Erika Kirk is facing fresh online criticism after a video of her appearance on the Chicks On The Right podcast went viral, with social media users debating her hairstyle, long extensions and fashion choices.
The controversy began with an October 23 post on X featuring the mom of two on the podcast set. During the clip, the hosts drew attention to her long hair, describing it as "real" and "spectacular."
However, rather than focusing on the praise, many viewers questioned whether Kirk's hair was entirely natural and criticized what they considered her over-the-top style despite "grieving."
X / chicksonright
One commenter suggested that the look involved professional styling and additional hairpieces, writing, "She for sure has an extension expert on staff who maintains and styles her hair. The elaborate plaits that they add to her hair are obviously hair pieces, and they are using long clip in pieces to add volume."

#kirk

Suns' Oso Ighodaro agrees to $29 million contract extension before 2026-27 season appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Phoenix Suns have locked up a homegrown big man at a price that could age very well. Oso Ighodaro has agreed to a three-year, $29 million contract extension that runs through the 2030-31 season, his agent Erika Ruiz of Primera Sports told ESPN's Shams Charania.
The deal came together a day before Monday's deadline for rookie-scale and second-round extensions.
Charania added that the Suns are picking up Ighodaro's $2.5 million team option for 2027-28, so the extension starts in 2028 and runs through 2031 for a second-round find who has established himself as a reliable center. Ighodaro is now signed further out than any other player on the roster, including Devin Booker.
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#Suns #contract #season

Cason Wallace and the Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed to a five-year, $139 million extension to his rookie contract, ESPN's Shams Charania reports.
The two sides beat Monday' deadline for players from the 2023 draft class to sign rookie scale extensions. Had they not reached a deal before the deadline, Wallace would have played the final year of his rookie contract on a team option, then entered the 2026-27 offseason as a restricted free agent.
With the deal, the Thunder secure a defensive anchor of their core as they seek to win a second NBA championship in three seasons.
This story will be updated.

#wallace #deadline

The USS Abraham Lincoln, the US aircraft carrier that has been deployed for nearly a year and has spent months supporting US military operations against Iran, is scheduled to dock in San Diego on Thursday afternoon.
It marks the end of a deployment that has been described as "one of the most operationally intense and consequential of the modern era" and that became marked by a record-stretch at sea, repeated deployment extensions, and reports of supply shortages, and deteriorating morale and mental health among some crew members.
The Lincoln left San Diego last November, initially bound for the Pacific. But it was redirected to the Middle East after the US and Israel launched their war with Iran in late February. The carrier remained there until late August, when it was relieved by the USS George Washington and began its journey home.
Earlier in August, the Lincoln's deployment made headlines and faced scrutiny as reports began surfacing about poor living conditions aboard the ship, including shortages of supplies and water, plumbing problems, low morale, and worsening mental health among the roughly 5,000 personnel on the carrier. Two leading military newspapers also reported that there had been two attempts by sailors to jump overboard, causing concern among families and military health experts.
The reports prompted outrage from Democrats, while senior officials in the Trump administration pushed back. Pete Hegseth, the US defense secretary, called the reports "completely misrepresented", and when reporters asked Donald Trump if he thought the deployment had gone on too long, he responded: "Not nearly long enough" – a comment that angered some naval families.

#military #Health

Julianne Hough channeled Mariah Carey for Dancing with the Stars Week 4. On Oct. 6, the DWTS co-host wore Carey's dress for the show's Week 4 theme night in honor of the Grammy-winning singer, and she also shared the backstory of how she got her hands on the glittery silver frock.
Hough, 38, addressed fans in an Instagram video ahead of the live show, explaining that she was in her makeup trailer listening to Carey's music and "transforming."
Hough flipped her long blonde extensions forward as she told fans, "I'm chatting about Mariah Carey and her dress that she wore in [2008]. And I am wearing it tonight because we found it on The RealReal."
"[Stylist] Brad Goreski is amazing, and he found it, and he was like, 'It might not be in that great of a condition,'" she shared. "Got it. It's like pristine."
Hough noted that she's tried to be more "playful" and "colorful" with her DWTS looks this season and admitted, "This dress would probably be something that I would look at and be like, 'I'm not wearing that.' But because it's Mariah Carey, she wore it. It's like a literal disco ball; we were like, 'This is perfection.'"

