The NWSL has opened an investigation into the Bay FC coaching staff following complaints of a toxic work environment, the league announced Friday, one week before the 2025 season kicks off.

‘Based on information shared with the league, we are initiating a formal review of the communications between technical staff and the players at Bay FC and will take the appropriate steps necessary based on the findings of that review,’ NWSL said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports. ‘Ensuring a safe and supportive environment is a top priority, and we remain committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and accountability across the league.”

The league’s investigation came after The San Francisco Chronicle published a report, where at least four former players and employees described the culture under first-year head coach Albertin Montoya as ‘toxic.’ In a statement to USA TODAY Sports on Friday, Bay FC said it takes all complaints ‘very seriously’ and said the soccer club is ‘working closely with the league to review.’

Montoya faces allegations of ‘bullying,’ retaliation

Montoya was hired as the first head coach of Bay FC, the NWSL’s 14th franchise, which kicked off its inaugural season in March 2024. The soccer club, based in San Jose, Calif., qualified for the playoffs in its first season and was eliminated in the first round by the Washington Spirit.

Despite a successful opening season on the field, there were concerns surrounding the Bay FC’s coaching staff after it was ranked 13th out of 14 teams in a mid-season survey. The Chronicle interviewed former players and employees during its investigation and found that Montoya fostered a ‘toxic’ environment. Two people told the outlet Montoya would publicly “target and bully” players that questioned his decisions. Another former player told the Chronicle that Montoya would ‘punish’ people who spoke up about their mental health.

‘Players would come out of the starting lineup and (Montoya) refused to tell them why,” one former employee told the outlet. “Of course their mental health would spiral but he wouldn’t address anything and punished anyone who asked questions.”

Montoya’s alleged misconduct led to many departures. Despite Bay FC saying ‘roster turnover from year one to year two with NWSL expansion sides is very common,’ four former employees and two former players told the outlet they won’t return to Bay FC because of Montoya specifically.

Bay FC says it takes allegations ‘very seriously’

Two formal complaints where filed against Montoya last season, according to the outlet. In the first complaint, a player alleged that Montoya ‘targeted’ personal comments at her that led to ‘anxiety attacks.’ Bay FC confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that an investigation was opened into the complaint, but an independent investigation ‘did not find any evidence of misconduct.’ In the second complaint reviewed by the Chronicle, a player anonymously accused Montoya of ‘bullying’ through the league’s tip line after the season concluded. (The outlet didn’t detail allegations to avoid identifying the anonymous player.)

Bay FC said the club ‘implemented new procedures to improve our communications across the team’ following the mid-season survey, including executive coaching: ‘It is also important to understand that the end of season player survey showed marked improvement in Bay FC’s ranking amongst the NWSL Clubs, improving from 11 out of 14 midseason (overall) to 6 out of 14 at the end of the year.’

Two former players, however, countered Bay FC’s claim, telling the Chronicle reported that ‘the results of the player survey were shared with the team but never brought them up again.’

The league’s investigation into Bay FC comes one month after the NWSL reached a historic $5 million settlement in a years-long investigation of player abuse. The settlement stems back to a wave of bombshell reports during the 2021 NWSL season, including extensive allegations of abuse, sexual coercion, racism, harassment and other forms of misconduct.

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Contending teams had already beefed up before Friday’s NHL trade deadline.

Then the Dallas Stars pulled off the biggest deal of the day and the Colorado Avalanche and defending champion Florida Panthers also struck.

The Stars traded for Mikko Rantanen after it was clear the two-time 100-point scorer wouldn’t re-sign with the Carolina Hurricanes. He agreed to an eight-year, $96 million contract with Dallas. The Stars sent forward Logan Stankoven to Carolina along with two top-10 protected first-round picks (2026 and 2028), plus two third-rounders.

The Avalanche, who have been busy remaking their roster all season, landed No. 2 center Brock Nelson around midnight then traded for Boston’s Charlie Coyle to be their No. 3 center.

As the clock was about to hit the 3 p.m. ET deadline, the Panthers traded for longtime Bruins player Brad Marchand, adding to their earlier acquisitions of Seth Jones and faceoff specialist Nico Sturm.

Here’s a look at the deals that went down on Friday (previous deals can be found here):

When was the NHL trade deadline?

