Back-to-back wins after rough start have Williams, Bears breathing easier at bye

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Backtoback wins after rough start have Williams, Bears breathing easier at bye ANDREW SELIGMAN October 3, 2025 at 5:39 AM 0 1 / 2Bears Raiders FootballChicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) carries the ball past Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during the second half of an NFL fo...

- - Back-to-back wins after rough start have Williams, Bears breathing easier at bye

ANDREW SELIGMAN October 3, 2025 at 5:39 AM

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1 / 2Bears Raiders FootballChicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) carries the ball past Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears headed into their bye breathing easier, with back-to-back wins and a .500 record.

They'll take that after a rough start to the season.

"I think the first four games builds confidence, and I understand the first two were losses," Williams said. "I think it builds a lot of momentum and confidence. But ... we've got to go look at everything and be truthful for ourselves."

The Bears (2-2) have room to improve. But they're in a far better place than they were two weeks ago after squeezing out a nailbiter at Las Vegas, with their prized quarterback orchestrating a late touchdown drive and Josh Blackwell blocking a last-minute field goal to preserve a 25-24 victory.

That came on the heels of a 31-14 win over Dallas at home in which Williams — the No. 1 overall draft pick last year — tied a career high with four touchdown passes and Ben Johnson got his first win as an NFL head coach.

Considering how the season began, the Bears are in a decent spot. After all, they blew an 11-point lead in prime time against Minnesota and then got blown out 52-21 by the Lions, nearly matching a franchise record for points allowed in Johnson's return to Detroit. They'll try to keep it going next week at Washington, where last season's collapse began following a bye, ultimately costing coach Matt Eberflus his job.

Williams continues to adjust to Johnson's system.

"Just being more comfortable with everything that Ben and the guys have thrown at me, just being able to grasp it all," he said. "But also be able to go out there and play a game and play it well for the team. That's most important."

While Williams' development and ability to solidify a position that has long haunted Chicago remains the big storyline, it's not the only one. After rebuilding the interior of the offensive line by trading for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and signing center Drew Dalman, the Bears have issues at both tackle spots.

Johnson switched things up last week, giving left tackle Braxton Jones the hook in the second quarter. Theo Benedet, making his first career start, moved from right tackle to the left side. Rookie Ozzy Trapilo came in at right tackle and played 40 snaps with starter Darnell Wright missing the game because of an elbow injury.

Jones, a fifth-round draft pick out of Southern Utah in 2022, has 44 starts for the Bears. He wasn't announced as the left tackle until the week leading up to the opener, after competing in training camp with Trapilo, Benedet and second-year pro Kiran Amegadjie.

Benedet, a second-year player from the University of British Columbia, performed better than Jones last week. Trapilo, a second-rounder from Boston College, did a better job keeping Max Crosby in check and seemed to confirm that he is indeed a right tackle rather than a left tackle, at least for now.

All of which raises another question: What do the Bears do when Wright returns?

Wright has been used exclusively on the right side since the Bears drafted him 10th overall in 2023, but if they want to play him and Trapilo together, a switch to the left side might be in order. If the Bears opt not to move Wright, then what does that mean for Trapilo — particularly if they don't think he can play on the left side?

"I think we need to look at all four games so far as a whole," Johnson said. "We'll get a good feel here over the next few days of where we're at schematically: What are we doing well? What aren't we doing well? And I think we'll really have a good grasp of what we need to do going forward. It's too early for me to tell you that."

The Bears rank 24th in the NFL in rushing and are averaging just 3.8 yards per carry. They're not getting big gains from their running backs, with veteran D'Andre Swift averaging 3.3 yards per run and rookie Kyle Monangai at 3.6 yards.

Chicago isn't stopping the run, either.

The Bears have allowed a league-worst 658 yards rushing, with Las Vegas racking up 240. They hadn't given up that many in a game since Detroit went for 265 in Week 17 of the 2022 season.

"A lot of it also is not getting enough back penetration with the front four, front seven, whatever it may be," safety Kevin Byard said. "And then obviously, on the back end, guys like myself included, when those runs do break out, we need to be able to get those guys down."

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Back-to-back wins after rough start have Williams, Bears breathing easier at bye

Backtoback wins after rough start have Williams, Bears breathing easier at bye ANDREW SELIGMAN October 3, 2025 at ...

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Vikings WR Justin Jefferson confident in offense even with uncertainty at QB position

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Vikings WR Justin Jefferson confident in offense even with uncertainty at QB position Criss Partee October 3, 2025 at 6:06 AM 0 Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is considered by many as the best pass catcher in the NFL.

- - Vikings WR Justin Jefferson confident in offense even with uncertainty at QB position

Criss Partee October 3, 2025 at 6:06 AM

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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is considered by many as the best pass catcher in the NFL.

Jefferson has risen through the ranks of the league's best wideouts despite some noted uncertainty at the quarterback position in Minnesota since being drafted in 2020. Through four games this season, the Vikings are already on quarterback number two following J.J. McCarthy's ankle injury, which caused him to miss the last two weeks.

#Vikings WR Justin Jefferson on the "little bit of uncertainty at QB" this season:"To be honest, that's been my whole entire career since I've been here. Not really flinching on that type of deal, that's something I can't really control… It really doesn't matter who is out… pic.twitter.com/PqJahEyVrd

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) October 2, 2025

"To be honest, that's been my whole entire career since I've been here. Not really flinching on that type of deal, that's something I can't really control… It really doesn't matter who is out there throwing the ball. I always have confidence in myself, and the person throwing the ball that we're gonna make something shake."

Veteran quarterback Carson Wentz has filled in for McCarthy, splitting the last two games with a win against Cincinnati and a loss last week to Pittsburgh in Dublin, Ireland. Last season, McCarthy missed his entire (original) rookie year after suffering a torn meniscus in August of 2024. Sam Darnold started all 17 games, leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record and a playoff appearance.

In 2023, Jefferson caught passes from three starting quarterbacks, with Kirk Cousins, Joshua Dobbs, and Nick Mullens all taking snaps under center for Minnesota. That's six different quarterbacks, Jefferson and the Vikings' offense have had to build chemistry with in less than three full seasons.

In the face of this rotating door of quarterbacks, Jefferson remains an All-Pro and Pro Bowl receiver, making spectacular plays no matter who's throwing the ball.

The confidence Jefferson displays has become a staple of his game during his six-year career in the NFL. Overall, Jefferson is a four-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro selection, and the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year. That year, Jefferson caught 128 receptions, for 1,809 yards receiving and an average of 106.4 yards per game, to lead the league in each category. Jefferson added nine total touchdowns, catching eight and one on the ground.

McCarthy is currently rehabbing his ankle injury, with the team looking at a potential return following the Week 6 bye. In Week 5, the Vikings will play their second consecutive international game against the Cleveland Browns in London, on the heels of last week's loss to the Steelers in Dublin.

Cleveland and Minnesota will kick off Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England.

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&34;Saturday Night Live&34; will look different when it returns Oct. 4. SNL cast shakeup: Here's who's leaving, who's staying, and who's new for season 51

"Saturday Night Live" will look different when it returns Oct. 4.

SNL cast shakeup: Here's who's leaving, who's staying, and who's new for season 51

"Saturday Night Live" will look different when it returns Oct. 4.

By Jillian Sederholm

Jillian Sederholm

Jillian Sederholm is news director at *. *She has worked at EW for more than eight years. Jillian has previously worked as a reporter, social media editor, and homepage producer at NBC News, Digital First Media, Newsday, and *Random Lengths News.*

EW's editorial guidelines

on October 2, 2025 12:02 p.m. ET

The 'Saturday Night Live' season 50 cast. Credit:

Mary Ellen Matthews/NBC via Getty

- Several *Saturday Night Live* stars and writers won't return for the new season, including two longtime cast members.

- Five new featured players are being added, including Please Don't Destroy member Ben Marshall.

- *SNL* season 51 premieres Oct. 4, which marks 22 years to the day since Kenan Thompson's first episode.

A *Saturday Night Live* cast shakeup has the legendary NBC sketch show set to look a bit different when it returns for season 51 on Oct. 4, hosted by Bad Bunny, with several familiar faces leaving and some fresh ones joining.

Although cast turnover has been a given at *SNL* since the early days, the last couple seasons had been fairly steady as the Emmy-winning show geared up for its celebratory 50th anniversary season, including not a single departure during or immediately following its May finale, bucking fan expectations.**

So when numerous cast members suddenly started announcing their exits in late August, even former *SNL* star Punkie Johnson expressed surprise over the turn of events. But the changes are in alignment with *SNL* head Lorne Michaels' previous promise that major cast changes would come ahead of the new season, only guaranteeing the safety of one cast member by name.

Michaels answered in the affirmative when asked by Puck if he planned to "shake things up" with a new cast, explaining that he hadn't wanted "those kind of disruptions" to "take the focus off" the milestone 50th season.

Follow along below as we round up who is confirmed to be leaving the cast, who is for sure sticking around, and who will be fresh faces for season 51.

