7,000 Disney layoffs begin, company shutters Metaverse division
The Walt Disney Company has begun laying off 7,000 employees, a move that was announced earlier this year. >> Read more trending newsThe layoffs are part of a plan by Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger to make the company more “streamlined,” Reuters reported. Only ESPN will not see layoffs in this round but is expected to see cuts later this year. There were about 50 members of the team that had been headed by Mike White, a former Disney consumer-products executive. As of Oct. 1, Disney had about 220,000 workers worldwide with about 166,000 in the U.S.
wftv.comGaroppolo heads long list of QBs on move in free agency
Sam Darnold is heading out West, where he'll replace Garoppolo and join Trey Lance and Brock Purdy with the 49ers. Quarterbacks took center stage on Monday as NFL free agency began with teams allowed to negotiate — and agree to deals — with unrestricted free agents. The Browns restructured Watson's record-setting guaranteed $230 million contract to create salary cap space. Former Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates got a four-year, $64 million deal from the Atlanta Falcons. The New York Giants agreed on a four-year, $40 million contract with linebacker Bobby Okereke.
wftv.comNFL free agency: Jets lose QB Mike White to Dolphins while waiting for Aaron Rodgers
While they wait for Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets lost one of their when quarterback Mike White reportedly agreed to join the Miami Dolphins, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. White started four games in 2022 after he took over for Zach Wilson in Week 11. Although White only a went 1-3, he averaged almost 300 passing yards game with three touchdowns and four interceptions. As for the Jets, their quarterback options continue to dwindle while they await a decision from Aaron Rodgers. The Jets went all-out to convince Rodgers last week with a cross-country flight to talk with him and Jets players even took to social media to lure Rodgers to New York.
wftv.comRevolving door at QB ruined season for Jets, other NFL teams
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — (AP) — The New York Jets’ season began with aging Joe Flacco starting at quarterback. “It’s the head of the snake,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. New York made five changes at quarterback: Flacco to Zach Wilson to Mike White, back to Wilson, back to White, back to Flacco. The Jets certainly weren’t alone with that sort of revolving door: NFL teams combined to start 68 quarterbacks — the most in the Super Bowl era in a non-strike year. New York went back to Flacco and the season ended with six losses in a row — and a franchise-record 12th consecutive year without the playoffs.
wftv.comJets hire former Broncos coach Hackett to run offense
The New York Jets have hired former Denver Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator. The team announced the hiring Thursday of the 43-year-old Hackett, who replaces Mike LaFleur after coach Robert Saleh and the Jets interviewed at least 15 candidates for the vacancy. Hackett replaced Vic Fangio last January but wasn't able to build an offense that suited veteran Russell Wilson with the Broncos. With the Jets, Hackett will be coming to a team that struggled mightily on offense in two seasons under LaFleur and is facing a major question at quarterback. Hackett and Saleh first worked together in Jacksonville from 2015-16 under coach Doug Marrone, when Hackett was the Jaguars' quarterbacks coach and Saleh the linebackers coach.
wftv.comFantasy Football Week 17 Care/Don't Care: Kenny Pickett, Steelers youth provide hope
5 Things I care aboutThe Steelers' young pieces are trending the right wayThe Steelers have long odds to get to the postseason. No first-year passer ever is but he’s moving right along and is without question adding value to a drab scheme. He's right but I also think he just looks better. Evans accomplished both feats and then some in a win-and-in Week 17 game against the Panthers. Akers has now run for 408 yards and six scores at 4.9 yards per carry from Week 13 on.
wftv.comJets' White cleared by docs, will start at QB on Sunday
Mike White is back at quarterback for the New York Jets. White was cleared by team doctors and will start Sunday in Seattle after he missed the Jets' past two games while dealing with broken ribs suffered in New York's 20-12 loss at Buffalo on Dec. 11. And with the Jets (7-8) still in the playoff hunt with two games remaining, they get their quarterback back. But the coach wouldn't go as far as to speculate whether White could be the long-term answer at quarterback. White went 80 of 129 for 952 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions while starting three games in place of the benched Wilson.
