NEW YORK – Notre Dame football running back Jeremiyah Love, in town as a Heisman Trophy finalist, said he has come to grips with being left out of the College Football Playoff five days earlier.

“It was a sad feeling,” Love said Friday afternoon at a Times Square news conference with his three fellow finalists. “Obviously we weren’t happy about it. Everybody at that time didn’t understand why, but once a few days went by, once some time passed by, we realized that we were only in that position because we put ourselves in that position.”

An 0-2 start, with narrow losses at Miami and at home against Texas A&M, ultimately kept the 11th-ranked Irish from returning to the playoff after losing in last season’s national title game. A 10-game winning streak to close out the year had Notre Dame ranked as high as ninth before the CFP selection committee bounced the Irish for Miami as the final at-large entrant.

“Our season was the way it was,” Love said. “We controlled our own destiny, and at the end of the day we left it up to the committee to decide whether we were going to be in the playoffs or not.

“I’m a big believer in taking control of your own destiny, and the team is as itself. We understand if we took care of business throughout the whole season, there would’ve been no doubt in the College Football Playoff. But we had the season that we had, that we’re not by any means disappointed in.”

Notre Dame won its final 10 games, all must-win endeavors, by an average of 29.7 points. A 34-24 win over USC was the closest any opponent came to the Irish once they went into de facto playoff mode.

“We’re proud of the way we played, we’re proud of the way we ended the season,” Love said. “It just was disappointing that we didn’t get into the playoffs. But we ended the season off how we wanted to end it off a couple days ago. We had a charity (bowling) event that we held, came together as a team.”

While Love, projected as a top-10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is almost certainly done with college football after three seasons, he said the overall mindset of the returning team is strong.

“It was disappointing as a team and individually, seeing that we didn’t make the playoffs,” he said, “but we accept it and we’re ready to keep working and get ready for the next opportunity. … We have to get right back to work and get prepared for the next season.”

Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.

Are the days of the NFL draft sleeper dying off? Not necessarily.

The label itself has long been somewhat of a moving target, becoming something of a catch-all for players who last beyond the first round. But the sea change that came to college football with the rise of name, image and likeness deals – and the corresponding boom in transfer portal action – has also reshaped prevailing notions about the draft.

Small-school standouts now tend to be few and far between, as many players who build a buzz for themselves at lower rungs tend to leap at the opportunity to seize a larger spotlight – and payday – before jumping to the draft.

Even if migration patterns are shifting, teams remain as hopeful as ever that they can unearth mid-to-late-round gems, with Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (third round) and Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (seventh round) serving as the latest success stories from the 2025 class.

With more than a month remaining until the underclassmen declaration cutoff date – and four until the start of the first round itself – here are 10 sleepers to keep an eye on for the 2026 NFL draft.

QB Cole Payton, North Dakota State

With this year’s quarterback class shaping up to be rather thin, anyone searching for a high-upside under-the-radar passer might need to dip down to the Football Championship Subdivision level for a closer examination of Payton. In his lone year as a starter, the 6-2, 230-pound signal-caller threw for 16 touchdowns while adding 13 more on the ground. He also led the Bison to an unblemished regular season before the team’s surprising ouster in the second round of the playoffs. That dual-threat ability and comfort taking deep shots make him an attractive developmental prospect for a staff willing to exhibit some patience. If some of the top quarterbacks opt to return to school, he could find himself higher up in the positional pecking order than many might expect.

WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State

The Valdosta State transfer built on a successful 2024 transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision level, hauling in 71 catches for 1,004 yards and six touchdowns. At 6-3 and 185 pounds, Hurst has the tools to be an imposing downfield threat. There might be a learning curve involved as he faces far more physical defensive backs who will challenge him both at the line of scrimmage and when the ball is in the air. But any team looking to up its credentials in the vertical passing game could be drawn to him.

WR Bryce Lance, North Dakota State

The younger brother of former Bison standout and 2021 No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance isn’t just coasting off name recognition. Lance averaged an eye-popping 21.2 yards per catch in 2025 after hauling in 17 touchdowns the previous year. With strong and reliable hands, the 6-3, 209-pound target figures to be an immediate asset as a weapon in the red zone and on contested catches. It might take some time for him to round out his route tree and learn to beat cornerbacks who won’t simply be overwhelmed by him, but he presents traits and a skill set that teams will be eager to tap into.

WR Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State

Listed at 5-9 and 170 pounds, Thompson’s stature might be disqualifying for some teams, especially if he measures in even smaller at the NFL scouting combine. But any franchise ruling him out on his size alone might be doing itself a disservice. The former Texas high school 200-meter champion has shown that he can scorch even the speediest defensive backs in the Southeastern Conference, as he averaged 17.9 yards per catch and had at least 60 yards in each of his last six games against stout competition. Any front office interested in tapping into his explosiveness must ensure its coaching staff would have a plan to scheme touches for him, as a traditional downfield receiver role might not suffice. But if utilized correctly, he could become the kind of big-play threat defenses will have to account for on every down. He’s a strong candidate to test well in Indianapolis and rise in the pre-draft process.

TE Oscar Delp, Georgia

The former top tight end recruit in his class never met the outsized expectations he was saddled with as Brock Bowers’ successor, as he never eclipsed 250 receiving yards in a regular season. The best might be yet to come from a player who still boasts a good deal of promise. The 6-5, 245-pounder could stand to get a little stronger at the point of attack and at the catch point, but there should be no concerns about his ability to hold up as an in-line player given his impressive work as a run blocker and pass protector. Like many of his past classmates, Delp didn’t get to showcase the full range of his athleticism and abilities in the Bulldogs’ scheme, leaving him with untapped potential as a vertical weapon and run-after-catch threat. That usage has left him underdeveloped as a route runner, but he presents a fairly high floor with intriguing upside.

OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State

Having never played football before junior college, the Nigeria native presents a unique profile for teams to assess after he focused on soccer and basketball growing up. As is to be expected, the 6-6, 330-pounder is lagging behind his peers when it comes to the finer points of the position. But Iheanachor has made serious strides in a short amount of time, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors this fall. With surprisingly nimble feet and the frame and power to displace defenders in the run game as a right tackle, he’s the kind of project almost any offensive line coach would leap at the opportunity to take on.

DE Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida

Finding a premier pass rusher beyond the first two rounds can be exceedingly difficult, though Trey Hendrickson and Maxx Crosby prove there are always rare exceptions to the rule. Lawrence doesn’t belong in their class yet, but he has some tools worth developing. The 6-4, 260-pounder weaponized his length and speed off the edge to finish tied for fifth in the Big 12 with seven sacks. His insufficient strength leaves him as a liability against the run, which might cap his early contributions. But with the proper development, he could be a promising edge threat to bring along more gradually.

DT Mateen Ibirogba, Wake Forest

Many of the top defensive tackles in the upcoming classes are space-eating nose tackle types. The 6-3, 296-pound Ibirogba draws a sharp contrast to them. The Georgetown transfer had a slow acclimation to Power Four football but was steadily disruptive this fall, throwing opponents off with his rapid first step. That didn’t translate to a gaudy sack total (2), but he should have no shortage of suitors – so long as the junior declares – who would be interested in harnessing his ability to create havoc on the interior.

CB Devon Marshall, North Carolina State

A strong senior season for Marshall was punctuated by one of the best performances by a defensive back all season. In the Wolfpack’s penultimate game of the regular season against Florida State, the former Villanova transfer locked down Seminoles super-sized standout Duce Robinson while notching two interceptions and six pass break-ups, giving him an FBS-high 15 on the season. The arrow is clearly pointing up for the 5-11, 200-pounder, who relishes taking on one-on-one matchups. He’ll be an attractive option for teams that need a coverage presence who can hang with bigger targets, and his solid tackling and work against the run should further endear him to prospective defensive coordinators.

