The 2025-26 NBA season started Tuesday night in Oklahoma City as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder hosted Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets.

Before tip-off, the Thunder celebrated their 2024-25 NBA championship season and raised their first title banner since the organization moved to Oklahoma City.

OKC players were greeted by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as they were introduced to the home crowd and received their championship rings.

Here’s how the players reacted to the championship rings and banner being raised:

Thunder receive championship rings, raise title banner

Oklahoma City Thunder championship rings

Here’s a detailed view of the Thunder’s new bling:

The WNBA collective bargaining agreement expires in 10 days.

Minnesota Lynx All-Star forward Napheesa Collier, who serves as the WNBPA vice president, says the players have prioritized ‘two main points’ — increased revenue sharing and salary structures — during negotiations.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver was asked about progress toward a deal by “Today” host Craig Melvin on Tuesday, Oct. 21. Melvin asked if WNBA players should get a larger piece of the revenue pie. “They get nine percent of total revenue compared to roughly 50 percent of the revenue of NBA players. Should they be getting a larger share of revenue in the WNBA?”

“Yes,’ Silver said ‘I think ‘share’ isn’t the right way to look at it because there’s so much more revenue in the NBA. You should look at it in absolute numbers in terms of what they’re making. They are going to get a big increase in this cycle of collective bargaining. And they deserve it.”

Under the current agreement, WNBA players receive 9.3% of the league’s revenue, according to Market Watch, which includes income generated through ticket sales, TV deals, licensing and merchandise. The WNBA’s revenue share agreement is much lower than other professional leagues. NBA players receive 49-51% of all basketball-related income and NFL players get 48% of all revenue and NHL players receive 50% of revenue.

The current CBA, which was signed in January 2020, shortly after Cathy Engelbert took over as commissioner in 2019, was set to expire in 2027. The WNBPA, however, exercised its right to opt out of the agreement last October amid unprecedented league growth, meaning the CBA now ends on Oct. 31, 2025.

‘While I hope we make the October 31st deadline, and that is a real deadline from that perspective, we have extended deadlines in the past,’ Engelbert said during her press conference ahead of the WNBA Finals on Oct. 3. ‘Last time, when I was only a couple days on the job, we got to an extension and got a deal done that was progressive at the time. So again, I feel confident that we can get a deal done, but if not, I think we could do an extension.’

The draft lottery, expansion drafts and subsequent free agency period are all contingent on a new CBA. The league’s newest franchises, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, will begin play during the 2026 season, which will be the WNBA’s 30th anniversary.

• Lane Kiffin is the most obvious fit for Florida Gators.
• James Franklin is a proven choice, but he’s no slam dunk choice, especially not considering how his Penn State tenure ended.
• Would Florida consider another Group of Five hire? If so, put Alex Golesh on list.

Florida’s coaching search must start in Mississippi. Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin suits Florida like flip flops and fish bait.

Points. Quarterback play. Quips. Needling the competition. Visor. He’s a dream fit for Florida.

Kiffin is a slam dunk choice for Florida, but it’s not a slam dunk he’d say yes. He’s found success and stability at Ole Miss, where his Rebels are a playoff contender.

What if Kiffin says no?

On this edition of ‘SEC Football Unfiltered,’ a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams consider nine candidates for the Florida job with a round of love it, like it or no thanks.

Should Florida football consider hiring these coaching candidates?

Lane Kiffin, Mississippi

Adams: Love it. A slam dunk choice, if he’d take the job.

Toppmeyer: Love it. He’d be the closest coach to Steve Spurrier Florida could hope to find.

Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri

Adams: Like it. He’s fared well at Missouri, albeit short on signature wins

Toppmeyer: Like it. He’s Kiffin Light. Would prefer the fully leaded version.

James Franklin, fired Penn State coach

Adams: Love it. Proven winner.

Toppmeyer: No thanks. He’s good for somebody, but not Florida. His personality, lack of quarterback development and inconsistent offensive production would rankle Gators fans.

Jedd Fisch, Washington coach

Adams: No thanks. What’s he done?

Toppmeyer: No thanks. He graduated from Florida. Big deal. So did Layla Kiffin.

Jon Sumrall, Tulane

Adams: No thanks. A good coach, but can’t risk another Group of Five hire.

Toppmeyer: No thanks. But, of my ‘no thanks’ candidates, I like this one best.

Rhett Lashlee, SMU

Adams: No thanks. Good coach, but Florida needs to aim higher.

