BATON ROUGE, La. — I’m seated inside Brian Kelly’s office on an April afternoon, inquiring about the LSU football coach’s Year 3 expectations, before I pivot the conversation.

With my tongue in my cheek, I say to Kelly that I’m surprised we’re doing this interview here. Kelly looks at me quizzically, as if to say: Why wouldn’t we be doing this interview here?

I let the penny drop and quip that I thought maybe we’d be having this conversation in Michigan.

Kelly plays along for a moment.

“Yeah,” he says sardonically. “Right.”

Coaching carousel rumors positioned Kelly as a possible heir to Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh. Rumors, though, can’t be trusted.  

Kelly had no interest in leaving LSU for Michigan, he tells me.

No interest?

“No. Not at all,” Kelly says. “I have committed myself to (LSU).”

Coaches rival rumors and politicians on the truthfulness meter, but Kelly lays out a convincing case that LSU remains the destination where he wants to finish his career. He relishes coaching in the SEC, and he believes he can hunt an elusive national championship — the lone accomplishment missing off his career résumé — with the Tigers.

Kelly coached against Michigan. He respects Michigan. He doesn’t want to be Michigan.

He lived the Midwest life. He’s not itching to run it back. He’d rather challenge himself against Alabama and Georgia and now Texas and Oklahoma.

“I don’t want to coach anywhere else,” Kelly said.

Maybe you’re scoffing, because Kelly once said something similar about Notre Dame before defecting to the bayou, but the truth is, Kelly can achieve everything he wants at LSU. Nick Saban, Les Miles and Ed Orgeron each won a national title here within four seasons.

Kelly, 62, is building momentum. He won 20 games through two seasons. Saban never amassed that many victories through his first two seasons at either Michigan State, LSU or Alabama.

What if Kelly’s just getting started?

Reflect on Kelly’s career, and you’ll see that his tenures at Central Michigan, Cincinnati and Notre Dame reached a crescendo in his third season. That included a national championship game appearance in his third year at Notre Dame.

So, when can Kelly’s Tigers contend for a national championship? Now.

Brian Kelly’s quest for an LSU national championship

When I interviewed Kelly last summer, he pinpointed 2024 as LSU’s timeline to seriously contend for a national title. I revisited that topic with Kelly in April. He made no guarantees or bold predictions. He also didn’t back down.

Kelly reconfigured his coaching staff in the offseason by hiring some top assistants to target defensive improvement. He sees more roster depth and player leadership than LSU embodied a year ago.

“I think the program is now built on a foundation that they can go compete for a championship,” Kelly said.

How, you might wonder, is LSU supposed to contend for a national championship after it lost three games last season despite featuring the Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback?

Start by finding a pulse on defense.

“If we could’ve played any semblance of defense (last season), we’re in the playoffs,” Kelly says bluntly.

Kelly whispered warnings last summer about defensive deficiencies. He proved prophetic. LSU’s defense ranked closer to Vanderbilt’s than it did to Georgia’s. LSU’s reliance on youth and transfers didn’t work. This year, juniors and seniors populate LSU’s defense, and Kelly took fewer transfers.

Kelly still doesn’t discuss his defense as if it’s Georgia’s, but he speaks of development and seeing more of the “basic tenets” of defense under new coordinator Blake Baker, who previously transformed Missouri’s defense.

“It won’t be elite yet,” Kelly said of LSU’s defense, “but I think it’s getting to the point where it can complement our offense. It didn’t complement our offense last year.”

Kelly is counting on growth in the secondary, which opponents shredded last season. He likes LSU’s linebackers and edge rushers. If he had a wish, it would be for another high-end defensive tackle or two.

Also, LSU needs Harold Perkins to play like Harold Perkins after he struggled as a sophomore to transition from edge rusher to inside linebacker. He’ll play weakside linebacker this season, rather than returning to edge rusher.

“We’re going to need our best players to play their best football,” Kelly said. “Harold Perkins is going to have to be an impact player.”

In LSU’s spring game, its defense did a good job hiding any potential improvement. Garrett Nussmeier cooked the Tigers’ defense.

If Kelly harbors concerns, starting quarterback isn’t among them.

‘Players love’ LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier

Kelly identifies only one missing piece for Nussmeier: more playing time.

In other words, Nussmeier possesses the necessary abilities, mechanics and know-how. The fourth-year Tiger quarterback just needs more snaps. Think Carson Beck, who spent three seasons as a Georgia backup before passing for nearly 4,000 yards last season in his first season as its starter.

Jayden Daniels led all quarterbacks last season with 1,134 rushing yards, en route to becoming LSU’s third Heisman winner. Kelly doesn’t expect Nussmeier to repeat that dual-threat production, so LSU must rely on its veteran offensive line and running backs to recoup that ground attack.

Kelly endorses Nussmeier’s arm. Nussmeier completed all seven of his passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns in LSU’s spring game.

The window to buy low on Nussmeier’s stock is closed.

“He just eats this up,” Kelly said. “He eats it and drinks it and sleeps it. The players love him. He’s committed. He’s got leadership capabilities. More than anything else, you have a guy that loves the big moments.”

Fine, but how can LSU replace the exit of star receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr.?

This solution is multi-pronged. Kelly identifies Kyren Lacy as a budding star. Also, he likes LSU’s wide receiver depth.

“The sum will have to be greater than any one of the parts, because you’re not going to replace individually three first-round draft picks,” Kelly said in reference to Daniels, Nabers and Thomas.

What Nick Saban’s retirement means for LSU, Brian Kelly

Kelly might be the only Baton Rouge resident who would prefer that Saban still coached Alabama.

After Kelly departed Notre Dame for LSU, he said a desire to face elite SEC competition influenced his decision. Saban personified that challenge. Kelly beat Alabama his first season at LSU, before the Tide turned the tables last season. Saban retired owning a 3-1 all-time record against Kelly.

“I’m sorry to see Nick go,” Kelly said.

I’ve wondered whether Saban’s retirement creates a power void in the SEC — or at least leaves room for a new twin power to emerge alongside Georgia.

Kelly doesn’t contextualize Saban’s retirement that way.

“Kalen DeBoer is an outstanding football coach,” Kelly said of Saban’s heir. “His success is real. They hired somebody that, I think, creates the same kind of expectations at Alabama.”

