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Sports

Jai Opetaia predicts Gilberto Ramirez vs David Benavidez: “I’m leaning towards him”

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3 weeks ago

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Jai Opetaia has been keen for title unifications since he got his hands on a cruiserweight world title, but unified champion Gilberto Ramirez is instead facing David Benavidez. Now, Opetaia has offered his thoughts on the fight.

Opetaia has been chasing a showdown with Ramirez ever since the latter unified the WBA and WBO cruiserweight crowns with a victory over Chris Billam-Smith in November 2024, but currently, hopes of seeing that affair are fading.

As if negotiations weren’t already struggling, Opetaia has opted to sign with Zuffa Boxing, who are expected to attempt to keep the Aussie involved in in-house fights, even if that means he may lose his IBF cruiserweight world title.

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Outside of the Zuffa franchise, an exciting battle between Ramirez and Benavidez is set to take place on Cinco De Mayo, in what looks to be the most intriguing clash at 200lbs since Oleksandr Usyk left the division in 2018.

Speaking to The Ring, Opetaia looked ahead to the fight and revealed that he is leaning towards reigning WBC light-heavyweight ruler, David Benavidez, despite the 25lb jump up in weight.

“You have got to remember that both of these boys have come up [in weight]. It is crazy that there is two light-heavyweights fighting for a cruiserweight world title right now. They are both coming up to the weight so it’s an even match-up, the way I see it.

“I don’t know too much about Zurdo to be honest, he is a good fighter and I have never thought he was a bad fighter or anything like that, but I actually like Benavidez’s headspace and he seems like he is hungry.

“The legacy of why he is doing it, he is more pumped up and he is younger, and sh*t like that. So, I’m sort of leaning towards Benavidez but, honestly, I don’t really care. I just want this fight to be done so that we can get ours on [against the winner].”

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Ramirez vs. Benavidez is set to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in two months’ time, where a WBC lightweight title bout may also be added to the undercard.

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Billion-dollar IPL deals: Do team valuations add up or signal influence? | Business

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8 minutes ago

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25 March 2026

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The news that two Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR), have both changed hands for over $1.6 billion each has obviously made headlines. Both buyouts involved consortiums, and ownership will formally change only after the upcoming 2026 season.

 

Sports team buyouts are hardly new. But these two deals set new standards for the IPL with top-line numbers that hit, as Sourav Ganguly pointed out, National Basketball Association (NBA) levels. Considering English football as a benchmark, only the “Big Six” of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are valued higher than RCB and RR. 

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(Incidentally, the family of the late, great Shane Warne has been set up for life since the leg-spinner had cleverly negotiated a deal where he took a tiny stake in RR in lieu of compensation. That stake is now worth roughly ₹460 crore.) 

 


All sorts of people buy sports teams. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund paid GBP 305 million in 2021, for example, to buy 80 per cent of English football club Newcastle United. Back in 2003, Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea for GBP 140 million. He was forced to sell it after the Ukraine invasion when he came under sanctions. Real Madrid – probably the world’s richest club – by contrast is set up as a non-profit owned by some 90,000 “socios”, or individuals. Barcelona has a similar socio ownership structure.

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The concept of club ownership would be incomprehensible for traditional value investors seeking concrete returns on investment (RoI). For example, RCB declared profits of ₹140 crore on revenues of ₹550 crore in financial year 2024–25 (FY25). The consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group, which bought it, paid $1.78 billion, or around ₹16,600 crore, for a 100 per cent stake.

 


Kal Somani, Walmart and co-investors paid roughly ₹15,300 crore for the RR franchise, which reportedly had an operating income (earnings before interest and tax, or EBIT) of ₹54 crore in FY25. Given the numbers, RoI at the valuations paid is very low. Even if optimistic growth multiples are assigned to the two franchises, the RoI would remain lower than parking that money in Government of India debt.

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Every IPL franchise receives an equal payout every season – approximately ₹484 crore in 2025 – from the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI’s) central media rights pool. This is the largest chunk of franchise revenue. The rest of the income comes from ticket sales, merchandise and, above all, sponsorships.

 


As many people have pointed out, the valuations have expanded a lot over the two-decade timeframe. In 2007, RR was auctioned for $67 million in the original IPL auction. The $1.63 billion sale works out to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 18.5 per cent for the valuation. Similarly, the initial RCB auction price was $111.6 million, which means the $1.78 billion exit reflects a CAGR of 16.5 per cent. (There have been interim sales and transfers of ownership.)

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The financials are similar for many other sports teams. RoI tends to be low because valuations are very high, and in many cases, teams operate at a loss.

 


So why would hard-headed businessmen and investors buy sports teams? There are several answers to that question, and most of them are perhaps partially correct. In some cases, this is out of sheer passion. The new owners happen to be deeply interested in the sport in question, and they have the money to indulge their “hobby”.

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Second, there’s optimism. “Brand value”, however you define it, has obviously grown by leaps and bounds for all IPL outfits in the last 20 years. Maybe brand value will continue growing at similar rates in future, especially if a smart, highly connected owner (or a consortium of highly connected owners) is in charge. Hope springs eternal.

 


There’s also the “greater fool theory”, which is often cited by market traders. This can be roughly defined as: “It’s fine to buy something at an inflated value if you reckon you can find a greater fool who will buy it off you at an even higher value.” That attitude has triggered all sorts of financial bubbles over the centuries.

