The recent surge in franchise valuations, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) being sold to a global consortium led by Aryaman Vikram Birla of the Aditya Birla Group for $1.78 billion (about ₹16,600 crore) and Rajasthan Royals sold to a consortium led by US-based tech entrepreneur Kal Somani at around $1.63 billion (about ₹15,300 crore), has once again pushed the Indian Premier League (IPL) into the global spotlight. The RCB deal, involving investors such as the Aditya Birla Group, the Times of India Group and Blackstone, and the Rajasthan Royals deal, which includes investors linked to the Walmart and Ford families, highlight how IPL franchises are increasingly being treated as premium global sports assets, drawing strong private equity interest.
What began in 2008 as a domestic T20 competition has evolved into one of the most commercially powerful sporting properties in the world. Backed by record-breaking media rights, strong advertiser demand and unmatched audience reach, the IPL is now frequently compared with global heavyweights such as the National Football League (NFL), the English Premier League (EPL) and the National Basketball Association (NBA).
But where does it stand when compared with the NFL, EPL or NBA?
Advertisement
Is IPL among the world’s biggest sports leagues by revenue?
In absolute terms, the IPL still trails the world’s biggest leagues by a significant margin. The NFL remains the undisputed leader, generating over $20 billion annually, according to Statista data. The EPL reported revenues of £6 billion ($7.5 billion) for the 2022–23 season, while the NBA generates between $10–12 billion annually.
“Revenue-wise, the IPL is the smallest. The NFL is around $18–20 billion, the NBA $10–12 billion, the EPL around $8 billion, and the IPL is roughly $3.5–4 billion,” said Prashant Joglekar, lead sports business analyst at SportsBiznet. “It is the youngest kid on the block.”
Advertisement
He added that direct comparisons can be misleading.
“We should not get into this trap right now. These properties have different legacies and were built for different purposes. The EPL operates within a football system that dates back to 1888. It is not fair to compare a 150-year-old legacy with the IPL,” Joglekar said.
Advertisement
But total revenue alone does not capture the IPL’s unique strength.
Why IPL punches above its weight in global sports
Unlike most global leagues that run for several months, the IPL operates within a tightly packed two-month window, yet delivers extraordinary audience numbers and commercial returns within this limited timeframe.
The 2023 IPL season recorded over 449 million TV viewers, while digital viewership on JioCinema hit record highs.
Advertisement
This compressed format creates a distinct economic dynamic.
“If you look at the number of matches, the NFL has over 270 games, the NBA more than 1,200, and the EPL 380. The IPL has just 74 matches squeezed into two months,” Joglekar said. “If per-match revenue intensity is considered, the IPL is at the top. It is more efficient and more intense.”
Advertisement
Few leagues compress as much economic value into such a short window as the IPL.
Media rights and broadcast power drive IPL’s rise
At the heart of the IPL’s economic engine lies its media rights deal. The 2023–27 cycle fetched ₹48,390 crore ($6.2 billion), making it one of the most valuable sports media deals globally.
Advertisement
This translates into a per-match value of roughly $13–15 million, placing the IPL among the top leagues globally in terms of match-level monetisation.
The IPL’s twin revenue streams, the broadcast on Star Sports and the digital streaming on JioCinema, have further broadened audience reach and improved monetisation efficiency.
Advertisement
The format itself plays a key role in this commercial strength.
“Cricket, especially T20, is designed for brands. After every over, there is a break where ads can be inserted. Strategic time-outs and innings breaks create multiple commercial slots,” Joglekar said. “This gives it a structural advantage over sports like football, which has continuous play.”
Advertisement
This is why IPL teams are increasingly viewed less as conventional cricket clubs and more as scarce media-linked assets.
But Joglekar also flagged a constraint. The broadcasting market has consolidated, mainly under JioHotstar, making it harder to assume a sharp rise in rights values in the next cycle.
Franchise valuations: Catching up with global giants?
