• Slug: Eagles Almost in Phoenix. 910 words.
• Photo available.

By Brevan Branscum
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Last December, executives from Tempe-based semiconductor company Amkor Technology won the NFL’s approval to acquire a 3.25% stake in the Philadelphia Eagles.

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie sold the minority stake to Susan Kim, chairman of the board of Amkor. As the Eagles head off to play in Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans, 3.25% of the team’s ownership now resides in Arizona.

However, 41 years ago, the entire Eagles franchise was on the verge of calling the Valley home.

Continue reading “Eagles in … Phoenix? The 41-year-old deal that nearly rewrote NFL and Philadelphia history”

• Slug: Sports–Phoenix Open McCarty, 900 words.
• Photo available.

By Tucker L. Sennett
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – Matt McCarty carried standards at the WM Phoenix Open as a high school student. After taking an unorthodox route to the PGA Tour in 2024, the 2025 WM Phoenix Open marks McCarty’s ninth tour start, in his hometown of Scottsdale no less.

“Really excited, and obviously growing up here, (I) know the course really well,” McCarty, a Scottsdale native, said Wednesday.

After an up-and-down front nine, McCarty finished strong in Thursday’s opening round, posting birdies on three of his last five holes to finish 1-over. Continue reading “McCarty Par-Tee: Scottsdale’s Matt McCarty makes WM Phoenix Open debut”

• Slug: Sports–ASU Flag Football Club, 700 words.
• 2 photos available.

By Natalie Guzman
Cronkite News

TEMPE – A night that was years in the making came to a head last week when Arizona State University’s women’s flag football club made its collegiate debut.

For Sierra and Sophia Smith, Friday night also marked a culmination of their hard work. The twin sisters co-founded and co-captain the ASU club, and despite the Sun Devils’ 24-6 loss to Grand Canyon University, the two had plenty of reason to celebrate.

The Smith sisters began their flag football journey at Hamilton High School and then continued with Club HBHF Arizona. They first announced the ASU club in February 2024 on the team’s Instagram page. In September, they held tryouts and found their current 25-player roster. Continue reading “‘Only up from here’: ASU women’s flag football club paves way for future success in historic debut vs. GCU”

• Slug: Sports YouTube Golf Tempe. 700 words.
• 3 photos available.

By Dan Allison
Cronkite News

TEMPE – There was a party on the links Wednesday in Arizona, but it wasn’t at TPC Scottsdale, the rowdy home of the WM Phoenix Open.

Good Good, a YouTube channel turned golf brand, partnered with the Grass Clippings Rolling Hills Golf Course in Papago Park for the “Good Good GolfNow Desert Knockout.” It was Good Good’s second straight year hosting an event on the eve of the WM Phoenix Open’s opening round, and the third fan event in Arizona overall.

Hundreds of spectators packed into the par-3 golf course just before sunset for meet and greets with the players, food and drinks and a stop at the pro shop. But the real show began after dusk when Team Clark/Nadeshot beat Team Dalke/King after a sudden death “chip-off” to decide the tiebreaker under the lights. Continue reading “Good for You(Tube): Fans pack Grass Clippings course for night golf kick-off to WM Phoenix Open”

• Slug: Sports Phoenix Open Hojgaard Brothers. 500 words.
• Photo available.

By Dan Allison
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – For spectators keeping tabs Thursday on the WM Phoenix Open, they may be under the assumption that too much time in the desert heat can cause double vision.

Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard, Danish twin brothers who both turned pro in 2019, left their family name imprinted on the leaderboard, with both holding solo leads at one point in the round. Rasmus sits tied for 10th place at 3-under, with Nicolai posting a 5-under to end his day in a third-place tie. Taylor Moore leads the field at 7-under.

“There was a few times I looked over (at the scoreboard). We walked down 11, he was on 15 and I saw he was three or four under,” Nicolai said. “It didn’t surprise me, he’s played well for a long time. Happy to see him play well and hopefully we both keep it up.” Continue reading “Twin peaks: Brothers Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard post strong first-round showings at WM Phoenix Open”

• Slug: Sports–WM Phoenix Open Celebrities, 850 words.
• 8 photos available.

By Daniel Rios
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – A sea of green mixed with snakes littered the viewing areas of the TPC Scottsdale course as golfers took their swings.  

A typical scene for a golf course but in this instance, those views were fans representing their fandom for athletes in the WM Phoenix Open Annexus Pro-Am Wednesday, a warm-up event before the real competition starts Thursday. Packers legend and New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was one of them, as jerseys were seen near him every time he prepared to tee off. 

Arizona Diamondbacks merchandise added a red hue as the local representation was felt with pitching aces Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, along with manager Torey Lovullo and team radio analyst Tom Candiotti. Not only the Diamondbacks but also the Arizona Cardinals, as legendary receiver Larry Fitzgerald took part, along with coach Jonathan Gannon.  Continue reading “From Michael Phelps to Corbin Burnes to Jelly Roll, WM Phoenix Open celebrity pro-am brings out the stars”

• Slug: Sports–Phoenix Mercury Changes, 1,100 words.
• Photo available.

By Devon Henderson
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Phoenix Mercury general manager Nick U’Ren, who joined the organization in 2023, inherited a roster of basketball legends. This offseason serves as his first chance for a full rebuild to steer the franchise in his direction – and he’s making every effort to drive this team closer to a championship.

That vision was solidified on Jan. 28, when the Mercury acquired forward Satou Sabally from the Dallas Wings and forward Alyssa Thomas from the Connecticut Sun in a four-team deal. Sabally, an unrestricted free agent, chose the Mercury over a handful of teams seeking her services before a sign-and-trade deal was executed.

Joining forces with Thomas and All-Star and U.S. Olympic gold medalist guard Kahleah Copper, Sabally completes one of the more formidable big threes in the league. As a free agent, Sabally was heavily linked with the defending champion New York Liberty, where her sister, Nyara, plays center and aided in New York’s pitch for Sabally. Continue reading “‘Phoenix, Phoenix, it’s Phoenix’: Addition of All-Stars Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas signal new era for Mercury”

• Slug: Sports–WM Phoenix Open Taylor, 440 words.
• Photo available.

By Natalie Guzman
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – Could the soundtrack to this year’s WM Phoenix Open be another rendition of “O Canada”?

With defending champion Nick Taylor returning to TPC Scottsdale, it could happen.

Taylor, who was born in Winnipeg, is no newcomer to the Valley or the Phoenix Open, which begins competition Thursday. In 2023, he came in second to current No. 1 player Scottie Scheffler. Last year, he won the tournament after a playoff against Charley Hoffman. Continue reading “Taylor-made: WM Phoenix Open is ideal fit for defending champion Canadian”

• Slug: Sports–Puppy Bowl, 1,600 words.
• 4 photos available.

By Douglas Santo
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — Six months ago she was fighting for her life, and now she’ll be playing in the biggest game of the year. Felicity hasn’t had an easy journey, but she thrives on overcoming obstacles.

Felicity, a Doberman Pinscher from the Desert Harbor Doberman Rescue of Arizona in Phoenix, will participate Sunday as part of Team Fluff in the 2025 Puppy Bowl, Animal Planet’s popular alternative to the Super Bowl. Felicity is six months old, 45 pounds and full of energy.

“Dobermans are a very athletic, muscular breed. We tried to do everything to make her a receiver and not a linebacker, but she is going to be quite a bit larger than some of the other dogs out there,” said Lisa Cuto, associate director of Desert Harbor Doberman Rescue. Continue reading “Ruff play: Felicity, a Doberman Pinscher, joins Arizona puppies at Sunday’s Puppy Bowl”

• Slug: Sports–Saguaro Basketball Season. 570 words.
• Photo available.

By Nicholas Furman
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – After many years of struggles, the Saguaro High School boys varsity basketball team is turning heads this season. Long known for its domination in football as one of the best programs in the state, Saguaro is making a strong case to change its narrative on the hardwood.

After posting a 16-33 record over the past two seasons and a 4-21 mark during the 2019-20 regular season, the Sabercats are 15-6 and sit in third place in the 4A Desert Sky region.

Fifth-year Sabercats coach Lucas Ramirez has his team playing its best basketball down the stretch with one pivotal difference. Continue reading “Moving on up: Surging Saguaro boys basketball reaching new heights under coach Lucas Ramirez”

• Slug: Sports–WM Qualifier. 470 words.
• Photos available.

By Luc Carter
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – The 77-year tradition of the WM Phoenix Open Monday qualifier saw its final 89 golfers compete at Pinnacle Peak Country Club.

The historic shift comes after the PGA Tour’s structural changes, but the same high stakes took hold of players competing for an opportunity to live out their dreams and compete on one of the biggest stages in golf.

Only three golfers – Steven Fisk, Max McGreevy and Will Chandler – qualified for this year’s WM Phoenix Open. Fisk, who teed off the earliest out of the qualifiers, ended the day as the tournament’s leader, shooting 9-under-par with eight birdies and an eagle with only one bogey. Continue reading “Steven Fisk, Max McGreevy and Will Chandler earn coveted spots in final WM Phoenix Open Monday qualifier”

• Slug: Sports–Hurley Reaction. 850 words.
• Photo available.

By Tucker L. Sennett
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Rivalries breed tension and hostility in every sport at every level. The rivalry between Arizona State University and the University of Arizona is no different. Tensions reached a boiling point in the final minutes of Saturday’s matchup between the men’s basketball teams.

The events at the end of the matchup saw ASU coach Bobby Hurley face a slew of negative publicity and the ire of social media users. On Tuesday morning, Hurley appeared on the Bickley and Marotta Show on 98.7 Arizona Sports and took time to state his regrets about the events that unfolded at Desert Financial Arena.

“Once I got the starters off the floor and got them toward the locker room and knew that my entire team was gone, I should have walked over and shook (Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd’s) hand,” Hurley said. “My thoughts were very preoccupied with my team and how they were feeling. Continue reading “‘I should have’ shaken Lloyd’s hand: ASU’s Bobby Hurley responds to postgame drama against Arizona”