German player Arno Merk defeated two-time champion Peter Wright in straight sets at the PDC World Championship. Merk, who is new to the tournament, won convincingly by taking advantage of Wright's struggles. The tournament will take a break for Christmas and continue with the third round on December 27.
Key Facts
Arno Merk defeated Peter Wright with a score of 3-0 in the second round.
Peter Wright previously won the World Championship in 2020 and 2022.
Wright only hit two out of 15 double attempts, while Merk completed nine out of 19.
Merk achieved an average score of 92.17 in his match against Wright.
Daryl Gurney lost to Callan Rydz in a different match of the day.
Ryan Meikle and Jermaine Wattimena also won their respective matches.
The tournament will resume on December 27 after a Christmas break.
The Los Angeles Lakers have received unexpected injury news before their game against the Phoenix Suns. Austin Reaves is set to return from an injury after being out for nearly two weeks, while Luka Doncic will remain sidelined.
Key Facts
The Lakers will play the Phoenix Suns, who have a current record of 15-13.
Austin Reaves will return to play after missing time due to a left calf injury.
Luka Doncic will not play because of a left leg contusion.
The Lakers lost to the San Antonio Spurs on December 10, which Reaves missed due to his injury.
Reaves has been a top performer for the Lakers, averaging career highs in several categories, including points and assists.
LeBron James, who started the season with an injury, has not been performing at his usual level with Reaves and Doncic absent.
Luka Doncic is the leading scorer in the league and a key player for the Lakers.
The Lakers will also be missing Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent due to injuries, while the Suns are missing two players as well.
The Kansas City Chiefs will leave Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri and plan to move to a new, high-tech dome stadium in Kansas by around 2031. Head coach Andy Reid expressed excitement about the new facility, and owner Clark Hunt assured fans that the team's identity will remain unchanged.
Key Facts
The Kansas City Chiefs will leave Arrowhead Stadium, their home for over 53 years.
The new stadium will be a dome, built in Wyandotte County, Kansas, around 2031.
A state-of-the-art training facility is planned for Olathe, Kansas.
Head coach Andy Reid expressed enthusiasm for the new stadium.
Chiefs owner Clark Hunt stated the team's identity and traditions will remain the same.
The move will involve a multibillion-dollar project.
Some fans are upset about leaving Arrowhead Stadium, a historic sports venue.
Texas Tech's head coach, Joey McGuire, compared Oregon's football defense to Utah's, a team known for physical play in the Big 12 Conference. Texas Tech will face Oregon in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Orange Bowl on January 1. The game will test how well Texas Tech's defense can perform against Oregon's strong offensive abilities.
Key Facts
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire compared Oregon's defense to Utah's, highlighting their physical play.
Oregon defeated James Madison 51-34 in the first playoff round.
Oregon totaled 514 yards in their game against James Madison.
Texas Tech's defense is a key part of their strategy in the playoffs.
The upcoming game between Texas Tech and Oregon will be at the Orange Bowl on January 1.
Texas Tech is ranked 3rd in points per game, scoring an average of 40.4 points.
Oregon is ranked 9th in scoring, with an average of 37.5 points per game.
On December 23, 2025, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will play against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in the New Orleans Bowl at the Caesars Superdome. Both teams ended their regular seasons with losses and missed opportunities to compete in their respective conference championship games.
Key Facts
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have an 8-4 record for the season.
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles ended their season with a 7-5 record.
The game takes place on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 5:30 PM ET.
You can watch it on ESPN and ESPN Deportes or live stream it on Fubo.
Rodney Tisdale Jr. is the starting quarterback for Western Kentucky, with 1,367 passing yards.
Southern Miss head coach Charles Huff left, and Blake Anderson is now the head coach.
Western Kentucky leads the all-time series against Southern Miss 4-0.
Regional restrictions may apply for streaming services.
Andy Kosco, a former Major League Baseball outfielder, died at the age of 84. He played for several teams including the Yankees, Dodgers, and Reds during his 10-season career. After retiring from baseball, Kosco ran an insurance business in Ohio.
Key Facts
Andy Kosco played 10 seasons in Major League Baseball.
He started his MLB career with the Minnesota Twins in 1965.
Kosco played for the Yankees, Dodgers, Brewers, Angels, Red Sox, and Reds.
In 1968, he played 131 games for the Yankees, marking his first season as a regular player.
He had a career total of 73 home runs and 267 RBIs.
Kosco returned to his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, after retiring.
He owned and expanded the Goulish-Kosco Insurance business.
Kosco completed a bachelor's degree from Youngstown State University.
The Miami Hurricanes football team won against Texas A&M in the College Football Playoff and is preparing to face Ohio State. They are also making positive progress in recruiting, being favorites to sign top players Mark Matthews and David Jacobs for 2027.
Key Facts
Miami Hurricanes won 10-3 against Texas A&M in the College Football Playoff.
They will play Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl Classic on December 31.
Miami is likely to secure a commitment from Mark Matthews, a top-ranked offensive tackle.
David Jacobs, a highly-ranked defensive end, might also commit to Miami.
