“We are dealing with it, of course. I have personally sent two employees to Rwanda to monitor the situation. Our colleagues will return this week and report back.”

Those were the words of Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen to DW at the beginning of February. There has been no word since.

Dreesen was responding to comments from Congo’s (DRC) foreign minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, who had called on clubs who deal with Rwanda to end their agreements.

“Countless lives have been lost; rape, murder and theft prevail. Your sponsor is directly responsible for this misery,” she wrote at the time.

Rwanda has backed the M23 rebel group as they capture territory in a bloody conflict in neighboring Congo. 

“M23 has been complicit in and responsible for committing serious violations of international law involving the targeting of women and children in situations of armed conflict in the DRC including killing and maiming, sexual violence, abduction, and forced displacement,” reads a United Nations report on the group.

A repeated request for comment for this story went unanswered by the Bundesliga club, with the sponsorship deal set to run until 2028.

Fan pressure

The deal has been met with opposition by some Bayern fans, most notably when a banner was raised behind the goal in a match against Eintracht Frankfurt in February:

“Visit Rwanda — Whoever looks on with indifference is betraying the values of FC Bayern,” it read.

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This referenced the words of Bayern President Herbert Hainer, who had said: “We must stand united against divisive forces that undermine democracy. Anyone who looks on indifferently is putting democracy at the mercy of its enemies” in relation to Germany’s recent general election.

Bayern fan groups see this as hypocritical, given that Rwandan President Paul Kagame won 99% of the vote in the country’s 2024 election, has scrapped term limits and faces no real opposition. Rwanda’s sports ministry also ignored a request for an interview from DW.

German government takes action on Rwanda

Bayern can no longer fall back on the position of the German government to justify its partnership in Rwanda, which Dreesen said means “Bayern can become active on the African continent and gather important experiences” as well as “help Rwanda grow in sports with projects for youth football.”

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In March, the German government restricted the terms of its bilateral cooperation agreement with Rwanda and put a halt to any new funding.

“The German government, like the European Union and the Security Council of the United Nations in its Resolution 2773, has repeatedly expressed its views on the situation in Eastern Congo and on the actions of the M23, which is supported by Rwanda, and of the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF), including the capture of the provincial capitals of Goma (North Kivu) and Bukavu (South Kivu). We utterly condemn these actions,” a statement read.

Rwanda soon hit back, with the ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation saying the measures were “wrong and counterproductive” and “let the DRC off the hook.”

“Countries like Germany that bear a historical responsibility for the recurring instability in this region should know better than to apply one-sided, coercive measures. Rwanda will continue to protect its national security while remaining fully engaged in the ongoing regional peace process,” the statement read.

Rwanda set to take Champions League stage

All of which calls into question the PR value for elite European clubs of sponsorship deals worth about €5 million ($5.7 million) a year to Bayern and a little more to others — pocket change to such rich organizations. The soft power goals of recognition, support and sales in the emerging African market play a significant role, but Bayern’s ending of a similar deal with Qatar appeared to be a warning sign of the negative effects of such deals.

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For Rwanda though, things are going well in this regard. Next Tuesday the other two clubs with Visit Rwanda deals — Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain — meet in London in the UEFA Champions League semifinals. This means a global audience of millions will see the Visit Rwanda logo, and one of them will be in the final in Munich on May 31. It is all part of a larger strategy to burnish the country’s image using sports through Visit Rwanda, the government’s tourism arm.

Supporters of both clubs have joined Bayern fans in voicing their discontent, though it is yet to make any difference. Despite nearly 75,000 PSG fans signing a petition to end the Rwanda deal, the club renewed it on April 16.

“Together, we help showcase the cultural richness and natural beauty of Rwanda, while demonstrating that football can inspire and bring communities around the world closer together,” said club CEO Victoriano Melero.

Arsenal to take action?

Arsenal fans are hoping their club doesn’t follow suit. A social media video from the Gunners for Peace group uses humor to get the message across, making a fake tourism video for the home of their local rivals, Tottenham.

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“The Rwandan government is taking money away from its own people and giving it to a terrorist gang accused of brutal atrocities in the DRC, to make themselves rich and oppress their neighbors,” Gunners for Peace said. “They are also giving money to Arsenal in an effort to gain an appearance of respectability that they don’t deserve. The Visit Rwanda sponsorship is sportwashing in action, and it’s time for Arsenal to ditch it.”

Unlike Bayern, whose deal runs to 2028, Arsenal can end their association at the end of this season, when their contract ends. Rumors in the English press suggest they may do so. This bears a resemblance to how Bayern Munich ended their previous controversial sponsorship agreement with Qatar Airways in 2023 – before signing up with Rwanda immediately after.

Edited by: Chuck Penfold

On paper, from a May 2026 viewpoint, the 2027 offseason is scheduled to feature a mass exodus of veteran talent for the Minnesota Vikings. The club didn’t spend much in 2026 free agency — probably because it knew that extending existing players would be a top priority. And as soon as now and during the summer, several players are in line for extensions.

Minnesota can still spend smart by keeping a few familiar names in place.

The Vikings won’t extend all of the following players in 2026, but each has a case to ask for more time and money.

Internal Contract Decisions on Tap for Minnesota’s Summer

Listed in alphabetical order, you can tentatively expect extensions for these players:

Jordan Addison (WR)

The Vikings will probably slow-roll Addison’s extension to ensure he stays out of trouble. They are not required to extend him this summer, but for a player with zero off-the-field transgressions, now would be the time.

Minnesota exercised his fifth-year option last week. So long as he stays out of trouble, Addison will be around for the long haul.

In fact, if the Vikings hopped on his extension now, they might save themselves over $10 million, since the NFL market resets every offseason.

Blake Brandel (C)

This man is probably head coach Kevin O’Connell’s starting center. Fans expected Minnesota to draft a center early in last month’s draft, but it waited until Round 7 to bring home Gavin Gerhardt of Cincinnati.

The Vikings love Brandel, and he deserves a new deal. His contract runs out after the 2026 season. The man can play every offensive line position, which is not normal.

Blake Cashman (ILB)

With Cashman entering the final year of his contract, the Vikings face a crucial decision regarding his future.

Currently earning $7.5 million per season, Cashman’s compensation no longer accurately reflects his on-field production. A short-term extension, perhaps for two years at approximately $20 million, appears to be the most logical step, a deal interim boss Rob Brzezinski is likely to finalize before the season begins.

His stats in 2025 strongly support this. Cashman averaged an impressive 11.07 tackles per game. Over a full season, this pace would have accumulated 188 tackles, placing him eighth all-time in NFL history. Despite missing four games, which lowered his overall total and may have obscured his exceptional performance, his per-game impact was undeniable.

Beyond the numbers, Cashman is an ideal fit for Brian Flores’s defense. The Eden Prairie native plays as if he were tailor-made for Flores, having truly found his rhythm and delivered significant plays.

Cashman’s future is also fascinating because the Vikings just drafted Cincinnati’s Jake Golday in Round 2 of the draft. In theory, Minnesota could let Cashman walk and promote Golday in 2027.

Jordan Mason (RB)

The Vikings signed Mason to an extension last offseason after landing him via trade with the San Francisco 49ers. That deal runs out at the end of the upcoming season.

Brzezinski re-upped with Aaron Jones in March, as Jones accepted a small paycut to remain with the team. The deal ensured that Jones and Mason will probably share RB1 carries this year.

If Minnesota values Mason, he could be extended this summer, as his career’s prime should have a couple of years remaining. That would likely cost around $6 million or $7 million per year.

Brian O’Neill (RT)

The Vikings will soon need to re-evaluate O’Neill’s contract, and the reasons are evident. He remains the team’s most reliable offensive lineman, excelling in performance and durability for years. While he will turn 31 soon and age is now a part of the conversation, top offensive tackles typically maintain their performance longer than players at more volatile positions. O’Neill has given Minnesota no reason to believe he’s on the verge of a decline.

