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Brittney Griner agrees to 1-year deal with Dream after 11 seasons with Mercury: Source

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Brittney Griner agrees to 1-year deal with Dream after 11 seasons with Mercury: Source

Brittney Griner entered the offseason as the second-longest tenured player with one team in the WNBA, having spent her entire career with the Phoenix Mercury since being drafted in 2013.

Now, for the first time, Griner will be donning a different WNBA jersey. The 34-year-old center is signing with the Atlanta Dream for the 2025 season, she announced on Instagram on Tuesday. The deal is for one year, according to a league source.

Griner brings a veteran presence to a promising young core in Atlanta, with two-time All-Stars Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray on the wings and two-time All-Defense point guard Jordin Canada in the backcourt. After being swept in the first round of the playoffs each of the last two seasons, the Dream are hoping to take a step forward. They brought in FGCU head coach Karl Smesko to modernize what was the worst offense in the WNBA in 2024 and now have a two-time scoring champion in Griner as their post presence.

Griner hinted at a possible exit from Phoenix when she said she would be taking meetings with other teams for the first time in free agency, and her departure seemed all but certain when the Mercury acquired Alyssa Thomas in a trade. Although Thomas and Griner were Olympic teammates, their full-time frontcourt partnership was tenuous given their spacing challenges.

Then again, Smesko thrived at the NCAA level by prioritizing layups and 3-pointers, and Griner has increasingly seen more of her shot distribution stray away from those zones. She attempted 62.1 percent of her field goals in between the restricted area and the 3-point line in 2024, a shot diet that will presumably have to evolve in Atlanta.

Griner’s choice of the Dream comes as something of a surprise since she is leaving an organization with a top-flight practice facility for one that doesn’t have its own space. Atlanta also plays in an arena that seats 3,500 people. The expectation entering free agency was that players would prioritize amenities in their decision-making, but Griner focused on the roster instead.

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The Dream still have fourth-year power forward Naz Hillmon under contract, with veteran centers Tina Charles and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus up for new deals. Parker-Tyus didn’t seem to enjoy a bench role in Atlanta last season, and that is all that would be available with Griner’s addition. Griner and Charles were supposed to be teammates in Phoenix back in 2022 before Griner was wrongfully detained in Russia; Charles left the Mercury before Griner’s release, but perhaps the two could reunite now.

Even after signing Griner, the Dream have significant cap room to chase another max-level free agent. They could also trade their 2026 or 2027 first-rounder along with a young player to upgrade via trade. Satou Sabally would make perfect sense with this core if she is willing to sign off on going to Atlanta.

Griner filmed her announcement surrounded by Gray, Howard and Canada, all of whom are also playing in Unrivaled this offseason. It’s the first example, but likely not the last, of Miami being a useful WNBA free-agency hub.

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How Unrivaled became the WNBA free agency hub of all chatter, gossip and deal-making

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As she moves on to the Dream, Griner said she was excited for a “rebrand” and to show “something different” in the 12th year of her career. Perhaps her move will presage another change in Phoenix for the longest-tenured WNBA player, as all eyes turn to Diana Taurasi and her potential retirement. For now, the Mercury have parted ways with at least one franchise icon, but the offseason is young.

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(Photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)

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Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb clears up rumors about why he, teammate were benched vs Raiders

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Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb clears up rumors about why he, teammate were benched vs Raiders

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Dallas Cowboys star CeeDee Lamb opened up about why he and teammate George Pickens were benched for the first drive of the team’s blowout win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Lamb explained that he and Pickens were out late at a Las Vegas casino and were disciplined for returning past curfew. The wide receiver also said he wanted to refute reports on social media that he was seen throwing up at the casino the morning before the game.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, left, celebrates his touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders with Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Las Vegas.  (AP Photo/David Becker)

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“That’s a disrespect to even suggest that,” Lamb said, via The Dallas Morning News. “I know how to hold my liquor.”

Regardless of the benching, Lamb and Pickens had themselves a dynamite game.

Pickens had nine catches for 144 yards and a 37-yard touchdown catch. Lamb had five catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. Their touchdowns helped contribute to Dak Prescott’s incredible game as he was 25-of-33 with 268 passing yards and four touchdown passes.