Miami's recruiting class is ranked No. 8 in the country for both 2026 and 2027.
The team already has commitments from several highly ranked recruits, including Demarcus Deroche, Ah’Mari Stevens, Jaylyn Jones, and Zaquon Linton.
The New York Mets have seen significant changes this offseason, parting ways with several key players and adding new ones. The team is undergoing a transition in its clubhouse, with efforts to improve by signing new talent.
Key Facts
The Mets have let go of players Edwin Diaz, Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Jeff McNeil through free agency or trades.
These changes suggest that the organization is aiming to make a significant shift in team dynamics.
An anonymous rival executive described the previous Mets' clubhouse environment as problematic.
The team signed Devin Williams for three years at $51 million and Luke Weaver for two years at $22 million.
Jorge Polanco joined the Mets with a two-year, $40 million contract as a replacement for Pete Alonso, who joined the Baltimore Orioles.
The Mets are still looking to add a right-handed batter, a left fielder, and strengthen their starting rotation and bullpen.
The offseason activities indicate that the team will continue to make new signings before winter ends.
Knox Kiffin, son of LSU football coach Lane Kiffin, announced he will not play for his father at LSU. Knox, a young quarterback, has received offers from California and Washington and plans to play high school football at University High in Louisiana. Lane Kiffin is currently looking for a quarterback for the 2026 season.
Key Facts
Knox Kiffin is the son of LSU coach Lane Kiffin.
Knox stated he will not join LSU, expressing a desire to compete against his father instead.
He has received offers from California and Washington.
Knox will play for University High School in Louisiana.
Lane Kiffin is looking for a quarterback through the 2026 transfer portal.
Some potential quarterback candidates for LSU include Sam Leavitt, DJ Lagway, and Byrum Brown.
Liverpool faces the challenge of playing without Alexander Isak, who is injured for about two months. The team's manager, Arne Slot, might need to change the team's strategy to cope with Isak's absence. Hugo Ekitike is currently performing well, which may help Liverpool during this period.
Key Facts
Alexander Isak, a striker for Liverpool, is injured and expected to be out for around two months.
Isak joined Liverpool from Newcastle in the summer for £125 million.
The team manager, Arne Slot, managed a six-game unbeaten run by changing tactics.
Hugo Ekitike, another forward, has scored eight league goals this season.
Mohamed Salah is also away, playing at the African Cup of Nations.
Liverpool may consider changing their tactics or possibly recruiting another player.
Recent games had Liverpool use a midfield diamond formation to add control and defense.
The team has focused on defensive stability, reducing chances for opponents to counter-attack.
The article discusses a special offer from BetMGM for people interested in betting on NBA games during Christmas week. It explains how users can use a bonus code to receive up to $1,500 in bonus bets if their initial wager loses. The article also mentions NFL games and various betting opportunities related to Christmas week games.
Key Facts
BetMGM offers a bonus code called NEWSWEEK for NBA betting during Christmas week.
New users can place a bet of up to $1,500 with a bonus refund if the first bet loses.
Specific NBA games mentioned include Pelicans vs. Cavaliers, Bucks vs. Pacers, and Lakers vs. Suns.
Additional betting options are available for NHL, college football, and college basketball.
A separate NFL betting opportunity is available with the "Second Chance" offer for Christmas games like Cowboys vs. Commanders.
Users in NJ, PA, MI, and WV have a unique offer involving winning a $10 bet for a $150 bonus.
Users must fill in personal information and make a deposit to participate.
BetMGM incentives include loyalty program perks and betting bonuses.
The podcast "All In With Ashley," hosted by Ashley Haas, discusses NFL Week 16. Ashley talks about playoff updates and interviews Megan Stefanski, the 2024 NFL Fan of the Year, about her journey to winning the title.
Key Facts
Ashley Haas hosts a podcast called "All In With Ashley."
The latest episode covers NFL Week 16 and the playoff picture.
Megan Stefanski won the 2024 NFL Fan of the Year award.
Megan was first nominated by the Detroit Lions before winning the league-wide title.
During the podcast, Ashley and Megan talk about what they would do to ensure a Super Bowl win for their favorite teams, the Eagles and the Lions.
Former NBA All-Star Ben Simmons has decided to retire from professional basketball to pursue a career in competitive sport fishing. He is now leading the South Florida Sails club in a fishing league called the Sport Fishing Championship, which features 16 teams across the U.S.
Key Facts
Ben Simmons was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Simmons was once considered a future star of the NBA.
He faced challenges in his basketball career, including on-court performance anxiety.
Simmons has decided to focus on competitive sport fishing as a team operator.
The Sport Fishing Championship is a professional league with 16 teams.
Simmons was last seen playing for the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2024-25 NBA season.
He averaged 2.9 points and played 16 minutes per game in his last season.
Simmons sees the Sport Fishing Championship as an upcoming sports league similar to pickleball and cricket.
The article discusses a promotion by Bet365 Sportsbook offering new players a bonus for betting on NBA games. New users can use the bonus code WEEK365 to receive a $150 bonus with a $5 wager or a $1,000 safety net bet in certain states. Additional betting options like bet boosts are also available for NBA games.
