Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's "America's Got Talent" meets "American Idol," with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it's never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at "Dream Team" status given the men's side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023. The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. "We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport," said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. "We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world." Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores. "Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That's something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok, the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado's two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. "If a receiver is running around, I'm thinking, 'OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,'" Daniels explained. "They're like, 'No, you can't.' I'm just like, 'So I'm supposed to let this guy just run?!' I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn." The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. "I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. "I'm not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, 'I played NFL football for five years. I'm popular. I have a huge name.' I'm still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise." Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It's his way of working on avoiding a "defender" trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. "You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the 'Redeem Team' led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, 'That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. "Everybody thinks, 'Yeah, the U.S. just wins,'" Daniels said. "But we work hard all the time. We don't just walk in. We don't just get off the bus thinking, 'We're going to beat people.'"Is ‘Glicked’ the new ‘Barbenheimer’? ‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II’ collide in theatersNovember 24, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Sunday of committing at least 500 rapes and other abuses, including sexual slavery, against women and girls since the conflict erupted in April. In a statement marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Sudan’s foreign ministry said “official authorities and relevant organizations” had documented the crimes, adding that the actual number of victims was likely far higher. The ministry said the RSF had not conducted credible investigations into the abuses committed by its fighters, which also included genocide, forced displacement and attacks on civilians. “The militia uses rape as a weapon of war to force citizens to evacuate their villages and homes, to settle its mercenaries and punish communities that reject its presence,” the statement said. It accused the RSF of kidnapping and holding hundreds of women hostage, subjecting them to sexual exploitation and forced domestic labour. Girls were also being trafficked within and outside of Sudan, it said. The RSF did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sudan Tribune was unable to verify the ministry’s claims independently. The conflict between the RSF and Sudan’s army has raged since April 15, killing thousands and displacing millions. Both sides have traded accusations of atrocities, but the RSF has been widely documented committing abuses against civilians. The foreign ministry called on the international community to take action against the RSF and its backers, accusing them of providing military, financial and political support. “The countries and groups supporting the militia... are partners in these crimes,” the statement said. Sudan has filed a complaint with the U.N. Security Council against the United Arab Emirates, accusing it of supplying the RSF with weapons, mercenaries and funding via Chad. Chad has also faced a similar complaint before the African Union.
Natixis Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. ( NYSE:FBIN – Free Report ) by 20.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 58,728 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 10,069 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC’s holdings in Fortune Brands Innovations were worth $5,258,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Family Firm Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Fortune Brands Innovations in the second quarter worth $31,000. LRI Investments LLC acquired a new position in Fortune Brands Innovations in the 1st quarter worth about $34,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. increased its position in Fortune Brands Innovations by 526.5% in the 2nd quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 520 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 437 shares during the last quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC acquired a new position in Fortune Brands Innovations in the 1st quarter worth about $51,000. Finally, Rothschild Investment LLC acquired a new position in Fortune Brands Innovations in the 2nd quarter worth about $54,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.60% of the company’s stock. Fortune Brands Innovations Stock Up 1.3 % FBIN stock opened at $76.50 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.32 and a quick ratio of 0.69. Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. has a 52-week low of $62.54 and a 52-week high of $90.54. The company has a 50-day moving average of $84.29 and a two-hundred day moving average of $76.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 1.51. Fortune Brands Innovations Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 11th. Investors of record on Friday, November 22nd will be paid a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.25%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 22nd. Fortune Brands Innovations’s payout ratio is presently 27.04%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Truist Financial upped their target price on Fortune Brands Innovations from $82.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on Fortune Brands Innovations from $84.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. UBS Group cut their target price on Fortune Brands Innovations from $98.00 to $97.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Fortune Brands Innovations from $82.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, Evercore ISI reduced their price target on Fortune Brands Innovations from $80.00 to $78.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Fortune Brands Innovations currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $91.36. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Fortune Brands Innovations Fortune Brands Innovations Company Profile ( Free Report ) Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc provides home and security products for residential home repair, remodeling, new construction, and security applications in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Water, Outdoors, and Security. The Water segment manufactures or assembles, and sells faucets, accessories, kitchen sinks, and waste disposals under the Moen, ROHL, Riobel, Victoria+Albert, Perrin & Rowe, Aqualisa, Shaws, Emtek, and Schaub brands. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Fortune Brands Innovations Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fortune Brands Innovations and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
CIBC Asset Management Inc Purchases Shares of 7,086 WaFd, Inc (NASDAQ:WAFD)
Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers are preparing to host the Kansas City Chiefs in an exciting showdown at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, but their game comes during heightened security concerns due to a recent crime spree targeting professional athletes. The NFL recently issued a security alert to teams and players after high-profile burglaries at the homes of Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the FBI is investigating a transnational crime ring believed to be behind these incidents. Organized criminals have allegedly focused on NBA and NFL players across the country, targeting their homes when they are away for games or events. The league has advised players to enhance home security, avoid posting in real-time on social media, and safeguard valuables. Carolina’s Adam Thielen Looking to Rejoin Improved Offense This issue has hit close to home for the Chiefs. Kelce’s home was burglarized during a Monday Night Football game against the New Orleans Saints, with $20,000 stolen after the back door was damaged. Mahomes reported a similar incident on October 6. The burglars reportedly monitor team schedules and social media activity to strike when homes are vacant, with their primary targets being high-value items like cash, jewelry, and luxury goods. Carolina and Kansas City will square off at 1:00 p.m. ET airing nationally on CBS. This matchup will test Kansas City’s resolve on the field, while they still have to worry about the security issues off the field. Cam Newton Gets Told by Shedeur Sanders He’s on Some "Weird S***" Kansas City’s road trip comes at a time when athletes nationwide are grappling with unprecedented security threats. While Carolina’s defense will aim to stop Kansas City and Patrick Mahomes on the gridiron, ensuring the safety of their players and families remains an equally critical priority during this high-profile journey. Related: Canales Talks Bryce Young, Bye Week, and Beating the Chiefs Related: Chuba Hubbard’s Formula: Chemistry, Confidence, Wins