Kellen Moore, who oversaw the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles’ offense this season, has agreed to return to the site of his latest triumph as the next coach of the New Orleans Saints.

The 36-year-old Moore will join an organization that has been floundering since the retirement of quarterback Drew Brees and departure of Super Bowl-winning coach Sean Payton. The Saints haven’t made the playoffs since the 2020 season — the last of Brees’ career.

Their interest in Moore became increasingly evident as the club waited longer to fill its vacancy than any other NFL team seeking a new coach this year.

Moore was the only assistant coach on either Super Bowl team to be interviewed by New Orleans and thus the only candidate who, under league rules, could not be hired until after Sunday’s title game was played. The Saints announced their agreement with Moore on Tuesday.

Their decision mirrors that of several teams that have found success after hiring relatively young offensive coaches. They included the Los Angeles Rams with Sean McVay, Green Bay with Matt LaFleur, Miami with Mike McDaniel and Minnesota with 2024 AP Coach of the Year Kevin O’Connell. All four of those coaches were hired while in their 30s.

He moved into coaching in 2018, leaving Dallas to join the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023 before moving to Philadelphia in 2024.

Record viewers, betting for Super Bowl LIX

Despite the game being a blowout, Sunday night’s Super Bowl averaged a record 127.7 million U.S. viewers across television and streaming platforms for Philadelphia’s 40-22 victory over Kansas City.

The game was televised by Fox, Fox Deportes and Telemundo and streamed on Tubi as well as the NFL’s digital platforms.

Not only is it a 3% increase from last year, it is the second straight year the Super Bowl has reached a record audience.

According to Nielsen, the audience peaked at 137.7 million in the second quarter.

Sportsbooks also came out on top in the Super Bowl.

BetMGM Sportsbook and Caesars Sportsbook each reported that Philadelphia’s 40-22 victory over the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs was the most-bet single sporting event in each of their histories.

Unrivaled league

Edwards, Collier on to 1-on-1 tournament semis

Eighth-seeded Aaliyah Edwards advanced to the semifinals of the Unrivaled 1-on-1 tournament beating Allisha Gray in the quarterfinals.

Edwards, who had the surprising win of the opening round by shutting out top-seed Breanna Stewart had a bye in the second round. Having the extra rest certainly helped against Gray, who beat Kahleah Copper in the second round.

She was joined in the semifinals Friday night by two other former UConn players — Napheesa Collier and Azura Stevens. The two former college teammates will face off in one of the matchups. Edwards will play Arike Ogunbowale in the other contest.

By reaching the semifinals each of the four players were guaranteed $25,000. The winner of the tournament will receive $200,000 and the runner-up gets $50,000. The winner’s Unrivaled teammates each get $10,000.

The finals will be a best-of-three series with the winning score for each game also to 11. Each game has traditional scoring with baskets worth either two or three points. Rounds up until the finals were single elimination.

Three of the four quarterfinals matchups featured WNBA teammates. Collier advanced to the semis by beating her Unrivaled and Minnesota Lynx partner Courtney Williams 12-4. Stevens beat her Los Angeles Sparks teammate Rae Burrell 12-2 in the quarterfinals. Ogunbowale topped her former Dallas Wings partner Satou Sabally. Sabally was traded to Phoenix earlier this month.

NBA

Ingram gets $120M extension before playing

Brandon Ingram has a $120 million extension from the Raptors before ever playing a game for Toronto.

The recently acquired forward agreed to the deal less than a week after the Raptors got him from the New Orleans Pelicans.

Ingram has been out for two months with a sprained left ankle, but the Raptors didn’t need to see him suit up to know they want him as part of their future. The No. 2 pick in the 2016 draft has averaged 23 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists, scoring at least 20 points per game in all six seasons.

MLB

Kershaw back at Dodgers camp, signalling return

Clayton Kershaw was back on the field with the Los Angeles Dodgers in another sign the three-time Cy Young Award winner is returning for his 18th season with the franchise.

The team hasn’t announced a contract with the 36-year-old. Kershaw had a locker in the clubhouse but did not speak with reporters.

The left-hander played catch as the team went through a workout at Camelback Ranch. The 10-time All-Star is coming off an injury-interrupted 2024 season in which he made just seven starts, finishing with a 2-2 record, a 4.50 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 30 innings.

Hernández finalizes $6.5M deal with Dodgers

Kiké Hernández and the Los Angeles Dodgers finalized a $6.5 million, one-year contract on Tuesday that keeps the versatile infielder/outfielder with the World Series champions.

The 33-year-old is entering his third straight season with the Dodgers and ninth overall. He hit .229 with 12 homers and 42 RBIs in 126 games last season, when he had a $4 million salary, and batted .294 with two homers and six RBIs in 14 postseason games.

Briefly

NHL >> Guy Gaudreau, father of the late Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, is with the United States team at the 4 Nations Face-Off, joining the U.S. players on the ice for practice Tuesday in Montreal and at a team diner Monday night.

NBA >> The Los Angeles Lakers signed veteran free-agent center Alex Len to bolster their frontcourt depth after their failed attempt to acquire Charlotte center Mark Williams.

— From news services