Month: September 2025

As the NFL season approaches, some of the league’s biggest stars are making it clear that this will be their last year. But deciding when to hang up your cleats isn’t an easy decision, even for professional athletes. We’ve heard stories of players who thought they were ready to throw in the towel, but ended up “un-retiring” and coming back better than ever.

From Carmelo Anthony to Megan Rapinoe, many of these athletes have made a lasting impact on their sports and their communities after retiring from the field. But for some, retirement can be a challenging transition as they struggle to find their identity outside of the sport they have spent so much time on.

For Olympic athletes, this is especially true, as they spend thousands of dollars each month on elite training and equipment and forgo employment to train around the clock. Some have even reported relying on food stamps or racking up credit card debt while going for gold.

Athletes who retire at a young age may also face other financial challenges as they adjust from being a high-earning, highly-managed athlete to a regular salary with limited support systems and few other sources of income. According to RBC professionals, it is recommended that athletes set up a trust to protect their assets and ensure the long-term stability of their lifestyles after retiring from the field. This includes ensuring that they have enough life and disability insurance in place to cover potential medical expenses as well as having income-producing investments in place to cover their living costs.

Sports technology is constantly evolving and impacting the way athletes train, compete, and engage with their teams and fans. Whether through wearable devices, video analysis tools, or smart stadiums, technological advancements are helping to increase athlete and team performance, improve safety, and boost fan engagement. Some of the key sports technology trends to watch for in 2024 include virtual and phygital sports, coaching technologies, VR training, the growth of women’s sports, and personalized training.

Smart integration is a major trend that’s redefining athletic equipment. Sensor-embedded gear adapts to different biometrics and environmental conditions. For example, Adidas’ 4DFWD running shoes integrate 3D-printed lattice midsoles that adjust cushioning and propulsion based on foot scans and biomechanics, while Nike’s Aerogami sports kit features humidity-responsive vents that open or close based on sweat and body temperature to reduce core body heat. Meanwhile, smart basketballs like Wilson’s X Connected Basketball use embedded sensors to track shooting performance metrics in real-time such as shot arc and rotation, helping players and coaches make data-driven improvements.

The growth of esports is another exciting development in the sports technology industry. While some skeptics believe that esports could lead to increased player injuries, the popularity of these events is driving the adoption of new technology. For example, smart stadiums now feature touchless entry technology that uses facial recognition to allow fans to enter without a ticket or ID. Smart parking systems use GPS to guide cars efficiently, while security teams leverage IoT cameras to monitor crowd movement and safety.

From grassroots competitions to world-class arenas, esports tournaments have become an important part of the video gaming industry. Led by some of the biggest game developers in the world, they attract millions of viewers and are backed by major brands. They also have a real-world impact on economic growth, demographics, and social changes. They may even one day compete with traditional sports as a global entertainment event.

Unlike traditional gaming, esports are based on competitive play organized and sanctioned by governing bodies. They can range from local events with high school or college teams to multi-million dollar prize pools. Most esports are played online, with players from all over the world logging in and competing for prizes. This is a large part of why they are so successful. Better internet infrastructure allows tournaments to run smoothly, with players able to switch between different streams without worrying about lag.

Some of the largest esports tournaments are held for popular games such as League of Legends, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike. They can draw massive crowds that rival some of the world’s oldest and most famous sports events. The prize pools at these events can be crowdfunded, with gamers contributing through in-game purchases. This model has proved to be extremely popular and has helped esports to grow significantly over the past few years.

Most esports tournaments feature pre-game and in-game commentary. Often the commentators are well-known personalities from the gaming community, with some of them being hired by professional broadcasters to act as their main on-air talent.

The Masters leaderboard is starting to get crowded as the tournament enters its final two rounds. The top 50 players, plus ties, advance to the weekend at Augusta National. But who will be crowned champion on Sunday? USA TODAY’s Masters data hub is tracking the action from the course with up-to-the-minute scoring updates.

The latest Masters leaderboard

The leaders are bunched up at the top of The Masters leaderboard with a host of recognizable names. Rory McIlroy holds a one-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau, with Corey Conners and Ludvig Aberg right behind them.

McIlroy is looking to bounce back from a disappointing second round, and he’s got a chance to do so with a strong finish. The Northern Irishman bogeyed the first hole of his final round, but he made up for it with a birdie at No. 10. He hit a wedge to 15 feet and drained the putt for a two-putt par that pushed him into the lead.

Corey Conners, Scottie Scheffler and Tyrrell Hatton are also at 6-under-par and tied for the lead. The trio all shot in the 60s on Friday and will be paired together for the final round. But there’s a lot of golf left to play, and these leaders will need to continue their strong play on Saturday if they want to secure the green jacket.