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

Premier League confirm five substitutes for season restart

Unsurprisingly, it won't be business as usual on the pitch when the Premier League returns amid the coronavirus pandemic on June 17.  

Odell Beckham Jr. 'all-in' on Browns' virtual offseason program

Cleveland offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt discussed OBJ's feelings and performance during the Browns' virtual offseason program.

Senior MLB writer teases July 15 start date to resume the season

MLB may not yet be at its 11th hour to put pen to paper on a deal with the players, but time is of the essence if the goal is for big-league baseball to air across national television partners in mid-July.

FC Dallas player tests positive for COVID-19

FC Dallas as said the unnamed player is in good health.

Former NHL goalie Kevin Weekes: Get racist 'knuckleheads' out of NHL

Weekes spoke about George Floyd's unnecessary death, and race relations in general, during an appearance on the "ESPN on Ice" podcast. 

Horse named after Dr. Fauci posts second-place finish in debut race

Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci had a pretty good Wednesday at the track. Sort of.

Bears' Akiem Hicks suggests NFL blackballed Colin Kaepernick: 'We signed Mike Glennon'

The fact that Mike Glennon is currently on an NFL roster and Colin Kaepernick isn't is proof the NFL blackballed Kap, so says Akiem Hicks.

Reports: Growing pessimism MLB, MLBPA can reach deal for 2020 season

What caught some off guard during this week was reports that individuals from the two sides are more pessimistic about MLB hosting a season at all this year.

Broncos coach Vic Fangio apologizes for comments on discrimination in NFL

Fangio's initial words were met with widespread criticism.

LeBron James, others react to Drew Brees' comments on anthem protests

Drew Brees' comments upset athletes and analysts across several sports.

UFC champ Jon Jones supports protests, leads vigilantes in Albuquerque

Jon Jones has stopped vandals and taken parts in cleaning up the city of Albuquerque. Now, he's adding some muscle in support of protesters.

Houston Texans will allow players to attend George Floyd funeral

Texans head coach Bill O'Brien spoke about Floyd's untimely and unnecessary death with reporters on Wednesday.

Lincoln Riley worried coaches may push limits of voluntary workouts

According to Big 12 and Pac-12 protocols, Oklahoma is allowed to open facilities to players on June 15, but the school decided to postpone doing so until July 1.

Pete Carroll: 'We owe a tremendous amount' to Colin Kaepernick

Kaepernick began his protests during the 2016 NFL preseason and continued the demonstrations throughout the campaign. The Niners released him the subsequent offseason, and he failed to find a different football home through May 2020. 

MLB rejects 114-game MLBPA proposal for 2020 season

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association still can't get on the same page regarding the start to the 2020 regular season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Tottenham confirm only positive Premier League COVID-19 diagnosis in lead-up to resumption of play

Wednesday's Tottenham news serves as a reminder that asymptomatic individuals can and do carry the virus.

MLS, MLSPA avoid lockout, plan for Orlando tournament

On Wednesday, MLS and the MLS Players Association agreed to terms for an amended collective bargaining agreement that will likely include a July return to action.

USTA could move tournament to form US Open doubleheader

As the United States Tennis Association ponders proposals for how New York can host the 2020 US Open during the uncontrolled and unpredictable virus outbreak but one plan might work just for this year.

Cubs owner: 'The scale of losses across the league is biblical'

One franchise owner disagrees with the belief that MLB teams are still flush with funds.

Premier League provides guidelines for pre-restart friendlies

If Premier League clubs want to resume friendlies, they'll have to comply with a new set of guidelines aimed at keeping people safe and healthy.

Sacramento Kings part ways with play-by-play announcer after 'All Lives Matter' tweet

On the same day organizations, leagues, and athletes throughout the sports world honored George Floyd, the unarmed African-American man who was killed while in Minneapolis police custody on May 25, with "Blackout Tuesday" social media posts, one individual lost his job.

Hawks' Lloyd Pierce campaigns for 30-team NBA restart

Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce wants to see his team return to action in Orlando, positing that even 'meaningless' games have value for his young squad.

Once NBA season resumes, Finals to end on or before Oct. 12?

The Finals theoretically could begin on Sept. 29 or Sept. 30 and still finish on Oct. 12 while accounting for off days. 

NFL tells teams training camps must be at club facilities amid pandemic

Currently, the Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers are scheduled to open the preseason with the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6. 

Bears cancel meeting to support 'Blackout Tuesday'

Bears coach Matt Nagy "put X’s and O’s on the back burner" to support the cause.