This week's draft could represent Pittsburgh's largest tourist event ever. Over 600,000 people attended last year's three-day event in Green Bay, more than doubling pre-draft estimations.

As NFL teams crystallize their draft boards, Pittsburgh is preparing the finishing touches on the draft setup. NFL employee Brian McCarthy shared a photo of the NFL Draft Theater on Tuesday morning:

Here we go. NFL Draft Theater is coming together in Pittsburgh. Photo Pitt below and then fans and fans and fans. pic.twitter.com/XXYxTbHzdy

— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) April 21, 2026

Pittsburgh's draft spotlight

Alongside the main stage outside of Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh will also set up shop at the Point State Park downtown. Steelers vice president of business development and strategy Dan Rooney III is excited to show off the city to a vast audience.

"Football fans from around the world will see how Pittsburgh’s iconic landscape creates a natural amphitheater, providing the perfect setting for this world-class celebration of football – all in the heart of Western Pennsylvania – a region that holds a unique place in the history of the game," Rooney said when Pittsburgh released official renderings for the draft.

VisitPITTSBURGH President and CEO Jerad Bachar also discussed the significance of Pittsburgh's draft presentation.

"The layout of the 2026 NFL Draft campus is intentionally designed to celebrate Pittsburgh’s sense of place," Bachar said. "From the North Shore to Point State Park, across the Roberto Clemente Bridge and along the rivers, this Draft will showcase our city’s character, connectivity, and hospitality in a way only Pittsburgh can."

NFL Draft Preview

Fans won't hold their breath in anticipation of the first pick, as the Las Vegas Raiders are widely expected to select Fernando Mendoza. Unfortunately for the hosting team, the 2026 class isn't loaded with other marquee quarterback prospects.

The Steelers are still waiting for Aaron Rodgers to decide if he's returning, but they're not likely to snag a contingency plan at No. 21. Ty Simpson is the only other signal-caller with a realistic chance of hearing his name called on Thursday night.

ESPN's Jordan Reid has the Steelers taking Texas A&M's KC Concpecion in the first round as the fifth wide receiver off the board. The opening round could otherwise be heavy on edge rushers and offensive tackles, led by Ohio State's Arvell Reese and Miami's Francis Mauigoa.

The draft starts Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and the NFL Network.

As the NFL and other major sports leagues try to squeeze the absolute maximum amount of money out of their broadcast partners, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is getting increasingly frustrated. FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty recently addressed the issue.

In a recent conference, Trusty reiterated FCC chairman Brendan Carr's assertion that  "public interest is no longer being served" and suggested that the NFL might not need government anti-trust protections if it intends to operate in such a manner. She said that the FCC has received thousands of comments and complaints, nearly all of which express frustration over how difficult it is becoming to watch certain teams.

"Indeed, more than 8,000 people have submitted comments at the FCC — with 98% of those comments expressing frustration with the streaming migration trend and their hope that broadcast will remain the pre-eminent platform for watching their favorite team," Trusty said, via Fox News. "Getting broadcast policy right includes empowering broadcasters to respond to this widely felt consumer need and ensure broadcasters’ continued ability to serve local communities not only through sports but other programming, as well."

The sports streaming push is hitting a nerve - and it’s not just fans who are speaking up.

National Association of Broadcasters Commissioner Olivia Trusty is calling out leagues for locking away games behind paywalls spread out over multiple streaming services.

Trusty fighting… pic.twitter.com/4mkufoCkHa

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 21, 2026

A Game of Chess

But the NFL has no intentions of backing down from its plans. In the wake of an investigation by the Justice Department into its use of streaming services, an NFL spokesperson told Fox News Digital that its distribution model is "the most fan and broadcaster-friendly in the entire sports and entertainment industry."

"The NFL’s media distribution model is the most fan and broadcaster-friendly in the entire sports and entertainment industry," the spokesperson said. "With over 87% of our games on free, broadcast television, including 100% of games in the markets of the competing teams, the NFL has for decades put our fans front and center in how we distribute our content.

"The 2025 season was our most viewed since 1989 and reflects the strength of the NFL distribution model and its wide availability to all fans."

The future of the NFL's distribution model seems increasingly likely to be decided in a courtroom rather than a boardroom.

Smith was praising LeBron James' longevity during this Monday's edition of his Mad Dog Sports Radio show. His comments about the Los Angeles Lakers star inspired sports fans to name athletes who belong in this impressive category.

A SiriusXM caller mentioned NASCAR legend Richard Petty as one of the greatest athletes of all time. That suggestion didn't sit well with Smith.

"Come on, man. That don’t count. You driving a car," Smith said. "I’m being honest, it’s a great sport. But come on, bro. Getting behind the wheel of a car is not the same."

Smith then declared that golfers and NASCAR drivers aren't truly athletes.

"You can be behind the wheel of a car in your 60s and 70s for crying out loud. A golfer is not an athlete. A NASCAR driver is not an athlete," Smith said, via Awful Announcing. "Just because you gotta walk the course for 18 holes for four days, that don’t make you an athlete. They’re skilled players, they’re elite at what they do. But athletes? Athletes? Are you kidding me? Is walking the latest sport that you want to turn into an Olympic sport? Because I guess that would make them athletic, right? Because they can walk. If you’re out there doing stuff that grandmas and grandpas can do, I’m not gonna look at you that way. You’re skilled, you’re phenomenally skilled as a golfer…but that is not an athletic sport."

This seems a bit harsh, especially since golfers like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods deserve strong praise.

The legacy of Richard Petty.

Smith won't place any NASCAR drivers on his Mount Rushmore, but there's no denying that Petty had an exceptional career.

Petty holds the record for most NASCAR Cup Series wins in a season, he won the Daytona 500 a whopping seven times, and he's a member of just about every Motorsports Hall of Fame in America. Heck, the Richard Petty Museum in North Carolina is dedicated to his legacy on and off the track.

Do you believe Petty's résumé deserves more respect from Smith?

Coach K's grandson, Joseph Savarino, was arrested for DWI over the weekend. The son of Coach K's daughter allegedly struck and killed a 15-year-old teenager, who was on his bicycle in Durham, North Carolina. Savarino reportedly told police that he had been drinking earlier in the evening. He blew a .11 on a breathalyzer, above the .08 legal limit, at 12:45 AM, according to local reports.

Savarino, the grandson of the Hall of Fame coach, was reportedly driving a Ford Explorer when a 15-year-old on a bicycle was riding next to him. The car ended up colliding with the bicycle, killing the teenager.

In the wake of the arrest, Savarino has had his license revoked. He has also been placed on $100,000 bond. However, his mother, who serves as an assistant athletic director at Duke, has already paid it.

It's no secret that Coach K is a legendary figure at Duke. He led the Blue Devils basketball program from 1980 to 2022, winning five national championships and 15 ACC Tournament titles.

Coach K might be the most popular person in the entire state.

But, in the wake of his grandson's arrest, community members are urging the judge presiding in the case to act fairly.

Judge faces pressure to act fairly

Community members are hoping that Coach K's grandson's privilege won't play a role in how the case goes.

"He better get what he deserves. My prayers and condolences to the victims family," one community member shared.

"Don't let the rich and famous get away with everything," one shared.

"Hopefully justice will be served. Let the case play out, but make sure it goes fairly for everyone," one added.

The family of the 15-year-old killed in the accident already released a statement.

“We will never understand why his time here was so short or why he was needed so soon, but we have to hold onto our faith that he is now our angel. We are better people because of him, and we will carry him with us always,” his mother shared in a Facebook post.

“The depth of this grief is beyond anything we could have ever imagined. This is a club no parent ever wants to be part of.”

An investigation into the accident is underway. Savarino is due back in court next month.

Page Six rocked the NFL community earlier this month by sharing photos of Vrabel holding hands with Russini at a hotel. He initially called it an innocent interaction and said any rumors about a potential romance were "laughable."

Even though Russini and Vrabel's time together in Arizona became quite the headline,  NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told ESPN that Vrabel’s behavior would not be reviewed under the league's personal conduct policy.

Vrabel revealed to the media Tuesday that he spoke to his players about this incident. Although he didn't have much to say about his controversial encounter with Russini, he did issue a promise to New England's organization.

"What I can promise you is that my family, this organization, the team, the staff, the coaches, everybody – our fans, most importantly – will get the best version of me going forward," Vrabel said. "That’s what I know."

Despite the public's hunger for more information, Vrabel refused to take questions at this time. That decision didn't exactly sit well with NFL fans.

"This is what I expected to hear. Nothing much coming out," one fan commented.

"No questions? What a coward," a second fan wrote.

"Funniest part is both Vrabel and Russini literally flat out lied in their initial statements when the photos were leaked, they both said there was multiple other people there who werent pictured," another fan replied.

"Vrabel knows if he actually told reporters what he said to those players, he'd be the laughingstock of the league," a social media user argued.

#Patriots HC Mike Vrabel said he’s had difficult conversations with family and those close to him, and wanted to speak with players first before addressing the media — which is why he waited until today.

His full statement is below, via @kstone06:pic.twitter.com/QnMjKS25IU https://t.co/C88bySa0oy

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 21, 2026

What's the latest on Dianna Russini?

Russini officially stepped down from her role with The Athletic last Tuesday. She said her contract was set to expire at the end of June.

"I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published. When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful. In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts," Russini said in a statement.

"Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept. Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career."

It's unclear if Russini will land another reporting gig before the start of the 2026 season.

Previously, the College Football Playoff stood at four teams.

What's the right number?

In the eyes of the White House, led by President Trump, it's bigger. The White House is reportedly pushing for a change to the College Football Playoff in 2026 and beyond.

The White House reportedly believes that 24 teams is the right number for the College Football Playoff as we move forward.

The College Football Playoff selection committee has been getting help from the White House, according to Yahoo! Sports.

“We asked the government for help with NIL,” said one CFP committee member recently, “and now they’re involved in the playoff.”

The White House wants to see the playoff expanded

It's not just the White House that wants to see the College Football Playoff expanded, either. Those close to the sport are pushing for it, too.

"The growing support for a 24-team playoff not only exists among those presidential committee members working outside of college athletics," Yahoo! Sports reported.

"During last week’s meeting, at least three of the four power conference commissioners, and Notre Dame, expressed outright support for, or at the very least an openness to deeply explore, a 24-team proposal, those with knowledge of the meeting told Yahoo Sports."

