Consider how Minnesota has opted to beef up the front office, per Ian Rapoport: “The #Vikings are hiring Matt Thomas as a football administration consultant, per me and @TomPelissero, and he will assist the team through the 2026 NFL Draft. One of the most respected salary cap executives, Thomas spent 11 seasons as #Seahawks VP of Football Operations. He’ll allow interim GM Rob Brzezinski to focus on the big picture.”
Vikings Pivot from Inactivity, Hire Short-Term Help
Hiring Thomas is akin to signing a bridge starter at QB, someone to help in the immediate as the team looks for someone to fill the job for a long time. Onboarding the stopgap solution for the front office has generated some commentary within the Vikings chatter.
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Consider the word from Kevin Seifert of ESPN: “The Vikings have hired longtime NFL executive Matt Thomas as a football administration consultant through the draft. Thomas will work on cap/contracts with senior manager of football admin Emily Badis while EVP Rob Brzezinski focuses on his interim role leading the front office.”
And a follow-up from Seifert, who connects the dots: “Matt Thomas, who retired after the 2024 season, was a front office colleague of Rob Brzezinski when both were with the Miami Dolphins in 1998-99.”
Nov 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings fans perform the ÒSkolÓ prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Some thoughts based on the insight provided by Seifert.
Minnesota appears to be relying on an established relationship — the one that exists between Brzezinski and Thomas — to plug-in a veteran executive to help Minnesota navigate what is the busiest time of the year for the front office. Note, as well, that Rick Spielman used to work in Miami, further solidifying the idea that the Dolphins and Vikings have some connections at the executive level.
Worth noting, as well, that Thomas is coming out of retirement. The suggestion could be that Thomas is going to function as short-term help to grind through these unusually busy months. Maybe there could be a long-term job on the other end, but the likeliest scenario appears to be hiring someone for busy season before Thomas then gets to fade back into the luxury of retirement.
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The Seattle tidbit is similarly of note. Thomas is a cap guy, but do remember that he has worked from within a franchise that has drafted several excellent players recently.
From 2020 to 2023 (Thomas stepped away in 2024), the Seahawks have drafted linebacker Jordyn Brooks (1st — No. 27 in 2020), offensive tackle Charles Cross (1st — No. 9 in 2022), running back Kenneth Walker III (2nd — No. 41 in 2022), corner Devon Witherspoon (1st — No. 5 in 2023), receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (1st — No. 20 in 2023), and running back Zach Charbonnet (2nd — No. 52 in 2023). Not an exhaustive list by any means, but a large enough sampling to underscore how several of Seattle’s best players are homegrown talents.
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
In fairness, a lot of these drafted players got picked high, so it’s not like Seattle is snagging All Pro talents out of Day 3 of the draft. Still, there’s something to be said for not missing the layups.
How much further along would the Vikings be if the decision had to been to draft Kyle Hamilton, the All-Pro safety, instead of dropping twenty spots for Lewis Cine? At the time, the decision to snag the Notre Dame safety felt like a layup but the ball clanked off the rim.
One could arrive at a similar conclusion in opting for Dallas Turner instead of Jared Verse, though that’s not as bad of an outcome.
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In football, there’s so much competition that nailing the seemingly easy decisions is vital. Just as a quarterback needs to hit his open receiver (ahem, J.J. McCarthy), so does the front office need to avoid overthinking easy decisions. Take the surefire win and move on to the next battle.
Ideally, Matt Thomas will allow Rob Brzezinski do so. The former Seahawk can help on money matters as the fill-in at GM looks to welcome a hearty helping of high-end young fellas. Minnesota will have nine draft selections going into the 2026 NFL Draft.
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks on from the sideline during a matchup with the New York Giants, Dec 21, 2025, as Minnesota continued navigating the latter portion of the season. Adofo-Mensah, hired in 2022, has overseen the franchise’s roster construction and long-term vision following the departure of former general manager Rick Spielman. Mandatory Credit: VikingzFanPage–Twitter
After April, Minnesota’s ownership group will get going with the search for a new general manager. Rob Brzezinski will be in the mix. Other names to emerge include the Denver Broncos’ George Paton and the LA Rams’ Ray Farmer.
