Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) warms up on the field before facing the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium, going through pregame drills as he prepared for a key NFC North matchup in front of a home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Do you think the Minnesota Vikings are currently the NFL’s eighth-worst team? NFL.com does.
Minnesota’s offseason carries risk, though No. 25 feels wildly aggressive.
That’s the word from Eric Edholm this week, who published leaguewide power rankings after the first wave of free agency, and per him, the Vikings are downright bad and on pace for a season in the range of 6-11 or 7-10.
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The National Outlook on Minnesota Has Swung Too Far … the Wrong Way
The odds are evidently stacked against Minnesota already this season.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell watches from the sideline during first-quarter action on Nov 2, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, observing early-game developments against the Lions while managing tempo and communication as his team navigates a divisional matchup with playoff implications beginning to take shape. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images.
NFL.com: Vikings Rank 25th in Power Rankings
Minnesota lost four main players in free agency: Jalen Nailor (WR, Las Vegas Raiders), Jonathan Allen (DT, Cincinnati Bengals), Javon Hargrave (DT, Green Bay Packers), and Ryan Wright (P, New Orleans Saints).
For Edholm, that’s just too much. He ranked Minnesota at No. 25 and explained, “The Vikings have had an odd and uncomfortable March so far, getting noticeably weaker up the middle on both sides of the ball. Losing linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave hurts the defensive front, and Ryan Kelly’s retirement leaves a hole at center.”
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“Receiver Jalen Nailor’s exit was quietly a big one for a team that needs all the non-Justin Jefferson targets it can hold on to. Fullback C.J. Ham retired, and longtime stalwart Harrison Smith could do the same, potentially creating a major void at safety.”
Most fans thought the team improved with the addition of Kyler Murray, but NFL.com defiantly disagreed.
Edholm concluded, “Even signing Kyler Murray to a league-minimum deal, cheap as it was, delivered a certain awkwardness, thanks to the presence of former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. Murray’s no-tag clause tells me he’s more likely to start than not, which would make McCarthy’s future even more muddled.”
Worse than the Saints and Falcons?
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To add insult to injury, Edholm claimed a club like the New Orleans Saints is better than Minnesota. Even the Falcons outpaced the purple team.
Edholm on the Saints at No. 23, two spots ahead of Minnesota: “The Saints haven’t gone hog wild in free agency, which isn’t shocking for a rebuilding squad light on cap space, but they’ve added a few pieces on offense to bolster their young QB.”
“Running back Travis Etienne was the headline name, but I think it was just as important to beef up the offensive line with guard David Edwards. The defense took a few hits, but nothing terribly concerning.”
New Orleans finished 6-11 last year, while Minnesota fired up a 9-8 record. Most Vikings fans would be wholly insulted to hear about the Falcons and Saints ranked higher than Kevin O’Connell’s team.
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A Top 3 Defense with Kyler Murray at Quarterback
Why should Minnesota be ranked higher? Simple — the club has produced a Top 3 defense in back-to-back seasons per EPA/Play, and since Brian Flores arrived in the Twin Cities three years ago, the Vikings have the NFL’s best defense.
Almost no matter what, Minnesota’s defense will be formidable. If it doesn’t pull down a Top 3 statistical ranking, a fall would still likely keep the club in the Top 10.
Then, it added Murray at quarterback, who will cost Minnesota just $1.3 million in 2026. Spanned to 17 games, Murray averages about 4,000 passing yards, 30 total touchdowns, and around 600 rushing yards in a season. If he stays healthy, the Vikings should very much contend for the NFC North.
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Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores stands along the sideline during the NFC Wild Card game on Jan 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, directing defensive adjustments as Minnesota battles the Los Angeles Rams in a postseason environment filled with high-leverage situations and constant pressure on every snap. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
In 2025, the Vikings’ overall quarterback efficiency ranked fifth-worst in the NFL. Even average play from J.J. McCarthy, Max Brosmer, and Carson Wentz would’ve propelled Minnesota to the postseason, and that’s not a hot take.
With Flores’s defense, Murray’s production, and playmakers like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, the Vikings should be interpreted much higher than the NFL’s eighth-worst team.
Ever-Important Draft Ahead
This upcoming draft is absolutely crucial for the Vikings. In the past four years, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s draft picks have yielded successful players only 15% to 20% of the time. This low success rate has depleted the roster and created significant challenges for the coaching staff. It’s why the Vikings’ owners fired Adofo-Mensah at the end of January.
With Minnesota’s limited spending in free agency beyond the addition of Murray and cornerback James Pierre, the focus now shifts to the April draft. The team possesses nine picks, and a significant portion of them must develop into reliable contributors.
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Vikings executive Rob Brzezinski speaks during an interview segment on Feb 17, 2022, discussing organizational philosophy and roster-building strategy while outlining Minnesota’s leadership structure and long-term planning approach in a digital sit-down feature that highlights front-office decision-making and collaboration with coaching staff leadership. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
Specifically, the players selected within the first four rounds need to be immediately impactful; depth players will not suffice. Not after four poor drafts.
Recent changes in the front office further amplify the importance of this draft. Another unproductive draft, similar to the previous few under Adofo-Mensah, could force the team into a complete rebuild. The margin for error is slim, making a successful draft class essential.
A No. 25 ranking is about the lowest you will see for the Vikings at any time in 2026. It’s comically low.
Top Rank’s Bob Arum has been involved in boxing since the 1960’s and has been a true servant to the sport, sure to go down as one of the most influential figures in its long history. More than anyone else, he perhaps has the claim to have seen it all.
The promoter would put on 27 of Ali’s 61 professional contests in total, but crafted his legacy just as much during the 1980’s, being one of the driving forces behind fights involving the ‘Four Kings’.
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Speaking to DAZN Boxing after announcing a new partnership with the streaming service, Arum revealed that his favourite fight is the legendary clash between Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns, where the middleweight duo produced an enthralling three-round slug-fest.
“My all-time favourite fight ever was Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns, because of the tour that we had them go on to publicise the fight.
“For some reason, because we had them on this tour, they rubbed each other up the wrong way and by the time the bell rang for the fight, they forgot everything they knew about boxing and they just wanted to make it into a street brawl.
“It was fantastic, it really was something. People who were there still recall it.”
The 1985 bout between Hagler and Hearns is often considered one of the greatest fights ever because of its sheer intensity and drama, with both men throwing everything from the opening bell in a relentless, high-risk battle.
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In just three rounds, it delivered non-stop action, momentum swings, and elite skill under pressure – a perfect storm of violence and quality that has rarely been matched in boxing history.
Arum also highlighted Ali’s famous victory in the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ as a personal favourite, where ‘The Greatest’ cemented his dominance over Joe Frazier by knocking him out in their trilogy encounter.
Yuvraj Singh has spoken about the period when he was diagnosed with cancer, saying the illness began when he was at the peak of his career, even as he continued to play for India.
At that time, Yuvraj had just played a big role in India’s 2011 World Cup win, he was Player of the Tournament. During the tournament, he was dealing with fatigue, nausea and discomfort. The illness was not detected then, and he continued to play.
After the tournament, his condition got worse and medical tests later found a rare form of cancer, with a tumour in his chest.
“Not coming to terms with it was something I was going through because, as a sportsman, you can’t be sick. You’re supposed to play for India. But eventually, I kept getting sicker and sicker while still playing cricket,” Yuvraj said in a conversation with Michael Vaughan on The Overlap podcast on YouTube.
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He said sport often trains players to ignore such signs. “As a sportsman, you don’t think about being sick. You’re supposed to play for India.”
“It was hard to accept. At the peak of your career, you’re on top of a mountain and then you fall into a ditch,” Yuraj said on getting to know that he had cancer. “I was in Delhi. We were going on tour to the West Indies and England. Ganguly had retired and my Test spot had just opened. I was waiting seven years for that spot. I said, ‘I don’t care if I die, I need that spot.’ But I got sicker and sicker.”
The seriousness of his condition became clear after doctors explained the risks.
“He said to me, ‘Mate, I’ve looked at your scans. The tumour is sitting between your heart and lung, right on the pipe. Either you go and play cricket, or you might have a heart attack. I think you’ve got three to six months left if you don’t do chemotherapy.’”
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That forced him to step back and take a decision.
“That’s when I realised I really needed to think about what I had to do. It wasn’t easy because I run a cancer foundation that focuses on early detection, and here I was, not coming to terms with what I was going through,” he said.
Yuvraj then went abroad for treatment and underwent chemotherapy in the United States during 2011–12. He said it took time to accept the situation.
“It took me almost a year to come to terms with the fact that I might not be able to play cricket again. But once the treatment was over, I was determined to come back, even though no one believed I could.”
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During treatment, he continued to follow the game and also received visits from senior players like Anil Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar.
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130147068
“I kept watching old videos. Anil Kumble came to America, shut my laptop, and said, ‘Focus on your health, stop watching cricket videos.’ Sachin came to see me in England. Dr Einhorn gave me confidence; he said, ‘You’ll be a man who walks out of this hospital and never has cancer again.’ I came back and played for India in six months-the T20 World Cup. I wasn’t at my best, but I still got one Man of the Match. Then me and Zaheer Khan went to France for two months of fitness training in a remote area called Brive. We got fitter, came back, and made a comeback again,” Yuvraj revealed.
Winx’s pioneering foal, the mare who seized international spotlight two years prior at this period, won’t ever compete on the track.
Woppitt Bloodstock of the Kepitis clan, after dropping $10 million on the Pierro-sired filly named Quinceanera, posted the update via social channels Wednesday.
The accompanying video depicted her period with Chris Waller – Winx’s storied handler – and noted the retirement followed advice from vets and the trainer himself.
“Although disappointing, it’s in her best interest to now begin her career as a broodmare,” the statement read.
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No revelation on which stallion awaits her in the upcoming breeding season.
Shared precisely two years after her Inglis Easter auction success, as Debbie Kepitis outmaneuvered US bidder John Stewart.
Part-owner Kepitis of Winx, who notched 37/43 wins (33 in succession, 25 Group 1) and nearly $26.5m prizemoney.
With Quinceanera as one of two surviving Winx foals, the other a 2024 Snitzel colt eyed for Inglis Easter but sidelined pre-sale by injury.
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Post-colt, Winx had a layoff before joining Too Darn Hot at Darley last season.
Breeding news like this influences future fields, so review racing betting markets at trusted sites.
Manchester City Council is introducing free junior memberships / Manchester City Council
Radical move to tackle health inequalities from Manchester City Council
Free memberships will be offered to 11- to 16-year-old high school students
This is an extension of a free swimming programme for under-16s
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Council leader, Bev Craig, says they have listened to what young people want
Manchester City Council has launched an ambitious programme to offer free gym memberships and access to fitness classes for 11- to 16-year-old secondary school pupils.
This is an extension of the ‘Free Swim for 16 and Under’ programme which aims to put physical activity at the heart of the city’s drive to reduce health inequalities by opening up more opportunities for residents to get active, improve their wellbeing and enjoy inclusive, community‑focused sport and movement.
Those facing the greatest barriers will also be supported through targeted interventions to help create a healthier, fairer, and more connected Manchester.
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Leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, said: “Young people told us they wanted free things to do and they wanted to keep healthy. We’ve listened and made this really important investment.
“After years of cuts, better funding from government means we’re able to invest in the things that matter to people. So we’re investing extra cash in keeping our residents across the city happy and healthy.”
The initiative goes live from May half term at Arcadia Leisure Centre, Abraham Moss Leisure Centre, Belle Vue Sports Village, Broadway Baths, East Manchester Leisure Centre, Hough End Leisure Centre, Manchester Aquatics Centre, Moss Side Leisure Centre, North City Family and Fitness Centre, Whalley Range Sports Centre and Wythenshawe Forum.
And along with similar Grand National betting sites, BetMGM are running several offers during the three-day meeting for existing customers too.
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To that end, we’ve compiled a guide to the latest BetMGM Grand National offers, including information on the BetMGM sign up offer and any relevant info on BetMGM Grand National free bets.
What is the BetMGM Grand National offer?
The latest BetMGM Grand National offer, which runs before and during the Grand National Festival, is a standard bet £10, get £40 offer.
To claim the offer, customers can sign up via our link and deposit a minimum of £10 through an eligible payment method.
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Next, bettors must wager £10 or more on any sports market at odds of evens or greater. This is a low odds threshold to unlock any welcome bonus, though each-way bets must have a £20 total stake with only the win part qualifying for the BetMGM Grand National offer.
The free bet offer from BetMGM is split into the following denominations: 1x £10 free horse racing bet, 1x £10 free football bet, 2x £10 free bet builder bets.
Grand National free bets will be credited to a bettor’s account after their qualifying wager has been settled.
The horse racing and football free bets don’t have any requirements attached to them and can be placed on a selection at any price. However, the free bet builder wagers must have combined odds of 3/1 or higher.
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Free bets expire within seven days, and you must select the free bets via the checkbox on the betslip when you want to use them.
Is there a BetMGM bonus code for Grand National 2026?
Customers don’t need to use a BetMGM offer code to unlock the BetMGM Grand National offer.
All new customers need to do is click our link before depositing £10 and betting £10 on any sports market, including the Grand National, with odds of evens or greater.
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BetMGM Grand National Offers – Bet boosts
Customers will find bet boosts among the BetMGM Grand National offers, with the bookie choosing to enhance the odds on selected horses or other single markets.
These bet boosts will be available throughout the meeting, which starts on Thursday and runs through the Grand National, with several boosts available on the day of the race.
BetMGM Grand National Offers – Golden Silks
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BetMGM’s Golden Silks scheme gives bettors the chance to bag a profit boost token for each day of the 2026 Grand National Festival.
Punters will need to opt in and then wager a minimum of £20 or more on racing to unlock seven profit boost tokens, with one available each day of the week.
The tokens can secure a 10 per cent boost for any winning bets and will be available to use on any race at Aintree, including Saturday’s Grand National.
BetMGM Grand National Offers – Golden Wheel
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Existing BetMGM customers can secure free bets and more by spinning the Golden Wheel, which is a unique BetMGM Grand National offer.
Users are entitled to one free spin per day to unlock prizes, such as BetMGM free bets, up to £5,000 in cash, free spins and more.
BetMGM Grand National Offers – Best odds guaranteed
BetMGM offers customers the best odds guaranteed for bets placed on the Grand National after 11am on the day of the race.
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BetMGM pays out at the best possible price, so if the starting price is greater than the odds you took, you’ll receive the bigger price.
BetMGM Grand National Offers – Each-Way Plus
BetMGM regularly runs its each-way plus offer on UK and Irish races, and the Grand National Festival will be no exception.
The each-way plus promotion boosts the number of places paid out on for each-way wagers.
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Punters can expect extra places to be available on several races at Aintree across all three days.
How does the BetMGM free bet offer compare with rival Grand National offers?
BetMGM is one of the best new horse racing betting sites on the market and provides one of the best Grand National offers for new customers. Check out the table below to see how it compares against rival bookmakers with our table below.
Bookmaker
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Offer
Free bet restrictions?
Eligible payment methods
Betfair Sportsbook
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Bet £10, get £50 in free bets
Free bets can only be used on accumulators, bet builders & other multiples
1x £5 sports bet, 1x £5 acca bet, 1x £5 sub cover bet
Debit card
NetBet
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Bet £10, get £20
£5 football bet builder, £5 football acca, £5 horse racing acca, £5 tennis bet
Debit card, bank transfer, Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal
Responsible Gambling
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If you decide to engage with any of the BetMGM betting offers highlighted on this page,remember to gamble responsibly, even when using free bets.
Betting should only ever be considered a form of entertainment – it will never be a surefire way to make money.
When taking advantage of Grand National offers, assume you’ll lose and therefore, only wager what you can afford. Please take steps to remain in control of your time and budget.
Make sure you use the responsible gambling tools offered by betting companies such as deposit limits, reality checks, loss limits and time outs. These can stop gambling from getting out of hand.
If you have gambling-related concerns, then seek independent help. There are several UK charities and institutions that offer support, advice and information, with a few listed below:
We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
The Gypsy King is set to go against Russian heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov
Callum Crumlish and Kieran Isgin Tech & gaming affiliate writer
17:01, 09 Apr 2026
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
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It may seem as though Tyson Fury only recently walked away from boxing, yet the heavyweight star is poised to make a dramatic comeback to the sport. The Mancunian fighter previously announced his retirement following his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024.
However, earlier this year he began teasing a return to the ring, sharing glimpses of his training sessions and hinting at potential venues for his next fight. Eventually, he made it official – and this weekend, the wait is finally over.
On Saturday, April 11, Tyson Fury will take on Russian heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov in a highly anticipated bout at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. While the fight will be broadcast live on Netflix, many fans will undoubtedly want to witness the two heavyweight contenders go head-to-head for their careers, honour and legacy in person.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to do exactly that. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ranks among the largest and most prestigious arenas in the UK, with a capacity of 62,000 spectators, reports the Mirror.
As such, tickets remain available despite the general sale having launched several months ago. There’s a host of general admission and VIP and hospitality options still up for grabs, reports the Mirror.
Below, we’ve outlined everything supporters need to know about securing tickets for Fury vs Makhmudov this weekend.
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How to buy Fury vs Makhmudov tickets
Tickets for Fury vs Makhmudov are currently on sale through a range of online ticketing retailers, including official, resale and VIP platforms. The most affordable option for tickets is currently through resale website Viagogo.
The online secondary market has tickets available from as low as £17 per person. This is by far the cheapest and most straightforward way to secure Fury vs Makhmudov tickets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend.