wftv.comMike White reportedly cleared to return from rib injury, will start for Jets in Week 17
Quarterback Mike White was reportedly cleared for contact, and is expected to start for the team in Week 17, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post. With White sidelined, the Jets turned back to last year's first-round pick Zach Wilson. White sustained a rib injury during a Week 14 loss against the Buffalo Bills, and missed two games due to the issue. #Jets coach Robert Saleh on QB Zach Wilson, following his benching: “We haven't seen the last of him." If White is able to return, it would likely mark the end of Wilson's 2022 NFL season.
wftv.comAP source: Jets' White cleared by docs, will start Sunday
Mike White is back at quarterback for the New York Jets. White was cleared by doctors and will start Sunday in Seattle, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation. White missed the Jets' past two games while dealing with broken ribs suffered in New York's 20-12 loss at Buffalo on Dec. 11. He has practiced on a limited basis since, but hadn't been cleared by doctors for contact so he couldn't play. The New York Post first reported White had been cleared and will start Sunday.
wftv.comNFL injury report Week 16: Eagles QB Jalen Hurts out vs. Cowboys with shoulder injury
Week 16 of the NFL season is here and promises to be interesting with three regular-season games remaining and five teams eliminated from playoff contention. Hurts sprained his throwing shoulder on a hard tackle during Sunday's win at Chicago. Wilson will likely look to improve on his performance in the 20-17 loss to the Detroit Lions. Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley also appeared on the Ravens’ Wednesday injury report as limited due to his right shoulder. Injury Report for Week 16: pic.twitter.com/84ok51nWbf — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 21, 2022If he is not available, the Ravenscould turn to newly signed quarterback Brett Hundley.
wftv.comThursday Night Football: As Jets' promising season fades away, they need Zach Wilson to save them
That starts Thursday night in a huge game for the Jets against the surging Jacksonville Jaguars. [Watch Thursday Night Football on Prime Video: Sign up for a 30-day free trial]At 7-7, the Jets can still make the playoffs. They'll need to start winning, and for that to happen they need Wilson to play well. Jets, Jaguars have a lot on the lineThursday night is a huge game for the Jaguars and Jets. In a perfect world, Wilson would come alive beginning on Thursday night and White wouldn't start for the Jets again.
wftv.comWilson to start at QB for Jets vs Jaguars on Thursday night
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — (AP) — Zach Wilson is getting another start for the New York Jets, and this one in prime time. Coach Robert Saleh announced the decision Tuesday that Wilson will be under center Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars as the Jets (7-7) try to hold on in the AFC playoff hunt. With Mike White not cleared for contact by doctors as he recovers from broken ribs, Saleh and the Jets will have Wilson make a second straight start in his return from a three-game benching. Saleh said White remains “week to week” in his recovery, but the Jets have not ruled him out for the rest of the season. “It feels a lot better than it did last week,” Saleh said.
wftv.comJets QB Mike White dealing with 'multiple' rib fractures, not yet cleared to play Thursday night vs. Jaguars
Mike White might miss a second game for the New York Jets while he continues to recover from "multiple" rib fractures, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Doctors still haven't cleared White to play before the Jets' Week 16 match with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night, per Rapoport. White initially suffered the injury in the Jets' Week 14 loss to the Buffalo Bills after a big hit from linebacker Matt Milano. Prior to being ruled out for Week 15, White reportedly talked with "almost 10 doctors" in an effort to get cleared for the game. Oddly enough, White's Jets averaged only 1.1 points more per game than Wilson's – 21.6 vs. 20.5.
wftv.comAs Jets face a potential franchise-changing QB decision, Zach Wilson may be getting his final shot
Or maybe Zach Wilson responded appropriately to his first NFL benching and had some of the best practices of his life the last two weeks. Because Friday's decision by the Jets — putting Wilson back into the starting lineup — was baked into this situation the very second he went to the bench. Head coach Robert Saleh telegraphed the move repeatedly because he knows what everyone else inside the organization knows: An important offseason decision has to be made at quarterback. And the only way to make it with confidence is on the other side of Wilson getting one more chance. But whether it’s Garoppolo or not, the Jets won’t stand down in the face of Wilson failing with this second chance.
