Latest news with #TheAthletic
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA rumors: Brutal Deandre Ayton Blazers revelations should give Lakers pause
The post NBA rumors: Brutal Deandre Ayton Blazers revelations should give Lakers pause appeared first on ClutchPoints. Since his release from the Portland Trail Blazers, DeAndre Ayton has received serious interest from the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency. While the move makes sense on paper, the apparent reason why Ayton is available in the first place should concern any team looking to sign him. Advertisement Following Ayton's release, details emerged suggesting the Blazers cut ties due to his lack of discipline and personality flaws rather than his on-court performances, according to The Athletic's Jason Quick. While he has been disappointing since landing in Portland, it was Ayton's reported 'tardiness' and 'tantrums' that did him in. 'See, the Blazers could live with Ayton missing shots or his man scoring on him,' Quick wrote. 'They could even live with him being limited by injuries to 55 and 40 games in his two seasons in Portland. But in the end, they couldn't live with his bad ways. The tardiness to team flights and practices, according to a team source. The skipping of rehabilitation appointments. Fans saw him slam chairs when he was taken out of games. And a team source said there were tantrums in the locker room when he was sidelined for poor effort.' The Blazers' release of Ayton was significant, considering he was the main piece they received from the blockbuster Damian Lillard trade in 2023. However, Portland seemingly prepared for the move a year ago when it selected Donovan Clingan in the 2024 NBA Draft. Since joining the team, Ayton has averaged 15.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game over the last two years. While solid, his numbers have declined from his final two seasons with the Phoenix Suns, during which he averaged 17.2 and 18.0 points per game, respectively. Advertisement Lakers' interest in DeAndre Ayton following Blazers release Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Despite the flaws in his performances, the Los Angeles Lakers have still aggressively pursued Ayton in free agency. The Lakers have been on his tail since his release was announced, with a deal seemingly on the horizon. The Lakers have desperately needed a center for several years, but seem to have urgency to resolve the situation in the 2025 offseason. Los Angeles has also targeted Brook Lopez, Clint Capela and Al Horford, among others. Not only did the Lakers have a size issue in the 2024-2025 season, but they are also prepared to let Jaxson Hayes and Alex Len walk in free agency. Hayes and Len were the team's top two centers late in the year after trading Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic and failing to acquire Mark Williams. Related: Nuggets continue dazzling offseason in Jonas Valanciunas trade with Kings Related: NBA rumors: Pistons, Kings linked to Malik Monk-Dennis Schroder trade
Fox Sports
3 hours ago
- Business
- Fox Sports
Texas Tech FB Commit Felix Ojo Lands Eye-Popping Revenue-Sharing Deal
Texas Tech commit Felix Ojo is one of the first big winners in the revenue-sharing world that has now begun in college sports. As part of his commitment to Texas Tech, the five-star offensive tackle recruit agreed to a three-year, $2.3 million revenue-sharing deal with the school, The Athletic reported. Ojo's deal is believed to be one of the largest revenue-sharing agreements between a school and a student-athlete since the approval of the House v. NCAA settlement in June, which allowed schools and student-athletes to agree to revenue-sharing deals starting on July 1. The deal will pay Ojo $775,000 per year, according to The Athletic. When news first broke about Ojo's commitment, his agent, Derrick Shelby of Prestige Management, told ESPN that the revenue-sharing deal he received was worth $5.1 million. While that figure isn't fully guaranteed, Ojo's revenue-sharing deal can climb to that number if there's a large jump in the cap schools can spend on revenue-sharing deals with student-athletes, The Athletic added in its report. Entering the 2025-26 academic year, schools are allowed to spend roughly $20.5 million in revenue-sharing deals per year across all sponsored sports. However, that number is expected to increase on a yearly basis. Ojo can't officially put pen to paper on his revenue-sharing agreement with Texas Tech just yet, though. Recruits can't sign their revenue-sharing deals with schools until the signing period begins, which is Dec. 3 for FBS football. Student-athletes enrolled for the 2025-26 academic year could begin negotiating revenue-sharing deals with their current schools starting on July 1. Still, Ojo will likely become one of the richest players in college football, at least through revenue sharing, when he takes the field in 2026. To put his agreement in perspective, the total potential value of Ojo's agreement ($5.1 million) would be equal to what a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft would make over the totality of their rookie deal, per Spotrac. Ojo could actually make more on a per-year basis than those players as well, as NFL rookie deals are four years long. "Football is a brutal sport, and athletes are not able to play professionally until their graduating class has been in college three years," Shelby told ESPN of Ojo's deal. "It was important to be able to secure Felix Ojo's future and give him and his family some security as he continues to develop into a first-round NFL draft pick." Prior to landing Ojo in a rich revenue-sharing deal, Texas Tech has made major financial commitments in obtaining and securing student-athletes as