Mike Vorel
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Sports columnist for @seattletimes | Triplet | Past: @SBTribune, @CSTribune, @OWHNews, @CoMissourian | M-I-Z '13 | Email: mvorel@seattletimes.com
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Articles by Mike Vorel
NBA playing dangerous game with expansion and Seattle
SEATTLE — The NBA is playing a dangerous game. kAmx’> ?@E E2=<:?8 23@FE E96 32D<6E32==[ H9:49 :D >@C6 7@F=\7C:6?5=J 2?5 =6DD A9JD:42= E92? :E’D 6G6C 366?] x’> ?@E E2=<:?8 23@FE E96 A2C256 @7 b\A@:?E6CD[ E2?<:?8 E62>D[ 56E6C:@C2E:?8 5676?D6 2?5 962=E9J\D4C2E49 DE2CD E92E E9C62E6? E@ 4@?DF>6 E96 DA@CE] x’> ?@E E2=<:?8 23@FE %F6D52J’D EC:A=696256C[ H9:49 DE2CE65 2 `hE9 4@?D64FE:G6 D62D@? H:E9@FE E96 $@?:4D]k^Am kAmx’> E2=<:?8 23@FE E96 “=6G6C286 82>6” t$!} :?D:56C qC:2?
Adam Silver playing dangerous game with NBA expansion and Seattle | Commentary
The NBA is playing a dangerous game. I’m not talking about the basketball, which is more foul-friendly and less physical than it’s ever been. I’m not talking about the parade of 3-pointers, tanking teams, deteriorating defense and healthy-scratch stars that threaten to consume the league, which started a 19th consecutive season on Tuesday without the Sonics. I’m talking about the “leverage game” ESPN insider Brian Windhorst wrote about last week.
Adam Silver playing dangerous game with NBA expansion and Seattle
By Mike Vorel, The Seattle Times SEATTLE - The NBA is playing a dangerous game. I'm not talking about the basketball, which is more foul-friendly and less physical than it's ever been. I'm not talking about the parade of 3-pointers, tanking teams, deteriorating defense and healthy-scratch stars that threaten to consume the sport. I'm not talking about Tuesday's tripleheader, which started a 19th consecutive season without the Sonics.
Adam Silver playing dangerous game with NBA expansion and Seattle
The NBA is playing a dangerous game. I'm not talking about the basketball, which is more foul-friendly and less physical than it's ever been. I'm not talking about the parade of three-pointers, tanking teams, deteriorating defense and healthy-scratch stars that threaten to consume the sport. I'm not talking about Tuesday's tripleheader, which started a 19th consecutive season without the Sonics. I'm talking about the "leverage game" ESPN insider Brian Windhorst wrote about last week.
Did Seahawks swing and miss on their offseason moves?
After throwing two more interceptions in the Seattle Seahawks’ second straight loss, Sam Darnold was asked Thursday to identify the biggest difference between this season and last. Understandably, the 29-year-old quarterback side-stepped the question, offering only that “I’m not going to compare last year and this year. It’s the 2026 Seahawks. There are a lot of things that we need to get better at, and I’ll just leave it at that.” When it comes to comparing last year and this year, he won’t.
Did Seahawks swing and miss on their offseason moves?
After throwing two more interceptions in the Seattle Seahawks’ second straight loss, Sam Darnold was asked Thursday to identify the biggest difference between this season and last. Understandably, the 29-year-old quarterback side-stepped the question, offering only that “I’m not going to compare last year and this year. It’s the 2026 Seahawks. There are a lot of things that we need to get better at, and I’ll just leave it at that.” When it comes to comparing last year and this year, he won’t.
Did Seahawks swing and miss on their offseason moves? | Commentary
SEATTLE – After throwing two more interceptions in the Seahawks’ second straight loss, Sam Darnold was asked Thursday to identify the biggest difference between this season and last. Understandably, the 29-year-old quarterback sidestepped the question, offering only that, “I’m not going to compare last year and this year. It’s the 2026 Seahawks. There are a lot of things that we need to get better at, and I’ll just leave it at that.” When it comes to comparing last year and this year, he won’t.
