Sports News

Big trade between the Avalanche and the Sabres

Big trade between the Avalanche and the Sabres

The Colorado Avalanche and Buffalo Sabers traded talented players on Wednesday.

The “Avs” got their hands on attacker Casey Mittelstadt and gave up defenseman Bowen Byram. Here's what Sportsnet hockey expert Elliotte Friedman learned.

• Also read: NHL: Henrique lands in Edmonton

• Also read: All current NHL transactions

Mittelstadt was selected in the first round (eighth overall) by the Sabers in 2017 and has 47 points, including 14 goals, in 62 games this season. He is currently signing a three-year contract worth $2.5 million per year. He could become a restricted free agent this summer.

For his part, Byram was the fourth skater selected at the 2019 amateur auction. In 2023-2024, he will have the best season of his career. He has eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points in 55 games so far. The left-hander has a two-year contract in the first year and will earn $3.85 million per year.

This is the second trade the Avalanche have made on Wednesday, two days before the National League trade deadline. The Colorado club acquired Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Sean Walker in exchange for a first-round draft pick and forward Ryan Johansen.

Big trade between the Avalanche and the Sabres Read More »

Cavaliers39 Evan Mobley likely to miss extended period with ankle

Cavaliers' Evan Mobley likely to miss extended period with ankle sprain: sources

By Shams Charania, Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd

Cleveland Cavaliers starting forward Evan Mobley is likely to miss extended time due to injury again, this time due to a sprained left ankle he suffered in Tuesday's improbable win over the Boston Celtics, multiple league sources told The Athletic with.

Mobley will have to wait for an official timeline until the significant swelling goes down, but one source said “it will take some time” and another said he will be “out for a while.”

Mobley suffered the injury during a successful dunk with 5:29 left in the third quarter of the Cavs' 105-104 victory over the Celtics, in which they erased a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit. Mobley's teammate Sam Merrill committed a foul after Mobley twisted his ankle so the Cavs could remove him from the game, and he was escorted back to the locker room. Mobley left Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on crutches and was ruled out for the team's game Wednesday night in Atlanta.

Mobley, an All-NBA defenseman who is averaging 15.6 points and 10.2 rebounds this season, missed six weeks from mid-December to late January because of minor knee surgery. His replacement in Tuesday's win, Dean Wade, scored 20 of his 23 points in Cleveland's furious fourth-quarter comeback.

The Cavs are also playing this week without starters Donovan Mitchell (left knee) and Max Strus (right knee), who along with Mobley make up three-fifths of their usual starting lineup.

Cleveland enters tonight's game half a game behind Milwaukee for second place in the East.

Required reading

(Photo: Ken Blaze / USA Today)

Cavaliers' Evan Mobley likely to miss extended period with ankle sprain: sources Read More »

1709708254 Eugenie Bouchard said no to Justin Bieber

Eugenie Bouchard said no to Justin Bieber

The recent participation of Eugenie Bouchard and members of her family in the show “Family Feud Canada” caught the attention of many curious people and made it possible to bring to light an old story: that of the rumors of an affair with the singer Justin Bieber.

Despite her wishes, the tennis player had to answer questions from presenter Gerry Dee about the rumors that were talked about in the mid-2010s. “Genie” played a friendly match with the Canadian artist in La Quinta, California in 2015. It seems that Bieber really enjoyed being with his compatriot, as she expressed while filming the quiz show.

• Also read: Tennis: Eugenie Bouchard is still popular

• Also read: Eugenie Bouchard in the English-Canadian version of War of the Clans.

“We played a tennis match for charity and he later asked me if I wanted to hang out with him, but I already had a boyfriend. So I said no. And I think I deserve the Girlfriend of the Century award!” she said to the cameras after Gee reminded her that she could have been Mrs. Bieber.

Later in the show, Gee returned to the allegation by asking Bouchard about the pop star's tennis skills. “I played with him and he was terrible. I’m sure you’re feeling better, Gerry,” the 30-year-old replied.

She is in a relationship with Jack Brinkley-Cook, the son of American model Christine Brinkley.

Eugenie Bouchard said no to Justin Bieber Read More »

Eagles release cornerback Avonte Maddox after six seasons – NBC

Eagles release cornerback Avonte Maddox after six seasons – NBC Sports Philadelphia

Cornerback Avonte Maddox, who has missed 29 games over the last four years, has been released by the Eagles, a league source said, confirming a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The move was no surprise.

