Ilona Maher headlines ESPN's Final Four women's basketball alt-cast

U.S. Olympic rugby starIlona Maherwill be the featured guest on ESPN's newly announced alt-cast for the NCAA Women's Final Four.

The network − which is broadcasting the NCAA Tournament semifinals on Friday, April 3 and the women's national championship game on Sunday, April 5 − will have Jess Sims hosting "Courtside at the Women's Final Four," airing on ESPN 2 for the semis and ESPN for the final.

Maher, a member of theUSA's bronze medal-winning teamat the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, will be among a rotating cast of guests, along with ESPN reporter and content creator Katie Feeney.

"I'm incredibly excited to be joining ESPN's 'Courtside'in its first year,"Maher in an ESPN news release. "As a champion of women's sports, I cannot wait to be part of ESPN's presentation of women's basketball on the biggest stage. We are going to see some fantastic games and we're ready to have some fun right next to the action."

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The Alabama bench celebrate after a big three-point shot by Alabama Crimson Tide guard Karly Weathers (22) in the fourth quarter against Louisville during the 2026 NCAA Women's March Madness Second Round basketball at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Ky. Weathers finished with 13 points. March 23, 2026.

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See women's March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

The Alabama bench celebrate after a big three-point shot by Alabama Crimson Tide guard Karly Weathers (22) in the fourth quarter against Louisville during the2026 NCAA Women's March MadnessSecond Round basketball at the KFC Yum Center In Louisville, Ky. Weathers finished with 13 points. March 23, 2026.

The alt-cast will run concurrently with the network's main broadcast of the Final Four (on ESPN) on Friday evening and national championship (on ABC) Sunday afternoon.

Also joining the alt-cast are Minnesota Lynx players Natisha Hiedemanand Courtney Williams − known as the StudBudz to fans of their popular Twitch channel.

In addition, six-time WNBA All-Star Chelsea Gray will join Sims and Maher as a guest analyst for the title game. The Las Vegas Aces guard is a four-time WNBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist.

"'Courtside' will deliver a fresh, authentic perspective on the game," said Meg Aronowitz, ESPN senior vice president of production. "By placing this group right at courtside, we're creating an immersive experience that brings fans closer than ever – capturing the energy of the arena while also delivering insight, personality and fun."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Ilona Maher joins ESPN alt-cast for Women's Final 4 March Madnss

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Ilona Maher headlines ESPN's Final Four women's basketball alt-cast

U.S. Olympic rugby starIlona Maherwill be the featured guest on ESPN's newly announced alt-cast for the NCAA Women...

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Jaguars to play 2027 home slate in Orlando while stadium under construction

The Jacksonville Jaguars will play their home games in Orlando in 2027.

NFL owners gave unanimous approval on Tuesday to the plan to relocate to Camping World Stadium for that one season. Orlando is about 140 miles south of Jacksonville.

The Jaguars' current home, EverBank Stadium, will be unavailable because of a $1.4 billion project to transform it into what the team has named the Stadium of the Future. Work already has started.

Improvements include upgrades to technology as well as a transparent canopy designed to reduce the heat retention at the venue by 70% or more. A remake of the concourses also is scheduled, and shared spaces such as bars and food areas, will be reimagined. New lookout spaces will allow fans a view of Jacksonville.

The construction will limit capacity at EverBank Stadium in the 2026 season, but the Jaguars will play there. Some stadium areas will be closed to seating.

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The project is scheduled to be completed before the 2028 season.

"Following the comprehensive evaluation of our 2027 season playing options, we are pleased that the NFL and NFL owners unanimously agree that Orlando is the location that best meets the needs of the Jaguars, our 2027 opponents, and the National Football League," said Mark Lamping, the team president. "This temporary relocation is a necessary and important step to facilitate the 2028 completion of Jacksonville's Stadium of the Future. We are deeply grateful to our fanbase for their continued support, patience, and enthusiasm during this interim period."

The team has said the renovations will put Jacksonville in line to host events such as the Super Bowl, the Final Four and the college football playoffs. Jacksonville hosted Super Bowl XXXIX on Feb. 6, 2005, when the New England Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21.

The stadium opened in 1995 when the Jaguars joined the NFL. It occupies the site of the old Gator Bowl, built in 1927.

--Field Level Media

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Jaguars to play 2027 home slate in Orlando while stadium under construction

The Jacksonville Jaguars will play their home games in Orlando in 2027. NFL owners gave unanimous ap...

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Patriots coach Mike Vrabel responds after running back seemingly defends Jaden Ivey's anti-LGBTQ remarks

New England Patriotshead coach Mike Vrabel tried to walk the "fine line" he said is in place after his running back, TreVeyon Henderson, seemingly defended the anti-LGBTQ comments made by ex-Chicago Bulls guard Jaden Ivey on Monday.

The Bullswaived Ivey on Monday due to conduct detrimental to the team following a video he posted, where he claimed the NBA was celebrating "unrighteousness" by acknowledging and embracing Pride Month.

Henderson tweeted the video of Ivey, which has now gone viral, and responded with a Bible verse.

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"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven," Henderson quoted from Matthew 5:10.

Vrabel was asked about Henderson's post on Tuesday by reporters.

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"I think there is a fine line. I want to tell you, I love TreVeyon," he said. "I love the person. He cares deeply about our team. He cares deeply about his faith. He cares deeply about his family, his wife, the people in our building. And so I want them to be able to express what they believe in their heart and in their mind, but also want to make sure that they're educated. And we want to be inclusive.

Patriots Star Appears To Show Support For Ex-bulls Player After Rant Against Nba's Pride Month Celebration

"Everything we want to do [is] to provide an environment for people to want to feel comfortable, but also to share their personal beliefs. And then also, we represent the team. And we represent the organization."

