Rantanen wants to stay with Colorado

 

Superstar winger Mikko Rantanen isn't in a rush to sign a contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche, but his patient approach doesn't appear to be a ploy to eventually leave Denver.

"I kind of want to let it handle itself," Rantanen told The Denver Post's Corey Masisak. "I like the team. I like the city. We won the Stanley Cup here. Why would I want to leave? That's the only thing I want to say about it. But we'll see. It's done when it's done."

Rantanen is entering the final season of the six-year, $55.5-million contract he signed in 2019. His $9.25-million cap hit is one of the NHL's highest among forwards, but he's likely to earn a significant raise after logging 408 points in 331 games over the course of his current deal.

76ers sign Embiid 3 years

 

Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid is signing a three-year, $193-million extension, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Embiid confirmed on his Instagram that he was extending his contract with the franchise.

"I want to be here for the rest of my career," he said.

Devils sign Mercer 3 years

 

The New Jersey Devils and restricted free agent forward Dawson Mercer have agreed on a three-year contract worth $4 million per season, TSN's Darren Dreger reports.

Aaron Rodgers shines over Patriots

 

Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes in a superb homecoming performance, New York's defense was dominant and the Jets rolled to a 24-3 victory over the New England Patriots in their home opener Thursday night.

Rodgers started his first game at MetLife Stadium since leaving the field just over a year ago with a torn Achilles tendon in New York's opener. The 40-year-old quarterback showed no signs of the injury — or playing in his third game in 11 days — while scrambling several times and making off-balance throws all night, slicing through New England's defense with surgical precision.

Cleveland clinch playoffs

 

The Cleveland Guardians are postseason-bound.

Cleveland clinched a playoff berth with a 3-2 victory in extra innings over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday.

Andrés Giménez laced an RBI single into right field to provide the Guardians with their second consecutive walk-off victory in extra innings over the Twins.

Ohtani makes MLB history

Shohei Ohtani went where no baseball player has gone before by completing the first 50-homer, 50-steal season in MLB history Thursday as part of an iconic 6-for-6 performance that included - among other things - three long balls and 10 RBIs.

The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar's historic 50th blast was a two-run, opposite-field blast off Miami Marlins reliever Mike Baumann in the seventh inning. It also set a new Dodgers single-season record, breaking the previous mark set by Shawn Green in 2001. Homer No. 50 came a few innings after he swiped his 50th base of the season.

Kyle Okposo announces retirement

 

Kyle Okposo is ending his playing career a Stanley Cup champion.

The veteran forward officially announced his retirement from the NHL on Thursday after 17 seasons in the league, split between the New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, and, most recently, the Florida Panthers. 

"Thirty years of playing hockey was incredible," Okposo wrote in a statement. "It brought me to some amazing places and provided such unique experiences. I believe the game is in a great place right now, but the possibilities are vast. I'm looking forward to continuing to contribute to the game as it reaches new heights."

Red Wings sign Seider 7 years

 

The Detroit Red Wings re-signed stalwart defenseman Moritz Seider to a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $8.55 million, the team announced Thursday.

The Red Wings now have all of their restricted free agents under contract after inking forward Lucas Raymond to an eight-year deal worth $8.075 million annually.

Seider is now Detroit's second-highest paid player, trailing only captain Dylan Larkin, who makes $8.7 million per year.

Yankees clinch playoffs

 

There will be playoff baseball in the Bronx in 2024. 

The New York Yankees became the first American League team to clinch a postseason berth Wednesday after beating the Seattle Mariners 2-1 at T-Mobile Park.

During the postgame celebration, Yankees captain Aaron Judgeacknowledged that "the job's not finished" and made it clear that the division crown is still the goal.

Jose Altuve takes cleat/sock off and gets ejected

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve incited one of the more comical ejections in recent memory during Tuesday's game against the San Diego Padres.

Altuve grounded out to end the top of the ninth inning but was convinced he fouled the ball. He proceeded to take his left cleat and sock off in an effort to prove to home plate umpire Brennan Miller that the ball struck his foot. He was quickly ejected from the game as a result.

Dallas signs Lindell 5 years

 

One of the Dallas Stars' longest-tenured players isn't going anywhere.

The club signed veteran defenseman Esa Lindell to a five-year extension with an average annual value of $5.25 million, the team announced Tuesday.

Lindell is entering the final year of his previous contract, which pays him $5.8 million. He could've tested unrestricted free agency in 2025. The new extension begins next season.

