Blog

The Heisman Trophy ceremony is heading back to network television.

ESPN announced Thursday that the ceremony would be broadcast on ABC instead of ESPN. The cable network has broadcast the Heisman ceremony since 1994 after taking over the rights from NBC.

Advertisement

The Dec. 13 ceremony will also take place an hour earlier than usual. The Heisman has long been at 8 p.m. ET as a lead-in for a marquee non-live event on ESPN. Now, the ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. ET between an FCS playoff game and the LA Bowl on ABC.

Bowl season starts on the second weekend of December this year because of the way the calendar falls. Teams get two bye weeks in 2025 and the playoff field will be finalized on Dec. 7. The LA Bowl is the first FBS bowl game of the season before there are five more bowl games ahead of the first College Football Playoff game of the season on Dec. 19.

It’s hard to guess who will be at the Heisman ceremony this year with over half the season to go. The preseason Heisman odds have been upended with the struggles of teams like Texas and Clemson. Oregon QB Dante Moore is currently the Heisman favorite at +500 at BetMGM, while Miami QB Carson Beck’s odds are +600. Both Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith and Alabama QB Ty Simpson are at +800.

Advertisement

Oklahoma QB John Mateer’s odds are back down to 10-1 as there’s a chance he plays in Saturday’s Red River Rivalry against Texas. Mateer had hand surgery two weeks ago. Before the surgery, Mateer had become the Heisman favorite.

With the Heisman broadcast on ABC, ESPN will televise college basketball on Dec. 13. The network said it would televise Indiana at Kentucky and Arizona vs. Alabama that evening.

Contract Momentum Building

Arne Slot’s future at Anfield is already being mapped out behind the scenes, with Liverpool keen to avoid any uncertainty heading into 2026. Slot joined on a three-year contract until June 2027, but fresh claims suggest discussions are underway to extend that deal.

Credit to Lewis Steele of the Daily Mail, who reports that Slot’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, is “working on” a new agreement. That early movement says everything about how Liverpool view their head coach. Rather than drifting into a final-contract-year scenario, Fenway Sports Group want clarity.

“Liverpool want to act quickly here otherwise they risk Slot entering his last contracted season next year.”

“Confidential would be surprised if the head coach has not agreed to a new deal by then.”

“When we asked him about it back in May, he seemed keen – and did not deny talks had taken place.”

Title Success Still Holds Weight

Some have bemoaned recent form and a handful of defeats, but the noise around pressure on Slot is premature. He secured the Premier League title in his debut campaign, becoming the first Dutch manager to achieve that feat and only the seventh to win the league in their first season at a club.

Such an accomplishment is rarely repeated in elite football. Even now, Liverpool remain just one point off top spot. That is not a crisis, it is competitive turbulence.

Stability Over Knee-Jerk Reactions

Calls for change exist in every fanbase, particularly in social media echo chambers. However, Liverpool appear aligned in their belief that Slot is still the right man. His demeanour, philosophy and authority fit naturally with the culture of the club.

“The way in which Arne Slot carries himself and the club means it’s a no brainer that he should continue in the Anfield hotseat.”

Agent Conversations Underway

“It is on the agenda and something his agent, Rafaela Pimenta, is working on.”

The groundwork is being laid early to reward success and reinforce stability. Slot has already shown he can win. Now the club must ensure he can build a dynasty rather than a brief chapter.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a supporter’s angle, it makes perfect sense to lock Slot down sooner rather than later. He delivered the title in year one, navigated a squad refresh and still has Liverpool within striking distance of another challenge. Why on earth would anyone want to risk disruption when the trajectory is still upward?

Yes, there have been frustrating results, but perspective is crucial. Some of the frustration is born out of raised expectations. Liverpool are now judged not by whether they win, but by how convincingly they do it.

If FSG move quickly, it sends a powerful message. It tells agents of potential targets that Liverpool are stable. It reassures senior players planning their own contract decisions. It prevents any external speculation that could unsettle the dressing room.

Supporters crave identity and continuity. Slot has restored both. Tying him down to a new deal would not just be sensible, it would be strategic.

Kenny Albert, the lead NHL play-by-play broadcaster for Turner Sports and previously a longtime voice for NBC’s coverage of hockey, will call Team USA men’s and women’s games at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, the network is set to announce Thursday.

Joining Albert in the booth for men’s games is a familiar partner — Eddie Olczyk, who works for both NBC Sports and Turner Sports. Brian Boucher returns for his third consecutive Winter Games for the “Inside the Glass” reporter position. He is also part of Turner Sports’ coverage of the NHL.

