Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
It’s Christmastime for pro wrestling fans, but it can be a magical time of year for everyone.
WrestleMania 39 takes place on Saturday and Sunday, and it’s possible that you’ve heard some of your friends talking about it, or seen a bunch of your sports fan pals tweeting about it. Maybe you’re rolling your eyes and wondering what the big deal is.
Well, you’re in the right place.
Even if you don’t like pro wrestling, you know the name “WrestleMania.

Olivia Dunne’s profile is only rising with every passing day.
In 2022, On3 gave the LSU gymnast an NIL valuation of $2.3 million. That was already among the highest in America.
Well, the rich often get richer, and Dunne definitely is an exception to that rule in life. In the latest On3 NIL valuations, the social media superstar has a valuation of $3.4 million. That’s third in America. Only Bronny James and Arch Manning are ranked ahead of her.
Caleb Williams, who won the Heisman in 2022, has a valuation of $800,000 less at $2.6 million. Think about that for a moment.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick clarified a controversial remark he made on Monday at the NFL’s annual league meeting regarding the team’s past successes.
Since the departure of quarterback Tom Brady, New England struggled to continue the reign it enjoyed for the better part of the 21st century. When asked what fans should point to for optimism ahead of the 2023 season, Belichick responded “the last 25 years,” a comment which garnered criticism from former players.
“We’re not resting on our past laurels; that’s not the message to the team or the fans.

New York Magazine is the proud owner of maybe the most unhinged sports take we’ve seen in a long time.
Millions of fans around the country are fired up and excited to watch FAU/SDSU and UConn/Miami this weekend in the Final Four. For the first time in a long time, we had true carnage. In fact, it’s the first time in NCAA Tournament history a seed three or higher didn’t make the Final Four.
FAU is a great Final Four story. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
That’s awesome.

The NFL free agency period saw (and continues to see) plenty of big names on the move, as teams try to fill holes in their current rosters en route to a potential playoff berth (or even better, Super Bowl) next season. That exercise will continue in the coming weeks and into late April, as the league holds the 2023 NFL draft.
Until then, NFL fans and fantasy managers will wait with bated breath to see how their teams can improve – and for our purposes, how the moves will affect the value of our fantasy heroes.

Good morning, I’m Dan Gartland. If you’re looking for me today, I’ll be on the couch watching baseball.
In today’s SI:AM:
⚾ Previewing the 2023 season
🏈 The missing piece in Lamar Jackson’s negotiations
🏀 Is the 2023 hoops HOF class the greatest ever?
If you’re reading this on SI.com, you can sign up to get this free newsletter in your inbox each weekday at SI.com/newsletters.
Opening Day is here
MLB is going big for Opening Day this year.

Virginia Tech’s star duo. Iowa’s offense. LSU’s Angel. South Carolina’s depth. They could all lead to a title.

Boston could have gotten lost in A’ja Wilson’s shadow at South Carolina. Instead, the Gamecocks senior built her own legend.

Sports is a funny thing.
On one aspect, you want to display confidence, toughness, maybe even some arrogance before you head into a competition. You want to intimidate your opponent by being so sure that you are going to prevail victorious.
But on the other hand, if it goes bad and you do in fact not win the championship, well then… you come across like a fool.
The San Diego Padres are praying (and paying) that doesn’t happen to them.
The team released a new video ahead of today’s baseball season opener and anyone that isn’t a Padres fan has to be hoping it jinxes them.

Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images
With Opening Day upon us, how have the new MLB rules impacted baseball?
It is Opening Day.
But major league baseball will look a little different this season.
MLB is implementing a new series of rules aimed at speeding up the pace of play, and creating more opportunities for offense.
Now that spring training is in the rear-view mirror, we can take a look at how the new rules have impacted both the game, and the pace of play.

As her squad made its way to the Final Four, signifying a new era for a program that needed one, LSU coach Kim Mulkey kept reiterating a message.
Don’t give me the credit for this.
“It’s not my great coaching that got us there,” Mulkey said before the Elite Eight. “Honestly, it’s the transfer portal … We’ve got nine new pieces, including freshmen, that have helped us jump-start this program fast.”
When Mulkey arrived in Baton Rouge two years ago, the program was coming off a 9–13 season and had failed to qualify for the NCAA tournament for several years in a row.

Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
LIGHT THE BEAM.
Kings pummel Blazers to clinch playoff spot, 120-80
Normally, I wouldn’t start our daily scores proceedings with a game that was basically over before it started. But when it’s time to party like it’s 2006, it’s only fair. With Wednesday’s 40-point drubbing of what might as well be Portland’s G-League squad, the Sacramento Kings are officially postseason-bound for the first time in 16 years. Not only that, but they’re guaranteed to have homecourt advantage for at least the first round.

Odell Beckham Jr. reportedly wants a lot of money to sign with an NFL team, but not nearly what was reported.
It was initially reported OBJ wanted $20 million annually in order to sign with a new team after not playing last season.
The talented receiver denied the reports, but did indicate he’d need a lot more than just a few million to get back on the field.

Odell Beckham Shoots Down Contract Rumors

Will Odell Beckham Jr. land a new contract?
Now, the picture might be starting to become a bit clearer.

It’s Dec. 28, 2022, in Hartford, Conn., and the streets are buzzing with UConn fans. Parking near the XL Center, the site of that night’s Huskies game against Villanova, is hard to come by more than two hours before tip-off. Fans in jerseys are pouring across streets and pooling around the entrances to see the show that is the 2022–23 men’s UConn Huskies.
Ten months before, coach Dan Hurley had sent a message to the rest of the Big East after his team beat the same Villanova team that went to the Final Four. “You better get us now, ’cause it—it’s coming.

Every time Lamar Jackson advocates for himself, he shows us why he shouldn’t be the one doing it. He is clapping back against critics on Twitter, demanding respect and fair value and defending his toughness. He could be right on every single point. It doesn’t matter. He is fighting the wrong fights with the wrong people, and all he is really proving is that this is why players hire agents.
Jackson did not have an agent when he declined the Ravens’ contract offers last year, and he does not have one now, as he sits in franchise-tag purgatory.

Bronny James’ father is LeBron James, you’ve probably heard of him. Besides Michael Jordan, nobody has had a more successful career on and off the court than LeBron. Therefore, Bronny won’t need or seek outside advice, but that isn’t keeping LaVar Ball from offering him some.
Bronny has a decision to make about what his next year of basketball will look like. He can either go the one-and-done route in college or play professionally elsewhere before becoming draft eligible.
READ: NO.

Welcome to MLB’s new era: a slew of rules changes and a game that’s quicker, more athletic and way more entertaining. Opening Day is here again, but this will be unlike any season before and questions remain within each division.
Will the big bats of Aaron Judge and Julio Rodríguez help carry their teams into a deep postseason run? Can any team in the NL West catch the San Diego Padres? (Hint: Mookie Betts and the Dodgers are the best bet.

There are three things in life we’ve all more or less come to expect: Death, taxes and late-season NBA penalties that don’t get enforced because of the time of year we’re in.
Just in case you hadn’t noticed: With the addition of the play-in round, NBA standings are essentially tighter than they’ve ever been. There’s a week and a half remaining in the regular season, and only four teams have been eliminated from postseason contention, the fewest in league history with so little time left on the calendar.

A Northwestern fan absolutely destroyed Ohio State for being terrible guests.
The Wall Street Journal did a breakdown of Northwestern’s attempt to build a new football facility. The new stadium will be used for multiple sporting events and concerts.
Fans of the Buckeyes took an all-time shot from local Evanston business owner Steve Starkman. Starkman and his brother own a hot dog shop right near Ryan Field. That’s allowed him to get an up close look at visiting fans. He’s not impressed by OSU fans to say the least.
Ohio State fans slammed in Wall Street Journal article.

The third-ever meeting between Florida Atlantic and San Diego State could hardly have higher stakes. Both programs are in the Final Four for the first time and the winner advances to the national championship game Monday.
The No. 9 Owls (35–3) and No. 5 Aztecs (31–6) have both traveled difficult paths to arrive at this point. FAU defeated No. 8 Memphis in the Round of 64, 66-65, and kept dancing with a 78-70 victory over No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson in the Round of 32. In the second weekend of the tournament, coach Dusty May’s team shocked No.

Most NFL fans are eager to spend the next month reading countless mock drafts, but, before we officially move, let’s put a bow on free agency by handing out grades for what the 32 teams have done in the past few weeks to improve their respective rosters.
If these grades feel a little late, don’t yell at me. Blame Aaron Rodgers, the Jets and the Packers for failing to execute a trade and holding up the grades. But we’re done waiting, and I’ve got you covered today with free-agency grades for the AFC teams.

Getting to all your mail, from 30,000 feet, on my way back to Boston from Phoenix …
From Bruce (@bdei80): When will Aaron Rodgers get traded?
Bruce, I think it happens sooner than people think because I don’t think things between the Packers and Jets are in nearly as bad a place as some seem to believe they are. We mentioned earlier in the week the rapport between GMs Joe Douglas and Brian Gutekunst from their time coming up as young road scouts. The two head coaches, Robert Saleh and Matt LaFleur, are best friends.

Photo by Morgan Hancock/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Yuki Tsunoda and Nyck de Vries are hoping for better things in this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix
AlphaTauri currently sits at the bottom of the Formula 1 Constructors’ standings, as they are just one of two teams yet to secure a point through the first two races of the F1 season.
With the circuit in Melbourne for this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, the team — and their drivers — are keeping the expectations realistic for both this weekend, and beyond.

The Kyrie Irving experiment in Dallas is collapsing in on itself after only 17 games.
When Dallas traded for Irving in February, the Mavericks (37-40) didn’t expect the team to be slipping out of playoff contention in the final stretch of the season. But here they are, falling to 37-40 after a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, 116-108, on Wednesday.
And if you don’t believe that the Mavericks are self-imploding, just ask Irving about the current state of the team.

A male powerlifting coach by the name of Avi Silverberg has seen enough biological males compete against women. He decided to protest new trans policies ruining his sport and did so by ‘self-identifying’ as a woman and shattering a record during a recent meet.
The women’s bench press title holder in the 84+ kilogram category is Anne Andres, who is a biological male. Andres has won eight of the nine competitions he has entered as a woman and is even recognized as a female on the Open Powerlifting ranking site.

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Will Anderson may be the top overall prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The term “can’t-miss” is a cliche used all the time in sports, particularly for prospects entering the professional level from the collegiate ranks. Such a thing doesn’t really exist, but especially in the NFL, there are players who often feel like they’re incredibly likely to put together strong careers at the next level.
The 2023 NFL Draft prospect who best fits that cliche is Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson.

Wisconsin football coach Luke Fickell thinks there sometimes might be a little too much talking from his players.
Fickell hit the ground running after being hired to coach the Wisconsin Badgers, and he’s wasted no time in building up the culture he wants.
That includes giving fans an inside look at recruiting and now how practices are run. Fickell got mic’d up, and he showed a lot of passion and energy fans aren’t used to seeing.
He also made it clear players can communicate, but don’t talk to the point you miss what’s going on.
Luke Fickell is changing the culture in Madison.

Deion Sanders has weighed in on Lamar Jackson’s pursuit of a new deal with some blunt advice.
The Baltimore Ravens QB is currently trying to land a new deal, but so far, there seems to be very limited interest around the league.
Lamar Jackson is trying to land a new deal. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Jackson recently called out his haters alleging he sat out games last season because of money. Deion Sanders thinks the dual-threat QB shouldn’t get down in the mud to argue with people.

Kevin Durant had 16 points and eight rebounds in his home debut and the Suns won their third straight game, beating the Timberwolves 107-100.

Sacramento has clinched its first playoff berth since the 2005-06 season, ending a drought that was the longest in the NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB.

Born and raised in the shadows of the Bronx, Anthony Volpe — the next great Yankee hope — is climbing the professional ranks with everyone he knows watching.

Patrick Beverley got a taste of his own medicine, and it was Lakers rising star Austin Reaves who kicked Beverley while he was down Wednesday night.
The Lakers beat the Chicago Bulls, 121-110, in a critical win to return to .500 (38-38) and climb the Western Conference standings (8th).
To sweeten the win, Reaves got back at Patrick Beverley after the ex-Laker went to Crypto.com Arena and disrespected the entirety of the Laker brand en route to a Bulls win on Sunday.

Kings rookie Keegan Murray broke Donovan Mitchell’s record for the most three-pointers scored in an NBA player’s rookie season on Wednesday night when he notched his 188th of the season.
Murray etched his name into the history books in the third quarter of Wednesday night’s game vs. the Trail Blazers in Portland. The former Iowa standout couldn’t help but smile after he scored the record-breaking basket.
To add another impressive dimension to the feat, Murray reached the record with the highest percentage (40.7%) ever for a rookie with at least 400 three-point attempts.

The Knicks’ Julius Randle missed the second half against Miami on Wednesday night because of a sprained left ankle.

Bill Belichick clarified his remark that “the last 25 years” should give Patriots fans optimism, telling the Boston Globe that the team is “not resting on our past laurels.

A deal is in place between the minor league players in the MLBPA and MLB on a historic first collective bargaining agreement for minor leaguers, union officials told ESPN.

Minor league players in the MLBPA and Major League Baseball have reached an agreement for the first-ever collective bargaining agreement for minor leaguers, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Wednesday night.
The players have been sent the deal to vote on. If the agreement is ratified before midnight Friday, then the players will earn the benefits by the time the minor league season begins.
The historic deal is set for five years, and is expected to pay minor leaguers at least double the pay they currently receive at every level in the minor leagues.

Florida’s Anthony Richardson, who is considered one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2023 NFL draft, has six team visits set up after Thursday’s pro day in Gainesville, The Score’s Jordan Schultz reported on Wednesday.
As of now, the quarterback will meet with the Panthers, Colts, Titans, Raiders, Falcons and Ravens, per Schultz.
The Panthers have the No. 1 overall pick after a blockbuster trade with the Bears.

Former Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III is in discussions to potentially join one of the two groups bidding for the Commanders, he said on The Rich Eisen Show on Tuesday.
Griffin would be an addition to the Josh Harris/Mitchell Rales group, which includes former NBA great Magic Johnson. This group placed a $6 million bid on the team Tuesday. Griffin said he’s “been having some really great conversations” with the group.
“I’m head over heels about that process,” Griffin said.

Boy does Nick Saban make a lot of money each year.
The legendary Alabama head coach has a flawless track record of success in Tuscaloosa that’s earned him essentially a permanent spot at the top of the salary leaderboard.
Saban has led the Crimson Tide to an 112-13 record over the past nine years, and won six national titles. Overall he’s a remarkable 183-25 since taking over at Alabama.
Beyond the team’s success, Saban has helped develop countless NFL superstars at virtually every position. He’s helped turn Alabama back into a juggernaut.

After a March to remember, Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell is eyeing the next level.
Nowell has declared for the 2023 NBA draft, according to a Wednesday evening post on his Instagram page. The post comes on the heels of the Wildcats’ elimination at the hands of Florida Atlantic in the Elite Eight on Saturday evening at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
“To play in the NBA has been a dream of mine since I was seven years old and I finally have the opportunity to turn a dream into a reality,” Nowell wrote, thanking Kansas State fans for embracing a “kid from Harlem, N.Y.

At some point, we have to let fans be fans. Another NBA fanatic was ejected from a game Wednesday night between the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies.
Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, who was booted from the Lakers with no remorse, got a fan kicked out of FedExForum before the end of the first half.

(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Westbrook Complains, Has Fan Booted
With 1:21 left in the second quarter, Westbrook signaled in the direction of a Memphis Grizzlies fan to game officials.

In what was a rather unusual occurrence, Lakers star LeBron James actually was called for traveling Wednesday night.
During a matchup against the Bulls in Chicago, James committed one of the most egregious travels of the season, prompting a whistle from the referee. 
James, who was attempting to attack the basket, could be seen taking as many as five steps and even leaving the ground with both feet as he ran into traffic in the lane. 
While officials blowing the whistle for a travel has become something of a lost art in the NBA, LeBron’s violation was simply too egregious to ignore.

Could undergarments be the secret to UConn‘s success in March Madness?
Huskies men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley’s wife told the New York Post that her husband has worn the same pair of fire-breathing dragon underwear during the team’s four wins in this year’s NCAA tournament. 
OK, stop laughing. 
It’s true. 
Many coaches and players are superstitious, and we can now confirm the Huskies head coach has a pair of lucky cartoon game-day underwear.
“They’re like Underoos for adults,” Andrea Hurley, told the Post.

A streaker at Tuesday’s Texas-Texas A&M baseball game in College Station was arrested on charges of criminal trespass and disorderly conduct and exposure, the Houston Chronicle reported.
The streaker turned out to be 19-year-old Texas A&M freshman cross country athlete Spencer Werner. He was released from jail Wednesday after his $2,800 bail was posted, according to Brazos County jail records.
During the fifth inning, Werner ran onto the field wearing just compression shorts, gloves and a Darth Maul mask.

Before Baker Mayfield signed a one-year deal with Buccaneers earlier this month, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL draft was reportedly pursued by the Ravens, according to JoeBucsFan.com.
Mayfield reportedly received an offer in free agency from Baltimore but chose to decline the offer as he was seeking a starting role at quarterback for the 2023 season. At the time of the offer, it still appeared that Jackson was a sure bet to return to the Ravens as the starter.

On Wednesday, Padres manager Bob Melvin revealed that third base coach Matt Williams would be away from the team for an undisclosed amount of time after being diagnosed with colon cancer.
Williams intends to be present for Opening Day festivities on Thursday before undergoing surgery on Friday, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.
“I don’t have any symptoms. I don’t have any issues,” Williams said via ESPN. “At this point, it’s important now to get it out of there. That’s the plan for Friday, and we’ll see how it goes from there.

Former NFL official Bill Leavy, who spent 20 years in the league as a back judge and referee, died on Tuesday, according to Football Zebras. He was 76.
Leavy retired following the 2014 season, taking a supervisory position with the NFL’s officiating department. He remained in that role until his death.
“Bill was one of the great men in our profession and was liked by everyone and respected by every coach,” former NFL umpire Bill Wilson told Football Zebras. “He will be sorely missed.

All eyes are on Sierra Canyon (Calif.) guard Bronny James as the clock is ticking for him to decide where he will play in 2024. The Los Angeles Times reported in January that James will likely choose from three college suitors: Ohio State, Oregon and USC.
However, with James’s options theoretically limitless, a number of observers have proposed potential alternatives—including LaVar Ball, the outspoken father of Bulls and Hornets guards Lonzo and LaMelo Ball.

Free agent wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. is expected to sign a one-year contract with the Lions, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.