WNBA CBA deadline passes without agreement
The WNBA and Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) failed to reach a new collective bargaining agreement by the Friday, 11:59 p.m. ET deadline, allowing the prior CBA to expire. Negotiations continue amid significant differences, particularly over revenue sharing, as both sides discuss a potential moratorium on early free agency activities.
With the CBA expired, the league and union have entered a “status quo” period, maintaining previous working conditions while talks proceed. However, this opens the possibility of a work stoppage, though the league has no plans for a lockout.
The league recently proposed halting qualifying offers and core designations — typically due between Sunday and January 20 — while the WNBPA reviews the idea. Nearly all veteran players are free agents this offseason, anticipating major salary increases in a new deal.
The sides remain far apart on the compensation structure. The league proposes that players receive 70% of net revenue, with maximum salaries rising above $1.3 million (eventually nearing $2 million), average salaries exceeding $530,000 (growing to $780,000), and a $5 million base salary cap in Year 1. The union has countered with demands closer to 30% of gross revenue and a $10.5–12.5 million cap.
“Despite demonstrating our willingness to compromise in order to get a deal done, the WNBA and its teams have failed to meet us at the table with the same spirit and seriousness. Instead, they have remained committed to undervaluing player contributions, dismissing player concerns, and running out the clock,” the WNBPA said in a statement, via ESPN.
“In the face of the league and teams’ actions, the players remain undeterred, unafraid, and unwavering in their commitment to doing what is necessary to secure a transformational new CBA…. Make no mistake. Pay equity is not optional and progress is long overdue. We urge the league and its teams to meet this moment. The players already have and will continue to do so.”
The WNBA continues to insist its priority is to increase player salaries.
“As the league experiences a pivotal time of unprecedented popularity and growth, we recognize the importance of building upon that momentum. Our priority is a deal that significantly increases player salaries, enhances the overall player experience, and supports the long-term growth of the league for current and future generations of players and fans,” the league said in their own statement.
LeBron James pulls a disrespectful move on Kevin Porter Jr. during game
LeBron James was out there clowning on a player over 15 years his junior this week.
James and the Los Angeles Lakers faced off on Friday night against Kevin Porter Jr. and the Milwaukee Bucks. In the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif., Lakers star Luka Doncic got a steal and launched the ball up the floor to James in transition.
The Bucks guard Porter attempted to chase down James and steal the ball away. But James easily stepped past Porter and gave him a disrespectful look before throwing down the open dunk.
Here is the video.
The look from LeBron.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 10, 2026
(h/t @ShowCaseShabazz)
pic.twitter.com/OpHzfnYDby
You can’t fault Porter for trying there. James has more than a 30-pound weight advantage over Porter, so it was indeed a much better idea to go for the last-ditch steal attempt rather than to try to take a charge there.
But that staredown from the 41-year-old James just ensured that Porter’s face will be plastered all over highlight reels for the rest of the weekend. That was the most disrespectful thing that we have seen the four-time NBA champion do in the middle of a game since this stunt that he pulled a few years ago.
Curt Cignetti had unexpected quote after Indiana destroyed Oregon in CFP semifinals
Curt Cignetti finally let loose just a little bit Friday after Indiana wiped the floor with Oregon in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
The Hoosiers crushed the Ducks 56-22 in a wire-to-wire drubbing at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. Indiana took control on the very first play when star cornerback D’Angelo Ponds intercepted Oregon quarterback Dante Moore for a pick-six.
Indiana rode that wave to lead by as many as 41 points in a game that was never close after the first quarter. Despite the lopsided scoreboard, Cignetti looked locked in all throughout the game. Even when Indian was making game-changing plays, Cignetti somehow maintained his signature scowl.
During his postgame interview, however, Cignetti surprisingly let his guard down.
“I’m really not thinking about the next game,” Cignetti said when asked about Indiana’s next game against Miami. “I’m thinking about cracking open a beer.”
“I’m really not thinking about the next game. I’m thinking about cracking open a beer.”
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) January 10, 2026
Curt Cignetti 🐐 pic.twitter.com/5Tw9cSoptl
With more than a week between Friday’s game and the College Football Playoff National Championship against Miami, even Cignetti feels comfortable enough to crack open a cold one.
