Leonsis was on the forefront of the …

Leonsis was on the forefront of the league’s shift on betting and was one of the owners Silver consulted with on the op-ed. “My notion was what are we afraid of, when we know all this money is being spent offshore [with bookmakers] in an unregulated, untaxed and unmindful way?” Leonsis said in a phone interview Tuesday. Today, the professional leagues’ opposition to sports betting has vanished. Their focus now is on how to monetize the growing regulated industry through data and fees based on the amount wagered on the games.

Tiger Woods completes Hero World Challenge field with Jordan Spieth, Henrik Stenson

The 18-player field for next month’s Hero World Challenge consists of eight players in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking.

“See you boys in the Bahamas.”

That’s what Tiger Woods had to say Wednesday morning on Twitter to Jordan Spieth and Henrik Stenson, his final two additions to the 18-player field for the Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas, Dec. 4-7.

Spieth will finish his year at the Hero after not being selected by Woods with one of his four captain’s picks for the 2019 Presidents Cup, held the following week at Australia’s Royal Melbourne. The Hero will be a Wednesday-Saturday event in order to accommodate players’ travel for the Presidents Cup.

The now-complete field for the Hero features eight of the top-10 players in the Official World Golf Ranking. Here’s the full list of who’s confirmed (OWGR in parentheses).

  • Dustin Johnson (3), USA
  • Justin Thomas (4), USA
  • Jon Rahm (5), Spain – 2018 champion
  • Patrick Cantlay (6), USA
  • Tiger Woods (7), USA – Tournament host, five-time champion
  • Justin Rose (8), England
  • Xander Schauffele (9), USA
  • Bryson DeChambeau (10), USA
  • Webb Simpson (11), USA
  • Gary Woodland (14), USA
  • Patrick Reed (15), USA
  • Tony Finau (16), USA
  • Rickie Fowler (21), USA – 2017 champion
  • Matt Kuchar (22), USA
  • Kevin Kisner (35), USA
  • Bubba Watson (38), USA – 2015 champion
  • Henrik Stenson (40), Sweden
  • Jordan Spieth (43), USA – 2014 champion

The tournament will benefit not only Woods’ TGR Foundation, but also the ONE Bahamas Fund, which was founded by Woods, NEXUS Luxury Collection and members of the Albany community following Hurricane Dorian. The group pledged $6 million towards the rebuilding of the Bahamas with a dollar-for-dollar match in hopes of raising $12 million to help those affected by the hurricane. Justin Timberlake helped begin the efforts in September.

The event will be broadcast on Golf Channel during all four rounds and will air on NBC during Saturday’s final round.

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NFC West roundup Week 10: Seahawks only team in division to win

The Seattle Seahawks were the only team in the NFC West to post a win in Week 10, as the 49ers, Rams and Cardinals all suffered losses.

Week 10 was a brilliant week for the Seattle Seahawks, as they were the only team in the NFC West to win a game. What’s more, their victory came against their biggest rival in a thrilling overtime classic.

The Cardinals suffered a gut-wrenching defeat to the Buccaneers, while the Rams fell to the streaking Steelers on the road.

The Seahawks are now in a great position heading into their bye week and have a chance to win the division outright. Let us dive a little deeper into the specifics of how Seattle’s rivals fared last week.

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Ohio State is a 50.5-point favorite on the road against Rutgers

Those betting for Ohio State to beat the spread have been sitting pretty, but will they continue to trust when they’re 50.5-point favorites?

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Those betting for Ohio State to beat the spread have been sitting pretty, but will they continue to trust when they’re 50.5-point favorites?

It’s difficult to go against them again as they just trampled Maryland by 59 points. However, Maryland beat Rutgers 48-7. This seems like another safe bet.

We should also note that Ryan Day isn’t just looking to win these games. Yes, that’s the bare acceptable minimum against any non-ranked team, but the fact of the matter is that he wants the CFP to understand Ohio State’s dominance.

They’re feeling the pain now, and Rutgers may be feeling it come Saturday. That said, the 50.5-point line was first released by Circa Sports.

The Buckeyes are 8-1 against the spread this season so it seems like a safe bet to continue putting money on. Even without Chase Young, this team is just all-out dominant.

Scoring 73 points against Maryland, the Buckeyes are bound to put up another near-100 score on Saturday.

The open-market price has been set for RG Brandon Scherff, thanks to the Eagles

Scherff will be looking for a new contract from the Redskins this offseason after his expires, and it will likely be an expensive one.

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Earlier this season, Washington Redskins offensive lineman Brandon Scherff expressed his desire to be a member of the Redskins for the rest of his career, which is convenient, as his contract is set to expire this coming offseason.

As one of the premier right guards in the NFL, it has been expected that Bruce Allen and Co. would do what they could to retain Scherff, who the Redskins drafted with the No. 5 overall pick in 2015. However, it was unknown how much Scherff would be looking to get in a new contract.

Thanks to the Philadelphia Eagles, the market has now been set for a premier right guard in the NFL.

On Tuesday, the Eagles signed Brandon Brooks to a four-year, $56 million extension to keep him in Philadelphia. You can be assured that Scherff made sure to take note of that number. If he is able to test the open market in a few months, he will undoubtedly be looking for an extension that rivals that $14M annually, and chances are that he could ask for a bit more, as he is a couple of years younger than Brooks and Dallas’ Zach Martin, the other top paid guard in the NFL.

Everything was sunshine and roses earlier this year when Scherff showed his HTTR pride and expressed his love for the team, and nothing has changed on that front. What’s different now is that Washington has become aware of what it will take to keep that relationship strong, and it’s going to cost a pretty penny.

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Who are Three Offensive Players to Watch when Wisconsin Travels to Nebraska?

Badgers who could play an important role in Wisconsin’s success against Nebraska. Quintez Cephus WR, Cole Van Lanen LT, Jack Coan QB

Here are three offensive players for the Badgers who could play an important role in Wisconsin’s success against Nebraska.

1) Quintez Cephus WR

Cephus had a productive game for Wisconsin against Iowa as he caught five passes for the second time over the last three games. On the year Cephus has caught 32 passes for 504 yards both career highs. Cephus will look to continue to add to those numbers when Wisconsin plays Nebraska as the Cornhuskers are allowing an average of 201.5 passing yards per game. Cephus will have his opportunities to have success against the Cornhuskers secondary as it will be up to him creating that separation and possibly helping stretch the field too.

2) Cole Van Lanen LT

Wisconsin will rely on the running game to help control the time of possession but that won’t happen if Wisconsin doesn’t have success along the line of scrimmage. Wisconsin’s offensive line will have a chance of accomplishing that due to the Cornhuskers allowing 219.5 rushing yards over conference play, which ranks 13th. The Badgers will run toward Van Lanen’s side at times making it important that Van Lanen consistently gets the better leverage and creating rushing lanes to allow for Jonathan Taylor to have success.

3) Jack Coan QB

Coan was up and down against Iowa and in order for the Badgers to stop their two game road losing streak, Coan will need to deliver a more consistent performance. Coan had two turnovers in Wisconsin’s win over Iowa extending his streak of at least one turnover in three straight games. Nebraska has registered five interceptions over conference play. Coan can’t kill offensive drives by turning the football over and allow Adrian Martinez a chance of creating something for the Cornhuskers offense that’s averaging 402 yards of total offense over Big Ten play.

Report: Anthony Davis expected to sit out Wednesday vs. Warriors

The Los Angeles Lakers star forward will miss the game due to a variety of injuries, according to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times.

If the Los Angeles Lakers are going to close out their back-to-back with a win on Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors, they’re likely going to do it without superstar forward Anthony Davis.

Davis, who was hit in the ribs during Tuesday night’s win at Phoenix and has been dealing with a sore right shoulder since the first week of the season, is expected to miss Wednesday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors, according to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times. Turner also added that x-rays came back negative on Davis’ rib cage.

