An NCAA committee recommended Thursday that Football Bowl Subdivision teams play a 12-game schedule over 14 weeks beginning in 2027 with the season starting on the Thursday of what is now designated Week 0.

Chelsea have secured Moises Caicedo for the long-term future after the midfielder agreed to a lucrative new contract at Stamford Bridge. The Ecuador international has established himself as a cornerstone of the Blues' project since his high-profile move from Brighton in 2023, and will be rewarded with lucrative fresh terms. Blues reward midfield engine room The 24-year-old had been pushing for improved terms after helping the club win the Conference League and the Club World Cup last season, and has now got his wish - per BBC Sport. Caicedo's previous eight-year contract was signed after his move from Brighton in 2023 in a then British-record 100m deal, rising to 115m, which has since been surpassed by Liverpool's 125m signing of striker Alexander Isak. It is understood the new deal runs to 2033, ensuring the midfield enforcer remains a central figure for Chelsea for the foreseeable future. Strategic renewals at Stamford Bridge The deal is the second in a series of renewals designed to reward Chelsea's top performers, with captain Reece James the first to sign and the club negotiating at least one further agreement before the end of the season. This strategy reflects a shift in policy, moving toward an incentive-based model that rewards on-pitch success and consistency. Chelsea had also agreed a similar pay-rise for positive performances to Cole Palmer early last season, showing a willingness to reward star performers, albeit in an incentive-based structure which is adjusted for hitting certain targets like Champions League qualification. The club clearly views Caicedo as an indispensable asset as they look to climb back to the top of the European game. Legendary ambitions for Caicedo When asked during the international break whether he would ever be interested in a move to Real Madrid, Caicedo said: "I'm focused on my club right now. I want to be a legend." Chelsea regard Caicedo as one of the best midfielders in the world and he is among the club's captains, highlighting his growing leadership role within a young dressing room. Caicedo was the only player to start every Premier League match last season under former boss Enzo Maresca, while this campaign he has been ever present, playing 42 times and scoring five goals from defensive midfield. His durability and tactical intelligence have made him the first name on the team sheet for current head coach Liam Rosenior. Fernandez's future not so clear Meanwhile, midfielder Enzo Fernandez and defender Levi Colwill are among those known to have discussed potential new contracts in the past six months. However, Fernandez is only just returning from a two-game internal ban following comments made during international duty about wanting to live in Spain's capital, amid continuing links with Real Madrid. After the ban was announced by head coach Rosenior, Fernandez's agent Javier Pastore said in an interview with The Athletic: "[He] deserves much more than he is currently earning." Next, Chelsea face Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, with the club sixth in the Premier League and chasing Champions League qualification via at least a fifth-place finish. Fernandez could return to partner Caicedo in the base of midfield.

Bangladesh fast bowler Rubel Hossain has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a career that spanned over a decade.