A White House committee is suddenly taking an interest in the College Football Playoff and believes the postseason should expand to 24 teams.

This week here in Dallas, expansion discussions are expected to reignite.

“There is a coalescing around 24.”https://t.co/vuVQPXLsnb

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) April 21, 2026

From a fan perspective, going from 12 teams to 24 teams seems like a mistake. It's going to water down the regular season even further. It will make a College Football Playoff berth feel less significant.

However, from a school perspective, the greaterchance you have at making the College Football Playoff, the better.

So, it's no surprise to see school ADs and administrators pushing for expansion.

The pick timer will shrink this year, with every team having eight minutes instead of 10 to make its first-round selection. The NFL reduced the timer from 15 minutes in 2008.

A shorter clock could cut an hour off Thursday night's event, which is good news for some fans hoping to get to bed earlier. The Las Vegas Raiders will be on the clock when the opening round starts at 8 p.m. ET.

It could also force the TV productions to play catch-up more often. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio predicted a "longer backlog of picks" on Thursday night, explaining that selections are usually submitted before they're publicly revealed at the live event.

Despite attempting to speed up the draft, the league also likely won't want to rush early pick announcements while playing up the pageantry and suspense.

"That’s what’s so strange about giving the teams less time," Florio wrote. "While the league wants the whole night to move more quickly, it doesn’t want to accelerate the process of announcing some of the picks — especially not in the first half of the round."

How pick timer can affect NFL Draft

Teams also must adjust to the time tweak. Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan considered the change during Monday's pre-draft press conference.

"I’d love to have 10 minutes, but it’s the same for everybody else," Khan said. "Eight minutes is what it is, but those two minutes, it feels like an eternity sometimes."

Everyone will have less time to negotiate draft-night trades, which has prompted Khan to prepare more for potential deals in advance.

“They moved the first round from 10 minutes to eight minutes, so naturally we’ve been having more conversations to set parameters of what the value is if you move up to this spot or trade back. There’s more conversation, but until we get there, I’m not sure how that’s going to go.”

While the diminished timer could force some backstage adjustments, fans probably won't mind the change if picks are called sooner. However, they may have to be more careful when scrolling social media, as a logjam increases the risk of picks being leaked before they're officially announced.

WWE is enjoying a level of mainstream attention that it could have only dreamed of 20 years ago. And yet, their WrestleMania 42 event - the biggest wrestling event of the year - was received with mixed reviews at best and downright reviled at worst.

For longtime sports commentator Ariel Helwani, the main problem with WrestleMania this past weekend was that it felt "soulless." On the latest edition of his show, he complained that the show felt overly advertised and filled to the brim with product placement to the point where it just doesn't feel good to the fans anymore.

“It feels soulless,” Helwani said, “And they have to realize, because I know there are very smart people involved there. They’re not new to TV and they’re not new to sports. They have to realize how to get the soul back into their product. It does not exist. And I thought it was very apparent on Saturday and Sunday. It does not exist.”

I will be 100% honest: WrestleMania 42 felt soulless. The whole thing felt soulless.

That’s the term I use for the Apex, and that’s the term I use when I see the AI stuff—but this was on a different level.

That did not feel like WrestleMania. It felt stripped down. It didn’t… pic.twitter.com/ODdCqOQ9BR

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 20, 2026

Placing the Blame

Helwani placed a large chunk of the blame on TKO Group Holdings, the sports-entertainment company that owns both WWE and UFC. He believes that TKO just doesn't understand wrestling well enough to inject the "soul" into WrestleMania that it had for decades.

“When everything is for sale, it gets lost. It gets lost. It was upsetting to see. That did not feel like WrestleMania. That did not feel like the showcase of the immortals. That did not feel like the biggest night in pro wrestling. Didn’t feel like the Super Bowl. Didn’t feel like the World Series. Didn’t feel like the National Championship. It didn’t feel like that,” Helwani added.

“And I don’t know if it’s because there are people at the very top of TKO who aren’t wrestling fans and don’t understand the history. They have gone from nothing to overboard. There’s got to be an in-between there. There’s got to be an in-between where the soul of the company and the product remains to where you’re still benefitting and making money off of it but you’re not spitting in the face of the fans.”

Fans had no shortage of complaints about what the problems are either:

"WWE continues to become more and more of an advertising and marketing company and less of a wrestling company," one user on X lamented.

"Paying thousands to attend a 4 hour show and getting less than 2 hours of performance, disgusting really," another remarked.

"Was not that good! Couple match’s were good but didn’t feel like wrestlemania. What the hell with all the commercials? Wasn’t the reason we pay for PPV or streaming, so we don’t have to watch commercials? More advertising than wrestling! Horrible!" a third wrote.

There are, of course, fans who vehemently disagree and felt that both nights of the Showcase of the Immortals was great from start to finish. But there certainly seems to be growing distaste for the product as the months and years go by.

The New England Patriots head coach was photographed with the NFL insider at a resort in Arizona. Page Six shared photos of Vrabel and Russini in swimsuits at an Arizona resort. The two, who are both married, were wearing swimsuits, hugging and holding hands, among other things.

Russini has since resigned from her position at The Athletic.

Vrabel released a statement on Tuesday, saying that this will be the first and final time that he addresses the incident. He revealed that he's spoken to his players and talked about being accountable and behaving well. Vrabel added that he's had "positive" but "difficult" conversations with loved ones, along with members of the Patriots franchise.

"What I can promise you is that my family, this organization, the team, the staff, the coaches, everybody - our fans, most importantly - will get the best version of me going forward," he said.

"That's what I know."

Here’s Mike Vrabel’s statement pic.twitter.com/LkY8FypVy1

— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) April 21, 2026

Vrabel did not specifically address what happened with Russini or provide details of their relationship.

Russini, who previously covered the NFL for The Athletic, resigned in a public statement last week.

Full statement from NFL insider Dianna Russini

The full text of her resignation letter to Steve Ginsberg, executive editor of The Athletic, was released last week.

“Pleasé accept this letter as my resignation from The Athletic, effective immediately. I have come to this decision with deep sadness but with clarity about what is right for me, my family, and the work I have spent my career building.

“You and I have already publicly addressed the recent attacks against me, and I have nothing to add publicly to what we have said. I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published.

“When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful.

“In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts. Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept.

“Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.

“Over a career spanning more than fifteen years in sports journalism — at NBC, ESPN, and The Athletic — I have built a body of work I am proud of. I have broken stories, earned the trust of sources across the league, and been guided by the highest standards of professional conduct. That record speaks for itself.

“I remain grateful to The Athletic and for the extraordinary colleagues with whom I have worked there, for the platform it provided, and for the support you showed me during this difficult time. I wish you nothing but continued success.”

Russini has not commented publicly since then.

One of the most scenic events on the PGA calendar is reportedly going away for a while.

According to Josh Carpenter of Sports Business Journal, the PGA Tour plans to do away with holding it's season-opening tournaments — The Sentry and Sony Open — in Hawaii starting next year.

Having Hawaii as a Tour stop has been a staple of the PGA season for decades. However, the "logistical complexities" of hosting The Sentry at the Plantation Course at Kapalua have apparently become too much to bear for it to be sustainable.

PGA releases statement on leaving Hawaii in 2027

The PGA's decision shouldn't come as a complete surprise given that it canceled this year's Sentry tournament due to water delivery issues on Maui.

“We are grateful to The Plantation Course at Kapalua, Kapalua Resort, Maui County and the State of Hawaii for their longtime support of our season-opening PGA Tour event, as well as the fans, partners and volunteers across Maui who have supported the event throughout the years,” the PGA said in a statement (via SBJ). “The PGA Tour will share more details regarding its 2027 schedule at a later date.”

The PGA is just the latest major sports league to leave the beautiful island in recent years, joining the NFL which used to host it's annual Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium from 1980-2016.

New: The @PGATOUR has officially decided to move on from starting its season in Hawaii. Kapalua is no more.

Also: The tour is having conversations about making the Sony Open a PGA Tour Champions event https://t.co/7F0tHBBNMq

— Josh Carpenter (@JoshACarpenter) April 20, 2026

PGA 'open' to adding Hawaii back to senior tour

As Carpenter writes, there's a possibility the Sony Open could be resurrected as a stop on the senior tour a la the Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club in Akron, OH — but it's still tough to see such a beloved tournament and venue go.

Players and fans alike enjoyed the breathtaking scenery with the rolling green hills and the gorgeous backdrop of the vast Pacific Ocean. And it was also a nice escape from the bone-chilling cold that many states across America experience at that time of the year.

Hopefully this isn't the last we see of professional golf being played in Hawaii. But for now the PGA Tour is going to look a little different in the Januarys to come.

The President of the United States is known for his blonde hairstyle that is carefully put together every day through precision combing and a lot of hairspray. He also rocks his iconic orange spray tan, too.

But the President of the United States sometimes struggles to keep his hair in place. He also admirers the hairstyles of others. Trump went viral over the weekend for a remark about Danica Patrick's hair.

"I love Danica Patrick's hair," he remarked.

Trump: 'I love Danica Patrick's hair' pic.twitter.com/tHMUGcKXyJ

— RT (@RT_com) April 18, 2026

Following a round of golf, President Trump showed off a new, slicked back hairstyle, that was likely the result of a fresh haircut and some hat time.

In total, the photo of President Trump's hew hairstyle got more than 45 million views online.

Everyone had the same reaction to President Trump's new hairstyle, too

Fans were quick to weigh in.

“That boy looking clean!” one fan added.

“Homie rocking a mullet? need to bring mine back..” one fan added.

“Is this his new hair cut or is it because he was wearing his hat. President has a new look,” one fan added.

“Trump is bringing back the Vanilla Ice’s hairstyle,” one fan added.

"Bro looks like Pelvis Presley," one fan joked.

Donald Trump reveals his new haircut 👀💈 pic.twitter.com/b6ChsY4DhY

— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) December 18, 2024

Should President Trump rock this kind of cut fulltime?

As Josh Allen heads into his ninth NFL season, he heads into a year of arguably more change than he's ever had in his career. The Bills have a new head coach in Joe Brady and completely revamped their coaching staff. But Allen doesn't expect this to be any kind of rebuild year.

