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

Raiders owner Mark Davis buys WNBA's Las Vegas Aces

Davis has become a fixture at events such as Aces games and contests hosted by the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights. Davis' Raiders have a working relationship with MGM.

MLB hires Theo Epstein as consultant

It's assumed Epstein will advise Manfred on issues such as pace-of-play and overall entertainment value, as well as how to improve the sport in the eyes of younger audiences. 

Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem won't have coaches for Australian Open?

Nadal's coach Carlos Moya is not traveling to Australia because of the country's strict health and safety protocols that include a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

Celtics expect to resume play Friday vs. Magic

The Boston Celtics have had three consecutive games postponed because of complications linked with COVID-19 cases and subsequent quarantines, but it appears they're finally set to take the court again.

Madison Keys to miss Australian Open after positive COVID-19 test

Keys, currently No. 16 in the official WTA rankings, added that she hopes to resume play at some point next month. 

Sloane Stephens' grandmother, aunt died from COVID-19

Stephens is the latest prominent sports figure to share how the coronavirus pandemic has directly impacted her life and family.

Browns activate WR KhaDarel Hodge from reserve/COVID-19 list

The Cleveland Browns continue to get more whole ahead of Sunday's playoff game at the Kansas City Chiefs.

New Packers OT Jared Veldheer reportedly tests positive for COVID-19

Veldheer has tested positive for the coronavirus and won't be cleared from the reserve/COVID-19 list for Saturday's NFC divisional-round playoff game versus the Los Angeles Rams. 

Friday's Wizards-Pistons, Warriors-Suns games postponed

The NBA's ongoing COVID-19 crisis will continue to affect the league's schedule through at least Friday night. 

Rams DT Aaron Donald (ribs) 'healthy' ahead of playoff clash at Green Bay

Aaron Donald, a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, wants everyone to know that the rib injury he suffered in last Saturday's victory over the Seahawks won't be bothering him heading into this Saturday's must-win game at the Packers. 

UConn star guard James Bouknight out indefinitely after elbow surgery

Bouknight is second in the Big East in scoring and averaging 20.3 points per game while shooting 45% from the field and over 32% from three-point range. 

Georgetown men's basketball postponing three games due to COVID-19?

Georgetown is temporarily pausing team activities because of coronavirus-related concerns.

Rockets trade James Harden to Nets in blockbuster four-team deal

The Rockets are sending Harden to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal that also involves the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers.

Pelicans' Zion Williamson out vs. Clippers due to health and safety protocols

The announcement doesn't necessarily mean the 20-year-old tested positive for the coronavirus. It's possible Williamson has been labeled a close contact of an infected individual and is being held out only as a precaution. 

Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire practices, on track to face Browns

Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire hasn't played since suffering a high ankle sprain in the 32-29 win over the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 20, but he may see a return to the field for the Chiefs' Divisional Round matchup against Cleveland.

Bears GM Ryan Pace: 'Everything is on the table' for quarterback

Nick Foles is signed through 2022, while Chicago declined Mitchell Trubisky's fifth-year option.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi misses Spanish Supercopa semifinal with injury

Messi requested that manager Ronald Koeman remove him from the second half of Saturday's victory because of the setback and then tweaked the issue while training on Tuesday.

Michigan State's Steven Izzo, Mady Sissoko test positive for COVID-19

Per Big Ten guidelines, both players will be unavailable for team activities for at least 17 days. 

Phoenix Open reduces crowd to fewer than 5,000 fans per day

Guests are required to wear masks on the course and also undergo temperature checks before they're permitted on the grounds. 

Blue Jays CEO Mark Shapiro signs five-year extension

Shapiro made the jump from the front office of the Cleveland Indians to Toronto in October 2015 and helped the Blue Jays make the playoffs the subsequent season. He then executed a necessary rebuild.

Khamzat Chimaev to face Leon Edwards in UFC main event on March 13

The pair were originally scheduled to meet in the main event of the Dec. 19 UFC Fight Night show but had that contest scrapped after Edwards tested positive for COVID-19 and was unable to adequately train.

Seahawks part ways with OC Brian Schottenheimer

Shortly after announcing the contract extension of GM John Schneider, the Seahawks tweeted news about the release of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.

Wednesday's Jazz-Wizards game postponed

Currently, the Wizards are set to play at the Detroit Pistons on Friday night. Utah, meanwhile, will complete a game at the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday and then host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. 

Carlos Carrasco wants Trevor Bauer, Corey Kluber in Mets' rotation

There's always room for another Cy Young Award winner in the group, but Bauer and Kluber are two different types of free agents this winter.