No longer, though, does Saban directly impede Kelly’s championship quest.

Who’s the new face of the challenge?

“It’s Kirby Smart,” Kelly said.

Imitation is a college football coach’s highest compliment, and Kelly’s program-building blueprint for LSU resembles Smart’s method at Georgia. Kelly doesn’t covet Lane Kiffin’s “Portal King” throne. He’s intent on signing and developing recruits and using transfers to fill cracks.

That formula requires not only retention and development, but also signing premier prospects. Smart, like Saban before him, is a master recruiter.

To that end, LSU boasts the SEC’s top-ranked 2025 recruiting class, albeit more than seven months until signing day.

“We had to get some things right systemically, and I think he’s done that,” LSU athletic director Scott Woodward said of Kelly’s first two seasons. “Now, it’s a matter of recruiting at an elite level. That’s what he’s doing.’

Never mind Michigan. LSU retains Brian Kelly’s attention

While in New York City in December for the Heisman ceremony, Kelly looked at the digital billboards around him on 42nd Street. One billboard featured Daniels. Another displayed LSU gymnastics’ Olivia Dunne, while yet another showed women’s basketball star Angel Reese.

“I was like, ‘OK, you’ve got my attention,’ ” Kelly said.

That scene in New York provided a visual of why Woodward says LSU possesses America’s hottest college brand.

LSU gymnastics won the national championship in April. Kim Mulkey won a women’s basketball national championship in her second season coaching LSU. Tigers baseball coach Jay Johnson also won a national title in his second season.

Woodward doesn’t have Kelly on a clock.

“I love where the program is heading,” Woodward said. “Year 3 is not like it’s the final thing.”

As for those Michigan rumors, Woodward says he “wasn’t too worried about it, but I was paying attention.”

“Not disparaging Michigan,” Woodward said, “but for Brian’s path, I think he wanted to compete in the best conference, and I think he wanted to compete at the highest level, and I think that’s why he accepted the challenge here.”

Anyway, Kelly never leaves a job before Year 3. That’s when he really starts cooking.

In a century and a half of Kentucky Derbies, fans have seen some of the greatest horses in the history of Thoroughbred racing win the blanket of roses. Names like Secretariat, Citation, Count Fleet and American Pharoah minted their greatness in part because of what they did on Derby Day.

At the same time, there have also been some utterly forgettable horses of little accomplishment who happened to run the race of their life on the day that mattered most. Here are the Derby’s undistinguished dozen (in descending chronological order): 

Rich Strike, 2022

Starts: 14 First place: 2 Second place: 1 Third place: 3

Best non-Derby performance: Lost by a head in the Grade II Lukas Classic Stakes

Why he’s on the list: Rich Strike was a great story, just not a very fast horse. He was 81-1 in the Derby for a reason, but a crazy fast pace and a perfect trip up the rail under little-known jockey Sonny Leon produced one of the flukiest results in Derby history. In six subsequent races, Rich Strike only finished in the top three once. 

Country House, 2019

7: 2-2-1

Best non-Derby performance: Third in the Arkansas Derby 

Why he’s on the list: First of all, Country House didn’t cross the wire first at Churchill Downs. But the 30-1 longshot was awarded victory after stewards disqualified Maximum Security for bumping at the head of the stretch. Country House won just one other race in his career when he broke his maiden in January of that year. Due to a series of physical problems post-Derby, he couldn’t get back to the racetrack and was retired. 

Super Saver, 2010

9: 3-2-1

Best non-Derby performance: Won the Kentucky Jockey Club stakes as a 2-year old

Why he’s on the list: Bet down on Derby Day from 15-1 to the 8-1 second choice thanks to a sloppy track that he was known to favor, it wasn’t a surprise that Super Saver won. He had also run well in his two prep races, finishing third and second, respectively. But ultimately, there’s just not much meat on the bone in his overall résumé, and his only two post-Derby races before retirement were poor performances. Historically, the Derby field he beat is one of the weakest in recent memory. 

Mine That Bird, 2009

18: 5-2-1

Best non-Derby performance: A very respectable second in the Preakness to the great filly Rachel Alexandra 

Why he’s on the list: Four of his five career wins came in Canada as a 2-year-old, which explains why he was dismissed on Derby Day as a 50-1 long shot. Though Mine That Bird showed some quality by finishing runner-up in the Preakness and third in the Belmont, he never came close to winning another race. He ran four times as a 4-year-old and finished 8th, 5th, 7th and 10th. 

Giacomo, 2005

16: 3-2-5

Best non-Derby performance: Won the San Diego Handicap as a 4-year-old

Why he’s on the list: Giacomo was a bit of a plodder with a late closing kick who needed a race to set up perfectly to win. That’s exactly what he got on Derby Day when the leaders ran one of the quickest half-miles in the history of the race and Giacomo came from way out of it down the stretch to win at 50-1. The rest of his career, though, was unremarkable and he was never much of a threat against top-class competition. 

Proud Clarion, 1967

25: 6-4-2

Best non-Derby performance: Set a track record at Aqueduct in the Roamer Handicap

Why he’s on the list: This 30-1 longshot won the Derby that was supposed to go to Damascus, who subsequently won the Preakness and Belmont and is still regarded as one of the great Thoroughbreds of all-time. Both as a 2- and 3-year-old, Proud Clarion had done little to suggest he was in the same weight class. But on Derby Day, Proud Clarion circled the field on the far turn and pulled away as Damascus struggled to a third-place finish. He won just one other stakes race the rest of his career. 

Count Turf, 1951

45: 8-4-6

Best non-Derby performance: Won the Questionnaire Handicap as a 5-year-old

Why he’s on the list: Though he had regal breeding and striking looks, Count Turf underperformed so badly in his prep races that trainer Sol Rutchick decided not to even make the trip to Kentucky, changed his mind on race day but missed his flight and had to experience the thrill of victory by listening to the radio. After deciding not to contest the Preakness, Count Turf was seventh in the Belmont and was never a factor in major races the rest of his career. 

Brokers Tip, 1933

14: 1-2-1

Best non-Derby performance: Third in the Cincinnati Trophy as a 2-year-old 

Why he’s on the list: This remains one of the most famous Derbies ever because Don Meade, the jockey of Brokers Tip, and Herb Fisher on runner-up Head Play, literally grabbed and hit each other as their horses raced side-by-side down the stretch. Brokers Tip came out on top by a nose — and it was the only race he ever won.

Clyde Van Dusen, 1929

42: 12-7-8

Best non-Derby performance: Won the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes as a 2-year-old

Why he’s on the list: After his surprise victory, Colonel Edward Bradley – the owner of the beaten favorite Blue Larkspur – reportedly called the small gelding Clyde Van Dusen “the worst horse to win the Derby in 20 years.” It was a bitter but prescient comment: Clyde Van Dusen never won another major race and eventually settled into the cheap claiming ranks later in his career. 

Behave Yourself, 1921

18: 4-2-1

Best non-Derby performance: Second place in the Blue Grass Stakes

Why he’s on the list: One popular story from the time suggests that Behave Yourself was able to win the roses when his more highly touted stablemate, Black Servant, got spooked by a hat that was thrown onto the racetrack by a spectator. His racing career was undistinguished otherwise, and he was donated to the U.S. Army Remount Service several years later.

Pink Star, 1907

16: 3-1-2

Best non-Derby performance: Won a $500 race as a 2-year-old, which would be worth about $17,000 in today’s dollars.

Why he’s on the list: The longest shot in the field, Pink Star was the only horse in the 33rd Kentucky Derby to handle the heavy track that day. He was described in news accounts as having a poor disposition and ugly stride, and his owner had such little confidence that he didn’t even bet his own horse that day. His Derby winnings of $4,850 represented 84% of his career earnings, and he didn’t win another race as a 3-year-old. He rarely raced in subsequent years and ended up as a farm horse. 

Manuel, 1899

21: 4-5-4

Best non-Derby performance: Won the Prospect Stakes as a 2-year-old

Why he’s on the list: Just five horses showed up for the 25th running of the Derby, which is considered by experts to be one of the weakest in history. Manuel didn’t accomplish much on the racetrack outside of winning the Derby, and he never got a chance later in his career to prove his quality due to an injury suffered when he stepped in a hole. 

Sure, each class is bound to feature some players who outperform their draft slot. But while any franchise would love to secure some comparable version of the San Francisco 49ers quarterback or the Los Angeles Rams wide receiver, the two are extreme outliers in the recent history of mid-to-late-round prospects, most of whom might top out as respectable rotational players. And the depth of talent available in the draft this year was widely questioned, as just 58 early entrants – the lowest total since 2011 – made the jump from the new college football landscape forever shifted by name, image and likeness.

Still, there were several players who landed outside the first round yet look poised to provide substantial returns on the draft capital their respective teams invested in them.

Here are the biggest steals of the 2024 NFL draft:

1. Adonai Mitchell, WR, Indianapolis Colts (second round, No. 52 overall)

Leave it to Reggie Wayne, the former Colts standout pass catcher and current wide receivers coach for the team, to sum up the second-round selection of Mitchell: ‘We just got better. … That’s a steal.’

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Indeed, using only a second-round selection to secure the 6-2, 205-pound receiver with 4.34-second speed in the 40-yard dash could qualify as the best value grab in the draft. Mitchell’s superlative athleticism isn’t an abstract matter, as he routinely translates his quick-twitch movements into separation from defensive backs, particularly on in-breaking routes. He not only can dust corners on deep targets but also consistently free himself up in the intermediate area. 

On the Colts, that skill set should come in handy right away. Michael Pittman Jr. has the No. 1 job locked down, but there’s room for Mitchell to come in and rise as high as the secondary option by the end of the season. He provides a fine contrast in style to Pittman, a reliable but somewhat rigid receiver, and Josh Downs, who can continue to operate underneath as a slot target. 

Mitchell also appears to have Chris Ballard squarely in his corner, as the Colts general manager defended his incoming rookie after reports suggested character concerns could be a contributing factor in the Georgia transfer’s slide in the draft.

‘This is a good kid,’ Ballard said in a news conference. ‘For those reports to come out, I said it last year, it’s (expletive).’

The real X-factor here is Richardson. Everything in Indianapolis’ offense orbits around him. If he takes a shine to his new wideout – and here’s guessing the signal-caller will develop an affinity for someone who can easily snare jump balls and salvage errant throws thanks to his body control – then Mitchell’s role will grow as far as the two players push it. 

2. Cooper DeJean, CB/S, Philadelphia Eagles (second round, No. 40 overall)

Until Thursday, the Eagles had not selected a cornerback in the first round since 2002, when the team took Lito Sheppard. Howie Roseman could have been forgiven, then, if he had resisted using another premium pick in his secondary after choosing Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell at No. 22 overall, especially with veteran starters Darius Slay and James Bradberry returning. Yet in the second round, DeJean’s talent proved too alluring to pass up.

The 6-0, 203-pound defender is one of this class’ premier playmakers, thanks in large part due to his versatility. At Iowa, he handled duties at outside cornerback and safety as well as in the slot, and his explosive athleticism and natural instincts should allow him to handle matchups at any of those spots in the NFL. That makes him a valuable chess piece, even if he doesn’t quite have a natural home at any place. Roseman said the Eagles wouldn’t box DeJean in as he begins his pro career, and he could be ticketed to handle several different matchups before finding his exact spot.

3. Zach Frazier, C, Pittsburgh Steelers (second round, No. 51 overall)

Had the Steelers selected Frazier in the first round, the move likely would have elicited some mild surprise but not outright shock, as the West Virginia center had been considered by some to be a fringe candidate for the late first round. Instead, Pittsburgh first nabbed another prospect integral to its push up front – offensive tackle Troy Fautanu – and returned with Frazier in the second.

The four-time high school wrestling champion is exactly what many would picture if asked to envision a Steelers center. Rugged to the core, Frazier figures to forklift opponents in the run game, which no doubt will be the driving force of the Steelers’ offense under new coordinator Arthur Smith. He solves what could have been a persistent problem for Pittsburgh and slots in as a savvy starter from the get-go. 

4. Payton Wilson, LB, Steelers (third round No. 98 overall)

There’s no way to game out the injury factors that seemingly sunk Wilson’s stock. Despite following up his prolific, Bednarik Award-winning performance last fall with a stellar athletic showcase at the combine, the 6-4, 233-pounder tumbled all the way to the end of the third round. His litany of red flags were mostly widely known after his time at North Carolina State – the Fayetteville Observer and the USA TODAY Network reported last January he had already underwent 10 surgeries – but reports emerged during the draft that he no longer has an interior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

If Wilson can avoid major setbacks early in his career, however, he has all the tools to be a staple at the second level. His hyperactive and instinctive approach was evident in his 138 tackles and six sacks last season. Few linebackers can match his blend of size, speed and playmaking range, both in coverage and against the run. For a franchise that has suffered through subpar linebacker play in recent years yet didn’t look prepared to make a premium investment in the position, that’s plenty to be excited about. 

5. Christian Haynes, G, Seattle Seahawks (third round, No. 81 overall)

Concern for the outlook of the Seahawks’ interior offensive line ramped up soon after Damien Lewis departed for the Carolina Panthers in free agency. Seattle signed veteran Laken Tomlinson but entered the draft with a lack of resolution at offensive guard. In Haynes, the team looks to have landed a blocker capable of stepping in straight away to provide some stability. 

A four-year starter at UConn, the 6-3, 317-pounder repeatedly took defenders for a ride in the run game. Limited agility is his biggest knock and perhaps the shortcoming that kept him out of the draft’s first two rounds, but the third-round selection otherwise figures to be a strong candidate to beat out 2023 fourth-round pick Anthony Bradford for the starting role at right guard. 

6. Troy Franklin, WR, Denver Broncos (fourth round, No. 102 overall)

Almost instantly after he was drafted at No. 12 overall by the Broncos, quarterback Bo Nix began to push back on the notion that he was a deficient deep passer who had been boosted by Oregon’s quick-hitting passing attack. Regardless of the truth, what better way to help him feel more comfortable attacking NFL defenses vertically than by giving him Franklin, his big-play target for the Ducks?

The 6-2, 176-pounder arrives with a built-in rapport with Nix, which should help him settle in early and compensate for an overall lack of refinement to his game. If he can clean up his troubles with drops and prove he can hold up against defensive backs who will try to rough him up, Franklin could be Nix’s No. 2 option before long. And if Courtland Sutton’s discontent with his contract reaches a breaking point, Denver will count on Franklin to dial up his deep speed and run-after-catch skills with regularity at the start of the season.

7. T.J. Tampa, CB, Baltimore Ravens (fourth round, No. 130 overall)

Adding first-rounder Nate Wiggins to a group led by Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens might have been considered enough for Baltimore to stand pat at cornerback for the rest of the draft. But the Ravens looked for additional depth in the secondary and turned to Tampa.

The 6-1, 189-pounder once looked like a solid candidate to land early on Day 2. The Iowa State product’s pre-draft process, however, seemed to do him few favors. A hamstring injury cost him the opportunity to work out at the combine, leaving concerns about his pure straight-line speed as well as his disjointed movements in transition. But Baltimore could be a favorable setting for him to launch his pro career, as a zone-heavy scheme should mask some of his problem areas while showcasing his ball skills. And as a team that has seen how easily a few injuries can sink a season, the Ravens should no doubt value having another highly capable piece on the back end of its defense.

8. Jaden Hicks, S, Kansas City Chiefs (fourth round, No. 133 overall)

The L’Jarius Sneed trade reinforced an unfortunate truism for the two-time defending champions: Tough decisions are always around the corner regarding some of your top contributors. An essential part of this cost-control effort, however, is collecting replacements, ideally with mid-to-late round draft picks. With Hicks, who surprisingly slid all the way to the fourth round, the Chiefs might have identified a piece who could help them recalibrate their roster.

Justin Reid is set to be a free agent next season, and retaining him could be difficult given that defensive tackle Chris Jones already makes top-of-market money and almost assuredly will soon be joined by All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie. The Chiefs do already have capable options elsewhere at safety in Bryan Cook, Chamarri Conner and Deon Bush. The 6-2, 211-pound Hicks, however, has the athletic profile of a starter comfortable erasing tight ends in coverage or delivering big hits against the run. If he can become a more consistent tackler and hone his instincts, he could be ready to replace Reid by the start of next season.

9. Brandon Dorlus, DT, Atlanta Falcons (fourth round, No. 109 overall)

A couple of defensive linemen, however, could help alter Atlanta’s outlook up front. Second-rounder Ruke Orhorhoro is the more likely of two to help control the line of scrimmage, but Dorlus has the edge in shooting gaps and finishing plays in the backfield. Still something of a tweener learning how to win on the interior with hand usage rather than wrecking-ball tendencies, the 6-3, 280-pounder could learn from Grady Jarrett before potentially taking over for him in 2025, when the two-time Pro Bowler could be a cut candidate in the final year of his contact. 

10. Austin Booker, DE, Chicago Bears (fifth round, No. 144 overall)

After opening the draft with two marquee picks in Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze, the Bears’ efforts appeared to be set to wrap up early, as the puzzling pick of punter Tory Taylor in the fourth round marked their only Day 3 selection. Then, Chicago traded into the fifth round to land Booker. 

As a rangy threat off the edge (6-4, 254 pounds) who can close in on the quarterback in a hurry, the late-developing pass rusher has drawn comparisons to Maxx Crosby. Of course, any parallels to a three-time Pro Bowl selection are undoubtedly lofty for a player still finding his footing after Booker wasn’t even a starter in his lone year of substantial playing time. Booker also disappointed at the combine with a subpar testing profile, including a 4.79-second 40-yard dash. 

Now, he’ll have the benefit of working under Bears defensive line coach Travis Smith, who helped bring Crosby along when he was an assistant defensive line coach for the Raiders. If Booker can emulate Crosby in getting stronger without compromising the other major advantages afforded to him by his length and agility, he could be a tricky matchup capable of piling up splash plays. 

Former NFL linebacker Bill Romanowski and his wife Julie filed for bankruptcy Monday amid allegations that they owe the U.S. government millions in unpaid taxes, according to court records.

The bankruptcy filing came at a pivotal moment for the Romanowskis − less than 24 hours before a scheduled hearing Tuesday in the civil case that Department of Justice lawyers brought against the couple last summer. U.S. attorneys allege that the Romanowskis used a nutrition company they founded to skirt tax obligations and now owe more than $15.5 million in back taxes.

