NFL's most improved units entering 2025 season headlined by Chicago Bears offense

NFL's most improved units entering 2025 season headlined by Chicago Bears offense

Every offseason,NFLteams have the opportunity to upgrade their rosters and coaching staffs to make a marked improvement over the prior year. TheWashington Commanderswere one of the biggest surprises in the 2024 season. They improved from 4-13 to 12-5 and made theNFC championship gamefor the first time in three decades. That turnaround came from a new coaching staff as well as a new starting quarterback in No. 2 overall pickJayden Daniels. Washington became a top-10 offense by points (fifth) and yards (seventh) after finishing in the bottom third league-wide the year prior. The improvement was almost as stark on the other side of the ball; Washington's defense went from last in the league in points and yards allowed to 18th and 13th, respectively. Not every team will experience a jump like theCommandersdid in 2024, but some teams may see significant improvements in 2025. That could be from free agent signings, draft selections, coaching changes, or a combination of all three. Some teams stand out from what they've done this offseason which makes them prime candidates for improvement. Here are our eight most improved units entering the 2025 NFL season: TheBears' offense finished the 2024 season 28th in points and last in yards league-wide. Considering the talent of No. 1 overall pickCaleb Williamsat quarterback, that was a huge letdown. But there are few units more primed for an improvement in 2025 than Chicago. The Bears hired formerDetroit Lionsoffensive coordinator Ben Johnson. He was the play-caller for one of the top offenses in the NFL over the last two seasons. The franchise utilized free agency and a trade to upgrade the offensive line by acquiring guardsJonah JacksonandJoe Thuney, as well as centerDrew Dalman. The Bears completed the trifecta of factors by using their top two draft picks on tight endColston Lovelandand wide receiverLuther Burden III. Chicago has made changes at the coaching level, bringing in veterans and investing in high-profile rookies on offense. It's hard to find a better combination than that, and it should prime them for a jump to better production. Similar to Chicago, Las Vegas used coaching changes, trades, free agency and the draft to improve the offense in 2025. The offensive coaching staff has been overhauled with Chip Kelly now in as offensive coordinator. He produced a national championship-winning offense for the Ohio State Buckeyes last year and could bring similar concepts to theRaiders. Las Vegas will have a new quarterback in 2025 inGeno Smith. He's the first Raiders quarterback with at least one Pro Bowl on his resume since Derek Carr back in 2022. The team also used its top pick on the best running back in the draft inAshton Jeantyand took wide receiverJack Bechwith its second selection. The AFC West will be a tough division once again in 2025 but Las Vegas should be in much better shape on offense to fight for wins. TheTitansdidn't overhaul their staff, instead relying on the draft and free agency to improve the offense. Tennessee was a bottom-five scoring offense and led the league in turnover percentage in 2024. No. 1 overall draft pickCam Wardshould be an upgrade at quarterback as a rookie. The Titans invested in the offensive line by signing free agentsKevin Zeitlerat guard andDan Moore Jr.at left tackle. Neither are top talents at their positions, but they raise the floor for the position group. Tennessee used both free agency and the draft to improve the pass-catching group. Veteran wide receiversTyler LockettandVan Jeffersonas well as fourth-round picksChimere DikeandElic Ayomanorwill contend for starting roles and offer better options at the position. It'd be a surprise if Tennessee ended 2025 as a top-10 offense but they should be closer to league-average than last season. ThePatriotshad one of the worst offensive lines and skill position groups in the NFL in 2024. For 2025, a new coaching staff is in place, led by proven offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. New England used free agency and the draft to bolster the rest of the offense around second-year quarterbackDrake Maye. Veteran wide receiversStefon DiggsandMack Hollinsmay be past their peaks but provide better talent at the position than what New England fielded last season. Proven startersGarrett BradburyandMorgan Moseswill shore up center and right tackle, respectively. The Patriots used the No. 4 overall pick on the top left tackle in the draft class inWill Campbell. In Round 2, New England selected one of the more dynamic running backs in the class inTreVeyon Henderson. They invested in the offensive line again in Round 3 by selecting centerJared Wilsonand took wide receiverKyle Williamsas well. Improvements with new coaching, veteran upgrades and draft investment should push the Patriots up the rankings on offense. Contending for a division title may be a tall task but they'll be more competent on that side of the ball. Carolina's defense ranked last in the NFL in points, yards, rushing yards, passing touchdowns and first downs allowed in 2024. The team lost top pass rusherDerrick Brownto injury in Week 1 and that set the tone for a subpar year. The franchise retained defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, which demonstrates their confidence in him as a play-caller on that side of the ball. Instead, the team went about upgrading the talent he's working with. Carolina hit the defensive line in free agency by signingBobby Brown IIIandTershawn Whartonas well as edge rusherPatrick Jones II, who was productive in a rotational role with the Minnesota Vikings last season. ThePanthersalso bolstered the secondary by signing former Raiders safetyTre'von Moehrig. Those moves should make life a bit easier for defensive stars Brown andJaycee Horn. In the draft, Carolina added a pair of edge rushers with different skill sets. Second-round pickNic Scourtonhas a high floor thanks to his pass rush moves, motor and strength. Third-round pickPrincely Umanmielenis a bit lighter but wins with his flexibility, length and speed. They may not contribute much in year one but should provide depth worth developing for Evero and company. Arizona stocked up on offense in the draft in 2024. This offseason, they spent their resources on defense. TheCardinalsbolstered the front seven in free agency. VeteransDalvin TomlinsonandCalais Campbellwill help up front, while top free agent edge rusherJosh Sweatshould be an improvement off the edge. The team used its draft capital to fill out the rest of the defense as well. Top pickWalter Nolenwon't have to produce immediately alongside Tomlinson and Campbell and can get up to speed in time. Second-round pickWill Johnsoncould've been a top-15 pick if not for injury concerns. If he's healthy, he could be a good starter at outside cornerback as a rookie. Arizona selected versatile defensive linemanJordan Burchin Round 3 and he could provide a rotational piece on the inside or at edge in the Cardinals' system. Arizona is entering its third year under head coach Jonathan Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis. With more veteran talent and high-profile rookies, the Cardinals could take a step on defense in 2025. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Ranking most improved units heading into NFL season

