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UConn's Geno Auriemma faces backlash after NIL rant seemingly takes aim at Seton Hall transfer

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UConn's Geno Auriemma faces backlash after NIL rant seemingly takes aim at Seton Hall transfer

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Eleven-time national championship winning women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma’s comments about how this rise of name, image, and likeness has impacted the landscape of collegiate sports have sparked a firestorm.

UConn’s win over St. John over the weekend improved the Huskies record to 14-3. After the game, Auriemma spoke to the media, and he was asked about the challenge NIL and the transfer portal now presents for coaches.

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“It’s unfortunate because at a school like St. John’s, maybe, in women’s basketball where some of the teams in our league (Big East), you know, you’ve got a player that’s really, really, really, really good that you coached the hell out of and you just made them who they are,” Auriemma said. “It happened to Seton Hall last year. And that kid goes, ‘Yeah, well, I think I can make more money somewhere else.’

UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma addresses the media during a press conference at the conclusion of the UConn Huskies versus the Vermont Catamounts game in the First Round of the NCAA Womens Basketball Championship Seattle Regional 3 on March 18, 2023, at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, CT. (M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Auriemma suggested that NIL has introduced a transactional mentality to the college sports world.

“OK, well you wouldn’t have been this good if it wasn’t for your coaching staff that you have right now. So, again, it becomes just a transaction. I don’t think any coach that got into it, that’s around anywhere around my age, completely buys into all that.”

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MARYLAND’S JULIAN REESE, ILLINOIS ASSISTANT COACH GET INTO ALTERCATION DURING HANDSHAKE LINE

Auriemma’s remarks seemed to take aim at Mississippi State guard Lauren Park-Lane. She transferred from Seton Hall to Mississippi State following the 2022-23 season.

Park-Lane and strength coach Kaiti Jones took to social media shortly after Auriemma’s shared his thoughts. 

“Whewww,” Park-Lane wrote on X, the company formerly known as Twitter. “… I still have eligibility left so (I’m going to) just save my comments.”

“To say I left MY 4 year university for money is reckless,” she later added.

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Jones, meanwhile, defended Park-Lane’s decision to switch schools.

Jan 7, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Lauren Park-Lane (3) attempts a three point basket against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. (Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports)

“Keep my (point guard’s) name out your mouth,” Jones wrote. “She transferred as a grad transfer. Last I checked, dedicating 4 years of your eligibility to a university is a completion of the agreed upon commitment. She wants to compete for championships not a paycheck.”

Fellow college basketball players, including LSU star Angel Reese, also came to Park-Lane’s defense.

Head coach Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies reacts during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Climate Pledge Arena on March 25, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

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“Been that girl, forever that girl & always will be that girl,” Reese posted. “I remember jokingly asking you come play with me at (Maryland) and you always told me you loved Seton Hall and wanted to graduate there! keep being you CHEATCODE!”

In four seasons with Seton Hall, Park-Lance averaged 15.9 points per game. She earned unanimous All-Big East first team honors for her standout performance during the 2022-23 season and her strong 2021-22 campaign. She has started all but one game so far during her first year in Starkville.

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Becky Lynch enters exclusive WWE club with Women’s Intercontinental Championship win at WrestleMania 42

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Becky Lynch enters exclusive WWE club with Women’s Intercontinental Championship win at WrestleMania 42

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Becky Lynch entered an atmosphere no other WWE women’s superstar has ever reached as she won the Women’s Intercontinental Championship over AJ Lee on Saturday night at WrestleMania 42.

Lynch became the first person to hold the Women’s Intercontinental Championship three times after she pinned Lee. She first won the title against Lyra Valkyria in June 2025 and then again against Maxxine Dupri in November.

Becky Lynch celebrates with the belt after defeating AJ Lee during their women’s Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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She dropped the belt to Lee at the Elimination Chamber, sparking a monthslong feud with her.

Lee gave Lynch the chance at the title in the weeks prior to WrestleMania 42. But it appeared Lee played right into Lynch’s plans. Despite arguing with referee Jessica Carr for most of the match, Lynch was able to tactfully tear down a rope buckle and use it to her advantage.

Lynch hit Lee with a Manhandle Slam and pinned her for the win.

WWE STARS REVEAL WHAT MAKES WRESTLEMANIA SO SPECIAL: ‘IT’S THE SUPER BOWL OF PRO WRESTLING’

AJ Lee reacts after losing to Becky Lynch in their Women’s Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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It’s the second straight year Lynch will leave Las Vegas as champion. She returned to WWE at WrestleMania 41, teaming with Valkyria, to win the women’s tag titles. She will now leave Allegiant Stadium as the women’s intercontinental champion.

