A federal investigation into illegal gambling has led to the arrests of several prominent NBA figures.
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier are among those facing criminal charges.
The alleged scheme involved rigged poker games with Mafia ties and betting on games using non-public information.

The NBA is facing a gambling crisis after a sitting head coach, a current player and a former player were all arrested in connection with two federal indictments related to illegal gambling on games and rigged poker games that had Mafia ties.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA player Damon Jones are all facing criminal charges in the wake of the scandal, which is also connected with the investigation that led to the NBA banning former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter. Federal authorities allege the extensive scheme spanned years, and there are more than 30 co-defendants accused in the case along with these prominent NBA figures.

The investigation remains ongoing, authorities said, and fallout has been immediate. Billups and Rozier were placed on immediate leave from their respective teams. Rozier’s attorney issued a statement declaring Rozier is ‘not a gambler.’ Billups’ attorney also released a statement denying Billups’ alleged role in the rigged poker games and emphasized that Billups did not gamble on basketball games.

Here’s a timeline and breakdown of all the alleged events and games that are mentioned as part of the federal investigation into the NBA’s gambling scandal:

NBA gambling scandal timeline

April 9, 2019

Federal authorities allege that rigged poker games backed by the Bonanno, Gambino and Genovese organized crime families of La Cosa Nostra began as early as 2019. One specific game involving Billups on this date allegedly defrauded victims out of more than $50,000. The scheme featured a shuffling machine that had been secretly altered to use concealed technology to read the cards in the deck, predict which player at the table had the best poker hand, and relay that information to an off-site operator.

The indictment also includes messages in which the defendants had signals for a ‘quarterback’ at the table to use once he was relayed the information in real time from off-site, and discussions about purposefully losing hands to keep the victims at the table longer. One of the victims was ‘starstruck’ by Billups, according to the indictment, and ‘this was by design.’

October 2020

The indictment alleges that following another rigged poker game in late October 2020, bank records show co-defendant Robert Stroud wired $50,000 to co-defendant Sophia Wei, who then wired $50,000 to Billups.

December 2022

Investigators allege this is when the gambling scheme involving non-public game status information began, with the co-defendants accused of using ‘access to private information known by NBA players or NBA coaches that was likely to affect the outcome of upcoming NBA games or individuals’ performances,’ according to the federal indictment. ‘They provided other co-conspirators this non-public information ‒ in exchange for either a flat fee or a share in expected wagering profits ‒ for the purpose of betting.’

February 9, 2023

The morning before a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks, Jones is accused of providing non-public injury information about an unnamed player who fits the description of LeBron James in the indictment. Jones, according to the investigation, sent a text message alerting a co-conspirator in the case that James would not be playing, even though James had not been ruled out on the official injury report yet.

James did not play in the game and the Lakers lost. Jones, who played three NBA seasons with James in Cleveland, served as an unofficial assistant coach working primarily with James during the 2022-23 campaign.

March 23, 2023

The indictment alleges Rozier, then playing for the Charlotte Hornets, informed co-defendant Deniro Laster that Rozier was going to prematurely remove himself from a game against the New Orleans Pelicans in the first quarter. Laster then allegedly sold this information to multiple co-conspirators, including co-defendant Marves Fairley. Fairley and an unnamed co-conspirator agreed to pay Laster $100,000 from their expected gambling winnings. Fairley also sold the information to co-defendant Shane Hennen, who dispersed it to a network of associates in order to place wagers on prop bets for Rozier’s ‘under’ in the game. Prior to the start of the March 23 game, authorities allege Hennen, other unnamed and named co-conspirators in the investigation placed more than $260,000 in bets on Rozier’s under.

Rozier, according to the indictment, removed himself from the game in the first quarter after playing less than 10 minutes and did not return. He had five points and two assists and finished ‘under’ the lines set by oddsmakers for his points, assists and 3-point shots.

March 24, 2023

Prior to a game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Chicago Bulls, according to the indictment, an unnamed co-conspirator who fits the description of Billups allegedly told co-defendant Eric Earnest the Trail Blazers were tanking and several of their best players would not be playing. Earnest then provided the non-public information to Fairley, who promised to pay at least $5,000 if bets against the Trail Blazers were successful. Fairley and Hennen then placed more than $100,000 in wagers that Portland would lose the game.