Advertisement

For U.S. women’s games, Albert will pair with two-time Olympic medalist A.J. Mleczko. Jennifer Botterill, a three-time Olympic gold medalist with Team Canada, will make her NBC Olympics debut as the “Inside the Glass” analyst, starting with the quarterfinals.

This will be Albert’s seventh Winter Olympics as a hockey play-by-play voice, a record for an American hockey broadcaster. He will also handle play-by-play for the medal rounds for both tournaments.

With geopolitics likely to be part of the context of the February tournament, NBC Sports is sitting on a potential viewership goldmine. Last February at the 4 Nations Face-Off men’s exhibition event, Canada’s 3-2 overtime win over the United States in Boston drew an astonishing 9.3 million viewers on ESPN. It topped Game 7 of the NHL Finals between the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues in 2019, which drew 8.9 million viewers on NBC, the most-watched NHL game since the league moved back to broadcast TV in 1995.

In Canada, Sportsnet said the 4 Nations Face-Off final averaged 5.7 million viewers and peaked at 7.3 million viewers when Connor McDavid scored the OT winner. Add in 1.18 million viewers on French-language TVA, and the game averaged nearly seven million viewers in Canada. (The country’s population is around 41 million.)

Advertisement

Talk from U.S. President Donald Trump about Canada becoming the 51st state, a topic that produces real anger among Canadians, helped fuel the record numbers. Anthems were booed, tensions were high and the play on the ice made it clear how much it meant to the players.

The Olympic men’s competition will include the teams at the 4 Nations Face-Off (U.S., Canada, Finland and Sweden), as well as Czechia, Germany, Latvia and Slovakia, which will all boast lineups featuring NHL players. These Games will mark the first time since 2014 that NHL players have participated.

The U.S.-Canada matchup in women’s hockey is near the top of rivalries in sports today. The countries have faced each other in the gold medal game in six of the seven Olympic tournaments all time, with Canada winning 3-2 in the last Olympic final.

Kathryn Tappen, the NHL Network host and Turner Sports reporter, will be the on-site reporter for Team USA men’s and women’s games, medal-round competition, and additional matchups.

Advertisement

Brendan Burke and Chris Vosters will handle additional play-by-play in the men’s and women’s hockey tournament. Former NHLers Anson Carter, a studio analyst for the NHL on NBC from 2013-21, and T.J. Oshie, a 2018 Stanley Cup champion with the Washington Capitals and current ESPN NHL analyst, will be the analysts. Angela Ruggiero, a four-time Olympic medal winner with Team USA, will be an analyst as well.

Prior to Paris, Olympic viewership had tumbled significantly in recent cycles, including a disastrous 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, which averaged 11.4 million across all NBC Universal platforms, the least-watched Olympics in the modern era. But Paris changed that. The 2024 Summer Olympics averaged a whopping 30.7 million viewers per day, the most-watched Olympics since London in 2012.

The streaming service Peacock will be NBC’s primary platform for the 2026 Winter Games, which will run Feb. 6-22. Broadly, NBC’s Olympic plans include top events airing live during the day on NBC, and the entire Olympics streaming live on Peacock. (Milan is six hours ahead of Eastern time in the U.S.)

The women’s tournament begins Feb. 5, concluding on Feb. 19. The U.S. women have group-stage games on Feb. 5, 7 and 9. The men’s tournament runs Feb. 11-22, with the Americans’ group-stage games scheduled for Feb. 12, 14 and 15.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

NHL, Sports Business, Olympics, Women’s Hockey

2025 The Athletic Media Company

Scarlets: Murray; Rogers, J Roberts, J Williams (capt), Mee; Hawkins, G Davies; Hepburn, Van der Merwe, H Thomas, T Davies, Douglas, Taylor, Davis, Plumtree.

Replacements: Myhill, S O’Connor, Holz, Cummins, B Williams, Blacker, Costelow, Page.

Stormers: D Willemse; Senatla, Simelane, R Nel (capt), Zas; Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ungerer; Vermaak, Kotze, Sandi, Schickerling, R van Heerden, P de Villiers, Dixon, Roos.

Replacements: A-H Venter, Matongo, Porthen, Evans, Theunissen, Fourie, Khan, Matthee.

Referee: Federico Vedovelli (FIR)

Assistant referees: Ben Connor, Carwyn Sion (WRU)

TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)

PHOENIX — With 90 seconds remaining, the Mercury crowd roared loud enough to threaten fault lines. Phoenix forward Kahleah Copper orchestrated an epic takeover to get Phoenix back in the game and DeWanna Bonner tied the score with a step-back 3. Las Vegas, it seemed, was in trouble.

