Steve Kiner, a former linebacker for the Tennessee football program and a College Football Hall of Fame member, has died.
NHL Playoffs Live Blog: Ottawa Senators Face Off Against The Toronto Maple Leafs In Game 3
The Battle of Ontario continues, with the Ottawa Senators hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs for Game 3 on Thursday night.
The Leafs have a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. But with the teams now heading to Ottawa, which is hosting a playoff game for the first time in eight years, expect the home crowd to give the Senators the edge.
Then again, it's not like history has been on Ottawa's side in this one-sided battle.
So far, the story of the series has been the play of Toronto's Anthony Stolarz, who has outperformed Ottawa's Linus Ullmark in net. The Leafs' power play, which has potted five goals, has also been something that the Senators have been unable to have an answer for.
While Toronto's Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares have combined for four goals in two games, Auston Matthews is still searching for his first goal. Meanwhile, Max Pacioretty is expected to draw into the lineup for the first time in two months.
Ottawa is not expected to have any lineup changes.
Heart Over Hype: Playoff Hockey Finally Returns to Ottawa On Thursday Night The wait is over.
This story will be updated throughout the game. Make sure you refresh the page, so that you are receiving the up-to-date version of this story.
Also, be sure to check out our post-game Playoff Frenzy Live video, where Michael Traikos and Emma Lingan breakdown Game 3.
— Settle Down (@KBrown3366) April 24, 2025
Second Period
End of 2nd period — score is tied 1-1, shots are 18-14 for Ottawa
Stutzle is too talented a player to be diving all over the place. Really wish he'd just erase that element from his game.
7:20 — Minor scare for the Sens, as Tkachuk briefly goes off after getting squeezed out along the boards by Morgan Rielly. Tkachuk is back on the ice, but keep an eye on this, because the Sens captain missed time after injuring his groin at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
11:29 — TORONTO GOAL, 1-1: Once again, the Leafs power play connects. This time, it is Matthew Knies with his second goal of the playoffs to tie the game.
The parade to the penalty box continues. This time, it's the Leafs going on the power play. Ouch. When will Ottawa learn?
16:12 — Sens nearly make it 2-0, but Stolarz stops Cozens on a breakaway.
Seeing some chatter that Leafs fans believe Greig dove on the Nylander tripping penalty that setup the Giroux goal. That's laughable. Say what you want about Greig and his play in this series, but it was clearly a trip.
Nylander is called for tripping pic.twitter.com/WQCrDtXcun
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 25, 2025
18:22 — OTTAWA GOAL, 1-0: Claude Giroux beats Stolarz with a screened shot on the power play. For the first time in this series, the Sens have the lead.
First Period
End of the 1st period — No score, Ottawa outshooting Toronto 8-7.
1:18 — Uh-oh, the Leafs and their No. 1-ranked power play is going on the man-advantage after Tkachuk takes an elbowing penalty.
3:31 — Nylander with (yet another) breakaway. He elects to wind up and blast a slapper, but Ullmark with the huge save.
Nylander winds up on the breakaway
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 24, 2025
good first pass from Holmberg pic.twitter.com/LNjPPYYOTt
4:28 — Big save by Ullmark on Bobby McMann; The Sens goalie, who was heavily criticized for his play in Game 1, has been much better as the series has gone on. Probably needs to steal one if Ottawa hopes to have a chance.
6:47 — Max Domi continues his strong play in this series. Just drove to the net hard with the puck, paying the price in the process.
11:37 — Much more physical tonight than the previous two games. Just ask Nylander, who was tackled to the ice by Nylander (no call on the play).
'I Can't Say Enough About Matthew Knies and JT In Those Areas': Maple Leafs Explode For 3 Power-Play Goals To Down Senators In Game 1The Toronto Maple Leafs exploded for three power-play goals against the Ottawa Senators in a 6-2 victory in Game 1 of their first-round series in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
15:04 — Tkachuk draws a hooking penalty, so Ottawa goes on a 4-on-3 PP. Big opportunity for the Sens, who have yet to score a power play goal.
17:15 — First big test for Linus Ullmark, as Pontus Holmberg gets a clean look from the right side. Still no score.
19:08 — It didn't take long for the hatred to heat up, as Tkachuk and Tanev go at it.
20:00 — And here go, Game 3 under way!
