Vikings Narrow Their GM Search as NBA and NHL Conference Finals Heat Up
Minnesota Teams
Vikings narrow GM search. Minnesota has reportedly narrowed its list of candidates for the vacant general manager position, according to reports out of this week's NFL owners meetings. No names have been publicly confirmed yet, but a hire could come soon. The Vikings are looking to replace their previous GM after a disappointing 2025 season.
Wild, Timberwolves, Twins quick check-in. The Wild missed the NHL playoffs this year, so they're watching from home. The Timberwolves are also done for the season. As for the Twins, they're plugging along in the regular season — no major headlines this week, but we'll keep you posted as the summer heats up.
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NFL
Aaron Rodgers says he's retiring after the 2026 season. The Steelers quarterback and future Hall of Famer — yes, he's on his fourth team now — announced this will be his last ride. He'll turn 43 in December, so it's not a huge shock, but it officially kicks off the farewell tour for one of the best ever. Rodgers has won four MVP awards and a Super Bowl, all with the Packers.
NFL owners approve up to 10 international games per season starting in 2027. That's a big jump from the current slate. Also at the meetings: buzz about a potential Super Bowl played outside the U.S., and the Seahawks may be exploring a sale.
Brian Flores' lawsuit against the NFL intensifies. Lawyers for the Vikings' former defensive coordinator (now with the Steelers) served subpoenas to 25 NFL teams and over 1,000 discovery requests. Flores has been pursuing a discrimination case against the league since 2022.
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NBA
Knicks stun Cavaliers with a historic comeback in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Cleveland blew a 22-point lead at Madison Square Garden, and the Knicks capitalized by relentlessly attacking James Harden on defense. Jalen Brunson sparked the rally, and Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson is catching heat for not calling timeouts during the collapse. The Cavs will try to regroup in Game 2.
Thunder dominate Spurs in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. OKC took care of business at home, but the bigger story is that Spurs rookie guard Dylan Harper left with a right hamstring injury. San Antonio was already playing without De'Aaron Fox, so losing Harper — the No. 1 overall pick — would be a massive blow to their title hopes. The series shifts to San Antonio for Game 3.
Quick WNBA note: The Chicago Sky are off to a surprising hot start and have cracked the top 5 in early power rankings. Rookies Pauline Astier and Olivia Miles are turning heads.
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MLB
Shohei Ohtani is back on the mound and making history. The Dodgers' two-way superstar is off to what's being called a "historic pitching start" and will take the hill again Wednesday against the Padres. If you're only going to watch one baseball thing this week, Ohtani pitching is always a good bet.
Yankees ace Gerrit Cole returns Friday. Cole hasn't pitched in a major-league game since 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery (a serious elbow procedure that typically requires over a year of recovery). His return is a huge boost for a Yankees team that's been treading water without him.
Ronald Acuña Jr. is back in the Braves lineup after his own long injury recovery, giving Atlanta a jolt as the season approaches June.
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NHL
Golden Knights take Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals over the Avalanche. Vegas got an unlikely spark from Dylan Coghlan's first career playoff goal and goalie Carter Hart made 36 saves in a strong performance. Game 2 is coming up quickly.
Hurricanes vs. Canadiens Eastern Conference Finals begin Thursday. Montreal's Cinderella playoff run continues against a very good Carolina team. The Canadiens weren't expected to get this far, so the story writes itself — can they keep the magic going?
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College Sports
Former football coach Tommy Tuberville wins Republican nomination for Alabama governor. Tuberville, who coached at Auburn, Cincinnati, and several other programs before becoming a U.S. Senator, is now one step closer to the governor's mansion. He's been a polarizing figure in both coaching and politics.
NCAA moves toward adding flag football as a championship sport by 2028. This is part of a broader push tied to flag football's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Formal approval is expected next year.
Big Ten exploring self-governance. Frustration is growing with the current system for regulating name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals and roster spending, so the Big Ten is looking at making its own rules. Smaller conferences like the Big 12 are not thrilled about the power gap.
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Other Sports
Arsenal wins the Premier League! After 22 years of heartbreak, Arsenal clinched England's top soccer league title under manager Mikel Arteta. For context, this is roughly equivalent to the Cubs winning the World Series in 2016 — a long, emotional drought finally ending.
Aston Villa wins the Europa League. Villa's dominant run in Europe's second-tier club tournament means they'll play in the elite Champions League next season — and it might mean an extra English team gets in, too.
PGA Tour is in Texas this week for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, headlined by hometown stars Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth.