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Articles by Michael McDaniel
President Donald Trump Signs Executive Order to ‘Save College Sports'
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday as part of his administration's "Save College Sports" initiative, in an effort to restore "order, fairness and stability" to college athletics, according to a release from the White House. The executive order, which goes into effect on Aug. 1 per Ross Dellenger of Yahoo, directs the NCAA to update its bylaws to bring order to the college landscape.
NCAA loses appeal, clearing way for Chambliss to be Ole Miss’ QB in 2026
Ole Miss starting quarterback Trinidad Chambliss will officially return to college football in 2026 after the NCAA was denied its appeal on the eligibility case surrounding the Rebels star, according to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Sources: Steve Lavin Out As San Diego Men's Basketball Coach
San Diego has fired men's basketball coach Steve Lavin, sources confirmed to Sports Illustrated's Bryan Fischer. On3 was the first to report that the veteran coach was out as the head of the Toreros' men's basketball program. Lavin landed the position at San Diego in 2022 in what will be remembered as a largely disappointing tenure for the 61-year-old in his third opportunity leading a Division I program. Lavin went 46–79 in three-plus seasons, which includes an 11–17 mark this season.
Rockies Agree to One-Year Deal With Former All-Star Righty Michael Lorenzen
The Rockies have agreed to a one-year deal with 34-year-old right-hander Michael Lorenzen, according to a report from ESPN's Jeff Passan. Lorenzen, a 2023 All-Star, will earn $8 million in 2026 in a deal that also includes a club option worth $9 million for 2027. Lorenzen is expected to be a member of Colorado's starting rotation. After spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Reds, Lorenzen has bounced around in recent years.
Notre Dame Lands Ex-NFL Star's WR Son on National Signing Day
Notre Dame is putting the finishing touches on one of the top recruiting classes in the country on Wednesday's National Signing Day. The class, which includes multiple blue chip recruits, will include consensus four-star wide receiver Devin Fitzgerald, the son of former NFL star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. The prospect out of Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, Ariz. officially signed with the Fighting Irish on Wednesday.
How Close Cal Raleigh Came to Winning First AL MVP Award Over Aaron Judge
In the most anticipated award race of the 2025 season, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh finished second in voting for the 2025 American League MVP award Thursday, falling to Yankees slugger AaronJudge. Raleigh's historic season for the Mariners, which helped the club reach Game 7 of the ALCS, wasn't enough to earn him the prestigious award over Judge, who took home his second straight AL MVP and the third of his career. It was a close race, too.
Pat McAfee to Be Inducted Into West Virginia Hall of Fame
Former West Virginia specialist and current ESPN media personality Pat McAfee will be inducted into the school's athletics Hall of Fame, the university announced on Friday. McAfee headlines the class alongside former coach Bill Stewart, who will be posthumously honored by the school.
Jedd Fisch Takes Shot at SEC for Scheduling FCS Opponents in November
Washington Huskies coach Jedd Fisch met with the contingent at Big Ten Media Days on Wednesday and was asked about the future of the College Football Playoff. Fisch, who is a proponent of four automatic bids for the league, criticized the SEC's scheduling practices as the Big Ten and SEC continue to square off regarding conference play. The Big Ten plays nine conference opponents per year currently, while the SEC plays just eight. This has been a sticking point in the future format.
Seahawks Make Roster Decision on Tight End Noah Fant Ahead of Start of Training Camp
The Seattle Seahawks have released veteran tight end Noah Fant, according to multiple reports. Fant, a former 2019 first-round pick, was traded to Seattle as part of the 2022 trade that sent longtime Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson to Denver. Fant caught 130 passes for 1,400 yards and five touchdowns in 42 games in Seattle. Fant's release saves the Seahawks $8.91 million against the salary cap this season. He was scheduled to earn $8.49 million in non-guaranteed salary.
Unrivaled Women’s Basketball League Announces NIL Deals With Several College Stars
Unrivaled, the professional women's 3-on-3 basketball league founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart in 2023, continued its impressive growth by announcing NIL deals with several college stars on Saturday.
Reebok, Angel Reese Unveil WNBA Star’s First Signature Shoe
Chicago Sky star Angel Reese is continuing her ascent as one of the premier players in the game with the release of her own signature shoe. Reese has partnered with Reebok for the release of the "Angel Reese 1's." Reebok made the announcement official on Wednesday morning. Introducing the Angel Reese 1. Coming soon. pic.twitter.com/0ik9cBR7f2 - Reebok (@Reebok) July 9, 2025 There is no official release date of the shoe, but it's fair to assume that an announcement on date is imminent.
Oklahoma AD Joe Castiglione to End Longest Tenured Run in College Athletics
One of the most successful tenures in the history of major college athletics is coming to an end. Oklahoma Sooners athletic director Joe Castiglione will retire from his full-time role in the upcoming school year, according to a report from ESPN's Pete Thamel. Once a new athletic director is hired, Castiglione will remain with the athletic department in an "emeritus" role, where he will serve as an advisor to the athletic department. The 67-year-old Castiglione's retirement marks an end of an era.
WNBA Legend Candace Parker Refuses to Compare Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese
There is little doubt that Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is quickly ascending to become one of the top players in the WNBA. Chicago Sky star Angel Reese is developing in her own right in her second season in the league, but perhaps not at the same rate as Clark. Despite this, media narratives surrounding the two second-year players continue to run rampant.
Longtime LA Times Columnist Bill Plaschke Reveals He’s Battling Serious Disease
Longtime Los Angeles Times columnist Bill Plaschke revealed that he is battling Parkinson's disease. The 66-year-old Plaschke formally revealed the diagnosis in a Sunday column, where he said he's turned to a boxing regiment to combat the effects of the disease. "I, too, am living with Parkinson's disease," Plaschke wrote. "The irony, huh?
Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Offers Optimistic Update on Achilles Injury Recovery
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles in the final minutes of the franchise's Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Tatum had surgery to repair the injury the very next day, and he's now approaching the one-month mark post-operation. Officially, Saturday is day 25 since Tatum's injury, and the Celtics star offered an optimistic update on social media. "Day 25...days starting to get a little easier," Tatum wrote on X.
Brian Windhorst Identifies Potential Candidates for Open New York Knicks Coaching Job
The New York Knicks fired coach Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday after a six-game defeat to the Indiana Pacers in the franchise's first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years. Despite taking the Knicks to the cusp of the NBA Finals, owner James Dolan and president of basketball operations Leon Rose chose to move in a different direction with the franchise that is currently in win-now mode. ESPN's Brian Windhorst believes that the Knicks job is as compelling as it is complex.
Surprise Eastern Conference Team Reportedly Interested in Kevin Durant Trade
The Phoenix Suns are reportedly shopping star wing Kevin Durant this summer, as the team looks to move off the veteran's contract after a disappointing 2024-25 season for the franchise. As Phoenix gauges interest in 36-year-old ahead of the NBA draft later this month, the list of teams with potential interest in acquiring the sharpshooter is growing. According to a new report from Sam Amico of Hoops Wire, the Atlanta Hawks are evaluating the potential of trading for Durant.
Saquon Barkley Celebrated His ‘Madden’ Cover With Some Cheesesteaks
Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley was announced as the cover athlete for EA Sports' Madden 26 video game on Monday. The Super Bowl winning running back rushed for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, and quickly went from a hated New York Giant to a beloved member of the fan base. Performing the way that he did and winning a Super Bowl will make you a legend forever in a city like Philadelphia. Want a true testament to how the fan base feels about Barkley?
With Player Option Looming, Julius Randle Expresses Love for Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves' season ended on Wednesday night with a 124-94 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. Members of the Timberwolves spoke with reporters on Thursday morning as the team formally concluded its season. Timberwolves star Julius Randle shined in his first season with the team.
Kyle Gibson Signs With AL East Rival Following Orioles Release
Following his release from the Baltimore Orioles, veteran righty Kyle Gibson is signing with the Tampa Bay Rays, according to a report from Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Gibson was designated for assignment on May 18 by the struggling Baltimore Orioles. In four starts this season, the 37-year-old has given up 23 runs across 12.1 innings of work, amassing an 0-3 record and a 16.78 ERA. The Rays are hoping that Gibson can return to form and provide depth to the team's rotation.
Cavaliers Consider Two Players ‘Untouchable’ in Trade Talks This Summer
The Cleveland Cavaliers fell well short of expectations in the playoffs following a regular season in which they went 64-18 and earned the No. 1 seed in the East. Cleveland was eliminated in the Eastern Conference semifinals by the Indiana Pacers, who are one win away from the NBA Finals after beating the New York Knicks in Game 4 on Tuesday night to take a 3-1 Eastern Conference finals lead.