2025 NFL ODDS: MYLES GARRETT IN RANGE OF SINGLE-SEASON SACKS RECORD

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy, left, celebrates his touchdown catch against the Las Vegas Raiders with Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Las Vegas.  (AP Photo/David Becker)

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Pickens, who was acquired by the Cowboys in the offseason from the Pittsburgh Steelers, has had a terrific year in Dallas. He has 58 catches for 908 yards and seven touchdowns, as he’s pacing for his best season yet as a pro.

Lamb missed a couple of games with an injury. He has 40 catches for 557 yards and two touchdown catches.

George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate a touchdown during the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ian Maule/Getty Images)

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The Cowboys, despite their stunning trade of Micah Parsons, are still hanging around playoff contention and have a big game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Dallas will enter the game 4-5-1 and Philadelphia will be at 8-2.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Committee organizing L.A. Olympic Games adds former House speaker McCarthy, other GOP leaders, to the board

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Committee organizing L.A. Olympic Games adds former House speaker McCarthy, other GOP leaders, to the board

LA28, the committee behind the upcoming Olympic Games, has quietly added high-profile Republicans with deep ties to President Trump to its board of directors.

The 35-member volunteer board now includes former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Bakersfield Republican who resigned in 2023, and Reince Priebus, who served as Trump’s chief of staff for the first six months of his first term and, before that, as chair of the Republican National Committee.

Diane Hendricks, a major GOP donor who has given millions to Trump’s campaigns, and Patrick Dumont, who owns the Dallas Mavericks, also joined the board. Ken Moelis, an investment banker who worked with Trump in the 1990s and predicted the then businessman would win the presidency in 2016, is also on the roster.

The Trump-adjacent inflow to the board of directors, first reported by Politico, is the latest sign of the president’s possible involvement in the Summer Games.

It is not clear why the directors expanded the board or the criteria used in the selection process. A spokesperson for LA28 did not immediately respond to questions.

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Kevin McCarthy

(Associated Press)

Not all of the new board members are tied to the president. Los Angeles business consultant Denita Willoughby and philanthropist Maria Hummer-Tuttle were also named to LA28.

“We are thrilled to welcome this accomplished group to the LA28 Board who will help create an unforgettable Games for athletes and fans alike,” Casey Wasserman, chair of the 2028 L.A. Olympics organizing committee, said in a prepared statement.

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Wasserman could not immediately be reached for comment.

Although past presidents have taken a largely ceremonial role when the Olympics are held on U.S. soil, there are signs that Trump is seeking more involvement. The 2028 Games coincide with his final year in office.

In August, he signed an executive order naming himself chair of a White House task force on the Games. The president views the event as “a premier opportunity to showcase American exceptionalism,” according to a White House statement.

Trump at the time noted that he’d be willing to send the military to Los Angeles to protect the Games. In June, he sent the National Guard and U.S. Marines to the city amid escalating immigration enforcement actions, prompting pushback from Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Wasserman attended the executive order signing at the White House and thanked Trump for “leaning in” to planning for the Olympics.

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“You’ve been supportive and helpful every step of the way,” Wasserman told the president at the time. “With the creation of this task force, we’ve unlocked the opportunity to level up our planning and deliver the largest and, yes, greatest Games for our nation, ever.”

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MLB commissioner addresses sport’s illegal gambling scandal, will cooperate with Congress on investigation

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MLB commissioner addresses sport’s illegal gambling scandal, will cooperate with Congress on investigation

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Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Wednesday the league will cooperate with a U.S. Senate committee’s request for documents detailing gambling investigations. 

“We’re going to respond fully and cooperatively and on time to the Senate inquiry,” Manfred said during a news conference at an owners meeting.

The sport has been rocked by a scandal involving Cleveland Guardians players Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, who are accused of aiding gamblers by taking bribes to rig pitches.

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MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred speaks during the first round of the MLB Draft July, 13, 2025, in Atlanta.  (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee sent a letter Monday to Manfred asking for information by Dec. 5. 

The committee is asking for responses to six questions by that date:

  1. “How and when was MLB made aware of suspicious betting and game manipulation activity by Emmanuel Clase or Luis Ortiz? Provide documents sufficient to support your response?”
  2. “Provide documents sufficient to show MLB’s policies and procedures relating to sports betting, gambling, or game rigging by MLB or an affiliated team’s players, coaches, employees, or owners.”
  3. “List any investigation into an MLB or affiliate team’s players, coaches, employees, or owners for violating MLB rules relating to sports betting, gambling, or game rigging or related criminal conduct between January 1, 2020, and the present.”
  4. “Provide all documents related to any investigation listed in response to Request 3, including: Procedures and policies used to conduct any relevant investigation; Documents received by third parties or otherwise collected by MLB during any relevant investigation; and Findings, conclusions, and actions taken as a result of any relevant investigation.”
  5. Procedures and policies used to conduct any relevant investigation;
  6. Documents received by third parties or otherwise collected by MLB during any relevant investigation; and
  7. Findings, conclusions, and actions taken as a result of any relevant investigation.”
  8. “Provide communications between MLB and any sports betting platform or sports gambling integrity monitor regarding suspicious or flagged sports wagers: Placed by MLB’s or an affiliated team’s players, coaches, employees, or owners; or Placed on MLB games or propositions related to MLB games, players, or teams.”
  9. Placed by MLB’s or an affiliated team’s players, coaches, employees, or owners; or
  10. Placed on MLB games or propositions related to MLB games, players, or teams.”
  11. “Explain the extent to which MLB has addressed and plans to further address the alleged instances of sports betting, gambling, and game rigging that have occurred including: How, if at all, MLB plans to revise its rules, policies, procedures, or enforcement structure; How, if at all, MLB plans to revise or enforce its rules relating to cellphone use during games; and How MLB plans to ensure players, employees, coaches, and owners do not have ties to organized crime.”
  12. How, if at all, MLB plans to revise its rules, policies, procedures, or enforcement structure;
  13. How, if at all, MLB plans to revise or enforce its rules relating to cellphone use during games; and
  14. How MLB plans to ensure players, employees, coaches, and owners do not have ties to organized crime.”

Two days after the indictments were unsealed on Nov. 9, MLB said its authorized gaming operators will cap bets on individual pitches at $200 and exclude them from parlays.

“We think the steps we’ve taken in terms of limiting the size of these prop bets and prohibiting parlays off them is a really, really significant change that should reduce the incentive for anyone to be involved in an inappropriate way,” Manfred said.

MLB CRACKS DOWN WITH NEW BETTING LIMIT AFTER CLEVELAND PITCHERS CHARGED IN GAMBLING SCHEME

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Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee sent a letter Monday to Manfred asking for information by Dec. 5.  (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

Manfred said MLB’s internal investigation into the Cleveland pitchers didn’t have a timetable. Ortiz was placed on paid leave July 3 and Clase was placed on leave July 28. 

“We think that we should take advantage of the offseason to make sure that we conduct the most thorough and complete investigation possible,” he said. 

Both Ortiz and Clase have pleaded not guilty. 

Clase and Ortiz were arrested and appeared in federal court in New York last week. Clase, a three-time All-Star, pleaded not guilty to charges that he took bribes to help gamblers win money on his pitches. Ortiz also pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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Officials said in the indictment that, from May 2023 to June 2025, Clase agreed with one co-conspirator to “throw specific pitches in certain MLB games” so that the bettors they were allegedly partnered with “would profit from illegal wagers made based on that inside information.” Ortiz allegedly joined the scheme in June 2025.

The indictment said Clase conferred with one bettor to throw a ball on the first pitch of an at-bat when he was brought into games in relief. The indictment pointed to instances in specific games, including May 19, 2023, vs. the New York Mets; June 2, 2023, vs. the Minnesota Twins; and June 7, 2023, vs. the Boston Red Sox.

Clase allegedly began to request and receive bribes and kickback payments for agreeing to throw the specific pitches in April, according to the indictment. In one instance, the indictment said, Clase used his phone in the middle of a game to coordinate with a bettor on a pitch he would throw.

Bettors allegedly won $400,000 from betting platforms on pitches thrown by Clase between 2023 and 2025.

When Ortiz allegedly joined the scheme, the indictment said, he agreed to throw balls over strikes on certain pitches in exchange for bribes or kickbacks. He allegedly agreed to throw a ball on June 15 against the Seattle Mariners for around $5,000 in his first pitch in the second inning.

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The indictment said Ortiz agreed to throw a ball in his first pitch of the third inning on June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals for $7,000. In June 2025, bettors won at least $60,000 on pitches thrown by Ortiz.

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Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase’s leave was extended indefinitely Aug. 31, 2025. (IMAGN/AP)

The indictment announcement came weeks after three NBA figures were swept up in an FBI operation involving alleged illegal gambling. Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier and Damon Jones were among the more than two dozen arrested in the alleged scheme.

Fox News Digital’s Ryan Gaydos and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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