Toppmeyer: Like it. Not a home run, but a solid double.

Alex Golesh, South Florida

Adams: No thanks. Can’t risk Group of Five hire again.

Toppmeyer: Like it. His high-scoring offense would fit Florida, and he’s already won in The Swamp.

Urban Meyer, FOX analyst

Adams: Absolutely love it. No elaboration necessary.

Toppmeyer: Like it. It would be either awesome or awful. Or, likely, a bit of both.

Jon Gruden, Barstool Sports personality

Adams: I like this – if I could collect a share of the proceeds of the Chucky dolls sold in the university bookstore. Otherwise, maybe not.

Toppmeyer: No thanks. Gruden’s better suited to the job he has as an internet content creator.

Later in the episode

∎ The hosts take a hot seat temperature reading of Auburn’s Hugh Freeze and LSU’s Brian Kelly.

Week 9 picks against the spread!

Toppmeyer’s five-pack of picks (picks in bold):

∎ Alabama (-13.5) at South Carolina

∎ Auburn (-1.5) at Arkansas

∎ Tennessee (-9.5) at Kentucky

∎ Texas (-6.5) at Mississippi State

∎ South Florida (-3.5) at Memphis

Season record: 20-20 (3-2 last week)

Adams’ five-pack of picks (picks in bold):

∎ Tennessee (-9.5) at Kentucky

∎ Alabama (-13.5) at South Carolina

∎ Ole Miss at Oklahoma (-4.5)

∎ Texas A&M (-2.5) at LSU

∎ Minnesota at Iowa (-8.5)

Season record: 18-22 (1-4 last week)

Where to listen to SEC Football Unfiltered

• Apple
• Spotify
• iHeart
• Google

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s national college football columnist. John Adams is the senior sports columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel. Subscribe to the SEC Football Unfiltered podcast, and check out the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.

The week fantasy football managers have been dreading has arrived. ‘Byemageddon’ is officially hitting the NFL in Week 8.

For the first, and only, time of the 2025 NFL season, a whopping six of the league’s 32 teams will be out of action. That will leave Week 8 with just 13 total games of action while thinning the ranks of available options for fantasy football managers.

That will create some difficult start ’em, sit ’em decisions for fantasy football managers looking to replace talent like Jahmyr Gibbs, Puka Nacua, Trey McBride and much more.

Add in the injuries that are still impacting the availability of some top fantasy stars, and managers may have to scour the waiver wire for potential bye-week fill-ins with upside. That could lead to some strange-looking lineups, especially for those that have multiple players on bye in Week 8.

Who can you start and sit in fantasy football for Week 8 of the NFL season? USA TODAY Sports breaks down the outlook for 16 players.

Fantasy football players to start in Week 8

Quarterbacks

• Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (vs. Dallas Cowboys)

The Cowboys have given up the most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to quarterbacks this season. That includes a league-high 16 passing touchdowns and 222 rushing yards to the position. Nix just scored four touchdowns in the fourth quarter of the Broncos’ 33-32 comeback win over the Giants, so expect the second-year quarterback to remain hot in a good matchup.

• Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Green Bay Packers)

Are the Packers as easy a matchup for Rodgers as the Bengals? Not quite. Still, Green Bay has surrendered multiple passing touchdowns in four of its last five games while Rodgers has racked up 14 touchdowns across his six starts with the Steelers. He should be plenty motivated to post good numbers against his former team, making this a potential boom spot for the 41-year-old.

Running backs

• Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers (vs. Buffalo Bills)

Dowdle maintained a solid workload despite the return of Chuba Hubbard from a calf injury. Both players should be able to earn fantasy relevance against a Bills defense that has surrendered the fifth-most FPPG to running backs this season and is tied for second in total rushing touchdowns allowed to the position with eight.

• Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Miami Dolphins)

Wide receivers

• Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears (at Baltimore Ravens)

Don’t be scared off by Odunze’s back-to-back two-catch outings. He’s still averaging 7.7 targets per game and has emerged as Caleb Williams’ favorite target. That should give him a chance to find success often against a Ravens defense that has allowed the second-most FPPG to receivers this season.

• Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos (vs. Dallas Cowboys)

The Cowboys have a weak pass defense that has allowed a league-high 12 receiving touchdowns to wide-outs this season. That could position Franklin, who is averaging a solid 6.6 targets per game, for a strong outing.

