Yardbarker

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

EXPERTISE:

NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, Premier League, MLS, US Soccer, UFC

Terry Bowden steps away from UL-Monroe to care for ailing father Bobby

Bobby Bowden is suffering from pancreatic cancer. University of Louisiana Monroe head coach Terry Bowden, Bobby's son, has temporarily left the program to spend time with his family.

Kevin Durant will remain with Nets on four-year, $198 million extension

Durant, 32, originally joined the Nets in the summer of 2019, but he missed the subsequent season while recovering from the torn Achilles tendon he suffered in that year's NBA Finals. He is currently representing Team USA in the Summer Olympics held in Tokyo. 

Kawhi Leonard reportedly staying with Clippers on new deal

Leonard, a five-time All-Star, averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists across 52 regular-season games with the Clippers in 2020-21.

Lionel Messi to sign with Paris Saint-Germain next week?

Messi was almost immediately linked with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City and Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain in rumors following Thursday's announcement from Barcelona.

Raiders' Carl Nassib 'met with nothing but love and support' since coming out

While speaking with reporters Friday, Nassib admitted he was stunned by the massive worldwide reactions to his announcement and added his teammates have been supportive throughout the entire process. 

Patriots' Cam Newton won't say if he's vaccinated against COVID-19

The one-time NFL Most Valuable Player returned to the Patriots via a one-year contract he signed in March, but that was before the club spent pick No. 15 of the 2021 draft on Alabama Crimson Tide signal-caller Mac Jones.

Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward on IL with index finger inflammation

Chicago Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward continues to endure a season he'd probably prefer to forget.

Ravens activate Lamar Jackson from COVID-19 list

Ravens running back Gus Edwards also tested positive for the coronavirus in late July but returned to work Friday.

Rams head coach Sean McVay: 'Zero chance' Matthew Stafford takes preseason snap

While this certainly isn't the first trip around the NFL for veteran signal-caller Matthew Stafford, he's only officially been with the Los Angeles Rams since he joined the franchise via a March trade from the Detroit Lions.

Harry Kane denies skipping training, vows to report to Tottenham Saturday

This is Kane's first public statement since reports surfaced at the start of the week he was facing "a significant fine" for what Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy deemed a breach of contract.

Florida Gators staying in hotel while attempting to avoid COVID-19 issues

The Florida Gators endured a serious and concerning COVID-19 outbreak last fall that temporarily threatened their season and reportedly included head coach

Eagles in 'no rush' to name Jalen Hurts starting QB

Through the first full week of August, it's been heavily presumed Hurts and not Flacco will be Philadelphia's QB1 come September. 

Zach Aston-Reese staying with Penguins on one-year deal

The Pittsburgh Penguins held onto one of their own for at least one more season on Thursday. 

Bill Belichick on Patriots QBs: 'Competition makes us all better'

Newton sits comfortably atop the depth chart heading into the preseason opener, and it's unclear if Jones can perform well enough over the next several weeks to leapfrog the 32-year-old. 

Gary Sanchez latest Yankees player positive for COVID-19

The New York Yankees cannot avoid COVID-19 issues and headaches this summer.

Packers' Jordan Love 'super excited' for first NFL in-game snaps

Love is itching to take the field when Green Bay opens the exhibition portion of the calendar against the Houston Texans on Aug. 14. 

Juventus Women apologize for tweet with racist gesture

Anton Toloui of Sky Sports and others shared screenshots of the deleted post and called for the individual or persons responsible to be removed by the club.

Texans' Jonathan Owens 'was sick' watching girlfriend Simone Biles struggle at Olympics

Houston Texans safety Jonathan Owens, Biles' boyfriend, reflected on his experience watching Biles pull out of the team competition while speaking on Thursday. 

Roger Federer pulls out of two tournaments, U.S. Open status in doubt?

Missing that tournament could prove to be a brutal blow for Federer, as he, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are all tied for the men's all-time record with 20 career Grand Slam trophies heading into the year's final major.

Three-time Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams remains with Hawks on one-year, $5M deal

The 34-year-old had hit free agency and was previously linked with the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers in rumors.

Robert Griffin III joins ESPN, wants to still play in NFL

Quarterbacks will go down to injuries and other setbacks throughout training camp and the preseason, so it's possible Griffin could receive an offer from a team ahead of the fall months.

SEC extends commissioner Greg Sankey through at least 2026

Sankey has agreed to a contract extension that will link him with the league through at least 2026. Sankey became the conference's eighth commissioner on June 1, 2015.

Indians agree to 15-year lease to stay in downtown Cleveland

The deal includes a pair of five-year options that can be picked up by the city and county and $435 million for needed renovations on the ballpark.