Weston McKennie’s busy year continues to take flight with ESPN reporting Wednesday that the United States men’s national team midfielder is close to a contract extension with his club Juventus.

With Juventus since 2021, including a short loan to Leeds United in 2023, McKennie’s contract was set to expire at the end of the current season in Italy’s Serie A. His new deal reportedly will go 2030.

McKennie has scored 15 goals in 161 appearances since 2021 for Juventus. In 62 games with the national team, since 2017, he has 11 goals.

Born in Washington, McKennie grew up in Texas but also spent time in Germany as his father was as an officer for the United States Air Force. McKennie came up in the FC Dallas system before a transfer to FC Schalke 04 in Germany.

McKennie is expected to play a pivotal role for the USNMT during the World Cup this summer, with all U.S. games set to be played on home soil.

–Field Level Media

The NCAA wants football teams to stick to the window.

That’s the message delivered by the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee on Wednesday, with the organization proposing stiff penalties for schools not observing the rules surrounding the transfer portal window in early January.

Such penalties would include the head coach being prohibited from engaging in any football activities for a period of six weeks/games, the school being nailed for a fine equal to 20% of its football budget and the program losing five roster spots for the following season.

“We felt this was appropriate to place an emphasis on this rule with where we are in Division I football,” said Mark Alnutt, chair of the oversight committee and athletic director at Buffalo. “We have a window for student-athletes to notify their school when they would like to enter the Transfer Portal. If there is movement without going through the process as it is legislated, the committee felt there needed to be significant penalties.”

Multiple incidents sparked speculation that changes could be in the offing, including a notable circumstance earlier this year in which Ole Miss was able to add Clemson transfer Luke Ferrelli outside the window, much to the frustration of Clemson coach Dabo Swinney.

The oversight was introduced via emergency legislation, set to be voted on at the Division I cabinet meeting in April. If approved, the legislation would become effective immediately.

“Attempts to circumvent the transfer window process is an issue for the sport,” Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks added. “We want to let everyone know that this is not going to be allowed, and the committee wants to protect the transfer window that has been established.”

Also on the docket is a proposal to remove limitations on the number of official visits, which would disadvantage schools with smaller budgets but bring football in line with other NCAA sports. A current waiver already allows schools an unlimited amount of visits — a vote would make the change more permanent.

–Field Level Media

The Chicago Bulls look to avoid matching the third-longest losing streak in franchise history when they host the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night.

Chicago has dropped 10 straight games this month since last winning against the Miami Heat on Jan. 31.

The Bulls are 0-4 on a seven-game homestand as the Charlotte Hornets ran roughshod at Chicago with a 131-99 victory Tuesday.

Chicago revamped its roster at the trading deadline with players like Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu and Kevin Huerter going to new destinations.

Roles have changed and the club is without recent acquisitions Jaden Ivey (left knee) and Anfernee Simons (fractured left wrist) due to injuries. Collin Sexton also was acquired during the flurry of activity.

“The trades happened. You’ve got to move forward and you’ve got to figure it out,” second-year forward Matas Buzelis told reporters. “I know we are capable when we are on the same page. We have to come in every day ready to work and try to get better. When you trade half the team and bring in new guys, it’s tough. But it’s no excuse.

“When we control the things we can control, we are going to be a great team. (Coach) Billy (Donovan) always says you get 10 guys who are on the same page and ready to fight and you can win anything.”

Buzelis exploded with a career-best 32 points during the loss to the Hornets. He knocked down six 3-pointers — his second most of the season – while topping 20 points for the third time this month.

The 21-year-old from Lithuania is averaging 15.3 points while starting all 59 games.

“I am going to be what the team needs me to be,” Buzelis said. “If that’s scoring, that’s what it’s going to be. I try to figure out during the game what the team needs.”

Patrick Williams (quadriceps) and Jalen Smith (calf) are doubtful for the Bulls.

The Trail Blazers will be without All-Star forward Deni Avdija (back) for the second straight game and 12th in the past 20. He played in each of the first 40 games of the season before the back troubles emerged.

Avdija is averaging 24.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists in 48 games during a breakout campaign.

Portland is coming off a 124-121 home loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Trail Blazers are 5-3 since Feb. 6.

Though the loss dropped the Trail Blazers three games below .500, veteran forward Jerami Grant was pleased with the performance.

“Definitely a step in the right direction,” said Grant, who scored 21 points. “You want to win. You’re never really happy with losses. But definitely a step in the right direction.”

Jrue Holiday led Portland with 22 points one game after the team allowed a season-low 77 points while beating the Phoenix Suns. Prior to that, the Trail Blazers gave up a season-worst 157 points in a loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday.

“You don’t want to celebrate moral wins,” Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter said after the Minnesota contest. “But we competed against a great team … a full-strength team. That’s a pretty good team out there. I think it was just a couple details that gave them the win.”

Shaedon Sharpe (calf, fibula) will miss his eighth straight game and won’t return for more than a month. Big man Robert Williams III (foot) is questionable.

The Bulls produced a 122-121 victory in Portland on Nov. 19 when the now-departed Vucevic buried a game-winning 3-pointer as time expired.

–Field Level Media