A major investor in a new American football league in Europe believes the time is right for a sustainable pan-European competition, despite a host of previous failures.
David Gandler, who co-founded the sports streaming service Fubo, says he has personally invested “seven figures” in the European Football Alliance (EFA). The new league is planning to launch in May with seven teams, while a further two — in London, also backed by Gandler, and in Milan — are scheduled to join in 2027.
“There’s pent-up demand,” Gandler told DW in an interview. “The only thing really missing around American football is structure. So to capture that kind of growth, what you really need is a professionally-governed, transparent and responsive league.”
The EFA, though, is not alone in its endeavors, with the recent emergence of the American Football League Europe (AFLE), which has so far announced five teams for the forthcoming season.
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Moritz Heisler, the AFLE’s managing director, told DW that the two organizations were in negotiations to “bring things together,” adding: “If done right, a merged or evolved AFLE doesn’t need to be the biggest league, just the smartest one.”
However, an EFA source characterized the discussions as being about the AFLE’s teams joining their league.
Focus on homegrown players
Whether they end up merging or continue on their separate paths, both the EFA and AFLE face the same question: How do you establish a successful and commercially viable American football league in Europe?
Although NFL Europe enjoyed some popularity in England and Germany, it failed to break through in the United States, where it was seen as being a developmental league for American players. The NFL has since pivoted to bringing its regular season games to Europe.
David Gandler is also the majority shareholder of English lower league football club, Leyton OrientImage: Liam McAvoy/PRiME Media Images/IMAGO
“Compared to football and basketball, American football is a niche sport in Europe,” Heisler acknowledged. “But the NFL didn’t ‘fail’ in Europe because people don’t like American football. It struggled because it tried to import a US product instead of localizing deeply enough.”
Heisler said the new league’s focus should be on engaging local fans and helping them connect with “players who live in their city.”
Gandler, with his background in streaming, agrees.
“There’s a massive opportunity on the media side,” he said. “I think there’s a way for us to create significant value on an international level, but at the same time helping the local franchises maximize their rights on the domestic market. It’s all about homegrown players.”
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NFL model the ‘gold standard’
Teams officially split from the old league, the European League of Football (ELF), in January, having previously demanded “structural reforms, economic fairness and real transparency” — a reference to alleged mismanagement by the ELF’s CEO, Zeljko Karajica, who didn’t respond to a request for comment.
On Monday, the ELF, which could boast some healthy attendances and a television deal, announced that it had gone into self-administration, a form of insolvency, with the aim of “continuing to operate” and “sticking to its schedule for the season.” But as the EFA source commented: “They have no teams!”
Promising “financial sustainability,” the EFA says it wants to follow the NFL’s “gold standard” model of being run collectively by its franchises and sharing revenue.
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Berlin’s Olympic Stadium recently held an NFL match but European leagues have struggled Image: Kirby Lee/Imagn Images/IMAGO
“Having that governance control over the product is critical to success,” said Mason Parker, owner of the Prague Lions, one of the teams signed up to the EFA.
“The league will be successful when the team owners start treating the league’s P&L (profit and loss) like their own P&L. The other league was simply not structured that way. The incentives weren’t correctly aligned.”
Heisler said the ELF, which ran for five seasons, had prioritized “speed and scale,” trying to expand too quickly. As a consequence, one-sided games became the norm, and the league’s poorer teams lacked the facilities to match its desired professionalism.
Images of players queuing up to use portable toilets during a game in Berlin last July underlined the disparity between franchises and invited ridicule on social media.
“There was no vetting,” Parker said. “The [other] teams had no say. That’s a perfect example of the systemic problem that the ELF had.”
Another problem is the NFL’s strategy on the continent. The NFL is playing more games in Europe with extensive activities around those games and granting international marketing rights to the 32 teams in order to build long-term brand presence.
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‘Global growth phase’
With flag football, a non-contact version of American football, set to debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Gandler said the sport had reached an “inflection point.”