We’ll learn of others generating interest in a few months. In the meantime, Matt Thomas will shoulder some of the load within Minnesota’s front office.
Marseille’s disastrous year continues. After being eliminated from the Champions League on the last day of the league stage, suffering a 5-0 loss to rivals PSG, and firing their coach a few days later, Marseille hit a new low by losing to Toulouse on penalties in the French Cup quarter-finals. This ends the club’s dream of winning a title for the first time since 2012.
Arsenal boosted their title bid by beating Brighton 1-0, while Manchester City faltered at home, drawing 2-2 against Nottingham Forest. The Gunners are now seven points clear at the top of the Premier League. Meanwhile, Chelsea claimed an impressive 4-1 win at Aston Villa, just one week before traveling to Paris for their Champions League round of 16 clash.
The Indian Wells tournament is underway, and Daniil Medvedev will be taking part, having been one of 40 ATP players stranded in Dubai following the outbreak of war in the Middle East.
Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Subramaniam Badrinath backed struggling Indian opener Abhishek Sharma to come good in the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal against England in Mumbai. The southpaw has been in surprisingly bad form, with under 100 runs after six innings at an average of under 14.
However, he should enter the England game with an excellent mindset, considering his heroics the last time the two teams met in Mumbai. Abhishek smashed the English bowlers for a breathtaking 135 off 54 deliveries at the venue in February last year.
Badrinath also backed the out-of-form Varun Chakaravarthy to be retained in the 11.
“My suggestion to the Indian team would be not to make any changes to the 11. Abhishek will definitely do well at the Wankhede as it’s a great six-hitting ground. They should also continue trusting Varun Chakaravarthy, as he has been a huge reason for India advancing this far in the tournament. So I expect no changes to the 11.”
Badrinath added:
“I’ve been hearing things like drop Abhishek and bring in Rinku Singh. Make Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson open. Likewise, drop Varun Chakaravarthy and bring in Kuldeep Yadav, as good wrist spinners have done well at the Wankhede stadium, which is another move I’ve been hearing.”
Varun started the tournament in fine form but has picked up only a wicket each in his last three matches, while conceding runs at an economy of over 10.
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Abhishek Sharma boasts an excellent T20I record against England
Abhishek Sharma has been spectacular against England in T20Is throughout his brief career. The 25-year-old has scored 279 runs in five games against them at an average of 55.80 and a strike rate of almost 220.
Furthermore, Abhishek has even thrived with the ball in T20Is against the English, picking up half of his six wickets against them. His best figures of 2/3 came against them in Mumbai last year, making him a massive threat for the 2022 T20 World champions.
The winner of the India-England semifinal will play New Zealand in the grand finale in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 8.
Former ESPN broadcaster Keith Olbermann once again incited backlash on social media Wednesday after he called late legendary college football coach Lou Holtz a “legendary scumbag” in an X post on the day Holtz was announced dead.
“Legendary scumbag, yes,” Olbermann wrote in response to a clip of Holtz criticizing former President Joe Biden in 2020 for supporting abortion rights.
Olbermann received scathing criticism in response to his post on X.
“You’re a scumbag that needs mental help,” one X user wrote to Olbermann.
One user echoed that sentiment, writing to Olbermann, “You’re the real scumbag here. Lou Holtz had more class, integrity, and genuine decency in his pinky finger than you’ll ever show in your lifetime.”
Another user wrote, “You’re a grumpy, lonely, Godless man. All the things Lou Holtz was not.”
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Keith Olbermann speaks onstage during the Olbermann panel at the ESPN portion of the 2013 Summer Television Critics Association tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel July 24, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Olbermann has made it a pattern of sharing politically charged far-left statements that are often combative and ridiculed on social media, typically resulting in immense backlash.