The NHL trade deadline was at 3 p.m. ET.

Trades trickle in

According to reports and team releases: Fabian Zetterlund to the Senators. Erik Johnson to the Avalanche, another homecoming (Givani Smith goes to Philadelphia in the deal). Daniel Sprong and Dennis Cholowski to New Jersey. Nicolas Aube-Kubel to the Rangers with Erik Brannstrom going to the Sabres. Mark Jankowski to Carolina. Henri Jokiharju to Boston.

Who didn’t move

Chicago’s Ryan Donato, Vancouver’s Brock Boeser, Pittsburgh’s Rickard Rakell and Matt Grzelcyk, Montreal’s Joel Armia and David Savard, New York Islanders’ Kyle Palmieri.

More extensions

Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston gets $42 million over five years. New York Rangers defenseman Urho Vaakanainen gets two years ($1.55 million average).

Evander Kane won’t play this season

The Oilers said their medical staff determined Evander Kane won’t be able to return this season and will remain on long-term injured reserve. Edmonton would have been in salary cap trouble if he had been healthy enough to return.

Panthers acquire Brad Marchand from Bruins

The Bruins captain is heading to the defending Stanley Cup champions. He’s hurt at the moment, as is Matthew Tkachuk, but can you imagine the snarl the Panthers will have in the playoffs with those two and Sam Bennett?

The Panthers give up a conditional 2027 second-round pick that becomes a 2027 or 2028 first-rounder if Florida wins two 2025 playoff rounds and Marchand plays in 50% of the playoff games.

Boston isn’t done selling either, with defenseman Brandon Carlo heading to Toronto. The Bruins receive prospect Fraser Minten, a conditional 2026 first-round pick and a 2025 fourth-rounder.

It’s 3 p.m. ET

But don’t forget that deals are often announced after the deadline if they’re already in the queue at Central Registry.

Blue Jackets acquire Luke Kunin from Sharks

The Blue Jackets go for forward depth in the trade market after claiming forward Christian Fischer off waivers on Thursday.

Devils acquire Cody Glass from Penguins

The Devils were never going to find a replacement for injured Jack Hughes in the trade market. They settle instead for a depth center.

The full deal: The Devils acquire Glass and Jonathan Gruden from the Penguins for Chase Stillman, Max Graham and a 2027 third-round draft pick.

Avalanche, Bruins make trade

The Avalanche acquire forward Charlie Coyle and a 2026 fifth-round pick for forward Casey Mittelstadt, forward William Zellers and a conditional 2025 second-round pick. Colorado tried Mittelstadt, acquired last season, as a No. 2 center this season, and it didn’t work. He was expendable after the Avalanche acquired Brock Nelson. Coyle can slot in as a big No. 3 center who can score 15 to 20 goals.

Red Wings acquire Petr Mrazek from Blackhawks

Continuing the NHL trend of players going home, Mrazek is returning to the Red Wings. He became available when Chicago acquired goalie Spencer Knight in the Seth Jones trade. Mrazek has another year left on his deal and joins a crowded crease in Detroit.

Mikko Rantanen trade details begin to emerge

The Hurricanes-Stars deal on Mikko Rantanen isn’t official yet. But according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, the return would be center ‘Logan Stankoven and two first-round picks, plus some smaller pieces in the deal as well.’

Devils re-sign defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic

He’ll average $4 million in the five-year contract.

Two hours to go

Still no word on whether the Mikko Rantanen trade to the Stars is official.

Maple Leafs acquire Scott Laughton from Flyers

Toronto was looking for center depth, and Laughton likely can slot in as a No. 3 center. He addressed the trade rumors before the deadline by posting a Last Supper photo on social media. The Flyers retain 50% of his salary and receive a 2027 first-round pick and Nikita Grebenkin, a Russian winger in his first professional season in North America.

Jets acquire Brandon Tanev from Kraken

The Jets aren’t done. They add Kraken winger Brandon Tanev for a 2027 second-round pick. Tanev is a high-energy player and kills penalties. Winnipeg’s penalty killing ranks 15th in the league. Tanev began his career with the Jets.

Jets acquire Luke Schenn from Penguins

Schenn will bring physical play to the Jets. He has 848 career penalty minutes and more than 3,500 hits. The Penguins had acquired him this week in the Michael Bunting trade and flip him for a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 fourth-rounder.