Speaking to the team website this week, Allen said that while his mindset has changed "a little bit," he's still excited for the year and believes he'll be "the best version" of himself as both a player and a person in 2026.

“I think it definitely changes the mindset a little bit. I am very excited,” Allen said, via the team’s website. “I do think this is going to be the best version of myself in all aspects in my professional career and my personal life... That ‘want to win’ will never change. The ‘why I want to do it’ has. So why I want to do it and to show my family, to show my daughter how hard you need to work in order to accomplish something so great. And as long as I play this game, that’s going to be my mindset.”

"This is going to be the best version of myself." - @JoshAllenQB pic.twitter.com/dK2yunmIrX

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) April 20, 2026

State of the Buffalo Bills

2025 might have been considered a good year for the Bills had they not gotten completely lapped by the New England Patriots just one year after the Pats went 3-14. New England managed to completely rebuild in a single year and return to the Super Bowl, something that the Bills have not been able to achieve in more than 30 years, let alone with their MVP QB under center.

The Bills beat the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road in the playoffs before losing to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round. Head coach Sean McDermott was blamed for the loss and fired.

Heading into 2026, the Bills have made a number of veteran pickups in free agency and trades, adding the likes of D.J. Moore, Bradley Chubb, CJ Gardner-Johnson, Lloyd Cushenberry and Kyle Allen for depth.

The hope is that the Bills will be able to capitalize on these moves to inch themselves ahead of the Patriots and the AFC West's best to secure the top seed in the AFC again.

Josh Allen is still in his prime and the Bills can't afford to waste even one of those years.

Dyquan Adams, 31, was pronounced dead following a wrong-way crash in South Carolina on Sunday in Richland County. Adams was a pastor at Hall Hill Missionary Baptist Church. He also worked as a track and field coach at White Knoll High School, previously serving as a football coach at Gray Collegiate Academy and Spring Valley High School.

Gray Collegiate Academy confirmed his death on Monday.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former coach and mentor, Coach Daquan Adams," they confirmed.

"Dr. Newsome and everyone at Gray Collegiate Academy mourn this loss alongside our community. Coach Adams made a lasting impact on so many of our student-athletes, not only in competition but in life, serving as a mentor, leader, and role model to countless young people.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, former players, and all who were fortunate enough to know him. His legacy will live on through the lives he touched."

His high school track team, White Hall, also released a statement.

"The White Knoll Track & Field family extends our deepest condolences on the loss of one of our very own, Coach Adams. Coach Adams was an inspirational piece of the foundation we are building within our program. He led with passion, embodied a true championship mindset, and genuinely loved and cared for every athlete he worked with. This is a tough loss for our team and our community. However, in the spirit of who he was and what he stood for, we will rise—just as champions do, and just as he would have expected of us," they wrote.

"To his family and loved ones, we send our prayers, our strength, and our unwavering support during this difficult time. Coach Adams will be deeply missed, but his impact, his energy, and his legacy will forever live on in our program. We love you Coach!"

Our thoughts are with his friends and family members during this difficult time.

May he rest in peace.

You wouldn't know that the Knicks lost based on their fan base's behavior following the game, though.

Video of Knicks fans cheering and chanting on the sidewalk outside of Madison Square Garden has gone viral on social media.

Knicks fans chant “Knicks in 5” after tonight’s 107-106 loss to the Hawks. pic.twitter.com/k98PCjBx8p

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) April 21, 2026

Dozens of Knicks fans gathered outside of Madison Square Garden to chant "Knicks In 5!" following their heartbreaking Game 2 loss.

It's odd behavior from a fan base that hasn't experienced true championship success in several decades.

Knicks fans ripped for 'unhinged' behavior after Game 2

"You should be miserable after a loss like that. Not chasing clout online. These fake Knicks fans don’t represent the real fanbase at all," one fan wrote.

"One of the more bizarre things I’ve seen," one added.

"Unhinged behavior," one shared.

"It was authentic and cool years ago, now it’s corny and for the cameras," one added.

"Too bad they didn’t catch me yelling at them," one shared.

"I woke up still annoyed from that loss and this did not help. I’m not saying they aren’t real fans, I’m saying this subset of Knicks fans needs to do better. We literally lost. Painfully too. Stop making a mockery out of our fandom," one fan added.

"Loser mentality," one added.

Game 3 of the first round playoff series between New York and Atlanta is set for Thursday night.

According to The Athletic's Andrew Marchand, Tomlin will join NBC as a studio analyst. The former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach will appear on Sunday's "Football Night in America" pre-game show.

Tomlin was considered a hot broadcasting free agent ever since stepping down after 19 seasons with the Steelers. Marchand said Tomlin was NBC's "No. 1 target," adding that Fox was considered a front-runner for his services following Jimmy Johnson's retirement.

NFL world reacts to Tomlin news

The sports world already has massive expectations for Tomlin's new gig. Fans think the 54-year-old will be a natural on TV.

"He’s going to be great," Easton Freeze of A to Z Sports Nashville said.

"Tomlin will flourish in this environment," Baltimore Ravens podcaster Samuel Njoku wrote.

"Tomlin will be amazing at TV," ESPN analyst Dan Orlovosky predicted. "Production meetings with him for games were always 'bring em empty notebook' type ones. Captivating in every sense of the word."

"Mike Tomlin will immediately be the most entertaining person NBC has on Football Night in America," Behind The Steel Curtain's Joey Bray declared.

"He's going to be the best to ever do it," a Steelers fan claimed.

More changes ahead for NBC?

NBC's studio show could look different beyond Tomlin's addition.

The network began a potential offseason shakeup by parting ways with another Super Bowl-winning head coach. Tony Dungy will exit NBC after 17 years, and more changes could be on the way.

Marchand called the status of Rodney Harrison, Chris Simms, and Jac Collinsworth "in question" as NBC "seeks more current star power and fewer people on the show." They also must renew Devin McCourty's contract before the start of the 2026 season.

Maria Taylor will return as host alongside former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio is expected to remain a "Football Night in America" contributor.

Tomlin also may not see much of NBC's Connecticut studio. NBC is considering a full-time move to conducting pre-game shows at the site of Sunday night's games.

Laura Rutledge, 37, is set to take part in ESPN's NFL Draft coverage on Thursday night. The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is set to begin after 7 p.m. E.T. on Thursday. It'll air live from Pittsburgh. Rutledge will be on the broadcast, along with Mike Greenberg, in a primetime role for ESPN.

But Monday night was family night for the Rutledges. The popular ESPN host celebrated her husband's birthday in epic fashion. Laura Rutledge took everyone along for the ride on her Instagram Story.

Laura's husband, former MLB player Josh Rutledge - who played in the league from 2012-17 - celebrated his 37th birthday on Monday night.

The happy couple celebrated with a pretty epic present: a New Haven, Connecticut pizza tour.

Laura and Josh ate at three different iconic New Haven pizza spots. They started out at the iconic Frank Pepe's. The spot is known as the "original, famous coal-fired pizza" joint that has been "passionate about pizza for 100 years and counting."

From there, Josh and Laura headed to Sally's Apizza. The legendary pizza joint, located at 237 Wooster St, constantly has long lines - even in cold weather. So, Josh and Laura decided to eat their Sally's pizza in the car.

They enjoyed the "Calabrian Stinger." The pizza features mozzarella cheese, Sally's tomato sauce, salami, nduja red onion diced sweet and hot peppers, hot honey and pecorino.

Josh and Laura finished their birthday pizza tour at BAR, which is one of the newer spots in New Haven, but it's still a fan favorite.

They had the "Carnivore."

It's a "Red pizza with Mozzarella, Smoked Brisket, Meatball, Pepperoni, Garlic."

Why New Haven pizza is considered the world's best

While many associate New York City as the pizza capital of the world, the true pizza enthusiasts often point to New Haven, Connecticut as the No. 1 spot.

Why?

New Haven is known for its classic coal-fired joints. The pizza is thin, crispy and extremely easy to take down.

"A New Haven pizza is always cooked well done: the crust, which is made from a cold-fermented dough and hand-stretched, is thin, chewy, and pleasingly gritty," the New Yorker describes.

It's a cool way to spend a birthday, that's for sure.

Fitness and sports are Tom Brady's life and he's clearly passed at least some of that mindset onto his kids mentally if not genetically.

In a recent video on Instagram, Brady shared some footage of him and his daughter Vivian doing a little bit of volleyball practice outside at night. He joked that Vivian might even be a future Olympian due to how much she enjoys practicing.

"Saturday nights with my future Olympian... I think I finally found someone who likes practice more than I did," Brady wrote, adding a laughing emoji.

Tom Brady and his daughter Vivian, 13, filmed themselves having a very competitive volleyball practice in their garden over the weekend https://t.co/EdPO7znwH8 🔗 pic.twitter.com/wFISocbKI7

— Daily Mail Celebrity (@DailyMailCeleb) April 21, 2026

One proud papa

Users on X were delighted to see Brady playing with his daughter. Though some of the powers that be in the higher levels of volleyball were also pretty intrigued by what Brady's 13-year-old daughter can do.

"Putting in the work! Swing by the National Team gym anytime! 🇺🇸," USA Volleyball wrote in the replies.

"That's some major energy right there," Major League Volleyball replied.

"Everywhere is a gym if you want it to be," a third user remarked.

"This does my volleyball loving heart so much good!"

"A WAY TO MAKE VOLLEYBALL 🏐 A TREND, DAUGHTER & DAD EVENING TRAINING."

"We might be looking at a new prospect here."

"Practice makes perfect. I love this. She is really good!"

At 13 years of age, Vivian Brady is a long ways away from competing at the pro or even amateur level. But she's been growing quickly and is already estimated to be about 5-foot-11. That's pretty ideal size for playing volleyball.

The 37-year-old ESPN host, who is coming off a special performance at The Masters in Augusta, Georgia, is gearing up for the NFL Draft. She'll take part in ESPN's NFL Draft coverage.

"ESPN’s NFL Draft coverage will once again be anchored by its premier analysts across platforms, with Mike Greenberg joined by Kiper Jr., who is participating in his 43rd NFL Draft, alongside 1999 NFL draftee Booger McFarland and 1991 NFL draftee Louis Riddick," ESPN announced.

"Adam Schefter will deliver the latest news and information throughout the NFL Draft on ESPN, while Laura Rutledge will interview prospects live from the main stage following their selections, across all networks."

