Monday, 23 February 2026
Sunday, 22 February 2026
RONDALE MOORE.FOUND DEAD AT HOME
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore was found dead at his home on Sunday.
Police in Moore's hometown of New Albany, Indiana were called to a property on Saturday night, when the 25-year-old was found in a garage.
The American was transferred to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A post-mortem examination will take place on Sunday.
USA BEATS CANADA IN OT FOR FIRST MEN'S HOCKEY OLYMPIC GOLD IN 46 YEARS
Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Jack Hughes took a hockey blade to the teeth in the third period, but found revenge with a dramatic one-timer in overtime to lead Team USA past Canada for the Americans' first men's hockey Olympic gold medal in 46 years Sunday in Milan, Italy.
"This is all about our country right now," Hughes said on the NBC broadcast. "I love the USA. I love my teammates. It's unbelievable. The USA hockey brotherhood is so strong. We have so much support amongst players. "I'm so proud to be American today."
The New Jersey Devils forward beat Canadian net minder Jordan Binnington for the golden goal 1:41 into the 3-on-3 bonus period of the 2-1 gold medal game triumph at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
The score sealed the 2026 Winter Olympics title exactly 46 years to the day of the Americans' Miracle on Ice victory from the 1980 Winter Olympics
It also resulted in the first men's and women's hockey gold medal sweep for the United States at the same Olympics.
Teeth-cracking physicality was matched only by scintillating speed in the rivalry matchup, with the world-class rosters foiling vicious offensive assaults.
Canada, who played without its injured captain, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby, for the second consecutive game, outshot Team USA 41-26. Team USA goalie Connor Hellebuyck totaled 41 saves.
"He was our best player by a mile," Hughes said of Hellebuyck. "Unbelievable game."
Binnington made 26 stops, but allowed first blood on his first save opportunity six minutes into the finale. Minnesota Wild forward Matt Boldy brought the initial lamp lighting.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews found Boldy behind the Team USA blue line to start the breakaway. Boldy flipped the puck up with his blade and juggled through Canadian traffic. He then faced up with Binnington and slid the puck by the St. Louis Blues goalie's right knee pad.
Canada proceeded to launch a deluge of daggers at Hellebuyck in the American net, with seven of the next eight shot attempts. But the Canadians couldn't beat the Winnipeg Jets goalie until Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar equalized with 1:44 remaining in the second period.
The deep red sweaters swarmed Hellebuyck down the stretch and increased their physicality, including a high stick from Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett to Hughes' teeth, but could not find an opening against the American goaltender, resulting in overtime.
Hellebuyck proceeded to use every inch of his frame to deny Canada's Connor McDavid-led attack until Hughes beat Binnington to end the finale.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski received the puck behind the American net at the start of the final play. He poked a pass forward to Hughes, who stabbed the puck away from Canada.
Werenski recovered the possession along the right boards as Hughes skated wide left. Werenski then found him again with a feed inside the left circle.
Hughes pulled back his stick shaft and unloaded, pelting a screamer by Binnington's for Team USA's third men's hockey Olympic gold medal.
"Unreal game by our team," Hughes said. "Just a ballsy, gutsy win. That's American hockey right there. That's a great Canadian team, but we're USA. We are so proud to be American. Tonight was all for our country."
Hughes finished the tournament as Team USA's top goal scorer, with four over six appearances in Milan. His brother, Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes, logged an assist in the victory to push his total to a team-leading seven.
Hellebuyck's 95.65% save percentage was the best among Olympic goaltenders.
McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) finished the 2026 Winter Olympics with a tournament-best 13 points, from 11 assists and two goals.
Winning moments from the 2026 Winter Olympics
- Alex Butler
CRISTIANO RONALDO FINALLY BREAKS SILENCE ON FUTURE IN SAUDI ARABIA AFTER £488K-PER-DAY STAR SCORES BRACE FOLLOWING SHOCKING STRIKE
Cristiano Ronaldo has finally broken his silence on his dramatic Saudi strike.
The 41-year-old returned to action last week for Al-Nassr and scored a brace in their 4-0 victory over Al-Hazem on Saturday having previously made major waves with his high-profile strop.
Ronaldo, who earns £488,000-a-day, had been furious with what he perceived to be a lack of transfer backing for Al-Nassr from PIF compared to their rivals.
The situation was exacerbated further when Karim Benzema was granted a transfer to Al-Hilal and Ronaldo went on strike for three games.
His behaviour led to serious questions over his future in the league - despite his position as the biggest and most marketable name.
But when asked about the situation on Saturday, Ronaldo said: 'I’m very happy. As I say so many times, I belong to Saudi Arabia.
