Two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker is reportedly leaving Los Angeles Sparks after 13 years with the franchise. Parker, who is a free agent this offseason, will sign with Chicago Sky, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.

The move is expected to be confirmed next week when free agents are able to officially agree to deal with teams.

Shelburne reports that Sparks made a big effort to keep Parker in LA, but the 34-year-old center was more attracted to the prospect of going to her hometown of Chicago. She wanted to spend the twilight years of her career playing in front of her family and friends while also being excited about Sky’s promising roster.

Candace Parker entered the WNBA as Sparks’ No.1 pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft. She immediately put the league on notice, becoming the first, and to this date only, player to win Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in the same season.

Parker followed this up with more accomplishments, both team and individual. She helped the Sparks win the WNBA title in 2016 while earning the second MVP award, five All-Star nods, six All-WNBA selections, and several other honors.   

Parker is currently averaging 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game.

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Tight end Vance McDonald announced his retirement from professional football on Friday.

The 30-year-old McDonald played eight years in the NFL, suiting up with the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

McDonald released a statement via Steelers’ official website, writing that he and his family “are so grateful for everything NFL football has provided us.”

“It’s always been our dream and mission to leverage the platform given us through the NFL to help serve and uplift others along the way, and we will continue to find ways to serve others as we begin this next chapter of our lives. I am proud to retire a Steeler,” he added.

Vance McDonald was selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by San Francisco. He spent four years with the 49ers organization, making 30 starts before being traded to Pittsburgh.

Steelers initially brought in McDonald as a backup tight end, but the University of Rice product quickly emerged as an important player for the team. While he wasn’t too productive in the passing game, he earned respect for his blocking abilities.

McDonald’s best season as a pro came in 2018 when he had 50 catches for 610 yards and four touchdowns. This included a monster 75-yard score in Week 3 against Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

With McDonald being out, the Steelers are now short on the position and only have Eric Ebron and Zach Gentry as their TEs ahead of 2021. They will most likely address the issue through draft and free agency.

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Chances are the Green Bay Packers will lose their Pro Bowl Aaron Jones to free agency in March. The two sides didn’t manage to agree to terms about a new deal so far and are probably heading towards a breakup.

While Packers’ fans will be rightfully furious to lose such an important player, the front office did try to keep the 26-year-old running back at Lambeau Field.

According to Rob Demovsky’s recent piece for ESPN, Jones rejected an offer that would make him one of the top five highest-paid RBs in the league earlier this season.

Reportedly, Jones didn’t have an issue with the average salary but thought that the offer wasn’t good in terms of guaranteed money. Green Bay, on the other hand, decided to stick with their original proposal, and talks fell through.

As Demovsky points out, the Packers are in a tight spot salary cap-wise and have several other free agents they need to take care of. This is why making an improved offer for Jones seems highly unlikely.

Aaron Jones had a breakthrough season with Green Bay in 2019, having league-leading 16 touchdowns. He also contributed with 1,084 rushing yards and career-high 49 catches for 474 receiving yards and three scores.

This season, Jones stepped up his game even more. He had a weaker workload but managed to get the best of it and rush for 1,104 yards in 201 attempts.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ quarterback Tom Brady will have one less weapon to rely on in the upcoming NFC Championship game against Green Bay Packers.

According to Bucs’ head coach Bruce Arians, veteran wideout Antonio Brown failed to recover enough from his knee injury and is ruled out for Sunday.

Brown got injured in last week’s win over New Orleans Saints, being limited to just 27 snaps. The Bucs’ were initially optimistic about his return, but after the 32-year-old player failed to practice the entire week, Arians decided not to take any risks.

“We wish he could be out there with us,” said Brady. “Other guys are gonna have to step up and do the job. I’ve got a lot of confidence in the guys that haven’t been out there as much when AB’s been in there.”

Antonio Brown was Tampa Bay’s No.3 receiver behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin this season, so his absence might not be such a big deal for the Buccaneers. Also, second-year player Scotty Miller and rookie Tyler Johnson have shown up in recent games, and Arians seem convinced they could step up to the task.

After being out of the league for more than a year, Brown signed with the Buccaneers in October. He played in the team’s final eight games of the regular season, contributing with 45 receptions for 483 yards and four touchdowns.

In two postseason games for the Bucs, Brown had three catches for 59 yards and one score.

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All-star outfielder George Springer, one of the most coveted free agents this offseason, has made a decision about his future. According to multiple reports, Springer agreed to a six-year deal with Toronto Blue Jays.

Springer will reportedly earn $150 million, which makes his deal the largest in Blue Jays’ history by a total value. The franchise previously never handed out a deal that was worth more than $126 million.

The news is expected to become official in the coming days as the 31-year-old all-star has to have a physical with the team before the agreement becomes official. 

Springer had a productive campaign during the shortened 2020 MLS season, managing to hit 14 home runs for Houston Astros while batting .265 with 32 RBIs. He also added four homers in the postseason and finished ninth in AL MVP voting.

The productive year positioned George Springer for a big payday this offseason, and he decided to make the most of it. He first declined Astros’ $18.9 million qualifying offer for 2021 and then managed to get a huge deal in a tough market.

The move could work well for Blue Jays, who now have a legitimate star that can help them make a deep playoff run. They will also further boost an already productive outfield that had 40 home runs in 2020.

Springer spent his entire MLB career with the Astros, debuting for the franchise in 2014. He led the team to World Series in 2017, winning the World Series MVP award in the process. He also has three All-Star nods and two Silver Slugger Awards.

The post George Springer Signing with Toronto Blue Jays, Will Get a 6-year, $150 Million Deal appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Canelo Alvarez, one of the biggest names in the boxing world at the moment, is getting ready for a speedy return to the ring. According to ESPN, Alvarez is set to fight challenger Avni Yildirim next month in Miami.

The fight will take place on February 27th, with Miami Gardens at Hard Rock Stadium being selected as the venue.

Alvarez vs. Yildirim should be made official in the next couple of days, although Alvarez’s trainer Eddy Reynoso recently confirmed that his protégé is already working hard.

“Canelo is in the gym, and he has been working and training, waiting for the date,” said Reynoso. “And to take advantage of the preparation we had for most of last year without fighting.”

Canelo Alvarez had his last fight in late December when he defeated Callum Smith to take the WBA, WBC, and the Ring magazine super-middleweight titles. He is now expected to pursue IBF and WBO belts but needs to go past Yildirim first as he’s WBC’s mandatory challenger.

After his win over Smith, Alvarez was named the world’s best active boxer in pound-for-pound rankings. He currently sits at a career record of 54 wins, two draws, and one loss.

Avni Yildirim, on the other hand, currently owns a 21-2 record. He had his last fight in early 2019 when he lost to Anthony Dirrell after a split technical decision.

The post Canelo Alvarez to fight Avni Yildirim in February appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Indiana Pacers will be without center Myles Turner in the next few games. According to multiple reports, Turner is dealing with a small fracture in his hand and will need to take some time off to recover.

Pacers are expected to re-evaluate Turner in the coming days and should know more details about his return then. The 24-year-old player is expected to be out for at least the next two games in which Indiana faces Dallas Mavericks and Orlando Magic.

Turner has been enjoying a fine form so far in 2020/21, averaging 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. He has been particularly an important presence for Pacers on the defensive end, averaging 1.5 steals and NBA-leading 4.2 blocks per game. The 2015’s first-round pick also led the league in blocks last season.

With Turner out, the Pacers are expected to turn to All-Star Domantas Sabonis as their first top choice on the center position. Second-year player Goga Bitadze should be the backup while Doug McDermott will slide instead of Sabonis at power forward.

Indiana are currently sitting on No.4 in Eastern Conference with an 8-5 record. They are just 0.5 games behind Boston Celtics at the top.

