Aston Villa fought back from 2-0 down to beat Red Bull Salzburg in the Europa League (3-2). Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, 19, scored a late winner for the hosts despite losing Ollie Watkins, who was forced off with a hamstring injury in the first half.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) lines up under center during third-quarter action, scanning the defense and preparing to initiate the play as the offense works through a drive Aug 10, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, against the Las Vegas Raiders during preseason game action. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings’ rumor mill never takes days or weeks off, and in fact, the noise gets louder as the draft approaches. That just so happens to be 18 days from now.
Minnesota’s latest rumor roundup touches McCarthy, Murray, and a possible Brandel shift on the offensive line.
So, to keep you in the loop, here’s the second batch of Vikings rumors for the first weekend in April.
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Latest Chatter Points to Key Decisions for Minnesota’s Offense
The Purple Rumor Mill for April 5th, 2026.
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy drops back and delivers an early throw, settling into the offense and setting tempo Jan 4, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The first-quarter sequence showed Minnesota aiming for rhythm in a pivotal divisional clash against Green Bay as McCarthy operated within structure. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Rumor: J.J. McCarthy could be traded to the Jets in a deal centered around a 2nd-Rounder.
Pro Football Network‘s Josh Weil published a few McCarthy trade ideas, and for the Jets, he explained, “New York trades a 2026 second-round pick (No. 44 overall) to Minnesota for McCarthy and a 2026 third-round pick (No. 97 overall). Will the reunion with Geno Smith result in success for the Jets? Maybe, but with an aging quarterback who has had his share of injuries, bringing in a backup with more upside than Brady Cook can make an injury not devastating for the Jets.”
“They would be able to focus on other positions with their higher draft picks and still bring in a hungry McCarthy, who could very well win the starting job over Smith.”
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McCarthy has raised no fuss about Murray’s arrival, and to be shipped out, McCarthy must likely ask for a ticket.
Weil also dropped a McCarthy trade theory to Cleveland: “Cleveland trades a 2026 third-round pick (No. 70 overall) and a 2026 fifth-round pick (No. 149 overall) to Minnesota for McCarthy. While the Browns picked a pair of quarterbacks in last year’s draft and still have Deshaun Watson under contract, it is clear they are looking for someone to come in and run away with the job.”
“It seems like the Browns didn’t want to invest a first-round pick in the position, but getting a first-round quarterback at pennies on the dollar in terms of draft stock may make them buyers for McCarthy. McCarthy’s QB Impact Score last season was 64.5, resulting in a D grade. While this is a far cry from where his expectations are, he still cleared Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel by a wide margin in that category.”
Generally speaking, the Vikings probably won’t trade McCarthy.
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Rumor: Kyler Murray is the Vikings’ QB1 in 2026; Kevin O’Connell spilled the beans.
O’Connell chatted with KFAN this week and mentioned his offense in 2026: “I call it the Justin Jefferson program. If they’re playing man coverage, they’re absolutely not playing Justin 1 on 1… what that means if you’re going to try and play those coverages, and have a spy for Kyler Murray, or for that matter any of our other QB’s, you’re leaving yourself a 3 man rush.”
“So, you have to ask yourself, what do you have to take away? If the answer is Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison, there’s going to be some opportunity.”
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray takes the field for warmups with SoFi Stadium reflected in his visor, capturing a unique pregame moment Jan 3, 2021, in Inglewood, California. Murray prepared for a matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, showcasing focus and presence before kickoff in a high-profile NFC West contest. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
O’Connell’s comments left no doubt: he is building the offense around Murray as the starting quarterback and planning for September with Murray in mind. Defensive coordinators must now contend with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Murray’s mobility — a combination sure to cause headaches.
Coaches rarely speak this way about backup quarterbacks. As QB4, Max Brosmer received no extensive analysis on Tuesday, which is understandable. He’s not a starter.
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O’Connell may not have intended to reveal his hand, but his plan is evident. While the Vikings will still hold a quarterback competition in training camp, Murray enters the summer as the clear frontrunner.
Rumor: Blake Brandel is the odds-on favorite to start Week 1 at center.
Until this week, no one really knew the Vikings’ plan at center. O’Connell changed that a little bit.
He said to reporters, “It is great that we feel that good about Blake’s versatility, but ultimately we want to do what’s best for Blake to ascend and reach his highest potential at one position or have the flexibility still to play multiple. What his offseason looks like, what his training camp looks like and what his work flow looks like leading into the season, we want to have him more than likely at that center spot and build on some things that he did last year.”
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“It’s a position that’s got some really unique names in the draft, depending on where you may be looking to take one. There’s some guys with experience, there’s some guys with tremendous upside and then some guys that have that flex above the neck of really the smarts and the command that it takes to play center at the National Football League level. We’ll continue to work through it.”
