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How to Watch USMNT Gold Cup Soccer Games Online Without Cable

How to Watch USMNT Gold Cup Soccer Games Online Without Cable

Yahoo2 days ago

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The U.S. Men's National Team is off to a strong start in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup soccer tournament. The team, who are splitting hosting duties with Canada, kicked off their run with a 5-0 routing of Trinidad. Up next, they'll face Group D opponents Saudi Arabia, followed by Haiti this weekend. USMNT has seven Gold Cup trophies, and they're one of only three nations to win the tournament. Mexico and Canada are the other two with nine and one, respectively.
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At a Glance: How to Watch USMNT Gold Cup Games
Stream : DirecTV, Fubo, Sling
TV channels: FOX, FS1, FS2
get free trial at directv
If you're looking to keep up with Team USA's Gold Cup efforts, read on. Below are some of the best ways to watch USMNT Gold Cup games online without cable, plus a schedule of their upcoming matches and tips on where to buy USMNT jerseys.
How to Watch USMNT Gold Cup Soccer Games Online
Gold Cup soccer games are airing on primarily on FS1, with some on Fox and a couple on FS2. If you want to watch USMNT games online, you'll want to get a live TV streaming service that carries all three channels. Here are some of the best options, including a couple with free trials:
How to Watch USMNT Gold Cup Soccer Games Online Without Cable
EDITOR'S PICK
DirecTV
get free trial
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➤ Pros: Free trial, affordable genre packs, ESPN+ included
➤ Cons: Not as many entertainment channels in genre packs as other options
The best way to watch sports without cable, including USMNT soccer, is DirecTV — mostly thanks to the streamer's MySports plan. This package carries Fox, FS1, and FS2 in its lineup of 20+ key sports channels. Even better: The package also includes a free subscription to ESPN+. The MySports plan starts with a five-day free trial and costs $69.99 a month. If you want a more robust streaming package with 90+ channels, check out DirecTV's Signature Packages.
How to Watch USMNT Gold Cup Soccer Games Online Without Cable
Fubo
get free trial
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➤ Pros: Huge channel lineup, great local coverage, RSNs, watch on 10 screens
➤ Cons: No Warner Bros. channels (TNT, CNN, TBS, etc.), pricey
Fubo is another great option for watching USMNT Gold Cup games online. The streaming service carries Fox, FS1, and FS2 in both of its massive 150+-channel packages. These comprehensive plans start at $84.99 a month, but you get a five-day free trial and $20 off your first month.
How to Watch USMNT Gold Cup Soccer Games Online Without Cable
Sling
$23 $46 50% off
sign up now
➤ Pros: Tons of channels, easy to use, discounts available
➤ Cons: No free trial
A more affordable way to watch USMNT soccer games online is Sling. This streaming service offers Fox and FS1 (but not FS2) in its 43-channel Blue plan. This package starts at $46 a month, but you get half off your first month and a free month of AMC+ when you sign up. Sling does not currently offer a free trial.
USMNT Gold Cup Schedule
The Gold Cup soccer tournament is currently in the group stage. Here's the schedule/results of Team USA's games:
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Sunday, June 15
USMNT 5, Trinidad 0
Thursday, June 19
USMNT vs. Saudi Arabia — 9:15 p.m. ET on FS1 (Q2 Stadium, Austin, TX)
Sunday, June 22
USMNT vs. Haiti — 7 p.m. ET on FOX (AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX)
Where to Buy USMNT Soccer Jerseys
Want to rep USMNT while you watch? Head to Nike, Fanatics, or the U.S. Soccer Store to buy an official USMNT jersey.
How to Watch USMNT Gold Cup Soccer Games Online Without Cable
Men's Nike USWNT 2025 Away Replica Jersey
$104.99
Buy Now at fanatics
How to Watch USMNT Gold Cup Soccer Games Online Without Cable
Men's Nike USMNT 2024 Match Away Jersey
$170
Buy at nike
How to Watch USMNT Gold Cup Soccer Games Online Without Cable
Men's Nike USWNT 2025 Brilliant Home Match Jersey
$170
Buy at U.S. Soccer store
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The US needed more than a trophy from the Gold Cup, and it may just get it
The US needed more than a trophy from the Gold Cup, and it may just get it