Did Seahawks swing and miss on their offseason moves? | Commentary
“Fought Through Chemo Because She Had Three Kids”: Seahawks RB Jadarian Price Gets Emotional Over Mother’s Cancer Diagnosis Jadarian Price’s mom, Jessica Butler, was just 17 when she had her son and raised him and her two daughters as a single mother. But life took a …
Did Seahawks swing and miss on their offseason moves?
SEATTLE - After throwing two more interceptions in the Seattle Seahawks' second straight loss, Sam Darnold was asked Thursday to identify the biggest difference between this season and last. Understandably, the 29-year-old quarterback side-stepped the question, offering only that "I'm not going to compare last year and this year. It's the 2026 Seahawks.
Mike Vorel: Did Seahawks swing and miss on their offseason moves?
SEATTLE — After throwing two more interceptions in the Seattle Seahawks’ second straight loss, Sam Darnold was asked Thursday to identify the biggest difference between this season and last. Understandably, the 29-year-old quarterback side-stepped the question, offering only that “I’m not going to compare last year and this year. It’s the 2026 Seahawks.
Mike Vorel: Did Seahawks swing and miss on their offseason moves?
SEATTLE — After throwing two more interceptions in the Seattle Seahawks’ second straight loss, Sam Darnold was asked Thursday to identify the biggest difference between this season and last. Understandably, the 29-year-old quarterback side-stepped the question, offering only that “I’m not going to compare last year and this year. It’s the 2026 Seahawks.
Did Seahawks swing and miss on their offseason moves?
After throwing two more interceptions in the Seahawks' second straight loss, Sam Darnold was asked Thursday to identify the biggest difference between this season and last. Understandably, the 29-year-old quarterback side-stepped the question, offering only that, "I'm not going to compare last year and this year. It's the 2026 Seahawks. There are a lot of things that we need to get better at, and I'll just leave it at that." When it comes to comparing last year and this year, he won't. I will.
Did Seahawks swing and miss on their offseason moves?
After throwing two more interceptions in the Seahawks' second straight loss, Sam Darnold was asked Thursday to identify the biggest difference between this season and last. Understandably, the 29-year-old quarterback side-stepped the question, offering only that, "I'm not going to compare last year and this year. It's the 2026 Seahawks. There are a lot of things that we need to get better at, and I'll just leave it at that." When it comes to comparing last year and this year, he won't. I will.
Did Seahawks swing and miss on their offseason moves?
After throwing two more interceptions in the Seahawks’ second straight loss, Sam Darnold was asked Thursday to identify the biggest difference between this season and last. Understandably, the 29-year-old quarterback side-stepped the question, offering only that “I’m not going to compare last year and this year. It’s the 2026 Seahawks. There are a lot of things that we need to get better at, and I’ll just leave it at that.” When it comes to comparing last year and this year, he won’t. I will.
Did Seahawks swing and miss on their offseason moves?
After throwing two more interceptions in the Seahawks’ second straight loss, Sam Darnold was asked Thursday to identify the biggest difference between this season and last. Understandably, the 29-year-old quarterback side-stepped the question, offering only that, “I'm not going to compare last year and this year. It's the 2026 Seahawks. There are a lot of things that we need to get better at, and I'll just leave it at that.” When it comes to comparing last year and this year, he won’t. I will.
Seahawks’ disastrous loss isn’t only on Sam Darnold, but it starts with him
DENVER — On Thursday, more than 150,000 feet told a true story. They banged against the metal and concrete floors rising around Empower Field at Mile High. Before the Seahawks’ often uninspiring offensive plays, two words — GET STOMPING — were repeated across the ribbon boards. The orange and blue-clad fans obliged, creating a thunderous stampede, art imitating life. Because the Seahawks’ offense was stampeded by the Denver Broncos through much of Thursday’s game.
