Are there some nervous people in Las Vegas where a nearly two-year dance is taking place? The dance where Major League Baseball’s Athletics franchise owner John Fisher continues to look for a partner to help finance his planned baseball stadium in town. The trade war has suddenly made building a stadium much more costly and Fisher’s two companies’ stocks, The Gap and Levi’s, have been hit hard. Because of that wealth, Fisher has claimed that he and his family have the wherewithal to fund the stadium that is projected to cost about $1.75 billion. Nevada politicians have put aside $380 million to help Fisher fund the project.
The saga of the Las Vegas stadium has been going on since April 2023 when Fisher decided to leave Oakland and a stadium proposal on the Oakland waterfront behind. Nevada is giving Fisher $380 million in seed money for the construction. That is in the bank but none of that cash becomes available until Fisher spends $100 million on the planned ballpark. The ballpark’s estimated cost has gone up and figures to rise. It is now $1.75 billion. The park will seat about 33,000 people and the original plan was for Las Vegas tourists to stop by and see a game and not count on local fans as much as other franchise owners do in their home markets. Fisher could not or would not make a deal with city of Oakland officials to build a ballpark village at Howard Terminal overlooking the San Francisco Bay and just ended talks with the city and decided there was gold to be found in Las Vegas. Fisher’s team is temporarily in Sacramento and this is supposed to be a three-year run with Las Vegas getting the team when the new stadium opens in 2028. Fisher still has to put up money.
Boston Red Sox’s David Hamilton bats against Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Zack Littell during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
TAMPA (AP) — David Hamilton hit a third-inning home run, four pitchers combined to strike out 13 and the Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 1-0 on Wednesday night.
Hamilton lined a 3-2 fastball just inside the right-field foul pole off Rays starter Zack Littell (0-4) to lead off the third and give Boston all it needed in the three-game series finale. The Red Sox rebounded from Monday’s 16-1 loss to win the final two games.
Playing without Alex Bregman, on paternity leave after a career-high five hits with two homers in Tuesday’s win, the Boston bullpen limited the Rays to one hit over the final 4 1/3 innings.
Relievers Greg Weissert (1-0), Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten combined to retire 13 of the final 14 Tampa Bay hitters with no walks and nine strikeouts.
Slaten retired all three batters in the ninth, fanning two, for his second save.
Red Sox starter Sean Newcomb walked the first hitter of the game but allowed just four hits over 4 2/3 innings. Boston didn’t allow a runner past second base.
Littell pitched six strong innings, allowing five hits and one run, but the Rays gave him no run support. Tampa Bay has scored two or fewer runs in 21 of his last 24 starts.
Key moment
Newcomb left in the fifth with a 1-0 lead, two outs and the tying run on second. Weissert entered and struck out Yandy Díaz to get out of the inning.
Key stat
Rafael Devers became the 31st player to appear in 1,000 games in a Red Sox uniform.
Up next
Taj Bradley (2-0, 3.71 ERA) starts for the Rays in the opener of a four-game series against the Yankees on Thursday. New York starts Will Warren (1-0, 5.14).
Boston has Thursday off before starting a seven-game homestand on Friday against the White Sox and Mariners.
South Florida women’s basketball graduate guard Sammie Puisis has signed a WNBA training camp contract with the Chicago Sky, the organization announced on Wednesday.
Puisis is the 10th Bull in program history to either be drafted or signed to a free agent/training camp contract, and the ninth Bull coached by Head Coach Jose Fernandez.
USF has the potential to have four ProBulls playing in the WNBA this season: Courtney Williams (Minnesota Lynx), Kitija Laksa (Pheonix Mercury), Elena Tsineke (Las Vegas Aces – Training Camp Contract), and Puisis (Chicago Sky – Training Camp Contract).
GRADUATE GUARD SAMMIE PUISIS SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Ranked 5th nationally in Total 3PM (106 3PM) & 6th in 3PM Per Game (3.2 3PM avg.).
Puisis’ 28 points against Tennessee in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament is tied for the second-most points by a Bull in an NCAA Tournament Game (Kitja Laksa vs Buffalo 3/17/18). The five triples by Puisis tie the single-game NCAA Tournament record by a USF performer.
Named to USBWA Ann Myers Drysdale Award Midseason Watch List.
Named USBWA National Player of the Week (Dec. 24) and AP Player of the Week Honorable Mention (Dec. 24).
Led with career-best 34 points (6 3PM) in win against Memphis (Feb. 22).
Led all scorers with 23 points (3-3 3FG, 8-8 FT) in upset of No. 9/10 Duke (Dec. 21).
Puisis is the third Bull in program history to have 20+ points in a win against an AP Top-10 opponent and the second-ever Bull to shoot 100% from 3-point range in a win against an AP Top-10 opponent. (Duke, Dec. 21).
WNBA training camps begin on Sunday, April 27 and the 2025 regular season kicks off on Friday, May 16.
2025-26 SEASON TICKETS Bulls fans, it’s time to lock in your seats for another exciting season of USF Basketball! The 2025-26 season promises competitive matchups and unforgettable moments at the Yuengling Center. Buy your season tickets here.
