April 17, 2026

For the first time in four years, Marquette has made an addition through the transfer portal. The former Louisville Cardinal forward is set to join a young Golden Eagles frontcourt that lacks experience after losing senior Ben Gold to graduation.

About Sanada Fru
Fru is originally from Germany and was rated a four-star prospect coming out of high school. Marquette’s newest addition stands 6-foot-11 and weighs 250 pounds.
Before committing to Louisville, Fru started 35 of 39 games for Löwen Braunschweig of the German BBL. In his final season with the Cardinals, Fru averaged nine points, six rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in just 22 minutes per game.

Photo Cred: 247 Sports

Per On3, Fru is the 27th-ranked player in the transfer portal, ahead of notable names such as Acaden Lewis and Finley Bizjack. In his NCAA Tournament debut against South Florida, Fru recorded his fourth career double-double. Over the past 24 months, no cloud has loomed larger over Shaka Smart’s program than the transfer portal. While Fru’s addition signals a shift in Marquette’s philosophy, he also provides much-needed physicality and rebounding—areas that have eluded MU in recent years.

Fru joins a backcourt consisting of star junior Royce Parham, redshirt juniors Josh Clark and Caedin Hamilton, along with 6-foot-11 freshman Sheek Pearson. Following the departures of Sean Jones, Tre Norman, and Zaide Lowrey, Marquette has more roster flexibility than at any point since Smart’s arrival. With Fru now committed, the Golden Eagles have filled 13 of their 15 scholarship spots.

Photo Cred: Louisville

Marquette is not finished in the portal. Marquette High’s Nolan Minessale of St. Thomas–Minnesota continues conversations with the program. MU is also in contact with former Tulsa guard Tylen Riley, along with BYU guard Kennard Daavis Jr. The staff is clearly prioritizing backcourt depth and versatility as they continue to reshape the roster heading into next season.

NFL Legends and Active Players to Announce Selections at 2026 NFL Draft

Stephen Patrick

April 16, 2026

NEW YORK — April 16, 2026 — The NFL announced today the Legends and active players representing all 32 clubs currently scheduled to make selections in Rounds 2 and 3 of this year’s NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.

The Draft, hosted in the city of Pittsburgh for the first time since the 1948 NFL Draft, begins with Round 1 on Thursday night, April 23, and continues Friday, April 24, with Rounds 2-3. The Draft will conclude on Saturday, April 25, with Rounds 4-7.

Among the NFL Legends scheduled to be on-site, nine have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Ronde Barber (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Class of 2023), Jerome Bettis (Pittsburgh Steelers, Class of 2015), Jimbo Covert (Chicago Bears, Class of 2020), Tony Dorsett (Dallas Cowboys, Class of 1994), Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions, Class of 2021), Curtis Martin (Class of 2012), Drew Pearson (Dallas Cowboys, Class of 2021), John Stallworth (Pittsburgh Steelers, Class of 2002) and Dwight Stephenson (Miami Dolphins, Class of 1998).

Additionally, four active players – Arizona’s James Conner, Minnesota’s Brian O’Neill, Pittsburgh’s Joey Porter Jr. and Tennessee’s Jeffery Simmons – will help announce their clubs’ day two selections.

Seven day-two announcers attended the University of Pittsburgh, including Dorsett (representing the Dallas Cowboys) – the school’s all-time leader in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and all-purpose yards – as well as Conner (Arizona Cardinals), Covert (Chicago Bears), Andy Lee (San Francisco 49ers), Bill Maas (Kansas City Chiefs), Martin (New York Jets) and O’Neill (Minnesota Vikings).

Ten of the presenters were born in the state of Pennsylvania, including Marques Colston (Harrisburg, representing New Orleans), Conner (Erie), Covert (Conway), Dorsett (Rochester), John Kuhn (York, representing Green Bay), Maas (Philadelphia), Martin (Pittsburgh), Pat McAfee (Plum, representing Indianapolis), Matt Millen (Hokendauqua, representing Las Vegas) and Paul Posluszny (Butler, representing Jacksonville).

