Posts

Posted on

Schmaltz, theatre and sharp teeth: Wrexham reveal the hard truth about football | Barney Ronay

With the arrival of US hedge funders at Wrexham, there is no pretence any more. This is just another project, as it always was

Tea and cake. Cobble-close streets. Collectivism. Sugar rush. Hollywood fairytales. And also, as of this week, a minority owner with historical links to celebrity paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Wait! Welsh cakes! Welsh tea! Aggregated tourism benefits. The sloeblack, slow, black, crowblack, fishingboat-bobbing sea. And also, at one remove, historical links to deceased celebrity paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Continue reading...
Posted on

After Toronto Blue Jays reach World Series, team president Mark Shapiro given new 5-year contract

TORONTO — Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro and Toronto agreed to a new five-year contract following the team’s first American League pennant since 1993.

Toronto announced the agreement after the Blue Jays came within two outs of the title before losing Game 7 of the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Shapiro, 58, took over as president and CEO when Paul Beeston retired after the 2015 season. Shapiro had spent 24 seasons with Cleveland, including the previous five as team president.

Ross Atkins, who worked for Shapiro in Cleveland, was hired as Blue Jays general manager in December 2015. Atkins is signed through the 2026 season.

Shapiro had signed a five-year contract extension in January 2021.

“Mark’s exceptional leadership has been a driving force behind the Blue Jays’ success, and we’re thrilled he will continue to lead our team and build on their incredible momentum,” team chairman Edward Rogers, also the executive chair of team owner Rogers Communications, said in a statement. “As proud owners of Canada’s team, we are excited to work with Mark and his team to give them the tools and resources they need to bring World Series championships back to Canada.”

Toronto’s only World Series came in 1992 and ’93.

Posted on

Latest buzz on Mets trade target Tarik Skubal: NY 'debating' whether to go all-in

Here is the latest news and buzz surrounding Tigers ace Tarik Skubal and his chances of getting traded to the Mets...

Dec. 12, 1:12 p.m.

The Mets are "debating now whether to go all-in" while attempting to trade for Skubal or to wait until next offseason, when he could be available via free agency, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. 

Heyman also noted what has long been believed -- that New York views Nolan McLean as "off limits."

Even without including McLean, the Mets are set up well to pique the Tigers' interest.

Top pitching prospects Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat, and infielder/outfielder Jett Williams are among the prospects the Mets could potentially dangle.

As far as big league players, SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino has reported that the Tigers like Brett Baty.

Regarding other potential fits for Skubal, the Dodgers -- who are reportedly willing to trade Tyler Glasnow -- could be one. In addition to excess starting pitching, Los Angeles has highly thought of farm system.

Dec. 8, 10:45 p.m.

Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris did not shut down rumors that Detroit is open to discussing Skubal with interested teams.

“I’ve been pretty clear since I’ve been here,” Harris said at the Winter Meetings in Orlando. “I don’t believe in untouchables at any level. So anyone in our organization, at any level. It’s not a commentary on Tarik specifically. Sort of a blanket team-building approach. I think I can’t do my job without listening. 

“I can’t do my job without exploring anything that may or may not have legs. Some are maybe very likely moves, and some are going to be extremely unlikely. But you can’t actually fully vet those opportunities unless you are willing to listen. So that’s how we’re doing it.”

ESPN's Buster Olney recently reported that the Tigers would "continue to be engaged" with teams interested in acquiring the ace, and that the asking price would be "enormous."

Posted on

Michigan State’s Tom Izzo gets $1 million raise and is the highest-paid coach in Big Ten

Michigan State's Tom Izzo is getting a $1 million raise in his 5-year contract that automatically renews annually, a boost that makes him the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten with a salary of about $7.2 million. The school said Friday that its Board of Trustees had approved the raise as recognition of the 70-year-old Izzo's “Hall of Fame legacy and demonstrates a shared commitment to achieving continued success.” Izzo is in his 31st season with the Spartans, who are ranked ninth with an 8-1 record this season.

Posted on

Submit questions for our live 2025 Dodgers Debate Christmas Special

A graphic with baseball-theme snowmen promotes the very special Dodgers Debate Christmas Special at 11 a.m. on Dec. 16.
 (Los Angeles Times Staff)

It's timmmme!

Join Los Angeles Times Dodgers beat reporter Jack Harris and columnists Dylan Hernández and Bill Plaschke for our very special 2025 Dodgers Debate Christmas Special.

The trio will discuss the signing of Miguel Rojas and Edwin Díaz, who else might be on the 2026 roster, the World Baseball Classic, whether the Dodgers can three-peat and more.