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And, of course, if valuation does continue to inflate indefinitely, you may not even need to exit for a profit. The valuation can be monetised in other ways. For example, the stock market boosted the share price of United Spirits instantly when RCB won the 2025 IPL. There are already advisories out referencing the positive stock market impact of these buyouts.

 


The killer application with sports and sports investments, however, is something that is hard to accurately quantify. Organised sports is all about politics and influence, and having seats at the high table. The heads of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), for example, can meet any global head of state, pretty much whenever they please. The leadership of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the BCCI have similar privileges where cricket-playing nations are concerned. That influence may be hard to quantify, but it is easy to monetise, and it is something hard-headed investors will pay for.

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LIV Golf found something in South Africa. Here’s what it looked like up close

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21 minutes ago

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25 March 2026

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JOHANNESBURG — Bryson DeChambeau looked exhausted, leaning on the edge of a desk in the LIV Golf media center Thursday afternoon. His chin sagged as he exhaled, only raising for a sip from his grape-flavored Celsius energy drink. 

“It’s been a long couple weeks,” he said, referring to LIV’s trio of consecutive March stops: Hong Kong to Singapore to South Africa. “But this is what LIV is supposed to be.”

DeChambeau looked out through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the media center at a golf course buzzing, spectators moving in every direction. The first round had just ended and he held a share of the lead. 

“It might not work everywhere,” he said, “but in certain spots, it absolutely can.”

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That sentiment is the theme of the moment for LIV Golf as it leaves behind its fifth event of the year, in South Africa. Fourteen months ago, when Scott O’Neil took the helm from Greg Norman, the league was not ready for the African continent. But shortly after O’Neil arrived, Louis Oosthuizen convinced South Africa’s minister of sports, art and culture, Gayton McKenzie, to attend LIV’s Korea event to better understand the league. McKenzie met DeChambeau that week and quickly became enamored with LIV’s offerings. He is a boisterous man, unshy about his desires to bring big sport to his country and so keen to do so that he did a handshake deal with O’Neil on that Korea trip. Ten months later, LIV South Africa became one of the most successful events in the league’s four-year history. 

The reasons behind that success, as ever, require context. How LIV creates its events is, now more than ever, plainly obvious, as if spelled out on a chalkboard at LIV HQ, or in the application the league requires municipalities to fill out. If a location checks enough boxes, LIV is likely to bring an event there. If it doesn’t check enough boxes, like, for example, receiving government funding, LIV is likely to look elsewhere.

“>

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“Adelaide is the template,” LIV pro Brendan Steele told me on the range last week. He was giddy. There was anticipation in the air, with digital clocks ticking down everywhere you looked ahead of the first round. By Adelaide, Steele means Australia, but more specifically, the state of South Australia, which welcomed LIV years ago and has been hosting its most successful event ever since. That it coincided this year with an out-of-nowhere win by Anthony Kim was gravy. 

Steele and I chatted only briefly, but he said great LIV events don’t necessarily need to “check all those boxes.” That feels optimistic, especially when it comes to LIV’s desire for government funding. 

South Australia has signed on as LIV’s Australian home through 2031. New Orleans is getting its first LIV event this year, but only after earmarking $7 million to make it happen, from the same budget that offers public funding to host the Super Bowl and other major sporting events. LIV went to Chicago in each of its first four seasons — no other city could say that — but is not this summer, because sufficient state funding never materialized. If the Chicago Bears are going to struggle to get Illinois state money, to the point of considering a move to northwest Indiana, LIV Golf likely will, too. (Perhaps unsurprisingly, LIV has found a new Midwest home in Indianapolis.) 

For LIV South Africa to become a reality, getting McKenzie to pursue government aid was step 1 — and McKenzie, who was out and about at the Club at Steyn City all week long, was the right man for the job. He so badly wants F1 to reroute its globe-trotting schedule through his country that he spoke up when multiple races were canceled recently in the war-torn Middle East. In hopes of landing an F1 race in the future, he recently promised to make an offer the racing circuit couldn’t refuse. He’ll now have a golfy case study to include in his proposal.

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It’s unclear what amount of public funding LIV Golf’s Joburg event landed, but it clearly led to a massive success. On Sunday morning, LIV announced it would return to South Africa next April, with McKenzie essentially opening the ticket window himself. 

“LIV Golf is never leaving this continent again,” he said. “Which means we’re going to be here 2027, 2028, 2029, 20-forever. We’re going to be here.”

branden grace
Branden Grace plays the final hole of LIV Golf South Africa Sunday.

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——–

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AFTER THE SECOND ROUND, DeChambeau is back in the media center, sipping another Celsius, panting less heavily this time. 

“Be honest,” he starts, “how many PGA Tour events are like that?”  

He’s referring to the sound, the fervor, the hanging-around-well-after-the-round element that happens when the golf is a lead-in to a performance by one of South Africa’s biggest DJs, Black Coffee. Between Friday and Saturday, event organizers had to replace the white picket fence surrounding the party hole with a metal one out of fear that the crowd would trample it. 

“Not many,” I say. “But be honest, at how many places can this actually happen?” 

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“Five or six internationally,” DeChambeau says, indicating he’s given the idea thought. He rattles off Australia, South Africa, Spain and England, maybe one in Asia. 

“And definitely one in Chile, for Torque [GC].”