The Blazers wound up not playing their top four leading scorers for the season and the lines changed once the official injury report was released approximately 30 minutes before tipoff. The Bulls then beat the Trail Blazers, 124-96.

March 28, 2023

The indictment alleges Fairley traveled to Philadelphia to collect his cut of the winnings from the March 23 game involving Rozier. Laster is also alleged to have traveled to Philadelphia on the same day to collect his portion of the winnings from Fairley. Rozier arranged and paid for Laster’s travel, according to the investigation. Fairley gave Laster ‘tens of thousands of dollars’ in cash as payment for the information Laster provided to Fairley regarding Rozier’s plan to remove himself from the game early.

March 30, 2023

Laster drove from Philadelphia to Rozier’s home in Charlotte, North Carolina, according to the indictment, and during the early morning hours of April 1, he and Rozier counted the money that Laster had received from Fairley from the March 23 game.

April 6, 2023

Hours before a game between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers, according to the indictment, one of the Magic’s ‘regularly starting players’ told an unnamed co-conspirator that Orlando would be sitting its entire starting lineup. This non-public information was provided to Fairley, who allegedly placed an $11,000 bet that the Cavaliers would cover the spread. The Magic, according to the investigation, were favored by 9.5 points at the time. The Magic did not play their starters and Cleveland won the game by 24 points.

September 2023

On September 7, five co-defendants successfully robbed an altered shuffling machine, according to the indictment. Jones then asked co-defendant Robert Stroud, who was named as part of the robbery as well, for a $10,000 advance in connection with a rigged poker game in East Hampton, New York. Stroud sent $2,500 to Jones via Zelle. Three days later, messages featured in the indictment show co-defendant Tony Goodson coaching Jones on how to cheat, while comparing two players in the rigged poker game to NBA stars Stephen Curry and LeBron James.

January 15, 2024

Before a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder, Jones allegedly gave non-public injury information to Earnest related to an unnamed player who fit the description of Anthony Davis in the indictment. Jones claimed to have learned from a trainer for James and Davis that Davis was injured and only going to play a limited number of minutes. Earnest shared the information with Fairley, who then shared it with Hennen and another co-conspirator. Fairley allegedly bet about $100,000 against the Lakers. Jones was paid approximately $2,500 for the information, according to the indictment.

Davis was listed as probable and ultimately played in the 112-105 Lakers’ win, finishing with 27 points and 15 rebounds over more than 38 minutes of action. After the game, according to the investigation, Fairley requested that Jones repay the $2,500. But Jones, investigators noted, reiterated via text message that he had provided credible information.

January 23, 2024

Rozier was traded by the Charlotte Hornets to the Miami Heat. The Heat weren’t made aware that Rozier was being investigated for suspicious betting activity, two sources told USA TODAY Sports.

January 26, 2024

Prior to a game between the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers, then-Raptors forward Jontay Porter agreed with co-defendant Long Phi Pham and others to exit the game prematurely due to injury in order for others to place bets on Porter’s unders for the game, according to the indictment. Pham provided the information to Hennen, who then alerted Fairley and other associates.

March 20, 2024

The same scheme involving Porter, Pham, Hennen and Fairley was executed as part of a game between the Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings.

April 17, 2024

The NBA banned Porter for disclosing confidential information to sports bettors and betting on games after a league investigation.

Jan. 13, 2025

Porter pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy in federal court, with a sentencing hearing scheduled for December. He faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

January 30, 2025

The Wall Street Journal reported that Rozier was still under investigation by federal authorities over suspicious betting activity flagged in connection with the March 2023 game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans. ‘In March 2023, the NBA was alerted to unusual betting activity related to Terry Rozier’s performance in a game between Charlotte and New Orleans,’ NBA spokesman Mike Bass said at the time. ‘The league conducted an investigation and did not find a violation of NBA rules. We are now aware of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York related to this matter and have been cooperating with that investigation.’

Trusty added that ‘FBI agents’ were involved in the league investigation.

Oct. 23, 2025

Rozier, Billups and Jones were arrested for their respective roles in the rigged poker games and illegal betting scheme surrounding NBA games.

October 24, 2025

NBA commissioner Adam Silver, in his first public comments, said during a halftime interview with Amazon Prime, he was ‘deeply disturbed’ by the allegations.

“There’s nothing more important to the league and its fans than the integrity of the competition,’ Silver added.

