Dan Dakich took a jab at Cari Champion on Thursday after the CNN broadcast journalist’s comments on Caitlin Clark‘s favoritism among the WNBA referees. The NFL insider retweeted an X post featuring an article covering Champion’s remarks.
He called out the CNN broadcast journalist for frequently going after Clark.
“Always worried about the lil white girl,” Dakich wrote.
Always worried about the lil white girl
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Champion voiced her concerns about Clark and the officials on Wednesday’s episode of the “Flagrant and Funny” podcast. The CNN broadcast journalist recalled an incident from last season where Clark told a referee to open their eye. She then compared the incident to a technical foul Paige Bueckers received for clapping in an 86-69 loss to the Atlanta Dream on Friday.
“That type of blatant favoritism annoys the hell out of me,” she said (Timestamp: 26:00). “I don’t know if this is her fault, because I think it might be unfair for me to say that this is her fault. But at the same time, it’s like, why is she getting this special treatment? And it just is, yet again, another example of the league and its fans… being so precious with her.”
“I don’t like you”: Cari Champion calls out Caitlin Clark for not taking ‘responsibility’
Later, on the podcast, Cari Champion criticized Caitlin Clark for her behaviour towards the referees. She recalled Napheesa Collier calling out the referees during the offseason following the Lynx’s loss in the 2024 WNBA Finals.
She praised the Lynx star for criticizing the referees in an appropriate setting, which, according to her, is off the court. Champion then took shots at the Fever star and the league’s treatment of her.
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“The more we get to catch these glimpses of Caitlin Clark, I am like, ‘I don’t like you. I don’t like how you behave on the court.’ The league is positioning you to be its superstar because you are, and with leadership comes certain responsibilities,” she said. (Timestamp: 27:10)
“If you don’t want that responsibility, I understand, but the way that you behave, this entitlement that you behave, the way that you were talking to your coaches, you and Sophie (Cunningham), you enjoy that right?”
Later, Champion said that if Clark wanted to play the villain, then she would be coming at her. The CNN broadcast journalist urged CC stans to recognize the Fever star’s desire to play the villain.
Caitlin Clark has had a great start to her season. She is averaging 23.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists in five games on 43.2% shooting.
World number one Littler was subjected to more pantomime booing and whistling from the 16,000 crowd at London’s O2 Arena.
But the 19-year-old shrugged off the jeers which have followed him around recently to reclaim the title he lost to Humphries in last year’s final.
It was the third straight meeting between darts’ top pair in the final, and it was Warrington thrower Littler who came from 6-3 down to edge a thriller 11-10.
Add in his record-equalling six nightly wins over the 17-week marathon and Littler has raked in an eye-watering £410,000.
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“It’s been a rollercoaster,” he said. “The first four weeks I was bottom of the table. I had to pick myself up, had some tough times.”
The youngster then had to stop speaking as welled up with emotion, and Humphries explained: “It shows what it means to us as players, on the road for 16, 17 weeks, it’s hard work.”
Littler had earlier squandered six match darts as he let a 9-4 lead slip in a bad-tempered semi-final against Gerwyn Price.
There was a flashpoint midway through the 15th leg when Price, not on a finish, scored 170 and gave the crowd the reeling in the ‘big fish’ gesture with Littler already throwing.
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Referee Huw Ware gave Price a ticking-off at the end of the leg before the fired-up Welshman apologised to Littler.
However, the 41-year-old repeated the gesture at his very next visit after hitting 180, although this time he was well out of his opponent’s eyeline.
Price carried on reeling in Littler, but ‘The Nuke’ held his nerve to take the deciding leg for a 10-9 victory, his ninth consecutive win against the former rugby player.
Humphries, 31, had seen off 2021 winner Jonny Clayton 10-9 in s see-saw second semi-final.
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‘Cool-Hand’ led 6-2, only for Clayton to find the form which earned him four nightly wins and roar 9-7 ahead.
Humphries levelled the match at 9-9 with a 121 check-out, and then missed a match dart at bull.
