Category: Sports

Atlanta’s own Elle Duncan is poised to redefine streaming sports coverage as the new face of Netflix’s burgeoning sports division, according to The Athletic.

The Emmy-nominated anchor, who cut her teeth in the Peach State’s bustling media scene, is reportedly leaving her prominent role at ESPN to helm the streaming giant’s push into live sports and analysis, sources confirmed to The Athletic.

Elle Duncan: The New Face of Netflix Sports?

For Atlantans, Duncan’s ascent feels like a homecoming story on steroids. Born and raised in the city she now calls home, Duncan launched her broadcasting career right here in 2003 as a 20-year-old intern for the syndicated sports talk radio show 2 Live Stews on 790/The Zone.

What started as fetching coffee and screening calls quickly evolved into on-air contributions, where her sharp wit and infectious energy caught the ear of producers. “Atlanta gave me my first break, and I’ll always be grateful for the grit and grind of starting out in a city that demands excellence,” Duncan reflected in a 2021 interview, crediting the local airwaves for honing her unfiltered style.

By 2005, Duncan had leveled up to a seven-year gig at V-103 (WVEE-FM), Atlanta’s powerhouse urban radio station, where she juggled traffic reporting with entertainment anchoring.

Listeners tuning in for morning rush-hour updates on I-85 snarls were just as likely to hear her dishing on the latest Falcons drama or Hawks highlights. She even moonlighted as a sideline reporter for the Atlanta Hawks, bringing her charisma courtside during the team’s gritty playoff runs.

espnpressroom.com It was a far cry from the polished ESPN sets she’d later command, but those early days in Atlanta’s competitive media market — sandwiched between radio booths and traffic choppers — built the foundation for her national stardom.

Elle Duncan: From Atlanta To Bristol

A University of West Georgia journalism grad, Duncan carried her Southern roots to Boston in 2012, joining NESN as a sports anchor and reporter. There, she covered everything from Red Sox heartbreak to Bruins triumphs, earning her stripes before ESPN came calling in 2016.

Since then, she’s been a fixture on SportsCenter, co-hosting the 6 p.m. edition and launching hits like the YouTube series First Take Her Take alongside Andraya Carter. Her bold takes on women’s sports, social justice in athletics, and unapologetic commentary have made her a fan favorite — and occasionally a lightning rod, as seen in recent backlash over an on-air quip.

Now, at 42, Duncan is betting on the future of sports media with Netflix, a platform that’s aggressively expanding beyond binge-worthy docs like The Last Dance into live events. Think NFL games, tennis majors, and perhaps even a slice of the NBA — all under her steady hand. While details of her exact title and start date remain under wraps, insiders say she’ll oversee content strategy, on-air talent, and the streamer’s signature blend of storytelling and spectacle.

sports.yahoo.com Her departure leaves ESPN’s SportsCenter lineup in flux, but for Duncan, it’s a chance to pioneer in a space where streaming meets sports like never before.From dodging potholes on 11 Alive’s traffic desk to anchoring Netflix’s sports empire, Elle Duncan’s journey is peak Atlanta: resilient, innovative, and impossible to ignore.

As the city that launched her watches with pride, one thing’s clear — the girl from Georgia is about to take the world stage by storm. Stay tuned, folks; this is just the tip of the binge.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — In a devastating blow to the Atlanta Falcons’ already struggling season, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been ruled out for the remainder of 2025 following confirmation of a partially torn ACL in his left knee.

The team announced Wednesday that the second-year pro will undergo surgery, effectively ending his campaign and thrusting veteran Kirk Cousins back into the starting role.

Penix Sidelined, Kirk Cousins’ Return

The Falcons’ initial statement on Monday indicated Penix would land on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four weeks after suffering the injury during last week’s matchup.

However, lingering concerns about the knee’s severity prompted the additional consultation, which delivered the harsh verdict.

“After further medical evaluation, it has been determined Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will undergo season-ending surgery for a partially torn ACL,” read the team’s official release.

With Penix out, Cousins steps in as the Falcons (3-7) prepare for a critical NFC South showdown against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome.

Easton Stick is expected to serve as the backup, drawing from his role on the practice squad as the emergency third-stringer.

Stick, reflecting on the abrupt shift, shared his empathy for his teammate during Monday’s media session.

