10+ hour, 7+ min ago (469+ words) Nov 24, 2025 | 5:55 PM EST The Skins Game is returning to the professional golf world after nearly 17 years. Last time it was played, K.J. Choi beat defending champion Stephen Ames to win the event. The South Korean also grabbed a $415,000 paycheck. It was the norm back then. However, this year, four pros will play this format of a tournament for the first time. The field originally featured Tommy Fleetwood, Keegan Bradley, Xander Schauffele, & Justin Thomas. However, Thomas had to withdraw from the event due to health complications. As he had revealed, he had been suffering through a lot of pain for a long time. Thomas stated, "I've had some nagging hip pain for a handful of months, and after some time off and worsening symptoms, an MRI showed I had a disc problem that needed to be treated. I had a successful microdiscectomy…...

17+ hour, 26+ min ago (290+ words) Nov 24, 2025 | 10:36 AM EST Rick Pitino is looking forward to the competition that Iowa State brings. "I think Iowa State is as difficult to play against as any team in basketball," Pitino said. "Their defensive rebounding is relentless; they're very physical. It's great for us to play against this type of competition." The packed Players Era men's championship at Las Vegas will have an intense battle between two contenders on the opening day. It will be a homecoming of sorts for Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger. Otzelberger was the UNLV head coach for two seasons before moving to Iowa State in 2021. However, he maintained, this visit was strictly business." Freshman forward Imran Suljanovic (knee) is out for the entire 202526 season after dislocating his patella in practice and undergoing surgery. Apart from Imran, St John's has a complete roster with their key pieces…...

11+ hour, 20+ min ago (863+ words) Nov 24, 2025 | 4:41 PM EST Money talks, and when some of it comes from Michael Jordan, people listen. There has been a lot of curiosity around how deeply MJ is involved in his NASCAR venture, especially with 23XI Racing. Fans have long wondered what kind of financial muscle he and Denny Hamlin are bringing to the table, and today's questions feel bigger than ever. Legal filings and internal communications are shedding light on how 23XI was built, not just with speed on the track, but with deals in the boardroom. If some of what's leaking from emails and depositions is true, then this team is a lot more than a passion project. It's been very strategic, very tightly financed, and with stakes that go well beyond just running cars on Sundays. Here's the big reveal: according to notes shared by Bob Pockrass, Michael Jordan…...

14+ hour, 28+ min ago (311+ words) Nov 24, 2025 | 1:34 PM EST Now, this defensive Orange team will face the offensive team of the Cougars. The trio of Kingston Flemings, Emanuel Sharp, and Chris Cenac Jr. is dismantling opposition from the inside out. As the two teams gear up for their showdown, here's a quick look at what to expect from both of them. This includes injury updates to viewing details and expected starting lineups of both teams. There is good news for the Orange fans as Syracuse's Tyler Betsey will be available for the game against Houston in the Players Era Festival, as per sources. The six-foot-eight forward had an ankle injury, leading to his missing the game against the Monmouth Hawks. With him back, there are no injuries on the Syracuse side. As for the Cougars, Jacob McFarland remains out due to a leg injury. Kordel Jefferson's…...

22+ hour, 2+ min ago (340+ words) Nov 24, 2025 | 6:00 AM EST Apr 28, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) warms up before game four of the 2025 NBA Playoffs first round against the Houston Rockets at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images Steph Curry took to X to drop some big news: "Not your average GOAT. From the creators of KPop Demon Hunters and Spider-Man: Across the #SpiderVerse, #GOATmovie hits theaters February 2026." The film is set to release on February 13, 2026, marking Curry's official leap into the booming $436 billion global animation industry. That market, valued at USD 436.24 billion in 2024, is expected to nearly double to USD 895.71 billion by 2034, growing at a steady 7.46% CAGR between 2025 and 2034." Not your average GOAT. " Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) November 24, 2025 With an all-star voice cast including Gabrielle Union, Nick Kroll, Patton Oswalt, Jenifer Lewis, and more, Curry's GOAT promises high-energy comedy, heartfelt moments,…...