The veteran coach probably won’t be sharing any IPAs with Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza. But the reigning Heisman Trophy winner definitely deserves at least one mug of draft beer for the way he sliced up the Oregon defense.
Mendoza went 17/20 for 177 yards with 5 touchdowns to get his team to the national title game. He vastly outshone his counterpart in Moore, who faltered under the bright lights of the CPF semifinals.
Everyone said the same thing about Dan Lanning during Oregon’s blowout CFP loss
Dan Lanning drew an unflattering coaching comp with Oregon’s no-show during Friday’s CFP semifinal.
Lanning and the Ducks were blown out by Indiana in Friday’s Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The Hoosiers went up 35-7 by halftime, and it didn’t get any better for Oregon from there as they ended up losing by an ugly 56-22 final score.
In response to the drubbing, everyone said the same thing about the Oregon head coach Lanning. They compared him to former Penn State head coach (and now Virginia Tech head coach) James Franklin.
The millennial generation has their own James Franklin! pic.twitter.com/v6kh2fH1Ra
— quentan tarantino (@CRlME_SCENE) January 10, 2026
Oregon what the hell are y’all doing Dan Lanning only been two years in but his big game so far looks like James Franklin
— DJ House (@DJHouse82) January 10, 2026
Dan Lanning is just a younger James Franklin
— green80sports (@green80sports) January 10, 2026
Is Dan Lanning the new James Franklin?
— Stuckey (@Stuckey2) January 10, 2026
At what point does Dan Lanning start getting a James Franklin reputation. pic.twitter.com/Qb1Xax71S6
— Dan Divjak (@IceShark8) January 10, 2026
Franklin developed a reputation for a strong 9-to-10-win floor but an inability to get the job when it matters most. While he was at Penn State, Franklin regularly failed to beat elite opponents and was unable to make it out of the semifinal during his one time leading the program to the CFP in the 2024 season.
As for Lanning, that comparison might be a little unfair since he is a younger coach who is only in his fourth season leading the Ducks. Lanning also already led Oregon to a Big Ten championship and a CFP berth last season before winning 13 games and getting them back into the CFP again this season.
But Friday’s CFP semifinal was an immensely ugly showing for the Ducks, no thanks to some very embarrassing blunders by quarterback Dante Moore. Now Lanning and the Ducks will have to go home and lick their wounds before trying to regroup for next season.
Curt Cignetti had amazing reaction to Indiana blocking an Oregon punt
Curt Cignetti did not look like he was having a good time on Friday in what was supposed to be a celebratory moment for Indiana.
Indiana led Oregon 42-15 in an absolute rout at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. The Hoosiers gave their head coach something to smile about in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter with a blocked punt and recovery at the Ducks’ 11.
PUNT BLOCKED ❌
— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) January 10, 2026
📺ESPN pic.twitter.com/elxO8GBtaZ
Instead of showing a shred of excitement on what was virtually a game-sealing defensive play, Cignetti looked more like he had been waiting in line for hours at his local DMV.
Curt Cignetti was upset Indiana didn't score on the blocked punt. pic.twitter.com/LXCMezYQOL
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 10, 2026
Curt Cignetti's reaction to the blocked bunt. Not Pleased…still pic.twitter.com/Pxkh41xa8N
— JAiHAWKFLY℠ (@JAiHAWKFLY) January 10, 2026
Indiana did capitalize with a touchdown three plays later. But it may have been three plays more than what Cignetti was hoping for.
Cignetti has developed a reputation for maintaining a perpetual scowl no matter the situation on the gridiron. The Indiana coach finally broke with about five minutes left in the contest. Cignetti cracked a little bit of a smirk after Kaelon Black bulldozed his way to a 23-yard touchdown run, giving the Hoosiers a 56-15 lead.
Curt Cignetti smile sighting.
— TJ Salomone (@TJSalomone) January 10, 2026
That’s how you know Indiana is absolutely dominating Oregon in every way. 😭
pic.twitter.com/Xl9FCY2Wik
Apparently, all it takes is breaking the 50-point plateau in a College Football Playoff game.
Report: Ja Morant has had problems with his Grizzlies teammates
More details are emerging on Ja Morant’s seemingly fractured relationship with the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies are, for the first time, considering trading away their two-time All-Star point guard Morant, it was revealed on Friday. Since then, some interesting potential suitors have already emerged for Morant.