'It’s a country that welcomed me, my family and my friends very well. I’m happy here. I want to continue here.
'And the most important thing, it’s we keep pushing. We are there at the top.
'Our job is to win, make pressure [on our title rivals], and let’s see. We are on track.
'We’re back, we are good, we are confident. Game by game. We are in good shape. Let’s see what’s going to happen.'
Ronaldo's actions had irritated the Saudi Pro League, with the top flight releasing a statement warning 'no individual determines decisions beyond their own club'.
Title rivals Al-Hilal have a net spend £180million higher than that of his own team since the 2022-23 season, when he arrived.
And that's despite both clubs, as well as Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli, all being majority owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).
But Ronaldo is in an eye-watering wage and many feel he is in no position to complain about the finances of his opponents.
A recent statement shared with Daily Mail Sport from the league suggested that Ronaldo's grievances were unfounded.
'The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules,' they said.
'Clubs have their own boards, their own executives and their own football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance. That framework applies equally across the league.
'Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club's growth and ambition. Like any elite competitor, he wants to win. But no individual - however significant - determines decisions beyond their own club.'
The spokesperson added that recent transfer activity had 'demonstrated that independence clearly'.
Ronaldo wore the captain's armband on his return to action last week and is still popular with the club's fanbase despite his three-game exile; they were waving flags in his honour in his absence.
Al-Nassr are now top of the league by one point and Ronaldo will be desperate for his side to achieve glory this season, especially given that he is yet to win the title in Saudi Arabia.
- WILL GRIFFEE
Saturday, 21 February 2026
F1 MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION: WHAT 2026 CARS ARE MADE OF
The materials article exists for several reasons simultaneously. It prevents the use of exotic or hazardous substances that would pose unacceptable risks in an accident. It limits the use of materials so advanced that only the largest teams could access them, maintaining competitive equity. And it ensures that the structural properties of safety-critical components are within the range that the FIA’s homologation tests are designed to evaluate, preventing teams from using materials whose behavior under crash loads is not fully understood.
The Power Unit Perimeter: Materials Inside the Engine
The power unit perimeter encompasses the components that make up the engine, gearbox, and associated hardware. Within this zone, the regulations allow a broader range of advanced materials than are permitted outside it, reflecting the fact that power unit components are not part of the primary safety structure and that high-performance materials are needed to manage the extreme temperatures and loads that internal combustion engines and high-speed drivetrain components generate.
Permitted and Restricted Materials Inside the PU
Within the power unit perimeter, manufacturers can use titanium alloys, various aluminum alloys, steel alloys, and specialist composite materials for components such as connecting rods, pistons, cylinder heads, and turbocharger wheels. The use of beryllium is prohibited throughout the entire car, both inside and outside the power unit perimeter, for health and safety reasons. Beryllium and its alloys are extremely toxic in dust or particle form, and the risk of generating beryllium particles in machining or in a crash would create unacceptable hazards for personnel working on the cars.
The turbocharger and its high-speed rotating components are subject to material specifications that ensure burst containment. If a turbocharger rotor fails at speed, the fragments must be contained by the surrounding housing rather than being ejected through the bodywork at high velocity. The material specifications for these components are part of the power unit homologation process managed by the FIA in conjunction with the power unit manufacturers.
Ceramic matrix composites and other advanced high-temperature materials are used in exhaust systems and combustion-adjacent components where the thermal environment would degrade conventional materials. The specific materials permitted in these applications are registered with the FIA as part of the power unit’s technical specification submission, and any changes to the registered materials require approval before they can be used in competition.
Gearbox and Drivetrain Materials
The gearbox casing is typically manufactured from cast or machined aluminum alloy, providing adequate strength and stiffness for the structural role it plays in the rear of the car while keeping weight manageable. Internal gear and shaft components use specialist steel alloys with surface treatments that maximize wear resistance and fatigue life at the contact stresses generated by the gear mesh loads in high-performance racing transmissions.
The carbon fibre driveshaft plunging joints and constant velocity joints that transmit power from the gearbox output to the rear wheel hubs must be designed to handle the combined torque from the ICE and the MGU-K without failure across the race distance. The 2026 torque levels, with the MGU-K’s 350-kilowatt electrical output added to the ICE’s mechanical power at the point of the rear axle, are higher than in the previous era, placing greater demands on these components than the driveshaft specifications from the 2022 to 2025 period had to accommodate.
and Their Load Cases
Carbon fibre composite is the standard material for suspension wishbones due to its high specific stiffness, which minimizes the deflection of the wishbone under lateral and longitudinal wheel loads. Deflection in a wishbone changes the wheel geometry in a way that deviates from the kinematic design intent, affecting handling balance. The regulations specify maximum compliance levels for suspension components to prevent teams from using flexible suspension elements as an unauthorized aerodynamic device, mirroring the intent of the aerodynamic flexibility rules that apply to bodywork.
