MON SIX

The 31st Major League Soccer season will begin this weekend, andthere are more storylines than everheading into another exciting campaign.

Lionel Messi helped Inter Miami win the club's first MLS title in 2025, recording two assists in Inter Miami's 3-1 MLS Cup win over the Vancouver Whitecaps. Inter Miami opens the season as the +400 betting favorite atBetMGMsportsbooks, just ahead of Los Angeles FC at +600.

LAFC has plenty of appeal as well, adding former Tottenham star Son Heung-min in the middle of last season. The franchise won its first — and only — MLS Cup back in 2022. LAFC opens its season Saturday in Los Angeles against Messi and the defending champs. LAFC is a +110 favorite on the three-way line, with Inter Miami at +210 and a draw at +270.

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San Diego FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps — 2025 MLS Cup runner-ups — have the next-best odds at +900, followed by the Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati at 14-1.

Sporting Kansas City and original MLS franchise DC United have the longest odds of any team to win this year's title at 80-1.

It's a unique season for MLS as well, with the 2026 World Cup taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The league will take a break from May 25 to July 16, in the middle of the season, to accommodate players participating on their international teams.

The NBA's anti-tanking plans are coming into focus.

The league has informed its 30 general managers it plans to make anti-tanking rule changes for next season,according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Possible changes reportedly include:

• First-round pick protections being limited to top four or top 14;

• Freezing lottery odds after the NBA trade deadline or later;

• Preventing teams from picking in the top four in consecutive years and/or after consecutive bottom-three finishes;

• Forbidding teams from picking in the top four after making the conference finals;

• Basing lottery odds on two-year records;

• Expanding the lottery to play-in teams;

• And flattening the lottery odds for all teams involved.

To be clear, the NBA wouldn't be pursuing all of those options. But even one or two of them could mark a sea change for how the league's less competitive teams do business.

The idea of locking teams out of the top four if they made it the previous year has already been implemented in Major League Baseball's draft lottery, and the popularity of the measure depends on which fan base you're talking to.

Former Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, currently working as a senior adviser to basketball operations for the NBA, was reportedly present at the league's GM meeting Thursday and called for an "attack" on the problem that the executives should be prepared for in the coming year.

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NBA teams are tanking hard this season, for a reason

These changes are being discussed amid one of the most tank-heavy seasons in living memory, in whichthe Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers have already been fined six-figure sums for "overt" tanking behavior, as described by NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

Tanking has been an accepted cost of doing business in the NBA for decades, buta litany of teams have been racing to the bottom this year, and a spate of injuries have left them unlikely to be any better for the rest of the regular season.

The Sacramento Kings, current owners of the worst record in the league,have now lost Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine to season-ending surgeries. The Washington Wizards, with the second-worst record,are still without trade acquisitions Anthony Davis and Trae Young, and no one is expecting them to be rushed back. The Dallas Mavericks won't be seeing Kyrie Irving or Dereck Lively again this season, and Cooper Flagg also remains out. Ja Morant is still out for the Memphis Grizzlies, who sent away Jaren Jackson Jr. at the trade deadline.

The reason why teams would be so committed this year is one of the most loaded draft classes in NBA history, with a remarkable collection of freshman currently making an impact at the college level. Darryn Peterson of Kansas, AJ Dybantsa of BYU and Cameron Boozer of Duke all stand out, but this is also a class where a franchise-changing talent could easily be found anywhere in the top 10, and maybe beyond.

The situation has proven controversial, all the way up to the NBA's ownership.Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia was ranting about "losing behavior done by losers" hours before the possible anti-tanking measure were reported, whileMavericks minority owner Mark Cuban was telling his peers to embrace the tank earlier this week.

Hello from Milan and Cortina, where American figure skaterAlysa Liusummed up today's events quite succinctly. After her nearly flawless performance in the women's free skate, cameras caught Liu saying, "That's what I'm f---ing talking about!"

Liu wonthe gold medalin women's singles figure skating, the first for an American woman since 2002, before Liu was born. And the U.S. women's hockey team beat rival Canada, 2-1, in overtime to win its first gold medal since 2018.

Our correspondents have it all covered below and atNBC News. Catch it all streaming onPeacock.

