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Back 20 years ago, Cal Raleigh had a video of an eight-year-old version of him, where he went on to hammer a toy baseball with his toy bat and said that he is the Home Run Derby champ. Alas, that moment would turn out to be a premonition as the Seattle Mariners star became this year’s Home Run Derby champion thanks to his massive performance. Making history in the premier power-hitting event of the MLB, it does seem that Raleigh was expected to win it all when the video was leaked. The Mariners star joined Ken Griffey Jr. (1994, 1998, 1999) as the only players to ever win the Home Run Derby in franchise history. He is also the first catcher in the league to achieve the said feat. Raleigh is the league’s leader in power hitting, so it made perfect sense that he was going to be a candidate in the contest despite being a designated catcher to begin with. Still, it was not enough to stop him from fulfilling one of the best performances in the game. Now he’s a historic winner of the Home Run Derby, and that stays forever. A Promising Finish for Raleigh Raleigh topped off the MLB with the most home runs nailed before the All-Star Break at 38. That is more than any other player in the history of the sport at that point, save for Barry Bonds, who had 39 back in 2001. That says a lot about how Raleigh has been really good when it comes to putting up an impressive campaign of hitting homers. “I mean, I don't know where they found that thing in the archives. Yeah, just kind of surreal. You don't think you're going to win it. You don't think you'll ever get invited. Then you get invited. The fact that you win it with your family, super special. Just what a night.” Raleigh finished the Home Run Derby with 17 homers in the pool round, setting him up as the no. 4 seed among the final four hitters in play. The Mariners star would go on to knock off a homer at 470.62 feet, which ended up with him closely staving off any chances of more tiebreakers to play in the game. “My goodness gracious, that's close,” Raleigh said. “It’s just crazy. An inch off, and I'm not even in the final four, which is amazing. So I guess I got lucky there. One extra biscuit.” Cherishing the Moment The moment of truth with Raleigh finishing with the Home Run Derby title was just a surreal experience not just for him, but also for his family. No one has experienced more nostalgia at this point than his father, Todd Raleigh Sr. – who took the said video of the young Cal. “When you're a parent, you look at it differently because you want your kids to be happy,” Todd Sr. said. “I can't say how lucky and blessed I am. Everybody that plays baseball, every dad knows, I could have been that guy. Cal could have been that player. To do it as a family has been really special.” Thankfully, this finish for Raleigh will now set him as one of the legends that the game will remember for years to come. For a catcher to come up with a strong win in the Home Run Derby is a statement as to how flexible his game has become, and how impressive his two-way game has emerged at this point for the Mariners.

Garrett Wilson’s future was once in doubt heading into the 2025 NFL season. However, it seems that the New York Jets were quietly interested in keeping him for the years to come with a new deal that will see him in green colors for the next four years. Now that the deal is signed, it seems that Wilson is ready to commit once more with his squad. This deal, a four-year, $130 million contract extension, keeps the wide receiver in the squad all the way to 2030. This also includes a guaranteed salary of $90 million, a $13.75 million signing bonus, and a $20 million option bonus in the second year. A $10 million bonus is in the works for year three, provided he isn’t traded or moves on to another deal with a buyout. Initially, Wilson had two years left in his deal with the Jets and was expected to become either a franchise star to look out for, or an exceptional trade piece for the team in the long run. Now it seems that they are going to build around him and certainly prove that they are right about extending him for the years to come. A Future in Wilson At the age of 24, Garrett Wilson is coming off another 1,000-yard season – his third in a row since being selected as the 10th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. Wilson was well-known for his impressive runs with the squad. The Jets have made it clear that Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner are going to be the pieces of the future, which means that the latter should also be getting his payday as soon as Wilson’s deal is inked for good. Wilson’s new deal puts him as one of the highest-paid players in the position. At this rate, he will be earning an annual average of $32.5 million, which means he is fifth overall among WRs in the league. Last season was his best campaign – finishing with 101 receptions, 1,104 yards and seven touchdowns, all of which are career-best numbers to begin with. With Wilson and Gardner secured for the future, it seems that the Jets are investing for long-term campaigns with the duo backing up Justin Fields – who is now the new top QB for the team heading into the 2025 season. Can Wilson Lead the Jets to Greatness? With the continued struggle of New York to come up with a promising push as a leading team in the league, it only seems fitting to put the challenge into the squad’s newly extended players. The Jets have endured seasons where they had Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco, and even Aaron Rodgers as their main playcaller, only to have disappointing results. With Wilson reuniting with Fields after playing together in Ohio State, it seems that there’s going to be quite a promising connection between the two. After all, Wilson is only one of five players in league history to ever 80-plus catches and 1,000-plus yards receiving in each of his first three seasons. Sure, the Jets have seen nine straight losing seasons, but this new groove of signing Wilson and pairing him with Fields may well be the bright light that is starting to emerge off the team for hopes of success in the long run – maybe even a Super Bowl berth for those who have been rooting for New York to win it all.

Kalshi tries to defend its offerings and says that its odds and bets are different from gambling. Even though its marketing lingo includes ‘odds’ and ‘bets,’ it argues that prediction markets are different from sports betting simply because no odds are being set. All this comes on the heels of additional scrutiny from state regulators, other members of the gaming industry, and even tribal entities. As legal pressure mounts, prediction market Kalshi argues its structure - and not its semantics - separates it from sportsbooks. Kalshi, the fast-growing prediction market platform that lets users trade on outcomes ranging from elections to sports games, is once again at the center of a regulatory debate over whether it operates as a gambling site. Despite marketing language that includes phrases like “bet on NBA legally!” and merchandise emblazoned with “What are the odds,” the company insists it’s not a sportsbook. At a recent gaming industry conference, Kalshi’s attorney, Josh Sterling of Milbank, emphasized the platform’s peer-to-peer structure, contrasting it with traditional sportsbooks. There are no odds being set, Sterling told attendees, asserting that prediction markets like Kalshi merely reflect user sentiment through buy and sell interest, rather than establishing betting lines. A semantics tug-of-war The distinction, Kalshi argues, is crucial. The company claims that even though its contracts display American-style odds and allow users to wager on the outcome of events - including sports - the odds are not fixed or house-determined. Instead, they emerge from market activity. A January 31 post on social media promoted the launch of American odds on Kalshi’s site, reading: “Hello sports lovers, American Odds are live on web.” Kalshi has also used the word “bet” across its advertising campaigns, including in a Google ad with the phrase “Bet on NBA legally!” Despite this, Sterling and company officials maintain that such phrasing is merely colloquial and aligns with the broader financial vernacular. “Any promotional materials or company correspondence referencing ‘betting’ in no way indicates that Kalshi is anything but a financial platform,” a Kalshi spokesperson said. “In the same way that you can bet on a stock, derivative or a bond, you can bet on markets on Kalshi.” Betting or trading? Critics aren’t convinced Kalshi’s defense rests on its structural differences from sportsbooks. Users can place “limit orders” to set specific prices at which they’re willing to buy or sell a contract tied to an event, offering more control than traditional betting platforms like FanDuel or DraftKings. But critics argue that the presence of institutional players and the nature of sports-related markets make Kalshi indistinguishable from traditional sportsbooks in practice. “It’s ridiculous to claim prediction markets are not sports betting,” said Sporttrade Chief Executive Officer Alex Kane, whose own platform is regulated under state gambling laws. The question of whether Kalshi constitutes a sportsbook is more than academic - it carries significant regulatory consequences. State gaming commissions argue that Kalshi’s operations overlap with gambling, while Kalshi asserts it should fall under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a designated contract market. So far, the courts have largely sided with Kalshi, affirming CFTC oversight. But several rulings are under appeal, and the case could eventually reach the US Supreme Court. Kalshi Chief Executive Officer Tarek Mansour described the battle as a “brutal, bloody war” for the future of prediction markets. This is not gambling, Sterling said in a follow-up email. Prediction markets are fundamentally different in purpose and structure from sportsbooks. Kalshi does not win when users lose - that's a key distinction, he added. Growing influence amid criticism Kalshi’s user base has ballooned recently, especially after the 2024 US election cycle. The platform has partnered with fintech giants like Robinhood to broaden its reach, which has drawn concern from gambling addiction advocates. Cole Wogoman of the National Council on Problem Gambling warned that the blurred lines between financial platforms and gambling operations could mislead users. “Let’s look at what’s happening in practice and the problems that are coming from that,” he said. Kalshi remains defiant. “Semantics do not alter the fact that structurally, Kalshi is a derivative contract maker,” the company said in a statement. Whether courts and regulators agree may ultimately decide the company’s fate - and the future of prediction markets in the US.

The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council has issued hundreds of thousands in fines to illegal overseas sportsbooks. The five sportsbooks each have to pay $50K each, and they include BetAnySports, JazzSports, Bookmaker, BetOnline, based in Panama, and Everygame, based in Curacao. The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council has issued a combined $250,000-fine to five illicit overseas sportsbooks found unlawfully operating within state borders. Each operator was fined $50,000 for violating the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act by accepting wagers from Tennessee residents without proper licensing. The penalized operators include BetAnySports, based in Costa Rica; JazzSports, Bookmaker, BetOnline, based in Panama; and Everygame, based in Curacao. According to Sports Wagering Council officials, all five platforms have been conducting business in Tennessee illegally, exposing bettors to serious financial and data security risks. Cracking down on bad actors This latest action brings the SWC’s total fines against illegal books to $600,000, demonstrating the agency’s heightened enforcement efforts. Mary Beth Thomas, the Executive Director of the SWC, emphasized the agency's commitment to cleaning up the online sports betting landscape. “The SWC is exploring all avenues with its network of law enforcement to eliminate these bad actors from Tennessee,” Thomas said. “Consumers in Tennessee need to be aware that illegal operators will gladly take their money and personal information, and if a consumer does business with an illegal book, they give away their information to criminals.” Illegal operators often fail to provide any consumer protections, leaving bettors vulnerable to fraud, data breaches, and non-payment of winnings. Illegal sites violate more than just licensing laws Illegal sportsbooks don't just skirt the need for proper licensure - they frequently violate multiple key provisions of state law. Among the major red flags: accepting wagers on credit, allowing underage gambling, and processing bets in cryptocurrency. Many also offer casino-style games like online slots and poker, which are not permitted under Tennessee’s sports betting regulations. These features are commonly used to attract bettors but are illegal within the state. Additionally, chance-based betting markets - such as coin tosses or Gatorade color props - are outlawed under Tennessee gaming rules. In contrast, licensed sportsbooks in Tennessee must adhere to strict consumer protection standards, including identity verification, anti-money laundering protocols, and age restrictions that prohibit anyone under 21 from placing a bet. Businesses risk penalties for collaborating with illicit operators The SWC also issued a stern warning to local businesses that may be cooperating with offshore operators. Any Tennessee-based company found to be facilitating or promoting illegal sportsbooks could face both civil and criminal penalties. The council urges residents and companies alike to verify which operators are legal by consulting the list of approved licensees and vendors at tn.gov/swac. The council’s aggressive enforcement strategy has already yielded results. In October, Bovada, based in Curacao, ceased operating in Tennessee after being fined $50,000. More recently, social sportsbook Legendz withdrew from the market in April after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from the SWC. These successes demonstrate that regulatory pressure, when sustained, can force even long-running offshore platforms to retreat from illegal markets. SWC’s role in protecting Tennessee consumers The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council is responsible for regulating and enforcing all aspects of online sports wagering within the state. It licenses and monitors operators and vendors, ensuring compliance with both the Tennessee Sports Gaming Act as well as the Tennessee Fantasy Sports Act. The council also administers the state's privilege tax on sportsbook revenue. Ultimately, the SWC’s mission is to create a safe, transparent environment for sports betting in Tennessee. By holding illegal operators accountable and alerting the public to the dangers of unregulated platforms, the agency continues to promote integrity and consumer protection in the evolving online gambling space.