Under federal law, filing for bankruptcy will give the Romanowskis a temporary reprieve, triggering an automatic pause in the Department of Justice’s efforts to collect on the alleged money owed.

The couple’s attorney did not immediately reply to an e-mail seeking comment.

Romanowski, 58, spent parts of 16 seasons in the NFL with the Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers and two other teams, developing a reputation as a fiery and polarizing linebacker. He won four Super Bowl rings and recorded more than 1,000 career tackles, but he was also frequently embroiled in controversy and later admitted that he used steroids during his playing career.

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Department of Justice lawyers allege that in the years before and after his retirement, which came after the 2003 season, Romanowski and his wife failed to pay millions in income tax. In attempts to avoid reporting federal income and repaying those taxes, the couple then used money from Nutrition53, the nutritional supplement company they founded, to pay for personal expenses and those of their two children, government lawyers say.

According to court records, Bill and Julie Romanowski opened up bank accounts on behalf of Nutrition53 but then used money in those accounts to pay for everything from the rent for their 6,000-square-foot home in California to groceries, veterenarian expenses and ‘over 170 visits to nail salons, hair salons and day spas.’

Nutrition53, which was also named as a defendant in the federal lawsuit, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last fall. Department of Justice lawyers have since filed a motion for default judgment against the Romanowskis, asking a judge to immediately rule in the government’s favor. A hearing on that motion was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on social media @Tom_Schad.

Corrections and clarifications: In a previous version of this story, the number of first-round games the Lakers played was misstated. They played five games and lost the series to Denver, 4-1.

He averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals and shot 54% from the field and a career-high 41% on 3-pointers in 71 games as he made the All-Star team for the 20th consecutive season and appears headed for his 20th All-NBA selection.

Turning 40 on Dec. 30, James remains one of the game’s best players even if there is (occasional) evidence of a (slight) physical decline.

James and the Los Angeles Lakers lost 4-1 to the Denver Nuggets, dropping Game 5 108-106 on Monday. It’s the second consecutive season the defending champion Nuggets eliminated the Lakers in the playoffs − Western Conference finals last season and first round this season.

James played well, scoring at least 26 points in the five games, including 30 in Game 4 and 30 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds and four steals in Game 5, and shooting better than 50% from the field. But the gap between the two teams was exposed by Denver’s second-half execution and the Lakers’ slim margin of error.

So, what’s next for James, who has one season left on his contract but he can also exercise his player option and become a free agent this summer? That wasn’t on his mind late Monday night.

‘I just want to get home to the family honestly … It’s about family right now,’ he said, explaining his oldest son Bronny is trying to decide between the NBA or another season of college basketball, his son Bryce has a busy AAU basketball schedule and his daughter Zhuri plays volleyball.

What are James’ options headed into next season?

When does LeBron James’ contract expire?

His contract expires after the 2024-25 season, but he can decline the final year of that deal and become a free agent this summer.

When is the deadline for LeBron James to opt in or opt out?

The deadline for James to make a decision is June 29.

LeBron James can exercise the option year

Last summer, James signed a two-year, $99 million contract with the Lakers, and the contract includes a player option on the 2024-25 season at $51.4 million. If he plays out the final year of that deal, he will be a free agent in the summer of 2025 at 40 years old.

There is a wrinkle to the option year. He could opt in, guaranteeing his $51.4 million for next season, and when he becomes extension eligible on Aug. 18, he could sign a two-year extension with the Lakers, giving him the equivalent of a three-year, $164 million deal. That option is the most lucrative financially, however, James cannot include a no-trade clause in an extension.

LeBron James can opt out, re-sign with the Lakers

If James wants to stay a Laker − and he said as much at All-Star Weekend in February when asked by USA TODAY Sports − and have control over his future, opting out and re-signing with the Lakers on a three-year, $162 million deal is the best option.

He can include no-trade clause in a new deal, which would silence any talk about the Lakers sending James to another team.

‘I am a Laker, and I am happy and been very happy being a Laker the last six years, and hopefully it stays that way,’ he said. ‘But I don’t have the answer to how long it is or which uniform I’ll be in. Hopefully it is with the Lakers. It’s a great organization and so many greats. But we’ll see. I don’t know how it’s going to end, but it’s coming. It’s coming, for sure.’

One other consideration: Because of the 38-and-over rule in the collective bargaining agreement, teams − including the Lakers − and James are disincentivized from agreeing to a deal that’s longer than three years.

LeBron James can opt out, sign with another team

If James wanted to play elsewhere, he can get three-year contract worth $157.5 million. Now, there aren’t many teams with the kind of cap space to sign James, and if James wants to remain on a competitive team, that further reduces his options outside of the Lakers.

Could LeBron James play alongside his son, Bronny?

Now, the idea of James teaming up with his oldest son, Bronny, will accompany this conversation. Bronny hasn’t decided if he will return to college or leave his name in the 2024 NBA draft. He is not a projected first-round pick, and he could go undrafted and sign with a team as an undrafted rookie free agent if he doesn’t return to college.

James has said he would like to play alongside his son, and after Game 5, The Athletic reported that the Lakers were amenable to selecting Bronny in the June draft. Bronny had a sudden cardiac arrest in the summer and wasn’t cleared to play for Southern California until late November. He entered the transfer portal while also putting his name in the draft in early April.

In a less reported quote, James also said a year ago, ‘Just because it’s my aspiration and my goal doesn’t mean it’s his. I’m absolutely OK with that. My job is to support my son in whatever he wants to do.’

He made a similar comment Monday, adding he hasn’t given much thought lately to the idea of playing on the same team as Bronny. The Lakers have the No. 17 pick in the 2024 draft, but New Orleans has the rights to take that pick (part of the Anthony Davis trade) or take the Lakers’ first-round pick in 2025. The Lakers also have a second-round pick in 2024.

LeBron James can retire

James, who will play for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the summer, flirted with retirement from the NBA immediately after last year’s season-ending loss to the Nuggets. It was a fleeting moment, and he returned. Retirement seems the least likely option.

At All-Star Weekend when asked how many years he has left, he said, ‘I have not mapped out how many seasons I have left. I know it’s not that many.’

Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, James’ agent, told SiriusXM NBA Radio on Monday: ‘He’s had an unbelievable career, and I think we do see him next year. Now, how many more after that? I do not know. But I think he’s got maybe two or three years left in the tank, maybe.’

