The school hasn’t made any decisions on where its other sports will play but remains in discussions with the Mid-American Conference.

The football program is exiting the MAC after having played in it since 1997. It was its second stint in the MAC.

‘What a great opportunity for NIU Athletics as we expand our horizons, adapt to this new national model of college athletics and prepare to start a new chapter in the history of NIU Football,’ Northern Illinois athletic director Sean T. Frazier said in a news release. ‘We are grateful to Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez and the membership of the Mountain West Conference for this invitation and to NIU President Lisa Freeman for her support as we navigated this process.

‘The impact of this move to the Mountain West is going to be felt throughout our entire department and university. Our fans are going to enjoy the heightened competition, the media coverage and the additional opportunities the relationship with this conference and these great institutions provides.’

The Mountain West has been heavily involved in conference realignment with Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State leaving for the revamped Pac-12 in 2026.

The addition of Northern Illinois gives the Mountain West nine football-playing members for 2026. The others are Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, UTEP and Wyoming.

‘We are excited about adding the Northern Illinois University football program to the Mountain West,’ Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez said in a news release. ‘In evaluating NIU, the MW Board of Directors and Directors of Athletics carefully considered and were impressed by its history of football success and its commitment to academic excellence.’

The MAC said it appreciated Northern Illinois’ contributions to the conference.

‘While we would have preferred that NIU remain a member of the MAC, we understand that each institution must make an independent decision,’ MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said in a statement.

Northern Illinois went 8-5 overall and 4-4 in the MAC this season and posted a stunning upset of then-No.5 Notre Dame in September. That was the program’s first-ever victory over a Top 10 program.

The Huskies also enjoyed a stellar run from 2010-14 in which it compiled a 57-13 record.

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Tyreek Hill was speeding out of Miami following a Week 18 loss to the Jets that capped off a disappointing season. Now it appears he’s slamming on the brakes.

On Tuesday, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said he met with Hill, but the receiver didn’t request a trade.

“I will say in a frustrating season, he was very emotional in a game where we had a chance coming back from 2-6,’ Grier said.

The receiver’s explosive comments sounded the alarms on Sunday, indicating that his days in Miami might be numbered.

“I don’t even know, bro,’ Hill said following the Week 18 loss. ‘This is my first time I haven’t been in the playoffs. I mean for me, like I said man, I just gotta do what’s best for me and my family, dawg. If that’s here, or wherever the case may be, man, I’m going to open the door for myself, dawg. I’m opening the door. Like, I’m out, bruh.’

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However, he didn’t stop there.

“You know, so, it was great playing here, but, you know, at the end of the day, bro, I gotta do what’s best for, you know, for my career, and you know, what’s best because I’m too much of a competitor to be, you know, just out there,” Hill added.

Grier pointed out that he and head coach Mike McDaniel had a productive meeting with Hill, though the receiver didn’t take back his comments. McDaniel said that he addressed Hill’s decision to remove himself from the game, calling it, ‘unacceptable’ and that it, ‘won’t be tolerated in the future.’

The receiver did take accountability for his actions, according to the coach.

While the air has been cleared, it’s remains to be seen whether it will last. The Dolphins have plenty of quarterback questions, mostly related to Tua Tagovailoa’s health, that will have to be answered and a roster that needs it’s fair share of upgrades.

You’re not taking him now. Not for some inane idea of an all-powerful czar, or the temptation of returning to the field. 

Nick Saban is exactly where he should be.

Not roaming the sidelines and finding a way to navigate a 12-team College Football Playoff. Not dealing with NIL contracts and unscrupulous middlemen.

Not begging 18-year-olds to play for him, or being subjected to the demands of helicopter dads. 

But right where he is – in of all places, as a member of the media. From Darth Vader on the field to college football’s lovable uncle off it, the transformation has been as remarkable as revealing.

Years ago, I asked Saban – while in the middle of his historic run as coach at Alabama – what he would do if he weren’t coaching. His answer was one that truly made me believe he would coach until he physically couldn’t, until time ran out – just like it did with The Bear. 

“I don’t really do anything (outside of football),” he said. “I do like to golf.”

He hesitated for a moment, before opening another door: “I like to clear the brush on the lake. You know, it gets overgrown and you can’t have that. So I’ll get in there and trim it back. That’s relaxing for me.”

Football, golf and clearing the brush around his property on Lake Burton. How in the world would he ever assimilate to life after coaching?

This is the coach who once famously asked his then-assistant coach Kirby Smart to call him in the late afternoon on Christmas Eve and tell him he needed to come to the office. Because there was a party at Saban’s house and he didn’t want to be there, and there was no way the woman he adores – his wife, Terry – would let him out of the house for anything other than football.

So Smart made the call, and Saban had his excuse. Somehow, years later, this obsessive winner was going to walk away from it all and into a job with the media – and everything was going to work.

The next thing you know, he’s on the set at ESPN, looking into the eyes of the hottest first-year coach in college football two hours before a CFP first-round game, and telling Indiana’s Curt Cignetti – who was on Saban’s first staff at Alabama – “One thing you didn’t learn from me was all the (expletive) you talk.”

And American rejoiced.

I don’t know what ESPN is paying Saban, but it’s not nearly enough for what he brings to the legacy pregame show ‘College GameDay.’ A show that had grown stale and predictable while chasing the critical 18-34 viewer demographic. 

Now it’s must-see television, with Saban holding no punches. 

Hours before the SEC Championship Game, ESPN had Smart and Texas coach Steve Sarkisian on set explaining their approach to the mega matchup with typical coach speak. 

Saban, like the rest of us, wasn’t having any of it.

“I think they’re both bull(blank-ing) us,” Saban said.

Every week it’s refreshingly different, something only your 73-year-old uncle – who doesn’t care what anyone thinks – would say or do when it hits front of mind. With no filter. 

Saban on the SEC fining schools for storming the field: “It’s like worrying about mouse manure when you’re up to your ears in elephant (expletive).”

Or Saban, every time Colorado coach Deion Sanders appears on set (it’s often), calling him, “Deion.” Not Sanders’ self-declared moniker, “Coach Prime.”

Just his friend, Deion. 

“How’s the fishing, man?” Saban asked Sanders in an appearance before a Colorado game. “Because the last time you and I went fishing, it didn’t go well for you.”

Sanders, of course, belly-laughed and took the barbs in stride. Because what else is he going to do?

The most intimidating man in college sports over a majority of the previous two decades has transformed back into the most important thing in the sport. Only this time, away from the field. 

He rails on free player movement and the dirty underbelly of NIL deals in one segment, then throws on a Penn State Nittany Lion costume before the mega-matchup against Ohio State, turns to the crowd and yells, “We Are!” 

He admits he can’t pick against Colorado – not because of his friendship with Sanders, but because Miss Terry told him not to. A happy wife is greater than winning the weekly picks, which makes Saban even more relatable. 

And while he may not pick against Alabama, he hasn’t shied away from criticism or subtle jabs. Before the Tennessee game in Knoxville, Lee Corso declared, “I’m going to tell the greatest coach ever how Alabama beats these guys.”

Saban shot back: “I’m all ears.”

He may not be living his best life – because, let’s face it, he’s a ball coach at heart – but he’s having fun. Of course he misses the competition and camaraderie, the thrill of game day. Every former coach does.

But if you think he wants to jump back in the ever-shifting world of coaching, or take a job as college football commissioner or czar or whatever you want to call it, you obviously haven’t been watching the transition from greatest coach ever to college football’s lovable uncle.

When Penn State coach James Franklin declared during the Fiesta Bowl media day that Saban should be college football czar, Saban laughed at the idea. The game already has changed dramatically in the year he has been away, and this coming fall will change more with the addition of straight pay-for-play.

It wasn’t long ago that Saban addressed that imminent move. It went about how you’d expect. 

“I just want to say you guys keep talking about a $20 million roster,” he told his ESPN colleagues on set. “But if you don’t pay the right guys, you’ll be (expletive) out of luck.”

Yep, exactly where he should be.

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.

Dallas-Fort Worth is expecting snow and ice conditions on Thursday and Friday, which lines up with the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Cotton Bowl on Friday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Could the weather impact the No. 8 Ohio State and No. 5 Texas’ game that decides a spot in the national championship?

While the game will be held indoors, the National Weather Service is predicting harsh conditions, including those that could make travel difficult for those attending the game. Cotton Bowl officials also said they’re monitoring the situation.

