Former Cal State Bakersfield assistant coach Kevin Mays faces 11 criminal charges including pimping and drug possession following an investigation sparked by an anonymous tip.
The scandal has triggered significant upheaval within the university’s athletic department, leading to high-profile departures.
Mays, who served as a temporary assistant, has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Departmental exodus
Rod Barnes, the men’s basketball head coach, and athletic director Kyle Conder left their positions in September as the investigation unfolded.
The university did not explicitly state the reason for their exits, ending Barnes’ 14-year tenure which included NCAA and NIT tournament appearances.
Internal turmoil began on 29 August when the veteran coach opened an anonymous email alleging criminal activity by his staff member.
“FIX IT OR THE WHOLE STAFF WILL FALL.”
Anonymous email sent to Rod Barnes
The tipster warned that this communication served as both a “first warning and a final warning”.
Serious criminal allegations
Mays is currently being held without bond and faces a severe list of 11 criminal and misdemeanor charges.
Prosecutors allege the former coach worked as a pimp across four states and trafficked a woman identified in the tipster’s email.
Further charges include possession of methamphetamine and marijuana with intent to sell, alongside possession of automatic firearms.
He has also been cited for possession of over 600 images of youth pornography and distribution of obscene matter involving a minor.
Bakersfield Police Department indicated that investigators are conducting follow-up interviews to identify potential additional victims.
University response
Jennifer Self, a spokesperson for the Big West Conference school, described the charges against Mays as “deeply concerning”.
The institution has since consulted with a local human trafficking expert to provide campus-wide awareness training.
Acting athletic director Sarah Tuohy and university president Vernon Harper confirmed a national search is underway to replace the departed leadership.
The Roadrunners finished last in their conference standings prior to this off-court crisis.
Russia is set to end its sporting exile by competing under the national flag at the upcoming Winter Paralympics, despite the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
This watershed moment marks the first time since 2014 that the country’s athletes will participate with full national identity at the event.
Six athletes from Russia and four from close ally Belarus are scheduled to take part.
However, the build-up has been overshadowed by controversy surrounding their inclusion.
Boycotts and protests
Ukrainian athletes have confirmed they will boycott Friday’s opening ceremony in Verona in protest at the decision.
Officials from a host of European nations are also expected to shun the event.
Unlike the recent Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina where compatriots competed as neutrals, these 10 athletes will represent their nations.
They will be accompanied by national flags and potentially their anthems should they win gold medals.
Legal battles regarding participation
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) lifted its partial ban on athletes from the two nations last year.
Despite this, individual governing bodies such as the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) initially refused to lift their own sanctions.
Russia and Belarus subsequently won an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) against the FIS ruling.
Consequently, the athletes received bipartite commission invitations, effectively acting as wildcard entries for the Games.
Shifting stances on neutrality
The IPC stated that the original ban from the 2022 Beijing Games was not solely due to the invasion itself.
Instead, the committee argued that Paralympic sport was being utilised to promote the military campaign at that time.
Officials have suggested there is currently less evidence of sport being used for such propaganda.
This marks a significant divergence from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has maintained that Russian athletes must compete as neutrals.
Oleksandr Usyk faces the prospect of losing his IBF and WBA heavyweight titles after confirming a crossover bout against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven.
The Ukrainian unified champion has agreed to defend his WBC strap against Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza on 23 May.
However, his decision to pursue a voluntary defence rather than facing mandatory challengers has placed his other world championship belts in jeopardy.
The 39-year-old has already relinquished his WBO crown, with Fabio Wardley elevated to full champion in October.
Pressure mounts on IBF status
Promoter Kalle Sauerland is actively lobbying for the IBF title to be declared vacant so Derek Chisora can challenge for the gold.
The British veteran positioned himself for a title shot by defeating Otto Wallin in an eliminator last February.
Chisora is scheduled to face Deontay Wilder on 4 April, a bout Sauerland believes deserves world title status if the current champion is stripped.
“Oleksandr Usyk has not had one single mandatory defence of the IBF in his reign as heavyweight champion.”
Promoter Kalle Sauerland
Sauerland told Sky Sports: “Given Chisora’s position at the very top of the heavyweight rankings right now, and Wilder’s position as well, it would be an amazing addition for them to be able to fight for the belt.”
“We will be speaking to the IBF to see whether there is something that can resolve the situation and we will be lobbying for such a move.”