No one does the anthem better than the legendary Lyndon Slewidge, who was part of the last Battle of Ontario.
Loud Go Sens Go chants and booing when Toronto came out. It’s early but they seem to have done a somewhat good job keeping Leafs fans to a minimum. pic.twitter.com/VszxtO6q1L
— David Alter (@dalter) April 24, 2025
Let the pre-game match-ups begin! Sportsnet analyst Derek Lalonde says that the Matthews line will get a "healthy dose of Shane Pinto."
The crowd inside Canadian Tire Centre sounds electric.
Texas NFL draft live tracker: Where Longhorns players are selected in 2025
Follow along live as Texas football players are selected in the 2025 NFL Draft:
Maxence Lacroix: ‘One day I will be in the France team – but right now I want to win this Cup’
Crystal Palace defender on dreaming of FA Cup glory, Oliver Glasner and the importance of faith to the team
Maxence Lacroix is treating Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley as just another game but the same can’t be said of his mother. “She’s more stressed than me right now,” the Crystal Palace defender says. “But I think it’s really good for a mother or father to see their son running his dream and playing this type of game because she knew it was difficult before and now she sees her son growing, having a family and doing what he wants. So I think she’s proud, a little bit stressed but it’s all right.”
Growing up in Ajat, a village in the Dordogne, Lacroix knew he was never going to follow in his mother Corrine’s footsteps by becoming a doctor. Having moved to Germany from the French side Sochaux as a 20-year-old after coming through the prestigious Clairefontaine academy, he reunited with Oliver Glasner – his former manager at Wolfsburg – in south London last summer. The elegant defender is the heartbeat of the Palace side that will face Aston Villa for a place in the final and has been tipped to win his first senior cap sooner rather than later after representing France at every youth level.
Continue reading...The Hockey News Big Show: Bruce Boudreau Talks NHL Playoffs, Canucks' Hughes And Ovechkin
We have a special guest for a special playoff edition of The Hockey News Big Show.
Longtime NHL coach Bruce Boudreau joins Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos to discuss what's going on in the Stanley Cup playoffs, what's happening with the non-playoff squads and some of Boudreau's stories, including his time with the Vancouver Canucks.
Bruce Boudreau Talks NHL Playoffs, Canucks' Hughes And Ovechkin by The Big ShowundefinedHere's what they discussed in this episode:
0:00: Which goaltender should start for the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 versus the Los Angeles Kings?
8:14: Has Matthew Knies’ play unlocked a new level of offense for the Toronto Maple Leafs on the power play?
14:58: Have the Washington Capitals proven to be a true Stanley Cup contender?
20:19: With their roster now fully healthy, do the Florida Panthers have the scariest offense in the East?
24:49: Are the Winnipeg Jets proving they don’t need Connor Hellebuyck to play at a top-tier level to be a Stanley Cup contender?
28:36: Breaking down Gabriel Landeskog’s return to the Colorado Avalanche's lineup.
33:50: After signing an extension with the New York Rangers, what should Chris Drury’s off-season plan be?
39:15: Who should take home the Jack Adams Award this year?
41:01: Will Alex Ovechkin retire from hockey before the age of 50?
43:30: Who’s the best goal-scorer that Boudreau ever played with and against?
45:03: Which first-round series is most likely to have an upset?
47:34: Should Jim Rutherford have discussed Quinn Hughes’ contract talks publicly?
49:27: Updated Stanley Cup picks
Subscribe to The Hockey News Big Show on your preferred platform.
The Messy Departures Of Barclay Goodrow And Jacob Trouba Broke The Rangers Internally
While the New York Rangers can’t excuse their poor play that caused them to miss the playoffs, there was a lot of internal dysfunction that the players were more open about during their exit interviews.
It started last summer when Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury decided to waive Barclay Goodrow as he was claimed off of waivers by the San Jose Sharks.
Goodrow has been on record saying that he was surprised about the move to waive him and didn’t really get any inclination that he would not be returning to New York, essentially claiming he was more or less blindsided by Drury.
Later that offseason, the Rangers’ desire to trade Jacob Trouba became public, creating a whole media circus around the situation.
After going through some struggles to start the season, Drury sent out a league-wide memo indicating his interest in making a big move to shake up the core while specifically mentioning Chris Kreider and Trouba’s name.