The post Pacers’ Myles Turner Suffers Hand Fracture, Will Miss “Next Few Games” appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Get ready for more of the “Brady and Gronk” show in Tampa Bay.

Speaking with reporters over the weekend, tight end Rob Gronkowski said that he wants to have another run with quarterback Tom Brady in the Buccaneers’ jersey next season.

“Yeah, you got to,” said Gronkowski when asked about the possibility of having another run with the Bucs in 2021. “I feel like this team was built to win right now … I could definitely see this team also having a lot of talent come back and having another successful run next year, as well, with me.”

Gronkowski initially retired from NFL after a Super Bowl run with New England Patriots in 2018. After one year away from football, he decided to return and join Brady in Tampa Bay.

The 31-year-old future Hall of Famer had a slow start of the 2020 NFL season, totaling only nine catches for 88 yards in his first four games and failing to get a touchdown until Week 6. Since then, however, Gronk shook off the rust and became a prominent weapon for the Buccaneers.

Rob Gronkowski ended the regular season by playing all 16 games, the first time he did so since 2011. He contributed with 45 receptions for 623 yards and seven TDs.

Gronk is out of contract in March, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he gets a new deal for 2021. He has been Brady’s favorite target for years, and the Bucs will look to keep their star QB happy even if they don’t think Gronkowski can give them much more next season.

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Bill O’Brien is returning to college football. After being fired as Houston Texans’ head coach and general manager in October, O’Brien decided to accept Nick Saban’s offer to come work with him at Alabama.

According to multiple reports, O’Brien will be Crimson Tide’s new offensive coordinator. He’ll replace Steve Sarkisian, who took the head coaching job at the University of Texas at Austin earlier this month.

The deal that brings O’Brien to Alabama is still not official, as several final details are reportedly left to be resolved. However, Saban all but confirmed the move during a chat with reporters on Wednesday.

“I’ve always tried to have the best knowledge and experience I can for our players and their development, and I certainly think [O’Brien] can contribute to that in a very positive way,” said Saban when asked about O’Brien.

Bill O’Brien has a long history of working at college, holding OC positions with Georgia Tech and Duke while serving as Penn State’s head coach in 2012 and 2013. In his two years with the Nittany Lions, he posted a 15-9 record while being 10-6 inside the Big Ten Conference.

After the 2013 college season, O’Brien took over the Houston Texans as a head coach. He made four playoff trips and won just as many AFC South titles in his six full seasons at the helm.

O’Brien was fired by the Texans after starting the 2020 NFL season with four losses. 

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A baseball card of NY Yankees’ legend Mickey Mantle was sold for an astonishing $5.2 million on Thursday, setting a record for the highest-sold sports card of all time. The previous record was held by Mike Trout’s rookie card that reached the price of $3.94 million back in August.

PWCC Marketplace, the company that sold the card, confirmed the news on Thursday and revealed actor and producer Rob Gough as the buyer.

The card in question is a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle with the PSA 9 grade. It was previously owned by former Pro Bowl guard Evan Mathis, who sold it for $2.88 million two years ago.

According to available data, only six PSA 9 cards from this edition are still out there.

Speaking with reporters about his purchase, Gough said that he acquired “the holy grail of sports cards.”

“As a kid ripping packs in the ’90s, I always dreamt of owning one,” he added. “I felt this Mantle was highly underpriced.”

Mickey Mantle is considered one of the best baseball players in the history of the game. Mantle played 18 seasons in MLB, all with New York Yankees. He won seven World Series as a Yankee while also earning three AL MVP awards.

The post A Mickey Mantle Baseball Card Sells for Record $5.2 Million appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker is reportedly leaving Los Angeles Sparks after 13 years with the franchise. Parker, who is a free agent this offseason, will sign with Chicago Sky, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.

The move is expected to be confirmed next week when free agents are able to officially agree to deal with teams.