Sanctioning bodies seek clarity
Murky waters also surround the WBA title, with contender Murat Gassiev currently seeking clarity on the governing body’s stance regarding the Verhoeven exhibition.
While the WBC has sanctioned the bout in Egypt as a voluntary defence, the other organisations have yet to confirm if their belts will be on the line.
Despite the political maneuvering, Sauerland acknowledged that the former undisputed cruiserweight king deserves a lucrative payday similar to those enjoyed by Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
“The sport is the sport… but at the same time I totally understand that boxing is also a business and the fight with Verhoeven is a fight that will attract a lot of eyeballs,” Sauerland added.
“You could almost say he deserves a payday along those lines as well. But it doesn’t affect that boxing goes on.”
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are set to face off in a professional rematch at the Las Vegas Sphere in September 2026, over a decade after their record-breaking first encounter.
A ‘Fight of the Century’ sequel
The boxing icons will meet in a fully sanctioned professional bout rather than an exhibition. The event is scheduled to take place at the state-of-the-art Las Vegas Sphere, marking a significant upgrade from their 2015 clash at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Pacquiao will be aiming to become the first fighter to defeat his American rival. The Filipino legend lost via unanimous decision in their original contest, which was billed as the ‘Fight of the Century’.
Netflix driving ‘nostalgia’ push
Despite the combined age of the combatants reaching 96 by the scheduled fight night, streaming giant Netflix has pushed to broadcast the event. DAZN News journalist Chris Oliver suggests the commercial appeal of nostalgia is the primary factor behind the deal.
It’s the rematch nobody asked for, but we’re getting it anyway.
Oliver added: “If they were both past their best in 2015, why would there be much interest in a 2026 rematch? Well, nothing sells like nostalgia and Netflix knows that all too well.”
Lucrative history and recent form
The original welterweight title fight remains the most financially successful contest in boxing history. It generated more than $600m (£475m) in overall revenue, including a record 4.6 million pay-per-view buys.
The undefeated American has not fought professionally since stopping UFC star Conor McGregor inside 10 rounds in August 2017. Conversely, the eight-division world champion returned to the ring recently to secure a draw with Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title.
Tune-up fights expected
Both men are reportedly scheduled to return to the ring for exhibition bouts in April to build anticipation. Mayweather is expected to face Mike Tyson, while Pacquiao has announced he will take on former junior welterweight titlist Ruslan Provodnikov.
These exhibitions are intended to accelerate the promotional machine as Netflix prepares for the sequel in September.
Luke Donald has been appointed Team Europe captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, handing the Englishman a historic third consecutive term in charge.
The former world number one will look to become the first European skipper in history to secure the trophy three times.
Donald guided the side to a commanding victory in Rome in 2023 before successfully retaining the cup in New York in 2025.
He joins Tony Jacklin as the only European captains to oversee back-to-back wins following the triumph at Bethpage Black.
Chasing history in Ireland
Donald is the first man since Bernard Gallacher in the 1990s to lead the continent in three successive contests.
While Gallacher captained three times, the 48-year-old Donald is aiming to set a new benchmark for victories.
The decision confirms he will lead the defence of the trophy on home soil in County Limerick.
It marks a continuation of a remarkable tenure that began unexpectedly when he replaced Henrik Stenson ahead of the Rome contest.
‘More story to tell’
Donald admitted he thought his time at the helm had concluded following the intense pressure of winning away in the United States.
However, the opportunity to complete a hat-trick of wins proved too enticing to turn down.
“The last two Ryder Cups have meant a lot to me and my family. I didn’t imagine this third time would come.”
“Celebrating on that Sunday night in New York after a pressure-packed week in a tough environment, I thought maybe my job was done. But maybe there is a little more story to tell.”
Donald added that the role had given him “focus and purpose” over the last few years.
An unbeaten legacy
The strategist maintains a flawless record in the biennial competition, having never finished on the losing side as either a player or a manager.
He featured in four victorious teams as a player between 2004 and 2012.
His tactical approach was widely praised during the recent 15-13 victory over the United States, where Europe built a record-breaking lead over the first two days.
He also served as a vice-captain during the 2018 success in Paris, further cementing his status as a specialist in the event.
Scotland winger Kyle Steyn insists his side are refreshed and ready to halt France’s Grand Slam charge at Murrayfield on Saturday to keep their own Six Nations title hopes alive.
Fabien Galthie’s visitors arrive in Edinburgh as heavy favourites to secure the championship.
A bonus-point victory for Les Bleus would wrap up the title with a round to spare.