Seahawks’ disastrous loss isn’t only on Sam Darnold, but it starts with him
6 hours ago LOS ANGELES — After 44 years, the Milwaukee Brewers are finally going back to the World Series. Propelled by a lockdown bullpen and repeated comebacks, the young and fearless Brewers swept the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers out of the playoffs Thursday with a 6-4 victory in Game 4 …
Jedd Fisch built the 2026 Washington Huskies. His foundation is crumbling
On July 30, Jedd Fisch wore a purple tie, stood on a stage at Big Ten Football Media Days and proudly declared: “This team was not bought. This team was built.” kAmx? E96 4FCC6?E 6C2 @7 4@==686 7@@E32==[ E62>D 92G6 EH@ A2E9D E@ AC@DA6C:EJik^Am kAmqFJ :E @C 3F:=5 :E]k^Am kAm&( 3F:=E :E 325=J]k^Am kAmpE =62DE[ :E =@@<D E92E H2J 27E6C 2=2C>:?8 ?@?4@?76C6?46 6D42A6D 282:?DE (2D9:?8E@? $E2E6 2?5 &E29 $E2E6[ 7@==@H65 3J q:8 %6?
Jedd Fisch built the 2026 Washington Huskies. His foundation is crumbling | Commentary
SEATTLE — On July 30, Jedd Fisch wore a purple tie, stood on a stage at Big Ten Football Media Days and proudly declared: “This team was not bought. This team was built.” In the current era of college football, teams have two paths to prosperity: Buy it or build it. UW built it badly. At least, it looks that way after alarming nonconference escapes against Washington State and Utah State, followed by Big Ten losses against Minnesota, USC and Iowa.
Jedd Fisch built the 2026 Washington Huskies. His foundation is crumbling.
SEATTLE - On July 30, Jedd Fisch wore a purple tie, stood on a stage at Big Ten Football Media Days and proudly declared: "This team was not bought. This team was built." In the current era of college football, teams have two paths to prosperity:
Jedd Fisch built the 2026 Washington Huskies. His foundation is crumbling
On July 30, Jedd Fisch wore a purple tie, stood on a stage at Big Ten Football Media Days and proudly declared: "This team was not bought. This team was built." In the current era of college football, teams have two paths to prosperity: Buy it or build it. UW built it badly. At least, it looks that way after alarming nonconference escapes against Washington State and Utah State, followed by Big Ten losses against Minnesota, USC and Iowa.
Mike Vorel: Seahawks just showed they can beat anyone
SEATTLE - The Seattle Seahawks can beat anyone in the NFL. Especially the Seahawks. On Sunday, the formidable and undefeated San Francisco 49ers benefited. They deserve credit for surfing the
Mike Vorel: Seahawks just showed they can beat anyone — including themselves
SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks can beat anyone in the NFL. Especially the Seahawks. On Sunday, the formidable and undefeated San Francisco 49ers benefited. They deserve credit for surfing the landslide of Seahawks mistakes to a 32-29 NFC West win. Kyle Shanahan’s team also mounted back-to-back fourth-quarter scoring drives in a Lumen Field adorned with waving 12 flags.
Mike Vorel: Seahawks just showed they can beat anyone — including themselves
SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks can beat anyone in the NFL. Especially the Seahawks. On Sunday, the formidable and undefeated San Francisco 49ers benefited. They deserve credit for surfing the landslide of Seahawks mistakes to a 32-29 NFC West win. Kyle Shanahan’s team also mounted back-to-back fourth-quarter scoring drives in a Lumen Field adorned with waving 12 flags.
Seahawks just showed they can beat anyone — including themselves
The Seahawks can beat anyone in the NFL. Especially the Seahawks. On Sunday, the formidable and undefeated San Francisco 49ers benefited. They deserve credit for surfing the landslide of Seahawks mistakes to a 32-29 NFC West win. Kyle Shanahan’s team also mounted back-to-back fourth-quarter scoring drives in a Lumen Field adorned with waving 12 flags.
