Behind all of the boos that rained down on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Dec. 11, one could almost hear the cheering from a little further up north.

The Carolina Panthers are in sole possession of first place in the NFC South after the Bucs’ 29-28 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on ‘Thursday Night Football.’ Carolina still has to play Tampa Bay twice this season in games that likely will determine the division champion, but the Buccaneers look especially vulnerable of late.

Their loss to start Week 15 was also their fifth loss in the last six games, which has allowed the Panthers to climb into the NFC South lead.

Atlanta, meanwhile, can relish playing something of a spoiler for the four-time reigning division champions. The Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention last week. But even without starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and top receiver Drake London, Atlanta came away with the upset win on the road to win its fifth game of the season.

There were standouts from both sides. Mike Evans had a massive comeback game for the Buccaneers after missing six straight games with a broken collarbone. The bigger story was Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, who had the best game of his career against Tampa Bay.

Here’s how the Falcons’ 29-28 win happened on ‘Thursday Night Football’:

Buccaneers vs Falcons takeaways

Baker Mayfield missed Mike Evans. Like, really missed Mike Evans. The veteran wide receiver had missed six straight games with a broken collarbone before making his return in Week 15 against the Falcons. It’s a near-certainty that Evans will lose his 1,000-yard season streak given the nine total games he has missed this year, but Mayfield tried his darnedest to get his top receiver back on track. The Bucs’ quarterback targeted Evans 12 times on ‘Thursday Night Football,’ five times more than his second-most-targeted pass-catcher, Emeka Egbuka. The result was a six-catch, 132-yard night from the 12-year veteran. He’s not quite back on 1,000-yard pace, but Evans showed plenty of evidence that he’s got more in the tank. His most notable catch of the night was a 45-yard reception he caught over the outstretched head and arms of Falcons cornerback Cobee Bryant in a true display of ‘Mossing.’
The Falcons finally have a pass rush, but they’re a sloppy team. First-round rookie James Pearce Jr. had two of his team’s five sacks on ‘Thursday Night Football,’ and Mayfield was facing tons of pressure all night. Pearce is within striking distance of a 10-sack season as a rookie, which would make him the first Falcons player with double-digit sacks in a season since Vic Beasley in 2016. While Pearce was a positive, the penalties were a negative. Game officials flagged Atlanta a staggering 19 times for 125 penalty yards during the ‘Thursday Night Football’ game. That included two in one drive as the Falcons were playing red-zone defense, giving the Bucs two free first downs in goal-to-go situations. One was on kicker Zane Gonzalez for failing to kick the ball off of the ground on a kickoff. Thanks in large part to the pass-rush attack, Atlanta managed to overcome the issues with penalties for a fifth win of the season.
This was the Kyle Pitts Game. The Falcons’ tight end had the kind of game that their fans (and fantasy managers with Pitts in their lineups over the years) have been waiting for. In the end, he had 156 yards and three touchdowns on 10 catches. According to NFL senior researcher Tony Holzman-Escareno, Pitts became the first tight end with 150+ yards and 3-plus touchdowns in a game since Shannon Sharpe in Week 6 of the 1996 season. Not only did Pitts only have one touchdown all season coming into Week 15, he managed to match or surpass the touchdown total he had in four separate seasons in his five-year career. He also had only ever had one multi-touchdown game before – a two-touchdown outing against the Buccaneers in Tampa in Week 8 last year. Go figure.

Buccaneers vs Falcons score update: Zane Gonzalez walks it off

In a game where the Falcons didn’t roll over, it took all of the clock to take the win. After being down 28-14 in the fourth quarter and missing two 2-point conversion attempts, the Falcons take a 29-28 win off the leg of Zane Gonzalez, who nailed a 43-yard field goal for the win.

Falcons win, 29-28

Kyle Pitts stats

Pitts is having the best game of his career in the Week 15 edition of ‘Thursday Night Football.’

With just over three minutes to play, here’s how his stats against the Buccaneers look so far:

Targets: 11
Receptions: 10
Receiving yards: 152
Yards per reception: 15.2
Touchdowns: 3

Pitts had one touchdown all season coming into tonight’s game. He has quadrupled that season total in 56.5 minutes of game action in Week 15.

Buccaneers vs Falcons score update: Kyle Pitts has third TD of game

It’s Kyle Pitts night in Tampa. The Falcons’ tight end is having the best game of his career with 10 catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns so far.

Atlanta was unable to convert its two-point conversion attempt after a touchdown for the second straight drive, so the Buccaneers still lead, 28-26, with 3:34 left.

Who is Devin Culp?

Devin Culp is a second-year tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay drafted Culp in the seventh-round of last year’s NFL draft after he ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.

Culp is listed as the third tight end on the Buccaneers’ depth chart, but he’s playing as the team’s No. 2 tight end on ‘Thursday Night Football’ with Cade Otton out. The second-year tight end scored his first touchdown of his career in the third quarter.

Buccaneers vs Falcons score update: Bijan Robinson, Falcons strike back

Robinson was responsible for 23 yards on Atlanta’s 65-yard scoring drive, with the most important six yards coming at the end for an untouched touchdown run.

The Falcons still trail, 28-20, after the failed two-point conversion. There’s still 9:37 left to play. 

What is an octopus in the NFL?

An ‘octopus’ is a colloquial term that means a player scores a touchdown and also the 2-point conversion, as Chris Godwin did on the prior Buccaneers score.

Buccaneers vs Falcons score update: Chris Godwin extends lead with TD grab

Godwin spent the early part of the season recovering from a dislocated ankle and then a fibula injury that kept him out of eight games in total this season. He finally score his first touchdown of the season in Week 15 on a three-yard pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield.

The Bucs then decided to go for two to make it a two-touchdown game, and Godwin caught a very similar looking pass for the two-point conversion.

Tampa Bay leads 28-14 with 13:34 left in the game.

Mike Evans injury update: Buccaneers WR shaken up after hit

The Buccaneers wide receiver returned from a broken clavicle in Week 15, and with great production. But he was shaken up on a hit at the end of the third quarter after making a catch.

He was examined quickly by medical staff and returned to the field at the start of the fourth quarter.

Buccaneers vs Falcons score update: Tampa re-takes lead with Devin Culp TD

The Falcons had appeared to stop Tampa Bay on a third-and-goal play, but Atlanta nickel back Dee Alford was called for illegal contact, then linebacker Divine Deablo got a flag for a face mask.

