Three U.S. Olympic winter sport national governing bodies have changed the name of their Milan hospitality space over concerns about ICE protests in Italy during the Olympics, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports on Sunday afternoon. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. 

U.S. Figure Skating, USA Hockey and U.S. Speedskating decided to change the name of The Ice House to The Winter House.

‘Our hospitality concept was designed to be a private space free of distractions where athletes, their families, and friends can come together to celebrate the unique experience of the Winter Games. This name captures that vision and connects to the season and the event,” the NGBs said in a joint statement provided to USA TODAY Sports.

The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee usually hosts athletes and sponsors at USA House during the Games. However, with the far-flung venues of the 2026 Milan-Cortino Olympics, that wasn’t possible at these Games, so the three sports headquartered in Milan, all played or performed on ice, decided to put together their own hospitality venue. 

Over the weekend, protests over the presence of ICE agents at the Olympics drew hundreds in Milan.

This is a developing story.

The number of Black head coaches in the NFL is decreasing in 2026.

During this year’s hiring cycle, the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans all had vacancies for head coach positions. In total, 10 head coaching positions were available.

One week before Super Bowl 60, as the calendar shifted to Sunday, Feb. 1, all head coach openings have been accounted for. The Cardinals announced they hired Mike LaFleur to be their head coach and the Raiders are expected to make Klint Kubiak their head coach, filling the final two head-coach vacancies.

Out of the 10 head coaching jobs available during the 2026 hiring cycle, Robert Saleh, who was hired by the Titans, represents the only minority hire this year.

No Black head coaches were hired. A statistic that puts a dark cloud over the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which was established in 2003 to increase diversity in coaching and management.

The reality of Black head coaches being shut out during this year’s cycle has already caused backlash on social media.

The NFL is set to enter the 2026 season with just three Black head coaches. A stark contrast to the representation on the field where roughly 70% of NFL players are Black.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

WNBA All-Star Caitlin Clark made her debut as a basketball analyst on ‘Basketball Night in America’ on Sunday, Feb. 1.

Clark, who served as a special contributor for the Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden, weighed in on the continuing WNBA labor strife. The next meeting between the WNBA and players’ union to reach a new collective bargaining agreement will be Monday. It has been more than a month since the WNBA received the union’s latest proposal.

“Honestly, I don’t think it’s just a big moment for the WNBA. I think all of women’s sports,’ Clark said. ‘I think this is one of the biggest moments we’ve ever had.“I feel very confident that we’re going to get something done … We’re in this moment because of the product we put on the floor.”

The meeting Monday will take place in New York City with members of the WNBPA leadership committee and labor relations committee, led by WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, which also includes a handful of WNBA owners.

The 2026 WNBA season is scheduled to begin May 8. It will be the league’s 30th season, provided the WNBA and the players’ union come to an agreement.

Beyond WNBA talk, Clark appeared on the pregame show alongside Reggie Miller, Carmelo Anthony and Maria Taylor. The 6-footer joked later that the trio made her feel short.

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The unseasonably cold Florida weather was probably a sign that the 2026 NHL Stadium Series would be anything but usual.

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins delivered in 40-degree weather at Raymond James Stadium with a wild, back-and-forth game that featured a goalie fight and a 6-5 shootout win for the home team.

Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel set an outdoor game record by scoring 11 seconds into the game. The Bruins shook that off by scoring five goals against Andrei Vasilevskiy, one of the best goalie in the league.

But Boston self-destructed, falling into penalty trouble and giving up three power-play goals as Tampa Bay pulled to within 5-4 by the end of the second period.

Some of those penalty minutes went to Vasilevskiy and Swayman, who dropped the gloves and gave the NHL its second goalie fight in two weeks after none in the past six years.

Nikita Kucherov completed the comeback with a third-period goal that gave him four points, one short of the outdoor game record set by the New York Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad at last month’s Winter Classic.

Tampa Bay had never come back from a four-goal deficit to win and Jake Guentzel made that happen with a shootout goal against future U.S. Olympic teammate Swayman.

The only drawback for the Lightning was losing Anthony Cirelli in a game in which captain Victor Hedman returned from elbow surgery.

Tampa Bay, which has 17 wins in its last 19 games, moved into the Eastern Conference lead with the Olympic break approaching. The Bruins lost for only the third time in their last 13 games in the ultracompetitive Atlantic Division.

USA TODAY provided live updates from the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins Stadium Series game. Here are game highlights:

Lightning vs Bruins highlights

Final score: Lightning 6, Bruins 5 (SO)

This is the first time in franchise history that the Lightning have come back from a four-goal deficit to win a game. Goalie combatants Jeremy Swayman and Andrei Vasilevskiy share a laugh in the handshake line.

Shootout third period

Jake Guentzel scores for Tampa Bay and David Pastrnak hits the post. Lightning win 6-5.

Shootout second round

Nikita Kucherov and Fraser Minten are stopped.

Shootout first round

Gage Goncalves and Casey Mittelstadt are stopped.

Lightning power play

Boston is short-handed again with Hampus Lindholm in the penalty box. Jeremy Swayman stops Brandon Hagel with half a second left. And we’re going to a shootout.

Lightning power play

David Pastrnak called for slashing. Nikita Kucherov hits the post. Boston kills penalty.

David Pastrnak penalty wipes out goal

Not sure why play was allowed to continue.

Overtime underway

5-5.

End of third: Lightning 5, Bruins 5

We’re heading to overtime. Nikita Kucherov forced it with a goal, his fourth point of the game.

Nikita Kucherov ties game

His one-timer ties the game with 8:10 left in the third period. That’s four points for him. Lightning 5, Bruins 5

Midway through third period

Still 5-4 Boston. Only seven shots so far in this period.

Anthony Cirelli injury update

The Lightning announce that Anthony Cirelli will not return to the game. He was hit by Mark Kastelic in the first period. He has been named to Team Canada.

Third period underway

5-4 Bruins. Anyone’s game. Bruins will have to stay out of the penalty box.

End of second: Bruins 5, Lightning 4

What a wild period. It looked like the Bruins were going to make this a blowout and then they got into penalty trouble. Tampa Bay scores three power play goals in that period. Plus we had a goalie fight between Jeremy Swayman and Andrei Vasilevskiy. Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov and Brandon Hagel are up to three points in the game, as is Boston’s Morgan Geekie.

Lightning score two quick goals

The Bruins keep taking penalties and the Lightning connect. First it’s Darren Raddysh, then it’s Nick Paul 23 seconds later. Both on the power play. Bruins 5, Lightning 4

Lightning power play

Boston goalie Jeremy Swayman gets another penalty, this time for putting the puck over the glass. And now it’s 5-on-3 for 1:48 as Tanner Jeannot goes to the penalty box.

Bruins kill penalty

Boston kills the penalty to Mark Kastelic.

Goalie fight! Jeremy Swayman vs Andrei Vasilevskiy

Jeremy Swayman goes after Brandon Hagel in a scrum. Andrei Vasilevskiy skates down the ice. Swayman sees him and goes out to confront him. Each gets five minutes for fighting and two minutes for leaving the crease.

Lightning power play

Mark Kastelic heads to the penalty box for roughing. Tampa Bay back immediately on the power play.

Oliver Bjorkstrand scores for Lightning

He puts in a loose puck for a power play goal that cuts the Lightning to three goals. Things get feisty afterward as Lightning players go after Mark Kastelic, who roughed Jake Guentzel.

Lightning power play

Charlie McAvoy is called for roughing. Needless to say, the Lightning need to score here.

Morgan Geekie scores again

David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie come down the ice on a 2-on-1. Not much the Lightning can do to stop that. That’s 32 goals for Geekie. Bruins 5, Lightning 1

Matthew Poitras adds to Bruins rout

He’s skating down the slot and backhands a shot over Andrei Vasilevskiy’s shoulder. Poitras was just called up and that’s his first goal of the year. Bruins 4, Lightning 1

Anthony Cirelli injury update

The Lightning forward isn’t on the bench to start the second period. He was hit by Boston’s Mark Kastelic late in the first period.

Second period underway

3-1 Bruins.

Victor Hedman ice time

Lightning captain Victor Hedman played 4:25 in the first period in his return from a 22-game injury absence. He had one shot. He told ESPN’s Emily Kaplan that his legs feel good but he needs to work on his timing with his hands.

Jon Cooper suit

Outdoor games also give NHL coaches a chance to wear something different. Lightning coach Jon Cooper chose a white suit and hat with an open red shirt and a gold chain.

