There is a misconception about Pimenta that she has stepped into the role left by Mino Raiola’s untimely death in April 2020.
Pimenta did work closely with one of football’s most controversial characters but right from the start, she was her own woman; it was one of the main reasons Raiola wanted to work with her, and tracked her down in her native Brazil after an earlier encounter when, as a qualified lawyer, she was asked to act as an interpreter on a deal.
“He said I was the only one who said no to him and because all the others just wanted his money, they would say yes to the craziest projects,” she recalls.
“I thought it would last five minutes. It lasted 35 years.”
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Sadly, not all her experiences in that time were positive, especially when it comes to gender inequality.
“When I was doing this years ago, there were very few women in deciding positions,” said Pimenta.
“There was Marina [Granovskaia] at Chelsea but overall, you could count them on your fingers.
“What I would see were many women working in clubs doing lots of things that were decision-making but not being recognized.
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“It was a sort of a corridor, and it would always be the same. Scouting, technical, secretary, decision-maker. You would walk past everybody and get to the last door. Behind the last door would be a man.”
Pimenta says she was helped in her own career by women who responded to the fact she gained entry to the final ‘door’.
However, the response of the men whose domain she was entering was often negative.
“We have come a long way from a first meeting I had with a sports director who said to me, ‘you really exist, I thought you were a hooker from Brazil’, to where we are today but many men still use gender to unbalance you.
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“They might talk behind my back to make me feel I’m fragile or have less power.”
Pimenta recounts a story from two years ago, she haggled over a contract with a club in the presence of a lawyer she hired purely for his expertise in writing the language she was negotiating in.
Once the deal was struck, the club official said to the lawyer ‘you taught her well’.
“The guy meant it as a compliment,” said Pimenta. “He was trying to be nice. It was unbelievable.”
ITV will introduce in-play advertising to its Six Nations coverage this week, a first for UK live sports broadcasting, starting with Ireland’s trip to holders France on Thursday night.
The broadcaster will run two adverts in each half, shown during breaks in play before scrums. The promotions will appear in a picture-in-picture format, taking up roughly half the screen while the match continues.
Commercial deals have been agreed with Samsung and Virgin Atlantic. Samsung’s advert will promote its Galaxy Fold 27 phone, showing fans watching live rugby together on a mobile device and asking: “Can your phone make you feel this close?” Virgin Atlantic’s slot will focus on the airline’s global routes.
While ITV has stressed the ads will only appear during natural stoppages, the move has already prompted debate about the impact on rugby’s flow and viewing experience.
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Among the first to react was South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus who responded with a series of pointed social media posts.
Quoting the original report, Erasmus initially wrote “Rerig?”, a sarcastic reference to re-engineering rugby broadcasts to accommodate advertising.
He followed that up with a second post: “O shit Daan, wat nou?”
The tone was typical Erasmus: short, dry, and clearly sceptical of a direction that risks chipping away at the rhythm of the game.
For now, the experiment applies only to rugby. ITV would require separate approval to introduce similar in-play advertising during football broadcasts, including the World Cup.
8AM Golf — the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based holding company with more than a dozen golf-related brands in its portfolio, including GOLF.com, Miura and True Spec — announced Wednesday that it has taken a significant equity stake in ascendant performance-footwear brand PAYNTR Golf.
PAYNTR launched its first pair of shoes in 2021 and is among the game’s fastest-growing footwear brands. On the PGA Tour, PAYNTR shoes are worn by Jason Day (who is an equity parter), Min Woo Lee, Sam Burns and Isaiah Salinda. Justin Rose claimed his 13th PGA Tour win at the Farmers Insurance Open last week wearing PAYNTRs, and is among a contingent of PGA Tour, LPGA and PGA Tour Champions players who wear PAYNTRs by choice.
“PAYNTR Golf represents everything we look for in a modern golf brand, with its authentic innovation, clear performance benefit and an experienced leadership team deeply rooted in the science of the game,” 8AM Golf CEO and president Hoyt McGarity said in a release. “Their commitment to building products around the biomechanics of the golf swing, combined with their impressive traction at retail and on Tour, makes PAYNTR Golf a natural fit within the 8AM portfolio.