wftv.comWilson to start at QB for Jets; White not cleared by doctors
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — (AP) — Zach Wilson will start at quarterback for the New York Jets on Sunday against the Detroit Lions after Mike White was not cleared by doctors to play. White is dealing with a rib injury that twice knocked him out of the Jets' 20-12 loss at Buffalo last Sunday. White was cleared to practice and said throughout the week he had no doubt he would start Sunday, but team doctors wouldn't clear him for contact. “We've got to protect the player from the player,” Saleh said. Instead, Wilson will now be the starter with the Jets (7-6) trying to keep pace in the AFC playoff hunt.
wftv.comJets turn back to QB Zach Wilson with Mike White not medically cleared for contact
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson has the "great opportunity" to start on Sunday against the Detroit Lions, head coach Robert Saleh announced Friday. Mike White was unable to get medically cleared for contact. Coach Saleh says QB Mike White was not medically cleared for contact and will not play Sunday. QB Zach Wilson will start. pic.twitter.com/RREqyb5JM1 — New York Jets (@nyjets) December 16, 2022This story will be updated
wftv.comJets move Wilson up to No. 2 QB, still expect White to start
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — (AP) — Zach Wilson is moving up on the New York Jets' quarterback depth chart this week. 3 to the backup behind current starter Mike White, who is dealing with a rib injury but is expected to make his fourth straight start Sunday against the Detroit Lions. He started the next seven and the Jets went 5-2 in those games, but his play was mostly shaky. Wilson had four touchdown passes and five interceptions and had a 55.6 completion percentage as New York's offense struggled to produce points. After Wilson went just 9 of 22 for 77 yards in a 10-3 loss at New England in Week 11, the Jets elevated White to starter.
wftv.comJets promote Zach Wilson to backup QB, push Joe Flacco to No. 3 as Mike White expected to start
Zach Wilson is back on the game day roster. New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh announced on Wednesday that Wilson, who had been the team's No. Veteran QB Joe Flacco, who had been the backup for the last few games, is being pushed down to No. Coach Saleh says Zach Wilson will be the No. He's been holding himself accountable with regards to how he wants to attack practice, how he's been performing in practice.
wftv.comFantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups, Week 15: Help for your playoff run
This week's matchup with the Jets is rough, but keep Chark in mind for his Championship Week date with Chicago. He's entering the Week 15 matchup with Atlanta with eight combined touchdowns on the season — five on the ground, two as a receiver and one as a passer. Offer: $6Mike White, New York Jets (20%)White is coming off the sort of game that ends with a precautionary trip to a local hospital, so there are definitely reasons for concern heading into Week 15. Assuming he's available in Week 15, he'll face a Lions defense that just allowed 425 yards and two scores to Kirk Cousins. More Week 15 pickups advice
wftv.comWeek 15 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Injury updates, Mariota benched for Ridder & Herbert shines vs. Tua
The Atlanta Falcons put Marcus Mariota on IR, clearing the path for rookie QB Desmond Ridder. At the same time, the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins are hoping for big games from their respective QBs (Mike White & Tua Tagovailoa). Speaking of Tua, he was terrible in the Dolphins’ loss on Sunday night football to a Los Angeles Chargers team that might be getting healthy at exactly the right time. Hilton before diving into their recommendations for who to grab on your waiver wire and who you should consider dropping from your active roster. Hilton40:00 Waiver Wire Pickups / Running Backs47:10 Waiver Wire Pickups / Wide Receivers50:25 Waiver Wire Pickups / Quarterbacks52:30 Waiver Wire Pickups / Tight EndsCheck out all the episodes of the Yahoo Fantasy Football Forecast and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts
wftv.comFantasy Football Week 14 Wrap: Purdy makes it look pretty in domination of Brady, Bucs
It's just one game, but Purdy already has as many deep-TD passes outside the numbers as Jimmy Garoppolo has over the last three seasons. Given his running ability, Purdy immediately has more fantasy upside than Jimmy G as well. That wasn't the only injury for the 49ers on Sunday, as Deebo Samuel was carted off with what appears to be a high-ankle sprain that likely ends his fantasy season. Aiyuk cooked a defender Sunday and looks like a top-15 fantasy wideout down the stretch with Samuel out. 1 fantasy back this week despite not playing a snap after 14:09 was left in the third quarter of a blowout (35-0 at the time).