Matthew Knies scored 2:26 into overtime as the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs extended their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins with a 2-1 win in Game 5 on Tuesday.

After John Tavares drove toward the net, a loose puck popped off the pads of Boston goaltender Jeremy Swayman and went to Knies, who potted it after charging down the slot.

‘It was a pretty incredible play by (Tavares) to drive the net and make that play happen,’ Knies said. ‘It all started with him. It just found my stick and I was fortunate enough to bury that one.’

The result cut Boston’s advantage in the best-of-seven series to 3-2.

Jake McCabe also scored and Joseph Woll made 27 saves in his first start of the series for Toronto, which will host Game 6 on Thursday.

Woll stopped all four shots he faced during overtime, including early chances by Charlie Coyle and Charlie McAvoy.

The Maple Leafs prevailed despite the absence of NHL regular-season scoring champion Auston Matthews for an undisclosed reason, believed to be related to an illness.

Trent Frederic scored Boston’s lone goal.

‘We weren’t good enough. Simple as that,’ Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said. ‘We weren’t able to match their (level of) desperation.’

Swayman made 31 saves but took his first loss to Toronto in seven meetings in 2023-24, including the regular season and postseason.

It was a 1-1 game after one period despite the Maple Leafs’ dominant 11-2 shot advantage.

McCabe helped Toronto take advantage of the home team’s slow start and scored the opening goal at 5:33 of the first. After Max Domi’s faceoff win, McCabe took Mitch Marner’s feed to the point, then snapped off a shot that beat Swayman through traffic.

With the assist, Marner became the 12th player in Maple Leafs history to record 50 career playoff points.

The Bruins’ second shot of the opening frame found the back of the net at 13:54. Jesper Boqvist’s forecheck helped the puck come loose, and it went to Frederic for a quick point-blank shot that eluded Woll’s glove.

Both goaltenders came up big during a scoreless second that included Swayman making a key save when Domi set up Morgan Rielly for a shot at 4:05.

Boston missed a golden opportunity to take the lead 5:11 into the third. Coyle stole the puck and skated down the right wing, but Brad Marchand sent his try just over the net.

Just before the midway point of the third, Coyle clanked a shot from the left circle off the crossbar.

Woll made one of his best stops with 7:29 left in regulation, sprawling out of his crease to deny Frederic on the doorstep.

Also helping to force overtime, Swayman denied Tyler Bertuzzi on a two-on-one with 5:07 to go.

NHL PLAYOFFS: Scores, schedule, times, TV for first-round games

Nashville Predators stave off elimination vs. Vancouver Canucks

Alexandre Carrier’s third-period goal completed a comeback and the visiting Nashville Predators extended their Western Conference first-round series with a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks in Game 5 on Tuesday.

Roman Josi also scored for the Predators, who still trail the best-of-seven set 3-2. Game 6 will be played Friday in Nashville.

Predators goalie Juuse Saros made 19 saves, while Filip Forsberg collected a pair of assists as his team erased a third-period deficit en route to victory.

Nikita Zadorov scored for the Canucks, the Pacific Division champions. Goalie Arturs Silovs stopped 20 shots.

With the score tied and his team’s season on the line, Carrier netted his first career playoff goal to put the Predators ahead with 7:14 remaining. With the visitors pressing in the offensive zone, Carrier was sent the puck at the point, and his seeing-eye shot found the mark for the go-ahead tally.

The Canucks had their net empty for the extra attacker for almost all of the final two minutes but could not muster the scoring chance necessary to net the equalizer.

The end result was a perfect response after the Canucks erased a late deficit en route to victory in Game 4.

It made for another wild finish in a close-checking, low-scoring affair.

Zadorov finally broke the goalless deadlock at 3:11 of the third period with his second tally of the playoffs. The hulking defenseman gained the puck inside his own blue line, worked his way to deep in the left circle and fired a top-shelf shot that beat Saros’ glove hand.

Josi’s power-play goal four minutes later tied the clash. Josi had an attempt denied as he drove to the net, but during a scramble at the Vancouver cage, the puck ended up crossing the line and the goal counted, earning Josi his first of the series.

Carolina Hurricanes close out New York Islanders

Carolina’s Jack Drury and Stefan Noesen scored eight seconds apart in the third period as the Hurricanes emerged from a tie and earned a series-clinching, 6-3 victory against the New York Islanders in Game 5 on Tuesday in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The Hurricanes won the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series 4-1, earning a date with the Presidents’ Trophy-winning New York Rangers in the next round.

Drury scored short side from the left circle to make it 4-3 at 4:36 of the third.

After the ensuing faceoff, New York goalie Semyon Varlamov went behind the net to play a dump-in, but the puck bounced off the left corner wall to the near post and out front, and Noesen was there to poke it into the open net.

Brady Skjei assisted on both the Drury and Noesen goals.

Seth Jarvis added a late empty-net goal and had two assists while Evgeny Kuznetsov had a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes. Carolina’s Teuvo Teravainen and Andrei Svechnikov also scored, and Frederik Andersen made 22 saves.

Colorado Avalanche eliminate Winnipeg Jets

Mikko Rantanen had two goals and an assist as the visiting Colorado Avalanche eliminated the Winnipeg Jets with a 6-3 win in Game 5 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Tuesday night.

Valeri Nichushkin and Artturi Lehkonen scored for the fifth straight game, Josh Manson had a goal and an assist and Yakov Trenin also scored for the Avalanche, who will play either the Dallas Stars or the Vegas Golden Knights in the conference semifinals.

Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon and Devon Toews each had two assists, while Alexandar Georgiev made 33 saves.

‘Right now, we’ve got every guy playing really hard and playing the right way,’ MacKinnon said.

Georgiev struggled during a 7-6 loss in the series opener before he performed well through the rest of the series.

‘A lot of mental toughness,’ MacKinnon said of Georgiev. ‘It obviously wasn’t his best Game 1. We also hung him out to dry, and (he bounced) back four straight really stellar performances, made some huge saves in every game, so really excited to have him get hot.’

Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey and Tyler Toffoli scored and Connor Hellebuyck stopped 26 shots for the Jets, who won all three games against Colorado during the regular season by a combined score of 17-4 but were outscored 28-15 in the playoff series.