Lorne Michaels addresses 'SNL' cast shakeups: 'Change is good'

'SNL' alums Cecily Strong, Chloe Fineman, more react to Ego Nwodim's surprise exit: 'One of the best'

Are *SNL *cast members being fired or quitting?

Cast members leaving *Saturday Night Live* ahead of season 51 are a mix of people whose contract options were not picked up and those choosing to leave. NBC is generally gracious enough to let departing performers announce themselves before sending out a press release announcing the full cast closer to the season premiere, though some choose to stay mum.

First a note about the apparent inner workings at Studio 8H: Although there are exceptions over the years, typically a cast member is hired under a seven-year contract and spends their first two years as a featured player. The show can promote them earlier than that, as was the case with people like Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, Kristen Wiig, and Cecily Strong in the past, or let them go after just one year, as has happened with season 50 hire Emil Wakim, and past single-season cast members like Jenny Slate, Sarah Silverman, Rob Riggle, and more recently Chloe Troast and Aristotle Athari.

More often, a featured player is given two years to essentially prove themselves on the show before being let go or promoted to the main — a.k.a. repertory — cast. From there, they are locked in for another five years, although the show still has the choice to not pick up their option each year — meaning they cannot leave on their own, but they could get cut ahead of any new season.

Some cast members who are desperate to leave early can try to work it out with the show to not have their option picked up, while some folks also negotiate new contracts after their initial seven years are up, as has been the case with many stars in recent years. But those behind-the-scenes decisions and negotiations are not made public, so fans don't always know the circumstances around someone's departure. Heck, sometimes even the cast member is not clear on what happened, as is the case with Chris Parnell, who was fired and rehired in the early aughts.**

'SNL' cast members Bowen Yang, Ego Nwodim, Kenan Thompson, Heidi Gardner, Marcello Hernandez, and Sarah Sherman.

Will Heath/NBC via Getty

Is this the biggest cast shakeup in SNL history?

Not quite. Assuming no other cast members announce their exit this year, *SNL* will be down a total of five cast members. The most recent huge cast shakeup was just a few years ago when eight people left after season 47: Aristotle Athari, Aidy Bryant, Pete Davidson, Kate McKinnon, Alex Moffat, Kyle Mooney, Chris Redd, and Melissa Villaseñor.

Before that, the end of season 5 saw the exits of all remaining original cast members, a.k.a. the Not Ready for Prime Time Players — Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, and Gilda Radner — plus Bill Murray and Michaels himself! And nearly the entire cast was wiped after season 11, including Robert Downey Jr. and Anthony Michael Hall.

However, the addition of five new performers this year is the biggest addition since season 39, when the show added eight new cast members: Beck Bennett, Colin Jost, John Milhiser, Kyle Mooney, Mike O'Brien, Nöel Wells, Brooks Wheelan, and Sasheer Zamata.

Who's leaving *SNL *ahead of season 51?

Five cast members are departing ahead of season 51.**

Heidi Gardner (8 seasons)

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

** has confirmed that longtime cast member Heidi Gardner will not be back after eight seasons. Gardner joined the show for season 43 in 2017 and was the longest-serving female cast member on season 50.

Gardner was a solid utility player in sketches and also portrayed a variety of memorable "Weekend Update" characters, including Angel, a.k.a. Every Boxer's Girlfriend From Every Movie About Boxing Ever; teen film critic Bailey Gismert; and Goop employee Baskin Johns. She was also a driving force in getting Travis Kelce to host the show in in 2023.**

Ego Nwodim (7 seasons)

Ego Nwodim as Miss Eggy on 'SNL' with 'Weekend Update' anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che.

In another shocking longtime cast member departure, Ego Nwodim announced that she will not be returning for season 51.

"The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say goodnight. But after seven unforgettable seasons, I have decided to leave SNL," she shared on social media.

Nwodim joined the *SNL *cast in 2018 at the start of season 44, and became a breakout player in both sketches like the viral "Lisa From Temecula" and her "Weekend Update" appearances, including last season's "Miss Eggy" stand-up bit that resulted in the entire studio audience being censored for yelling out a swear word live on air.

Devon Walker (3 seasons)

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Devon Walker revealed on Aug. 25 that he would not be returning after three seasons on *SNL*. Walker joined the cast in 2022 for season 48.

"Me and the show did three years together, and sometimes it was really cool. Sometimes it was toxic as hell," he wrote on Instagram. "But we did what we made the most of what it was, even amidst all of the dysfunction. We made a f‑‑‑ed up lil family."**

Michael Longfellow (3 seasons)

Michael Longfellow.

