Sports
The two sides of Mitch Marner’s return home to Toronto
Mitch Marner spent nine seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. There were some very good times. He established himself as the greatest Maple Leafs player born in the Greater Toronto area. “Mitchy Magic” was often in full force at Scotiabank Arena.
But the relationship turned sour. After years of playoff heartbreaks and early exits, the fan base put Marner in its crosshairs. According to the fans, he was one of the reasons the team wasn’t able to finally capture another Stanley Cup and break the “1967” curse. Safety concerns began to mount. Marner’s car was stolen, and his address was leaked online. He needed private security for his family.
The fan scrutiny in one of the largest and most intense hockey markets in the world didn’t stop. Social media comments and trolls were relentless. A fresh start for the star player seemed inevitable and needed. So, Marner left his hometown team and joined the Vegas Golden Knights via trade, inking an eight-year deal at $12 million in average annual value.
Marner got two very different reactions in his return to Toronto on Friday.
For the first time in his NHL career, the Toronto native was the visitor, donning the Golden Knights’ sweater. The first time he touched the puck, the Leafs faithful let him have it, showering him with boos.
“That was fine,” Marner told reporters after the game. “I knew it was going to come.” Marner noted that the Leafs have a passionate fan base and that he still has “a lot of love for these fans.”
Leafs fans brought the heat Friday: “Benedict Marn-old” one sign read. “Thanks for 9 great regular seasons” another read. And yes, Marner was booed throughout the game whenever he touched the puck, save for some cheers on his two helpers as the Golden Knights beat the Leafs 6-3.
But it was all classy when Marner’s tribute video aired during the first TV timeout. The video included highlights of his incredible plays wearing the blue and white, and the fans applauded. When the video ended with a message of “Welcome Back Mitch,” the fans gave Marner a standing ovation while he skated around center ice acknowledging the crowd. After the game, Marner spotted a fan wearing his jersey in the crowd and gave them his stick.
This is a formula I would love to see become tradition. The fans have every right to boo a player who left them. This is sports. You paid for a ticket. Boo to your heart’s content. These athletes are getting paid millions of dollars to play at the highest levels and win championships — trolling and booing come with the territory.
But when that tribute video hits, the hate gets put aside and you give a moment of respect for the contributions of that player. That’s your moment to say thanks. Toronto got it right in that regard Friday night. Now you can boo him however long you want during games.
It should be assumed and not needed to be said, but doxing, bodily harm and theft are absolutely not OK. Athletes are also human beings.
Who knows how long it will last for Marner? New York Islanders fans still boo John Tavares — but hey, at least they don’t throw rubber snakes on the ice anymore.
Jump ahead:
Games of the week
What I loved this weekend
Hart Trophy candidates
Social post of the week
Stick taps
Biggest games of the week


6:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
Obviously, the biggest game this week will be the Stadium Series on Sunday from Raymond James Stadium. I can’t wait for the atmosphere, the game itself in that environment, but also all the fun surrounding it. Disney World is a short drive away, and the Gasparilla Pirate Festival will be happening around the same time. It should be an absolute party.
Also, don’t forget about the second half of the Stadium Series doubleheader on Sunday night after the Bolts-Bruins game. Marner and his Golden Knights teammates will be heading to Southern California to take on the Anaheim Ducks (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Other key games to watch
MONDAY