Later in the day on Friday, Michael C. Wright of ESPN shared some interesting details about the Morant saga. Wright says that Morant felt alienated by his Grizzlies teammates after he was suspended by the team earlier this season over a confrontation with head coach Tuomas Iisalo.
While Wright notes that Grizzlies players were told to leave Morant alone so that he could get through the issues that led to the suspension, Morant reportedly proceeded to tell players around the league as well as former coaches that he would not be playing for Memphis anymore. You can read Wright’s full report on the situation here.
Morant, 26, was the Grizzlies’ No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and has been with them ever since. But Morant has notably been suspended multiple times by the NBA for flashing weapons on his social media, and his relationship with Iisalo has gotten particularly problematic this season. One recent report even claimed that Morant “hates” playing for Iisalo, who took over as Memphis’ head coach in the middle of last season after Taylor Jenkins was fired.
This year’s NBA trade deadline will be on Feb. 5. Morant is still signed through 2028, but it looks like his situation with the 16-22 Grizzlies is getting increasingly more untenable as the days go by.
NBA referee Bill Kennedy leaves the court in a wheelchair after injury
One of the Internet’s favorite referees suffered an unfortunate mishap during Friday’s game.
Veteran NBA referee Bill Kennedy was part of the crew for Friday’s matchup between the Orlando Magic and the Philadelphia 76ers at Kia Center in Orlando, Fla. During the first quarter of the contest, Kennedy was trying to follow along with a play in transition by the 76ers when he appeared to pull up lame.
Kennedy immediately called for a stoppage in play. He was then taken off the court in a wheelchair.
Here is the video.
Bill Kennedy suffered an injury and was wheeled off the court pic.twitter.com/232lH3qoIl
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) January 10, 2026
The 60-year-old Kennedy is in his 26th career season as an NBA referee. He has worked over 1,400 games over the years, including over 130 playoff games.
Kennedy has also become a viral favorite over the last couple of years due to his extremely entertaining and theatrical deliveries while announcing the results of coach’s challenges. Take a look at one example.
another night, another Bill Kennedy announcement!pic.twitter.com/hJd1n1FR8C
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) December 31, 2025
For Kennedy though, he has been producing these kinds of antics for over a decade now. But now the NBA world will be holding its collective breath that the apparent injury that Kennedy suffered on Friday is not a serious one.
Cardinals add former World Series winner to pitching staff
The St. Louis Cardinals are taking a flier on a former top-shelf bullpen arm.
Several reporters confirmed Friday that the Cardinals have agreed to a contract with relief pitcher Ryne Stanek. The right-hander heads to St. Louis after a down season with the New York Mets.
Free-agent reliever Ryne Stanek and the St. Louis Cardinals are in agreement on a contract, according to sources familiar with the deal.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 10, 2026
Stanek is a few seasons removed from his stellar 2022 campaign, when he looked unhittable as a setup man for the Houston Astros. Stanek had a 1.15 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 59 games that year. He also had four spotless outings en route to the Astros’ 2022 World Series title.
However, Stanek has failed to keep his ERA below 4.00 in each of the last three seasons, including a nightmare 2025 campaign with the Mets. Stanek had one of the worst seasons of his career during his final season in New York. He had a 5.30 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP across 65 games, with his numbers worsening as the season progressed.
With Stanek once showing that he could perform at the highest level, it’s understandable why the Cardinals wanted to give him a shot. It may help that Stanek was born and raised in St. Louis. What doesn’t help is that he was actually named after a Chicago Cubs legend, despite being born into a family of Cardinals fans.
Fans all made the same joke after Dante Moore committed embarrassing blunder
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore committed one of the most bizarre turnovers in recent College Football Playoff memory on Friday against Indiana.
Moore loaded up for a pass with the Ducks starting their drive deep in their own territory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. What was meant to be a simple screen pass ended up in disaster as Moore fumbled with no defenders near him. The Oregon QB had the ball deflected out of his hand by his own teammate, running back Dierre Hill Jr.