byLiam Oneel

in

August 05, 2025

NFL's most improved units entering 2025 season headlined by Chicago Bears offense

NFL's most improved units entering 2025 season headlined by Chicago Bears offense Every offseason,NFLteams have the opportunity to upgra...

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Texas leads preseason college football poll. How Steve Sarkisian got Longhorns back

Texas leads preseason college football poll. How Steve Sarkisian got Longhorns back

This is uncharted territory for the TexasLonghorns. Twenty years after the program's last national championship, the Longhorns will begin the 2025 college football seasonranked No. 1 in the US LBM Coaches Poll, earning 28 of 67 first-place votes thanks in large part to a potentially unmatched collection of talent paced by third-year sophomore quarterback Arch Manning. This is a first: Texas had never been ranked No. 1 in the preseason in the history of the Coaches Poll, which debuted in the 1950 season. "This is a new year, new faces, new team, and obviously expectations are high for our program," coach Steve Sarkisian said at SEC media days. "I'm not naive to that. I don't put my head in the sand, and expectations are very high." The preseason ranking can be seen as the latest source of validation for the program constructed by Sarkisian, now entering his fifth season. Helped by an NIL-driven landscape of personnel management that has been a boon for many deep-pocketed programs, Texas looks on paper to be nearly flawless. Given their ability even in the deep SEC to simply out-talent most teams on the upcoming schedule, the Longhorns' quest to go wire-to-wire atop the Coaches Poll could come down to how they manage intense hype that has coalesced around one all-or-nothing goal: to deliver a national championship. "I do think we have a very hungry football team, one that is talented," Sarkisian said. "I think this is a championship roster. Now we've got to play like a championship team, but I do think it's a championship roster." Before climbing to the top of the preseason poll, Texas had to experience the lowest point in modern program history. The team Sarkisian inherited for the 2021 season was fresh off four bowl wins in as many years, a program first since winning five in a row from 2004-08. But the Longhorns had struggled in former coach Tom Herman's final two years, failing to build on a 10-win 2018 season capped by a Sugar Bowl defeat of Georgia. Texas opened the Sarkisian era with a non-conference win against Louisiana-Lafayette and then won two in a row to start Big 12 play, rising to No. 23 nationally heading into the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma. That 55-48 loss was the first of six in a row, the program's longest such streak since 1956, and included a miserable 57-56 overtime defeat to Kansas – the Jayhawks' lone conference win and one of just two wins overall on the season. Steady progress ensued beginning in 2022, an eight-win finish highlighted by a 49-0 rout of the Sooners and five losses by a combined 25 points. The 2023 Longhorns won the Big 12 in the program's final year of membership before losing 37-31 to Washington in the College Football Playoff national semifinals at the Sugar Bowl. Last year's team nearly took the SEC by storm, losing only twice to Georgia – the second in overtime of the conference championship game – and then beating Clemson and Arizona State in the expanded 12-team playoff before losing a close game to eventual national champion Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. "I mean, it was a tough loss, but that was the last season," said junior linebacker Anthony Hill. "We have a whole new team. We want to go out there and be 1-0 next year. That's all we'll focus on is just being 1-0, and we'll handle everything else when the time comes." The program has undergone a clear shift in mentality, embracing the "all gas, no brakes" mindset instilled by Sarkisian and his staff. But the primary factor behind this recent resurgence is simpler: Texas has procured an eye-popping talent level through traditional recruiting and the transfer portal, buoyed by a willingness to spend millions to compile the best roster money can buy. Though it's impossible to pinpoint the exact total spent on talent acquisition, the 2025 Texas roster is expected to cost between $35 and $40 million, the Houston Chronicle reported in the spring. The crown jewel of this roster is Manning, who enters his first year as the starter after throwing for 939 yards and accounting for a combined 13 touchdowns in the backup role to Quinn Ewers as a redshirt