Shelburne reports that Sparks made a big effort to keep Parker in LA, but the 34-year-old center was more attracted to the prospect of going to her hometown of Chicago. She wanted to spend the twilight years of her career playing in front of her family and friends while also being excited about Sky’s promising roster.

Candace Parker entered the WNBA as Sparks’ No.1 pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft. She immediately put the league on notice, becoming the first, and to this date only, player to win Rookie of the Year and MVP awards in the same season.

Parker followed this up with more accomplishments, both team and individual. She helped the Sparks win the WNBA title in 2016 while earning the second MVP award, five All-Star nods, six All-WNBA selections, and several other honors.   

Parker is currently averaging 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game.

The post Candace Parker Leaving Sparks After 13 Years, Will Sign with Chicago Sky appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Tight end Vance McDonald announced his retirement from professional football on Friday.

The 30-year-old McDonald played eight years in the NFL, suiting up with the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

McDonald released a statement via Steelers’ official website, writing that he and his family “are so grateful for everything NFL football has provided us.”

“It’s always been our dream and mission to leverage the platform given us through the NFL to help serve and uplift others along the way, and we will continue to find ways to serve others as we begin this next chapter of our lives. I am proud to retire a Steeler,” he added.

Vance McDonald was selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by San Francisco. He spent four years with the 49ers organization, making 30 starts before being traded to Pittsburgh.

Steelers initially brought in McDonald as a backup tight end, but the University of Rice product quickly emerged as an important player for the team. While he wasn’t too productive in the passing game, he earned respect for his blocking abilities.

McDonald’s best season as a pro came in 2018 when he had 50 catches for 610 yards and four touchdowns. This included a monster 75-yard score in Week 3 against Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

With McDonald being out, the Steelers are now short on the position and only have Eric Ebron and Zach Gentry as their TEs ahead of 2021. They will most likely address the issue through draft and free agency.

The post Steelers’ TE Vance McDonald Retires After 8 Seasons in the NFL appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Chances are the Green Bay Packers will lose their Pro Bowl Aaron Jones to free agency in March. The two sides didn’t manage to agree to terms about a new deal so far and are probably heading towards a breakup.

While Packers’ fans will be rightfully furious to lose such an important player, the front office did try to keep the 26-year-old running back at Lambeau Field.

According to Rob Demovsky’s recent piece for ESPN, Jones rejected an offer that would make him one of the top five highest-paid RBs in the league earlier this season.

Reportedly, Jones didn’t have an issue with the average salary but thought that the offer wasn’t good in terms of guaranteed money. Green Bay, on the other hand, decided to stick with their original proposal, and talks fell through.

As Demovsky points out, the Packers are in a tight spot salary cap-wise and have several other free agents they need to take care of. This is why making an improved offer for Jones seems highly unlikely.

Aaron Jones had a breakthrough season with Green Bay in 2019, having league-leading 16 touchdowns. He also contributed with 1,084 rushing yards and career-high 49 catches for 474 receiving yards and three scores.

This season, Jones stepped up his game even more. He had a weaker workload but managed to get the best of it and rush for 1,104 yards in 201 attempts.

The post Aaron Jones Turned Down a Big Offer from Green Bay Earlier in the Season appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ quarterback Tom Brady will have one less weapon to rely on in the upcoming NFC Championship game against Green Bay Packers.

According to Bucs’ head coach Bruce Arians, veteran wideout Antonio Brown failed to recover enough from his knee injury and is ruled out for Sunday.

Brown got injured in last week’s win over New Orleans Saints, being limited to just 27 snaps. The Bucs’ were initially optimistic about his return, but after the 32-year-old player failed to practice the entire week, Arians decided not to take any risks.

“We wish he could be out there with us,” said Brady. “Other guys are gonna have to step up and do the job. I’ve got a lot of confidence in the guys that haven’t been out there as much when AB’s been in there.”

Antonio Brown was Tampa Bay’s No.3 receiver behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin this season, so his absence might not be such a big deal for the Buccaneers. Also, second-year player Scotty Miller and rookie Tyler Johnson have shown up in recent games, and Arians seem convinced they could step up to the task.

