Latest news with #NFL-sized
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
FIFA president defends relationship with Trump, Club World Cup controversies
NEW YORK – Does President Donald Trump love soccer? FIFA president Gianni Infantino believes so. Trump and Infantino have built a close relationship, showcased after several visits made by Infantino to the White House in the last year. FIFA also opened a new office inside Trump Tower this week during the Club World Cup. Infantino said their friendship sparked when he saw a soccer net outside a window during his first visit to the White House in Trump's first presidency. They bonded when Trump told him his youngest son, Barron, loves the sport. 'He explained to me his son loved football. And of course, when you're parents, you love what your children love. So, I would think he loves [soccer],' Infantino said during a press briefing at Trump Tower on Saturday, July 12, before the Club World Cup final. FINAL TICKETS: Prices slashed for PSG vs. Chelsea Club World Cup showdown Infantino further explained his connection with Trump derives from needing government support from the United States to run the Club World Cup this summer and the World Cup next summer, which will be co-hosted with Canada and Mexico. 'He embraced immediately the importance of the FIFA Club World Cup, and the World Cup next year,' Infantino said of Trump. Watch Club World Cup on DAZN 'He established a White House task force chaired by himself, which we all participate because events like the Club World Cup and World Cup are a huge, huge, huge events with 100s of thousands of people coming (into the country), going out (of the country), traveling to games. 'You cannot even think about organizing an event like this … such a competition without the full engagement and full support of the government.' Infantino says Trump will attend the Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, July 13. Reigning Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain will face English side Chelsea in the match to conclude the tournament, which has faced steep criticism. While photos of empty seats at NFL-sized stadiums went viral on social media, Infantino said nearly 2.5 million fans attended Club World Cup matches. Infantino said fans from 168 countries attended matches. 'I prefer to put 35,000 people in an 80,000-seat stadium than 20,000 in a 20,000-seat stadium,' Infantino said. FIFA's president said the Club World Cup has also generated 'almost $2.1 billion in revenue" and that the tournament has had 20 million viewers globally thanks to a broadcasting partnership with DAZN. Infantino emphasized FIFA's claim that it will not pocket any of the revenue, instead re-investing the funds back into soccer clubs globally. The Club World Cup winner will earn $40 million, while the runner-up gets $30 million as part of a $1 billion prize pool for the tournament. Another $250 million will be made as solidarity payments to teams around the world. Still, Infantino is aware FIFA has work to do to ensure the World Cup – which will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026 – will be a success. One contentious point was the weather, with players and teams playing in temperatures higher than 90 degrees during afternoon matches played at noon or 3 p.m. to satisfy primetime viewing windows elsewhere in the world. 'Of course, the heat is an issue. … We need to look at what we can do better (next year) in America,' Infantino said. 'We also have stadiums that are covered and we need to use these stadiums more in the day. These are questions that we have to study. 'We can improve. We have to improve. And we will improve,' Infantino added.
USA Today
04-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Joshua Braun, G, Kentucky
Summer is here, and it is everyone's favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Bucs fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Tampa Bay. Are we going to write about quarterbacks? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Bucs, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Bucs fans can be the most informed fans. So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall. Player Information Player: Joshua Braun School: Kentucky Height/Weight: 6-6/338 lbs. Player Background - 4-Star Recruit - Mother (Basketball) and Father (Football) attended West Point. - National Merit Scholar - State qualifier in Tennis in High School - Transferred from Florida to Arkansas to Kentucky Career Stats Heading into the 2025 Season - 38 Career Games - 19 Career Starts Notable PFF Numbers Heading into the 2025 Season - 69.6 PFF Run Blocking Grade - 82.6 PFF Pass Blocking Grade - 1,126 Run Blocking Snaps - 1,309 Pass Blocking Snaps Player Traits - Good athlete with movement skills - Has the power to handle NFL-sized defenders - Holds his own picking up blitzers and defenders in open space - Shows promise as a pass blocker - Physical blocker when given the chance Player Summary Joshua Braun has made his way around the SEC, but he has proven that he more than belongs among the conference's talent. Braun has good athleticism to pull when asked to and can be a lead blocker for a running back. He has a good base and balance to handle defenders who either blitz or collide with him in the open field. All in all, Braun has some tools to work with, but being in one consistent program is needed for him to take the next step truly, I think it is possible given his athletic style and build.
