Michael Grant
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🇯🇲 🇺🇸 Writer. Runner. Decent human. Marathons in Iceland, New Zealand, Portugal, Australia, The Netherlands, Italy. I'm always running from something.
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Articles by Michael Grant
This season, we’re going to learn a lot more about Caleb Williams Original
As Caleb Williams enters his third NFL season, there are two things we can say with certainty about the former No. 1 overall pick: Williams is an incredible playmaker Williams is an inconsistent passer This season, we’re about to learn a lot more about Williams. Is he capable of turning the Chicago Bears into a Super Bowl contender? If you ask that question among longtime NFL observers, you’re likely to get a range of opinions. The talent is there, no doubt.
Seth Wickersham on new book, career, and why older sportswriters love Bruce Springsteen Original
Seth Wickersham is living his dream. He wanted to be a long-form sports feature writer, and he has achieved that goal at the highest level. He has been with The Worldwide Leader in Sports for 26 years, since he began his career at ESPN The Magazine. Although the magazine went defunct in 2019, Wickersham has remained one of the most respected journalists in sports. The ESPN senior writer and New York Times bestseller has a new book: Be on That Hill: Stories from the Summits of Sport.
Dave Revsine previews Big Ten football Media Days storylines Original
You can debate which conference is best, but only the Big Ten has the hardware to prove it. The league has produced three straight national championships at three different schools. And there's a good chance that dominance could extend to four in a row. Big Ten Media Days begin today and run through Thursday in Chicago. Among those in attendance will be Dave Revsine of Big Ten Network. Awful Announcing recently caught up with the studio host to discuss the league's current state and Big Ten Network.
A wild NBA offseason should be another boost for regular-season ratings
The 2025-26 season was a difficult one for Adam Silver. He made a series of missteps as the NBA struggled to navigate a laundry list of issues. However, TV ratings were up, and the NBA playoffs were captivating. Looking ahead to 2026-27, while some of the core issues remain—the Kawhi Leonard/L.A. Clippers investigation is still dragging on—Silver may have lucked out again.
Happy 20th anniversary to ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ Original
Remember, there are two kinds of people in this world: winners and losers. Inside each and every one of you, at the very core of your being, is a winner waiting to be awakened and unleashed upon the world. Happy 20th anniversary to Little Miss Sunshine, an indie darling that became one of the decade’s most beloved and critically acclaimed films. After premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, it was released on a limited basis on July 26, 2006, and was available nationally the following month.
Ramon Foster ready to prove himself as Titans new radio analyst Original
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - There have been plenty of changes with the Tennessee Titans over the past few years. With change come exciting developments. The Titans have a new head coach, Robert Saleh, and a new Nissan Stadium is under construction right next to the old one, with the new facility scheduled to be ready for the 2027 season.
Paul Finebaum on early expectations for Lane Kiffin, the SEC's title drought, and Arch Manning
Michael Grant It's that time of year again. Southeastern Conference Football Kickoff Media Days kick off on Monday and run through Thursday. The location is new. For the first time ever, the event will be held in Tampa, Florida. But fan expectations remain the same. They are always extremely high for the conference, which gave rise to the slogan: ‘ It just means more To learn more about some of the SEC storylines, we recently caught up with Paul Finebaum.
Warren Sharp shares his boldest 2026 NFL predictions
Believe it or not, NFL training camps start next week, with the rookies for the defending champion Seattle Seahawks arriving on July 17. From there, it's a gradual buildup to Week One of the regular season, which kicks off with the Super Bowl rematch between the Seahawks and the New England Patriots in Seattle. To learn more about what to expect this fall, we recently caught up with analyst Warren Sharp. Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
What’s your Mount Rushmore of Christopher Nolan films? Original
It’s July, which means one of the year’s most highly anticipated films is almost here. The Odyssey has already shattered presale records and crashed the AMC app ahead of its July 17 release. Christopher Nolan is Hollywood’s most bankable filmmaker, consistently drawing large audiences to big films about big ideas. Nolan’s last feature earned him his long-deserved Oscar for Best Film, and you could argue that Oppenheimer is his fourth-best flick. That got us thinking.
The 10 best movies of 2026, so far Original
We’re halfway through 2026. After watching 165 movies, here are my 10 best: 10. Toy Story 5 Available: Only in theatres Quote: “The age of toys is over.” Toy Story might be the most consistent franchise ever. It’s impressive that they have kept making these movies while maintaining a high standard. Toy Story 5 feels both fresh and familiar, with Jessie, voiced by Joan Cusack, as the star.