So after two new fresh sets of downs, the Buccaneers’ tight end found the end zone to reclaim the lead for Tampa Bay.

Culp’s first career touchdown gives the Bucs a 20-14 lead with 6:22 left in the third quarter.

Buccaneers vs Falcons score update: Bucs down by one at half

The Buccaneers were unable to complete a touchdown drive in the final moments of the first half, but their kicker managed to cut their deficit to one point as time expired on the second quarter.

McLaughlin’s 52-yard field goal was his second make of the night. The Falcons still lead, 14-13, at halftime.

Buccaneers vs Falcons score update: Kyle Pitts finds end zone again

For the first time tonight, the Falcons have the lead. Once again, it was tight end Kyle Pitts with the score.

Pitts’ second touchdown of the night is also his third of the season, and it gives Atlanta a 14-10 lead with 38 seconds left in the first half.

Buccaneers vs Falcons score update: Chase McLaughlin field goal gives TB lead

The Bucs’ kicker knocked through his first field goal attempt of the night from 49 yards out to push his team to a three-point lead.

It’s 10-7 Buccaneers with just over two minutes left in the first half.

Who is Cobee Bryant on the Falcons?

Bryant is a rookie cornerback who joined the Falcons as an undrafted free agent earlier this year. Atlanta elevated him from the practice squad in late November.

Outside of a similar-sounding name, there is no relation to the deceased basketball great.

What is a Buccaneer?

Outside of a player for the Tampa Bay football franchise, a buccaneer today is a synonym for ‘pirate,’ though the origin dates back to explicitly to the privateers of the 17th and 18th centuries who used to sail the Caribbean sea.

Buccaneers vs Falcons score update: Kyle Pitts finds end zone

For the first time since Week 4, the Falcons’ top tight end is on the board and in the end zone. His second touchdown of the season came on an eight-yard pass from Kirk Cousins and drew Atlanta even with the Buccaneers early in the second quarter.

The game is all tied up at 7 points each with 12:11 left in the first half.

Buccaneers vs Falcons score update: Sean Tucker opens scoring

A replay review overturned what was initially ruled a touchdown by second-year wide receiver Jalen McMillan on his first catch of the season. Instead, Tampa Bay had to run a couple of extra plays from the 1-yard line, and running back Sean Tucker pushed his way across the goal line for the first score of the night.

The Buccaneers lead, 7-0, with 1:38 left in the first quarter.

Kirk Cousins contract

Length: Four years
Value: $180 million
AAV: $45 million per year

Cousins signed his four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons before the 2024 season. He is tied with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes for the 14th-highest AAV at his position.

Just over one month after signing Cousins, Atlanta drafted rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Since joining the Falcons, Cousins has appeared in 20 games over two seasons with 18 starts. The veteran quarterback is in line to start the remainder of the Falcons’ games during the 2025 regular season after Penix underwent surgery to repair a partially torn ACL.

Are the Falcons eliminated from the playoffs?

Yes, the Falcons are both eliminated from the playoffs and clinched a losing record for the eighth consecutive season.

Who is the Falcons owner?

The Falcons are owned by Arthur Blank, who purchased ownership of the Atlanta-based franchise in 2002. Blank was a co-founder of The Home Depot in 1978.

He owns two other sports franchises: MLS’s Atlanta United FC and TGL’s Atlanta Drive GC. Blank also owns the Atlanta-based expansion team in the NWSL that it set to debut in the women’s soccer league 2028.

What time does the Falcons game start?

Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET

How to watch Buccaneers vs. Falcons

Live stream: Amazon Prime Video 
Tampa market: WTVT (Fox 13) | Atlanta market: WAGA (Fox 5)

The NFL’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ game will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video for national viewers. For those in the Buccaneers TV market, WTVT (Fox 13) will air the game. In Atlanta, viewers can tune to WAGA (Fox 5).

Buccaneers creamsicle jersey

The Buccaneers reintroduced their orange ‘Creamsicle’ jerseys this season, uniforms which they wore for the first 21 years of their existence.

Atlanta Falcons inactives today

Here’s the complete list of Falcons who won’t see the field vs. the Buccaneers:

WR Drake London
WR Jamal Agnew
ILB JD Bertrand
OL Michael Jerrell
WR Casey Washington
WR Malik Heath
DL Elijah Garcia

Buccaneers inactives vs. Falcons

Tight end Cade Otton will not play tonight vs. Tampa Bay, and it’s official that Mike Evans will see the field. Here’s the full list of inactives:

QB Connor Bazelak
LB Sirvocea Dennis
G Elijah Klein
CB Benjamin Morrison
TE Cade Otton
DL Elijah Simmons
S Tykee Smith

Is Kyle Pitts playing tonight?

Yes, the Falcons tight end is active and set to play despite carrying a questionable status entering the game.

Is Mike Evans playing tonight?

The Buccaneers wide receiver is expected to play tonight, but in a limited role, per ESPN. The wide receiver is returning from a fractured collarbone which he suffered in Week 7.

Is Baker Mayfield playing tonight?

Yes, the Buccaneers quarterback is expected to start despite dealing with a left shoulder injury he suffered in Week 12. Mayfield has not missed any time while nursing the injury.

Buccaneers vs. Falcons TNF live stream

Stream:Amazon Prime Video | Fubo (local market)

Amazon Prime Video will air the Buccaneers-Falcons ‘Thursday Night Football’ matchup. Those in local TV markets can watch the matchup on Fubo.

Watch ‘Thursday Night Football’ with a Prime Video subscription

Buccaneers vs. Falcons predictions, picks

Tampa Bay hit a roadblock with injuries halfway through the season, which explains why they’ve lost four of their last five. They just lost to the lowly Saints at home, but they still control their playoff hopes. It sounds like they’re finally getting healthy with Tristan Wirfs, Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan potentially returning. Atlanta’s offense is one-dimensional without Drake London, and the strength of the Bucs defense is against the run. Tampa Bay’s push for the playoffs starts tonight. They’ll win by a touchdown and prepare for a massive divisional clash against the Panthers with a few extra days of rest.

Prediction: Buccaneers 23, Falcons 17

Buccaneers vs. Falcons odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list.

Moneyline (ML): Tampa Bay -225 (Bet $225 to win $100) | Atlanta +185 (Bet $100 to win $185)
Against the spread (ATS): Tampa Bay -4.5 (-110) | Atlanta +4.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 44 (O: -110 | U: -110)

The U.S. women’s senior national basketball team is one of the most dominant in history, winning eight consecutive Olympic golds dating back to the 1996 Atlanta Games. Many of the young stars vying for a chance to represent Team USA in Los Angeles in 2028 weren’t born when the medal streak began.

