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1) 49ers injury probe to examine nearby electrical substation 

After having another promising season derailed by injuries, the San Francisco 49ers have launched an investigation to identify any underlying causes behind the team’s recurring injury problems.

According to 49ers GM John Lynch, that investigation will “look into everything”—including the social-media-fueled conspiracy theory linking the 49ers’ injury problems to an electrical substation near their practice facility and Levi’s Stadium.

• As the theory goes, the substation recently quadrupled in size and may be exposing the players to excessive electromotive force (EMF).
• While this idea has been shot down by various scientists and medical professionals, the 49ers say they’re looking into all possibilities at this stage.

Inside the 49ers search for a higher power

2) Judge deals another blow to NCAA eligibility rules

Yesterday, an Alabama state judge granted temporary eligibility to former—and possibly future—Crimson Tide men’s basketball player Charles Bediako, allowing him to suit up as early as Saturday against Tennessee. 

The decision came despite Bediako already having played three seasons in the G League (including a game last Saturday), and also briefly signing a two-way NBA contract with the Spurs.

• It also goes against a recent statement from NCAA President Charlie Baker pledging that any player who signed an NBA contract would not be granted college eligibility.
• If confirmed, the judge’s decision could open the door for G League and two-way players across the US to go back to college.

Explore the NCAA’s latest legal defeat

3) AP unveils NFL MVP finalists alongside other awards

The five finalists for the AP’s 2025 NFL MVP award contains just one non-QB: running back Christian McCaffrey, who joins Drake Maye, Matthew Stafford, Josh Allen, and Trevor Lawrence.

• McCaffrey and Maye are also finalists for Offensive Player of the Year, while McCaffrey and Lawrence are among the finalists for Comeback Player of the Year.
• The winners will be announced at the "NFL Honors" show on Feb. 5, three days ahead of Super Bowl LX in San Francisco.

See the full list of NFL award finalists

4) Mets acquire All-Star SP Freddy Peralta from the Brewers

Milwaukee agreed to send Peralta, the team’s ace starting pitcher, to the New York Mets in exchange for top prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat.

• Peralta, 29, who has 1-yr and $8M left on his contract before free agency, was a hot commodity on the trade market after amassing 200+ strikeouts in each of the past three seasons (one of two MLB pitchers to do so).
• The trade marks the Mets’ third significant acquisition in the past week, following the signing of 2B/SS Bo Bichette (3-yr, $126M) and a trade for Chicago White Sox CF Luis Robert Jr.

What are the Mets cooking in the Big Apple?

5) NBA signs multi-year extension to play in Abu Dhabi

The NBA and Abu Dhabi’s government yesterday announced a nine-year extension of their ongoing partnership, through which the league hosts preseason games in the Middle East each year.

• The UAE’s basketball fanbase has grown by 25+% since the NBA’s annual preseason trips started in 2022, while participation has jumped by 60%, per league officials.
• The new deal also involves establishing an NBA Global Academy in Abu Dhabi for top high school-aged athletes, which will serve as a worldwide hub for the league’s NBA Academy program.

Read more

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