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Fight Night is back, baby

· Fact-checked before it aired. Unconfirmed claims from this segment are not shown.

A co-defendant in the NBA gambling case, Eric Earnest, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud on Thursday. He admitted his role in the scheme but denied receiving inside information from Chauncey Billups.

The case centers on allegations that inside NBA information was used for betting fraud; Earnest's guilty plea moves his portion of the case forward while disputing the Billups link.

In tonight's Patriots-Bears game on Prime Video, Caleb Williams went right back to tight end Colston Loveland after a drop, converting a fourth down.

Cristiano Ronaldo's 2008 season did include 42 goals, the Premier League title, the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or. Whether his 2008 season is "leading the ballot" for a Super Ballon d'Or is framing/engagement bait, not a verified vote result.

Eric Earnest pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in the NBA gambling case but denied receiving inside information from Chauncey Billups.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said he will return for the 2027 season, dismissing speculation about the Mariners job.

Fact-check

VERIFIED MISLEADING

Cristiano Ronaldo's 2008 season did include 42 goals, the Premier League title, the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or. Whether his 2008 season is "leading the ballot" for a Super Ballon d'Or is framing/engagement bait, not a verified vote result.

RONALDO’S 2008 SEASON IS LEADING THE BALLOT ⚽ 42 goals 🏆 Premier League winner 🏆 Champions League winner 🥇 Ballon d’Or winner Prime CR7 was UNSTOPPABLE 🇵🇹 Let’s start a war: Was 2008 Ronaldo better than Messi at ANY point in his career? 👀

Original post · Joelexy 🦅 (@joelexy200)

Historical soccer records

VERIFIED TRUE

Eric Earnest pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in the NBA gambling case but denied receiving inside information from Chauncey Billups.

Co-defendant denies Billups gave him info, pleads guilty in NBA gambling case - Eric Earnest pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud Thursday but denied receiving inside information from former NBA player and coach Chauncey Billups.

Original post · ESPN

[espn.com](https://www.espn.com/nba/story//id/50252916/co-defendant-denies-billups-gave-info-nba-gambling-case)

VERIFIED TRUE

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said he will return for the 2027 season, dismissing speculation about the Mariners job.

Vogt shuns Mariners rumors, says he'll manage Guardians in '27 - Guardians manager Stephen Vogt dispelled speculation about his future, saying he'll return next season to chase an elusive World Series title.

Original post · ESPN

[espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story//id/50252938/stephen-vogt-back-guardians-27-shuns-mariners-rumors) NAMES: Ronaldo = Cristiano Ronaldo, Portuguese socc

Sources

What the hosts said

LFight Night is BACK, baby! EA Sports just dusted off the gloves.
MHold on. Is this real or just an account posting a teaser?
LThe new EA Sports Fight Night account posted: 'Fight Night is coming back.' Fifteen years since Fight Night Champion!
MThose games were special. The stick-based punching, the cuts and swelling. Best boxing feel ever.
LDude, I broke three controllers playing Fight Night Round 4. Worth every rage quit.
MYour anger management issues aside, EA hasn't confirmed a developer or release window yet.
LOh, come on. The official account says it's coming back. That's enough for me.
MIt's a good sign, but after 15 years, I need a trailer and a feature list before I get hyped.
LYou'll be the first one creating a fighter named 'Marcus The Machine'.
MYou're not wrong. That new angle from the Bears game, though — wow.
LCaleb Williams drops a pass to Colston Loveland, then goes RIGHT back to him on fourth down. Gutsy.
MAnd he converted. The NFL posted that angle and it's beautiful. Williams trusts his rookie tight end.
LThat's the stuff you can't teach. Most young QBs would check down or bail. He attacked.
MChicago needed that drive. On Prime Video, national audience, defense getting pressure. Big moment.
LLoveland dropped the first one and Williams said, 'Don't worry, I'm coming right back to you.'
MThe angle from behind the quarterback, all 22 or whatever, it's cinema. The league's social team nailed it.
LSpeaking of cinema, this NBA gambling case took another turn today.
MEric Earnest pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. But here's the twist — he says Chauncey Billups never gave him inside info.
LSo he's admitting he helped run a fraud scheme, but he's drawing a line: Billups wasn't my source.
MAnd Billups hasn't been charged. He's denied any wrongdoing from the start.
LThis feels like a legal chess move. Earnest pleads guilty, maybe gets a deal, and his denial could protect him from being forced to flip on Billups.
MBut it also creates a weird gap. If Earnest was running a betting fraud scheme, where did his 'inside' edge come from?
LExactly! You don't run a wire fraud scheme on NBA games without an edge. That's what makes this so interesting.
MOr maybe the edge was never real. Maybe the whole thing was a scam on the bettors, not the bookmakers.
LThat's the part the feds have to prove. Billups says he's clean. Earnest says Billups didn't give him anything. Now we wait.
MThe case isn't over. Other defendants still facing charges. This was just Earnest's piece.
LChauncey Billups built a Hall of Fame career on being a leader. Having his name in this mud, even without charges, stings.
MMeanwhile, in baseball, Stephen Vogt just said he's staying in Cleveland.
LGuardians fans should be relieved. Vogt told ESPN he'll manage in 2027, shoots down the Mariners rumors.
MHe's been good for that young roster. Kept them competitive when people thought they'd rebuild.
LAnd he said he's chasing an elusive World Series title. That's the right attitude for Cleveland.
LThat's the show for this hour.

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