Get ready for sponsors to have patches on college teams’ jerseys.
After months of discussion, the NCAA announced Friday that Division I schools are allowed to sell ad space on uniforms, equipment and apparel starting Aug. 1 after the idea was approved by the NCAA’s Division I cabinet.
“College sports are in an exciting new era of increased financial benefits for student-athletes, and the cabinet’s vote [Friday] reflects the ongoing commitment of Division I members to drive additional revenues and fully fund those benefits,” Illinois athletic director and DI cabinet chair Josh Whitman said in a statement. “This also continues the NCAA’s efforts to expand flexibility in areas of NCAA rules, thereby allowing schools and conferences to set standards that reflect their values and serve their unique needs. This important policy change is another step forward in advancing that philosophy and providing members with increased flexibility.”
Schools will not be able to have sponsored apparel or equipment in NCAA championships, such as the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments. The NCAA does not govern the College Football Playoff.
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Teams will be “permitted up to two additional commercial logos on their uniforms and apparel and one additional commercial logo on equipment during the preseason and regular season” and can have an additional logo for conference championships. All patches must be no larger than four square inches, and the placement of sponsor logos will be legislated by rules subcommittees for each sport.
The NCAA also left open the possibility that “NCAA corporate marketing” partners could obtain jersey space during NCAA championships.
The long-expected addition of jersey patches comes less than two years after the NCAA allowed sponsors to buy ad space on football fields. In July, NCAA schools began revenue sharing with athletes as part of the House settlement. Power four schools are distributing roughly $20 million to their athletes this school year.
This MLB offseason has given onlookers a little bit of everything. We’ve seen blockbuster trades, massive free-agent contracts and all sorts of transactions in between. And after a lull in December, there has been a late-January flurry of action.
Here are the winners and losers of the MLB offseason so far.
Winner: Jed Hoyer and the Chicago Cubs
Since Jed Hoyer took over as the Cubs’ president of baseball operations in 2020, the sport has been waiting for the moment when Hoyer and the Cubs would put their foot down and use their resources to take hold of the division. They’d made some moves over the years, but a big offseason had eluded them, with Hoyer taking his lumps while following a strict budget set by team ownership.
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Coming into this offseason, after the team got back to the NLDS for the first time since 2017, there was a need to do something to carry the momentum into 2026. And this winter, Hoyer finally got to do things his way.
Some wondered if Hoyer deserved his extension after whiffing at last year’s trade deadline, but he has now put together Chicago’s best team in nearly a decade. With those two big moves plus several additions in the bullpen, the Cubs not only improved their roster significantly but also solidified themselves as serious contenders in the National League and the leaders of the pack in the NL Central.
Loser: Philadelphia Phillies
It’s not like the Phillies haven’t made moves this offseason. They kicked things off in a big way at the winter meetings, re-signing clubhouse leader Kyle Schwarber to a five-year, $150 million deal. They added Adolís Garcia to their outfield mix, signed Brad Keller for their bullpen and brought back catcher J.T. Realmutto. Yet their offseason feels like a bit of a disappointment.
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Philly has been involved with several free agents at the top of the market, the latest being Bo Bichette. The Phillies believed they were on the precipice of signing Bichette to a seven-year, $200 million deal. Instead, they were left standing at the altar, watching what would’ve been their biggest acquisition of the offseason land with the division-rival New York Mets. Plus, southpaw Ranger Suárez signed in Boston, leaving a hole in Philadelphia’s rotation.
Now, the Phillies still have a strong starting rotation, and with Schwarber, Bryce Harper and Trea Turner anchoring their lineup, they’ll always have some thump and a chance to win. But their offseason is ending on a sour note, their outfield still has some major questions, and they’ve yet to resolve the Nick Castellanos situation.
But just adding to the rotation wasn’t going to be enough, so while they already had a lengthy lineup, the Jays also signed Japanese star third baseman Kazuma Okamoto. Adding the 29-year-old boosts Toronto’s ability to produce runs and support the newly renovated rotation.
Had the Blue Jays landed their biggest target, free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker, they would be the unquestioned biggest winners of this offseason. But even coming in as the runners-up for Tucker, they’ve done more than enough to be proud of their winter and put themselves in position to be the American League’s best team in 2026.
Loser: Boston Red Sox
There was a path for the Red Sox to come out of this winter as big winners. But at this point, it doesn’t feel like that is going to happen. Sure, a starter such as Ranger Suárez is a strong addition to the rotation, which also added Sonny Gray early in the offseason. And after missing out on Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso, the Sox acquired first baseman Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals. But all together, Boston’s moves this offseason feel just “fine.”
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Worse, Boston hasn’t addressed its offense in a meaningful way or resolved the log jam in the outfield, with Jarren Duran, Ceddane Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, Roman Anthony and Masataka Yoshida all still there.
But the biggest miss of this offseason for the Red Sox is undoubtedly letting Alex Bregman leave and sign with the Cubs. Bregman was Boston’s highest priority this winter, yet the team failed to do what was necessary to keep him around and now is left looking to replace him after just one season at Fenway. There’s still a little time left for chief baseball officer Craig Breslow to make a move, but it’s getting a little late to salvage this winter.
Winner: New York Mets
“Slow and steady wins the race” is the mantra Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns must have been telling himself all offseason when it came to New York’s additions. There wasn’t a team under more pressure than the Mets this winter, after they missed the postseason following their $765 million investment in superstar Juan Soto.
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The Mets started the offseason by moving longtime outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers and landing second baseman Marcus Semien in the deal. Then they signed infielder Jorge Polanco and relievers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver. But those moves weren’t enough to move the needle, especially not with the free-agent departures of Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz.