End of first: Bruins 3, Lightning 1

The Bruins gave up a Brandon Hagel goal 11 seconds into the game then went to work. They dominated that period, outshooting Tampa Bay 20-8. After Alex Steeves tied the game, the Bruins went ahead on tip-in goals by Morgan Geekie and Viktor Arvidsson. Charlie McAvoy took the shots that were tipped.

Viktor Arvidsson adds to Bruins lead

Nice tip on the power play by Viktor Arvidsson. Charlie McAvoy picks up his second assist of the game and Morgan Geekie gets his second point. Bruins 3, Lightning 1

Bruins power play

Jake Guentzel is called for tripping. Bruins are 0-for-2 so far on the power play.

Morgan Geekie gives Bruins the lead

Charlie McAvoy throws a puck toward the net and Morgan Geekie tips it in. That’s 31 goals for Geekie. Bruins 2, Lightning 1

Alex Steeves ties it up for Bruins

Alex Steeves is in the slot and rips a shot past Andrei Vasilevskiy after getting a pass from Mikey Eyssimont. Lightning 1, Bruins 1

Bruins power play

Pontus Holmberg is called for tripping David Pastrnak. NHL rookie of the month Fraser Minten is getting time on the top unit because Pavel Zacha and Elias Lindholm are out with injuries. Tampa Bay kills it off.

Bruins power play

Dominic James is called for high-sticking. Charlie McAvoy goes down but is fine. He’s wearing a shield from his earlier broken jaw. The Boston power play doesn’t last long because Viktor Arvidsson is called for tripping five seconds in. It’s 4-on-4.

Lightning score 11 seconds in

Brandon Hagel gets the goal, set up by Nikita Kucherov. It sets an outdoor record. Pittsburgh’s Colby Armstrong had held the record of 21 seconds in the inaugural Winter Classic in 2008. 1-0 Lightning.

Game underway

Lightning vs. Bruins

When is Lightning vs. Bruins Stadium Series game start time?

The Stadium Series game between the Lightning and Bruins is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 1.

Where is Lightning vs. Bruins Stadium Series game?

The game will be played at Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL’s Buccaneers.

How to watch Lightning vs. Bruins Stadium Series game

The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

How to stream Lightning vs. Bruins Stadium Series game

The game can be streamed on Fubo. An ASL broadcast will be on ESPN+.

What is the weather forecast for the Stadium Series game?

It’s expected to be 42 degrees at puck drop and could drop to 38 by game’s end.

Game time temperature

Players are walking toward the rink. It’s 41 degrees out.

Lightning lines

The Anthony Cirelli line is scheduled to start.

Bruins lines

The Minten line is scheduled to start.

Stadium Series goalie matchup

Boston’s Jeremy Swayman vs. Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Bruins, Lightning records in outdoor games

The Bruins are 4-1 in outdoor games, going 3-1 in the Winter Classic and winning the game played next to next Tahoe. The Lightning are 1-0, winning in Nashville in 2022.

Brandon Hagel drops F-bomb in ESPN interview

Brandon Hagel, talking about teammate Nikita Kucherov, dropped an F-bomb in his description before realizing what he said. ‘My language just goes to prove how good this guy is,’ he said.

Victor Hedman activated, will returned to action

Lightning captain Victor Hedman has been activated from the injured list after missing 22 games following a procedure on his elbow. He missed 12 games earlier in the season. This will be his fourth game since Nov. 8. Hedman will also play for Sweden in the Olympics.

Bruins, Lightning players arrive: What are they wearing?

Outdoor games give NHL players a chance to wear coordinated outfits, from the Flyers dressing as Rocky to players wearing baseball uniforms to the Blue Jackets paying tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau.

So what did the Bruins and Lightning wear on Sunday as they arrived?

The Bruins dressed as patriots (not the football team), complete with colonial-era tri-corner hats.

And the Lightning did wear football gear, dressing in throwback creamsicle Buccaneers uniforms that the Tampa football team wears in Raymond James Stadium. Buccaneers players Baker Mayfield and Tristan Wirfs led the way.

“The obvious would have been pirates, obviously, with Gasparilla weekend,’ Lightning captain Victor Hedman told reporters. ‘But we get to use their stadium, so we wanted to return the favor.’

Stadium Series ice gets negative reviews

The Bruins and Lightning practiced on Saturday while the rink was still inside the tent. One player from each side had a negative review.

