ORLANDO, Fla — As if there was any more confirmation needed that Kyle Tucker wouldn’t be returning to the Chicago Cubs, manager Craig Counsell only reinforced the idea. When talking to members of the media Tuesday afternoon at the Signia by Hilton in Orlando, Counsell sure sounded like someone prepared to manage a team that didn’t include Tucker.

“From a position player standpoint, the loss right now is Tucker obviously,” Counsell said. “The rest of the group is back and likely with us.”

This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone paying attention. Tucker is expected to get the largest contract of the offseason. While multiple teams have been linked to the star right fielder, there has been nary a mention of the Cubs. Perhaps if the unexpected happens and Tucker’s market lingers into February, the Cubs will entertain a short-term deal should Tucker be willing. That seems unlikely at the moment.

Whether it’s the right move or not is a separate discussion, but it has been clear for a while now that Tucker would find the big-money contract he’s seeking elsewhere.

The front office has been clear that upgrading the pitching staff would be the priority. Both the bullpen and rotation are areas where the Cubs will look to improve, but even if it’s not at the top of the to-do list, adding a more established bat to the roster to make up for losing Tucker can’t be ruled out.

“You’re just trying to fortify the roster as a whole,” Counsell said. “You can think about it in different ways. But I think more depth from a position player standpoint would be helpful, absolutely. I do think we were extremely healthy there last year, so more depth there is important.”

Team president Jed Hoyer has said he’d prefer not to have young players sitting on the bench, so depth can’t come at the expense of player development. Counsell doesn’t seem to be pounding the table to add an established bat to the mix, not publicly at least. Building a better bench than last season seems important to everyone in the organization, but adding no-doubt offensive production won’t be forced.

That doesn’t mean it won’t happen, but Counsell seems intrigued by the idea of getting more playing time for young players, in particular Moisés Ballesteros and Owen Caissie.

Seiya Suzuki’s recent performance has made him one of the players the Cubs could lean on to help fill Tucker’s shoes. (Michael Reaves / Getty Images)

“We have young players that did contribute in a big way,” Counsell said. “I thought Moisés gave us the offensive production of Tucker essentially in the month of September. Between him and Owen, who was unfortunately hurt for most of that month, those are two important players as we sit right now.”

Ballesteros ended the season with a 143 wRC+ in 66 plate appearances. All but 20 of those came in September when he posted a 177 wRC+ and delivered four of his five extra-base hits on the season. Ballesteros got that playing time after Caissie went down with a concussion and Tucker was on the shelf with a calf injury that cost him most of September. The young DH/catcher parlayed that performance into a spot on the playoff roster.

“He’s at the point where if he can help the major-league team, he’s going to be in the major leagues,” Counsell said. “There’s not an everyday catching job in the major leagues for him. But as we’re constructed right now, we’ve got room for at-bats, so I would prioritize the major leagues right now. But that could change with roster stuff.”

Ballesteros’ September looked remarkably similar to what he’s shown for much of his minor-league career: a high-contact bat who can take walks and can hit the ball hard to all parts of the field with legitimate extra-base pop. Caissie didn’t get an extended opportunity to show what he can do, but that could change in 2026. He brings elite power to the table but also plenty of swing-and-miss concerns.

Counsell was also very complimentary of Seiya Suzuki, who had an offensive power breakout in the first half before hitting an extended slump that ended just in time for a brilliant postseason. The veteran had a career-high 32 homers and .233 ISO, then hit three home runs and three doubles in eight playoff games.

“I’m really happy for Seiya with how he performed in the playoffs,” Counsell said. “He was a very dangerous hitter and showed what he can do and the impact he could have.”

Due to Tucker’s injury, Suzuki was able to get a decent amount of playing time in right field down the stretch, something Counsell said Suzuki “did a really good job” handling. This, after a 2024 where Suzuki seemed to lose his confidence in the field and eventually his job there to Cody Bellinger and, of course, Tucker this past summer.