Still, the Mets’ biggest need this winter was starting pitching, and as names continued to come off the board, they were in danger of being left without a dance partner. But with just weeks left before the start of spring training, Stearns finally made his biggest move, acquiring ace Freddy Peralta in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Much like the Cubs, in just a matter of days, the Mets turned a relatively quiet offseason into a big one. Having accomplished many of their goals for this winter, they can now go into the spring feeling as good as anybody about their roster.
Winner: Scott Boras
Scott Boras is having himself a monster offseason, and as we reach the end of January, baseball’s most famous agent has a lot to smile about. Boras was tasked this winter with finding long-term homes for Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman after both essentially signed one-year deals ahead of the 2025 season. One year later, Boras got both what they were looking for, with Alonso signing a five-year, $155 million deal with the Orioles and Bregman landing a five-year, $175 million deal with the Cubs.
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As a collective, Boras’ clients, including Alonso, Bregman, Cody Bellinger, Dylan Cease, Kazuma Okamoto, Tatsuya Imai, Ranger Suárez and Ha-Seong Kim, have signed $966.5 million worth of contracts this offseason. With a few more Boras players still on the market, that number could reach a billion.
Boras certainly has his detractors around the game, but you can’t deny that the super-agent has delivered for his clients and accomplished what he set out to do this offseason.
Loser: Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are wasting a prime opportunity. In what is the worst division in baseball, Detroit has yet to make any significant additions to its roster, and with one year remaining before the best pitcher on the planet, Tarik Skubal, becomes a free agent, that’s a huge miss. The Tigers have made the postseason in back-to-back seasons, and going into this offseason, with the clock ticking on Skubal, it seemed like the perfect time to go for it.
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Instead, president of baseball operations Scott Harris and the Tigers have appeared to be caught in between. Besides re-signing reliever Kyle Finnegan, adding veteran closer Kenley Jansen and keeping second baseman Gleyber Torres via the qualifying offer, they’re basically the same team they’ve been for the past two seasons. And now they’re going to arbitration with Skubal in what will be a monumental case after the two sides were unable to come to an agreement.
If all this leads to a Skubal trade at the deadline, this winter will go down as a huge whiff for Detroit. And even with the prospects they have on the horizon, if they don’t improve the big-league club while Skubal is still around, it’s going to be really difficult to convince a fan base that endured a tough rebuild that things are still getting better.
Kyle Tucker and the Dodgers are among this offseason’s biggest winners, thanks to his $240 million deal to join the back-to-back defending champs.
(Davis Long/Yahoo Sports)
Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers
It would be tough to argue the biggest winners this offseason aren’t the back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Yes, the rich do indeed get richer, and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman found a way to fill his 26-man roster with even more star power heading into the 2026 season.
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The Dodgers filled two needs they’d been trying to address for a few years now: closer and corner outfielder. And not only did they fill those needs, but in both cases they did it in grand fashion, signing All-Star closer Edwin Díaz and this winter’s No. 1 free agent, Kyle Tucker.
For a few years, there has been a sense around baseball that a lockout is coming after the current collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1, 2026. Much of that feeling has to do with the growing financial disparity across the sport. While it’s easy for some to blame a high-spending team such as the Dodgers for “ruining baseball,” the situation is more complex than that, with the low-spending teams very much part of the problem. Still, it’s not unrealistic to say the Dodgers’ financial dominance over the rest of the sport is going to make what was already set to be a difficult fight an even uglier one.
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Major League Baseball has a lot of great things going on right now. Young stars continue to emerge each season, attendance and viewership numbers have been strong, and two of the greatest players to ever play, Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, are in the middle of their primes at the same time with big-market teams.
There are plenty of reasons the game of baseball should continue to thrive moving forward. But with the chatter about baseball’s haves and have-nots only growing louder, there’s a dark cloud looming at the end of the 2026 season, with the industry and fans bracing for an unknown that could include lost games. Unfortunately, that dark cloud now feels unavoidable, and we have no idea how long the storm will last.
Fresh off a second stint in the NFL, Philip Rivers interviewed for the open Buffalo Bills head-coaching job, the team announced on Friday.
The Bills are casting a wide net in their search for Sean McDermott’s replacement. Also interviewing on Friday is former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, who is expected to land with the Los Angeles Chargers as the team’s offensive coordinator if he doesn’t get another head-coaching job. Washington Commanders run game coordinator Anthony Lynn and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver are scheduled for Saturday, while Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski will get his chance on Sunday.
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All interviewees this weekend will meet with a group in Florida that will include owner Terry Pegula, president of football operations and general manager Brandon Beane and quarterback Josh Allen.
Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo have already interviewed.
Rivers, who first retired following the 2020 season with the Colts, played his final playoff game that season during a 27-24 defeat to Allen and the Bills. He spent his first 16 NFL seasons with the Chargers.
Prior to returning to the NFL, Rivers was head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama.
The New York Knicks are the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, which wouldn’t feel all that disappointing had we not just seen the Knicks winning the NBA Cup and knocking on the door of the Detroit Pistons a month ago. The question now: Which version of the Knicks is real?
Head coach Mike Brown was brought in to deliver a stronger process to a preexisting identity. A lot of the early talk surrounded the Knicks’ offense. More tempo, more pace, and more empowerment throughout the roster would elevate New York on an end of the floor that tended to get stagnant. That came with an understanding that the defense may not remain at the level it was under Tom Thibodeau, but there was enough of a base to sustain success on that end. A little slippage defensively with a competitive mindset mixed with better offensive flow would be the package to elevate the Knicks.