The globalist mind wanders. Santiago … Buenos Aires … DeChambeau was not the only LIV contractor to suggest this number of roughly six locations worldwide that could host the raucousness of 100,000 people who want a festival concoction that pairs golf with music, arts, food, etc. That is the LIV product now more than ever. It’s impossible to know how many attendees are treating the golf as an opener for Calvin Harris, or how many view Harris as a dessert following DeChambeau, but LIV sees either scenario as a market advantage. 

South Africa is not necessarily starved for pro golf. The DP World Tour has played host to four tournaments in the country in the last four months alone. But what the DPWT brings to South Africa is so different from LIV that it’s almost offensive to each league to compare the two. The DPWT isn’t trying to create festivals. LIV isn’t trying to do anything but make a massive, memorable splash. All of which made event organizers, in the planning stages, think far more about the 2003 Presidents Cup — held in South Africa — than any Nedbank Challenges. Last week’s event was endlessly hailed as the biggest golf event in South African history, just like the Adelaide event in February was similarly dubbed for Australia. 

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The architect of these events is Ross Hallett, who brings decades of golf-event experience from IMG. He wants every LIV event to be as big in scale as the Presidents Cup, but while feeling less like a traditional golf tournament. “Music works,” he says. “We know it. Easy. How do you incorporate art? We haven’t got it [figured out], but there’s [local] art on every TV tower.” 

In Hong Kong, local celebrity chefs were cooking in the fan village all week, with mirrors placed above their heads so spectators could better see. 

“They were mic’d up and I was like, This is awesome,” said O’Neil, LIV’s CEO. “Now, is it for everyone? No. Does it move the needle in selling more tickets? I don’t know. Maybe, maybe it doesn’t. But like the whole total experience. It’s like that fully cultural experience, which I love, and I think over time that wins because it’s right in the demo. It’s right in the demo: culture, food, art, music, golf.”

That O’Neil referenced golf last among those attractions might well have been unintentional but it does raise a question: Can the golf at LIV Golf matter significantly to hardcore, traditional golf fans? O’Neil obviously thinks so. And in person, the competition in South Africa was mostly riveting, even if the water-logged course lacked intrigue. 

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In a dream scenario, the league’s two best players — and two of its most expensive signees — landed in a playoff. Suddenly, two of the best pre-Masters storylines are a result of LIV Golf, which hasn’t happened before. Adding more juice, South Africa’s Southern Guards were one 18th-hole birdie putt away from a playoff of their own.

On the final hole in regulation, with rope lines dropped, DeChambeau needed to get up and down for par; as he went to work, an enormous crowd tried getting in his head with a rendition of their national anthem. On the first playoff hole, more drama, with DeChambeau hitting a stunning 3-wood from a mud-ball lie to set up his winning birdie. The setting was special; it moved DeChambeau to tears. All week he’d been treated like Elvis — sometimes signing autographs for an hour at a time — and even acted like a frontman on the championship stage, coming back out for an encore of applause, throwing his hat into the crowd and shouting, “I LOVE YOU GUYS.” 

Bryson DeChambeau LIV South AFrica
Bryson DeChambeau bows to the crowd following his win at LIV South Africa.

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That this culmination happened at 8 a.m. on America’s East Coast matters because there tends to be this truism ringing through LIV’s best results: You kinda had to be there to appreciate them. Between time zones and lack of interest from the Golf Channel demo, there remains a disconnect between the action abroad and how it resonates at-large, particularly in the U.S. 

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On a year-over-year basis, LIV’s international television numbers are up. But throughout its four-plus seasons, the American TV numbers have not been good, and the American TV market is where a dominant amount of value is derived for sports leagues all over the globe. For the PGA Tour, for example, TV rights make up nearly two-thirds of its “core business” revenues. 

TV can be less important for LIV Golf, but can it be unimportant? On LIV’s current TV deal, its events bounce among FS2, FS1 and FOX and have been out-rated by similarly scheduled PGA Tour events by a factor of 10x or 11x, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel. LIV hopefuls believe in time the league will pull market share from the PGA Tour. But if LIV wants to put a dent into its American TV deficit this season, it’ll have to do so against five Signature Events on the PGA Tour. That’s not an uphill climb; it’s a vertical-face ascent.

——–

THERE IS A SENSE OF AMAZEMENT, for Johannesburg locals at least, at how quickly LIV erected its business in their backyard. One person who lives on property at the Steyn City Estate said the event buildout sprouted out of the ground like mushrooms. 

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When the Southern Guards approached McKenzie to get the government green-light, they thought it would probably happen in 2028, maybe by 2027 if they were lucky, but certainly not 2026. But McKenzie made it happen. O’Neil says local sponsors are almost just as important as local government support, and while they didn’t get a title sponsor this year — like LIV had in Hong Kong — he thinks they will next year. 

Stroll the Steyn City property and you’ll see far more local and global brands leaning into LIV than it had during its first season. Coca-Cola’s suite of products — from Powerade to Monster Energy — were well placed throughout the fan village. The concert stage was sponsored by Castle Light, South Africa’s leading beer producer. Saudi Arabian companies such as Roshn, Riyadh Air, Maaden and Aramco, are also well repped, a vital reminder that the big money required to bring this tour to the African continent is still coming from the Middle East. The Saudi Public Investment Fund also has continued to inject investment into the league.