MacKinnon said, ‘Coming into this series, I think we all had a lot of doubt, just because of how bad they beat us all season. We came in really humble and played our tails off.’

Winnipeg center Adam Lowry said, ‘Disappointing way to end the year, and I think everyone in this room is just upset with our level of play in this series. We knew the Avs are a great rush team. They generate a lot of offense. We believed we could slow them down.’

‘Up until tonight, we didn’t do a good enough job of slowing them down, staying above them and creating the turnovers that we could. Our game looked a lot more like what we were used to seeing in the regular season tonight, but it’s an unfortunate result. You put yourself down 3-1, it’s tough to come back.’

The Avalanche moved ahead 4-3 on a tip-in from Rantanen at 4:11 of the third period. It was the first goal of the series for Rantanen, who scored 42 during the regular season.

Rantanen found the net again on a feed from MacKinnon off a rush to stretch the lead to 5-3 at 8:01.

Manson scored into an empty net with two seconds left.

The Jets took a 1-0 lead at 1:15 of the first period.

Connor was credited with the goal after Manson tried to clear a loose puck from the crease, but it hit Lehkonen and ricocheted back into his own net.

Nichushkin, who had a hat trick in the Avalanche’s 5-1 win in Game 4 and came in with six goals in the series, scored on a one-timer from the bottom of the right circle off the rush to tie it 1-1 at 3:18 of the first period.

Trenin took a shot from along the goal line that Hellebuyck saved, but Trenin beat Winnipeg defenseman Neal Pionk to the rebound, pulled the puck in front of the net and scored for a 2-1 lead at 5:42 of the second period.

The Jets went on their first power play shortly afterward, and Morrissey tied it 2-2 with a one-timer from above the slot at 6:48 of the second.

Lehkonen moved Colorado back ahead 3-2 when his wrist shot off the rush went off the stick of Pionk and into his own net at 13:45 of the second.

Lehkonen and Nichushkin are the first teammates in NHL history to score in a team’s first five postseason games.

Toffoli tied it 3-3 at 2:06 of the third with a wrist shot from the slot that sailed above Georgiev’s right pad and under his blocker.

The Milwaukee Bucks weren’t ready for their season to end.

The drastically short-handed team, playing once again without stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, got contributions from up and down the roster in a dominating 115-92 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 on Tuesday at Fiserv Forum that cut the Pacers’ series lead to 3-2.

Game 6 is on Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

‘I believed in them anyway,’ Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. ‘I said that after the game last game.

‘This team, they’re giving it to me. They’re doing everything. They really are. They’re playing together. They know we’re down men. They know we have to do it together. No one is trying to be the hero.’

Khris Middleton starts hot in first quarter

If there has been a hero for the Bucks this series it has been Khris Middleton. He has been carrying the Bucks’ offense with the absences of Lillard and Antetokounmpo, even with Middleton suffering injuries to both ankles in recent games. He came into Game 5 averaging 26.3 points for the series.

He started strong by scoring 10 of the Bucks’ first 14 points.

The Pacers were also hot in the first quarter after knocking down 21 three-pointers in Game 4. They made seven from long distance to take a 31-23 advantage after the first 12 minutes.

Middleton battled some foul trouble in the second half but finished with 29 points and 12 rebounds.

‘He’s been battling stuff all year,’ Bucks guard Malik Beasley said. ‘The fact that he came back last game even though he got hurt, came back in the game. Played his ass off.

‘To do what he did tonight, he’s our leader right now. Especially with those two guys out, he’s helping us a lot.’

Pat Beverley stands out as instigator

Bucks head coach Doc Rivers likes to call veteran guard Pat Beverley an ‘instigator.’

Beverley was that in every sense of the word in the second quarter.

He scored 12 points in the quarter as Milwaukee took a 53-48 lead into the break.

Beverley also handed out 10 assists.

‘His scoring was good, but I thought his playmaking was unbelieveable tonight,’ Rivers said.

Beverley also drew a technical foul on the Pacers’ Obi Toppin by trying to grab the ball out of Toppin’s hands. Toppin took exception and shoved Beverley into the Bucks’ bench. Toppin was given the technical after a video review by the referees.

Bobby Portis helps Bucks take control in third quarter

The Bucks took control of the game in the third quarter, starting with a 9-0 run.

The Pacers started cutting into the lead, getting within 66-57 on a layup by Andrew Nembhard.

But Bobby Portis, who was ejected in the first quarter of Game 4, pushed the lead back to 72-57 when Bobby Portis knocked in a layup and then fired up the crowd after Indiana called a timeout.

‘Bobby, he knows how important he is to this team,’ Beasley said. ‘Today before the shootaround he apologized (for the ejection). We need him out there.

‘He’s a beast. He makes plays. He gives us energy. We need everybody.’

The Fiserv Forum crowd really ignited when Beasley knocked down back-to-back three-pointers for a 82-63 lead.

Malik Beasley among the standout contributors

Pat Connaughton blocked a three-point attempt by the Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith at the third-quarte buzzer.

That was among the standout moments by players who made the most of their opportunities for the Bucks.

Danilo Gallinari played 20 minutes and pulled down six rebounds. The 35-year-old did not play in the first three games of the series.

‘It’s honestly not easy, I’ve never been in this situation before,’ Gallinari said. ‘I’ve always been a guy that played 30-plus minutes and even when I started coming off the bench in Atlanta, I played a lot of minutes.

‘It’s pretty new for me. This is something you learn how to do it. It’s all mental. The body, you work every day to get the body ready but the mental part, it’s such a mental game.’

Beasley also had a strong game, scoring all 18 of his points in the second half.

‘He needs to see the ball go in,’ Rivers said. ‘I need to see the ball go in, too, for him.’

He played big minutes in the third quarter when Middleton picked up his fourth foul, with Beasley guarding the Pacers’ Pascal Siakam.

‘Today, we made sure we were scrambling and helping each other,’ Beasley said. ‘I ended up being on him a few times, but my teammates had my back.

And the Bucks stayed alive to see another game.

‘I just saw something that we’re the first team to win (in the playoffs) without our top two scorers (from the regular season),’ Beasley said. ‘That just shows how deep we are as a team.

‘No matter how many guys we got out. No matter foul trouble or not. Hurt or not. We got to be prepared. It’s the playoffs, we got to do whatever we can to win.’