“Viewership in Europe is accelerating, and the sport, in my view, is entering a global growth phase,” he said. “When basketball entered the Olympic stage, the Olympics actually became a catalyst for international adoption.”
Gandler hopes a new European league could even complement the NFL by “bridging storylines,” for example about former NFL players who come to Europe, or European players who go on to make it in the NFL. Previous efforts to help players from outside the US crack the NFL have seen limited results.
“The NFL is doing a superb job at marketing American football across the globe. And I think the EFA, or American football in Europe, has an opportunity to fill that void when these teams leave those markets.”
We’ll break down three plays for the Thursday action. Remember to monitor the odds throughout the day, as the sides and totals market is constantly changing.
Here are the free college basketball picks for Thursday, February 5.
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Best college basketball plays today — Odds Courtesy of DraftKings
Penn State/Michigan Over (162.5)
West Virginia (+5.5) at Cincinnati
Memphis (+1.5) at UAB
Penn State/Michigan Over (162.5) — 6:30 p.m. ET
In the first matchup between these clubs, Michigan edged Penn State, 74–72 on January 6. Not only did the Wolverines fail to cover as 24.5-point road favorites, but the game stayed Under the total of 169.5 points.
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Tonight’s total drops six points from the first meeting, as the two teams combined for 16 3-pointers in last month’s matchup. Penn State rides a five-game Over streak, although this is the highest total the Nittany Lions have seen since the last game against Michigan.
The Wolverines busted out for 83 points in last Friday’s victory over rival Michigan State, snapping a two-game streak of scoring 75 or fewer points. Michigan has finished Under the total in four of the last five home games, but look for a huge offensive effort from Dusty May’s team against PSU.
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West Virginia (+5.5) at Cincinnati — 7:00 p.m. ET
The Mountaineers held off the Bearcats in the first meeting, 62–60 in Morgantown on January 6. WVU is coming off a 10-point home loss to Baylor last Saturday, but the Mountaineers are 6–1 this season off a defeat.
Cincinnati has dropped three of their last four games, capped off by a 76–54 rout at the hands of Houston last Saturday. The Bearcats have won three consecutive home contests, including shocking Iowa State as a 5.5-point underdog on January 17.
In Big 12 play, Cincinnati ranks last in offensive efficiency and the Bearcats shot a miserable 10-of-27 on 2-point attempts in the first matchup with WVU. Three of the Mountaineers’ four road losses in the league came against Iowa State, Arizona, and Houston, the top three teams in the Big 12. Let’s look at West Virginia as a road underdog to cash at Cincinnati.
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Memphis (+1.5) at UAB — 9:00 p.m. ET
In one of the more quirky stats you’ll ever see, UAB is 5–0 in the AAC on the road, but 0–4 at home. The Blazers seek their first home conference win tonight against Memphis, who was tripped up by Tulane on Sunday.
The Tigers look for their second conference road victory after losing at FAU, Tulsa, and Wichita State. Memphis has won four straight meetings with UAB since 2024, including capturing all three matchups last season.
The Blazers are coming off road wins at UTSA and North Texas, but UAB has been held to fewer than 71 points in three of four home conference defeats. Let’s look at Memphis to continue their domination of UAB.
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Tantrums at the ice skating and rows over helmets at the skeleton might have been more predictable, but sometimes you just want the reassuring sounds of curling to remind you the Games have really begun.
It’s sport’s ultimate ASMR – the echoing shouts of “hurry hard” as stones rumble across the pebbled ice, the scratching and scrubbing of brooms, followed by the hollow clank of granite on granite.
If leather on willow is the sound of summer, then close your eyes at the curling and winter is coming. However, whisper it quietly: something is brewing over at the roarin’ game.
Four years ago, it was Great Britain’s curlers who bailed the wider team out, claiming the only two medals of the Beijing Olympics – a men’s silver and a women’s gold – both secured on the final weekend.
