The latest reports in Italy claim that Milan could be set to turn to former Liverpool chair Ian Ayre to replace Giorgio Furlani as the club’s CEO and that fellow Brit Lee Congerton is reportedly also among the options for sporting director.
Milan cleared out the entirety of their senior management team immediately after the 2025-26 season came to an end. The Rossoneri suffered a complete collapse in the second half of the season and ended up missing out on Champions League qualification, despite the fact that they had spent large spells of the season in second place.
As a result, Milan confirmed that they had parted company with head coach Massimiliano Allegri, CEO Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare and technical director Geoffrey Moncada in a single, brutal statement on Monday, the day after the 2025-26 season came to an end.
Tuesday’s reports suggest that Andoni Iraola and Xavi are among the initial leading candidates for the Milan head coach role.
Ian Ayre and Lee Congerton linked with vacant Milan roles
According to updates from Gianluca Di Marzio, Ayre is among the candidates to take over as Milan’s new CEO. The 62-year-old is currently based in the United States, where he is vice-chair of Nashville SC. He has been with the MLS side since 2018.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 09: Jurgen Klopp at Anfield is unveiled as the new manager of Liverpool FC as he stands alongside Tom Werner (l) the chairman and Ian Ayre (r) the chief executive during a photocall at Anfield on October 9, 2015 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Ayre spent a decade with Liverpool between 2007 and 2017, serving in the roles of chief commercial officer, then CEO and then as chairman.
Di Marzio also claims that Welshman Congerton, currently serving as sporting director at Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, is an option to replace Tare at Milan. Congerton has scouting and directorship experience with several UK clubs, including Liverpool, Chelsea, Celtic and Leicester, and spent two years working in Serie A with Atalanta between 2022 and 2024.
The FIGC has approved a significant rule change for the 2026/27 Serie A season that will affect how title and relegation disputes are resolved when clubs finish level on points, eliminating the possibility of a play-off in certain circumstances.
Following a proposal from the Serie A League, the Federal Council has confirmed, via LaLazioSiamoNoi, that a title or relegation play-off will not take place if one of the clubs involved is already committed to a European final, whether in the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League.
In such cases, the outcome will instead be decided by head-to-head record between the clubs in question.
epa12129583 Players of SSC Napoli celebrate winning the 2024/2025 Serie A title after the Italian Serie A soccer match between SSC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio, in Naples, Italy, 23 May 2025. SSC Napoli won their fourth league title. EPA-EFE/CIRO FUSCO
Rule change prompted by Inter-Napoli Serie A title race and Champions League final scheduling conflict
The decision was prompted directly by events at the end of the 2024/25 season. Inter and Napoli went into the final day of the campaign still separated only by points, creating the theoretical possibility of a title play-off, a scenario that would have been almost impossible to schedule given Inter’s Champions League final against PSG.
From next season, that logistical headache will not arise.
Should two clubs finish level on points in a situation involving the Scudetto or relegation, and one of those clubs is involved in a European final, the head-to-head record will serve as the definitive tiebreaker.
Jamie Vardy is set to leave Cremonese following the club’s relegation to Serie B, with the veteran English striker expected to return to England after just one season in Italian football, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The 39-year-old joined Cremonese on a free transfer last summer after leaving Leicester City, where his contract had expired following the Foxes’ own relegation from the Premier League, ten years on from their remarkable title triumph in 2016.
He signed a one-year deal with the Grigiorossi and that contract expires on June 30, at which point he will depart as a free agent, via CalcioMercato.
CREMONA, ITALY – JANUARY 19: Jamie Vardy of US Cremonese reacts during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Giovanni Zini on January 19, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
Italian adventure ends in relegation for Vardy as Cremonese plan Serie B rebuild
Despite moments of promise, Cremonese endured a disastrous second half of the season that ultimately sealed their fate.
The final blow came on the last day, when defeat to Champions League-bound Como, combined with Lecce’s victory over Genoa, confirmed their drop to the second tier.
A mid-season change in management, replacing Davide Nicola with Marco Giampaolo, was unable to stop the slide.
Vardy’s departure leaves Cremonese needing to rebuild their attack entirely for the Serie B campaign ahead. Whether Giampaolo, who has signed a contract through next season, remains in charge is also yet to be confirmed.
Things didn’t start too well for Conor Gallagher at Tottenham Hotspur, but his prospects at the club have improved since the recent change in the dugout. “The last manager wasn’t having me and the fans didn’t think I was any good” 🗣️ Conor Gallagher on re-building his confidence during his time as a Spurs player […]
Juventus have been heavily linked with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, and while fresh reports in Italy suggest a deal is close, Fabrizio Romano says otherwise. According to Romano, Alisson, whose contract at Liverpool has a year left to run, is open to joining Juventus this summer, but he will respect the wishes of his current […]
Juventus have been heavily linked with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, and while fresh reports in Italy suggest a deal is close, Fabrizio Romano says otherwise. According to Romano, Alisson, whose contract at Liverpool has a year left to run, is open to joining Juventus this summer, but he will respect the wishes of his current […]
NEW DELHI: Suryakumar Yadav is likely to play for Triumph Knights Mumbai North East in a T20 match against the Uganda's touring side on May 30 in Mumbai.
Uganda are currently touring Mumbai for four one-day matches and four T20 games. Uganda swept the four-match One Day series against MCA Colts XI 4-0.
The T20 matches are being played against four separate teams from the T20 Mumbai League, which begins on June 1.
"He is a part of the team so he is likely to play," MCA secretary Unmesh Khanvilkar told reporters, as quoted by news agency PTI.
"He is the Indian captain and whenever he plays against any team, it is a morale-booster for any team and it is going to be a good cricket experience," Khanvilkar added.
The match between Triumph Knights Mumbai North East and Uganda is expected to be held at the MCA Ground in Bandra Kurla Complex.
Suryakumar was considered one of the standout players from the first edition of the T20 Mumbai League in 2018. He was retained as an icon player by Triumph Knights ahead of the auction for the fourth edition of the tournament.
MCA president Ajinkya Naik said ICC chairman Jay Shah played a role in the agreement with Cricket Uganda.
"Under the leadership of Jay Shah, he had requested us to host the Uganda cricket team and we thought it is a great privilege to host a national team here in Mumbai and for our Mumbai players to get an exposure against a national team," Naik said.
"The Uganda team can come and play matches here, and whenever MCA needs to go and play in that country during our season or even when we have our off season."
Naik said the arrangement would help players outside the senior setup gain exposure.
"The players who are playing for the senior team or even the Indian team, they have the exposure. But those who are in the second or third line — the bench strength of MCA — they need exposure. That's the reason why we are (also) travelling to the UK this year, both men's and women's teams, and this is an additional opportunity."
Nate Tice, Matt Harmon & Charles McDonald compete to draft the best roster of NFL skill players heading into the 2026 season. The hosts take turns drafting from among the best skill players in the NFL to create the best offense possible. Matt builds his team around speed, taking Ja’Marr Chase and Jaxon Smith-Njigba at wide receiver, Jahmyr Gibbs at running back, Tucker Kraft at tight end and Nico Collins as his flex option. Charles has the most physical roster, grabbing James Cook, Drake London, Puka Nacua, Colston Loveland and Jameson Williams as a deep speed threat. Nate’s team has Bijan Robinson carrying the rock, with Justin Jefferson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, CeeDee Lamb and Brock Bowers in the passing game.
The three hosts wrap up the show with Breakout Watch, where they each predict a potential breakout player to keep an eye on this fall.
(3:30) - Skill player draft: top 5
(25:20) - Skill player draft: 5-10
(46:00) - Skill player draft: 11-15
(1:06:00) - Breakout Watch
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 05: Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11 of the Seattle Seahawks gestures during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lumen Field on October 05, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
The Browns announced a change to their cornerback group on Tuesday.
They have signed Tyron Herring to their 90-man roster. DeCarlos Nicholson was waived with an injury designation in a corresponding move.
Herring went undrafted out of Delaware last year. He signed with the Packers and failed to make the cut to 53 players in Green Bay. He spent time on their practice squad and on the Patriots' practice squad over the course of the season.
Nicholson signed with the Browns after going undrafted out of USC this year.
The Browns signed two other undrafted rookie cornerbacks to compete for spots behind Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell this season.
The annual spring game did little to inspire confidence from Michigan football fans in second-year quarterback Bryce Underwood, despite all of the talk from Kyle Whittingham noting he's making marked improvements. While there has been some experience in Ann Arbor of not seeing signal callers reaching their full potential, it's more of a theme beyond just the maize and blue.
The worldwide leader took all of the quarterbacks in college football and put them into tiers. As for Underwood, he fell in line with two other second-year quarterbacks, who each also showed promise as starters in their freshman campaigns, but are in danger of perhaps not developing beyond their opening foray. As ESPN calls it, it's 'the Christian Hackenberg Paradox,' named after the former Penn State phenom-turned-borderline bust.
Tier 5: The Christian Hackenberg Paradox (three players)
Already picking on former Penn State quarterbacks, let's use Hackenberg as another example of a unique QB subset.
Flashback to 2011, when Hackenberg, a 6-foot-4 archetype for a quarterback, earned Penn State's starting job as a true freshman and wowed, throwing 20 touchdown passes and announcing himself as a burgeoning star, a near certain first-round NFL draft pick.
From there, things didn't quite go as planned. There was a coaching change and too many turnovers and, while he did ultimately get drafted in the second round due almost entirely to his measurables, his NFL career amounted to just a few snaps in the preseason.
The point is, true freshmen putting up impressive seasons is a rarity and it often portends greatness. But not always. Witness the DJ Lagway roller coaster from 2024 to 2025 as another prime example.
And so Tier 5: Three highly regarded QBs who looked, at times, like elite players as true freshmen in 2025 but whose miscues left at least a little room for concern over their future development.
At least one -- and maybe all three -- of these QBs will be a first-round draft pick in 2028. But, it's also possible there's a Hackenberg in here, too.
Did you know?
Just 16.6% of Underwood's throws last year came vs. man coverage, the lowest rate among Power 4 QBs.
Underwood was off target on 20% of his throws beyond the line of scrimmage last year, the fourth-worst rate among returning quarterbacks.
Given that Underwood is in the same category as Bachmeier and Sagopolutele indicates less that it's the obvious trajectory rather than he's got some ways to go to become a Trevor Lawrence or Vince Young type -- which is, oddly enough, reasonable given his traits and recruiting ranking of being the former No. 1 overall. But much of the discourse this offseason has seemingly eschewed the idea that Underwood is still young and in development. Even if he didn't progress much in his first year, with a new staff this time around (unlike Hackenberg moving from Bill O'Brien to James Franklin), he has coaches who should be more capable at putting and keeping him on the right track.
But until he starts to showcase more of his skills in a consistent fashion, there will be concerns about who and what he can be at the college level.
As noted, he does have elite traits, and that's likely enough to get him into the NFL, no matter how his college career goes. But fans in and around Ann Arbor are yearning for much more than that -- especially after the last two years.
The Salisbury University Baseball team is headed back to the NCAA Division III College World Series this weekend after winning its Super Regional games.
After winning the C2C Championship over Mary Washington, and the NCAA Regionals over Bridgewater State and Hobart, the Salisbury Sea Gulls hosted the University of Chicago in the Super Regionals over the weekend in a best-of-three series. But it didn't take three games, as they won games 1 and 2 in a doubleheader.
Salisbury won Game 1 of the series 5-3, with ace pitcher and Parkside High School grad Aidan Brinsfield picking up the win. Brinsfield pitched 6 innings, striking out three. At the plate, Jackson Inman finished with 2 RBIs, including a solo home run in the first inning.
The Sea Gulls won the second game 7-4, with Jack Rucker pitching 5 innings and only allowing two runs, while Inman and Trent Ware combined for 5 RBIs on the day.
Their appearance in this year's Division III College World Series is the ninth in program history, and their first since 2023. Salisbury, ranked No. 7 in the country, is looking for its first national championship since 2021. The Sea Gulls were runners-up in 2022.
Salisbury's College World Series campaign begins on Friday in Eastlake, Ohio, where they will face No. 6 Endicott in their first game at 8:30 p.m.
Report: Milan turn to ex-Liverpool director to replace Furlani as CEO
The latest reports in Italy claim that Milan could be set to turn to former Liverpool chair Ian Ayre to replace Giorgio Furlani as the club’s CEO and that fellow Brit Lee Congerton is reportedly also among the options for sporting director.
Milan cleared out the entirety of their senior management team immediately after the 2025-26 season came to an end. The Rossoneri suffered a complete collapse in the second half of the season and ended up missing out on Champions League qualification, despite the fact that they had spent large spells of the season in second place.
As a result, Milan confirmed that they had parted company with head coach Massimiliano Allegri, CEO Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare and technical director Geoffrey Moncada in a single, brutal statement on Monday, the day after the 2025-26 season came to an end.
Tuesday’s reports suggest that Andoni Iraola and Xavi are among the initial leading candidates for the Milan head coach role.
Ian Ayre and Lee Congerton linked with vacant Milan roles
According to updates from Gianluca Di Marzio, Ayre is among the candidates to take over as Milan’s new CEO. The 62-year-old is currently based in the United States, where he is vice-chair of Nashville SC. He has been with the MLS side since 2018.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 09: Jurgen Klopp at Anfield is unveiled as the new manager of Liverpool FC as he stands alongside Tom Werner (l) the chairman and Ian Ayre (r) the chief executive during a photocall at Anfield on October 9, 2015 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Ayre spent a decade with Liverpool between 2007 and 2017, serving in the roles of chief commercial officer, then CEO and then as chairman.
Di Marzio also claims that Welshman Congerton, currently serving as sporting director at Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, is an option to replace Tare at Milan. Congerton has scouting and directorship experience with several UK clubs, including Liverpool, Chelsea, Celtic and Leicester, and spent two years working in Serie A with Atalanta between 2022 and 2024.
Tottenham Hotspur Sporting Director Johan Lange before the Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Picture date: Wednesday January 7, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images
A couple of days ago, the subtext of Tottenham Hotspur non-executive chairman Peter Charrington seemed to suggest that everything was business as usual and trust the process regarding the executive leadership positions at the club. I took that to mean that both CEO Vinai Venkatesham and Sporting Director Johan Lange had the vote of confidence from the Powers that Be and were both safe in their jobs, with Sebastian Kehl coming in as a new co-Sporting Director to work alongside Lange.
Well… perhaps not. Here’s Alasdair Gold from Football.London painting a pretty different picture, at least as far as Lange goes.
Tottenham’s non-executive chairman Peter Charrington wrote in an open letter to the supporters on Monday that “the board are committed to this leadership group and will give them the stability and support they need to run this club in the right way”.
That was assumed to include Lange but football.london understands that while CEO Vinai Venkatesham remains part of the club’s plans moving forward, there are those inside and outside the north London outfit who believe it is increasingly unlikely that Lange makes it through the summer, as the football figurehead for a horrendous season, and if he does, it will be in a role supporting a new sporting director.
It’s no secret that I, the rest of the masthead, and the vast majority of regular commenters on this blog dot com are united in the idea of Johan Lange being let go from his job for poor performance. It has baffled me how the club has even let things go this badly for this long without making a move, though previous reports of executive upheaval (“building the plane while it’s in midair”) maybe suggests that not having a Sporting Director was considered a worse outcome than having a bad Sporting Director. Regardless, it’s comforting to know that there’s at least some recognition that the past two years under Lange have been… well, sub-optimal, especially from a squad construction perspective.
If I’m going to be fair, and why not at least make the attempt, Lange has done a decent job at recruiting young talent, bringing in the likes of Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray. So in that sense keeping him on and demoting him to whoever the new Sporting Director is, would be a moderately acceptable outcome, if his remit is structured and limited. But we have evidence now on what Lange’s leadership in recruitment has resulted, and it’s not great. I don’t know what the end result will be and I don’t have a ton of confidence on anyone at the club making the right decision right now until proven otherwise, but there is some small comfort in knowing that there’s at least recognition that after two consecutive 17th placed finishes and a relegation battle that went to the final match, things aren’t exactly going well and a change might be warranted.
They played on Friday, May 22, a win over the Valkyries.
They don't play again until Thursday, May 28, this time on the road at Golden State in a rematch.
Indiana then plays Saturday, May 30 in Portland against the Fire.
They return to the court Thursday, June 4 at home against the Dream, then play the Liberty two days later, the Mystics two days after that and the Sky three days later.
The scheduling gap appears to have to do with the West Coast swing, but it still has left the Fever quite lopsided on both sides of this slow stretch.
The Fever aren't happy with how they've played so far this season, so maybe it'll work out nicely for Indiana as a chance to work on some things.
But they'd surely like things spaced out a little better than they have been just for the sake of health -- especially for Clark and her wonky back injury.
UFC president Dana White defended the upcoming White House “Freedom 250” fight from critics, including Joe Rogan, who have suggested holding the event is insensitive or a possible safety concern amid the war in Iran, in a series of interviews published Tuesday.
UFC president Dana White defended hosting a fight at the White House amid the Iran war. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Zuffa LLC
Key Facts
White told Rolling Stone the UFC “can’t just bend and break and roll over for every bad thing that happens in the world,” saying he’s “not going to not run my business” because of the Iran war or other crises.
The White House UFC fight is scheduled for June 14, which is both Flag Day and President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, and White said it is expected to seat over 4,000 people in the stands on the South Lawn and another 85,000 at the nearby Ellipse park.
But the fight has attracted some critics, including podcaster Joe Rogan—a friend of White’s, whom he hired to do color commentary for the event—with Rogan saying on his podcast in March it is “weird to have a fight at the White House in the middle of a f***ing war.”
Rogan suggested the event could pose safety concerns on his March podcast episode, saying, “Having this very high profile event where everyone’s in one place at one time right there… it seems like you’re asking for,” before trailing off.
White also denied the event is political, telling Time in an interview on Tuesday—one of several he has done this week to promote the upcoming fight—that he is “spending a sh-tload of money to celebrate the 250th birthday of America.”
What Else Did White Say About The White House Ufc Fight?
In interviews this week with Rolling Stone, Time and the New Yorker, White said the event came to be because Trump, whom he describes as a friend, approached him at a UFC match and said, “You know what? We should do a fight at the White House.” White told the New Yorker the UFC and the Trump administration began planning details days later. White offered some logistical details in interviews this week, telling the New Yorker the stands at the White House will seat slightly more than 4,000 spectators, of which Trump has 1,000 tickets to distribute and White has 200. Ari Emanuel, CEO of UFC owner TKO Holdings, has another 200 tickets to distribute, with the rest reserved for military members, White said. White told Time he invited several celebrities, including Adam Sandler, Tom Brady, Jared Leto, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Mario Lopez, but did not say whether they accepted. Fighters will warm up in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and will walk out from the Oval Office, Time reported, and White told the New Yorker weigh-ins will happen at the Lincoln Memorial.
What Did White Say About His Relationship With Trump?
Across multiple interviews this week, White said his friendship with Trump is not about politics. White said his relationship with Trump dates back to 2001, when the UFC staged fights at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey. White told Rolling Stone Trump “showed up to the first fight of the night and stayed till the last fight,” saying he became a “very good friend.” White told Rolling Stone he and Trump “don’t talk politics,” saying Trump has never asked him to get involved politically. Though White did speak at the 2024 Republican National Convention, he told the New Yorker his speech was about Trump as a person and a friend, rather than about politics. White described himself as “down the middle, leaning a little left,” and an “eighties, nineties Democrat” to the New Yorker.
Surprising Fact
White defended Trump against allegations he is racist by invoking the president’s friendship with Michael Jackson. “I can tell you that the President had a very good relationship with Michael Jackson, and had Michael Jackson around his kids all the time, and defended him when that stuff was going down. So to call the guy a racist is crazy,” White told the New Yorker, saying there are “videos now popping up of Trump defending Michael Jackson” after the “Michael” movie opened in theaters last month.
Tangent
White told the New Yorker a $7.7 billion deal the UFC struck with Paramount last year did not make him a billionaire. “I do really well,” White said, adding, “I spend too much money. I’ll never be a billionaire.” Forbes estimated last year White’s net worth exceeds $600 million.
Key Background
Trump first announced the UFC fight at the White House in July 2025, telling supporters at a rally in Iowa, “We’re going to have a UFC fight, think of this, on the grounds of the White House,” also praising White as “one of a kind.” The UFC announced the lineup for the White House event in March, though the card was met with mixed reactions from fans as it lacked legends like Conor McGregor or Jon Jones. The event’s main fight is a lightweight match between American Justin Gaethje against Ilia Topuria of Georgia.
The 2026 French Open is underway with the glaring omission of defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. The two-time winner pulled out of the Grand Slam after injuring his wrist in April at the Barcelona Open. He also skipped the Madrid Open and the Italian Open.
As Alcaraz navigates his recovery, he is reconnecting with life away from tennis. The Spaniard opened up about his hiatus during his recent appearance at the Princess of Girona Foundation’s awards ceremony.
Carlos Alcaraz Believes ‘Something Special’ Awaits After His Injury Break
Alcaraz has entered the second month of his injury layoff, having not competed since he was forced to cut short his Barcelona run in mid-April. Amid his absence, the Spaniard attended the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid to collect his Sportsman of the Year trophy, wearing an arm brace. According to reports, he suffered an inflammation of the tendon sheath but avoided a tear, which would have been a more serious injury.
Alcaraz’s absence at the French Open has left a noticeable void, especially after his historic final against Jannik Sinner in 2025. The 23-year-old himself admitted to feeling left out but shared a positive approach regardless.
“I’m watching the results from home, watching my rivals compete, the tournaments I wish I could be playing in but can’t. But everything happens for a reason,” he said at the Princess of Girona Foundation’s awards ceremony.
“I believe it’s fate and that life has something special for me when I return, something beautiful,” he added.
Carlos Alcaraz has a newfound respect for his loved ones, who have been by his side through good and bad. “Now I realize that what really matters is my family, who have always been there to support me.”
“They never forced me to play tennis but always gave me the choice, and that helped me continue to enjoy it and never feel stressed. They’re the reason I’m the person I’m today,” he added.
After abruptly halting his clay season, Alcaraz has also decided to skip the grass swing, announcing withdrawals from the Queen’s Club Championships, where he is the reigning champion, and the Wimbledon Championships, where he was the finalist.
The Spaniard is expected to stage his comeback during the North American hardcourt swing, but he has yet to announce a date of return.
There were several top performers across the state in boys high school sports, but only one can be voted as the Clarion Ledger athlete of the week for May 18-23.
Fans may vote in the poll BELOW one time per hour per device. The poll closes at noon on Friday.
To submit high school scores, statistics, records, leaders and other items at any time, email mchavez@gannett.com.
Nominations
Trey Barnes, Petal: Barnes had four hits with a home run, four runs scored and two RBIs in Petal's 2-0 sweep against Oxford to win the MHSAA 7A title.
Will Goodson, Saltillo: Goodson pitched 6⅔ innings for a combined no-hitter with five strikeouts to help Saltillo's 2-1 series win against Pearl River Central to win the MHSAA 6A title.
Holder McAlpin, Mize: McAplin threw a complete game no-hitter with nine strikeouts to help Mize's 2-0 series sweep against East Webster to win the MHSAA 2A title.
Cooper McCoy, Sumrall: McCoy pitched seven innings with seven strikeouts, three hits and no runs, to help Sumrall's 2-0 series sweep against Pontotoc to win the MHSAA 5A title.
Jon Grey Morrisson, West Union: Morrisson pitched a complete game with no earned runs and 10 strikeouts and had a home run with six RBIs to help West Union's 2-1 series win against Taylorsville to win the MHSAA 1A title.
Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X @MikeSChavez or Facebook at Michael Chavez.
The Arizona Cardinals have a contract dispute with quarterback Jacoby Brissett. He enters the final year of his two-year contract and is due to make $4.9 million in salary. When he signed the contract, it was believing he would be the backup quarterback to Kyler Murray.
He ended up starting 12 games in 2025 and is expected to be the Cardinals' starting quarterback in 2026. He wants a raise to pay him like a starter.
What are the other starting quarterbacks making in the NFC West? Let's have a look.
Stafford just agreed to a one-year, $55 million extension. He will make $40 million in salary in 2026 and has a $5 million guaranteed bonus that will be paid in March 2027.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Purdy will make nearly $47 million in 2026. He received a $37.75 million option bonus this year. His salary will be nearly $8.3 million and gets up to $850,000 in per-game roster bonuses and a $100,000 workout bonus.
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
Darnold will be paid $27.5 million in 2026. He received a $15 million roster bonus this year and will make $12.3 million in salary. He also gets a $200,000 roster bonus.
Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals
Based on the rest of the division, Brissett is underpaid. He will make $4.9 million in salary and can earn $510,000 in per-game roster bonuses.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
GETAFE, SPAIN - MAY 13: Jan Virgili of RCD Mallorca gestures during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Getafe CF and RCD Mallorca at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on May 13, 2026 in Getafe, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The former Barcelona player made 31 appearances for Mallorca this season in La Liga, scoring twice and grabbing four assists.
However, his future in once again in the spotlight after Mallorca’s relegation. According to Diario Sport, the team’s drop down the divisions means his release clause has reduced from €30m to just €12 million.
If you add in the fact that Barcelona also have 40% of a future sale and the right of first refusal, it means that Virgili could potentially be snapped up for just €7m.
The change in circumstances may well prove tempting for Barca as they seek to strengthen their squad. The Catalans are reportedly ready to spend big on a striker but are also thought to want a winger and a defender in time for the new campaign.
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ commendable playoff run ended in the worst possible way.
While many predicted the Cavaliers’ Eastern Conference Finals series vs. the New York Knicks would extend past four games, Jalen Brunson and company had other plans.
It also started with a memorable 22-point Game 1 comeback at Madison Square Garden and ended with a convincing sweep of a Cavaliers squad that appeared defeated after being on the wrong side of history to begin the series.
With Cleveland looking ahead to the offseason, several hypothetical moves will be floated by NBA analysts/insiders. One of those imaginary scenarios would greatly benefit the Boston Celtics, another organization eliminated from title contention, by landing them a 24-year-old Cavaliers All-Star center and Defensive Player of the Year.
“Would it make sense to consider swapping (Evan) Mobley for Jaylen Brown, for instance,” CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn wrote Tuesday. “If nothing else, it would solve Cleveland's long-festering wing problems while addressing all of the front-court losses Boston has sustained over the past year.”
“The Cavaliers are better equipped than most teams to trade a star big today. They can use (Jarrett) Allen as their only starting big if need be, though they'd have to invest in backups.”
Mobley caught significant flak for his lack of aggression to start the Cavaliers’ second-round series vs. the Detroit Pistons and responded accordingly.
The slender, smooth-moving 24-year-old center contributed 15.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, and 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Quinn’s trade concept would allow the Celtics to officially anoint Jayson Tatum as the franchise’s cornerstone while strengthening a painfully average frontcourt unit consisting of Neemias Queta, Nikola Vucevic, and Luka Garza.
It’s all speculation at this point, but Boston should keep the intriguing idea in the back of its mind.
Bank of Scotland has paid tribute to Scott McTominay after his Scotland overhead kick helped secure their return to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It was a moment that already felt bigger than one match. McTominay’s strike against Denmark became the image of a nation ending a wait that stretched back to 1998.
Now, that moment has been turned into something Scotland fans can actually hold, though only a select few will ever get one.
Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images
Bank of Scotland turns Scott McTominay’s Scotland overhead kick into a rare World Cup note
As reported by the BBC, Bank of Scotland have unveiled a special £20 note featuring an image inspired by McTominay’s goal against Denmark.
“A limited edition £20 note featuring an image inspired by Scott McTominay’s famous overhead kick has been unveiled by the Bank of Scotland.
“It has been created to celebrate Scotland’s return to the World Cup after the team qualified for the men’s international tournament for the first time since 1998,” the BBC reported.
“The design combines traditional banknote elements with imagery of McTominay’s goal for Scotland against Denmark,” the BBC added.
Just 100 notes have been printed, making the release more of a collector’s item than a standard commemorative issue.
Of those, 50 will be made available through auctions, a prize draw and pop-up vault events in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Scott McTominay gave Scotland a World Cup moment worthy of more than one replay
McTominay’s own words reflected the emotional weight behind the tribute.
“Reaching the biggest stage of world football is something every player dreams of, and I know it means everything to our fans,” McTominay said.
He added, “Moments like that belong to everyone who follows the team, so seeing my goal featured on a Scottish banknote feels incredibly special.”
The goal came early in Scotland’s 4-2 win over Denmark, a result that secured qualification for the men’s World Cup for the first time in 28 years.
The context made the strike even bigger. It was not just a highlight-reel finish; it became the moment that finally pushed Scotland back onto football’s biggest stage. Proceeds from the auctions and prize draw will support Crisis Scotland, adding a charitable purpose to the release.
Scotland will now face Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil in their World Cup group, and Bank of Scotland has made sure the image of the goal that helped get them there will last.
NASCAR silly season is fast approaching with plenty of buzz regarding potential changes that could be coming. While drivers finding new Cup Series teams is typically the focus, there reportedly could be a charter on the market.
In a live episode of Door, Bumper, Clear this past week, The Athletic‘s NASCAR reporter Jordan Bianchi said there is a charter up for sale in the Cup Series. There was also an implication that Haas Factory Team could be the one to sell its charter.
Earlier this month in a preview of NASCAR silly season, Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports said that Cole Custer’s future with Haas was uncertain. He’s been one of the worst-performing drivers in the Cup Series this year, sitting 35th in points after finishing 11 of 13 races outside the top 20.
While selling the charter would take Haas out of the Cup Series, it could position the organization for great success in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. A modern charter is worth tens of millions of dollars, which Haas could invest in strengthening its two-car team in the O’Reilly Series.
There will absolutely be a market for a full-time charter in 2027 if Haas, or another team, decides to make one available. That’s because RFK Racing’s lease for its third charter is expiring and going to Legacy Motor Club.
With RFK wanting to retain its three-man team of Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece, the best path forward is finding a third charter. Otherwise, one of the three would have to run in an open car next season.
Given that Preece and Buescher are both free agents, RFK needs that third charter to guarantee either driver receives a full payout in each points race next season. Without that, other teams could potentially swoop in and offer a higher payout in a chartered car.
However, Scheffler has proven consistently for four years now that he is on another level to McIlroy, according to Brandel Chamblee at least.
Brandel Chamblee says why Scottie Scheffler is better than Rory McIlroy
Chamblee explained in detail why Scheffler is ‘in another league’ to McIlroy when speaking on The Favorite Chamblee Podcast.
And the golf analyst made it very clear that this is not just his opinion either.
“It’s not an opinion. There’s 20 years of data for Rory, and there’s sneaking up on 10 for Scottie,“ Chamblee said.
“Look, Rory’s gonna go down as one of the greatest players of all time. So this speaks to how unbelievably talented Scottie is.
“The best, if you cherry-pick the very best year, from, you know, choose whatever you want. Whatever metric you want.
“Strokes gained total or scoring average. But if we go scoring average, the best year Rory’s ever had, in terms of scoring average, is 2022, he averaged 68.6 and change.
“Scottie, who’s not had nearly as many years on the Tour, last year, he averaged 68.1. So that is a half a shot better, a round.
“What Rory has never done is lead the PGA Tour in strokes gained approach. He has finished second once. That was the Tiger Woods back in 2012.
“But Scottie has led strokes gained approach for the last three years.
“Rory has never led the PGA Tour in greens in regulation. Never.
“Scottie, this is his third year to lead it. He’s leading it again this year.
“Scottie has won the low scoring average three years in a row. Rory never did that.
“So, you know, whatever metric you want to use, the best Rory has ever played over the course of a year, he’s not even close to what Scottie did last year.
“Now, Scottie’s off his game this year to a little extent. He’s playing the worst golf he’s played in four years, and he’s still the best player in the world. He’s still number one in scoring average. He’s still number one in strokes gained total.
“Paul made the point that Rory at his best is better than Scottie but the numbers do not back that up. The best Rory ever was probably at his best in 2019 from an all-round statistic viewpoint.
“Scottie is demonstrably better than Rory’s cherry-picked best year in almost 20 years.
Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images
“That’s not a knock on Rory. Good gracious, 68.6. You know who averaged lower than that before Scottie came along? Just Tiger.
“It was Tiger, then Rory, and then Scottie came along.
“There are other things that I think matter too.
“I mean, I know Scottie’s had four 54-hole leads in major championships. He’s converted them all. 100%.
“Now, that’s a small data sample size, but I mean, it’s still four! It’s not one, not two. I mean, four.
“You know, to put that in perspective, Norman had eight. Greg Norman had eight 54-hole leads in his career. Eight, and he won one time.
“Now, we know Tiger had 15 and won 14. Jack had 12 and won 10.
“So you start to look at a growing body of evidence. And how well they’ve played, with the most pressure on them.
“There are other things, they’re intangibles, to go with the tangibles, and all of those things put Scottie in another league.“
Golf fans react to Brandel Chamblee’s Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy claim
“Rory at his best can beat literally anybody on the planet,“ one golf fan exclaimed.
And many fans echoed a similar sentiment, with comments stating: “No. No one has a better ceiling than Rory. 100% Rory > 100% Scheffler,“ and, “No not at all Rory blew everyone away in 2 days last major if Rory has his best game he wins by 5.“
One golf fan went into detail explaining why Chamblee’s take is incorrect, saying: “People are getting it mixed up about Scottie’s stats, those are over an entire season not just one tournament. Rory has won multiple majors by 8+ shots, multiple PGA events by 7+ shots. On his day at his absolute best no one can stop him, not even Scottie. He isn’t as consistent as Scottie, but at his absolute best which is less often he beats Scottie.“
Meanwhile, another golf fan said: “It’s the other way round for me. Rory is unbeatable at his best, Scottie plays at or close to his best more often. Consistent brilliance Vs higher ceiling.“
And another took the no holds barred approach: “No. What a colossally moronic statement.“
Other fans stated, “If Rory plays his best golf he beats Scottie. Rory isn’t as consistent as Scottie, that’s the difference,“ and, “I think if Rory plays his best golf, Scottie can’t beat him. It would be great to see them play in the final pairing on Sunday with both playing their best!“
Another fan insisted Rory’s A game is the best, bar none: “Everybody knows that there isn’t a golfer on the planet that can live with Rory’s A+ game.“
And another echoed a similar sentiment, saying: “Rory’s A game is better than Scheffler… simple fact. BUT what made Scottie unbelievable is consistency!“
One golf fan labelled Chamblee’s statement as ‘ridiculous’: “No. That statement is quite ridiculous, to be honest. If all the top players are firing on all cylinders over the four days, it will come down to ultra-fine margins. A bit of luck at vital moments could make the difference.“
While another disagreed with the golf analyst’s take as well: “Disagree with Brandel. Rory is the one player who can challenge Scottie when both bring their A games.“
BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 23: Vincent Kompany, Head Coach of FC Bayern Munich, celebrates following the DFB Cup Final 2026 match between FC Bayern München and VfB Stuttgart at Olympiastadion on May 23, 2026 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images) | Getty Images
According to a report from Bild (as captured by @iMiaSanMia_GER), Vincent Kompany has marked July 20th as the return date for the squad to start preparations for the 2026/27 season:
Vincent Kompany has scheduled the training start for July 20. The non-internationals do receive individual training plans from the club to maintain their fitness, but during the World Cup, they can also do that in the sun and on vacation.
In addition, injured stars like Serge Gnabry will be on separate programs for the summer and will be required to show face at at Säbener Straße for progress reports:
Serge Gnabry (adductor tear in his right thigh) must also continue working on his comeback and will therefore be at Säbener Straße from time to time—for rehab training in the fitness room and for treatment with the physios.
It remains to be seen how much extra time World Cup participants get off. In 2018, many were excused from the summer tour. In 2022, there was an extended break for World Cup players as well. With the squad expected to have a heavy travel schedule in Asia (games in South Korea and Hong Kong), Kompany could opt for a similar plan for any internationals, who advance deep into the tourney.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 21: Spencer Strider #99 of the Atlanta Braves delivers during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on May 21, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Spencer Strider’s last outing for the Atlanta Braves was against the Miami Marlins on Thursday (5/21), making that his longest outing since coming off the IL this season. He pitched for 6.1 innings, allowed three runs on four hits and struck out nine batters.
So far, he’s been producing as someone getting back to the swing of things, gaining two wins across his four outings, and boasting a 3.00 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. He also, however, has a total of 12 batters walked in his return this month so far, so that will be something he’ll need to decrease against the Boston Red Sox, who might be struggling heavily on offense with an average of 3.7 runs per game, but can take advantage of drawing walks to secure their runs on the board.
The Ohio native is looking to continue his strong stint to kick the series off, but he’ll need the offense to follow suit and have a complete turnaround from their last series against the Washington Nationals.
Boston’s Ranger Suarez will be facing the Braves, currently holding a 2.40 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across his (2-2) nine games pitched.
If there’s a pitch that the Braves’ offense needs to look out for, it’s his 90.6 mph sinker. The lefty is dominant with it and takes up 30% of his arsenal. Against left-handed hitters, he touches the pitch almost 50% of the time, and it lands almost securely in the zone. He lowers it to around a 24% usage against righties.
The Braves’ offense will need to put on a show to blank the Sox early on and give Strider a quality game, but if they continue where they left off against the Nationals and Suarez gets the best of them, there might need to be a shakeup in the game plan for the remainder of the series.
To make space for Young, would the Mets option MJ Melendez, prospect Nick Morabito or backup infielder Vidal Bruján?
After outfielder Tyrone Taylor hobbled off the field with an apparent injury in the sixth inning on Monday afternoon at Citi Field, it doesn’t sound like the Mets will need to make that choice after all.
Taylor limped out of the box after grounding out to third base in the sixth inning of Monday’s 7-2 loss to the Reds. Once he was retired at first, Taylor turned right, stepping gingerly until he walked into the dugout, disappearing down the steps into the Mets’ clubhouse.
When the Mets took the field on defense for the top of the seventh inning a few moments later, Melendez had entered the game, taking Taylor’s spot in left field. Morabito slid over from left to right — Carson Benge started as the Mets’ designated hitter on Monday with Juan Soto still out of the lineup due to flu-like symptoms.
The over/under is listed at 7.5 total runs on FanDuel for Tuesday night’s game between the Mets and the Reds. Our comprehensive FanDuel Sportsbook review provides a guide on how to register and get started with their app.
The Mets announced later in Monday’s game that Taylor was pulled with right hip pain. After the final out, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza revealed that Taylor will undergo imaging on his hip on Tuesday and that he’ll likely land on the injured list.
This is the latest blow for a team that’s been dealing with plenty of injury adversity throughout this season. Regulars Francisco Lindor, Francisco Alvarez, Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. are all on the IL as well as reliever A.J. Minter and starter Kodai Senga. Minter, like Young, is expected to return from a lengthy stint on the injured list early this week, as early as Tuesday.
Rangers have announced the signing of Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland, who has completed a “dream” move to his boyhood club.
The Scotland international, 30, scored 88 goals in 171 appearances in his four years at Hearts and last season led their charge towards a first Scottish league title since 1960.
The striker has previously come close to signing for Rangers, including last summer when he was out of contract, and will join the Ibrox club before the World Cup.
He arrives on a two-year deal, with an option for an additional year, and for an undisclosed fee.
"I am delighted to be here and to have this opportunity,” Shankland told Rangers TV. “Rangers is my boyhood club, and it has always been a dream to play here, so I was really keen to get it done.
"A lot of hard graft has gone in to get to this point, and I'm just really happy.
“The club are in a position where they want to get back to winning silverware more regularly, and I want to be a big part of that, so that's what I have come here to do."
Rangers boss Danny Rohl said: "We are delighted to have Lawrence join Rangers. He is a player with proven quality, leadership and work ethic, and his goalscoring record in Scotland speaks for itself.
"He understands the demands and expectations that come with playing for Rangers, and we believe his character and experience will be a huge asset for the group. I wish him well at the World Cup this summer, and look forward to welcoming him back to Glasgow during pre-season."
A Hearts statement said: “Heart of Midlothian can confirm that Lawrence Shankland is leaving the club to join Rangers. The striker will make the move to Ibrox on undisclosed terms once the transfer window opens on June 15th.
“We thank Lawrence for all of his efforts during his four years in Gorgie.”
Jack Grealish could yet have a future at Manchester City after spending last season on loan at Everton -Credit:Visionhaus/Getty Images
Incoming Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca is reportedly keen to throw a lifeline to sidelined winger Jack Grealish. Maresca is widely anticipated to take over from departing boss Pep Guardiola at the Etihad this summer.
The Italian is planning to open discussions with Grealish regarding the possibility of resurrecting his City career. The England midfielder spent this past season on loan with Everton after being frozen out at the Etihad, having fallen out with Guardiola toward the end of last season and subsequently being dropped from the squad for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Grealish sought a fresh start and joined Everton in a bid to rediscover his best form, but his season was cut short in January when he suffered a stress fracture of his foot, ruling him out of this summer's World Cup.
Ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is expected to take charge at the Etihad this summer -Credit:Chelsea FC via Getty Images
But while his season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium was short, Grealish made a lasting impression under David Moyes, scoring twice and providing six assists in 22 appearances across all competitions - 19 of which he started.
The 30-year-old had concluded that he had no long-term future at City under Guardiola, and had been weighing up making his move to Everton permanent.
However, Guardiola's departure after a decade at the helm could prompt a surprising change of heart from Grealish, as per The Mirror.
It is understood that should Maresca take charge, the Italian believes Grealish can once again play a meaningful role in the club's future. Grealish, who cost City a British record £100 million ($139 million) when he arrived in 2021, will enter the final 12 months of his current contract next month.
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Everton are eager to secure his signature, but Maresca retains significant influence over Grealish's future. And unless instructed differently, Grealish will be anticipated to rejoin pre-season training at the Etihad in July, before the club's summer tour of the Far East.
Grealish has maintained strong friendships with the majority of the City squad, and shares a tight bond with Erling Haaland. He previously featured for City in the UEFA Champions League final three years ago when they captured the treble.
Playing time will be earned, Panthers coach Dave Canales explained.
A 2024 first-round draft choice, the first of general manager Dan Morgan's tenure, Legette has yet to develop into a consistent, downfield threat.
Lapses, like the one he experienced during a Week 2 mental meltdown last season against the Arizona Cardinals. Nearing the final minute of the first half, the Panthers secured a would-be first down and quarterback Bryce Young hurriedly called for a quick snap. Legette, meanwhile, strolled back to the line of scrimmage. When Legette finally lined up, officials overturned the catch attempt. The Panthers were forced to punt and the Cardinals' no-huddle offense scored to take a 20-3 lead.
As eventual rookie of the year, Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker surpassed Legette on the depth chart last season. NFL insiders continue to question whether Legette can hold onto a projected WR3 role.
Panthers' Xavier Legette facing important OTA workouts
The Panthers' wide receiver room could be getting crowded. With third-round draft pick Chris Brazzell II and free-agent John Metchie added to the 91-man offseason roster, Legette may have to fight for his snaps.
Brazzell stood out with his speed and athleticism during the rookie minicamp earlier this month. His third-round draft status was cemented by coach Dave Canales calling him one of his "favorite" players in last April's draft.
Metchie, whose 1,100 receiving yards at Alabama in 2021 helped Young win the Heisman Trophy, adds an interesting and familiar mix to the receiving room. Can Young help Metchie play up to his college potential in the NFL?
Legette collected 35 catches on 64 targets last season.
Canales continued backing Legette.
"I believe in Xavier," Canales said last season. "This is a guy that I truly believe (in) because of the way he's wired, the way that he works at it, the way he continues to train."
Julian Alvarez is reportedly refusing to extend his contract with Atletico Madrid.
Getty Images
FC Barcelona target Julian Alvarez has effectively opened the door to a potential exit this summer by refusing to extend his contract with Atletico Madrid according to MARCA and various other outlets in Spain.
Alvarez joined the Rojiblancos from Manchester City in 2024, and penned a contract until 2030 when switching between the Premier League to La Liga.
After an impressive breakout season, though, followed up by a worthy sophomore effort in 2025/2026, Alvarez has caught the eye of Spanish champions Barca and their recently-crowned English counterparts Arsenal.
Aware of this, Atleti are currently attempting to tie Alvarez down further past 2030. It wants to make him the highest paid player in the squad on $11.6 million (€10 million) a year, alongside veteran goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Until now, however, Alvarez hasn’t responded to that proposal which is being taken as a sign of his intentions.
According to MARCA, ex-Barca director of football Mateu Alemany, who now holds that function at the Metropolitano, is aware that the World Cup winner “aspires to a better project than the one he understands can be offered at Atletico”.
He may find it at Barca, who have won five out of the six Spanish trophies on offer last summer. It’s also worth nothing that it was Diego Simeone’s men which knocked the Catalans out of the Copa del Rey and Champions League this term, though, at the semifinal and quarterfinal stages respectively.
At Barca, however, Alvarez would be guaranteed to compete for top honors each season amid a feeling that Hansi Flick is only just getting started with a young squad boasting plenty of potential.
As Robert Lewandowski is set to leave the Spotify Camp Nou on June 30 when his contract expires, the number 9 shirt and role is vacant waiting to be filled.
A major sticking point is the transfer fee, though, which is where Arsenal would be able to see off Barca with ease.
Alvarez has been valued at more than $200 million but as relatively low as $150 million. Yet for a club still battling to return to the 1:1 rule under Financial Fair Play limits, both those sums are a lot of money for the Blaugrana, who might have to end up settling for Ferran Torres as their lead attacker.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Dana White marches in lockstep with President Donald Trump into a downtown Miami arena as the Kid Rock song “American Bad Ass” blares over the loudspeakers.
The longtime boss of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), dressed in his signature all-black attire, maintains a steely glare as Trump waves, shakes hands, and raises a fist, soaking in the adulation. Two American featherweights, Cub Swanson and Nate Landwehr, are kicking off the UFC 327 main card at the Kaseya Center on this mid-April Saturday night, and Trump snaps a photo with Swanson’s wife Kenda and their three children—an 8-year-old daughter, Royal, and 7-year-old twin sons, King and Saint—by the Octagon.
The Politics of a UFC Fight at the White House
Within minutes, Trump’s Vice President, JD Vance, will tell the world that after 21 hours of talks in Islamabad, officials had failed to reach a deal to end the war with Iran. But this will not alter Trump’s plans for the evening. A bona fide UFC buff, Trump settles into his cage-side seat next to White to view the fight on the bloodstained mat in front of them. Surrounded by, among others, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and several family members, Trump stares bluntly as Swanson and Landwehr go at it. Swanson’s children, to the President’s immediate left, do not. Royal buries her head in Kenda’s armpit. Saint, on the verge of tears, covers his mouth with his hands. King clasps his head, ready to shield his eyes if need be. “I mean, look at this sh-t,” White says to me. “Imagine being these little kids and seeing your dad do this.”
In these moments, the brutal nature of mixed martial arts (MMA)—a sport involving a ruthless combination of punching, kicking, and grappling—isn’t lost on White. He says one of his proudest achievements is that no one has died during a UFC competition. MMA was once considered so savage that at the turn of the century, unlike pornography and other controversial fare, it wasn’t even carried on pay-per-view in many places. Now, the UFC is so mainstream that CBS, a network that on Saturday nights once aired Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, is showing Swanson club Landwehr’s cranium with his right hand, knocking him out in the first round.
—Photograph by Ariel Fisher for TIME
The crowd erupts. The kids are all smiles. Trump congratulates the Swanson family. And the surreal nature of what White has built sets in. The UFC packs arenas around the world, and the most powerful person on the planet, right beside White, is its promoter in chief. “What a scene,” says White, 56. “There are some nights, I’ll get up at the end and go, ‘What the f-ck do I do for a living?’”
He’s about to experience another such evening. On June 14, Flag Day and Trump’s 80th birthday, the UFC is staging an event on the South Lawn of the White House, a spectacle that will also serve as the unofficial opening of a summerlong celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Dubbed UFC Freedom 250, the card features American Justin Gaethje taking on the UFC’s second-ranked pound-for-pound fighter, Ilia Topuria of Georgia, in the main event. It also serves as a career capstone for White, whose clout is only growing both inside and outside the Octagon. White not only leads a $1.5 billion operation, he also played a key role in Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, introducing him at the 2024 Republican National Convention and helping him reach young male voters. Whether or not you admire White’s unfiltered, profane leadership style, or his unapologetic embrace of the masculinity now synonymous with Trump’s brand, you can’t deny he’s at the peak of his powers.
UFC Freedom 250 could very well bring more fans into his tent, even as critics question whether this is the moment for it. “Thank god they are focused on the priorities of all Americans,” wrote California Governor Gavin Newsom on X after the White House touted the fight last September. Dissenters will shout louder as fight night inches closer, especially if the Iran war drags on and gas prices stay high. Plus, there are the optics: brawling at the home of the President risks coming across less as a tribute to America’s fighting spirit than as a harkening back to the Roman gladiators’ fighting to the death to entertain the emperor. A celebration of sanctioned violence in this milestone moment could, to some, symbolize American crass, not class.
President Trump and Dana White, right, enter the Kaseya Center in Miami for UFC 327.
Trump, however, has no such qualms. Why choose a UFC fight over all the other activities he could have hosted in his backyard to mark America’s birthday? “Well, No. 1, I like it,” he tells TIME, while sitting in a Kaseya Center backroom before the walkout. But also he has immense faith in White. “The job he’s done is second to none. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
In his quarter-century running the UFC, White has staged fights on five continents; several have drawn more than 50,000 attendees. But he’s never faced expectations quite like this. Beyond variables like extreme weather that are out of his control, the logistical and security challenges are acute—especially in the wake of the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in April. D.C. will be on high alert, all eyes trained on White, but true to form, the man who despises showing frailty projects only confidence. “I don’t sleep a lot, but it’s not because I’m worried about anything,” says White. “It’s because my life is so f-cking awesome.”
Trump and White have long had a mutually beneficial relationship. White moved to Las Vegas in 1995 because, in his telling, associates of notorious Boston mobster Whitey Bulger were attempting to extort him. He had lived in Sin City as a kid starting after fourth grade, when his single mother moved him and his sister there from New England, but had left to stay with relatives and finish high school in Maine because of his tumultuous relationship with his mom. After quitting his job as a Boston bellhop when he was around 19 and linking up with a local former Golden Gloves champion who taught him the boxing business, he returned.
He was working as a manager for a few fighters when he learned that the UFC, which was founded in 1993 with no weight classes and minimal rules, was on the verge of bankruptcy. He convinced an old high school classmate, Lorenzo Fertitta, and his older brother Frank, who had taken over their father’s casino operation, that the MMA organization could thrive in a world where boxing was in disarray. White persuaded them to buy the UFC for $2 million in early 2001, and they installed him as president.
Heavyweights Josh Hokit and Curtis Blaydes fight at the UFC 327 in Miami on April 11, 2026. Hokit was added to the White House card after his win.
White’s first fight in the role—UFC 30, in February 2001—was held at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, N.J. John McCain, the Republican Senator from Arizona, had famously labeled the UFC “human cockfighting,” so it wasn’t fashionable to take a chance on the organization. “That first night, I went home, I said, ‘This is the most unbelievable thing I’ve ever seen,’” says Trump. “The punishment. You know, it’s violent, but when I look at some of these other things, like the bare-knuckle stuff, it’s not that [violent].”
The UFC remained on shaky footing until 2005, when The Ultimate Fighter—a reality show featuring contenders battling for a spot on the circuit—became a hit on Spike TV. “It was our Trojan horse to get on television,” says White, whose show launched the year after The Apprentice. (White says he didn’t watch.) But it was a slow burn. “Dana and I would fly around to all these crazy just mom-and-pop sort of sponsorships,” says Craig Piligian, a former Survivor producer who helped White create the program. “I remember going to Vermont, going everywhere with him, and we just could not get $1.”
As the UFC grew, Trump sent White occasional notes of encouragement. UFC fighters like Chuck Liddell, Conor McGregor, and Ronda Rousey became household names. In 2016, WME-IMG, the talent-management and entertainment conglomerate run by Hollywood superagent Ari Emanuel, led a group that bought the UFC for $4 billion, further scaling White’s business. “All we needed Dana to do—and this is not a simple thing, this is the meat of it—is put on the best fights in the world and really know how to promote them and make the proper matchups,” says Emanuel. “And so that part we knew we had, as long as he remained with us. Then we could do everything else.” White, who by this time had a 9% stake in the UFC, made some $360 million in the deal.
That same year Trump asked White to talk at the Republican National Convention. “He’s a very good speaker, very inspirational-type speaker,” says Trump. “I know guys who are successful, they can’t speak.” White’s circle advised him to turn Trump down. “Everybody said, ‘Don’t do it. Don’t do it,’” says White. “It was about more than ‘You don’t want to get into politics.’ The bigger one was ‘He’s never gonna win.’ And I was like, ‘Well, whether he wins or not, the guy’s been a good friend to me.’”
When COVID hit, White continued to stage events in Las Vegas and Florida during the shutdown. In the summer of 2020, the UFC secured a facility in Abu Dhabi, named Fight Island, to host bouts in a bubble. No one got seriously ill there, and with the UFC practically the only league offering programming, even more fans flocked to the sport. “That’s the bedrock of who he is,” says Mark Shapiro, who was at the time president of Endeavor, the new name for WME-IMG. “You tell him he can’t do something, and the game is on.” Pedro Rodriguez, a 22-year-old fan from Miami, started following the UFC during this period. “Dana was the first one to go against the system,” he says. In February 2021, Endeavor bought a 100% stake in the UFC: it merged the UFC and WWE and took a new company, TKO Group Holdings, public in September 2023.
Inside the UFC headquarters in Las Vegas.
After the UFC announced it had signed a sponsorship deal with Bud Light that fall, critics on the right hammered White. At the time, many conservatives were rebelling against Bud Light for partnering with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney on a customized beer can. White appealed to Trump, making the case that Anheuser-Busch wasn’t some woke company, but in fact a staunch supporter of first responders, military families, and farmers. In a February 2024 Truth Social post, Trump parroted many of White’s talking points. “Anheuser-Busch is a Great American Brand that perhaps deserves a Second Chance?” Trump wrote. The blowback subsided. “I think I’d support him for anything,” says Trump now. “Smart guy, very smart guy, and he’s going to do the right thing.”
Going into the 2024 election, White helped broker appearances for Trump on shows popular with young men, connecting him with the Nelk Boys; Will Compton and Taylor Lewan of Bussin’ With the Boys; Adin Ross; Theo Von. “I had this philosophy that if he stayed on Fox News, he couldn’t win the election,” says White. How significant was White to the campaign? “Very important,” Trump says. “He introduced me to people I never heard of, young kids. I mean, I was being interviewed by 20-year-old kids. I’m saying, ‘Where the hell did you meet these people?’ They’re called influencers. But I did a lot. I became friendly with some of them. They’re nice kids, and they do have a big audience, and everything helps.”
Then White caught the big kahuna. For eight years, he had been asking Joe Rogan, who’s been calling UFC bouts since 2002, to have Trump guest on his wildly influential podcast. Finally, Rogan relented: Trump spent three hours with Rogan in October 2024, a conversation that now has more than 62 million views on YouTube. Rogan offered Kamala Harris a slot too. Harris later said she regretted passing.
While on a flight to Mar-a-Lago the day before the election, White says he was “blowing up” Rogan’s phone, trying to get him to publicly endorse Trump. “I was grinding on that thing right down to the last minute,” he says. That night, at a rally in Pittsburgh, Trump announced the news: Rogan had backed him. During his election-night victory celebration, Trump called White to the podium. “Dana! Dana! Dana!” Trump’s supporters yelled.
White has multiple weapons on display in his Las Vegas office
In August 2025, Paramount—which days before had closed its merger with Skydance, the media company founded by David Ellison—bought the UFC’s media rights for $7.7 billion over seven years. The deal effectively doubled the average annual price ESPN had been paying for UFC rights and eliminated the pay-per-view model from UFC fights. It also gave UFC fights entrée onto CBS, a Paramount subsidiary.
White doesn’t believe Ellison’s friendly relationship with Trump factored into the deal. According to analyst Peter Supino, who covers TKO for Wolfe Research, Paramount’s offer beat Wall Street expectations by some 20%. UFC revenues reached $401 million during the first quarter of 2026—a 12% increase over the same period last year. Over the past 30-plus months, TKO shares are up more than 85%.
The decor in White’s spacious office at UFC headquarters in Las Vegas is, well, striking. There’s an X-rated Japanese photograph, and samurai swords from the 1600s rest on a coffee table. There’s an encased AK-47 and a grenade in another area; in the magazine of the assault rifle, which is wrapped in $1 bills, are items humans kill for, such as cocaine, diamonds, and gold. Across the room are two pistols. One barrel is cloaked in a red bible cover, the other in a black one. “Those two books have killed more people than any handgun ever made,” says White. “I am very antireligion.”
Cigars, guitars, sports memorabilia: they’re all there. “I am unapologetically masculine,” White says. Men, in White’s mind, never split the bill when out to dinner with a woman. Men don’t shirk family responsibilities. And they never, ever, vocalize their mental-health struggles. “Talking about it publicly, I just feel like it opens the door to make young men think that it’s OK to just f-cking go, ‘Oh, I’m having mental [health issues],’” White says in a mock whiny voice. “Handle it behind closed doors. Don’t show that weakness to anybody.”
And don’t call any of this talk toxic. “What is toxic masculinity?” says White. “Who has it? Who’s too masculine?” I suggest that when this attitude begets unjustified violence, you can call it toxic, no? “Then you’re a douchebag,” says White. “There’s a difference between being a douchebag and being masculine.”
(On New Year’s Eve 2022, White and his wife Anne were caught on video slapping each other during an altercation. Both expressed contrition about the incident. “It’s just one of those things where you have to look at yourself and blame nobody but you,” says White. “How the f-ck did that happen? And how do we make sure that never happens again?”)
If White’s worldview has spread during Trump’s second term—in March 2025, the New York Times wrote that White “has helped define a new, masculinist American mainstream”—and if the White House fight signals its crescendo, that’s fine by him. “There’s nothing I hate worse than men that don’t act like men,” says White. “So if that puts me in the manosphere, then I guess I’m in.”
Last year, even some conservative pundits felt White waded too deep into this space. White warmly greeted the controversial Tate brothers, Andrew and Tristan, at an event in Las Vegas for Power Slap—another combat-sports offering, founded by White in 2022, involving one person striking their defenseless opponent with all their might. The Tates, online influencers who are facing human-trafficking charges in Romania and rape and human-trafficking charges in the U.K., are known for promoting misogynistic views. (They’ve denied all allegations against them.) White swears he disagrees with their most noxious statements. But he doesn’t regret the exchange. “I have no beef with those guys,” says White. “They showed up to a fight. I said hi. It’s not like I have any type of relationship [with them].” The brothers also attended UFC 327, as well as UFC 328 in Newark, N.J., in May, though White says he did not interact with them at either event.
White says staging a fight at the White House is patriotic, not political
White also has ties to the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) movement, whose collection of “biohacking bros” promoting alternative remedies, antiaging methods, and vaccine skepticism often intersects with the manosphere. “Love him,” White says of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “I feel he’s on the right side of things.” White turned his back on conventional medicine coming out of the COVID pandemic, and in 2022 he began working with Gary Brecka, a popular wellness influencer. Brecka, who is not a doctor, put White on a regimen of supplements, cold plunges, IV drips, and red-light therapy that has left him feeling leaner, more energized, and no longer suffering from sleep apnea. “This is what changed my life,” says White. “Go strap that CPAP machine on your fat face and good luck. I wish you all the best.”
If his language sounds uncouth, it has hardly hindered his ascent. In January 2025 he was elected to Meta’s board, where he is a strong advocate for free speech. That same month Meta founder, CEO, and chairman Mark Zuckerberg praised “masculine energy” on Rogan’s podcast, saying that “having a culture that, like, celebrates the aggression a bit more has its own merits that are really positive.” White admires Zuckerberg’s smarts, competitive instincts, and ability to run a full day of meetings on time. He puts Zuckerberg in the same category of alpha role models as Trump, Carl Icahn, and Michael Jordan. “What I didn’t realize about Mark until I got on the board,” White says, “is Zuckerberg might be one of the biggest killers in the history of killers.” (Meta did not comment for this story.)
At the Kaseya Center the evening before UFC 327, White expressed concern that his team’s plan to pin down the President the next day to show him logistical plans for the White House event would be a fool’s errand. “He doesn’t have the patience or the attention span to do this here,” says White. “I can’t see this happening.” But on fight night, the President does listen to White and two UFC officials in the backroom, as they show him slides on a laptop. Though a pair of TVs, one airing Fox News, the other one the evening’s preliminary bouts—featuring American welterweight Kevin Holland—do occasionally distract him. “Now if I wanted to heavy train, because I’m a very good athlete, could I beat the sh-t out of him?” Trump asks White, to laughter in the room. “Or would you stop me from trying?”
“I would stop you, sir,” White replies.
The UFC group details the seating arrangements for Trump’s Marine Band, the media, and the military personnel. At least 1,200 of the approximately 4,300 seats will go to active military members. The White House, TKO, and the UFC will divvy up the rest: White has invited Adam Sandler, Guy Ritchie, Tom Brady, Jared Leto, Jason Statham, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Mario Lopez.
“How many are you going to have at the Ellipse?” the President asks. The park across from the White House is hosting a viewing party for the fights and a fan fest, highlighted by a performance by the Zac Brown Band, the night before. White tells Trump the Ellipse can hold up to 85,000 people. Tickets to all the events are free but require registration; guests who attend the South Lawn fight will also need to show ID.
“Voter ID,” Trump quips. “Can you believe, no voter ID? Yet these guys, these dopey guys, if you want to get in to see Democrats, you need 15 forms of ID. It’s just, they want to cheat.”
Donald Trump at the Kaseya Center in Miami for UFC 327.
White swore off politics after the 2024 presidential campaign. But, I ask him, isn’t bringing your business to the White House an inherently political act? “You can make anything political if you want to,” says White. “I love this country like anybody on the left loves this country. I love this country like anybody on the right loves this country. This is basically me spending a sh-tload of money to celebrate the 250th birthday of America, with America and the rest of the world.”
Trump planted the seeds for UFC 250, leaning over to White at the 2024 Madison Square Garden fight 11 days after his re-election and suggesting a White House card. In February 2025, calls between the Administration and the UFC officially commenced. UFC staffers have made more than a dozen planning visits to D.C. in the past three months; the organization is installing temporary seats on the South Lawn and will have to foot the bill for damaged grass. The UFC will bring in an 87-ft. canopy to light the Octagon, more than double the height of a typical UFC grid. White insisted on the extra room to ensure that nothing obstructs the White House TV shot.
White says the UFC will lose approximately $30 million on the event. “This is the greatest earned marketing tool of all time,” says Shapiro, now president and COO of TKO. “It’s a once-in-a-generation moment. The kind of attention, awareness, and sampling we’re going to get from audiences around the world, on that day alone, will be more than we could get in an entire year.”
It’s still a gamble. While the canopy should protect the fighters and many spectators from rain, lightning within eight miles of the South Lawn requires a 30-minute evacuation. Persistent strikes could wipe out the event. The UFC will rely on a pair of weather services, one run by the military, for forecasts beginning 10 days before the fight. Starting a week in advance, they’ll receive hourly updates.
Strange as it may sound, White talks about insects several times in our conversations. The UFC has had only one outdoor fight in its history, in Abu Dhabi in 2010, and it was humid and apparently buggy. “Imagine fighting and you got bugs flying in your mouth or in your nose,” says White. But at least one fighter seems unfazed. “There could be a snake in the middle of that cage. I won’t even see it,” says Gaethje. “Whatever bug bites me will bite him.”
The fight will feature other quirks, including, surprisingly enough, the national anthem. Out of respect to the international composition of the UFC’s fighters and its host countries—bouts have already been held in England, Australia, and Mexico this year, and cards in Macao, Azerbaijan, and Serbia are on the 2026 schedule—White doesn’t play “The Star-Spangled Banner,” or any country’s anthem, at UFC bouts. An exception will be made at the White House.
Dana White goes through plans for UFC Freedom 250 at UFC headquarters
Fighters will warm up in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and shower back at their hotels. The main-event competitors are set to walk out from the Oval Office. And while most fans will not enjoy access to West Wing restrooms, White is promising high-class temporary facilities for the 4,000-plus spectators. “We’re bringing in real bathrooms,” he says.
When the White House fight lineup was released in March, some UFC fans complained that the card lacked real star power. Where was McGregor? (He’s wasn’t ready for the D.C. card and will fight at UFC 329 on July 11.) What about Jon “Bones” Jones? “I have to build a card of people that I’m confident in and I believe will show up to the fight,” says White. “And Jon Jones is the least dependable guy that you could ever know.” (Jones has pulled out of several scheduled bouts over the years; he has said he was “lowballed” in White House fight negotiations.) Analysts cite a dearth of superstar fighters as an ongoing business concern. White stands by the lineup, arguing the emerging athletes at the White House could break out. He did make one change at Trump’s suggestion, however. In Miami, Trump wondered why American heavyweight Derrick Lewis, a fan favorite, wasn’t on the card. White immediately added Lewis and matched him with fellow American Josh Hokit. While Hokit’s heel act can wear thin, his thrilling victory at UFC 327 won the respect of hardcore fans.
No women are fighting at the White House. White says he wanted to set a title bout between Zhang Weili of China and Mackenzie Dern, the American-Brazilian fighter. A Chinese athlete would increase the international audience of the card, which also includes fighters from Brazil, France, and Canada. But according to White, Zhang is taking time off from fighting. “We did try to make a women’s fight,” says White. “We couldn’t get it done.” (A representative for Zhang did not respond to requests for comment.)
Even staunch UFC supporters have wondered if the White House hype is worth it. Rogan, who will be in D.C. calling the fight, referred to it as a “gimmick” on his podcast. “At first I thought, ‘That’s not nice,’” says Trump. “And then I realized, it is a gimmick. Life is a gimmick, if you think about it, right? But it’s a good gimmick. It’s something that will never happen again. Nobody will ever have the privilege of doing something like this in front of the White House. It’s going to be very unique. It’s going to be amazing. I think it’s great for America, frankly.”
More than four hours later, past 12:30 a.m., Trump has left the premises, and White has concluded his post-card press conference. As White works his way through the bowels of the arena, UFC Freedom 250, still more than two months away, is front of mind. “Now we go in and start building all the bells and whistles,” he says. “We’ve got to get it all dialed in, and then we have to execute that night. We’re putting on the most historic sporting event in history, and now we have to deliver. We will absolutely, positively deliver.” —With reporting by Simmone Shah
Sergio Perez took a massive gamble joining Cadillac for the 2026 Formula 1 season. He hoped to lead the brand-new American project to the front of the grid. Instead, he has spent the year fighting at the very back of the pack in a completely uncompetitive car.
Now, it looks like he has finally had enough. New reports suggest the Mexican veteran might leave the team entirely.
Perez’s Escape Plan
According to F1 insider Kym Illman via Paddock Access, Perez is actively drawing attention from the rest of the paddock. Several rival teams on the grid have already expressed serious interest in signing him away from Cadillac.
The American garage is desperately trying to hold onto him. Reports confirm that Cadillac really wants to keep Perez in their seat.
But team bosses know it will be incredibly difficult to convince him to stay because the car is simply too slow. Sitting at the back of the grid every Sunday is clearly taking a toll on his patience, and the lack of competitiveness is pushing him toward the exit door.
Talent and Deep Pockets
Why is a driver from a backmarker team suddenly in such high demand? It comes down to a perfect mix of pure skill and hard cash.
First, the paddock recognizes that Perez is still performing at a very high level. He has demonstrated to the other teams that his poor race results are a direct product of the heavy, slow Cadillac machinery, not his actual driving ability.
Second, Formula 1 is a business. Perez still carries massive financial backing from his personal sponsors. That huge influx of sponsor money remains highly attractive to rival teams looking to boost their development budgets.
Right now, Cadillac is in serious trouble. They have a brilliant driver, but they cannot give him a fast car. If they don’t find some speed soon, Perez and his sponsor money will easily find a new home on the grid.
Adam Schefter is a lifelong Knicks fans and, like many of his brethren, is thrilled that his team is into the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years.
Schefter had some fun Monday night by posting a meme mocking the Cavaliers during their 130-93 loss to the visiting Knicks.
The meme showed a make-believe Cleveland banner that read, “2026 NBA Playoffs - Taylor Swift came to one of our games.”
Swift and her fiance Travis Kelce attended Game 3 of the series, won by the Knicks 121-108.
That’s about all the Cavaliers and their fans had to celebrate during this series.
After coming back from an 0-2 deficit to defeat the top-seeded Detroit Pistons, the Cavaliers seized a 22-point lead on the Knicks in Game 1 before falling apart and losing that game.
That loss seemed to break their backs and they lost the next three games.
Former NBA standout Eddie Johnson suggested Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson should be fired, but Atkinson said he’s confident going forward.
“Listen, I have confidence — confidence in myself, first of all, confidence in the group. The roster talk, that’s for down the line,” Atkinson told reporters. “Our front office has done a phenomenal job giving us a great roster. Obviously, there’ll be decisions to be made like every summer, but I think we’re doing pretty well with those decisions since I’ve been here. So, just keep trusting, trusting our process, trusting our collaboration.”
The Knicks, meantime, have nine days off before facing either the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals beginning June 3.
The Knicks are listed at +225 on BetMGM to win the NBA Finals. Our complete BetMGM Sportsbook review provides a useful guide on how to navigate their app.
“I always said the regular season stuff is useless,” Charles Barkley said on ESPN’s “Inside the NBA.” “This is not the regular season New York Knicks right now. This team, they on fire right now. They’re playing with tremendous confidence. Whoever they play in the finals, gonna have their hands full.”
Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland says he is fulfilling his "dream" of joining "boyhood club" Rangers after completing his transfer from Scottish Premiership rivals Heart of Midlothian for what both clubs say are "undisclosed terms".
The 30-year-old, who has agreed a two-year deal at Ibrox with the option of a further 12 months, scored 88 goals in 171 appearances across four campaigns at Tynecastle.
And he captained the Edinburgh side to second place this season, missing out on the title to Celtic on the final day, with Rangers in third, eight points behind Hearts.
Shankland will miss out on Champions League qualifiers with Hearts but told Rangers TV: "Rangers is my boyhood club and it has always been a dream to play here, so I was really keen to get it done.
"The club are in a position where they want to get back to winning silverware more regularly and I want to be a big part of that, so that's what I have come here to do."
Shankland was out of contract at Hearts last summer - and was linked with a move to Ibrox then - before signing a three-year deal in late June.
The former Queen's Park, Aberdeen, Ayr United, Dundee United and Beerschot forward went on to hit 20 goals in 34 games in all competitions, including four against Rangers, as Derek McInnes' side chased a first title since 1960.
Rangers head coach Danny Rohl said: "He is a player with proven quality, leadership and work ethic - and his goalscoring record in Scotland speaks for itself.
"He understands the demands and expectations that come with playing for Rangers and we believe his character and experience will be a huge asset for the group."
Immediately after completing his transfer, Shankland, who has scored four times in 18 Scotland outings, will join Steve Clarke's squad for the World Cup.
"I wish him well at the World Cup this summer and look forward to welcoming him back to Glasgow during pre-season," Rohl added.
What are Rangers getting?
[BBC]
On the face of it, Rangers have acquired the most prolific scorer in recent Premiership history.
Since the beginning of the 2022-23 season, Shankland has scored 72 times - 21 more than former Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi and 27 more than outgoing Rangers captain James Tavernier.
Given he has been an ever-present during that time compared to some of his rivals, that is perhaps to be expected.
This season, though, Shankland has been the Premiership's second top scorer with 16 goals, one behind Tawande Maswanhise and level with Benjamin Nygren but having played nine fewer games than the Celtic midfielder and six less than the Motherwell striker.
However, it is only one more than Rangers' Youssef Chermiti, who played just one extra game and contributed five assists to Shankland's three in his first season at Ibrox.
Excluding penalties, Shankland's 13 goals are two fewer than Chermiti's and he is fourth behind Nygren, Celtic's Daizen Maeda and the young Rangers striker for goals and assists combined.
Meanwhile, he was sixth for expected goals, with Chermiti in fourth - and, when penalties are excluded, Shankland falls to seventh, with Chermiti up to third behind Maeda and Hearts' Claudio Braga.
However, the Scot's expertise from the penalty spot should be a bonus given the exiting Tavernier has been prolific in that respect, as well as being a candidate to replace the Englishman as captain.
Analysis: Sour taste and big hole to fill for Hearts
To say it's been a tough few weeks for Hearts fans is a little bit of an understatement.
Losing out on the final day at Celtic Park certainly took its toll, but the news that captain and top goalscorer Shankland is leaving for Rangers is a hammer blow after what - by and large - was a season to remember.
Four years ago, Shankland was part of the Beerschot team that had just been relegated to the second tier of Belgian football. He scored five goals in 26 appearances there before Hearts gave him a lifeline back into Scottish football.
Since arriving in Gorgie, the 30-year-old has scored more than 90 goals and has found his way into the Scotland squad for the World Cup, scoring in the decisive win over Denmark.
So there is no doubt Hearts have been good for Shankland and, similarly, he has been excellent for the club.
The manner of his departure will leave a sour taste, however. When he signed a three-year deal last summer, there was no indication of a clause that allowed him to join one of Hearts' biggest rivals for free.
Questions will be asked - and rightly so - about how and why that was agreed.
Players come and players go and, when Shankland returns to Tynecastle, it will be interesting to both see and hear the reaction from the same support who sang his name so loudly and proudly week after week.
The hole he leaves in the Tynecastle dressing room is huge. Indeed, when you add the potential departures of Cammy Devlin, Frankie Kent and Craig Gordon - alongside the loss of Craig Halkett in a playing capacity through injury for much of this year - a lot of stature and leadership will be absent.
It's now up to everyone involved in recruitment at Hearts to ensure there are replacements ready.
Champions League qualifiers will come quickly in July. It may be a time for rest, but for those behind the scenes at Hearts, it's likely to be a very busy summer.
Top bantamweight contenders Yadong Song and Deiveson Figueiredo will collide atop the UFC Macau event this weekend at Galaxy Arena in Macau, China, and the promotion brought them face-to-face a few days early to hype up their five-round showdown on the Paramount+ digital network.
Yan defeated Song at UFC 299 followed by Figueiredo at UFC Macau in 2024.
“He’s a very good fighter with a lot of experience, a former champion,” Song told Times of India. “But I know what he’s going to do. Whether it’s grappling or striking, I’m totally prepared for everything he brings. I know he’s going to try to take me down. But I’m a black belt too. I can handle it. I believe my jiu-jitsu is better than his. It’s going to be hard for him to take me down. I really focused on my offense, especially my kicking. I’ve been training Muay Thai for many years. I want to use my kicks more in this fight.”
“It’s been eight years since I last fought in China,” Song added. “I’m so excited about this fight. Fighting in front of a Chinese crowd again is going to be something special. It’s a great feeling. It’s going to be a really great feeling. For me, I don’t feel any pressure. I’ve already headlined main events before, so I just treat this like any other fight, stay calm, stay focused. I’m good.”
For the rest of the UFC Macau fight card and Paramount+ lineup click here.
—On3 ranks the 100 most impactful college football players for the 2026 season and includes three Cardinals: Isaac Brown (29), Clev Lubin (41) and Antonio Watts (67).
—The NBA Draft withdrawal deadline is Wednesday at midnight. I wrote about the 10 biggest remaining stay or go decisions here.
—The Louisville men’s golf team is headed to the NCAA Championships for just the sixth time in program history following a program-best second place finish at the Athens Regional.
—There had been chatter that this game was going to be played on Saturday, Dec. 26 or Sunday, Dec. 27. With that not being the case, I wonder if Kentucky is planning on bringing the Louisville game back to its traditional spot in the week between Christmas and New Years.
—Malachi Moreno has pulled out of the NBA Draft and will be returning to Kentucky for next season, saving the Wildcats from having basically no frontcourt in 2026-27.
—You heard it here first like 10 years ago, Ja’Hyde Brown has the potential to be special at U of L.
— C.Vaughn@Aspirations (@Aspirationsgym) May 24, 2026
—Wake Forest saw their revenue share from the ACC drop in 2024-25 for the second straight fiscal year. Here’s an interesting look at how they’re trying to address it.
—For the third straight year, it’ll be Trinity and St. X squaring off for the 7th Region baseball crown. Bullitt Central and Bullitt East will play for the 6th Region title. Both games will be played on Wednesday at Jim Patterson Stadium.
—247 Sports ranks Louisville football’s 2026 transfer portal class as the 13th-best in the country.
—ESPN lists Louisville as one of the 10 teams most likely to make the College Football Playoff for the first time.
5. Louisville: Louisville is trending up under coach Jeff Brohm, who returns for his fourth season at his alma mater. A season opener against Ole Miss is a chance to impress the selection committee with a win against a 2025 CFP team, and a Sept. 19 win against SMU could be against an eventual CFP top-25 team.
The same feature names Lincoln Kienholz as a “Heisman Darkhorse.”
—The NCAA opened an investigation of the Ole Miss football program the same day that Dabo Swinney accused Pete Golding of tampering with linebacker Luke Ferrelli. Louisville faces the Rebels in Nashville to open the 2026 season.
—Not having Louisville in the field sucks, but happy to see Cardinal alum and Louisville native Skylar Meade get into the field with his Troy Trojans squad.
—I am excited about Ferlandes Wright.
One of 502’s own is doing his thing 🔥
Louisville commit Ferlandas “Hof” Wright put up 14 points, 8 rebounds & 3 blocks tonight vs Drive Nation at the Nike EYBL in Memphis.
