Reid's current contract pays him nearly $20 million per season through 2029.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is facing concerns as he enters contract discussions with George Pickens, a top-performing wide receiver. This follows previous difficulties Jones had with contract talks involving Micah Parsons, which ended in Parsons being traded to the Green Bay Packers. Fans hope Jones will engage Pickens' agent this time to avoid similar issues.
Key Facts
Jerry Jones owns the Dallas Cowboys.
Jones had trouble with past contract negotiations with player Micah Parsons.
Micah Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers after these negotiations.
George Pickens is a leading wide receiver currently involved in contract talks with the Cowboys.
Pickens ranks third in the NFL in receiving yards, seventh in touchdowns, and eighth in receptions.
Fans worry Jones might repeat past mistakes by not fully involving agents in negotiations.
Jones stated on a radio interview he might talk to Pickens and his agent during discussions.
The College Football Playoff quarterfinals include a Rose Bowl game between the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers and the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide. Indiana's quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, praised Alabama's quarterback, Ty Simpson, highlighting his skills and leadership. Both teams previously played against Wisconsin, and Mendoza studied Simpson's performance in that game.
Key Facts
The Rose Bowl features Indiana Hoosiers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide.
Indiana's quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy.
Mendoza praised Alabama's quarterback Ty Simpson for his skills.
Both teams faced Wisconsin during the season.
Mendoza has led Indiana to a 13-0 record this season.
Mendoza completed 71.5% of his passes for 2,980 yards with 33 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Simpson completed 64.1% of his passes for 3,500 yards with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions.
The Rose Bowl game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. ET.
Nigeria defeated Uganda 3-1 in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group stage, maintaining a perfect record. Raphael Onyedika scored twice, and Paul Onuachu scored his first international goal in four years. Uganda played most of the second half with 10 players after their substitute goalkeeper was sent off.
Key Facts
Nigeria won 3-1 against Uganda in the AFCON group stage.
Raphael Onyedika scored two goals, and Paul Onuachu scored once for Nigeria.
Nigeria finished first in Group C with nine points.
Uganda played with 10 players after their substitute goalkeeper, Magoola, was sent off.
Tanzania advanced to the AFCON knockout stage for the first time, drawing 1-1 with Tunisia.
Uganda's Rogers Mato scored a late consolation goal.
Nigeria was already qualified for the next round before the game.
The New York Mets have signed international prospect Wandy Asigen, a 16-year-old shortstop from the Dominican Republic, for approximately $3.8 million. The team is considering trades to acquire more international bonus pool money, which can help them sign more young talent in the future. The Mets are focusing on building for the long term, even as they release several veteran players.
Key Facts
The New York Mets signed Wandy Asigen, a 16-year-old Dominican shortstop, for about $3.8 million.
The signing will happen during the international signing period starting January 15, 2025.
The Mets plan to trade for more international bonus pool money to sign additional young players.
Recent trades in MLB have included exchanging bonus pool money for players or cash.
The Mets are focusing on long-term team development through international talent acquisition.
The Mets have released veteran players, including Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso, this offseason.
Owner Steve Cohen might still target other prominent free agents like Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger.
Alabama's football team, with a record of 11–3, is set to play against Indiana in the College Football Playoff (CFP). Joel Klatt, a football analyst, pointed out that Alabama relies heavily on passing rather than running. Indiana enters the game unbeaten and is the top seed.
Key Facts
Alabama ended the season with an 11–3 record and is the No. 9 seed in the College Football Playoff.
Alabama's quarterback, Ty Simpson, threw for 3,500 yards and 28 touchdowns.
The team's running game has 1,539 total yards, with an average of 3.4 yards per carry.
Alabama's offense scores an average of 31.4 points per game, the lowest of any team left in the CFP.
Joel Klatt highlighted Alabama's strong passing but weak running game.
Indiana, with a 13–0 record, is the No. 1 seed in the CFP, led by quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Indiana's offense ranks fourth in the nation, scoring 41.9 points per game.
The matchup winner will move to the CFP semifinals to face either Oregon or Texas Tech.
The Florida Panthers are set to play against the Montreal Canadiens in an NHL game. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and can be streamed on Fubo. Recent performances by both teams and standout players are highlighted.
Key Facts
The Florida Panthers have won 9 out of their last 12 games.
The Montreal Canadiens are on a seven-game road trip and have a record of 1 win, 0 losses, and 2 overtime losses in those games.
The game is scheduled for Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 7:00 PM ET.
TV coverage is available on ESPN+, and the game can be live-streamed on Fubo.
The Panthers recently defeated the Washington Capitals with a score of 5-3.
Brad Marchand leads the Panthers with 22 goals and 44 points.
