Happy New Year 2025

Category: Sports

Brittney Griner exits: WNBA star found threatening note ahead of speech

Brittney Griner, a 10-time WNBA All-Star, was a no-show for a speaking engagement she was booked for just outside of Washington, D.C.

The Atlanta Dream center’s decision stemmed from a note she discovered near the entrance to her hotel room in National Harbor, Maryland. Griner was scheduled to speak at the Women Grow Leadership Summit on Feb. 17. But, event organizers informed attendees that Griner pulled out after she saw “threatening objects and words” outside her hotel room.

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Oct 29, 2024; Phoenix, Ariz, U.S.; WNBA player Brittney Griner joins Poder Latinx to promote “Cabalgata to the Polls”, a horseback riding event and live Banda music to celebrate National Vote Early Day. (Joe Rondone/The Republic/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

The note in question contained the words “Gay Baby Jail,” WUSA 9 reported. The words appeared to be written on a piece of duct tape.

The Prince George’s County Police Department confirmed the launch of an investigation at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, the site of the conference.

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“Detectives have learned the phrase ‘gay baby jail’ is commonly used as a video game reference,” a statement from police obtained by TMZ Sports read. “At the time the tape was located, a large convention was taking place at the Gaylord which attracts thousands of people, many with an interest in anime as well as video game enthusiasts. At this time, detectives have uncovered no link to or threat against the guest who located the tape.”

Gold medallist Brittney Griner of United States holds the U.S. flag. (REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein)

Women Grow is an organization that brings women together with the goal of promoting leadership within the cannabis industry. Women Grow CEO Dr. Chanda Macias told WUSA9 that the hotel staff claimed the message was a cruel joke which a previous guest left, which was ultimately not removed by housekeeping.

“I don’t know what their protocols are, but I don’t know why rooms wouldn’t be cleaned,” Macias said.

Investigators did add that “detectives are working to determine who placed the piece of tape, when it was done and the intention behind it.”

A 2013 interview with Sports Illustrated is believed to have marked the first time Griner pubically discussed her sexuality. During the interview, Griner was asked about the differences in public acceptance as it related to male athletes vs. female athletes revealing their sexuality.

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner pauses on the court during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm, Sept. 3, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

“I really couldn’t give an answer on why that’s so different,” Griner told the outlet at the time. “Being one that’s out, it’s just being who you are. Again, like I said, just be who you are.” Griner added that she did not prioritize what others thought of her personal life.

“Don’t worry about what other people are going to say, because they’re always going to say something, but, if you’re just true to yourself, let that shine through. Don’t hide who you really are,” she said.

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Griner, a two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, has been married to Cherelle Griner, since 2019. The couple welcomed their first child together in July 2024.

Griner spent the first 11 seasons of her WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury. She signed a contract with the Dream in January.

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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 19, 2025
Warriors’ Jimmy Butler faces ‘crybaby’ slight from NBA great

Jimmy Butler saw his trade wish granted by the Miami Heat, but one Basketball Hall of Famer called him a “crybaby” for how it all went down.

Tim Hardaway Sr. commented on Butler’s eventual trade to the Golden State Warriors, a team the former became a star with in the 1990s, during a SiriusXM NBA Radio appearance.

“I didn’t agree with what he was doing — you’re under contract,” Hardaway said.

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Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler (10) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

“[Butler’s] a baby. [He’s] a crybaby because they said no to you.”

Heat president Pat Riley initially said the team had no intentions of trading Butler back in December after reports came out that he preferred to be moved.

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However, Butler’s response to that was ultimately something that led to “conduct detrimental to the team.”

What did Butler do? He reportedly walked out of a practice and missed a team flight for a road trip, leading to suspensions on both occasions.

Finally, the Heat gave in before the NBA trade deadline, sending Butler to the Warriors.

Former Golden State Warriors player Tim Hardaway speaks to the media before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Chase Center. (Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

How Butler handled everything is something Hardaway couldn’t fathom in his playing days.

“We used to get said ‘no’ to us all the time, and we used to know how to take it,” he explained. “It is what it is. It’s a question. You get a yes or a no. You might not like the question, but you can’t deviate and mess up the team.”

Butler has requested trades in the past, especially during his sour ending in Minnesota with the Timberwolves. However, he isn’t the only NBA star to do so in recent seasons, as James Harden and Kawhi Leonard can attest.

And as Hardaway mentioned, stars in the past also requested trades, but had those denied. How Butler handled the situation, though, is different than what Hardaway has seen.

Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler (10) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

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Since the trade, Butler has played four games with his new Warriors squad, averaging 21.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists in those contests. Golden State won three of those four games.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 19, 2025
Ravens lineman Ben Cleveland arrested in Georgia on DUI charge

Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Ben Cleveland was arrested on a DUI charge in Georgia last week after law enforcement said he nearly swerved into a ditch, according to multiple reports.

Cleveland, who was drafted out of Georgia by the Ravens in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft, was charged Wednesday with DUI and failure to maintain a lane.

Baltimore Ravens guard Ben Cleveland (Mark Konezny-Imagn Images)

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A deputy with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office saw his black pickup truck weaving between lanes at around 10:30 p.m before witnessing that the vehicle “entered the opposite lane of travel, nearly going into the ditch,” the Associated Press reported, citing an incident report.

During the traffic stop, authorities said Cleveland admitted to the deputy that he had consumed between three and four beers while at a nearby country club but had nothing in the last two hours.

Baltimore Ravens guard Ben Cleveland (AP Photo/Terrance Williams/File)

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According to FOX 5 Atlanta, the NFL player underwent a series of field sobriety tests, including a breathalyzer, which showed that he had a blood alcohol content of 0.178, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08.

He was reportedly released the following day on bond.

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Cleveland, a standout at Georgia where he was a first-team All-SEC pick, has appeared in 54 games for Baltimore.

Then-Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Ben Cleveland in 2019 (Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports)

Fox News Digital reached out to the Ravens for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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February 19, 2025
NFL retracts Joe Mixon’s fine after appeal proves victorious

NFL star Joe Mixon’s wallet will not be $25,000 lighter.

The league overturned the fine it previously handed down after the Houston Texans running back directed some criticism at the referees in a playoff game last month.

The Texans suffered a 23-14 loss to the eventual AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 18. Mixon received the fine for his comments after the game and after the Texans’ defense was penalized twice for hits on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

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Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (IMAGN)

In a letter to Mixon, appeals officer Chris Palmer said during the hearing process it was determined that Mixon “did not necessarily publicly criticize the officials.”

When asked about the officiating after the game, Mixon said, “Everybody knows how it is playing up here.”

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“You can never leave it into the refs’ hands,” Mixon said. “The whole world sees, man, what it is. When it comes down to it, you can never leave it into the refs’ hands. It’s all good, though.”

The letter added that “integrity of the game and its officials is the responsibility of everyone involved in the NFL.”

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (Troy Taormina-Imagn Images)

“During the appeal hearing, you stated what you meant by your statements referring to the officials,” Palmer said in the letter. “As you know, statements can be interpreted differently by every individual and it seems like you clearly understand the weight and detriment of public criticism towards officials can be, given how impactful your platform is as a player, which I appreciate.”

Mixon was originally fined for a comment former Cincinnati receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh posted on social media.

“Why play the game if every 50/50 call goes with the Chiefs,” Houshmandzadeh wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, in a show of his apparent agreement with the running back.

Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images/File)

The remark was incorrectly attributed to Mixon in a Sports Illustrated story.

Later in the day, he was fined.

The NFL reissued the fine for the comments Mixon actually made. Sports Illustrated also corrected the error where the comment on X from Houshmandzadeh was attributed to him.

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Mixon finished the divisional round game against the Chiefs with 88 rushing yards. He appeared in 14 regular-season games during his first season with the Texans, rushing for 1,016 yards.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 19, 2025
Caitlin Clark is ‘Taylor Swift 2.0’, new Indiana Fever coach says

Seeing the meteoric rise of Caitlin Clark’s celebrity on and off the court has new Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White seeing only one comparison.

“She’s very much Taylor Swift 2.0,” White told The Athletic during a Q&A interview.

Clark’s fame from her days at Iowa, where she became the NCAA’s all-time leading Division I scorer for both men and women, only rose this past season after she was selected No. 1 overall by the Fever.

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The Indiana Fever welcome Stephanie White as their new head coach Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, during a press conference held on Salesforce Court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (IMAGN)

Clark went on to win Rookie of the Year, while also making the WNBA All-Star team. And she broke numerous rookie and league records on the way to ultimately being named TIME’s Athlete of the Year.

With heightened fame, Clark has faced criticism on and off the court, and every movement is naturally dissected by those looking on.

So, Clark’s ability to manage that rapid rise in fame while still being dedicated to her craft is the reason why White can’t help but compare her to the world’s biggest pop star.

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“I think first and foremost, she does an outstanding job of managing it all,” White explained to The Athletic. “Like, she’s incredibly humble. She understands the big picture. So, she views it understanding her celebrity, No. 1. But No. 2, she’s a Midwest kid, a Midwest person, and she is who she is. She tries to live her life in an authentic way. But she’s very much Taylor Swift 2.0.”