Welp Fumble from Moore pic.twitter.com/nqEmPH0jyZ
— NFL Paint (@NFLPaint) January 10, 2026
The scene looked comical as Moore spun around, failing to locate the ball as the Indiana defense got to it first.
Fans could not help but kick Moore while he was down. Many joked that such in-game gaffes make him the perfect draft pick for the New York Jets, who are set to pick second in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dante Moore is gonna fit in perfectly on the Jetspic.twitter.com/YIxFS4Xt2H
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 10, 2026
Dante Moore YOU are a New York Jet my guy
— Knicks Memes (@KnicksMemes) January 10, 2026
pic.twitter.com/s223sj40vw
The Jets looking at Dante Moore after gifting Indiana 14 points pic.twitter.com/SyaeGhIgV3
— Stuckey (@Stuckey2) January 10, 2026
Dante Moore is destined to be a New York Jet pic.twitter.com/ScWudpuAUk
— KATWrld (@kat_wrld) January 10, 2026
Several mock drafts have the Jets selecting Moore second overall in April. But his performance on Friday may have the Jets and potentially other NFL teams rewriting their scouting reports on the Oregon star.
Moore fumbled again two possessions later. The second one came under more traditional circumstances, at the very least.
Great stuff from Dante Moore with another fumble, ensuring even the Jets won’t want him pic.twitter.com/g1n7bKYaTc
— Sidelinr Sports (@sidelinrsports) January 10, 2026
Moore threw a pick-six on his very first pass against Indiana, which was apparently a sign of things to come for Oregon.
Dante Moore throws pick-six on his first pass against Indiana
Dante Moore had the worst start imaginable Friday to kick off the Peach Bowl against Indiana.
The Oregon quarterback threw an interception on his very first pass of the College Football Playoff semifinals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. Moore got picked off by star cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, who ran it all the way back for a touchdown.
INDIANA PICK-SIX ON DANTE MOORE ON THE FIRST PLAY OF THE GAME 🤯 pic.twitter.com/BGR1OeahyH
— ESPN (@espn) January 10, 2026
The pick-six was the first one allowed by Moore all season. Here’s another angle of the loud play that kicked off the Oregon-Indiana clash.
The pick-six that Dante Moore threw to start tonight's CFP semifinal was his first pick-six of the season 😳 pic.twitter.com/oLUGvGQfbB
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) January 10, 2026
It didn’t take long for Moore to shake off the poor play. He led Oregon to a 14-play, 75-yard drive for a touchdown on the Ducks’ next possession.
WHAT A BALL FROM DANTE MOORE
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 10, 2026
WHAT AN ANSWER FROM THE OREGON DUCKS#PMSCFP pic.twitter.com/Sl7GYkYeyX
Moore and his Indiana counterpart, Fernando Mendoza, entered Friday’s matchup as the projected top-two picks of the 2026 NFL Draft. The pressure to perform may have gotten to Moore early, but he was able to shed those nerves real quick.
Trae Young has message on ‘fake things’ hurting his reputation
Trae Young has heard the noise surrounding him and his unceremonious exit from the Atlanta Hawks.
Young spoke to reporters on Friday for the first time since the stunning trade that sent him to the Washington Wizards — a deal that failed to net the Hawks a single draft pick. The four-time All-Star was asked about the negative reports and rumors that have been circulating about him.
“I’m comfortable in my skin. I know who I am,” Young said, via Wizards reporter Chase Hughes.
“Whenever stuff comes out, there are so many fake things that come out that I just let slide. … I know one day when I do ultimately win, … all that negativity will flip and be positive. Stuff like that wouldn’t even come out and be brought up.”
Young led the Hawks to a surprising run to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals. Since then, Atlanta has been a play-in tournament team in each of the last four seasons.
Several reports emerged over the years that have painted Young in a negative light, leading to him being a constant figure discussed in trade rumors.
While it’s fair to question the veracity of those rumors, the Hawks spoke volumes with their decision to trade their longtime franchise star.
Young has the opportunity to repair his reputation by helping turn things around in Washington. But Wizards fans may need to wait until next season before they can watch Young work his magic.
Mavericks get brutal injury news on Anthony Davis
The Dallas Mavericks got just about the worst news possible on Anthony Davis after he suffered a serious hand injury on Thursday.