Yahoo

time38 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

The US needed more than a trophy from the Gold Cup, and it may just get it

Diego Luna of the United States celebrates after scoring a goal against Costa Rica during the first half of Sunday's game. Diego Luna of the United States celebrates after scoring a goal against Costa Rica during the first half of Sunday's game. Photograph: John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images You can, as they say, only beat the teams in front of you. You can only play with the guys you've got. And you can only overcome the challenges you are confronted with. When the United States men's national team gathered to embark on the ongoing Concacaf Gold Cup in early June, success at the regional championship was tricky to define for the seven-time champions. They would, after all, be appearing absent 10 regulars and entering an event that hardly offered up the world's strongest opposition. Advertisement Yet this deeply diluted and sometimes plain experimental US side has passed test after test. Related: Freese saves three penalties as USA scrape past Costa Rica and into Gold Cup semi-final In the group stage, the Americans played opponents that were well-organized; opponents that were spirited; opponents that were plain god-awful. And it beat them all – that is, respectively, Saudi Arabia, Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago. On Sunday night in Minneapolis, the USMNT ticked several more boxes in beating Costa Rica in the quarter-finals to move on to a semi-final date with Guatemala in St Louis on Wednesday. Mauricio Pochettino's side did so by overcoming their first deficit of the tournament, matching a feisty opponent in their zeal and energy and, in the end, surviving a penalty shootout 4-3 following a 2-2 tie. Advertisement Thus the Yanks only just avoided becoming the third favorite to be upset on penalties in this quarter-final round alone, after Panama lost to Honduras on Saturday and Canada were bounced by Guatemala earlier on Sunday. In the 10th minute, the USA's beleaguered left back Max Arfsten blocked a cross in his own box and then clumsily attempted to clear it, kicking through Kenneth Vargas who sought out the contact. Francisco Calvo snuck the penalty kick just past US goalkeeper Matt Freese to put Costa Rica ahead early. But on a slow grass field laid over an artificial one at US Bank Stadium, sending players slipping and sliding, the US showed the kind of character that has so often been dispiritingly lacking for more than a year – in yet another half-empty Gold Cup venue. After half an hour, Juan Pablo Vargas clipped Malik Tillman on the ankle after a cross in the box. Tillman, who has somehow been both the USA's most influential and unluckiest player at this tournament, took his own penalty kick but rolled it off the left-hand post. It was his first attempted spot kick as a senior professional. Advertisement Diego Luna, however, scored his first national team goal before the break on a shot that took a big deflection. And minutes after the intermission, Arfsten, of all people, put the US ahead by finishing off a nicely worked attack teed up by Tillman and Patrick Agyemang's heroic holdup play leading the American line once again. Keylor Navas, Costa Rica's wily veteran in goal, made a splendid save from Chris Richards' header minutes later. And an Arfsten cross was deflected onto the Ticos' crossbar. The US never did get any closer to a third goal. It would come to regret this neglectfulness. After a series of defensive breakdowns in the American box, Carlos Mora took a clear shot at Freese and Alonso Martínez was allowed to run free and sweep in the rebound to equalize in the 71st minute. Martínez nearly won it with a shot that pinged off the far post in the 85th minute. Advertisement On penalties, however, Tillman redeemed himself and Damion Downs scored the winner on the sixth round of kicks. Freese saved no fewer than three times, his tongue out in celebration and nodding to the crowd, plainly having a delightful evening. 'Penalties are my thing,' he declared to Fox after the game. 'On the plane ride over here to Minnesota I was studying the penalties. I've been studying them all week. I was ready for it if we needed it.' Although an early elimination here would have triggered an inquisition and yet more existential questions over the state of the American program, safe passage to the next round suggests something greater and ultimately more useful than a 17th Gold Cup semi-final appearance. A team that often seemed deflated, disinterested and generally gormless over the last year looked like something entirely different on Sunday. Feisty. Pressing ferociously. Quick to get in opponents' faces. Luna made himself a favorite of Pochettino's for blithely playing through a broken nose early on in the Argentine's tenure. Now, that attitude appears to have spread. Sebastian Berhalter, the son of Pochettino's predecessor and a surprise starter this tournament, may have missed a penalty kick and sometimes been untidy on the ball, but he seemed to be in the center of every melee as his family looked on, driving the team's intensity. This largely inexperienced American squad no longer has the look of an incongruous outfit that could be accused of not caring. And these players will be hardened by having lived through a tense game like this one. Advertisement 'I think it's good for this group of players to have this type of experience,' Pochettino said after the game. 'It's priceless, because that is the reality when you are in a big tournament, that things can happen, and it's important that they start to build the experience together.' The Americans faced three major setbacks – giving away an early penalty and goal; missing a penalty of their own; and a late equalizer – and bounced back from all of them, holding up under swelling pressure. 'We showed great character,' said Pochettino. 'Ok, we [give away] a penalty? We miss a penalty? The team kept going and believing in the way we play. In some moments, we played really, really well. We're starting to play like a team and to show the quality.' What the USMNT needed out of this Gold Cup above all was not silverware but to rebuild its culture and confidence. It may yet get all those things. Leander Schaerlaeckens is at work on a book about the United States men's national soccer team, out in 2026. He teaches at Marist University.

With USMNT GK role in flux, Freese stops Costa Rica cold with PK heroics
With USMNT GK role in flux, Freese stops Costa Rica cold with PK heroics

New York Times

timean hour ago

  • New York Times

With USMNT GK role in flux, Freese stops Costa Rica cold with PK heroics

MINNEAPOLIS – Any college advisor will try to guide a pupil to find a thesis topic that'll both lean into their interests while setting themselves up for success once they enter their respective workforce. Thankfully for Matt Freese, who graduated from Harvard in 2022, his focus was on the art of the shootout. Advertisement 'I actually did a very long research project in college about penalty kicks,' Freese said after his trio of saves helped the U.S. men's national team edge Costa Rica on penalties following a 2-2 draw and advance to the Gold Cup semifinals. 'To be able to rely on that type of thing and deal with a lot of statistics and stuff like that, read the game and read their hips and things like that, is massive.' Historically, the successes of the USMNT hasn't been determined by Harvard men. A quick survey of their alumni finds just one U.S. international: Shep Messing, the goalkeeper-turned-commentator who earned one cap in the early 1970s. With the program in a continued state of flux following last summer's Copa América group stage exit and Mauricio Pochettino working to find his best squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Freese has gotten an extended run-out this summer as a possible alternative to Matt Turner. Turner, 31, claimed the program's starting goalkeeper spot during qualifying for the 2022 World Cup and was among the team's top performers during the tournament in Qatar. Given the usual longevity of players in the role, expectations were that he would remain atop the depth chart when the tournament came to the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026. However, Turner made just four appearances for Crystal Palace in 2024-25, all in domestic cups, leaving him with little form and momentum entering the Gold Cup. 'I think we have plenty of good players and good keepers,' Pochettino said after the win. 'Matt Turner has the experience because he played in the World Cup in 2022. He's a great keeper. But the only problem, in this tournament, was that Matt didn't play in the whole season, and for different reason: we wanted to see another keeper. But it was a good conversation. I think it's important for our coaching staff to have the possibility, for the future, to have different options, because you never know. Advertisement 'That is the moment now, one year to the World Cup. I think … I don't want to say nothing wrong, but I think maybe one of the few, or the only players, that proved to deal with with this type of responsibility and stress was Matt — playing in different competition, in the World Cup. I think it's good for Matt Turner, (and) for the rest of the keepers, to see that they can have the possibility and deal with the pressure — because you never know what is going to happen in one year. Now is the moment to test or to give the possibility to show that they can deal also with the stress, and perform.' Turner is hardly the only member of the 2022 World Cup squad whose club careers have yielded little playing time in recent seasons. Many MLS teams depend on a domestic option in net, and Freese has arguably been the best of the bunch since the start of 2024. A surefire starter for New York City FC, Freese broke out after replacing World Cup selection Sean Johnson at the club and came up big in the postseason, thwarting favored FC Cincinnati in a memorable nine-round shootout to advance in the MLS Cup playoffs. Given his serious advantage of involvement at the club level, Freese started the USMNT's group-opening 5-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago and hasn't ceded his spot all Gold Cup. Freese and his team have conceded three goals, including a pair against Costa Rica. The first, a penalty converted by Francisco Calvo, is one that goalkeepers aren't expected to save. The second, a second-half equalizer from Alonso Martínez, fizzed past Freese with precision and velocity that made it a difficult one to stop in a congested box. Still, no goalkeeper will feel good about conceding a pair goals in a knockout game. Freese had a golden opportunity to make amends in the ensuing shootout, outlasting arguably the greatest goalkeeper the region has produced this century, Keylor Navas. Advertisement 'No disrespect to him: I think he is everything I strive to be in being a goalkeeper,' Freese said of his storied opposite number. 'He's one of the best in the history of the world. To share that moment, share that pitch with him, is very special. But yeah, in the moment, I'm not really thinking about that. I'm very much so just focused on myself and helping my team.' Throughout the sequence, Freese's studiousness was evident as he proved to be difficult for Costa Rica to exploit. After Sunday's earlier game saw Guatemala eliminate Canada on penalties, including an excellent panenka, Freese stood his ground as Calvo returned to the spot and attempted to fire his shot right up the middle. While many goalkeepers' instincts are to dive — a proactive show of effort if not always a wise pick depending on the kick — his resolve was immediately rewarded as the USMNT advanced to its 17th semifinal in 18 Gold Cups. (Freese gave credit to U.S. goalkeeper coach Toni Jimenez for the strategy in his postmatch remarks.) It was Freese's third save of the sequence, following two of the diving variety. While many goalkeepers are demonstrative after making saves, from Canada starter Dayne St. Clair to reigning World Cup champion Emiliano Martínez, Freese is far more stoic. That level-headedness helped weather his own team's pair of misses that extended the shootout to a sixth round. 'In the moment, not really,' Freese said when asked if he allows himself a moment of satisfaction after a save. 'After the first save, I went over to the corner, and I kept repeating to myself: 'I want another, I want another.' And then after the second save, I did the same thing, kept telling myself 'I want another.' You can't get too happy with yourself.' Freese will understandably be wanting another start under Pochettino, as well. He's rewarded his coach's trust in him by helping his team overcome a strong challenge by a longtime regional rival and held his resolve when needed the most. That's all one can ask for from such a singular figure on the field, especially after letting two go past him in regulation. 'I think it's a very special place,' Pochettino said of Freese and goalkeepers at large, 'and for me, the most important position on the pitch. The objective for the opponent is to score goals, and for you, for us, try not to concede goals. You need to, for some mistake, you cannot change when you make your decision. Maybe it's different if you compare when a striker miss a goal — OK, the next game, not playing because (they) miss a goal. It's true that it's really important when a keeper maybe have not a good action, but I think we really trust in our keepers, and when we made a decision to play (Freese) and give the confidence to him. Advertisement 'I think any keeper can make a mistake. The most important is to make a decision and translate the confidence and trust, and be sure that your decision was a good decision for the team.' It's a message that strongly conveys that Freese will be given an opportunity to see this tournament out. What follows will largely be up to the club form of Freese, Turner and other hopefuls for the World Cup roster like Chris Brady, Patrick Schulte and Zack Steffen. Turner's transfer to Olympique Lyon hit a potential snag before he arrived as the club faces relegation into Ligue 2 (pending their appeal) for financial violations. The step from the Premier League to Ligue 1 is already seen as one down the ladder a bit, but that's far more pronounced dropping into France's second division. Coupled with the fact that Lyon, for now at least, still rosters last year's starter, and it's unclear whether he's in a better position to start regularly and rebuild his case to start in 2026. While that situation resolves beyond his control, Freese is learning valuable lessons in this extended camp and tournament training alongside Turner. 'I mean, Matt is obviously incredibly athletic, a fantastic goalkeeper,' Freese said. 'I think the biggest thing I've picked up from him is how to be a part of a team and and how to create relationships in a national team camp. Obviously, this is newer for me than him, and so he's done a fantastic job. I'm super, super grateful for the support he's shown me, and likewise: he's someone I would always support. We have each other's backs, and the team is what's important at the end of the day.' Only time will tell whether the two Matts will both be on Pochettino's World Cup squad, and how they (and others) will have their starts assigned in the lead-up to next summer. Freese will hope to sustain his strong form with NYCFC, which sits ninth in MLS' Eastern Conference and struggled in his absence this weekend. As Freese said when asked about facing Calvo twice, and if he took cues from the defender's converted attempt in regulation, 'each one is independent from the last.' Each start provides another chance for him to make his case to stay in goal for the USMNT's biggest games. A semifinal against an inspired Guatemala will be another test of his resolve. Rather than be stressed by the burden of responsibility, it's an opportunity that Freese is relishing having been handed to him by Pochettino. 'I've just got to be ready for whatever game I get, whatever moment is there for me,' Freese said. 'He's shown a lot of faith in me, and that's something I'm really grateful for. It's my job to repay him and help the team win.'