What’s the latest on Mikko Rantanen?

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports the Stars are closing in on an eight-year extension for Mikko Rantanen. If it gets done, that would complete the trade of Rantanen from the Hurricanes to the Stars. No details on what the return would be.

Sabres announce they’ve traded Dylan Cozens

The key players are Dylan Cozens and Josh Norris. Norris can score when he’s healthy, but he has had injury issues. He has 20 goals this season and had 35 goals in 2021-22. Cozens has struggled this season but scored 31 goals in 2022-23 and has a physical element to his game. The trade puts him in the playoff race. The Senators are sitting in a wild-card spot while Buffalo is last in the East.

Kings acquire Andrei Kuzmenko from Flyers

The return is a 2027 third-round pick, and the Kings also get a 2025 seventh-round pick. Philadelphia retains 50% of his salary. The Flyers acquired Kuzmenko on Jan. 30 when they dealt Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee to the Flames. The Kings need offense, and Kuzmenko had 39 goals as a rookie in 2022-23. But he has now been traded three times and has six goals this season.

Three hours to deadline

So far, one official trade: Anthony Beauvillier to the Capitals. But there’s also a reported Senators-Sabres trade.

Report: Senators, Sabres make trade

Full details aren’t available but the main players are Buffalo’s Dylan Cozens and Ottawa’s Josh Norris. Cozens, 24, is 6-3 and scored 31 goals in 2022-23, though he has struggled this season. He could use a change of scenery and gets a chance to try to push the Senators into a playoff spot. Norris is a former 35-goal scorer but has dealt with injuries since then. He has 20 goals this season.

Capitals acquire Anthony Beauvillier from Penguins

The Penguins receive a 2025 second-round pick. Beauvillier offers speed and secondary scoring (seven times in double digits, including 13 this season). He had two playoff runs to the conference final when he was with the Islanders. He’s a pending unrestricted free agent.

Sabres re-sign forward Jason Zucker

He averages $4.75 million in his two-year extension, per reports. He was a good signing last summer and has 44 points in 54 games. He also provides a leadership role as a veteran on the young team.

Players to look at

With center Brock Nelson gone, teams could circle to Flyers center Scott Laughton, who has another year left on his contract. Chicago’s Ryan Donato has a career-best 23 goals and would draw interest if the Blackhawks can’t re-sign him.

Five hours to go

Nothing announced yet this morning, but it’s early.

Islanders working to re-sign Kyle Palmieri

Just because Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello traded Brock Nelson, it doesn’t mean he’s having a big sale. Newsday reported that the team is still trying to get pending unrestricted free agent Kyle Palmieri signed to an extension.

What’s the latest on Mikko Rantanen?

Jake Walman trade not a good look for Red Wings

The Red Wings had moved Jake Walman to the Sharks essentially to get him off their roster and sweetened the deal by including a second-round pick in exchange for future considerations. Walman made that deal look bad by becoming the Sharks’ top defenseman and recording a career-best 32 points. So now, Sharks general manager Mike Grier has received a second-round pick (from Detroit) and a first-round pick (from Edmonton) for 50 games worth of Walman’s tenure in San Jose.

Late-night trade: Oilers acquire Jake Walman from Sharks

The Oilers acquired defenseman Jake Walman from the Sharks for a conditional 2026 first-round and forward Carl Berglund. Here are the conditions:

If Edmonton’s first-round pick in 2026 is in the top 12, the Oilers may choose to transfer their 2027 first-round pick to San Jose.

Should Edmonton choose to trade their 2027 first round pick before the 2026 NHL trade deadline, the 2026 first-round selection will automatically transfer to San Jose, unconditionally. 

Late-night trade: Avalanche acquire Brock Nelson from Islanders

The Avalanche acquire forwards Brock Nelson and William Dufour from the Islanders for defenseman Oliver Kylington, forward Calum Ritchie, a 2026 first-round pick and a conditional 2028 third-round pick. According to puckpedia.com, the Islanders retain 50% of Nelson’s salary.

Colorado gets its desired upgrade at No. 2 center. Nelson has 20 goals this season and has 30 or more in the previous three seasons. Islanders general Lou Lamoriello gets a first-round pick and a former first-rounder (Ritchie) for Nelson, who was a pending unrestricted free agent. Kylington was sent to the Ducks for future considerations.