Which NFL rookies will face the most pressure in 2026? Original
2026 NFL training camps start next month. Here are five rookies who will be under the most pressure to succeed: College: Clemson Drafted: No. 17 overall Blake Miller on teammates that have reached out already pic.twitter.com/Gxs1YU5TaG — Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 24, 2026 Every quarterback benefits from good pass protection, but Jared Goff may rely on it the most. He has enjoyed his best seasons when he has had an elite offensive line (2024 with the Lions, 2018 with the Rams).
Jeff Goodman previews 2026 NBA draft loaded with talent and questions Original
The NBA draft starts on Tuesday, and it's expected to be one of the best in recent memory. The headlining players include college stars such as Duke's Cameron Boozer, Kansas's Darryn Peterson, and BYU's AJ Dybantsa. There is plenty of talent, but questions remain. College basketball expert Jeff Goodman has watched many of these players and, alongside Rob Dauster, has broken down their strengths and weaknesses for The Field of 68.
Sportswriter Chris Ballard on his latest book, ‘The Plunge’
Chris Ballard is best known for his work as a sportswriter, primarily during his time at Sports Illustrated. But once upon a time, he played Division III basketball at Pomona College in Claremont, California. His passion for the sport led to injuries later in life. Seeking treatment, he tried intense cold therapy. What he didn’t expect was that his health journey would lead him to his next project.
After Myles Garrett trade, it’s Super Bowl title or bust for Rams Original
Even before the Los Angeles Rams made the NFL offseason’s biggest move, they were the betting Super Bowl favorites. Now that they have acquired the reigning Defensive Player of the Year (Myles Garrett) to pair with the reigning Most Valuable Player (Matthew Stafford), expectations are clear. It’s championship or bust for the Rams, especially with the added incentive of Super Bowl LXI being held at SoFi Stadium. No excuses short of a catastrophic injury will be acceptable.
Sage Intacct Implementation Guide for UK Organisations
For many finance teams, the decision to move to a new system comes after months, sometimes years, of working around the limitations of the current one. Reporting takes too long. Data sits in too many places. Month-end is harder than it should be. Sage Intacct is built to change that, but the outcome depends as much on how the implementation is run as it does on the software itself.
David Aldridge on Knicks vs. Spurs, league parity, and his favorite NBA Finals memories Original
For decades, David Aldridge has been synonymous with NBA coverage. He has worked over 30 NBA Finals, chronicling several iconic moments for various media outlets, including Turner, ESPN, the Washington Post, and now The Athletic. In 2016, he received the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and has also been honored with the Legacy Award from the National Association of Black Journalists.
Billy Donovan is now in play for next year’s college coaching hiring carousel Original
For every college basketball fan wishing for a regime change, your prayers might be answered in the best possible way. Billy Donovan will be the most desirable candidate when the coaching carousel starts next year. With the Orlando Magic reportedly hiring San Antonio Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney, that likely closes the door on Donovan staying in the NBA. He has now failed with two pro teams, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Chicago Bulls.
Tim Kurkjian shares new career highlight, a podcast with his son Original
There is no one in the media more knowledgeable about Major League Baseball than Tim Kurkjian. The longtime ESPN analyst and Hall of Fame writer has followed the sport for decades. He is synonymous with The Worldwide Leader in Sports' MLB coverage. In recent years, Kurkjian, 69, has decided to do something different. He co-hosts a podcast with his 32-year-old son, Jeff, called Is This A Great Game, or What?
Giannis Antetokounmpo speculation will dominate NBA playoffs and offseason Original
In the NBA, we sometimes love transactions more than the games themselves. Speculating about where the top stars might go is a big reason for the sport’s popularity. And while the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs might be poised to become dynasties, there’s one person who could impede their progress. Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly in play and could be traded this offseason.
By going back to Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers can’t go forward Original
We’ve seen this movie before. It looks like the Pittsburgh Steelers are resuming the Aaron Rodgers Experience, with all signs pointing to the 42-year-old returning for a second season with the team. This also means the proud franchise will likely remain stuck in the same cycle of mediocrity it has been trapped in for over a decade. By going back to Rodgers, the Steelers are going nowhere. What’s the best-case, realistic scenario here?
