Sports category, Page 308
ESPN extends media rights agreement with ACC through 2035-36Video
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — ESPN has exercised its option extending its media rights agreement with the ACC through the 2035-36 academic year. The network and the ACC announced the extension Thursday. The deal continues a rights deal that has spanned 35 years and the launch of the ACC Network in August...
Ravens kicker Justin Tucker denies ‘inappropriate behavior’ at high-end spas
BALTIMORE — Ravens kicker Justin Tucker acted inappropriately with massage therapists at four luxury spas and wellness centers around the Baltimore area, according to six therapists who spoke anonymously with The Baltimore Banner, allegations Tucker denied vehemently. Managers from two of the spas said Tucker was banned from their establishments,...
Steelers positional analysis: Led by Chris Boswell, specialists provide stability heading into 2025
This is the 11th and final part in a series examining the Pittsburgh Steelers roster, position by position, heading into the offseason. Today: Specialists If you could put a wager on which Pittsburgh Steelers position group would return intact for training camp, the safest bet would be on the specialists....
Penguins forward Sidney Crosby named Canada’s captain in 4 Nations Face-Off
As expected, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby was named captain of Canada’s entry into the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off event. Crosby is the NHL’s longest-tenured active captain, having served in that role for the Penguins since 2007. He has also served as Canada’s captain in various international tournaments. This season,...
Ex-Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham embraces his journey in the world of girls hockey
Like plenty of professional athletes, former Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham had to get a real-life job when his playing days were over. And, sure enough, he has a tiny office he shares with a co-worker, complete with drab cinderblock walls and plenty of spreadsheets to sort through. But his...
Penn State returns to ‘basketball facility’ Rec Hall in hopes of curing late-game woes
STATE COLLEGE — The Bryce Jordan Center won’t ever be heralded as one of the cathedrals of college basketball, even if it housed Penn State hoops for the next 100 years. The venue is largely considered best suited for concerts or other events like the university’s annual THON fundraiser for...
Jaromir Jagr selling majority stake in his hometown Czech ice hockey team
KLADNO, Czech Republic — Ice hockey great Jaromir Jagr is selling a majority stake in his hometown team the Kladno Knights in the Czech league. Jagr said on Thursday he’s selling an 80% stake to businessman Tomas Drastil while holding on to the remaining minority stake. Financial details were not...
Tim Benz: Sidney Crosby’s heroics prevent another Penguins plunge to rock bottom — for now
Sorry, Penguins. This day was always going to come. Eventually, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season was going to have to end, and we were going to have to realize exactly how badly your season was going. Thanks for making it as glaringly obvious as possible at just the right time for...
U mad, bro?: Angry Steelers fans filling up more than just Art Rooney II’s inbox
During a press gathering on Monday, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II responded to a question about hearing from angry fans by saying, “My inbox has been pretty full.” Mine too, Art. Mine too. Let’s compare notes in this week’s “U mad, bro?” This reader, @Fansville412, shared some thoughts about...
First Call: Pete Carroll on idea of Russell Wilson in Vegas; ex-Pats WR unloads on predictable Steelers’ defense
Thursday’s “First Call” looks at some quotes from Pete Carroll about the notion of reuniting with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson in Las Vegas. Also, Ben Roethlisberger has thoughts on the rookie season of Washington’s Jayden Daniels and the size of the Steelers coaching staff. Plus, a former Steelers rival...
Sidney Crosby’s overtime goal gives Penguins win in 1st game in Utah
The Pittsburgh Penguins played a game in the Beehive State for the first time Wednesday. And that new experience led to an infrequent experience — over recent weeks, anyway — as they defeated the Utah Hockey Club, 3-2, in overtime, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Forward Sidney...
Visit with LeBron James doesn’t rub off on Duquesne men, who lose 3rd straightVideo
One night after his team joined pal LeBron James in the Los Angeles Lakers locker room in Philadelphia, Duquesne coach Dru Joyce III was hoping his Dukes would glean some inspiration from the NBA superstar’s presence. But much like the Lakers’ 118-104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers — despite James’...