Lynch is now a seven-time women’s champion, three-time women’s intercontinental champion and two-time tag team champion.

Becky Lynch withstands AJ Lee during their Women’s Intercontinental Championship match on night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 18, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Lee’s reign as champion ended really before it could really begin. WrestleMania 42 was her first appearance at the event in 11 years. It’s unclear where Lee will go from here.

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Letters to Sports: Clippers were oh so close, yet so far

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Letters to Sports: Clippers were oh so close, yet so far

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The Clippers’ season has come to an end but better than anyone expected. No consolation but a great job by head coach Tyronn Lue for guiding the Clippers from a disastrous 6-21 start and finishing with more than 40 wins.

Coach Lue led the team, overcoming major obstacles throughout the season with a player investigation, injuries, internal strife and major roster changes at the trade deadline. As usual for Clipper fans, wait till next year.

Wayne Muramatsu
Cerritos

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The Clippers are the NBA’s version of Stealers Wheel’s “Stuck in the Middle With You.” Yes, they have had 15 straight seasons of playing .500 or better, and owner Steve Ballmer has brought them respectability, but for their entire 56-year existence — which has contained many clowns and jokers — they still have never [attained] their goal of winning (or even reaching) the NBA Finals.

Ken Feldman
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‘The Naked Gun’ actor Paul Walter Hauser bloodies opponent at Maple Leaf Pro’s first US show

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‘The Naked Gun’ actor Paul Walter Hauser bloodies opponent at Maple Leaf Pro’s first US show

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Paul Walter Hauser is an actor who has been in “The Naked Gun,” “Blackbird,” and “Richard Jewell.” But on Friday night at Maple Leaf Pro’s first U.S. event, MLP Multiverse, there was no acting going on.

Hauser squared off against QT Marshall in a sin city street fight at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. It was the final show of Slam Fest. The two pro wrestlers pulled out all the stops and left the ring in complete disarray.

Paul Walter Hauser competed against QT Marshall at Maple Leaf Pro Multiverse on April 18, 2026 in Las Vegas. (Fox News Digital)

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It was a rematch of their brawl at Ring of Honor’s Death Before Dishonor event. Marshall went on the attack first, throwing in all kinds of foreign objects into the ring, including a piece of wood wrapped with barbed wire, a table, a cane, chairs and even a door was brought into the match.

Hauser was able to regain momentum in the match. He set up the barbed-wire object in the corner. Marshall countered and was trying to whip Hauser into the barbed wire. However, Hauser stopped himself. As Marshall tried to take Hauser by surprise, the movie star avoided Marshall and tossed him into the barbed wire.

Marshall was busted open, but wasn’t done. Hauser was trying to inflict more pain. He set up a table near one corner of the ring and poured thumbtacks on top of it. Marshall was able to powerbomb Hauser through the tacked table.

Paul Walter Hauser is pictured on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (Nathan Congleton/NBC)

BLUE PANTHER AND ÚLTIMO GUERRERO STEAL THE SHOW AT CMLL’S FIRST-EVER US EVENT IN LAS VEGAS

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Hauser was left with thumbtacks in his back and one in his head. He managed to power through and put Marshall into a sharpshooter. Marshall tapped out. Hauser picked up the victory.

Hauser got his start in pro wrestling in 2023 at Pro Wrestling Revolver. He worked his way through appearances at All Elite Wrestling before he signed with Major League Wrestling in 2024.

He’s currently Progress Wrestling’s Progress proteus champion.

Elsewhere, Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) world heavyweight champion Hechicero defended his championship against Jonathan Gresham, Maple Leaf Pro Canadian women’s champion Gisele Shaw fended off Shotzi Blackheart, Persephone and surprise entrant Killer Kelly to keep the title.

Mistico, Mascara Dorada and Amazing Red defeated The Rascalz at Maple Leaf Pro Multiverse on April 18, 2026 in Las Vegas. (Fox News Digital)

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The show started with Subculture, the tag team duo of Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster, defeated Vaughn Vertigo and Guy Cool. The Demand’s Ricochet, Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona defeated Sidney Akeem, Michael Oku and Rich Swaan, Steve Borden defeated Kiran Gray and Mistico, Mascara Dorada, Amazing Red defeated The Rascalz – Desmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz and Myron Reed.

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