The New York Jets have signed running back Breece Hall to a three-year contract extension worth $45.75m, securing one of their key offensive players.
The lucrative agreement includes $29m in guaranteed money for the standout offensive weapon.
With an average annual salary of $15.25m, the 25-year-old now ranks as the NFL’s third-highest-paid player at his position behind Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey.
He had previously received the franchise tag in February, which would have forced him to play the 2026 campaign on a $14.3m one-year deal had a long-term agreement not been reached.
Surviving the trade deadline
The significant financial commitment represents a dramatic shift in direction after the former second-round draft pick was heavily linked with a trade away from Florham Park last autumn.
General manager Darren Mougey opted to retain the prolific rusher to build around him, despite offloading star defenders Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams at the November deadline.
Negotiations were temporarily paused in March to accommodate draft preparations before concluding successfully this week with his representatives at Klutch Sports.
“Cried for the first time since I tore my ACL. This day really hit different for me man.”
The emotional reaction was shared by the player on the social media platform X shortly after the agreement became public.
A rare bright spark for a struggling franchise
The dynamic ball-carrier amassed a career-best 1,065 rushing yards during the 2025 season despite operating within a struggling team that finished with a dismal 3-14 record.
His production through the air was less impactful, yielding just 36 receptions, though new offensive coordinator Frank Reich will be tasked with better utilising those receiving skills.
Since entering the professional ranks, the explosive runner has accumulated 5,040 total scrimmage yards over four seasons.
He will now serve as a primary building block alongside wide receiver Garrett Wilson and newly drafted rookies Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr as the franchise attempts to rebuild.
Novak Djokovic has suffered a shock second-round defeat to Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic at the Italian Open in Rome.
The six-time tournament champion was competing in his first event since losing at Indian Wells in March.
However, the tennis icon looked physically hampered as he was beaten in three sets by the world number 79 on Campo Centrale.
Injury woes hamper French Open preparations
This surprise exit represents the Serbian’s first ever defeat in an opening match in the Italian capital.
It leaves the current world number four critically short of match fitness ahead of the French Open.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner has completed just one clay-court match before the second major of the year begins on 24 May.
Speaking to the ATP before taking to the court, he admitted he was struggling with his overall physical condition.
“I am not the happiest with the level of tennis or the movement or the physical state, but it is getting there,” he said.
“I wanted to be back on the Tour earlier but couldn’t. I was injured, so I had to deal with it progressively.”
Prizmic claims biggest career victory
The tournament favourite cruised through the opening set before his movement became noticeably laboured.
Prizmic played with relentless aggression to take control of the contest and secure a stunning two-hour victory over his childhood idol.
The Croatian teenager previously took a set off the former world number one at the Australian Open earlier this year.
He is currently enjoying a highly positive clay-court season, having recently defeated Ben Shelton at the Madrid Open for his first top-10 victory.
The rising star will now face either Vit Kopriva or Ugo Humbert in the third round.
Former Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos has named Paris St-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele as the best player in the world, while appearing to take a thinly veiled swipe at his old club.
The retired 34-year-old made the comments on his podcast following a recent Champions League clash between the French champions and Bayern Munich.
Praising the collective spirit fostered by manager Luis Enrique in the French capital, the five-time Champions League winner singled out the exemplary attitude of their marquee winger.
The 2014 World Cup winner was particularly impressed by how the forward reacted to being substituted after 65 minutes of a crucial European tie.
Praise for collective spirit
“Enrique takes off the best player in the world after 65 minutes, and Dembele shakes his hand and encourages his team-mates,” Kroos said.
“You see how he shouts to his team-mates from the bench, unlike the other players who think they are the stars of their teams.”
The ex-midfielder explained that Enrique felt comfortable replacing his star attacker because attacking colleagues Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia were performing better on the night.
The former Bayern prodigy noted that the 27-year-old actively encouraged his team to move forward rather than pouting on the sidelines.
“And not like 90 percent of the others who think they are the stars of their teams: starting to make gestures on the field and then sitting on the bench like a sulking sausage,” he added.
A pointed message to Madrid
These blunt remarks come amid mounting speculation regarding disharmony within the dressing room at the Bernabeu.
