Sports
Speech to US baseball team by Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden prompts liberal backlash
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Former Navy SEAL Robert J. O’Neill, who was part of the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden, delivered a pregame speech to Team USA players ahead of their World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game against Canada Friday.
Team USA beat Canada 5-3 to advance to the semifinals after O’Neill’s pep talk. But the speech also received criticism from left-wing social media users within and beyond the U.S.
Many who criticized the speech condemned its pro-war messaging and association of war with American values.
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Edouard Julien of Canada slides into second base against Brice Turang of the United States during the fifth inning at Daikin Park March 13, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Other Americans praised the speech and fired back at the critics.
“It’s unfathomable that the comment section is filled with people upset about an American hero telling a team representing America about a heroic story about a mission his team accomplished. We went from a patriotic country post 9/11 to a country full of terrorist sympathizers,” one X user wrote.
Another user wrote, “Epic! Well played by @USABaseball. American hero and legend in the clubhouse.”
TEAM USA BASEBALL MANAGER MARK DEROSA RESPONDS TO CRITICISM AMID MOUNTING CONTROVERSY

Manager Mark DeRosa of Team USA during the singing of the national anthem before a game against Great Britain at Daikin Park March 7, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Gabriella Ricciardi/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The U.S. will play the Dominican Republic in a WBC semifinal Sunday.
The win over Canada marked the third time in less than a month that Americans have crushed Canadian sports dreams on the world stage after dramatic victories over Canada in both the men’s and women’s Olympic hockey gold medal games last month.
O’Neill wasn’t the only one to hype up Team USA before the game.
Team USA manager Mark DeRosa revealed that USA hockey hero Jack Hughes, who scored the winning goal in the gold medal game against Canada at the Olympics, reached out to the American baseball players before Friday’s game.
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Aaron Judge of the United States shakes hands with teammates before a game against Canada during the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park March 13, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Houston Astros/Getty Images)
“Jack Hughes sent the boys a nice little fire-up message that I put out on their group chat,” DeRosa said during a press conference Thursday ahead of the game.
“I know there are some talks about some hockey jerseys being sent in tomorrow for the guys to wear during BP or out and about in the clubhouse.”
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Sports
Wembanyama’s do-it-all showcase propels Spurs past Hornets
SAN ANTONIO — Spurs star Victor Wembanyama returned from a one-game absence Saturday against the Charlotte Hornets and showed off his full arsenal of skills in leading San Antonio to a 115-102 victory to close a six-game homestand at Frost Bank Center.
Wembanyama poured in a game-high 32 points with 12 rebounds, eight assists, four blocks and two steals. The performance marked Wembanyama’s second career outing with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, multiple blocks and multiple steals, tying him with George Gervin for the third most such games in franchise history, according to ESPN Research. Wembanyama trails Tim Duncan (9) and David Robinson (19).
“It’s just a progression, in general,” Wembanyama said. “There were many aspects of the game where we dominated them, and that shows because we won three out of four quarters.”
San Antonio improved to a league-best 17-2 since Feb. 1, including a 5-1 mark during its six-game homestand.
“It’s been really good for us to go through these games and find out about other teams and find out about ourselves,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “We’ve had to be in a lot of different types of games, whether it’s a little bit open or having to cover a lot of distance defensively, matching some physicality, late-game execution, seeing different ways that people guard us. All these experiences are, hopefully, lessons we turn into knowledge and wisdom moving forward.”
Wembanyama started the game hot, scoring 11 points in the first quarter on 4-of-7 shooting, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range. He had a game-high 18 points at the half.
He showed off his playmaking skills in the third quarter, finding center Luke Kornet for two alley-oops. In the fourth quarter, Wembanyama threw an alley-oop to Stephon Castle, who caught it for a two-handed reverse dunk.
“It’s one more weapon,” Wembanyama said of his playmaking. “My playmaking most of the time happens by rolling and not even touching the ball, getting guys open by my positioning with my gravity. But I can do that, too.”
Wembanyama sat out Thursday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets because of a sore right ankle after testing it during pregame warmups. But the organization was optimistic he’d return for Saturday’s matchup against the Hornets.
Wembanyama can miss three more regular-season games before he’s ineligible for NBA awards.
“Victor has the longest things he wants to do that are important probably in the history of basketball,” Johnson said. “They all are important to me as well. There’s a lot that goes into that, and at times, we have to make tough decisions. Because on that long list, there are still things that we prioritize and put on the top of the list. But that guy, I think, is going to challenge us as long as we’re all here to continue to match that desire to keep checking things off that list.”
Spurs rookie guard Dylan Harper missed Saturday’s contest because of a right calf contusion. Johnson said Harper is day-to-day, adding there is “no long-term concern” regarding the injury. Harper missed 10 games in November because of a left calf strain.
Sports
Seahawks GM warns Washington’s new ‘millionaire tax’ could hurt free agent recruiting
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Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider highlighted a recent decision by Washington state lawmakers that he believes could pose problems as the reigning Super Bowl champions look to add players to sustain long-term success.
Washington’s long-standing status as a largely tax-free state is set to change in 2028 after lawmakers approved a “millionaire tax” that would levy a 9.9% rate on high earners.
The tax will apply to individuals earning more than $1 million annually. Gov. Bob Ferguson has indicated he will sign the bill. It is unclear whether the legislation will face legal challenges. Schneider projected the new tax deduction could hinder the Seahawks’ ability to recruit and ultimately sign free agents.
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Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider speaks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium Feb. 24, 2026, in Indianapolis. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)
Schneider suggested that part of the team’s pitch to free agents over the years has highlighted Washington’s tax exemptions.
“There were a bunch of agents texting me the other day like, ‘Hey, can’t use that anymore, buddy,’” Schneider said this week on his Seattle Sports 710-AM radio show.
“I think it is for all the pro teams here in town. It’s always been a huge attraction, especially competing with the California teams. It’s been a big deal for us. So, it’s going to sting, from a recruiting standpoint and what that looks like. I’m sure Mike Reinfeldt and Mickey Loomis and all the cap guys that have been here before, too, are looking at this like, ‘Dang.’”

The Super Bowl LX trophy celebration at Lumen Field Feb. 11, 2026, in Seattle. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
As of 2026, the Seahawks are one of eight NFL clubs based in a state that does not impose income tax on personal wages.
Two of those teams, the Texans and Cowboys, are based in Texas, while three of those teams play home games in Florida: the Jaguars, Buccaneers and Dolphins. The Raiders relocated from California to the neighboring tax-free Nevada in 2020, while the Titans are set to open a multibillion-dollar domed stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2027.

Seattle Seahawks helmets before a game between the Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dec. 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
“It’s going to be a problem, and hopefully it doesn’t happen,” an unnamed NFL agent told ESPN when asked about thoughts on the potential impact the new taxes could have on the Seahawks.
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While it remains unclear whether the new taxes will influence NFL players’ decisions about signing with the Seahawks, an MLB player recently cited California’s higher tax rates in his decision to turn down a deal with the San Diego Padres.
Merrill Kelly, who entered the free agent market after pitching in 10 games with the Texas Rangers in 2025, last month agreed to a deal to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Kelly agreed to a two-year contract worth an estimated $40 million with the Diamondbacks, according to ESPN. Although the Padres offered a comparable deal at three years instead of two, California’s 13% tax rate on income above $1 million proved a key difference.
“I don’t think it’s any secret on how much money you get taken out of your pocket when you go to California,” the right-hander told “Foul Territory.”
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Sports
Caitlin Clark rejects Angel Reese high-five at FIBA World Cup qualifiers
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The rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese got some new fuels Friday.
A clip is making the rounds of Clark ignoring Reese’s gesture for a high-five during a game for the FIBA World Cup qualifiers. As Reese held her hand out for her Team USA teammate, Clark walked in the other direction.
The U.S. won the game 91-48 over Puerto Rico.
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Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese (Getty Images)
There has been suspected tension between Clark and Reese dating back to their meeting in the 2023 NCAA women’s basketball championship game.
Reese taunted Clark by pointing to her ring finger during the game, prompting outrage and sparking an ongoing feud between fans.
Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes got revenge on Reese’s LSU Tigers a year later in the Elite Eight, but the tension hit a whole new level when the players reached the pros for their rookie WNBA seasons.
CAITLIN CLARK SELECTS FEVER TEAMMATES, PASSES ON ANGEL REESE IN WNBA ALL-STAR DRAFT

LSU’s Angel Reese, right, reacts in front of Iowa’s Caitlin Clark during the second half of the NCAA national championship April 2, 2023, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
In their first WNBA season in 2024, Clark took a series of questionable fouls from Reese’s Sky throughout the 2024 season, including one from Reese June 16.
In 2025, the two had a heated exchange after Reese pushed Fever forward Natasha Howard in the back as she grabbed an offensive rebound off a miss by teammate Rebecca Allen. Reese brought the ball low, and Clark fouled her before she went up for a shot. Reese fell to the ground.
Reese got up from the floor and got into the face of Clark.
Referees reviewed the play and determined Clark used her left hand to shove Reese to the floor. They upgraded the personal foul on Clark to a flagrant foul. And Reese and Aliyah Boston of the Fever were issued technical fouls.
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Angel Reese (5) of the Chicago Sky and Caitlin Clark (22) of the Indiana Fever during the second half June 23, 2024, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. (Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“Nothing malicious about it, just a good take foul,” Clark told ESPN’s Holly Rowe.
Now, the two stars are teammates for the U.S. as they try to make the FIBA World Cup, but fans can probably still sense an awkward dynamic between them.
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