Sports
Woodward out as LSU AD amid Landry’s criticism
Scott Woodward is out as LSU‘s athletic director, the school announced Thursday night, just days after the Tigers fired coach Brian Kelly amid a 5-3 season.
Verge Ausberry, the executive deputy athletic director, will be the interim athletic director.
“We thank Scott for the last six years of service as athletic director,” said Scott Ballard, LSU’s board of supervisors chair. “He had a lot of success at LSU, and we wish him nothing but the best in the future. Our focus now is on moving the athletic department forward and best positioning LSU to achieve its full potential.”
LSU will hold a news conference at 9 a.m. ET Friday to discuss the athletic director change.
Woodward drew the ire of Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, who publicly criticized him multiple times this week. In a news conference Wednesday, Landry said that Woodward would not be hiring LSU’s next football coach.
On the “Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday, Landry added: “There’s a number of bad contracts that seem to have followed Scott Woodward.”
The flurry of comments from Landry made Woodward’s departure an inevitability. According to a source, the expectation is that Woodward will be paid out the more than $6 million he is owed on his contract.
In a letter addressed to Tiger Nation late Thursday, Woodward said his departure comes “with a heavy heart but also with my typical optimism.”
“Others can recap or opine on my tenure and on my decisions over the last six years as Director of Athletics, but I will not,” Woodward wrote in the letter. “Rather, I will focus on the absolute joy that LSU Athletics brings to our state’s residents and to the Baton Rouge community. I will cherish the incredible relationships I have built within the University community and beyond our campus borders. And I will fondly remember the national and SEC championships for the joy that they brought to our student-athletes, coaches, staff, campus community and our incredible fans.
“Our University will always hold a special place in my heart and I will never be too far from LSU.”
Woodward is a longtime college administrator with a political background and an LSU graduate, the type of background suited for this brand of political football. He had been LSU’s athletic director since 2019, a run that included a national title in football, the hiring of Kim Mulkey as the women’s basketball coach and the firing of men’s coach Will Wade.
Mulkey, who led LSU to its first women’s basketball title in 2023, declined to attend a postgame news conference after coaching the Tigers in an exhibition game Thursday night. Assistant Bob Starkey, who went in her place, told reporters that Mulkey was “heartbroken” over Woodward’s departure.
“In 40 years of coaching, I’ve worked with two phenomenal athletic directors,” Starkey said. “One was Skip Bertman [at LSU]. The other one was Scott Woodward.”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Sports
Hispanic icons who owned Super Bowl halftime before Bad Bunny
SUPER BOWL LX is making history: For the first time, the halftime show will feature a Spanish language-dominant solo performance, led by multi-Grammy-winning Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny. While Latin powerhouses such as Shakira and Jennifer Lopez have electrified previous shows, this groundbreaking moment represents something bigger — a celebration of Latin music’s explosive global reach and a nod to the 40-plus-million Spanish speakers calling the U.S. home. This isn’t just entertainment; it’s a cultural earthquake showcasing how American identity and inclusivity are constantly evolving.
As Super Bowl 60 festivities kick off, let’s revisit magnificent moments when Hispanic artists took center stage at halftime.
Gloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan was the first Hispanic artist to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show in 1992. Estefan performed “Live for Loving You” and “Get on Your Feet” on a 50-foot elevated platform to close out the “Winter Magic” themed halftime show in Minneapolis. The Cuban-American artist returned to the Super Bowl stage seven years later and performed alongside Stevie Wonder and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at Super Bowl XXXIII. As part of the “A celebration of Soul, Salsa and Swing” halftime show in Miami, Estefan performed her single “Oye,” which blends Spanish and English lyrics.
Arturo Sandoval and the Miami Sound Machine
Sandoval and Latin Pop group Miami Sound Machine shared the halftime show stage with Patti LaBelle and Tony Bennett at Super Bowl XXIX in 1995. Sandoval delivered a memorable trumpet solo during Bennett’s rendition of Duke Ellington’s classic “Caravan.” The show, entitled “Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye,” featured more than 1,000 performers, including dancers, acrobats and jugglers. The show concluded with a spectacular performance of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” with all the performers sharing the stage.
Christina Aguilera and Enrique Iglesias
The Disney-produced Super Bowl XXXIV halftime show in Atlanta featured Hispanic pop stars Christina Aguilera and Enrique Iglesias. In front of more than 70,000 fans, the co-headliners performed “Celebrate the Future Hand in Hand” on a giant circular stage. The elaborate millennium celebration also included Phil Collins, Toni Braxton, an 80-person choir and Edward James Olmos as the show’s narrator.
Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars made Super Bowl history at 28 years old when he headlined the halftime show at Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014. Mars became the youngest artist to solo-headline the Super Bowl halftime show. He was accompanied by the eight members of his band, The Hooligans, which also includes his older brother Eric “E-Panda” Hernandez on drums. The group members were outfitted in matching Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane suits. Mars’ six-song set also featured a special guest appearance by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, culminating in a joint performance of “Give It Away.” Two years later, Mars was a special guest at the Super Bowl 50 halftime show, where he performed “Uptown Funk” and joined Beyoncé and Coldplay during the show.
Gustavo Dudamel and the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles
LA Philharmonic music director Gustavo Dudamel and the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) were special guests during Coldplay’s halftime performance at Super Bowl 50. The Venezuelan conductor directed YOLA members in performances of “Viva La Vida” and “Paradise “alongside the band at Levi’s Stadium. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin asked Dudamel to join the halftime show, which was watched by 115.5 million viewers.
Fergie and Taboo of The Black Eyed Peas
Two members of the Black Eyed Peas trace their roots to Hispanic lineage. Taboo Nawasha, born Jaime Luis Gomez, has Mexican and Native American roots. Fergie, the group’s lead singer at the time, shares Mexican ancestry through her great-grandmother, who was from Guanajuato, Mexico. Their eight-song halftime set at Super Bowl XLV included hits “I Gotta Feeling” and “Let’s Get It Started.” The halftime show also featured guest performances by Usher and Guns N’ Roses guitarist, Slash, attracting a total audience of 110.2 million viewers in 2011.
Shakira
Shakira and Jennifer Lopez were the first Hispanic duo to co-headline a Super Bowl halftime show in 2020. On the same day Shakira turned 43, she opened the show with “She Wolf,” “Empire,” and “Ojos Así.” As the show drew to a close, the native Colombian star teamed up with Lopez for the grand finale of “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” during which Shakira showcased the Afro-Colombian dance champeta. The Super Bowl LIV halftime show drew an estimated 103 million viewers.
Jennifer Lopez
In a performance that celebrated Latin culture and Latina empowerment, Jennifer Lopez co-headlined the Super Bowl LIV halftime show alongside Shakira. Lopez’s seven-minute portion of the set included hits such as “Jenny from the Block” and “Ain’t it Funny.” Her then-11-year-old daughter, Emme Maribel Muñiz, performed “Let’s Get Loud,” which carried a powerful message about immigration policies. Lopez wore a double-sided feather cape with both the American and Puerto Rican flags as her daughter sang “Born in the U.S.A.” The entire 14-minute production won an Emmy and received four nominations.
J Balvin
The Colombian icon known as “Reggaeton’s Global Ambassador” energized the Super Bowl LIV stage alongside Jennifer Lopez during the mash-up of “Qué Calor” and “Mi Gente.” During the performance, the Spanish-language artist wore his Air Jordan 1 collaboration. The debut of this shoe during the halftime show marked the first partnership between a Latin artist and the Jordan Brand.
Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny appeared as a surprise guest during Shakira’s cover of “I Like It” during the Super Bowl halftime show in Miami. The Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton music performed his verse from Cardi B’s 2018 hit, which blends Spanish lyrics into the mix. The pair then followed up with a collaboration on Shakira’s popular Spanish track, “Chantaje.” Bad Bunny will be the first Latin American male artist to headline a Super Bowl halftime show in 2026.
For the latest NFL updates, check out the ESPN hub page with scores, standings, stats and more.
Sports
Patriots’ Stefon Diggs answers Cardi B proposal question ahead of Super Bowl LX
Should the Patriots be underdogs in Super Bowl LX? | The Herd
The New England Patriots are 4.5 point underdogs to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, and Patriots HC Mike Vrabel responded to the odds, saying that “our record speaks for itself”. Colin Cowherd asks if the Seahawks should be favored over the…
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A celebrity power couple is present in Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX, as New England Patriots star receiver Stefon Diggs and rapper Cardi B are hoping Sunday night is filled with celebration at Levi’s Stadium.
Diggs and Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, have been enjoying this playoff run, as the veteran receiver finally got a shot at winning a Super Bowl ring in his 11th NFL season.
But that’s the only ring that matters right now, as he was asked a specific question about his relationship during Super Bowl media availability on Monday night.
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Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots looks on during Super Bowl LX Opening Night at San Jose McEnery Convention Center on Feb. 2, 2026 in San Jose, California. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
“After you get a ring, is Cardi getting her ring?” a media member questioned Diggs at the podium.
With a laugh, Diggs gave his response.
“It’s on the agenda maybe, right? Right?” he said. “I gotta get mine first, though.”
CARDI B GOES AFTER ESPN STARS WHO PICKED PATRIOTS TO LOSE TO TEXANS: ‘THEY DIDN’T BELIEVE IN US’
Cardi B has been a true fan of the Patriots, especially after their Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans. She saw that ESPN panelists all chose the Texans to beat the Patriots in Foxborough at Gillette Stadium, and she let them hear it with a social media video after the game.
“THEY DIDN’T BELIEVE IN US!!! I LIKE US!!!!! WE ALL WE GOT!!!!! WE ALL WE NEED !!!! #PATSNATION,” she captioned her video on X.

Rapper Cardi B acknowledges the crowd during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Nov. 2, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Cardi B confirmed she was dating Diggs in September, and she’s been spotted at Gillette Stadium several times with the other wives and girlfriends of Patriots players as well as team owner Robert Kraft. They also had a child together in November.
Cardi B is expected to be at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, cheering on Diggs this Sunday, and he will be a focal point for the Patriots.
Diggs has had modest production this postseason, tallying just 73 yards on 11 receptions with one touchdown across three games.

Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots speaks to the media during Super Bowl LX Opening Night at San Jose McEnery Convention Center on Feb. 2, 2026 in San Jose, California. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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But he was the team’s leader in receiving yards this regular season, building quick chemistry with Maye and earning 1,013 yards on a team-high 85 receptions with four touchdowns.
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Sports
Ukraine leader blasts Gianni Infantino bid to lift FIFA’s Russia ban
Ukraine’s sports minister has said FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s bid to lift a ban on Russia competing at youth level are “irresponsible” and “infantile.”
Infantino said the ban on Russia competing, which was imposed by FIFA and UEFA after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, should “definitely” be lifted, “at least at youth level.”
Infantino added on Sky News that the ban had “not achieved anything” and “created more frustration, and hatred.”
“Having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other parts of Europe would help,” the Swiss said.
Matvii Bidnyi, Ukraine’s sports minister, said on Tuesday: “Gianni Infantino’s words sound irresponsible — not to say infantile. They detach football from the reality in which children are being killed.
“Let me remind you that since the start of Russia’s full-scale aggression, more than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed by Russians.
“Among them were more than 100 footballers. One example is Illia Perezhogin, a 10th-grade student at a Mariupol school, who was simply playing football at his school stadium when a Russian missile struck.
“Former futsal player Viktoriia Kotliarova was killed together with her mother during the shelling of Kyiv on Dec. 29, 2023. She was a Kyiv Student Futsal Cup champion and a winner of the Dynamo Student League tournament.
“War is a crime, not politics. It is Russia that politicises sport and uses it to justify aggression. I share the position of the Ukrainian Association of Football, which also warns against Russia’s return to international competitions.
“As long as Russians continue killing Ukrainians and politicising sport, their flag and national symbols have no place among people who respect values such as justice, integrity, and fair play.”
On Dec. 17 the FIFA Council announced plans for a new U15 festival, with a boys’ event to be staged next year and a girls’ event in 2027. That followed a recommendation from the Olympic Summit for international sports federations to allow Russian teams and athletes to compete under their national flag at youth level.
A media release confirming the FIFA Council’s decisions said the events would “be open to all 211 FIFA member associations.”
Speaking on Boxing Day last year, the Russian Football Union president Alexander Dyukov said: “We expect that next year, following the IOC [recommendation], international football regulators will make decisions that will allow our teams to participate in official international competitions.
“We hope that, taking into account the IOC recommendations, a way will be found to include our teams in the appropriate groups at the next draw. We also expect similar decisions from FIFA.
“The contacts and communications that have taken place indicate that FIFA and UEFA view the IOC’s decision positively, although it is not binding on them.”
Dyukov said he intended to attend next week’s UEFA Congress in Brussels, which would be “an opportunity to discuss our return.”
Senior figures within the administration of European football spoken to by the Press Association remain sceptical around the lifting of the ban in practical terms even at youth level, amid fears other teams would simply refuse to line up against Russia until a lasting political settlement is reached to end the conflict.
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