But Las Vegas Aces point guard Chelsea Gray had the ball at the top, a rookie defending her and A’ja Wilson setting a screen. And when the intensity hovers, and the footsteps of defeat get closer, that’s when Gray cooks. She curled off the pick and charged to the paint, leaned her weight into Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani and slid in a layup off the glass. It was a monster bucket, a reminder of the Aces’ championship blood.

Advertisement

This is what they do.

“We just need to win one,” Wilson said, explaining their mindset. “Just win one game. Win one possession. … And everything is going to pan out.”

Las Vegas took poetic license Wednesday, going up 3-0 in these best-of-seven WNBA Finals with a 90-88 win over host Phoenix. In a game the Aces controlled, they found themselves at the brink of collapse — then flaunted their efficacy. The valiance of Phoenix, which made it this far on its impressive resolve, proved to be a prop for Las Vegas’ excellence. An exhibit of why the Aces are one of the all-time great teams. Their talent gleams brighter. Their mettle proves sturdier. Their pedigree permeates pressure.

One more win and Las Vegas becomes the WNBA’s third dynasty. The league’s first since the Minnesota Lynx, who led by Maya Moore won four titles in eight years between 2011-2017. The Houston Comets, winners of the W’s first four titles, now have to sit like they’ve got a family.

Advertisement

One more win and the Aces have their third title in four years.

One more win, and it’s time to start carving their likeness in the annals of legends.

This is the first WNBA Finals to use the best-of-seven format. (No team has ever come back from trailing 3-0 in the NBA playoffs). But enough has been revealed in this series to consider Phoenix beating Las Vegas four straight times a fantastical thought.

The Mercury have now lost Games 1 and 3 in heart-breaking fashion, by a combined five points. While this teases Phoenix enough to believe in the miraculous, it also underscores the reason the task seems so insurmountable. Because no matter what the Mercury do, eventually, the height and depth of Las Vegas will prevail. That’s the calling card of this Aces core. Of Wilson and Gray and guard Jackie Young. Of bench staples Kiersten Bell and Kiah Stokes. Of coach Becky Hammon and the culture she’s built. In a season that saw them wrestle with mediocrity, the Aces found a way.

Advertisement

This is what they do.

“We’re facing a team that has been through this together,” Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts said. “It’s not a team that’s just figuring it out. They’re a well-oiled machine. All these situations, they’ve been in together. They’ve won together. They’ve lost together. As hard as it is, that stuff matters.”

After losing in the second round to eventual champion New York last season, the Aces underwent a bit of a remodel. They lost Alysha Clark, Tiffany Hayes and Sydney Colson, all critical in their own right. Las Vegas traded Kelsey Plum to Los Angeles for Seattle All-Star Jewell Loyd, reputed as one of the league’s best players for years.

Loyd — a three-time All-WNBA guard and two-time WNBA champ with the Storm — accentuates the ethos of the Aces perfectly. She’s highly skilled, versatile in impact, selfless in demeanor, and invests in winning earnestly.

Advertisement

Wednesday, she made four 3-pointers in the first quarter. In doing so, Loyd alerted the Mercury’s fervent crowd, known for rattling opponents, its mojo wouldn’t work on this foe.

“I had a front-row seat to a sweep in the bubble (against) Jewell with gold Kobes on,” Wilson said of Las Vegas’ 2020 loss to the Seattle in the finals. “I’m glad she’s got on A’Ones now, though. To be able to play alongside Jewell and to see her work, it’s truly magical what she does. Her footwork. Her work ethic. … Sometimes my jaw is dropped because I’m like, ‘That’s that damn Jewell Loyd.’ Her record in the finals, it shows the work that she’s put in.”

Loyd is now 9-0 in WNBA Finals games. The reputation that followed her to Las Vegas shined in these finals. Her defense and shot-making have been clutch for Las Vegas. She represents the Aces’ embarrassment of riches, central to the overwhelming of Phoenix. The Mercury dethroned the defending champion Liberty and knocked off the top-seeded Lynx. But in these finals, the Mercury have mostly looked undermanned.

They’ve been game, though. Wednesday’s fourth quarter was a manifestation of their Cinderella story. The trademark desperation kicked in for Phoenix, trailing by as much as 17 to start the fourth quarter.

Advertisement

The home team’s deficit was down to 10 points inside of five minutes remaining. Satou Sabally — the hot hand for Phoenix most of the night with 24 points — went down with an apparent injury after a crashing head-first into the knee of Bell. It was a scary collision in Mortgage Matchup Center as Sabally was down for several minutes before being helped to the locker room.