#shared

Julianne Hough infused her sartorial agenda with a touch of metallic glitz and a whole load of hair extensions this week. The Dancing with the Stars host was clearly feeling nostalgic for the noughties as she referenced Mariah Carey's style archives during the show's theme night dedicated to the singer's discography.
The host wore a vintage Roberto Cavalli silver mini dress that was originally worn by Mariah Carey in 2008. Julianne's stylist, Brad Goreski, sourced the piece on The RealReal. "He was like, 'It might not be in that great of a condition,'" she shared. But once it arrived, she saw it was in "pristine" condition.
The metallic number features a sleeveless design with a plunging neckline and figure-hugging silhouette. The garment is embellished with intricate silver accents that glisten in the light.
Julianne Hough wore vintage Roberto Cavalli on the show (@ Disney via Getty Images)
"We've definitely had more fun, and it's been playful," Julianne shared of her DWTS season 35 looks. "This dress would probably be something that I would look at and be like, 'I'm not wearing that.' But because it's Mariah Carey, she wore it. It's like a literal disco ball; we were like, 'This is perfection.'"

#metallic #host

Gray hair is gorgeous, and many famous women are increasingly rocking their silver crowns with pride. Many celebrities look stunning with gray hair, and it's so inspiring to see them embrace this natural part of aging. But another trend is popping up that we love even more: celebrity women over 50 who are wearing their hair long! So often, society pressures mature women to chop their hair once they reach a certain age (on top of the pressure to cover up their gray, too), so seeing these celebs rock both gray and long hair is truly beautiful.
Olivia Colman debuted long gray curls at the Zurich Film Festival on September 28, 2026. "The Crown" actor's gorgeous tresses fell long past her shoulders. Since Colman previously had a pixie cut, her stylist, Inanch Emir, helped her create the look with extensions. "We weren't trying to hide her grey hair — we wanted to celebrate it," Emir told InStyle in September 2026, adding that her extensions were a combination of four different shades of gray "to create depth and dimension and to work harmoniously with Olivia's own hair." The result was so incredibly natural-looking and so pretty on her.
Colman's hair is part of a growing trend of celebrity women who are both embracing gray and wearing their hair long at the same time. We are huge fans of women who defy social expectations with their beauty like this — and look so good doing it!
Read more: The Transformation Of Sam Elliott: From '70s Heartthrob To Landman Icon
Gilbert Carrasquillo & Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty

#long #colman #september

Morgan Stanley has cut Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) to Underweight on September 11, 2026. Semaglutide, the underlying molecule for Wegovy and Ozempic, generates roughly 75% of 2026 revenue. Morgan Stanley models that it will still represent 59% of total sales when its patent protection expires in 2031. And according to the firm, the valuation does not price in the impact it has on Novo's terminal value. The stock, currently trading at 10.6x earnings and down 33% from its 52-week high, slipped another 2% following the call. At this point, the question isn't about whether the patent cliff is real or not, but whether the 10x multiple reflects an actual bargain.
Semaglutide loses exclusivity in Europe in 2031 and the US in 2032. And Morgan Stanley believes Novo's oral-obesity business, projected to reach $10 billion by 2031, could not offset the pricing collapse after the arrival of generics. Growth decelerates to a 4% compound rate between 2027 and 2030. If the deceleration continues, it will justify 10x earnings as a fair price instead of a cheap one.
The 10.6x multiple already prices aggressive pessimism into a market leader of one of the fastest-growing drug classes in history. Morgan Stanley fueled the pessimism by discounting a 2031 cliff five years earlier. However, pharmaceutical patent expirations frequently face extensions and prove difficult to time. Second, the ***** umption that oral obesity treatments cannot offset patent losses relies on oral semaglutide being the bridge. But Novo's next-generation portfolio, including CagriSema and amycretin, offers a significant defense against the patent cliff. This remains unproven, however, specifically after CagriSema's earlier weight-loss data failed to impress, yet Morgan Stanley's terminal-value model discounts this pipeline almost entirely. The company is also expanding its franchise. On September 7, the STEP Young trial hit its endpoint in children aged six to twelve, strengthening the base its successors inherit.
The smart money is leaning in. As per the Insider Monkey database, 59 hedge funds held NVO in the second quarter of 2026, up from 55 in the first, indicating a slight increase in the modest institutional interest in the stock. Short interest on the ADR is negligible at about 0.7%. The positioning reflects a beaten-down value stock quietly seeing institutional accumulation while Wall Street turns increasingly bearish.