LIV has been able to lower costs over time, but O’Neil projected to the Finanical Times that it will take between five and 10 more years for the league to become profitable. All of which means Saudi money will continue to be a requirement to reach markets like South Africa. (One reason F1 might be taking its time with going to South Africa is that it may not generate the same amount of revenue — from tickets or sponsorship — as it could elsewhere.) LIV will obviously continue seeking other markets that could mimic its recent success. And when it does, is it filling a gap within the global golf ecosystem?

Early in the week, I was curious to discuss that idea of “gaps” in the pro game, as promises rained down about how special LIV South Africa would be. The notion of LIV satiating thirsty markets has caught hold enough that Rory McIlroy even praised LIV for finding its footing in Australia. 

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South African fans were out in full force at LIV Golf’s event in Johannesburg.

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DeChambeau and his Crushers GC teammates were doing a pre-tournament press conference where, unsurprisingly, the captain received a majority of the questions. But sitting next to him was Paul Casey, a 48-year-old veteran who grew up traveling the DP World Tour, spent five straight years serving on the PGA Tour Player Advisory Council and now sits on the player advisory group at LIV. I asked him, as he looks at the pro-golf ecosystem, what gaps is LIV filling?

“That’s a good question,” Casey said. “It’s a complicated question and one I’d probably defer to answer some other time because it’s nuanced. Yeah, product-market fit is a real thing that we discuss. We talk about it a lot as players actually. I don’t think it ever gets talked about enough.”

Product-market fit is a mostly simple business idea where companies reach a specific audience with unique needs by offering a product that meets them. In Silicon Valley, it’s easier to point at. Applied to the complex (and competitive!) golf world — emphasis on world — it can be a tricky thing to analyze. LIV Golf will always stage an event in Saudi Arabia, for obvious reasons. It will probably always stage events in Australia, given its success there. Will it go to Chile, as DeChambeau wants? 

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A few minutes later, when the press conference had finished, Casey pulled me aside.

“I think it just comes back to, What do the fans want?” he told me. “I keep going back to the Charlie Munger quote: ‘You show me the incentives, and I’ll show you the outcome.’” 

By that Casey meant executives from any tour tend to take their leagues in such obvious directions that it’s not hard to see their goals. And if you look at the golf world, it’s not surprising where certain tours end up, based on the incentives they’re in pursuit of. Casey thinks it would take a bottle of wine — maybe two — and a few hours of chatting to solve the schedule of global golf. He’s not wrong.

The next time I saw Casey was five days later behind the 18th green. He was standing next to me as the Rahm-DeChambeau playoff began.

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“So,” I asked him. “Does this suffice for product-market fit? 

“This is definitely product-market fit,” Casey said, pausing for a few beats. “There aren’t many tournaments in the world like this one.”

For so many reasons, he was right. 

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Bengals Sign QB Heavily Linked to Vikings

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34 minutes ago

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25 March 2026

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Cincinnati Bengals helmets lined up before a game against the Ravens in Baltimore
Cincinnati Bengals helmets sit lined up along the sideline before kickoff, offering a close-up view of the team’s gear ahead of a divisional matchup at M&T Bank Stadium, Nov 7, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. The scene captured pregame anticipation as Cincinnati prepared to face the Ravens under the lights. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images.

After extensive quarterback theories, sponsored by fans and media members, the Minnesota Vikings landed on a double-fisted combo at quarterback next to J.J. McCarthy in 2026: Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz. That man will not be Joe Flacco, who frequented the rumor mill in the last two months. Flacco signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday.

Cincinnati closed the door on one more Vikings-adjacent QB rumor from early in the offseason.

Flacco’s career continues to chug along, the poster of volume stats when a team’s QB1 gets hurt.

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Cincinnati’s Move Ends the Flacco Theories for Another Year

Flacco returns to a familiar spot.

Joe Flacco practices on the field before a game at M&T Bank Stadium. Joe Flacco Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) warms up on the field before kickoff, going through pregame routines ahead of action on Nov. 27, 2025, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, preparing to face a division opponent as part of the late-season NFL slate. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images.

Flacco to CIN

It’s a reunion deal for Flacco, who wound up in Cincinnati via trade midseason when Joe Burrow missed several games.

ESPN’s Ben Bay wrote Tuesday, “Joe Flacco is coming back for another season. The 41-year-old quarterback has agreed to a one-year deal to stay with the Cincinnati Bengals, his agent, Joe Linta, told ESPN. Sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler the contract is for $6 million, but could be worth up to $9 million with incentives.”

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“Flacco began last season as the Cleveland Browns’ top quarterback. But after four starts, he was benched in favor of Cleveland rookie Dillon Gabriel. Around the same time, the Bengals needed a starting quarterback following Joe Burrow’s turf toe injury and Jake Browning’s struggles. Cincinnati sent the Browns a 2026 fifth-round pick in exchange for Flacco and a 2026 sixth-round pick. Browning signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this offseason.”

The guy has Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers-like staying power per age.

The Las Vegas Raiders were evidently interested in Flacco, too, as Cincy Jungle‘s Anthony Cosenza noted, “Apparently, the Las Vegas Raiders were heavily interested in Flacco, with the Bengals stepping up to land the 41-year-old signal-caller. While the Bengals prioritized re-signing Flacco, they also had the understanding that he was going to search for the best offer, and one that had the potential to start.”