After being out of the league for more than a year, Brown signed with the Buccaneers in October. He played in the team’s final eight games of the regular season, contributing with 45 receptions for 483 yards and four touchdowns.

In two postseason games for the Bucs, Brown had three catches for 59 yards and one score.

The post Bucs’ WR Antonio Brown Out for NFC Championship Game vs. Packers appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

All-star outfielder George Springer, one of the most coveted free agents this offseason, has made a decision about his future. According to multiple reports, Springer agreed to a six-year deal with Toronto Blue Jays.

Springer will reportedly earn $150 million, which makes his deal the largest in Blue Jays’ history by a total value. The franchise previously never handed out a deal that was worth more than $126 million.

The news is expected to become official in the coming days as the 31-year-old all-star has to have a physical with the team before the agreement becomes official. 

Springer had a productive campaign during the shortened 2020 MLS season, managing to hit 14 home runs for Houston Astros while batting .265 with 32 RBIs. He also added four homers in the postseason and finished ninth in AL MVP voting.

The productive year positioned George Springer for a big payday this offseason, and he decided to make the most of it. He first declined Astros’ $18.9 million qualifying offer for 2021 and then managed to get a huge deal in a tough market.

The move could work well for Blue Jays, who now have a legitimate star that can help them make a deep playoff run. They will also further boost an already productive outfield that had 40 home runs in 2020.

Springer spent his entire MLB career with the Astros, debuting for the franchise in 2014. He led the team to World Series in 2017, winning the World Series MVP award in the process. He also has three All-Star nods and two Silver Slugger Awards.

The post George Springer Signing with Toronto Blue Jays, Will Get a 6-year, $150 Million Deal appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Canelo Alvarez, one of the biggest names in the boxing world at the moment, is getting ready for a speedy return to the ring. According to ESPN, Alvarez is set to fight challenger Avni Yildirim next month in Miami.

The fight will take place on February 27th, with Miami Gardens at Hard Rock Stadium being selected as the venue.

Alvarez vs. Yildirim should be made official in the next couple of days, although Alvarez’s trainer Eddy Reynoso recently confirmed that his protégé is already working hard.

“Canelo is in the gym, and he has been working and training, waiting for the date,” said Reynoso. “And to take advantage of the preparation we had for most of last year without fighting.”

Canelo Alvarez had his last fight in late December when he defeated Callum Smith to take the WBA, WBC, and the Ring magazine super-middleweight titles. He is now expected to pursue IBF and WBO belts but needs to go past Yildirim first as he’s WBC’s mandatory challenger.

After his win over Smith, Alvarez was named the world’s best active boxer in pound-for-pound rankings. He currently sits at a career record of 54 wins, two draws, and one loss.

Avni Yildirim, on the other hand, currently owns a 21-2 record. He had his last fight in early 2019 when he lost to Anthony Dirrell after a split technical decision.

The post Canelo Alvarez to fight Avni Yildirim in February appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Indiana Pacers will be without center Myles Turner in the next few games. According to multiple reports, Turner is dealing with a small fracture in his hand and will need to take some time off to recover.

Pacers are expected to re-evaluate Turner in the coming days and should know more details about his return then. The 24-year-old player is expected to be out for at least the next two games in which Indiana faces Dallas Mavericks and Orlando Magic.

Turner has been enjoying a fine form so far in 2020/21, averaging 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. He has been particularly an important presence for Pacers on the defensive end, averaging 1.5 steals and NBA-leading 4.2 blocks per game. The 2015’s first-round pick also led the league in blocks last season.

With Turner out, the Pacers are expected to turn to All-Star Domantas Sabonis as their first top choice on the center position. Second-year player Goga Bitadze should be the backup while Doug McDermott will slide instead of Sabonis at power forward.

Indiana are currently sitting on No.4 in Eastern Conference with an 8-5 record. They are just 0.5 games behind Boston Celtics at the top.

The post Pacers’ Myles Turner Suffers Hand Fracture, Will Miss “Next Few Games” appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Get ready for more of the “Brady and Gronk” show in Tampa Bay.

Speaking with reporters over the weekend, tight end Rob Gronkowski said that he wants to have another run with quarterback Tom Brady in the Buccaneers’ jersey next season.

“Yeah, you got to,” said Gronkowski when asked about the possibility of having another run with the Bucs in 2021. “I feel like this team was built to win right now … I could definitely see this team also having a lot of talent come back and having another successful run next year, as well, with me.”

Gronkowski initially retired from NFL after a Super Bowl run with New England Patriots in 2018. After one year away from football, he decided to return and join Brady in Tampa Bay.

The 31-year-old future Hall of Famer had a slow start of the 2020 NFL season, totaling only nine catches for 88 yards in his first four games and failing to get a touchdown until Week 6. Since then, however, Gronk shook off the rust and became a prominent weapon for the Buccaneers.

Rob Gronkowski ended the regular season by playing all 16 games, the first time he did so since 2011. He contributed with 45 receptions for 623 yards and seven TDs.

Gronk is out of contract in March, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he gets a new deal for 2021. He has been Brady’s favorite target for years, and the Bucs will look to keep their star QB happy even if they don’t think Gronkowski can give them much more next season.

The post Rob Gronkowski Wants to Play with Bucs in 2021 appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

Bill O’Brien is returning to college football. After being fired as Houston Texans’ head coach and general manager in October, O’Brien decided to accept Nick Saban’s offer to come work with him at Alabama.

According to multiple reports, O’Brien will be Crimson Tide’s new offensive coordinator. He’ll replace Steve Sarkisian, who took the head coaching job at the University of Texas at Austin earlier this month.

The deal that brings O’Brien to Alabama is still not official, as several final details are reportedly left to be resolved. However, Saban all but confirmed the move during a chat with reporters on Wednesday.

“I’ve always tried to have the best knowledge and experience I can for our players and their development, and I certainly think [O’Brien] can contribute to that in a very positive way,” said Saban when asked about O’Brien.

Bill O’Brien has a long history of working at college, holding OC positions with Georgia Tech and Duke while serving as Penn State’s head coach in 2012 and 2013. In his two years with the Nittany Lions, he posted a 15-9 record while being 10-6 inside the Big Ten Conference.

After the 2013 college season, O’Brien took over the Houston Texans as a head coach. He made four playoff trips and won just as many AFC South titles in his six full seasons at the helm.

O’Brien was fired by the Texans after starting the 2020 NFL season with four losses. 

The post Ex-Texans Head Coach and GM Bill O’Brien Joins Nick Saban at Alabama appeared first on toppoptoday.com.

A baseball card of NY Yankees’ legend Mickey Mantle was sold for an astonishing $5.2 million on Thursday, setting a record for the highest-sold sports card of all time. The previous record was held by Mike Trout’s rookie card that reached the price of $3.94 million back in August.

PWCC Marketplace, the company that sold the card, confirmed the news on Thursday and revealed actor and producer Rob Gough as the buyer.

The card in question is a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle with the PSA 9 grade. It was previously owned by former Pro Bowl guard Evan Mathis, who sold it for $2.88 million two years ago.

According to available data, only six PSA 9 cards from this edition are still out there.

Speaking with reporters about his purchase, Gough said that he acquired “the holy grail of sports cards.”

“As a kid ripping packs in the ’90s, I always dreamt of owning one,” he added. “I felt this Mantle was highly underpriced.”

Mickey Mantle is considered one of the best baseball players in the history of the game. Mantle played 18 seasons in MLB, all with New York Yankees. He won seven World Series as a Yankee while also earning three AL MVP awards.

The post A Mickey Mantle Baseball Card Sells for Record $5.2 Million appeared first on toppoptoday.com.