Browsing: Wire

• 

  Baxter HolmesOct 20, 2025, 09:04 PM ET

  Close

  Baxter Holmes (@Baxter) is a senior writer for ESPN Digital and Print, focusing on the NBA. He has covered the Lakers, the Celtics and previously worked for The Boston Globe and Los Angeles Times.

LOS ANGELES — Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg, whose former company is embroiled in an NBA scandal involving the LA Clippers, formally pled guilty to two counts of wire fraud in federal court in downtown Los Angeles on Monday.

Each count carries a maximum of 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 23, 2026 at 11 a.m. PST at the United States District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles.

Monday’s hearing was a formality, as Sanberg had previously agreed to plead guilty to his role in a scheme that defrauded investors out of $248 million. During Monday’s hearing on the 10th floor of the courthouse, Sanberg’s attorney Marc Mukasey said that Sanberg committed the crimes he was charged with because “he loved (Aspiration) and wanted it to do well.” Mukasey later added, “Mr. Sanberg was working to bring about a prosperous and successful company…We agree that he stepped over the line.”

Editor’s Picks

2 Related

The Clippers and Aspiration, a green banking company that declared bankruptcy this year, announced in September 2021 to a $300-million, 23-year sponsorship deal with the team, which included signage in Clippers’ new Inglewood, California arena and a jersey patch component. Four months later, Aspiration signed a separate $28-million sponsorship deal with Clippers star Kawhi Leonard.

The NBA is investigating whether the Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer violated league rules by circumventing the salary cap to compensate Leonard. In September 2021, the same month that the Clippers announced their deal with Aspiration, Ballmer invested $50 million in the California-based company, according to podcaster and journalist Pablo Torre.

Outside the courtroom following Monday’s hearing, Sanberg declined comment to reporters and referred questions to his attorney, who declined to answer a question regarding whether Sanberg conspired with Ballmer to circumvent the NBA’s salary cap rules through Leonard’s sponsorship deal.

“We’re not going to comment on any of that right now,” Mukasey said. “We’re just happy that we got through today’s proceeding and that Joe accepted responsibility for what he’s charged with. Others matters may play out in the future. We’ll see.”

Mukasey did not answer a follow-up question regarding whether Sanberg would cooperate with the NBA’s investigation, which is being led by the law firm Wachtell Lipton, Rosen & Katz.

Source link

Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

The Rams have already announced that star receiver Puka Nacua won’t play in Week 7 because of an ankle injury. Since L.A. plays on Sunday morning, managers should go ahead and adjust their lineups ahead of time.

Calvin Ridley, Josh Downs, Terry McLaurin, Christian Watson and Ricky Pearsall qre also out, while Jets wideout Garrett Wilson is listed as doubtful. Jakobi Meyers, Stefon Diggs, Jalen Coker, Dontavyion Wicks and Deebo Samuel are among those listed as questionable.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven’t made designations for Monday night yet, but Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka have all missed practice time this week.

Denver Broncos wideout Troy Franklin might be the most enticing waiver target this week, as he’ll face a New York Giants defense that has surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers. Franklin has logged at least three receptions in three straight games. He’s rostered in just 22 percent of Yahoo leagues and 33 percent of ESPN leagues.

Kayshon Boutte’s matchup with the Tennessee Titans isn’t quite as attractive, but the New England Patriots receiver is coming off a 95-yard, two-touchdown performance. He’s still available in over 60 percent of Yahoo leagues and 70 percent of ESPN leagues.

Other wide receivers to consider this week include Kendrick Bourne, Tre Tucker, Elic Ayomanor and Christian Kirk.

Source link

Overreactions are easy to make early in the fantasy hockey season. Some of your usual scorers aren’t scoring. A couple of your players are already on injured reserve. You’ve lost your first weekly head-to-head and are projected to go 0-2.

But you can’t drop proven performers after only a few games. Be patient. Give them time.

Advertisement

[Join or create a fantasy hockey league for the 2025-26 NHL season]

If you’re still thinking about your (hopefully) temporary woes, here are a few readily available NHLers who can help right away.

Forwards

Elias Lindholm, BOS (Yahoo: 49%): Following two disappointing seasons, Lindholm is set to get back on track as Boston’s undisputed No. 1 center at both even-strength and on the power play. He’s rarely been injured throughout his career and will regularly get to skate with David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie, so somewhere in the 50-60 point range looks to be a solid baseline. Lindholm may often face the opposition’s best defenders due to the Bruins’ thin depth chart up front, but you can’t go wrong with sufficient scoring, a bunch of hits and a lot of faceoff wins.

Advertisement

Nick Schmaltz, UTA (Yahoo: 33%): When you think of consistency, think of Schmaltz. After all, he’s managed to score 58, 59, 61 and 63 points his last four seasons. Schmaltz also leads the top line during all scoring situations while providing plenty of shots on goal and averaging between 18-19 minutes per game. He’s also set up three of Utah’s eight goals on an attack that should improve with the recent addition of JJ Peterka.

