The Atlanta Braves, who employed just three managers in the past 36 seasons, are keeping it in the family in replacing the retiring Brian Snitker.

Walt Weiss, Snitker’s bench coach since 2018, was hired as manager, the club announced Nov. 3, the second shot Weiss has had at a top dugout job.

Weiss, 61, spent four seasons as Colorado Rockies manager from 2013-2016, finishing last in the NL West twice and in third place, with 75 wins, in his final season. Snitker, 69, announced his retirement shortly after the season, concluding a stint of nine full seasons in which the Braves made the playoffs in all but his first and last season.

Their seven-season run of success under Snitker peaked in 2021, when they won the World Series in six games against the Houston Astros.

Now, Weiss will succeed Snitker, Fredi Gonzalez and Bobby Cox as the lone Braves managers since Cox took over for Russ Nixon during the 1990 season. He was the 1988 Rookie of the Year for the Oakland Athetics and played 14 seasons, his last three in Atlanta.

The Braves finished 76-86 last season, their first losing season since 2017, but the injury-addled club did post a 30-24 record the final two months of the season.

The Dallas Stars and AT&T Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, will host the NHL Stadium Series in the 2026-27 season, it was announced Monday, Nov. 3.

The game is slated for Feb. 20, 2027. An opponent for the Stars was not yet revealed.

It will mark the first hockey game played in the 80,000-plus-seat stadium, which opened in 2009 and is nicknamed ‘Jerry World’ after Cowboys owner and president Jerry Jones.

‘Hosting the NHL Stadium Series with the Dallas Stars is another great example of the vision we’ve always had for what AT&T Stadium could be beyond football,’ Jones said in a statement. ‘The game will be another proud moment for us and being able to provide a world class fan and team experience in partnership with two outstanding organizations, the NHL and the Stars, will be very special.’

Dallas has played in one outdoor game, when it hosted the Nashville Predators for the 2020 Winter Classic at the Cotton Bowl and won 4-2. AT&T Stadium has a retractable roof.

The Stars have reached the Western Conference finals in three consecutive seasons and have grown in popularity in Texas, drawing 85,630 fans to that 2020 outdoor game.

The 2025-26 Stadium Series game will see the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Boston Bruins on Feb. 1, 2026, at the Buccaneers’ Raymond James Stadium, an outdoor venue.

The reaction to Victor Conte’s death reflected his complicated legacy — the mastermind of the BALCO steroids scandal who vowed he had turned around his life while working with world champion boxers until just months before his death.

Tim Montgomery, the retired sprinter who worked with Conte on his way to setting a world record in the 100 meters in 2002 before being found guilty of using PEDs, is among the skeptics who spoke after Conte’s death was announced on Nov. 3. Conte, 75, had undergone treatment for pancreatic cancer.

“I can’t really be mad at Victor, you know what I’m saying?’’ Montgomery told USA TODAY Sports about taking PEDs from Conte. “He didn’t trick me. He convinced me, and then I convinced myself (to use banned substances). Most of the people’s lives that he was part of, they was willing participants, if you know what I’m saying.’’

Victor Conte’s death sparks polarized reactions

Montgomery said he is convinced Conte remained active in helping athletes circumvent drug testing, although he had no evidence to prove it..

“This guy wanted the limelight,’’ Montgomery said. “He wanted to go on podcasts. He wanted to talk about drugs. He wanted to still be with athletes.’’

Conte worked with world champion boxers including Terence Crawford, Claressa Shields and Devin Haney.

Bill Haney, Devin Haney’s father and manager, said Conte helped develop Devin Haney into a champion without the use of banned drugs. He has held world titles in the lightweight division.

At Conte’s urging, Devin Haney in January became the first boxer to agree to 24-7 year-round drug testing by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.

“We lost a very important figure who turned his life around, and he is been a vanguard for guys like Devin and me fighting on the right side of the sport,’’ Bill Haney told USA TODAY Sports. “That’s all we’ve ever got a chance to experience with him. … And we’ll continue that crusade that he started in terms of cleaning up boxing and bringing in awareness to PEDs and drug use.’’

Shields wrote on X, ‘RIP @VictorConte. You fought hard.”

Other reactions on social media also underscored Conte’s polarizing nature.

One X user wrote, “His counsel help make @Vada_Testing into the greatest bulwark to PED cheaters in the sport.’’

Another X user wrote, “Victor Conte was a controversial guy, but did help a lot of athletes through his SNAC program.’’

Chimed in yet another X user, “Long live the dude who made baseball more watchable and made boxers better athletes. RIP Victor Conte.’’

The skeptics and critics shared their views too.

Another X user wrote, “I know y’all are not about to sit up here and sympathize with Victor Conte right?’’

Yet another X user wrote, “You choose how to conduct your life and he did so with no integrity.’’

Adam Abramowitz, a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America, helped capture the divide that enveloped Conte.

“I’m not sure where Victor Conte falls on the hero/villain axis as it relates to boxing,’ he wrote on X. ‘But he was a very intelligent man with a lot of talent.’’

The Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals meet in the Week 9 ‘Monday Night Football’ matchup, and both teams are looking for a last-ditch attempt at elbowing their way into the NFL playoff picture.

The Cardinals enter AT&T Stadium riding a five-game losing streak, and the team’s playoff aspirations are slipping away in a loaded NFC West. Even with the losses, Arizona has been able to keep pace with opponents: Every Cardinals matchup this year has been decided by one score.

Expecting that trend to continue will be a difficult ask for an explosive Cowboys offense. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has Dak Prescott and the Dallas offensive attack humming, with Prescott as a legitimate MVP candidate through eight weeks of the 2025 season.

Putting points up on the board hasn’t been an issue for Dallas, but stopping the other team from doing so, has been. Entering Week 8, Dallas’ defense is ranked No. 31 in the NFL in points allowed and yards allowed, giving Cardinals backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett an opportunity to put some points on the board.

It’s the last matchup before the 2025 NFL trade deadline. The Cowboys and the Cardinals are set to meet in JerryWorld on Monday night, and USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights and more from the matchup below.

Watch 2025 NFL action with Fubo (free trial)

End of first quarter: Cardinals driving with 3-0 lead

A quick opening 15 minutes comes to a close in Dallas with the visitors up by three. The Cardinals will look to add to that after the commercial break – already in field goal range. Jacoby Brissett found Marvin Harrison Jr. for a big conversion on third-and-14. Third downs have been the difference, as Arizona has converted 4 of 5.