That’s when Copper took over. She scored 11 straight points for Phoenix, sending the arena into a frenzy. She capped the run with a pull-up 3 from the left wing that cut the Aces’ lead to 84-83 with 3:06 remaining. It was a jaw-dropping individual display. A special stretch that gave Phoenix a shot to win and change the tenor of this series.

But to pull it off, the Mercury would have to take something that didn’t belong to them. This stage, this era, has already been claimed by the brilliance of Wilson, the greatness of the Aces, and their embrace of what success demands. It’s in their DNA now. It’s infused up and down the rosters. In their aura.

With the score tied 88-88, inside a minute remaining, the Aces put the ball in Jackie Young’s hands. They wanted her in the pick-and-roll, a high-percentage option though Young didn’t have her most efficient night with 21 points on 18 shots. Las Vegas got the matchup it wanted, Young on Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb. But Young couldn’t turn the corner and found herself stuck without a dribble on the right wing.

Advertisement

Wilson bailed her out with a perfect back-door cut and had a wide-open lane to the basket. But she dropped the pass. Wilson was born with adhesive in her palms. She doesn’t drop passes. But somehow, she fumbled the ball out of bounds.

The screen door was open for Phoenix. With 30 seconds remaining, Alyssa Thomas got the ball and the look the Mercury wanted. Tibbetts opted against calling a timeout so his offense could again attack Megan Gustafson, the 6-foot-4 veteran center not known for lateral movement. And Thomas wound up with only Gustafson between her and a Mercury lead.

The talk on the Vegas side of these series has been about their “blind trust” in each other, developed through bonding activities. Like walking blindfolded through an egg-filled maze. And watching the Netflix show “Thunderbirds” for the lessons of unity from the premier Air Force pilots.

How is this for blind trust? Young stayed glued to Copper. Wilson stayed out past the 3-point line on Bonner, who finished with 25 points. And the Aces trusted Gustafson to hold Thomas, one of the best players in the league. Gustafson moved her feet, absorbed the bump from Thomas and kept her arms vertical. Thomas’ shot wound up harmless. The player the Mercury decided to pick on came up with the stop for the Aces.

Advertisement

That set up the final sequence. A gem of a moment for an already bedazzled crown.

Wilson, whose earlier turnover haunted her psyche, got a reprieve. The play call for Wilson to get the ball and go to work. The Aces’ legacy in her hands. The doorstep of a dynasty within her reach.

“We’re winning this game,” Loyd said was the message as they emerged from the bench. “We are.”

Wilson got the ball, drove left, spun back right and launched a seven-foot turnaround jumper into history. It bounced in. Of course it did. Because she’s A’ja. And they are the Aces.

This is what they do.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

Advertisement

Las Vegas Aces, WNBA

2025 The Athletic Media Company

“These two are very grounded,” said the Bluebirds head coach, who previously worked in Manchester City’s academy.

“You are always looking at the personality of players and trying to pre-empt challenges that may come along the way.

“You get the feeling they have a real awareness of how good they are but their humility and how they approach their training on a daily basis… we have only seen Axel a few times because of his schooling, but you can see he is really down to earth and grounded.

“But when he plays with our players, he doesn’t look in awe of them at all. When I have seen that in the past it normally means you don’t have to worry too much about what they are going to do in the future.”

Botswana vs Uganda: Why the Cranes can no longer afford any mistakes

The moment of truth has arrived for Uganda. Second in Group G with 15 points, level with Mozambique, the Cranes absolutely must secure a win tonight against Botswana to stay in the hunt for a spot at the 2026 World Cup.

Uganda riding high on confidence

The Ugandans are coming off two convincing victories: a 4-0 triumph over Mozambique and a 2-0 win against Somalia. Rock-solid at the back and clinical in front of goal, they head into this away fixture brimming with confidence. Another win would keep their momentum alive ahead of the massive showdown with group leaders Algeria.

Botswana playing with no pressure

On the other side, Botswana have nothing left to play for in these qualifiers. Fifth in the group with 9 points, the Zebras are coming off back-to-back defeats against Algeria (3-1) and Mozambique (2-0).
Now, their objective is simple: finish with pride in front of their home fans and play the role of spoilers.

In the first meeting between these sides, Uganda secured a narrow 1-0 victory at home. It’s a result the Cranes will be eager to repeat—or even improve upon—tonight.

According to Mundo Deportivo, it has been learned that Real Madrid right-backs Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold are progressing well in their recoveries as both aim to be available for the season’s first El Clasico later this month.

