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🚨 Headlines
🏈 Major salary cap increase: The NFL’s salary cap for next season is set to increase significantly, ranging between $277.5 million and $281.5 million, a substantial rise from last year’s $255.4 million.
⚽️ Champions League playoffs: Real Madrid, PSG, Dortmund, and PSV have advanced to the Round of 16 in the Champions League, with the draw scheduled for tomorrow.
⚾️ The robots are coming: The MLB will be testing an automated ball-strike system (robo umps) in spring training games this year, allowing teams two challenges per game.
🏀 Ratings way down: The NBA’s All-Star Game saw a significant decrease in viewership, with only 4.7 million viewers tuning in, marking a 13% drop from the previous year.
🏈 Champs get new OC: The Eagles have promoted Kevin Patullo to offensive coordinator, replacing Kellen Moore.
🏀 Is Nikola Jokić having the best season ever?
By the numbers: Nikola Jokić’s impressive season stats place him among the top players in the NBA, with high rankings in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and true shooting percentage.
- Jokić’s 33.4 player efficiency rating (PER) would be a record-breaking mark, surpassing his own previous record.
- He is on track to become the sixth player in NBA history to win at least four MVP awards.
The greatest seasons ever: A comparison of Jokić’s season with some of the best statistical seasons in NBA history shows his exceptional performance this year.
- Embiid (2022-23): Scoring and assists in Embiid’s MVP season fall short of Jokić’s current performance.
- Antetokounmpo (2021-22): Jokić’s win shares already rival Giannis’ best statistical campaign.
- Curry (2015-16): Jokić and Curry hold the most efficient high-volume scoring seasons, with Jokić excelling in rebounds and assists.
- James (2008-09): Jokić outperforms LeBron in multiple statistical categories.
- Jordan (1987-88): Jokić proves to be a more efficient scorer than Jordan.
- Chamberlain (1961-62): Contextual differences make Jokić’s performance even more impressive in comparison to Chamberlain’s era.
Shoutout to Shai: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s exceptional performance in a competitive season makes him a strong MVP contender.
⛳️ Pick up the pace!
Slow play on Tour: Recent golf tournaments have seen extended playtimes, prompting discussions on improving pace of play in professional golf.
What they’re saying: Former LPGA star Dottie Pepper calls for a better pace of play, emphasizing respect for competitors, fans, and broadcasts.
So, what can be done? Various ideas have been proposed to address slow play, including implementing shot clocks and penalizing offenders.
The LPGA leads the way: The LPGA Tour has introduced penalties for players exceeding shot times, aiming to improve pace of play immediately.
⚽️ How the next 18 months could reshape soccer in the U.S.
From Yahoo Sports’ Henry Bushnell: The upcoming events, reforms, and decisions in American soccer over the next 18 months have the potential to transform the sport at all levels nationwide.
Coming up: The 2025 MLS season kicks off this weekend with multiple matches scheduled.
📺 Watchlist: 4 Nations championship
The U.S. and Canada meet tonight in Boston in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship.
More to watch: Several exciting matches across different sports are scheduled for today.
🏀 College hoops trivia
Trivia answer: Nine SEC schools are currently ranked in the AP men’s basketball Top 25.
✍️ Good reads
⚾️ Russell Dorsey: Six players to watch in spring training
🏈 Frank Schwab: The NFL’s top 10 free agency storylines
🏀 Morten Stig Jensen: NBA rookie report
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