Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has been fined $35,000 by the NBA following comments he made after the team’s 111–107 loss to the Houston Rockets on January 31.
According to the league, the fine was issued for public criticism of officiating and the use of profane language during a media interview.
What Jason Kidd Said
After the loss in Houston, Kidd openly criticized the referees, naming them directly and disputing a late non-call that he believed should have sent Cooper Flagg to the free-throw line.
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“I saw a foul,” Kidd said. “The referees were awful tonight. It’s a foul, and he needs to be at the free-throw line. The referees did not do their job.”
Kidd also pushed back strongly when asked about criticism of his decision to play Cooper Flagg at point guard, responding with a blunt defense of his experience.
“Criticism? That’s your opinion. You guys write that bullshit,” Kidd said. “I’ve done this. I’ve played this game. I played it. I know what the f… I’m doing.
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“I don’t give a f… what you guys write because you guys have never played the game. I build players, so I know what the f… I’m doing.”
The combination of direct referee criticism, naming officials, and repeated profanity led to the NBA’s disciplinary action, announced today February 2.
Fan Reaction
The fine quickly sparked backlash from fans online, many of whom questioned the league’s consistency.
One fan wrote: “Jaylen Brown and Mazzulla said worse. Make it make sense.”
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Another added: “This league has become so soft.”
Others focused on the lack of accountability for referees: “Keep fining coaches and players, but never the refs.”
Several fans also defended Kidd’s comments, arguing that he was simply standing up for his team and speaking honestly after a close loss.
For now, the Mavericks move forward, while the conversation around referees, accountability, and coach expression continues.
The UFC’s promotional rollout for its upcoming White House event has drawn a strong negative reaction from fans.
The promotion is preparing for a landmark card scheduled for June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House. The event is positioned as a major moment for the organization, tied to a national celebration and headlined by a lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.
Despite the scale of the announcement, the initial promo release has shifted attention toward production quality.
Check out the video below:
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Several viewers described the visuals as low-effort and disconnected from the standards expected of a global promotion. One fan wrote:
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“Pure garbage.”
Meanwhile, other fans wrote:
“The UFC finally decide to promote a fight with a trailer for the first time in years, the card on the biggest stage in sporting history, and they use AI.”
“You couldn’t just film a couple 2 second clips of walking bro?”
“Inherits 7.7 billion dollars. Uses more ads. Pure ai trailers. Something makes me think the 7.7 billion was a lie.”
“Btw why do a billon dollar company use cheap a** AI to make it’s video? You can afford the cost of the White House card, certainly you can spare a few thousand bucks for a proper promotional video.”
Check out some of the fan reactions below:Fans criticize UFC White House promo and call out heavy AI use. (Screenshots courtesy: @ChampRDS on X)
The criticism follows a broader pattern that began earlier this year when similar visuals appeared during UFC broadcasts. Viewers pointed to inconsistencies in design elements and presentation.
UFC CEO Dana White has maintained that production decisions remain internal and has downplayed the backlash. He called the use of AI part of a wider industry shift.
The UFC White House card features a show down between Topuria and Gaethje for the undisputed lightweight title. In the co-main event, Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gae will square off for the interim heavyweight title.
President Donald Trump was greeted by a packed crowd at UFC 327 in Miami Saturday night during the president’s first appearance at a sporting event since the start of the Iran war. Fans in attendance erupted into raucous applause as Trump walked into the venue.
Trump made his way out with UFC CEO and president Dana White and went around to the announcers and had an exchange with Joe Rogan, who was sitting at the announcers’ table.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio was standing nearby the seats right before Trump walked out, then leaned in to Trump and started whispering very closely to the president, cupping his hands over his mouth and they each exchanged a few words. Trump then turned around, pumping his fist to those sitting behind him, smiling and waving, then pointed a few times to the crowd.
US President Donald Trump arrives at UFC 327: Jiri Prochazka vs Carlos Ulberg at Kaseya Center in Miami, on April 11, 2026.(Jim WATSON / AFP)
Trump has been a frequent fixture at UFC and other combat sports events during his presidency, during his 2024 campaign and even dating back to his first term.
In 2025, Trump attended UFC 316 and Miami fight night. In 2024, he attended UFC 302 in June and UFC 309 in November.
President Donald Trump waves to the media after walking off Air Force One at Miami International Airport in Miami, Fla., on April 11, 2026. Trump was in town to attend a UFC fight.(Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
In 2019, he attended UFC 244.