USA Today
04-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Joshua Braun, G, Kentucky
Summer is here, and it is everyone's favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Vikings fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Minnesota. Are we going to write about quarterbacks? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Vikings, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Vikings fans can be the most informed fans. So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall. Player Information Player: Joshua Braun School: Kentucky Height/Weight: 6-6/338 lbs. Player Background - 4-Star Recruit - Mother (Basketball) and Father (Football) attended West Point. - National Merit Scholar - State qualifier in Tennis in High School - Transferred from Florida to Arkansas to Kentucky Career Stats Heading into the 2025 Season - 38 Career Games - 19 Career Starts Notable PFF Numbers Heading into the 2025 Season - 69.6 PFF Run Blocking Grade - 82.6 PFF Pass Blocking Grade - 1,126 Run Blocking Snaps - 1,309 Pass Blocking Snaps Player Traits - Good athlete with movement skills - Has the power to handle NFL-sized defenders - Holds his own picking up blitzers and defenders in open space - Shows promise as a pass blocker - Physical blocker when given the chance Player Summary Joshua Braun has made his way around the SEC, but he has proven that he more than belongs among the conference's talent. Braun has good athleticism to pull when asked to and can be a lead blocker for a running back. He has a good base and balance to handle defenders who either blitz or collide with him in the open field. All in all, Braun has some tools to work with, but being in one consistent program is needed for him to take the next step, truly. I think it is possible, given his athletic style and build.
USA Today
19-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Iapani Laloulu, C, Oregon
NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Iapani Laloulu, C, Oregon Summer is here, and it is everyone's favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Vikings fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Minnesota. Are we going to write about quarterbacks? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Vikings, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Vikings fans can be the most informed fans. So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall. Player Information Player: Iapani Laloulu School: Oregon Height/Weight: 6-2/325 lbs. Player Background - 4-Star Recruit - Under Armour All-American - Freshman All-American in 2023 - All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2024 Career Stats Heading into the 2025 Season - 28 Career Games - 15 Career Starts Notable PFF Numbers Heading into the 2025 Season - 66.6 PFF Run Blocking Grade - 79.9 PFF Pass Blocking Grade - 623 Run Blocking Snaps - 760 Pass Blocking Snaps Player Traits - Excellent awareness to pick up defenders - Great balance and footwork - Has the power to handle anyone and knock defenders on their heels - NFL size and length to plug and play as a rookie Player Summary Iapani Laloulu immediately emerged as one of the top-tier options in this class at the center position, alongside Jake Slaughter. Laloulu has excellent awareness to pick up defenders who try to swing inside the middle of the offensive line to break through. He never gets caught off guard, allowing for some excellent pass rush reps. He generates excellent power off the snap and can punch defenders back on their heels. To top it all off, he has the size to be able to do all of this to NFL-sized players when he is drafted next April.
USA Today
19-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Iapani Laloulu, C, Oregon
NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Iapani Laloulu, C, Oregon Summer is here, and it is everyone's favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Bucs fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Tampa Bay. Are we going to write about quarterbacks? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Bucs, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Bucs fans can be the most informed fans. So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall. Player Information Player: Iapani Laloulu School: Oregon Height/Weight: 6-2/325 lbs. Player Background - 4-Star Recruit - Under Armour All-American - Freshman All-American in 2023 - All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2024 Career Stats Heading into the 2025 Season - 28 Career Games - 15 Career Starts Notable PFF Numbers Heading into the 2025 Season - 66.6 PFF Run Blocking Grade - 79.9 PFF Pass Blocking Grade - 623 Run Blocking Snaps - 760 Pass Blocking Snaps Player Traits - Excellent awareness to pick up defenders - Great balance and footwork - Has the power to handle anyone and knock defenders on their heels - NFL size and length to plug and play as a rookie Player Summary Iapani Laloulu immediately emerged as one of the top-tier options in this class at the center position, alongside Jake Slaughter. Laloulu has excellent awareness to pickup defenders who try to swing inside the middle of the offensive line to break through. He never gets caught off guard, allowing for some excellent pass rush reps. He generates excellent power off the snap and can punch defenders back on their heels. To top it all off, he has the size to be able to do all of this to NFL-sized players when he is drafted next April.