Cowboys punt on their second drive

Dallas’ second drive didn’t end much better than its first. Three drops and four penalties tell the story thus far for Brian Schottenheimer’s team, which had a first down erased by a holding penalty. While the punt isn’t ideal, Dallas will live with that after seeing Arizona’s Mack Wilson drop a gifted interception. Prescott’s arm was hit on third down and the ball floated in the air before Wilson dropped it.

Perhaps more importantly, the Cowboys put together a drive that lasted under two minutes after the Cardinals totaled seven minutes on their first series. For a Dallas defense that is already struggling, that can become a big concern as we move through the evening. 

Cowboys vs Cardinals score: Chad Ryland starts the scoring

The Cowboys offense is explosive, but the Cardinals offense is methodical. Arizona took advantage of its defensive stand, marching down the field in what has been a fast-paced opening quarter. The drive stalled, however, and Ryland knocked through the 48-yard field goal for the lead.

Some appeared surprised by the referee’s ruling, but the ball seemingly went over the post before drifting wide afterwards.

Cardinals 3, Cowboys 0

Dante Fowler Jr. injury update

Fowler is questionable to return with a shoulder injury. The pass-rusher quietly exited in the first quarter. Dallas’ defense is already having enough trouble slowing down opponents this season. It won’t help if Fowler can’t get back into the action.

What is the red stripe on the Cowboys helmet?

It’s “Salute to Service” night in Dallas and the Cowboys are commemorating the occasion with a red stripe on their helmet. It replaces the standard blue stripe commonly seen on the famed helmets.

“The red stripe on the helmet provides a beautiful ribbon to wrap around this salute to those who currently serve our country’s military – and the patriotic love and appreciation that we all share for those who came before them,” Cowboys EVP Charlotte Jones said in 2021.

Cowboys turnover on downs on opening drive

Dallas came out red hot to open this Monday night contest, making it look like the Cardinals defense was still in the locker room. After getting it down inside the 10, Arizona’s defense locked in a got the stop. Now the Cardinals offense goes to work with an early shift in momentum.

What is Dak Prescott’s jersey patch?

Prescott is wearing a jersey patch honoring his 2022 selection as the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year.

The jersey patches were created by the NFL in 2017 to raise awareness of the award, which the league considers its most prestigious. The jersey patches are to be worn by any active player who has won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

What channel is Cowboys vs Cardinals on Monday Night Football tonight?

TV channel: ESPN | ESPN2

The main Cowboys-Cardinals broadcast will air on ESPN, featuring Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on commentary with Lisa Salters providing sideline reports.

ESPN2 will air the ‘Manningcast,’ the alternate broadcast featuring Peyton and Eli Manning.

What time is Monday Night Football tonight?

Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET | 7:15 p.m. CT | 6:15 p.m. MT

The Cowboys-Cardinals ‘Monday Night Football’ matchup will air at 8:15 p.m. ET, the customary start time for ‘MNF.’

Cowboys-Cardinals live stream

Live stream:Fubo | ESPN Unlimited | ESPN Select

Cord-cutters looking to stream the Week 9 ‘MNF’ game have a few options. Viewers can tune to ESPN’s streaming services, Select and Unlimited, for the matchup.

Viewers can also sign up for Fubo. Fubo carries the ESPN family of networks, as well as CBS, NBC, Fox, ABC and the NFL Network, meaning you’ll be able to catch NFL action all season long. Fubo also offers a free trial.

Watch 2025 NFL action with Fubo (free trial)

Cowboys vs Cardinals prediction

Dallas’ offense has been among the best in the NFL all season long. They’ve put up 35 or more in four games – three wins, one tie – and have put up less than 30 in all four of their losses this season. Still, their offense should overwhelm a Cardinals defense that has been subpar this year, and while backup Jacoby Brissett is a solid spot starter, he’s not going to be able to unlock the offense that Kyler Murray and Co. haven’t been able to this season. Cowboys win by two scores.

Prediction: Cowboys 30, Cardinals 17

How much do the Cowboys cheerleaders get paid?

Salaries for the Cowboys cheerleaders are not disclosed, but reports indicate that a veteran on the team makes around $150,000 a year after the group received a 400% increase in pay prior to the 2025 NFL season. However, they do not receive health insurance from the team.

The news of the increase was revealed by member Megan McElaney, a four-year veteran from Oceanside, California, on the Netflix series ‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.’

‘Our efforts were heard and they wanted to give us a raise,’ McElaney said, via the Associated Press. ‘And we ended up getting a 400% increase, which is like, life-changing.’

CeeDee Lamb warms up for ‘Monday Night Football’

Cowboys inactives vs. Cardinals

S Donovan Wilson
S Alijah Clark
OT Ajani Cornelius
RB Jaydon Blue
DT Mazi Smith
OL Hakeem Adeniji
WR Jonathan Mingo

Cardinals inactives vs. Cowboys

NFC East standings

The Cowboys enter ‘Monday Night Football’ in second place in the NFC East. Here’s how the division stacks up:

Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)
Dallas Cowboys (3-4-1)
Washington Commanders (3-6)
New York Giants (2-7)

NFC West standings

The Cardinals enter ‘Monday Night Football’ in last place in the NFC West. Here’s how the division stacks up:

Seattle Seahawks (6-2)
Los Angeles Rams (6-2)
San Francisco 49ers (6-3)
Arizona Cardinals (2-5)

How to watch Monday Night Football without YouTube TV

Fubo

Fubo, which offers a free trial for new members, carries all Disney-owned sports networks – including ESPN and ABC – as well as other channels that carry NFL games: NFL Network, CBS and Fox.

Catch NFL action all season long with Fubo

Sling TV

Watch ‘Monday Night Football’ with Sling TV

ESPN Unlimited

NFL fans can tune in to Week 9’s ‘Monday Night Football’ game with an ESPN Unlimited subscription.

Watch all ESPN content with ESPN Unlimited

What is the Dallas Cowboys’ record?

The Cowboys enter their matchup with the Cardinals at 3-4-1. They suffered losses in Weeks 1 and 3 to the Eagles and the Bears, respectively, and their first win came in OT against the Giants in Week 2. Dallas tied the Packers in a historic 40-40 shootout in Week 4 and has alternated wins and losses in the four weeks since leading into tonight’s game.

Who is the Cardinals QB?

The Cardinals are rolling with veteran Jacoby Brissett as the starter against the Cowboys in Dallas. Arizona’s No. 1 quarterback, Kyler Murray, sustained a foot sprain in Arizona’s Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans and missed two games before the Cardinals’ Week 8 bye. He will miss his third game and Brissett will be under center. Brissett was a third round pick by the Patriots in the 2016 draft. He has played for New England, the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders before signing with Arizona in 2025.

When do the Cowboys play next?

Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET | 7:15 p.m. CT
Date: Monday, Nov. 3 (Week 9)

The Cowboys and Cardinals matchup gets underway at 8:15 p.m. ET. The Cardinals travel to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the tilt.

Is Kyler Murray playing tonight vs. Cowboys?

Murray will not suit up for the Cardinals on ‘Monday Night Football.’ The starting quarterback has missed the last two games with a foot injury he suffered in Week 5 against the Titans and is among Arizona’s inactives tonight. This will be his third missed game and fourth week in total, because the Cardinals had a bye in Week 8.

Cardinals QB depth chart

Jacoby Brissett
Kyler Murray (questionable – foot)
Kedon Slovis

Brissett will start Nov. 3’s game against the Cowboys in Dallas. He’s lost both of his two starts this season – both by exactly four points – but had 599 passing yards combined in those last two games.

NFL MVP odds: Josh Allen is favorite

QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (+160)
QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (+350)
QB Drake Maye, New England Patriots (+450)
QB Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (+500)
QB Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1600)
QB Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (+2200)
QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (+2500)
QB Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (+2500)
QB Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks (+2500)
QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (+3000)
QB Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (+3000)
RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (+3000)
QB Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts (+4000)
QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (+6600)

When is the 2025 NFL trade deadline?

Date: November 4
Time: 4 p.m. ET

For the second straight year, the NFL trade deadline will take place after Week 9 of the NFL season.

Is there a ManningCast for Cowboys vs. Cardinals game?

Yes, there will be a ManningCast in Week 9. The Manning brothers will be on the alt-cast for the ‘Monday Night Football’ game between the Cowboys and Cardinals, marking the second of six consecutive weeks with a ManningCast.

Where to watch ManningCast tonight

TV channel: ESPN2
Live stream: ESPN Unlimited/ESPN Select | Fubo

Micah Parsons trade details

Below are the full terms of the Micah Parsons trade:

Packers get:

EDGE Micah Parsons

Cowboys get

2027 first-round pick
DL Kenny Clark
2026 first-round pick

Cowboys WR depth chart

Here’s who the Cowboys will trot out at receiver:

CeeDee Lamb
George Pickens
Jalen Tolbert
KaVontae Turpin
Ryan Flournoy

Cowboys vs Cardinals injury report

Cowboys vs Cardinals live betting odds, moneyline, O/U

2026 NFL Draft order

Here’s how the 2026 NFL Draft order stacks up after Week 9’s Sunday slate of games, according to Tankathon.com:

New Orleans Saints: 1-8; .504 strength of schedule
Tennessee Titans: 1-8 record; .556 SOS
New York Jets: 1-7; .510 SOS
Miami Dolphins: 2-7; .504 SOS
New York Giants: 2-7; .553 SOS
Cleveland Browns: 2-6; .468 SOS
Las Vegas Raiders 2-6; .551 SOS
Arizona Cardinals: 2-5; .546 SOS
Cincinnati Bengals: 3-6; .504 SOS
Washington Commanders: 3-6; .333 SOS
Baltimore Ravens: 3-5; .493 SOS
Atlanta Falcons (pick belongs to Los Angeles Rams): 3-5; .514 SOS
Houston Texans: 3-5; .563 SOS
Dallas Cowboys: 3-4-1; .493 SOS
Minnesota Vikings: 4-4; .525 SOS
Carolina Panthers: 5-4; .496 SOS
Kansas City Chiefs: 5-4; .521 SOS
Chicago Bears: 5-3; .468 SOS
Jacksonville Jaguars (pick belongs to Browns): 5-3; .486 SOS
Pittsburgh Steelers: 5-3; .493 SOS
Detroit Lions: 5-3; .529 SOS
Los Angeles Chargers: 6-3; .483 SOS
San Francisco 49ers: 6-3; .482 SOS
Green Bay Packers (pick belongs to Cowboys): 5-2-1; .500 SOS
Buffalo Bills: 6-2; .431 SOS
Seattle Seahawks: 6-2; .504 SOS
Los Angeles Rams: 6-2; .521 SOS
Denver Broncos: 7-2; .458 SOS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-2; .475 SOS
New England Patriots: 7-2; .357 SOS
Philadelphia Eagles: 6-2; .528 SOS
Indianapolis Colts: 7-2; .475 SOS

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Cardinals 2025 schedule

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The NFL trade deadline is set for 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Several teams have already swung deals in recent days, but action could pick up in the last 24-36 hours.
There look to be fewer true sellers than buyers, but Week 9’s results could reshape teams’ approaches.

Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET cutoff for deals represents teams’ last window to transform themselves – whether that means by acquiring a veteran or beefing up on draft capital – before the offseason arrives. So far, however, the action seems to have been stunted by an imbalance in the market, with far more teams looking to bring aboard top talent than those inclined to shed it. But the Week 9 outcomes and injuries might sway several front offices. 

Here’s a look back at all the notable developments throughout the league on Monday:

Ravens add pass rush help, acquiring Dre’Mont Jones from Titans

The Baltimore Ravens are apparently buying into their own resurgence … by becoming buyers ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.

According to The Tennessean’s Nick Suss, the Tennessee Titans are sending OLB Dre’Mont Jones to Baltimore in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick that could scale up to a fourth. The trade comes nearly a month after the Ravens shipped OLB Odafe Oweh to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Jones, a 6-3, 281-pounder now in his seventh season, has been on a tear, all of his 4½ sacks this season coming in the past four games.

Trey Hendrickson speaks out on trade rumors ahead of deadline

There might be no player with a brighter spotlight at the trade deadline than the Cincinnati Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson. Regardless of whether he’s moved, though, Hendrickson isn’t allowing himself to focus on hypotheticals.

‘I stopped doing hopes and that stuff a long time ago,’ Hendrickson told reporters when asked whether he hoped to remain with the team after the cutoff. ‘You are where your feet are.’

Hendrickson missed Sunday’s defensive disaster against the Chicago Bears due to a hip injury, and the NFL’s reigning sack king has just four so far this season. Still, the four-time Pro Bowler likely is the biggest name who could be acquired given that the likes of Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby appear to be off limits for any potential buyers.

Jerry Jones says Cowboys have completed trade, could pursue others

Ever the showman, Jerry Jones has kept an air of mystique surrounding the Dallas Cowboys’ trade plans. But the owner took things to a new level with just more than 24 hours left until the deadline.

