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

Philadelphia Union wear jerseys with names of Black victims killed in police violence

Philadelphia players entered the pitch wearing "Black Lives Matter" shirts. When they removed the shirts, names of Black people killed by police violence were visible on their club kits.

NFL players bash jersey-exchange bans amid pandemic

Banning athletes who spend hours playing a contact sport that involves tackling and breathing on each other seemed to touch a nerve with some players.

MLB umpires' union rebukes Joe West after controversial coronavirus comments

On Thursday, the Major League Baseball Umpires Association seemingly responded to controversial comments made by veteran umpire Joe West earlier this week.

Report: Texas official has serious doubts about high school football season

Dallas ISD superintendent Michael Hinojosa told MSNBC's Garrett Haake that there may be no high school football in all of Texas this season due to the coronavirus.

UFC's Mike Perry punches man in bar altercation, uses racial slurs

Perry accused one patron of touching him, punched a different older man in the face and then used racist language as his girlfriend pleaded for him to leave the venue.

Paul Finebaum: 'College football season is slipping away'

Both SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and SEC insider Paul Finebaum gave bleak outlooks on a season that, more likely than not, isn't happening as planned.

Ohio State pauses all voluntary workouts after positive COVID-19 tests

The Ohio State University Department of Athletics paused all voluntary workouts on Wednesday. It's not known when Ohio State intends to resume training sessions.

Report: Stanley Cup Final to end Oct. 2 at latest

According to a report, the Final gets underway Sept. 20, which means only one day off will separate fixtures. This makes sense since travel won't be an issue at either the Toronto or Edmonton hub site. 

Padres prospect Jorge Mateo tests positive for coronavirus, has symptoms

Roughly one week after the San Diego Padres completed a trade with the Oakland Athletics to acquire infield prospect Jorge Mateo, the 25-year-old tested positive for the coronavirus.

Report: Devils to hire Lindy Ruff as next head coach

It's not known if Ruff will remain with the Rangers through the 24-team format to crown a champion for this season.

North Carolina football halts workouts after positive COVID-19 tests

The North Carolina Tar Heels football program is on pause for a minimum of one week after 37 student-athletes, coaches and staff members returned positive coronavirus tests. 

Amazon pulls Washington merchandise as pressure to change name grows

Amazon is the latest retailer to pull Washington's gear from its site. Nike, Target, Walmart and Dick's Sporting Goods have already scrubbed the team's gear and other items from their online stores. 

49ers RB Raheem Mostert requests trade

Mostert has two years left on a contract that could be worth $8.7 million, but he was a revelation for the 2019 NFC champions, as he averaged 5.6 yards per carry on 137 regular-season attempts. 

NHL still planning for Edmonton hub despite COVID-19 outbreak at hospital?

An outbreak at Edmonton’s Misericordia Hospital has killed three patients, infected 20 other patients and affected at least 15 staff members. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly responded to the news by saying that these events won't affect the league's schedule as of right now: 

Report: Ivy League cancels all fall sports amid coronavirus pandemic

No fall sports will be played until at least the start of the new year. The conference will provide an update on winter sports in "mid-July."

Patrick Mahomes' contract bans 'pretty much every physical activity'

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes realizes that he won't be taking too many risks as it concerns non-football-related fun. 

Toledo DL Jahneil Douglas shot and killed Tuesday night

 Douglas was shot and killed outside of a local pizzeria Tuesday night.

Indians welcome Franmil Reyes back to workouts after coronavirus testing

Francona confirmed Reyes underwent coronavirus testing before he returned to ballpark facilities.

Lazio defender Patric banned, fined for biting opponent

Two minutes into stoppage time, several players from the opposing sides gathered inside the Lecce penalty area. Donati extended his arms to separate opponents, and Patric responded by chomping on Donati.

2020 Northwestern-Wisconsin football game relocated from Wrigley Field

The historic stadium won't host Northwestern-Wisconsin in 2020 as uncertainty around the coronavirus continues.

Ravens limit attendance to under 14,000 fans amid coronavirus pandemic

On Wednesday, the Ravens announced via an email to season-ticket holders that season tickets for 2020 are deferred to at least 2021

Eagles’ Marquise Goodwin: 'The Jewish community is lashing out at me'

Goodwin is reportedly taking heat for a comment he left on a social media post by teammate DeSean Jackson.

Stanford cuts 11 varsity sports programs amid coronavirus pandemic

On Wednesday, Stanford University unofficially hinted that the school's football program may have to play games inside empty stadiums if it has a season at all amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Report: Pelicans' Alvin Gentry cleared for NBA restart despite COVID-19 risks

Gentry was required to obtain the green light to travel from a physician because of his age.

Rangers' Joey Gallo tests both positive and negative for coronavirus

On Monday, Texas Rangers All-Star Joey Gallo was missing the start of spring training 2.0 sessions after he tested positive for the coronavirus. However, the test might have read the wrong results.