David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Smith’s Vikings Decision May Come in About 3 Weeks

Posted on July 22, 2026July 22, 2026 by David Shama

With the Vikings opening training camp in a few days, the Harrison Smith watch will prompt even more attention from fans and media. Will the 37-year-old safety and 14-year-veteran play another season in Minneapolis?

Smith and the Vikings leadership have been quiet about his future. A former leader with NFL front offices who knows about Smith and Viking head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke to Sports Headliners about the situation.

While acknowledging he doesn’t know if Smith will retire or join the team in training camp, he believes both Smith and O’Connell know what the decision is. “They’re just not saying,” the source said.

“…I suspect he’ll come back for one more year, but it wouldn’t surprise me either way,” he added.

The source believes if there is a return, Smith will be back in time for the two joint practices with the Ravens August 19 and 20. The Vikings will host the Ravens for scrimmages at TCO Performance Center, prior to their August 22 preseason home game against the Baltimore-based team.

Those practices are important to Minnesota’s preparation for the regular season and the authority referred to them as a “tipping point” during training camp.

The authority, who personally hopes Smith will play at least another season, said it’s clear to him that the Vikings want the six-time Pro Bowler to return, and that despite his age the veteran is still more than capable of playing at a high level. “I think they need him back. I think they’re a little thin at quality safeties.”

Smith is still athletic and able to run with younger rivals. Those skills haven’t deserted him like others who are moving toward their late 30’s.

And then there’s Smith’s high IQ for the game. He’s a defensive professor on the field knowing where to line up and getting his teammates adjusted if necessary. He can jump around and move before the snap, confusing and discombobulating quarterbacks. He’s a football encyclopedia with his knowledge of tendencies and rival players.

Smith may decide he’s still too interested and healthy to retire from the game he enjoys so much. The source wouldn’t rule out even another season in 2027.

“Hard to say. Probably but maybe not. If he plays healthy, stays healthy, I could see him continuing. I know he loves the game and I know he loves O’Connell and (defensive coordinator Brian) Flores.”

If retirement is the decision the factors could start with family. Smith is married with small children. He may decide he’s had a healthy and fulfilling career, and it’s just time to retire.

“He’s definitely a Hall of Famer,” the source said.

Worth Noting

NBA teams often build their rosters to compete with high impact individuals on other clubs who are championship caliber. And now there is a pattern going on in the Western Conference:

Monster talented Victor Wembanyama, 7-4 and 22 years old, has the attention of rivals with a window that has him as a possible league MVP annually and his Spurs team in the hunt for an NBA championship each year.

The 2025 NBA champion Thunder counter with Minneapolis native Chet Holmgren who is 7-1 and 24 years old. And in this year’s NBA Draft it looked like anti-Wemby strategy adding 7-3 Aday Mara who is 21.

The Lakers are rebuilding their roster including with the addition of 7-2 Walker Kessler, also 24. He was drafted by the Timberwolves in 2022, and was part of the trade that brought Rudy Gobert to Minneapolis. Gobert, 34, is 7-1 and is an annual contender for Defensive Player of the Year.

Now the Wolves could be grooming 7-3, 20-year-old center Rocco Zikarsky as a “Wemby Weapon.” The Bulls took him in the second round of the 2025 draft, then traded him to the Wolves where he played in five games last season. The Australian native averaged 2.8 points and 2.8 rebounds.

Arlene and Dick Jonckowski in their sports memorabilia-filled basement.

Minnesota funnyman and legendary public address announcer Dick Jonckowski celebrated his 60^th wedding anniversary with wife Arlene earlier this year. “The Polish Eagle” told Arlene they should get married in a bathtub and have a “double ring ceremony.”

Jonckowski, who turns 83 in October, treasures a lot of memories including the PA work at the first game played at Target Field when the Golden Gophers hosted Texas Tech before the Twins opened the new stadium. At Met Center he was once a last-minute replacement for the Harlem Globetrotters PA voice who was ill.

The other day Jonckowski recalled that famous St. Paul newspaper sportswriter Don Riley struggled remembering names, but recognized faces. His go to introduction with two people who were strangers was this: “Tiger, meet Ace. Ace, meet Tiger.”

There’s ongoing local interest in securing a National Women’s Soccer League team for Minneapolis-St. Paul. Craig Leipold has ownership not only in the Wild but is the principal investor in the new Minnesota volleyball team that debuts next year in Major League Volleyball, and he has a stake in the Twins.

Leipold is on record about this being an attractive time to buy sports franchises. Interested in a Minnesota NWSL franchise?