However, the more pressing concern is timing. O’Neill is set to become a free agent in 2027, and the Vikings will undoubtedly want to avoid that period of uncertainty. An extension that includes guaranteed new money would be a shrewd move for all parties. If the Vikings aim to maintain offensive stability, O’Neill needs to remain a core part of the picture.

O’Neill is probably the most likely player on this list to grab a new deal.

Isaiah Rodgers (CB)

Rodgers delivered the game of a lifetime last September, personally slaughtering the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Along the way, he made a name for himself and played quite well for the whole season, though Rodgers is not the greatest tackler.

But he’s fast as hell, and he’s a playmaker.

His extension might look like two years and $25 million or something in that ballpark.

Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB)

Van Ginkel is suddenly more vital to the Vikings than ever. The team traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles during the draft, nominating Van Ginkel and teammate Dallas Turner for starting OLB duty. Beyond the pair, that’s pretty much it for credible OLB depth on the Vikings’ roster.

Minnesota added $23 million to his contract about one year ago. It could do the same this summer, connecting Van Ginkel to the club through the end of 2027.

He’ll turn 31 this summer; age is now a factor in his long-term outlook.

Jay Ward (S)

Ward excelled when given opportunities last season, injecting grit, physicality, and much-needed youth into the secondary. Drafted in 2023, Ward is now entering the final year of his rookie contract, making this an opportune moment to explore a modest extension before his market value escalates.

His usage late last season is also significant. Flores’s apparent trust in Ward, even favoring him over Theo Jackson at times, spoke volumes. Turning 26 this summer, Ward embodies the type of younger defensive talent Minnesota should prioritize retaining.

Especially with Harrison Smith’s future in jeopardy, now is the time to lock down Ward.

The Yankee Stadium crowd altered its usual roll call on Monday night in the series finale against the Baltimore Orioles to honor a legendary man synonymous with the team’s long history.

Chants for John Sterling, the longtime radio announcer for the New York Yankees, roared from the bleachers and seats in the Bronx on a somber Monday for baseball fans in the tri-state, and even across the country.

Joe Girardi was among those mourning the loss of an iconic voice that he had the pleasure of knowing as a player, manager and media colleague throughout his own career in baseball. Like many, Sterling’s impact was one Girardi felt immediately, which is why there was only one feeling when he heard the news.

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Former New York Yankees player and manager Joe Girardi reflected on his relationship with the late John Sterling, the legendary radio announcer who passed away at 87. (GETTY)

“Just sadness because I know how much he meant to the organization, to the Yankees, to me, [and] to people,” Girardi, who serves as a YES Yankees analyst, told Fox News Digital in a phone interview on Monday.

“I’ve always loved to be around people that have such a great passion for what they do. John truly had that. He had a gift, but he truly had a passion. For that, his example was great. I miss him. I miss hearing him on the radio because there’s a lot of times I’m traveling and I’ll put the game on the radio. I have SiriusXM radio and listen to games. I miss it. I miss hearing him and Suzyn [Waldman].”

Waldman, Sterling’s long-time partner on WFAN Sports Radio, was one of those Girardi spoke with on Monday after hearing the news.

YANKEES RADIO ICON JOHN STERLING DEAD AT 87

“She said something that really resonated with me about John. She goes, ‘John only did what he wanted to do and never did anything he didn’t want to do.’ You think about living your life – that’s a good life,” Girardi explained. “I think of things I do that I don’t want to do, but I do them anyway. That wasn’t John Sterling. He lived his life to the fullest. He enjoyed it, enjoyed being around people, and was ready to go and do his job. He brought life into your family room, or into your car, or wherever he was at and whatever he was doing.”

For 64 years, Sterling was in the broadcast industry, but he left his mark on one of the most iconic organizations in all of sports when he joined the Yankees in 1989 and didn’t leave his post until April 2024.

Even then, Sterling returned to the radio booth for the Yankees’ postseason broadcasts as they made their way back to the World Series for the first time since Girardi’s 2009 team won it all over the Philadelphia Phillies.

