The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to make Fernando Mendoza, the national championship-winning quarterback from Indiana, the first overall pick in the NFL Draft next Thursday.
But that hasn’t stopped teams below the Raiders at No. 1 overall from calling their phone about a possible trade up scenario.
Raiders GM John Spytek spoke during a pre-NFL Draft news conference, during which he admitted to getting a “few calls” about the first overall selection his team owns.
General manager John Spytek of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on before a game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Nov. 23, 2025.(Chris Unger/Getty Images)
“Those teams know where they stand,” Spytek said, via ESPN.
Spytek said during the news conference that good trades can always materialize on draft night, sometimes even right before the pick. However, if a player stands out to the team, as Mendoza is believed to have done, the Raiders will turn down an offer.
“If there’s a player that stands out that we feel it’s not worth losing, it’s not worth even picking up the phone, then we’ll just make the pick,” Spytek added. “But if it’s a player that we’re not as excited about, or there’s a group of players that we would love to pick from, and we can get value for that, we’re certainly open to listening to that.”
All signs point to Mendoza, who has cemented himself as the best quarterback in this draft after an undefeated season at Indiana. It also became more apparent that a quarterback was needed for Las Vegas after reaching a deal with the New York Jets to reunite them with Geno Smith, who was their starter in 2025 following a prior deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Raiders, however, did bring in Kirk Cousins after his release from the Atlanta Falcons, though his $20 million in guaranteed money on a whopping $172 million deal indicates he will serve as a mentor for whoever the Raiders bring in the building through the draft . Aidan O’Connell is also on the Raiders’ roster under new head coach Klint Kubiak.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza looks to throw a pass during the school’s NFL pro day in Bloomington, Indiana, on April 1, 2026.(AJ Mast/AP Photo)
Kubiak is fresh off a Super Bowl victory with the Seahawks, serving as their offensive coordinator before taking this promotion following a one-year stint by Pete Carroll in Sin City. It didn’t go according to plan for Las Vegas, resulting in the first overall selection.
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But things are looking up for the silver and black, as Spytek used the team’s vast free agent cap room to sign the likes of center Tyler Linderbaum, linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, and wide receiver Jalen Nailor, among others.
Now, Spytek and the franchise have their eyes set on improving the roster even more with potential cornerstone pieces through the NFL Draft. The Raiders possess 10 total picks, including the first overall selection, which is the first time they’ve had that slot since 2007.
And those picks, if it’s Mendoza or anyone else in the draft, will have to earn their roster spot and playing time like everyone else across the league.
John Spytek of the Las Vegas Raiders speaks during a press conference at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Ind., on Feb. 24, 2026.(Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
“Ultimately, this is a meritocracy, and the best guy will play,” Spytek explained. “It’s just really hard to play really well at a young age. But we’ve seen plenty of quarterbacks do it recently. We added Kirk, we have Aidan, and we’ll see how it goes.”
The NFL Draft begins with the Raiders on the clock next Thursday in Pittsburgh.
Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
Fans pack U.S. Bank Stadium as the Minnesota Vikings host the Atlanta Falcons, with Sep. 14, 2025, in Minneapolis capturing a high-energy atmosphere as supporters in purple and gold filled the stands and fueled momentum throughout a lively NFC matchup early in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings drafted four defensive players before the end of Round 3 in the 2026 NFL draft, the most such selections before the start of Round 4 in franchise history. Now, according to ESPN, two of those rookies have outside chances of winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award: defensive tackle Caleb Banks and linebacker Jake Golday.
Banks and Golday already have outside attention before playing a snap.
No Vikings player has won rookie of the year since 2009, when wide receiver Percy Harvin brought home the hardware.
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Minnesota’s Defensive Youth Movement Gets Early Buzz
Do you think Banks and Golday have a shot at DROY glory?
Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks celebrates a takeaway during second-half action, with Nov 16, 2024 centered at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville as he secures a fumble recovery against LSU, energizing the defense and swinging momentum in a physical SEC matchup late in the contest. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
ESPN Names Banks a ‘Longshot” Contender for DROY
Ben Solak analyzed the Rookie of the Year chase at length last week, and on Banks, he noted: “No defensive tackle has won Rookie of the Year since Aaron Donald in 2014, and the only other tackle to do it this century was Ndamukong Suh. Banks is that sort of talent and an enticing bet accordingly. But he has a foot injury that’s impossible to overlook.”
