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The NFL's security division is warning players to be aware of professional burglars targeting the homes of pro athletes. The Athletic reported Thursday that the NFL sent a memo to teams that outlines the threat. "The homes of professional athletes across multiple sports leagues have become increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups," read the memo, which was obtained by The Athletic. "Law enforcement officials have noted these groups appear to exploit team schedules to target athletes' homes on game days." NBC News reported Wednesday that law enforcement is working to figure out whether an international crime syndicate is involved. The Athletic reported that the memo includes tips for home security and also gives recommendations about the use of social media, such as not posting photos of items that would attract thieves. Players also learned via the memo how homes are targeted and how burglars enter. Mahomes hasn't said much about the burglary, other than to call it "disappointing" and "frustrating." "I can't get into too many of the details because the investigation is still ongoing," he said. "But obviously something that you don't want to happen to really anybody, but obviously yourself." It's not clear what was stolen from Mahomes' home in Belton, Mo., during the Oct. 6 incident. But Kelce apparently lost $20,000 in cash in the burglary at his home in Leawood, Kan., the following day when the Chiefs played the New Orleans Saints on "Monday Night Football," according to a police report. The burglary at the home of Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis in River Hills, Wis., occurred Nov. 2 during the Bucks' home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He said the perpetrators "took most of my prized possessions" and is offering a reward for the return of his property. "Any info that leads to the return of any of my belongings will be rewarded handsomely," Portis said. "Let me know, thank you." --Field Level MediaNonebet365 online 。

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Rangers sunk by disastrous 20-minute stretch where everything fell apart against KrakenShare pledging, where corporate insiders uses shares as collateral for personal loans, has been at the heart of several high-profile corporate scandals in recent years. One of the most notorious cases was the . From 1999 to 2002, the U.S.-based telecom company inflated profits to maintain its stock price. The scandal was largely driven by the on his pledged shares. A similar scenario unfolded in China when Leshi Internet Information and Technology and its founder, Jia Yueting, committed from 2007 to 2016. Yueting had pledged 97 per cent of his shares to secure funding for his U.S.-backed company, Faraday Future. To look deeper at this issue, , since Chinese controlling shareholders predominately pledge their shares. Our research found a trouble connection between share pledging by controlling shareholders and the likelihood of corporate misconduct. Our research found that when controlling shareholders engage in pledging, it increases the probability of corporate misconduct. This relationship held true across various types of misconduct and persisted regardless of the severity of penalties imposed. Corporate insiders frequently pledge their shares as collateral to secure loans for personal investments and other private benefits. In the U.S., , and the average pledging ratio reached 37 per cent in 2012. A notable example is Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, who . The trend like Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Kingdom. In western Europe, pledging is common in a number of countries, including Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal and Spain, and among others. In developing markets like India and Taiwan, between 35 and 50 per cent of publicly listed firms have controlling shareholders who pledge shares. In China, 66 per cent of controlling shareholders pledged their shares between 2003 and 2017, with from RMB$26.22 billion (Chinese Yuan) in 2003 to RMB$2.9 trillion in 2017. , which typically hold at least 50 per cent of voting shares, have significant power over firms. Minority shareholders, on the other hand, receive poor legal protection under concentrated corporate ownership. Concentrated ownership is , particularly in East Asia where . A pivotal shift occurred on May 24, 2013, when the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges, along with the China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation, through the stock exchange trading system. Before this, share pledging was limited to banks and trusts operating in the over-the-counter market. by offering lower interest rates, fewer restrictions on loan usage and faster approvals. While