Asked how the league had cleared Rozier given his arrest, Silver noted, ‘the federal government has subpoena power, it can threaten to put people in jail, it can do all kinds of things that a league office can’t do. So we’ve been working with them since then.’

Week 8 of the 2025 fantasy football season put a new meaning to ‘bye-mageddon’, especially at the wide receiver position. Just one of the current top-10 non-quarterbacks is a wideout.

With Monday Night Football pending, the top eight quarterbacks are Jordan Love, Drake Maye, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, Bo Nix, Joe Flacco, Tua Tagovailoa and Josh Allen. The top four scorers on the slate (Jonathan Taylor, James Cook, Breece Hall and Saquon Barkley) are all running backs. At wideout, Troy Franklin (23.9), Michael Pittman Jr. (19.5), Jaylen Waddle (18.4), Khalil Shakir (17.8) and Ladd McConkey (17.8) were the only ones to surpass 15.4 half-PPR points. It took until Sunday Night Football, but Tucker Kraft (29.8 fantasy points) made sure that National Tight Ends Day didn’t disappoint.

Here’s a look at Week 9 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 7 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 | 5 players to drop

Fantasy analysis: Week 8 recap from every Sunday game | 10 players to buy or sell

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 9 fantasy football quarterback rankings: Risers and sleepers

Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers (47% rostered) – The veteran has showcased a solid floor this season, racking up at least 12 fantasy points in every game. Over his last three, Rodgers has posted 18, 25 and 17 fantasy points, respectively. In Week 9, he’ll go up against a Colts team that’s allowed more than 21 fantasy points to four of the six non-Cam Ward quarterbacks they’ve faced. The Steelers also have one of the friendliest slates of passing defenses through Week 16.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (42%) – After failing to eclipse 12 fantasy points in three of his first four games this season, Lawrence has rebounded nicely, posting totals of 27, 19 and 18 over his last three outings. He’s a top streaming option against a Raiders team that’s ceded more than 16 fantasy points to five of the six non-Cam Ward passers they’ve faced.
Seahawks QB Sam Darnold (36%) – Darnold was a rough watch in the season opener, but he’s garnered at least 16 fantasy points in five of his six contests since. He’s one of the safer streaming options against a Commanders defense that’s allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to the position in 2025 (with MNF pending).
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (19%) – Starting Tua in fantasy is like going for a colonoscopy — you really don’t want to do it, but you might not have a better choice. The 27-year-old racked up four tuddies and 24 fantasy points in Week 8, and the matchup this week is even better on paper. To date, the Ravens have surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing signal-callers.

Week 9 fantasy football running back rankings: Risers and sleepers

Giants RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (49%) – With Cam Skattebo out for the season, Tracy becomes the top priority on waivers. While he’s far from a model of efficiency, Tracy was the RB16 in fantasy from Week 5 and on in 2024. Tracy played 78% of snaps after Skattebo went down on Sunday.
Titans RB Tyjae Spears (31%) – While Spears and Tony Pollard finished tied with 12 touches in Week 8, the former led the way in snaps (37 to 33) and routes (18 to 17). With Brian Callahan no longer at the helm, this may become the norm. At worst, the 24-year-old is a solid bench stash in PPR leagues.
Dolphins RB Ollie Gordon (11%) – After head coach Mike McDaniel said he’d like to diversify the offense more, he went on to give rookie Ollie Gordon his highest touch (11) and snap total (21) of the season. Gordon turned that volume into 66 yards and a score. The 21-year-old is worth a speculative add in most leagues with deep benches.