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

The day after Walker's announcement, Michael Longfellow opened up about not being asked back for season 51. Like Walker, Longfellow was hired for season 48 in 2022.

"Will not be returning for a 4th season at SNL. Wish I was but, so it goes," he wrote on Instagram. "It was the best three years of my life so far. I feel nothing but gratitude for the experience and everyone there."**

Emil Wakim (1 season)

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Featured player Emil Wakim announced on Aug. 27 that he'd been let go. Wakim, *SNL*'s first Lebanese American cast member, was hired just last year at the start of season 50.

"It was a gut punch of a call to get but i'm so grateful for my time there," he posted on social media. "I was so lucky to bring some of myself in there and say things I believed in and I'm excited for whatever chapter comes next."

Which *SNL *cast members will be back for the new season?

Twelve current cast members are either confirmed or presumed to be back for season 51.

Colin Jost and Michael Che

'Weekend Update' co-anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che on 'SNL'.

Will Heath/NBC via Getty

*SNL*'s longtime "Weekend Update" co-anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che will be back for their 12th season behind the news desk together. Frequent *SNL* host Scarlett Johansson recently confirmed to EW that her husband is "going back to work," while EW separately confirmed that Che will be joining him.

James Austin Johnson

James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump on 'SNL'.

Will Heath/NBC via Getty

The only cast member Michaels himself confirmed as returning to Studio 8H is James Austin Johnson, who will continue impersonating President Donald Trump, according to the show boss. Johnson joined *SNL* in 2021 as a season 47 featured player, alongside Aristotle Athari and Sarah Sherman. This will be his fifth season.

Chloe Fineman

Chloe Fineman as Britney Spears on 'SNL'.

Colin CauldwellNBC via Getty

Chloe Fineman confirmed her return when she commented on Longfellow's exit announcement: "will miss ur sleepy ass at pre-tapes." This will be her seventh season, after joining the cast in 2019 for season 45.

Mikey Day on 'SNL'.

Will Heath/NBC via Getty

Now an elder statesman on the cast, Mikey Day returns for a 10th season, which would put him on par with the tenures of Aidy Bryant and Tim Meadows. Day joined *SNL* as a writer in 2013 before being promoted to performer at the start of season 42 in 2016.

Andrew Dismukes

Andrew Dismukes on 'SNL'.

Will Heath/NBC via Getty

Andrew Dismukes, who joined the cast during season 46 in 2020 after working on the writing staff since 2017, will be back for his sixth season.

Marcello Hernández

Marcello Hernandez as Domingo on 'SNL'.

Came all this way, had to explain, direct from Domingo: Marcello Hernández is coming back for his fourth season. He is now the only remaining new hire from season 48, after the exits of Longfellow, Walker, and Molly Kearney. As his costar James Austin Johnson told EW during *SNL50* earlier this year, "One piece of advice for a new cast member on *SNL*, I would say, 'Be Marcello Hernández.'"**

Sarah Sherman

Sarah Sherman on 'SNL'.

Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Sarah Sherman will return for her fifth season — and hopefully back at the "Weekend Update" desk to continue roasting Jost.

Kenan Thompson

Kenan Thompson as Diondre Cole during a 'What's Up With That' sketch on 'SNL'. Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Ooh wee! *SNL*'s longest-tenured cast member, Kenan Thompson, will continue his streak with his 23rd season.

Thompson, who joined the cast in 2003 at age 25, previously told EW the only milestone left for him was "just to be the forever cast member," joking that he and his longtime boss, Michaels, would "both just ride until the wheels fall off."

Last season Thompson, now 47, reunited with his very first host, Jack Black. The season 51 premiere on Oct. 4 will be exactly 22 years to the day since the Emmy winner's first episode.

Bowen Yang on 'SNL'.

Will Heath/NBC via Getty

Bowen Yang is returning for his seventh season. The *Wicked* star joined the cast for season 45 in 2019, after serving on the writing staff for a year.

Speaking to EW in May, Yang discussed looking emotional at the season 50 finale, in which he and Sherman could be seen hugging closely, both on the verge of tears.

"Every finale at goodnights something leaves my body because I'm just relieved from all that happened in that season and this was a big one," he said. "We went through a lot, so many fun memories. I think that was probably what was registering. I was just like, oh, I need to savor these moments before I don't have them anymore."

When asked directly if that meant he would not be coming back for season 51, Yang dodged the question. "No, we're not doing that," he told EW with a laugh.

Ashley Padilla

Ashley Padilla on 'SNL'.

