Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında mübarizə aparan “Şamaxı” komandasının növbəti mövsümə hazırlıq planı müəyyənləşib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə əyalət təmsilçisinin mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.

Xəbərdə bildirilir ki, yay təlim-məşq toplanışı iyulun 11-də Qəbələdə start götürəcək. Hazırlıq prosesi avqustun 4-nə qədər davam edəcək.

Komandanın hazırlıq zamanı 4 yoxlama oyunu keçirməyi planlaşdırılır. Amma rəqiblərin kimliyi, oyunların vaxtı və keçirilmə yeri haqda əlavə məlumat veriləcək.

Xatırladaq ki, “Şamaxı” Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünü 38 xalla yarış cədvəlinin 8-ci sırasında bitirib. Komanda 33 oyunda 9 qələbə qazanıb, 11 heç-heçə edib, 13 məğlubiyyətə üzülüb.

Əyalət təmsilçisi mövsüm bitən kimi baş məşqçi postunda Ayxan Abbasovu Azər Bağırovla əvəzləyib. 17 futbolçu ilə yollarını ayırmış klub 2 oyunçusu ilə də yeni müqavilə bağlayıb.

Voleybol üzrə kişilərdən ibarət Azərbaycan milli komandası Avropa Liqasının birinci mərhələsində bu gün ikinci oyununu keçirib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, Boris Qrebennikovun baş məşqçi olduğu komanda İsveçin Lund şəhərində təşkil edilmiş birinci mərhələnin sonuncu oyununda yerli komanda ilə üz-üzə gəlib.

Millimiz İsveçin Lund şəhərində baş tutmuş qarşılaşmadan məğlubiyyətlə ayrılıb. Oyun İsveç yığma komandasının 3:0 hesablı qələbəsi ilə yekunlaşıb.

Beləliklə, yığmamız bu mərhələni iki məğlubiyyətlə başa vurub. Komandamız daha öncə Yunanıstana da məğlub olmuşdu.

Qeyd edək ki, Avropa Liqasının ikinci mərhələsinin oyunları 12-14 iyun aralığında Rumıniyada keçiriləcək. Azərbaycan millisi bu mərhələdə İspaniya və ev sahibi Rumıniya yığmaları ilə qarşılaşacaq.

Avropa Liqası
7 iyun

İsveç – Azərbaycan 3:0 (25:14, 25:17, 25:20)

Bu gün Formula 1 üzrə dünya çempionatında 2026-cı il mövsümünün növbəti mərhələsinin (6-cı qran-pri) həlledici yarışı baş tutub.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, budəfəki yarış Monakoda təşkil olunub.

Bundan əvvəlki Yaponiya, Çin, Mayami, Kanada qran-prilərində olduğu kimi, Monako qran-prisində də “Mersedes”in gənc pilotu Kimi Antonelli qalib olub. 19 yaşlı italiyalı sürücü 78 dövrəlik yarışda üstünlüyünü sonadək qoruyaraq zəfərini rəsmiləşdirib. Bu, onun həm cari mövsümdə, həm də karyerası ərzində 5-ci zəfərdir.

İkinci yeri “Ferrari”nin sürücüsü Luis Hamilton tutub. İlk üçlüyü “Red Bull”un pilotu İsak Hacar qapayıb.

Beləliklə, geridə qalmış 6 mərhələdən sonra Kimi Antonelli 156 xalla vahid liderdir. İkinci yerdə “Ferrari”nin sürücüsü Luis Hamilton (90) qərarlaşıbsa, ilk üçlüyü Kimi Antonellinin komanda yoldaşı Corc Rassel (88) qapayır.

Mühəndislər Kubokunda “Mersedes” 244 xalla ilk sırada qərarlaşıb. “Ferrari” 165 xalla ikinci, “Maklaren” isə 118 xalla üçüncü yerdə gedir.

Formula 1 üzrə dünya çempionatında 2026-cı il mövsümünün növbəti – 7-ci qran-prisi Barselonada keçiriləcək. Bu yarış iyunun 14-də təşkil olunacaq.

Formula 1 üzrə dünya çempionatı, 2026

Pilotların yarışında turnir cədvəli:

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mersedes) – 156
2. Luis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 90
3. Corc Rassell (Mersedes) – 88
4. Şarl Lekler (Ferrari) – 75
5. Oskar Piastri (Maklaren) – 60
6. Lando Norris (Maklaren) – 58
7. Maks Ferstappen (Red Bull) – 43
8. İsak Hacar (Red Bull) – 29
9. Liam Louson (Rasinq Bulls) – 26
10. Pyer Qasli (Alpin) – 26
11. Oliver Berman (Haas) – 18
12. Franko Kolapinto (Alpin) – 15
13. Arvid Linblad (Rasinq Bulls) – 13
14. Karlos Sayns (Uilyams) – 6
15. Aleksander Albon (Uilyams) – 5
16. Esteban Okon (Haas) – 3
17. Qabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – 2
18. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 1
19. Niko Hulkenberq (Audi) – 0
20. Serxio Peres (Kadillak) – 0
21. Valtteri Bottas (Kadillak) – 0
22. Lens Stroll (Aston Martin) – 0

Mühəndislər Kubokunda xal sıralaması:

1. Mersedes – 244
2. Ferrari – 165
3. Maklaren – 118
4. Red Bull – 72
5. Alpin – 41
6. Rasinq Bulls – 39
7. Haas – 21
8. Uilyams – 11
9. Audi – 2
10. Aston Martin – 1
11. Kadillak – 0

Voleybol üzrə qadınlardan ibarət Azərbaycan milli komandası Avropa Liqasının birinci mərhələsində ikinci matçını keçirib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, Faiq Qarayevin baş məşqçi olduğu komanda Bakıda təşkil edilmiş birinci mərhələnin sonuncu oyununda Estoniya yığması ilə üz-üzə gəlib.

Millimiz Gənclər və İdman Nazirliyinin Voleybol Mərkəzində baş tutmuş qarşılaşmada Estoniya yığması ilə üz-üzə gəlib. Oyun komandamızın 3:0 hesablı qələbəsi ilə yekunlaşıb.

Beləliklə, yığmamız bu mərhələni bir qələbə (Azərbaycan – Estoniya 3:0) və bir məğlubiyyətlə (İsveç – Azərbaycan 3:0) başa vurub.

Qeyd edək ki, Avropa Liqasının ikinci mərhələsinin oyunları 12-14 iyun aralığında İspaniyada keçiriləcək. Azərbaycan millisi bu mərhələdə ev sahibi İspaniya və Şimali Makedoniya yığmaları ilə qarşılaşacaq.

Avropa Liqası
7 iyun

Azərbaycan – Estoniya 3:0 (25:15, 25:14, 25:20)

Azərbaycan millisi yoldaşlıq görüşündə sabah San Marino ilə qarşılaşacaq.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, matçdan öncə yığmanın baş məşqçisi Ayxan Abbasovun mətbuat konfransı keçirilib. O, media nümayəndələri ilə görüşdə heyəti açıqlayıb.

Azərbaycan millisinin futbolçusu Cəlal Hüseynov Bolqarıstanın “Arda” klubundan ayrılıb.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, milli komandanın düşərgəsində olan müdafiəçi bu barədə San Marinoya qarşı keçirəcəkləri oyundan əvvəl baş tutan mətbuat konfransında deyib:

“Hazırda klubsuzam. Azərbaycana qayıtmağı düşünmürəm. Danışıq apardığım klub var, yəqin, ayın ortalarına kimi keçidim həll olar”.

Cəlal daha əvvəl Azərbaycanda “Şamaxı” və “Zirə”də forma geyinib.

11–14 iyun 2026-cı il tarixlərində Portuqaliyanın Montemor-u-Velyu şəhərində kayak və kanoe üzrə Avropa çempionatı keçiriləcək.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Qitənin ən güclülərinin müəyyənləşəcəyi reqatada Azərbaycanı kanoe qayığında milli komandamızın üzvü Tatyana Smilovenko təmsil edəcək.

Xatırladaq ki, ötən il Rumıniyanın Piteşti şəhərində gənclər və 23 yaşadək avarçəkənlər arasında təşkil olunmuş Avropa çempionatında Tatyana Smilovenko bürünc medala sahib olub.

Meksika millisinin futbolçusu Raul Ximenes “Fulhem”dən ayrılıb.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə Premyer Liqa klubunun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb. Hücumçu ilə müddəti başa çatan müqavilə uzadılmayıb.

35 yaşlı futbolçu 2023-cü ildən “Fulhem”də çıxış edirdi. O, başa çatan mövsümdə Premyer Liqada 36 oyunda 9 qol vurub.

Bitcoin analysis warned that $60,000 may not hold next, as bear-market moves continued and macro hurdles multiplied.

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Danilo has looked back warmly on his time at Juventus, describing his years in Turin as a pivotal chapter both personally and professionally, as the Brazil international prepares for his third World Cup.

The 34-year-old, now at Flamengo after 14 years in Europe, spoke to The Athletic about the formative influence of his time in Italy.

“Everything that I lived before prepared me for that moment,” he said of his Juventus spell.

“I was more experienced, calm, focused on myself and football. Juventus was amazing and important because my kids grew up there. I was treated well by the people, I felt loved and tried to give that back. I played with Gianluigi Buffon, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, I learned from them how Italians live and play football, that passion and resilience.”

Danilo hails ‘humble’ Ancelotti as Brazil target World Cup glory

On the subject of Cristiano Ronaldo, with whom he shared dressing rooms at both Real Madrid and Juventus, Danilo was equally glowing.

“In Turin he was more experienced but still scoring a lot of goals, still professional all the time,” he said. “People think Cristiano is like an extraterrestrial, but he was a normal guy. Of course, Cristiano lives for football, in almost everything that he does, to be better every day.”

Danilo also spoke highly of Ancelotti, drawing a parallel between the Brazil coach and Ronaldo in terms of their ability to remain grounded despite their achievements.

“Ancelotti is like Cristiano,” he said. “One of the most famous people in football, yet he lives the days with us like a normal person. He’s humble, and this is one of the most important abilities of champions. He won a lot, but he works as if he has won nothing.”

For Danilo, the World Cup represents a final opportunity to add an international title to a collection that already includes league titles in Portugal, Spain, England and Italy.

Roberto Mancini has moved to the brink of a return as Italy head coach after positive contacts between the former Azzurri manager and the FIGC in the last 48 hours.

According to Fabrizio Romano, via Tuttomercatoweb, Mancini has been open to a return for several weeks and is now understood to be waiting only for the final green light from the federation to begin his second spell in charge.

The 2006 World Cup winner previously led Italy to European Championship glory in 2021 before his controversial resignation to take the Saudi Arabia job in 2023, a decision that divided opinion and left a bitter taste among Italian supporters.

Mancini eyes Euro 2028 and 2030 World Cup as Italy rebuild targets

Antonio Conte remains in contention for the role, but Mancini is currently considered the clear favourite.

With Italy having missed a third consecutive World Cup, the federation’s priority is long-term rebuilding rather than short-term fixes, and Mancini’s experience and familiarity with the Italian football landscape makes him an attractive proposition.

The 2028 European Championship and 2030 World Cup, co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, represent the two targets of any incoming coach.

Juventus have made fresh contact with the entourage of Emiliano Martinez as they intensify their search for a new first-choice goalkeeper, with the Alisson pursuit now effectively dead following new Liverpool coach Andoni Iraola’s decision to build his project around the Brazilian.

According to Romeo Agresti of Il Bianconero, via CalcioMercato, the contacts with Martinez’s camp remain exploratory at this stage, Juventus are trying to establish the concrete feasibility of an operation before deciding whether to pursue it seriously or pivot towards alternative targets such as Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario.

Luciano Spalletti has been clear about the profile he requires: an experienced, commanding goalkeeper with genuine leadership qualities capable of organising the entire defensive unit.

Juventus face significant financial hurdle in pursuit of World Cup star Martinez

The financial picture is daunting.

Martinez earns approximately €9 million net per season plus bonuses and is contracted to Aston Villa until June 2029, with the English club valuing the Argentina international at around €40 million.

His World Cup involvement with Argentina also means any serious negotiations are likely to be delayed until after the tournament concludes.

Juventus are fully aware this will not be a straightforward operation, but with Michele Di Gregorio having endured a difficult season, the need for a genuine upgrade in goal remains one of their most pressing summer priorities.

Inter’s pursuit of Marco Palestra is at serious risk of collapse, with Atalanta demanding in excess of €50 million for the wing-back and Premier League interest from Newcastle United and Manchester City threatening to price the Nerazzurri out of the running entirely.

Palestra has emerged as Inter’s primary target to replace Denzel Dumfries following his imminent move to Real Madrid, with the youngster having impressed on loan at Cagliari last season.

However, the operation is proving far more complicated than initially anticipated, with parallels already being drawn to the club’s failed pursuit of Ademola Lookman last summer.

Inter’s hopes rest significantly on Palestra’s own preference.

The player is understood to favour a move to the Nerazzurri over Newcastle, a factor that gives the club some leverage in negotiations. However, that dynamic changes entirely if Manchester City submit a formal offer, at which point, according to TuttoMercatoWeb, Palestra’s preference would shift towards the Premier League giants.

Cocchi swap rejected as Inter forced to find €50m cash solution for Palestra

A potential sweetener that could have eased the financial burden has also been ruled out.

Inter had hoped to include young defender Matteo Cocchi in any deal for Palestra, but Atalanta are not sufficiently convinced by the 2007-born talent to accept him as part of the package.

That leaves Inter with little choice but to find a cash offer north of €50 million, a significant outlay for a club that must also balance the loss of Champions League prize money considerations.

Atalanta’s firm stance reflects a pattern of behaviour from the Bergamo club, who have consistently extracted maximum value from their most coveted assets and show no sign of softening their position on Palestra.

Austin Krell: Bob Myers was asked if the Sixers will make 3p shooting and rebounding points of emphasis this summer. "For sure." Myers went on to mention that defensive rebounding, specifically, was an area of concern.

bsky.app

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: 76ers expected to address shooting, rebounding during offseason

Austin Krell: Notable that Bob Myers explicitly mentioned the non-taxpayer mid-level exception as a tool at Sixers' disposal this summer. That, of course, is the bigger of the 2 MLE options and usually goes hand-in-hand with the bi-annual exception. Suggests Sixers will spend relatively significant money.

bsky.app

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Notable that Bob Myers explicitly mentioned the …

Joel Lorenzi: Asked about criticism of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s foul drawing, namely from opposing coaches, Sam Presti calls the postgame press conference a “bully pulpit for competitive advantage.”

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Asked about criticism of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s …

Joel Lorenzi: Sam Presti says “all NBA players do is complain, bitch and moan. (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) has gotten three technical fouls this year, none of them for complaining.” Also says “he’s brought the midrange back to an art form,” part of why he draws fouls successfully.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Sam Presti says “all NBA players do is complain, bitch …

Justin Martinez: Sam Presti says he doesn't think Thomas Sorber will be ready to go for Summer League. But he spoke highly of the way he handled this past season, where he was sidelined due to a torn ACL: "Thomas has really impressed me. We have some experience with some of our younger guys not being able to play in games in their rookie year. He dove into his rehab. His work capacity has impressed me. And, obviously, there are all of the reasons we drafted him. Great feel for the game. He can really pass. He's physical. ... He'll hit the ground running. We're really excited about him."

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Sam Presti says he doesn't think Thomas Sorber will be …

Tim Reynolds: Inbox: The Heat and WPLG announced an expanded media rights agreement, making it the home of Heat basketball during the 2026-27 season. It will air all non-nationally televised Heat games on free over-the-air television. It will provide Spanish language audio via SAP programming.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: The Heat and WPLG announced an expanded media rights …

NEW YORK — Analytics have taken kind of a beating in these 2026 NBA playoffs, thanks to Kenny Atkinson's well-intentioned commentaries on shot quality eventually becoming the stuff of memes and Josh Hart getting Comedy Cellar laughs for recycling Villanova coach Jay Wright's line about analytics, lampposts and drunks.

At base, though, "analytics" is just information: a way of taking a closer look at something, seeing what you turn up, and figuring out how that can help you make sense of things. What you really need is someone who can help you understand those numbers — an expert who can contextualize the data and arrive at a conclusion.

"The statistics right now," rap legend/podcast host/quantitative analyst Fat Joe tells me, "are saying this is the greatest New York team ever."

Joey Crack tells me this at the Knicks' Sunday practice on the eve of Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC), which will be the first Finals game contested at Madison Square Garden in 27 years. He tells me this because he's one of millions of New Yorkers swept up in the hysteria surrounding a Knicks team that currently holds a 2-0 lead over the San Antonio Spurs in the best-of-seven set, having taken the first two games of the Finals on the road in Texas. And he tells me this because, analytically speaking (shouts out to Kenny), it has the ring of truth.

You've likely seen the numbers by now, but they bear repeating. The Knicks have won 13 straight playoff games, the second-longest postseason winning streak in NBA history, trailing only the 2017 Golden State Warriors. They've won those games by a combined 273 points — the highest plus-minus in any 13-game stretch in playoff history, and just behind the 1970 Bucks (+279) for the most lopsided 13-game stretch of all time.

Their +17.6 average margin of victory in these playoffs is the highest of any team to play at least four playoff games (shout out to the 1956 Minneapolis Lakers). They are the first team in NBA history to win three closeout playoff games by 20-plus points — and they won them all by 30-plus. They own the postseason's No. 1 offenseanddefense, and their net rating — +18.1 points per 100 possessions — is on pace to blow away every team in the play-by-play era, which stretches back to the 1996-97 season, with only the Shaq-Kobe 2001 Lakers (+13.4) and the Year 1 Durant-era Warriors (+12.9) even coming within spitting distance.

You've got to admit: Those are some pretty compelling numbers.

"So when you say — what we got, 13 [wins] in a row?" Fat Joe says. "Look, we've had a little bit of bad luck in the past …"

At this, his podcast partner and fellow New York hip-hop legend Jadakiss interjects, "A little bit?"

"… so everybody's, like, tentative," Fat Joe continues. "But if you really compare these stats, this team's looking like … I don't even wanna tell you. Do you see the numbers? Let's just wait 'til it's over. But right now, if you analyze the numbers, we might be looking at the greatest team ever. If you analyze the numbers. I'm not making this up."

He's not making it up — just like he wasn't making up the line about seeing "Hasidic Jews breakdancing with Black kids outside the stadium." But not making something up doesn't necessarily mean something is true, and it's reasonable to pump the brakes a little bit — "a little bit?" — on crowning this the best Knicks team ever just yet.

For one thing, the regular season counts for something, too. These Knicks finished 53-29, the ninth-highest win total in franchise history, and with a winning percentage of .646, which is 10th-best. (Joe Lapchick's squad won 67.1% of their games and made the Finals back in 1952-53, years before the league went to an 82-game schedule.) They're looking up at a pair of 60-win teams (1969-70, 1992-93), three 57-win groups ('93-94, '72-73 and '96-97), the 55-win '94-95 squad, and two 54-win units (1968-69, Red Holzman's first year on the bench, and 2012-13, the Mike Woodson/Carmelo Anthony at the 4 year). These Knicks finished third in the East, a full seven games behind the Detroit Pistons; they didn't even win their division, finishing three games behind the Boston Celtics in the Atlantic.

You are within your rights not to care about seeding and division crowns! Even just adjusting for performance on the court, though, this season's model has some stiff competition atop the all-time New York leaderboard.

According to Jared Dubin's adjusted efficiency metrics at Last Night in Basketball, which measure how much better or worse a team's offense and defense were than the league's average unit in that season, the 2025-26 Knicks had a net rating 5.6 points per 100 possessions better than league-average this season. That ranks third among all Knicks teams in Dubin's database, behind the Patrick Ewing-led 1993-94 squad (+7.1) that went to Game 7 of the NBA Finals before falling to Hakeem Olajuwon's Houston Rockets, and its 1992-93 predecessor (+5.9), which lost a six-game heartbreaker to Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference finals.

According to Basketball-Reference's Simple Rating System — a metric "that takes into account average point differential and strength of schedule" — this year's Knicks were 6.05 points better than league-average. That's the fourth-highest finish in franchise history, behind 1969-70 (+8.42), 1993-94 (+6.48) and 1972-73 (+6.07).

There are some important caveats. For one thing, those are just regular-season numbers, meaning they don't account for the quantum leap into the stratosphere that the current Knicks have taken over the past two months. For another, Dubin's numbers only go back to the ABA-NBA merger in 1976 — meaning they don't include the Holzman-era teams that won 52 or more games four times in five years, and that captured what remain the only two NBA championships in franchise history.

Holzman's Knicks teams operated according to two rules — on defense, see the ball (all five players connected on a string with the movement of the ball rather than focused on their individual matchups) and on offense, hit the open man (swing the ball to create cleaner looks rather than going one-on-one) — as Knicks role player turned legendary championship head coach (and, um, less successful Knicks lead executive) Phil Jackson detailed in his 2013 book, "Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success" …

"On a good team, there are no superstars," Red insisted. "There are great players who show they are great players by being able to play with others as a team. They have the ability to be superstars, but if they fit into a good team, they make sacrifices, they do things necessary to help the team win. What the numbers are in salaries or statistics don't matter; how they play together does."

… which sounds an awful lot like what head coach Mike Brown has been preaching ad nauseam to and about his charges all season long.

"You can't tell me that ['70] Knicks team and that '73 Knicks team wasn't a thing of beauty," former Knicks point guard, Warriors head coach and ESPN color commentator Mark Jackson said in the 2018 book and documentary series "Basketball: A Love Story." "The way they moved the ball, the way they were united, the way they orchestrated victories, the way they needed each other, the way they followed a great leader in Red Holzman. It's a thing of beauty when done the right way, at its purest form."