Week 9 fantasy football wide receiver rankings: Risers and sleepers

Broncos WR Troy Franklin (37%) – In Week 8, Franklin was once again the clear WR2 behind Courtland Sutton, though his eight targets did lead the team. Franklin broke out with six receptions for 89 yards and two scores, making him the current overall WR1 on the week. While he won’t get to face the Dallas secondary every week, Franklin’s role seems stable enough to make him a weekly flex option.
Patriots WR Keyshon Boutte (40%) – While his five targets won’t jump off the page, Boutte did lead all Patriots receivers in snaps (50) and routes (31) on Sunday. The 23-year-old has now scored at least 12.5 half-PPR points in four of his eight games this season, including three straight. Boutte is an every-week high-upside flex play, especially in plus matchups.
Titans WR Chimere Dike (8%) – Dike has seen his role grow since Callahan’s departure, and in Week 8, he finished a hair behind Elic Ayomanor for the team lead in snaps (67 to 63) and routes (42 to 39). The 23-year-old led the Titans in targets (8) and receiving yards (93), and he’s now racked up 27.8 half-PPR points over the last two weeks. His role could diminish when Calvin Ridley (hamstring) returns, but given the play of the rest of this receiving corps, that doesn’t seem like the most likely outcome.
Packers WR Christian Watson (16%) – In his first game back since tearing his ACL in January, Watson played a larger-than-expected role. He finished third among Packers wide receivers in snaps (36) and routes (24), and second in targets (4). He caught all of his targets for 85 scoreless yards. Watson will always be a high-variance play, but those in deeper leagues should look to add him.
Dolphins WR Malik Washington (15%) – Washington has garnered at least five targets in all four games since Tyreek Hill’s injury, though he has yet to top 36 yards in that stretch. Washington has posted 8.0 and 13.6 PPR points over his last two games. Those in deep full PPR leagues could look to add him as a bye week fill-in at flex.

Week 9 fantasy football tight end rankings: Risers and sleepers

Bears TE Colston Loveland (22%) – With Cole Kmet out, Loveland got the start and saw an 81% snap rate while finishing third on the team with 32 routes. His output was uninspiring (5 targets, 3 receptions, 38 yards) but his role was encouraging considering Chicago’s upcoming opponent. In Week 9, the Bears will take on the Bengals, who have allowed 2.0 more half-PPR points per game to tight ends than any other team.
Saints TE Juwan Johnson (32%) – Aside from a three-week stretch where he was seemingly battling through injuries, Johnson has been a relatively stable option at an unstable position. The 29-year-old has been targeted at least seven times in five of his eight outings, and he’s totaled at least 7.8 half-PPR points in each of those five games. The return of Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill has not significantly reduced his playing time, as he has yet to see a snap share below 70%.

Week 9 fantasy football rankings: PPR, half-PPR, and standard

As the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays prepare to take the field for Game 3 of the World Series, let’s get to the obvious question: After Luna, the 7-year-old Maltipoo, picked the Game 1 of the World Series wrong, did we start looking for another dog?

Might a Golden Retriever or Terrier serve us better with this man vs. dog World Series predictions contest?

After brief consideration … no!!! Of course not!!! Dogs are loyal, and so are we. Well, at least after Luna picked Game 2 correctly.

A quick recap: Luna, who started an NFL playoff predictions contest last year 8-0, predicted the Dodgers would win Game 1. Before they got bashed by the Blue Jays 11-4, that is.

You should have heard Luna whimper.

But she picked the Dodgers in Game 2, and sure enough the Dodgers avenged the Game 1 loss with a 5-1 victory over Blue Jays.

What about the men? Bob Nightengale and Gabe Lacques look in good position with each having picked the Dodgers to win the World Series in six games.

Luna has picked the Dodgers to win in seven games, and for Game 3 has picked Blue Jays to win at Dodger Stadium.

It’s a slightly confounding prediction, but win or lose, we’re sticking with this dog.

Lionel Messi wants to play in the 2026 World Cup. He just hasn’t made a final decision yet.

Messi – the reigning Argentine World Cup champion and Inter Miami star in Major League Soccer – again expressed his desire to play in next summer’s tournament co-hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico during an interview on ‘NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas.’

“Well, the truth is that yes, it’s something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup. And I would like to be there. To feel well and to be an important part of helping my national team – if I am there,” Messi said in the interview, which aired on Monday, Oct. 27.

“I’m going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start preseason next year with Inter [Miami] and see if I can really be 100%. I’m really eager because it’s a World Cup.

“We’re coming off winning the last World Cup, and being able to defend it on the field again is spectacular because it’s always a dream to play with the national team, especially in official competitions, so hopefully God will allow me to do it once again.”

Messi discussed several topics during the interview, shared in social media clips and airing less than a week after he signed a three-year contract extension to prolong his career with Inter Miami in the U.S.

“I’ve always said that I’ll base my decision on how I feel day to day and how I feel physically and mentally to continue playing and to continue being part of this club,” Messi said about re-signing with Miami. “And honestly, I felt really good during the year. I’m happy living in Miami, as is my family, and honestly, the decision was easy.”

Messi also believes “growing soccer in the United States is possible” and thinks the country will be spectacular during World Cup next summer.

“I think there are still big changes to be made so that teams can continue to grow, but I think there is a very important foundation in place where teams are prepared and want that growth, and I think it’s time to do it,” he said.

Considered the greatest soccer player of his time, Messi is also a fan of GOATs in other sports like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in tennis, and Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Steph Curry in basketball.

He also says fellow Argentine World Cup winner Diego Maradona was “always our greatest idol and greatest admiration for everything he meant to us. I was little and saw him play live, Diego transcended everything.”

Messi and Inter Miami have a 1-0 series lead against Nashville SC in their best-of-three, first-round series in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Game 2 is Saturday, Nov. 1 in Nashville.

For the third time in the last three seasons, the Minnesota Vikings have lost a quarterback to a season-ending injury before Week 9.

Two years ago, it was a Week 8 Achilles injury to Kirk Cousins. Last year, it was a torn meniscus that ended first-round pick J.J. McCarthy’s rookie season before it even began. This year, on Oct. 27, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Carson Wentz will land on injured reserve and miss the remainder of the 2025 season after undergoing a season-ending surgery on his left shoulder.

Wentz, 32, first injured his shoulder in a Week 5 game against the Cleveland Browns. He had been wearing a brace on his arm in every game since. He was noticeably grimacing in pain and favoring his injured shoulder on ‘Thursday Night Football’ on Oct. 23.

Now, he’s undergoing surgery to repair the shoulder ailment and will miss the rest of the season.

McCarthy is expected to return from his ankle injury in Week 9’s game against the Detroit Lions. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, who served as Wentz’ backup over the last several weeks, is expected to remain in that role behind McCarthy.

Carson Wentz injury update

Wentz will miss the remainder of the 2025 NFL season after he undergoes surgery to repair his left shoulder.

The veteran quarterback initially sustained the injury to his left shoulder in the Vikings’ Week 5 game in London against the Browns. After missing a couple of snaps in that game, he returned to action with a brace on his arm.

Wentz had worn a brace on his arm in the Vikings’ two games since as well. On Oct. 23, throughout the team’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ clash with the Los Angeles Chargers, the 10th-year quarterback was in clear pain, grimacing and clutching at his left shoulder.

After the game, Wentz told reporters it was ‘quite possibly’ the worst pain he had felt while playing in a game.

‘I’m just trying to do everything I can to help this team,’ he said. ‘I feel confident even with the pain, that I could help, that I can contribute and make plays and spread this ball around and I thought we did okay at times.

‘At the end of the day, I feel like I’m physically able to go whether it hurts or not. It is what it is.’

Wentz’s season is now over after going 2-3 in his five games as the Vikings’ starter.

Vikings QB depth chart

J.J. McCarthy
Max Brosmer
Carson Wentz (IR – shoulder)

Wentz, a 10-year NFL veteran, began the season as Minnesota’s backup to the second-year McCarthy. When the youngster sustained a high ankle sprain in Week 2, Wentz was thrust into the starting role. His start in Week 3 made him the first quarterback ever to start a game for six different teams over a six-season span.

McCarthy will play out the remainder of his de facto rookie season after he missed all of last year with a torn meniscus he suffered in a preseason game. In Week 2’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, the second-year quarterback sustained a high ankle sprain and has missed every game since.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said McCarthy might have been able to play in Week 8 if their game were on a Sunday rather than on ‘Thursday Night Football.’ It was a good indication that McCarthy will be ready to go for Week 9’s clash with the Lions on Nov. 9.

It’s been a rough few days for the Las Vegas Raiders organization. Monday, the team announced that former safety George ‘The Hitman’ Atkinson died. He was 78.

‘The Raiders Family is deeply saddened by the passing of George Atkinson, a life-long Raider whose physical style of play helped define an era of football,’ read a statement from the team. ‘Selected by the Raiders in the seventh round of the 1968 Draft out of Morris Brown, George burst onto the pro football scene as an exciting defensive back and explosive returner, earning back-to-back AFL All-Star selections in his first two seasons. He later anchored the defense as a part of the famed ‘Soul Patrol’ secondary of the 1970s, helping lead the Raiders to unprecedented success as the Silver and Black advanced to five consecutive AFC Championship Games and won Super Bowl XI following the 1976 season.

