3 hours ago
Naming Chris MacFarland president of hockey operations and general manager on June 2 begins a new era for the Nashville Predators.
After a lengthy search, majority owner Bill Haslam secured his top target in MacFarland, hiring him away from the Colorado Avalanche, where he served as general manager since 2022.
MacFarland didn't reveal much about his short term intentions for the Predators. Frequently referencing an upcoming "deep dive" into the roster, he anticipates meeting with the team's front office and scouting staff in the coming weeks before the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26.
MacFarland also talked about meeting the Predators' coaching staff, including Andrew Brunette. What he said could suggest his strategy in the coming months.
Though both MacFarland and Brunette have been involved in the NHL to some degree for over 26 years, somehow the two never connected professionally prior to now.
After a lengthy search, majority owner Bill Haslam secured his top target in MacFarland, hiring him away from the Colorado Avalanche, where he served as general manager since 2022.
MacFarland didn't reveal much about his short term intentions for the Predators. Frequently referencing an upcoming "deep dive" into the roster, he anticipates meeting with the team's front office and scouting staff in the coming weeks before the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26.
MacFarland also talked about meeting the Predators' coaching staff, including Andrew Brunette. What he said could suggest his strategy in the coming months.
Though both MacFarland and Brunette have been involved in the NHL to some degree for over 26 years, somehow the two never connected professionally prior to now.
6 hours ago
Having set the Premier League alight in his debut season in England, Eli Junior Kroupi (19) is being heavily linked with a departure from AFC Bournemouth this summer.
The Frenchman netted 13 league goals, a record for a teenager in their debut season in the Premier League. His performances have caught the eyes of some elite sides. PL champions ******* nal, who also reached the final of the UEFA Champions League, are a potential destination for the France youth international, valued at €100m, as per The Guardian.
Paris Saint-Germain, who retained their European crown thanks to their win over ******* nal last weekend, have also been cited as a suitor. Foot Mercato even reported earlier this week that the Parc des Princes was Kroupi’s favoured destination.
However, Get French Football News understands that Kroupi is not a target for PSG. The club are, nonetheless, looking to add to their attack this summer. AS Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche and Yan Diomandé have been touted as options.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
The Frenchman netted 13 league goals, a record for a teenager in their debut season in the Premier League. His performances have caught the eyes of some elite sides. PL champions ******* nal, who also reached the final of the UEFA Champions League, are a potential destination for the France youth international, valued at €100m, as per The Guardian.
Paris Saint-Germain, who retained their European crown thanks to their win over ******* nal last weekend, have also been cited as a suitor. Foot Mercato even reported earlier this week that the Parc des Princes was Kroupi’s favoured destination.
However, Get French Football News understands that Kroupi is not a target for PSG. The club are, nonetheless, looking to add to their attack this summer. AS Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche and Yan Diomandé have been touted as options.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
8 hours ago
Will Antonio Arena become the number 9 of the future? It’s too early to say, but the 2009-born player has certainly caught Gasperini’s eye: “He piqued my interest in training.”
Even before that, Silvio Baldini launched him into the ranks at Pescara: “He’ll go far.”
In short, anyone who knows him is ready to bet on the qualities of Arena, who scored his first goal for Roma this year in the Coppa Italia against Torino: a cross from Wesley and a perfect header past Palerari.
Antonio Arena is the most interesting player emerging from Roma’s youth academy.
As reported by Corriere dello Sport, barring any surprises, the 2009-born player will be involved by Gian Piero Gasperini in the first days of the summer retreat to prepare for next season.
Even before that, Silvio Baldini launched him into the ranks at Pescara: “He’ll go far.”
In short, anyone who knows him is ready to bet on the qualities of Arena, who scored his first goal for Roma this year in the Coppa Italia against Torino: a cross from Wesley and a perfect header past Palerari.
Antonio Arena is the most interesting player emerging from Roma’s youth academy.
As reported by Corriere dello Sport, barring any surprises, the 2009-born player will be involved by Gian Piero Gasperini in the first days of the summer retreat to prepare for next season.
15 hours ago
Duke vs. Michigan ditching Madison Square Garden for an MLB stadium. Here's why originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
When Duke vs. Michigan was announced, there was a ton of excitement for the matchup to be at Madison Square Garden. A few months later there will be a venue change.
One of the biggest non-conference college basketball games of the 2026-27 season will be headed south in the winter. But not in a regular stadium that houses a hardwood court.
In a weird set of circumstances, the Duke-Michigan game is now expected to be played at loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, according to CBS Sports. "The game date remains Dec. 21. The contracts haven't been signed, but sources this week put it close to 100% that the game gets moved to the MLB ballpark in southeastern Florida."
"It's really close to being finalized," one source said. "The game is going to be played at the baseball stadium barring something drastic happening," another told CBS Sports.
Why would there be a switch from NYC to Miami? The answer is simple, with broadcast rights being a factor.