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Vrabel received a follow-up question, asking if he would talk to Henderson or the team about what transpired on social media. He responded by saying, "I usually try to," though he noted, "(We're) never going to tell them how to feel."

"(We) certainly want to make sure that they understand that their actions represent something more than just themselves," Vrabel added. "And so I do think there's a line. We're always talking about those kinds of things. We're trying to educate them, no different than myself or you guys or my kids."

Henderson is coming off his rookie season with the Patriots, racking up 911 yards on the ground with nine touchdowns, helping New England get to the Super Bowl. Henderson had just four starts under his belt in Vrabel's first year leading the team, as Rhamondre Stevenson was also a key figure in the Patriots' backfield.

Ivey has been posting similar videos with rants in recent weeks, as the 24-year-old has noted in the past hedeals with depression.

"The world can proclaim LGBTQ, right?" Ivey said inhis latest video. "They proclaim Pride Month and the NBA. They proclaim it. They show it to the world. They say, 'Come join us for Pride Month to celebrate unrighteousness.' They proclaim it. They proclaim it on the billboards. They proclaim in the streets. Unrighteousness. So, how is it that one can't speak righteousness? Who are they to say that this man is crazy?"

Ivey also claimed in a separate video thatCatholicism was a false religion.

Fox News' Ryan Gaydos and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Original article source:Patriots coach Mike Vrabel responds after running back seemingly defends Jaden Ivey's anti-LGBTQ remarks

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Patriots coach Mike Vrabel responds after running back seemingly defends Jaden Ivey's anti-LGBTQ remarks

New England Patriotshead coach Mike Vrabel tried to walk the "fine line" he said is in place after his running ...

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Serbian journalists protest reported attacks, pressure on media

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Dozens of journalists blocked traffic on Wednesday outside the office of Serbia's populistPresident Aleksandar Vucicto protest what they say are mounting attacks and pressure on themedia in the Balkan country.

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The gathering in Belgrade was organized after journalists reporting on local elections inSerbiaon Sunday faced attacks during violent incidents that were reported in at least three out of 10 towns where the balloting was held.

"We want to show solidarity with colleagues who were attacked on that day (Sunday) ... but also to stress the ever harder and more dangerous position of journalists in the field," Serbia's Independent Journalists' Association said in a statement.

The group added that "attacks on journalists are not isolated incidents, they are a systematic blow to the public's right to know."

International observerssaid they witnessed violence and irregularities on Sunday.

The vote was seen as a test for Vucic following more than a year of youth-ledstreet proteststhat have shaken his tight grip on power. His right-wing populist Serbian Progressive Party won in all 10 municipalities.

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Around 20 journalists were attacked on Sunday while more than 100 attacks have been recorded this year, the Serbian media association said.

Authorities have promised to investigate but hardly any of the assailants have been held responsible.

Serbia is formally a candidate nation for EU membership, but Vucic has been accused of clamping down on democracy, including media freedoms, while nourishing ties with Russia and China.

Tensions also soared Tuesday whenpolice raidedthe headquarters of the University of Belgrade, saying they were investigating a student's death. The university said authorities were abusing the case to exert pressure following the student-led protests that first started in November 2024 after atrain station tragedyin the country's north.

Thousands gathered later Tuesday outside the rectorate building in downtown Belgrade to protest the police action. Scuffles briefly erupted when police pushed protesters away from the building.

The youth-led movement formed after a railway stationcanopy collapse in Novi Sadthat killed 16. It has posed the biggest challenge to Vucic's leadership in more than a decade.

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Serbian journalists protest reported attacks, pressure on media

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Dozens of journalists blocked traffic on Wednesday outside the office of Serbia's populistPre...

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Swedish prime minister says he'll let a hard-right party enter a future government

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Sweden's prime minister said Wednesday that his center-right party would allow a rival with far-right roots to enter the government if the country's election this year produces a right-wing majority, taking a further decisive step to bring it into the political mainstream.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has run Sweden since 2022 at the helm of a three-party center-right coalition thatrelies on supportfrom the Sweden Democrats for a parliamentary majority but doesn't give it seats in the Cabinet.

The Sweden Democrats were founded in the 1980s by people who had been active in right-wing extremist groups, including neo-Nazis. They toned down their rhetoric and expelled openly racist members under Jimmie Åkesson, who has led them since 2005.

He oversaw their growth from a marginal movement to Sweden's second-biggest party, with 20.5% of the vote inthe 2022 election— ahead of all its rivals on the right, including Kristersson's conservative Moderate Party. The party has moved toward the mainstream but retains a hard line on immigration. Its rise echoes that of parties on the populist right in many other European countries.

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As a Sept. 13 parliamentary election approaches, center-right parties have been reconsidering their reluctance to bring the Sweden Democrats into government directly. Last month, the Liberals, a junior partner in the government, opened up to accepting them in a future Cabinet.

Kristersson cited that "courageous decision" as a game-changer as he and Åkesson held a joint news conference Wednesday to announce that the prime minister's Moderates would allow the Sweden Democrats into a future government, Swedish news agency TT reported.

Kristersson will be the candidate for prime minister, even if the Sweden Democrats end up as the stronger party, and the Sweden Democrats would get significant responsibility for migration issues.

"In the most difficult situation since World War II, Sweden cannot do without an effective government," Kristersson said, an apparent allusion to crises including the Iran war and Russia's war in Ukraine.

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Swedish prime minister says he'll let a hard-right party enter a future government

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Sweden's prime minister said Wednesday that his center-right party would allow a rival with far-righ...

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