‘We are routinely monitoring weather reports and we are in close contact with AT&T Stadium and local officials,’ a Cotton Bowl spokesperson told USA TODAY Sports. ‘We always have plans for inclement weather. Should conditions warrant it, we will communicate to everyone attending and connected with this year’s Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.’

Here’s the latest weather updates for the Cotton Bowl on Friday:

Dallas-Fort Worth weather forecast this week

Snow showers then become likely on Thursday, which possibly could be mixed with sleet before noon and then alternate between rain and snow showers after 3 p.m. local time. Snow showers are then expected to restart after 3 p.m. with a precipitation chance of 90% into Thursday night.

Friday morning has a 20% chance of snow showers before noon, before then clearing up ahead of Friday’s game. The high temperature is 38 degrees on Friday, which is just above freezing at 32 degrees.

Altogether, the NWS projects 3-6 inches of snow to be possible, which could potentially impact untreated roads ahead of the Cotton Bowl.

According to the Winter Storm Watch advisory, travel could even become hazardous to impossible due to the storm.

‘Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous,’ the advisory states. ‘Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning and evening commutes.’

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The Las Vegas Raiders are the latest NFL team looking for a new head coach after firing Antonio Pierce Tuesday.

‘We appreciate Antonio’s leadership, first as an interim head coach and this past season as the head coach,’ the team said in a statement.

‘Antonio grew up a Raiders fan and his Silver and Black roots run deep. We are grateful for his ability to reignite what it means to be a Raider throughout the entire organization. We wish nothing but the best for Antonio and his family in the future.’

Las Vegas joins Chicago, New England, the New York Jets, Jacksonville and New Orleans as teams with head coaching vacancies entering the offseason.

The Raiders will start the 2025 season with a new coach for the third time in four years. Here’s why they fired Pierce.

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Why did the Raiders fire Antonio Pierce?

Pierce went 5-4 to close the 2023 NFL season, including three divisional wins in the final four weeks. However, he failed to match that win total over the 2024 season and the Raiders went winless against the AFC West for the first time since 2006.

In 26 games as the Raiders’ head coach, Pierce went 9-17.

The team traded star wide receiver Davante Adams to the Jets in mid-October for a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Tight end Brock Bowers set NFL rookie records for receptions and receiving yards but the offense still struggled.

Raiders coaching history

Pierce became the fifth coach of the Raiders in the last decade when he took over mid-season last year. Here’s who else has coached the team in that span:

Jack Del Rio (2015-17)
Jon Gruden (2018-2021)
Rich Bisaccia (2021 interim)
Josh McDaniels (2022-23)

Raiders coaching candidates

Las Vegas will now be in the mix for a new head coach. Here are some of the top names getting interviews this cycle so far:

Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator
Aaron Glenn, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator
Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator
Mike Vrabel, former Tennessee Titans head coach
Liam Coen, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator
Todd Monken, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator
Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator
Kilff Kingsbury, Washington Commanders offensive coordinator

Raiders’ offseason outlook

Las Vegas enters the offseason with the second-most cap space in the NFL behind the Patriots. The Raiders will have plenty of money to spend with 20 players hitting free agency, mostly on defense.

The Raiders are also picking No. 6 overall in the 2025 NFL draft as the order currently stands.

There has been $2.6 billion spent in these first 69 days of free agency, but with five weeks remaining until spring training, everyone but the powerful Los Angeles Dodgers still have Dunkin’ Donut-sized holes left to be filled.

While the New York Mets, Dodgers and Yankees stole the headlines by spending $1.45 billion this winter and three teams in the National League West dropped at least $180 million in free agency, one-third of all teams have shelled out less than the $10 million Juan Soto will earn the first six weeks on his new job with the Mets.

There are six teams who still haven’t spent a single penny in free agency. Yes, we’re talking about you, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners.

In the NL Central, the Chicago Cubs have spent just $43.3 million – $8 million less than Soto’s annual salary – which is still more than the combined total of expenditures by the rest of the NL Central. The Cincinnati Reds spent $24.4 million bringing back Nick Martinez and Brent Suter; the Pittsburgh Pirates gave Andrew McCutchen $5 million to return. The Brewers and Cardinals not only haven’t spent anything, but lost some of their highest-paid players.

There were eight teams willing to shell out at least $600 million for Juan Soto. Only the Mets were successful. And yet, the Yankees and Dodgers are the only Soto bidders to ultimately spend big money this winter.

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“It tells you that either a lot of teams just don’t have the money,’ one GM said, “or that they do have the money and are just waiting to see how they plan to spend it.

“We’re about to find out.’

While the free-agent market is expected to remain slow this week with general managers and agents tied up in arbitration cases preparing for filings on Thursday, here are the top 10 questions heading into the stretch drive of the offseason.

Where will Pete Alonso sign?

Remember in 2019 when Bryce Harper and Manny Machado didn’t sign their $300 million contracts until after the start of spring training?

Well, the same could happen again.

For Alonso, a return to the New York Mets seems to be the likely outcome, but on a deal shorter than Alonso desires. The Mets, after already committing $918.1 million this winter, including a stunning $765 million for Soto, are holding their ground on Alonso. While they’d like a reunion with the four-time All-Star who has hit 226 home runs, they simply aren’t willing to give him a long-term deal for at least $200 million, not after his career-worst .788 OPS last season. Then again, no one else is either. Teams are reluctant to eclipse Freddie Freeman’s six-year, $162 million contract and Matt Olson’s eight-year, $168 million deal while Alonso’s agent, Scott Boras, uses Prince Fielder’s nine-year, $214 million contract with Detroit Tigers in 2012 as a comparison.

Teams have been reluctant giving out long-term contracts this winter. There are only five free agents who have received contracts of five or more years: Soto, 15 years, $765 million; Max Fried, 7 years, $218 million; Corbin Burnes, 6 years, $210 million; Willy Adames, 7 years, $182 million; Blake Snell, 5 years, $182 million.

There currently are eight teams showing at least some interest in Alonso, including the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox. But in the game of first base musical chairs where 11 teams have a new first baseman, Alonso is still left standing. He may have no choice but to return to the Mets on a short-term deal with an opt-out.

What’s the latest Alex Bregman news?

The Houston Astros certainly wanted him back and offered a six-year, $156 million deal, but when talks stalled, they decided they couldn’t afford to wait any longer before moving on.

Bregman, 30, a two-time World Series champion, certainly is drawing plenty of interest, but just not at the $200 million price range … at least not yet.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora has been vocal in his desire to sign him, and the team has spent only $52.5 million. Yet, with Rafael Devers not wanting to move from third base, Triston Casas at first base, and Vaughn Grissom and top infield prospects on the way at second base, GM Craig Breslow is hesitant.

The Detroit Tigers, with manager A.J. Hinch lobbying for him, certainly have an opening. If they sign him, the Tigers could be the favorites to win the AL Central. But there’s still a wide gap in contract talks.

The Toronto Blue Jays, who continue to be left at the altar among free agents, have shown the strongest interest, but just how much more do they have to pay him than the next highest bidder with their high tax rates and distance from his home in Phoenix?

The Philadelphia Phillies would have interest, but only if they traded third baseman Alec Bohm, and their steep asking price is why Bohm still remains with the club.

The Mets could be the most intriguing team in the Bregman/Alonso sweepstakes. Several executives believe that if the Mets don’t sign Bregman and move third baseman Mark Vientos to first base, they’ll sign Alonso. And if they don’t sign Alonso, they’ll shift to Bregman.

The biggest obstacle for Bregman is that the St. Louis Cardinals also have a premier third baseman on the market, and Nolan Arenado said he’ll waive his no-trade clause for the Red Sox and Mets.

Where will Japanese pitching star Rōki Sasaki sign?

While the Los Angeles Dodgers have been the heavy favorites to sign Sasaki for the past year, with some teams convinced he already made up his mind, the San Diego Padres have emerged as the new choice among executives.

Sure, if he wants the bright lights, the marketing endorsements, and the chance to win the World Series every year, the Dodgers are his team. But if he wants a more tranquil market and to play with his mentor Yu Darvish, the Padres are his team.

Let’s be honest, the Padres, who have yet to spend any money in free agency, need Sasaki a whole lot more than the Dodgers.

They are without Joe Musgrove all season, starters Dylan Cease and Michael King are free agents after 2025, and even if Sasaki can’t pitch more than 120-140 innings his first year, the Padres may not be able to make a return trip to the postseason without him.

The Dodgers would love to have Sasaki, of course, but if they don’t sign him, they’ll be just fine.

Are the Dodgers and Yankees done with business?

No.

The Dodgers, who have spent $364 million this winter if you include the Tommy Edman extension, are never done.

They wasted no time shopping infielder Gavin Lux after signing Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim, and moved him Monday to the Cincinnati Reds for outfield prospect Mike Sirota and a draft pick. They have promised Mookie Betts the opportunity to be their everyday shortstop, but if he struggles defensively as he did a year ago, plans could always change. They certainly have the resources – money and prospects – to satisfy any deficiencies at any time.

The Yankees – who pounced quickly after Juan Soto turned down their $760 million offer by signing Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract, trading for closer Devin Williams and outfielder Cody Bellinger, and signing first baseman Paul Goldschmidt – now are seeking a left-handed reliever and an infielder.

They are actively trying to deal starter Marcus Stroman and clear his $18 million salary. They have had talks with free-agent left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin and infielder Brendan Rodgers.

The best news for the Yankees is that the AL has gotten weaker this winter, with the National League teams outspending the AL by nearly $900 million.

Will anyone take the Toronto Blue Jays’ money?

The Blue Jays keep offering mountains of cash, but can’t find anyone to take it. They offered more than $700 million for Juan Soto. They were willing to spend at least $250 million for ace Corbin Burnes. They were outbid for Max Fried. They have an offer for slugger Anthony Santander and they’re showing strong interest in Bregman and Alonso, too.

Yet, they have spent only $15 million in free agency, begging for free agents to take their money in a critical season where anything short of a playoff berth is catastrophic.

This is the final year before Vladimir Guerrero and Bo Bichette leave town as free agents.

Bichette is as good as gone, with no real interest in returning, friends say.

Guerrero and the Blue Jays are at least $100 million apart, with Guerrero seeking at least $450 million.

If Guerrero doesn’t receive an extension by spring training, he’ll test free agency. If Guerrero doesn’t return to the Blue Jays, he would love to be with the Red Sox, friends say, which may be why the Red Sox are hesitant in their pursuit of Bregman.

What’s the biggest surprise of MLB free agency?

The lack of activity among relievers.

The crème de la crème of the free agent market remains intact with no one budging yet.

Closers Tanner Scott, Jeff Hoffman, Kirby Yates, Kenley Jansen, David Robertson and Carlos Estevez all remain unsigned.

There are only four relievers who have signed for more than $10 million and one is being converted into a starter, Clay Holmes, who signed a three-year, $38 million contract with the New York Mets. The others: Blake Treinen, 2 years, $22 million with the Dodgers; Yimi Garcia, 2 years, $15 million with the Blue Jays; and Aroldis Chapman, 1 year, $10.08 million with the Red Sox.

“The market is going to start moving here quick,’ one agent said. “There are too many good relievers out there. The trouble is that right now these teams think back-end relievers are interchangeable.’

What MLB teams still have moves to make?

Atlanta: Come on, you think GM Alex Anthopoulos, one of the most creative minds in the game, is going to just sit idly by without doing something this winter? They’ve already shed $69 million by trading outfielder Jorge Soler, letting starters Max Fried and Charlie Morton walk, and declined the option on catcher Travis d’Arnaud. Yet, so far, all they’ve spent is $1.9 million on free agents without making another trade.

Sure, they have ace Spencer Strider and 2023 MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. returning at some point after last year’s season-ending surgeries, but still, you know Anthopoulos has something up his sleeve. If he doesn’t act now, he certainly will at the trade deadline.

Seattle Mariners: The Mariners are $80 million below the luxury tax, and can’t afford to waste the best starting rotation in baseball once again. They say they don’t have the money to grab Bregman or Alonso, or even acquire Arenado, but if they move veteran starter Luis Castillo, it will instantly free up money for offensive help.

Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles have the deepest and youngest offensive talent in the game, but they need pitching. They just lost Burnes, after aggressively trying to bring him back, and replaced him with the 41-year-old Morton. They need more help. At some point, acquiring Castillo from the Mariners for some of their young hitters only makes sense.

Chicago Cubs: The Cubs made the biggest splash of the trade season by acquiring All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros, but also dumped Cody Bellinger and his $27.5 million contract on the New York Yankees to even out the money. They’ve only spent $43.3 million in free agency. It’s hard to imagine they won’t do something else to try finally toppling Milwaukee in the NL Central.

San Diego Padres: They haven’t made a single trade. They haven’t signed a single free agent. And, yes, GM A.J. Preller is still breathing. The Padres say they’re in a money crunch, shopping infielders Xander Bogaerts and Jake Cronenworth, and listening on starter Dylan Cease and batting champion Luis Arráez, but they’re sending mixed messages by also inquiring about high-priced talent. They will definitely make a move, and if they don’t land Sasaki in free agency, that urgency will only intensify.

San Francisco Giants: The Giants pounced early on shortstop Adames with an eight-year, $182 million contract and promised to be aggressive, but then stopped. They finished fourth in the NL West last season, and they still may be only the fourth-best team in the division with the Dodgers getting better and the Diamondbacks putting together a fabulous rotation.  They have shown interest in Alonso, but not strong enough to be considered a front-runner by any stretch of the imagination. Surely, more moves await.

How much has each division spent?

NL East: $970.6 million

New York: $918.1 million
Philadelphia: $21.8 million
Washington: $29 million.
Atlanta: $1.7 million
Miami: $0

NL West: $700.6 million

Los Angeles: $299.5 million ($364 million including Tommy Edman extension)
Arizona: $210 million
San Francisco: $182 million
Colorado: $9.1 million
San Diego: $0

AL East: $397.5 million

New York: $235.5 million
Baltimore: $86 million
Boston: $52.5 million
Toronto: $15 million
Tampa Bay: $8.5 million

AL West: $341.6 million

Texas: $130.4 million
Los Angeles: $80.3 million
Athletics: $70.9 million
Houston: $60 million
Seattle: $0

AL Central: $138.4 million

Kansas City: $58 million
Cleveland: $42 million
Detroit: $30 million
Chicago: $8.4 million
Minnesota: $0

NL Central: $72.7 million

Chicago: $43.3 million
Cincinnati: $24.4 million
Pittsburgh: $5 million
Milwaukee: $0
St. Louis: $0

Who are the top MLB trade chips right now?

Infielders: Nolan Arenado, Cardinals; Luis Arráez, Padres; Nico Hoerner, Cubs; Alec Bohm, Phillies.

Starters: Luis Castillo, Mariners; Marcus Stroman, Yankees; Pablo Lopez, Twins; Dylan Cease, Padres; Jordan Montgomery, Diamondbacks; Taijuan Walker, Phillies; Jon Gray, Rangers.

Outfielders: Luis Robert, White Sox; Starling Marte, Mets; Taylor Ward, Angels; Nick Castellanos, Phillies.

Reliever: Ryan Pressly, Astros.

Who are the top free agents for 2025-2026?

Starters: Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks; Framber Valdez, Astros; Walker Buehler, Red Sox; Dylan Cease, Padres; Michael King, Padres; Ranger Suarez, Phillies; Zach Eflin, Orioles; Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks; Marcus Stroman, Yankees

Relievers: Devin Williams, Yankees; Luke Weaver, Yankees; Jordan Romano, Phillies; Liam Hendriks, Red Sox; Michael Kopech, Dodgers; Ryan Pressly, Astros

First base: Vladimir Guerrero, Blue Jays; Luis Arraez, Padres; Josh Naylor, Diamondbacks; Rhys Hoskins, Brewers

Second base: Gleyber Torres, Tigers

Shortstop: Bo Bichette, Blue Jays

Third base: Eugenio Suarez, Diamondbacks

Catcher: J.T. Realmuto, Phillies

DH: Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta; Kyle Schwarber, Phillies

Outfielders: Kyle Tucker, Cubs; Cody Bellinger, Yankees (opt-out)

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The NWSL on Monday announced schedule details for its 2025 season, breaking down key dates for trades, roster compliance, the regular season, and the playoffs.

The 2025 NWSL regular season will begin on March 14, with the league’s Challenge Cup — a season-opening exhibition match that this year will be between the Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit — taking place one week earlier in Orlando, Fla. Between now and then, players have to report for preseason training, and clubs must go through multiple rounds of roster deadlines to be ready for its 13th season.