The 6’7 forward is repping the city on the biggest stage and he’s only getting started. pic.twitter.com/dytgkjjU4s
—The CJ’s Brooks Holton looks at the biggest questions facing Pat Kelsey as Louisville prepares to enter the summer workouts portion of the offseason calendar.
—NIL spending was supposed to slow down. Instead, college basketball keeps getting more expensive. Why? Brian Rauf attempts to explain.
The market just keeps quietly resetting upward.
Who is to say that, in 2030, we won’t look back on where we are now and say we were foolish for thinking we were at the peak of spending?
There is real evidence to back up that notion, too.
In 2025-26, the first year of its new media deal, the NBA is generating roughly $6.9 billion a year from its television and streaming partners. College basketball’s most valuable asset, the NCAA Tournament, currently brings in a little more than $1 billion annually through its deal. The rest of the NCAA’s championship inventory, the women’s tournament included, sits in a separate ESPN agreement worth around $115 million a year. Add it all together and the comparison is not particularly close. The NBA is pulling in something like six times what college basketball’s signature event generates.
That kind of gap would make sense if the audiences were just as lopsided. They are not.
The NBA averaged about 1.78 million viewers a game this season, its best mark in seven years, and there is no reason to undersell that. But college basketball’s best inventory does not trail those numbers — it beats them.
Duke’s win over Arkansas on Thanksgiving drew 6.8 million viewers, and Michigan State and North Carolina pulled 6.5 million on the same afternoon. The NBA had strong regular-season windows of its own, but its high-end nights generally topped out closer to three million. And then there is March, where the comparison stops being a comparison at all. The 2026 NCAA Tournament averaged 10.9 million viewers across three weeks, and the Michigan-UConn title game reached 18.3 million. The NBA’s regular season simply does not have anything that climbs that high, and the postseason fails to match up, either. Game 1 between the Thunder and Spurs was the most-watched Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals ever, and it brought in 9.2 million viewers.
College basketball is in a genuinely unusual spot because of this. It is a sport whose best games match or beat the NBA’s best games, and whose postseason operates on an entirely different tier, yet its national television revenue still comes in at a fraction of what the NBA commands.
That is not the profile of a sport that has run out of financial room, but rather the profile of a sport that has been underpaid relative to what it actually draws.
—Now on the verge of a playoff spot, the Louisville Kings are suddenly the hottest team in the UFL. All it took was getting rid of the Kentucky guys.
—Fran McCaffery seems to be just as much of an ass off the court as he appears to be on it. Who could have guessed?
—I don’t think any of us knew that Sam was going through this, and it explains a lot about why his game looked so different in college than it did when he was coming out of high school. I’m hopeful he is able to continue his professional career after this year, but even more hopeful that he can find some effective relief for his condition.
For the last 6+ months, I planned on medically retiring at the end of this season. For those who don’t know, I’ve been dealing with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome for the last 6-7 years, something that I haven’t been public about. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/vrSqhVsWWh
—What were the top 10 Louisville athletics moments of the 2025-26 season? Brooks Holton weighs in with an obvious (I think, at least) choice at No. 1.
—Louisville is a finalist to land the services of Trinity safety Elijah Burns-Crump.
—And finally, we’re coming down the stretch in the Let’s Dance Louisville fundraising campaign. I am in fifth place out of 12 dancers and probably need about 8K in donations to have any shot at winning this thing (I am not banking on dominating the dancing). Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Donate here.
Good on Anthony Edwards and @adidasHoops. Releasing a new Believe That 1 sneaker that retails for $100, designed to be more affordable for kids and families on a budget. pic.twitter.com/ccwCd6aYDq
A former Philadelphia Phillies swingman has signed a contract to play professional baseball in Mexico.
The 33-year-old spent parts of the first five seasons of his career with the Detroit Tigers and led the Majors with 17 losses in 2019.
"Former Tigers pitcher Spencer Turnbull has signed with Cerveceros de Tecate in the Liga Norte de México, a regional professional circuit in northwestern Mexico," reports Evan Woodbery of MLive.com.
"He struck out five over 2 1/3 innings in his debut over the weekend, according to social media accounts."
The Liga Norte de México is not to be confused with Mexico's primary summer league, the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol.
Turnbull signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Phillies ahead of the 2024 season. He performed well, striking out 58 batters in 54.1 innings while posting a 2.65 ERA.
In 2021, Turnbull threw a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners. He missed the entire 2022 season due to Tommy John Surgery.
Now, he takes his talents to Mexico. Turnbull made three Major League appearances with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2025, and he also enjoyed minor league stints with the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals.
The pressure is rising in Montreal as the Canadiens battle to keep their Stanley Cup dreams alive. After a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 at the Bell Centre, the Canadiens now trail the Eastern Conference Final 2-1.
But even with the postseason still raging, major offseason speculation is already heating up, and one NHL insider has now linked Montreal to a blockbuster move for a $50.75 million star described as a “left-handed Nick Suzuki.”
Montreal Canadiens Linked to $50.75M Trade Target
The player at the center of the speculation is Nico Hischier, the New Jersey Devils captain who has one year remaining on a seven-year, $50.75 million contract and becomes extension-eligible on July 1. Hischier owns a modified no-trade clause that allows him to block trades to 10 teams.
Trade chatter around Hischier has started growing due to several factors, including New Jersey’s front office changes, future contract decisions, and pressure to maximize the current competitive window.
NHL insider Pierre LeBrun believes Montreal would make perfect sense if Hischier ever became available.
“Would there be a better fit than the Montreal Canadiens? Hischier is basically the left-handed Nick Suzuki. Imagine those two guys 1-2 down the middle. It’s the exact hole in the Canadiens’ lineup that needs addressing. There’s no doubt that Montreal would be among the interested parties if and when Hischier became available,” LeBrun reported.
In Pierre LeBrun’s view, pairing Nico Hischier with Nick Suzuki down the middle would solve the Montreal Canadiens’ biggest long-term need at center.
Hischier is coming off another excellent season, finishing with 28 goals and 66 points in 81 games while further cementing himself as one of the NHL’s elite two-way centers.
Still, landing a player of his caliber would almost certainly require a huge trade package. Fortunately for Montreal, they are one of the few teams with both the cap flexibility and deep prospect pool needed to realistically pursue a blockbuster move like this.
With Patrik Laine’s $8.7 million cap hit coming off the books this summer, the Montreal Canadiens will have plenty of financial flexibility to explore major moves. Possible trade pieces could include Kirby Dach, rising young forward Oliver Kapanen, or defensemen Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble.
At the same time, the strong emergence of Jakub Dobeš and the rapid rise of prospect Jacob Fowler could make goaltender Samuel Montembeault a legitimate trade option as well.
Montreal’s impressive playoff run has also strengthened the belief that this young core may already be ahead of schedule. There are similarities to previous young contenders like the 2008 Pittsburgh Penguins, 2009 Chicago Blackhawks, 2015 Tampa Bay Lightning, and 2023 Florida Panthers, teams that broke through early before eventually becoming Stanley Cup champions.
Now, much of the focus shifts toward what general manager Kent Hughes does this summer to strengthen the roster even further.
Whether New Jersey seriously considers moving Hischier remains uncertain, but if he ever hits the trade market, Montreal is expected to be one of the teams watching very closely.
District track and field finals commenced this past week, with extra divisions offering more opportunities.
Here is a look at the qualifiers from each division around the Muskingum Valley.
The four placers in each event advanced to regional at Troy (Division II), Muskingum University (Division III), Austintown Fitch (Division IV) and Chillicothe Southeastern (Division V).
Division II at Marietta College
New Philadelphia won the team event with 119 points, followed by Steubenville (79), Vincent Warren (76), Logan (73) and Athens (45); Washington Court House Miami Trace won the girls meet (151), while Logan (121) was second, New Philadelphia (74) third, Steubenville (69) fourth and Tri-Valley (68) fifth).
Boys
Zanesville’s Cam Willett was disqualified in the 110 high hurdles, his best event, but rallied to place second in the 300 hurdles with a time of :39.12, his personal best.
Sheridan’s Creed Hill was champ in the shot put with a throw of 54-2 — the second straight week he eclipsed the 54-foot mark.
Tri-Valley’s Lucca Gargasz was champion in the high jump at 6-5; Hayden Stevens was runner up in the pole vault at 13-0 and Colten Rollison was champ in the long jump at 21-9.
Girls
Tri-Valley’s Lydia Ripple was champ in the 100 at :12.49 and in the 200 at :25.73
Tri-Valley’s Camryn Cunningham was second in the 400 at 1:00.25.
Tri-Valley’s Erin Hogue was runner up in the 800 (2:20.23) and Sheridan’s Sheridan Glanemann was third (2:24.40) and Adriana Pack was (2:24.88)
Tri-Valley’s Erin Hogue was champ in the 1600 with the time of 5:11.12
Sheridan’s Brenna Moorehead was runner up in the 300 hurdles at :47.63
Sheridan’s 4x200 relay team of Tegan Knight, Alexis Clouse, Eleanor Shegog and Brenna Moorehead was fourth with a time of 1:51.38
Sheridan’s 4x400 team of Pack, Ivy Daly, Kyndal Price and Moorehead was second with a time of 4:10.60
Sheridan’s 4x800 team of Sheridan Glanemann, Kyndal Price, Eva Jones, and Pack was second with a time of 10:09.34
Tri-Valley’s Emma Smith was fourth in the shot put at 35-7
Sheridan’s Isabelal King was third in the discus is 113-11
Sheridan’s Emily Jones was fourth in the pole vault at 8-4
Division III at St. Clairsville
John Glenn was runner-up in Division A with 73 and Zanesville was third (60) behind champion Cambridge (77); River View was runner-up (106) in Boys Division B and Morgan was fourth (82 1/2). St. Clairsville won boys Division A and Meadowbrook was second.
Boys
River View’s Parker Andrews was district champ in the 100 with a time of :11.06. Joining him at the regionals will be Morgan’s Braylon Miller who placed fourth (:11.42).
John Glenn’s Shane O’Brien advanced in the 200 with his fourth-place finish at :24.27
Andrews was district champ in the 200 with a time of :22.6; Morgan’s Braylon Miller and Philo’s Aidan Mahon will join him in third (22.58) and fourth (22.97), respectively.
John Glenn’s Kaid Ritchey was the 400 champ with a time of :51.11 in Division A
Morgan’s Braylon Miller was first in the 400 in Division B with a time of :50.66. Coshocton’s Jarren Johnson was third (:53.30)
John Glenn’s Ethan Zell was runner-up in the 800 (1:56.27) in Division A
River View’s Chet Yoder was fourth in the 800 (2:06.36) in Division B
Morgan’s Clark Smith was runner up in the 1600 (4:36.04) in Division B and was runner up in the 3200 (10.01.83) in Division B
River View’s Carter Hammersley was runner up in the 110 hurdles in Division B in :16.29. He was also runner-up in the 300 hurdles (:40.40) in Division B
Philo’s 4X100 relay team of Jacob Savage, Grant Carpenter, Karter Bowers and Mahon was district runners up in Division B with a time of :44.82
River View’s Carter Hammersley, Noah D’Ostroph, Kayden Billman and Andrews were champs in the 4x200 relay in Division B with a time of 1:30.50
River View’s Hammersley, Kasen Summers, Kayden Billman and Andrews were champs in the 4X400 relay in Division B with a time of 3:28.21. Morgan’s team of Jaxon Pauley, James Hanson, Smith and Miller were fourth with a time of 3:39.22
John Glenn’s 4x800 relay of Duran Isaac, Kaden Abrams, Ethan Zell and Casey Whittle were fourth in Division A with a time of 8:58.24
River View’s 4x800 relay of Kasen Summers, Landon Cochran, Carson Hoke and Chet Yoder were third with a time of 8:45.06
John Glenn’s Jimmy Boyd was third in the shot in Division A with a throw of 46-10 3/4
John Glenn’s Landon Cornelius was fourth in discus in Division A with a throw of 134-3
Morgan’s James Thomas was runner-up in discus in Division B with a throw of 143-10; Maysville’s Connor Young was fourth with a throw of 136-3
Mahon was district champ with a jump of 6-2 and Coshocton's, Kash Murphy was runner up with a jump of 6-0, while River View’s Karson Kehl (5-10) and Carson Hoke (5-10) were third and fourth, respectively in Division B
River View’s Levi Fox was runner-up in Pole Vault in Division B with a jump of 12-8, while teammate Russell Maroni was third at 11-4.
Mahon was district champ in the long jump in Division B with a jump of 22-1/2. Morgan’s Jaxon Pauley was third (20-7 1/2).
Girls
Maysville’s Emma Tamasovich was district runner-up in the 100 (:13.15) behind only Cambridge’s Audrina Gibson (:12.76)
In Division A, Zanesville’s Aniah Barnett was champ in the 200 (26.72), while Philo’s Halli Harris was fourth (:27.52)
John Glenn’s Faith Saxton was fourth in the 400 in Division A in 1:01.60
John Glenn’s Ashlynn Kuklica was champ in 800 (2:18.34), 1600 (5-10.8) and 3200 with a time of 11:17.44
Philo’s Aubree Delong was champ in the 100 hurdles (:15.93) and was runner up in the 300 hurdles with a time of :48.87
Zanesville’s 4x100 relay of Honesti Brooks, Gigi Grandstaff, Chloe Walh and Barnett was runner-up with a time of :51.13. Philo’s team of Tawny Gottke, DeLong, Angelina Myers and Harris were third (:51.51).
Zanesville 4x200 relay of Honesti Brooks, Denaya McLennan, Chloe Wahl and Barnett were champs with a time of 1:48.42. Philo’s team of Tawny Gottke, DeLong, Angelina Myers and Harris were runners up (1:49.40), while River View’s team of Sophia Monnier, Elyse Hoke, Sadler Gentile and Ashlyn Stone were third (1:50.02)
John Glenn’s 4x400 relay of Cecilee Perkins, Kucklica, Millie Lenner and Faith Saxton were runners up with a time of 4:13.85
Maysville Bella Van Wey was the shot put champ (42-10 1/5) and John Glenn’s Brelynn Barr was fourth (35-5).
Van Wey was discus champ with a throw of 143-5; Zanesville’s Jewelianna Hampton was runner up with a throw of 115-6.
Maysville’s Emma Tamasovich was champ in the high jump (5-3) and John Glenn’s Sadie Gardinsky was second (5-0). River View’s Chloee Adams advanced with her third-place finish with a jump of 4-10.
Zanesville’s Chloe Wahl was runner up in pole vault (11-8), while Philo’s Delylah Boetcher was fourth (10-6).
Tamasovich was long jump champ (18-0 1/4) and Barnett was runner up (16-7 7 3/4)
Division IV/V at Newcomerstown
Boys
Ridgewood’s Breyor Ford was the 100 champ (:11.15) and West Muskingum’s Jax Prang was second (:11.16)
Prang was first in the 200 (:22.38)
Crooksville’s Grayson Houk was fourth in the 400 (:50.43)
Ridgewood’s Maverick Lockard was third in the 110 hurdles (:16.02)
West Muskingum’s 4x100 relay of Tavyn Hains, Morgan Pennington, Grant Rogers and Prang was first (:43.67)
West Muskingum’s 4x200 relay of Haines, Aiden Metz, Rogers and Prang was first (1:30.68), while Ridgewood’s team of Shawn Beckelhimer, Lockard, Ford and Chrsitan Hortsman was third (1:34.55)
West Muskingum’s Carter Smith tied for third in the high jump (6-0).
West Muskigum’s Malachi Davis was third in the long jump (20-1), while teammate Austin Fink was fourth (20-0- 1/2)
Girls
West Muskingum’s Avery Kullman was fourth in the 200 (:27.62)
Ridgewood’s Kenzie Bice was first in the 400 (:59.87), while teammate Lorryn Wentz was runner up (1:00.31)
Crooksville’s Hannah Sheets was fourth in the 3200 (12:05.93)
Ridgewood’s Kailey Angle was fourth in the 300 hurdles (:49.61)
Ridgewood’s 4x100 relay of Wentz, Bice, Javyn Gress and Ayanna Masters was first with a time of :51.05
Ridgewood’s 4x200 team of Jaelyn McQueen, Wentz, Kylee Bice and Kenzie Bice were first with a time of 1:48.26
Ridgewood’s 4x400 team of Molly Maple, Gress, Wentz and Kenzie Bice was first with a time of 4:05.89
Is the day coming when we'll see another "Miracle on Ice" in New York?
State officials are piecing together a bid to host a future Winter Olympic Games, according to The Athletic. They are hoping to create sports memories for future generations like the United States hockey team's legendary upset of the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics.
“I’ve actually been having significant meetings on this, putting together the individuals who I would want to be part of a committee," New York Governor Kathy Hochul told the publication. "It’s complicated, but we are up for it. As someone who will never forget the 1980 Olympics, I was in college when the Miracle on Ice occurred.
“I was actually working behind the counter in the pizzeria, listening to it on the radio and announcing to all the restaurant patrons what was happening play-by-play. I’ve been there many times. To me, it is a shrine to the perseverance of American athletes at that time that we still have with us today."
The plan is to create a bid for New York City to co-host the Winter Olympics with Lake Placid, which hosted the Winter Olympics in 1980 and 1932. This comes after Milan and Cortina hosted the 2026 competition earlier this year. It was the first time two cities co-hosted the Olympics.
"New York City is home to people from every nation in the world and a center of global media, finance and culture, and yet it has never hosted an Olympic Games," Carroll wrote. "Meanwhile, London, Paris, Tokyo and Los Angeles have each hosted multiple times."
He cited the success of the Milan-Cortina games, how Hochuli has kept venues that were used in previous Olympics updated and how the area continues to be included in other major sports events like the World Cup as reasons why The Big Apple is ready to host its first Olympic Games.
The earliest a New York City-Lake Placid Winter Olympics could happen is in 2042. The 2030 Games will be held in the French Alps, Salt Lake City will host in 2034 and Switzerland is expected to lock in the 2038 competition.
Carmelo Anthony built a career that placed him among the defining NBA scorers of his era.
His résumé includes an NBA scoring title, 10 All-Star selections and major Olympic success, but the absence of a championship still shapes debates around his legacy.
That discussion often centres on team success, and a new Mikal Bridges comparison shows how little deep playoff exposure Anthony actually had.
Mikal Bridges stat underlines Carmelo Anthony’s limited Conference Finals chances
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
According to Stat Defender, Bridges has scored 169 points in the Conference Finals as a Knick, while Anthony finished with 165 across his entire career.
The comparison is striking because ‘Melo’ played 19 NBA seasons, but reached the Conference Finals only once.
That came in 2009, when his Denver Nuggets faced Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.
Anthony produced strong individual numbers, scoring 165 points across six games, including 39 in Game 1 and 34 in Game 2.
Denver still lost the series 4-2, and the Lakers went on to beat the Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals.
For Bridges, the number reflects New York’s current postseason run. For Anthony, it shows how rarely his teams reached the stage where legacies are often expanded.
That does not erase Anthony’s scoring achievements or his place in modern NBA history.
But it explains part of the debate. ‘Melo’ had the talent for more defining late-playoff moments, yet his career offered very few chances to collect them.
This article, "Rolling Sevens" by J.A. Adande, originally appeared as the cover story in the June 21, 1999 issue of The Sporting News.
Fortunately for San Antonio, the NBA Finals matchup with the Knicks will not be decided on the basis of city, arena or fans.
Let's see ... New York has Broadway, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the Upper West Side, Greenwich Village, SoHo, the Empire State Building. San Antonio has the Alamo and River Walk. New York has Madison Square Garden, one of basketball's most fabled arenas. San Antonio has die Alamodome, a cavernous, lifeless place that the Spurs want out of.
And while the Garden can give you, on any given night, a following as diverse as Puff Daddy, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Tom Brokaw and, of course, Spike Lee, the most famous face in the Alamodome might well be The Coyote, the Spurs' mascot.
But step onto the court and the advantage appears to swing decidedly in San Antonio's favor. The best record in the NBA vs. the lowest seed in the Eastern Conference. A dominant front line vs. an injury-depleted front line. A team with three players (Will Perdue, 1991-93 Bulls; Mario Elie, 1994-95 Rockets; and Steve Kerr, 1996-98 Bulls) who are links to the last eight NBA champions vs. a team that features no player who has won a tide.
Hope the Spurs didn't put those brooms in the closet during that nine-day layoff, because it's time for another sweep, right? Not so fast.
The two teams have been very close in statistical performance during the playoffs. And while San Antonio breezed through the Western Conference, entering the Finals with a 10-game winning streak and losing only one game along the way, it's worth noting that the Knicks have not trailed in any of their three series. The Knicks have held opponents to 82.4 points per game in the playoffs, but the defensive edge goes to the Spurs.
Not only have the Spurs allowed fewer points per game (81.8), they have compiled such an impressive figure against the more free-wheeling Western Conference and two of the league's top-five scoring teams in Los Angeles and Portland. Of course, the ability to feature two 7-footers on the court for most of the game helps.
The Spurs guard their basket with Secret Service-like defense and are averaging 5.8 blocked shots per game.
New York's strength is its perimeter defense. Even when Patrick Ewing was in the lineup (he's out with a partially torn Achilles' tendon), his lateral movement was restricted to the point that he was a liability down low. In the conference finals, the Knicks used their guards to cut off the Pacers, one of the best offensive teams in the league, and all but eliminate penetration. In one game, Indiana had only 12 assists. Mark Jackson used to get that many by himself regularly. Indiana also had limited post-up options, forcing the 6-3 Jackson to go inside and pound away on offense.
That won't be the case in the Finals, considering the Spurs have 7-foot Tim Duncan and 7-1 David Robinson. Among the many ways to look at the loss of Ewing is that it's six fewer fouls for the Knicks to use against the Twin Towers.
If Chris Dudley and Kurt Thomas experienced foul trouble against the immobile and inactive Rik Smits, what are they going to do against Duncan and Robinson? To avoid the threats posed by Duncan and Robinson on defense, the Knicks will need to feature what has been their strength: the running game.
They're at their best when they're on the attack, and Latrell Sprewell and Marcus Camby are in the open court. They have no choice but to run with Ewing on the shelf.
And with Larry Johnson's availability in doubt because of the knee sprain suffered | in Game 6 of the Pacers series, the Knicks will have to get even more, creative on offense to replace his 12.7 points per game.
The matchups, please.
Spurs vs. Knicks NBA Finals position breakdown
Point guard: Avery Johnson vs. Charlie Ward
Johnson drives hard to the basket, and when he makes his jumper, the Spurs are practically unbeatable. Johnson is shooting 48.3 percent in the playoffs and the Spurs are 11-1. That's no coincidence. But his shot isn't always that reliable. Ward might get more time in this series than in the Eastern Conference finals because he matches up better defensively against Johnson than he did against Indiana's Jackson. Still, this matchup is more about Chris Childs, who comes off the bench and usually finishes the game. Childs isn't as steady as Johnson; he's more prone to making a critical turnover.
Advantage: Spurs.
Shooting guard: Mario Elie vs. Allan Houston
Elie can slash to the hoop and has a history of making big shots in the playoffs. But his value is rooted in more than the numbers; it's the attitude he brings, with the two championship rings he won with the Rockets to back it up. Houston's confidence should be surging after his 32-point game in the finale of the Pacers series. Then again, he was supposed to get a boost after his series-winning shot against Miami, and he has had some up-and-down performances since then. He expended a lot of energy on the defensive end chasing Reggie Miller around screens. Elie is not a featured part of the San Antonio offense, so Houston won't be as fatigued from playing defense and should have more energy for his offensive game.
Advantage: Knicks.
Center David Robinson vs. Chris Dudley
If Ewing were healthy, this would be the Finals' marquee matchup; two of the dominant big men of the past 10 years battling for their first championship. But Ewing is out, so don't expect to see NBC using Dudley in any of their promos or in-game player comparison graphics. Robinson's willingness to be less of an offensive focal point but play more aggressively has been one of the keys to San Antonio's playoff run. He has done nothing spectacular; he simply has put together solid game after solid game. He's aver-aging 15.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in the postseason. All the Knicks ask of Dudley is that he stay out of foul trouble, grab the occasional rebound and catch the ball when it's thrown to him.
In a just world, Karl Malone would give his MVP award to someone more deserving: Duncan. Coming off an ever-improving regular season (which itself was coming off a Rookie of the Year season), Duncan has averaged 21.5 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.83 blocks per game in the playoffs. And unlike Malone, he has taken and made big shots. Duncan gets good post position, has some of the best footwork of any big man in the game and has patience. Even if Johnson can play, he'll be limited in what he can do against Duncan. Duncan's height should nullify the low-post advantage the 6-7 Johnson has enjoyed against players such as Indiana's Chris Mullin. On offense, Johnson can draw Duncan away from the basket with his 3-point shooting, but that's not a shot the Knicks want to take too often.
It will be interesting to see what Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy does if Johnson's injury keeps him out. He took Thomas out of the starting lineup because he didn't want Thomas and Dudley getting into foul trouble against the Pacers. That concern would only be heightened against the Spurs. But would Van Gundy want to start Camby and lose that energy boost Camby provides off the bench, plus put him at risk of foul trouble?
Advantage: Spurs.
Small forward: Sean Elliott vs. Latrell Sprewell
Elliott used to be known for his baseline drives. Yet during these playoffs, he has spent a good deal of time in 3-point territory, where he is shooting 45.9 percent. That has brought a new dimension to the Spurs' attack and made things easier inside for the big guys. Van Gundy risked altering the dynamics of his team by starting Sprewell in the last three games of the conference finals, but Spree made it work in Games 5 and 6. Sprewell is always looking to shoot and can create his own shot. If he gets the ball on the break, you can bet he's going to score.
The ranks are starting to thin out for New York, but as long as Camby is among the reserves, the Knicks have the edge over the Spurs. Camby has rejuvenated the Knicks with his play in the Conference Finals. What's amazing is he gets all of his points without a go-to move or even a play run for him. His baskets come off rebounds or fast breaks or penetration-and-passes from the guards. With Childs, the Knicks actually improve at point guard while the Spurs suffer a steep drop-off when Antonio Daniels or Kerr comes in to relieve Johnson.
If Thomas can rediscover the shooting touch that made him the nation's top scorer in college at TCU in 1995, now would be a good time. The Spurs' bench goes deeper. Guard Jaren Jackson has had some big games in the playoffs. Forward Malik Rose has taken on assignments as difficult as Shaquille O'Neal. Perdue gives the Spurs another 7-footer, and Jerome Kersey brings hustle and veteran savvy.
Advantage: Knicks.
Coaches: Jeff Van Gundy vs. Gregg Popovich
Van Gundy has maintained a sense of order and unity on the Knicks in the midst of the turmoil surrounding his unresolved job status. With Madison Square Garden president Dave Checketts holding secret meetings with Phil Jackson, this postseason could easily have degenerated into a circus. Van Gundy didn't let that happen. Van Gundy has one thing in common with his counterpart: No one wants to give Popovich much praise for what's happening with his team, either. Perhaps it's because Elie, not Popovich, is credited with igniting the turnaround from a 6-8 start this season.
Advantage: Knicks.
Intangibles
The Spurs watched Kobe Bryant miss two free throws to pave the way for Duncan's winning shot in Game 2 of the conference semifinals. If the Spurs lose that one and go to the Great Western Forum tied 1-1, perhaps a confident Lakers team surges and knocks the Spurs out of the playoffs instead of rolling over. The Knicks had that good bounce on Houston's jump shot against the Heat in the decisive game of the first round. Then, they had that four-point play by Johnson to win Game 3 against the Pacers. The Knicks might not be able to match up in skill or talent, but they have played with more heart than any team in the playoffs.
Advantage: Knicks.
The pick
There's no getting around the fact that when you play the Spurs, sooner or later you will encounter a 7-footer on your way to the basket. That's going to catch up to the Knicks sooner rather than later. Spurs in five.
Salvador Perez hit another home run Monday night, and this one carried far more weight than a normal regular-season swing.
Perez’s 422-foot sixth-inning homer against the Yankees on May 25 gave him 312 career home runs, pushing him past Hall of Famer Iván Rodríguez for seventh place all-time among primary catchers. The blast also made Perez the all-time home run leader among Latin American-born primary catchers.
That is the kind of milestone that shifts how a career gets discussed, from a very good player compiling numbers toward Cooperstown territory.
The Hall of Fame argument is building
The debate around Perez has always split in two. Analytics-heavy arguments point to modest WAR totals and framing metrics. The traditional case looks at the résumé:
9 All-Star selections
5 Gold Gloves
5 Silver Sluggers
a World Series MVP
312 career home runs
more than 1,000 RBIs
Only a handful of catchers in baseball history have paired that level of power with that kind of award case, which is why Royals fans increasingly treat the question as settled. Fan reaction after the milestone leaned less on whether Perez belongs in Cooperstown and more on whether national perception has lagged because he spent his career in Kansas City rather than New York or Los Angeles.
There is a statistical point inside that too. Perez reached 312 home runs in nearly 3,000 fewer at-bats than Rodríguez needed for 311. The defensive gap between the two remains, while the power profile underlines how unusual Perez has been at the position.
The George Brett comparison is real now
The Rodríguez marker was not the only one attached to the swing. The homer was Perez’s 136th at Kauffman Stadium, tying George Brett for the most in ballpark history, and it left him five home runs behind Brett’s franchise record of 317.
Brett is the defining player in Royals history. Perez sitting within realistic range of the club’s home run record while already serving as the emotional face of the organization shows how large his legacy has grown. He cemented his place with the 2015 World Series MVP and is now climbing into statistical territory usually reserved for the all-time greats.
The timing makes it stranger
Perez is doing this during a statistically uneven season, entering the week hitting .215 with a .638 OPS while the Royals sit below .500. Milestone narratives usually build during dominant years. This one is arriving well past his peak, with even a diminished Perez still climbing all-time catcher leaderboards and threatening franchise records.
The loss sharpened the mood
Kansas City lost the game 4-3 after New York rallied late. Manager Matt Quatraro made clear how deflating it was to lose on a night when Perez and Bobby Witt Jr. both delivered major swings.
That tension fits the larger Perez story. For years, his biggest moments have arrived while carrying imperfect Royals teams through difficult stretches, making him both the franchise’s bridge to its championship era and its emotional center long after those teammates moved on. Baseball history tends to remember franchise-defining catchers differently, and Perez is moving into that category.
The home run was one swing. Perez’s career is now pushing the conversation past whether he belongs among the great offensive catchers and toward exactly where he ranks on the list.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 20: JJ Bleday #22 and Sal Stewart #27 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrate after scoring on a two-RBI double by Nathaniel Lowe #31 (not pictured) in the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 20, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Nathaniel Lowe swatted a walk-off homer against the Detroit Tigers and future Hall of Famer Kneley Jansen on the night of April 24th, the final swing in a roller-coaster 9-8 victory. In that game, the Cincinnati Reds had overcome a 5-0 deficit only to give it back with a 3-run Top of the 8th by the Tigers, with Lowe rectifying things with one mighty cut in the Bottom of the 9th.
It was a game that’s something of a microcosm of the Reds season so far. It was a 1-run win. It featured the bullpen forking over the lead. It also featured dingers a-plenty, with Lowe socking two and Matt McLain swatting a pair in one of his precious few good games of the season.
Aside from that, it was something of a nondescript outing in the annals of baseball history. A good win, an entertaining one, but merely one data point in the billions of data points we’ve got in this great game’s vast history.
If you choose that data point to look closer at the offense of the Cincinnati Reds, though, you’ll begin to see something that’s both spectacular and completely unheard of through the lens we viewed their brutal start to the 2026 season as a team.
Counting that game, the Reds have played 28 games since dawn on April 24th, 2026. And since dawn on April 26th, zero teams have hit more homers than the 41 the Reds have launched. Zero! Their .191 ISO in that span ranks 3rd behind the New York Yankees and Washington Nationals (both at .194). Their .435 SLG ranks 2nd behind only the Bronx Bombers (.440), while their .333 wOBA similarly ranks behind only that of the Yankees (.341).
It’s not fluky, either – at least by xwOBA. The Reds sport the 2nd best expected wOBA in the game in that span at .340, ahead of the Yankees (.339) and behind just the Los Angeles Dodgers (.344). That’s right – for over a month of the season, it’s been the Reds sandwiched between the behemoths on both coasts for the honors of being the single best offense in the sport.
It’s a cherry-picked date, obviously. It’s also a date that fully encompasses the evolution of the regulars in the lineup, however. Each of Lowe and JJ Bleday have assumed almost daily use in that time, with Bleday having not even been a part of the offense since being called up for the first time on April 25th. We’ve also seen the gradual phasing out of TJ Friedl and Ke’Bryan Hayes, with the latter eventually landing on the IL over the weekend with lingering back problems. In other words, it’s cherry-picked, but pretty accurately overlaps with the Reds beginning to eschew their strict defense-first lineup decisions in favor of letting their big bats bat early and often.
LAWRENCE — Construction in the left-field area of Hoglund Ballpark, to help maximize capacity and enhance the fan experience, began before Kansas baseball received the official announcement that it would host an NCAA regional.
Travis Goff, KU’s director of athletics and vice chancellor, acknowledged Monday there was a bit of a leap of faith in doing so. He knew that the Jayhawks needed to solidify things during the Big 12 Conference tournament this past weekend. He thought one win would probably do it, and then once the second and third wins came — with a Big 12 tournament title — there was no doubt in his mind about what would happen next.
But being named the No. 15 national seed led Goff to wonder if there was some sort of message being sent, that KU (42-16) had to win the tournament in order to host. He didn’t think that should have been necessary for the program, after it had already won the Big 12 regular season championship. Kansas coach Dan Fitzgerald also expressed some surprise that his team wasn’t a higher national seed, while echoing Goff’s sentiment about what likely needed to happen in the Big 12 tournament, but pivoted to discussing how great the field of 64 is in total.
“Unbelievable first-world problem to be worrying about what seed you are in the NCAA tournament as a host site,” said Fitzgerald, before mentioning the 16 host teams. “So, when you look at the field and you look at all 16, it’s a really, really deep field.”
Fitzgerald thinks there are some high-profile 2-seeds and 3-seeds in each region, with the ones in Lawrence being Arkansas and Missouri State, respectively. Arguments can be made across the entire field, he pointed out, that teams should be rated higher than they were. He doesn’t think college baseball has ever been better than it is right now.
The draw, though, is challenging. Through games May 24, according to the RPI rankings on ncaa.com have Kansas at No. 19, Arkansas at No. 21 and Missouri State at No. 23. Northeastern is the other team in the regional, and is No. 88 in RPI, and as the 4-seed in the regional will be the team 1-seed KU faces off against on Friday at 12 p.m. (CT) in the opener.
Fitzgerald noted it’s surreal to be experiencing all that’s happening around the program, from the success on the field to the construction at Hoglund Ballpark. He’s excited to see the world witness that stadium at the level he believes it can be at. KU juniors Tyson LeBlanc and Dominic Voegele are grateful for the opportunity to be national seeds and to play at home.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
The Chicago Cubs are searching for answers as their season takes a frustrating turn. A team that once appeared to be one of the best teams in MLB has suddenly found itself trapped in a brutal nine-game losing streak heading into Tuesday’s action. In hopes of injecting some life into the roster, the organization recently turned to one of its most intriguing young players.
The Cubs promoted top prospect Kevin Alcántara, signaling that the front office believes fresh energy could help a struggling club regain its footing.
Feb 28, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs designed hitter Kevin Alcantara (13) at bat in the first inning during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images
Cubs Make A Roster Move For A Spark
To create room for Alcántara on the active roster, Chicago designated veteran infielder Nicky Lopez for assignment. Lopez has since cleared waivers, but the move itself represented more than just a routine transaction.
The Cubs clearly felt that changes were needed. When teams go through extended losing streaks, organizations often look for ways to shake things up, whether that’s changing the lineup, altering the pitching rotation, or giving young talent an opportunity.
Alcántara represents that potential spark. Despite being called up several days ago, he has yet to make his first start with the major league club. That likely will not last much longer if the struggles continue.
A Familiar Name From A Major Trade
Alcántara’s journey to Chicago traces back to one of the most significant moves the organization made during its rebuilding process.
He arrived in the Cubs organization as part of the trade package from the New York Yankees that sent Anthony Rizzo to New York years ago. At the time, the Cubs were making difficult decisions about their core players and attempting to restock the farm system.
Now, Alcántara has an opportunity to become one of the more important pieces from that deal.
Sep 5, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Kevin Alcantara (13) singles against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Can Youth Change The Momentum?
Expecting a young prospect to instantly end a nine-game losing streak would be unfair. Baseball rarely works that way. Still, talented young players can bring excitement, energy, and a sense of urgency to a clubhouse.
Right now, the Cubs are looking for anything that can change the feeling surrounding the team. Perhaps Kevin Alcántara becomes exactly that spark.
Barcelona can re-sign former La Masia winger for around €7m as release clause drops after relegation
According to SPORT, RCD Mallorca’s relegation from La Liga has significantly simplified the potential departure of former FC Barcelona winger Jan Virgili, one of the most sought-after players in the club’s squad.
The Blaugrana have been keeping a close eye on the former La Masia talent after having sold him to Mallorca last summer.
The deal was completed for €3.5 million, while Barcelona retained 40 per cent of any future transfer fee and also secured a right of first refusal.
Virgili’s release clause has dropped to €12 million. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Following Mallorca’s relegation, SPORT reports that the winger’s release clause has dropped dramatically from €30 million to €12 million, thanks to a specific condition included in his contract.
this contractual change carries particular significance for Barcelona. Given the club’s retained 40 per cent stake in a future sale and their right of first refusal, Barcelona could potentially re-sign him for a fee close to €7 million.
A bargain option?
Barcelona are keen on strengthening the left flank but there are doubts about the permanent signing of Marcus Rashford as the club are reluctant to shell out the €30 million purchase fee.
Barcelona are reluctant to pay €30 million for Rashford. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Virgili, in that sense, could be a bargain alternative for the Blaugrana. The 19-year-old winger had enjoyed an impressive season in 2024/25 at the club, with the Juvenil A and Barça Atletic teams.
In his debut season with Mallorca, the Spanish winger showed a lot of promise, finishing with two goals and six assists.
Only 19 years old, familiar with the club’s style, and available for around €7 million, Virgili could emerge as a potential cost-effective addition for Barcelona this summer.
Real Madrid defender ready to leave after struggle with game-time – report
After yet another season without a major trophy, Real Madrid are expected to oversee a squad overhaul in the summer, with multiple players expected to leave.
Dani Carvajal and David Alaba are already on their way out, while others, such as Dani Ceballos, are also facing an uncertain future at the club.
One more player who may soon join the list is Fran Garcia, a La Fabrica graduate who has never quite managed to become a hit at the Bernabeu.
Fran Garcia’s poor season
Fran Garcia has struggled to gain regular game-time. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Since returning to the Santiago Bernabeu from Rayo Vallecano in 2023, Garcia has barely been able to make an impact and has always had to play second fiddle.
This season, Garcia has made just 23 competitive appearances, largely playing in the shadows of Alvaro Carreras or Ferland Mendy, when fit.
Garcia hasn’t disappointed much, but he has not been outstanding either. His lack of minutes at the Bernabeu also appears to have halted his progress.
Garcia ready to leave this summer
Fran Garcia is expected to leave the club this summer. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
According to AS, it is assumed at Real Madrid that Fran Garcia is ready to leave the Spanish capital after struggling with a lack of game time this past season.
This was despite the fact that not too long after, coach Alvaro Arbeloa made it clear that Garcia won’t play much during the second half of the season.
Nevertheless, it appears Garcia’s chapter at Real Madrid is well and truly over, with the club not ruling out signing a new left-back in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The fantasy football strength of schedule matrix helps identify the overall difficulty of position players' matchups from Weeks 1 to 17. The team ranked No. 1 is expected to see the easiest slate, while No. 32 will encounter defenses projected to allow the fewest fantasy points to that position.
My model factors in many variables, including historical defensive data, offseason roster changes, new coaching staffs, home/road splits, individual player matchups, dome games and more.
However, let me be clear — you shouldn’t decide whether to draft someone based on this table alone. Instead, let it serve as an additional data point to help break ties between players you're targeting.
It’s also important to note that the impact on players at the extremes (green or red) will be much more significant than the differences among those in the middle range (yellow).
Fantasy Strength of Schedule Results
Quarterbacks
There seems to be an annual debate over Jalen Hurts’ abilities as a quarterback and the expected departure of his top wideout A.J. Brown will surely add fuel to that fire. However, Hurts will have a number of things working in his favor this year, including a new offensive coordinator in Sean Mannion, a pair of highly-drafted pass-catchers in Makai Lemon and Eli Stowers, as well as the easiest fantasy schedule among quarterbacks. The 27-year-old has finished as the QB8, QB6, QB2, QB1 and QB7 over the last five seasons and will be in the mix as a top-five fantasy producer at his position once again. Though it’s worth noting that his opponents in the fantasy playoffs could lower his ceiling in December, with matchups against the Seahawks (Week 15), Texans (Week 16) and 49ers (Week 17).
Cam Ward had a challenging rookie campaign that featured few highs and many lows in a talent-deficient Titans’ offense. Thankfully, his situation is much brighter heading into the 2026 season. Ward has been given a variety of upgrades, starting with some key additions to the receiving corps in first-round receiver Carnell Tate and high-priced free agent Wan’Dale Robinson. Tennessee also has a new coaching staff which includes a capable offensive coordinator in Brian Daboll. To top it off, Ward will get the third softest fantasy slate among quarterbacks. The 24-year-old will likely be more of a volatile fantasy QB2 this season, but there’s enough positive change to expect a major leap from him in Year 2.
Don’t let yourself get too concerned about Patrick Mahomes and Caleb Williams being near the bottom of this list. Both passers are more than capable of overcoming tough matchups given their skill and the quality of offensive schemes around them. Even with the bad hand they've been dealt here, Williams is locked in QB1 after a strong first year under Ben Johnson and Mahomes is a solid QB2 who could easily flirt with top-12 numbers if his recovery from a torn ACL goes well.
Some other honorable mentions who are getting a slight bump thanks to their schedule include Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, Jaxson Dart and Kyler Murray. Meanwhile, Fernando Mendoza will have an uphill battle to produce for fantasy as a rookie. After the first-overall pick passes Kirk Cousins on the depth chart.
Running Backs
Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson are both well deserving of being the 1.01 in drafts this year, with fantasy managers splitting hairs to decide between the two. I still have Robinson ahead in my rankings and projections, but if you’re looking for a tiebreaker to justify taking Gibbs over him — the schedule could be that deciding factor. The Lions’ running backs don’t just have an easy string of opponents this season, it has the friendliest slate among all backfields. With David Montgomery now in Houston, Gibbs is poised for a monster workload against a generous collection of defenses. This even makes Isiah Pacheco a little more enticing as a flex option, who could get extra work late in games.
Saquon Barkley wasn’t impervious to the Eagles’ offensive struggles last season, as his yearly production dropped from 2,083 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024 (RB1 overall in fantasy) to 1,413 yards and nine scores in 2025 (RB15 finish). Fortunately, the arrival of new OC Sean Mannion should steer the offense back in the right direction. It also helps that Barkley will have the second-easiest fantasy running back schedule. While another 2,000-yard campaign is unlikely, there’s plenty of reason to expect Barkley will return to the top-10 at his position.
With Rico Dowdle now in Pittsburgh, there is a massive opportunity in the Panthers’ backfield for someone to emerge. It won’t be completely smooth sailing though, since Carolina will encounter the most difficult schedule for running backs in 2026. Even so, the veteran Chuba Hubbard is the clubhouse leader for the starting job and is just one year removed from being the RB12 in fantasy points per game with 1,195 rushing yards, 43 receptions, 171 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Many in the fantasy community are excited at the potential of Jonathan Brooks, who’s working his way back from multiple serious knee injuries. There are no guarantees Brooks will be the same player the Panthers drafted in the second round two years ago, but he’s well worth the dart throw at RB40 in the 10th round. I’m investing in both players, while acknowledging the schedule and possible timeshare could reduce their fantasy output.
Some other honorable mentions who are getting a slight bump thanks to their schedule include Jonathan Taylor, Travis Etienne Jr., Kyren Williams/Blake Corum, Jadarian Price, and whoever emerges from the Commanders’ backfield trio of Rachaad White, Jacory Croskey-Merritt or Kaytron Allen.
Wide Receivers
Justin Jefferson was on my list of risky veterans worth drafting in 2026, in large part due to the arrival of Kyler Murray at quarterback and the hope for better offensive line health this season. Now we know he’ll also have the fourth easiest fantasy receiver schedule to work with. The 26-year-old (who will turn 27 in June) hasn’t forgotten how to be a top-tier NFL wideout. Prior to last season, Jefferson put up at least 1,400 yards and seven TDs in four of his previous five campaigns. He had also finished as a top-five fantasy wideout in four straight seasons. Get ready for Jefferson to be back competing for the fantasy WR1 overall crown.
Carnell Tate was the first receiver selected in this year’s NFL draft (fourth overall) and landed on an offense desperate for playmakers in the passing game. If that wasn’t enough to entice fantasy managers, he also has the wind at his back as a rookie with the fifth-softest fantasy schedule among wideouts. Tate is going off the board as the WR30 in ADP, but has a clear path to fantasy WR2 numbers in his first season. This is a player to target in all formats.
The Steelers’ passing attack has a math problem. DK Metcalf was the WR23 on a per game basis during his first season in Pittsburgh, but it’s worth noting that it was a down year for receiver production. For example, his 10.5 fppg would have made him the WR34 in 2024. Even with very little target competition, Metcalf only managed 59 receptions for 850 yards and six touchdowns while catching passes from Aaron Rodgers. Now he’ll have Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Germie Bernard fighting for targets with him. Even if new head coach Mike McCarthy convinces Aaron Rodgers to throw more, it will be difficult for the Steelers’ wideouts to pay off in fantasy. To make matters worse, the trio will have to deal with the second-worst fantasy schedule at their position. While the increased talent is great for the team’s real life outlook, it’s a hard situation to invest in for fantasy.
Some other honorable mentions who are getting a slight bump thanks to their schedule include Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon and the Jaguars’ receivers.
Tight Ends
Mark Andrews is fresh off a down year where he finished as the TE23 in fppg and only topped double-digit fantasy points three times. However, the Ravens signed him to a three-year extension and let Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar walk in free agency. Looking forward, Andrews will get the second-friendliest fantasy schedule for tight ends in 2026, which should help him rebound. While it might seem like Andrews is old, he’s only entering his age-31 season. He’s also one year removed from finishing as the TE7 overall with 11 touchdowns in 2024. Baltimore added a pair of mid-round receivers in Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt, but Andrews will remain a big part of the offense, especially around the red zone. Consider him a high-end TE2 with definite top-10 upside at the position.
Even as a 36-year-old, Travis Kelce was able to produce the eight most fantasy points among tight ends last season, proving he’s still a capable starting option. The Chiefs didn’t make any significant additions to the pass-catching corps, which is surprising given Rashee Rice’s off-field issues and Xavier Worthy’s durability concerns. How long Kelce can continue to be a viable fantasy option is unknown, but it shouldn’t surprise anyone if he turns in another top-10 campaign. On top of his veteran savvy and connection with Patrick Mahomes, Kelce also gets the fifth-most favorable slate for fantasy tight ends in 2026. Though he might not be a sexy fantasy pick, if you miss out on the top producers at the position, Kelce is a strong stopgap.
The Strength of Schedule Matrix is normally used for finding edges that can be exploited in fantasy, but sometimes I have to preach caution so people don’t overreact to my findings. For example, Trey McBride has the hardest schedule of any tight end in 2026, but that shouldn’t be a reason to avoid him in fantasy drafts. While McBride should put together another solid campaign, he might not have the exact environment that led to his massive stat line a year ago. Marvin Harrison Jr. is healthy and will join Michael Wilson to give the Cardinals a quality one-two punch at receiver. First-round running back Jeremiyah Love is very proficient as a pass-catcher and will also create more target competition. And Jacoby Brissett, whose willingness to chuck the ball around the yard led to McBride’s fantasy eruption, isn’t currently with the team due to a contract dispute. McBride is still an excellent fantasy tight end, but a healthy Brock Bowers is my TE1 overall this year.
Some other honorable mentions who are getting a slight bump thanks to their schedule include Harold Fannin Jr., Kyle Pitts, Dallas Goedert and Gunnar Helm.
Prates (24-7) took on Maddalena (18-4) in enemy territory at
UFC
Perth earlier this month. Prates picked apart the former
welterweight champion before finishing him in the third round.
Prates recently revealed that he kept talking to Maddalena during
the fight.
When Maddalena shot for a takedown in the opening round, Prates
taunted him with Nate Diaz’s
famous quote, “So you’re a wrestler now?” Maddalena responded by
proclaiming himself a well-rounded fighter. When Prates started
dominating Maddalena, he apologized to the Australian, explaining
that he was only a hurdle on the way to a title shot. Maddalena
urged Prates to go with him until the final bell. Prates was
impressed with Maddalena’s toughness.
A Little In-Fight Banter
“I started to talk with him, like, ‘Ah, you become a grappler now?
You’re a wrestler?’ And then he goes, ‘Nah, I’m a complete
fighter,’” Prates told Daniel Comier. “And I was like, ‘No, you’re
scared of me.’... He’s really tough. At one point in the fight, I
said, ‘Hey, sorry, I don’t want to hurt you. I just want title
shot.’ And he said, ‘Let’s go to the end.’”
Prates is confident that he will fight for the title in his next
fight. Reports suggest that Makhachev will defend his welterweight
title against Ian Garry
soon. Prates believes he will challenge the winner of that fight
and is willing to wait for it.
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Candro lets you create a feedback page, share it with anyone, and collect anonymous, candid responses. Respondents need no account, and the process stays anonymous and private by default. It guides people to give specific, useful feedback and synthesizes replies into clear themes and action items. Use it for peer reviews, leadership check-ins, presentations, and team processes to uncover what others aren’t saying.
DevMatch helps mission-driven teams hire engineers ranked by verified open-source contributions across 35M+ profiles. Every match is backed by git activity and other public information, not résumé keywords or self-reported skills. Describe your role in chat and an agent runs a multi-phase search, returning a ranked shortlist you can audit end-to-end. The same search runs natively inside Cursor, Claude Desktop, or any MCP client, so your AI assistant can call DevMatch as a tool and pull verified profiles without leaving your editor. Explore the directory for free and save candidates as you go.
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Portekiz'de sergilediği performansla devleri peşine takan Chaves'in 22 yaşındaki Angolalı sol beki David Kusso, Portekiz'e aniden veda etmeye hazırlanıyor; Süper Lig ekiplerinden Samsunspor, genç yıldızı kadrosuna katmak için Bulgar devi Levski Sofia ile kıran kırana bir transfer yarışına girdi.
Chaves forması giyen 22 yaşındaki Angolalı sol bek David Kusso, gösterdiği üstün performansla Samsunspor'un radarına girdi.
Samsunspor dışında Bulgaristan’ın köklü kulübü Levski Sofia da Kusso'yu kadrosuna katmak için yarışa katıldı. Birçok Avrupa kulübünün de durumu yakından takip ettiği ve oyuncunun aniden Portekiz'e veda edebileceği belirtiliyor.
Savunmadaki sol bek görevini eksiksiz yaparken, aynı performansla tüm kanadı tek başına domine edebiliyor.
Hücum hattına geçtiğinde her iki kanatta da oynayabiliyor ve hızıyla rakip savunmaların dengesini bozuyor.
Bire bir pozisyonlardaki hızı ve gücünün yanı sıra, maçın 10. dakikasında gösterdiği fiziksel yoğunluk ve dayanıklılığı 80. dakikada da aynı seviyede sürdürebiliyor.
Galatasaray'ın merkez orta saha adayları arasında Lens forması giyen Mamadou Sangare de bulunuyor. Ancak Fransız ekibinin Şampiyonlar Ligi vizesini alması sonrasında işler epey zorlaştı.
Lens bu sezon başında Rapid Wien'e 8 milyon euro ödeyerek Mamadou Sangare'yi kadrosuna katmıştı. 23 yaşındaki merkez orta sahayla 30 Haziran 2030 tarihine kadar mukavele yapıldı. Malili futbolcu, Ligue 1'de 29 karşılaşmaya çıktı. Sahada 2.327 dakika kaldı. 3 gol ve 4 asist üretti.
PSG'NİN ARDINDAN İKİNCİ
Bu performansının ardından da tahmini piyasa değeri 30 milyon euro seviyelerine çıktı. Galatasaray'ın merkez orta saha adayları arasında Mamadou Sangare de bulunuyordu. Ancak Lens, Ligue 1'i PSG'nin arkasında ikinci bitirdi. Önümüzdeki sezon Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde yer alacaklar.
SES GETİRMEK İSTİYORLAR
Cim-Bom, konuyla ilgili nabız yokladı. Fakat Lens Yönetimi'nin, Şampiyonlar Ligi sebebiyle kadroyu bozmak istemediği öğrenildi. Yani Mamadou Sangare'yle ilgili tek sorun yüksek bonservis bedeli değil... Fransız ekibi, önümüzdeki sezon Devler Arenası'nda ses getirmek istiyor. Mamadou Sangare de takımın en önemli parçaları arasında bulunuyor.
Fenerbahçe'nin yıldız orta sahası Fred'i yuvaya döndürmek için resmi teklifini sunan Atlético-MG, kurumsal bir finansal plan hazırladı. Bonservis ödemek istemeyen Brezilya ekibi, transferi bitirmek için oyuncunun İstanbul'da koparacağı bonservis feshine güveniyor.
Atlético Mineiro, Fenerbahçe’de forma giyen 33 yaşındaki Fred’i Brezilya’ya döndürmek için dev bir operasyon başlattı. Mali görüşmelerde önemli mesafe kat eden siyah-beyazlı yönetim, bu transferi bitirmek için resmi teklifini sundu.
Fenerbahçe'deki sözleşme yükümlülükleri nedeniyle daha önce "imkansız" gözüyle bakılan bu transfer, Fred’in Brezilya'ya dönmeye yeşil ışık yakmasıyla ciddi bir fırsat penceresine dönüştü. Kulübün altyapısından yetişen Fred, yeni açılan Arena MRV'de taraftarın önüne çıkmak istediğini gizlemiyor.
Şu anda tatilini memleketinde geçiren deneyimli futbolcu, siyah-beyazlı yönetimle yüz yüze görüşmeler gerçekleştiriyor. Kariyerinin bu döneminde ailesiyle birlikte ülkesine kalıcı olarak dönmek ve Güney Amerika'da şampiyonluklar kovalayan bir projeye liderlik etmek Fred için oldukça cazip.
Atlético-MG yönetimi, harcama limitleri konusunda net. Farklı kulüplerle şişirilmiş fiyatlarla bir açık artırma yarışına girilmeyecek.
Yeni sezon transfer çalışmalarını sürdüren Beşiktaş Kadın Voleybol Takımı, Emine Arıcı ile sözleşme imzaladı.
Kulübün internet sitesinden yapılan açıklamada, "Emine Arıcı'ya Beşiktaş ailesine hoş geldin diyor, şanlı formamızla üstün başarılar diliyoruz." denildi.
1997 doğumlu 1,92'lik orta oyuncu; Küçükyalı Yelken Spor, Edremit Belediyesi Altınoluk Spor, Çan Gençlik Kale Spor Akademi, Aydın Büyükşehir Belediyespor, Galatasaray Daikin, Türk Hava Yolları ve son olarak Göztepe'de oynadı.
Emine Arıcı, 2021-2022 Challenge Kupası'nda en iyi servis atan oyuncu oldu.
Eyüpspor'un satın alma opsiyonunu kullanmadığı Brezilyalı kaleci Marcos Felipe, bonservisini elinde bulunduran Esporte Clube Bahia'ya geri dönmek üzere Salvador'a ulaştı.
Eyüpspor’da kiralık olarak forma giyen Brezilyalı kaleci Marcos Felipe’nin Türkiye macerası sona erdi. İstanbul temsilcisinin satın alma opsiyonunu kullanmama kararı almasının ardından 30 yaşındaki file bekçisi, bonservisini elinde bulunduran Esporte Clube Bahia'ya geri dönmek üzere Brezilya'ya ayak bastı. Fluminense altyapısından yetişen ve burada 104 kez A takım forması giyen Marcos Felipe, 2023 yılında Bahia'ya transfer olmuştu.
Büyük umutlarla Eyüpspor’a transfer olan Brezilyalı kaleci, Türkiye'de beklenen istikrarı yakalayamadı. İstanbul ekibinde yalnızca 20 karşılaşmada süre alabilen 30 yaşındaki oyuncu, teknik heyetin gözüne giremedi. Eyüpspor'un opsiyon hakkını devreye sokmamasıyla birlikte Marcos Felipe için Bahia’da yeni ve belirsiz bir dönem başlamış oldu.
Beşiktaş'ın Süper Lig'in son virajında kas sakatlığı yaşayan golcüsü Oh Hyeongyu, Güney Kore Milli Takımı'nın Dünya Kupası kampında tedbir amaçlı takımdan ayrı çalıştı. Kondisyoner eşliğinde 2 saatlik özel bir program uygulayan yıldız forvet, idmanın son bölümünde kramponlarını çıkarıp çim sahada yalınayak koşarak dikkat çeken bir rutine imza attı.
Beşiktaş'ın Güney Koreli golcüsü Hyeongyu Oh, Süper Lig’in son bölümünde yaşadığı talihsiz kas sakatlığının ardından, ülkesinin Dünya Kupası kampında takımdan ayrı özel bir çalışma gerçekleştirdi. Dünya Kupası'na gitmesi risk altında mı sorularını gündeme getirdi.
Oyuncunun sakatlığının ciddi boyutta olmamasına ve takım antrenmanlarına katılmasına büyük bir engel teşkil etmemesine rağmen işi sıkı tutuyor. Yıldız forvetin turnuva öncesi yeni bir sakatlık yaşamaması adına tedbirli davranan teknik heyet, oyuncuyu bireysel programa dahil etti.
Bir kondisyon antrenörü eşliğinde sahaya çıkan Oh Hyeongyu, yaklaşık iki saat boyunca tempolu koşu ve pas çalışmaları gerçekleştirdi. İdmanın son bölümünde ise izleyenlerin dikkatini çeken ilginç anlar yaşandı.
Golcü oyuncu, antrenmanın bir bölümünde krampon ve çoraplarını tamamen çıkararak çim üzerinde yalınayak koştu. Yıldız futbolcunun, kaslarını rahatlatmak ve toprağa basarak statik elektriği atmak amacıyla bu sıradışı rutini sık sık tekrarladığı öğrenildi.
Galatasaray'ın orta saha için düşündüğü isimlerden biri AZ Alkmaar forması giyen Kees Smit... 20 yaşındaki futbolcu konusunda pazarlık görüşmesi talep edildi. Ancak Hollanda ekibi acele etmek istemiyor.
Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu'nun önümüzdeki sezon için açıkladığı 10+4'lük kontenjan sonrasında genç yabancıların önemi arttı. Galatasaray'ın merkez orta saha listesinde AZ Alkmaar'dan Kees Smit de bulunuyor. Hatta Sarı-Kırmızılılar'ın, Hollanda ekibinden konuyla ilgili görüşme talep ettiği öğrenildi.
ADAY KADROYA ALINDI
20 yaşındaki genç yetenek, Hollanda Milli Takımı'nın Dünya Kupası kadrosuna alındı. AZ Alkmaar cephesi bu sebeple dev organizasyon bitmeden görüşme yapmak istemediğini iletti. 1.85 boyundaki futbolcunun çok sayıda talibi bulunuyor. Alkmaar, Kees Smit'in piyasa değerinin daha da artacağını düşünüyor.
ALTYAPIDAN YETİŞTİ
Hollanda ekibinin altyapısından çıkan Smit, 2024 yazında A Takım kadrosuna dahil edilmişti. Bu sezon ligde 26 maça çıktı. Sahada 2.139 dakika kaldı. 3 gol ve 3 asist üretti. 1.85 boyundaki oyuncu, asıl yeri olan merkez orta saha dışında 10 numara ve ön liberoda da görev yapabiliyor.
Fenerbahçe'de Diego Carlos bilmecesi sürüyor Bonservisi sarı-lacivertlilerde olan ve Como'da kiralık dönemi sona eren 33 yaşındaki Sambacı, ülkesine dönmek istiyor. São Paulo'nun transfer için pusuda beklediği tecrübeli stoperin kaderini Fenerbahçe'nin tavrı belirleyecek.
Brezilya ekibi São Paulo bonservisi Fenerbahçe'de bulunan ve şu an İtalya'da kiralık olarak forma giyen deneyimli stoper Diego Carlos’u radarına aldı.
33 yaşındaki deneyimli savunmacı Diego Carlos, ülkesine dönmeye yeşil ışık yaktı. Fenerbahçe ile 2028 yılına kadar sözleşmesi devam ediyor.
São Paulo yönetimi, transfer piyasasında temkinli bir politika izliyor ve kulüp bütçesini zorlayacak yüksek maliyetlerden kaçınıyor. Brezilya ekibi, Fenerbahçe'nin oyuncuyu bedelsiz bir kiralama formülüyle bırakıp bırakmayacağını veya kalıcı transfer için ciddi bir bonservis bedeli talep edip etmeyeceğini araştırıyor. Önümüzdeki haftalarda Fenerbahçe ve São Paulo arasındaki dirsek temasının resmi bir teklife dönüşüp dönüşmeyeceği netlik kazanacak.
Sezon başında Trabzonspor'dan kiralanan Batista Mendy, sosyal medya hesabından yayınladığı mesajla Sevilla'ya ve taraftarlara veda etti. 10 milyon Euro'luk satın alma opsiyonu kullanılmayan Mendy, Trabzonspor'a geri dönüyor.
İspanya LaLiga ekiplerinden Sevilla FC'de ayrılık rüzgarları esmeye devam ediyor. Dün Norveçli kaleci Orjan Nyland ile yollarını ayıran Endülüs kulübünde, bugün de Fransız orta saha oyuncusu Batista Mendy takıma resmen veda etti.
Sezon başında Süper Lig ekibi Trabzonspor'dan 10 milyon Euro'luk zorunlu olmayan bir satın alma opsiyonuyla İspanya'nın yolunu tutan Mendy için Sevilla yönetimi bu opsiyonu kullanmama kararı aldı.
Sevilla Sportif Direktörü Antonio Cordón’un sezon başında yaptığı ilk hamlelerden biri olan Batista Mendy, bu sezon Luis García Plaza yönetimindeki takımda önemli bir rol üstlendi. LaLiga ve Kral Kupasında toplam 28 karşılaşmada oynadı. Bu maçların yarısından fazlasında sahaya ilk 11'de çıktı.
Fenerbahçe başkan adayı Hakan Safi'nin seçim kozu olarak adı geçen Francesco Farioli, Türkiye'ye gelecek mi? Gazeteci Ben Jacobs'a konuşan başarılı teknik adam, geleceğine dair spekülasyonlara son noktayı koydu.
FC Porto'yu şampiyonluğa taşıyarak teknik direktörlük kariyerinin ilk lig zaferini elde eden Francesco Farioli, Fenerbahçe’de başkan adayı Hakan Safi’nin seçim kozu olarak öne çıkmıştı.
İtalyan teknik adam, geleceğine dair spekülasyonlara son noktayı koydu. Gazeteci Ben Jacobs’ın sosyal medyada paylaştığı özel röportajda Farioli, Porto’daki projesine sadık olduğunu belirterek Porto'dan ayrılma ihtimalini kesin bir dille reddetti.
- 11 ay önce ilk sözleşme teklifini aldığımda bir projeye başladık. Ocak ayında bu taahhüdü yeniledik ve iş birliğimizi bir yıl daha uzatma kararı aldık.
- Modern futbolda, ayrılma zamanı geldiğinde bile kulüpte kalacak sorumlularla bu kadar yüksek bir bağ kurabileceğiniz bir yer bulmak oldukça zor. Benim için bu, dürüst olmak gerekirse, boşa harcamak istemediğim bir ayrıcalık.
- İşler iyi gitsin ya da gitmesin, her zaman tartışılan ilk kişiler biz oluruz. Ancak olmak istediğim senaryoyu hayal ettiğimde, şu an birlikte olduğum insanlardan daha iyi bir yer düşünemiyorum.
- 7-8 yıldır tatil yapmadan çalışıyorum. Bu yaz biraz dinlenmeye çalışacağım ama cep telefonum ve bilgisayarım her zaman yanımda olacak.
- 1 Temmuz'da takımla birlikte doğru zihniyette ve aynı sayfada başlamaya hazır olacağım.
- Ağustos başında Süper Kupa'da oynayacağız, yani şimdiden masada yeni bir kupa var. Bir hafta sonra ise daha yüksek beklentilerle lig başlayacak. Kontrol edemeyeceğimiz şey beklentilerdir; ama kontrolümüzde olan şey, bu yeni zorluklara nasıl yaklaşacağımız. 15 Temmuz 2025'teki o ilk günkü açlıkla sahaya çıkmak için her şeyi yapacağız.
Galatasaray'ın yüzde 40'lık maaş indirimi talebini geri çeviren ve temmuzda boşa çıkmaya hazırlanan Mauro Icardi için River Plate resmen devreye girdi.
Yeni sportif direktör Pablo Longoria, Arjantinli yıldızın menajerini arayarak talep ettiği rakamı sordu.
River Plate’in futbol aklının başına geçen yeni sportif direktör Pablo Longoria, teknik direktör Eduardo Coudet’nin talebi üzerine vakit kaybetmeden harekete geçti. Arjantinli ünlü gazeteci Renzo Pantich, katıldığı AZZ Stream yayınında kulübün attığı somut adımı şu sözlerle doğruladı:
- River Plate'in yeni sportif direktörü Pablo Longoria, Mauro Icardi'nin temsilcileriyle bizzat iletişime geçti. River Plate, oyuncuyu önümüzdeki transfer döneminde kadrosuna katmak adına ilk olarak maaş beklentilerini sordu.
- Forvet oyuncusu, maaşında %40 oranında indirime giden Galatasaray'ın yeni sözleşme teklifini henüz kabul etmedi. Eğer bu durum netleşmezse, Temmuz ayında serbest oyuncu statüsüne geçebilir. Icardi şu anda Arjantin'de ve gelişmeleri sakin bir şekilde bekliyor.
Icardi’nin Galatasaray ile sözleşme yenilememesi halinde, River Plate’in önündeki en büyük finansal engel olan "bonservis ücreti" tamamen ortadan kalkmış olacak. Bu senaryoda Arjantin devinin, yalnızca oyuncunun kişisel taleplerini ve maaş bütçesini karşılaması transfer için yeterli olacak.
Galatasaray'ın yüzde 40'lık maaş indirimi talebini geri çeviren ve temmuzda boşa çıkmaya hazırlanan Mauro Icardi için River Plate resmen devreye girdi.
Yeni sportif direktör Pablo Longoria, Arjantinli yıldızın menajerini arayarak talep ettiği rakamı sordu.
River Plate’in futbol aklının başına geçen yeni sportif direktör Pablo Longoria, teknik direktör Eduardo Coudet’nin talebi üzerine vakit kaybetmeden harekete geçti. Arjantinli ünlü gazeteci Renzo Pantich, katıldığı AZZ Stream yayınında kulübün attığı somut adımı şu sözlerle doğruladı:
- River Plate'in yeni sportif direktörü Pablo Longoria, Mauro Icardi'nin temsilcileriyle bizzat iletişime geçti. River Plate, oyuncuyu önümüzdeki transfer döneminde kadrosuna katmak adına ilk olarak maaş beklentilerini sordu.
- Forvet oyuncusu, maaşında %40 oranında indirime giden Galatasaray'ın yeni sözleşme teklifini henüz kabul etmedi. Eğer bu durum netleşmezse, Temmuz ayında serbest oyuncu statüsüne geçebilir. Icardi şu anda Arjantin'de ve gelişmeleri sakin bir şekilde bekliyor.
Icardi’nin Galatasaray ile sözleşme yenilememesi halinde, River Plate’in önündeki en büyük finansal engel olan "bonservis ücreti" tamamen ortadan kalkmış olacak. Bu senaryoda Arjantin devinin, yalnızca oyuncunun kişisel taleplerini ve maaş bütçesini karşılaması transfer için yeterli olacak.
A couple of months ago, we heard that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 will have a new chipset – supposedly, it will use the Snapdragon Wear Elite. One of the key upgrades on that chip is that it offers 5G connectivity – the original Galaxy Watch Ultra, which is powered by the Exynos W1000, only had a 4G modem (to be fair, so did the Snapdragon Wear W5 Gen 2).
Samsung never made a Bluetooth version of the Ultra like it usually does for the Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Watch Classic models. This will change this generation, claims GalaxyClub.
The Dutch publication has seen evidence...
The sky-high component prices have affected Xiaomi’s smartphone business. In the first three months of 2026, the company shipped 33.8 million units, a decline of 19.2% compared to Q1 2025. This was the biggest drop among the Top 5 makers globally, but Xiaomi had enough of a lead over Oppo (#4, -6.6% YoY) and vivo (#5, -6.7% YoY) to maintain third place. Meanwhile, Samsung and Apple shipments increased by 8.0% and 9.9%, respectively, year over year.
Xiaomi smartphone shipments fell in Q1, but the company retains the #3 spot globally
On a regional scale, Xiaomi is #2 in Latin America,...
Amid a disappointing season, Antonio Rüdiger emerged as one of the undisputed leaders in Real Madrid’s defensive line. Following his consistent performances, the club have reportedly secured a contract renewal for the 33-year-old defender, reinforcing his role as a key figure.
Even though Real Madrid have not enjoyed their best season, Antonio Rüdiger has emerged as one of the team’s most important players. Despite dealing with injuries at the start of the campaign, the German defender has managed to establish himself as an essential presence in the back line through his consistency and leadership. Following his strong performances, Los Blancos have reportedly reached an agreement to renew the 33-year-old’s contract.
According to Fabrizio Romano, via X, formerly Twitter, Antonio Rüdiger and Real Madrid have reached an agreement over a contract renewal. As a result, the German defender would remain at the club until 2027, reinforcing his importance under José Mourinho due to his experience and consistency. After playing 2,190 minutes during the season, he appears set to once again play a key role in the defensive transition alongside Éder Militão and Dean Huijsen.
With Éder Militão struggling through defensive inconsistencies and Dean Huijsen yet to fully establish, the continuity of Rüdiger appears to be a smart decision for Real Madrid. However, he is coming off a season heavily affected by injuries, meaning he could enter a more structured rotation. As a natural dressing-room leader, Antonio could also prove essential during the managerial transition, especially if major tactical changes are introduced.
Antonio Rüdiger reportedly had opportunities to continue his career before reaching an agreement with Real Madrid. According to Nicolò Schira, Juventus pursued the German defender as a free agent due to him strong relationship with Luciano Spalletti. Alongside them, two Premier League clubs and one Saudi Pro League side were also said to be monitoring his situation. However, Real Madrid’s renewal proposal changed everything.
Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match.
Real Madrid may still need to sign a world-class defender
Real Madrid struggled significantly at the defensive level, with several of their defenders suffering major injuries. In addition, David Alaba has officially departed the club, while Raúl Asencio could leave either on loan or through a permanent transfer. With Éder Militão continuing to battle injury concerns and showing vulnerability to long absences, Los Blancos may need to sign a reliable center-back capable of providing quality depth throughout the season.
While Aurélien Tchouaméni and Joan Martínez could provide additional cover at center-back, Real Madrid still appear determined to strengthen the defensive department. According to José Félix Díaz via Diario AS, José Mourinho has requested four reinforcements for the summer of 2026: one center-back, one full-back, and two midfielders — one defensive and one creative. Nevertheless, midfield additions could reportedly become the club’s immediate priority.
Antonio Ruediger of Real Madrid celebrates after the team's victory in the LaLiga EA Sports match.
Lionel Scaloni is reportedly planning to bring more than 30 players to the United States for Argentina’s matches ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Argentina are one of the national teams still delaying a final decision on the 26-player roster that will compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Lionel Scaloni reportedly has concrete plans for the pre-tournament friendlies that will take place in the United States.
“The Argentina national team will bring more than 26 players on the pre-World Cup tour for the friendlies against Iceland and Honduras,” journalist Gaston Edul, an Argentina national team insider for TyC Sports, said Tuesday through his official X account. “More than 30 are going.”
In that group, in addition to the stars who are usually part of every call-up, there will also be several young players who could be options for training sessions and even for the two friendlies. “Capaldo, Aranda, Freitas and Santiago Beltran have been called up… Ignacio Ovando of Rosario Central and Simon Escobar of Velez will also travel with the squad,” Edul added.
Three of them were part of the 55-player preliminary list Argentina submitted to FIFA two weeks ago: Santiago Beltran, goalkeeper for River Plate; Nicolas Capaldo, a right back/defensive midfielder for Hamburger SV; and Tomas Aranda, a forward for Boca Juniors.
La Selección Argentina va a llevar a más de 26 jugadores en la gira previa del Mundial para los amistosos contra Islandia y Honduras: Están convocados Capaldo, Aranda, Freitas y Santiago Beltrán. Van más de 30.
Joining them are Joaquin Freitas, a 19-year-old forward who has seen significant playing time with River Plate in recent months, as well as Rosario Central defender Ignacio Ovando and Velez Sarsfield left back Simon Escobar. However, they were not part of the preliminary roster, making them ineligible for the World Cup.
Argentina’s doubts ahead of the World Cup
Many of the world’s top national teams have already confirmed their squads for the 2026 World Cup in North America, including England, Spain, France, Germany and Brazil. Argentina, however, are still waiting, with FIFA’s deadline set for June 1.
The delay in Lionel Scaloni’s final decision regarding the 26-player World Cup squad is tied to the status of several important players who are dealing with injuries, with their recovery being monitored daily by the coaching staff.
The biggest issue is in defense. Argentina’s two main right backs are currently injured: Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel. That creates uncertainty regarding the final roster construction, especially because of the potential need to include a third player at the position if necessary.
Juan Foyth could have been the ideal candidate for that role, since he can also play as a center back, but his serious Achilles tendon injury ruled him out. That is why Nicolas Capaldo was included on the 55-player list, along with Union Saint-Gilloise’s Kevin Mac Allister.
Adding to the situation are the injuries suffered by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and center back Cristian Romero, although there are no doubts about their availability for the World Cup. And, on top of that, there is also the muscle fatigue that forced Lionel Messi to leave Inter Miami’s most recent match against Philadelphia Union.
Argentina’s upcoming matches
Before making their FIFA tournament debut against Algeria on June 16, Argentina will play two friendly matches. The first will be on June 6 against Honduras at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, while the second against Iceland will take place three days later at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.
Jorge Jesus looks set to remain Cristiano Ronaldo’s head coach after Al Nassr and the Portuguese manager reportedly reached a verbal agreement on a contract extension.
Cristiano Ronaldo has finally snapped his trophy drought in Saudi Arabia, capturing the Saudi Pro League title with Al Nassr following a resounding 4-1 victory over Damac on the season’s final matchday. Yet, just as the club achieved its ultimate domestic objective, Jorge Jesus shocked the fan base by announcing his departure—a situation that has now taken an unexpected U-turn.
Heading into the season finale against Damac, the Portuguese tactician made it clear that his primary mission was helping Ronaldo claim silverware in the Gulf. After a painful defeat in the AFC Champions League Two final against Japan’s Gamba Osaka, Jesus and Ronaldo found immediate redemption by locked down the league championship.
Following the trophy celebrations, the 71-year-old manager initially confirmed in an interview with Canal GOAT that the match against Damac would be his last at the helm of Al Nassr. However, global transfer news insider Ekrem Konur completely shifted the narrative, providing fresh hope to the Riyadh-based fans by revealing that Jesus is now likely to stay.
The insider reported that Al Nassr and Jorge Jesus have reportedly reached a verbal agreement to extend the manager’s contract for an additional year. The breakthrough follows official comments from club president Abdullah Al-Majed, who pushed for Jesus to stay and had recently confirmed that the front office was actively launching ongoing attempts to convince Jesus to stay.
Jorge Jesus kisses Cristiano Ronaldo on the cheek. (Getty Images)
Portugal National Team on the horizon
The sudden contract drama comes amid intense speculation linking Jorge Jesus to the Portugal National Team job. While Roberto Martinez currently serves as Portugal’s head coach, the Spanish manager is widely expected to step down following the conclusion of the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
Addressing the rumors upon his arrival at a Portuguese airport, Jesus admitted to reporters that turning down his country’s top job would be a monumental challenge.
“Who can say no to the national team? I have previously declined one of the best teams in the world, and I cannot say no to another,” Jesus stated, referencing his past decision to reject an official approach from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to manage the Seleção.
Nevertheless, Jesus was quick to downplay any immediate distraction, emphasizing that Portugal needs a calm environment just days away from the tournament kicking off in North America.
“I am not considering this possibility now. The World Cup is approaching, Portugal needs calm, the coach needs calm, and I do not want to get involved in such chaos,” he concluded.
After numerous absences, Neymar sparked excitement with his return to Brazil, earning a place in the anticipated tournament. However, the veteran reportedly missed Santos FC’s latest training session, raising concerns over his physical condition ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Neymar Jr. has managed to remain one of the standout performers for Santos FC, shining creatively while maintaining rare physical consistency after years of injury setbacks. However, he recently dealt with physical discomfort that initially appeared minor ahead of upcoming matches. Despite this, the 34-year-old star reportedly missed his team’s latest training session, raising significant concerns about his fitness ahead the 2026 World Cup with Brazil.
According to UOL Esporte, Neymar was absent from Santos FC training due to edema in his calf. As a result, the Brazilian star is expected to miss the club’s final two matches against Deportivo Cuenca and Esporte Clube Vitória. With this development, the 34-year-old’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Brazil could reportedly come into question, as the severity of the injury may prove more serious than initially expected.
Amid the growing reports surrounding his injury, a potential appearance by Neymar in one of Santos FC’s final matches would likely silence many of the concerns regarding his fitness. However, the 34-year-old’s absence from training and his possible unavailability for upcoming games could force Brazil to begin preparing alternative scenarios for the final squad, potentially reopening the door for João Pedro to earn a place in the setup.
Neymar of Santos.
Vinicius Jr. set to hand Neymar Brazil’s No. 10 for 2026 World Cup
Throughout his professional career, Neymar has become as one of the greatest players in the history of Brazil, surpassing Pelé as the nation’s all-time leading scorer. Because of this, his potential presence at the 2026 World Cup would provide a major boost to the dressing room. Amid growing concerns over a possible serious injury, Vinícius Júnior revealed that he will hand back the iconic No. 10 shirt to the veteran star for the tournament.
In an interview with CazéTV, Vinícius Júnior revealed : “I don’t know what number I’ll wear at the World Cup, but the No. 10 belongs to Neymar, that’s obvious.” With this gesture, the 25-year-old star demonstrates that the 34-year-old is set to remain as the leader of the dressing room, making his presence crucial. Nevertheless, the veteran star still needs to secure his presence in the anticipated tournament, depending on his fitness on May 27th.
Sezonun ikinci grand slam tenis turnuvası Fransa Açık'ta (Roland Garros) tek kadınların dünya 1 numarası Belaruslu Aryna Sabalenka, ikinci tura yükseldi.Devamı için tıklayınız
Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan çempionatının sonuncu qalibi “Sabah” qazaxıstanlı qapıçısı Stas Pokatilov ilə müqavilənin müddətini artırıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə paytaxt təmsilçisinin mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
Qazaxıstan millisinin üzvü ilə mövsümün sonunda başa çatmış sözləşmənin müddəti daha bir il uzadılıb. Bir sözlə, Pokatilov 2027-ci ilin 30 iyununadək “Sabah”ın uğurları üçün çalışmağa davam edəcək.
Xatırladaq ki, Stas Pokatilov 2025-ci ilin yanvarından “Sabah”ın uğurları üçün çalışır. O, son mövsümdə komandanın heyətində ümumilikdə 42 oyun keçirib, 40 qol buraxıb, 15 matçda qapısını toxunulmaz saxlayıb. Stasın “Sabah” karyerası bütövlükdə 61 oyun, 61 qol və 19 “quru” matçdan ibarətdir.
Pokatilov “Sabah”la 1 dəfə Azərbaycan çempionu olub, 2 dəfə Azərbaycan Kubokunu qazanıb.
Qazaxıstanlı qolkiper karyerası ərzində “Kayrat”, “Aktove”, “Tobol”, “Şaxtyor” (Karaqanda), “Akjayık”, “Rostov” kimi klublarda da forma geyinib.
2015-ci ildən Qazaxıstan millisinə dəvət alan qapıçı millinin heyətində 29 oyuna çıxıb, 58 qol buraxıb, 8 matçdan “quru çıxıb”.
“Milan”ın sabiq baş məşqçisi Massimiliano Alleqri komandanın UEFA Çempionlar Liqasına vəsiqə qazana bilməməsinə aydınlıq gətirib.
Arena.az xatırladır ki, “Milan” İtaliya A Seriyasının 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünü 5-ci pillədə başa vuraraq, UEFA Çempionlar Liqasında iştirakdan məhrum olub.
“Rossoneri”nin məhz bu səbəbdən istefaya göndərilmiş baş məşqçisi, italyan mütəxəssis Massimiliano Alleqri müvafiq uğursuzluğa belə şərh verib:
“5 ev oyununda məğlub olduqdan sonra, yüksəkdə mövqe tutmağa layiq deyilik. Yarış cədvəli yalan danışmır, layiq olduğumuzu aldıq”, deyə təcrübəli məşqçi vurğulayıb.
“Milan”dan ayrılmış Alleqrinin işsiz günləri elə də uzun sürməyə bilər. Onun başqa bir yüksək səviyyəli komandanı çalışdıra biləcəyi haqda məlumat var. Söhbətin, “Napoli”dən getdiyi vurğulanır. “Milan” rəhbərliyi isə yayda “Bornmut”dan ayrılacaq ispan mütəxəssis Andoni İraola ilə maraqlanır. “Milan”ın İraola ilə əlaqəyə çıxdığı haqda məlumat var, amma təfərrüat açıqlanmır.
Geridə qalmış mövsümdəki uğursuzluq “Milan” rəhbərliyini qəti addımlar atmağa təhrik edib. Vurğulanır ki, yayda “rossoneri”nin heyətində “böyük inqilab” gözlənilir: “yaramaz” oyunçuların satışının gerçəkləşdiriləcəyi bildirilir.
Futbol üzrə Türkiyə milli komandasının dayaq yarımmüdafiəçisi Salih Özcan Almaniyanın “Borussiya” (Dortmund) klubundan ayrılıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə Bundesliqa təmsilçisi rəsmi saytı vasitəsilə məlumat yayıb.
Belə ki, Almaniya klubu türkiyəli yarımmüdafiəçi ilə müddəti başa çatmış müqaviləni yeniləməyib. Klub Salihə xidmətlərinə görə təşəkkür edib, gələcək karyerasında uğurlar arzulayıb.
Xatırladaq ki, Salih Özcan 2022-ci ilin iyul ayından “Borussiya”nın uğurları üçün çalışırdı. 28 yaşlı yarımmüdafiəçi Dortmund klubunun heyətində 96 oyun keçirib və 2 məhsuldar ötürmə ilə yadda qalıb.
Almaniyanın “Köln” klubunun yetirməsi olan Salih karyerası ərzində “Holştayn Kil” və “Volfsburq” komandalarının da formasını geyinib.
Almaniyada dünyaya gəldiyi üçün bu ölkənin U-15, U-16, U-17, U-18, U-19, U-20 və U-21 yığmalarında oynamış Özcan 2022-ci ildə Türkiyənin əsas millisində forma geyinməyə qərar verib. Yarımmüdafiəçi Türkiyə millisinin heyətində 28 oyuna çıxıb, 1 qol vurub, 1 məhsuldar ötürmə verib.
“Sabah” qapıçı Stas Pokatilovla yeni müqavilə imzalayıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, qazaxıstanlı qolkiperlə yeni müqavilənin müddəti 1 ildir.
Stas 2025-ci ilin yanvar ayından “Sabah”ın uğurları üçün çalışır. 33 yaşlı qapıçı “bayquşlar”ın heyətində 61 oyun keçirib, bir dəfə Azərbaycan çempionu olub, 2 dəfə ölkə kubokunun qalibi olub.
SOCAR Midstream Gas Operations və onun Cənubi Qafqaz Boru Kəməri üzrə tərəfdaşlarının maliyyə dəstəyi ilə icra olunan “Yeni Üfüq – valideyn himayəsindən məhrum gənclərin məşğulluq qabiliyyətlərinin artırılması yolu ilə səlahiyyətləndirilməsi” layihəsi çərçivəsində futbol oyunu keçirilib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, layihə çərçivəsində peşə təlimləri ilə yanaşı, gənclərin sosial-psixoloji rifahının dəstəklənməsi, komanda ruhunun inkişafı, sağlam həyat tərzinin təşviqi və asudə vaxtlarının səmərəli təşkili məqsədilə müxtəlif əlavə fəaliyyətlər də həyata keçirilir. Futbol oyunu da bu istiqamətdə təşkil olunan sosial inkişaf fəaliyyətlərindən biri olub.
Tədbirin keçirilməsinə AFFA-nın Sosial və Ətraf Mühitin Dayanıqlılığı şöbəsi tərəfdaş qismində dəstək göstərib. AFFA tərəfindən iştirakçılar futbol formaları ilə təmin edilib, həmçinin oyunun keçirilməsi üçün meydança ayrılıb. Matçdan sonra tanınmış futbolçu, 21 yaşadək futbolçulardan ibarət Azərbaycan millisinin analitiki Qara Qarayev tərəfindən qalib komandaya mükafatlar təqdim olunub.
Qeyd edək ki, 10 ay davam edən “Yeni Üfüq” layihəsi Bakıda internat məktəbləri və uşaq müəssisələrində yaşayan, valideynlərini itirmiş və ya valideyn himayəsindən məhrum olmuş 15–18 yaşlı 80 gənci əhatə edir.
Liverpool are shaping up to be one of the most consequential clubs in the Serie A transfer market this summer, with a string of connections, both incoming and outgoing, linking the Merseyside club to Italian football across multiple positions.
The most advanced situation involves Curtis Jones, who came close to joining Inter Milan in January before the deal failed to materialise.
Inter remain keen on the England midfielder and are expected to revive their interest this summer as they look to replace the departing Davide Frattesi.
Going in the opposite direction, Denzel Dumfries has been consistently linked with Liverpool over the past year, or more. The Inter right-back has a release clause active in the summer, and with his future at the Nerazzurri uncertain, the Reds could yet make a move.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 08: Mo Salah of Liverpool FC warms up during a training session at AXA Training Centre on December 08, 2025 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Juventus ready to pick off Liverpool veterans
Juventus, meanwhile, are pursuing multiple Liverpool players as part of their summer rebuild. Alisson’s move to Turin appears the most advanced of the three, with the goalkeeper understood to be open to a return to Italy having previously played for Roma.
Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson are also reportedly on Juventus’s radar as both depart Anfield at the end of their contracts, though those links remain at an earlier stage.
Finally, Giovanni Leoni, who joined Liverpool from Parma just 12 months ago, has been speculatively linked with a return to Serie A, with Inter among those mentioned. The teenage defender missed most of his debut campaign at Anfield through injury, and his future at the club remains unclear.
Roma have officially announced the permanent acquisition of centre-forward Donyell Malen from Aston Villa, which was an obligation following the Giallorossi’s European qualification at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Official: Malen is a Roma player on a permanent basis
The Netherlands international joined Roma on loan with an option to buy from Aston Villa during the January transfer window. Recent reports confirmed that the option to buy clause would become an obligation in the event that Roma qualified for next season’s Europa League.
Roma guaranteed that they would be playing in the Europa League at a minimum following Inter’s victory against Lazio in the Coppa Italia final earlier this month, but Gian Piero Gasperini’s side went one better in the final week of the 2025-26 season and secured themselves a spot in the top four, which means that they will be returning to the Champions League in 2026-27.
VERONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Donyell Malen of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Paulo Dybala during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and AS Roma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on May 24, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
This means that Roma triggered their obligation to buy Malen, which the club have since confirmed in a statement on their website.
“AS Roma can confirm that the club has completed the signing of Donyell Malen on a permanent deal. His contract runs until 30 June 2030,” Tuesday’s confirmation read.
“The Dutch forward has made 20 appearances and scored 15 goals since joining in the January transfer window. Congrats, Donyell!”
Donyell Malen holds up his Roma shirt after joining the Giallorossi on loan with a potential obligation to buy from Aston Villa (picture via www.asroma.com)
According to updates from Gianluca Di Marzio, Malen has signed a four-year deal at the Stadio Olimpico, tying him to Roma until the summer of 2030. Roma’s obligation to buy fee is understood to have been worth €25m.
Malen’s impact was transformational on Roma’s season, with a whopping 14 goals and two assists from 18 appearances in the Italian top flight during the second half of the campaign.
Romelu Lukaku insists he wants to remain at Napoli for the last year of his contract: ‘My love for the club remains intact.’
Belgium international Lukaku wants to remain at Napoli until the summer of 2027, when his contract at the Stadio Maradona expires.
Lukaku reveals he wants to stay at Napoli
Lukaku gave an interview to RTBF, as quoted by TMW, explaining his view on his decision to remain in Belgium during the international break in March, which irritated the club.
Lukaku remained in his native country without the club’s consent to train separately, hoping to regain full fitness for the final part of the campaign, including the World Cup with Belgium.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli reacts after missing a penalty in the penalty shootout during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“I was a bit irritated by the way some Italian media presented the thing,” Lukaku said.
“They were exaggerated. I didn’t come to Belgium on holiday; I wanted to return to being the best version of myself as quickly as possible.”
Lukaku was frozen out of the team and fined by the club, but was later given permission to continue training in Belgium and returned to Naples three weeks ago.
“It’s all good now,” Lukaku explained.
“You understand why I acted that way. My love for the club remains intact. I have one year left in my contract. I’m a Napoli player, I’m not the type of player who asks to leave.”
CASTEL DI SANGRO, ITALY – AUGUST 14: Romelu Lukaku of Napoli lies on the pitch after being injured during the pre-season friendly match between Napoli and Olympiacos at Stadio Teofilo Patini on August 14, 2025 in Castel di Sangro, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
Lukaku is part of the Belgium squad for the 2026 World Cup.
“I feel increasingly fit. I’m in better shape than before the 2022 World Cup. At that time, I shouldn’t have gone to Qatar,” he admitted.
The experienced striker’s 2025-26 season was marred by a serious pre-season muscle injury, so he played only 64 minutes with the Partenopei, scoring one goal in seven appearances.
CARÌ, Switzerland (AP) — It’s four out of four for Jonas Vingegaard.
The Danish rider soloed to victory at the end of the tough 16th stage of the Giro d’Italia to extend his overall lead to more than four minutes on Tuesday.
It was the fourth mountain-top finish in this year’s race and a fourth win for Vingegaard, who triumphed atop Blockhaus, Corno alle Scale and Pila. It was a first victory for him in the leader’s pink jersey, however.
On Tuesday, Vingegaard attacked halfway up the top-category slog to the finish in Carì, with 6.6 kilometers (4 miles) remaining and no one could stay on the Team Visma-Lease a Bike rider's wheel.
Vingegaard beat Felix Gall by 69 seconds, with Jai Hindley two seconds further back.
Gall moved into second overall, 4:03 behind Vingegaard. Thymen Arensman is third, 4:27 behind.
Afonso Eulálio, who had worn pink for nine stages before ceding it atop Pila on Saturday, dropped from second to fifth after cracking on the final climb and crossing the line three minutes after Vingegaard.
The stage crossed the border into Switzerland, with five classified climbs on the 113-kilometer (70-mile) route from Bellinzona to Carì.
Wednesday’s 17th stage returns to Italy and is a 202-kilometer (126-mile) route from Cassano d’Adda to Andolo that includes three, third-category climbs.
The Giro ends on Sunday in Rome. The women’s Giro is from May 30 to June 7.
Antoine Semenyo had a goal disallowed for offside by the VAR in a 0-0 draw with Chelsea [Getty Images]
Bournemouth in the Champions League? It was still an outside possibility as the final day of the Premier League season began.
The Cherries will enter Europe for the first time next season via the Europa League as Liverpool clung on to fifth place by three points.
Yet there was another way the south-coast club could have finished in the Champions League places - if there was no video assistant referee (VAR).
Bournemouth could have been four points better off but for VAR - and therefore would have finished above Liverpool.
BBC Sport has assessed how VAR interventions may have impacted games at key moments, and looked at how some teams have benefited from the system more than others.
How key VAR interventions may have changed the table
The number of VAR interventions only tells part of the story. What really matters is when they happen, and the state of the game.
Assessing impact is subjective, but BBC Sport has identified 29 games where VAR almost certainly influenced the final result.
For instance, a VAR advising a red card in the final seconds is not likely to affect a scoreline.
In contrast, Manchester United's stoppage time 3-2 win against Burnley can be put down to a VAR penalty.
These are the games that were affected by VAR and had the most impact on the season.
The title goes down to the final day
Arsenal won the title by seven points, but they gained four through VAR - in the Gunners' win at West Ham and their victory at Everton. Both could have been draws but for VAR.
Take those four off, and heading into the final day of the season Arsenal and Manchester City would have been level on 78 points - with Pep Guardiola's team top on goal difference.
The championship may have been decided on Sunday, rather than via City's 1-1 draw at Bournemouth in midweek.
Villa might still have won at Etihad Stadium and thus Arsenal clinched the title, but the game would have taken on different significance. It would not have been largely a goodbye to departing legends like Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Guardiola himself.
Bournemouth in the Champions League
Bournemouth, Burnley and Tottenham were the clubs most affected by VAR, each four points worse off as a result of decisions.
Andoni Iraola's men had a goal ruled out for offside in a 0-0 draw with Chelsea. They also had a Evanilson effort disallowed against Leeds - the score was 2-1 at the time, and it finished 2-2.
It might have made a clear difference to Bournemouth's season, as with those four points added on they would end the season with 61 points - one more than Liverpool and in the final Champions League position.
It is impossible to know, of course, how Liverpool would have performed against Villa and Brentford in their final two matches if they were chasing the Cherries rather than leading them.
Other European positions change too
Brighton, who were three points worse off, would move up into a Europa League position.
Even though the numbers show that Chelsea enjoyed many positive VAR decisions, they lost two points because of VAR interventions against them at key times.
Add those back on and Xabi Alonso's new team would have got into the Conference League position.
Sunderland would drop out of the European places having gained two points through VAR. Without those, they would drop into 10th.
Outside of key positional changes, Brentford's five points gained was the biggest in the table. Three points came from two VAR interventions which gave the Bees a 4-3 win over Burnley, plus Villa's disallowed goal in a match Brentford won 1-0.
Keith Andrews' side would drop from ninth to 13th without those points.
After Brentford, Manchester United and Arsenal also gained four points as one of the big winners.
Tottenham suffered three result-changing VAR calls against Liverpool, Sunderland and Leeds - without these their end of season would have been far less traumatic.
The alternative table has Spurs finishing in 15th with Forest and Palace just above the drop zone.
Who got the most and fewest VAR decisions
The net score is created by taking the total number of VAR interventions in a club's favour, and subtracting those that have gone against them.
At one stage Chelsea were way out in front in pretty much every VAR metric.
Chelsea finished with a net score of +6 decisions, but until the final few weeks of the season they were on +9.
Chelsea received the most VAR interventions in a club's favour, with their 11 two more than Crystal Palace, Fulham and Manchester United.
At the other end of the scale with -5 are Everton, who were the only team not to get a single VAR decision. The only other clubs with fewer than four are Brighton (two) and Burnley (three).
It is the first time in all seven seasons of VAR that a club has failed to get one overturn in their favour.
Everton were also not awarded a penalty all season, so it will annoy David Moyes even more that the key match incidents panel ruled they should have been given VAR spot-kicks against Arsenal, West Ham and Manchester City.
The most impacted were Fulham, who had the highest interventions (19) and the decisions against (10).
Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Wolves had the fewest against, on three each.
Who gained and lost the most with goals
You will have guessed that Everton will not going to feature positively in any category of this VAR analysis.
Moyes' side and Brighton were the only teams not to receive a goal, while Newcastle United gained the most goals with five.
Chelsea came out on top on goals disallowed for the opposition, with six chalked off. Brentford are second in the table with five.
Everton are unsurprisingly bottom of the chart for opposition goals ruled out - with zero, along with Bournemouth.
When it comes to disallowed goals scored, Fulham have the most with five, followed by West Ham on four.
Brentford and Brighton, both on four, conceded the most goals through VAR. Arsenal and Manchester United were the only teams not to give away any.
Then it's the net goal score - taking the goals in favour, and subtracting the goals against.
Chelsea are way out in front with +7, the next best being Nottingham Forest on +4.
Bournemouth, Brighton and Everton were most impacted, with -4.
Subjective decisions, penalties and red cards
The subjective calls, those which require interpretation and opinion, are naturally the most controversial. Penalties and red cards, primarily.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Wolves, with six, received the most in their favour, followed by Newcastle on five.
Aston Villa and Everton were the only clubs not to get one.
Fulham, with six, suffered the most negative subjective interventions, followed by Sunderland and Tottenham on five.
Leeds had the fewest, with just one.
Manchester United and Wolves finished in front on the net subjective score, on +4, with Tottenham the outright losers on -4.
When it came to penalties, it was Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle who received the most, with three each.
Brighton, Burnley and Liverpool conceded the most, also with three.
Only a handful of clubs were impacted by multiple red cards.
Despite Chelsea's numbers generally being positive, along with Sunderland they were the only club to get two red cards in this way.
Manchester City, Liverpool and Wolves were the only clubs to benefit from having an opposition player sent off twice.
The year-on-year VAR stats
While perception may suggest otherwise, there were fewer VAR interventions this season than in any previous campaign.
The most controversy remains with the interventions which are missed; penalties which should have been awarded or red cards that were not shown.
The number of disallowed goals fell to 43, just above the lowest season tally of 42 in 2020-21.
But only one season has seen VAR lead to fewer goals than this campaign's 33.
In general, what stands out is how stable most of the numbers are.
The number of goals ruled out for offside has been between 32 and 35 across all seven seasons.
Handball penalties showed a notable rise when the Premier League tried to be more strict, before coming back down again.
The spike in overturned penalties in 2020-21 was mainly caused by factual offside and positional situations rather than incorrect foul or handball decisions.
The all-time VAR table
Wolves were relegated from the Premier League this season and their supporters will be likely to be glad to see the back of VAR.
Two seasons ago, the Molineux club tabled a motion which would have seen video review scrapped in the Premier League.
Maybe it was fitting that Wolves' last goal in the top flight, for now, was a VAR penalty.
Even when it was awarded, the fans chanted against technology.
It was the first goal they had scored with the intervention of VAR since May 2024 and their first VAR penalty since November 2022.
Across the seven seasons of VAR, for those clubs ever-present, Wolves have been the most affected - just ahead of Arsenal.
At the other end, Newcastle have enjoyed by far the greatest number of VAR interventions in their favour:
That list is as follows: Newcastle +15; Crystal Palace +8; Brighton +7; Aston Villa +6; Man City +6; Man United +6; Chelsea +3; Liverpool +1; Tottenham -4; West Ham -4; Everton -5; Arsenal -10; Wolves -15.
The NASCAR O'Reilly Series competed at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but it didn't go as expected. NASCAR had to delay the start due to weather and only completed two stages before calling the race. At the end of the day, it was a JR Motorsports driver who found his way to victory lane on Saturday night.
Ross Chastain and the No. 9 team for JR Motorsports won the Charbroil 300 at Charlotte, earning their first victory of the 2026 O'Reilly Series season. Chastain was leading at the time of the caution, and benefited from one of NASCAR's most controversial decisions of the 2026 season.
NASCAR decided to run the final 10 laps under caution to finish Stage 2, making the race official. There was no way the green flag could have been thrown due to the track conditions. It may not have been how Chastain expected to win, but he found victory lane on Saturday night.
NASCAR results: O'Reilly Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway (May 2026)
Results: Lost to Dreher, 3-2, in the Upper State semifinals
7. Wren (18-2-1)
Previous ranking: 6
Results: Lost to A.C. Flora, 4-0, in Upper State semifinals
8. Greer Middle College (18-3)
Previous ranking: 8
Results: Lost St. Joseph's, 7-1, in Upper State semifinals
9. Southside Christian (12-10)
Previous ranking: Not ranked
Results: Lost to St. Joseph's, 2-1, in the Upper State finals
10. Riverside (12-6-1)
Previous ranking: 10
Results: Lost to Greenville, 3-1, in the Upper State semifinals
Kamryn Jackson covers high school and college sports for the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, Greenville News,Anderson Independent Mail, and the USA TODAY Network. Please email her at KEJackson@gannett.com and follow her on X @KamxJack
"It must have been difficult for them with the way they come into the final, with all that went on with Spygate. I just wonder if they, as a group of players, had a bit of impostor syndrome and just felt they don't really deserve to be here."
The 72+ team are joined by Bromley boss Andy Woodman to reflect on a difficult day at Wembley for Middlesbrough, who lost to Hull City after qualifying for the Championship final following Southampton's expulsion for spying.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge is one of England's most experienced internationals, having featured at seven T20 World Cups [Getty Images]
England opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge will be available for the second and third matches of the T20 series against India following the birth of her first child.
Wyatt-Hodge, 35, missed the recent series win over New Zealand, with her partner giving birth last week.
The series begins on Thursday, in Chelmsford, with the second match on Saturday and the third next Tuesday.
Wyatt-Hodge's addition to the squad is a boost to England's T20 World Cup preparations given she would otherwise have gone into the tournament, which begins on 12 June, without a competitive international this summer.
England are already without injured captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who missed the six white-ball matches against New Zealand and will also sit out the series against India because of a calf injury.
Incumbent opener Sophia Dunkley made scores of eight, 26 and 22 against the White Ferns.
Though Wyatt-Hodge has not played an international this summer, she was in good form with two centuries and a 96 in five 50-over matches for Surrey at the start of the season.
Batter Charis Pavely has returned to Warwickshire after Wyatt-Hodge's recall but batter Maia Bouchier will stay with the squad to play India.
Seamer Lauren Filer has been released to play Durham for Durham against Surrey on Wednesday. She will rejoin the England squad afterwards.
The series provides England's last competitive matches before the World Cup, though they play official warm-ups against Australia and India on 8 and 10 June.
When the New York Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau last June, after reaching their first conference finals in 25 years, there was an outcry from fans who thought they were making a mistake.
And when they hired Mike Brown as Thibodeau's replacement, after an aimless search that dragged on for a month, there was more doubt about the move.
Let's not forget, the Knicks reportedly tried to interview four coaches already employed by other teams, and were rejected each time. Those coaches included the recently fired Jason Kidd, and Quin Snyder, who Brown and the Knicks just beat in the first round. New York was apparently clueless in which direction to turn.
How fortunate they must feel today to have stumbled into the right man.
However, even if Brown wasn't the first choice of the Knicks (or many of us), the team deserves credit for making the bold decision to part with Thibodeau in the first place. He had been their most successful coach in quite a while, with four playoff appearances in five years. They could have easily ran it back another year on a hope that his playoff shortcomings would improve.
Instead, the Knicks took charge of their own destiny and made a move for someone they felt better about. Brown has rewarded that decision in the best way possible, taking them to the finals for the first time since 1999 -- for a shot at their first title since 1973.
The Knicks weren't satisfied with merely being good. They were striving for greatness, and that's why they fired a successful coach who appeared to hit his ceiling. After 11 straight wins and an Eastern Conference title, we can say that decision was the right move. They Knicks finally appear to be where they always hoped.
The sorry Cavs shouldn't run it back
In the case of the Eastern Conference Finals, that loser was the Cleveland Cavaliers. And they didn't just lose to the Knicks, they were decimated by an average of 19 points over the four-game sweep.
He also said he had "no doubt" the current group in Cleveland can get to their ultimate goal of a title. But that's where I'll have to stop Mitchell. I'm not sure how he can believe that after the Knicks whooped them so bad in Game 4, the Cavs were too dejected to respond to Mitchell's fiery speech attempt. Charles Barkley believes they quit.
It's clear this team has big decisions to make in the offseason. I'm not sure what those include, but if Cleveland is to get back to the finals, I can promise you it won't be with this core of guys. Changes are coming.
Gallery of the Day
Quick hits: Delusional Cavs ... Enhanced flop ... and more
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 25: Enrique Riquelme attends the Media during the opening of his new campaign headquarters for his candidacy for the presidency of Real Madrid next to Bernabeu stadium on May 25, 2026, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europa Press via Getty Images
Enrique Riquelme continued to ramp up his presidential campaign by directly engaging with Real Madrid socios and supporters while publicly calling on Florentino Pérez to participate in a debate ahead of the upcoming elections.
With the club’s Electoral Board still yet to officially confirm the election date — currently expected to be June 7th — Riquelme’s campaign is already operating at full speed. The businessman spent the morning meeting with supporters at El Rincón de Toñín, a traditional gathering place tied to the Capote y Montera supporters’ club, where he listened to concerns from fans and discussed several of the themes shaping his campaign.
Among the key issues raised were the Santiago Bernabéu renovation project, the treatment of socios and season ticket holders, ticket accessibility, and what Riquelme views as a growing disconnect between the club and its membership base.
Riquelme argued that ordinary socios have increasingly been pushed aside despite the club’s commercial success.
“Season ticket holders are privileged, but regular members feel forgotten,” he reportedly explained during the meeting. He specifically questioned the difficulty members face when trying to purchase tickets through the club’s official system, suggesting the process lacks transparency and accessibility.
Another recurring topic was the issue of season ticket redistribution. Riquelme criticized the lack of clarity surrounding season tickets that become available after holders are reportedly removed for resale violations, questioning why those spots are not being opened to waiting socios.
Much of the attention, however, centered on his demand for a public debate with Florentino Pérez.
The current Real Madrid president recently challenged potential opponents to step forward publicly and explain what they had contributed to the club. Riquelme responded directly, insisting that after two decades without a contested election, a debate is necessary.
“There has to be a debate,” Riquelme said. “Florentino has been the best president in Real Madrid history, and what we want is to continue building on the legacy he has created while taking the club into the future.”
He also claimed Pérez never truly expected a challenger to emerge, pointing to how quickly his own campaign was assembled once elections were announced.
Throughout the event, Riquelme leaned heavily into a message centered around listening to socios and restoring stronger communication between the club hierarchy and its membership. Before leaving, he posed for photos with fans and accepted a document containing requests and concerns from a group of members, promising to review the proposals and incorporate them into upcoming campaign announcements.
Report: Man United considering move for defender with £70m release clause
Man United Transfer News: Why Maximiliano Araújo Interest Makes Sense
Araújo profile fits United’s left sided problem
Caught Offside have reported that Manchester United are closely watching Sporting CP full back Maximiliano Araújo, with Chelsea now entering the race for the Uruguay international. For United, this is precisely the sort of rumour that feels both logical and revealing.
Araújo, 26, has impressed in Portugal with his energy, pace, physicality and attacking threat. His £70 million release clause gives Sporting a strong negotiating hand, especially with his contract running until 2029, yet the suggestion that English clubs may test the water below that figure makes this one worth tracking.
Photo IMAGO
United’s left back situation has drifted for too long. Luke Shaw, when fit, remains one of the most technically secure players in the squad, but availability has become the unavoidable question even after a injury free season, history shows it’s something to consider.
Tactical flexibility appeals to Carrick
Araújo’s appeal lies in the range of jobs he can perform. He can play as a left back, wing back or even higher up the pitch, which makes him a natural fit for a modern coach who wants movement, aggression and adaptability on the flank.
United need players who can hold width, carry the ball and still recover defensively with intensity. Araújo appears to offer that blend, and his Sporting background inevitably makes the link feel more credible.
A move would also speak to a wider shift in recruitment. United cannot keep buying names. They need profiles. Araújo looks like a player bought for a role, not for a headline.
Chelsea interest raises pressure
Chelsea’s presence changes the temperature. Their recruitment model has leaned heavily towards athletic, technically comfortable players with resale value and tactical upside. Araújo fits that bracket neatly.
Manchester City have also been loosely mentioned, although Caught Offside suggest a move there feels less likely given their defensive depth. That leaves United and Chelsea as the more intriguing Premier League possibilities.
The price remains the sticking point. Sporting’s £70 million clause is significant, although reports suggest talks could begin lower, perhaps in the €50 million to €60 million range. That still represents a major investment for a full back, particularly for a United side with several areas requiring surgery.
Sporting stance makes deal difficult
Sporting have little reason to panic. Long contract, rising profile, Premier League interest, those are the ingredients of a seller’s market.
Yet this is not impossible. Portuguese clubs understand the rhythm of the transfer market better than most. If Araújo pushes for the move, or if United decide he is essential to Carrick’s rebuild, negotiations can move quickly.
For now, Araújo feels like a sensible target rather than a guaranteed signing. For United, that alone is progress.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
From a Manchester United supporter’s perspective, this is exactly the type of report that creates cautious optimism. Araújo is not the obvious superstar name that dominates social media for three days and then disappears. He sounds more like a proper squad building piece, someone recruited because the manager has a specific tactical need.
The left side has been a recurring frustration. Shaw is excellent when available, but United cannot build an entire structure around a player whose fitness record historically forces compromises. A fit, aggressive, athletic left sided player who can operate as a wing back or full back would change the way United attack and defend.
The concern, naturally, is the fee. £70 million for a full back would invite scrutiny from day one. United have made too many expensive mistakes to treat that figure lightly. At €50 million to €60 million, the conversation becomes more reasonable, though still significant.
Chelsea entering the race is irritating, but also reassuring in a strange way. It suggests Araújo is not a random name being pushed into the rumour cycle. Good clubs are watching him.
NC State freshman Matt Able will reportedly withdraw from the 2026 NBA draft and transfer to North Carolina, according to Marc J. Spears of Andscape.
Able averaged 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals while shooting 35.5% from 3-point range in 34 games this past season with the Wolfpack. He scored in double figures 14 times, including a season-high 19 points and six rebounds on Feb. 17 in a win over the Tar Heels.
A consensus top-30 recruit, Able was the highest-ranked freshman to sign with NC State since Dennis Smith Jr. (2016-17). He was the first player to commit to coach Will Wade, who resigned after one season following their loss to Texas in the First Four.
Former North Carolina State guard Matt Able will be taking his talents to play for North Carolina at Chapel Hill for new head coach Michael Malone, his representation Life Sports Agency told Andscape. The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds as freshman last season pic.twitter.com/KBJZvxpBkc
Able announced on April 6 that he would enter the transfer portal while also declaring for the draft, maintaining his college eligibility. He eventually committed to play for coach Michael Malone if he withdrew from the draft ahead of the early entry deadline on Wednesday.
The 18-year-old was among the top performers at the draft combine earlier this month, averaging 16 points and 3.5 rebounds in two scrimmage games. He also went 14-for-25 in the 3-point star and 19-for-30 in the off-the-dribble shooting drills.
Able was considered an early second-round pick following his combine showing, which likely factored into his decision to forgo the draft for now. He now projects to be a significant addition for Malone in his first season as a college head coach.
FIFA confirmed that Iran will hold its World Cup base camp in Mexico, not the U.S., as the team had previously planned.
Iran selected its base camp in Tucson, Arizona, shortly before the United States attacked the country.
Iran’s participation in the tournament, which begins June 11, has been questioned for months amid the war with the U.S., one of three World Cup host nations along with Mexico and Canada. Iran is set to play its group stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle. Earlier this year, FIFA declined Iran’s request to move its World Cup matches to Mexico after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated he could not guarantee the “life and safety” of Iranian players.
In a statement on Saturday, Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj said “our request to change the team’s base from the United States to Mexico was approved.” Taj also said moving the base camp solves potential visa issues and the team may be able to use Iran Air for travel.
But Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum framed it differently. On Monday, she said that FIFA approached her government to ask if Iran could hold its base camp there. “The United States doesn’t want the Iranian national team to stay overnight in the United States,” Sheinbaum said, adding that her country has “no issue with that.”
A spokesperson for Trump’s World Cup Task Force did not comment when asked if the U.S. wanted to prevent the Iranian soccer players from staying in the country. The State Department did not immediately answer questions.
FIFA already paid Pima County half of the $213,952 base fee to use the FC Tucson training facility on April 10, according to AZPM News. The two sides signed their general contract in December.
Also on Monday, the U.S. launched what it called “self-defense strikes,” to which Iran’s foreign ministry said the country “will leave no act of aggression unanswered.” The two sides are still technically operating under a ceasefire, and top Iranian officials were in Doha meeting with Qatari mediators about making a deal with the U.S. when the strikes happened.
The New York Knicks trip to the NBA Finals is a long time coming, with the team clinching the Eastern Conference title for the first time in almost three decades.
As the Knicks have dominated the playoffs thus far, fans are reminded of the last time the Knicks went far in the NBA playoffs, doing so in a much different fashion. While the Knicks were favorites in each of their three Eastern Conference series this year, they were underdogs in each series the last time they won the conference.
If the Knicks can finish the job in the NBA Finals, they would break a 52-year drought to bring a title back to New York. Until then, Knicks fans can celebrate being able to watch their team play in the NBA Finals for the first time since the 1990s.
Here's a breakdown of the last time the Knicks reached the NBA Finals.
The Knicks haven't been in the NBA Finals since the 1999 season, when they made an unlikely run in a shortened season. The NBA had a lockout that year and didn't begin the season until the middle of January, which resulted in a 50-game season instead of the usual 82 games.
New York went just 27-23 in the regular season and earned the No. 8 seed in the playoffs, but executed three-straight upsets to make the NBA Finals. It was the Knicks' second NBA Finals appearance of the 1990s but, like was th case in 1994, ended in a series loss.
The Knicks 1999 team was of course headlined by Patrick Ewing, the long-time Knick who anchored the team for most of his career. Ewing was 36 years old during this playoff run and near the end of his career, but still led the team in points per game in the regular season. However, Ewing was injured throughout the playoff run, which ended up limiting the team's upside.
The rest of the Knicks roster was much different than the one that made the Finals just five years prior. Allan Houston was their best player, producing a strong season for a Knicks team that was a changing of the guard from the Ewing era. Charlie Ward and Kurt Thomas also joined Houston as the only players to play in all 50 games that year.
New York also had Latrell Sprewell coming off the bench as one of the best sixth men in the league. Sprewell and Houston both averaged over 16 points per game and, in the playoffs, were the team's top two leading scorers.
Larry Johnson filled out the starting rotation while Chris Childs, Chris Dudley and Marcus Camby came off the bench.
The head coach of this team was Jeff Van Gundy, who took over for Don Nelson in 1996.
The Knicks first playoff series was the team's hardest in the Eastern Conference. New York drew the No. 1 seeded Miami Heat led by Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway and former Knicks head coach Pat Riley.
The five-game series went the distance, as the Knicks took Games 1 and 3 along with the deciding Game 5. In that final game of the series, Allan Houston hit the game-winning shot in Miami to seal the deal and produce won of the iconic moments in Knicks history.
25 years ago today...
Allan Houston sank the game-winner in Game 5 of Round 1 to lift the No. 8 seed Knicks over the No. 1 seed Heat! pic.twitter.com/4WoqWfqHOz
The second round of the playoffs was pretty nondescript, as New York swept the No. 4 Atlanta Hawks in the seven game series. That Hawks team included Steve Smith, Mookie Blaylock and Dikembe Mutombo, but had no answers for New York despite the seed disparity.
"The Knicks have completely blown out the Hawks here in Game 4…four-game sweep…Knicks are going back to the Eastern Conference Finals after a four-year absence. They'll face the Indiana Pacers"
– Mike Breen on this day in 1999 as NY stifles Atlanta 79-66; Allan Houston with 19 pic.twitter.com/q22cUAZ6w4
The Knicks and Indiana Pacers had a fierce rivalry in the 1990s, meeting in the playoffs several times. With Reggie Miller leading the charge, the Pacers always gave the Knicks a tough time, the two teams played each other six times in the playoffs between 1993 and 2000.
New York once again took Games 1, 3 and 5 before closing it out in New York during Game 6. The biggest highlight of this series was in Game 3, when Larry Johnson executed a game-winning four-point play to take the game and secure a 2-1 lead en route to the series victory.
Once the Knicks made the NBA Finals, New York finally ran into a team that was too tough to beat. The Spurs were 37-13 that year and were the best team in basketball, going 15-2 in the playoffs while dominating their competition.
Tim Duncan and David Robinson led the way for a balanced Spurs team. Patrick Ewing was injured for this series, forcing Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston to try and carry the team. Ultimately, though, San Antonio won the series in five games.
They arrived together as first-round picks in 2025. Thirteen months later, things got awkward between them.
And while the dust has settled for now on the one-sided social-media skirmish between Giants linebacker Abdul Carter and Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, it's not over.
For those who unplugged over the three-day weekend, here's a summary. Dart introduced President Donald Trump during a New York rally on Friday. On Saturday morning, Carter expressed disapproval on Twitter. Later in the day, Carter declared that all is well — and chided those who reasonably reacted to Carter airing out internal laundry externally.
Many of the reactions have been predictably hypocritical. They're wagging a finger at Carter for reacting to Dart's unforced error. And they're ignoring the fact that Dart lit the fuse on all of this.
In the broader cost-benefit analysis that should have preceded Dart's acceptance of the invitation to introduce a polarizing and increasingly unpopular political figure, what was the potential gain? What was the potential loss?
What was it that prompted Carter to sound off on Saturday morning? Was it the product of a stream of texts from teammates and/or family members and/or friends and/or NFL players Carter knows from other teams?
Finally, what led to Carter doing a public about-face?
Plenty of related questions should all be asked (regardless of whether they're satisfactorily answered) the next time the Giants make coaches and/or players available to reporters. And it will continue until Dart, Carter, and head coach John Harbaugh address the situation in a Q&A that hits the various salient points.
For Dart: Why did you do it? Did you tell the team you were going to do it? Did you seek advice from anyone as to whether it was a good idea to do it?
For Carter: Basically, the same questions as it relates to his Saturday morning tweet.
For both, it will be interesting to know how their conversation came to be. Who called whom? What was said? Was there an intermediary involved?
For Harbaugh: What did you think of Dart introducing Trump? What did you think of Carter's response? What role if any did you have in getting the fences mended?
These are all fair questions, because the answers will shed plenty of light on whether the hatchet is truly buried — or whether they merely kicked the can for the good of the team. It remains to be seen which questions are asked, and what is said in response to each of them.
If the Philadelphia Phillies have had one glaring hole this season, it has been their offense. A team built around slugging and launching the ball, the Phillies hold the 17th-best slugging percentage (.384), but are in the top 10 for home runs (tied for eighth, 64) thanks to designated hitter Kyle Schwarber having 21 of them (a major league lead).
With few players like Schwarber, first baseman Bryce Harper (.269 batting average and a .878 OPS) and left fielder Brandon Marsh (.318/.824) seeing the ball well in the starting lineup, the Phillies bench has been abysmal.
The Philadelphia Phillies have received very little production from members of the bench
Like bullpens throughout Major League Baseball, the Phillies bench has been in flux with a few players traveling the bus from Triple-A Leigh Valley to Philadelphia to lend a hand. Players like infielder/outfielder Otto Kemp, first baseman/outfielder Felix Reyes, former utility man Dylan Moore and Edmundo Sosa have tried to fill the fourth-outfielder spot, but all failed.
According to 97.3 ESPN's Jeff Kerr, every member of the Phillies bench, including the two catchers, Rafael Marchan and Garrett Stubbs, has a batting average of under .240 and an OPS under .600. Stubbs has the highest batting average (.235) with the fewest plate appearances (21), while Sosa has the highest OPS (.589) with the most plate appearances (87).
Stubbs has filled in nicely for Moore, who was also the Phillies' pitcher in blowout games. Moore made two appearances (5.40 ERA) for the Phillies this season and is currently playing in Leigh Valley after he was designated for assignment on May 2.
Sosa has been asked to play more under interim manager Don Mattingly, which seems to have exposed him a little. In his last 10 games, Sosa is 6-for-33 and has struck out nine times. Second baseman Bryson Stott has started to swing a hot bat -- batting .257 with a .808 OPS and five home runs in his last 30 games.
Given that Stott is finding his swing, Sosa could likely slide back into his utility role and be more effective.
The HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala is one of the most scenic cricket grounds in India, located in the hills of Himachal Pradesh.
Dharamsala is the second home ground of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
It will host four IPL 2026 matches, including the Qualifier 1 playoff match.
The Cricket News tracks the highest scores chased in T20 cricket at the venue.
Highest successful run chases in all T20 cricket at HPCA Stadium in Dharmsala
The HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala is the second home ground of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
As of now, it will host three home matches of PBKS in the ongoing IPL 2026 season, as well as the Qualifier 1 clash between RCB and GT during the playoffs.
In this article, Cricket News takes a look at the highest run chases at Dharamsala in T20 cricket.
Highest run chases at HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, in all T20 cricket
No.
Team
Score
Target chased
Opponent
Year
1
Delhi Capitals
216/7
211
Punjab Kings
2026
2
Mumbai Indians
205/4
201
Punjab Kings
2026
3
South Africa
200/3
200
India
2015
4
Chennai Super Kings
195/4
193
Kings XI Punjab
2010
5
Rajasthan Royals
189/6
188
Punjab Kings
2023
6
India
186/3
184
Sri Lanka
2022
7
Deccan Chargers
178/5
175
Kings XI Punjab
2010
8
Oman
157/8
155
Ireland
2016
9
India
148/4
147
Sri Lanka
2022
10
Delhi Daredevils
145/4
142
Kings XI Punjab
2012
Highest successful run chases at HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala in IPL
No.
Team
Score
Target chased
Opponent
Season
1
Delhi Capitals
216/7
211
Punjab Kings
2026
2
Mumbai Indians
205/4
201
Punjab Kings
2026
3
Chennai Super Kings
195/4
193
Kings XI Punjab
2010
4
Rajasthan Royals
189/6
188
Punjab Kings
2023
5
Deccan Chargers
178/5
175
Kings XI Punjab
2010
6
Delhi Daredevils
145/4
142
Kings XI Punjab
2012
7
Kings XI Punjab
123/4
121
Chennai Super Kings
2011
Highest successful run chases in T20I cricket at HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala
No.
Team
Score
Target
Opponent
Year
1
South Africa
200/3
200
India
2015
2
India
186/3
184
Sri Lanka
2022
3
Oman
157/8
155
Ireland
2016
4
India
148/4
147
Sri Lanka
2022
5
India
120/3
118
South Africa
2019
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Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (8) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Falcons went out and drafted Zachariah Branch, one of the most well-regarded slot threats in this year’s draft class, which suggested they’d be rolling with three receivers often. They also signed Austin Hooper, a useful pass-catching threat at tight end, and already had Kyle Pitts and Charlie Woerner, which suggested they’d want to use two tight ends frequently. The signing of Brian Robinson, a high-end backup running back who brings a bruising running style and underrated hands, suggested they may even want to go with two running backs on occasion.
Obviously, you can only roll 11 players out there on offense, so there will have to be mixing-and-matching here. Based on Kevin Stefanski and Tommy Rees’ history, though, what kind of splits can we expect from this Falcons offense in 2026?
The Falcons will use two tight ends a lot
Stefanski and Rees ran 85% of Cleveland’s 2025 plays out of two personnel groupings, per SumerSports. Their 11 (three wide receivers, one running back, one tight end) usage was their highest at 43.98%, which was 27th in the NFL. That was just below the 2025 Falcons, who ran with 11 personnel 45.13% of the time.
Their second-highest usage rate was for 12 personnel (two TEs, two WRs, one RB) at 41.17%, just ahead of the 2025 Falcons at 38.17%, as they leaned heavily on Harold Fannin and David Njoku. They also leaned on 12 personnel with one extra offensive lineman in place of a receiver on nearly 5% of their snaps, the fifth-highest rate in the NFL (the Falcons were 24th) and 13 personnel (three TEs, one WR, one RB) about 4%, or the 18th-highest rate in the league (the Falcons were 9th, thanks to Feleipe Franks and Teagan Quitoriano). The picture you should be getting from this is that the Browns were heavily reliant on their tight ends in 2025.
That wasn’t the case in years prior, when the Browns had one of the highest 11 usage rates in the NFL at 6th in 2024 and 11th in 2023. They were decidedly mixed-usage in 2022, but used a sixth offensive lineman at the highest rate in the league. What emerges is a picture of an offense that adapted to personnel, but readily embraced a reliance on tight ends when the personnel justified it.
I think it’s fair to assume two fundamental truths about this Falcons offense based on what we know of 2025 and earlier for Stefanski (and to a lesser extent, Rees). The first item is that the team will not be as reliant on two tight end sets as the Browns were last season, given that Cleveland had two high-end TE options and relatively weak receivers and the Falcons are a bit stronger in the regard with the addition of Jahan Dotson and Branch. The second truth is that they’re still going to heavily lean on 12 (and occasionally 13) personnel because of the relative strength of the tight end position, the multitude of ways they can deploy Kyle Pitts, and the Hooper signing representing a fairly obvious statement of intent.
The versatility of their personnel will help Atlanta keep things fresh. They can roll out Kyle Pitts and Austin Hooper as in-line options with Drake London and Jahan Dotson split out wide and have the credible threat of Bijan Robinson as a receiving option out of the backfield, or they can kick Pitts out wide opposite Dotson with London operating out of the slot and either Hooper or Woerner available to block or serve as an option of last resort. I expect we’ll also see Branch operating out of the slot at times with London and Pitts as your outside options. The fact that Hooper can still catch and blocks fairly well allows Atlanta to create doubt more effectively than they could last year with two tight end sets featuring Woerner, given that his presence was a frequent tell that the Falcons were about to run and he struggled last year.
While the Browns offense was ugly as sin last year, the underlying shift to two tight end usage was clearly intentional and fairly successful in the context of Cleveland’s struggles. The Hooper signing, last year’s trend lines, and the steady rise of 12 personnel usage should give us confidence the Falcons will draw from that grouping a lot with Pitts, Hooper, and Woerner.
What does that mean for Zachariah Branch and Jahan Dotson?
The Falcons will still probably utilize three receiver sets more frequently than 12 personnel, but as was the case for Cleveland a year ago, the gap between those two groupings may well be very narrow. That has obvious implications for Dotson and Branch, the team’s expected #2 and #3 wide receivers, especially because Branch’s size may limit how often he works outside in the pros. In three years of college ball with USC and Georgia, Branch operated out of the slot 76%-plus of the time each season.
Dotson has experience playing inside and outside in the pros, but has had an underwhelming career to this point, so he is not necessarily etched in stone as a volume option in this offense. The good news for both players is that there’s still going to be plenty of opportunity and plenty of playing time available, and Branch in particular was clearly acquired to play a prominent role in the screen-heavy passing game Stefanski and Rees favor. If Dotson keeps the #2 job all season he’ll end up playing between 60-70% of the team’s offensive snaps, while Branch is probably baked in to at least 40%. The team will have opportunities to go around.
But I do think, from a real life role and fantasy perspective, that Dotson and Branch have capped upside to an extent. Both are operating in an offense that’s going to lean heavily on the run, utilize two tight ends frequently, and are working on a roster where the top three targets are likely to be Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and probably Bijan Robinson. If Branch looks like a rookie and/or has his role a bit limited in year one because of size or readiness, and if Dotson doesn’t blossom in the Stefanski/Rees offense, there’s a real chance that the team will ratchet up their 12 personnel usage as the season goes on.
The rest we’ll need to wait to see, as summer talk from the coaching staff, usage in training camp and preseason, and a combination of health and readiness will give us clues as to how the offense will look ahead of the 2026 season. Ultimately, though, I’d expect an emphasis on versatility no matter the formation and personnel grouping, and a continued heavy reliance on 11 and 12 personnel.
LA CROSSE, Wis. — It was only a year ago that Petoskey’s Alison Bailey was setting records on the high school track.
The 2025 Petoskey High School graduate ended her standout track and field career with a foot in three school records.
Now, a year later, Bailey’s first collegiate season ends with a program record as well.
Competing with the Calvin University women’s track and field team, Bailey helped the 4x100 meter relay team to a program record and All-America finish at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field National Championships on Saturday, May 23.
Bailey, along with grad student Sydney Radigan, senior Mia DeJonge and freshman Rayn Rutley ran a time of 46.29 seconds, placing seventh in DIII, which was good enough for All-America honors (top eight) and a new Calvin record.
"The 4x100 was extremely competitive this year and I'm pleased with the performance of our relay today," Calvin head track and field coach Adam Haldorson said in a release. "They did a great job of working together under pressure and coming home with a top-eight finish. I also want to acknowledge Kaitlyn DiMaggio, who has been a part of the relay for most of the year and was at the ready if she was needed. It was a team effort that got the relay to this conclusion."
The Calvin women earned a fourth place overall finish in Division III at at the championships, with Radigan earning national titles in the 100 and 200 meter dashes.
Bailey’s big first season at Calvin also came with a season-best 57.93 in the 400 meter run, the best time by a Calvin athlete this season in the event.
She placed third in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) for the season in the 400. She also ran a personal best in the 200 in 25.49 seconds and set a new personal best in the 100 in 12.52 seconds.
Her 200 meter dash time placed her fourth in the conference and she was the lone freshman to qualify for the conference finals race in the event.
While at Petoskey, Bailey broke a 33-year record in the 200 with a time of 25.70 seconds, then was part of school records in the 4x100 and 4x200.
Reach Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com and follow him on X @DrewKochanny and Instagram @drewkochanny
So who should be the Ponce Law Girls Athlete of the Week? You get to decide.
Vote in our poll below. Voting closes May 28 at noon.
Annie Prince, Community: Prince struck out 15 batters in the Champions’ 10-1 win over Marion County in the Class 2A softball state title game. Prince walked four and gave up five hits.
Madison Davenport, Eagleville: Davenport allowed four hits in seven innings, surrendering one run in Eagleville’s 2-1 win over McEwen in the Class 1A softball state championship game.
Norah Box, Friendship Christian: Box went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the Commanders’ 13-3 win over Boyd Buchanan in the DII-A softball state tournament quarterfinals.
Ava Lastovka, McEwen: Lastovka struck out nine batters and surrendered one walk in McEwen’s 2-1 loss to Eagleville in the Class 1A softball state championship game.
Aaliyah Varnado, MLK Jr.: Varnado won her fourth 100-meter dash title, with a time of 11.64, and her fourth 200, with a time of 23.84, at the Class AA track and field state championships.
Chyna Rucker-Harris, Pearl-Cohn: Rucker-Harris won the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dash state titles at the Class A track and field state meet. She ran a state meet record time of 11.45 in the 100. Her 23.53 in the 200 set a state meet record and tied a state record. Her 53.06 in the 400 was a state record.
Anna Keeney, Ravenwood: Keeney won the Class AAA long jump state title with a length of 19-02.75 and won the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.22.
Toju Williams, Rockvale: Williams won the Class AAA shot put title with a throw of 45-09.50.
Brynn Balturshot, Station Camp: Balturshot was state runner-up in the 1,600-meter run (5:04.69), fourth in the 800 (2:18.93) and third in the 3,200 (11:37.34) to gather 19 points by herself during Station Camp’s three-peat Class AA track and field state championship run.
Alexis Pope, Stewarts Creek: Pope was 4-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs in Stewarts Creek’s 10-0 win over Maryville in the Class 4A softball state championship game.
Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.
So who should be the Ponce Law Girls Athlete of the Week? You get to decide.
Vote in our poll below. Voting closes May 28 at noon.
Annie Prince, Community: Prince struck out 15 batters in the Champions’ 10-1 win over Marion County in the Class 2A softball state title game. Prince walked four and gave up five hits.
Madison Davenport, Eagleville: Davenport allowed four hits in seven innings, surrendering one run in Eagleville’s 2-1 win over McEwen in the Class 1A softball state championship game.
Norah Box, Friendship Christian: Box went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the Commanders’ 13-3 win over Boyd Buchanan in the DII-A softball state tournament quarterfinals.
Ava Lastovka, McEwen: Lastovka struck out nine batters and surrendered one walk in McEwen’s 2-1 loss to Eagleville in the Class 1A softball state championship game.
Aaliyah Varnado, MLK Jr.: Varnado won her fourth 100-meter dash title, with a time of 11.64, and her fourth 200, with a time of 23.84, at the Class AA track and field state championships.
Chyna Rucker-Harris, Pearl-Cohn: Rucker-Harris won the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dash state titles at the Class A track and field state meet. She ran a state meet record time of 11.45 in the 100. Her 23.53 in the 200 set a state meet record and tied a state record. Her 53.06 in the 400 was a state record.
Anna Keeney, Ravenwood: Keeney won the Class AAA long jump state title with a length of 19-02.75 and won the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.22.
Toju Williams, Rockvale: Williams won the Class AAA shot put title with a throw of 45-09.50.
Brynn Balturshot, Station Camp: Balturshot was state runner-up in the 1,600-meter run (5:04.69), fourth in the 800 (2:18.93) and third in the 3,200 (11:37.34) to gather 19 points by herself during Station Camp’s three-peat Class AA track and field state championship run.
Alexis Pope, Stewarts Creek: Pope was 4-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs in Stewarts Creek’s 10-0 win over Maryville in the Class 4A softball state championship game.
Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.
Jamie Allen is leaving Coventry after seven years and 200 appearances [Getty Images]
Jamie Allen will look back on his seven-year Coventry City stint as a "big achievement" when he bids farewell to the Premier League-bound Sky Blues this summer.
Allen has been released by the club after contributing to two promotions during his time at the CBS Arena.
Arriving from Burton Albion in 2019, Allen went on to make 200 appearances for City, but the 31-year-old's opportunities this past season were restricted due to a highly competitive and in-form midfield department.
While his immediate future remains uncertain, Allen is grateful for the friendships he built and said it had been " a hell of a journey".
He told BBC CWR. "I have enjoyed every second of it. It is a sad moment, in a way, because I am leaving people behind who I class as really close mates and family.
"As a footballer, you never think you are going to be at a club for as long as I did. How football is, it is always changing so for me to stay at Coventry for seven years is a big achievement for me.
"When I first joined, I didn't expect to be here for this long, or have the relationships I have with the people that I have there, and with the fans. I can't thank them enough for everything they've done for me over the past seven years."
Allen was signed by manager Mark Robins and continued to feature under the current Stoke City boss until his sacking by the Sky Blues in November 2024.
"I am a quiet character, I would not talk to him [Robins] every day but our relationship was good," Allen recalled.
"I always went into training with a smile on my face. Mark, with the players he signed, took steps in the right direction and played a massive part in where the club are today."
Robins was succeeded by Frank Lampard, who in his first full campaign in charge guided City back to the Premier League after 25 years as second-tier champions.
It was the first managerial change of Allen's career and required a period of adjustment - not least of all because of Lampard's footballing reputation.
"It was a massive shock, I didn't expect it at all," he admitted. "In my career, I had never had that experience where a manager has been sacked, so it was a strange, weird feeling.
"It was a big change, but when Frank Lampard came in it was a breath of fresh air. He came in, he didn't demand anything but he tweaked a few things and he has done unbelievable since he came in.
"I didn't expect, in my career, to be managed by Frank Lampard, one of the all-time great Premier League midfielders. Meeting him for the first time you get a bit nervous, but you soon realise what a good, down-to-earth person he is."
The deadline to withdraw and maintain college eligibility is 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 27. Able was among the top performers at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, averaging 16 points in two scrimmages, knocking down 7 of 14 shots (50%) from 3-point range.
The 6-foot-6, 205-pound guard committed to the Tar Heels on April 21 as one of the top players available in the transfer portal. In his freshman season for the Wolfpack, Able averaged 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in 21.8 minutes off the bench. He shot 41.6% and made 35.5% of his attempts from beyond the arc.
He had 14 games with double-digit points and 13 with multiple 3-pointers, scoring a season-best 19 points with five 3-pointers in a win against UNC in Raleigh. Able worked out for several NBA teams, but mock drafts had the 18-year-old prospect projected to be a second-round pick. During the combine, Able was asked by NCAA.com’s Andy Katz about his decision to play for Malone’s Tar Heels.
“My goal has been, since a kid, to make it to the NBA and stay in the NBA. So I feel like, for me, I was going with what I thought was the best destination, best situation to make me a pro if I don’t go this year. For me, it was Coach Malone,” Able said.
“I had a lot of other really good options, but for me, it was Coach Malone being an NBA champion, coaching greats like (Nikola) Jokic, Jamal Murray. Being able to just be around those guys is just amazing. I feel like he runs an NBA system and it’ll help me take my game to the next level if I don’t go this year.”
The first N.C. State player to transfer to UNC since World War II, Able joins a UNC backcourt that includes returners Jaydon Young and Isaiah Denis, along with transfer portal additions in Terrence Brown Jr. (Utah) and Neoklis Avdalas (Virginia Tech). Incoming freshman Malloy Smith is also a part of Malone’s first group of guards.
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@usatodayco.com.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to become just the third franchise in Major League Baseball history to win three consecutive World Series titles.
To accomplish that, they'll need better production from their middle infielders. Shortstop Mookie Betts is having a rough offensive season, in large part due to a right oblique strain that has limited him to just 20 games thus far.
"Even if future Hall of Famer Mookie Betts heats up at some point this year, the Dodgers still probably are a middle infielder short with an upgrade likely needed over any combination of Hyeseong Kim, Alex Freeland, and Miguel Rojas," Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly wrote Tuesday.
Rojas was one of the Dodgers' heroes in last year's World Series, but his .644 OPS is less than ideal. Kelly writes that the way Los Angeles can shock MLB is by making a trade for an All-Star infielder from National League clubs.
"The nightmare scenario for the rest of the league would be if [Andrew] Friedman is able to pry the aforementioned [CJ] Abrams away from the Nationals, either to play shortstop or second base," Kelly added. "It's hard to think the Diamondbacks would trade [Ketel] Marte in the division, but you get the feeling that the Dodgers are going to try to reel in another big fish this summer."
Adding either Abrams or Marte would make an already dangerous Dodgers lineup that much scarier.
Marte is starting to heat up after a slow start and has plenty of postseason experience, leading the D-Backs to the World Series in 2023.
Abrams leads the Majors with 46 RBIs and owns what would be a career best .925 OPS while already hitting 12 home runs. That's just eight homers from his personal best of 20.
The college football season is rapidly approaching, and for Notre Dame, it is set at quarterback with CJ Carr.
The second-year starter is coming off a season where he completed 66.6% of his passes for 2,741-yards and 24 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions. There is considerable amount of hype surrounding his NFL draft status following this coming season, and on Tuesday ESPN ranked the Irish’s quarterback situation as one of the best in the nation along with Miami, Ole Miss, Texas and Ohio State.
David Hale who comprised the list noted that Carr was fantastic again the blitz, completing 65% of his attempt while having the highest rate of those throws among returning quarterbacks. While that stat is eye-popping, he said that teams didn’t really have a choice, as Carr carved up opposing secondaries when he wasn’t pressure averaging 9.4 yards-per-dropback.
There was one that that wasn’t promising for Carr that Hale pointed out, his play against Power 4 opponents which saw just six passing touchdowns and 4 of his interceptions. If he can improve in this area, the sky is the limit for the redshirt sophomore.
Every spring I put way way way too much time and research into ranking every FBS QB situation into tiers knowing that you’ll immediately search for your team then tell me I’m an idiot. It’s a cathartic process. Anyway, here ya go… https://t.co/q1q0Dstkgl
Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.
For most of the 2025 season, nobody around the Ravens knew Gerry Sandusky had already decided it would be his final year calling games. During an appearance on The Lounge with Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing, Sandusky opened up about the emotional moments following Baltimore's playoff loss to the Steelers and how he finally told longtime partner Rod Woodson that his career was over.
Sandusky explained that he intentionally kept his retirement decision private because he never wanted it to become a distraction during the season.
“Because I knew it might be the last game, I had my son with me in the broadcast booth… Zach, my son, and I and Rod walked back to the hotel and on the way back to the hotel, I stopped and said, ‘Rod, listen, that was it for me.’”
Sandusky also revealed Woodson initially didn't want to believe it.
“He didn’t want to believe it. He’s like, ‘No, no, no.’ You know, he’s like, ‘No, you sure.’ You’re just getting caught up in the emotion.”
The moment highlights just how close the relationships become over years of traveling together, calling games together, and sharing unforgettable moments around the NFL. While fans will always remember Sandusky's iconic calls, it's clear the personal relationships built over those 20 seasons mattered just as much to him.
Recently, the New York Yankees captain has been in a bit of a dry spell. Aaron Judge, who is the back-to-back Most Valuable Player of the American League, is not in the lead of a recent ranking by ESPN.
Instead, the slugger is sitting in a lowly sixth position, with an AXE rating of 127.4. Looking at who is ahead of him, he is not even the front-runner of his own team to take home the MVP award.
Outfielder Cody Bellinger, who is arguably having the better season between himself and Judge, is sitting in fourth with an AXE rating of 129.3. Bellinger has seven home runs, 33 RBIs, and an OPS of .863 this season.
Comparing that to Judge, who has launched 17 long balls, has 32 RBIs, and an OPS of .933, it is a close comparison. But, No. 99 should at least be the leading vote-getter of his own team.
Lately, Judge has been in a serious slump. Over his last eight games, he is hitting an abysmal .129 at the plate, and the Yankees have only been able to win half of those games. Much in large part to the waning factor of their best player.
This MVP vote is far from over, but the Yankees need to have their best player back to form. Judge is the captain of this squad, and he is the one who has to put them back in the World Series this upcoming October.
If No. 99 can pick it up, expect him to get back into that MVP conversation.
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 24: Dakota Ditcheva weighs in for their PFL Championship fight during the official weigh-ins on November 24, 2022, at the New Yorker Hotel in New York, NY. (Photo by Amy Kaplan/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Undefeated PFL Lightweight Champion Usman Nurmagomedov returns to defend his title against unbeaten No. 3-ranked contender Archie Colgan atop the PFL New York fight card on Friday, July 31, at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, Long Island, New York. The co-main event will feature the return of top-ranked Dakota Ditcheva against former Bellator Kickboxing Champion Denise Kielholtz.
PFL New York airs live at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
“PFL New York will be the culmination of three consecutive main event world title fights, and on July 31, the world will see elite MMA at its finest,” said PFL CEO John Martin. “In one corner you have the Lightweight Champion, Usman Nurmagomedov, who has been a class above every man to stand opposite him. Some crumble to his aura, some to his skills, but either way his ability is undeniable. And now we have a challenger everyone says could be the kryptonite, Archie Colgan, an NCAA Division I wrestler who many believe is yet to lose a round. Does a legacy continue, or a legacy start? We’ll find out, and I can’t wait.”
Pre-sale tickets for PFL New York are available now on pfl.info/ny with general on-sale tickets available tomorrow from 10 a.m. ET.
“Then we also have the return of Dakota Ditcheva, and where better to bring one of the faces of PFL than New York,” Martin added. “12 finishes in 15 fights is an astounding knockout rate for her weight class, and she’s must-see TV every time she steps in the cage. But she won’t have it easy in her return, Kielholtz has world championship level kickboxing and a black belt in Judo, meaning high risk for Dakota, and an opportunity to disrupt for Denise.”
The 2026 World Cup will introduce new anti-time-wasting rules, and the most significant change is also the most straightforward.
FIFA and IFAB are set to implement fresh anti-time-wasting measures and VAR adjustments for the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
It is the right call. With 48 teams and 104 matches on the schedule, protecting live playing time has to be a priority.
The goalkeeper rule highlights why this shift makes sense. It does not rely on complicated interpretations or turn every incident into a technical debate.
How the new eight-second rule works for goalkeepers
The eight-second rule is clear. If a goalkeeper holds the ball with their hands or arms inside the penalty area for more than eight seconds, the opposing team is awarded a corner kick.
The referee counts the first three seconds silently, then raises an arm and shows the final five seconds with a visible countdown.
That transparency matters. Everyone knows what is happening, the goalkeeper, the attackers and the fans, and there is a clear warning before any punishment.
It is a better approach than vague warnings. The punishment is simple, immediate and directly linked to the delay.
Early evidence supports the change. IFAB trials across more than 400 matches produced only four violations, suggesting the rule changed behavior without causing constant stoppages.
That is exactly what a good law change should do. It should deter the problem before referees have to step in.
How VAR will change at the World Cup
The VAR change should be viewed through the same lens. The strongest version of VAR is not the one that checks everything, but the one that fixes obvious errors quickly.
IFAB has introduced a competition option allowing quick review of clearly incorrect corner awards, but only if the check can be completed immediately without delaying the restart.
That limit is important. If a VAR check creates another long pause, it works against the same match-flow principle these rules are meant to protect.
The World Cup does not need more dead time. It needs fewer cheap delays, fewer manufactured pauses and fewer moments where the rhythm of a match disappears.
That is why the goalkeeper rule is the headline change. It is easy to understand, easy to enforce and hard for players to ignore.
The NASCAR Cup Series competed at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the 2026 Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night. It began with a touching, emotional tribute to Kyle Busch, who died at 41 on Thursday, May 21. Following the tribute, NASCAR waved the green flag. Unfortunately, the race didn't complete all 600 miles; however, it produced a special winner.
Daniel Suarez and the No. 7 team for Spire Motorsports won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte on Sunday night, earning their first victory of the 2026 Cup Series season. Suarez was able to hold off Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin after taking two tires before rain ended the event.
Suarez, a former Kyle Busch Motorsports driver, couldn't hold back his emotions after learning he had won the Coca-Cola 600. It was a special moment for the Spire Motorsports driver. Now, Suarez hopes to carry this momentum into the next NASCAR weekend at Nashville Superspeedway.
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Josh Inglis has replaced injured Mitchell Marsh as Australian captain for a three-match ODI series against Pakistan, Cricket Australia said Tuesday.
Marsh suffered an ankle injury while playing in the Indian Premier League and has returned home after missing Lucknow Super Giants’ final game. He will undergo further assessment and treatment in Perth.
Australia's regular 50-over skipper Pat Cummins and vice-captain Travis Head are already absent from the ODI series, beginning in Rawalpindi on Saturday, due to IPL playoffs.
Lahore will host the remaining two games on June 2 and 4.
Wicketkeeper-batter Inglis led Australia in November 2024, also against Pakistan, when many first-choice players were absent.
Australia will go on a white-ball tour of Bangladesh after playing in Pakistan. Pacers Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc will miss both tours.
Donald Trump Jr. appears to have picked up his father’s business acumen when it comes to the world of sports. Don Jr. is a co-organizer of the inaugural “Enhanced Games,” which took place in Las Vegas over the weekend and was ignored by almost everyone, becoming the most pathetic new sporting venture since the XFL.
An event that promised smashed world records and never-before-seen performances instead turned into a wet fart, Temu version of the Olympics games, which utterly sucked. Don’t just take my word for it, because the early returns on the event were so spectacularly bad that the stock price of Enhanced Group, parent company of the games, are in freefall.
The marquee event was set to be the men’s 100m, in which Frank Kerley, the bronze medal winner from the Paris Olympic Games boasted that Usain Bolt’s world record of 9.58 would be “destroyed” by him running on performance-enhancing drugs. Instead, he ran a hilariously slow 9.97, slower than his time at the Olympic Games. After failing to “destroy” Bolt’s record, Kerley turned on his fellow competitors, saying they needed to up their game.
“They gotta do better than that,” Kerley said in a post-race interview. “They need to train a little harder, get on that s*** a little bit more, and go a little harder some more.”
It wasn’t just on the track where things were sad. The pool saw Hunter Armstrong win the 50-meter backstroke as a non-enhanced athlete, tearing apart the entire premise for the games. Then retired Australian swimmer James Magnussen, who came out of retirement for the event, promised he would be ‘juiced to the gills” and break his own 100m freestyle record. He finished two seconds slower than his record mark.
There was a pattern to the entire weekend. Time, and time, and time again, athletes who were on drugs either posted times far slower than anything that would be considered record-breaking, or got outright beaten by athletes who were not doping.
None of this should be a surprise for anyone who has followed the genesis of this farcical event. It was an idea incubated by tech bros and morons with no athletic background, working under the assumption that performance-enhancing drugs could turn any moderate athlete into a superhuman. Not only was there nothing compelling about the games, but nobody seemingly cared they were even happening — especially with competition taking place during the NBA and NHL Playoffs, the MLB season, and a stacked weekend of motosport with Indy 500, F1 GP from Canada, and the Coca-Cola 600 in NASCAR.
Enhanced Games CEO Maximillion Martin said the event is “here to stay,” making The Enhanced Games the herpes of the sports world. We’ll see an occasional unwelcome flare-up, and be happy when it’s gone.
Punjab Kings entered IPL 2026 carrying massive expectations after finishing runners-up the previous season under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer. For nearly half the tournament, PBKS looked like the most complete and fearless side in the competition. They won six of their opening seven matches, while one game ended in a no-result, and spent 22 days at the top of the table looking destined for a top-two finish.
Their campaign even produced one of the greatest chases in T20 history when they stunned Delhi Capitals by successfully chasing 265, leaving KL Rahul’s 152 in vain. It genuinely felt like Punjab had finally built a side capable of winning the IPL title.
What followed was one of the most dramatic collapses in the IPL history.
Punjab lost six consecutive matches in the second half of the season, completely losing momentum at the worst possible time. Despite winning their final league game, PBKS eventually finished fifth on the table, just one point short of qualification.
Heading into the final league day, PBKS still had a playoff chance alive. Punjab needed Rajasthan Royals to lose against Mumbai Indians to sneak into the top four. But RR held their nerves, sealed qualification, and Punjab’s campaign officially came to an end.
A side that once looked untouchable somehow managed to get eliminated in the league stage.
Main reasons behind Punjab Kings missing the IPL 2026 playoffs
1. Bowling collapse completely derailed their campaign
Punjab’s biggest weakness throughout IPL 2026 was unquestionably their bowling attack. While the batting unit consistently posted competitive totals, the bowlers simply failed to defend them.
Statistically, PBKS had one of the weakest bowling seasons in the tournament:
Ninth among 10 teams in wickets taken with just 64 wickets
Worst bowling average in the IPL at 42.54
Worst economy rate among all teams at 10.40
Lowest dot-ball percentage in the league at 29.2%
These numbers reflected a bowling unit that neither created pressure nor consistently took wickets.
PBKS crossed the 200-run mark 10 times during the season, yet still lost multiple games from winning positions. They failed to defend 200-plus totals on various occasions, exposing their inability to close out matches under pressure.
Their death bowling became a recurring nightmare. Punjab lost three matches in the final over itself, including games against Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals where they looked firmly in control. Those narrow defeats ultimately became the difference between qualification and elimination.
2. Overdependence on pace and underuse of spin
Punjab’s bowling strategy itself appeared flawed throughout the season. The management leaned heavily towards seam bowling and barely trusted their spin attack, even on dry surfaces where spinners usually dominate.
PBKS spinners bowled only 59 overs all season, the fewest by any team in IPL 2026. That tactical decision hurt them badly in the middle overs where opposition batters often attacked freely without scoreboard pressure.
Much of the responsibility rested on Yuzvendra Chahal, but the veteran leg-spinner endured a frustrating season. Chahal picked up 12 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 9.39, but the numbers only told part of the story.
There were several matches where Iyer surprisingly did not even allow Chahal to complete his full quota of four overs, reflecting the management’s lack of trust in their lead spinner during pressure situations. Chahal also suffered because of poor fielding support. A staggering eight catches were dropped off his bowling across the season, severely hurting his wicket tally and rhythm.
Punjab’s refusal to consistently back spin became one of the major tactical errors of their campaign.
Ironically, the most economical spinner in the squad, Harpreet Brar, featured in only two games despite maintaining an economy of 7.50.
3. Arshdeep and the pace attack failed to dominate
Arshdeep Singh finished as Punjab’s highest wicket-taker with 14 wickets in 14 games, but even his campaign reflected the struggles of the bowling unit. The left-arm pacer conceded runs at an economy of 10.20 and failed to provide regular breakthroughs in the powerplay.
For large parts of the season, Arshdeep looked like a shadow of the bowler who has become one of India’s premier T20 pacers.
Marco Jansen also failed to justify expectations. The South African all-rounder managed only nine wickets in 13 games while conceding at 10.20 per over. His contributions with the bat were minimal too, scoring just 51 runs at an average of 12.75 and strike rate of 113.33.
Vijayakumar Vyshak struggled for consistency, while Lockie Ferguson lost the confidence of the management after repeated expensive spells.
The lack of a reliable wicket-taking bowler and dependable death specialist completely exposed Punjab during the business end of the tournament.
4. Fielding errors shattered momentum
If bowling was Punjab’s biggest technical weakness, fielding was their biggest psychological problem.
PBKS dropped 16 catches from 56 opportunities, one of the worst records in the league. Several of those mistakes directly cost them matches.
Coach Ricky Ponting admitted that the poor catching spread through the dressing room “like a virus,” while Iyer described it as the “biggest setback of the season.”
The mistakes kept repeating across venues and conditions, creating a nervous atmosphere inside the squad during crunch moments.
5. Middle-order inconsistency hurt them badly
While Punjab’s top order performed strongly, their middle and lower order failed to consistently deliver under pressure.
Apart from Iyer, no middle-order batter regularly stepped up during difficult situations. Once early wickets fell, PBKS often looked vulnerable.
The management expected players like Marcus Stoinis and others to provide finishing stability, but those contributions came only in patches. During the second half of the season, Punjab repeatedly lost momentum in the middle overs after strong starts from the top order.
This is one area PBKS are expected to address aggressively in the next auction. Punjab will likely target an experienced middle-order batter capable of batting between No.5 and No.7 and finishing games calmly under pressure.
6. Change in home venues disrupted momentum
Another underrated factor behind Punjab’s collapse was the decision to split their home games between Mullanpur and Dharamsala during the season.
PBKS looked settled and dominant while playing in Mullanpur, where their aggressive batting approach perfectly suited the conditions. But once the tournament entered the business end and the team shifted base to Dharamsala, their momentum completely disappeared. Punjab lost all three matches at the venue, which effectively ended their playoff hopes.
Ravichandran Ashwin heavily criticised the Punjab Kings management for changing home venues mid-season, calling it one of the major reasons behind their late collapse. Ashwin pointed out that successful IPL teams usually build consistency around one venue and one set of conditions, something PBKS failed to do.
The shift also exposed Punjab’s bowling weaknesses further. Dharamsala offered different conditions, but PBKS continued with the same combinations and tactics despite already struggling badly with the ball.
At a stage where momentum and familiarity became crucial, Punjab’s venue switch only added more instability to a campaign that was already beginning to unravel.
IPL 2026: PBKS' Report Card
Batting: 8/10
Punjab’s batting remained one of the strongest units in IPL 2026 and was the primary reason they stayed in playoff contention for so long.
Prabhsimran Singh emerged as their highest run-scorer, smashing 510 runs in 14 matches at an average of 42.50 and strike rate of 168.87. His aggressive starts regularly put opposition bowlers under pressure.
Iyer himself enjoyed an outstanding season at No.4, scoring 498 runs at an average of 55.33 and strike rate of 168.81 while also handling captaincy responsibilities impressively.