According to NBA.com, the Knicks are No. 3 in offensive rating (119.1) and No. 17 in defensive rating (115). But here’s the key: In November, the Knicks were No. 2 in offensive rating (122.8) and No. 10 in defensive rating (112.3); in December, the Knicks were No. 2 in offensive rating (123.2) and No. 21 in defensive rating (118); and during their recent 2-9 stretch, opponents averaged 117.4 points per game (25th in the league during that time).
Is this a team that can’t defend, or a team that can’t afford to not defend?
New York’s defensive state of mind
When the Knicks are humming on defense, it’s the effort that jumps off the screen. Is this a perfect defensive unit? Absolutely not. But when the Knicks have the mindset to work on that end of the floor, they can usually live with the results. Active ball pressure. Physicality off-ball. Scrambling and recovering. Switches anticipating the next step in the defensive process. A unit defending on a string, working to find a way to get a stop and get out in transition.
If the Knicks’ defense is able to give that type of effort, then what is the issue?
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Consistency and connection.
In the two clips below, a simple backscreen exposes what happens to the Knicks’ defense when they are not connected. Devin Booker sets a backscreen for Jordan Goodwin, which puts Jalen Brunson in action, but that’s not the only issue. While Mikal Bridges is working to get to Booker’s body, Mitchell Robinson is outside of the paint, no switch takes place and it’s an easy dunk. Against Brooklyn, the Knicks are able to navigate a dribble handoff, but a backscreen does them in again. Michael Porter Jr. screens, Josh Hart sees it and takes the cut. Unfortunately, OG Anunoby is working to fight over and that separation opens a look for MPJ for 3. The Knicks’ activity on defense requires connection or it can work against them.
When the Knicks’ defense is functioning well, you can see them working to get bodies on cutters and working to navigate screens.
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A key is the timing of their rotations; the earlier they show help, the better chance they have to recover and reset.
Notice in the first clip when Porter gets a handoff and Robinson engages, Anunoby is already in the paint to take away the roll. Deuce McBride and Anunoby both work to close out and the Knicks do well. Against Phoenix, when a pindown for Booker turns into pick-and-roll, you see no bodies in the paint from the Knicks. There’s a free lane to finish and a reminder of what happens when the Knicks are not tied together.
As important as it is for a defense to be early and show help, the rotations behind that are just as key. The idea is to help the helper, and work to ensure the defense can help and recover. There is a reason why the top defensive teams consistently give multiple efforts.
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Can the Knicks depend on Karl-Anthony Towns?
Part of the reason it’s so important for the Knicks to have a strong base defensively is because of the inevitable fact that teams are going to put Karl-Anthony Towns and Brunson in action.
I’m a believer in Towns on the defensive end from a coaching perspective because, at the end of the day, you just have to land in the “do your job” territory. With the right defensive personnel around him, if he executes his portion, the Knicks can likely survive. The question that has popped up this season is which scheme works for him that the Knicks can depend on?
In general, the Knicks have been able to live with Towns working toward the level of the screen, being active and trusting the rotations behind it. But his activity in this coverage has regressed this season, which puts even more pressure on the rotations behind the defense to cover things up. So if that scheme is no longer at the top of the playbook, where do you pivot?
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The optimal setting for Towns in New York has been for him to be in drop coverage in pick-and-roll.
As the season has progressed, the Knicks have worked to keep side pick-and-rolls on that same side (a little ironic considering Thibs was just there), but the challenge remains the same. In an ideal setting, defenders are able to navigate the screen and recover while Towns can remain in the paint and contain the roller. The issue becomes the positioning if they can’t get back in front and aren’t ready to protect the rim. What’s intriguing in the last clip is that even when the Knicks went double-big, Towns was still in a drop. There is an ability to give those multiple efforts, contain and recover, but it has to be a constant for the Knicks.
The other key is how many other schemes can be trusted?
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The Knicks have continued to mix in late switches with KAT when he is dropped back. If the primary defender gets hit with a screen, Towns will take the ball-handler and the Knicks’ defense resets. Containing those drives becomes key in those moments, but the more flexibility the Knicks have the better. Late switches are one thing, but how much do you want Towns to outright switch?
It’s not an automatic for the Knicks, but it’s something to keep an eye on as we get closer to the playoffs. It’s more likely to be seen when he is in a double-big lineup with Robinson. The key is for KAT to switch, contain the drive and then be ready to defend on the weakside. Show help, close out, recover back. When Towns gives multiple efforts, you can live with the results.
What about Jalen Brunson?
It’s important to have your base set and your Towns coverages set because you also have to be prepared for teams to attack Brunson.
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Teams are going to put Brunson in action by a) forcing him to navigate screens and b) using whoever he is defending as a screener to try to force a mismatch.
Against Phoenix in the clip below, he works to fight over a screen and is immediately put in action. He does a good job of showing early and recovering, McBride helps him on the roll, and he returns the favor by being in position to take a charge on a drive.
The problem comes when some of the Knicks’ defensive issues bleed into the things offenses want to attack.
In the clips below you can see how a small breakdown can create an issue for the Knicks. Against Phoenix, Brunson is calling for the switch against Booker. McBride fights over the top which opens a pop for a 3. Against Dallas, Brunson is going show-and-recover, only Hart goes with the roll, which opens a lane for Naji Marshall to drive.
Every defense has something an offense wants to attack; the thing is you have to be clean and consistent in how you handle it.
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A good sign for the Knicks is they have been self-aware, understanding they have to have the right mindset on the defensive end if they want to hit their goals. Ultimately, if they want to contend, the defense is going to have to hit a certain level. There is a chance that having a playoff game plan and focusing on one team helps them, but they have to build their base and versatility on their way there.
