NFL

Cardinals sign WR Zay Jones to one-year, $4.25 million contract

The reporting of NFL contracts has become very misleading. This deal for Jones is worth up to $4.25 million, so it’s unlikely the 29-year-old will see the full amount of this pact. This new player-friendly style of reporting is perhaps most advantageous to agents, fooling the public into believing they secured a great deal for their client. Overall, the fudging of numbers in contract reporting hurts us fans, especially those who seek accurate and honest reporting.

Okay, rant over. The Cardinals, despite drafting Marvin Harrison Jr,, don’t have a great receiving group, so Jones has a chance to make his mark in the desert. This is probably too much money — and Jones has character concerns — but the wideout was a solid performer as recently as 2022, when he recorded 82 receptions for 823 yards with Jacksonville.

Grade: C+

NCAAF

Missouri State to leave the Missouri Valley and join Conference USA in 2025

Conference USA has lost a ton of luster over the past 20 years, but Missouri State will probably still struggle in its transition to the FBS. Any uptick in competition for a college program requires an increase in resources, and it remains to be seen if the Bears will see that type of influx. If so, perhaps Missouri State will find some success as a member of Conference USA down the road.

From a basketball perspective, this one stings for the Missouri Valley. The Bears have been a competitive member for quite some time, and the program’s fit in Conference USA is curious at best. In the end though, this move is all about money.

NBA

Suns hire head coach Mike Budenholzer

This hire doesn’t change the fact that Frank Vogel was unfairly dismissed by the Suns, but Budenholzer is a very good, accomplished head coach. The former Hawks and Bucks head man will surely win plenty of games with Phoenix — at least until Mat Ishbia feels trigger happy and decides to fire him — but can he lead the franchise to a deep playoff run? That remains to be seen. The situation in Phoenix is a bit messy, and constantly changing coaches won’t fix it.

Grade: A-

NCAAB

Grand Canyon and Seattle to leave the WAC and join the WCC in 2025

I LOVE this move, especially for Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon is a shoe-in fit for the WCC. Geographical fit? Check. Quality basketball program? Check. Faith-based institution? Check. The Antelopes won’t compete with Gonzaga and probably not even Saint Mary’s right away, but the program should see eye to eye with the likes of Santa Clara and San Francisco. In terms of Seattle, the Redhawks have been on the rise in recent seasons, but are a long ways away from competing with the top of the WCC.