After the U.S. men’s hockey team’s gold medal win, Olbermann heavily criticized the team for accepting an invitation from President Trump to the State of the Union address. Olbermann wrote on X that any members of the men’s team who attended the event were “declaring their indelible stupidity and misogyny,” while praising the women’s team for declining the invitation.
In January, Olbermann attacked former University of Kentucky women’s swimmer Kaitlynn Wheeler for celebrating a women’s rights rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court during oral arguments for two cases focused on the legality of biological male trans athletes in women’s sports.
Former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz listens before being presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House in Washington, D.C., Dec, 3, 2020. (Doug Mills/The New York Times/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“It’s still about you trying to find an excuse for a lifetime wasted trying to succeed in sports without talent,” Olbermann wrote in response to Wheeler’s post.
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In 2025, Olbermann faced significant backlash after posting (and later deleting) a message on X aimed at CNN contributor Scott Jennings, that said, “You’re next motherf—–,” shortly after the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.
Holtz was a stern supporter of President Donald Trump, even saying in February 2024 that Trump needed to “coach America back to greatness!”
Near the end of Trump’s first term, shortly after former President Joe Biden defeated him in the 2020 election, Trump awarded Holtz with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of the United States.
After Holtz’s death was announced Wednesday, several top GOP figures paid tribute to the coach on social media.
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Those GOP lawmakers included senators Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.; Todd Young, R-Ind.; Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; representatives Greg Murphy, R-N.C.; David Rouzer, R-N.C.; Erin Houchin, R-Ind.; and Steve Womack, R-Ark.; and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis; Indiana Gov. Mike Braun; U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon; and Rudy Giuliani.
Lou Holtz, former Notre Dame football coach, addresses the America First Policy Institute’s America First Agenda Summit at the Marriott Marquis July 26, 2022.(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc)
At the time of publication, prominent Democrat leaders have appeared silent on Holtz’s passing, including prominent Democrats with a football background.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who worked as an assistant high school football coach; Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., who was a recruiting target for Holtz in 1986 as a college prospect; Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, who played in the NFL; and Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Ill., who played football for the University of Illinois, have not posted acknowledging Holtz’s death.
Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.
The depth of the SEC led to many intriguing upsets through the regular season and the excitement should only intensify in the conference tournament, which tipped off Wednesday. The SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament runs through Sunday at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks, the No. 1 overall seed, the No. 3 team in the country and have been the team to beat in the past decade as they have won nine of the last 11 SEC Tournaments since 2015. Their competition might be stiffer than ever this year, however.
One of the biggest questions ahead of the 2026 NCAA Tournament will be answered in Greenville as Texas and Vanderbilt are still in competition for the final No. 1 seed in March Madness. South Carolina (29-1, 15-1 in SEC) has essentially already locked one of them in after winning the SEC’s regular-season title. Unbeaten UConn and Big Ten champ UCLA have firm grips on No. 1 seeds as well. As of Sunday, the Longhorns have a slight edge over the Commodores. Texas was No. 4 and Vanderbilt was No. 5 in the NCAA’s latest top 16 reveal. That being said, the Commodores could steal it if they can make a deeper run than Texas this week.
Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes could also use this tournament to make a stronger case for national Player of the Year. Her biggest competition at the moment is UConn’s Sarah Strong. The Huskies are the reigning national champions and still undefeated, but Blakes is leading the Commodores in one of the best seasons in program history. Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s Aaliyah Chavez is the strongest Freshman of the Year candidate thanks to an explosive performance in a 94-82 overtime victory over South Carolina on Jan. 22, which was the Gamecocks’ only conference loss this season.
LSU was also close to upsetting South Carolina in February but fell short. The Tigers have been a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament every year under Kim Mulkey, but they are currently projected as a No. 2. They have not won the SEC Tournament since 2003, but they did win a national championship in 2023 with now-senior Flau’jae Johnson on the roster.
The most recent NCAA top 16 reveal showed five SEC teams, and it could have been six had Ole Miss not slipped up late in the regular season. Regardless, keep an eye on the Rebels as one of the teams that could make noise in March. A winter storm displaced them for a few weeks but they still managed to beat Vanderbilt in January. Will we see more upsets in the coming week? We’ll just have to wait and find out.
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Women’s basketball SEC Tournament bracket
Women’s basketball SEC Tournament schedule
All times Eastern. All SEC Tournament games are available streaming on fubo (Try for free).
Wednesday, March 4 — First Round
Game 1: No. 9 Kentucky 94, No. 16 Arkansas 64
Game 2: No. 12 Florida 86, No. 13 Mississippi State 68
Game 3: No. 15 Auburn 50, No. 10 Texas A&M 49
Game 4: No. 11 Alabama 65, No. 14 Missouri 48
Thursday, March 5 — Second Round
Game 5: Kentucky vs. No. 8 Georgia — 11 a.m. (SEC Network)
Game 6: Florida vs. No. 5 Oklahoma — 1:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
Game 7: Auburn vs. No. 7 Ole Miss — 6 p.m. (SEC Network)
Game 8: Alabama vs. No. 6 Tennessee — 8:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
Friday, March 6 — Quarterfinals
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. No. 1 South Carolina — 12 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 10: Game 6 winner vs. No. 4 LSU — 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 11: Game 7 winner vs. No. 2 Vanderbilt– 6 p.m. (SEC Network)
Game 12: Game 8 vs. No. 3 Texas — 8:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
Saturday, March 7 – Semifinals
Game 13: Game 10 winner vs. Game 9 winner — 4:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Game 14: Game 12 winner vs. Game 11 winner — 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
Sunday, March 8 — Championship
Title game: Game 14 winner vs. Game 13 winner — 3 p.m. (ESPN)
NEW DELHI: Batting great Sachin Tendulkar kept a close eye on the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 even as wedding festivities for his son Arjun Tendulkar unfolded in Mumbai. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Amid the celebrations ahead of Arjun’s marriage to Saaniya Chandhok, Tendulkar still found time to react to one of the most explosive knocks in World Cup history — Finn Allen’s breathtaking century that powered New Zealand into the final.
Stars shine at Arjun Tendulkar’s Sangeet | Mumbai witnesses grand celebration
Allen produced a sensational unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls in the semifinal against South Africa at Eden Gardens on Wednesday. His blitzkrieg came at a strike rate of over 300 and helped New Zealand chase down a target of 170 in only 12.5 overs. The innings left fans and experts stunned, and Tendulkar quickly took to social media to praise the opener’s extraordinary effort.“Semi-finals usually keep you on the edge of your seat. Today, Finn Allen finished it before we could settle in! What a game!” Tendulkar wrote on X, summing up the one-sided nature of the contest.Allen’s record-breaking ton is now the fastest century in the history of both T20 and ODI World Cups, surpassing the previous marks held by Chris Gayle, who scored a 47-ball hundred in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2016, and Glenn Maxwell, whose 40-ball century came during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.The New Zealand opener smashed 10 fours and eight sixes during his breathtaking knock, registering the joint-highest boundary count in a T20 World Cup innings alongside Brendon McCullum’s famous 123 against Bangladesh in 2012.
Many observers of the life and times of Tiger Woods would know he has won 15 major championships and 82 PGA Tour events. But here are two other numbers at the core of the Tiger Woods Numerology Experience: 9 and 8, and that’s not a reference to a Stephen Ames match-play result. (But, since we’re there: check out this golden oldie, from the Match Play Championship, 20 years ago.) The main reference here is to the eight times Woods won Arnold Palmer’s tournament, and to the nine occasions he won USGA national championships. That is, his three USGA junior titles, his three U.S. Ams, plus his three U.S. Open wins at a holy trinity of public courses: Pebble Beach (2000), Bethpage Black (’02) and Torrey Pines (’09).
Also: Woods eight victories at Bay Hill? They came in a 14-year span, all full-field(ish) events. Astonishing.
If Woods had done nothing else in the game, that monumental run alone would put him in the pantheon.