Sounds sort of like this:

While the iconic 1970s Knicks teams were defined by playing the beautiful game, their 1990s successors operated on the other side of the street. Or, more frequently, in the gutter beneath it.

"In the temple of Madison Square Garden, the Knicks are permitted to win only one way: as they played in the 1990s," wrote Ben Detrick and Andrew Kuo in their 2021 book, "The Joy of Basketball: An Encyclopedia of the Modern Game." "The godheads are Pat Riley and Jeff Van Gundy; the war deities are Anthony Mason, Charles Oakley and Latrell Sprewell; light pours from a stained glass window depicting John Starks dunking over Michael Jordan and Horace Grant. [...] The Knicks reflect the self-identity of the New Yorker — past and present. It is basketball funneled through Fran Lebowitz, wearing Lugz boots and shivering a bacon, egg, and cheese into her maw while smoking a loosie."

"When Patrick slams, when Anthony Mason grabs a rebound and knocks somebody on their ass — it's Coltrane, man. 'A Love Supreme,'" jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis told Chris Smith for a May 1993 cover story in New York magazine. "The Knicks have that vibe, that aggression. This team is tailor-made for New York."

The Riley-Ewing-Oakley-Mason-Starks-helmed squads represent the longest, most consistent stretch of championship-contending basketball in the lifetime of many Knicks fans. When the game reached the highest levels, though, running up against eternal weapons like Jordan and Hakeem, those Knicks lacked quite enough offensive firepower to get to the top of the mountain.

"To me, the Knicks were that boxer that just pummeled at your midsection," Hall of Fame journalist Harvey Araton told Chris Herring for his 2022 best-seller, "Blood in the Garden: The Flagrant History of the 1990s New York Knicks." "They never could beat Michael, but they always administered some pain. And you always felt they were one big left hook away from winning."

Nathaniel S. Butler

Which is why, for as much winning as they did — more regular-season and playoff victories throughout the 1990s than any Eastern Conference team besides Jordan's Bulls — they could never deliver that final blow. By the time they returned to the Finals in 1999, fueled by a more modern offensive model led by guards Sprewell and Allan Houston, with a 36-year-old Ewing missing the bulk of the last two rounds after rupturing his Achilles and Larry Johnson shooting four 3-pointers a game as sort of a proto-stretch 4, they did so as a lightning-in-a-bottle miracle — a 27-23 eighth seed that caught fire at the right time, but that never really had the goods to go toe-to-toe with a Tim Duncan-led Spurs team that discarded them in five games.

"I don't have any bitterness," Ewing said when he was traded away to Seattle in 2000, according to the New York Daily News. "The only regret I have is that I didn't bring a title to New York. I'll carry that regret with me the rest of my life, more than any fan."

While the '70s teams, the Riley-era squads of the early-to-mid '90s and the late-decade JVG crews differed in a number of ways, they all carried stylistic markers that — while admittedly not seen all that often over the past couple of decades — are representative of the ideal characteristics of "Knicks basketball."

"A New York team has to have grit, you know what I mean?" Jadakiss — who's won a championship in the Garden more recently than the Knicks — tells me. "We always need grit. You need a good point guard. You need a good big man. You need a good coach. You need a little bit of luck. You need a glue player, like Josh [Hart]. You need a decent bench like we have. And you need the New York fans."

With Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mike Brown, Josh Hart, a second unit (Landry Shamet, Mitchell Robinson, Deuce McBride, Jose Alvarado) that arguably won Game 2, the benefit of good health and opponents that have had to go the full seven games in each of the last three rounds, and the mob of mirthful maniacs that make MSG shake, both inside and out, this year's model seems to check all the boxes. Hart agrees.

"Toughness, grit, physicality, energy, clutch plays — I think that's what you think of when you think of Knicks basketball," Hart said Sunday. "That's something that we want to do. We want to come out with energy. We want to come out with physicality and be focused on the game plan. Especially with the guys that we have in the locker room, we're going to make plays. We're going to make big plays. We're going to do those kind of things. That's kind of our brand — playing fast and having fun."

Nathaniel S. Butler

Their predecessors are, too. Over the past few years, Knicks alumni from across the generations — Ewing and Starks, Bill Bradley and Walt "Clyde" Frazier, Bernard King, Houston and Sprewell, Stephon Marbury, Anthony and J.R. Smith, and on, and on — have become ubiquitous at Madison Square Garden (and, increasingly, road arenas too) as a franchise often defined by its lack of success recognizes those who helped it reach this point. Representatives of golden eras and fallow periods alike are celebrated for their contributions; "once a Knick, always a Knick" means they get to share in this thrilling moment, too.

"They've been with us, you know, my whole five years here — it's not just showing up when we're winning," McBride said after the Eastern Conference finals. "They've been with us through a lot. So shout out to them and obviously everything they did. We just want to get the job done for them."

"It truly means a lot, because when they're on the sidelines or baselines or whatever, they make their presence known," Brown said after sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers. "They're full of energy. That's just who they are. They just want the best for us, and it's a really cool sight to see. It's an honor to play for this organization, the history it has, to see the former players around all the time, that makes it even more special."

"Special" is how longtime Knicks play-by-play man Marv Albert recently described this year's team to Jared Schwartz of the New York Post. Van Gundy, now back on the bench as an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers after years in the announce booth, recently called this "the greatest playoff run in Knicks history [...] there's never been a Knicks team this dominant."

But a short run of dominance doesn't necessarily define a great team. The length and breadth of your achievements does, as Frazier reminded me when I broached the "best Knicks team ever?" question to him in San Antonio after Game 2.

(I did it while he was holding court next to a giant replica of the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, and I couldn't help thinking about how Clyde — 81 years of age, 46 years moved from his playing days — is still the coolest guy in any room he walks into. "I know that all this fame and glory is not forever," he wrote in his seminal 1974 book, "Rockin' Steady: A Guide to Basketball and Cool." "One day I'll fade from the scene. I'll go back to just being plain Walt Frazier." Verdict: false.)

"How many guys on this team are going to be Hall of Famers?" Clyde asks me.

Hmm. Brunson and Towns, probably, if they keep this up. Maybe Hart and Mikal Bridges, given their collegiate success at Villanova? OG Anunoby, if he settles into a long second half of his career as a perennial 3-and-D unlocker of championship rosters?

"It's a good question," I tell him.

"So right there, that answers your question, right?" he says. "We had five Hall of Famers on the [1970] team."

That's true: himself, Bradley, Willis Reed, Dick Barnett and Dave DeBusschere. The '72-73 model was even more star-studded, featuring Earl "The Pearl" Monroe (Frazier's partner in the legendary "Rolls-Royce Backcourt") and frontcourt sniper Jerry Lucas.

"So they've got some work to do," I say.

"They got a lot of work to do," Clyde replies.

Step No. 1: Get two more wins. That'd make four, which would end the Finals and the franchise's 53-year championship drought. I'm pretty sure it would, anyway; I'll have to check with my stat guy, Fat Joe, to be sure.

This past week, we tried to somewhat cap the plethora of headlines on the Myles Garrett trade to the Los Angeles Rams by running a poll asking whether Cleveland Browns fans liked the trade.

79% of Browns fans voted that they liked the trade. Given Garrett’s stature as a two-time Defensive MVP of the NFL, including breaking the sack record this past year. I think the high acceptance rate is a testament to just how much Browns fans liked the inclusion of Jared Verse into the trade.

Verse is entering his third year in the league, and was not just some random throw-in piece. He will immediately contend to be one of the top pass rushers in the AFC North, and the entire AFC, with a lot of upside on the horizon. On top of that, with Cleveland passing up on a quarterback in this year’s draft, they now have the ammunition to again, if they so choose to, go all-in for a quarterback in 2027.

There were several other Reacts polls run across the SB Nation network this past week regarding the Garrett trade. Two of those polls were on a national level, while the other two were site-specific to Jaguars and Seahawks fans. Let’s take a look at the two national polls first:

On a national level, 59% of fans now believe the Rams are the favorites to win the Super Bowl. 50% of fans on a national level think that the Browns will do pretty well in the trade too, projecting that Verse will be an All-Pro.

Regarding the site-specific polls, Jaguars fans pondered whether a trade for Garrett would have put them over the hump. Although Garrett would be nice, with the compensation involved, only 24% of Jaguars fans thinks they should have made a trade for him. And last, but not least, we look at Seahawks fans, as they voted on whether their confidence level for Seattle has changed since their division rival acquire Garrett. 51% of Seahawks fans still feel the same, which is basically that they are the team to beat. 46% of fans are at least a little less confident now.

NASCAR driver Kyle Busch died at 41, after going to the hospital with a "severe illness" in North Carolina on Thursday, May 21. On Monday, his brother Kurt Busch offered his first comments on the tragedy.

The news of Kyle's death was felt across the motorsports world and drew reactions from his friends and biggest rivals, and continues to resonate.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart," Kurt's Instagram post began on Monday. "Thank you, everyone, for the well wishes, support, and love for my brother and our family."

Kyle Busch's life and legacy: Legend's NASCAR records, stats

"Finding a silver lining, I reflect back on the days Kyle and I raced anything we could get our hands on," the statement continued.

"From big wheels to competing on the biggest stages in motorsports, we were more than just fierce competitors. We pushed each other, challenged each other, and learned from each other.

"Kyle, your passion, determination, and love for your family inspired everyone who knew you. No trophy, championship, or accomplishment could ever measure the impact you had on my life and on so many others. I will forever be grateful for the memories we made, the lessons you taught me, and the brotherhood we shared. My heart is broken, but I know your spirit will always ride with me. Rest easy, little brother."

The brothers were born in Las Vegas and were introduced to motorsports by their father.

In 2004, Kyle followed in his brother's footsteps and joined him as a competitor in the Cup Series.

In January, Kyle had the opportunity to present his older brother with his Hall of Fame ring during the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction ceremony in Charlotte, North Carolina.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kurt Busch's tribute to brother Kyle will break your heart

There's no action on the field just yet in college football, but there's plenty in the dialogue department. Lane Kiffin's highly controversial departure from Ole Miss to LSU has kept the offensive-minded head coach firmly in the spotlight, and squarely on the radar of ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum.

On a recent episode of "The Paul Finebaum Show", he took issue with Kiffin's perceived need to communicate that he has been wronged in some way.

"What's really interesting about this, Earl, is that Lane Kiffin is the one who betrayed Ole Miss," Finebaum said. "Lane Kiffin is the one who left a bunch of broken hearts, and he's acting like the aggrieved one here.... He just couldn't resist going as low as possible. He's a smart guy. He knew that line. He could back it up because it's been said before, but he also knew how controversial it would be. It's in his DNA."

Finebaum was alluding to Kiffin's comments about not being able to recruit as well as he had hoped when he was at Ole Miss.

It continues a run of critical comments by Finebaum about how Kiffin has handled his departure from one SEC school to another, and it seems unlikely Finebaum will turn down the heat anytime soon.

Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.

This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Paul Finebaum criticizes Lane Kiffin for making himself a victim

Carson Hocevar sat on the Michigan International Speedway pit wall with a blank look and calmly waited as Bubba Wallace laid into him with an animated lecture.

As Wallace did nearly all the talking, Hocevar nodded and offered a few smiles. The one-sided conversation ended with Hocevar patting Wallace on the shoulder — defusing the tension while offering little remorse.

The third-year Cup Series driver, whose aggression has earned him the nickname of “The Hurricane” in rubbing the NASCAR establishment the wrong way, left a trail of wreckage in his wake Sunday at Michigan.

With a fifth place in the No. 77 Chevrolet, the Portage, Michigan, native earned his best career Cup finish at his home-state track. He also triggered a nine-car crash on a midrace restart by bumping John Hunter Nemechek as the cars ahead of him were slowing down.

“I was like, ‘Man, I didn’t mean to do that,’ ” Hocevar said. “I obviously feel bad that I wrecked them and everything, but my intention wasn’t to wreck anybody, really. So next time I’ll know what to do a little differently.”

Many of his peers believe the Spire Motorsports driver should be doing everything differently.

“Well, you can count on Hocevar to always do dumb (stuff),” Nemechek radioed his team. Josh Berry jokingly referred to Hocevar as “The Intimidator,” the moniker of seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt.

“I hope at some point (Hocevar) figures it out, but I know I’m not going to show anything to him for a long time,” said Austin Dillon, who finished 36th after his No. 3 Chevy was trashed in the wreck.

In their pit-wall discussion, Wallace told Hocevar he was jealous of his speed.

“He’s one of the fastest in the field, and that’s his natural ability,” Wallace said. “I’ve got to give respect to it. But at the same time, Kevin Harvick told me four or five years ago, ‘Stop hitting (stuff), and your finishes will show.’ And that’s what I simply tried to tell (Hocevar), man. He’s going for every move, every second. Not worth it.

"He’s creating a lot of enemies. I just told him, ’You’re fast. A lot of us are jealous of what you’re able to do. But we’re beating you because we can put a race together better than you.”

An unfazed Hocevar essentially shrugged when asked about Wallace’s criticism.

“I get his point and everything,” he said. “I’m just racing really hard, and there were times where I tried to make a move and get two spots when I probably should have just got one, and it cost me.”

The 23-year-old upstart did show some acquiescence toward the end of the race when he waved by the faster cars of Wallace, Erik Jones and Kyle Larson.

But there’s an incentive to stick to his hard-charging ways.

It’s a NASCAR rite of passage for the old guard to scold young stars who threaten their results, and it’s been effective in blunting their progress. Three years ago, Ross Chastain dramatically tailed off after being targeted for scorn from several veterans who tangled with him.

If he shows restraint, Hocevar might lose his grip on a top-16 spot in the Chase (he is ranked seventh with 11 races left in the regular season). Yet his recalcitrance also runs the risk of costly retribution.

Amazon Prime analyst Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes Hocevar should stay the course for his own good — and for NASCAR, which thrives on colorful personalities and rivalries.

“I don’t want him to really change what he’s doing,” Earnhardt said of Hocevar on the postrace show. “As a fan and as a broadcaster, what he did today made this race unique. If he cleans it up, I’m not sure I’m going to like what I’m going to see. I kind of like the drama that he brings. He’s got a hat to wear, and he wears it well. He doesn’t seem interested in changing, and I don’t want him to change.”

Hamlin ponders future

With his second consecutive victory and third this season, Denny Hamlin now trails Tyler Reddick by only 51 points, chopping 78 points off the margin in the past three seasons. Team owner Joe Gibbs is still hoping Hamlin will reconsider his decision to retire from full-time driving after the 2027 season.

Hamlin left the door slightly open (“I told (Gibbs) just check with me in six months”) but said he wants to go out on top before his skills diminish.

“I feel as though there’s three things that happen,” Hamlin said. “You lose your eyesight. You lose your reaction. And your body hurts. The body hurts are there during the week. I’m not recovering as quick. But the other two things are still sharp. So I want to go out like this.”

In-Season Challenge

Sunday at Pocono Raceway will set the field for the second year of the In-Season Challenge. The top 32 drivers in the points standings will complete for $1 million in a bracket-style tournament contested over five races (Sonoma Raceway, Chicagoland Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway).

Connor Zilisch is unlikely to be eligible. The Trackhouse Racing rookie is ranked 34th in the standings (two spots behind Alex Bowman, who missed four races) after becoming the sixth driver in NASCAR history with three consecutive last-place finishes.

___

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

Real Madrid are yet to officially announce a transfer this summer, and it was the presidential election that caused all the delay.

With the formality now out of the way, Florentino Perez will look to get going and complete the transfers of important targets.

Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries are already said to have closed their agreements with Real Madrid – and those developments make it clear that Jose Mourinho is keen on strengthening the back-line.

As reported by MARCA, however, he is not satisfied with the two signings and is demanding more.

Two more targets

Indeed, Mourinho sees the defence as Real Madrid’s biggest problem and has identified particular profiles that can fit into his project at the club.

Mourinho wants defensive recruitments. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

On that front, he is demanding two more defensive signings of Florentino Perez – one central defender and one left-back.

The soon-to-be Real Madrid manager has told the administration that he needs one more ‘elite’ centre back after Konate’s arrival, pointing to the fact that he does not have much expectation of the currently in-house solutions.

Further, he has asked for a left-back who can compete for a spot on the starting XI, again making it clear that Alvaro Carreras, Ferland Mendy, and Fran Garcia may not be preferred options in his dynamics.

Early targets identified

What the update makes clear is that Real Madrid will have a long summer transfer window, especially with two more ‘high-profile’ defensive recruitments required in addition to the other targets across the field.

Calafiori is emerging as an option. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

At centre-back, the manager is said to have his eyes on two Premier League stars – Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol and Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori. Both deals, needless to say, will be complicated to get over the line.

At left-back, meanwhile, it remains unclear as to which profile the manager will push for. What is clear, however, is that there will have to be some departures in the department given that it is unsustainable to keep four players competing for one spot.

Juventus Turn Attention to Guglielmo Vicario After Alisson Setback

Juventus appear to be narrowing their search for a new goalkeeper, and Tottenham Hotspur’s Guglielmo Vicario has reportedly emerged as the leading candidate.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian giants have accelerated their interest in the Spurs stopper after encountering obstacles in pursuits of several high profile alternatives, including Liverpool’s Alisson Becker, Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez and AC Milan’s Mike Maignan.

Photo: IMAGO

The report paints a picture of a club seeking leadership, reliability and experience as it looks to strengthen a key position ahead of the new campaign.

Liverpool Stance Alters Market

Juventus had identified Alisson as an ideal solution.

His pedigree, leadership qualities and winning mentality made him a natural fit for a side eager to add authority between the posts. However, Liverpool’s determination to retain the Brazilian has forced the Serie A club to reassess its options.

Photo IMAGO

Gazzetta dello Sport suggests Liverpool were unwilling to sanction another major dressing room departure after already seeing several influential figures leave. That stance effectively removed Alisson from Juventus’ shortlist and prompted a fresh evaluation of the market.

Martinez and Maignan both remained under consideration, but financial complications quickly emerged. Salaries and overall package costs have reportedly made those deals difficult to progress.

Photo IMAGO

Financial Reality Shapes Juventus Strategy

Modern recruitment increasingly requires balancing ambition with sustainability.

Juventus appear to be operating within clear financial parameters, making value as important as quality. While Martinez and Maignan bring proven credentials, their wage demands create significant hurdles.

Photo IMAGO

That reality has helped elevate Vicario’s standing.

The Tottenham goalkeeper combines top level experience with a salary structure that reportedly fits Juventus’ model. Equally important, his transfer valuation is viewed as attainable compared to some of the other names under discussion.

Vicario Moves Into Pole Position

Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Vicario is now the preferred option.

The 30 year old has established himself in the Premier League since joining Tottenham and remains highly regarded in Italy following his performances in Serie A with Empoli.

Photo IMAGO

His reported desire to return to Italian football only adds further intrigue to the situation.

With Inter Milan seemingly no longer pursuing a move and Juventus facing limited competition, the Bianconeri may sense an opportunity to act decisively.

For Tottenham, any decision will depend on their own plans and whether a suitable offer arrives. Vicario remains under contract until 2028, placing Spurs in a relatively strong negotiating position.

Nevertheless, Juventus appear increasingly focused on securing his signature as they seek greater stability in goal.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Vicario has become an important figure since arriving in North London. His shot stopping ability, personality and connection with supporters have made him one of the more popular members of the squad. Losing him would undoubtedly create a significant challenge.

At the same time, Spurs fans understand why Juventus might be interested. Goalkeepers with Premier League experience, international pedigree and strong leadership qualities are always in demand.

The key question is whether Tottenham have any intention of selling. Unless the club already has a replacement lined up, many supporters would see little logic in weakening such an important position. Vicario remains firmly within his prime years and has regularly demonstrated his value during difficult periods.

Juventus may view €20 million as reasonable, but Spurs supporters are likely to believe their goalkeeper is worth considerably more in today’s market. Contract length also strengthens Tottenham’s position.

Ultimately, fans will hope the club resists any advances. Ambitious teams retain their best performers rather than allowing them to depart. If Tottenham are serious about competing at the highest level, keeping Vicario should remain a priority.

The sky is not falling on the Indiana Fever, despite the team sitting around league-average with 10 games logged on the 2026 season.

While the house next door burns with hot takes and hand-wringing about Caitlin Clark (and every single silly discourse surrounding Clark) and how the Fever are allegedly handling her, the teams is simply off to an uneven start with plenty of time to find consistency. Has it all been great? No. Has it all been bad? Also, no.

The Fever, like most of the WNBA's 15 teams, are simply still trying to find a regular groove. A 5-5 record is pretty indicative of how Indiana has played. Some games, they're world-beaters. Others, they're just trying to stay afloat.

Why should Fever fans not crash out about this latest 10-game sample? Well, there are plenty of reasons, the biggest and most obvious being that it's June and the WNBA title series isn't until October. Outside of that, there are some good reasons to take a deep breath and relax about what Indiana is capable of achieving in 2026. This isn't to say they're guaranteed to win the title, but they're in a good spot to keep improving and play better.

The 2025 playoff team went 5-5 to start the season, too

Last year's Fever team found a way to grind out a 5-5 record, even though both Clark and Sophie Cunningham missed time with injury to start the season. This team has fared better with injuries so far, but the new roster is taking a moment to gel within Stephanie White's system. If you look at that 2025 season, you'll see the roller-coaster that was just launching off after 10 games. That team fought through multiple injuries and a major free agent departure a month into the season, somehow won the Commissioner's Cup without Clark and found a way to get within a game of the WNBA Finals despite rostering multiple hardship players. The 2025 Fever team proves that you just can't get too high or too low in June. The WNBA season, like most professional leagues with this many games, is a marathon, not a sprint. The Fever have plenty of time to sort through any on-court issues before the playoffs.

