Why? Because the Pistons’ struggling All-Star center has been on the Lakers’ radar for the past few months, and the consensus was that the Memphis Product’s uninspiring play in the series could bolster Los Angeles’ odds of prying him from Detroit this summer.
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Considering that’s exactly what occurred, Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts believes the Lakers could pull off a beneficial free agency move.
“Jalen Duren’s playoff struggles increased Lakers’ chances of stealing All-Star big man,” Watts wrote Monday.
“Luka wants a lob threat center to be his pick-and-roll partner. Duren scored 1.45 points per possession in those situations during the regular season, which is better than 91.8 percent of NBA players. Now imagine what he could do playing with the best pick-and-roll creator in the world?”
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“The 22-year-old big man must be put in positions to succeed. He shouldn’t be creating off the dribble or having to do too much. The Lakers are the perfect spot. Luka will feed him lobs and easy buckets at the rim. Duren can focus on protecting the rim and anchoring the defense.”
As Watts alluded to, Duren’s performance in the playoffs wasn’t an accurate representation of who he is as a player. In addition to being a low-post bruiser capable of bullying weaker opponents in the paint, Duren is an explosive vertical athlete who can track down just about any pass and finish above the rim emphatically.
Don’t sleep on the former lottery pick’s rim protection, either, as he’s fully capable of severely altering shots with his length and impressive hang time.
Of course, the Lakers’ chances of landing Duren will hinge on the Pistons’ stance on their 19.5 points-per-game center.
Minnesota Wild fans reacted strongly after GM Bill Guerin once again spoke about the team’s search for a true No. 1 center this offseason.
Speaking Monday, Guerin admitted the Wild are still trying to improve down the middle and said the team would stay aggressive if the right opportunity comes up.
“The talk here is always the No. 1 center. You know, obviously, that’s, we’ll see what’s available,” Guerin said. “I think I’ve shown you, and our fans, and everybody involved that if there’s something out there that can make our team better, I’m willing to do it, and I won’t sit on my hands.”
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After Michael Russo shared Bill Guerin’s comments on X, much of the reaction centered around Minnesota’s recent move involving Quinn Hughes
The Wild had previously landed Hughes after former New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald failed to work out a move for him, and there has already been speculation about whether Hughes could eventually sign a long-term contract with the Wild.
Another fan questioned why Minnesota did not address the issue earlier.
“Shoulda gotten THAT at the trade deadline instead of Hughes,” the comment read.
Some fans also questioned whether the Wild even have enough assets or cap space to add a top-line center this summer.
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“I don’t see how we have the assets or cap space for that,” the fan wrote.
“And how long have we been looking for a number one center? maybe he should take every draft pick that he has left and draft nothing but centers and pray that one pans out.”
Others suggested bringing back former Wild forward Mikael Granlund from the Anaheim Ducks.
“Bring Granlund back…” the comment read.
Minnesota had also reportedly explored a move for Robert Thomas before the trade deadline in a package involving Jesper Wallstedt and Danila Yurov, though nothing ultimately materialized.
Bill Guerin believes Wild are close despite playoff disappointment
Even after the playoff exit, Bill Guerin still believes that the Minnesota Wild are moving in the right direction. Minnesota was eliminated by the Colorado Avalanche in Game 5 of the Western Conference Second Round last week, ending what was still the team’s deepest playoff run in more than a decade.
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The Wild had not made it past the opening round in 11 years, but Guerin admitted the loss was still difficult to accept because of the expectations surrounding the group.
“This one, for me personally, and I know in talking to John and talking to some of the players, this is the worst one,” Guerin said during the team’s season-ending press conference.
“This one hurts the most because I think there was the reality of doing something special.”
Still, Bill Guerin said the Wild believe they are getting closer, especially with more cap flexibility and the progress the team made this season.
Stephen A. Smith is firing back at Jaylen Brown after the Boston Celtics star called the popular ESPN personality the “face of clickbait media” during a Twitch live stream over the weekend.
Brown referred to Smith as a “clown” as well, but the veteran sports pundit took time on Monday’s edition of “First Take” to address those comments in a long rant of his own.
“I’m not going to disrespect Jaylen Brown,” Smith said. “…He’s pointing the finger in the wrong direction. Point it at yourself, bro.”