#semaglutide #oral

AMD and Intel compete for processor customers, but they have a common interest in making developers comfortable staying with x86. A September 2 GCC commit added initial support for their AI Compute Extensions, or ACE, bringing that shared strategy into a widely used compiler's development code.
For Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) and Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC), the potential payoff is broader software adoption. The immediate event is much narrower: compiler infrastructure, followed by instruction-support commits. It is not evidence that compatible processors have shipped or that GCC 17 is a finished release.
The x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group's April whitepaper describes a common matrix-acceleration architecture shaped by both companies. Matrix multiplication is central to many AI workloads. A shared instruction interface could reduce the effort needed to target those operations across future processors.
That matters commercially because buyers consider the software work required to use hardware, alongside its price and performance. If developers can support both suppliers more easily, a processor purchase may depend more on execution and less on maintaining separate software paths.
For Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD), the bull case is an easier route for compatible future CPUs into AI-related workloads. The risk is that a shared standard also improves the rival's appeal. Compiler support alone cannot demonstrate AMD's eventual performance advantage, customer adoption or incremental profit.

#Intel

Breakout loading. At least that's what the Dallas Cowboys hope after they inked tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford and receiver Ryan Flournoy to a pair of extensions this week. In a break from the norm, the Cowboys went out on a limb and played the speculation market. Channeling his inner oilman, owner Jerry Jones has put his money where his mouth is and bet big on breakouts.
In previous years, it was the Cowboys waiting until after a breakout was achieved before extensions were offered. Terence Steele was signed to a five-year, $82,500,000 deal after his breakout season in 2022. Jaylon Smith was regrettably signed to a five-year, $63,750,000 extension after his breakout season in 2018. And even Dak Prescott, Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland got signed after already establishing themselves high among the NFL hierarchy.
It doesn't take Wallstreet stockbroker to know investing after something has already blown up has its drawbacks. Sure, seeing success insulates from risk, but it also means investors are buying high. Good deals are made through speculation. They come with risk since they're predictive rather than proven, but they also come at a much lower price and with a much higher upside.
After displaying significant growth in 2025, Flournoy has been a media and fan favorite to breakout in a big way this season. Signing a one-year, $6M extension, Flournoy retains his Cowboydom through the 2027 season. This is important because if George Pickens leaves after the current season, Flournoy ensures a level of continuity amongst the top receiver ranks.
Sources: The #cowboys and WR Ryan Flournoy have agreed to a 1-year contract extension worth up to $6M.

Flournoy is coming off a career year with 40 catches for 475 and 4 TDs. He’s expected to have an even bigger role in the offense this season as the solidified WR3 and now gets… pic.twitter.com/p04Q0S80A9

#extension

Our ***** ysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here.
Net sales growth of 22% was primarily driven by sustained demand across enterprise, data center, and specialty market sectors, including military applications.
Gross profit margin expansion to 37.4% demonstrates significant manufacturing operating leverage, where fixed costs are distributed over higher production volumes.
Management attributes margin improvements to increased manufacturing efficiencies that naturally occur as production volumes scale.
The company is navigating industry-wide optical fiber shortages and raw material lead time extensions by actively managing supply chain dynamics to protect customer deliveries.

#Margin #Manufacturing #volumes #management

PHOENIX – Despite finishing with a 4-13 record after the 2023 season, the Arizona Cardinals took a silver lining into the offseason, one that had the potential to set the foundation for a new era.
General manager Monti Ossenfort and then-head coach Jonathan Gannon had 11 draft picks to work with entering the 2024 NFL draft, and when all was said and done, the team came away with 12 total selections.
Two years later, that draft class is still trying to provide significant returns on the investment under first-year head coach Mike LaFleur.
Each member is also facing the scrutiny of being a third-year player, which is widely viewed as a make-or-break opportunity. Under the NFL collective bargaining agreement, decisions regarding fifth-year options for first-round picks, impending contract expiration for non-first-round picks and long-term contract extensions can not be made until after a player's third season.
Seven of the Cardinals' 2024 draft picks fell inside the first three rounds. Here is a breakdown of how each one has fared after two seasons, along with their status heading into the 2026 season, which begins Sunday in Los Angeles against the Chargers.