“He also plays in a Brian Flores defense that doesn’t allow defensive tackles to play the sort of unhinged, penetration-oriented style that leads to sacks. Sure, the Vikings spent an early pick on Banks — but as head coach of the Dolphins in 2019, Flores used the No. 13 pick on Christian Wilkins, and he had two sacks as a rookie. It’s hard to see the path for Banks.”
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Banks broke a bone in his foot at the NFL Combine in late February, so fans will monitor whether he will be ready for Week 1, let alone contend for DROY.
Golday, Too
Calling Golday, a 2nd-Rounder from Cincinnati, an even longer long shot, Solak opined, “Golday is an off-ball/on-ball tweener who will be stuck behind established starters at both positions: Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner at outside linebacker; Eric Wilson and Blake Cashman at inside linebacker.”
“He will undoubtedly have flashy plays in subpackages, but he simply will not see enough snaps — barring injury — to contend for this award.”
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Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday works through contact drills during a spring session, with April 12, 2025 placed at Nippert Stadium as he strikes a pad in practice, focusing on technique, strength, and readiness while preparing for the upcoming college football season in a controlled training environment. Mandatory Credit: Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Many consider a Golday a “raw” prospect, and with the Vikings showcasing tremendous ILB depth, it’s unclear if Golday will carve out a meaningful role on defense as a rookie. Stay tuned.
The Other Contenders
From the Vikings’ rookie haul, four other men have outside chances of contending for OROY or DROY:
Domonique Orange (NT)
Jakobe Thomas (S)
Charles Demmings (CB)
Demond Claiborne (RB)
The league doesn’t typically acknowledge nose tackles for DROY, but in theory, if Orange logged 5-7 sacks as a rookie, he could move the needle. Thomas probably won’t win a starter’s job this summer, but if he pulled off that feat, he could, in theory, raise eyebrows.
On Demmings, if Byron Murphy Jr. or Isaiah Rodgers fell injured this summer, Flores could tap him on the shoulder to start as a rookie, casting his profile into a national spotlight.
Overall, after Banks, Claiborne is probably the most likely Viking to contend for OROY. If one pretends that he barnstorms the summer, so much so that he cannot be denied the RB1 job, he could turn heads in an offense tailor-made for offensive creativity.
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On the whole, Banks is the favorite Viking to win the award, assuming his injured foot is ready for Week 1.
A Draft Class That Must Hit
The firing of former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in January can be traced directly to the draft.
His draft success rate remained persistently low. Since 2022, only about 18% of Minnesota’s draft picks have proven successful, leaving too many gaps on a roster that desperately needs inexpensive, young talent. A stagnant draft pipeline forces reliance on costly free agency, which explains why the Vikings increasingly depended on older players to remain competitive.
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Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks speaks with media members during a pre-draft event, with Feb. 25, 2026 set inside the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis as he outlines preparation, mindset, and expectations while meeting with reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine ahead of the upcoming draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The unsustainable approach eventually catches up. The next general manager, whether Rob Brzezinski or an external candidate, faces one critical mandate: the draft must yield results. Minnesota urgently needs an influx of starting-caliber players on rookie contracts to stabilize the roster and reset its long-term trajectory. The draft is only place in the NFL to find players for free.
The success of this strategy hinges on current prospects as well. Players such as Banks, Golday, Orange, Thomas, Demmings, and Claiborne must develop into legitimate contributors. If this group delivers, the roster will become younger, faster, and more sustainable. If not, the Vikings will remain trapped in the same cycle — absolutely required to win in free agency across the board to cleanse the draft sins. In 2024, that strategy worked. A year later, it flopped.
A fancy rookie of the year trophy would be the cake topper.
Manchester City star Phil Foden has struggled for form in recent months but has been backed publicly by his manager and now the club
Phil Foden is set to sign a new long-term deal that keeps him at Manchester City after a breakthrough in contract negotiations. The homegrown star will commit for at least another four years, ending uncertainty around his future with his current contract running out next summer.