Jones told Stephen A. Smith on SiriusXM Radio that his team had already completed one deal and was keeping the door open for others.

‘A lot of action going on right now in terms of trading, we certainly have made a trade and we may make a couple more trades before that deadline,’ Jones said, according to the Dallas Morning News. ‘We’ve made one. We possibly could make two more, and I’m going to wait and let you read about that when we send the papers in tomorrow.’

Jones added that the deal will ‘immediately address some things that have been our shortcomings.’

That almost certainly would point toward a move aiding a defense that ranks 31st in scoring heading into Dallas’ ‘Monday Night Football’ matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. The secondary has been a concern with cornerback Trevon Diggs and safety Malik Hooker on injured reserve. But a listless pass rush also figures to be a point of interest given that the defense has collected just 15 sacks in eight games.

Dolphins not done dealing?

The Miami Dolphins wasted little time in forging a new path after parting ways with general manager Chris Grier on Friday, with Monday’s trade that sent Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles marking a sharp contrast with the team’s previous commitment to staying the course.

Could more moves be coming soon?

‘Conversations happen every single year,’ coach Mike McDaniel said Monday. ‘Sometimes there’s more reports than actual (trades). But you’re always having conversations, and you’re always ready. … Whether or not I expect it, I’m always expecting the unexpected.’

McDaniel also said he acknowledged that ‘the best interest of the football team in the long term doesn’t necessarily overlap with the exact interests for one game or one player.’

Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick are among the big-name veterans who could generate interest.

Brian Daboll shuts down trade speculation for Giants

With his team falling to 2-7, New York Giants coach Brian Daboll wasn’t entertaining any discussion about potential trade deadline moves.

‘The focus for me is the guys that are on this football team,’ Daboll said Monday.

ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reported Monday that the Giants had engaged in discussions surrounding offensive lineman Evan Neal and wide receiver Jalin Hyatt while also asking around about available receivers.

Are Rams done making moves?

Sean McVay is tempering expectations for the Los Angeles Rams ahead of the NFL trade deadline.

‘I don’t think so. … It’s way less likely that anything occurs with us,’ McVay said when asked about where there was potential for any further dealing.

The Rams already acquired cornerback Roger McCreary from the Tennessee Titans last week.

Patriots, Texans not tipping their hands at trade deadline

Neither Mike Vrabel nor DeMeco Ryans gave much insight regarding their respective teams’ plans a little more than 24 hours in advance of the trade deadline.

A few days after his team parted with both Keion White and Kyle Dugger, Vrabel spoke only in generalities about how the team would approach any additional swaps.

‘What happens is personnel staff makes calls and they all have conversations as this thing leads up to it,’ Vrabel said in his Monday news conference. ‘I’d just say continue to do our diligence about what those may be and what they look like, and then make a decision that we think is best for us. That’s what I hope that we do. Until I hear otherwise, we’ll have conversations this afternoon. Nothing new to report.’

Ryans was similarly noncommittal about the Texans’ outlook.

‘We’ll see what happens,’ he said Monday when asked where he expects Houston to be aggressive at the trade deadline.

Could Titans move WR Calvin Ridley?

The Tennessee Titans have established themselves as clear sellers ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline, with the team already having sold off cornerbacks Roger McCreary and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. But even though the team has rebuffed any inquiries on star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, according to multiple reports, could another notable starter be on the trade block?

Multiple reports indicated that wide receiver Calvin Ridley could be a candidate to be moved, but ESPN’s Turron Davenport reported Sunday night that the team was not shopping him.

Putting together a deal for the 30-year-old could be tricky given his hefty price tag. But Ridley could be among the more notable pass-catching options in a thinned-out market at the position.

Trey Hendrickson trade asking price

If the Cincinnati Bengals are willing to move Trey Hendrickson, it won’t be for cheap.

The Bengals are asking for a first-round pick in any discussions regarding the reigning NFL sack king, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported Monday.

That might be rich for a player who is set to become a free agent in March. But there’s little question that adding Hendrickson would make for a major splash for any contender.

The Bengals seldom move veterans during the season, but linebacker Logan Wilson, who requested a trade, and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt also bear watching ahead of the deadline.

Time for Saints to sell?

The New Orleans Saints are one of just a handful of teams that size up as natural sellers. But who might the team actually part with?

Top wide receiver Chris Olave has said he has been engaged in discussions regarding a contract extension, and multiple reports indicate that New Orleans won’t budge in moving its leading target as rookie Tyler Shough takes over behind center. Running back Alvin Kamara, too, has made clear he wants to stay put.

But could receiver Rashid Shaheed and linebacker Demario Davis be sent packing? The Saints have resisted drastic change, but a team set to have just five draft picks in 2026 would surely stand to benefit from upping its ammo as it prepares to forge ahead with an expansive rebuild.

Jaelan Phillips trade grades: Who won the deal?

So much for a dull trade deadline.

The Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles got things started on Monday with a significant deal, sending edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to the defending champions. But who fared best in the swap?

The Eagles added another notable disruptor to a defense in need of a shake-up, but the Dolphins boosted their draft outlook by parting with a player not in their long-term plans.

Eagles land Jaelan Phillips from Dolphins in trade

It didn’t take long for the first significant trade after Week 9 to materialize.

Early Monday morning, the Miami Dolphins agreed to trade edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick, according to multiple reports.

In landing Phillips, the Eagles secured one of the deadline’s biggest prizes. The former first-round pick has recorded three sacks in his last five games and figured to be one of the best edge rushers available with the likes of Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby and potentially Trey Hendrickson out of reach.

The Eagles are tied for 23rd in the NFL with just 16 sacks through eight games while ranking 17th in pressure rate (34.4%), according to Next Gen Stats. Phillips will join a rotation led by Jalyx Hunt and Brandon Graham as Nolan Smith remains on injured reserve with a triceps injury.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio also coached Phillips in 2023, when the edge rusher notched 6 ½ sacks in eight games before a torn Achilles ended his season early.

The Dolphins, meanwhile, have begun to bolster their draft capital and reset after parting ways with general manager Chris Grier on Friday.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Dolphins are paying a portion of the prorated amount on Phillips’ $13.25 million salary to facilitate the deal.

Trey Hendrickson trade rumors: Could Bengals actually deal standout DE?

When the Cincinnati Bengals began their resurgence, parting with standout defensive end Trey Hendrickson seemed like a complete non-starter. Now, however, there might at least be an opening.

Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported Sunday morning that the Bengals were no longer giving teams the ‘hard no’ with which they had been responding to previous trade inquiries regarding Hendrickson. And that was prior to a heartbreaking loss to the Chicago Bears that dropped Cincinnati to 3-6.

If the Bengals did move on from the NFL’s reigning sack king, it would mark a sharp departure for a franchise that has traditionally clung onto all contributors rather than flipping them for draft capital around the deadline. But Hendrickson appears likely to depart in free agency, and Cincinnati could expedite a defensive rebuild by not waiting on a compensatory pick.

Miami Dolphins trade rumors: No-go for moving Jaylen Waddle?

Any team hoping to make a major upgrade at wide receiver via trade might be disappointed by the landscape that awaits them.

While the Miami Dolphins do appear to be open for business after general manager Chris Grier and the team parted ways last Friday, multiple reports indicated it would be highly unlikely that the organization would part with wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. The speedster has taken on the role of Tua Tagovailoa’s unquestionable top target with Tyreek Hill sidelined for the remainder of the season, and both ESPN and NFL Network reported it would take more than a first-round draft pick to pry Waddle from Miami.

Edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, however, have drawn interest, with the former sparking calls from the likes of the Eagles, 49ers and Patriots, according to The Athletic.

NFL trade candidates: Who are top players who could move?

Plenty of top players, including Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby, look likely to stay put. But even in a trade deadline that isn’t heavy on big names, a few figure to spark some interest.

Here’s our final look at the top realistic candidates to be moved:

1. Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
2. Jaelan Phillips, DE/OLB, Miami Dolphins
3. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
4. Alontae Taylor, CB, New Orleans Saints
5. Quincy Williams, LB, New York Jets

NFL trade deadline tracker: All the completed deals

Ravens trade CB Jaire Alexander to Eagles

Eagles receive: CB Jaire Alexander, 2027 seventh-round pick

Ravens receive: 2026 sixth-round pick

Jets trade CB Michael Carter II to Eagles for WR John Metchie III

Eagles receive: CB Michael Carter II, 2027 seventh-round pick

Jets receive: WR John Metchie III, 2027 sixth-round pick

Patriots trade S Kyle Dugger to Steelers

Steelers receive: S Kyle Dugger, 2026 seventh-round pick

Patriots receive: 2026 sixth-round pick

Patriots trade DE Keion White to 49ers

49ers receive: DE Keion White, 2026 seventh-round pick

Patriots receive: 2026 sixth-round pick

Titans trade CB Roger McCreary to Rams

Rams receive: CB Roger McCreary, 2026 sixth-round pick

Titans receive: 2026 fifth-round pick

Browns trade CB Greg Newsome II to Jaguars for CB Tyson Campbell

Ravens trade OLB Odafe Oweh to Chargers for S Alohi Gilman

Chargers receive: OLB Odafe Oweh, 2027 seventh-round pick

Ravens receive: S Alohi Gilman, 2026 fifth-round pick

Browns trade QB Joe Flacco to Bengals

Bengals receive: QB Joe Flacco, 2026 sixth-round pick

Browns receive: 2026 fifth-round pick

Texans trade OT Cam Robinson to Browns

Browns receive: OT Cam Robinson, 2027 seventh-round pick

Texans receive: 2027 sixth-round pick

Titans trade CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr. to Jets

Jets receive: CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr., 2026 seventh-round pick

Titans receive: 2026 sixth-round pick

When is the NFL trade deadline?

The 2025 NFL trade deadline is at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

The cutoff comes just after the midseason point, with team owners having voted last year to push back the deadline by one week. After Tuesday, teams will not be able to make official trades until the start of the new league year in March, though they can unofficially agree to deals with one another after the completion of their season.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is facing scrutiny after a recent loss to Duke brought the team’s record to five losses.
Despite past success, including two national titles, Swinney’s tenure at Clemson is now seen as potentially nearing its end.

You see a coach losing it on the sideline, berating players in an ugly, under-performing season of distress. 

I see a coach who should’ve left Clemson two years ago.

“This is a low of lows,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said after last weekend’s loss to Duke. 

And it should’ve never come to this. 

Think about baseball for a moment in a football-crazy world. The best hitters read the ball out of the pitcher’s hand, recognizing spin and seeing curveball just in time to adjust. 

Swinney didn’t recognize curveball when he should’ve. Didn’t pack it up at Clemson, call it a fantastic career at a place he loves — and run home as fast as that private Crimson Tide jet could’ve taken him to Alabama.

Now his undoing at Clemson is playing out for all to see. 

These things never end well for coaches who’ve spent a career at one school, unless your name is Nick Saban or Tom Osborne. Because every other coach who has tried to go beyond the horizon line at a job they made great, has eventually faded away from losing or shame. Or both. 

Swinney had the perfect out two years ago when Saban decided he didn’t want any part of where college football was headed, and left the behemoth he built. Swinney could’ve simply said what Bear Bryant said all those decades ago when he left the monster he built at Texas A&M for Alabama.

Momma called. 

But instead of recognizing the clear signs, Swinney doubled down on the process, the culture, he built at Clemson. He embraced the life he carefully and dutifully orchestrated, on and off the field, at a university he desperately loves.

He thought, like all coaches do, he could flip a switch and recruit the right players and find the groove again. Shoot, he’d even embrace the transfer portal if that meant righting the ship. 

So he did, and it didn’t. Sometimes, these things just run out of gas on their own volition. What worked for years doesn’t anymore. 

Top five recruiting classes become Top 10 or 15 or 25, and hitting on three straight rare quarterback recruits (Tajh Boyd, DeShaun Watson, Trevor Lawrence) becomes missing on three straight five-star quarterback recruits (DJ Uiagalelei, Cade Klubnik, Christopher Vizzina).

The next thing you know, you’re losing to Duke at home and laying into your defense on the sideline, you have five losses and this season looks a whole lot like when you first started this ride — and thought you were going to get fired. 

Worse, those same players you were barking at during the game look like they don’t give a flip. They’ve tuned you out.

You have to see curveball, everyone.   

Jimbo Fisher, Lincoln Riley and Brian Kelly were vilified by their respective fan bases because they saw curveball, and got out of dodge. Fisher left Florida State, Riley left Oklahoma and Kelly left Notre Dame.

Think about that for a moment. The coaches at Florida State, Oklahoma and Notre Dame — three of the biggest, baddest blue-blood brands in the sport — walked away from the jobs because it was time.

Huge, guaranteed contracts weren’t the reason. Money helped ease the decision, but the die was cast long before the Brinks truck arrived.

All three of those mega-brand schools would’ve paid their respective coaches whatever they wanted to stay. None of the three even allowed their schools to bid. 

Two of the three (Fisher, Kelly) failed spectacularly, and got massive buyouts. Riley went into this season needing to win big to save his job, and has the Trojans moving toward a possible College Football Playoff bid — if they can win out against Northwestern, Iowa, Oregon and UCLA.

If not, it’s just another disappointing season at USC, and one step closer to Riley leaving before he’s pushed out. Because that’s where we are with the elite of coaching in college football. 

To whom much is given, much is required. Translation: if we’re paying big bucks, we’re not waiting for answers.

James Franklin found out the hard way this fall, taking Penn State to within one play of reaching the 2024 national championship game. Six games into this season he was fired and given $50 million in go away money. 

The same Franklin who four years ago had the USC job. All he had to do was see curveball. 

He had built a consistent winner at Penn State, and genuinely believed he was a few players away from winning it all. He grew up in Langhorne, Pa., just outside of Philly, and loved Penn State from the day he picked up a football. 

No chance he was leaving. He saw fastball the whole way.

Then that jug handle curveball broke from two to seven on the face of a clock, and time was up. There was Franklin, bat on his shoulder sitting on ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ set assuring everyone he still wanted to coach. 

After the loss to Duke, after Clemson had reached five losses for the first time since 2009, the coach who had brought the program unprecedented success and two national titles, was at a loss for words while Clemson athletic director Graham Neff watched in back of the room.

“I may get fired today,” Swinney said, half-joking — or maybe he wasn’t. “Can’t say I’d blame him.”

Swinney saw fastball all the way two years ago when he could’ve had the Alabama job. 

Now he’s another curveball away from the whole thing imploding. 

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

Keep up with the latest news and analysis from college football’s top two conferences: Check out our Big Ten Hub and our SEC Hub to get school-by-school coverage from across the USA TODAY Network.

Week 9 of the 2025 fantasy football season was not one for the faint of heart.

With Monday Night Football pending, quarterbacks who finished outside the top-15 include Daniel Jones (QB16), Jayden Daniels (QB17 and injured), Patrick Mahomes (QB20), and Jordan Love (QB22). At running back, Jonathan Taylor (RB28), Jahmyr Gibbs (R37), and Kimani Vidal (RB41) each finished outside the top-25. Wide receiver was no different, with Zay Flowers (WR31), Ladd McConkey (WR37), Chris Olave (WR39), Brian Thomas Jr. (WR40), Deebo Samuel (WR42), Tetairoa McMillan (WR44), Xavier Worthy (WR52), DK Metcalf (WR76), and Rome Odunze (0 points) placing outside the top-30. Top tight ends like Tyler Warren (TE27), George Kittle (TE28), and Tucker Kraft (TE34 and injured) ranked outside the top-25. Yuck.

Here’s a look at Week 10 fantasy football rankings. Toggle between standard, half PPR (point per reception) and full PPR to see where players rank in your league’s format. Scroll to the bottom to view the complete rankings.

Our team at USA TODAY Sports has you covered with plenty of content to help with your Week 10 waiver wire and roster decisions. Looking for up-to-date player news? We’ve got it. Don’t forget to check out the rest of our content:

Waiver wire: 9 players to add | 6 players to drop

Analysis: Week 9 recap and takeaways | 10 buy low, sell high candidates

Please note: These rankings will change significantly as the week goes on. Check back on Sunday morning for final updates.

(The risers and sleepers sections will focus on players available in at least half of Yahoo leagues. All snap and target data from PFF.)

Week 10 fantasy football quarterback rankings: Risers and sleepers

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold (50% rostered) – After his impressive performance on Sunday Night Football, Darnold is now fantasy’s QB10 since Week 2. The veteran has racked up more than 16 fantasy points in six of his last seven outings. A mediocre Week 10 matchup versus the Cardinals will keep him from making a massive leap up the ranks, but he’s still an excellent streaming option.
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy (29%) – McCarthy might be the top widely available add at the position. The 22-year-old has garnered 23.2 and 19.9 fantasy points in two of his three starts this season, and his remaining schedule is beyond juicy. Six of Minnesota’s next eight opponents are among the 11 most-generous teams against opposing quarterbacks.
Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers (40%) – Rodgers has proven to be a solid floor play in 2025. To date, he has yet to post fewer than 12 fantasy points in a game, and he has also surpassed 16 in three of his last four outings. In Week 10, he’ll go up against a Chargers defense that’s allowed four passers to eclipse 17 fantasy points against them.
Commanders QB Marcus Mariota (5%) – A brutal injury to Jayden Daniels will result in Mariota taking over the reins once again in Washington. The veteran will get to face the Lions and Dolphins over the next two weeks, so he’s worth a look in deeper leagues.

Week 10 fantasy football running back rankings: Risers and sleepers

Giants RB Devin Singletary (5%) – While most (including yours truly) were expecting Tyrone Tracy to be the lead back following Cam Skattebo’s injury, it was actually Singletary who led the way in Week 9. The veteran ranked first in snaps (32 to 25) and opportunities (10 to 9), while running just four fewer routes (15 to 19). With Tracy averaging the fifth-fewest yards per carry among backs with at least 50 attempts, that kind of split might be here to stay. He’ll be on the streaming radar against the Bears.
Jaguars RB Bayshul Tuten (31%) – Tuten didn’t get much of a post-bye rookie bump in Week 9. In fact, he finished third behind Travis Etienne and LeQuint Allen Jr. in both snaps and routes. That said, the rookie did finish fifth among all backs with six red zone carries, and potential touchdown equity makes him a viable streaming option for desperate managers in deeper leagues.
Patriots RB Terrell Jennings (1%) – With Rhamondre Stevenson out, rookie TreVeyon Henderson played 75% of the snaps and racked up 19 opportunities. However, despite playing just 17 snaps, Jennings received 11 carries and one target, turning that usage into 44 total yards and a score. Jennings also received three of the backfield’s five red zone carries. If Stevenson were to be inactive again, Jennings would be in play against a Bucs defense that’s allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to the position.
Browns RB Dylan Sampson (16%) – Sampson is worth an add only in the instance that rookie Quinshon Judkins is unable to go. However, given that Judkins practiced on Monday, it’s probably wise to look elsewhere for running back help.