#draft #season #head

Detroit is still without a permanent general manager, and training camp opens Sept. 17. Shawn Horcoff is running day-to-day operations on an interim basis, with one significant restriction: he cannot make trades. Chris Ilitch has brought in an outside search firm, and the list of outside names has already been trimmed.
Most of the attention has gone to the candidates coming from other organizations. But three of the most credible Red Wings GM candidates already work in the building, and the Wings need to at least consider looking at them.
Steve Yzerman's tenure in Detroit was less than fruitful; fans and ******* ysts both tried to stay faithful to the so-called "Yzerplan." Yzerman stepped down on July 15 after seven seasons that produced zero playoff berths, and he remains with the organization as a senior adviser to Ilitch rather than having been fired outright. During his tenure there seemed to be no urgency to help the team make it back to the playoffs, even though they were within range the past three seasons.
Now, this is not the complete fault of Yzerman, as he was handcuffed by Chris Ilitch. Reports have come out that Yzerman needed approval from Ilitch on certain deals, more specifically signing Steven Stamkos as a free agent, just to see him put up productive seasons — 69 goals across two campaigns for the Nashville Predators, 27 in his first year and 42 in his second.
Yzerman's highlights of acquisitions for the team are trading for Alex DeBrincat and signing Patrick Kane coming off hip surgery. He also had his fair share of misses, such as Andrew Copp ($5.625 AAV/5 years), J.T. Compher ($5.100 AAV/5 years), Michael Rasmussen ($3.200 AAV/4 years), Vladimir Tarasenko ($4.750 AAV/2 years), and the list can go on. He made poor contract extensions and signed aging superstars to try and get any juice that they had left.

#chris

Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter received record-setting contract extensions this offseason, but neither defensive tackle views financial security as a reason to become comfortable. During his appearance on "Takeoff with John Clark," Davis spoke strongly about a close-knit Eagles defensive line that holds its members accountable before position coach Clint Hurtt needs to intervene.
That approach extends to conditioning.
Vic Fangio challenged Davis to improve his conditioning after arriving in Philadelphia, and the results were evident during Davis' breakout 2025 season. Fangio also established a target weight for Carter, who arrived for mandatory minicamp in improved shape. Davis said Fangio remains involved throughout the offseason, occasionally calling players to ask about their workouts and progress. Head coach Nick Sirianni shares that commitment because both coaches understand how conditioning can affect performance late in games and deep into the season.
The responsibility does not stop with Davis and Carter. Moro Ojomo, Ty Robinson and the other defensive linemen exchange observations and accept coaching from one another regardless of experience or draft status.
That willingness to listen has helped create one of Philadelphia's closest position groups.

#offseason #position

Virginia Tech hoops head coach Mike Young will have at least one more season to try to right the ship. Young was entering the final year of his contract this season, but he signed a one-year extension at the end of July. Young was one of several Hokies head coaches extended along with women's basketball head coach Megan Duffy, swim and dive coach Sergio Lopez Miro, men's soccer head coach Mike Brizendine and softball head coach Pete D'Amour.
#hokies giving Mike Young 1-year contract extension. So he is no longer entering final year of his contract. Now under contract through 2027-28 season. Extensions also for Duffy, D’Amour, Brizendine, Lopez Miro. Pay hike for Robie, whose deal had been extended in Jan.
— Mark Berman (BermanRoanoke) July 29, 2026
With the extension, Young will make $3 million this year and in 2027-28. According to Thomas Hughes of Virginia Tech Hokies on SI, Young will receive a $2 million buyout if he is fired on or before next March 15, and $1 million if axed before March 15, 2028.
Young, who took over for Buzz Williams when he left for Texas A&M in 2019, led the Hokies to two NCAA Tournaments in his first three seasons. But the Hokies haven't been back since and haven't posted a winning record in ACC play the last four seasons. He is 124-98 in seven seasons with the Hokies, though just 60-70 in conference play.

#young #head #year #contract

With the 2026 NFL season almost here, the Cincinnati Bengals have yet to hammer out new deals for three of their top impending free agents.
A recent report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler suggests that the team is unlikely to get a contract extension done for fourth-year cornerback DJ Turner before Week 1. Because the team typically doesn't get big extensions done in-season, this would likely mean Turner plays out the final year of his rookie contract.
He's not the only cornerback up for a new deal. Former first-round pick Dax Hill is set to play this season under the fifth-year option, and there hasn't been anything to suggest that the team is close to signing him to an extension either.
Finally, there's Chase Brown, one of the NFL's best running backs who's still on a rookie contract. Back in January, there was a report from ESPN's Ben Baby that Brown and the Bengals were working on a new deal, but since then, it's been mostly crickets.
With Week 1 vs. Tampa Bay kicking off soon, it appears there's a very real chance that none of these three key players will get a new deal.