Recent transactions suggest IPL franchises are rapidly closing the gap with global peers. Rajasthan Royals were valued at over $1.63 billion in a recent deal, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru is valued at $1.78 billion.
Advertisement
In comparison, the average NFL franchise is worth $5.1 billion, while top EPL clubs such as Manchester United exceed $6 billion.
Joglekar believes the valuations are backed by strong fundamentals.
Advertisement
“There is a 600–700 million strong cricket fan base in India, and it is increasingly middle-class and consumption-driven,” he said. “This creates strong monetisation opportunities across media rights, sponsorships and fan engagement.”
He also pointed to structural strengths.
Advertisement
“One key factor is India’s strong domestic cricket ecosystem, which continuously produces talent. That is something many other leagues struggle with,” he said.
At the same time, scarcity plays a role.
Advertisement
“Sport is one of the few live human experiences left. There is a scarcity premium, and investors, both domestic and global, are willing to pay for it,” he added.
What makes IPL different from global leagues?
The IPL’s structure sets it apart from traditional leagues. While the NFL, NBA and EPL are season-long competitions embedded in sporting calendars, the IPL operates more like a high-impact annual event.
Advertisement
“In terms of media and entertainment, the IPL closely follows global properties. Like the NFL has the Super Bowl halftime show, the IPL has high-impact opening ceremonies and finals entertainment,” Joglekar said.
Few countries have built a sports property of this scale in such a short time.
Advertisement
“In simple terms, if the NFL is a season and the EPL is a calendar, the IPL is an event, and that changes everything.”
Can IPL become a top-tier global league?
The IPL’s growth trajectory remains strong, driven by India’s expanding digital economy and rising advertiser interest.
Its model is already being replicated globally, from Australia’s Big Bash League to South Africa’s SA20 and leagues in the United States and the Caribbean.
Advertisement
“The IPL model is already being replicated in multiple markets. Investors are building multi-league ownership structures across countries,” Joglekar said.
However, challenges remain.
Advertisement
“There is pressure to expand the number of teams. If the season extends from two months to four or five months, it could dilute brand value, sponsorship intensity and audience engagement,” he warned.
Still, the broader trajectory is clear.
Advertisement
“Today, the IPL is no longer just a domestic league. It is a global sports property, and we are already seeing global investors coming in,” Joglekar said.
The IPL may not yet be the world’s biggest league, but it is already one of its most powerful, and arguably its most efficient.
The Hauser Jets, a Class 1A program coming off their best two-year run since winning the state championship in 2006, is hiring Wadsworth away from the Mustangs, confirmed Hauser athletic director Kyle Shipp on Monday.
Edgewood Head Coach Matt Wadsworth instructs his team during the Edgewood versus Sullivan boys basketball game at Edgewood High School on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025.
Wadsworth poured a lot of time and energy into Edgewood’s youth programs, but won’t be around as those players begin circulating into the high school. He also saw the opening of the new fieldhouse this winter.
“The first thing I’ll say is, we owe Matt a lot in regards to, he came in during COVID and our youth program was struggling,” Edgewood athletic director Jerry Bland said. “Matt got involved and help stabilize our youth program, knowing they would become our athletes.
Advertisement
Advertisement
“He stayed active and helped build the junior high program and provided some travel opportunities our kids may not have gotten. Matt made sure those opportunities were out there and available. A lot of that group is just now reaching the high school, so someone else will see the results. He put a lot of work and time in.”
Interestingly, Whiteland’s current head coach, Nate Cangany, was hired out of Hauser to replace Wadsworth in 2019.
Wadsworth takes over for Trent Moorhead (79-27), who left Hauser after four years to take over at Center Grove. Moorhead lead the Jets to semi-state the past two years, only to lose to the eventual state champs by narrow margins. Moorhead’s brother Brad, now head coach at South Ripley, was an assistant under Wadsworth at Edgewood.
Advertisement
Hauser will play South Ripley on Dec. 11.