Ted Turner forever changed the way we consume sports
We live in an on-demand entertainment society, so it may be hard for younger generations to grasp the following concept. There was a time when sports weren’t as easily accessible as they are now. In fact, watching an out-of-town team during the regular season was a rare treat and considered appointment television. Ted Turner helped change that. By buying the Atlanta Braves in 1976 and putting them on his Turner Broadcasting System in 1977, he permanently altered how we consume sports.
Baseball writer Tim Brown talks perseverance needed to write Nolan Ryan book Original
Few pitchers have been as iconic as Nolan Ryan. Ryan was a durable, dominant force long before anyone paid attention to pitch counts. The Hall of Fame right-hander threw harder than anyone else at a time when it was rare for a pitcher to reach 100 mph on the radar gun. Over a 27-year career, Ryan established records that will never be broken, including career strikeouts (5,714) and no-hitters (7). Longtime baseball writer Tim Brown has a new book about the Ryan Express.
Which 5 NFL rookies are in the best position to succeed in 2026? Original
Being in the right situation with the right NFL team makes all the difference. Here are five rookies who are best positioned to succeed in their first year: College: USC Drafted: No. 20 overall Let’s assume A.J. Brown will be traded soon, which seems reasonable given the Philadelphia Eagles’ offseason moves and Brown’s complaints about the offense. Makai Lemon is joining a loaded offense that underperformed last season for several reasons.
Jon Sciambi on the Cubs, baseball, and why ALS fundraising means so much to him Original
For baseball fans, Jon "Boog" Sciambi is among the most entertaining and informative personalities in the game. Sciambi serves as the Chicago Cubs' TV voice on Marquee Sports Network, joining analyst Jim Deshaies and reporter Taylor McGregor. He also provides radio and TV coverage for ESPN. Sciambi is known for his humor and deep understanding of analytics. We recently caught up with Sciambi to discuss the Cubs and related topics.
Which 5 teams face the most pressure in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The 2026 NFL Draft is almost here. Here are five teams under the most pressure: 5. Miami Dolphins First-round draft picks: No. 11 and No. 30 overall General manager: Jon-Eric Sullivan Yes, Jon-Eric Sullivan just arrived as Miami cleaned house in the offseason. It’s important to remember that Stephen Ross, who turns 86 next month, is the league’s second-oldest owner. He hasn’t seen a playoff win since becoming the franchise’s majority owner in 2009.
Hoserite Introduces On-Demand Pricing for FDA Sanitary Hose Assemblies
SPRINGFIELD, MO, April 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPRINGFIELD, MO - April 03, 2026 - - Hoserite, a sanitary hose distribution platform, has launched a configurable online purchasing system designed to simplify how industrial buyers source sanitary hose assemblies. The platform allows purchasing agents and operations teams to configure hose assemblies online and receive immediate pricing without waiting for traditional distributor quotes.
The Illinois-UConn Final Four matchup is a Bill Murray special
It’s a Final Four close to Bill Murray’s heart. When UConn faces Illinois in the national semifinals on Saturday in Indianapolis, maybe Murray will already be the biggest winner. The comic actor has ties to both programs. This is the Illini’s first trip to the Final Four since 2005. The biggest celebrity fan in attendance at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis was Murray, an Illinois native.
Fixing NY’s broken Car insurance system is racial justice | Opinion Original
For Black and Brown New Yorkers, the freedom of the road comes with a discriminatory surcharge. In a state grappling with a relentless cost-of-living crisis and some of the highest auto insurance premiums in the nation, our insurance system has devolved into a modern-day version of redlining, one that has stalled the engines of economic mobility for those most striving to achieve it.
Iowa State brings Hilton Magic to St. Louis to advance to the Sweet 16
ST. LOUIS – Not even the most hardcore believer in Hilton Magic could have conjured up this. Iowa State, missing an injured All-American and trailing by 12 early, delivered the most impressive performance here this weekend. Thousands of Cyclones fans packed Enterprise Center in an attempt to transform the arena into Hilton Coliseum South. They were rewarded with a stunning 82-63 upset of Kentucky to advance to the NCAA tournament Sweet 16. No Joshua Jefferson? (Almost) No problem.