“It’s real soft,’ Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy said, according to WEEI. ‘Obviously we get it after they practiced on it. I don’t know how many people skated on it before, but yeah, it’s not great.”

Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov agreed, according to the Tampa Bay Times: ‘It’s fun, but the ice? Man, come on. You can’t do Formula 1 in the (expletive) dirt, you know?”

Lightning owner Jeff Vinik will miss game

Lightning team owner Jeff Vinik was schedules to miss Sunday’s game because he suffered a ‘major leg fracture’ when he was snowmobiling during a recent vacation with his children.

‘He is currently under the care of exceptional medical professionals and is expected to make a full recovery,’ Vinik Sports Group said in a statement last week. ‘While we are grateful he is doing well, the extent of the injury means he will unfortunately be unable to attend the Stadium Series game on Sunday.’

One of the most impressive records in NBA history lives on.

The NBA announced this year’s All-Star Game reserves before the debut of NBC’s ‘Sunday Night Basketball’ and LeBron James – not voted a starter for the first time since his rookie season two weeks ago – kept his record streak going and was named an All-Star for the 22nd consecutive year.)

James, 41, saw his other record of 20 consecutive All-Star appearances end last season when he was a last-minute scratch from the game due to ankle and foot soreness. He’s also the All-Star Game’s scoring leader with 434 points.

There is a chance for James to be a ‘starter’ in an unofficial sense in this year’s game due to the new format – three teams of at least eight players will compete in a ‘USA vs. the World’ round robin-style tournament.

Here’s the full list of this year’s All-Stars:

2026 NBA All-Star Game starters

Eastern Conference

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks,
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics,
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

Western Conference

Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

2026 NBA All-Star reserves

Eastern Conference

Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
Karl Anthony-Towns, New York Knicks
Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
Norman Powell, Miami Heat
Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons

Western Conference

Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

The Boston Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman and the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy squared off in the second period with Boston up 5-2 and tensions high.

During the Lightning’s second consecutive power play, a scrum broke out as Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel slashed Boston’s Charlie McAvoy. Swayman jumped into the fray, which led Vasilevskiy to start skating down the ice.

Swayman noticed and skated toward Vasilevskiy. Once the gloves and masks were off, the two threw a few punches at each other at center ice before the on-ice officials intervened.

‘I saw Sway just swinging the blocker and it was an instinct just to run toward the red line,’ Vasilevskiy told ESPN. ‘and he accepted the challenge, so thanks to him, he gave me my first (fight) in the NHL.’

Asked by ESPN analyst and former NHL goalie Kevin Weekes if he had a fight elsewhere previously, Vasilevskiy replied: ‘Just on the street, yes. It’s not the same.’

‘That was just an experience of a lifetime,’ he added about the fight with Swayman. ‘I’ll remember that for a long time. It was unreal.’

Sunday’s fight took place on the sixth anniversary of the Cam Talbot-Mike Smith fight in 2020. There had been no goalie fights since then until Jan. 19, 2026, when Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky and San Jose’s Alex Nedelkovic squared off.

Two of the biggest names in the Big Ten took it outside this weekend as Penn State hosted Michigan State at Beaver Stadium. The Spartans got the ‘W’ and put a stamp on matters by winning on the Friday indoors, as well. But it won’t be the only time we see them in a marquee match-up: Michigan State is slated to play North Dakota in Austin, Texas next season in what should be another fun clash.

Neutral-location games and tournaments have been a cool part of the college schedule in recent years, including forays into Ireland. Would they ever venture up to Canada, given how many players are now hailing from the Great White North? It might be controversial to stomp on major junior turf, but it might also be fun.

In the meantime, here’s a look at the top teams in the nation right now:

1. Michigan Wolverines (22-4-0)

Back off a bye week, the Wolverines suffered no rust, knocking over Ohio State in two straight. Senior T.J. Hughes leads the team in scoring with 38 points in 26 games and he’ll be a college free agent to watch once the season is done. His hockey IQ is excellent, though pace might be an issue at the next level.

2. Michigan State Spartans (21-5-0)

Sweeping Penn State made a pretty big statement: The Big Ten is officially a two-horse race. Luckily for the Spartans, they get another crack at the other titan when they face Michigan next weekend. Charlie Stramel (MIN) had a hat trick in the outdoor game against the Nittany Lions and continues his red-hot campaign.