Next is VIP and hospitality specialist Seat Unique. This online retailer focuses on providing fans with access to live events alongside added perks such as early entry, food and drink packages, premium seating and much more.
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Prices start at £219 per person for Premium Seats, rising to £999 for access to the Super Suite. Tickets are also still available through Ticketmaster, which has a range of tickets on offer for around £50 for seats towards the top of the venue. Prices rise to as much as £4,000 each for ringside access.
Where is Fury vs Makhmudov?
Tyson Fury will face Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The north London arena serves as the home ground of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.
Many major acts have graced this impressive 60,000+ capacity venue, including Beyoncé, Coldplay and many others.
FIFA is facing a major challenge in India as the media rights for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups remain unsold, despite the 2026 tournament kicking off in just a few weeks. The governing body began the sale process in July 2025, initially asking for $100 million, but has now slashed the price to $35 million in a bid to attract buyers. However, even this steep reduction has not been enough to secure a deal.
JioStar front runners so far
JioStar, formed after the merger of Star India and Viacom18, is currently the leading contender, valuing the rights at around $25 million for both editions. Its predecessor, Viacom18, had paid $62 million for the 2022 World Cup. Currency fluctuations, particularly a stronger US dollar, have further increased costs for broadcasters dealing with dollar-denominated rights.
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Let us try to find out why is this the case in a country where football is consistently growing interest among the young generation –
Consolidation reduces competition
The merger of Star India and Viacom18 has dramatically reduced competition, leaving fewer serious bidders. Sony Sports, Eurosport, and FanCode have also shown limited appetite for high-value sports rights, citing profitability concerns and strategic priorities. Even Zee Entertainment, exploring sports channels, is yet to enter high-value deals.
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Cricket’s dominance and budget constraints
Heavy investments in cricket, including the Indian Premier League (IPL) and ICC events, have consumed a large share of broadcasters’ budgets. Cricket also offers more advertising opportunities with frequent commercial breaks, unlike football, which restricts inventory and limits revenue potential.
For a comparison to that of cricket media rights, the ongoing IPL media rights cycle for 2023–2027 is worth ₹48,390 crore, which averages around ₹9,678 crore per year. This breaks down to roughly ₹118 crore ($14.61 million) for each match.
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Unfavourable match timings
FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will be held across the US, Canada, and Mexico, meaning games will air late at night or early morning in India. These inconvenient timings are expected to lower live viewership, further diminishing ad revenue potential.
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Football’s fragmented audience
While football is India’s second-most popular sport with over 300 million fans, the viewership is highly concentrated in metros and regions like Kerala, Goa, and the Northeast. This fragmented audience makes it harder to attract mass-market advertising.
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Declining rights values across leagues
The hesitation is part of a broader trend. Premier League media rights have fallen from $145 million (2013-16) to $65 million (2025–28). Similarly, Indian Super League (ISL) rights dropped from Rs 275 crore to Rs 8.62 crore in one season. Bundesliga, La Liga, and UEFA competitions have also seen declining valuations in India.
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Structural changes in India’s sports media market, the dominance of cricket, fragmented football viewership, limited ad inventory, and unfavorable match timings together explain why broadcasters remain cautious about investing in FIFA World Cup 2026 and 2030 media rights. Despite football’s popularity, these factors make it a high-risk proposition for Indian buyers.
Manchester City will take on Southampton in the FA Cup semi-finals after beating Liverpool 4-0 last weekend.
15:17, 09 Apr 2026Updated 16:24, 09 Apr 2026
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Manchester City will return to Wembley Stadium to take on Southampton in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday, April 25. The game will kick off at 5.15pm with the match available on BBC One and TNT Sports 1. City reached the last-four last weekend when they beat Liverpool 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium.
Erling Haaland scored the opener on 39 minutes from the penalty spot before adding a second shortly before half-time. Antoine Semenyo added a third shortly after the break with Haaland completing his hat-trick just before the hour mark.
The victory ensured City would be back at Wembley just five weeks after beating Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final. Mikel Arteta’s side were expected to reach the semi-finals when they travelled to Championship club Southampton.
Man City vs Southampton VIP and hospitality tickets
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Seat Unique offers hospitality packages for Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final clash with Southampton, including ‘premium’ seats at Wembley and complimentary food and drink.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our City WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our City Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
However, the Saints pulled off a major shock to beat the Gunners 2-1 with former City youth player Shea Charles scoring the winner five minutes from time. Should City beat Southampton, they will face either Chelsea or Leeds in the final on Saturday, May 16. Their semi-final will be played on Sunday, April 26, at 3pm.