Here’s what to know about the NWSL calendar for 2025:

NWSL calendar 2025: Important dates for season footprint

Tuesday, Jan. 14: Final day to trade players under the terms of the old CBA.
Wednesday, Jan. 15: NWSL trade windows no longer exist, as mandated by the most recent CBA. Trades — which now require player consent — can happen at any point until the roster freeze deadline.
Wednesday, Jan. 15 to Wednesday, Feb. 5: NWSL clubs can begin their preseason anywhere within this window. Teams must submit preseason rosters with a maximum of 40 players to the NWSL league office on their chosen start date by 12 p.m. ET. Clubs are required to have a preseason of at least five weeks, and no longer than eight weeks.
Tuesday, Jan. 28: The primary transfer window opens. This applies to players leaving clubs from abroad or the USL Super League to join an NWSL team. The transfer window does not impact moves within the NWSL.
Wednesday, February 19: Teams must submit preseason rosters with a maximum of 32 players to the NWSL league office by 12 p.m. ET.
Friday, March 7: 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup will take place in Orlando.
Wednesday, March 12: Roster compliance deadline. All clubs must submit rosters to the league office by 12 p.m. ET. Rosters must include between 22-26 players. This does not include players with Season-Ending Injury designations, who can be activated later provided there are roster spots available.
Friday, March 14: Regular season begins.
Monday, March 24: Primary transfer window closes.
Monday, June 23 to Sunday, June 29: CBA-mandated week off for all players.
Monday, June 30 to Sunday, July 27: With national-team tournaments like Women’s Euro 2025 and the 2025 Copa América Femenina taking place in July, NWSL will take a summer break, with no regular-season play during this month. Clubs can schedule their own friendly games during this period.
Monday, June 30: Deadline to exercise contract options for 2026 on players whose contracts involve that mechanism. Teams must submit decisions to the NWSL league office by 12 p.m. ET.
Tuesday, July 1: 2026 Free Agency period begins. This means clubs can begin contacting players who will be free agents at the end of the 2025 season over future contracts.
Tuesday, July 1: Secondary transfer window opens.
Monday, Aug. 25: Secondary transfer window closes. Teams can still sign free agents between this date and the roster freeze, or make moves within the NWSL, but no further club-to-club transfers involving teams outside the league are possible until 2026.
Thursday, Oct. 9: Roster freeze deadline.
Sunday, Nov. 2: Regular season ends.
Friday, Nov. 7: NWSL playoffs begin.
Saturday, Nov. 22: 2025 NWSL championship game.
Tuesday, Dec. 23 to Monday, Dec. 29: League-wide transaction moratorium.

When does NWSL preseason start?

NWSL has allowed teams to customize when their preseasons begin. No clubs can require players to report before Wednesday, Jan. 15, and all clubs must start preseason by Wednesday, Feb. 5.

Teams are required to hold a preseason of at least five weeks, but cannot extend beyond eight weeks.

NWSL regular season schedule: Start date, details

The 2025 NWSL regular season will officially kick off on Friday, March 14, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 2. Each team will play 26 games, and will play each other NWSL team once at home and once away. The schedule will take place across a 25-week span, with the league saying that the schedule ‘has been formatted to avoid staging NWSL matches during FIFA windows to allow the league’s top players to compete for both club and country.’

The actual schedule has not been announced yet. The playoffs will run from Nov. 7-22, with the venue for the championship final still to be determined.

What is happening with the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2025?

After initially beginning as a tournament taking place in a Covid-19 pandemic bubble, the NWSL Challenge Cup has been in flux. The Challenge Cup was a glorified preseason tournament in 2021 and 2022, before running concurrently with the regular season in 2023.

Starting in 2024, the Challenge Cup has been stripped down, and functions as a ceremonial curtain-raiser game, akin to how English soccer holds a Community Shield match between the defending Premier League champions and the winners of the FA Cup (a knockout tournament involving teams from every level of English soccer that runs concurrently with league seasons).

In the case of the NWSL, that means the previous season’s champions facing the top team from the regular season. The Orlando Pride won the 2024 championship and also claimed the NWSL Shield (which is awarded to the team that finishes atop the regular-season standings).

As such, the Pride will host the 2025 Challenge Cup, with the Washington Spirit — the runners-up in both last year’s final and in the regular season — their opponent. The match will take place on March 7 at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando.

Watch the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup on Amazon Prime Video

Does NWSL have summer break in 2025?

Yes, the NWSL will have a month-long summer break. Owing to an international window that the USWNT is highly likely to schedule games in coming right before continental tournaments for national teams in Europe, South America, Africa, and Oceania, the regular season will pause from June 23 to July 27.