William Eklund, SJ (Yahoo: 31%): It’s way too early to get excited, but the Sharks have potted 10 goals in the first three games (let’s ignore the 16 they’ve conceded). And, surprisingly, only two have come from the four forwards on the first man-advantage. Eklund can claim one of those (Tyler Toffoli’s the other) alongside an assist, six shots and an average of 18:29 ice time per game — including almost four PP minutes. Based on recent production and current placement, it’s entirely possible he exceeds his 58 points from last season.

Teuvo Teravainen, CHI (Yahoo: 28%): Frank Nazar was discussed last week, and he’s already up to six points. One of his linemates boasts the same number, and it’s not Todd Bertuzzi. Teravainen has also notched two PPPs after 24 upon his 2024-25 return to Chicago. He won’t give you much else in terms of counting stats, though the offense should suffice. The Blackhawks’ second line deserves more love (Nazar’s coverage has more than doubled since being mentioned), so be sure to click on Teravainen’s name and reap the benefits.

Advertisement

Jimmy Snuggerud, STL (Yahoo: 21%): Snuggerud carried over his NCAA success into a solid stint with the Blues to close out last season. And he seems to have continued that momentum via a two-goal, six-shot effort Monday at Vancouver. Snuggerud has also fit seamlessly in on St. Louis’ lead power play, where he’s tallied two points. As his minutes and responsibilities increase, so should his fantasy profile.

[Yahoo Sports TV is here! Watch live shows and highlights 24/7]

Matthew Coronato, CGY (Yahoo: 19%): After finishing 29th in offense, the Flames keep struggling to find the back of the net with only nine goals. But Coronato can’t be blamed for this dry spell, as he’s fired home two markers in addition to 10 shots. The former first-rounder is usually centered by Nazem Kadri, with the duo finding significant success while up a man (39 combined PPPs last year). Watch for Coronato to eclipse the 50-point plateau.

Oliver Bjorkstrand, TB (Yahoo: 10%): It’s not often you’ll find a bottom-half, 5-on-5 forward here. At the same time, being on an elite man-advantage counts for a lot in fantasy. Bjorkstrand is coming off four consecutive double-digit PPP hauls across Columbus, Seattle and Tampa Bay. He’s teamed up with former Kraken teammate Yanni Gourde but gets most of his good looks on the No. 1 power play and struck for a PPG during the opener. Bjorkstrand’s place on that quintet seems tenuous with Brandon Hagel currently on the other group, but he’s there heading into Friday’s contest at Detroit.

Advertisement

Zach Benson, BUF (Yahoo: 7%): If you weren’t watching hockey on Wednesday, you may have not heard about Benson’s season debut. After not being available for the opening three matchups, the 13th pick from 2023 dished out four assists — including one on each special teams unit — on a line with Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch. While that performance came against an Ottawa side that’s already surrendered 22 goals, Benson was already projected to skate on the top trio before getting hurt. With the Sabres facing a few tougher defenses the next couple weeks, monitor his progress before adding him.

Defensemen

Brent Burns, COL (Yahoo: 32%): Burns isn’t logging as much ice time compared to his prime years, yet the 40-year-old hasn’t lost his offensive instincts. And like with his time in Carolina, he’s not being asked to lead the blueline with the Avs. At just over a 20-minute average, Burns has produced three assists, 13 shots and eight blocks while joining Devon Toews on the second power play, where he’s supplied a PPA. As long as he stays in the top-four and man-advantage, he should deliver around 30 points and 200 shots on goal.

Advertisement

Justin Faulk, STL (Yahoo: 23%): Faulk is another long-time defender whose scoring stats have declined while still providing enough to be fantasy-worthy. He may only have one assist so far, though no one is going to complain about the seven shots, nine hits and 10 blocks on 23:31 per game. And that lone helper came Saturday on a solid Blues’ second PP. Faulk is generally consistent, which should be enough to get him on more rosters.

Dmitry Orlov, SJ (Yahoo: 14%): It’s been a quick turnaround of teams for Orlov the last few seasons, yet he’s fit in well at every stop. And things are similar in San Jose, as he’s part of a veteran group that balances their promising youngsters. What’s different is a power-play spot that could increase if Orlov was to move up to the Sharks’ top PP with John Klingberg hurt, but he’ll still be in a favorable position based on output (three assists, five shots, seven hits) and significant minutes (22:19 average).

Sean Walker, CAR (Yahoo: 1%): It’s hard to understand how Walker remains available in 99% of Yahoo leagues. Maybe it’s because he’s never topped 29 points in any season or registered his only offensive contribution so far with a goal on Tuesday. Some fantasy formats use smaller rosters and/or less teams, but anyone who’s averaged 2:22 while up a man playing on the lead pair during both even-strength and shorthanded should be up for more consideration. And Walker could accumulate more stats, as projected regular partner Jaccob Slavin is slated to return soon.