Even if there isn’t an impactful, established bat added to this roster, Counsell sees a pathway to a strong offense, but there’s an obvious risk. Michael Busch’s breakout has to be real. It felt as much considering that, like Suzuki, he dominated in the postseason and truly built upon a solid first season with Chicago in 2024.

Pair that with Suzuki, the continued development of young players like Matt Shaw and Pete Crow-Armstrong, along with less-established kids in Ballesteros and Caissie, and there is hope that the group can be dynamic even without Tucker.

“It’s a tough league,” Counsell said. “Even the veteran players can struggle. You see in giving young players opportunities, they’re the guys that are going to improve as the season goes and turn into better players. Then turn into very important players on your club.”

There could still be an addition that moves the needle on offense, but the Cubs also seem prepared to go with a youth movement if the right acquisition doesn’t come along. Counsell understands that with youth, the production may not happen immediately. However, after watching these things happen in Milwaukee and across the league with various other strong organizations, he trusts that patience with the kids will pay off.

“You have to be patient with those opportunities,” he said. “You have to create the opportunities for players of that caliber.”

Key Takeaways

• NFL teams unanimously voted to invest $1 million each, totaling $32 million, to develop and launch a professional flag football league with both men’s and women’s teams.
• The league intends to sell media rights for the venture and expects to begin play after the 2028 Summer Olympics, where flag football will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles.
• Two potential operating partners have emerged: TMRW Sports, founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, and a group led by former NFL running back Curtis Martin with former Bucks part-owner Marc Lasry.
• Flag football participation has reached 20 million players worldwide, with 2.4 million kids under 17 playing organized flag football in the United States.
• The sport is now offered at the high school level in 38 states, with hundreds of colleges and universities also providing flag football programs.

Financial Commitment Marks Strategic Expansion

NFL teams took a definitive step into professional flag football Wednesday, voting unanimously to invest up to $32 million in the development and launch of a new pro league. The virtual vote during a league meeting authorizes 32 Equity, the NFL’s investment arm, to enter into an agreement with an operating partner for the planned league.

Each of the league’s 32 teams is committing $1 million to the venture. A source familiar with the matter confirmed to Front Office Sports that the approval was unanimous, signaling broad support across ownership groups for expanding the NFL’s footprint in flag football.

Troy Vincent Sr., executive vice president of football operations for the NFL, described the vote as “a critical step in establishing flag football as a premier global sport.” Vincent added that the league is “developing the infrastructure to accelerate the game’s growth to new heights by creating a clear pathway for aspiring athletes to progress from youth and high school programs through college and now to the professional level.”

Partnership Landscape Narrows to Two Contenders

The NFL has been fielding inbound interest from potential partners for months. In May, a source familiar with the league’s thinking told Front Office Sports that “more than a dozen parties” were still in consideration. By October, according to Bloomberg, that field had narrowed to two finalists.

The first is TMRW Sports, the company founded by professional golfers Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy that launched the indoor golf league TGL. The second is a group led by former NFL running back Curtis Martin that includes former Milwaukee Bucks part-owner Marc Lasry.

An NFL representative told Front Office Sports Wednesday that the league is “not commenting on specific partners at this stage, but there has been tremendous interest in the marketplace in developing a professional flag football league.”

The structure under consideration involves an entity that the NFL supports financially but does not directly operate. This approach allows the league to leverage its brand and resources while enabling specialized partners to handle day-to-day operations.

Olympic Timing Shapes Launch Strategy

The NFL’s push into professional flag football aligns with the sport’s debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Flag football will be included in the Olympic program for the first time, creating a global stage and potential inflection point for mainstream adoption.

While the NFL didn’t specify an exact launch date for the new league, the expectation is that play will begin sometime after the 2028 Summer Olympics conclude. This timing positions the league to capitalize on heightened visibility and fan interest generated by Olympic coverage.

In February, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league was exploring both men’s and women’s pro flag leagues. A source familiar with the matter told Front Office Sports Wednesday that there will be one league featuring both men’s and women’s teams. The NFL also intends to sell media rights for the venture, creating additional revenue streams and broadcast exposure.

Earlier this month, the New York Jets committed $1 million to a new women’s college flag football venture from the Eastern College Athletic Conference, which will begin play in February. That commitment was made through a grant from The Betty Wold Johnson Foundation, a philanthropic organization named for the mother of Jets owner Woody Johnson.

Participation Growth Validates Investment

Youth and recreational flag football participation has expanded substantially in recent years. The International Federation of American Football, the global governing body responsible for growing American football worldwide, reported earlier this year that 2.4 million kids under 17 are playing organized flag football in the United States, with millions more participating internationally.

Overall, 20 million flag football players exist worldwide, according to the NFL’s Wednesday statement. The sport has gained traction at the high school level, now offered in 38 states. Hundreds of colleges and universities also provide flag football programs, creating a pipeline of experienced players who could transition to professional competition.

This participation base provides the NFL with both a talent pool and a built-in audience for a professional league. The growth spans demographics, with particular momentum among girls and women. Many state athletic associations have added girls’ flag football as an official high school sport, addressing long-standing gaps in athletic opportunities.

Strategic Implications for Youth Sports Market

The NFL’s commitment to professional flag football represents a calculated expansion into a segment of the sports market with lower barriers to entry than tackle football. Flag football requires less equipment, carries reduced injury concerns, and can be played in smaller venues, making it more accessible to a broader range of participants and communities.

The league’s investment creates a professional endpoint for a participation pyramid that now extends from youth programs through high school, college, and into the Olympics. This pathway could attract athletes who might not pursue tackle football while also appealing to those seeking alternatives to traditional contact sports.

By establishing media rights and partnerships before launch, the NFL is positioning flag football as a viable commercial product rather than a developmental initiative. The inclusion of both men’s and women’s teams in one league structure also reflects evolving approaches to gender equity in professional sports.

The $32 million investment, while substantial, is modest compared to the NFL’s overall financial scale. For context, NFL revenue exceeded $20 billion in 2024. The per-team commitment of $1 million represents a low-risk exploration of whether professional flag football can sustain itself as a business venture with sufficient fan interest and media demand.

via: FOS / YAHOO

photo: RCX Sports

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The busiest and most impactful people in our nation’s schools? A strong case could be made that athletic directors are the ones who keep the engines running in our nation’s schools – particularly for the more than 8.2 million participants in high school sports.   

Starting Friday, about 2,500 leaders of high school and middle school athletic programs will make their way to the Tampa Convention Center in Florida for the 56^th annual National Athletic Directors Conference co-sponsored by the NFHS and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA).

Their mission? Professional development is at the top of the list for most meeting attendees. High school athletic directors are entrusted with key leadership roles, and continuing their education helps to provide a safe and fun experience for student-athletes in their schools.

Attendees at this year’s conference have signed up for almost 1,900 Leadership Training Institute courses sponsored by the NIAAA. The 59-course topics address legal issues, as well as marketing and promotion, technology, sports medicine, mental health, hiring and mentoring coaches, emergency management, managing athletic fields and equipment, building positive culture and many more.

In addition to leadership training opportunities, 48 workshops will be offered in six sessions during the five-day conference. While there are a few workshops on topics that are making national news headlines, such as NIL Impact on High School Athletics, most of the sessions focus on ways that athletic directors can continue to emphasize the education-based nature of high school sports and other activities.

Our nation’s athletic directors are aligned with state high school associations to keep high school sports educationally focused. Athletic directors in our nation’s schools want to protect opportunities for other students, promote school and team unity, and maintain the community-based nature of high school sports.

In line with this philosophy, following are some of the workshop topics at this year’s conference: Developing and Implementing Effective Emergency Action Plans, Proactive Strategies for Partnering with Parents, Title IX Updates and Best Practices, Aligning Middle and High School Athletic Programs, Mental Health and Wellness, How to Celebrate Success of Student-Athletes/Teams/Coaches, Getting Back to the Basics of Education-based Athletics for Parents, Competing with Character: Sportsmanship in Interscholastic Athletics, among many others.    

The NFHS and our member state associations, along with the NIAAA, are focused on keeping high school sports unique, and the nation’s high school athletic directors are the key individuals in our schools to maintain the educational focus. With youth leagues and travel teams geared toward specialization and winning, and college sports now driven by money and success, there is a push by some for high school sports to “be like the others.” 

There’s a reason that participation in high school sports continues to rise every year – and for the overwhelming majority it has nothing to do with NIL or transferring to another school to join a winning program. As a result, the National Athletic Directors Conference continues to focus on the educational aspects of sports and other activities in our nation’s schools – because the main reason most students are involved in school activities is to participate with their friends and be part of the school’s team in the community where they live.  

High school athletic directors work long hours and are not in the limelight, but they are the heart and soul of education-based programs. We salute these individuals and encourage school administrators and school boards to support athletic directors in their schools.

The success of organized sports in an education-based setting in our nation’s schools for more than 100 years has been due in large part to these individuals. Local schools depend on athletic administrators to lead their programs, our member state high school associations depend on these individuals, and the NFHS and NIAAA look to athletic directors for leadership at the national level.

Collectively and collaboratively, we can meet the challenges ahead to protect and promote education-based sports and activities.

Read all NFHS Voice columns here.

ORDA’s Senior Manager of Sport Strategy and Engagement Kris Cheney-Seymour, middle, smiles with a group of young skiers at Mount Van Hoevenberg.
(Provided photo — ORDA)

LAKE PLACID — The state Olympic Regional Development Authority recently announced an expanded slate of community cross-country skiing programs and events for the 2025-26 winter season at Mount Van Hoevenberg. These feature new offerings and returning favorites; the lineup is designed to make Nordic skiing more accessible for participants of all ages and abilities while complementing the venue’s daily skiing and year-round activities.

These community programs and events are available in addition to daily skiing and other activities available to all visitors:

Youth Skiing Programs are offered for two different age groups to provide area youth with safe opportunities to discover cross-country skiing as a healthy and fun recreational alternative.

¯ Wee Ski — for youth ages 3 to 6 (with an adult), this 11-week program provides a playful setting for youth to take their first strides on cross-country skis. From 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays from Saturday through Feb. 21. Single-day options are also available.

¯ Pathfinders — for youth ages 7 to 12, this 12-week program offers dynamic opportunities for more independent skiers to develop skills and discover more. From 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday through Feb. 28.

¯ Through a collaboration with the New York Ski Educational Foundation and other partner organizations, MVH also offers additional skiing opportunities.

Snowboomers is a weekly guided ski session that provides camaraderie, coaching and fun for active adults aged 50 and older. From 1 to 3 p.m. each Thursday from Thursday through March 12. Free for season pass holders, while the $28 non-passholder drop-in fee includes a trail pass as well as equipment rental if needed.

ADK Tour De Ski is a citizen race series offering both youth and adults a chance to explore six different cross-country ski venues across the North Country with events of multiple distances throughout the winter months. The series begins on Sunday.

Full Moon Parties are guided group ski adventures for all ages that explore the MVH trails at night while allowing everyone to ski their preferred distance at their own pace. Includes bonfires and an apres ski party with live music inside the Mountain Pass Lodge. Tickets are $6 per person with parties on Saturday, Jan. 3, Jan. 31, Feb. 28 and March 28.

Lake Placid Loppet is a long-standing traditional celebration of Nordic skiing that provides events for all ages and abilities. The event’s signature 50K and 25K races are on challenging courses, while a Citizen’s Series provides three shorter distance events (2, 7.5 and 13K) on relatively flat terrain for those newer to the sport or looking for a simpler experience. All races can be skied using either the classic or skate technique. Start times vary from 9 a.m. to noon on Jan. 25.