freshman. Manning is part of four consecutive signing classes ranked among the top five nationally by the major recruiting services. The No. 1-ranked class inked in this winter included four five-star and 14 four-star recruits, with eight signees ranked among 247Sports' top 85 prospects overall. Another 11 players joined the program through the transfer portal, with as many as five projected to start. "We have a bunch of good players and follow his lead," Manning said of Sarkisian. "This is a big-time conference. It's tough each week. But I think we've done a pretty good job. I'm hoping to carry that forward." To some degree, every program in the Power Four is trying to lean on NIL and the portal to build a deeper roster that layers traditional recruiting and player development with more established players acquired as transfers. The Longhorns' NIL offerings have joined the program's inherent advantages - members of an elite conference, one of the nation's strongest brands, competitive in the championship race - to turn Texas back into a trendy destination for the top prospects out of high school or the portal. "We're trying to build a roster that is one that can withstand the test of time," said Sarkisian. "We never wanted to come here and be a one-year-wonder team and then the next year be not very good. So we're trying to be sustainable for a long period of time. I think that that's what good programs do." No player embodies the program's enviable collection of NFL-ready talent more than Manning, who chose Texas because of his close relationship with Sarkisian and the chance to carve out his own reputation away from the shadows cast by his family's quarterback legacy. Like few before him - maybe his uncle, Peyton, and former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks such as Tim Tebow - Manning will be watched, monitored and scrutinized at a level unmatched by any other active player in the Bowl Subdivision, his every performance held against the obscenely high standard set by his name, location and obvious physical gifts. "I take football pretty seriously," Manning said. "Other than that, just a regular guy." A steady stream of factors have combined to make this the most highly anticipated season of Texas football in decades - a statement in itself given the annual hype around the program - and raised the boom-or-bust stakes to the point where anything less than an SEC crown and multiple playoff wins could be seen as a disappointment. One is the Longhorns' back-to-back playoff berths, with both years ending with the offense having opportunities in the red zone and in range of delivering an appearance in the championship game. (Fixing ongoing red-zone issues is a "huge emphasis of ours" this offseason, Sarkisian said.) The second is the wealth of depth and experience on the roster. While not necessarily represented in previous starting experience at Texas, which brings back only nine starters from last season, the run of top-ranked signing and portal classes in a row have created a conveyer-belt type of depth-chart substitution where rising stars such as sophomore edge rusher Colin Simmons (nine sacks in 2024) are poised to transition from key reserve roles into the starting lineup. And the third is Manning. If he plays well and the Longhorns win the SEC, Manning will be fodder for talk-show debate centered on the possibility that he enters the NFL draft after one season as the starter; if Texas struggles, the redshirt sophomore could easily become the scapegoat. There's no question the Longhorns are deserving of the hype. But what will decide this season is how Texas manages these intense expectations against a schedule that opens with a rematch at No. 2 Ohio State, features road trips to Florida and Georgia, includes the annual neutral-site matchup with Oklahoma and ends with the first matchup against Texas A&M at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium since 2010. "But I also say we're the University of Texas, and the standard is the standard here, and that's competing for championships year in and year out," said Sarkisian. "It didn't matter when we were in the previous conference. It didn't matter now that we're in the SEC. It is what it is." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Texas, Arch Manning are No. 1. How Steve Sarkisian rebuild Longhorns

byLiam Oneel

in

August 05, 2025

Texas leads preseason college football poll. How Steve Sarkisian got Longhorns back

Texas leads preseason college football poll. How Steve Sarkisian got Longhorns back This is uncharted territory for the TexasLonghorns. Twen...