Below is the list of players and Legends currently scheduled to be on-site at this year’s NFL Draft:

CLUB	PLAYER/LEGEND	COLLEGE	DRAFT ROUND/YEAR
Arizona Cardinals	James Conner	Pittsburgh	3rd/2017
Atlanta Falcons	Michael Turner	Northern Illinois	5th/2004
Baltimore Ravens	Mark Ingram	Alabama	1st/2011
Buffalo Bills	Shane Conlan	Penn State	1st/1987
Carolina Panthers	Jake Delhomme	Louisiana	Undrafted/1997
Chicago Bears	Jimbo Covert	Pittsburgh	1st/1983
Cincinnati Bengals	Ken Anderson	Augustana	3rd/1971
Cleveland Browns	Phil Dawson	Texas	Undrafted/1998
Dallas Cowboys	Tony Dorsett	Pittsburgh	1st/1977
Dallas Cowboys	Drew Pearson	Tulsa	Undrafted/1973
Denver Broncos	TJ Ward	Oregon	2nd/2010
Detroit Lions	Calvin Johnson	Georgia Tech	1st/2007
Green Bay Packers	John Kuhn	Shippensburg	Undrafted/2006
Houston Texans	Billy Miller	Southern California	7th/1999
Indianapolis Colts	Pat McAfee	West Virginia	Undrafted/2009
Jacksonville Jaguars	Paul Posluszny	Penn State	2nd/2007
Kansas City Chiefs	Bill Maas	Pittsburgh	1st/1984
Las Vegas Raiders	Matt Millen	Penn State	2nd/1980
Los Angeles Chargers	Shawne Merriman	Maryland	1st/2005
Los Angeles Rams	Tavon Austin	West Virginia	1st/2013
Miami Dolphins	Dwight Stephenson	Alabama	2nd/1980
Minnesota Vikings	Brian O’Neill	Pittsburgh	2nd/2018
New England Patriots	Deion Branch	Louisville	2nd/2002
New Orleans Saints	Marques Colston	Hofstra	7th/2006
New York Giants	Osi Umenyiora	Troy	2nd/2003
New York Jets	Curtis Martin	Pittsburgh	3rd/1995
Philadelphia Eagles	Brian Westbrook	Villanova	3rd/2002
Pittsburgh Steelers	Jerome Bettis	Notre Dame	1st/1993
Pittsburgh Steelers	Joey Porter Jr.	Penn State	2nd/2023
Pittsburgh Steelers	Joey Porter Sr.	Colorado State	3rd/1999
Pittsburgh Steelers	John Stallworth	Alabama A&M	4th/1974
San Francisco 49ers	Andy Lee	Pittsburgh	6th/2004
Seattle Seahawks	Cliff Avril	Purdue	3rd/2009
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Ronde Barber	Virginia	3rd/1997
Tennessee Titans	Jeffery Simmons	Mississippi State	1st/2019
Washington Commanders	Mark Rypien	Washington State	6th/1986
Active player; Hall of Famer

###

Media Contact: Sam Drexler, NFL; Sam.Drexler@NFL.com

Badgers secure five-star guard Addie Deal

College

Stephen Patrick

April 16, 2026

No. 18 overall recruit in 2025, McDonald’s All-American and All-Big Ten Freshman Team selection transfers to Wisconsin from Iowa

bit.ly/484cWhi

MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin women’s basketball brings in a dynamic, Big Ten-tested guard in Addie Deal.

A 6-foot guard from Irvine, California, Deal arrives in Madison after a freshman season at Iowa and a decorated prep career that established her as one of the top players in the country.

As a freshman, Deal earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors twice and was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team. She totaled 173 points, 56 assists, and 39 rebounds on the season, highlighted by a 20-point performance against Ohio State and a career-high five assists on multiple occasions. She also knocked down four 3-pointers in a game against Oregon.

Deal made her biggest impact at Mater Dei High School, where she emerged as a five-star prospect and the No. 18 overall recruit in the class by ESPN, as well as the No. 2 player in California. She competed on the national stage throughout her prep career, participating in the Nike Skills Camp and the World Basketball Festival in New York, while earning recognition on the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Player of the Year Watchlist. She was also named a 2025 McDonald’s All-American, becoming the first player in Wisconsin program history to earn the honor.

Deal comes from a strong athletic background, with her mother having played collegiate volleyball at the University of New Orleans and her father playing college basketball at Spring Hill College.

#OnWisconsin

Maryland, UCLA, Oregon Take Home Baseball Weekly Awards

Stephen Patrick

April 13, 2026

Terrapins’ Russell, Bruins’ Reddemann, Ducks’ Lauaki Jr. honored

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced its baseball weekly awards for games played April 6-12, 2026.

Player of the Week
Devin Russell, Maryland

R-Jr. – C – Boonton Township, N.J. – Mountain Lakes HS

Russell made the most of his plate appearances as Maryland won its conference series against Indiana over the weekend
Hit walk-off home runs on consecutive days, securing a run-rule win on Saturday and overcoming a two-run deficit in the ninth inning with a grand slam blast on Sunday
Recorded a .500 batting average (4-for-8), a .600 on-base percentage, and slugged 1.375
Finished the week with seven RBI and a 1.975 OPS
Becomes first Terrapin chosen Player of the Week since March 31, 2025

Pitcher of the Week

Logan Reddemann, UCLA

Jr. – S-RHP – Palmdale, Calif. – San Diego (NCAA)

Fanned an NCAA season-high 18 batters – one shy of the NCAA record – in UCLA’s 4-1 win over Rutgers on Friday
Tied the UCLA single-game strikeout record set by Rob Henkel in 2000
Struck out 11 of the last 12 batters he faced for the top-ranked Bruins
Allowed two hits and one run over eight innings, limiting the Scarlet Knights to a .077 batting average
Last Bruin named Pitcher of the Week: Wylan Moss (February 23, 2026)

Freshman of the Week
Naulivou Lauaki Jr., Oregon

R-Fr. – DH – Springville, Utah – Springville HS

Helped No. 20 Oregon to a conference series win over No. 14 Nebraska, batting .385 with two home runs and five RBI
Stroked a pair of home runs and drove in three runs on Saturday
Slashed .471/.471/1.176 with a 1.647 OPS in four games during the week
Compiled six extra-base hits (3 home runs, 3 doubles) and 20 total bases
His selection marks the third Freshman of the Week Award for Oregon this season

Team rankings are the highest position listed among the five polls: Baseball America, D1Baseball, NCBWA, Perfect Game, USA Today

