Amanda Rykoff Content

Bring back the Petko Dance!
Andrea Petkovic announced after Monday's win over top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki that she will retire her Petko Dance following this week's WTA event. espnW's Amanda Rykoff officially starts the petition to bring back the dance.
Mar 29 3:42 PM ET | By Amanda Rykoff
Women's Elite Eight, NIT semifinals in focus
The final two spots in the women's Final Four are on the line tonight in the Elite Eight, with UConn, Duke, Baylor and Texas A&M seeking to advance to Indianapolis. And there's another men's final four ... in the NIT semifinals at MSG.
Mar 29 12:11 PM ET | By Amanda Rykoff
Athlete's Life
Make it red wine for Rays manager Joe Maddon
In the Pro's Questionnaire, our favorite sports figures take our abridged version of the most famous personality test, the Proust Questionnaire. Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon is on deck.
Mar 30 | By Amanda Rykoff
Swoopes contracts unretire-itis
What is it about professional athletes who refuse to hang it up or insist on coming back? Women's basketball legend Sheryl Swoopes is the latest to join the party. Why?
Mar 28 5:44 PM ET | By Amanda Rykoff
Women's Elite Eight takes center stage
With the men's Final Four set, it's time for the women to shine. Two great Elite Eight matchups tip off in Dayton and Spokane with a trip to Indianapolis on the line. The NBA brings us a few intriguing games as well. Here's what we're watching.
Mar 28 12:22 PM ET | By Amanda Rykoff
Tournaments take center stage
Prepare yourself for 72 hours of college basketball. By the end of the weekend, the men's Final Four and women's Elite Eight will be set. Here's the supersized NCAA tournament edition of what we're watching.
Mar 25 12:22 PM ET | By Amanda Rykoff
Athlete's Life
For Kendall Marshall, it's gotta be the shoes
In the Pro's Questionnaire, our favorite sports figures take our abridged version of the most famous personality test, the Proust Questionnaire. University of North Carolina point guard Kendall Marshall is on deck.
Mar 25 | By Amanda Rykoff
A super Sweet 16
What a night of Sweet 16 matchups. Jimmer, Kemba, Duke and Butler are all taking the court seeking a trip to the Elite Eight. Grab your brackets (busted or otherwise) and settle in for a night of men's NCAA tournament action.
Mar 24 12:14 PM ET | By Amanda Rykoff
Tales of the MLB offseason
With 162 regular-season games plus spring training and the playoffs, a major league baseball player can participate in up to 213 baseball games in a year. With time off so precious, players try to make the most of it.
Mar 25 | By Amanda Rykoff
Athlete's Life
Just leave Adam Jones alone
In the Pro's Questionnaire, our favorite sports figures take an abridged version of the most famous personality test, the Proust Questionnaire. Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is on deck.
Mar 23 | By Amanda Rykoff
UCLA's Joshua Smith takes loss to heart
After his team bowed out to Florida in the third round of the NCAA Tournament, freshman center Joshua Smith confirms he will return to UCLA for his sophomore season and plans to use the loss to motivate himself and his teammates.
Mar 19 8:41 PM ET | By Amanda Rykoff
Farewell to the Mountaineer seniors
Though the five West Virginia graduating seniors weren't recruited by coach Bob Huggins, they leave Morgantown with four straight NCAA tournament appearances. It's a remarkable legacy of success and consistency.
Mar 19 8:36 PM ET | By Amanda Rykoff
Sports fans flock to Tampa
If you are a fan of baseball and college basketball, Tampa is the place to be this weekend. With eight major league spring training camps within a three-hour drive and the NCAA men's basketball tournament, there's something for for every sports fan.
Mar 18 11:20 AM ET | By Amanda Rykoff
Kalin Lucas' iconic run with Spartans ends
Though he ended his career with a difficult loss to UCLA in the NCAA tournament on Thursday night, Michigan State senior guard Kalin Lucas leaves a legacy as a great teammate and one of the all-time great players in Big Ten and Spartans history.
Mar 18 10:43 AM ET | By Amanda Rykoff
MLB players mixed up in Madness of March
Even as we get down to the final roster cuts at spring training, many baseball players are keeping one eye on the ball and one eye on their brackets. Amanda Rykoff caught up with several major leaguers to talk about this year's NCAA tournament.
Mar 17 | By Amanda Rykoff
The Garfoose gives back
In the wake of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Dirk Hayhurst, aka "The Garfoose," is harnessing his popularity and devoted Twitter following to raise money for relief with the help of Mercy Corps.
Mar 15 3:23 PM ET | By Amanda Rykoff
Take me out to the press box
A lifelong baseball fan traded her Yankees cap for a media credential. espnW's Amanda Rykoff reflects on watching a game from the press box for the first time.
Mar 13 4:00 AM ET | By Amanda Rykoff
Earthquake puts sports into perspective
In the wake of Friday's devastating earthquake and tsunami, espnW's Amanda Rykoff, a sports fiend who has a special connection to Japan, turns her attention to matters of greater import.
Mar 11 4:58 PM ET | By Amanda Rykoff
Tourneys, bubble teams and Selection Sunday
It's one of the biggest weekends in college basketball as 18 men's and 12 women's conference championships are up for grabs, culminating in Selection Sunday. We've also got the NFL labor talks and NBA action on the agenda.
Mar 11 12:21 PM ET | By Amanda Rykoff
A mad weekend of March hoops
It's officially March, so college basketball is in full swing. We've got 21 games involving men's Top 25 teams, women's conference tournaments and marquee NBA matchups. Cancel your plans and set the TiVo -- here's what we're watching this weekend.
Mar 4 12:43 PM ET | By Amanda Rykoff
Doc Gooden checks into 'Celebrity Rehab'
TMZ reported that former Mets great Dwight "Doc" Gooden will appear on the new season of "Celebrity Rehab." espnW's Amanda Rykoff laments the downfall of this once-great pitcher who can't seem to get his life together after baseball.
Mar 4 9:49 AM ET | By Amanda Rykoff
Basketball action provides NFL distraction
The NFL's current collective bargaining agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. ET tonight. Good thing we've got plenty of great basketball to keep us distracted. Here's what we're watching while we're watching the clock.
Mar 3 12:48 PM ET | By Amanda Rykoff
On the defense
Can the Giants repeat as World Series champions with the Padres and Rockies nipping at their heels? Don't forget the Dodgers and the D-backs. Amanda Rykoff tosses out the final facts as espnW wraps up its spring training guide with the NL West.
Mar 4 | By Amanda Rykoff
Up for grabs
The Rangers look to capitalize on their success of last season, the A's are on the move and the Angels look to return to the top of the AL West. The Mariners -- well they're still the Mariners. What does it all mean? It's open season in the division.
Mar 3 | By Amanda Rykoff
Shake ups (and downs) on the mound
There are new faces taking the mound in the NL Central this season. The Brewers added some big arms, the Cardinals rotation is in flux as injuries are mounting and the Reds ... well they are just sticking with what worked.
Mar 2 | By Amanda Rykoff