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Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge (its full name), where the fellas are playing this week dreaming about the $4 million winner’s payday, is a living tribute to Arnold Palmer his own self. Maybe someday Tiger will get a bridge at Bay Hill named for him or something. For now, you can see his name eight times on metal plaques underfoot at the club’s Champions Walk. In 2022, the R&A made Woods a member of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, which gives him preferred tee times at the Old Course, among other privileges. He has a lifetime honorary membership at Augusta National, care of his first win there, in 1997. (He’s had four more Masters wins since then.) There’s a Tiger Woods Villa at Trump Doral, where Woods has won seven times. But the biggest thing is the most recent thing, straight out of Pinehurst, N.C., and the USGA HQ.
What the USGA did last week, at least when viewed through the prism of eternity, will top the other honors cited here: Golf’s most influential and tradition-minded organizing body (or at least right up there with the R&A), announced that from here on out the winner of the U.S. Amateur will receive the Tiger Woods Medal, and the winner of the USGA junior title for boys will receive the Tiger Woods Trophy. As for the phrase here on out, let’s get it down to one word: forever.
But wait — there’s more.
The subtext here seems obvious but it’s hiding in plain sight. If there was ever any question about whether Tiger Woods was ever going to go LIV, the USGA answered that question with this news of naming rights of the freebie kind. Hang close here: The USGA, by political temperament and mission statement, is not going to align itself with LIV Golf or a LIV player in meaningful way. The two groups are just too . . . different. Along those same lines, nobody with a LIV Golf association is likely to ever receive the Bob Jones Award, the USGA’s most celebrated honor. At the annual pro-member event at Seminole Golf Club, a USGA winter hangout if ever there was one, you never see LIV players in the field. Similar logic, really.
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Nobody from the inside would say this out loud, but there really is a USGA-LIV Golf divide. That’s because LIV Golf is a for-profit business, and its business model is rooted in selling star-driven golf. The USGA is golf’s equivalent of a great university, with a teaching-research hospital in its backyard. A core value of the USGA, if not the core value, is merit. Shoot the scores (while playing by the rules), get the prizes, no matter your life story. J.J. Spaun’s win at the U.S. Open last year at Oakmont was out of the merit tradition. When Spaun was a walk-on golfer at San Diego State in 2008, nobody was predicting he would win the Open. He got better at golf. That is, he made himself better. It takes your breath away, because the odds are hugely against you.
The byword of Tiger’s life in golf is merit. The presenting sponsor of the numbers being dropped here (82, 15, 9, 8) is . . . Merit Inc. The PGA Tour on which Tiger was born and raised, the same. Merit, merit, merit. Woods’s origin story — raised by a Black father who grew up in tough circumstances in a segregated America and by an immigrant mother from Thailand — cannot be overstated. What the USGA is saying here, by naming these great pieces of hardware for Tiger Woods, is that the doors of golf are open to all. This naming business is low-cost, but a big deal.
The PGA Tour, in a naked attempt to make sure it does not lose more star players to LIV Golf, has done a number of things that come right out of the LIV Golf playbook. The whole model for the PGA Tour’s Signature events, including this week’s API, is borrowed from LIV Golf. The creation of the PGA Tour’s for-profit division — PGA Tour Enterprises, with its private-equity investors — is another nod to LIV. (Woods is the vice chairman of E.) The field this week at Bay Hill comprises only 72 players — so LIV. (That number would leave Arnold Palmer ill.) There’s a goofy 36-hole cut for the top-50 and ties, or any player within 10 shots of the lead. That bit of bookkeeping is really a nod to Arnold’s belief in the sanctity of the cut as an elemental part of tournament golf, and that’s really all it is.
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And let’s not get all high-and-mighty about the role of the USGA in the game. In negotiating TV rights and choosing venues for U.S. Opens, the USGA can take its leads right from the Gordon Gekko (“greed is good”) playbook.