But as Clayton threw for double 16 to win, he appeared to be put off by a whistle from the crowd allowing Humphries to step up and finish the job.
The Welsh number one was clearly annoyed as he gestured towards the crowd before walking offstage.
At 26 years old, Kai Havertz has more experience than most.
The former Leverkusen man has a history of game-winning goals. His most famous is perhaps his Champions League-winning goal for Chelsea against Manchester City in 2021. It was a goal that denied Pep Guardiola and gave Thomas Tuchel glory. For Havertz, it wasn’t the only one though. A year later, he scored an extra-time penalty to win the Club World Cup for Chelsea. This season, Havertz scored the injury-time winner for Arsenal in the League Cup semifinal against his former team.
His injury-time winner against Sporting in the Champions League quarterfinals was decisive for Arsenal and their run to the final. And against Burnley, although fortunate to avoid red for a poor tackle, his header set up Arsenal’s Premier League title that was confirmed soon after, following Manchester City’s draw. In short, pressure is no problem for the Germany forward.
This is made all the more impressive by how much time he has missed with injury. On the opening day of the season, Havertz picked up a knee injury that saw him out for most of the first half of the campaign. Not long after his return, he picked up a muscle injury. Many players might have struggled to have delivered so quickly with so much on the line, but Havertz is not most players. The German has been back in regular action since March, and swiftly reminded onlookers of why is the man for the big moments.
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“That’s what kept me alive every single day,” Havertz told Viaplay after winning the Premier League. “I have to be honest, some days I was in some dark places for sure, but I woke up every morning and just tried to work hard to be back as soon as possible. Now, to be here and celebrate that victory, it’s unbelievable and it shows you that everything is possible and you can work hard and you can always turn it around.”
Havertz is a Champions League winner because he delivered in the big momentImage: Manu Fernandez/AP/picture alliance
Hope for Germany
Julian Nagelsmann will be watching on with a keen eye, hoping that he will retain his magic touch come the World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico this summer.
Havertz has 21 goals for Germany, but has been less decisive in national colors compared to his clubs. Nevertheless, he will be the man to lead Germany’s line at this World Cup and he has shown glimpses of how comfortable he is with that role too.
His goal against Denmark in Euro 2024 set Germany on their way and against Ghana in March this year, Havertz shook off his lack of match practice to start Germany’s comeback. His form is trending in the right direction and a second Champions League-winning goal in May would not only be a milestone for Havertz, but would also leave Nagelsmann and Germany fans hopeful that more will be to come this summer.
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The man whose career started at Leverkusen before he rose to prominence as a 17-year-old finishing exams and playing in the Bundesliga, Havertz’s career was at a crossroads when he joined Arsenal in 2023. Three years later, Havertz is in the right place at the right time. If he can deliver in the Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday, he will join a rare list of players to have scored in multiple Champions League finals. More than that though, he will have cemented his place as one of the most successful German footballers of all time. To reach such a peak in the weeks before a World Cup will be what Nagelsmann is hoping for. The pressure is on. For Havertz, that just means another day at the office.
Foster was one of the many goalkeepers tasked to try and stop the City side, who have dominated the Premier League. He was on the losing side in every one of his appearances against Guardiola’s side, both for West Bromwich Albion and Watford.
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But what was it like coming up against his team?
“He’s changed the landscape,” Foster told the MEN. “I don’t know whether he’s changed it forever, but he definitely has changed it for a sort of 10-year period whilst he’s been here.
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“You know, when I was playing in the Premier League, if I knew we had Man City on a Saturday afternoon, honestly, you’d spend all week just thinking, ‘Oh, for God’s sake, here we go again, here we go again.”
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“I think I did the calculations once, I think I’ve let something like 80 goals in against Man City, just me personally, they used to scare the life out of us. I remember once being 5-0 down after 18 minutes when I was at Watford, 18 minutes and you’re 5-0 down. We lost 8-0 at the end of the day.”
Foster also highlighted the key to Guardiola’s success at City.