the deregulation did not target misconduct by securities firms, it created a unique environment for analyzing the causal link between share pledging by controlling shareholders and corporate misconduct. This is what our research looked at. We found that firms located in Chinese provinces with more securities firms (treatment firms) were expected to have greater access to share pledging compared to firms in provinces with fewer securities firms (control firms). Our results confirmed that firms with pledging controlling shareholders were more likely to engage in misconduct following the 2013 deregulation. Prior to 2013, treated and control firms showed no significant differences. However, from 2015 onward, firms in provinces with more securities firms demonstrate an increased likelihood of misconduct compared to firms in provinces with fewer securities firms. This relationship was primarily driven by factors such as financial constraints, stock price inflation, avoidance of margin calls (demands from a broker to fund one’s margin account), and expropriation under weak corporate governance. Factors like political connections, share repurchases and increased bank monitoring didn’t contribute to the link between share pledging and corporate misconduct. Although our study is based on data from China, its findings offer critical insights for countries beyond its borders. The findings are particularly relevant for countries in Asia, western Europe, and Latin America . The study’s conclusions also hold significance for North America, where financial institutions like pension funds and mutual funds invest portions of their portfolios in emerging markets. For instance, the and . The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board reported that was invested in China in March 2024. These institutions should consider governance risks associated with share pledging when developing their investment strategies. For regulators, our study underscores the importance of monitoring the growing influence of share pledging and its potential to exacerbate corporate misconduct. Weak governance structures can allow controlling shareholders to exploit the system, and strengthened oversight and tailored regulations are needed to alleviate these risks. Institutional and retail investors can likewise benefit from the study’s findings, using them to make investment decisions from the perspective of corporate governance. As markets become increasingly integrated, the importance of assessing governance risks associated with share pledging grows. Our research serves as a vital resource for policymakers and regulators who want to maintain ethical, robust financial systems.Our soccer writers bring you the latest transfers of the League of Ireland off-season. Sunday, December 8 Derry City have secured the services of midfielder Adam O'Reilly until the end of the 2026 season. The Cork native had interest from around the league and did spend time training with Leyton Orient but positive discussions with Tiernan Lynch influenced his decision to stay put with the Brandywell club. Lynch is also trying to keep midfielder Will Patching who is likely to make a decision on his future in the coming week. It was anticipated that Patching would move on but he has spoken with the new boss about extending his stay. Sligo Rovers are considering a move for midfielder Evan McLaughlin whose future is up in the air after turning down a contract offer from Cork City. The 22-year-old had been in talks with the Leesiders about staying after impressing in their First Division title win and being voted onto the team of the season but he now looks set to move on due to a difference of opinion on terms. However, interested clubs will have to pay a fee as McLaughlin is under the age of 23 and was retained by City. Sligo Rovers are exploring the possibility. Dundalk have added experienced defender Conor O'Keeffe to their expanding panel with the securing of a First Division licence allowing manager Ciaran Kilduff to recruit players with a knowledge of that level. O'Keefe joins from Galway United where he dropped out of favour last term. Dundalk have signed midfielder Harry Groome from Bray and striker Dean Ebbe from Athlone Town with Kilduff working off a competitive budget for the division. The Lilywhites have also sealed a deal to bring in promising attacker Gbemi Arubi from Waterford. Versatile Drogheda player Luke Heeney is understood to be a target. Waterford's new recruit Matty Smith says his decision to return to the club was influenced by Keith Long's repeated attempts to sign him. The Scot started his League of Ireland journey at Waterford in 2020, but moved on to St Patrick's Athletic, Derry City and Shelbourne where he contributed to title success under Damien Duff before being told he could go. Long tried to sign