Maddox, 27, was a very good slot machine when healthy, but those healthy plays are becoming increasingly rare.

He missed six games in 2020 with an ankle injury, played in just nine games in 2022 due to ankle, knee and toe injuries and was limited to four games last year after undergoing surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle in September . He returned in the final games of the season, but was nowhere near 100 percent.

With Maddox out for most of the year, the Eagles found themselves in deep trouble trying to commit to an inside cornerback, but never succeeded.

Maddox signed a three-year, $22.5 million extension with $13.3 million guaranteed in November 2021. According to OverTheCap, he had one year left on that contract with a base salary of $6.85 million and a cap hit of $9.676913 million.

If the Eagles were to release Maddox with a designation after June 1 — and it's not yet clear if they have done so — he would add about $1.96 million to their 2024 cap hit and then about $5.76 million US dollars count towards their cap for 2025. If they didn't appoint him after June 1, he would be looking at about $7.72 million in dead money this year. That would equate to about $2 million in savings with no money left over beyond this season.

Maddox was a fourth-round pick in the Eagles' outstanding 2018 draft class, which also gave them Dallas Goedert, Maddox, Josh Sweat and Jordan Mailata without any first-, third-, or fifth-round picks.

He made an immediate contribution as a rookie, starting nine games and picking off two passes. There were only two more interceptions over the next five years. He played 64 games in the Eagles jersey, including 38 as a starter. Maddox and Jalen Mills are the only cornerbacks the Eagles have drafted in the last 20 years who have started at least 30 games as Eagles.

But while the Eagles still had doubts about the position during the offseason, his high salary and frequent injuries made it likely that he would be left off the roster.

With Jason Kelce retiring, Maddox being released, Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham no longer under contract and their futures uncertain, and Boston Scott also no longer under contract, the only players under contract in 2018 are Lane Johnson , Jake Elliott, Rick Lovato, Goedert and Sweat , Mailata and Greg Ward.

What's the plan in the slot?

Eli Ricks played 144 of his 301 defensive snaps in the slot last year and showed promise for an undrafted rookie. Zech McPhearson, who began the summer as Maddox's backup, will be healthy after missing all of last year with a torn Achilles tendon. Sydney Brown played 141 of his 335 defensive snaps in the slot, but could miss several weeks into the regular season after suffering a torn ACL on the final day of the regular season.

Mid-year acquisition Bradley Roby played 316 slot snaps but didn't play much at the end of the season and is about to become a free agent. Mario Goodrich had a run in the slot early, but it didn't go particularly well.

“We gave some guys a chance to do that,” Howie Roseman said at the combine. “I have to do a better job of getting more people to play that position.”

And that's likely the plan to target an inside corner either in the draft or free agency, although it's possible the Eagles would re-sign Maddox to a significantly smaller contract that comes with playing time incentives if he gets injured again. Schefter tweeted that both sides will continue negotiations.

But even if they bring him back, the Eagles will still need to dedicate some resources to what has essentially become a starting position because of Maddox's injury history.

Maddox is the second defensive back the Eagles have lost contact with in the past week. They released starting safety Kevin Byard on Friday.

Eagles release cornerback Avonte Maddox after six seasons – NBC Sports Philadelphia Read More »

1709766744 Boxing Steven Butler doesn39t want to put pressure on himself

Boxing: Steven Butler doesn't want to put pressure on himself, but…

MONTREAL – Nothing less than boxer Steven Butler's career will come to a head against Steve Rolls at the Montreal Casino on Thursday.

This was repeatedly made clear during the press conference organized by Eye of the Tiger Management (EOTTM) on Tuesday.

“This is a very meaningful fight in which both boxers cannot afford to lose. It is thankless because the winner will be at the top of the division and the loser will fall down the rankings,” explained EOTTM Vice President Antonin Décarie.

At 28, Butler (33-4-1, 27 KOs) already has two defeats in world championship fights. A setback to Rolls (22-3-0, 12 KOs) would all but end his chances of another shot at winning a championship belt.

The Montreal pugilist is well aware of this, but refuses to project into the future before the final blows of this middleweight clash.

“Rolls and I have roughly the same background in boxing. We both failed in our previous attempts to become elite,” Butler said.