While the Warriors have proven that they can play competitive ball even with a depleted unit, the Lakers also recognize that it’s not the right time to have Davis play through the pain against a 2-9 team that plays minimal defense. It’s also a little bit easier for Davis to take a night to heal now that the Lakers have Kyle Kuzma back healthy.

Kuzma had 23 points in Tuesday’s win at Phoenix, including a couple of huge 3-pointers in the closing moments top seal the game and is a logical choice to slot in for Davis in the starting line-up later tonight against Golden State.

 

Robert Woods knows a big raise is in his future: ‘It’s coming’

Robert Woods commented on his contract situation, having two-plus years left on his deal.

In terms of annual salary, Robert Woods is 37th among all wide receivers in the NFL. He’s currently making $6.8 million per year and his contract runs through 2021. His five-year, $34 million deal signed back in 2017 now looks like a bargain after he posted 1,219 yards and six touchdowns last season.

The Rams technically don’t have to re-sign him until after the 2021 season, but as we’ve seen throughout the history of the NFL, contracts are often ripped up and players are given raises before their deals expire. That could be what happens with Woods, given how much he’s outplayed his current contract.

He brought up his deal and future payday when talking to TMZ, saying he sees a raise on the horizon if he keeps up his steady play.

“What do you think about my contract?” he asked the cameraman, flashing a big smile. After being told “I think you need a raise, you’ve been killing it,” Woods agreed.

“Oh yeah, it’s coming. The work will take care of itself. I’ve been grinding, been trying to let it pay off. The money will be there when its time,” he said.

The timing of it all remains a huge mystery. The Rams already have Brandin Cooks on a big contract, which will carry a cap hit of $16.8 million in 2020. Cooper Kupp will need an extension after next season, too, with his contract expiring.

Woods could be the odd man out if the Rams don’t move on from Cooks in the coming years, which would be a huge disappointment. He’s been their most reliable receiver the last three years and can do it all at wideout – from running good routes to blocking.

If it’s not Los Angeles that pays him, someone certainly will.

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Jason Peters set to return to Eagles practice after having arthroscopic knee surgery

Jason Peters set to return to Eagles practice after having arthroscopic knee surgery

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Andre Dillard has performed like a first-round pick while replacing Jason Peters at left tackle, the Eagles future Hall of Famer is set to rejoin his teammates and reclaim his spot.

On Wednesday, head coach Doug Pederson confirmed that Peters had arthroscopic knee surgery after suffering an injury in week six.

Pederson said that Peters should have a limited role in practice on Wednesday and the Eagles will evaluate him from there.

Dillard has been starting in Peters’s place, but the Eagles made it clear that the veteran left tackle would get his starting spot back after returning from injury.

SEC Predictions, Game Previews, Lines, TV: Week 12

Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 12 of the SEC season.

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Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 12 of the SEC season.

How are the SEC predictions so far?
SU 58-16, ATS 32-30-3, o/u: 30-35

Results So Far: SU 54-13, ATS 28-27-3, o/u: 28-30

Click on each game for game preview & prediction 

Alabama at Mississippi State

12:00 ESPN | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Alabama -20.5, o/u: 62.5
Bet on this game with BetMGM  

Florida at Missouri

12:00 CBS | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Florida -6.5, o/u: 48.5
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Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)

Georgia at Auburn

3:30 CBS | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Georgia -2.5, o/u: 43.5
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Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)

Kentucky at Vanderbilt

3:30 SEC Network | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Kentucky -9.5, o/u: 43.5
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Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)

LSU at Ole Miss

7:00 ESPN | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: LSU -20.5, o/u: 63.5
Bet on this game with BetMGM

South Carolina at Texas A&M

7:30 SEC Network | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Texas A&M -10.5, o/u: 50.5
Bet on this game with BetMGM
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)

– CFN Fearless Predictions & Game Previews

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