3+ hour, 31+ min ago (348+ words) Caroline John is a senior NBA writer at EssentiallySports, specializing in league comparables. She holds a master's degree in Journalism and Communication and brings eight years of experience to the sports desk. Caroline made a mark in NBA media by covering the life of Shaquille O'Neal, which led to an exclusive interview with Josh Halpern, CEO of Shaq's Big Chicken franchise. Her coverage was also personally highlighted by Shaq, who shared her article about his DJ Diesel persona and rapper GAWNE on Instagram. Drawn to the philanthropic work of LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal, Caroline started following the NBA for its character both on and off the court, and has since become a respected voice covering many of the league's biggest names. Her reporting stands out for accuracy, recognition from industry figures, and a strong connection with readers. Away from…...

15+ hour, 20+ min ago (1269+ words) Nov 24, 2025 | 12:42 PM EST Only a month into the 2025-26 regular season, and the NBA training rooms have become crowded with enough players to form two All-Star teams. That prompted EssentiallySports to consult various medical experts to share their analysis on the state of the game, which injuries concern them the most and more. Gary Vitti, Los Angeles Lakers" former head athletic trainer (1987-2017) Dr. Evan Jeffries,Doctor of Physical Therapy with Evolving Motion Dr. Nirav Pandya,Professor of UCSF Orthopedic Surgery Dr. Dean Wang, MD, Chief, Sports Medicine, UCI Health None of them work with any NBA team directly or have access to any of the players" medical records. But they have plenty of medical insight. Editor"s note: The following interviews were conducted separately. The answers below have been edited and condensed. What do you make of these early-season injuries compared…...

10+ hour, 31+ min ago (636+ words) Nov 24, 2025 | 5:30 PM EST Tensions in NASCAR's antitrust lawsuit have boiled over as it heads to trial on December 1 without a settlement in sight. And to add to the adversity, leaked internal texts from NASCAR's top executives have exposed their raw disdain for smaller teams by painting them as burdens rather than partners in the sport's growth. Matt Tifft, driver and former team owner,didn't hold back in a raw YouTube breakdown of the 2022 texts targeting his old team, Live Fast Motorsports. The team was formed in 2021 with B. J. McLeod after Tifft's racing career stalled from a brain tumor in 2019. The team survived on minimum resources with just 12 workers and millions in personal loans to field a Cup car. Despite the efforts of the co-owners, NASCAR executivesScott Miller and John Probst dismissed their hardships by stating they were "sucking on the teets…...

11+ hour, 17+ min ago (525+ words) Nov 24, 2025 | 4:45 PM EST Entering his second season in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers, Xavier Legette has shown his true potential as a wide receiver in the league. The 24-year-old was selected as the 32nd overall pick by the Panthers in the 2024 NFL Draft. Naturally, this has led many to be interested in the player's net worth, contracts, salaries, brand endorsements, and more. In 2025, Legette's net worth is approximately $12.36 million. Most of this comes from his rookie contract with the Panthers. Furthermore, Legette has also increased his net worth through various NIL deals and brand endorsements. Fans can expect this to grow with his consistent on-field performances. Legette signed a four-year, $12.3 million contract, which includes a $5.8 million signing bonus and the entire amount guaranteed. He will also earn an average annual salary of $3.04 million. Legette will also see his base salary…...

15+ hour, 31+ min ago (418+ words) Soham Kulkarni is a WNBA Writer at EssentiallySports, where he focuses on data-backed reporting and performance analysis. A Sports Management graduate, he examines how spacing in efficiency zones, shot selection, and statistical shifts drive results. His work goes beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, helping readers see how underlying trends affect player efficiency and the evolving strategies of the women's game. With a detail-oriented and analytical approach, Soham turns complex data into accessible narratives that bring clarity to the fastest-moving moments of basketball. His reporting captures not just what happened, but why it matters, showing fans how small efficiency gains, defensive structures, and tempo shifts can alter outcomes. At ES, he provides a sharper, stats-first lens on the WNBA's present and future. Cameron Boozer is a consensus top 3 prospect for the 2026 NBA draft. The hype has been backed up by…...