A few weeks later, Trouba claims that Drury forced him to waive his no-trade clause with the threat of being placed on waivers just like Goodrow on the table. Trouba was ultimately traded to the Anaheim Ducks.
The way in which Goodrow and Trouba were run out of town as well as the drama surrounding their departure seemed to have an impact within the Rangers’ locker room.
“It’s part of professional sports, but obviously at a certain point it does become somewhat of a distraction,” Kreider said. “Two guys that were massive leaders for us and a big part of our room.”
Just the loss of two leaders shook up the mood around the team in a substantial way. There was a disconnect between the players and management.
Communication is the keyword here. Mika Zibanejad hinted at a lack of communication coming straight from management, which brought a bitter taste in the players’ mouths.
“I can’t speak to everyone else, I think everyone deals with it differently,” said Zibanejad. “Everyone has a different relationship to it. But, when it happens, frustration. I think it’s just when you don’t know everything. You don’t know what’s going on.
Rangers Reward Chris Drury With Multi-Year Contract ExtensionThe New York Rangers have agreed on a multi-year contract extension with team president and general manager Chris Drury.
“Obviously, we don’t have control over that kind of stuff, but it’s still something that, you know, we talked about or we have to go through. It’s two of our leaders. It’s our captain, assistant captain. Big parts of our locker room, so of course it shakes things around a bit.”
Trouba, the former Rangers captain, even confessed to the team before he was traded that it was hard for him to lead in a manner he is usually accustomed to due to all the uncertainty surrounding his future and everything that transpired over the summer.
“I mean, even Troubs admitting it was hard for him to kind of lead this team in his situation,” Adam Fox said. “Maybe a lot of it is subconscious, too. You don’t really think, but I guess when your captain has that thought and feels that way. It’s a guy that has changed games for us in terms of the energy he’s brought and being able to change it with a hit or a fight. I think sometimes that could affect the team that sees that.”
There are many things to point to when it comes to the collapse of the Rangers. However, it’s the situations with Goodrow and Trouba that sparked the beginning of the end for this Rangers core.
Ashton hat-trick helps Warrington surge to Super League win against St Helens
- Warrington 32-18 St Helens
- Wolves run in seven tries to move up to seventh
Sam Burgess has made it his business to keep his emotions in check for most of his tenure as Warrington Wolves coach – which made his reaction to Rodrick Tai’s crucial try here in the final quarter of a compelling contest leave no doubt about what this result would have meant to him and his players.
To be clear, it is still far too early in proceedings to be suggesting there is any form of early-season pressure on Warrington. But Burgess set the bar so high in his first season as a head coach last year by reaching both major finals that the very sight of the Wolves being as low as ninth with a third of the Super League season gone suggests something is not quite right.
Continue reading...Chris Eubank Jr silences Eddie Hearn and pledges to ‘take out’ Conor Benn
In a circus-like press conference, Eubank Jr goads his rival while Benn threatens to ‘take his head off’
The latest saga in the endless hyping of a bout that should not be happening unfolded in a pantomime atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday evening when Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn held their final press conference. Eubank Jr would not allow Eddie Hearn, Benn’s promoter, to talk as he constantly interrupted him and pointed out that people wanted to hear from the fighters rather than their salesmen.
It presented an easy victory for Eubank as the normally garrulous Hearn soon retreated from the stage and asked his CEO at Matchroom Boxing, Frank Smith, to take over. Smith is in a relationship with Eubank Jr’s sister, Emily, but his attempts to thank various people were not much more successful.
Continue reading...‘Hazlegod’: $2m Aussie paceman stuns with big haul in IPL death-bowling masterclass
Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood starred with 4-33 in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s 11-run IPL win at home against Rajasthan Royals, who won the toss and chose to field first Thursday (Friday AEST).
Littler is booed during Liverpool loss as Price claims Premier League win
- Van Gerwen comes back from 4-0 down to beat Littler 6-5
- Price defeats world No 1 Humphries 6-4 in final
Luke Littler threw away the chance to silence the baying Liverpool crowd as Gerwyn Price claimed victory on night 12 of the Premier League.
Littler, booed on to stage on the banks of the Mersey owing to his allegiance to Manchester United, capitulated against Michael van Gerwen in the quarter-finals of the weekly competition.