Advertisement
Edgewood will get to work quickly on finding a successor, with summer activities right around the corner. The Mustangs are not rushing the process at the expense of making the right hire. As of Monday afternoon, the administration had not received an official letter of resignation from Wadsworth.
“Once the position is open, and I hope that happens soon, we’ll take applications for the next couple of weeks,” Bland said. “And if we get what we need, or a good assortment of candidates, we’ll move to set up interviews.
Advertisement
“In a perfect, ideal world, we’ll have someone in place by the start of June, which is a pretty significant month for basketball.”
A lot of team activities take place in June before players turn to more travel team action in July.
Advertisement
Eastern Greene hires two
Eastern Greene has named a pair of former T-Birds as its new volleyball and girls basketball coaches.
Advertisement
Nathan Martindale, who coached the middle school girls basketball team and is the middle school athletic director, has stepped up to the varsity position. He has also previously coached the EG girls golf team.
The staff includes Josh Cunningham (JV coach), Jarrod Bahr (varsity assistant) and Lexi Brough (volunteer assistant).
Dara James is the new volleyball coach. She has previously coached for Eastern Greene at the middle school level.
Desmond Mason is back in the news, but this time for legal trouble instead of basketball. The former NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner was arrested in Oklahoma last week on a felony warrant linked to a Texas case, according to News 9 and local police reports. Police said Mason was taken into custody in Bricktown on Thursday before being transported to a local hospital because of a medical issue.
After treatment, he was booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center, where he remained in custody as of Monday morning. Reports from News 9 stated Mason is currently being held on a “flight to avoid” charge, which is often used when someone crosses state lines to avoid prosecution. The case has quickly gained attention because of Mason’s history as a former NBA player and public figure.
According to News 9, the felony warrant connected to Mason comes from Collin County, Texas, and involves an alleged theft of sports memorabilia. Officials said a couple claimed they paid Mason more than $9,000 in March 2025 for custom framing work involving several sports collectibles.
Advertisement
The couple reportedly told investigators they never received the framed memorabilia back after handing the items over to Mason. They also claimed Mason became difficult to contact afterwards and often gave reasons for delays instead of delivering the finished products to them.
Officials later confirmed the missing memorabilia involved in the case is valued at nearly $40,000. Mason was eventually arrested in Oklahoma following the investigation. The former NBA player also faced legal trouble in 2024 after being jailed in Oklahoma City on a contempt of court charge linked to his divorce case.
Desmond Mason Built A Second Career In Oklahoma After His NBA Retirement
Before this latest incident, Desmond Mason was widely known for his athletic NBA career and deep connection to Oklahoma basketball. The former Oklahoma State player entered the NBA as the 17th overall pick in the 2000 draft and later won the 2001 Slam Dunk Contest.
Mason spent nearly a decade in the NBA playing for teams including the Seattle SuperSonics, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Sacramento Kings. After retiring in 2009, he stayed in Oklahoma City and slowly built another public career outside basketball through artwork and business projects.
Advertisement
According to News 9 and Oklahoma City civic records, Mason operated an art studio in Midtown and participated in several community and downtown projects over the years. Authorities have not yet confirmed when Mason could potentially be transferred to Texas as the legal process continues moving forward.
The Minnesota Vikings kicked off rookie minicamp last week, and along the way, the franchise signed a hybrid OLB-DT named Smith Vilbert. Yes, it’s the Vilbert the Viking this summer.
Minnesota’s latest roster flyer brings size, length, and a wonderfully obvious nickname.
Vilbert played with Bill Belichick at North Carolina, so the Belichick-to-Brian-Flores communication pipeline is evidently wide open.
Vilbert Adds Another Oversized Body to Flores’ Front
We have details on Vilbert.
Advertisement
North Carolina defensive lineman Smith Vilbert closes in on Richmond running back Andrew King during second-quarter action on Sep. 13, 2025, at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill. Vilbert later emerged as an intriguing NFL prospect because of his unusual size profile, offering teams the ability to deploy him as a heavy edge defender with occasional interior pass-rushing flexibility. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images.