Foden jointly holds the record as the club’s most decorated player, breaking into Pep Guardiola’s squad from the academy in the 2017/18 season and playing a major role in an unprecedented level of success. He was voted as the best player in the Premier League after guiding City to their fourth consecutive title in the 2023/24 season, although he has seen his form diminish sharply since.
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The player admitted to suffering from physical and mental burnout last season and appeared to be refreshed this season with excellent form shown between September and December, but his level has dropped again and the last league game he started was the disappointing draw with Nottingham Forest more than two months ago.
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Despite that, Guardiola has been adamant throughout that Foden will rediscover his best form and has regularly turned to him as a substitute in that time. The club have now shown their backing for the 25-year-old by handing him a new deal that ties him to the Etihad until 2023, with the option of another year.
As reported by the Athletic, the contract negotiations have been handled by Rafaela Pimenta – the super agent who represents Erling Haaland and agreed his nine-and-a-half-year contract extension last year. Foden is still hoping to be called into the England squad for the World Cup this summer, but faces a nervous wait as Thomas Tuchel weighs up his options.
A newly published, 95-page Human Rights Watch (HRW) report on Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has revealed how the sovereign wealth fund has “facilitated and benefited from human rights abuses” and how sportswashing has helped “to whitewash reputational harm.”
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Finals were held in Riyadh in November, the first installment of a three-year agreement. The prize money was $5.15 million (€4.87 million) for the tournament, matching that of the ATP Finals. This meant for the first time ever, the women’s and men’s year-end champions earned the same reward.
The sums of money being poured into golf, football and motor racing in Saudi Arabia have also been astoundingly high, too. As demand grows for more professionalism within women’s sports across multiple disciplines, the significant financial incentives being offered by the PIF are hard to turn down, especially in a sporting landscape where women’s teams often struggle for funding, sponsorships and visibility.
Saudi state oil giant Aramco is almost omnipresent in modern sportImage: Florent Gooden/DPPI media/picture alliance
“Investing in women’s sports sends great signals to both the domestic Saudi population and the rest of the world that they are doing great stuff for women,” Stanis Elsborg, head of Play the Game — an initiative promoting democracy, transparency and freedom of expression in world sport — told DW.
“Which then leads to more or less or no discussion about the continued human rights abuses of women in the country.”
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Reality different for women in Saudi Arabia
While the push for equality is supposedly evident, women in Saudi Arabia continue to live under strict male guardianship laws.
The system requires women to obtain permission from a male relative — usually a father, husband or brother — for many aspects of their lives, including marriage, travel and sometimes access to health care or education.
“There are still a number of women’s rights defenders, either in prison or under house arrest, serving long prison sentences for social media posts advocating for women’s rights,” Minky Worden, HRW’s director of global initiatives, told DW.
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Worden also believes the male guardianship system might have played a role in the poor crowd numbers for the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
“Moreover, the WTA did not do the work to make it safe for their players, because their players were being questioned about the women in jail. That’s not right,” Worden said.
“The players should have been concentrating on playing their best game, not worrying about whether a journalist is going to ask them why they aren’t doing more to get women’s rights defenders out of jail.”
Earlier in 2024, former tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova wrote an open letter to WTA chief Steve Simon saying hosting the finals in Saudi Arabia “would represent a significant step backwards” and that it was “entirely incompatible with the spirit and purpose of women’s tennis and the WTA itself.”
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Eventual tournament winner Coco Gauff admitted she had her “reservations” about playing in Saudi Arabia, citing the country’s treatment of women and the LGBTQ+ community. Gauff said she was hopeful the WTA’s presence in Saudi Arabia for the next three years would help introduce more Saudi women to tennis and “enact more equality.”
Women central to much-publicized Saudi Vision 2030
Since 2018, Saudi Arabia’s PIF has invested billions of euros into men’s sports, and the country look set to host the 2034 men’s FIFA World Cup. The decision to diversify toward investing in women’s sports appears an equally considered move.
Women are central to the much-publicized Saudi Vision 2030, the country’s ambitious blueprint for economic and social reform, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. A key goal of the plan is to empower women to contribute more significantly to Saudi society and its workforce.
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Currently, though, as the HRW report found, there is no evidence that “PIF-funded projects advanced the government’s obligations to fulfill economic, social and cultural rights of its people.”