7 p.m. ET | ESPN+


7 p.m. ET | ESPN+


8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN+
TUESDAY


7 p.m. ET | ESPN+
WEDNESDAY


7 p.m. ET | ESPN+
THURSDAY


7 p.m. ET | ESPN+


7 p.m. ET | ESPN+


7 p.m. ET | ESPN+


7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN+/Hulu


9 p.m. ET | ESPN+


10 p.m. ET | ESPN+
SATURDAY


1 p.m. ET | ABC


3:30 p.m. ET | ABC


5 p.m. ET | ESPN+


7 p.m. ET | NHL Network


10 p.m. ET | ESPN+
What I loved this weekend
The Shoresy Classic made a stop in Calgary recently, and the Flames are the favorite team of Jared Keeso, creator of the “Shoresy” comedy show and the actor who plays the title character.
Keeso’s passion shone through when he addressed the crowd (and Flames alumni) before the game:
Holy, he set the tone 🔥 So glad to have you at the ‘Dome, Jared! pic.twitter.com/MXB3zEyeuh
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) January 23, 2026
A fun thing I learned this weekend while covering the X Games: multiple-time ski big air gold medalist Mac Forehand is the cousin of Trevor Zegras, lives in Utah and attends Mammoth games. Forehand won another gold Friday night on an unreal 2160 jump — six full rotations! — for an impressive 96 score from the judges. He will also be competing for Team USA at the Olympics. Best of luck, Mac!
Hart Trophy candidates if the season ended today
Another week down and Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebrini remain in the top three spots for NHL MVP.
MacKinnon’s 88 points is two behind McDavid for the scoring lead, but MacKinnon’s Avs remain 10 points clear of the next-best team atop the standings. Celebrini had a relatively quiet week by his standards, but the 19-year-old has 74 points through 50 games.
Here I thought I’d be simply ordering Mac, Mc and Mack in the Hart Trophy race for the rest of the season — but a new contender is in hot pursuit.
That is Nikita Kucherov, who has 78 points through 46 games for the Eastern juggernaut Lightning. I’m sticking with my same three this week, but Kucherov is officially on watch because he could elbow Celebrini out of the running by going on a streak.
Social media post of the weekend
Is going to go off the board here and call out this excellent photo of two Mount Rushmore-caliber defensemen and a possible future one in Ray Bourque, Rob Blake and Cale Makar. Both because it’s an iconic photo that should probably be somewhere in the Hall of Fame but also because Bourque is just like us, standing on his tippy-toes trying not to look too short in the picture (albeit with Makar in skates). All short kings do it, no shame in that!
One photo. Eight Norris Trophies.
Rob Blake and Ray Bourque met up with Cale Makar before tonight’s game!
(📸: @Avalanche) pic.twitter.com/zwqe0SL7LL
— NHL (@NHL) January 24, 2026
And an honorable mention this week: How did NJ Devil make this catch?
This will be a poster on your kids walls for years to come pic.twitter.com/g5BKyx6ctb
— NJ Devil (@NJDevil00) January 23, 2026
Stick taps
On Thursday, the NHL, NHLPA and ESPN’s Take Back Sports initiative held an innovation competition at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando. Hundreds of undergrad and graduate college students in the state of Florida submitted ideas to help grow the game of hockey at the grassroots level and tackle this question: “How can we strengthen the future of hockey by expanding participation, improving safe access, and making the game more fun and engaging for families and communities?”
It came down to six teams that presented in front of judges and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
Two awards were given out: the Innovator Award (the most out-of-the-box and transformative idea) and the Change Maker Award (most feasible and ready-to-implement award).
Hockey Unidos (Claire Maloney, Emma Mussante, Kylie Hafner and Anthony Costanzo) from the University of South Florida won the Change Maker Award. Their idea involved a culturally tailored hockey pop-up designed to engage Latino communities through festivals, food, language and family-driven activations.
AI Hockey Hubs (Demetrius Walker and Adolfo Acevedo) from Florida A&M University won the Innovation Award. Their idea was a portable, tech-enabled micro-rink that can turn small spaces into hockey skill zones using AI-supported training experiences.
Each winning student also won $2,000 and a VIP ticket experience to the 2026 NHL Stadium Series (or a Florida-based home game) along with VIP access to a special NHL, ESPN or Disney behind-the-scenes experience.
Congratulations to the winners!
Sports
2026 NASCAR Odds: Denny Hamlin Favored At Coca-Cola 600, Tyler Reddick Second
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When the NASCAR Cup Series went to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 in 2025, Ross Chastain got into Victory Lane after closing at +1800 to be the outright winner.
Chastain’s impressive win came after leading only eight laps on the day.
Which driver will take the checkered flag when the series goes back to Charlotte Motor Speedway on Memorial Day Weekend for one of NASCAR’s Crown Jewels?
Here are the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 24.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600
Denny Hamlin: +380 (bet $10 to win $48 total)
Tyler Reddick: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
Kyle Larson: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Christopher Bell: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Chase Briscoe: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
William Byron: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)
Carson Hocevar: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)
Ryan Blaney: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Chase Elliott: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Brad Keselowski: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)
Ty Gibbs: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Ross Chastain: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Chris Buescher: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Bubba Wallace: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)
Alex Bowman: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)
Austin Dillon: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Joey Logano: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Connor Zilisch: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Austin Hill: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Austin Cindric: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Ryan Preece: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Michael McDowell: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Corey Heim: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Erik Jones: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
Shane van Gisbergen: +13000 (bet $10 to win $1,310 total)
AJ Allmendinger: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)
Daniel Suarez: +17000 (bet $10 to win $1,710 total)
Josh Berry: +18000 (bet $10 to win $1,810 total)
John Hunter Nemechek: +25000 (bet $10 to win $2,510 total)
Zane Smith: +35000 (bet $10 to win $3,510 total)
Ty Dillon: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Noah Gragson: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Todd Gilliland: +60000 (bet $10 to win $6,010 total)
Riley Herbst: +60000 (bet $10 to win $6,010 total)
Cole Custer: +80000 (bet $10 to win $8,010 total)
Katherine Legge: +90000 (bet $10 to win $9,010 total)
Timmy Hill: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)
Cody Ware: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)
Here’s what to know about the oddsboard:
The Favorite
Denny Hamlin is coming in hot off an All-Star Race win at Dover. And while it wasn’t a points race, coming into Charlotte after starting from the pole and leading 103 laps in last week’s exhibition could give him the momentum he needs to grab the checkered flag at the Coke 600. His first and only win at this race came in 2022. In 2025, he started 20th but finished 16th after posting the best lap of the day at 29.37 and leading 53 laps.
One to Watch