wftv.comWhite steps in, leads Jets to wild 34-31 win over Bengals
Mike White threw for 405 yards and three touchdowns in his first NFL start, caught a 2-point conversion pass on the go-ahead score and had the fans chanting his name while leading the New York Jets to a wild 34-31 comeback victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Florida Gators give Dan Mullen 3-year extension, $1.5M raise annually
Florida football coach Dan Mullen received a three-year contract extension worth an additional $1.5 million annually following a disappointing season that closed with a three-game losing streak and included several public relations missteps and NCAA sanctions.
Florida gives Mullen 3-year extension, $1.5M raise annually
Florida football coach Dan Mullen received a three-year contract extension worth an additional $1.5 million annually following a disappointing season that closed with a three-game losing streak and included several public relations missteps and NCAA sanctions.
Playmaker Tre Mann declares for NBA, says goodbye to Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida point guard Tre Mann, the program's best one-on-one playmaker since Jason Williams more than two decades ago, is leaving school early and turning pro. Mann is expected to hire an agent and does not intend to return to college. His four consecutive 20-plus-point games matched the longest streak by a Florida player over the past 25 years (Nick Calathes, Matt Walsh). “Thank you to all my teammates who shared the Gator uniform with me for the last two seasons. He ended up returning to Florida and becoming the team's best player following Keyontae Johnson's collapse in early December.
Police contacted after Ohio State's Liddell receives threats
Liddell received following the Buckeyes' NCAA Tournament loss on Friday. Ohio State associate athletic director for communications Dan Wallenberg told The Associated Press he contacted police on Saturday morning about the threats Liddell received after the second-seeded Buckeyes were upset by No. Liddell, who had 23 points and 14 rebounds in the game, revealed on his Twitter feed he received threatening messages. Liddell, while not from or representative of Ohio State fans, are vile, dangerous and reflect the worst of humanity," Holtmann posted on Twitter. AdSister Jean taught at Chicago's Mundelein College when Loyola beat Illinois in the 1963 NCAA Tournament.
The Latest: Every seed except 16 has a team in second round
In 2016, 2013 and 1991, seed lines 1-15 all had a team reach the second round. UMBC in 2018 is still the only 16 seed to make the round of 32, but no 15 seed won that year. Ad___8:00 p.m.Don’t expect a track meet when Villanova and North Texas play in the second round of the South Region on Sunday. The matchup between the fifth-seeded Wildcats and 13th-seeded Mean Green features two of the most deliberately paced teams in the NCAA Tournament. UNC Wilmington’s John Goldsberry holds the record for most 3-point attempts without a miss in an NCAA Tournament game.
Short-handed Florida outlasts Virginia Tech in NCAA opener
10 seed Virginia Tech 75-70 in a first-round game on Friday. He finished with 30 points and scored the final 12 of regulation for Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech hit 5 of its first 10 3-point attempts, but made just two the rest of the way. Virginia Tech coach Mike Young said he considered keeping Aluma on the bench to start overtime. AdHINKLE'S LIGHTThe first NCAA Tournament game at Hinkle Fieldhouse in 81 years was rife with history, nostalgia and ... sunlight.
Short-handed Florida stuns No. 6 Tennessee 75-49
Florida guard Tre Mann (1) and Tennessee guard Davonte Gaines (0) compete for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19. 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey)GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Noah Locke scored 14 points, Tyree Appleby added 13 and short-handed Florida stunned No. 6 Tennessee 75-49 on Tuesday night. Guard Scottie Lewis (COVID-19 protocols) and forward Colin Castleton (ankle) missed the game. But forward Omar Payne, starting for the first time in nearly a year, finished with nine points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots for Florida (7-4, 4-3 Southeastern Conference).