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Blake Brandel moves through pregame warmups, preparing for depth duties and special teams work Sep 12, 2021, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The lineman went through drills alongside teammates ahead of kickoff, focusing on readiness and technique before facing the Bengals. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert added, “O’Connell said the Vikings plan to make center the permanent position for longtime backup Blake Brandel, making him the early front-runner for the job that was vacated by Ryan Kelly’s retirement.”
From an early April standpoint, the starting center job is Brandel’s. A rookie will have to outshine him at training camp.
The three-day competition in the rural town of Stawell featured more than 700 competitors and offered total prize money of A$155,000 (£81,000).
Jamaican Asafa Powell, Britain’s Linford Christie and Australian great Cathy Freeman are among the global champions to compete at the event since it was first held in 1878.
Richardson’s partner and fellow American sprinter Christian Coleman, holder of the indoor 60m world record, contested the men’s event.
The former 100m world champion was eliminated in the semi-finals, where he finished fifth in 12.48 seconds.
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The men’s event was won by Australian 21-year-old Olufemi Komolafe in 11.93 off a five-metre start – starting behind all but one of his competitors, with runner-up Jake Ireland starting at 4.5m.
Spaun’s clubs remain nearly exactly as they were at Oakmont 9 months ago, with one minor exception, as Spaun opted for a 7-wood this week instead of the 5-wood he used at Oakmont. Both clubs are TaylorMade Qi10s with Mitsubishi Diamana PD shafts, so it’s simply a course-dependent adjustment for Spaun.
What has changed are his sponsors. While his main endorsement contract with Cleveland/Srixon covers his ZXi irons, Cleveland wedges and Srixon balls, Spaun has a brand new partnership with L.A.B. Golf, just announced this week.
.@labgolfputters is making it official with World No. 13 J.J. Spaun.
Spaun won the U.S. Open last year gaming a L.A.B. DF3, punctuated by that 64-footer on 18 and the now-iconic putter toss.
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“I switched to L.A.B. and had an amazing season, including a U.S. Open win. I love… pic.twitter.com/uAhr9sPnO8
“I switched to L.A.B. and had an amazing season, including a U.S. Open win. I love working with the L.A.B. guys,” Spaun said in the announcement. “The fact is, these guys know things about putters and putting that nobody else does. The margins out here are so small, and I want every advantage I can get. L.A.B. is that advantage. The golfers who do their homework will figure it out.”
Spaun was the first player ever to win a major championship with a Lie Angle Balanced, “zero torque” or low-torque or putter last June. He capped it off with a memorable 64-foot bomb on the 72nd green and tossed his L.A.B. Golf DF3 putter in the air.
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Like at Oakmont, Spaun again put the Valero away by driving the 71st green, but this time, he drilled the 9-foot eagle putt to go ahead by a shot at 17 under, a total no one could match on a windy, cold and wet day at TPC San Antonio.
But where Spaun really did his damage this week was with his irons, as he was second in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, picking up 6.7 shots.
He has a unique set of Srixon ZXi irons, gaming the players’ distance ZXi5 model for his 4-iron and the more compact ZXi7 in the 5-PW.
The unusual part is that Spaun’s iron set doesn’t have the typical half-inch length and half-degree lie increments that most players use. Instead, Spaun’s short irons are standard length, while his mid and long irons are slightly shorter than standard. Meanwhile, his lie angles jump by a degree for the 6-7-8-irons.
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Spaun isn’t a unicorn for this, but it’s still rare on Tour. Pros and OEM reps spend hours and hours testing clubs to make sure each one is dialed for the individual player. That’s exactly what the Srixon team has done with Spaun.
Keep reading below for more on Spaun’s detailed specs.
J.J. Spaun’s winning clubs at the 2026 Valero Texas Open
GT3 – Speed-Tuned Distance & Control
GT3 offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization. With a speed-tuned design that allows you to precisely match performance to your most frequent contact location, you can make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.
For players with a relatively consistent impact location, GT3 offers a precisely adjustable CG Track to max out distance and directional control.
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A breakthrough in internal weighting unlocks longer drives and enhanced directional control in GT3. The Adjustable CG Track now sits closer to the face for more dynamic CG control, while additional discretionary mass is pushed to the back of the club to maintain optimal stability through impact.
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GT3 features a new raised tail contour that represents a dramatic shift in driver aerodynamics. Previously impossible to execute due to design constraints, this advanced shaping results in a driver that swings faster while still providing optimal CG control.
TaylorMade Fairways have dominated on Tour for over a decade because of their unique performance recipe, which enables maximum distance and versatility.
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Engineers conducted an objective analysis of all the performance attributes and discovered new methods to enhance performance and confidence.
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Wedges: Cleveland RTX Zipcore Tour Rack (50), RTZ Tour Rack (54), RTX 6 Tour Rack (60) Lofts/Grinds: 50-10 Mid, 54-12 Full, 60-6 Low Lie: 1˚ Flat Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
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Cleveland RTZ Full-Face Custom Wedge
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Ever since we launched our first putter, Directed Force, golfers have been asking if we could make it less weird. DF3 is that putter.