"The decision to leave New York was forced upon both teams after a broadcast rights dispute immediately surfaced following Duke's late April announcement regarding its innovative, multi-year deal with Amazon that will pay the school many millions of dollars in exchange for a three-game package of premium non-conference matchups. The Blue Devils are scheduled to face UConn in Las Vegas, Gonzaga in Detroit and, once this can officially get ******* oned up, Michigan in Miami next season."
MORE:Cameron Boozer's GPA surfaces ahead of NBA Draft
Duke's deal with Amazon is unique to say the least. Taking three games out of the non-conference schedule to create another revenue stream is the type of forward-thinking more schools will start adopting in the future. With Michigan on the docket, facing the defending champs was a huge draw for the state of college basketball.
Now that MSG is off-the-books, it doesn't diminish the matchup. But it might be time to explore the possibility of an NFL stadium that could be converted into the Final Four floor. Imagine this game being played at somewhere like AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
NBA won't beat rigging allegations if AJ Dybantsa goes to Utah Jazz
When Duke vs. Michigan was announced, there was a ton of excitement for the matchup to be at Madison Square Garden. A few months later there will be a venue change.
One of the biggest non-conference college basketball games of the 2026-27 season will be headed south in the winter. But not in a regular stadium that houses a hardwood court.
In a weird set of circumstances, the Duke-Michigan game is now expected to be played at loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, according to CBS Sports. "The game date remains Dec. 21. The contracts haven't been signed, but sources this week put it close to 100% that the game gets moved to the MLB ballpark in southeastern Florida."
"It's really close to being finalized," one source said. "The game is going to be played at the baseball stadium barring something drastic happening," another told CBS Sports.
Why would there be a switch from NYC to Miami? The answer is simple, with broadcast rights being a factor.
"The decision to leave New York was forced upon both teams after a broadcast rights dispute immediately surfaced following Duke's late April announcement regarding its innovative, multi-year deal with Amazon that will pay the school many millions of dollars in exchange for a three-game package of premium non-conference matchups. The Blue Devils are scheduled to face UConn in Las Vegas, Gonzaga in Detroit and, once this can officially get ******* oned up, Michigan in Miami next season."
MORE:Cameron Boozer's GPA surfaces ahead of NBA Draft
Duke's deal with Amazon is unique to say the least. Taking three games out of the non-conference schedule to create another revenue stream is the type of forward-thinking more schools will start adopting in the future. With Michigan on the docket, facing the defending champs was a huge draw for the state of college basketball.
Now that MSG is off-the-books, it doesn't diminish the matchup. But it might be time to explore the possibility of an NFL stadium that could be converted into the Final Four floor. Imagine this game being played at somewhere like AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
NBA won't beat rigging allegations if AJ Dybantsa goes to Utah Jazz
18 hours ago
The Texas Tech softball team is back in the Women's College World Series championship for the second year in a row, taking on the Texas Longhorns starting Thursday night.
It's a much-anticipated rematch between the two programs, who faced off in the best-of-three series last year - with UT winning that series 2-1.
The Red Raiders are hoping for a better outcome in the 2026 WCWS championship series, which started Thursday evening at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.
And fans were taking to social media to share their excitement, reactions and hot takes.
Texas Tech's first games in OKC were pulling solid ratings.
It's a much-anticipated rematch between the two programs, who faced off in the best-of-three series last year - with UT winning that series 2-1.
The Red Raiders are hoping for a better outcome in the 2026 WCWS championship series, which started Thursday evening at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.
And fans were taking to social media to share their excitement, reactions and hot takes.
Texas Tech's first games in OKC were pulling solid ratings.
1 day ago
Jakub Mensik reached the first Grand Slam semi-final of his career after beating Joao Fonseca at Roland Garros.
The 20-year-old also passed Ivan Lendl as the youngest Czech man in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam singles semi-final. Mensik beat Fonseca 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(3) on Court Philippe Chatrier to continue his breakthrough run in Paris.
The Czech player had to hold off a late push from Fonseca, who saved match points in the third set before Mensik closed out the tie break.
It secured Mensik’s place in the last four of a major for the first time and added another major milestone to what has become the biggest tournament of his young career.
Mensik’s reaction after match point reflected the scale of the occasion. After sealing victory, he pointed towards himself in celebration as he took in the moment on one of the biggest courts in tennis.
The 20-year-old also passed Ivan Lendl as the youngest Czech man in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam singles semi-final. Mensik beat Fonseca 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(3) on Court Philippe Chatrier to continue his breakthrough run in Paris.
The Czech player had to hold off a late push from Fonseca, who saved match points in the third set before Mensik closed out the tie break.
It secured Mensik’s place in the last four of a major for the first time and added another major milestone to what has become the biggest tournament of his young career.
Mensik’s reaction after match point reflected the scale of the occasion. After sealing victory, he pointed towards himself in celebration as he took in the moment on one of the biggest courts in tennis.
