Sports
Netflix is dreaming of a glitch-free Christmas with 2 major NFL games set
It comes weeks after Netflix's attempt to broadcast live boxing between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson was rife with technical glitches.
Latinos are the fastest-growing fanbase in the NFL. What’s the league’s playbook?
The NFL is reaching more Latinos than ever. Here's how they've scored with a Spanish-speaking audience.
‘Driven by something greater’: Meet Birmingham’s trainer to the stars of today and the future
Otis Leverette, better known as ‘Coach O,’ is a strength and conditioning coach in the South that’s impacting athletes' lives beyond sports.
Michael Vick says he will be the new head football coach at Norfolk State University
Vick, a four-time Pro Bowl player, is returning to his home state of Virginia to coach the team.
The president of the NCAA calls for a ban on ‘prop bets’ in college sports
As sports betting has spread across the U.S., college athletes have increasingly faced harassment from bettors. A federal ban on wagers that concern individual performances could help, the NCAA says.
At 18, India’s Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest world chess champion ever
Dommaraju unseated China's Ding Liren to become the new world chess champion. "Every chess player wants to experience this moment, and very few get the chance," Dommaraju said after the match.
Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup — a controversial pick
FIFA's selection of Saudi Arabia to host the World Cup was celebrated in the kingdom but criticized by human rights groups, who fear residents, visitors and migrant workers will be at risk of abuse.
A record-breaking deal for slugger Juan Soto sends the baseball world into a spin
The Dominican-born superstar Juan Soto will take his talents to Queens after the New York Mets reportedly signed him to a $765 million contract — a move that has the rest of the baseball world abuzz.
Longer careers in ice hockey are linked to a greater risk of CTE, a new study finds
A new Boston University study of 77 deceased male ice hockey players found that their chances of developing the degenerative brain disease known as CTE increased with each year they played the sport.
College sports reform could advance in GOP-controlled Congress
Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican who is set to take over as chair of the powerful Commerce Committee, said recently that a college sports bill will be a top priority, accusing Democrats of dragging their feet on needed reforms.
FIFA should pay workers harmed in building World Cup venues, its committee report says
The report said the main responsibility lay with the workers' direct employers and the Qatari government, but noted that "a credible argument can be made" that FIFA played a role as well.
Bill Battle, former Alabama AD who founded licensing company, dies
Bill Battle, who was athletic director at his alma mater, Alabama, where he played for Paul “Bear” Bryant's first national championship team, has died. He was 82.
Traffic citations against Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill are dropped
Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins was cited for careless driving and failure to wear a seat belt in September. The citations were dismissed after the officers involved did not appear in court.
Formula 1 expands grid to add General Motors’ Cadillac brand and new American team
The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a U.S. Justice Department investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, would not approve the team.
In the Marble Bowl, the heated rivalry between Alabama and Auburn is getting ‘wilder’
The Marble Bowl is a competition that pits fans of the University of Alabama against Auburn University. No tight ends or cornerbacks, quarterbacks or linebackers are needed, although they can play, too.
UConn’s Geno Auriemma becomes the all-time winningest college basketball coach
Geno Auriemma has led the women Huskies to 11 championships and nearly two dozen Final Four appearances in his four decades as head coach.
NFL kickers are better than ever from long distance, and that’s changing football
Field goals of 50 yards or longer used to be a rare thing in the NFL. But this season, kickers are hitting them at a record 72% clip — and head coaches are trying them far more often than ever before.
As Nadal plays his last tourney, Federer sends an emotional note from ‘your fan, Roger’
"You challenged me in ways no one else could," Roger Federer tells Rafael Nadal, who will retire after this week's Davis Cup tennis tournament.
Beyoncé will perform a halftime show during one of the NFL’s Christmas Day games
Artists featured on her most recent album could make an appearance, some of whom include Miley Cyrus, Post Malone and Shaboozey.
Bela Karolyi, legendary and controversial gymnastics coach, dies at 82
Bela Karolyi coached several renowned gymnasts, including Mary Lou Retton, Kerri Strug and Julianne McNamara. But he was known for harsh methods of training.
Jake Paul beats 58-year-old Mike Tyson in a much-hyped Netflix boxing match
Jake Paul won a unanimous decision over Mike Tyson as the hits didn't match the hype in a fight between a young YouTuber-turned-boxer and the 58-year-old former heavyweight champion.
The NWSL rides a ‘rocket ship’ of interest in women’s sports to a record-setting year
Across the board, 2024 was a record year for women's sports. The WNBA saw record audiences. In college basketball, the women's March Madness tournament outdrew the men's. The NWSL was no exception.
Mike Tyson was a heavyweight champ before Jake Paul was born. Tonight, they face off
One is a YouTuber-turned-boxer. The other hasn't been back in the ring in nearly two decades. Tonight they'll fight in Texas.
Lindsey Vonn announces a comeback at 40, saying she’s ready to race
The record-setting skier once notched speeds that would be illegal on most U.S. highways — until knee injuries slowed her down and she retired in 2019. Now Vonn says she's ready to return to racing.
John Robinson, successful football coach at USC and with the LA Rams, has died at 89
John Robinson, the veteran football coach who enjoyed many years of success at the University of Southern California and with the Los Angeles Rams, has died. He was 89.
Bobby Allison, NASCAR Hall of Famer and 3-time Daytona 500 winner, dies at 86
Allison’s family that said he died at home in Mooresville, North Carolina. A cause of death wasn’t given, but Allison had been in declining health for years.
Bobby Allison, one of the all-time great NASCAR drivers, has died at age 86
Bobby Allison, whose life was full of tragedy even as he became one of the most celebrated NASCAR drivers of all time, died on Saturday. The Hall of Famer was 86.
‘A terrible experience’: LGBTQ+ students face challenges amid Alabama’s Title IX, sports ban debate
Transgender students’ rights have come under increased scrutiny with a new school year underway as Alabama continues to push back against new Title IX rules.
Bill Greason, the oldest-living Negro Leaguer, takes another trip around the bases at 100
Greason, a former pitcher for the Birmingham Black Barons, was honored for his contributions to baseball, his community and his country at a recent celebration.
High school football is back. How are Gulf South schools keeping players safe from the heat?
Student-athletes may not be too concerned about playing in extreme heat, but parents, coaches and trainers are taking plenty of precautions to keep them safe.
Why some Paralympians’ journeys run through Birmingham
As the Paralympic Games get underway in Paris this week, the Lakeshore Foundation's presence in Birmingham means Alabama has a small part in the events overseas.
Rickwood Field, a time capsule of opportunity and oppression, welcomes MLB for Negro Leagues tribute
Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in the U.S. and former home to baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays and the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues, will host an MLB game between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants on Thursday.
