7:58 AM ET This is a special week. Why’s that, you ask? Well, because this marks a year since I have been doing this random thoughts column for ESPN.com. The column has evolved over time, but I’m going back to how it started. Random thoughts. Lord knows I have plenty. And away we go …
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7:00 AM ET With on-field sports in the U.S. still on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone is waiting for Major League Baseball to return to action. But as hard as that wait might be for fans on the outside looking in, imagine being a ballplayer whose mission, every day for eight or nine months
3:58 PM ET The New England Patriots have agreed to trade Rob Gronkowski to the Buccaneers in a deal that reunites the retired tight end with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Gronkowski’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Tuesday on SportsCenter that the five-time Pro Bowler has been “really invigorated” physically since he retired from football nearly
6:54 AM ET When Kendrick Perkins emerged as a key member of the Boston Celtics team that won the 2008 NBA championship, he credited his growth to Doc Rivers, the coach he called his “father figure.” That is, until his “father” shipped him to Oklahoma City in 2011. “Yeah, I didn’t like that,” Perkins told
6:19 PM ET Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS — Players ejected from college football games for targeting will be allowed to remain on the sideline, the NCAA announced Tuesday. The playing rules oversight panel approved the rules change no longer requiring players to head to the locker room after targeting is confirmed. All other aspects of the
7:02 PM ET ESPN News Services NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez, once again, wants to be like Derek Jeter. A-Rod and fiancée Jennifer Lopez have retained J.P. Morgan to represent them in raising capital for a possible bid for the New York Mets, according to multiple reports. The move was first reported by Variety. A
5:45 PM BST Fiji Rugby Union chairman Francis Kean has stepped down from the World Rugby Council and withdrawn his nomination for the body’s Executive Committee after allegations of discrimination were published by The Sunday Times, it was announced on Tuesday. “World Rugby notes the Fiji Rugby Union’s decision to stand down Fiji Rugby Union
3:58 PM ET The Patriots have agreed to trade Rob Gronkowski to the Buccaneers, pending a physical, in a deal that reunites the retired tight end with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Gronkowski’s agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed Tuesday to ESPN’s Adam Schefter that his client was traded to the Buccaneers. “Pending the physical, Rob has
8:00 AM ET The NFL draft offers an introduction of sorts for a new crop of star athletes, but it’s also a goodbye for the fans and schools these players leave behind. And now it’s up to their college coaches to find new stars to replace them. Let’s look at some of the schools that
4:16 PM ET Former Chicago Bulls teammates Michael Jordan and Steve Kerr have had their disagreements before, but this one probably won’t end with anyone getting punched in the face. Jordan took an unflinching stance in Episode 2 of the documentary series “The Last Dance” when addressing then-teammate Scottie Pippen’s decision to delay foot surgery
4:36 PM ET Boise State University, which is already facing $10 million in losses because of a partial shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic, is furloughing many of its employees, including coaches and athletics staff. Boise State president Marlene Tromp announced the furloughs in an email to staff on Monday night. “I hope our swift
4:52 PM ET Bellator MMA announced Tuesday it has postponed a live event scheduled for June 6 in Chicago due to the ongoing effects of the coronavirus. The event, Bellator 244, was supposed to feature a rematch between former lightweight champion Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson and take place at Wintrust Arena. “Due to the
7:00 AM ET Editor’s note: This as-told-to, from Phil Jackson, was originally published in the May 4, 1998, issue of ESPN The Magazine. In what appears to be the final season of the Chicago Bulls‘ 1990s reign, coach Phil Jackson has periodically collected his thoughts and analyzed the swirling action around him. Beginning with a
7:00 AM ET On Monday, Wayne Gretzky and Alex Ovechkin recorded their first joint interview, and they each had a chance to ask each other a question. Ovechkin wanted to know, if Gretzky was playing right now, how would he stay in shape during the NHL’s coronavirus pause? Simple, Gretzky said. Find a pair of
2:55 PM ET The Montreal Canadiens agreed to terms with goaltender Vasili Demchenko, the team announced on Tuesday. It is a one-year, entry-level contract for next season that would pay Demchenko $700,000 in the NHL if he makes the Montreal roster, and $70,000 if he’s sent to the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate. Demchenko, 26, played 36
1:46 PM ET Associated Press The men’s and women’s professional tennis tours say they will administer a player relief fund to help those in the sport dealing with the financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The ATP and WTA say they are in discussions with the International Tennis Federation and the four Grand Slam tournaments
5:43 PM GMT Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom is confident that some international cricket will be played this summer, but has conceded that New Zealand’s scheduled tour to Europe in June looks “fairly doubtful”. Deutrom said that his board will “make every endeavour to be as flexible as we can” to find dates in
© Getty Images In a proactive measure, the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has asked players across the world to remain alert to corrupt elements attempting to take advantage of the current global lockdown by trying to contact them via social media. The ACU believes what might seem to be an “innocent” message from an “unsolicited