Continue reading...EXCLUSIVE: Former Golden Knight Marc-Andre Fleury Soaking Up Final Moments In The NHL As Wild Aim For Cup
LAS VEGAS -- "And now, the end is near. And so I'll face the final curtain. ... I've lived, a life that's full ... I've traveled each and every highway. And more, much more than this, I did it My Way."
The lyrics Paul Anka wrote for Frank Sinatra when he was set to retire from entertainment roughly 55 years ago couldn't fit any better for Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-André Fleury, who's certainly done things his way during a 21-year career that undoubtedly will usher him into the Hall of Fame one day.
The former Golden Knight will retire when Minnesota's playoff run comes to an end - either with a loss or by hoisting Lord's Stanley Cup in June - and he'll do so as one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history.
The 40-year-old won three Stanley Cup championships in 2009, 2016, and 2017, all with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also received the William M. Jennings Trophy and the Vezina Trophy in 2021, while playing for Vegas. And over the final three seasons of his career, with Chicago and Minnesota, he's continued to make his mark on all-time statistical leaderboards for goaltenders. He'll retire with 575 regular-season wins, the second-most in history.
It didn't come as a surprise that Minnesota's chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association nominated him for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which recognizes the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. It's the third time he's been nominated for the award.
"He just loves the game," Minnesota GM Bill Guerin said during Minnesota's April 16 episode of Beyond Our Ice. "That's allowed him to play as long as he has, his passion and love for the game."
Added Wild rinkside reporter Kevin Gorg: "This is a first-ballot lock Hall of Famer, this is one of the best at his position all-time."
FAREWELL TOUR
As his emotional final season winds down, Fluery shared some thoughts with The Hockey News during Minnesota's stop in Vegas for Games 1 and 2 of the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs.
From video tributes, to quick postgame visits with friends and former teammates, to sold-out arenas filled with fans of opposing teams chanting his name, it's certainly not what he expected.
"Maybe a little more than I was asking for," he said, flashing his trademark grin. "Last year I got asked every day if I was retiring after the season, so that's why early in the season, I just said, 'Yeah, (this is) my last one', so people would stop asking me.
"But I didn't expect all the cheers and tributes and TVs on the jumbotrons and guys lining up for handshakes and stuff. Just a lot of emotions going through that stuff. So many good memories playing in this league. Yeah, it was definitely a special year."
While Fleury still has one more trip to Vegas, albeit backing up Minnesota starter Filip Gustavsson for Game 5, he admitted his farewell tour has had plenty of emotional stops. Most notably, his final start in Pittsburgh, a 5-3 win on Oct. 29, 2025, and the final trip to his hometown of Montreal, a 4-0 victory on Jan. 30.
"Obviously (in Vegas), being part of the first team to start (the franchise), and the love that people have shown me since day one, for me and my family," Fleury said. "And Pittsburgh, I was there for a long time, 14 years. And Montreal, it was very special, going back home.
"The way people react, the guys on the ice, also. It's a little crazy, a little surreal. I still get butterflies thinking about it."
As the final seconds ticked off the clock in Pittsburgh and Montreal, both arenas could do nothing but cheer for one of the most beloved players in league history, chanting his name as opposing players lined up to shake his hand one last time.
Fleury said he's had his collection of confidants to turn to this season whenever he's needed to bend an ear about his decision, or simply to get advice on what to expect during retirement. Whether it's been his sister or a cousin who plays goalie, or people around the league, he's had people he can count on.
"I feel like I always see guys that I played with, or coaching, scouting, or GMs or doing TV, doing radio," said Fleury, who finished his last-ever regular season 13-9-1 with a 2.97 goals-against average, .897 save percentage and one shutout. "So it's always good to pick their brains a bit on how things are after hockey, and how they do. It's good to catch up with guys, obviously, to learn a bit from their experience."
THE END IS NEAR
Fleury said while there are mornings he wakes up feeling younger than ever, which isn't shocking considering the regimen he keeps to maintain his physique, he's ready to enjoy life with his wife Veronique and their three children Estelle, Scarlett and James.
"I think she's worried for having me ever day at the house," Fleury said with a chuckle. "But I think I'm there. There's some mornings I feel good, still feel young and energetic. I think time catches up, age catches up.
"(Besides), after this season I can't come back. You know, I can't be saying all these goodbyes (and come back)."