Stephen A. Smith questioned whether NBA players feel safe in Memphis, and Grizzlies guard Ja Morant responded during an NBA event in 2024.(Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Smith had criticized Brown for saying this past season with the Boston Celtics, which ended in the first-round of the playoffs with a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, was his favorite with the franchise. Brown responded on Sunday night by telling the ESPN personality to “be quiet.”
“Did he just say I needed to be quiet? Be quiet for who?” Brown said Sunday night. “Man, f— Stephen A. Stephen A, Stephen B, Stephen C. My offer still stands. You want me to be quiet and stop streaming, well, I want you to be quiet and get off these networks because you’re not using your platform to do real journalism. You’re using your platform to use clickbait.”
“Tell this mother—-er to retire because he’s the face of clickbait media at the point and maybe with his retirement we can spark a movement to get the rest of these mother—-ers out of here — or to also have some type of … forget journalistic integrity, actual integrity in order to hold themselves accountable to the bulls— takes they put out.”
Smith doubled down on his previous comment, though, in Monday’s monologue.
“The Boston Celtics, the most storied franchise in basketball annals, 18 [championships]. You helped deliver one of them just two years ago. Two years later, y’all surrender a 3-1 lead for the first time in its history, in franchise history, with you driving the bus. And 24 hours after you didn’t go to the basket in the final two minutes, after y’all launched three-point shots on six separate occasions and missed every one of them. [In] 24 hours after that was over, you went on camera as a representative for the Boston Celtics and called it your favorite season. A season where Jayson Tatum was on the bench for 60 games, a season that ended with you losing a 3-1 lead, a season that ended with you getting bounced in the First Round. You went on and said that was your favorite season.”
“Since you represent the franchise, I was simply providing a heads up that it wasn’t wise from somebody who is considered relatively wise to say that 24 hours after being sent home, after surrendering a 3-1 lead in the postseason for the first time in franchise history. That’s what I said.”
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Celtics star Jaylen Brown fired back at ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith after the “First Take” host told Brown to “be quiet” following Boston’s playoff collapse.(Imagn Images)
Smith ended his rant with a warning for Brown.
“In the end, Jaylen Brown, be careful what you wish for,” he said. “You really want me to start reporting on that level? You understand? Locker room, how the organization might feel about you, how the city might feel about you, how Jayson Tatum may or may not feel about you. Sneaker deals, endorsement deals, the list goes on and on.
“The season is over, bro. You’re on Twitch trying to do what I do, and me needing to step away. It makes no sense. I’m not being disrespectful. I’m simply making the point it is not wise after 24 hours of having your season over in the First Round for you to be coming out talking about how that’s your favorite season. It ain’t the smartest thing in the world to do.”
Smith also prefaced his statement by saying how he’s been on Brown’s side throughout the season, as well as in the past. He brought up his philanthropy within his community and explained how much he respected Brown.
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Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pa., on April 30, 2026.(Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)
As Smith mentioned, the Celtics were shockingly bounced from the NBA Playoffs after losing three straight games to finish their first-round series with the Sixers. During the regular season, with Tatum rehabbing his way back from injury, Brown was the focal point of the Celtics, averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
Boston ended up earning the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference after going 56-26, but they couldn’t finish against Philadelphia, ultimately setting unfortunate franchise history in the process.
Former UCF cornerback Mike Hughes poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after the Minnesota Vikings selected him with the 30th overall pick on Apr. 26, 2018, at the NFL Draft in Arlington, Texas. Hughes entered the league as one of Minnesota’s top defensive additions during a first round focused heavily on athleticism and secondary depth. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
If you’ve been craving the city of Minneapolis to host the NFL Draft at some point, your wish has been granted.
The Twin Cities will soon join the league’s rotating list of draft host cities.
Credible reporting emerged Monday, explaining that the 2028 NFL Draft will indeed be held in the Twin Cities after Minneapolis submitted a bid earlier in the offseason. It’s happening.
The Viking ship monument stands outside U.S. Bank Stadium before the Minnesota Vikings hosted the Los Angeles Chargers on Sep. 24, 2023, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The landmark has become one of the signature gathering spots for fans arriving downtown on game days, reflecting the atmosphere surrounding Vikings home contests throughout the NFL season. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Sources: 2028 Draft Coming to Minny
It’s damn near official. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Monday, “ESPN sources: The 2028 NFL Draft is expected to be awarded to Minneapolis at this week’s league meeting. The NFL’s fan engagement and major events committees have been working with the city and the Vikings on plans for the 2028 Draft.”
Kevin Seifert from the same network added, “Local organizers spoke in March about the broad strokes of this bid, saying U.S. Bank Stadium will be a “foundational piece” of the draft footprint. But we’re awaiting more details on exactly what that would look like.”
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In 2023, the draft occurred in Kansas City. The year after that? Detroit. In 2025, Green Bay got the nod. And last month, Pittsburgh hosted the event. The NFL has apparently decided that America’s breadbasket is the best spot to grow the business when rookies enter the league.
The Case for Minneapolis
In April, Minnesota Sports and Events (MNSE) Executive Vice President of Business Development & Tourism Matt Meunier explained why Minneapolis wanted the event: “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.
“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 not just downtown Minneapolis. We want to unite everybody with this event.”
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Vikings Executive Vice President of Public Affairs Lester Bagley added, “The Vikings are vested and invested, and we will provide financial support, staff support and organizational energy.”
Rallying cries from Meunier and Bagley worked.
The State of the Team by Then?
The event is two regular seasons and another full offseason from now. The Vikings could look markedly different in 2028, believe it or not.
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Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after the Minnesota Vikings selected him with the 17th overall pick on Apr. 25, 2024, at the NFL Draft in Detroit, Michigan. Turner entered the league as one of the draft’s premier defensive prospects and a major addition to Brian Flores’ aggressive defensive scheme in Minnesota. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
By that draft, Minnesota will know if J.J. McCarthy is its long-term solution at quarterback. Kyler Murray is in the mix this season to compete with McCarthy for the gig — may the best man win later this summer. The evaluator of that battle? Head coach Kevin O’Connell. The Vikings’ skipper enters Year No. 5 with the franchise without a playoff win, and most head coaches don’t get that grace from their ownership or general manager.
The Vikings, on the other hand, fired O’Connell’s boss, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, in January while retaining O’Connell. Before too long, O’Connell probably has to win a postseason game or two to stay off the hot seat.
Meanwhile, Brian Flores runs the Vikings’ defense, but his relationship feels like a year-to-year arrangement, as he deserves another head coaching job soon. Minnesota is also searching for a new general manager; the eventual candidate will likely be in charge of the team during the 2028 NFL Draft, barring a strange mishap.
Get Ready for a Ginormous Party
That’s all the football stuff — who will be in charge and why the Vikings wanted the event in the first place. Now: the fun part.
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The draft in the Twin Cities will be an epic three-day experience. Virtually every city that hosts it tells wonderful tales about its success thereafter. VikingsWire‘s Glenn Erby on the event: “The NFL Draft has evolved into a three-day football festival featuring nonstop television coverage, celebrity appearances, concerts, and millions of fans attending in person and online.”
“From 1965 through 2014, the draft remained in New York City before the NFL shifted toward rotating host cities in 2015, beginning with Chicago. Since then, the event has traveled throughout the country, including stops in cities such as Philadelphia, Kansas City, Detroit, Las Vegas, and Green Bay.”
USC wide receiver Jordan Addison stands on stage after the Minnesota Vikings selected him with the 23rd overall pick on Apr. 27, 2023, at the NFL Draft in Kansas City, Missouri. Addison joined Minnesota as a first-round playmaker expected to complement Justin Jefferson and expand the Vikings’ passing attack for the foreseeable future. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
If you need a quick way to think of it — it’s just a giant party for three days, celebrating the influx of youth into the sport.
“Minneapolis would become the latest city to capitalize on the draft’s economic impact, tourism boost, and national spotlight,” Erby added.
League owners will vote on Minneapolis as the host city this week and are widely expected to green-light it. Start planning your 2028 draft weekend.
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The draft will physically take place at a spot adjacent to U.S. Bank Stadium, per sources.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
The Edmonton Oilers keep looking for a new head coach, but it seems like their whole plan is maybe moving a little fast. As TSN’s Ryan Rishaug reports, Edmonton is expected to move toward a formal interview with former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube, after some early talk with general manager Stan Bowman.
Meanwhile, the Oilers are still trying to figure out if they’ll get the green light to speak with former Vegas Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy, and that whole situation is still hanging in the air.
Ryan Rishaug said that talks between Berube and the Oilers have already happened, and that a formal interview is expected soon. If that really comes together it could put the former Stanley Cup-winning coach right up there as one of the top options in Edmonton’s search.
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Berube comes with a lot of NHL experience that might really appeal to an Oilers team that is still hunting for consistency even after years of playoff appearances. He put up an 84-62-18 record in Toronto, before being dismissed after a pretty disappointing season under the new general manager John Chayka.
Before Toronto, he coached both the Philadelphia Flyers, and the St. Louis Blues too. His main highlight was in 2019 when he helped the Blues win their first Stanley Cup title.
Could Bruce Cassidy Still Enter the Edmonton Oilers Coaching Search?
Even though Berube looks like the frontrunner, the Oilers are still keeping an eye on Bruce Cassidy’s situation closely too. TSN insider Pierre LeBrun mentioned that Vegas still hasn’t given any NHL team permission to talk with Cassidy, because he’s stuck under contract for another season.
Cassidy became available after Vegas let him go in April, even though he still had a competitive season to back it up. His solid defensive framework and that championship experience, are reportedly what make him a pretty attractive option for Edmonton’s front office.
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The Oilers ended up firing Knoblauch after that disappointing first-round playoff exit, against the Anaheim Ducks. Even though Edmonton made the playoffs in each of its three seasons, and even pushed all the way to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, management seemed to feel that big changes were necessary moving forward.
General manager Stan Bowman later admitted the whole organization really needed a bit of improvement, after that inconsistent season where the captain Connor McDavid publicly said the Oilers were “an average team”.
Sorsby has retained Jeffrey Kessler, the attorney who won an historic victory in House v. NCAA, to fight the governing body’s gambling investigation into his recent betting activity. The legal team is seeking a resolution to the case by June 15, a week ahead of the June 22 declaration deadline for the NFL Supplemental Draft.
The NCAA opened an investigation into Sorsby after he allegedly placed various bets on sporting events during his career at Indiana. Sorsby is on an indefinite leave of absence from the football program to seek treatment for gambling addiction. The NCAA has yet to rule on the case, but in a Monday statement, Texas Tech announced that Sorsby has been ruled ineligible based on an “agreed-upon stipulation of facts between Texas Tech University, the NCAA and Brendan Sorsby.” Texas Tech added that it “intends to quickly initiate the reinstatement process.”
The filing argues that Sorsby suffers from a “mental health condition” and has been “clinically diagnosed” with a gambling addiction.
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“The NCAA has weaponized his condition to shore up a facade of competitive integrity, while simultaneously profiting from the very gambling ecosystem it polices,” the injunction reads.
“The NCAA has not received a reinstatement request for this case,” the statement reads. “The NCAA generally doesn’t comment on pending reinstatement requests, but the Association’s sports betting rules are clear, as are the reinstatement conditions. When it comes to betting on one’s own team, these rules must be enforced in every case for the simple reason that the integrity of the game is at risk with a statement.
“Every sports league has these protections in place, and the NCAA will continue to apply them equally because every student-athlete competing deserves to know they’re playing a fair game.”
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Far-reaching impact
One of the top-rated players in the transfer portal this cycle, the former Cincinnati quarterback was ranked as the No. 2 overall player after throwing for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns and five interceptions for the Bearcats last season.
“We love Brendan and support his decision to seek professional help,” Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said in a statement after Sorsby announced he was stepping away from the program to get help this spring. “Taking this step requires courage, and our primary focus is on him as a person. Our program is behind Brendan as he prioritizes his health.”
Texas Tech made an aggressive push this offseason to position itself as a legitimate conference contender, and Sorsby’s signing was a major part of that effort. He brings experience, toughness and the kind of live-game seasoning coaches covet in the expanded playoff era, especially when programs are spending more than $5 million in the portal market. If Sorsby earns an injunction, the Red Raiders immediately stabilize the most important position on the field with a quarterback capable of operating an uptempo offense and handling pressure moments.