No. 8 seed Ben Shelton defeated Australian Dane Sweeny in straight sets during the second round of the Australian Open on Thursday, and the American will now face Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot in the third round tonight. Vacherot, ranked No. 30, is the 2025 Shanghai Masters champion. Tonight’s men’s match will begin no earlier than 10:30 p.m. ET.
Tonight’s Australian Open tournament coverage will air on ESPN2, and the entire tournament is available to stream for ESPN Unlimited subscribers. Here’s what you need to know about tonight’s match at the 2026 Australian Open.
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How to watch Ben Shelton vs. Valentin Vacherot at the Australian Open:
When is the Ben Shelton vs. Valentin Vacherot match at the 2026 Australian Open?
The third round match between Ben Shelton and Valentin Vacherot at the Australian Open will be Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.
Ben Shelton vs. Valentin Vacherot match start time:
The match between Ben Shelton and Valentin Vacherot will start at no earlier than 10:30 p.m. ET. The match will begin once the previous match between Peyton Stearns and Amanda Anisimova is over. The men’s match will be available on ESPN Unlimited and ESPN2.
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Australian Open channel:
In the U.S., the Australian Open will air on ESPN, with the entire tournament streaming on ESPN+ for Unlimited subscribers. Select tournament coverage will also air on ESPN2, before moving to ESPN for the semifinals and beyond.
How to watch the 2026 Australian Open:
Where to watch the 2026 Australian Open without cable:
If you want to catch every match of the Australian Open and don’t currently subscribe to ESPN+, cable or a live TV streaming service, in Australia a majority of the action will be streaming free with ads on 9Now.
Don’t live in the land down under? Don’t worry, you can still stream like you do with the help of a VPN. A VPN (virtual private network) helps protect your data, can mask your IP address and is perhaps most popular for being especially useful in the age of streaming. Whether you’re looking to watch Friends on Netflix (which left the U.S. version of the streamer back in 2019) or tune in to tennis coverage without a cable package, a VPN can help you out. Looking to try a VPN for the first time? This guide breaks down the best VPN options for every kind of user.
9Now. Plus it’s Engadget’s pick for the best premium VPN. ExpressVPN offers three tiers of subscriptions: The Basic Plan (starting at $3.49/month), the Advanced Plan (starting at $4.49/month) and the Pro Plan (starting at $7.49/month).
ExpressVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, in case you’re nervous about trying a VPN.
Australian Open 2026 schedule:
All times Eastern
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Saturday, January 17
(Day 1) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 18
(Day 1) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 2) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 7:00 p.m.
Monday, January 19
(Day 2) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 3) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 20
(Day 3) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 4) Men’s and Women’s 2nd Round: 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 21
(Day 4) Men’s and Women’s 2nd Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 5) Men’s and Women’s 2nd Round: 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 22
(Day 5) Men’s and Women’s 2nd Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 6) Men’s and Women’s 3rd Round: 7:00 p.m.
Friday, January 23
(Day 6) Men’s and Women’s 3rd Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 7) Men’s and Women’s 3rd Round: 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 24
(Day 7) Men’s and Women’s 3rd Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 8) Men’s and Women’s 4th Round: 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 25
(Day 8) Men’s and Women’s 4th Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 9) Men’s and Women’s 4th Round: 7:00 p.m.
Monday, January 26
(Day 9) Men’s and Women’s 4th Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 10) Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals: 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 27
(Day 10) Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 11) Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals: 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 28
(Day 11) Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 12) Women’s Semifinals: 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 29
(Day 13) Men’s Semifinal: 8:00 p.m.
Friday, January 30
(Day 13) Men’s Semifinal: 3:30 a.m.
Saturday, January 31
(Day 14) Women’s Final: 3:30 a.m.
Sunday, February 1
(Day 15) Men’s Final: 3:30 a.m.
Who is playing in the 2026 Australian Open?
The top 10 seeded players for the singles draws are listed below.
Men’s singles seeds for the Australian Open 2026
1. Carlos Alcaraz
2. Jannik Sinner
3. Alexander Zverev
4. Novak Djokovic
5. Felix Auger-Aliassime
Women’s singles seeds for the Australian Open 2026
1. Aryna Sabalenka
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2. Iga Swiatek
3. Amanda Anisimova
4. Coco Gauff
5. Elena Rybakina
Australian Open prize money:
For 2026, the men’s and women’s singles winners of the Australian Open each get $4,150,000, with the runner-up receiving $2,150,000 and Semi-finalists $1,250,000.
More ways to watch the 2026 Australian Open:
Sling Orange, which includes ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, Disney Channel, and 30 more with no other subscriptions or commitment necessary. No strings attached.
A Broncos team and defense that excelled in myriad areas was missing a key ingredient likely to secure victory. Payton wanted them to understand the importance.
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“Sean sat us down and in the team meeting, he made a point of emphasis about the turnover differential and being on the plus side of that,” Broncos safety P.J. Locke told reporters. “He gave us a history lesson on teams that won the turnover battle through the playoffs, and it was like plus-17 through all the teams that made the playoffs.
“So we had to be real big on that.”
What ensued was a three-point overtime win against the Bills that became a statistical outlier in each team’s season. While the Bills had inconsistent ball security through the season, they’d previously turned the ball over no more than three times a game.
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The Broncos’ defense, despite ranking second in yards per game allowed (278.2) and third in points per game allowed (18.3), had secured no more than two takeaways per game during a year in which just three teams had fewer takeaways on the season.
No matter: The Broncos intercepted Josh Allen twice and forced three fumbles between Allen and running back James Cook to collect a season-best five steals.
Drake Maye was victorious in his first two playoff games, but he lost half of his six fumbles to the opposition. (Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports)
“We didn’t do a real good job in the regular season, so [the takeaway battle] was kind of emphasized to us in practice,” cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian said after nabbing the game-winning interception.