Davis sustained ligament damage in his left hand, according to Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon of ESPN. He is seeking a second opinion, but there is a chance he could be out several months if surgery is required.
Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis has sustained ligament damage in his left hand, sources tell me and @BannedMacMahon. Depending on second opinion and if surgery is required, Davis could miss a number of months. pic.twitter.com/POS4szWjUY
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 9, 2026
This news makes it possible, if not likely, that Davis is out past the Feb. 5 trade deadline. That would deprive the Mavericks of a valuable trade piece, especially since the team has so few long-term draft assets thanks to some ill-advised moves in the past.
After 2026, the Mavericks do not own their own first-round pick again until 2031. One could argue that it would be within their interests to keep losing this year, and losing Davis for an extended period of time would probably help them do that. However, the optimal outcome would have been for the Mavericks to get some value in a trade, as Davis was expected to be a fairly coveted piece.
Even before the Mavericks traded for him, the big knock on Davis was how injury-prone he is. He has been plagued by so many injuries since Dallas acquired him that he is the subject of one of the most incredible and unfortunate streaks in the NBA. That will unfortunately continue with his latest injury, and raises questions about how the Mavericks will approach the rest of the season.
Davis has only appeared in 20 games this season for the Mavericks. He averaged 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game this season before this latest setback.
Former 30 HR hitter tests positive for PEDs
A former 30-homer hitter has been suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
Outfielder Max Kepler, who is currently a free agent, was suspended after testing positive for Epitrenbolone, an anabolic steroid intended to increase muscle and appetite.
Max Kepler, the former Phillies/Twins outfielder, has been suspended for 80 games, for testing positive for the synthetic anabolic steroid, Epitrenbolone. pic.twitter.com/4JeXLovVQi
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) January 9, 2026
Kepler once appeared to be a young slugger worth watching with the Minnesota Twins. He hit 36 home runs in 2019, but never came particularly close to that total again. His best year since was a 24-homer campaign in 2023.
The Philadelphia Phillies brought Kepler in as a free agent last season, but he struggled mightily, hitting just .216 with 18 home runs in 127 games. He had yet to find a landing spot in free agency coming off that poor campaign, and his hopes of doing so are definitely finished now.
Kepler has 179 career home runs, most of them coming with the Twins. The 32-year-old faces a long road back to baseball if he wants to try and continue his MLB career after this.
Ja Morant linked to 1 new team amid latest trade report
Ja Morant may be getting an opportunity to go Hollywood.
The major development broke on Friday that the Memphis Grizzlies are open to trading their multi-time All-Star Morant for the first time. With Memphis struggling this season at 16-21, it appears that a Morant trade is very much on the table ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline.
In the wake of the news, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported that a new team is worth keeping an eye on in the Morant sweepstakes — the LA Clippers. Siegel does note though that the Clippers currently lack the draft capital and young talent that Memphis would prioritize in any potential Morant trade.
The Clippers are having a tough year at 13-23 but could make a run at the play-in tournament after going 7-2 over their last nine games. With the Oklahoma City Thunder owning their unprotected first-round draft pick in 2026, the Clippers have all the reason in the world to try to go for broke this season.
While Siegel is correct that the Clippers are light on quality assets, they could foreseeably trade center Ivica Zubac, 28, for draft-pick compensation (with two big teams recently having been mentioned in connection to Zubac). The Clippers could then use that compensation to entice Memphis along with one of their younger players who have actually been getting some good developmental minutes this season like Kobe Sanders, 23, or Yanic Konan Niederhauser, 22.
As for the Grizzlies, they already launched a soft reset by trading away guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic over the offseason. As Memphis continues to flounder, the troubled and oft-injured Morant could the next one to go (with multiple other interesting suitors beyond just the Clippers already having emerged).
Jaxson Dart may have dropped a big hint about the Giants’ next head coach
The New York Giants have one of the most coveted head coaching vacancies in the NFL this offseason, which has led to them getting linked to some big names. Quarterback Jaxson Dart may know a bit more than most of us about who that next coach may be.
Dart was spotted on the sidelines prior to Ole Miss’ College Football Playoff game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Thursday night. Cameras caught him having a discussion with someone on the Rebels’ sideline late in the second half, and some lipreaders believe he dropped two names as possibilities for the Giants job.
