All articles tagged with #preseason games
The NCAA's recent rule change allowing college teams to play two public exhibition games against any four-year schools has led to a more competitive and open preseason, exemplified by BYU's game against North Carolina at the Delta Center, with coaches and fans eager for more meaningful matchups and insights into team performance before the regular season.
The NBA is set to return to China for the first time since 2019 with two preseason games between the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns in Macao this October. This marks a significant step in mending the relationship between the NBA and China, which was strained after a 2019 tweet by then-Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey supporting Hong Kong protests. The games will be held at the Venetian Arena, with the NBA also launching youth development programs in Macao. The league's popularity in China remains strong, and basketball is the most popular sport in Macao.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has downplayed the immediate push for an 18-game regular season, emphasizing player safety, collaboration with the players' association, and the quality of the game. While he acknowledges the long-term consideration of expanding the season, he insists that the current focus remains on maintaining the 17-game format and potentially reducing preseason games. The idea of an 18-game season remains on the radar, driven by the league's interest in increasing fan engagement and revenue opportunities.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell clarified that while he floated the idea of an 18-game regular season in exchange for reducing preseason games, it is not an imminent change. He emphasized that any schedule changes would prioritize player safety and require collective bargaining with the players union. The league is also focusing on expanding its international games and adjusting the schedule to enhance postseason contention.
The Buffalo Sabres have trimmed their training camp roster to 39 players by assigning several forwards and a defenseman to the Rochester Americans. Additionally, a number of players on professional tryouts have been released and will report to training camp with Rochester. The Sabres have three preseason games remaining and their camp roster now consists of 21 forwards, 13 defensemen, and five goaltenders.
The final weekend of NFL preseason games is here, with teams making their last preparations before roster cuts. Some teams will treat the games as dress rehearsals, while others will rest their starters. Saturday's matchups include the Buffalo Bills vs. Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks vs. Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals vs. Minnesota Vikings, and New York Jets vs. New York Giants. The games can be watched on NFL Network or NFL+ with a subscription. Teams will use the games to finalize position battles and evaluate potential contributors for their rosters.
Washington Commanders guard Sam Cosmi dismisses the Baltimore Ravens' NFL-record 24-game preseason winning streak as "a stupid record," stating that no one cares about preseason games. Cosmi confidently predicts that the Commanders will end the streak tonight, despite his apparent lack of interest in the record. The Ravens, on the other hand, take pride in their streak and are favored to make it 25 consecutive wins.
On the 12th day of Washington Commanders' training camp, head coach Ron Rivera addressed reports of players being unhappy with Eric Bieniemy's coaching methods. However, the focus remained on football, with a high-tempo, competitive practice session. As the regular season approaches, the team is preparing for preseason games, joint sessions with the Baltimore Ravens, and final cuts before their opening-day match against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Green Bay Packers have released their schedule leading up to Week 1, including training camp practices, joint practices with the Bengals and Patriots, preseason games against the Bengals and Patriots, roster reduction, and the start of the regular season on September 10 against the Bears.
The Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves are set to play two NBA preseason games in Abu Dhabi on October 5 and 7 as part of the annual Abu Dhabi Games. The games will take place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island and aim to introduce basketball and its values to young boys and girls in the UAE and globally.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton plans to implement a more rigorous offseason training program, including a month of strength training and mandatory preseason games for all players. Payton believes this approach will extend the playing time and overall health of his athletes. He has also brought in Beau Lower as vice president of player health & performance to help develop a good rapport with the players. Payton's plans are not meant as an indictment on the way things were done before, but rather a conviction to do things his way in Denver.