White, who was hired in November 2024 after Christie Sides was relieved of her duties, said it’s up to her and her staff to “protect her” as that celebrity status continues to grow.

“So, I think from my perspective, and from our staff and franchise, it’s how do we help her navigate all of this? How do we help her protect her peace? Because it can be a lot. How can we be a resource for her? It’s a different level now with social media and fan engagement. We want to be a resource and help protect her.”

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) plays against the Dallas Wings in the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

It feels right White compared Clark to Swift considering their connection that has already been seen in public. Clark and Swift were spotted watching a Kansas City Chiefs playoff game last month, sitting next to each other in a suite at Arrowhead Stadium.

Also, Clark was spotted at Swift’s Eras Tour on multiple stops this past year, as she is a big fan of her music.

Like Swift, Clark is certainly hoping to continue making an impact in her field by the year, and White touched on the offseason work that shows her a “stronger” point guard on her roster.

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“She’s got a lot of self-awareness,” White said of Clark. “She figured out right away that ‘I need to get stronger. I can’t get knocked around as much.’ She’s done a great job of getting in the weight room and focusing on her strength, in terms of low center of gravity, time under tension, all of those things. I think the next step is efficiency. Not so many turnovers, higher field goal percentages.”

The Fever have also been proactive in getting some more talent around Clark and Aliyah Boston, most notably adding two-time WNBA champion and six-time All-Star forward DeWanna Bonner. Natasha Howard, a three-time champion and two-time All-Star, will also be on the roster for 2025.

New Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White compares Caitlin Clark to Taylor Swift. (IMAGN)

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So, expectations are naturally raised with a better starting five on the floor for Indiana. White understands that, and also knows making sure Clark can be her normal self on the floor — not worried about the outside noise and the celebrity status — will hopefully lead the Fever to their championship goals.

“From a coaching perspective, keep the main thing the main thing,” she said about Clark. “Help her protect her peace and then help her continue to grow on the basketball court. We let our players know sometimes you gotta minimize the noise around you and focus on what our job is. Our job is to put the best team and the best product on the floor that we’re capable of doing.”

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 19, 2025
4 Nations Face-Off: Canada’s Brandon Hagel fought USA star for pride of country

When the puck dropped in Montreal’s Bell Centre on Saturday night, Team Canada’s Brandon Hagel dropped his gloves along with Team USA’s Matthew Tkachuk.

It was the first of three fights that took place between the hockey rivals in nine seconds for their 4 Nations Face-Off matchup.

Because of the aggression and fists flying, not to mention the aggressive checking from both benches throughout the 3-1 win for the United States, many are wondering if we’re going to expect more of the same on Thursday night in Boston for the tournament’s championship game.

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Team Canada forward Brandon Hagel controls the puck during the third period in a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team Finland at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images)

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Hagel said that his decision to fight Tkachuk the moment the game started wasn’t to put on a show for those in the seats and watching at home.

There was pride for country.

“Listen, what happened the other night, I did it for the flag and not for the cameras,” Hagel said.

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Before that fight occurred, there was a lot of tension from Canadian fans booing the U.S. national anthem. Both teams have a strong sense of pride for the country they wear on their sweaters, so it’s understandable why Tkachuk, his brother, Brady, and J.T. Miller all fought someone in the first nine seconds of the game.

For Hagel’s bout, he was seen egging on the crowd after getting back on his skates, trying to use home ice to Canada’s advantage.

Team Canada forward Brandon Hagel (38) plays the puck and Team United States defenseman Charlie McAvoy defends in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. (Eric Bolte-Imagn Images)

With roles reversed this time, as Team USA will be playing in Boston’s TD Garden against Team Canada, Hagel expects the same sense of pride from both squads.

“I think it’s going to be the same way,” he said.

Whether that means immediate fights remains to be seen.

Matthew Tkachuk admitted that he “didn’t like it” when Canadian fans booed during “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and after hearing a mixture of cheers and boos on Monday night during Team Canada’s matchup with Team Finland in the TD Garden, the U.S. fans could reciprocate on Thursday night.

Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward Brandon Hagel fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. (Eric Bolte-Imagn Images)

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Either way, Team Canada is looking for revenge and bragging rights as winners of this tournament after allowing three unanswered goals, with Connor McDavid’s goal kicking off the scoring, on Saturday night.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 18, 2025
USA-Canada 4 Nations fights were ‘fake,’ says sports anchor

Team USA and Canada dropped the gloves three times in the first nine seconds of their 4 Nations Face Off contest on Saturday night; it was the first time the two teams had played one another in a best-on-best format in nine years.

