Latest from Sam Stern
It’s official: ASU will open season with freshman quarterback Rashada
TEMPE – With the start of the Arizona State football season just eight days away, coach Kenny Dillingham confirmed Wednesday that freshman Jaden Rashada would take over as the starting quarterback to open the season.
‘We’re definitely on the map’: ASU women’s hockey club set for first national tournament
PHOENIX – With the Arizona State women’s hockey team notching its highest ACHA ranking in program history, discussions about the program following the same footsteps as the men’s team joining the NCAA are heating up. Players and coaches explain why they believe their program deserves that next step.
A gambler’s paradise? For some, the industry’s extreme growth leads to addiction and worse in the Valley
PHOENIX – With Arizona transforming into a gambler’s paradise during Super Bowl week, there is an opposite side to the giant industry that is causing clinicians and counselors to become worried.
‘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.
Arizona Cardinals fire Kliff Kingsbury as head coach; GM Steve Keim steps away
TEMPE – Cardinals chairman and president Michael Bidwill spoke with reporters about the organization’s decision to move on from the former coach and general manager Monday after a dismal 4-13 regular season.
From Todd Graham to boosters to high school coaches, ASU’s hiring of Dillingham widely applauded
TEMPE – After an emotional and positive opening press conference for Sun Devil Head Coach Kenny Dillingham, all eyes are on what he’ll be able to do once he takes over.
Natasha Adair brings passion, spark to ASU women’s basketball team
TEMPE – Natasha Adair takes over for longtime ASU women’s basketball coach Charli Turner Thorne and hopes her former success at previous stops translates to returning the program to prominence.
Fan favorite Jock Landale brings versatility, Australian toughness to Suns frontcourt rotation
PHOENIX – During the offseason, the Phoenix Suns brought in former San Antonio Spurs big man Jock Landale, a 6-foot-11, 255-pound Australian. With a crowded rotation, the center has stood out for his versatility, toughness and ability to make teammates and reporters laugh.
6-week convergence of major sporting events could make Arizona betting capital of the world
PHOENIX – Sports gambling is expected to hit a crescendo when the Super Bowl, Phoenix Open and a CFP semifinal game are played within a six-week stretch in Arizona.
Talk of Robert Sarver, Jae Crowder define unusual Suns Media Day
PHOENIX – From Robert Sarver to Jae Crowder, many questions at Phoenix Suns Media Day involved people who weren’t there. Coach Monty Williams general James Jones said he they are ready to look forward.
‘Unforgiving climate’: After strong pushback, Suns majority owner Sarver says he will sell team
PHOENIX – Following strong and swift criticism, Robert Sarver announces he will sell Phoenix Suns and Mercury.
Former NFL players start ‘Revenant’ to spark conversation around cannabis use
TEMPE – Former NFL players Jim McMahon, Kyle Turley and Eben Britton used a tour at Mint Dispensary in Tempe to promote their brand, Revenant. The hope is that their personal experience with cannabis sheds some light to its benefit toward athletes and everyday people.