Fleury, who still owns his house in Las Vegas, said he and Veronique have scrapped plans of returning to Southern Nevada for retirement and will stay in Minnesota.
"We've been in Minnesota for three years now, and the kids have moved schools, from Pittsburgh to Vegas to Chicago to Minnesota, and now they finally have a little bit of stability," he said. "So until I figure out what I want to do and where I'm going or whatever, I think it was the right thing, just to keep them in school, keep them with their friends."
Now, it's only a matter of time before ol' Flower walks through a tunnel and takes the ice one final time.
So, it seemed only fitting that the Wild meet the Knights in the postseason, as it means Fleury will experience the vibes he helped create from the first time the Golden Knights stepped foot on the ice.
It's one thing he said that will never get old: feeling the energy inside T-Mobile Arena.
"We know it's gonna be a battle to the end," he said. "It's always good to come back in the city, right? I've met a lot of great people around the team and outside the rink also, and good to see (media members). So that's a good part about it, coming back a little bit more and catching up with people.
"I had so many good times being here in this building. A little different, being on the opposing team, but still good memories to be in the building, being so loud. Seeing Golden Pipes (Carnell Johnson) sing (the National Anthem), and people cheering too. I think it's good to be back and have those memories back again.
"People have been so good to me, my family, and always be thankful for that."
Penguins Forward Prospect Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery, Will Miss 9 Months
It has been a rough year injury-wise for several Pittsburgh Penguins' prospects.
And it appears that they have been dealt another blow - and a pretty big one.
Top forward prospect Tanner Howe - selected in the second round (46th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft - underwent successful reconsructive surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee, it was announced Thursday by Penguins' POHO and GM Kyle Dubas.
Howe is expected to be in recovery from the surgery for nine months, which would keep him out until at least January of 2026. He was injured during a WHL playoff game for the Calgary Hitmen.
The 19-year-old forward from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan registered 18 goals and 46 points in 47 games between the Regina Pats and Hitmen, as he was traded to Calgary midseason. In six WHL playoff games, he tallied two goals and nine points.
Howe also played for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship and scored one goal in his five WJC games. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Penguins after being drafted last summer.
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Jimmy Butler's Game 3 vs. Rockets status in ‘serious jeopardy,' per report
Jimmy Butler's Game 3 vs. Rockets status in ‘serious jeopardy,' per report originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Warriors forward Jimmy Butler avoided a major injury, but his status for Game 3 against the Houston Rockets is in question.
Butler sustained a deep glute muscle contusion and his availability for Saturday’s game at Chase Center is in “serious jeopardy,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday night, citing league sources.
Charania reported that Butler’s MRI revealed no pelvic fractures or structural damage.
Before Charania reported about Butler’s status, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Tristi Rodriguez spoke to Stanford Medicine’s Dr. Marc Safran, M.D., about when the 35-year-old might be able to return to the court.
“Totally a guess because we don’t know the degree of damage, but my guess is, if it’s nothing structural, if you will, it’s just inflammation, it’s really going to be about managing the pain and what he can play through and being able to play effectively through,” Dr. Safran said. “He’s a motivated guy that wants to get out and play, and so he’ll come back as soon as it’s absolutely possible without trying to put himself at greater risk.
“So, fortunately, again, if it’s not structural, which the MRI will tell us, then it’s just really more a function of being able to manage the inflammation, manage the pain to be able to get him out there.
“So, is the next game completely out of the picture? No, it’s not. But most people, because of where this is, it can take a week to two or three to actually get back. But I think they’re going to do obviously everything in their power to reduce inflammation, get him back to doing what he wants to get out and do.”
Butler sustained the injury late in the first quarter of the Warriors’ Game 2 loss to the Rockets and was ruled out midway through the second quarter with a pelvis contusion.
Though it seems Butler will miss Saturday’s pivotal swing game, his agent, Bernie Lee, texted ESPN’s Marc J. Spears with a cryptic message.
“There is some hope, though,” Spears shared Thursday on ESPN’s “NBA Today.” “Bernie Lee, Jimmy Butler’s agent, texted me saying, ‘Pray for the bear.’ That tells me that’s some optimism for Jimmy.”
If Butler misses Saturday’s game, the Warriors have to hope that it’s a one-game absence and he’s able to return for Monday’s Game 4.