Connolly enjoyed a breakthrough debut season, scoring 491 runs at an average of 44.64 and strike rate of 163.12, becoming one of Punjab’s most reliable batters.
Priyansh Arya showed flashes of brilliance and finished with 364 runs at a staggering strike rate of 211. However, his inconsistency became visible in the second half of the season when his returns dropped significantly.
Overall, Punjab’s batting remained strong enough to challenge for the playoffs. The real problem was that their bowling unit consistently let them down.
Bowling: 3.5/10
Punjab arguably had the weakest bowling attack in IPL 2026.
The lack of wicket-taking ability, poor economy rates, absence of control in the middle overs, and inability to execute plans at the death completely derailed their campaign.
Fielding: 3/10
Fielding errors repeatedly cost PBKS crucial moments and eventually valuable points.
Dropped catches, missed opportunities, and nervous body language became a recurring theme during their losing streak.
For a team chasing a title, their standards in the field simply were not acceptable.
Captaincy and coaching: 7.5/10
Iyer and Ponting deserve credit for transforming Punjab into an aggressive and entertaining side. The fearless batting approach and confidence within the group during the first half of the season were major positives.
However, tactical concerns around bowling combinations, spin usage, and game management under pressure eventually became costly.
What next for Punjab Kings?
Despite the painful collapse, Punjab still possess a strong foundation moving forward.
Their top order looks settled, Iyer has brought leadership stability, and young players like Prabhsimran, Priyansh Arya, and Connolly showed that PBKS have an exciting batting core for the future.
But if Punjab genuinely want to challenge for the IPL title in 2027, they must rebuild their bowling attack almost entirely.
Expect PBKS to aggressively target:
A proven death-over specialist
An experienced middle-order batter between No.5 and No.7
A reliable second spinner to support Chahal
Bowlers capable of controlling the powerplay and middle overs
After scoring the decisive goal to secure Tottenham’s Premier League status, João Palhinha revealed that he wants to remain at the club beyond the summer.
Roberto De Zerbi has stated his desire to sign Palhinha, who is on loan from Bayern Munich, on a permanent basis, which Spurs can do so for a reported €30m (£26m).
Palhinha has also expressed his wish to remain in north London.
“Since the first day I arrived I feel at home,” explained Palhinha. “From the supporters, the crowd. Top club. Who doesn’t want to play for Tottenham and stay here? I have everything here. But this is like a marriage. What I can say to you is I would really like to be here and I enjoy it a lot this season with this club – even with it being a tough season.”
The 30-year-old played in 33 of Spurs’ 38 Premier League games in 2025/26.
The Premier League stars available as free agents this summer
The 2025/26 Premier League season has come to an end and clubs will now turn their full attention towards planning for the future.
With most football contracts typically expiring on June 30, a number of stars across the league will become available as free agents at the end of next month.
Here are some of the biggest names in the Premier League that are set to be free agents this summer…
Silva and Stones
Manchester City duo Bernardo Silva and John Stones have both said their goodbyes in recent days as they leave the club. Both will be available as free agents this summer after their contracts expired.
Silva has drawn interest from Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona, while Stones has been linked with Bayern Munich, Everton and Barcelona.
Salah and Robertson
Liverpool pair Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson also said farewell to their club on the final day of the season. Both will be free agents after Robertson’s contract expired and Salah’s was mutually terminated.
Robertson is close to joining Tottenham Hotspur, although could move elsewhere in Europe. Salah, meanwhile, is expected to leave European football behind. The Egyptian has been linked to both the Saudi Pro League and the MLS.
Konate
Ibrahima Konate will be a free agent this summer after failing to agree a contract extension with Liverpool. The 27-year-old centre-back’s current deal expires on June 30 and he will become a free agent if no agreement is reached before then. The France international has drawn interest from the likes of Real Madrid and PSG in the past.
Senesi
Marcos Senesi will be a free agent following the expiration of his deal with Bournemouth. The 29-year-old centre-back has impressed across his four years with the Cherries. He started every league game last term, bar one due to suspension, as Bournemouth secured their best-ever league finish. The Argentina International has been heavily-linked with Tottenham since before the season seven ended.
Wilson
Harry Wilson is another Premier League star who could be available for free this summer. The Wales international enjoyed the best campaign of his career, but has not extended at Craven Cottage. Fulham still want the winger to stay but a number of Premier League clubs are interested in the winger.
Jimenez
Fulham are also hoping to maintain the services of Raul Jimenez. The Mexican striker netted nine Premier League goals last term. Now aged 34, he is seeking a two-year deal but has so far only received a one-year offer at Craven Cottage. Jimenez also has other admirers across the division.
Kamada
Daichi Kamada was brought to Crystal Palace by Oliver Glasner, after the pair worked together at Eintracht Frankfurt. Now that the Austrian coach is leaving the club, the Japanese midfielder is following suit. A number of Premier League rivals are keen on the 29-year-old, who also has interest from abroad and may wait to see where Glasner ends up.
Casemiro
The Premier League and Manchester United said goodbye to Casemiro on the final day. The Brazil international will be a big loss for the Reds, as he leaves a free agent. The 34-year-old is expected to leave European football behind.
Trippier
After a successful four and a half years with Newcastle, Kieran Trippier will depart as a free agent this summer. The right-back played a huge role in the Magpies’ recent history. It is unclear where the 35-year-old will land next, with interest both in England and abroad.
Bissouma
Yves Bissouma could be released by Tottenham this summer after a disappointing four-year spell. The midfielder was highly-sought after when he arrived from Brighton. However he has struggled with form, fitness and discipline throughout his time in north London. The 29-year-old has admirers in Turkey, although Spurs do have the option to extend his deal by a year, to prevent him leaving for free.
Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay has had tremendous success in his career, including being named the 2017 NFL Coach of the Year and winning Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals.
However, he still has regrets about the Rams' Super Bowl LIII loss to the New England Patriots.
The Patriots won a mostly defensive battle that ended in a 13-3 score. Wide receiver Julian Edelman was named the Super Bowl MVP after recording 10 catches for 141 yards in the game. But for the most part, the explosive Patriots offense led by Tom Brady was held in check.
Unfortunately for the Rams, the same could be said on the other side with New England's defense completely shutting down Jared Goff and company.
"Man, that was a humbling night. It was too big for me," McVay said on Bussin With The Boys. "I'm not afraid to admit that. I didn't see the game, I didn't adjust and I feel like I cost a lot of people. I feel like I was a significant reason that we didn't come away on top in that game, and that's made me better."
The Patriots held Goff to 19-of-38 passing for 229 yards and an interception. Goff was sacked four times on a night when the defense simply had his number.
This was the last Super Bowl victory of the dynasty with Brady and Patriots coach Bill Belichick together. It came after Brady outdueled Patrick Mahomes to knock off the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in the AFC Championship Game.
The PGA Tour stays in Texas for the final event of the season in the Lone Star State, the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge. Colonial Country Club, the longest host venue on tour, once again asks a familiar and specific question: Who can relentlessly control their golf ball for four consecutive days?
Historically, this has not been a course that players can simply overpower. The narrow corridors and unpredictable bermuda-rough has been one of the most demanding setups, both pre and post renovation. It requires the correct blend of patience, accuracy, and timely putting. A field void of Scottie Scheffler in Texas means the door is open for a crowded group of contenders.
Here are the 10 players best positioned to win the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge.
10. Johnny Keefer
It’s time for the rookie to show us what he’s got. The native Texan, who broke all the scoring records at Baylor, has two top-10 finishes this season, Both came in his home state, including an impressive T-9 at last week’s CJ Cup.
The results have arrived a little slower than expected, but the talent is undeniable. Keefer became the first player since Scottie Scheffler to win Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in the same season. A strong summer push feels likely as his confidence begins to match his ability, and Colonial could be the place it begins.
9. Harry Hall
Andrew Redington
A quick glance at the walls around Colonial shows a clear trend: great putters tend to thrive here. That puts Harry Hall firmly on the radar, as he routinely flashes brilliance on the greens when a golf course plays to his strengths.
Hall has finished T-6 or better in two of his past three starts at this event, giving him one of the stronger course-history profiles in the field. The shorter layout should create plenty of wedge chances, and if he gives himself looks, his putter will lift him into contention.
8. Justin Thomas
After an offseason injury sidelined him for the opening portion of the year, it was fair to wonder how long it would take Thomas to look like himself again. After gaining 15 strokes on the field over his past two starts, Thomas appears ready to put those questions to bed.
He recorded an impressive T-4 at the PGA Championship, where a noticeable trend has emerged for Thomas. He looks more stable off the tee, an area that often bred volatility in his game. When he’s finding fairways, he is dangerous. The irons are always elite, and the ceiling remains high. If he plays from the fairway, he can absolutely win this tournament.
7. Hideki Matsuyama
Emilee Chinn
Speaking of occasionally erratic drivers with massive upside, Hideki Matsuyama checks in at No. 7. He’s still one of the most accomplished players in the field, which draws worthy attention on any odds board. He brings the type of win-or-go-home upside that bettors love, especially in a non-signature event where some of the biggest names on tour are absent.
The case for Matsuyama starts with the iron play, which he quietly pairs with elite touch around the greens. This is a course that features some of the smallest greens on tour, cementing his case as a proper course fit. His schedule is often built around signature events, so competing against a weaker field at Colonial feels like a trophy-hunting opportunity.
6. Ben Griffin
A return to Colonial might be just what the doctor ordered for Ben Griffin. Griffin will be attempting to become just the second player to successfully defend at this tournament since Ben Hogan. The North Carolina native’s play this season hasn’t matched the high standard he put on display in 2025, but the game is hardly in a bad place. Recent solid performances at the Cadillac Championship and PGA Championship provide reason for optimism, and his comfort level at Colonial is already proven.
The key is approach play. Griffin’s putting can still carry him when he gives himself enough quality looks, but he needs to start hitting his irons closer. Colonial is a perfect place for that formula to return. If he can control spin from the fairway and create enough mid-range birdie opportunities, the putter can do the rest.
5. Robert MacIntyre
Michael Reaves
Robert MacIntyre’s monumental improvement off the tee in 2026 has changed the way that we evaluate him. The quick-trigger lefty has always had enough ball speed, but in 2026, the driving has become more reliable. He ranks near the top of this field in strokes gained off the tee and has gained in that category in every start this season.
The narrow alleys should reward Macintyre’s improved accuracy, and he possesses the intangible attribute of aggressiveness and clutch putting that makes him a compelling case to win any week. He’s a legitimate threat that is overdue for a big win in 2026.
Russell Henley has been a bit of an enigma in 2026. He has played well on courses that did not appear to be ideal fits, then struggled in spots that seemed tailor-made for his game. Still, on paper, Colonial should be exactly the type of course where Henley’s strengths translate.
The name of the game for Henley is control. He routinely plays from the fairway, gives himself clean approach opportunities and manages his golf ball better than most players in the field. T-16 in his most recent start in 2023 compliments a rich career history in Texas for Henley. I expect him to be firmly in the mix.
3. Rickie Fowler
Michael Reaves
The numbers don’t lie. Rickie Fowler arrives at Colonial this week carrying some of the best form in the field, with no signs of slowing down. He’s always been more than the flashy exterior, often displaying calculated strategy in dissecting golf courses, something Colonial is known for.
All parts of his game have been clicking, making him one of the most compelling options on the board. If he can get the putter to cooperate on these ultra-fast greens, this could easily become a vintage Rickie week where he leaves with another trophy for the mantle.
2. Ludvig Aberg
He’s the highest upside player in the field, and it isn’t particularly close. Ludvig Aberg dominantes the field statistically from a ball-striking perspective with an elite combination of power and precision that makes him dangerous anytime he tees it up on the PGA Tour.
The big question I have is whether Colonial gives Aberg enough room to fully separate. This is not a pure driver-test, although usage has been up in recent years as players have adopted a more brazen strategy off the tee. This golf course demands discipline, and if the former Texas Tech Red Raider can showcase it this week, he’s easily the favorite to win. With several superstars offsite, can Aberg close the deal and add another high-quality win to his resume?
1. J.J. Spaun
Andrew Redington
J.J. Spaun garners the top spot as an off-the-radar contender who has been elite from tee to green and Colonial feels tailor-made for his strengths. They say everything is bigger in Texas, but that doesn’t account for Spaun. Two of his three career wins have come in Texas, which makes sense given that the courses demand accuracy and exceptional iron play in the swirling winds.
He’s been the second-best ball-striker in the field over the past three months beyond Aberg, but Spaun brings a trademark clutch gene that elevates his putting performance when the pressure mounts. In a week where I expect Colonial to reward control and patience, Spaun fits the bill as the player to beat at the Charles Schwab Challenge.
VERONA, ITALY - MAY 10: Nico Paz of Como in action during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and Como 1907 at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on May 10, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Real Madrid are moving ahead with plans to bring Nico Paz back to the Santiago Bernabéu following the midfielder’s impressive rise in Serie A.
The academy graduate is expected to return to Madrid after spending the last two seasons with Italian side Como, with the club preparing to activate the buy-back clause included in his deal. Real Madrid reportedly have a two-week window, beginning this Monday, to finalize the operation.
Unlike several other major decisions tied to the club’s long-term sporting project and upcoming presidential election, Nico’s return appears to be straightforward internally. There is broad support within the club for bringing him back, and Florentino Pérez is reportedly able to approve the move without waiting for the election process to conclude.
From Madrid’s perspective, the deal represents a major market opportunity. Re-signing Nico would cost the club around €9 million — a figure viewed as extremely favorable considering the growing interest in him across Europe. Reports in Italy have linked Inter Milan with a potential move worth close to €60 million after his standout performances this season.
Nico had been waiting to see whether Como could secure Champions League qualification before final decisions were made regarding his future. However, regardless of the outcome, his path now appears set to lead back to the Bernabéu.
The Argentine midfielder is expected to be one of the first returning players integrated into Real Madrid’s plans for next season. Another anticipated return is Endrick, whose loan spell away from the club is also coming to an end.
Nico’s stock has risen dramatically over the past year. After emerging as one of Serie A’s most highly rated midfielders, he is now also expected to be part of Argentina’s squad for the upcoming World Cup — another sign of just how quickly his profile has grown.
Thomas Partey spent this past season with La Liga side Villarreal -Credit:Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Ghana national team head coach Carlos Queiroz has named Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey in his preliminary 28-man FIFA World Cup roster, despite the former Arsenal player having been charged with seven counts of rape and another of sexual assault in the United Kingdom.
Partey is due to stand trial in London’s Southwark Crown Court in November, although it seems this may yet be pushed back into early next year, as per The Athletic.
The 32-year-old was first charged on July 5, 2025, with five counts of rape, along with another of sexual assault, going on to plead not guilty in September.
Partey is set to stand trial in London in November, although this may be pushed back to early next year -Credit:Jordan Peck/Getty Images
These charges were brought by three women, with the incidents said to have occurred between 2021 and 2022. An investigation by London’s Metropolitan Police service subsequently began in February 2022 when a report regarding an alleged rape was received.
Fast forward to August 2025, and police received another report regarding a further two charges of rape dating back to 2020, prompting a new investigation to be opened. Partey was then charged with another two counts of rape in February 2026, to which he also pleaded not guilty.
At the time, his defense lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, commented, “Thomas Partey continues to deny all charges against him. He has cooperated fully with the police throughout. Given that legal proceedings are ongoing, there will be no further comment.”
If he is to make Ghana’s final 26-man roster, which has to be submitted by June 1, he would have to notify the relevant authorities of his travel plans, as per his bail conditions.
What’s more, Partey would also be obliged to make these charges against him clear when applying for a U.S. visa, with the American government stating, “If you have ever been arrested, cautioned and/or convicted of an offense anywhere in the world, you are required to declare it when applying for a visa.”
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A 56-time international, Partey made 32 appearances across all competitions in what was his first season with Villarreal between 2025 and 2026, struggling to consistently rack up full games as he dealt with various injuries.
This past season was not only Partey’s first with the La Liga side, but also his last, with his one-year contract set to end this summer.
He joined after five seasons with the Gunners, making 167 appearances, scoring nine goals, and adding seven assists.
Ghana is set to take on Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium in what will be their final pre-World Cup warm-up on June 2, before heading to their U.S. base in Providence, Rhode Island.
Drawn into Group L, they are set to kick off their tournament on June 17 against Panama at BMO Field in Toronto, before facing England on June 23 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Their group phase will conclude on June 27 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Partey has so far made 56 appearances for the Ghanaian national team -Credit:Mika Volkmann/Getty Images
Ghana’s 28-player roster:
Goalkeepers: Benjamin Asare (Accra Hearts of Oak), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Solomon Agbasi (Accra Hearts of Oak), Paul Reverson (Ajax)
Defenders: Baba Rahman (PAOK), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), Alidu Seidu (Rennes), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Jonas Adjetey (Wolfsburg), Kojo Oppong Peprah (Nice), Alexander Djiku (Spartak Moscow), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre)
Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Augustine Boakye (Saint-Etienne), Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjaelland), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City)
Forwards: Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atlanta), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry City), Prince Kwabena Adu (Viktoria Plzen), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City)
The LeBron James rumors have reached a new level after the Cleveland Cavaliers were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals by the New York Knicks.
Less than 24 hours after the Cavaliers were eliminated, a fan called into ESPN Cleveland radio and said he has a source suggesting there is a 95 percent chance James signs back with the Cavs.
WE HAVE FAN SOURCES SAYING LEBRON IS 95% COMING BACK!!!!
The 41-year-old superstar is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer. After spending the last eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, many believe there is a chance he leaves the bright lights of Hollywood and goes back to where it all started.
The Cavaliers are certainly at the forefront of the James sweepstakes, as there is a realistic chance they land him for the third time in his career.
Cleveland drafted James with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. After seven seasons as their franchise player, James decided to up and leave for the Miami Heat as an unrestricted free agent.
Four years after that, James returned to Cleveland and brought them their first and only title in their franchise in 2016.
In the summer of 2018, the 22-time All-Star was once again a free agent, and up and left the Cavaliers for the Lakers. Now, eight years later, there is a good chance James returns to where it all started for him.
The four-time NBA champion is likely to embark on an unprecedented 24th season in the league at age 42. James has done it all in his career, and even so, possibly heading back to Cleveland for a third time would be something almost unheard of.
Cavaliers face major financial hurdles in potential LeBron James reunion
The Cavaliers are projected to be over the NBA's secondary luxury tax apron, meaning they have no cap space. If the two sides are interested in a reunion, James would need to leave behind a ton of money in order to return to his hometown team.
The four-time NBA MVP has never taken a pay cut in his professional career, so the chances he starts now are dim.
James is set to make his free agent decision sometime in July or maybe into August.
The NJSIAA Baseball Tournament begins Tuesday with the non-public sectional first round. The public school sectional first round is Wednesday.
Thirty nine Shore Conference teams (33 public school and six non-public) qualified for the tournament via the NJSIAA's power point system.
The tournament concludes June 10 with the non-public state championship games at Rutgers University and June 14 with the public school state championship games at Rutgers.
Stay here throughout the tournament for scores, roundups and schedules on how Shore Conference teams are faring.
TUESDAY, MAY 26
NON-PUBLIC SECTIONAL
FIRST ROUND
SOUTH A
9. Donovan Catholic at 8. Paul VI, 1 p.m.
12. Camden Catholic at 5. CBA, 4 p.m.
11. St. Joseph (Metuchen) at 6. St. John Vianney, 4 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27
NJSIAA TOURNAMENT
PUBLIC SCHOOL SECTIONAL FIRST ROUND
NORTH 2 GROUP 3
9. Middletown North at 8. Colonia, 3 p.m.
12. Matawan at 5. North Plainfield, 4 p.m.
CENTRAL GROUP 1
9. New Egypt at 8. South Hunterdon, 4 p.m.
12. Manville at 5. Shore, 4 p.m.
14. South Amboy at 3. Point Pleasant Beach, 4 p.m.
10. Delaware Valley at 7. Keyport, 4 p.m.
15. Henry Hudson at 2. Piscataway Magnet, 4 p.m.
CENTRAL GROUP 2
16. Holmdel at 1. Rumson-Fair Haven, 4 p.m.
12. Raritan at 5. Delran, 4 p.m.
13. Ocean at 4. Wall, 4 p.m.
10. Manasquan at 7. Point Pleasant Borough, 4 p.m.
CENTRAL GROUP 3
10. Pemberton at 7. Red Bank, 3 p.m.
14. Brick Township at 3. Brick Memorial, 3:30 p.m.
16. Long Branch at 1. Northern Burlington, 4 p.m.
15. Lakewood at 2. Colts Neck, 4 p.m.
CENTRAL GROUP 4
11. Marlboro at 6. Manalapan, 4 p.m.
9. South Brunswick at 8. Freehold Township, 4 p.m.
10. Hillsborough at 7. Jackson Township, 4 p.m.
SOUTH GROUP 2
9. Manchester at 8. Middle Township, 2 p.m.
10. Salem Tech at 7. Barnegat, 3:45 p.m.
SOUTH GROUP 3
14. Hammonton at 3. Toms River East, 3 p.m.
10. Lacey at 7. Mainland, 3:45 p.m.
9. Toms River South at 8. Highland, 4 p.m.
SOUTH GROUP 4
13. Southern at 4. Rancocas Valley, 3 p.m.
16. Central at 1. Kingsway, 4 p.m.
15. Toms River North at 2. Eastern, 4 p.m.
10. Pennsauken at 7. Howell, 4 p.m.
THURSDAY, MAY 28
NON-PUBLIC
SECTIONAL QUARTERFINALS
SOUTH A
5. CBA/12 Camden Catholic winner at 4. Union Catholic, 4 p.m.
6. St. John Vianney/11. St. Joseph (Metuchen) winner at 3. Red Bank Catholic, TBA.
AT DIAMOND NATION, FLEMINGTON
9. Donovan Catholic-8. Paul VI winner at 1. Immaculata, 4 p.m.
The engines are coming back to downtown Detroit this weekend as the Detroit Grand Prix returns to the city streets May 29-31, bringing IndyCar, IMSA sports cars and Indy NXT racing back to a 1.7-mile circuit along the Detroit Riverfront.
What you need to know about the 2026 Detroit Grand Prix
The three-day race weekend will feature the NTT INDYCAR SERIES headlining Sunday’s Chevrolet INDYCAR Grand Prix, along with the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GTP and GTD PRO classes in Saturday’s Chevrolet Sports Car Classic. The developmental INDY NXT by Firestone series also returns Sunday morning.
The downtown circuit includes nine turns over 1.7 miles (the track runs along Jefferson, Bates, Atwater, St. Antoine, Franklin and Rivard) and marks the continuation of Detroit’s long motorsports history, which dates to Formula One racing downtown in 1982. The Grand Prix later moved to Belle Isle before returning to downtown streets in 2023 for the first time since 1991.
Last year’s IndyCar race produced one of the more dramatic finishes of the season as Kyle Kirkwood fought through front-wing damage to hold off Santino Ferrucci and teammate Colton Herta for the victory. In IMSA competition, Acura captured the GTP class win while Ford edged Chevrolet in a battle of Detroit automakers in GTD PRO. Dennis Hauger won the INDY NXT race after leading every lap.
What time is Sunday's 2026 Detroit Grand Prix and how to watch it
Sunday’s IndyCar race is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. and will air nationally on FOX, with local coverage on WJBK-TV (Channel 2). Saturday’s IMSA race starts at 4 p.m. on NBC and WDIV-TV (Channel 4), while the INDY NXT race airs Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on FS1.
How to get tickets for 2026 Detroit Grand Prix
Fans can purchase tickets online at DetroitGP.com/Tickets or by calling 888-811-PRIX (7749). Reserved grandstand tickets also include access to four rooftop viewing decks overlooking the downtown street circuit, each featuring different fan experiences and amenities.
Things to check out around the 2026 Detroit Grand Prix
Hart Plaza, Jefferson Avenue, Woodward Avenue, Campus Martius and Cadillac Square will host live music, food, games and family activities throughout the weekend. The Meijer Fan Zone along Woodward will feature sports-themed games, autograph opportunities and free ice cream.
One of the weekend’s signature attractions, Cruise Night presented by the Detroit Auto Show, returns Friday evening after IMSA qualifying. About 100 vehicles — ranging from classics and muscle cars to exotic and custom builds — are expected to parade around the race circuit before lining Jefferson Avenue for public viewing. Admission for Cruise Night activities inside the circuit will be free through Hart Plaza and Spirit Plaza entrances.
Fans can also use the Detroit GP mobile app, which includes an interactive map, navigation tools and alerts for autograph sessions and on-track activity.
Grand Prix organizers say more than half of the venue remains free and open to the public, including viewing areas along Jefferson Avenue, Hart Plaza, the Riverwalk and portions of downtown. The event drew a reported 156,000 fans in 2025, which organizers said marked a 4% increase over the previous two years.
Road closures around the 2026 Detroit Grand Prix
Now through June 4
St. Antoine from Larned to Jefferson eastbound, local traffic only
Brush from Larned to Jefferson eastbound, local traffic only
Griswold from Larned to Jefferson eastbound, local traffic only
E. Jefferson service road between Washington Blvd. and Griswold, full closure
W. Jefferson service road between Griswold and Shelby St., full closure
Now through June 5
Woodbridge from St. Antoine to Rivard, local traffic only
Woodbridge from Riopelle to Rivard, local traffic only
May 26–June 2 at 5 a.m.
Woodward between Larned and State Street, full closure
Cadillac Square from Randolph to Bates, local traffic only
Cadillac Square between Bates and Woodward, full closure
May 26-June 3 at 5 a.m.
Atwater from Civic Center Drive to Bates, local traffic only
Atwater from Bates to Riopelle, full closure
Bates from Jefferson to Atwater, full closure
May 26–June 4 at 5 a.m.
Beaubien from Jefferson to Atwater, local traffic only. Motorists should follow posted signs.
Beaubien from Larned to Jefferson, full closure
Renaissance Drive, local traffic only. Motorists should follow posted signs.
Randolph from Larned to Jefferson, full closure
I-375 southbound service drive from Larned to Jefferson eastbound, full closure
From I-375, Jefferson eastbound exit open to local traffic only
I-375 northbound service drive from Larned to Jefferson eastbound, full closure
St. Antoine from Jefferson to Woodbridge, local traffic only
St. Antoine from Woodbridge to Atwater, full closure
Rivard from Jefferson to Atwater, full closure
Rivard from Larned to Jefferson, full closure
Eastbound Jefferson at M-10 to Rivard, full closure
I-375 southbound remains open at all times but to local traffic only. Motorists should follow signage
Eastbound and westbound Jefferson is accessible via I-375 for local traffic and tunnel traffic only. Motorists should follow signage
Southbound M-10 from Larned Exit 1B to Griswold, full closure
In fact, the Devils might have to move a defenseman. It’s plausible that one of Nemec or Dougie Hamilton are moved this summer given the abundance on the blueline, Hamilton’s in-season drama, and potential return for the 22-year-old Nemec.
Plus, New Jersey has a clear need at forward.
Thus, there will be no shortage of suitors for the Devils if it is, in fact, Nemec that they try to move. Who doesn’t want a 22-year-old defenseman who is a former second-overall pick who broke out for 11 goals in his second full season in the NHL in 2025-26?
San Jose Sharks
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
There are a few facts about the San Jose Sharks going into the offeseason.
First and foremost, they’re stacked with forward talent.
And second, they ONE sure NHL defenseman signed for next season. In otherwords, the Sharks need NHL-ready defensemen.
Sam Dickinson looks promising, so perhaps there’s two.
However, Mario Ferraro is all but confirmed to be walking to unrestricted free agency.
With a plethora of forward talent in San Jose, imagine how sharks GM Mike Greir would feel about turning an NCAA free agent like Collin Graf into a former second-overall pick like Nemec in a potential swap.
The Devils would be getting their bubble top-six forward and the Sharks another defenseman to grow with the exciting young core in San Jose.
The Devils could use Graf’s scoring talent and 6-foot-1, 194-lb frame, while the Sharks probably wouldn’t mind adding another defenseman with top-four potential.
And with the Sharks owning the second overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft with a chance at Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg, perhaps Graf is the odd-man out.
Seems like a win-win for both clubs.
St. Louis Blues
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If the Devils are looking to turn Nemec into someone more high profile, looking to the St. Louis Blues makes all the sense in the world.
Are the Devils likely to pry Robert Thomas out of St. Louis and move Jack Hughes to the wing? Probably not.
However, imagine Jordan Kyrou on Jack and Jesper Bratt‘s left. That sounds like a fast, skilled, and lethal trio.
The Blues are undergoing changes. Doug Armstrong officially hands the keys to the GM chair to Alexander Steen—all of which know St. Louis is heading more toward a rebuild than anything else.
Acquiring a 22-year-old defenseman is a good kickstart, and Nemec would undoubtedly welcome the chance to play with countryman Dalibor Dvorský.
Montreal Canadiens
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This one is a bit harder to predict, but one thing is for sure. Juraj Slafkovsky would undoubtedly vouch for Nemec on his behalf.
The Montreal Canadiens are on quite the run. They’re amid the Eastern Conference Final—albeit trailing 2-1 in the series to the Carolina Hurricanes.
The right side of their blueline doesn’t look too bad, either, with Noah Dobson, Lane Hutson, and Alexander Carrier.
However, Hutson is a lefty. He’s made due just fine to this point, but would perhaps be that much more effective on his natural side.
Montreal doesn’t have a ton of cap space on July 1st with $9,178,091 ready to spend. They also have several restricted free agents to sign such as Arber Xekhaj, Zachary Bolduc, and Kirby Dach.
Yet, there’s a potential RFA swap here that could make both sides happy.
Nashville Predators
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Another team that will be interesting to watch this summer are the Nashville Predators.
Who are they? What’s their direction?
Well, even they’re not entirely sure right now as they’re transitioning from one GM to the next.
Yet, the fact of the matter is they lack significant presence on the right side of their blueline after Roman Josi, and there’s nothing of significance coming in the pipeline.
Nemec is certainly a name that would at least pique the Predators interest, and Nashville has options to offer depending on the direction Mehta wants to go in terms of the type of player he’s adding in return.
Does it make sense to bring in a 35-year-old Ryan O’Reilly? Or perhaps they try to pry the young Luke Evengelista.
Seattle Kraken
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The Seattle Kraken have a ton of cap space opening up on July 1st and have a long-term need on the right side of their blueline.
Going into next season, the Kraken’s right defensemen consist of Adam Larsson and Brandon Montour. However, there’s a giant question mark after that, and the aforementioned are aging.
Nemec presents said solution, and could even help solve their Shane Wright issue. The Devils could use another depth forward such as Wright, and he might even benefit from being in a more offensively inclined system like New Jersey’s.
A Nemec for Wright swap makes plenty of sense. Both are underwhelming NHL producers relative to their draft value who just might need a change in scenary.
There’s a fit here.
Toronto Maple Leafs
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We’re going back to the Toronto Maple Leafs well with this one.
The Maple Leafs were dangling Matthew Knies at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline and although it’s a new regime, you still have to wonder if he can be reeled in.
Speaking of the new regime, they have a lot to tackle. The future for Toronto is up in the air, however, it’s never a bad idea to make the roster younger.
The Maple Leafs’ right side next season will be occupied by Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Brandon Carlo. Although, Ekman-Larsson can play the left side, and Morgan Reilly’s future hangs in the balance.
Similar to Nashville, the Maple Leafs don’t have a young, right-shot blueliner coming through the pipeline.
An old, slower blueline doesn’t seem like John Chayka’s preference. Thus, if Knies is expendable in Toronto, the Devils should dangle Nemec to try and reel in the power forward.
Vancouver Canucks
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Is there any doubt the Vancouver Canucks want to tear it down to the studs?
They seem destined to after ranking 32nd in the league in 2025-26.
Vancouver kickstarted their rebuild by trading their franchise defenseman in exchange for several future pieces in Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, and Liam Ohgren and a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Yet, if the Canucks want to expedite their rebuild, they undoubtedly need to do so by building out their blueline.
A long-term Buium-Nemec pairing should be attractive to new Canucks GM Ryan Johnson. Perhaps a forward in return who is still finidng his way similar to Nemec like Liam Ohgren makes sense in return.
Minnesota Wild
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Is there a nuclear option in which the Minnesota Wild can’t sign Quinn Hughes?
Never put it past GM Bill Guerin to be aggressive. If for whatever reason there is doubt, a package centered around Simon Nemec could finally bring Quinn to New Jersey to fulfill the prophecy.
Honorable Mentions
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There are plenty more teams that could make sense for Nemec. After all, who doesn’t desire a young, right-handed defenseman?
Perhaps the Calgary Flames deserve to be more of a destination than not. A swap for Nemec and Connor Zary would certainly interest New Jersey. And with their franchise trajectory, they’re certainly rebuilding as well.
The Devils and New York Islanders have trade history, although not with Mehta in charge. And the Boston Bruins should be interested in Nemec as a long-term right-defense option.
And why wouldn’t a young, up-and-coming team like the Chicago Blackhawks be interested in the 22-year-old Nemec?
It’s a bit harder to see the exact trade fits here, but it’s by no means out of the question.
Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr recently reflected on his time in New Orleans. While there were some positives and plenty of focus on football, one of his biggest regrets had nothing to do with what happened on the field.
Carr said on The Rush with Maxx Crosby that he wished he had embraced the community side of New Orleans earlier after joining the Saints. He admitted that when he first arrived, he was so focused on football that he didn't dive into the community the way he had during his early days with the Las Vegas Raiders.
“I wish, man, more than anything, when we first got there, I was so focused on the football that I didn't really get to the community aspect like I did with the Raiders that first six months,” Carr said. “And I wish I did that sooner.”
Carr made it clear that he and his family found ways to give back, saying they "helped bless a lot of families and people out there." Still, looking back, he acknowledged that he wished he had given back sooner while in New Orleans.
"That's one thing I look back on," Carr said. "Man, I wish I did that sooner."
The 35-year-old former quarterback, who was rumored earlier this offseason to be eying a comeback, spoke highly of Saints owner Gayle Benson, calling her one of the kindest people he'd ever met. He remembered meeting Benson with his wife, Heather, saying that interaction made his decision to come to New Orleans easy.
The Colorado Rockies, ranked fifth in the NL West with a 20-35 record, face the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are first in the NL West with a 34-20 record. The Los Angeles Dodgers are favored with a -235 moneyline compared to the Colorado Rockies' +190. Starting pitchers are Kyle Freeland for Colorado, with a 7.04 ERA, and Eric Lauer for Los Angeles, with a 6.69 ERA.
How to watch Colorado Rockies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
May 20, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) stretches during organized team activities at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
The Las Vegas Raiders selected reigning Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza first overall in the 2026 NFL draft after the quarterback’s dominant, national championship-winning season.
Now, Mendoza is doing his best to acclimate to the next level so he can compete with veteran Kirk Cousins for the starting job. However, he was recently required by the league to attend the NFL Players Association Rookie Premier event, which cost him practice time, and he was honest about how he felt on the matter.
“I’m going to be completely honest with you — I’d rather be practicing right now, and I was really upset about actually having to miss practice for this,” Mendoza told Sports Illustrated’s Gilbert Manzano.
“Although it’s great. . . . It’s still been a great moment to where it was mandatory I be here. I’m not going to feel sorry for myself and feel wishy-washy.”
Mendoza did his best to make the most out of things.
“I’m going to have a smile on my face and make the most of that present moment,” Mendoza said. “Live and learn all the [NFLPA] benefits, make all the connections with different mentors here, let me make sure I can maximize my time to be able to create a positive impact and learn about my situation and surroundings. So those are all things that I really benefited from being here.”
Mendoza is expected to sit behind Cousins as things stand, but if he can show out in training camp, there’s no telling how fast he can see the field.
Rapheal Davis played for Purdue from 2012-16, earning a Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award. He now analyzes college basketball for the Big Ten Network.
Davis joined college basketball reporters Seth Davis and Andy Katz on Hoops HQ to discuss the conference's resurgence, which he says goes beyond Michigan's national title, the first for the league in more than a quarter century.
The conversation turned to the Boilermakers and coach Matt Painter, who has won 501 games in West Lafayette and led them to the 2024 national championship game.
Purdue coach Matt Painter and the transfer portal
Seth Davis wondered if Painter can remain competitive by recruiting from high schools and prep schools, with an occasional grad transfer, and steering clear of the transfer portal.
Rapheal Davis said is a big fan of the transfer portal because the moves a player makes and their consequences can prepare them for life after basketball. However, he respects Painter's approach.
"So he’s always taking grad seniors, he’s just not taking portal guys. And that’s just what he stuck with," Rapheal Davis said. "Now I’m with it. He stayed strong with that because he hasn’t changed and I don’t know if a lot of people have noticed that. Lance Jones was a grad transfer. So I think he’s going to stick with it. I think the guys get better as they come through Purdue. Coach Painter once looked at our locker room and told us he’d rather lose with the school of the blind and do it his way than lose it our way. So I think he’s one of those dudes that he’s going to do it his way."
The Boilers have seven returning players they expect to contribute in the 2026-27 season, one grad transfer and four freshmen.
Davis has seen the difference between Painter and many other coaches in recruiting.
"He just won’t lie to you. A lot of these guys are jumping in the portal to jump ship because they’re being lied to, they’re being sold something — I’ve heard some of these recruiting calls and the coaches don’t know I hear them on speaker phone. They’re just lying to them. Paint will tell you in recruiting, like you hear Braden Smith say it, you hear Lewis Jackson say it, you come here, you get a degree, you work hard, you might play. It’s never promised and I think that’s cool."
How Matt Painter stays in touch with former Purdue players
Davis noted several examples of how Painter keeps up with players after they're done playing for the Boilermakers. Davis lost his job in the pharmaceutical industry during the COVID pandemic, and Painter helped point him toward the creation of CREW Life, Davis' summer sports and education program in his hometown of Fort Wayne.
"So for me, coach Paint is just one of those dudes where you’re surprised he’s a basketball coach sometimes. ‘Cause he cares about you as a person. He doesn’t really — make the NBA or don’t make the NBA. Who are you at 40? He would always tell us, 90% of the NBA guys get a job. Who are you, who are you going to be? So I look at coach Paint as more than a coach at this point. I always call him Uncle Paint, because it means that much to me, because of what he’s done for not just me."
Aryna Sabalenka achieved her best French Open result by reaching last year's final [Getty Images]
Aryna Sabalenka's world number one status is potentially on the line at the French Open - but the four-time Grand Slam singles champion says she is ignoring the pressure that comes with the top ranking.
The 28-year-old has been world number one for the past 84 weeks, having replaced Iga Swiatek in October 2024.
The Belarusian holds a 1,255-point lead over second-placed Elena Rybakina, who beat her in January's Australian Open final.
Rybakina must reach the semi-finals to have a chance of becoming the 30th woman in WTA history to achieve the coveted number one spot.
Sabalenka, who lost to Coco Gauff in last year's Roland Garros final, began her Paris campaign with a 6-4 6-2 win over Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
"I think we all feel pressure - that is just part of our lives, so I have learned to ignore it," Sabalenka told the crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Victory over Spain's 50th-ranked Bouzas Maneiro, in which she fired in 29 winners but saw her streaks of dominance punctuated by 25 unforced errors, was the 25th straight-set win Sabalenka has recorded in 28 matches this season.
Sabalenka would push the world number one spot further out of Rybakina's reach if she reaches the fourth round.
Rybakina would need to reach the final should Sabalenka make it that far - and win the title if Sabalenka reaches the semi-finals.
In attempt to add another dimension to her game, big-hitting Sabalenka has made a concerted effort to become more comfortable away from the baseline.
"That's the most enjoyable part of the game right now, that I'm able to come to the net and play points there," said Sabalenka, who faces French player Elsa Jacquemot next.
"I'm so glad I have improved that part of the game and I can bring it on court."
Later on Tuesday, fourth seed Gauff began her title defence with a 6-4 6-0 win over US compatriot Taylor Townsend.
Two-time major singles winner Gauff, who came back from a set down to deny Sabalenka in last year's showpiece, overpowered her long-time friend after trailing 3-1 in the first set.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka played in a golden sequin dress as she won her opening match 6-3 7-6 (7-3) against Laura Siegemund.
They join title contenders Rybakina and four-time winner Swiatek in the second round after both recorded straight-set wins on Monday.
Fenway Park is one of the most iconic stadiums in all of sports. From the statues outside of the stadium to the lone red seat in right field that marks the spot of Ted Williams' legendary home run, you can feel the history all around the venue.
That list also includes the Green Monster, of course. Fenway Park's wall in left field has served as the backdrop for some of the most unforgettable games in franchise history, and the addition of "Monster Seats" in 2003 gave Red Sox fans an incredible view of the action.
But the Green Monster had a much different look when it was first built in the early 1900s.
When did Red Sox build Green Monster?
The Green Monster was built in 1912 as part of Fenway Park's initial construction. Knowing that any routine fly ball would easily sail onto Lansdowne Street, Red Sox owner John I. Taylor built a massive, 37-foot barrier out of sheer necessity. It was originally designed just to keep baseballs in the park and non-paying onlookers out.
For the first stretch of its existence, the Green Monster's actual color was closer to dark blue than green. Following a devastating fire and subsequent stadium renovation in 1934, the structure featured giant advertisements ranging from Calvert Whiskey to Gem Razor Blades. To everyone in Boston, it was simply known as "The Wall."
The current nickname was finally born in 1947 when the Red Sox decided to strip away the advertisements. Looking to give the stadium a clean, unified aesthetic, they changed the color to the instantly recognizable green. Combined with its reputation for eating home runs and turning deep fly balls into long singles, sportswriters and players naturally began referring to it as a "monster."
The wall evolved one last time in 2003 when the home-run catching net was removed from the top to install the famous "Monster Seats."
Green Monster dimensions
Here are the official numbers for the Green Monster:
Barcelona director makes contact with Porto for 26-year-old defender – report
While the search for a new centre-back may have taken a backseat with the focus on signing a centre-forward first, FC Barcelona continue to work on both fronts in the market.
Alessandro Bastoni had been touted as the priority to strengthen the centre-back department, but multiple factors, including a high transfer fee, have led to the Catalans cooling down their interest.
Building on that, Polish journalist Tomasz Wlodarczyk reports that Barcelona sporting director Deco has made contact with Porto president Andre Villas-Boas over a potential move for Kiwior.
Kiwior is an option for Barcelona. (Photo by Mateusz Slodkowski/Getty Images)
While there is nothing advanced at this point, the contacts taking place seemingly suggests that the Blaugrana do hold a concrete interest in the 26-year-old Polish defender.
Kiwior is coming on the back of an impressive season at Porto as he played a key role in their league title triumph in Portugal.
The 26-year-old also fits the profile of players Barça are looking for in defence – left-footed, aggressive, and comfortable playing with the ball at his feet.
Affordable option
While he might not be the priority target, Kiwior is considered much more affordable than Barcelona’s other targets such as Bastoni or Nico Schlotterbeck, who recently renewed his contract with Borussia Dortmund.
Jakub Kiwior to Barcelona? (Photo by Rafal Oleksiewicz/Getty Images)
The Polish international has been at Porto on loan from Arsenal (€2 million loan fee), with the transfer set to become permanent at the end of the season for €17 million.
So, as per the journalist, the Portuguese champions could be open to offers of around €40 million for the centre-back.
With Deco now holding talks with Andre Villas-Boas, it remains to be seen if this materialises into something substantial in the weeks to come.
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 23: Florentino Perez, President of Real Madrid, during the Spanish League, LaLiga EA Sports, football match played between Real Madrid and Athletic Club at Bernabeu stadium on May 23, 2026, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europa Press via Getty Images
Florentino Pérez will officially kick off his campaign for the Real Madrid presidency on Wednesday evening, as the club’s election process begins to take shape ahead of next month’s vote.
The current president is set to present his candidacy at 7:00 PM local time at the Meliá Castilla Hotel in Madrid, where he will unveil the slogan for his campaign: “Much history to be made.” The message is aimed at reinforcing Pérez’s vision for the future while reminding socios of the unprecedented success Real Madrid have enjoyed under his leadership.
In the lead-up to the announcement, Pérez’s campaign team has already begun promoting his candidacy around the Santiago Bernabéu. A large banner displayed near the stadium highlights the seven Champions League trophies won during his two spells as president — a reminder of the club’s dominance in Europe throughout the modern era.
Real Madrid are expected to officially confirm the date of the presidential election later today. Barring any last-minute changes, the vote is currently scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 7th.
Pérez will face businessman Enrique Riquelme in the election, with the winner set to lead the club for the next four years.
Florentino Perez has served as president across two different eras, first from 2000 to 2006 and again since returning in 2009. During that time, Real Madrid have transformed both financially and competitively, winning multiple Champions League titles while also overseeing the extensive renovation of the Santiago Bernabéu.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 18: Jordan Whittington #88 of the Los Angeles Rams gets set during overtime of an NFL divisional playoff game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on January 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It has been mildly surprising that so far this offseason the Los Angeles Rams have not made a splash at receiver despite a visible need behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
In some ways this decision—that is subject to change leading into training camp or ahead of the NFL trade deadline—reminds me of the team’s approach at cornerback a year ago. Are the Rams again attempting to mask a weakness with a quantity over quality strategy?
It’s an idea that didn’t work so well for the secondary a year ago. LA bet that in the aggregate Cobie Durant, Emmanuel Forbes, Ahkello Witherspoon, Darious Williams, and Josh Wallace could hold their own with an aggressive pass rush acting as the wind in their sales. Instead, the late-career decline was evident for Williams and Witherspoon. Durant played the best of the bunch but still was over-reliant on splash plays versus consistent sticky coverage. Forbes showed flashes though is not well-suited to play every down.
We will be making similar remarks regarding receivers a year from now when we write the post-mortem for the 2026 Rams?
The reserve receiver group of Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith, and CJ Daniels have defined roles. Whether they can produce outside of their niches is one of the most legitimate question marks across the offense heading into the new season.
What happens if Nacua or Adams misses extended time? Do the Rams even need a third receiver if they plan on deploying tight ends more often, despite the fact it is difficult to shake the team’s history of heavy usage of 11 personnel?
We’ve seen the Rams enter the season with an offensive plan only to drastically change course halfway through. In fact it happened last year, which is how we arrived at the point where the team continues to add tight end after tight end. Who’s to say that there won’t be a similar pivot by Sean McVay in 2026? The Rams may not have the reserve talent at receiver to do so.
This is how I see the reserves contributing in the upcoming season:
Puka Nacua’s backup & gadget player
Whittington is at his best with the ball in his hands, which can be a tricky proposition for a receiver. Sometimes individuals with a similar skillset struggle to get open and it’s difficult to get them the ball in the first place. This can create a gadget-feel to their usage as play callers use screens and catch and run opportunities as extended handoffs.
At least Whittington has an encouraging history with the team. During his rookie year he filled in for the absences Nacua and Cooper Kupp and produced at a level that exceeded his sixth-round draft position. Most fans took this as a sign of things to come; however, his usage dropped notably when Nacua remainedTarg healthy for most of the 2025 season.
We may not see much of Whittington in 2026 if Nacua has a clean bill of health.
Davante Adams’ backups & potential replacements?
Outside receiver is one of the most difficult positions in all of football. It requires elite athleticism and a unique frame to best professional corners on a consistent basis. The Rams are fortunate to have one of the best to ever do it in Adams, but that also proves the barriers to finding either a temporary or long-term replacement.
Adams’ primary backups are last year’s seventh rounder Mumpfield and this year’s sixth rounder Daniels. Mumpfield played late into last season, though his two games against the Seahawks make you question whether he has NFL viability at all.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Mumpfield ranked as follows among the 2025 rookie class at receiver:
Targets (27): 17th
Catches (13): 17th
Yards (114): 21st
Yards per reception (8.8): 31st
Contested catch rate (14.3%): 27th
Passer rating when targeted (56.7): 32nd
It was clear during Mumpfield’s rookie season that he struggles at the catch point, especially if there is contact. LA’s final offensive drive in the NFC Championship game ended at his fingertips in the end zone.
The Rams brought in a similar player in CJ Daniels with the key difference being that Daniels excels in contested catch situations and made the reception of the year in college football during his last season. LA doesn’t like depending on rookies, though it’s difficult to bring less to the table than Mumpfield did in his first year.
Designated deep threat
From Brandin Cooks to DeSean Jackson and Tutu Atwell, the Rams have always chased the role of a vertical speedster. These aforementioned players usually found their way off the roster because of a lack of usage.
That shouldn’t necessarily be the problem for Xavier Smith. Smith adds versatility and enters the season as LA’s punt return man until he isn’t. He can also play only a single role on offense because he’s cheap as a former undrafted free agent. That wasn’t the case for Cooks, Jackson, and Atwell.
Silicon Power (SP) announces the launch of the ROG certified XPOWER Cyclone R DDR5 memory module, the latest addition to its performance-focused XPOWER gaming lineup. The new module will be showcased at COMPUTEX 2026, underscoring Silicon Power's continued push into high-performance gaming hardware designed for next-generation PC ecosystems.
ROG Certified for Next-Generation Gaming Systems
Developed in close collaboration with ASUS and validated through extensive testing within the ROG ecosystem as part of the brand's 20th anniversary initiatives, the XPOWER Cyclone R carries the prestigious ROG (Republic of Gamers) Certified badge, a validation reserved for components that meet ASUS's rigorous standards for compatibility, stability, and gaming performance across its premium platform ecosystem.
Wargaming is proud to announce the release of its new standalone free-to-play tactical vehicle shooter, World of Tanks: HEAT. Built from the ground up on a proprietary engine, the game delivers fast-paced armored combat with a diverse roster of unique Agents and a wide selection of experimental vehicles. World of Tanks: HEAT is available across PC (Wargaming Game Center and Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and NVIDIA GeForce NOW, supporting full cross-platform play and progression.
"Launching HEAT is a huge milestone for us, but in many ways, this is only the beginning," said Artyom Yantsevich, Product Director. "I want to thank our team, as well as our players for helping bring HEAT to life. We're excited for what's ahead and can't wait to grow HEAT together."
Phoronix conducted an exclusive round of testing with NVIDIA's latest "Vera" CPU, showcasing early benchmarks that highlight NVIDIA's advancements in custom CPU design. The initial results indicate that this Arm-based CPU platform is powerful enough to outperform the latest Intel Xeon and AMD EPYC models in the data center sector. The "Vera" CPU is equipped with 88 custom Armv9.2 "Olympus" cores, featuring 176 threads through physical resource partitioning. These custom cores support native FP8 processing, allowing certain AI workloads to be executed directly on the CPU with a 6x128-bit SVE2 implementation. The chip offers 1.2 TB/s of memory bandwidth and supports up to 1.5 TB of LPDDR5X memory in the SOCAMM2 format. A second-generation Scalable Coherency Fabric provides 3.4 TB/s of bisection bandwidth, connecting the cores across a unified monolithic die and eliminating the latency issues common in chiplet architectures.
For comparison, Phoronix tested single and dual Intel Xeon "Granite Rapids" 6980P CPUs, as well as AMD EPYC "Turin" and "Turin Dense" models like the AMD EPYC 9755, 9575F, and 9475F. They also included NVIDIA's first-generation "Grace" design based on Arm Neoverse V2 cores. NVIDIA allowed only a specific subset of tests on this pre-release chip, including standard workloads like code compilation, stream memory performance, video encoding, Python/Java, and database performance. In the geometric mean of all test results, NVIDIA's "Vera" topped the chart, performing nearly 11% better than AMD's most advanced designs and about 55.3% better than the best single-socket Intel Xeon. It also outperformed dual-socket configurations, suggesting that some workloads have scaling issues across multiple sockets. These limited results place "Vera" above any Arm-based design, with a 450 W TDP for the CPU and 50 W for the 768 GB memory pool.
Corsair, a global leader in high-performance gaming peripherals and enthusiast PC components, today announced Corsair SHUGO DDR5, a limited-edition enthusiast memory series created for builders who see the machine as both a performance PC and a personal design statement. At the center of SHUGO DDR5 is a distinctive visual construction that elevates memory from a hidden component into a defining element of the build. Each module features premium aluminium heat spreaders, high-resolution UV printing, and precision pad printing to create a layered, collector-grade appearance. The launch designs, ONYX BLADE and SAKURA NOA, were developed in collaboration with community artists to bring originality, craftsmanship, and visual identity to premium DIY systems.
SHUGO DDR5 also introduces Corsair patent-pending light-emitting micro-drilling technology, which allows RGB lighting to shine through the side of the module and become part of the artwork itself. Each SHUGO design incorporates its own micro-hole pattern, creating lighting effects that emerge from the art rather than sitting apart from it. The result is a memory series designed to look intentional from every angle inside a showcase PC.
NVIDIA has released its latest GeForce Graphics Drivers 610.47 WHQL today, introducing significant changes for consumer PC users. With this driver update, NVIDIA is retiring its Control Panel for GeForce Game Ready and Studio Drivers after 20 years of service. Starting with this version, users will find the Control Panel completely removed from their system after a clean installation. Those updating from older drivers to the newest version will need to remove the Control Panel manually. Interestingly, NVIDIA notes that despite officially dropping support with this release, the Control Panel will still be available for download through the Microsoft Store for anyone who needs it to adjust a few settings. From NVIDIA's side, there will no longer be any feature updates, bug fixes, or maintenance for this software. However, enterprise users will retain access to the Control Panel for a few more update cycles, as RTX PRO GPU users on their driver branch will continue to receive support.
The company is migrating all Control Panel functionality to the NVIDIA App, meaning that even professional users of RTX PRO GPUs will eventually transition to the NVIDIA App once enterprise features are enabled. In other related updates, the GeForce Graphics Drivers 610.47 WHQL also includes an updated CUDA version, now running v13.3, and game-ready support for "007 First Light," "LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight," "EA SPORTS F1 25: 2026 Season Pack," and "World of Tanks: HEAT." This driver release also addresses some general bug fixes, such as improving multi-monitor gaming stability when using V-SYNC, although issues with power management for mobile GPUs on Windows remain.
The anger appears to have been sparked by claims that TSMC is considering reducing some employee payouts by as much as 15%, with staff arguing that the company is asking workers to help pay for its enormous expansion plans.
According to a report from Taiwan's Commercial Times, AMD is considering TSMC's A14 process node for its Zen 7 generation. Such a move would push AMD into the angstrom-era of semiconductor manufacturing for the first time, taking the company beyond the traditional cadence of incremental node shrinks and into a...
Back in October 2025, former chief executive officer of Remedy Entertainment, Tero Virtala, stepped down from his role after nine years of running the company, following the financial failure of FBC Firebreak. A new CEO was appointed earlier this year in February, with former EA executive Jean-Charles Gaudechon stepping in. That specific element of his past has been a point of concern for fans who fear Gaudechon could be the undertaker of what makes Remedy special, but in a new interview with The Game Business, he claims he was chosen because he wants to do the exact opposite. Gaudechon admits […]
The interface lived for nearly two decades and served us well, but now it's time to switch to the latest NVIDIA App. NVIDIA Announces the Official Retirement of Control Panel, One of the Most Popular Tools for NVIDIA GPU-Based Systems The popular NVIDIA GPU tool, NVIDIA Control Panel, launched in February 2026. It has been just over two decades since the tool went live and has remained the most used utility on NVIDIA GPU-based systems. From offering simple settings to change refresh rate, resolution, and multiple-display setups to manage 3D settings, the Control Panel remained one of the easiest to […]
The release of Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2 this August marks a pivotal moment for the series created by Hideo Kojima, as it will finally bring Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots out of its PlayStation 3 exclusivity, allowing many to experience the end of Solid Snake's story. However, there's one more thing the remaster will bring an end to: the original's extremely long loading times. This past weekend, Washagana TV gave viewers a first look at the highly anticipated remaster in a new livestream. Focused on Act 1: Liquid Sun set in the Middle East, the new footage revealed details, including a "back […]
The first NVIDIA Vera CPU benchmarks have been released, showcasing a huge gain over Grace while outperforming the latest AMD EPYC & Intel Xeon chips. NVIDIA Vera CPU Brings An Impressive 63% Performance Bump Over Grace CPU, Challenges x86 Chips From AMD & Intel NVIDIA recently announced that its Vera CPUs were in full production, hand-delivering the first CPU racks to major AI firms such as OpenAI, SpaceX, Anthropic, and Oracle. Vera is a fundamental component of the Extreme Co-Design ecosystem powering the Rubin platform, but with Vera, NVIDIA is entering into a new market for the first time: Standalone CPUs. The ARM-based […]
After the RTX 5090 AORUS Infinity, the company is reportedly preparing more Infinity models using lower-end RTX 50 cards. EEC Reveals GIGABYTE is Quietly Making More AORUS Infinity Cards After RTX 5090 AORUS Infinity Edition The GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5090 AORUS Infinity gained a lot of attention due to its distinguished design that carried a beautiful and powerful WINDFORCE Hyperbust cooling system. The circular design made it look super cool, but its extraordinary cooling and construction made it appealing to the enthusiasts. The WINDFORCE Hyperboost cooling carried a double flow through design, which looks somewhat similar to the RTX 5090 […]
Llamaroo is an AI lesson platform for primary school teachers and parents that generates gamified, standards-aligned activities in minutes. It helps teachers plan engaging lessons that students actually want to play, aligned to UK and US programs like Eureka Math, enVision, Into Reading, and Amplify CKLA.
Use Llamaroo to quickly build interactive lessons for any topic including math, reading, science, and more, then share them with your class. The platform supports parents, teachers, and schools and follows strict privacy practices to avoid tracking children or exposing them to an AI model.
Coinbase and CEO Brian Armstrong are bankrolling a rapidly expanding pro-crypto political machine, pouring tens of millions of dollars into Fairshake as Washington’s 2026 election fight over digital assets intensifies. Coinbase and Armstrong are helping assemble what they describe as…
Hong Kong authorities plan to introduce new licensing rules for virtual asset advisory and management service providers as the city expands oversight of its digital asset market. The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and the Securities and Futures Commission…
CME Group has rolled out new futures contracts tied to Avalanche and Sui, extending Wall Street’s regulated crypto derivatives beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum and deeper into the high-throughput layer-1 trade. CME Group, the world’s largest regulated derivatives marketplace, has confirmed…
Micron Technology has reportedly joined the trillion‑dollar club after an 18% single‑day surge sent its shares to around $886, capping a year‑to‑date run of more than 200% on the back of an AI‑driven memory boom. While most public data as…
The pope has used his first encyclical to issue an unusually blunt warning on artificial intelligence, saying AI must be “disarmed” and stripped of the logics that turn it into a tool of domination, manipulation, and automated killing. In a…
On-chain sleuths say a memecoin promoted alongside Ghana’s former president has all the hallmarks of a slow-motion rug: insiders have already sold hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of tokens while still controlling nearly the entire supply. According to on-chain…
Britain has imposed sanctions on several crypto-related firms and financial networks linked to Russia, including entities registered in the United Arab Emirates and Georgia, as part of a new crackdown on sanctions evasion tied to Moscow’s war economy. According to…
Leading crypto trade groups are rallying behind the U.S. banking regulator in a bid to blunt Senator Elizabeth Warren’s claim that national trust charters for firms like Coinbase, Ripple, and Circle are illegal under federal banking law. According to reporting…
BNB Plus has raised $4.1 million in new convertible preferred stock to bulk up its digital-asset treasury and “explore” AI infrastructure, effectively asking public investors to fund a levered bet that the on‑chain plus AI narrative still has legs. BNB…
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Tron has surged to a 1.5-year high near $0.38 as rising stablecoin activity and bullish derivatives positioning fuel breakout bets above $0.40. According to data from crypto.news, Tron (TRX) price was trading around $0.376 at press time, up roughly 40%…
Carnival Cruise Line is named as a defendant in a federal lawsuit filed by a 22-year-old woman who lost both legs after a catamaran propeller struck her during a shore excursion in Nassau, Bahamas, on May 12, 2025.
Hannah Smith, a passenger aboard the Carnival Celebration, had booked the “Sun Club Beach Escape with Lunch” excursion to celebrate her recent graduation.
According to the amended complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Miami, she traveled to Pearl Island via a catamaran ferry operated by excursion companies Pearl Investment Management Group and Sun Cay.
The lawsuit also alleges drinks were spiked
The suit alleges that island staff plied Smith and her friend, Brooklyn Pitre, with excessive complimentary alcohol throughout the visit, including repeatedly pouring liquor directly into their mouths from plastic liter bottles. The drinks were allegedly spiked with a drug-facilitated sexual assault substance, and staff also allegedly furnished marijuana.
On the return ferry to Nassau, Smith asked a crewmember where the restroom was and was told, “use the water,” motioning toward the aft dive platforms. Earlier on the island, she had reportedly been told, “the ocean is your toilet.”
The complaint alleges that when Smith entered the water from the dive platform while holding a railing, the captain engaged the engine, causing the propeller to pull her under.
“She suddenly felt her lower extremities being sucked under the vessel,” the complaint states. She was pulled from the water by Pitre. Her left leg below the knee was almost completely severed except for a sliver of skin, and she sustained multiple deep lacerations across both legs and her pelvis.
The guest required more than 25 surgeries
Pearl Island in Nassau, Bahamas (Photo via Shutterstock)
Smith was initially treated at a hospital in Nassau before being airlifted to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital in Miami, where she underwent more than 25 surgeries over the course of two months.
Despite repeated efforts to save her right leg, she ultimately required three successive amputations, culminating in a full hip disarticulation on June 23, 2025. The complaint states she lost more than 60% of her blood supply and was in hypovolemic shock upon arrival at the Miami hospital.
She was discharged on July 18, 2025, and transferred to a rehabilitation facility. The lawsuit says she now faces a lifetime of prosthetics and ongoing psychological and physical care.
Smith is suing Pearl Investment Management Group, Sun Cay, and Carnival Cruise Line for negligence. Her lawyers argue that Carnival marketed the excursion as a safe, vetted experience and should bear responsibility for what occurred.
The lawsuit also alleges that complaints about dangerous alcohol service on the Pearl Island excursion predated the incident by at least six years.
In a statement to the Daily Mail, a Carnival spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with Ms. Smith, and we wish her strength and healing.”
It went on to say, “At Carnival Cruise Line, we continuously strive to keep our guests and crew safe as a priority. Out of respect for ongoing legal proceedings, we are unable to comment further.”
Cruise news today. A 22-year-old Tennessee woman is suing Carnival Cruise Line and two Bahamas excursion operators after losing both legs in a propeller acci...
A cruise vacation can feel simple at first. You choose a ship, pick an itinerary, pay the fare and start looking forward to days at sea.
In many ways, cruises are convenient because lodging, transportation, meals and entertainment are bundled into one trip. But that does not mean every cost is covered.
Many passengers are surprised by how quickly extra charges appear once they are onboard.
Good money management helps you enjoy the trip without worrying about the final bill. It also helps you make better choices before you book, while you are on the ship and after you return home. A cruise can still be a strong value, but only when you understand what you are paying for.
Start With a Real Cruise Budget
Freedom of the Seas docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay (Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean)
Before booking a cruise, look beyond the advertised fare. The base price is only one part of the full vacation cost. You also need to consider taxes, port fees, transportation to the departure city, hotel stays, parking, travel insurance and spending money.
A simple budget should include every major part of the trip. Start with the cruise fare. Then add flights or gas, airport transfers, passports if needed, gratuities, excursions, Wi-Fi, drinks and meals not included in the fare. It is also smart to add a cushion for unexpected costs.
This is where separating your travel funds from your everyday money can help. Some travelers choose toopen an online checking account for vacation expenses so they can track cruise savings and spending in one place. This makes it easier to see what is already paid, what still needs to be covered and how much is available for extras.
Once you know your total budget, set a firm spending limit.
A cruise should not interfere with rent, bills, emergency savings or other financial priorities. A vacation is more enjoyable when it does not create financial stress later.
Know What Your Cruise Fare Includes
Cruise fares usually include your cabin, most meals, basic drinks like water and tea, access to pools, live shows, fitness areas and many onboard activities. This can make cruising feel affordable compared with booking hotels, meals and entertainment separately.
Still, many popular items cost extra. Alcohol, specialty coffee, soda, bottled water, Wi-Fi, spa treatments, casino play, photos, laundry, specialty dining and shore excursions often come with added fees. Some cruise lines also charge automatic daily gratuities.
Read the details before booking. Do not rely only on marketing terms like “all-inclusive” unless you know exactly what that means. Some packages include more than others. Others only include the basics.
Understanding the difference between included and optional costs helps you plan instead of react. It also prevents disappointment once you are onboard.
Plan Your Onboard Spending
(Photo via Pexels)
Most cruise ships use a cashless payment system. Your room key or cruise card is connected to an onboard account. It is convenient, but it also makes spending feel less real. A coffee here, a cocktail there and a few photos can turn into a large balance by the end of the trip.
Set a daily onboard spending limit before you sail. Divide your extra spending budget by the number of cruise days.
For example, if you have $350 for onboard purchases on a seven-night cruise, your daily limit is $50.
Check your onboard account often through the cruise line app or guest services. This helps you catch mistakes early and adjust your spending before it gets out of hand. Waiting until the final morning can lead to frustration, especially when lines at guest services are long.
Be Careful With Drink Packages and Dining Upgrades
Drink packages can be useful, but they are not always a good deal. Before buying one, estimate how many drinks you would actually order each day. Include alcoholic drinks, specialty coffee, soda and bottled water if they are part of the package.
If you only drink one or two beverages a day, paying as you go may cost less. If you plan to drink more often and the package fits your habits, it may be worth it. The key is to do the math before you buy.
Specialty dining works the same way. Cruise ships usually offer included dining rooms and buffets that are already part of your fare. Paid restaurants can be enjoyable, but you do not need to book them every night. Choosing one special dinner instead of several can give you the experience without stretching your budget.
Budget for Shore Excursions
(Photo courtesy of Pixabay/OlgaKropman)
Ports are often the highlight of a cruise. They can also become one of the most expensive parts of the trip. Cruise line excursions are convenient because they are organized, timed around the ship schedule and easy to book. They may also cost more than independent options.
Compare prices before making a decision. Independent tours, taxis, local guides and self-guided walks may save money. However, you need to be careful with timing. If you book outside the cruise line, make sure you return to the ship well before departure.
You can also plan low-cost port days. Beaches, local markets, museums, walking tours and public transportation can provide memorable experiences without large fees. Not every port needs an expensive excursion.
Prepare for Tips and Gratuities
Gratuities are easy to overlook when planning a cruise budget. Many cruise lines charge automatic daily gratuities per person. These may cover cabin stewards, dining staff and other service workers. You may be able to prepay them or have them added to your onboard account.
In addition, bring some cash for extra tips. You may want to tip porters, tour guides, drivers, bartenders or room service staff. Small bills are useful both onboard and in port.
Tipping policies vary, so review them before sailing. This keeps gratuities from becoming an unexpected charge at the end of your trip.
Use Credit Cards Wisely
A credit card can be helpful on a cruise, especially for travel protections, rewards and onboard account setup. Choose a card with no foreign transaction fees if your cruise visits international ports.
At the same time, do not let credit access encourage overspending. Rewards are not valuable if you carry a balance and pay interest. Use your card as a payment tool, not as permission to spend beyond your plan.
Review your final statement before leaving the ship. If you see a charge you do not recognize, ask about it right away. It is much easier to fix billing issues while you are still on board.
Save Money With Smart Preparation
Packing well can prevent unnecessary purchases. Cruise ship shops are convenient, but they are often more expensive than buying items at home. Bring sunscreen, toiletries, medicine, chargers, motion sickness remedies, and any clothing required for formal nights.
Wi-Fi is another area where costs can add up. Decide whether you truly need internet access every day. Some travelers buy one package to share, use free Wi-Fi in port or disconnect during the cruise.
Also be cautious with impulse purchases. Photos, spa services, art auctions, premium activities and casino spending can quickly raise your final bill. Choose what matters most and skip the rest.
Review Your Spending After the Cruise
Money management does not end when the ship returns to port. Review your final bill, compare it with your budget and pay off any credit card charges as soon as possible. This prevents a vacation from becoming long-term debt.
It also helps to note what was worth the money. Maybe the balcony cabin was worth it, but the drink package was not. Maybe one excursion was excellent, while another could have been skipped. These notes can help you plan a better cruise next time.
Final Thoughts
A cruise vacation can be relaxing, memorable and financially manageable.
The key is planning ahead. Know the full cost, understand what is included, track your onboard spending and make thoughtful choices in port.
When you manage your money well, you can focus on the best parts of the trip: the ocean views, the destinations, the food, the entertainment and the time away from daily routines. A smart budget does not limit your cruise experience. It helps protect it.
Most content meets users exactly where they are. Someone searches “best MBA programs” and gets a roundup of MBA programs. But sometimes the highest-value content challenges the query’s premise. This introduces the concept of surfacing alternatives that users didn’t know to ask about.
Intentionally expanding a user’s awareness beyond their assumed path doesn’t always take center stage in SEO and content marketing strategies. However, when done correctly, it can help your services and products appear for more keywords while educating your audience about more solutions to their problems.
For example, when someone searches for a specific degree, medication, certification, or product, they’ve often locked in on a solution before fully evaluating the problem. Content that respectfully introduces alternatives (“apprenticeships vs. four-year degrees,” “herbal supplements vs. prescription options,” or “business bootcamps vs. MBA programs”) can capture high-intent traffic while delivering more value than a straight intent match.
Here’s a roadmap for making this strategy part of your ongoing editorial production.
LLMs are already doing this
LLMs and AI Overviews are already doing a version of this. After answering your query, they often ask a follow-up question, such as whether you’d like to learn about alternatives or explore the topic more deeply. Following an LLM down this path can lead users toward alternatives they didn’t know about.
For instance, in the supplements query below, I was looking for supplements to help with mood and stress. (Note: LLMs and AI aren’t a replacement for medical advice. Always speak with your medical professional before making changes to your diet, medications, supplements, or other health-related routines.)
I gave ChatGPT the stack of supplements I was already taking and asked whether I should remove any. Unprompted, it also asked the following question:
After we went back and forth with suggestions and questions, it gave me additional modifications I hadn’t asked about, including timing recommendations and suggestions tied to other details I’d mentioned previously, such as caffeine use.
In this case, ChatGPT went beyond telling me which supplements might help with stress, which is usually what happens in SERPs for a query like “mood supplements.” It helped me build a better supplement protocol.
This is what you can do for audiences searching for solutions.
Let’s say you’re optimizing for “mood and stress supplements” for products designed for that purpose.
To expand your keyword research beyond obvious queries, think about why someone may be searching for mood and stress supplements in the first place. They probably feel overwhelmed by work or personal life. They may be going through a temporarily stressful period and looking for ways to feel better.
With that line of thinking, you can expand your keyword research into related areas, uncover keywords about stress relief, and create articles and content that introduce other ways someone might relieve stress.
Often, this works the other way as well. A user may start their journey thinking they just need meditation, sound baths, or forest walks to calm stress and improve mood. While those things can help, they may not even be aware that mood supplements exist.
So while it’s a good idea for a supplement company to create content about mood and stress products, it’s also in its best interest to expand its content into other solutions for the problems users are facing. Then, in those articles, the company can include its products as another solution that users may not have considered.
For instance, in this article about sleep and stress, after including non-supplement solutions to help with stress, a product suggestion is included:
Structuring content around alternative solutions
When creating this type of content, focus on quality and valuable information above all else. When you provide high-value information, users stay on the page longer, click more internal links, and see your content as a resource they can trust.
Content should be structured so it ranks for the original intent while responsibly pivoting to the solutions you provide. Beyond written content, other ways to help users expand their horizons include:
Free spreadsheet or PDF templates, even if you offer database or document software (like Smartsheet).
User stories and testimonials about experiences with the problem, even if the solution wasn’t solely your offering.
Webinars, online courses, or in-person workshops related to your offerings. For example, a stationery store offering junk journal nights, or a bag charm retailer hosting a bag charm styling class at a winery.
Your offering shouldn’t be front and center, or it’ll quickly be labeled promotional content and won’t be taken seriously. Include product mentions organically in an article, webinar, or video through on-screen mentions, links within paragraphs, or examples that illustrate how something works.
These types of mentions may shift a user’s one-track mindset and introduce solutions they hadn’t considered before.
When might a user be open to these types of journey-disruption options? It’s important to identify keywords and signals that indicate a user is in the research and consideration stage, rather than fully committed to purchasing a specific solution.
Branded terms
For instance, a user searching [“brand name” buy] is more likely to purchase that specific brand than someone searching terms that signal ongoing research, such as [“brand name” pricing], [“brand name” competitors], or [“brand name” reviews].
Industry ‘widetail’ queries
A “widetail” query is a term I’m using to describe a wider net of queries that all fall within the same user journey. For instance, a user struggling to keep their lawn mowed may search terms like these within the same period, even though they represent different angles of the same problem:
“Robot lawnmower price”
“Lawn service near me”
“How often to cut grass?”
“Sprinkler watering schedule”
“Price to pay teenager for cutting grass”
“Grass cutting schedule”
Instead of solely optimizing for your landscaping company offering with terms like “lawn care in Kansas City,” interrupt earlier buyer journeys by creating content around terms your users are also searching for.
When ethical guardrails are needed
After using supplements as an example, it’s important to note that you have a responsibility to use this content strategy responsibly.
For industries that can negatively affect users, such as healthcare, careers, finance, or other YMYL verticals, exercise discretion to ensure you aren’t positioning your product as the solution to a serious problem that could affect users’ well-being.
It’s one thing to mention a supplement that may support stress response. It’s another to promise a “cure to stress.” FDA and FTC guidelines exist for a reason: to protect customers from misleading and potentially dangerous claims.
Interrupting buyer journeys at the right time
In the lawn care example above, we see several consideration funnels that all point to the same goal: making lawn care easier for someone who can’t keep up with it.
These queries represent the user’s attempts to figure out how to keep the grass mowed. Looking at each query as a standalone journey fails to account for the user as a whole customer.
Many customers don’t use varied queries. They may only search [“brand name” pricing] because they’re overwhelmed, their boss suggested that brand, or they don’t have time to explore other solutions.
By proactively expanding your content, you can appear during basic comparison searches and when tangential searches lead users to your site.
Getting in front of customers when they aren’t expecting you can be a powerful way to capture more search traffic, leads, and loyalty from an audience that’s glad to have found you.
On Thursday, the Google Search Console link report broke. For many it showed no links at all, and for others, it showed a drop of almost 90% of the links that Google reported they had a week prior.
Google confirmed the issue and decided to show old link data, while it works on fixing the issue.
What Google said. John Mueller from Google initially said:
“Thanks for the heads-up, Barry. We’ll take a look to see if there’s anything unexpected happening (given the long weekends it might take a bit of time).”
Then on Saturday, the links appeared to return, but it was just a band-aid. John Mueller wrote:
“They’re working on resolving the actual issue and in the meantime switched back to the data from the week before.”
Old data. So for now, if you go to your link report in Google Search Console, it should be showing old data. Please keep that in mind, if you are using this data for client or stakeholder reporting.
What the bug looked like. Like I said, many saw zero links in that report, while others saw huge drops of over 85% of their links going missing. Here is a screenshot of the report showing zero links:
OK, this takes the cake. Hahaha. Yeah, something is very off with the links reporting in GSC. pic.twitter.com/KIYmFPm1fX— Glenn Gabe (@glenngabe) May 21, 2026
Why we care. Again, if you are using this link report for client or stakeholder report, it is important to know that the data is not updated. If you pulled in data on Thursday, it might be wrong.
Google is working on fixing the issue, until then, the report will be showing data from weeks ago.
Across large enterprise websites, dozens of stakeholders can push live changes at any time: SEO teams, developers, content editors, product managers, PR teams, UX designers, and more. One of the biggest frustrations is discovering those changes after they’ve already impacted performance.
Maybe a CMS template update quietly removes a core content component from hundreds of pages. Maybe a new product page rollout creates canonical mismatches at scale. By the time you notice the issue, rankings, traffic, reporting KPIs, and stakeholder conversations are already under pressure.
That’s where SEO changelogs come in. More than a simple record of deployments, a strong changelog process creates visibility, accountability, and cross-team awareness around website changes that can affect search performance.
Why enterprise SEO teams need changelogs
Enterprise SEO teams are often the last to know when impactful website changes go live. Even with strong workflows and deployment processes, changes can still happen across large websites without SEO visibility.
An SEO changelog helps close that gap by creating a documented, shared record of website changes that could impact SEO or wider digital marketing performance. That could include anything from metadata edits and schema updates to internal linking changes, template deployments, analytics implementations, or robots.txt updates.
A strong changelog process helps teams identify risks faster, understand the downstream impact of deployments, and reduce the likelihood of costly SEO surprises. It should clearly document what changed, where it happened, when it went live, and the intended outcome.
Large businesses already have deployment records through tickets, Git commit histories, or CMS audit logs. The problem is that these systems often exist in silos and rarely frame changes through an SEO lens. That leaves SEO teams reacting to issues or performance shifts after the fact instead of proactively monitoring them.
About 53% of enterprise teams struggled with SEO misalignment across departments, a 2023 Lumar study found. With Google SERPs more volatile than ever, enterprise SEO teams need stronger operational visibility into how websites evolve over time. A robust changelog process can help create that visibility.
A solid SEO changelog framework should strive to provide clear data on:
What was changed, exactly, and where.
The context.
The stakeholder.
Expected impact.
Observed impact.
What was changed, exactly, and where
Include a clear definition and scope of the change made. For example:
Schema markup was updated on all product pages to include AggregateRating.
Hreflang tags were modified on URLs across 10 European markets.
The robots.txt file was updated to disallow a particular path.
The context
Why was this change made, and what was the intended aim? This can be one of the most valuable inputs for retrospective analysis. For example:
Schema markup was implemented to improve the potential for rich snippet results.
Hreflang tags were updated to help search engines serve the correct regional version of the page to users in the respective market.
The robots.txt file was updated to prevent the path in question from being crawled following suboptimal crawl behavior patterns identified in Google Search Console.
The stakeholder
Who made the change, and what team are they on? This helps you make sure there’s a clear and efficient path to the person responsible for the change if action needs to be taken. Transparency and accountability are two core components of maintaining a strong culture of SEO awareness as part of the changelog process.
Expected impact
While it may not be feasible or even necessary to detail the expected impact or the full rationale behind every deployed change, it should be encouraged where possible.
A larger, more ambitious deployment might have a forecast or broader business case attached to it. For example, there might be a site speed rationale behind optimizing a heavy component.
Other changes might be straightforward tests tied to specific metrics without a clearly defined outcome, and that’s fine too. The idea is to get teams thinking about SEO-adjacent and broader business outcomes, rather than simply deploying changes to a site or webpage.
Observed impact
This is added retrospectively to the relevant changelog environment once sufficient data has been collected. It could include a report on clicks or impressions following a change, notes on the visibility of a keyword cluster, or even AI Overview citations.
The goal is to build a culture of testing and learning alongside accountability and visibility.
The tools behind enterprise SEO changelogs
You want to eventually automate much of what’s currently logged, and several tools and approaches can help. Here are a few.
GitHub/GitLab webhooks
These webhooks can be configured to post deployment summaries to a centralized SEO changelog channel, such as Slack or email, or to a database whenever a production push occurs.
Jira/Linear automation
With either of these tools, you can set up a rule so that when any ticket with an SEO-impact label is moved to “Done” (i.e., deployed live in production), an entry is automatically created in the changelog with the ticket title, assignee, and completion date.
CMS change logs
Most enterprise CMS platforms, including Contentful, Sitecore, and Adobe Experience Manager, maintain internal audit logs. Consider surfacing these into your central changelog via an API or scheduled export.
Third-party SEO tool alerts
Tools like Botify, Lumar, and ContentKing have scheduling and alerting capabilities. When a change or crawl anomaly is detected, such as a spike in broken links, 3xx or 4xx response codes, or even a simple metadata change, users can be alerted quickly by email or via integrations with platforms such as Slack and act accordingly.
With the core tenets of the changelog defined, the next step is to create a workflow that functions smoothly at scale. A practical way to approach this is in three phases.
Start with a pilot
Start with one team and one simple logging method as your proof of concept. Development might be a particularly impactful place to start. Your changelog could initially live in a Slack channel or Google Sheet.
Expand and standardize the workflow
Once the value of the changelog becomes clear, especially when it captures a potentially harmful change that may have caused an issue, you can begin bringing in other teams and standardizing the format across departments.
From there, you can scale the process further by introducing some of the automation tools outlined above.
Add SEO context to the changes
Once the changelog is in place, the next step is having your SEO team provide context behind the changes. This is where SEO teams need to bring their proactivity and institutional knowledge into the process.
That means asking a series of questions and ensuring you have answers to them, including:
Are we aware of and aligned with the changes that have been deployed according to the changelog?
If a content block optimization led by the SEO team was deployed, was it implemented correctly according to our recommendations?
Has that complicated redirect chain been updated correctly to ensure a straightforward crawl path?
Are these new breadcrumb components something we recommended, or did they originate elsewhere in the business?
These are the types of questions a robust SEO changelog should help answer.
The SEO changelog as a buy-in tool
Enterprise SEO teams often struggle because of gaps in stakeholder management and organizational alignment.
Buy-in sits at the core of enterprise SEO. A robust SEO changelog process can help overcome some of the challenges of securing buy-in from non-SEO stakeholders within large organizations. Here are a few things to consider.
Think ‘business risk mitigation tool’ rather than solely ‘SEO changelog’
SEO changelogs can help reinforce the importance of SEO across a business. Position them as business risk mitigation tools rather than straightforward SEO monitoring systems. That framing speaks the language other teams already understand.
There are plenty of examples of site changes leading to major revenue losses across organic search and other channels. SEO changelogs should be positioned as a way to prevent those issues from going unnoticed. After all, something as simple as a faulty bulk canonical URL update across a series of product pages could cost thousands of dollars if left unchecked.
For large ecommerce brands with global website footprints, this challenge is especially common. Changes are regularly made across hundreds of product pages through template updates, content edits, and metadata adjustments without centralized visibility for SEO teams. Implementing a changelog system can help surface those changes automatically.
The bigger shift, however, is cultural. Once teams can see the downstream SEO impact of their changes, contributing to the changelog becomes a natural part of the workflow rather than something that needs to be enforced.
Identify internal changelog champions
SEO affects multiple departments across a business. Is there someone in development, content, or product management who would benefit from this type of visibility? Identify those people early and work with them to embed changelog contributions into existing workflows.
For development teams, that might mean adding changelog updates to sprint definition-of-done checklists.
For content teams, it could become part of the publishing signoff process.
For QA teams, it may become a mandatory step before any production push.
A large-scale canonical URL mismatch isn’t just an SEO problem. It’s a business problem. When the right stakeholders understand that, changelog participation starts to feel less like an extra task and more like professional due diligence.
This level of governance should also extend to leadership, aligning SEO changelog processes with broader business OKRs and KPIs.
Communicate your changelog wins
When an SEO changelog identifies a potentially harmful issue before it impacts search visibility, traffic, or conversions, make sure the outcome is shared across relevant teams.
Be prepared to explain:
What issue did the changelog identify?
How quickly was it addressed?
What was the outcome?
Averted problems are often more persuasive than any presentation deck.
The same applies to positive outcomes. If changelog-tracked deployments led to measurable SEO wins, those insights should also be communicated upward across the organization.
Further ways to measure changelog success
SEO changelog processes should continue evolving over time. There are several metrics you can use to measure effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
Coverage rate: What percentage of significant site changes are being logged? Were any important changes missed and only discovered later by the SEO team?
Time to detection: How quickly can the SEO team identify issues after deployment? Can detection happen faster next time?
Issue interception rate: How many potentially harmful changes were caught and addressed before they impacted traffic or visibility?
Cross-team contribution: Is the SEO team the only group contributing to the changelog, or are other departments actively participating as well?
Correlation insights: Are meaningful patterns emerging between changelog entries and SEO performance? Are certain SEO-led optimizations consistently driving stronger outcomes on specific page types? Insights like these can be extremely valuable for refining SEO strategy and strengthening stakeholder buy-in.
The broader goal of an SEO changelog extends beyond documentation. It’s about improving organizational awareness of how website changes impact SEO and other digital channels.
Large brands that build this kind of culture don’t just improve monitoring capabilities. They also strengthen institutional knowledge and make SEO more resilient over time.
The goal should be to make SEO visibility part of standard business operations rather than something SEO teams uncover retrospectively. Brands that succeed in organic search in 2026 will be the ones that treat SEO as a shared responsibility across teams, and SEO changelogs can play an important role in making that happen.
The SEO changelog is no longer just an operational safeguard. It’s also a strategic asset for navigating what comes next.
AI has become part of nearly every industry, integrated into apps, company processes, and everyday life. As someone who’s been doing local SEO since it became a thing, I’m seeing a major shift in how people search and the answers they get.
In the good old days, the average local business could rank well by optimizing its website, optimizing its Google Business Profile, building about 50 citations, and asking for reviews. In an AI search world, those activities are table stakes.
To perform well in AI-powered local search, you also need to shape what the broader web says about your business, or, in other words, how well-known your brand is.
Think of local search as a digital “word-of-mouth” system.
What are people saying about your brand?
Are you mentioned in publications, blogs, or industry sites?
Do people talk about you on social media?
What sentiment exists around your business beyond your website and GBP?
These are the questions AI systems ask when users request local business recommendations. Here’s how to shape the reputation signals AI search engines rely on.
How to do competitor research for AI visibility
One of the first steps in an AI search strategy is identifying which brands LLMs recommend most often and finding out what they’re doing.
Identify which businesses get mentioned most in AI responses
AI responses change constantly, so you need to run the same query multiple times to study patterns.
Run your most common brand searches at least 20 times in your preferred LLM. You can do this manually or use software like Gumshoe or Waikay. These tools run synthetic prompts based on your business details and show how often you appear.
Identify the sites that AI most often cites
After identifying your competitors, look at the sources LLMs use. You can dig through the results manually or use one of the tools mentioned above.
Get your brand mentioned on those sites
Once you have that list of sites, try to get your brand mentioned on them.
If AI systems cite blogs, offer to contribute expert content. If they mention podcasts or YouTube channels, ask to be a guest. The goal is to amplify your brand.
Since Google has been the primary discovery channel for the past decade, most businesses have focused only on getting reviews on Google. To perform well in AI results, you also need reviews on other sites.
Diversify your review strategy
Ask for reviews on a wide range of sites: Yelp, BBB, Facebook, and other review sites prominent in your industry. Frequent reviews across diverse platforms increase your brand’s visibility and can also help rankings in traditional search results.
Optimize the way you ask for reviews
Don’t ask for generic reviews. Give customers direction. Guide them toward experiences or product qualities AI searchers may ask about.
For example, if you have a plumbing company, your review request might sound like this:
Hi [Name],
Thank you for trusting us with your hot water tank repair. If you have a moment, could you please leave us a review on [Link to Platform] and tell us how we did? Some things you could mention in your reviews:
— What plumbing issue did we help you with?
— Are you happy with the quality of our service?
— Did your plumber arrive on time and have a professional attitude?
— Do you think the cost matches the quality of the service?
Your review is a big help to us and to others looking for a quality plumber.
Thank you!
[Name]
AI systems directly cite review content, so you want to make sure you’re getting detailed reviews.
Respond to all reviews
If you aren’t responding to reviews, start now. AI systems read and consider the content in review responses.
Be everywhere
AI systems often scour the web for even obscure mentions of your business and use them to build responses. Your business should be present and active across platforms, including:
YouTube.
Reddit.
Industry forums.
Social media, especially LinkedIn.
Industry publications.
Local and hyperlocal blogs.
Local news sites.
Local and industry podcasts and video channels.
Best-of lists in your city or industry.
Press releases.
Be active on the platforms your peers and customers use. A tool like Sparktoro can show where your audience is active so you can focus your efforts there.
One of Petrovic’s key takeaways is that Google prefers sentences that are semantically close to the query and early on the page.
Get straight to the point
While humans might appreciate a well-written introduction that provides context, LLMs scan pages for answers to specific questions.
Because AI systems often scan content higher up on the page, present your key points in the first paragraph. Then make sure the rest of the page supports them.
Understand what questions to answer
This goes back to keyword research and query fan-out. Identify what people type into the search bar, or AI bar, to find businesses like yours. Your website needs to become an answer engine for those prompts.
For local businesses, these are the must-answer questions:
What do you do?
What products or services do you offer?
Who are your products or services for?
What problems do you solve?
Where are you located?
What neighborhoods or cities do you serve?
Do you offer on-site services, or do customers need to visit your location?
What are your business hours?
Do you offer emergency or same-day services?
Do you work weekends or holidays?
How can customers contact you?
What’s the booking process?
Do you offer quotes or consultations?
Is your business appointment-only, or do you accept walk-ins?
Why should someone choose your business?
What sets you apart from competitors?
Do you have awards or certifications?
Are you best known for a specific product or service?
How much do your products or services cost?
Do you offer discounts or packages?
What do customers say about you?
Can you display reviews and testimonials?
Can you show case studies or before-and-after examples?
What are the answers to your most frequently asked questions?
How do you demonstrate authority and expertise?
What does your work process look like?
Do you educate people in your field through tips, guides, or blog articles?
AlsoAsked is a great tool for expanding this question-generation process.
Once you answer these questions, you can use a free tool like Qforia to do query fan-out and generate additional questions AI systems may ask in relation to users’ initial searches.
Answer these questions on your website. Then make sure your answers stay consistent across brand mentions on the web, including citations, guest articles, and press releases.
Structure your content in a machine-friendly way
Most local businesses describe their services like this: “Services we provide: plumbing, drain cleaning, pipe replacement, etc.”
You should do a better job of helping machines understand your business in a clear and concise way by using semantic triples.
A semantic triple consists of:
[Subject] + [predicate] + [object]
The subject is what you’re defining. The predicate describes the subject’s relationship to the object. The object is what defines the subject.
For example:
[Rescue Plumbing] [is] [a plumbing company in Denver].
Drop the “we” and replace it with your brand name. Machines still need clear signals, so you need to explain what your business is and what it does as clearly as possible.
Have something new to say
Information gain is essential for AI search. Your content shouldn’t reiterate existing information. It should contribute something new.
LLMs want content that enriches their knowledge about your brand, your industry, and your location.
Draw on your personal and professional experience. Answer questions that haven’t been addressed in your industry. Describe on-the-job experiences only you can speak to. This is your opportunity to surface for AI searches your competitors don’t appear in.
AI visibility depends on more than your website and Google Business Profile. Use this checklist to strengthen the reviews, citations, content, and brand signals AI systems rely on.
Shift your local SEO strategy. Optimize and maintain your website and Google Business Profile while cultivating broader brand visibility across the web.
Identify your competitors and study their content and citation strategies.
Identify the sources LLMs cite in relation to your industry and location, and get your brand mentioned in them.
Diversify the sites where you collect reviews, optimize your review requests, and respond to all reviews.
Build your presence across blogs, social media, forums, YouTube channels, podcasts, and the press.
Write unique, informative, and comprehensive content on your website, citations, and brand mentions across the web. Structure key information using semantic triples.
There’s much more I could write about optimizing for localized AI search, but I’ve probably already exhausted your attention span, so stay tuned for the next article.
Google Ads reports and PPC competitor analysis can show declining performance, but not what caused it. In fast-evolving paid search, reacting to performance drops after they happen isn’t enough. You need to identify the signals behind those changes before they impact results.
A competitor might increase bids on your core keywords. A new advertiser could enter branded search. Someone may launch a stronger offer or dominate the SERP with extensions and Shopping ads. These shifts change auction dynamics in real time, often days or weeks before the impact appears in your dashboards.
That’s why we recommend monitoring competitor activity. It gives you context for performance shifts before they turn into expensive problems.
Without consistent competitor tracking, three areas usually start to decline:
Cost per click: CPC can rise because of increased auction pressure. But when you don’t actively track competitor keywords, aggressive bidding activity stays invisible until costs are already higher.
Ad positions and visibility: If competitors increase impression share, expand campaign coverage, or appear more frequently during peak hours, your visibility starts slipping.
Conversion rate and revenue: Competitors may introduce stronger discounts, clearer positioning, or more compelling CTAs. If you don’t regularly track competitors’ ads, your campaigns can slowly lose relevance even while traffic volume stays stable.
Monitoring competitor activity and analyzing that data helps prevent this decline. It connects changes in market behavior to performance shifts, so you can act before KPIs start falling.
5 competitor signals you should never ignore
Behind every spike in CPC or drop in conversions is usually a competitor move. These are competitor signals — observable changes in how other advertisers behave in paid search.
Competitor signals could be a new player entering your core queries, a sudden increase in bids, a messaging shift, or more aggressive use of ad formats. Individually, these signals may seem minor. Together, they reshape the dynamics of the entire SERP.
Let’s start with a quick overview of the five competitor signals that serve as early signs of upcoming auction shifts and PPC performance:
Signal
What it affects
What to do
Competitor activity spike
CPC, impression share
Track competitors keywords and review bidding strategy
New players in branded SERP
Brand traffic, CAC
Monitor competitor activity and protect brand terms
Messaging changes
CTR, conversion rate
Track competitors’ ads and test new offers
Increased ad frequency
Visibility, ROI
Use competitor tracking tools to detect pressure early
SERP takeover (extensions, shopping)
Click share, attention
Run deeper PPC competitor analysis and expand ad formats
Here’s a closer look at these early signals and what you can do when you detect them.
1. Sudden increase in competitor activity on priority keywords
A sudden spike in activity usually signals more aggressive bidding. Competitors are pushing harder on your core queries, increasing pressure in the same auctions where your campaigns compete. Without active competitor keyword tracking, these shifts happen quietly — until costs start rising.
The risks you face if you miss this signal are:
Rising CPC
Loss of top positions
Declining impression share on high-value queries
What you can do upon noticing a sharp rise of competitor activity:
Identify who is driving the auction pressure — new entrants often signal a longer-term competitive shift
Review your bidding strategy and adjust bids on priority keywords
2. New players appearing in branded search results
When new advertisers appear on your branded queries, it usually means someone is deliberately targeting your brand to capture high-intent traffic. That may include direct competitors, affiliates, or partners operating outside agreed boundaries.
The risks associated with brand bidding are:
Loss of branded traffic you previously owned.
Increased customer acquisition cost on what should be your lowest-cost channel.
Erosion of brand trust if messaging is misaligned.
What to do:
Find out who is running ads on your brand terms using competitor tracking tools.
Capture screenshots, landing pages, timing, location, device and redirect paths before taking action.
Analyze affiliate and partner activity for compliance issues.
Reinforce your branded campaigns to maintain dominance.
See which competitors and affiliates are appearing on your brand keywords. Register with Bluepear to run free branded search checks for a week — no credit card required.
3. Changes in competitor messaging
Messaging shifts are often the earliest sign of strategic testing. Competitors launch new offers, reposition their value, or test urgency and pricing. Without consistent competitor ad tracking, these changes stay outside your field of view.
Risks that come from changes in competitor messaging:
Declining CTR as your ads feel less relevant or appealing in comparison.
Lower conversion rates due to weaker perceived value.
Gradual erosion of your competitive positioning.
How to respond:
Regularly track competitors’ ads across key queries.
Benchmark their offers against your current value proposition.
Launch focused A/B tests in response.
Adapt your messaging fast — delays here impact revenue.
4. Competitor ads appearing more frequently
Higher ad frequency usually signals a larger budget or a more aggressive delivery strategy. Competitors are appearing in more auctions, more often, and across more times of day.
Risks associated with this:
Reduced visibility and share of voice.
Increased CPC due to higher auction pressure.
Lower ROI as efficiency declines.
What you can do about it:
Review auction insights to confirm impression share shifts.
Adjust ad scheduling to defend key time windows.
Reallocate budget toward the most competitive segments.
Continue monitoring competitor activity to understand whether this is temporary or sustained pressure.
5. Competitors dominating the SERP with extensions and formats
Competitors can use sitelinks, callouts, Shopping ads, and Performance Max campaigns to take up more SERP space. Even when your ad appears, it becomes visually secondary.
What risk this expansion creates for you:
Reduced user attention on your ads.
Lower CTR.
Traffic loss.
What can be done about it:
Expand your own ads with extensions.
Actively use multiple formats to increase coverage.
Continuously track competitors’ ads to see how SERP real estate is changing.
How to turn competitor signals into action
Many PPC teams track competitors but still operate reactively. They notice rising CPCs, falling CTRs, or weaker conversions only after those changes appear in performance metrics. By then, optimization has become damage control.
The more effective approach is to treat competitor signals as action triggers. To do that, you need a clear workflow:
Define the competitor signals that matter to you and grade them by priority. For example, brand bidding can be a lower priority for a small company, but a major red flag for a larger brand that runs their own affiliate program.
Connect each signal to a predefined response. For simplicity, you can do it in the form of a table like this:
Signal
Priority
Response
Sudden bidding increases on high-intent keywords
High
Review bids on core keywords
New advertisers entering branded queries
High
Investigate affiliate activity and strengthen branded campaigns
SERP expansion through extensions and Shopping ads
Medium-High
Expand your own ad formats and improve SERP coverage
Changes in competitor messaging or offers
Medium
Launch ad copy and offer tests to maintain CTR and conversion rate
Rising impression share from specific competitors
Medium
Adjust budget allocation if pressure continues
Minor ad copy variations without positioning changes
Low
Monitor for patterns, but avoid overreacting to isolated tests
Track activity, but prioritize response only if expansion continues
Assign the team members responsible for tracking and reacting to the detected signals. Base this choice on the responses you defined earlier — whoever has direct access to the appropriate tools should be responsible for execution.
Establish a practical framework built on repeatable actions: Track competitors → Detect → Verify → Classify → Act.
The goal is to build a system where competitor changes automatically trigger investigation and appropriate response. In practice, thу most effective way of doing it is to use always-on PPС tracking toolswith real-time reporting. The advantage comes from shortening reaction time.
In conclusion
Competitor pressure in PPC rarely appears all at once. It builds through signals.
A sudden increase in bidding activity. New advertisers entering branded search. Changes in messaging. Higher ad frequency. Competitors taking over more SERP space with extensions and Shopping ads. These shifts change the auction environment long before performance reports fully reflect the impact.
That’s why teams that consistently track competitor keywords, monitor SERP behavior, and use structured PPC competitor analysis gain something valuable: time. They spot changes earlier, react faster, and avoid making decisions only after KPIs begin to decline.
The difference between reactive and high-performing PPC teams is simple. One waits for metrics to explain what happened. The other uses competitor signals to anticipate what happens next.
Build a more systematic approach to monitoring competitor activity. Use competitor tracking tools to collect data before it impacts CPC, visibility, and conversions — not after.
Try Bluepearto see how competitors and affiliates appear across your most important keywords in real time.
The Currys bank holiday sale is still ongoing this week, with savings of up to 40% across TVs, appliances, laptops, headphones, and more — I've picked out the 21 best deals that are actually worth the cash.
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Grvt will work with Plume to launch tokenized fixed-income and structured credit products tied to institutional-grade real world assets and onchain yield strategies.
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Sporting a 5-inch screen display and rocking an operating system with three UI themes to choose from, the Muse 300 is an upcoming "world's first" piece of hardware that promises to deliver tube sound without the use of vacuum tubes. The hardware specs look quite interesting, and the Kickstarter page should go live soon.
Xiaomi has confirmed how much its new wearables will cost in Europe. Revealed before their official launches, the Smart Band 10 Pro and Smart Band 10 Pro NFC will be joined by the Watch S5 46 mm too, as part of a simultaneous release.
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Gigabyte has announced the availability of the Aero X16 laptop in the global market. Described as a content creation and entertainment machine, the Aero X16 features an AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 processor, a 165 Hz IPS panel, up to 64 GB DDR5 RAM, and up to 14 hours of battery life.
Sony Days of Play returns this year, bringing numerous discounts on games, subscriptions and hardware, from the Pulse Explore Wireless earbuds to the PlayStation VR 2 headset.
A new version of the Ugreen Nexode Air 45W Charger is now available in the UK. The recently released charging accessory has a relatively compact design and a Smart Care Charging feature.
If you’re looking for a new Android tablet with an OLED display and plenty of power, you get far better value for money with the MagicPad 4 compared to Apple’s iPads. That makes the Honor tablet a strong alternative to the iPad Air 13 and even to the iPad Pro 13.
The Home Assistant app for iOS has been updated to version 2026.5.0. The release brings four new features to users of the smart home automation software, alongside several improvements and a range of bug fixes.
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is getting an extravagant limited edition that looks more like a Trump Phone than the Trump T1. This is because the new version of the iPhone 17 Pro Max is coated with 24-carat gold and features a US flag with the correct number of stripes, unlike the Trump T1.
The Anker Power Conference 2026 event has been announced. It will take place in Japan in late May 2026, with the company pointing to new product releases from several of its sub-brands.
There's a more affordable version of the Aoostar WTR Max available, and instead of being powered by an AMD processor, the newer model packs an Intel Core i5 1235U. It retains the 11-bay design, but the RAM support maxes out at 96GB.
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HBO’s new “Coming this year” trailer also features the upcoming Harry Potter series. While the trailer does not reveal any new footage, it still gives fans plenty to discuss.
HP has released a new 14-inch laptop featuring up to 64 GB of RAM and a 700-nit OLED display. Available globally, the EliteBook X G2q can be configured with a 5G modem and a choice of three Snapdragon X2 processors, too.
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Fatih Tekke yönetimindeki Trabzonspor, Ziraat Türkiye Kupası'nı kazanmıştı. Bordo-mavililer Ziraat Türkiye Kupası'nı Şamil Ekinci Müzesi'nde sergilemeye başladı.
Trabzonspor, bu sezon kazandığı Ziraat Türkiye Kupası'nı Şamil Ekinci Müzesi'nde sergilemeye başladı.
Bordo-mavili kulübün internet sitesinden yapılan açıklamaya göre Ziraat Türkiye Kupası, düzenlenen törenle Şamil Ekinci Müzesi'ndeki yerini aldı.
Genel Sekreter Sami Karaman, törende yaptığı konuşmada, "Bu başarıda emeği olan futbolcularımıza, teknik ekibimize ve her şartta yanımızda olan taraftarımıza teşekkür ediyorum. Türkiye Kupası'nı yeniden müzemize getirmek bizim için büyük bir gurur. Trabzonspor'un hedefi her zaman yarışmak ve kazanmaktır." ifadelerini kullandı.
Genel Sayman Derviş Köz ise "Sezon boyunca büyük özveri gösteren takımımızı ve teknik ekibimizi kutluyorum. Taraftarımızın desteği de bu süreçte çok kıymetliydi. Bu başarıda katkısı bulunan herkese teşekkür ediyor, kupanın camiamıza hayırlı olmasını diliyorum." değerlendirmesinde bulundu.
Kupa, törenin ardından müzedeki diğer kupaların yanında sergilenmeye başlandı.
Trabzonspor yaz döneminde hem sağ hem de sol kanat bölgelerini güçlendirmek istiyor. Sol taraf için öne çıkan ismin Zulte Waregem forması giyen Joseph Opoku olduğu öğrenildi.
Trabzonspor, kış döneminde kanat takviyeleri yapmak istemişti. Ancak beklenen sonuçlar alınamadı. Bordo-Mavililer açısından durum yine değişmedi. Fırtına 2026 yazında da hem sağ hem de sol tarafını güçlendirmeyi hedefliyor. Trabzonspor'un, sürpriz bir isimle temaslara başladığı öğrenildi.
TFF'NİN KRİTERİNİ KARŞILIYOR
Belçika ekibi Zulte Waregem'de forma giyen 20 yaşındaki sol kanat oyuncusu Joseph Opoku'nun kadroya katılması planlanıyor. Opoku, Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu'nun yeni sezon için belirlediği genç yabancı kontenjanını da fazlasıyla karşılıyor. Ganalı futbolcunun, Belçika ekibiyle 30 Haziran 2027'ye kadar mukavelesi var.
KULÜP TARAFLI UZATMA OPSİYONU
Ancak 1.72 boyundaki oyuncu, sözleşmesinin son senesine girmedi. Çünkü kontratında kulüp taraflı +2 yıllık uzatma opsiyonu mevcut... Joseph Opoku'nun tahmini piyasa değeri 3 milyon euro civarında... Ganalı genç yetenek, Belçika Ligi'nin normal sezonunda 27 maça çıktı. Sahada 2.033 dakika kaldı. 5 gol ve 5 asist üretti. Trabzonspor, bu hamleyi kısa süre içinde bitirmeyi planlıyor.
Crystal Palace, Fransız golcüsü Jean-Philippe Mateta'yı satış listesine koyarken bonservis bedelini de belirledi. 28 yaşındaki futbolcunun adı hem Fenerbahçe hem de Beşiktaş'la anılıyor.
Fenerbahçe'de başkanlık seçimi yaklaşıyor. Hem Aziz Yıldırım hem de Hakan Safi, en az 2'şer santrfor almayı planlıyor. Hatta rakamın 3'e yükselebileceği bile konuşuluyor. Bu anlamda, Jean-Philippe Mateta'nın adı ön plana çıktı. Seçim sonuçlarının belli olmasının ardından konuyla ilgili harekete geçilecek.
KARARLARINI VERDİLER
Beşiktaş'ın santrfor listesinde de 1.92'lik yıldız bulunuyor. Crystal Palace Kulübü ise onunla ilgili kararını verdi. İngiliz ekibi, 30 Haziran 2027'ye kadar sözleşmesi bulunan 28 yaşındaki futbolcuyu bu yaz satarak para kazanmak istiyor. Taban fiyat olarak da 25 milyon euro belirlendi.
KADROYA DAHİL EDİLDİ
Hem Fenerbahçe hem de Beşiktaş cephesinin bu parayı ödeyebileceği ifade edildi. Jean-Philippe Mateta, Fransa'nın Dünya Kupası kadrosuna da eklenmişti. 28 yaşındaki santrfor bu sezon Premier Lig'de 32 mücadeleye çıktı. Sahada 2.223 dakika kaldı. 12 gol kaydetti. Oyuncunun temsilcisi şu anda tüm taliplerle görüşmeler yapıyor.
Beşiktaş'ta yeni teknik direktör adaylarının sayısı ciddi şekilde düşürüldü. Şu anda listenin zirvesinde Yunanistan'da çalışan Sırp teknik adam bulunuyor.
Sergen Yalçın'la yolların ayrılması sonrasında Beşiktaş'ta yeni teknik adam arayışları sürüyor. Ve bu anlamda oluşturulan listede adayların sayısı oldukça düşürüldü. Kartal'ın yeni hocası çok yakınlardan gelebilir. Çünkü en büyük aday; AEK'yı Yunanistan şampiyonu yapan Marko Nikolic...
TAZMİNAT ÖDENMESİ GEREK
46 yaşındaki Sırp çalıştırıcının AEK ile 1 sezon daha mukavelesi var. Yani olası bir ayrılıkta Yunan ekibine tazminat ödenmesi gerekecek. Bu rakamın çok yüksek olması beklenmiyor. Marko Nikolic, AEK'nın başında çıktığı tüm resmi maçlarda 2.14'lük puan ortalaması yakaladı.
ÇOK SICAK BAKIYOR
Sırp hocanın, Beşiktaş seçeneğine çok sıcak baktığı öğrenildi. Bayram sonrasında önemli gelişmeler yaşanabilir. Yine de transferde ıslak imzalar atılmadan her şeyin bitmediğini söylemek gerekiyor. Siyah-Beyazlılar, bir yandan alternatiflerle de temaslarını sürdürüyor. Marko Nikolic genellikle "3-4-2-1" dizilişini tercih ediyor.
Galatasaray'ın yerli yıldızları Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Yunus Akgün ve Eren Elmalı'dan samimi itiraflar! Sarı-kırmızılı takımda Türk oyuncu olmanın getirdiği büyük baskıyı anlatan futbolcular, "Bu formada beklenti çok yüksek ama baskı bizi her zaman diri tutuyor" mesajını verdi.
Galatasaray’ın resmi YouTube kanalında yayınlanan özel bir programda, yerli futbolcular sarı-kırmızılı ekipte Türk oyuncu olmanın getirdiği zorlukları ve üzerlerindeki büyük baskıyı samimi sözlerle dile getirdi.
"Galatasaray'da Türk oyuncu olmak zor mu?" sorusuna yanıt veren Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Yunus Akgün ve Eren Elmalı, taraftar beklentisinden mental güce kadar dikkat çeken açıklamalarda bulundu.
Abdülkerim Bardakcı, yerli oyuncuların üzerindeki spot ışıklarının ve eleştirilerin çok daha yoğun olduğunu gizlemedi.
- Ya tabii ki de ister istemez bize baskı daha çok oluyor, açık konuşalım. Ama biz buna alıştık. Sonuçta Galatasaray'da oynayacak adam, bu baskıyı da kaldırabilmesi gerekiyor. Psikolojinin ve mentalinin kuvvetli olması gerekiyor. Çoğu baskıyı biz üzerimize alıyoruz zaten. Bizi diri tutuyor, sürekli iyi oynamak zorundasın.
Yunus Akgün ise yüksek beklentilerin farkında olduklarını belirterek, madalyonun insani ve duygusal boyutuna dikkat çekti:
- Biraz zor ama bunlar da beklentiden dolayı. Alıştık artık. Ama unutmayalım, bazen biz de duygusal oluyoruz yani. Biz en çok kendimizi eleştiriyoruz.
Eren Elmalı da baskının aslında geliştirici bir yönü olduğunu savunarak, takım içindeki özeleştiri mekanizmasının altını çizdi:
- Aslında güzel bir şey abi biliyor musun... Diri olmak zorundasın. Kötü oynadığımız zaman geri dönüşünü kendi aramızda yapıyoruz. Birbirimizi eleştiriyoruz.
Liverpool'da her şeyi kazanan ve an itibarıyla bonservisi elinde olan Mohamed Salah, Dünya Kupası vitrininde son bir gövde gösterisi yapmaya hazırlanıyor. Fenerbahçe'de yeni yönetimin dünya çapındaki bu süper yıldıza sarı-lacivertli formayı giydirmek için tüm şartları zorlaması bekleniyor.
Fenerbahçe ile adı yüksek sesle anılan Mohamed Salah, Premier Lig’e ve Liverpool’a gözyaşlarıyla veda etti. 1 Temmuz’da boşa çıkacak olan Mısırlı süper solak, geleceğiyle ilgili kararını Dünya Kupası sonrasına bıraktı.
- Şükürler olsun ki, Liverpool'daki zamanımı böyle bitirdim. Her şeyi başardım ve insanları yaptıklarımla gururlandırıyorum. Takımı büyük ölçüde elitler arasındaki hak ettiği yere geri getirdiğimi hissediyorum ve bu benim için en önemli şey.
- Bazı şeyleri bekliyordum, ancak takımla ve bireysel olarak her şeyi başarmayı beklemiyordum. Neredeyse her şampiyonluğu kazandım. Psikolojik olarak çok zordu, çünkü dokuz yıl yaşadığım, gençliğimin en güzel yıllarını geçirdiğim bir yerde son maçıma çıktım.
- Ama şükürler olsun ki, tüm bunlara geriye dönüp baktığımda; gençliğimi dolu dolu yaşadığımı, futbolda her şeyi yaptığımı ve başardığımı hissediyorum. Bundan daha fazlasını umamazdım.
Geleceğiyle ilgili soruya yanıt veren Salah'ın sözleri:
- Göreceğim. Şimdi zamanım var. Dünya Kupası'nda oynayacağım ve sonra her şey netleşecek. Eğer o zamana kadar iyi bir fırsat çıkarsa karar veririm, çıkmazsa da Dünya Kupası'ndan sonra kararımı veririm" diyerek açık kapı bıraktı.
- Hiçbir seçeneği dışlamayan Mısırlı yıldızın, önceliğini tamamen turnuvaya verdiği öğrenildi.
- Umarım birçok Mısırlı gelir ve benim başardıklarıma ulaşır. Avrupa'ya geldiğimde hayallerimden biri de buydu; birçok kişi için kapıların açılması ve profesyonel olmaları. Şükürler olsun ki çok yetenekli oyuncumuz var ama çalışmaya ve çabaya ihtiyaçları var.
- Başarılı olmak için bazen fedakarlıklar yapmaları gerektiğini, örneğin gençliklerini feda etmeleri gerektiğini anlamaları çok önemli.
Honor is gearing up to expand its Win lineup with the launch of the Win Turbo in China on May 29. Ahead of its debut, the company has shared new details about the handset, which is already up for pre-orders in the country.
The Honor Win Turbo is confirmed to pack a 10,000mAh battery, which the company claims can deliver more than 14 hours of continuous gaming or up to 22 hours of short-video streaming.
The handset will also support 80W wired fast charging along with 27W reverse charging.
In a separate Weibo post, Honor revealed that the Win Turbo will feature a new communication...
has revealed the details surrounding his return to the ring this summer. Two-time world heavyweight champion Fury ended a 16-month retirement back in April when he went up against Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. It was the first time that ‘The Gypsy King’ was in action since his back-to-back defeats to […]
is hoping to regain a super-middleweight world title when he returns to the ring in September, seeking to prove once again that he is the top dog in the 168lb division. Although, there is one world champion that the Mexican has admitted he will not face. Canelo claimed all four of the super-middleweight world titles […]
Türkiye A Milli Futbol Takımı, 2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası hazırlıkları kapsamında Riva'daki kampta kuvvet, esneklik, sıçrama, laktat ve dayanıklılık testlerinden geçti.
Napoli ile geride kalan sezon içerisinde kriz yaşayan ve ayrılık haberleri çıkan Romelu Lukaku, kulüple sorunları olmadığını ve İtalyan ekibinden ayrılmak istemediğini söyledi.
Süper Lig devlerinden Fenerbahçe ve Galatasaray'ın transferde yakından ilgilendiği Rafael Leao ile ilgili sıcak gelişmeler yaşanıyor. Son olarak Portekizli yıldızdan ezeli rakipleri heyecanlandıran haber...Devamı için tıklayınız
Galatasaray'da gelecek sezonun kadro planlama çalışmaları devam ederken sarı-kırmızılılarda yıldız isimle İngiliz ekibi Fulham'ın yakından ilgilendiği öğrenildi. Fulham'ın bu transferde oldukça ısrarlı...Devamı için tıklayınız
Son dakika Galatasaray transfer haberleri: Yeni sezon öncesi kadrosunda önemli değişiklikler yapması beklenen Galatasaray'da sıcak bir gelişme yaşandı. Kadroda düşünülmeyen isimlerle vedalaşmaya hazırlanan...Devamı için tıklayınız
Ezeli rakipler, Fenerbahçe ve Galatasaray'da transfer çalışmaları sürüyor. İki İstanbul devinin son olarak A Milli Takım'dan o yıldızı kadrosuna katmak istediği öğrenildi. İşte gündem olan o habere dair...Devamı için tıklayınız
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Mayın 28-də 21 yaşadək futbolçulardan ibarət Azərbaycan millisinin (U-21) açıq məşqi və baş məşqçinin iştirakı ilə brifinq təşkil olunacaq.
Arena.az bu barədə AFFA-nın rəsmi saytına istinadən xəbər verir.
Belə ki, Milli Komandaların Təlim Məşq Mərkəzində saat 11:15-də U-21-in məşqinin son 15 dəqiqəsi media nümayəndələri üçün açıq olacaq. Saat 11:30-da isə brifinq baş tutacaq.
Qeyd edək ki, gənclərdən ibarət millimiz mayın 28-dən 30-na qədər Bakıda, mayın 31-dən iyunun 10-na qədər isə Türkiyənin İsparta şəhərində təlim-məşq toplanışında olacaq. Komandamız Türkiyədəki hazırlıq çərçivəsində iki yoxlama oyunu da keçirəcək. Belə ki, komandamız iyunun 6-da Bəhreyn yığması ilə qarşılaşacaq. İyunun 9-da isə Qırğızıstanın müvafiq yaş qrupundan ibarət yığması ilə sınaq matçı baş tutacaq.
“Benfika”nın qapıçısı Anatoli Trubin karyerasını İngiltərədə davam etdirə bilər.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Tottenhem” qolkiperin xidmətində maraqlıdır. Bu barədə “A Bola” nəşri məlumat yayıb.
London klubunun baş məşqçisi Roberto De Zerbi “Şaxtyor”da birlikdə çalışdığı Trubini yenidən komandasında görmək istəyir.
24 yaşlı qapıçının “Benfika” ilə müqaviləsi 2028-ci ilin yayına kimdiir. O, bu mövsüm 50 oyunda 43 qol buraxıb. Ukraynalı qolkiper 21 matçda qapısını toxunulmaz saxlayıb.
Mayın 28-də 21 yaşadək futbolçulardan ibarət Azərbaycan millisinin açıq məşqi və baş məşqçinin iştirakı ilə brifinq təşkil olunacaq.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Milli Komandaların Təlim Məşq Mərkəzində saat 11:15-də U-21-in məşqinin son 15 dəqiqəsi media nümayəndələri üçün açıq olacaq. Saat 11:30-da isə brifinq baş tutacaq.
Qeyd edək ki, U-21 mayın 28-dən 30-dək Bakıda, mayın 31-dən iyunun 10-dək isə Türkiyənin İsparta şəhərində təlim-məşq toplanışında olacaq. Komanda Türkiyədəki hazırlıq çərçivəsində iyunun 6-da Bəhreyn, 9-da isə Qırğızıstanın müvafiq yaş qrupundan ibarət yığmasına qarşı yoldaşlıq oyunu keçirəcək.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
Sözügedən oyunçular Emil Süleymanov, Ramiz Muradov, Davud Mənsumov, Abdulla Rzayev və Səlim Həşimovdur. Onların icarə müqavilələrinin müddəti başa çatıb və məxsus olduqları klublarına qayıdıblar.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, komandanın “sükanı” Enzo Mareskaya tapşırılacaq. Bu barədə insayder Fabrizio Romano məlumat yayıb. Tərəflər arasında üç illik müqavilə imzalanacaq.
La Liqa 2025/26 mövsümünün La Liqanın ən yaxşı oyunçusu mükafatına namizədləri açıqlayıb. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, qalib azarkeşlər, mütəxəssislər və […]
“Atalanta”nın yeni baş məşqçisi bəlli olub. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, Mauritsio Sarri Berqamo təmsilçisi ilə müqavilə şərtlərini razılaşdırıb. Tezliklə tərəflər […]
Dortmund “Borussiya”sı futbolçusu Salih Özcanla yollarını ayırıb. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb. Almaniya təmsilçisi […]
Tuesday’s reports claim that Lazio and Maurizio Sarri have reached an agreement to terminate the coach’s contract, which means that he is all set to join Atalanta as the replacement for Raffaele Palladino.
Report: Sarri and Lazio already have contract termination agreement
Lazio is set to leave Lazio after one season back in charge, which resulted in a ninth-place finish in Serie A in 2025-26.
He is set to replace Palladino as the head coach of Atalanta, where he will be reunited with recently-appointed director Cristiano Giuntoli. Sarri and Giuntoli had several successful seasons working together at Napoli, and this is thought to be a major factor in the coach’s decision to join Atalanta rather than the Partenopei, who also require a replacement for Antonio Conte.
NAPLES, ITALY – APRIL 18: Maurizio Sarri SS Lazio head coach greets Antonio Conte SSC Napoli head coach before the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and SS Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 18, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
According to the latest updates from TMW, Lazio and Sarri have reached an agreement for an early termination of the coach’s contract and the final details of his Biancocelesti exit are set to be finalised on Tuesday evening.
Sarri is currently under contract with Lazio for another two seasons, until the summer of 2028. Former Italy national team head coach Gennaro Gattuso is in line to replace him.
Atalanta, meanwhile, still need to come to some form of arrangement with Palladino. TMW claims that the Atalanta budget is already stretched given that they are still paying off the contract of previous head coach Ivan Juric.
Real Madrid have just two weeks from last Sunday to activate their €9 million buy-back clause on Nico Paz, with the Argentine’s return to the Santiago Bernabeu considered a formality regardless of the outcome of the club’s imminent presidential elections.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, the operation has been planned and agreed upon for some time, and Paz himself is already aware of Real Madrid’s intention to bring him back to Spain this summer.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – APRIL 17: Nico Paz of Como 1907 looks on during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Como 1907 at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on April 17, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Nico Paz on fence between Como & Real Madrid
The Argentine, who won Serie A’s best midfielder award after a stunning season that propelled Como into the Champions League, is expected to be offered a new and significantly improved contract upon his return, a reward for his extraordinary performances in Italy.
Real Madrid consider the buy-back clause exceptional value given Paz’s emergence as one of Europe’s finest creative midfielders this season.
The fee of €9 million for a player of his calibre represents one of the most favourable options in European football, and the club have no intention of letting it expire.
Spanish journalist Jorge Garcia has explained why he thinks that Andoni Iraola is a ‘better fit’ to replace Massimiliano Allegri as head coach of Milan compared to compatriot Xavi, who has also been linked with the vacant Rossoneri role.
Milan are on the lookout for an entire new senior management team after dismissing Allegri, sporting director Igli Tare, technical director Geoffrey Moncada and CEO Giorgio Furlani on Monday, the day after the team failed to secure qualification to the 2026-27 edition of the Champions League.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is technically not employed by Milan directly, but is serving as an advisor to the club’s ownership, is now effectively the last man standing in San Siro, but many fans have called for him to be dismissed as well.
Does Iraola suit Milan better than Xavi?
Rumours regarding potential replacements for Allegri and Milan’s management team have already begun to circulate, and according to the initial reports in Italy, Iraola and Xavi are among the leading candidates to come in as the next head coach.
Speaking in an interview with TMW, Spanish expert Garcia explained why Bournemouth’s Iraola is the ‘better fit’ for Milan in its current state.
“Iraola has always had to adapt to what he’s had available when he’s arrived at clubs,” Garcia explained. “He did it in Cyprus, then at Mirandes and also at Rayo Vallecano before his jump to the Premier League.
“His is a very vertical game, wanting to get through on the opponent’s goal quickly with high pressure.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – MAY 19: Andoni Iraola, Manager of AFC Bournemouth, talks to the supporters after the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester City at Vitality Stadium on May 19, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
“I think it would be more complicated for Milan to adapt to Xavi than it would be with Iraola, considering the players they have in the squad today.”
Garcia feels that Iraola would bring a style of football that is much similar to what Allegri had tried to do.
“Iraola’s style is closer to Allegri’s, but there are some differences. Xavi would need central defenders capable of building from the back with quality. A Bonucci, for example, and to build the team from there. To me, it seems that Milan’s squad is more suitable for Iraola at the moment.”
Rafael Leao has broken his silence on Milan’s troubled campaign, posting a heartfelt message on Instagram in which he acknowledged the personal toll the season took while wishing the club well for the future, amid growing uncertainty over his own future at San Siro.
The Portuguese winger, who contributed 10 goals and three assists in 31 appearances across Serie A and the Coppa Italia, wrote:
“It was a season that tested my physical and psychological state to the maximum, and only those who experienced it closely with me know how difficult it was. For that reason I want to thank everyone who did the possible and the impossible to make sure this season took a completely different direction. May Milan triumph again next season.”
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 26: Rafael Leao of AC Milan warms up prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Leao future in doubt at Milan as he holds out for top clubs
The message is notable for what it does not say as much as for what it does.
There is no declaration of commitment to the club, no mention of next season in a Milan shirt, only a wish directed at the institution rather than a personal pledge.
That ambiguity will do little to dampen speculation about his future, particularly given reports that owner Gerry Cardinale has privately indicated Leao could be available for transfer this summer.
The 26-year-old, who has two years remaining on his contract worth up to €7 million per season, is understood to have rejected interest from Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, holding out for a move to one of Europe’s top five leagues.
Lega Serie A President Ezio Simonelli says that he expects the Derby della Mole between Juventus and city rivals Torino to be played only during the daytime next season and says that it is best to avoid ‘high-risk’ matches being scheduled in the final few weeks of the calendar.
Simonelli: Juventus vs. Torino should be played during the day and not in the final weeks of the season
The final round of the 2025-26 Serie A season was dragged into chaos after violent clashes between Juventus and Torino supporters in the hours leading up to their derby match at the Allianz Stadium.
TURIN, ITALY – MAY 24: Juventus fans walk out of the stadium prior to the Serie A match between Torino FC and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on May 24, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
One Juventus supporter was hospitalised and was said to be in a critical, but not life-threatening condition, which is why the Bianconeri ultras ordered their players not to take to the field against Torino.
As the Juventus vs. Torino match was being played at the same time as several other Serie A matches on Sunday, all of which had implications on Champions League qualification, all matches were forced into a delay as a result of the clashes in Turin. Those other matches were Milan vs. Cagliari, Verona vs, Roma, Cremonese vs. Como and Lecce vs. Genoa as well.
Simonelli, speaking after Tuesday’s FIGC general council meeting, says that he expects the Juventus vs. Torino matches will not be played during the night-time next season, and says that ‘high-risk’ matches such as these should not be played in the final few weeks of the season in order to avoid further scheduling issues.
“I live in Milan and when it’s the derby, I see people coming into the city with Milan and Inter shirts and there are never any clashes, just people going for the pleasure of watching the game. The fact that it is becoming an opportunity for clashes between hooligans in other cities is certainly not a positive thing,” SImonelli said (via TMW).
“This doesn’t distract from the fact that when certain matches have to be played contemporaneously in the final two weeks of the season, maybe it is not appropriate for such delicate matches to end up dragging the schedules of all the other games.
TURIN, ITALY – MAY 24: Mattia Perin of Juventus looks on prior to the Serie A match between Torino FC and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on May 24, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“I imagine that the Turin derby will also have a night-time ban next season. It is till clear that if it were to happen in the final two weeks of the season again, it could drag all the other games.
“It’s an objective question, which leads me to say that it is better to avoid having these high-risk matches in the final few weeks of the season.”
Maurizio Sarri has chosen Atalanta over Napoli despite being Aurelio De Laurentiis’s preferred candidate to succeed Antonio Conte, with the departing Lazio coach deciding against a return to the club where he spent three celebrated seasons, unwilling to risk tarnishing the memories of what remains the most successful period of his managerial career.
According to Il Mattino, via LaLazioSiamoNoi, the weight of his Napoli legacy proved the decisive factor. The prospect of returning to the Maradona, where he built one of the most admired sides in European football during his tenure from 2015 to 2018, was considered too emotionally complex to revisit.
“Too heavy a burden, those three seasons and the ‘great beauty’. Better not to spoil the memory,” the paper reports as the reasoning behind his decision.
ROME, ITALY – APRIL 27: Maurizio Sarri, Head Coach of Lazio, looks on during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on April 27, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Giuntoli influence proves decisive as Sarri opts for Atalanta rebuild over Napoli return
Instead, Sarri will reportedly take charge at Atalanta, replacing Raffaele Palladino, with incoming sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli understood to have played a pivotal role in convincing him to choose Bergamo.
The pair’s relationship from their time together at Napoli, where Giuntoli was sporting director during Sarri’s reign, appears to have been the determining factor in what will be one of the summer’s most significant managerial appointments.
At Lazio, meanwhile, Gennaro Gattuso is set to be named as Sarri’s successor, bringing the former Italy midfielder back to Serie A management.
Jacobo Ramon has confirmed he intends to stay at Como next season despite Real Madrid retaining a buy-back option on the Spanish defender, as the centre-back reflected on a historic campaign that ended with the club qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in their history.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Ramon was unequivocal about his future when asked whether he would be returning to his former club. “I see myself here,” he said. Simply: “Yes.”
LECCE, ITALY – DECEMBER 27: Jacob Ramon of Como 1907 celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Como 1907 at Stadio Via del Mare on December 27, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Ramon hails Fabregas’ family spirit as Como celebrate historic Champions League spot
Real Madrid hold the same type of buy-back clause on Ramon as with Nico Paz, giving the Spanish giants the option to repurchase him within the next three years.
For now, however, the Spaniard shows no desire to exercise that exit route, having thoroughly embedded himself in what has been one of Serie A’s most remarkable stories.
On Como’s extraordinary season, Ramon was emotional.
“It was like realising a dream, something difficult to describe in words,” he said. “The joy of qualifying was at least on the same level as scoring at the Bernabeu with Real Madrid.” He credited Fabregas’s man-management above all else. “He has made us feel like a family, creating a group where everyone sacrifices for each other. That has been our strength.”
The New York Knicks are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 and tickets for Games 3, 4 and 6 inside Madison Square Garden are a very hot item.
Knicks fever in New York City is also affecting the ticket re-sale market for the three NBA Finals games at MSG. If you want to get in the building, it will cost you.
Since the Knicks closed out the Cavaliers on Monday night, here are the highest sales for tickets for their home games in the Finals, via Gametime:
Game 3 (Monday, June 8): $12,022 Game 4 (Wednesday, June 10): $8,820 Game 6 (Tuesday, June 16): $13,956
If you’re looking for something a little cheaper, the get-in prices are a big more affordable if you’re willing to pony up.
Game 3 (Monday, June 8): $3,410 Game 4 (Wednesday, June 10): $3,255 Game 6 (Tuesday, June 16): $4,583
These prices, according to Gametime, are around what the get-in prices were the day before Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium, which saw the Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots.
The 2026 NBA Finals begin on Wednesday, June 3 with the Knicks taking on the winner of the Western Conference Finals between the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.
Second-round pick Joe Tippmann is also entering a contract year. The Jets obviously don't have a fifth-year option on Tippmann, because he wasn't a top-32 selection. The Jets should strongly consider signing him to an extension this offseason.
Tippmann began his career as a center. The former Wisconsin standout took a massive step as a sophomore in 2024. After an offseason injury to Alijah Vera-Tucker shuffled the Jets' offensive line last year, Tippmann made a successful move to right guard out of necessity.
Tippmann now projects as the Jets' starting right guard for a second consecutive season. The Jets lost Vera-Tucker and John Simpson to free agency. It added another layer of importance to Tippmann's presence and development inside for the Jets.
The NFL values high-level guard play. Interior blockers are being paid market-resetting money nowadays. Jets general manager Darren Mougey possesses the financial flexibility needed to sign Tippmann to a multi-year extension at training camp.
The rebuilding Jets need long-term building blocks. Tippmann has developed into a difference maker on the offensive line. He's selfless and versatile. The Jets should strongly consider locking Tippmann up for the foreseeable future.
Former Yomiuri Giants manager Shinnosuke Abe cries during a news conference Tuesday in Tokyo. Photo by EPA/JIJI
May 26 (UPI) -- Yomiuri Giants manager Shinnosuke Abe resigned after being arrested for an alleged assault of his teenage daughter, he announced Tuesday.
Abe, 47, issued an apology at a news conference in Tokyo. Offensive coach Hideki Hashigami was appointed acting manager of the Giants, the oldest professional sports team in Japan.
"I have caused great trouble to many baseball fans, pro baseball officials and the company through my family troubles," Abe said. "I have also tarnished the name of manager of the prestigious Yomiuri Giants, so I deeply apologize."
The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper, which owns the Giants, reported that Abe was arrested Monday night for the alleged assault of his 18-year-old daughter at their home in Tokyo. He was released Tuesday morning from the Shibuya Police Station.
The Giants said in an announcement that Abe attempted to stop a fight between his daughters. The newspaper reported that Abe "grabbed her [the 18-year-old] by the collar and threw her to the ground." Abe later confirmed the allegations to police.
Abe's 18-year-old daughter said in a statement, read Tuesday by Abe's representative, that she consulted ChatGPT during the incident, which led to her contacting a child guidance center. The center reported the incident to police. She said she was "shocked" when officers responded hours later to their home and arrested her father. She said she was not injured during the incident and apologized for it becoming "such a major news story."
The Giants hired Abe in 2023 to serve as manager. The former star catcher played for the team from 2001 through 2019. Abe won a World Baseball Classic title as a player for Japan in 2009. He was a three-time Japan Series champion, the 2012 Central League MVP and the 2009 Japan Series MVP.
The SoftBank Hawks beat the Giants 8-3 on Tuesday in Tokyo. They will battle the Giants again Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome. The Giants (24-23) sit in third place in the Central League, 4.5 games behind the first-place Hanshin Tigers.
The reigning Japan Series champion Hawks, who owned the best record in Nippon Professional Baseball last season, sit in third place in the Pacific League, 3 games behind the first-place Seibu Lions.
The Section 1 regular season finished with a flurry, quickly segueing into the opening round of the playoffs, and Rye Country Day School and Hackley concluded their seasons with runs to their respective league finals. With consideration to the outstanding performances from the closing games of the regular season and the playoffs, we've got 12 candidates for Girls Lacrosse Player of the Week, presented by White Plains Hospital.
Our previous poll winners this season were Sofia Conners (Somers), Fin Degl (John Jay-Cross River), Emily Butler (Tappan Zee), Amelia Walsh (Brewster), Olivia Saccomanno (Brewster), Lauren Rogers (White Plains), Ella Wendol (Putnam Valley) and Scarlett Gristina (Pelham).
Read below about what the nominees accomplished last week, then cast your votes. The poll will be open until 3 p.m. Thursday, May 28, and the winner will be featured on lohud sports social media accounts.
Harper Canell, Harrison
The senior had five goals and four assists for Harrison in a 13-11 win over Byram Hills in the Huskies’ regular-season finale last Monday.
Bridget Frazer, Hackley
She had five goals and two assists to lead No. 4 Hackley in a 14-9 upset of top-seeded Fieldston in the NYSAIS semifinals. Frazier went on to score three goals in the Hornets' eventual loss to Poly Prep in the league final.
Ella Gould, Nyack
The senior had six goals and two assists to lead the RedHawks in a 16-13 win over Suffern to close the regular season last week. That win helped Nyack climb to No. 22 in the nation, according to USA Lacrosse Magazine.
Cailin Hanrahan, Ursuline
The midfielder scored five goals and had seven draw controls and three forced turnovers, leading the Koalas to a decisive win over Ossining in the first round of the Section 1 Class A playoffs.
Kaeleigh Larkin, Nanuet
She had seven goals and an assist for the 10th-seeded Golden Knights in an 18-12 win over No. 7 Ardsley in the first round of the Section 1 Class C playoffs.
Elle Mason, Rye Country Day School
The junior had five goals and four draw controls to lead the Wildcats in a 13-9 win over Greenwich Academy in the Fairchester Athletic Association final. This was the program’s third consecutive league championship after winning the NYSAIS title the previous two years.
Caitlyn Mayfield, Somers
The midfielder had four goals, four assists, two draw controls and a groundball recovery, and contributed to a lights-out defense, as Somers topped Sleepy Hollow in the opening round of the Class C playoffs. Mayfield also scored six goals in their 16-15 win over Arlington to close the regular season.
Charlotte Murray, Bronxville
She had six goals, three assists, four draw controls, two groundballs and a caused turnover to lead the Broncos in a win over Albertus Magnus in the first round of the Section 1 Class D playoffs.
Katelyn Quinlan, Croton-Harmon
The midfielder scored four goals and won 17 draw controls, leading the Tigers in a dominant win over Dobbs Ferry in the opening round of the Section 1 Class D playoffs.
Federica Ricciardella, Irvington
The senior had three goals and four assists for the 14th-seeded Bulldogs in a 15-6 win over No. 3 Rye Neck in the first round of the Class D playoffs.
Kayla Ruggiero, Haldane
The senior had seven goals, an assist, nine draw controls and five groundballs to lead the Blue Devils in a 15-12 win over Blind Brook, earning the first Section 1 playoff victory in program history.
Maeve Traynor, New Rochelle
She scored six goals, including the winner in double overtime as the Huguenots eked out a 15-14 win over Tuckahoe in their season finale. Traynor also had two assists and nine draw controls.
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
"A very difficult moment" – VfL Wolfsburg release statement after Bundesliga relegation
After their relegation from the Bundesliga was confirmed following a 2-1 extra-time playoff defeat to SC Paderborn on Monday, VfL Wolfsburg have issued a club statement.
In the brief message, the club expressed regret over their first-ever Bundesliga relegation, thanked the fans and appealed for continued unity.
“The relegation of our men’s team from the Bundesliga is a very difficult moment – for our fans, employees, partners, and for everyone who carries this wonderful football club in their hearts. Coming to terms with it is hard for us, and finding the right words even harder,” the statement read.
"This season, our team has fallen short in almost every respect. We failed to achieve our objectives and must now face the consequences.
"We would like to thank our fans. For your support – at home, away, and in the many moments when we gave very little back in return. This loyalty is not something we take for granted. Your support is first-class and worthy of the Bundesliga.
“For decades, VfL Wolfsburg has stood for the close bond between the company, the city, and the club. It is exactly this unity that will now be crucial once again. We will draw the necessary conclusions, analyze the season honestly, and do everything we can to regain trust step by step.”
VfL Wolfsburg have been in the Bundesliga since the 1996/97 season.
The Atlanta Braves are enjoying a great start to the 2026 season, and with their NL-leading record, many analysts and insiders view Atlanta as a true threat to advance to the World Series.
With just over two months until MLB's trade deadline, it's fair to assume that Atlanta could be buyers to upgrade at key positions, like left field. Before the season even began, Atlanta was dealt a tough piece of outfield news when Jurickson Profar was suspended for the entire season. You would think not having to pay Profar this season should free up some cash for Atlanta, and they could use it to cover the salary of an acquired player via trade.
"Nonetheless, they have been baseball's best team to this point, and it would be scary to see what they would look like if GM Alex Anthopoulos is able to acquire a star left fielder. We mentioned Buxton—who is a native of Baxley, GA—as someone who would be interesting. He would not only have to waive his no-trade clause, but probably be willing to move out of center field, where the Braves have Michael Harris II. If those two hurdles could be cleared, he would be the perfect addition to Walt Weiss' lineup."
Aside from Byron Buxton, who else could the Braves potentially target via trade?
Again, there's still over two months until the deadline, but a couple of names that come to mind that have been floated as trade candidates are Jarren Duran of the Red Sox and Taylor Ward of the Baltimore Orioles.
Now, the Braves have enjoyed such a good season so far that they might feel comfortable with their current outfield group, but the left field position has been somewhat of a sore spot, especially with Mike Yastrzemski underperforming after inking a contract extension this offseason.
British No 1 Cameron Norrie retired from his first-round match at the French Open while trailing Paragauy’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo and struggling with a pre-tournament rib injury.
Norrie, the 20th seed in the men’s singles draw, revealed the issue on the eve of Roland Garros, following a lengthy five-hour practice match with fifth seed Ben Shelton.
With Emma Raducanu also missing long spells due to post-viral symptoms, before returning to a first-round defeat to Solana Sierra, Sonay Kartal is also currently sidelined with a back issue.
Norrie lost the first set on a tiebreak and retired while trailing 2-0 in the second set to Vallejo, the world No 70, who will next play history-making 17-year-old Moise Kouame.
Los Angeles, CA, Monday, September 18, 2023 - Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman in the dugout during a game against the Detroit Tigers at Dodger Stadium. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
The Los Angeles Dodgers earned a win against the division rival Colorado Rockies on Monday, increasing their lead in the National League West and sending a reminder about their juggernaut status.
After two straight World Series championships and then yet another offseason of blockbuster roster additions, the Dodgers appear virtually unbeatable en route to another Fall Classic this year. But if there is one weakness emerging for the franchise, it would be the advancing age of the position player group.
“As things stand, the Dodgers’ lineup will feature only two players under the age of 30,” MLB.com’s Andrew Simon noted before this season began. “At the same time, age only goes in one direction, even for all-time greats like (Mookie) Betts and (Freddie) Freeman, which means this is an issue that could grow more pronounced for Los Angeles in 2026 and beyond. (Max) Muncy is signed only through next season, but (Teoscar) Hernandez and Freeman through ‘27 and Betts all the way through ‘32.”
Los Angeles Dodgers Superstar Freddie Freeman Sends Retirement Update
Freeman, who has been a clubhouse leader during the Dodgers dominant run with several marquee moments along the way, is under contract for one more season and seems like he will have a big choice to make once he turns 38. If he wants to extend his Hall of Fame career, he will need to seek a new contract.
The star first baseman has indicated that he plans to play in one place or another until he is 40 years old, but he recently revealed that a big family change has introduced the possibility that he will retire before that.
“Freeman said he still plans to play three more seasons after this one, provided he remains healthy and productive,” The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported. “But he already has spoken with (his wife) Chelsea about the pangs of regret he is experiencing being away from (their newborn daughter) London.”
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman Has New ‘Perspective’ On Ending Career
When talking about his future in baseball, Freeman revealed that he has been rethinking his retirement timeline.
“But ever since baby girl came into this world about a month ago, my perspective has changed a little bit on individual stats and how long I would want to play,” Freeman told Rosenthal. “I don’t like seeing my daughter grow up on a FaceTime call.”
The biggest factor in Freeman’s upcoming decision on a new contract could be his health and confidence that he can remain effective on the diamond and in the batter’s box. But if his regrets about being away from his family grow before the end of next season, it seems that could also factor into a looming decision to either seek out a new deal or hang up the spikes for good.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
May 26—ADRIAN — The Adrian/Ellsworth baseball team is headed back to Milroy.
For the first time since winning the title in 2021, the Dragons (16-7) opened section playoffs with two wins, beating Edgerton/Southwest Minnesota Christian 5-4 and then Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 8-0 on Saturday.
Head coach Joe Kruger's team stumbled toward the end of the regular season, dropping its final five games after starting 14-2. But the Dragons reset and displayed superb baseball to advance in the south subsection main bracket.
"We're feeling good," Kruger said. "We've had a rough go of it the last week and a half, and we said 'New season, we want to put our best foot forward.' We know that we've got work in front of us and we're going to try and keep it rolling."
The next test for the Dragons is Dawson-Boyd Tuesday at Milroy's Irish Yard.
The Blackjacks are the top seed out of the north subsection with a 14-5 record this spring. They are currently on a six-game win streak, which included a 13-0 shutout of Lakeview in the first round and a 7-5 win over Canby in the second round.
The winner of Tuesday's game would advance to the section semifinal on Saturday, May 30 back at the Irish Yard.
Adrian/Ellsworth's season was potentially in danger of ending in the first round against seventh-seeded Edgerton/SWC.
The Flying Dutchmen started fast, plating two runs in the top of the first off an Isaiah Brands RBI double and a Jaron Brands RBI single.
But the Dragons responded in the bottom frame with four runs. That surge started with four straight walks as Isaiah Brands struggled to find the strike zone early. An RBI walk from Garrett Penning, followed by a Dutchmen error and an RBI fly out from Jayden Lautt, gave the Dragons the lead. Matt Geister hit an RBI fly out to plate the fourth Dragon run.
Brands was pulled in that inning and Levi Van Essen pitched the rest of the game.
After Garrett Penning singled to open a 5-1 Adrian lead in the bottom of the second, the Dragons didn't score again. Travis Weiss' pitching had to maintain that lead.
A Karson Kruen double in the fifth and a Josiah Pap groundout in the sixth brought the Flying Dutchmen to within a run, but a big Weiss strikeout, followed by a 1-2-3 seventh helped the Dragons survive.
"In the Edgerton game, credit to them," Kruger said. "They really put us in some situations where we had to make plays and we were able to make one more play than them to get the win."
Weiss finished with seven strikeouts in 89 pitches while he and Caleb Wolf each totaled two hits. Penning finished with two RBIs.
RTR went on to defeat Wabasso 8-2 in the next game, setting up a matchup between the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in the subsection.
Adrian/Ellsworth beat the Knights twice in the regular season, both by one run, which was likely a key factor behind the Dragons getting the No. 2 seed and home field advantage.
Nearly all of the Dragons' runs came in the bottom of the second inning, all with two outs.
"We talk a lot about it," Kruger said. "We get two outs, that's when we got to really get tough and get the third, because the third one's the toughest to get. "And the same thing (at the plate), if we could put pressure, put quality at bats... we were just trying to keep it to keep it rolling."
Jackson Jenniges drew a walk and Matt Geister doubled, setting up a 2-RBI single from Keaton Schettler. A Joe Rahe single and a drawn walk from Wolf plated two more runs. Another bases-loaded walk and a Lautt 2-RBI single capped off the inning that proved to be the difference in the game. Penning added an RBI groundout in the third.
The Dragon pitching and defense was showcased for the rest of the game.
It started with a diving catch from Penning in center field in the top of the second, but was followed up by a couple of nice plays from Schettler at catcher. He made a nice catch behind home plate in the third and then threw out RTR's Colton Chandler at second base in the fifth.
Along with that came a pitching gem from Geister. He went all seven innings with 115 pitches, struck out nine and surrendered only one hit.
"He pitched great," Kruger said. "He's come so far from when we got him as a freshman. Super proud of him, super proud of the pitcher he's becoming."
The Dragons totaled six hits at the plate, including Schettler going 2-for-2 with two RBIs. For RTR, Kolby Louwague had the lone hit while the Knights drew four walks. They were also plagued with three defensive errors.
RTR fell to the elimination bracket, where it'll face Minneota Tuesday at Yankee Field in Milroy. Another elimination game will feature Canby and Lac qui Parle Valley.
The other side of the Section 3A main bracket features the south subsection's top seed Murray County Central. The Rebels received a bye into the second round, where they shut down Minneota 11-1.
In that game, Dugan Kluis hit a grand slam in the bottom of the fourth inning and Teague Meyer went 3-for-4 at the plate. Krew Schneider fanned seven in 4.2 innings on the mound.
The Rebels are 18-1 and ranked third in the MN State HS Baseball Coaches Association as of May 10. They will face Yellow Medicine East Tuesday following the Adrian game in Milroy. YME is the north's No. 3 seed with a 10-11 record.
The 16-year-old winger, who has been dubbed the ‘new Neymar’, is among the options being considered from the Brazilian market by the Blaugrana.
Currently, a part of the Atletico Mineiro U-17 setup, the right-sided winger made four appearances in the Copinha tournament earlier this year and left a strong impression.
Fee and age issue
However, as per the report, Atletico Mineiro would demand approximately €20 million plus bonuses for the player.
It is a figure that Barcelona consider relatively high given that he has yet to make his first-team debut for the Brazilian club and operates in the same position as Lamine Yamal.
On top of that, Veneno’s age also creates an additional complication, as regulations would prevent him from moving to Europe until he reaches the age of 18, at which point he could be registered with Barça Atletic.
Despite these obstacles, Gabriel Veneno’s name is beginning to gain increasing attention and Barcelona want to move quickly should they decide to pursue his signing.
Louisville’s Pete Nygra is pumped up after they score a touchdown against Virginia at L&N Stadium Saturday. Oct. 4, 2025 | Scott Utterback/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
NFL OTAs are this week, and this will give the Kansas City Chiefs a chance to see all of the talent on the 91-man offseason roster in one setting.
This season’s team will not be short on rookies, and the Chiefs have signed a few interesting undrafted free agents to add to the pool of young talent.
During the era of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City can never have enough quality offensive linemen, and the interior line needs to be deeper heading into 2026.
To add to the room, the Chiefs signed an undrafted free agent from the University of Louisville shortly after the draft.
Pete Nygra
From Indianapolis, Indiana, Nygra started his college career at Northern Illinois University, where he played three seasons before transferring to Louisville before the 2024 season. Nygra started 25 consecutive games for the Cardinals and earned All-ACC Honorable Mention honors in 2025.
Nygra declared for the NFL after his final game at Louisville, but was not selected in the draft. This allowed the Chiefs to sign him and will give the coaching staff a chance to work with him through OTAs this week and into training camp.
Player evaluation
At his Pro Day, Nygra measured 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 300 pounds. A 30-inch vertical jump combined with a broad jump result of 8 feet 11 inches displayed his athletic prowess, and this is one reason why the Chiefs want to work further with him.
Nygra is a good athlete, as seen on this screen pass. Good job working off the LOS away from the defense, and a good job working up to the second level. Latches up the DB and sets up the play. pic.twitter.com/AklyoLFbf8
Head coach Andy Reid and Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck have long favored athletic offensive linemen capable of working downfield in the screen game, and Nygra fits this bill. Although he is undersized, his mobility, footwork, and core strength help him to win snaps in a multitude of ways.
Despite the pass being knocked down, this is a solid rep from Pete Nygra. Good job to win inside hands, good base, and good anchor to sit down the pass rush. pic.twitter.com/gaiavdFRON
Nygra uses his pad level to his advantage, and this often helps him to anchor against stronger pass rushers. Due to his size, he does not project to be a high-level run blocker in the NFL, but his combination of mobility and pass blocking could land him on Kansas City’s practice squad.
The bottom line
Nygra will likely go through OTAs and training camp as the Chiefs’ third center behind All-Pro Creed Humphrey and reserve Hunter Nourzad, and for him, this is where any level of assuerdy stops. Nygra is likely a center-only prospect due to his size, and the Chiefs do have enough depth at center, with Humphrey and Nourzad, as well as the experienced Mike Caliendo, who can slide into center when not backing up the guard positions.
With the odds firmly stacked against him to make the active roster, Nygra will likely find himself on the practice squad.
However, in his favor is the fact that Kansas City’s reserves inside on the line have not been up to par when called on to see the field when it matters.
Nourzad and Caliendo are both replaceable at this point, and Nygra should recognize this and do his best to compete, and at a minimum, get his name in the conversation to back up Humphrey this season.
The odds are long to make the active roster, but if Nygra shows what the Chiefs coaching staff needs, he could have a chance to be elevated in another season’s time.
Expert explains why Iraola suits Milan but Xavi doesn’t: ‘Squad is more suitable’
Spanish journalist Jorge Garcia has explained why he thinks that Andoni Iraola is a ‘better fit’ to replace Massimiliano Allegri as head coach of Milan compared to compatriot Xavi, who has also been linked with the vacant Rossoneri role.
Milan are on the lookout for an entire new senior management team after dismissing Allegri, sporting director Igli Tare, technical director Geoffrey Moncada and CEO Giorgio Furlani on Monday, the day after the team failed to secure qualification to the 2026-27 edition of the Champions League.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is technically not employed by Milan directly, but is serving as an advisor to the club’s ownership, is now effectively the last man standing in San Siro, but many fans have called for him to be dismissed as well.
Does Iraola suit Milan better than Xavi?
Rumours regarding potential replacements for Allegri and Milan’s management team have already begun to circulate, and according to the initial reports in Italy, Iraola and Xavi are among the leading candidates to come in as the next head coach.
Speaking in an interview with TMW, Spanish expert Garcia explained why Bournemouth’s Iraola is the ‘better fit’ for Milan in its current state.
“Iraola has always had to adapt to what he’s had available when he’s arrived at clubs,” Garcia explained. “He did it in Cyprus, then at Mirandes and also at Rayo Vallecano before his jump to the Premier League.
“His is a very vertical game, wanting to get through on the opponent’s goal quickly with high pressure.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – MAY 19: Andoni Iraola, Manager of AFC Bournemouth, talks to the supporters after the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester City at Vitality Stadium on May 19, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
“I think it would be more complicated for Milan to adapt to Xavi than it would be with Iraola, considering the players they have in the squad today.”
Garcia feels that Iraola would bring a style of football that is much similar to what Allegri had tried to do.
“Iraola’s style is closer to Allegri’s, but there are some differences. Xavi would need central defenders capable of building from the back with quality. A Bonucci, for example, and to build the team from there. To me, it seems that Milan’s squad is more suitable for Iraola at the moment.”
Sheffield United’s Promotion Chances Could Feel Even Smaller Amid Championship Rumours
There is something gloriously nostalgic about the look of the 2026/27 Championship.
For supporters of a certain age, seeing clubs like West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley drop into the second tier alongside the likes of Birmingham City, Millwall, Middlesbrough, Southampton, Derby County and Sheffield United feels like a throwback to the old Coca-Cola Championship era. Big stadiums, bruising away days, clubs with genuine history and fanbases that still carry Premier League expectations despite life outside the top flight.
This is not a division that lacks identity. In fact, it might be the most recognisable Championship line-up in years.
Familiar Names Everywhere You Look
There is a proper football feel to this league. Norwich City and Swansea City remain staples of the modern second tier, while Cardiff City, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers and Watford continue to orbit between rebuilding projects and promotion pushes. There are teams like Bolton Wanderers and proud old institutions such as Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion. Even clubs like Portsmouth and Charlton Athletic.
Then there is Lincoln City, the fresh face arriving with genuine momentum after an extraordinary campaign in League One. Winning the title with 103 points is no accident. They did not scrape promotion through grit alone; they completely dominated the division.
Yet beneath the nostalgia and excitement lies a reality; this could become one of the most financially imbalanced Championship seasons in recent memory.
The presence of West Ham, Wolves and Burnley fundamentally changes the landscape. These are not ordinary relegated clubs. They arrive with parachute payments, Premier League-level infrastructure and squads likely still packed with top-flight quality. Even after player sales, their spending power dwarfs much of the division. A club like West Ham could realistically operate with a wage bill several times larger than half the league combined.
For clubs trying to build sustainably, that creates a daunting challenge.
Sheffield United’s Difficult Balancing Act
That is particularly true for Sheffield United. The Blades may still possess one of the stronger footballing identities in the division, but the financial environment around them is becoming increasingly unforgiving. The club’s room for manoeuvre under SCR rules means recruitment will likely need to be smarter than ever this summer. There will be little margin for expensive mistakes. While parachute clubs can absorb transfer gambles or carry bloated contracts, United will need to rely on efficient scouting.
The challenge for Sheffield United is compounded by the fact that several traditionally underperforming clubs now appear better organised than before. Birmingham City’s ownership has transformed expectations around St Andrew’s. Southampton still possess academy infrastructure and technical quality many Premier League clubs would envy. Middlesbrough remain one of the division’s most stable operations. Even Derby County may soon enter a completely different financial universe.
The Possible Turki Alalshikh Factor at Derby County
That brings us to perhaps the most fascinating subplot of all; the reported interest of Turki Alalshikh in Derby County.
Alalshikh has become one of the defining powerbrokers in global boxing over recent years, helping orchestrate some of the sport’s biggest modern events. His influence, ambition and access to wealth are unquestionable. Reports linking him to Derby have naturally sparked intrigue, particularly after supporters noticed he follows the club’s official social media accounts.
Whether anything concrete materialises remains to be seen, but the mere possibility is enough to raise eyebrows across the Championship. Derby are already a huge club at this level in terms of support and stature. Add serious external investment to that equation and they could rapidly become another heavyweight in an already overcrowded promotion race.
That is what makes the 2026/27 Championship so compelling. It is not simply a league full of famous names. It is a division where the financial gap between clubs is widening, where ambitious ownership groups are reshaping expectations and where promotion may require close to Premier League standards long before teams actually get there.
For Sheffield United and others operating under tighter restrictions, the path back to the top flight may never have looked narrower. But the Championship has always thrived on unpredictability.
NEW DELHI: Pakistan men’s cricket team head coach Mike Hesson has explained why experienced wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was dropped from the ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia and why he was earlier removed as captain.
Rizwan, who had led Pakistan to ODI series wins against Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa after becoming captain in 2024, recently struggled with the bat during the Bangladesh series.
He scored only 54 runs in three matches at an average of 19.33. Pakistan selectors replaced him in the squad with wicketkeeper batter Rohail Nazir.
His exclusion created major debate among fans, especially after reports claimed Hesson was not keen on Rizwan being part of Pakistan’s future white-ball plans, including the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Speaking about the decision, Hesson said Pakistan are trying out different combinations ahead of the next World Cup. “Because in 18 months time we have a World Cup, so we need to look at the options we have from a working people's point of view, and that was something that the selection panel decided,” he explained.
Hesson also clarified that changes had already started during the Bangladesh ODI series as Pakistan looked to test younger players and new combinations.
The coach further spoke about Rizwan losing the ODI captaincy after Pakistan’s poor results in 2025. “In terms of ODIs, yes, Mohammad Rizwan started as the captain in the West Indies, and we felt we needed a change at the end of that series because we had won two games in 12 months. So, the team had not performed.”
He added, “Sure, you look at two things: you look at individual numbers, and you look at how you can maximise the team's performance. So, we felt we wanted to make a change from the captaincy's point of view.”
Hesson also pointed out that Rizwan had already been out of Pakistan’s T20I setup before he took charge as coach.
After a transformative decade of trophy after trophy, spellbinding play and tactical shifts, the Guardiola era — as it will no doubt be called in future years — in English soccer is over.
The final sendoff came Monday night when sporting and music aristocracy — basketball great Michael Jordan and Oasis mastermind Noel Gallagher among them — gathered in person and on video to pay tribute to the outgoing Manchester City manager in a parade through the city center followed by an after-party.
There were tears. There were laughs. There were so many memories.
There was, though, an elephant in the room, one that may slink away into the background for the next couple of months while the World Cup takes center stage but will emerge ahead of the start of next season: What next for City, Guardiola and, indeed, the English game as a whole?
First of all, some housekeeping. The team needs a new manager and the front-runner is reportedly Enzo Maresca, the former Chelsea coach who was assistant to Guardiola at City in its treble-winning season of 2022-23.
The sooner a replacement is hired, the quicker they can start shaping a playing squad in their image. It will already be without John Stones and Bernardo Silva, stalwarts who are confirmed to be leaving.
The modern-day Man City, though, was essentially constructed to accommodate Guardiola, right from the moment Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain — two officials close to Guardiola in their Barcelona days — joined from the Catalan giants in 2012 to steer the direction of an ambitious English club that had been taken over by Abu Dhabi four years earlier.
What's the strategy now in this post-Guardiola world if the centerpiece is gone?
Much might depend on the verdict of the legal case that City has ongoing with the Premier League, after the club was charged by the league in February 2023 with more than 100 financial breaches, including providing misleading information about its sources of income.
The case was heard by an independent commission between September and December in 2024 but no verdict has been reached.
City has always denied the charges. Punishment could be as extreme as expulsion from the top flight, in which case City's world turns upside down overnight.
The Premier League
This is the moment rival teams have been waiting for. Finally Guardiola — a coach who is pretty much a guarantee of trophies — is gone and the playing field suddenly seems more level.
With City in flux, this might be Arsenal's time to build some sort of dynasty under Mikel Arteta, who has constructed a deep and strong squad and has removed the burden of expectation on the team by leading it to the Premier League title.
“My job, and everybody at the club, is going to be to lift those standards now and achieve much more,” Arteta said, "because I think we are capable of doing it.”
It remains to be seen how Xabi Alonso reshapes Chelsea and how the third season in Arne Slot's turbulent Liverpool career goes, after being champion one season and barely scraping into the Champions League the next.
Then, of course, there's Manchester United, historically the biggest team in England but without a Premier League title in 13 years. Under Michael Carrick, can United step out of the shadow of its neighbor?
English soccer
The departure of not just Guardiola but also Mohamed Salah after nine years at Liverpool means two of the biggest names in world soccer are no longer in England.
Take away City striker Erling Haaland for a second — could the mighty Premier League be getting short of real star appeal?
Even the profile of coaches has dipped compared to 10 years ago when Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger and Antonio Conte were fighting it out.
Stylistically, where does the English game go now without Guardiola? His possession-based approach — where attacks started from the goalkeeper or defenders — was copied across the country, from kids’ teams in the parks to teams throughout the professional leagues. Will that style persist?
This recently completed season saw a shift to a more back-to-basics approach, where set pieces, long throws and long balls from goalkeepers became commonplace in an era when teams' schedules are so packed that coaches have little time to bed in their ideas on the training field.
Arsenal mastered that new style and became champion for the first time in 22 years. Maybe it becomes the norm and Guardiola-ball is faded out.
Pep Guardiola
As for the man himself, Guardiola first of all plans to unwind and recharge the batteries after 13 straight years at the top of the European game — with Bayern Munich and then City — following his yearlong, post-Barcelona sabbatical.
“I need to step back,” he said, “I will not (coach) for a while.”
Guardiola said he wants to spend time with his kids and his father Valenti, who is in his 90s, meaning a return to live in Barcelona is highly likely. He is sure to travel and, in his words, “learn to live a different life.”
That won’t be the end of Guardiola in soccer, though.
For starters, he has taken up an ambassadorial role within the City Football Group, the umbrella company that owns Man City, so expect to see him sitting in the stands at some City games. He is a devoted Barcelona supporter, too, so no doubt he’ll be at matches inside the Camp Nou.
As for coaching, Guardiola has no plans at present but may well take the chance to get into international coaching.
Could that be with the England national team, Guardiola was asked last week? He gave it short shrift.
Of the Indianapolis Colts' 2026 undrafted free agent class, five different players received guarantees of at least $200,000.
This includes linebacker West Weeks receiving the sixth-most guaranteed money of any UDFA signing across the NFL.
Altogether, the Colts guaranteed $1.591 million at signing to these players, which is the eighth-most in the NFL, according to Spotrac.
LB West Weeks: $286,500 guaranteed
The 2025 season was Weeks' first as a starter. Playing 564 snaps, Weeks found success as a blizter, totaling 13 pressures with three sacks. He recorded 66 tackles, missing 11, and in coverage, held opponents to 9.1 yards per catch. Weeks is an experienced special teams player as well, with 454 career snaps, contributing to five of the six different phases.
Can Weeks make a roster push? Of the UDFAs, Weeks may be best positioned to make the 53-man roster, with two to three roster spots at the linebacker position possibly up for grabs.
S Austin Brown: $272,500 guaranteed
Brown played 1,528 defensive snaps over four seasons at Wisconsin, with 672 of those snaps coming last year. He has experience playing deep safety, in the box, and at the nickel. Brown generated seven pass breakups over the last three years and allowed 10.5 yards per catch in coverage over his career. He had a missed tackle rate of 12%, according to PFF. Brown is an experienced special teams contributor, with 441 career snaps.
Can Brown make a roster push? AJ Haulcy, Jonathan Owens, and Juanyeh Thomas joined Cam Bynum and Hunter Wohler as offseason additions. That is already five roster spots accounted for. Can Brown be the sixth safety or take the roster spot of Owens or Thomas?
IDL Cam Ball: $272,500 guaranteed
Ball has played 1,864 career snaps on defense, which includes being a starter the past two years. He's routinely graded out well as a run defender throughout his career by PFF's metrics. This past season, Ball recorded a career-high 21 pressures. The bulk of Ball's snaps have come lined up in the A or B gaps. He also has a good amount of special teams experience, playing 467 career snaps.
Can Ball make a roster push? Given the construction of the Colts' defensive tackle position, making a roster push may not be easy here, with this being a crowded unit after Chris Ballard reshaped it this offseason.
C Geno VanDeMark: $240,000 guaranteed
VanDeMark has played over 1,500 career snaps over his four seasons -- two of which came at Michigan State and the last two at Alabama. He has experience playing all three interior offensive line positions, with most of his snaps coming at right guard. Last season, he allowed two sacks and 12 pressures over 365 pass-blocking snaps and was penalized just once. Out of 190 eligible guards, he ranked 106th in PFF's pass-blocking efficiency metric and 84th in run-blocking grade out of 331 linemen.
Can VanDeMark make a roster push? Tanor Bortolini leads the way, but the only other true center on the roster is Jimmy Morrissey, who has seen little playing time on offense in his career.
OT Nolan Rucci: $210,000 guaranteed
Over the last two seasons, Rucci surrendered only two sacks over 599 pass-blocking snaps. In 2025 specifically, Rucci gave up 16 pressures and ranked 160th among tackles in PFF's pass-blocking efficiency metric. He was penalized only once and was tied for 31st in run-blocking grade.
Can Rucci make a roster push? The opportunity does seem to exist. Rucci will be competing with Luke Tenuta and Blake Freeland. Tenuta has minimal NFL experience, while Freeland hasn't played much since his rookie season and is coming off an injury.
After being eliminated from the 2026 NBA playoffs by the New York Knicks on Monday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers have an important decision to make when it comes to head coach Kenny Atkinson.
Yes, he won NBA Coach of the Year honors last season for leading the team to 62 wins. However, after regressing to 54 victories in a year when the conference was weaker, he might have benefited from the strong infrastructure put together by his predecessor, 2025-26 COTY contender JB Bickerstaff.
Is that a fireable offense? No. But Atkinson hasn’t made an undeniable case to keep his job during these playoffs either. They barely survived the quarterfinals against the Toronto Raptors despite being the favorites. They blew a chance to close out the Detroit Pistons in the semis by losing at home in Game 6. Then, against the Knicks, he was badly outcoached as his team was embarrassed in a four-game sweep that included blowing a 22-point lead in Game 1.
Making matters worse are his comments after their losses in the Conference Finals. After a Game 3 loss, he claimed “analytically” they had won Games 2 and 3. After Monday’s defeat, he complained about the NBA’s scheduling of the playoffs hurting his team by not giving them enough rest. Plus, he suggested management wasn’t to blame for the Cavaliers being swept because they put together a strong roster.
If that’s the case it sure seems like there is just one person to blame. While the Cavs’ firing Atkinson soon isn’t likely, if they did take that bold step, we look at five potential replacements on the market right now.
Jason Kidd
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The most obvious choice to replace Atkinson would be now-former Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd. He already had a ton of respect in the league as an NBA legend, but he is a good coach who guided the Mavs to the Finals just two years ago. With this current roster, it makes sense that management would see him as the man who can do with this roster what Atkinson couldn’t because Kidd did it in his previous job.
If Cleveland moves on from their head coach, you can bet the Hall of Famer will be at the top of their replacement list.
Tiago Splitter
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
It is stunning that new Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon has not given Tiago Splitter the full-time head coach job. He was thrust into a terrible situation, a game into the season, when Chauncey Billups was arrested for his role in a gambling probe, and led his team to a surprise 42-win season and playoff appearance in 2025-26.
Splitter is young and has shown a lot of potential. If Portland doesn’t make him their head coach, the Cavaliers should jump at a chance to interview him.
Jeff Van Gundy
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Former ESPN analyst and Knicks coaching great Jeff Van Gundy has been out of the head coaching game for a long time. However, he returned to the league three years ago and has gotten rave reviews for his work as an advisor for the Boston Celtics and, recently, as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers for the last two years. It is why he is a serious candidate for the Orlando Magic’s head coach opening.
He can handle stars and pressurized situations and would be intrigued by taking over a roster that can be a Finals contender next season.
Billy Donovan
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Although some may see it as a lateral move, Billy Donovan would be a candidate for the Cavaliers’ job if the team makes a change soon. Although he struggled in Chicago with the Bulls, he had some very good years as head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Plus, he is a legend in the college ranks after winning two titles at Florida.
It is why he is the current favorite to be the next head coach of the Magic and would be a contender if the Cavaliers are looking to fill the same position.
Micah Nori
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Cavaliers could choose to go after a top assistant coach, and one that has been linked to several head coaching jobs over the last couple of years is the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Micah Nori. He has been learning on NBA benches for 17 seasons and with five different teams. Of the various assistants around the game, there is no more ready and respected individual than Nori.
Furthermore, if he can bring the defensive grit and toughness Minnesota has to Cleveland, he would be welcomed.
Daniil Medvedev is the biggest name to exit the French Open as the sixth seed suffered a first-round defeat to Australian wildcard Adam Walton to continue this difficult relationship with Roland Garros. Medvedev, who lost in five sets, has now exited the tournament in the opening round seven times.
In the men’s draw, Jannik Sinner is the overwhelming favourite to win his first French Open title and to claim the career Grand Slam in the process, continuing a hugely successful season in which he has already made history as only the second man, and the youngest, to win all nine Masters 1000 titles.
The women’s draw meanwhile is full of potential winners, with defending champion Coco Gauff having had a mixed clay-court season thus far but arriving with a point to prove after a tough defeat in the Italian Open final.
The American returns to action alongside Australian Open champion and last year’s runner-up Aryna Sabalenka, four-time Roland-Garros winner Iga Swiatek, and a rejuvenated Elina Svitolina, who recently won her biggest title in eight years on the clay in Rome to put herself among the contenders.
Follow the top players’ progress with our seed tracker here:
Men’s seeds
Jannik Sinner (ITA)
Alexander Zverev (GER)
Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN)
Ben Shelton (USA)
❌ Daniil Medvedev - first round defeat to Adam Walton - 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4
❌ Taylor Fritz (USA) - first round defeat to Nishesh Basavareddy 7-6(5) 7-6(5) 6-7(9) 6-1
Alex de Minaur (AUS)
Alexander Bublik (KAZ)
Flavio Cobolli (ITA)
Andrey Rublev
❌ Jiri Lehecka (CZE) - first round defeat to Pablo Carrena Busta 6-3 7-6 (3) 6-3
Karen Khachanov
Luciano Darderi (ITA)
Casper Ruud (NOR)
Valentin Vacherot (MON)
❌Arthur Fils (FRA)- withdrew with injury
Learner Tien (USA)
Frances Tiafoe (USA)
❌ Cameron Norrie (GBR) – retired from first round match with Adolfo Daniel Vallejo
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP)
Arthur Rinderknech (FRA)
❌Tomas Martin Etcheverry (ARG) - first round defeat to Nuno Borges 6-3 6-4 6-2
Tommy Paul (USA)
Francisco Cerundolo (ARG)
Jakub Mensik (CZE)
Rafael Jodar (ESP)
Joao Fonseca (BRA)
Tallon Griekspoor (NED)
Corentin Moutet (FRA)
Brandon Nakashima (USA)
Ugo Humbert (FRA)
Women’s seeds
Aryna Sabalenka
Elena Rybakina (KAZ)
Iga Swiatek (POL)
Coco Gauff (USA)
Jessica Pegula (USA)
Amanda Anisimova (USA)
Elina Svitolina (UKR)
Mirra Andreeva
Victoria Mboko (CAN)
Karolina Muchova (CZE)
Belinda Bencic (SUI)
Linda Noskova (CZE)
Jasmine Paolini (ITA)
❌ Ekaterina Alexandrova - first round defeat to Camila Osorio 6-2 6-4
Every NFL franchise walks away from draft weekend hoping it has found something special. Hope sells relatively easily in April. Reality usually arrives much later. Three years removed from the 2023 NFL draft, the Philadelphia Eagles have far more than hope. They have evidence.
Howie Roseman and his staff added seven players during that class: Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, Tyler Steen, Sydney Brown, Kelee Ringo, Tanner McKee, and Moro Ojomo. That group has already produced legitimate contributors, meaningful starters, and several players who helped power a Super Bowl run. Jalen Carter has already become one of the league's premier interior defenders, earning two Pro Bowl nods and a 2024 Second-Team All-Pro selection. Nolan Smith evolved into one of Philadelphia's most dangerous edge threats when healthy, eventually leading all defenders during the Eagles' 2024 postseason run in both sacks and tackles for loss.
That alone makes this class a success, but there's also depth to discuss. Tyler Steen developed into a starter. Tanner McKee has proven he can function as a capable backup quarterback when called upon. Moro Ojomo, a seventh-round selection, has played like the type of rotational defensive lineman teams usually expect to find far earlier in the draft. Even the so-called misses require context. Sydney Brown is no longer on the roster, but calling him a total failure would be lazy analysis.
He flashed playmaking ability at times, including a memorable 99-yard pick-six, even if it came in a loss. Kelee Ringo may still have limitations in coverage, but valuable special teams contributors absolutely matter when evaluating draft classes.
CBS Sports regrades the Eagles' 2023 NFL draft class
No draft haul is perfect. This one came awfully close. To see how Eagles Wire graded this class after its introduction, click here. Once you're done, check out CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco's take. He recently revisited his original 2023 draft grades and, notably, his opinion of Philadelphia never changed. He handed the Eagles an 'A' three years ago, and he still stands by it.
"They had seven picks in this draft, and six of the seven are on the roster, and the seventh was traded to the Falcons in March. Of the six on the roster, four are starters... The only miss was taking safety, Sydney Brown, in the third, and he even started games before the trade to Atlanta."
Six of the seven original selections either remain on the roster or they provided value before departing. Four became starters. Multiple players helped deliver championship football. That's what strong drafting looks like.
It isn't about perfection. It's about something better, sustained proof that Howie Roseman remains one of football's most dangerous architects when draft weekend arrives. This collection of outstanding players and men provides further evidence. It's been fun to watch them grow
Per Robledo’s report via X, formerly known as Twitter, Walnut (Calif.) head football coach Eric Peralta is retiring from coaching after leading the Mustangs since the 2017 campaign. Peralta’s overall record during his time at Walnut from 2017 to 2025 is 43-52.
Breaking: Walnut football coach Eric Peralta, who led the Mustangs to a CIF-SS title in 2022, the only title in school history, is retiring. Great coach, great man, wish him well. pic.twitter.com/qfaTeTzgcB
Peralta’s best season during his tenure with the Mustangs easily was the 2022 campaign where he guided Walnut to a 11-4 record and winning a CIF Southern Section championship. The best stretch under Peralta’s watch came from 2021-2023 where Walnut won 26 games.
Over the last two seasons, however, the team has put together a pair of identical 4-6 records as it hasn’t been able to replicate the success of the years prior. Now one of California high school football’s more experienced coaches is now retiring, it adds to the number of still available head coaching positions throughout the Golden State.
According to EightLaces.org, 17 coaching positions still remain vacant around the Golden State as there have been a total of 116 changes since the 2025 California high school football season ended.
The Mustangs ended this past season with a 4-6 record and finishing at No.41 in the recent California High School Football Massey Rankings.
More about Walnut High School
Walnut High School, located in Walnut, CA, is a proud institution known for its rigorous academic programs and strong extracurricular activities. As a school with a rich history of excellence in both academics and athletics, WHS fosters a community of leadership and personal growth. The Mustangs, the school’s spirited mascot, embody the resilience and determination of its students, who strive for success in every endeavor.
How to Follow California High School Football
For California high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Golden State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of California.
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown continues to be linked to Milwaukee Bucks two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in trade rumors, and NBA insider Marc Stein reported Monday that there are three teams with interest in JB, should the team make him available.
Stein wrote that there is "belief in some corners of the league" that the Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers have "legitimate trade interest in" Brown.
The 29-year-old is coming off of the best season of his career, averaging high marks in points (28.7) and assists per game (5.1), while matching his best output in rebounds per contest (6.9) as well.
Brown narrowly missed out on being an MVP finalist but finished sixth in the voting.
The former third overall pick also did plenty of good work off the court and was named one of the league's five finalists for the NBA Social Justice Champion award.
There are 35 total bathrooms inside the White House, and with approximately 4,300 attendees expected at UFC Freedom 250, it would be logistically convenient to give everyone access specifically to the eight restrooms available in the West Wing.
That, of course, would figure to be a security nightmare to deal with for a one-of-a-kind event that surely faces an abundance of unprecedented logistical and security challenges.
Which begs the question then: What will the bathroom situation be like when all those people converge on the South Lawn of the White House for UFC Freedom 250 on June 14? UFC boss Dana White shed some light on the situation in a featured story published by Time magazine on Tuesday:
While most fans will not enjoy access to West Wing restrooms, White is promising high-class temporary facilities for the 4,000-plus spectators. “We’re bringing in real bathrooms,” he says.
What that means exactly isn't clear, but it sounds like a substantial upgrade from standard Porta Potties.
Construction for UFC Freedom 250 got underway Monday at the White House as crews began working on the temporary arena that will host the fights. The event is not open to the public, with tickets going to a mix of military members and guests invited by the UFC and the White House.
President Trump, of course, will be seated front and center for the event that's happening on his birthday, which he claims "was only by happenstance" and "was not planned that way."
Teenager Moïse Kouamé won a first round battle of the generations 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, 6-1 against Marin Cilic on Tuesday and made Frenbch Open history by doing so.
Kouamé turned 17 last month and became the youngest player in the Open era to beat a former grand slam champion in a men's match at Roland Garros.
It was the first ever grand slam match for the youngster who was in full command against former US Open champion Cilic, who is 20 years and five months younger, after edging the first set in 74 minutes.
Kouamé is also the first player born in 2008 or later to play and to win a grand slam men's match. He is coached by former French great Richard Gasquet and ranked 318th got into the main draw via a wildcard.
Another former US Open champion bowed out as seven seeded Daniil Medvedev's Roland Garros agony continued with a 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 defeat against Australia's Adam Walton.
Medvedev squandered two break points leading 3-1 in the fifth set of a rollercoaster match and suffered his second straight and seventh overall first-round exit in Paris with a double fault and an unforced error.
Women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka meanwhile had a winning start, 6-4, 6-2 over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain.
“What’s the point?” – NT coach hits out at Carrick for playing injured Man Utd star
Slovenia head coach Bostjan Cesar suggests Manchester United and Michael Carrick should have avoided playing Benjamin Sesko when he was physically struggling.
After making the £70 million move from RB Leipzig last summer, the 22-year-old striker enjoyed a solid first campaign in English football.
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Sesko overcame a relatively low start to cement himself as a regular starter after making vital contributions and scoring decisive goals. He ended the campaign with 12 strikes and one assist in all competitions.
Slovenia coach was irked by Man Utd for playing Benjamin Sesko
The centre-forward also encountered a few physical problems during the season, and they often occurred just before the international break.
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In May, Sesko was asked to turn down his national team’s call-up to recover from a slight knock. Afterwards, the striker picked up from where he left off, but his NT coach didn’t like how Man Utd opted to keep the player due to an injury, only to start him in the following match.
“He [Sesko] missed the last assembly in March and then I kind of wanted him to be absent from United for a while,” said Cesar while chatting with reporters (via the Manchester Evening News).
“But then he came back quickly, and I don’t think he missed a game for the club.”
In early May, Sesko suffered a shin injury during the win over Liverpool, so he missed Man Utd’s last three games of the season, and he won’t be part of Slovenia’s squad for the next two friendlies against Cyprus (June 4) and Croatia (June 7).
“If a player hasn’t been in a competitive rhythm for a month, then I don’t see the point in him coming and playing at half-strength,” added Cesar.
“In cases of injuries, the national team receives all the documentation, and then we decide together with their doctors what is best.”
Why Cesar’s Sesko claim isn’t accurate
Having also missed out on November’s international break with a knee injury, Sesko won’t be part of Slovenia’s camp for the third time in a row.
But while Cesar’s frustration is understandable, Man Utd shouldn’t be blamed for this unfortunate situation, or accused of using a player who lacks match fitness.
The match that the Slovenian manager is referring to is the home defeat to Leeds on April 13, when Sesko played for the entire 90 minutes.
Nevertheless, it should be noted that the Red Devils had an unusual 24-day gap between this contest and the previous one against Bournemouth. Therefore, the extended break proved sufficient for the former Leipzig star to restore his powers.
CBF will hold the draw for the Copa do Brasil round of 16 this Tuesday, starting at 11 a.m. (Brasília time).
At this stage, there are no pots. Any team can face any other.
See the matchups:
Fluminense vs. Vasco
Corinthians vs. Internacional
Grêmio vs. Mirassol
The 16 teams involved in the draw are:
Athletico-PR, Atlético-MG, Chapecoense, Corinthians, Cruzeiro, Fluminense, Fortaleza, Grêmio, Internacional, Juventude, Mirassol, Palmeiras, Remo, Santos, Vasco and Vitória. Of these, only Juventude and Fortaleza are in Série B.
In addition to the draw for the matchups, the home teams will then be determined. The matches are expected to take place between August 1 and 6.
Luke Shaw: Wayne Rooney makes bold claim about United star
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has lavished praise on Luke Shaw following an impressive season. The English left-back’s injury troubles have made headlines in recent years, but he appears to have finally put them behind him.
Shaw arrived at Old Trafford from Southampton in the summer of 2014 as one of the brightest young full-backs in the country. Unfortunately, the player has endured an injury-riddled spell at the Theatre of Dreams so far.
Shaw’s tenure at Old Trafford started with a hamstring injury, but he showed promise in his debut campaign. However, the player suffered a horrific double leg-break in September 2015 against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League and subsequently missed the rest of the season.
The Englishman has since struggled to stay fit, although he did show signs of revival under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Shaw also made 47 appearances for United in the 2022/23 season during Erik ten Hag’s reign, before injuries struck again.
The 30 year old missed 103 games for club and country over the last two campaigns due to various fitness issues. However, Shaw has emerged as a key player for United this season, first under former head coach Ruben Amorim and then under Michael Carrick.
Shaw was indispensable for United this season
Shaw started all 38 Premier League games this season, becoming only the fifth player in the club’s history to achieve that feat. The Englishman began the campaign as a left-sided centre-back in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system and looked comfortable in the position.
After the Portuguese head coach lost his job in January, United reverted to a 4-2-3-1 formation under Carrick. Shaw moved to his natural left-back position and continued his impressive run in the team.
The Englishman registered one goal and one assist this season, scoring his first goal in three years against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford earlier this month.
While Shaw’s contract expires at the end of next season, his recent performances suggest there is still a lot of football left in him. The English full-back’s efforts have now earned him praise from his former team-mate and United legend Wayne Rooney.
Rooney hails Shaw
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former United skipper named Shaw as his most improved player of the season. He said: “I think, for me, Luke Shaw. I think Luke Shaw has been the most-improved player this season.”
“I know he’s an experienced player now but I think his level this season has been much better than they have been in recent seasons. People might look at Kobbie Mainoo but I don’t think he’s improved it was just the fact he wasn’t playing under the former manager so it wasn’t good or bad.”
Rooney also hailed United skipper Bruno Fernandes as his player of the year, adding: “I am delighted for Bruno. He has been fantastic this season.”
“For me he’s been the [Premier League] player of the year [because of] the influence he has, how driven he is and he’s scored a few goals as well. He has been the heartbeat of that team.”
Final Thoughts
There is no doubt that Shaw can be an asset to the team if he manages to stay fit throughout the season. However, the Englishman will turn 31 this summer, so United have to put succession plans in place for the left-back position soon.
Naomi Osaka merged athleticism and haute couture prowess with her custom Kevin Germanier tennis kit for her first round match at the 2026 French Open, Roland-Garros, on Tuesday in Paris.
“I wanted to celebrate her strength, individuality and athleticism, while ensuring that her first step onto the court felt just as powerful and unforgettable as her game. And since this is her first appearance since the Met Gala, we knew we had to make a statement.”
Naomi Osaka and Laura SiegemundAFP via Getty Images
The Swiss couturier’s design reimagines Osaka’s Nike kits, serving as an official partner with the brand since 2019. Germanier’s custom tennis kit includes deconstructed variations on the tennis skirt, dress and jacket for new sartorial story.
Osaka’s entrance showcased the athlete clad in black, akin to a formal gown with sleeveless design and sparkling details throughout. Beneath the entrance look, Osaka revealed her official on-court kit in a dusty gold tone.
Naomi OsakaAFP via Getty Images
Details for the kit included a structured corset, crafted from her competition garments and designed with snap closures for a versatile look and feel. A cascading pleated skirt was created from the interior layers of her jacket, with each pleat hand-set to achieve movement and added dramatic flair.
Atop the structure of the design, each surface was lavished with Germanier’s embellishment techniques, with hundreds of hand-applied crystals creating prismatic light play across the corseted bodice. Beadwork also traced the tennis kits architectural seams.
Naomi OsakaAFP via Getty Images
Despite its ornate craftsmanship and intricacies, Osaka’s tennis kit is still functional, transitioning from an entrance look to a competition-ready uniform for the four-time Grand Slam champion.
The 2026 French Open, Roland-Garros, kicked off with first round matches on Saturday and concludes on June 7. American Coco Gauff seeks to defend her title as the women’s singles champion, while Jannik Sinner of Italy vies for his first French Open men’s singles title.
Bidunga committed to Louisville on April 12. The 21-year-old rising junior from the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the top player to hit the portal this spring in the eyes of 247Sports and The Athletic.
For good reason. Across 31.6 minutes per game during his sophomore season with the Jayhawks, Bidunga was the only Division I player to average more than 13 points (13.3), 8.5 rebounds (nine) and 2.5 blocks (2.6). He won the Big 12's Defensive Player of the Year award and finished in a tie for ninth nationally with 13 double-doubles.
Those accolades would be enough for some to confidently make the leap to the NBA. But in this new era of athlete compensation at the college level, Bidunga's decision to withdraw from the draft felt like a no-brainer.
Bidunga was, at best, considered a late-first-round prospect in this year's draft class.
Checking in at 6 feet, 7¾ inches tall barefoot, he was the second-shortest center at the NBA Draft Combine earlier this month. His standing reach (8-10½) was also second-to-last. He led the position in both the standing vertical leap (34 inches) and the max vertical leap (40½ inches), but that wasn't enough to offset concerns about how he'll fare at the sport's highest level.
247Sports scouting director Adam Finkelstein said it best in a May 18 piece for CBS Sports: "The disconnect continues to be rooted in his offensive game and correlating defensive position. He was as mobile and switchable as any frontcourt defender in college basketball last year; but, offensively, he's a straight 5, and there are questions about whether he has the size and strength to body up with opposing NBA centers."
Then, there was the money at stake. In the same piece for CBS Sports, Finkelstein estimated Bidunga would "have to be a top-10 pick" to match what the Cards are reportedly offering him to join Kelsey & Co. for 2026-27.
It's hard to turn down that kind of payday — even on the cusp of realizing a lifelong dream.
In college football, it isn't always enough to have a great starting quarterback when your ultimate goal is making it to and winning the national championship. With the new extended season, attrition has come into the picture, and depth becomes more critical.
To help protect against this, the Oregon Ducks went out and got quite possibly the best backup QB in the nation this last offseason, signing former 5-star and Nebraska Cornhuskers starter Dylan Raiola, bringing him in to learn behind Heisman Trophy contender Dante Moore.
With those two leading the way, it's hard to argue that there is any QB room in the nation more solid than the one in Eugene.
This past week, ESPN put a ranking to it, grouping together the top QB "situations" in the nation into tiers. However, they don't seem to be as high on the Ducks as we might have expected. Ultimately, Oregon didn't land in Tier 1 but near the top of Tier 2.
"It's splitting hairs a bit between Tier 1 and Tier 2 with the key difference being imagination," ESPN's David Hale writes. "For the QBs in Tier 1, 2025 was a first step toward a vast future. They were excellent and bigger things are ahead. For the QBs in Tier 2, we've got a pretty good idea of who they are. They're very good -- and have been for a while. How much better can they be in 2026?"
That's a fair question to ask for Moore, who was projected to be a top-five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but decided to return to Eugene for one more season. However, the five passers listed in the tier ahead of him — Arch Manning, CJ Carr, Darian Mensah, Trinidad Chambliss, Julian Sayin — are a bit surprising.
So far, the rough consensus has been that Moore is the second or third-best QB in this class, typically behind only Manning and Carr. However, ESPN isn't so high on him. Ultimately, preseason rankings like this don't matter a lick, especially when it comes to something as subjective as "QB situations." In the end, the Ducks are going to have the chance to prove how well-off they are once September rolls around.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 7: Brock Bowers #89 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs downfield during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
New Las Vegas Raiders’ coach Klint Kubiak was excited about coaching Brock Bowers when he first got his new gig.
However, after seeing the third-year superstar tight end work on the practice field in OTA, Kubiak can’t contain his excitement about Bowers. Last week, Kubiak set the internet on fire when gushed about Bowers. Kubiak called Bowers a “football robot from heaven,” a “Cadillac” and a “standard beareer.”
Kubiak is a master play caller. Perhaps he can help Bowers achieve what he helped wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba did last season and what San Francisco 49ers running back did in 2023 —- winning the NFL Offensive Player of the Year awards.
No tight end has ever won the Offensive Player of the Year award since its inception in 1972. Thus, Bowers’ long odds. But maybe he and Kubiak and make some history together.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 14: Jojo Romero #59 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the Athletics during the seveth inning at Sutter Health Park on May 14, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Yes, it is still May. Yes, you are reading a trade deadline article. Some say you really should wait until the dust settles on the first half of the season before debating what a team will do at the deadline. I am not one of those people.
What do the Guardians have to offer?
Well, the Guardians have, by most outlets, a top 5 farm system. Even with the graduation of a top 40 prospect (Chase DeLauter) and the imminent graduation of a top 20 one (Travis Bazzana), the Guardians still have three top-100 prospects per MLB Pipeline. That is either as many or more top-100 prospects than 17 MLB teams. That is, of course, not accounting for helium candidates who could very well crack the top 100 within the Guardians farm system this season (Caceres, Watson, Doughty, Campbell). Nor is it accounting for the rising of already top-100-ranked prospects like Velazquez and Ingle, who should both crack the top 50 on MLB Pipeline by their next update. The former, however, is much more likely to crack the top 30 than stay outside the top 50. This is all to say that the Guardians’ system is loaded. They could very easily do whatever they want to at this deadline.
Why this year?
A wonderful question. It is very fair to curb your enthusiasm with the deadline by wondering why this year will finally be the year the Guardians make a splash at the deadline. Well, I’m full of optimism and whimsy and would love to share some of that onto with you. (If you’ve listened to the Disgusting Baseball podcast you’ll know what I’m about to say) The Guardians’ front office is not acting in the ways we’ve all become accustomed to. They’re being aggressive with prospect promotions: Delauter on the OD roster and batting 2nd in the OD lineup, Bazzana called up in April, Velazquez promoted from Akron to Columbus after 36 games. They sent Bo to Arizona a little over a month into the season and immediately traded for a 3x Gold-Glove winner in Bailey. There is nothing that suggests the Guardians aren’t going to be aggressive all year (internally), but I’m pretty confident they’ll be aggressive at the deadline too. (Author’s note: As I was editing this article, the Guardians decided to move Bazzana up to the leadoff spot. Another aggressive move!)
What do the Guardians need?
Well, like most teams, there are a few holes needing to be filled. You may feel inclined to argue with me over some of these assertations, I would ask that you not. I am almost always right and do not appreciate criticism. Kidding! Okay, so the first thing I think they might go after is a starting pitcher. Yes, the rotation has been fantastic (6th in MLB in ERA, 12th in FIP, 9th in K-BB%). Parker Messick and Gavin Williams both look to be bonafide Game 1 starters. But, Bibee has been somewhat shaky (albeit better with Bailey), Cantillo has command issues that could cause an implosion, and Slade is, brutely, not good enough to start a playoff game. Who might be available? Let’s get into that.
SP Trade Candidates (work in progress)
Clay Holmes, NYM (2.39 ERA, 3.21 FIP)
Why Holmes? I’ve been a big fan of his for a while, and did want the Guardians to sign him back when he was a free agent. He’s running the 3rd highest groundball rate among qualified SP in MLB, which would fit perfectly in front of our infield defense. I have no idea if he’ll be available, but if the Mets are still skidding come July, they should be open for business. They have the internal depth to cheaply fill Holmes’ rotation spot. Holmes has a player option for 2027 at $12m, and is making $13m this season (about $6m for the Guardians).
Tarik Skubal, DET (2.70 ERA, 2.10 FIP)
This is mostly a joke. Mostly. But, the Tigers are in freefall. Skubal is a free agent next year, and is making north of $30m this year. There are a laundry list of reasons why this will never happen, chiefly that the Guardians never make landmark trades within the AL Central and this would be nigh impossible for the Tigers to sell to their fans, regardless whom they got back. But, Skubal talks about how much he appreciates Cleveland’s fans all the time and he owes us a trade demand because he hit Fry in the face, right? Right??!!
The bullpen, however, is the much more pressing concern. Although it’s been better recently with the stabilization of Cade Smith and the emergence of Colin Holderman, the Guardians could really use another power lefty (especially with Sabrowski’s injury). They could also, just in general, use another leverage reliever. Who might be available, you ask?
RP Trade Candidates
LHRP Jojo Romero, STL (3.04 ERA, 4.24 FIP)
Romero has been markedly worse this year than he was last year and in 2023. His sweeper usage is down from last year, and his feel for the pitch is a little shaky. His sinker command has been exceptional, however, which should be a good building block for the Guardians. I’m pretty confident that he’s just a few tweaks away from being a stalwart reliever again, and this presents a fantastic buy-low opportunity for the Guardians.
LHRP Brooks Raley, NYM (1.40 ERA, 2.79 FIP)
Raley has been consistently good every year since 2022. Although he has been affected by some injuries in both 2024 and 2025 with New York, he’s still been good. He’s a rental (yay) and old (double-yay), so his price should not be exorbitantly high.
(Author’s note: Hello, me again. These next two are simply being advocated for from a baseball standpoint. I do not condone their past behavior)
Hader’s a fun one. I have no idea what Houston will do at this deadline (but I do have a very fun trade candidate who shares a clubhouse with Hader later on in the article), but Hader seems like he could realistically be traded. He’s on the third year of a 5y/$95m contract, and hasn’t pitched yet. He is slated to make a few more rehab appearances in MiLB before his activation of the 60-day, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. He’s been one of the best, if not the best, left-handed reliever in baseball since his debut. He could easily take over the closer role from Cade, and Cade could go back to being the all-world fireman that he was in his rookie season. Win-win.
LHRP Aroldis Chapman, BOS (0.51 ERA, 1.85 FIP)
(Editor’s Note: We rarely take an official site position on something, but CtC opposes the idea of acquiring Chapman. Please, NO).
RHRP Garrett Whitlock, BOS (2.79 ERA, 2.89 FIP)
Not a lefty, but Whitlock is an elite reliever. He ranks in the 85th percentile or above in Chase%, K%, and Hard-Hit%. He’s 29 and on the last year of a 4-year extension with the Red Sox. He has club options for 2027 and 2028 at $8.25m and $10.5m, respectively.
RHRP Bryan Abreu, HOU (career 2.86 ERA, 3.21 FIP)
Another Astro! Abreu has, since 2022, been a lockdown leverage guy. From 2022-2025, he had a 2.30 ERA and a 2.79 FIP, pitching 70 innings 3 times. This year has been atrocious for him. His walk rate has ballooned from a career 4.35 BB/9 mark to 10.69 this year. He seems to be cutting his fastball more this year, which has led to an extremely high xwOBA allowed, and a whiff rate that is 12% less than it was last year. Another somewhat reasonable buy-low and hopefully easy-fix reliever. Although, unlike most other organizations, the Astros are probably much less likely to sell low on a pitcher. But, we’ll see.
Onto the (limited) position player candidates. You can always add on hitters at the deadline, especially when you’re the Guardians. The offense has been much better this year than in year’s past, but you can always improve. Let’s start with a fun one.
Yes, this is unrealistic. But, the Guardians appear to be in contention mode and they have all the pieces to make a trade for Alvarez viable. He hasn’t just sneakily been the best hitter in baseball. His xwOBA is 60 (SIX-ZERO) (SIXTY) points higher than the next best hitter. He’s a monster at the plate, and an at worst top 5 hitter in baseball when healthy. He has a career 156 wRC+ in the postseason (7th all-time, min. 150 PA). He’s a monster. He immediately takes you from contender to odds-on pennant favorite. There are not enough positive things that I can say about Alvarez. There are, however, some concerns. He has a somewhat lengthy injury history, which is especially notable considering he’s transitioned into almost a full-time DH. He has played some outfield in the last two years, but I think the Guardians should never play him in the field. He’s a bad defender, even in Houston’s little-league LF. He should really only see the field on days in which Jose *has* to DH. It’s not a perfect fit, but you can move some pieces from your MLB roster (Manzardo, Hoskins) to free up the DH role most days.
For what it’s worth, I really wanted us to get Contreras last offseason. He filled a lot of the holes on this roster that existed at the time, and would’ve been a perfect clean-up hitter. He’s a RHH 1B/DH (who used to catch but doesn’t at this point) who destroys the ball. Is he also a cranky player who occassionally trucks the opposition’s catcher? Yes.
Normally, I’d have more hitters on this list, but the number of productive RHH who would also be feasibly available at the deadline is pretty small, even for being at this point in the season. However, given where the Guardians are at right now, I think that their needs lean more heavily toward relief pitching than offense. They have, theoretically, all the bats you need at all the positions of need in the minors. If Manzardo keeps hitting the way he’s been hitting in the month of May and if Fry and Hoskins keep being productive, there might not be a need for an impact right-handed bat at the deadline.
The Detroit Tigers are reaching the point where every struggling team asks the same question: who can they call up to fix this? Right now, the answer is probably nobody.
The frustration around Detroit’s offensive collapse keeps circling back to one idea: there is no group of hitters waiting in Triple-A Toledo ready to rescue this team.
The Tigers can shuffle the edges of the roster all they want, but the season only stabilizes if the current major league lineup starts hitting again.
The collapse is impossible to ignore
Detroit sits at 21-33 after going 4-16 over its last 20 games, dropping the Tigers into last place and 10.5 games behind Cleveland in the AL Central. They entered the season believing they had built enough pitching and young talent to contend.
The offense explains the spiral. Detroit ranks near the bottom third of baseball in OPS and slugging percentage, and the lineup has looked especially powerless during the skid, with too many important hitters going quiet at once.
The Toledo options do not solve it
Fans naturally look to Triple-A when the offense stalls this badly, and there are real names in Toledo. Corey Julks is hitting .281/.380/.466 with seven home runs and is probably the safest immediate upgrade. Ben Malgeri owns a .298/.401/.477 line, though he is not on the 40-man roster. Max Anderson is batting .333 with a .480 slugging percentage on a strong pure-hitting case.
Even the most exciting names come with limits. Top prospect Max Clark is holding his own at Triple-A, but his profile reads more developmental than transformational right now. Gage Workman crushed Triple-A pitching earlier in the year before struggling once he reached Detroit. There is no obvious savior bat waiting in Toledo.
The injury context, to a point
Detroit’s injury situation is difficult. Tarik Skubal underwent elbow surgery earlier this month, Jackson Jobe is out for the season, and Kerry Carpenter, Gleyber Torres and Brant Hurter have all dealt with injuries or IL stints recently.
The Tigers have not fielded their ideal roster during the collapse. A 21-33 record still runs deeper than availability, with the core hitters not producing enough damage consistently.
Hinch sounds worn down by the explanations
A.J. Hinch has not hidden his frustration, describing the current stretch in blunt, unhappy terms after another loss. Detroit has spent too long searching for offense without finding reliable answers for this to read as a cold streak that disappears on its own.
The Tigers can still make a move or two. Julks could help, Anderson might deserve a look, and another bench adjustment is probably coming. None of it changes the central problem: Detroit’s collapse is about the players already in the lineup, not help stuck in Toledo.
The Seattle Mariners are trying to get back above .500 this season, and after a Monday night win, things are looking a bit better for the team.
However, during that win, despite solid outings from both Luis Castillo and Bryce Miller, some lingering questions and a problem are developing that the Mariners need to address.
As Adam Jude of The Seattle Times shared postgame from Castillo and from Miller, both Mariners pitchers are not fully on board with the piggyback plan. This is a problem that needs to be addressed, or else frustrations could boil over this season.
Mariners have a major piggyback problem
"It's a plan that... I've never seen, this piggyback," Castillo said. "As a competitor, you want to go out there and just continue, but at the same time, we knew that was part of the plan, and you've got to respect what his decision was."
While this commentary from Castillo does show a bit of questioning over the plan, he does seem to acquiesce to this piggyback plan.
But, as Daniel Kramer of MLB.com shared on Twitter/x, Castillo's reaction to being taken out of the game after four shutout innings was clear: he was not happy with how things were shaking out.
Another look at Luis Castillo after learning that his night was done.
Can’t recall ever seeing this kind of frustration in his nearly four years with the Mariners.
"We knew that was part of the plan, and you've got to respect what his decision was." pic.twitter.com/goDRAmc262
Miller also had some thoughts on this plan: "I haven't done this in a while, really, since college, pitching out of the bullpen. I didn't really know how to navigate it, but just did the best I could."
Ideally, the Mariners would be able to use both Castillo and Miller in this piggyback role to perfection. But, in reality, it's difficult to balance how best to use both of these starters.
George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo, and Emerson Hancock aren't coming out of the rotation, so the Mariners need to figure out what to do with their fifth starter spot.
Seattle cannot continue to utilize this piggyback plan all season, as it carries too much risk, not necessarily with the on-field performance, but rather the emotions of these two pitchers being in such an uncertain and unfamiliar situation.
Whether it's trading Castillo to another team to clear up the fifth starting spot and land some help for the offense, or extra prospect capital, or moving one of these starters to a reliever role full-time, this piggyback plan should not be the long-term solution.
The Knicks’ sweep of Cleveland did more than send New York back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
It also extended their playoff winning streak to 11 games, after they closed Atlanta, swept Philadelphia and then swept the Cavaliers.
That is rare NBA territory, and it places Jalen Brunson’s group beside some of the league’s defining playoff teams.
New York Knicks join Durant, Duncan, Kobe and Magic era teams in rare company
Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
According to StatMuse, the only other NBA teams with more than 10 consecutive playoff wins are: Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry’s Warriors, Tim Duncan and David Robinson’s Spurs, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal’s Lakers, and Magic Johnson and James Worthy’s Lakers.
The Durant and Steph Warriors were the 2017 Golden State side, who opened the playoffs 15-0 and finished 16-1 after beating Cleveland for the title.
In 1999, the Spurs had a similar run, ending the playoffs 15-2, also recording a 12-win streak in that path. Duncan and Robinson have led them on a run which delivered the franchise’s first championship after they beat New York in the Finals.
The Kobe and Shaq Lakers were the 2001 Los Angeles team, who started the postseason 11-0 and then beat Philadelphia to complete a 15-1 title run.
And last but not least, the Magic and Worthy Lakers stretched their streak across seasons, winning the end of the 1988 Finals and then opening the 1989 playoffs with 11 straight wins.
That Lakers group did not win the 1989 title, as Detroit swept them in the Finals, but the streak still reflects their era-defining consistency.
For the Knicks, the historical comparison is now clear. Their streak has already reached company usually reserved for champions, although the final test is still ahead.
Cameron Norrie reached the fourth round of the French Open last year [Reuters]
Cameron Norrie suffered heartbreak at the French Open as he was forced to retire injured from his first-round match - the first time he has done so at a Grand Slam.
The British number one sustained a rib injury in the build-up to Roland Garros after he "overdid it with the preparation".
Norrie took the court on a sweltering Tuesday afternoon in Paris and kept in touch with Paraguay's Adolfo Daniel Vallejo for much of the first set.
However, the 30-year-old struggled to move after missing four set points in a tight tie-break and going a break down at the start of the second.
Norrie called for the doctor and the trainer after losing his serve, pointing at his rib as he sat in the shade.
He told his team "every serve is a struggle" but still opted to see out the next game.
But Norrie could barely push up off the ground to serve and approached the net when trailing 7-6 (9-7) 2-0.
Norrie retired at a Futures event in 2014 - a competition held on the lower tier of the men's tour - but had previously never retired at a Grand Slam or ATP Tour tournament.
It is a blow to Norrie, having reached the fourth round last year, but it is also the safest option with Wimbledon beginning in just over four weeks.
The retirement leaves Jacob Fearnley as the only remaining Briton in the men's singles, with Jack Draper missing the clay-court Grand Slam with injury.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to snap their playoff drought, and if they are going to do so, they will need some players to step up.
One surprise pitcher who has stepped up this season is reliever Wilber Dotel, who has an ERA of 1.69 in 10.2 innings. The right-hander has been dominant since being recalled from Triple-A on May 20, after being sent down in late April after three outings.
Dotel is being used as a bulk reliever, and he’s drawn praise from manager Don Kelly.
“Three innings out of the bullpen in that situation, and such a close game, mixed speeds, threw strikes. He was tremendous,” Kelly said of Dotel.
Kelly also believes that why Dotel is having success is simple. The right-hander is throwing strikes, while his velocity has increased, which has made him hard to hit.
“The velo has turned it up. I think the offspeed offerings continue to get better. Being able to throw them for strikes,” Kelly said. “He also got some chase on them beneath the zone, and he's got the fastball velocity that we all see. But to be able to throw it in the zone where he wants to throw it, and then be able to mix in the offspeed, I think has been a big key.”
Dotel is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA in five games this season as the 23-year-old now looks like he will be an impact pitcher for the Pirates for years to come.
TULSA, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 19: Kendall George #1 of the Tulsa Drillers takes a lead off first base during a game against the Arkansas Travelers at ONEOK Field on April 19, 2026 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Here’s a recap of Sunday and Monday in the minor leagues, including Double-A Tulsa opting to play on Memorial Day for the first Monday game of the season among Dodgers affiliates.
Easton Shelton, first baseman for the Class-A Ontario Tower Buzzers, powered his way to winning California League player of the week. Shelton had at least one hit, one RBI, and one run scored in all seven games last week at Inland Empire (they played a doubleheader on Wednesday), and hit .419/.424/.774 with three home runs, two doubles, 12 runs batted in, and 12 runs scored.
— Ontario Tower Buzzers (@towerbuzzers) May 20, 2026
Shelton, who signed out of high school as a non-drafted free agent in 2023, has scored in each of his last 11 games and driven in a run in eight straight contests. The 20-year-old is hitting .267/.337/.547 with a 111 wRC+ this year, and leads Ontario in home runs (10), RBI (38), and runs scored (33).
Player of the day
Ontario second baseman Kellon Lindsey had five hits, including a triple and double for Class-A Ontario. He scored four runs and drove in a pair from the leadoff spot. In seven games since returning from the injured list, the former first-round pick is 15 for 33 (.455/.486/.727).
Triple-A Oklahoma City
Tyler Fitzgerald hit a three-run home run in the first inning, helping the Comets to a Sunday win over the Reno Aces (Diamondbacks). It was the second home run in three days for Fitzgerald, who since getting acquired by the Dodgers has started seven games in left field, two at third base, two at second base, two at designated hitter, and one apiece at shortstop and right field.
Ryan Fitzgerald, playing first base on Sunday, doubled and scored in the win.
Carlos Duran pitched two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win.
Double-A Tulsa
The Drillers lost on Sunday to the Wichita Wind Surge (Twins), but rebounded with a Memorial Day rout of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Royals).
Tulsa scored seven runs in both the first and second innings on Monday. Sean McLain, who tripled and homered in Sunday’s loss, hit a grand slam in the first inning on Monday.
George came out of the game after that, replaced in center field by Chris Newell.
High-A Great Lakes
The Loons’ Sunday home series finale against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers) was postponed by rain.
No makeup date has yet been announced. The only time these two teams meet again this season is June 9-14, but that’s at Wisconsin.
Class-A Ontario
Chase Harlan homered twice and drove in five runs in the Tower Buzzers’ Sunday rout of the Inland Empire 66ers (Mariners).
Harlan hit a solo shot in the fourth inning and a two-run homer in the eighth inning. He also had a sacrifice fly and RBI single in his three-hit game. The 19-year-old, drafted by the Dodgers in the third round in 2024, is hitting .333/.460/.507 with a 149 wRC+ this season with nearly as many walks (team-leading 31) as strikeouts (33).
Cam Leiter struck out five in his two scoreless innings. He has 27 strikeouts and five walks in his first 17 innings as a pro this year.
Transactions
Double-A: Right-hander Antonio Knowles demoted to Tulsa from Oklahoma City. Catcher/infielder Bryan Garcia was sent back to the Arizona Complex League after two games active for Tulsa, during which time he did not play
High-A: Right-hander Robby Porco promoted from Ontario to Great Lakes.
Class-A: Right-hander Accimias Morales sent back to Ontario after 18 walks, 10 strikeouts, and eight runs allowed in eight innings for Great Lakes.
VILLANOVA, PA - JANUARY 21: Matt Hodge #33 of the Villanova VILWIL Wildcats is introduced before a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Finneran Pavilion on January 21, 2026 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Coming into the 2025-26 season, it felt like the Wildcats were stronger in the backcourt than in the frontcourt. There were two “reliable” projections in Tyler Perkins and Matt Hodge, but after that it was questions with a number of transfers coming in. As we now know, two of those transfers left the program during the season. As a result of that, the depth left Villanova with no margin for error when it comes to injury. Unfortunately, Hodge tore his ACL in a February game against St. John’s, and the Villanova frontcourt became a problem for the rest of the season.
This year, the situation seems significantly more solidified with the additions of Kwame Evans Jr. and Devin Royal (coupled with the returns of both Perkins and Hodge). The recovery timeline for Hodge is the key here. Kevin Willard had stated at the time of the injury that he was expecting Hodge back in October. That would be roughly eight months post-surgery, which even today would be on the quicker side.
How reliant Willard is upon Hodge being available in November will go a long way in answering the question: Does Villanova need to add more forwards? Perkins primarily played the small forward last season, so we know he can do that once again. Ideally, he’s spending more of his time as a shooting guard this year. Royal can play both the three and the four, depending on matchups. Evans Jr. can play both the four and five, similarly matchup-based like Royal. With the four guards currently on the roster (Elijah Crawford, Buddy Simmons II, Jake Fiegen and Adam Oumiddoch), Villanova can theoretically run a tight, eight-man rotation until Hodge is back and up to speed. But as we saw a year ago, injuries can (and likely will) happen, so relying on just those eight for however long it will take is a risky maneuver.
That said, one thing you don’t want to do is overrecruit. Willard will have to find someone who is willing to potentially not be in the rotation once Hodge is back, which is hard to find in the current landscape of college basketball. Perhaps with the “5 in 5” ruling presumed to be implemented for the 2027-28 season, players are more agreeable to a situation like this (since it won’t require a redshirt).
Of course, we can’t know the full picture until the looming center situation is solidified. Only Nico Onyekwere is currently on the roster, and we do not know how ready he is to join the rotation next year, better yet be the starter. Adding a legitimate starting five will bring the healthy rotation to nine guys, which is typically the max for college teams to consistently play.
The best situation would likely be to find a rotation piece from a lower-level team that’s willing to take the role. Other Big East teams have done something similarly. Connecticut took on Jaye Nash from Jacksonville State and Isaiah Shaw from Northern Arizona. Nash averaged 5.1 points and 4 assists per game as a sophomore, while Shaw averaged 8.1 points per contest as a junior. St. John’s got a commitment from Mercer’s Kyle Cuffe Jr. recently, who averaged 7.3 points per game as a senior. That’s the kind of depth that Villanova should be able to lure in (and perhaps better given Hodge’s uncertainty).
Regardless, much like the guard situation, Villanova has to bring in more bodies simply for practice purposes. That said, there is a potential opportunity, albeit short-lived, to bring in a forward who can more likely contribute in a pinch.
The New England Patriots have not come to terms on an extension with Christian Gonzalez yet, but a new report suggests he may be waiting for a while to get paid.
Gonzalez is one of the best corners in the league, and the Patriots would be wise to extend him. However, he will likely want to be the highest-paid corner in the league, and his camp may be waiting to see what Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks' extension looks like before inking a deal of their own. According to ESPN's Brady Henderson, the Seahawks and Witherspoon are not close to an extension right now, which means Gonzalez may have to wait longer than expected,
"When the Seahawks and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba agreed to a four-year, $168.6 million extension in March, it wasn't just the record size of the deal that stood out," Henderson wrote on Saturday. "The largest contract in franchise history came together quickly and without a whiff of drama, the news breaking before any reports emerged that the two sides had even begun talking. The Seahawks then turned their attention to an extension for star cornerback Devon Witherspoon, a three-time Pro Bowl selection and standout of their Super Bowl LX victory. But the other big-ticket item on their offseason to-do list has not progressed nearly as easily. Seattle made an initial offer several weeks ago, according to a league source, but the two sides do not yet appear to be close to an agreement."
The current largest contract for a corner in NFL history belongs to Tret McDuffie, who signed an extension after being traded from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Los Angeles Rams this offseason. It's safe to assume Gonzalez will want more than the four-year, $124 million McDuffie got, as will Witherspoon. Both players would be wise to wait and try to beat out the other's numbers as well.
After the season ended, Gonzalez noted that he wants to remain with the Patriots, but would not go into detail about contract talks.
“I’m not really trying to get into all of that,” Gonzalez said of the specifics of getting an extension done after the Super Bowl. “I mean, it’s kind of more my agents, they’ll deal with that and keep me up to speed on it. Coming in today, I just wanted to see the guys, hang out with them a couple more times. I mean, it’s the last time this full team, coaching staff will be in the building. So, focus on that. Hanging out with the guys one more time today. And, you know, my agents and (Mike Vrabel) and all, they’ll talk.”
Both Witherspoon and Gonzalez have the same agent. Both players are worthy of resetting the cornerback market, but given how the Seahawks have operated in the past, it seems more likely that Gonzalez's extension will come after Witherspoon's.
BOSTON — Red Sox utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa thought he had hit a walk-off three-run home run against Twins righty Yoendrys Gómez with one out in the ninth inning Sunday.
His 353-foot drive to left field instead hit about halfway up the Green Monster for an RBI double.
“I thought I got it, honestly,” Kiner-Falefa said. “Yeah, thought I got it. Didn’t get out. Good swing.”
Nick Sogard scored on Kiner-Falefa’s hit to bring Boston within a run. But Connor Wong, representing the tying run, was thrown out at the plate on the play for the second out. The Red Sox ended up losing 6-5 to the Twins, suffering a three-game sweep at Fenway Park.
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Kiner-Falefa said it wasn’t until he almost touched first base that he realized his hit wasn’t going to clear the Monster.
“Felt good off the bat,” he said. “Thought I did it and then for it to not go out, I just thought pass the baton. JD (Jarren Duran) coming up right there, a good opportunity for us to tie the game or him hit a walk-off.”
Duran got hit by a pitch to put two runners on base with two outs for Ceddanne Rafaela, who lined out to right field to end it.
“Definitely put ourselves in a good position to win the game and just gotta find ways to do it earlier, come through earlier in the game,” Kiner-Falefa said. “It’s been the same story the last two nights.”
Red Sox manager Chad Tracy was supported third base coach Chad Epperson’s aggressive send, especially considering the rainy conditions.
Left fielder Trevor Larnach fired to shortstop Ryan Kreidler, who fired home and threw out Wong on a one-hopper.
“I understand the sentiment,” Tracy said. “Soaking wet, raining, pouring, ball’s wet, and then it’s going to skip on the throw. So I definitely understand the sentiment. It’s not easy to throw balls. You saw it early in the game with Wilyer (Abreu) trying to throw the ball home and it slips out. So I totally get it — being aggressive there with one out and trying to get the game tied.”
The Red Sox dropped to 22-30 overall and 8-17 at Fenway Park.
“It’s tough,” Tracy said. “Another great job battling back, putting runners on base, putting ourselves in position to tie it or take the lead. Izzy hit the ball, looked like it was going to be gone off the bat. The wind’s kind of coming in. So it stays in.”
The Red Sox had momentum entering this series, coming off a sweep of the Royals in Kansas City.
“It’s tough,” Kiner-Falefa said. “You look at the standings and somehow we’re still in it. So I think that helps a lot. I felt like this series would have been a big swing with our team, the fan base, getting the belief back and kind of going from there. So to get swept right here definitely hurts. We feel it. As a group, we really want to make our fan base proud and hopefully we can go on a run and get in this wild card thing or maybe back in the division. But one step at a time. First we gotta find a way to stack some wins together at home and get back in the race.”
Iowa State women’s golf finished ninth at the NCAA Championships in Carlsbad, Calif., on May 25, the best finish in school history.
The Cyclones fell one stroke shy of qualifying for match play, where the top eight teams determine the national champion on May 26-27.
Senior Pammy Chookaew closed her career tied for 23rd, the third-best NCAA finish in program history. Chookaew shot a 75 in the final round and tallied a 289 (+1) over the four rounds.
Sophomore Alexandra Vidal tied for 34th with a 292 (+4) for the four rounds. She had the fourth-best NCAA finish in program history, while the duo of Vidal and Chookaew are the first pair of teammates to both finish in the top 50 together at the NCAA Championships.
The ISU sports information department contributed this report.
BRONX, NY - MAY 24: Catcher Austin Wells #28 of the New York Yankees walks to home plate during a game between the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on May 24, 2026 in the Bronx, New York. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
A couple of days ago, we asked for your input on which struggling Yankee you all were most concerned about. There were a variety of options, as the team has clearly seen problems arise in both their lineup and their bullpen that have defined their struggles up to this point. With plenty of input in outright votes as well as more in-depth responses via comments, let’s dig into the players that prompted the most worry.
Leading off, the overwhelming majority of you weighed in to elect Austin Wells as our most concerning struggling Yankee, at a whopping 66 percent of the vote. A couple of you also added commentary to your decision, with toddmarlin122 saying “third base and catcher need to be replaced asap,” ConorGallogly adding “I almost put Austin Wells because the organization has so little catching depth,” MDG92 chiming in that they’re “most concerned about Wells, because I don’t see it getting any better, and he was supposed to be a bat-first catcher,” and David6776 putting in “position wise though, I’m more worried about catcher. With the challenge system, Wells’ pitch framing is less valuable, we can’t have so many dead bats.”
That’s a lot of eyes on catcher specifically, and it makes sense that so much attention would be there. Wells indeed developed as a bat-first catcher that was looked at skeptically defensively, but the total inverse came true in the majors: he’s never found his stride consistently at the plate, but he’s handled the pitching staff beautifully and is one of the best framers in the league. The introduction of ABS does take away some of the effectiveness of Wells’ game, but only to a point as challenges can easily be wasted early in a game and batters can hesitate to pull the trigger on challenging borderline calls hoping to save their shot for a key at-bat later in the game. Still, it’s a slight damper on what is clearly Wells’ biggest strength individually that we can monitor, combined with the much easier to see struggles to get anything going offensively.
Wells’ bat has been average throughout his first three seasons, but its taken a complete nosedive in 2026. Despite working a career-best 14.7 walk percentage to this point, Wells is well-under the Mendoza line and slugging less than he’s getting on base, completely negating his defensive value by being a black hole at the bottom of the lineup. The team’s lack of options within the organization have given him little challenge for starting time, as J.C. Escarra has managed to look even worse offensively and commanded no more than the typical backup catcher’s playing time and the team appears unwilling to burden Ben Rice with the tools of ignorance now that he’s emerging as an elite bat. It’s on Wells to pull things together for now, and at best perhaps the Yankees look for an upgrade from Escarra to prompt some competition for their incumbent catcher.
The player that came in second at 13 percent of the vote was Jazz Chisholm Jr., and it’s easy to see why his name was on people’s minds as well. Chisholm was perhaps the team’s worst hitter through the first month and change of the year, completely missing his power swing as the cold of April sapped his ability to get a solid grip on the bat. Chisholm admitted to this being part of his problems, but he also had miscues in the field on top of the offensive struggles that elicited some heat from the fanbase. However, Chisholm has heated up with the weather, hitting for an .850 OPS in May to pull himself up to a slightly-above average 104 wRC+. He’s also gotten a couple of bombs on the board to pair with 13 stolen bases, continuing to apply pressure in that regard (though the team as a whole has struggled to swipe bags of late). Jazz will be one to monitor still, but he’s trending in the right direction and has the track record to inspire belief that he’s turned things around.
Third place in our polling went to the Other option, meaning that they opted not to chose either of our two main candidates nor any of Camilo Doval, Trent Grisham, or Ryan McMahon. Reading through the comments though, it’s clear who that other choice is: none other than the Captain, Aaron Judge. Several commenters felt no clarification was necessary other than to type his name, but others added on with WhittakerWalt asking “did he get old overnight, or is this just his usual slump?” while David6776 led off his thoughts with “for player, I’m most worried about Judge. Wondering if he’s starting to need glasses, and he’s probably our most important players.”
I can’t lie, I was surprised that so many of you were sounding off on Judge’s slump. We have the foresight of having seen his walk-off homer on Sunday and the double he laced in Monday’s game as indications that he’s breaking out of it, but even with those results its undeniable that he’s been on a cold streak: over his last 12 games, Judge owns a .593 OPS with that lone blast as his only long ball and the only two runs he’s batted in. However, given the body of work that he’s put up this season alone, I thought it would be clear that he’s going through just that — a slump. Judge has been one of the focal points of the offense, and when he’s firing on all cylinders he can hide the lineups’ flaws nearly single-handedly. His numbers may not be at the all-time pace he’s been on over the last two seasons, but he was putting those kinds of numbers up before this stretch and I have no doubt that he’ll get back to that territory before long.
If there was one area I would critique Judge’s play thus far, it would be his reluctance to abuse ABS to his advantage — Judge has seldom pulled the trigger on challenging a pitch, despite being the poster child of who the system should benefit after all of the low strike calls he’s taken throughout his career. He did confidently tap the helmet on a 3-2 pitch that was initially called strike three, and started walking towards first base before the replay confirmed that he’d indeed taken ball four, which leads me to believe that his top-notch plate discipline isn’t too out of whack. Instead, his timing is the thing that’s off, leading to him swinging through pitches and getting under more of them. I get the worries to a degree, as everyone knows the offense without Judge performing like he has throughout his MVP campaigns is a flawed one, but we don’t need to rush straight to being convinced that the cliff is here and Judge is going to start his decline.
Overall, I’d agree with the polling that Wells is the player I’m most concerned with, followed closely by McMahon who got a smattering of comments pointing out his performance as well. The two have ran into the occasional pitch that they can demolish, but haven’t done much else otherwise offensively, and having two regulars performing that poorly on top of having some starters still sitting with below-average numbers is a recipe for disaster. The Yankees have mostly avoided an outright tumble in the standings, facing one truly bad stretch of play that saw them lose three straight series to the Rays, Orioles, and Mets on the road. To avoid that in the future, it sure would help if one of those two could start to turn things around.
Scott Phelan set to be given permanent Everton job
Everton are set to appoint Scott Phelan as the women's team manager on a permanent basis according to reports.
Phelan took over following the sacking of Brian Sørensen back in February after a slow start to the season.
The Toffees went on to win four of their remaining nine fixtures under Phelan – with victories over London City Lionesses, West Ham, Tottenham, and Leicester City – as well as suffering five defeats with the team eventually finishing eight in the WSL.
According to journalists Megan Feringa and Patrick Boyland of The Athletic, Phelan has done enough to land the job on a permanent basis although the deal is yet to be completed.
Phelan had previously been the men's Under 18 coach at Everton and is set to have Phil Jevons as his assistant manager.
Has five months been enough time to fix the Dallas Cowboys defense? They’ve done a bunch this offseason, but one prominent Cowboys insider thinks there could be another name to add at the linebacker position.
Alas, he doesn’t give that name, but other people have. And whatever happened to that blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett that never happened? Well, it never happened, but Garrett has popped up in the news.
Cowboys fans, meanwhile, can make their plans to see whatever Dallas is putting on the field in its opener at New York, as tickets are moving. Here is what Dallas is up to.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker
Finding more linebackers for defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s 3-4 scheme was once of the biggest priorities for the Dallas Cowboys this offseason, and indeed during the draft they traded for Dee Winters and then drafted Jaishawn Barham.
There is also hope DeMarvion Overshown, who has been good when healthy, can stay healthy, though two injuries in two years are concerning.
.@jonmachota said #Cowboys defender DeMarvion Overshown ‘is a little forgotten sometimes because of the injuries & if he can stay healthy, he would be a really interesting piece to all of this.’
‘I still maintain that inside linebacker spot to me, I just don’t think it’s done… pic.twitter.com/sQ9NgOu62y
That all counts as a significant upgrade, but The Athletic’s Jon Machota thinks there could be another move at the position. He went on the Cowboys Collective podcast to give his take on it.
He said, "Overshown is a guy that I kind of think is a little forgotten sometimes because of the injuries, and if he can stay healthy, he would be a really interesting piece to all of this, because I still maintain that inside linebacker spot to me, I just don't think it's done there yet. I still think there's another move to be made there, whether it be before training camp or right before the season starts."
But who? One name that comes up often is free agent linebacker Bobby Wagner. The New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy came up with a list of top free agents still available and said the best fits for Wagner, who was with the Washington Commanders last year, are the Commanders, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals and the Cowboys.
He writes: "A Wagner-Cowboys pairing has long been rumored. But Wagner, 35, could have the biggest on-field impact — not just as a leader — roaming behind newly acquired double-team-eating Dexter Lawrence with the Bengals. Wagner notched 162 tackles last season, after making his 10th career Pro Bowl in 2024."
Alijah Clark Dallas Cowboys special teams
One of the feel-good stories for Dallas in 2025 was the special teams play of gunner Alijah Clark, who Dallas gave $259,000 in guaranteed money to mostly to created havoc on punt coverage. Indeed, against Philadelphia he made one of the viral plays of the year for the Cowboys when he got knocked down, got back up and went down and forced a fumble.
🚨PLAY OF THE DAY🚨#Cowboys rookie gunner Alijah Clark with one of the best plays you will ever see.
Clark kept getting knocked down and he continue to get right back up, and made the play of the game, forcing a fumble.
The USA Today’s Dallas Cowboys wire has a feature out on him looking at his chances of making the roster again this year.
Reid D Hanson writes: "At 6-foot-1, 187 pounds, Clark isn’t the most imposing prospect on the roster, but in an area such as special teams it’s every bit about tenacity and effort as it is about physical ability. Clark will be facing competition from the likes of Markquese Bell, Reddy Steward, Caelen Carson, Trikweze Bridges and Zion Childress for the Cowboys' last roster spot.”
One of the stranger storylines of the offseason has been the future of Cleveland Browns superstar Myles Garrett, who turned in one of the most dominant defensive seasons in NFL history in 2025, then had his contract restructured that could theoretically make him easier to trade.
Of course Dallas was immediately linked to getting the Arlington native, even “trading” for him in one mock draft. All of this doesn’t appear to be much more than wishful thinking, but Garrett is in the news again after skipping Cleveland’s OTAs, and appearing in a commercial for a Chase Sapphire credit card with his girlfriend Chloe Kim and Ted Lasso actress Juno Temple.
This was enough to get Dallas Cowboys fans doing Google searches on him, but alas, all the rumors linking him to Dallas are months old.
Giants vs. Cowboys 2026
As always, Dallas has two regular-season games against the New York Giants, including their opening game on Sunday Night Football on Sept. 13 in the Meadowlands. That will mark John Harbaugh’s debut as coach of the Giants.
Their other game against them is in Week 17, the penultimate playing date of the regular season, at home on Jan. 3.
Yes, the conversation among rival GMs and coaches right now is much like the public conversation—filled with awe and respect for Wemby and Shai, and for what the Spurs and Thunder have built. But it’s tinged with defiance. No one is conceding the next half-decade. “The notion that everyone is just gonna accept it is insane,” said an executive from an Eastern Conference playoff team. “Everybody that are in these jobs are competitive. They’re not just gonna accept it. A team like San Antonio, who have gotten lucky to get generational talent multiple times [in the lottery], people take that shit personally, and they have a drive to beat those guys. They’re not gonna sit back and take a beating for the next 10 years.”
ASUS unveils its ROG Rapture GT-BN98 Pro WIFI 8 router ASUS’ first WIFI 8 router has been revealed, the ROG Rapture GT-BN98 Pro. The router has been revealed in an award listing for Computex 2026, winning a Category Award for “Gaming and Immersive Tech”. This listing was first spotted by Videocardz. ASUS first teased its […]
Steam has more than 100,000 games it wants to sell you, but some of the platform's most popular listings aren't games at all. Here are five that I don't regret adding to my collection.
Today, HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) announced the HyperX OMEN 16 VALORANT Limited Edition, a gaming laptop designed in collaboration with Riot Games that combines performance-driven hardware with a design of the most popular gaming titles, VALORANT. Built for players who demand speed, precision and personalization, the new laptop marks the latest milestone in HP's collaboration with Riot Games, following last year's OMEN 35L VALORANT Limited Edition desktop and the OMEN 16 League of Legends Limited Edition laptop. Together, these devices reflect a shared commitment to creating products that connect more deeply with fans of VALORANT and League of Legends.
HyperX gaming solutions are grounded in combining player-centric design with advanced engineering and intelligent software that can unlock greater performance. This laptop brings this approach to life with responsive performance, thoughtful customization and a design inspired by the VALORANT universe, helping players stay focused, react quickly and compete with confidence.
Kensington, a worldwide leader of desktop computing and mobility solutions for IT, business, and home office professionals, today announced the SD5010T5 EQ Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station, a high-performance Thunderbolt 5 dock designed to make next-generation speeds, multi-display setups, and simplified connectivity more accessible. The SD5010T5 is designed to eliminate bottlenecks in modern workflows, combining high-speed data transfer, multi-display support, and powerful charging into a streamlined, single-cable docking solution.
Up to 80 Gbps Speeds for Data-Intensive Workflows
Ideal for creators, engineers, and business professionals working with large files and demanding applications, the SD5010T5 EQ Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station maximizes productivity by delivering up to 80 Gbps of bi-directional bandwidth, and with Bandwidth Boost enabling up to 120 Gbps for video-intensive workflows.
The Freezer 36-S is purpose-built as a value-driven counterpart to the Freezer 36—delivering comparable thermal performance at a more accessible price point. As a single-tower CPU cooler featuring four 6 mm direct-touch heat pipes and a 120 mm fan, it is engineered for efficient heat transfer directly from the CPU. The series is available in both black and white finishes, as well as with A-RGB options, and natively supports Intel LGA1851/LGA1700 and AMD AM5/AM4 platforms.
Where the Freezer 36 features dual P12 series fans for a balanced mix of aesthetics, noise, and performance, the Freezer 36-S adopts a more streamlined approach with a single P12 Pro fan and wire-clip mounting to reduce costs while maintaining strong cooling performance. The integrated P12 Pro is optimized for stable airflow, high static pressure, and low vibration, supported by precise balancing, an advanced bearing system, and PWM-controlled speed regulation for smooth and efficient operation.
Logitech today announced the launch of Signature Comfort Plus, the newest addition to Logitech's Signature Series of everyday tools designed for modern work and life. Signature Comfort Plus is designed for long days at the desk where work and personal tasks overlap. It reduces the small, repeated friction of constant switching between your tasks and devices, and makes work-life smoother across the day through enhanced comfort, quieter mouse clicks, and simple controls. The new comfort-focused lineup includes the Signature Comfort Plus M850 L mouse with palm cushion support and the MK880 Signature Comfort Plus combo. The lineup also includes the M840 L mouse without a palm cushion.
"People now spend long, full days at their desks, constantly moving between tasks, screens, and personal moments," said Art O'Gnimh, General Manager of Mice & Keyboard Solutions Group at Logitech. "These are tools that don't ask for attention, they give it back, removing small distractions and adding comfort so everything feels smoother and more effortless."
After a nine-month pilot turned out to be a dud, Starbucks recently decided to retire a new AI-based tool designed to ease its inventory management pains. The coffeehouse chain tried to bring more automation into its stores' beverage inventory, but it was ultimately forced to admit that human workers are...
The New York Times highlights the case of Donald Sauve, a Minnesota man who sued his ex-wife, her lawyer, and a state judge after an earlier legal challenge was rejected as frivolous. His first handwritten complaint, which sought $275,000 in damages, was dismissed in less than a month for lack...
DriftGuard first gained attention in 2024 for its work with PlayStation controllers, offering deeper calibration tools than Sony provides out of the box. Until now, DriftGuard has been far less useful on Xbox hardware because of restrictions on how calibration data is stored and accessed.
Developed by Navantia's UK arm, the Large Autonomous Surface Vessel 75, or LASV75, is aptly named. It's a 75-meter-long surface vessel designed from the keel up to operate without a crew. That puts it at roughly half the length of a Type 45 destroyer and closer to a River-class patrol...
The ROG Rapture GT-BN98 Pro has won the Category Award under Gaming & Immersive Tech as per the Computex page. ASUS's First WiFi 8 Gaming Router Wins Computex 2026 Award; ROG Rapture GT-BN98 Pro Targets Low-Latency Gaming, 8K Streaming, and AI Homes ASUS has just prepared the world's first WiFi 8 router, as appeared on the Computex website. With this innovation, ASUS is moving closer to commercializing the next-generation WiFi 8 networking as the ROG Rapture GT-BN98 Pro has been listed as the Best Choice Award Winner under the Gaming & Immersive Tech category. According to the Computex Award listing, […]
With PlayStation announcing its annual Days of Play sale will kick off tomorrow, May 27, 2026, the platform has also revealed the PS Plus Essential games for June 2026, headlined by Grounded: Fully Yoked Edition for both PS5 and PS4. The self-described "ultimate" version of the survival game from Xbox Game Studios-owned Obsidian Entertainment joins the fray, but another game added last month stays on for the FIFA World Cup. That's EA Sports FC 26, unsurprisingly. If you didn't get a chance to download it or even just add it to your library for the month of May 2026 (which […]
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Australia’s corporate watchdog has warned that fake crypto platforms pushed through WhatsApp-style “trading groups” are targeting young investors with fabricated profits, fake order books and invented withdrawal fees. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has issued a fresh scam alert…
Zcash has extended its explosive recovery after confirming a bullish Adam and Eve pattern on the weekly chart, with traders now watching a potential breakout rally toward the $900 region. Zcash (ZEC) price rose more than 110% over the past…
AI dash cams can do a lot more than capture accidents. They help fleets exonerate drivers, fight fraudulent claims, and lower insurance costs before a lawsuit ever begins.
In a new document focused on AI, ethics, and the growing power of tech companies, the Pope warned that artificial intelligence could lead to “new forms of dehumanization” if control of the technology remains in the hands of “the few”.
Steve Carrell might not be returning, but that's not true for the rest of this Netflix show's cast. But when does The Four Seasons season 2 arrive on Netflix?