Tyler Reddick is having an incredible season. He’s gotten into Victory Lane five times, including the first three races of the year. Cup qualifying got rained out, so Reddick will start from the pole today at Charlotte in accordance with league rules. On the season, Reddick has led 201 laps and has eight finishes in the top five. In 2025, he finished the Coca-Cola 600 26th after leading only one lap.
Sports
WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella opens up about what she wants fans to remember her for when she retires
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One of the best things to debate amongst friends is where professional athletes of a particular sport rank all time. Some make top 10 lists, others go by the Mount Rushmore rule.
Pro wrestling fans are no different. Championships, legacy and impact on the sport matter to those who take the time to watch wrestling 3-6 times per week for decades. How pro wrestlers are remembered by their fans is important to them.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Nikki Bella confronts Becky Lynch during Monday Night RAW at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Aug. 4, 2025. (Michael Marques/WWE)
For WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella, she suggested in an interview with Fox News Digital that her championship accolades should be put aside. Using her voice to have an effect on someone watching her in an arena or at home is more important.
“I would love definitely to be remembered as fearless, as someone who wasn’t scared to use her voice, someone who wasn’t scared to pave the ways, someone who wasn’t scared to stand up to all the hate, who can still be her even when people try to tear you down,” Bella said, who became the Chief Margarita Officer for Madam Paleta Tequila earlier in the week. “What I’ve realized, and this is in any industry and this is throughout time, it’s never easy to be first or be the loudest about something. And there’s so many people who helped pave the way before us but when you’re at the forefront or when you’re at the face of that, you take on everything that comes with it – hate, love, support, everything.
WWE STAR LIV MORGAN OPENS UP ABOUT HER LEGACY, WHAT SHE WANTS TO BE REMEMBERED FOR