Can trades be announced after 3 p.m. ET?

Yes, and they often are. If teams reach an agreement and call Central Registry by 3, it gets in a queue and can be announced after it’s approved.

What happens in a trade call?

The NHL posted video on Thursday about the Brian Dumoulin trade. Central Registry makes sure the teams are in agreement on the terms and that they’re cap compliant. In rare cases, a trade could be voided.

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SAN FRANCISCO — Darius Garland’s smile disappeared.

Literally.

Metaphorically.

The Cleveland Cavaliers guard had broken his jaw against Boston on Dec. 14, 2023, and post-surgery, it was wired shut so that it could heal properly. He didn’t eat the same way, using a straw for meals. Lost 10% of his body weight. Didn’t communicate the same way, couldn’t talk. Couldn’t be around the team the same way, and he loves being around his teammates. Couldn’t play, and basketball brings him so much joy. He had to watch Cleveland’s success from afar.

On top of that, he wasn’t having the kind of season that made him an All-Star in 2022.

“The mental part was the toughest,” Garland told USA TODAY Sports, “not being able to do the things I normally do.”

The joy and the smile are back. Garland earned an All-Star spot this season and is an integral part of one of the NBA’s best stories.

The Cavaliers are atop the Eastern Conference with the league’s best record at 52-10 heading into Friday night’s game against the Charlotte Hornets. They are eight games ahead of the Boston Celtics, the reigning NBA champions, and headed for the No. 1 seed in the East. They are on a 12-game winning streak, the third time they have won at least 10 consecutive games this season, including a 15-0 start. They also are on pace to set a franchise record in season victories, surpassing the 66-16 record from 2008-09.

Garland was one of three Cavaliers named All-Stars – Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley were the others – and he is having a career season in his sixth NBA year.

On Wednesday, the Cavaliers defeated Miami 112-107, and Garland had 15 points and 10 assists. He averages 21.0 points – just a fraction off his career-best of 21.7 – and is shooting career-highs from the field (48.1%) and on 3-pointers (41.9%). He also is averaging 6.8 assists and 1.1 steals. In clutch time (games within five points in the final five minutes of regulation or overtime), Garland has been stellar, shooting 59.5% from the field and 61.5% on 3s.

“This is a totally different year. It’s crazy what a total year can do and the entire 180 that has happened. It’s truly an honor,” Garland said. “It’s a blessing that I can do something I love and have one of my senses back.

“I rushed back last year trying to get back on the floor with the guys and that’s when I was down almost 20 pounds in the second round of the playoffs trying to play against the [eventual] NBA champions. That’s how eager I was. But now I’m fully healthy, had a full summer just to recover and get my weight back up and just work on my craft. It’s a big difference.”

The Garland-Mitchell backcourt is one of the best in the NBA. They jumpstart Cleveland’s offense and are part of the Cavaliers’ most efficient five-man lineups.

‘He’s been incredible in the clutch. He’s shooting the ball great. Playing good defense,’ first-year coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters. ‘I look around the league, and I respect the league and he’s got to be in that top tier. Phenomenal player.’

Garland, 25, has embraced the feel-good story in Cleveland. Minus the LeBron James seasons, the Cavaliers have reached the conference finals just twice (1976, 1992) and have never been to the NBA Finals without James on the roster.

“It’s a whole new revamp,” Garland said. “Cleveland is known from LeBron, but now it’s a shift to different young guys. Three young guys in the All-Star Game. Should have been four young guys (Jarrett Allen).

‘I just want to really recognize the shift between LeBron era to the Core Four because (president of basketball operations) Koby (Altman) and (general manager) Mike (Gansey) and everybody in that front office has really done a really good job from the draft and getting the trade with Donovan and even now, picking up De’Andre Hunter at the trade deadline. It’s a new wave of guys coming in and really trying to do something special for Cleveland.”

Garland also embraced a slight shift in his role, one that called for fewer minutes. Atkinson approached his starters and broached the idea of utilizing bench depth at the expense of playing time. Less playing team isn’t always appealing.

“I didn’t really like the concept when Kenny was talking to me about it,” Garland said. “But during training camp, our depth was one of the main things that we were talking about. We had so many weapons down the line, so many different guys we can go to and different lineups, we could switch in and out. Me and Donovan talked about it, and we just ran with it.