How do Michigan fans grade Sherrone Moore and what's next? Our Wolverines fan survey
How do Michigan fans grade Sherrone Moore and what's next? Our Wolverines fan survey

New York Times

time2 hours ago

  • New York Times

How do Michigan fans grade Sherrone Moore and what's next? Our Wolverines fan survey

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In an email to fans last week, athletic director Warde Manuel said Michigan is continuing to evaluate ways to pay for 82 new scholarships and $20.5 million in revenue-sharing funds that will be distributed to athletes in football, basketball, volleyball and ice hockey. If Manuel needs more input, The Athletic's Michigan fan survey is here to help. More than 1,000 fans shared their thoughts last week on scheduling more events at Michigan Stadium (yes, please), higher ticket prices (no way!) and permanent advertising inside the Big House (a definite maybe), along with numerous topics related to the upcoming football season. The overall picture reveals a fan base that, despite some short-term uncertainty, feels confident in the long-term trajectory of Michigan athletics in the revenue-sharing era. Advertisement 'I think UM is generally in a good place,' wrote Chris P. 'Football needs to take a step forward after a natty hangover year in 2024, but I like that the team finished strong last season, and I think Sherrone Moore's approaches to recruiting, the transfer portal and building his coaching staff make sense.' 'I don't think this is THE year for Michigan football,' added Noah K. 'We should be good, not great. The next two years are going to be the hot zone for Bryce (Underwood) and the elite recruiting class we just pulled in to develop.' Here's the full breakdown of the survey results. In last year's fan survey, the vast majority of Michigan fans said they were on board with promoting Moore to replace Jim Harbaugh. Moore's first season was far from flawless, but the combination of beating Ohio State and Alabama and landing the No. 1 recruit in the nation earned Moore solid marks in this year's survey. 'Sherrone Moore had me very nervous at first,' wrote Michael L. 'I think he underestimated how bad his QB was and killed the season because of it. I do think he has bounced back in a major way.' Despite the optimism, there's a sense that Moore needs to show something in 2025. Most fans seem willing to give him some runway as Underwood develops, but they'd also like to see Michigan back in the CFP conversation. 'This season is time for Sherrone to prove he can win outside of the shadow of the national championship,' wrote Bruce B. The takeaway here is that a majority of fans would accept a season similar to 2024 as long as Michigan wins its two rivalry games. There's a clear expectation that Michigan should be back in the CFP by 2026, but fans can deal with some growing pains as long as Michigan is moving in the right direction. Advertisement 'To think this team is ready to compete for a national title with a true freshman QB (though I believe he is talented) and a patchwork offensive line is probably unrealistic,' wrote Sam K. 'My hope is that we can see this team start to jell in the back half of the season, keep the core in place, and 2026 could set up for a special year.' With a freshman quarterback and two excellent running backs, Michigan's new offensive coordinator would be smart to rely on the ground game as much as possible. That's what fans expect, though many find it hard to contain their expectations for Underwood. 'I don't think I have ever been this excited for a quarterback,' wrote Adam S. 'I can't wait to see Underwood play.' The split vote reflects a defense that will rely on depth rather than star power. It will be a great sign for Michigan if Rod Moore is in the conversation given the severity of his knee injury and his lengthy path to recovery. The top choice is no surprise, but I thought Michigan's first Big Ten game in L.A. might rate a bit higher. Fans are right to be excited about the Week 2 trip to Oklahoma, a great intersectional matchup that will set the tone for the rest of Michigan's season. Aside from quarterback, wide receiver is the position that seems most ripe for a breakout season from a freshman. Even so, I might cast my vote for Earls, who has a great shot to be Michigan's third cornerback and might even work his way into the starting lineup. Fans seem confident that Michigan's defensive line won't miss a beat despite losing Josaiah Stewart, Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. I expected the vote to be closer between the D-line and the running backs, though it's tough to go wrong either way. No surprises here. Michigan had one of the least productive wide receiver units in college football last season and returns many of the same players after swapping Tyler Morris for Indiana transfer Donaven McCulley. The long-term picture looks brighter thanks to a strong 2025 class and Zion Robinson's commitment for 2026, but it remains to be seen if any of the young players are ready to emerge. Advertisement My other takeaway: Michigan fans aren't sure what to make of this offensive line. I'd like to get the 7 percent who graded the O-line as the strongest position group in the same room with the 12 percent who think it's the weak link and let them hash it out. We're going on 18 months of opposing fans claiming the sign-stealing scandal is a capital offense while Michigan fans claim it's much ado about nothing. We can all agree on one thing: It will be nice to have closure. 'I feel the Connor Stalions story, while an entertaining distraction, is just that: a distraction,' wrote Nick M. 