Smith when he was Bohemians manager. "He's been onto me probably since I've come here," said Smith, "Over the past four years he's been trying to sign me. After meeting with him, I can't wait to get going." – DMcD Friday, December 6 Shamrock Rovers: The Hoops are set to make another bid to sign Darragh Burns on a permanent basis after an initial offer to MK Dons was rejected, writes Daniel McDonnell. Burns has made a good impression on loan with the Hoops this year and Rovers want to tie the 22-year-old down for the long term. His contract with the League Two side expires this summer, and there are no indications that he has a future there so Rovers are keen to get the deal done – especially as there is likely to be a reasonable level of squad turnover the winter. Their European campaign is set to continue into February and they technically only have the facility to make three changes to their squad list for the playoff round. Burns has been involved throughout their run so keeping him would be a bonus. Celtic striker Johnny Kenny has starred during his loan spell, but he’s understood to be keen on trying his luck in England while the out of contract Neil Farrugia is expected to have offers from overseas to consider after the game with Chelsea on December 19. St Patrick’s Athletic have made a strong play to sign Sean Hoare whose deal is also up and his fellow defender Sean Kavanagh is also likely to move on after playing a peripheral role this term. Shelbourne and Bohemians are both interested in the 30-year-old. Richie Towell has no future with the Hoops after reacting badly to being an unused sub in October’s league win over Shelbourne. His next destination is unclear; it’s understood he has spoken with Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic but both of those clubs are reasonably well stocked in the midfield department. Wednesday December 4 Derry City Derry City boss Tiernan Lynch says the club have put their best foot forward in their pursuit Gavin Whyte, as well as in their attempts to resign Adam O’Reilly and Brian Maher. The Candystripes are also interested in signing former Northern Ireland international Shane Fergsuon, with Lynch admitting the 33-year-old is a player who ticks all the boxes for him. Last month the Irish Independent reported that Derry had made a strong push to attract Northern Ireland midfielder Whyte, who is currently a free agent after departing Portsmouth in August. “Is Gavin someone I’d love to bring to Derry City? One million percent,” Lynch told Drive105. “He’s a kid I know really well and who I had at a really young age. He’s hugely talented. Getting him now is another challenge. As a club we feel like we’ve put our best foot forward and we’ll see where it takes us.” Asked about the club’s interest in 57-times capped Ferguson, who is without a club having left Rotherham last summer, Lynch added: “Is he someone we admire as a footballer? Absolutely. “Is he someone who ticks all the boxes as a person, the experience he has? One million percent. Is he a Derry player? The answer is no and until he is there’s very little I can do about that With the club also hoping to convince goalkeeper Maher and midfielder O’Reilly to stay at the Brandywell for the 2025 campaign, Lynch said: “The club has put their best foot forward and they are players we definitely want to keep.” City also have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Arlo Doherty on an initial 18-month deal. The 21-year-old cut his teeth at the academies of Manchester City, Norwich and Leicester before he was released by the latter last summer. Capped for Ireland up to U-19 level, Doherty has now committed his future to the Candysripes having been training with the club since September. “I’m very ambitious and I’m very proud of my Irish heritage. I have a lot of hard work to do but I’m ready,” said Doherty, whose grandparents hail from Dublin and Limerick. “I want to be here beyond 2025 and in helping Derry City, I also hope to use my time here to help push me into the Ireland U-21 set up as well. It’s a challenge, I can’t wait to start.” St Patrick’s Athletic Jason McClelland has committed his future to St Patrick’s Athletic, penning a contract extension to remain at Richmond Park for a sixth year. The 27-year-old has made 128 appearances for the Inchicore club to date although he found starts hard to come by last term with just five in the league. "Jason has been an integral part of St Patrick's Athletic for the last five seasons, so we're pleased that he's agreed to extend his stay with us,” said Saints boss Stephen Kenny. “He has an extremely high level of professionalism, his attitude to training is always first class and he is a brilliant team-mate.” Shelbourne: Shels have confirmed that winger Rayhaan Tulloch will remain at the club for the 2025 campaign. As