DF3 still does everything golfers love about the original. It stays square by itself. It’s still irrationally forgiving on mishits. But there’s a lot less to think about.
The DF3 is entirely CNC milled from 6061 aluminum, with 8 screws on the bottom made of steel or tungsten in various densities to precisely target swing weight and lie angle balance each putter.
Z-STAR SeriesWhether you’re chasing major championships or your next personal best, the all-new Z-STAR series is the choice for serious players everywhere. Featuring reformulated cores and covers across the line, this generation of Z-STAR golf balls delivers greater distance, optimized spin, and tour-level stopping power around the green.
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With a blend of greenside control and long-game distance, the new Z-STAR ♦ DIAMOND also delivers the unique benefit of increased spin on long and mid Iron shots.
Minnesota Vikings safety Lewis Cine (6) goes through pregame warmups, moving across the field and preparing for defensive responsibilities as teammates cycle through drills Aug 20, 2022, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, ahead of a preseason matchup against the San Francisco 49ers with roster spots and roles under evaluation. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
One week ago, we brought you the best draft picks in Minnesota Vikings history, a list headlined by Fran Tarkenton, which should surprise no one. You can read that here. This time, the naughty list is up for review, with the next draft just 18 days away.
A handful of Vikings draft swings aged terribly, leaving long-term scars on the franchise.
The list has a newcomer, sadly, now that the dust has settled, and he checked in at No. 3 — Lewis Cine.
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First-Round Whiffs Still Haunt Minnesota’s Draft History
From bad to worse, these are the worst draft picks in Vikings history.
Minnesota Vikings running back D.J. Dozier carries the ball during postseason action, showcasing his role in the offense Jan 13, 1988, at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Wild Card matchup saw Minnesota dominate the Saints, with Dozier contributing to a decisive victory in a high-energy playoff environment. Mandatory Credit: MPS-USA TODAY Sports
5. D.J. Dozier
Drafting Dozier with the 14th pick in 1987 represented a significant investment, as the Vikings envisioned him as the centerpiece of a run-oriented offense.
But Dozier never lived up to those expectations. In 37 games, he totaled just 691 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns, with his best season being his rookie year, in which he gained only 257 yards. He struggled to establish a consistent role and realize his potential.
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After a brief stint in Detroit, Dozier was out of the league by age 26. For a Top-15 pick at a crucial position (back then, anyway), the Vikings received next to nothing for the long term.
4. Erasmus James
Picked 18th overall in 2005 — that’s where the Vikings draft this year — James was expected to become a dominant force on the Vikings’ defensive line. He possessed the necessary skills, and the opportunity was there for him to succeed.
Unfortunately, injuries rattled his career. In 23 games with Minnesota, James started 12, recording 38 tackles and 5 sacks before the team moved on in 2008. A subsequent stint in Washington did not improve his fortunes. Not one bit.
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James’s career stalled prematurely, making him another 1st-Round pick that failed to deliver long-term value for the Vikings. Minnesota has only drafted one Round 1 EDGE defender since: Dallas Turner.
3. Lewis Cine
Cine’s tenure in Minnesota quickly soured. After only 10 defensive snaps, he suffered a severe leg injury in London during his rookie year, which dramatically altered his career trajectory.
Although he returned in 2023, he struggled to find a role, and the Vikings released him the following year. He either never fully recovered from the injury or just plain stunk. You pick.
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Cine later joined a Super Bowl-winning team in Philadelphia, but his impact was negligible. While injuries are an unfortunate part of the game, Cine’s time with the Vikings stands out as one of the most disappointing first-round stories in franchise history.
He was also cut from a UFL roster not long ago. Brutal.
Minnesota Vikings safety Lewis Cine speaks with a local reporter during training camp, addressing his development and roster outlook Aug 21, 2024, in Eagan, Minnesota. The former first-round pick worked to solidify his role while navigating a competitive depth chart and continued evaluation during summer practices. Mandatory Credit: FOX9
Minnesota Sports Fan‘sEric Strack wrote about Cine a couple of months ago, “Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s biggest draft miss came during his very first swing — when he traded down 20 spots from No. 12 overall to No. 32 overall — passing on (S) Kyle Hamilton and (WR) Jameson Williams, in favor of (S) Lewis Cine, who’s rookie deal was worth $11.5 million. We all know the story, from there. Cine broke his leg during his first preseason as a Viking.”
“And when he finally got on the field one year later, not only was the hard-hitting Georgia safety lacking first round talent … but he didn’t even belong in the NFL. Before the start of the 2024 regular season, Lewis Cine was waived by the Minnesota Vikings. After he was kicked around between a few different NFL practice squads the past couple years, Cine was forced to settle for a UFL contract with the DC Defenders on January 22, 2026.”