“I do believe that they have an interest in getting more women to do sports in Saudi Arabia and get a healthier population,” said Elsborg.
“I also think that one of the key factors behind their sport strategy is that they really don’t want people to talk about the lack of women’s or LGBTQ+ rights. They want us to talk about all the good things that they do for world sport and that they do for women’s sports as well.”
While the increased remuneration remains attractive, many female athletes have raised their voices against Saudi Arabia’s involvement in women’s sports.
In October, in response to an announcement that FIFA was entering into a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s state oil company Aramco, over 100 international players signed an open letter criticizing the deal as a betrayal of women’s sports values and human rights. The group suggested including female athletes on decision-making boards for future partnerships.
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“Players have no say when it comes to sponsorships and partnerships and that’s one of the big problems,” Elsborg said.
“What the players expressed in their letter to FIFA about having a review committee, where the players could have more say about sponsorships their organizations have, could possibly be a way forward for women’s sport.”
Former India player Ravi Shastri has opined that the IPL 2026 clash between the Delhi Capitals (DC) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) would be a great contest. He highlighted that CSK have gathered momentum lately, with Ruturaj Gaikwad’s return to form also helping his captaincy.
DC and CSK will square off in the 48th game of IPL 2026 in Delhi on Tuesday, May 5. Both sides have garnered eight points from nine games, with CSK placed a rung higher at sixth on the points table due to their superior net run rate.
During a discussion on JioHotstar, Shastri reckoned that Gaikwad and Sanju Samson’s form should make CSK competitive in their IPL 2026 clash against DC. However, he gave Axar Patel and company a slight edge in Tuesday’s game.
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“It will be a mighty contest because the Chennai Super Kings have got a little momentum. Having said that, the Delhi Capitals have been slightly unlucky this season. They have lost many close matches, with little, little mistakes, or else they would have had four more points. Mitchell Starc has returned. So their bowling has gotten strengthened a little,” the former India all-rounder said.
“Ruturaj Gaikwad coming in form makes a huge difference because there is a difference in his captaincy as well. Sanju Samson is in tremendous form. If the top three of any side fires, it means you are in the contest. I would give Delhi the slight upper hand because it’s a home game and because of the team they have. These are extremely important two points,” he added.
Sanju Samson has amassed 315 runs at a strike rate of 167.55 in nine innings in IPL 2026. Ruturaj Gaikwad has scored 245 runs, including unbeaten half-centuries in CSK’s previous two games, at a strike rate of 125.64 in his nine hits.
“Chennai would want to maintain the momentum, but it won’t be easy” – Harbhajan Singh on DC vs CSK IPL 2026 clash
CSK beat MI by eight wickets in their previous IPL 2026 game (Image via iplt20.com)
In the same discussion, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh highlighted the significance of Tuesday’s IPL 2026 clash and opined that it won’t be easy for CSK to maintain their winning momentum.
“As Ravi bhai said, these might be the two most crucial points because whichever team loses, their chances of qualifying would become minimal. You have to win every match now. Chennai would want to maintain the momentum, but it won’t be easy,” he said.
The former CSK player gave DC the edge, highlighting that the five-time champions haven’t fired as a unit with bat and bowl.
“Delhi will be a stronger team in Delhi. I feel Delhi have much better bowling options. Chennai have won, but they have won with great difficulty. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Kartik Sharma batted well. However, their batting or bowling hasn’t flourished fully as a team,” Harbhajan observed.
However, Harbhajan Singh acknowledged that the Delhi Capitals would have to work hard for the two points. He added that the home team needs to come up with better game plans, pointing out that they couldn’t defend even a 264-run total against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the same venue.
Aug 24, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; General view of Green Bay Packers helmets during warmups prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Green Bay Packers signed Tyrod Taylor on Monday, signaling the exit of former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Desmond Ridder. Ridder will now hit free agency and hope for a QB3 or practice squad job somewhere around the league.
Ridder’s Green Bay stay ended quickly, leaving his next NFL stop unclear.
Matt LaFleur’s team chose Taylor as the best QB2 choice to navigate life after Malik Willis, who is now the QB1 for the Miami Dolphins.
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Taylor Addition Changes Green Bay’s QB Room
Where will Ridder land?
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder shares a pregame moment with a teammate during warmups, with Sep 24, 2023 placed at Ford Field in Detroit as players prepare for kickoff against the Lions, capturing a calm exchange before competition begins in a regular-season road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Ridder Gets the Ax from GB
It’s unemployment once again for Ridder, as NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper wrote, “The Packers’ move to sign Tyrod Taylor is going to cost another of the team’s quarterbacks his spot on the 90-man roster in Green Bay. Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports that the team will be releasing Desmond Ridder. Ridder joined the team last December and did not play in any games.”
“Ridder’s departure will leave four quarterbacks on the roster. In addition to Taylor, they will have Jordan Love, Kyle McCord and rookie Kyron Drones. Ridder spent time with the Bengals and Vikings last year before finishing out the year with the Packers. His last regular season action came in six appearances for the Raiders in 2024 and the 2022 third-round pick made 17 starts for the Falcons in his first two NFL seasons.”
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Taylor ranked near the bottom of the NFL per efficiency in 2025, so Packers fans will hope that a geographical cure makes a difference.
The NFL Resume for Ridder
Ridder has 18 NFL starts with Atlanta and Las Vegas, where his teams went 8-10 — a record that largely aligns with his player profile.
He possesses mobility and isn’t afraid of contact, offering an offense some flexibility. However, defenses aren’t primarily focused on containing Ridder’s running.
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His passing game metrics are equally telling: 16 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and roughly 160 passing yards per game. While this output can keep an offense somewhat afloat — given a strong run game, a solid offensive line, and well-performing skill players — it’s unlikely to elevate an offense significantly on its own.
Perhaps Ridder will eventually settle into a long-term role as a QB3. For now, however, 2026 is trending as an anonymous year.
His list of destinations since turning pro in 2022:
Atlanta Falcons (2022–2023)
Arizona Cardinals (2024)
Las Vegas Raiders (2024)
Cincinnati Bengals (2025)
Minnesota Vikings (2025)
Green Bay Packers (2025)
Rolling with Taylor
The Packers needed a new QB2 after Willis departed in March. Willis headed to Miami, following familiar Green Bay faces: Jon-Eric Sullivan, the Dolphins’ new general manager, and Jeff Hafley, Miami’s next head coach.
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After a standout 2025 season — where he even ranked No. 1 in EPA/Play — Willis sought a legitimate chance at a starting quarterback gig. Green Bay couldn’t offer that with Love firmly entrenched, but Miami could.
It made the Packers’ subsequent move straightforward. With Love missing games in the last two seasons, Green Bay required an experienced backup. In a division where quarterback stability is paramount, securing a solid backup was crucial. The NFC North no longer has weak teams. Enter Taylor.
Houston Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor drops back to pass during early game action, with Dec 5, 2021 centered at NRG Stadium in Houston as he delivers a throw in the first quarter against the Colts, showing pocket presence and decision-making in a divisional matchup during the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Taylor is widely regarded as one of the league’s steadier backup quarterbacks. While he may not offer the same flash as Willis, he provides Green Bay a reliable safety net should Love miss time again.
However, Taylor’s recent performance metrics aren’t stellar. In 2025, he ranked 34th out of 43 qualifying quarterbacks in EPA/Play (minimum 180 dropbacks). His 2023 season with the Giants saw him place 26th among 40 passers in EPA/Play over 244 dropbacks.
Ultimately, the Packers opted for reliability over potential. Willis is gone, and Taylor is now Green Bay’s backup savior if Love goes down.
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LaFleur said about the backup quarterback spot a week ago, “I think we all know how we felt about Malik and his ability to go out there and give us a chance to go win games, and he did exactly that, so I think it’s a work in progress. I don’t want to speak too early.”
“We’ve only done classroom work with these guys. We had a limited exposure to Desmond last year. But what I can say is those guys are doing a great job in the meetings, and we’re looking forward to getting our hands on them as we progress into Phase Two.”
The Future for Ridder
As for Ridder, his career has sputtered. No team will give him a look as a QB1, and in Minnesota, he resided as the QB3-QB4. His days as a starter are kaput. Indefinitely, he’ll drift around the league, looking for employment, likely ending up on practice squads at the ripe old age of 26.
