Latest Sports News
Sidney Crosby Named Canada Hockey Captain at Olympics
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Sidney Crosby has been named captain of Canada's men's hockey team as NHL players return to the Winter Olympics after a 12-year absence since Sochi 2014. The team arrived in Milan, setting up a potential rematch with the US from Vancouver 2010. This marks a significant moment for hockey fans.
Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony Draws Strong Viewership
NBC and Rai reported robust audiences for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening, signaling a viewership rebound. NHL games on ESPN averaged 795,000 viewers, up 39% year-over-year, highlighted by the Stadium Series' 2.1 million. The event pauses the NHL schedule.
US Mixed Doubles Curling Team Reaches Gold Medal Game
Team USA's mixed doubles curling squad advanced to the gold-medal match for the first time ever after a semifinal victory over Italy. Day 3 features this historic finale alongside other key events. Coverage continues on NBC platforms.
Dutch Dominate Women's Speed Skating 1000m with 1-2 Finish
Jutta Leerdam won gold and Femke Kok silver in the women's speed skating 1000m, both breaking the previous Olympic record. This strong performance highlights Dutch prowess on Day 3 of the Milan-Cortina Games. Full results available on NBC Olympics.
Franjo von Allmen Wins Second Gold in Alpine Team Event
Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen claimed his second gold at the Games in the inaugural Olympic Alpine skiing team combined event with partner Tanguy Nef. This marks the first multi-gold athlete of Milan-Cortina 2026. Updates from NBC live coverage.
NHL Stadium Series Sets Cable Viewership Record
The February 1 Stadium Series game averaged 2.1 million viewers on ESPN, becoming the most-watched NHL regular season game ever on cable. Overall NHL viewership is up 39% YoY amid Olympic pause. ESPN reports continued growth.
ESPN's Australian Open Finals Draw Largest Audiences in Years
Carlos Alcaraz's men's singles final win averaged 730,000 viewers, ESPN's biggest in nine years, while Elena Rybakina's women's final hit 487,000, the top since 2020. Viewership rose 29% YoY overall. Ties into strong sports media trends.
NBC Launches Sunday Night Basketball with 3.6M Viewers
NBC's debut Sunday Night Basketball on February 1 averaged 3.6 million viewers, plus 900,000 on Telemundo and Peacock. This new format boosts basketball visibility ahead of Olympics. Strong streaming complements traditional TV.
US Women's Hockey Faces Key Olympic Matchup
Live updates highlight Team USA women's hockey on Day 3 of the Winter Olympics, alongside curling and snowboarding events. Zoi Sadowski-Synnott of New Zealand tops qualifiers in women's snowboard big air. NBC provides full coverage.
Serena Williams Defended by Holger Rune Amid Super Bowl Ad Criticism
Serena Williams faced backlash for a Super Bowl ad promoting GLP-1 drugs, but ATP star Holger Rune publicly supported her choice, emphasizing personal and medical decisions. The ad aired post-Super Bowl LX buildup. Discussion highlights athlete endorsements.
Six Nations Rugby Kicks Off with 46% Viewership Surge
The Six Nations Championship opener saw a 46% year-over-year increase, with USA Network delivering its largest regular season audiences ever in the first four games. Coverage builds momentum into February fixtures. SportsPro notes platform shifts.