This is already one of the best Fever starts in the last 12 years

No, really, it is. Since 2014, only three Fever teams have made it to 5-5 after 10 games: the 2014 team, the 2025 team and this one. Indiana has been one of the worst professional sporting franchises of any league in the last decade-plus. White is the only coach who has been able to consistently get results out of this franchise since her first coaching stint in 2015. Her return has already righted the ship on simply being competitive on a regular basis; adding world-class talents like Clark and Aliyah Boston has made that much easier, of course. The Clark discourse swirls about outside of Gainbridge Fieldhouse and clouds the franchise's history before her arrival. Before Clark, the franchise had fallen into disarray. Even in Clark's first year, it took the Olympic break for the team to sort through its myriad of on-court issues to make a last-minute playoff stand. White has proven herself to be more than capable of steering the ship through choppy waters. To argue that the Fever are actually underachieving right now and still sit at one of the best franchise starts since the Obama administration is pretty remarkable to consider in a full view.

Boston's health should improve as the season goes on

One of the biggest storylines that isn't getting a ton of attention right now is the overall health of Boston. She missed a game in May with a lower leg injury after missing time in the winter's Unrivaled league with the same problem. She left the game on Saturday at New York, too, with a similar issue. Boston is the team's elite post player; so much of its potential depends on what Boston can do to balance out the team's elite backcourt of Clark and Kelsey Mitchell. If she's not at 100-percent right now, it's going to be hard for the Fever to reach their ceiling. Thankfully for Indiana, Boston has plenty of time as the season goes on to get healthier. Managing her minutes and limiting any further injury complications, old or new, will be key in getting Boston into a better place on the court. So far this season, she hasn't been quite herself on a consistent basis. That's probably because she's playing through pain. If this were September, we'd be a little more concerned. It's June; Boston has plenty of time to find her game, as long as she stays on the upward track on her health. If things linger, the team has to consider giving her a break.

The Fever should eventually adjust to Clark's defensive targeting

Much ado has been made as of late on teams picking on Clark defensively. The superstar is one of the best offensive players of her generation, but her defense has always been a patchwork. Clark getting isolated on defense is favorable for opponents; targeting her on that end of the court is just smart for her limitations. However, Indiana just needs to tighten up its defensive scheming and put Clark in more favorable positions. The team's Atlanta Dream win last week showed that Clark can be a lunchpail defender when called upon; she can do the job with basic competence. However, the Fever can't win a title with Clark racking up fouls like she is. Adjustments won't come swiftly, but Indiana has plenty of time to better position Clark on defense with scheme and personnel fixes. Plus, Clark can just play better. Her infamous Portland Fire outing in May showed the low; Atlanta showed the high.

The Fever can continue to coalesce with the pieces available...

Up until Saturday's Liberty loss, you would have sworn forward Monique Billings might be on the outs with the Fever with her minutes dwindling and starting job in question. However, Billings played the best game of any Indiana player in New York with 15 points and eight rebounds. Her Liberty breakout shows why patience is important with new players and a newly constructed roster in general. It just takes different teams different amounts of time to find their rhythm during a long season. If Billings can keep her momentum swing in the right direction, that's a huge asset the Fever didn't previously have. Rookie guard Raven Johnson should improve as the season goes on, too, the team seemingly comfortable with some first-year mistakes here and there if it means she gets valuable on-court experience. You also wonder if free agent guard Ty Harris, who started for White on her 2024 semifinals Connecticut Sun team, could play more a role as she gets further from her 2025 season-ending injury.

...and add talent as needed via trades or free agency

Also, the Fever can and will likely tinker more with the roster as time goes on. Could they swing a big trade with their 2027 first-rounder? Could they activate developmental forward Justine Pissott to add more pop on the wing? Indiana's roster liabilities are evident, the team is a bit thin in the frontcourt and has struggled a bit playing against teams with lots of size. You can't solve all of those problems with roster tweaking, but you can tip the scale a bit.

Clark will play better on offense as she gets more comfortable

The biggest reason for optimism in Indiana continues to be Clark, who is still one of the league's top 10 scorers on average this season and still the assists leader. Clark's been dealing with some back soreness this season, which may just stem from a lack of regular game reps in 2025. Remember, she's still getting back in the regular season grind she missed so much of last season. There are mental hurdles, too, likely the fear of another injury that lands her back in the grueling rehab process. The noxious discourse surrounding her every move notwithstanding, Clark is still getting her sea legs back after a frustrating 2025 campaign. Time and reps are the only cure-alls for such a predicament for an athlete. She'll benefit from just playing more, seeing her shot fall on a more consistent basis and, quite honestly, staying healthy for a long enough amount of time to shake off the anxiety of getting hurt again. The Fever proved last year what they can do without Clark; just imagine what's possible when she's playing at her best.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Reasons Caitlin Clark and the Fever are just fine despite 5-5 start

Just a few days before the opening of the 2026 summer transfer window, OneFootball brings you a daily transfer round-up. 

Official announcements, major rumours: the key transfer news from this Monday, 8 June, can be found here!

It’s official ✍️

- Olivier Giroud has extended his contract with LOSC by one season!

- Ian Cathro is the new head coach of AS Saint-Étienne.

- Divock Origi has announced his retirement.

Credible rumours ✅

- Real Madrid’s €150 million offer could be for... Julian Alvarez! The Spanish giants are said to have made enquiries about the Argentine striker, and Atlético Madrid could be willing to sell for the amount mentioned by Florentino Pérez. (Sky Sports)

- Ibrahima Konaté has agreed to join Real Madrid until 2030, and the announcement of his arrival is imminent. (RMC)  

- Jean-Philippe Mateta could join AC Milan just before the World Cup, along with his Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner. (Tuttosport)

- José Mourinho is counting on Toni Rüdiger and has approved the German defender’s contract extension. (Fabrizio Romano)

- Real Madrid are reportedly considering selling Camavinga and Federico Valverde this summer. (Miguel Serrano)

- Michel Der Zakarian could make his return to FC Nantes. (L'Équipe)

- Aston Villa are said to have submitted a €55 million bid to Como for Martin Baturina, but the Italian club are reportedly demanding €80 million. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

- OM are set to complete the signing of Sacha Lung, Strasbourg’s promising defender. (Onze Mondial)

- Esteban Lepaul is expected to extend his contract with Rennes and receive a significant pay rise. (L'Équipe)

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

Five-star wide reciever recruit Eric McFarland is down to three schools, per Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett. McFarland’s top three includes the Florida Gators, Texas A&M Aggies and Georgia Bulldogs. McFarland will announce his commitment on June 28.

McFarland would instantly solidify himself as one top prospects in the Dawgs’ 2027 recruiting class should he ultimately commit to Georgia. Standing at 5-foot-8 and 177 pounds, McFarland’s elite speed and athleticism have been on display at IMG Academy. The route runner was originally a coveted recruit from the 2028 class prior to reclassifying to 2027. 

McFarland is ranked as the No. 5 wide receiver and the No. 25 player from the class of 2027, per the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He is ranked as the No. 4 in Florida. McFarland could emerge as the next star in Georgia’s offense next season if he ends up landing in Athens. McFarland took an official visit to Georgia on May 15, which was UGA's scavenger hunt weekend. The receiver is expected to continue weighing his options until his June 28 decision.

McFarland would add some serious depth to Georgia’s 2027 recruiting class. The Dawgs recently submitted an offer to three-star Buford WR Seven Rashad, while also receiving a prediction to land 2027 WR Majay Thompson as well. 

Eric McFarland's top schools

Where’s Home?? https://t.co/g8ISY9s2xE

— eric mcfarland lll™️ (@cantguarderic) June 7, 2026

Follow UGA Wire on Instagram, Facebook, X or Threads for more Georgia football coverage! 

This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: 5-star WR Eric McFarland has SEC trio in his final three schools

OG Anunoby had no interest in turning Donald Trump’s expected Madison Square Garden appearance into a Knicks distraction.

The New York forward was asked about Trump attending Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, June 8.

It is already a huge night. The Knicks lead the series 2-0, MSG is hosting its first NBA Finals game since 1999, and security will be tighter because of the presidential visit.

OG Anunoby keeps Knicks focused amid Donald Trump visit

SNY Knicks shared Anunoby’s response after he was asked about Trump being in the building for Game 3 at Madison Square Garden.

“He’ll just be there watching the game. We’re going to go as usual, play our game. Try to win the game.”

That was as direct as it gets. Anunoby did not lean into the politics, the celebrity angle or the extra media attention around the game.

His answer fits the Knicks’ situation. They are two wins from a championship, and any extra storyline can become noise if players allow it to.

Donald Trump confirmed Knicks Game 3 visit after Dolan invite

Trump confirmed Thursday, June 4, that he planned to attend after Knicks owner James Dolan invited him.

He said he has been a Knicks fan for a long time and praised Dolan, while also leaving open the possibility that he could attend Game 4 as well.

Game 3 tips off Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden, with the Knicks trying to move within one win of the title against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.

The Knicks have waited 27 years to host another NBA Finals game, and the building is expected to be charged from tipoff.

Trump’s presence will add attention, but Anunoby’s answer made the Knicks’ priority clear. The only thing that really changes the series is what happens on the floor.

Read more:

Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen is "doing well" after being admitted to hospital due to collapsing during Denmark's friendly against Ukraine, five years after suffering a cardiac arrest during the European Championships.

The 34-year-old former Manchester United midfielder, who had a type of pacemaker inserted after he collapsed in 2021, fell to the ground in the 64th minute of the match in Odense on Sunday.

Medical staff rushed onto the pitch while players from both teams gathered around him to shield the scene from television or smartphone cameras.

The referee called off the match and Eriksen was subsequently taken to hospital, having been shielded by both sets of players as he walked off the pitch.

"I want to let everyone know that I am doing well and that I am home with my family," Eriksen said in a social media post.

He said that receiving a shock from his ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) had had a "major impact" on him.

"I want to reassure everyone that this was (a) different situation from what happened in 2021," he said, adding that the device had done exactly what is was designed to do.

Eriksen said his "recovery has already started".

"For now, my focus is on recovering, spending time with my family, going on vacation, and playing football with my children," the footballer said.

- 'Briefly unconscious' -

Denmark's team doctor Morten Boesen said earlier on Monday that Eriksen had been "briefly unconscious" but that "the pacemaker responded as it should".

"I spoke to Christian this morning, and he is doing well," he said in comments posted on Instagram.

Boesen said that he and his medical team were in touch with the Danish national side's players.

"We are taking good care of the players and staff and are in regular contact with them."

Eriksen has worn the pacemaker since he collapsed during the group stage game against Finland at Euro 2020, which was played in 2021.

That led to him spending more than six months away from football.

Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg praised the swift help his team-mate received.

"There was a throw-in and I walked calmly to the touchline. Then I turned around and I saw Christian collapse," he told Danish television station TV2 on Sunday.

"We know very well what that means and the reaction was extremely rapid and respectful." 

Denmark coach Brian Riemer, who worked with Eriksen at Premier League side Brentford, said it had been "an extremely shocking experience for everyone, the staff, the players and the opponents".

He said: "He's someone who counts a lot for me. You're closer to certain players than others and he was one of the ones I got close to at Brentford."

- 'Really awful' -

Eriksen resumed his career at Brentford seven months after his collapse, having been forced to leave Inter Milan because of Italy's rules against playing with a pacemaker.

He went on to join Manchester United, where he won the FA Cup and League Cup, and now plays for Wolfsburg in Germany, where he has another year to run on his contract.

He also returned to international football, playing for Denmark at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and Euro 2024 in Germany.

Denmark have not qualified for the World Cup in North America, which starts on Thursday.

Former Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner said the latest incident had been "really awful" but was relieved that Eriksen quickly regained consciousness.

"The main thing is that he was able to walk off by himself because that makes you think he's doing OK given the circumstances," Bendtner told TV2 on Sunday.

"But these are terrible images that outweigh the rest of the evening.

"It's the second time it's happened and as a friend of Christian's, it's really awful." 

bur-jll/bc

Year over year, regardless of coaching changes and the like, analysts, media types, and fans tend to look at Michigan football by position group, vying to determine how much they've perhaps improved or devolved from the previous season. For the Wolverines, given the coaching changes, there's a lot to like, especially given Kyle Whittingham's ability to do more with less. But what about the rooms themselves? In terms of improving the maize and blue's chances just via the roster, how much better or worse did each get?

Taking a look at just the five primary offensive positions, we're analyzing how much the rooms have improved from last year. We're taking into account new faces, more experience, player trajectories, and more to determine just how much better, worse, or even the same.

Quarterback

Verdict: Better

The majority of the post-spring game Michigan football banter has surrounded quarterback Bryce Underwood and whether or not he's made any improvements from last year. Our position has been that to extrapolate an admittedly discouraging showing from nine passes attempted in an intersquad scrimmage in April isn't the best barometer to determine his progress or lack thereof.

While we aren't necessarily adding coaching prowess into the equation, it is worth noting that Underwood will be getting a lot more hands-on time compared to the previous regime, now that he has Jason Beck and Koy Detmer Jr. overseeing his development. Though it's still a work in progress, Underwood himself should be much improved from his freshman campaign.

But we're not solely looking at one player as we go room to room. Though the Wolverines lost Mikey Keene, Davis Warren, Jake Garcia, and Jadyn Davis, they added Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi (arriving this summer) via the transfer portal, along with recruits Tommy Carr and Brady Smigiel. Chase Herbstreit, aside from Underwood, is the only holdover from the previous team. Carr was impressive in the spring game, which shows the Wolverines perhaps have another option there. Fowler-Nicolosi, assuming he can digest the playbook in a quick fashion, easily has the most snaps on the roster and has multiple years of starting experience. Smigiel is recovering from a senior year ACL tear and is unlikely to be in the mix this year. Michigan had added LSU transfer Colin Hurley in the winter, but he left the team early in spring ball.

There aren't a ton of bodies in the room, but the floor feels like it's been lifted. The ceiling is still only as high as Bryce Underwood can take it, as he has the physical tools that the others just can't match. But he wasn't pushed as much in spring ball as perhaps was hoped. Even still, the room is better off than it was this time last year, when all of the team's hopes were pinned on a talented but inexperienced freshman.

Running backs

Verdict: Same

In terms of personnel, it's a fair trade for Michigan football to lose the talented, experienced, but oft-injured Justice Haynes for five-star freshman phenom Savion Hiter. They're different kinds of runners, and it remains to be seen if Hiter can find that home-run hitting gear that Haynes had. But, his 10 carries for 44 yards in the spring game was tantalizing in a way that made people forget that Jordan Marshall is the clear-cut starter.

Marshall was very impressive last year, and that continued this spring. He'll be the 1A to Hiter's 1B, the staff says, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them both on the field at the same time quite often. Bryson Kuzdzal, who saw extended time and started late in the season last year, withdrew from the transfer portal and should be a nice change of pace back. Micah Ka'apana had high hopes, but he was already ruled out for the season with an injury.

Beyond those three, there's not a lot of obvious depth. Jonathan Brown is a true freshman, and he told WolverinesWire last summer that even he figures himself to be a developmental prospect. Donovan Johnson hasn't shown the same promise as he did before a series of injuries that started in high school. Regardless, it's hard to top the three-headed monster Michigan has at running back, unless you look to last year.

Wide receiver

Verdict: Better

Perhaps the most improved unit on the entire team, the wide receivers in Ann Arbor have the look of a group that could actually strike some fear into the hearts of defensive backs. And that's not something that could have been said in recent years.

After a breakout second half of the season last year, Andrew Marsh figures to be the 'top dawg' of the group. Utah transfer JJ Buchanan, also entering his second year, had the type of year that wasn't too far off from Cornelius Johnson's junior campaign or Roman Wilson's sophomore year in terms of catches and yards. But there's a lot of other names who have joined the team who should be high-production players. Jaime Ffrench was ranked as high as No. 26 overall by ESPN as a recruit, and he transferred over from Texas, where he redshirted behind players like Ryan Wingo and Parker Livingstone. Salesi Moa, a five-star according to Rivals, spent a week in Salt Lake City before transferring to Ann Arbor. Travis Johnson was electric as a high school senior and enrolled early. And there are other returning players (Channing Goodwin, Kendrick Bell, Jacob Washington) who very well could take another step forward after getting increased experience last year.

The room feels much closer to a bona fide weapon than it has in years past. Yes, they still have to prove they can produce, but there's a lot to like about the bodies that now comprise the unit. It would now actually be a surprise if this group doesn't take a massive step forward.

Tight end

Verdict: Worse

Now, on one hand, this group could be better, as players like Zack Marshall and Deakon Tonielli played well when unexpectedly thrust into action last year. It wouldn't surprise if, in the aggregate, the tight ends have better numbers than they had recently. However, a lot of the group's hopes rest on Hogan Hansen not only remaining healthy, but living up to his potential. But otherwise, even though NFL draft pick Marlin Klein didn't quite reach his promised heights, losing him does hurt the room, as the only offseason addition was Mason Bonner, a true freshman who arrives in summer.

That said, it will be interesting to see how the aforementioned, along with Jalen Hoffman and Eli Owens, figure into the Jason Beck offense. Owens quietly had the best receiving performance in the spring game, much like Hoffman had the year before. But that doesn't always (it often doesn't, actually) equate to in-season usage or capability.

Regardless, there's less hype surrounding the tight ends compared to a lot of year's past, and worse doesn't spell doom. It just says that the roster isn't quite as deep as it once was, but it certainly still could achieve great things.

Offensive line

Verdict: Better

The question will be how much better, though.

There's a lot to like about the offensive line this year, even if there aren't 10 obvious players who could take the field at any given time. The staff reportedly loves Andrew Babalola, and it's not even clear that, when healthy, he'll have a starting spot. Two of the three third-year players -- Blake Frazier and Jake Guarnera -- were unexpectedly thrust into action last year, and both exceled once called upon. Andrew Sprague had a little bit of a rough start but settled in by year's end. Nathan Efobi looked good in spot duty as well in the few weeks where he saw action. Evan Link had improved greatly before he was lost for the season with an injury. And then there's Brady Norton, who is still in the mix, along with second-year guard Avery Gach.

That essentially sums up the group, and we didn't put positions because you never know where players will end up (though it's likely that Guarnera is the starting center, but other than that, it wouldn't be surprising to see the staff finagle it so whoever is considered the best starting five ends up on the field in some capacity). The depth isn't nearly what it was a few years ago, but the same could have been said back in 2021, when the line didn't even have high expectations (it won the Joe Moore Award that year).

There are still questions about the pass protection, and those couldn't be answered by a split-squad spring game. So it will be interesting to see how the unit does in that regard. The offensive line will be better, the main question is by how much?

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Grading the Michigan football offensive roster

President Donald Trump will be in attendance for Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs and Stephen A. Smith is not happy about it.

The problem is that Trump’s attendance will lead to increased security measures both inside and outside of Madison Square Garden, which is creating issues.

Along with increased congestion in the area around the arena, security checks inside the arena will be more stringent and will likely lead to it taking longer for fans to get to their seats, and there is even a ban on bags.

As if all that wasn’t enough, the increased security at the arena has led to the cancelation of the watch party outside of MSG, something Knicks fans are not happy about.

Stephen A. Smith rips Donald Trump

ESPN talking head Stephen A. Smith is one of the Knicks fans who are not happy about President Donald Trump attending the game.

He called Trump “narcissistic and “selfish” and even went as far as to say he would blame the president if the Knicks lose on Monday night.

MORE: Knicks’ plane had scary mishap before leaving San Antonio

“This president has no business showing up in New York City. I am dead serious. It is selfish. It is narcissistic. It is ridiculous that he is coming to this game,” Smith said.

“I’m blaming the president of the United States of America if the New York Knicks lose this tonight,” he added. “There is no reason for any president (to attend the game) because of the congestion and the security measures that have to be invoked in order to ensure his safety.”

NYC adds watch party locations

With Trump’s arrival knocking out the MSG watch party, New York City has announced three other locations for New York Knicks fans to watch the game.

Along with Central Park and Brooklyn Bowl, the city has added Bryant Park as another location for Knicks fans to gather.

There is no cost to attend, but a total of 5,000 fans will be allowed in and must register for a spot beforehand.

Knicks vs. Spurs Game 3 start time

Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs will take place on Monday night, with tip-off scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.

However, as we’ve seen over the first two games, Game 3 isn’t likely to start until after 8:40 p.m. ET.

The Knicks hold a 2-0 lead over the Spurs and New York now has an opportunity to close out the series at Madison Square Garden.

The Spurs are facing an uphill climb.

Not only do they have to mount their comeback on the road in front of an electric Madison Square Garden crowd, they also have to overcome NBA history because no team has ever come back from down 0-2 in the NBA Finals after losing the first two games at home.

NEED TO KNOW

• Kyle Busch's brother Kurt spoke out for the first time since the NASCAR legend's death on May 21
• Kurt said his "heart is broken, but I know your spirit will always ride with me," in his touching tribute on Instagram
• "No trophy, championship, or accomplishment could ever measure the impact you had on my life and on so many others," Kurt wrote in the caption

Kyle Busch's brother Kurt has spoken out for the first time since the NASCAR legend died at age 41 on May 21.

Kurt, 47, penned a heartfelt tribute on social media on Monday, June 8, writing, "Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you, everyone, for the well wishes, support, and love for my brother and our family."