Week 10 fantasy football wide receiver rankings: Risers and sleepers

Broncos WR Troy Franklin (48%) – Despite posting an underwhelming statline (four receptions for 24 yards), Franklin’s role in Week 9 was very encouraging. The 22-year-old played 80% of the snaps and generated 10 targets as well as two carries. Franklin now ranks seventh among all wideouts in targets over the last three weeks, and that kind of volume should play well against a Raiders defense that’s ceding the fourth-most fantasy points to the position.
Colts WR Alec Pierce (26%) – While the end zone has eluded him, Pierce has now totaled at least 67 receiving yards in five of his last six games. The volume has been there as well, as the 25-year-old ranks fifth at the position in targets over the last three weeks.
Jaguars WR Parker Washington (18%) – In the first game without Travis Hunter, Washington led the team in snaps (70), routes (36), targets (9), receptions (8), and yards (90). Not too shabby. Despite a tough Week 10 draw with the Texans, Washington is still worth grabbing, especially in PPR formats.
Packers WR Christian Watson (28%) – With tight end Tucker Kraft out for the season, Watson becomes immensely more valuable in fantasy. Kraft was the passing game’s primary threat for explosive plays, a role that might now have to fall in the capable hands of Watson. It’s worth noting that rookie wideout Matthew Golden is banged up as well. While consistency is unlikely to be Watson’s forte, he profiles as a high-upside flex play going forward.
Seahawks WR Tory Horton (5%) – With Cooper Kupp out of the lineup on SNF, Horton made his presence known. The rookie caught all four of his targets for 48 yards and two touchdowns. While the blowout was a contributing factor, Horton did lead the team in snaps (37) and finished second in routes (20). He’s worth a speculative add even if Kupp returns.
Buccaneers WR Tez Johnson (35%) – Johnson was the clear WR2 on the Bucs in Week 8 with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out of the lineup. The 23-year-old finished second on the team in snaps (41) and targets (6) and tied for first in routes (41). He’d be worth a spot start in Week 10 if Godwin is out of the lineup.
Giants WR Darius Slayton (35%) – Slayton got a solid 90% snap share in Week 9, and that came with a 22% target share. While his output won’t blow anyone’s socks off, the 28-year-old did lead the team with 62 receiving yards. In Week 10, the Giants face a Bears secondary that’s allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts.

Week 10 fantasy football tight end rankings: Risers and sleepers

Bears TE Colston Loveland (24%) – Loveland was featured in this spot last week due to his mouthwatering matchup, and he sure did not disappoint. The rookie caught six of his seven targets for 118 yards and two touchdowns. While he won’t get to face the Oprah of defenses every week, the performance still makes him worth adding in most leagues.
Buccaneers TE Cade Otton (37%) – In Week 8, Otton played all but two snaps and finished third on the team in routes (22) and targets (5). That marked the fourth consecutive game in which the veteran had garnered at least five targets. He’s a decent streaming option against a New England defense that’s surrendered the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
Giants TE Theo Johnson (33%) – After catching another red zone touchdown in Week 9, Johnson now ranks fifth among tight ends in red zone targets (10) and fourth in touchdowns (4). The 24-year-old has gotten at least five targets in four of his last six games, and he hasn’t had fewer than four looks in a game since Week 2. He’s a top streaming option against a Bears squad that has ceded a touchdown to the position in three of their last four games.
Saints TE Juwan Johnson (35%) – Johnson continues to be a relatively consistent streaming option at a frustrating position. The 29-year-old has recorded double-digit half-PPR games in four of nine contests, and has only posted fewer than 7.8 points on three occasions. Johnson’s three worst outings came at a time when he was clearly banged up.
Jets TE Mason Taylor (20%) – From Week 3 through Week 8, Taylor ranked third among tight ends with 39 targets (6.5 per game). While his production was certainly underwhelming during that stretch, Garrett Wilson’s impending return could help open things up for the rookie.

Week 10 fantasy football rankings: PPR, half-PPR and standard

A woman has been granted a temporary injunction against boxer Gervonta Davis after alleging multiple attacks.
The woman, who says she was in a relationship with Davis, detailed several incidents of choking and threats in her petition.
The legal matter has put Davis’s scheduled Nov. 14 fight against Jake Paul into question.

A woman who says boxer Gervonta Davis attacked her in a strip club Oct. 27 detailed other alleged attacks in a petition for a temporary injunction, she has been granted, according to court records obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

Davis is scheduled to fight Jake Paul Nov. 14 in Miami and the legal matter has thrown the fight into flux.

A court hearing has been set for Nov. 12 to rule on a permanent restraining order, which is referred to as an injunction. The Miami Gardens Police Department is also investigating the matter, and on Monday morning, it remained an “active case,’’ according to the records department.

The restraining order, known as a temporary injunction, mandates Davis have no contact with the woman, not go in or within 500 feet of the woman’s workplace, Tootsie’s Cabaret Miami in Miami Gardens, and not go within 100 feet of the woman’s automobile. Davis has a residence in Southwest Ranches, Florida.

The woman, who works as a VIP waitress at Tootsie’s Cabaret, filed a civil lawsuit against Davis last week with the 11th Circuit Court of Florida in Miami-Dade County and is seeking more than $100,000, according to court records.

It was granted on Oct. 30. She has said she had a five-month dating relationship with the boxer, according to the petition.

Davis is scheduled to fight Jake Paul on Nov. 14 in Miami, and the legal matter has thrown the fight into flux.

Allegations against Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis

During the month of August, according to the petition, Davis was at the Petitioner’s place of employment and she was Davis’ VIP waitress for the night; however, as the woman’s shift was ending of the night, Davis was inebriated and grabbed the woman’s neck and choked her in the presence of his bodyguard, but the bodyguard didn’t come to the woman’s rescue, according to the petition.

After the woman walked out of the room, according to the petition, she informed one of the hosts that she wasn’t comfortable going back to the room to avoid Davis’ wrath. Furthermore, the woman recalls at least two separate incidents while she was visiting the respondent’s home, and he refused to allow her to leave, according to the petition, which indicates Davis said, “You are not leaving; I will not give you the code to the Uber to get in; if you tried leaving (I) will slash your tires!’ At the time, according to the petition, Davis was holding a knife on his hand.

Due to the allegations against Davis, the woman states she is concerned and afraid of Davis and fears that additional acts of violence are imminent, according to the petition, which reads, “therefore, she is seeking the court’s intervention and protection to refrain from further contact.’’

On Sept. 2, according to the petition, the woman (stated) that Davis started calling her repeatedly, but she didn’t answer any of the calls; moments later, the Respondent texted the Petitioner and stated to her in part “stop playing with; I will kill you!” The woman, according to the petition, replied to Davis’ message and stated to him ‘relax, I’m going to leave in twenty minutes; I’m getting pain medicine!” According to the petition, Davis replied, “(expletive) you and that knee and the (racial slur) you are with!”

