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Raiders Pounce on Former Vikings Coach for HC

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Gary Kubiak and Klint Kubiak in the 2000s.
Gary Kubiak and Klint Kubiak in the 2000s.

After a few weeks of deliberation, the Las Vegas Raiders have presumptively hired their next head coach to replace Pete Carroll, and that man is ex-Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.

It’s a leap from coordinator work into the main chair in Las Vegas for Kubiak.

The Raiders conducted an extensive search in the last few weeks, landing on Kubiak, who will run the Seattle Seahawks’ offense this Sunday in the Super Bowl.

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The Raiders Circle Klint Kubiak as Their Next Skipper

Another former Vikings coach hits paydirt.

Klint Kubiak on the field as Vikings offensive coordinator. Raiders hire Klint Kubiak head coach.
Klint Kubiak stands on the field in his role as Minnesota’s offensive coordinator during the 2021 season, surveying pregame activity as the Vikings prepare their offensive plan, offering a snapshot of his early playcalling responsibilities before later coordinator stops reshaped his league profile within a developing staff structure and evolving expectations. Mandatory Credit: Image Courtesy of PanthersWire

Kubiak to LV

Las Vegas’s agreement with Kubiak will be formally announced after the Super Bowl.

Until then, ESPN’s Ryan McFadden wrote, “The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to hire Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as their next head coach after the Super Bowl, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday. A deal between Kubiak and the Raiders cannot be finalized until after the Super Bowl, in which the Seahawks will play the New England Patriots next Sunday.”

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“After meeting Saturday with the Raiders and Arizona Cardinals, Kubiak intends to work out a deal with Las Vegas, sources told Schefter. Once a deal is reached, Kubiak — the son of former Denver Broncos coach Gary Kubiak — would become the franchise’s fifth full-term coach since 2021. With Kubiak off the board, the Cardinals hired Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur as their new head coach, the team announced.”

Some thought Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores might gain some traction for the Raiders’ top job because of his connection to Tom Brady from the New England days, but Flores never secured an interview.

Career to Date

Kubiak has a few more days to stand in the brightest possible NFL spotlight. Coordinating a Super Bowl offense has a way of reopening doors, and the Raiders were watching. It’s the same path Kevin O’Connell rode into Minnesota in 2022.

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The soon-to-be Raiders’ boss’s actual body of work lands closer to competent than commanding. Three stints calling plays have produced middle-tier results, and the offensive efficiency rankings reflect that reality without much interpretation: 17th (2021), 25th (2024), then 14th (2025) in EPA/Play. Decent offense — not stellar ones.

Seattle’s current run complicates the evaluation a bit. The defense has carried the weight, but the offense peaked at the right time. The NFC Championship performance mattered to the utmost. Sam Darnold throwing for 346 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions is the snapshot that front offices remember.

Then there’s the name. Gary Kubiak’s legacy still travels well in hiring rooms, and that association builds credibility before a single question is asked. Add Super Bowl exposure to that, and the head coaching interest becomes a no-brainer.

Mendoza + Kubiak = Raiders’ Future

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Las Vegas controls the top of the draft, and the league already assumes it points toward Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. With most of the quarterback class staying put for another year, the board thinned out fast. Mendoza stands alone as the cleanest, most immediate option. The Raiders will draft Mendoza, and that’ll be that.

That’s where Kubiak enters the picture. When the Raiders officially hand him a head coaching opportunity, it likely comes with a ready-made quarterback. Mendoza’s profile checks every early-box: polish, processing, arm talent, and production. The Heisman and National Title are evidence.

Other names exist, but they carry longer timelines. Ty Simpson still projects as a developmental bet. LaNorris Sellers and Dante Moore left the conversation by returning to school. So, it’s Mendoza or bust for the Raiders.

Klint Kubiak on the sideline before a Saints game.
Klint Kubiak reacts along the sideline during pregame routines at Caesars Superdome on Sep 8, 2024, preparing New Orleans’ offense for Carolina while coordinating communication and tempo, a moment reflecting his expanding responsibilities as a playcaller ahead of kickoff in a high-profile divisional matchup under national attention and early-season scrutiny conditions. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Kubiak won’t be starting totally from scratch. He’ll be inheriting a potential franchise quarterback on Day One.

Reactions from Raiders-Themed Media

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The reviews of the Kubiak hire-to-be are pretty favorable.

Just Blog Baby‘s Levi Dombro wrote, “Look, the odds of Kubiak coming to Las Vegas seem incredibly high at this point, and if the Raiders did land their top candidate, it would be a morale boost and massive schematic advantage. Pairing Kubiak with Fernando Mendoza, Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty would be a dream scenario for Raider Nation. One that the fanbase has wanted for a long time. But until pen hits paper, fans know better than to call anything ‘official, even if they look wildly likely.”

Fernando Mendoza looks on during Indiana vs. Purdue game.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza watches from the field during the third quarter against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Nov 28, 2025, processing game flow as pressure mounted, capturing a poised moment for the Hoosiers signal-caller amid rivalry intensity and late-season evaluation as scouts monitored his command and decision-making traits closely. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

SI.com‘s Ezekiel Trezevant pumped the brakes just a bit: “Only time will tell if Kubiak is the right pick. There is reason to believe in Kubiak, who has undoubtedly earned the opportunity. However, the Raiders’ head coaching position is unlike any coaching or coordinator position in the league.”

“The job will present things Kubiak was not expecting, just as it did for the previous three head coaches the Raiders have fired over the past three seasons. How Kubiak responds to the natural, unexpected twists and turns that come with the Raiders will decide his fate.”

Kubiak will turn 39 in two weeks.

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Hamilton Tiger-Cats sign veteran middle linebacker Wynton McManis

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Wynton McManis wasn’t unemployed long.

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.

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How Much Do 2026 Super Bowl Tickets Cost? A Guide to Purchasing a Coveted Seat

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NEED TO KNOW

  • 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.

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It’s a big change for Super Bowl fans like Dan Crisman, who has attended every Super Bowl since the game’s 1967 inception. “I think the first Super Bowl [ticket] was $12 and now they’re in four figures,” he told PEOPLE in 2024.

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
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.

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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.

Tickets are also available on alternate resale sites, such as Stubhub, SeatGeek and Vivid Seats.

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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
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.

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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
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.

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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
Julian Love #20 of the Seattle Seahawks tackles Antonio Gibson #4 of the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 15, 2024.

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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. Adam Glanzman/Getty
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.

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As of Feb. 4, 2-26 Super Bowl ticket prices are pacing above the average prices paid in 2025 to see the Kansas City Chiefs lose to the Philadelphia Eagles.

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
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.

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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.

2022

Teams: Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals

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Average ticket price: $6,565

2023

Teams: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Average ticket price: $7,121

2024

Teams: Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers

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Average ticket price: $9,014

2025

Teams: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Average ticket price: $5,753

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Great team with a great history

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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.

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.