“They’re ruthless. Like, I think back to the squad of [Sergio] Agüero and Vincent Kompany and David Silva, you know, those guys just, ah, it’s scary,” he said. “Kevin De Bruyne, it was just a keep-ball session for them, and it was great to see that if you can get technically gifted players, really technically gifted players, world-class players, but then mix it with that work rate, which I think Pep introduced, then you are on to a winner.
“If you look at the PSG side now, that’s dominating and has dominated Europe for the last year and a half, two years, that’s what they are, they’re world-class players technically wise, but work rate is much more than every team they come up against, so they’re blowing teams away. It’s a perfect combination, I think Pep really did introduce that to not only the Premier League but to world football.”
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Foster had an unconventional journey to eventually face Guardiola’s world-class side. As a teenager, he worked in a kitchen while playing for his local non-league side, where he was spotted by a Stoke City scout.
He is now part of promoting Kellogg’s free football camps to give children the chance to play football over the summer holidays. “These camps that Kellogg’s are putting on, they’re so well-organised and so well-run,” he said.
“And I know what it’s like being sort of at that higher level of football. This is where you can unearth some real gems as well, you know. There’s players that have made it to upper levels, higher levels, professional levels off of like these camps.
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“People would think they’re just like a silly sort of babysitting exercise sometimes, they’re really not. They’re so well-run, so well-structured. They get proper, you know, authenticated coaches on board, and it’s a real chance to shine a light on some of the talent that just maybe sometimes go under the radar.”
He has also highlighted how the camps could help unearth the next gem who could go on to make an impact in the Premier League in the future
“There will be people at these camps that they’ll see these little shining stars and go, ‘Actually, do you know what? We’ll give him a chance, we’ll get in touch with him, we’ll get his contact information, he can come for a training session for us,’ and you never know from that point onwards,” he said.
“So I do, I think not only the facilities, the organisation of these pitches and these camps that Kellogg’s are putting on, there’s always that little chance as well that somebody might be watching. Because that’s what happened to me, I was in the right place at the right time.”
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Ben Foster has teamed up with Kellogg’s, and other EFL players to offer more than 39,000 free Kellogg’s Football Camp places in partnership with the EFL, Manchester City, Celtic FC and Rangers FC. Places available via the QR code on selected packs or atwww.kelloggsfc.com. T&Cs apply.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) reaches for a pass against New York Giants cornerback Cordale Flott (28), Dec. 21, 2025, during the first half at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Addison battled through tight coverage along the sideline as Minnesota’s offense attacked the Giants secondary in a late-season NFC matchup on the road. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings’ roster feels pretty well set as of late May, but that may not stop the organization from trading wide receiver Jordan Addison, says Pro Football Network.
That website sized one player per team last week who could be traded before too long, and Addison got the nod up north.
Vikings WR Room Would Make an Addison Trade … Complicated
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison secures a reception against Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith during first-quarter action on Dec. 16, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Addison remained heavily involved in Minnesota’s passing attack as the Vikings battled a division rival during a late-season matchup with playoff implications inside the NFC North race. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
PFSN: Vikings Main Trade Bait = Addison
Addison got the tap on the shoulder from PFSN’s Jacob Infante, who explained, “Rather than continue to improve in Year 3, Jordan Addison saw his production drop in 2025, finishing with a career-low 71.0 PFSN WR Impact Score and posting career-low numbers in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.”
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“He missed three games due to suspension last year, and he was arrested for trespassing in January. His drop in production and off-field concerns could make him a trade candidate for the Minnesota Vikings.”
Addison briefly frequented the trade rumor mill earlier in the offseason, but when the Vikings exercised his fifth-year option and drafted no rookie wideouts, the theories died off. Infante is trying to resurrect them.
How Much Could Vikings Get?
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If the Vikings decide to trade Addison, starting with a 2nd-Round pick seems reasonable. He’s young, productive, and assuredly has the potential to be a WR1 when he gets the ball. However, there’s a catch: his off-the-field issues have prevented him from reaching superstar status, and he has yet to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a season after three years.
