The New York Yankees are looking to sign a major baseball player in the offseason. They are interested in Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger but are predicted to sign Bellinger due to cost and team fit.
Key Facts
The Yankees are reportedly interested in signing either Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger.
Kyle Tucker's contract is expected to be over $400 million.
Cody Bellinger's contract is projected to be $168 million.
Tommy Wild from Roundtable Sports predicts the Yankees will sign Bellinger.
Bellinger is viewed as a good fit for the team's needs and budget.
Bellinger was well-liked during his previous year with the Yankees.
The Yankees want to secure him long-term for his defensive skills and partnership with Aaron Judge.
Michigan is looking to hire a new head coach for its football team after firing its previous coach, Sherrone Moore. Among the candidates they are considering are current NFL and college coaches, including Todd Monken, the Baltimore Ravens' offensive coordinator. The university hopes to make a decision by Christmas.
Key Facts
Michigan University is searching for a new permanent head football coach.
They have interviewed interim head coach Biff Poggi multiple times.
NFL's Todd Monken, currently with the Baltimore Ravens, is a candidate for the job.
The school plans to interview Monken this week.
Other reported candidates include Louisville’s Jeff Brohm and several college coaches.
Michigan wants to finalize their coach selection by Christmas.
Monken has been the Ravens' offensive coordinator for the past three seasons.
There are reports of possible major changes in the Ravens' team this offseason, affecting Monken and others.
The Washington Commanders will play against the Dallas Cowboys in an NFL game on Christmas Day at Northwest Stadium. Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention, and the game will be broadcast on CBS and live-streamed on Fubo and Netflix.
Key Facts
The game is scheduled for December 25, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET.
The TV channel for the game is CBS, with live streaming available on Fubo and Netflix.
The Dallas Cowboys have a 6-8-1 record and are known for their strong passing game.
Key players for the Cowboys include wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
The Cowboys have lost their last three games and are no longer in playoff contention.
The Washington Commanders have a 4-11 record and injuries have affected their quarterbacks.
Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota, both Commanders quarterbacks, are injured.
The game offers a chance for both teams to evaluate backup players and plan for the future.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy has had a challenging season with multiple injuries keeping him off the field, impacting the team's performance. The Vikings' general manager suggested in an interview that despite these issues, the team plans to continue developing McCarthy as their starting quarterback, while considering adding a veteran quarterback for support.
Key Facts
The Minnesota Vikings have a 7-8 record and are not in the playoffs.
JJ McCarthy is a second-year quarterback who missed most of his rookie season due to a knee injury.
This season, McCarthy missed six games due to various injuries, including a high-ankle sprain, a concussion, and a hand fracture.
McCarthy had some successful games, notably against the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders, and Dallas Cowboys.
The Vikings' general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, expressed confidence in McCarthy’s growth and future potential in a recent radio interview.
The team plans to give McCarthy a chance to continue as their main quarterback next season.
There is consideration to also bring in a veteran quarterback to support McCarthy and provide competition.
The Baltimore Ravens are experiencing a challenging season, partly due to injuries affecting their quarterback, Lamar Jackson. There are discussions about the possibility of trading Jackson, with the Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders mentioned as interested teams.
Key Facts
Lamar Jackson has played in 12 out of the Ravens' 15 games this season.
Jackson's performance has been impacted by injuries.
Trade discussions are emerging regarding Jackson's future with the Ravens.
The Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders are potential teams interested in acquiring Jackson.
If traded, the Ravens might receive two or three first-round draft picks.
In 2024, Lamar Jackson had an MVP-level season but did not win the award.
This season, Jackson has completed 63.7% of his passes for 2,311 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Professional footballers, even during the holiday season, focus on meals that support fitness and recovery. Chef Tommy Cole prepares meals for Premier League players, ensuring their festive meals are both traditional and healthy to meet their nutritional needs amid a busy match schedule.
Key Facts
Chef Tommy Cole prepares meals for professional football players, including those from Fulham, Chelsea, and Brighton.
He works with nutritionists to ensure the players' meals support their fitness and recovery.
During Christmas, Cole adapts traditional meals to be healthier, such as using leaner meats and careful amounts of fat.
December is especially busy for football clubs with frequent match schedules, including various competitions.
Players' diets are adjusted to include more carbohydrates for energy, like potatoes and pasta.
Vegetables are added for nutrients, sometimes mixed into sauces like katsu to make them more appealing.
Foods like oily fish, nuts, and seeds are included to aid in players' recovery.
Tommy Cole did not initially plan to become a chef but started after a ski season led him to cooking.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are aiming for the NFL playoffs, with recent victories suggesting they might succeed. Former coach Mike McCarthy, who has ties to Pittsburgh and quarterback Aaron Rodgers, expressed his support for the Steelers' Super Bowl chances. The team recently received a boost with the return of T.J. Watt from injury, though they also faced a setback with DK Metcalf's suspension.
Key Facts
The Pittsburgh Steelers have won their last three games and are competing for the AFC North division title.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is aiming to lead the team to the playoffs and possibly a Super Bowl win.