Reports from the Spanish capital suggest tensions are rising following a spectacular falling out between Madrid midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Further rumours indicate growing unrest surrounding Kylian Mbappe, with the France captain allegedly displaying a self-centred attitude both on and off the pitch.
By contrasting the harmonious environment at the Parc des Princes with the ego-driven behaviour of other top stars, Kroos appears to be sending a clear message to his former employers.
Former British world champion sprinter CJ Ujah has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged cryptocurrency fraud.
The 32-year-old is one of 10 individuals facing charges of conspiracy to defraud following an investigation spanning Kent, Essex and London.
The Regional Organised Crime Unit Network (ROCU) confirmed the arrests stem from a suspected organised crime group scam.
Elaborate scam targets crypto wallets
Suspects allegedly posed as police officers and cryptocurrency representatives during phone calls to multiple victims.
The perpetrators tricked individuals into sharing vital security details, including seed phrases, before draining their digital wallets.
One victim is reported to have lost more than £300,000 in the sophisticated operation.
“Victims are reported to have been tricked into sharing important security details, including seed phrases, before discovering funds stored in their crypto wallets had been stolen.”
Court dates and fellow athletes involved
The former world relay champion appeared before Margate Magistrates’ Court on 30 April.
He is currently one of seven people released on bail and will attend a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on 28 May.
Fellow British sprinter Brandon Mingeli, who represented Great Britain at the 2021 Under-23 European Championships, was also arrested and remanded in custody.
Previous controversies and career suspension
The two-time British 100m champion previously served a 22-month ban for a doping violation at the delayed Tokyo Olympics.
That infraction resulted in the British men’s relay team being stripped of their silver medals, though he was later cleared of intentional doping.
Having returned to competition and reached the 100m semi-finals at the 2024 European Championships, the former Olympian has not raced competitively since last April.
Governing body British Athletics has declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.
Former world number one Iga Swiatek battled past American Caty McNally to reach the Italian Open last 32 on a dramatic Friday in Rome that saw her new coach Francisco Roig suffer a torn Achilles.
The three-time Rome champion secured a hard-fought 6-1 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 victory over her unseeded opponent.
Early dominance gives way to baseline battle
The Polish star appeared to be cruising after establishing a commanding 6-1 3-1 lead on the Italian clay.
However, she squandered three crucial break points that would have extended her advantage to 4-1 before a flurry of unforced errors changed the complexion of the contest.
For sure, not an easy first match. The conditions were kind of heavy. The ball was flying slow.
McNally is the only player to have taken a set off the clay-court specialist at Wimbledon last year.
The American also boasts a memorable comeback victory over her higher-ranked rival during the 2018 Roland Garros junior event.
Late drama and service struggles
The momentum shifted dramatically as the underdog began to impose her varied touch on the grueling baseline exchanges.
Swiatek served for the match at 5-4 and 6-5 in the second set, but lapsed into backhand errors to be broken on both occasions.
Honestly, I want to watch this game and see if there’s something that I did wrong. I’m not sure even what I did.
The deciding set nearly unraveled in similar fashion when a double fault allowed McNally to instantly erase a 3-1 deficit.
Finding focus to secure progression
With the pressure mounting at 4-4, the multiple Grand Slam winner regained her composure to swat away a dangerous return.
Two clean winners followed to secure the decisive break, ensuring there would be no repeat of her second-set struggles.
I’m happy at the end of the match I was solid and I used the right balls to attack, but was also patient enough to stay in the rally.
She will next face either 28th seed Emma Navarro or Italian home hope Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the third round.
Injury blow to new coaching setup
The hard-fought victory was overshadowed by off-court developments within the Swiatek camp.
Her newly appointed head coach, Francisco Roig, suffered a torn Achilles tendon during a training session earlier in the day.
Meanwhile, fellow former world number one Naomi Osaka also battled to a three-set victory to book her place in the last 32.
Real Madrid players suspect Vinicius Junior of leaking dressing room secrets to under-fire manager Alvaro Arbeloa amid a deepening crisis at the Bernabeu.
The Spanish giants are enduring a turbulent campaign and face the prospect of a second consecutive trophyless season.
Tensions have already boiled over at the club’s training ground this week.
Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde was reportedly hospitalised following a physical altercation with team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni.
Dressing room relations sour
Against this chaotic backdrop, accusations have now been levelled at their star forward.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reports that several squad members believe the Brazilian international is acting as a covert informant.
The 24-year-old is accused of relaying private conversations to Arbeloa when the head coach is not present.
These claims have further poisoned an already fractured environment within the first-team setup.
Managerial favouritism claims
Frustrations regarding the lightning-fast striker reportedly began surfacing as early as March.
Teammates have grown increasingly tired of his attitude on the pitch and his unusually close bond with the man in the dugout.
The former Flamengo winger has been virtually untouchable under Arbeloa, missing just a single match all season due to suspension.
This perceived favouritism has deepened the rift between the squad and a manager who is widely expected to be dismissed.
Contractual uncertainty looms
The ongoing unrest also raises long-term questions regarding the forward’s future in the Spanish capital.
His current deal expires in the summer of 2027, leaving the hierarchy vulnerable to losing one of world football’s premium talents.
Without a swift resolution, the prolific attacker could theoretically negotiate with foreign clubs from January of that year.
However, given the current toxicity, some disillusioned colleagues may welcome his potential departure.
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid was named a finalist for the NHL’s Hart Trophy on Friday alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Nikita Kucherov as he seeks a fourth MVP crown.
The trio of former winners were confirmed as the final contenders for the prestigious accolade following a vote by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Noticeably absent from the shortlist is San Jose Sharks phenom Macklin Celebrini.
The 19-year-old registered a franchise-record 115-point season but missed out after his team failed to reach the play-offs.
McDavid chases NHL history
The Canadian superstar could secure his fourth MVP honour, having previously won the award in 2017, 2021 and 2023.
Victory would see the 29-year-old equal Eddie Shore for the third-most Hart Trophy wins in league history.
Only Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe have claimed the prize on more occasions.
The elite centre led the league in scoring with 138 points, capturing his sixth scoring title in an 82-game campaign.
He was instrumental in securing Edmonton’s post-season berth, tallying 24 points in 14 games while team-mate Leon Draisaitl was sidelined with injury.
MacKinnon and Kucherov state their case
MacKinnon enters the voting conversation after driving the Colorado Avalanche to the best overall record in the competition.
The 30-year-old secured his first Rocket Richard Trophy by netting a league-leading 53 goals.
He also ranked first for plus-minus and even-strength goals during a dominant individual campaign.
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay winger Kucherov recorded the second-highest points total of his career to secure his fourth finalist nomination.
The Russian international single-handedly navigated his team through an injury-plagued season, finishing with an NHL-best 1.71 points per game.
The 32-year-old previously took home the title in 2019 and was the undisputed offensive engine for a Lightning side that finished second in the Atlantic Division.
Manchester City midfielder Rayan Cherki believes there is still room for football romantics in the modern game after a dazzling debut season in the Premier League.
The 22-year-old has established himself as a vital component in Pep Guardiola’s system since arriving in England.
With 15 goal involvements, the French international ranks behind only Erling Haaland for attacking output at the Etihad Stadium this term.
Reviving the art of entertainment
Amid a tactical landscape increasingly dominated by rigid systems and set-piece routines, the former Lyon playmaker has stood out as a throwback.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher recently labelled him a “maverick” for his unpredictable style.
While Guardiola is notoriously demanding regarding tactical discipline, even the Catalan manager has been forced to admire his new star’s creative risks.
The talented forward feels a kinship with iconic entertainers of the past like Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi.
Playing with freedom and flair
Cherki insists that supporters still pay money to see players attempt the unexpected.
“Today, people who come to the stadium, more and more they want to see players who create a lot of things.”
“If today, I think about doing a backheel, or a Rabona, a sombrero flick or a shot from distance, that allows me to be what I want to be.”
The City attacker actively encourages his peers to embrace their creative instincts rather than fear failure.
“You shouldn’t refrain from it, try it. Because in football today, you’re not going to succeed at everything.”
Finding joy in all aspects
Despite his flair on the ball, the young creator acknowledges that entertainment is not restricted to attacking play.
He wants the sport to remain an emotional escape for fans rather than a mechanical exercise.
“I don’t want football to become a normal sport, or that it’s less watched.”
“I want people who are less passionate about football to say themselves that it’s a sport that brings a lot of emotions.”
Even the defensive side of the game holds an artistic value for him.
“A tackle is also part of the fun. It’s also a form of art, it’s also a way of loving football.”