“I don’t know. Harbaugh or Stefanski, but I don’t know,” Dart seemingly said.
Not a lip reader but…
— Giants Daily (@NYGDaily) January 9, 2026
Ole Miss assistant: "Who's going to be the next coach?"
Jaxson Dart: "I don't know.. Harbaugh or Stefanski.. but I don't know." https://t.co/j0bpd1yunc pic.twitter.com/Fagzkvpic0
Assuming that even is what Dart was saying, we do not know if he was asked who he wants the coach to be or who he thinks the coach will be. Either way, he is not exactly going too far out on a limb. John Harbaugh is thought to be New York’s top target, and they had also been heavily linked to Kevin Stefanski before Harbaugh became available. It would not be at all surprising to see the Giants hire either one of them.
Dart is a big part of the Giants’ draw. He flashed great potential as a rookie by throwing for 2,272 yards with 15 touchdowns and 5 interceptions while rushing for 487 yards with 9 scores. The Giants probably aren’t leaning too heavily on him during their hiring process, but it would not be a shock if he were being kept in the loop.
Major update emerges about Ketel Marte’s future
The longest-tenured Arizona Diamondbacks player will be getting to add another season to that tally.
Arizona has pulled star infielder Ketel Marte off the trade market, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on Friday. Marte is set to remain with Arizona as their starting second baseman into the 2026 MLB season.
The 32-year-old Marte, a three-time All-Star, was a very hot trade candidate this offseason. He hit .283 with 28 home runs and 72 RBIs last season through 126 games. The year before that, Marte was even better, batting .292 with 36 home runs and 95 RBIs through 136 games.
Marte, the switch hitter, is also still signed on a long-term contract. He has five years and $102.5 million remaining on his deal with the Dbacks (with an $11.5 million player option for 2031 as well).
Last season though, Marte caused some headaches. After he took an unpaid leave of absence from the team in July after his home was burglarized, a report emerged claiming that Dbacks teammates were unhappy with Marte. Then a couple of weeks ago, Marte himself issued an apparent response to that report.
Arizona, a World Series team in 2023, finished below .500 last season (80-82) and sold off many of their top assets at the trade deadline (including Eugenio Suarez, Josh Naylor, and Merrill Kelly). But despite interest from some big-name teams, the Dbacks have decided to hold onto Marte, who has been with them since the 2017 season.
NFL fans all had the same reaction to the Al Michaels news
Al Michaels has made a decision on his broadcasting future, and it is not one that most NFL fans are thrilled about.
Amazon Prime confirmed that Michaels will return for “Thursday Night Football” in 2026 as the play-by-play voice. The 81-year-old said he still feels great and capable of doing a good job.
“First of all, I feel great,” Michaels told Richard Deitsch of Sports Business Journal. “Everyone at Amazon has been fantastic and I love working with this group. I’ve been looking at this year one year at a time and as long as I feel I’m at the top of my game, I’d like to continue.”
Fans, however, were not as enthusiastic about the news. Many feel Michaels has lost a step and had hoped he would step aside and retire. Others criticized Amazon for not taking the decision out of his hands.
Love Al Michaels. Legend. But watching him call games lately feels like he’s well behind everything happening on the field. If he wants to keep doing it, fine. Prime’s audience is huge though. Broadcast matters. Someone needed to step in. This can’t keep being the standard. https://t.co/zRviS5bd9M
— Rob Pizzola (@robpizzola) January 9, 2026
Al Michaels has had an incredible career as a broadcaster and this is absolutely the wrong move. Those statements aren’t mutually exclusive. Every TNF game — and I mean EVERY single one — is followed by exasperation from fans regarding Michaels’ performance. This is just sad. https://t.co/fZcw1xYIxm
— Keith Leonard (@Keith_Leonard) January 9, 2026
Al Michaels an absolute legend but its beyond the time.
— Ryan (@datboywolf) January 9, 2026
Al Michaels is one of the all-time greats, but it has been time for a few years now. He comes off as disinterested in the game he's doing at least 75% of the time. He's 82. Someone else should be in that chair.
— Chris Mueller (@ChrisMuellerPGH) January 9, 2026
None of these reactions are new. Michaels’ performances have been a regular source of complaints on social media all year long. The perceived issues have only been magnified as the NFL has given Amazon more prominent games, including Saturday’s Wild Card playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears.