However, the hosts possess significant motivation of their own heading into the weekend.
Victory would send Gregor Townsend’s men to Dublin for a final-round decider against Ireland.
Refreshed Scots ready for ‘machine’ challenge
This year’s championship has already delivered major shocks, notably Scotland’s emphatic Calcutta Cup win over England.
Yet the campaign has taken a toll, following a defeat by Italy and a gritty win over Wales.
Steyn believes the recent fallow week came at the perfect time for the squad to reset.
“It was just so good to get some time with my family,” said the 32-year-old.
“I feel like that’s just really filled the emotional and mental tank again and it’s just been so exciting to come into camp and rip into this week.”
The Glasgow Warriors back acknowledges the scale of the task awaiting them.
“We know the challenge that’s coming this week and the kind of machine that’s French rugby at the moment.”
Kyle Steyn, Scotland winger
Townsend’s side hold no fear
While the French side may be on a march toward a clean sweep, they do not hold the same fear factor for the Scots as other nations.
Under Townsend, the dark blues have won five of their last 13 meetings with France across all competitions.
Steyn predicts another entertaining encounter between two sides willing to attack.
“Whenever we’ve come up against these guys, we’ve had some really good games, some really fun clashes, some really big clashes,” added the winger.
“So I’m just looking forward to another one of them.”
Dave Rennie has been appointed as the new head coach of New Zealand, becoming the first person of Pasifika heritage to take charge of the three-time world champions.
The 62-year-old replaces Scott Robinson, who was dismissed in January following a turbulent two-year tenure.
Robinson departed after high-profile losses to South Africa, Argentina and England alongside reports of internal friction.
Making history in Auckland
At a news conference in Auckland, the new boss opened with the Maori greeting “Kia orana koutou”, translating to “hello to all”.
Upper Hutt-born Rennie has Cook Islands links through his mother.
Pasifika heritage encompasses the indigenous peoples of Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia.
Having beaten Jamie Joseph to the role, the veteran tactician is tasked with securing a fourth World Cup title.
That tournament begins in Australia next October.
Before taking charge for July tests against France, Italy and Ireland, he will honour his current commitment to Japan’s Kobe Steelers.
Rennie described himself as “extremely proud” to accept the responsibility.
“It’s a sprint from here,” said Rennie.
“We need to get the athletes in the best possible position to execute and play well.”
Experience across the ditch
New Zealand Rugby chairman David Kirk cited Rennie’s extensive experience as a decisive factor.
His CV includes a stint coaching the All Blacks’ trans-Tasman rivals, Australia, between 2019 and 2023.
During his time with the Wallabies, he oversaw 34 tests.
The former Chiefs boss won 13, drew four and lost 18 matches during that period.
That record represented the lowest winning percentage of any Australian coach with at least 30 tests in charge.
Despite those statistics, his side secured notable victories over New Zealand and South Africa, though they also suffered a historic first defeat by Italy.
Culture and tactical shifts
Rennie emphasized that team culture would be a primary focus upon taking the reins.
He also indicated he has specific plans to alter the team’s playing style.
“[I’m] probably not going to go into massive detail around what that is or the changes we want to make because I don’t want to throw anyone in the previous regime under the bus,” he added.
“I’ve watched a lot of footy already. I’ve got some firm ideas around the shifts we can make that’ll make us better.”
England World Cup winner Steve Thompson has opened up to former team-mate Ben Youngs about his diagnosis of early onset dementia and his inability to remember the 2003 final.
The former hooker played a pivotal role in the historic campaign in Australia under Sir Clive Woodward.
However, the 46-year-old has revealed that watching footage of the victory over the Wallabies feels like watching a stranger.
Thompson discussed the impact of his diagnosis during a candid conversation with Leicester Tigers scrum-half Youngs.
Disconnect from historic triumph
Despite starting in the final against Australia, the Northampton Saints legend retains no personal recollection of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup.
He admitted that reviewing the game now triggers no familiarity or emotional connection to the events on the field.
“It doesn’t look like me.”
Steve Thompson speaking to Ben Youngs
The profound memory loss highlights the severe long-term effects of head impacts sustained during his career.
The wider impact on rugby
Thompson was speaking as part of the new documentary Ben Youngs Investigates: How Safe Is Rugby?, which is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
He is one of several former professionals involved in legal action against the sport’s governing bodies regarding negligence and brain injuries.
The documentary explores the risks associated with the sport and the personal toll taken on its most celebrated stars.