Vilbert to MIN
Minnesota hosted dozens of rookies (and some veterans like quarterback Cooper Rush) last week, and Vilbert actually snagged a contract.
SI.com‘sWill Ragatz wrote, “After the conclusion of their rookie minicamp on Friday, the Vikings signed former Penn State and North Carolina defensive lineman Smith Vilbert to an undrafted free agent contract, according to his agent Brett Tessler. Vilbert was one of 21 rookie tryout players at Friday’s camp and must have impressed the coaching staff in a short time period.”
“Standing nearly 6’6″ and 290 pounds, Vilbert has 34-inch arms and brings some versatility. He lined up mostly as an edge defender in college but can also play on the interior of the D-line. A New Jersey native, Vilbert was a three-star recruit coming out of high school in 2019 and chose Penn State over several other big-time offers.”
Ever since Minnesota discovered defensive tackle Jalen Redmond two years ago, under-the-radar DL additions turn heads for Vikings fans.
Advertisement
The Background
Vilbert embodies a classic “lottery-ticket” addition for the Vikings: a big, long, and experienced prospect who faces a steep climb to the 53-man roster.
Physically, he checks all the boxes, standing at an imposing 6-foot-6 and 282 pounds. His imposing frame gives Minnesota a rookie defensive lineman capable of fitting into various roles, from traditional defensive tackle to five-technique or a larger edge presence. Such versatility is crucial in Flores’ defense, which frequently demands front-seven players to move around, disguise formations, and take on multiple assignments.
However, his college production doesn’t exactly scream “instant-impact rookie.” Though older than the average first-year player, his collegiate resume is more intriguing than dominant. While he showed flashes at both Penn State and North Carolina, Vilbert enters the NFL more as a developmental project than a polished defender ready for immediate contributions. Hence the undrafted free-agent status.
Advertisement
The Vikings have already invested significantly in the defensive line with Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange, so Vilbert’s most realistic path involves showcasing flashes in training camp, earning preseason reps, proving himself on special teams, and potentially securing a practice squad spot.
Nevertheless, his combination of size, length, and positional versatility makes him precisely the type of undrafted or minicamp prospect Flores is keen to develop. Especially if Belichick brokered the deal.
Penn State defensive end Smith Vilbert waits before kickoff on Oct. 23, 2021, at Beaver Stadium in University Park ahead of a matchup against Illinois. Vilbert spent several seasons developing in the Big Ten before later transferring to North Carolina, where his size and athletic profile helped draw additional NFL interest as a versatile defensive lineman. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports.
The Viking Age‘s Adam Carlson on Vilbert: “Vilbert played 47 games in college, spending all but 12 of those with Penn State before transferring to North Carolina. His statistics at Penn State were not very impressive, but he got significantly more productive once arriving with ill Belichick at UNC.”
“In those 12 games at North Carolina, Smith Vilbert had 22 combined tackles, including six tackles for a loss and one sack. In addition, he accumulated two pass defenses and recovered two fumbles while forcing one fumble. A six-foot-six, 256-pound defender, Vilbert was projected to be a Day 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, with a comparison to Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jack Crawford by Brian Dohn at 247 Sports.”
Updated OLB Room
Advertisement
The Vikings’ interior defensive line room has changed substantially since the club released Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. It also traded Jonathan Greenard during the draft.
If Minnesota uses Vilbert as an EDGE rusher, here’s the OLB group at the moment:
OLB1: Andrew Van Ginkel OLB2: Dallas Turner OLB3: Bo Richter OLB4: Tyler Batty OLB5: Chaz Chambliss OLB6: Cam’Ron Stewart OLB7: Jordan Botelho OLB8: Arden Walker OLB9: Smith Vilbert
For good measure, though Vilbert has an outside linebacker’s frame, here’s the DT unit:
Advertisement
DE1: Jalen Redmond DE2: Caleb Banks DE3: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins DE4: Elijah Williams DE5: Monkell Goodwine NT1: Domonique Orange NT2: Levi Drake Rodriguez NT3: Taki Taimani
Summer Trajectory
Vilbert, of course, is at the very bottom of the Vikings’ 90-man roster. It would actually be strange for Minnesota to strike oil twice in two years on stud defensive linemen out of nowhere: Redmond and Vilbert.