When it mattered most, Otega Oweh was money for Kentucky
ST. LOUIS – Despite all the talk — and there’s been plenty — about rising costs for college basketball talent, one thing remains unchanged. The NCAA Tournament has always been a make-or-miss spectacle. A bigger budget boosts a program’s chances of winning the championship, but individual games boil down to moments you can’t put a price on. Whatever Kentucky spent on its roster, it was significantly more than Santa Clara’s.
Malik Willis is the biggest NFL free agency mystery
Malik Willis has been a curiosity ever since he burst onto the national scene in 2020. In college, he was a prospect at Liberty with the potential to be a first-round draft pick. Now, he’s a compelling option for any NFL team looking for a starting quarterback. Willis remains the biggest mystery in this free agency class. No one knows exactly what he will become. What we do know is that someone will sign him to be the new face of their franchise.
Jeremiyah Love is one of the NFL Draft's most intriguing prospects
Running backs may not be paid as well as other positions, but they remain important. NFL teams with a special one, such as Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, or Christian McCaffrey, can gain a leg up on the competition. Jeremiyah Love could be the next great running back. The Notre Dame running back has been among the most talked-about players following last week’s NFL Scout Combine. Love recorded the second-fastest 40-yard dash time (4.36 seconds) among running backs in Indianapolis.
How will the NCAA Tournament committee assess Miami (Ohio)?
Miami (Ohio) has enjoyed the kind of season every mid-major dreams of. The RedHawks (28-0, 15-0 in MAC play), ranked No. 21 in the latest AP poll, are the only undefeated team in college basketball. No matter your schedule or conference, such a feat deserves applause. Head coach Travis Steele’s team has been receiving plenty of love and attention from the national media. That said, all that goodwill could disappear down the stretch. How will the NCAA Tournament selection committee assess Miami?
Which NFL team made the most interesting hire?
NFL owners are notoriously bad at hiring coaches. How do we know this? In this year’s cycle, there were 10 openings, and only one resulted from a resignation. Last year, there were seven. The high turnover rate is the clearest evidence that teams are impatient and don’t know what they’re doing. No one can accurately predict how these head coaches will fare. Instead, we’ll look at the most and least interesting hires.
MicroDairy Masters Launches to Support Small and Mid-Scale Original
MicroDairy Masters is open for business, introducing a new resource for community-based milk processing. Currently, most farmers sell their milk to dairy producers in bulk. This forces them to sell below market rates and offers them little control in their cash flow or margins. A growing nationwide trend is beginning to change that: community dairy cooperatives.
Sean Penn should be the MVP of this year's Oscars
Note: This column includes spoilers. The 2026 Academy Award nominations are finally out, so let the speculation begin. Movie lovers have their opinions, and everything about filmmaking is so subjective. It’s more challenging than ever to reach a consensus on anything. Still, the Oscars represent a general agreement on the best of the best. One thing should be clear: no actor’s performance was more valuable than Sean Penn’s in One Battle After Another.
With no dominant team, the NFL playoffs look wide open
Get ready for what could be the wildest NFL playoffs in years. There is no dominant team. There is no Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, or Joe Burrow. There is no reason to feel 100 percent confident about what will happen. Everyone has flaws. Despite the league’s emphasis on parity, major postseason surprises are rare. The last time a No. 1 seed didn’t reach the Super Bowl was in February 2022, when the Los Angeles Rams (4) beat the Cincinnati Bengals (4). The lowest-seeded teams to win the Super Bowl?
Five movies we look forward to seeing in 2026
Forget about superhero fatigue. Last year, only two comic book movies were good: Thunderbolts* and Superman. Now, the genre is about to get a badly needed boost of enthusiasm with several high-profile releases this year, including the most anticipated Marvel movie of the decade. Here are five films we’re eager to see: Release date: June 26 James Gunn isn’t afraid to take chances.
What were the five best documentaries of 2025?
If you’re looking for a great documentary, here are five that stood out in 2025: Streaming on: Netflix Directed by: Andrew Renzi No living American actor has more insane stories about his Hollywood life than Charlie Sheen. In a two-part feature, Sheen tells many of them that are so unbelievable that you wonder what was left on the cutting room floor.
What were the five worst movies of 2025?
After highlighting the best films of 2025, let’s look back at the worst. Rotten Tomatoes score: 55% (critics), 58% (audience) Streaming on: Hulu Available for rent on: YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon Riff Raff is proof positive that it takes more than a good cast to make a good movie. Despite having Bill Murray, Pete Davidson, and Jennifer Coolidge, it’s not funny. Despite having Ed Harris and Gabrielle Union, it’s not an engaging drama.