“We just tried to trust in his process and Kenny’s process and what he was preaching to us, and he said, ‘This is going to make us a lot better and then we can up our minutes when we get closer to the playoffs when we really need to.’ ”

Playing three fewer minutes per game than last season and five fewer than 2022-23 and 2021-22, Garland has produced the most efficient shooting season of his career.

“One of our biggest things in the past couple years was not being healthy going into the playoffs,” Garland said. “Kenny wanted to really emphasize us being healthy when we really needed to be healthy and when we needed to be full force.”

The Cavaliers and Garland have plenty to smile about right now.

Follow NBA columnist Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt

In many arguments about the best player in baseball history, Barry Bonds, no matter the controversy around him or the fact he isn’t in the Hall of Fame, is going to get his fair share of votes.

Bonds hasn’t played in a Major League Baseball game since 2007, and still holds the records for career home runs and walks and set single-season marks for walks, home runs, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

But could Bonds handle today’s pitching, especially one’s that throw 100 miles an hour?

‘Hundred? That’s easy,’ the 60-year-old Bonds said on All the Smoke. ‘I don’t care how hard you throw a baseball. There ain’t no way you can throw a baseball 60 feet, six inches that I can’t just do like this.’

Bonds also said that baseball legend Willie Mays could hit pitches when he was in his 60’s as well.

Could the seven-time National League MVP send one out of the park?

‘Now, if you’re asking me to do something spectacular, that would take time for my body to get used to at 60,’ Bonds said. ‘But to go up there and hit it? I don’t care how hard you throw it. Long as I can see it, I can hit it.’

Former Dallas Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban had a few thoughts about the trade that sent the NBA in a frenzy.

On Feb. 1, Dallas sent All-NBA guard Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, guard Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick.

Davis, who has an adductor strain injury, has only played one game since the trade, and the Mavericks currently have a 32-30 record, which is good for 10th place in the Western Conference with 19 regular-season games remaining. The Lakers have won eight straight games and are the No. 2 seed in the West.

Cuban, who still owns a minority share in the team, has repeatedly said that he had nothing to do with the trade.

‘If the Mavs are going to trade Luka, that’s one thing,’ Cuban said to WFAA. ‘Just get a better deal. No disrespect to Anthony Davis, but I still firmly believe if we had gotten four unprotected No. 1s and Anthony Davis and Max Christie, this would be a different conversation.’

When asked if he would have traded Dončić if he were still running the Mavericks’ day-to-day business, Cuban said, ‘I’m not going to go there. It doesn’t matter.’

Cuban said the team had a similar situation in 2004 when Steve Nash left in free agency after six seasons with the Mavericks.

‘I went through this before with when Steve Nash left and then won two MVPs. The good news is that we went to the Finals and won a championship,’ Cuban said. ‘So I’ve been through something — but there wasn’t social media back then, so it wasn’t quite the same. You’re going to make mistakes. I think the biggest challenge the Mavs have right now is there’s nobody who’s really outgoing to communicate.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. says that the team’s counteroffer on a new contract extension was much less than what Juan Soto received in free agency.

Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, and recently said that the Blue Jays were one of five teams that offered him more than that, but he ultimately decided to sign with the Mets.

Without a new deal, the 25-year-old Guerrero will hit free agency after the season.

‘It’s much less than Soto. We’re talking about many fewer millions than Soto, more than a hundred million less. … It was the same number of years [as Soto’s contract], but it didn’t reach [$600 million]. The last number we gave them as a counteroffer didn’t reach 600,’ Guerrero said to ESPN.

‘I know the business. I lowered the salary demands a bit, but I also lowered the number of years. I’m looking for 14 [years]. I would like 14, 15, even 20 if they give them to me, but doing it the right way.’

Guerrero said he will concentrate on the season and worry about the contract later. The four-time All-Star hit .323 with 30 home runs and 103 RBI last season for Toronto.

‘There was an exchange [of salary figures]. The meetings lasted until the last day of the deadline, but they [the Blue Jays and Guerrero’s agents] couldn’t reach an agreement on the numbers,’ Guerrero said. ‘But as I’ve always said, just because we couldn’t reach an agreement, I’m not going to change the way I work. I have to keep working,’ he added.