Two fights occurred within the first three seconds, with Matthew Tkachuk getting in the first one against Brandon Hagel, and his brother, Brady, fighting Matthew’s Florida Panthers teammate, Sam Bennett, in the second.

After a goalie stoppage, J.T. Miller found anybody who was willing, resulting in the third brouhaha. There were no fights for the remainder of the game, but the fisticuffs set the tone for what was a physical bout that ended in a 3-1 win for the Americans.

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The United States’ Brady Tkachuk (top) fights Canada’s Sam Bennett during first-period 4 Nations Face-Off hockey action in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/Canadian Press via AP)

The fights were the preamble to the most-watched NHL event outside a Stanley Cup Final since 2019, resulting in an average of 4.4 million viewers. The fights, without a doubt, grabbed the attention of novice fans everywhere, but not everyone was a fan of it.

Chris “Mad Dog” Russo called out the fights for being “fake”.

“I don’t like things that are pre-orchestrated. I don’t like things that have a fakeness or WWE feel to them. They had three fights in nine seconds, they all texted each other before the game … to have three fights in nine seconds,” Russo said on his radio show, via Awful Announcing. “I know the fans in the arena loved it, I know the fans at home got emotionally into the game right away.

“That to me was a joke. That was fake. ‘Let’s all drop the gloves and kill each other in the first nine seconds of the game.’ It wasn’t organic. It was pre-arranged. It was not something that came through a rugged hit, a dirty play, physicality in the course of 60 minutes … they set that up before the game. That’s fake. I didn’t like that.”

Canada’s Brandon Hagel, left, fights with United States’ Matthew Tkachuk during the first period of a 4 Nations Face-Off hockey game in Montreal on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Graham Hughes//The Canadian Press via AP)

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Hagel shut down Russo’s claim recently, saying that he “didn’t fight for the cameras” but rather “for the [Canadian] flag.” Brady Tkachuk also said his brother’s fight “happened pretty organically.”

“Matthew said that he wanted to go first, it just happened, and now it’s over and done with,” he said. “It’s right when Matthew found out the starting lineup, he said that he wanted a piece of him (Hagel).”

The fights came shortly after the Canadian crowd booed “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which has been a theme recently up north against teams from the United States amid President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada. The tariffs have since been paused. The president has also teased Canadians with the idea of Canada becoming the “51st state.”

Team Canada forward Sam Bennett, left, and Team United States forward Brady Tkachuk fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. (Eric Bolte-Imagn Images)

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While the USA and Canada have been on-ice rivals for decades, the political tension has certainly brought a new flavor to the crowds and perhaps the players as well.

The two teams face off again on Thursday, this time in Boston, for the 4 Nations title.

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February 18, 2025
Angel Reese gets advice from Lisa Leslie on how her game can improve

Lisa Leslie, a three-time WNBA MVP, directed some blunt advice at Angel Reese during a recent sitdown with the Chicago Sky forward.

Leslie joined Reese for the latest edition of the “Unapologetically Angel” podcast. At one point during the conversation, the WNBA legend answered a question about which part of the 2024 All-Star’s game she could improve heading into season two.

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Lisa Leslie, former american basketball player, attends the Women’s Gold Medal game between Team France and Team USA on day sixteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France. (Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)

“The biggest advice I have for you is going to be how you shoot your layups, period. We’re going to fix that. That’s fixable for you,” Leslie responded.

The two-time WNBA champion then pointed out some of Reese’s strengths when she is on the hardwood.

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“I think your shot from the outside is improving. I love that your ball handling is good, your defense is improving. I love the fact that you were like putting so much pressure on them defensively. And just the idea that you want to get better. I love that.”

Leslie continued to praise Reese’s willingness to put in the work, which she believes will ultimately allow the Sky star to reach her full potential.

“Hearing you, and like… yes ‘I want to learn. I want to work hard. I want to be better,’ my heart melted.” Leslie added. “The fact that you already have that attitude, you’re going to get better. And I can help you get better. I’m positive.”

Chicago Sky player Angel Reese during the WNBA All Star Game at Footprint Center. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Reese delivered a memorable rookie WNBA season, as she broke numerous league records. The former LSU standout finished 15 consecutive games with a double-double, marking the longest streak of games that a player accomplished the feat in league history.

Reese’s scoring efficiency in the paint did come under some scrutiny, with the Sky forward making 42.2% of her layup attempts last season.

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) looks to pass the ball against the Las Vegas Aces during the first half at Wintrust Arena. (Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports)

Reese averaged 13.6 points, 13.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in 2024. Her overall field goal percentage stood at 39.1% last season.

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The Sky finished the 2024 campaign with a 13-27 record and failed to qualify for the WNBA postseason. The franchise parted ways with Teresa Weatherspoon, and later named Tyler Marsh as the team’s next head coach.

In a clip posted to her podcast’s Instagram, Reese said Weatherspoon’s dismissal left her “heartbroken.”

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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 18, 2025
Kyrie Irving wants to play for Australia in 2028 LA Olympics

A former Team USA basketball guard is hoping to play for a different country in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Kyrie Irving, the Dallas Mavericks superstar who won a gold medal with Team USA in the 2016 Rio Olympics, as well as the 2014 World Cup, was asked if he would play for Australia in the next Summer Games.

Irving was born in Melbourne, Australia, while his father was playing professional ball down under.

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Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (AP Photo/LM Otero)

“We’re in the process of that right now,” Irving, 32, told reporters during NBA All-Star weekend. “Just trying to figure out what’s going to be the best route for me to be eligible. There’s a lot of paperwork in between that.”

Irving isn’t trying to slight Team USA, especially considering he didn’t play with them in the 2021 Toyko Olympics or this past year’s Paris Olympics.

He will be 36 years old when the 2028 Games tip off, and it’s not a guarantee that he will make Team USA’s always-potent roster. Meanwhile, Team Australia wouldn’t likely have less competition, and having a nine-time All-Star on its roster would be a great addition.

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Irving will wait to hear from Team USA to see if he might have a spot, but will “do what’s best for me.”

“Obviously, Team USA still has a decision to make,” he explained. “… Honestly, if I can be an Aussie at one point in my career and play for the Australian team, that would be great.”

While that’s something to look forward to down the road, the topic shifted to what the NHL is doing for their own All-Star break, as the 4 Nations Face-Off has been wildly popular since it kicked off.

Team USA’s Carmelo Anthony, left, and Kyrie Irving pose for a picture after winning at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games. (David E. Klutho-USA TODAY Sports)

Instead of the usual All-Star festivities, players across the NHL are playing in a round-robin tournament with Team USA, Team Canada, Team Finland and Team Sweden going head-to-head to see who will earn bragging rights. It will be Team USA and Team Canada in the championship game on Thursday night before the second half of the NHL season begins.

If the NBA were to shift to that – talk about the United States against a world team created buzz over the weekend – Irving implied that, from a competition perspective,”I would pick the world right now.”

“I’m always going to be with my USA guys,” Irving said. “We have so much history together. I’m just grateful that I can be both. Raised in the U.S. but born in Australia.”

Irving, who helped the Cleveland Cavaliers win the 2016 NBA Finals, is a three-time All-NBA guard and the 2011-12 Rookie of the Year. He is in the middle of his 14th NBA season after being the first overall pick by the Cavs in 2011.

Kyrie Irving #11 (Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

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Irving, known for his stellar ball-handling skills and ability to score anywhere on the floor, has averaged 23.7 points, 5.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game over his career. Irving made the ninth All-Star team of his career this season as he averages 24.6 points and 4.8 assists per game.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

February 18, 2025
Panthers to sign Andy Dalton to two-year contract

Andy Dalton is reportedly staying with the Carolina Panthers.

Dalton, 37, signed a two-year, $8 million contract Tuesday that includes $6 million of guaranteed money and is worth up to $10 million, per ESPN.

The three-time Pro Bowler has spent the last two seasons in Carolina as Bryce Young’s backup and reportedly will continue to serve in that role.

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Andy Dalton (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)

When Young was benched after Week 2, Dalton came in and threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns to beat the Las Vegas Raiders.

After that, he lost his next four starts, and then, after being involved in a car crash, Dalton was replaced by Young, who remained the starter for the rest of the year.

In six games last season, he completed 66.3% of his passes for 989 yards while throwing seven touchdowns to six interceptions.

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)

Dalton spent nine seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, making three Pro Bowls.

After leaving Cincinnati, Dalton spent one season each with the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints before signing with the Panthers prior to the 2023 season.

In his 14-year career, Dalton is 84-82-2 and has thrown for 39,500 yards with 253 touchdowns and 150 interceptions.

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is congratulated by quarterback Andy Dalton after a touchdown. (Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)

Ideally for the Panthers, Dalton won’t see the field over the next two years if Young continues the strides he made toward the end of the season and stays healthy.

After being benched, Young returned and looked much better, giving the Panthers hope he can be the team’s franchise quarterback after being selected with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Young’s best performance of the season was his last one, when he threw for 251 yards and three touchdowns while completing nearly 74% of his passes in a 44-38 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

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Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.

February 18, 2025