It was during his time as a manager that Girardi said he remembers his favorite interaction with Sterling that rang true to the exceptional character and man he was.

New York Yankees radio broadcaster John Sterling emcees the Old Timers Day ceremony before a game between the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York City on July 30, 2022. (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

“I think the interactions that I remember the most, and it was well into my career obviously. I was the Yankees manager and John was doing the pre-game,” Girardi began. “We do it every day and John would have his old tape recorder, and have his phone with him. We were in the middle of the interview and he stops the tape. He takes his phone out of his pocket, flips it open because then they were flip phones. He says, ‘Darling, I’m doing the manager’s show. I’ll call you back in three minutes.’ I ‘m thinking, ‘Who does that?’ He beats his own drum so much, he stopped right in the middle of the show, and I believe we started over. But obviously that call was very important to him. When I think about it today, and this was many years ago, I still laugh today. This was early in my career as a manager because Suzyn took over, and I just sit laughing. That was John Sterling.”

Sterling was also known for his signature home run calls, something Girardi and many others waited with anticipation to hear when a player would hit it over the fences.

They always began with, “It is high, it is far, it is gone!” before breaking out into a catchphrase, or even a song. For Alex Rodriguez, “It’s an A-bomb from A-Rod,” or most recently with “Here comes the Judge!” when Aaron Judge hits a blast.

“Always curious what that was going to be,” Girardi added. “And I was thinking, ‘How do you come up with that?’ He was so creative – I wasn’t given that gene. He was so creative, I always wondered how he thought of it, how long it took him to think of it, and he never missed a beat. A guy got called up and hit a home run the second day? He had it. It was there.”

FILE – In this Sept. 25, 2009, file photo, New York Yankees broadcaster John Sterling sits in the booth before the Yankees’ baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium in New York. Sterling was helped out of his flooding car by Spanish radio play-by-play man Rickie Ricardo on Wednesday night, Sept. 1, 2021, after Sterling got stuck trying to drive home after a game. Sterling and Ricardo both called New York’s game at the Los Angeles Angels from Yankee Stadium because the radio crews have not resumed traveling with the team as part of COVID-19 protocols. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)

Girardi admitted that being older now he appreciates more and more how gifted and talented Sterling was, as well as the grind he went through for so many years calling 162 games with spring training and many postseasons as well.

But even more precious to Girardi than the accolades, signature calls and a consecutive 5,060 games called was the care he had for everyone he ran into.

“What you saw was how much he cared about you as an individual and how much he cared you had success,” Girardi said. “That was the amazing thing about John: he wanted you to have success and for the Yankees to win. It meant something to him. It wasn’t him just doing a job. This was a huge part of his life, and the enjoyment it brought him, you could see it.”

The old cliché is do something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.

For Girardi, Sterling did more than just that.

New York Yankees radio broadcaster John Sterling speaks with Aaron Judge before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium in New York on April 20, 2024. (New York Yankees/Getty Images)

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“He was an example of how you were supposed to live,” he said. “Find your passion and do it as long as you can. Joe Torre used to always say, ‘Don’t ever take your uniform off until they take it off you.’ That was John Sterling.

“That’s the sign of a man who truly loves what he does. That’s an example that we all need to look forward.”

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Saudi Arabia’s enormous investment in everything from football to snowboarding has been one of sport’s major themes in the last decade.

The oil-rich Gulf state offered astronomical wages to footballers in the twilight of their careers, won the right to host football’s World Cup after developing strong ties with FIFA, bought a Premier League club, split the golf world and sought to host all manner of events, from snooker, through women’s tennis to wrestling.

The splurge was tied to the country’s recently adjusted Vision 2030, a strategy to diversify its interests away from oil, and is widely considered to be a form of sportswashing, by which a country uses sports to distract from allegations of human rights abuses. 

Which sports has Saudi Arabia withdrawn from?