The wishbone aerofoil sections, which are the aerodynamic cross-section shapes that teams use to improve the aerodynamic performance of their suspension while meeting the structural load requirements, are subject to the same bodywork regulations as other aerodynamic surfaces. The permitted aerofoil dimensions within which a wishbone cross-section must fit are specified to prevent teams from designing wishbones that are primarily aerodynamic devices masquerading as suspension components.
Under the 2026 regulations, the interaction between suspension geometry and the active aerodynamic system is a new consideration. As the car transitions between X-mode and Z-mode, the aerodynamic loads on the suspension change, and the wishbones must be designed to handle the load cases associated with both aerodynamic states without compliance that affects wheel geometry. The range of suspension loads that the 2026 wishbones must accommodate is therefore broader than in previous eras, requiring careful structural analysis across the full aerodynamic operating envelope of the car.
Wheel Material Specification
The magnesium alloy specification for wheel rims is one of the few cases in the regulations where a specific material family is mandated rather than just a performance requirement. Magnesium alloy is lighter than aluminum at equivalent structural performance, making it the optimal material for wheel rims from a pure weight perspective. The regulations specify this material to standardize the wheel’s physical behavior and to ensure that the safety characteristics of the rim, including how it deforms in a collision and how it interacts with the tyre in a puncture scenario, are within the range understood by the FIA and Pirelli.
The manufacturing process for magnesium alloy wheels in Formula 1 uses machining from forged billet material, producing rims whose internal structure and dimensional consistency are tightly controlled. Forged and machined construction avoids the porosity and microstructural variability that can occur in cast components, providing a more reliable fatigue life and reducing the risk of unexpected failure under the high cyclic loading conditions of a race. The finished rims are subjected to dimensional inspection and structural testing before they are approved for race use.
'DEVASTATED' EDDIE HEARN HITS OUT AT CONNOR BENN AFTER BOXER DUMPED PROMOTER FOR DANA' WHITE'S FLEDGLING COMLANY - AND REVEALS STAR'S SHOCKING REACTION WHEN HE ASKED FOR A PHONE CALL MOMENTS BEFORE 'PAINFUL' SPLIT'
Eddie Hearn has revealed he is 'devastated' following Conor Benn's decision to sign with Dana White's outfit Zuffa Boxing - and admitted that he may have 'misjudged the character' of the boxer.
The 29-year-old, son of British legend Nigel Benn, sensationally announced on Thursday that he was ditching Hearn's promotion Matchroom Boxing after a decade-long relationship.
Benn, who has ambitions of winning the WBC welterweight title, thanked Hearn for standing by him during the tough periods of his career and said he was excited for a 'new chapter' aimed at securing 'legacy fights' on the biggest stages.
But Hearn, whose promotion guided the British boxing star from his 2016 debut to headlining cards and stuck by him through a series of failed drug tests, has hit out at the fighter.
Speaking to iFL TV after Benn's bombshell announcement, the 46-year-old promoter claimed he was informed of the decision by the boxer's lawyer before being refused a phone call with him.
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| Benn announced he was joining the promotion led by Dana White late on Friday evening |
'Me personally, pretty devastated,' Hearn said of his reaction to the news. 'I have had a few days to digest what might happen. It is not often you get shocked.
'I blame myself. I forgot it was boxing. I just felt the loyalty that we have shown would never ever put us in this position.'
Hearn added that he 'misjudged the character' of Benn by feeling the 'loyalty' he had shown him 'would be enough to talk it through or get close to a number'.
He continued: 'It feels a little bit of a wasted few years. I gave a lot... I believed him and I backed him and I never gave in when he was done, out. Loaned him hundreds of thousands of pounds, but yeah on we go.'
'I just think the way it was done was very very wrong,' he added. 'But everyone is different. Some people, loyalty really matters, other people maybe not so.
'The way it played out to receive an email from the lawyer and then to ask for a call and not the willingness to have it, you just lose a bit of your soul to it.'
Benn, whose most recent fight was his rematch victory over Chris Eubank Jr in December, announced his decision late on Friday night and led his social media statements thanking Hearn and Matchroom 'for everything they've done'.
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| The 29-year-old beat Chris Eubank Jr in a rematch between the fighters last December |
But Eubank Jr, who won the first fight last April, launched a scathing attack on his old foe on X.
'So Eddie Hearns (sic) #1 fighter has now left him,' the boxer's post read.
'Eddie stuck by Conor Benn through thick & thin, getting him off of drug charges & giving him money to live when he had nothing.
'I guess this really shows just how much of a scumbag Hearn actually is… he saves his fighters life & career & Conor still doesn’t want to be involved with him. Or is Benn the scumbag for dumping the man that built him? (thinking emoji).
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| Hearn admitted that he may have 'misjudged the character' of British welterweight star Benn |
'This really is a conundrum. Scumbag on scumbag violence at its finest… don’t say I didn’t tell you guys.'
Benn claimed Zuffa Boxing 'presented me with an opportunity I simply couldn’t refuse' and said he hoped his old promoter could 'continue to be a part of my team'.
'I’m filled with excitement and hunger for what’s ahead with Zuffa Boxing,' Benn's statement continued.
'I want the legacy fights, the biggest nights, the biggest stages. I fear no man at any weight, and I’m ready to give the fans the fights they’ve been calling for. I’m in my prime, and together we have bold, ambitious plans.'
The announcement came as a major shock in the sport, given Matchroom's decision to stick by Benn when he failed two drug tests in 2022.
The promotion's continued backing throughout the episode was widely noted, and Benn eventually returned to boxing on home soil in late 2024.
Against that backdrop, Benn's move to Zuffa - founded by UFC chief executive White - appears motivated by both financial and strategic factors.
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| Benn has long pursued Ryan Garcia and speculation is abound that he could now face him |
The deal is understood in boxing circles to be lucrative - reportedly a one-fight agreement worth eight figures - which would leave Benn a free agent again after his promotional debut with Zuffa.
The switch also places Benn at the centre of the new promoter's early ambitions to attract high-profile names and stage blockbuster events. Among the potential targets generating intrigue is American star Ryan Garcia, whom Benn has long pursued.
Garcia's own promotional situation remains uncertain amid conflicting claims involving Golden Boy Promotions and founder Oscar De La Hoya. Garcia has suggested his contract with Golden Boy is due to expire on Sunday, while De La Hoya maintains multiple bouts remain on the agreement.
The public back-and-forth, set against Benn's new deal with Zuffa, has intensified speculation that a Benn-Garcia showdown could materialise as one of the promotion's first marquee matchups if the contractual picture clears.
It is understood Zuffa is planning multiple London events throughout 2026, raising the prospect of Benn and Garcia headlining a blockbuster show after Benn previously claimed the pair could sell out a stadium.
Benn is also expected to be ringside for Garcia's forthcoming contest against Mario Barrios, raising the prospect of a face-off or promotional moment that could further stoke anticipation around a possible transatlantic showdown.
White called Benn's signing a 'huge addition' to his team.
'Conor Benn is an absolute beast and a superstar,' he said in a statement.
'He shows up every time and destroys people, and now some of the best fighters in the world are calling him out.
'He's ready for a world title next and I can't wait to see him compete in Zuffa Boxing.
'He's going to be a huge addition to a growing stable of very talented boxers.'
- CIARAN FOREMAN
CLASSIC SEASON OPENER: MASIA CLAIMS VICTORY AS BAYLISS SECURES DREAM HONE PODIUM AT PHILLIP ISLAND
With his rostrum result, Bayliss becomes Australia’s youngest-ever WorldSSP podium finisher
Lights are out at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on the 2026 FIM Supersport World Championship campaign as the field sunk their teeth into the new season in Saturday’s Race 1! The first race of 2026’s 12 rounds featured Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) taking the first 25 points on offer for his third career WorldSSP win. Joining him on the campaign’s first podium was German rider Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) for his 14th podium in the category and home hero Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) who claimed his first WorldSSP rostrum.
MASIA FLIES OUT OF THE GATE IN 2026: He closed 2025 with a win, and now opens 2026 doing the same
Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) flew up from P4 to take the holeshot ahead of Valentin Debise (ZXMOTO Factory Evan Bros Racing) and Jaume Masia. The Spaniard flexed his Ducati Panigale V2’s straight line speed as he took P1 from the #61 and built up a healthy gap of nearly a second by the outset of Lap 3. The Spaniard converted his dominant pace in testing to land the first race win of the season, as from there he pulled away for the win; finishing the contest with a gap of over five seconds. Oettl missed the 2025 Australian Round with a knee injury, but this season, he started strong with a rostrum finish in second place. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) saw his race end on Turn 4 in the second lap as the bike slid out from under him as he battled with Oettl for the second spot on the podium.
FIVE-WAY FIGHT FOR THE PODIUM: Bayliss, Arena, Oncu, Mahias, and Debise trade blows
Oncu had a healthy gap of around a second behind him on Lap 8 as he rode in P3; until a mistake on that Lap saw Oli Bayliss, Valentin, Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team), and Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) close the gap and start a fight for the final podium spot. Debise had a tough break as he fell out of the fight on Lap 8 after he entered Turn 4 with a fraction too much lean angle and crashed out of Race 1. Bayliss took the lead of the group, until he lost the lead by running wide onto the grass on Turn 6 of Lap 13, just before Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) crashed out of the race on Turn 4. The Australian recovered well to hang with the other two riders, and after the trio traded overtakes throughout the final eight laps, it was Bayliss who came out on top, earning his first WorldSSP podium of his career. The bronze-medal effort got the monkey off of his back after the longest-ever wait for a WorldSSP podium of 84 races, and claimed Australia’s first rostrum result since Anthony West back in 2017.
ARENAS HITS THE GROUND RUNNING: The Spanish rider starts his WorldSSP story in P4
Behind them, Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) rode well in his WorldSSP debut, finishing P4 with the feather in his cap of winning the final laps shootout with the title favourite Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing). Despite his incredible jump off the line, the Turk’s early mistake proved critical, erasing his gap and miring him in a wrestling match through which he fell to P5. Matteo Ferrari (WRP Racing) ran a clean race, taking advantage of other riders’ errors to land a strong debut result of sixth place.
VOSTATEK TIES CAREER HIGH: The Czech rider maintained his strong speed from testing
Ondrej Vostatek (Compos Racing Team) tied his career-best result of P7 in the season-opening race, emerging just +0.158 faster than 2025 MotoE Champion Alessandro Zaccone (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team), who took P8. Spanish riders Roberto Garcia (GMT94 Yamaha) and Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) landed in the final two positions of the top ten. Alcoba’s effort landed him as the top Kawasaki, as his two-time WorldSSP Champion teammate Dominique Aegerter (Kawaski WorldSSP Team) suffered a tech issue on the last lap and finished in P23.
The top ten of the season-opening WorldSSP Race 1 at Australia: Full results here!
1. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura)
2. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) +5.521s
3. Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) +7.266s
4. Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) +7.721s
5. Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +7.743s
6. Matteo Ferrari (WRP Racing) +11.856s
Fastest lap: Jaume Masia, Ducati – 1’32.310s
Catch the final race of the season-opening Australian Round on Sunday LIVE with the WorldSBK VideoPass!
- WORLDSBK
LIVERPOOL NAMED USA'S MOST-SUPPORTED PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB
A survey from @MenInBlazers has ranked Liverpool (22%) as the most supported Premier League side in the US. Arsenal ranked second (16%), with Chelsea in third place (13%).
FELIPE MELO BLASTS 'RACIST ' PRESTIANNI
Felipe Melo could not tolerate the insult that the Argentine allegedly said to Vinicius on the field, so he did not take long to upload a video to his social media insulting Prestianni:
🗣 "Fire to the racists! And if you defend the racists, fire for you too. I'm sure Prestianni's wife must have cheated on him with a great Black man."
Friday, 20 February 2026
GEORGE RUSSELL CALLS OUT ''PREMATURE HEAT'' AFTER HEAVY F1 CRITICISM
George Russell has come to the defence of the new F1 regulations following some intense scrutiny from fellow drivers.
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| © XPBimages |
George Russell has labelled the "heat" the new F1 regulations received from some of his fellow drivers "premature" as he moved to defend the revamped rules.
The Briton highlighted the rapid "rate of improvement" seen at the start of any era in F1, pointing out that the new cars are not drastically slower than they were at the end of the contemporary ground effects era, which concluded at the end of last year.
His comments come in response to this harsh verdict handed down by some of his rival drivers, notably Max Verstappen, who branded the development "anti-racing" and likened the championship's new direction to "Formula E on steroids" due to the extreme energy management requirements of the new power units.
The understanding of the new regulations has already come a long way within the paddock since the private shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, and the volume of the detractors has quietened over the second and final official test in Bahrain.
With the situation more settled this week, and a seemingly greater level of satisfaction following an F1 Commission meeting on Wednesday, Russell was asked where he feels the greatest improvements have been made.
Speaking to media, including RacingNews365, the Mercedes driver replied: "I do think there has been a lot of progression, to be honest.
"Every 'day one' of a new set of regulations, you face challenges that you weren't anticipating, and the rate of improvement is very steep in those early days — and I think this test has been a much smoother test for everyone."
The five-time grand prix winner used the opportunity to talk up the new cars and talk down the deficit to the era that came before.
"If you actually look at the lap times and some of the race runs, the cars aren't actually a million miles away from the lap times we were seeing 12 months ago, and that was year four of a set of regulations," he said.