Without him, however, the equation changes considerably.
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The timing of the decision matters almost as much as the outcome. Summer chemistry work, player-led practices and preseason installation are all affected when a staff doesn’t know who its QB1 will be. With the NFL evaluation window also in mind entering mid-June, that helps explain the urgency from Sorsby’s representation. Texas Tech’s investment in roster construction suggests the program believes its championship window is open immediately if Sorsby is eligible.
Backup plan
McGuire revealed Monday that Sorsby’s projected backup, Will Hammond, is expected to be cleared for all football activities on August. 21 and would ideally be ready to go for the Red Raiders’ Week 3 Big 12 opener against Houston.
Hammond was an integral part of last year’s conference title-winning team as the first player off the bench behind Behren Morton. He threw for 680 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions last season as a redshirt freshman over eight appearances, including a pair of starts. He also rushed for 299 yards and five scores.
NCAA needs a win
The NCAA has spent the last several years navigating transfer waivers, junior college seasons, COVID-19 exemptions and evolving eligibility interpretations with inconsistent results. An injunction win for Sorsby would only reinforce the growing perception that eligibility rules remain fluid in the modern era.
Suncorp Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 11 NRL game between Wests Tigers and
Manly Sea Eagles. The game kicks off at 3:00 pm with Manly Sea Eagles heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Wests Tigers vs.
Manly Sea Eagles
game and give you our free tips and bets.
Manly arrives at Magic Round full of confidence as Anthony Seibold’s evolving system continues to produce results. The Sea Eagles have found an ideal balance between direct middle play and expansive edge attack, with their speed men consistently punishing retreating defensive lines. Their attack has looked fluid and connected in recent weeks, highlighted by strong support play and relentless second-phase pressure.
The Tigers deserve credit for the resilience they showed against Melbourne last week, particularly after falling behind early. Injuries have forced Benji Marshall to reshuffle repeatedly, yet effort and defensive commitment have remained consistent. The concern for Wests is whether they can maintain that intensity against a Manly side currently playing with greater rhythm and confidence. If the Sea Eagles dominate field position early, their attacking weapons may prove too difficult to contain over 80 minutes.
Suncorp Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 11 NRL game between Sydney Roosters and
North Queensland Cowboys. The game kicks off at 5:30 pm with Sydney Roosters heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Sydney Roosters vs.
North Queensland Cowboys
game and give you our free tips and bets.
Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys Preview
Tom Dearden’s ankle injury looms as a major storyline for North Queensland, with the Cowboys now forced to adjust without the player who best straightens their attack. His combination with Scott Drinkwater has been crucial this season, allowing the Cowboys to create width and isolate defenders on the edges. Without him, more responsibility falls to Jake Clifford and the North Queensland forward pack to generate momentum.
The Roosters, meanwhile, are beginning to build nicely into the representative period. James Tedesco, Sam Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans all enter this clash with Origin selection talk intensifying, and the Roosters’ attack is showing signs of clicking into gear at the right time. Their ability to control possession and pressure tiring middles could expose a Cowboys side still adjusting to life without Dearden. If Easts starts fast, they may be difficult to reel back in.
Manchester City are preparing for Pep Guardiola’s exit after Sunday’s Premier League match against Aston Villa.
Sources have told BBC Sport that the managerial great is expected to leave Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.
City maintain Guardiola has a contract for next season and are hopeful he will remain as manager.
However, work towards his anticipated exit is under way at the club, with members of staff of the understanding he will leave.
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It is understood members of the squad are also anticipating his departure after the final game of the season against Villa, while the club have turned their attentions towards how best to mark the tenure of their iconic boss.
Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who worked under Guardiola at City, is the front-runner to replace the 55-year-old.
Guardiola has led City to 17 major trophies – and 20 in all – including six Premier League titles, the Champions League, three FA Cups and five EFL Cups during his 10 years at City.
The club’s greatest boss is widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time, and could yet still cap his stellar spell at Etihad Stadium with a seventh Premier League title, having already won the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup this season.
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Speculation about the manager’s future has been rife for months, with the question about his tenure at Manchester City often coming up in news conferences.