2026 Big Ten Baseball Weekly Awards

Feb. 16

PL: Jackson Freeman, Jr., OF, NU

P: Grant Govel, So., S-RHP, USC

F: Angel Laya, Fr., OF, ORE

Feb. 23

PL: Will Gasparino, Jr., OF, UCLA

P: Wylan Moss, So., R-RHP, UCLA

F: AJ Putty, Fr., 1B, ILL

March 2

PL: Weber Neels, Sr., C, MINN

P: Mason Edwards, Jr., S-LHP, USC

F: Brayden Ricketts, R-Fr., DH, IND

March 9

PL: Colton Bower, Jr., C, WASH

P: Mason Edwards, Jr., S-LHP, USC

F: Ryan Costello, R-Fr., 1B/OF, MD

F: Angel Laya, Fr., OF, ORE

March 16

PL: Roch Cholowsky, Jr., SS, UCLA

P: Grant Govel, So., S-RHP, USC
F: Daniel Porras, Fr., OF/1B, WASH

March 23

PL: Dominic Hellman, Sr., DH, ORE

PL: Alex Bemis, Jr., OF, OSU

P: Mason Edwards, Jr., S-LHP, USC
F: Gavin Lauridsen, Fr., R-RHP, USC

March 30

PL: Brandon Rogers, Sr., OF, PUR

P: Miles Gosztola, Jr., S-LHP, ORE

F: CJ Deckinga, Fr., 3B, MSU

April 6

PL: Payton Brennan, R-Jr., OF, UCLA

P: Shane Brinham, Fr., S-LHP, MICH

F: Zach Strickland, Fr., R-RHP, UCLA

April 13

PL: Devin Russell, R-Jr., C, MD

P: Logan Reddemann, S-RHP, Jr., UCLA

F: Naulivou Lauaki Jr., R-Fr., DH, ORE

Ranking Number 1 Overall NFL Draft Picks in History

Stephen Patrick

April 12, 2026

With Fernando Mendoza locked in as the projected No. 1 overall pick, it’s the perfect time to look back at some of the greatest top selections in NFL history. They have been franchise-changing quarterbacks to generational defensive stars.

1. Peyton Manning (1998) – Manning is one of the greatest QBs ever. He’s a top 3 QB of all time. During his career he has 5 MVPs, 2 Super Bowls, 4 Super Bowl appearances and changed offenses forever with how he commanded the game pre-snap.

Photo Cred: The Denver Post

2. Lawrence Taylor (1981) – He is known as the greatest defensive player of all time. In his career he has a total of 132.5 sacks. His Highest Single-Season Sack Total was 20.5. Overall Taylor has 10-time Pro Bowler, 8-time All-Pro, 3-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 1986 NFL MVP

3. John Elway (1983) – Elways is a top 5 QB of all time. Hall of Famer and 2× Super Bowl champ, iconic career with Denver. He made it to 5 Super Bowls and was on the quarterbacks to start the mobile QB trend that now has taken over the league.

4. Terry Bradshaw (1970) – While his physical traits may have been lacking he was a flat out winner. He led one of the greatest dynasties in sports history. He won four Super Bowls with the Steelers and was a clutch postseason performer.

5. Bruce Smith (1985) – He’s the all-time sack leader and dominant for nearly two decades. He’s the only player with 200 sacks. He won two defensive awards during his career.

Photo Cred: NFL

Other top picks

6. Troy Aikman (1989)
7. Orlando Pace (1997)
8. Cam Newton (2011)
9. Myles Garrett (2017)
10. Andrew Luck (2012)

Chat GPT 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Stephen Patrick

April 12, 2026

1. Las Vegas Raiders

Fernando Mendoza, QB – Indiana
A true pocket passer with command and accuracy—Raiders finally get stability at QB.

2. Cleveland Browns

Jeremiyah Love, RB – Notre Dame
Jeremiyah Love is explosive and versatile—modern three-down weapon.

3. New York Giants

Sonny Styles, LB – Ohio State
Sonny Styles brings elite size/speed and defensive versatility.

4. New England Patriots

Carnell Tate, WR – Ohio State
Polished WR with strong hands and route-running—perfect for a young QB.

5. Arizona Cardinals

Makai Lemon, WR – USC
Dynamic slot weapon who consistently creates separation.

6. Washington Commanders

Anthony Hill Jr., LB – Texas
Sideline-to-sideline speed with pass-rush upside.

7. Chicago Bears

Peter Woods, DT – Clemson
Dominant interior lineman who can anchor and disrupt.

8. Tennessee Titans

Max Iheanachor, OT – Arizona State
High-upside tackle with elite measurables.

9. Atlanta Falcons

Nyck Harbor, WR – South Carolina
Nyck Harbor is a rare athlete—size + Olympic-level speed.

10. Denver Broncos

Deontae Lawson, LB – Alabama
Smart, physical linebacker who can lead a defense.

11. New Orleans Saints

Garrett Nussmeier, QB – LSU
Garrett Nussmeier offers upside as a downfield thrower.

12. Minnesota Vikings

Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE – Penn State
Long, explosive pass rusher with big ceiling.

13. Seattle Seahawks

Barion Brown, WR – Kentucky
Game-breaking speed—instant vertical threat.