Minnesota has also structured its wide receiver lineup with this in mind. Jauan Jennings recently joined as the 2026 WR3, providing Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy with another solid target behind Justin Jefferson and Addison. Additionally, Jennings serves as a reliable backup if either Jefferson or Addison gets injured.
Trading Addison now would ravage that strategy. The Vikings brought in Jennings to enhance their offense, not to create another gap.
The timing also suggests that Addison is likely staying put. If Minnesota truly wanted to move him, the April draft would have been the optimal time, not late May or early summer. As it stands, Addison looks set to remain a Viking through 2026 and likely beyond.
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Soon, he’ll also be able to discuss a contract extension with the team. That could even begin this summer.
Why … Trade Addison?
Addison’s trade value starts with his talent. He has already demonstrated his ability to produce at a high level, is still young, and has three NFL seasons under his belt as he approaches his prime.
However, his situation is messy. Really messy, in fact. In 2023, Addison was pulled over in Minneapolis for speeding at 140 mph in a 55 mph zone. He claimed it was due to a dog emergency, and the incident didn’t create much controversy with the league. Most considered it a one-off.
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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison celebrates with quarterback Sam Darnold after a touchdown during third-quarter action against the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 29, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Addison helped fuel Minnesota’s offense in a high-stakes NFC North showdown as the Vikings continued pushing toward the postseason late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
The following incident was more serious. In 2024, he was found passed out and intoxicated in his car on a Los Angeles freeway, leading to a three-game suspension.
Then, during the 2025 season, he faced more boneheaded antics. Addison skipped a team walkthrough in London, which led coach Kevin O’Connell to bench him for a quarter in the next game. Three months later, he was arrested for trespassing at a Florida casino. Although the charges were eventually dropped, they added to a growing list of troubles.
That is the crux of the debate surrounding a potential Addison trade. While the player is valuable, his off-field baggage may make teams hesitant about how much they are willing to offer.
Unlikely to Ruin a Good Thing
The grand takeaway? The Vikings are unlikely to trade Addison. Why? They would’ve done so by now this offseason. They’ve had four months to formulate a plan, including players to sign in free agency and rookies to pluck from the draft. If offloading Addison were on the menu, that seems like a matter for February, March, or April — not whimsically after the draft.
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Plus, the Vikings love Addison. They’ve had every reason to reevaluate their stance after his transgressions, and every time, they stood steadfastly behind him.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison makes a fourth-quarter reception against the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 9, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Addison continued serving as a major contributor in Minnesota’s passing offense while the Vikings battled one of the AFC’s toughest opponents during an important midseason matchup in front of the home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
A more logical trade candidate may be safety Theo Jackson, who will fight for a roster spot among Josh Metellus, Jay Ward, and rookie Jakobe Thomas. Harrison Smith may even return one more time; he has not expressly retired.
Pro Football Focusrecently identified linebacker Blake Cashman as a trade candidate, too, but like Addison, it doesn’t make much sense to get rid of a productive player.
Addison will turn 25 next January.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
France’s Moise Kouame reacts as he wins the second set playing against Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo during their men’s singles match on day 5 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Suzanne-Lenglen at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 28, 2026. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP via Getty Images)
French teenager Moïse Kouamé produced one of the most unbelievable wins of the French Open after defeating Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in a five-hour thriller.
The 17-year-old won 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6 after a brutal battle that pushed both players to their limits.
Kouamé looked set for a comfortable victory after leading by two sets, but suddenly found himself just two points away from defeat before somehow surviving the deciding-set tiebreak.
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Ranked No. 318 in the world, the French youngster becomes the youngest man to reach the third round at Roland Garros since 1989.
The incredible run also makes him the fifth-youngest man in the Open Era to reach the third round at Roland Garros.
An unforgettable moment for one of tennis’ brightest young talents.
Barcelona weigh up move for Piero Hincapie, Ruben Dias instructs agents to explore move away from Manchester City and Liverpool pushing for quick agreement with Yan Diomande.
Barcelona are weighing up an approach for 24-year-old Arsenal and Ecuador defender Piero Hincapie. (Mail) , external
Manchester City and Portugal defender Ruben Dias, 29, has instructed his agent to explore options for a move away, with Paris St-Germain,Bayern Munich and RealMadrid all monitoring his situation. (Caught Offside), external
Liverpool are pushing for a quick agreement with RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, while Paris St-Germain and Manchester City are closely monitoring the situation and have already held talks with the 19-year-old Ivory Coast international. (Florian Plettenberg), external
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Crystal Palace want to convince England midfielder Adam Wharton, 22, and Japan midfielder Daichi Kamada, 29, to stay following their Conference League final win. (Sky Sports) , external
Bournemouth are determined to resist any summer offers for French forward Eli Junior Kroupi, 19, Brazil winger Rayan, 19, and England midfielder Alex Scott, 22, with mounting interest in the trio. (Guardian), external
West Ham and Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug wants to leave after their relegation with Bundesliga side Werder Bremen among those interested in the 33-year-old. (Sky, in German), external
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Portuguese side Sporting want to re-sign 30-year-old Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha when his season-long loan at Tottenham from Bayern Munich ends. (A Bola, in Portuguese), external
Leeds United are lining up a move for 24-year-old Lyon and United States midfielder Tanner Tessmann as part of a busy summer of transfer business. (Football Insider) , external
Cup-holders Nigeria are not looking to take anything for granted in Saturday’s Unity Cup Tournament final duel against the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica at the Charlton Athletic Stadium in London.
Head Coach Eric Chelle has been singing the praises of the squad that hammered Zimbabwe 2-0 in Tuesday’s semi final, and he made it clear on Thursday that he might tweak his playing personnel, tactics, pattern and strategy for Saturday’s encounter against the familiar foes.
The Super Eagles and the Reggae Boyz battled to a 2-2 draw in the final of the same mini-tournament on Saturday, 31st May, 2025, before the Eagles swept to victory 5-4 after penalty shootout to retain the trophy they had won in 2002 and 2004 – the only two times the competition had been held previously.
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In its first edition in 2002, the Unity Cup was played by only two teams, with Nigeria defeating Jamaica by a lone goal scored by a former Nigeria U17 team captain James Obiorah. Two years later, the Republic of Ireland joined the two teams, but Nigeria still emerged champions, with Bartholomew Ogbeche emerging the top scorer with three goals.
It was at the 2004 edition that Obafemi Martins made his mark, scoring on his debut for Nigeria.
On Saturday, Coach Chelle is permitted further experimentation with the largely fresh group he has brought to London, with Wrexham FC of England goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo likely to be given the nod to start having kept a clean sheet against the nifty Warriors on Tuesday.
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A reassuring rearguard of Chibueze Oputa, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Igoh Ogbu and Obinna Igboke could also be wholly retained, following a commendable outing against the Zimbabweans. It may be recalled that it was at the Unity Cup last year that Igoh Ogbu, who plays for Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic, got his break into the Eagles’ big league.
Tochukwu Nnadi, who played some part in the Super Eagles’ campaign at the last Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, may again team up with US-based no-nonsense tackler Alhassan Yusuf and former U17 team captain Samson Tijani in the middle, as Terem Moffi, Philip Otele and two-goal hero Femi Azeez run things at the fore.
Cyprus-based goalkeeper Francis Uzoho is also available, as are midfielder Tosin Oyedokun and forwards Owen Oseni and Rafiu Durosinmi who also did not disappoint as substitutes on Tuesday.
Azeez’s self-assured output against Zimbabwe, with two goals to boot in his debut, gladdened the hearts of the technical crew and much is expected of him against a Jamaican side that nearly torpedoed the books last summer. In the event, he became the first debutant to score two goals for the Nigeria senior team since Mathias Obianika did the same in the Eagles’ 4-0 defeat of Burkina Faso 55 years ago.
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On Thursday, the Super Eagles trained at the Cray Valley, ahead of Friday’s official training that will hold at The Valley.