of late in the name, image and likeness (NIL) era. Softball phenom NiJaree Canady has reportedly received two $1 million deals through Texas Tech's NIL collective, reciting one to transfer from Stanford in 2024 and earning another to remain with the school in June. Basketball star JT Toppin also remained at Texas Tech following his All-American season in 2024-25 by reportedly signing a $3 million deal with the school's NIL collective. That deal has made Toppin one of the most valuable players in all of college sports. That spending has also carried into the football program. The Red Raiders spent more than $10 million through their NIL collective to land 21 players in the transfer portal this offseason, according to The Athletic. Its transfer portal class ranked as the second-best this offseason, via 247 Sports. Ojo, who also had offers from and visited Michigan, Texas, Florida, Ohio State and others, headlines a 2026 recruiting class that currently ranks 26th in the nation, via 247 Sports. He's currently 247 Sports' fifth-best prospect in the Class of 2026 and is the best recruit the program has ever landed, according to the recruiting service. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. recommended Get more from College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Blockbuster Kevin Durant trade grows into historic 7 team trade
The Kevin Durant trade to Houston was agreed to two weeks ago — hours before Game 7 of the NBA Finals, just to cast a shadow over that event — and since then has kept growing and growing. As other trades were agreed to, it became fiscally responsible to combine them into one big trade. On Sunday, the Durant trade will be approved by the league as a seven-team trade, a development that has been anticipated for a while and is now confirmed by Fred Katz of The Athletic. Most of what is happening is draft picks getting moved around. The Durant trade could not be approved until the NBA's new fiscal year (July 1) and the end of the trade and free agency moratorium, which runs until July 6. On Sunday, a flood of already agreed-upon trades and signings will be officially announced. Including a historically large Kevin Durant trade.
NBC Sports
4 hours ago
- Business
- NBC Sports
Blockbuster Kevin Durant trade grows into historic 7 team trade
The Kevin Durant trade to Houston was agreed to two weeks ago — hours before Game 7 of the NBA Finals, just to cast a shadow over that event — and since then has kept growing and growing. As other trades were agreed to, it became fiscally responsible to combine them into one big trade. On Sunday, the Durant trade will be approved by the league as a seven-team trade, a development that has been anticipated for a while and is now confirmed by Fred Katz of The Athletic. Most of what is happening is draft picks getting moved around. League sources say the trade will send: • Kevin Durant, Clint Capela to Houston • Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Daeqwon Plowden to Phoenix • David Roddy to Atlanta All other elements of the deal are pick trades from draft night that are yet to be finalized. The Durant trade could not be approved until the NBA's new fiscal year (July 1) and the end of the trade and free agency moratorium, which runs until July 6. On Sunday, a flood of already agreed-upon trades and signings will be officially announced. Including a historically large Kevin Durant trade.
New York Times
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- New York Times
If this is it for NASCAR's Chicago Street Race, drivers will miss a ‘favorite event'
CHICAGO — NASCAR stock cars will roar down Michigan Avenue, DuSable Lake Shore Drive and other streets around Chicago's Grant Park for perhaps the final time on Sunday afternoon, marking the conclusion of an eventful and weather-marred three-year contract. Meteorologists are calling for rain on race day for the third consecutive year, and the long-term forecast for the race's future on the NASCAR schedule looks gloomier. While considered a remarkable feat in the NASCAR world, the race has also been an expensive proposition for the sanctioning body — more than $50 million spent for the inaugural race in 2023, with less attendance than originally hoped. Advertisement The grandstands, hospitality areas and concert venue have been pared down for this year's edition of the race. Meanwhile, The Athletic has reported NASCAR is in talks for a San Diego street race next year — and it's unclear whether there could be room for two such events on the calendar. But if this is the last one in Chicago, drivers certainly aren't cheering its demise. Despite widespread industry skepticism before the first edition of the race, Chicago has become a signature event that presents a different experience than most on the NASCAR schedule. 'It's probably my favorite event in NASCAR each year,' said Kyle Larson, a three-time winner this season in the Cup Series. Favorite? Of all 38 races? 'I mean, name a better one,' he said. Larson rattled off a list of pluses for the Chicago race: Drivers enjoy staying in a hotel across the street and walking to the racetrack. There are endless nice restaurants. The city is beautiful. And the racing has been surprisingly good. From Larson's view, what's not to like? It wasn't always evident it would turn out this way. In the lead-up to the inaugural race, Chicago politicians and residents alike raised a fuss over road closures, traffic, and concerns about everything from dog-walking disruptions to asking track president Julie Giese if there was a chance of cars crashing into buildings. Meanwhile, there was hand-wringing in the NASCAR garage over headlines about high crime and worries about whether the Cup Series cars would be able to have a good show on such a narrow course. Then, in the middle of the first day of on-track activity in 2023, the first rain hit. The city evacuated the entire park due to lightning, and NASCAR was forced to cancel high-profile concerts that night to the dismay of many fans who were sold on the 'music festival with a race' concept. Advertisement Suddenly, it seemed like the event might be doomed before it even got started. 'That first year on the Saturday, the amount of people coming in here for the concert was insanity,' Spire Motorsports driver Michael McDowell said. 'It was going to be a giant success. And then, obviously, the weather and the thunderstorms.' The next day, a large storm caused the track to flood. The rain swirled around on the radar like a small hurricane. Finally, the skies cleared enough for New Zealand native Shane van Gisbergen to win a thrilling race in his NASCAR debut, broadcaster NBC had its highest NASCAR viewership in six years, and the race was viewed as a hit despite the rain. It won 'Event of the Year' at the Sports Business Awards. Mother Nature struck again last year, causing more delays and shortening the race. And Chicago might get drenched again on Sunday, if those forecasts are correct. Still, an often-cynical NASCAR garage has refreshingly focused on the rays of sunshine poking through the clouds when it comes to Chicago. 'It's had to go through a lot of adversity, but the race itself and the city and the track are awesome,' McDowell said. 'It accomplished what we wanted to accomplish: Bringing the race to the fans and not the fans to the race.' Giese said more than 80 percent of ticket-buyers in the first year had never previously been to a NASCAR race; that number dipped to a still-impressive 70 percent in Year 2 and was tracking similarly for Sunday. Drivers don't have that data at their fingertips, but their anecdotal evidence has put Chicago in a favorable light. Driver/team owner Denny Hamlin said there was 'more excitement around the venue itself than what a normal race venue has' and was pleased to hear non-NASCAR fans at his hotel discussing the race. His experiences led him to stump Saturday for a return to Chicago because it has stayed true to the original goal: Creating a massive, in-person promotion geared toward an audience who might not otherwise even consider watching a NASCAR race. Advertisement 'I (went) shopping, and I go to all these different stores,' Hamlin said. '(The conversations were,) 'What are you in town for? Oh, yeah, there's a race. We were talking about going to that. We didn't go last year because of the rain, but we're thinking about going.' 'That's what you want. These are younger people who are not going to travel to Chicagoland (Speedway, an oval in Joliet, about 40 miles away from Grant Park) to go to a race. You have to have it right here where they can walk to it.' But that's also the dilemma for NASCAR. This isn't F1, which never races on an oval and conducts its championship circuit exclusively on street circuits and road courses. Nor is this IndyCar, which has a sprinkling of ovals on a calendar otherwise dominated by road racing. NASCAR has six non-ovals per season, and Chicago is the only street course race. Street courses are tighter and less forgiving than natural road courses, which have plenty of runoff areas unrestrained by real-life city avenues and obstacles like sidewalks and bus stops. While Chicago has allowed new fans to see the cars and drivers up close, it's also not a true sampling of the core NASCAR product. That's one reason Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott has been such a strong advocate of seeing NASCAR race at the Nashville Fairgrounds short track near that city's center and repeatedly praised NASCAR for building a small oval inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for its preseason exhibition 'Clash' race from 2022-2024. 'There's nothing that's going to top giving people a true short track (in Nashville),' Elliott said. 'What is NASCAR? Here it is. Take an Uber from Broadway to the racetrack and go watch. 'That is the biggest home run waiting to happen. But this is a good second choice, as far as getting inside a big-city market. It's been a lot of fun to come do it.' Advertisement Regardless of whether Chicago sticks, it's a given that the NASCAR schedule will continue evolving. And that's a recent development for a series which once had such a stale calendar that Joey Logano considered a 'big change' was 'moving a date a couple weeks.' These days, NASCAR has taken some wild chances. It raced inside the L.A. Coliseum. It tried a dirt race. It took a gamble on the small-capacity Bowman Gray Stadium earlier this year. It took the Cup Series to Mexico City last month for the first international points race in the Modern Era. But nothing compares to what it accomplished logistically in Chicago. A series without any street course setup experience convinced city leaders they could pull it off and then did, constructing a world-class track that challenged drivers in the heart of the third-biggest American city. It's telling that in spite of a trifecta of rainy race days, the Chicago Street Course legacy is likely to still be viewed favorably and as a proof of concept for future street racing events. 'It's proven being bold can have its benefits if you take big risks,' 2023 Cup champion Ryan Blaney said. 'It's something they'd never done before. They took it head-on.' 'I wish we would have gotten more fortune with the weather, but it's been a big success. No matter what happens next year, going forward, it's been really good NASCAR decided to do this. It was a win.' (Top photo of Shane van Gisbergen celebrating his win Saturday in the Xfinity Series race in Chicago: Chris Graythen / Getty Images)