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Before Saturday, the last major sporting event Trump attended was the College Football Playoff national championship game between Indiana and Miami at Hard Rock Stadium Jan. 19.
US President Donald Trump chats with UFC CEO and president Dana White before UFC 327: Jiri Prochazka vs Carlos Ulberg at Kaseya Center in Miami, on April 11, 2026.(Jim Watson / AFP)
Trump was notably absent from this year’s Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics in Italy and didn’t attend any other events after the Iran war broke out.
But after Tuesday’s ceasefire agreement, Trump has returned to sport. Trump addressed the ongoing situation with Iran at the White House before departing for Joint Base Andrews to travel to Miami for the UFC event.
“We’re in very deep negotiations with Iran. We win regardless. We’ve defeated them militarily,” Trump told reporters. “Whether we make a deal or not makes no difference to me. And the reason is because we’ve won, whether you listen to the fake news or not.”
Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.
Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain and three other drivers will start on the back foot at Bristol Motor Speedway. The teams have lost pit selection and a crew member after failing NASCAR’s pre-race inspections.
Notably, Chastain and Larson are the only drivers from their respective teams to make the top-10. Larson is also competing in the O’Reilly race in preparation for Sunday.
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NASCAR reporter Toby Christie shared the list of penalties on X.
“Ross Chastain, Kyle Larson, Cole Custer, and Chad Finchum will be without their car chiefs and will lose pit selection after two pre-race inspection fails. Michael McDowell (also failed twice) will lose pit selection and has had an engineer ejected,” he wrote.
Ross Chastain, Kyle Larson, Cole Custer, and Chad Finchum will be without their car chiefs and will lose pit selection after two pre-race inspection fails. Michael McDowell (also failed twice) will lose pit selection and has had an engineer ejected. #NASCAR
The two-time Cup champion keeps winning in sprint cars, however. He last won the High Limit Series season opener at Las Vegas, beating the likes of HMS prodigy Corey Day.
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Sunday’s Food City 500 is scheduled for 3 PM ET. Fans can watch the race on FS1 and HBO Max, or listen to radio updates on SiriusXM NASCAR radio.
Kyle Larson compares heart rate between NASCAR and sprint car races
“Average would probably only be like 135,” Larson responded, “but like you go to Bristol or something, and it’ll probably be an average of 165, you know, because there’s just more action and you’re like physically working a little harder.”
“And then sprint cars. It’s like 197 or higher. Yeah, if a race goes green, you know, seven- minute race. Like, you’ll be more worn out for that than a three and a half hour NASCAR race,” he added.
Kyle Larson has racked up impressive stats at Bristol. The No.5 driver has nabbed two consecutive wins and five top-5 finishes in the Next Gen Era. He has won thrice at the half-mile concrete, with three runner-up finishes to boot.
Larson had his most dominant outing during the 2024 Bristol Night Race, where he swept both stages and led 462 laps up front. The Californian replicated the feat in 2025 and led 411 laps with two stage wins.
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His last race at the track, however, saw him finishing a paltry 32nd.
MIAMI — Cub Swanson’s swan song is complete. Swanson, the last active fighter from the WEC era, turned back the clock in his retirement fight. Swanson bottled everything that made him great and unleashed it on Nate Landwehr at UFC 327 in Miami. The result was a first-round, walk-off knockout fitting for “Killer” Cub.
Swanson was in rare form for his final fight. He channeled everything that makes him one of the best to never win a world title. Swanson walked forward with his hands low, pressuring Landwehr and never letting “The Train” get going. His head movement, footwork, speed and power contradicted the fact that Swanson is 42. Landwehr was repeatedly rocked and knocked down by shots he couldn’t see coming.
After the final knockdown, Swanson put his hands up defiantly. Referee Herb Dean trusted Swanson’s intuition, waving off the fight. The official’s decision was quickly justified as Landwehr, clearly dazed, tried to wrestle Dean halfway across the Octagon.
Swanson (31-14) retires with consecutive KO wins. His beloved career boasts fights with four UFC champions, including a KO win over the current BMF champ Charles Oliveira. Swanson also knocked out former interim lightweight titleholder Dustin Poirier. His fight with “The Korean Super Boy” Doo-ho Choi was widely considered the 2016 Fight of the Year, and one of the best of all time. He lays down his gloves nearly 22 years after his professional mixed martial arts debut.