Meanwhile, as Rutledge gears up for the 2026 NFL Draft, she turned heads in a sizzling blue outfit photo this week.

View this post on Instagram

NFL fans are obsessed

"Obsessed with this dress on you!!" one fan wrote.

"❤️Very stylish 😍," one shared.

"❤️❤️❤️," one added.

"❤️💙😍🔥Always Beautiful ❤️💙🔥😍💐," one shared.

It's a strong look, that's for sure.

President Donald J. Trump will be hosting more than 100 NCAA champions at the White House on Tuesday. Several prominent NCAA champions, who won titles during the 2025-26 academic year, will be visiting the White House to celebrate their championships.

The champions include, but are not limited to: Oklahoma State men’s golf, Texas A&M women’s volleyball, Wake Forest men’t tennis, Georgia women’s tennis, Youngstown women’s bowling, West Virginia mixed rifle and Florida State women’s soccer.

A note from the White House: Donald Trump is hosting more than 100 NCAA champions today, including OK State men’s golf, Texas A&M women’s volleyball, Wake Forest men’t tennis, Georgia women’s tennis, Youngstown women’s bowling, WVU mixed rifle and FSU women’s soccer.

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) April 21, 2026

As President Trump is hosting more than 100 NCAA champions on Tuesday, jokes are pouring in about the likely food spread.

In years past, President Trump has had McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Chick-fil-A and other fast food items available for student-athletes.

Jokes about President Trump's food plan goes viral

"Had some leftover McDonald’s," one fan wrote.

"That's a big McDonald's door dash order," one shared.

"God that is a lot of McDonald’s," one joked.

"That's gonna be one big DoorDash order. 🍔," another shared.

All jokes aside, of course, it has to be cool for these NCAA champions to visit the White House in celebration of their title.

Simone Biles has been in Madrid for the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards but has been dealing with some fans that are really making things difficult for her.

Taking to Instagram this past Sunday, Biles said that while she appreciates how "passionate and dedicated" many of her fans are, she gets very anxious by fans who wait outside of her hotel all day to see her when there's no event going on.

Biles asked for people to respect her privacy and support her from afar. But she did add that she would have happy to take pictures of her when she's out and about - just not when she's trying to go somewhere private.

“Okay I realllilly love how passionate and dedicated y’all are, BUT I have to be honest: It really makes me anxious when you stand outside of the hotel all day. Can we please please please love from afar & respect privacy xx," Biles wrote. “I would love to take pics while I’m out & about though."

Simone Biles is encouraging her fans to show their support from afar after she said some supporters waited for her outside of a hotel. https://t.co/3UJpEGWqcu

— Us Weekly (@usweekly) April 21, 2026

Biles & Mental Health

Biles is widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts in history, with a career defined by extraordinary skill, power, and consistency. She rose to global fame at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where she won four gold medals and one bronze for United States.

Biles has also dominated the World Championships, winning a record-setting number of medals while introducing skills so difficult they were named after her. Her achievements helped redefine what was possible in women’s gymnastics and inspired athletes around the world.

Biles has also been an important voice for athlete mental health. At the 2020 Summer Olympics, she withdrew from several events after experiencing the “twisties,” a dangerous mental block that affects spatial awareness during gymnastics skills. Her decision sparked global discussion about pressure, burnout, and the importance of mental wellness in elite sports.

Biles later returned to competition, showing resilience and helping reduce stigma around athletes seeking support. By speaking openly about trauma, anxiety, and mental health, Simone Biles expanded her legacy far beyond medals.

Hamlin led 131 laps of Sunday's race at Kansas Speedway, but the Joe Gibbs Racing driver settled for fourth place after Cody Ware spun out to prompt a late caution. It's the sixth time since 2023 that Hamlin lost an overtime race he would have won if it had gone the scheduled distance.

Unsurprisingly, Hamlin isn't a huge fan of the current overtime format. The 45-year-old vented on his "Actions Detrimental" podcast.

"For God's sakes, if there’s one person that doesn’t like it, it’s me," Hamlin said. "We did it for the sake of entertainment decades ago, it feels like. I don’t know. I think it’s part of our sport now. It’s tough to go back on that one, but I’d have a hell of a lot more wins and definitely a championship or so."

Does overtime hurt NASCAR?

Some fans may love the drama of a late restart, but Hamlin argued that overtime damages NASCAR's legitimacy.

"Yes is the short answer," Hamlin said. "Because this is a 400-mile race. Oh no, it’s a 406-mile race. We’re going to change it up. There’s an advertised distance, then there’s an actual distance."

Sunday added yet another in a long string of frustrating close calls for Hamlin, who has one victory to show for four top-five finishes this season. He's 105 points behind fellow Toyota driver Tyler Reddick in the Cup Series standings despite leading more laps than anyone (575) through nine starts.

Hamlin also experienced heartbreak at Kansas last September when Chase Elliott passed him on the final lap to win the Hollywood Casino 400 playoff race. For all his accolades, Hamlin is still pursuing his first Cup Series championship.

"I don’t know, but it’s what it is," Hamlin said. "I try to figure out how to take solace in it, but it's like, well everyone knew we were fast. I guess that's great. We scored lots of points. That's cool. But it’s the wins that matter to me. It's putting another trophy on the table out there by the front door. Really getting on my (expletive) nerves that we're not doing it."

The legendary NFL quarterback, who won seven Super Bowls during his career, got divorced from his supermodel wife, Gisele Bundchen, back in 2022.

"We arrived at this decision to end our marriage after much consideration. Doing so is, of course, painful and difficult, like it is for many people who go through the same thing every day around the world. However we wish only the best for each other as we pursue whatever new chapters in our lives that are yet to be written. And we kindly ask for privacy and respect as we navigate what is to come in the days and weeks ahead," the couple announced.

In the years that have followed, Brady has been linked to several different women, including Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Irina Shayk.

The former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue cover model recently grabbed attention with a "tiny" black swimsuit photo.

View this post on Instagram

Fans of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue model are obsessed with her latest photo

"The best 😍❤️," one wrote.

"Stunning," one added.

"An icon," one added.

"👊😎💫," one shared.

The iconic model certainly knows how to turn heads on social media, as Brady gears up for another NFL announcing season.

Brewer, who currently competes for 47Motorsports in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America division, has dealt with plenty of criticism over the course of her career. She hasn't allowed all the negativity to weigh her down though.

“When I first got back into the sport, it really bothered me and the comments would bother me,” Brewer told the New York Post. “I was like, ‘Ugh, I’m not just an influencer, I’m also a race car driver. I’ve been racing since I was 11.’ I grew a big chunk of my following when I wasn’t racing, so once I started to race again, they were like, ‘This influencer’s pretending to be a race car driver,’ and I’m like, ‘No.’ But then I realized everyone is going to have their opinion whether it’s right or wrong, and you can’t control how other people perceive you, they’re going to have their opinion no matter what, so I’ve really tried to get past it.”

Brewer, 29, is currently taking a break from the track to celebrate her bachelorette party in Saint Barthélemy. She's been posting plenty of photos and videos on Instagram.

On Monday night, Brewer shared an Instagram reel of her wearing a white swimsuit. Her post racked up over 20,000 likes in under 12 hours.

"In my bridal era," Brewer wrote for her caption.

View this post on Instagram

Fans rave about Lindsay Brewer's bachelorette content.

Unsurprisingly, this post from Brewer received plenty of love on Instagram.

"Stunning," one person said.

"You’re beautiful in all your eras but I love this one for you," a second person wrote.

"She's so gorgeous," another fan declared.

"Today’s Menu?!?! SERVING BAWDY," an Instagram user commented.

It's safe to say this won't be the last time Brewer goes viral on social media.

The longtime NBA head coach, who had been leading the Bulls franchise for six seasons, is officially exiting. Donovan will not return as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls in 2026-27. This past season was his final one in Chicago.

ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania broke the news.

"BREAKING: Billy Donovan is exiting as head coach of the Chicago Bulls after six seasons, sources tell ESPN," he reported on Tuesday.

Donovan, 60, had previously served as the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder. After leading Florida to back-to-back national championships at the collegiate level, Donovan joined the NBA ranks in 2015.

He led the Thunder from 2015-20 and later the Bulls from 2020 through 2026.

Donovan was linked to some college basketball jobs this offseason, with North Carolina reportedly expressing interest. However, the Tar Heels ultimately hired former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone.

It's unclear what Donovan's plan is for his coaching future.

The Bulls wanted Donovan back, but he declined

According to ESPN, Donovan elected to pursue the opt-out in his contract.

"The Bulls made clear that the organization wanted Donovan back after making sweeping changes to their front office, but Donovan held an option in his contract for next season and elected to step down after extensive meetings with team ownership in the last week, sources told ESPN," Charania reported.

The Bulls were very high on Donovan even after some struggling seasons.

"If I interview someone and they're not sold on Billy, they're not sold on a Hall of Fame coach," Bulls CEO and president Michael Reinsdorf said earlier this month. "They're not sold on a person who's won championships in college, who's gone deep in the playoffs with Oklahoma City. ... If Billy wants to be our coach and someone's not interested in that, then they're probably not the right candidate for us."

Kim and Garrett were first linked to each other in May 2025. Their romance was confirmed by her constantly attending Browns games last season. The Defensive Player of the Year returned the favor by being her No. 1 supporter during the 2026 Winter Games.

There were rumors about Kim and Garrett getting engaged after the Olympics in Milan, especially since a photo of them celebrating went viral on social media. However, she told Jimmy Kimmel that it was an AI-designed image that fooled the general public.

“Don’t fall for it, guys,” Kim said. "It's not real."

Even though Kim and Garrett aren't engaged, they turned plenty of heads on the red carpet this Monday.

Kim and Garrett were at The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the premiere of "Michael," a biopic on the late Michael Jackson. The Olympic snowboarder wore a red dress that left plenty of people speechless.

View this post on Instagram

Chloe Kim captured another award this week.

On Monday night, Kim was named Action Sportsperson of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid. She captured that award in 2019 and 2020.

Kim showed excellent sportsmanship at the 2026 Olympics, congratulating South Korea’s Choi Gaon on winning gold in the halfpipe final.