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“These last couple weeks have been making such an emphasis on getting the ball,” added edge rusher Nik Bonitto, who forced two fumbles. “[Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph] kind of broke it down easily. He’s like, ‘You know if you get the ball, you can still get a sack?’
“There’s been more of an emphasis.”
The Patriots know they need to expect the Broncos to hunt the ball, especially after an uncharacteristic uptick in fumbles during the postseason.
The Patriots lost three of Maye’s eight fumbles in 17 regular-season games. They’ve since lost three more of the six attributed to Maye in two playoff games.
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Maye is not the reason for all of the turnovers, head coach Mike Vrabel said. But the Patriots may need him to be the solution.
“We have to be able to not get careless with the football,” Vrabel said this week. “We can’t be reckless. And a lot of it is operation. I mean, we had two turnovers where we all weren’t on the same page. … You could have a negative play if you don’t have everybody on the same page. But even worse, you lose the football.
“The operation is going to be critical.”
Patriots’ ‘ball-security violators’ look different than they did 2 weeks ago
The Denver altitude will be a first for Maye, who said this week he hasn’t played a game in high altitude before.
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The volume of Empower Field at Mile High Stadium may surprise him less.
Maye has already accustomed himself to silent counts each road game. So while precision will be key, the Patriots do not anticipate it hinging on the crowd impact.
“I think from last week, I can improve on my operation of getting out of the huddle, getting guys in the right spot, just moving with a sense of urgency,” Maye said. “One of the biggest things with the guys up front is it’s my job to have a timer in my head, and … be mindful back there.
“Just know that my job is to protect the football.”
Maye did that remarkably well through the season, completing a league-high 72% of his passes even as he led the league with 8.9 yards per attempt, 9.46 air yards per attempt and a 113.5 passer rating. That league-best efficiency mark factored in his 1.6% interception rate.
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The Patriots travel to face a Broncos defense that led the league this season with 68 sacks, more than the runner-up Atlanta Falcons. The Broncos registered the highest sack percentage, at 9.7%, per Next Gen Stats, and the fifth-highest blitz rate at 32.1%.
“Drake is a great quarterback,” Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II said. “He’s got a lot of playmakers on the perimeter. They’ve got a great run game, so we’ve got to find a way to eliminate the explosives on their side and find a way to contain them.”
Nik Bonitto and the Broncos forced five turnovers against the Bills in their overtime victory against Buffalo in the divisional round. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
While Maye is coming off a career-high pressure-to-sack ratio (62.5%) last Sunday against the Texans, he has thrived against blitzes over the course of the season.
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Maye threw 15 touchdowns to zero interceptions when blitzed this season, per Next Gen Stats, and his 163 attempts without an interception against the blitz were the most in a single season since 2018.
Expect Maye to welcome extra defenders at the line of scrimmage and thus away from his downfield targets. But expect also the Broncos to see the Patriots’ fumble liability in recent weeks, and target it.
“I’m sure that they have highlighted all week the ball security violators, how they are careless with the ball [showing them all their turnovers], how to attack the ball and then drill it,” one assistant who played against the Patriots this season told Yahoo Sports. “Not only QB but [running back Rhamondre Stevenson was a] big time target as well. From HC on down it was a big emphasis [for us].”
An assistant coach from another team that faced the Patriots this season agreed. That coach’s advice to their players?
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“I would tell them to go straight for the ball over going for a sack,” the coach told Yahoo Sports. “I expect NE to lean on their run game to neutralize [the] Denver pass rush. Run the ball and high[-percentage] throws.”
For Patriots and Broncos, winning turnover battle could be ticket to Super Bowl
In the history of the conference championship game, winning teams have won the turnover margin 86 times, per Pro Football Reference data.
Teams that have tied the turnover margin have won 17 times.
Teams that have lost the turnover margin have won 15.
Winning despite losing the ball security battle is not impossible. But it is far less statistically likely.
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The Broncos needing to input backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who has attempted zero passes this season, could give the Patriots’ defense opportunities at takeaways.
That possibility motivates the Broncos’ defense even more to disrupt Maye and the Patriots.
“We always feel like every time we step out there on the field, we could change the game and always make game-changing plays,” Surtain said of the Broncos’ defense. “That’s what we put on our shoulders, you know what I mean?
“Each and every week the opponent gets tougher and the matchup gets tougher. That’s what playoff football is about. So each and every week, we feel like we’ve got to step up our game and level up our game as well.”
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Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will remind his unit that as much as it wants to thrive, mistakes and errors are likely to come. Turnovers often “have more of a team complexion to it than what you may understand with just the naked eye,” McDaniel said, even as the Patriots know they need to protect the ball better than the last two weeks because ball security will “be paramount this week in Denver.”
As important as the positive plays will be rebounding from negative ones.
Vrabel credited Maye’s ability to do that in recent games, while McDaniels said to buckle up for its need again.
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“You realize these games are not going to go just one direction,” McDaniels said. “It’s like a great boxing match. I don’t think either guy leaves the ring at the end of the fight if it’s a 12-round split decision where one of ’em thinks they really got the better of the other.
“When you’re playing in the playoffs against the best players, the best coaches, the best teams at this time of the year that are playing their best, which is really what this is all about, there’s going to be some plays in the game that you got to live through and survive, and you got to come back and play your best football as the game goes on.
“And make enough plays to win, which is all that matters.”
Former NFL defensive lineman Kevin Johnson died on Wednesday from blunt head trauma and stab wounds at a homeless encampment, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Johnson’s death was ruled a homicide, and police are investigating. Investigators believe Johnson was living at the encampment at the time of his death. He was also thought to have health issues. Johnson was 55.