Jen Dodds and Bruce Mouat have three wins from three so far (REUTERS)
A hard-fought victory over the Czech Republic was the latest triumph (REUTERS)
The pair admitted they were still smarting from their medal miss in the mixed event in 2022, the childhood friends from Edinburgh having thrown away a lead in the semi-finals before being soundly beaten in the bronze-medal match.
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They have responded in style, with a perfect three wins from three. It hasn’t been flawless, though, as Mouat and Dodds narrowly overcame former world silver medallists Estonia’s Mari Kaldvee and Harri Lill 8-6, with an end to spare, before edging past the Czech pair Vit Chabicovsky and Julie Zelingrova.
They took an early advantage and seemed in control before conceding a fifth-end triple and needed Dodds to keep a super-steady hand to cling on for an 8-7 win. Zelingrova spurned a chance to clinch victory as the shot clock hurried her into a final-stone mistake.
It leaves Team GB joint top of the early standings alongside powerhouse Canada, who beat world champions and favourites Italy’s Amos Mosaner and Stefania Constantini in a statement of intent.
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The Canadian pair secured an impressive win over Italy and appear to be Team GB’s main challengers (REUTERS)
Those two teams will clash on Saturday morning, while Mouat and Dodds’ Friday opponents in the ten-team round-robin stage are winless Korea and Sweden. Two wins there and a place in the knockouts will be odds-on.
“You have to win ugly sometimes and that was probably that game,” admitted Dodds of the Czech victory. “In mixed doubles, you’re never safe, even when you’re up three in the last end, and it was getting a bit nervy at some points.
“I’m here to support Bruce as much as possible. There are times that I don’t play well and Bruce is absolutely amazing, but this was vice versa.
“You’re a team and you’re in it together; we’ll figure out whatever Bruce needs to help step it up a little.”
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Dodds has been somewhat carrying the team so far, with Mouat admitting he needs to improve (REUTERS)
Mouat, who is favourite for gold in the men’s event after guiding Scotland to world gold last year, admitted he is still adjusting to the ice.
“It’s exactly how we wanted to start the event,” he said. “We just wanted to put a better foot forward, but three wins is exactly what we need at this point.
“We’ve got some tough games ahead and we’re going to have to perform a little better. Jen’s playing amazingly; it’s just that I need to help her a little.
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“I wasn’t playing my best and I can’t blame the ice – I can only blame myself. There were some tricky spots in there; I think it’s manageable. It’s just that I’ve not figured it out yet, so I’m going to have to figure it out faster.”
TNT Sports on discovery+ will be the go-to destination in the U.K to watch everything of Milano Cortina 2026 live all in one place, with over 850 hours of action from every sport, venue, and medal event.
After the summer deadline day defined by the striker Liverpool bought and the defender they did not, the January transfer window ended with the centre-back they recruited and the right-back they did not.
And so Dominik Szoboszlai, who played as a false nine against City a year ago, is likely to line up at right-back against them on Sunday. Liverpool have conducted their transfer business for the future, but not for the present. Slot may be one more defensive injury away from seeing Liverpool’s season condemned to disappointment. As he admitted, it is a task simply keeping his remaining options fit.
Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley are out for the season, Jeremie Frimpong for a while yet. The injury-prone Joe Gomez may be able to be on the bench on Sunday, but he will not start. Ibrahima Konate volunteered to return early from compassionate leave after the death of his father to face Newcastle last week. Three different midfielders have operated in the back four in the last two games. Liverpool stand accused of neglecting the immediate issues and leaving Slot short-staffed.
“I’m very happy with the squad, let that be clear,” countered Slot. “But it’s all clear and obvious that we have three long-term injuries. That’s why we’ve tried to strengthen the squad in winter and the player you mentioned [Geertruida], in the end, wasn’t available. But that we’ve tried to strengthen the squad; that is clear. And that tells you that we think that it would have helped us. But it should be possible that we’re not going to sign players that are not good enough to play for this club.”