“Such an honor to be part of this sport. I had so much fun last night and I hope you all enjoyed watching the progression of Women’s Halfpipe snowboarding! A month ago, I wasn’t even sure if I’d be able to compete. I was in the darkest space mentally and felt so much fear coming back. To land my run in my first final of the season was the most rewarding and validating thing I’ve ever experienced,” Kim said. "Congratulations to Mitsuki Ono, I am so in awe of you and your style. I’ve admired you since our lead up into the Beijing games. And a massive congratulations to Choi Gaon. Your strength and mental fortitude is beyond inspirational. I’m excited to watch you continue to shine like I always knew you would."

There's no doubt Kim has shown nothing but class during her career.

The National Weather Service announced on Tuesday that the severe storms are headed for multiple U.S. states beginning on Thursday, April 23.

"Severe thunderstorms will be possible from northern Oklahoma into southern Minnesota on Thursday. Large hail to very large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes are possible," the alert reads.

"Visit weather.gov for updates over the next couple of days."

The seven U.S. states bracing for storms are:

• Oklahoma
• Kansas
• Nebraska
• Missouri
• Iowa
• Minnesota
• South Dakota

As a reminder, here's what to do when tornadoes hit:

• Stay Weather-Ready: Continue to listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about tornado watches and warnings.
• At Your House: If you are in a tornado warning, go to your basement, safe room, or an interior room away from windows. Don't forget pets if time allows.
• At Your Workplace or School: Follow your tornado drill and proceed to your tornado shelter location quickly and calmly. Stay away from windows and do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.
• Outside: Seek shelter inside a sturdy building immediately if a tornado is approaching. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe. Neither is a mobile home or tent.  If you have time, get to a safe building.
• In a vehicle: Being in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe. The best course of action is to drive to the closest shelter. If you are unable to make it to a safe shelter, either get down in your car and cover your head, or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low lying area such as a ditch or ravine.

Stay safe this week, all.

Jeopardy! is going to be getting a brand extension this summer and Joe Buck is being tipped to land the starring role.

According to Front Office Sports, ESPN Jeopardy! is slated to air on Hulu and Disney+ this summer, possibly with a run on linear TV through ABC and ESPN's streaming platforms.

"Exclusive: Joe Buck is closing in on a deal to host ESPN Jeopardy!, sources told FOS. ESPN Jeopardy! is expected to air on Hulu and Disney+, and may also run on linear TV on ABC and ESPN’s streaming platforms this summer, sources said," Ryan Glasspiegel reported for the outlet.

Exclusive: Joe Buck is closing in on a deal to host ESPN Jeopardy!, sources told FOS.

ESPN Jeopardy! is expected to air on Hulu and Disney+, and may also run on linear TV on ABC and ESPN’s streaming platforms this summer, sources said.

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) April 21, 2026

This isn't the first time that Jeopardy! will be getting a brand expansion. Dan Patrick previously hosted Sports Jeopardy! on Crackle in the mid-2010s. Per the report, the show will draw from celebrity contestants and ESPN talents rather than the general population like regular Jeopardy! does.

“Sony owns and produces Jeopardy! and has been looking for ways to expand the franchise,” Glasspiegel wrote. “This will not be the first time the Jeopardy! franchise has had an offshoot dedicated to sports trivia. Sports Jeopardy! previously aired on Crackle from 2014 through 2016, and was hosted by Dan Patrick. ESPN Jeopardy! is expected to largely have celebrity contestants as opposed to drawing from the general population. Multiple ESPN talents are believed to be participating.”

A long and storied career

Buck is one of the most recognizable voices in American sports broadcasting, known for his long-running work in Major League Baseball and the NFL. The son of legendary broadcaster Jack Buck, Joe Buck began his career with the St. Louis Cardinals before joining Fox Sports in 1994. He quickly rose through the network ranks and became the lead play-by-play announcer for Fox’s NFL coverage and World Series broadcasts. Buck called some of the biggest moments in sports, including multiple Super Bowls, World Series championships, and iconic postseason games, establishing himself as a central figure in national sports television.

During his decades at Fox, Buck earned numerous honors, including multiple Sports Emmy Awards for outstanding play-by-play announcing. His style evolved from a traditional, understated delivery to a more conversational approach that connected with newer audiences. In 2022, Joe Buck moved to ESPN alongside longtime partner Troy Aikman to become the lead voice of Monday Night Football.

Over the weekend, a hunter in New Zealand was found dead at 44 years old, while a 30-year-old hunter was found killed in Nigeria.

The 44-year-old hunter in New Zealand was killed by accident. He was allegedly shot in a "horrific" accident, as a fellow hunter mistook him for an animal. The 30-year-old hunter in Nigeria is believed to have died via similar circumstances.

“When you shoot an animal, you should be aiming for a specific spot on the animal where you can humanely dispatch that animal. Under no circumstances should anyone be just shooting with uncertainty, because once you squeeze that trigger, it’s a life-changing decision and as soon as you squeeze that trigger you cannot get that bullet back," an authority figure stated.

“And sadly in this case, it was catastrophic, and very tragic for both the deceased and his family and friends but also for the shooter and his family and friends.”

'Warning' issued for all hunters

In the wake of these deaths, it's important to remember proper safety protocols. All hunting safety rules need to be followed from the Department of Natural Resources:, such as:

1. Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.

Never assume a firearm is unloaded. Place your finger on the trigger only when you're ready to shoot.

2. Always control the muzzle.

Keep your muzzle pointed in a safe direction, and remember that wherever the muzzle points is in the crosshairs. Don't overlook the possibility of a ricochet.

3. Be sure of your target.

You're responsible for knowing what's in front of your target, near your target and beyond your target. If you aren't certain about any of the three, don't take the shot.

4. Wear protective gear.

Hunters' eyes and ears are vulnerable to a number of potential hazards while hunting, so it's important to protect them. Firearms create a high-decibel sound that can damage hearing. The firearm also discharges small particles of the projectile, burning gas and other residue that can damage your eyes. Always wear safety glasses and ear protection.

5. Don't forget the blaze orange.

Blaze orange has made hunting safer. Spotting a hunter wearing camouflage is hard, but wearing blaze orange makes you visible to others hunting in the area.

Stay alert always, everyone.

The legendary Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, who was ousted following the 2025 season, will not be coaching in 2026. However, he'll still be around the game. The Super Bowl-winning head coach is landing a TV role for the 2026 season.

Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reports that Tomlin is officially heading to NBC. He'll take part in "Football Night in America" on Sunday nights. Tomlin will have a role for "Sunday Night Football."

Tomlin was being eyed by basically every TV network, including FOX, CBS and ESPN, among others.

But he'll be at NBC.

Tomlin will officially take part in NBC's "Sunday Night Football" coverage for the 2026 season and perhaps beyond.

Details emerge from Tomlin's TV role

NBC's coverage of "Sunday Night Football" will feature a shakeup.

"Tomlin, 54, has been eyed by sports TV executives for more than a decade because of his success as a Super Bowl-winning Steelers coach, his knowledge of the game and his unique phraseology," The Athletic reported.

"Fox showed some interest in Tomlin, but NBC had the biggest need for his services. The network is reimagining its pregame shows. It has already led to the dismissal of Tony Dungy on its top NFL show after 17 seasons.

"The roles of Rodney Harrison, Jac Collinsworth and Chris Simms are also in question as the network is attempting to have more current star power and fewer people on the show."

🚨🏈 NEWS: Mike Tomlin is headed to NBC and Football Night in America, The Athletic has learned.https://t.co/Ipw007D4qI

— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) April 21, 2026

Tomlin feels like a natural fit on TV.

Instead of giving teams 10 minutes each to make their selections in the opening round of the 2026 NFL Draft, they'll only have eight minutes to decide.

"Only the first round is held on Thursday. It starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time, and each team has eight minutes to make its pick," the league's rulebook states. "The second and third rounds are on Friday; rounds 4-7 are on Saturday. Teams get seven minutes to make picks in the second round, five minutes for regular or compensatory picks in rounds 3-6 and four minutes in round 7. If a team lets its time expire without making a choice, it can make a selection later — but it runs the risk of letting the next team on the clock take the player it was considering."

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan made it known this week that he's not thrilled about having less time to make a potential franchise-altering pick.

"I’d love to have 10 minutes, but it’s the same for everybody else," Khan said, via Pro Football Talk. "Eight minutes is what it is, but those two minutes, it feels like an eternity sometimes."

Khan said this rule change has led to general managers being a bit more active in trade talks prior to the start of the NFL Draft.

"They moved the first round from 10 minutes to eight minutes, so naturally we’ve been having more conversations to set parameters of what the value is if you move up to this spot or trade back. There’s more conversation, but until we get there, I’m not sure how that’s going to go."

What to expect in the NFL Draft.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is projected to go No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. Ohio State's Arvell Reese, meanwhile, is expected to go No. 2 to the New York Jets.

Things will really get interested when the Arizona Cardinals are on the clock with the No. 3 pick. It's possible they move down if they get the right offer.

The Dallas Cowboys, on the other hand, are expected to be aggressive during the opening round of the draft. Maybe, just maybe, we'll see Jerry Jones pull off a blockbuster trade.

Regardless, we can't wait for the NFL Draft to arrive.

The network aired Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round playoff series between the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks. The Knicks fell to the Hawks, 107-106, in Game 2 of the series. It's all knotted up, 1-1, as we head back to Atlanta for Game 3 later this week.

But late in Game 2, NBC made an unfortunate mistake.

The network's scorebug falsely showed that the Knicks had a timeout remaining on their final play. They did not, though, confusing viewers.

“New York will take its timeout almost guaranteed here,” NBC play-by-play announcer Noah Eagle said.

The Knicks, though, did not take a timeout - because they didn't have one.

Eagle said, “No timeout called.”

Taylor was quick to apologize for the error.

“We just want to say that the scoreboard showed a timeout that the Knicks did not have on the final play, but due to a data issue, the wrong timeout information was communicated,” Taylor said. “So, that’s why you see a timeout on the scorebug.”

Taylor added, “[Carmelo Anthony’s] head was down. He had to touch the monitor to even believe what had happened in this Knicks game.”

The Knicks blew a huge lead in Game 2

New York was leading by more than 10 points late, before Atlanta staged a huge comeback to even up the series.

"ATLANTA COMES ALL THE WAY BACK FROM 14 DOWN AND TIES THE SERIES! THEY WIN GAME 2 AT MSG, 107-106!" Noah Eagle said live on NBC.

