Tom Brady, now an NFL game analyst and part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, discussed his observations on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Brady praised Mendoza's performance in his championship-winning season and mentioned areas for future improvement as Mendoza approaches the NFL Draft. While Brady did not confirm the Raiders' choice for their top draft pick, he noted Mendoza's impressive qualities as a player.
Key Facts
Tom Brady works as a game analyst for Fox Sports and has a minority ownership in the Las Vegas Raiders.
Fernando Mendoza, an Indiana quarterback, won the Heisman Trophy and led his team to a 16-0 season, winning the National Championship.
Tom Brady attended the championship game to observe Mendoza.
Brady praised Mendoza's maturity and potential but noted development is still needed for professional play.
Brady stressed the importance of player dedication and passion for the sport.
The Raiders are considering Mendoza for their top NFL Draft pick, but no decision has been made public yet.
North Carolina Tar Heels will face off against NC State Wolfpack in a college wrestling match at Reynolds Coliseum. The event is scheduled for Friday, January 23, 2026, and will be broadcast on the ACCNX channel with streaming available on ESPN. Both teams are nationally ranked, and fans can expect competitive matches.
Key Facts
The wrestling match is between North Carolina Tar Heels and NC State Wolfpack.
The event takes place on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET.
It will occur at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The match is part of the NCAA college wrestling season.
North Carolina is currently ranked No. 11, while NC State is ranked No. 8.
The match will be shown on the TV channel ACCNX and live-streamed on ESPN platforms.
North Carolina aims for its first victory over NC State since 2013.
NC State seeks its 13th consecutive win against North Carolina in this series.
The Indiana Hoosiers will face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in an NCAA men's college basketball game. The game will take place on January 23, 2026, at 6:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on FOX Sports 1. The Hoosiers have been struggling recently, while Rutgers needs a win to improve their season record.
Key Facts
Indiana Hoosiers have a season record of 12 wins and 7 losses.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights have a season record of 9 wins and 10 losses.
The game will be played at the Rutgers Athletic Center.
The match will be broadcast on FOX Sports 1.
Lamar Wilkerson, Tucker DeVries, and Tayton Conerway are key players for Indiana.
Rutgers has scored an average of 70.3 points per game this season.
Rutgers' shooting percentage is 40.9%, ranking 341st out of 365 teams in the NCAA.
Fans can live stream the game through Fubo, and a free trial is available.
Travis Kelce, a player for the Kansas City Chiefs, has decided not to participate in the Pro Bowl Games this Super Bowl week. This decision could indicate he might undergo surgery and raises questions about whether he will play next season.
Key Facts
Travis Kelce is a player for the Kansas City Chiefs and has been to three consecutive Super Bowls.
He was invited to play in the "Pro Bowl Games" but chose not to participate.
Dalton Kincaid from the Buffalo Bills will replace him at the Pro Bowl.
Kelce may need surgery on his PCL (a ligament in the knee) this offseason.
His decision to return next season is still uncertain.
If Kelce retires, it could help the Chiefs financially by giving them more flexibility in acquiring new players.
Kelce is planning to get married to Taylor Swift this summer in Rhode Island.
Aston Villa is close to signing Tammy Abraham from Besiktas for £18 million. Abraham is expected to finalize the move to Villa Park over the weekend. Villa aims to strengthen their team after selling a player to Roma.
Key Facts
Aston Villa is negotiating an £18 million deal to sign Tammy Abraham from Besiktas.
Tammy Abraham is 28 years old and currently plays as a striker.
He joined Besiktas on loan from Roma, with Besiktas having an option to buy him for £12 million.
Villa manager Unai Emery considers Abraham a priority to support player Ollie Watkins.
Abraham played regularly at Roma and helped them win the Conference League.
Villa's president of football operations, Roberto Olabe, traveled to Turkey to watch Abraham play.
As part of the agreement, Villa's defender Yasin Ozcan may move to Besiktas.
Abraham previously played for Villa on loan in the 2018-19 season, helping them return to the Premier League.
The New York Yankees claimed outfielder Michael Siani off waivers after he was designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers. To make room for Siani, the Yankees designated pitcher Kaleb Ort for assignment. Siani is recognized for his strong defensive skills but has struggled offensively.
Key Facts
The Yankees picked up outfielder Michael Siani from the Dodgers to bolster their roster.
Siani is known for his excellent defense, playing all three outfield positions effectively.
He has played 160 MLB games with strong defensive stats like 7 Defensive Runs Saved.
Siani's offensive performance is below average, with a batting line of .221/.277/.270 in MLB.
The Dodgers initially claimed Siani off waivers but moved on due to roster needs.
To add Siani, the Yankees made space by designating Kaleb Ort for assignment.