CB Hezekiah Masses, Cal

After transferring from Florida International last December, Masses raised his profile considerably by establishing himself as one of college football’s premier ballhawks. His 18 passes defensed were the most in the FBS, and he tied for fifth with five interceptions. Between his ball skills and his 6-1, 185-pound frame, the first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection is perfectly suited for zone-heavy schemes that amplify his playmaking ability, though he can hold his own in man coverage as well. His pedestrian long speed and slender build likely will stifle his draft stock, but he could end up as a mid-round bargain.

Yet from the moment Alonso’s No. 25 Baltimore Orioles jersey was draped around his shoulders in his Charm City introduction Dec. 12, it suddenly made a lot more sense.

The Mets’ franchise leader in home runs was, in this winter of high-stakes bidding, an afterthought, likely identified as part of the change that had to occur after a four-month teamwide collapse.

In Baltimore, after agreeing to a five-year, $155 million contract that will pay him the highest salary in club history, he’s a savior.

“I’ve gotten hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of emails from people telling me how great this is,” says Orioles owner David Rubenstein, the 76-year-old son of Baltimore. “I can’t exaggerate how much the excitement is in Baltimore for this.

“People I didn’t even remember, from sixth grade sending me emails. I’m really happy for Baltimore, for Pete and his family.”

In New York, Alonso practically had to beg for a job the past two winters, signing a short-term deal with an opt out in February when his first foray into free agency resulted in insufficient offers – and no real inclination from his own team to retain him, at least not until a summit meeting with owner Steve Cohen just before spring training.

In Baltimore, the billboards along I-95 and down Russell Street trumpet the most significant free agent signing in franchise history: Polar Pete Is Here!

And Alonso, a man who may very well be halfway to Cooperstown, is, rather than trying to fight for scraps that $765 million man Juan Soto left behind in the team bank account, drawing comparisons to another Hall of Famer: Frank Robinson, whose trade from Cincinnati to Baltimore before the 1966 season preceded the young Orioles’ stunning defeat of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.

Pressure? Heck, Rubenstein, a high schooler when those Orioles won it all, isn’t paying Alonso $31 million over five seasons to shirk from comparisons, crazy that they may be.

“Frank Robinson’s number when he played in Cincinnati was 20. Pete Alonso’s number in New York was 20,” says Rubenstein. “Both of them 30 (years old), both of them great power hitters, both with the ability to work with young hitters.

“We’re very optimistic Pete’s addition is going to be as helpful to us as Frank Robinson’s in 1966.”

Yep, those are the expectations Alonso faces, even if they don’t land like they do in New York, with the massive media presence and the stakes constantly raised by hedge fund kingpin Cohen.

Yet what kind of destination is Citi Field now, after the Mets’ very conscious choice to ghost Alonso, let closer Edwin Diaz walk to the World Series champion Dodgers and trade Brandon Nimmo?

Of course there’s time for the Mets to rally this winter. Yet it was startling to see a black-and-orange fiesta in the shadow of Eutaw Street hailing Alonso’s arrival, just a few Acela stops but many more symbolic miles away from Queens.

It culminates something of an 18-month gut punch for Alonso, who since the moment his 2024 Mets were eliminated in Game 6 of the NLCS by the Dodgers has had a few life changes: A home flooded by Hurricane Helene, a first dip into free agency where he crawled back to the Mets for a $54 million guarantee and a very important opt-out, and the birth of he and wife Haley’s first child, Teddy.

A rough spin cycle? Sure, but don’t think Alonso is as emo about his professional breakup as Mets fans.

He’s freaking thrilled.

“Every offseason, it’s interesting because as you step into free agency, it’s, ‘All right, let’s see what happens.’ Whatever unfolds, you have to make the best of the situation,” he says. “Last year, I felt like, it was still a great situation. But this year, ultimately, this has just been such a tremendous process.

“The way that it happened, it was perfect. It was absolutely perfect. I wouldn’t change anything for the world. I can’t express enough gratitude and appreciation for how this has been and want to hit the fast-forward button for when spring training begins in February.

