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Oct 4, 2022

WSJ EXCLUSIVE: An investigation into Hans Niemann, the chess grandmaster accused of cheating by Magnus Carlsen, found a widespread pattern of cheating beyond what he publicly admitted—likely in more than 100 online games. New with @joshrobinson23:

Chess Investigation Finds That U.S. Grandmaster ‘Likely Cheated’ More Than 100 Times

An internal report reviewed by The Wall Street Journal alleges a previously unknown pattern of likely widespread cheating by Hans Moke Niemann, the player whose September victory over Magnus Carlsen...

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The AGs of California and New York are investigating the NFL for employment discrimination—adding to the mounting scrutiny of the workplace behavior in America’s most popular sport.

New York, California AGs Launch Investigation Into the NFL

California attorney general Rob Bonta and New York attorney general Letitia James said they issued subpoenas to the league in a probe of alleged employment discrimination and a hostile work environ...

May 4

The going rate for top-shelf NFL QBs is now over $50M, and it's not just because the cap has gone up—they're finally getting a larger share of the pie too.

The Going Rate for Elite NFL Quarterbacks Is Now $50 Million a Year

The league is richer than ever—and record-breaking contracts for stars Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts show how that money is increasingly being lavished on quarterbacks.

Lindsey Adler

@lindseyadler

Apr 30

Don’t throw Shohei Ohtani your best pitch — he might steal it. On the king of proprioception:

Don’t Throw Shohei Ohtani Your Best Pitch—He Might Steal It

The two-way star’s skill as an elite hitter allows him to replicate the best pitches he faces—helping him build a frightening arsenal of different pitches.

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Joshua Robinson

Apr 30

Chess crowned its first ever male world champion from China as Ding Liren topped Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi. But can Ding tempt the world's best player, Magnus Carlsen, into competing for the title again? From

and me:

China’s Ding Liren Wins Dramatic World Chess Championship, Replacing Magnus Carlsen

Ding Liren claimed the title, which Magnus Carlsen chose not to defend, with a dramatic victory in tiebreakers over Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi.

Apr 30

Ding Liren barely made it into the world chess championship. He trailed at several points once he got there and choked away a game in unbelievable fashion. Then his prep work leaked. Ding became the new world champion anyway. With

China’s Ding Liren Wins Dramatic World Chess Championship, Replacing Magnus Carlsen

Ding Liren claimed the title, which Magnus Carlsen chose not to defend, with a dramatic victory in tiebreakers over Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi.

Apr 29

Stetson Bennett was an all-time great college football player. I wrote about the disconnect between that and why he hasn’t been drafted yet. (He also might be sneaky good late value.)

Stetson Bennett Faces a Long Wait at the NFL Draft

The quarterback won back-to-back national championships. That didn’t translate into becoming a top pro prospect.

Apr 28

Lamar Jackson's record contract. Three quarterbacks in the top four of the draft. Two running backs in the top 15!?!?! A lot has happened today in the NFL.

Lamar Jackson’s Record-Breaking Contract, Early QBs Dominate NFL Draft

Hours before the draft began with the Carolina Panthers taking Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, the Ravens signed their star quarterback to a long-term deal after he had previously asked to be traded.

Apr 28

Anthony Richardson is the the type of prospect that in a few years will make the Colts look like complete geniuses—or completely misguided.

The NFL Draft’s Best Athlete Is Also Its Greatest Enigma

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson had an unremarkable college career. This one number explains why he may be a star in the pros.

Apr 27

Lamar Jackson said he wanted to be traded from the Ravens. But it was really about getting paid. Then he got a record-breaking $260 million contract.

Lamar Jackson’s Record-Breaking Contract, Early QBs Dominate NFL Draft

And a huge thanks to

for helping me explain something crazy: Richardson is the most athletic NFL quarterback on record—and it's not particularly close.

The NFL Draft’s Best Athlete Is Also Its Greatest Enigma

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson had an unremarkable college career. This one number explains why he may be a star in the pros.

Anthony Richardson is the most fascinating player in this NFL draft because there's no one else with a bigger disconnect between what he actually did in college and what he may be capable of someday as a pro.

The NFL Draft’s Best Athlete Is Also Its Greatest Enigma

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson had an unremarkable college career. This one number explains why he may be a star in the pros.

The Jets were the only suitor for Aaron Rodgers and gave up a lot for a player who makes them Super Bowl contenders—but also has an enormous contract and will be a short-term rental.

Packers, Jets Agree to Aaron Rodgers Trade

The deal comes after the star quarterback said he wanted to play for New York after 18 seasons in Green Bay.

Jason Gay

@jasongay

Apr 24

No sports topic is sillier than the semi-regular "participation trophy” debate. It's a fake crisis that obscures a real issue in youth sports: participation is down, rec leagues are struggling, and travel sports are pushing kids away. New column:

‘Participation Trophies’ Are a Fake Crisis. Here’s the Real Problem for Youth Sports.

A proposed ban on hardware hits North Carolina, ignoring a far bigger issue.

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Apr 21

Over the last two decades, only two NFL players had been suspended for violating the league's sports betting rules. Then five, including four Detroit Lions, were suspended on Friday.

NFL Suspends Five Players for Sports Gambling

The suspensions, including four Detroit Lions, are the biggest crackdown yet since betting on sports became widely legal across the U.S.

Apr 19

The Jets need Aaron Rodgers. But the Packers need the Jets. The month since Rodgers said he plans to play for the Jets has shown why finding a deal for a 39-year-old quarterback with an mega contract (and who could retire after a year) is so tricky.

Trading Aaron Rodgers to the Jets Is Complicated. Here’s Why.

A month since the star quarterback said he intends to play for New York, the Packers and Jets haven’t been able to agree on a deal yet because Rodgers is a uniquely complicated asset.

Hamlin also confirmed what has long been believed: this was caused by commotio cordis, a rare phenomenon that occurs after someone receives a blow to the chest. My brilliant colleague

explained all about it in January.

The Rare Heart Phenomenon Thought to Have Caused Damar Hamlin’s Collapse

Commotio cordis involves a blow to the chest that occurs during a 30-millisecond window in the heart’s electrical cycle.

Damar Hamlin has been fully cleared to return to football, continuing his remarkable recovery from a terrifying life-threatening cardiac incident watched by millions on national TV just a few months ago.

Damar Hamlin Cleared to Resume Full Football Activities

The Buffalo Bills safety’s return was approved just 3½ months after his terrifying collapse during an NFL game in January.

Show this thread

Adam Schefter

@AdamSchefter

Hamlin cleared, incident 'not the end of my story'

More about Bills safety’ Damar Hamlin being fully cleared to return to playing football, via

@agetzenberg

espn.com

Damar Hamlin has been cleared by three specialists to return to football. The Bills safety said commotio cordis caused his cardiac arrest and that the event is "life changing, but it's not the end of...

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Magnus Carlsen is the five-time World Chess Champion. While two of his rivals vie to replace him, he was recently applying his genius to a different game: poker.

and I wrote about the greatest chess player ever taking on cards:

The World Chess Championship Is Happening. Magnus Carlsen Is Playing Poker Instead.

While his rivals battle for the title in Kazakhstan, the highest rated grandmaster of all time spent a night calling bluffs instead of pushing pawns.

Joshua Robinson

While his chess rivals battle for the World Championship in Kazakhstan, Magnus Carlsen has been playing a different game: poker. It turns out that the highest rated chess player of all time is pretty decent at that too. From

and me:

The World Chess Championship Is Happening. Magnus Carlsen Is Playing Poker Instead.

While his rivals battle for the title in Kazakhstan, the highest rated grandmaster of all time spent a night calling bluffs instead of pushing pawns.

Ben Cohen

@bzcohen

Apr 14

It collects trillions of dollars every year, but it runs on archaic code and obsolete software. I talked to the guy who audits the auditors about why the aging tech of the IRS is a big American problem: wsj.com/articles/tax-i

Dan Snyder is nearing a $6 billion deal to sell the Washington Commanders to a group led by Josh Harris. But as

reminds its readers in any deals story, it's not done until it's actually done.

Dan Snyder Nears $6 Billion Deal to Sell Washington Commanders to Josh Harris

The deal with a group led by Harris would end Snyder’s controversial ownership with a record-breaking sale following problems for Snyder and the team on multiple fronts.

Jason Gay

@jasongay

Apr 14

When a reader wrote to me about Ryan Scoble, I didn't believe it. A student was back playing college lacrosse - after receiving a heart transplant? I went to Erie, Pa. to see it for myself. He's the most incredible sports comeback I've ever seen. New:

He Had a Heart Transplant. Now He’s Back Playing College Lacrosse.

Ryan Scoble’s life changed dramatically two years ago. He never stopped believing he could return to the game he loved.

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Dan Snyder is nearing a deal to sell the Commanders to a group led by Josh Harris for $6 billion—though nothing has been inked quite yet.

Dan Snyder Nears $6 Billion Deal to Sell Washington Commanders to Josh Harris

The deal with a group led by Harris would end Snyder’s controversial ownership with a record-breaking sale following problems for Snyder and the team on multiple fronts.

Apr 12

It's been two weeks since Russia wrongfully detained WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich. He was arrested for doing his job: reporting on some of the most important news in the world. #IStandWithEvan

Lindsey Adler

@lindseyadler

Apr 11

We talked to ballplayers and game theorists about baseball’s weird new challenge: Deciding when to use your pickoff throws. With

The New Baseball Rule That Has Turned Pickoff Moves Into Game Theory

Pitchers are now allowed a total of just three pickoff attempts per at-bat, which has launched a radical re-evaluation of how and when to use them.

Apr 10

The State Department designated WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich as “wrongfully detained” by Russian security services. Officials said the speed at which the designation was reached was unprecedented.

U.S. Deems WSJ Reporter Evan Gershkovich ‘Wrongfully Detained’ by Russia

The official designation enables the U.S. to press a foreign government and unlocks other resources to work on freeing Mr. Gershkovich.

The Wall Street Journal

Apr 9

Breaking: Jon Rahm came from behind to win the Masters. The Spaniard overtook Brooks Koepka for his second major title.

Jon Rahm Rallies to Win the Masters

The Spaniard overtook Brooks Koepka to take the green jacket, while Phil Mickelson surged up the leaderboard on Sunday to finish tied for second.

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Apr 8

Sam Bennett, an amateur, is in the final group of the Masters today. But what's more incredible is that Bennett doesn't sound the least bit surprised—he's a brash 23-year-old who's used to playing incredibly when people count him out.

The Amateur With an Attitude Vying to Win the Masters

Sam Bennett is in the hunt to win the Masters. He also has a swagger unlike anyone else who’s trying to pull off an all-time stunner.

Louise Radnofsky

U.S. Faces Challenge in Striking Prisoner Exchange Deals for Americans Held in Russia

Apr 8

The release of WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich could rest on the recently revived, and coldly transactional, universe of international prisoner exchanges. With ⁦

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For detainees like Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, release often rests on identifying Russian prisoners to swap them for.

Apr 8

Sam Bennett is the Johnny Football of golf. On Sammy Golf, the swaggering amateur in the hunt at the Masters:

The Amateur With an Attitude Vying to Win the Masters

Sam Bennett is in the hunt to win the Masters. He also has a swagger unlike anyone else who’s trying to pull off an all-time stunner.

Brooks is back.

LIV Golf’s Brooks Koepka Surges to the Masters Lead

The star who once dominated majors, then was hampered by injuries, was back in form at the top of the leaderboard during Friday’s second round.

Apr 7

The must-have accessory at the Masters these days isn't a green jacket. It's a smartwatch. That's because it's the hack for getting around Augusta National's cell phone ban.

The Hack to Get Around the Phone Ban at The Masters: Smartwatches

Augusta National doesn’t allow fans to bring in cell phones. But devices such as electronic watches aren’t part of the ban—and are a hack for fans to skirt the rules.

Joshua Robinson

Apr 7

Magnus Carlsen reminded the world on Thursday that elite chess in 2023 isn’t just about tactical brilliance. It’s also about mouse dexterity. On the online mouse slip heard round the chess world, by

and me:

Magnus Carlsen’s Reign Over Chess Ends With a Slip of the Mouse

In his last official game before being replaced as world champion, Magnus Carlsen lost online when he accidentally gave up his queen by dropping it on the wrong square.

Jason Gay

@jasongay

Apr 6

In appreciation of Scottie Scheffler, Masters defending champ, World No. 1, and golf's reigning medium energy king:

The Sizzling Snooze of Golf Star Scottie Scheffler

He might not have the flashiest game or personality. But the defending Masters champ has kept on winning–and is a favorite in Augusta.

Apr 5

The controversy consuming golf has sped its way down Magnolia Lane and straight into this Masters. But Augusta National chair Fred Ridley avoided saying the word LIV, even though it's not hard to decipher his feelings anyway. With

The Masters Navigates a Tricky Journey Through the LIV Golf Battlefield

With players in LIV gear at Augusta National, the club’s chairman tiptoed around the feud that’s upending a sport with an uncertain future.

The Wall Street Journal

Apr 5

Evan Gershkovich has written exclusive accounts about the Kremlin’s war efforts, profiled Russian dissidents and reported from Russian border towns on the toll of the Ukraine war. Here is a selection of his work, made available to readers for free.

On the Ground in Putin’s Russia: Evan Gershkovich’s Coverage of a Country at War

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been arrested in Russia for what Moscow described as espionage. The Journal denies the accusation and is urging his immediate release. Here is a...

The shockwaves from LIV Golf are already being felt at the Masters—and that only projects to increase at future majors as LIV players fall further in the rankings. With

The Masters Is Feeling the Shockwaves of LIV Golf

The field at this season’s first major is already being reshaped by the tumult in the golf world—and it foreshadows more drastic effects to come.

Louise Radnofsky

Apr 3

Evan Gershkovich covered Russia’s detention of Brittney Griner for

: from news of her arrest, through her trial and the grueling negotiations for her release, right up to her return to the U.S. Now, he is the face of the new era of state hostage-taking