“I don’t want to put pressure on myself by saying it’s a matter of choice. I have my job to do and I prepared as always.”

“I just don’t want to put any extra pressure on my shoulders,” he added. It’s a big fight and I can’t imagine losing it.”

An “emotionally engaged” promoter

Whether Butler likes it or not, he will have to make some important decisions and likely have a difficult discussion with promoter Camille Estephan if he loses. He said he was “emotionally connected” to Butler. They have been working together for around ten years.

“Athletes never want to see this as the end. “It’s the same for me as a promoter,” said the big boss of EOTTM. We have been together for 10 years and it has been a fruitful connection. I want it to continue like this.”

Boxing: Steven Butler doesn't want to put pressure on himself, but...

PHOTO PROVIDED BY VINCENT ETHIER / EYE OF THE TIGER MANAGEMENT

Like Butler, Estephan doesn't want to cross the bridge before reaching the river.

“I'd rather not prepare for that,” he said when asked about a possible defeat for his colt. I don't think about it. I have had difficult conversations with some of our boxers in the past. I had to say it was the end. It’s never easy.”

“Like my boxers, I have to be confident that we will give a positive verdict.”

Rolls doesn't shy away from words

Unlike his rival from Quebec, Rolls took the liberty of saying on several occasions that for him it was a “matter of life and death”.

The Torontonian has fewer professional fights under his belt than Butler, but is 11 years older than him.

“It’s a question of ranking and not age,” said the 39-year-old boxer. I'm fine and you'll be able to see it on Thursday evening. You’ll feel like I’ve found the fountain of youth.”

“I still feel like I’m one of the elite in the middleweight division. However, I need to get past Butler to get a chance to fight for a world title.”

The two men also know each other quite well. In 2022, they got in the ring together for five or six sparring sessions.

“A fight is completely different,” emphasized Butler. In training we have [gants] of 16 ounces and helmets.

“Of course we know each other well, but with little gloves it’s a different sport,” Butler concluded with a grin.

Boxing: Steven Butler doesn't want to put pressure on himself, but… Read More »

Khaman Maluach projected top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft

Khaman Maluach, projected top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, commits to Duke

International center Khaman Maluach, a potential top-three pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has committed to Duke, he announced Wednesday.

Maluach was not ranked by traditional scouting services because he plays for the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal, but the 7-foot-2 big man is considered a five-star, top-10 talent in the 2024 recruiting class. A further proof of how much potential Maluach has? Last summer he was named MVP of the NBA's Basketball Without Borders Africa Camp, and then in February at the NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis – where Maluach spent time with his idol, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo – he was named both the Playoff and Defensive MVP of the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp.

Maluach chose Duke over fellow finalists Kansas, Kentucky and UCLA, as well as offers from the NBA G-League Ignite and Australia's NBL Rising Stars program.

The 17-year-old Maluach is Duke's sixth commitment of 2024. He joins five-star winger Cooper Flagg (No. 1 overall player), five-star guard Isaiah Evans (No. 11) and five-star Winger Kon Knueppel (No. 16), four-star center Patrick Ngongba (No. 17) and four-star wing Darren Harris (No. 49).

With the signing of Maluach, Jon Scheyer has officially completed his second No. 1 recruiting class in three offseasons as coach of the Blue Devils. Duke had the top-ranked class in 2022 and its current group of freshmen ranked second-best in the 2023 cycle.

How important is this commitment to Duke?

It's huge, and even that might be an understatement. Maluach was clearly the best “high school” player still on the board – we'll see what happens in the transfer portal later this spring – and would have been one of the top five recruits nationally had he played in America. Just because he's not a household name yet doesn't mean he won't be one… because he will be. At 2.70 meters, Maluach is exactly the type of rim-protecting finishing center that Scheyer showed a preference for at the beginning of his tenure; The last similar player Duke had, Dereck Lively II, was selected in the lottery and is currently starting for the Dallas Mavericks. Maluach's potential could be even higher. He's an immediate starter and will give Duke two projected top-five picks next season.

Something else worth noting: Duke already has one NBA Academy player on its roster — second-year point guard Tyrese Proctor from Australia — but the program's latest international signing is further confirmation that Scheyer is expanding his recruiting reach. International prospects from Europe have been infiltrating college basketball for several seasons now — particularly on the West Coast, at schools like Gonzaga, UCLA and Arizona — but before Proctor, it wasn't a common path the Blue Devils followed. But as the game of basketball grows in popularity around the world, Scheyer has shown he will reach beyond America's borders to snag game-changing talent. Proctor was one, but Maluach is even on another level. – Brendan Marks, Duke Beat writer

How is Maluach's game?