‘This season is going to be great. Not just this one but for as long as I’m here.”

How did seven seasons in Queens dissolve into a Charm City romance?

How Pete Alonso landed in Baltimore

Scott Boras is usually the one playing offense.

Baseball’s most successful agent is renowned for his exhaustive presentations to clubs, touting his blue chip free agents with binders and power points and the panache only he can provide.

Yet when Alonso made the drive from his Tampa home to Orlando and Boras and his crew squired him through a service elevator and to the suite level of this week’s winter meetings, the Orioles turned the tables on them.

A charm offensive, if you’ll allow it.

The secret weapon? Newly hired manager Craig Albernaz, who floored Boras and Alonso with his passion and vision for how his clubhouse will run and what to expect under his tutelage – all delivered in Albernaz’s mile-a-minute southern Massachusetts dialect.

After the meeting, Boras pulled aside Orioles club president Mike Elias and simply said, “’Something’s happened here. I’ve been in many of these meetings and something happened here.’

“He did a remarkable job of making someone in a room understand how that would be if he played here. It’s a very hard thing to do but it says a lot about communication skills. Where I felt the player and the organization felt, we can have execution, we can have greatness.

“I give credit to the acquisition of a new manager in this situation and his abilities, and I think it says a lot about what’s going to happen here.”

Albernaz laid out for Alonso his baseball philosophies borne of stints in Tampa Bay and San Francisco and in Cleveland, where he was No. 2 in the Guardians dugout behind two-time Manager of the Year Stephen Vogt.

In the dead of winter, in a sterile hotel suite, it was a pointed bit of ball talk.

“Craig just did an unbelievable job outlining not only his managing style, but overall baseball philosophies,” says Alonso. “That’s going to be the guy (guiding) the ship. He has just a general passion, appetite for the game and I’m just so excited.

“I feel like this is going to be the type of situation where we get closer over time and by the regular season, everybody’s going to want to run through a wall for each other.”

That, too, is where Alonso comes in. The Orioles won 101 games in 2023 and again qualified for the playoffs in 2024. But it’s been a season and a half of collective regression, resulting in manager Brandon Hyde’s May firing amid a 75-87 season.

Through it all, Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg and Jackson Holliday felt a leadership void, or at least were not capable of filling that bill themselves.

Three of those guys have Boras Corp. backpacks stashed in their locker. And the agent’s phone blew up when word of Alonso’s signing spread, particularly given the franchise’s aversion to mega-deals.

“Having calls from Jackson and Gunnar and Westy after this was done, the light it shines on how the players in the locker room feel about the commitment to how they can compete in really one of the toughest divisions in baseball – that comes organically,” says Boras. “The minute it’s done, it has that immediate impact. The excitement. It gives them a sense of pride and confidence that illustrates that this franchise is committed.”

Alonso, who debuted in 2019, played through several eras with the Mets, many of them marked by dysfunction. Yet since Francisco Lindor’s signing in 2021, Alonso has been a voice, but perhaps not the voice, in the Mets’ clubhouse as veterans such as Max Scherzer and Starling Marte and Jesse Winker came and went.

Now, Alonso, 31, is the senior position player in the clubhouse. And his play-at-all-costs ethos – he’s posted for all 162 games the past two seasons – already brings a level of credibility.

Alonso believes he can make a difference cashing in some of that equity.

“There’s a lot of talent. A lot of young talent,” he says. “And I feel like I’m going to help this team achieve greatness. I want to be an open book, to everyone in the clubhouse. I take pride in that.

“Not only do I love performing, but ultimately, I love forging great relationships and being a great teammate and I want to help however I can.

“I’m all in.”

‘You’re absolutely going to crush this place’

Alonso won’t have to fast-forward too much: Spring training begins in two months. In a sense, he already feels like he has the keys to the castle: The Orioles laid out what he calls “their entire blueprint” during their sales pitch.

The half-billion dollars in renovations to Camden Yards. The significant upgrades coming to their Sarasota spring-training complex, about an hour from Alonso’s Tampa home. And most important, how his big bat would fit into their lineup and ballpark.

That part might be most enticing. Alonso hit at least 40 home runs in three of his six full seasons with the Mets, and his 264 career home runs trail only Aaron Judge (285) and Kyle Schwarber (268) since 2019.

Like Schwarber, he’s seemingly getting better with age. Alonso credits what he calls a “deeper dive” into his performance over the last offseason, including a foray into biometrics and how his body best moves, with his 2025 All-Star campaign: 38 home runs, 80 extra-base hits, an .871 OPS.

It is not hard to envision the Baltimore faithful taking to him very quickly. A conversation with Buck Showalter, his former manager with the Mets and the Orioles’ skipper from 2010-2018, cemented those feelings.

“He said, this is a no-doubt, hands-down baseball environment,” Alonso said of Showalter. “He said, ‘Pete, you’re absolutely going to crush this place.’

“Buck’s one of my all-time favorites and he had nothing but good things to say.”

Alonso has already crushed New York. He hit 53 homers as a rookie in 2019, hit one of the most dramatic home runs in recent franchise history – a ninth-inning blast off now-Mets closer Devin Williams to win Game 3 of the 2024 wild card series at Milwaukee – and endeared himself to the masses.

He’d toss in the occasional swear word to elevate “Let’s Go, Mets” to the saltier hashtag #LFGM. Big production, undeniable lore.

And still, silence from Mets club president David Stearns.

The Orioles pounced on the opening, and possibly remade their franchise in one fell swoop. As the last of the sunlight flickered out of Camden Yards and Alonso and the Boras Posse prepared to high-tail it to the airport, Rubenstein and Boras chatted quietly in the cold air of Eutaw Street.

Baltimore is a player now, and the notion of an expanded relationship with the uber agent and the owner, a couple 70-somethings looking for another hurrah, was suddenly not something to laugh at.

No, Alonso is an Oriole, and two markets might never be the same. He knows he certainly won’t be.

“The past year and a half, you have trials and tribulations. But there’s moments, like this one, where you’re overcome with joy,” he says. “It justifies the hard work, justifies the sacrifice. It’s really galvanizing. It’s really energizing.

“I’ve really enjoyed playing in New York. I’m very gracious for that opportunity. There’s some amazing people over there, whether in the locker room, the staff, clubbies – it’s phenomenal.

“But this organization, this city – I’m so proud to call home.”

WASHINGTON, DC — It’s time to say goodbye to wrestling’s greatest of all time.

Saturday Night’s Main Event is back on Dec. 13, but it is no ordinary edition as it is headlined by the final match for John Cena. The 17-time WWE Champion will cap his historic career against Gunther, putting a dominant force in the ring for his final bout.

It will be an emotional night for generations of WWE fans that watched Cena, and plenty of tributes are expected. But it won’t be the only thing happening, as Cena wanted to give NXT talent an opportunity to shine on the big stage against top talent on the main roster.

Here’s what to know for John Cena’s last match at Saturday Night’s Main Event:

When is John Cena’s last match at Saturday Night’s Main Event?

Saturday Night’s Main Event takes place Saturday, Dec 13.

Stream WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on Peacock

John Cena’s last match, WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event start time

The event begins at 8 p.m. ET. Cena confirmed his match will be the main event.

How to watch John Cena’s last match at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event

Saturday Night’s Main Event will stream on Peacock, but you must have their premium or premium-plus subscription to watch. Internationally, it will be available on YouTube in most markets.

Where is John Cena’s last match at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event?

Cena’s final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event will take place at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.

John Cena’s last match, Saturday Night’s Main Event match card

Matches not in order

John Cena vs. Gunther
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. NXT Champion Oba Femi
Bayley vs. Sol Ruca
AJ Styles and Dragon Lee vs. Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater

That isn’t especially surprising, as trade rumors have surrounded the former Norris Trophy-winning defenseman for some time and have dominated the recent conversation around the Vancouver Canucks and their captain.

But the team Hughes is heading to, the Minnesota Wild, is a bit of a shocker.

It’s a bold, all-in move for a Minnesota team that’s been stuck in the middle for some time. It also has a chance to backfire. As for the Canucks, it’s the end of an era – although not a particularly successful one. Could they ultimately come out as the winner of this deal?

We break it all down with some instant trade grades:

Minnesota Wild trade grade: B

Hughes is one of the best defenseman in the NHL and just 26 years old. He’s also a free agent after next season.

If Hughes is still playing games for the Wild in the fall of 2027, this deal will be a big win. If he’s not, history might not look back on this deal as kindly. That depends, though, on what the Wild do in the playoffs.

Minnesota has lost nine consecutive playoff series, dating back to 2015. The Wild have only advanced past the second round once in their history, and that was back in 2003.

If Hughes can help Minnesota get over the hump it will all be worth it, even if he walks when his deal expires.

Vancouver Canucks trade grade: C

The situation in Vancouver was untenable, and the season had already slipped away, with the Canucks sitting last in the NHL. After trading their best player – who was averaging an astounding 27:26 of ice time per night – the Canucks have assured they will be firmly in the mix for the first pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Vancouver did get some intriguing pieces back in this deal, including a 2026 first-round pick. They also landed center Marco Rossi (himself a frequent target of trade rumors), rookie defenseman Zeev Buium and winger Liam Ohgren.

Rossi, the ninth overall pick in the 2020 draft, has 13 points in 17 games this season. Buium, who just turned 20 years old this month, was the 12th overall pick in the 2024 draft and has 14 points in his first 31 career games. Ohgren, the 19th overall pick in 2022, is in his third season but has not recorded any points in 18 games this year.

Buium has a lot of promise, and Rossi is a solid player, but they don’t measure up to Hughes. The American, who will likely be a core piece of Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in February, was voted the best defenseman in the NHL in 2023-24 and finished third in the Norris Trophy voting last year.

You never want to get in a position where you have to trade your best player, but the Canucks seem to have at least done better than many expected when it comes to making the best of a bad situation. And if Hughes walks from the Wild in two years (potentially to play with his younger brothers, who are on the New Jersey Devils) this won’t feel quite as bad.

The New York Mets’ curious offseason took another turn when the club agreed to terms on a two-year, $40 million contract with infielder Jorge Polanco Dec. 13, The Athletic first reported.

Polanco, 32, is coming off two seasons with the Seattle Mariners, the latter a nice bounceback from a 2024 season in which he batted just .213 with a .651 OPS. In 2025, he upped the latter number to .821 while hitting 26 home runs and getting several big hits in the Mariners’ run to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.

Yet Polanco’s signing would create an immediate question in New York: Just where will he play?

The club traded outfielder Brandon Nimmo the Texas Rangers in exchange for defensively elite second baseman Marcus Semien. Brett Baty hit 18 home runs in 130 games and was worth 3.1 WAR at third base last season.

That leaves first base, where franchise icon Pete Alonso was not retained; he signed a $151 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles. Polanco, a switch-hitter, can certainly find everyday at-bats between the infield positions – Mark Vientos presents a right-handed option at both corner positions – and designated hitter, even if he doesn’t fulfill an immediate need.

Polanco hit 26 home runs last season, which would be reputable production for a first baseman. Whether he can continue that pattern as he ages into his mid-30s is an open question.

Yet Mets club president David Stearns’ winter manuevers have indicated a club in transition, very much a work in progress. The losses of Alonso, Nimmo and closer Edwin Diaz indicate a reset of sorts, and that Stearns’ vision very likely won’t come into view until the winter is nearly complete.

Polanco’s signing is the next step toward putting that puzzle together – even if his acquisition inspires almost as many questions as it answers.

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark agree the WNBA and WNBPA need to come to an agreement that gets the players paid and back on the court for the 2026 season.