Diary shows how quest for love landed Navy vet in Iran jail
The Navy veteran kept a handwritten document detailing the nearly two years he spent imprisoned in Iran. The love interest he'd gone to visit had stopped seeing him and he'd idled away hours in his hotel room by himself. “I don’t want the government of Iran to think that, 'Oh, Mike White's out of here, he's going away, he's going to be quiet,'" he said in a recent interview. White ultimately faced various charges, including posting private images, collaborating with the U.S. against Iran and disrespecting Iran's supreme leader. He writes in his manuscript that he has indeed made social media posts about Iran but denies having disparaged Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Florida’s Keyontae Johnson rejoins team, works as coach amid recovery
(AP Photo/Matt Stamey, File)GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Keyontae Johnson is back in Florida's basketball facility, just not on the court. The Gators (3-1) postponed four games following Johnson's collapse and took 15 days off. “Our guys are ready to move forward, not move on from Keyontae, but move forward with him," White said. Kentucky’s John Calipari is one of several coaches across college basketball who have said they would like to know if Johnson’s collapse was related to his positive COVID-19 test months earlier. “If Keyontae is not playing, we won’t be the same team," White said.
Florida's Johnson 'following simple commands' after collapse
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida forward Keyontae Johnson was “following simple commands” Monday after being transferred from Tallahassee Memorial to UF Health in Gainesville, the school said. The Gators announced Johnson was in critical but stable condition less than an hour after his ordeal. Johnson’s teammates and coaches were visibly distraught before the game resumed. The Seminoles outscored Florida 80-60 after Johnson’s collapse and won 83-71 for their seventh straight victory in the series. Like many of his Florida teammates, Johnson tested positive for COVID-19 during the summer.
Florida's Johnson remains in critical, stable condition
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida forward Keyontae Johnson remained in critical but stable condition at a hospital, the team reported Sunday, one day after he collapsed on the court during a game at Florida State. There was no change in Johnson's condition from Saturday, when he was also critical but stable at Tallahassee Memorial. The Gators announced that Johnson was in critical and stable condition less than an hour after his ordeal. The American Hospital Association defines patients in critical but stable condition as having “vital signs that are unstable and not within normal limits. Like many of his Florida teammates, Johnson tested positive for COVID-19 during the summer.
Florida's Johnson hospitalized after collapsing on court
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida standout forward Keyontae Johnson, the Southeastern Conference's preseason player of the year, collapsed coming out of a timeout against rival Florida State and needed emergency medical attention. Johnson was taken off the floor on a stretcher and rushed to Tallahassee Memorial for evaluation. Johnson had just dunked in transition before he fell to the floor as the team broke its huddle. Several Gators were in tears and a couple buried their faces in towels as coach Mike White gathered his team to say a prayer. Johnson, a 6-foot-5 junior from Norfolk, Virginia, averaged a team-high 14 points last season to go along with 7.1 rebounds.
Freeman, Miller, Thomas among big NFL names still unsigned
Freeman is still unsigned as Week 1 of the NFL season begins. Several familiar names and players on roster bubbles took turns on the unemployment line with some finding new jobs. Adrian Peterson was cut last week by Washington, but quickly landed in Detroit. Here's a look at notable available players at each position:QUARTERBACKSBlake Bortles, Cody Kessler, DeShone Kizer, Trevor Siemian, Drew Stanton. WIDE RECEIVERSAntonio Brown, Dez Bryant, Mohamed Sanu, Hakeem Butler, Quincy Enunwa, Chester Rogers, Demaryius Thomas, Jermaine Kearse, Ryan Grant, Jordan Matthews, Laquon Treadwell.
Teams sending QBs packing in final cuts despite pandemic
The theory that NFL teams would go with three quarterbacks to start the pandemic-impacted season took a hit Saturday. Lots of third-stringers were sent packing as the 32 teams got down to the 53-man limit. "The most important thing is to kind of move forward and not look back, Dolphins coach Brian Flores said. Georgia linebacker Tae Crowder, the final player taken in April's draft, is on the roster. As a child growing up in Georgia, it was always my dream to play in the NFL, Watson wrote on social media.