Bills Defensive End Joey Bosa Injured in Offseason Conditioning
New Buffalo Bills defensive end Joey Bosa pulled his calf muscle while training at the team's facility last week and will be out until training camp, Sean McDermott told reporters on Tuesday. Bosa will not participate in organized team activities this week. The soon-to-be 30-year-old Bosa signed a one-year, $12.6 million contract with Buffalo this offseason which included $12 million guaranteed.
First Look at EA College Football 26 Cover, Including Deluxe Version
EA Sports announced Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith as cover athletes for College Football 26, which is set to be released this summer. This is the second edition of the video game since its return last summer following nearly a decade hiatus. The brand couldn't have picked two bigger stars in college football to grace the cover of the video game this summer.
NBA Insider Names Three Big Names to Watch for Dallas Mavericks This Summer
The Dallas Mavericks have been the talk of the NBA for months after the shocking trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, the injury issues for Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, and of course, most recently, the franchise landing the top pick in June's NBA draft.
Celtics Star Jaylen Brown Discusses Treatment Options for Torn Meniscus in Knee
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown played through the NBA playoffs with a partially torn meniscus in his right knee. Brown, who lacked his usual explosiveness down the stretch of the season, played through pain as Boston pursued its title defense. While Brown discussed his knee issue during the playoffs, the extent of the injury wasn't revealed until after the Celtics were eliminated in the Eastern Conference semifinals by the New York Knicks.
Braves Star Ronald Acuna to Return to Lineup Friday for First Time in Nearly a Year
He's back. Nearly one full year from his last Major League game on May 26, 2024 when he tore his left ACL, Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. is set to make his season debut on Friday night against the San Diego Padres. The @Braves announce that Ronald Acuña Jr. will return to their lineup Friday night. His last Major League game was May 26, 2024.
Ex-Nuggets Coach Michael Malone Confirms His Pick Between Nikola Jokic, SGA for MVP
Ex-Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone issued a mea culpa during ESPN's pre-game coverage of Game 2 of the Western Conference finals. Malone, who declared in a TV hit after Game 1 on Tuesday that Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the MVP, received obvious blowback from Nuggets fans who felt like star Nikola Jokic deserved the award instead. Gilgeous-Alexander captured his first MVP the following day.
Astros Pitcher Ronel Blanco Seeking Second Opinion for Elbow Inflammation
Houston Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco is heading to the injured list with elbow inflammation, manager Joe Espada told the media on Thursday. "He's going on the IL, and he's also going to get a second opinion next week," Espada said Thursday. Ronel Blanco is going on the injured list. He will also get a second opinion on his right elbow. Joe Espada says Blanco wants the second opinion on the right elbow inflammation.
BYU Starting QB Jake Retzlaff Sued for Alleged 2023 Sexual Assault
BYU Cougars starting quarterback Jake Retzlaff has been accused of sexual assault by a Salt Lake City, Utah woman, according to a report from Jessica Schreifels and Kevin Reynolds of The Salt Lake Tribune. The woman has alleged in the lawsuit that Retzlaff assaulted her in November of 2023 and is suing the Cougars quarterback in civil court for battery, assault, and infliction of emotional distress. She is seeking punitive damages from the quarterback in the lawsuit.
LIV golfer Bubba Watson was in attendance for the Indiana Fever's second game of the season against the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and was ecstatic to meet Fever star Caitlin Clark. Watson, a two-time Masters champion, greeted Clark pregame and made sure to arrive with a spectacular golf-related gift for the Fever star. Clark, who is an avid golfer in the offseason, received a driver from Watson, which he signed for her.
Jalen Brunson Heaps Praise on Jayson Tatum Amid the Celtics Star’s Achilles Injury
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum tore his right Achilles tendon in the fourth quarter of Monday's Game 4 loss to the New York Knicks, and had surgery on Tuesday in New York City to repair the injury. Tatum's surgery went well, and the Celtics, along with Tatum's doctors, felt that a swift surgery would lead to more favorable outcomes for the injury. Tatum is expected to miss at least the next nine months, and potentially longer, which puts him at risk to miss most (if not all) of next season.
Hornets Star Brandon Miller Testifies in Case About 2023 Shooting in Tuscaloosa
Former Alabama wing and current Charlotte Hornets star Brandon Miller testified on Thursday that he was nearly shot in a January 2023 incident in Tuscaloosa that killed Jamea Harris. Miller testified as part of the prosecution's case against Michael Lynn Davis, who is accused of fatally shooting Harris. Miller's former Alabama teammate, Darius Miles, was also charged in the case with "aiding and abetting" Davis. To date, Miller has not been charged or accused of a crime.
Steve Kerr, Ime Udoka Wear Epic Gregg Popovich Shirts Ahead of Game 6 Showdown
Longtime San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich stepped down from his role as the franchise's head coach on Friday, months removed from a mild stroke that he suffered which caused him to miss most of the season. Popovich has continued to recover from the stroke, but does not believe that the grueling NBA schedule will allow him to continue the way that he needs to as a coach. He will now move into a role as San Antonio's president of basketball operations.
Luka Doncic Exits to Locker Room Shortly Before Halftime of Game 5 After Awkward Fall
With the Los Angeles Lakers trailing by eight with one minute to play in the first half of Game 5 of the team's Western Conference first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Luka Doncic drove to the basket and got tangled up under the hoop, falling awkwardly on a play that appeared to injure the star's back. Doncic crumbled to the floor and had to be helped to the locker room with the Lakers trailing and trying to stave off elimination from the postseason.
Steve Kerr Gives Blunt Self-Assessment After Warriors’ Disappointing Game 5 Loss
The Golden State Warriors fell in Wednesday night's Game 5 on the road at the Houston Rockets, as the Rockets staved off elimination in the Western Conference first-round series with an electric offensive performance. The Rockets led by as many as 30 in the first half, which included a 14-0 spurt to start the second quarter. Houston was up 76-51 at halftime, and while the Warriors made a bit of a fourth quarter push with the backups, the Rockets ultimately won by 15.
Statewide veteran symposium knows vets, builds communities
Arizona Coalition for Military Families hosted its annual Statewide Symposium in Support of Service Members, Veterans & Their Families in Phoenix last week. Various leaders spoke at the event, the most memorable being a well-known widow to the community. Bailey McCray, widow of clinician and veteran Dr. Adam McRay, shared her story about her husband’s suicide.
New Pelicans Exec Joe Dumars Dismisses Idea of ‘Mandate’ to Trade Zion Williamson
The New Orleans Pelicans introduced new executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars on Tuesday, and the new front office head dismissed the report of a "mandate" from ownership to trade Zion Williamson. "I read that last week...that I had a mandate," Dumars said with a chuckle. "If I have, no one has called me and told me that," he added. "No really, absolutely zero. Me and Mrs.
Bucks Star Damian Lillard Upgraded to Questionable, Opening Door for Potential Return
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has been upgraded to questionable ahead of Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers. Lillard, who has been out since March 18th with Deep Vein Thrombosis, was cleared of the blood clot last week in a remarkable recovery, and has been ramping up his on-court activity in order to prepare to return to the lineup. Lillard did not play in Game 1 on Saturday, which the Pacers won in a 117-98 blowout.
Iowa State QB Used NIL Funds on Heartwarming Donation for Children at Local Hospital
Iowa State Cyclones starting quarterback Rocco Becht used his NIL earnings to donate entertainment consoles to pediatric rooms at Mary Greenly Medical Center in Ames, Iowa this week. Becht bought XBOX consoles for every room, in a heartwarming gesture that was shared by Brent Blum, the executive director of the We Will Collective that supports Iowa State athletics.
Warriors Guard Gary Payton II to Miss Time Due to Thumb Injury
Golden State Warriors veteran guard Gary Payton II is set to miss time due to a thumb injury, according to a report from Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Payton, a nine-year veteran, has played in 58 games for Golden State this year, averaging 6.6 points and 3.0 rebounds in 14.9 minutes per contest. However, Payton has been seeing an uptick in playing time recently, as head coach Steve Kerr navigates the injury of star Steph Curry ahead of the playoffs which are set to begin next month.
Orioles Sign Veteran Starter Kyle Gibson to One-Year Deal
The Baltimore Orioles have signed 37-year-old veteran starter Kyle Gibson to a one-year deal worth $5.25 million, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The addition of Gibson comes after Grayson Rodriguez got hurt in spring training and will begin the regular season on the injured list with right elbow inflammation. Gibson has made at least 30 starts in each of the past four seasons, and is back in Baltimore for a second stint after spending the 2023 season with the Orioles.
Cam Ward Speaks Glowingly About Possibility of Playing for One NFC South Team
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward is expected to be one of the top signal-callers selected in April's NFL draft, and with several teams interested in selecting him, one has stood out for him thus far: The New Orleans Saints. Ward met with Saints officials last month and the NFL combine, and spoke about the experience as he accepted the Manning Award on Monday night in New Orleans. "I loved watching Drew Brees and [Marques] Colston out there," Ward said on Monday night, via NOLA.com.
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