‘Everybody’s very intentional about what we want. … We’re riding together on everything,’ said Reese who, along with Clark, is participating in the Team USA camp at Duke University. ‘So, I’m preparing for a season like everybody else, but … it’s really important for us to come to a common ground that we can all agree on. It’s all fair and everybody benefits from it.’

The WNBA and WNBPA agreed to extend the current collective barging agreement through Jan. 9. Clark said the players will ‘fight for everything we deserve’ and look for ‘compromise’ because the league ‘needs to play basketball.’

‘That’s what our fans crave — the product on the floor,’ Clark said. ‘That’s what the fans want to show up for. So, it’s business, and it’s a negotiation, and there has to be compromise on both sides. And we’re starting to get down to the wire of it.’

Within days of the WNBA and WNBPA agreeing to extend the current CBA, the league reportedly offered a new proposal, which included a max player salary of $1 million, with projected revenue sharing raising max players’ total earnings to $1.2 million. However, the WNBPA reportedly plans to reject the WNBA’s latest offer over concerns with the league’s ‘math.’

Revenue sharing continues to be a point of contention for the players’ association. In the WNBA’s latest salary proposal, The Athletic reported, players would receive less than 15% of league revenue. The WNBA’s revenue projection, according to the report, has that percentage decreasing over the life of the CBA. Under the current CBA, WNBA players receive 9.3% of league revenue.

‘As someone that’s part of the league, definitely would be silly not to follow closely,’ Brink said. ‘So definitely something I’m paying attention to. And I would say I’m preparing in the same way that the season’s going to come around at some point. So, just waiting like everyone else.’

Meghan L. Hall contributed to this report.

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The annual Army-Navy football game heads to Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium this year. Rich in pageantry and tradition, the stand-alone game that now marks the conclusion of the regular season is a true celebration of the sport. It’s well worth watching in any year, but it’s even better when both programs are enjoying successful campaigns. Such is the case this time as the academy rivals get set to square off for the 126th time, as both enter with winning records and will have a bowl game awaiting them after this all-important rivalry showdown. Here are the particulars for this year’s meeting.

No. 25 Navy vs. Army

Time/TV: Saturday, 3 p.m. ET, CBS.

Why watch: Not that you need another reason, but it’s also worth noting that once again the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy will be on the line, as both squads defeated Air Force earlier. The roles are somewhat reversed from a year ago, when it was Army coming into the contest with a US LBM Coaches Poll ranking and fresh off a victory in the American championship game. But it was the Midshipmen that wound up sailing to a 31-13 triumph, a result that seemingly laid the groundwork for their strong 2025 season. Following the Army win with a 21-20 victory against Oklahoma in the Armed Forces Bowl to conclude 2024, Navy began this season 7-0 which, for a time, had the Mids enjoying the longest active winning streak in the Bowl Subdivision. The Black Knights were considerably slower out of the gate this fall, dropping three of their first four including an opening-week setback against Championship Subdivision member Tarleton State. But Army also claimed an early win against Kansas State, and a season-ending triumph at Texas-San Antonio assured both academies are bowl bound once again. Navy returned most of last year’s key offensive contributors, a major reason for their 9-2 mark thus far. The driving force is QB Blake Horvath, who has 1,390 yards passing and another 1,040 on the ground, while accounting for 23 total TDs. RB Alex Tecza and SB Eli Heidenreich are his primary weapons who can get the ball in a variety of ways. They will all become well acquainted with Army LBs Andon Thomas and Kalib Fortner as well as DB Collin Matteson. Black Knights QB Cale Hellums doesn’t throw as often but still finds ways to get SB Noah Short plenty of touches. When a big play is needed, WR Brady Anderson is usually the target. Frequent playmakers on the Midshipmen defense include LB MarcAnthony Parker and DT Landon Robinson.

Why it could disappoint: Last year’s somewhat one-sided result was actually surprising, as the game is close well into the fourth quarter more often than not. But even if one team somehow pulls away, it should still be an entertaining spectacle.