NEW DELHI: The cricket world is still struggling to come to terms with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s astonishing IPL 2026 Eliminator knock, and now former Pakistan batting great Mohammad Yousuf has joined the growing list of admirers with a comparison that instantly grabbed attention.Less than 24 hours after the 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals sensation demolished Sunrisers Hyderabad with a breathtaking 97 off just 29 balls, Yousuf declared that the teenager reminded him of a young Shahid Afridi.“15-year-old cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi reminds me of @SAfridiofficial — young, fearless, explosive, full of energy. The future is here!” Yousuf posted on X.The comparison with Afridi — one of cricket’s most destructive hitters during his peak years — only added to the growing hype surrounding the teenage prodigy, whose fearless batting has become the biggest talking point of IPL 2026.
Sooryavanshi’s brutal assault leaves SRH stunned
Sooryavanshi produced one of the greatest playoff innings in IPL history during Rajasthan Royals’ 47-run victory over Hyderabad in the Eliminator at Mullanpur.The teenage opener smashed 12 sixes and five fours at an extraordinary strike rate of 334.48, tearing apart even Australia captain Pat Cummins with three consecutive sixes in one over.His stunning knock powered Rajasthan Royals to 243/8 before SRH were bowled out for 196.Also Read:How the Sooryavanshi storm ended Sunrisers’ title dream after dramatic revivalThe youngster narrowly missed out on becoming the fastest centurion in IPL history, falling for 97 while attempting another six. However, he still shattered multiple records during the innings.Sooryavanshi now holds the record for the most runs by an uncapped batter in an IPL season with 680 runs, surpassing Yashasvi Jaiswal’s tally of 625 in 2023.He has also smashed 65 sixes this season, breaking Chris Gayle’s long-standing IPL record for most sixes in a single edition.Cricket world in awe of teenage sensationDespite missing his century by just three runs, Sooryavanshi revealed that personal milestones were never on his mind during the innings.“I got to know after the game,” he said when asked about narrowly missing the fastest IPL hundred record. “My focus was on hitting a six. I will score centuries in future but the focus was on getting maximum runs for the team.”Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag admitted the team deliberately avoids overloading the youngster with advice.“We don’t have any conversations; just leave him alone. We give him a lot of batting practice and he does his thing,” Parag said.England pacer Jofra Archer, who played a crucial role with the ball in the Eliminator, summed up the growing fear among bowlers perfectly.“The more runs he scores, the more runs we have to defend. He can get 150,” Archer said.With Rajasthan Royals now set to face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, the cricketing world waits to see whether the fearless teenager can produce another extraordinary performance on the biggest stage.
Do you agree with comparison of Sooryavanshi to Shahid Afridi?
Major League Baseball owners have formally presented a salary cap proposal to the players’ association, a system the union has consistently vowed to reject.
This move sets the stage for a significant confrontation that could jeopardize the 2027 season and potentially beyond.
The last time baseball owners put forward a firm cap was in 1994, an initiative that triggered a 7 1/2-month strike and led to the cancellation of the World Series for the first time in 90 years.
The proposal would cap spending in 2027 at $245.3 million, with a salary floor of $171.2 million.
MLB spokesman Glen Caplin stated: “Our salary cap and floor proposal levels the playing field while sharing baseball revenue with the players 50/50 as we grow the game together. Further, by sharing media revenue equally as part of our proposal, we can address another top fan concern of local TV blackouts.”
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Juan Soto has a lucrative contract with the Mets (Getty)
Management argues that a cap is essential to enhance competitive balance and prevent affluent teams, such as the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets, from assembling rosters significantly more star-studded than their smaller-market counterparts.
However, players are advocating for expanded free agency and salary arbitration rights, a near-doubling of the major league minimum wage, increased revenue sharing among high-earning and less wealthy clubs, and penalties for teams that fall below payroll floors.
They contend that a cap would primarily benefit owners at their expense, and they remain steadfast in their refusal to accept one. Without a cap, MLB stars have secured lucrative, guaranteed contracts that often surpass those of top athletes in other US sports.
Juan Soto’s $765 million, 15-year contract with the Mets is believed to be the biggest ever in team sports and is far greater than the largest deals in the NFL (Patrick Mahomes at $450 million over 10 years) and NBA (Jayson Tatum at $314 million over five years).