“While he doesn’t receive the latter in Cincinnati, he got a lucrative backup deal (one year, $6 million, worth up to $9 million) and returns to a place he seemed to have greatly enjoyed when coming over midseason.”

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Resume in the NFL

Flacco joined the NFL from Round 1 in 2008 with the Baltimore Ravens and has started 201 games since. He ranks 14th all-time in passing yards and 21st in passing touchdowns. As of late, he’s morphed into a mercenary for hire, the guy called by teams when a QB1 gets hurt, and volume passing is needed.

In 18 seasons, he averages 230 passing yards per game and won a Super Bowl with the 2012 Ravens.

Here’s his destination resume:

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  • Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018)
  • Denver Broncos (2019)
  • New York Jets (2020)
  • Philadelphia Eagles (2021)
  • New York Jets (2021–2022)
  • Cleveland Browns (2023)
  • Indianapolis Colts (2024)
  • Cleveland Browns (2025)
  • Cincinnati Bengals (2025–now)

SI.com‘s James Rapien on the Bengals’ 2026 quarterback room: “Flacco returns to be Burrow’s backup. The Bengals also signed veteran Josh Johnson earlier this month. They have a trio of signal callers that make up arguably the best quarterback room in the NFL.”

“Burrow is one of, if not the best quarterback on the planet when he’s healthy. Flacco is a Super Bowl champion entering his 19th season. Johnson is a battle tested veteran that has bounced around the league, but has stuck around and joins Flacco as the only other quarterback from the 2008 NFL Draft that is still in the league.”

Burrow Insurance

The Bengals basically wanted another Joe in case their main Joe gets hurt. Burrow isn’t necessarily injury-prone, but compared to other Top 10 quarterbacks, he’s not far from the label. In the last three seasons, Burrow has missed one-third of all games due to injury.

Joe Flacco greets Drake Maye after a game at Paycor Stadium. Joe Flacco Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) meets New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) after the final whistle, sharing a brief exchange following the contest on Nov. 23, 2025, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati after both teams wrapped up a competitive matchup. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images.

Instead of trading for Flacco if something happens to Burrow in 2026 — that’s what the Bengals did last year — they simply re-signed him in March to hedge the bet.

The previous QB2 alternative was a man named Jake Browning, who began his career with the Vikings a half-decade ago. Browning turned heads in his few starts with decent performance but later fizzled and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week.

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All the Bengals FA Moves

Cincinnati has been one of the quieter teams in free agency per volume, with these newcomers and re-signings:

  • Jonathan Allen (DL) MIN → CIN
  • Bryan Cook (S) KC → CIN
  • Joe Flacco (QB) CIN → CIN
  • Boye Mafe (ED) SEA → CIN
  • Josh Johnson (QB) BAL → CIN
Joe Flacco throws a pass during a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Joe Flacco Bengals
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) steps into a throw during first-half action against the Detroit Lions, delivering a pass downfield on Sept. 28, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit while operating within the Browns’ offensive scheme early in the game. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han/USA TODAY NETWORK-Imagn Images.

And then men who left for new adventures:

  • Tycen Anderson (S) CIN → DEN
  • Jake Browning (QB) CIN → TB
  • Noah Fant (TE) CIN → NO
  • Geno Stone (S) CIN → BUF
  • Trey Hendrickson (ED) CIN → BAL
  • Marco Wilson (CB) CIN → MIA
  • Joseph Ossai (ED) CIN → NYJ
  • Cam Taylor-Britt (CB) CIN → IND

Flacco will turn 42 during the postseason in 2026. The Vikings are slated to play the Bengals again in 2029.

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Mr Monaco firms as Sydney Cup contender in 2026

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47 minutes ago

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25 March 2026

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Following a stamina-testing victory in the N E Manion Cup at Rosehill, imported runner Mr Monaco has the Sydney Cup lined up as his probable upcoming assignment.

Mr Monaco ($5.50), stuck three-wide midfield throughout, dug deep with a gritty surge to repel the rapidly closing Taramansour ($31) by a long head, as Juja Kibo ($3.70 fav), from the same stable, trailed by just a half-head for third.

Trainer Ciaron Maher announced the five-year-old’s itinerary includes Sydney’s marquee staying test over two miles at Randwick next month, potentially without a lead-up race.

“We knew he’d improve up to the mile-and-a-half, but that was a strong win,” Maher said.

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“Onwards to the Sydney Cup and given how well he stayed today, he’d probably nearly just line up straight after this one.”

The gelding raced early in England, arrived in Australia last year, and ended his spring series of three starts with a Caulfield victory.

Maher observed that Mr Monaco has mirrored the standard improvement curve for Euro imports and is still advancing, while expressing contentment with Juja Kibo’s third spot, the horse also Sydney Cup-bound at 3200m via Sydney Cup.

“‘Juja’ looked to have the softer run and have everything it’s way, but ‘Monaco’ had to do it the tougher way and covered a bit of ground,” he said.

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“Both horses, they’re going to strip pretty well and get in with a nice weight, and both will run the two miles.”

After piloting Queensland Derby aspirant Barrengarry to success in the Midway Handicap (1500m), Zac Lloyd doubled up early courtesy of Mr Monaco, who overcame a wide starting position in the N E Manion Cup (2400m) and whose performance Lloyd rates highly for Sydney Cup prospects.