Cine’s football career could be over.
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“Not even two weeks later… the 2022 first round pick has been cut from the DC roster. And unless he’s willing to play overseas, it’s possible Lewis Cine may now be forced to look for jobs outside of playing professional football,” Strack concluded.
2. Leo Hayden
The Vikings’ selection of Hayden in the 1st Round of the 1971 draft never gained traction.
Despite participating in the preseason, he never played a regular-season game for Minnesota. He eventually landed in St. Louis, where he rushed for 11 yards before retiring at age 25.
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The Vikings quickly rebounded by acquiring Chuck Foreman soon after, but the Hayden pick remains a significant miss that never had a chance.
1. Dimitrius Underwood
Underwood’s situation unraveled before it started. Drafted in Round 1 in 1999, he abruptly left training camp in August and never played a single snap for the Vikings.
Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dimitrius Underwood is shown in a portrait-style image, reflecting on his time connected to the franchise during his NFL career. The photo captures Underwood in a composed setting, representing a player whose tenure with Minnesota ended abruptly during the 1999 season. Mandatory Credit: MLive.com
He briefly appeared with Dallas, but his career failed to launch. Underwood faced off-field challenges, including legal issues and later discussions surrounding his mental health, which were not well understood or tolerated at the time.
From a football standpoint, the Vikings gained nothing from this pick, making it one of the most sudden and disappointing 1st-Round busts in team history.
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Imagine if Donovan Jackson just never made it through the summer of 2025 and vanished. That was Underwood a quarter century ago.
DOHA, QATAR FEBRUARY 16:
Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece is seen during a practice session with Carlos Alcaraz of Spain watched closely by his father Apostolos Tsitsipas, ahead of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on February 16, 2026 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Stefanos Tsitsipas has reacted strongly to comments made by coach Goran Ivanišević, who described him as the most “poorly prepared player” he had seen.
Speaking about the situation, Tsitsipas made it clear he did not agree with how it was handled.
“I didn’t see any point in it. If it was a way of him pushing me into working harder and getting my shit together, it was definitely not the right tactic. I was really hurt.”
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He also said the comments came at the wrong time, especially given his condition.
“I never expected that a coach could do that to me, and the worst thing is what he said was not true. I was not fit because I had been injured. I hadn’t been practicing properly for over two weeks. It was like he kicked me when I was already down.”
The remarks have drawn attention to the relationship between the player and the coach, with Tsitsipas openly expressing disappointment about how the criticism was delivered.
With Pep Lijnders now watching on from the other side after playing such a key role during the Jurgen Klopp era at Anfield, it was strange to see him speak so passionately after full time.
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Speaking in his post-match press conference via ESPN, the Dutchman was asked about a major departure in Manchester City’s squad and he delivered a strong statement.
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Lijnders’ ‘end of story’ comment lands badly for Liverpool fans
After watching City dismantle us 4-0, our former assistant delivered a line that feels poignant.
He said: “Every good story comes to an end. I hope he enjoys the last months – there are only six weeks – and has a good farewell. He deserves all that attention as well.”
Those comments were aimed at Bernardo Silva, with our former staff member all but confirming he will leave at the end of the season.
With Pep Guardiola suspended, whether Lijnders was the man who was supposed to deliver this news or not – is hard to tell.
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Pressure builds as Liverpool look for response
What makes this even harder to take is the context in which those words arrived, coming immediately after a heavy defeat where City completely outplayed us.
At the same time, there is a growing sense that we need leadership and unity more than ever, especially with Arne Slot facing huge pressure ahead of the Champions League clash with PSG.
Right now though, all of that feels secondary, because performances like this only reinforce the feeling that we’re at a turning point, and how we respond in the next few weeks will define where this story goes next.
North Carolina Tar Heels football coach Bill Belichick was sued on Thursday over an alleged incident that occurred at his Massachusetts home in June 2024.
Painter Andrew Jackson sued Forty Five Fair Street LLC, a company managed by Belichick, in Nantucket Superior Court. Jackson said in his lawsuit that “construction practices created an unsafe work area for workers at the premises” and, because of that, he suffered injuries after a fall.
Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on during the first quarter against the Syracuse Orange at JMA Wireless Dome on Oct. 31, 2025 in Syracuse, New York.(Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)
“As a direct and proximate result of the fall, plaintiff sustained serious bodily injuries including a severe right ankle injury, together with pain, disability, medical expenses, lost wages, and other consequential damages,” the lawsuit stated.
The filing added that Jackson received workers’ compensation benefits after the fall but “retains his rights to pursue this third-party negligence action against non-employer responsible parties.”
The lawsuit said that Belichick’s company should have made sure the construction site was in a safe-working condition.
North Carolina football head coach Bill Belichick and General Manager Michael Lombardi in action, looks on from the sideline vs TCU at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on Sept. 1, 2025.
(Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
“Defendant breached its duties by, among other things: a. causing, permitting, or allowing unsafe conditions to exist at the premises; b. failing to maintain the work area in a reasonably safe condition; c. failing to inspect the premises adequately; d. failing to remedy hazardous conditions it knew or should have known about; e. failing to warn Plaintiff of dangerous conditions; and f. otherwise acting negligently in the ownership, operation, management, supervision, maintenance, and control of the premises.”
Jackson is seeking nearly $300,000, according to the Nantucket Current, which first reported the lawsuit.
Fox News Digital reached out to Belichick’s representatives for comment.
North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick with the team before the game at Kenan Stadium. (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the No. 17 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
On March 25, the Minnesota Vikings submitted an application for an important annual event. According to the Minnesota Vikings team website, the team has submitted an application to host the 2028 NFL Draft.
Yes, I know the hype is building up toward the 2026 NFL Draft, but the thought of hosting a future NFL Draft is exciting in its own right.
Looking ahead, we are, at the time of writing this article (7:43 pm CT on Friday, April 3), just 20 days away from the 2026 NFL Draft beginning in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. And the 2027 draft will be in Washington, D.C.
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So, the question is, what would the experience be like for the Minneapolis-St. Paul, area for the NFL Draft? Let’s take a deeper dive into the idea.
Could the 2028 NFL Draft be Coming To Minnesota?
The festivities surrounding the NFL Draft are an economic boon to the host city. And Minnesota Sports and Events Executive Vice President of Business Development & Tourism Matt Meunier wants to bring a strong regional flair to Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Aug 3, 2023; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and team owner Ziggy Wilf talk at training camp at TCO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
For the 2028 NFL Draft, Meunier’s submission likes his own location.
Per Meunier, “In terms of the location of the draft, the red carpet and all the ancillary events that go with hosting the draft, all those things are under evaluation by the league right now, so it’s to be determined, but what we can say is TCO Performance Center is a really viable option. We want to unite everybody with this event.”
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Ties of the 2028 NFL Draft to Minneapolis
Not only will the potential 2028 NFL Draft have football ties to the Twin Cities, but another major sporting event could bring action to Minneapolis.
As Meunier notes, “Flag football, youth football is going to continue to be more prominent as it relates to the NFL and leaning into 2028 and the L.A. [Olympic] Games, so there’s potential to stage some youth football and community legacy events out at TCO Performance Center, but in addition to that, every event Minnesota Sports and Events hosts, we’re really intentional about staging events throughout the region and downtown [Minneapolis].”
Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; USC wide receiver Jordan Addison on stage after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings twenty third overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
And the team’s Executive Vice President of Public Affairs also noted that the event will bring in some major economic boom to the area.
As Lester Bagley notes, “The Vikings are vested and invested, and we will provide financial support, staff support, and organizational energy.”
Ties of the 2028 NFL Draft to the NFC North
Not only would the 2028 NFL Draft complete the cycle of major NFL events to come through the Twin Cities, but it would also complete the cycle of NFC North teams hosting an NFL Draft. Last year, the Green Bay Packers hosted the NFL Draft. 2024 was the year of the Detroit Lions hosting, and the Chicago Bears hosted in 2015 and 2016. And the Vikings also hosted the 2018 Super Bowl.
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The Confidence of the Owner to Host the 2028 NFL Draft
Now, a week after the application was submitted, the team’s owner feels fairly confident that Minnesota can land the event.
As Mark Wilf noted on a recent radio interview, “Minnesota and the business community, and the entire community, really comes out and supports the big events. We’re working with the league officials to try to figure out the venue, and we’re working hard to try to win the bid for the 2028 draft. Coming up, later in April, it’s going to be in Pittsburgh, and Washington next year. So, we’re shooting for Minnesota. We think we’ve got a great chance. We’re very supportive of making sure the bid is as top-notch as it can be, and hopefully bring another great event to Minnesota.”
So, the 2028 NFL Draft will be very intriguing to Minnesota fans. Right now, the bid is in submission. Now, the Vikings play the waiting game. Hopefully, the application will be approved.
Man Utd are on track to return to the Champions League next season and that could provide a huge boost to their finances.
06:00, 06 Apr 2026
There was a time when Manchester United could take Champions League football for granted. The prestige of European nights at Old Trafford was a given and the revenues the competition delivers were baked into the balance sheet.
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United enjoyed 18 unbroken years at Europe’s top table until Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement changed the course of history. Where once United were regulars in the knockout stages, qualifying for the competition is now a challenge.
There have been just six Champions League campaigns since 2013 and only one knockout tie since the spring of 2020. United are yet to play in the competition’s new format, which offers eight league phase games after eight different opponents.