They will also be taking reader questions. Use the form below to submit yours and then join us Tuesday. Video replay will be available at latimes.com/dodgers and our YouTube channel to bring joy all holiday season.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Posted on

BREAKING: Penguins Deal Tristan Jarry To Edmonton Oilers

The Pittsburgh Penguins have made a blockbuster move.

On Wednesday, the Penguins sent goaltender Tristan Jarry and forward Sam Poulin to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for goaltender Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak, and a 2029 second-round pick. 

Skinner, 27, is currently in the final season of a three-year contract that pays him $2.6 million per season. He has an 11-8-4 record this season to go along with a 2.83 goals-against average and an .891 save percentage.

Kulak, 31, is in the final season of a four-year deal that pays him $2.75 million annually. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound left-side blueliner has two assists on the season and is a minus-7, and he's coming off a career year offensively in 2024-25 that featured seven goals and 25 points in 82 games. 

Jarry was off to a roaring start for the Penguins this season, going 9-3-1 with a .909 save percentage through 14 appearances, which is in stark contrast to a career-worst season in 2024-25 that saw him get waived by the Penguins and featured an .893 save percentage and 3.12 goals-against average. The 30-year-old Alberta native - who played for the Edmonton Oil Kings - has three years remaining on a contract that owes $5.375 million annually, and Edmonton is responsible for that full amount.

Poulin, 24, is a former first-round pick (21st overall in 2019) who hasn't quite been able to find his footing at the NHL level. In 15 career NHL games, he has two points and six penalty minutes. For Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) this season, Poulin had nine goals and 20 points in 22 games, leading the team in both goals and points. 

Takeaways: Penguins Fail To Respond, Fall To Montreal Canadiens For Third Straight LossTakeaways: Penguins Fail To Respond, Fall To Montreal Canadiens For Third Straight LossThere have been a handful of tough losses this season for the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>, as there are for any team in the NHL. And, typically, the Penguins have been able to respond well when things aren't going their way.&nbsp;

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!     

Posted on

Oilers Trade Stuart Skinner and Brett Kulak: Acquire Tristan Jarry, Spencer Stastney & Samuel Poulin

The Edmonton Oilers had a busy morning on Friday, just ahead of hopping on a flight to travel to Toronto for a game on Saturday versus the Maple Leafs. The Oilers made two trades, first acquiring goaltender Tristan Jarry and forward Samuel Poulin from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Stuart Skinner, Brett Kulak, and a 2029 second-round pick. Second, they added defenceman Spencer Stastney from Nashville for a 2027 third-rounder.  

Pittsburgh did not retain any salary on Jarry in the trade and the deal is essentially money in and money out. Brett Kulak (2.75M) and Stuart Skinner (2.6M) were both pending UFAs, while Jarry has two seasons remaining on his current contract at a cap hit of $5.375 million. 

Skinner was a very well respected player in the Oilers' locker room and incredibly nice. He was always willing to talk about his ups and downs and never shied away from the tough questions, of which there were many. He backstopped the Oilers to two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearances, but the Oilers ultimately fell short both times to the Florida Panthers. Skinner often played well, but took a lot of heat for his inconsistencies. 

Trending Stories:

Oilers Grind Out Win Against Red Wings Behind Hyman’s Hat Trick

Signs That The Shift Is Coming: Inconsistent Oilers Searching For A 'Full 60'

There were rumors for a couple of weeks that the Oilers had interest in Jarry. The trade, reported by one outlet as done, had not been completed, in part because the Oilers did not want to move Skinner in the deal. A change of heart must have taken place as Skinner was beginning to find his game for the Oilers. Meanwhile, Jarry was continuing to put up solid numbers for the Penguins. 

Stan Bowman spoke to the media after the trade and said that Calvin Pickard will remain with the Oilers. He also noted on the Oilers targeting Jarry: “He’s a big part of the reason their team is off to such a great start. I think watching his performance, it solidified in our mind he is the goalie we had seen for many years.”

Image

This brings Jarry back to Edmonton, although he never played with the NHL club. The Oilers wrote in their release: "A former Edmonton Oil King and 2014 Memorial Cup champion, Jarry was Pittsburgh's second-round selection in the 2013 NHL Draft (44th overall) and appeared in 307 games for the club over 10 seasons including his single game debut in 2016-17. The Surrey, B.C. native has also appeared in eight playoff games over three postseasons."

Jarry brings a strong resume, posting a 9-3-1 record, 2.66 GAA, and .909 save percentage in 14 games this season, along with two NHL All-Star appearances and 161 career wins.

Defenceman Spencer Stastney adds depth after recording nine points in 30 games this season.

Forward Samuel Poulin provides organizational scoring, tallying 135 points in 207 AHL games and appearing in 15 NHL contests.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more.   Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.