“I think that’s going to be right up his alley, considering he probably ran about 3000 (metres) today, so he’s ready to go,” Lloyd said.

Discover the best betting sites for Sydney Cup markets in 2026.

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76ers’ Paul George back from suspension for drug test, ready for playoff push

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1 hour ago

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25 March 2026

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PHILADELPHIA — Paul George is set to return to the Philadelphia 76ers’ lineup following a 25-game suspension for a failed drug test and play Wednesday night against Chicago.

The Sixers went 13-12 in his absence and began the day at 39-33 and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings.

George was suspended in late January for violating the terms of the NBA’s anti-drug program.

In his first public remarks since the suspension, George apologized Tuesday to the team, its fans and his family for the poor judgment that led to his flunked test.

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“To let people down hurt more than kind of anything,” George said.

He said his choice to take a banned substance was connected to a mental health issue that developed because of an offseason knee injury that limited his production this season.

“The most difficult thing is when your body isn’t where you know it needs to be or where it once was,” George said. “That leads and bleeds into the mental side of things, knowing that you’re limited. But for me, I feel good, my body is feeling great. Mentally, I know I’m capable of doing what I can do and what I’ve been able to on the court for years.”

George has averaged 16 points in 27 games this season for the Sixers. He had one of his best games of the season in the week he was suspended, a 32-point outburst fueled by nine 3-pointers in a win over Milwaukee.

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The 35-year-old George signed a $212 million, four-year contract in free agency ahead of the 2024 season. But his first year in Philly was marred by knee and adductor injuries that resulted in the forward having one of the worst years of his NBA career.

The Sixers also said two-time NBA scoring champion Joel Embiid was questionable against the Bulls after he missed the last 13 games with a right oblique strain. All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey has missed nine straight games with a right finger tendon strain.

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Olympic star’s son dies after being caught in avalanche

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The son of former Olympic skiing star John Smart has died after he suffered injuries during an avalanche in Japan.

Kai Smart, 23, was left in a coma due to the avalanche. John Smart said in a Facebook post that Kai was taken to Vancouver, Canada, for emergency treatment earlier this month before he died on Monday.

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John Smart skis down the hill

John Smart of Canada skis down the hill at the World Freestyle Skiing Championships in Altenmarkt, Austria in 1993. (Chris Cole/Allsport)

“It is with immense sadness that we have to let you know that our kind, brave and beautiful son and brother Kai is no longer with us. We are beyond heartbroken and there are no words to describe the pain we are feeling losing him so young,” John Smart wrote on Facebook.

He remembered his son as an adventurer who lived life to the fullest.

“Kai was a warrior, a mountain man, an explorer of the world, a lover of people of all walks of life, an inspiration to so many, an honor student, a passionate skier, surfer, dirt biker, climber, kitesurfer and so much more … He lived life to the fullest every single day, with joy, curiosity, and intensity, and experienced more in his short time than most do in a lifetime. He truly was a bright light, and his energy — his excitement for life and for learning — touched everyone who knew him,” the post continued.

John Smart bows his head

John Smart looks on after missing a medal in the men’s moguls at the World Freestyle Skiing Championships in 1993. (Chris Cole/Allsport)

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“He was always searching for the road less traveled, drawn to new places, new ideas, and new experiences. When he wasn’t outside pushing his limits, he was constantly learning, researching, and engaging with the world.”

Smart wrote that Kai’s organs were donated to four people.

The former Olympian competed for Team Canada in freestyle skiing. He participated in the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics.

An Olympic rings flag

An Olympic rings flag at the University of Southern California on March 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.  (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

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He was inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame in 2003.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

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My Gladiola targets VRC Sprint Classic at Flemington in 2026

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The skilled filly My Gladiola, under trainer John McArdle, makes her Flemington return targeting a stakes score on the straight course.

In Saturday’s Listed VRC Sprint Classic (1100m), My Gladiola looks to break through for a win after two starts on the Flemington straight this season.

McArdle hasn’t shaken off the poor Newmarket Handicap result, as My Gladiola, the $4.80 co-favourite, trailed in tenth behind winner Caballus without firing.

Her March 7 Group 1 clash at 1200m against veteran sprinters was the first without jockey Jamie Mott in a career of 10 outings, featuring two wins and six placings.

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McArdle described the Newmarket as finished before it began at the jump.

“She came out of the run no problems, but it was a complete disaster from the start,” McArdle said.

“We’ve just got to forget it happened and we start again.

“It was looking good leading up to the race, but as soon as they jumped it all went pear-shaped, but she came through it well, which is the main thing.

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“A half-million-dollar race down the straight over 1100 metres, it should be ideal for her.

“We’ll lick our wounds and go back and have another go.”

With 56.5kg Saturday, Mott reclaims the ride on My Gladiola after her 50.5kg in the Newmarket was under his standard.

McArdle plans a tilt at the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) in Morphettville on April 25 after this engagement.

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Group 1 glory eludes My Gladiola’s record, though she has twice filled second to Tentyris on the Flemington straight at Group 1.

“The Sangster should be a good race,” McArdle said.

“She’ll get in with 54-½ (kilos), and Jamie can ride her in both races,” McArdle said.

“He knows her well and hopefully it will work out better than what her last run did.

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“It’s four weeks after Saturday to the Sangster. She’ll have a trial in between and she should be good to go.”

My Gladiola probably won’t double up two weeks after Sangster in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 9, McArdle believes.