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That should change next season. United are within touching distance of being back in the Champions League for the first time since a group stage exit in the final months of 2023. They will then have to learn the intricacies of navigating the group stage.
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But whatever happens, finishing in the top 24 of a 32-team league should be a formality. That would guarantee United at least 10 games in the competition, five of which will be at home. The Old Trafford bean counters will be delighted.
The absence from the Champions League has certainly hurt the balance sheet. United’s fall to eighth in the most recent Deloitte Football Money League was their lowest-ever position and it could fall further next year, with no European football at all this season and just 20 games at Old Trafford in all competitions.
The most recent financial results paint a contrasting picture. United’s revenues remain solid, and if they are back in the Champions League next term, they will likely post record-breaking numbers.
But in February, they increased their revolving credit facility to £400million, of which £185million is available. They also owe transfer fees of £422.1million to other clubs, of which £238million is due within a year.
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They also used a tool called transfer factoring recently, selling some of the transfer fees they were due to receive to lenders for an upfront payment of £39.4million, which helped pay off some of the credit facility. That could help fund some of this summer’s transfer business.
A return to the Champions League will clearly be a financial boost, easing any potential concerns there may be, as football finance expert Kieran Maguire explains.
“You’ll get a minimum of effectively £30million just for rocking up,” said Maguire. “Then it works out as €2million per match if you get a victory, €700,000 if you get a draw in terms of prize money. And on top of that, you’ve got gate receipts.
“You’re guaranteed four home fixtures, potentially could be seven to eight home fixtures. For a club the size of United, they should be looking to get £8million per match in gate receipts. So you’ve got a minimum of £30million from gate receipts, another £30million for participation. So that’s £60 million minimum. They’ll get the Adidas [kit supplier] bonus of £10 million, so that’s £70 million. And as you progress through the tournament, you can start adding the numbers.
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“I think there’s around about €150million for winning it last year. Now that was for a club with a fairly good UEFA coefficient, which United don’t have these days because they’ve not been as good as they have been, but even so, I think you’d be looking at €120million and of course if you win the tournament, you qualify for the next FIFA Club World Cup, which made Chelsea £80million. It really does ratchet up.”
Winning the Champions League might be a step too far for United to budget for at the moment, but the financial implications, especially under the new model, could have a big impact on the bottom line.
That will provide a healthy boost to the transfer kitty, as well as a great incentive to players to come to Old Trafford, but it might also allow United to stretch their wage budget at a time when some big earners are already likely to depart the stage.
“I think it not only helps in terms of being competitive, but also in being able to offer wages,” said Maguire. “I put some stuff out recently on Twitter. United always used to pay the highest wages in the Premier League and now they’ve fallen behind City and Liverpool. Which is, for a club of United’s stature, you wouldn’t expect.
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“It allows them to go into the market, and players want to play at the highest level. So not only can they afford to pay them, but they’ve got something to offer them from a non-financial perspective as well.”
One area it is unlikely to have much impact on is plans for the new stadium. United are talking to potential investors over helping fund a project that could cost in excess of £2billion and Maguire points to the example of Tottenham.
“I think the stadium issue is fairly well ring-fenced,” he explained. “If they are going to the debt market, Spurs borrowed a lot of money for their stadium, and they’ve never been guaranteed participation in the Champions League, and they still manage to borrow A) a lot of money and B) lots of money very cheaply.
“If Manchester United can show that we have addressed some of the shortcomings on the pitch that we’ve seen over the course of the last decade, it can only help in terms of the confidence of investors.”
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Apr 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox catcher Edgar Quero (26) and pitcher Chris Murphy (38) high five after the game against Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Davis Martin pitched six effective innings, leading the Chicago White Sox to a 3-0 win over the visiting Toronto Blue Jays to complete a surprising sweep Sunday afternoon.
Martin (2-0) allowed four hits and two walks. After Bryan Hudson and Jordan Leasure handled the next two innings, Chris Murphy pitched around a leadoff walk in the ninth to earn the save.
Austin Hays, Miguel Vargas and Lenyn Sosa each had RBI hits in the first four innings. Luisangel Acuna had a team-high two hits.
Ernie Clement had two hits for the Blue Jays, who were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position in losing their fourth straight. Eric Lauer (1-1) walked three and gave up three hits over his two-inning start, surrendering two runs.
Cubs 1, Guardians 0 (Game 1)
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Four Chicago pitchers limited host Cleveland to one hit as the visiting Cubs squeaked out a victory in the first game of a doubleheader.
Miguel Amaya’s single off Connor Brogdon (2-1) with one out in the eighth scored Dylan Carlson from second as the Cubs managed to win with just two hits. Carlson came on as a pinch-runner after Michael Conforto worked a leadoff walk. Caleb Thielbar (1-0) allowed one walk in 1 1/3 innings of relief to get the win. Daniel Palencia retired the side in order in the ninth to claim his first save of the season.