Kurt continued, "Finding a silver lining, I reflect back on the days Kyle and I raced anything we could get our hands on. From big wheels to competing on the biggest stages in motorsports, we were more than just fierce competitors. We pushed each other, challenged each other, and learned from each other."

"Kyle, your passion, determination, and love for your family inspired everyone who knew you. No trophy, championship, or accomplishment could ever measure the impact you had on my life and on so many others," the NASCAR icon's brother wrote.

He added, "I will forever be grateful for the memories we made, the lessons you taught me, and the brotherhood we shared. My heart is broken, but I know your spirit will always ride with me. Rest easy, little brother."

Alongside the touching words, Kurt, also a race car driver, posted six photos of himself and his late brother over the years, including shots of the late driver's family: wife Samantha Busch and their two children: son Brexton, 11, and daughter Lennix, 4.

Kyle's family announced his hospitalization with a "severe illness" on May 21 before confirming his death hours later.

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Busch's family issued a statement to ESPN explaining the driver's cause of death on May 23.

"The medical evaluation provided to the Busch Family concluded that severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications. The family asks for continued understanding and privacy during this difficult time," the statement concluded.

Read the original article on People

The 2025 NFL Draft did much for the New England Patriots, as it gave them several key starters that helped fuel their run to the Super Bowl last season.

The Patriots began the draft by selecting left tackle Will Campbell with the No. 4 overall pick in the first round. Campbell played well in the regular season but fell victim to a knee injury down the stretch of the year. He concluded the season with an underwhelming performance in the Super Bowl, which laid the groundwork for a retrospective envisioning of a new star to be taken with the pick over him.

According to Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport in his 2025 NFL re-draft, the Patriots go with current New Orleans Saints left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. over Campbell at No. 4 overall in the event.

Banks Jr. allowed five sacks and 46 total pressures last season for the Saints. He greatly exceeded Campbell’s 26 total pressures allowed last season, though the two allowed the same amount of sacks (5) on the year.

Despite Banks’ sound play in his first NFL season, Campbell performed up to standard for New England in 2025, even with his blunders on the year. He has the confidence of Patriots coach Mike Vrabel for next season, making Campbell a sound pick for the team.

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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 2025 NFL re-draft has Patriots taking different OT over Will Campbell

We live in a college football world of lists, rankings, and countdowns. Many players on Notre Dame’s roster have been talked about and written about over the last few months — so let’s fall in line.

This will be my official Top 20 Notre Dame Football Players ranking. I will unveil each player, and list the three things I like about them. It seems simple enough, but I have no doubt that some of these ratings will be highly criticized, but you can always share your thoughts in the comments below.

#20 Francis Brewu DT

INSTANT IMPACT

Notre Dame needed an “instant impact” type of player along the defensive line, and in fact, the Irish needed a few of them. After getting some rotational play as a freshman, Brewu started every game for the Pitt Panthers and earned All-ACC Honorable Mention.

SUPER HERO TYPE OF STRONG

Brewu isn’t the biggest defensive tackle out there at 6’1” 285, but his pure strength and power makes him incredible tough and hard to defend along the line. Make no mistake though — he absolutely looks bulky, but his power to measurably size looks unbalanced — in a good way.

PITT PEDIGREE

It’s not so much that he comes from Pitt which has a long tradition of producing really good defensive linemen, it’s that he was recruited once by former Pitt DL coach and current Notre Dame DL coach, Charlie Partridge. He fits the system and the plan for what the Irish want to do along the defensive line and within the defense itself.

Karl-Anthony Towns will go down as one of the best shooting big men in NBA history, but had the Knicks center listened to his skeptics, that would have never come to fruition.

“I worked on my game,” Towns said Sunday, replying to a question from New Orleans Pelicans rookie guard Jeremiah Fears at an NBA Finals media availability.

“When I was younger, that wasn’t something that was supposed to happen. You’re laughed at. You’re told, ‘What are you doing? You’re wasting your time. You’re never going to make it to college doing that.’”

Fast forward to the present day, and history shows Towns was ahead of his time.

The 7-footer is a career 39.7% shooter from 3-point range over his 11-year NBA career, and in six of those seasons, Towns shot at least 40.0% on 3-pointers.

Entering Monday night’s Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, Towns was shooting 48.1% on 3-pointers in this year’s playoffs.

His shooting prowess has loomed large in these NBA Finals, as Towns’ mere presence on the perimeter has often drawn 7-4 San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyana — the NBA’s unanimous Defensive Player of the Year and premier shot-blocker — out of the paint.

“A lot of people are going to tell you, ‘No,’ what they think you need to do to make it to the NBA, to do all these things,” Towns, 30, said. “But at the end of the day, you’ve got to walk on your own path, write your own story. And that’s what I did.”

Towns was a top recruit out of St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, N.J. He was the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft out of Kentucky. A six-time NBA All-Star, Towns spent his first nine seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves before he was traded to the Knicks in October of 2024.

Earlier in his career, critics questioned Towns’ reliance on 3-point shooting. But any questions about Towns’ physicality have been answered emphatically in these playoffs, and particularly in the Finals, where on defense, he limited Wembanyana to 7-of-19 shooting over Games 1 and 2.

“He’s been great,” Jalen Brunson said after the Knicks’ Game 2 win. “I think he’s been pretty phenomenal on both sides of the ball, the things he’s been able to do throughout this entire playoffs. But obviously here now, he’s been great.”

Towns debuted after Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki had already transcended the position as a 7-footer with an elite outside game.

But Towns helped usher in an era in which more and more centers — including Wembanyama and Nikola Jokić, the three-time NBA MVP of the Denver Nuggets — are deadly 3-point shooters.

“People come back to me and give me all the congrats and congratulations and all this love for something they didn’t help with; they told me to do the opposite,” Towns told the 19-year-old Fears.

“So, that’s how life always goes. Everyone’s got an opinion until someone actually does the work.”

The Kansas City Chiefs will have a mandatory mini-camp from June 9th to the 11th, the final week of offseason practice before training camp in late July.

With quarterback Patrick Mahomes coming off an ACL injury, the Chiefs could be more reliant on the run game, especially with the addition of running back Kenneth Walker this offseason.

Walker is a high-level runner fresh off a Super Bowl MVP and a big season with the Seattle Seahawks. Adding him to the roster should bolster Kansas City’s offense with another weapon, but the Chiefs’ offensive line must hold up its end of the bargain as well.

With a running back capable of game-breaking plays and a quarterback coming off a major knee injury, the Chiefs’ offensive line must have one of its best seasons of the Mahomes era.

The lineup

The starting five should look very familiar to last season, where every player made multiple starts.

At left tackle, Josh Simmons will look to build upon the flashes he showed as a rookie and hopefully put together a full season. Kingsley Sumataia will return for his second season as the team’s starting left guard, where he can hopefully build upon a solid 2025 season.

Creed Humphrey will return for his sixth season and look to add to his already decorated career that features three All-Pro selections and four Pro Bowl entries. Right guard, playing the role of enforcer, Trey Smith will also return for his sixth season with the team, and continue to solidify the Chiefs having one of the best interior offensive lines in the NFL.

Jaylon Moore started six games last season for Kansas City, and this season he is slated to be the starting right tackle.

Off the bench, the Chiefs will have Esa Pole and Wanya Morris competing for the swing tackle spot, with Mike Caliendo and Hunter Nourzad backing up the interior.

Expectations for Simmons

Simmons was brilliant in 2025 when he was on the field, but due to injuries and personal reasons, he played only eight games.

Expectations for Simmons this season will likely be centered on his durability, his ability to play left tackle for the entire season and proving that he can become the Chiefs’ long-term option on the blind side.

A high-level athlete, the flashes that he showed in 2025 should set the table for how the team plans to use him in 2026, and what he is capable of.

Expectations for Suamataia

After a tumultuous 2024 rookie season, which saw him benched as a tackle, Suamataia entered the 2025 season with a chip on his shoulder and with a new position. Starting all 17 games at left guard in 2025, he showed a solid transition to a more natural position that fits his build as well as play style.

The Simons clip gives us a quick view of what Suamataia brings to the interior of the line, rather than the edge.

The move inside allowed him to maximize his superior play strength, and by the end of the season, the strides he made in a short period bode well for his future in the NFL. The expectation for him in 2025 will be to continue to improve his fundamentals as a guard and start to hone in on a long future at the position.

Expectations for Humphrey

The most talented offensive linemen the Chiefs have had since the days of Will Shields at guard, Humphrey is on an astounding career arc, and will still only be 27 years old when the 2026 season kicks off. From the first start of his career, he has put forth the same consistently stout play, and he could be on his way to the Hall of Fame.

As the team looks to lean more into the run game with the acquisition of Walker, this will allow Humphrey to continue elevating his game and make his superb run blocking even more impactful.

The other reason is the large cap number that he will carry into the season.

Per Spotrac, Humphrey is slated to make $18 million in 2026, which will be the fifth-highest salary on the team. He has earned every bit of the contract he is playing on, but there will be added attention as the team relies on him more than ever this season.

Expectations for Smith

Since joining the Chiefs in 2021, Smith has been the offense’s enforcer and one of the most physical players in the NFL. His presence will be needed more so than ever before this year as the team will need to give Mahomes the best protection possible.

Set to be the third-highest-paid player on the roster this season, the Chiefs will need his best, and the expectation should be for this to be the season that Smith gets over the hump and can be named to his first All-Pro team.

Expectations for Moore

Moore filled in admirably last season, and with another year in the offense under his belt, he should flourish as the full-time starter at right tackle in 2026.

Set to be the team’s fifth-highest-paid player this season, Moore will be expected to continue to grow within the offense and provide more stability than the team has had over the past few seasons.

Moore is a good zone blocker and a technician in pass pro. The team will have a lot riding on him in 2026.

The bottom line

The Chiefs have invested in the offensive line, and for the team to find success this year, it has to pay off.

Simmons and Suamataia were both drafted with top-end selections, while Humphrey, Moore and Smith will be three of the top six highest-paid players on the roster this season.

The protection for Mahomes must be top-notch, and with how much the team has riding on Walker, this will increase the pressure on the offensive line as a whole.

Power football is back in the NFL, and it all starts up front.

If both Ismael Saibari and Nathaniel Brown end up joining Bayern Munich, the club is currently not planning to go for an additional winger.

According to Sky Germany, the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Marcus Rashford, Kroupi Jr and Mika Godts rumours are wide of the mark.

The recently crowned Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal champions also placed Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha as a priority signing last week.

Ngumoha was pursued by the Bavarians when it became clear that the Anthony Gordon deal had become complicated to complete.

The club held several talks with the Reds' winger and his camp — his brother was even pictured at Säbener Straße.

A five-year contract was agreed for Ngumoah, but in the end there was no contact with Liverpool and the deal fell through. 

NEED TO KNOW

• Jack O'Halloran retired from professional boxing in 1974 as he committed to acting
• During his time as the California heavyweight champion, O'Halloran, now 83, was working toward fighting Muhammad Ali
• O'Halloran recalls knowing Muhammad and fighting his brother, Rahaman Ali, in conversation with PEOPLE

Jack O'Halloran had a storied career as a boxer.

The Superman star, 83, was a heavyweight champion in the years before he got into acting. During a recent conversation with PEOPLE, O'Halloran opened up about coming close to fighting late boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

"Ali and I were signed to fight four times. He fought a fellow from Detroit named Alvin 'Blue' Lewis. Blue Lewis fought him in Ireland, went 13 rounds with him. Then Blue Lewis came back and he beat Ernie Terrell and beat another ranked fighter," he explained.

"Then they called me in California and asked me if I wanted to fight Blue Lewis. I went out and I beat him in Detroit and then I went up to camp and saw Muhammad and then we decided it was time to get it on. And he fought Wepner and a few others."

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In 1973, O'Halloran was knocked out by Jimmy Summerville, which ended the possibility of fighting Ali. Still, O'Halloran cherished his relationship with his fellow fighter.

"We were good friends. He was an interesting individual," he shares of Ali.

While pursuing the Muhammad Ali fight, O'Halloran did fight his brother, Rahaman Ali, in 1972, in what ended up being Rahaman's final fight.

"We fought in San Diego when I was the California heavyweight champion. I ran off about four or five wins in a row and Muhammad called me on the phone. He said, 'You got to do me a favor.' I said, 'I'll do you a favor. Sign a contract,' " he laughed.

"He said, 'No, no, no, you're fighting my brother Rahaman and you got to get him out of boxing.' I said, 'Rahaman Ali's your brother?' He said, 'Yeah.' I said, 'Well, I better go in the gym a couple of days then.' His brother was undefeated until he fought me and then he never fought again. I knocked him out in the ninth round and he never fought again."

O'Halloran stayed connected to the boxing community, even after moving on to acting.

"When I retired from boxing, I was so used to going to the gym to workout. I kept going and I saw this young fighter come in from Philadelphia, Frankie Liles. I took him and I trained him and managed him for the super middleweight championship of the world. So I trained and managed a champion. I started Freddie Roach out, who became a prominent trainer, trained Pacquiao and a bunch of others."

Read the original article on People

The Chicago Bears are looking forward to doing business in the state of Indiana in the future with Governor Mike Braun. Chicago had a choice between choosing a new stadium in Arlington Heights, Illinois or Hammond, Indiana. The Bears decided to move forward with a site in Hammond. It is much closer to Chicago than Arlington Heights is.

There are a lot of Bears fans who are unhappy with the team moving from Illinois to Indiana. With this being the case, many people are wondering if they will become the Hammond Bears and not the Chicago Bears anymore.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun Makes Statement About the Chicago Bears Name Not Being Changed To the Hammond Bears

When the news got announced on Friday about the Bears going to be moving from Illinois to Indiana in the future, Colin Cowherd of the Herd on FS1 had Indiana Governor Mike Braun came onto the show. They were talking about the Bears stadium move from Illinois to Indiana. Braun made one thing clear however and said,

“That would be obtuse to think it would be the Hammond Bears. It’s the Chicago Bears.”

He is correct that the Bears will still be called the Chicago Bears. There will be people that will call this franchise the Hammond Bears or the Indiana Bears in the future because they will be crossing state lines. With that being, this organization is not the only franchise to playing in another state. The New York Giants and the New York Jets play in East Rutherford, New Jersey. There are a lot of people to blame however for the Bears not staying in the state of Illinois and being in downtown Chicago.

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The post “That Would Be Obtuse”: Indiana Governor Mike Braun Makes Statement About the Chicago Bears Name Not Being Changed to the Hammond Bears appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.

The Indiana Fever will look to get back above .500 on Monday, June 8, against the Washington Mystics at CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C.

The Fever have been in a tailspin since starting the season at 5-2. They have lost three of their last four and had a two-hour meeting in after a lopsided loss to Portland, bounced back by beating Atlanta before falling to New York on June 6.

Caitlin Clark had 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting with seven rebounds and nine assists. Before the New York game, Clark got testy with the media for bring up the meeting.

"I don’t know why we’re still on this," Caitlin Clark told reporters on Saturday. "We didn’t blatantly sit there and talk about everything you guys were writing and what’s in the media, we’re just talking about how we can be better as a team.

"I understand there’s always going to be people that have opinions, and I respect that – it doesn’t make it right, doesn’t make it wrong. For myself, I just try to keep the main thing the main thing."

The Fever listed Clark as probable (back) and Aliyah Boston as questionable (lower leg) on the injury report. The Mystics had no injuries to report.

What time is Washington Mystics vs Indiana Fever?

• Date: Monday, June 8
• Time: 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT)
• Location: CareFirst Arena (Washington, D.C.)

The Mystics and Fever play at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, June 8, at CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C.

What TV channel is Washington Mystics vs Indiana Fever on today?

• TV channel: NBCSN
• Streaming options: Peacock

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Indiana Fever vs Washington Mystics: Time, how to watch, TV, stream

During this electrifying playoff run, New York Knicks fans have gathered outside Madison Square Garden. Many of their celebrations have gone viral.

It's not surprising to see so many excited fans after the team made the NBA Finals for the first since 1999.

Even before this successfull fun, there is a long tradition of content created outside The World's Most Famous Arena capturing attention. It wasn't long ago that the catchphrase "bing bong" became a viral meme and online sensation, even receiving votes for New York City mayor in 2021.

Now a new catchphrase is popping up, and this time, it involves actual NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Outside of MSG, a fan was interviewed and said something unforgettable:

"My mayor Muslim, my bagel's Jewish, my Christian Dior," the fan exclaimed. "Knicks in four!"

This rallying cry has caught on as countless others, including New York city council member Chi Ossé, have used it on social media. Others have made shirts, hats and various merchandise based on the sentiment.

MY MAYOR IS MUSLIM
MY BAGELS ARE JEWISH
MY CHRISTIAN DIOR
MY KNICKS IN FOUR

— Chi Ossé (@OsseChi) June 6, 2026

The sentence is a nod to several things, including Mamdani, the first Muslim mayor of New York City.

But the fan also celebrated the multiculturalism of the five boroughs, like bagels, which are deeply rooted in Jewish culture.

He also mentioned the luxury brand Christian Dior, referencing the New York anthem "Dior" from 2020 by the late and legendary rapper Pop Smoke.

Knicks in four, meanwhile, is a prediction that New York would sweep the San Antonio Spurs in a perfect 4-0 series. The franchise needed just four games each to win the Eastern Conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers.

But the rallying cry begins with Mamdani, who received more than 1.1 million votes to become mayor in November 2025. It was the first time a candidate received more than one million mayoral votes since 1969. Since taking office in January 2026, he has maintained a close relationship with the Knicks.

Earlier this season during Ramadan on March 14, the mayor shared an Iftar meal with Knicks rookie Mohamed Diawara. Mamdani also attended a game during the Eastern Conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He posted a joke on social media after the Knicks secured a sweep against the Cavaliers and signed a playful executive order to repeal bedtimes so New York youth could stay up late to watch the NBA Finals.

Mamdani, as well as President Donald Trump, are both expected at Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the championship series against the Spurs.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: TikTok gave Knicks fans a viral rallying cry involving Zohran Mamdani

It was another slightly disappointing week, with the Twins splitting a four-game series with the White Sox, and then losing a series to the Royals. The team will now face Detroit and St. Louis this week. Royce Lewis returned to the team on Saturday after lighting up St. Paul with homer after homer, and he started at second base on Saturday and first base on Sunday, going a combined 1-for-8 over the two games. The Twins also said goodbye to Simeon Woods-Richardson, who was traded back to the Blue Jays. Oh, and Byron Buxton left Friday’s game after crashing into the wall and has not come back to the team yet. The team is now 30-37, still somehow only 3.0 games out of the last wild-card spot, but that’s maybe the only silver lining here.

The Past Week on Twinkie Town:

• Check out The Feed, where you can add your discussions about the Twins!
• We’re starting a new segment called Daily Questions! Provide your opinion on the Twins and debate with the community!
• Game threads and recaps are back! Commiserate with your fellow fans as we experience the season together.
• Aidan O’Brien updates the Twins Top-40 Prospects for the month of June.
• Zach Koenig looks back fondly at a pitcher who gave fans a little bit of hope in the dark 2016 season.

Elsewhere in Twins Territory:

• Dan Hayes at The Athletic checks in on the status of a bunch of injured Twins pitchers.
• Matthew Leach at MLB.com looks at the Twins’ roster construction and how it’s full of player versatility.
• Tom Schreier at Zone Coverage evaluates whether shortstop Ryan Kreidler can be the newest former cast-off turned key utility player for the Twins.
• Austin Martin has found a new home in center field and Betsy Helfand at the Pioneer Press checks in on how he’s been adjusting to the new position.

In the World of Baseball:

• The Rays and Yankees are now neck-and-neck in the AL pennant race, although the Yankees suffered a big loss last week with Aaron Judge going on the IL with a stress fracture. The Guardians and White Sox sit third and fourth in the race, and the Mariners and Rangers are fifth and sixth.
• Nothing has really changed in the National League. It’s Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Milwaukee in the top three spots. The Phillies, after going on a historic losing streak, have managed to climb their way back to fifth in the NL standings.
• Tarik Skubal rumors have been flying around, and Kiley McDaniel at ESPN evaluated a bunch of mock trades.
• Jeff Passan at ESPN previews the early 2026 MLB trade deadline.
• Dan Szymborski at Fangraphs looks at whether Yordan Alvarez of the Astros could potentially win the Triple Crown this year.

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby will be allowed to play this season (at least for now) after a Texas judge granted him a preliminary injunction against the NCAA's ineligibility ruling due to gambling.

Sorsby — who transferred to Texas Tech from Cincinnati — was ruled ineligible after he placed around $90,000 in bets and even wagered 40 times on his own team's games when he was at Indiana.

Yet, despite the clearest violation of the NCAA's rules against sports betting, Sorsby is now set to suit up for the Red Raiders in 2026. It was a court ruling that had even the biggest NCAA critics shocked.

What the judge said

Judge Ken Curry — a semi-retired judge who was assigned the case in the 99th District Court in Lubbock County, Texas — was the one to rule in Sorsby's favor.

Sorsby's legal team argued that the quarterback was effectively being punished for suffering a mental health condition as a gambling addict. And Curry appeared to agree with that argument. He said of Sorsby:

He “demonstrated that he will suffer a probable, imminent and irreparable injury” if he's ineligible to play. 

QB Brendan Sorsby has been granted his injunction against the NCAA. pic.twitter.com/jmAWR8msRa

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) June 8, 2026

The judge also stated that missing out on a team environment and coaching would be harmful to Sorsby.

What the NCAA said of the decision

The NCAA was clearly shocked that a judge effectively undermined a rule that was supposed to protect that integrity of college sports. To be able to gamble on your own team and not face consequences — it's a dangerous precedent to set.

The NCAA said in a statement:

"The NCAA strongly disagrees with the court's ruling in Sorsby's case and is deeply concerned about the damaging, far-reaching and broadly destabilizing ramifications of this outcome -- which undermines and corrupts the integrity of sports. The NCAA is committed to supporting student-athlete mental health but must continue to aggressively defend against actions that defraud college athletics and threaten competitive integrity, such as betting on one's own sport."

What fans were saying

This might have been one of the rare occasions where fans sided with the NCAA. Again, Sorsby placed over 9,000 bets included 40 on his own team. This decision signals that insider gambling is fine if you can just find a sympathetic judge in your school's town.

It was a stunning decision.

Imagine being one of the Cyclones or Hawkeyes with far less egregious wagering who were never able to play NCAA football again. https://t.co/lIpfCzGoJe

— Keith Murphy (@KeithMurphy) June 8, 2026

This is wild. Open season to gamble on college football while playing college football. https://t.co/zDo1VFc0lV

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) June 8, 2026

Here’s a list of enforceable rules in college football:

(Crickets) https://t.co/TrbOc0zJnl

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) June 8, 2026

As disastrous a ruling as there has ever been in modern sports. The pathway is now clear: gamble as much as you like, including on your own team and hope you are--or get--good enough that you can lawyer up down the line. A much bigger disaster than anything with NIL or portal. https://t.co/0te37hEJH4

— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) June 8, 2026

• 9000 different bets
• $90,000 wagered
• Betting on games he suited up for
• Willfully ignoring classes and meetings from 3 different institutions about the one cardinal sin in sports

But hey, find a local judge and convince him the kid will be really sad if he doesn’t get…

— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) June 8, 2026

What an absolute disaster.

Hopefully gets overturned. https://t.co/Kn2FzGsEVv

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) June 8, 2026

The NCAA will appeal the ruling, obviously. But Texas Tech kicks off its season in three months, and the legal process could draw out well beyond that.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby had his eligibility restored despite gambling on games

1908
Here’s all you need to know about how close the pennant race started, as in just four days, with four wins, the White Sox leaped from sixth in the American League to a tie for first place. All in all these wins came as part of a 13-game winning streak that still stands as the franchise’s third-longest. The hot run swung the White Sox five games in the standings, from 2 ½ down in the race to 2 ½ ahead, in first place. However, the White Sox remained there for just 11 games, as the club dropped as far back as 7 ½ games in the race before a furious finish that found them falling just short: 88-64 and 1 ½ games from meeting the Cubs in a second Crosstown World Series in three seasons.

1937
The final win of a 10-game streak (which remains tied for seventh-longest in team history) pushed the White Sox into a tie for first place in the American League. This time, it was the Yankees as victim, falling at Comiskey Park, 5-4. Thornton Lee gave up homers to both Joe DiMaggio and Lou Gehrig in the contest, but went the distance and otherwise scattering nine hits total. The firepower from the top of the White Sox lineup — the top five hitters all had at least two hits,with leadoff man Rip Radcliff clocking in with three — was the difference in the game

At the time the 10-game winning streak started on May 30, the White Sox sat in sixth place in the AL, six games out. And the team the White Sox tied, for just one day, atop the American League? The Yankees, whom they’d just toppled! Both clubs possessed 25-17 records by game’s end.

1947
Luke Appling Day was celebrated at Comiskey Park. The future Hall-of-Famer was among the all-time Sox leaders in numerous categories and won a batting title in 1936, hitting a remarkable .388, and repeated as batting champ in 1943 with a .328 average. He went 1-for-6 in the first game of a doubleheader against Washington, as the Sox lost, 1-0, in 18 innings. (The 18 innings is tied for the 10th-longest game in White Sox history.)

Appling sat out the nightcap, an 8-2 White Sox win.

1951
Chicago-area native Marv Rotblatt became the first pitcher to enter a game while being driven in from the center-field bullpen. Rotblatt relieved starter Ken Holcombe in the eighth inning of Chicago’s 4-2 loss to the Yankees — who stood in their dugout and watched the pitching change in amazement.

And the White Sox picked a great time to unveil this innovation, as a franchise-record 53,940 fans packed Comiskey Park (the record was later broken, but this game remains the third-highest attendance ever in Chicago for a White Sox game as well as the biggest night game crowd ever). The crowd represented 4.1% of the entire season’s attendance (1,328,234), over 77 home dates. And in just two days, another 52,054 fans would watch a doubleheader against these same Yankees.

In the 1960s, Sox pitchers were brought into the game in golf carts, and in 1966, a converted snowmobile that was fitted with special skis so as to not harm the grass, performed the task. 

1969
The White Sox proved to be polite guests at Yankee Stadium, dropping a doubleheader (3-1 and 11-2) on Mickey Mantle Day. A crowd of 60,096 showed up to see Mantle’s No. 7 retired.

Also on this day, the White Sox traded reliever Bob Locker to the Seattle Pilots for Gary Bell. It was the first and only trade the White Sox had with the Pilots, who moved to Milwaukee in 1970 to become the Brewers. Locker was suffering a horrendous start to the season, with a 6.55 ERA/5.51 FIP over 17 games on the South Side. However, he was revitalized in Seattle and settled in as Pilots closer over 51 games, with a 2.18 ERA/2.94 FIP and six saves. The rebirth extended Locker’s career, as he would pitch effectively until 1972; in fact, Locker would never have a full season ERA of worse than the 3.15 he spun as a White Sox rookie in 1965.

By contrast, Bell was just as bad in Chicago as Locker had been and would never again pitch in the majors after 1969.

1981
The new-look White Sox found themselves on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Slugger Greg Luzinski was featured with the headline, “The Sox’ New Sock.”

The White Sox beat Toronto that day, 8-2, moving to 28-22 and starting a six-game winning streak.

2001
White Sox outfielder Carlos Lee became the first player to hit a walk-off, extra-inning grand slam in interleague play (including the World Series). His blast in the 10th inning came with two outs, and blew up the Cubs 7-3 at Comiskey Park, in front of a record-setting 45,936 fans. The shot was off of Courtney Duncan. Lee had five RBIs that evening.

It was the fifth walk-off grand slam in White Sox history.

2008
The White Sox tied a major league record when they scored 10 or more runs with 15 or more hits in three consecutive games. The Sox powered past Minnesota three straight times, on their way to a four-game series sweep. The record-setting scores were 10-6, 11-2 and 12-2. The Sox hit eight home runs in the three games, with four coming off the bat of Joe Crede. He had two home runs in consecutive games, tying the team record.

It was just the 24th time in American League history that a club scored 10 or more runs with 15 or more hits in three consecutive games. The White Sox also accomplished the feat in 1920.

Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. has begun conducting team workouts ahead of the 2026 NBA draft, and the projected lottery pick believes the experience has been valuable.

Acuff was a consensus first-team All-American, averaging 23.5 points, 6.4 assists and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 44% from 3-point range. He ranked third in the country in points (845) and seventh in assists (232), both of which were single-season program records.

The 6-foot-3 guard reportedly worked out with the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls last week and has others scheduled, including with the Milwaukee Bucks and Utah Jazz. He said on the "Draymond Green Show" that he is gaining useful information during those visits.

You got to be in shape. The first workout was crazy, I ain't going to lie. I'm in there huffin', I'm gassed. It is crazy. I'm in there by myself, doing 1-on-0, but it is a different type of environment. Just takin' all of the knowledge from the NBA, that has been the best part for me. I think in this whole process, I've been learning how to ask more questions. ... We're coming from college; we're young, we're freshmen, we want to know how it goes. I think the best part is the knowledge I receive from each team and seeing how the NBA works.

Darius Acuff on the biggest takeaways from his NBA Draft workouts so far

“I ain't gonna lie, you gotta be in shape... the first workout was crazy, I'm gassed, I'm in there by myself, I'm doing 1-on-0's so it's a different type of environment...I've been learning how to ask more… pic.twitter.com/yNk6oXyWX0

— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) June 8, 2026

Acuff, who was the SEC Player of the Year, joined Pete Maravich as the only players in history to lead the conference in points and assists in the same season. He was the only Division I player last season to average at least 20 points and six assists.

The Bob Cousy Award winner is highly touted because of his scoring and ability as a lead guard who can create for himself and get others involved. He has a quick shot and isn't afraid to pull up from deep, while he was also effective in penetrating the paint.

Acuff is projected to be drafted in the 4-8 range and will likely visit with most of the teams selecting in the lottery. He should garner plenty of interest from those organizations as a prospect who has the potential to be a franchise-changing player.

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Darius Acuff Jr.: Projected lottery pick reacts to NBA draft workouts

Hospitality workers at SoFi Stadium are threatening to stage a walkout, potentially throwing the World Cup into disarray just days before the tournament is set to kick off.

The 2026 World Cup gets underway on Thursday, following weeks of headlines dominated by FIFA's decision-making on ticket pricing and its U-turn on prohibiting fans from bringing plastic water bottles into stadiums across North America. The tournament's opening fixture will see Mexico take on South Africa in Mexico City, a rematch of the 2010 opener.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Men's National Team is scheduled to launch its World Cup campaign on Friday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, against Paraguay. However, preparations for the tournament in Los Angeles have been disrupted by news of a potential walkout by hospitality workers just days before the World Cup gets underway.

• USMNT’s Malik Tillman previews ‘emotional’ game against Germany as World Cup preparations wrap up
• Cristiano Ronaldo tipped to play record seventh World Cup at 45 by Portugal boss

According to the Wall Street Journal, hospitality workers at the $5.5 billion venue, which serves as home to both the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, have voted to strike just days before the World Cup kicks off.

Staff at SoFi Stadium voted 'overwhelmingly' in favor of the strike at the stadium, which employs approximately 2,000 hospitality workers. It remains unclear when they intend to stage the walkout. However, the WSJ reports that union officials have indicated it could occur "at any time" and that the USMNT's opening World Cup game would be "an opportune moment."

Legends Global, the company that manages concessions at SoFi Stadium, has stated it believes a deal can be struck with the union after its contract with workers expired last year.

The company has also confirmed that a contingency plan is in place for staffing should a strike take place.

Kurt Petersen, co-president of the union representing SoFi workers, Unite Here Local 11, said, via the LA Local, "I think the combination of the World Cup being unable to get their stuff together and the greediness of the stadium owners may end up leading to workers having to call for a strike.

To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE

He further stated: "It is kind of a mess. Which is also adding fuel to people's anger. Like, really? We have this massive event coming, you want us to work super hard and you can't even tell us what we're gonna be doing when we're coming in, what our schedules are?"

Both parties are scheduled to resume negotiations on Monday, June 8, via The Mirror US.

SoFi Stadium is set to host eight World Cup matches, including two USMNT fixtures. The venue will stage the USMNT's opening game against Paraguay on June 12 and their group stage encounter with Turkey on June 25.

Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina's Group B fixture on June 18 will also be held at SoFi, along with Belgium and Iran's clash on June 21. Iran will additionally face New Zealand at the venue on June 15.

Following those matches, SoFi is scheduled to host two rounds of 32 games, before staging one of the quarterfinals.

Maple Leafs get underwhelming Gavin McKenna comparison from The Athletic originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Not all No. 1 overall picks are created equal.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have the first pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and most assume that they'll take the Canadian winger, Gavin McKenna.

Which kind of top pick is McKenna, though?

Is he a generational superstar like Sidney Crosby? Or is he a really good but not great player?

It's hard to see McKenna failing, but some don't believe he'll ever ascend into the argument for best player on the planet, either.

One anonymous scout had this comparison to share with The Athletic in a new article:

“He’s like Artemi Panarin. He’ll get his accolades, but he’ll also be on 3-4 teams and never make real noise in the playoffs.”

MORE: Dylan Larkin's trade request points out a major NHL flaw

Panarin has had a long, successful NHL career with plenty of points. But he's never been one of the top players in the world.

McKenna certainly has scoring talent, and a lot of that should translate. He was an immense offensive player in the WHL with the Medicine Hat Tigers, and he came on strong in the second half of the season with Penn State, too.

Especially on a Maple Leafs roster that already has skilled forwards in place, McKenna should get plenty of opportunities right from the outset.

If McKenna turns into Panarin, it can still be a solid pick for the Leafs. They may not have a better choice, anyway.

But they'll still be hoping that he turns into someone better than that.

More NHL news:

• Canadiens had a trade agreed to, but they missed by 1 minute
• Henrik Sedin's son is excelling in a different sport
• Elias Petersson trade plans may be missing a key point
• Would the Maple Leafs trade Easton Cowan?
• Alex Ovechkin's mom is playing a role in his retirement decision

As the 2026 NHL Draft approaches, Gavin McKenna is drawing attention as the projected No. 1 overall pick. Amid the growing excitement, one prominent prospect analyst believes the Toronto Maple Leafs should waste no time bringing him to the NHL.

Speaking on The Sheet with Jeff Marek, Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis pushed back against suggestions that McKenna should spend another season at Penn State after being selected.

“Not at all,” Ellis said when asked whether McKenna should return to college. “… You see what he did at the World Juniors, you see his elite playmaking, his elite thought process out there. He should be in the NHL next year. … I don’t have any doubts in my mind that he’s going to be an impactful guy right away in the NHL.”

Toronto is widely expected to use the first overall pick on McKenna after winning the draft lottery. The selection would give the franchise a potential cornerstone player following a disastrous 2025-26 season that saw the team finish last in the Atlantic Division.

MORE: Projected No. 1 Pick Gavin McKenna opens up about Maple Leafs fit ahead of 2026 NHL Draft

Ellis went even further, suggesting McKenna could immediately fill a major organizational need.

“I think you could put him on the top line,” Ellis said. “He can kind of fill that playmaking role that was gone after Mitch Marner left. And maybe that finds a way to get that spark out of Matthews.”

Why Toronto’s environment could accelerate Gavin McKenna’s development?

McKenna’s freshman season at Penn State strengthened his standing as the consensus top prospect in the draft class. The dynamic winger produced 51 points in 35 games and dominated during the second half of the season, recording 33 points in his final 19 contests.

Ellis believes Toronto’s veteran leadership would make the transition easier. He pointed to players such as Auston Matthews and John Tavares as ideal mentors for a young star entering a high-pressure market.

“I think with McKenna going and playing in the NHL, you’re not expecting, you don’t necessarily need him to go out and win the Calder Trophy, ” Ellis said. “It’s actually quite hard for a first-year player to do it…

“But I think when you’re looking at it here, go and learn from those guys who’ve been through the journey. Matthews was obviously a very highly sought prospect. John Tavares was an exceptional status player. They know how to handle the pressure.”

The argument makes sense. Toronto is not rebuilding from the ground up despite its poor finish. The organization still has elite talent led by Matthews and is searching for ways to quickly return to contention.

MORE: Maple Leafs GM shares plans for Toronto’s No. 1 Pick in 2026 NHL Draft

McKenna’s elite vision, playmaking ability, and hockey IQ could address a major offensive gap created by Marner’s departure. While expecting him to become a Calder Trophy favorite immediately may be unrealistic, the projection that he can contribute in a top-six role is far less bold than it sounds.

For a Maple Leafs team looking to reset its trajectory, McKenna may be ready to help sooner rather than later.

Dana White is setting lofty expectations for UFC Freedom 250. Speaking with UFC on TNT Sports ahead of Sunday’s event at the White House in Washington, the UFC CEO said he is targeting Super Bowl-level viewership for the card, which is headlined by a lightweight title unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.

“For UFC fans all over the world, this is a unique experience for everybody,” White said. “We’re expecting Super Bowl-type numbers for this fight.”

The Super Bowl is the most-viewed sporting event in the United States annually, making White’s benchmark as high as it gets in American sports media. Topuria enters at 17-0 in MMA and 9-0 in the UFC, while Gaethje carries a record of 27-5 in MMA and 10-5 in the UFC. The co-headliner features Alex Pereira taking on Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight belt, with Pereira bidding to become the first three-division UFC champion.

White has a track record of delivering major production moments. The UFC was the first major sports organization to run events during the COVID-19 pandemic, hosting shows on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi when the rest of the sports world was shut down. More recently, the UFC was the first to host a sporting event at the Sphere in Las Vegas, an event that won two Sports Emmy awards. White believes the White House event surpasses even that benchmark from a production standpoint, and he made no attempt to hide his frustration at the industry’s failure to recognize it accordingly.

“I said the Sphere should have won every award there is in production — it did not,” White said. “Which doesn’t surprise me: Very political. If we don’t win every production award for the White House fight, they should stop doing production awards because you’re full of sh-t. You’re full of sh-t.”

UFC Freedom 250 streams live on Paramount+ on Sunday.

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Nvidia’s RTX 50 SUPER series to launch two years after their original versions – Report claims A new report from Benchlife claims that Nvidia’s RTX 50 SUPER series graphics cards will launch at CES 2027. This is two years after the release of Nvidia’s original RTX 50 series GPUs. Nvidia’s refreshed RTX 50 series lineup will include […]

The post Nvidia RTX 50 SUPER series targets “CES 2027” launch – report claims appeared first on OC3D.

On November 15, 2001, Bill Gates (and The Rock) unveiled a new gaming console called the “Xbox”. Later this year, the Xbox line will celebrate its 25th anniversary and Microsoft is ready with a special edition of the Series X. The Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition ditches the black and white colors of the base Series X and dresses up in translucent green – for those who weren’t around back then, translucent green was the coolest in the early 2000s. Also, the iconic X logo on the console will light up in green when you power it up. That’s not all, the announcement says that you will also...

Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy S25 FE successor this September, if the company follows its usual launch schedule. Ahead of its debut, the Galaxy S26 FE has been spotted on the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). Unlike a recent leak, which showed the phone in a protective case, the latest listing offers a clearer look at its design. A real-life image included in the WPC certification listing shows the Galaxy S26 FE in a gray finish. The listing also confirms the device carries the model number SM-S741. The image suggests that the Galaxy S26 FE will closely resemble the...

Apple Intelligence was marketed as this incredible on-device AI service that would transform iPhones into smarter devices and would offer a compelling reason to upgrade to the newer handsets, but we all know how well that played out. Fortunately, the Cupertino firm has been given another chance at WWDC 2026, but it should offer one of the best previews available for millions because the latest data reveals that generative AI-capable iPhones have reached a new high in shipments, and they are sorely missing out. For Q1 2026, the latest research reveals that Apple Intelligence-capable iPhones have reached a jaw-dropping 450 […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/ai-capable-iphones-reach-new-shipment-record-making-wwdc-2026-siri-launch-important/

Last week, Skydance New Media and Skydance Interactive were officially brought together under one umbrella as Paramount Skydance revealed Paramount Game Studios, with Tony Driscoll running the division and veteran creator Amy Hennig in the creative director's chair. While part of that reveal was that Hennig's Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra and untitled Star Wars game are still in the works, in an interview with IGN following the reveal, we got a timeline update for Rise of Hydra that you could probably guess, which is that it has, unsurprisingly, been delayed again. That confirmation comes from Shawn Kittleson, who was […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/marvel-1943-rise-of-hydra-delayed-2027-amy-hennig-given-time-to-cook/

GenForms.ai helps SaaS founders, marketers, and developers build beautiful conversational forms in under 60 seconds using plain English prompts. Unlike basic form builders that treat submissions as static lists, GenForms.ai is designed for reliable workflow automation. Each form includes webhook delivery logs, automatic retry backoffs (up to 4 attempts for transient server errors), and secure HMAC-SHA256 signature verification. It offers presets for Feishu, DingTalk, WeCom, Slack, and generic CRM webhooks to ensure you never lose a qualified lead.

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Italy went from being one of the most dominant teams in World Cup history to failing to qualify for three consecutive editions. Faced with this notable decline in performance, the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) decided to undertake a rebuilding process of its sporting project, removing most of its staff. After a long period without a clear direction, they have reportedly chosen Roberto Mancini as the new head coach to lead the team’s reconstruction.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, a well-known Italian journalist, the FIGC has chosen Ricardo Mancini as Italy’s new head coach. Despite being under contract with Al-Sadd until June 2028, he will return to Europe, with only the final details remaining before the appointment becomes official. With this move, he will return to the national team, where he previously had a major impact by leading them to the UEFA Euro 2020–21 title.

With the task of rebuilding the national team, Mancini will reportedly sign a contract through 2030, with an annual salary of €2 million, as per Nicolò Schira. After leading Italy at UEFA Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup, Roberto’s future will be reevaluated, as this is a long-term project aimed at rebuilding the foundations of the team by investing in young players.

Despite being the last coach to win the UEFA Euro with Italy, Roberto Mancini’s return was not entirely well received by all fans. Following the team’s sporting failure, most were expecting a radical change in playing style. However, the veteran coach has proven capable of transforming sporting projects through his experience and excellent squad management, which is why a more stable transition than an aggressive one is expected.

Italy’s reported bet for Mancini is a wise move in the short term

After Gennaro Gattuso’s departure, Italy reportedly sounded out numerous coaches. Among the most notable were Antonio Conte, Massimiliano Allegri, and Roberto De Zerbi. While the first two represented more continuity-based options, the latter was a far more innovative choice, but Tottenham Hotspur moved first. As a result, the reported appointment of Roberto Mancini appears to be a wise move for the team’s short-term reconstruction.

In order to maintain strong competitiveness ahead of UEFA Euro 2028, Mancini could opt not to completely overhaul the playing system. By adjusting roles, and movements, he would seek to give the national team a new playing identity. With many players already familiar with his sporting philosophy, the adaptation process could be straightforward, allowing Italy to compete immediately and avoid a lengthy transition that would further extend its trophy drought.

We are just a few days away from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will see the United States take on Paraguay in Los Angeles in their tournament opener, and one man who will be keenly watching is Panayotis ‘Alexi’ Alexander Lalas.

Three decades after representing the USA in the World Cup on home soil—back when the US didn’t even have a professional soccer league—Lalas is now one of the country’s premier soccer pundits, proudly watching over as the beautiful game has taken hold in the USA.

“It warms the cockles of my old, red-headed American heart how far we have come. I am incredibly proud of what America has become in terms of a soccer-playing nation,” stated Lalas in an exclusive World Soccer Talk interview. “We’ve still got a long way to go, but it’s pretty unprecedented when you look at how far we have come in a relatively short period of time.

“There’s the element of being a proud papa, if you will, but I don’t rest on my laurels. I can still make mistakes, I can still get better. I love what I do, and they can pry it from my cold, dead, red-headed hands, and they’re all young and really, really good. I love the fact that we have progressed both on and off the field so quickly and so far. It does make you proud when you look back and see how far we have come.”

Born on June 1, 1970, Lalas was born in Birmingham, Michigan to a Greek father, Demetrios Lalas, and an American mother, Anne Harding Woodworth. Whilst he didn’t start playing soccer until he was 11, Lalas quickly emerged as one of the best players in the state before attending Rutgers University between 1988 and 1991.

Lalas then departed to focus on the U.S. national team, competing in the 1992 Summer Olympics before making his mark in the World Cup. These stellar displays in the heart of defense would see Lalas join Calcio Padova, becoming the first American to play in Serie A, before making the move to the nascent Major League Soccer in 1996.

He proved indispensable for the New England Revolution until clashing with head coach Frank Stapleton and making the move to Ecuadorian First Division Club Emelec for a month, returning and then being traded to the MetroStars.

After a year in the Big Apple, Lalas then headed to the Kansas City Wizards before moving to the LA Galaxy, where he won a boatload of trophies including the MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield.

He retired in 2004, calling it quits on a legendary career that saw him score 9 goals in 96 caps. And after working as a president and general manager for the Galaxy, MetroStars, and San Jose Earthquakes, Lalas decided to make the move into punditry.

Lalas has spent the bulk of the two decades establishing himself as one of the nation’s top soccer commentators alongside the likes of Rodney Marsh, initially with ESPN before signing with Fox Sports. And this summer, just as he has done ever since Fox started broadcasting World Cups in 2015, he’ll be dispensing his unique commentary and no-holds-barred style to millions of TV viewers across the United States.

But whilst he is rooting for the Stars and Stripes to go all the way, he isn’t overly convinced of the USMNT’s mental resilience to handle the pressure and excel on the world’s biggest stage.

“This happens in families: you want better for your kids, and sometimes that means you give them things that you didn’t have. And yet, when you do that, that means they become complacent, they accept it, they come to not value these types of things. The same thing can happen to the team when they are given everything, but I would rather that they had more. I’m all for the Eye of the Tiger and the Spartan approach, I get that, but that train left the station a long time ago.”

“Really, what it comes down to is, as a young player, what are you instilling in them? Are you instilling the work ethic that you need? That doesn’t have a generation; it’s something that every generation needs. Or, are you creating players that are just expectant, where this is the norm, as opposed to being appreciative and valuing the opportunities and the resources that they have. I guess that comes down to good coaching and good parenting, like a lot of things.”

Match Overview

France continues its World Cup preparations as one of the tournament’s leading contenders, looking to build momentum behind a talented squad led by Kylian Mbappe. After winning the title in 2018 and finishing runner-up in 2022, Les Bleus enter this friendly focused on sharpening their form.

Northern Ireland, meanwhile, views the matchup as a valuable test against one of Europe’s top teams as it continues its development and pursues the long-term goal of returning to the World Cup stage.

Match Overview

The World Cup warm-up schedule brings together two teams with very different goals. The Netherlands arrives as one of the tournament’s traditional contenders, still pursuing its first World Cup title after three runner-up finishes.

The Dutch are focused on fine-tuning their squad ahead of another title bid. On the other side, Uzbekistan is preparing for its first-ever World Cup appearance and hopes to make history with a memorable run. This matchup offers both sides an opportunity to build momentum before the tournament begins.

Fenerbahçe'de ayrılma ihtimali yüksek olan isimlerden biri Archie Brown... İngiliz sol bek, iyi bir fiyata elden çıkarılırsa yerine takviye yapılacak. Şu anda iki ekip onunla ilgileniyor...

Fenerbahçe sezon başında Gent Kulübü'ne 8 milyon euro ödeyerek Archie Brown'u kadrosuna katmıştı. İki ekip arasındaki anlaşmaya göre; Gent'in sonraki satıştan %10'luk pay hakkı bulunuyor. Kanarya, İngiliz sol bekle 30 Haziran 2028 tarihine kadar mukavele imzaladı. Ayrıca kontratta +1 yıllık uzatma opsiyonu mevcut (çift taraflı).

FIRTINA GİBİ GİRDİ

1.90 boyundaki savunmacı sezona fırtına gibi girdi. Ancak sonrasında yaşadığı sakatlık problemi ve performans düşüklüğü sebebiyle eleştirilmeye başlandı. Yaz döneminde satılma ihtimali bir hayli yüksek... İngiliz futbolcuyla ilgilenen iki kulüp bulunuyor:

Atletico Madrid

Nottingham Forest

15-20 MİLYON CİVARI

Fenerbahçe'de yeni yönetimin 15-20 milyon euro civarındaki teklifleri değerlendirmesi bekleniyor. Oyuncunun satışı sonrasında yeni sol bek konusunda gaza basılacak. Aziz Yıldırım'ın başkanlığa seçilmesi sonrası özellikle "ayrılacaklar" konusunda ciddi adımlar bekleniyor.

Fenerbahçe'de başkanlığa seçilen Aziz Yıldırım, Fulham'ın Nijeryalı stoperi Calvin Bassey'le ilgileniyordu. İngiliz ekibi adeta servet istedi. Bu gelişme aynı zamanda Galatasaray'a da bir mesaj...

Fenerbahçe'de sonucu merakla beklenen başkanlık seçimi sona erdi. Göreve Aziz Yıldırım seçildi. Şimdi "merak noktası" transferlere kaydı... Yıldırım'ın sol ayaklı stoper konusunda favorisi; Fulham forması giyen Calvin Bassey'di... Ancak işler pek de yolunda değil gibi...

Nijeryalı savunmacının sözleşmesi 30 Haziran 2027'de bitiyor. Buna rağmen kontratının son senesine girmedi. Çünkü mukavelede kulüp taraflı +1 yıllık uzatma opsiyonu mevcut... Aziz Yıldırım'dan 40 milyon euro talep edildiği konuşuluyor. Yaşanan gelişme aslında Galatasaray'ı da ilgilendiriyor.

Çünkü Sarı-Kırmızılılar da sol ayaklı bir stoper arıyor. Ve Calvin Bassey, Aslan'ın listesindeki isimler arasında bulunuyor... Resmi teklif durumunda Cim-Bom'dan da 40 milyon euro beklenecek. Oyuncu cephesi, Türkiye ihtimaline sıcak bakıyor. Fakat bunun gerçekleşmesi için Fulham'ın ikna edilmesi gerekiyor. Premier Lig ekibi indirim yapmazsa, bir sonuca varılamayacak.

Roma, UEFA'dan ceza almamak ve takviye yapabilmek için 30 Haziran'a kadar 56 milyon euroluk satış yapmak zorunda... Galatasaray da bu durumu değerlendirerek Matias Soule için harekete geçmeye hazırlanıyor.

Galatasaray çok sürpriz bir transfer hamlesine imza atabilir. Cim-Bom'un, Roma'dan Matias Soule konusunda harekete geçmeye karar verdiği öğrenildi. 23 yaşındaki yıldız, TFF'nin 10+4'lük kontenjanındaki "genç" kriterine uyuyor. Ayrıca hücumun hemen hemen her yerinde oynayabiliyor.

TAM BİR JOKER

Arjantinli futbolcu, geride bıraktığımız sezonda şu bölgelerde görev yaptı:

10 numara: 20 maç, 3 gol-3 asist

Forvet arkası: 15 maç, 3 gol-3 asist

Sağ kanat: 5 maç, 1 gol-2 asist

Forvet: 1 maç, skor katkısı yok

Matias Soule, hücum hattında kelimenin tam anlamıyla bir joker...

ROMA'NIN SIKINTILI DURUMU

Roma, UEFA'nın yaptırımlarıyla karşılaşmamak ve yeni transferler yapabilmek için 30 Haziran'a kadar 56 milyon euroluk girdi sağlamalı... Galatasaray da bu fırsatı kullanmak istiyor. Serie A temsilcisinde Soule dışında farklı isimler de satış listesinde... Önümüzdeki günlerde ortalık karışabilir.

Kariyerinde Liverpool ve Milan formalarını da giyen Divock Origi, 31 yaşında profesyonel futbol kariyerini noktaladığını açıkladı.

Son olarak Milan forması giyen Belçikalı forvet Divock Origi, 31 yaşında futbolu bıraktı. Origi, bu kararını sosyal medya hesabından duyurdu.

Origi, paylaşımında şu ifadeleri kullandı:

"Bir futbolcu olarak bu oyundaki amacımı gerçekleştirdim.

En büyük sahnelerde oynamak ve en büyük kupaları kazanmak gibi çocukluk hayallerimi gerçekleştirdim. Tüm bunlar için Tanrı'ya şükrediyorum.

Parlamama yardım eden dünyanın dört bir yanındaki taraftarlara: Birlikte yarattığımız her unutulmaz an, her gol, tarihe geçen her an sonsuza dek bizim olacak.

Yanımda duran her kulübe, tüm antrenörlere ve takım arkadaşlarıma teşekkür ederim. Beni sahanın çok ötesinde şekillendirdiniz.

Aileme ve bana en yakın olanlara... Sizler olmasaydınız, bugün olduğum kişi olamazdım. Size sonsuza kadar minnettarım.

Görev tamamlandı. Şimdi bir sonraki görevime adım atıyorum.

Bu yolculuğun devamı gelecek... Sevgilerimle."

KARİYERİ

Divock Origi kariyerinde; Lille, Liverpool, Wolfsburg, Milan ve Nottingham Forest formalarını terletti.

371 maça çıkan Origi, 70 gol - 28 asistlik performans gösterdi.

Belçikalı golcü; 1 Şampiyonlar Ligi, 1 Premier Lig, 1 UEFA Süper Kupa, 1 FIFA Kulüpler Dünya Kupası, 1 FA Cup ve 1 İngiltere Lig Kupası kazandı.

Can Uzun için Eintracht Frankfurt'tan transfer piyasasını sallayacak karar geldi! Alman ekibi, genç yetenek için masaya oturacağı taban fiyatı belirledi

Can Uzun için kulübü Eintracht Frankfurt, bonservis politikasını net bir şekilde belirledi. Alman basınından gelen bilgilere göre Frankfurt cephesi, genç yıldız için 60 milyon euronun altındaki herhangi bir teklifi değerlendirmeye almayı kesinlikle düşünmüyor.

Galatasaray başta olmak üzere Aston Villa, Milan, Napoli'nin de radarında olan 20 yaşındaki on numara için Frankfurt Sportif Direktörü Markus Krösche taviz vermiyor.

Alman ekibi, oyuncunun sözleşmesinde yer alan 60 milyon euronun altındaki rakamlar için pazarlık masasına oturmayacağını ilgilenen kulüplere iletti.

Galatasaray'ın bu transfer için daha düşük bir bonservis ve bonus formülleriyle (40 milyon euro seviyelerinde) Frankfurt'un kapısını çalmaya hazırlandığı bilinirken, Alman ekibinin bu katı tutumu transferin kolay bitmeyeceğini gösteriyor.

Kongre bitti, eski yönetimin yetkisi son buldu, yeni başkan henüz mazbatasını almadı... Fenerbahçe hukuki bir "ara dönem" yaşarken, voleyboldan gelen üst üste iki transfer bombası ortalığı karıştırdı. Kimsenin resmi imza yetkisinin olmadığı bu hassas süreçte, dünyaca ünlü yıldızlar Sinead Jack-Kısal ve Brenda Castillo sözleşmeyi nasıl imzaladı?

Fenerbahçe Medicana Kadın Voleybol Takımı, Sinead Jack-Kısal ve Brenda Castillo’yu kadrosuna katarak bombayı patlattı. Ancak kongrenin hemen ardından gelen bu imzalar, kulübün hukuki ve idari işleyişini bilenlerde büyük şaşkınlık yarattı.

Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü Tüzüğü ve Dernekler Kanunu’na göre; seçim bittiği an eski yönetimin yetkileri resmen sona erer. Yeni başkan ve yönetim kurulu mazbatasını alana kadar ise hukuki bir "ara dönem" yaşanır.

Peki, kimsenin radikal bir karara imza atma yetkisinin olmadığı bu hassas süreçte bu imzalar nasıl atıldı? Bu hamle ne anlama geliyor?

Seçim sonuçlarının açıklanmasından, yeni yönetimin mazbatasını alacağı ana kadar kulübün hukuki takibi Kongre Divan Başkanlığı’nın gözetimindedir. Ancak Divan, kulübün sportif operasyonlarına doğrudan imza atamaz.

İşte bu noktada gemiyi yürüten güç, kulübün profesyonel idari kadroları (CEO, kulüp genel müdürü, kulüp avukatları) oluyor. Daha önceden kendilerine devredilmiş sınırlı yetki sirküleri dahilinde, kulübün rutin ve aksamaması gereken işlerini sürdürürler.

Normal şartlarda kulübü büyük finansal taahhüt altına sokacak kritik kararlar (büyük futbol transferleri, ağır krediler vb.) mazbata töreninin sonrasına bırakılır. Voleyboldaki bu iki önemli imzanın şu an resmiyet kazanabilmiş olmasının arkasında iki ihtimal bulunuyor:

Bu transferlerin idari ve hukuki süreçleri, eski yönetimin görev süresi bitmeden önce profesyonel kadrolar tarafından tamamlanmış ve imza sirkülerindeki rutin yetkiler dahilinde resmiyete dökülmüş olabilir.

Yeni seçilen başkan ve kurmayları, mazbatayı henüz almamış olsalar dahi fiilen görüşmeleri yürütebilir. Kulübün menfaatleri doğrultusunda aciliyet taşıyan bu hamle için profesyonel kadrolara yeşil ışık yakılmış ve ön anlaşmalar tamamlanmış olabilir.

Alanyaspor'un genç stoperi Ümit Akdağ, Galatasaray ve Fenerbahçe'nin gündeminde bulunuyordu. Beşiktaş'ın da bu konuda harekete geçme kararı aldığı öğrenildi.

Bu sezon Süper Lig'de en fazla dikkat çeken stoperlerden biri Ümit Akdağ'dı... 22 yaşındaki savunmacı, Alanyaspor formasıyla ligde 30 maça çıktı. Sahada 2.624 dakika kaldı. 1 gol ve 2 asist üretti. 1.92 boyundaki futbolcunun Akdeniz ekibiyle 30 Haziran 2028 tarihine kadar mukavelesi bulunuyor.

HENÜZ RESMİ TEKLİF YOK

Ümit'in adı uzun süredir hem Galatasaray hem de Fenerbahçe'yle anılıyordu. Beşiktaş Kulübü'nün de bu transferle ilgili harekete geçme kararı aldığı öğrenildi. Bugün itibarıyla İstanbul ekiplerinden Alanyaspor'a ulaşan resmi bir teklif bulunmuyor. Ancak kapının 8 milyon eurodan açılacağı konuşuluyor.

KİMİNLE ANLAŞIRLARSA

Alanyaspor Yönetimi, tekliflerin seviyesine göre hareket edecek. 3 İstanbul temsilcisinin aynı anda devreye girmesi, en çok Akdeniz ekibinin işine yarayacak. Ümit olası bir ayrılıkta takımına para kazandırmak istiyor. Bu sebeple Alanyaspor'u kim ikna ederse o ekibin yolunu tutacak.

Aziz Yıldırım'ın kısa süre içinde Aykut Kocaman ismini açıklaması bekleniyor. Ancak tecrübeli çalıştırıcının bir süre önce Asensio'yla ilgili kullandığı ifadeler kafaları karıştırıyor.

Fenerbahçe'nin yeni teknik direktörü, aksi yönde bir mucize yaşanmazsa Aykut Kocaman olacak. Resmi açıklamanın kısa süre içinde yapılması bekleniyor. Kocaman'ın göreve gelmesinin ardından takımdaki en önemli isimlerden biri olan Marco Asensio'yu nasıl kullanacağı ise merakla bekleniyor.

Tecrübeli hoca bir süre önce, "Asensio gibi oyuncuların bu kadar fark yaratmasının sebebi Türkiye'deki tempo... Bu tabii Asensio'yu aşağıya çektiğim anlamına gelmesin... Tam tersi... Ancak aynı verimliliği bu tempoyla birinci sınıf takımlarda pek ortaya koyamadı. Hep birinci sınıf oyuncu özellikleri vardı. Fakat temel kurala geliyoruz... Bunları yapabilmek için kişisel olarak fiziksel özelliklerinin çok güçlü olması gerekiyor. Oynadığın rakiplerinin, senin gücünle orantısını da atlamamak gerekiyor. Asensio'nun Fenerbahçe'ye gelmesini takıma akıl ve kalite katacağı için çok istemiştim. Ancak tempo konusunda aynı şeyleri söyleyemem" ifadelerini kullanmıştı.

Kocaman'ın resmen göreve başlamasının ardından Asensio'ya nasıl yaklaşacağı merak ediliyor. Bu arada İspanyol yıldızın çok sayıda talibi bulunuyor. Yaz döneminde kulübe resmi teklifler gelebilir. Muhtemel ayrılıkta da Aykut Kocaman'dan fikir alınacak. Yani konuyla ilgili çok sayıda belirsizlik var.

İtalyan ekibi Roma, Fenerbahçe'den Jayden Oosterwolde'yi istiyor. Fakat Serie A temsilcisinin resmi teklif yapabilmesi için öncelikle 2 sorunu çözmesi gerek...

Fenerbahçe, 2023'ün Ocak ayında Parma'ya 6 milyon euro ödeyerek Jayden Oosterwolde'yi kadrosuna katmıştı. Sarı-Lacivertliler, Hollandalı savunmacıyı 7 milyon euro ve üzerinde bir rakama satarsa, anlaşma gereği karın %30'unu İtalyan ekibine verecek. 25 yaşındaki futbolcunun 30 Haziran 2028'e kadar mukavelesi var.

Serie A temsilcisi Roma, Jayden Oosterwolde'yi ciddi şekilde istiyor. Ancak resmi teklif yapamıyorlar. Bunun da 2 sebebi var:

1- Roma UEFA'dan ceza almamak ve takviye yapmak için oyuncu satmak zorunda

2- Roma kadrodaki bazı isimleri göndererek yer açmak zorunda

Eğer işler istedikleri gibi giderse, pazarlık masasına oturacaklar.

Oyuncu cephesinin Roma seçeneğini değerlendirmek istediği konuşuluyor. Fenerbahçe'deki yeni yönetim ise onun ayrılığına pek sıcak bakmıyor. Yine de günün sonunda iyi bir teklif gelirse, şartlar değişebilir. Serie A'yı 3. sırada bitiren Roma, Şampiyonlar Ligi biletini elde etmişti.

Fenerbahçe'de Aziz Yıldırım'ın başkan seçilmesinin ardından yeni yapılanmada görev alacağı ileri sürülen Dirk Kuyt için kulübü FC Dordrecht'ten ilk resmi açıklama geldi.

Fenerbahçe’de 6-7 Haziran tarihlerinde gerçekleştirilen tarihi kongrede Aziz Yıldırım’ın başkanlık koltuğuna geri dönmesinin ardından, sarı-lacivertli camiada gözler yeni sezonda kurulacak idari ve teknik kadroya çevrildi.

Seçim sürecinde Aziz Yıldırım’ın listesinde ve transfer komitesinde aktif rol alacağı, hatta kulübün sembol isimlerinden biri olarak yeni yapılanmanın liderliğini üstleneceği iddia edilen Dirk Kuyt hakkında Hollanda’dan ilk yanıt geldi.

Hollanda basınına konuşan Hans de Zeeuw, kulübün Türk yatırımcı ortakları üzerinden Türkiye'deki gündemi yakından takip ettiklerini belirterek şu ifadeleri kullandı:

Orada nelerin konuşulduğunu biliyoruz, bu yüzden durumu ciddiye almamak hata olur. Kulübün Türk ortağı da bu konunun Türkiye'de ne kadar sıcak bir gündem maddesi olduğunu bize açıkça iletti. Hatta devlet televizyonu (TRT) düzeyinde bile bu haberler işlendi. Bu nedenle her ihtimali göz önünde bulunduruyoruz.

Ancak net olan bir şey var; teknik direktörümüz Dirk Kuyt için şu ana kadar Türkiye'den kimse bizimle veya hocanın menajerlik şirketiyle iletişime geçmedi. Şu an için bir kesinlik yok ancak Dordrecht olarak gelişmeleri izliyoruz.

Dusan Vlahovic'in Juventus'la mukavelesi bitiyor. 30 Haziran'da boşa çıkacak. Sırp forvetin adı hem Galatasaray hem Fenerbahçe hem de Beşiktaş'la anılıyor. Fakat oyuncunun babasının kendisi için istediği rakam, pek hoş karşılanmayacak.

