By Field Level Media

Oct 08 (Field Level Media) – The Golden State Valkyries are pursuing their first WNBA championship, but the second-year franchise has already achieved a historic financial milestone, according to a Sportico report.

The outlet reported on Wednesday that the Valkyries have exceeded $100 million in annual revenue. Golden State is not only the first WNBA team to reach that financial mark but also the first women’s professional sports team to do so.

CNBC valued Golden State at $1 billion earlier this year, making it the most valuable women’s sports franchise.

The Valkyries sold out all 22 regular-season home games in 2026, their second year of existence. Those fans in attendance witnessed a 32-12 season, good enough for the second-best record in the league.

The Valkyries parlayed that into a first-round series win over the Dallas Wings, and Golden State leads its best-of-five series with the Las Vegas Aces 1-0.

Sportico further reported that a run to the WNBA Finals could push the franchise’s gross revenue past $130 million.

President Jess Smith has credited her organization’s commitment to meeting the fans’ demands.

“What we know about our fan base in women’s sports, and specifically around the Valkyries, is they want us to be really good stewards,” Smith told the San Francisco Standard earlier this year. “They want us to be powerful and unapologetic.”

(–Field Level Media)

By Field Level Media

Oct 08 (Field Level Media) – Dallas Stars forward Joel Kiviranta will miss at least a week due to a lower- body injury, coach Glen Gulutzan said Wednesday.

Kiviranta was injured blocking a shot in the Stars’ 5-0 home victory over the San Jose Sharks on Monday. Dallas has road games on Thursday at Buffalo and Saturday at Pittsburgh before a home contest against Colorado next Tuesday.

“Kivi’s going to be out here for, we’re hoping only a week here,” Gulutzan said. “He blocked a shot so, we’ll know more today, but he’s not going to go on the trip. He’s not going to play both games, but we are hoping it’s a week.”

Kiviranta, 30, has one goal, a plus-1 rating, one block and three hits in two games this season. The native of Finland played his first four NHL seasons with Dallas (2019-23) before three years with the Colorado Avalanche (2023-26). He signed as a free agent for one year with the Stars in July.

He has 70 career points (39 goals, 31 assists), a plus-9 rating, 100 penalty minutes, 142 blocks and 529 hits in 351 regular-season games. He has 14 points (seven goals, seven assists), a plus-12 rating, 16 penalty minutes, 33 blocks and 134 hits in 56 playoff games.

(–Field Level Media)

By Field Level Media

Oct 07 (Field Level Media) – A sore right knee — the same knee he underwent surgery on for a torn ACL and meniscus in October 2025 — kept New York Giants star wide receiver Malik Nabers out of practice Wednesday.

Following the team’s two-hour practice in preparation for Sunday’s game at the Washington Commanders, the Pro Bowl receiver appeared to walk with a slight limp but told reporters he was “just sore.”

“We’ll see how the next day goes, but through the week, I’m usually sore,” he added. “But this one was kind of a little bit more sore, but I always continue to fight through it.”

Nabers, 23, tore his ACL while attempting to make a catch against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 28, 2025. He underwent a cleanup procedure in April, then returned to the field for the start of training camp and was in the starting lineup in Week 1.

Nabers produced his best game since his return in Sunday’s 36-24 home victory over the Arizona Cardinals, hauling in six of seven targets for 112 yards and a score. He has 18 receptions, one touchdown and a team-leading 208 yards in four games.

In Sunday’s game, fellow Giants receiver Braxton Berrios sustained a season- ending foot injury.

When told of Nabers’ knee soreness, coach John Harbaugh said, “I’ll take him at his word then.”

“He’s doing great, yeah,” Harbaugh said. “He had a great day. Great spirits today. He had a good work day.”

Nabers, 23, is in his third season after being selected sixth overall by the Giants in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was a Pro Bowler as a rookie and has amassed 145 receptions for 1,683 yards and 10 touchdowns in his 23 career games (21 starts).

In other injury news for the Giants, defensive lineman Chauncey Golston is exploring his options after suffering a neck injury against the Cardinals.

“Chauncey Golston’s neck injury ‘could be’ long term; he’s getting second opinions,” Harbaugh told reporters.

Golston, 28, is in his second season with the Giants and has 12 tackles in four games (two starts). In 78 games (19 starts) with the Dallas Cowboys (2021-24) and the Giants, the 2021 third-round pick has 167 tackles, one interception, seven passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and 18 quarterback hits.

(–Field Level Media)

By Field Level Media

Oct 07 (Field Level Media) – New Orleans quarterback Tyler Shough doesn’t expect his sore left hand to prevent him from playing on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

Shough’s non-throwing hand was wrapped during the team’s walk-through on Wednesday, when he was listed as limited in an estimation of availability.

He hurt the hand when it was hit during the Saints’ 45-24 home loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night.

“Yeah, just something to keep working on,” Shough, 27, said on a video from the team. “Just got it banged up in the game. Nothing different than anybody else is dealing with quite honestly. Just bumps and bruises and stuff like that.”

He played the entire game, completing 30 of 48 passes (62.5%) for 286 yards and one touchdown. The Falcons recorded 12 quarterback hits and two sacks.

“It’s a shorter week, so I’m obviously sore today, but it’s not going to limit me really at all,” Shough said of the 1-3 Saints’ home game against the Vikings (4-0).

Shough has played all 306 offensive snaps for New Orleans this season and leads the league with 121 completions and 180 attempts. He has thrown for 1,203 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions. Shough also has rushed 16 times for 72 yards and one TD.

He made the NFL All-Rookie Team in 2025, completing 67.6% of his passes for 2,384 yards, 10 TDs and six picks in 11 games. He went 5-4 as a starter.

New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara (back), wide receiver Chris Olave (rest), linebacker Kaden Elliss (calf), edge rusher Anfernee Jennings (knee) and wide receiver/return specialist Barion Brown (thigh) were listed as did not practice on Wednesday’s injury report.

(–Field Level Media)

By Field Level Media

Oct 07 (Field Level Media) – The San Diego Padres activated All-Star closer Mason Miller from the paternity list prior to Wednesday night’s Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers.

Miller was placed on the list Tuesday, hours before the Padres recorded a 4-3 victory to remain alive in the best-of-five series. Starting pitcher Michael King filled Miller’s closing role with two shutout innings.

“Everything went well so far with him and his wife and he should be back,” Padres manager Craig Stammen told reporters shortly before the Padres officially announced Miller’s return.

The right-handed Miller blew the save in Game 2 on Sunday when the Padres fell 4-3 in Milwaukee. He was asked to get six outs for the first time all season and he was able to get only five before serving up Jackson Chourio’s game- winning, two-run single.

Left-handed setup man Adrian Morejon (shoulder) is expected back Wednesday after being unavailable in Game 3.

The Padres removed left-hander Wandy Peralta from the roster for Miller’s return. Miller is 0-1 with one save and a 6.75 ERA in two appearances this postseason.

San Diego right-hander Walker Buehler (9-6, 4.83 ERA in the regular season) and left-hander Robert Gasser (5-5, 3.87) are the Game 4 starters.

Gasser was in the Padres’ system before being traded to the Brewers in August 2022 as part of the package in which left-handed reliever Josh Hader went to San Diego. Gasser has never faced his former team.

Milwaukee leads the series 2-1 and can wrap it up with a victory Wednesday in San Diego.

(–Field Level Media)

By Field Level Media

Oct 07 (Field Level Media) – Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was a full participant in practice Wednesday, another step toward his return from a left elbow injury.

Daniels hurt his non-throwing arm on the final play of the first half in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys and traveled with the Commanders (1-3) to London last week. He was limited in every practice before the loss to the Indianapolis Colts, when starter Marcus Mariota went down with a sprained knee.

Rookie Athan Kaliakmanis replaced Mariota, but Daniels took the reps in Wednesday’s practice. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed he plans to start Daniels this week against the visiting New York Giants (3-1), barring any setbacks.

“The goal is for him to have a full week of practice and start on Sunday,” Quinn said. “We won’t put him out there before he’s ready.”

Part of getting ready was beginning work in Wednesday’s practice on protecting his elbow. Quinn said there are some adjustments for Daniels to make and others for the team to address.

Daniels wore a brace on his left elbow and plans to keep it on for game day.

“I’m gonna embrace the brace,” Daniels said. “Go out there and be the best version of myself.”

Daniels, 25, missed time last season with the same injury and was forced to exit his first game back in 2025 after spraining the same elbow. He played a total of only seven games last season due to multiple injuries.

He has completed only 57% of his passes this season (29 of 51) but has three touchdowns and no turnovers in six quarters of game action in 2026. He is 3-0 in his career against the Giants.

“Just putting in the countless hours of work and preparation,” Daniels said. “Just go out there and give myself the best opportunity to perform to the best of my ability on Sunday.”

The Commanders hosted former United Football League MVP quarterback Jack Plummer on Wednesday morning, according to the league transactions log.

(–Field Level Media)

By Field Level Media

Oct 07 (Field Level Media) – Las Vegas Aces veteran guard Jewell Loyd has been ruled out of Wednesday night’s Game 2 semifinal contest against the host Golden State Valkyries due to a left leg injury.

Loyd was injured during the third quarter of Game 1 on Sunday and she missed the rest of the contest. Loyd was scoreless in 17 minutes.

The 2023 WNBA scoring champion, who averaged 24.7 points per game for the Seattle Storm, is now a role player for the Aces. The 12th-year pro, who turned 33 on Monday, is averaging a career-low 8.0 points per game.

Loyd, a six-time All-Star, has a career average of 15.4 points per game.

Las Vegas managed a season-low point total in Sunday’s 71-60 loss to Golden State in Game 1 in San Francisco.

Aces coach Becky Hammon mentioned being shorthanded after the loss.

“We don’t have a lot of time to sulk about it,” Hammon said. “Nobody feels bad for us. It’s the next woman up.”

Forward Stephanie Talbot (left leg) is questionable for Las Vegas, while guard Dana Evans (right knee) has been upgraded to probable. Both players missed Game 1.

(–Field Level Media)

By Field Level Media

Oct 07 (Field Level Media) – The Houston Texans rode the NFL’s top-ranked defense to a wild-card berth in 2025.

They returned 10 starters from a unit that allowed a league-low 17.4 points per game.

But after an 0-4 start to the 2026 season, head coach DeMeco Ryans announced Wednesday that he would take over the defensive play-calling responsibilities from coordinator Matt Burke.

“If there’s a lack in communication, I look at myself first, so it starts with me and making sure I’m a better communicator,” Ryans said during his Wednesday news conference. “If our guys are saying communication is not right, then ultimately it falls on me. So, it’s on me to get it fixed.

“It’s no slight against coach Burke. He’s done an outstanding job. Just want to make sure I can streamline communication in the best way possible so that isn’t the theme when I stand up here the next time I see you guys and talk about communication.”

Ryans and Burke both came to Houston in 2023, and the defense has never allowed more than 21.9 points per game.

However, the Texans are 20th in yards allowed per game (343.8) and 27th in points allowed per game (27.3).

The final straw came Sunday when, after holding the Dallas Cowboys to six first-half points, Houston permitted 28 in the second half of a 34-30 loss.

“It’s a tough decision to make. Also, as a head coach, I have a lot of tough decisions I have to make,” Ryans said. “My decisions are not always a popular opinion. I’m not in this role to please a lot of people’s opinions.

“I have to do what’s best for this team and make sure I’m leading in that way, and unfortunately, everybody isn’t happy when you make changes, when you make decisions from my chair. Everybody isn’t happy, and that’s OK because I know everything that I try to do and strive to do is for the men in that locker room: to give those guys the best chance possible to go out and win our first football game.”

(–Field Level Media)

NEW YORK, Oct 7 (Reuters) – NFL players will not be disciplined for celebrations that imitate drinking a beverage, the league and union said on Wednesday, after a high-profile saga involving 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk this season prompted outcry and mockery from fans.

The NFL was once known derisively as the “No Fun League” for its hard line stance on end-zone celebrations but relaxed its rules in 2017, allowing for elaborate dances and routines in a largely well-received shift.

But the line between what is and is not permitted in the heat of celebration became blurred last month when Juszczyk was fined for a gesture that the NFL said imitated swigging a beer ​during an on-field celebration.

Juszczyk, who appealed the decision, posted several examples of his drinking celebration that went unpunished, saying that the celebratory sip was a nod to his nickname “Juice.” He told ESPN’s NFL ​insider Adam Schefter: “I don’t even drink beer!”

“Recent celebrations imitating drinking a beverage will not be considered violations or result in discipline,” the NFL and NFLPA said in a joint statement.

Juszczyk also saw his fine rescinded on Wednesday, according to media reports. 

The joint statement reminded players that certain gestures, including those depicting violence, the use of weapons, smoking or drug use were not permitted.

“The league-wide guidance provides players with greater clarity on how they can celebrate while remaining within the rules,” the statement read.

“When conduct falls into a gray area, the league will contact the player and provide direction before imposing discipline. The player will be advised that continued use of the identified celebration may result in future fines.”

(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New YorkEditing by Toby Davis)

By Field Level Media

Oct 07 (Field Level Media) – In a depth trade, the Pittsburgh Penguins sent forward Filip Hallander to the Edmonton Oilers for defenseman Spencer Stastney on Wednesday.

Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas has traded Hallander twice and acquired him once. As general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2020, he acquired Hallander in a trade that sent Kasperi Kapanen to Pittsburgh.

Dubas then dealt Hallander back to Pittsburgh to acquire Jared McCann, who was subsequently selected by Seattle in the 2021 expansion draft. Now, Dubas has shipped Hallander north of the border.

Hallander, 26, had an outstanding opening night, scoring a goal and adding two assists in Pittsburgh’s 7-0 win at Philadelphia. He played 9:39 on Oct. 3 against Montreal and was a healthy scratch Monday against Winnipeg.

In parts of four seasons with the Penguins, Hallander has played 18 games, recording two goals and five assists while posting a plus-8 rating.

Stastney was a healthy scratch for Edmonton’s first three games. The 26-year- old native of Woodridge, Ill., split time between Edmonton and Nashville last season, appearing in 66 totl games, after playing 51 games for the Predators from 2022-25.

He has four goals, 15 assists and 30 penalty minutes in 117 career games.

Stastney is not expected to crack the Penguins’ top six defensemen but adds NHL-caliber depth to the group.

(–Field Level Media)