Cleveland’s struggles at the plate overshadowed a strong performance by Guardians starter Slade Cecconi, who also allowed just one hit. Cecconi struck out six and walked one during his six-inning stint.
Guardians 6, Cubs 5 (Game 2)
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Gabriel Arias’ RBI single highlighted a three-run eighth inning for Cleveland, which rallied to salvage the nightcap against Chicago.
CJ Kayfus went 2-for-2 with a pinch-hit RBI single in the sixth and a homer in the eighth. Parker Messick allowed one run over five innings, Shawn Armstrong (1-0) gave up the go-ahead homer but recorded the win and Cade Smith allowed a run in the ninth before stranding two runners in scoring position with a game-winning strikeout to record his third save.
Matt Shaw and Dansby Swanson each hit their first homers of the season for the Cubs, who saw starter Shota Imanaga allow one run on three hits over five-plus innings. Jacob Webb (0-1) was the losing pitcher, allowing three runs over a third of an inning.
Angels 8, Mariners 7 (11 innings)
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Nolan Schanuel’s sacrifice fly scored the winning run as Los Angeles edged Seattle in Anaheim, Calif.
Reliever Shaun Anderson (1-0) struck out Cal Raleigh with the bases loaded to end the top of the 11th. Adam Frazier went 3-for-4 with an RBI and crossed the plate with the winning run. Schanuel and Jorge Soler each drove in a pair of runs.
Chase Young clubbed a three-run homer to give Seattle a 5-4 lead in the fifth inning. Leo Rivas went 1-for-3 and drove in a pair of runs. Gabe Speier (0-2), the Mariners’ seventh pitcher of the game, took the loss.
Athletics 12, Astros 10 (10 innings)
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Brent Rooker clubbed a pair of home runs, including a three-run walk-off blast in the 10th inning that lifted the Athletics to a wild win over Houston in West Sacramento, Calif.
Elvis Alvarado (1-0), who retired the final two batters after Houston scored once in the 10th, earned the win. Tyler Soderstrom went 1-for-4, but scored three times and drove in three runs. Rooker finished with six RBIs.
Yordan Alvarez and Christian Walker clubbed two-run homers for the Astros and Cam Smith went 2-for-5 with 3 RBIs. Closer Bryan Abreu (0-1) took the loss, retiring only one of four batters in the A’s 10th.
Diamondbacks 6, Braves 5 (10 innings)
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Ketel Marte laced a walk-off double to propel Arizona to a victory and a series split against Atlanta in Phoenix.
Corbin Carroll went 3-for-4 with an RBI triple, while Ildemaro Vargas drove in two runs on a triple for the Diamondbacks. Taylor Rashi (1-0) earned his first career win, throwing a perfect top of the 10th in his season debut.
Drake Baldwin went 3-for-5 with his fourth homer and four RBIs for the Braves, who rallied from three deficits before coming up short. Joel Payamps (0-1) took the loss after throwing just one pitch, which Marte knocked to right to plate automatic runner Jorge Barrosa.
Rays 4, Twins 1 (10 innings)
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Richie Palacios clubbed a go-ahead two-run homer in the 10th inning as Tampa Bay claimed its first series of the season with a victory over Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Junior Caminero, who hit a solo homer in the fourth inning, later drove in the Rays’ fourth run on a walk. Kevin Kelly earned his second save in relief of Bryan Baker (1-0), who pitched a perfect ninth with two strikeouts.
In his second straight quality start, the Rays’ Nick Martinez yielded just a solo shot — the only hit against the right-hander — in six innings. He fanned four with a walk. Matt Wallner went deep for the Twins, who managed just three hits in their second straight setback.
Padres 8, Red Sox 6
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Jackson Merrill’s leadoff home run in the eighth inning broke a late tie and lifted visiting San Diego to a win over Boston.
Merrill went 3-for-5 with two RBI and three runs scored to lead the Padres, who banged out 12 hits and erased an early 4-0 deficit to claim the series. Jeremiah Estrada (1-1) was victorious following a scoreless inning of relief, and Mason Miller struck out the side to post his second save in as many days.
Wilyer Abreu (double, triple, RBI, two runs scored) and Masataka Yoshida (3-for-4, two doubles, three RBIs) combined for six of Boston’s nine hits. Tyler Uberstine (0-1) lost his major league debut for the Red Sox, allowing one run on three hits across 2 2/3 innings.
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Marlins 7, Yankees 6
Pinch hitter Graham Pauley lined a go-ahead two-run double with the bases loaded against Jake Bird (1-1) to spark a four-run eighth inning and Miami hung on for a victory over host New York after a rain delay of more than three hours.
Xavier Edwards, who drove in three runs, followed with a two-run single off Ryan Yarbrough which proved critical when Jazz Chisholm Jr. delivered a two-run double to cut the lead to one in the bottom of the ninth before J.C. Escarra struck out to end the game.