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Johnson was a Los Angeles native and played for Westchester High School. He spent his college years at Texas Southern before being drafted in the fourth round in 1993 by the New England Patriots.
He played in 38 games for the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders across three seasons. After his stint with the Raiders, Johnson played in the Arena Football League for the Orlando Predators and the Los Angeles Avengers. The Raiders released a statement mourning Johnson, who played in 15 games in Oakland in 1997.
He won an Arena Bowl Championship with the Predators. He finished his NFL career with 54 tackles, 7 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, which he returned for a touchdown. Johnson also had two playoff appearances in his career.
Craig Berube is close to 23 years removed from his 17-season NHL career. But the Toronto Maple Leafs head coach showed up to the team’s Friday morning skate with a shiner that he just as well could have brandished while racking up the seventh-most penalty minutes in league history during his days as a left winger.
In Berube’s corresponding media availability ahead of a home game against the Vegas Golden Knights, he was asked about his black eye, which turned out to be just one of the wounds he sustained in a gym accident.
“Yeah, I’ll address it because you’re going to see it tonight,” Berube said in his news conference, via Sportsnet. “I had an accident in the gym yesterday.”
Berube proceeded to soften the blow of his tale with some humor.
“The other guy looks way worse,” the 60-year-old quipped, drawing laughter from reporters. “There was three of them.”
Then he snapped back to a more serious tone.
“No, it was just a…” Berube started before lifting his Leafs cap to show a stitched-up gash on his dome that trailed down onto his forehead.
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“You know, it’s tough, man. … It was stupid. It was just a bad accident, and it’s on me. My fault. Yeah, I’m fine.”
Berube was later asked what his players’ reactions were to seeing his injuries.
“Oh they laughed. They loved it,” Berube said.
He added, before chuckling himself: “Especially when I told ’em what happened.”
Berube is keeping the details in-house, though.
“I’m not going to talk about it,” he said. “Nobody needs to know. It’s all good.”
Naturally, a follow-up question seeking clarification arrived. A reporter inquired if Berube was lifting weights when the incident occurred.
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“Yeah, something like that,” Berube said with a smile.
He’ll still be behind the bench for the Leafs (24-17-9) on Friday night against the Golden Knights (24-13-12). The game will be Mitch Marner’s first back in Toronto since heading to Vegas as part of a sign-and-trade deal before free agency this past offseason. The forward, whom the Leafs selected No. 4 overall in the 2015 entry draft, spent nine seasons in Toronto. He starred for the franchise, however, the contentious ending to his near-decade stay could incite boos in Scotiabank Arena.
The Leafs are three points back of the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot at the moment.
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As for Berube, the second-year Leafs coach isn’t the only NHLer to experience an off-ice injury this season.
In nearly a half-century of existence, no Seattle Mariners team has traversed deeper into the postseason than the 2025 club, which was on the precipice of the franchise’s first World Series appearance before falling short in heartbreaking fashion against the Blue Jays in ALCS Game 7. But as painful as the ending might have been, it didn’t erase a successful and memorable campaign for Seattle. Headlined by a full-fledged ascent into superstardom for catcher Cal Raleigh and a mostly homegrown rotation that is revered industry-wide, the Mariners took a meaningful step toward being firmly included among the inner circle of American League contenders.
Yet with the label of the only major-league team to never appear in the Fall Classic still looming over the franchise, there’s more work to be done. This offseason represented another opportunity for Seattle’s front office, led by president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto and general manager Justin Hollander, to solidify the team’s status as the favorite in the AL West after winning the division for the first time since 2001. But after a flurry of activity early in the winter — re-signing first baseman Josh Naylor, acquiring lefty reliever Jose Ferrer, signing outfielder Rob Refsnyder — the Mariners have been uncharacteristically quiet in January. And with just three weeks until pitchers and catchers report to Peoria, Arizona, several key questions remain. Let’s dig in.
1. Is Brendan Donovan still a realistic trade target?
Amid a Cardinals offseason that has seen a trio of accomplished veterans (Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado) dealt, the versatile Brendan Donovan remains on the roster despite persistent trade rumors swirling around him. Because he is under contract for two more seasons at modest salaries — and because St. Louis values him so highly — there’s not nearly as much urgency to trade him as there was for the three expensive vets already moved. But because of how future-focused new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom has been with St. Louis’ big-picture plan, whispers about Donovan’s availability haven’t exactly quieted.
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The Mariners have not been shy about their interest in Donovan throughout the winter, understandably so. Swiftly re-signing Naylor helped stabilize the lineup, but Naylor wasn’t the only key Seattle infielder who reached free agency; Eugenio Suárez and Jorge Polanco hit the open market as well, leaving second and third base relatively unsettled. The Mariners have several young players who could fill those spots, as Ben Williamson and Cole Young each showed flashes of promise as rookies in 2025, and top prospect Colt Emerson is knocking on the door. But Seattle would be wise to add some more certainty at one of those two infield spots. Enter Donovan, whose experience at both second and third combined with his stellar left-handed bat makes him an obvious target. Adding Donovan would enable Seattle to lean on whichever young infielder is most ready to contribute and have Donovan cover the other spot.
But while Donovan has long felt like a piece of Seattle’s offseason puzzle, the two teams have yet to find common ground. But with a deep farm system to deal from, there’s still time for the Mariners to offer the right combination of prospects to entice the Cardinals. As evidenced by the recent flurry of activity league-wide, negotiations that appear stalled can coalesce into deals in a blink. Don’t rule this out just yet.