Ten of the 18 players invited to the Team USA training camp at Duke University over the weekend are set to make their senior national team debut, forming a youthful core Paige Bueckers nicknamed the ‘young and turnt’ crew.

‘Great name,’ Sonia Citron said Thursday. ‘That sounds like (Bueckers). I love the name.’

Despite the bold moniker, the first-timers carry a cool confidence. The Team USA training camp offers a mix of experience and youth, especially at the guard position, but the rookies feel like they belong. Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron and Veronica Burton are among the rookies at Team USA camp, in addition to Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Lauren Betts, Cameron Brink, Kiki Iriafen, Rickea Jackson and JuJu Watkins.

‘There’s a level of excitement for sure. There’s a confidence too,’ Veronica Burton added. ‘These bigger stages can be a little daunting at times, but I think that there’s a confidence that everyone who’s here belongs here.’

USA BASKETBALL: Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese invited to Team USA camp

Bueckers, who is coming off a national championship at UConn before winning WNBA Rookie of the Year, is ready to learn from everyone in camp.

‘Our generation and our young core is the ‘young and turnt’ core, so that’s the kind of vibe that we want to bring to this camp,’ Bueckers said.

‘There’s some vets and there’s the older class who have already came in and won gold medals and they have that experience. So as a younger group you want to ask them questions, soak it up, be a sponge, get their experience, and then grow in our experience.’

Veteran bigs vs. rookie point guards

The point guard position is often hailed as the leader of any team. Think of six-time gold medalist guard Diana Taurasi, who retired earlier this year after becoming the most decorated basketball player in Olympic history. Point guards are the on-court quarterbacks. They run the offense and control the ball.

But unlike previous years, Team USA’s youth will be primarily at the point guard position. The realization recently dawned on USA women’s national team managing director Sue Bird, who compared the team’s current cycle to the ‘Lisa Leslie kind of years, where she was always, like, a vet, but she always had Dawn (Staley).’

‘For a really long time, our vets on the team were in the guard spots,’ Bird added on Thursday. ‘And now, if you look at the past Olympic team, you’ve got A’ja (Wilson), you’ve got a (Napheesa Collier), you’ve got (Breanna Stewart) … all of our post players have the most gold medals.’

USA women’s basketball does have experience and depth at the point guard position between gold medalists Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young, who were all invited to the training camp. Citron said she’s ‘excited to really learn from them all,’ especially her fellow Notre Dame alum.

‘There’s nobody that I wouldn’t take advice from that has been on this team, but I think Jackie Young, just because again, she’s one of the Notre Dame greats,’ Citron said when asked if there’s a certain veteran she gravitates toward. ‘I’ve heard so much about her and I’ve spoken with her a couple of times, but never really got to play alongside her for real because I don’t think (WNBA) All-Star really counts.’

Bird said the training camp will be a crucial time to not only evaluate players, but help them build experience to bridge that gap: ‘You want to have people who have been there, of course, but you also need to, like, keep the pipeline going with the younger players and get them experienced. That always, that balance is always existing. It just sometimes it looks a little different. So we’ll see how this one shapes up.’

Paige Bueckers: ‘Fun to share the court’

The newcomers may be stepping into new territory with the U.S. women’s senior national team, but there’s a level of familiarity and comfort amongst the players on the court. When Bueckers last suited up for Team USA at the FIBA Under-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2019 — which ‘feels like ages ago now’ — Bueckers won gold alongside Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Cameron Brink.

‘We’ve been competing against each other for so long these past couple years, whether it be college or last year in the (WNBA),’ Bueckers said. ‘I played with a few of them at the Under-19, 16, and 17 levels and we did really well and it was great competing with them for a change instead of against them. We all really bring the best out of each other. That’s what USA basketball does … It’s really fun to be able to share the court and be on the same side for a change.’

Burton recently helped the U.S. women win gold at the 2025 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup last month. The senior level is ‘newer’ to Burton compared to the 3×3 event, but she said the mindset remains the same.

‘There’s always a lot to take away from any USA basketball event,’ Burton said. ‘The level of professionalism that you show up there with and compete with — you’re playing with and against the best. So even within our training camp beforehand, we’re just competing at the highest level. So just a mindset of beating everyone, winning gold and taking that back here was really big.’

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Two of the four top seeds in the tournaments — Kentucky and Pittsburgh — advanced to the Elite Eight. No. 3 seeds Purdue and Creighton also move on. Creighton will face Kentucky and Pitt plays Purdue Saturday for a Final Four bid.

But first, No. 1 seed Texas plays Indiana at 12 p.m. ET and Nebraska, the lone undefeated team in the tournament and No. 1 overall seed, will face Kansas at 9:30 p.m. ET Friday.

Here are the highlights from Thursday’s Round of 16 at the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament:

Final: Purdue 3, SMU 1

Set 4: Purdue 29, SMU 27

SMU fought off four match points from Purdue, but the Boilermakers were able to cash in on the fifth point to take the fourth set 29-27 and advance to the regional final for the first time since 2021.

It wasn’t a perfect match by any means. Purdue hit .282 in four sets, which was lower than SMU’s .295 hitting percentage. But Purdue’s Kenna Wollard said the team ‘didn’t want our season to end.’ Wollard finished with 23 kills, 10 digs and five blocks, which ties her career high. Akasha Anderson added 16 kills and three digs.

Set 3: Purdue 25, SMU 22

SMU’s hitting percentage has dwindled as the match has progressed, dropping from .414 in the first set to .171 in the third set. The Mustangs now find themselves with their backs against the wall, down 2-1.

Kenna Wollard has a team-high 14 kills and two errors for Purdue. Akasha Anderson has 11 kills and two errors. The Boilermakers are up to 19 total blocks, compared to 10 for SMU.

SMU’s Malaya Jones has 15 of her team’s 43 total kills.

Set 2: Purdue 25, SMU 19

Purdue led the entirety of the second set and took it 25-19 over SMU to tie the match 1-1.

The Boilermakers flushed the first set entirely. After hitting .067 in the frame, Purdue came out aggressive and hit .361 in the second set. Purdue head coach Dave Shondell said his team came out ‘tight’ in the first set.