"ATLANTA COMES ALL THE WAY BACK FROM 14 DOWN AND TIES THE SERIES! THEY WIN GAME 2 AT MSG, 107-106!"

Noah Eagle with the Hawks-Knicks Game 2 call for NBC. 🏀🎙️ #NBA pic.twitter.com/Wae0tcu2DA

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 21, 2026

Game 3 is set for Thursday night.

The legendary NBA star and the prominent PGA Tour star were friends for much of the 1990s and 2000s. However, Barkley - an avid, but pretty terrible golfer - decided to end his friendship with Woods more than a decade ago. Barkley, 63, was unhappy with one of Woods' firings.

Woods decided to part ways with his longtime caddie, Steve Williams, more than a decade ago. For Barkley, that was the "final straw" in their relationship. He had no interest in being friends with Woods after that.

"It's been very frustrating to watch everything that has transpired," Barkley said back in 2011, during an appearance on ESPN New York 1050's The Mike Lupica Show. 

"And getting rid of Steve Williams was probably the last straw for me."

Barkley thought he and Woods had a strong relationship. However, he quietly ended the friendship when he realized that wasn't the case.

"You think you're friends with a guy. You talk to him once a week for 15 years. You're like, this dude is my friend, we do things, we have fun together," Barkley said. "I haven't talked to him in two years, and I'm wondering what the (expletive) is going on…It was interesting sitting back and listening and hearing me, and Michael corrupted him, yet we knew none of this stuff was going in."

Things haven't been getting much better for Woods lately, either. He was arrested for DUI last month. Woods had to leave the country to get treatment.

"I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today," the 15-time major champion said in a statement posted to his social media accounts Tuesday night. "I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.

"I'm committed to taking the time needed to return to a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time."

Barkley is working on restoring another friendship

As his friendship with Woods is over, Barkley is working on restoring another high-profile friendship: his one with Michael Jordan.

Barkley and Jordan weren't on speaking terms for a while. Barkley had been critical of Jordan's tenure leading the Charlotte Hornets. Jordan, an all-time competitor, was bothered by his friend's criticism.

But things are getting better.

"We had a conversation," Barkley told Chris Russo last week. "We’re going to get together and play golf as soon as basketball is over."

Barkley made it known that he always "had a lot of love" for Jordan and he hopes their relationship will be mended.

"We’re not like Prince William and Prince Harry. We always had a lot of love for each other. But we talked, actually, in the last probably 72 hours. We decided to get together and play golf as soon as basketball is over."

His relationship with Tiger Woods, though, is a different story.

Instead, he'll be at home.

Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, explained to Rich Eisen on Monday that he wants to be at home, because of his mother's health condition. She has M.S. Moving is difficult. Mendoza's mom attended his games last season, but she had to stay seated. Watching the NFL Draft from home is the better option.

"Pittsburgh is a great opportunity and it's a great venue, and I'm really excited to see most of the guys walk across the stage on Thursday night," Mendoza said on the Rich Eisen Show. "It'd be a dream for a lot of guys, however, my mom really wanted to do it at home, and so did my parents. It was a lot easier for us, especially with the family situation, and I would have to hop on a plane the next morning anyways. For that travel, it would be a lot easier to stay at home."

He continued: "I wanted to stay and make the memory with everybody who poured into my football journey. Mentors, coaches, family, friends — to be able to share that moment with all of them, is going to be the best memory that I can make, rather than limiting it to 10 or 12 people in Pittsburgh."

It's an incredibly mature and character-driven decision from the young NFL Draft prospect. Many top NFL Draft prospects would be desperate to get a shining moment, on the NFL Draft stage, in front of millions of people.

But Mendoza is different.

The Indiana Hoosiers legend is prioritizing family time over the spotlight. It's a rare thing, but it's a cool one.

Mendoza is getting praised for his decision

This decision showcases what kind of person you're getting in Mendoza. It remains to be seen if he'll be a great NFL quarterback.

However, it's already clear that you'll be getting a great person and a great leader, who is prioritizing the right things.

Mendoza seems to have a good head on his shoulders and a good mindset as he approaches the pros.

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is set for Thursday night.

Joseph Savarino, 26, was involved in a fatal car accident over the weekend. The grandson of the legendary Duke Blue Devils men's basketball coach allegedly struck and killed a 15-year-old bicyclist. He reportedly admitted to drinking earlier in the evening and a Breathalyzer test measured his blood-alcohol concentration at 0.11%, according to Durham County court records.

The grandson of the legendary men's college basketball coach was reportedly driving when he struck and killed a 15-year-old on a bicycle. The teen was riding his bike in northwest Durham, police said. An investigation into the crash is underway.

The grandson of the legendary Duke coach appeared in court on Monday. A North Carolina judge revoked his driver’s license before releasing him on a $100,000 secured bond.

The bond was posted by Debbie Savarino, Joseph's mother and Krzyzewski's daughter. She works as an assistant athletic director at Duke.

Savarino is set to appear in court again on May 20.

Mugshot released for Coach K's grandson

The mugshot was released for Coach K's grandson on Monday, too.

Coach K's grandson is his second to be arrested for DUI or DWI. His other grandson, Michael, was arrested back in 2021.

Cunningham averaged 8.6 points per game for the Fever in 2025 before suffering a season-ending MCL injury. Although last year's campaign ended on a sour note, she was amped up about returning to Indiana. At least that's what her fans thought.

“We had a really special group last year and it was an incredible first season for me in Indy; I loved everything about my teammates and the Fever organization. We fought through a ton of adversity, and it was important to me that we have a chance to see through what we started,” Cunningham said in a press release. “I have a feeling this is going to be another special season, so I’m excited to get things started and to, of course, keep playing in front of the best fans in the WNBA. Let’s get spicy!”

According to reports, Cunningham will make roughly $665,000 this upcoming season.

During the latest episode of her "Show Me Something" podcast, Cunningham admit this year's free agency period was tough for her because she didn't get the chance to prove that she's back to full strength.

"It’s tough, because I came off an injury, and I haven’t been in front of any teams. I had a lot going on this offseason," Cunningham said. "I was fully cleared, they had all the doctors, they had the numbers and everything. But if you don’t get in front of these people, it’s like, 'Hey, are you actually good?'

"I’m not even gonna lie to you, though, it’s a little, kind of, frustrating. Because I’m someone who, I kind of shoot it straight. If I wasn’t feeling good or was hesitant, I think I would have said something and been honest. Because I’m just at the point in my career where I just want to win. I just want to win. And so I’m not going to put my ego in front of things. And I know it is a business, but I just think I’m wired a little differently. I don’t know. I just want to win."

Yahoo Sports then shared that quote along with this caption: "Sophie Cunningham was not thrilled about the contract she signed with the Fever coming off of her MCL injury."

Sophie Cunningham is not stoked about the contract she signed with the Indiana Fever in free agency

“I’m not even gonna lie… it’s a little, kind of, frustrating.”

🎥: @ShowMe_Pod pic.twitter.com/WlCvJ0fdQT

— Grant Young (@GrvntYoung) April 20, 2026

Is Sophie unhappy with the Fever?

On Monday night, Cunningham made it clear that she's not mad about the money she received from the Fever. If anything, she just wanted a long-term commitment.

"I’m gonna shut this down right now," Cunningham wrote on X. "I’m not mad about the money…. I just wanted more years because I love it here. I wanted to get a house so I could bring my dog and donkey to Indy with me. That’s it. That’s the truth. I think we have something very special here in Indiana!!"

Cunningham has already said her one-year contract is a "great wakeup call" heading into the 2026 season. We'll see if she raises her value for next year's free agency period.

Gracie Hunt, a former Miss Kansas USA, turned heads with her social media workout video on Tuesday, April 21. The video shows the daughter of the Kansas City Chiefs team owner turning heads in a workout set.

Her fiancee, the son of former NFL quarterback Trent Green, is using her like a weight.

"Can’t stop laughing 🤣 but seriously I’m so excited to bring you guys along our journey to be our strongest & healthiest selves leading up to our wedding! 🙌🏼💪🏼," she wrote.

The video added: "Find a man who acts like you're light as a feather while he benches your body weight."

View this post on Instagram

NFL fans are impressed.

"I love this❤️," one wrote.

"😂😂 this is awesome! 👏," one added.

"Impressed by both of you!!👏👏👏," one shared.

"This is so awesome! 👏 Love you two!!!" one shared.

"Hahahah this is greatness🤣🤣," one added.

The happy couple announced their engagement earlier this year.

"The moment…oh the moment…but the photo 🥹🤍 This has been the best week of our lives!! I cannot tell you how much your love and support have meant to me and Derek. I have smiled endlessly reading your sweet words and well wishes. I’m so grateful for each and every person in our community! 🫶🏼 Sending all of the love back—I hope you have a blessed weekend! 🙏🏼," she shared.

View this post on Instagram

The Hunt family has a lot to celebrate this offseason.

The National Weather Service is warning the residents of six U.S. states to be on alert for significant winds, that could cause damage.

"Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result," the alert states.

"Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution."

Winds in the 40 MPH to 50 MPH range are possible in five different U.S. states:

• California
• Nevada
• Arizona
• Utah
• Idaho

A sixth U.S. state, Wyoming, is bracing for winds up to 75 MPH on Tuesday, April 21. As a reminder, here's what to do when strong winds are coming:

• The safest place to be during high winds is indoors.
• Postpone outdoor activities if a wind advisory or high wind warning has been issued.
• If you are caught outside during high winds:
  Take cover next to a building or under a shelter. Stand clear of roadways or train tracks, as a gust may blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Use handrails where available on outdoor walkways and avoid other elevated areas such as roofs without adequate railing. Watch for flying debris. Tree limbs may break and street signs may become loose during strong wind gusts. Keep an eye toward nearby balconies for loose objects that may fall.

Stay alert today, all.

The National Weather Service is warning 25 U.S. states about potentially significant storms on Tuesday. The strong storms could include major thunder and lightning, heavy rain and wind, large hail and more.