Warriors provide update on Butler's injury, Game 3 status
Warriors provide update on Butler's injury, Game 3 status originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Warriors forward Jimmy Butler avoided a major injury, but his status for Game 3 against the Houston Rockets is up in the air.
An MRI confirmed Butler sustained a pelvis and deep gluteal muscle contusion, the Warriors shared Friday, and his status for Saturday’s game at Chase Center is questionable.
This comes after ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday night, citing a league source, that Butler sustained a deep glute muscle contusion and his availability for Saturday’s game at Chase Center is in “serious jeopardy.” Charania reported that Butler’s MRI revealed no pelvic fractures or structural damage.
Before the updates about Butler’s status, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Tristi Rodriguez spoke to Stanford Medicine’s Dr. Marc Safran, M.D., about when the 35-year-old might be able to return to the court.
“Totally a guess because we don’t know the degree of damage, but my guess is, if it’s nothing structural, if you will, it’s just inflammation, it’s really going to be about managing the pain and what he can play through and being able to play effectively through,” Dr. Safran said. “He’s a motivated guy that wants to get out and play, and so he’ll come back as soon as it’s absolutely possible without trying to put himself at greater risk.
“So, fortunately, again, if it’s not structural, which the MRI will tell us, then it’s just really more a function of being able to manage the inflammation, manage the pain to be able to get him out there.
“So, is the next game completely out of the picture? No, it’s not. But most people, because of where this is, it can take a week to two or three to actually get back. But I think they’re going to do obviously everything in their power to reduce inflammation, get him back to doing what he wants to get out and do.”
Butler sustained the injury late in the first quarter of the Warriors’ Game 2 loss to the Rockets and was ruled out midway through the second quarter with a pelvis contusion.
Though it seems Butler will miss Saturday’s pivotal swing game, his agent, Bernie Lee, texted ESPN’s Marc J. Spears with a cryptic message.
“There is some hope, though,” Spears shared Thursday on ESPN’s “NBA Today.” “Bernie Lee, Jimmy Butler’s agent, texted me saying, ‘Pray for the bear.’ That tells me that’s some optimism for Jimmy.”
If Butler misses Saturday’s game, the Warriors have to hope that it’s a one-game absence and he’s able to return for Monday’s Game 4.
NBA great Jason Kidd joins ownership group of Premier League soccer club Everton
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 31: Head Coach Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 31, 2025 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
NBAE via Getty Images
NBA great Jason Kidd has entered the soccer world by joining the ownership group of English Premier League club Everton.
The Hall of Fame point guard and current Dallas Mavericks coach said he was “honored” to join Roundhouse Capital Holdings, which is part of the Friedkin Group that took control of Everton last year. The group also owns Italian team Roma.
In a statement released Thursday by Everton, executive chairman Marc Watts said Kidd’s “knowledge and winning mentality will be an incredible resource” for a nine-time English champion which is without a major trophy since 1995 and has been battling relegation in recent years.
Kidd “is a respected leader and household name for many sports fans,” Watts said, “and will bring a deeper understanding of high performance as we collectively strive to build a brighter future for this storied club.”
Kidd won an NBA title as a player with the Mavericks in 2011 and was a two-time Olympic gold-medal winner with the U.S. national team, in 2000 and 2008. He took the Mavs to the NBA Finals as coach last year and has had previous spells in charge of the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks.
Everton recently secured its status in the Premier League for another year and is moving to a new state-of-the-art stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock for the start of next season.
“I’m honored to be joining Everton’s ownership at such an important moment,” Kidd said in Everton’s statement. “With a new stadium on the horizon and a bright future ahead, it’s a great moment to come on board.”
Everton has been an ever-present in England’s top soccer league since 1954.
The 52-year-old Kidd becomes the latest high-profile figure from American sports to get involved in English soccer.
In 2023, NFL great Tom Brady became a minority owner of Birmingham and chairman of its advisory board.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James bought a small stake in Liverpool in 2011 and PGA Tour golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas are investors in 49ers Enterprises, which owns Leeds.
On Wednesday, Everton announced that Christopher Sarofim, chairman of global investment firm Fayez Sarofim & Co, had joined the ownership group in a move that “will further strengthen the club’s financial base.”
Everton said Sarofim will be a board observer at the club.