Kenna Wollard has a team-high nine kills and one error for Purdue. Akasha Anderson had seven kills and two errors, while Grace Heaney had five kills and two errors.

SMU’s hitting percentage dipped to .281. Malaya Jones has eight kills and no errors.

Set 1: SMU 25, Purdue 16

SMU dominated Purdue in the first set, holding the Boilermakers to .067 hitting percentage with nine kills and seven attack errors. Meanwhile, the Mustangs hit .414 in the first set to take a 1-0 lead. Kennedi Rogers has a team-high five kills for the Mustangs, while Malaya Jones added four kills on five swings (.800).

Maggie Croft injury update

SMU freshman middle blocker Maggie Croft is playing with a cast on her left hand after dislocating her left pinky on Tuesday. The cast didn’t appear to affect Croft’s serve. She opened SMU’s Sweet 16 matchup on the service line and recorded an ace to put the Mustangs up 3-0 in the first set.

SMU vs. Purdue women’s volleyball underway

The Sweet 16 matchup between No. 2 SMU and No. 3 Purdue is underway in Petersen Center in Pittsburgh.

Purdue starting lineup

SMU volleyball’s starting lineup

Final: Pittsburgh 3, Minnesota 0

Set 3: Pitt 25, Minnesota 22

No. 1 Pitt is moving on to the Elite Eight after taking the third set 25-22 to complete the sweep, the Panthers’ 18th sweep of the year. Pittsburgh will face the winner of No. 2 SMU and No. 3 Purdue.

Pitt junior Olivia Babcock had eight kills and no errors in the third set, finishing the match with 18 total kills, eight digs and four errors. Bre Kelley finished with eight kills on 10 swings, hitting .800 with no errors.

Minnesota finished with three players with eight or more kills — Carly Gilk (9), Kelly Kinney (9) and Julia Hanson (8). The Gophers finished with a .178 team hitting percentage, compared to .271 for Pitt.

Set 2: Pitt 25, Minnesota 23

Pittsburgh ran away with the first set against Minnesota, but the second set included 13 ties and five different lead changes. Neither team led the set by three points.

The Panthers clinched the set on a block from Abbey Emch and Blaire Bayless. Panthers head coach Dan Fisher said his team was ‘lucky to get that one,’ pointing to the team’s eight attack errors in the second set. ‘We were going for a few too many highlight swings,’ Fisher added.

Pitt junior Olivia Babcock is up to 10 kills, seven digs, four errors and three blocks. Bre Kelley has six kills and the team is collectively hitting .243. Pittsburgh is 20-1 this season when winning the first two sets.

Can Minnesota respond? The Gophers cut down on their self-inflicted wounds with only three attack errors and two service errors in the set. Carly Gilk and Julia Hanson each have five kills for Minnesota.

Set 1: Pitt 25, Minnesota 16

No. 1 Pitt has yet to drop a set at the 2025 NCAA tournament. The Panthers took the first set over No. 4 Minnesota 25-16 behind five kills, four digs and two block assists from Pitt junior Olivia Babcock. Pitt led by as many as seven points in the set, but Minnesota went on a 7-3 run to come within two, 13-11. The Panthers responded and closed out the set on an 11-4 run. Pitt’s Bre Kelley added four kills in the first set.

Minnesota had five service errors and seven attack errors in the opening set. Carly Gilk had a team-high three kills.

Pitt volleyball starters

Minnesota starters

Final: Kentucky 3, Cal Poly 0

No. 1 Kentucky advances to the Elite Eight to face No. 3 Creighton.

Set 3: Kentucky 25, Cal Poly 7

Kentucky cruised in set three with a .609 team hitting percentage and very little resistance from Cal Poly. The Mustangs had seven errors in the period (15 total between sets two and three), and ran out of gas as the Wildcats stretched them out defensively. Kentucky’s Lizzie Carr finished with 11 kills on .667 hitting and six blocks, and Eva Hudson had nine kills, seven digs and three blocks. Kennedy Washington sealed the match point for the Wildcats.

Set 2: Kentucky 25, Cal Poly 19

Set two was powered by several Wildcats, but Lizzie Carr and Eva Hudson led the group with eight kills and seven kills, respectively. Hudson added five digs and three blocks. Molly Tuozzo sealed the set point to help Kentucky go up 2-0. Cal Poly’s Emma Frederick had eight kills.

Set 1: Kentucky 25, Cal Poly 17

The Wildcats owned set one behind a perfect start from Lizzie Carr, who was five-for-five on kills, and hitting .464 as a team. Trinity Ward landed an ace to capture the set for Kentucky.

Kentucky is the first to 15 in Set 1 vs. Cal Poly

Full credit to Cal Poly for hanging tough with Kentucky early in set 1. The Mustangs made the Wildcats earn every point thus far behind the power of Kendall Beshear and Emma Frederick. There’s no shortage of offense. Both teams are hitting around .500

Cal Poly vs. Kentucky is underway

The Mustangs and Wildcats are live in set one of the second match during the Sweet 16.

Creighton 3, Arizona State 1

Set 4: Creighton 25, Arizona State 18

Arizona State tried mightily to keep up with Creighton in set four, but they seemingly ran out of steam (a .152 hitting percentage in the final set with six errors). The Bluejays ultimately pulled away to move on to the Elite Eight. Creighton’s Ava Martin had a fantastic day, leading the team with 23 kills on .388 hitting, followed by Kiara Reinhardt with 15 kills on .737 hitting and three blocks. Reinhardt sank the final set point to advance the Bluejays.

Set 3: Creighton 25, Arizona State 13

It was all Creighton in the third set as they hit .600 in the frame. The Bluejays built a double-digit lead behind masterful work from Kiara Reinhardt (12 total kills and one block) and Jaya Johnson (eight total kills, two blocks). Creighton slammed the door with a service ace to end the set.

Set 2: Arizona State 25, Creighton 19

Arizona State fought back for a second set victory. Noemie Glover has 11 kills to lead the Sun Devils, who are looking to avoid an upset. Arizona State had 16 kills with 0.368 hitting percentage in the set.

Set 1: Creighton 26, Arizona State 24

Creighton stormed back, going up 20-18, but Arizona State was ready. Back and forth they went until Creighton team won the first set 26-24.

Arizona State is the first to 15 in Set 1 vs. Creighton

After some back and forth, the Sun Devils created some separation to be the first team to reach 15 during the first set. Arizona went on a 4-0 run, powered by two aces from Brynn Covell, her 27th and 28th aces of the season.