The Yankees also recently re-signed outfielder Cody Bellinger to a long-term deal.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame ceremony took place on January 23, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kurt Busch, Harry Gant, and Ray Hendrick were inducted into the Hall of Fame. The live event was available for streaming on various platforms.
Key Facts
The NASCAR Hall of Fame ceremony took place on January 23, 2026.
Kurt Busch, Harry Gant, and Ray Hendrick were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Kurt Busch is known for winning the 2004 Cup and the Daytona 500.
Harry Gant has 18 Cup race wins and is a favorite among fans.
Ray Hendrick had a very successful racing career, with likely over 700 wins.
The ceremony was held in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The event streamed live on platforms like Tubi and The Roku Channel.
H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler received the Landmark Award for contributions to NASCAR.
Fernando Mendoza recently led the Indiana Hoosiers to their first national championship and has declared for the NFL draft. He is likely to be drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders. Mendoza expressed gratitude for any team that chooses him, though the Raiders are a likely option.
Key Facts
Fernando Mendoza was the quarterback of the Indiana Hoosiers, who won their first national championship.
Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy, which is a top award for college football players.
He declared for the NFL draft and might be picked first by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Mendoza appeared on several TV shows like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and the TODAY Show.
He previously played for California before transferring to Indiana.
The Raiders are looking for a new head coach, and Mendoza could join their team with other notable players.
Mendoza spoke positively about the Raiders' organization and culture.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have dominated recent tennis Grand Slam events. They have shared the last eight titles and are often seen competing against each other in finals. Some people worry this might make men's tennis matches less exciting if their dominance continues.
Key Facts
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have shared the last eight Grand Slam titles.
They have faced each other in the last three Grand Slam finals.
Pat Cash, a former Wimbledon champion, commented that having only two top players is not ideal.
Both players have performed strongly in the early rounds of the current Melbourne tournament.
Historical tennis rivalries involved more players, such as Andy Murray, who challenged the dominance of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.
Other top players have struggled to beat Alcaraz and Sinner in recent matches.
Billie Jean King believes unpredictability is part of the appeal of sports despite top players' dominance.
LeBron James' time with the Los Angeles Lakers might be coming to an end. The relationship between James and the Lakers has become strained, partly due to tensions with former team owner Jeanie Buss.
Key Facts
LeBron James has been with the Los Angeles Lakers longer continuously than his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers or Miami Heat.
James is on a one-year contract with the Lakers, and the relationship has reportedly worsened recently.
An ESPN report indicated tensions between James and Jeanie Buss over their deteriorating relationship.
Although the Buss family sold the team, Jeanie Buss remains involved as team governor.
NBA insider Shams Charania discussed the likely end of James' time with the Lakers.
James has a no-trade clause but might consider leaving for a team with a chance to win the championship.
The Golden State Warriors have shown interest in James as a potential offseason acquisition.
Aaron Sanchez, a former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher, is attracting attention from Major League Baseball (MLB) teams after being named Pitcher of the Year in the Dominican Winter League. Sanchez had not played professionally in 2025 but showed strong performance in the Dominican league, leading to renewed MLB interest.
Key Facts
Aaron Sanchez used to play for the Toronto Blue Jays and was once an All-Star.
He won the Pitcher of the Year award in the Dominican Winter League.
Sanchez did not pitch professionally in 2025 but performed well in the Dominican league.
In the Dominican Winter League, he had a 1.55 ERA over 45.1 innings.
Sanchez's MLB career started in 2014 and he had his best season in 2016.
He struggled with injuries and had higher ERAs in later MLB seasons.
Sanchez played for the Washington Nationals and Minnesota Twins in his last MLB season in 2022.
MLB teams are interested in him as a potential addition to their pitching staff.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have adopted a strategy similar to Bobby Bonilla's famous contract deferral approach to manage their player salaries. This method allows them to spread out payments over time, reducing immediate financial burden and potentially lowering taxes. The Dodgers' recent player acquisitions highlight the use of this strategy.
Key Facts
Bobby Bonilla is known for popularizing deferred contract payments in baseball.
The Dodgers use contract deferrals to manage costs and attract top players.
Shohei Ohtani will defer $680 million of his $700 million contract with the Dodgers.
Kyle Tucker will defer $30 million of his $240 million contract.
Deferrals help teams reduce luxury tax payments and have more funds to enhance rosters.
Deferred payments are not taxed in some states if players do not work there when they receive the money.
Former NFL quarterback Ben Roethlisberger advised the Pittsburgh Steelers not to draft a new quarterback in the upcoming years. He believes the team should focus on building a strong overall team first, rather than selecting a quarterback to build around.
Key Facts
Ben Roethlisberger played quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 18 seasons.
The Steelers have struggled to find a strong new quarterback since Roethlisberger left.
Roethlisberger suggests the Steelers wait 2-3 years before drafting a new quarterback.
He recommends building a strong team before adding a new quarterback.
