📰🏟️ On the move

Good afternoon. The top five sports stories of the day are at your fingertips. Just keep scrolling.

—Kyle & Peter

1) MLB free agency kicks off this afternoon

Free agents are officially allowed to sign with MLB teams starting at 4 pm CT. It marks the last free-agency period before the MLB’s collective-bargaining agreement expires after next season, a move which many analysts believe will result in a lockout.

• This impending lockout scenario is expected to shape how players and teams approach deals this offseason.
• Major free agents this year include OF Kyle Tucker, 3B Alex Bregman, DH Kyle Schwarber, SP Framber Valdez, 1B Pete Alonso, OF Cody Bellinger, and more.

Ranking the top 50 MLB free agents

2) NHL’s Eastern Conference dominates the West

For the first time since the NHL established conferences in 1974, all 16 teams in the East are at or above .500 (by points percentage) after one month of action.

• The last-place team in the East—two-time defending champ Florida Panthers—is currently tied for the second-best odds to win the Stanley Cup this year, per FanDuel.
• The East’s historic start has coincided with a complete dismantling of the opposing conference, with teams going 54-32-5 against the West so far this season.

What the puck is going on?

3) ESPN Bet is closing up shop

Penn Entertainment this morning announced plans to opt out of its sports betting partnership contract with ESPN on December 1, ending a 10-year, $2 billion deal to create an ESPN-branded sportsbook.

• Instead, ESPN is returning to a multiyear partnership with DraftKings, while the app formerly known as ESPN Bet will be rebranded as The ScoreBet.
• Penn’s exit comes as ESPN Bet held less than 5% market share—far below the 20% share the two companies were aiming for by 2027.

Inside Penn’s failed bet

4) Cowboys DL Marshawn Kneeland dies at age 24

Kneeland’s passing was announced this morning by the Dallas Cowboys. Texas police later confirmed Kneeland died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after crashing his vehicle following a police chase.

• Kneeland was a 2nd-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Western Michigan, and had scored his first career NFL TD this past Monday night.
• The Cowboys are currently on their bye week, and aren’t scheduled to return to practice until Monday.

More on the tragic story

5) Ovechkin becomes 1st player in NHL history to 900 goals 

Capitals LW Alexander Ovechkin found the net in the second period of Washington’s victory against the St. Louis Blues last night, bringing Ovi to 900 goals across his illustrious 21-year career. (Bonus: Goalie tries to hide the puck)

• Ovechkin had previously surpassed Wayne Gretzky (895 goals) as the all-time goal leader in April, and finished last season with 897.
• The longtime Capitals star has 977 goals when including the NHL playoffs, ranking second all-time behind Gretzky (1,016).

Explore Ovi’s greatness

🔥📸 In Partnership with Photobucket

Every parent has the photos. Nobody has them all in one safe place

Youth sports means a dozen parents capturing different moments from different angles. Photobucket brings every shot together in one, shareable place the whole team can access, and is now FREE for new sign-ups.

Built for team parents and coaches of all levels:

• Collect photos from every parent into one shared album
• Full privacy control—keep your team's moments private
• Store every game photo, video and highlight in full quality
• Auto-upload from phones, group chats, Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp