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

Charles Barkley defends Drew Brees over national anthem protest comments

Brees found himself in hot water this week following controversial comments he made regarding NFL players potentially kneeling during the national anthem in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Alexander Gustafsson unretires, will face Fabricio Werdum at heavyweight on Fight Island

Gustafsson retired from mixed martial arts with an 18-6 professional record in June 2019 after he suffered a submission loss to Anthony Smith.

Dana White: UFC Fight Island will open July 11

While spoke with TMZ ahead of Saturday's UFC 250 card headlined by featherweight champion Amanda Nunes defending her belt against Felicia Spencer.

Police: Five people tried to set Indians' Progressive Field on fire

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams explained a group of five people attempted to break into the ballpark with a fire starter "and intentions to destroy" during Saturday's events.

L.A. Galaxy part ways with Aleksandar Katai after wife's racist posts

Katai, who has featured for the Serbian National Team, apologized for his wife's post via Instagram.

Notre Dame football players to quarantine, live at hotel

Last month, Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick made headlines when he said the 2020 college football season could begin without all conferences

49ers' Kyle Shanahan: People misunderstand Colin Kaepernick protests

Kaepernick made headlines when he kneeled during renditions of "The Star-Spangled Banner" to protest police violence and social injustices throughout the 2016 season.

Report: Kevin Durant buys stake in MLS' Philadelphia Union

Brooklyn Nets superstar and two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant is expanding his reach in the sports world. 

Report: Back-to-backs part of NBA return-to-play

Each team will be asked to play one back-to-back under the league's return-to-play schedule.

Megan Rapinoe opts-out of NWSL 'Challenge Cup'

The league will be without one of its most recognizable stars this summer.

USWNT star Sydney Leroux Dwyer shares racist abuse she suffered online

Sydney Leroux Dwyer spoke out about racist abuse she suffered. 

L.A. Galaxy condemn hate-filled posts made by wife of Aleksandar Katai

L.A. Galaxy have requested a meeting with midfielder Aleksandar Katai after his wife, Tea Katai, posted hate-filled and disturbing messages on her Instagram story that included profanity and threats against individuals protesting the killing of George Floyd. 

Report: NBA won't shut down if player tests positive for coronavirus

However, like other competitions around the world, it's not known what would happen if several individuals linked with one team or multiple players across several clubs tested positive.

NHL will reseed playoff teams after each round

We're getting more information on how the remainder of the NHL season will proceed.

Is NBA planning for shortened 2020-21 season because of the Olympics?

If having 16 teams participate in a standard postseason tournament next spring before players join national teams for Olympic duties is the goal, one would assume the 2020-21 campaign will not include a full 82-game slate.

Why Portland Trail Blazers voted against NBA resumption plan

The ninth-place Blazers are 3.5 games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the final Western Conference postseason berth. Portland will be one of 13 teams from the conference invited to play in Orlando.

Texas boosts stadium capacity to 50% despite coronavirus concerns

Last week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced that professional sports could return to the state in June and that venues could be filled up to 25 percent

Report: Up to five Alabama football players tested positive for COVID-19

Alabama coach Nick Saban has campaigned via a public service announcement for Alabama fans and residents to wear masks while in public.

Bills QB Jake Fromm apologizes for racist text

That text conversation appeared on social media early Thursday morning.

Pittsburgh Penguins confirm player has tested positive for COVID-19

As has been the case with teams around the world, the Penguins didn't identify the player. 

Dolphins coach Brian Flores urges players to be safe at George Floyd protests

After participating in a protest over the death of George Floyd, former University of Indiana football player Chris Beaty was shot and killed in Indianapolis on Saturday night. Flores was close to Beaty.

MLB insider: 'Great confidence' there will be a 2020 season

The owners and MLB commissioner Rob Manfred could push for a season of 50 games with prorated salaries.

NBA Board of Governors approves Orlando 22-team restart plan

ESPN reported 13 Western Conference teams and nine Eastern Conference clubs will participate in the campaign's resumption that is tentatively scheduled for July 31 and that could finish around or on Oct. 12. The NBA Draft Lottery will occur Aug. 25, with the draft set for Oct. 15. 

Steve Stricker: Ryder Cup without fans 'a yawner'

The Ryder Cup is currently scheduled to occur at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisc., on Sept. 25-27.

Tottenham receive £175 million loan from British government amid pandemic

On Thursday, Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur confirmed they've borrowed £175 million from the British government as part of the COVID Corporate Financing Facility amid the coronavirus pandemic.