Vikings mailbag: Submit your post-OTAs and minicamp questions for Alec Lewis
Curious about J.J. McCarthy following OTAs and minicamp? Do you have questions about some of the young players or recent draftees? Toss any questions you want answered below, and we'll return early next week with as many answers as we can get to!
Alec Lewis June 19, 2025 4:51 pm EDT
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest 2025: 'Ketch-up' on what you need to know
Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest returns on July Fourth and will be broadcast live on ESPN2. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld / Getty Images) We've all eaten an extra hot dog at a Fourth of July barbecue — but only the greats can stomach 50 dogs in rapid fire. Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest brings the world's top competitive eaters to Coney Island, N.Y., to see how many hot dogs they can eat in 10 minutes. Here's what you need to know about this year's competition. Advertisement Is Joey Chestnut competing? Joey Chestnut, the competition's most decorated eater, is returning to the Coney Island stage this year after a sponsorship conflict barred him from competing in 2024. Banned after signing a sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, Chestnut got his fill competing at a different contest in El Paso, Texas . Major League Eating eventually ceded the sponsorship issue with Chestnut, who posted on X in June that he is 'grateful we've been able to find common ground.' Who are the eaters? Chestnut — ranked No. 1 in the country — is the favorite to win again, boasting a Major League Eating record of 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes . Other eaters to watch are the 2024 winner and No. 2-ranked Patrick Bertoletti, No.-3 ranked eater Geoffrey Esper, No.-4 ranked eater James Webb and No.-6 ranked eater Nick Wehry. Advertisement Miki Sudo is the front-runner in the women's competition. The reigning champ with a 10-year winning streak, Sudo will be aiming to top her personal record set in 2024 of 51 hot dogs. Read more: With Joey Chestnut out, Patrick Bertoletti wins Nathan's hot dog eating contest When is the contest? The 2025 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest will take place July 4 outside the original Nathan's Famous on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island in Brooklyn, N.Y. ESPN will continue its annual broadcast of the Fourth of July contest this year, with coverage beginning at 7:45 a.m. PT/10:45 a.m. ET. The main hot dog eating contest is expected to begin at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET. Advertisement How can I watch? The contest will be broadcast live on ESPN2 at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET. It will air again on ESPN at 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET and 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET, and at 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET on ESPN2. This will give fans some timing options as they iron out their Fourth of July plans. The women's competition will air on ESPN3 at 7:45 a.m. PT/10:45 a.m. ET and will be recapped around 12 p.m. ET. Read more: Men's hot dog champ retains 'mustard belt,' wins fiancee How did the contest come to be? In 1916, Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker used a $300 loan and his wife's secret recipe to open a nickel hot dog stand — it wasn't until 1972 that the first hot dog eating contest began. Advertisement What was initially a lighthearted challenge has become a physically taxing sport, formalized by Major League Eating and extensive media attention. Many see the contest as emblematic of America's obsession with spectacle and excess. Nathan's is also not shy about its original goal of self-promotion. Every Independence Day, tens of thousands of fans flock to Coney Island with millions more watching on ESPN. So, what's on the table? The winner receives the highly coveted and bejeweled Mustard Belt, a $10,000 grand prize and the esteemed champion title. Happy Fourth of July — it's time to dig in! Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
USA Today
26 minutes ago
- USA Today
Ex-NFL CB says the quiet part out loud about Steelers' Jalen Ramsey trade
While the recent departure of Minkah Fitzpatrick has ruffled more than a few feathers in Pittsburgh — ex-NFL CB Asante Samuel Sr. believes it was worth acquiring Jalen Ramsey. On Monday's episode of the Say What Needs To Be Said podcast, Samuel revealed his high hopes for the Ramsey-led Steelers defense this season — and criticized the Dolphins' trade mindset: "If the Steelers' defense was ranked 12th in total defense, with almost no production from Minkah Fitzpatrick last season, I know, and I guarantee, Jalen Ramsey will make this defense a better defense,' Asante said. "And the Dolphins had no reason to trade Jalen Ramsey, other than that they were sensitive. There's no leadership in the Dolphins organization. Mike McDaniels is a pushover. Chris Greer, the general manager, has no backbone. These guys over here, the Miami Dolphins, they are running this team like a little league team. … "To me, it doesn't make sense. Because [the Dolphins] traded for another safety, when Jalen Ramsey could easily be moved to safety and be way more productive than the person you just traded for.' Aside from the harsh criticism and complete dismantling of the Dolphins organization, Samuel hit the nail right on the head — the Steelers defense has gotten very few splash plays in return from Fitzpatrick over the past two seasons, while Ramsey is a proven ball hawk, solid tackler, and offers versatility across the secondary. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Liberty Media completes its purchase of MotoGP
Just over a week after the European Commission authorised Liberty Media's acquisition of Dorna, the American company has finalised the purchase of 86% of the Spanish firm, following a payment of €4.3billion. The remaining 14% is retained by Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna, and Enrique Aldama, who oversees the company's operations. Advertisement The announcement concludes one of the biggest takeovers in recent times in the sports entertainment industry. With this acquisition, Liberty Media - which bought the rights to Formula 1 in 2017 for $8bn - will now also control the second-most followed motorsport championship worldwide. As with F1, the goal of the takeover is to expand MotoGP which, in Liberty's view, has great growth potential, especially in specific regions around the globe. The North American market will receive particular attention, as the entertainment giant aims to finally bring MotoGP to a broader audience - something Dorna struggled to achieve. Regarding the new leadership structure, Ezpeleta will remain in his role as CEO, with Aldama continuing alongside him as COO. Supporting them are Carlos Ezpeleta - who has been in charge of the sporting division for several years - and Dan Rossomondo, who joined Dorna in 2023 and will continue to lead the commercial area. MotoGP and Ducati logos MotoGP and Ducati logos A new working group has been formed, including Chase Carey and Sean Bratches who were two key figures in F1's transition under Liberty. Advertisement Carey was instrumental in introducing the budget cap that enabled teams to achieve greater financial success and multimillion-figure profits. During his tenure, the Concorde Agreement was also renewed in 2021, governing the distribution of championship revenues among teams. Carey stepped down as CEO in 2021 and was succeeded by Stefano Domenicali. Read Also: Here's what MotoGP riders think about Liberty Media's impending takeover According to Autosport, the first meeting of the new board will take place at Dorna's headquarters in Madrid next Monday. This will mark the start of a transition process that, in its first phase, will focus on the commercial side; specifically, the sale of broadcasting rights, tickets, advertising, sponsorships, and promoting the series. Advertisement A key objective will be expanding MotoGP's reach in the United States, where significant efforts will be concentrated to grow the audience and achieve the market interest believed to be within reach. To read more articles visit our website.