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Were City to win the FA Cup, they would complete a domestic double this season. Pep Guardiola’s side also have the chance to make it a treble if they can win the Premier League.
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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a press conference after Super Bowl LX at Moscone Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Feb. 9, 2026.(Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire)
The reported investigation comes as Trump administration officials and lawmakers have warned about revisiting the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961. The law allows the NFL to negotiate league-wide TV deals without violating U.S. antitrust rules, provided it meets certain conditions, including protecting customer access.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, the chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, addressed the issue in a letter to the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission. He requested a review of the league’s antitrust exemption status.
Meanwhile, surging streaming prices and sky-high ticket costs have combined to leave the average American NFL fan boxed out of watching their beloved game altogether or making it impossible to find.
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A Fox News poll in March indicated that 72% of sports fans think major sporting events should stay free on broadcast TV, amid reports that the NFL is considering allowing teams to sell the rights to preseason games to streaming services.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said on “Fox & Friends” last month that officials are reviewing thousands of comments on whether a significant share of sports should remain free on broadcast television.
The Amazon Prime Video Thursday Night Football logo appears on a television camera during the second half of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 29, 2024.(Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
Carr said the FCC is looking into whether sports leagues should continue to benefit from a special antitrust exemption, and that public comments solicited on the matter largely support keeping games more accessible.
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“We actually got thousands and thousands of comments. It was a big number for the FCC… The vast majority so far, based on an initial assessment, support keeping a significant portion of these sports games on free, over-the-air broadcast TV,” Carr said.
“So, we’ll be looking at it. There could be actions at other portions of the government, and Congress as well, if these sports leagues continue to push this issue.”
Carr made his feelings clear, stating he thinks the experience of finding a game to watch has become frustrating and costly.
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“You effectively have to have a computer science degree to decipher this,” he said, adding that, historically, broadcast TV and sports leagues have had a mutually beneficial relationship that allowed leagues to grow while supporting local news.
“We’re at a tipping point where these leagues can push it so far, putting games behind paywalls, that they undermine their ability to claim that antitrust exemption.”
NFL fans themselves have also spoken out about the league’s streaming strategy.
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OutKick’s Davey Hudson took to the streets of Nashville and New York City last month to talk to aggrieved football fans.
“I think it’s frustrating when you just want to watch a game, and you have to figure out what app it’s on. And then you’re paying for multiple apps all the time,” one fan said.
Another fan was blunt, calling the current system of watching games “f—ing stupid.”
“Well, it’s f—ing stupid, you have to get five different platforms to watch all of the games that you want to, and still you have to pay on top. It’s ridiculous at this point,” the fan said.
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One fan called it a “pain in the a–” to keep track of where and when the games are being streamed.
A different fan called it a “money grab,” citing Netflix as the latest streaming service the NFL brought in to start broadcasting its games.
NFL fans who want access to every game need to purchase YouTube TV for “NFL Sunday Ticket,” in addition to the costly subscriptions for all the streaming services the NFL broadcasts on. Those streaming services are Amazon Prime, Peacock and Netflix. The combination of those respective services is over $1,500 a year, and that doesn’t include the fees that come with basic cable packages or high-speed Wi-Fi that is needed to accommodate the platforms.
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Fox News’ Ryan Canfield contributed to this report.
Dad And Dave and Awesome Artist, fellow Ciaron Maher charges, will share the Saturday bill with Amazake.
National assistant trainer Jack Turnbull from the Maher team indicated Dad And Dave will look to stake his claim as a Derby hopeful during Saturday’s event, whereas Awesome Artist might proceed to the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington on April 25.
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With eight starts still seeking a first win, Amazake boasts impressive staying qualities and is far more filled out than during his spring efforts.
The gelding earned third place in the Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield en route to a distant finish in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington, something Turnbull admitted was too soon.
“We gave him a crack because he ran a place in the Norman Robinson, but he was up against Observer at that stage who was a cut above,” Turnbull said.
“Time has been his friend and he’s a fuller horse now and more mature.
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“I think he’ll be fine now, so we’ll give him his chance, so he’ll run on Saturday and then onto the Derby in South Australia.
“He’s still a maiden, which you wouldn’t believe, but he’s won good prize money and has been running in good form races and only getting beaten a couple of lengths, with excuses.
“He’s in good shape.”
Coming off the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on March 21, Amazake and Dad And Dave placed fourth and ninth.
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