Teams can schedule friendly games from June 30-July 27, but there will be no competitive play in this window within the NWSL. Last year, the league joined forces with Mexico’s top flight (Liga MX Femenil) to hold the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup during and after the Olympics, but that tournament was not mentioned in Monday’s announcement.

How to watch NWSL in 2025: TV channel, live stream

NWSL games throughout 2025 will be shown on the league’s four broadcast partners: Amazon Prime Video, the ION Network, CBS/CBS Sports Network (including Paramount+), and the ABC/ESPN family of networks (including ESPN+).

Per the league, ‘more than 120 matches’ will be shown on one of its broadcast partners. All other games will be shown on NWSL+, a free direct-to-consumer streaming platform operated by the league.

Games on ION, CBS, and the ABC/ESPN family of networks can also be streamed on Fubo, which is offering a free trial for new subscribers.

Watch select 2025 NWSL matches on Fubo

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There’s going to be a Black head coach playing for a national championship for the first time in college football Bowl Subdivision history. Some of you will read that sentence and roll your eyes because, well, you do you. But there is no denying this fact: this is a vital moment in sports history. In fact, it’s one of the most important.

Either Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman or Penn State’s James Franklin will make this history. In many ways it equals another unique moment. That was when the Super Bowl featured its first Black head coach. Actually, coaches … plural. Super Bowl XLI in 2007 had Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith.

Why would this moment in FBS history possibly equal or even surpass that one? It’s because of how the NFL and college football have approached attempting to diversify its coaching ranks. The NFL, for all of its flaws in this area (and there are many), has at least tried to rectify the issue using the Rooney Rule. The rule is far from perfect. But it has always been an acknowledgment of the problem.

College football, conversely, has been woefully inadequate in trying to diversify its head coaching ranks. The college game, in many ways, has been historically hostile to Black coaches (especially in the South). The NFL is slightly better. (Emphasis on slightly.) But it’s better.

The NCAA doesn’t have the strength or political will to ever create the college equivalent of the Rooney Rule so it’s the racial Wild West in college football.

Meaning, overall, if you look at the history of the sport, it has been more difficult for a Black head coach to reach this point than it has been in the NFL. Or especially college basketball.

It’s true that it was only a matter of time before this happened in colleges. It’s just remarkable it took this long. The year is 2025. We were supposed to have flying cars and Black head coaches in the championship game long ago.

Why should this moment be acknowledged and celebrated? Let the first Black head football coach in Notre Dame history, Tyrone Willingham, explain.

‘Because it’s never happened before,’ Willingham told Andscape. ‘It’s a first, and we should celebrate all firsts as long as they’re positive. It’s an accomplishment for us as African Americans, especially if you know anything about history. When I started coaching, there may have been one African American coach on a staff.

‘Notice I said, ‘May have been.”

The interesting part of this story is that college basketball passed this marker decades ago. It was 1984 when John Thompson won a national championship with Georgetown. That was 41 years ago. Other Black coaches would follow in Thompson’s footsteps and win championships.

‘I might have been the first Black person who was provided with an opportunity to compete for this prize, that you have discriminated against thousands of my ancestors to deny them this opportunity,’ Thompson once said. ‘So, I felt obligated to define that, and I got a little criticism for saying it…’

(I also state all of this with great humility. My business, the journalism business, has not been historically great at diversifying its own workforce. We don’t have a Rooney Rule. We definitely need one.)

This moment with Franklin and Freeman (no relation) is vital because it can create a future permission structure for ADs. We shouldn’t need those permission structures. But we do. Franklin remembers how the Dungy and Smith Super Bowl, for example, likely opened doors for coaches like him to later walk through.

‘I remember thinking that as a coach, how significant that was in the profession and how significant that was for young coaches coming up in the profession to see those guys in that role,’ Franklin said. ‘I also remember at that time that there was a lot of conversations about will this impact the profession. Will this impact have earned opportunities for guys?’

Freeman, during a recent news conference, noted that while his father is Black, his mother is South Korean. That makes Freeman the first head coach of Asian descent in the CFP.

‘I’m going to work tirelessly to be the best version of me,’ he said, ‘and it’s great, because even the guys in our program can understand, ‘Don’t put a ceiling on what you can be and what you can do.”

This is a huge moment. One of the biggest we’ve ever seen in college football. It’s about time.