Goaltenders

Cam Talbot, DET (Yahoo: 35%): Talbot may have been the Red Wings’ predominant starter during 2024-25, but John Gibson was clearly brought in over the summer to be the No. 1. The latter struggled during his Detroit debut and was pulled in less than two periods after allowing five goals. Talbot has since started the last three games and won each contest while only giving up a combined six goals on 84 shots. Even with Gibson set to face Tampa Bay on Friday, expect Talbot to operate as the lead netminder until he falters or is forced out of the lineup.

Advertisement

Alex Lyon, BUF (Yahoo: 7%): Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been sidelined the last month due to a lower-body injury, leaving Lyon as Buffalo’s top goalie and Colten Ellis (no NHL appearances since being drafted in 2019) the backup. And despite Lyon letting in nine goals over the last three outings, he made 94 saves while picking up his first win of the year versus the Sens on Wednesday. UPL will probably be eased into the rotation upon returning, which means Lyon should continue to carry a substantial short-term workload.

Players to consider from past columns:Leo Carlsson, Frank Nazar, Andrei Kuzmenko, Will Cuylle, Zachary Bolduc, Marco Rossi, Jake DeBrusk, Matias Maccelli, Brandt Clarke, Travis Sanheim, Philip Broberg, Simon Edvinsson, Spencer Knight, Charlie Lindgren

Source link

Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

The Dallas Cowboys won’t have CeeDee Lamb back this week to face the Carolina Panthers, but he could potentially return in Week 7. KaVontae Turpin, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, Calvin Austin III and Christian Watson have also been ruled out.

Ja’Marr Chase is listed as questionable with an illness, while Quentin Johnston is questionable with a hamstring injury. Those are two of the more impactful situations to follow at any position this week.

Jauan Jennings, Jonathan Mingo and Van Jefferson are also questionable.

On the waiver front, managers should find a handful of options. Indianapolis Colts wideout Josh Downs, for example, is still available in more than 50 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues. He’s caught 10 passes on 13 targets over the last two weeks and has a fair matchup with the Cardinals, who have allowed the 18th-most fantasy points to opposing receivers.

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Marquise Brown has averaged just over five receptions and 50 yards this season and has a terrific Sunday night matchup. The Detroit Lions have been solid defensively this season but have surrendered the third-most fantasy points to opposing WRs.

Brown is still available in roughly 50 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Kendrick Bourne is coming off of a 10-catch, 142-yard outing and is still available in over 60 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues. Troy Franklin, Tre Tucker, Darnell Mooney and Isaiah Bond are other waiver targets to consider this week.

Source link

The Toronto Maple Leafs and the six other teams that placed players on the waiver wire can now assign them to their AHL affiliates, as all 12 players have cleared waivers.

The Maple Leafs took the biggest risk, sending veteran center David Kampf and his $2.4 million cap hit to their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. The Boston Bruins accounted for five of the 12 players on waivers, sending Victor Soderstrom, Michael Callahan, Riley Tufte, Geogrii Merkulov and Patrick Brown to the Providence Bruins.

PuckPedia reported the news.

Seven NHL teams also placed a combined 17 players on waivers, according to PuckPedia. Here’s that list.

• Dallas: Cameron Hughes, Vladislav Kolyachonok
• Florida: Tobias Bjornfot, Brandon Bussi
• New Jersey: Thomas Bordeleau, Angus Crookshank, Brian Halonen, Zack MacEwen, Colton White
• Philadelphia: Dennis Gilbert
• Pittsburgh: Alexander Alexeyev, Ryan Graves, Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Bokondji Imama, Samuel Poulin
• San Jose: Colin White
• Utah: Cameron Hebig

Graves hits the waiver wire on year three of a six-year contract carrying a $4.5 million cap hit. The 30-year-old has struggled in his time with the Peguins, recording just one goal and four points in 61 games last season. Once a prominent figure on the bluelines of the Colorado Avalanche and the New Jersey Devils could be on his way to the AHL.

Bordeleau, 23, was a second-round pick of the San Jose Sharks in 2020 but has struggled to break through into the NHL. In the off-season, the Sharks sent Bordeleau to the Devils in exchange for Shane Bowers.

MacEwen, another Devils player to hit the waiver wire, was involved in a trade just yesterday, as he was moved from the Ottawa Senators to the Devils in exchange for Curtis MacDermid. The 29-year-old enforcer played 21 games with the Senators last year.

Bjornfot was a first-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings in 2019 but has yet to lock down a role on an NHL club. He’s with his third franchise and will likely spend the season in the AHL with the Charlotte Checkers, the Florida Panthers‘ AHL affiliate. The 24-year-old has 134 games in his NHL career.

For
each player, the 31 other NHL teams can submit a claim for them by 2
p.m. ET on Saturday. Otherwise, their teams can assign them to the
minors. And if any of the squads that did claim a player places them
back on waivers, their initial team can still claim them.

For
action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue,
subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by
subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on
THN.com.

Source link

Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

Several notable receivers have already been ruled out for Week 5, including CeeDee Lamb, Mike Evans, Terry McLaurin, Noah Brown, KaVontae Turpin, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Alec Pierce, and Trey Palmer.

Titans wideout Calvin Ridley is questionable, as is Arizona Cardinals receiver Greg Dortch.

With Nabers out for the Giants, Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton are both worth consideration. Robinson probably has the higher ceiling but is also rostered in more than 60 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Slayton, who has averaged three receptions over the last three games, carries more modest expectations but is still available in over half of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Tennessee Titans wideout Elic Ayomanor is also worth scooping up this week. The rookie is rapidly emerging as Cam Ward’s favorite target. While his overall numbers (12 catches, 151 yards, 2 TDs) aren’t great, Ayomanor is highly unlikely to draw a blank in any given week.

Ayomanor is still available in over 60 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims Jr. and Marquise Brown are other receivers who may be available and who should have reasonable sleeper value in Week 5.

Source link

A new batch of players are on NHL waivers as roster cutdowns continue.

The Carolina Hurricanes, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks and Winnipeg Jets placed a total of 22 players on the wire.

For each player, the rest of the NHL has 24 hours to submit a claim for them. Otherwise, they’ll be eligible for the AHL.

Here are the players on NHL waivers until Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. ET, according to PuckPedia.

• Carolina: Gavin Bayreuther, Noel Gunler, Tyson Jost, Josiah Slavin, Ryan Suzuki
• Calgary: Clark Bishop, Dryden Hunt, Yan Kuznetsov, Sam Morton
• Edmonton: Matt Tomkins
• NY Islanders: Matthew Highmore, Marcus Hogberg
• NY Rangers: Brendan Brisson, Connor Mackey
• Philadelphia: Anthony Richard
• San Jose: Shane Bowers, Jimmy Huntington, Samuel Laberge, Oskar Olausson, Jakub Skarek
• Winnipeg: Tyrel Bauer, Isaak Phillips

Jost, 27, has played 495 career NHL games, including 39 last season with the Hurricanes. The center and left winger had four goals and nine points, adding nine points in 14 AHL games with the Chicago Wolves. This pre-season, he put up an assist in four games.

Morton, 26, has only played one NHL game while Hunt has appeared in 235. But Morton competed for Calgary’s fourth-line center role, scoring once in four pre-season games. Flames coach Ryan Huska praised Morton for going hard into battles, finishing checks and playing with a bit of positive recklessness.

Tomkins, 31, started six NHL games with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2023-24, winning three of them. With the Syracuse Crunch, he received the Harry ‘Hap’ Holmes Memorial Award in 2024-25 for being the goaltender on the AHL team that allowed the fewest goals against. This pre-season, Tomkins recorded a 3.41 goals-against average and .828 save percentage in 87:57 minutes played for Edmonton.

Hogberg, a 30-year-old goaltender, played in 15 games for the Islanders last season, putting up a 2-6-3 record, 3.38 GAA and .878 SP. He stopped 27 of 30 shots across two games this pre-season.

Brisson, 23, spent most of last season in the AHL, recording 25 points in 61 games. The Rangers acquired the 2020 first-round pick from the Vegas Golden Knights in March. The left winger was a minus-2 in two games this pre-season.

Richard, 28, played 15 games for the Flyers last season, recording six points. The center and left winger scored a goal in two pre-season contests.

Olausson, 22, was selected 28th overall in the 2021 NHL draft by the Colorado Avalanche. They traded the right winger to the Sharks this past July in exchange for Danil Gushchin. Olausson has yet to record an NHL point after four career games, and he was a minus-1 in one pre-season match.

Phillips, 24, has played 56 career NHL games, including three last season, when he scored once. The defenseman was a minus-2 and took two shots in two pre-season games.

All 22 players placed on waivers on Sept. 29 cleared, including Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Kevin Gravel and Jiri Patera.

For
action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue,
subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by
subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on
THN.com.

Source link

Several quarterbacks suffered injuries in Week 1, notably Justin Fields (concussion), Jayden Daniels (knee), J.J. McCarthy (ankle) and Joe Burrow…

Welcome to Waiver Wire Watch, where I review my favorite waiver wire adds and drops for each week of the…

FANTASY BASEBALL WAIVER WIRE PICKUPSAdrian Morejon (RP Padres): Rostered in 27% of Yahoo leaguesNick Pivetta aside, the Padres are having…