TuaTagovailoa out 4 games

 

The Miami Dolphins placed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve, the team announced Tuesday.

Tagovailoa sustained a concussion during last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills. He'll miss at least four games.

Penguins sign Crosby 2 Years

 

The Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed longtime captain Sidney Crosby to a two-year extension with an $8.7-million cap hit, the team announced Monday.

Crosby's new pact will kick in during the 2025-26 season. He has one campaign remaining on his current 12-year deal that's also paid him $8.7 million annually since 2013-14.

Isiah Pacheco out 6-8 Weeks

 

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco will miss time after tests revealed he fractured his fibula in Sunday's win over the Cincinnati Bengals, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Pacheco, who will be placed on the injured reserve, is expected to miss about six-to-eight weeks, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

The 25-year-old had X-rays after the contest Sunday and underwent an MRI on Monday to determine if there's a fracture or ligament damage to his ankle, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Pacheco appeared to sustain the injury in the second half of Sunday's contest and left the stadium in a walking boot and on crutches.

Red Wings sign Raymond 8 Years

 

The Detroit Red Wings re-signed restricted free-agent winger Lucas Raymond to an eight-year contract carrying an average annual value of $8.075 million, the team announced Monday.

The contract contains a 10-team no-trade list in the final four years, per TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

The deal also makes Raymond the team's second-highest-paid player behind captain Dylan Larkin, whose contract carries an $8.7-million AAV.

Happy Gilmore 2

 

Adam Sandler isn’t the only original actor returning in Netflix’s Happy Gilmore 2, with Julie Bowen’s confirmed role in the upcoming movie avoiding a problem that has plagued other recent legacy sequels and reboots. Still regarded as one of Adam Sandler’s best movies, the 1996 sports comedy Happy Gilmore has developed a cult following over the years due to the enduring love for the titular hockey-player-turned-pro-golfer. As such, it was a welcome surprise to hear that Happy Gilmore 2 was finally happening at Netflix, bringing back Sandler, a few original actors, and more of his acting troupe for the cast.

A.J. Brown listed as Questionable

 

Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury for the team's Monday Night Football matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. 

Brown didn't practice on Saturday after being a limited participant on Friday.

Head coach Nick Sirianni said Saturday that Brown "got a little tight in practice" on Thursday and that it was precautionary to limit his practice participation this week, per Tim McManus of ESPN.

Kane to undergo surgery

 

Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane is scheduled to undergo sports hernia surgery in the next 10 days or so, sources told Sportsnet's Mark Spector.

Kane played through the injury last season, Spector added.

It still remains unclear exactly how long Kane will be out, but Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported in August that it could be long term.

McCaffrey placed on IR

 

The San Francisco 49ers placed star running back Christian McCaffrey on injured reserve due to Achilles tendinitis, the team announced Saturday.

McCaffrey was ruled out of the club's Week 2 contest against the Minnesota Vikings on Friday, and head coach Kyle Shanahan said McCaffrey had his worst day in terms of pain on Thursday, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.

told reporters earlier in the week that the team wasn't considering placing him on injured reserve.

McCaffrey out Week 2

 

The San Francisco 49ers won't have Christian McCaffrey for a second straight week.

San Francisco ruled out the All-Pro running back for Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings due to calf and Achilles injuries, the team announced Friday.

McCaffrey was a surprise inactive in Week 1 after originally saying he expected to play. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the 49ers' win Monday that the injuries were bothering the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year "a little too much."

Tua Tagovailoa out with concussion

 

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left the team's 31-10 Thursday night loss to the Buffalo Bills with a concussion and did not return.

Tagovailoa scrambled to convert a fourth down in the third quarter before taking a hit to the head. This is Tagovailoa's third known concussion.

The 26-year-old appeared to display the fencing response similar to how he did after a concussion sustained in the 2022 season. It was one of two concussions he sustained that year. He spent 37 days in the NFL's concussion protocol from December to January.

Nuggets sign Murray

 

Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets have agreed to a max contract extension valued at $208 million over four years, his agent told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The extension guarantees Murray will receive $244 million over the next five seasons and locks up the talented point guard through the 2028-29 season.

After missing the 2021-22 season with a torn ACL, Murray has been Denver's second-leading scorer the past two years, averaging 20 and 21.2 points in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Maple Leafs sign Hakanpaa

 

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenseman Jani Hakanpaa to a one-year contract worth $1.47 million, the team announced Wednesday.