Creighton vs. Arizona State is underway

The Bluejays and Sun Devils are live in set one of the first match during the Sweet 16.

Where is NCAA women’s volleyball Sweet 16?

The 2025 NCAA women’s volleyball Final Four will be held at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. It’s the third time since 2010 that the venue has hosted the volleyball national championship.

When is NCAA women’s volleyball Sweet 16?

Date: Dec. 11 and 13 or Dec. 12 and 14
Time: Four matches each day, beginning at 1 p.m. ET Thursday and noon ET Friday. Match-by-match times below.

How to watch NCAA volleyball tournament

Streaming: ESPN+ ∣ Fubo (free trial)

The 2025 NCAA women’s volleyball tournament will air across the ESPN and ABC family of networks. Games can be streamed ESPN+, ESPN’s subscription streaming service, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

NCAA volleyball Sweet 16 schedule: Times, TV

All times Eastern

Thursday, Dec. 11

No. 3 Creighton 3, No. 2 Arizona State 1
No. 1 Kentucky 3, Cal Poly 0
No. 1 Pittsburgh 3, No. 4 Minnesota 0
No. 3 Purdue 3, No. 2 SMU 1

Friday, Dec. 12

No. 1 Texas vs. No. 4 Indiana, 12 p.m. | ESPN
No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 2 Stanford, 2:30 p.m. | ESPN
No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 2 Louisville, 7 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 1 Nebraska vs. No. 4 Kansas, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2

Saturday, Dec. 13

No. 3 Creighton vs. No. 1 Kentucky, 5 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 1 Pittsburgh vs. No. 3 Purdue, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2

Sunday, Dec. 14

Regional final, TBD
Regional final, TBD

NCAA volleyball second-round results

Lexington bracket

No. 1 Kentucky 3, No. 8 UCLA 1 (30-28, 25-16, 28-30, 25-17)
No. 3 Creighton 3, No. 6 Northern Iowa 1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21)
No. 2 Arizona State 3, Utah State 1 (25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 25-15)
Cal Poly 3, No. 4 USC 2 (25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 14-25, 15-7)

Austin bracket

No. 4 Indiana 3, No. 5 Colorado 0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-23)
No. 3 Wisconsin 3, North Carolina 0 (25-14, 25-21, 27-25)
No. 1 Texas 1, No. 8 Penn State 0 (25-16, 25-9, 25-19)
No. 2 Stanford 3, Arizona 1 (25-16, 25-27, 25-17, 25-20)

Pittsburgh bracket

No. 3 Purdue 3, No. 6 Baylor 1 (25-16, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20)
No. 1 Pittsburgh 3, Michigan 0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-18)
No. 2 SMU 3, Florida 0 (25-11, 25-21, 26-24)
No. 4 Minnesota 3, No. 5 Iowa State 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-14)

Lincoln bracket

No. 4 Kansas 3, No. 5 Miami 1 (25-17, 25-22, 22-25, 27-25)
No. 2 Louisville 3, Marquette 2 (21-25, 25-11, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12)
No. 1 Nebraska 3, Kansas State 0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-16)
No. 3 Texas A&M 3, No. 6 TCU 1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 29-27)

NCAA volleyball first-round results

Lexington bracket

No. 1 Kentucky 3, Wofford 0 (25-11, 25-19, 25-12)
No. 8 UCLA 3, Georgia Tech 2 (24-26, 25-19, 25-23, 25-18, 15-10)
Cal Poly 3, No. 5 BYU 2 (25-19, 17-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-10)
No. 4 USC 3, Princeton 0, (25-19, 25-12, 25-13)
No. 3 Creighton 3, Northern Colorado 2 (12-25, 25-23,25-23,17-25, 8-15)
No. 6 Northern Iowa 3, Utah 2 (15-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 15-10)
Utah State 3, No. 7 Tennessee 2 (25-19, 25-15, 19-25, 25-18, 15-11)
No. 2 Arizona State 3, Coppin State 0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-12)

Austin bracket

No. 1 Texas 3, Florida A&M 0 (25-11, 25- 8, 25-14)
No. 8 Penn State 3, South Florida 1 (25-23, 12-25, 25-21, 25-19)
No. 5 Colorado 3, American 0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-16)
No. 4 Indiana 3, Toledo 0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-17)
No. 3 Wisconsin 3, Eastern Illinois 0 (25-11, 25-6, 25-19)
North Carolina 3, No. 6 UTEP 1 (24-26, 25-11, 25-18, 25-21)
Arizona 3, No. 7 South Dakota State 1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-15, 25-15)
No. 2 Stanford 3, Utah Valley 1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-13, 25-14)

Pittsburgh bracket

No. 1 Pitt 3, UMBC 0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-13)
Michigan 3, No. 8 Xavier 0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-23)
No. 5 Iowa State 3, St. Thomas-Minnesota 2 (21-25, 25-13, 25-16, 21-25, 15-8)
No. 4 Minnesota 3, Fairfield 0 (25-12, 25-7, 25-13)
No. 3 Purdue 3, Wright State 0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-19)
No. 6 Baylor 3, Arkansas State 2 (23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 23-25, 15-10)
Florida 3, No. 7 Rice 0 (27-25, 25-23, 25-19)
No. 2 SMU 3, Central Arkansas 0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-13)

Lincoln bracket

No. 1 Nebraska 3, Long Island 0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-17)
Kansas State 3, San Diego 2 (21-25, 25-17, 26-28, 25-22, 15-12)
No. 5 Miami 3, Tulsa 1 (25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 25-20)
No. 4 Kansas 3, High Point 0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-18)
No. 3 Texas A&M 3, Campbell 0 (25-20, 25-10, 25-13)
No. 6 TCU 3, Stephen F. Austin 0 (25-8, 26-24, 25-20)
Marquette 3, Western Kentucky 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-16)
No. 2 Louisville 3, Loyola (Illinois) 0 (25-17, 25-9, 25-12)

When is the NCAA volleyball Final Four in 2025?

Dates: Thursday, Dec. 18 and Sunday, Dec. 21

The two semifinal matches in the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament will take place on Thursday, Dec. 18 and will be broadcast on ESPN. The national championship game is Sunday, Dec. 21 on ABC.

NCAA volleyball tournament champions

Penn State is the reigning NCAA volleyball champion, having defeated Louisville in four sets last year in the national title game. It was the Nittany Lions’ eighth volleyball championship since 1999.

