After double-digit increases in its regular-season and wild-card playoff round ratings, the NFL is looking for another large bump in ratings during this weekend’s division round.
The league and Nielsen said last weekend’s six wild-card games averaged 32 million viewers, a 13% jump from last year. It was also the most-watched opening weekend of the NFL playoffs since the field expanded to 14 teams in the 2020 season.
Overall, it was the most-watched wild-card round since the 2015 season and the fifth highest since average viewer numbers started being tracked in 1988.
Fox averaged 37.5 million for the Green Bay-San Francisco Saturday night divisional matchup two years ago, which was the most-watched Saturday NFL playoff game on record.
The 49ers will face the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night, which drew some criticism in some quarters because they played in Philadelphia in the late afternoon Sunday window and have a short week. Meanwhile, the Rams and Chicago Bears both played on Saturday.
The Rams and Bears though will close the weekend on Sunday night on NBC.
The last time at least one team didn’t have a short week between the wild-card and divisional rounds was the 2018 season.
“We have teams every week playing from Monday night to Sunday,” Schroeder said. “That’s just the way it breaks every year, which is some team on Sunday has to play Saturday the next weekend. We work very hard with our football ops team and making sure we’re starting with what’s competitively fair.”
A champion will be crowned but college football chaos will linger beyond Indiana-Miami title game
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Eligibility lawsuits, the out-of-control transfer portal, bickering over congressional legislation and the decades-old dilemma over coaches and their salaries were the steady drumbeat behind a college football season where nothing felt quite settled. When either Miami or Indiana hoists the national title trophy Monday night, the season will come to an end, but there will be plenty to resolve behind the scenes.
Women’s tennis has Coco, Sabalenka, Swiatek and more. The men have ‘Sincaraz’ at the Australian Open
With Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys divvying up the four Grand Slam titles last season, women’s tennis offers quite a bit more intrigue these days than the “Sincaraz” dominance in the men’s game. Seven of the past nine years ended with four different female champions at the major tournaments. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, have combined to win the past eight Slam trophies. They’ve met in the last three major finals. Alcaraz and Sabalenka play first-round matches in Melbourne on Sunday.
EuroLeague CEO criticizes NBA’s ambitious European plan as a ‘bit of a broken record’
LONDON (AP) — EuroLeague is the top men’s basketball league outside the NBA. It’s not thrilled about the NBA’s plans to create a new competition on the continent. It’s not concerned, either. EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas says “We’ve been here for 26 years. We know how Europe functions.” The NBA in partnership with FIBA is eying the creation of a 16-team league with target start of October 2027. Some of those teams might come from the EuroLeague. Motiejunas tells The Associated Press that it is confident in keeping its teams like Real Madrid on board.
Ukraine’s young skiers practice in a bombed-out Olympic training base
CHERNIHIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s historic Chernihiv biathlon and cross-country training center, which produced the country’s first Olympic medalist, remains in ruins after Russia’s 2022 invasion. Despite bombed-out buildings and constant air-raid threats, children and Olympic hopefuls continue to train on its damaged ski tracks. Athletes like Khrystyna Dmytrenko return sometimes, seeing sport as resilience amid war. Coaches work under dangerous conditions as explosions echo nearby. Local leaders hope to rebuild the facility after the conflict, emphasizing its importance for developing future Olympians.
Bo Bichette and the New York Mets agree to a $126 million, 3-year contract, AP source says
NEW YORK (AP) — Bo Bichette and the New York Mets have agreed to a $126 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced. Bichette, a two-time All-Star at shortstop with the Toronto Blue Jays, will move to third base with the Mets, who have Francisco Lindor at shortstop. Bichette has never played a professional game at the hot corner. Bichette can opt out of the deal after the first or second season to become a free agent again. He would receive $47 million for one year and $89 million for two years, the person said.
J.T. Realmuto agrees to $45 million, 3-year deal to stay with Phillies, AP source says
A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that catcher J.T. Realmuto has agreed to a $45 million, three-year contract to stay with the Philadelphia Phillies. Realmuto can earn an additional $5 million annually in bonuses. The move comes a month after designated hitter Kyle Schwarber also chose to remain with the Phillies. Realmuto, a three-time All-Star, hit .257 with 12 homers last year. He was in the final season of a $115.5 million, five-year contract. Philadelphia has also reached deals with right-hander Brad Keller and outfielder Adolis García this offseason.
Roger Federer steals the show at Australian Open’s first formal opening ceremony
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The Australian Open’s first formal opening ceremony turned into a Roger Federer celebration. On the eve of the season-opening major, Federer played an exhibition doubles match with Andre Agassi and Ash Barty against Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt. The event featured a full house and a performance by Crowded House. Tennis great Rod Laver was also present. Federer, a six-time Australian Open winner, returned to Australia for the first time since 2021. The tournament has become a three-week festival, with over 200,000 fans attending before the main draw singles competitions start Sunday.
Djokovic’s new approach heading into the Australian Open: ’24 is not a bad number’
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic is gearing up for another shot at a 25th Grand Slam title. He jokes about the rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who have blocked his path in the last two years to becoming the most decorated tennis player of all time. Djokovic last won a major at the 2023 U.S. Open. Injuries have been a challenge but he remains optimistic and likes his chances of success at the Australian Open, a tournament he’s won 10 times. He’s paring back his commitments on and off court. Djokovic recently cut ties with the Professional Tennis Players Association, which he co-founded, citing differences in values.
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