14. Indianapolis Colts

Oscar Delp, TE – Georgia
Reliable TE who can block and stretch the seam.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers

Tacario Davis, CB – Arizona
Big, physical corner—fits Steelers defensive identity.

16. Los Angeles Rams

Harold Perkins Jr., EDGE/LB – LSU
Harold Perkins Jr. is a hybrid weapon—elite burst and versatility.

17. Green Bay Packers

Evan Stewart, WR – Oregon
Smooth route runner with explosive play ability.

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Caleb Downs, S – Alabama
Caleb Downs is a do-it-all defensive back.

19. Miami Dolphins

Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE – Texas
Athletic mismatch weapon in the passing game.

20. Dallas Cowboys

Mykel Williams, EDGE – Georgia
Strong, physical edge setter with pass-rush upside.

21. Houston Texans

Kelvin Banks Jr., OT – Texas
High-level pass protector to protect the franchise QB.

22. Jacksonville Jaguars

Will Johnson, CB – Michigan
Will Johnson has elite coverage instincts.

23. Cincinnati Bengals

Blake Fisher, OT – Notre Dame
Adds needed toughness to the offensive line.

24. Detroit Lions

Luther Burden III, WR – Missouri
Luther Burden III brings elite YAC ability.

25. Buffalo Bills

TreVeyon Henderson, RB – Ohio State
Explosive back who fits Buffalo’s offense.

26. Baltimore Ravens

Emeka Egbuka, WR – Ohio State
Emeka Egbuka is reliable and polished.

27. San Francisco 49ers

Josh Conerly Jr., OT – Oregon
Athletic lineman ideal for zone schemes.

28. Kansas City Chiefs

Tetairoa McMillan, WR – Arizona
Tetairoa McMillan gives Mahomes a big-bodied target.

29. Philadelphia Eagles

Nic Scourton, EDGE – Texas A&M
Power rusher who fits Philly’s rotation.

30. Los Angeles Chargers

Drew Allar, QB – Penn State
Drew Allar could be a value QB late in Round 1.

31. New York Jets

Zion Nelson, OT – Miami
Long-term answer at tackle.

32. Carolina Panthers

Isaiah Bond, WR – Texas
Isaiah Bond adds elite speed to close Round 1.

16 Prospects to Attend 2026 NFL Draft Presented By Bud Light

Uncategorized

Stephen Patrick

April 10, 2026

NEW YORK — April 9, 2026 — As announced tonight on NFL Network’s “Path to the Draft,” 16 prospects are confirmed to attend the 2026 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light in Pittsburgh.

Three colleges – Ohio State (five players), Alabama (two) and Miami (Fla.) (two) – will have multiple players on-site. The Big Ten leads all conferences with six prospects confirmed to attend, followed by the Southeastern Conference (five), Atlantic Coast Conference (two), Big 12 (two) and Independent (one).

The Draft begins with the first round on Thursday night, April 23, and continues Friday, April 24, with Rounds 2-3. The Draft will conclude on Saturday, April 25, with Rounds 4-7.

The NFL Draft, which was held in Green Bay last year, will be hosted in Pittsburgh for the first time since 1948 and in the state of Pennsylvania for the first time since 2017.

The players confirmed to attend this year’s NFL Draft to date:

1)	David Bailey	LB	Texas Tech
2)	Rueben Bain Jr.	DE	Miami (Fla.)
3)	Mansoor Delane	DB	LSU
4)	Caleb Downs	DB	Ohio State
5)	Keldric Faulk	DE	Auburn
6)	Colton Hood	DB	Tennessee
7)	Makai Lemon	WR	USC
8)	Jeremiyah Love	RB	Notre Dame
9)	Francis Mauigoa	OL	Miami (Fla.)
10)	Kayden McDonald	DT	Ohio State
11)	Kadyn Proctor	T	Alabama
12)	Arvell Reese	LB	Ohio State
13)	Ty Simpson	QB	Alabama
14)	Sonny Styles	LB	Ohio State
15)	Carnell Tate	WR	Ohio State
16)	Jordyn Tyson	WR	Arizona State

2026 NFL Draft Facts & Figures

WHAT:	91st Annual National Football League Player Selection Meeting.