The outlet mentions that both right-backs are determined not to miss the fixture, scheduled on October 26 at Santiago Bernabeu. 

Notably, Alexander-Arnold sustained a hamstring muscle injury against Marseille on September 16, initially expected to sideline him for six to eight weeks, putting his availability for the match in doubt. 

However, the Englishman is working hard and could return to the squad after the international break.

What about Carvajal?

Carvajal, on the other hand, suffered an injury to his right calf during the derby against Atletico Madrid in late September. 

With a recovery period initially estimated at one month, his participation in El Clasico also appeared uncertain. 

The veteran right-back is now accelerating his rehabilitation, aiming to be ready to face Barcelona.

Having both Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold fit would be a major boost for Xabi Alonso, who currently has no fully fit right-back. 

In their absence, Raul Asencio and Federico Valverde have been filling the position in Real Madrid’s defence. 

Real Madrid will not take any risks

Quite understandably, despite the optimism, the club has made it clear that neither player will be forced to play. 

For now, the approach is cautious, and no official statement has confirmed whether one or both will be available for the Clasico at the Bernabeu.

The return of either right-back could significantly strengthen Madrid’s lineup, providing Alonso with more options and experience in one of the season’s most important matches.

However, in case they do not receive the medical clearance, one can expect Valverde to take up the role..

Manchester United could well enter the market for a midfielder in January if an opportunity presents itself.

The Red Devils mulled over a midfield acquisition throughout the summer, with one of their most notable targets being Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba.

United and Carlos Baleba: What happened over the summer?

Baleba was said to be keen on the move to Old Trafford. However, Brighton’s £100 million+ valuation of the 21-year-old, coupled with the fact they were prioritising another attacking addition, led to United ending their pursuit after holding brief talks with the player.

United eventually secured their forward signing in the form of Benjamin Sesko, leaving them essentially no transfer funds to facilitate the arrival of a top-quality midfielder.

INEOS made late swoop for Conor Gallagher on loan

Then, in the final week of the window, United tested Atletico Madrid’s resolve with an approach to bring in Conor Gallagher, whom Mauricio Pochettino once hailed as ‘priceless’, on loan.

The La Liga giants were uninterested in sanctioning such a deal, though, and were only willing to do business if it were a permanent transfer that they could recuperate a fee from. Before the Reds made contact, Crystal Palace, Gallagher’s former club, also enquired about signing him on loan.

INEOS chiefs conceded that all areas of the squad could not be reinforced in one single window and moved their attention away from the middle of the park – but they might just be tempted to return in the winter.

“I think it’s a possibility for Man United to go for a new midfielder in January, then in this case it will depend on opportunities,” said Fabrizio Romano on Wednesday evening, via GiveMeSport.

“I don’t think the January window, not just for Man United but in general, is about big, big names moving. Unless there’s an opportunity for a big name, I think that has to be the window of a loan deal or a last-minute chance on the market.

“For example, Man United tried for Connor Gallagher in the final days of the summer transfer window, so that kind of opportunity, in case he becomes available or any other player with that kind of skill set becomes available on a good deal, maybe with a loan with option to buy for Man United, might be interesting. But at the moment, we’re not in that direction yet.”

More Stories / Latest News

Roshn Saudi League champions Al Ittihad have confirmed Sergio Conceicao as their new manager.

The Jeddah club, who won the title last season with two rounds to spare, announced the arrival of the former Porto and AC Milan head coach on Wednesday. Conceicao, 50, has signed a contract through until 2028.

The Portuguese, who replaces in the dugout Laurent Blanc, becomes the seventh manager from his homeland in this season’s RSL.

Speaking over a video on Al Ittihad’s official media channel, Conceicao said: “Victory is not a choice; it is an identity that defines us.

“Rivals may change, and their allies will fall, but the champion remains. The champion owns the game. I am Sergio Conceicao. I came to build glory with Ittihad.”

Capped 52 times by his country, Conceicao spent seven years as Porto manager from 2017, leading the club to three Portuguese league titles and eight other cups before moving to AC Milan midway through last season.

He helped lift the team to an eighth-placed finish in Serie A and to the final of the Italian Cup.

Conceicao take charge of an Al Ittihad side third in the 2025-26 RSL, with three wins from their opening four matches. Their only defeat this season, last time out at home to Al Nassr, marked the end of Blanc’s 14-month tenure.

Arriving in the Kingdom early on Thursday, Conceicao will debut in the RSL in the opening fixture of Matchweek 5, away to Al Fayha on October 17.