Ben Rice smashed a three-run first innings for the Yankees, who saw ace Max Fried allow his first three runs of the season over 6 2/3 innings after he tossed 13 1/3 scoreless in his first two starts. John King (1-0) recorded the win for retiring the final batter of the New York seventh after Chris Paddack followed the two openers with 4 2/3 innings of earned-run-free work.
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Pirates 8, Orioles 2
Braxton Ashcraft struck out a career-high eight and Ryan O’Hearn drove in four runs to lead host Pittsburgh to a victory over Baltimore.
O’Hearn and Oneil Cruz each hit two-run homers to help the Pirates complete a three-game sweep of the Orioles, and win their fifth in a row. Ashcraft (1-1) gave up an RBI double by Pete Alonso in the fourth, but limited the damage, tossing six innings without a walk. He allowed only four hits.
Taylor Ward led the Orioles at the plate with three hits and Jeremiah Jackson added an RBI single. Starter Chris Bassitt (0-2) lasted just two innings and allowed six runs on six hits.
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Dodgers 8, Nationals 6
Shohei Ohtani, Dalton Rushing and Teoscar Hernandez homered, and Los Angeles rallied to beat host Washington, completing the three-game sweep.
The Dodgers plated four runs in the eighth to take the lead for good. Former National Alex Call had two hits and scored twice. Jack Dreyer (1-0) pitched a scoreless seventh inning for the win and Edwin Diaz worked the ninth for his third save after starter Roki Sasaki was tagged for six runs over five innings.
James Wood had a three-run homer and Luis Garcia Jr. hit a two-run shot for the Nationals, who have dropped five straight. Cionel Perez (0-1) took the loss, spoiling a strong start from Foster Griffin, who allowed one run on five hits over five innings.
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Reds 2, Rangers 1
Elly De La Cruz singled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and Cincinnati edged Texas to complete a three-game sweep in Arlington, Texas.
De La Cruz had two hits and scored a run, and Will Benson had two hits for Cincinnati. Reliever Sam Moll (1-0) got the win, and Brock Burke struck out the side in the ninth for his first career save. Starter Chase Burns took a shutout into the seventh inning.
Joc Pederson homered for Texas, which scored four runs in the series and has dropped four straight. Robert Garcia (0-1) took the loss in relief.
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Mets 5, Giants 2
Pinch hitter Luis Torrens stroked a go-ahead two-RBI double in a four-run eighth inning, and visiting New York rallied to beat San Francisco.
The Mets strung together five straight one-out hits against a pair of Giants relievers to deliver a third straight win. Jorge Polanco got the uprising going with a one-out double off Keaton Winn (0-1), after which Luis Robert Jr. singled and stole second.
Stepping in for Jared Young, who had a 3-for-3 day going, Torrens then greeted Erik Miller with an opposite-field double to right to give New York the lead.
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Matt Chapman and Rafael Devers had consecutive RBI hits for the Giants to end Kodai Senga’s start. Senga struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings, while Logan Webb threw seven innings of one-run ball for San Francisco.
Rockies 4, Phillies 1
Former Philadelphia first-round pick Mickey Moniak hit two home runs and TJ Rumfield also went deep as Colorado salvaged the series finale of the three-game set in Denver.
Hunter Goodman had two hits and starter Tomoyuki Sugano (1-0) pitched six strong innings to earn his first win for Colorado. Victor Vodnik got the last three outs to earn his first save.
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Adolis Garcia homered and singled for the Phillies. Starter Taijuan Walker (0-2) struggled in his second start of the season, allowing four runs on seven hits in five innings.
Brewers 8, Royals 5
Gary Sanchez hit a two-run home run and William Contreras had two hits and two RBIs in visiting Milwaukee’s series-clinching win over Kansas City.
Brewers starting pitcher Kyle Harrison (1-0) picked up the win as he scattered three hits and two runs over 5 1/3 innings. Kris Bubic (1-1) took the loss for the Royals as he surrendered four hits and four runs over five innings.
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Trevor Megill picked up his third save of the season. Contreras was 2-for-3 with a run and two walks for Milwaukee. Maikel Garcia was 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and three RBIs, and Vinnie Pasquantino was 2-for-5 with two RBIs for the Royals.
Cardinals 5, Tigers 3
Ivan Herrera’s tiebreaking two-run single capped a four-run, fifth-inning outburst as visiting St. Louis topped Detroit.
Pedro Pages had an RBI single for the Cardinals, who salvaged the finale of a three-game series. St. Louis starter Kyle Leahy (1-1) gave up two runs and five hits in five innings. Riley O’Brien got the last three outs for his second save.
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Kerry Carpenter hit a two-run homer for Detroit while Spencer Torkelson reached base four times. Tigers starter Keider Montero (0-1) gave up three runs (two earned) and three hits in 4 1/3 innings.
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