Fired Nuggets coach Michael Malone joining ESPN broadcast team ahead of Western Conference finalsNew Foto - Fired Nuggets coach Michael Malone joining ESPN broadcast team ahead of Western Conference finals

Michael Malone isn't the Denver Nuggets coach anymore, but he's still going to make an appearance at the Western Conference finals. Malone is joining the ESPN broadcasting team for the series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves, thenetwork announcedMonday. Malone, 53, will appear on "NBA Countdown" for the pregame and halftime portions of the broadcast. He'll be on-site with the usual ESPN crew, which includes Malika Andrews, Stephen A. Smith and Shams Charania, among others. It will mark the first time Malone has been involved with the NBA since he wassurprisingly firedby the Nuggets with just three games left in the regular season. The Nuggets elevated assistant David Adelman as their interim head coach. Adelman performed well in his brief stint running the team. The Nuggets pushed the Thunder all the way to a Game 7 in the second round of the playoffs.Denver fell shortin that contest Sunday and were eliminated from the postseason. Following the game, anumber of players expressed supportfor elevating Adelman into the full-time role. With his former franchise no longer in the running, Malone will apply his coaching expertise to the Thunder and Timberwolves. He should be plenty familiar with both franchises, though he has more recent experience with the Timberwolves. The Nuggets played the team twice in the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. The Nuggets came out on top in 2023 and rode that momentum all the way to a championship. The Timberwolves got the best of Denver in 2024, however, beating Malone's Nuggets in seven games. Malone had mixed success against the Thunder during his coaching career, going 21-22 in 43 games against Oklahoma City. But that figure is dragged down by Malone's time with the Sacramento Kings, where he went 0-5 vs. Oklahoma City. Prior to his firing, Malone experienced plenty of success with the Nuggets. He compiled a 471-327 record in 10 seasons with the franchise, good for a .590 winning percentage. The Nuggets made the playoffs in each of the past six seasons under Malone, winning the NBA championship during the 2022-23 season. Given that success, Malone should draw interest for head-coaching jobs in the offseason. Malone's knowledge and familiarity with the league could make him an excellent commentator during the Western Conference finals, but it's also an opportunity for him to put himself out there and remind coach-needy teams that he's looking for work.

byKevin Jones
in
May 19, 2025

Fired Nuggets coach Michael Malone joining ESPN broadcast team ahead of Western Conference finals

Fired Nuggets coach Michael Malone joining ESPN broadcast team ahead of Western Conference finals Michael Malone isn't the Denver Nugget...
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The US Open's Arthur Ashe Stadium is getting an overhaul as part of an $800 million projectNew Foto - The US Open's Arthur Ashe Stadium is getting an overhaul as part of an $800 million project

NEW YORK (AP) — TheU.S. Open'sArthur Ashe Stadium will get an overhaul as part of an $800 million project announced Monday that the U.S. Tennis Association is touting as the "largest single investment" in the history of itsGrand Slam tournament. The USTA said it is funding the improvements at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, with no help from the city government. According to aclass-action antitrust lawsuitfiled in federal court in New York in March by a players' group co-founded by Novak Djokovic, the four major tennis tournaments — the U.S. Open, Wimbledon, French Open and Australian Open — "generated over $1.5 billion collectively in 2024, while only paying between (10% to 20%) of revenue to players." Separately, in April, Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka andCoco Gauffwere among 20 leading tennis playerswho signed a lettersent to the heads of the Grand Slam tournaments seeking more prize money and a greater say in what they called "decisions that directly impact us." The USTA said there will not be interruption to scheduled play or fan access for the next two editions of the U.S. Open. Play in the main draw this year begins on Aug. 24 — shifting to a Sunday start for the first time in the Open era, which began in 1968, and adding a 15th day of competition. The USTA's work, which is expected to be done in time for the 2027 U.S. Open, includes constructing a $250 million player performance center. The new player area will be next to the practice courts and include additional courts, locker rooms and lounges. Ashe's courtside-level seating capacitywill increase from 3,000 to 5,000, while some seats in other sections will be removed, leaving the arena's total similar to what it is now — around 23,000 to 24,000, the biggest in Grand Slam tennis. The stadium, which first opened in 1997 and has had a retractable roof since 2016, also will get a new "grand entrance," two new luxury suite levels, more club and restaurant areas, larger and updated concourses and restrooms, and more escalators and elevators. ___ AP tennis:https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

byKevin Jones
in
May 19, 2025

The US Open's Arthur Ashe Stadium is getting an overhaul as part of an $800 million project