Each PAYNTR shoe features a cutting-edge propulsion plate to help golfers harness ground reaction forces to bring more speed and power to the ball during the downswing. The company was co-founded by Mike Forsey and Michael Glancy, who combined have more than 50 years of experience in the golf-shoe business, working at footwear powerhouses Nike, Reebok, Under Armour and FootJoy.
“At its core, PAYNTR Golf was founded to challenge convention by creating footwear that truly enhances how golfers move, generate force and perform on the course,” Forsey said in the release. “Partnering with 8AM Golf is a powerful validation of that mission. Their deep understanding of the golf ecosystem, from media and entertainment to equipment and fitting, makes them an ideal strategic partner as we continue to expand our footprint globally and invest in innovation.”
You can shop the PAYNTR Golf shoe collection at Fairway Jockey by clicking here.
Jason Day is among the PGA Tour pros who wear PAYNTR shoes.
Courtesy
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Golf.com Editor
As a four-year member of Columbia’s inaugural class of female varsity golfers, Jessica can out-birdie everyone on the masthead. She can out-hustle them in the office, too, where she’s primarily responsible for producing both print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF’s inaugural Style Issue, which debuted in February 2018. Her original interview series, “A Round With,” debuted in November of 2015, and appeared in both in the magazine and in video form on GOLF.com.
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images.
If, in the end, the new leadership group wants to go for it all, then landing an elite QB via trade could be the path forward (as difficult as that is to pull off). The Vikings’ most compelling offer may not get the job done, but it’s nevertheless something that’s worth exploring.
During the most recent regular season, Joe Burrow was in the headlines due to his public reflections on not enjoying football (who would over in Cincinnati?). Past iterations of quarterback speculation have involved Justin Herbert, Kyler Murray, and Lamar Jackson. Of that trio, only Jackson is elite and only Murray appears to be available. If, however, Burrow did become available, how formidable would the Vikings’ offer be?
The Vikings’ Most Compelling Trade Offer for Joe Burrow
Journeying into speculative rumors becomes easier when at least a portion of the discussion remains rooted in reality. As a result, consider an actual NFL trade for a franchise quarterback. Matthew Stafford is a nice comparable.
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Check it out:
The LA Rams Receive
The Detroit Lions Receive
QB Matthew Stafford
QB Jared Goff
3rd-Round Pick in 2021
1st-Round Pick in 2022
1st-Round Pick in 2023
Okay, some details to pry away from the chart. Landing Mr. Stafford — a high-end passer who was 32 at the time of the trade — cost a starting level passer, a pair of 1st-Round selections, and a 3rd. Not cheap, but a deal the Rams would do again without any hesitance. Worth noting, too, that the Lions didn’t do too poorly, either.
Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
Looking at the Stafford deals clarifies that the Vikings would need to begin any conversation with the Bengals with a pair of 1st-Round selections. The No. 18 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft alongside the top pick for 2027 (wherever it happens to land). Beginning to talk without that being the starting point means the phone line goes dead very quickly.
There would then need to be considerably more added into the mix.
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Presumably, J.J. McCarthy would be part of the offer. The Bengals could therefore look to build around a young passer alongside whatever draft picks get added to the haul. So, the tally would be sitting at Mr. McCarthy — the No. 10 selection from 2024 who does have a ton of ability — alongside a pair of 1sts.
There would then need to be more added. Think something within the range of some Day 2 selections — 2nd and/or 3rd Round — or possibly even another 1st. Star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is soon to leave Cincinnati behind. Would the Bengals desire Dallas Turner to build around at edge rusher?
If Cincinnati demanded two 1st-Round selections, a 2nd, J.J. McCarthy, and Dallas Turner, the Vikings should agree to the trade to bring Joe Burrow to the Twin Cities.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow goes through his pregame routine, loosening up and throwing on the field as teammates filter out for warmups. The image was taken Dec 14, 2025, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, where anticipation built ahead of a divisional matchup with Baltimore under late-season stakes. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images.
Why would the Bengals make the move? Consider some reasons:
Joe Burrow has publicly opened the door to that possibility with his comments.
The past trio of seasons have involved finishing 9-8, 9-8, and 6-11. All three years involved missing the playoffs, suggesting the current plan isn’t working particularly well.
On a personal level, Burrow may welcome the move due to playing with Justin Jefferson and for ownership that isn’t stingy.
Building up a deep collection of young players and draft assets could actually be wise.
Offloading Burrow’s contract would save money and cap space long term.
Oh, and another thing. A pair of high-profile quarterbacks who have been traded recently — Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson — involved the acquiring team — Cleveland and Denver — almost instantly regretting the swap.
Admittedly, Joe Burrow is better than both of those players, but the idea can nevertheless be made that sending over a ton for a quarterback isn’t guaranteed to succeed. The Texans and Seahawks are pleased to have moved on from their former top passers. Goodness, Seattle is back in the Super Bowl and Houston is a great team.
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In December, Joe Burrow will turn 30. He has suffered some bad injuries since turning pro in 2020. He has also established himself as being among the game’s top-five passers. Working under the tutelage of Kevin O’Connell would mean shredding the NFL.
Back in 2023, Burrow put pen to paper on a five-year extension that tips the scales at $275 million. Any trade would likely need to involve massaging the money no matter the acquiring team. As a result, Burrow’s desire to get traded to a specific location — such as Minnesota — would be vital since he would need to agree to a new deal, lowering his cap charge in the immediate.
Dec 28, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) calls signals during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
In 2025, Joe Burrow had to work through an injury that kept him out for a good portion of the season. He went 5-3 in his starts, completing 66.8% of his passes for 1,809 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.
Burrow and Jefferson won a National Championship while playing college ball at LSU.
Gamboa will now attempt to find success in a new discipline altogether, after it was announced that the 44-year-old from Cuba will make the switch to BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing, much to his delight.
“Bare knuckle boxing is the oldest form of boxing. After winning an Olympic gold medal, world championships in boxing, now I’m focused and excited to become BKB Bare Knuckle World Champion. I’m going to showcase my skills and show why I belong at the very top of this sport.”
BKB Bare Knuckle founder Mike Vasquez also commented on the signing of Gamboa.
“It’s an honour to welcome Yurorkis to bare knuckle, and I can’t wait to see his skills and pedigree on display in the trigon. We’ve got some incredible Cuban fighters on our roster, including our heavyweight world champion. This year we’re going to see more and more elite fighters join our global roster of over 200 fighters from over 30 countries.”
Gamboa’s debut in the promotion is expected to be announced soon.
Former Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick has explained why Arsenal attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze did not end up playing for the Super Eagles.
Eze, who came through the Queens Park Rangers academy, is now fully tied to England and was part of the Three Lions squad at the 2024 European Championship.
Nigeria first made a move for the talented midfielder in March 2017, when he was invited to train with the Super Eagles ahead of a friendly match against Burkina Faso. However, the game was later cancelled, denying Nigeria the chance to hand him a competitive appearance.
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During his time as NFF president, Pinnick actively pushed for the recruitment of players with dual nationality. His efforts helped convince players such as Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Joe Aribo, Semi Ajayi and Josh Maja to choose Nigeria over England.
Pinnick said his interest in Eze grew stronger ahead of Nigeria’s 2022 World Cup play-off against Ghana. He revealed that he held a private meeting with the Crystal Palace star at his home in London to discuss a possible switch.
According to Pinnick, Eze was close to committing his international future to Nigeria before changes within the football federation disrupted the process. He said talks had progressed well and involved detailed discussions with the player and his family.
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Pinnick explained that Eze, alongside his father and sister who manages his career, had agreed in principle, but asked for time as administrative changes and elections at the NFF took place. Soon after, Pinnick left office and the move did not progress further.
He added that Eze has a strong affection for Nigeria and was positive about representing the country.
Since making his senior debut for England in a European Championship qualifier against Malta, Eze has scored three goals in 16 appearances for the national team.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed the veteran middle linebacker on Wednesday, a day after he was released by the Toronto Argonauts. McManis joining the Ticats wasn’t much of a surprise, though, as he lives in Toronto year-round and has a daughter and son.
His arrival also fills a need for Hamilton after Canadian middle linebacker Devin Veresuk signed this off-season with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.
McManis had 62 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble in 15 regular-season games last season.
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The Memphis, Tenn., native spent four CFL campaigns with the Argos (2022-25), helping them win Grey Cups in 2022 and 2024.
The six-foot, 220-pound McManis began his CFL career with Calgary (2017-19), winning his first Grey Cup with the Stampeders in 2018.
“Wynton is one of the premier defenders in our league,” Hamilton head coach Scott Milanovich said in a statement. “He plays the game the right way — with physicality, intelligence, and a relentless motor.
“Beyond what he brings on the field, his experience as a Grey Cup champion and his leadership in the locker room are invaluable, and we’re excited to welcome him to our organization.”
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McManis has 390 tackles, 52 special-teams tackles, 16 sacks, nine interceptions and four forced fumbles while scoring three defensive touchdowns in 100 career regular-season CFL games.
The New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks will face off in the 2026 Super on Feb. 8
Fans can still purchase tickets to the Super Bowl via various resale sites, though they should prepare to pay thousands of dollars to attend the big event
Some of the cheapest tickets currently available cost nearly $5,000
The stakes for Super Bowl LX may be high, but ticket prices are even higher.
There’s less than a week to go until the main event, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
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However, Super Bowl tickets are not released to the general public, which means that unless you’re in the NFL, a season ticket holder or an NFL partner, sponsor, or committee host, you’ll likely be shelling out top dollar for resale tickets to see the New England Patriots play the Seattle Seahawks, with prices skyrocketing in recent years.
He added, “It seemed like the average person could attend back in those first 20 years.”
Keep reading to find out how much a ticket to the 2026 Super Bowl will cost you, and how it compares to recent years.
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Where can I buy Super Bowl tickets?
Ty Okada #39 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after a play during the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026.
Kevin Sabitus/Getty
Super Bowl tickets cannot be purchased directly by the general public.
However, resale tickets are available on Ticketmaster, which is the NFL’s official ticketing partner.
On Location Experiences, a.k.a. the Super Bowl’s “official hospitality provider,” is also offering NFL Super Bowl packages starting at $6,000 per person, which include an official ticket to the game, an open bar and takeout menu, “NFL Legend” appearances and live music.
What’s the cheapest Super Bowl ticket?
Garrett Bradbury #65 of the New England Patriots runs out of the tunnel prior to the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on January 25, 2026.
Cooper Neill/Getty
As of Feb. 3, one of the cheapest single Super Bowl tickets available is in section 420 for $4,836 on Vivid Seats.
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What’s the most expensive Super Bowl ticket?
Fireworks explode over Raymond James Stadium at half time during Super Bowl LV between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs on February 07, 2021.
Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty
As of Feb. 3, one of the most expensive single Super Bowl tickets currently up for grabs is a VIP seat in section 139, which has an eyeline view of the field, priced at $59,290 on Ticketmaster.
Do Super Bowl tickets get cheaper closer to the game?
Julian Love #20 of the Seattle Seahawks tackles Antonio Gibson #4 of the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 15, 2024.
Adam Glanzman/Getty
According to data from more than 900,000 aftermarket NFL ticket compiled by SeatData.io and analyzed by Finance Buzz in September 2025, NFL tickets are less expensive closer to kickoff time during the regular season, though not by much, with an average of $20 in savings when purchased during game week. By contrast, fans who purchased their tickets three weeks or more in advance paid 3% more than the average ticket price.
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Prices for the 2026 Super Bowl have already begun to drop, per TickPick, with the average price per ticket at nearly $10,000 10 days before the game, compared to about $6,400 six days before.
According to the NFL, tickets will be available for resale on the NFL Ticket Exchange up to 60 minutes after kickoff.
Are Super Bowl tickets more expensive this year than normal?
Jabrill Peppers #5 of the New England Patriots tackles Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11 of the Seattle Seahawks during the game at Gillette Stadium on September 15, 2024.
CBS reported that the cost of Super Bowl 2025 tickets ranged from roughly $3,000 to roughly $5,000.
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They aren’t the highest Super Bowl prices in history, however: 2024 set the record, with an average ticket price of $9,800, per CNN.
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How much were Super Bowl tickets in the recent years?
Zach Charbonnet #26 of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball as Marcus Jones #25 of the New England Patriots looks for the tackle during a game at Gillette Stadium on September 15, 2024.
Jaiden Tripi/Getty
Super Bowl ticket prices have fluctuated in recent years, though average ticket costs have typically trended upward, peaking in 2024.
Below are the average Super Bowl ticket prices seven days before the game from 2022 and 2025, according to TickPick.
Karim Benzema has likened his new team, Al-Hilal, to his former employers, Real Madrid, saying the Saudi Pro League side reminds him of Los Blancos in terms of rich history.
The Frenchman on Monday completed a shock deadline day move from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal on a free transfer. Benzema’s contract with Al-Ittihad was due to run out in June, but negotiations over renewal collapsed, and Al-Hilal took full advantage of the situation, signing the 38-year-old on a one-and-a-half-year deal.
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Speaking to Al-Hilal media after his first training session in the blue jersey, Benzema was asked what he knows about the club.
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“It’s a great team with a great history,” he said. “They won a lot of trophies. It’s like similar, like Real Madrid here in Asia, you know. Everything is good, the fans are good, they play well, they have good players, and they have a good mentality, they have a good process. So I liked this team before, I used to play against them with Madrid, it was not an easy game, it was a good game, so I have good memories, and today I’m happy because now I’m playing for Al-Hilal.”
Al-Hilal and Real Madrid share the same history as the most successful team in their respective division. The Blue Waves are Saudi Arabia’s most successful team, with 21 league titles and four Asian Championships. Similarly, Los Blancos have won the most league titles in the Spanish division, winning it a record 36 times.
The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner guided Al-Ittihad to the league and King’s Cup glory last season. With Al-Hilal sitting atop the league table, they will be keen to leverage the forward’s experience to guide them to their 22nd league title.
Karim Benzema hungry for more silverware after Al-Hilal switch
Amid the controversy surrounding his move to Al-Hilal, Karim Benzema expressed his desire to win more trophies with the Riyadh-based club. Joining Al-Ittihad in 2023, Benzema went trophyless in his debut season but responded with a domestic double in his second campaign.
Regarding his ambitions at Al-Hilal, the 38-year-old stated:
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“Clear message, you know, my mentality. I have a lot of ambition. I will work, I will give everything in the pitch, I will help this team, and Inshallah bring trophies, because for me it’s more important to bring trophies, and we have, what I said before, good team, good fans, so together, Inshallah, we will do it.”
The striker has scored eight goals in 14 league appearances this season and is expected to make his Al-Hilal debut on Thursday against Al Okhdood.
Fill-in quarterback Jarrett Stidham had two crucial turnovers that essentially decided the AFC title game, and there seems to be a feeling in Broncos Country that the game would have gone differently had Nix been healthy.
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It seems that Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has endorsed that notion.
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“I have gotten over the situation,” Sutton said during an interview with Guerilla Sports at the Pro Bowl earlier this week. “I told my boy, I said, ‘Maybe after the game, I’ll get over it.’ Once the Super Bowl ends, I’ll get over it — but best of luck to both of those teams going out there performing, doing their thing. You know, everyone knows the Broncos should have been in there, but it’s all right.”
After squeaking by the Broncos, the Patriots are now set to face the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl on Sunday. Denver’s schedule of 2026 opponents includes a trip to New England, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see that game given a prime-time spotlight.
Caerphilly County Borough Council is allowing 14-year-olds to lift weights / Adobe
Caerphilly County Borough Council has lowered the age limit for strength training
Fourteen-year-olds are now able to use weights and resistance kit
This is part of the council’s strategy to remove barriers to exercise
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The counicl offers a junior membership for 11 to 16-year-olds, costing £12.05
Caerphilly County Borough Council has lowered the age limit for resistance training to 14 in its gyms.
Young people are allowed to access the fitness suites from 11-years-old to use cardiovascular equipment and to be taught body weight exercises and now they will be able to weight train, using resistance kit and free weights from the age of 14. Qualified staff will be on hand to provide guidance and ensure appropriate use of equipment.
The change forms part of the council’s Sport and Active Recreation Strategy, which focuses on removing barriers to participation, developing lifelong healthy habits and creating more opportunities for young people to be active in ways that suit them.
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The council offers the Junior Active Plus membership, for 11- to 16-year-olds which costs £12.05 per month. It gives access to gyms, swimming, classes and racquet sports.
Councillor Chris Morgan, cabinet member for leisure, says: “Lowering the age for fitness suite access gives young people more opportunities to be active in ways that interest them. It supports the development of confidence and healthy habits at an earlier age, while ensuring access remains safe, supported and welcoming across our leisure centres.”
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