Kait Dugan/NBC via Getty

Ashley Padilla, a standout featured player added in season 50, will return for her second season.

Jane Wickline

Jane Wickline on 'Weekend Update'.

Will Heath/NBC via Getty

Jane Wickline, also added as a featured player in season 50, will be back as well.

Who are the new SNL cast members joining for season 51?

*Saturday Night Live* has announced a whopping five new cast members joining as featured players in season 51: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska. Fans are already familiar with Marshall, who makes up one-third of the comedy trio Please Don't Destroy — along with John Higgins and Martin Herlihy — which has created digital videos at *SNL* since season 47.

Shortly after news of Marshall joining the cast, Higgins announced he has decided to step away from *SNL *to pursue acting opportunities. While Herlihy will remain on the show's writing staff, we won't be getting any new Please Don't Destroy videos as we know them.**

Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, Veronika Slowikowska.

Andrew Thomas; Jim Cambridge; Cobey Arner

Which *SNL *writers are leaving?

Several Emmy-winning or nominated *SNL* writers will also be missing from the new season.

Celeste Yim was the first staffer to officially announce their exit after Michaels' turnover remarks when they revealed their departure on Aug. 24. Yim, who was hired at the beginning of season 46 in 2020, was the first out nonbinary member of the *SNL* writing staff. Yim was a scribe behind sketches like "It Gets Better," "L'Eggs," "Bugs Assembly," and Yang and Aidy Bryant's Trend Forecasters on "Weekend Update." Yim was nominated for the Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series Emmy every year from 2021-2025.

Rosebud Baker, who joined the show in 2022 during season 47, announced in an Instagram Story that she would not be back. Baker contribute primarily to "Weekend Update" jokes. She was nominated for a Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series Emmy every year from 2022-2025.

Finally, Steven Castillo, who was first hired in 2017 for season 43 and previously left during season 48 and part of season 49, also announced he is exiting the show again. Castillo was behind the fan-favorite "Tiny Horse" with Timothee Chalamet, "Dying Mrs. Gomez," "Weird Little Flute" with Kid Cudi, and the *Squid Game *parody song. Castillo is nominated for an Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series Emmy this year.

EW has confirmed that Auguste White is also leaving the cast just ahead of the season premiere. White, who joined the writing staff in 2022 for season 48, just won an Emmy for her work on *SNL50: The Anniversary Special.***

Are there new writers for *SNL *season 51?

Yes, EW can confirm that* Saturday Night Live* has added seven new writers for season 51: Jack Bensinger, Tucker Flodman, Maxwell Gay, Claire McFadden, Rachel Pegram, Jo Sunday, and Maddie Wiener. (The news was first reported by *Variety*.)

Who is leaving the SNL cast despite not being on it?

Amid the flood of headlines about people exiting the show, *Brooklyn Nine-Nine* star Chelsea Peretti, who has previously written for *Saturday Night Live*, hilariously announced last week that she too was leaving the cast, with an Instagram post declaring: "CHELSEA PERETTI TO EXIT SNL AND 'WASN'T EVEN A CAST MEMBER'."**

***Sign up for **'s free daily newsletter* *to get breaking news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.***

*Saturday Night Live* season 51 premieres Oct. 4 at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT, on NBC and Peacock.

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SNL cast shakeup: Here's who's leaving, who's staying, and who's new for season 51

&34;Saturday Night Live&34; will look different when it returns Oct. 4. SNL cast shakeup: Here's who...

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Unrivaled heads to Philadelphia next season for the league's 1st 'tour stop'

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Unrivaled heads to Philadelphia next season for the league's 1st 'tour stop' ALANIS THAMES October 3, 2025 at 4:47 AM 0 FILE A player jumps to shoot during an Unrivaled 3on3 basketball semifinal, March 16, 2025, in Medley, Fla.

- - Unrivaled heads to Philadelphia next season for the league's 1st 'tour stop'

ALANIS THAMES October 3, 2025 at 4:47 AM

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FILE - A player jumps to shoot during an Unrivaled 3-on-3 basketball semifinal, March 16, 2025, in Medley, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File) ()

Unrivaled is on its way to Philadelphia.

The 3-on-3 women's basketball league headed by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart announced Thursday that it will play a pair of games at Xfinity Mobile Arena, home of the NBA's 76ers and NHL's Flyers, during its second season.

Four clubs will compete in back-to-back matchups under the league's standard format on Jan. 30, 2026. The specific teams will be revealed when Unrivaled releases its full schedule in November. The event, billed as the league's first official "tour stop," will mark the first women's professional basketball games played in Philadelphia since 1998.

"This groundbreaking league is set to elevate the women's basketball ecosystem as a whole," comedian and actor Wanda Sykes, an Unrivaled investor, said in a statement, "and we are honored that Philly has been chosen as its first-ever tour stop."

Unrivaled's home base will remain at Wayfair Arena, the 850-seat arena in Miami where games were played in its inaugural season, which wrapped up in March. But the initiative is part of Unrivaled's aim for long-term sustainability, driven in part by its fan engagement strategies.

The league has already announced expansion from six to eight teams and has secured even more investment funding, bringing its valuation to $340 million dollars ahead of just its second season.

Numerous WNBA stars have already committed to return for the second season, including Collier, Stewart, three-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner and Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas.

Newcomers this season include the WNBA's 2025 Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers, Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champ Kelsey Plum and Washington Mystics standout rookie Sonia Citron.

The league said Wednesday that 46 of 48 roster spots had been filled, leaving fans wondering which stars would complete the field.

Speculation has swirled on social media, and much of the chatter centered on Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, who did not play in the inaugural season, and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, who helped Rose BC win the league's first championship.

Neither has officially committed yet.

"A few of the players we're in productive negotiations with just need a little extra time," said Unrivaled general manager Clare Duwelius, "and we're all about giving our athletes the space to make big decisions on their own terms. That means we've still got two roster spots, and we can't wait to share who will be filling them soon."

___

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Unrivaled heads to Philadelphia next season for the league's 1st 'tour stop'

Unrivaled heads to Philadelphia next season for the league's 1st 'tour stop' ALANIS THAMES October 3, ...

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Soccer Star Jess Carter Pinpoints When She 'Stopped Giving a Damn' About Pressure After She 'Started to Break'

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Soccer Star Jess Carter Pinpoints When She 'Stopped Giving a Damn' About Pressure After She 'Started to Break' Skyler CarusoOctober 3, 2025 at 3:50 AM 0 Pat Elmont UEFA/UEFA via Getty Jess Carter of England poses for a portrait during the Official UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Portrait Session.

- - Soccer Star Jess Carter Pinpoints When She 'Stopped Giving a Damn' About Pressure After She 'Started to Break'

Skyler CarusoOctober 3, 2025 at 3:50 AM

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Pat Elmont - UEFA/UEFA via Getty

Jess Carter of England poses for a portrait during the Official UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Portrait Session. -

Jess Carter of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) opened up about her mental "switch" that transformed her view on career pressures as a professional athlete

The soccer star transparently opened up on the topic in e.l.f. Cosmetics' latest Show Yourse. l.f. series

Carter began her senior career at Birmingham City at the age of 16 to now a world-class defender for Gotham FC and the England's Lionesses

Jess Carter has a winning mindset.

The National Women's Soccer League star, 27, transparently recalled the moment she transformed her perspective on the pressures of winning as a professional athlete in the latest episode of e.l.f. Cosmetic's Show Yourse.l.f. series.

As the new face of the empowering show, Carter opened up about her unprecedented journey in the sport having gone from the only girl on an under-12 team to a world-class defender for Gotham FC and the England's Lionesses.

Jordan Bank/NWSL via Getty

Jess Carter of Gotham FC smiles after their 0-0 draw against the Washington Spirit at Sports Illustrated Stadium in August 2025.

Carter recalled loving soccer from the start; however, she had to stop playing on the boys team at 12 years old. Fortunately, she had a coach who formed a girl's team so that she could continue playing the sport she enjoyed.

"He basically turned a bunch of princesses into bulldozers," she recalled, emphasizing, "That team was really the beginning of everything for me."

Upon beginning her senior career at Birmingham City at the age of 16 in March 2014, Carter came to learn the mental effects that resulted from playing the game professionally.

"When I went pro, I realized that if you're not winning trophies, then you're out. If you're not confident in who you are, then that much pressure will break you... and I started to break," she admitted.

With time, Carter learned to flip her mindset.

"It just got to a point where, I think I just stopped giving a damn," she said. "I needed to reframe everything. I loved football enough that I put all of that aside, like the pressure of winning, and I really committed to being my best self."

Joe Scarnici/NWSL via Getty

Jess Carter of Gotham FC makes a pass during a game against the San Diego Wave in September 2025.

That was the "switch" that made her the player — and person — she is today, explaining how she's been able to "be me" this past year.

Carter credits her shift in mindset to allowing herself to open up "more versions of herself,' she says in the episode.

One of those versions is "experimenting" with makeup, having not been a fan when she was a kid. Now, the the newest face of e.l.f. Cosmetics' Show Yourse. l.f. series, says it allows her to "explore new parts of who I am."

E.L.F. Cosmetics

Jess Carter is the newest face of e.l.f. Cosmetics' " Show Yourse.l.f." series.

"I feel better. I feel happier. I feel like I can show all the versions of myself," she continues. "I didn't have anyone before that looked like me that I could look up to, so now I could be that for other little girls."

She concludes, "I can be a princess... and a bulldozer."

Through this purpose-driven film series, e.l.f. Cosmetics spotlights role models who turn adversity into strength, just like Carter's story of overcoming obstacles while inspiring the next generation of athletes to dream big and conquer.

The new season of Show Yourse.l.f. is available to watch on e.l.f.'s YouTube channel.

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October 02, 2025

Soccer Star Jess Carter Pinpoints When She 'Stopped Giving a Damn' About Pressure After She 'Started to Break'

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Indiana Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell ‘Panicked’ After Developing Rhabdomyolysis During Game: ‘I Couldn’t Move My Legs’

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Indiana Fever's Kelsey Mitchell 'Panicked' After Developing Rhabdomyolysis During Game: 'I Couldn't Move My Legs' Natasha DyeOctober 3, 2025 at 4:57 AM 0 Ian Maule/Getty Referee assists Kelsey Mitchell on Sept.

- - Indiana Fever's Kelsey Mitchell 'Panicked' After Developing Rhabdomyolysis During Game: 'I Couldn't Move My Legs'

Natasha DyeOctober 3, 2025 at 4:57 AM

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Ian Maule/Getty

Referee assists Kelsey Mitchell on Sept. 30, 2025 in Las Vegas -

Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell provided an update to fans after suffering a scary injury during the WNBA playoffs on Sept. 30

Mitchell said she lost feeling in her "lower extremities for up to 5 to 7 seconds" and recalled panicking on the court

"I suffered from something called Rhabdomyolysis last night," Mitchell shared on social media

Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell recalled panicking on the court after losing feeling in her legs during the WNBA playoffs.

Mitchell, 29, recounted the scary moment she collapsed in a referee's arms during the Fever's hard-fought loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Sept. 30 in a lengthy message on social media.

"Me letting you all know about my health is just me showing love and respect to those who showed it to me," Mitchell began in her address to fans on Wednesday, Oct. 1. "I suffered from something called Rhabdomyolysis last night," she revealed, explaining that her muscles "stopped producing" after reaching "maximum capacity."

"I went into a sense of numbness/paralyzing feeling with no movement from my lower extremities for up to 5 to 7 seconds," Mitchell shared.

Ian Maule/Getty

Kelsey Mitchell is injured on Sept. 20, 2025 in Las Vegas

Rhabdomyolysis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when muscles break down and die from excessive use, according to the Mayo Clinic. Toxic muscle fibers can then move to the kidneys, causing kidney damage.

Mitchell, surrounded by her teammates for several minutes as medical staff assisted her after the fall, said she "panicked" and started thinking the worst after realizing, "I couldn't move my legs."

"Because my muscles stopped producing positive blood to my bloodstream, my body locked up from a physical standpoint and from there fatigue and cramping settled in," she explained.

"It sucked," Mitchell wrote of the "out of body experience," and said, "I thank God for covering me at a time like that."

Fortunately, Mitchell said she "will be fine very soon" and is receiving the proper medical treatment she needs. "So today on Oct. 1, I am walking and moving at a slow place," she shared, thanking the Fever and Aces' medical teams as well as hospital staff.

"In other words, I played literally til my wheels fell off," she joked.

Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty

Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever on Sept. 30, 2025

Concluding her message, Mitchell said, "THANK you for the prayers, love, respect, and support throughout all of this. If you rode with me through this journey, then I love you!"

Fans and fellow WNBA players offered messages of support to Mitchell in the replies. Sparks star Dearica Hamby wrote, "Warrior sis," and a fan told Mitchell, "You are a role model, not only for hoopers. Your poise, your humility, your drive, your passion, are things to cherish. Proud to be a fan of the Fever, but above all to be a fan of Kelz. All our love."

The Fever were eliminated from the playoffs with their loss on Tuesday. The Aces will play the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals, tipping off Oct. 2.

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Indiana Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell ‘Panicked’ After Developing Rhabdomyolysis During Game: ‘I Couldn’t Move My Legs’

Indiana Fever's Kelsey Mitchell 'Panicked' After Developing Rhabdomyolysis During Game: 'I Couldn...

