David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

U AD Talking Niko Medved & Dawn Plitzuweit Contracts

Posted on June 5, 2026June 5, 2026 by David Shama

Don’t be surprised if adjustments are made soon to the contracts of Golden Gophers men’s basketball coach Niko Medved and women’s coach Dawn Plitzuweit. The two reportedly have annual current deals paying them $3 million and $900,000 respectively.

“…We are having those (contract) conversations with both coaches,” University of Minnesota athletics director Mark Coyle told Sports Headliners on Thursday. Contract changes must be approved by President Rebecca Cunningham and the Board of Regents.

Medved became the Gophers head coach in March of 2025. He inherited a program needing a rebuild but exceeded expectations of a 16^th place finish in the 18-team Big Ten. The Gophers, 8-12 in Big Ten games and 15-18 overall, were surprisingly competitive including wins over three nationally ranked teams.

The Gopher women were 13-5 in Big Ten games, achieving 13 wins in league play for only the third time in their history. The 24-9 overall Gophers were voted No. 15 (Associated Press) and 18 (coaches) in the polls, their best finish since 2004-2005. In Plitzuweit’s third season she led Minnesota to a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament and had two wins. That was the program’s highest seed since 2005.

Coyle has a track record of rewarding coaches after success and is clearly pleased with Medved and Plitzuweit. “Those are two things (contract changes) we’d like to get done,” he said.

The Board of Regents has meetings scheduled next Thursday and Friday.

Worth Noting

News this spring that Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey favors the City Center site as a location for a new Timberwolves arena is curious to Sports Headliners sources. It could cost $40 million or so to demolish the building’s tower. The land itself is so “skinny” it raises questions about desirability as an attractive home for the NBA team and the WNBA Lynx.

It’s believed ownership of the two franchises will privately pay for the arena. The private pay model is increasing in popularity in the NBA but financially it only works if team ownership controls adjacent land and buildings for shopping, entertainment, bars, restaurants, and more.

The site selection process might eventually lead to the large Farmers Market site near downtown. The location has long been speculated as a home to an arena or stadium. About 11 years ago mayor Betsy Hodges opposed a property tax exemption for soccer team owner Bill McGuire’s proposed stadium that eventually was built in St. Paul.

Hodges reportedly now lives in Washington D.C. Her website describes her as a visionary regarding race, leadership, governance, and policy formation.

Capital Club founder Patrick Klinger has a star duo speaking at Mendakota Country Club on June 24. National Baseball Hall of Famer Paul Molitor and another St. Paul born luminary, former MLB umpire and storyteller Tim Tschida, will share experiences and wisdom at the breakfast program. For more information, contact Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketingco.com.

Jose Miranda, who tied an MLB record two years ago with 12 straight hits playing for the Twins, was released recently by the Padres organization.

Longtime Sports Headliners reader Dan Hennen emailed he and wife Lynn have now visited 19 MLB stadiums. They have a new favorite after watching the Twins and Pirates recently at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. The atmosphere and environment were impressive, including a postgame light show from drones.

Hot hockey rumor this weekend: the Wild might be on the short list of places center Dylan Larkin could land. A premium center, he’s requested a trade from the Red Wings.

Minnesota hockey legend Lou Nanne turned 85 last Tuesday. Leave it to Beaver TV star Jerry Mathers turned 78 that day.

Steve Crowl, the former basketball player at Eastview High School and collegiate Badger, played six games this past season for the Salt Lake City Stars of the G League. In six games he averaged 1.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.

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Don’t Expect Solo Act from New Vikings General Manager

Posted on June 2, 2026June 2, 2026 by David Shama

The Vikings have a new general manager in 42-year-old Nolan Teasley. Don’t expect him to be an authoritarian leader.

Fans have illusions about NFL general managers as solo operators of a franchise’s personnel, including college drafts and free agent signings. The public frequently assigns too much blame or credit to the work of those who carry the general manager badge.

Yup, there are a few general managers in the league who are more like solo acts. Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones, Rams boss Les Snead and Eagles wheeler-dealer Howie Roseman come to mind.

But collaboration is more the norm in NFL front offices than kingpin. Even before tomorrow’s press conference to introduce Teasley, Vikings voices are trumpeting it will be kumbaya style at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.

Teasley, in his first assignment as a general manager after being assistant GM with the Seahawks, is expected to work arm-in-arm with head coach Kevin O’Connell and executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski, the franchise’s capologist.

Statements issued by the Vikings yesterday offer testimony to the vision.

Vikings owner Mark Wilf, 2025, image by David Shama — Mark Wilf

Vikings owner/president Mark Wilf said: “Putting Nolan together with Kevin O’Connell and Rob Brzezinski gives us three strong leaders with complementary skillsets.”

Owner/chair Zygi Wilf said: “We are confident this dynamic structure of Nolan, Kevin and Rob is the best outcome for the Minnesota Vikings.”

Teasley said: “I look forward to working alongside Kevin O’Connell, Rob Brzezinski, our coaching staff, personnel department and the entire organization as we build a team Vikings fans can be proud of and one that competes for championships year after year.”

Both O’Connell and Brzezinski echoed the collaboration theme, mentioning how they look forward to working with their new front office teammate who started as an intern in 2013 with the Seahawks and rose to positions of authority in the organization. In 13 seasons with the organization the team made the playoffs nine times, played in three Super Bowls and won two.

While the Vikings had an analytics background man in former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Teasley’s reputation is that of a talented personnel evaluator of college and pro talent. In Seattle he oversaw football ops while working for his boss John Schneider in various aspects of player acquisition and team building, per the Vikings.

Teasley also assisted with roster construction and integrating data and analytics within the franchise’s scouting process. He managed collaboration between the scouting staff, research and analytics departments and the coaches.

Collaboration aside, there will be parts of the operation and times when Teasley will make his own decisions and have the final word. That’s the nature of his responsibilities and for that he will ultimately be judged.

Schneider expressed his confidence in Teasley in a statement released by the Vikings. “Nolan Teasley is a direct reflection of our football process. He came in as an intern and outworked, outlearned, and outgrew every role we gave him – and now he’s a general manager in this league.

“That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because of who he is as a person and how he approaches everything he does. The Vikings aren’t just getting a great football mind. They’re getting an exceptional human being – ego-free, values-driven, and one of the best communicators I’ve been around in this business. He sees the game clearly, he connects with people authentically, and he makes every room better.”

Brzezinski, BTW, was reportedly on the short list of candidates for the GM job. He has been a loyal and accomplished part of the organization since 1999 and in his present position since 2014. His strategic salary cap management approach might be the best in the NFL. He has negotiated more than $1 billion in contracts and his relationships with player agents is invaluable to the Vikings.

The Wilf ownership group is known for its loyalty to employees and willingness to spend money appropriately. This seems like an opportune time to reward Brzezinski with a thank you note and I.O.U.

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Poor Arizona Defenses Did QB Kyler Murray No Favors

Posted on May 30, 2026May 30, 2026 by David Shama

Enjoy a Saturday notes column.

No one fascinates this town more right now than Kyler Murray. The 28-year-old quarterback is working in Organized Team Activities with the Vikings, his new team after signing with the club in March.

Thousands of purple-clad loyalists ponder whether he can win the starting job from J.J. McCarthy. If so, how effective will he be?

Murray is a conundrum to fans, and maybe his Vikings coaches and teammates, too. He is physically gifted and potentially explosive, including his ability to run. In 2019 he was the Pro Football Offensive Rookie of the Year. Twice in his career he was a Pro Bowler.

Yet many consider the former No. 1 draft pick by the Cardinals a bust. His stats have been inconsistent and only once did he lead Arizona into the playoffs, 2021.

But if you’re looking for a glass half full approach about the controversial quarterback consider this: For the most part, he played his previous seven seasons with a lousy defense that added to his challenges.

Four times with the Cardinals he was accompanied by defenses that were 23^rd or worse in points per game given up in the 32-team NFL, per Google AI Overview. In yards per game given up the Cardinals ranked from 2019-2025: 31^st, 26^th, 11^th, 21^st, 21^st, 15^th and 27^th.

All of that meant pressure for the offense in high-scoring shootouts. Murray having to compete when opposing defenses knew the Cardinals had to throw the football and that pass rushers could tee off on the quarterback. Game plan out the window.

The Vikings defense figures to have Murray’s back if he wins the job. Last season in total yards yielded per game Minnesota ranked third and seventh in points per game allowed, per Google.

The Twins have designated right-handed pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson for release or assignment. The move, announced this morning, comes in conjunction with adding right-handed pitcher John Klein from Triple-A St. Paul.

Richardson’s departure surprises many observers given his history with the franchise. He was acquired in 2021 via a trade with the Blue Jays that also brought infielder-outfielder Austin Martin to Minnesota for stopper Jose Berríos.

Both Richardson and Martin were considered top MLB prospects. Richardson appeared in one game each in 2022 and 2023 for Minnesota. He became a starter in 2024 and 2025. He had his best season in 2025, going 7-4 with a 4.04 ERA.

Richardson, 25, has had a rough 2026 and has competed with young prospects for rotation time. He appeared in 12 games with 10 starts, going 0-7 with a 7.74 ERA. He was responsible in 27.2 innings for 25 walks, 26 strikeouts and a .330 opponent batting average. He couldn’t execute his pitches this year like last season.

Martin, 27, struggled in two previous seasons with the Twins but has been a pleasant surprise this year. He has been superb as an outfielder and is hitting .278 with two home runs and 16 RBI.

Klein, 24, looks like he will be used out of the bullpen. The Brooklyn Park native had a 3.65 ERA in his last four games with the Saints, with 16 strikeouts in 12.1 innings. This is his second stint with the Twins having made his MLB debut on May 2 against the Blue Jays when he pitched one scoreless inning.

Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey, courtesy U of Minn. — Drake Lindsey photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

While there is conjecture about who starts for the Vikings at quarterback, there is none in Dinkytown where redshirt sophomore Drake Lindsey has the job locked up. However, this week the Sporting News (Bill Bender) didn’t give the Gophers many props in a ranking of Big Ten starting quarterbacks and their backups.

Lindsey and Liberty transfer Michael Merdinger (one season of eligibility) came in at No. 13 in the 18-team conference. Bender wrote Lindsey “is generating some NFL interest, and he had a successful first year as a starter with 2,382 yards, 18 TDs and six interceptions with a 126.9 passer rating.”

Oregon, Ohio State, USC and Indiana had the top four tandems. https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/big-ten-quarterback-rankings-2026-

The football Gophers are expected to receive a visit this weekend from D’Iberville, Mississippi cornerback Jordan Walley. The class of 2027 high schooler is the brother of former Gopher cornerback Justin Walley and ex-Mississippi wide receiver Jaden Walley.

For decades Dave Mona has been an authority about Minnesota sports card collecting. He once had about 4.5 million cards. “Of which 4 million were a waste,” he told Sports Headliners. “I am probably down to a half million cards, most of which are commons (low value) that I sell off in big bunches at auctions.”

The card collecting environment is different now than decades ago. While there are still those who buy for the fun of acquiring favorite athletes, there are purchasers who buy large numbers of packages in hopes of lucking into a big find like a young superstar. Mona said the process is like playing the “lottery,” only working for “one person out of multiple millions.”

There’s no better example of what Mona is talking about than the Victor Wembanyama rookie card that sold last week for a reported $5.11 million. Supposedly the largest amount ever sold for an unautographed NBA card.

Wembanyama, a 7-4 freakish talent who can move around the court like the NBA has never seen before, is 22 years old and has played just three NBA seasons. His future looks to be all upside as does that of his team, the San Antonio Spurs.

For old cards, the 1952 Mickey Mantle remains the gold standard. Depending on condition the card can range in value from around $5,000 to $100,000, Mona said.

Over 3,000 athletes from throughout the nation are expected for the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota June 20-26. Competition in 16 sports will be held at the University of Minnesota and other sites in the metro area as the Games return here for the first time since 1991.

Among those participating will be Jenna Perkins, daughter of former KARE 11 sports anchor Eric Perkins who now runs Perk at Play Productions, a company that does video storytelling for businesses. Jenna is the Honorary Co-Chair for the 2026 games along with former Gophers defensive lineman Danny Striggow.

The two are friends and attended Orono High School. They participated in unified sports and clubs, a concept that brings together people with and without intellectual disabilities.

Another familiar name with ties to the 2026 Games is former Twins shortstop Roy Smalley. He is on the board of directors, and his participation continues a long-time affiliation with Special Olympics.

As a teenager in Southern California, Smalley was attracted to the Special Olympics and volunteered at the Games held at the Los Angels Coliseum. After his playing career ended in 1988, he became the paid executive director of the 1991 Games in Minnesota.

The 1991 Games were held in July. They were part of a series of sports events hosted by Minnesota in 1991 and 1992 that is unprecedented for one region in a 12-month period. The metro area also hosted the Stanley Cup Finals, U.S. Open, World Series, Super Bowl and Final Four.

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