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Of course, Liverpool did think Guehi was good enough. They bid £35m in the summer; yet they left their move so late that Crystal Palace pulled out when they could not get a replacement. They did not intervene when City bought the England international for £20m in January, although there was a case that their need for him was greater, with Konate enduring a distinctly mixed campaign.
Liverpool missed out on Marc Guehi to Man City (Getty)
Ibrahima Konate has endured a mixed campaign for the Reds (AFP/Getty)
City could fund bigger wages in addition to a transfer fee. Liverpool shifted their attention to next season and the next generation. Jacquet will cost £55m, but is just 20. “A very big talent,” said Slot. Jacquet is still older than Leoni; when you include Noah Adekoya, Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe, Liverpool are bringing in five centre-backs under 21. They are searching for Virgil van Dijk’s successor even as Slot suggested his captain could stay for “maybe even longer” than the remaining 16 months of his deal.
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“This club is not stupid,” he said. “We do know somewhere in the upcoming years, there is life for this club after Virgil.” Yet life now is ever more reliant on Van Dijk. The 34-year-old has played every minute of all 32 Premier and Champions League matches this season. “What a compliment to him at his age to play every three days,” said Slot.
What a relief for Liverpool that he can. The alternative could make Slot’s job all the harder. “But it’s clear and obvious that if we have an injury crisis, even more than we already have, then that makes things even more difficult,” he said. “So we know what the situation is, but this squad is able to do better and more than we’ve done until now, in my opinion. But then they all need to stay available, and that’s going to be a hell of a challenge because we have three games in seven days coming up.”
Virgil van Dijk has played every minute of all 32 Premier League and Champions League matches for Liverpool this year (Reuters)
There is a contrast with City who, when John Stones, Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias were sidelined, swooped for Guehi. The England international was a long-term target for both clubs. He is also 25, experienced in the Premier League, able to slot in straight away.
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Like Leoni, Jacquet will come from another country, earlier in his career, perhaps needing time to adjust. They could be the successors to Van Dijk and Konate.
For different reasons, Slot can call upon neither now. He nevertheless insisted he buys into Liverpool’s strategy. “I have always worked the same. I always want the best for the club, even if in the short term it is not ideal for me,” he said. “I knew which club I went into; this club has a model of signing talented players younger.”
In the short term, though, his life may be easier if he had Guehi and Geertruida, the defenders who Liverpool missed out on at the end of either window.
Rumors about Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s new home have fans impatient as the Bucks keep their dealings under wraps with only hours to go before the deadline.
On Thursday, the Bucks’ X account posted a single emoji on their timeline, a yawning emoji. The cryptic message may be a hint at Antetokounmpo’s decision to stay wiith the Bucks, who are valued at $4.3 billion by Forbes.
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The trade deadline closes at 3:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, and it appears Milwaukee has convinced the two-time MVP to stay with them for another ride. ESPN’s Shams Charania backed the speculation about Antetokounmpo staying in Milwaukee a few hours before the deadline.
“The Milwaukee Bucks believe they can build a contender around Giannis Antetokounmpo this Summer and get him on board with remaining with the team long term,” Charania said on NBA Today on Thursday.
However, Charania revealed that Antetokounmpo was convinced that he needs to leave to expand his legacy, which forced the Bucks to listen to offers. However, Milwaukee believes that they can build a roster good enough around their superstar to compete for another championship.
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The Bucks (20-29) are not good enough to compete for a championship this season. They are 12th in the Eastern Conference standings.
Giannis Antetokounmpo reaffirms his belief in the Milwaukee Bucks
Reports in the last few weeks have suggested that Giannis Antetokounmpo has lost confidence in the Bucks and wants to move to a new team. While they may be right about the two-time MVP’s aspirations, they forgot to cover the love he has for the city that drafted him.
On Wednesday, Eric Nehm of “The Athletic” published an article featuring an interview with the Bucks star, in which he expressed his desire to play for the Bucks forever.