The MEN’s Aaron Morris says: “While fight fans will undoubtedly still want to see Fury and Joshua take to the squared-circle in a long-awaited grudge match to prove who is truly the better pugilist, I can’t help but feel that I speak for the majority when I say it will be a case of too little, too late.
“Yes, Fury looked incredible with his dominant display against Makhmudov this evening, and we must give him his credit after a year-long layoff. However, would a showdown with AJ really deliver in 2026? Of course, combat sports fans would still probably say that the bout has a unique selling point given it’s been 10 years in the making – regardless of whether they are purists or armchair watchers.
“But think about just how good it would have been five years or so ago, with both men in the peak of their powers and the prime of their careers. It’s probably the biggest ‘what could have been’ moment of recent boxing history, and while a fight between the Gypsy King and AJ would still prove entertaining, it simply will not deliver in terms of hype or expectations – it has been far too drawn out.”
The Red Sox came into the final frame with a tenuous one-run lead, after Garrett Whitlock gave up a solo shot to Jordan Walker in the bottom of the 8th. Trevor Story led off with a walk—something that hasn’t been a big help to the Red Sox with two GIDPs in the game so far. Marcelo Mayer flies out and this looks like another ho-hum inning for the men in red tonight.
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No so fast.
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It wasn’t anything flashy nor did it need to be. It was just put your head down, keep the lineup rolling baseball. Six singles in a row! Narváez, Rafaela, Anthony, Durbin, Duran, Contreras. I’m not sure what Ollie Marmol was doing other than staring into the abyss letting Matt Svanson languish on the mound. Maybe he knew this was a wash for the Cardinals but this hopefully turns into much more of a momentum turner for the Red Sox.
Kudos to Alex Cora for sticking with Durbin too and not pulling the trigger on a pinch hitter—either Monasterio or Yoshida.
Not so many kudos to Greg Weissert who looks almost opposite of the Italian workhorse he was in the World Baseball Classic—everything is trouble for him right now and Danny Coulombe bailed him out.
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Still, three wins in four games isn’t something to wag your finger at. None of them have been truly pretty wins but they’re wins regardless. FOX made a lot of mention that it takes 40-50 games to really see the makeup of a team. Let’s hope that first 10 was truly the worst of it and this Sox squad is starting to find its footing.
What a nice Saturday night!
Studs
Ranger Suárez (6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K, 0 ER)
Ranger was extremely frustrated after a 20+ pitch first inning and let it show in his final five. He looked extremely comfortable the rest of the way through. If this is the Suárez we’re getting on a more consistent basis, it’s very stabilizing for the rotation.
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Willson Contreras (2-for-4, 3 RBI)
Against his old club, Contreras came to play. The game-winning RBIs in the fourth and another line-moving RBI single in the ninth.
Duds
Wilyer Abreu (0-for-4, 1 K)
I actually had Trevor Story and Caleb Durbin here for a while; their production in the 9th saved their skin. Just a quiet day for Abreu who had the rest of his team pick him up!
Play of the Game
For the better part of five innings, this was going to be Willy’s two-run double in the fourth. The ninth changed my mind, we’re going with Ceddanne’s RBI single to start the chain.
Boone Jenner, Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko — with an assist — also scored while Jet Greaves stopped 20 shots for Columbus (40-28-12), which is fighting to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Adam Fantilli added two assists.
The Blue Jackets sit outside the playoff picture, two points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for third place in the Metropolitan Division.
Cole Caufield — with his 51st of the season — and Josh Anderson replied for playoff-bound Montreal (47-23-10) two nights after Caufield scored his 50th in an electric 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Jakub Dobes made 28 saves.
Defenceman Noah Dobson exited in the second period after blocking a Zach Werenski slap shot with his left hand. Canadiens rookie Ivan Demidov also went to the dressing room in the third when he was hit headfirst into the boards by Werenski, but he returned later in the period.
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Montreal (104 points) fell from second to third in the Atlantic Division behind Tampa Bay (104 points), which holds the regulation-wins tiebreaker over the Canadiens. The Buffalo Sabres lead the division at 106 points with two regular-season games remaining for all three teams.
The Blue Jackets jumped out to a 2-0 lead Saturday before the game was six minutes old.
Jenner got it started in just 73 seconds, sliding home a backhand. Coyle then doubled the lead at 5:42 when he finished off a tic-tac-toe play.