The 34-year-old Trout is putting up numbers on par with his very best seasons

Entering the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, PA, the Steelers will look to retool and add to their receiver room after a disappointing last season. In 2025, the Steelers traded a 2o25 second-round pick and a seventh-round pick for DK Metcalf, but still ended up lacking a true No. 1 receiver.When the Steelers acquired Metcalf, many fans were excited about the duo of him and George Pickens. Then the Steelers went a different direction.On May 7, 2025, the Steelers traded Pickens to the Cowboys in exchange for a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 fifth-rounder, leaving the room thin again.BREAKING: Steelers to trade WR George Pickens to the Cowboys. (via @rapsheet, @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/Eh9kMstOPu NFL (@NFL) May 7, 2025The Steelers 2025 room consisted of Metcalf, Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson, Adam Thielen, Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek.Now, with the draft coming home in 2026, the Steelers have the potential to add one or two talented receivers to a room making active improvements.The Michael Pittman TradeOn March 13, the Steelers traded for former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., swapping late round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. The trade came a year to the exact date that the Steelers traded for Metcalf in 2025, signaling that General Manager Omar Khan and the organization were looking to add a legitimate No. 2 option in the room.We have acquired WR Michael Pittman Jr. and a 2026 seventh-round pick (230th overall) from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick (214th overall).Pittman has signed a new three-year contract. @BordasLaw: https://t.co/SW6tcxxkFXpic.twitter.com/dVHFiwFFMf Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) March 13, 2026Pittman spent six seasons with the Colts, totaling 485 receptions, 5,254 yards and 25 touchdowns. He spent years playing with a multitude of quarterbacks like Matt Ryan, Daniel Jones, Phillip Rivers, Jacoby Brissett, and many more during that six season stretch. During the 2023 season, Pittman had his best season with 109 receptions, 1,152 yards and four touchdowns.Pittman joins a room with Metcalf, Wilson, and Skowronek remaining as the guys from the 2025 season. Even with uncertainty at the quarterback position, adding a guy like Pittman allows the Steelers to continue to build around a one-two punch.2026 NFL Draft Receiver VisitsWith the NFL draft on the horizon, the Steelers have continued to bring in top-30 visits like Alabamas Germie Bernard, USCs Makai Lemon, UConns Skylar Bell and Washingtons Denzel Boston, to name a few.Bernard in 2025 took snaps between receiver and running back, displaying his positional versatility. Even with receiver Ryan Williams in the fold, Bernard hauled in 64 receptions, 862 yards and seven touchdowns. He also rushed 18 times for 101 yards and two touchdowns.Bernard was brought by the Steelers in on a visit on Monday, April 13, per Alan Saunders.The #Steelers hosted three pre-draft visitors at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex today:Utah OT Spencer FanoAlabama WR Germie BernardArkansas QB Taylen Green Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) April 13, 2026Lemon would be a welcomed addition to the Steelers with instant production should he fall to Pick 21. At USC, Lemon became the 2025 Biletnikoff Award Winner, catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. Lemon became the first USC receiver to win the award since 2012 when Marquise Lee won it.Congrats to @uscfbs Makai Lemon for winning the Biletnikoff Award, given to college footballs most outstanding receiver pic.twitter.com/3XGkNIMCIG Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) December 13, 2025The Jaguars drafted last years Biletnikoff winner, Travis Hunter, with the second pick due to his dual-threat ability to play both sides of the ball. The Cardinals drafted the 2023 winner, Marvin Harrison Jr., with the fourth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. If these two have shown anything, its that these types of talents can come off the board quickly.Boston finished his 2025 season with 62 receptions, 881 yards and 11 touchdowns and has taken multiple top-30 visits. Hes met with teams such as the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens and Washington Commanders.The Steelers have also brought in Bell, Cincinnatis Jeff Caldwell, and Kentuckys Kendrick Law to consider options outside of the first round. Bell thrived at UConn after spending three seasons at Wisconsin and in 2025 he caught 101 receptions for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns.Who Else Should the Steelers ConsiderWR Jordan Hudson SMU MustangsHudson spent one season at TCU before transferring to SMU for three seasons. Hes know to find the end zone, totaling 21 touchdowns between all four seasons. During the 2025 season, Hudson finished with 61 receptions, 766 yards and six touchdowns. He can be a tough tackle and his skills could perfectly blend in with the likes of Metcalf, Pittman, and Wilson.WR Malik Benson Oregon DucksBenson spent three season between the Crimson Tide, Florida State Seminoles and the Ducks and found success with quarterback Dante Moore. With Moore at the helm, he had 43 receptions, 719 yards and six touchdowns. His ability to stretch the field allowed the Ducks offensive to be productive and high flying. With Austin heading to the New York Giants, he could fill his previous role with ease.WR Malachi Fields Notre Dame Fighting IrishFields stands a towering 6-foot-4-inches and would be a guy worth targeting if the Steelers want to play with bigger receivers. The Notre Dame product is not afraid to go up and make ridiculous catches, like he did against the Pittsburgh Panthers and in the Reeses Senior Bowl Practice. Fields not only made highlight catches against Pitt, but finished the game with seven receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns.Before making those plays, he spent four seasons with the Virginia Cavaliers before making the move to Notre Dame. In his last seasons with Virginia he had back to back 800 yard seasons and had 10 touchdowns. In 2025, he caught 36 passes for 680 yards and five touchdowns.WHAT A CATCH BY MALACHI FIELDS Watch No. 9 Notre Dame vs. No. 22 Pittsburgh Panthers on ABC and the ESPN App https://t.co/CFYySAqkwBpic.twitter.com/zESKRvd9YR SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 15, 2025HE DID IT AGAIN Malachi Fields=human highlight film #GoIrishpic.twitter.com/vzw0ERXBIg Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) November 15, 2025WR Elijah Sarratt Indiana HoosiersIf the Steelers are unable to land Omar Cooper Jr., landing Sarratt would still be a high quality pickup. Sarratt stands 6-foot-2-inches and spent his last two seasons at Indiana after spending his 2023 season with James Madison. In his two seasons with the Hoosiers, hes totaled 118 receptions, 1,787 yards, and 23 touchdowns. Sarratt has shades of Keenan Allen and would be a great receiver who could move the chains to keep drives alive.Steelers QB SituationEven with the Steelers looking to improve their receiver room, the quarterback position remains uncertain. With no commitment from Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard and Mason Rudolph are the only quarterbacks on the roster. Howard was a sixth round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft with no NFL experience and Rudolph is in the last year of his two-year deal he signed last offseason.The Steelers will look to add a quarterback and have hosted Miamis Carson Beck, Arkansas Taylen Green and North Dakota States Cole Payton on top 30 visits. Other quarterbacks like LSUs Garrett Nussmeier and Penn States Drew Allar could also be in the mix as well depending on who Mike McCarthy wants to invest in.The post How Can Steelers Improve Modest Wide Receiver Room in 2026 Draft? appeared first on The Lead.

A district court judge has granted Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke a preliminary injunction, handing him an additional year of eligibility in 2026.

Florentino Perez has delivered a scathing assessment of Real Madrid's current predicament, visiting the dressing room in Munich to label the club's trophy drought as an "intolerable failure." The club president made his feelings known directly to the players and coaching staff following their Champions League elimination at the hands of Bayern Munich. Perez delivers a harsh reality check In the immediate aftermath of the defeat in Munich, where Real Madrid lost 4-3 in the Champions League quarterfinal second leg, exiting the competition with a 6-4 aggregate score. Perez descended to the dressing room to address the squad directly, according to Diario Sport. While he initially acknowledged the effort put in on the night, his tone quickly shifted to one of severe disappointment. "I appreciate your effort today, but the season has been a true disappointment for everyone," Perez is said to have told the gathered players and staff, maintaining a very serious expression throughout the short meeting. "You know the demands that come with being Real Madrid players. A season without titles is a failure because we are Real Madrid, but two seasons without winning titles is intolerable." New signings fail to make an impact The report adds that a significant point of contention for the hierarchy has been the lack of contribution from high-priced summer arrivals. Real Madrid invested nearly 180 million in four key reinforcements - Trent Alexander-Arnold, Franco Mastantuono, Alvaro Carreras, and Dean Huijsen. Only English full-back Alexander-Arnold started the crucial clash in Munich. Mastantuono was limited to a stoppage-time cameo, while Carreras and Huijsen remained unused substitutes, raising concerns over the recruitment strategy. Further compounding the frustration is the situation surrounding Brazilian starlet Endrick. After the club spent 60 million to secure his services, the striker was sent on loan to Olympique Lyon in January following a decision by former coach Xabi Alonso. Arbeloa's uncertain future in the dugout While Alvaro Arbeloa remains in charge for now, his long-term future at the helm appears non-existent. Perez intends to keep the former defender in the dugout until the end of the current campaign, but this is widely seen as a move to buy time while the club searches for a permanent successor. The current season has been split between Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa, but neither has been able to put Madrid back on course for silverware. Perez touched upon the lack of identity currently felt at the club, particularly after Madrid fielded a starting XI in the Champions League without a single Spanish player for the first time in club history. A demand for dignity in the final stretch Before leaving the dressing room, Perez issued a final ultimatum to his players regarding the remaining six matches of the La Liga season. He demanded that they "finish at least with dignity this season," with a high-profile Clasico against Barcelona at the Camp Nou looming on May 10. The president's words served as a reminder that even if trophies are out of reach, the professional standards of the club must be upheld until the final whistle on May 24. "You know that being a Real Madrid player is a privilege for a footballer and everyone wants to wear our club's shirt. Besides being a privilege, it also carries a responsibility to wear this shirt and many of you have not fulfilled that responsibility. You have not lived up to the club's demands," Perez stated during his address. Real are currently nine points behind leaders Barca, with a home game against Alaves up next.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Wednesday that Iran will participate in the World Cup "for sure" despite its war with the United States.

SportsLine NHL analyst Scott Erskine gives an overview of the Eastern Conference matchup between Tampa Bay and Montreal in the opening round of the postseason

Mike Brown turns competitive amid James Dolan's Knicks NBA Finals ultimatum originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.For a team as big as the New York Knicks, progression and excellence are always the mantra. Owner James Dolan has seen this team go a long way but was fairly tired of the recent plateau from not winning the Larry O'Brien trophy. So, he dropped a big ultimatum for Coach Mike Brown, whether it was a call of impatience is still debatable. Regardless, the head coach is ready for the challenge and even Jalen Brunson responded positively to it.Coach Brown heeds Knicks owner's NBA Finals ultimatumA lot of breakthroughs happened since Coach Mike Brown took over for the Knicks. Jalen Brunson has led the team to 53 wins which is the best record they have gotten since Carmelo Anthony got the team a 54-win record in 2013. But, none of those will matter if the Knicks do not win enough in the postseason.How much is enough? Well, James Dolan expects them to win all the way to the NBA Finals. The Knicks owner will likely look in another direction if his expectations are not met. A lot of coaches will crack under pressure but Brown is different. He responded with a very competitive spirit before they started their postseason campaign, via James L. Edwards III of The Athletic."I dont even think about the last part of the question. Everybody in that locker room has a competitive spirit that I like, and I can say is unmatched. I love the group. Were competing, not just for 53 wins; were competing, like everyone else is, to win it. Were concentrating on practice tomorrow, getting ready for Atlanta. Our competitive spirit is there, and its not something that we take lightly," the Knicks head coach said.Brown has gotten the Knicks to improve on a lot of fronts during the regular season. He got them the third-best offensive rating in the league of 119.8 which was huge compared to Tom Thibodeau who only got them up to fifth. Their defensive rating also showed signs of massive improvement under Brown. The 14th-best defense in the league back in 2025 rose all the way up to seventh with an astounding defensive rating valued at 113.3.The Knicks have done everything but plateau in the last few months. Improvements have been apparent which means they have the tools to heed Dolan's ultimatum of reaching the NBA Finals.More Knicks News:How Jalen Brunson is approaching James Dolan, Knicks' NBA Finals expectationKarl-Anthony Towns says Knicks aren't at their best yet as NBA Playoffs nearJalen Brunson drops Knicks' NBA Playoffs plan after losing two-straight games