"I know there was a lot of heat after Barcelona and [the first] Bahrain [test], which was probably a little bit premature. I think on the whole, people are a bit happier this week."
- Samuel Coop
THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS ARE OFFICIALLY UP FOR SALE
Paul G. Allen’s estate launches a multi-year franchise sale aimed at record NFL valuations and major philanthropic impact.
Summary
- The Seattle Seahawks are officially up for sale less than two weeks after winning Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara
- Paul G. Allen’s estate has begun a formal sale process, honoring his directive to sell his sports holdings and direct the proceeds to philanthropy
- Investment bank Allen & Company and law firm Latham & Watkins will run a multi‑year sale expected to fetch a record NFL franchise price while the team stays locked into Lumen Field and Seattle
Fresh off a second Lombardi and a parade that shut down downtown, the Seattle Seahawks are suddenly the hottest asset on the sports market. The Paul G. Allen Estate has kicked off a formal sale process for the reigning Super Bowl champions, an unprecedented move in the modern NFL and the climactic chapter in the late Microsoft co‑founder’s plan to liquidate his sports empire for charitable giving. Allen bought the franchise in 1997 for just under $200 million, keeping it from bolting to Southern California, and under Paul and Jody Allen the Seahawks evolved from league afterthought to perennial contender and two‑time Super Bowl winner.
The estate has tapped Allen & Company and Latham & Watkins to handle the deal, a process the team says will stretch through the 2026 offseason before any buyer is vetted and ratified by at least 24 of 32 NFL owners. Public valuations peg the Seahawks in the $6.6 billion USD to $7 billion USD range, with some post‑title projections pushing the number toward eight digits, positioning the sale to eclipse the Washington Commanders and even challenge the $10 billion USD Los Angeles Lakers benchmark. With a long‑term lease at Lumen Field, sold‑out crowds since 2003 and the NFL’s next media‑rights cycle on deck, whoever steps in next inherits a ready‑made contender, a locked‑in city and one of the league’s most powerful platforms for both business and philanthropy.
- Hypebeast
Thursday, 19 February 2026
BODO/GLIMT IS DOING THE 'UNTHINKABLE' VS. EUROPE'S GIANTS
Bodo/Glimt has only gotten to play THREE competitive matches in 2026 since their league season ended in November in order to avoid Norway's peak winter. The three games have come against Europe's GIANTS, Man City, Atletico Madrid AND Inter Milan. This team from of a town of just 54,000 people is currently doing the unthinkable. A story that anything is possible in this sport 💛
THIERRY HENRY ON VINICIUS JR AND RACISM
Thierry Henry’s powerful words after Real Madrid’s Champions League game against Benfica 🤝
Henry said he could personally relate to what Vinicius Jr. experienced in last night’s game: “I can relate to what Vinícius Jr. is going through. It happened to me so many times. I talked about it, so many times, after games, being accused of looking for excuses.”
“At times, you feel lonely because it’s going to be your word against his word. And so, because we don’t know what Prestianni said.”
- ESPN FC
GIANNI INFANTINO WADES IN ON VINICIUS JR RACISM SAGA AS FIFA BOSS MAKES POST ION CLEAR
After Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr alleged Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni racially abused him, Gianni Infantino has stepped in and offered his point of view
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| Gianni Infantino has offered his thoughts on the ugliness between Benfica and Real Madrid(Image: YouTube/11Alive) |
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has declared he is "shocked and saddened" by the incidents of alleged racism during the clash between Real Madrid and Benfica.
UEFA has opened an investigation after Vinicius Jr alleged Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni directed racist language at him. The Champions League encounter was halted for 10 minutes by referee Francois Letexier, with both teams departing the field shortly after Vinicius had put his team ahead.
Prestianni and Benfica have rejected the allegations. However, UEFA will now examine video evidence of the incident and interview both Prestianni and Vinicius Jr as part of their probe.
Infantino maintains those found responsible must be held accountable and face severe sanctions if proven guilty of racist behaviour. He said: "I was shocked and saddened to see the incident of alleged racism towards Vinícius Júnior in the UEFA Champions League match between Benfica and Real Madrid CF.
"There is absolutely no room for racism in our sport and in society. We need all the relevant stakeholders to take action and hold those responsible to account.
"At FIFA, through the Global Stand Against Racism and the Players' Voice Panel, we are committed to ensuring that players, officials and fans are respected and protected, and that appropriate action is taken when incidents occur.
"I commend referee François Letexier for activating the anti-racism protocol by using the arm gesture to stop the game and address the situation.
