Stalions denies NCAA’s allegations

Connor Stalions broke his silence on Netflix. The former Michigan football staffer, who resigned amid a scandal last season, was heard publicly for the first time in “Sign Stealer” on Tuesday — two days after the school received a notice of allegations from the NCAA about his operation. “If I’m a bad guy, then everyone in football is a bad guy,” Stalions said. NCAA rules don’t prohibit stealing signs, a role Stalions appeared to have on former coach Jim Harbaugh’s staff with the Wolverines, but the governing body does ban advance scouting. “I did not obtain signals through in-person scouting,” Stalions told NCAA investigators. When investigators asked Stalions if he attended the Central Michigan-Michigan State game on Sept. 1, 2023, he said he didn’t recall. At another point in the documentary, Stalions was shown alongside an image of a man wearing Central Michigan gear and sunglasses during a night game against the Spartans ahead of their game against Michigan. “I don’t even think this guy looks like me,” he said with a smirk. The NCAA investigation into impermissible in-person scouting and sign stealing by Michigan hung over the second half of the team’s national championship season last year.

Seattle renames street to honor Bird

Next to Climate Pledge Arena where her No. 10 Storm jersey hangs in the rafters, Seattle officially renamed a street in honor of its favorite former WNBA star, Sue Bird. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced in a private ceremony Monday morning that the city changed a section of 2nd Avenue North, on the southeast end of the arena, to Sue Bird Court. “We are cementing her legacy into the very fabric of Seattle and that’s why this is more than symbolism,” Harrell said. The 43-year-old Bird, who spent her entire 21-year WNBA career with the Storm, was a 13-time All-Star and helped the team win four league titles. She retired in 2022 and joined the Storm’s ownership group this April. Bird ranks first in WNBA history in assists (3,234) and games played (580). She’s also the franchise leader in points (6,803) and steals (724). “You don’t grow up thinking about these types of things,” Bird said. “... It’s not until later when you have an understanding of what could be. Especially, for a woman in sports, this isn’t commonplace. You’re starting to see ... these things celebrated more.”

Kelce bros ink $100M+ podcast deal

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his brother, former Eagles center Jason Kelce, are taking their popular “New Heights” podcast to Amazon’s Wondery under a three-year deal that gives the company exclusive advertising sales and distribution rights. The financial terms of the deal weren’t immediately announced, but it’s reportedly worth in excess of $100 million. The deal, announced by Wondery on Tuesday, will begin with this week’s episode. It includes the back catalog of podcast content along with exclusive rights to monetize and distribute audio and video episodes. The Kelce brothers launched their podcast two years ago. It initially was designed to peel back the cover on the world of pro football players, but has since expanded to touch other corners of the pop culture universe. The weekly series was chosen podcast of the year at the 2024 iHeartPodcast Awards. Travis Kelce’s celebrity status reached another level last season, when the tight end of the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs began dating pop superstar Taylor Swift. Jason Kelce recently retired after a 13-year career spent entirely with the Eagles. He will appear on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” this season. —News services