Here’s a look at the past 10 NCAA volleyball champions:

2024: Penn State
2023: Texas
2022: Texas
2021: Wisconsin
2020: Kentucky
2019: Stanford
2018: Stanford
2017: Nebraska
2016: Stanford
2015: Nebraska

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Four-star recruit Matt Ludwig was released from his letter-of-intent with Michigan after the firing of head coach Sherrone Moore.
Moore was fired after the university found ‘credible evidence’ of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member and was later arrested.
Ludwig, a tight end from Montana, had planned to enroll early at Michigan in January.
Ludwig’s high school coach said the recruit and his family were ‘devastated’ and ‘shocked’ by the news.

“Our principal just bought him a cap and gown and just did (the ceremony) real quick in the hallway,’’ Stanton told USA TODAY Sports. “Then about 20 minutes later (Ludwig’s) phone was blowing up.’’

A tight end, Ludwig got blindsided. Suddenly was digesting the shocking news: Sherrone Moore had been abruptly fired as Michigan’s head football coach.

The school released a statement saying it had found ‘credible evidence’ Moore engaged in an ‘inappropriate relationship with a staff member.’ Later in the day, Moore was arrested as police investigated an alleged assault.

Ludwig, who planned to enroll at Michigan in January to get an early start, instead requested he be released from his letter of intent and the university has complied, according to Stanton.

Stanton said he thinks Ludwig already had emerged as a leader among Michigan’s signees.

‘Just the bond he had with all those guys was pretty special,’ Stanton said, “and I think he did a good job of helping get some other people there.’

Now it remains unclear who, like Ludwig, will leave that group behind.

Stanton said he visited Ludwig at the family’s home Wednesday and ‘he was just really devastated, shocked, all the emotions with the news that he received. Right now he’s in the stage of processing everything.’

Ludwig’s father, Matt Ludwig Sr., on Dec. 11 told USA TODAY Sports by text message, ‘Currently exploring all options, not ready to release any statements at this time.’

The younger Matt Ludwig did not have his direct messages open on his X account Thursday and could not be reached for comment by USA TODAY Sports.

During the recruiting process, Stanton said, the Ludwigs got to know Moore, who was completing his second year as Michigan head coach.

‘They got to know him really well and they trusted him,’’ Stanton said. “So that’s just hard right now for them to go through this.’

Matt Ludwig was part of a 27-signee recruiting class ranked 11th by 247 Sports and 12th by Rivals. The profile photo on Ludwig’s X account shows him wearing a black cowboy hat and flexing his biceps. He is 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds and had a grade point average of 3.87, according to information on his X account.

Michigan interim president Domenico Grasso sent a letter to the school’s students and faculty on Thursday, Dec. 11 regarding the investigation into former football coach Sherrone Moore, which remains ongoing.

It’s the first comments from the university since it announced Moore’s firing Wednesday, Dec. 10. It does not mention Moore’s detainment and arrest that occurred later in the day.

Moore was fired after a university investigation found ‘credible evidence’ he ‘engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.’ In the letter, Grasso said Moore’s employment was terminated immediately when the findings of the investigation were presented on Dec. 10.

‘There is absolutely no tolerance for this conduct at the University of Michigan. None,’ Grasso wrote. ‘I have been in close communication with the Board of Regents and we are united in committing to doing what is right.

‘This breach of trust by Coach Moore is painful for many in our community, first and foremost, the individuals directly involved in this situation,’ he added.

Grasso said ‘all of the facts here must be known’ and the university is continuing its investigation into Moore. He encouraged anyone with information related to the investigation should reach out to university officials.

There was no mention of any possible criminal charges or findings against Moore. The former Wolverines coach was detained by police on Dec. 10 after the Pittsfield Township Police Department responded to a residence ‘for the purposes of investigating an alleged assault’ at 4:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 10 — roughly 30 minutes Michigan announced the firing.

Moore was arrested and booked into Washtenaw County Jail on Wednesday evening, where he remains in custody as of 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 11. No information related to any possible charges have been made available.

Moore is expected to be in court for arraignment on Friday, Dec. 12.

Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiyah Love, Jacob Rodriguez and Caleb Downs earn first-team honors and Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia headlines the second team in the USA TODAY Sports All-America squads for the 2025 season.

Mendoza lands ahead of Pavia after tossing 33 touchdowns in leading Indiana to the Big Ten championship and the top seed in the College Football Playoff. The Hoosiers place another four players on the first and second teams, including safety Louis Moore.

Ohio State’s top-ranked defense has three players on the first team in Downs, defensive tackle Kayden McDonald and linebacker Arvell Reese.

Every playoff team but Tulane placed at least one player on the first or second teams. The team was selected with ballots from 25 voters across the USA TODAY Sports Network.

First team

Offense

QB: Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Mendoza averaged 9.4 yards per attempt and completed 71.5% of his throws in spearheading the greatest season in program history.

RB: Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

RB: Ahmad Hardy, Missouri

Love scored at least once in every game but the season opener and averaged 6.9 yards per carry with 18 scores. Hardy’s 1,560 yards topped the Power Four during the regular season.

WR: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

WR: Makai Lemon, Southern California

TE: Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

Smith was a little quieter than during his breakout 2024 freshman season but brings 80 receptions and 11 touchdowns into the playoff. Lemon tailed off late but still posted a Big Ten-best 1,156 receiving yards. Stowers was one of the easiest first-team picks after pulling down 62 grabs for 769 yards.

OT: Spencer Fano, Utah

OT: Carter Smith, Indiana

C: Logan Jones, Iowa

OG: Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon

OG: Beau Stephens, Iowa

Iowa’s offensive line was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award as the nation’s best unit. Pregnon was one of two transfers who helped Oregon rank second in the Big Ten with 30 rushing scores. Smith was the first Indiana player to be named Big Ten lineman of the year. Fano allowed no sacks in nearly 400 drop backs and was even better than expected.

Defense

DE: Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

DE: David Bailey, Texas Tech

DT: Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

DT: Landon Robinson, Navy

Howell showed flashes in 2024 but exploded this season with an SEC-best 11½ sacks. Bailey (13½ sacks) was maybe the most transformative transfer of the year. McDonald was one of reason why the Buckeyes have given up just four rushing touchdowns. Robinson (54 tackles, 8½ for loss) was the defensive player of the year in the American.

