One would think so, but rumors of Cristiano Ronaldo returning to his erstwhile stomping grounds in England to play once again for Manchester United suggest otherwise. Can such a high-profile and talent-sapping transfer truly be in the works? If Madrid really wants any shot at reclaiming the top spot in La Liga, it must be simply a football writer trying to stir the pot.

It’s true that Ronaldo, perhaps in order to benefit himself in contract negotiations or simply just to be polite, as stated to the media that “Maybe in the future [he] could return” to Man U. But that has to be where it ends, right?

Not so fast, because as is almost always the case, cash rules everything around Ronaldo. The superb striker has netted more than a goal per game during his Madrid career, and that comes after being transferred for 80 million Pounds in 2009. But the Spanish government has closed a loophole that allows foreigners to pay a much lower tax rate, and Ronaldo will see his tax levy jump from 24 percent to a whopping 54 percent! That’s a huge jump for anyone, even a supremely wealthy man like Ronaldo.

So, should Ronaldo ask for more cash to offset the tax raise, and Madrid balk, look for Real to get real, and admit defeat to Barca in short time by transferring their best asset.

Some experts believe that Federer can go ahead and win the Aussie Open right at the start of the season. Given Federer’s advanced age for a world class tennis player, 30, it may be best to go for a Grand Slam victory right at the jump before decline and injuries may take effect. Both of Federer’s main competitors for the top spot in men’s tennis, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, appear to be battling ailments. The great Andre Agassi was one of the few top men’s tennis players who was able to win grand slam championships after the age of 30, having done so twice, and his coach has given Federer his vote of confidence, saying he things the 30-year-old can win this year.

But, unlike in the past, skill may not be enough to push Federer over the top. It may take favorable matchups. So, who should the native of Basel, Switzerland, hope to avoid?

Nadal, who has always given Federer problems, is an obvious choice; Djokovic, who has beaten the Swiss champ of late, is also a challenge; the mercurial Andy Murray also could pose a difficult match, and numerous big-hitters abound who could give Federer’s old legs a run.

But, with a chance at a gold medal hanging in the sky for Federer this year, it would be wise to expect the last great run from the legend. His motivation to stay in top form will never be any higher than right now, when he could take his last shot at the Olympics and the Grand Slam while he’s at it.

Expect the legend to grow his war chest in 2012, adding at least one more Grand Slam title, and probably a gold medal while he’s at it.

The first period saw Ville Leino score his fifth goal of the postseason just 6:38 into the game. Danny Briere and Chris Pronger assisted on the goal. The Blackhawks scored the next two goals, with one coming in the shorthanded fashion. First, Troy Brouwer scored his third goal in the postseason, and four minutes later Dave Bolland scored his 6th, which came shorthanded for Chicago. Philadelphia showed a ton of resolve scoring the final two goals of the period: Scott Hartnell on the power play and Danny Briere’s 10th.

The 22,000+ fans got an exciting second period as well. Patrick Sharp tied the game just 1:11 into the second period. It was his 8th goal of the postseason. Philadelphia answered with their fourth goal of the game at the 7:20 mark, as Blair Betts scored his first of the postseason. The Blackhawks once again tied the game, this time Kris Versteeg’s 5th. Troy Brouwer scored his second of the game 6 minutes later to give Chicago a 5-4 lead. Marian Hossa and Niklas Hjalmarsson helped with the assist. The Flyers tied the game with 1:11 to go in the period when Arron Asham got a pass from Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell.

The lone goal of the third period proved to be the game winner. Tomas Kopecky shot one passed the Philadelphia goaltender at the 8:25 mark from Kris Versteeg and Dave Bolland. Starting goaltender Michael Leighton was pulled after 35 minutes, and allowing 5 goals. Back-up Brian Boucher saved 11 out of 12 shots, but allowed the game winner to take the loss. Both teams finished the game with 32 shots on goal.

The 11 goals scored tied for the most scored in a game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The six goals allowed by Philadelphia were the most they have yielded in the 2010 postseason. The two teams will get back together Monday Night for game two of the best of seven series.

Boston won the game 96-84 to advance to their 2nd NBA finals in 3 seasons. In 2008 Boston won the NBA title. The key to the game was back-up point guard Nate Robinson. Coming over from New York late in the season, Robinson scored 13 points in 13 minutes. The leading scorer for Boston was Paul Pierce, who scored 31 points and ripped down 13 rebounds. Ray Allen added 20 and Rajon Rondo scored 14 for the Eastern Conference champs.

Dwight Howard, the Orlando Magic leading scorer scored 28 points and ripped down 12 rebounds. Howard was 11-17 from the field, but just 6-12 at the free throw line. Vince Carter and Jameer Nelson were the other two Orlando players in double figures. Carter scored 17, while Nelson added 11.

After starting the series very slow, including a blow-out loss at home in game one, the Magic were starting to excite their fans winning two straight games. On Monday the Magic won a 96-92 game in overtime to move the series back to Orlando for a game five. Game five was not close, as Orlando blasted Boston 112-93 behind 24 points from Jameer Nelson. That moved the series back to Boston, were the Celtics jumped out to a 11 point lead after one quarter. Boston extended their lead to 13 at half, and 21 at the end of three. The final quarter was all about the Celtics just holding on, and that they did – beating the Magic 96-84.

The Magic were eliminated in the Eastern Conference finals after advancing to the NBA finals last season. The Magic lost to the Lakers in a hard fought series. This is the second straight season that Orlando won 59 games during the regular season.

The NBA Finals will start Thursday night at 9pm ET in either Los Angeles or Phoenix. The Lakers and Suns will play game six on Saturday in Phoenix, with the Lakers looking to finish off the Suns.

The Blackhawks have won 12 of 16 postseason, after going six games in the first two series’, then sweeping the top seeded San Jose Sharks. Philadelphia won the initial series over the second seeded New Jersey Devils in five games. In the conference semifinals, the Flyers trailed 3-0, and then won the final four games to move to the conference finals. Philadelphia won four out of five to move to 12-5 in the playoffs.

Chicago has been led by Jonathan Toews and his 26 points scored. That leads all of the NHL, followed by Flyers top scorer Mike Richards, with 21. Patrick Kane, also of Chicago, has 20 points scored in the postseason. Danny Briere of the Flyers is second in the postseason with nine goals, trailing Montreal’s Mike Cammalleri.

Between the pipes for both teams; Antti Neimi, who averaged just 2.25 goals per game in the regular season. The Flyers Michael Leighton led the regular season with a save percentage of .918. In the postseason, Leighton has allowed just 1.45 goals per game, and Neimi is at 2.33.

Following game one in Chicago, they will also host game two. The Blackhawks and Flyers will honor veterans with a Veterans’ Day tilt at 8:00pm EST on May 31st. The series shifts to Philadelphia for game three on Wednesday June 2nd. Game four will also be in Philadelphia; on Friday June 4th. Game five, if needed, will take place in Chicago on Sunday June 6th. Game six would be played in Philadelphia – on Wednesday June 9th and an always exciting game seven will be in Chicago on Friday June 11th.

The Celtics jumped out to a 15 point first quarter lead, and cruised through the second quarter heading to the locker room ahead by 17 points. The Magic made small spurts, but Boston held the Magic to just 13 points in the third quarter to make the game laughable at 75-47 after three. Orlando out scored the Celtics 24-19 in the fourth quarter, but it was way too late.

The Celtics saw six players score in double figures, led by reserve Glen “Big Baby” Davis scoring 17. Paul Pierce added 15, Ray Allen 14, Rajon Rondo with 11, while Kevin Garnett and reserve Rasheed Wallace added 10. Boston dished out 23 assists in the game, led by point guard Rajon Rondo’s 12. Boston shot just under 47% from the field in the win.

Orlando was held to 24-65 shooting and 8-30 from long distance. Top scorer Dwight Howard scored just 7 points and 7 rebounds for the Magic. Orlando as a team turned the ball over 17 times, to Boston’s 8.

18,624 people saw this game at the TD Garden in Boston. Game four will take place in Boston as well, with the chance for the Celtics to win the Eastern Conference title, and dethrone Orlando from their title chase. Game four will take place on Monday May 24th at 8:30pm EST.

In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers will also look to take a 3-0 lead over the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers, who are defending their World Championship, won both of the first two games at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Lakers and Suns will tip off tonight from Phoenix at 8:30pm EST. The rest of the National Basketball Association conference championships will occur on alternating days. After Monday’s Eastern Conference game four, game five will be played on Wednesday, while Tuesday will feature the Lakers/Suns – game four.

Chicago won game one 2-1, and then came back with a 4-2 win in game two. Goaltender Antti Niemi saved 44 shots in the game one win, and Jonathan Toews scored a goal and assisted on another in the game two win.

San Jose provides a high powered offense, led by leading goal scorer Patrick Marleau, and the always explosive Joe Thornton. Thornton led San Jose with 89 points during the 2010 season. Chicago saw right winger Patrick Kane score 30 goals and assist on 58 others to rank 9th in the NHL in points scored.

Game four of the Western Conference finals will take place on Sunday afternoon at the United Center. Game five, if needed, will take place back in the Shark tank, Tuesday May 23rd, 2010. If the series moves to game six, the Blackhawks will once again host in the Madhouse on Madison. The game will take place Thursday May 27th, 2010. The seventh and final game of the series, if needed, would take place on Saturday May 29th, 2010 in Northern California.

The winner of the San Jose/Chicago series will take on the Eastern Conference champion. On Thursday night the Montreal Canadiens picked up their first win of the series, to tighten things up at 2-1. Game four of the Eastern Conference Finals will take place on Saturday May 22nd in Montreal. The series will shift back to Philadelphia for game five on Monday May 24th. If the series needs to go six games, Montreal will be the host – on Wednesday May 26th. The seventh game of the series will be played in Philadelphia, on Friday May 28th.

After Philadelphia completed dominated games one and two, outscoring Montreal 9-0, the Canadiens bounced back in big way Thursday night. Montreal scored the first four goals of the game, including two in the first period to send the Bell Centre into frenzy. Montreal goaltender Jaroslav Halak saved 25 of the 26 shots taken by the Flyers in the win.

This all started when Ramirez booted a ball to the left field corner, and then half heartedly jogged after it allowing two more runs to score. Following the half inning, Gonzalez confronted Ramirez and then took him out of the game. Tuesday morning, when Ramirez found he was not in the lineup, made comments about how his manager “doesn’t understand – he never played the game”. Ramirez later said he would not apologize to anyone, including his teammates.

Ramirez is a two time National League All Star, and also former batting champion. The 26 year old from the Dominican Republic is getting paid nearly $7,000,000 per season, but with the latest controversy the Marlins have discussed the option of moving him. Ramirez is batting .293 with 7 homeruns this season, but has drove in just 20 runs for a Marlins team that is second place in the National League East.

The Marlins picked up the win in Tuesday afternoon’s game; 8-0 behind a shut-out from ace Josh Johnson. Johnson is 4-1 on the season with an earned run average of 2.68. The win for Florida was their seventh in the last ten games. The Marlins will now head to St. Louis for a quick two game series with the Cardinals, and then head to Chicago to take on the Chicago White Sox in their first interleague series of the season.

The Marlins have struggled a bit offensively this season, batting just .258, which ranks them 11th in the National League. Their best hitter thus far has been catcher Cody Ross, who is hitting .308 on the season. Dan Uggla and Jorge Cantu have provided the power numbers, as Uggla has 10 homeruns and Cantu has knocked in 32 runs. Florida has scored 181 on the season, which places them 7th in the National League.

While this does not appear to be something to part ways over, the Marlins better be careful in dealing with their most dynamic player they have had in their team’s history.

Boston jumped out to a 16 point lead after three quarters, limiting the Magic to just 58 points. Dwight Howard, the best player for Orlando scored just one basket in three quarters and ended the game with 7 turnovers. This is after the Celtics forced Cleveland star LeBron James to nine turnovers in the game six debacle.

Paul Pierce led the Celtics in scoring with 22 points, and added 9 rebounds and 5 assists in the win. The Big Ticket Kevin Garnett had just 8 points, but added in with 11 rebounds and his stellar defense on the Magic big man. Rasheed Wallace added 13 points off the bench for Boston.

Orlando committed 18 turnovers in the game, and shot just 41.6% from the field and 22.7% from three point range. The Magic saw Vince Carter scored 23 points in the loss, while Jameer Nelson added 20.

Through the first eight postseason games this postseason, Orlando was averaging over 100 points per game, and allowing just over 80. In the four game sweep over Atlanta, the Magic outscored the Hawks by 125 points – an average of 31.25 points per game.

Boston has been led in the postseason by their stellar defense, which they showed Sunday afternoon. The Celtics have allowed 91.4 points per game through the first 12 games. Boston has won five of six at home during the postseason.

The two teams will play the second game in Orlando on Tuesday night. Games 3 and 4 will be played in Boston on Saturday May 22nd and Monday May 24th. Game five in Orlando is set for Wednesday May 26th, while the Celtics are scheduled to host game six Friday May 28th. If needed, a game seven will be played in Orlando on Sunday May 30th at 8:30pm EST.

The Canadiens finished the season with a record of 39-33-10 for 88 points, and lost their last three games of the year to barely hold onto a final position. Philadelphia also finished with 88 points, winning 41, losing 35 and tying in 6 games. Montreal went 20-16-5 at home this season, and 19-17-5 on the road. Philadelphia, who will garner home ice advantage during this series won 24 out of 41 at home and 17 out of 41 on the road.

Montreal has played the maximum games in the postseason. After falling behind 3-1 in the opening series to the top seeded Washington Capitals they won the final three games, allowing just three goals to win the series. In the second round, Montreal split the first four with Pittsburgh, before falling game five. In the elimination game six, the Canadiens beat the Penguins 4-3, and then game 7 Montreal beat Pittsburgh 5-2. The Penguins were the defending Stanley Cup Champions.

Philadelphia made quick work of the second seeded New Jersey Devils. After splitting the first two, the Flyers won the final three games to take a break before round two. The second round came against Boston, and the series started off very poor. Philadelphia lost their first three games, but after game four’s overtime thrilling win, the Flyers became the better team and won the final three games. Game 7 was a comeback, from trailing 3-0 in the game.

After Sunday’s game one in Philadelphia, the second game will take place Tuesday night. The series will shift to Montreal on Thursday for game three, followed by game four on Saturday. Philadelphia will host the Canadiens on Monday May 24th in game five, and Montreal will host game six on Wednesday May 26th. The 7th and final game of the Eastern Conference finals will take place on Friday May 28th in Philadelphia.

The winner of the Eastern Conference will play in the Stanley Cup Finals against the winner of the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks Western Conference Finals.