“Brother, if you ask me deep down what I want today, I want to be a Milwaukee Buck for the rest of my career,” Antetokounmpo said. “I want to win here, another championship.”
“Let’s put the Bucks on the side for one second. Let’s talk about the city itself, the memories that I’ve created here. When you open my kids’ passports, it says Milwaukee, Wisconsin.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the world when he is healthy and in his groove. The Bucks superstar has proved in 2021 that he can lead a franchise to a championship if he has the right pieces to support him.
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The Bucks now have a last chance to show their superstar that they can help him get another championship. Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game on 64.5% shooting.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell stands on the sideline during road action at Hard Rock Stadium, framed while overseeing game operations on Oct 16, 2022, in Miami Gardens. The scene captures O’Connell managing tempo and communication as Minnesota navigated an early-season matchup under bright conditions against an AFC opponent. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings have all but announced they’ll add another quarterback this offseason, so when NFL.com identified that exact recommendation for the club, it came as no surprise. Kevin Patra labeled one move for each NFL team this week, and for Minnesota, that’s adding a veteran passer.
Minnesota’s QB room needs experience and insulation, and a credible veteran option would tighten Kevin O’Connell’s offensive plan in 2026.
Free agency is 4.5 weeks away. Between that process or a trade, get ready for another signal-caller to enter the mix.
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A Veteran QB Becomes the Vikings’ Priority
You better believe Kevin O’Connell will add some competition to the QB room.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo stands near the sideline at Lincoln Financial Field, scanning the field before kickoff on Sep 21, 2025, as Los Angeles prepared to face Philadelphia. The image captures pregame focus and routine, highlighting Garoppolo’s return to a starting role amid a road environment and heightened early-season expectations for the Rams offense. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
NFL.com to Vikings: Add a Veteran QB
Patra assigned marching orders for each NFL team. For the Vikings, he scribed, “Despite Kevin O’Connell’s persistent support for J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings can’t head into 2026 without a legit veteran to challenge the third-year pro for the job.”
“The former first-round pick has struggled mightily through two seasons, missing 24 games due to multiple injuries. Even when he was healthy, McCarthy was scattershot, completing just 57.6 percent of his passes, sometimes missing by yards, not inches.”
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Acquiring a different quarterback for optionality behind McCarthy is the worst-kept secret in the Twin Cities.
Patra added, “Unable to keep Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones from leaving last year, Minnesota must bring in a veteran who can, at the very least, push McCarthy for the job — if not outright take it. Potentially bringing back Kirk Cousins, who could be released from Atlanta before free agency, makes a lot of sense for both sides.”
“Cousins played well enough down the stretch and his fit in KOC’s system is obvious.”
A “Duh” Recommendation
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A few days after the regular season ended, former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell spoke to reporters and were immediately asked about McCarthy — whether the youngster would take the QB1 title into the offseason and into September.
O’Connell replied, “Ultimately, I think in the quarterback room, it’s about having just the deepest, most talented room you possibly can, every single year. What that looks like at a pretty impactful position on your salary cap, when you’re able to possibly plan for your depth chart looking in a way where you can be competitive no matter what.”
“I think there has to be competition at quarterback. I think that’s what’s gonna make everybody better in that room. It’s gonna be what makes our entire offense thrive through that competition.”
O’Connell already admitted that his team would find another quarterback or two, making Patra’s recommendation Captain Obvious stuff. The plan is already in motion.
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The Options from Free Agency & Trades
How will Minnesota bring Patra’s urging to life? Well, there are plenty of options.
