MON SIX

"The level of engagement and the scale of the bids reflect the marketplace's belief in our proposed model and the enormous, untapped potential for European basketball," NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said in a statement. "We will now review the bids in more detail and shortlist the partners who share our vision and commitment to accelerating the growth of the game across the continent."

This comes days after Tatum presented an update on the NBA's vision at the board of governors meeting. No votes were taken on the matter in New York, but owners continue to express "overwhelming support" for the plan, sources told Yahoo Sports.

As NBA commissioner Adam Silver outlined in a press conference last week, the NBA is working with investment banks JPMorgan and Raine, "soliciting interest" from "over a hundred organizations" to field teams in "12 separate markets" across Europe.

"There has been enormous enthusiasm," said Silver.

London, Paris and Rome are expected to be among the 12 markets. Spain, Germany, Greece and Turkey have also been mentioned in league circles as potential locations.

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Prospective teams would come from some collection of: 1) existing basketball teams, 2) existing soccer organizations interested in establishing a basketball program, or 3) entirely new ownership groups. Multiple EuroLeague teams are among more than a dozen existing basketball organizations that have submitted their bids, sources said.

The NBA has received multiple bids for prospective franchises in a range between $500 million and $1 billion, including several offers north of $1 billion, sources said.

The NBA is tentatively targeting a start date of October 2027 for the new league.

Silver has also been encouraged by "ongoing discussions" with the EuroLeague's new CEO, as of January, Chus Bueno, who spent 12 years in the NBA's front office.

"I think for the betterment of European basketball, the best outcome would be if we came together with the EuroLeague on a systematic approach to growing the game throughout Europe," he said. "That means complementing country leagues, working together with the EuroLeague and working together with our federation, FIBA."

The EuroLeague was organized by FIBA in 1958 and run by the federation until 2000.

The NBA's most recent announcement of "significant interest" in a European-based league comes at the same time as it considersexpanding itself to 32 teams. The NBA is seeking offers in a $7-10 billion range for franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle.

So, would he ever leavethe Spartansfor sayan NBAjob?

In an appearance on "The Dan Patrick Show" on Wednesday, April 1, the Hall of Fame coach said he had discussed taking an NBA job last year to coachthe Phoenix Suns,who are owned by his former Michigan State walk-on, Mat Ishbia. No, this is not an April Fool's joke.

"I've had more than a couple of job offers in the NBA, and looked at one last year with Phoenix. You know my former player, Mat Ishbia, and that was hard," Izzo said. "That was a hard thing to turn down because No. 1, I kind of wanted to go with him ..."

REQUIRED READING:Is Tom Izzo retiring? Michigan State coach has 'some things to accomplish'

Interrupted by Dan Patrick mid-thought and asked whether the Suns offered him the job, Izzo said, "We talked seriously" about the position.

"... And then No. 2, I have been pretty vocal about it, I don't like what's going on in college athletics," Izzo continued with his original thought. "But by the way, neither do 99.98% of the football and basketball coaches in America. And I think the kids are going to still find out before it is done that it isn't best for them either."

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The Suns haven't been the only NBA team to express interest in Izzo, who ranks 20th in career wins among Division I men's college basketball coaches (764) and has eight Final Fours and a national championship on his resume. As alluded to in the clip, the Cleveland Cavaliers, owned by another Michigan State alum, Dan Gilbert, expressed interest in Izzo in the past.That interest from the Cavaliers came in 2010.

As noted by the Detroit Free Press,part of the USA TODAY Network, The Athletic reported in February that Ishbia had asked Izzo if he was interested in leaving Michigan State for a job in the NBA, but the understanding was that Izzo didn't take it all that seriously.

Izzo just led theSpartanstotheir 17th career Sweet 16 appearancein his three-decade tenure, where they fell to No. 2 UConn 67-63 despite a valiant second-half comeback. He's led Michigan State to 28 consecutive trips to the Men's NCAA Tournament, which is theNCAA Division I record for most consecutive March Madness appearances.

Whether it be entertaining another NBA job or continuing to coach at Michigan State, the 71-year-old isn't retiring anytime soon, either.He addressed that topicafter the Spartans' loss, which extended the program's Final Four drought to seven years.

"... It's sure as hell not going to be now," Izzo said on Friday, March 27. "I've got some things to accomplish."

He added: "I said a couple years ago that I'll find a way to get back there. We've knocked on the door twice. We haven't gotten back. We'll get back."

Iowa State Cyclones fans cheer against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 22, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Nebraska's Berke Buyuktuncel celebrates with fans following a second-round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament between Nebraska Cornhuskers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on March 21, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Arkansas Razorbacks cheerleaders in the second half against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Ore.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A Texas Christian University Horned Frogs cheerleader practices before the game during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebrities

Iowa State Cyclones fans cheer against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournamentat Enterprise Center on March 22, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Tom Izzo to NBA? Michigan State coach 'looked' at Suns job last year

NEED TO KNOW

• The school confirmed Pugh's death in a post on social media

• Pugh, 24, retired due to mental health reasons in 2023

Former Wisconsin football player Jack Pugh has died, the school confirmed. He was 24.Pugh played tight end for the Badgers from 2021-2023 before retiring due to mental health reasons,theMilwaukee Journal Sentinelreported.No cause of death has been released at this time.Wisconsin football shared a tribute to the former player on X late Tuesday, March 31."The Wisconsin athletics family is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Pugh,"the school said. "Jack was a positive light and brought a genuine spirit to our football program. More than that, he cared about people and was loved by his teammates and staff. Jack proudly earned his degree from UW-Madison in 2025 and will forever be remembered and loved."The Columbus, Ohio native was a four-star recruit for the Badgers despite only playing football for his final two years in high school.