Anderson capitalized on a net-front pass from Jake Evans to respond at 11:48 in the first period, giving the Canadiens life until Marchenko ripped a shot over Dobes’ shoulder 1:24 into the second.
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Monahan put the Blue Jackets ahead 4-1 at 10:36 in the middle frame after a turnover from defenceman Jayden Struble.
Caufield beat Greaves from a sharp angle on the power play 3:58 into the third period, but Coyle restored the Blue Jackets’ three-goal lead on the man advantage at 9:59.
Blue Jackets: On top of the early goals, Columbus registered eight shots just 3:18 into the game, setting the tone for the rest of the evening.
Canadiens: Will hope Dobson’s injury is not severe with the playoffs starting in one week.
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Marchenko set up Coyle for his second of the night to give Columbus a commanding 5-2 lead.
Montreal captain Nick Suzuki, with an assist on Caufield’s goal, moved within one point of becoming the first Canadien to hit 100 since Mats Naslund in 1985-86.
Blue Jackets: Host the Boston Bruins on Sunday.
Canadiens: Visit the New York Islanders on Sunday.
After three low scores, Sanju Samson returned to form with a hundred as Chennai Super Kings beat Delhi Capitals by 23 runs to register their first win of IPL 2026 in Chennai on Saturday.Samson (115 not out, 56 balls) and Ayush Mhatre (59, 36 balls) added 113 runs for the second wicket to take CSK to 212 for two. Delhi Capitals struggled against Jamie Overton, who took 4/18, and were bowled out for 189.Tristan Stubbs (60) delayed the inevitable for DC with a gutsy half-century.This was Chennai Super Kings’ first win of the season, while Delhi Capitals recorded their second loss in a row.There were tense moments during the match after Delhi Capitals players, including Nitish Rana, questioned the umpire over a denied glove change request for Tristan Stubbs.The incident took place during the chase when Stubbs asked to change his gloves in the 19th over. He appeared uncomfortable, with sweaty gloves affecting his grip. Nitish Rana spoke to the umpire after the request was turned down, saying that playing with damp gloves could affect performance and safety.Soon after, on the third ball of the 19th over, Stubbs was dismissed while trying to hit Jamie Overton over mid-off, with Noor Ahmed taking the catch. Stubbs walked back and threw his bat and gloves on the way to the dressing room. Stubbs had asked for a glove change before getting out, but the fourth umpire had denied the request.With the win, CSK moved to ninth place with one win and three losses, while DC remained fourth with two wins and two losses.
Tyson Fury has come out of retirement to face Russian boxer Arslanbek Makhmudov in a heavyweight clash in London on April 11. The fight will stream live on Netflix, which fans can get for free with Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle or £24 Ultimate TV bundle, the latter of which also includes HBO Max and Disney+.
Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; April 25, 2025; A wide shot captures the stage video board displaying “The Pick Is In” for the Minnesota Vikings during the third round of the NFL Draft, as fans and team personnel await the announcement inside the draft theater in Green Bay. Mandatory Credit: Perry Knotts-Getty Images
Next week, our staff will formally predict the Minnesota Vikings’ 1st-Round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, but first, we asked our writers to get funky — the bold stuff that might unfold between April 23rd and 25th. “Bold predictions,” by design, are supposed to be “out there” and even a little bizarre.
These predictions lean weird for a reason.
Minnesota has nine picks this time; here’s what our people say will happen if things get a bit weird.
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12 Vikings Calls That Could Rattle Minnesota’s Draft
Thinking outside the box for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Pasadena, California, USA; Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson (21) celebrates after reaching the end zone during first-half action against UCLA at the Rose Bowl, Nov 8, 2025, as teammates react nearby and momentum swings in Nebraska’s favor during a high-energy matchup. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
1. The First 4 Pick Are Offensive Players
Predictor: Wes Johnson
The Vikings are in a prime position to add to the offensive side of the ball, and when you futurecast it, you can see why they’ll lean that way. Jordan Addison had his 5th-year option picked up, which means he will be on the 2027 books for around $18m.
Justin Jefferson will come in around $49.5m, with the two WRs set to command about 21% of the cap. That’s not sustainable for future years, and thinking about the position’s future is smart football.
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WRs KC Conception or Jordan Tyson could be targets in the first round. Tight end is another area to focus on for the future. T.J. Hockenson will be a free agent and has slowed down since his knee injury.