Tight end

• Mason Taylor, New York Jets (at Cincinnati Bengals)

The Bengals allowed four receiving touchdowns to tight ends in Week 7 alone. They have allowed nine total throughout the season, which is three more than the second-ranked team, the Jets. That could position Taylor, who has seen at least five targets in four of his last five games, for a big week.

Defense/special teams:

• Indianapolis Colts (vs. Tennessee Titans)

The Colts are averaging 2.7 sacks per game and are going up against a Titans defense that averages a league-low 13.7 points per game. That will make for a high-floor matchup and should allow Indianapolis to emerge from Week 8 as a top-five fantasy defense.

Fantasy football players to sit in Week 8

Quarterbacks

• Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (at Denver Broncos)

Sitting Prescott may not be easy after the veteran quarterback has posted at least three touchdowns in four consecutive games. That said, the Broncos have allowed no more than one passing touchdown in five of their seven contests this season. Prescott will maintain a high ceiling given the level at which he is playing, but his floor makes him a riskier start than usual.

• Justin Fields, New York Jets (at Cincinnati Bengals)

Some may be tempted by Fields’ rushing upside against a woeful run defense, but the 26-year-old might not even start this game for the Jets. He was benched mid-game last week in favor of Tyrod Taylor and has racked up nearly as many sack yards (76) as passing yards (91) over his last six quarters of action. So, even if Fields does start, his limitations as a passer should prevent him from becoming a quality fantasy starter this week.

Running backs

• Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (vs. Cleveland Browns)

Stevenson may not be threatened for touches by second-round rookie TreVeyon Henderson, but the veteran has a tough matchup against the Browns. Cleveland has allowed the third-fewest FPPG to running backs and just three touchdowns. Stevenson had 90 scrimmage yards and a touchdown against a weak Titans run defense but had averaged just 35.5 scrimmage yards across his previous four games.

• Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns (at New England Patriots)

Funny enough, Stevenson and Judkins were our ‘start’ recommendations last week. Now, they are both ‘sits.’ Judkins is facing a Patriots defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest FPPG to running backs this season and two rushing touchdowns. It will be hard for Judkins to enjoy the type of consistent success he did against a bottom-tier Dolphins run defense in Week 7.

Wide receivers

• Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Chicago Bears)

Quietly, Chicago’s pass defense has improved during its four-game winning streak. The Bears have allowed just 201.5 passing yards per game during that span, so Flowers’ opportunities to make downfield plays may be more limited, especially if Lamar Jackson (hamstring) can’t return following the bye week.

Flowers hasn’t scored since Week 1 and is averaging a solid but unspectacular 59 receiving yards per game with Jackson out of the lineup.

• Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Miami Dolphins)

Mooney had a solid return to action against the 49ers, catching three passes for 68 yards playing across from Drake London. The Dolphins have allowed just 780 receiving yards to wide-outs this year though and are extremely weak against the run. Atlanta prefers to be a ground-dominant offense, so that may prevent Mooney from getting the volume needed to produce a quality fantasy outing.

Tight end

• Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (at Kansas City Chiefs)

Many variables could impact Ertz’s performance on ‘Monday Night Football’ in Week 8. Starting quarterback Jayden Daniels is dealing with a hamstring injury that could impact his availability for this game while the statuses of Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel could also impact the type of receiving volume Ertz gets. Add in that the Chiefs have allowed the fourth-fewest FPPG to tight ends this season, and this seems like an unappealing spot for the veteran.

Defense/special teams:

• Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Green Bay Packers)

The Steelers are averaging a strong 3.7 sacks per game but were just shredded by Joe Flacco and Chase Brown on ‘Thursday Night Football.’ Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs could be similarly effective, so it’s best not to trust Pittsburgh’s stop unit this week.

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Don’t say we didn’t warn you. The most devastating bye week for fantasy football managers is now at hand – with six NFL teams taking the week off and leaving bunches of open starting spots all across the fantasy landscape.

WEEK 8 BYES: Arizona, Detroit, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, L.A. Rams, Seattle

The big issue is not only finding replacements to fill the void, but also figuring out which players are most expendable to make sure you have a legal roster.

Although you’re probably going to have to dig deep, here’s who might be worth picking up this week:

Fantasy football players to add for Week 8

Due to the wide variance in types of leagues and individual team needs, the players listed here include their availability rates in Yahoo leagues, which may or may not match rates on other platforms. If you have bye week issues, feel free to go the extra dollar. (Suggested bid values based on $100 free agent acquisition budget for the season.)

RB Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears (7% rostered)

Who’s fantasy stock is rising quickly? This (Monan)gai right here!