2. If Donovan is a no-go, are the young infielders ready for prime time?
If the Mariners are unable to meet St. Louis’ asking price for Donovan, they could turn elsewhere on the trade market or explore a(nother) reunion on a short-term deal with fan favorite Suárez, who remains unsigned. More likely, however, Seattle would keep the runway open for its group of homegrown infielders to establish themselves as core pieces in the majors, accepting the ups and downs that come with giving young players every-day opportunities.
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Williamson, Young and Emerson offer varying reasons for optimism that they can become key contributors sooner rather than later. Williamson’s bat was simply not ready for the majors when the Mariners tabbed him as the starter at third base in the first half last season, but his terrific glove comfortably passed the eye test, and he performed much better at the plate in Triple-A once sent back down. If some of his offensive adjustments stick, Williamson projects as a much more respectable regular at third now than he did at this time last year.
Young, Seattle’s first-round pick in 2022, made his debut at age 21 in May and got substantial playing time before his role was reduced down the stretch and in the postseason in favor of Polanco and Leo Rivas. Young’s final slash line as a rookie (.211/.302/.305) wasn’t pretty, but his offensive potential was on display during a 29-game stretch in which he hit .268/.400/.476 and launched a 456-foot home run against Texas, Seattle’s farthest home run of the entire season and postseason (yes, farther than any of Cal Raleigh’s 65 blasts!). Outlier moon shot aside, Young brings more on-base ability than potent power, but his overall skill set has Seattle confident he can become an above-average regular at second base in short order.
And then there’s Emerson, who is not just the top prospect in Seattle’s system but also one of the premier infield prospects in all of baseball. In Seattle, he looks to be the heir apparent to J.P. Crawford at shortstop, but with Crawford under contract for another season, the quickest path to playing time for Emerson’s advanced bat could come at third, where he’s expected to compete with Williamson for the starting job this spring. Even if Emerson needs a touch more seasoning in the minors — he finished 2025 playing just six games with Triple-A Tacoma — it wouldn’t be surprising to see him force the issue and debut before he turns 21, something no Mariner has done since Adam Jones in 2006.
3. Can the offense be better than it was last year?
How the infield shakes out will influence the outlook for the offense as a whole. But there are other elements to consider when projecting Seattle’s chances of improving on last year’s lineup, which ranked third in wRC+, ninth in runs per game, 10th in OPS and third in home runs. That’s a high bar to clear.
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A full season from Naylor should do wonders; first base was a marked weakness before he arrived at the trade deadline, and he assimilated into the middle of the order seamlessly, undaunted by the prospect of hitting in hitter-unfriendly T-Mobile Park. Free-agent add Refsnyder, who crushes left-handed pitching, could form a fantastic platoon at DH and/or right field with Dominic Canzone. Canzone’s .879 OPS ranked 18th among left-handed hitters with at least 200 plate appearances against righties in 2025, while Refsnyder’s .924 OPS over the past four seasons ranked sixth among right-handed bats with at least 400 PAs against southpaws.
But while the new personnel is important, it’s still all about the stars. It is unreasonable to expect Raleigh to hit 60 home runs again, but how much will he regress? He had never posted an OPS above .762 before last year’s MVP-caliber mark of .948. Seattle’s chances of being an elite offense might depend on that number being closer to the latter than the former. A lot is also riding on Julio Rodriguez’s ability to start hot at the plate, instead of being a second-half superstar. There’s no doubt that Raleigh and Rodriguez have established star-level floors of production, but how close they can get to replicating or even improving upon the best versions of themselves will go a long way in determining Seattle’s potential.
4. Is there room for another bullpen addition?
If there’s one area of the roster Seattle has been busy addressing this winter, it’s the bullpen. Acquiring Ferrer, one of the hardest-throwing lefty relievers in the sport and someone Seattle believes has untapped potential, was the biggest move of the bunch, but he’s hardly the only new arm who could be competing for a spot in camp. Smaller trades and waiver claims also netted right-handers Cole Wilcox, Alex Hoppe, Yosver Zulueta and Ryan Loutos, plus lefty Robinson Ortiz.
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None of those are household names by any means, but it was crucial for Seattle to amass more depth in the bullpen to turn to over the course of a long season. For as good as the Mariners’ upper-echelon bullpen arms — Andres Muñoz, Matt Brash, Gabe Speier and Eduard Bazardo — were for the bulk of last season, it was clear several of them had worn down considerably down the stretch and deep into October. That’s what makes Ferrer’s addition so important, but there’s an argument that even more reinforcements are needed to avoid taxing the top arms so heavily in 2026. Proven options have thinned out considerably on the free-agent market, but another Ferrer-style trade for an impact arm with multiple years of control could make sense.
The aforementioned top four plus Ferrer comfortably account for five of the eight spots in the Mariners’ Opening Day bullpen. The next three on the projected depth chart — Carlos Vargas, Casey Legumina and Jackson Kowar — are all out of options, so they might have a leg up on the new guys, but they’ll need to earn their spots on the Opening Day roster, considering the depth of talent that will be pushing them.
5. How will the rotation evolve over the next year?
Few teams, if any, have had as much rotation stability in recent years as the Mariners. Outside of a few injury interruptions last year, Seattle has leaned on the same quintet — Logan GIlbert, Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo — for an overwhelming majority of its starts. In fact, over the past two seasons, just seven pitchers — those five plus homegrown right-handers Logan Evans and Emerson Hancock — have made at least five starts for the Mariners, the fewest of any club in baseball and a sharp contrast to other contenders such as the Dodgers (17), Brewers (16) and Astros (14), who have seen a plethora of starters take the ball over that span. With all five Mariners starters under contract for at least two more seasons — Gilbert and Castillo for two, Kirby for three, Woo and Miller for four — that unusually consistent core could stay intact a while longer.
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Whether this rare continuity sustains for Seattle’s rotation will depend on performance, injury luck and whether the Mariners are able to sign any of these pitchers to longer-term extensions. But adding further intrigue is the fact that Seattle also boasts one of the best trios of pitching prospects in the sport: 22-year-old switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje, 20-year-old right-hander Ryan Sloan and last year’s No. 3 pick out of LSU, lefty Kade Anderson. These premium arms’ progress this season will be fascinating to watch, as any of them could pitch their way to the doorstep of the majors and force the front office to make some interesting decisions about a rotation that has been so steady for so long. To be clear, these would be good problems to have if all the arms involved stay healthy and pitch well, so it’s a fun subplot to keep an eye on as the 2026 season begins.
The sweltering heat in Melbourne has forced officials to adjust the timing of some of the Australian Open’s matches this weekend, including the third round meeting between Jessica Pegula and Oksana Selekhmeteva tonight. The two women will play tonight in a match that begins at 6:30 p.m. ET at Margaret Court Arena (instead of 7:30 as originally planned) in order for the tournament to reschedule and relocate certain matches to courts with covered roofs that offer more shade. A ball girl and members of the crowd have experienced medical emergencies as a result of the heat.
Tonight’s Australian Open tournament coverage will air on ESPN2, and the entire tournament is available to stream for ESPN Unlimited subscribers. Here’s what you need to know about tonight’s match at the 2026 Australian Open.
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How to watch Jessica Pegula vs. Oksana Selekhmeteva at the Australian Open:
When is the Jessica Pegula vs. Oksana Selekhmetevamatch at the 2026 Australian Open?
The third round match between Jessica Pegula and Oksana Selekhmeteva at the Australian Open will be Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.
Jessica Pegula vs. Oksana Selekhmeteva match start time:
The match between Pegula and Selekhmeteva will start at 6:30 p.m. ET. The match will be available on ESPN Unlimited and will re-air at 9 p.m. on ESPN2.
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Australian Open channel:
In the U.S., the Australian Open will air on ESPN, with the entire tournament streaming on ESPN+ for Unlimited subscribers. Select tournament coverage will also air on ESPN2, before moving to ESPN for the semifinals and beyond.
How to watch the 2026 Australian Open:
Where to watch the 2026 Australian Open without cable:
If you want to catch every match of the Australian Open and don’t currently subscribe to ESPN+, cable or a live TV streaming service, in Australia a majority of the action will be streaming free with ads on 9Now.
Don’t live in the land down under? Don’t worry, you can still stream like you do with the help of a VPN. A VPN (virtual private network) helps protect your data, can mask your IP address and is perhaps most popular for being especially useful in the age of streaming. Whether you’re looking to watch Friends on Netflix (which left the U.S. version of the streamer back in 2019) or tune in to tennis coverage without a cable package, a VPN can help you out. Looking to try a VPN for the first time? This guide breaks down the best VPN options for every kind of user.
9Now. Plus it’s Engadget’s pick for the best premium VPN. ExpressVPN offers three tiers of subscriptions: The Basic Plan (starting at $3.49/month), the Advanced Plan (starting at $4.49/month) and the Pro Plan (starting at $7.49/month).
ExpressVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, in case you’re nervous about trying a VPN.
Australian Open 2026 schedule:
All times Eastern
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Saturday, January 17
(Day 1) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 18
(Day 1) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 2) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 7:00 p.m.
Monday, January 19
(Day 2) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 3) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 20
(Day 3) Men’s and Women’s 1st Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 4) Men’s and Women’s 2nd Round: 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 21
(Day 4) Men’s and Women’s 2nd Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 5) Men’s and Women’s 2nd Round: 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 22
(Day 5) Men’s and Women’s 2nd Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 6) Men’s and Women’s 3rd Round: 7:00 p.m.
Friday, January 23
(Day 6) Men’s and Women’s 3rd Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 7) Men’s and Women’s 3rd Round: 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 24
(Day 7) Men’s and Women’s 3rd Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 8) Men’s and Women’s 4th Round: 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 25
(Day 8) Men’s and Women’s 4th Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 9) Men’s and Women’s 4th Round: 7:00 p.m.
Monday, January 26
(Day 9) Men’s and Women’s 4th Round: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 10) Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals: 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 27
(Day 10) Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 11) Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals: 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 28
(Day 11) Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals: 3:00 a.m.
(Day 12) Women’s Semifinals: 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 29
(Day 13) Men’s Semifinal: 8:00 p.m.
Friday, January 30
(Day 13) Men’s Semifinal: 3:30 a.m.
Saturday, January 31
(Day 14) Women’s Final: 3:30 a.m.
Sunday, February 1
(Day 15) Men’s Final: 3:30 a.m.
Who is playing in the 2026 Australian Open?
The top 10 seeded players for the singles draws are listed below.
Men’s singles seeds for the Australian Open 2026
1. Carlos Alcaraz
2. Jannik Sinner
3. Alexander Zverev
4. Novak Djokovic
5. Felix Auger-Aliassime
Women’s singles seeds for the Australian Open 2026
1. Aryna Sabalenka
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2. Iga Swiatek
3. Amanda Anisimova
4. Coco Gauff
5. Elena Rybakina
Australian Open prize money:
For 2026, the men’s and women’s singles winners of the Australian Open each get $4,150,000, with the runner-up receiving $2,150,000 and Semi-finalists $1,250,000.
More ways to watch the 2026 Australian Open:
Sling Orange, which includes ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, Disney Channel, and 30 more with no other subscriptions or commitment necessary. No strings attached.