"FIFA and football shows full solidarity to victims of racism and any form of discrimination. I will always continue to reiterate: No to racism! No to any form of discrimination!"
Meanwhile, Vinicius Jr took to social media to condemn racists as "cowards" having been on the end of racist abuse throughout his career.
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| Vinicius Jr said he was racially abused by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni during this altercation in Tuesday night's Champions League match(Image: Getty Images) |
He said: "Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are.
"But they have the protection of others who, theoretically, have an obligation to punish them. Nothing that happened today is new in my life or in my team's life.
"I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don't understand why. On the other hand, it was just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose."
- Jeremy Cross
Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Tuesday, 17 February 2026
20-YEAR NASCAR CUP SERIES STREAK COMES TO A SCREECHING HALT AT DAYTONA
For the first time since 2005, the NASCAR Cup Series has a full-time No. 97 car.
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| Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing, NASCAR | Jonathan Bachman/GettyImages |
There weren't many changes to the NASCAR Cup Series driver lineup from the 2025 to the 2026 season, but the changes that were made were signifcant.
Connor Zilisch has replaced Daniel Suarez at Trackhouse Racing after spending the year with JR Motorsports' Xfinity Series team, and Suarez has moved to Spire Motorsports to replace Justin Haley.
Haley is the only full-time Cup driver from 2025 who is no longer competing full-time in the Cup Series in 2026, as he has dropped down to the Truck Series with Kaulig Racing, reuniting him with the team he drove for in both the Xfinity Series and Cup Series from 2019 to 2023.
But Zilisch isn't driving Suarez's No. 99 Chevrolet in 2026.
Instead, the rookie is using the No. 88 Chevrolet that was used by Shane van Gisbergen in 2025. The No. 88 hadn't been used full-time since Alex Bowman drove it at Hendrick Motorsports in 2020.
The No. 99 shifted back over to RFK Racing, where it hadn't been used since 2016, for their Daytona 500 one-off entry for Corey LaJoie, although he failed to qualify. Van Gisbergen, meanwhile, has reverted to the number he used in Australian Supercars (and during the 2024 Xfinity Series season): No. 97.
As a result, the 2026 season is the first season since 2005 to see a No. 97 in the full-time Cup Series lineup.
The No. 97 is also a former Roush Racing number. Kurt Busch took over behind the wheel of the No. 97 Ford late in the 2000 season, and he drove the car until the antepenultimate race of the 2005 season.
For the final two races of the year, after Busch was cited for reckless driving and became "belligerent with Maricopa County (Arizona) sheriff's deputies during a traffic stop", Kenny Wallace filled in for him at Phoenix Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Prior to 2026, the No. 97 hadn't been used in the Cup Series in any capacity since the 2018 season, when Obaika Racing entered the No. 97 Toyota for Tanner Berrhill at Phoenix and Homestead. David Starr also drove the car at Texas Motor Speedway after failing to qualify at Talladega Superspeedway.
Between 2005 and 2018, appearances for the No. 97 entry were few and far between. Jeff Fuller, who failed to qualify the No. 97 Toyota for NEMCO Motorsports for the 2010 Daytona 500, drove the same car later in the year at Talladega.
Kevin Conway drove the same car for the same team twice at Daytona and twice at Talladega in 2011, though his qualifying attempt for the Daytona 500 was unsuccessful.
Bill Elliott got behind the wheel at Talladega and Daytona the following year after failing to qualify for the Daytona 500, before Timmy Hill made a start at Talladega.
- Asher Fair
MOGUL ATTACKED: MILLIONAIRE FORMER PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB OWNER STABBED IN HIS OWN HOME AFTER CONFRONTING MASKED ROBBERS
MILLIONAIRE football mogul Fawaz Al-Hasawi was stabbed when he confronted masked robbers in his home.
The former Nottingham Forest owner was injured as they tried to ransack his £10million house.
The Kuwaiti entrepreneur, 57, is thought to have been sleeping when thugs burst into his room, leaving him with stab wounds on his hand and neck injuries.
They fled and it is not clear if anything was taken in Mayfair, central London, earlier this month.
Images online show Mr Al-Hasawi in a bloodied hospital bed and with his hands bandaged.
His lawyers urged cops to give more details of the attack, claiming that other visitors from the Arabian Gulf “fear facing similar incidents”.
Al-Hasawi is a collector of watches, flashing them on social media.
The Met said the injuries were not life-threatening or life-changing and inquiries were continuing.
The businessman bought Forest from the estate of Nigel Doughty in 2012 and sold the Midlands club to Evangelos Marinakis in May 2017 after going through nine different managers in five years.
It comes just weeks after Manchester City star Ruben Dias and his girlfriend Maya Jama were left devastated after an “away day” gang ransacked their home.
Raiders are believed to have stolen more than £1million of designer watches, jewellery, handbags and clothes at their £4 million mansion in Cheshire.
Ruben and Maya had moved into the four-bedroom property before Christmas.
Prem stars fear that someone they know is tipping off burglars with several spooked by last month’s raid.
In December, The Sun revealed the shocking moment thieves fled Tottenham star Yves Bissouma’s mansion after stealing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of designer gear.
The Premier League ace, 29, has since opened up on several “traumatic” raids on his home, which saw luxury watches, bags and jewellery nicked.
Bissouma, who earns £50,000-a-week at Spurs, has been targeted by thieves three times – losing £1million worth of precious items.
While the month before, Raheem Sterling confronted the masked burglar gang who broke into his home with a knife, it is understood.
The brave dad reportedly got hold of the weapon to protect his young family after the group of robbers smashed into his house.
- Thomas Godfrey
Monday, 16 February 2026
COLLIN MORIKAWA DROPPED SOME MASSIVE NEWS FOLLOWING HIS VICTORY AT PEBBLE BEACH
Collin Morikawa ended the drought and started a new chapter in life and his career at Pebble Beach.
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| Collin Morikawa poses with the trophy following his win at the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am | Kyle Terada-Imagn Images |
It was a monumental weekend for Collin Morikawa. Immediately after sinking his winning putt at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, he announced that he and his wife, Katherine Zhu, are expecting their first child. Could this be a harbinger of what’s to come?
An emotional message to the fans, and his future baby, from Collin ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6uqTqLWSUQ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 15, 2026
When at his best, Morikawa is arguably the best ball-striker in the world. He has put that on display on the biggest stages before, winning both the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 Open Championship.
Now, Morikawa has eight professional wins, but make no mistake: his most recent victory at Pebble Beach was his most triumphant. Before Sunday, Morikawa hadn’t won on the PGA Tour in over two years. For someone who burst onto the scene with multiple major championships early in his career, the absence from the winner’s circle caused some to question if he would ever return to elite form.
While the world No. 5 eventually showed he can still beat the best the PGA Tour has to offer, the tournament didn’t begin the way he had hoped. Morikawa had a relatively quiet start, playing alongside Sepp Straka and amateur Geoff Yang. On Thursday, he played it safe and carded a modest 69, leaving him tied for 39th.
His amateur partner helped the team score on Friday, but Morikawa himself didn’t move the needle much, shooting a 68 and climbing only eight spots to 31st place.
On Saturday, something shifted. With the amateur portion concluded and his coach, Rick Sessinghaus, urging him to be more aggressive, Morikawa exploded with a 10-under 62. He hit all 18 greens in regulation, and he didn't just hit them. He was tucking shots so close to the pin that many of his birdies were tap-ins. This historic round vaulted him into second place.
On Sunday, Morikawa remained poised under pressure, battling Scottie Scheffler and Sepp Straka all afternoon. On the 15th hole, he drained a clutch 30-foot birdie putt, a massive moment for a player whose putting has long been considered his Achilles' heel.
He capped off the day by flushing a 235-yard 4-iron on the 18th, despite waiting nearly 30 minutes due to a rules issue in the group ahead. He tapped in to seal a one-shot victory at 22-under par.
Worth the wait 🏆
For the first time in 847 days, @Collin_Morikawa is a champion @ATTProAm. pic.twitter.com/suhXNQ4Nkz
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 15, 2026
It was a special weekend for the Southern California native in more ways than one. If Morikawa can maintain this blend of aggressive iron play and newfound putting confidence, there is literally and figuratively, new life in his career.
- Joe Dombro
RADUCANU BEATEN BY LUCKY LOSER
British number one Emma Raducanu has been knocked out of the Dubai Tennis Championships in the first round.
She recovered from a set and a break down against Antonia Ruzic to force a decider but the Croatian prevailed, winning 6-1 5-7 6-2.
Ruzic is ranked 67th in the world and was one of seven lucky losers from qualifying to fill the main draw after several players pulled out through injury, illness or a schedule change.
Raducanu's initial opponent Elisabetta Cocciaretto was ruled out with a thigh problem and Ruzic won the first set in 30 minutes having twice broken Raducanu.
The world number 25 then sought medical attention, just as she did last week at the Qatar Open when she had to retire from her first-round match.
Despite falling 5-3 down after being broken again in the second set, Raducanu fought back to claim two breaks and make it a set apiece.
The Briton won six consecutive games at the end of the second set and start of the third to go 2-0 up in the decider, but Ruzic won the next six to clinch victory.
- Ben Collins
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