Splitting time almost evenly with starter D’Andre Swift (35 snaps to 31), the rookie racked up 81 rushing yards and a touchdown on 13 carries in his most extensive work of the season vs. the Saints. Granted, the Bears had the game well in hand and Swift missed some practice time during the week with a groin injury, but Monangai is showing he’s capable of handling more work the rest of the way. (Suggested FAAB bid: $11)

TE Oronde Gadsden, Los Angeles Chargers (6%)

Gadsden has emerged as yet another excellent receiving option for Chargers QB Justin Herbert. His presence does make wideouts Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen a bit more risky to start, but if you need a fill-in at tight end this week, you have to be encouraged by Gadsden’s seven catches for 164 yards and a TD against the Colts. He has the potential to be a consistent top-10 option at the position going forward. (FAAB bid: $10)

WR Tez Johnson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (17%)

Mike Evans’ season-ending broken collarbone makes Johnson even more valuable than he was in last week’s roundup. After snagging a 45-yard TD in Week 6, Johnson added an electrifying catch-and-run score against the Lions on Monday night. He finished with four receptions on nine targets for 58 yards, but expect those numbers to rise significantly with Evans out. Sterling Shepard is a decent fallback option. (FAAB bid: $9)

WR Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers (7%)

After a dreadful start, Legette has now scored in two of his last three games. Sunday’s outing at the Jets may finally signal a breakout for last year’s No. 32 overall pick. Hauling in nine of his 11 targets, Legette racked up a career-high 92 receiving yards. Even with Jalen Coker activated off the PUP list, Legette is the clear No. 2 receiver behind 2025 first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan. (FAAB bid: $5)

WR Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (10%)

Stepping up with Josh Downs sidelined by a concussion, Pierce saw a season-high 10 targets in the shootout against the Chargers, with five catches for 98 yards. Keep an eye on Downs’ progress during the week as the Colts have an enticing matchup at home against the Titans. If he’s questionable, Pierce could have another good outing. (FAAB bid: $5)

WR Chimere Dike, Tennessee Titans (2%)

Sensing a theme here … With Calvin Ridley out, Dike – the Titans’ primary return man – got an extended look on offense. He wasn’t on the field as much as Elic Ayomanor or Van Jefferson, but he did make the most of his opportunities with four receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown. But let’s not call him Dike Metcalf or anything just yet. (FAAB bid: $3)

RB Brashard Smith, Kansas City Chiefs (6%)

Perhaps it was only due to the Chiefs blowing out the Raiders, but the rookie seventh-rounder had by far his busiest day as a pro in Week 7. He was on the field for 28 snaps (15 more than Kareem Hunt) and he turned those into 14 carries and five receptions for 81 total yards. He’s had at least three catches in each of the past four games, too. (FAAB bid: $3)

TE Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (7%)

Don’t forget about the Thursday shootout against the Bengals in which Freiermuth caught five passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns. QB Aaron Rodgers does love his tight ends, even though he has at last three to choose from there in Pittsburgh. (FAAB bid: $3)

TE Noah Fant, Cincinnati Bengals (1%)

In that same TNF game, Fant had four catches for 44 yards and a score. With Mike Gesicki on injured reserve, Fant becomes the Bengals’ primary tight end. And we also know how much Joe Flacco likes throwing to his tight end. (FAAB bid: $2)

WR Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (11%)

If your league allows pickups of injured players, Watson is a great speculative add this week if you have the roster space. He’s been cleared to practice after sitting out all season with a knee injury, and his first game could come this week at Pittsburgh. If you’re looking for potential upside, Watson does have 14 TD receptions in his first three NFL seasons. (FAAB bid: $1)

Fantasy football quarterbacks to stream for Week 8

QB Jaxson Dart, New York Giants (42%)

With three touchdowns through the air and one on the gound in a shootout vs. Denver, Dart finished as the QB2 for the week (behind the Broncos’ Bo Nix). He’ll have a fairly high floor every week because of his running ability. But still, he connected on just 15-of-33 passes (45.5%) so the rough edges haven’t been completely smoothed out. The Giants are at Philadelphia this week. (FAAB bid: $5)

QB Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals (11%)

Flacco has been great at getting the ball out quickly to his talented crop of receivers. Throwing for 342 yards and three scores against the Steelers on a short week, he should have more than enough time to prepare (and succeed) this week against the Jets. Feel free to hang onto him another week even with a home date against the Bears in Week 9. (FAAB bid: $4)