'Most people will swiftly forget it in a few years, and it will be little more than an embarrassing blip on our reputation.' I do wonder if Michigan fans are setting themselves up for disappointment if the NCAA ruling is harsher than they expect. The case wouldn't have gone all the way to an infractions hearing if the NCAA's enforcement staff was content to let Michigan off with a wrist-slap. That doesn't mean the Committee on Infractions will see it the same way, but Michigan definitely is not in the clear. The perception a few years ago was that Michigan lagged behind its peers in the NIL space. That's no longer the case. Michigan has modernized its personnel department and committed to doing what's necessary to land elite players like Underwood. Give credit to general manager Sean Magee, who has proven to be a smart hire for Moore. The vibes continue to be immaculate for May and his program. Replacing Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf is no small task, but fans are confident Michigan can build on last year's success with the additions of Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Elliot Cadeau. Manuel didn't provide the exact percentages, but Michigan's strategy seems roughly in line with fan preferences. Football is the bell cow and is going to get a majority of the revenue-sharing funds. The next biggest chunk will go to basketball, with volleyball and ice hockey also receiving some funding. The distribution model may evolve over time, Manuel said, and could include payouts for top performers in sports that aren't on the initial list. Advertisement Football is king, but fans want to ensure sports like swimming, gymnastics and track and field have the resources they need to survive. Those fans will be happy to hear that, according to Manuel, cutting any of Michigan's 29 varsity sports programs is not a consideration. 'I really hope Michigan avoids cutting sports such as track, rowing, field hockey, etc.,' wrote Baker C. 'I feel having those sports plays a part in the overall athletic culture of the university and have each had moments of individual excitement and success that I would be sad to see leave.' Keeping last year's format was the most popular choice, though fans are ambivalent overall about the expanded playoff. It's notable that an option the Big Ten has pushed for — four guaranteed bids for the Big Ten and SEC, two apiece for the Big 12 and ACC, one for the Group of 5 and three at-large — was the last-place option. 'The powers that be are going to ruin college football with expanding the Playoff, doing nothing about transfers/tampering and moving away from regional conferences,' wrote Ben K. 'The regular season used to be special. Now an Ohio State team can win the national title without beating Michigan. We probably don't need more than six playoff spots.' These two questions were designed to test the hypothesis that changes in college football have affected fans' attitudes more than their habits. The results bear that out: 47.6 percent of fans feel less interested, but only 22.8 percent are consuming less college football. While interest in college football remains strong, fans are expressing fatigue with the endless tinkering with Playoff formats, conference realignment, player movement and legal wrangling. 'The transfer portal, revenue sharing and NIL do not bother me in the least,' wrote Andrew R. 'However, expanding the playoff field to an absurd 12 teams has ruined the sport and greatly reduced my interest. Conference expansion at the same time has not helped, either. The regular season no longer matters, officially, so why should we care about it? It's a real shame.' Advertisement Michigan fans are divided on the Gus Johnson/Joel Klatt combo, but the Big Noon window is their clear favorite. It's interesting to me that while Ohio State fans clamor for fewer noon kickoffs, Michigan fans would gladly take more if it meant fewer night games. Perhaps that's because night games are a relatively recent phenomenon at the Big House. Hosting events at Michigan Stadium seems like a no-brainer, and I'd expect more of those in the coming years. Michigan hasn't made a decision on permanent advertising at the Big House, but the wording of Manuel's email made me think it's only a matter of time. 'Permanent advertising in Michigan Stadium has been a topic of discussion for many years, predating my tenure at Michigan,' Manuel wrote. 'It's essential for us to assess all potential advertising opportunities to generate new revenue while respecting our traditions. Every decision we make will take into account Michigan's traditions and values while also understanding the decisions we need to make to continue to support the success of our teams.' As someone who didn't grow up attending games at the Big House, my first reaction was, 'Wait, Michigan doesn't have advertising at the stadium?' I can't say that I notice the difference when I travel to other venues, but I understand that some longtime fans have strong feelings about it. 'Never, ever have advertising in or around Michigan Stadium or the uniforms!!' wrote a fan named Jim. Fans may not like it, but if the alternative is cutting sports or raising ticket prices, they'll take the ads. For a fan base that's more tradition-minded than most, Michigan fans expressed a surprising openness to private equity funding, too. 'College football is trending toward the structure of the English Premier League,' wrote Dana B. 'As such, Michigan should get ahead of the game and bring in private equity investors ASAP. Without a doubt this is the direction the sport is headed.' That's not quite the last resort, but it's fairly low on the list of options. Fans can think of much better ways to pay for those new revenue-sharing deals. 'Eminem at the Big House, anyone?' wrote Sen A.

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