“The thing that’s on the top of my mind the most is how (Penix is) feeling and how he’s doing,” Stick said. “That’s a tough, tough deal however it turns out. But yeah, Sunday looks different. Outside of Sunday, not much changes.”

Head coach Raheem Morris and Cousins are set to field questions from the press later today, offering further insight into the transition. For Morris, the focus remains on rallying the squad amid the heartbreak.

“Obviously, it hurts your heart when your quarterback goes down,” Morris acknowledged Monday. “Anybody in your football team… that’s definitely always one of those things that’s going to be harmful. But you got to recenter, you got to focus. You got to go with the next-man-up mentality. You got to lean on other people, other places, to be able to go find a way to get those things done.”

Penix’s 2025 stats paint a picture of promise cut short: In nine starts, he completed 166 of 276 passes (60.1%) for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, and just three interceptions — averaging 220.2 yards per game.

He sat out Week 8’s loss to the Miami Dolphins with a bone bruise in the same knee, though Morris couldn’t confirm if the issues are connected.

Selected eighth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Penix was originally tabbed to sit and learn behind Cousins as a rookie.

That timeline accelerated in Week 16 of his debut year due to the veteran’s inconsistencies, propelling Penix into the starting lineup to close out 2024 and carry into this season. His college career at Washington was marred by right-knee troubles, but this marks a fresh challenge on the opposite side.

The injury compounds a dismal year for Atlanta, who sit dead last in the NFC South at 0-3 in the division and boast slimmer-than-slim playoff odds — under 1% per The New York Times’ simulator — with seven games remaining. Still, Morris struck an optimistic chord: “Just hurting for the young man. We’ll move forward.”

As the Falcons navigate this pivot, Dirty Bird fans will be watching closely to see if Cousins can spark a late-season surge. Stay tuned to Atlanta Sports for updates from today’s presser and beyond.

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In a historic move that cements the city’s status as the beating heart of American soccer, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has officially awarded an expansion franchise to Atlanta.

Backed by billionaire philanthropist Arthur M. Blank and operated by AMB Sports and Entertainment, the new club will join the league as its 17th team and begin play in the 2028 season, with home matches at the iconic Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

NWSL Set to Kick Off in 2028

The announcement, made Tuesday evening during the star-studded “Empower Her, Inspire All” event at The Interlock in Midtown Atlanta, drew cheers from a crowd of passionate fans, local leaders, and soccer dignitaries.

NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman hailed the addition as a “game-changer,” praising Atlanta’s “energy, diversity, and ambition” that will propel women’s professional soccer to new heights.

“This is a city that knows how to win,” Berman declared, spotlighting Atlanta’s proven track record with Blank’s other ventures, including the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and the wildly successful MLS powerhouse Atlanta United.

Blank, whose family foundation is seeding a new NWSL Foundation focused on women’s athlete health and performance, echoed the excitement.

“It is my hope that this club will ignite something powerful in everyone who watches, especially young people, and light a spark that says if they can do it, so can I,” he said.

The franchise comes at a league-record expansion fee of $165 million, with Blank committing an additional $330 million in investments to build a world-class operation.

This marks the NWSL’s first expansion since the additions of Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC, both slated for 2026, and underscores the league’s rapid growth amid the global surge in women’s soccer following the U.S. Women’s National Team’s success and the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

A New Era at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Fans can look forward to high-energy matches under the retractable roof of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which will be modified for soccer with a capacity of about 28,000—perfect for creating an intimate yet electric atmosphere.

The venue, already a soccer shrine that hosted a record 50,000 fans for a U.S. women’s national team friendly in 2024, will welcome the new team starting in 2028.

Plans are underway for a state-of-the-art training facility dedicated to the NWSL club, ensuring top-tier support for players.

AMBSE is also in the early stages of crafting a team name and brand identity, with direct input from Atlanta and Georgia’s soccer community—no timeline has been set, but the process promises to reflect the city’s vibrant spirit.

Leadership searches are already ramping up, led by Blank and AMBSE executives with input from sports consultancy Sportsology, to assemble a dedicated staff for day-to-day operations.

Reviving a Storied Soccer Tradition

This isn’t Atlanta’s first dance with women’s professional soccer.

The city was once home to the Atlanta Beat in the early 2000s, part of the now-defunct Women’s United Soccer Association and Women’s Professional Soccer leagues.

Though those teams folded amid league challenges, Atlanta’s fans have always shown up in force, setting the stage for this triumphant return.