The Dodgers, for instance, shattered MLB’s spending record with a combined $515 million in payroll and luxury tax last year en route to their second straight World Series title.
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Los Angeles’ total was seven times the $68.7 million payroll of the Miami Marlins, the lowest-spending team, and more than the payrolls of the bottom six clubs combined.
Other major US sports leagues operate under a salary cap. The NBA introduced a modern version in 1984-85, NFL players and owners adopted one for the 1994 season, and the NHL followed suit in 2005-06 after a lockout cancelled an entire season.
Baseball’s current five-year agreement, finalized in March 2022 after a 99-day lockout, is set to expire on 2 December. While a lockout next winter is widely anticipated, intensive negotiations are not expected until late February or early March 2027, when the prospect of losing regular-season games and revenue becomes imminent.
Should regular-season games be forfeited, the dispute could devolve into a test of endurance, with each side gauging its tolerance for economic loss.
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The 1994 MLB salary cap proposal also offered a 50-50 revenue split, requiring teams to maintain payrolls between 84-110% of the average. It aimed to eliminate salary arbitration and reduce the free agency threshold from six years of major league service to four, with a provision allowing a player’s former club to match any offer until they reached six years.
That offer was made on 14 June, leading to the players’ strike on 12 August. MLB eventually withdrew the proposal on 6 February the following year under pressure from the National Labour Relations Board.
The strike concluded on 31 March after US District Judge Sonia Sotomayor – now a Supreme Court Justice – issued an injunction reinstating the expired labour contract’s work rules. Owners accepted the union’s offer to return to work without an agreement two days later, with a deal not being reached until 1997.
Aspirant Detdet Pepito during the PVL Draft Combine Day 1. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Detdet Pepito is ready to step out of her comfort zone in the Premier Volleyball League after spending the past 11 years with the University of Santo Tomas.
Pepito, who had been with UST since high school, began the road to the pros as one of the 42 aspirants in the 2026 class for the PVL Draft Night on June 3 at Novotel.
“Honestly, I’m nervous because everything feels so different, even the faces I’m seeing now are new to me. But at the same time, I’m also really excited, especially since we’ve been able to train with different PVL teams,” Pepito told reporters after undergoing biometrics and drills on the first day of the Draft Combine at GameVille Ball Park.
“We’re getting exposed to different systems, different players, and veteran athletes. Even now, we’re already learning so much from them, so it’s been a really fun experience.”
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The UST captain admitted it hasn’t been easy adjusting to life outside España Boulevard and training with professional teams.
“Honestly, it’s been really hard. Even just the training schedule is a huge adjustment because most PVL teams train in the morning. In UST, we usually finished training late at night, so my body clock was really used to that,” said Pepito.
PVL Rookie Draft Aspirants during day 1 of the Draft Combine. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
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“Now I’m trying my best to adjust to morning training and to the overall PVL system. It’s difficult, but exciting too because after almost 11 years of training at night, now I’m training in the morning. Actually, I’ve noticed I become more productive after morning training because I still have the whole afternoon to do other things.”
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Still, Pepito said it’s an adjustment she is willing to embrace as she prepares for the next chapter of her career.
“That’s really how I show my leadership and personality. I move more freely and comfortably when I can just be myself and stay playful,” she said.
“I can offer leadership. And of course, I always try to give 101 percent, whether it’s during training or in actual games.”
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The two-time UAAP Best Libero is also eager to compete against and learn from some of the league’s top floor defenders, including Kath Arado of PLDT High Speed Hitters, Alyssa Eroa of ZUS Coffee, Justine Jazareno of Akari, Kyla Atienza of Creamline, and the duo of Thang Ponce and Dawn Macandili-Catindig.
“I’m super excited because before, I only watched them from afar. Now, I might actually get to compete against them. I think it’s even better because I’ll get to see firsthand how they move and play,” Pepito said. “I really want to learn from how they adjust, how they handle pressure, and bring those lessons with me so I can continue improving.”
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