NFL Draft 2025

The NFL draft 2025 was held at Lambeau Field and Titletown District in Green Bay, Wisconsin on April 24–26, 2025. The 90th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible players was hosted by the Green Bay Packers and featured seven rounds of selections.

The Eagles moved up to get Campbell, who is a big-bodied defensive tackle. He’s a great fit for the Eagles’ defense that lost both Calais Campbell and Da’Shawn Hand in free agency and has to replace tackles Alim McNeill and Maliek Collins. At 6-foot-4 and 331 pounds, he is a space eater who should help clear rush lanes for Zach Sieler.

Why they picked him: The Giants had a lot of needs after a rough season, but quarterback was their top priority. Dart was an intriguing prospect because of his accurate throwing, anticipation and ability to escape pressure. He also has a strong arm and can make all the throws that the Giants’ new offense requires.

The Jets added a plug-and-play offensive lineman to complement last year’s first-round pick, Olu Fashanu. Zabel is an athletic, mobile tackle who can play either guard position and has the potential to be a good pass blocker. He’ll be a nice fit for new coach Klint Kubiak’s outside zone running game that prioritizes athletic linemen who can get off blocks and move in space. He’ll join center Sam Cosmi, guards Tyler Biadasz and Joe Tippmann and tackles Corey Clement and Alijah Vera-Tucker.

The Politics of Fan Protest Stories

Whether it’s rallying against Jose Mourinho or protesting against the commercialization of football, fans have a long history of using their passion for a particular subject to fight for change. The articles in this issue demonstrate that fan activism isn’t a passing fad, but rather a powerful force that is increasingly influencing civic life.

This issue brings together cutting-edge work that takes fans seriously as political agents, and that draws on a variety of theories of citizenship and democracy. Its essays explore how fan activism can reframe and challenge dominant discourses about culture, power, and society.

We examine how the way in which protest stories are told can influence people’s attitudes toward the protest and the protesters. Specifically, we show that when news media humanize – as opposed to delegitimize – the teenager whose death prompts a protest, viewers perceive the story as more credible. This effect holds for both Democrats and those with Democrat-leaning views. In contrast, when stories delegitimize the teenager whose death prompts a migrant rights protest, viewers perceive the story as less credible.

We also show that a fan activism organization’s use of preexisting community structures, like fandoms or the Black press, helps it build up a sense of solidarity and social action among its members. This is illustrated by Dave’s story about his experience with the Harry Potter Alliance, an organization that encourages its members to use their love of the books to promote social change.

Esports Tournament News

Whether you’re a high-stakes tournament winner or a devoted fan watching from the sidelines, esports is revolutionizing the way consumers interact with video games. Sponsored by some of the biggest video game companies in the world, competitions for popular titles are played in world-class arenas and watched by millions, making esports a multibillion dollar industry 1. And as internet connectivity speeds increase around the globe, it won’t be long before that number doubles.

Esports, also known as e-Sports, e-games, or electronic sports, is organized competitive video gaming that has evolved into a global phenomenon with televised championships seen by tens of millions of people and a potential Olympic debut on the horizon 2. Esports tournaments feature teams competing against one another to win cash prizes, and the popularity of eSports has led to mainstream media networks like ESPN broadcasting events 3, professional sport leagues adding eSports to their lineups 4 — and even owners of NBA and NHL franchises investing in esports teams 5.

The eSports industry is driven by players who dedicate themselves to their craft and compete for large prize pools. Many of these players are incredibly successful in their respective games, and some have become household names in their own right. Some of the most notable eSports competitors include Astralis (Dota 2), OG (League of Legends), FaZe Clan (Counter-Strike), Daigo Umehara (Street Fighter) and more.

The Insanity of Combat Sports

The elation of a great fight, the thrill of a big win, the intensity of combat sports—these moments transcend sport and captivate fans across generations. Whether it’s Muhammad Ali’s Thrilla in Manila, Conor McGregor’s historic knockout, or Ronda Rousey’s pioneering dominance, these legendary moments capture the allure of combat sports and the raw human emotions that drive them.

Due to the one-to-one nature of competition, combat sports tend to be more intense than other sports. But, with the right balance of discipline and training, those who participate in combat sports find themselves more productive and creative in their daily lives, and stay healthier (as research has shown that aerobic exercise improves memory and learning abilities).

Athletes are tasked with not only improving their physical fitness, but also their mental fortitude and psychological resilience. They must prepare mentally for the highs and lows of competition while managing adrenaline, anxiety, and fear in a safe and structured environment. This requires mental preparation strategies ranging from visualization techniques to mindfulness practices.

The long hours of training and competing can often leave coaches little time to cultivate friendships outside their sport, which can be isolating. Despite these challenges, many people who choose to participate in combat sports remain dedicated and committed to their craft. They push themselves to train even when they don’t feel like it, and are galvanized by the sense of accomplishment and camaraderie that comes from being able to hold their own in a fight.

Athlete Endorsements

Athlete endorsements are a powerful marketing strategy that leverage athletes’ popularity and credibility to boost brand visibility and consumer trust. While these partnerships have a short-term impact, they also help establish deeper consumer connections through narratives that highlight athletes’ personal experiences and struggles. The intrinsic trust and admiration that fans feel for athletes translates to genuine influence over purchasing decisions.

In order to maximize their contract value and sponsorship chances, athletes must maintain a robust social media presence and engage their audiences authentically with original content. The best-paid athletes have devoted, engaged social fan bases that rival their sports teams and leagues in size and passion. Similarly, brands should seek to partner with athletes that are known for their adherence to ethical codes and strong moral principles.