Up to 25 U.S. states could get hit, including:

• Washington
• Oregon
• Idaho
• Montana
• Wyoming
• Utah
• Nevada
• California
• Texas
• Arkansas
• Louisiana
• Oklahoma
• New Mexico
• Iowa
• Missouri
• Wisconsin
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Ohio
• Michigan
• Kentucky
• West Virginia
• Pennsylvania
• Maryland
• New York

As a reminder, here's what to do when storms hit:

• Stay Weather Ready: Continue to listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about severe thunderstorm watches and warnings.
• At Your House: Go to your secure location if you hear a severe thunderstorm warning. Damaging wind or large hail may be approaching. Take your pets with you if time allows.
• At Your Workplace or School: Stay away from windows if you are in a severe thunderstorm warning and damaging wind or large hail is approaching. Do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums or auditoriums.
• Outside: Go inside a sturdy building immediately if severe thunderstorms are approaching. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe. Taking shelter under a tree can be deadly. The tree may fall on you. Standing under a tree also put you at a greater risk of getting struck by lightning.
• In a Vehicle: Being in a vehicle during severe thunderstorms is safer than being outside; however, drive to closest secure shelter if there is sufficient time.

Stay safe, all.

The NBA Playoffs started over the weekend. NBC broadcasted multiple games. Prior to the 2025-26 NBA season, basketball returned to NBC, and Jordan was hyped up as an official member of the network's coverage.

NBA fans were hyped.

“I am so excited to see the NBA back on NBC,” Jordan said in a statement. “The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career, and I’m excited about being a special contributor to the project. I’m looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this October.”

Jordan, a six-time NBA champion, is arguably the biggest star in the game's history. He's pretty private when it comes to his basketball thoughts. But, due to his role at NBC, basketball fans were about to get some unfiltered, honest thoughts from one of the game's all-time greats.

What's transpired, though, is not that.

Jordan did one long sitdown interview with Mike Tirico. NBC has played clips from that interview throughout the year.

Some NBA fans have accused Jordan of "scamming" NBC.

"Had us thinking he was gonna be on set critiquing players performances. Had us hyped for nothing," one fan commented.

"Thank the Basketball Gods! Same sit down 1-on-1 interview split in multiple segments, promoted like each one was new over many weeks, no change of clothes, background, and honestly didn’t live up to the hype," a second fan said. "Poor use of MJ."

Jordan's role at NBC continues to face scrutiny

This weekend, as the NBA Playoffs returned to NBC, Jordan wasn't doing any new content. Instead, he was doing NASCAR interviews on FOX.

Jordan's top driver, Tyler Reddick, won for the fifth time in nine races.

“This kid is on fire,” Jordan said after Tyler Reddick won the AdventHealth 400. “I don’t even know what to say. I don’t know if I can cool him down. He is unbelievable.”

Awful Announcing was among those pointing out that Jordan has been appearing more on FOX than NBC as of late.

"NBC did write a check, it announced a “special contributor,” and it let the audience fill in the blanks on what that meant. What they got was 16 minutes of conversation chopped into four-minute segments, and a co-branded banner that reads “MJ: Insights to Excellence,'" they wrote.

"Meanwhile, the most candid, spontaneous version of Michael Jordan in 2026 shows up in victory lane at Kansas Speedway, talking to a woman with a Fox microphone, every time Tyler Reddick crosses a finish line first. Jordan still has a deal with NBC. The playoffs are still running. At some point this spring, he’ll presumably sit down again with Mike Tirico and say something interesting about basketball, and it’ll do just fine. But NBC sold a version of Jordan that it hasn’t delivered, and Fox seems to be getting the actual version."

Michael Jordan continues to do interviews on Fox with all of the Tyler Reddick wins. pic.twitter.com/TnA1wLhCWs https://t.co/PvoyJUkPEG

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 19, 2026

Will we see more NBA interviews from Jordan anytime soon?

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft has a pale complexion. However, she feels that her pale white skin is often made even worse by photographers using certain filters. Clark is speaking out to the photographers at media day, making it clear that she doesn't want to seem more pale than she already is.

“Plz don’t use filters that make me more pale 😭” Clark requested.

The photo of Clark alongside her teammate, Aaliyah Boston, was going viral on social media.

View this post on Instagram

Indiana Fever fans loved the photo, though.

"My faves 😍😍," one fan wrote.

"Can’t wait to watch you ladies play! GO FEVER!🥰🏀👍😎☝️," one fan added.

"So refreshing to see my super stars ✨," another fan shared.

"Clearing my schedule right now for Fever games. AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" one fan added.

Clark is at 100 percent health this year, too

Clark told reporters that she's at 100 percent health and feeling good.

"I’m a person that doesn’t want to sit out a single rep, like I want to be in there every single time,” Clark told reporters, per the Indianapolis Star. “But I think just being a little bit smarter with my body…whether that’s recovery, whether that’s pre-court treatment, whatever it is.”

Fever coach Stephanie White added those thoughts.

“She doesn’t have to be out there every rep, just being mindful,” she said. “Every year that she gets older, she understands the cadence is a little bit different.”

In the NASCAR world, Jordan is starting to be known as the king of the viral moment.

Earlier this season, following a win from Tyler Reddick, Jordan was seen messing with a kid in victory lane. The clip spread like wildfire on social media. Ultimately, though, Jordan was just playing around with some ice and helping the kid out.

🔥🚨BREAKING: This footage of NBA legend Michael Jordan engaging with a young NASCAR fan has been going viral on every social media network. pic.twitter.com/YINERdD5sY

— Dom Lucre | Stealer of Narratives (@dom_lucre) February 16, 2026

NASCAR fans, along with Reddick, were quick to defend him.

“From my perspective, I’ve gotten to know Michael and his family very well over the years I’ve been here with 23XI, and I don’t see what other people see when it comes to this,” Reddick said. “For me, it’s a huge moment; this is the biggest moment of my career.

“It’s a huge moment for my family and for his family, and I just put that off to the side and think about the look on [Michael Jordan’s wife] Yvette’s face and the whole family and his whole group when they got to victory lane too, and just how happy everybody was celebrating together. So, that’s where I’m at with it.”

Another Michael Jordan clip goes viral

This weekend, Jordan was seen "choking" his 23XI Racing Team co-owner, Denny Hamlin, in another viral moment.

The two were just messing around.

Still, Jordan has an odd way of busting chops with his friends and their children, it seems.

😂☠️😂☠️😂☠️😂 pic.twitter.com/VrP1M2Eej2

— Brandon Lawson (@wxbrandon9) April 19, 2026

Jordan certainly knows how to spark a moment on social media, that's for sure. His NASCAR celebration clips have been viewed millions of times.

Reddick won for the fifth time in nine races on Sunday, taking home the Cup Series race in Kansas.

The Lakers topped the Rockets, 107-98, in Game 1 of the first round series. Game 2 of the first round series is set for Tuesday night. Kevin Durant, the star Houston forward, was unable to play in Game 1 due to an injury.

But Durant still made headlines.

Mics caught an interaction between Durant and a heckling Los Angeles Lakers fan. Durant had something vulgar to say to the taunting fan.

After his team's Game 1 loss, Durant walked over to greet rapper Travis Scott, who was sitting along the baseline near Houston’s bench. Scott was cheering for the Rockets.

A Lakers fan could be heard taunting Durant during his interaction with Scott. However, Durant had a clapback.

“Get that grown man (expletive) out of your mouth,” Durant was heard saying as he was seen pointing at the fan before walking away to leave the court.

Footage of the clip quickly went viral on social media.

Durant is reportedly frustrated by his injury

Durant knew he was unable to play through his injury in Game 1, per The Athletic.

"When Durant took the floor to test his ailing knee approximately two hours before tipoff, you didn’t have to access the medical records to know that he was hurting. It was written all over his face," Sam Amick reported.

"According to several people who watched his routine, his frustration with the brutally-timed situation was impossible to miss. Durant, who played in 78 games during the regular season and has long had a reputation for being willing to play through a fair amount of pain, was clearly coming to grips with the fact that he’d have to sit this playoff opener out. After banging knees with a teammate during practice on Wednesday, then surely hoping the injury wouldn’t linger too long, observers said he was not moving well during the session. He was ruled out soon thereafter."

Game 2 is set for Tuesday night.

This isn't the sort of thing that happened at Augusta National 15 or 20 or 25 years ago. Heck, even 5 or 10 years ago, there wasn't a serious "influencer" presence at The Masters. But things are changing in the sports world.

Sporting events like the U.S. Open, the Super Bowl, Wimbledon and, yes, The Masters, are all becoming high-profile events for women - and men - to show off their fashion, their TikTok skills and more.

And, while phones are banned inside of the gates of Augusta National, a lot of content is still being produced surrounding the tournament.

It's not just the influencers, either.

Prominent celebrities, like Kevin Hart, Jason Kelce, etc. are all being welcomed - and showcased - at The Masters, especially during the Par 3 Tournament.

But it's this growing culture that has some in the golf community concerned.

Golf community expresses concern with The Masters' culture

Front Office Sports published an article on Monday titled, "The Coachella-ization of the Masters Has Golf Purists Concerned."

As more and more influencers descend upon The Masters, some in the more traditional aspect of the golf community will push back.

“I don’t want to tune in to a professional golf event and watch semi-pros and influencers and hacks and whatever. I don’t want to see jokes. I can go to YouTube and watch that. I want to see professional golf when I tune in to a professional golf tournament,” Peter Kostis, a former Masters broadcaster, tells Front Office Sports. “When I tune in to the Masters I want to see Masters coverage. I don’t want to see Waste Management Open coverage.”

Kostis issued a warning to Augusta National and others.

“People have an expectation of what they’re going to see when they tune in for the Masters. It’s built up over 40 or 50 years—and they’re going to be pissed off if they don’t get what they want,” warns Kostis. “Where does it end up in the future? That’s up to the Masters and their decision-making priorities and their partners. But they’ve got to be careful, in my opinion. They’re the last vestige of tradition in televised golf in my opinion.”

Former ESPN host Trey Wingo was among those echoing the thoughts, too.

“You can’t cut off your base to find somebody else, know who you’re talking to,” Wingo said. Know who you’re sending this out for, know who’s going to be watching it. When you turn on the people that matter the most about the thing that you’re putting out there, you have lost the proposition. And I want to be clear. I want ESPN to be incredibly successful. I want them to continue to have the Masters for as long as they want it, because when it’s left to their own devices and the people that do golf, they’re great. It’s all the other crap, for lack of a better term, that’s being shoved down golf viewers’ throats that is turning people away.”

.@TheMasters has always been defined by one thing above everything else: tradition.