reported by the Irish Independent last week, the Englishman was absent from a list of retained players last month but was expected to agree a deal to remain at Tolka Park for the Reds' title defence. The 23-year-old scored a crucial winner in their penultimate league game against Drogheda United. Bohemians: Bohs academy product Nickson Okosun has earned a move to Championship side Watford, it has been confirmed. The 18-year-old rose through the ranks at Bohs after arriving from St Kevin’s making his senior debut in 2023 and signing his first professional contract that same year. The Ireland U-19 cap made 12 senior appearances for the Dalymount Park club, and will now join Watford on January 1. Irish players on the Hornets’ books include senior cap Festy Ebosele (on loan from Udinese) and U-21 star Rocco Vata. Tuesday December 3 Shamrock Rovers: The Hoops are in advanced negotiations to complete a deal for goalkeeper Ed McGinty and are also keen on resurrecting the career of Danny Grant . We revealed last month that the Hoops had targeted Sligo Rovers favourite McGinty to strengthen their goalkeeping department. He spent the 2024 season back on loan at the Showgrounds with the club where he made his name before earning a move to Oxford that hasn't gone to plan, with the Scottish born stopper surplus to requirements. It's understood that Rovers and Oxford have worked out a deal in principle but personal terms need to be agreed before the 25-year-old opts to continue his career in Tallaght. Meanwhile, Rovers have made a move to try and sign Grant after his release from Bohemians. The 24-year-old failed to make an impact in his second stint at Bohs after relocating from Huddersfield in the summer of 2023. Grant was voted PFAI Player of the Year in 2020 before leaving for England but a serious hamstring issue severely hindered his progress. He was made one of the highest earners at Dalymount when they saw off competition from elsewhere to bring the winger back to Phibsborough but he struggled to capture his previous form. It was expected that Grant would look at options outside of Dublin when champions Shelbourne passed up the opportunity to pursue a deal, but Rovers have now entered the picture, believing that they can get the best out of the Dubliner. They may be left short in the attacking midfield department with the out of contract Neil Farrugia exploring the idea of going overseas at the end of this calendar year. St Patrick's Athletic: The Saints have confirmed the signing of midfielder Barry Baggley from Fleetwood Town. Last month, the Independent reported that Stephen Kenny was very keen on Baggley who impressed on loan with Fleetwood's sister club Waterford last term. The Saints have moved assertively to negotiate a permanent deal with Fleetwood for a player who has been capped with Northern Ireland through the age groups. Baggley (22) has signed a long term deal. "I think the type of football Stephen plays will suit me," he said. News of the deal could be good news for Derry City. They want to retain Adam O'Reilly who was on the radar of Pat's but fell behind Baggley in the pecking order of targets. Sligo Rovers: John Russell has added to his squad for 2025 by recruiting Jad Hakiki from Dundalk on a two year deal. Hakiki joined Dundalk from Shelbourne midway through the season just gone but the Lilywhites' relegation from the top flight opened up the possibility that he would be able to move on. Hakiki has signed a two year deal at The Showgrounds. "He has bags of ability," said Russell, who has already rated the Ireland U-21 international. "He's able to carry the ball and beat players which is exactly the type of player we need.” Bohemians: James Talbot will spend a seventh season at Dalymount Park as the goalkeeper has signed up for the 2025 campaign. The 27-year-old took a temporary step back from football prior to the 2024 season to deal with mental health challenges, before returning to the Bohs squad at the end of last March. The Dubliner’s only two appearances of last season came in the final two games as Bohs finished in eighth. Monday, December 2 Derry City: The Candystripes have confirmed the departure of another experienced squad member with Ciaran Coll opting to reunite with former City boss Declan Devine at Glentoran. Coll had just completed his sixth season at the Brandywell, with injury ruling him out of run-in and the FAI Cup final. Earlier today, new Derry boss Tiernan Lynch confirmed our report from last week on the club's interest in free agent Gavin Whyte. However, he added that reported competition from Shamrock Rovers could be a difficulty. "Gavin is someone I've worked with before and have a good relationship with," Lynch told the Derry Journal. "He's someone we would love to try and bring to Derry City. Whether we can get him, whether we can lure him here or can get into that rat race because apparently Rovers are also very interested and I think if you can see the type of money Rovers are throwing around, it might come down to finance."