WHERE:	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

WHEN:	8 p.m. ET, Thursday, April 23 (Round 1). 7 p.m. ET, Friday, April 24 (Rounds 2-3). Noon ET, Saturday, April 25 (Rounds 4-7). The first round will conclude on Thursday by approximately 10:30 p.m. ET. In 2025, the first round consumed three hours and 29 minutes. The second and third rounds will conclude on Friday by approximately 11 p.m. ET. The second and third rounds took a combined four hours and 12 minutes in 2025. The draft will conclude by approximately 7 p.m. ET on Saturday with the final four rounds. Rounds four through seven took six hours and 57 minutes in 2025.

ROUNDS:	Seven Rounds – Round 1 on Thursday, April 23; Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday, April 24; and Rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday, April 25. For the 2026 NFL Draft round-by-round order (as of April 9, 2026), click here. There will be 257 selections, including 33 compensatory choices that have been awarded to 15 teams. Click here for more information on 2026 NFL Draft compensatory selections (as of March 9, 2026).

TIME LIMITS:	Round 1: 8 minutes per selection. Round 2: Seven minutes per selection. Rounds 3 through 6, including compensatory picks: Five minutes per selection. Round 7, including compensatory picks: Four minutes per selection.

TELEVISION & RADIO:	The 2026 NFL Draft will be televised nationally by NFL Network, ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes, and can be heard nationwide on Westwood One Radio, SiriusXM NFL Radio and ESPN Radio.

MOBILE:	Live NFL Network coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft is available across devices (smartphone, PC, tablet and connected TVs) through the NFL app or NFL.com/watch for subscribers of participating NFL Network providers and on NFL+. For more information, go to NFL.com/nflnetwork.

NFL CHANNEL:	Additional live coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh is available on the NFL Channel, the NFL’s free ad-supported streaming offering, with NFL Draft Center. Mike Yam, Bucky Brooks and Lance Zierlein anchor the coverage Thursday at 8 p.m. ET, Friday at 7 p.m. ET and Saturday at noon ET. The NFL Channel is available on the NFL App, Roku Channel, Peacock, Pluto TV, Tubi, Vizio WatchFree, Xumo Play, LG and at NFL.com/nflchannel.

Media Contact: Sam Drexler, NFL; Sam.Drexler@NFL.com

For more from NFL Communications, visit media.nfl.com

Angel Reese Headed to Atlanta Dream in Blockbuster Trade

Stephen Patrick

April 9, 2026

The Atlanta Dream traded for All-Star forward Angel Reese with the Chicago Sky. The deal is a win-now move for the Dreams. Chicago can reset after being one of the worst teams. The Sky will get two future first-round picks in 2027 & 2028 the right to swap second-round picks in 2028. Reese is the WNBA’s best rebounder & a two-time All-Star. She will give Atlanta an powerful front court. During her first two years she has averaged 13.6 points and a league-leading 12.4 rebounds per game. She adds 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals, emerging as one of the most productive young forwards in the WNBA.

Photo Cred: Facebook

Known for her physical presence, relentless motor and ability to control the glass, she is expected to play a central role as the Dream look to climb the standings. Beyond the numbers, Reese’s impact is expected to be felt on both ends of the floor. Her ability to dominate the boards creates second-chance opportunities offensively while limiting opponents to one shot on the defensive end. She brings toughness, energy and a competitive edge that can shift momentum and set the tone for Atlanta’s identity.

Her presence in the paint should also open opportunities for perimeter players, drawing defensive attention and improving spacing for the Dream’s offense. Reese now joins a developing core in Atlanta that includes guard Rhyne Howard, a dynamic scorer and perimeter threat, and veteran playmaker Allisha Gray, known for her versatility and two-way ability. In the frontcourt, she pairs with Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, giving the Dream a physical interior presence capable of controlling the paint on both ends.