Hakanpaa, 32, reportedly agreed to a two-year pact with a $1.5-million annual cap hit on July 1, though that deal never came to fruition. Uncertainty around his health prevented him from officially signing for over two months. 

The 6-foot-7 defenseman didn't play for the Dallas Stars after March 16 last season after undergoing a procedure on his knee. The injury is a bone-on-bone issue, The Toronto Sun's Steve Simmons reported in July.

Raheem Mostert out

 

Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert won't play Thursday against the Buffalo Bills, head coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques.

McDaniel added that tailback De'Von Achane will be a game-time decision for the division matchup.

Mostert didn't participate in practice this week because of a chest injury. Achane has also been held out of practice with an ankle ailment.

Tyreek Hill lawyer demanding police to be terminated

 

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill is calling for the firing of a Miami-Dade police officer following Sunday's incident in which Hill was detained and handcuffed after a traffic stop.

The lawyer representing Hill, Julius Collins, released a statement on the wideout's behalf demanding the dismissal of the officer who was placed on administrative leave for his actions Sunday.

"Each action that a law enforcement official take(s) is governed by standard operating procedures," Collins' statement read, according to ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques. "We are of the opinion that the officer's use of force was excessive, escalating, and reckless. We are demanding that the officer be terminated effective immediately."

Kraken sign Adam Larson

 

The Seattle Kraken signed defenseman Adam Larsson to a four-year contract extension with an average annual value of $5.25 million, the team announced Tuesday.

Larsson is entering the final season of a contract worth $4 million per year. The new deal begins in 2025-26 and will keep him in Seattle through his age-36 campaign.

The Swedish defenseman is an original member of the Kraken. Seattle selected him from the Edmonton Oilers in the 2021 expansion draft, even though he was a pending unrestricted free agent at the time.

Leafs sign Robertson

 

The Toronto Maple Leafs and forward Nick Robertson ended their stalemate, agreeing on a one-year, $875,000 contract, the club announced Tuesday.

Robertson, previously a restricted free agent, reportedly requested a trade in late June and didn't plan to re-up with Toronto at the time. A report last week said Robertson still preferred a change of address.

Cowboys sign Prescott $240M

 

The Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott agreed to a four-year, $240-million extension that will make the quarterback the highest-paid player in NFL history, team owner Jerry Jones confirmed Sunday, according to Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports. 

"The figure is right. What it means is a big commitment to the next five years," Jones said. "I hope Dak is our quarterback for the rest of my time."

Prescott's $60-million average annual salary is the highest ever, more than $5 million higher than Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, and Jordan Love, who all earn $55 million per season.

Ohtani on route to 50-50 season

 

Shohei Ohtani hit his 46th home run of the season to tie his career high, Jack Flaherty pitched another gem and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Cleveland Guardians 4-0 on Sunday in record-tying heat.

With the first-pitch temperature of 103 degrees matching the hottest in Dodger Stadium history, Ohtani hit a 450-foot solo shot down the right-field line off Tanner Bibee in the fifth inning that was reviewed to see if it was fair. 

Ohtani also hit 46 home runs in 2021 for the Los Angeles Angels in his unanimous AL MVP season. The Japanese star has 46 stolen bases in a bid to become the first major league player with a 50-50 season.

Tyreek Hill handcuffed

 

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill says he has "no idea" why he was detained and put in handcuffs just hours before the team's 20-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. 

"I've been trying to figure that out too," Hill told reporters, including Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post. "Right now, I'm still trying to put it all together so I'm not going to give you a version that - I still don't know what happened."

Police briefly detained Hill near Hard Rock Stadium Sunday morning before releasing him. Hill says officers told him it was for "speeding" and "reckless driving."

Hill added that an officer did put his hands on him while he was handcuffed.

The Dolphins wideout was reportedly cited for reckless driving, sources told ESPN's Jeff Darlington.

Videos of the incident showing Hill handcuffed emerged on social media Sunday morning.

Jordan Love out 3-4 weeks

 

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love suffered an MCL sprain Friday night against the Philadelphia Eagles, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The 25-year-old reportedly avoided a season-ending injury but is expected to miss some time. Green Bay hopes its star signal-caller misses three-to-four weeks, but he will undergo further testing, sources told ESPN's Rob Demovsky.

Love exited the contest on the team's final drive of the game. He was helped off by medical staff, and backup Malik Willis was forced into the game for the final two plays.

Ramsey signs large with Dolphins

 

The Miami Dolphins and cornerback Jalen Ramsey agreed to a three-year extension with an average annual value of $24.1 million, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Ramsey's deal includes $55.3 million guaranteed, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The extension makes Ramsey the league's highest-paid corner for the second time in his career, per Schefter. Denver Broncos standout Patrick Surtain II had set the bar earlier this week with an extension that carries an average annual value of $24 million.

Ramsey has been one of the most decorated defensive backs since he was drafted fifth overall in 2016. The 29-year-old has been named to the Pro Bowl in seven consecutive seasons and earned three first-team All-Pro nods.

Beautiful Alex Morgan announces retirement

 

With two Women’s World Cup titles and an Olympic gold medal, Alex Morgan is retiring from professional soccer as one of the United States national team’s most prolific scorers and as someone who helped lead the fight for equal pay.

The 35-year-old Morgan, who said she is pregnant with her second child, made the announcement on Thursday in a social media post. At times during the heartfelt message, Morgan was near tears.

“This decision wasn’t easy, but at the beginning of 2024 I felt in my heart and soul that this was the last season that I would play soccer,” she said. “Soccer has been a part of me for 30 years, and it was one of the first things that I ever loved. I gave everything to this sport and what I got in return was more than I could have ever dreamed of.”

Matt Chapman signs large with Giants

 

Matt Chapman is staying on the West Coast for the foreseeable future after the third baseman signed a six-year extension with the San Francisco Giants, the team announced Wednesday.

The contract is for $151 million and wipes out the final two years of his current deal with the club, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. There's no deferred money and the contract also includes a no-trade clause for the eight-year veteran, Passan adds.

Chapman inked a three-year, $54-million pact with the Giants in the offseason after spending the last two years with the Toronto Blue Jays. The deal had player opt-outs following each of the first two seasons - $17 million in 2025 and $18 million in 2026.

Attempted murder of Ricky Pearsall

 

A 17-year-old high school senior charged with attempted murder in the daytime weekend shooting of San Francisco 49ers rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall was arraigned in juvenile court Wednesday and said through his attorney that he was sorry for what happened.

The slight teen wore a green sweatshirt and green pants, looked straight ahead at the judge during the proceeding and did not turn around to acknowledge his parents, who were in the room.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins charged the teen on Tuesday with attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic weapon and attempted second-degree robbery. On Wednesday, her office added several gun-related charges.

Cameron Heyward signs 3 years

 

The Pittsburgh Steelers are keeping one of their defensive leaders in the fold for the foreseeable future.

Defensive lineman Cameron Heyward signed a three-year extension Tuesday, the team confirmed. The new deal is worth $45 million and includes $16 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Heyward, 35, was entering a contract year and had $16 million remaining on his current deal, Fowler adds. The new agreement is believed to be the largest of its kind for a defensive player over the age of 35.

Trent Williams signs 3 Years

 

Left tackle Trent Williams agreed to a restructured three-year, $82.66-million contract with the San Francisco 49ers to end his holdout, Williams' agency, Elite Loyalty Sports, announcedTuesday.

Williams will earn $48 million fully guaranteed and a $25.69-million signing bonus with the new deal.

He's been absent from team activities and facilities while seeking a new contract.

Leon Draisaitl signs 8 years

Leon Draisaitl isn't going anywhere.

The Edmonton Oilers signed the superstar center to an eight-year contract extension with an average annual value of $14 million, the team announced Tuesday.

The contract begins in 2025-26. Draisaitl is entering the final year of his previous deal, which paid him $8.5 million annually, and he could've hit unrestricted free agency in 2025.

Scottie Scheffler wins FedEx Cup

 

Scottie Scheffler capped off the biggest year in golf in nearly two decades by winning the biggest prize in golf.

Challenged briefly Sunday in the Tour Championship, Scheffler responded with three straight birdies to made winning look as inevitable as it has seemed all year. He closed with a 4-under 67 for a four-shot victory over Collin Morikawa to capture the FedEx Cup and its $25 million prize.

That pushed his season earnings, including bonuses, to just over $62.3 million.

White Sox set new franchise loss record

 

The Chicago White Sox made some more dubious history Sunday, getting blanked 2-0 by the New York Mets to set a new franchise record with their 107th loss of the 2024 season.

The previous White Sox record of 106 had stood since 1970.

Sunday's defeat was Chicago's 40th in its last 44 games, putting the club alongside the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics as the second modern-era team to have such a cold stretch, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com.