Jedd Fisch’s seat has to be getting hotter after UW Huskies’ loss to Iowa | Commentary
SEATTLE – Jedd Fisch’s seat has to be getting hotter. I’m not demanding UW athletic director Pat Chun fire Fisch for a three-game losing streak, when there’s still half a deteriorating season left on the schedule. I’m not trying to be reactionary, either, even as Iowa fans chant “Let’s go Hawks!” in an utterly stampeded stadium. But this should have been a ranked win. Not what it was — an abject embarrassment.
Jedd Fisch's seat has to be getting hotter after Washington's loss to Iowa
By Mike Vorel, The Seattle Times SEATTLE - Jedd Fisch's seat has to be getting hotter. I'm not demanding University of Washington athletic director Pat Chun fire Fisch for a three-game losing streak, when there's still half a deteriorating season left on the schedule. I'm not trying to be reactionary, either, even as Iowa fans chant "Let's go Hawks!" in an utterly stampeded stadium.
Mike Vorel: Ex-Seahawk Russell Wilson surprisingly fun to watch with CBS Sports
SEATTLE — I wasn’t convinced that Russell Wilson’s personality would translate to television. Because during 14 NFL seasons, and a decade in Seattle, I rarely saw one. Publicly, Wilson was purposefully unknowable. He was a winner, a magician, a play-extender and a moonball maven. He was a relentlessly positive, remarkably durable, a consummate quarterback. He was a Super Bowl champion. He was a staple at Seattle Children’s Hospital, a model representative for a franchise and community and region.
Ex-Seahawk Russell Wilson surprisingly fun to watch with CBS Sports
SEATTLE - I wasn't convinced that Russell Wilson's personality would translate to television. Because during 14 NFL seasons, and a decade in Seattle, I rarely saw one. Publicly, Wilson was purposefully unknowable. He was a winner, a magician, a play-extender and a moonball maven. He was a relentlessly positive, remarkably durable, a consummate quarterback. He was a Super Bowl champion. He was a staple at Seattle Children's Hospital, a model representative for a franchise and community and region.
Jedd Fisch’s seat has to be getting hotter after UW Huskies’ loss to Iowa
The Owatonna football team fell behind early against the Northfield Raiders at home on Friday night, but the Huskies ended up getting the job done …
Mike Vorel: Jedd Fisch’s seat has to be getting hotter after Washington's loss to Iowa
SEATTLE — Jedd Fisch’s seat has to be getting hotter. I’m not demanding University of Washington athletic director Pat Chun fire Fisch for a three-game losing streak, when there’s still half a deteriorating season left on the schedule. I’m not trying to be reactionary, either, even as Iowa fans chant “Let’s go Hawks!” in an utterly stampeded stadium. But this should have been a ranked win. Not what it was — an abject embarrassment.
Mike Vorel: Ex-Seahawk Russell Wilson surprisingly fun to watch with CBS Sports
SEATTLE — I wasn’t convinced that Russell Wilson’s personality would translate to television. Because during 14 NFL seasons, and a decade in Seattle, I rarely saw one. Publicly, Wilson was purposefully unknowable. He was a winner, a magician, a play-extender and a moonball maven. He was a relentlessly positive, remarkably durable, a consummate quarterback. He was a Super Bowl champion. He was a staple at Seattle Children’s Hospital, a model representative for a franchise and community and region.
Chiefs' Kenneth Walker III leads NFL in rushing, but Seahawks made right call
SEATTLE - "The Seahawks should have paid Kenneth Walker III." Given everything, that's an easy take to make. Given Walker's sizzling start in Kansas City - where the 25-year-old leads
Chiefs’ Kenneth Walker III leads NFL in rushing, but Seahawks made right call
“The Seahawks should have paid Kenneth Walker III.” Given everything, that’s an easy take to make. Given Walker’s sizzling start in Kansas City — where the 25-year-old leads the NFL in rushing yards (537), rushing yards per game (134.3) and yards per carry (6.2) for the 4-0 Chiefs. Given the chest injury and fumbled first impression for Seahawks rookie first-rounder Jadarian Price, who was picked to replace him.
