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Wildfires force PGA Tour to move Genesis tourney
The PGA Tour is moving next month's Genesis Invitational to an alternate site after wildfires near Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, and other parts of Los Angeles killed at least 25 people and destroyed thousands of structures.
The Genesis Invitational, which is hosted by Tiger Woods, was scheduled to be played at Riviera Country Club on Feb. 13-16.
"The PGA Tour's focus continues to be on the safety and well-being of those affected by the unprecedented natural disaster in Greater Los Angeles," the tour said in a statement Thursday. "We are grateful for the life-saving efforts of first responders and the tireless work being done to put an end to the tragic wildfires.
"In collaboration with Genesis, The Riviera Country Club and TGR Live, and out of respect for the unfolding situation, we have determined that the 2025 Genesis Invitational will be played at an alternate location the week of February 10-16."
The PGA Tour said the alternate course would be announced in the coming days.
Among the potential locations under consideration, according to sources, are La Quinta Country Club in La Quinta, California, the site of this week's American Express, and Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California, which will host next week's Farmers Insurance Open.
The PGA Tour could also do back-to-back weeks at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona, the site of the WM Phoenix Open on Feb. 6-9. Another possibility is Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas, which was the site of the CJ Cup in the past and an LPGA match-play event the past four years.
The Riviera Country Club was not damaged by the fires, but the surrounding area was greatly affected. Genesis is one of the PGA Tour's signature events with a $20 million purse.
Riviera Country Club has hosted a professional men's tournament 60 times since 1929 and almost annually since 1973. The Genesis Invitational benefits Woods' TGR Foundation.
After making his debut in a TGL Match at SoFi Center in Florida on Tuesday night, Woods said his organization's focus was "trying to just figure everything out and make sure that everyone is safe."
"But as of right now, we're not really focused on the tournament," Woods said. "It's more about what we can do to help everyone who's struggling, who's lost homes and had their lives changed. It's just hard."
NBA: Officials erred on pivotal Pels-Mavs play
The NBA acknowledged Thursday that officials erred at the end of the Pelicans-Mavericks game the previous night by not calling goaltending on what would have been a go-ahead bucket for Dallas.
The no-call was a point of contention for the Mavericks, with coach Jason Kidd saying after the game, "It cost us maybe the game."
With 15 seconds remaining and Dallas trailing 117-116, P.J. Washington got a steal near midcourt and the Mavs pushed the ball in transition. Spencer Dinwiddie received a pass as he moved toward the basket and went up for a potential go-ahead layup as Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III trailed. The ball appeared to hit the glass before Murphy touched it, but the Mavs were out of timeouts and could not challenge.
Dinwiddie disagreed with the non-call, saying he deliberately put the ball off the backboard so the shot couldn't be blocked.
The NBA concurred, saying via its Last Two Minute Report that Murphy III blocked the shot attempt after the ball made contact with the backboard and had a chance to go in.
New Orleans ended up winning 119-116 after Murphy made two free throws with 1 second left.
The Mavericks had the option to appeal the loss, but general manager Nico Harrison told 96.7 The Ticket earlier Thursday that the team opted not to go that route.
"You can do an appeal but if you do it, you have to spend some money," Harrison said. "It might make you feel good, but it's not going to change the outcome. Refs make mistakes. It's frustrating. ... It is what it is. You have to move on to the next game."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
LeBron's manager leading upstart to rival NBA
Maverick Carter, LeBron James' business manager, has been enlisted as an adviser by a group of investors seeking to raise $5 billion to form an international basketball league that would serve as a rival to the NBA, sources told ESPN, confirming a story first reported Thursday by Bloomberg.
The group -- which includes multiple private equity funds -- is looking to form a league consisting of six men's teams and six women's teams, playing games around the world, sources told ESPN.
Although Carter, who has served as a producer on more than one of James' TV and movie projects, is closely tied to the Los Angeles Lakers star, sources told ESPN that James is not involved in the efforts with this new league.
James, whose current Lakers contract includes a player option for the 2025-26 season, has expressed interest in becoming an NBA owner once his playing career comes to an end.
Bloomberg reported that the investment group might try to tap private equity and sovereign wealth funds to raise the $5 billion it is seeking. Currently, private equity funds are limited to a 20% stake in NBA teams and are not allowed to serve in governing roles.
The NBA has not faced a significant rival 5-on-5 league since the 1970s, when the short-lived American Basketball Association went under and the NBA absorbed four of its teams -- the Pacers, Nets, Nuggets and Spurs. The WNBA was beaten to market by the rival American Basketball League in the 1990s, although that league folded after 2 seasons.
This season, a new 3-on-3 women's league, Unrivaled, is starting up and has filled its rosters with many of the WNBA's biggest stars, though rookie sensation Caitlin Clark chose not to participate.
Sources: Cubs, Tucker settle at $16.5M for '25
CHICAGO -- The Cubs and new outfielder Kyle Tucker avoided an arbitration hearing by agreeing to a $16.5 million contract for next season, according to sources familiar with the deal.
Tucker, 27, was scheduled to go to a hearing with the team after his camp filed for a salary of $17.5 million for 2025 while the team countered at $15 million. That won't be necessary, as the sides met near the middle, settling on the $16.5 million figure just a day before the team's fan convention gets underway in Chicago. Tucker is one of the headliners for the weekend.
Tucker, acquired by the Cubs from the Astros in a trade last month, compiled a 4.7 bWAR in just 78 games played last season for Houston due to injury, making his arbitration case a unique one.
An arbiter could have viewed him as a part-time player, and so the outcome of his contractual situation does have some precedent moving forward for players with a similar number of at-bats. It's what held up an agreement to this point. But the sides were able to quickly get past that before the potential ugliness of an arbitration hearing took place.
Tucker, who has a career .870 OPS, will be a free agent at the end of next season.
Outfielder Jesse Winker and the New York Mets have agreed on a one-year deal, a source confirmed to ESPN amid multiple reports Thursday.
Winker, 31, will return to the Mets after the club acquired him in a trade from the Washington Nationals at the deadline last summer. The deal is pending Winkler passing a physical, a source told ESPN.
He signed a minor-league deal with Washington coming off an injury-plagued 2023 campaign with the Milwaukee Brewers. He thrived with the rebuilding Nationals, hitting 11 home runs with a .257/.374/.419 slash line, which made him an attractive trade candidate for contending teams seeking a left-handed bat.
The Mets acquired him for right-hander Tyler Stuart, and he batted .243 with three home runs and a .683 OPS in 44 games with New York.
With Juan Soto and Brandon Nimmo slated to start in the corner outfield spots, Winker figures to spend most of his time as the designated hitter against right-handed pitchers in 2025 with Starling Marte, as it stands, getting DH starts against lefties.
The Mets and homegrown star Pete Alonso, who remains one of the top free agents on the market, still have not been able to come to an agreement despite mutual interest, according to sources. Alonso, a four-time All-Star, was drafted by the Mets in 2016.
Borthwick's squad included six Saracens players - Ben Earl, Theo Dan, Tom Willis, Elliot Daly, Itoje and George.
McCall said despite the disappointing news, George been the same "phenomenal team-mate" in Saracens training.
"Jamie George has never had to have the label or the badge of captain to be a good leader," he added.
George and Itoje have been part of three winning England squads at the Six Nations - including the Grand Slam in 2016 - and reached the final of the 2019 World Cup.
"I think Maro always knows that the best way for him to lead is by actions - lots of important actions and game-changing actions," McCall said.
"He's done that for years and he knows that the key to his leadership is what he does on the field."
Gatland questioning feedback was 'poor' - Jenkins
Former Wales flanker Ellis Jenkins feels Warren Gatland's decision to question the lack of winning experience of many involved in the recent independent review into Welsh rugby was "poor".
Following a record 12 successive Test defeats, the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) conducted a post-Autumn Nations Series review in a bid to improve all aspects of the game in the country.
But speaking of the review at his squad announcement for the 2025 Six Nations, Gatland said: "The questions I ask sometimes, of the players that have given feedback and stuff, what has their experience been in a professional winning environment?"
The Wales head coach added: "Even with regards to the people doing the reviews or being part of the process, those are the questions I asked myself. What is their experience or involvement in high-level professional sport winning environments?"
Ex-Wales back-row Jenkins feels Gatland was wrong to question the validity of some of the feedback given as part of the review.
"I was really surprised with his answer," Jenkins told Scrum V: The Warm Up.
"To question the players and the validity of their feedback just because they haven't been involved in an international winning environment is poor in my view.
"If you're going to do a review, you don't have to action all of the feedback, but you at least take it on board.
"Just because they haven't been involved in a winning campaign, which realistically there's not many players in Wales that have been part of a successful international campaign in the last couple of years, it doesn't invalidate their feedback.
"The way it's worded and to question the process and the people involved doesn't sit well with me at all."
TULSA, Okla. Emerson Axsom was on top of the world after winning Wednesday nights preliminary feature for the 39th Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink.
Steering a Keith Kunz Motorsports Agajanian Curb midget, Axsom took the lead on lap three and held off all comers to win his first Chili Bowl main event inside the SageNet Center.
It feels amazing. It is like a weight being lifted off my chest. I havent really been comfortable, Axsom acknowledged after the race. Even in the qualifier, I didnt feel that great. It came to my style there, and feature tracks usually fit my style better than heat race or qualifier tracks. I figured we would be alright there, especially starting on the front row.
But I didnt think we would be that good. I figured (Spencer) Bayston would be good and Corey (Day) would be good. To beat them you have to be really good, so our stuff must be really good.
Axsom gave team owner and crew chief Keith Kunz credit for preparing the winning No. 68k midget, which was powered by Toyota.
He (Kunz) kind of told me before the race that he was going to get after it on the car and it would be tight, and I said, Well, you have only won 85 times here, so I am going to let you do your job, Axsom said with a smile. Dont listen to me, just give me a race car where I can turn on entry and well be alright.
And he was alright, beating Daison Pursley to the checkered flag.
Axsom, 20, is locked into Saturdays main event for the third time in his short career. Axsom made his Chili Bowl debut in 2021 and made the Saturday feature for the first time in 2023 when he finished fifth. He returned to the main event last year and came home 11th.
It would probably be the biggest win for the rest of my life. I dont care if I won the Knoxville Nationals, I mean I do, but Chili Bowl to me at this point in my career is my No. 1 race, maybe because my ability in a midget is by far a lot better than my ability in a winged sprint car right now being so young in my career, said Axsom, who is a full-time winged sprint car driver these days. Obviously, my shot to win the Chili Bowl is a lot greater right now than my chances to win the Knoxville Nationals. I feel like I have a shot.
To me the Chili Bowl is the race and it has gotten away from me a lot. In past prelims, Ive spun out on my own, got spun out, started 20th and run fifth. There have been a lot of times that Ive done dumb stuff myself and it feels really good not to not do something dumb tonight.
Editors Note: In recognition of A.J. Foyts 90th birthday today, his public relations staff headed by Anne Fornoro prepared the following interview with the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner.
HOUSTON A.J. Foyt turned 90 years old today.
The milestone birthday is remarkable for several reasons: his record-setting achievements in one of motorsports most dangerous eras, his comeback from death-defying accidents both on track and off, and his incredible resilience with several health issues.
We asked this tough Texan a few questions:
When you look back over your career, what makes you most proud?
A.J.: I think my mother and daddy seeing me win Indy four times. When I was coming up racing local here in Houston, my dream was to someday go to Indianapolis. I did. My daddy always changed my right rear tire, he was part of my success. Having my mother and daddy seeing me win my fourth before they died made me real proud.
What is it about you that you were able to achieve such incredible success?
A.J.: I would say the best thing that made me was that I had such great fans and I wanted to satisfy them. I think that gave me a lot of motivation in my racing career, my fans. And I still love em.
But what was it in you, before you had fans?
A.J.: I always drove hard, even at the local tracks because I liked to win. And when I got to Indy, the fans made want to win even more. I know they loved winning and I loved winning so we had a good combination together.
What are some of the best advances in racing that youve seen?
A.J.: I would say that they made the cars so much safer than what they used to be. They carry a lot less fuel and thats the biggest thing that racing has gained. I dont say its any better but its a lot safer. Im always looking for safety too cause I had a lot of friends that lost their lives. I was one of the lucky ones cause I made it through all that.
How did you survive all that? It was such a deadly era particularly in 1964 when you won 10 of 13 racesstill a record.
A.J.: I really cant answer that because I lost a lot of friends. Thats the reason I didnt run with too many people, I kinda stayed by myself cause I didnt want it on my mind.
How did you put it out of your mind In 58 when you lost Pat OConnor and in 64 when you lost Eddie Sachs (and Dave MacDonald)?
A.J.: I just tried to not think about it. Im here today but I might be gone tomorrow. I knew that. After I won Indy, everybody couldnt believe I went sprint car racing and midget racing. Theyd say after you won Indy, youd lose your life within a month or two or get hurt real bad. I just didnt pay attention to that. I had a life to live and I was enjoying it. If I lost my life, thats the way Id have to go.
Whats the toughest recovery you had to come back from?
A.J.: It was when I was burnt pretty good at Milwaukee (1966). I got broke up worse than the burns I had on my hands and face but I think the burns were the worse thing I suffered really. You get broken bones, you heal them quicker. But the burns take so much time.
I had gotten Jimmy Clarks Lotus from Colin Chapman and in practice, it broke the rear suspension going in Turn 1 and it put me into that gate and it just blew up. We didnt have fuel cells and all that stuff back then. You could carry 75 gallons of fuel. I didnt have that much on there, dont get me wrong, and when it hit in the front end, it caught on fire. I was kind of hung in it, I couldnt get out. I had to put my hands in it and pry myself out and I slid the skin off my hands. It was pretty painful.
A burn is one of the worst things you can have. I dont think racings any better than when I raced but what is better is that you dont see a lot of guys getting burnt real bad. Thats the one beautiful thing about racing is that its so much safer.