In addition to youth-skiing classes, MVH will offer cross-country ski lessons for all ages and abilities through Discover Cross-Country Skiing, as well as a biathlon experience combining Nordic skiing with marksmanship. For visitors interested in the venue’s Olympic heritage, guided Legacy Tours are also available and the Mountain Pass Lodge features an indoor climbing center for year-round adventure.

Cross-country skiing at MVH officially opened for season pass-holders Nov. 15 and for the general public on Nov. 28. Season passes for the 2025-26 winter are available now and can be purchased online through the MVH website or in person at the Mountain Pass Lodge. Daily conditions reports for the Nordic ski trails at MVH are available on the venue’s website.

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Spectate and Recreate

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In addition to community skiing and lessons, MVH will host several elite international events this winter.

The venue will welcome the International Biathlon Union Cup from Feb. 26 to March 1 and March 4 to 7, featuring sprint, pursuit, individual and mixed relay races at the recently upgraded biathlon stadium. From March 19 to 22, the Lake Placid Finals, the Coop FIS Cross-Country World Cup, will bring the world’s fastest Nordic skiers to the venue for the season’s culminating cross-country ski event — the first time the U.S. will host the World Cup Finals since 2001. These marquee competitions complement MVH’s full winter calendar of youth programs, recreational skiing, lessons and guided tours, with full event schedules and ticket information available on the venue’s events page.

Apply for the Naturally Fun Scholarship

Income verification is due at the time of application approval. To save time, upload your required documents with your online application. Once approved you will receive an award letter with registration details. This scholarship is valid for 12 months from the date of the award letter.

Accepted Documentation to Verify Arlington Residency and Income:

• Current Federal Income Tax Return
• Proof of residency (utility bill or lease agreement)
• If you did not file taxes, submit a brief explanation of your financial situation, including income/support sources (e.g., official verification letters). For questions, call 817-459-5474.

Income Eligibility

Annual incomes are subject to change based on HUD guidelines.

Household Members / Annual Income (Less Than)

• 1 member – annual income less than $22,400; not exceeding $59,750
• 2 members – annual income less than $25,600; not exceeding $68,300
• 3 members – annual income less than $28,800; not exceeding $76,850
• 4 members – annual income less than $32,000; not exceeding $85,350
• 5 members – annual income less than $34,600; not exceeding $92,200
• 6 members – annual income less than $37,150; not exceeding $99,050
• 7 members – annual income less than $39,700; not exceeding $105,850
• 8 members – annual income less than $42,250; not exceeding $112,700

Important Information

Each recipient is responsible for the remaining payment after the scholarship discount is applied. Scholarships cannot be used for rentals, private swim lessons, or activities outside of the listings above. Memberships are non-refundable. Explore our website for details on facility hours, fitness class schedules, aquatic programs, and to register for activities.

For more information, call the Administrative Office at 817-459-5474.

In addition to the scholarship program mentioned above, the Arlington Parks & Recreation Department has multi-child discounts for our camp and after-school childcare programs. For more information, please email us.

The YOG Working Group will continue to study the potential and relevance of future editions of the YOG to benefit young athletes and the entire sports movement, in consultation with stakeholders such as the International Federations (IFs), the NOCs and continental organisations, as part of the Fit for the Future review process.

“The strong interest in the 2030 edition from new regions of the world demonstrates the value that potential hosts see in the Youth Olympic Games,” said Hrbeková. “The YOG have offered tens of thousands of young athletes and volunteers a unique, global, multi-sports experience, helping to form the basis for their future careers. The YOG are also an important laboratory for innovation in Olympic sports events.”

All three projects are aligned with local and national long-term plans for development, sports, education and health, to deliver a wide range of socio-economic community benefits.

They were put forward for Targeted Dialogue based on their unique opportunities: