Nick Sprague
@nickspraguefutbol.bsky.social
Chairman @ love.futbol ( https://www.lovefutbol.org ) #SportforDevelopment
Partner @ Tropion Sports Partners ( https://tropion.com ) #SportsInvesting
VP @ Orreco ( https://www.orreco.com ) #SportsPerformance
Lover of the Beautiful Game & the Americas
Partner @ Tropion Sports Partners ( https://tropion.com ) #SportsInvesting
VP @ Orreco ( https://www.orreco.com ) #SportsPerformance
Lover of the Beautiful Game & the Americas
Reposted by Nick Sprague
Boopie Miller FROM THE MILLER for the WINNER
January 15, 2026 at 4:47 AM
Boopie Miller FROM THE MILLER for the WINNER
Reposted by Nick Sprague
One of the big football stories in Italy has been the rise of Como as they returned to Serie A after a 21-year absence, finishing in a very creditable 10th place in their first season back in 2024/25 and are currently in the mix for a European place. But how much has this cost?
January 15, 2026 at 8:33 AM
One of the big football stories in Italy has been the rise of Como as they returned to Serie A after a 21-year absence, finishing in a very creditable 10th place in their first season back in 2024/25 and are currently in the mix for a European place. But how much has this cost?
Reposted by Nick Sprague
Yes, this was predictable. From October, 2024:
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
January 15, 2026 at 6:04 AM
Yes, this was predictable. From October, 2024:
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
Reposted by Nick Sprague
This is happening all over.
My daughter's school in Richfield, MN (adjacent to Minneapolis) is closing tomorrow due of out-of-control federal agents. Fourth graders spent the week building walls of snow at recess to protect their classmates from ICE. This isn't about immigration enforcement, it's about terror.
January 15, 2026 at 1:15 PM
This is happening all over.
Reposted by Nick Sprague
The San Jose Earthquakes are nearing a deal to sign Timo Werner from RB Leipzig.
Werner has only played 13 minutes in the Bundesliga for Leipzig this season, after the club told him in the summer he was not in its plans.
@tombogert.bsky.social & @sebsb.bsky.social
Werner has only played 13 minutes in the Bundesliga for Leipzig this season, after the club told him in the summer he was not in its plans.
@tombogert.bsky.social & @sebsb.bsky.social
San Jose Earthquakes nearing deal to sign Timo Werner from Leipzig: Sources
The German forward is out of favor at RB Leipzig and is seeking a fresh start in MLS
www.nytimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:16 PM
The San Jose Earthquakes are nearing a deal to sign Timo Werner from RB Leipzig.
Werner has only played 13 minutes in the Bundesliga for Leipzig this season, after the club told him in the summer he was not in its plans.
@tombogert.bsky.social & @sebsb.bsky.social
Werner has only played 13 minutes in the Bundesliga for Leipzig this season, after the club told him in the summer he was not in its plans.
@tombogert.bsky.social & @sebsb.bsky.social
Reposted by Nick Sprague
Reposted by Nick Sprague
Reposted by Nick Sprague
Everything has gone uphill for the Bears since this moment.
January 11, 2026 at 5:04 AM
Everything has gone uphill for the Bears since this moment.
Reposted by Nick Sprague
After the semifinals produced instant classics in Miami's win against Ole Miss and Indiana's epic beatdown of Oregon, it’ll be IU vs. The U on Jan. 19 on the Hurricanes’ home field.
January 10, 2026 at 1:55 PM
After the semifinals produced instant classics in Miami's win against Ole Miss and Indiana's epic beatdown of Oregon, it’ll be IU vs. The U on Jan. 19 on the Hurricanes’ home field.
Deploying the 1980s playbook in the 2020s does not get you 1980s outcomes…
Breaking news: As President Trump pushed U.S. oil companies to commit to invest $100 billion in Venezuela at a White House meeting, the CEO of ExxonMobil warned the company is far from enlisting and said that Venezuela is “uninvestable.”
Exxon CEO calls Venezuela ‘uninvestable’ without ‘significant changes’
Trump holds a meeting of oil CEOs at the White House to project support for his Venezuela plans. But the companies are skeptical.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Deploying the 1980s playbook in the 2020s does not get you 1980s outcomes…
Reposted by Nick Sprague
I asked Emma Hayes if she's okay with the #NWSL High Impact Player criteria including #USWNT game minutes - which means she has a role in determining if players qualify.
I also asked if the NWSL told her the rule was coming before announcing it.
Hayes' answer:
www.inquirer.com/soccer/trini...
I also asked if the NWSL told her the rule was coming before announcing it.
Hayes' answer:
www.inquirer.com/soccer/trini...
![First of all no, I didn't know about it.
Heif [USWNT PR chief Aaron Heifetz] definitely mentioned it to me. And sometimes, especially coming from England and working in a league where it's organized so much differently, sometimes it takes me a little bit longer to understand the implications of certain things.
I know that the NWSLPA and the league are trying to work through that criteria. I'd say it's between them to try and do that.
But when it comes to whether that influences playing time or should affect that, nothing will change with me and the way that I'm doing things regardless of any ruling that's put in place.
To be honest with you, it's probably going to be a little bit longer until they resolve what that criteria is. Whether it ends up being that or something else, you'd have to ask them. But from my perspective, nothing changes with regards to how I will operate.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:gj2bc6vdtaw5mfhzhzdxr3j3/bafkreidzjyljh7oc7gubyd4aj4isl6ry66hbw6alh6ex5muisbwmdc2kkq@jpeg)
January 8, 2026 at 6:02 PM
I asked Emma Hayes if she's okay with the #NWSL High Impact Player criteria including #USWNT game minutes - which means she has a role in determining if players qualify.
I also asked if the NWSL told her the rule was coming before announcing it.
Hayes' answer:
www.inquirer.com/soccer/trini...
I also asked if the NWSL told her the rule was coming before announcing it.
Hayes' answer:
www.inquirer.com/soccer/trini...
Reposted by Nick Sprague
"I've seen no indication that they know what they're going to do next," @markhertling.bsky.social says of the Venezuela operation. "There may be a plan, and he's just not giving it up to people...but on Saturday morning, he put America's sons and daughters in harm's way."
January 5, 2026 at 11:17 PM
"I've seen no indication that they know what they're going to do next," @markhertling.bsky.social says of the Venezuela operation. "There may be a plan, and he's just not giving it up to people...but on Saturday morning, he put America's sons and daughters in harm's way."
Reposted by Nick Sprague
Images of Nicolás Maduro in a Nike Tech sweatsuit after his arrest sparked interest in menswear circles. The suit’s popularity surged, with some calling it the “Maduro gray.”
Column | Nicolás Maduro’s Nike Tech sweatsuit and the thirst for notoriety
Nicolás Maduro’s arrest sparks a frenzy over his Nike Tech sweatsuit, a $260 “relaxed fit” outfit that has become a symbol of the deposed Venezuelan leader’s style.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Images of Nicolás Maduro in a Nike Tech sweatsuit after his arrest sparked interest in menswear circles. The suit’s popularity surged, with some calling it the “Maduro gray.”
Reposted by Nick Sprague
It's going to be a strange Liga MX season.
That's almost always the case, but it's especially true this year.
Here are my five questions ahead of Friday's openers including thoughts on #Chivas, #Toluca, #ClubLeon, #Necaxa, #Queretaro & much more!
getconcacafed.substack.com/p/5-five-que...
That's almost always the case, but it's especially true this year.
Here are my five questions ahead of Friday's openers including thoughts on #Chivas, #Toluca, #ClubLeon, #Necaxa, #Queretaro & much more!
getconcacafed.substack.com/p/5-five-que...
5️⃣ Five questions ahead of a Liga MX season in which the best players WON'T decide the champion
The MOST fast & furious season in an always fast & furious league begins Friday.
getconcacafed.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:31 AM
It's going to be a strange Liga MX season.
That's almost always the case, but it's especially true this year.
Here are my five questions ahead of Friday's openers including thoughts on #Chivas, #Toluca, #ClubLeon, #Necaxa, #Queretaro & much more!
getconcacafed.substack.com/p/5-five-que...
That's almost always the case, but it's especially true this year.
Here are my five questions ahead of Friday's openers including thoughts on #Chivas, #Toluca, #ClubLeon, #Necaxa, #Queretaro & much more!
getconcacafed.substack.com/p/5-five-que...
Reposted by Nick Sprague
I've seen some confusion over Justin Haak accepting a 1-year FA deal from the Galaxy instead of taking a longer, guaranteed deal from NYCFC. And unfortunately you kind of need to be an MLS CBA sicko to understand all the math at play here.
Gonna try to break it down for you 1/x
Gonna try to break it down for you 1/x
December 29, 2025 at 7:13 PM
I've seen some confusion over Justin Haak accepting a 1-year FA deal from the Galaxy instead of taking a longer, guaranteed deal from NYCFC. And unfortunately you kind of need to be an MLS CBA sicko to understand all the math at play here.
Gonna try to break it down for you 1/x
Gonna try to break it down for you 1/x
Reposted by Nick Sprague
MONTANA STATE WINS THE FCS CHAMPIONSHIP WITH A 4TH-AND-10 TD AND XP IN OT!
An Illinois State XP attempt was blocked earlier in OT.
Dave Flemming and Brock Osweiler with the call for ESPN. 🏈🌮🏆🎙️
An Illinois State XP attempt was blocked earlier in OT.
Dave Flemming and Brock Osweiler with the call for ESPN. 🏈🌮🏆🎙️
January 6, 2026 at 4:10 AM
MONTANA STATE WINS THE FCS CHAMPIONSHIP WITH A 4TH-AND-10 TD AND XP IN OT!