“I would never say never, but its never been presented to me,” Leipold told Sports Headliners. “So, I haven’t really thought much of it. So, I’d have to see what the opportunity is.”

Sunshine and warm temperatures figure to allow the 3M Open July 20-26 to go on without interruption at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler makes his 3M debut and will draw ticket buyers. Kurt Kitayama, 2025 winner, tries to become the first player to win back-to-back in the eight-year history of the 3M.

Nobody in the local media is more associated with golf than KFAN afternoon radio host Dan Cole. “The Common Man” is not only an avid player and reporter but also was declared long ago by Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura as the state’s ambassador of golf.

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Summer Honors Pile Up for Golden Gophers Anthony Smith

Posted on July 20, 2026July 20, 2026 by David Shama

The way it looks now, Golden Gophers edge rusher Anthony Smith could be a consensus All-American in 2026.

Smith, listed at 6-6, 285-pounds, had 17.5 tackles for loss and a Big Ten leading 12.5 sacks as a redshirt junior last season. The Pennsylvania native was named first team All-Big Ten by the league coaches and second team by the media.

That 2025 season has been a springboard to a summer of national projections naming him not only preseason All-Big Ten but also All-American. Here’s a look at some of the prominent sources predicting stardom for Minnesota’s sack man.

Phil Steele Publications is annually recognized as elite in evaluating college football. PSP named Smith to its All-American first team, along with Minnesota offensive senior guard Greg Johnson.

Lindy’s Big Ten preview gave Smith first team honors, too. The publication listed him No. 6 among top 10 NFL talent in the Big Ten. “Arguably the most underrated pass rusher nationally,” Lindy’s wrote.

Athlon named Smith a second team All-American and first team All-Big Ten. Walter Camp Foundation also has Smith as a second teamer.

The Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team organizers made an impressive gesture to Smith by including him on a 22-man list of nominees. The final honorees will be selected by their accomplishments both on and off the field.

Anthony Smith Gopher football player — Anthony Smith photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

Per Gophersports.com: “Smith has been active in the community through team-initiated volunteer opportunities like the annual turkey drive and kids camp and he has also helped Girl Scouts sell cookies. He has also visited schools and spent time at (Minneapolis) Annunciation Catholic School last year, in the aftermath of an unimaginable tragedy. Smith also made a four-hour trip to a school in Austin, Minn., to surprise a class that wrote him persuasive letters to visit.”

Smith has no teammates receiving the kind of preseason attention he is attracting but there are accolades for other Gophers including left guard Johnson mentioned above. The left side of the offensive line looks formidable with left tackle sophomore Nathan Roy listed as a preseason second team All-Big Ten choice by Lindy’s.

Gopher senior cornerback John Nestor was named to the watch list for the annual Lott Trophy awarded to the nation’s outstanding defensive back. PSP named Nestor and linebacker Maverick Baranowski second team All-Big Ten defense.

Baranowski received the same honor from Lindy’s, while Nestor was on the publication’s third team.

Athlon named Johnson and running back Darius Taylor to its second team All-Big Ten offense. The publication included Baranowski and Nestor on its second team defense.

Roy was third team, while Athlon fourth team choices included wide receiver Jalen Smith, safety Kerry Brown and punter Tom Weston.

The Gophers have talent but also questions to answer as they near the start of preseason camp on August 3.

The right side of the offensive line is a concern and so, too, is who emerges on offense to be a force. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Drake Lindsey must continue his first-year performance and ideally emerge as a prolific passer. Jalen Smith could be a star catching the ball after his impressive first season in 2025. Running back Taylor is a big play runner and receiver but has no track record for being healthy all season.

The defense needs interior linemen to emerge and for a couple of standouts in the secondary to make up for the transfer of All-American safety Koi Perich to Oregon. The pass rush should be formidable with not only Smith, but newcomer TJ Bush and holdovers Karter Menz and Jaxon Howard. Minnesota’s defense, okay against the run last year but not good versus the pass, has to be better against elite teams. Ohio State, Oregon and Iowa all scored over 40 points each in 2025, while mediocre Northwestern put up 38.

Special teams should get a boost with the hiring of new coach Daniel Da Prato whose resume at other programs has been impressive. Help is needed with the Gophers ready to field a new kicker and returners.

The pre-season predictions are for the Gophers to qualify for another bowl game with a regular season record of seven to eight wins. A repeat of last season’s 5-4 Big Ten record is possible if the better players stay healthy. As referenced, there is talent but also questions including the not previously mentioned lack of proven depth in most positions.