3. North Dakota Fighting Hawks (20-6-0)

The class of the NCHC right now had the weekend off and will hit the road for a series against Minnesota-Duluth next week. That’ll be a good challenge for the Fighting Hawks, who have a coveted free agent of their own in defenseman Jake Livanavage. His all-around game has really improved over the years and it may land him an NHL deal.

4. Providence College Friars (16-7-2)

The Friars only played once this weekend, a 3-2 overtime victory over Maine. But that pushed their win streak to seven games and their February schedule is very favorable. Could we finally see someone taking the reins in Hockey East? Roger McQueen (ANA) still leads the offense with 23 points in 25 games.

5. Quinnipiac Bobcats (20-5-3)

A blowout win over St. Lawrence followed by a tie/shootout loss to Clarkson keeps the Bobcats on the plus side of things and it’s hard to see that changing too much down the stretch unless something drastic happens. With Ethan Wyttenbach (CGY) now leading the nation in scoring with 41 points in 28 games, they’ll probably be fine, though.

6. Denver Pioneers (16-11-2)

If you don’t like how the NCHC is looking, just wait a week. Denver is back in the top 10 here after sweeping Minnesota-Duluth and have now won four of five. The Pioneers are a veteran squad who know how to win a title, it’s just a matter of putting it all together now. Defenseman Eric Pohlkamp (SJ) leads the team in scoring with 28 points in 29 games.

7. Cornell Big Red (16-5-0)

The bears of Ithaca picked up two wins on the weekend, meaning they lost only one game in all of January – and that was to Quinnipiac. Cornell is led offensively by Jonathan Castagna (UTA) and Ryan Walsh (BOS), both of whom are putting up a point per game or better. Alexis Cournoyer (MTL) remains hot in the crease.

8. Western Michigan Broncos (19-7-0)

A loss to last-place Omaha was pretty shocking, but off nights can happen to anyone. Still, the Broncos have to get dinged for such a transgression. That setback snapped a 10-game win streak for both Western Michigan and star goaltender Hampton Slukynsky (LA). Let’s see what they do against Miami next weekend.

9. Penn State Nittany Lions (18-8-0)

The Nittany Lions ran into some cold reality on the weekend – and I’m not talking about the weather in Happy Valley. Getting swept by Michigan State drops them a tier and now they have two weeks to think about the top-ranked Wolverines, their next opponent. At least Gavin McKenna (2026 draft) stuck up for Aiden Fink (NSH) when he was drilled by Cayden Lindstrom (CBJ).

10. Connecticut Huskies (15-7-3)

Honestly, the Huskies benefitted from simply not playing this weekend: Other programs lost or split, while UConn had a bye. They only have one game next weekend, against Northeastern, so this will be a rested squad down the stretch. Tyler Muszelik (FLA) has been a great story in net with a .930 save percentage.

Spring Training hasn’t even started, and the Chicago White Sox have already taken their first L of 2026.

The Southsiders’ social media account rung in the first day of Black History Month on Sunday with a timeline looking back ‘upon momentous firsts for the White Sox organization.’ Some of the more notable moments included Comiskey Park hosting the first Negro Leagues All-Star Game in 1933, Al Smith becoming the organization’s first Black All-Star in 1960 and current manager Will Venable becoming the third Black White Sox manager in team history and one of two active Black managers in 2024.

But there was one glaring omission.

Frank Thomas, the club’s all-time leader in home runs (448), RBIs (1,465), runs scored (1,327), doubles (447), walks (1,466), on-base percentage (.427), slugging percentage (.568), and total bases (3,949), was absent aside from a brief mention under Dick Allen’s MVP section. None of his franchise records, five All-Star appearances, four Silver Sluggers, AL batting title — or his streak of seven consecutive seasons with at least a .300 average, 100 RBIs, 100 runs scored, 100 walks and 20 home runs from 1991-1997 — were in the post.

And the Big Hurt himself noticed.

‘I Guess the black player who made you rich over there and holds all your records is forgettable!’ he said in a reply to the post. ‘Don’t worry I’m taking Receipts!’

Thomas’ tweet ratioed the White Sox with over 2,000 likes and 218 retweets compared to 264 likes and 88 retweets on the original post as of 2:00 p.m. ET.