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Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Desmond Ridder meet following international play, with Sep 28, 2025 set at Croke Park in Dublin as the two exchange words after a Steelers and Vikings matchup, capturing a rare overseas postgame interaction between veteran experience and a younger passer seeking long-term footing. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
In fact, so long as he is in the league, Ridder will be a Vikings’ emergency option in the event injuries arise, as they did in 2023 and 2025.
Anaheim Ducks coach Joel Quenneville was livid with the officials after they failed to call icing on the Vegas Golden Knights’ game-winning goal in Game 1.
The Ducks’ bench erupted in protest as Ivan Barbashev scored late in the third period following the controversial no-call. With the game tied 1-1 late in the third, Anaheim had pulled its goalie for an extra attacker.
On a play in the neutral zone, the puck was sent toward the Ducks’ end. Officials waved off icing, allowing Pavel Dorofeyev to make a nice pass to Ivan Barbashev, who scored the game-winner to take a 1-0 lead for Vegas in the series.
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Quenneville didn’t hold back in the post-game presser, stating:
“Clearly, I disagreed with the call. Clearly, it was icing. But their guy stopped skating, which really made me annoyed.”
Anaheim Ducks fall to Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1
On Monday, the Anaheim Ducks suffered a 3-1 defeat to the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. The Golden Knights take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
After a goalless first period, Brett Howden opened the scoring for the Golden Knights after putting them ahead 1-0 at 3:14 of the first period. This was the lone goal scored in that period.
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“I just tried to put the puck deep and I saw Jack on the far side going through,” Barbashev said via NHL.com. “I thought for a second he beat him, and that’s why they waved it off. Jack just put a little pressure on him. They turned it over, and (Dorofeyev) made a great play.”
Mikael Granlund tied it 1-1 for the Ducks at 13:57 in the third period. Ivan Barbashev increased the lead to 2-1 for the Golden Knights at 15:02 before Mitch Marner‘s empty-net sealed the win for them.
“It’s Game 1. It is (about) which team finds its game the quickest that has the advantage,” Golden Knights coach John Tortorella said. “We’re fortunate. Fortunate that we found a way to win. They played well. Some of it had to do with them. They played well, but we have some things to work on.”
Game 2 returns to T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday, with the puck dropping at 9:30 p.m. ET.
The latest edition of WWE RAW featured a sit-down involving IYO SKY and Asuka before their match at Backlash 2026. General manager Adam Pearce mediated the segment, but things eventually got out of hand.
During the segment, SKY said she was avoiding a fight with Asuka because she loved her. Meanwhile, The Empress of Tomorrow claimed that The Genius of the Sky was her biggest disappointment. In the end, the 44-year-old sprayed blue mist in her former Damage CTRL teammate’s face.
Thanks for the submission!
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Following the exchange, IYO SKY posted a picture of herself covered in blue mist on X. The former Women’s World Champion seemed disgruntled after Asuka attacked her. Rhea Ripley reacted to the unfortunate development, asking her longtime ally to take out The Empress of Tomorrow at Backlash.
On the RAW after WrestleMania 42, Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY defeated Asuka and Kairi Sane. It was later announced that SKY and the face-painted star will lock horns at Backlash on May 9, 2026. Since Mami is now focused on her Women’s Title reign on SmackDown, will SKY receive help from an unlikely ally in Tampa, Florida?
Kairi Sane could return during IYO SKY vs. Asuka at Backlash 2026
Kairi Sane was shockingly released from WWE following WrestleMania 42 despite being involved in the IYO SKY-Asuka rivalry. She even picked up a win over SKY in a singles match on the Road to ‘Mania. The Empress of Tomorrow and The Genius of the Sky were rumored to lock horns at The Showcase of the Immortals. However, the creative team didn’t book the duo to compete at WrestleMania.
A different report recently indicated that Kairi Sane had returned to Japan following her departure. Fans must stay tuned to find out if Sane shows up to possibly help SKY against The Empress of Tomorrow at Backlash.
Emma Raducanu faces a potential rematch with Coco Gauff in the third round of the Rome Open, with the American responsible for her fourth-round exit at the tournament last year.
The British No 1 has not played since Indian Wells in March after struggling to shake off a viral illness, and has yet to play a clay-court match this season.
Her stop-start beginning to 2026 was complicated by an injury to her right hand, which she cited as her reason for pulling out of last week’s Madrid Open.
But she is slated to take part in Rome. She will begin her campaign in the second round – after receiving a first-round bye – against either world No 72 Solana Sierra or a qualifier.
All of the WTA top 20 are taking part in the final WTA 1000 event before the French Open, where Gauff is the reigning champion. The American will face either Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva or Czech teenager Tereza Valentova in her opening match in Rome.
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Should Raducanu replicate her strong run in Rome last year, her likeliest opponent in the quarter-finals would be world No 8 Mirra Andreeva, who has enjoyed a brilliant clay season so far, winning the Linz Open and finishing runner-up in Madrid.
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka – who has been drawn in Raducanu’s half – willl play either 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova, who is returning from injury, or Elsa Jacquemot. Defending champion Jasmine Paolini has been drawn in the same quarter as Gauff, Raducanu and Andreeva.
Four-time Roland-Garros champion Iga Swiatek has yet to reach her usual heights this season and faces a tough draw in Rome, with Emma Navarro potentially awaiting in the third round and Naomi Osaka in the fourth.
British No 3 Katie Boulter will open against Eva Lys; should she win that encounter, she will play Osaka in the second round.
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While the women’s Rome field looks highly competitive, Sinner is the overwhelming favourite on the men’s side (Getty)
In the men’s draw, British No 1 Cameron Norrie, who reached the Barcelona Open quarter-finals on clay, has a bye to the second round. Jack Draper is out for the remainder of the clay season as he continues to battle a series of injuries.
World No 1 Jannik Sinner is on a record run of five consecutive Masters 1000 titles and looking to make that six at his home Masters, while Novak Djokovic will be relieved he can only face the Italian in the final.
Sinner is aiming to replicate Djokovic’s achievement as the only man to complete the career Golden Masters – winning all nine titles at this level – with Rome the only one the 24-year-old has yet to claim.
Sinner is seeded to meet Jakub Mensik – one of the few players to beat him this year, in the Qatar Open quarter-finals – in the third round and rapidly rising Frenchman Arthur Fils, whom he defeated in the Madrid semi-finals, in the fourth.
Djokovic, who has been out of action since Indian Wells as he recovers from injury, will open against Marton Fucsovics or a qualifier.
It is a milestone, but it also has a bit of an aftertaste – due to Saudi Arabia‘s involvement.
Professional women’s tennis players are now eligible for paid maternity leave for up to 12 months. Those who have a child through surrogacy, adoption or the pregnancy of a partner is entitled to two months’ maternity leave. In addition, allowances for fertility treatment are possible. The program announced by the World Tennis Association (WTA) applies retroactively from January 1 to more than 320 female players.
It is “the first time in women’s sports history that comprehensive maternity benefits are available to independent, self-employed athletes,” the WTA announced.
The prerequisite is that they have played a certain number of WTA tournaments within a certain time window. The WTA did not provide exact details. It also remained open as to how much money the players are entitled to during maternity leave. It is to be a standardized amount that is paid regardless of the world ranking. The package is financed entirely by the Saudi state fund PIF.
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Serena Williams is one of several mothers to return to professional tennis in recent yearsImage: John Angelillo/UPI Photo/imago images
As in other sports, such as football, golf or Formula 1, Saudi Arabia has been trying to get a foot in the door in tennis by investing heavily for some time. Critics see this as sportswashing, an effort by the rulers in Riyadh to use sport to distract attention from blatant human rights violations in the country.
In recent years, there has been an increasing number of female tennis players returning to the WTA tour after pregnancy and childbirth, including former Serena Williams, German Wimbledon winner Angelique Kerber, who has since retired, and former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka of Japan. However, as they were among the top earners in the industry, they were not dependent on paid maternity leave – unlike lower-ranked players. According to the WTA, around 25 mothers currently play on the ATP Tour.
Global initiatives for maternity leave in sport
The WTA’s announcement is one of several recent initiatives aimed at improving the situation of pregnant athletes and coaches and making it easier for mothers to return to competitive sport.
Since the end of 2020, footballers have been entitled to maternity leave for at least 14 weeks, with at least two-thirds of their contractually agreed salary. Pregnant players are protected from dismissal. In mid-2024, the world governing body FIFA extended the regulations to include several things – including the possibility of changing clubs outside of transfer periods. Former Germany goalkeeper Almuth Schult, a mother of three, was the first player in the world to benefit from this rule.
In October 2024, the Canadian government decided to financially support top female athletes during and after pregnancy as part of the Athletes Assistance Program (AAP). To receive funds from the program, athletes must redeem special cards. Previously, pregnant athletes were forced to use their cards in the event of an injury to receive money. Now there are separate cards for pregnant women and mothers. The government is spending a total of CDN$35 million (€22.5 million, $24 million) on the AAP program over a five-year period.
Almuth Schult made 66 appearances for GermanyImage: Carlotta Erler/picture alliance
There is a similar support program in the UK. There, top female athletes who are not professionals and who are expected to be successful in international competitions receive money during their pregnancy and afterwards – provided the athlete intends to compete again after a break.
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Scholarship and health insurance for top female athletes
In the United States, the National Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) supports top female athletes who have become mothers and want to return to sport for a year after giving birth with a one-year scholarship and health insurance. In spring 2024, the US Athletics Federation (USATF) decided to extend this support for top female athletes who want to return to sport if they want to take more than one year off.
In the North American women’s professional basketball league WNBA, players are entitled to their full basic salary during pregnancy. If you have been playing in the league for at least eight years, you can also apply for a subsidy for artificial insemination if you want to have children.
US track and field star Allyson Felix made headlines around the world in 2019 when she revealed that her sponsor Nike wanted to cut her pay by 70% after she became pregnant. After other female athletes also confirmed this practice, bringing Nike further negative headlines, the sporting goods manufacturer relented. The contracts now contain a protective clause according to which expectant mothers must not incur any financial losses for one year.
Manchester City were on the end of a controversial decision in their 3-3 draw with Everton on Monday as the Premier League have since explained the VAR call
Manchester City have received clarification from the Premier League regarding why Everton’s opener was permitted to stand. A wayward back pass from Marc Guehi was intercepted and converted by Thierno Barry, though the linesman’s flag was swiftly raised as he had been offside when an attempted pass was played to him earlier in the move.
However, Guehi’s touch created a new phase of play, with Barry consequently deemed onside, and that ruling was reversed with the official explanation subsequently published.
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The Premier League Match Centre post on X read: “#EVEMCI – 69′ The referee’s call of goal for Everton was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that there was no offside offence as Guehi deliberately played the ball.”
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Matters then deteriorated further for City when Jake O’Brien powered home a header from a corner to completely turn the contest on its head.
Barry then steered Merlin Rohl’s wayward effort into the net to make it 3-1, with the striker just about remaining onside.
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From City’s restart, Erling Haaland pulled one back immediately with a deft chip over Jordan Pickford, following an outstanding pass from Mateo Kovacic.
A defeat at the Hill Dickinson Stadium would have proved devastating for City in the wake of Arsenal’s victory over Fulham on Saturday.
Nevertheless, they managed to salvage something from their trip to Merseyside when Doku struck deep into stoppage time.
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Despite the valiant effort to snatch a point, Arsenal’s advantage at the summit now stands at five points, firmly placing the Premier League title race in their hands.
The next significant encounter in the title race comes on Saturday, with City taking on Brentford. Arsenal then have the opportunity to respond just 24 hours later in their away fixture against West Ham.
The pivotal clash arrives in the following midweek as City’s match against Crystal Palace, which was initially scheduled for Carabao Cup final weekend, is set to take place.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
Mikel Arteta’s men then face Burnley while City travel to Bournemouth, before the season concludes at Selhurst Park for the Gunners and City host Aston Villa.
Both Palace and Unai Emery’s side could find themselves juggling European commitments around those decisive fixtures. For Palace, a Conference League final could fall just days after they welcome Arsenal.
Villa, meanwhile, could be mere days removed from a Europa League final, though they must first overturn a 1-0 deficit from their semi-final first leg against Nottingham Forest.
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