“She hasn’t had a good record of backing up in two weeks, but we’ll decide that after she runs in the Sangster,” McArdle said.

“If she runs well, she’ll probably get put away to get ready for the spring.”

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Jannik Sinner scripts history, breaks Novak Djokovic’s 10-year-old record | Tennis News

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Jannik Sinner scripts history, breaks Novak Djokovic's 10-year-old record
Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic (Photos by AP)

Jannik Sinner continued his impressive run at the Miami Open, defeating American Alex Michelsen in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals. The Italian star also created history during the match, extending his streak to 28 consecutive sets won at ATP Masters 1000 events, breaking Novak Djokovic’s 10-year-old record of 24.

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Despite the straight-set scoreline of 7-5, 7-6, the match was far from easy for Sinner. Michelsen pushed him hard, especially in the second set, where the American raced to a 5-2 lead. However, Sinner showed his class and composure, fighting back to force a tiebreak and eventually sealing the win with a powerful serve.“I feel like I served very well in important moments and that helped me out, especially in the tough moments,” Sinner said. “But today was not easy — I played a night match yesterday and today in the daytime, so the conditions were very different.”With this victory, Sinner remains on course for the “Sunshine Double,” having already won the Indian Wells title earlier.

Upsets and key results in Miami

In other matches, Frances Tiafoe advanced to the quarter-finals and will now face Sinner. One of the biggest surprises came from Spain’s young qualifier Martin Landaluce, who defeated Sebastian Korda in a thrilling three-set match.Landaluce, who had struggled for wins earlier this season, dedicated his victory to his late grandmother, saying, “She would have been 101 last week, and she passed away a few months ago. I wanted to give her the victory.”Elsewhere, Jiri Lehecka knocked out Taylor Fritz, while Tommy Paul, Arthur Fils, Francisco Cerundolo, and Alexander Zverev also progressed, setting up an exciting quarter-final lineup in Miami.

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MLB MVP odds, picks, predictions: Best bets for AL, NL MVP awards in 2026

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There are but a handful of certainties in life — death, taxes, and Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani winning MVP awards. Both have won the award in each of the last two seasons, and at least one has claimed MVP honors in every season since 2021. This isn’t surprisingly considering Ohtani might be the best baseball player in the history of the game and Judge has a penchant for racking up home runs like its child’s play, but it can make betting on the MVP race tricky and potentially less lucrative.

Judge and Ohtani are once again the favorites to win each league’s MVP award, but does that make them the best betting options? Is there better value with other players? Below, I’ve identified my best bets for each league’s MVP award as well as two longshots and two players to fade with the 2026 season getting underway on Wednesday, March 26. All odds are from DraftKings, and those looking to bet on the AL and NL MVP can visit the DraftKings promo code page to take advantage of the latest offer.

AL best bet: Bobby Witt Jr. (+500)

A player’s MVP case is always strengthened if they can power their team to a playoff spot. The Kansas City Royals have been trendy picks to claim the AL Central for a few seasons now, but this is the year it could actually happen. The Detroit Tigers added an impressive piece in Framber Valdez and will welcome infielder Kevin McGonigle, one of the top prospects in baseball, to the Show. But even with Valdez in the fold and McGonigle entering the fray, do the Tigers really have the offensive firepower to beat out the Royals? Full seasons of Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone (who looked good at the World Baseball Classic) will help K.C.’s case, and Isaac Collins could prove to be a sneaky good addition.

Then, of course, there’s Bobby Witt himself. A true five-tool player, Witt should be entering his prime in his age-26 season. There may be even more power to unlock in his bat, and if he gets the Royals to a division title, he’ll get serious MVP consideration.

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The biggest road block here is Judge. The greatest slugger of his generation, Judge has only seemed to get better with age. We’ll need a bit of a stumble (or a prolonged injury) from the best right-handed hitter since Albert Pujols for Witt to get over the line. But this is baseball we’re talking about — stranger things have happened. And from a betting perspective, Witt is worth a sprinkle.

NL best bet: Juan Soto (+900)

Ohtani is a ridiculous -145 favorite to win NL MVP at DraftKings and rightfully so. The most talented baseball player of all time will be both pitching and hitting for the best team in the sport this year, and should probably be viewed as the penciled-in MVP until a shocking dip in performance or a long-term injury prevents him from being so. But in the event Ohtani does miss a chunk of time (he’ll be pitching again this year and has a history of arm trouble), who is best positioned to step into the void?

That would be Juan Soto, who somehow went under the radar in his first year in Queens despite finishing third in MVP balloting. A noticeably slow start (which was lambasted in the loud New York media) likely contributed to the narrative that Soto underperformed, but on the whole Soto still managed a 156 wRC+ — he was 56% better than league average at the plate, for the uninitiated. 

The less said about his defense the better, but Soto remains a monster with the bat. If he performs like himself right out of the gate and keeps it up into October, he’ll be in contention for the MVP award … if Ohtani misses time. Or, perhaps, is abducted by aliens. It’s going to be hard to dethrone the best player in the sport.

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AL longshot: Nick Kurtz (+1500)

What Nick Kurtz accomplished in his rookie season was downright scary. In just 117 games, he launched 36 homers (including four in one game, and he narrowly missed a fifth), knocked in 90 runs and hit a hilarious .290/.383/.619. He immediately established himself as one of the preeminent sluggers in the sport, and with the A’s still marooned in their minor-league launching pad in Sacramento, he’ll have plenty of chances to keep hitting bombs. 

The sophomore slump cliche doesn’t scare me here. First basemen are rarely first-round picks these days, but the A’s took Kurtz fourth overall for a reason — he’s a born hitter. He is the centerpiece of this offense moving forward, and if John Fisher’s merry band of exiled sluggers mash their way to the playoffs, he’ll be a driving force. I expect Kurtz to start the All-Star Game and get MVP votes again after he finished 12th last year. He could just win the thing this time with a full season’s worth of plate appearances.

NL longshot: Paul Skenes (+2800)

A full-time starting pitcher (read: not Ohtani) hasn’t won an MVP since 2014, when Clayton Kershaw rampaged his way through the NL with a 1.77 ERA. It takes a special effort like that, along with a relative down year from the league’s hitters, to earn a pitcher an MVP. For example, even with how good Tarik Skubal has been in his back-to-back Cy Young Award campaigns, he’s only finished seventh and fifth in the balloting.

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If anyone’s going to pull it off, it’s Skenes. The young phenom is only getting better, and he’ll also have the narrative factor on his side if the Pirates manage to stumble into the playoffs, as some prognosticators are projecting them to do. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff is excellent, and the team added a few bats (for once). Throw in a potential gangbusters rookie campaign from rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin, the consensus top prospect in the sport, and Skenes could sweep the hardware if he turns in a monster campaign and gets the Pirates back into the playoffs. 

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AL fade: Cal Raleigh (+1100)

With all due respect to the Big Dumper, it’s hard to imagine him replicating his ridiculous 2025 season. Cal Raleigh should still be one of the best backstops in the game and will be central to whatever degree of success the Mariners enjoy this season — and a return to the playoffs should be the bare minimum expectation in Seattle. Raleigh is still a worthy centerpiece for a playoff contender, but MVP-level catchers are rare for a reason. He’s unlikely to reach 60 home runs again and given his previous season totals, even reaching 50 would be considered a big accomplishment.

NL fade: Shohei Ohtani (-145)

Ohtani is the best player in baseball and will be the presumptive favorite for at least the next four or five NL MVP awards. However, the issue here is the price point.

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It’s a ridiculous price for an MVP future. For example, Aaron Judge is +215 to win the AL award and he’s won three of the last four. A minus price for an awards future is bonkers and yet it’s hard to quibble with it in Ohtani’s case.  I just can’t seriously endorse investing at that price.

There’s more value to be had with an option like Soto even if Ohtani is likely to win short of the MonStars taking his talent away.

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Vanessa, Kai Trump take in Tiger Woods’ golf return at TGL finals

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Tiger Woods made his return to golf on Tuesday night, participating in The Golf League (TGL) Finals, and he had a supporting cast in the stands.

His girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, and her daughter, future University of Miami golfer Kai, had front-row seats at SoFi Center to take in the action.

They did not get the result they wanted, as Woods’ Jupiter Links, with Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner, lost to Los Angeles Golf Club, with Collin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala, Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood. LAGC made three straight eagles to close out a 9-2 victory in Woods’ first competitive golf action in over a year.

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Vanessa and Kai Trump

Vanessa Trump and Kai Trump attend the match between the Jupiter Links Golf Club and the Los Angeles Golf Club at SoFi Center on March 23, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Cliff Hawkins/TGL/TGL Golf via Getty Images)

The 15-time major champion and Vanessa Trump have kept their relationship relatively quiet. When they went public last year, Woods asked for privacy. 

Both Vanessa and Kai attended the Genesis Invitational last month at Riviera, which Woods hosted. Vanessa and Kai attended other TGL events earlier this month as well, including a match in which Kai chatted with Travis Kelce.

Woods announced his relationship with Vanessa Trump, Donald Jr.’s ex-wife, on March 23, 2025.

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“Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together. At this time we would appreciate privacy for all those close to our hearts,” Woods wrote in his post.

A report in July said the two were “very serious,” and “wedding bells” could be chiming, but nothing along those lines has been made public.

Vanessa Trump and Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods talks with his girlfriend, Vanessa Trump, after a match against Boston Common Golf at SoFi Center on March 17, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (James Gilbert/TGL/TGL Golf via Getty Images)

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Woods’ son, Charlie, and Vanessa’s daughter, Kai, are both competitive golfers. Kai has committed to play at the University of Miami, while Charlie will attend Florida State. 

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Charlie and Kai played in the same tournament in June.

After his highly publicized divorce from Elin Nordegren, Woods was linked to Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn in the 2010s. He was dating Erica Herman at the time he won the Masters in 2019, but they, too, had a very public breakup that included sexual harassment allegations and an NDA lawsuit filed by Herman. 

Woods and Nordegren have appeared to get along in recent years, as they co-parent Charlie and Sam Woods.

One step in Woods’ return is complete as he aims to play at the Masters in two weeks. He has yet to commit, but it’s tough to imagine Augusta National without the five-time green jacket winner.

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Tiger Woods and Justin Rose

Tiger Woods congratulates Justin Rose of Los Angeles Golf Club, who won the TGL finals at SoFi Center on March 24, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Greg Lovett/Palm Beach Post/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

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Woods last competed on the PGA Tour in the 2024 Open Championship.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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