- Daniel McDonnell Romal Palmer has penned a new two-year contract at St Patrick’s Athletic and hailed the impact Stephen Kenny has made in building up his confidence at Richmond Park. The midfielder arrived in Inchicore last February on loan from Turkish side Goztepe and appeared 25 times for the Saints across 2024. The 26-year-old netted two key goals in their Conference League qualifying campaign against Vaduz and Sabah, but missed their play-off second-leg defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir with a knee injury in late August. He returned from injury for the final stages of the Premier Division season and helped St Pat’s close out the campaign with a remarkable run of nine successive wins as Kenny’s side finished third and clinched European qualification for 2025. After committing his future to the club, the ex-Manchester City youth player admitted the move was a “no-brainer” for him. "It feels amazing, signing a new deal has been in the works for a while now. It was a no-brainer for me really,” said Wigan native Palmer. "Stephen Kenny coming in helped me a lot, confidence wise and building me up and I feel like that’s what I need at this point of my career, to get back playing games and try to be the best version of myself. I feel like I can do that at St Pat's." “He's a brilliant midfield player, with a high level of technical ability, combined with a really strong work ethic. If he can stay fit, Romal can have a real impact on the season ahead," added Saints boss Kenny. – SOC Friday, November 29 Cork City: As Cork City prepare for their return to the Premier Division for 2025, the Leesiders have announced the signing of left-back Benny Couto this evening. Couto (21) cut his teeth at Oldham Athletic, rising through the ranks at the National League club before he made 28 appearances for their first team. The Lisbon native joined Ashton United last August but his time at the non-league side, who play in the seventh tier, was short lived as has now opted for a fresh start in the League of Ireland. “Benny is a very exciting young player and is someone that I’m very pleased to have on board. He is a player with massive potential, and despite his age, brings experience from the English Football League which is exactly what we are looking for,” said Cork boss Tim Clancy. Sligo Rovers: Striker Cian Kavanagh has today departed St Patrick’s Athletic and signed a two-year deal with Sligo Rovers, the club has confirmed. The Baldoyle man (21) returned home after a spell in Scotland in 2021 and spent time at Waterford and Derry City before arriving at Richmond Park last January. But he found starts hard to come by at the Saints last term, making just two in the league in 2024 with his 15 other appearances all coming off the bench as he sat behind Aidan Keena and Mason Melia in the pecking order in Inchicore. "I want to be on the team sheet every week,” said Kavanagh, who officially joins John Russell’s side on December 1. “That's going to come down to me putting in a good pre-season and performing day in, day out. I want to score as many goals as I can and hopefully we'll finish in a high position. "After I met with John, he told me about his plans for Rovers for the next few years and how things have been run here, it was a no-brainer for me. I felt straight away how much he wanted to bring me here and that he believes in me and that's what I need right now." – Sean O’Connor Drogheda United: FAI Cup champions Drogheda United have confirmed that midfielders Warren Davis and Steve Zishim Bawa and defensive duo James Bolger and Aaron Harper-Bailey will all remain at Weavers Park for the 2025 Premier Division season. Wednesday, November 27 Drogheda United have paid tribute to their captain Gary Deegan this evening as the 37-year-old departs the Louth club. Having signed from Shelbourne in 2021, the Dubliner made 134 appearances for Drogheda in total with his final display coming in their FAI Cup triumph over Derry City at Lansdowne Road earlier this month. “I want to thank Gary from the bottom of my heart for his four seasons with the club, in particular the last three years since I became manager and made him club captain,” said Drogheda manager Kevin Doherty, as the midfielder departs following the expiration of his contract. “He is an example to every player with his work ethic and the dedication he brings, showing what it takes to be a successful professional footballer. I wish him nothing but success in the future.” Tuesday, November 26 Derry City: Derry have made a strong push to sign Northern Ireland international Gavin Whyte who is a free agent after his recent