The most high-profile withdrawal came in golf last week. LIV Golf, operated by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), an arm of the state, was canned, with PIF noting that the “substantial investment” required by the event over a longer term is “no longer consistent with the current phase of PIF’s investment strategy.” Founded in 2021, LIV split away from the established PGA Tour and tempted away some of its top players with huge pay packets. With LIV folding, the passage of those players back to the PGA Tour is a point of some contention.

In football, the PIF sold a 70% stake in Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in April, framing it as a “strategy to maximize returns and redeploy capital within the domestic economy.” The PIF has made no move to sell English club Newcastle United and appears to want to keep up some investment in football ahead of hosting the 2034 World Cup. Other popular sports, such as MMA, appear on safer ground for now too.

But several events originally scheduled for the kingdom will no longer be held there. Snooker’s Saudi Arabia Masters was canceled last week, two years into a 10-year deal; the women’s tennis association (WTA) has had funding pulled and a season-ending event struck off; and Saudi Arabia has abandoned plans to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup and the Asian Winter Games in 2029.

Why is Saudi Arabia stopping investment in sports?

The reasons appear to be both economic and political. Last week, PIF Governor Yasir al-Rumayyan said it was “reviewing its investments and deals” and “reassessing its priorities” as a result of the fallout of the US-Israel war on Iran in the Midde East as well as minimal returns on sporting investment.

“The 2026-30 strategy marks a natural evolution as PIF moves from a period of rapid growth and acceleration to a new phase of sustained value creation, with a strengthened focus on maximising impact, raising the efficiency of investments, and applying the highest standards of governance, transparency and institutional excellence,” the PIF said in a press release.

As is the Saudi style, al-Rumayyan is also the chair of Newcastle, Saudi Arabia’s state oil company Aramco and its largest mining company, Ma’aden. He is a close ally of Saudi ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. These sorts of intertwined jobs and relaltionships help the government keep control of their sporting assets, while Aramco are also a sponsor of multiple high-profile sporting events. Such widespread and diverse investment makes unpicking Saudi Arabia’s relationship with sport tricky.

Why has Saudi Arabia’s investment in sports been controversial?

Human Rights Watch (HRW), in line with most other rights organizations, sees it as a clear case of sportswashing.

“PIF investments in high-profile sports and entertainment events domestically and internationally are used to whitewash the country’s abysmal human rights record,” according to HRW.

While there has been some dissent across the sporting world, Saudi money has been able to move quite freely in most sports. In football, Saudi Arabia has had to develop a close relationship with global governing body FIFA, but other more cash-strapped sports have found it impossible to resist the financial lure. Critics have sometimes argued this leaves many sports in a precarious position should the Saudi cash tap be turned off, as is happening now.

 What other sports could be in danger of losing Saudi funding?

Formula One may be looking over its shoulder, with the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix canceled in April as a result of the war in Iran. As well as the race, the PIF has a stake in two teams and Aramco is a major F1 sponsor. Horse racing, chess, handball and many other sports are also reliant to some degree on a sporting relationship with Saudi Arabia.

From the noises made by the PIF it seems that these, and other sports running on Saudi investment will need to show a profitability that they haven’t before if they are to escape becoming the next LIV Golf.

Edited by: Chuck Penfold

The Detroit Lions may have found one of the biggest steals of the 2026 NFL Draft.

While much of the attention has centered on early-round picks, fifth-round selection Keith Abney is already turning heads with both his mindset and his versatility. And if you ask him, there is no better place for his NFL journey to begin.

Detroit Lions rookie embracing opportunity

For Abney, getting drafted by Detroit was more than just a career milestone. It was personal.

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“Man, the wait don’t even matter, man. I’m just, I’m glad to be a Lion,” Abney said as quoted by Lions OnSI. “It means everything. A great program, great culture, great coaches, great people around. I’m just blessed to be here. I’m feeling all the emotions, man. Dropped a couple of tears. It is a dream come true.”

That kind of emotion speaks to how much the moment meant.

Now, the focus shifts to what comes next.