Athlete endorsements that feature video content, such as testimonials or day-in-the-life formats, foster authenticity and create a more immersive audience experience. In addition, long-term athlete partnerships can provide more opportunities for creative storytelling and deep integration into the brand’s identity. Athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo, whose ongoing partnership with Nike has shaped his iconic image as a role model, prove the power of long-term commitment to an endorsement. Metrics such as conversion rates, sales uplift, and brand sentiment can help quantify the success of an endorsement campaign. In addition, a termination clause in an endorsement agreement should clearly define situations in which one party can walk away from the deal. Whether an athlete’s performance declines or they get involved in a controversy, a well-drafted termination provision can protect the interests of both parties.

Athlete Retirement News

The last few weeks have seen a flood of athlete retirement news, from Super Bowl hero Nick Foles to women’s soccer legend Alex Morgan hanging up her cleats. For many athletes, retiring can be a tough transition. They spend their entire lives preparing for that one moment, and they must shift from training around the clock to surviving on minimum wages and limited social support. They also have to find their self-identity outside of the sport they love and build a new foundation for themselves.

Despite these challenges, most retirees do well in their post-athletic careers. It is important that they learn about investing and financial planning early in their careers, says Tom Sagissor, president of RBC Wealth Management – U.S. and a former NHL draft pick. This will help them make smart investment decisions and avoid making mistakes that can jeopardize their futures.

In addition to investing wisely, it is crucial that athletes pay off their debts and focus on building income-producing investments such as real estate, fashion, or broadcasting. However, not all athletes will succeed in these business ventures — for every George Foreman and Venus Williams, there are many more that have gone broke or failed to maintain their success after leaving the game.

Athletes should be sure to stay connected to their sport peers once they retire, as this will allow them to continue to feel a sense of belonging and find a purpose for themselves outside of the world of sports. Athletes should also make an effort to maintain connections with their parents, partners and coaches.

Sports Celebrity Gossip

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Brooks Nader had a cheeky response to rumors she dated both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at the same time. Plus, she’s the first person to call out a baseball IQ — but did she get the right answer?

TMZ Sports spoke to the former two-time All-Star outfielder at a Raising Cane’s this week. He had a lot to say about Harper, his father and more. See what he said in the video above.

Asian Games 2026

The Asian Games, also known as the Asiad and officially the 20th Asian Games, will be held in the Aichi and Nagoya prefectures in Japan from September 19 to October 4 next year. The event will be co-hosted by the cities of Aichi and Nagoya. This will be the third time Japan has hosted the Asian Games, following Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994. It will also mark the return of the Asian Games to its traditional four-year cycle.

Aichi and Nagoya are very familiar with hosting large-scale events, having done so since the Expo 2005. They are working together to support the Asian Games and ensure that they are a success. This includes cooperation with the Aichi Prefectural Government, various local governments and businesses, and mass media.

Founded in 1951, the Asian Games were first held shortly after World War II to reestablish bonds between Asian countries through sports and contribute to peace in the region. They are the largest regional multi-sport event with 45 participating countries and regions. They are run by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and organized every four years.

The Olympic Council of Asia considers Israel an Asian country based on its membership in the OCA, but it has not competed in the Asian Games since 1974. The OCA also allows Taiwan and Macau to compete under their own names in the Asian Games, despite their lack of full international recognition, because of their geographic location in Asia.

Social Media in Sports

The intersection of sports and social media continues to change the industry for the better. While a few teams and leagues still aren’t leveraging the rapid rise of social media platforms, the ones that do have seen their audiences grow substantially and build a deeper connection to the brand.

The ability for fans to share their own sports content on social media allows them to control the narrative of their favorite events and players. It gives them a sense of ownership, which increases their loyalty to their favorite team and athletes. One example is the Chelsea football club, whose fans banded together on social media to petition against a referee they felt had influenced a crucial game outcome.

Social media has also helped to humanize athletes and make them more accessible. For instance, many athletes now use their social accounts to post behind-the-scenes or day-to-day content. These posts allow them to connect with their fans in a more human way, which can help boost their profiles and career opportunities. Some athletes, like Simone Biles, also use their social media to advocate for issues such as mental health, which helps reduce stigma and builds support networks.

Athletes also benefit from the ability to monetize their personal brands on social media platforms like TikTok. This enables them to connect with new audiences, and some of these audiences might not have been a part of their original fan base. This enables them to become long-term supporters and potentially generate revenue from endorsements, products and other partnerships.

What is the Champions League?

The Champions League is a club competition for the best teams in Europe. Originally called the European Cup, it debuted in 1955 and has become a staple of the soccer calendar. In the first edition the sixteen top clubs from major national leagues competed in four rounds of knockout play to determine a champion. Real Madrid won the first five titles and established an enduring legacy that allows winning clubs to keep the trophy (which must be displayed in their stadium).

In 2024-25 the tournament was overhauled to add a league phase and the format was changed from a single round-robin group stage to a double-round-robin group stage. The winners and runners-up of each group advanced to the knockout phase play-offs, which consisted of two-legged matches between the teams ranked 9th to 24th in each pot, a system that aimed to promote competitive balance.

In the new system, a maximum of 32 teams will qualify for the league phase of the Champions League. Then, a draw will be conducted to establish the groups. Each group will contain one team from each national association. Then the teams will be seeded for the quarterfinal and semifinal draws based on their performances in the group stage. A re-seeding is done for the final eight and the draw takes place on Feb. 21. The top four teams from the league phase advance to the quarterfinals and semifinals, and a draw is held to establish which will play which.