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Wild Owner: Tone of Hughes Contract Talks ‘Very Positive’

Posted on July 18, 2026July 18, 2026 by David Shama

Last season the Minnesota Wild played like a team that could compete with the best clubs in the NHL. The Wild isn’t a heavy favorite (Hurricanes and Avs) to win the Stanley Cup next year, but Minnesota is keeping company with the top six or so NHL elites.

The Wild’s “window” for the next few seasons looks like the best in franchise history. To keep the “windowpane” clear, the Wild need to retain Quinn Hughes whose contract expires next July.

Wild owner Craig Leipold spoke with Sports Headliners earlier this week and said talks between Hughes’ agent and Wild general manager Bill Guerin began a couple of weeks ago.

“We’re making progress,” Leipold said. “I don’t think there’s anything imminent, but we all know we want to sign him, and we believe he wants to stay here. So, I feel good that there’s going to be a resolution and hopefully he’ll be happy and we’ll be happy but…until it’s done you never know.”

What’s the tone of the conversations?

“Positive. Very positive,” Leipold said. “I mean we are not discouraged at all with the way the conversation has gone. We feel like he wants to play here. He has said that. He liked it here. He likes our team. I mean everybody on the team loves him.

“I really do feel like we’re going to get something done. It’s just a question of how many years will it be. And that will probably be really up to Quinn. How long does he want to stay here?”

Substance of the talks?

“They haven’t really homed in on anything,” Leipold said. “So, I’ve kind of asked the same question of Billy and it’s like: You know, we’re just everything is a brainstorm right now. …Is it eight years? If it’s five years. If it’s three years. So, until they lock into the length of the contract and the amount, Billy and the agent are still talking.”

The 26-year-old Orlando, Florida born Hughes is among the best defensemen in the NHL. His next contract could be a three-year deal at $16 to $18 million average annual value (salary and bonuses). That could move him ahead of Wild superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov’s reported $17 million.

For years the Wild has been searching for a star centerman who could further increase the team’s chances of bringing the Stanley Cup to Minnesota. Leipold said the commitment is ongoing.

Wild owner Craig Leipold — Craig Leipold

“Absolutely. We have recognized for 10 years that a No. 1 centerman is what we need and we’ve needed it for a long time. We have such a great team and to get a No. 1 centerman is very hard to do and usually you have to draft that person. So, we’d love to fill that position. It would be an important move on our team if we could.”

Red Wings standout center Dylan Larkin wants out in Detroit. He is 29, has a favorable contract at a reported $8.7 million annually and his name has been linked to Minnesota.

“We really can’t comment on it because he’s under contract,” Leipold said. “And honestly, I really know (only) what’s happening based on what I read in the newspaper. I am sure Billy has been talking to (outgoing Detroit boss) Steve Yzerman, but we don’t really discuss that. …He’s under contract and we need to respect that.”

Guerin isn’t reluctant to trade as he’s shown in the past, including the deal that brought Hughes from the Canucks to Minnesota last December. Who might be considered untouchable on the Wild roster regarding a trade?

“Billy and I have never had that conversation,” Leipold answered. “But I could bet…if I were to ask Billy, I think he and I would probably be in agreement with who they would be. Your next question would be, well, who would that be and I wouldn’t answer that.”

Whatever happens this offseason, Wild fans are eager to see more of their team. Leipold said about 95 percent of season tickets have been renewed, right in line with the best percentages in franchise history dating back to the 2000-2001 season. The recent renewal happened even though there was, Leipold said, an increase in all ticket price categories.

Asked about a summer message to fans, the owner said: “…We’re working hard to not just be better but to be elite. That is our goal. We have a really, really great core of players. And as good as the players we have, we want to get better, and if we do get better than we are today, then that makes us an elite team if we can do that. And that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Leipold purchased a minority stake in the Twins last year. Does he see that expanding?

“I don’t see it right now. I am having a lot of fun in the investment that I have right now—which we’re not publicizing what the investment is, or how much it is.

“But I’ve been to six games. We need more people out there.

“This (team) depth is so exciting right now. It’s fun to go to the games. They’re fast, they’re two hours and 35 minutes on average…about the same as a hockey game. It moves quickly. So, the rule changes they have had, I think have been very positively received.

“But I am really enjoying the experience with (the Pohlad family Twins leader) Tom Pohlad, and what the Twins are doing, and I am excited about baseball. I think it’s a good sport right now to be involved in from an investment standpoint.”

Does Leipold rule out acquiring more of the baseball franchise in the future?

“I wouldn’t rule out anything. We all want to see how the collective bargaining agreement turns out (current agreement ends December 1).”

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