Michaels is a legend, and there are those who will say that he has earned the right to decide when to end his career. Plenty of others disagree, though, and aren’t looking forward to his 41st season of NFL broadcasting.
Michael Irvin went nuts after Miami’s CFP win
Few people were more hyped than Michael Irvin was after the Miami Hurricanes overcame the Ole Miss Rebels to reach the national championship on Thursday night.
Irvin, a Miami alum, has enthusiastically followed the program throughout the College Football Playoff, and Thursday’s Fiesta Bowl was no different. After Miami’s 31-27 victory, he celebrated by posting a video from State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Az. in which he repeatedly smacks some Ole Miss apparel with a belt. Irvin said he “had to do another BTA,” a reference to the phrase “belt to a–.”
HAD TO DO ANOTHER BTA pic.twitter.com/a2aqao438A
— Michael Irvin (@michaelirvin88) January 9, 2026
To say that Irvin was fired up would probably be an understatement. He has made this gesture something of a tradition, having done the same to Ohio State after the Hurricanes knocked them off in the quarterfinal.
Irvin has lived and died with every game so far. For a period, it looked like Miami was on the ropes, and their dramatic comeback probably had him going even crazier than usual.
Irvin played three seasons for Miami and won a national title with the Hurricanes in 1988. He will now be hoping the current team can match that feat.
Trinidad Chambliss’ attorney sends fiery response to NCAA
The NCAA denied Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’ request for an eligibility waiver on Friday, but his camp certainly does not appear finished trying to get him a sixth year of NCAA eligibility.
Chambliss had sought a medical redshirt for his sophomore season at Ferris State, arguing that he was suffering from a respiratory illness at the time. The NCAA denied the request largely because no contemporaneous evidence had been provided to suggest that had been the case at the time.
Tom Mars, Chambliss’ legal counsel, strongly implied that he would be taking the NCAA to court over the decision.
“There’s now an opportunity to move this case to a level playing field where Trinidad’s rights will be determined by the Mississippi judiciary instead of some bureaucrats in Indianapolis who couldn’t care less about the law or doing the write thing,” Mars said in a statement. “Whether to pursue that course of action is a decision only Trinidad and his parents can make.”
Statement from Tom Mars. Legal action appears imminent. https://t.co/kS2hdxvrfT pic.twitter.com/UDMtZf4gFw
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 9, 2026
For now, the NCAA’s decision means Chambliss has played the last college game of his career. If he can get it overturned in court, he has a chance to return to Ole Miss for the 2026 season.
Chambliss was a breakout star in 2025, throwing for 3,937 yards with 22 touchdowns to go along with eight rushing scores. Ole Miss was very aggressive in trying to land him, and have been just as determined to keep him for one more year. At this point, though, that outcome appears to be out of their hands.
Grizzlies are open to trading Ja Morant
The Memphis Grizzlies are at least open to a potential Ja Morant trade for the first time.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday that the Grizzlies are entertaining potential trade offers for Morant and may move him prior to the Feb. 5 trade deadline. The expectation is that the team would want young players or draft picks in any trade.
Multiple teams are pursuing Morant in trade talks and rival executives believe the Grizzlies would prioritize draft picks and young players in return, sources said. Morant, 26, is under contract with the Grizzlies through the 2027-28 season. https://t.co/lkVijnLeIR
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 9, 2026
Morant has increasingly been the subject of trade rumors this season, but as recently as November, it was reported that Memphis still saw him as an integral part of the team’s future. However, the Grizzlies are just 16-21, and Morant is averaging just 19 points per game. That would be the lowest number of his career since his rookie campaign.
Morant signed a five-year, $197.2 million designated rookie max extension before the 2022-23 campaign and is now in the third year of that deal. That means he is under contract through the 2027-28 season.
At this point, it is fair to question how much Morant would fetch in a trade. While undoubtedly talented, his off-court behavior may have alienated some teams, and the Grizzlies simply have not won consistently with him as their centerpiece.
Based on some claims, however, Morant might welcome a trade away from Memphis.



