departure from Portsmouth, writes Daniel McDonnell. The 28-year-old has interest from clubs on both sides of the border as he considers the next move with a weekend interview indicating that the 30-times capped attacking midfielder is open to playing his football on this island. New Derry boss Tiernan Lynch is looking to make a splash in the transfer market after the departure of key players from the dressing room – including skipper Patrick McEleney – and the Candystripes are willing to make the Belfast native a high earner. But they face strong competition for his signature from multiple Irish League clubs with Shamrock Rovers also monitoring the situation. Whyte had a long association with Crusaders in his youth before earning a move to Oxford United. Cardiff paid a seven figure fee for his services, but it didn’t quite work out with loan spells at Hull and back at Oxford functioning as the bridge to a move to Portsmouth last summer. He departed the club by mutual consent in August, citing family reasons. Lynch needs fresh bodies as he presides over a dressing room overhaul but there remains confidence around the club that goalkeeper Brian Maher and midfielder Adam O’Reilly can be persuaded to stick around. Derry sources believe that Maher will stay put unless an overseas option emerges, while midfielder O’Reilly has long standing interest from his former club St Patrick’s Athletic but it’s understood that Stephen Kenny is exploring other options in that position. Fleetwood midfielder Barry Baggley is a Saints target after impressing on loan with Waterford and it’s possible that remaining with Derry will be the best option on the table for O’Reilly. St Pat’s: Pat’s confirmed on Monday night that centre half Tom Grivosti has signed a new two year deal with the club. His partnership with Joe Redmond was central to the resurgence under Kenny in the second half of the season. The Saints are still keen on the versatile Sean Hoare, who is out of contract with Shamrock Rovers and taking time to consider his options. He started his senior career with the Saints before Kenny brought him to Dundalk. Saints have the under-contract Conor Keeley and Luke Turner as defensive back-up but Drogheda want to bring Keeley back to Weaver’s Park, while Cork City are one of a number of clubs tracking Turner’s situation. City confirmed the capture of Alex Nolan from the Saints yesterday; he had a longer-term deal on the table from Sligo Rovers but opted for the Leesiders. The First Division champions are also believed to be close to bringing in a goalkeeper from Europe. The retirement of Dave Webster has made the recruitment of a centre half a high priority for Drogheda who are also admirers of Dundalk’s Mayowa Animasahun. Dundalk captain John Mountney is expected to sign for Bohemians after confirming the end of his stay with the Oriel Park club as they enter a new era under Ciaran Kilduff. Monday, November 25 St Patrick’s Athletic: The Saints have confirmed that defender Tom Grivosti has penned a new two-year deal with the Inchicore club. “Tom has shown immense character having been a full calendar year out injured, to have the fortitude to go through that and come back into the team and play at a very high level is exceptional,” said Saints boss Stephen Kenny. “Tom defends with real intelligence and his decision making is excellent. He is extremely calm and decisive in possession so we're really pleased that he has signed a new contract.” – SOC Cork City: The Rebels have bolstered their squad ahead of their return to the top-flight next season, with 21-year-old winger Alex Nolan arriving from St Pat’s. “Alex is a very exciting young winger who has been in high demand, so we’re delighted to get this deal done,” said City boss Tim Clancy. “Although he is still a very young player, he has been a part of a Cup winning side and has featured in a European campaign, so he knows the standards that are expected as we return to the Premier Division.” – SOC Waterford FC: The Blues have announced the signing of midfielder Sam Glenfield on a multi-year deal this evening. The 19-year-old joined the Blues on loan from sister club Fleetwood Town last summer and having impressed during that stint at the RSC, the Belfast native has now joined the Premier Division club on a permanent basis as Keith Long continues to build his squad for the 2025 campaign. Sam Glenfield of Waterford “Sam is a player who is an extremely important member of our squad – a player who we really only saw a snapshot of what he can really be last year,” said Long of Glenfield, who has been capped at Under-19 level for Northern Ireland. – SOC Friday November 22 St Patrick’s Athletic: Axel Sjoberg has signed a new deal with the Saints. The Swedish full-back enjoyed a successful end to last season under manager Stephen Kenny after overcoming