Tragic News About Former LSU WR Star

PLUS The Suns Looks For A 4th Coach In 4 Years, McIlory Completes The GRAND SLAM, NBA Playoffs Start NOW

April 16, 2025

In partnership with

Welcome to Office Chair Sports! Your home for everything Sports & Biz! Today, we’re covering top news about:

  • The Suns Looks For A 4th Coach In 4 Years

  • Tragic News About Former LSU WR Star

  • Team USA’s New WBC Captain

  • McIlory Completes The GRAND SLAM

  • NBA Playoffs Start NOW

  • Paige Bueckers Signs 3-year Deal With Unrivaled

Get a List of the Best HRIS Software for Your Company

You can now use SSR's free HR software matching service to find the best HRIS, ATS, and Payroll Software for your company. SSR's HR software experts will tailor a vendor shortlist based on your unique needs, packaged with advice to save you time and money.

No fees, no commitments. Just insights from HR experts who truly understand these tools.

Join over 15,000 companies that SSR has helped find the right HR software!

The Suns Looks For A 4th Coach In 4 Years

Despite having the NBA's largest payroll, the Suns missed both the playoffs and play-in tournament with a 36-46 record.

According to sources, Budenholzer struggled to connect with the locker room, particularly franchise cornerstone Devin Booker. This marks the third consecutive offseason where owner Mat Ishbia has changed coaches.

The Suns collapsed spectacularly this season after starting 8-1, becoming just the third team in NBA history with such a strong start to miss the playoffs. In March and April, they lost eight straight games all by double digits - a franchise record for consecutive double-digit defeats.

Even more concerning, the trio of Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal went just 19-18 together with a -4.1 net efficiency, compared to 26-15 with a +6.6 net rating last season under Frank Vogel.

This firing is just the beginning of major changes. Sources say Phoenix plans to explore trades involving Durant and will have discussions about Beal's future. Multiple teams are expected to pursue Durant, with the Suns reportedly working with him and his business partner Rich Kleiman on finding his next destination.

Tragic News About Former LSU WR Star

Tragedy has struck the football world as former LSU receiver Kyren Lacy was found dead Saturday night in Houston at age 24, with authorities reporting it was an apparent suicide.

According to the Harris County sheriff's report, police were initially responding to a call about Lacy discharging a firearm during an argument when he fled the scene. The pursuit ended when Lacy crashed his vehicle, and when officers approached, they discovered he had died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Lacy had been facing serious legal troubles stemming from a December crash in Louisiana that killed a 78-year-old man. He was charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run, and reckless operation of a vehicle. A grand jury was set to begin hearing evidence in the case on Monday.

His father, Kenny Lacy, posted a heartbreaking message urging parents to check on their children's mental health.

Lacy had declared for the NFL draft after a standout final season at LSU where he caught 58 passes for 866 yards and led the team with nine touchdowns. He had participated in LSU's pro day in March and was once ranked as high as the No. 6 receiver prospect by ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.

Team USA’s New WBC Captain

Aaron Judge is stepping up to captain Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic! The Yankees superstar will be making his WBC debut after skipping the 2023 tournament.

The reigning AL MVP is off to another monster start in 2025, hitting .357 with six homers and 20 RBIs through 15 games. Judge revealed he declined to play in 2023 after just going through free agency and being named Yankees captain.

Team USA manager Mark DeRosa, who's returning after leading the Americans to a runner-up finish in 2023, said he informed former captain Mike Trout about the decision on Sunday. Trout's response? "He's the one."

DeRosa noted that position players are lining up to participate, but pitching remains the challenge. Former Yankees star Andy Pettitte will serve as pitching coach.

The 2026 WBC runs March 5-17, with games in Houston, Miami, Tokyo and San Juan. Team USA will compete in Group B alongside Britain, Brazil, Italy and Mexico, with all group games at Houston's Minute Maid Park.

McIlory Completes The GRAND SLAM

After an agonizing decade-long wait spanning 3,899 days, Rory McIlroy has finally captured the elusive green jacket and completed golf's career grand slam! The 35-year-old Northern Irishman defeated Justin Rose in a dramatic sudden-death playoff at Augusta National on Sunday, becoming just the sixth man in history to win all four major championships.

The final round was pure emotional whiplash. McIlroy started with a double bogey on the first hole but built a five-shot lead by the 10th, only to watch it completely evaporate after another double bogey on 13 and bogeys on 11 and 14. Rose surged with three straight birdies to create a three-way tie with Ludvig Åberg.

McIlroy birdied 15 and 17, but bogeyed 18 to fall back into a tie with Rose, sending the tournament to its first playoff since 2017. After both players reached the 18th green, Rose missed his birdie attempt while McIlroy drained a 4-footer to clinch the victory, immediately collapsing in relief.

The win gives McIlroy his fifth major title and places him in the exclusive company of legends like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Ben Hogan as career grand slam winners. McIlroy called it "the best day of my golfing life" after surviving four double bogeys during the tournament - the most by a Masters champion since Craig Stadler in 1982.

NBA Playoffs Start NOW

The NBA playoff picture is officially set after Sunday's regular season finale brought the drama!

In the West, James Harden dropped 39 points, including 12 in overtime, to lift the Clippers to the 5th seed in a thriller over the Warriors. They'll face the 4th-seeded Nuggets, who recently fired coach Michael Malone and went 3-1 under interim David Adelman.

The Warriors fell to the play-in tournament despite Steph Curry's 36 points and will face the 8th-seeded Grizzlies on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves locked up the 6th seed by beating Utah and will battle the 3rd-seeded Lakers in round one.

In the East, the top-seeded Cavaliers are expecting Donovan Mitchell back from his ankle sprain for the playoffs. The defending champion Celtics, who hold the 2nd seed, are monitoring Jaylen Brown's knee injury but coach Mazzulla is "a hundred percent" confident he'll be ready.

The play-in tournament kicks off Tuesday with Warriors-Grizzlies and Magic-Hawks in the 7/8 games, followed by Kings-Mavericks and Bulls-Heat in the 9/10 matchups on Wednesday.

Intriguing first-round matchups include the Bucks-Pacers rematch of last year's upset series and the Pistons' return to the playoffs against the Knicks after finishing with the league's worst record last season.

Paige Bueckers Signs 3-year Deal With Unrivaled

Huge news for Paige Bueckers! The projected #1 WNBA draft pick is signing a three-year deal with the 3-on-3 league Unrivaled that will pay her more in just one 10-week season than her entire four-year WNBA rookie contract would.

As the expected top pick to the Dallas Wings, Bueckers would make just $78,831 in her first WNBA season. The UConn star, fresh off winning her first national championship on April 6, already had an equity stake in Unrivaled through a previous NIL deal but didn't play for them during her college career.

Unrivaled, founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, is making big moves after a successful first season that brought in over $27 million in revenue - more than double what they projected to investors. Sources say the league is also targeting Caitlin Clark and A'ja Wilson as they focus on signing elite talent rather than adding teams.

Internships 🙋

1. Information Technology Intern (Green Bay Packers) - The Green Bay Packers’ IT team is searching for a self‐motivated college student studying Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field, to intern. We are looking for someone skilled and ambitious to assist our IT staff in everyday functions as well as unique and critical projects.

2. Photography Seasonal Assistant (Jacksonville Jaguars) - The Jacksonville Jaguars are currently seeking a talented, highly motivated creative with a passion for photography. The Photography Seasonal Assistant will assist the Senior Manager of Photography and Photography Coordinator with executing the photography needs for various business and football operations during the 2025-26 season.

3. Spring Sports Management and Marketing Internship - As the Sports Management Marketing Intern, you will be working directly with our talented and knowledgeable team assisting with day to day league operations, including customer service, partner relations, data management, marketing projects, and much more.

4. Community Relations Intern (Carolina Panthers) - Assist Community Relations Department team members in coordinating and implementing a variety of programs including (but not limited to): Play 60 Camps (involves travel & overnight stay), Make-A-Wish fulfillments, Annual team merchandise signings, etc

5. Communications Intern (NYC Giants) - The Communications Intern will play a vital role in supporting the New York Giants' Communications Department. The internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the sports communications field, by assisting in helping to streamline daily communications between the media, players, coaches, and the front office.

Job Board 💰

1. Coordinator Sales Operations (PGA) - Coordinator assists with research, presentations, proposals, communication, and administrative functions in the Corporate Partnerships – Revenue Operations department. This position will manage several projects simultaneously, while supporting both the Business Development and Sponsor Relations teams.

2. Social Media Manager - The Social Media Manager will lead all aspects of Sporting Club Jacksonville’s social media strategy, content creation, and digital engagement across all platforms. This role will cover five competitive teams and the academy program, ensuring consistent, high-impact storytelling that resonates with our supporters, partners, and community.

3. Human Resources Coordinator - The Human Resources Coordinator facilitates the efficient operation of the assigned department by performing a variety of clerical and administrative support tasks.

4. Account Executive, New Business Development (LV Knights) - An Account Executive, New Business Development is directly responsible for all revenue goals associated with developing and growing an active client base of season ticket memberships, group ticket offers, premium seating clientele and corporate business accounts for Vegas Golden Knights home games at T-Mobile Arena.

5. Video Production Coordinator (New Orleans Saints) - The Video Production Coordinator will work with the Football Operations video and production teams to assist with the logging, capturing, and editing of team video content and the creation of player/team highlights throughout the football season.

Thanks for reading - see you soon!