Any Duke fans worried about the current team's rim protection won't have those fears next season. Maluach is a shot-blocking machine, similar to Lively. This length obviously makes him an excellent rebounder as well. But what's fascinating is Maluach's offense. Of course, he'll provide tremendous rim pressure in pick-and-roll scenarios, but he also has real shooting potential, even as a center; This should work well in Scheyer's perimeter-oriented system, in which the five often plays outside the post.

Maluach joins Flagg as an immediate starter who can play either the three or four at the college level. That will give Duke one of the best and most athletic frontcourts in the country next season… and that's without potential returnees like current sophomore Mark Mitchell. Duke was always going to be in good shape next season, but Maluach takes that to a new level. Depending on who returns, the Blue Devils could once again be one of the top three preseason teams in Scheyer's third season. – Mark

What's next for Duke?

Figuring out how all the pieces fit together. Six commitments in the 2024 class is more than Scheyer originally intended, and it's not inconceivable that one or more of those recruits will look elsewhere before enrolling this summer. (Five-star forward Mackenzie Mgbako, for example, decommitted last April and is currently a freshman at Indiana.)

Beyond that, Duke has to figure out who's coming back. Kyle Filipowski and Jared McCain appear to be the two players most likely to enter this summer's NBA draft – both were projected as first-round picks in The Athletic's latest mock draft – but there could be more to come. Depending on how his season ends, could Proctor also choose to leave? And then what about the team's other returnees? Senior Jeremy Roach, for example, still has a COVID year of eligibility that he could use if he wanted, but has yet to decide on his future plans. (Roach has developed into one of America's best shooters, so Duke would probably take him back.) And what about the program's other young talent? Both Caleb Foster – currently sidelined with a lower-body injury – as well as TJ Power and Sean Stewart would be highly sought after in the transfer portal if they decided to leave, but would also be valuable returnees next season.

Scheyer needs to get through this season first — the Blue Devils can win a share of the ACC title if they win their regular-season finale against rival UNC on Saturday — before addressing those future decisions. But he can't sign six new returnees this season and get everyone back. There are not enough scholarships. Something has to move. – Mark

What does Maluach's commitment to Duke mean for the 2025 NBA Draft?

Duke has a very real chance of being one of the top two picks in the 2025 draft. Flagg is considered the favorite to take the No. 1 spot because he is one of the best high school basketball players to go to college in the last decade. However, Maluach and Rutgers are committed. Ace Bailey is considered by NBA scouts to be the two players most likely to threaten the position at the top of the class. Maluach is an incredibly impressive athlete all over the court with real length who is elite around the rim. On offense, he has a great soft touch, great agility and excellent footwork.

Maluach's ceiling peaks through the roof and the scouts are excited to get a glimpse of him as he begins his college journey. Back in February during the All-Star break, they got a taste of what he can do on Basketball Without Borders. After that event, he became the talk of the NBA community, as scouts who spoke to The Athletic spoke with the same breathless words usually reserved for future All-Stars.

The last time a school had two top-three picks in a single draft was in 2019, and it was also Duke with Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett. However, the past comparison that several scouts have given me is actually to the 2014 Kansas team that featured Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid. At the time, Wiggins was considered one of the best prospects since LeBron James, and Embiid was quickly seen as the up-and-coming big man who was just scratching the surface of what he could become. Embiid probably would have gone No. 1 if there weren't questions about his future injury potential. Instead, he went third and Wiggins went No. 1. In my opinion, Flagg will most likely surpass Wiggins' performances in college and I expect his overall NBA career to be significantly better. This is not to compare the two. However, Maluach's trajectory could very well match that of Embiid's pre-draft if things go well for him next season. — Sam Vecenie, senior NBA draft writer

Required reading

(Photo: William West / AFP via Getty Images)

Khaman Maluach, projected top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, commits to Duke Read More »

1709762610 A shame and an unfortunate situation – Captain Mike Weir

“A shame and an unfortunate situation” – Captain Mike Weir on the official ban of LIV golfers from the Presidents Cup in Montreal

It was predictable and Mike Weir made it official at a press conference in Orlando earlier this afternoon. Golfers in the Saudi-sponsored LIV Series are officially banned from the Montreal edition of the Presidents Cup.

When asked about the few international players who could interest the team through their performance, the captain of the international team confirmed that the PGA Tour, the organizer of the competition, had informed him that they do not have any players from the controversial, by Greg Norman can choose a guided circle.

The same goes for American team captain Jim Furyk.

Among the internationals leaving are Cameron Smith, Abraham Ancer, Louis Oosthuizen and Joaquin Niemann. They will not be present in the corridors of the Royal Montreal at the end of September.

SPO-GLF-USP PRESIDENTS CUP CAPTAIN'S PRESS CONFERENCE

AFP

“We are in an unfortunate situation. They are ineligible and we hope they become eligible in Chicago in 2026. “It's a shame because we want to bring in the best players, but those who left knew what it was about,” noted the Canadian, who likes the look of his provisional lineup.

On the United States side, Furyk will obviously have to ignore Brooks Koepka, winner of last year's PGA Championship of America at Oak Hill, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson, among others.

SPO-GLF-USP PRESIDENTS CUP CAPTAIN'S PRESS CONFERENCE

Getty Images via AFP

Clear rules

It is important to remember that to participate in the Presidents Cup tournament, golfers must be full members of the PGA Tour. However, those who joined the ranks of LIV Golf lost their rights because they surrendered their membership cards or were officially suspended during their visit to the Norman circuit.

Although the PGA Tour and the head of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) buried the hatchet last June by announcing an agreement to everyone's surprise, it is still not approved. PGA Tour management is still evaluating the options available to it to create the strategic alliance its members desire.

This door closed to LIV Golf representatives therefore does not bode well for the map of an alliance between the PGA and the PIF, as desired by its leaders in June.

Three Canadians in good shape

Six months after the first tee shot at Royal Montreal, three Canadians are currently in a good position in the competition's points system. Nick Taylor (4th), Adam Hadwin (9th) and Corey Conners (12th) are in the top 12. The Maple Leaf has never had more than two members in the international lineup.

SPO-GLF-USP PRESIDENTS CUP CAPTAIN'S PRESS CONFERENCE

Getty Images via AFP

“Our team is taking shape. If there are two, three or four Canadians at the end, that will create more excitement. It will only be beneficial because they will create a different buzz,” explained Weir, who brought together several of his hopefuls at a dinner on the sidelines of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill this evening.

In addition to the Canadians, Tom Kim, Jason Day and Hideki Matsuyama currently make up the captain's top three.

Preparations in advance

At Royal Montreal, preparations have progressed to avoid summer scares. Presidents Cup Director Ryan Hart even stated that his team is working ahead of schedule.

“We started building the infrastructure in early October, which allowed us to build the crew cabins and the merchandise kiosks and progress certain other modules on the route by early December,” he said. he explained in a telephone interview with Le Journal.

SPO-GLF-USP PRESIDENTS CUP CAPTAIN'S PRESS CONFERENCE

MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI

“Even if the winter was milder in southern Quebec, we can only resume work on the route towards the end of April to avoid damaging the terrain,” added the man, who took advantage of the winter period to optimize transport logistics between downtown Montreal and L'Île-Bizard. You have to be careful with the wet and rainy weather in spring.”

On the same note, the CEO confirmed that general admission ticket sales will begin on April 11th.

Golf in Lacolle

With the good weather and mild temperatures last week, many golf clubs are preparing for the new season. Practice areas welcome golfers especially in Lanaudière, Estrie and Montérégie.

In Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, the International 2000 Golf Club courses have been open since last weekend. According to weather forecasts, almost 300 fans of the little white ball travel there every day.

“It’s crazy,” a staffer said on the phone during the Journal’s call this morning.

SPO-GLF-USP PRESIDENTS CUP CAPTAIN'S PRESS CONFERENCE

Sébastien St-Jean / JdeM

In Longueuil, the Parcours du Cerf opened its practice area in the morning.

Golf lovers of all conditions do not hesitate to write to us at the beginning of the season and tell us where you play at [email protected]

“A shame and an unfortunate situation” – Captain Mike Weir on the official ban of LIV golfers from the Presidents Cup in Montreal Read More »

1709761164 NYCFC stadium project passes city mandate Club unveils The Cube

NYCFC stadium project passes city mandate; Club unveils “The Cube” entrance

NYCFC's long-standing ambition to build a stadium across the five boroughs has taken another step forward with the unveiling of a special design element.

On Wednesday, the New York City Planning Commission voted in a binding and unanimous vote to build the stadium. The plan will now go before the New York City Council, which will hold a public hearing and then a vote. If the motion is approved and the mayor agrees, there will be an appeal process. NYCFC's plan is expected to survive all of these hurdles unscathed. Once that happens, the club will be “shovel ready” to begin construction.

“We have been on parallel paths over the last 12 to 18 months,” NYCFC CEO Brad Sims told The Athletic. “The political process is one, the design process is the second and the third is the actual clearance of the site and the redevelopment of the land. … We’ll be done by late summer,” Sims said. “All three of these processes are running in parallel and very positively.”

To celebrate the landmark, Sims and NYCFC shared updated renderings of the main entrance to the planned stadium, being built in Willets Point, Queens, next to Citi Field, home of the MLB's New York Mets, and near Billie Jean King National is to become a tennis center, home of the US Open.

When fans arrive on public transport, they will encounter what the club calls “The Cube” – a seven-story-tall, LED-lined entrance to the club’s new stadium.

NYCFC stadium project passes city mandate Club unveils The Cube

Image of The Cube entrance (courtesy of NYCFC)

“You go through the whole process and think about how can we differentiate ourselves?” Sims said. “Not only among the soccer-specific stadiums in North America, but we also stand out among the other sports venues in the New York area. … I think our grand entrance through the Cube will be unlike any other feeling of arrival, of welcome at a sporting event that any of our fans have ever seen.”

The entrance will feature 11,000 square feet of LED lighting in the cube, capable of projecting videos, photos and graphic elements.

In total, the stadium project is expected to cost $780 million (all privately financed) and have a planned capacity of 25,000 people. That capacity would make NYCFC's stadium the seventh-largest among soccer-specific stadiums in the MLS, alongside Hudson River rivals New York Red Bulls.

Sims said the neighboring Mets are “good partners” with regular dialogue as the two teams work together on parking plans, game day operations, schedules and ways to revitalize the surrounding neighborhood.

“When you're in our stadium, you'll know you're in New York City,” Sims said. “Whether you're sitting near the field looking up and out, whether you're in the concourse or wherever you are in the stadium, you'll know you're in New York City.”

1709761159 999 NYCFC stadium project passes city mandate Club unveils The Cube

The stadium will be close to stops on the New York City Subway, the Long Island Rail Road and several bus lines (courtesy of NYCFC).

Sims compares the feel of the Willets Point location to that of Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs), Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox), Craven Cottage (Fulham FC) and Selhurst Park (Crystal Palace) – stadiums on both sides of the Atlantic that fit in a neighborhood atmosphere. The club is also particularly pleased with the location's accessibility via public transportation, particularly the ease of travel from Long Island.

The area where the stadium and surrounding development will be built currently consists largely of empty lots that previously housed a number of auto repair and parts workshops. The area on the other side of Citi Field is mostly a parking lot, although Mets owner Steve Cohen has proposed a plan to convert much of the area into parkland, restaurants and community spaces.

As part of the planning process, the club spoke with other MLS teams that have recently built stadiums. They want to know what worked, what they would do differently, and what lies in between. During NYCFC's first trip to St. Louis this past weekend, Sims was treated to a three-hour tour of their new stadium.

“I think our fans are going to love it,” Sims said confidently.

NYCFC was originally announced as an MLS expansion club in 2013 and debuted in the 2015 season with the idea that the team would strike a deal to build its own soccer stadium in New York City. Until then, the plan was for the club to play at Yankee Stadium. It has taken longer than expected to finalize a land deal and begin planning for the stadium, and the club has enjoyed a somewhat nomadic 'home experience' in recent seasons. In the 2022 season alone, NYCFC played “home games” at five venues: Yankee Stadium (the team's primary location, home of the New York Yankees), Red Bull Arena (home of rival New York Red Bulls), Citi Field, Belson Stadium (home of the St. John's University) and even BMO Stadium (home of LAFC).

NYCFC still plans to debut at its new stadium in 2027.

(Photo above courtesy of NYCFC)

NYCFC stadium project passes city mandate; Club unveils “The Cube” entrance Read More »