Drafting someone dynamic on Day 2 should be a must; Eli Stowers, Max Klare, or Oscar Delp would be options here. Finally, finding a center of the future to shore up the line moving forward will only help keep the pocket clean for Kyler Murray. At pick No. 97, I can see them bringing home Emmitt Johnson, who many are saying is an Aaron Jones clone. Who better to learn under than Jones in what might be a swan-song year for #33?
2. Offensive Tackle Drafted Early
Predictor: Janik Eckardt
On paper, the Vikings don’t need an offensive tackle with Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw still on the roster. Furthermore, the franchise signed backup Ryan Van Demark this offseason. Still, with injury concerns surrounding both starters, the front office will select a tackle in the Top 100 to add a long-term backup to the squad, who will be developed until he’s ready to enter the starting lineup in a year or two.
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3. Vikings End up with 10 Picks + Plus One Banked for 2027
Predictor: Kyle Joudry
The Vikings go into the event with nine picks. By the time it’s done, the Vikings will have made 10 selections and added an extra pick for 2027.
4. Vikings Trade Down, Draft DT Peter Woods
Predictor: Steve Hoikkala
The Vikings trade back from Pick No. 18 and stay in the 1st Round to select DL Peter Woods from Clemson to pair with Jalen Redmond. The Vikings know they need to build in the trenches to be successful on defense.
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5. J.J. McCarthy Traded, Rookie QB Drafted
Predictor: Ted Schwerzler
Not only is J.J. McCarthy gone, but the Vikings can also land a developmental prospect. By trading McCarthy, Minnesota gets mid-round draft capital this cycle. They’ll stick with Kyler Murray when it works, and landing Taylen Green (Arkansas) or Cole Payton (NDSU) on Day 3 gives Kevin O’Connell a lower-profile project.
6. The Pick Is Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq
Predictor: Dustin Baker
When the Vikings reworked T.J. Hockenson’s contract, making him a free agent in 2027, many fans thought, “Hockenson is back, huh? I guess they’re not drafting a tight end.”
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What they should have thought? “Hockenson’s last year in Minnesota is 2026, so a tight end from the draft is now in play.”
The pick at No. 18 is Sadiq, who will help compensate for the Vikings’ lack of WR3 at the moment — and so much more.
7. First 2 Picks Are Safeties
Predictor: Henrique Gucciardi
Flores seems happy with his starting cornerbacks, but even if Harrison Smith returns, the safety position must be addressed. With that in mind, interim GM Rob Brzezinski selects either Dillon Thieneman or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren on Day 1 and pairs him with A.J. Haulcy as their second pick
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8. Vikings Trade Out of Round 1 Altogether
Predictor: Adam New
This year’s draft appears low on top-end talent, and the Vikings look like they are in a good spot to trade back. They go out of the first round completely for more Day 2 picks.
9. Jeremiyah Love Somehow Lands in MIN
Predictor: Cole Smith
South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (4) carries the football while USC safety Bishop Fitzgerald (19) closes in defensively during second-half play at Notre Dame Stadium, Oct 18, 2025, as the Irish offense pushes for yards in a tightly contested matchup. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
The Vikings land Jeremiyah Love … without trading up. That’s it. That’s the prediction. This is what I’m rooting for, and I think there’s a world in which it happens. Very unlikely, but I don’t want the Vikings trading up for him either.
10. No Safety in First 3 Rounds
Predictor: Josh Frey
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There are plenty of reasons for the Vikings to pick a safety early in this spring’s draft, but do they outweigh needs at other positions? I’m not so certain. The Vikings won’t end up with a new safety by the end of Day 2.
11. No Offensive Players until Rounds 4-7
Predictor: Brevan Bane
Glendale, Arizona, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores stands on the sideline observing defensive alignments during the NFC Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Rams, Jan 13, 2025, as postseason intensity builds and communication remains critical throughout the matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Vikings won’t select any offensive players until Day 3. Given how much the defense needs young talent and how the board could likely shake out, Minnesota could have some decent looks at good defenders at its selections at 18, 49, 82, and 97.
12. Vikings Draft DL and OL with First 3 Picks
Predictor: Sean Borman
Vikings bypass the secondary and WR early in the draft to use their first three picks on a “trench-first” overhaul of IDL and C. This strategy prioritizes long-term cap sustainability and leans into Brian Flores’ identity by betting that elite physical line play is more critical to success than high-priced cornerbacks.
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It’s building the roster from the inside out. After all, three of the four starting trenchmen who were signed in free agency last offseason are already gone.
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