Local leaders couldn’t contain their enthusiasm. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone joined the celebration, with Cone calling Blank a “consistent and passionate supporter of soccer at every level.”

Atlanta Sports Council President Dan Corso added that the move “reinforces the city’s standing as the center of the soccer world in America.” 6

As metro Atlanta continues to build its soccer empire—with Atlanta United’s MLS triumphs, the MLS Next Pro squad Atlanta United 2, and eight World Cup matches on deck for 2026—this NWSL addition feels like destiny.

Blank himself aims to replicate Atlanta United’s record-breaking launch, which was dubbed the most successful expansion in U.S. sports history.

Final Word

For now, the focus is on the future: a team that will inspire, unite, and dominate on the pitch.

As Berman put it, Atlanta has “all the ingredients to become one of the league’s most dynamic markets.” Soccer City, USA, just got a whole lot brighter.

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FOXborough, Mass. – November 2, 2025 — In a gut-wrenching finish that left Falcons fans clutching their hearts, the Atlanta Falcons fell just short in a 24-23 thriller against the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon.

A missed extra point in the final moments sealed Atlanta’s fate, handing the Pats their seventh win in nine games and vaulting them into sole possession of first place in the AFC East for the first time since their 2021 dynasty days.

Falcons Lay an Egg vs. Pats, Fall To 3-5

The loss drops the Falcons to 3-5, snapping a three-game winning streak and thrusting them back into a dogfight for NFC South supremacy.

For a team that had been clawing its way up the standings with gritty defense and opportunistic offense, this defeat stings like a November chill—especially after clawing back to only be down one point late in the fourth quarter.

It was rookie sensation Drake Maye who orchestrated the dagger for New England, threading the needle with 259 passing yards and two touchdown strikes (one interception) in a poised performance that belied his inexperience.

“I told our offense that we were going to need one drive to win the football game,” Pats head coachMike Vrabel told reporters in post-game comments. “And that’s all that’s going to matter.”

A lot of that was May, the former North Carolina star connected with wideout DeMario Douglas for a 100-yard receiving day, electrifying the Gillette Stadium crowd at different times throughout the game.

Atlanta wide receiver Drake London had a breakout game, snagging nine balls for 118 yards and three touchdowns, including a one-hander and an acrobatic leap-catch.

Adding insult to Atlanta’s injury was Stefon Diggs, the veteran receiver who torched the Falcons’ secondary for a 28-yard touchdown grab earlier in the second half. Diggs, acquired by the Pats in a blockbuster offseason trade, finished with three catches for 38 yards and that pivotal score, proving once again why he’s one of the league’s most reliable targets.

Cardi B Steals Show in Robert Kraft’s Luxury Suite

But the real sideshow? Rap superstar Cardi B, who turned heads by rolling into owner Robert Kraft’s luxury suite decked out in custom Patriots gear—there to cheer on her boyfriend Diggs amid the chaos. Spotted hyping the crowd with her signature energy, B even flashed a quick “W” sign on the Jumbotron after Douglas’s score, drawing cheers from the home faithful and eye-rolls from the traveling Atlanta contingent.

For the Falcons, the narrative was one of what-ifs. Michael Penix Jr. engineered a valiant comeback, slinging for 312 yards and three scores, including a 15-yard dart to Kyle Pitts that briefly put Atlanta ahead.

The ground game churned out 128 yards behind Bijan Robinson, who bulldozed for a 4-yard TD in the third. But it all unraveled on special teams: Kicker Parker Romo, one of the league’s steadiest boots, shanked the extra point after a late Falcons touchdown, leaving the score at 23-24 with no chance for redemption. (Do we miss Younghoe Koo now?)

Falcons’ Coach Raheem Morris Searching for Answers

Head coach Raheem Morris didn’t mince words in the locker room. “Obviously a tough game, tough loss,” he told 92.9 The Game reporter. When asked whether the game came down to the missed extra point, Morris was cordial.

“It never comes down to 1 singular thing. There’s a couple different situations in the game that you can win, that you can change that result, and we almost did at the end.”

Their next test? A showdown against the Indianapolis Colts in Berlin.

As the Pats celebrate a resurgence under Maye’s steady hand and Vrabel’s enduring shadow, Atlanta licks its wounds. In the brutal NFC gauntlet, one missed kick can swing a season. For the Dirty Birds, it’s time to rise from the ashes—or risk watching the playoffs from the couch. Tee Johnson covers the Falcons for AtlantaFi.com. Reach her at tjohnson@atlantafi.com.

