XRP network activity and investor profitability fall to record lows, leading traders to focus on the $1 to $0.65 zone.

The same day Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt released a statement, voicing his department’s support for beleaguered quarterback Brendan Sorsby, Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire defended Sorsby at a luncheon at the Houston Touchdown Club.

Making his first public appearance since Sorsby was granted a temporary injunction by a Lubbock County (Texas) judge that allows him to take the field during the 2026 season despite previously being ruled ineligible by the NCAA for gambling, McGuire answered questions from a throng at the Omni Galleria on Wednesday.

The Houston Chronicle’s Joseph Duarte reported that, although a news conference is typically held before each college coach speaks at the Houston Touchdown Club, McGuire canceled his. He began his remarks explaining that he’d take inquiries from “Texas Tech fans,” per Duarte.

An attendee in the crowd asked if there’s anything that, from this point forward, can prevent Sorsby from playing for the Red Raiders this season.

“Brendan Sorsby is recovering from an addiction,” McGuire said, via SportsTalk 790’s Chris Gordy. “He's recovering. I've sat down with this young man multiple times. The things that he is going through and what he's been through is serious.”

Sorsby wagered approximately $90,000 on professional and college sports over four years, even placing at least 40 Indiana football-related bets when he was a member of the Hoosiers in 2022. His gambling continued at Cincinnati and, most recently, Texas Tech, where he’s transferred throughout his college career, as reported by ESPN.

This spring, he reportedly spent 35 days in an in-patient Arizona rehabilitation program for diagnosed gambling and anxiety disorders. He’s poised to sit out the first two games of the season as a condition of the injunction he received to compete during the 2026 campaign. Those games are against FCS Abilene Christian and Oregon State.

Once Sorsby, 22, was granted the injunction, the NCAA formally filed an appeal in Lubbock County, except the ensuing formal judicial case could wind up occurring after the season, in which case it’s legal ruling would esssentially be obsolete.

McGuire explained Wednesday, though, that Sorsby’s return-to-play timeline isn’t set in stone.

“I have a number of people in my family that were addicted to different stuff, and so I've seen what addiction does to people,” McGuire said, via Gordy.

“And so us even saying to the point before we get to the legal part that he can be ready Week 3 against Houston is still a stretch because guess what? He's still recovering. You don't necessarily know between now and then exactly. Do I see a different person? I know it sounds crazy, but I do. Do I see a kid that feels like he's got a thousand pounds of weight lifted off of him? He's made the statement that he feels like this is a moment that can actually change his life.”

McGuire is entering his fifth season at the helm of the program. Last time around, with one of the most hefty NIL war chests in the country, he led a talent-laden roster to 12 wins and Texas Tech’s first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.

He’s now preparing for a season full of uncertainty, particularly in the quarterback room, where another player is also recovering. Will Hammond is working his way back from the ACL tear in his right knee that cut his season short last year.

Hammond suffered the injury while filling in for Behren Morton. Texas Tech is hoping Hammond will be back in time for Week 1 this season so he can lead the offense in Sorsby’s absence.

Sorbsy totaled 36 touchdowns last season at Cincinnati. The dual-threat signal-caller has drawn considerable NFL interest and, before his gambling addiction surfaced, was widely regarded as a Heisman hopeful.

At the moment, he’s focused on improving his mental health. McGuire said Wednesday that Sorsby is surrounded by mentors and mentioned the “amount of technology” on Sorsby’s devices to monitor his behavior.

“He has a person that’s over every single penny that he has,” McGuire said. “The steps in place for him even to get to the points where we can get him playing, there’s a lot of stuff to go through.”

That said, the clip from McGuire’s comments that made the rounds online Wednesday was one SEC Network pundit Paul Finebaum posted to X.

Here’s the full quote, according to Duarte:

“For some reason, as a society, we’ve been OK with other things that happen and allowing players to play, and this has been the one thing that has united people, that that they were against,” McGuire said. “It’s crazy because it’s not murder, it’s not beating somebody — so there’s a lot of things that we’re working through. None of this is OK.”

Those words have raised the ire of several fans. Sorsby’s injunction sent shockwaves through the sports world earlier this week, with many objecting to the district court decision and expressing their frustration with the lack of regulation in college athletics, and, by extension, the powerlessness of the NCAA.

Despite Texas Tech’s efforts on Wednesday, that paroxysm of rage hasn’t stopped.

McGuire emphasized Wednesday that he entered coaching for kids and to help people in general.

He’s not wavering in his support for Sorsby.

“He’s the first person to tell you that it’s his fault,” McGuire said, via Gordy. “He chose to do this. But if you know anything about addiction, there’s a point that you choose it and then, all of a sudden, you don’t choose it anymore.

“[It’s] not something that you can do by yourself to get past where you’re at. So I would never turn my back on him. We’re still working through a lot of stuff.”

England wrapped up their official public preparations for the 2026 World Cup with a commanding 3-0 victory over a robust Costa Rica side in Florida.

A severe pre-match thunderstorm waterlogged the pitch and pushed kick-off back by an hour, but the sweltering humidity did little to zap the intensity of Thomas Tuchel’s men. Unlike the experimental side that laboured through earlier fixtures, this selection carried the distinct flavour of a tournament dress rehearsal.

