Nadal’s focused on clay – and other things we learned from the first Australian Open warm-up week

Nadal’s focused on clay – and other things we learned from the first Australian Open warm-up week

For months, Rafael Nadal has been trying to temper expectations for his comeback, telling the world that he had little sense of whether he would ever return to his championship form or anything approaching it. On Sunday, Nadal showed the world why he was so cautious. At 37 years old, he knows how brittle he…

Draymond Green reinstated after 12-game suspension

Draymond Green reinstated after 12-game suspension

The NBA has reinstated Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green after his 12-game suspension, the league announced Saturday. Green has been undergoing counseling for several weeks along with holding progress meetings with the league and Warriors. “During the period of his suspension, which began on Dec. 14 and resulted in him missing 12 games, Green…

2023-24 NFL Week 18 playoff scenarios: Packers, Bills, Steelers clinch berths

2023-24 NFL Week 18 playoff scenarios: Packers, Bills, Steelers clinch berths

The Jacksonville Jaguars lost to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday setting off some AFC playoff dominoes. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills clinched playoff spots with the Jags’ loss. This also gave the Houston Texans the AFC South title. And later, the Bills gained the AFC East title by beating the Miami Dolphins on Sunday…

NCAA signs lucrative TV deal for championships, but women’s college hoops stays in bundle

NCAA signs lucrative TV deal for championships, but women’s college hoops stays in bundle

The NCAA on Thursday said it had reached an eight-year agreement with ESPN worth $115 million annually to televise 40 college sports championships each year, including the marquee Division I women’s basketball tournament that many people within college sports had hoped would be primed for even bigger returns given a wave of recent popularity. The…

NFL’s Black Monday stories: ‘For the coaches and families, it’s an absolute nightmare’

NFL’s Black Monday stories: ‘For the coaches and families, it’s an absolute nightmare’

Most will downplay and dismiss it, especially when pressed in front of a microphone. They’ll claim it’s the last thing on their radar, then lean on some trusty clichés to get through a few weeks of uncomfortable news conferences: on to the next practice, the next meeting, the next game. They’ll say there’s no point…

Michigan stymies Michael Penix Jr., Washington to win CFP

Michigan stymies Michael Penix Jr., Washington to win CFP

By Lauren Merola, Max Olson, Austin Meek, Jim Trotter and Nicole Auerbach It’s been 26 years, but finally, no one has it better than Michigan. The Wolverines, who ranked second in passing yards allowed per game with 150.0 heading into title town, faced their toughest task yet in taming the flamethrower that is Washington quarterback…

Derek Jeter watches Michigan win title alongside Michael Jordan, Stephen A. Smith in suite

Derek Jeter watches Michigan win title alongside Michael Jordan, Stephen A. Smith in suite

One suite at NRG Stadium in Houston had plenty of hot takes and high-fives. The CFP national championship game that saw Michigan beat Washington 34-13 on Monday brought out plenty of star power with the likes of Hall of Famers Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter sharing a luxury box with rapper Travis Scott and ESPN’s…

Jimmy Kimmel challenges Aaron Rodgers to apologize in scathing monologue

Jimmy Kimmel challenges Aaron Rodgers to apologize in scathing monologue

Jimmy Kimmel went in on Aaron Rodgers in his first show of the new year following the Jets QB hinting Kimmel’s name would appear on documents related to Jeffrey Epstein last week on “The Pat McAfee Show.”   The comment caused a firestorm of controversy and the late-night host didn’t hold back in a roughly seven-minute…