Smaller Bitcoin treasury companies bought about $46 million worth of Bitcoin below $80,000 last week as the largest corporate holder paused its weekly buys.
Singapore police charge ex-Hodlnaut CEO Zhu Juntao with six counts of fraud by false representation over allegedly misleading statements on the company’s exposure to the Terra/UST crash.
Filip Werne Hermann has been appointed as the new chief executive officer (CEO) of Polar Latitudes Expeditions. He will succeed former CEO Patrick Shaw, who passed away suddenly earlier this year. His appointment will be effective August 1, 2026, according to a statement. “Speaking for all of us on the board of Directors, I first...
Samsung Electronics is gearing up to mass-produce a Physical AI chiplet platform as early as the second half of next year.
According to ETNews, the move signals something Samsung has been reluctant to attempt for years: selling the same foundry product to dozens of different customers at once.
The platform is being built with Cadence Design Systems on Samsung’s 5nm process. Tape-out, the point where a chip design gets handed off for manufacturing, is expected early next year.
Samsung’s foundry business has historically lived and died on bespoke chip orders, one fabless customer, one custom design, repeat.
The platform model flips that. It’s designed to pull in smaller Physical AI startups who can’t afford a clean-sheet chip design but still need competitive silicon.
Cadence brings the IP portfolio, and Samsung handles process optimization and manufacturing. The two companies locked in a multi-year IP deal back in June 2024.
The question isn’t whether Physical AI needs better chips. It’s whether Samsung can actually execute a platform business before someone else owns the market.
Samsung released the Galaxy S26 series in March, almost four weeks later than the Galaxy S25 series, and the delay has caused sales damage in Europe.
Analysts at Counterpoint Research reported Europe’s Q1 2026 smartphone data last week. The report suggests that sales declined 6 percent year-on-year, largely due to a deteriorating macro environment.
Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, pointed out that the launch delay between the Galaxy S26 series and Galaxy S25 series has led Samsung toward a sales decline in the Q1 2026 market in Europe.
The 2026 lineup has faced various difficulties before getting finalized. Samsung first planned to dump the Galaxy S26 Plus and bring the S26 Edge to the lineup. Meanwhile, the range has been kept intact in a last-minute decision call.
Galaxy S26 phones scored better sales than their predecessors around the world. However, the numbers aren’t actually reflected in the Q1 chart. It’s largely because of the 4-week delay in the Galaxy S26 launch.
Notably, the Counterpoint Research Weekly Smartphone Sales data showed a 4 percent increase in sales for S26 in Western Europe in the first four weeks of availability compared to the Galaxy S25 over the same time period.
Samsung’s overall smartphone shipments are declining by 12% YoY in Q1 2026. The company remained the market leader during the period, but YoY sales declined notably.
Apple had a solid Q1 2026 thanks to good growth (up 7%) in Eastern Europe and a steady trickle of users migrating to Apple from Android in Western Europe.
Sony has revealed its next set of PlayStation Plus giveaways. Coming on June 2, Grounded Fully Yoked Edition, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 and Warhammer 40,000: Darktide will be joining for all PS Plus tiers. Two of the three games will be available on the PS4 and PS5, too.
Xiaomi has started selling a new wearable outside China. A budget fitness tracker, the Smart Band 10 Pro combines a bright AMOLED display with long battery life and is even available in an optional Ceramic Edition.
Xiaomi has quietly confirmed that it will be releasing a new luxury smartwatch globally. Now listed on its global website, the Xiaomi Watch S5 combines a massive battery with a 2,500 nit AMOLED display within a 46 mm body.
Xiaomi has now released a new Poco tablet. Available internationally and outside China, the Poco Pad C1 runs HyperOS 3, has up to 6 GB of RAM and is comparatively compact thanks to a 9.7-inch display.
The upcoming Galaxy A27 is said to bring a shift to the a punch-hole display and the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 from the A26's notch and Exynos 1380. However, it seems like Samsung might've removed the microSD support and downgraded the ultrawide camera, suggesting a trade-off where modern software and platform changes are being offset by hardware cost-cutting.
TrapDoor plants 34 malicious packages across npm, PyPI, and Crates.io targeting crypto and AI developers to steal wallets, SSH keys, and cloud credentials.
Xiaomi has officially started selling a new pair of over-ear headphones. Available in two colours, the Redmi Headphones Neo retail for roughly $50 with up to 72 hours of battery life and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity at its disposal. The new headphones support Adaptive ANC and a wired audio mode too.
Asus has released a new 24-inch desktop internationally. An Apple iMac alternative, the Asus VM441 offers Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, numerous ports and an 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon X processor.
Hakan Safi'nin sabahın erken saatlerinde görüntülü konuştuğu gizemli futbolcunun profesyonelliği transferde yeni dönemin şifresi oldu. Peki, Safi'nin satır arası mesajları ne anlama geliyor?
Hakan Safi, görüntülü görüştüğü gizemli futbolcunun profesyonelliğine hayran kaldığını anlattığı bir anektod paylaştı... bu açıklamanın alt metinlerinde çok fazla şey gizli.
- Kulübün daha önce sadece ismi için transfer ettiği, ancak Türkiye’ye "tatil yapmaya ve yatıp para kazanmaya" gelmiş, motivasyonu düşük oyunculardan canı yanmış. Safi bu sözle, "Artık geçmişteki o vizyonsuz, formayı kapınca salan oyuncu hatalarını yapmıyoruz, yoğurdu üfleyerek yiyoruz" demek istiyor.
- Oyuncu ve menajeri, bu görüşmeye özel olarak hazırlanmış ve kendilerini sunuyorlar. Hatta oyuncunun antrenman yaparken bu görüşmeye dahil olması veya hemen öncesinde/sonrasında idmanda olması, kulübe karşı bir "Bakın ben çok profesyonelim, beni kaçırmayın" mesajı verme çabası. Safi, oyuncunun kulübe gelmeye ne kadar "istekli ve aç" olduğunu göstererek pazarlıklarda kulübün elinin güçlü olduğunu çıtlatıyor.
- Bu oyuncu transfer edilirse, Temmuz/Ağustos kampına göbekli, hantal ya da 1 ay boyunca hiç koşmamış şekilde gelmeyecek. Takıma katıldığı gün direkt taktik idmana çıkabilecek durumda. Bu da teknik direktöre ve yönetime şu güvenceyi veriyor: "Bu adama ekstra 1 ay kondisyon yüklemekle vakit kaybetmeyeceğiz, form tutmasını beklerken puan kayıpları yaşamayacağız.
- Lig bitmiş olabilir, rakipler tatilde olabilir, sosyal medyada taraftar "Nerede bu transferler?" diye baskı kuruyor olabilir. Safi, "Siz bizi görmüyorsunuz ama biz sabahın köründe bile mesaideyiz, arka planda arı gibi çalışıyoruz, panik yapmayın" diyerek yönetime yönelik olası "yavaşlık" veya "eylemsizlik" eleştirilerinin önünü daha başlamadan kesiyor.
- Kulübün transfer komitesi artık sadece oyuncunun YouTube videolarına, gol/asist sayılarına veya menajer önerilerine bakmıyor. Oyuncunun canlı ve anlık karakter analizini yapıyor. "Biz oyuncunun sadece ayağına değil, kafasının içine ve iş ahlakına da yatırım yapıyoruz" mesajıyla yeni transfer politikasının vizyonunu ilan ediyor.
Son dönemde yayımladığı tebrik ve teşekkür mesajlarıyla tartışılan Trabzonspor'un "bizi kutlayanı kutlarız" politikası dikkat çekiyor.
Trabzonspor Kulübü’nün resmi mecralarından yayımladığı tebrik ve teşekkür mesajları gündem olmaya devam ediyor. Özellikle Amed SK ile yaşanan polemik ve sonrasında kulübün takındığı tavır, futbolseverler tarafından yakından takip ediliyor.
Tartışmaların son halkası ise Süper Lig’e yükselme başarısı gösteren Çorum FK üzerinden yaşandı. Trabzonspor’un, Çorum FK’yı kutlamaması spor kamuoyunda soru işaretlerine neden oldu.
Trabzonspor yönetimi bu konuda net bir strateji benimsedi... Mütekabiliyet esası. Kulüp, kendisini başarılarından dolayı tebrik eden camiaları kutlarken, sessiz kalan kulüplere karşı aynı şekilde karşılık vermeyi tercih ediyor. Şu an itibarıyla Bordo-mavili kulüpte "bize adım atana adım atarız" anlayışının hakim olduğu net bir şekilde hissediliyor.
Fenerbahçe başkan adayı Aziz Yıldırım, seçim çalışmaları kapsamında gideceği Kapalıçarşı ziyaretini, ezeli rakibinin bayrakları altında yürümek istemediği için son anda iptal etti.
Fenerbahçe’de yaklaşan başkanlık seçimi öncesi çalışmalarını hız kesmeden sürdüren başkan adayı Aziz Yıldırım'ın Kapalıçarşı’ya gerçekleştirdiği ziyaret iptal oldu.
Yıldırım’ın, çarşı içerisindeki Galatasaray bayraklarının altında yürümek istemediği için programını yarıda kestiği iddia edildi.
Sosyal medyada paylaşılan görüntüler ve iddialara göre; Aziz Yıldırım, Kapalıçarşı içerisinde Süper Lig şampiyonluğu kutlamaları kapsamında asılan çok sayıda Galatasaray bayrağını gördü. Ezeli rakibin bayraklarının altından geçmek ve o alanda yürümek istemeyen Yıldırım, çarşı içindeki yürüyüş rotasını değiştirerek ziyaretini planlanandan erken tamamladı ve alanı terk etti.
Fenerbahçe başkanlık yarışı öncesinde tansiyon yükselirken, Aziz Yıldırım cephesinden konuya ilişkin henüz resmi bir açıklama gelmedi.
Fenerbahçe'de kongre heyecanı devam ederken, yeni yönetimi Avrupa'da tarihi bir fırsat bekliyor. Şampiyonlar Ligi ön eleme turlarındaki rakiplerin netleşmesiyle birlikte, yeni başkanın koltuktaki ilk büyük sınavı Devler Ligi vizesi almak olacak.
Avrupa arenasındaki iddiasını kanıtlamak isteyen Fenerbahçe’nin, UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi’ne katılabilmek için geçmesi gereken turlar ve bu turlardaki muhtemel rakipleri netleşti. Sarı-lacivertliler, grup aşamasına kalabilmek için üç zorlu aşamayı geride bırakmak zorunda.
Fenerbahçe, Şampiyonlar Ligi macerasına 2. Ön Eleme Turu'ndan başlayacak. Bu turda sarı-lacivertlileri nispeten daha rahat ama dikkat edilmesi gereken rakipler bekliyor.
Heart (İskoçya)
Gornik Zabrze (Polonya)
Fenerbahçe, ilk turu geçmesi halinde çok daha dinamik ve sert takımlarla kozlarını paylaşacak. 3. Ön Eleme Turu'ndaki muhtemel rakipler şu şekilde:
Union Saint-Gilloise (Belçika)
Sturm Graz (Avusturya)
NEC Nijmegen (Hollanda)
Sparta Prag (Çekya)
Sarı-lacivertlilerin Şampiyonlar Ligi müziğini Kadıköy'de çalabilmesi için önündeki son engel ise Play-Off Turu olacak. Bu turda Avrupa tecrübesi yüksek ekipler dikkat çekiyor:
Fenerbahçe'de görevi devretmeye hazırlanan Sadettin Saran'ın listesindeki futboldan sorumlu yönetici Ertan Torunoğulları; Mohamed Salah ve Serhou Guirassy ile anlaştıklarını açıklayarak, tüm detayları karar vermeleri için Aziz Yıldırım ve Hakan Safi'ye ilettiklerini duyurdu.
Fenerbahçe’de başkanlık seçimi öncesi sıcak saatler yaşanırken, görevi devretmeye hazırlanan Sadettin Saran listesinin futboldan sorumlu yöneticisi Ertan Torunoğulları’ndan gündemi sarsacak transfer açıklamaları geldi.
Torunoğulları, dünya yıldızları Mohamed Salah ve Serhou Guirassy ile görüşmeler yaptıklarını ve prensipte anlaştıklarını duyurdu.
- Hem Mohamed Salah hem de Serhou Guirassy ile görüşmeler yaptık, belli konularda anlaştık. Anlaşma ve görüşme detaylarını Aziz bey ve Hakan beye ilettik. Kararı kendileri verecektir.
Saran ekibinin yürüttüğü bu gizli operasyonun ardından gözler, seçim yarışında olan adaylara çevrildi. Liverpool ile sözleşme durumundan dolayı dünya basınının da radarında olan Mısırlı yıldız Mohamed Salah ve Bundesliga'da gol krallığı yarışında adından söz ettiren Serhou Guirassy transferlerinin gerçekleşip gerçekleşmeyeceği, seçilecek yeni başkan ve yönetim kurulunun vereceği son karara göre netlik kazanacak.
Fenerbahçe'de başkan adayı Aziz Yıldırım, teknik direktör bilmecesine son noktayı koydu! Mevcut yönetime sert eleştiriler yönelten ve "Bu benim son adaylığım" diyen Yıldırım, yeni sezonun hocasını esprili ama iddialı bir mesajla duyurdu: "Hoca benim, herkes rahat olsun!"
Fenerbahçe’de yaklaşan seçim öncesi başkan adayı Aziz Yıldırım önüne gelen yere açıklamalarda bulunmaya devam ediyor.
Mevcut yönetimi kadro kalitesi üzerinden eleştiren Yıldırım; transfer planlarından teknik direktör konusuna, kendi geleceğinden kulübün mali hamlelerine kadar birçok konuda iddialı mesajlar verdi.
- Bu benim son başkan adaylığım, bir daha kesinlikle aday olmayacağım. Bunu net bir şekilde söyleyeyim. Benim, Fenerbahçe Başkanlığı'na ihtiyacım yok.
- Karşı adayı seçerseniz 4 ay sonra yine kongre olur, bu kez de ben olmam. Uyarayım" ifadelerini kullanarak mevcut yönetimin kulübü erken bir seçime sürükleyeceği iddiasında bulundu.
- Benden sonraki 8 senede, benim 2015’te aldığım oyuncu kalitesinde hiçbir oyuncu alınmadı.
- Şampiyonlar Ligi'ne kalacak bir takım kuracağız. Geçmişte yıldız oyuncu almak için 80 milyon dolar teminat verdim, yine aynı istekle yapacağız transferleri.
- Anlaştığımız 1 oyuncunun çıkış maddesi var. Onu yatırıp alabiliriz.
- Ederson'u dinleyeceğiz. Onu rahatlatmak lazım. Ederson'un sıkıntısı biraz da defanstan kaynaklandı. Ayak kalitesi çok iyi bir kaleci, onu kullanamadık.
Teknik direktör konusundaki belirsizliklere ve iddialara esprili ama kendinden emin bir yanıt veren Aziz Yıldırım, gülerek, "Hoca benim, herkes rahat olsun" ifadesini kullandı.
Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe'ye oranla Rafael Leão transferinde ilk ve en somut adımı atan kulüp olarak masadaki yerini aldı.
Galatasaray'ın Fenerbahçe'de başkan adayı Hakan Safi'nin gözdesi Rafael Leão’yu kadrosuna katmak için resmen devreye girdiği iddia edildi.
Ünlü transfer bombacıları Fabrizio Romano ve Matteo Moretto’nun geçtiği bilgilere göre, transfer kulislerini sallayan gelişmenin detayları verdi.
Romano'nun aktardığı bilgilere göre Galatasaray, Rafael Leão için şu ana kadar gerçekten harekete geçen ilk kulüp oldu. Sarı-kırmızılı yönetim, Portekizli yıldıza ilk teklif taslağını iletti. Hatta oyuncu cephesine kısa süre önce sözlü bir teklifin de sunulduğu ve Galatasaray'ın bu transfer için en ciddi şekilde bastıran kulüplerin başında geliyor.
Moretto’nun paylaştığı detaylara göre ise Galatasaray’ın ilgisi somut olsa da transfer şu an için Leão’nun önceliği durumunda değil. Yıldız oyuncunun temkinli yaklaşmasının arkasında birkaç önemli neden bulunuyor.
Leão, öncelikle Milan’ın yeni teknik direktörünün kim olacağını görmek istiyor. Portekizli oyuncu, Avrupa’nın diğer devlerinden gelebilecek olası teklifleri de değerlendirmeyi amaçlıyor. Önümüzdeki süreçte düzenlenecek olan Dünya Kupası, oyuncunun bekleme kararında büyük bir rol oynuyor.
Rafael Leao, instagram hesabından yaptığı paylaşımla Milan'a veda sinyali verdi:
“Bu, fiziksel ve psikolojik durumumu sonuna kadar test eden bir sezondu ve bunu benimle yakından yaşayanlar ne kadar zor olduğunu bilir.
Umarım Milan gelecek sezonda yeniden mutluluk ve zafer dolu günler yaşar.”
Galatasaray'ın milli yıldızı Yunus Akgün, A Milli Takım kampında Fenerbahçe'nin puan kaybettiği maçı izlerken yaşanan çılgın sevinci itiraf etti.
Galatasaray’ın milli futbolcusu Yunus Akgün, kulübün YouTube Katıl kanalında yayınlanan özel programda samimi ve eğlenceli açıklamalarda bulundu.
Akgün, ezeli rakipleri Fenerbahçe’nin Rizespor ile oynadığı ve puan kaybettiği maç esnasında millî takım kampında yaşanan futbolcu reaksiyonlarını ilk kez anlattı.
Odada yaşanan heyecan dolu ve kaotik anları aktaran genç oyuncu, takım arkadaşları Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Eren Elmalı, Uğurcan Çakır ve Barış Alper Yılmaz’ın sevinçlerini esprili bir dille paylaştı.
Maçın başlarında umutsuzluğa kapıldığını belirten Yunus Akgün, Fenerbahçe’nin öne geçmesiyle odada yaşananları şu sözlerle özetledi:
- Fenerbahçe, Rizespor maçında öne geçmişti. Eren (Elmalı) sinirlenip odaya geçti. Abdülkerim ağabeye 'Ben gidiyorum' dedi. Abdülkerim ağabey ise 'Sakın gitme, yine son dakika gol yiyecekler' diyerek onu durdurdu. Ben tamamen umutsuzdum.
Rizespor’un beraberlik golünün gelmesiyle odadaki atmosferin bir anda adeta bir tribüne dönüştüğünü söyleyen Akgün, sevinç anlarını şu sözlerle aktardı:
- Gol 1-1 oldu, odada yaklaşık 30 kişi falanız. Bağırmaktan tansiyonum düştü. Bir an soluma baktım; Abdülkerim ağabey ve Uğurcan (Çakır) sandalyeyi kapmış, ellerinde sandalyeyle koşuyorlar!
- Barış Alper tişörtünü çıkartmış, öyle bir coşku yok. Nasıl sevindiğimizi inan hatırlamıyorum.
Galatasaray'ın yıldız savunmacısı Abdülkerim Bardakcı'nın Beşiktaş derbisine dair yaptığı açıklamalar sarı-kırmızılı camiada eğlence konusu oldu.
Galatasaray'ın başarılı stoperi Abdülkerim Bardakcı, kulübün resmi YouTube Katıl kanalına verdiği özel röportajda, Beşiktaş ile deplasmanda oynadıkları ve galip geldikleri derbi maçına dair çok konuşulacak eğlenceli bir anısını paylaştı.
Mücadele sırasında Beşiktaş'ın forvet hattına karşı kurduğu üstünlüğü anlatan milli savunmacı, takım arkadaşı Yunus Akgün ile devre arasında soyunma odasında yaşadığı diyalogla izleyenleri güldürdü.
- Beşiktaş deplasmanında galip geldiğimiz maçta Oh santrfor oynuyordu. Maç içinde ona 6 top geldiyse, 5'ini ben aldım. Sadece bir kere pozisyon oldu, onda da rakip dönmeyi başardı.
- Devre arasında soyunma odasına girdik. Yunus yanıma gelip, 'Abi nasıl döndü ama?' dedi. Ben de şaşırarak, 'Ya dedim, bütün maç içinden onu mu seçtin?' ifadelerini kullandım.
-Kaptanlık yapmak normalde zordur. Büyük takımlarda, yıldızların olduğu yerde kaptanlık yapmak çok zordur. Tabii ben ikinci kaptanım, Mauro var birinci kaptan. Ben ona elimden geldiğince yardım ediyorum. Ama kimse zorluk çıkartmıyor.
- Herkes kendi halinde zaten işini yapıyor. Herkes çok profesyonel. Zorluk çıkartıldığı zaman Yunus kardeşim yardımcı oluyor (Gülerek). Çocuklarım ilerde 'Babam Galatasaray'ın kaptanıydı' diyecekler. Benim için büyük gurur... Liverpool'u senede iki kere kim yenmiş? Biz yendik evet!
Noa Lang, Elf Voetbal'a gündemi sarsacak bir röportaj verdi! RAMS Park'taki atmosferden Galatasaray'daki antrenman kalitesine kadar çarpıcı detaylar paylaşan Lang, İtalya futboluna ağır benzetmelerde bulunurken, Okan Buruk, Osimhen ve Leroy Sané hakkında da ezber bozan ifadeler kullandı.
Galatasaray’dan ayrılan Noa Lang, Elf Voetbal’a verdiği özel röportajda çok konuşulacak açıklamalara imza attı. RAMS Park’taki büyüleyici atmosferden Okan Buruk’un kendisine verdiği özgürlüğe, Osimhen ve Leroy Sané’li rüya kadrodan İtalya Ligi'ne yönelik ağır eleştirilerine kadar çarpıcı ifadeler kullanan Lang, "Galatasaray devasa bir kulüp, bunu deneyimlemeyi çok istiyordum" dedi.
Sarı-kırmızılı kulübün büyüklüğüne vurgu yapan Noa Lang, Türkiye'deki günlerinden büyülenmiş durumda.
- Galatasaray devasa bir kulüp! Kulübün 30 milyon taraftarı var ve bünyesinde birçok farklı spor branşı barındırıyor. Gerçekten muazzam bir büyüklükten bahsediyoruz. Kariyerimde bunu deneyimlemeyi çok istiyordum ve şu an buradayım.
- Bize karşı oynamaya gelen her takım bu atmosferden etkilendi. Galatasaray'da atmosfer eşsiz, dünya üzerinde bir benzeri daha yok! Liverpool'u ilk maçta 1-0 yenmemiz kesinlikle tesadüf değildi. Juventus oyuncuları da stadımızdaki atmosferden çok etkilenmişti. Hatta maçtan sonra Koopmeiners ile konuştuk; o da büyüleyici atmosferden son derece yoğun etkilendiğini itiraf etti.
- Kadromuzu sakın unutmayın, burada inanılmaz bir kalite var. Victor Osimhen'in antrenmanlardaki hareketleri, yaptıkları gerçekten çok etkileyici. Aynı şey Leroy Sané ve diğer oyuncularımız için de geçerli. Florya'da her antrenmanda seviye çok ama çok yüksek.
- Türk ligi bana çok uyuyor. Oyun sürekli gidip geliyor, tempo her zaman çok yüksek. Okan Buruk bana saha içinde çok fazla özgürlük veriyor ve ben de bu sayede en iyi performansımı sergiliyorum. Bana çok fazla taktiksel talimat verilmemeli, ben özgürlüğe ihtiyaç duyan bir oyuncuyum. Bu özgürlüğü bulunca hücum edecek alanları ve boş koşu koridorlarını rahatça değerlendiriyorum.
- İtalya Ligi (Serie A) ise çok daha farklı ve aşırı taktikseldi. Bazen maçlarda yarım saat boyunca sahada hiçbir şey olmuyordu. Şahsen bir televizyon izleyicisi olsam, o sırada sıkıntıdan neden başka bir kanala geçmediğimi kendime sorardım, anlayamazdım.
Manchester United'ın efsane ismi Patrice Evra, İngiliz devinin gol yollarındaki krizini çözecek ismi Victor Osimhen olarak açıkladı!
Manchester United’ın efsane sol beki Patrice Evra, Victor Osimhen hayranlığını gizlemedi. GOAL'e konuşan Evra, Nijeryalı yıldız forvetin Manchester United'a seviye atlatacağını belirterek kulüp yönetimine açık bir transfer çağrısında bulundu.
- Victor Osimhen'i çok seviyorum. Manchester United kadrosunun faydalanabileceği türde bir kişiliğe ve karizmaya sahip. Kulüp yönetiminin onun için harekete geçmesini çok isterim. Bence o tam da ihtiyacımız olan kişi.
The Samsung Galaxy A27, which we've been hearing about since last year, is expected to arrive in H2 2026. There's no word from Samsung about its launch date yet, but we know what it will look like, thanks to previously leaked renders. Now, we are looking at some more renders of the Galaxy A27 from the same source, OnLeaks, showing the smartphone in new colors.
The new renders show the Samsung Galaxy A27 in Light Pink, Blue, and Black, corroborating previous design leaks.
The full specs of the Samsung Galaxy A27 have also been leaked by the folks at MyMobiles, who claim to have seen...
Ahead of its launch in a few days, Xiaomi has confirmed a few key features of the 17T Pro. The upcoming lineup will include the Xiaomi 17T and Xiaomi 17T Pro, both of which have already been the subject of several leaks.
The Xiaomi 17T Pro headed to global markets has been confirmed to pack a 7,000mAh silicon-carbon battery.
Xiaomi also claims that the 17T Pro can deliver up to 9.5 hours of continuous video recording on a single charge. However, the company has yet to reveal the phone’s charging specifications.
In addition to confirming the battery details, Xiaomi announced that...
Vedat Muriqi, kulübü Mallorca'nın küme düşmesiyle ilgili sosyal medya hesabından açıklama yaptı ve takımın hak ettiği La Liga'ya geri döneceğini söyledi.
Geçtiğimiz sezon başında Beşiktaş'tan ayrılarak Spartak Moskova'nın yolunu tutan Portekizli orta saha oyuncusu Gedson Fernandes, yaz transfer döneminde Süper Lig'e geri dönebilir. İşte detaylar...
Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünü 8-ci sırada bitirmiş “Şamaxı” daha 5 futbolçusu ilə yollarını ayırıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə əyalət klubunun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
Xəbərdə bildirilir ki, Emil Süleymanov, Ramiz Muradov, Davud Mənsumov, Abdulla Rzayev və Səlim Həşimov ilə icarə müqavilələrinin müddəti başa çatıb. Bu üzdən də həmin futbolçular məxsus olduqları klublarına qayıdıblar. “Şamaxı” onlara göstərdiyi xidmətlərə görə təşəkkür edib, gələcək karyeralarında uğurlar arzulayıb.
Xatırladaq ki, əyalət təmsilçisi daha öncə Karim Rossi və Rüfət Abbasovla da vidalaşdığını rəsmən açıqlamışdı. Bundan öncə isə klub baş məşqçi Ayxan Abbasov və onun köməkçiləri (Elnur Çodarov, Xəyal Qarayev, Vüsal Qarayev, Kamil Qafarov, Anar Vəliyev və Əyyub Əliyev) ilə yollarını ayırmışdı.
Bu gün AFFA İntizam Komitəsinin növbəti iclası keçirilib, Əvəzedicilər Liqasında mövsümün sonuncu – 27-ci turu ilə bağlı bəzi qərarlar qəbul edilib.
Arena.az AFFA-nın rəsmi saytına istinadən həmin qərarların siyahısını təqdim edir:
“Neftçi-2” – “Şamaxı-2” oyununun 33-cü dəqiqəsində “Şamaxı”nın futbolçusu Həbib İsmayılov hakimin qərarına etiraza görə ikinci sarıdan qırmızı vərəqə aldığı üçün 1 oyunluq cəza alıb. “Şamaxı-2” buna görə 250 manat cərimə edilib.
“Araz-Naxçıvan-2” – “Sabah-2” oyununda “Araz-Naxçıvan”ın 4 futbolçusu sarı vərəqə aldığı üçün Naxçıvan komandası 70 manat cərimə edilib. Oyun bitəndən sonra “Araz-Naxçıvan”ın futbolçusu İbrahim Piriyev təcavüzkar davranışa görə birbaşa qırmızı vərəqə aldığı üçün 3 oyunluq cəza alıb. Naxçıvan komandası buna görə 300 manat cərimə edilib. Oyunun 32-ci dəqiqəsində “Sabah”ın futbolçusu Ramil Nuraxmedov qeyri-etik ifadə və ya hərəkətə görə birbaşa qırmızı vərəqə aldığı üçün 3 oyunluq cəza alıb. “Sabah-2” buna görə 800 manat cərimə edilib. Oyun bitəndən sonra “Sabah”ın futbolçusu Həmzəalı Mikayılov təcavüzkar davranışa görə birbaşa qırmızı vərəqə aldığı üçün 3 oyunluq cəza alıb. “Sabah-2” buna görə 300 manat cərimə edilib.
“Sumqayıt-2” – “Turan Tovuz-2” oyununda “Sumqayıt”ın 4 futbolçusu sarı vərəqə aldığı üçün Sumqayıt komandası 70 manat cərimə edilib.
Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında mübarizə aparan “Neftçi” futbolçuları Vensan Abubakar, Edvin Kuç və Kristian Kostinlə yollarını ayırıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə “ağ-qaralar”ın mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
Hər üç oyunçunun müqaviləsinin müddəti bu yay başa çatırdı. Klub onlarla yeni müqavilə bağlamağa ehtiyac duymayıb.
Paytaxt klubu hər üç oyunçuya təşəkkür edib, gələcək karyeralarında uğurlar arzulayıb.
Xatırladaq ki, 2025-ci ilin oktyabrında transfer olunmuş Vensan Abubakar “ağ-qaralar”ın heyətində 18 rəsmi matç keçirib, 9 qol vurub. O, Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında meydana çıxdığı 16 oyunda 7 qola imza atmaqla ortalama qol sayına görə 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün ən yaxşılarındandır.
2024-cü ilin yayında transfer olunmuş Edvin Kuç “ağ-qaralar”ın heyətində 44 rəsmi oyun keçirib, 1 qol vurub.
Kristian Kostin isə 2025-ci ilin yayından bu yana formasını geyindiyi “Neftçi”də cəmi 7 rəsmi matça çıxıb.
Bu gün AFFA İntizam Komitəsinin növbəti iclası keçirilib, Birinci Liqada mövsümün sonuncu – 27-ci turu ilə bağlı bəzi qərarlar qəbul edilib.
Arena.az AFFA-nın rəsmi saytına istinadən həmin qərarların siyahısını təqdim edir:
MOİK – “Difai” oyununda MOİK-in 4 futbolçusu sarı vərəqə aldığı üçün sözügedən komanda 210 manat cərimə edilib.
“Zaqatala” – “Şəfa” oyununda “Şəfa”nın 5 futbolçusu sarı vərəqə aldığı üçün sözügedən komanda 210 manat cərimə edilib.
“Mingəçevir” – “Səbail” oyununda “Səbail”in 4 futbolçusu sarı vərəqə aldığı üçün sözügedən komanda 210 manat cərimə edilib. “Səbail”in futbolçusu Fəxri Məmmədli təcavüzkar davranışa görə birbaşa qırmızı vərəqə aldığı üçün 3 oyunluq cəza alıb. “Səbail” buna görə 900 manat cərimə edilib. Oyunun 84-cü dəqiqəsində “Səbail”in futbolçusu Lətif Rzayev ikinci sarıdan qırmızı vərəqə aldığı üçün 1 oyunluq cəza alıb. “Səbail” buna görə 150 manat cərimə edilib. “Səbail”in məşqçisi İlyas Qurbanov hakimin qərarına etiraza görə ikinci sarıdan qırmızı vərəqə aldığı üçün 1 oyunluq cəza alıb. “Səbail” buna görə də 750 manat cərimə ödəyəcək.
Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında uğursuz mövsüm keçirmiş “Araz-Naxçıvan” baş məşqçisi Andrey Demçenko ilə yollarını ayırıb.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə Naxçıvan təmsilçisi rəsmi saytı vasitəsilə məlumat yayıb.
Ukraynalı mütəxəssisin müqaviləsinin müddəti başa çatıb. Tərəflər yeni müqavilə bağlamağa ehtiyac duymayıblar.
Xatırladaq ki, Andrey Demçenko 2026-cı ilin yanvar ayında bu vəzifəyə təyin olunmuşdu. Komanda onun rəhbərliyi altında 17 rəsmi oyun keçirib. Bu matçlardan 6-da qələbə qazanıb, 2-də heç-heçə edib, 9 məğlubiyyətə üzülüb.
“Araz-Naxçıvan” Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünü 33 oyuna topladığı 46 xalla 6-cı pillədə başa vurub.
Məşqçilik fəaliyyətinə 2011-ci ildə başlamış Andrey Demçenko vətənində “İmeks”, “Metallurq” (Zaporoje), “Veres”, “Lvov”, “Metallist 1925”, “Bukovina” klublarında baş məşqçi kimi çalışıb. O, müxtəlif illərdə Özbəkistanın “Obod”, həmçinin Gürcüstanın “Dila” və “Dinamo” (Batumi) komandalarına da rəhbərlik edib. 50 yaşlı mütəxəssis Bakıya gələnə qədər Qazaxıstan “Jenis”inin baş məşqçisi olub.
Bu həftə Xorvatiyanın Poreç şəhərində çimərlik güləşi üzrə 2 beynəlxalq yarış keçiriləcək.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, sabah U17 yaş qrupu üzrə Avropa çempionatı baş tutacaq. Qitə birinciliyində baş məşqçi Oyan Nəzərianinin rəhbərliyi altında Əlirza Heybətli, Elcan Həsənov (hər ikisi 60 kq), Rəşad Əliyev (70 kq), Elvin Hacıquliyev, Ruslan Vəliyev (hər ikisi 80 kq), Möhlət Qasımov və Tural Eynullayev (90 kq) uğur qazanmağa çalışacaq.
Mayın 30-31-də isə böyüklər qum üzərinə çıxacaq. Dünya Seriyasının II mərhələsində baş məşqçi Oyan Nəzəriani və məşqçi kimi yarışda debüt edəcək İbrahim Yusubovun rəhbərliyi altında Rübail İbrahimli (70 kq), Sahib Dadaşov (80 kq), Vüsal Əliyev (80 kq), Əşrəf Aşırov (90 kq) və İslam İlyasov (+90 kq) mübarizə aparacaq.
Hər iki yarışda I-S dərəcəli hakim Sədi Quliyev ədaləti qoruyacaq.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, toplantıda I Liqanın XXVII turunun oyunları ilə bağlı aşağıdakı qərarlar qəbul edilib:
21 may 2026-cı il tarixində I Liqada XXVII turun MOİK – “Difai” oyununda MOİK komandasının 4 futbolçusu sarı vərəqə aldığı üçün MOİK komandası 210 manat cərimə edilsin (maddə 43.1);
22 may 2026-cı il tarixində I Liqada XXVII turun “Zaqatala” – “Şəfa” oyununda “Şəfa” komandasının 5 futbolçusu sarı vərəqə aldığı üçün “Şəfa” komandası 210 manat cərimə edilsin (maddə 43.1);
22 may 2026-cı il tarixində I Liqada XXVII turun “Mingəçevir” – “Səbail” oyununda “Səbail” komandasının 4 futbolçusu sarı vərəqə aldığı üçün “Səbail” komandası 210 manat cərimə edilsin (maddə 43.1);
22 may 2026-cı il tarixində I Liqada XXVII turun “Mingəçevir” – “Səbail” oyununun 77-ci dəqiqəsində “Səbail” komandasının 15 nömrəli futbolçusu Fəxri Məmmədli təcavüzkar davranışa görə birbaşa qırmızı vərəqə aldığı üçün 3 oyun oyuna buraxılmasın, “Səbail” komandası 900 manat cərimə edilsin (maddə 45.1);
22 may 2026-cı il tarixində I Liqada XXVII turun “Mingəçevir” – “Səbail” oyununun 84-cü dəqiqəsində “Səbail” komandasının 27 nömrəli futbolçusu Lətif Rzayev ikinci sarıdan qırmızı vərəqə aldığı üçün 1 oyun oyuna buraxılmasın, “Səbail” komandası 150 manat cərimə edilsin (maddə 17.5, 17.7);
22 may 2026-cı il tarixində I Liqada XXVII turun “Mingəçevir” – “Səbail” oyununun 86-cı dəqiqəsində “Səbail” komandasının məşqçisi İlyas Qurbanov hakimin qərarına etiraza görə ikinci sarıdan qırmızı vərəqə aldığı üçün 1 oyun oyuna buraxılmasın, “Səbail” komandası 750 manat cərimə edilsin (maddə 51.2);
“Şamaxı”nın 5 futbolçusu komandadan ayrılıb. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, Emil Süleymanov, Ramiz Muradov, Davud Mənsumov, Abdulla Rzayev və Səlim Həşimov […]
Mayın 28-də 21 yaşadək futbolçulardan ibarət Azərbaycan millisinin açıq məşqi və baş məşqçinin iştirakı ilə brifinq təşkil olunacaq. Msport.az xəbər […]
Silvio Baldini has named his 24-man Italy squad for June friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece, but four more players will be training with the Azzurri in Coverciano in the coming days.
Italy are due to face Luxembourg on June 3 and Greece on June 7 in the last games of the season, after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: General view inside the stadium prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Baldini adds four players for Italy training sessions
As confirmed by the Italian FA, four more players will join the Azzurri at Coverciano over the next few days to prepare for the upcoming friendlies.
They are Tommaso Berti (Cesena), Niccolò Fortini (Fiorentina), Gabriele Guarino (Empoli), and Dominic Vavassori (Atalanta), who will train with the rest of the team from Thursday, May 28, to Sunday, May 31.
CREMONA, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Coach Silvio Baldini of Italy reacts during the UEFA Euro U21 Qualification match between Italy and Armenia at Stadio Giovanni Zini on October 14, 2025 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
Italy players will arrive in Coverciano on May 28 to begin preparations for the upcoming friendlies.
Italy’s last appearance at the World Cup was 12 years ago during Brazil 2014.
Scott McTominay is set to appear on a limited-edition £20 bank note after the Bank of Scotland unveiled a special design inspired by the Napoli midfielder’s famous overhead kick for Scotland against Denmark, the goal that helped seal the nation’s first World Cup qualification in 28 years.
The note commemorates Scotland’s dramatic 4-2 victory at Hampden Park last November, which sent the country to the 2026 World Cup for the first time since France 1998. McTominay’s acrobatic finish that evening has already been cemented in Scottish football folklore, and the bank has now immortalised it in banknote form.
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Scott McTominay of Napoli SSC reacts during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SSC Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 12, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
McTominay pride as limited edition bank note raises money for homeless charity
“Moments like that belong to everyone who follows the team, so seeing my goal featured on a Scottish banknote feels incredibly special,” he said. “Being able to work with Bank of Scotland to turn it into something that also supports Crisis, and the work they do to tackle homelessness, makes me even more proud.”
Bank of Scotland’s Scottish executive committee chair Emma Noble was equally effusive. “Scott’s overhead kick is already regarded as one of the nation’s greatest ever goals,” she said. “It has been a privilege to work with him to bring it to life in such a unique way.”
Just 100 notes have been produced, with 50 available to the public through collector auctions and a prize draw, both running until June 26. Proceeds will support Crisis Scotland, a charity tackling homelessness.
“It’s a bit surreal to be honest”
Scott McTominay reacts to having his bicycle kick honoured by the Bank of Scotland on a £20 note pic.twitter.com/GiX6hUWwJD
Silvio Baldini’s Italy squad for June friendlies will be filled with debutants at a senior level, 19 out of 24, and almost half of the players have never played a Serie A game.
Italy are sadly preparing for June friendly games against Luxembourg and Greece after missing out on World Cup qualification.
Caretaker coach Silvio Baldini named his 24-man squad list on Monday, only including one established player, captain Gianluigi Donnarumma and a few emerging young talents who already have international experience, such as Marco Palestra and Francesco Pio Esposito.
Donnarumma, Palestra and Esposito are also among the 13 players in the Italy squad to have played at least one game in Serie A.
The others are Honest Ahanor, Davide Bartesaghi, Pietro Comuzzo, Luca Lipani, Cher Ndour, Niccolò Pisilli, Lorenzo Venturino, Francesco Camarda, Jeff Ekhator, and Seydou Fini.
There are three players from Borussia Dortmund: Filippo Mane, Luca Reggiani and Samuele Inacio. They might not have Serie A experience, but they’ve all made their Bundesliga debut this season. Reggiani and Inacio have also scored their first goal in the Bundesliga this term.
DORTMUND, GERMANY – MAY 08: Samuele Inacio of Borussia Dortmund celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt at Signal Iduna Park on May 08, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Leon Kügeler/Getty Images)
Of the 24 players in the Azzurri squad, 19 have been called up for the first time at a senior level, and the team’s average age is 20 years and 6 months. Among them, only four have already made at least one appearance with La Nazionale at a senior level: Donnarumma, Palestra, Pisilli and Esposito.
Italy will visit Luxembourg on Wednesday, June 3 and then travel to Greece for the final game of the season on Sunday, June 7.
Italy squad for June 2026 friendlies
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 08: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on February 08, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Goalkeepers:Giovanni Daffara (Avellino), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Lorenzo Palmisani (Frosinone);
Defenders: Honest Ahanor (Atalanta), Davide Bartesaghi (Milan), Fabio Chiarodia (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Pietro Comuzzo (Fiorentina), Costantino Favasuli (Catanzaro), Filippo Mane (Borussia Dortmund), Marco Palestra (Cagliari), Luca Reggiani (Borussia Dortmund);
Midfielders: Matteo Dagasso (Venezia), Giacomo Faticanti (Juventus), Luca Lipani (Sassuolo), Cher Ndour (Fiorentina), Niccolò Pisilli (Roma), Lorenzo Venturino (Roma);
Forwards: Francesco Camarda (Lecce), Luigi Cherubini (Sampdoria), Jeff Ekhator (Genoa), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Seydou Fini (Frosinone), Samuele Inacio (Borussia Dortmund), Luca Koleosho (Paris FC).
According to La Repubblica, Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti is eager to reunite with Mohamed Salah in Turin and is pushing for the Liverpool star’s move alongside Alisson, but the Bianconeri are also interested in Andrew Robertson.
Juventus coach Spalletti aims to reunite with Salah, a former player from his time at Roma.
LEEDS, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool warms up as a substitute during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road on December 06, 2025 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
According to Repubblica, Spalletti hopes to persuade the 33-year-old to move to the Allianz Stadium, potentially through Alisson’s influence.
Repubblica: Spalletti wants to bring Salah to Juventus
The Brazilian keeper is in advanced talks with Juventus, but while Repubblica reports that his move to Turin is practically a done deal, other media outlets, such as Tuttosport, claim that the Reds are still assessing their goalkeeper, who has one year left on his contract at Anfield.
LEEDS, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road on December 06, 2025 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Salah, on the other hand, has already agreed to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, and Repubblica notes that the Bianconeri will have time to negotiate with the Egyptian star, who will pick his new club after the World Cup.
Juventus have also sent an offer to outgoing Liverpool defender Andy Robertson, yet according to Repubblica and Gianluca Di Marzio, Tottenham are by far the favourites to secure his signature.
According to Milannews, Gerry Cardinale has openly admitted that Rafael Leao can leave in the summer, upsetting the Portuguese winger, who is currently unwilling to consider offers from Turkey or the Saudi Pro League.
Milanews reports that Milan winger Leao is dissatisfied with Cardinale’s recent comments to some members of the Italian press during a meeting in Milan on Monday.
Latest updates on Leao’s transfer
According to the report, Cardinale answered questions ‘off the record’ about Milan’s future plans, admitting that Leao is no longer part of the Rossoneri’s project.
epa10157496 AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale (R) before the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and FC Inter Milan at Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan, Italy, 03 September 2022. EPA-EFE/ROBERTO BREGANI
Milannews reports that Leao was disappointed to hear the club owner’s stance, yet the Portuguese is currently focused on the World Cup, after which he’ll decide his future.
Red Bird’s Senior Advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the only survivor of the club’s major overhaul, which saw Milan part ways with coach Massimiliano Allegri and directors Giorgio Furlani, Igli Tare and Geoffrey Moncada.
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 26: Rafael Leao of AC Milan warms up prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Leao has two years left in his contract at San Siro and both Gazzetta and Milannews report that the 26-year-old has attracted interest from Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.
According to Gazzetta, Galatasaray are ready to offer a €10m-a-year contract, but Milannews suggests that Leao is currently unwilling to consider offers outside the top five European leagues, especially the English Premier League and Spain’s La Liga.
Tottenham are reportedly ready to revive their interest in Manchester City winger Savinho, with a potential £60 million move being discussed ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to Daily Mail, Spurs tried to sign the Brazilian last summer and also looked at him again in January, but a deal never got over the line.
Now, after a miserable campaign in which Tottenham narrowly avoided relegation, the club appear ready to go back in for the 22-year-old as part of a major rebuild under Roberto De Zerbi.
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Savinho’s situation at Man City is interesting because he has never really kicked on in the way many expected.
He arrived with a big reputation after impressing at Girona, but the 2025-26 season was frustrating.
Savinho has struggled at Man City under Guardiola
Reports claim he managed only seven Premier League starts, with injuries and competition for places limiting his impact.
That is probably why Tottenham feel there may be an opening.
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City have plenty of attacking options, and with Antoine Semenyo reportedly arriving, Savinho could find himself even further down the pecking order.
There is also uncertainty around how City will look under incoming boss Enzo Maresca after Pep Guardiola’s exit, so the player may have to decide whether he wants to fight for his place or become a key figure somewhere else.
For Tottenham, the interest makes sense. Their wide areas badly need more spark.
Injuries to players like Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert hurt them badly, and at times Spurs had to use players out of position on the flanks.
Savinho would bring pace, flair and natural one-v-one ability, which is exactly the sort of thing De Zerbi usually likes in wide players.
Spurs need players with upside, not just safe signings. Savinho has the raw ability to become a star if he gets regular minutes and confidence.
At City, he may remain a rotation player. At Tottenham, he could become one of the main attacking pieces.
The key is whether Spurs are buying potential or paying superstar money too early.
If De Zerbi truly believes Savinho fits his system, this could be a clever move. But after the season Tottenham have just had, they cannot afford another expensive signing who needs too much time to settle.
Liverpool are reportedly ready to make signing a new right winger one of their biggest priorities this summer, with RB Leipzig youngster Yan Diomande emerging as their leading target to replace Mohamed Salah.
According to The Telegraph, the 19-year-old Ivory Coast international is high on Liverpool’s shortlist, while Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon and Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola are also being considered.
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Diomande reportedly has a release clause worth around £86 million, so this would not be a cheap gamble.
This feels like a massive summer for Liverpool. Salah’s departure has left a huge hole, not just in terms of goals, but in personality, fear factor and consistency.
Liverpool are looking to invest more in attackers
Arne Slot has already admitted that Liverpool need more quality out wide after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign, with the club’s wide players failing to produce the same level of output they had in previous title-winning seasons.
That is why Diomande makes sense as a target. He is young, explosive, direct and already regarded as one of the most exciting attacking prospects in Europe.
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Reports from Germany have suggested Leipzig value him at around €100 million, which is roughly £86m-£87m, and they are not under pressure to sell after qualifying for the Champions League.
The risk is obvious, though. Diomande is still only 19. He may have huge potential, but replacing Salah is one of the hardest jobs in football.
Liverpool are not just looking for a talented winger, they are looking for someone who can eventually carry one of the biggest attacking roles in the Premier League.
While Liverpool might have eventually dragged themselves over the finishing line as they clung to an essential Champions League ticket, the Anfield hierarchy are under a tremendous amount of pressure this summer. Failing to win any of their final four Premier League appearances, the now-former English champions broke a string of unwanted records during the […]
While Liverpool might have eventually dragged themselves over the finishing line as they clung to an essential Champions League ticket, the Anfield hierarchy are under a tremendous amount of pressure this summer. Failing to win any of their final four Premier League appearances, the now-former English champions broke a string of unwanted records during the […]
Congratulations, Harry Kane! The FC Bayern forward has won the prestigious Golden Shoe, the award for the leading goalscorer in the European leagues. In his third season with the German record champions, the 32-year-old netted 36 goals in the Bundesliga (factor 2) to finish top of the ranking with 72 points, ahead of Erling Haaldand (54 points) of Manchester City and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé (50 points). “Personally it’s been the best season of my career,” said Kane after completing the double of the league and DFB Cup. The England captain netted a whopping 61 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions.
Enjoy all 36 of Kane’s Bundesliga goals in 2025/26:
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The Golden Shoe has been presented by European Sports Media (ESM) since 1997. UEFA (from 1967/68) was previously responsible for the award. It’s the second time Kane has claimed the honour of Europe’s best goalscorer following his debut 2023/24 campaign. He joins an illustrious list of names like Gerd Müller (1970 and 1972) and Robert Lewandowski (2021 and 2022) who have won the trophy twice during their time in Munich. Former FCB players Roy Makaay and Luca Toni are also on the star-studded list of former winners, albeit as players of Deportivo La Coruña and ACF Fiorentina respectively.
Explanation: goals scored by players from the top five leagues according to UEFA’s five-year coefficient are multiplied by a factor of two, while those scored by players in the leagues from sixth to 22nd position are multiplied by 1.5. For players from any other league there’s no bonus. Goals in play-off matches do not count.
With a hat-trick in the final, Harry Kane fired FC Bayern to DFB Cup glory on Saturday:
Barcelona identify €80m-rated Premier League winger as surprise attacking target
While much of the attention around Barcelona has focused on signing a traditional centre-forward to replace Robert Lewandowski, the Catalan club are now seriously exploring more dynamic attacking profiles capable of transforming the frontline in multiple ways.
According to AS, one of the names climbing the shortlist once again after a brief hiatus is Anthony Gordon.
Barcelona’s interest in Gordon says a lot about the direction the club may be preparing to take next season.
Apart from searching purely for a penalty-box striker, the coaching staff is also looking at forwards capable of rotating positions, attacking space aggressively, and pressing with high energy.
Anthony Gordon is back on Barcelona’s radar. (Photo by Peter Nicholls/Getty Images)
In this regard, Gordon has been one of Newcastle’s most important players this season.
His influence has grown enormously, especially since the departure of Alexander Isak, both because of his performances and because of the emotional connection he has built with supporters.
That is one of the reasons negotiations would be extremely complicated.
What about the finances
Gordon recently renewed his contract until 2030, placing Newcastle in a strong negotiating position.
In fact, it is said that the Premier League side is expected to demand close to €80 million if serious talks begin.
Newcastle United could be forced to sell Gordon. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
However, the situation may not be entirely straightforward because Barcelona know Newcastle could be forced into a significant sale this summer due to financial balancing requirements.
That possibility has encouraged several major European clubs to monitor the situation closely, including Bayern Munich.
Furthermore, the player himself is also believed to be open to leaving Newcastle if the right sporting opportunity arrives.
For now, though, the Catalan club is still deciding whether to permanently sign Marcus Rashford or not. If that happens, the Blaugrana might not move for Gordon at all.
Roma is called upon to re-establish contact with Zeki Çelik’s entourage, another matter that has been pending for the past few weeks.
The Turkish full-back, who will be playing for his national team at the World Cup in a few weeks, is one of the areas the club will need to clarify ahead of next season.
According to Il Tempo, initial discussions between the parties in recent months quickly stalled due to a significant gap between supply and demand, effectively freezing any possibility of a contract extension.
This stalemate forced the Giallorossi management to stall, postponing any final decision until later in the season.
Now, however, with the summer schedule approaching and technical evaluations underway at Trigoria, the situation is set to be reassessed.
Roma will reconvene with the player’s agent to understand their respective intentions and determine whether they can rekindle the dialogue, or alternatively, explore different scenarios for the future.
Çelik’s position therefore remains open and must be monitored closely.
The Giallorossi will have to decide whether to continue working with the defender or explore alternative solutions to strengthen their defence.
Further contact is expected in the coming days, which could prove crucial in reopening negotiations that have been stalled for months and clarifying his future in next season’s squad.
Since New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart was seen at President Donald Trump’s rally on Friday, everyone seems to have an opinion.
From sports commentators to fans to teammates, everyone seems to have something to say.
Now, Baltimore Ravens safety Marlon Humphrey has chimed in with his opinion of the situation, and it’s unpopular with a lot of fans.
He thinks people are fake for hating Trump.
“The fake Trump hate funny to me. Majority voted for him but everybody seem to hate him lol…Somebody lying”
The fake Trump hate funny to me. Majority voted for him but everybody seem to hate him lol…Somebody lying 🤥
— marlonhumphrey.eth (@marlon_humphrey) May 24, 2026
Some fans on social media had a lot to say about Humphrey’s comments, and most weren’t supportive.
“Majority did not. He didn’t hit 50%. Do you also not realize the amount that do not vote? We have 332 million. Only about 140mil ish voted. Also his approval is bad so its not fake.”
Majority did not. He didn’t hit 50%. Do you also not realize the amount that do not vote? We have 332 million. Only about 140mil ish voted. Also his approval is bad so its not fake.
“They also understand that the way that college football and that DNA is now produced on a weekly basis in this conference, I predict you’re not gonna see what Nick Saban or Kirby Smart did in the early 2000s and 2021-2022. Those days are gone. We gotta get into a new mindset, the nine wins are gonna be what 11 wins used to be in this conference.”
To further highlight Alabama’s fall from grace since Saban’s retirement, the Crimson Tide have tied for the fourth-best odds to win the SEC Championship next season. In addition, according to PFSN’s College Football Playoff Meter, the Crimson Tide have been tabbed to win 7.38 games next season.
I feel like predicting Alabama to win less than 8 games next year is a bit ridiculous. The Tide was the second best team in the SEC a year ago, and won in the first round of the playoffs, making them a top-ten program overall. Are there questions and reasons to doubt Alabama could contend for a title? Of course. But under 8 wins? Ehhhh….
Perhaps the most interesting part of Alabama’s recruiting strategy is the overall philosophy behind it.
According to Wiltfong, Alabama feels extremely confident about the talent acquired in both the 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes. Because of that confidence, the Crimson Tide plans to be far more selective in the 2027 cycle.
Rather than simply chasing numbers, Alabama appears focused on taking only high-priority prospects while supplementing the roster through the transfer portal with proven championship-level difference makers.
That approach reflects the modern reality of college football roster building.
Programs can no longer rely strictly on high school recruiting classes. Balancing elite prep talent with experienced portal additions has become essential, and Alabama appears determined to maximize both avenues under DeBoer and Morgan.
There are some interesting things at work here. First, Alabama, and all of the programs, are having to prepare for the fact that players are getting more years of eligibility, whether through endless NCAA exemptions or through the potential upcoming 5 for 5 rule solidification. Either way, there’s going to be less room for freshmen. Next, I think it also underscores a shift that Alabama likely isn’t giving full roster payment to 85 players like during the scholarship era. There’s a lot of talk that more like 70-75 players on a given roster will be paid as such, and the rest will be more akin to what used to be walk-ons, but on some form of scholarship.
There’s veteran options there. Rico Scott and Derek Meadows are among those who will likely factor in heavily as the season gets underway, but there’s at least one freshman who could potentially make a major contribution as well.
Morgan had a stellar showing at A-Day, finishing with three catches for 74 yards and a touchdown according to AL.com’s unofficial stats. He also provides a nice counterpunch to the play styles of Coleman-Williams and Brooks, checking at 6-foot-4, 223 pounds.
The past two seasons, Alabama has seen major contributions from a true freshman at wide receiver. Don’t be surprised if Morgan, a Benjamin Russell product, becomes the next one to make an impact.
Speaking of high-potential freshmen, Cederian Morgan might very well have the highest potential of them all. While Ryan Coleman-Williams and Lotzeir Brooks are the easy top-two receivers on the squad, I think things are pretty wide open after that, and Morgan’s unique combination of size, athleticism, and polish could very well get him on the field early in 2026.
McVay said Alabama’s offensive playbook and Simpson’s SEC competition made it possible to recognize the quarterback’s pro potential in 15 starts.
“Is it a short sample size? Yeah, it is,” McVay said. “But it’s easier to evaluate that short sample size because you’re evaluating all parts of, all right, in the dropback-pass game you’re watching the three-step, the five-step, the seven-step. The way the field’s distributed, the types of coverage contours he’s seeing in the SEC are similar to what he would see. He’s reading with his feet with a timing and rhythm. He’s redirecting protections. He’s getting under center and throwing play-actions off seven-step, one-hitch or eight-step, one-hitch timing and anticipating second-level in-cuts with front-pad throws, making a little bit of plays off-schedule. And so you’re saying, ‘You know, I like this.’
“I like that it wasn’t easy. I like that he had to wait his time at Alabama. And the easy thing, especially nowadays, would have been able to run away. I like that he didn’t. They lose to Florida State and the sky is falling, and they find a way to be able to kind of have some resolve and they get into the SEC championship and there’s a lot of good things in the midst of it. I like the way that he responded when guys would drop balls and he didn’t flinch, or when guys would give up an immediate free runner and didn’t say a word except for, ‘Man, where can I be better?’ Those were the things that the tape communicated to me.”
The best offensive mind in all of football is absolutely enamored with Ty Simpson, and I think that’s as good of a sign as any that Ty has a real shot to have a long and prosperous NFL career.
Finally, if you missed it yesterday, Alabama’s baseball squad got their seeding in the Tuscaloosa Regional.
The Alabama Crimson Tide earned the #7 National seed on Monday morning. Joining the #1 Tide in the Tuscaloosa Regional will be 2nd seeded Oklahoma State, 3rd seeded South Carolina Upstate, and 4th seeded Alabama State. The Tuscaloosa Regional is lined up with the Tallahassee Regional and the 10th overall seed, the Florida State Seminoles. OSU and SCU will open play at 1 p.m. CT Friday at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. Alabama and Alabama State will follow at 6 p.m; CT on Friday night. The Tide has now made the NCAA Tournament in four straight seasons, and will host for the second time in that time frame, joining the special 2023 team. If the Tide survives the Regional they would host a Super Regional for the first time since 2006.
Congrats to the stick ball guys! Roger will keep you updated here at RBR as the tournament advances.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden scored 12 points in a loss to the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals Monday in Cleveland. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk
May 26 (UPI) -- James Harden said his Cleveland Cavaliers are "a better team" than the New York Knicks, despite losing their Eastern Conference finals series 4-0.
Harden made the comments after the No. 3 Knicks crushed the No. 4 Cavaliers 130-93 in Game 4 on Monday in Cleveland. The Knicks outshot the Cavaliers 50% to 42.6%, leading to a 475-398 scoring advantage in the sweep. With Monday's win, they clinched their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1999.
"Yeah, it was 4-0, but I don't think we had a chance as far as our best shot, from the standpoint of the circumstances," Harden told reporters. "Obviously, they dominated us 4-0. But I don't know if i can necessarily answer that question, because genuinely, I do feel like we are the better team.
"But series-wise, we didn't show it."
The Cavaliers, who made 48.2% of their shots in the regular season, including 39.8% from 3-point range, hit 41.6% of their attempts and were 11 of 40 (27.5%) from downtown in the series finale. They made more than 41.6% of their shots in just one game in the four-game series.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) dribbles by New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby in the third quarter of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals Monday in Cleveland. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk
Harden, who made 46.6% of his shots and was 43.5% from 3-point range for the Cavaliers during the regular season, hit just 38.9% of his shots and 17.9% of his 3-point attempts in the series. He scored 16 points per game in the series, including 12 in Game 4. Cavaliers role players Sam Merrill and Max Strus, who averaged 12.8 and 11.2 points in the regular season, were held to about half those averages in the series.
The Knicks, who led by as many as 45 points in Game 4, held an average margin of victory of 23.7 points in the series.
The New York Knicks celebrate a 130-93 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals Monday in Cleveland. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk
"I feel like we didn't have a fair chance honestly," Harden said. "We didn't play a quarter of Cavs basketball offensively. That right there is the frustrating part because we did play well since I've been here. ... It's only so much you can do defensively, so many stops you can get, especially against a great offensive team. If you aren't making shots, you're not going to beat anybody."
The Knicks outscored the Cavaliers 50-36 in the paint, 33-9 off fast breaks, 58-24 off the bench and 34-18 off turnovers in Game 4. They also held a 32-5 edge in second-chance points.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell stands alone during a timeout in the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals Monday in Cleveland. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk
"They're playing great basketball," Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said of the Knicks. "You've just got to give them credit. They are on a heater. They are in a groove. Just got to give them a ton of credit. ... I don't want to detract from what we've done this postseason.
"Sometimes you've just got to give the other team credit for playing great basketball."
New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (L) steals the ball from the Cleveland Cavaliers' Jaylon Tyson in the third quarter of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals Monday in Cleveland. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson averaged 23.5 points and 7.8 assists per game en route to Eastern Conference finals MVP honors.
Harden, 36, has a $42.3 million player option for next season. The 11-time All-Star and 2017 NBA MVP, who joined the Cavaliers in a February trade, said he wants to stay in Cleveland.
Mitchell, who averaged 27.9 points, 5.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds and finished seventh in the MVP race this season, is under contract for $50.1 million next season. He has a $53.8 million player option in 2027-28, but becomes extension eligible in July.
Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley is under contract through 2029-30. Center Jarret Allen and Merrill are signed through 2028-29. Strus is under contract through next season.
Mitchell told reporters that he has "no doubt that this group" of Cavaliers can stage a more significant playoff run.
"I think the biggest thing is you just use is as a learning lesson," said Mitchell, who scored 31 points in Game 4. "It's a tough learning lesson, but now we know. That's not how I like to stay things, but we know."
Atkinson said he has trust in the Cavaliers' front office, when asked Monday about his job security and potential changes to the roster.
"I have confidence in myself, first of all, confidence in the group," Atkinson said. "The roster talk, that's for down the line. Our front office has done a [phenomenal job, given us a great roster. Obviously there will be decision to be made, like every summer. But i think we are doing pretty well with those decisions since I've been here. So just keep trusting our process, trust our collaboration."
The Knicks, who are on an 11-game winning streak, will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs on June 3 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
The top-seeded Thunder and No. 2 Spurs are tied 2-2 in the Western Conference finals. Game 5 will tip off at 8:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday in Oklahoma City. The matchup will air on NBC.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 08: (L-R) Opponents Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje face off during the UFC Freedom 250 press conference at Prudential Center on May 08, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Justin Gaethje is the great American hope coming into UFC Freedom Fights 250 at the White House on June 14th. Oddsmakers aren’t giving him the best of chances to beat former featherweight and current lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, but “The Highlight” clearly has a gameplan and revealed some of it during an interview with Grind Street Media.
“I do know that he’s very good,” Gaethje said of Topuria. “I think everybody has different styles of fighting. His specifically is more of a boxing style when it comes to range and space and timing and his position.”
“He’s shorter than me,” he continued. “You really don’t wanna have your head too much higher than these guys that are throwing throwing shots, missiles. So position is gonna be the biggest factor in this fight. I have to be so stubborn with my position. I have to control space. I have to control his feet, and I really have to be diligent in my defense.”
“I have to constantly be be winning the angle battle and the distance battle. I cannot go backwards. I cannot get my head or my chest over my ass, getting too tall. I can’t get pushed to my left. But these are all very specific things that my coach is is instilling into my workouts.”
That’s what Gaethje will be looking out for with Topuria, but his real key to success is what he will implement against his Spanish-Georgian opponent.
“For the most part, in my success, I’ve always worried about being my best self. And so I’m going to be my best self. I’m not gonna worry about his boxing or his striking. I’m gonna use my footwork. I’m gonna use my angles and ability to create and control distance. My reaction time, which I believe is faster than anybody.”
“That’s what’s got me to this point. I gotta trust in what I what I possess. And I have to really go in there and implement my kind of fight and my game plan rather than being, like, reactive … I am here for a reason. I’m here because I’m one of the best in the world. I am fighting a guy that is absolutely incredible, but I have a great coach and we’re going to have a great plan.”
That plan, at least what he shares, is simple.
“I’m going to change his face, just like I always do to all my opponents.”
GT playing XI: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Washington Sundar, Nishant Sindhu, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Kulwant Khejroliya, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Hello everyone, and welcome to the live blog for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans clash at the HPCA Cricket Stadium, Dharamshala.
Early breakthrough for GT, as Iyer goes for 19 off seven balls. Rabada strikes as a mistimed shot lands safely in the hands of Gill, who ran back from mid off to complete the catch.
Toss result: Gujarat Titans have won the toss and have opted to field
RCB vs GT: Win Probability
Team
Win percentage
RCB
55%
GT
45%
Dharamsala weather update: Chances of rain interrupting play
Let's take a look at the hourly temperatures and the probability of rainfall in Dharamsala on Thursday.
College Football Playoff expansion talk – particularly the proposed 24-team format – is sure to dominate the SEC Meetings in Destin, Fla., this week. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti continues to sell the idea of a playoff field that would double the size of its current 12-team setup.
The Big Ten cited that if the 24-team College Football was in effect the last 12 seasons (since the four-team CFP began in 2024), 80 schools would have made the CFP. Over the first 10 years of the four-team playoff, 17 schools made the playoffs. In the two years of the 12-team field, 10 additional schools made their first appearance.
Sporting News looked at those schools to find out exactly who the expanded playoff field would benefit and how that would change the perception of the CFP.
SN looked at the schools that were ranked 1-24 in the CFP and the conference they represented at the time. Here is a look at which conferences had the most playoff appearances and schools.
If we had a 24-team CFP, the Pac-12 as we used to know it probably still exists as a power conference. The Big 12 number is skewed a bit by 12 of the playoff appearances by Oklahoma and Texas before the schools left for the SEC. The schools have combined for three CFP appearances since joining the SEC.
Yet the ACC and Big 12 still benefit with more participating schools.
The SEC is still king here – and all of its current schools would have the CFP as a member of the conference. Would that be a way to sell Sankey on the idea of a 24-team CFP?
Ohio State and Alabama would be the only two schools who would have reached the CFP each of the last 12 seasons.
These five schools have the highest winning percentages in the FBS since 2014 – so the numbers do not come as a surprise. Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Clemson have combined for nine of the last 12 national championships. Does a 24-team format help this group? Not really.
Notre Dame is the school that sticks out. In a 24-team CFP format, the Irish would have less incentive to join a conference because the playoff access is wide open. Keep in mind Notre Dame gets an automatic berth in the 12-team CFP if it finishes in the top 12 as a result of a tweak in the format that takes effect this season.
Upper-tier FBS schools (7-9 appearances)
Schools: Oklahoma (9), LSU (8), Michigan (8), Oregon (8), Utah (8), Penn State (7), USC (7)
This is the "job security" portion of the group. James Franklin is probably the coach at Penn State considering he would have had seven playoff appearances.
These schools have combined for two national championships – LSU in 2019 and Michigan in 2023. The Tigers and Wolverines, however, had three coaching changes apiece since 2014. Oregon also had three coaching changes – and Mark Helfrich led the Ducks to a CFP championship appearance in 2014.
Two of these schools (Oklahoma, USC) had two coaching changes – and Lincoln Riley is under pressure to take the Trojans to the CFP for the first time in 2026. In the 24-team CFP, USC would be a playoff regular.
'New' CFP regulars (3-6 appearances)
Schools: Iowa (6), Oklahoma State (6), Ole Miss (6), Texas (6), Florida (5), Florida State (5), NC State (5), Tennessee (5), Washington (5), Auburn (4), Baylor (4), BYU (4), Miami (4), Michigan State (4), Mississippi State (4), Missouri (4), Northwestern (4), TCU (4), Wisconsin (4), Arizona (3), Boise State (3), Cincinnati (3), Houston (3), Indiana (3), Iowa State (3), Louisville (3), Stanford (3), Texas A&M (3)
This is the group that would benefit the most. Iowa – who Petitti cited using the Minnesota game – would have made the CFP half the time. Does that reward excellence or consistency?
Iowa has a .682 winning percentage since 2014 – the highest number among this group. The only other schools better than 65% are Washington (.676), BYU (.652) and Wisconsin (.651). Three of those schools are among the six Big Ten schools on that list.
There are eight SEC schools and eight Big 12 schools on this list. The ACC has five schools; and Boise State – now in the Pac-12 – is the only G6 school. This is the group of schools that would frequent the proposed first round.
The best of the rest (1-2 appearances)
Schools with two appearances: Arizona State (2), Colorado (2), Georgia Tech (2), Kansas State (2), Kentucky (2), Louisiana (2), Memphis (2), Navy (2), North Carolina (2), Oregon State (2), Pitt (2), SMU (2), South Carolina (2), Syracuse (2), Temple (2), Tulane (2), UCF (2), UCLA (2), Virginia (2), Virginia Tech (2), Washington State (2), West Virginia (2)
Schools with one appearance: Appalachian State (1), Arkansas (1), Army (1), Coastal Carolina (1), Fresno State (1), Illinois (1), James Madison (1), Liberty (1), Minnesota (1), San Diego State (1), San Jose State (1), Texas Tech (1), Troy (1), Tulsa (1), UNLV (1), Vanderbilt (1), Wake Forest (1), Western Michigan (1)
Mostly lower-tier Power 4 programs and Group of 6 schools. Colorado would have made the College Football Playoff under Deion Sanders with Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter in 2024.
Still, this feels like the "participation trophy" portion of the playoff in some ways.
There are 18 schools currently in the Group of 6 on this list – and Navy, Memphis and Louisiana would have made the CFP multiple times. While the proposal calls for one automatic qualifier from the G6 – there have been multiple G6 schools in the top 24 in seven of the last 12 seasons. This format would benefit the G6 schools more than viewers think – and they would be less likely to split and do their own postseason tournament.
The New York Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the Eastern Conference and advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. Just how excited are Knicks fans and the city of New York? Let’s allow Alex Monaco of MSG Network to explain.
The Knicks blew out the Cavs in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference Finals series in Cleveland by an incredible 130-93 scoreline. It was their second consecutive sweep after easily dispatching the Philadelphia 76ers in the conference semifinals. They have won 11 consecutive playoff games after falling behind 2-1 in the first round to the Atlanta Hawks.
Monaco was at a watch party in New York with thousands of jubilant Knicks fans who were watching their beloved team accomplish their first NBA Finals appearance in a generation. And as you can tell from the video below, both he and they were delirious with excitement.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 26, 2026
If this is the reaction when the Knicks just make the NBA Finals can you imagine what might happen if they actually win the championship? They may have to carry Alex Monaco out on a stretcher! Even though the Knicks would be underdogs against whoever survives the Western Conference Finals series between the Spurs and Thunder, they will have a huge rest advantage with that series guaranteed to go at least six games.
It’s been so long since we have seen the Knicks be this good and this relevant that it will be fascinating to watch not just the local reaction in the biggest city in the country, but how much the rest of America gets on board with the storyline. Already, NBA ratings have been incredible this postseason, especially with more games than ever on network television. And ESPN is certainly celebrating having the biggest market and maybe the biggest sleeping giant in American sports back on the biggest stage of them all.
Immediately after the Denver Broncos acquired wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in a trade with the Miami Dolphins earlier this offseason, fans and pundits started asking who would be the "WR1" in 2026: Waddle or Courtland Sutton?
Unfortunately for the fantasy football managers seeking a direct answer, coach Sean Payton doesn't have one.
"We’re not just going to have, and I know someone’s getting ready to ask me, ‘Is he receiver [No.] 1 or 2?’ So we don’t have [that]," Payton said in March. "We just play different packages and try to give those guys the things that they do well.”
Sutton will presumably remain Denver's "X" wide receiver, and Waddle has the versatility to line up all over the field. Payton will create opportunities for both receivers in 2026.
"He’s played everywhere," Payton said of Waddle's position. "I’ve seen him outside as a tremendous route runner, inside. The route tree is pretty expansive. ... The best thing that I think he does is he’s explosive; he’s dynamic. A lot of times, the guys run fast, but I think he sends his hips in transition. I think you’ll see him play inside in the slot; you’ll see him outside. We’ll have speed packages that will feature [him]."
Playing in Miami last season, Waddle hauled in 64 receptions for 910 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games. Sutton, while playing with quarterback Bo Nix, totaled 74 catches for 1,017 yards and seven scores. There should be enough targets to go around for both receivers to remain productive in 2026. With another weapon added to the mix, the Broncos' offense will look to take a step forward after ranking 11th in passing last season.
May 25, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Cincinnati Reds left fielder JJ Bleday (22) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against New York Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean (26) during the third inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Meet the Mets
The Mets lost their fourth straight baseball game, losing 7-2 to the Reds on Memorial Day. The offense was once again anemic, and Nolan McLean endured his second straight bad start.
The Mets are staring down a summer of irrelevance as the losses continue piling up.
Juan Soto missed a second straight game with an illness.
Tyrone Taylor left the game with hip pain. He will undergo an MRI today, but Carlos Mendoza said an IL stint is likely.
Before the loss, Mendoza offered injury updates on Francisco Lindor, Francisco Alvarez, and others. Among the highlights, Lindor is beginning baseball activities but still doesn’t have a timetable to return, Alvarez has begun hitting and is on track to beat the eight-week prediction on his return, AJ Minter and Jared Young are on pace to return this series against the Reds, and Kodai Senga will make a rehab start today.
The Mets won via walk off on each of the past two years. In 2024, the Mets came back with three in the ninth, punctuated by an Omar Narváez bases loaded single to drive home the winning run to beat the Giants 4-3. In 2025, the Mets got a run in the eighth to tie the game, and Francisco Lindor hit a walk off sacrifice fly to finish off a 2-1 win over the White Sox on Memorial Day.
Celtic transfer latest as champions open talks with Barcelona legend’s son
Celtic have reportedly opened talks to sign Agustín Dos Santos – an 18-year-old Uruguayan midfielder from Nacional, and the son of former Barcelona star Jonathan Dos Santos.
As reported by the Daily Record, the story originates from South American journalist Rodri Vázquez, who states that Celtic have already held initial conversations with Nacional and the player’s camp – his words were that Celtic had already maintained the first conversations with the player’s entourage and with Nacional. Dos Santos, who turns 19 later this year, is contracted to the Uruguayan champions until December 2027 and carries an estimated market value of around €450,000 – very much in the development-signing bracket that suits our recruitment model perfectly.
Dos Santos broke into Nacional’s senior setup in 2025 after coming through their academy, and has featured in four Copa Libertadores matches this season alongside broader first-team exposure in the Uruguayan league. He’s a central midfielder – reports from Uruguay describe him as comfortable in buildup phases, positionally disciplined, and built around short passing rather than end-product. His father Jonathan, of course, came through La Masia and went on to become a fixture at Barcelona and Villarreal, while his uncle Giovani racked up 106 caps for Mexico across spells at Tottenham, LA Galaxy, and beyond. The Dos Santos footballing bloodline is, to put it mildly, not a bad one.
As we’ve covered in our Celtic summer transfer window roundup, this fits a broader pattern of recruitment that has seen us dip into Japan, Mexico, and South America for high-upside prospects – the kind of low-fee, high-ceiling business that typifies our twin-track approach of experience plus development. If the fee is truly in the €450,000 range, this is almost a no-risk punt, and Nacional are the real deal as a development environment – this isn’t a player plucked from nowhere.
I’d be honest with you, folks – Dos Santos is not walking into our starting XI on day one. The senior minutes are still limited, and the Copa Libertadores appearances, while genuinely impressive for an 18-year-old, don’t yet paint the full picture. The comparisons to his father feel a touch premature at this stage, let’s be real. But that’s not really the point. If we’re talking about a €450,000 outlay on a teenager from the champions of Uruguay with serious footballing DNA, that’s exactly the kind of speculative recruitment that pays dividends two or three years down the line. And with a significant squad overhaul anticipated this summer, stocking the development pipeline alongside the headline additions makes complete sense.
The fact this is still exploratory contact rather than a formal bid means we keep our powder dry – but I’d like to see this one progress. Low fee, South American pedigree, and a surname that knows what it takes to play at the highest level. There are worse foundations to build on.
Keep an eye on this one, folks. It has the feel of a quiet coup hiding in plain sight.
Report: Aston Villa interested in move for Newcastle United forward
Harvey Barnes to Aston Villa: Emery Eyes Champions League Firepower
Barnes Brings Pace and Proven Output
Harvey Barnes fits Aston Villa’s summer brief with striking clarity. Unai Emery needs more speed, more directness and more goal threat from wide areas, especially with Champions League football returning to Villa Park. Daily Mail’s original article reports that Barnes is on Villa’s shortlist, and it is easy to see why.
The Newcastle winger scored 16 goals in all competitions this season, including six in the Champions League. That is not promise, that is production. Barnes carries the ball at pace, attacks space early and offers the sort of counter attacking menace Emery values when Villa are asked to suffer without possession and then break with precision.
Villa Face Financial Balancing Act
This is not a simple recruitment story. Villa have ambition, Champions League revenue and a manager with European pedigree, yet spending rules remain a live constraint. Barnes, 28, has two years left on his Newcastle contract and would not arrive cheaply.
Photo: IMAGO
Newcastle paid £38million to sign him from Leicester, and the Magpies would naturally look to recover much of that fee. Anthony Gordon’s possible move to Bayern Munich could also shape Newcastle’s thinking, because losing two wide forwards in one summer would be risky.
Rogers Sale Could Shape Summer Plan
Morgan Rogers may become central to Villa’s market manoeuvring. If Villa receive offers near £80million, that sale could create space for Emery to reshape the squad. A new winger is wanted, another midfielder is desired, and James Trafford remains the No 1 goalkeeper target if Emi Martinez leaves.
Barnes would bring Premier League know how, Champions League experience and Midlands roots. For Villa, this feels like a deal built on logic, if not yet on affordability. “Barnes would give Villa pace with purpose,” is the obvious recruitment pitch. “For Emery, wide threat is not decoration, it is structure.”
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
From a concerned Villa supporter’s view, this is exciting, but also slightly nervy. Barnes is a serious footballer, sharp, proven and capable of turning territorial pressure into goals. Villa need that. Too often, elite European games are decided by transitional moments, and Barnes thrives in exactly those spaces.
Concern comes from price and timing. At 28, he is entering peak years rather than offering obvious resale value. If Rogers has to be sold to make room, supporters will ask whether Villa are trading a fast rising talent for a player with a shorter future curve. That question matters.
Still, Emery deserves trust. His Villa side has earned another Champions League campaign through organisation, courage and intelligent recruitment. If Barnes is the right tactical fit, then Villa should explore it seriously. A front line with pace on both flanks, greater depth and more finishing power could keep Villa competitive across four competitions. The key is discipline, not desperation. Add Barnes at the right price and this could be a clever, Champions League ready move.
Shane van Gisbergen described the Coca-Cola 600 as an “amazing day” for Trackhouse Racing – but left Charlotte Motor Speedway frustrated after slipping outside the top 10 late in the race.
The No. 97 Chevrolet ran near the front for much of the night, with van Gisbergen even leading 11 laps as rain threatened to shorten the event.
But a chaotic run to the finish – including a slow pit stop and a handful of wild restarts – saw him drop out of contention for a top-10 finish, eventually crossing the line in 11th.
Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
SVG frustrated after missing out on top-10 finish
Starting third after qualifying was cancelled, the Kiwi driver ran inside the top 10 through all three stages, finishing 10th, ninth, and seventh respectively.
With rain looming, Trackhouse opted to keep van Gisbergen out on older tyres – a move that briefly put him in the lead. But as the weather held off, he lost track position and couldn’t recover in time.
Daniel Suarez was declared the winner after the race was called early, while van Gisbergen was left to reflect on what might have been.
“It’s hard,” he said post-race.
“I had an amazing day, but I’m p—–. We were a top-five or six car, but we just didn’t execute at the end.”
Positive takeaways despite late frustration
Despite the disappointment, van Gisbergen found positives in the team’s pace and strategy, crediting crew chief Stephen Doran for bold calls that kept them in the mix.
“It was really cool to run up front all day. We were gifted a good starting position with qualifying getting canceled.”
“It was a good call by Stephen to stay out there. It was awesome to be able to lead some laps.”
Van Gisbergen’s 11th-place result still moved him up two places in the NASCAR standings, taking him off the playoff bubble and into a more comfortable position heading into the next round.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 07: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Jaylen Warren #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 07, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Steelers defeated the Jets 34-32. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome back to the Steelers offseason, where the demand for content remains high even if there’s not always enough news to properly supply it.
In some ways, it’s not the best time of year to be a football writer. But in a glass-half-full way, it’s an excuse to fill out my article quota with more out-there ideas.
In that spirit, I’m bringing back my “One random Steelers play” series from last year.
Readers have mentioned wanting more X&Os content on the site, and while I’m not a genius when it comes to that aspect of football, tackling the minute details of one Steelers play at a time is a way to get into some bite-sized discussions about scheme, players, and breaking down tape.
I’ll be sharing my takeaways from each play this series spotlights, but I hope to see yours in the comments as well. Spaces like BTSC are some of the best online for learning more about the game that draws us here in the first place.
So, whenever one of these articles runs, I’ll be selecting one random Steelers play from last season using a random number generator. That gives me what week of the season to pull from, and then I’ll use it again to pick one play from that game.
For full transparency, these plays won’t be completely random — for instance, the first play that was selected for this exercise was blown dead early due to a penalty, so I redid the process to find one that at least counted. So, there will be some light quality control, but otherwise, the plays selected could be anything — there’s no agenda or overarching theme to these breakdowns.
I broke out the Google random number generator again, this time to choose a play from the 2025 season. It chose Week 1, and then play No. 111 of the game, the Steelers season-opening, 34-32 victory over the Jets.
Context: Steelers ball on the Jets’ 14-yard line. There are 53 seconds left in the third quarter. Pittsburgh is down 26-17. It’s second and seven.
Here’s the play:
Bringing back the "One random Steelers play" series because I'm tired of OTAs rumors. pic.twitter.com/wUx3nMtSkx
The Steelers get a six-yard run, setting up a third and one. They eventually scored a touchdown on this drive.
As always, we’ll start by pausing pre-snap:
There isn’t anything particularly groundbreaking here. The Steelers are in 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end), but with the tight end being Darnell Washington and one of the wide receivers being Ben Skowronek in a tight formation, the team is signaling there’s a good chance it’ll be a run.
What follows is a run play that also isn’t all that complicated, but it does re-open one of the internet’s most well-tread football arguments: inside zone or duo?
There’s a lot of football content online written by brighter minds than myself explaining this distinction, so if you’re looking for a more in-the-weeds breakdown, check out articles such as this 2023 piece from BTSC sister site Big Cat Country.
But we can get into the basics here. TL;DR: I’m calling this duo.
Zone runs, on their most basic level, involve the offensive line flowing in the direction of the play (as opposed to power/gap runs where they block “down”) and lack a pulling lineman (one of the easiest power/gap indicators). The issue with duo runs is that they are basically a power run without the puller, taking away that easy indicator. And inside zone, as it’s more north-south than outside zone, doesn’t have as much horizontal flow.
As a result, sometimes it’s very difficult to tell the difference between duo and inside zone.
Duo presumably gets its name from the two double-teams the offensive line generally creates up front. Check out Isaac Seumalo/Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick/Troy Fautanu immediately attacking the two defensive tackles and instantly giving running back Jaylen Warren some room to work. (Pro tip: you’ll get the most out of running plays by watching the end-zone view of the all-22).
I like this distinction from the BCC article:
A good starting point is observing the double teams. While both run schemes can have double teams depending on the defensive front, there are some tells that give away the play. If the OL is working around a defensive tackle to get up to the second-level defender, it’s most likely inside zone. If the offensive line is working through the defensive tackle up to a linebacker, it’s most likely duo.
Of course, inside zone is also built on immediate combo blocks, with the linemen eventually working their way upfield, which the Steelers do here. See Seumalo and McCormick both moving to take on the linebackers?
But look where Jaylen Warren is headed at this point: Away from where the offensive line is flowing — another duo indicator.
Yes, on zone concepts running backs absolutely have the ability to bend their track to the backside of the run, but Warren takes the handoff and immediately starts running towards the right side of the line despite the offensive line moving left. Remember how duo runs use the down blocking of a power scheme, just without the puller? That’s what’s happening here.
Also, the Steelers insert Ben Skowronek into the C-gap on the right side as a sort of lead blocker, and left tackle Broderick Jones seems more concerned with containing his defensive end than driving him forward. This run has all the makings of one that was designed to go to the right — making it a likely case of duo.
In a more classic duo run, the running back would have the option to either take the ball inside or bounce it outside depending on how the linebackers fit the run. But with Skowronek inserting, Warren has a lead blocker on the inside while Jets cornerback No. 21, who’s close to the box as a result, has the angle on the outside. The result is still a successful six-yard gain.
Scheme debates aside, this is a great play from the right side of the Steelers offense. A few things:
The play comes together because Troy Fautanu is able to easily cut off Jets defensive tackle No. 76, creating a gaping hole in the C gap. Fautanu’s wide base, lateral mobility, drive, and block sustain is nothing short of fantastic here.
Tight end Darnell Washington has an easier blocking angle than Fautanu, but it still shouldn’t be taken for granted that a tight end is able to handle the defensive end one-on-one to clear the other side of the hole Warren runs through.
Ben Skowronek is the rare blocking madman at wide receiver, and by attacking the downhill safety head-on, he also gets a piece of the incoming corner, springing Warren for the extra yards at the end of the run.
Finally, Warren does a great job reading the blocks, hitting the gap the linebacker doesn’t crash and quickly cutting and getting skinny to move past Skowronek’s block. He also fights for extra yardage after the play — the definition of a downhill runner.
By this point, you might be wondering why this “One random Steelers play” series even matters considering the Steelers will be running a new offense in 2026 under Mike McCarthy and Brian Angelichio.
That’s fair, but keep in mind that duo was a staple of the McCarthy offense during his time in Dallas. It’s also a great fit for the north-south playing style of new Steelers (and former McCarthy-era Cowboys) running back Rico Dowdle.
So, even if the Steelers offense certainly won’t carry over everything from the Arthur Smith days, expect duo — which Smith actually didn’t run much — to stick around.
What are your takeaways from this play? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments.
The Los Angeles Lakers could use some talented center depth to bring their team to the next level.
Luka Doncic's former Dallas Mavericks teammate could be the answer in a trade.
ESPN's Zach Kram published a new idea for these teams to make another deal, suggesting in a new article on Tuesday that the Lakers should trade for Daniel Gafford from the Mavs.
The return cost pitched by Kram: Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht and the 25th pick in this year's draft.
"He can rejoin Luka Doncic and thrive once more as a pick-and-roll partner and rim-running threat," Kram writes. "This deal should be a no-brainer for the Lakers, as they'd address their glaring hole at the center position -- which would still exist even if Deandre Ayton exercised his option for next season -- with a player who's a proven fit next to Doncic. Gafford would certainly help the Lakers more next season than any rookie they could draft with the No. 25 pick."
The Mavs have both Gafford and Dereck Lively II, and moving on from Gafford could help them from a cap perspective.
"On the other side, Dallas lost a 2028 pick swap when it acquired Gafford at the 2024 trade deadline, but it could recoup some of that value and add another young player here," Kram writes. "The Mavericks also would clear future cap space, with Gafford signed for more money and years (through the 2028-29 season) than Vanderbilt."
The Seahawks are discussing a contract extension with cornerback Devon Witherspoon, but he so far hasn't heard an offer to his liking.
Seattle made an initial offer several weeks ago, but the two sides are not close to an agreement, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN.
The Seahawks drafted Witherspoon out of Illinois with the fifth overall pick in 2023, and he's been selected to the Pro Bowl in all three of his NFL seasons. The Seahawks picked up his fifth-year option for a guaranteed $21,161,000 salary in 2027, so he'll be well-compensated for the next two years whether he and the Seahawks agree to a new deal or not.
The question is whether the two sides can come to an agreement that covers a lot more than the next two years. The report suggests that because Witherspoon has the same agents as another 2023 first-round cornerback who recently had his fifth-year option picked up, New England's Christian Gonzalez, there could be a delay related to the agents wanting to make sure they're setting the cornerback market as high as they can get it, for both of their clients.
Regardless of how close they are to a new deal, Witherspoon appears to be a happy camper, participating in voluntary offseason work and even showing up earlier than the Seahawks asked veterans to be there. Eventually, it seems likely that the two sides will come to an agreement that keeps Witherspoon in Seattle for many more years.
The Houston Astros threw the first MLB no-hitter in nearly two years on Monday, and the combined effort handed a struggling pitching staff the kind of sign its season needed.
Houston beat the Texas Rangers 9-0 on May 25th behind a combined no-hitter from Tatsuya Imai, Steven Okert and Alimber Santa. The Astros have spent much of the season surviving through pitching injuries, inconsistency and a rough start that left them chasing in the American League West.
The start Houston had been waiting for from Imai
Imai threw the first six innings, working around four walks without allowing a hit before Houston turned it over to the bullpen.
His Astros tenure had been difficult to that point. Imai dealt with right arm fatigue and a tough adjustment after coming over from Japan, and he entered the night with an ERA north of 8.00 and open questions about command and comfort. Six hitless innings gives Houston something to build on.
Alimber Santa’s unforgettable debut
Santa closed out the final two innings to finish the no-hitter in his major league debut, becoming the first pitcher since Bumpus Jones in 1892 to be part of a no-hitter in his MLB debut.
The Astros have been leaning on unexpected pitching help with the staff stretched thin, and Santa announced himself in the loudest possible way.
A mood shift for an injured staff
Houston’s pitching injuries have defined the season. Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, Ronel Blanco, Josh Hader and others have missed time or carried significant health questions.
The Astros need Imai to be better, they need bullpen depth, and they need signs the staff can keep them close in the division until reinforcements arrive. Monday delivered all three at once.
The AL West still leaves a path
Houston sat at 24-31 after the win, within striking distance in the AL West. The Astros have won four of five and eight of their last 12, which puts the no-hitter on the front end of their best stretch of the season.
More than history
This was the first MLB no-hitter since the Cubs’ combined effort against the Pirates on Sept. 4, 2024. The practical read for Houston runs deeper than the record book. Imai looked like a pitcher the Astros can trust again, Okert bridged the middle, Santa introduced himself, and the lineup added nine runs of support. For one night, Houston looked like a team capable of turning the season back toward the race.
Victor Wembanyama had the kind of season that usually removes any room for debate.
He finished third in the MVP race and became the first unanimous DPOY in NBA history, making his All-NBA status appear obvious.
Yet SiriusXM Radio presenter Justin Termine was the lone voter to leave him off First Team All-NBA before explaining why.
Justin Termine says his vote was about justice for past centers
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
Termine argued that his vote was less about Wembanyama and more about how previous great centers were judged.
“First, let me say this: I voted for Wembanyama third for MVP, and I actually think he’s a better player than SGA. I think he is the best player in the world right now, but I thought Jokic had a better regular season at the same position,” he said in a video shared on his social media channels.
Termine added: “In my opinion, it is unfair historically to those that came before us, who I have great respect for, that those guys at center were not allowed to be on the first team at the same time. So it’s unfair to Wilt and Russell and all the other guys who couldn’t make first team at the same time just because somebody played the same position as them.
“They just changed the rule recently because Embiid had been the second best player for a couple of years, but he had to keep making second teams because Jokic was better. But in my opinion, that’s not fair to the centers of the past who got screwed.”
Fans argue Justin Termine missed the point
Many fans disagreed, arguing that position-less voting was created to prevent that exact unfairness from continuing.
For instance, reporter Brett Siegel wrote: “So you don’t follow the current day voting rules and regulations as one of the 100 media voters responsible for upholding the integrity of the voting process. The NBA changed the All-NBA rules to positionless so you wouldn’t have this problem.”
That response captured the wider frustration. Termine wanted to protect history, but critics felt he preserved the same problem the NBA had already tried to fix.
As is the case in college football, every NFL season has a completely different story as the one that came before it.
In 2025, former Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix was excellent, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns, building upon a standout rookie season. He helped lead the Broncos all the way to the AFC Championship Game, but was unable to play because of a broken ankle suffered the round prior.
Fellow former Ducks passer Justin Herbert also had a disappointing end to last season, as he was sacked six times and threw for just 159 yards in a 19-3 loss to the Super Bowl-bound New England Patriots. But this fall will feature a completely new outlook, with both the Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers harboring hopes of competing for the Super Bowl behind their star passers.
Nix came first, but all the way at No. 19 and behind the likes of the Minnesota Vikings' Kyler Murray, San Francisco 49ers' Brock Purdy and Green Bay Packers' Jordan Love.
"Fans in the Mile High City will always rue the broken ankle he suffered in last season’s playoffs, an injury that possibly – probably? – prevented the Broncos from reaching Super Bowl 60," USA TODAY's Nate Davis wrote. "Nix, who threw a league-high 612 passes last season for a 10th-ranked offense and basically maintained the solid production he provided as a rookie in 2024, returns to a unit that’s been upgraded by the addition of WR Jaylen Waddle but will be adapting to rookie OC Davis Webb, who is also assuming play-calling duties from coach Sean Payton."
Despite the rather low ranking, there's a high chance that Nix far outproduces that spot with a newly-headed wide receiving core highlighted by Waddle. Courtland Sutton is back, as is fellow former Duck Troy Franklin, who could experience a breakout third-year alongside Nix. Don't be surprised if Nix is pushing to be in the top half of starting quarterbacks in the league by the end of 2026.
Herbert's ranking was more fitting, as he snuck just inside the top 10 at No. 9.
"Listen to coach Jim Harbaugh, and you’d think Herbert is Superman – and the comparison has some merit given his extraordinary skill set and Clark Kent demeanor off the field," Davis wrote. "Herbert might also shoulder as heavy an offensive burden as any QB in the league west of Allen. However the playoffs remain Herbert’s Kryptonite."
Entering his seventh season in the NFL, the time is now for Herbert to get the proverbial monkey off his back in the playoffs. Thus far, he's 0-3 and has yet to make it out of the first round, throwing just two touchdowns to four interceptions.
Yet the talent that he displays year after year in the regular season inspires hope that the supporting cast around him may be more to blame for his playoff disappointments. This season, with a revamped offensive line — the issue in last year's playoff defeat — and a strong group of playmakers around him, Herbert, like Nix, should have a big season and give himself a chance to move further up the quarterback rankings by the end of the season.
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There’s no doubt the New Jersey Devils—despite the increase in the salary cap—will be in a bit of a cap crunch this summer.
We touched on it already, but Simon Nemec, who is due a contract, is the subject of trade rumor. Not for the false reasons we at New Jersey Hockey Now already debunked, but because of said cap crunch.
More in the links below from The Athletic regarding the Devils’ salary cap future.
Elsewhere, Auston Matthews and Toronto meet, Chris Pronger interviews for a front office job, and more.
Devils Trade Rumors & News
The Athletic ($): Seven NHL teams—including the Devils—are staring down a real salary cap crunch this offseason with tough calls looming that could force them to lose key players.
📺 Devils Rink Report: Despite the debunked trade request rumors, the Devils could still move Simon Nemec this summer—and here’s why we broke down on the latest Devils Rink Report why it might actually make sense for their roster needs.
After missing the playoffs, the Devils are doubling down on Sheldon Keefe—smart continuity or a costly mistake heading into 2026-27? 👇🏼
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Montreal Hockey Now: The Montreal Canadiens’ lack of shots doomed them in Game 3, despite some flashes of fight, Montreal couldn’t generate enough offense against Carolina’s stifling defense.
Forever Blueshirts: Jaroslav Chmelar scores his first goal at the IIHF World Championship — another strong step forward for the New York Rangers’ promising young prospect.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: With their prospect pool finally ripening in Wilkes-Barre, is it time for Kyle Dubas to lean harder into a Pittsburgh Penguins youth movement and clear more room for the next generation?
Boston Hockey Now: The Boston Bruins hand out their goaltending report cards after a huge bounce-back year — with Swayman headlining a strong season between the pipes.
Colorado Hockey Now: Nathan MacKinnon’s status for Game 4 is still unknown—and the Colorado Avalanche could be facing a massive blow at the worst possible time.
Sportsnet: The Toronto Maple Leafs front office held a positive meeting with captain Auston Matthews and it could hint at some important conversations about his future.
TSN: Speaking of Toronto, Chris Pronger confirmed he interviewed for the Maple Leafs’ top front office job, and it could signal a major shift in their hockey operations.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 20: A view of the Atlanta Braves logo on a baseball cap in the dugout before the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Braves will be on the road this week versus the Red Sox and the Reds. As the offense looks to get back going in the right direction, Mark Bowman of MLB.com made sure to keep the perspective positive. He makes the case for nine current Braves to be All-Stars, and none of the resumes are far-fetched. The Braves have been the best team in baseball for much of the first half of the season, so many individuals deserve due recognition.
But once the opening whistle blew, Wheelock was locked in.
In front of family, teammates, coaches and friends from college who returned home to watch, Wheelock put on a virtuoso performance and kept Cheboygan's season alive. Needing a breakthrough goal, Wheelock delivered two of them late in the second half, and the Chiefs earned a 2-1 MHSAA Division 3 first-round district victory over Grayling on Thursday, May 21.
“I feel like this season has been a big roller coaster for me,” Wheelock said. “I started out doing great, and then I hurt my foot, and I hurt my knee, and there’s still something wrong with my knee, so I’m glad I’ve been able to push through it.”
The clutch display was impressive from Wheelock, who’s been put through the ringer when it comes to injuries, mainly on the two knees she had to have surgery on recent years. With her injury problems, Wheelock missed out on her entire junior season of soccer but worked her way back for her senior basketball campaign in the winter. While there were scares along the way, Wheelock made it through hoops and returned to soccer, meaning it was a huge sigh of relief for Cheboygan coach Tom Markham.
“I’m so proud of her and her recovery,” Markham said. “As you know, you can remember far enough back that this is what she does. She gets the goal when it’s got to get done, and she did that twice for us. I’m just happy for Jae because, on paper, I don’t know if anybody would count on her coming back and to be playing and be performing at a high level like we know she’s done in the past.”
Wheelock’s scored plenty during her soccer career, but the two goals she smashed home against the Vikings were maybe the most important, as it keeps Cheboygan’s dreams of winning a district alive.
When you ask Wheelock, the goals were great.
The way the team played after first goal went in? She enjoyed that more.
“We’re a very close team this year, and I’m very grateful for that because as soon as one person does anything good, it helps the whole team, and we’re very much a team,” Wheelock said.
With the topsy-turvy career she’s had, and the adversity’s she’s faced, Wheelock always knew she could rely on her teammates and coaches, and that’s what she’ll miss most.
“Their support means everything to me,” Wheelock said. “I don’t think I’d be here if I didn’t have great support from my friends and coaches. I’ll always remember these moments.”
Markham’s had some excellent players come through his program, but in terms of toughness – mentally and physically – perhaps no one else has embodied that more than Wheelock.
“We’ve always taught our kids to play with some Cheboygan toughness, play with some grit, play with some resilience and stay in the game, because you’re eventually going to go up against a tough opponent, and you’ve got to stay in the fight until your opportunity comes," Markham said. "I think those kids see her and want to be like Jae.”
Cheboygan’s district semifinal at Kingsford will be played at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26.
The New York Knicks' four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers ended James Harden's season one win short of sole possession of an unwanted record: the most playoff victories without a championship in NBA history.
Harden finished the year tied at 98 with Hall of Famer Karl Malone, who has held the top mark for over two decades. Malone won 85 playoff games with the Utah Jazz and another 13 during his lone season with the Los Angeles Lakers. He inherited the record from his former Jazz running mate, John Stockton, who retired with 89 playoff wins and also without a ring.
For now, Harden shares the record rather than owning it outright, but that's likely a temporary distinction. One more playoff win pushes him past Malone, and given how far back the rest of active players are, the mark could stay attached to his name for a long time… if he doesn't win a title, of course. The next active player on the list is former league MVP Russell Westbrook, with 64 playoff wins without a ring. It's unclear where Westbrook will play next season, if anywhere at all, though maybe he gets a bench role on a contender and wins a championship late in his career. Either way, he's well behind Harden in this exercise, more than 30 playoff wins back.
After Westbrook, Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler, who has 63 playoff wins, is the next closest active player to Harden here. Butler has at least reached the NBA Finals, doing so twice with the Miami Heat (in 2019-20 and 2022-23), something Harden has never done as a team's top option. Harden's only Finals trip came in 2011-12 with Oklahoma City, when he was the Sixth Man behind Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, not a lead scorer like Butler.
After that 2012 run, Harden has never returned to the Finals, reaching the Western Conference Finals only twice more and finally the Eastern Conference Finals this year with Cleveland. That has earned him a reputation as a playoff underperformer, and the numbers somewhat back it up. For his career, Harden has averaged 24.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.5 steals on 43.9/36.4/86.3 shooting splits in the regular season. In the postseason, those numbers drop to 22.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.6 steals on 42.4/33.7/86.6.
Still, Harden has had some bad luck, like his peak in Houston, when he won league MVP once and finished second in the vote three other times, coinciding with Golden State building a juggernaut and adding Kevin Durant to the mix. It would have been tough for any star to make it out of the West in those days, and Harden was no exception. Even then, Harden's greatness helped push the peak dynasty Warriors to the brink in 2018, with Houston holding a 3-2 series lead in the Western Conference Finals over Golden State that year before an ill-timed injury to Paul's hamstring and a historically poor shooting performance by the Rockets in Game 7, led to the Warriors finishing the comeback, getting to the Finals and winning the title.
Who knows?
Maybe if the Rockets reach the championship series that season and face LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Harden gets his ring. It would have been a tall task, though, taking down a peak James in the Finals that year.
As far as other players with the most playoff wins without a title in NBA history, after Harden, Malone and Stockton, the Top 5 is rounded out by Sam Perkins (88 wins) and Derrick McKey (77 wins). The rest of the Top 10 goes: Paul (76 wins), another Utah legend, Jeff Hornacek (76 wins), Reggie Miller (76 wins), George Hill (75 wins) and Dale Davis (75 wins).
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The NBA Playoffs have officially wrapped up the Eastern Conference Finals. The New York Knicks stormed into Cleveland and completed a dominant sweep of the Cavaliers to punch their ticket to the NBA Finals. Knicks fans celebrated across the streets and on social media as the franchise moved one step closer to a championship.
Inside the NBA also made sure to celebrate the Knicks while sending off the Cavaliers’ season in classic fashion. Throughout the postseason, the show has continued its popular “Gone Fishing” segments for eliminated teams.
Previous editions featured memorable moments, such as the Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel saga during a Boston Celtics segment.
On Monday night, the show spotlighted two major stars who attended Game 3 of the Knicks-Cavaliers series in Cleveland: pop superstar Taylor Swift and NFL All-Pro Travis Kelce. Inside the NBA featured the pair in Cleveland’s “Gone Fishing” segment following the Cavaliers’ elimination.
The result was far from what Ohio native Kelce hoped to see. The Knicks’ sweep sent Cleveland “fishing” on Lake Erie. Kelce and Swift generated major headlines during their Game 3 appearance as the celebrity couple continues to draw attention ahead of their reported July wedding date.
Kelce also showed off his off-the-field skills with an impressive beer chug courtside in front of the energized Cleveland crowd. Unfortunately for Cavaliers fans, that moment was one of the few highlights of the series as Cleveland failed to extend the matchup on its home floor. In fact, they doubled down in a post highlighted by Adam Schefter:
Finally, in an epic schoolhouse-style lesson, Inside the NBA delivered a definition that perfectly summed up the Cavaliers’ performance.
To cap it all off, the show defined “Quit” as “To give up.” It was then followed with the synonym, “See Cavaliers in Game 4 vs Knicks,” and verb pronunciation “Ca-va-li-ers.” The brutal jab not only educated fans but also roasted the Cavaliers for their epic collapse.
The Cavaliers appeared destined for a breakthrough season after reaching their first Eastern Conference Finals without LeBron James since 1992. Instead, the Knicks carved out a story of their own.
New York didn’t just win the series — it dominated. The Knicks crushed the Cavaliers 130-93 in Cleveland to complete the sweep. With the Western Conference Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder tied 2-2, New York now gains valuable extra rest before the NBA Finals begin.
The Knicks now have an opportunity to capture their first NBA championship since 1973. As for the Cavaliers, the offseason begins with difficult questions about how to finally push past the Eastern Conference elite next season.
No team sets out to get swept in the Eastern Conference Finals. Cleveland put so much into its core — upgrading at the deadline only to fall short again despite being a top-four team in the East. The wheels came off at the worst time, losing to a Knicks team that has been unbeatable for two rounds. Still, for fantasy basketball managers, this roster kept delivering all year.
That deserves some respect, so let’s recap the season and look ahead to what’s next for the Cavs.
Donovan Mitchell and James Harden worked (until they didn’t)
Mitchell averaged 27.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game, locking him in as a first-round fantasy player in High Score and 9-cat leagues. Not much more you can ask of Spida. He was available, playing in 70 games and producing.
The playoffs were a different story, as the Knicks' defense made life miserable and Mitchell’s efficiency suffered. Even then, it looked like he was the only Cavs player to show proof of life throughout the entire Eastern Conference Finals. I’d be looking to draft Mitchell in the early second round next season.
Harden complemented Mitchell well in the regular season, finishing 33rd after the trade deadline in 9-cat leagues but finishing 23rd overall for the year and 11th in High Score. Not bad for a 36-year-old in his 17th NBA season.
Now, the postseason is a different story. He was horrendous in the ECF, registering more turnovers than assists and shooting 39% from the field. He can’t seem to shake that playoff narrative, but one thing we can’t take from Harden is that his teams always make the playoffs.
He has a $42M player option for next year, so we’ll see if he exercises it or gets an extension. Harden remains a strong asset for points, assists, 3s, steals and FT% despite his age. Harden as a third-round fantasy option fits.
Has Evan Mobley hit his ceiling?
It’s a valid question, given how the regular season and postseason have gone recently. Mobley averaged 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.0 blocks per game. Strong numbers and worthy of a fourth-rounder in fantasy.
Still, the statistical arc is flattening.
Mobley hasn't taken a significant scoring leap and his numbers are always weaker in the postseason. His free-throw shooting remains a liability in 9-cat. Plus, his 3-point development, while improved, hasn't unlocked the next level that many projected. Mobley should be the clear number two option, but his passiveness and lack of assertiveness limit his upside.
I think he’s a bit overrated and that’s okay — I just might be looking elsewhere around his fourth round ADP.
Final Thoughts
The Cavs saved $115M in salary by trading Darius Garland, three second-round picks, De'Andre Hunter and waiving Lonzo Ball to land Harden, Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder. It got them under the second apron, with some wiggle room to re-sign Harden. If he opts out, well, that wouldn’t be good for the Cavs.
Or would it?
Jarrett Allen was a better 9-cat asset than High Score. However, he really fell short defensively, not registering more than 1 block per game for the second straight season. His 55th overall ADP is a bit high for my liking. Second-year forward Jaylon Tyson started 42 of 66 games and averaged 13.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 stocks and 2.0 3s, while shooting 49.8% from the field. I think he’s a player to watch going forward.
Lastly, Kenny Atkinson’s coaching scheme supports five fantasy players pretty well. Let’s hope that continues heading into the 2026-27 season.
The Los Angeles Rams’ schedule is so jampacked with intriguing matchups that it’s hard to pick one game to be most excited for. That’s what players were tasked with doing recently when the Rams asked them which game they can’t wait to play in.
Trent McDuffie, Kyren Williams and Davante Adams were among those featured in the video shared by the team, and their answers were interesting, to say the least.
Trent McDuffie: “Chiefs, Thursday Night Football.”
McDuffie was traded from the Chiefs to the Rams this offseason, so it’s not surprising he wants to face his former team – though we don’t know if it’s because he’s excited to see his old teammates or because he wants revenge.
Kyren Williams: “Christmas Day, December 25th, you know what’s going on.”
Hmm, who do the Rams play on Christmas this year? The defending Super Bowl champs. The Seattle Seahawks knocked out the Rams in the NFC title game last season, so Williams is looking to avenge that loss.
It was obviously a tough season for everyone involved in Toronto. They didn't plan on missing the playoffs so convincingly.
The only good news that came out of it was this top pick. It could help the Maple Leafs do a quick reset and move in the right direction in a hurry.
Nylander and Knies certainly were aware of the implications immediately. They knew it was unlikely, and they surely in their minds know exactly the talent it could bring to town.
It's a cool aspect of modern technology that such a moment could be captured and shared with the entire Toronto fanbase, because in that sequence, Nylander and Knies felt quite a bit similarly to all the Maple Leafs fans.
The 17-year-old Frenchman Moise Kouame became the youngest man to win a match at Roland Garros since 1991 as the teenage wildcard defeated former US Open champion Marin Cilic in straight sets on his first appearance at a grand slam tournament.
Kouame triumphed 7-6 6-1 6-1 against the veteran Cilic, 37, is also the youngest man to win a grand slam match since a 16-year-old Bernard Tomic advanced to the second round of the 2009 Australian Open.
A night after French favourite Gael Monfils waved goodbye to Roland Garros, the tournament may have witnessed the arrival of a new star in the Paris-born Kouame - who is also coached by France’s former world No 7 Richard Gasquet.
Kouame triumphed in the blazing Paris heat, beating Cilic in straight sets to reach the second round (Reuters)
Speaking before the start of the tournament after receiving one of the eight available tournament wildcards, Kouame said: “It is a privilege for me to be here that young. It's an opportunity not everyone gets to have. I'm going to try to enjoy it as much as possible.”
Kouame, ranked 313 in the world, won his first tour-level match at this season’s Miami Open, becoming the youngest man to win a Masters match since Rafael Nadal in 2003, after making his tour-level debut in Montpellier in February.
Kouame’s only other appearance in the main draw of an ATP tournament came on the clay in Monte Carlo in April, where the teenager also had a practice session with world No Jannik Sinner.
He is now the youngest man to reach the second round of Roland Garros since Romania’s Dinu Pescariu in 1991, and the second youngest Frenchman to win a match at the French Open after a 16-year-old Thierry Tulasne in 1980.
Cilic, a former French Open semi-finalist who is 20 years older than Kouame, was making his 18th appearance in the Roland Garros main draw. He won his only grand slam title at the 2014 US Open and also reached Wimbledon and Australian Open finals.
According to Opta, Kouame also becomes the youngest player in the Open ea to defeat a former grand slam champion at Roland Garros. He will play either Britain’s Cameron Norrie, the 20th seed, or Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in the second round.
Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals meet in the IPL 2026 Eliminator. SRH arrive on the back of two convincing victories over these same opponents this season, a 57-run hammering in Hyderabad and a five-wicket win in Jaipur, and will be looking to reach their second final in three years and claim a first title since 2016.
Rajasthan, who last lifted the trophy way back in 2008 and lost a final to Gujarat Titans in 2022, will need their batting to fire from the very first ball. They possess the most explosive opening partnership in the tournament in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal, while SRH counter with the most destructive top three, led by Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma.
The winner here faces the loser of Qualifier 1 for the right to meet the finalists in Ahmedabad. On a batting paradise in New Chandigarh that has produced an average first innings score of 181, with the highest total here reaching 254, both sides have the firepower to post enormous totals. Tactics, matchups and nerve will decide this one.
SRH vs. RR Prediction: Who Will Win?
The form book, the head-to-head and the sheer weight of numbers all point firmly in one direction. Pat Cummins' Sunrisers have beaten Rajasthan Royals twice already this season, most recently accounting for defending champions RCB in convincing fashion, and they arrive here as the side nobody really wants to face in a knockout.
Rajasthan are dangerous, no question. When Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal fire together at the top, they can change a game inside the powerplay. But beyond that partnership, RR's batting order carries genuine vulnerability, and SRH have the bowlers smart enough to expose it.
Sunrisers, by contrast, have at least four batsmen in red-hot form who are capable of destroying any attack on their day. Jofra Archer will need the Jofra Archer thing to swing this for Rajasthan.
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium has a belter of surface. The red-black soil mixes well and offers a true, even bounce that batters absolutely love, with the ball coming on nicely to the bat throughout. Seamers will fancy their chances early with the new ball, but once the shine goes, this pitch belongs to the strokemakers. Spinners grow into the game as the surface wears.
Statistic
Value
Detail
City
New Chandigarh
India
First Match
23 Mar 2024
Last T20 Match
28 Apr 2026
Matches Played
15
Matches with No Result
0 (0.00%)
Won Batting First
7 (46.67%)
Won Batting Second
8 (53.33%)
Won Toss & Won Match
10 (66.67%)
Lost Toss & Won Match
5 (33.33%)
Average Score Batting First
181.00
Average Runs per Wicket
26.73
Average Runs per Over
9.31
Highest Team Innings
254/7
Punjab Kings, 19 Apr 2026 v Lucknow Super Giants
Lowest Team Innings
95
Kolkata Knight Riders, 15 Apr 2025 v Punjab Kings
Highest Run Chase
223/4
Punjab Kings, 11 Apr 2026 v Sunrisers Hyderabad
Highest Individual Innings
103
Priyansh Arya (PBKS), 8 Apr 2025 v Chennai Super Kings
Best Bowling Figures
4/28
Y S Chahal (PBKS), 15 Apr 2025 v Kolkata Knight Riders
ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 25: Cam Smith #11 of the Houston Astros slides safely into to second base in the six inning during the game between the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Monday, May 25, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Astros 9, Rangers 0
How embarrassing.
I actually had the notion of a no hitter going through my head in the early innings. When the Astros scored on a walk, a stolen base, an advancement on a ground ball and a sac fly, and then didn’t do anything the next couple of innings…
I said to myself, “What if the Rangers no hit the Astros and still lose? Wouldn’t that be such a 2026 Texas Rangers thing to happen?
On the heels of Reid Detmers striking out 14 and holding the Rangers to one hit after eight innings, we get this.
A combination no-hitter from Tatsuya Imai, Steven Okert and Alimber Santa.
Being no hit by an Astros team with one of the worst pitching staffs in baseball.
Its a long season. There’s a lot of baseball still to be played. The American League West is ass.
But still. Its hard to shake the feeling, at this very moment, that this team is a thousand miles from nowhere.
Maybe when Michael Helman isn’t starting at shortstop, when Justin Foscue isn’t starting at second base, when Texas doesn’t have Joc Pederson and Andrew McCutchen playing the corner outfield spots, when Josh Jung’s shoulder is better and Corey Seager’s back is better and Wyatt Langford’s arm is better and Josh Smith’s viral meningitis is better, things will be clicking and the offense will be scoring some runs and vibes will be good.
But right now? Right now it feels like shades of 2021. And 2021 was miserable.
Kumar Rocker’s sinker topped out at 95.9 mph, averaging 93.8 mph. Peyton Gray’s fastball touched 94.8 mph. Chris Martin hit 95.3 mph with his fastball. Sam Haggerty’s fastest pitch was 35.4 mph.
Joc Pederson had a 105.4 mph ground out. Justin Foscue had a 101.3 mph ground out.
I’m not going to say it can’t get any worse, because every time we say that it does get worse. But the chances are the next game will be better?
For weeks, the Mets talked like there was still time to fix things. Carlos Mendoza stopped talking that way Monday night.
“It’s not early anymore.”
That was Mendoza’s assessment after the Mets fell 7-2 to the Reds, dropping New York to 22-32 and 10 games under .500 at the one-third mark of the season.
The standings are forcing honesty
Monday’s loss was New York’s fourth straight. The Mets were swept by the Marlins over the weekend while scoring two total runs in three games, then allowed seven to Cincinnati while wasting scoring chances again.
Mendoza skipped the clichés afterward. “Whatever I say here, it doesn’t matter,” he told reporters. “We got to go out and do it.”
The offense Mendoza keeps warning about
The Mets finished Monday with nine hits, which made the two runs harder to take. Mendoza pointed at the lack of power afterward, describing how tough it is to score “by just singles.”
The numbers track with him. New York has been one of baseball’s weakest slugging teams in May, near the bottom of MLB in extra-base production despite the occasional outburst. The lineup rarely creates quick damage and often needs three or four hits to manufacture a single run, and right now the rallies are disappearing entirely.
Nolan McLean’s rough night
Monday also brought another tough outing for Nolan McLean, whose promising rookie stretch has turned unstable. He allowed seven earned runs in 3.1 innings against Cincinnati, extending a two-start run in which he has surrendered 13 earned runs.
McLean was blunt about it: “It’s just bad pitching honestly.” The tone matched Mendoza’s, with nobody around the Mets framing this as random bad luck.
The injuries are thinning everything out
New York is also navigating a growing injury list. Tyrone Taylor left Monday’s game with hip pain and is likely headed for an MRI, while Juan Soto has already missed multiple games with illness. Francisco Lindor remains sidelined, Francisco Alvarez is out after knee surgery, and several important pitchers are on the injured list. The injuries are real, and a 22-32 record runs deeper than them.
A quote that sounded final
Mendoza’s “It’s not early anymore” line stripped away the safety blanket that had surrounded the Mets for most of the spring. Teams survive ugly Aprils and short slumps. The danger arrives when the standings stop looking temporary, which is where the Mets sit now, with their manager sounding like he knows it.
The Detroit Lions have spent the past two offseasons carefully reshaping one of the NFL’s best offensive lines, but one analyst believes there may still be room for a familiar face to return.
Veteran guard Kevin Zeitler has once again emerged as a potential fit for Detroit after becoming a free agent following his stint with the Tennessee Titans.
According to Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay, the Lions should consider reaching back out to the longtime NFL lineman as they continue preparing for the 2026 season.
On paper, the idea makes plenty of sense.
The Lions offensive line simply looked different without Zeitler’s reliability and physicality last season.
Kevin Zeitler Would Bring Experience and Stability
Zeitler has quietly built one of the most respected careers among offensive linemen in the NFL.
The 36 year old veteran has logged more than 14,000 career snaps while playing for six different franchises, earning All Pro honors and establishing himself as one of football’s steadiest interior blockers.
When he was in Detroit during the 2024 season, he quickly became an important part of the offensive line’s success and locker room culture.
There is little doubt he could still help a contender.
For a team with Super Bowl aspirations and a win now mentality, adding another proven veteran presence would certainly carry some appeal.
The Lions’ Philosophy Appears to Be Moving in a Different Direction
At the same time, Detroit’s offseason approach strongly suggests the organization is prioritizing youth along the offensive line.
General manager Brad Holmes has spent the past year reshaping the unit with younger and more affordable options. The Lions used a second-round pick on Tate Ratledge and later selected Blake Miller in the first round as part of their long-term plan up front.
Detroit also signed Cade Mays in free agency while continuing to develop younger pieces already on the roster.
The message has been pretty clear.
The Lions are attempting to build sustained offensive line depth for the future rather than relying on aging veterans nearing the end of their careers.
Christian Mahogany’s Role Complicates Things Further
Another reason a Zeitler reunion feels unlikely is the emergence of Christian Mahogany.
The former 2024 draft pick is expected to take on a major role entering his third NFL season and second year as a starter. Detroit clearly believes Mahogany still has substantial upside, and giving those reps to a 36 year old veteran may not align with the organization’s long term vision.
At this point, Detroit appears committed to seeing whether its younger linemen can fully develop into long term starters.
Familiarity Alone May Not Be Enough
There is also another important factor to consider.
Zeitler played in Detroit under former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Since then, the Lions coaching staff and offensive structure have continued evolving.
While many core pieces remain intact, the offense is not exactly the same environment Zeitler left behind.
Unless injuries suddenly create an urgent need during training camp, it is difficult to envision Detroit pivoting away from its current developmental plan.
Still, for a veteran like Zeitler, there will almost certainly be playoff contenders interested in his experience and leadership before the 2026 season begins.
After two consecutive seasons in the Championship, Daniel Farke's Leeds United will now look to build on back-to-back seasons in the top-flight.
On the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix praised Farke's efforts in avoiding relegation.
"Daniel has done an amazing job with the resources compared to a lot of the sides. Some of the victories against the top sides were fantastic," said Pope.
During the campaign, highlights included Leeds enjoying their first league win over Manchester United since September 2002 (1-0), while it was their first away from home victory against the Red Devils since February 1981.
After losing six out of seven games between October and November, Farke came under scrutiny from some Leeds fans over his future at the club.
"Very quickly people were quick to get rid of him when it went south," added Rix.
"Not only the Premier League survival, the Man Utd victory, the FA Cup semi-final. He has given us some nice moments this season."
Although Leeds endured a torrid time during October and November, their eight-match unbeaten streak between March and May was the longest by a newly promoted side in a Premier League campaign since Birmingham City in 2009-10 (12).
At the heart of that unbeaten streak was Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who became a driving force in his first season in a Leeds shirt.
The 29-year-old scored a combined 12 goals in his final three seasons for Everton in the Premier League, and he finished the 2025-26 Premier League season with 14.
Calvert-Lewin was also ranked number one for high-intensity pressures - 2367 in total, the most of any player in the Premier League this season.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
It took one match at his first-ever Grand Slam event for Moise Kouame to make history. With his 7-6 6-1 6-1 win over Marin Čilić on Tuesday, Kouame became the youngest man to win a match at the French Open in over three decades.
Kouame, 17, notched six aces in his win over the 37-year-old Čilić, a former US Open champ.
With the accomplishment, Kouame became the youngest man to reach the second round of the French Open since Dinu Pescariu pulled off the feat in 1991. If you expand Kouame’s accomplishment to include all Grand Slams, he’s the youngest man to advance to the second round in a Grand Slam since 2009, when 16-year-old Bernard Tomic made it to the second round of the Australian Open.
Both Pescariu and Tomic couldn’t keep up that momentum, with both players losing in the second round of those events.
Kouame, who was born in France in 2009, previously competed in the qualifying round at the 2025 French Open, but failed to earn a spot. He was awarded a wildcard at the event in 2026, and has already made waves with his first Grand Slam win.
Dispatching Čilić is no small feat. In addition to winning the 2014 US Open, Čilić has reached the finals at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon during his career. He’s made it as far as the semifinals at the French Open in the past.
With the victory, Kouame will advance to the second round of the French Open, where he’ll take on the winner of Cameron Norrie and Adolfo Daniel Vallejo.
As uncertainty surrounds LIV Golf, Bryson DeChambeau is adamant he’ll use his star power to help the league raise investment after acknowledging that the decision from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund to withdraw funding after 2026 came as a “surprise.”
Last month, the PIF confirmed it would not finance LIV beyond the 2026 season, following a reported spend of between $5 billion and $8 billion since the league launched in 2022.
PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan also stepped down as chairman of LIV’s board in the wake of the withdrawal. The league has since installed Gene Davis and Jon Zinman to lead a restructured board, describing them as “seasoned experts with proven track records for navigating complex situations and unlocking value for global organizations.”
LIV, which postponed an event in Louisiana, scheduled for June, to a slated Fall date, continues this week in South Korea at the Asiad Country Club in the coastal region of Busan. The eighth event of LIV’s 2026 season comes after reports that the league is laying the groundwork to file for bankruptcy.
The league is pressing on, pitching a 10-event schedule to potential investors having officially entered the marketplace this week via New York-based Ducera Partners.
It is believed the target for investment is between $250 million and $350 million, while a new-look version of the league would extend equity beyond just the team captains and will have an emphasis on team golf.
Sources said more than 12 players provided introductions to potential investors, for both the league and its teams.
With all this as context, DeChambeau was asked by reporters about the PIF’s withdrawal from LIV and his optimism for new investment when he spoke with media on Tuesday.
“We were surprised that they pulled out as quickly as they did,” DeChambeau said. “We didn't really see that coming. But that's OK. One door closes, another opens. I think that's the way a lot of us are looking at it. I think we all have optimism that there is a business plan that makes sense for team golf.
“I'm very optimistic with the business plan of team golf compared to other models, in my opinion.”
DeChambeau expanded on how team golf could be a point of differentiation and a catalyst for LIV to survive.
“Other models have worked, as well, so I'm not going to say that one is better than the other. But I do see value in what team golf can provide not only worldwide but also in grass rooting the game of golf. National support, team national support, city local support, we grass root ourselves there. There's a couple ideas that we have … quite a few ideas that we have that could be interesting.
“We'll see if investors like it or not. I'm giving all I can to make it happen, and if it doesn't, it doesn't happen.”
DeChambeau, who won last year’s LIV Golf Korea, was asked how he manages to focus while the league tries to secure its future.
“I go out there on the first tee on Thursday and hit a beautiful drive down the middle of the fairway, hopefully,” DeChambeau said in Korea. “That's what we're focused on. In the background, yeah, we're trying to help where we can, but ultimately, it's up to executives and everybody banding together. If we all band together, there's an opportunity here. If not, it's going to be a different day for all of us.”
If his performance on the course is a way to decipher whether the future of LIV has been a distraction for DeChambeau, the results have been mixed. He won consecutive LIV events in Singapore and South Africa leading into the Masters, only to miss the cut at Augusta National. He finished third at LIV Golf Virginia then missed the weekend rounds at the PGA Championship at Aronimink.
Chasing a third major after U.S. Open victories in 2020 and 2024, DeChambeau is hopeful of turning his form around in time to challenge for another title at Shinnecock before wrapping up major season at the Open Championship in July at Royal Birkdale.
“I'm playing some solid golf; I'm working on my golf swing quite hard, trying to get back to that 58 level at Greenbrier [he shot 58 during his LIV Golf Greenbrier win in 2023] when I just had this golf swing that was so easy,” DeChambeau said.
“The weeks that I've been playing in major championships, I've been playing OK, just having nothing happen for me, and that's kind of the game of golf,” he continued. “The weeks before that I played really well going into them. I won two events going into the Masters and then finished third in Virginia. So it's not like I'm playing bad golf. I think I'm putting some pressure on myself to play well in those tournaments, and that's the reality. Nobody is perfect, and I'm still working hard to play as good as I possibly can, and the year before I played really well in the majors, missed one cut there, and it just happens.
“That's golf, and ultimately excited for the opportunities I have moving forward. There isn't any quit in me, as you can see. Even at Aronimink, I birdied my first last three holes trying to make the cut there, and it is what it is.
“I'll tell you this: I played worse golf and shot better scores at majors. It's one of those scenarios of ebbs and flows in golf. I'm really excited for the future over at Shinnecock and overseas, as well, for the Open Championship. Head down, keep moving forward.”
Former USC teammates Michael Pittman Jr. and Drake London have had many things in common in their NFL careers. Both receivers have shown they can play like a top receiver in the league, even without quarterback stability. Michael Pittman Jr. has been dealt a better hand this season, as he gets a 42-year-old Rodgers to throw him the football. Ironically, that is a better situation than what London has to deal with in Atlanta.
Both talented receivers will face each other on Sunday Night Football in Week 13. Their quarterbacks may not deliver a performance, but one thing is for certain: both guys will make big plays.
Michael Pittman Jr. now joins forces with D.K. Metcalf. Pittman Jr. and Metcalf will form one of the better receiver duos in the league, which will make things easier on Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers' offense will make it very challenging for the Falcons' defense in this matchup.
The Falcons' offense will face a challenge in this game, both against the Steelers' offense and their elite defense. Regardless of which quarterback gets the start, their main objective should be to give Drake London the football. That really has been the story of this offense since London's arrival. The same goes for their other playmakers. If their best guys get the ball, their offense is tough to stop.
This game could shape up with both former Trojan receivers having big games. Aaron Rodgers tends to love targeting a weapon like Pittman Jr., would not be surprised if he has a big game. If the Falcons win, it will be because Drake London had a big game. This game will also showcase why the Trojans should remain viewed as the top institution for receivers.
Arsenal target star striker as Man Utd risk losing talisman – transfer round-up
Arsenal are lining up a blockbuster deal for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, who reportedly wants a move this summer.
The former Manchester City star is expected to cost in excess of £100 million and Arsenal are prepared to make a serious move for him, according to BBC. The Gunners will face competition from both Barcelona and PSG for the Argentina international’s signature.
Mikel Arteta’s side are also targeting Bournemouth forward Eli Kroupi Junior, report the Metro. The 19-year-old netted 13 goals in his debut Premier League campaign. This includes the goal against City that made Arsenal champions, and he admitted receiving many thank you messages.
The Cherries have put an £85 million price tag on the teenager, with Chelsea also amongst those interested in him.
Elsewhere, Manchester United could be at risk of losing their captain and talisman Bruno Fernandes. The Portugal international has a release clause making him available for £57 million this summer, says Fabrizio Romano.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa are lining up a surprise move for Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes, according to the Daily Mail. Unai Emery wants to strengthen his side after winning the Europa League and securing Champions League qualification. The 28-year-old attacker would cost upwards of £30 million.
Barcelona set for meeting with 27-year-old returning loanee to define future
The future of Inaki Pena at FC Barcelona remains uncertain. The goalkeeper is under contract with the Blaugrana until 30 June 2029 following the extension agreement signed in August 2025, prior to his loan move to Elche.
With the La Liga season now over, Pena will soon be back at Barça without a clear pathway for his future ahead of the summer window.
Meeting to take place
As such, Mundo Deportivo reports that a meeting with Barcelona to clarify Pena’s future is expected to take place in the coming days.
Barcelona have decisions to make with their goalkeeping department. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The Catalans have not yet communicated any decision to the player, while the goalkeeping situation remains one of the issues the club still need to resolve.
Indeed, the reigning La Liga champions must now determine the composition of their goalkeeping department.
The club still need to decide whether Wojciech Szczesny will remain as the second-choice goalkeeper, and whether Diego Kochen, Ander Astralaga or Aron Yaakobishvili will be included in future plans, and consequently what role awaits Pena.
Not an ideal season at Pena
After several seasons alternating between substitute roles and occasional appearances with Barcelona’s first team, Pena moved to Elche on loan with the aim of securing regular playing time and becoming the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Inaki Pena had a mixed spell on loan at Elche. (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)
However, he was exposed in several matches in which Elche struggled defensively. His average of goals conceded per match stood at approximately 1.7, a relatively high figure.
His season was also affected by competition from Matias Dituro. Elche manager Eder Sarabia initially rotated both goalkeepers, but during the decisive stages of the campaign he ultimately selected Dituro as his fixed first-choice option.
As such, Pena ended the season with 16 La Liga appearances, accumulating 1,440 minutes during the season. He conceded 28 goals while keeping four clean sheets.
Ndicka praises Svilar’s 18 clean sheets, goalkeeper credits whole defense: “It’s thanks to all of you.”
Roma are back in the Champions League.
After last year’s disappointment, when they missed out on a spot in Europe’s premier competition by just one point behind Juventus, this time the Roman club lived up to expectations and finished the season in third place.
Among the standouts this season was undoubtedly Mile Svilar, who was named the league’s best goalkeeper for the second year in a row.
The number 99, with the help of his teammates, managed to keep 18 clean sheets: only four other times in the club’s history had something similar happened. Roma, in a video published on X, wanted to pay tribute to the Giallorossi defense.
The short clip shows Svilar and Ndicka congratulating each other after the Verona-Roma match. “18 clean sheets, that’s him, that’s him alone,” says Ndicka. “That’s not true: Evan, Mancio, Mario, Ghila, me, that’s them,” replies Svilar.
Roma Eye 2nd Spot With Summer Strengthening Planned
For passionate and loyal Italian Serie A fans, there is only one match day to go in the 2025/26 domestic league campaign and the battle at the top of the top flight table has long been decided with Inter Milan continuing to hold a 13 point gap over Napoli.
Napoli no doubt have the runners up spot secured for this campaign as they hold a three point advantage over chasers AC Milan and AS Roma and it would take an interesting final days curtain closing set of results to see those final finishing positions materially change, but it is possible on goal difference.
The final relegation place this campaign comes down to a one point shoot out between Leece and Cremonese. Pisa and Hellas Verona are already consigned to a future in Serie B and whilst that will be an interesting distraction, fans of I Giallorossi will have their eyes on the top and then attentions will turn to the coming 2026/27 campaign after the latest world cup news serves as a useful temporary distraction.
The vast majority of the Stadio Olimpico regulars will feel that with some sensible strengthening this summer, 68 year old manager Gian Piero Gasperini could well go one step further next term and at least make more of a sustained challenge on second place and the runners up spot.
Should Napoli lose, it could well be achieved this year, but the whole club would undoubtedly would want it secure and more in the bag so that a more real and better tilt at the title could actually be made.
Amongst the many players that we are being linked with on the transfer window speculation rumour mill, more recent favourites this week have been RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa, West Ham United’s Crysencio Summerville and Olypique Marseille’s Mason Greenwood. With Gasperini’s control at AS Roma has been growing and it is strongly believed that he will now have the final say over recruitment this summer, and given the style of play that he appeared to prefer whilst back with Atalanta, whoever we do ultimately end up going for when we have finalised our shortlists for the window should be far better suited to that kind of system and set up.
Most would probably accept that Nusa, Summerville and Greenwood would fit into how the manager would more prefer the team to play, but individual preference would dictate as to whether or not individual Roma fans felt that they would be worthwhile captures, or marked improvements on what we already have at our disposal.
21 year old attacker Nusa would feel the most likely out of the three to be accurate given it was heavily reported that we made a formal approach last summer, and that our interest in the New Year window only came to an end when it was obvious that they would hold to their 60 million Euro valuation.
Whilst some reports suggest that they would now listen to offers 10 million Euro or so less, others are claiming that he has pretty significant interest from the English Premier League which would, by default, drive his price up you would think.
As ever, we will simply have to see what the off season brings, but for now it is all eyes back to the final day.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are at a franchise crossroads after an embarrassing Eastern Conference Finals sweep at the hands of the New York Knicks.
While Cleveland reached its first ECF since the LeBron James era, it was quite an arduous path. The Cavs needed seven games to get past both the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons. Then they looked completely outmatched against New York despite Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson puzzlingly claiming, "Analytically, we have won 2 of 3" after falling down 3-0.
So, where does Cleveland go from here? An obvious first step is firing Atkinson, whose insistence on James Harden being a quality defender was borderline coaching malpractice.
It's not a move Donovan Mitchell would support, however. The seven-time All-Star defended Atkinson after Game 4, calling the criticism he's receiving "hilarious."
"We've done something that we haven't done since 2018 … there's going to be criticism everywhere on Kenny, right? But why?" Mitchell said. "We got here. … We didn't just go out there and coach ourselves. People are going to be people. People probably criticize me just as much, and then James [Harden], but I love Kenny. We love Kenny. We ride with Kenny and, ultimately, that's all that matters, right?"
Count Harden among Atkinson's supporters too.
"Ultimate players coach -- he gets it, he understands his team," Harden said postgame. " ... For Kenny, he did an unbelievable job of getting me acclimated as fast as possible to understanding what I'm supposed to be doing out there."
Cleveland's backcourt believes in Atkinson, but after this stress-filled playoff run, it doesn't appears as if the city of Cleveland is with them.
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🚨 Headlines
⚾️ Houston hurls no-no: Astros starter Tatsuya Imai, plus relievers Steven Okert and Alimber Santa (in his debut!), combined to throw a no-hitter in Monday's 9-0 win over the Rangers, marking MLB's first no-no since 2024. This was Houston's seventh no-hitter since 2019, which is four more than any other team in that span.
🏀 All-NBA: MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander headlined the All-NBA First Team alongside Nikola Jokić, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham. Headlining the second and third teams? A whopping four players named Jalen (Brunson, Johnson, Duren) or Jaylen (Brown).
🥎 WCWS bracket set: The eight-team field is led by defending champion Texas, 12-time champion UCLA, 2012 champion Alabama, and five teams seeking their first title: Texas Tech, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Nebraska and Arkansas.
⚾️ Baseball bracket set: UCLA earned the No. 1 overall seed in the 64-team NCAA baseball tournament, which begins on Friday with 16 double-elimination regionals. Defending champion LSU, who barely finished above .500 (30-28), missed the tournament for the first time since 2011.
🥍 Lax champs crowned: Princeton (D1) dominated Notre Dame to win its first title since 2001, while Northwestern (WD1) outlasted UNC to win its ninth title. Plus: Tufts (D3) won its third straight title, Middlebury (WD3) won its fifth straight title, Tampa (D2) won on a walk-off and Florida Southern (WD2) won its second title.
A month to remember: The Knicks have outscored their opponents by 262 points during their current 11-game winning streak. How dominant is that? It's the best point differential during any 11-game stretch (regular season or playoffs) by any team. Ever.
April 25: Knicks 114, Hawks 98
April 28: Knicks 126, Hawks 97
April 30: Knicks 140, Hawks 89
May 4: Knicks 137, 76ers 98
May 6: Knicks 108, 76ers 102
May 8: Knicks 108, 76ers 94
May 10: Knicks 144, 76ers 114
May 19: Knicks 115, Cavaliers 104
May 21: Knicks 109, Cavaliers 93
May 23: Knicks 121, Cavaliers 108
May 25: Knicks 130, Cavaliers 93
Put another way: No team has ever entered the NBA Finals on a bigger heater. Only two teams have had a longer winning streak in a single postseason (2017 Warriors, 1999 Spurs), and neither of them were annihilating the competition during their respective runs like these Knicks.
Walt Frazier and Patrick Ewing present Jalen Brunson with the Larry Bird Eastern Conference MVP. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
King of New York: Jalen Brunson was named unanimous MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals after averaging 25.5 points and 7.8 assists. It was the latest feat for the Knicks' humble superstar, who is quickly becoming a franchise legend — and an NBA icon.
Mike Brown's been on NBA benches for nearly 30 years, coaching some of the greatest players in the history of basketball. And he can't stop raving about the way Brunson leads, about how hard Brunson works.
"You know, most superstars I've been around work extremely hard. But his work ethic, man, it's off the charts," Brown said Monday. "On top of that, you know, he's pretty even-keeled. Never gets too high, never gets too low. And when your leader's that way — which you need to have, especially when you hit adversity — it's easy to get everybody else to follow."
Asked if that temperament and consistency reminded him of anybody he's been around, Brown had two immediate answers. "Tim Duncan and Steph Curry," he said. "They're not the same player, but man — the aura that those guys have, the quiet strength that they have, is unbelievable."
The last word: "I feel like the word 'hope' has been gone from the New York Knicks for a long time," Karl-Anthony Towns said after the game. "And for [us] to be part of this team that revives the word 'hope' in the city, it's something really, really special. And it's an honor."
Home woes: The Canadiens are now just 2-5 at home during these playoffs, making them the eighth team in NHL history to lose five of their first seven home games in a single postseason.
Arsenal players throw manager Mikel Arteta in the air after their season finale. (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
🇫🇷 Paris, France — Nishesh Basavareddy, an American wild card ranked 148th in the world, stunned No. 7 Taylor Fritz on Sunday at the French Open. Next up for Basavareddy: Alex Michelsen, another fellow American.
More history for Djoker: Novak Djokovic, who rallied for a first-round victory, has now appeared in 82 men's Grand Slam tournaments, breaking a tie with Roger Federer and Feliciano López for the most ever.
Remember these guys? 12-year NBA veteran Evan Fournier (pictured above) was named EuroLeague Final Four MVP after leading Olympiacos with 20 points in the final. And Madrid's leading scorers were 10-year NBA vet Trey Lyles and former No. 5 overall pick Mario Hezonja.
💯 Big Numbers
(James Gilbert/Getty Images)
🏎️ 0.0233 seconds
Felix Rosenqvist won the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday in the closest finish ever, overtaking Davis Malukas on the final lap to seize victory by 0.0233 seconds. Relive the final moments.
Hull City beat Middlesbrough, 1-0, in Saturday's Championship playoff final on a stoppage-time goal from Oli McBurnie, clinching promotion to the Premier League for the first time since 2017. Hull's victory in "The Richest Game in Sports" will net the club at least $275 million in guaranteed broadcast and commercial revenues over the next three seasons.
Hull's high-wire act: The Tigers barely avoided relegation last season, hired an unknown manager last summer, were hit with a restrictive transfer embargo and only snuck into the playoff on the final day of the season. Despite all that tumult in the past 12 months, they'll take their talents to England's top flight later this summer.
(Norm Hall/Getty Images)
⚾️ 8 triples
Diamondbacks speedster Corbin Carroll hit two more triples on Sunday, giving him a league-leading eight on the season — twice as many as anyone else. Carroll, who made his MLB debut in 2022, is now one of just four active players with 50 career triples, joining Andrew McCutchen (debuted in 2009), Mike Trout (2011) and Starling Marte (2012).
Wild stat: Carroll has more triples this season than 21 teams. He also has a .974 OPS, which leads the NL and ranks third in all of baseball.
⛳️ 30 under par
Wyndham Clark played a flawless round of golf on Sunday to win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, shooting an 11-under 60 to end the week at 30 under par, three strokes ahead of Si Woo Kim (-27) and five ahead of Scottie Scheffler (-25).
Clark the closer: This was the second time that Clark shot a 60 or better in the final round en route to victory, something only three other PGA Tour golfers in history have accomplished even once.
💉 Enhanced Games: ‘Steroid Olympics’ or infomercial?
Swimmers compete in the 50m breaststroke. (Greg Doherty/Getty Images for Enhanced)
The inaugural Enhanced Games came and went on Sunday in Sin City, where one world record was (unofficially) broken in the final event of the night and 42 athletes — encouraged to use performance-enhancing drugs — largely proved there's no shortcut to athletic achievement.
Jeff Eisenberg, Yahoo Sports:
The 42 swimming, track and weightlifting athletes who competed Sunday may have come to Las Vegas to chase personal records and millions in prize money, but the organizers of the Enhanced Games had greater ambitions than merely launching a new sports franchise. They sought to use the event to de-stigmatize the use of performance-enhancing substances and to entice consumers to buy them.
Enhanced, which went public earlier this month at a $1.2 billion valuation, is selling a range of performance-medicine products and longevity and wellness treatments to the public through its telehealth platform. What better marketing tool, organizers reason, than watching top athletes openly use some of those products to help them perform superhuman feats?
There were times where as many as 60,000 viewers tuned into Sunday evening's livestream to watch the Enhanced Games, but the event rarely delivered any jaw-dropping performances to hold the audience's attention.
At one point, swimming analyst Kurt Mills Hanson launched into an on-air sales pitch for viewers to check out the "enhancement protocols" that Enhanced sells on its website. "If you're a youngster, go check them out," he concluded.
The top-seeded Avalanche are on the brink. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
🏒 NHL Playoffs
The Golden Knights host the Avalanche in Game 4 tonight (9pm, ESPN) as they look to complete an unlikely sweep against the Western Conference's No. 1 seed.
A (nearly) insurmountable deficit: This is the 218th time in NHL history that a team has gone down 3-0 in a best-of-seven series. The only four teams to come back to win that series? The 1942 Maple Leafs, 1975 Islanders, 2010 Flyers and 2014 Kings.
🏀 NBA Playoffs
The Thunder host the Spurs tonight in Game 5 (8:30pm ET, NBC) as the Western Conference Finals, tied 2-2, has become a best-of-three series.
Lock-down D: San Antonio's stifling defense limited OKC to 82 points in Sunday's blowout victory, marking the first time since April 2022 that the Thunder were held under 90 points.
More to watch:
🎾 Tennis: French Open (5am, TNT/HBO Max) … Coco Gauff (8:50am) and Jannik Sinner (2:15pm) headline the final day of Round 1 action.
⚾️ MLB: Braves at Red Sox (6:45pm, TBS) … Atlanta's Spencer Strider (2-0, 3.00 ERA) vs. Boston's Ranger Suárez (2-2, 2.40 ERA).
🚲 Cycling: Giro d'Italia (7:45am, HBO Max) … Jonas Vingegaard leads by 2:26 in the race for the Maglia Rosa entering Stage 16.
🏒 Ice Hockey Worlds: USA vs. Austria (10:20am, NHL) … The Americans must win their group stage finale to advance to the quarterfinals.
Got plans tonight? Gametime is the best place to score last-minute tickets to the events in your city. Get tickets now!
🏀 NBA trivia
(Yahoo Sports)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham made the All-NBA First Team, unveiled Sunday.
Question: Those five players were born in five different countries. Can you name them?
Hint: Three Europe, two North America.
Answer at the bottom.
🇺🇸 Who will make the squad?
(Hassan Ahmad/Yahoo Sports)
The USMNT will unveil its 26-man World Cup roster today (3pm ET, Fox) in New York City before training camp opens tomorrow outside Atlanta.
Now streaming: A documentary team followed the USMNT for the past four years, chronicling their journey from the 2022 World Cup to this summer's tournament and distilling 600+ hours of footage into a five-part series. Episodes 1 and 2 are available now on HBO Max, and Episode 3 premieres tonight (9pm).
Trivia answer: Canada (Gilgeous-Alexander), Serbia (Jokić), France (Wembanyama), Slovenia (Dončić) and United States (Cunningham)
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Bryce Harper is one of the best baseball players on the planet.
He also brushes his teeth in an absolutely bizarre way, and it has Philadelphia Phillies fans and MLB followers wildly confused by a viral video of the situation.
Harper posted a video on his own TikTok just of him preparing for the day, and it features him brushing his teeth.
Not weird, right?
Well, when you see how Harper does it, it's weird.
The Phillies star puts the toothpaste in his mouth first.
Most folks, you are probably well aware, put the toothpaste on the brush, then move it around their teeth.
Harper squeezed some toothpaste right into his mouth, wet the brush separately and only then put the brush into his mouth to meet up with the toothpaste.
Have a look:
I'm the biggest Bryce Harper guy there is but I have never seen someone brush their teeth like this. I'm stunned pic.twitter.com/GpD6C1eESk
Did Harper just do this to mess with people since he knew lots of people would watch this video?
Where did he learn this?
Did he used to do it the other way and convert at some point?
Hopefully there's a reporter in Philadelphia preparing this line of questioning for Harper, because this is quite the revelation. Maybe it's the secret to all of Harper's success.
Bilal El Khannouss was used as a substitute in Stuttgart's German Cup final defeat by Bayern Munich on 23 May [Getty Images]
Bilal El Khannouss has completed a permanent move from Leicester City to VfB Stuttgart, the German club have confirmed.
Attacking midfielder El Khannouss moved to Stuttgart on loan last summer and they have now sealed his permanent signing after the Morocco international impressed over the course of 41 appearances in all competitions.
El Khannouss joined the Foxes in 2024 from Belgian side Genk and featured in 36 games as they suffered relegation from the Premier League in 2025, but following their return to the Championship he was permitted a loan move to the Bundesliga.
The 22-year-old, who is in Morocco's squad for this summer's World Cup, made a substantial contribution to Stuttgart's efforts last season as they finished fourth in Germany's top flight and secured Champions League football; he scored nine goals and contributed seven assists.
Sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth told the Stuttgart website: "In the season just ended, Bilal excelled across all competitions in a VfB shirt and has established himself at a young age as one of the lynchpins of the Moroccan national team.
"Bilal already has exceptional footballing skills, but at the same time, we see further scope for development. As such, we're convinced that he's not yet reached his full potential."
Ricardo Pereira, Jordan Ayew, Patson Daka, Jamaal Lascelles and Wanya Marcal have all left upon the expiry of their contracts, while the respective loan agreements for Jordan James, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Aribo, Divine Mukasa and Dujuan Richards have ended.
Veteran goalkeeper Asmir Begovic's deal is also up, but he is still in talks with the club about remaining in the East Midlands.
It was 25 ago today, Celtic brought down the curtain down on one of the most iconic seasons in the club’s modern history.
On May 26, 2001, Martin O’Neill’s side walked out at Hampden Park knowing that victory over Hibernian in the Scottish Cup final would complete Celtic’s first Treble since the legendary Lisbon Lions era when Jock Stein’s side added to their 1966/67 success with another Treble in 1968/69.
What followed was another unforgettable chapter in the club’s history, with Henrik Larsson once again at the heart of it.
The Swedish striker, who had enjoyed a remarkable campaign in green and white, stepped up to the penalty spot to seal a 3-0 victory and secure the final piece of silverware in an extraordinary season.
As the full-time whistle sounded, Martin O’Neill and his players lifted the Scottish Cup, adding it to the league title and League Cup already won earlier in the campaign.
It was a landmark moment for the club, ending a 32-year wait for a domestic clean sweep and setting the tone for an era of sustained success.
A quarter of a century on, that Treble remains one of the defining images of the modern Celtic story: Larsson wheeling away in celebration, Martin O’Neill lifting the trophy, and the supporters inside Hampden watching history unfold.
Celtic have continued to build on the legacy of 2001, winning 20 league titles, 13 Scottish Cups and 11 League Cups, taking the club to 44 major trophies in the 25 years since Martin O’Neill first joined the club.
To mark the anniversary, supporters can relive the highlights from that memorable Scottish Cup final now, including Larsson’s penalty and the trophy lift that confirmed Celtic’s return to the summit of Scottish football.
The Lewis-Clark State Warriors' return to the Avista NAIA World Series lasted all of three games and concluded with an anticlimactic three consecutive popouts in the bottom of the ninth in front of a Series-best Memorial Day Monday crowd of 3,738 at Harris Field in Lewiston.
Once in a seven-run hole, the Warriors narrowed the gap, but couldn't catch up, dropping an 8-5 elimination game to the top-seeded Taylor Trojans of Upland, Ind.
LC State dropped its first-round game Friday to eighth-seeded Tennessee Wesleyan 12-4 in a contest delayed by nearly two and a half hours and done well after midnight, then returned to the yard 17 hours later and mercy-ruled second-seeded Georgia Gwinnett 12-1 in seven innings.
While the Warriors (45-9) almost certainly had more left in the tank, it wasn't enough to topple the top seed.
"Obviously, if you're not the last team standing, it's a disappointing end, but they have a lot to be proud of," said LC State coach Jeremiah Robbins, who returned to the school this past year after a seven-year hiatus. "I'm proud of them. Proud of the efforts they made throughout the tournament, and more so the body of work throughout the whole season."
Taylor (54-6), the top-ranked team in the NAIA, posted six runs in the top of the third to take a commanding 8-1 lead and pitched a combined six scoreless innings to quell the home team.
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It was an opportunity that Taylor coach Kyle Gould wanted for his guys — and he told Robbins how much it meant to him.
"We're honored to be here in Lewiston on Memorial Day, playing in the World Series and playing against LC State, who is the premier program in the NAIA, at this incredible facility," Gould said. "It's an incredible honor, but a great opportunity, and we have a good team, too. And I thought our guys came out and played well."
Played well, the Trojans certainly did.
One big inning
There's a pitching machine back in Upland, Ind., that simulates a sidearm delivery with a bit of ride, Taylor first baseman Sam Gladd said.
"It's a weird machine, we all hate it," Gladd said. "But coach says that it's good for us, (so) we gotta keep hitting off of it."
Against LCSC reliever Zach Elsos, equipped with a delivery rather similar to that infamous machine, Gladd said all that work paid off.
With two runners on, Gladd blasted a 1-1 pitch over the center-field wall for a home run to extend Taylor's lead to 5-1.
As he rounded the bases, his teammates poured out of the dugout, anticipating his arrival. After an embrace with his teammates at the plate, Gladd galloped toward the elated mob and slammed his helmet on the ground in celebration.
"Gosh, euphoria. I don't even know how to describe it," Gladd said of the moments following his big blast. "Just kind of black out, and you see everyone, all your boys after at home plate — it's just pure joy."
Boasting the nation's best offense by runs scored (667), Taylor has made big innings its bread and butter, Gould said.
The Trojans got exactly what they were looking for in the top of the third, sending three more runs across home plate after Gladd's three-run blast, prompting LCSC to use three pitchers and throw a combined 50 pitches against the Trojans' finest artillery.
LCSC starter Landon Webb conceded four singles to the first six Taylor batters in the first. Jordan Malott, the son of 10-time Professional Bowlers Association champion Wes Malott, smacked an RBI single and Brennan Frickel smacked a sac-fly to make it 2-0 Trojans.
Elsos then covered 1 2/3 frames before getting pulled in the third for Kason O'Neil, who allowed three more runs without recording an out. Finally, Jace Taylor — after throwing a wild pitch that permitted one of O'Neil's runners to score — induced a long flyball to get out of the fateful inning.
Robbins said that the Warriors pitched differently than he had expected against a talented Taylor ballclub.
"It's Day 3 of the World Series, and you've got to be good or you're going to get whacked around," Robbins said. "But it is what it is. I tip my hat to Taylor. They had some quality at-bats and laid off some breaking stuff, and we missed over the plate way too much, and that's conducive to a six-run inning."
The Warriors had a shot at their own monster inning in the bottom of the first, loading the bases after scoring a run, but Jordan Justice — pinch-hitting for Ryan Prescott — struck out on six pitches to end the frame.
"Another guy that's been here a while, too, that just competes," Robbins said of Justice. "It was a great at-bat, guy was just better than his barrel, so it happens."
Pitchers' paradise
The Warriors' bats responded with a string of runs in the bottom of the third, highlighted by Prescott's RBI double to deep left field. Bulla Ephan and Payton Smith made it 8-4 with two more swings of the bat.
Taylor, Zak Sullivan and Jackson Cloud combined for 6 1/3 scoreless frames on the mound to keep the Trojans in check.
The trio benefited from a number of standout defensive plays, including several pickoffs from catcher Bulla Ephan to catch runners stealing, and a standout play from third baseman Jackson Jaha, who caught a relay throw from left fielder Brandon Nguyen and threw a Trojans runner out at second after he attempted to stretch a bloop single into a double in the seventh.
Nguyen and Jaha smacked consecutive singles in the bottom of the sixth and senior second baseman Izzy Madariaga slugged a sac-fly to cut Taylor's lead to 8-5.
LC State did not record much more success as Taylor relief pitchers Nathan Frady, Jake Boyer and Gage Gongwer combined for 6 2/3 two-run innings, with the latter two shutting out the Warriors to quell any hope of a home team comeback.
"Jake (Boyer) has thrown in all three games now. Gage (Gongwer) threw in the first game, warmed up in the second one. Nathan (Frady) threw 60 pitches in the first one. Nick (Crabtree) threw in the first one, warmed up in the second one," Gould said. "But they're really tough guys, and they're battle tested and they care a lot."
'Not a failure'
While the Warriors' stay in the World Series was abbreviated — each of Robbins' six other LCSC squads finished in the top three and three won national championships — Robbins said that this season is something for the Warriors to be proud of.
"I don't consider this a failure," Robbins said. "What they did in 2026 is awesome. That will move them forward to some good things. The LC State program is in a very good spot right now, and it's ready to take another big step next year."
Taylor 206 000 000—8 13 1
Lewis-Clark State 103 001 000—5 10 0
Crabtree, Frady (3), Boyer (5), Gongwer (7) and Schrock; Webb, Elsos (2), O'Neil (3), Taylor (3), Sullivan (6), Cloud (8) and Ephan.
Taylor senior first baseman SAM GLADD belted a three-run home run in the top of the third that sparked a six-run inning for the Taylor Trojans.
Lewis-Clark State third baseman JACKSON JAHA created a run, stealing a base and scoring off a wild pitch in the bottom of the first. He also provided expert defense, throwing Taylor's Quinn Kunkel out at second in the top of the seventh after he hit a bloop single.
Quote of note
"What they did in 2026 is awesome. That will move them forward to some good things. The LC State program is in a very good spot right now, and it's ready to take another big step next year." — LC State coach Jeremiah Robbins reflecting on his team's season.
Taylor can be reached at 208-848-2260, staylor@lmtribune.com, or on X or Instagram @Sam_C_Taylor.
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