But we’re here today to put a trophy on a pedestal. These new USGA prizes, the Tiger Woods Trophy and the Tiger Woods Medal, they tell a great deal. That every player managed by Mark Steinberg, Tiger’s longtime agent, is not a LIV Golf golfer, the same — it’s telling. And this is what’s being said. In theory and really in practice, anybody can grow up to win a USGA championship. When you get right down to it, that’s everything. Arnold did it. (He was 24 when he won the U.S. Amateur.) Spaun did it. Bob Jones (nine USGA titles) did it. Ben Hogan did it. And so did, most spectacularly, Tiger. The Tiger Woods Trophy. The Tiger Woods Medal. How fitting.
Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois are set to collide in two months’ time, with the WBO heavyweight title at stake. Now, American heavyweight Jarrell Miller has offered his thoughts ahead of the contest, having history with both men.
18 months after defeat to Dubois, ’Big Baby’ was set to travel across the pond for a first fight on British soil, scheduled to face Wardley at Portman Road – home of Ipswich Town Football Club.
That win over New Zealand’s Parker saw Wardley claim the WBO Interim title, and he was upgraded to WBO world champion soon after. Against Dubois, he takes on a difficult challenge for his first defence, one which Miller told New Betting Offers will go one of two ways.
“It’s a 50-50 in my book, and I’ll tell you the reason why. We’ve seen Wardley hurt many times in fights, but he’s durable. He’s mentally strong, he hangs in there, and he’s throwing hard punches to the last round.
“We know Dubois hits hard and has a really good chin, but mentally, he’s not durable. If his dad doesn’t stay in his ear for those 12 rounds, there are fights where he’s quit, mentally disengaged after getting caught with shots, and kind of given up.
“So, he’s probably going to start off pretty strong, but if Wardley can hang in there, I’m thinking a late stoppage for Wardley, or an early night win for Dubois.”
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Wardley-Dubois takes place on Saturday, May 9, at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, for what looks set to be another scintillating all-British affair for the coveted heavyweight throne.
A fresh report has indicated how much Liverpool would need to pay if they’re to beat fellow suitors Manchester United to the signing of a higly coveted Bundesliga winger.
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The Reds have been heavily linked with a swoop for Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig, with a trusted source in David Lynch outlining that the Anfield hierarchy are ‘keeping an eye on‘ the 19-year-old, while German insider Christian Falk has gone as far as to claim that an offer is already being planned.
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Liverpool learn Yan Diomande asking price
According to Football Insider, the Red Bull-owned club are ready to be met with ‘big offers’ for the teenage forward, with the northwestern rivals preparing to accelerate their interest in him.
The Bundesliga side are reluctant to sell the Ivory Coast international but have accepted that they would cash in at the right price, with Liverpool and Manchester United reportedly needing to stump up a bid of around £80m if they’re to snap up Diomande in the summer.
Diomande has been outperforming Liverpool’s starting wingers
Hailed as a ‘young jewel’ by RB Leipzig managing director for sport Marcel Schafer (Sky Sports), the teenager hit double figures for goals this season when netting his team’s winner against Hamburg last weekend.
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The 19-year-old – who’s capable of playing on either flank – has a higher goal return than both Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah in the current campaign, despite playing fewer minutes than the two Liverpool wingers.
The aforementioned Lynch wrote this week that a move for Diomande would make ‘a lot of sense’ given how the Reds’ wide attackers have endured a significant drop-off in output from last term, and even Arne Slot admitted that his team struggled in those positions in their defeat to Wolves on Tuesday night (David Lynch on Substack).
RB Leipzig are in line to turn a massive profit on a player they signed from Leganes for just £17m last summer (Football Insider), and paying upwards of £80m for a youngster who’s still inexperienced at a high level would certainly represent a massive gamble.
However, the Ivorian’s G/A figures from the current campaign (10 goals, seven assists) would indicate that he has the end product to go with his eye-catching talent, and Liverpool mustn’t stand idly by and give their arch-rivals a free run at his signature.
The Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs lock horns in a regular-season game at the Frost Bank Center on Thursday, with tipoff at 8 p.m. EST. It is the second matchup between the two teams this season, with the Spurs winning the first encounter 114-103.