Declan Rice broke the deadlock inside ten minutes with a heavily deflected strike, set up by the electric Anthony Gordon. The newly minted Barcelona forward then took centre stage himself in the second half, coolly converting a 66th-minute penalty.

Substitute Ollie Watkins rounded out the scoreline late on, pouncing on a spilled rebound from a Morgan Rogers shot. In a physically bruising encounter, Gordon’s masterclass and a powerful return to form from Jude Bellingham handed Tuchel exactly the kind of selection headache he would have wanted ahead of the opening group stage clash against Croatia.

Here is how the Three Lions rated in Orlando

England player ratings vs Costa Rica

Goalkeeper & Defence

Jordan Pickford – 6/10 Operated practically as a sweeper-keeper in the opening period, routinely stepping well outside his penalty box to keep play moving. One loose clearance almost invited unnecessary danger, but he was otherwise unbothered by a conservative opposition frontline.

Reece James – 6/10 Enjoyed a mostly comfortable shift defensively. Kept things simple, tidy, and progressive with his distribution, getting valuable minutes in the tank ahead of the tournament opener.

Ezri Konsa – 7/10 Stood tall in what descended into a heavily physical battle. Handled the aerial and ground duels with composure, showing excellent anticipation to shut down any rare Central American counters.

John Stones – 6/10 Tasked with building up match fitness before the heavy fixtures commence, his positioning was faultless. Breathed calmness into the backline and stepped into midfield seamlessly before making way in the mass second-half reshuffle.

Nico O’Reilly – 6/10 Maintained his fine integration into the senior setup. Less explosive than his previous outing, but he held his tactical shape intelligently and rarely looked out of place.

Midfield & Attack

Declan Rice – 7/10 Showed instincts of a seasoned box-to-box midfielder by arriving perfectly at the edge of the box to sweep home the deflecting opener. Shielded the defence reliably before taking a well-earned rest.

Elliot Anderson – 6/10 Kept up the momentum from his standout display against Japan. Maintained a high energy level in the engine room, even if the extreme Orlando humidity slowed down the game’s overall pace.

Jude Bellingham – 8/10 A complete, all-action display that firmly reminded everyone why the number 10 role belongs to him. Driving past challenges with ease, his press-resistance and power gave England a cutting edge they had been missing.

Noni Madueke – 6/10 Guilty of one of the misses of the season when he rounded the keeper only to smash the post with an open net gaping. Flashed a fierce effort just wide in the second half, showing dangerous intent but lacking the final touch.

Anthony Gordon – 9/10 (Star Man) The absolute standard-bearer on the night. Left his marker for dead to orchestrate the opening goal, saw a penalty claim controversially waved away by VAR, and ultimately got his reward by firing home a ruthless spot-kick. Marcus Rashford has serious competition on the left wing.

Harry Kane – 6/10 Linked play beautifully with a brace of trademark, pinpoint cross-field passes. Denied a goal by a smart first-half save, but his primary victory was coming through a highly physical match completely unscathed.

Substitutes

Ollie Watkins – 7/10 Displayed true poacher instincts during his cameo. Showed immense hunger by reacting quickest to nod home a spilled ball, making his case as a premier backup option.

Morgan Rogers – 6/10 Squandered a golden one-on-one opportunity late on, but redeemed himself shortly after by driving a low effort that forced the goalkeeper’s mistake for Watkins’ tap-in.

Dean Henderson – 6/10 Replaced Pickford for the final half-hour. Maintained a clean sheet with minimal fuss as Costa Rica accepted their fate.

Marc Guehi – 6/10 Slotted directly into the heart of defence to see out the match with zero complications.

Bukayo Saka – 6/10 Injected fresh energy down the right wing and dragged a sharp effort just wide of the far post late on.

Marcus Rashford – 6/10 Offered a direct running threat in the closing 20 minutes, though the match had lost its shape by the time he entered the fray.

Eberechi Eze – 6/10 Looked to combine in tight spaces and kept the opposition backline pinned deep.

Jarell Quansah – 6/10 Earned late minutes to shore up the defensive line in a relaxed party atmosphere.

Dan Burn – 6/10 Brought on alongside Quansah to provide extra height and ensure a routine conclusion.

Kobbie Mainoo – 6/10 Tested the goalkeeper with a venomous strike from distance in stoppage time during a tidy late cameo.

Djed Spence – 6/10 Offered an energetic burst down the flank to ensure no late slip-ups.

Read more – Ranking the best managers at the FIFA World Cup 2026

See Also- World Cup 2026: Five young stars set to light up this summer

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Jeremy Lin has reopened one of the most painful New York Knicks what-ifs by revealing how badly he wanted to stay after Linsanity changed his life.

Lin’s 2012 run remains one of the most unforgettable stretches in modern NBA history. For a few weeks, he turned Madison Square Garden into the center of basketball, gave the Knicks a new face, and became a global story almost overnight.

That is what makes his latest admission sting. The Rockets had life-changing money ready, but Lin says the ending in New York hurt because he never even had a Knicks offer to consider.

Jeremy Lin says New York Knicks crushed him after Houston Rockets offer

Legion Hoops shared Jeremy Lin’s comments on how his Knicks exit unfolded after Houston put a major contract in front of him.

“The Rockets offered $29,000,000… I would’ve taken $8,000,000 with the Knicks. I was crushed when my agent told me ‘There’s no offer from New York on the table,'” Lin said.

That quote changes the emotional weight of the old story. The public focus in 2012 was on Houston’s backloaded offer sheet and whether the Knicks would match it, but Lin’s memory is simpler and harsher.

He did not just leave for more money. He says he was ready to take far less to remain in New York, only to learn that the team had not put anything real in front of him.

Jeremy Lin’s Linsanity rise made New York Knicks exit harder to accept

Lin’s heartbreak lands because of how fast everything had happened. In February 2012, he went from end-of-bench guard to phenomenon, leading the Knicks on a winning streak and producing one viral night after another.

His 38-point performance against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers became the defining Garden moment of the run. Days later, his game-winning three in Toronto pushed Linsanity beyond New York and into a global sports obsession.

When free agency arrived, Houston’s offer sheet was structured in a way that made it painful for the Knicks to match because of luxury-tax concerns. New York eventually let him walk, after also adding veteran point guards Jason Kidd and Raymond Felton.

That decision has always been argued financially, but Lin’s version brings it back to loyalty. For a player who felt his heart was still in New York, the hardest part was not leaving the Knicks; it was realizing the Knicks were willing to let him go.

Read more:

New England Patriots All-Pro safety Kevin Byard already sees the chemistry building between quarterback Drake Maye and wideout A.J. Brown.

He commented on his initial impressions of the duo when speaking with media members on Tuesday.

“They're already developing that relationship," Byard said, via Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan. "And like I said, anytime A.J. is backside at X, I know that's where the ball is probably going, so I try to cheat my alignments and stuff like that.”

Brown has dominated against man coverage throughout his NFL career, and that is something the Patriots have consistently struggled to win against in games. His mere presence could open up the offense in a major way this season.

#Patriots S Kevin Byard sees Drake Maye and A.J. Brown building chemistry.

“They're already developing that relationship. And like I said, anytime A.J. is backside at X, I know that's where the ball is probably going, so I try to cheat my alignments and stuff like that.” pic.twitter.com/ydKRO4o9sf

— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) June 9, 2026

Byard's comments aren't just lip service, either.

The video of Maye and Brown's back-shoulder fade touchdown connection at Day 1 of mandatory minicamp has already gone viral. A little over a week of being together, and the duo is already putting words into action.

Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots All-Pro DB makes strong statement on Drake Maye, A.J. Brown

James Dolan has pushed back on the viral claim that Donald Trump fell asleep during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.

Trump attended Knicks vs Spurs on Monday, June 8, after being invited by the Knicks owner for New York’s first home Finals game in 27 years.

The appearance quickly became its own storyline, from heavy security and loud boos to a clip that appeared to show Trump with his eyes closed during the game.

James Dolan denies Donald Trump NBA Finals sleeping claim

SNY Knicks shared Dolan’s response after the Trump sleeping accusation spread across social media.

Supporting Trump’s version of the night, Dolan said: “I was with him the whole time. We were talking the whole time. He was very much awake, he was very much engaged.”

Dolan also defended the significance of Trump attending the game, saying: “That’s the first sitting president of the United States to ever go to an NBA Final. That is a huge honor. And he’s a New Yorker. Whatever you think about him, he’s a Knicks fan. People don’t want to hear this, I think he’s a great guy. I love — I’ve known him for over 30 years, but I’m not going to go on this show and start espousing the president.

The remarks came during Dolan’s Wednesday appearance on WFAN’s The Carton Show.

Donald Trump sleeping clip became Game 3 talking point

The accusation began after viral footage appeared to show Trump sitting with his eyes closed during the game.

Reports described the clip as brief and disputed. Some online critics said he was asleep, while Dolan and the White House rejected that interpretation.

San Antonio beat New York 115-111, cutting the Knicks’ series lead to 2-1.

Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 32 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, while Jalen Brunson scored 32 for the Knicks.

Trump is not expected back for Game 4, which is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks still lead, but Game 3 became remembered for much more than the scoreboard.

Read more:

Spurs vs Knicks box score: Full stats from NBA Finals Game 4 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

On Monday, the Spurs ended the Knicks 13-game winning streak. They won their first game of this series on the road. The Spurs win defied expectation. Game 3 in the Garden represented the first NBA Finals home game for the Knicks in 27 years. Adding to the moment was a real, tangible excitement in New York City. Yet San Antonio controlled the entire 4th quarter. 

The series now looks very different than it did even four days ago. A 3-0 Knicks lead would have spelled the practical end of this series as no team has ever come back from being down 3-0. Win probability in the series going down 3-0 is zero percent. The probability improves some after the Spurs won Game 3, but it is still only 14%. 

