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

Twitter/X: @ZacWassink
Muck Rack: zac-wassink
June 11, 2020  |  Soccer

U.S. Soccer president apologizes for policy on anthem protests

The United States Soccer Federation has reversed course on its rule allowing the ban of any players who didn't stand during the national anthem as a result of the changing stance in sports world towards protest.

June 11, 2020  |  Track and Field

Watch: Karsten Warholm breaks 300-meter hurdles world record at Impossible Games

The 24-year-old Norwegian clocked in at 33.78 seconds, 0.7 seconds faster than the mark that Britain's Chris Rawlinson had held since 2002.

June 11, 2020  |  Golf

Jim Nantz apologizes for profanity after Jon Rahm chip

Legendary broadcaster Jim Nantz apologized if anybody was offended by the language. In fairness, though, swearing from athletes, coaches and fans heard on sports TV broadcasts is a tradition unlike any other. 

June 11, 2020  |  NBA

Report: NBA to allow 17 players per team for season restart

The NBA appears to be making adjustments so players feel safe and teams aren't left hanging should certain personnel feel uncomfortable playing during the pandemic.

June 11, 2020  |  New England Patriots

Patriots RB James White says players will protest during NFL season

White is no stranger to protesting, and it sounds like he will once again be using his platform during the 2020 season.

June 11, 2020  |  Soccer

Report: Premier League coverage by NBC will use EA Sports audio

The league and other competitions around the world suspended play in March due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Like other countries, England will conduct football matches without fans in stadiums.

June 11, 2020  |  Clemson Tigers

Clemson players defend Dabo Swinney amid racism controversy

Current and former Clemson football players have come to the defense of head coach Dabo Swinney amid controversy regarding a 2017 incident where he didn't punish an assistant coach who used a racial slur.

June 11, 2020  |  Golf

Justin Thomas waves at no fans during resumption of PGA Tour

The Tour won't have to wait long before golfers can wave to actual spectators on a course. Last week, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that fans will be welcomed to the Jack Nicklaus Memorial Tournament in mid-July.

June 11, 2020  |  Cleveland Guardians

Indians star Francisco Lindor donates shoes to Cleveland healthcare workers

Through a video chat, Lindor offered his gratitude to those on the pandemic front lines. "I want to thank you guys for everything you guys are doing for the community of Cleveland," Lindor said.

June 11, 2020  |  Soccer

Orlando City-Inter Miami scheduled for opening day of MLS tournament

The competition's opening day will see a pair of Florida clubs face each other for the first time.

June 11, 2020  |  NHL

NHL training camps to open July 10

The location of the two hub cities  where two collections of NHL teams will be placed to resume play hasn't yet been announced.

June 11, 2020  |  Golf

PGA Tour honors George Floyd with moment of silence

The competition honored George Floyd at 8:46 a.m. local time in Fort Worth, Texas.

June 11, 2020  |  Soccer

Tottenham's Dele Alli suspended for coronavirus-related post

When Tottenham Hotspur return to action on June 19 to face Manchester United in a showdown between two Premier League clubs targeting Champions League places, they'll be without a key figure.

June 10, 2020  |  Cincinnati Reds

Reds' Trevor Bauer mocks commissioner Rob Manfred: 'At least he got something right'

Rob Manfred told MLB Network on Wednesday he's "100 percent" convinced big league baseball will happen this year. Bauer used the opportunity to tweet a sarcastic reply to the executive.

June 10, 2020  |  Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella changes stance, will allow anthem protests

Back in 2016 — when Kaepernick first began his silent protests ahead of San Francisco 49ers games — Tortorella, who was Team USA coach at the World Cup of Hockey, threatened to bench any players who knelt as "The Star-Spangled Banner" played before the opening faceoff. 

June 10, 2020  |  MMA

Dana White: UFC fighters in streets could stop looting amid protests

White thinks that more UFC fighters should take Jon Jones' lead in terms of dealing with looters and agitators.

June 10, 2020  |  MLB

MLB Commish: '100 percent' there will be a season; play must end by November

Manfred echoed concerns voiced throughout the spring about a second virus wave impacting the sport in the fall, and also said November baseball isn't possible due to media-rights deals.

June 10, 2020  |  NBA

Report: NBA players won't be punished for refusing to return

Players who refuse to return to play when the season resumes won't have to fear any discipline.

June 10, 2020  |  Soccer

MLS might play home games in front of fans later this season

MLS commissioner Don Garber told reporters via a video call that he remains hopeful teams will be allowed to host some fans later in the year.

June 10, 2020  |  NASCAR

NASCAR bans Confederate flag at all future events

Bubba Wallace, the only full-time black driver in the NASCAR Cup Series, called for the organization to ban the Confederate flag from all events. NASCAR did that very thing ahead of Wednesday's race at Martinsville Speedway.

June 10, 2020  |  Clemson Tigers

Clemson's Trevor Lawrence to lead player protest over police violence, racial inequalities

Lawrence and running back Darien Rencher will be primary speakers for an on-campus demonstration this weekend. While not officially sponsored by the university, the protest will be led by students.

June 10, 2020  |  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Warren Moon says age has already caught up with Tom Brady

The numbers seem to back Moon's analysis. In 2019, Brady's completion percentage and rating were both the lowest he'd posted since the 2019 campaign, and he was 18th overall in QB rating.

June 10, 2020  |  Arsenal FC

Arsenal lose friendly to second-division Brentford

Arsenal dispatched of Charlton Athletic 6-0 in Saturday's exhibition, and one may have expected a similar result during the midweek. Instead, Brentford handed Arsenal a surprising 3-2 defeat at the Emirates. 

June 10, 2020  |  Carolina Panthers

Panthers remove Jerry Richardson statue in 'interest of public safety'

The statue was first unveiled in 2016, but a December 2017 report detailed multiple allegations of sexual harassment and racist remarks against Richardson.

June 10, 2020  |  Olympics

Olympics may allow kneeling, other protests during anthems

IOC President Thomas Bach told reporters on Wednesday the organization is open to discussing ways athletes can use the worldwide platform to make themselves heard.