ESPN is missing the point.

Full video: https://t.co/pGeUhf3W0d pic.twitter.com/63ar57KNMh

— trey wingo (@wingoz) April 10, 2026

It'll be interesting to see what The Masters' coverage looks like in 2027.

Rod Martin, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Raiders, has passed away. The former Raiders linebacker great starred collegiately at USC. Martin was a standout performer, as a two-time Pro Bowl selection, while also being named All-Pro twice. During Super Bowl XV, he set a Super Bowl record that stands to this day with three interceptions in the Raiders' 27-10 victory over the Eagles.

The Raiders are deeply saddened by his loss.

The Raiders released a statement on Monday.

"The Raiders Family is deeply saddened by the passing of Rod Martin, a standout linebacker and key player on two Super Bowl championship teams," the franchise announced.

"A 12th-round draft pick by the Silver and Black out of USC in 1977, Rod would become a mark of consistency on defense, playing in 165 games with 147 starts in 12 NFL seasons, all with the Raiders. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, he was also named All-Pro twice, garnering first-team honors in 1984. As the central figure in a dominant defensive effort in Super Bowl XV, he set a Super Bowl record that still remains with three interceptions in the Raiders' 27-10 victory over the Eagles. Three years later, he recorded a sack and fumble recovery as the Raiders defeated Washington in Super Bowl XVIII, 38-9.

"A beloved member of the Raiders Family and a favorite of Raiders fans everywhere, the deepest condolences of the entire Raider Nation are with Rod's family at this time."

pic.twitter.com/fvtvCJmMz6

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) April 20, 2026

Our thoughts are with his friends and family members during this difficult time.

May he rest in peace.

DeChambeau, a former U.S. Open champion, reportedly meet with officials at The Masters, to discuss a departure from LIV Golf.

“According to golf industry sources, DeChambeau and his team spent a part of Masters week meeting with organizations to discuss possible options if he chose to leave LIV," Brody Miller, writing for The Athletic, reported.

“Speculation persists that, in the wake of others leaving LIV for the PGA Tour earlier this year, his ask to re-sign is up to $500 million.

“DeChambeau has even used his YouTube success as a leverage play with all potential suitors, indicating he’s open to only filming content and playing the four major championships.“

DeChambeau has made some big decisions already this year. He reportedly had an opportunity to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year through the Returning Member Program but reportedly declined. Brooks Koepka decided to return.

LIV Golf's CEO shot down the speculation

LIV CEO Scott O'Neill shot down speculation surrounding the rumors of its demise earlier this year.

"I want to be crystal clear: Our season continues exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle," the email began. "While the media landscape is often filled with speculation, our reality is defined by the work we do on the grass. We are heading into the heart of our 2026 schedule with the full energy of an organization that is bigger, louder, and more influential than ever before.

"The life of a startup movement is often defined by these moments of pressure. We signed up for this because we believe in disrupting the status quo. We have faced headwinds since the jump, and we’ve answered every time with resilience and grace. Now, we answer by doing what we do best: putting on the most compelling show in sports."

News of Mendoza's NFL Draft decision broke earlier this month. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that Mendoza wanted to watch the NFL Draft from home, in South Florida, with his family.

“Mendoza wants to share the draft experience with his family in Miami,” ESPN's Adam Schefter said.

Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, has been very clear over the years: his family means more to him than anything.

Mendoza's mother, Elsa, has multiple sclerosis. The chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system can lead to muscle loss, numbness, fatigue and other painful symptoms. Mendoza's father often watched his games from his seat, refusing to get up to celebrate, so he could instead celebrate alongside his wife.

It's Mendoza's mom who has pushed for his NFL Draft celebration to occur at home and not in Pittsburgh.

Mendoza's family health situation behind his NFL Draft decision

Mendoza opened up on The Rich Eisen Show on Monday.

"Pittsburgh is a great opportunity and it's a great venue, and I'm really excited to see most of the guys walk across the stage on Thursday night," Mendoza said on the Rich Eisen Show. "It'd be a dream for a lot of guys, however, my mom really wanted to do it at home, and so did my parents. It was a lot easier for us, especially with the family situation, and I would have to hop on a plane the next morning anyways. For that travel, it would be a lot easier to stay at home."

Mendoza will welcome a much bigger crowd to his house in Florida.

"I wanted to stay and make the memory with everybody who poured into my football journey," Mendoza said. "Mentors, coaches, family, friends — to be able to share that moment with all of them, is going to be the best memory that I can make, rather than limiting it to 10 or 12 people in Pittsburgh."

Joseph Savarino, the grandson of the Hall of Fame head coach, was arrested for DWI over the weekend. Police say that he was driving a car that struck and killed a 15-year-old, who was riding a bicycle.

The accident happened at 9 p.m. E.T. in Durham, North Carolina on Saturday night. Savarino, the grandson of the legendary Duke coach, was reportedly driving a Ford Explorer. The vehicle collided with the 15-year-old on the bicycle. The teenage bicycle rider was killed.

Savarino reportedly admitted to drinking earlier in the night. He reportedly told police that he had consumed drinks earlier in the evening. Savarino registered a .11 on a breathalyzer, above the .08 legal limit, at 12:45 AM. He was ultimately booked into jail and his bail was set at $100,000.

This is the second DWI-related incident involving Coach K's family in recent years.

Coach K's other grandson was arrested for DWI in 2021

In 2021, Coach K's other grandson, Michael - Joseph's brother and a former Duke walk-on - was arrested for DWI.

Former Duke forward and current Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero was also charged with aiding and abetting DWI during the traffic incident.

An investigation into the latest DWI incident is underway.

NIL has completely changed the landscape of both college and professional sports — and former Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard is a perfect example of that.

After starring at Duke prior to transferring to South Bend, Leonard helped lead the Fighting Irish to a national championship appearance as one of the most sought after players in the portal at the time.

The Irish paid big money to get Leonard to leave Durham. And in a recent interview with The Athletic, last year's sixth-round pick revealed that he actually took a pay cut to play in the NFL.

Riley Leonard making less money with Colts than at Notre Dame

In a story done by David Ubben outlining the modern-era of college football and how it allows some star players to make more in school than they would professionally, Leonard admitted that his paychecks at Notre Dame were bigger than what he's getting now from the Colts.

"I'm definitely making less with the Colts," Leonard said (via The Athletic).

The ex-ND quarterback signed a $4.4 million deal with Indianapolis over four years. But as Leonard noted: “Only like $200,000 of my contract is guaranteed. You have to make the team every year for four years straight to earn it all."

Those NIL payments at Notre Dame hit different for Riley Leonard 💰

(via @TheAthletic) pic.twitter.com/VZJIfbLLZ4

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 19, 2026

Fans react to Leonard's NFL pay cut

"Here's the thing: he's worth less to the Colts than he was to Notre Dame, which is why allowing guys to profit off their value in college was so vital," Peter Bukowski wrote. "They deserve to be compensated while the schools rake in millions off them."

"Easy to understand why some athletes are choosing to stay in college," Darren Heitner replied. "They are earning money (sometimes more than they will at the pro level), obtaining degrees, and enjoying the on campus experience. Any objectors are simply jealous."

"We knew the NIL-era would get to this point," a user commented.

"Sign of the times," former NFL executive Andrew Brandt pointed out. "Day 3 NFL Draft pick pay < High level college football NIL pay."

"college QB the best job in the world if you don’t project as an nfl starter," another person posted.

It's really cool that college sports now allows players to profit off of the brands they create at their respective universities — and it's never a bad thing to have more good players playing at the college level rather than being buried on the depth chart in the pros.

Brian Kirby, who was twice drafted into the Major Leagues, was working on a church roof project in Arkansas. Tragically, he was killed during an accident. Kirby had been working on the roof of a church in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The former MLB Draft pick was reportedly doing some HVAC work.

Graves Memorial Baptist Church in North Little Rock shared news of the tragic accident.

“This morning, a tragic accident occurred at our church building involving an employee of Kirby Heating and Air. He was more than an employee — he was part of our family and our community. Tragically, he lost his life. He was a highly skilled and experienced HVAC technician, and his loss is deeply felt,” the church said.

“As first responders conclude their work, we want to give them — and especially the family — space, privacy and respect,” the statement added. “We ask that you please pray for the Brian Kirby family, the Kirby Heating and Air team and all those impacted by this heartbreaking situation. May God bring comfort and peace in the midst of this sorrow.”

Kirby was twice drafted into Major League Baseball, once out of high school and once out of college. He was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in 1997 and later the Cleveland Indians (now the Cleveland Guardians) in 2001.

The former MLB prospect reached Triple-A, the highest level in the minor leagues, though he never played in an MLB game.

Authorities responded to an emergency call at the church on Wednesday. His body was found on the roof after police used a drone to locate his body “near two air conditioning units on the roof.”

Our thoughts are with his friends and family members during this difficult time.

May he rest in peace.

The College Football Playoff rankings are initially released in early November every season. The Top 25 teams in the College Football Playoff selection committee's rankings are put out every Tuesday night, until the College Football Playoff field is unveiled on the Sunday after the conference title games.

But there's often controversy with the rankings shows.

Some have suggested that the College Football Playoff rankings should only come out once, at the end of the year, when the field is unveiled. Others claim there needs to be a lot more transparency with the rankings.

It sounds like change is coming.

According to a report from The Athletic, major changes could be coming to the show.

Everything from a change in the schedule to a change in the show's format are on the table right now.

"The show is meant to be a conversation starter, to get fans and media talking about college football in between gamedays. But with the Playoff expanding from four to 12 teams, the weekly rankings and the brief televised interviews with the committee chair explaining them have drawn more scrutiny and driven some to wonder whether they do more harm than good," The Athletic reported.

"Changing the show is on the table, with ideas ranging from adjusting the rankings release schedule to cutting back on the committee chair interviews."

College football fans agree that change is needed

"Get rid of the whole thing," one suggested.

"I wonder if they would try putting the show on a neutral network instead of the network of the SEC fanboys ?" one added.

"That show needs to be canceled. It won’t be, but it should be," one shared.

"I have an idea: just cancel it and let us watch MACtion," another joked.

"I know they won't get rid of the weekly shows entirely, but they've *at least* got to get rid of the show/rankings heading into conference championship weekend," one added.

Does the College Football Playoff need to consider drastic changes to the rankings show?