On Sept. 23, according to the petition, the woman said she was out at a restaurant and she received a text from Davis where he stated in part “I’m on my way to playa; I’m going to kill you!” Soon thereafter, according to the petition, Davis pulled up to the premises, grabbed (sic) the woman’s neck and choked her in the presence of several other people, according to the petition. Davis’ bodyguard intervened by grabbing Davis’ shoulder and told him to stop, the petition states.

Due to the allegations against Davis, the woman states she is concerned and afraid of Davis and fears that additional acts of violence are imminent, according to the petition, which reads, “therefore, she is seeking the court’s intervention and protection to refrain from further contact.’’

Victor Conte, mastermind of one of the biggest steroid scandals in sports history, died Monday Nov. 3, according to a post on the X account of his company SNAC.

He was 75.

Conte had undergone treatment for pancreatic cancer this year.

‘We are Heartbroken by the Passing of our Fearless Leader…” the post reads. ‘We will Honor his Wishes. SNAC and his Legacy will Carry Forward, Strong and Forever. We LOVE you, Conte!”

In 2003, federal agents raided Conte’s business BALCO and his home in Northern California while investigating the scandal involving steroids. Conte pleaded guilty in 2005 to conspiracy to distribute steroids and money laundering after being accused of supplying the drugs to high-profile athletes, including home run king Barry Bonds and Olympic gold medalist sprinter Marion Jones.

He served four months in a minimum-security federal prison in Taft, California.

Victor Conte, a polarizing figure

Ostracized by the sports world, Conte could be loud, combative, controversial and relentless. After shutting down BALCO in 2003, he relaunched another company, Scientific Nutrition for Advanced Conditioning (SNAC), which Conte said sold natural supplements.

He also mounted a comeback as an adviser in professional boxing. ‘The redlight district,” he called it. His clients included world champions such as Terence Crawford and Claressa Shields.

He also became a self-described anti-doping advocate during an about-face in a story he cast as personal redemption.

‘I realized, you know what, we do live in a society of second chances and I’m going to do my best to become a role model,” Conte told Cynthia Conte (no relation) on ‘The Real Fight With Cynthia Conte’ podcast.

But Jeff Notitzky, the former IRS agent who led the investigation into Conte and BALCO, remained among the skeptics.

“He’ll take any publicity as long as his name is in the lights,’ Novitzky told Netflix for a 2023 documentary that revisited the BALCO scandal and examined Conte’s life. “So I don’t think you can believe a word the guy says.’

From music to BALCO and beyond the criticism

Indeed, as Crawford prepared to fight Alvarez in what became one of the crowning moments of Conte’s career as an adviser to boxers, he faced unsubstantiated accusations of cheating.

Conte, who battled with his critics, struck a different tone as his health waned.

‘Please don’t stress the negativity of my past too much,” Conte said for a story before Crawford beat Alvarez by unanimous decision.

At times, Conte sent mixed messages. For example, although he repeatedly said he felt guilty about the BALCO scandal because many people were damaged, he also told Netflix, ‘When Marion Jones hit the finish line and won the gold medal (at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney), when Barry Bonds hit all these home runs, you know, any of these great accomplishments, those are things that I’ll always be proud of.’

Born January 10, 1950, in Fresno, California, Conte first found the limelight playing the bass in the late 1970s with Tower of Power, a funk and R&B band. But his attention eventually turned to the science of enhancing athletic performance.

In 1984, he founded BALCO and later partnered with Patrick Arnold, a bodybuilding chemist responsible for designer steroids known as ‘the cream’ and ‘the clear.’

But the operation ended in 2003 after Novitzky led a raid on BALCO. Conte said the scandal stopped him from helping athletes cheat to win, but it did not fully rein him in.

For example, in 2004, after leaving the Burton Federal Building in San Francisco, Conte smiled for photographers and flexed his biceps.

In 2010, Conte released an instrumental jazz song he wrote and produced. The title: ‘BALCO Bebop.”

Conte had three daughters and grew teary-eyed while talking about them during the Netflix documentary.

‘I was a horrible father,” he said, reflecting on how the BALCO scandal impacted their lives. ‘I took their sense of security away from them and created a lot of uncertainty.’

He claimed the attention from BALCO made his new supplements business even more profitable. In the Netflix film, he drove a Bentley and later asked USA TODAY Sports, ‘Should I send the feds a thank you card?”

He later bought a Rolls-Royce and posted on SNAC’s X account video footage of him behind the wheel of the car.

But the boastfulness began to fade in May, when he told USA TODAY Sports he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy. From his hospital bed, Conte said, he continued to work with boxers such as Crawford.

“Terence is the most scientifically prepared boxer in the world,” Conte told USA TODAY Sports. ‘Terence has followed my instructions with excellent compliance.”

During training camp, Crawford was photographed wearing SNAC T-shirts, as he had over the past several years.

Conte said planned to attend Crawford’s fight against Alvarez Sept. 11 in Las Vegas. But the week before the fight, Conte said he was still in the hospital.

‘They will not let me go home,” he said, but later added, ‘I will watch the fight no matter how I feel.”

As Conte fought for his life, Crawford was in the biggest fight of his career.

Conte is survived by his wife, Mandy Tubbs, and three daughters: Alicia Stearman, Kisha Conte and Veronica Schuhmacher.

The funeral service will be held for only Conte’s family and a celebration of life event will be held on a date not yet determined, according to a family friend.

(This story was updated with new information.)

The end of the World Series marks the beginning of the Hot Stove season, and many MLB players are more than ready to get started in free agency.

Several big-name veterans – including slugger Pete Alonso and closer Edwin Diaz of the New York Mets – are among the first players to exercise opt-out clauses in their existing contracts and take the plunge into the free agent market, according to multiple reports.

There aren’t many surprises among the players who were eligible to opt out. Teams have until Thursday to give their impending free agents a qualifying offer worth just over $22 million for the 2026 season. They have a week to either accept the one-year deal or become a free agent.

Here are some of the players who have chosen to opt out of their contracts:

1B Pete Alonso, New York Mets
RP Edwin Diaz, New York Mets
1B/OF Cody Bellinger, New York Yankees
3B Alex Bregman, Boston Red Sox
SP Michael King, San Diego Padres
RP Robert Suarez, San Diego Padres
SS Ha-Seong Kim, Atlanta Braves
SP Lucas Giolito, Boston Red Sox
SS Jorge Mateo, Baltimore Orioles

Here are some of the players who have chosen to opt into their contracts:

OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Arizona Diamondbacks ($13 million)