1.
Troy Aikman would try to lure Kyle Shanahan from 49ers if running NFL team
If Jerry Jones hires Troy Aikman to run the Dallas Cowboys, it sounds like they will have significant philosophical differences about how and where to find a head coach. Aikman has long been interested in running an NFL team. But the dream has seemed more realistic in recent weeks as Aikman heads toward free agency without what he considers a serious contract offer to remain with ESPN and their Monday Night Football booth.
2.
ESPN’s Evan Cohen suggests NFL should ‘buy college football’ after expanded playoff
This week, ESPN announced a significant deal to expand the College Football Playoff to 24 teams starting in 2027, valued at nearly $1.7 billion. During a discussion on ESPN’s First Take, host Evan Cohen suggested that the NFL should consider buying college football entirely. He raised questions about the relevance of conferences if teams are no longer playing for conference championships, highlighting a shift in college sports dynamics.
Cohen argued that the NCAA might exist primarily as a scapegoat for college leaders, allowing them to deflect blame while pursuing their own agendas. He emphasized that the NFL could take over college football, a notion that initially sounds absurd but echoes the past skepticism around the playoff expansion itself. With the NFL’s growing influence, Cohen believes that college towns might not be off limits for the league in the future.
3.
CJ McCollum joins NBA on Prime as a player contributor
CJ McCollum’s day job still involves navigating NBA backcourts, but Prime Video has found a moonlighting assignment for his journalism degree. Prime Video announced Thursday that the Atlanta Hawks guard will join NBA on Prime as a player contributor, making select appearances across the streamer’s studio programming throughout the 2026-27 season. His debut comes Friday on NBA Nightcap, the hourlong postgame show capping an Emirates NBA Cup doubleheader that pairs the Knicks and Pacers at 7 p.m. ET with the Warriors and Spurs at 9:30 p.m. ET.
4.
Whatever happened to the diamond that went missing in F1 crash?
In May 2004, a $300,000 diamond vanished during the Monaco Grand Prix, creating one of Formula 1's biggest mysteries. The diamond was attached to a Jaguar car driven by rookie Christian Klien, who crashed on the first lap. Despite the chaos, the diamond has never been found. The team had hoped the diamond would generate publicity, as they were struggling on the track and facing potential closure.
After the crash, team communications director Nav Sidhu rushed to find the diamond, but it was gone. Theories abound about its fate. Some believe it was a real diamond, while others speculate it could have shattered or been pocketed by a spectator. Sidhu insists it was genuine, dismissing rumors of a fake. The crash was not intentional; Klien admitted to making a rookie mistake, and the team prioritized performance over publicity. The diamond's fate remains a tantalizing mystery in F1 history.
5.
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe - second Test scorecard
Afghanistan is set to face Zimbabwe in the second Test of their series. The match kicks off at 06:00 UK time at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium. Both teams will announce their lineups at the toss, so we’ll have to wait to see who’s taking the field. This is an exciting matchup, and fans are eager to see how both sides perform after their previous encounters. Keep an eye on the action as it unfolds, and let’s see if Afghanistan can build on their strengths or if Zimbabwe will bounce back. It’s shaping up to be an interesting day of cricket!
6.
Aaron Donald on having no sacks: "They come in bunches"
Aaron Donald, the Rams' standout defensive tackle, is still searching for his first sack this season after seven games. He remains unfazed, stating that "sacks come in bunches" and emphasizing the importance of winning over individual stats. Donald's confidence shines through as he reflects on his long football journey, reassuring fans that he’s focused on helping his team succeed.
In a notable moment, Donald played alongside Myles Garrett for the first time, who made an impressive return with three sacks and a forced fumble. Despite Donald's lack of sacks, the Rams secured a victory, bringing their record above .500 for the first time this season. They’re set to face Arizona next, where Donald will look to finally add to his sack total as the team aims for a fourth consecutive win.
7.
Thursday Night Football: Stefon Diggs' late TD gives Commanders 24-21 win
With 3:27 remaining in Thursday's game, the Giants lined up with Jameis Winston under center on fourth-and-1 from their own 11. The team's backup quarterback, who runs the team's quarterback sneaks, yelled, "Hut One. Hut Two. Hut Three. Who let the dogs out? Who, who, who, who?" The Giants took a delay of game and then punted. The Commanders got the last laugh, winning 24-21 on Stefon Diggs' 32-yard touchdown with 57 seconds left. The Commanders are 3-5-1 and the Giants 5-3-1. In an entertaining second half, the teams traded the lead four times.
8.
Al Michaels gets choked up while reading tribute to Dan Hicks
The sports world spent much of Thursday mourning the sudden death of longtime NBC Sports commentator Dan Hicks at the age of 64. Hicks was known as the lead voice of NBC Sports’s coverage of the PGA Tour, as well as his work with Notre Dame football, and several Olympic sports including swimming and skiing. He was married to fellow veteran broadcaster Hannah Storm.
9.
Isaiah Likely's 66-yard TD has Giants leading, puts him over 100 yards
Isaiah Likely has a career high, with 127 yards on nine catches. The Giants tight end had a 66-yard catch-and-run to the end zone, giving the Giants a 21-17 lead with 8:13 left in the fourth quarter. Likely last had a 100-yard game on Sept. 5, 2024, with the Ravens when he caught nine passes for 111 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs. J.J. McCarthy had Nick Cross in his face when he found Likely with a perfect throw. McCarthy is 22-of-32 for 272 yards and a touchdown.
10.
Justin Jefferson: It's a joy to see Kirk Cousins take over as a leader
Kirk Cousins is back in Minnesota, and perhaps no one is more excited about that than Justin Jefferson. The wide receiver had career highs in catches (128) and yards (1,809) and earned the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year award in Cousins' last full season with the Vikings in 2022. Jefferson, though, said he has "no expectations." "It's really just going out there and just executing our plays," Jefferson said, via Kevin Seifert of ESPN. "It's not really getting too juiced up about him being here or anybody being back there.