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Country Star Zach Bryan Burns Flag 9 Months After Dramatic Breakup

Country Star Zach Bryan Burns Flag 9 Months After Dramatic Breakup

Country Star Zach Bryan Burns Flag 9 Months After Dramatic Breakuporiginally appeared onParade. Nine months afterhis tumultuous breakupfrom Barstool Sports personalityBrianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia,Zach Bryanis done talking. Instead, he's flag-burning. The 29-year-old "Something in the Orange Singer" took to his Instagram Story on Monday, August 9, to share a video of himself lighting a Barstool Sports flag — one emblazoned with the brand's famous "Saturdays Are for the Boys" tagline — on fire. A few seconds after it ignites, Bryan takes his golf club and hit half of the already-incinerated flag across his property. In the next video, he hops on board his tractor, apparently to go retrieve it. Bryan set the whole flag-burning process to the tune ofTyler Childers' "Bitin' List" — specifically the lines: "To put it plain, I just don't like you / not a thing about the way you is / And if there ever come a time I got rabies / you're high on my bitin' list." In addition to the telling lyrics, the country crooner's use of a Childers song could also be reference to the scathing diss track Barstool Sports'Dave PortnoyandJosh Richardsdropped about Bryan in the wake of his split from LaPaglia. In October 2024,Bryan and LaPaglia broke upafter months of dating, with the musician announcing their breakup in a lengthy post on social media. LaPaglia, for her part, soon went on her BarstoolBFFspodcast, whom she hosts withRichardsand, at the time, big bossPortnoy, who founded the sports brand. On the pod, LaPaglia accused Bryan of emotional abuse and further alleged that offered her $12 million to not discuss their split, which she turned down. Portnoy and Richards, for their part, came up with a wildly NSFW diss track about Bryan in defense of LaPaglia. Among the many lyrics aimed at the "Oklahoma Smokeshow" crooner, one line they rap in particular, is: "Your whole style'sMorgan Wallen, Tyler Childers, Copy Paste." Though October 2025 will mark a year since Bryan and LaPaglia's split, it looks like the drama is far from over — especially as Bryan's new fire-filled social media stunt comes on the heels of a jab he reportedly made at LaPaglia just last month. After a fan speculated that a new lyric on his song "River Washed Hair" could be about LaPaglia — "And I think I might pack a bag in the night / Find me some small town out West / Start over, find closure and just say 'I'm sorry' / To that sweet girl who tore off that dress," Bryan sings on the track — he took a shot at LaPaglia when shooting down the speculation. "Lmfao I said 'sweet,'" Bryan wrote in a comment that has since been deleted, perTaste of Country. "This is not about whatever she has going on hahahahahaah." Country Star Zach Bryan Burns Flag 9 Months After Dramatic Breakupfirst appeared on Parade on Aug 5, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared.

byLiam Oneel

in

August 05, 2025

Country Star Zach Bryan Burns Flag 9 Months After Dramatic Breakup

Country Star Zach Bryan Burns Flag 9 Months After Dramatic Breakup Country Star Zach Bryan Burns Flag 9 Months After Dramatic Breakuporigina...

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50 Years Ago Today, These Pioneering ‘Queens of Rock and Noise’ Formed the First All-Female Punk Rock Band

50 Years Ago Today, These Pioneering 'Queens of Rock and Noise' Formed the First All-Female Punk Rock Band

50 Years Ago Today, These Pioneering 'Queens of Rock and Noise' Formed the First All-Female Punk Rock Bandoriginally appeared onParade. Sometimes the most revolutionary ideas are born from the simplest observations. Fifty-three years ago today, on August 5, 1975, producerKim Fowleyhad a vision that would shatter every barrier in rock music: What if teenage girls could rock just as hard as the boys? That question led to the formation ofThe Runaways, the groundbreaking all-female band that proved women belonged on every stage in rock and roll. The band's origin story reads like rock mythology. Fowley discovered drummerSandy Westin the parking lot of the Rainbow Bar and Grill, where she convinced him of her talent on the spot. Meanwhile, guitaristJoan Jetthad auditioned for Fowley by playing ukulele to aSweetalbum before switching to guitar and becoming the band's driving force. What made The Runaways truly revolutionary wasn't just their gender – it was their age and attitude. These weren't seasoned musicians breaking into a male-dominated industry; they were teenagers creating their own space in rock history. Lead vocalistCherie Curriewas discovered at a teen nightclub, while bassistJackie Foxwas literally found in a parking lot by Fowley's associate. The band's impact was immediate and lasting. Their signature song "Cherry Bomb" became an anthem of teenage rebellion, while "Queens of Noise" – which inspired our headline – showcased their fierce energy and unapologetic attitude. They toured with established acts likeVan HalenandTalking Heads, proving they could hold their own with any rock band. Beyond their musical contributions, The Runaways opened doors that had never existed before. Their existence alone inspired countless young women to pick up instruments and start their own bands. Related: Legendary Rock Goddess, 66, Ageless Beauty and Timeless Performance Has Fans Stunned She's 'Still a Baddie' Though The Runaways disbanded in 1979 after releasing four studio albums, their influence rippled through generations. Joan Jett became a rock icon with herBlackhearts, whileLita Fordcarved out her own successful solo career. Their story proved that rock and roll belonged to anyone brave enough to claim it. Tragically, drummer Sandy West died in 2006 at just 47, but her legacy lives on in every female drummer who followed. The Runaways didn't just form a band – they created a blueprint for rebellion, showing that teenage girls could be just as loud, proud, and powerful as anyone else in rock music. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Today, as we celebrate their formation anniversary, The Runaways' message remains as relevant as ever: rock and roll has no gender, and music belongs to anyone bold enough to make some noise. 50 Years Ago Today, These Pioneering 'Queens of Rock and Noise' Formed the First All-Female Punk Rock Bandfirst appeared on Parade on Aug 5, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared.

byLiam Oneel

in

August 05, 2025

50 Years Ago Today, These Pioneering ‘Queens of Rock and Noise’ Formed the First All-Female Punk Rock Band

50 Years Ago Today, These Pioneering 'Queens of Rock and Noise' Formed the First All-Female Punk Rock Band 50 Years Ago Today, These...

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Cubs' Michael Soroka is IL-bound due to shoulder soreness

Cubs' Michael Soroka is IL-bound due to shoulder soreness

Michael Soroka exited his Chicago Cubs debut after two innings on Monday, and the right-hander is headed for the injured list because of right shoulder soreness. Manager Craig Counsell announced postgame that the team would replace the newcomer on the roster. "Look, you feel bad for Michael first and just hope that there's just some discomfort there and a couple weeks can take care of it," Counsell said. "That's where we're at. We're going to have to wait to get more information before we know what we're dealing with." Soroka said he was fine until, in the second inning, he "went to go put a little extra on a fastball and it grabbed me a little bit." He didn't think the issue is related to the decreased fastball velocity he experienced in July before the Washington Nationals traded him to the Cubs on Thursday in exchange for two minor league prospects, outfielder Christian Franklin and infielder Ronny Cruz. "There was no reason to believe there was anything wrong," Soroka said. Soroka, pitching Monday on his 28th birthday, allowed just one hit, a solo home run by Tyler Stephenson. Ben Brown took over on the mound to start the third, and the Cubs went on to lose 3-2. Through 17 starts this year, Soroka is 3-8 with a 4.86 ERA. The other starting pitcher in the Monday game, Cincinnati left-hander Nick Lodolo, left the contest early due to a blister on his left index finger. With two outs in the bottom of the second inning, Lodolo motioned to the Reds' dugout after throwing a first-pitch strike to Justin Turner. Nick Martinez then replaced Lodolo on the mound. Lodolo retired all five batters he faced, striking out one. The 27-year-old has pitched a career-high 129 2/3 innings pitched, compiling an 8-6 record and a 3.05 ERA. --Field Level Media

byLiam Oneel

in

August 05, 2025

Cubs' Michael Soroka is IL-bound due to shoulder soreness

Cubs' Michael Soroka is IL-bound due to shoulder soreness Michael Soroka exited his Chicago Cubs debut after two innings on Monday, and ...

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Wallabies hooker David Porecki retires from rugby

Wallabies hooker David Porecki retires from rugby

SYDNEY (AP) — Hooker David Porecki, who was alate injury withdrawalfrom Australia's lineup for thethird testagainst the British and Irish Lions last weekend, has announced his retirement. Rugby Australia issued a statement Tuesday saying the 32-year-old Porecki, who sustained a heel injury last week, was retiring immediately and ending a career that included five seasons in Britain with Saracens and London Irish from 2015. He returned to Australia and the New South Wales Waratahs ahead of the 2021 Super Rugby season, and made his test debut a year later in a win for Australia against England in Perth. Porecki was part of Australia's 2023 Rugby World Cup squad and became the 88th Wallabies captain after an injury to Will Skelton, leading the team in three of its four pool matches at the tournament. Two-time champion Australia was eliminated in the group stage for the first time ever at a Rugby World Cup, hastening a change of coaching staff and leadership. Injury sidelined Porecki in 2024 but he returned to the Wallabies squad last month and started againstFijiin Australia's first test of 2025. His 21st and final test was at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 26, when theLions clinched the three-test series with a contentious late try. "Rugby has given me so much to be thankful for and has been such a massive part of my life for so long but it feels like the right time for me to turn the page and start a new chapter," Porecki said in theRugby Australiastatement, Australia's list of injuries continues to grow just four tests in the international season, although there has been some positive news for the Wallabies with a potential return for Allan Ala'alatoa during the Rugby Championship. Initially set to undergo shoulder surgery after sustaining an injury in Melbourne, Ala'alatoa is instead back in Canberra completing intensive rehab in the hope of rejoining the Wallabies for the four-nation tournament. The 31-year-old prop is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks, giving him a chance of returning for the Sept. 13 test against Argentina in Sydney or the first match against New Zealand in Auckland two weeks later. ___ AP rugby:https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

byLiam Oneel

in

August 05, 2025

Wallabies hooker David Porecki retires from rugby

Wallabies hooker David Porecki retires from rugby SYDNEY (AP) — Hooker David Porecki, who was alate injury withdrawalfrom Australia's li...

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Lil Tay Claims She Made $1 Million on OnlyFans Just Hours After Turning 18

Lil Tay Claims She Made $1 Million on OnlyFans Just Hours After Turning 18

Lil Tay Claims She Made $1 Million on OnlyFans Just Hours After Turning 18originally appeared onParade. Just days after turning 18, internet starLil Taysays she earned over $1 million within her first three hours on OnlyFans — a claim that, if true, would mark a record-breaking debut. On Sunday, August 3, the viral teen influencer, real name Claire Hope,shared a screenshotof what she says is her earnings from the adult content platform. The alleged total, $1,024,298.09. Proclaiming to be the "youngest girl on OnlyFans," she told her followers she made the content "one minute past midnight" on her 18th birthday. If confirmed by the platform, Lil Tay would be dethroning a previous record held by rapperBhad Bhabie, who claimed she made $1 million in six hours after launching her own OnlyFans in 2021. In her post, Lil Tay included a detailed screenshot breaking down the alleged revenue from her OnlyFans debut, in which she earned $511,318.90 from subscriptions, $486,381.19 from private messages and $27,405 in tips. She paired the numbers with avideo of herself celebratingthe milestone and assuring followers that her content was created "at 12:01 a.m." on July 29 — just minutes after her birthday. "You can't say Lil Tay ain't winning," she said in another clip. "So, for everybody out there, do whatever the hell you want with your life. Who gives a f--- what people have to say? Remember this, Lil Tay rich and finna get richer." Initial reactions on social media have been mixed, with some supporting the move and others questioning the ethics of the launch. "I hope she's just tricking these people cuzzz whattt" one fan wrote. "We saw this girl grow up, what is wrong with people?" another user commented. Lil Tay became famous at just 9-years-old for her profanity-laced Instagram videos flaunting stacks of cash, Lamborghinis and designer clothes. Marketed as the "youngest flexer of the century," she amassed millions of views, but also faced backlash over alleged parental manipulation. In 2023, her Instagram account posted a message falsely announcing her death, igniting a massive online firestorm. She later resurfaced, claiming she had been hacked and was very much alive. Lil Tay's latest OnlyFans launch joins a growing list of celebrities who have embraced the site, includingBella Thorne,Carmen Electra,DJ Khaled,Fat Joe,Drea de Matteoand even cricketerTymal Mills. The influencer hinted at more content coming soon andsaid she turned down"$30 to $40 million" in offers from other platforms before her birthday even came. "I'm like, why would I need you, though? I am the bag. I don't need you to give me a bag. Don't need your petty 30 to 40 mil. Like, come on." Lil Tay Claims She Made $1 Million on OnlyFans Just Hours After Turning 18first appeared on Parade on Aug 5, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared.

byLiam Oneel

in

August 05, 2025

Lil Tay Claims She Made $1 Million on OnlyFans Just Hours After Turning 18

Lil Tay Claims She Made $1 Million on OnlyFans Just Hours After Turning 18 Lil Tay Claims She Made $1 Million on OnlyFans Just Hours After T...