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Olympic champion runner Semenya ends landmark legal fight against sex eligibility rules

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Olympic champion runner Semenya ends landmark legal fight against sex eligibility rules GERALD IMRAY October 3, 2025 at 5:02 AM 0 1 / 2Athletics WorldsGender TestingFILE Caster Semenya, of South Africa, competes during a heat in the women's 5000meter run at the World Athletics Championships on July ...

- - Olympic champion runner Semenya ends landmark legal fight against sex eligibility rules

GERALD IMRAY October 3, 2025 at 5:02 AM

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1 / 2Athletics Worlds-Gender TestingFILE - Caster Semenya, of South Africa, competes during a heat in the women's 5000-meter run at the World Athletics Championships on July 20, 2022, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Olympic champion runner Caster Semenya is ending a seven-year legal challenge against sex eligibility rules in track and field, her lawyers said Thursday, despite winning a ruling at the European Court of Human Rights in July that appeared to have reignited one of sports' most contentious cases.

Patrick Bracher, a lawyer for Semenya, said in an email to The that they wouldn't take her appeal back to the Swiss supreme court, which was an option and what many presumed to be Semenya's next step after the European rights court ruling.

"Caster's legal challenge reached the highest possible court with a highly successful outcome and will not be taken further in the circumstances," Bracher wrote.

Landmark case

Semenya is a two-time Olympic gold medallist in the 800 meters from South Africa who has been banned from running in her favorite race at major international meets like the Olympics and world championships since 2019 because she refused to follow the rules and take medication to artificially reduce her hormone levels.

Since 2018, she has taken her legal battle against the rules enforced by track governing body World Athletics to three courts; the Switzerland-based highest court for sports, the Swiss Federal Tribunal and the European Court of Human Rights.

She has argued that the rules infringed her rights. She lost her appeals at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and at the Swiss Federal Tribunal.

However, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in July that she hadn't had a fair hearing at the Swiss tribunal and it hadn't properly considered some of the complex arguments. That opened an avenue for her to continue her challenge.

Career ended at its peak

Semenya was the world's dominant middle-distance runner and was unbeaten in more than 30 races when she was barred. Now 34, she has moved into coaching, with the regulations effectively ending her career.

She has been the face of fiercely contentious sex eligibility rules in sports since she won the world championships as a teenager in 2009 and was forced to undergo sex verification tests. Semenya has one of a number of conditions known as differences in sex development, or DSD. She has the typical male XY chromosome pattern but also female physical traits and high levels of naturally occurring testosterone. DSD conditions are sometimes called intersex conditions.

Semenya is not transgender despite her case often being conflated with the divisive debate over the participation of transgender athletes in female competitions. She was identified as female at birth, raised as a girl, and has always identified as female.

World Athletics says Semenya and a small number of other DSD athletes in international track have testosterone levels in the male range, giving them an unfair advantage over other women because of the hormone's connection to muscle mass and cardio-vascular performance.

How much advantage DSD athletes gain from testosterone has been disputed in one of the many complex details of Semenya's landmark case.

Track regulations now even stricter

Track and field introduced new rules governing women with high natural testosterone in 2011 in a move seen as a direct response to the arrival of Semenya. The regulations have been made stricter over the years and the latest rule change introduced earlier this year moves away from monitoring testosterone and requires women competing in international track to undergo a genetic test to check for the presence of a Y chromosome.

If they fail the one-off genetic sex eligibility test, they are banned from female competitions. The new rules came into effect Sept. 1 ahead of last month's world championships.

Bracher noted in his email to the AP that the current regulations are very different to those Semenya challenged in court when her case started seven years ago. But Semenya's recent victory at the European rights court might provide a basis for a new challenge by another athlete against the current regulations, he said.

Other sports tighten rules

While Semenya's case made track and field the main battleground over sex eligibility for nearly two decades, other high-profile sports like swimming have moved to block women with DSD conditions from competing. Semenya's case was often seen as a precedent for other sports to introduce their own restrictions.

Boxing was mired in a sex eligibility scandal at the Paris Olympics last year over the participation of Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan after officials claimed they had previously failed unspecified sex verification tests.

Boxing has now also introduced genetic sex tests and Khelif, who won a gold medal in Paris, has followed Semenya and appealed against them at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

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More AP news on Caster Semenya's case: https://ift.tt/7CLjqA8

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Olympic champion runner Semenya ends landmark legal fight against sex eligibility rules

Olympic champion runner Semenya ends landmark legal fight against sex eligibility rules GERALD IMRAY October 3, 20...

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