If New York can win Game 4, the chances of winning the title are still incredibly good. However, if the Spurs can tie the series by winning game 4, the likelihood of winning the series goes up significantly, north of 70%. Leading into the all-important Game 5. The team that wins Game 5 in the event the series was tied after Game 4 is over 80%. 

Jalen Brunson has not yet had a "good" game in this series. If Brunson and Karl Anthony Towns can have games that resemble their season averages and get noteworthy defensive and scoring help from even two other players, the Knicks will be in a great position.

Conversely, San Antonio need a 30/20, rim protector type game from Wemby. If they can combine that with a good defensive effort and getting timely scoring from their role players, San Antonio will be in good shape. The concern is that both of those team ideas have not been present in the same game. Whichever team can do either, will likely be victorious. 

Finally, how will the fans at Madison Square Garden react tonight? Will they bring the same energy and create an atmosphere that is difficult for the opponent? Or did the wind get completely taken out of their sails after the Game 3 loss? 

More: Spurs vs. Knicks live score, updates, highlights from 2026 NBA Finals Game 4

Spurs vs Knicks NBA Finals Game 4 Box Score

Game leading stat line: Devin Vassell (3/0/0/0/0/+3)

Win Probability: 1st Quarter 10:55 - Spurs 51.6%

San Antonio Spurs

New York Knicks

WATCH:Stream Spurs vs Knicks Game 4 with Peacock

More NBA Playoff news:

• San Antonio has best NBA Playoff win since 1983
• 10,170 days: Spurs vs. Thunder Western Conference Finals is a generational NBA Playoff series
• Spurs vs. Thunder: 2026 NBA Western Conference Finals schedule announced
• Full stats from NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals Game 1
• Spurs vs. Thunder final score, results: Victor Wembanyama goes off with 41 points, 24 rebounds in 2OT thriller

Knicks vs. Spurs Score, Live Updates, Highlights From Game 4 of NBA Finals originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Madison Square Garden will be filled with New Yorkers on Wednesday night for a pivotal Game 4 between the Knicks and Spurs.

After losing the first two games of the NBA Finals at home, the Spurs clawed their way back into the series with a 115-111 win in Game 3. Victor Wembanyama led the way for San Antonio with 32 points, and Stephon Castle contributed 23 points, five rebounds and five assists in the victory.

After dropping a playoff game for the first time since April 23, the Knicks will look to take a 3-1 lead and move one step closer to a championship celebration. How will Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns respond in front of the home crowd?

Follow along right here for live updates and highlights from Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

Knicks vs. Spurs score

Knicks vs. Spurs live updates, highlights from Game 4 of NBA Finals

8:49 p.m.: It's a massive overturn early in the game.

Instead of it being a foul on Wembanyama, it's an offensive foul on Towns, his second of the game. Less than two minutes in, the Knicks' star big heads to the bench.

8:46 p.m.: Towns responds with a basket of his own to tie the game, then Vassell hits a three at the other end.

With the score 5-2, Towns is going to the line after being fouled by Wembanyama. But, Mitch Johnson is challenging the call.

8:43 p.m.: We are underway at the World's Most Famous Arena.

The New York Knicks starters are introduced for GAME 4 of the NBA FINALS 🏆

Watch now on ABC! pic.twitter.com/B7UppIXyej

— NBA (@NBA) June 11, 2026

Wembanyama wins the tipoff over Towns and San Antonio has the first possession. It results in a Towns foul 18 seconds in on Fox.

8:33 p.m.: The NBA Finals is minutes away.

Both teams are rolling out the same starting fives.

8:26 p.m.: New York never disappoints.

The MSG crowd cheers the Knicks as they take the floor ahead of Game 4 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/jwFCLEo27r

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) June 11, 2026

8:18 p.m.: The teams are about to take the court.

Will it be the Knicks or Spurs who take Game 4?

8:08 p.m.: New York has it's newest villain: Victor Wembanyama.

Boos for Victor Wembanyama in pregame warmups pic.twitter.com/c6ZdwXG4dV

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) June 11, 2026

8:00 p.m.: Karl-Anthony Towns has been electric this postseason, but is yet to score a fourth-quarter point these finals.

Pregame hugs with KAT and his dad!

Spurs (1-2) Knicks NBA Finals Game 4 tips at 8:30pm/et on ABC🍿 pic.twitter.com/Eq2WcFLMPR

— NBA (@NBA) June 10, 2026

Down the stretch, expect him to play much more of a role in what's been a tightly-contested series.

7:53 p.m.: Madison Square Garden is going to be a madhouse.

calm before the storm. pic.twitter.com/ofYmpFWlfm

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) June 10, 2026

7:46 p.m.: Game 4 is less than an hour away.

SPURS. KNICKS. GAME 4... TONIGHT 🍿 https://t.co/YpVFqlJv37

— NBA (@NBA) June 10, 2026

7:38 p.m.: Here come the San Antonio Spurs.

Wemby.
Castle.
Harper.

READY FOR NBA FINALS GAME 4!

🏆 8:30pm/et on ABC pic.twitter.com/LBKHFuBJ8o

— NBA (@NBA) June 10, 2026

The Spurs got on the board in the finals with a 115-111 win in Game 3, behind Victor Wembanyama's 32 and Stephon Castle's 23. With a second consecutive win at MSG, the Spurs can send the Finals to a three-game series.

7:30 p.m.: After losing their first game since April 23, the Knicks return to Madison Square Garden still in position to take a commanding lead. With a win tonight in front of the home crowd, New York would be one win away from the NBA title.

Knicks in the house for NBA Finals Game 4 🗽

Tip-off is set for 8:30pm/et on ABC! pic.twitter.com/XxJymawbVr

— NBA (@NBA) June 10, 2026

How to watch Knicks vs. Spurs Game 4: TV channel, live stream

• TV channel: ABC
• Live stream: DIRECTV | ESPN app | fubo

Game 4 between the Knicks and Spurs will air live on ABC. The game will also be available to stream on DIRECTV, the ESPN app and fubo.

Try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live NBA, MLB and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1 and NFL Network — all included with DIRECTV.

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Knicks vs. Spurs Game 4 start time

• Date: Wednesday, June 10
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

Game 4 between the Knicks and Spurs is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 10. The game will be played at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Knicks vs. Spurs schedule: New York leads 2-1

*If necessary

NBA Playoffs scores, results 2026

Conference finals

Knicks 4, Cavs 0

• Game 1: Knicks 115, Cavs 104 (OT)
• Game 2: Knicks 109, Cavs 93
• Game 3: Knicks 121, Cavs 108
• Game 4: Knicks 130, Cavs 93

Spurs 4, Thunder 3

• Game 1: Spurs 122, Thunder 115 (2OT)
• Game 2: Thunder 122, Spurs 113
• Game 3: Thunder 123, Spurs 108
• Game 4: Spurs 103, Thunder 82
• Game 5: Thunder 127, Spurs 114
• Game 6: Spurs 118, Thunder 91
• Game 7: Spurs 111, Thunder 103

Conference semifinals

Knicks 4, 76ers 0

• Game 1: Knicks 137, 76ers 98
• Game 2: Knicks 108, 76ers 102
• Game 3: Knicks 108, 76ers 94
• Game 4: Knicks 144, 76ers 114

Spurs 4, Timberwolves 2

• Game 1: Timberwolves 104, Spurs 102
• Game 2: Spurs 133, Timberwolves 95
• Game 3: Spurs 115, Timberwolves 108
• Game 4: Timberwolves 114, Spurs 109
• Game 5: Spurs 126, Timberwolves 97
• Game 6: Spurs 139, Timberwolves 109

First round

Knicks 4, Hawks 2

• Game 1: Knicks 113, Hawks 102
• Game 2: Hawks 107, Knicks 106
• Game 3: Hawks 109, Knicks 108
• Game 4: Knicks 114, Hawks 98
• Game 5: Knicks 126, Hawks 97
• Game 6: Knicks 140, Hawks 89

Spurs 4, Trail Blazers 1

• Game 1: Spurs 111, Trail Blazers 98
• Game 2: Trail Blazers 106, Spurs 103
• Game 3: Spurs 120, Trail Blazers 108
• Game 4: Spurs 114, Trail Blazers 93
• Game 5: Spurs 114, Trail Blazers 95

RJ Clem’s recruitment in football heated up in a major way this spring.

And why not? The Logansport junior stands at 6 feet, 7 inches and weighs 265 pounds. He has an 84-inch wingspan. He’s got ideal size for an offensive tackle prospect.

And he’s strong enough where he’s a state finalist in the discus and plans on being a state contender in both throwing events in track and field next year. And he can move well enough that he’s one of the best basketball players in the area as well.

He currently holds 16 Division-I offers to play football. Last week, just before the state track meet, he talked about the timeline of his recruitment.

“I went to that Notre Dame Camp last year and then got a nice little writeup and I didn’t hear really anything all summer and all fall,” he said. “I went to Western Michigan and had a few invites to go watch a game or two, but I wasn’t expecting an offer really. And then my first one was either late December or early to mid-January and it was Yale. I didn’t really know how to react. I was on the phone with them and I was kind of shocked.

“And then it was pretty slow until Spring Break when I went on all those visits. And then it took another break and just about two weeks ago was where it got really hectic with coaches coming in and everything. But I have a little bit of a break now just because they’re all coming back from vacation and they can’t go see players in person anymore I think until probably July because they’re doing all their official visits and stuff.”

Per his X account, Clem had a lot of college coaches visit him at LHS over the final weeks of school of his junior year.

His offers thus far, in the order that he has received them, include Yale, Harvard, Penn, Liberty, Western Michigan, New Mexico, Princeton, Central Michigan, Wake Forest, Bowling Green, Michigan State, Kansas State, Central Florida, Iowa State, Miami of Ohio and Navy.

Clem has a busy summer ahead of him. He’s currently doing workouts, practices and summer scrimmages with the Logansport football and boys basketball teams. He’s set to participate in the IBCA/IHSAA Top 100 Underclass Showcase on Friday at Ben Davis High School.

Clem and his family have already visited some of the schools and plan to visit more but won’t be able to visit all of them before the end of the summer. The visits are paid for by the schools.