The combination could prove impactful. Reese’s rebounding and interior dominance complement Howard’s scoring ability on the wing, while Gray’s experience and playmaking help balance the offense. With multiple scoring options and added toughness inside, Atlanta has the pieces to become more balanced and harder to defend. Chicago, meanwhile, moves on from one of its foundational players in exchange for future assets.

Photo Cred: The Atlanta Voice

The Sky have struggled to translate individual production into team success in recent seasons and appear to be pivoting toward a broader rebuild centered on draft capital and roster flexibility. The move is among the most significant transactions of the WNBA season, pairing a rising star with a team seeking immediate impact while allowing another to reshape its future. Reese is expected to join the Dream ahead of the upcoming slate of games as Atlanta integrates its newest addition into the rotation.

NFL Brings Flag Football to Schools Across Australia with National Kit Distribution

Stephen Patrick

April 9, 2026

Commissioner Goodell announced initiative during Gold Coast clinic with 400 local kids.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA — April 9, 2026 — The National Football League today announced a nationwide initiative to provide free flag football kits to all schools across Australia, expanding access to the sport and supporting youth participation as part of its continued investment in the region.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the initiative during a youth flag football clinic on the Gold Coast during his visit to Australia, alongside International Federation of American Football (IFAF) President, Pierre Trochet. More than 400 local kids participated in the free clinic alongside Australian and International flag football players, including Global Flag Ambassador and Mexico Women’s Team Captain, Diana Flores, Australian captains, Jared Stegman and Abbie Leyshon, and former Australian NFL players Ben Graham and Arryn Sippos.

“Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and Australia is helping to lead the movement,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “These flag kits will give more young people an opportunity to learn the game, be part of a team and gain skills that will benefit them on and off the field.”

“We are thrilled to be making the announcement today that flag football kits will be offered to every school in Australia, with Queensland and Victoria being the first two states to receive their kits,” said NFL General Manager – Australia and New Zealand, Charlotte Offord. “We want to ensure that every school and student gets the same opportunity to play, so providing free flag football kits is a great way to ensure there are no barriers to playing the sport.”

The initiative is a key part of the league’s efforts to support youth health and wellness while expanding access to the sport, providing students with the opportunity to move, play and grow through flag football.

The program in Australia will also equip students and educators with the resources needed to introduce and grow the game at the grassroots level. Included in the kits will be 12 flag belts, three footballs, and NFL Flag curriculum and resources to support teachers introducing the game into their school.

Flag football continues to see rapid growth at a grassroots level in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region. Started as a pilot program in ten schools in 2022, the national flag competition has now expanded to more than 500 schools and close to 100,000 students participating in state, national and international flag football tournaments. Last year, students from both the U13 (primary school) and U15 (high school) age groups flew to the US to compete in the NFL Flag International Championships.

With more than 8.8 million passionate fans in Australia, the NFL has a growing presence, and is committed to investing in the development of the game year-round across the entire Asia-Pacific region. The NFL opened its Australia office in 2022; officially launched its national flag football program in 2023; opened the NFL APAC Academy in 2024; and has established a strong, year-round calendar of events and fan activity across the country, culminating in the announcement of the first-ever regular season NFL game being played in Melbourne in September 2026.

Flag football is played by more than 20 million people in over 100 countries worldwide and continues to see rapid growth, particularly among youth and girls’ participation. The sport will make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, with growing momentum around its long-term inclusion in future Olympic programs. The NFL has continued to invest in international growth through grassroots participation, youth development and strategic partnerships, with Australia representing a key market in the league’s global expansion efforts. It is played across all states and territories in Australia, with almost 100,000 participants currently playing the game across more than 500 schools. In partnership with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and American Football Australia (AFA) the league continues to showcase efforts to increase participation and inspire the next generation.

Media Contacts: 

Ashley Stewart, NFL (Australia); Ashley.Stewart@nfl.com

Morgan Rubin, NFL; Morgan.Rubin@nfl.com

For more from NFL Communications, visit media.nfl.com

NFL and U.S. Bank Announce Partnership Centered on Banking and Wealth Management

Stephen Patrick

April 7, 2026

NFL Offseason Workout Program Dates Announced

NEW YORK and MINNEAPOLIS — April 7, 2026 — The National Football League and U.S. Bank announced today a multi-year partnership, naming U.S. Bank as a new official bank and wealth management sponsor of the NFL. The collaboration builds on a strong, trusted relationship between the two organizations spanning more than 20 years and represents a shared commitment to innovation and financial stability.

The partnership includes U.S. Bank becoming the presenting sponsor of the Super Bowl MVP Award, starting with Super Bowl LXI, and a top-tier sponsor of the NFL FLAG Championships, further solidifying the bank’s deep ties to the game of football and the sport’s role in communities across the country.

“U.S. Bank is proud to bring financial expertise to communities and individuals who inspire us both on and off the field,” said Gunjan Kedia, U.S. Bancorp Chief Executive Officer. “This sponsorship combines our commitment to innovation with the shared values of teamwork and perseverance, paving the way for a brighter financial future for all. Our more than 20-year banking relationship with the NFL has been invaluable, and we’re thrilled to deepen our collaboration in transformative ways.”

The NFL is currently enhancing and modernizing its approach to player financial empowerment. U.S. Bank will contribute its financial education expertise to these efforts through U.S. Bank Financial Edge™, a customized financial guidance program designed to support players at every stage of their financial journey.

“U.S. Bank is a trusted financial institution with a strong commitment to communities and financial stability and education for all,” said Renie Anderson, chief revenue officer & EVP of the NFL. “The work we will do together, especially around financial education expertise, will empower individuals at every stage of their financial journey and specifically help our players to succeed long after their careers on the field have ended. We’re excited to build on our decades-long relationship with U.S. Bank with this new official partnership.”

Financial Edge helps athletes navigate the realities of professional football, from entering the league to preparing for life after the game. It will cover topics including understanding cash flow, planning charitable services, saving strategies, building long-term wealth, preparing for life after football, and entrepreneurship.

The initiative will launch as part of the NFL’s broader financial empowerment pilot. Fernando Mendoza, a prospective member of the 2026 NFL Draft class, who earned a business administration degree and will serve as U.S. Bank Chief Financial Playmaker, will provide insight on the bank’s financial education programming. Mendoza will bring firsthand perspectives from his journey navigating NIL (name, image and likeness) contracts to signing his first potential NFL contract, ensuring Financial Edge is tailored to meet the unique needs of professional athletes.

In addition to a long history of providing a wide range of financial services for the NFL and several additional teams, U.S. Bank also has a leading sports industry finance business working with more than 35 professional sports teams, stadium and league-level clients. For example, U.S. Bank arranged financing for the San Francisco 49ers’ stadium construction development and was the lead bank for the private construction financing of U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. U.S. Bank currently serves as the official bank partner of the Minnesota Vikings and the San Francisco 49ers.

Reflecting the collaboration’s broader societal impact, U.S. Bank and the NFL will also launch a co-owned Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at fostering meaningful community engagement. Further details about the CSR initiative and other partnership programs will be announced in the coming months.

Fans are encouraged to stay tuned for more updates about the partnership, including exclusive activations and programs during the upcoming NFL season.

For more information, visit usbank.com/nfl. Member FDIC. @2026 U.S. Bank

###

Media Contacts:
Tim Schlittner, tim.schlittner@NFL.com
Susan Beatty, susan.beatty@usbank.com

About U.S. Bank
Headquartered in Minneapolis, U.S. Bancorp is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association, the fifth-largest commercial bank in the United States. Our three major business lines serve 15 million clients throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe, and our team of nearly 70,000 people invest our hearts and minds to power human potential every day. Ranked 105th on the Fortune 500, we are deeply respected for our culture and long-term stewardship and admired for our diversified business mix and product capabilities.

For more from NFL Communications, visit media.nfl.com

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