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Jacksonville, FL – In a classic SEC slugfest that had Dawg Nation on the edge of their seats, the Georgia Bulldogs (7-1, 5-1 SEC) gutted out a hard-fought 24-20 victory over the rival Florida Gators (3-5, 2-4 SEC) on Saturday night at EverBank Stadium.

The win keeps Georgia firmly in the hunt for another SEC East title and a potential playoff berth, but it was anything but easy against a gritty Gators squad that refused to fade. Watch the Georgia Bulldogs game at these top Atlanta bars.

The game, played under the lights in neutral-site fashion, showcased the best of the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party – minus the hangovers. Georgia’s balanced attack and opportunistic defense proved just enough to hold off Florida’s late rally, improving the Bulldogs’ success in this matchup at the current Jacksonville venue.

For Athens faithful, it’s a reminder: in the SEC, survival is sweeter than domination.

A Passing Game That Clicked When It Counted

Quarterback Gunner Stockton continued his steady senior campaign, slicing through Florida’s secondary for 223 yards on 20-of-29 passing with two touchdowns and one costly interception. Beck spread the wealth effectively, leaning on his top target Zachariah Branch who hauled in 10 catches for 112 yards – a performance that kept the chains moving on third downs.

The big strikes came via the air: a 22-yard dart to a shifty slot receiver for six in the second quarter, and a 43-yard beauty that put the Bulldogs up 21-10 midway through the third.

Florida’s DJ Lagway, a second-year phenom, showed flashes with 166 yards on 15-of-24 passing and one score, but Georgia’s coverage limited the damage.
The Gators’ top wideout — Eugene Wilson III — was a thorn, snagging nine balls for 121 yards and Florida’s lone passing touchdown, but the Gators couldn’t sustain drives.

Ground and Pound: Running Backs Shine in the Trenches

Georgia’s rushing attack, a staple under Kirby Smart, grinded out 138 yards on 39 carries (3.5 avg.), with a workhorse back leading the charge on nine totes for 70 yards and the game’s only rushing touchdown – a gritty 4-yard plunge that capped a 75-yard drive to open the scoring.

Another tailback chipped in 45 yards on 12 carries, while a third managed 11 yards on 13 attempts, underscoring the committee approach that wore down Florida’s front seven.

The Gators countered with 138 yards on 39 carries (3.6 avg.), paced by their lead back Chauncey Bowers’ 70 yards and touchdown on 9 carries.

But Georgia’s defense, stout against the run all season, stuffed Florida on key short-yardage situations, forcing punts and preserving leads.

Defensive Stand: Turnovers and Timely Stops

Turnovers told the tale. Florida’s two interceptions – both by Georgia’s opportunistic secondary – flipped field position and stalled Gator momentum. One pick came on a tipped pass deep in Bulldog territory, while the other sealed the deal late.

Florida avoided fumble losses but couldn’t capitalize on Georgia’s early stagnation.

Defensively, the Bulldogs tallied 68 total tackles (28 solo) with two tackles for loss and one pass deflection, holding Florida to just 281 total yards.

The Gators’ unit was pesky, notching 72 tackles (32 solo), two sacks, four TFLs, and four pass deflections, but they couldn’t generate a game-changing turnover of their own.

Special teams added intrigue: Georgia’s kicker nailed a 39-yard field goal for insurance, going 1-for-1 on FGs and 3-for-3 on extras.

Florida’s boot specialist was perfect too, drilling a 54-yarder and going 2-for-2 on FGs, but a missed opportunity on a longer try earlier loomed large. Punting favored the Gators slightly (47.8 avg. vs. Georgia’s 43.0), but the Bulldogs’ coverage units flipped the field three times inside the 20.

Looking Ahead: Playoff Implications

This victory isn’t just bragging rights over the Gators – it’s a resume-builder for the College Football Playoff committee.

Georgia’s defense, ranked top-10 nationally in scoring, bent but didn’t break, while the offense showed resilience despite the interception. Up next for the Bulldogs: a home tilt against Ole Miss on November 8, where they’ll need to clean up the passing miscues to stay in the SEC race.

For now, Athens breathes easy. The Dawgs are battle-tested, and in the SEC, that’s worth more than a blowout. Go Dawgs!

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