Keith Abney brings versatility to Detroit Lions secondary

One of the biggest reasons the Lions were drawn to Abney is his ability to play multiple positions in the defensive backfield.

At Arizona State, he primarily lined up on the outside, but his experience goes far beyond that.

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“I’m willing to play anything. I view myself as very versatile,” Abney explained. “I just never got to play nickel at ASU, just because of just the depth we had. I was actually the starting nickel going into my sophomore year, and then I had a guy on the outside transfer out, so I had to move back to the outside. And then this year, we had a couple of injuries, so I had to just stay outside so we can get elite play on the outside.”

He made it clear that he is comfortable anywhere in the secondary.

“But it’s been a couple of times (where) coach said, like, ‘Hey, if he goes down, you got to go in.’ So, I know all the positions on the back end, and I have no problem playing inside or outside.”

That flexibility could allow him to contribute right away.

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Production and instincts stand out

Abney’s college production backs up the confidence.

Over three seasons at Arizona State, he recorded six interceptions. His 2025 campaign was particularly strong, as he tied for the team lead with two interceptions and added two forced fumbles.

He also led all Sun Devils defenders with 12 passes defensed.

Those numbers, combined with his physical style, helped him earn first-team All-Big 12 honors and an 86.3 grade from Pro Football Focus.

Still, Abney believes his biggest strength goes beyond the stat sheet.

“That’s something I pride myself on, just being a smart player, being able to watch a lot of film and understand concepts and understand formations and pick up on tendencies,” Abney said. “I say that’s my best attribute, and my feet, of course, got great feet, and my toughness. That’s why I love this fit. This is a perfect fit. I feel like it’s a tough team that I’m joining, and I feel I’m going to fit right in.”

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Detroit Lions rookie focused on winning

Even with the excitement of being drafted, Abney’s mindset is already aligned with Detroit’s identity.

Winning comes first.

“I just want to win games,” he said. “If it takes me to play nickel to win games, that’s what we’re going to do. Outside, safety, anything, I just want to win. So, whatever coach’s plan is to put the team in (the) best position to win. I’m willing to do anything, willing to play any role.”

That mentality fits perfectly with what the Lions have built under Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes.

Charlotte Flair recently claimed that her current rivals in WWE have a bright future in the company. The veteran is on the SmackDown roster and is in an alliance with Alexa Bliss.

Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid are known as the Fatal Influence faction in WWE. The trio was recently called up to the main roster and has already made an impact on SmackDown.

Speaking on ESPN’s First Take, Charlotte Flair praised Fatal Influence and suggested that they were destined to become major stars on the promotion’s main roster.

“So here’s the thing, nobody likes to lose even if it’s a three on one scenario. But I think Jacy Jayne, Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley have a extremely bright future. But being that I’m a 14 time women’s champion, I have lost 13 times. So I’ve come back stronger every time and we either we win or we lose or we either we win or we learn. So that’s the thing,” she said. (H/T: Fightful on X)

You can check out the veteran’s full appearance on First Take in the video below:

Jacy Jayne defeated Charlotte Flair in a singles match this past Friday on SmackDown. Flair and Alexa Bliss also came up short in the Fatal 4-Way match for the Women’s Tag Team Championships at WWE WrestleMania 42.

Paige replaced an injured Nikki Bella at The Show of Shows and won the Women’s Tag Team Championships at The Show of Shows. Brie Bella and Paige successfully defended the titles against Lash Legend and Nia Jax last week on the blue brand.

Major WWE star discusses her relationship with Charlotte Flair

Becky Lynch recently commented on her relationship with Charlotte Flair and noted that trying to get a top spot in WWE negatively impacted their friendship.

In an interview with Vulture, the Women’s Intercontinental Champion noted that striving for success impacted her friendship with Flair, but added that it was the nature of the wrestling business.

“Yeah, badly. Yeah, poorly, poorly. And look, I suppose that as well, the business, you know, and you’ve got two very competitive women who want to be at the top of the industry,” Lynch said.

It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Fatal Influence in the promotion.