Juventus Kulübü, sözleşmesi 30 Haziran'da bitecek olan Dusan Vlahovic'e defalarca yeni teklif yaptı. Ancak Corriere dello Sport'un haberine göre; son görüşmede ipler tamamen koptu. Sırp forvetin babası, kendisi için 30 milyon euro imza parası talep etti! Oğluna da 5 senelik sözleşme karşılığı yıllık 8 milyon euro garanti ücret istedi.

Juventus cephesi, oyuncunun babasının talep ettiği 30 milyon euro sonrasında masadan kalktı ve bu dosyanın tamamen kapandığını ifade etti. 26 yaşındaki forvetin adı hem Galatasaray hem Fenerbahçe hem de Beşiktaş'la anılıyor. Ancak oyuncunun babası benzer taleplerde bulunursa Türkiye ihtimali de ortadan kalkacak.

Dusan Vlahovic'in bir temsilcisi yok. Menajerliğini aile üyeleri yapıyor. Bu durum bazen avantaj olsa da genellikle büyük sıkıntılara sebep olabiliyor. 1.90 boyundaki futbolcunun kağıt üzerinde bonservis bedeli yok... Ancak masaya oturulduğunda babasının 30 milyon euroluk talebi var!

Galatasaray'da George Gardi'nin listesindeki Nicolo Barella için İtalya'dan şok yanıt: 45 milyon euroya sadece bir bacağını alırsınız.

Galatasaray’da transfer çalışmalarını yürüten ünlü menajer George Gardi’nin sarı-kırmızılı kulübe önerdiği iddia edilen Nicolo Barella için Inter cephesinden çok sert ve net bir yanıt geldi.

İtalyan devinin sportif direktörü Piero Ausilio, adı transfer piyasasında sıkça anılan yıldız orta saha oyuncusunun geleceğine dair spekülasyonlara adeta son noktayı koydu.

45 milyon euroya Nicolo Barella'nın sadece bir bacağını alırsınız. 'Barella ne kadar?' sorusunu cevaplamak çok kolay çünkü Barella satılık değil. Bu yüzden bir fiyatı yok.

Galatasaray'ın küresel transfer ağındaki en önemli figürlerden biri olan George Gardi'nin, listesindeki elit isimler arasında Barella'yı da sarı-kırmızılı yönetime sunduğu iddiaları dış basında geniş yankı bulmuştu. Ancak Inter Sportif Direktörü Ausilio’nun bu yüksek tonlu açıklaması, İtalyan yıldızı kadrosuna katmak isteyen tüm kulüplerin önüne aşılması imkansız bir duvar ördü.

Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında mübarizə aparacaq “Şəfa” komandasının yeni mövsüm üçün hazırlıq planı müəyyənləşib.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.

Zaur Həşimovun rəhbərlik etdiyi komanda iyulun 2-də Bakıda bir araya gələcək. Hazırlığın ilk mərhələsi paytaxtda baş tutacaq. İyulun 20-də isə komanda Qəbələyə yollanacaq.

Hazırlığın ikinci mərhələsi avqustun 9-na qədər Qəbələdə davam edəcək. Komanda yeni mövsümə hazırlıq çərçivəsində bir neçə yoxlama oyunu da keçirəcək.

Qarşılaşmaların tarixi və məkanı hələlik məlum deyil.

Xatırladaq ki, “Şəfa” geirdə qalmış mövsümdə Birinci Liqanın qalibi olaraq 2026/2027-ci illər mövsümündən etibarən Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında iştirak hüququ qazanıb. Paytaxt təmsilçisi elitaya çıxdıqdan sonra baş məşqçi postuna Zaur Həşimovu gətirib, bu gün isə “Kəpəz”dən Rauf Hüseynlini transfer edib.

Fransa nəhəngi PSJ-nin rusiyalı qapıçısı Matvey Safonov Paris komandasındakı fransız həmkarı Luka Şevalye ilə münasibətindən danışıb.

Arena.az rusiyalı qapıçının müvafiq fikrini təqdim edir:

“Biz vahid qapıçı dəstəsiyik. Oyuna qədər hamımız bir-birimizə uğurlar diləyirik, oyundan sonra təbriklər ünvanlayırıq. Bu, adi haldır. Kollektivdə belə də olmalıdır”, deyə Safonov vurğulayıb.

Xatırladaq ki, Matvey Safonov PSJ-yə 2024-cü ilin iyul ayında Rusiyanın “Krasnodar” klubundan keçib. Paris klubu bu transfer üçün 20 milyon avro ödəyib. 27 yaşlı qolkiperin Fransa nəhəngi ilə 2029-cu ilin 30 iyununa qədər müqaviləsi mövcuddur.

Safonov indiyə qədər PSJ-nin heyətində bütövlükdə 44 oyuna çıxıb. Rusiyalı qapıçı bu oyunlarda 41 qol buraxıb, 19 oyunda qapısını toxunulmaz saxlayıb. O, PSJ ilə 2 dəfə Fransa çempionu, UEFA Çempionlar Liqasının qalibi olub, eləcə də 1 dəfə Fransa Kubokunu, Fransa Super Kubokunu, UEFA Super Kubokunu, FİFA Qitələrarası Kubokunu qazanıb.

“Krasnodar”ın yetirməsi olan, Rusiyanın müxtəlif yaş qrupları üzrə yığmalarında oynamış Safonov, 2021-ci ildən əsas millidə forma geyinir. O, Rusiya milli komandasında 18 oyuna çıxıb, 13 qol buraxıb, 7 matçdan “quru” qurtulub.

“Transfermarkt” internet-portalı 27 yaşlı rusiyalı qapıçının transfer dəyərini 30 milyon avro məbləğində qiymətləndirir.

Futbol üzrə Kot-d’ivuar yığmasının, “Mançester Siti” və “Barselona” klublarının sabiq yarımmüdafiəçisi Yaya Ture baş məşqçi təyin olunub.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, 42 yaşlı veteran futbolçu bundan sonra “Slovan”ı çalışdıracaq.

Bu barədə Slovakiya mətbuatı məlumat yayıb. Tərəflər arasındakı müqavilənin müddəti və digər detalları açıqlanmayıb.

Qeyd edək ki, “Slovan” Slovakiya çempionatında 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün qalibi olub. Bu komandaya 2021-ci ilin may ayından Vladimir Vays rəhbərlik edirdi. 61 yaşlı slovak mütəxəssis bu komandanı bütövlükdə 267 oyuna çıxarıb, 159 qələbə, 49 heç-heçə, 59 məğlubiyyyət görüb. Vays bundan sonra Slovakiya yığmasına rəhbərlik edəcəyi üçün, “Slovan”ı tərk etməli olub. Təcrübəli mütəxəssis bu ilin may ayında Slovakiya yığmasına baş məşqçi təyin edilib.

Yaya Ture isə daha əvvəl “Tottenhem”, “Stantard” klublarında, həmçinin Səudiyyə Ərəbistanı millisində köməkçi məşqçi kimi çalışıb. “Slovan” onun baş məşqçi kimi çalışacağı ilk komandadır.

Futbol üzrə Niderland çempionatında 2025/26 mövsümünü ikinci yerdə başa vurmuş “Feyenoord” baş məşqçisi Robin van Persi ilə yollarını ayırıb.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə Rotterdam təmsilçisinin mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.

Sözügedən komanda Niderland çempionatında ikinci yeri tutaraq UEFA Çempionlar Liqasının Liqa mərhələsinə birbaşa vəsiqə qazansa da, klub rəhbərliyi yenə də baş məşqçini dəyişmək qərarına gəlib.

Xatırladaq ki, Robin van Persi “Feyenoord”un əsas komandasına 2025-ci ilin fevral ayının sonlarında təyin olunmuşdu. Geridə qalmış müddət ərzində komanda onun rəhbərliyi altında çıxış etdiyi 58 rəsmi matçda 30 qələbə qazanıb, 9 heç-heçə edib və 19 dəfə meydandan məğlub ayrılıb.

Van Persi daha öncə “Herenven”in də baş məşqçisi olub.

BlackRock’s IBIT accounted for most of the weekly Bitcoin ETF redemptions, while Fidelity and Grayscale funds also saw outflows.

Bitcoin flashes only its second weekly bullish divergence on record, a signal that previously preceded a 755% BTC price rally.

İyunun 8-də gənclər və idman naziri Fərid Qayıbov ölkəmizdə səfərdə olan Serbiya Respublikasının idman naziri Zoran Qayiçi qəbul edib.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, görüş zamanı Azərbaycan və Serbiya arasında idman sahəsində əməkdaşlığın mövcud vəziyyəti və inkişaf perspektivləri müzakirə olunub. Həmçinin təcrübə mübadiləsinin genişləndirilməsi, birgə layihələrin həyata keçirilməsi və beynəlxalq platformalarda əməkdaşlığın gücləndirilməsi ilə bağlı fikir mübadiləsi aparılıb.

Görüşdə gənclər və idman nazirinin müavini İndira Hacıyeva, nazirliyin İdman şöbəsinin müdiri Elnur Məmmədov, Beynəlxalq əlaqələr şöbəsinin müdiri Zərifə Zülfüqarova, Serbiya idman nazirinin müşaviri Zelko Traykoviç, Serbiyanın Azərbaycandakı Fövqəladə və Səlahiyyətli Səfiri Draqan Vladisavlyeviç iştirak ediblər.

Belarusun BATE klubu Konfrans Liqasında ev oyununu Sumqayıtda keçirəcək.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə Borisov təmsilçisin mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb. Klub ev oyunları üçün Mehdi Hüseynzadə adına Sumqayıt şəhər stadionunu sifariş edib.

BATE Konfrans Liqasında mübarizəyə I təsnifat mərhələsindən başlayacaq. Püşkatma mərasimi iyunun 16-da olacaq.

“Fiorentina”nın yeni baş məşqçisi açıqlanıb.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, komandanın “sükanı” Fabio Qrossoya tapşırılıb. Bu barədə klubun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb. Mütəxəssislə 3 illik müqavilə imzalanıb.

Qrosso son olaraq “Sassuolo”ya rəhbərlik edib.

“Fiorentina” çempionatda mövsümü 15-ci sırada bitirib.

“Şəfa”nın yeni mövsüm üçün hazırlıq planı müəyyənləşib.

Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, komanda iyulun 2-də Bakıda toplanacaq. Hazırlığın ilk mərhələsi paytaxtda keçiriləcək.

İyulun 20-də isə “Şəfa” Qəbələyə yollanacaq. Hazırlığın ikinci mərhələsi avqustun 9-dək burada davam edəcək.

Komanda yeni mövsümə hazırlıq çərçivəsində bir neçə yoxlama oyunu da keçirəcək. Qarşılaşmaların tarixi və məkanı hələ məlum deyil.

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As expected, Florentino Perez has won the Real Madrid Presidential elections, which, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, will potentially increase Juventus’ chances of signing Brahim Diaz this summer.

Juventus have made Brahim Diaz one of their primary targets for the 2026 summer transfer window.

Gazzetta: Brahim Diaz a priority for Spalletti

According to Gazzetta, the Morocco international is the priority attacking midfield target for coach Luciano Spalletti, who is desperate to add more quality to the Old Lady in the final third.

According to the report, Florentino Perez remaining the Real Madrid president is definitely good news for the Bianconeri, as Perez has already announced a €150m deal for a big summer signing, presumably in attack, which would further reduce Brahim’s playing time at the Bernabeu.

Even Nico Paz is expected to return from a two-season spell at Como, further increasing the competition for a starting spot in the final third in the Spanish capital.

Gazzetta, however, highlights that Juventus have no agreement with either Real Madrid or the player, who seems in no rush to discuss the future.

Brahim will be one of Morocco’s stars at the World Cup, and if he impresses during the competition, Juventus will likely see even more clubs join the race for his signature.

Juventus will reshape their attack in the 2026-27 campaign and are also in talks with centre-forwards Alexander Sorloth and Randal Kolo Munai.

Reports from Italy suggest that Milan are set to hold a new round of talks with Oliver Glasner in the coming hours, with the former Crystal Palace coach’s representatives optimistic about reaching an agreement.

Milan are preparing for a second meeting with ex-Crystal Palace coach Glasner, according to Calciomercato.com.

Milan set to meet with Glasner again

Gazzetta reported on Monday morning that the Austrian tactician was waiting for a second meeting with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gerry Cardinale after the first summit last week.

According to the latest update from Calciomercato, the two parties will have a new contact by tomorrow, Tuesday, June 9.

Calciomercato confirms that Glasner has prioritised a move to Milan and is regarded as a primary target by the Rossoneri, so the coach’s entourage is confident of reaching an agreement in the upcoming meeting.

At the same time, however, Mauricio Pochettino remains a genuine candidate for the Milan job, and according to Gazzetta, the USMNT coach already has an agreement with the Serie A giants.

Milan sacked Massimiliano Allegri after failing to qualify for the Champions League in 2025-26. CEO Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare, and technical director Geoffrey Moncada were fired along with the coach, so Ibrahimovic and Cardinale are now rebuilding the club’s management and talking to a potential new coach.

Fiorentina confirm the appointment of Fabio Grosso as their new head coach; the ex-Italy international has signed a contract until June 2028.

Former Italian defender Grosso is the new Fiorentina head coach, the Tuscans confirmed in a statement on Monday.

Fiorentina hire Grosso as new coach: official statement

“ACF Fiorentina is pleased to announce that Fabio Grosso has been appointed as the new Head Coach of the First Team,” Fiorentina said.

“Born in Rome on November 28, 1977, Grosso began his coaching career in 2013 within the Juventus Youth Sector.

He made his managerial debut with a senior first team in 2017, taking charge of Bari in Serie B. Throughout his career, the new Viola coach has also coached Olympique Lyonnais, Frosinone, and Sassuolo, among others. He has secured two promotions from Serie B to Serie A and, during his most recent season leading the Neroverdi, achieved an 11th-place finish as a newly promoted side.

“Everyone at Fiorentina is delighted to enthusiastically welcome a World Champion and a coach who brings competence, innovative ideas, and enthusiasm. Welcome, Mister Fabio Grosso!”

Fiorentina added that Grosso has signed a contract until June 30, 2028.

“I would like to thank the entire Club, especially President Giuseppe Commisso and his mother Catherine, for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading Fiorentina,” Grosso said.

“I am truly delighted to have the opportunity to take on this exciting challenge. I am joining a prestigious Club, backed by passionate supporters and located in a city that lives and breathes football.

“I never like to make promises, but fully aware of the responsibilities that lie ahead, I can assure everyone from day one of my commitment, professionalism, and dedication to building a team that plays with courage and ambition. I am genuinely excited and cannot wait to get started.”

Fiorentina sporting director Fabio Paratici, who had already worked with Grosso at Juventus, added: “We are very happy to welcome Fabio Grosso to Fiorentina – said President Giuseppe B. Commisso –  Fabio is not only a World Champion; he is a coach who has built his path through hard work, ideas, and results, showing the ability to lead teams and face important challenges.

“After a difficult season, we want to open a new chapter with energy, ambition, and responsibility. We believe Fabio has the personality, the method, and the enthusiasm to help us build a stronger, more competitive Fiorentina, always connected to its identity. We welcome him with great confidence. Forza Viola!”

Fiorentina secured survival with just two games to spare in the 2025-26 campaign, replacing Stefano Pioli with Paolo Vanoli in November 2025.

Paratici was appointed as the new Fiorentina sporting director in February 2026.

Grosso secured Serie A promotion with Sassuolo in 2024-25 and led the Neroverdi to an 11th-place finish in Italy’s top flight in 2025-26.

Inter director Piero Ausilio admits the €50m deal that brought André Onana to Manchester United in 2023 was probably the best in the club’s history: ‘He joined on a free transfer and left for an enormous fee.’

Inter director Ausilio admits Onana’s move to Manchester United in the summer of 2023 was one of the best deals he ever completed as well as one of the most profitable in the club’s history.

Ausilio: Onana probably my best Inter deal

“Inter are proud of the Onana [deal],” he said during a podcast with Italian presenter Alessandro Cattelan (via FcInter1908).

“It depends on what we’re talking about. If it’s about a capital gain, then probably Onana [is the best deal]. He joined Inter on a free transfer and left for an enormous fee. I think it may be the highest capital gain in the club’s history. Only deals like the Ibrahimovic one get close.”

Onana moved to Inter on a free transfer from Ajax in the summer of 2022 and left San Siro after just one season, joining Manchester United for €50m.

During his time at the Stadio Meazza, Onana won one Italian Supercoppa and one Coppa Italia, and reached the Champions League Final.

During the same interview, Ausilio spoke about Inter’s transfer strategies for next summer, confirming that Denzel Dumfries is on his way to Real Madrid and insisting that Nicolò Barella is not on the market.

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Brendan Sorsby has been granted a temporary injunction against the NCAA that could clear the way for him to play for Texas Tech this fall, even after the transfer quarterback was declared ineligible for wagering on college sports. Some of the bets were made on his own team while at Indiana.

The ruling Monday by Judge Ken Curry immediately prevents the NCAA from being able to block Sorsby's eligibility for what will be his final college season.

Sorsby will still miss the first two games, which was a penalty that had been proposed by his attorneys.

Curry's ruling came a week after a two-hour hearing in the 99th District Court in Lubbock County, where Texas Tech is located.

The NCAA can appeal to a higher court in Texas, though there was no immediate word on if or when that would happen, or the possible timeline for a different ruling. Texas Tech is nearly three months from its season opener Sept. 5 at home against Abilene Christian.

In a statement, the NCAA said it strongly disagrees with the court's ruling and “is deeply concerned about the damaging, far-reaching and broadly destabilizing ramifications of this outcome — which undermines and corrupts the integrity of sports.”

___

AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Brendan Sorsby is granted injunction against the NCAA and could play for Texas Tech after gambling ineligibility.

For Aiden Robbins, his first year in the burnt orange has been full of milestones. That continued on Sunday when the Longhorns beat Oregon to punch their ticket to Omaha. Texas moved closer to winning a national title, partly due to Robbins, who continued to be a home run machine. 

In the first inning, the Longhorns' star crushed a home run to left center to give Texas a 1-0 lead. It was the 24th home run of the season for the Pennsylvania native, which is the third most in a single season in program history. The only people ahead of Robbins are Kyle Russell, who hit 28 in 2007, and Ivan Melendez, who finished the 2022 season with 32. 

late-night Longhorns 📽️#HookEm | @LonghornNetworkpic.twitter.com/CHE6UrjJHR

— Texas Baseball (@TexasBaseball) June 8, 2026

With the Longhorns' championship run is far from over, Robbins has more time to climb up the record boards. He has been on fire at the plate during postseason play with no signs of slowing down. That has made the Longhorns' offense far from an ideal matchup against some of the best pitching staffs in the nation. 

After joining Texas through the transfer portal, Robbins has shattered expectations. During his only season at a Seton Hall, Robbins posted a .422 batting average in 53 games. He also drove in 38 runs while hitting six home runs. In the Forty Acres, Robbins has taken his game to a new level, tripling his home run total. 

in elite company 🤘#HookEm | @AidenRobbins43pic.twitter.com/ezFcqbKKDv

— Texas Baseball (@TexasBaseball) June 8, 2026

If the Longhorns are to continue their postseason run, they will need Robbins to stay hot at the plate. He has been one of the best players in the nation this season and now holds a permanent place in the Longhorns record books.

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas Longhorns star Aiden Robbins hits his way into record books

Bernardo Silva Leaves Door Open to Barcelona Move

For nearly a decade, Bernardo Silva embodied many of the qualities that defined Manchester City’s rise under Pep Guardiola. Intelligent, adaptable and relentlessly reliable, he became one of the most trusted figures of a hugely successful era.

Photo IMAGO

Now, however, the Portuguese international appears ready for a new chapter.

According to Marca, Silva has confirmed that Barcelona remain a genuine possibility as he weighs up his next destination following the end of his nine year stay at the Etihad Stadium.

Decision Still Pending

Speaking after Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Chile, Silva acknowledged interest from the Catalan giants but stopped short of committing himself.

“(Barça) is an option I have, but I haven’t made a decision yet ,” Silva told reporters.

Photo IMAGO

His comments reflected a player carefully considering the next stage of his career rather than rushing towards a conclusion.

Silva added: “In the end, I’m going to try to find a team where I’m wanted, where I feel truly wanted. That’s very important, and you’ll know the day I make my decision.”

Search for Fresh Challenge

At 31, Silva is not simply looking for another contract. His remarks suggest a desire for belonging and importance, factors that often become increasingly significant as players move into the latter stages of their careers.

The midfielder also stressed that he has “many options” available and declined to discuss specific clubs beyond acknowledging Barcelona’s interest.

After helping Manchester City collect major honours across nine remarkable seasons, few elite clubs would ignore the opportunity to sign a player of his quality and experience.

Legacy Secure at Manchester City

Whatever decision follows, Silva’s contribution to Manchester City’s modern success is already assured.

Photo IMAGO

His departure represents another reminder that even the most dominant football cycles eventually evolve. Players move on, squads are refreshed and new stories emerge.

Barcelona may yet become Silva’s next destination. For now, his focus remains on Portugal and choosing a club where he feels fully valued.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

The departure of Bernardo Silva marks the end of one of the City’s most influential modern success stories.

For nine seasons, Silva represented everything supporters wanted to see in a Manchester City player. He delivered quality, intelligence and relentless work rate, often sacrificing personal recognition for the benefit of the team. While bigger names frequently attracted headlines, Silva quietly became one of the defining figures of the Guardiola era.

If he is now moving on, there will be disappointment among fans, but also understanding. Few players can spend nearly a decade at the highest level with one club and not eventually seek a new challenge. Barcelona would represent a fitting destination for a footballer whose technical ability and understanding of the game have always stood out.