From free agency, the market will look like this:
— Jake Browning — Teddy Bridgewater — Joe Flacco — Jimmy Garoppolo — Case Keenum — Marcus Mariota — Gardner Minshew — Kenny Pickett — Aaron Rodgers — Mitchell Trubisky — Tyrod Taylor — Carson Wentz — Mike White — Malik Willis — Russell Wilson
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy drops back from the pocket at MetLife Stadium during first-half action on Dec 21, 2025, as Minnesota met the Giants. The frame shows footwork, timing, and composure, reflecting McCarthy’s command within the offense while testing coverage downfield in a hostile road setting with pressure building and receivers working routes. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Would-be trades become a bit juicier, even if players like Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson probably won’t be available:
— Drew Lock — Davis Mills — Jalen Milroe — Mac Jones — Will Levis — Kyler Murray — Spencer Rattler — Anthony Richardson — Zach Wilson
But Cousins?
Patra specifically mentioned Cousins, which might be intriguing for the Vikings because, for the first time ever, he could be signed cheaply. All signs point to Atlanta releasing Cousins in a few weeks as a cap casualty, and almost assuredly, some team will sign him as a low-end QB1 or high-end QB2.
If O’Connell still has the utmost faith in McCarthy, Cousins could be just what the doctor ordered, given his familiarity with the offense and his newfound affordability.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins releases a pass at U.S. Bank Stadium during second-quarter play on Oct 8, 2023, against Kansas City. The moment highlights rhythm passing and pocket control, capturing Cousins operating within structure as Minnesota pushed tempo and attacked coverage in a high-profile matchup with national attention and playoff implications looming late. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
The Viking Age‘s Adam Patrick noted on a Cousins reunion last week, “Since the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, Minnesota has talked about adding competition to the quarterback room for J.J. McCarthy this offseason, and someone like Cousins, who has experience running Kevin O’Connell’s offense, already has an on-field chemistry with Justin Jefferson, and will be much more affordable at this stage in his career, would be one of the better signal-caller options for the Vikings to consider.”
“Bringing back Cousins wouldn’t put an end to the McCarthy era in Minnesota. But if McCarthy can’t beat out Cousins in a preseason quarterback competition, then it would make the Vikings’ decisions about the young passer’s future with the team a lot easier to figure out.”
It’s worth noting, though, that about half the Vikings’ fan base would groan about a Cousins reunion. Many hoped the franchise had turned the page.
Nigerian teenage midfielder David Oguejiofor has taken a big step in his career after completing a move from Simoiben Football Academy to Saudi Pro League giants Al Nassr.
The transfer places the highly rated youngster in one of football’s most star-studded teams. At Al Nassr, Oguejiofor will share the dressing room with global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane.
Mane, who recently won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, was among the first players to welcome the Nigerian midfielder to Riyadh.
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Al Nassr completed the signing as part of their plan to combine world-class stars with young and emerging talents. Meanwhile, Simoiben Football Academy celebrated another success story, as one of their graduates moves to the top level of the game.
The Kaduna-based academy is owned by Super Eagles winger Moses Simon and his wife, Ibukun. It has continued to build a strong reputation for developing young players, having earlier helped Benjamin Frederick secure a move to Brentford in 2024.
Simoiben Academy announced Oguejiofor’s transfer with pride, describing it as a major opportunity for the midfielder to show his talent on the global stage.
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Oguejiofor joins an Al Nassr side currently involved in a close Saudi Pro League title race. The club sits second on the table with 46 points from 19 matches, just one point behind leaders Al Hilal.
With ten league titles to their name, but none since the 2018–19 season, Al Nassr are eager to end their title drought. The Nigerian youngster is expected to be gradually integrated into the first-team squad.
The move also sees Oguejiofor make history at the club. He becomes only the third Nigerian player to represent Al Nassr, following former Super Eagles forwards Henry Makinwa and Ahmed Musa. Musa was part of the team that won the club’s most recent league title.
The winners of the Women’s Premier League 2026 final walked away with a prize cheque of Rs 6 crore, underlining the league’s growing financial stability and consistency at the top level of women’s franchise cricket. The amount mirrors the prize money awarded to Mumbai Indians after their title triumph in the 2025 final, reinforcing the BCCI’s commitment to maintaining strong incentives for excellence in the women’s game.Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who defeated Delhi Capitals by six wickets in a high-scoring final on Thursday, pocketed the Rs 6 crore prize after clinching their second WPL title. The runners-up, Delhi Capitals, once again fell short on the biggest stage despite reaching their fourth final, but still earned a significant financial reward for their campaign.