Minor league report: Ville Koivunen ties goal record as Penguins rout BearsVideo
Four goals by forward Ville Koivunen led the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to a 9-0 rout of the rival Hershey Bears at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday. Koivunen tied Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s single-game record for goals. His predecessors: • Erik Christensen — Oct. 5, 2005 (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 8, Bridgeport Sound Tigers 1) •...
Cryer scores 17 to lead No. 6 Houston past West Virginia 63-49 for 13th straight winVideo
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — L.J. Cryer scored 17 points and No. 6 Houston never trailed in beating West Virginia, 63-49, on Wednesday night for the Cougars’ 13th straight win. Joseph Tugler added 12 points and Milos Uzan scored 10 for Houston (17-3, 9-0 Big 12). The Cougars’ 18-game league winning streak...
PGA Tour contemplates announcing fines as part of study into slow playVideo
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — The PGA Tour is taking a hard look at whether to allow rangefinders and publicize violations as part of a comprehensive study on pace of play and other enhancements to the game that have come out of a survey of 50,000 golf fans. Tour officials were...
Pebble Beach with its beauty and loaded field gives the PGA Tour a chance to shineVideo
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — For a sport needing a jolt of energy, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is as good a test as any. Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy make their PGA Tour season debuts, and Jordan Spieth returns after having wrist surgery last summer. The field is stacked. The...
Steelers ILB Patrick Queen picked for Pro Bowl
The list of Pittsburgh Steelers headed to this weekend’s NFL Pro Bowl events continues to grow by the day. Inside linebacker Patrick Queen on Wednesday was announced as an addition to the AFC roster. Queen was called upon as a replacement for his former teammate with the Baltimore Ravens, Roquan...
Utah Hockey Club narrows choice of a permanent name to 3 finalists. It won’t be the Yeti
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Hockey Club has chosen three finalists for the permanent team name it will adopt beginning with the 2025-26 NHL season. The franchise will use a final round of fan voting to decide among the Utah Mammoth, Utah Hockey Club and Utah Wasatch. Team officials...
St. Louis Blues move to mutually terminate the remainder of Brandon Saad’s contractVideo
ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Blues and Brandon Saad agreed to mutually terminate the remainder of his contract, which would make him a free agent and able to sign with any team in the NHL. The Blues announced they are putting the veteran forward on unconditional waivers Thursday. Saad...
Steelers positional analysis: Cornerback stability tested with Donte Jackson set for free agency
This is the 10th part of a series examining the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster, position by position, heading into the offseason. Today: Cornerbacks When the Pittsburgh Steelers acquired cornerback Donte Jackson from Carolina in March, they swapped one player entering the final year of his contract for another. The Steelers paid...
Ohio State quality control coach on administrative leave amid university investigation
COLUMBUS — Ohio State defensive quality control coach Joe Lyberger has been on paid administrative leave for the last month while the university investigates him. Ohio State’s human resources department sent Lyberger a letter on Dec. 27 that noted he would be placed on leave immediately. The investigation is being...
Pirates win arbitration hearing with righty Johan Oviedo
Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher Johan Oviedo will make $850,000 in 2025 as a result of the first salary arbitration hearing of the year. Oviedo, who sought a raise from $765,000 to $1.15 million, had his case heard Tuesday. Arbitrators ruled Wednesday in favor of the Pirates, who counter-offered at $850,000....
Analysis: With big victory in the past and 11 games to go, Pitt needs to keep intensity high
North Carolina seized more rebounds and made more shots from the field. Pitt played nearly seven minutes without recording a basket, and its two most important players — Jaland Lowe and Ishmael Leggett — played the entire second half without scoring (aside from free throws). So how did Pitt defeat...
MLB average salary rose 2.9% to record $4.66 million last year
NEW YORK — The rate of increase for Major League Baseball’s average salary slowed to 2.9% last year to a record $4.66 million, according to the annual report of the players’ association. The average of $4,655,366 was up from $4,525,719 in 2023, which marked a 7% increase from 2022. After...
Mark Madden: Change is integral for Penguins’ rebuild, and Sidney Crosby can help it move forward
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ three-man core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang has played together for 19 seasons, a record for North American sports. It’s a nice story. The unbreakable bond of eternal brotherhood. It’s a success story. Three Stanley Cups, another Stanley Cup Final and over a decade of...