‘George’s contributions as a friend and mentor to everyone in the Raiders organization continued long after his playing career, and his genuine personality and wonderful sense of humor will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. The prayers of the Raider Nation are with Denise, Brittany, Maya, Angela, Craig, and the entire Atkinson family at this time.’

Atkinson, who played in 144 games and intercepted 30 career passes, and Jack ‘The Assassin’ Tatum were one of the most intimidating safety combinations of all time, both widely considered dirty players − even in the 1970s, when player safety wasn’t nearly the priority it is in the modern NFL.

Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Steelers coach Chuck Noll was referring to Atkinson, who repeatedly targeted Steelers wideout Lynn Swann with vicious hits (having possession of the ball wasn’t a requirement), saying in 1976, ‘People like that should be kicked out of the game, or out of football.

‘There is a certain criminal element in every aspect of society. Apparently, we have it in the NFL, too.”

Atkinson claimed Noll’s comments amounted to ‘defamation of character,’ and subsequently filed a $3 million slander and libel lawsuit. The suit went to trial, but the jury sided with Noll, insomuch that he didn’t have to pay Atkinson a dime.

Despite questionable forearm shivers, Atkinson was an accomplished player and a key piece of dominant 1970s Oakland Raiders teams coached by John Madden. In addition to Tatum and Atkinson, the ‘Soul Patrol’ included cornerbacks Willie Brown, a Hall of Famer, and Skip Thomas. Atkinson had been the unit’s last living member.

The ‘Soul Patrol’ was perhaps at its finest in 1976, when the Raiders went 13-1 in the regular season and won their first championship by embarrassing the Minnesota Vikings 32-14 in Super Bowl 11.

Following his career, Atkinson tried to shine a spotlight on those Raiders squads, feeling the 1970s Steelers, Dolphins and Cowboys all unfairly got more credit. He particularly liked to call the Steelers ‘soft.’

No stranger to tragedy, Atkinson’s twin sons, George III and Josh, both died of suicide. Previously, they’d played college football for Notre Dame, George III eventually hooking on briefly with the Raiders and Cleveland Browns.

Atkinson’s death comes days after Carol Davis, wife of legendary Raiders owner Al Davis (and mother of current owner Mark Davis) died at the age of 93.

Barstool Sports golf media personality Cody ‘Beef’ Franke has passed away from a ‘sudden medical issue’ that he suffered over the weekend. He was 31 years old.

Franke, who was the head golf pro at Thornberry Creek Country Club at Oneida in Hobart, Wisconsin, before joining Barstool, was beloved for his training videos. He rose to fame though as a host of the ‘Foreplay’ podcast, a golf podcast by Barstool, where Franke would continue making advice and training videos but would also travel the world playing the most prestigious golf courses along with the rest of the ‘Foreplay’ team.

Social media responds to Franke’s death

Franke’s best moments

Franke wasn’t just a golf personality with no respect for the sport. He was a consummate professional with incredible manner. One of his most popular videos shows him refusing to shake people’s hands without first taking his hat off as a sign of respect.

His tips and advice videos were always short and to-the-point while also being informative, helpful, and entertaining. Here’s a quick video of him detailing how to hit a stinger shot when he first joined Barstool.

What caused Franke’s death?

The circumstances surrounding Franke’s cause of death are still mostly unknown. All that is publicly available is that Franke died of a ‘sudden medical issue’ that surfaced over this past weekend.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

A rare occurrence takes place today — Oct. 27 — in which sports fans of all varieties have reason to celebrate.

It’s the 2025 Sports Equinox.

Similar to a solar equinox, when the sun lines up perfectly with the Earth’s equator to signal the change of seasons, the sports seasons from the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL all align.

For the only time this year, all those major professional sports leagues have games scheduled on the same day. Throw in a couple of MLS playoff games and that TV remote is going to get quite a workout over the course of the next 12-plus hours.

What’s on the 2025 Sports Equinox schedule?