Washington Huskies weren’t good enough anywhere to upset USC
LOS ANGELES — It was 98 degrees at kickoff inside the LA Memorial Coliseum Saturday, tied for the hottest game in Husky history. The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning, citing a “significant threat to life or property.” A day earlier, the temperature improbably peaked at 103, the hottest Oct. 2 ever experienced in downtown L.A. All of which makes for easy metaphors. The Huskies melted in the heat, or they finally got hot, slam-dunk symbolism to file on deadline.
Grab a beer with Philipp Grubauer, Kraken goalie and Seattle brewery owner
SEATTLE — A few minutes before 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, Philipp Grubauer orders the Green Lake Lager. At his suggestion, you do the same. You take the pair of golden pints to a high-top table at Easy Pace Brewing, a building with warm wood and wall-to-wall windows that overlook the eastern edge of Green Lake Park. He wears a black hoodie from Gasworks Brewing, which sits along Lake Union 2.5 miles south.
Mike Vorel: Grab a beer with Philipp Grubauer, Kraken goalie and Seattle brewery owner
SEATTLE (TNS) — A few minutes before 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, Philipp Grubauer orders the Green Lake Lager. At his suggestion, you do the same. You take the pair of golden pints to a high-top table at Easy Pace Brewing, a building with warm wood and wall-to-wall windows that overlook the eastern edge of Green Lake Park. He wears a black hoodie from Gasworks Brewing, which sits along Lake Union 2.5 miles south. This is home, he says. Seattle. Climate Pledge Arena. Easy Pace. Gasworks. All of the above.
Mike Vorel: Grab a beer with Philipp Grubauer, Kraken goalie and Seattle brewery owner
SEATTLE — A few minutes before 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, Philipp Grubauer orders the Green Lake Lager. At his suggestion, you do the same. You take the pair of golden pints to a high-top table at Easy Pace Brewing, a building with warm wood and wall-to-wall windows that overlook the eastern edge of Green Lake Park. He wears a black hoodie from Gasworks Brewing, which sits along Lake Union 2.5 miles south. This is home, he says. Seattle. Climate Pledge Arena. Easy Pace. Gasworks. All of the above.
Jerry Dipoto firing would have been justified, but Mariners’ problems go deeper
SEATTLE — Jerry Dipoto thinks firing Jerry Dipoto would have been justified. kAmx 28C66]k^Am kAmqFE H9:=6 >2?286C s2? (:=D@?[ 36?49 4@249 |2??J p4E2[ :?7:6=5 4@249 !6CCJ w:==[ 9:EE:?8 4@249 z6G:? $6:EK6C 2?5 7:CDE\32D6 4@249 tC:4 *@F?8 yC] H6C6 C6=:6G65 @7 E96:C C6DA64E:G6 5FE:6D[ s:A@E@ 46=63C2E65 9:D ``\J62C 2??:G6CD2CJ H:E9 E96 |2C:?6CD @? |@?52J]k^Am kAm$4C2E49 E92E] “r6=63C2E65” :D ?@E E96 C:89E H@C5]k^Am kAm}@E 27E6C “H6 ;FDE 4@==64E:G6=J F?56CA6C7@C>65 :?
Mike Vorel: Jerry Dipoto firing would have been justified, but Mariners’ problems go deeper
SEATTLE — Jerry Dipoto thinks firing Jerry Dipoto would have been justified. kAmx 28C66]k^Am kAmqFE H9:=6 >2?286C s2? (:=D@?[ 36?49 4@249 |2??J p4E2[ :?7:6=5 4@249 !6CCJ w:==[ 9:EE:?8 4@249 z6G:? $6:EK6C 2?5 7:CDE\32D6 4@249 tC:4 *@F?8 yC] H6C6 C6=:6G65 @7 E96:C C6DA64E:G6 5FE:6D[ s:A@E@ 46=63C2E65 9:D ``\J62C 2??:G6CD2CJ H:E9 E96 |2C:?6CD @? |@?52J]k^Am kAm$4C2E49 E92E] “r6=63C2E65” :D ?@E E96 C:89E H@C5]k^Am kAm}@E 27E6C “H6 ;FDE 4@==64E:G6=J F?56CA6C7@C>65 :?
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