#team #deal #turner #brown

Now that the Houston Rockets have locked up Amen Thompson with a five-year, $208 million contract extension that runs through the 2031-32 season, they can rest easy knowing their young core is secure for several seasons.
Thompson, Alperen Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason all have agreed to contract extensions over the past two years that can keep them together through at least the next three years until Şengün reaches the player option in his contract that he can pick up for the 2029-30 season.
The Rockets' entire roster actually is pretty secure for the next two seasons. Of the players expected to be in the rotation, only Fred VanVleet and Bogdan Bogdanovic definitely will be a free agent next offseason. Kevin Durant has a player option for $46.1 million he can pick up to play another year in Houston, and Marcus Smart, who signed with the team in July, has a $6.3 million player option for 2027-28.
Here's a look at the contract for each Rockets player entering the 2026-27 season ...
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, April 10, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/ Karen Warren) (Karen Warren/Associated Press)

#houston #player #next

The Green Bay Packers will have one of the most exciting offenses in the NFL this season. Despite Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs being on the commissioner's exempt list following criminal charges being filed against him, the Packers have some of the best young offensive stars in the league.
Wide receivers Christian Watson and Jayden Reed barely got to play together last year due to injuries. Now, they are entering 2026 healthy and fresh off of significant multi-year contract extensions. Additionally, Jordan Love continues to trend in the right direction as he enters his fourth year as Green Bay's starting quarterback.
Oh, and tight end Tucker Kraft is healthy.
Oct 26, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) celebrates his touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Kraft missed the second half of the season last year due to a torn ACL. Fortunately, he has progressed on schedule in his recovery and will be ready for Week One. Just how much the Packers will limit his snap count to start the year remains to be seen, but the fact that he will be playing at all gives the offense a major boost.

#season

We have a fun episode of The Dunker Spot coming your way!
First, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones share their most interesting players heading into the 2026-27 season. The players range from superstars returning or going on revenge tours to new faces in new places to players facing contract extensions or role shifts and much more.
On the WNBA side, the guys take a look at the current playoff picture, using it to check in on all eight teams. The conversation features thoughts on the Lynx's last two losses, the Wings' winning streak, the Mystics' playoff upside (plus Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen joining Team USA's roster), the Aces adding Kalani Brown, and the guys sharing their favorite potential playoff matchups.
If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspotyahoo.com
02:10 -- Most interesting East players

#interesting

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The **** le is still sinking in for Cale Makar — highest paid player in NHL history.
With it, of course, comes great expectations for the Colorado Avalanche standout defenseman. Like more gaudy stats and deep Stanley Cup runs. Pressure becomes part of the price tag for signing a $163.2 million, eight-year extension that kicks in next season. Pressure, the two-time Norris Trophy winner **** erted, he welcomes.
"I'm a guy that just puts a lot of pressure on myself to do well year in, year out," Makar said Monday at a news conference on the heels of a deal he signed late last week that will keep him with Colorado through the 2034-35 season. "It's going to make me even push myself a little bit more."
The 27-year-old Makar took becoming the league's first player to sign for more than $20 million a season in stride. He's already predicting the figure won't stand for long. It could be Edmonton's Connor McDavid or Toronto's Auston Matthews, who are eligible for extensions next summer. Down the road, it might be Makar's teammate Nathan MacKinnon.
"I fully expect Nate to even double what this is right now," cracked Makar, who's turned in four 20-goal seasons in his career. "It's incredible to see where the game is going."

#pressure #player #million

While everyone has been wondering all summer whether or not Arizona Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and wide receiver Michael Wilson would receive contract extensions before the start of the regular season, it turned out center Hjalte Froholdt was the first of the team's core to have that happen.
And that occurred a mere two years after his first contract with the team was restructured and extended in the summer of 2024.
That deal was set to expire following this season in which he was scheduled to receive $4.77 million in salary along with a $500,000 roster bonus that was paid in March as well as a maximum total of $255,000 in per-game active roster bonuses ($15,000 for each game) and a $100,000 offseason workout bonus. That would be total compensation of $5.625 million with nothing guaranteed in advance.
Prior to the current restructuring he signed earlier this week and that now has him under contract through 2028, the salary-cap charge was set to be $6.958 million.
It turns out the reported two-year extension being worth $20 million is accurate because the total cash value of all three years is $25.625 million. That includes $13.5 million fully guaranteed at signing and another $1.25 million that is currently guaranteed for injury only but becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2027 league year.

#contract #season

Seven weeks ago, Victor Wembanyama did his franchise a favor. The 22-year-old center and the Spurs agreed to a massive five-year contract extension, albeit one that will pay him about $50 million less than he might have received if he sought the largest contract allowed by the NBA.
The significance of that discount can be hard to process. After all, to a hard-working stiff, the gap between making $252 million and $303 million is a lot like the gap between taking a rocket ship to the moon and one to Mars. Most of us recognize there's a difference, but we'll never come close to experiencing it firsthand.
In the realm of NBA team-building, though, salary-cap savings of $10 million per year can turn losses into victories. Theoretically, signing Wembanyama at that lower price point could enable the Spurs to add an extra veteran once extensions for Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper kick in. It might allow them to keep De'Aaron Fox an extra year.
And if the Spurs play their cards right? Playoff trips that might otherwise have ended in the conference semifinals in 2028, 2029 or 2030 might turn into league championships, all because they had a little more flexibility to operate under the NBA's punitive luxury-tax aprons.
So it's possible to see how Wembanyama's sacrifice might pay off. In fact, they just lost in the NBA Finals to a New York Knicks team that benefited from a similar contract discount by their star player, Jalen Brunson.

#year #SPURS #contract #wembanyama

The reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks are not content to rest on their laurels.
We know this because they have the second-most starters returning from a championship team in the last 15 years. It would be natural for basically the same group of players and coaches to have the same exact ambition: Continuing what they started with February's Lombardi Trophy victory and going for the legendary repeat.
We also know the Seahawks are not content to sit back based on the money they've thrown around this offseason, and even dating back to last summer. Seattle has spent so much money on key members of its current championship core for the foreseeable future that you almost wonder whether the currency they're using is actually Monopoly money. Where does it keep coming from? Oh right, the Seahawks have the Park Place and Boardwalk squares, as well as all the railroads.
With the Thursday news that the Seahawks had extended All-Pro defensive lineman Leonard Williams to a three-year, $90 million contract (with $56 million guaranteed), their plan for the rest of the decade is in full focus. The Seahawks clearly believe they can wring out another championship or two with the current make-up of their team (they are probably correct), because why else would they throw out $634 million in new contracts over the last calendar year? For the fun of it? C'mon now. By total guaranteed money, the recent extensions awarded over just the last several weeks to Williams, star cornerback Devon Witherspoon, and arguably the NFL's best receiver in Jaxon Smith-Njigba come out to over $273 million.
That's, uh, a lot of cheddar. Let's put it this way: If the Seahawks didn't think they could wrack up a dynasty of sorts, they wouldn't be handing out proverbial blank checks like this all at once. (Note: It would also be a lot harder to spend this money if quarterback Sam Darnold wasn't on such a team-friendly contract. But here we are!)

#seahawks #money #championship #rest

In professional sports, contract negotiations are typically viewed as solitary journeys driven by agents and personal statistics. However, inside the Pittsburgh Steelers' locker room, defensive tackle Keeanu Benton and outside linebacker Nick Herbig proved that friendly competition can be the ultimate catalyst for financial and professional success.
The two defensive standouts, who were college teammates at Wisconsin before joining the Steelers' 2023 draft class, leaned heavily on their bond to navigate the high-stakes offseason that led to extensions for both players.
Speaking on "Not Just Football with Cam Heyward," Benton detailed how his relationship with Herbig fueled his drive to earn his new four-year extension, reportedly worth $72 million.
"It's crazy, man. We do everything together," Benton said when reflecting on signing extensions in the same offseason as Herbig. "You got to compete, man. I think that's what drives our relationship, our friendship, you know, the competition aspect."
That competitive spark burned brightest after Herbig secured his four-year, $100 million extension first, sharpening Benton's focus during training and preparation.