“There’s been a few schools that I’m not gonna be able to visit and I’ve been fortunate enough to already have seen their campus and meet their coaches in person. We’re trying to see as many new places as possible,” he said. “Like Michigan State and Wake Forest I haven’t been to yet. I’m pretty excited for those though. But the State Finals obviously takes away a weekend, which is a good problem to have. And then maybe a few after July if I’m not committed already. But we’ll see when that comes.”

Clem is hoping to make his decision by the end of July.

“I was thinking before the season if possible,” he said. “If I have new opportunities that might change. Maybe even by the end of June after going on some officials because I don’t want to have to worry about it all season.”

Clem said he doesn’t currently have a favorite.

“I’ve met a lot of good coaches. I don’t think I’ve met one coach I don’t like,” he said. “And then obviously all the schools are pretty good schools. But I’m still trying to sort through it all and just think about it and talk to my parents (Shannon and Libby) because obviously they’re gonna be a big part it too, as well as my sister (Lily).”

Clem, who has a 4.3 GPA at LHS, has a good mix of choices whether he wants to go for more of an academic school or mid-major or high-major.

As for what he wants to study, he said, “I originally thought engineering, but D-I football isn’t really compatible with it. So possibly business, a business administration major.”

MEXICO CITY — Javier Aguirre will go to sleep Wednesday night certain of the starting 11 he will name for Mexico's World Cup opener against South Africa.

But he certainly wasn't sharing it the day before.

Asked about his lineup in the pre-match news conference, he assured reporters that he has it built out but wasn't going to give any hints to reporters or to the opponent, the same team Mexico faced in the 2010 World Cup opener.

His players don't know either. "I haven’t spoken with them about the starting XI," Aguirre said. "The 26 players are very hopeful, they all know they could play at any time and I have no doubt they’ll do well.

We always, however, can take a guess. Here is USA TODAY Sports' projection of how Mexico will line up Thursday in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup:

Mexico starting XI to face South Africa - our projection

Goalkeeper: Raul "Tala" Rangel

While veteran shot-stopper Guillermo Ochoa may make an appearance in this tournament, the opening game is likely to go to the player who has been Mexico's No. 1 for some time.

Defense: Jorge Sanchez, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo

This unit seems set, with the center-back pairing of Montes and Vasquez in great form, not only defending well in Mexico's preparation matches but also scoring goals on set plays. Right back is a question mark for the team, but the job is Sanchez's to lose.

Midfield: Brian Gutierrez, Edson Alvarez, Alvaro Fidalgo

The questions begin here, where many eyes will be on whether or not teenage sensation Gilberto Mora starts the opening match. Another young player, 22-year-old Illinois native Brian Gutierrez, is fighting for the same spot and may get the nod after a great day against Serbia last week. Do-it-all Fidalgo can provide a lot.

There is a debate in the middle, where Edson Alvarez has held down the position for longer, but Cruz Azul midfielder Erik Lira has played well both for his club and when he has gotten opportunities with El Tri. Both players also can slide back as center backs. A game against South Africa may call for a more physical player, so Edson gets the nod.

Forwards: Roberto Alvarado, Raul Jimenez, Julian Quiñones

Raul starting at the No. 9 is one of the safest bets there is. The wingers alongside him, however, are not as clear.

While Quiñones has played in a more central role for his club team in Saudi Arabia, Aguirre also noted he can play on the left and drift inside. His speed and finishing give him the edge over Alexis Vega or Cesar Huerta. On the other side, Roberto Alvarado not only provides another scoring option but also a player who can defend well.

Mexico XI to face South Africa - our projection

Rangel; Sanchez, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo; Gutierrez, Alvarez, Fidalgo, Alvarado, Jimenez, Quiñones

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Projected Mexico starting lineup for World Cup opener vs South Africa

Who’s on Knicks celebrity row today? Live updates on Timothee Chalamet, other stars at NBA Finals Game 4 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

With the New York Knicks looking to go up 3-1 in the NBA Finals on Wednesday night, it's possible that Game 4 is the last game this year in Madison Square Garden.

Game 3 was chaotic, being not only the first NBA Finals game at MSG since 1999, but also one that President Donald Trump attended. Still, celebrity Knicks fans showed up in waves for what became a star-studded affair on the sidelines.

However, the San Antonio Spurs fought through all the noise to win their game of the series and cut the Knicks series lead to 2-1. The Spurs seem to be finding their groove in the NBA Finals and are not intimidated by the unique Madison Square Garden atmosphere.

As both teams look to take a crucial Game 4, here are live updates of which celebrities are attending the game at Madison Square Garden.

NBA PLAYOFFS HQ:Live NBA scores | NBA playoff schedule | NBA playoff bracket

Knicks celebrity row today

The following fans are included on the Knicks' celebrity row list:

• Taylor Swift
• Tracy Morgan
• Aaron Judge
• Spike Lee
• Adam Sandler
• Hailey Bieber
• Jerry Seinfeld
• Tate McRae
• Timothee Chalamet
• NAS
• Ben Stiller
• Steve Schirripa
• Susie Essman
• Julianne Moore
• Jimmy Fallon
• Matt Harvey
• Edie Falco
• Fat Joe
• Alex Rodriguez
• Amy Schumer
• Woody Johnson
• Whoopi Goldberg
• Nina Dobrev
• Penn Badgley
• Amanda Serrano 
• Rainn Wilson
• Hank Azaria
• Jeremy Strong
• Kevin Jonas 
• Michael Che
• Marisa Harigitay
• Keke Palmer
• Molly Gordon
• Walt Frazier
• Bernard King
• Charlie Ward
• Baron Davis
• Metta World Peace
• Raymond Felton
• Jeremy Lin
• Jameis Winston
• Cam Skattebo
• Isaiah Likely
• Jevon Holland
• Greg Newsome II

Here's the full list for Game 4:

Knicks celebrity list for Game 4 includes Rainn Wilson, Jimmy Fallon, Jerry Seinfeld and Kevin Jonas along with the Celebrity Row usuals such as Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan. pic.twitter.com/aWOddGO5qN

— Alex Schiffer (@Alex__Schiffer) June 11, 2026

Is Taylor Swift at NBA Finals tonight?

Swift is listed on the Knicks' celebrity row list, seated next to two members of the band "HAIM."

Is Timothee Chalamet at NBA Finals tonight?

Chalamet is at the game once again; he hasn't missed a home game in these playoffs.

Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner are in the building for Game 4 of the NBA Finals pic.twitter.com/nbps3tpumR

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) June 11, 2026

Is Kylie Jenner at NBA Finals tonight?

Kylie Jenner is indeed at Game 4 alongside Chalamet.

Other celebrities at NBA Finals Game 4

• Metta World Peace

8:40 p.m. — Former Knick Metta World Peace is in the building and wearing his own jersey.

Unless my eyes deceive me, Metta World Peace is here, wearing his own jersey, which is awesome. pic.twitter.com/0SERSTpukE

— Dan Devine (@YourManDevine) June 10, 2026

• Hailey Bieber

8:25 p.m. — Hailey Bieber is in the house for Game 4. Her husband, Justin, is not.

Hailey Bieber has arrived to Knicks Game 4 🔥 pic.twitter.com/X6rtKgIuQt

— TickPick (@TickPick) June 11, 2026

• John McEnroe

7:45 p.m. — Tennis great and broadcaster John McEnroe is in the building, as usual, for Game 4 of the Madison Square Garden.

• Michael Kay

7:35 p.m. — Yankees play-by-play broadcaster is in the building, albeit far from celebrity row.

Charlie and I are so ready for Game 4 at MSG. @nyknickspic.twitter.com/I80Yvj3SGo

— Michael Kay (@RealMichaelKay) June 10, 2026

• Ben Stiller

6:40 p.m. — Knicks superfan Ben Stiller wasted no time getting to Madison Square Garden for Game 4, arriving several hours before tip-off.

Ben Stiller arrived more than 4 hours before tip off once again. #AlwaysKnickspic.twitter.com/Dp9cQL4MQQ

— Ryan Field (@RyanFieldABC) June 10, 2026

MORE: Inside celebrity row at Madison Square Garden

Knicks celebrity row regulars in 2026 playoffs

Ben Stiller

Timothee Chalamet

Spike Lee

Tracy Morgan

England's final friendly before the World Cup was delayed by violent storms rattling around Orlando's Inter&Co Stadium – but when it finally got under way it was well worth the wait for head coach Thomas Tuchel.

Tuchel was unhappy with England's lack of intensity in their opening friendly against New Zealand in Tampa, the 1-0 win effectively a glorified training session as he fielded two different teams in each half.

The meeting with Costa Rica was a sharp contrast, a fierce physical test with plenty of helpful pointers for Tuchel before England face Croatia in Dallas on 17 June.

So what will Tuchel be considering before he names his starting line-up?

• England impress to beat Costa Rica in final World Cup warm-up
• Is England v Costa Rica delay a sign of things to come?

Has Bellingham done enough to start?

Tuchel has spent recent months deflecting debate about whether Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham or Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa should take England's number 10 role when the stakes are at their highest.

The German boss has seemed happy to foster healthy competition between the two boyhood friends, but now decision time is coming.

Rogers has been the player in possession, Tuchel keeping faith with the 23-year-old as Bellingham endured a mixed season at the Santiago Bernabeu, interrupted by shoulder and hamstring injuries.

Tuchel started with Rogers against New Zealand, although nothing could be read into that as Bellingham came on for the second half and took on the captaincy.

There are effectively 14 or 15 "starters" that Tuchel has in mind within England's squad, and both are in that group.

But unless Tuchel decides to play Rogers on the left against Croatia, only one of the duo will be in that particular line-up.

It will be arguably the biggest decision of Tuchel's reign, and there was no doubt Bellingham resembled a man on a mission against Costa Rica.

He produced a superb through ball to Noni Madueke in the first half, which the Arsenal forward wasted by hitting the post after going around Costa Rica keeper Patrick Sequeira.

Bellingham showed superb sleight of foot in the build-up to England's second goal. He danced past several Costa Rica defenders in the area before finding Eberechi Eze, whose shot was handled. Anthony Gordon scored the resulting penalty.