Mike McCarthy, a former NFL coach and Pittsburgh native, voiced his hope for the Steelers to win the Super Bowl.
T.J. Watt, an important player for the Steelers, returned to practice after recovering from a lung injury.
DK Metcalf will miss the final two games of the regular season due to a suspension.
The Steelers will play against the Cleveland Browns in their next game.
Pittsburgh's playoff hopes depend on keeping key players healthy and avoiding further injuries.
Pittsburgh Steelers player DK Metcalf was suspended for two games after an incident with a fan during a game. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers suggested the NFL should create a clear code of conduct for fan behavior at games. This comes as the Steelers approach critical end-of-season games.
Key Facts
DK Metcalf, a wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was suspended for two games.
The suspension occurred after an altercation with a fan during a Steelers game against the Detroit Lions.
Metcalf's suspension includes lost wages and voided guaranteed money totaling $45 million.
The incident happened as the Steelers aim to clinch the AFC North title.
Aaron Rodgers, Steelers quarterback, proposed a stricter code of conduct for fan behavior.
The Steelers have upcoming games against the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens.
The San Francisco 49ers are set to play against the Chicago Bears in an important NFL game. Brock Purdy, the 49ers' quarterback, has been named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his impressive performance against the Indianapolis Colts.
Key Facts
The 49ers and Bears both have an 11-4 record and are in the playoffs.
Brock Purdy, the 49ers quarterback, will play against Caleb Williams, the Bears quarterback.
Purdy was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Purdy threw for 295 yards and five touchdown passes in a game against the Colts.
He achieved a 126.8 passer rating in the same game.
Purdy's five touchdowns in one game are the most by a 49ers quarterback since Joe Montana in 1990.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and offensive lineman Trent Williams praised Purdy's performance and leadership.
Russell Westbrook, who plays for the Sacramento Kings, received a $2,000 fine from the NBA for flopping during a game against the Detroit Pistons. So far this season, Westbrook has played in 30 games and has averaged 14.4 points per game.
Key Facts
Russell Westbrook is a player for the Sacramento Kings.
He was fined $2,000 by the NBA for flopping in a game against the Detroit Pistons.
Flopping means pretending to be fouled to get a referee's call.
This season, Westbrook has appeared in 30 games and made 24 starts.
He averages 14.4 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.9 rebounds per game.
Westbrook's shooting percentage is 42.8% from the field and 35% from three-point range.
The Kings have a 7-23 record this season, indicating struggles to win games.
Westbrook has not been heavily mentioned in trade talks so far.
Penn State University hired Matt Campbell from Iowa State as their new head football coach. The school considered Terry Smith, their interim head coach, for the position but ultimately preferred someone with more head coaching experience. Smith will remain on Penn State's staff and will be the highest-paid non-coordinator in college football.
Key Facts
Penn State fired their head coach, James Franklin, in mid-October.
The school considered several candidates, including Terry Smith, their interim coach.
Matt Campbell, from Iowa State, was chosen as the new head coach.
Terry Smith had support from players due to a successful stint as interim coach.
Penn State wanted a coach with more FBS head coaching experience.
Terry Smith will stay at Penn State, likely returning to his role as cornerbacks coach.
Smith will be the highest-paid non-coordinator in college football, earning about $2 million annually.
The BBC has created a series of football-themed quizzes inspired by their popular game shows. These quizzes challenge participants with questions from shows like The Weakest Link and Mastermind, and they increase in difficulty as you progress.
Key Facts
The quizzes are inspired by BBC game shows such as The Weakest Link, Pointless, and Mastermind.
The quizzes are designed to test football trivia knowledge.
The quizzes become more challenging as players go through them.
The Mastermind quiz uses past questions from the show.
The quizzes can be accessed on BBC iPlayer.
There is a final quiz called Only Connect, which is the toughest.
The BBC also offers various other sports quizzes through their dedicated pages.
Chicago Bears player Austin Booker received two fines for roughing the passer during a game against the Green Bay Packers. One of Booker's hits resulted in quarterback Jordan Love leaving the game with a concussion. The fines totaled $10,000 for the two incidents.
Key Facts
Austin Booker is a defensive end for the Chicago Bears.
Booker received a penalty during the game for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Jordan Love.
The hit on Love resulted in a 15-yard penalty for the Bears.
Jordan Love suffered a concussion and left the game.
Booker was fined $5,000 for each of two separate hits on Love.
Both fines were for roughing the passer, a violation in football where a player hits the quarterback, especially in a dangerous way.
Love's injury affects the Packers' chances in important upcoming games.
The details of the fines will be publicly available on Saturday.
Ivory Coast's soccer team won their first match in the Africa Cup of Nations against Mozambique with a goal from Amad Diallo. Despite many missed opportunities, Diallo's goal in the second half secured a 1-0 victory for Ivory Coast. The game took place in Morocco in rainy conditions.
Key Facts
Ivory Coast won 1-0 against Mozambique in their opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Amad Diallo scored the only goal in the 49th minute.
The match was played in Morocco under rainy conditions.
Wilfried Zaha returned to international play after two years, missing several scoring opportunities.
Franck Kessie had two direct shots saved by the Mozambique goalkeeper.
Mozambique has not won a match in the tournament since their debut in 1986.
Dominguez, a Mozambique player, became the second oldest outfield player in the tournament's history at 42 years old.
Travis Kelce, a well-known player for the Kansas City Chiefs, might be playing his last home game at Arrowhead Stadium against the Denver Broncos. Rumors about Kelce's retirement have increased, with a prediction market suggesting a 67% chance that he will stop playing after this season. The Chiefs will also move to a new stadium in Kansas in 2031.
Key Facts
The Kansas City Chiefs plan to leave Arrowhead Stadium for a new stadium in Kansas in 2031.
Travis Kelce might play his last home game for the Chiefs on Christmas against the Denver Broncos.
Talks about Kelce's retirement have increased since last season's Super Bowl loss.
A prediction site, Polymarket, shows a 67% chance that Kelce will retire at the end of the season.
The Chiefs have lost four key players to injuries, weakening the team further.
Kelce was named to his 11th Pro Bowl, placing him among the top tight ends in NFL history.
The Chiefs were eliminated from the postseason, and their quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, suffered a serious injury.
Kelce is planning to marry pop star Taylor Swift, which could signal a change in his career path.
The California Golden Bears will play against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in the Hawaii Bowl on December 24, 2025. The game will be shown on ESPN and streamed on Fubo. Both teams have strong quarterbacks leading their offenses.
Key Facts
The California Golden Bears have a 7-5 win-loss record.
The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors have an 8-4 win-loss record.
The game will take place at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.
California's Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has made 453 passing attempts this season.
Hawaii's Micah Alejado averages 283.2 passing yards per game.
The last game between California and Hawaii was in 2016, with California winning 51-31.
The game is broadcast on ESPN and can be streamed on Fubo.
Algeria won their opening match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, beating Sudan 3-0. Riyad Mahrez scored two goals, and Algeria played against a team reduced to 10 players after a red card. Algeria showed improvement after struggling in previous tournaments.
Key Facts
Algeria defeated Sudan 3-0 in their first game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Riyad Mahrez scored two of Algeria's goals.
The match was played at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
Sudan had a player, Salaheldin Adil, sent off before halftime.
Algeria's Ibrahim Maza scored the third goal to seal the victory.
Zinedine Zidane was present at the match, as his son played in goal for Algeria.
This win marks a better start for Algeria compared to their early exits in the last two tournaments.
Sudan has won only once in their last 17 Africa Cup of Nations matches since 1970.
LSU's new head coach Lane Kiffin is looking for a new quarterback to join the team. With current quarterback Garrett Nussmeier planning to leave, LSU is exploring options in the transfer portal. Florida quarterback DJ Lagway, who announced he will enter the transfer portal, is one of the players LSU has contacted.
Key Facts
Lance Kiffin is the new head coach for LSU.
LSU's current quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is planning to leave.
LSU is searching for quarterbacks in the transfer portal.
Trinidad Chambliss from Ole Miss is a potential option, but his eligibility is uncertain.
DJ Lagway, Florida's quarterback, has been contacted by LSU.
DJ Lagway announced he will enter the transfer portal starting January 2.
Lagway has a history of strong performance with 2,264 passing yards and 16 touchdowns in the current season.
Former Florida head coach Steve Spurrier suggested Baylor might be a fit for Lagway.
The Kansas City Chiefs will not make the playoffs this NFL season, their first miss since 2014. The team announced plans to build a new stadium in Kansas by 2031, and player Chris Jones commented that he likely won't be playing by then.
Key Facts
The Chiefs' current record is 6-9, and they rank third in the AFC West.
Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs' quarterback, is out for the season due to a knee injury.
The new stadium in Wyandotte County, Kansas, is set to open in 2031.
Chris Jones, a key Chiefs player, mentioned he won't be playing by the time the new stadium opens.
Jones has been with the Chiefs since being drafted in 2016 and has earned several accolades.
The stadium project is part of a $3 billion development plan, funded publicly and privately.
By 2031, Chris Jones will be 37 years old, an age by which many players in his position have retired.
The Toronto Blue Jays likely won't keep pitcher Chris Bassitt for the next season after adding new players to their team. Bassitt, who performed well last postseason, may consider joining the San Francisco Giants, who need more starting pitchers.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays added two new pitchers to their starting lineup and might not retain Chris Bassitt.
Bassitt has played for the Blue Jays since 2023 with a 3.89 ERA over 96 games.
Last season, he had a 3.96 ERA and moved to the bullpen during the playoffs, where he excelled with a 1.04 ERA in seven appearances.
Bassitt is open to finding a team where he can start games, and the San Francisco Giants need starting pitchers.
The Giants signed Adrian Houser and have Logan Webb and Robbie Ray in their rotation but have spots to fill.
Bassitt was an All-Star in 2021 with the Oakland Athletics and is known for his durability, starting 163 games since 2020.