He was asked on Friday whether the following day’s trip to Wembley for the FA Cup final would be his last visit there. “No way,” he said, reminding reporters he had “one more year” on his contract.
And in a interview with BBC Sport before Saturday’s FA Cup final, when asked if he will still be at the club next season, he replied: “Yeah.”
The ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss added: “I am here, I have a contract.”
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The same question came earlier on Monday at a news conference to preview Tuesday’s trip to Bournemouth.
Guardiola was asked about Andoni Iraola’s departure from the Cherries and whether he had thought about his own farewell.
He sighed and said: “Next. So many times – I have one more year.”
The Washington Nationals banned an attendee from their home Nationals Park after showing a banner promoting a white nationalist website during a game on Sunday.
The team issued a statement to multiple media outlets saying it identified at least one of the individuals involved, though it would not release their identity.
“The Washington Nationals vehemently condemn discriminatory and hateful rhetoric, and we strive to make our home field a safe space for our fans,” the Nationals’ statement read following the game against the Baltimore Orioles.
A Washington Nationals Armed Forces Weekend cap sits in the dugout during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on May 16, 2026.(Hannah Foslien/MLB Photos)
During the Nationals’ game against the Orioles on Sunday, three people unfurled the banner in an upper deck section along the first baseline at Nationals Park, promoting the white nationalist website and calling for the deportation of “100+ million.”
The attendees reportedly resisted removing the banner after an usher tried to confiscate it before they left the ballpark, according to a team spokesperson.
Jake Lang, a conservative influencer and among those who stormed The U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, took credit for the banner on his social media.
The banner unfurling came during the Nationals’ usual “Salute to Service” ceremony, where they honor a veteran military service member before the fourth inning begins.
Nationals Park guidelines state that “signs, banners and fan activities” must not “distract from the enjoyment of sports games or other forms of entertainment.” Also, the stadium is “not a forum or place for use by the public at large for assembly and speech, for use by certain speakers or for the discussion of certain subjects.”
The Washington Nationals logo is displayed in Nationals Park before the game between the Washington Nationals and the New York Mets in Washington, D.C., on May 13, 2023.(Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
There is also a restriction on the size and material of objects, which brings about how the banner got into the stadium in the first place.
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It is currently unclear how the banner got through stadium security, per The Athletic.
Signs and banners must also adhere to Major League Baseball guidelines as well as the Nationals guest conduct policy. The policies prohibit any “derogatory matter relating to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, age, personal appearance, familial status, familial responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business or any other category protected by D.C. law.”
A New Era Washington Nationals baseball hat is seen during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pa., on April 16, 2026.(Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Robert Garcia has questioned whether Errol Spence Jr can rediscover the qualities that made him one of the sport’s “best fighters” between 2019 and 2022.
‘The Truth’ was once considered a top 10 pound-for-pound operator, back when he dethroned Shawn Porter and Yordenis Ugas to unify the WBC, IBF and WBA welterweight titles
Since then, Spence has remained out of the ring but now looks to reignite his career against Tim Tszyu, a fellow former world champion, on July 25.
The pair will square off at a catchweight of 158lbs in Australia, with Tszyu claiming a home advantage as he, too, looks to restore his place on the world stage.
That same year, Tszyu found himself on the receiving end of a devastating third-round finish against Bakhram Murtazaliev, but now comes off back-to-back victories following his rematch with Fundora last July.
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Spence, on the other hand, appears to be taking a sizable risk by jumping straight into a perceived 50/50 clash, with top trainer Garcia telling ESNEWS that the 36-year-old would have been forgiven for taking a “tune-up fight”.
“Errol Spence was a f***ing badass – pound-for-pound one of the best fighters.
“When he fought Crawford, you can tell that was not the Errol Spence we were used to seeing. He didn’t look good at all.
“Three years later, he wants to come back to boxing – and he’s not going to start off [with] a tune-up fight. I think he doesn’t know what he’s got left and, if he does a tune-up, he might get his ass kicked.
“That’s probably why he [made] the decision to go straight into the Tim Tszyu fight. If he’s fresh and he’s good, then he can win.”
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As Garcia highlights, there is no way of knowing how much Spence has left due to the inactivity, which is largely what makes this such an intriguing contest against Tszyu.
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