The 10 best movies of 2025
After watching over 360 movies in 2025, here are my 10 best of the year: Note: This list does not include documentaries. Streaming on: HBO Max Available for rent on: Apple TV, Amazon, YouTube Released by: Warner Bros. Pictures Quote: “There’s something very, very wrong going on.” Hollywood loves horror movies because they’re inexpensive to make and are the most profitable genre. But since there are so many of these films, it can be tough to stand out.
The 10 best movies of 2025
4 hours ago Kennedy Center Board Votes to Rename Venue Trump-Kennedy Center, Sparking Backlash. The board of the Kennedy Center has voted to rename the iconic performing arts venue the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to the White House — a move that is already fuelling controversy in Washington. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the decision was unanimous, praising President Donald Trump for what she called his role in "saving" the building.
We could see an AFC Championship without the Chiefs, Bills, or Ravens
Before the start of the NFL season, we were pretty sure of one thing: either the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, or the Baltimore Ravens would be in the Super Bowl. Now, we’re not sure any of them will play for the AFC Championship. In a league that legislates parity, it’s not terribly surprising to see one of these teams underachieve. However, it is shocking that three of the betting favorites to win the AFC might not even win their own division.
The pressure is on New York Giants ownership to pick the right coach
Historically, the New York Giants are the polar opposite of the New York Jets. While the two NFL franchises share a home stadium, they couldn’t be more different in terms of prestige. However, lately, that gap has been shrinking as both teams are mired in losing and incompetence. The Giants have won a Super Bowl every decade since the 1980s, but they are running out of time to get a Vince Lombardi Trophy in the 2020s.
Edgar Wright's 'The Running Man' is both better and worse than the original
Not every fan-favorite from our childhood needs a reboot, and most of us don’t like it when you tinker with nostalgia. Pop culture memories look better than they actually were with the passage of time. The Running Man (1987) was never great art. It exists today as a campy, fun artifact from when Arnold Schwarzenegger was the biggest Hollywood icon on the planet. It predicted reality television and the use of deep-fakes before anyone knew what those words meant.
Kevin Durant's final shot at getting the credit he seeks might be with the Houston Rockets
Kevin Durant has been fighting people on social media and fighting for credit for so long that it has sometimes overshadowed his immense basketball skills. He’s arguably the finest pure scorer the NBA has ever seen. He’s a two-time NBA champion. He’s an MVP and a slam dunk future Hall of Famer the moment he calls it quits. Durant has joined three different teams over the past four seasons.
Baker Mayfield's ascension from castoff to MVP candidate
If you’ve ever lost a job, you know how much that sucks. While big money can take away some of the sting, no amount can soothe the blow to your ego. In pro sports, failure is a part of the business. Players know this, and a substantial salary is part of the tradeoff for having the entire world know about their failure. We all want to believe that something good will come after an embarrassing moment. We would all love to be Baker Mayfield.
The Indianapolis Colts are the NFL's biggest surprise
10 teams are 2-0 to begin the 2025 NFL season. None more surprising than the Indianapolis Colts. After an offseason that saw their old owner pass away and a new owner in charge, uncertainty at quarterback, in the front office, and on the coaching staff, the Colts are unbeaten. They can reach 3-0 with a victory over the Tennessee Titans (0-2) on Sunday. To put that in perspective, Indianapolis didn’t win its third game last year until mid-October. What should we make of this?
How to survive the 2025 NFL season
So, you've decided to watch the National Football League. Congratulations! You have chosen to follow a sport that's growing more predictable. Forget about parity. It has evaporated like Katy Perry's relevance. We haven't had a surprise Super Bowl champion since 2017. Those Philadelphia Eagles, coming off a 7-9 record the previous year, entered that season at +4000 odds. They shockingly went 13-3 and defeated the defending champion New England Patriots to win it all with a backup quarterback.
How to survive the 2025 NFL season
So, you’ve decided to watch the National Football League. Congratulations! You have chosen to follow a sport that’s growing more predictable. Forget about parity. It has evaporated like Katy Perry’s relevance. We haven’t had a surprise Super Bowl champion since 2017. Those Philadelphia Eagles, coming off a 7-9 record the previous year, entered that season at +4000 odds. They shockingly went 13-3 and defeated the defending champion New England Patriots to win it all with a backup quarterback.
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