Search result for Andrew Howard

Diamondbacks’ relationship with Bally Sports Arizona in limbo after parent company misses payment

PHOENIX – Diamond Sports Group, the ownership group of Bally Sports Networks, failed to make a $140 million interest payment Wednesday and is over $8 billion in debt. With TV rights in question, MLB is prepared to take back ownership of 14 teams rights, including the Diamondbacks.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Wednesday that the league is “prepared” to take back the television rights to 14 MLB teams if Diamond Sports Group fails to pay per their contractual obligations. (Photo by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)

Hope springs anew: Diamondbacks pitchers and catchers report to spring training

SCOTTSDALE – Pitchers and catchers for the Arizona Diamondbacks reported to spring training for the 2023 season this week. The players are excited to be back in the clubhouse and eager to improve on last year’s 74-88 mark.

Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed reliever Joe Mantiply fires a pitch to catcher Carson Kelly on the first day of pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale. (Photo by Brevin Monroe/Cronkite News)

Legend for Charity: Howie Long honored with prestigious Pat Summerall Award at St. Jude event

PHOENIX – More than 500 attendees gathered at the St. Jude Legends for Charity dinner during Super Bowl week, where former NFL great and Fox Sports NFL analyst Howie Long was honored with the Pat Summerall Award for his contributions to cancer research. More than $800,000 was raised for St. Jude families that will impact the lives of kids with cancer like Owen Church, who Long visited during Church’s treatments at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital years ago.

Add Pat Summerall Award recipient to Hall of Famer Howie Long's extensive list of accolades. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Super Bowl 57 to be won in the trenches, tried and true

PHOENIX – The Chiefs and Eagles have ranked toward the top of the league in scoring offense all season, but the nature behind the numbers appears to pose a contrast in style and tempo that may impact the kind of game either is most likely to win.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, left, and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes enter Super Bowl Sunday with high-powered offenses, but the game will be won in the trenches. (Photo by Mitchell Leff and Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Super Bowl 2023 halftime performer Rihanna discusses preparation for Sunday

PHOENIX – Fans have heard from Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs players every day this week leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. Today, another big game performer will speak ahead of Sunday.

Rihanna speaks during Thursday's press conference for the Apple Music Super Bowl 57 halftime show at the Phoenix Convention Center. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

A path back to the Super Bowl: Eagles remade in Nick Sirianni’s image

PHOENIX — At Super Bowl Opening Night, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and some of his players reflected on the cultural underpinning of their path to the Super Bowl in Sirianni’s second season with the organization.

Swoop, the Eagles' mascot, made quite the landing Monday during Opening Night at Footprint Center. (Photo by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)

‘Woo!’: Kansas City Chiefs revved up for Super Bowl 57 on Opening Night

PHOENIX – Super Bowl week officially kicked off Monday night at the Footprint Center. The Eagles and Chiefs took center stage in front of thousands of fans to answer questions about the Super Bowl and how they got here.

Kansas City Chiefs (and Philadelphia Eagles) fans arrived in droves Monday at Footprint Center to attend Opening Night. (Photo by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)

Super Bowl 2023 week kicks off with Opening Night at Footprint Center

PHOENIX – For the first time since 2015, Arizona will play host to the Super Bowl. The privilege comes with plenty of must-see live entertainment; tailgates; festivals; and, of course, football in the lead-up to the big game at State Farm Stadium. Follow along for live updates, featuring news, event highlights and more from the Cronkite News team, before the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs kick off on Super Bowl Sunday.

Footprint Center welcomed the Super Bowl contenders and fans Monday for a night of interviews, entertainment and the flat-out bizarre. (Photo by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)

Ice breakers: Arizona High School Hockey Association brings new community, awareness to hockey in Valley

TEMPE – The AHSHA was started to allow high school athletes to participate in high level hockey competition across the state. However, the AIA has not sanctioned it due to equipment costs and limitations with how many schools have participated. With the league gaining traction, hockey in the desert is thriving more than ever.

Notre Dame Preparatory School's hockey team defeated Basha High School in the semifinal of the ASHA playoffs to secure a place in Saturday's championship against Desert Vista High School at Mullett Arena. (Photo by Grace Edwards/Cronkite News)

‘The game needs us’: MLB has diversity problem and no easy solution

PHOENIX – With no United States-born Black baseball players featured in the 2022 World Series between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies, many felt as though baseball had taken a step away from building a diverse game. The next generation of players are growing within the youth community and the MLB DREAM Series in Tempe proved that the game still has more to learn.

Darrell Miller, right, a former major leaguer and coach at the Dream Series, believes that he was pushed to play in the outfield over playing behind the plate because he was “tall and ran a 6.60.” (Photo by Kelsey Grant/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Suns rising? Phoenix turning a corner after first-half struggles

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns struggled through much of the season with injuries piling up, testing the club’s roster depth. But with the return of forward Cameron Johnson and veteran point guard Chris Paul, and star Devin Booker expected back soon, the Suns may be poised to make a run after the upcoming NBA All-Star break.

The Phoenix Suns look poised to make a run after winning six of their last seven games to climb the Western Conference standings. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

Superb Bowl Sundays: Arizona has knack for delivering the goods in big game

PHOENIX – Those who have taken part in three previous Super Bowls played in Arizona remember their historical importance, the big plays and the wild finishes. Will Super Bowl LVI at State Farm Stadium in Glendale deliver again?

Arizona is set to host its fourth Super Bowl on Feb. 12 at State Farm Stadium. The Valley will move into sole possession of fifth place on the list of U.S. metropolitan areas that have hosted the NFL's crown jewel. (Photo by Susan Wong/Cronkite News)