The US Open's Arthur Ashe Stadium is getting an overhaul as part of an $800 million project NEW YORK (AP) — TheU.S. Open'sArthur Ash...
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'Tush push' sides make their cases as NFL owners prepare to vote on controversial Eagles play: 'It's a cheapo play'New Foto - 'Tush push' sides make their cases as NFL owners prepare to vote on controversial Eagles play: 'It's a cheapo play'

The topic ofthe "tush push" is a divisive one. The controversial goal-line play made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles and utilized by the Buffalo Bills is back on the agenda at NFL owners meetings this week, where a votecould effectively ban it. Both sides are making their cases in anticipation of the vote. Per The Athletic's Dianna Russini,Eagles officials are making callsaround the league to make the case that the play should not be banned. The play has already been on the agenda once and was given a reprieve.Owners opted to table the topicduring spring meetings in April following a charged debate. Owners will meet again in Minneapolis starting Wednesday and are expected take up the subject again. Any rule change will require 24 of the 32 NFL owners to vote in support of it. The "tush push" involves multiple players lining up behind a ball carrier and pushing him forward toward a line of gain in short-yardage situations. The Super Bowl champion Eagles have repeatedly and effectively utilized it for multiple seasons to push quarterback Jalen Hurt over the goal line with opposing defenses nearly helpless to stop it. The Bills have also adopted the play to take advantage of the size and strength of quarterback Josh Allen near the goal line. They've both done so with great success. Per ESPN research, Philadelphia and Buffalohave utilized the play more than the other 30 teams combinedin the last three yearsto an 87% success ratein terms of converting either a touchdown or a first down. Some teams — most notably the Green Bay Packers — don't think this is fair. The Packers proposed the rule change that would prohibit "an offensive player from pushing a teammate who was lineup directly behind the snapper and receives the snap, immediately at the snap." The cited reason for the proposal? "Player safety; pace of play." There'sno data to support that player safety is further riskedby the "tush push," a point that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made in April while simultaneously suggesting — without data — that the "tush push" does offer an increased risk of injury. "We have very little data from it, but beyond data, there's also the mechanism of injury that we study …that leads us to show the risk involved in a particular play or particular tackle," Goodell said on April 2. "There are a lot of plays where you see someone pulling or pushing somebody that are not in the tush push formation that I think do have an increased risk of injury." The real reason appears to simply be that that play is almost impossible to stop. Washington Commanders linebackerFranki Luvu notably demonstrated the difficulty in attempting to stop itin a playoff loss to the Eagles when he drew multiple penalties for jumping early over the line of scrimmage with the Eagles in "tush push" formation. Luvu candidly discussed on Monday why "I think they should ban it" during an interview with NFL Network. "I think they should ban it."-Commanders linebacker and Tush Push legend Frankie Luvupic.twitter.com/abfL7CJPeV — Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt)May 19, 2025 "But I know the argument's going to be about like, hey, you guys have to stop it, Luvu said. "Don't get us in short yardage, and what not. I mean, it's kind of like a cheapo play. ... "It's pretty much a scrum in rugby. That's how I kind of look at it. And we've got to have a scrum, too, on the other side. An the scrum is, we have a cadence where we all go at once. It's not like you hard count and this and that, where now you're getting us — or myself — jumping over the pile thinking that you're going to snap the ball. That's just my own personal opinion, and I'm going to leave it at that." There weren't enough votes in April to ban the 'tush push.' Will that change this weekas owners vote behind closed doors?

byKevin Jones
in
May 19, 2025

'Tush push' sides make their cases as NFL owners prepare to vote on controversial Eagles play: 'It's a cheapo play'

'Tush push' sides make their cases as NFL owners prepare to vote on controversial Eagles play: 'It's a cheapo play' The ...
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Matthew Daddario, Holland Roden and Tony Danza Set to Star in Hallmark's "Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story"

Jamie McCarthy/Getty; Rodin Eckenroth/Getty; Dominik Bindl/WireImage Hallmark revealed that Tony Danza, Matthew Daddario, Holland Roden, Tracy Pollan, Steve Schirripa and Caroline Aaron will star inHoliday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story. The network, which announced that this year's film will revolve around the Buffalo Bills in March, also shared that head coach Sean McDermott and players such as Damar Hamlin and Ray Davis will make cameos. Last year, Hallmark found success with its first iteration ofHoliday Touchdown,which focused on the Kansas City Chiefs. Hallmark is welcoming its nextHoliday Touchdowncast into the game. On Monday, May 19, the network announced who will be leading the upcomingHoliday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story,which is set to premiere during Hallmark's 16th annualCountdown to Christmasthis winter. The actors introduced themselvesin a fun YouTube video, where they tossed around a football and sported Buffalo Bills merch. Tony Danza,Matthew Daddario,Holland Roden,Tracy Pollan,Steve SchirripaandCaroline Aaronwill star in the film as it follows two families who have a "longtime friendship rooted" in their "cherished traditions" supporting their favorite football team. "Pediatric doctor Morgan Quinn (Roden) and the Bills' VP of Stadium Development Gabe DeLuca (Daddario) have always been close friends, but Gabe has always held a torch for her — a fact obvious to their families (Pollan, Aaron, Schirripa)… and everyone else who crosses their path," the official logline reads. "When Morgan learns from her Uncle Tommy (Danza) that someone anonymously helped her family get by after he was drafted more than 60 years ago — and that he continues to receive a Christmas gift each year to this day — she decides to find his benefactor and give her uncle a Christmas he'll always remember." "Aided by Bills Mafia friends of theirs, Morgan and Gabe work together to unwrap the gifter's identity," it continues. "Along the way, Gabe's love for Morgan deepens and in turn, she begins to see him in a new light though neither is daring enough to admit their feelings." The description concludes: "Meanwhile, Morgan's hopes of pulling off her surprise for Uncle Tommy get sacked. That is, until Gabe takes matters into his own hands and uses his connections with the Bills to pull off the surprise of a lifetime for Morgan and both their families that will make this a Christmas they'll never forget." The Bills' head coach,Sean McDermott, is also joining the star-studded cast, and several players will be making cameos, including running back Ray Davis, safetyDamar Hamlin, offensive tackleDion Dawkins, tight endDawson Knox, long snapper Reid Ferguson, defensive tackle DeWayne Carter and wide receiver Joshua Palmer. Al Pereira/Getty Plus, there will be appearances from Buffalo Bills legendJim Kelly, former players Steve Tasker, Thurman Thomas and Scott Norwood, along with the Bills' play-by-play announcer Chris Brown.Luke Russertis also taking part in the movie in honor of his late father, broadcast journalist and "die-hard Bills fan,"Tim Russert. "We are so excited to have a stellar ensemble cast that is truly an acting dream team," said Samantha DiPippo, Senior Vice President of Programming at Hallmark Media, in the press release. "The addition of Coach McDermott along with the current Bills players and alumni gives us the winning combination to bring to life this heartwarming story that celebrates the bonds of family and community and, of course, there's romance with a touch of Christmas magic." Timothy T Ludwig/Getty; David Eulitt/Getty; Perry Knotts/Getty Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Hamlin firstrevealed the newsthat the 2025 edition ofHoliday Touchdownwould revolve around the Buffalo Bills in March. "We have big news today! Hallmark Channel and the NFL have selected the Buffalo Bills in the 2025 Countdown to Christmas movie draft," the player announced in a video posted tosocial media. "We're so excited to celebrate our team, ours fans and a shout out to Bills mafia and our shared love of football and Hallmark Christmas movies." This came after 2024'sHoliday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story,which the Chief Brand Officer at Hallmark Darren Abbott mentioned in a statement about continuing the series in March. "The incredible success of last year's partnership with the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs far exceeded our expectations," Abbott said at the time. "We are thrilled to team up with the Bills this year for a new holiday movie filled with heart, family and the classic Hallmark storytelling that our fans know and love, all set against the special community the Bills franchise has nurtured throughout its storied history." Read the original article onPeople

byKevin Jones
in
May 19, 2025

Matthew Daddario, Holland Roden and Tony Danza Set to Star in Hallmark's “Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story”

Matthew Daddario, Holland Roden and Tony Danza Set to Star in Hallmark's "Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story" Jamie McCarth...
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Hyderabad ends Lucknow IPL playoff hopes after six-wicket winNew Foto - Hyderabad ends Lucknow IPL playoff hopes after six-wicket win

HYDERABAD, India (AP) — Sunrisers Hyderabad ended Lucknow Super Giants' faint playoff hopes with a clinical six-wicket win in the Indian Premier League on Monday. Abhishek Sharma's blistering 18-ball 59 led Hyderabad's chase to 206-4 with 10 balls to spare. Lucknow, which needed to win its remaining three games and rely on other results, couldn't capitalize on a blazing 115-run opening stand between Mitchell Marsh (65) and Aiden Markram (61) and was restricted to 205-7. Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings have made it to the playoffs. The fight for the fourth and final place was now between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. Lucknow captain Rishabh Pant's sub-par season continued when he fell for 7, his seventh single-digit score. Pant was a symptom of the team's middle order woes, and Hyderabad fast bowler Eshan Malinga (2-28) was the latest bowler to profit. ___ AP cricket:https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

byKevin Jones
in
May 19, 2025

Hyderabad ends Lucknow IPL playoff hopes after six-wicket win

Hyderabad ends Lucknow IPL playoff hopes after six-wicket win HYDERABAD, India (AP) — Sunrisers Hyderabad ended Lucknow Super Giants' fa...
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