The Pistons suffered a 113-109 loss in their previous game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. They no longer hold the best record in the league, but remain in first place in the Eastern Conference standings with a 45-15 record.
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Meanwhile, the Spurs destroyed the Philadelphia 76ers 131-91 in their previous outing on Tuesday. San Antonio remains in second place in the Western Conference standings with a 44-17 record.
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Detroit Pistons vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview, Starting Lineups Tonight, Betting Tips and Game Prediction
Detroit Pistons vs. San Antonio Spurs Betting Tips and Odds
Moneyline: Pistons (+132), Spurs (-156)
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Spread: Pistons +3.5 (-111), Spurs -3.5 (-111)
Total over/under o/u: Pistons o228.5 (-111), Spurs u228.5 (-111)
Editor’s note: Odds might change closer to tipoff.
Betting Tips
Victor Wembanyama is expected to record over 3.5 blocks.
Cade Cunningham is expected to record under 23.5 points.
Jalen Duren is expected to record over 11.5 rebounds.
Detroit Pistons vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview
Cade Cunningham has been hot and cold of late, which has adversely affected the Pistons. Against the Cavaliers, Cunningham scored 10 points on 16 shots, while turning the ball over five times. Detroit needs its best player to raise his level and bounce back with an MVP-level performance against the Spurs.
Jalen Duren has been the Pistons’ best player recently, averaging 25.5 points and 13.7 rebounds on 64.4% shooting. He enters this matchup after winning the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award. The Pistons need him to win his matchup against Victor Wembanyama, just like he did when the two teams met last month.
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Meanwhile, the Spurs will face a much stronger challenge against the Pistons than they did against the Sixers on Tuesday. San Antonio made Philadelphia look like a G League team and shot over 55% from the field, including 40% from beyond the arc.
The starters delivered a rollicking performance as usual, and the bench contributed handsomely as well, with rookie Dylan Harper putting on a show off the bench. The young guard made eight of his 11 shots en route to 22 points. Keldon Johnson scored 12 off the bench, helping the Spurs record the most dominant win of their campaign.
Detroit Pistons vs. San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineups Tonight
The Spurs are at home and already beaten the Pistons once this season. San Antonio would be confident of getting the job done once again and we expect Wembanyama to lead his team to yet another victory.
Jai Opetaia has consistently voiced his plans to become the undisputed cruiserweight world champion, but that dream may be about to fade, with reports suggesting that the Aussie has been given an ultimatum just four days before his fight with Brandon Glanton.
Opetaia won the IBF cruiserweight world title when he overcame Mairis Briedis in 2022, but he was stripped of the belt after just one title defence after opting to fight Ellis Zorro in Saudi Arabia, a fight which the IBF refused to sanction.
Back in January, the unbeaten southpaw signed with Zuffa Boxing – a decision which confused fight fans due to Dana White’s plans to phase out the four traditional belts.
“There is a lot of things that are happening behind the scenes and I am a proud fighter that won the IBF fair and square, and I am happy to hold that belt.
“Whether we defend it [against Glanton] or not, I am not sure, but I will be defending it. Whether it’s in this one or the next one.
“It is my mission to become undisputed, so I don’t become undisputed without the IBF as well.
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“[There is no danger of me being stripped] that I know of. I don’t think there is any danger.”
Now, just 96 hours before facing Glanton, ESPN’s Salvador Rodriguez has reported that the IBF have informed Opetaia that he must pick whether to fight for the Zuffa title or for their belt.
“Sources: IBF has requested Jai Opetaia to make a decision on the title he’ll be fighting for this weekend. He can either defend the IBF title or fight for the promoter’s belt, but not both.”
Sources: IBF has requested Jai Opetaia to make a decision on the title he’ll be fighting for this weekend. He can either defend the IBF title or fight for the promoter’s belt, but not both.
Being the marquee signing of Zuffa Boxing, and should this report be accurate, it is expected that Opetaia will elect to fight for the Zuffa belt and then hope that the IBF do not strip him and thus scupper his plans to challenge the victor of Ramirez-Benavidez for the unified cruiserweight throne.
;)