#four

Eagle Capital Management, an investment management company, released its second quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the quarter, Eagle Capital Management discussed how enthusiasm around AI capital spending has driven strong S&P 500 earnings growth while also increasing risks from elevated valuations, concentrated demand, and aggressive investment ***** umptions. Eagle remains a strong believer in AI but prefers constructing a portfolio that can perform across multiple outcomes rather than relying on one forecast. The firm believes current earnings can overstate underlying economics because semiconductor equipment is depreciated over several years, while free cash flow growth remains much weaker. It also expects competition and additional capacity across AI labs, hyperscalers, and semiconductors to eventually create winners and losers. These dynamics are encouraging Eagle to recycle capital toward attractive opportunities outside the most crowded AI trades while maintaining selective exposure to high quality beneficiaries. The portfolio trades at a 20% market discount with faster expected EPS growth. Please review the Strategy's top five holdings for key selections.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Eagle Capital Management highlighted Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY). Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) is a leading enterprise software company that provides cloud applications for human resources and financial management. On August 18, 2026, Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) closed at $190.64 per share. One-month return of Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) was 43.96% and its shares gained -16.20% over the past 52 weeks. Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) has a market capitalization of $47.09 billion.
Eagle Capital Management stated the following regarding Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Software is controversial due to fears of Al-driven disruption. Al makes it easier to build software and will change workflows in how it is used. We believe there will be heightened competition and greater separation between winners and losers over the coming years. The industry is deservedly trading at a higher risk premium, but within the market there are plenty of mispricings.
The companies we own are resilient and highly entrenched in application software. We view them as offering upside optionality. Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY), a leading HCM and financials platform, earns mid-teen margins on a business that should have long- term margins of 30% or higher. The founder's return to the CEO role is reigniting product innovation, and we increasingly believe Al will be a net positive for their business, enabling them to play offense. Examples include geographic expansion, adjacent-product extensions, and natural-language querying for business results. We expect EPS growth in the high teens, driven by revenue growth, operating leverage, and share buybacks."

#eagle #management #Growth #software

In what has become an increasingly common chapter in high-profile NFL contract negotiation sagas, Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is now the subject of trade rumors, according to insider Jordan Schultz.
"Joey Porter Jr. is a name multiple teams around the NFL have wondered about as a potential trade target, per source," Schultz posted late Thursday. "(Porter) is in the final year of his rookie contract, and with where the CB market is, teams have wondered if Pittsburgh could ultimately be open to a move with the Pro Bowl caliber corner."
The Steelers have completed contract extensions with three members of the team's 2023 draft class already this offseason with Nick Herbig, Darnell Washington and most recently Keeanu Benton landing new deals. And with the top of the cornerback market now solidly over $30 million per year on average — the Seahawks' Devon Witherspoon recently signed a four-year, $132 million extension — Porter's asking price is expected to be well above what his teammates received.
Porter remains under contract in 2026, but started camp on the physically unable to perform list with a reported back injury.
Schultz's wording is vague in the report, not mentioning if the Steelers have any interest in trading the 26-year-old defensive back, and it doesn't seem to mention that any team has reached out to Pittsburgh, either.

#pittsburgh #trade

As the San Francisco 49ers gear up for another preseason game with the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night, they undoubtedly have bigger fish to fry.
First and foremost at the moment is the ongoing status of superstar running back Christian McCaffrey. The tailback is currently dealing with undisclosed tightness and has missed a week of practice and running heading into Thursday night's exhibition, where he will obviously not play. Head coach Kyle Shanahan had to clarify that McCaffrey's status has nothing to do with dissatisfaction with his current contract, especially after recent monster extensions for Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs.
So, what's the deal? When might McCaffrey actually come back to the 49ers?
For what it's worth, a return seems imminent. Why do I say that? Shanahan maintained that McCaffrey likely would've already practiced earlier this week if the 49ers weren't engaging in joint practices with the Chargers. But because those joint practices with other teams are so physical, the 49ers elected to remain cautious rather than unnecessarily push their arguably best player.
That timeline seems promising! After playing in just four games in 2024, McCaffrey came back and played in all 17 games last season for the 49ers. San Francisco is undoubtedly hoping his 2026 output resembles his 2025, not his disappointing 2024.