Cole Caufield leads the Canadiens with 18 goals, while Nick Suzuki has 42 points.
Regional restrictions may apply for streaming services.
Ole Miss is preparing for the Sugar Bowl against Georgia, which could lead them to the College Football Playoff semifinals. They are also looking to strengthen their future quarterback position by targeting Deuce Knight, a top prospect from Auburn, as the transfer portal opens. Knight, known for his athletic skills, may transfer to Ole Miss, potentially impacting his current team, Auburn.
Key Facts
Ole Miss will play Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day.
The transfer portal opens shortly after the Sugar Bowl, allowing players to move between colleges.
Ole Miss is looking for a new quarterback as Trinidad Chambliss's future is uncertain.
Deuce Knight, a top prospect from Auburn, could transfer to Ole Miss.
Knight is ranked as the sixth-quarterback of the 2025 freshman class by 247Sports.
He has shown strong skills, passing for 239 yards in a recent game.
The transfer portal period lasts 15 days, beginning on January 2, 2026.
Manchester City is nearing a deal to sign Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth for £65 million. Discussions between the clubs have advanced, and Manchester City is prepared to meet Semenyo's release clause. Other clubs are interested, but Manchester City is the only one to have formally contacted Bournemouth.
Key Facts
Manchester City aims to sign Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.
The transfer fee for Semenyo is set at £65 million, meeting his release clause.
Talks have been underway for the past 48 hours to finalize the deal.
Semenyo's representatives were in Manchester to discuss personal terms.
The January transfer window will open soon, allowing for the transfer to proceed.
Bournemouth wants Semenyo to play two more matches before the transfer.
Other clubs interested in Semenyo include Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United.
Semenyo joined Bournemouth in 2023 from Bristol City for over £10 million.
The Carolina Hurricanes will play the Pittsburgh Penguins in an NHL game on December 30, 2025, in Pittsburgh. The game will air on ESPN+ and can be live-streamed on Fubo. Carolina's key player, Pyotr Kochetkov, is out for the season due to surgery.
Key Facts
The game between the Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins is scheduled for December 30, 2025, at 7:00 PM ET.
The TV channels airing the game include ESPN+, FanDuel Sports Network South, and SportsNet Pittsburgh.
Pyotr Kochetkov, Carolina's goalie, had surgery and is out for the rest of the season.
Penguins recently traded to get Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins with 20 goals and 39 points this season.
Carolina's Sebastian Aho has made 14 goals and 35 points this season.
Fubo offers a live stream of the game with a free trial available.
The Dallas Cowboys might need to get a new running back because Javonte Williams is becoming a free agent. If they can't keep Williams, they might sign J.K. Dobbins from the Denver Broncos on a $5 million deal. Dobbins has had injury problems, but he has been good when healthy.
Key Facts
Javonte Williams is about to become a free agent, which means he can join any NFL team.
Williams had a strong season with over 1,200 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Cowboys are exploring options to replace Williams if he leaves.
J.K. Dobbins is a possible replacement; he currently plays for the Denver Broncos.
Dobbins has dealt with injuries, including a Lisfranc injury that ended his season early.
Despite injuries, Dobbins has performed well, with over 3,000 rushing yards in his career.
The Cowboys might sign Dobbins for around $5 million for the 2026 season.
The article discusses a BetMGM promotion allowing new users to get a $1,500 bonus for sports betting by using the bonus code "NEWSWEEK". The promotion is available in several states and applies to various sports events. Users can place a first bet and either receive winnings as cash or get up to $1,500 back in the form of bonus bets if they lose.
Key Facts
BetMGM offers a $1,500 bonus for new users who sign up with the code "NEWSWEEK".
The offer is valid in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Users must create a new account and place a cash deposit.
A $10 winning bet can secure a $150 bonus in those states.
Users receive either cash winnings for successful bets or up to $1,500 back in bonuses for lost bets.
The promotion includes sports like NBA, college football, college basketball, and more.
There are specific betting options available, including three college football bowl games.
Newsweek may earn a commission if users sign up through the article's links.
The article discusses a promotion by Kalshi where users can earn a $10 bonus by making $100 in predictions on NBA and college football games. Kalshi allows people to buy and sell contracts based on predictions for sports, politics, weather, and other events. Users can participate by signing up and entering the promo code NEWSWEEK.
Key Facts
Kalshi offers a $10 bonus to users who make $100 in predictions using the promo code NEWSWEEK.
The promotion applies to NBA and college football games, along with other events.
Kalshi operates differently than traditional sportsbooks by allowing the trading of contracts.
Users can trade contracts at any time, including during a game, to potentially make a profit.
The article mentions upcoming NBA games like 76ers vs. Grizzlies and Pistons vs. Lakers.
Users need to sign up with their personal information and make a deposit to participate.