Roethlisberger was the 11th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft.
The Steelers currently have the 21st overall pick in the upcoming draft.
Kurt Busch is being inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina. His brother, Kyle Busch, congratulated him publicly for his successful racing career. Kurt Busch's induction celebrates his achievements, including victories in several major NASCAR races.
Key Facts
Kurt Busch will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC.
This is his first year being eligible for the Hall of Fame.
The induction ceremony takes place on January 23, 2026.
Kyle Busch congratulated his brother on social media.
Kurt Busch's notable wins include the 2004 Cup Series and the 2017 Daytona 500.
He won the Coca-Cola 600 in 2010 and the All-Star Race the same year.
The San Francisco Giants have signed 29-year-old right-handed pitcher Brad Deppermann. He previously played for the Chicago Cubs' minor league teams and signed a minor-league contract with the Giants.
Key Facts
Brad Deppermann was originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2014 and again in 2019.
He played five years in college before entering professional baseball.
Deppermann had a solid season at the Double-A level last year with a 2.76 ERA.
He retired from baseball for a year between May 2023 and June 2024.
After returning, he achieved a 0.67 ERA in 27 innings during the latter half of 2024.
Deppermann signed a minor-league deal with the San Francisco Giants in November 2024.
At 29, he is considered experienced but not a young prospect.
Michigan hired Kyle Whittingham as their new head football coach after the 2024 season. Whittingham, who previously coached at Utah, signed a contract with Michigan that includes a base salary of $8 million and a potential signing bonus. Under the agreement, Michigan must pay a part of the remaining contract if Whittingham is fired without cause.
Key Facts
Kyle Whittingham is the new head football coach at the University of Michigan.
He previously coached the Utah Utes from 2024 to 2025 and had 177 wins and 88 losses during his tenure.
Whittingham's base salary at Michigan starts at $8 million and increases by $100,000 each year.
He may receive a $2.3 million signing bonus, decided by the athletic director.
If Michigan fires Whittingham without cause, they must pay 75% of his remaining contract.
Michigan signed offensive coordinator Jason Beck and defensive coordinator Jay Hill to multi-million-dollar deals.
The contracts for the three top coaches will total $13.6 million in 2026.
The Los Angeles Dodgers receive a special tax exemption of about $66 million each year from Major League Baseball (MLB). This arrangement started after the team filed for bankruptcy in 2011 and will last until 2039. The exemption allows the Dodgers to keep more of their local TV revenue.
Key Facts
The Dodgers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2011.
After this, MLB taxed the Dodgers' TV deal as if they were still bankrupt.
This tax exemption lets the Dodgers save about $66 million every year.
The exemption will last until 2039.
Normally, MLB teams must share a large part of their local TV money with other teams.
The Dodgers' TV deal with Time Warner Cable is worth about $8 billion over five years.
If taxed normally, the Dodgers would owe about $95.2 million a year in revenue sharing.
This tax break gives the Dodgers an advantage over other MLB teams.
The Seattle Mariners' player Eugenio Suárez became a free agent and has not yet signed with a new team. ESPN predicts he might join the Pittsburgh Pirates, who need more powerful hitters in their lineup.
Key Facts
Eugenio Suárez was with the Seattle Mariners last season.
Suárez became a free agent after the postseason ended.
ESPN suggests Suárez might sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pirates need power hitters for their lineup.
Suárez could potentially sign a deal for around two years and $40 million.
His addition could help the Pirates improve their team performance next season.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning recently had foot surgery during the offseason to address a previous injury. Despite his injuries last season, he played every game, and he aims to start the 2026 season in good health. Other Texas players also had surgeries to prepare for a crucial upcoming season.
Key Facts
Arch Manning is the quarterback for Texas and had foot surgery during the offseason.
Manning's surgery is a preventive measure to ensure good health for the 2026 season.
Despite injuries last season, Manning did not miss any games.
Other Texas players, including Xavier Filsaime and Ty’Anthony Smith, also had surgeries.
The upcoming 2026 season is important for Texas and Manning's future prospects.
Texas recruited top players like Cam Coleman to strengthen their team.
Texas is investing heavily in NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, adding pressure to perform well.
The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Chicago Bears in a playoff game after an important interception by Rams safety Kam Curl. The play helped the Rams move forward in the playoffs, where they will next face the Seattle Seahawks.
Key Facts
The Rams beat the Bears in an NFC Divisional Round playoff game.
The game went into overtime after the Bears scored a touchdown.
Bears player Caleb Williams tried to pass to DJ Moore, but Rams' Kam Curl intercepted it.
The interception set up a field goal that won the game for the Rams.
DJ Moore received criticism for his route during the play that led to the interception.
Kam Curl explained his perspective during a TV interview, noting the play's importance in stopping the Bears.
After this win, the Rams will play against the Seattle Seahawks in their next playoff game.