Note: Although Foyt remembers he was out of the car seven months, actually he was back in a car three weeks later at Atlanta. Mechanical issues ended his race in five laps. A month later he ran Indianapolis Raceway Park, again out after five laps with mechanical issues. He returned a month later to qualify second and finish third in a 100-lapper at Springfield.
Is there anything you would change over the course of your career?
No. I raced local and I had a dream of going to Indy and then be fortunate enough to win it, how many people have dreams that come true? It was my dream when I went up there and bought tickets and sat up in Turn 2. A couple years later, I was lucky enough to get a ride. People saw me run Salem, Indiana in a sprint car and I think thats what really helped me get a ride at Indianapolis. They said if I was brave enough to run the high banks, Id be good at Indy. (laughs) Hell, I didnt know any better, it was just a race track to me.
The high speeds never scared you?
A.J.: Not really. That never entered my mind. I went to the race track and whatever it was, I tried to adjust to it. I went to Daytona (in a stock car) and I was fortunate enough to win that. Then went to LeMans Dan Gurney and I what a super guy he was to pick me and be on Shelbys team and be fortunate enough to win LeMans. Ive had a wonderful life and if I passed on today, nobody couldve had a better life than I had.
If you had to pick out the best day of your life, what would it be?
A.J.: I think passing my drivers test at Indianapolis. I would say that was one of the greatest thrills of my life. I know it was.
What did you do after you passed it?
A.J.: There used to be the White Front (restaurant and bar) down from the track on 16th. After I qualified, I went there and Bettenhausen (Tony, Sr.) and Bob Veith and Freeland (Don), all of them were up there cause thats where they all hung out. They said, What are you doing here? And I said, Im gonna have a Coke. They said, Heres a Screwdriver, its like orange juice. I said, Well Ill try one. So I had one, then two, then three, and I had to go to the restroom. I stood up and the room kind of spun and I said, Damn, I cant see! Well, the next day they had all the rookies out, and I was one of the quickest ones [in fact he was the fastest rookie qualifier starting 12th] but I had hugged onto the toilet all night long! I havent had a Screwdriver since 1958. And I dont plan on having another one.
Thats one of the highlights and after I won Indy, someone said, I bet you and your wife went out and really celebrated. And I said, Yeah. They had a White Castle Hamburger right there in front of the Speedway and my wife and I had two White Castle hamburgers, I think they were eleven cents a piece. We really celebrated.
You really wouldnt change anything?
A.J.: Nope, I come from nothing and had a wonderful life. Whod ever think Id be here now at 90 years old?
What do you think about being 90 years old?
I dont think Im sposed to live this long! Im living for a reason but I dont know why!
How do you occupy your time these days?
I keep buying land and try to develop it. I love to get on my bulldozers and tractors. I do that almost every other day. People say youre out there by yourself. And I say, Its peaceful. I dont have to listen to anybody but me.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. NASCAR announced today multiple media rights deals that bolster its presence in Canada, the sports largest international market, highlighted by the expansion of its decades-long partnership with Bell Media.
For the first time, Bell Media will be Canadas home for all three NASCAR national series as it adds NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series programming to its long-standing NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series rights.
Races, as well as associated practice and qualifying sessions will be broadcast across Bell Medias linear and digital platforms, including CTV, TSN, USA Network and TSN+. Bell Media also secures additional rights to NASCAR Canada Series and ARCA Menards Series events.
REV TV comes on board as the host broadcaster of the NASCAR Canada Series it will be the exclusive English-language home of all live and/or first-airings, producing all races as well as highlights and other supplemental content around the series. REV TV will also have rights to the full suite of NASCAR international series races, as well as the ARCA Menards Series.
Were thrilled to extend our long-running partnership with Bell Media and look forward to bringing REV TV on board, said Nick Skipper, NASCAR Managing Director, Media Strategy. Both are top-class partners that will help us best serve our passionate Canadian fan base across all of our racing series and continue to grow the sport in this important market.
Our long-standing, successful partnership with NASCAR underscores Bell Medias dedication to bringing world-class motorsports to Canadian fans and this season were debuting a new place to watch NASCAR with USA Network, said Shawn Redmond, VP, Bell Media Sports. With the addition of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series bringing even more dynamic content to our platforms, well continue to showcase the energy and intensity of NASCAR to our passionate fans all season long.
As Canadas home for motorsports and motoring, we are thrilled to have Canadas premier motorsports series, the NASCAR Canada Series, as a part of our diverse programming lineup, said Mike Garrow, CEO of REV TV. We are eager to present Canadian fans their homegrown heroes in new and exciting ways, alongside NASCARs other global series from Mexico, Brazil and Europe. REV TV will also be the home of the ARCA Menards Series where stock car stars of tomorrow will shine today, he added.
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