There are always high expectations when it comes to the Esports World Cup, and for Virtus.pro to lose out in the way they did is quite disappointing than most people think. For a team such as the Russian squad to lose out and drop out of the prestigious tournament is such a tough break and a very unfortunate timing for one of the best teams in the game. As it happened, the squad could not even budge a single win in the Elimination Phase, losing to Team Falcons with a 0:2 score and finishing 13th-16th in the tournament. No one expected that from a winning team such as Virtus.pro, and now their tough exit is roaring in the Dota 2 world. For Nikita “Daxak” Kuzmin, this loss was a very rough finish that will definitely be a massive stain in their reputation for the years to come. If it wasn’t enough, the discussion on various social media platforms and even Dota 2 forums is going to echo as an insult to injury with the way they are being trolled by critics and fans all around. Bowing Out on the Biggest Stage While some may say that it is unexpected, Virtus.pro losing out at this point did not come as a shock. For starters, the team has not won any tournament in the last few months, only finishing first in qualifiers, but never putting the nail in the coffin in the succeeding runs. The last time they won a major tournament? The Kuala Lumpur Major in 2018. If you are not convinced, Virtus.pro has not found a way to win at an impressive pace. In the last 10 matchups, they have only won once – against MOUZ in the Western Europe Closed Qualifier of The International 2025. After that, they’ve only won one game and have lost nine straight series. That includes four in a row in the Esports World Cup 2025, which proved to be the points of Daxak’s whims that definitely sent a strong message to many fans at this point. "As I said in an English-language interview, the most disappointing thing is not that we lost. There are losses when you prepared, did everything together, but something didn't work out for someone, someone got sick, something didn't work out for someone, even though everyone tried, and so on,” said Daxak. Early Exit in the EWC 2025 Virtus.pro faced Tundra, Yandex, Aurora, and Team Falcons in the elimination phase – with not a single win in each of these series. They went 0-8 in that stretch, including that massive drop to the Falcons, which hammered them to the end of the tournament for good. Not that it matters a lot, but they were one of the teams pegged to at least make a deep run in the contest. "It was hard for the coach. Imagine, every day they say that the problem is in the peak. But it wasn't. Even considering that the atmosphere for the last games had recovered a little, the lack of preparation decided the outcome. Alas, it was simply a failure on all fronts." Considering that there are a lot of promising tournaments left to play in the 2025 campaign, one can say that Virtus.pro has very ample time to at least avenge their loss and come up with a bounce-back game now more than ever.

The MLS world is definitely in shambles right now, with a lot of changes in the power of the league – from the dominance of a new team in the San Diego FC, all the way to the sudden rise of Anders Dreyer as the league’s top MVP candidate now more than ever. With another win in the books, it seems that the #10 is making waves better and efficiently in his breakout season. Nothing has been easy in the 2025 MLS season for any team. Sure, San Diego has found its way towards success and greatness, but then they aren’t without challenges and struggles as well. So far, Dreyer is making it all look like a day’s work in his games, and it does seem that there’s a lot of great plays that he’s made throughout the season to make his case for the MVP stand out even more. But the thing is, will continued success – just like this 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire – be enough to actually help him take home the MVP and steal it away from one of the greatest players that the world has seen in the sport? Another Shining Dreyer Game Just a guy in America’s finest city seems to be making the rounds in a bid to steal the MVP trophy from the betting favorite Lionel Messi. That was seen last Saturday night when the San Diego star had yet another enjoyable outing to remember – scoring goals in just the eighth minute and the first half stoppage time to lead SDFC to a 2-1 road win over the Chicago Fire. While it is just another day in the office, Dreyer’s massive performances has kept the expansion side atop the Western Conference standings once more. If you are not impressed, it is worth noting that Dreyer is the only player who has managed to tally double digits in goals and assists with 11 and 15, respectively. "There's probably a little bit of a Messi bias because he is the best player of all time," says MLS analyst Sacha Kjelstad. "But, having said that, I vote on consistency. I vote on who's been the best player over the course of a season. I had to vote right now, Anders Dreyer is the MVP.” Is Dreyer Making Waves We have seen how it has been quite easy for Dreyer to come up with top-notch performances of his own, and his high level of play has been really promising to watch now more than ever. He has been both efficient, durable, and surprisingly strong enough to withstand a lot of contact and injuries. Chicago was really quite the practice ground for Dreyer as he made it look easy for himself at this point with the way he has played, and it is certainly easy to expect that his MVP level is going to be higher in the coming months. If it is not even quite the coincidence, SDFC is also tied in the MLS lead when it comes to both wins and goal differential – and is the second-highest scoring team next to Messi’s Inter Miami squad. Unfortunately, the first 35-match season of the expansion side does not include Miami as an opponent, which means that it is highly unlikely that Dreyers and Messi would go head-to-head. Unless, of course, they meet in the MLS Cup Final.

Of course, if there’s one big star who should be offered an extension deal at this point, it is Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers. While there are many players who are still signing deals at this point in time, McDavid is yet to come up with terms with his team as he seeks to find out the best move for his career moving forward. While many reports say that the Edmonton star will likely be signing a new massive deal with the Oilers, it also suggests that McDavid is also open to considering offers from other teams as well. That is definitely a huge concern to consider for the team at this point, considering that McDavid has actually become the face of the team. McDavid isn’t leaving the team anytime soon. He still has two years to go with the Oilers before he will become an unrestricted free agent – in which offers left and right will come in now more than ever. After all, with the way things are looking right now, it is not impossible for McDavid to explore his value in the market while also finding a team with a better shot at the Stanley Cup Final. The Future of McDavid The Edmonton Oilers captain is definitely expected to wait out the entire offseason and even take it into next season before finally discussing with the management. Still, reports claim that an extension is really highly likely to come, and it is the “when” that would definitely mind boggle a lot of critics and fans at this point. There is definitely a strong fear of losing McDavid. After all, the star has become the top performer for the team at this point. And it would be hard to sway their remaining stars, such as Leon Draisaitl to stay if one of the core pieces does not commit to the next season. It can be remembered that the Oilers have endured back-to-back heartbreaks at this point, losing both Stanley Cup Final disappointments to the Florida Panthers. The 2024 edition saw them come close to completing a 0-3 comeback, while last month’s run proved to be more futile as they failed to come up with a better performance. Still, the frustration may be starting to mount up for McDavid and the rest of the team, but it also means that there’s unfinished business for the star to look forward to. Setbacks are just another reason for McDavid’s loyalty to endure now more than ever. Complex Extension Problems McDavid’s extension with the Oilers does not come without repercussions as well. It is expected that McDavid will have the most lucrative deal in NHL history should he elect to stay with the Oilers. This means that they may have to give up some key assets and come up with cheaper signings in order to afford his talent for more years to come. Still, Edmonton fans don’t really have to worry much for now. The Oilers fell short in the biggest stage of the game for the second time around, and a few roster tweaks should solve the problem – along with some improved coaching as well. In all sense, McDavid is expected to re-sign with the Oilers, and he’s just biding his time. This just means that fans should not panic nor create ruckus about him moving on from the team. There’s still months to go in the offseason, and there’s also more to talk about how he will eventually be open to talks moving forward.

Before he got injured in July 2023, Nyheim Hines was still wearing a Buffalo Bills uniform and was definitely set for greatness, considering that he was really playing massive football had it not been for his setback. Now that he’s fully healed and ready to rock the NFL world to prove his worth, will he eventually find a new team to play for? Out for two full seasons, Hines definitely has taken a massive time off the game in order to fully recover from his knee injury. That was a massive hurt that fans did not expect to begin with, and it is easy to say that there are a lot of potential that went off the table when he missed out on these years. It is, however, still possible for Hines to recover and find his way back into a championship team as well. While he is still yet to be inked with another team at this point in time, one can say that Hines may well find his worth with some of the teams linked to him. Training camps are already set to get underway this month – and it should open up chances for franchises to reconsider their needs and eventually make an offer for Hines, paving the way for his comeback as he seeks to get back on track. A Hines Comeback? Hines is one of the high-potential running backs who have enjoyed an otherwise great career had it not been for his injury. However, it is expected that teams such as the Cleveland Browns (again), Houston Texans, and Indianapolis Colts could arrive with offers for him in the coming weeks. After all, he’s had workouts with the said teams and is expected to land at least one deal with any of them. "I'm far from done, and the story is in my hand," Hines said of his hopes of returning. "I put myself in this position, but as athletes, we're in an unfortunate situation in a job ... that we can't control everything, but the pen is always in our hand, based on our performance. So, I'm looking forward to the opportunity to grab that pen and write whatever story I want." Selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Colts, Hines spent the first four years of his career in Indianapolis as a rotational running back and even a return specialist before he ended up being traded in the 2022 campaign to the Buffalo Bills. Hines proved to be one of the most reliable RBs had it not been for his injuries, which says a lot about his potential for return. For now, it does seem that he will have to wait for offers to come in this month – or else his career may well be slumped for the meantime. Not Being Choosy For Hines, getting a chance to play for a team, regardless of whether it is a contender or a rebuilding team, will be a huge opportunity for him to pass up. After all, there are 53 players in a single roster, and it is definitely impossible that no one would want to bring him in. "I don't need a lot of touches. I would like some touches at times, but I just want the opportunity. Just put me in space, and throughout my career we've seen what I've done with a little bit of space," Hines said. History is on his side, however. Research says that players who excel in multiple areas of the game are more likely to get deals with teams rather than one-way players.