Nikki Bella returns to Monday Night RAW at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Ariz., on June 9, 2025. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE)
“I think that’s where I truly live up to being ‘Fearless’ Nikki, I just don’t stop. Even when I’m not at my best or when I’m at my greatest. I hope at the end of the day, people can look back and respect that too – even the ones who can be so disrespectful. They see things in such a different way and they really just don’t know. I hope to be remembered as that over anything.”
Bella said she understood that fans will look at her titles and accolades overall when she eventually decides to step away from action for good.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
She was a two-time Divas champion, including holding the championship for a record 300 days, and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame with her sister, Brie Bella, in 2020.
She stressed, however, that the impact she made was held in high regard above everything else.
“I get some people get hooked on champion numbers, like 13 time, 10 time, five time, you know, for me, it’s always been about impact,” she told Fox News Digital. “And if the people tuning in, I was able to change some people’s lives. Maybe they were being raised in a not great home and I gave them the ability to be fearless and to use their voice to know they could be someone great one day, to me, that’s being a champion and that’s what I’d love to be more than anything. I look at my Bella Army and they are my true accomplishment.

Nikki Bella addresses the crowd during SmackDown at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on March 13, 2026. (Bradlee Rutledge/WWE)
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“That is better than any championship I could ever win, ever.”
Sports
Australia cricket split over BBL future after selloff plan stalls
SYDNEY: As Twenty20 cricket competitions explode around the world, Australia’s Big Bash League is struggling to chart a vision for the future, after plans to privatise its franchises stalled.
Cricket Australia chief Todd Greenberg is adamant that outside investment is necessary to shore up the game’s financial future and keep pace with a boom in other well-funded leagues played in a similar time slot.
They include the UAE’s ILT20, South Africa’s SA20, and New Zealand’s privately-backed NZ20 scheduled to start in December 2027, all bidding for the best local and overseas players.
“If those salary caps (of other leagues) are significantly higher than ours over the coming years, and players can earn more in those areas, then players will follow those. That’s a real risk to us,” Greenberg told local media.
“I want to make sure that for Australian cricket, our ambition is to have a league that runs at the key part of the year for us, which is the December-January window, and it’s the best T20 league in the world at that moment in time.
“To do that, we have to have a significant amount of money in our salary caps to attract not only the best players from overseas, but to retain and attract our own best players.”
He added: “The concept of bringing private capital to cricket is inevitable at some point.”
While not a direct competitor as it runs in a different window, the benchmark Indian Premier League has seen massive success thanks to wealthy benefactors, with England’s The Hundred also on a roll after an influx of private capital.
But it is a thorny issue in Australia with an initial proposal to sell stakes in each of BBL’s eight teams stalling last month amid concerns about a loss of control for the game’s local custodians.
While the Victorian, Western Australian and Tasmanian cricket associations voiced support and South Australia said it was open to the idea, New South Wales and Queensland rejected the move.
Queensland Cricket, which controls the Brisbane Heat, said it was worried about player payments skyrocketing to unsustainable levels, and that private owners may not be as invested in the grassroots game.
Cricket NSW, which operates the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder, was similarly concerned that it could be detrimental to how the sport is governed and how local players are produced.
‘Sugar hit’
There are also fears about an Indian takeover, with the most likely buyers seen as the rich IPL team owners who have invested in other short-form competitions around the globe.
Former Australian captain Greg Chappell is in the “No” camp, arguing that the BBL belongs to the states and communities that have built it into a successful and well-attended product.
While acknowledging the commercial realities, he said selling it off was not the answer.
“The moment you introduce private ownership at scale, you introduce a set of priorities that may not always align with the long-term health of the game,” he wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald.
“Private investors, however well-intentioned, answer to shareholders, not to Australian cricket.”
Andrew Jones, a former head of strategy at Cricket Australia who was instrumental in the launch of the BBL, is similarly unconvinced.
“A one-off sale is a sugar hit, not a solution,” he said in The Australian newspaper, arguing that revenues can be better grown through sponsorships, wagering, ticketing, and more focus on commercialising the women’s game.
Despite scepticism, Greenberg remains confident and is now eyeing a hybrid ownership model.
This would allow the BBL franchises keen to sell stakes to do so while allowing those against to maintain complete ownership.
“If we end up not going together at the same time, can we still extract the same level of revenue, and can we extract the same level of value?” he said.
“I think we can, but I’ve got to do the work to satisfy a recommendation that would ultimately go to the members and our board.”
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