North Carolina defensive end Smith Vilbert wraps up Stanford running back Micah Ford during first-quarter action on Nov. 8, 2025, at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill. Vilbert earned attention from NFL evaluators because of his combination of length, size, and positional versatility, traits that allowed him to contribute both on the edge and near the interior defensive front. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images.
Therefore, Vilbert will likely vie for a practice squad spot at training camp and in the preseason. There, he could bide his time and possibly claw his way up the depth chart.
Remember, though, Belichick helped refine his skill set at North Carolina. There’s a small chance that he could be a diamond in the rough.
Danhausen referred to a popular WWE Superstar as a legend in a recent social media update. He met the star backstage at the Backlash Premium Live Event.
The name in question is former WWE Women’s Champion Asuka. The Japanese star competed against IYO SKY at the PLE. Unfortunately, she lost the bout, and the two stars embraced after the match. The Empress of Tomorrow waved at the crowd at the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, before walking to the back.
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
Earlier today, Danhausen took to Instagram to post a picture of himself standing alongside Asuka, with both of the two stars doing his signature “curse” pose, pointing toward the camera. He called Asuka a legend in the caption.
Advertisement
“The Legend @wwe_asuka 🤡👹,” he wrote.
Real Reason why Jacob Fatu lost at Backlash – Check Here!
You can check out the Instagram post below:
The 35-year-old wrestled his first premium live event match at WWE Backlash. He teamed up with Minihausen to take on The Miz and Kit Wilson in a tag team match. The chaotic contest ended with the former AEW star pinning The A-lister to secure a massive win and extend his undefeated run.
A WWE Hall of Famer defended Danhausen following WWE Backlash
Minihausen showing up as Danhausen’s tag team partner for the traditional tag team match at WWE Backlash garnered mixed reactions from the wrestling fans online.
Advertisement
Speaking on the most recent edition of his The Phenomenally Retro Podcast, WWE Hall of Famer AJ Styles opined that the SmackDown star was doing a great job. The veteran noted that WWE needed a bit of everything on the show, and the 35-year-old was filling the need.
“He’s doing a great job, and this is what we need. A lot of people don’t understand it. We need a little bit of everything. We want to make sure you get the entertainment from wrestling, but also we want to make you laugh, too, and we got the storylines. We want to give you a little bit of everything. Danhausen is definitely filling the need,” he said. [H/T: WrestlePurists on X]
Very Nice, Very Evil had been trying to get The Miz to mentor him. It will be interesting to see what’s next for him after the win at the Backlash Premium Live Event.
Why did you not like this content?
Advertisement
Was this article helpful?
Thank You for feedback
Get all the hottest wrestling news FIRST by clicking here
NEW DELHI: A win over Delhi Capitals would have taken Punjab Kings to the top of the IPL 2026 points table. However, that was not to be as Punjab Kings slumped to their fourth consecutive defeat of the season, going down by three wickets to Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala.The frustration and disappointment were clearly visible on Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer’s face during the post-match presentation.