WPL Auction 2026: Full Breakdown of Every Major Number
RCB’s title win was built around a dominant batting display in a pressure chase. Captain Smriti Mandhana led from the front with a sublime 87 off 41 balls, while Georgia Voll produced a match-defining 79 off 54 deliveries. Their 165-run partnership for the second wicket laid the foundation for a record chase, as RCB overhauled Delhi’s imposing 203 for four with two balls to spare.Delhi Capitals had earlier posted a formidable total after Jemimah Rodrigues struck a fluent 57 off 37 balls and Chinelle Henry added late impetus with a rapid 35 off just 15 deliveries. Laura Wolvaardt and Lizelle Lee also chipped in with valuable contributions, but the total ultimately proved insufficient against RCB’s relentless response.With this victory, RCB joined Mumbai Indians as the most successful teams in the history of the Women’s Premier League, both having won multiple titles. The unchanged prize money from 2025 to 2026 reflects the league’s steady commercial footing rather than short-term inflation, a sign of structured growth rather than volatility.The Rs 6 crore purse not only rewards the champions but also highlights the WPL’s stature as one of the most lucrative domestic tournaments in women’s cricket. As the league continues to mature, the consistency in prize money and the quality of high-pressure finals point towards a sustainable model that continues to elevate the profile, competitiveness and earning potential of women cricketers in India and beyond.Also Visit: England Under-19 vs India Under-19 Final: Match Details, Teams, Date and Venue
Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal made MLB history Thursday, reportedly winning an arbitration case that will pay him $32 million this season after his team proposed a $19 million salary.
Skubal, who won his second straight American League Cy Young Award in 2025, had a three-person salary arbitration panel rule in his favor, ESPN reported.
Skubal’s victory marks a new salary record awarded to a player in the arbitration system by $1 million. The New York Yankees avoided arbitration with Juan Soto in January 2024, awarding him a $31 million deal for that year.
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal reacts after giving up a hit against the Minnesota Twins in the fourth inning at Target Field in Minneapolis Aug. 14, 2025.(Jesse Johnson/Imagn Images)
Skubal had a unique position heading into arbitration with five-plus years of service time, while also being able to use the “special accomplishment” clause, which factors in winning Cy Young Awards. It allowed Skubal to compare his proposed salary not just to those who have faced arbitration, but the entire league.
As a result, Skubal could point to pitchers like Zack Wheeler ($42 million), Jacob deGrom ($38 million) and Gerrit Cole ($36 million) heading into 2026.
The Tigers’ previous arbitration high was $19.75 million paid out to David Price, another talented left-handed starter for the organization, to avoid a hearing in 2015.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal high-fives teammates in the dugout after a pitching change during the seventh inning at Comerica Park in Detroit May 14, 2025.(Junfu Han/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
As for his future, Skubal will become a free agent at the end of the 2026 season, though lots can happen until then. This arbitration victory doesn’t necessarily guarantee he will spend the entire season in Detroit, especially considering the trade rumors that have swirled around the organization.
The Tigers did, however, bolster their chances at repeating as AL Central champions, acquiring veteran left-handed starter Framer Valdez via free agency. They inked a three-year, $115 million deal with Valdez Wednesday, hours before the panel’s decision on Skubal.
Now, Detroit heads into the season with one of the best one-two punches in a starting rotation in all of MLB.
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Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal pitches in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park in Detroit Sept. 6, 2025.(Rick Osentoski/Imagn Images)
After a fantastic 2024 campaign that ended with some much-deserved hardware, Skubal followed it up with an AL-leading 2.21 ERA over 195⅓ innings in 31 starts. He also struck out 241 batters, 13 more than his league-leading mark the previous year.