a series of injuries. The 24-year-old has now put pen to paper on a new deal in what will be his third season at Richmond Park. The defender has played 33 times for St Pat’s and is excited to get going again next season. He said: “It’s great news, I’ve signed a new deal with St Pat’s and I’m really looking forward to the new season as we hope to continue on from how we finished last season. "We have built a great team and a strong environment for all the players and the connection with the fans too. We had a good European campaign in 2024 and I hope we will next year as well, we want to keep going and have a great year together.” – AF Shelbourne: ​The Reds have also shored up their defence for the 2025 season with a new deal for full-back Seán Gannon. Gannon won the 11th league title of his career last season with Shels but he has opted for another push for honours next term as he follows the lead of teammates like Mark Coyle and Seán Boyd by extending his contract. – AF Thursday November 21 Shelbourne: Shels defender Tyreke Wilson has committed his future to the club, signing a multi-year deal after appearing in all but two games across their title-winning campaign last term. And midfielder JJ Lunney has today signed a new deal to keep him at Tolka Park until 2027. "It means the world to sign back with Shels. Tolka is home for me and I'm thrilled to sign back for 2025," he said. Two more of Damien Duff's men have also committed their futures to the club with Harry Wood and Paddy Barrett penning new deals this evening, the latter signing a multi-year contract. This evening, Shelbourne captain Mark Coyle also penned a new long-term deal with the champions while forward Evan Caffrey has signed for the 2025 campaign too. – SOC Wednesday November 20 Shelbourne: Shelbourne striker Sean Boyd insists the club’s 2024 league triumph should be the standard, as he penned a new deal at Tolka Park today. The 26-year-old played a crucial role in the Reds’ title run-in with three goals in their final three games to help Damien Duff’s men clinch a first Premier Division title since 2006. The Dubliner enjoyed a purple patch in May too, hitting five goals in six games, while he also picked up the Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month award for October. “Thrilled to be at this club for another year,” said Boyd this evening. “It’s been an amazing journey from when the gaffer took over three years ago to now. Last year was special but that should be the standard for the club. See you all in Tolka next season. Up the Reds.” Goalkeeper Conor Kearns has also committed his future to Tolka Park this evening, having helped the club to the best defensive record last season. "I've loved every minute of my time at Shels since coming here and continuing that journey was a no-brainer," said the 26-year-old, who won the joint golden glove (along with Galway's Brendan Clarke) last term keeping 16 clean sheets in 36 games. "Last year was a special one that will live long in the memory of everyone involved at the club. But there's plenty more work to be done to continue the rise that has taken place over the last couple of years." – SOC Friday November 15 Shelbourne: The Reds have announced the exit of three members of their title winning squad, including long serving defender Shane Griffin and Scottish striker Matty Smith, a keynote signing in Damien Duff's first season in charge. Dean Williams has also left Tolka Park after his contract expired, a well-travelled striker who made minimal impact this term. Griffin was one of Duff's first signing at Shels, but the left-sided defender made just 12 league appearances this term. Smith was signed on loan from Derry in 2022 before the move was made permanent, and he was involved in some big moments this year, playing a starring role in a 2-0 win away to Shamrock Rovers in May. However, he did struggle for goals, scoring just twice in 30 appearances with 12 of those outings coming off the bench. His final outing for Shels showcased the good and the bad with Smith scoring a brilliant equaliser in the thrilling Tolka Park derby with St Patrick's Athletic only to get sent off for a petulant stamp in the aftermath of the Saints bagging a late winner. Duff made no excuses for it and Smith played no part in the rest of the season, serving a three-game ban before he was an unused sub in the decider in Derry. – DMcD Galway United: The Tribesmen have confirmed that Greg Cunningham is sticking around for the 2025 season. The former Irish international impressed upon his return home in the summer before his campaign was cut short by a late tackle in the costly 1-1 draw with Dundalk. Garry Buckley, Jimmy Keohane and Bobby Burns have also extended their contracts. Sligo Rovers: The Bit O’ Red have suffered with departures in the off-season but local centre-half John Mahon has penned a new two-year deal. Mahon has thanked the club for showing faith in him with a new contract even though he missed most of the 2024 season through injury. “It feels great to get the deal across the line”, Mahon says. “John (Russell) has shown huge faith in me in offering me a deal for next season and I want to repay that faith.” Cobh Ramblers: The Cork side are looking for a new manager after announcing the departure of Gary Hunt. The club have recently been taken over by USA-based group FC32. Wednesday November 13 Waterford FC: Former Ireland international Andy Boyle admits it was a tough decision to leave crisis club Dundalk as he completed his move to Waterford which guarantees him top flight football for next season. The 33-year-old won eight major trophies in his two spells with Dundalk, but with that club condemned to an uncertain future due to their financial situation and have been relegated, he needed to move on and Waterford boss Keith Long has swooped for the Dubliner, adding to his squad in a week when the Blues released eight members of the 2024 squad. – AF Monday November 11 St Patrick’s Athletic: New Saints signing Simon Power admits the chance to work under his former Ireland Under-21 boss Stephen Kenny was a major factor in his decision to sign a two-year contract at Richmond Park. The 26-year-old winger arrives in Inchicore from Sligo Rovers where he scored four times in 19 appearances across an injury-hit campaign. – SOC

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From a small shoe store back in 1901, Nordstrom is now the world’s retail giant that has been able to sustain such a legacy. It started as a footwear retailer established by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin in Seattle, but it evolved into being the largest independent shoe retailer in the U.S. under John’s three sons. This growth paved the way for the eventual establishment of a high-end fashion destination that, above all, was a place of quality and excellent service. The Nordstrom family played a significant role in expanding the business with the passing of generations. In the 1970s, the company established clothing and accessories, making it a comprehensive and full-fledged fashion retailer. The third generation took the company public in 1971. They then established Nordstrom Rack in 1973 as a clearance outlet. This made it easier for Nordstrom to access more customers than before, therefore expanding much more broadly. The fourth generation of Nordstrom leadership further transformed the brand by embracing e-commerce, propelling Nordstrom into the digital age and ensuring its competitiveness in an increasingly online-driven retail landscape. Today, Nordstrom’s annual sales exceed $13.1 billion, as reported by Forbes, solidifying its place as one of the top retailers in the world. Family’s Role In $6.25 Billion Acquisition Deal In a shocking move, Nordstrom has agreed to be taken private in a $6.25 billion deal involving the Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group. This acquisition comes at a time when traditional department stores like Nordstrom are facing increasing challenges from discount retailers and e-commerce giants. The decision to privatize Nordstrom comes at a time when public companies are under greater scrutiny. By going private, the Nordstrom family hopes to regain greater control and flexibility to restructure and adapt to a changing retail environment. This is seen as an effort to give the brand a fresh start, free from the pressures of quarterly earnings reports and shareholder demands. According to the Associated Press, Nordstrom shareholders will be given $24.25 in cash for every share, which amounts to about $4 billion. This offer translates to a 42% premium over the value of the company’s stock at March 18, when the potential acquisition news was announced. The deal also includes the assumption of more than $2 billion in Nordstrom’s debt. In a retail world increasingly dominated by Amazon, Walmart, and fast-fashion brands, traditional department stores like Nordstrom have struggled to maintain their foothold. This acquisition could provide the company with the opportunity to regain market share and develop a more agile, competitive business model for the future. Nordstrom Family Legacy The Nordstrom family has always been at the heart of the brand’s growth since its humble beginnings as a small shoe shop and eventually into the retail powerhouse that it is today. Erik and Pete Nordstrom, fourth-generation members of the family, have guided the company through growth and transition. As the company looks into this new chapter, the influence of the Nordstrom family will remain central to its future. ALSO READ | Why Nordstrom Is Going Private In $6.25 Billion Deal With Its Family And Mexican Retail Giant