The bigger concern for supporters is what comes next. Replacing goals can be straightforward. Replacing creativity can be expensive. Replacing football intelligence, versatility and leadership is far more complicated. Silva could play multiple positions, adapt to different tactical demands and consistently deliver in crucial moments.

City’s recruitment team has earned trust through years of smart planning, yet there is no obvious replacement for everything Silva brought to the squad. His exit leaves a gap that extends beyond statistics.

Ultimately, Manchester City fans will wish him well. He leaves as a multiple Premier League winner, a Champions League winner and a player who helped transform the club into a dominant force. His legacy at the Etihad is secure, and he will be remembered as one of the most admired players of a remarkable era.

Gary Payton unbothered by potential snags for NBA returning SuperSonics in expansion plan. “There’s a lot of talk. The government over there in Seattle is going to be fine. Seattle will be back with Las Vegas, so I’m not really worried about none of what they’re talking about. We’ll work it all out. There’s nothing that’s going to snag them. The ownership with Tod Leiweke and all them, we’re going to be fine. I’m just excited for them to get back. We should’ve never lost it but we’re gonna be back.”

Arizona Republic

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Gary Payton on Seattle SuperSonics' return: 'We should've never lost it but we're gonna be back'

Gary Payton on his difference between his and Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson's skill set. “He’s a scorer. I was both ends of the floor, playing defense, doing other things. In this era of basketball, you can get so much as a scorer because you get a lot of calls. You get a lot of ability to do it. In our era (1990s-2000s). I think we were a little bit more rougher. We would’ve trapped him a bit more and made it harder for him to get the basketball in his hands, and then when he got the ball, we wouldn’t have let him go one-on-one and get all the way into the paint and bump you and hit you. He’s too good for that when he gets you in the paint, that he’s going to score. He dribbles 20 times and nobody comes to help, leaving one man on the island. That’s crazy to me. … If they’re going to let him keep doing it, keep doing it.”

Arizona Republic

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Gary Payton on his difference between his and Knicks …

Gary Payton: On retiring after joining Shaquille O’Neal, Miami Heat to win 2006 NBA title. “I said, ‘I got about three or four more years left. Where would be a good place for me to go?’ I was going to call it a day. Then Shaq called me and said, ‘Hey, we got something down here. We only need someone like you to come guide us and we’ll win.’ Pat Riley came in and the (Heat) owner Micky Arison were like, ‘We’ve been wanting you for years. Come on in and guide us.’ When I went in and guided them, we struggled from the beginning, then Pat took over (as coach) and we started playing the way we were supposed to play, and then won the championship. It’s joyful holding up that Larry O’Brien Trophy and kiss it with champagne all over you. It was a great feeling and then I said, ‘Now it’s time for me to move aside,' and this is my legacy.'”

Arizona Republic

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Gary Payton: On retiring after joining Shaquille …

Andrew Schlecht: "We don't really have a specific path in mind", Sam Presti on the offseason. Said he needs to sit down with players this offseason to figure out what is best.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: "We don't really have a specific path in mind", Sam …

Derek Bodner: Jameer Nelson: "In the past I've had opportunities to talk to other teams. I want to be part of the solution here."

bsky.app

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jameer Nelson: "In the past I've had opportunities to …

Derek Bodner: Jameer Nelson: "To do it for the home team gives me goosebumps." "Growing up in Chester and understanding what this team means to the city, I can help everyone in the building understand that."

bsky.app

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jameer Nelson: "To do it for the home team gives me …

The biggest tournament in football is finally here.

Over six weeks, 48 nations will battle it out across the United States, Canada and Mexico, producing unforgettable moments, dramatic upsets, tactical masterclasses and plenty of controversy along the way.

But with matches taking place across multiple time zones and headlines arriving around the clock, keeping up with everything that matters will be a challenge.

That's where our World Cup Insidernewsletter comes in.

Landing in your inbox every morning throughout the tournament, World Cup Insider is your essential guide to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Designed to cut through the noise, it brings together the key stories, standout moments and expert analysis you need to stay on top of the action.

Whether you're following England's progress, tracking the favourites, or simply trying to keep pace with the biggest sporting event on the planet, World Cup Insider has you covered.

Our sports team, including Miguel Delaney, Richard Jolly, Lawrence Ostlere and Kieran Jackson, will be reporting from across the United States throughout the tournament, bringing you fresh analysis, exclusive insight and on-the-ground reporting directly from the games.

Each edition includes:

• A roundup of the biggest talking points and standout moments from overnight
• The stories, analysis and features you may have missed
• A look ahead to the day's key matches and storylines
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The Tennessee Titans haven't won a championship since they were the AFL champions in 1961, before the AFL/NFL merger, before there was a Super Bowl, and before they moved to Nashville. Since moving to Tennessee in 1997, the Titans have made one whole appearance at the Big Dance -- a game that they lost.

But the Titans aren't the only NFL franchise to never win a Super Bowl. In fact, 12 teams haven't lifted the Lombardi Trophy, which is close to half of the league.

Every team has a shot to win the Super Bowl every season, and a recent NFL.com article ranked the 12 teams that haven't won a Super Bowl based on their chances to win it in 2026. Out of the 12, the Titans came in at 10.

Cam Ward didn’t have a great rookie season, and he doesn’t yet resemble a quarterback capable of leading his team to a Super Bowl, but we once heard the same things about the past two Super Bowl-winning QBs, Sam Darnold and Jalen Hurts. Time will tell if Ward ever can reach that level, but for now, I'm considering him a potential asset on the Titans’ quest to make their second Super Bowl and win their first.

Ward is surrounded by some interesting skill-position talent, and the offensive line added help. Perhaps a new scheme will breathe some life into this offense, but the biggest worry is keeping Ward upright after he was clobbered as a rookie, taking a league-high 55 sacks. Defensively, the Titans have a long way to go, but they added as many as a dozen potential new contributors this offseason.

This franchise has reason for optimism. Robert Saleh and all three of his coordinators have head-coaching experience. Ward and a promising 2025 draft crop, along with three or four rookies who could carve out starting jobs, offer some real hope. But the Titans are only nominally closer to a title now than they were a year ago and still have some mountains to move on that front.

The Titans are unproven right now, and until they have a chance to show the league what they are about in 2026, they will continue to rank near the bottom of the league.

However, one could argue that they don't really have mountains to move to get to the Super Bowl. The Titans' foundation is there. The defensive line got a whole lot meaner this offseason, and with Jeffery Simmons leading the charge, opposing teams won't find it quite as easy to get down the field.

The offense has seen an overhaul, too, but they are young and untested, and that's the Titans' biggest hindrance in 2026. The Titans are absolutely going to win more games in 2026 than they did in 2025, and it might even be enough to make the playoffs. Winning the Super Bowl will be a much more difficult task. The Super Bowl is always the goal, though, so never say never.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Where do Titans rank among teams most likely to win first Super Bowl?

Manchester City and Chelsea remain locked in negotiations about Enzo Maresca replacing Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola announced on 22 May he would step down as City boss after a trophy laden decade in charge, and Maresca was quickly identified as the leading contender to be his replacement.

Talks are at an advanced stage, with senior figures at both clubs discussing a compensation package for Maresca.

The 46-year-old won the Club World Cup and Conference League during his time at Stamford Bridge but left in January and is keen to take the City job.

Chelsea feel they are due compensation under the terms of Maresca's departure as he was contracted to the club until 2029 and left just six months ago.

The London club have been exploring their legal options and expect a compensation package to be paid, though it remains unclear both how much that might be, or when it will be resolved.

Maresca was an assistant to Guardiola during City's Treble-winning 2022-23 campaign and played a key role in the club's academy prior to joining the first team.

The former West Brom and Juventus midfielder left City in 2023 to manage Leicester, whom he guided to promotion to the Premier League in his only season.

• Man City set to replace Guardiola with Maresca

What is holding up the appointment?

Maresca's final six months at Chelsea were marked by a fractured relationship with the club's ownership.

Compensation negotiations have been made more complex as Chelsea became aware of City's potential interest early in October and December.

Chelsea sources also claim they were aware of complaints from Maresca about the transfer policy at Stamford Bridge.

It is not known whether this played any role in Maresca's departure, but the relationship continued to further deteriorate over a number of issues, including medical staff and team selections.

Despite the tension, Chelsea sources say the hierarchy still respected much of Maresca's work with the players and he remained popular with the majority of the dressing room.

The club feel the upheaval played a major role in the club's drop in form after his exit, with them not ending up qualifying for Europe.

Maresca had been open to renewing his contract early in the season amid interest from Serie A side Juventus.

What's the latest on Anderson?

City last week had an opening bid for midfielder Elliot Anderson rejected by Nottingham Forest.

The 23-year-old England international tops the club's list of midfield targets following the departure of captain Bernardo Silva, and sources say they are expected to make another bid.

City have long admired Anderson, and they will not be swayed from paying a significant fee which could become a record fee for a British player.

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is known to be a tough negotiator and is understood to want more than the £105m Arsenal paid to sign midfielder Declan Rice from West Ham in 2023.

Anderson is currently at the World Cup, but England boss Thomas Tuchel has said squad members will have permission to finalise transfers provided it does not significantly affect the team's preparations.

BBC Sport has previously reported Anderson is leaning towards a move to City over rivals Manchester United.

MIAMI GARDENS — This week’s organized team activities mark the final week of the Dolphins’ offseason workout program, which means it’s time to consider some offseason awards.

We’ll look at some of the top candidates today, and later in the week, after OTAs conclude, we’ll name our award winners.

Media members have our final look at the team Tuesday; Thursday marks the final OTAs before the six-week summer break prior to the start of training camp in late July.

It’s been an upbeat offseason with the most significant aspects being culture change and establishing a new set of standards.

As you look at these awards, keep in mind that offensive linemen and defensive front seven players are at a disadvantage because players aren’t wearing pads so physicality and aggression, two traits necessary to judge play in the trenches, are very limited. Therefore standout players such as linebacker Jordyn Brooks and center Aaron Brewer might appear to be slighted, but rest assured that both have been good.

And recall some top players such as running back De’Von Achane (shoulder), right tackle Austin Jackson (foot) and defensive tackle Zach Sieler (unknown ailment) missed part of the offseason program.

Having said that, let’s take a look at the top candidates for some of these offseason workout program awards.

Best Performer

QB Malik Willis, WR Malik Washington, TE Greg Dulcich, LT Patrick Paul, CB JuJu Brents, DT Jordan Phillips, S Dante Trader Jr.

Willis, the first-year starter and face of the rebuild after being brought over from Green Bay where he spent two years with general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley, has been steady. He had a bad day in minicamp but bounced back well. 

Washington has been the best wide receiver (it’s admittedly a low hurdle) while displaying good hands and route-running. Dulcich, who came on strong late last season, has been a reliable target for Willis. No one has beaten Paul, who should be a Pro Bowl candidate as a second-year starter and third-year player. Brents, who showed promise last season before sustaining a foot injury, has been the best defensive back. His challenge is staying healthy. Phillips has been an absolute beast, just ask the blocking sleds. Trader is worthy of mention for performance and leadership.

Most Improved Player

QB Quinn Ewers, DT Kenneth Grant,  DT Jordan Phillips, S Dante Trader Jr., TE Greg Dulcich, CB Jason Marshall Jr.

Ewers, the 2025 seventh-round pick who has zero chance to overtake Willis and become the starter, has been really good with both arm strength and accuracy. Grant, the 2025 first-round pick, has been impressive in individual drills.

Phillips and Trader, a pair of 2025 fifth-round picks, were impressive as rookies and they’re even better nowadays. Duclich has been good. Marshall, another 2025 fifth-round pick, would be a starter if the Dolphins took the field Sunday. By the way, Phillips and Trader have an outside shot at being Pro Bowl candidates if they continue on their current ascents.

Best unfrafted free agent

S Louis Moore, WR Donaven McCulley, DL Rene Konga

The undrafted free agents have been decent, but not necessarily good. Moore, who played at Indiana, flashes every now and then by getting pass breakups. He’s hard to ignore. McCulley, who played at Michigan, has made a few plays. Konga, who played at Louisville, shows agility without pads. So far, no one has shown he’s a top candidate for the 53-man roster but Moore is probably closest.

Best new addition

QB Malik Willis, LG Kadyn Proctor, CB Chris Johnson, LB Jacob Rodriguez

It’s reassuring to see Willis, the top free agent signee, on this list. The same for Proctor and Johnson, the first-round picks. Rodriguez has been used in some interesting situations (we can’t be specific). On a side note, if Hafley was eligible for this award he’d be the runaway winner.

Most disappointing unit

RB, DE, WR 

With Achane sidelined it’d have been nice to see running backs Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II stand out, but neither did. In fairness, however, there’s no pads so it’s hard for running backs to do their thing. The same goes for defensive end/edge rusher. Still, among Chop Robinson, Josh Uche and David Ojabo there hasn’t been much excitement. Among wide receivers, Malik Washington has been the most steady but few in that group have consistently moved the needle.

Related Articles

• Chris Perkins: Snapshots on Willis, Proctor, Grant and others from a promising Dolphins minicamp
• Dolphins cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. will return to ‘natural state’ in second season
• Dolphins CB JuJu Brents has physical tools to break through, but must stay healthy
• Dolphins QB Malik Willis’ chemistry with receivers to remain ‘work in progress’

Most intriguing unit

OL, QB, LB, TE 

The offensive line was without Jackson but among Paul, Proctor, Brewer and right guard Jonah Savaiinaea the possibilities are exciting. At quarterback, both Willis and Ewers have been good in this offseason. The linebackers present a ton of situational possibilities among projected veteran starters Brooks, Tyrel Dodson and Willie Gay Jr. and rookies Rodriguez, Trey Moore and Kyle Louis. At tight end, Dulcich is the leader but Will Kacmarek, the rookie third-round pick, has shown promise.

While some connected NBA reporters are still saying that Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo being traded to the Boston Celtics is not something we ought to discount just yet, others are tamping down on the brakes for a Greek Freak in Boston swap. And among them we can count senior ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst, who related how little he has heard on that front speaking in a recent interview.

"I'm going to tell you I have not actually heard any material, true discussions," said Windhorst. "I'm certain maybe someone has called on Jaylen Brown maybe, but I have not heard one iota of Jaylen Brown truly being available or Derrick White being available."

"It is a proven commodity that Jaylen and Jayson and Derrick White are a championship trio," added the senior ESPN reporter.

"They're under contract, and it's big contracts, absolutely," he continued. "It's a lot of money and their flexibility is impacted by that, but Brad Stevens has shown very good player personnel."

"He's repeatedly made very good player personnel moves, and I'm sure there's a list of things that they're looking at. When they emerge from this summer, they need to have more guys in their rotation that they can trust, especially the big man positions."

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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst pushes back on Celtics-Giannis narratives

The San Antonio Spurs are staring up at a 2-0 deficit in the 2026 NBA Finals heading into Monday’s Game 3 at Madison Square Garden.

Not only are star Victor Wembanyama and his young teammates facing a ravenous New York Knicks team and fan base, they enter the game knowing no team has ever come back from a 3-0 hole in an NBA playoffs series.

MORE: 6 best big-man seasons in Spurs history and where Victor Wembanyama ranks

In fact, only five teams have done what the Spurs are attempting to accomplish by overcoming a 2-0 deficit in NBA Finals and climbing all the way back to win the title.

And, not to dash all hope in south Texas, no team has ever rebounded after losing the first two games at home like the Spurs did.

Below is a ranking, from No. 5 to No. 1, of the five teams to bounce back from a 2-0 hole, looking at the degree of difficulty, context, star power and legacy impact.

2016 Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2016 title is often remembered for the 3-1 deficit, but the Cavs first had to dig out of a 2-0 deficit after getting blitzed at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors won the first two games by a combined 48 points. Meanwhile, the Warriors had just finished a 73-win regular season that rewrote the record book.

LeBron James responded with one of the most complete Finals runs the league has seen, averaging 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game while leading Cleveland back into the series. Kyrie Irving’s big shot in Game 7 and James’ chase-down block on Andre Iguodala turned into permanent fixtures of June highlight reels.

This comeback ranks fifth because the Cavaliers did most of their damage after falling to 3-1 rather than immediately after 2-0. Golden State’s depth and shooting defined the early portion of the series. Cleveland needed Draymond Green’s Game 5 suspension plus a wholesale defensive reset to swing momentum. The full arc is historic, but the specific 2-0 climb was just the first step in a larger, more famous rally.

1969 Boston Celtics

The 1969 NBA Finals delivered the final championship of Boston’s Bill Russell-era dynasty, and for once the Celtics had to play from behind. The Los Angeles Lakers, led by Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain, jumped to a 2-0 series lead and looked ready to knock Boston off the throne.

Russell and an aging Celtics core slogged through a long season, and most observers assumed their run was over. Instead, Boston tightened the rotation, leaned into its defensive identity and slowed the series. They clawed back to even the series and forced a Game 7 in Los Angeles, where the famous purple-and-gold balloons in the Forum rafters waited for a celebration that never came.

This comeback lands fourth because, while it was a significant reversal against a loaded Lakers roster, it fit the broader pattern of that era’s Celtics teams outexecuting opponents in close games. West still took Finals MVP by averaging 37.9 points per game in a losing effort. But Boston’s ability to erase a 2-0 deficit on the road cemented a final chapter for the dynasty. The overall talent gap and style of play kept this series from having the same shock factor as some of the modern comebacks.

1977 Portland Trail Blazers

The 1977 Portland Trail Blazers were underdogs in name, market size and playoff experience. Still, they climbed out of an 0-2 hole against a star-studded Philadelphia 76ers team to win the franchise’s only title to date.

Philadelphia, featuring Julius Erving, Doug Collins and a deep roster, took control early with two home wins. Portland responded with Finals MVP Bill Walton anchoring both ends of the floor, controlling the glass, orchestrating from the high post and protecting the rim. The Blazers ripped off four straight wins to take the series. They turned the Finals into a showcase for how a balanced, motion-heavy offense and rugged team defense could topple a more talented opponent.

This comeback earns the third spot because Portland did not just erase the deficit; they completely flipped the series’ identity. The Blazers’ run accelerated Walton’s brief peak as a centerpiece big man and gave the franchise a defining moment that still stands nearly half a century later. For a young team in its first Finals appearance, shifting from overwhelmed to fully in control against a veteran group made the 0-2 rally especially striking.

2021 Milwaukee Bucks

The 2021 Milwaukee Bucks opened the NBA Finals down 2-0 to a Phoenix Suns team that had just rolled through the Western Conference behind Chris Paul and Devin Booker. Phoenix protected home court in Games 1 and 2, winning both by double digits. That put Milwaukee under pressure as questions swirled about young star Giannis Antetokounmpo’s health after he suffered a hyperextended knee in the previous round.

Back in Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo delivered a 41-point performance in Game 3 and anchored the defense. The Bucks adjusted by switching more pick-and-rolls, tightening their rotation and giving Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton more on-ball responsibility. Those tweaks, combined with Antetokounmpo’s rim pressure, turned the series.

Milwaukee won four straight games to close out the series, punctuated by Antetokounmpo’s 50-point, 14-rebound masterpiece in Game 6 and the now-iconic “Valley-Oop” finish in Game 5. This comeback ranks second because the Bucks not only erased a 2-0 deficit, they did it while their best player was playing through a recent injury and while facing a team that had controlled the early pace of the series.

2006 Miami Heat

The 2006 Miami Heat sit at the top of the list because their turnaround from 0-2 to champions felt like a movie that unfolded in real time. The Dallas Mavericks broke Miami in the first two games, winning by a combined 24 points and pushing the Heat’s veteran core to the verge of collapse.

Dwyane Wade then authored one of the most dominant stretches any guard has ever had on the Finals stage. Over the final four games, the Finals MVP averaged 39.3 points per contest and lived at the free-throw line, constantly attacking and forcing Dallas to react. Miami ripped off four straight wins, with Wade’s shot-making and an experienced supporting cast flipping the series’ tone overnight.

This comeback tops the rankings because of the volatility and consequence tied to it. The Heat were chasing the first title in franchise history, Wade was establishing himself as a true leading star, and the Mavericks were trying to validate years of regular-season success. The shift from 0-2 to a 4-2 finish cemented Wade’s legacy, reshaped how people viewed the Heat’s roster construction and left Dallas with questions that lingered until the franchise finally broke through later.

What’s next for Brendan Sorsby? Lubbock court rules Texas Tech QB is eligible to play in 2026 despite gambling history originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Brendan Sorsby's case against the NCAA got a huge update on Monday that should allow him to play college football this year.

As the NCAA investigates Sorsby for gambling as a student-athlete, the Texas Tech quarterback was at risk of being ruled ineligible for the upcoming season. As a result, Sorsby took his case to a Texas court, seeking an injunction that would allow him to remain eligible to play college football.

Sorsby wanted a quick ruling so he could make a decision about potentially entering the 2026 NFL Supplemental Draft, which has a June 22 deadline. Instead, it appears Sorsby will play for the Red Raiders after all.

Here's the latest on Sorsby's case.

Is Brendan Sorsby allowed to play in 2026?

Sorsby was granted an injunction in his case against the NCAA, which will mean he is eligible to play in the 2026 season. The ruling comes with a two-game suspension that Sorsby will serve to begin the season.

NEWS: A judge in district court in Lubbock County, Texas, has granted the injunction requested by Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby. He’s set to be eligible for the 2026 season. pic.twitter.com/31IjwqyxaM

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 8, 2026

Texas Tech opens the season against Abilene Christian an Oregon State, but Sorsby will not be eligible to play in thos games. Instead, Sorsby will likely return for Texas TEch's third game of the year vs. Houston.

This story will be updated