All times Eastern

Baseball

World Series Game 3: Toronto Blue Jays at Los Angeles Dodgers, 8 p.m. (FOX)

Football

NFL Monday Night Football: Washington Commanders at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:15 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)

Hockey

Two NHL regular-season games

St. Louis Blues at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m. (NHL Network)
Boston Bruins at Ottawa Senators, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Basketball

11 NBA regular-season games

Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons, 7 p.m. (Peacock)
Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers, 7 p.m.
Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls, 8 p.m.
Brooklyn Nets at Houston Rockets, 8 p.m.
Boston Celtics at New Orleans Pelicans, 8 p.m.
Toronto Raptors at San Antonio Spurs, 8 p.m.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Dallas Mavericks, 8:30 p.m.
Phoenix Suns at Utah Jazz, 9 p.m.
Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves, 9:30 p.m. (Peacock)
Vancouver Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors, 10 p.m.
Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

Soccer

Two first-round MLS playoff games

Game 1: FC Cincinnati at Columbus Crew, 6:45 p.m. (FS1/Fox Deportes/Apple TV+)
Game 1: Minnesota United FC at Seattle Sounders FC, 9 p.m. (FS1/Fox Deportes/Apple TV+)

WNBA players are negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement, focusing on issues like facilities, charter flights, and revenue sharing.
Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier highlighted disparities in facilities between teams, advocating for a more equitable standard across the league.
Despite the expiring CBA, players are committed to securing improved terms, citing the league’s recent unprecedented growth.

With the clock ticking on the WNBA collective bargaining agreement, Minnesota Lynx free agent Napheesa Collier explained what the players are fighting for in a profile in Glamour magazine.

Facilities and charter flights are among the talking points in the new CBA. But revenue sharing is where the rubber hits the road for the WNBA and its players as the deal expires on Friday, Oct. 31. Very few, if any, on either side believe a new CBA will be reached by the deadline. An extension can be agreed upon before a lockout is put into place.

“You know, everything is so great in Minnesota. We share everything with the men’s team [the Minnesota Timberwolves]. So whatever they have, we have,” Collier says. “After learning that [other teams] don’t even have practice facilities, they don’t even have changing rooms, they don’t have all these things. It just feels really unjust.”

Collier, who is the WNBPA vice president and co-founder of 3-on-3 league Unrivaled, would like to see an equal playing field. She referred to the New York Liberty being fined $500,000 in 2022 for violating the WNBA’s CBA using charter flights for travel during the 2021 season. The WNBA started a charter flight program in 2024 but it has not been codified in the CBA.

“I feel like that is not a hard thing for me to fight for because I’m a player in this league too. I want to lift this up for everyone.,’ Collier said ‘…. I don’t mind that New York takes planes. I’m glad for you guys. But it shouldn’t be unfair [to the point] where [some] people are living in squalor.”

Last week, the sides went back and forth after NBA commissioner Adam Silver appeared on ‘Today’ on Oct. 21 and took issue with a question about revenue sharing. Craig Melvin asked if WNBA players should get a larger piece of the revenue pie. “They get nine percent of total revenue compared to roughly 50 percent of the revenue of NBA players. Should they be getting a larger share of revenue in the WNBA?”

“Yes,’ Silver said ‘I think ‘share’ isn’t the right way to look at it because there’s so much more revenue in the NBA. You should look at it in absolute numbers in terms of what they’re making. They are going to get a big increase in this cycle of collective bargaining. And they deserve it.”

The WNBPA clipped Silver saying, ‘I think ‘share’ isn’t the right way to look at it,’ to its Instagram story with the caption, ‘Don’t want to share?’ and tagged the commissioner.

“You know they know it’s bad when the best they say they can do is more of the same: a fixed salary system and a separate revenue-sharing plan that only includes a piece of a piece of the pie, and pays themselves [the league] back first,” WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson said in a statement sent to The Athletic on Oct. 22.

“We’ve come to the table prepared to do business. They’ve responded with bad math and are hoping everyone doesn’t understand what ‘uncapped’ actually means. Adam Silver said it himself on behalf of the WNBA. ‘Share isn’t the word.’ It’s not in their vocabulary.”

The WNBA came back with its own statement to ESPN, saying: ‘It is incorrect and surprising that the Players Association is claiming that the WNBA has not offered an uncapped revenue sharing model that is directly tied to the league’s performance. The comprehensive proposals we have made to the players include a revenue-sharing component that would result in the players’ compensation increasing as league revenue increases — without any cap on the upside.

‘It is frustrating and counterproductive for the union to be making misrepresentations about our proposals while also accusing the league of engaging in delay. That is simply not true.