FOLLOW US For complete coverage of USF women’s basketball, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).
TICKETS Fans can purchase women’s basketball tickets by calling 1-800-GoBulls or at USFBullsTix.com.
ABOUT SOUTH FLORIDA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL South Florida women’s basketball has made 19 postseason tournament appearances and had 10 NCAA Tournament berths in head coach Jose Fernandez‘s 25 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided the Bulls to 12 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2008-09 WNIT championship, and has won 485 career games, and is the all-time wins leader in the American Athletic Conference.
Buccaneers fans at Raymond James Stadium / via buccaneers.com
By – Bucs Report
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are among the top-rated NFL teams whose performance is followed by football lovers in the US and far beyond its borders. There’s still time before the season begins, but both fans and bettors are already preparing for upcoming matches, using the NFL offseason changes overview to track how teams like the Buccaneers have adjusted their lineups. Learning more about the current roster and emerging players who’ve recently joined the Buccaneers is nothing but exciting, so let’s have a closer look at the most promising athletes in 2025.
Mike Evans, Wide Receiver
The athlete has a long history with the Buccaneers, having been with the team since 2014 and playing a key role in many of their victories. Known as one of the NFL’s elite receivers, Evans is a frequent highlight on American betting sites by NonGamStopBookmakers.net, where his individual performance odds attract a lot of attention. He remains a top pick among betting lovers, especially those looking for standout players each week.
Considering the growing popularity of the NFL outside the American borders, many British residents should consider wagering on Mike Evans. While traditional sports betting continues to thrive, the rise of independent esports betting shows how fans are exploring new ways to engage with their favourite games and players. The athlete is a veteran of the Buccaneers who form the driving force of the team’s offence. His outstanding abilities include spectacular catches and precise touchdowns, and fans anticipate even better results during the 2025 season.
Chris Godwin, Wide Receiver
Chris Godwin joined the Buccaneers in 2017 and quickly became a favourite due to his unique football talents. The wide receiver perfectly complements Mike Evans, and the two players regularly lead the club to loud victories. His performances and leadership are often discussed in the NFL podcast by Bucs Report, reflecting his impact on the team and the league. Godwin re-signed his contract in 2025, meaning he will spend at least three more years with the FC, which has become an update delighting all NFL fans. Chris is the Buccaneers’ veteran who is aware of the team culture and knows how to surprise viewers when entering the field.
Lavonte David, Linebacker
This athlete attracted the attention of football fans for many years, and his partnership with the Buccaneers is among the longest. Lavonte became an FC member in 2012. He has been forming a strong team defence for over a decade and is not planning to give up his task this season. Just like choosing a casino not on GamStop for more flexible gameplay, relying on David’s consistent performance brings added value to betting strategies. He shows perfect skills in reading the game and predicting rivals’ tactics, so his opinion is critical when building winning strategies. The athlete is an icon for many football lovers, and betting fans also shouldn’t ignore his performance on bookmaker sites, as it’s really promising this year.
Jamel Dean, Cornerback
Dean is a cornerback known for his skills and the ability to cover the entire field. The athlete seems to be in different places simultaneously, which is one of the reasons why football fans closely follow his actions. The player has already spent several seasons with the Buccaneers – he joined the team in 2019, and his persistence and athleticism are worth special attention. Jamel Dean is among the athletes writing modern NFL history, and we are confident that he will impress viewers with his defensive abilities during the following matches.
Haason Reddick, Linebacker
It may seem that only team veterans are worth attention, which is far from the case. Haason Reddick, a newcomer to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is projected to bring a new dimension to the FC’s defence. The linebacker has recently signed a one-year contract, and fans closely follow his performance to understand whether he will help the club become more successful during upcoming NFL matches. He previously played several seasons for the Arizona Cardinals; his speed and ability to adjust to any situation improve the team’s results and offer more beneficial positions.
SirVocea Dennis, Linebacker
The linebacker is beginning his second season with the Buccaneers and has a massive opportunity to show consistent performance in the upcoming NFL contests. During his first matches with the team, he held secondary roles, but this year, the FC management aims to let him take more responsibilities in defence. Fans are inspired to follow his development in the league and are confident he’ll unlock his potential soon. SirVocea can be a breakout Buccaneers player this season, so don’t miss any updates about him.
Trey Palmer, Wide Receiver
Palmer joined the Buccaneers in the 2024 NFL Draft; the young athlete previously played for Louisiana State University and entered the league last year. He can potentially become a powerful force in the team’s offence, as his speed and striking abilities are the key to success. Trey is known as a versatile receiver, and fans are confident he didn’t have the chance to show all his talents during the previous season. Following his growth is a thrilling adventure, as many football lovers project he’ll become the leading Buccaneers player soon.
Final Insight
The 2025 NFL season promises to be exciting for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, planning to boost their performance with a blend of veterans and younger players. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will continue leading the team forward, while new members will have to adjust to the situation and try to bring consistent success. Fans’ attention is specifically drawn to Trey Palmer and SirVocea Dennis, who have yet to unlock their full potential on the field.