Key Facts
Bet365 Sportsbook offers a $150 bonus for a $5 bet on any NBA game using the code WEEK365.
A $365 bonus is available for new users in Missouri.
A $1,000 safety net bet is offered in select states, including AZ, CO, IA, IN, KY, LA, MD, NC, OH, and VA.
Bet boosts are available for NBA games on Tuesday night, offering enhanced odds on specific bets.
Creating a new Bet365 account requires using the bonus code and depositing at least $10.
Newsweek may receive an affiliate commission for sign-ups through article links.
The Ohio State Buckeyes will play the Miami Hurricanes in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on December 31. ESPN predicts that Ohio State has a 70.5% chance to win the game and advance in the College Football Playoff. The game will feature talented players and strong teams, with Ohio State favored to win.
Key Facts
Ohio State and Miami will face off in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on December 31.
ESPN's predictor gives Ohio State a 70.5% chance to win the game.
The game will be a matchup between quarterbacks Julian Sayin from Ohio State and Carson Beck from Miami.
Ohio State's offense is led by Julian Sayin and receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate.
Matt Patricia is Ohio State's first-year defensive coordinator.
Miami's offense includes running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and receiver Malachi Toney.
The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on December 31 and will air on ESPN.
The Cleveland Browns announced that their running back, Quinshon Judkins, had successful surgery on a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle. He is expected to recover in 4-5 months and will likely return to practice in the spring.
Key Facts
Quinshon Judkins plays as a running back for the Cleveland Browns.
He injured his leg during a game against the Buffalo Bills in Week 16.
Judkins' injury includes a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle.
The injury required surgery, which was successful.
Judkins is estimated to recover in 4-5 months and could be back in practice by spring.
During his rookie season, Judkins gained 827 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
He was a second-round draft pick from Ohio State, selected 36th overall.
The College Football Playoff has begun with a 12-team format, and four teams have advanced to the quarterfinals: Ohio State, Miami, Oregon, and Ole Miss. Sports commentator David Pollack believes Ohio State is the top contender to win the national title, citing their strong performance and both their top-ranked offense and defense as key factors.
Key Facts
Ohio State, Miami, Oregon, and Ole Miss won in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Ohio State will face Miami in the quarterfinals at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl.
David Pollack named Ohio State as the team most likely to win the national championship.
Ohio State finished its regular season with a 12–1 record and is the defending national champion.
Freshman quarterback Julian Sayin has led Ohio State’s offense with 3,323 passing yards and 31 touchdowns.
Ohio State’s defense is ranked first nationally in both total defense and scoring defense.
Miami won its first-round game against Texas A&M with a score of 10–3, showcasing strong defense.
Miami’s defense ranks 11th in yards allowed and sixth in scoring defense nationally.
The article explains how to use a special promo code from Newsweek when signing up for the Betr app. The promo offers a $210 bonus for people betting on NBA games, consisting of a $10 instant bonus and a $200 deposit match. The app provides different betting options and discounts on various players' projections.
Key Facts
By using the Betr promo code "NEWSWEEK," users can get a $210 bonus.
The bonus includes a $10 sign-up bonus and up to $200 extra through a 50% deposit match.
The promo is available for basketball (NBA) daily fantasy contests.
The app offers different types of bets and discounts on player points projections.
There are other promotions like the 2-Pick Mystery Multiplier, which can enhance winnings.
Users can also participate in betting on other sports, including NFL and college football.
Signing up requires providing personal details and making a deposit using a debit card or PayPal.
Newsweek might earn a commission if users sign up through their links.
The Toronto Blue Jays are considering moves if they can't sign free agent Kyle Tucker. They might focus on resigning Bo Bichette and are also looking at Cody Bellinger. Signing both players could strengthen their team without spending too much on Tucker.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays have shown interest in free agent Kyle Tucker.
Tucker is considered the top free agent and has visited the Blue Jays' facility in Florida.
Bo Bichette is an internal candidate who could receive investment if Tucker is not signed.
Cody Bellinger is a potential alternative for the Blue Jays if Tucker signs elsewhere.
Bellinger had a strong performance last season with a batting average of .272 and 29 home runs.
The Blue Jays could move Bo Bichette to second base to accommodate their roster.
Signing both Bichette and Bellinger could be a more budget-friendly option than pursuing Tucker.
The New York Yankees are looking to strengthen their team by potentially trading for Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta. The Yankees need to improve their pitching and overall lineup to compete in their league. Adding Peralta might help address their current issues with injuries and the need for a strong starting pitcher.
Key Facts
The New York Yankees seek to strengthen their team through trades and possibly acquiring pitcher Freddy Peralta.
Alexander Wilson of Empire Sports Media predicted this potential trade.
The Yankees have a history of trades with the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Yankees recently re-signed pitcher Paul Blackburn for one year to add depth.
There are concerns about injuries in the Yankees' current pitching staff.
The Yankees have the financial ability to re-sign Peralta when his current contract ends.
The team aims to improve its chances of winning the World Series.