‘While we have delivered comprehensive proposals that seek an agreement that will benefit all, the Players Association has yet to offer a viable economic proposal and has repeatedly refused to engage in any meaningful way on many of our proposal terms. We stand ready to continue negotiating in good faith and hope they will do the same so that we can finalize a mutually beneficial new CBA as quickly as possible.’

The WNBA has undergone unprecedented growth since the last CBA was signed in 2020. Investment, franchise valuations, attendance, ratings and merchandise sales have all increased. The league’s $2.2 billion media deal also kicks in next season.

For her part, Collier told Glamour the players are steadfast in getting what they believe they deserve.

“If we give in, we’re not only doing a disservice to us, we’re doing a disservice to where we have gotten in women’s sports,” she said. “We really have no choice but to stand strong again, not just for the present, but for the future of our league too.

‘We are standing really firm on what we want and we’re not going to give in before we get it.”

We’re a week from the first College Football Playoff poll, and the unmasking of the absurdity of preseason polls.

And more important, their potential affect on the CFP.

It is here where the CFP selection committee, charged this offseason with putting more emphasis on good wins and good losses — not just wins — will get its first test.  

Ohio State is on top of the US LBM Coaches Poll and the Associated Press poll, the two polls used for ranking teams until the first CFP poll. And it has nothing to do with good wins. 

The three teams with legitimate arguments for the No. 1 ranking — Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M — all have one win against a currently ranked team, and have handled the remainder of their schedules with relative east. 

But all three wins against ranked teams are not equal.

Indiana went on the road and physically dominated Oregon, and Texas A&M went to South Bend and won in the closing seconds. Ohio State, meanwhile, won a yawner of a home game against a Texas team that struggles to move the ball offensively against any Power conference school not named Mississippi State. 

Ohio State and Indiana have one common opponent: Illinois. The Hoosiers won by 53 in Bloomington, Ind., and the Buckeyes won by 18 on the road.

Then there’s Texas A&M, a hot team with the big win of the moment (at LSU). But a bye week before the first CFP poll allows Ohio State (vs. Penn State) and Indiana (at Maryland) to make statements, and influence the selection committee. 

Or the committee will punt and select the No. 1 team in the coaches and media polls — which they’ve done a majority of the time with their initial poll since the first CFP in 2014. 

A look at this week’s CFP projections. 

1. Indiana: Three of the final four games are away from Bloomington, so if someone is going to upset the Hoosiers, this is the month. Next: at Maryland.

2. Ohio State: This team hasn’t been threatened all season by any semblance of an offense. And won’t until the Big Ten championship game. Next: Penn State.  

3. Texas A&M: If we’re being intellectually honest, the schedule isn’t what it first appeared to be (avoiding Georgia and Alabama). Aggies will cruise to 12-0. Next: Bye week.

4. Alabama: A year after a whole lot of ugly on the road in the SEC, the ugly is still there. But now it comes with wins. Next: Bye week. 

5. Georgia: Dawgs are measured against championship Georgia teams of recent past. That’s a losing proposition in every way imaginable. Next: Florida (Jacksonville, Fla.)   

7. Oregon: Considered a lock for the CFP, Ducks still have plenty of heavy lifting remaining. Next: Bye week.

8. Miami: The biggest question in Coral Gables: Can the Canes stay motivated over the final month of the season against overmatched ACC? Next: at SMU.

9. Vanderbilt: It’s all new territory for this program. Every week is the next step into the unknown, yet the Commodores keep stacking wins. Next: at Texas.

10. Georgia Tech: QB Haynes King is getting stronger as November arrives, and there’s a dangerous trap game against a team (and coach) desperate for a win staring back. Next: at NC State. 

11. Texas Tech: Biggest two-game stretch of the season for Red Raiders. Will stout defense have an answer for surging K-State QB Avery Johnson (12 TDs in past four games)? Next: at Kansas State.

12. South Florida: Blew a two-touchdown lead at Memphis. Will get one more shot to win there (and likely earn a CFP spot) in the AAC championship game. Next: Bye week.

The projected bracket

First round byes

Indiana, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Alabama.

First round games

(12) South Florida at (5) Georgia

(11) Texas Tech at Ole Miss (6)

(10) Georgia Tech at Oregon (7)

(9) Vanderbilt at Miami (8)

When do first CFP rankings projections come out?

Tuesday, Nov. 4, between 8:00 and 8:45 p.m. ET on ESPN

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