Five numbers

79 — Career playoff starts for Khris Middleton, tying him with Giannis Antetokounmpo for first on the Bucks all-time playoffs games started list.

4 — Games with at least 20 points for Middleton in the series.

6 — Technical fouls called on the Pacers in the series.

2 for 10 — A.J. Green’s three-point shooting in the series.

8 — Made three-pointers for Malik Beasley over the last two games

The 2024 World’s Strongest Man competition returns to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina this week, and a new champion – who will become the ‘World’s Strongest Man’ – will be crowned during Sunday’s finale.

Here’s what you need to know about the 2024 World’s Strongest Man competition.

When is the 2024 World’s Strongest Man competition?

Wednesday, May 1 and Thursday, May 2 are the preliminary rounds. A group of 10 lifters will advance to the finals. The finals include six events, with three taking place on Saturday, May 4 and the final three occurring on Sunday, May 5.

How can I watch the 2024 World’s Strongest Man?

You can’t! Yet. The 2024 WSM will not be live-streamed anywhere or carried by any broadcast network this weekend.

How can I follow the action?

Live results are updated on the event’s website throughout the competition.

When does World’s Strongest Man air?

WSM says the competition will air ‘sometime this summer’ on CBS and CBS Sports Network (also streaming on Paramount+). However, no premiere date has been revealed, although Barbend.com said episodes will run from May 28 to July 27.

What events are at the World’s Strongest Man competition?

These aren’t just barbells and Olympic lifts. There are three events per day:

Day 1 (Qualifying): Webster stones, deadlift ladder, sandbag steeplechase

Day 2 (Qualifying): Globe Viking press, Car Walk, Stone-off

Day 3 (Finals): Knaack Giant’s Medley, Max Axle Press, Keg Toss

Day 4 (Finals): Conan’s Wheel, Terrain Deadlift, Atlas Stones

Who are some athletes to watch at World’s Strongest Man?

In addition to Hooper and the Stoltman brothers, other athletes worth paying attention to are Trey Mitchell and Evan Singleton, who finished tied for fourth in 2023 as the top Americans in the field:

Eddie Williams: Two-time Australia’s Strongest Man and Australia’s Got Talent finalist is back to compete.
Rob Kearney: The self-proclaimed ‘World’s Strongest Gay’ is making his fifth and final WSM appearance before retiring from the sport. 
Nathan Goltry: California native who played college football at Nevada.
Nicolas Cambi: Represents Italy but lives in Boston; a America’s Strongest Man (2021, 2022) who also won Italy’s Strongest Man in 2023.

Who isn’t participating at World’s Strongest Man?

Mateusz Kieliszkowski (Achilles), a two-time runner-up, 2019 WSM Martins Licis (sciatica) and 2020 WSM Oleksii Novikov, who finished third last year, all dropped out of the contest due to injury. Novikov took third at Europe’s WSM competition but climbed the podium with his shoulder in a sling.

The Kentucky Derby celebrates a major milestone in 2024, as this year’s race marks the 150th running of the traditional ‘Run for the Roses.’

Billed as ‘the fastest two minutes in sports,’ the Kentucky Derby covers 1 ¼ miles and is the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown – combined with the Preakness Stakes two weeks later and the Belmont Stakes in early June.

Held at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, the Kentucky Derby and its sibling race, the Kentucky Oaks, have been run every year since their inception in 1875.

Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s race.

What time is the 2024 Kentucky Derby?

The ‘Run for the Roses’ will be held Saturday, May 4, as part of a 14-race card at Churchill Downs.

Post time for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby is 6:57 p.m. ET.

How to watch 2024 Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby will be broadcast live on NBC, with coverage starting at 2:30 p.m. ET.

The Derby can be streamed on Peacock.

Which horses are in the field for the 2024 Kentucky Derby?

Dornoch, Danny Gargan, Luis Saez, 20-1
Sierra Leone, Chad Brown, Tyler Gaffalione, 3-1
Mystik Dan, Kenny McPeek, Brian Hernandez Jr., 20-1
Catching Freedom, Brad Cox, Flavien Prat, 8-1
Catalytic, Saffie Joseph Jr., Jose Ortiz, 30-1
Just Steel, D. Wayne Lukas, Keith Asmussen, 20-1
Honor Marie, Whit Beckman, Ben Curtis, 20-1
Just a Touch, Brad Cox, Florent Geroux, 10-1
T O Password, Daisuke Takayanagi, Kazushi Kimura, 30-1
Forever Young, Yoshito Yahagi, Ryusei Sakai, 10-1
Track Phantom, Steve Asmussen, Joel Rosario, 20-1
West Saratoga, Larry Demeritte, Jesus Castanon, 50-1
Endlessly, Michael McCarthy, Umberto Rispoli, 30-1
Domestic Product, Chad Brown, Irad Ortiz Jr., 30-1
Grand Mo the First, Victor Barboza Jr., Emisael Jaramillo, 50-1
Fierceness, Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez, 5-2
Stronghold, Phil D’Amato, Antonio Fresu, 20-1
Resilience, Bill Mott, Junior Alvarado, 20-1
Society Man, Danny Gargan, Frankie Dettori, 50-1
Epic Ride, John Ennis, Adam Beschizza, 30-1

Who won last year’s Kentucky Derby?

Mage, who didn’t even race as a two-year-old and had one victory in three career starts, came from the outside with long strides, passing Two Phil’s on the inside to win the 2023 Kentucky Derby by a length, crossing the finish line in 2:01.57.

At 15-1, Mage paid out $32.42 (win), $14.58 (place), and $9.08 (show) and earned $1.86 million for an ownership group headed by Cincinnati businessman Chase Chamberlin. Mage’s jockey Javier Castellano also broke a 0-for-15 skid at Churchill Downs.

How much do Kentucky Derby tickets cost?

Tickets for this year’s Kentucky Derby will run as follows:

About $275 for the Standing Room Only and General Admission. These tickets include Oaks and Derby program and access to the infield, where you can bring your own chair or blanket.
Reserved seating tickets start at about $650, and the new Paddock seating tickets begin at $693.
A private suite will cost about $135,000 or more.
Dining experiences start at about $1,375.

To find Kentucky Derby tickets, go to kentuckyderby.com/tickets.