Evan Closky

Sports Director at WTSP-TV (St Petersburg, FL)

10 Tampa Bay Sports Director | Emmy & Murrow award winner | Proud Buckeye | Long Island born & raised | All opinions are my own

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Articles

Tampa Bay Bucs' Graham Barton reflects on first year in the NFL

Jan 9, 2025 | wtsp.com | Evan Closky

TAMPA, Fla. — When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Graham Barton in the 2024 NFL Draft, expectations were high. Known for his versatility and elite football IQ during his college years at Duke, Barton quickly became a fixture on the Bucs' offensive line. The Bucs, who have been in the process of rebuilding their offensive line after the departure of several key veterans, saw Barton as a potential cornerstone to their front five.
Brandon community navigates flooding and debris in wake of Hurricane Milton

Oct 10, 2024 | wtsp.com | Evan Closky

BRANDON, Fla. — For those still in Brandon after Hurricane Milton, it was anything but a normal day despite how hard they tried. Whether it was navigating the flooded roads or avoiding the trees ripped from their roots lying on the road, residents in this community are tip-toeing their way through the aftermath of what was an unprecedented event. “I have never seen this area flood before. Never," Joanne Ferguson, who lives in a Brandon apartment complex, said.
The One Buc: Cody Mauch

Aug 22, 2024 | wtsp.com | Evan Closky

TAMPA, Fla. — Every week, the 10 Tampa Bay team will go one-on-one with a Buccaneers player, and in our debut segment of "The One Buc," sports director Evan Closky talks with offensive lineman Cody Mauch. The second-year guard out of North Dakota State had a busy offseason. Not only did he propose to his longtime girlfriend, but he has also made a concerted effort to put on more weight entering the 2024 season.
Commentary: Stadium debates will continue, but we can celebrate Rays remaining in Tampa Bay

Jul 18, 2024 | wtsp.com | Evan Closky

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — I know the Pinellas County Commission needs to approve its portion of the Rays Stadium on July 30, but a yes vote seems like a foregone conclusion. Tampa Bay Rays baseball is here to stay for another 30-plus years, at minimum. While I continue to listen to debates on this topic, Rays owner Stu Sternberg said something I think is important to remember at the city council vote.
Former Bucs player Deven Thompkins called domestic violence accusations 'false' and 'fabricated,' NFL clears Thompkins of any wrongdoing

Jun 5, 2024 | wtsp.com | Evan Closky

TAMPA, Fla. — In a surprising move during OTAs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released wide receiver/kick returner Deven Thompkins. While the team listed the move with an injury designation, as Thompkins was dealing with a hamstring issue suffered during offseason training activities, there might have been more to it. Maria Castilhos, Thompkins’ wife and the mother of his two children, said in a Tik Tok video that she has been a victim of domestic abuse.
Tampa Bay continues quest to host another Super Bowl

Feb 11, 2024 | wtsp.com | Evan Closky

Tampa Bay has hosted a Super Bowl in 1984, 1991, 2001, 2009 and 2021. TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay area knows how to host a good party, but to do it correctly, you need the right team to organize the efforts. That's where the Tampa Bay Sports Commission comes in with Executive Director Rob Higgins leading the charge. "If they like us, they will leave us. If they love us, they'll come back," Higgins, who has been in this role for close to 20 years, said. It is safe to say the NFL loves Tampa.
Bolts defenseman Mikhail Sergachev stretchered off ice versus Rangers, out for game

Feb 7, 2024 | wtsp.com | Evan Closky

NEW YORK — Mikhail Sergachev has been ruled out for the rest of Wednesday's game against the New York Rangers after sustaining a lower-body injury in the 2nd period. Sergachev had to be stretched off the ice after an awkward hit with Alexis Lafrenière. The Bolts were trailing 1-0 at the time. Warning: Injury is graphic in nature Hope Sergy’s ok 🙏Sergachev left the ice on a stretcher after this awkward play.
Commentary: Florida State's snub from playoffs signals bigger problem

Dec 4, 2023 | wtsp.com | Evan Closky

TAMPA, Fla. — Florida State has a bigger problem than missing the playoffs this season, but let me say this first: College Football overcomplicates a very simple formula — If you win, it is good. If you lose, it is bad. And I know, you have to factor in the strength of the schedule, which is not a simple formula during the season, but once the year is over, that picture becomes pretty clear on paper.
Tampa Bay Rays call up top prospect Junior Caminero

Sep 21, 2023 | wtsp.com | Evan Closky

TAMPA, Fla. β With the Tampa Bay Rays just 1.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for the AL East title, the team is making a bold move calling up its best prospect Junior Caminero from Double-A Montgomery. ESPN's Jeff Passan was the first to report this news. The 20-year-old has been one of the fastest-rising prospects in baseball this year. He started the season in High-A ball with Bowling Green, quickly advancing to Montgomery.
Bucs' Mike Evans has not yet received an offer to stay beyond season, agent says

Sep 1, 2023 | wtsp.com | Evan Closky

TAMPA, Fla. — The 2023 football season might be the last time we see Mike Evans in a Tampa Bay Buccaneers uniform. In a press release sent to media outlets, Evans’ agent Deryk Gilmore says his client has not received an offer from the organization to stay in town beyond the upcoming year. “We will discontinue contract discussions as of September 9, 2023,” Gilmore said in his statement. Mike Evans signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Bucs in 2018.