Former Major League Baseball pitcher Mike Campbell, who played for several teams including the Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs, has died at the age of 61. The King County Medical Examiner confirmed his death, but the cause is not yet known. Campbell, a first-round draft pick in 1985, had a professional baseball career that spanned several teams and also included a season in Japan.
Key Facts
Mike Campbell was a Major League Baseball pitcher and first-round draft pick in 1985.
He debuted with the Seattle Mariners in 1987 and played his last MLB game with the Chicago Cubs in 1996.
Campbell's career included playing for teams such as the Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers, and San Diego Padres.
He played one season in Japan for the Yokohama Bay Stars in 1997.
Injuries, including a critical shoulder injury, limited his appearances in the major leagues.
Campbell retired with a career record of 12 wins and 19 losses in MLB.
After retiring from baseball, he co-owned a desserts franchise at Safeco Field and other sports venues.
The Las Vegas Raiders football team hired Pete Carroll as their coach to improve their performance. However, their first season under his leadership did not go well, leading experts to believe the team might replace him. There are concerns about the difficulty of finding a new coach since the team has had frequent coaching changes and struggles to improve.
Key Facts
The Las Vegas Raiders hired Pete Carroll to improve the team but had a disappointing season, with a 2-12 record.
The team might replace Carroll after only one season as head coach.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell ranked the Raiders' head coach position as unattractive for potential candidates.
The Raiders have had four different head coaches over the past nine seasons.
Carroll's three-year plan for the team seems unlikely to succeed after the poor first year.
The Raiders are in a position to get the No. 1 draft pick next year, which could attract a new coach.
Concerns exist about the team's ability to sustain long-term success due to frequent coaching changes.
The Las Vegas Raiders need to assure a potential new coach that they will have enough time to improve the team.
The Alabama Crimson Tide football team is preparing to play against Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff. Kalen DeBoer, Alabama's coach, emphasized the importance of players giving their best effort and dismissed speculation about him leaving for another coaching job. Alabama has faced distractions recently but remains focused on their upcoming game.
Key Facts
Alabama Crimson Tide is ranked No. 9 and will face No. 8 Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff.
Oklahoma is favored to win the game by 1.5 points according to ESPN BET.
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer has a record of 0-2 against Oklahoma during his time with the team.
Oklahoma beat Alabama earlier this season 23-21 in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama struggled towards the end of the regular season, including a loss to No. 3 Georgia.
There was speculation about DeBoer possibly leaving Alabama for a job at Michigan, which he has publicly denied.
DeBoer commended his players for handling distractions well throughout the season.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank believes he has the backing of both the club and his players despite a challenging period with the team. Tottenham recently lost 3-0 to Nottingham Forest and has only one win in their last seven Premier League games, standing 11th in the league. Frank emphasizes long-term goals and says that improving the team's performance will take time.
Key Facts
Thomas Frank is the manager of the Tottenham Hotspur football team.
Tottenham recently lost a game 3-0 to Nottingham Forest.
The team has had only one win in their last seven Premier League games.
Tottenham is currently 11th in the league with 22 points from 16 games.
Frank insists that the players support him and his approach.
Centre-back Micky van de Ven expressed surprise that the previous coach, Ange Postecoglou, was sacked.
Frank previously managed Brentford before joining Tottenham in June.
Frank feels confident about improving the team over time and mentions the need for patience.
Mike Ashley, former owner of Newcastle United, is one of two final bidders looking to buy Sheffield Wednesday. The club is in administration and needs new ownership to improve its financial situation. If Ashley or the other American bidders are successful, one of them will take control of Sheffield Wednesday soon.
Key Facts
Mike Ashley is a leading candidate to buy Sheffield Wednesday after owning Newcastle United from 2007 to 2021.
Sheffield Wednesday went into administration in October, ending Dejphon Chansiri's ten-year ownership.
The club needs new ownership to meet financial obligations, including paying about £35 million to creditors.
The English Football League (EFL) requires that creditors be paid a minimum of 25% to avoid a 15-point penalty.
The club's current points deduction makes an immediate return to the Championship difficult if further penalties occur.
Ashley's return to football would require EFL approval.
Ashley has been linked with other clubs and helped Coventry City by buying its ground.
Several well-known Los Angeles Clippers figures are on the list of nominees for the 2027 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Blake Griffin, Doc Rivers, and Jamal Crawford are some of the notable names highlighted.
Key Facts
Blake Griffin, a six-time All-Star, is one of the nominees.
Doc Rivers, former head coach of the Clippers, is also on the list.
Jamal Crawford, known for being a top "Sixth Man of the Year," is nominated.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the nominees.
These individuals have significantly contributed to the Clippers' basketball history.
Oregon's College Football Playoff game against James Madison University is approaching, and attention is on their quarterback, Dante Moore. Analysts suggest if Oregon performs well, Moore could become a top NFL draft pick in 2026. Moore's first season with Oregon saw him achieve significant passing and rushing yards.
Key Facts
Oregon is playing against James Madison University in the College Football Playoff's first round.
Oregon has won 11 out of 12 games, only losing to Indiana.
Oregon is the 5th seed, and James Madison University is the 12th seed in the matchup.
Dante Moore is Oregon's quarterback and is gaining attention as a top NFL draft prospect.
ESPN analyst Jordan Rodgers believes Moore could surpass Indiana's Fernando Mendoza as the top prospect.
Dante Moore transferred from UCLA and became Oregon's starting quarterback this season.
Moore threw for 2,733 yards, made 24 touchdowns, and had 6 interceptions in his first year at Oregon.
Dylan Raiola, Nebraska's starting quarterback, has entered the college football transfer portal, meaning he will leave the team. TJ Lateef, Raiola's backup, will now take the starting position and lead the team in their upcoming Las Vegas Bowl game against Utah.
Key Facts
Dylan Raiola entered the college football transfer portal, leaving Nebraska.
Nebraska is preparing for a bowl game against the Utah Utes in Las Vegas.
TJ Lateef, Raiola's backup, will now be the starting quarterback for Nebraska.
Lateef expressed gratitude for Raiola's influence during their time together.
Lateef is a 6-foot-1 freshman known for his performance against UCLA, with 205 passing yards and three touchdowns in that game.
The Las Vegas Bowl game will happen on December 31 at Allegiant Stadium.
Lateef has played in six games this season, completing 59 of 75 pass attempts for 722 yards and four touchdowns.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, a basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks, has recently been involved in trade rumors. Despite being injured, teams are interested in trading for him, but he has denied any attempts to leave the Bucks. The Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and Minnesota Timberwolves are currently seen as potential destinations for him.
Key Facts
Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently a player for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Trade rumors about him have been circulating, but he denies wanting a trade.
He is out with a calf injury and expected to return in 2026.
The Milwaukee Bucks are experiencing a challenging season with an 11-17 record.
Potential teams interested in Antetokounmpo include the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Houston Rockets are not pursuing a trade for him.
Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, and the ACC commissioner, Jim Phillips, met to discuss their relationship after Notre Dame missed the College Football Playoffs in favor of Miami. This decision affected Notre Dame's ties with the ACC, as they play most sports in this conference, except for football and hockey. The meeting reportedly went well, suggesting that Notre Dame and the ACC will continue to work together.
Key Facts
Notre Dame missed the final spot in the College Football Playoffs, which went to Miami.
The ACC supported Miami, a conference member, over Notre Dame for the playoff spot.
Notre Dame participates in the ACC for sports other than football and hockey.
Notre Dame operates as an independent in football, playing many ACC teams.
The meeting between Notre Dame and ACC leaders reportedly lasted two hours and was productive.
Discussions aimed to maintain the partnership between Notre Dame and the ACC.
Notre Dame had considered relationships with other conferences like the Big Ten or SEC.
Lane Kiffin chose to take a coaching job at LSU instead of at Florida. One reason is that LSU has more money and resources available for its sports programs. Coaching at LSU is considered easier due to its strong reputation and financial backing.
Key Facts
LSU and Florida both sought to hire Lane Kiffin as their head football coach.
Florida hired Jon Sumrall as head coach and David Caldwell as general manager for football operations.
LSU's job is considered more prestigious and financially supported than Florida's.
LSU can offer more Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) money to players, which is money athletes can earn based on their popularity.
LSU is said to have a simpler power structure, with fewer influential boosters compared to Florida.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is known for investing heavily in its football programs, even before NIL became prominent.
Trick Williams, a popular WWE figure, is likely to join the main roster, moving up from WWE's NXT division. He was seen backstage at WWE's taping of "Monday Night Raw" and "Friday Night SmackDown" in Michigan, suggesting a possible upcoming appearance on the main shows.
Key Facts
Trick Williams, aged 31, has been an important figure in WWE's NXT division.
Williams has held both the NXT Championship and the TNA World Championship at the same time.
He is currently backstage during WWE's taping in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Williams is expected to be promoted to WWE's main roster soon.
He has been involved in prominent storylines with other wrestlers like Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov.
A move to the main roster could reunite him with his fiancée, a WWE wrestler on "SmackDown."
His potential switch comes at a strategic time with "Royal Rumble" and "WrestleMania" events approaching.
Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul are set to fight in Miami in an eight-round heavyweight boxing match. Joshua returns to the ring after 15 months, facing Paul, a YouTuber-turned-boxer. Boxing experts and former champions strongly favor Joshua to win the match quickly.
Key Facts
Anthony Joshua will fight Jake Paul in Miami at the Kaseya Center.
This is Joshua's first fight in 15 months.
The fight is scheduled for eight rounds in the heavyweight category.
Joshua is a two-time heavyweight world champion.
Jake Paul is a YouTuber who has started a career in boxing.
Boxing experts like Lennox Lewis and Natasha Jonas predict that Joshua will win easily.
The event features several predictions emphasizing Joshua's strength and skill over Paul.
The match has attracted significant attention, comparing the fight to differing levels in boxing expertise.
Matt Rhule, the head coach of Nebraska's college football team, is searching for a new quarterback after star recruit Dylan Raiola decided to enter the transfer portal. Rhule aims to find a player with strong skills and agility to improve the team's performance. This move is part of his efforts to enhance the team's success by 2026.
Key Facts
Matt Rhule is the head coach of Nebraska's college football team.
Rhule initially recruited Dylan Raiola, a top player from Hawaii, hoping to improve the team.
Raiola showed potential but did not meet expectations and decided to transfer.
Nebraska has had back-to-back seasons with seven wins each.
Rhule is now looking for a quarterback who can both pass and run well.
He is exploring options in the transfer portal for these playmakers.
Suggested candidates include Sam Leavitt from Arizona State and DJ Lagway from Florida.
Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim criticized a sense of entitlement among players at the club. He urged players to use criticism as motivation instead of feeling privileged. Amorim addressed recent issues regarding players' behavior and emphasized that performance, not outside influences, determines playing time.
Key Facts
Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim criticized a "feeling of entitlement" among players.
Amorim made these comments in response to recent criticisms and social media activity by players and their families.
Amorim stressed that players should use tough times as motivation to improve.
He expressed that playing time is determined by performance, not external factors like wearing a T-shirt.
Several Manchester United players are currently unavailable due to various reasons, including injuries and international duties.
Amorim praised player Bruno Fernandes for setting a strong example with his dedication.
Sir Alex Ferguson commented that it might take years for Manchester United to win the Premier League again.
The Seattle Seahawks won a game against the Los Angeles Rams, coming back from a large deficit to secure a victory in overtime. However, one of their key players, linebacker Derick Hall, received a one-game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct. He will miss the Seahawks' next game against the Carolina Panthers.
Key Facts
The Seahawks beat the Rams 38–37 in overtime.
The Seahawks' overall record improved to 12–3, leading the NFC West division.
Linebacker Derick Hall was suspended for one game due to unnecessary roughness.
Hall is accused of stepping on Rams' right guard Kevin Dotson.
Dotson was injured and did not finish the game.
Hall will return to play on December 29, after the game against the Panthers.
Hall has participated in 13 of the Seahawks' 15 games this season.
Los Angeles Rams player Puka Nacua received a $25,000 fine from the NFL for criticizing referees. His comments were made during a livestream and later on social media. This controversy comes after a game where the Rams lost to the Seattle Seahawks in overtime.
Key Facts
Puka Nacua is a player for the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL.
Nacua criticized NFL referees during a livestream with popular streamers.
He also posted a critical message about officiating on social media, which he later deleted.
The NFL fined Nacua $25,000 for these critical remarks.
The Rams lost an overtime game to the Seattle Seahawks, affecting their playoff position.
Coach Sean McVay spoke with Nacua about the controversy and understood the situation.
Nacua apologized for his remarks in a statement on Instagram.
The Rams plan to focus on upcoming games against the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals.
Alabama's tight end, Josh Cuevas, will play a limited number of snaps in the College Football Playoff game against Oklahoma due to recovering from a foot injury. Cuevas has been a key player for the team, contributing significantly in previous games this season.
Key Facts
Josh Cuevas, Alabama's tight end, will be limited to 20-25 snaps in the game against Oklahoma.
He has played over 300 yards and scored four touchdowns this season for Alabama.
Cuevas previously played under coach Kalen DeBoer at Washington before transferring to Alabama.
Earlier this month, Cuevas injured his foot during practice, causing him to miss the SEC Championship Game, which Alabama lost to Georgia.
In the season's biggest game against Oklahoma, Cuevas recorded six receptions, 80 yards, and a touchdown.
Cuevas is ranked in the Top 100 prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft according to Pro Football Focus.
The Buffalo Bills will have cornerback Christian Benford available for their upcoming game against the Cleveland Browns. Benford, who missed the previous game due to a toe injury, is now off the injury list and will play. The Bills are aiming to continue their successful season as they push for the top spot in their division.
Key Facts
The Buffalo Bills will face the Cleveland Browns this Sunday.
Cornerback Christian Benford will play, recovering from a toe injury.
Benford has made 39 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions (including one touchdown), and 2 fumble recoveries this season.
Benford was drafted by the Bills in 2022 and quickly became a key player.
The Bills have a 10-4 record and aim to lead the AFC East division.
Buffalo has won five consecutive division titles but has not reached the Super Bowl recently.
After playing the Browns, the Bills will face the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Jets.
Kalen DeBoer, who currently coaches Alabama's football team, may be considered for the Michigan Wolverines' head coach position. Rumors about this potential move gained attention as Michigan looks for a new coach after Sherrone Moore's dismissal. The odds of DeBoer leaving Alabama have increased just before an important playoff game against Oklahoma.
Key Facts
Kalen DeBoer is the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team.
Michigan is seeking a new head coach after dismissing Sherrone Moore.
DeBoer is rumored to be a candidate for the Michigan job.
Odds of DeBoer leaving Alabama have risen by 10% recently.
Alabama is preparing to play Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff (CFP).
The winner of the game will compete in the Rose Bowl against Indiana.