Newsweek may earn a commission from sign-ups made through the article's links.
The College Football Playoff quarterfinals are starting, with the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels playing the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl. Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss's former coach, who now leads LSU, might attend the game with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, causing some concern among Ole Miss fans.
Key Facts
The College Football Playoff quarterfinals feature the Cotton Bowl and three other games, including the Sugar Bowl.
Ole Miss will face Georgia in the Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.
Lane Kiffin, former head coach of Ole Miss and now at LSU, left Mississippi but allowed six former assistants to finish the playoff run with Ole Miss.
Kiffin may attend the Sugar Bowl with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry on Thursday night.
Kiffin's possible presence at the game may cause discomfort among Ole Miss fans.
The NCAA transfer portal opens on January 2, and LSU might be active in this period.
Lane Kiffin has expressed public support for Ole Miss since leaving, but fans haven't always agreed with how he departed.
DraftKings offers a promotion where placing a $5 bet can give you a $200 bonus, usable on any sports game listed. To qualify, you must sign up, deposit money, and place a bet with specific odds. The focus includes NBA matchups such as Detroit Pistons vs. Los Angeles Lakers.
Key Facts
DraftKings has a promotion giving a $200 bonus from a $5 winning bet.
You can use the promotion on any sports game available on DraftKings.
No special code is needed for this offer during the sign-up.
To get the bonus, a qualifying bet must be placed on odds of -500 or longer.
The $200 bonus is given as eight $25 bonus bets.
The promotion covers NBA games like the Pistons vs. Lakers.
To participate, users sign up, deposit funds, and place a bet.
The Sleeper promo code NEWSWEEKXL offers new users bonuses for playing daily fantasy sports, focused on NBA and college football games. Users can choose between a $20 immediate bonus or up to $100 in deposit match bonuses. The promotion encourages participation in various basketball and football games happening soon.
Key Facts
Sleeper offers a promo code, NEWSWEEKXL, giving bonuses to new users.
Users can select a $20 immediate bonus or up to $100 in deposit match bonuses.
The promotion is applicable for both NBA and college football games.
Three college football bowl games are scheduled: Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech, Tennessee vs. Illinois, and USC vs. TCU.
NBA games include matchups like 76ers vs. Grizzlies and Pistons vs. Lakers.
Players can make fantasy picks on player statistics such as rebounds, assists, and points.
Two payout options are available: "max" for potentially higher total winnings but requiring all picks to be correct, and "flex" offering partial winnings based on the number of correct picks.
Users must sign up using the promo code to access these offers.
English player Justin Hood has advanced to the quarter-finals of the PDC World Championship by defeating Josh Rock. Hood, ranked 86th in the world before the tournament, showcased a strong performance, which will earn him at least £100,000. He will face either Michael van Gerwen or Gary Anderson in his next match.
Key Facts
Justin Hood eliminated 11th seed Josh Rock to reach the quarter-finals.
Hood completed his first 11 doubles attempts successfully in the match.
He is ranked 86th in the world but is now provisionally in the top 50.
Hood plans to play a quarter-final match against either Michael van Gerwen or Gary Anderson.
His earnings from the tournament so far amount to at least £100,000.
Welsh player Jonny Clayton also advanced to the quarter-finals, defeating Andreas Harrysson.
The tournament continues with more matches to determine all quarter-finalists.
The Detroit Tigers might trade pitcher Tarik Skubal to the Atlanta Braves because they may not afford his next contract. Skubal, who will become a free agent, could attract a significant offer, and a trade might help both teams.
Key Facts
Tarik Skubal is a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers.
Skubal is in the last year of his current contract.
He might seek a new contract worth at least $300 million.
The Tigers may not be able to afford Skubal's expected new contract.
Sports predictions suggest the Tigers might trade Skubal to the Atlanta Braves.
Skubal's addition could improve the Braves' chances next season.
The Braves need pitching help as one of their pitchers, Chris Sale, ages.
Skubal's agent is Scott Boras, who is known for securing large contracts for his clients.
The Toronto Blue Jays have signed pitcher Cody Ponce for a three-year, $30 million deal. Ponce has excelled internationally, winning the KBO MVP award but struggled in his last Major League Baseball appearance. MLB.com predicts he might have a breakout season with the Blue Jays.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays signed pitcher Cody Ponce to a three-year, $30 million contract.
Ponce last played in Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2021 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
During his MLB stint, Ponce had a 7.98 ERA in 15 games.
Ponce succeeded internationally, winning the KBO MVP and Choi Dong-won Award.
MLB.com predicts Ponce could have a breakout season with the Blue Jays.
Ponce is known for 252 strikeouts over 180 2/3 innings in his last season abroad.
The Blue Jays aim to improve after losing in the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