Watch
Jamie Overton opens up on CSK comeback & bowling role
Asked to bat first by Delhi Capitals, Priyansh Arya smashed six sixes during his whirlwind 33-ball 56 before DC pacers adjusted their lengths smartly to restrict Punjab Kings to 210/5.In reply, aggressive half-centuries from David Miller (51 off 28) and skipper Axar Patel (56 off 30) powered Delhi Capitals to 211/7 in 19 overs – the highest successful chase at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.“(Where it went wrong) I won’t beat around the bush; I’ll just say fielding and bowling again,” Iyer said after the match.“(If he thought 210 was a good score) Absolutely, I feel that it was 30 runs more on this wicket considering how the ball was seaming and there was variable bounce,” he said.“(On bowling Chahal) There was absolutely a thought in my mind, but the way ball was seaming and the way it was helping seamers, I think if we would have executed our line and length precisely, we could have been able to extract wickets, but unfortunately again, we didn’t,” Iyer added.Explaining the ideal bowling strategy on the Dharamsala pitch, the PBKS skipper said:“(On how to bowl here) Still into the surface. I always say that the hard length – short of a hard length – is the best ball, especially when a new batsman is coming in. It’s not easy to hit because if you keep repeating those balls, at least one ball gives a chance of mis-hitting and you can get a wicket. We’ve been short of planning,” Iyer said.The win helped Delhi Capitals move up to seventh place in the IPL 2026 standings. DC have now played 12 matches, winning five and losing seven, with 10 points and a net run rate of -0.993.Punjab Kings, despite the loss, remain fourth on the table with 13 points from 11 matches, having registered six wins and four defeats, while one match ended without a result. Their net run rate stands at +0.428.Punjab Kings will next take on Mumbai Indians on May 14.
Monday’s winner-take-all Game 5 between the Montreal Victoire and Minnesota Frost has been postponed.
The postponement is due to an illness impacting multiple players on the Montreal roster, sources told Sportsnet.
“The decision was made following consultation with medical personnel and in accordance with the league’s commitment to the health and well-being of players, fans, staff and all those involved in the competition,” the PWHL said in a statement. “Medical assessment has determined that the symptoms are not consistent with hantavirus.”
A makeup date will be determined once “medical guidance determines it is appropriate to resume play.”
Advertisement
The Victoire and Frost are tied 2-2 in their best-of-five series after the Frost won Game 4 on Friday in Minnesota.
The winner of the series will face the Ottawa Charge in the Walter Cup Final.
The Buffalo Bills signed free agent defensive end Mike Danna to a one-year deal on Monday.
Further terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Danna, 28, has spent his entire six-year career with the Kansas City Chiefs, who picked him in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
His best season came in 2023, when he started 16 regular-season games and all four playoff games for the Super Bowl champions. He totaled career highs of 50 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits in the regular season and added seven tackles in the postseason.
Advertisement
Last season, he totaled 25 tackles, one sack and four QB hits in 15 games (14 starts).
He has totaled 194 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 21.5 sacks, 51 QB hits and six forced fumbles in 87 games (49 starts) in the regular season along with two Super Bowl championships.
In a corresponding move, the Bills released cornerback MJ Devonshire, who was signed to the practice squad in December and signed a two-year, $1.9 million reserve/future contract in January.
Xabi Alonso feels his football can fit the Chelsea squad, as the London club explore a deal to appoint the Basque as their next manager, according to sources with knowledge of the process.
There has been no serious contact from Liverpool, despite his playing connection to Anfield. Arne Slot is instead widely expected to stay in the job, despite current fan dissent.
Alonso is understood to be keen to return to work this summer, having left a very difficult job in Real Madrid after just seven months. The recent chaos at the Bernabeu nevertheless means that brief role has had no real impact on a burgeoning reputation having previously won a title at Bayer Leverkusen with an unbeaten season.
While there is still some distance to go until any actual deal is struck, contact between the camps has progressed over the past week, with increasingly positive noises.
Advertisement
Aside from his reputation, Alonso is the kind of hands-on coach that the Chelsea hierarchy like. He is also said to see how his system can work with most of the existing players, give or take the few signings that Chelea are expected to make.
Chelsea also greatly admire Iraola, who is the subject of interest from a number of clubs. Manchester United have been monitoring his situation, but the expectation is still they will ultimately appoint Michael Carrick.
Officially, Reitan’s victory is credited to Ping’s PLD platform, their custom building program for putters that typically have milled faces. But according to Ping Principal Design Engineer Tony Serrano, the putter has all of the guts of the new Scottsdale TEC line.
