President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Isidoros Kouvelos, with Vangelis Marinakis, owner of Capital Maritime & Trading Corp. Photo: Hellenic Olympic Committee
Evangelos Marinakis, Capital Maritime and Trading Corp., ready to renovate Panathenaic Stadiumin support of Hellenic Olympic Committee
The Hellenic Olympic Committee HOC announced a strategic Gold Sponsorship partnership with Capital Maritime and Trading Corp and its chairman and founder Mr. Evangelos Marinakis. The partnership marks a significant step in strengthening Greece’s Olympic and athletic infrastructure while honoring the country’s historic sporting legacy.
Renovation of the Panathenaic Stadium
As part of the agreement Capital Maritime and Trading Corp will fully finance and execute the comprehensive renovation of the Panathenaic Stadium. The iconic monument reconstructed in the 19th century by national benefactor Georgios Averof for the revival of the first modern Olympic Games will return to its original purpose as a world class athletics venue.
Diamond League Level Infrastructure
The renovation will upgrade the stadium’s infrastructure to allow it to host international athletics competitions at Diamond League level, and also includes the installation of a new track surface that complies with all Diamond League specifications ensuring elite competition standards, as well as the replacement of the existing lighting system with state of the art LED technology.
Sustainability and Lighting Upgrades
The new lighting will enhance the visual character of the Panathenaic Stadium while reducing energy consumption and minimizing environmental impact. It will also create an illuminated nighttime route that highlights the history of the Olympic revival offering a distinctive experience for Greek and international visitors.
Illumination of the HOC Headquarters
Mr. Marinakis will also sponsor the illumination of the Hellenic Olympic Committee headquarters on Kifissias Avenue. Internationally acclaimed Greek lighting designer Eleftheria Deko whose work includes the Acropolis designed the project. The lighting aims to bring light culture and a contemporary aesthetic to the city.
Statement From Evangelos Marinakis
“The Panathenaic Stadium is far more than a sporting venue, Marinakis said. “It is a symbol of timeless Greek ideals fair competition sportsmanship and friendship among peoples.
“These values were born in ancient Greece revived with the first modern Olympic Games of 1896 in this very stadium and continue to inspire the world today. Our goal is to support this monument over the long term and keep it alive reminding us that sport is not merely an event but a continuation of values history and inspiration for future generations.”
Statement From the Hellenic Olympic Committee
HOC President Mr. Isidoros Kouvelos praised the partnership and Marinakis’ commitment to Greek sport.
“Evangelos Marinakis is a true man of sport who has consistently and generously supported every initiative that promotes its core values,” Kouvelos said. “A devoted supporter of the Olympic ideal and the power of sport, he continues to contribute in a meaningful and lasting way, both through the renovation of the Panathenaic Stadium, which will be able to host major international athletics competitions, and through his support of athletes and initiatives requested by the Hellenic Olympic Committee.
“He is a sponsor without time or financial limitations, who seeks no reciprocal benefit and demonstrates through his actions his genuine commitment to Greek sport and Olympic education. The Hellenic Olympic Committee extends its sincere gratitude for his ongoing and invaluable contribution.”
Continued Support of Greek Athletes
Days earlier, Marinakis also announced his support of world champion wrestler Giorgos Kougioumtsidis through ALTER EGO Media further underscoring his ongoing involvement in Greek sport.
NFL SATURDAY Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrates after scoring against the Washington Commanders, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
With the NCAA football regular season wrapped up, the NFL is reclaiming Saturday broadcasts this week, delivering fans a doubleheader of divisional drama. Saturday’s slate features two back-to-back matchups that could reshape the playoff picture in both the NFC East and NFC North.
The Philadelphia Eagles head to the nation’s capital to face the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. ET on Fox.
Philadelphia, looking to win its second straight after a midseason skid, can clinch the NFC East title with a victory. The Commanders, meanwhile, are limping to the finish line without quarterback Jayden Daniels, enduring a campaign they’d prefer to forget. For Washington, the focus is already shifting toward 2026, but for the Eagles, this game represents a chance to solidify their playoff positioning and regain momentum heading into January.
Packers vs. Bears: NFC North Heavyweight Clash
At 8:20 p.m. ET on Fox, the spotlight shifts to Chicago, where the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears collide in a battle atop the NFC North.
Green Bay enters at 9–4–1, coming off a disappointing loss to the Broncos and reeling from the season-ending injury to defensive star Micah Parsons. The Bears, on the other hand, are surging at 10–4, winners of six of their last seven, and aiming to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Soldier Field will be buzzing as Chicago looks to cement its division lead against its oldest rival.
Sunday Slate: Packed with Key Matchups
Following Thursday and Saturday’s divisional-heavy schedule, Sunday offers just one in-division contest: the Carolina Panthers visiting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The day features a full lineup with seven 1:00 p.m. ET kickoffs, two games at 4:05 p.m., and two more at 4:25 p.m.
Marquee contests include the Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Chargers, the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Denver Broncos, and the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions.
Sunday Night Football: Ravens Host Patriots
Week 16 concludes under the lights in Baltimore, where theRavens host the New England Patriots on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. With playoff implications across the AFC, this primetime matchup caps off a weekend packed with divisional intrigue and postseason stakes.
National Broadcast Information
Saturday Doubleheader: Eagles vs. Commanders (5:00 p.m. ET, Fox), Packers vs. Bears (8:20 p.m. ET, Fox)
Sunday Night Football: Ravens vs. Patriots (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
Radio Coverage: Westwood One and ESPN Radio will carry national broadcasts, with local affiliates providing team-specific coverage.
The NFL’s return to Saturday broadcasts ensures fans won’t miss a beat as the playoff race intensifies. With divisional titles and postseason berths on the line, Week 16 promises drama from Saturday afternoon through Sunday night.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter Sunday’s matchup against the Carolina Panthers with urgency after a crushing defeat last week. Tampa Bay blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead and fell 29-28 to the Atlanta Falcons, a loss that left head coach Todd Bowles visibly frustrated. His profanity-laced postgame remarks underscored the team’s lack of focus and accountability. Now, with both teams sitting at 7-7, the showdown in Charlotte will determine who takes control of the NFC South heading into the final stretch.
Star wide receiver Mike Evans and Bowles have been vocal in reminding the locker room that the Buccaneers are better than their recent play suggests. Evans emphasized leadership and execution, while Bowles demanded accountability from every level of the roster. “We understood the message after the ball game,” Bowles said. “Everybody is hard at work and trying to do the right things to win.”
Quarterback Baker Mayfield echoed the sentiment, calling out teammates for missed opportunities while taking responsibility for the offense’s struggles. All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs added that players should “stew” over the Atlanta loss during the mini-bye, using it as motivation to correct mistakes.
Division Title Still Within Reach
Despite losing five of their last six and six of eight overall, the Buccaneers still control their destiny. A win Sunday would put them back atop the NFC South, and two victories in their final three games would secure a fifth straight division title. Even if they split their two meetings with Carolina, Tampa Bay could clinch if the Panthers stumble against Seattle next week.
Bowles reminded his team that December football is about resilience: “You get up the next day, put your head down, you go to work, and you try to correct the little things. We’re playing meaningful games in December and that’s all you can ask for.”
Broadcast Information
Sunday’s game between the Buccaneers and Panthers kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The matchup will be televised nationally on FOX, with regional coverage across the NFC South markets. Fans can also tune in via Westwood One Radio and local affiliates, while ESPN Radio will provide national updates throughout the day. Streaming options include NFL+ and FOX Sports digital platforms.
Fired Up and Refocused
The Buccaneers began the season 5-1 and were 6-2 at their bye week, but losses to the Patriots, Bills, Rams, Saints, and Falcons have derailed momentum. Their lone win since was a narrow 20-17 victory over Arizona. Still, Bowles insists the team has everything in front of them. With Evans leading the offense and Bowles demanding accountability, Tampa Bay knows a win in Carolina could reset their season and reignite their push for another NFC South crown.
The James Madison Dukes pose with the Sun Belt Championship trophy- By Robert Simmons AP
By: Matthew Weatherby
I’ll be frank. James Madison would have to walk a tightrope the size of a human hair to win this game. They have next to no shot, and it’s not a knock or disrespectful; it’s just the truth. With that being said, I did say that they had NEXT to no shot. So, what would the Dukes have to do to get the job done in Eugene Saturday night?
I went thumbing through stats yesterday in search of James Madison’s path to win this game. I didn’t come up with much, but I did find a few stats with a strong correlation that could lead to a Dukes win. It all starts with game control.
Time of Possession. It’s not always the flashiest of stats, but it is a solid indicator of game control. James Madison ranks second in the country in time of possession. While Oregon ranks 39th in the country in time of possession. It is a substantial enough gap between the two to deem it relevant. That then begs the question: James Madison controls the game, but how do they do it?
They’ve controlled the game through the ground game on both sides of the ball. They are 5th in the country in rushing offense and second in the country in terms of their rushing defense. Compared to Oregon’s 14th-ranked rushing offense and 20th-ranked rushing defense. Again a somewhat substantial gap in terms of their season-long statistics that I deem to be relevant.
The problem for James Madison is the fact that Oregon is not a team like Troy (who just lost to Jacksonville State by the way); they will not have a talent advantage over Oregon. So if they follow that script exactly, they will still need a couple of “bounce of the ball” plays to go their way and allow them to steal some possessions.
To make a long story short, James Madison has to cut down on how long Oregon has the ball and how many possessions they have overall. If James Madison were to win this game, it would look something similar to Louisville’s week 8 win over Miami, where the Cardinals were able to cut down on Miami’s possessions.
But that won’t happen…
Why Oregon is going to roll
Talked about how James Madison needs turnovers in order to win this game, and Oregon is tied for 18th in the country in turnover margin. Meanwhile, James Madison is 76th in the country in margin. I called James Madison’s path thinner than a tightrope because of not only that, but the outside factors play heavily against them.
They are going to travel roughly 2,800 miles to Eugene. If you think that is easy, ask the Big 10 teams how easy those West Coast trips are. Not to mention Autzen Stadium is LOUD. Oh, plus Oregon is getting healthier and has its full attention on James Madison. There are zero outside factors that favor the Dukes.
Oh, but what about Oregon’s Coordinators? They are leaving to take different jobs. Yeah, so is James Madison’s Head Coach, Bob Chesney.
Oregon actually is not that much larger on the lines of scrimmage, like I had expected. But, they have more depth on the lines and more speed at the skill positions.
Closing Statement + Lines
In a way, I feel bad for James Madison. If they had gotten Ole Miss, some of those outside factors would have shifted. Plus, their game script would be a lot more successful against Ole Miss’s defense. But they didn’t, so their Cinderella dies in Eugene on Saturday night.
Politics8 years ago