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Fantasy Baseball Rankings 2026: Busts by proven MLB model that called Spencer Strider’s tough year

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The Braves saw their seven-year playoff streak come to an end last year as a number of their players underperformed. The likes of Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, Michael Harris II and Jurickson Profar, who was just suspended for all of this season, all ended up as Fantasy baseball busts, whether due to injury, suspension, ineffectiveness or a combination. As anyone entering 2026 Fantasy baseball drafts knows, composing a winning squad will be as much about hitting on your top Fantasy baseball picks as it will be about avoiding selecting Fantasy baseball busts 2026.

Others like Mookie Betts, J.T. Realmuto, Zac Gallen and Devin Williams are also coming off down years and failing to live up to their Fantasy baseball ADP. Thus, you’re faced with a decision as to if last year was the start of a trend of if they’ll bounce back and are worth taking in 2026 Fantasy baseball drafts. Before finalizing your 2026 Fantasy baseball draft prep, be sure to see the 2026 Fantasy baseball rankings and cheat sheets from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

Last season, SportsLine’s Projection Model identified several top Fantasy baseball sleepers, breakouts and busts, including Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider.

Strider led MLB in both wins (20) and strikeouts (281) in 2023 before missing most of 2024 due to injury. He returned last year but the model predicted he would struggle to regain his pre-injury form and wouldn’t live up to his lofty Fantasy baseball ADP (97.81). Strider was the SP30 by average draft position, but SportsLine had him barely cracking the top 75 starting pitchers in its rankings.

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The result: Strider posted a 7-14 record, with a 4.45 ERA and not even half as many strikeouts (131) as his dominant 2023 season. He also missed over a month of action due to another injury and ended up barely making the top 100 starting pitchers in Fantasy points, much closer to SportsLine’s projection of SP74 rather than his ADP of SP30. Anybody who followed the model’s advice and avoided Strider in their Fantasy baseball drafts avoided a major headache in their Fantasy baseball lineups.

The SportsLine model is engineered by the same people who powered projections for all three major Fantasy sites. And that same group is sharing its 2026 Fantasy baseball rankings and cheat sheets over at SportsLine, helping you find Fantasy baseball sleepers, breakouts and busts long before your competition. Their cheat sheets, available for leagues on many major sites, are updated multiple times every day.

Any time more MLB news comes out about MLB free agency signings or Fantasy baseball injuries, the team at SportsLine updates its projections. Go to SportsLine now to see these proven Fantasy baseball cheat sheets.

Top 2026 Fantasy baseball busts

One of the Fantasy baseball busts 2026 the model is fading: Brewers starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski. A June call-up last year, the rookie became the first pitcher in over 60 years to record 11 no-hit innings to start his career and then made MLB history by becoming an All-Star after just five starts. He had the majors’ fifth-highest average fastball velocity (99.3 m.p.h.) across his 66 regular season innings and then posted a microscopic 1.50 ERA across 12 postseason innings.

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However, in between the All-Star Game and the playoffs, Misiorowski looked every bit like a novice on the mound. He had a 6.03 ERA over his last eight starts as batters adjusted to seeing his arsenal, while Misiorowski failed to make adjustments to hitters. Many Fantasy owners are being overly influenced by his hot start as his 107.50 Fantasy baseball ADP puts him amongst the top 30 starters. However, SportsLine’s model has him barely cracking the top 100 starting pitchers, making Misiorowski one to avoid in Fantasy baseball drafts 2026.

Another of the 2026 Fantasy baseball busts the model projects won’t live up to their ADP: Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso. After seven years in Queens, Alonso left the Mets for Baltimore in the offseason, on the heels of a season with 38 homers, 126 RBI and an .871 OPS. He’s going in the fourth round, on average, in 2026 Fantasy baseball drafts with a mean draft position of 33.20.

However, Alonso’s metrics from last year should be a bit concerning. His batting average on balls in play (BAbip) was a career-best of .305, indicating he was a bit lucky and could regress to the mean. Additionally, his home run rate (5.4%) was the second-lowest of his career, while his walk rate (8.6%) was the lowest of his seven seasons. Alonso’s greatest strength is his home run power, but the two lowest HR rates of his career have come in the last two seasons as the 31-year-old could be on the decline. The model has Alonso on par with Michael Busch in its Fantasy baseball 2026 rankings, but Alonso is being drafted seven rounds earlier on average. See more busts at SportsLine.