An Illinois State XP attempt was blocked earlier in OT.
Dave Flemming and Brock Osweiler with the call for ESPN. 🏈🌮🏆🎙️
An Illinois State XP attempt was blocked earlier in OT.
Dave Flemming and Brock Osweiler with the call for ESPN. 🏈🌮🏆🎙️
Reposted by Nick Sprague
The military action in Venezuela has created issues in Latin American baseball. frontofficesports.com/u-s-action-i...
Venezuela Crisis Disrupts Pro League, MLB Players, WBC Plans
U.S. military action in Venezuela and the removal of that country’s president are creating turmoil across the Latin American baseball scene.
frontofficesports.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:51 PM
The military action in Venezuela has created issues in Latin American baseball. frontofficesports.com/u-s-action-i...
Reposted by Nick Sprague
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
“It’s quite possible that the Maduro regime will stagger on without Maduro, leaving the population increasingly impoverished,” our columnist Nicholas Kristof writes.
“It’s quite possible that the Maduro regime will stagger on without Maduro, leaving the population increasingly impoverished,” our columnist Nicholas Kristof writes.
Opinion | The Venezuela I Know
Many are celebrating the ouster of a brutal dictator, but the Maduro regime may survive the loss of Maduro.
nyti.ms
January 4, 2026 at 10:30 PM
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
“It’s quite possible that the Maduro regime will stagger on without Maduro, leaving the population increasingly impoverished,” our columnist Nicholas Kristof writes.
“It’s quite possible that the Maduro regime will stagger on without Maduro, leaving the population increasingly impoverished,” our columnist Nicholas Kristof writes.
Iconic
January 4, 2002: Washington's Michael Jordan with the two-handed snatch block on Ron Mercer during an 89-83 win over the Chicago Bulls.
Jordan finished with 29 PTS/7 REB/2 BLK/2 STL and Chris Whitney had 18 PTS/8 AST for the Wizards. Mercer scored a team-high 25 PTS (11-21 FG).
Jordan finished with 29 PTS/7 REB/2 BLK/2 STL and Chris Whitney had 18 PTS/8 AST for the Wizards. Mercer scored a team-high 25 PTS (11-21 FG).
January 5, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Iconic
Reposted by Nick Sprague
Chanclas & socks ftw 👇🏽
January 4, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Chanclas & socks ftw 👇🏽
Reposted by Nick Sprague
Of all the competitive authoritarian developments of the past year I think the fall of CBS News is among the most chilling. That this can happen to easily and so quickly freaks me the fuck out.
Nightmarish. CBS News is now running straight state propaganda. They handed Hegseth all three segments and are now tweeting flattering sound bites.
January 4, 2026 at 2:24 AM
Of all the competitive authoritarian developments of the past year I think the fall of CBS News is among the most chilling. That this can happen to easily and so quickly freaks me the fuck out.
Reposted by Nick Sprague
Brenden Aaronson's opener was cancelled out by Matheus Cunha just 3 minutes later as the two clubs split the points
January 4, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Brenden Aaronson's opener was cancelled out by Matheus Cunha just 3 minutes later as the two clubs split the points
Reposted by Nick Sprague
No solo eso. Mali jugó ayer con uno menos desde el minuto 26 del partido, e igualó en el descuento. Luego aguantó la prórroga para acabar imponiéndose en los penaltis.
January 4, 2026 at 8:58 AM
No solo eso. Mali jugó ayer con uno menos desde el minuto 26 del partido, e igualó en el descuento. Luego aguantó la prórroga para acabar imponiéndose en los penaltis.
This piece by @markhertling.bsky.social is timely/topical because of events in Venezuela today, but its wisdom is applicable across eras, geographies, and actors. Mandatory reading.
It’s a lot harder than it sounds…my latest in @thebulwark.com
What ‘Regime Change’ in Venezuela Would Really Mean
It’s not clear the administration has settled on a goal, much less considered the consequences.
www.thebulwark.com
January 3, 2026 at 4:11 AM
This piece by @markhertling.bsky.social is timely/topical because of events in Venezuela today, but its wisdom is applicable across eras, geographies, and actors. Mandatory reading.
Reposted by Nick Sprague
Under Joan Laporta FC Barcelona owes more money than any team in football, will 2026 mark the beginning of the end for the club’s celebrated century old member-owned model?
Can the Most Indebted Team in Global Soccer Fix Its Finances? www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/w...
Can the Most Indebted Team in Global Soccer Fix Its Finances? www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/w...
Can the Most Indebted Team in Global Soccer Fix Its Finances?
www.nytimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:25 AM
Under Joan Laporta FC Barcelona owes more money than any team in football, will 2026 mark the beginning of the end for the club’s celebrated century old member-owned model?
Can the Most Indebted Team in Global Soccer Fix Its Finances? www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/w...
Can the Most Indebted Team in Global Soccer Fix Its Finances? www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/w...