Pugh was highly recruited by Michigan, Penn State, Michigan State, Maryland and Minnesota, according to theJournal Sentinel.In 2023, Pugh announced his retirement on Instagram.

"My physical health was not near perfect, but my mental health was the reason I decided to hang it up," he posted at the time. "Over years of prolonged depression and substance abuse, I decided I deserved a better life and to finally find happiness."

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He continued, "In no way was football the root of these problems, but everything in my life had distracted me for so long to the point I didn't want to be alive for years. I never had prioritized my mental health all along, digging a deeper darker hole."

Pugh went on to thank his coaches, teammates and others for their support."I'll never forget the memories. Love y'all," he wrote.Pugh's former teammate, New York Jets running back Braelon Allen, shared the news of his death on social media on Monday night, and added a message to his followers."Protect your mental,"he wrote on X.

Read the original article onPeople

To relieve the financial strain, some countries have slashed taxes or announced school holidays, while others have urged residents to travel by bike or train.

The conflict has prompted Iran's effective closure of theStrait of Hormuz, a maritime trading route leading out of the Persian Gulf that facilitates the transport of about one-fifth of global supply of oil and natural gas.

Iran live updates: As Iran continues attacks, Trump says 'ceasefire' requested

The vast majority of fuel delivered through the strait is bound for Asia, placing the heaviest pressure on energy supply in that continent. Since oil and gas are sold on a global market, however, the shortage has sent prices rising for just about everyone.

Here's what countries are doing in response to rising gas prices:

Australia enacted a raft of measures in recent days aimed at easing fuel costs and alleviating economic damage.

The country slashed its excise tax by half for the next three months, saving drivers 26 cents on every liter of gasoline over that period, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a video posted onXon Wednesday.

Lawmakers also temporarily removed a surcharge for the usage of heavy trucks, helping delivery drivers weather added fuel expenses, Albanese said.

Australians, he said, should forgo stockpiling gasoline and commute by train or bus whenever possible.

"The reality is the economic shocks caused by this war will be with us for months," Albanese said. "No government can promise to eliminate the pressures that this war is causing. I can promise we will do everything we can to protect Australia from the worst of it."

European Union

The European Commission, the main executive body at the European Union, on Tuesday urged its 27 member countries to avoid taking steps that would increase oil usage.

Even more, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen issued a letter to member countries' energy ministers calling on them to "consider the promotion of demand saving measures, with particular attention to the transport sector."

"The European Union's security of supply remains guaranteed. But we must be ready for a potentially prolonged disruption of international energy trade," Jørgensen said.

Last week, Slovenia announced temporary caps on the amount of gasoline that drivers can purchase. The move made the country the first member of the European Union to limit gas consumption.

Gas will be restricted to 50 liters per day for individuals and 200 liters per day for some commercial and government vehicles, Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob announced on March 22, according toReuters.

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South Korea

South Korea earlier this month launched a nationwide energy-saving campaign, calling on people to ride bicycles for short trips and reduce the length of showers. The country also instituted a five-day, staggered system for the use of government-owned vehicles.

South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok last week said the government should plan for the "worst-case scenarios," according toYonhap News Agency.

Imports make up more than 98% of South Korea's total crude oil supply, according to theInternational Energy Agency.

Philippines

The Philippines hasdeclareda national energy emergency in response to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in part that the ongoing war threatened "the availability and stability of the country's energy supply."

The emergency declaration allows the Philippine government to exert control over fuel prices and fast-track imports from alternative suppliers, such as Russia. Philippine authorities said last week they have enough fuel to last about 45 days at typical consumption levels.

Last month, Pakistan unveiled a series of measures intended to conserve fuel as the nation grapples with a potentially severe shortage.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said half of government employees would begin to work from home and schools would take a two-week break,Al Jazeerareported.

Federal cabinet members will reportedly work without pay for two months and workers at state-owned firms will take pay cuts as high as 30% as the government seeks to slash expenses.

"The entire region is currently in a state of war," Sharif said in a televised address on March 10.

United States

Earlier this month, the Trump administrationannouncedthe second largest-ever release from the nation's stockpile of emergency crude. The U.S. will release 172 million barrels of oil from its strategic petroleum reserve over the next 120 days, the White House said.

U.S. President Donald Trump also eased sanctions on Russian oil and suspended a key regulation of domestic oil transport.

The president has sought to restore tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting the U.S. may operate a Naval escort or secure the strait with troops. At times, however, Trump has said the task of reopening the strait should fall to other countries.

'Gut punch': Why Wall Street is raising recession odds amid the Iran war

International Energy Agency

The International Energy Agency issued a set of 10 oil-conservation measures available to governments, businesses and individuals in its 32 member nations, which include the U.S.

Employees could work remotely and commuters could carpool whenever possible, the IEAsaidon March 20. The directive also urged governments to reduce highway speed limits and recommend use of public transportation.

The recommendations came days after the IEAannouncedthat its member countries would release 400 barrels of crude from their respective petroleum reserves, marking the largest-ever emergency release of oil in the group's 52-year history.