The “90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic in the News – December 23” roundup highlighted the buildup to the 2025 College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, set for Dec. 31 as part of the expanded CFP bracket, featuring No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Miami along with previews, stories and media coverage about the teams and event. In the days that followed, coverage focused on Miami’s defensive improvements and game-week notes leading into kickoff; after the game, Miami upset defending national champion Ohio State 24-14, advancing to the CFP semifinals, with individual honors such as Mark Fletcher Jr. being named the Classic’s offensive MVP and Keionte Scott earning defensive recognition among other postgame highlights.

In a Week 16 NFL highlight, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy threw a career-high five touchdown passes to lead San Francisco to a 48-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts, spoiling Philip Rivers’ homecoming in his brief 2025 playing return and helping keep the 49ers in the NFC top-seed hunt while also clinching several other playoff spots around the league. Meanwhile, Steelers wide receiver D.K. Metcalf was suspended for two games without pay after a physical altercation with a fan during Pittsburgh’s game against the Lions, a punishment he plans to appeal.

Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker earned a spot on FOX Sports announcer Gus Johnson’s coveted “Got It!” team after a standout performance in the Big Ten Championship Game, where he hauled in six receptions for 126 yards and made pivotal plays to help Indiana defeat Ohio State 13–10 — including a key 51-yard catch and a game-clinching 33-yard reception on third down that helped seal the Hoosiers’ first Big Ten title in 58 years. Johnson praised Becker’s size, route running and “gifted” hands, highlighting him among the season’s top performers selected for the elite list.

Matthews Arena — a historic 115-year-old Boston venue at Northeastern University where Babe Ruth once played hockey and which served as the original home of the Boston Bruins and Celtics — is closing after more than a century of use, with its final events being recent collegiate hockey games before a scheduled demolition to make way for a new multipurpose athletics and recreation complex on the same site; the building hosted not only major sports but also concerts and political events over its long life, and its closure marks the end of an era in Boston sports history.

Caitlin Clark reportedly played a key role in Stephen Curry’s surprising split from Under Armour — though she wasn’t the only factor. Sources say that Curry and his team were frustrated by Under Armour’s perceived “under-investment” in his signature line, and things came to a head when the company failed to sign Clark to join his brand. Under Armour’s offer to Clark reportedly lagged behind Nike’s bid (four years, $16 million vs. Nike’s eight-year, $28 million deal), and Clark ended up signing with Nike instead — a “sore point” for Curry that reportedly contributed to his decision to part ways.However, multiple reports emphasize that while the failed pursuit of Clark added fuel to Curry’s frustration, it was not necessarily the sole or decisive reason for the split; broader issues like weak sales, declining investment in the brand, and a shift in company priorities played major roles too.

St. Louis Cardinals have traded veteran right-hander Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for right-hander Richard Fitts, left-handed pitching prospect Brandon Clarke, and cash (or a player to be named later). Gray — a three-time All-Star who struck out 201 batters in 2025 while going 14-8 with a 4.28 ERA — waived his no-trade clause to make the deal possible. The trade signals a rebuilding push by the Cardinals, while Boston adds a proven veteran arm to bolster its rotation behind ace Garrett Crochet ahead of the 2026 season.

Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto signed a four-year, $30 million extension on Nov. 13, which starts in the 2026–27 season. The deal has an average annual value of $7.5 million. At 25 years old, Pinto was set to become a restricted free agent, but the Senators locked him into their core as his ice time and production continue to grow — this season he has posted 14 points (8 goals, 6 assists) in 17 games while averaging a career-high nearly 19½ minutes per night. GM Steve Staios called him “an important part of our core” and said the extension gives the group a chance to build together.

Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown was released from a Miami jail after posting $25,000 bail following a not-guilty plea on a second-degree attempted murder charge. A judge ordered him to wear a GPS ankle monitor and stay under low-level house arrest as he awaits trial, where he could face up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. According to the indictment, the charge stems from a May 16 incident in Miami — after a celebrity boxing match — in which Brown allegedly grabbed a gun from security and fired two shots at a man he had previously fought with; one bullet reportedly grazed the man’s neck. Brown’s attorney disputes parts of the affidavit, claiming he used his own gun and didn’t aim at anyone.

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Rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage of the Toronto Blue Jays has quickly become a postseason sensation. After being called up from the minor leagues just weeks ago, he dominated the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the 2025 World Series — striking out 12 batters without issuing a walk, a rookie series record. He noted that this playoff run will mean a significant boost in his earnings: “This playoff paycheck is going to be nice,” he said, reflecting on how far he’s come from his $60K rookie salary and how much the postseason share could be.