#running

Eagle Capital Management, an investment management company, released its second quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the quarter, Eagle Capital Management discussed how enthusiasm around AI capital spending has driven strong S&P 500 earnings growth while also increasing risks from elevated valuations, concentrated demand, and aggressive investment ******* umptions. Eagle remains a strong believer in AI but prefers constructing a portfolio that can perform across multiple outcomes rather than relying on one forecast. The firm believes current earnings can overstate underlying economics because semiconductor equipment is depreciated over several years, while free cash flow growth remains much weaker. It also expects competition and additional capacity across AI labs, hyperscalers, and semiconductors to eventually create winners and losers. These dynamics are encouraging Eagle to recycle capital toward attractive opportunities outside the most crowded AI trades while maintaining selective exposure to high quality beneficiaries. The portfolio trades at a 20% market discount with faster expected EPS growth. Please review the Strategy's top five holdings for key selections.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Eagle Capital Management highlighted Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY). Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) is a leading enterprise software company that provides cloud applications for human resources and financial management. On August 18, 2026, Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) closed at $190.64 per share. One-month return of Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) was 43.96% and its shares gained -16.20% over the past 52 weeks. Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) has a market capitalization of $47.09 billion.
Eagle Capital Management stated the following regarding Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Software is controversial due to fears of Al-driven disruption. Al makes it easier to build software and will change workflows in how it is used. We believe there will be heightened competition and greater separation between winners and losers over the coming years. The industry is deservedly trading at a higher risk premium, but within the market there are plenty of mispricings.
The companies we own are resilient and highly entrenched in application software. We view them as offering upside optionality. Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY), a leading HCM and financials platform, earns mid-teen margins on a business that should have long- term margins of 30% or higher. The founder's return to the CEO role is reigniting product innovation, and we increasingly believe Al will be a net positive for their business, enabling them to play offense. Examples include geographic expansion, adjacent-product extensions, and natural-language querying for business results. We expect EPS growth in the high teens, driven by revenue growth, operating leverage, and share buybacks."

#workday #wday #eagle #Growth

Bayern Munich is not perfect when it comes to financial decision-making. The club has made expensive transfers, handed out massive contract extensions and, at times, allowed its fixed-term deposit reserves to shrink considerably per Tz journalists Philipp Kessler and Mano Bonk (as captured by iMiaSanMia_GER).
What might separate Bayern Munich from many of its European competitors, however, is what happens when the club recognizes that its spending trajectory could become a problem. Simply put, Bayern Munich does not double-down — it changes course.
According to Tz, that is exactly what happened after several expensive transfers and contract extensions significantly reduced Bayern Munich's fixed-term deposit account. Rather than continuing to spend at the same pace, the club's decision-makers embarked on a strict austerity course.
It is debatable on just how much the reserves were hurting (also, do not forget that Bayern Munich is rumored to have another reserve it can call upon as well), but certainly it is possible that some deals strained the club financially.
That is an important part to all of this, though, is understanding how Bayern Munich operates financially. The club is willing to spend when it believes an investment makes sense, but it is also willing to alter plans when the numbers start pointing in the wrong direction. That discipline is particularly important now because Bayern Munich is entering a period of significant investment.

#extensions

Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney is one of the players that the Nets could sign to an contract extension if the franchise was inclined to keep him in the fold moving forward. When it comes to Brooklyn and how they approach the rest of its rebuild, every decision has to be weighed against what could be so it's fair to wonder if the Nets should extend Clowney.
Keith Smith of Spotrac recently put together a primer of every player that's eligible for an extension this offseason, broken into different aspects of how someone could be extended and when. For someone like Clowney, he is one of 22 players from the 2023 NBA Draft class that is eligible for rookie-scale extensions after San Antonio forward Victor Wembanyama signed his earlier this summer.
"Over the years, Brooklyn has taken care of some of their own drafted-and-developed players, while others haven't been extended. Clowney may be more in the latter camp, like Day'Ron Sharpe was before him," Smith wrote on Clowney earlier this summer when giving his prediction. Granted, Sharpe was re-signed by Brooklyn this offseason on a two-year, $20 million deal so it's fair to wonder if the Nets will go the same way with Clowney.
"The challenge for Clowney is that the rim-protecting, stretch-big archetype is still there, but it's also still unrealized," Smith continued with his prediction. "If he had shown just a bit more consistency on both ends, an extension might have come. As it is, the Nets will continue to prioritize flexibility and let things play out to restricted free agency in 2027."
Smith predicted earlier in the summer that Clowney would not be signed to his rookie-scale extension, but that doesn't mean that his future with Brooklyn ends after this season if an extension is not reached. Clowney, 22, is coming off the best season of his three-year career as he averaged 12.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 ***** ists per game while shooting 39.6% from the field and 32.9% from behind the three-point line last season for the Nets.

#Nets