LB: Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech

LB: Arvell Reese, Ohio State

LB: CJ Allen, Georgia

Rodriguez (117 tackles) drew Heisman Trophy hype for his dominant play for the Big 12 champions. Reese (62 tackles, 6½ sacks) draws first-team honors over teammate Sonny Styles, who lands on the second team. Allen led Georgia in tackles (85) and was a finalist for the Butkus Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy.

CB: Leonard Moore, Notre Dame

CB: Mansoor Delane, LSU

S: Caleb Downs, Ohio State

S: Louis Moore, Indiana

Leonard Moore had five interceptions as the star of an aggressive and opportunistic Notre Dame secondary. Delane (11 pass breakups) gave up just 13 receptions in coverage all season. Downs is a transformative, box score-stuffing safety who might be the best player in the country. Louis Moore had six interceptions for a defense that gave up just seven touchdowns through the air.

Specialists

K: Tate Sandell, Oklahoma

P: Brett Thorson, Georgia

Returner: Kaden Wetjen, Iowa

All-Purpose: KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

Sandell hit on 23 of 24 attempts, including 7 of 7 from 50 yards and beyond, and notebly came up huge in the Sooners’ biggest wins. Thorson (45.2 yards per punt) was why Georgia had just five punts returned all season. Wetjen had four combined return scores and averaged 28.3 yards per punt return. Concepcion ran for a score, had two punt returns for touchdowns and had 57 grabs for 886 yards and nine touchdowns.

Second team

Offense

QB: Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt

RB: Emmett Johnson, Nebraska

RB: Kewan Lacy, Mississippi

WR: Skyler Bell, Connecticut

WR: Malachi Toney, Miami

TE: Michael Trigg, Baylor

OT: Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)

OT: Kayden Proctor, Alabama

C: Jake Slaughter, Florida

OG: Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M

OG: Jaeden Roberts, Alabama

Defense

DE: Reuben Bain, Miami (Fla.)

DE: Colin Simmons, Texas

DT: Peter Woods, Clemson

DT: Lee Hunter, Texas Tech

LB: Sonny Styles, Ohio State

LB: Aiden Fisher, Indiana

LB: Anthony Hill, Texas

CB: Hezekiah Masses, California

CB: D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana

S: Bishop Fitzgerald, Southern California

S: KJ Bolden, Georgia

Specialists

K: Kansei Matsuzawa, Hawaii

P: Cole Maynard, Western Kentucky

Returner: Jadarian Price, Notre Dame

All-purpose: Wayne Knight, James Madison

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt was hospitalized Dec. 11 for further medical evaluation of his lung after experiencing discomfort at the Steelers’ facility Dec. 10, a team spokesman revealed on social media.

The 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and four-time All-Pro won’t practice Thursday and is questionable for the Steelers’ “Monday Night Football” game against the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 15.

The team said head coach Mike Tomlin will provide more updates when appropriate.

In 2022, Watt’s brother J.J. Watt revealed he suffered atrial fibrillation – an irregular and rapid heartbeat — in the middle of a game week and still played that Sunday. 

Watt has played in all of Pittsburgh’s 13 games this season and has seven sacks. The Steelers, at 7-6, enter Week 14 in first place in the AFC North with a one-game advantage over the Baltimore Ravens. 

Former NBA player Jason Collins has broken his silence about his recent health problems, revealing in an ESPN interview that he is undergoing treatment for Stage 4 glioblastoma and may not have much longer to live.

Collins, the first active male athlete in a major U.S. team sport to come out as gay, said that a statement issued by his family in September that he was battling a brain tumor was ‘intentionally vague’ at the time because ‘I was mentally unable to speak for myself.’

Glioblastoma is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, Collins said, and without aggressive treatment, ‘I’d probably be dead within six weeks to three months.’

Collins, a 7-foot center, played 13 seasons in the NBA with six different teams from 2001-2014, averaging 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game

In his first-person article published Dec. 11 on ESPN.com, Collins recounts first experiencing ‘weird symptoms’ this past August, having his mental clarity, short-term memory and comprehension disappear.

He says the aggressive form of cancer has spread rapidly: ‘Imagine a monster with tentacles spreading across the underside of my brain the width of a baseball.’

He goes on to describe his treatment with anti-cancer drugs, as well as radiation and chemotherapy at a clinic in Singapore in the hope that doctors can develop a personalized immunotherapy treatment for him.

Collins says the average prognosis for his current treatment is 11-14 months, but he’ll continue to fight.

‘If that’s all the time I have left,’ he says, ‘I’d rather spend it trying a course of treatment that might one day be a new standard of care for everyone.’

The NASCAR antitrust trial has ended without an official winner. And without an official loser either.

The refusal to settle over the past year led to a showdown in federal court between NASCAR and the plaintiffs: 23XI Racing, co-owned by Jordan and driver Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports. But on Thursday, Dec. 11, with the high-stakes trial moving closer to a verdict, the settlement brought the case to an abrupt halt at U.S. District Court of the Western District of North Carolina in Charlotte.

The trial was in its ninth day.

Meegan Hollywood, an attorney with Shinder Cantor Lerner law firm who specializes in antitrust cases, told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday, Dec. 10 that a settlement would not be a surprise. The alternative was to leave the outcome in the hands of the jury.

‘It’s risky on both sides,’ Hollywood said.

Barak Orbach, a professor at the University of Arizona with an expertise with antitrust law, told USA TODAY Sports “one possibility to consider is that this entire trial (was) part of negotiation strategy.’’

Details from the settlement

One concession NASCAR is making as part of the settlement is “evergreen’’ charters, according to a joint statement from NASCAR, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports that Jeff Gluck of The Athletic posted on X.  Before the antitrust case, the charters – which guarantee teams a spot in the Cup Series races and a portion of NASCAR’s income – were subject to renegotiation.

‘As a condition of the settlement agreement, NASCAR will issue an amendment to existing charter holders detailing the updated terms for signature, which will include a form of ‘evergreen’ charters, subject to mutual agreement,” the joint statement reads.

The financial terms of the settlement are confidential and will not be released, according to a joint statement.

What Michael Jordan said

On the steps outside the courthouse, Jordan stood next to NASCAR CEO Jim France and addressed the media.

“We’re like two competitors obviously,’’ he said. “…The only way this sport’s going to grow is we have to find some synergy between the two entities, and I think we’ve gotten to that point.’’

Said France, “I feel like we made a very good decision here.’’

A reporter asked Jordan what was the impetus that led to the settlement today and not earlier?