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On This Day 53 Years Ago, Legendary Rock Band Aerosmith Got Their First Record Deal in the Most Iconic Way

On This Day 53 Years Ago, Legendary Rock Band Aerosmith Got Their First Record Deal in the Most Iconic Way

On This Day 53 Years Ago, Legendary Rock Band Aerosmith Got Their First Record Deal in the Most Iconic Wayoriginally appeared onParade. Sometimes the biggest dreams require the boldest risks, and 53 years ago today, five Boston musicians proved that betting everything on one night can change your life forever. On August 5, 1972,Aerosmithsecured their legendary $125,000 record deal with Columbia Records in a way that perfectly embodies rock and roll hustle. The unbelievable part? The band literally paid their own way to perform atMax's Kansas City, a small New York venue, knowing that music industry powerhouseClive Daviswould be in attendance. This wasn't a lucky break or accidental discovery – it was a calculated gamble that required incredible confidence and financial sacrifice from five young musicians who believed in their destiny. Davis, the legendary executive who also signedBruce Springsteen,Billy Joel, andPink Floyd, witnessed something special that night. Aerosmith's performance was so compelling that he offered them a deal on the spot, launching one of rock's most enduring careers. The band had strategically included "Mama Kin" in their setlist – a song so meaningful to Steven Tyler that he later tattooed "MA KIN" inside a heart on his bicep. What makes this story truly remarkable is how it demonstrates the power of creating your own opportunities. Rather than waiting to be discovered, Aerosmith invested their own money to put themselves in front of the right person at the right time. Their belief in their music was so strong that they were willing to risk everything for one performance. The strategy paid off spectacularly. Just five months later, in January 1973, their self-titled debut album was released, featuring future classics like "Dream On" and "Mama Kin." Eight days after the album release, "Mama Kin" became their first single – the very song that helped seal their record deal that fateful night at Max's Kansas City. Related: '80s Band Legend, 73, Nails Famous Power Ballad at Recent Concert: 'Sings Like an Angel' The band even immortalized this pivotal moment in their 1979 song "No Surprize" with the lyrics about how "at Max's Kansas City we won" and how "old Clive Davis said he's surely gonna make us a star." It became part of their rock and roll mythology, proving that sometimes the best stories are the true ones. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 This origin story perfectly captures the essence of what made Aerosmith special from the beginning – they weren't just talented musicians, they were strategic dreamers who understood that success requires both incredible music and incredible courage. Fifty-three years later, that one night of calculated risk-taking launched a career that would influence countless artists and cement their place in rock history. On This Day 53 Years Ago, Legendary Rock Band Aerosmith Got Their First Record Deal in the Most Iconic Wayfirst appeared on Parade on Aug 5, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared.

byLiam Oneel

in

August 05, 2025

On This Day 53 Years Ago, Legendary Rock Band Aerosmith Got Their First Record Deal in the Most Iconic Way

On This Day 53 Years Ago, Legendary Rock Band Aerosmith Got Their First Record Deal in the Most Iconic Way On This Day 53 Years Ago, Legenda...

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NCAA: No expansion of basketball tournaments beyond 68 teams this season, talks ongoing about 2027

NCAA: No expansion of basketball tournaments beyond 68 teams this season, talks ongoing about 2027

The NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments will not expand beyond 68 teams in 2026, but future growth remains on the radar. "Expanding the tournament fields is no longer being contemplated for the 2026 men's and women's basketball championships," Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of basketball, said in a statement on Monday. "However, the committees will continue conversations on whether to recommend expanding to 72 or 76 teams in advance of the 2027 championships." NCAAPresident Charlie Bakerhas said adding teams could add value to the tournament, and he said the NCAA already has had "good conversations" with TV partners CBS and Warner Bros., whose deal runs through 2032 at the cost of around $1.1 billion a year. The NCAA Tournament expanded from 64 to 68 teams in 2011. The change introduced the First Four round, a set of pre-tournament games in which the four lowest-seeded at-large teams and four lowest-seeded conference champions compete for spots in the traditional 64-team bracket. Baker indicated in May that the current formula has flaws and said it would be beneficial to give more opportunities to worthy teams. "If you have a tournament that's got 64 or 68 teams in it, you're going to have a bunch of teams that are probably among what most people would consider to be the best 68 or 70 teams in the country that aren't going to make the tournament, period," Baker said then. "The point behind going from 68 to 72 or 76 is to basically give some of those schools that were probably among the 72, 76, 68, 64 best teams in the country a way into the tournament." Coaches have expressed different opinions about an expanded bracket. Tom Izzo, Nate Oats and Dan Hurley have indicated they like the field at 68 but Texas coach Sean Miller told CBS Sports he wouldn't mind expansion. "Never before has the tournament felt more even, with few exceptions," Miller said. "On any given night in a 40-minute game, it's just amazing what can happen. I think adding depth to that will only make what's already good even better." SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said the league backs expansion "but you just don't jump into it." "So, if there are reasons from a broadcast point, a financial point, logistics point or competitive realities that don't support expansion, again, we're going to be fine," he said at SEC football media days last month." But I think this is the right direction to at least explore." Kansas coach Bill Self said fellow Big 12 coaches seem to favor an NCAA tourney expansion. The Big 12 had seven bids in 2025, half the total of the SEC. "There was a little bit that was brought forth and the consensus among the coaches, even though it was very little, would be in favor of that," he said earlier this year. "I don't know if you could make it where it was totally equitable all the way across the board for everybody." ___ AP college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

byLiam Oneel

in

August 04, 2025

NCAA: No expansion of basketball tournaments beyond 68 teams this season, talks ongoing about 2027

NCAA: No expansion of basketball tournaments beyond 68 teams this season, talks ongoing about 2027 The NCAA men's and women's basket...

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Former NBA player's pregnant wife attacked by shark

Former NBA player's pregnant wife attacked by shark

A formerNBA player's pregnant wife suffered injuries in a shark attack while vacationing in Puerto Rico, according to information from the woman and local authorities. In a post onher Instagram account, sports journalist Eleonora Boi,former New York Knicks forwardDanilo Gallinari's wife, wrote she was recovering after being bitten by a shark near the shore of a crowded beach in Carolina. The municipality is in the northeastern part of the U.S. territory, just east of San Juan. Carolina Municipal Police Commissioner Captain Ruben Moyeno confirmed to local media outletGFR Mediathat the 39-year-old woman was bit by a shark on July 31. Boi, who is pregnant, was wading in the water when the attack occurred, according to the outlet's Aug. 4 report. Bahamas shark attack:American bit by shark while boating The Italian journalist was transported to a medical center in Río Piedra, where she snapped a selfie for the social media post that shows her tongue sticking out as she rests in a hospital bed. The territory's Department of Natural and Environmental Resources confirmed on July 31 the woman's bite was compatible with that of a shark,GFR Mediareported. The soon-to-be mom called the event the worst day of her life in her post, but wrote she was recovering after surgery. "My baby and I are fine," she wrote. "I was rescued promptly and the surgery to put my poor bitten leg back in place went well." Boi did not release details about the leg injury or expand on the rescue. USA TODAY has reached out to police and local officials in Carolina. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒂 𝑩𝒐𝒊 (@leo_boiboi) Boi then playfully mentions plans to civilly confront the fish responsible for her injuries. "Now I just have to recover from the huge scare and try to forgive the great friend who betrayed me," she continued in the post. "Regarding the shark, you will soon hear from my lawyers." Bio also thanked her husband "for all his love and courage," the post, and said the couple missed attending a Bad Bunny concert due to the incident. Montana mass murder:Who killed bartender, 3 others in quadruple shooting? What to know about the case Gallinari is an Italian professsional baskeball player who played in Italy prior to being drafted by the Knicks in 2008. He currently plays for Italy'smen's national basketball team. According to theInternational Shark Attack File(ISAF), 47 people were bitten in unprovoked attacks last year. Four people died, including one person in the U.S. Each year, according to ISAF, the world averages about65 documented shark attacks. On average,six fatal attacksare reported each year. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Shark attacks, bites ex-NBA player's pregnant wife

byLiam Oneel

in

August 04, 2025

Former NBA player's pregnant wife attacked by shark

Former NBA player's pregnant wife attacked by shark A formerNBA player's pregnant wife suffered injuries in a shark attack while vac...

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