Live from Milan Cortina

During her free skate today,Alysa Liuseemed to be smiling the whole time, as she moved gracefully across the ice. When she finished, she smiled again, stuck out her tongue and raised her hands. Liu had left figure skating after the 2022 Beijing Games, only to return, on her own terms, and fall back in love with the sport.

Then Liu had to wait for two more skaters to go before she learned:She had won gold. Soon, she was being guided through a back hallway toward the medal ceremony. In that quiet moment, NBC cameras caught her reflecting on her performance.

"I just, like, can't process this," Liu said. "There's no way. I really liked my skate a lot."

On Tuesday, Liu had ended the short program in third place. Then she scored a 150.20 during today's free skate, giving her a total score of 226.79, vaulting her into first place.

Fellow AmericanAmber Glennhad started the day in 13th, after a mistake cost her points during the short program. But she made a spectacular recovery today, scoring a season-best 147.52 in the free skate, which helped her finish in fifth.

After she finished her routine, she appeared to mouth the words "So close."

About an hour earlier, theU.S. women's hockey teamhad its own chance at glory.

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For about 57 minutes today, Team USA couldn't break through. After scoring more than 30 goals in the tournament, the U.S. had been held scoreless and trailed Canada 1-0. All the U.S. needed,Hilary Knightsaid afterward, was to "put one good shot on net."

With just over two minutes left to play,Laila Edwardsfired toward the goal, where Knight had camped out in front of the goalie. Knight deflected the puck into the net, tying the game.

Then, in overtime, Team USA'sMegan Kellermade an incredible individual play, maneuvering around a defender and then chipping the puck past the goalie.

"We knew it was a matter of time, just leaning on them, slowly, slowly," Knight said in an interview with NBC. "But you can also run out of time against a great team. Fortunate that we have an amazing squad to be able to get the job done."

This marked Team USA's third gold medal and first since 2018. The Americans finished these Olympics 7-0 and outscored their opponents 33-2. With that goal,Knight also became the all-time leading scorerfor U.S. women's hockey at the Olympics.

"I'm just happy to have a gold medal," she said. "Oh, my gosh, this feels amazing."

Speedskating Corner

AfterJordan Stolzcrossed the finish line of the 1,500-meter speedskating final, he bent over, put his hands on his legs and breathed heavily.Stolz had finished secondbehind China'sZhongyan Ning, by only 0.77 seconds, and took silver.

"Ning's time was a surprise. He had the race of his life," Stolz told reporters after the race. "I didn't know much about placings until I crossed the finish line. But I was hoping if it wasn't going to be gold, I hoped I could get a silver."

Stolz got off to a slow start and admitted he "didn't have one of [his] best" races. He still has a chance to secure his third gold of these Games: He'll compete in the speedskating mass start event Saturday.

Photo of the Day

When to Watch

In the quarterfinals of the men's hockey tournament, three of the four games went to overtime. The semifinals should be appointment viewing. Are the USA and Canada on a collision course for the gold medal game? Or can Finland or Slovakia pull off an upset? Tune in to find out.

All times are in Eastern, and an asterisk signifies a medal event:

Friday, Feb. 20

• 4:30 a.m.: Freestyle skiing, men's aerials qualification 1

• 4:30 a.m.: Freestyle skiing, men's freeski halfpipe qualification 1

• 5:15 a.m.: Freestyle skiing, men's aerials qualification 2

• 5:27 a.m.: Freestyle skiing, men's freeski halfpipe qualification 2

• 6 a.m.: Freestyle skiing, women's ski cross 1/8 finals

• 6:35 a.m.: Freestyle skiing, women's ski cross quarterfinals

• 6:54 a.m.: Freestyle skiing, women's ski cross semifinals

• 7:10 a.m.: Freestyle skiing, women's ski cross finals*

• 7:30 a.m.: Freestyle skiing, men's aerials finals*

• 8:05 a.m.: Curling, women's semifinals

• 8:15 a.m.: Biathlon, men's 15 km mass start*

• 10:30 a.m.: Speedskating, women's 1,500-meter*

• 10:40 a.m.: Men's hockey, semifinals, Canada vs. Finland

• 12 p.m.: Bobsled, two-woman heat 1

• 1:05 p.m.: Curling, men's bronze medal game*

• 1:30 p.m.: Freestyle skiing, men's freeski halfpipe final*

• 1:50 p.m.: Bobsled, two-woman heat 2

• 2:15 p.m.: Short track speedskating, women's 1,500-meter quarterfinals

• 3:02 p.m.: Short track speedskating, women's 1,500-meter semifinals

• 3:10 p.m.: Men's hockey, semifinals, USA vs. Slovakia

• 3:30 p.m.: Short track speedskating, men's 5,000-meter relay finals*

• 4:07 p.m.: Short track speedskating, women's 1,500-meter finals*

That's it for now! We'll be back tomorrow.

Eric Dane, the actor best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on the hit medical series "Grey's Anatomy," has died at the age of 53, his family announced Thursday.

In April 2025, Dane announced hehad been diagnosedwith amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

"With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS," his family said in a statement provided to CBS News. "He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world."

"Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight," his family continued. "He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he's received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time."

Along with his long run on "Grey's Anatomy," Dane was a prolific actor with dozens of credits dating back to the early 1990s, including roles in television shows including "Euphoria" and "Charmed," and films such as 2006's "X-Men: Last Stand" and 2010's "Burlesque."

He is survived by his wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters.

ALS, which is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease— named after the New York Yankees player — impacts the nervous system and affects the brain and spinal cord,according tothe Mayo Clinic. It worsens over time, and its cause is unknown. About 1 in 300 Americans are affected by ALS, the ALS Association told CBS News in 2023.According tothe Cleveland Clinic, the life expectancy following an ALS diagnosis is three to five years.

At the time of his ALS announcement last year, Dane said he planned to continue acting, and in a virtual panel in December,he saidit was "imperative that I share my journey with as many people as I can because I don't feel like my life is about me anymore."

Dane was born on Nov. 9, 1972, and raised in California. His father, a Navy man, died of a gunshot wound when he was 7. After high school, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, landing guest roles on shows like "Saved by the Bell," "Married...With Children" and "Charmed," and one season of the short-lived medical drama "Gideon's Crossing."

His big break arrived in the mid-2000s, when he was cast as Dr. Mark Sloan, aka McSteamy, on the ABC medical drama "Grey's Anatomy," a role he would play from 2006 until 2012 and reprise in 2021. In 2019, he did a complete 180 and became Cal Jacobs, a troubled married man, in HBO's provocative drama "Euphoria," a role he continued in up until his death.

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"We are deeply saddened by the news of Eric Dane's passing," an HBO spokesperson told CBS News in a statement. "He was incredibly talented and HBO was fortunate to have worked with him on three seasons of Euphoria. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time."

Sam Levinson, creator of "Euphoria," said in a statement he was "heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric."

"Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift," Levinson said. "Eric's family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing."

Dane also starred as Tom Chandler, the captain of a U.S. Navy destroyer at sea after a global catastrophe wiped out most of the world's population, in the TNT drama "The Last Ship." In 2017, production was halted as Dane battled depression.

Dane became an advocate for ALS awareness, speaking at a news conference in Washington on health insurance prior authorization.

"Some of you may know me from TV shows, such as 'Grey's Anatomy,' which I play a doctor. But I am here today to speak briefly as a patient battling ALS," he said in June 2025. In September of that year, the ALS Network named Dane the recipient of their advocate of the year award, recognizing his commitment to raising awareness and support for people living with ALS.

A memoir by Dane is scheduled to be published later this year: "Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments."

"I want to capture the moments that shaped me — the beautiful days, the hard ones, the ones I never took for granted — so that if nothing else, people who read it will remember what it means to live with heart," Dane said in a statement around the book's announcement. "If sharing this helps someone find meaning in their own days, then my story is worth telling."

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Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

NEED TO KNOW

• In the year following Eric Dane's ALS diagnosis, his ex Rebecca Gayheart stood by his side

• Gayheart filed for divorce from Dane in February 2018 but then requested to dismiss the petition in March 2025, a month before he went public with his diagnosis

• Dane's family shared that he died at 53 on Feb. 19 after a "courageous battle with ALS"

In the months leading up toEric Dane's death at 53on Thursday, Feb. 19, the actor received unwavering support from his ex, Rebecca Gayheart, as he facedamyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

In a Dec. 29 essay for The Cut, titled "In Sickness and in Health," Gayheart, 54, shared that both she and Dane were "weeping" when he called her from a doctor's office in San Francisco to first tell her about his diagnosis after seeing a neurologist. (TheGrey's Anatomystarlater went publicwith his diagnosis in April 2025.)

"It didn't feel real because he was still okay," she wrote. "I was here at home with my youngest daughter — my home, that I share with just the girls, since Eric and I separated in September 2017 — and I'd gone into my closet to take the call, trying to be private."

"She was saying, 'Mommy, what's wrong? What's wrong?'" she continued. "I tried telling her, 'Honey, nothing. Everything's fine,' because I couldn't process it. I didn't know all the details like I do now, but I knew enough about ALS to know that there wasn't a cure."

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Gayheart wrote that Dane's symptoms had "started maybe a year prior."

"When we would have a meal with the kids, he'd say things like, 'Something's wrong with my hand,'" she recalled. "He was struggling to use his chopsticks, dropping his food. That was when he started seeing doctors. He was initially diagnosed with a few other things, but he had this sinking feeling that it was something more serious."

Dane met Gayheart in 2003, and the pair wed less than a year later in Las Vegas. They welcomed their first daughter, Billie, in 2010, and a second daughter, Georgia, in 2011. TheBeverly Hills, 90210actress filed for divorce in February 2018 but thenrequested to dismiss the petitionin March 2025.

While both Dane and Gayheart have dated other people since their split, she said that they remained close, living only 12 minutes from each other's homes. She added that they shared "a lot of meals together" and had "a lot of drop-by visits" with their children.

"He made it very clear that he wants to spend time with his family as much as possible, and I am committed to facilitating that," she wrote.

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While Gayheart acknowledged that their dynamic is "confusing" for people, she said she always wants "the best for" Dane.

"It's a very complicated relationship, one that's confusing for people," she wrote. "Our love may not be romantic, but it's a familial love."

In September, Gayheart told PEOPLE that she and her girls were taking Dane's diagnosis "day by day."

"We have some professional therapists who are helping us, and we're just trying to have some hope and do it with dignity, grace and love," she said. "I mean, it's heartbreaking. My girls are really suffering, and we're just trying to get through it. It's a tough time."

In June, Dane also spoke about his tight bond with Gayheart, tellingGood Morning America'sDiane Sawyerthat they talk every day.

"We have managed to become better friends and better parents," he said. "And she is probably my biggest champion, my most stalwart supporter, and I lean on her."

When he announced his ALS diagnosis with PEOPLE, Dane shared in a statement that he was "grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter."

While announcing his death, Dane's family said he died "following a courageous battle with ALS" and "spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world."

"Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight," they continued. "He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he's received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time."

Read the original article onPeople

Jason Mendez/Getty; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic; Dominik Bindl/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Eric Dane died at the age of 53 on Thursday, Feb. 19

• The Grey's Anatomy star's death came nearly one year after announcing his ALS diagnosis

• After Dane revealed his diagnosis, several of his costars from the ABC medical drama spoke publicly about their support for the actor

WhenEric Danerevealed in April 2025 that he had beendiagnosed with ALS, the actor, best known for playingGrey's Anatomy's Dr. Mark Sloan — a.k.a. McSteamy — was immediately surrounded by support from the castmates who had become his television family.

Several of Dane's former costars spoke publicly about reaching out to him in support as he navigated the devastating, progressive disease.

Patrick Dempsey, 60, toldParadein a cover interview last month that he still tried to keep in touch with his series costar months after Dane announced he was diagnosed withamyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty

"I spoke to him a few weeks ago. I've been texting with him," Dempsey said before revealing that he tried to have Dane cast in his new thrillerMemory of a Killer.

He added, "Unfortunately, the progression of his disease made it virtually impossible. But I was happy to see that he was here in Toronto working on, I think, another medical drama [Brilliant Minds]."

Dane and Dempsey appeared alongside each other onGrey'sstarting from 2006, when Dane joined the cast for season 2 as a guest star before becoming a series regular through 2013. Dane departed in season 9, while Dempsey — whose character Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd debuted in the show's premiere — exited the main cast in 2015's season 11.

Craig Sjodin/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Dane remained friends with Dempsey andhung out with his pal in 2020, when he and Dempsey showed fans how to properly practice social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic via an Instagram photo.

Meanwhile,Ellen Pompeo, 56, who starred opposite Dane for years on the ABC medical drama, shared that she contacted him as soon as she learned of the diagnosis and was struck by how quickly he responded.

The Golden Globe nomineeshowed love to her former costarin a pre-taped message at the ALS Network Champions for Cures & Care Gala, which honored him on Jan. 24.

"As soon as I heard about his diagnosis, I texted him, and I said, 'I'm here if you want to speak,' " Pompeo recalled. "And my phone rang 30 seconds later."

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Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Reflecting on their conversation, Pompeo said she told her friend she'd help him with "whatever you need, however I can help. I love you."

"I'm really proud of you," she added of Dane. "I love you so much and I am honored to get to speak about you today."

Kate Walsh, 58, also spoke emotionally about her longtime friend, describing his ALS journey as "heartbreaking" and emphasizing that theGrey's Anatomycast had stayed closely connected with him following his diagnosis.

"It's so painful. It's really sad," Walsh said in an interview withVariety. "I haven't been in touch with him, but I've reached out and sent my love and support and strength. It's so heartbreaking."

She described Dane as "such a beautiful person and such an incredible man," adding, "I've had other friends that have battled with this disease, and it's just horrific. So my heart goes out to him."

"I keep him, his family, his girls, in my prayers," Walsh said.

In April 2025, Dane revealed to PEOPLE exclusively that hehad been diagnosedwith ALS and was "grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter." ALS is a rare degenerative disease that causes progressive paralysis of the muscles.

Dane died Thursday, Feb. 19, his family confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE.

"With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS," read the statement. "He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world. Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he's received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time."

Read the original article onPeople

By Nandita Bose and Trevor Hunnicutt

WASHINGTON, Feb 19 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would direct federal agencies to begin releasing government files related to aliens and unidentified ‌flying objects, pointing to what he described as strong public interest in the issue.

In a social ‌media post, Trump said he would order Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and other agencies to release the information, calling the matter "extremely interesting ​and important."

Earlier in the day, Trump, without providing evidence, accused former President Barack Obama of improperly disclosing classified information when discussing aliens publicly, saying Obama "made a big mistake."

"He took it out of classified information ... He's not supposed to be doing that," Trump told reporters while traveling to Georgia.

During an interview with podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen ‌released on Saturday, Obama was asked ⁠if aliens were real.

"They're real, but I haven't seen them, and they're not being kept in ... Area 51. There's no underground facility unless there's this enormous conspiracy and ⁠they hid it from the president of the United States," Obama said.

Area 51 is a classified Air Force facility in Nevada that fringe theorists have speculated holds alien bodies and a crashed spaceship. CIA archives released in 2013 ​said it ​was a test site for top-secret spy planes.

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PENTAGON INVESTIGATIONS

There ​was no indication in Obama's remarks that the ‌former president released classified information. Obama's office did not respond to a request for comment.

"I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!" Obama said in an Instagram post on Sunday.

In the post, Obama explained his belief that aliens exist by saying the statistical odds of life beyond Earth were high because the universe is so vast. He added that the chances of extraterrestrial life ‌visiting Earth were low given the distance.

Following his comments on Obama, ​Trump added that he had not seen evidence that aliens ​exist, saying, "I don't know if they're real or ​not."

In recent years, the Pentagon has investigated reports of UFOs, and senior military leaders ‌said in 2022 they found no evidence ​to suggest that aliens had ​visited Earth or crash-landed here.

A 2024 Pentagon report said U.S. government investigations since the end of World War Two had found no evidence of extraterrestrial technology and most sightings were misidentified ordinary objects ​and phenomena.

The website of the National ‌Archives and Records Administration says it has records related to UFOs across numerous collections.

(Reporting by ​Nandita Bose, Trevor Hunnicutt and Ryan Patrick Jones; Additional reporting by Kanishka Singh; Editing by ​Michelle Nichols, Colleen Jenkins, Cynthia Osterman and Kate Mayberry)