When one of the losing teams in the American League gets the first overall pick, you know they’re going to get the best talent possible. So when the Washington Nationals brought in Eli Willits with the first overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, it was expected that the feedback would be great enough to raise expectations for the club moving forward. A promising selection out of Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma, the 17-year-old shortstop proved to be one of the best talents out in this year’s draft class, and he was one of the youngest true prospects from the 2025 class after reclassifying from the class of ‘26 as well. Initially, no one would be impressed that the Nats brought in a very young player who may not do enough or even more to help the club get back on track and regain its footing on the big stage – and rise to domination once more. Still, there’s a lot of hope from such a talented player in Willits to prove his worth, and he is going to get that chance now more than ever. Preparing for a New Dawn Before the draft came in, the Nationals actually worked out to make massive changes in their management. The team fired general manager Mike Rizzo and even manager Dave Martinez. Mike DeBartolo – who has been the club’s assistant GM for years – was elevated to interim GM for his long service since 2012. DeBartolo then brought in some big names to come up with new staff – amateur scouting Danny Haas; senior director, amateur scouting Brad Ciolek; and assistant director and national crosschecker, amateur scouting Reed Dunn. “I would say he was our top guy throughout the process. We had our eye on him throughout,” said DeBartolo. “… He was the guy we wanted all along, and we’re really excited that it worked out so well. Eli was the top guy on our board. It's one of those nice things where the scouts and the analysts see things exactly the same way and saw him as the best hitter in the Draft.” That preparation eventually led them to see the prime talent in Willits – who was definitely their best expected pick ever since the offseason began for the team, and now it seems that the Oklahoma talent is going to make waves in the game moving forward. Is Willits a Good Selection? To be fair, Eli Willits does deserve a lot of praise for his impressive game and how he can actually find his way to the top of the squad and make a strong impact to the Nationals’ redemption hopes. After all, it is not always that a rebuilding club would bring in the first pick of the draft. Based on his highlights, Willits has a good amount of speed and a strong arm to keep him at the ready. He also has massive instincts on the field, which should definitely make him a great performer to look out for now more than ever. “I want to be described as a guy that plays harder than everyone else,” Willits. “But at the end of the day, I want to be described as a great human being that is good to people off the field and good to teammates.” Should Willits turn out to be a great performer as projected by the team, then the Nationals would have a great chance to get back on their winning pattern and finally redeem their worth on the big stage.

Flutter Entertainment, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, has just announced the buyout of Boyd Gaming for its FanDuel stake, leading to full ownership of the FanDuel brand. Flutter will still partner with Boyd Gaming Corporation but will pay more than $1.7 billion to acquire FanDuel from Boyd Gaming. Flutter Entertainment, the world's leading online sports betting and iGaming operator, has announced a major milestone: full ownership of FanDuel Group. Through a new strategic agreement with Boyd Gaming Corporation, Flutter will acquire Boyd's remaining 5% stake in FanDuel for over $1.755 billion, cementing its position as the sole owner of the US market-leading sports betting and iGaming platform. Deal expands strategic partnership and secures market leadership The landmark transaction also extends Flutter’s partnership with Boyd Gaming through 2038. FanDuel, which currently holds an industry-leading 43% share in US online sports betting and 27% in iGaming, will benefit from streamlined operations and reduced market access costs in five key states where Boyd provides entry: Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana. The deal includes $1.55 billion attributed to the equity acquisition and $205 million tied to the revision of commercial terms, including the cease of FanDuel's retail sportsbook operations in Boyd properties by the second quarter of 2026. These changes are expected to generate annual cost savings of approximately $65 million for Flutter beginning July 1, 2025. This transaction secures 100% ownership of the premier asset in the US market, said Flutter CEO Peter Jackson. FanDuel's scale and market dominance - driven by the 'Flutter Edge' - puts us in a strong position for sustained growth. Boyd has been a valued partner, and we're pleased to extend our strategic collaboration well into the future, he added. Improved financial efficiency and EBITDA margins The revised commercial terms are set to improve long-term adjusted EBITDA margins by lowering ongoing market access costs. This is particularly important as the sports betting industry faces growing pressure from state-level tax increases. The updated agreement allows Flutter to operate more efficiently, strengthening the profitability of its US operations. Additionally, the buyout places FanDuel at an implied valuation of approximately $31 billion, demonstrating its critical value to Flutter's North American strategy. While the deal will temporarily raise Flutter's leverage ratio, the company remains committed to maintaining a medium-term leverage target. Despite Flutter's acquisition of full ownership, Fox Corporation retains an option to acquire an 18.6% equity stake in FanDuel. The option, valid until December 3, 2030, is priced based on a $20 billion valuation from 2020, adjusted annually by 5%, making the current exercise price approximately $4.5 billion. However, the option can only be executed in full and requires Fox to secure appropriate licensing. Bridge credit agreement secures funding To finance the acquisition, Flutter has entered into a $1.75 billion Bridge Credit Agreement with a consortium of banks. The senior secured first lien term loan will mature 12 months after its first use, with two six-month extension options. The funds will be used to pay the acquisition costs, associated fees, and other general corporate purposes. The loan terms mirror those of Flutter's existing credit agreements established with J.P. Morgan SE and others in November 2023. A transformative deal in Flutter's history Flutter's initial acquisition of FanDuel in 2018 was seen as a bold move, and today's deal confirms its long-term vision. This is one of the most transformational events in our Group's history, said Jackson. "FanDuel's growth and leadership position have exceeded expectations, and full ownership unlocks even more potential for the future." With completion expected in Q3 2025 pending regulatory approvals, the agreement marks a pivotal point in Flutter's US expansion and its ambition to dominate the sports betting and iGaming space.

With all the big signings that the Oklahoma City Thunder have made this offseason, it does seem that the team is eagerly on the prowl to make a chase for the league championship in the coming season as well. But is the Branden Carlson signing the best move they’ve managed to pull off so far? In case you didn’t notice, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren have all been signed to major extension deals. There are also minor deals to the likes of Jaylin Williams and Ajay Mitchell. While the rest of the squad are still under contract and will be in the roster for the next two or three years, it does seem that two-way deals matter in this team as well. Interestingly, rookie Brooks Barnhizer has already taken one of the three two-way spots for the Thunder. Carlson, who played last season for the Thunder’s majestic campaign, also headlines the next two-way deal that the Thunder can field for the upcoming 2025-26 season. While this is not a big move, this stands as the best signing that the Thunder has made this offseason. Carlson is a High-Potential Player Two-way players are given a chance to play a set number of games in a regular season and are ineligible for postseason action. Usually, these slots are given to players who are somewhat deserving of a deal but can only show up in limited games. This is still a better proposition than a 10-day contract or a five-game show contract.  So in Carlson’s case, it puts OKC in a cost-efficient situation with the way he has played. In the previous season, Carlson was a great performer in 32 games for the Thunder in his rookie run, and had it not been for the structure of the team’s roster, the big man would have probably made it to the rotation for the team’s playoff campaign as well. Whenever he plays double-digit minutes, Carlson averages 10.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. If you are not impressed, the big man put up 26 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, and two assists in 38 minutes when he played against the New Orleans Pelicans in the season finale. Carlson is also one of the modern-day bigs of the NBA – who can play as a rim protector and create spacing opportunities on the floor with his stretch offense and the ability to hit the three. These attributes were well on display on the court as he proved to be one of the reliable performers that the Thunder can rely on. A Potential Permanent Big Man Carlson’s presence on the court is invaluable; he has proven to be a capable big man in his own right, even registering a +9.4 net rating in his debut campaign as well. However, what makes him a great signing for the team is that he can also deliver impressive performances, potentially securing a permanent spot in the team in the long run. That being said, incoming rookie Thomas Sorber is an impressive selection for OKC, but then the Thunder could well use Carlson more should the rookie center find it hard to adjust in the NBA and spend more time in getting acclimated with the pros. Securing Carlson in a two-way deal that doesn’t require much of the Thunder’s payroll says a lot about the bright move that they just made even in the two-way slots. It is another proof of how the Thunder’s future remains so bright at this point in time.