How to find proven 2026 Fantasy baseball rankings

SportsLine’s model is also fading a surprising ace who is coming off the board in the sixth round on average in early 2026 Fantasy baseball drafts. The model is predicting this All-Star fails to live up to his lofty daft status finishes outside the top 30 at his position. Avoiding him until later on could be the difference between winning your league or going home with nothing. You can only see who it is here.

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So which 2026 Fantasy baseball busts should you avoid in your upcoming drafts? Visit SportsLine now to get 2026 Fantasy baseball rankings for every single position, all from the model that predicted Spencer Strider’s falloff in 2025, and find out.

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Referee knocked off feet during South Alabama-Coastal Carolina basketball brawl

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Tensions boiled over in a second-round Sun Belt Conference women’s basketball tournament game between South Alabama and Coastal Carolina.

A fight erupted with just over five minutes left in the fourth quarter, and a referee was inadvertently knocked to the floor. The official remained on the court in visible discomfort for several moments as medical personnel provided aid.

The game’s other referee assessed a double technical foul, leading to eight ejections, most of them from South Alabama’s roster.

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The Sun Belt Conference logo at mid court

The Sun Belt logo at mid-court during a game between Arkansas Little Rock and South Alabama at the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans March 12, 2015. (Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

South Alabama’s Amyah Sutton, Daniela Gonzalez, Saneea Bevley, Terren Coffil, Princess Okafor Nweze and Jeriyah Baines were reportedly among the Jaguars ejected, while Coastal Carolina’s Tracey Hueston was also tossed.

The altercation began after Coastal Carolina’s Hueston and South Alabama’s Cordasia Harris exchanged words in the paint. The situation escalated when Hueston appeared to throw a punch toward Harris, prompting coaches and players from both teams to rush onto the court.

“Well, first of all, our program, we never want to be put in that situation. And we never want to act out like that. So, we don’t condone that, what happened today. It’s a very unfortunate situation for two talented basketball teams that have played in Pensacola in the tournament,” South Alabama coach Yolisha Jackson told reporters after the game.

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A ball drops through the net during an SEC women’s basketball tournament game between LSU and Texas March 8, 2025, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. (John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“With young people, sometimes emotions run high, and as they go through their growth process and their maturity, sometimes things happen. But we always try to look at it as a lesson learned and make sure the next time that if we are put in a similar situation that we just respond a little differently. And, so, that’s what we’ll talk about at the hotel tonight.”

Coastal Carolina coach Kevin Pederson described the situation as “unfortunate,” adding, “I know Tracey Hueston regrets that. She’s an incredible model citizen off the floor, and she knows she can’t act that way. That was extremely frustrating for everybody, certainly something we don’t approve of in this program. It’s nothing you want to see. You hate to see that in your last game.”

Fox News Digital contacted the Sun Belt Conference for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

The Sun Belt Conference logo at mid court

The Sun Belt Conference logo during a game between Arkansas Little Rock and South Alabama at the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans March 12, 2015. (Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

South Alabama won Wednesday’s game, 80-70, advancing to the third round for a matchup with Texas State.

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Ejected players could face a one-game suspension, but their status for Thursday remains uncertain.

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Brisbane Lions vs Western Bulldogs Tips, Odds and Teams – AFL Round 0 2026

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Gabba will play host to Saturday’s
Round 1 AFL game between Brisbane Lions and
Western Bulldogs. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with Brisbane Lions heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Brisbane Lions vs.
Western Bulldogs
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday March 7, 2026 at 7:35 pm

Where: Gabba

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

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Brisbane Lions vs Western Bulldogs Odds

Brisbane Lions vs Western Bulldogs Preview

The Brisbane Lions begin their pursuit of a potential third straight premiership when they host the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba on Saturday night. Brisbane strengthened an already formidable list over the offseason, landing Oscar Allen and Sam Draper via free agency while also securing academy talent Daniel Annable with pick six in the draft. However, the Lions may not be at full strength for the opener, with Allen recovering from concussion and Draper sidelined until at least Round 4 with a foot injury.

The Bulldogs enter 2026 with a largely unchanged squad after finishing 14–9 last season, but questions remain about their ability to challenge the competition’s elite. That issue was highlighted in two defeats to Brisbane in 2025, including a dramatic Gather Round clash where the Lions overturned a 39-point deficit to win 118–97 before backing it up with a 10-point victory at the Gabba later in the year.

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Some USA Rugby teams drop women’s divisions for open category for trans athletes

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A rugby program that competes in competitions sanctioned by USA Rugby eliminated their women’s teams to start a team under the new “open” gender division. The changes come in response to a new policy by USA Rugby to only allow biological females to compete in women’s competition. 

The Charlotte Royals has switched its women’s team to the “open” category, and alongside another team, the Mother Ruckers, has put out statements declaring their support for the “open” category, encouraging other teams to also switch from a women’s team to an “open” team. 

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“On 2/27/2026, a law was put into effect by the current U.S. administration that bans trans women from playing in Women’s Divisions,” the Royals said in a statement. “USA Rugby has made changes to its eligibility policy based on these laws. USA Rugby has introduced the Open Division, a division separate from Women’s and Men’s divisions, for clubs and unions to sanction matches for all genders to participate in. For context, USA Rugby is the governing body of all rugby played in the US.

“The Charlotte Royals believe that trans women are women. Banning trans players hurts everyone in the sport and the larger community. We will be using the Open Division for any sanctioned matches we engage in, and encourage other clubs/unions to do the same.

“Trans women were the trailblazers of the U.S. LGBTQIA+ Liberation movement during Stonewall, especially Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. We will continue to include our trans siblings in our organization and community, without hesitation.”

The Charlotte Royals club previously was the host club for the 2021 International Gay Rugby North American Championship.

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USA Rugby announced Friday it would be introducing a new “open” gender division to accommodate trans athletes.

rugby players

Gabriella Cantorna, Ilona Maher and Emily Henrich of the USA react as they sing their national anthems prior to the Women’s Rugby World Cup match against Samoa on Sept. 6, 2025, in York, England. (Molly Darlington – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

The new rule came more than a year after President Donald Trump’s “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order and nearly seven months after the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s (USOPC) new requirement for all governing bodies to comply with it.

USA Rugby

The USA Rugby goal line flag before the match against Scotland at Audi Field on July 12, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images for Scottish Rugby)

“USA Rugby will now have three competition categories; Men’s Division, Women’s Division and Open Division. The Open Division will permit any athlete, regardless of gender assigned at birth and gender identity, to compete in USA Rugby-sanctioned events, whether full contact or non-contact,” the organization said in a statement.

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Gabriella Cantorna, Ilona Maher and Emily Henrich of the USA react as they sing their national anthems prior to the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool A match between USA and Samoa at York Community Stadium on September 06, 2025 in York, England.  (Molly Darlington – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

In July, the USOPC updated its athlete safety policy to indicate compliance with Trump’s executive order. 

USA Rugby’s “open” category is now a proof of concept for other programs to get around Trump’s executive order, to keep trans athletes competing against women while leaving women with no female-only option. 

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Si Woo Kim’s golf bag is one-of-a-kind. Just like him

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Saka Goal Gives Arsenal Narrow Win Over Brighton

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Arsenal moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on the south coast.

The only goal of the match came in the eighth minute through Bukayo Saka. His shot took a slight touch off Carlos Baleba and wrong-footed goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen before going into the net.

The result was important for Arsenal as Manchester City were held to a 2-2 draw by Nottingham Forest earlier in the day. The Gunners are now seven points clear, although they have played one game more.

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Brighton controlled most of the match and had 60 per cent of the ball. They started strongly and almost scored after two minutes when David Raya passed the ball straight to Baleba. His chip beat the keeper, but Gabriel cleared the ball off the line.

Arsenal defended very well despite missing injured defender William Saliba. Gabriel and Piero Hincapie stood firm at the back and stopped Brighton from finding a way through. Raya also made an important save from Georginio Rutter in the second half.

Brighton pushed forward for most of the game but managed only a few clear chances. The home fans were unhappy as they felt Arsenal wasted time in the closing stages.

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Substitute Kai Havertz nearly made it 2-0, but his effort was saved by Verbruggen. Arsenal then had to stay calm in the final minutes before the referee blew the final whistle.

When news came that Manchester City had drawn their match, Arsenal’s travelling supporters celebrated loudly as their team strengthened their position at the top of the table.

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Stefon Diggs expected to be released by Patriots after one season

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It appears Stefon Diggs is going to have to find his fourth NFL team in the same number of years. 

The New England Patriots are expected to release the veteran wide receiver after the new league year begins on March 11, ending his time with the team right after playing a role in helping them reach Super Bowl LX. 

Diggs, 32, inked a three-year deal with the Patriots, worth $63.5 million, in free agency this past offseason. But he seemingly confirmed the reports with an Instagram Stories post on Wednesday. 

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Stefon Diggs yells on field

Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots talks to teammates in a huddle prior to an AFC wild card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

“THANK YOU for a hell of a year,” Diggs posted with a photo of himself in a Patriots uniform on the field. “We family forever [heart emoji].”

Diggs, who finished his 11th season in the NFL this past year, led the Patriots in key receiving stats, including targets (102), receptions (85) and yards (1,013). He was a key reason why second-year quarterback Drake Maye was an MVP finalist, providing stability at a position the team needed to upgrade this past offseason. 

While making an appearance at the NFL Scouting Combine this past week, head coach Mike Vrabel praised Diggs, making his expected release an interesting one. 

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“He worked extremely hard in the time that he was rehabbing from the knee,” Vrabel said to the media, referencing his torn ACL suffered with the Houston Texans in 2024. “I think he was just a really good presence each and every week.”

But the team was evaluating what to do with Diggs, especially considering his cap hit would go from $10.5 million to $26.5 million for the 2026 season.

Stefon Diggs

Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots smiles during an NFL game between the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Nov. 2, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

There are also his legal troubles off the field that factor into New England’s decision, as he is facing felony strangulation and other criminal charges from an alleged altercation with his personal chef in December 2025. He was arraigned on Feb. 13, just days after the Patriots fell to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California.

Diggs pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery.

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“We’re going to let all that take care of itself, and then we’ll have to see what the judgements are in those particular cases,” Vrabel added about Diggs’ legal issues, which continues April 1 with an additional pre-trial hearing. 

Stefon Diggs looks on during media availability

Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots speaks to the media during Super Bowl LX Opening Night at San Jose McEnery Convention Center on Feb. 2, 2026 in San Jose, California. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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Diggs, who made four straight Pro Bowls during his years as Josh Allen’s favorite receiver with the Buffalo Bills, continues to be one of the more reliable receivers in the league, no matter where he is. And he showed in New England that his rehab for the torn ACL went well, tallying over 1,000 yards for the seventh time of his career.  

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Premier League post-match interview: Michael Carrick on Man Utd’s 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United

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Manchester United manager Michael Carrick says defeat to 10-man Newcastle “hurts a lot” and he is “bitterly disappointed” after the 2-1 loss at St James’ Park in the Premier League.

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Bill Self ejected before halftime in Kansas loss to Arizona State

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Longtime Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self was ejected before halftime of Tuesday night’s game against Arizona State after a heated exchange with officials over a foul call on one of the Jayhawks’ star players.

Self was assessed two technicals after arguing a call involving Jayhawks star freshman Darryn Peterson with just over six minutes remaining in the half. Peterson, coming off a screen, got tangled along the baseline with Arizona State guard Bryce Ford, and officials called a foul on Peterson as he tried to drive past Ford.

Kansas head coach Bill Self walking off the basketball court after ejection.

Kansas head coach Bill Self walks off the court after being ejected during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz., on March 3, 2026. (Rick Scuteri/AP)

After the game, Self admitted that the first technical was merited but felt that the second was a stretch. 

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“They threw me out before they even said anything. That was probably not a great call, but I came out of the box and he gave me a (technical), which is fine, but by no stretch did I do anything to deserve a second (technical), but that’s those guys for you,” he said, via The Athletic. 

“He told me to get back into the box, and I didn’t get back in there quick enough, so that’s on me.”

Bill Self reacts after being ejected

Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts after being ejected from the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, Arizona, on March 3, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

Kansas was trailing by the time Self got ejected, but that margin grew to 20 points by the end of the first half. Arizona State would complete the upset 70-60 behind Moe Odum’s 23 points. For Self, while the officiating didn’t help, it wasn’t to blame for the Jayhawks’ loss.

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“I’m disappointed in myself that I wasn’t out there with the guys to finish the game, but that was a pretty temperamental crew tonight, but that didn’t cost us,” Self continued, via The Athletic. “What cost us was that we weren’t ready to play, and we’re not good enough. Our players are not talented enough not to be ready and be energized.”

Kansas head coach Bill Self reacting after ejection during basketball game

Kansas head coach Bill Self reacts after being ejected during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz., on March 3, 2026. (Rick Scuteri/AP)

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ASU fans stormed the court after the game, marking what could be Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley’s final home game as he is in the final year of his contract.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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‘Huge danger’: Stuart Broad flags Hardik Pandya as England’s biggest semifinal threat | Cricket News

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'Huge danger': Stuart Broad flags Hardik Pandya as England’s biggest semifinal threat
India’s Hardik Pandya (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Former England seamer Stuart Broad has issued a strong warning to England ahead of their semifinal clash against India, singling out Hardik Pandya as the player who could decisively swing the contest.Broad stressed that Pandya’s impact goes far beyond numbers on the scoreboard. The Indian all-rounder has the rare ability to alter the tempo of a match, whether through late-innings power-hitting or by delivering crucial overs with the ball. According to Broad, Pandya relishes high-pressure scenarios and carries a self-assurance that energises those around him.

India arrive for final net session before T20 World Cup semifinal

The semifinal also presents an added layer of comfort for Pandya, as it will be played at his IPL home venue. Familiarity with the surface and conditions, combined with strong crowd backing, could further enhance his influence on the game.Offering a tactical perspective, Broad suggested England must be smart about when Pandya comes to the crease. He believes the key lies in forcing him to bat earlier than he would ideally prefer, before he can slip seamlessly into his devastating finishing role.“If I am an England bowler, I think I need to get him in after 12 overs so I can bowl when he’s not in the hitting zone straightaway. He might think I would like to look at a few before going at the end. I would see that as my chance to get him out before he can hurt me in the last four overs. If India are just three or four down entering the death overs, that’s where India get over 200, and you are in a bit of trouble,” Broad said on the For the Love of Cricket podcast.Broad further explained that Pandya becomes especially dangerous if India lay a strong foundation in the first half of the innings. With a solid platform in place, the all-rounder’s confidence and presence can take over the game.“If India sets up a good first ten overs, Hardik Pandya becomes a huge danger. When he walks in, he’s extremely confident. He has got an aura about him and an ego on him in a positive way. He just believes he can do the job. He is so wiry and slim that you think how he can hit the ball 100 metres like he does. But he does it so effortlessly,” he added.

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Gary Bettman defends US men’s hockey team after Trump’s quip about women’s squad

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NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman defended the United States men’s hockey team for their reactions to President Donald Trump talking about the women’s team following their gold medal victory at the Milan Cortina Games. 

While on the phone with the men’s team after they defeated Canada to win gold, Trump said he would “have” to invite the women’s team, which also defeated Canada to win Olympic gold, to last week’s State of the Union address. He added that he “probably would be impeached” if he did not extend an invitation to the women’s team.

Members of both teams have said they supported each other throughout the Olympics, and Bettman agreed with that sentiment.

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Gary Bettman talks

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to the media prior to a game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.  (Marc DesRosiers/Imagn Images)

“I know for a fact that the men’s team had no intention of doing anything to slight the women’s team,” Bettman said on Tuesday, via Sportsnet. “If anything, both teams were chanting, ‘Two for two.’ 

“What happened and how it was portrayed, I wish didn’t happen the way it did, and I think it was unfair to the men’s team. And again, I don’t think the women’s team had a different view of it. I mean, look at (U.S. women’s captain) Hilary Knight and the others talking about what happened. These two teams respected each other.”

Jeremy Swayman, the men’s team’s backup goaltender, admitted the team “should have reacted differently” to Trump’s comments. But he and Jack and Quinn Hughes all spoke highly of the women’s team and their relationships with them.

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Megan Keller and Hannah Bilka celebrate

Megan Keller (5) of the United States and Hannah Bilka (23) of the United States celebrate after winning the gold medal in women’s ice hockey after defeating Canada during the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 19, 2026. (Amber Searls/Imagn Images)

Jack Hughes told reporters after his gold medal-winning goal that the first thing he thought about when the puck went in was Megan Keller, who scored the golden goal for the United States women’s team against Canada three days earlier.

The brothers’ mother, Ellen, a former Team USA player and current player development staff member, said the players only cared about “bring[ing] so much unity to a group and to a country.”

Team USA with the gold medal

Team USA men’s hockey gold medalists have irked liberal pundits and news organizations despite captivating the nation with their Olympic accomplishment. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

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Knight and Megan Keller, who scored the women’s golden goal, joined the Hughes brothers on this past weekend’s “Saturday Night Live.”

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Hilary Knight says Trump's 'distasteful' quip is a 'wonderful teaching point' for conversations about women

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