“Level heads,’’ Jordan said, drawing laughter from reporters. “In all honestly, when you get to the finish line, sometimes you have to think not for yourself but think about the sport as a whole. And I think both parties got to that point and we realized we can have an opportunity to settle this and we dove and we actually did it.’’

Jordan also released an official statement after the settlement was agreed to.

‘From the beginning, this lawsuit was about progress,’ Jordan’s statement began. ‘It was about making sure our sport evolves in a way that supports everyone: teams, drivers, partners, employees, and fans. With a foundation to build equity and invest in the future and a stronger voice in the decisions ahead, we now have the chance to grow together and make the sport even better for generations to come. I’m excited to watch our teams get back on the track and compete hard in 2026.’

What NASCAR CEO Jim France said

Jim France, NASCAR CEO and chairman, had testified for two days on Tuesday Dec. 9 and Wednesday, Dec. 10 after being called as a witness by the plaintiffs before the parties reached a settlement.

‘This outcome gives all parties the flexibility and confidence to continue delivering unforgettable racing moments for our fans, which has always been our highest priority since the sport was founded in 1948,’ France said in a statment. ‘We worked closely with race teams to create the NASCAR charter system in 2016, and it has proven invaluable to their operations and to the quality of racing across the Cup Series. Today’s agreement reaffirms our commitment to preserving and enhancing that value, ensuring our fans continue to enjoy the very best of stock car rcing for generations to come. We are excitd to return the collective focus of our sport, teams and racetracks toward and incredible 78th seaosn that begins with the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.’

France, 81, is the son of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. and brother of former CEO Bill France Jr. The largest motorsports series in the United States, NASCAR remains privately owned by the France family.

Denny Hamlin remarks

On his X account (formerly Twitter), Hamlin wrote, “Standing up isn’t easy, but progress never comes from staying silent. The reward is in knowing you changed something.’

The X account of the Loose Is Fast Podcast responded with photo of Hamlin after winning a race and the words, “I beat your favorite lawyer,’ an inside joke among NASCAR fans.

Hamlin, a three-time champion of the Daytona 500, has won 60 career races in the NASCAR Cup Series (tied for 10th all time) and has become notorious for taunting fans by saying, “I beat your favorite driver.’

What was the NASCAR antitrust lawsuit about?

The lawsuit accuses NASCAR of restraining fair competition and violating the Sherman Antitrust Act, preventing teams from competing ‘without accepting the anticompetitive terms’ it dictates. Filed in 2024, the lawsuit also asserts the ‘France family and NASCAR are monopolistic bullies.’

Jordan has not entered this battle alone. Denny Hamlin, a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, and longtime Jordan business adviser Curtis Polk are co-owners of 23XI Racing, which just completed its fifth season on NASCAR’s Cup Series. Front Row Motorsports, another NASCAR team, is a plaintiff.

The case centers on multimillion-dollar charter agreements, which guarantee teams spots in every race of the Cup Series – the major league of NASCAR – and entitles them to a share of NASCAR’s revenue from sponsorship and media deals.

In 2024, NASCAR offered teams a seven-year charter agreement that would increase media revenue and also increase the annual cost of charters to $8.5 million from $5 million.

While there were reported rumblings among NASCAR racing teams that had existing charters, only Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports refused to sign the new contracts.

Take it or leave it is how the antitrust lawsuit characterized NASCAR’s deal.

What is a NASCAR charter?

NASCAR instituted the charter system in 2016 after an agreement with the Race Team Alliance, a collection of all the individual race teams in the Cup Series. Charters were designed to provide teams with an increased business certainty and long-term stability.

According to NASCAR, the agreement led to 36 charter teams with these key points:

A charter guarantees entry (and therefore, a portion of the purse) into the field of every NASCAR Cup Series points race.
Teams may sell their charters on the open market.
Charter owners may transfer their charter to another team, for one full season, once over the first five years of the agreement.
Charter teams are held to a minimum performance standard. If a charter team finishes in the bottom three of the owner standings among all 36 charter teams for three consecutive years, NASCAR has a right to remove the charter.
Organizations now have a hard cap of four cars; there no longer is the ability to run a fifth car for rookie drivers.
NASCAR Cup Series fields consist of 40 cars — a change made, from 43 cars previously, when the charter system was initially announced. That means 36 charter teams are guaranteed to make every points race, and four non-charter (or “open”) teams will complete the rest of the field.

NASCAR minimizes potential damage

By reaching a settlement, NASCAR eliminated the possibility of more than $1 billion in monetary damages.

Edward Snyder, a professor of economics who worked in the antitrust division of the Department of Justice, testified that NASCAR owed 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports a combined $364.7 million in damages, according to the Associated Press. A verdict against NASCAR would have led those damages to be trebled to more than $1 billion, excluding legal fees.

Orbach, the professor from Arizona, said injunctive relief imposed by the judge would have been an even bigger problem with NASCAR.

“Once you have the injunction NASCAR cannot continue operating as it has been operating,’’ Orbach said. “So even without (monetary) damages, the injunctions themselves (would) likely to require NASCAR to transform its operations.’’

Although both sides disclosed there will be changes with charter agreements, NASCAR no longer is subject to the judge’s orders.

Denny Hamlin, partners celebrate after settlement

When is the next NASCAR race?

NASCAR is currently in its offseason after Kyle Larson won the 2025 Cup Series championship in early November, outdueling Hamlin in an overtime finish.

Drivers and teams are enjoying a winter break before returning to action in February when they will hit the track Feb. 1 for the exhibition Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

From there it’s on to Daytona Beach, Florida, as prepartions begin for the 68th annual Daytona 500. Daytona Speedweeks begin the week of Feb. 9, beginning with Daytona 500 pole qualifying on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The Duel at Daytona will take place Thursday, Dec. 12, followed by the 2026 Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 15.

∎ Click here to view the the full 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule.

A two-time Olympic gold medalist suffered major injuries during downhill ski training in Switzerland on Thursday, Dec. 11.

Michelle Gisin a Swiss World Cup alpine racer, was transported by medical helicopter to a hospital in Zurich after crashing into a fence, according to Reuters.

It was not immedately known what caused the wreck which came before the upcoming Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics set to take place in February.

The 32-year-old woman, who took home gold medals during the past two Winter Games, was reportedly conscious before being airlifted, the outlet as well as The Associated Press reported.

According to Swiss Ski, per Reuters, Gisen was set to undergo surgery after she suffered injurires to her neck, wrist and knee.

This is a developing story.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund