Nikon makes a 70-300. Looks like there's a VR (stabilized) and non VR version.
A couple of years ago I was asked to put together the end of season slide show for a HS team. I strung together photos and video collected from the teams parents. I did some spelunking in the project archives and took a look at exifs. There were some shot with what I'm pretty sure were Nikon 70-300's and Canon 70-300's. From those shots it looks like you can get decent results with those lenses. It's difficult to sift out technique issues from lens issues...but I suspect that if the OP can be happy with one of these if he and the wife are willing to learn some basic techniques of shooting sports at distance.
To the OP (if you're still out there)...if you decide to go the route of a 70-300...make sure you get a variant that works with your Nikon body. Apparently there are a few variations.
Last edited by ChrisF; 03/27/21.