“The putter he has now is, in my opinion, it is a TEC putter,” Serrano told GOLF. “We made it here in our machine shop for him. Same sole plate, same head, same insert, same hosel. The only thing different, he wanted a different sight line on it.”
Advertisement
In February, Reitan visited the Ping PLD lab to work on his putting while the Tour was in Arizona for the WM Phoenix Open. It was the rookie’s first chance to visit HQ during a Tour week.
In testing, Ping engineers found that Reitan, who was at that time using a face-balanced putter, could do a lot better with something that had toe hang.
“We could see, and he saw the numbers, suggested that he needed some toe down,” Serrano said. “He didn’t really fit that great with a face balance putter.
“He needed something that would match his natural putting stroke.”
Advertisement
Kris Reitan visited the Ping PLD putting lab in February when the Tour was at the WM Phoenix Open wanting to take a look at his putting.
Turns out he needed something very different from what he was using.
While the Ally Blue H isn’t available in the U.S. market, it is in other markets around the world and on the Ping Tour truck.
Reitan loved just about everything about the new putter, from the feel and roll of the PEBAX insert, to the white finish and the way the putter released with his stroke. However, he wanted one with a simple full sight line instead of the EyeQ version on the TEC that has a dot on the top line and then a full-length trailing line.
Rather than take an existing Scottsdale TEC head and mill away the sight dot into a complete line, Serrano built Reitan a PLD version of the Scottsdale TEC, just with a different sight line. It was easier to build a new putter from scratch while retaining every other feature of the Scottsdale TEC.
That includes the new PEBAX insert that is made from the material pioneered in the use of running shoes. It provides a feel on the softer side, but because of the lighter weight and increased energy transfer, is still quite responsive and lively.
Reitan received the putter, built to his specs at 37″ and 2˚ of loft, a few weeks ago and put it in play for the first time at Quail Hollow. He finished second in the field in SG: Putting, picking up 5.158 shots.
Reitan’s Putter specs
Putter: Ping PLD Ally Blue H Hosel: Plumber’s Neck Finish: White Alignment Aid: Full Line Insert: PEBAX Loft: 2˚ Length: 37″ Lie: 70˚ Grip: Ping Superstroke Tour 1.0P 17″
Eric Lauer‘s time in Toronto may be coming to an end.
The team also placed slugger Addison Barger on the 10-day injured list with right elbow inflammation while recalling outfielder Yohendrick Pinango and pitcher Yariel Rodriguez.
Lauer, 30, has struggled in his second season with the Blue Jays, posting a 6.69 ERA over 36.1 innings.
He has also been critical of Toronto manager John Schneider’s usage of him, going so far as saying he “hates” coming out of the bullpen following an opener.
Advertisement
Lauer entered Sunday’s game as the bulk pitcher behind a pair of openers, but coughed up six runs over five innings in a 6-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
Barger was scratched from Toronto’s lineup Sunday with right elbow soreness just one day after missing a month due to a left ankle sprain.
He’ll be replaced by Pinango, who is listed as the 10th-ranked prospect in the Blue Jays organization, according to MLB. In 10 games played with the big club this season, Pinango is slashing .423/.444/.462.
In 22 games with triple-A Buffalo this season, Pinango is batting .288/.370/.488 with three homers and 13 RBI across 92 plate appearances.
Advertisement
Pinango will bat second when the Blue Jays open a three-game set at home against the Tampa Bay Rays Monday at 7:07 p.m. ET / 4:07 p.m. PT on Sportsnet ONE and Sportsnet+.
Meanwhile, Rodríguez has posted a 2.63 ERA while recording 25 strikeouts and nine walks in 13.2 innings across 11 triple-A appearances this season.
Rodríguez was one of Toronto’s most relied-upon relievers in 2025, posting a 3.08 ERA over 73 regular-season innings.
Despite the strong full-season totals, the six-foot right-hander struggled in the second half and post-season and threw just 2.2 innings for the Blue Jays in October.
Advertisement
Rodriguez will also be active for the series opener against the Rays.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login