Rogers also looked lively when he came off the bench – Bellingham briefly being used as a false nine – so the debate will continue to rage.

On this evidence, however, Bellingham will take some leaving out.

Who will play wide left and right?

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka will fill the right-sided slot if he is fit enough. A lingering Achilles tendon injury has led Tuchel to manage his minutes carefully, but he is first choice.

Saka's Arsenal team-mate Madueke produced a mixed bag of a performance on the right against Costa Rica.

The real intrigue centres on who plays on England's left. It looks to be between new Barcelona signing Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford – whose future at the Nou Camp is uncertain following his loan from Manchester United.

That is another sub-plot to the selection situation, and there is no obvious answer to who will get the nod.

Rashford was one of England's brightest sparks against New Zealand, while Gordon looked rusty as a substitute, his cause seemingly not helped by his inaction at Newcastle United in the final weeks of last season, when it became clear he was leaving Tyneside and he was left on the sidelines.

Gordon, however, did his chances no harm with a fine performance against Costa Rica, tormenting defender Shawn Johnson with electric changes of pace, making Declan Rice's opener and scoring England's second from the spot.

It presents Tuchel with another selection problem, of the sort he will enjoy – with the outside chance that he could always solve the Rogers/Bellingham dilemma by putting the Aston Villa midfielder out wide.

In all likelihood, the choice will be between Gordon and Rashford, and both will feel they have pushed their way to the front of Tuchel's thoughts in these two friendlies.

Deeper than ever - how does Tuchel utilise Kane?

Kane's status as captain, talisman and main marksman is illustrated very simply by his all-time record of 79 goals in 114 England games.

And yet, at 32, he continues to add strings to his bow in a fashion that now makes him the complete player.

In Orlando, there was further evidence that Tuchel has effectively given Kane a roving commission to link, create and score – all tasks he performs superbly.

In the first half, there was even the sight of Kane picking the ball up in England's own penalty area as they played out from the back, linking comfortably with his defenders.

And then, as half-time approached, he produced a stunning pass with the inside of his right foot from a deep position, taking out four Costa Rica defenders to find Anthony Gordon, who thought he had won a penalty only for the decision to be overturned after a video assistant referee review.

Tuchel's willingness to allow Kane to roam freely, as he does for Bayern Munich, adds an intriguing layer to the German's strategy.

It is clear that Kane possesses the natural game intelligence - described as "uncoachable" by former England striker Chris Sutton – to not only create but also still arrive with perfect timing in attacking positions.

Kane's range of passing and vision enables him to find runners like Gordon or Saka, as well as Bellingham and Rogers when they make their trademark surges.

It may just give Tuchel and England an X-factor if they drive deep into the World Cup and have to unlock superior opposition.

No wonder Tuchel is reluctant to leave Kane out, even for a friendly, so central is he to his plans.

Classy Stones presses claim - but who starts at centre-half?

When Tuchel decided to leave Manchester United veteran Harry Maguire out of his World Cup squad, it placed his faith in John Stones even further under the microscope.

Manchester City's Stones was troubled by injury throughout last season and is now waiting to decide his next club after leaving Etihad Stadium, but his class and pedigree at the highest level has never been in question.

This is why Tuchel included him in this squad, and the head coach will have been delighted to see Stones get another 63 minutes under his belt against Costa Rica after playing 45 minutes against New Zealand.

If he is fully fit, as seems to be the case, then the temptation will be huge for Tuchel to start his most accomplished and experienced defender against Croatia.

Presumably, he would line up alongside Manchester City defender Marc Guehi - although Ezri Konsa's inclusion from the start on Wednesday points to an alternative option.

Guehi and Stones did, though, play 45 minutes together against New Zealand and know each other well both internationally and at club level.

Identifying the sturdiest pairing is another decision that could prove pivotal as England and Tuchel aim for a strong start to their campaign.

• World Cup fixtures and group standings
• How to watch the World Cup on the BBC
• Everything you need to know about the World Cup

Zohran Mamdani has put the blame on James Dolan after the planned New York Knicks Game 4 watch party outside Madison Square Garden was cancelled.

The cancellation landed only hours before the Knicks faced the San Antonio Spurs, turning what was supposed to be another citywide Finals celebration into a public argument between City Hall and MSG.

For fans hoping to gather outside the Garden, the timing made the decision sting even more. Mamdani made clear that, from his side, the city had already signed off on the event.

Zohran Mamdani says James Dolan cancelled New York Knicks Game 4 watch party

Zohran Mamdani on X said Madison Square Garden had requested a permit for a smaller outdoor watch party and that the city approved the highest number within that request.

“MSG requested a permit for a watch party for 500-999 fans. We approved that permit for 999 fans,” Mamdani began.

He added, “Mr. Dolan has now decided to cancel the watch party. I know this is breaking hearts across our city.”

The statement was a direct response to the idea that City Hall blocked the event. Mamdani instead framed Dolan as the person who pulled the plug after the permit had already been approved.

That made the cancellation another flashpoint in a Finals week that has already included Trump-related security, Game 3 violence, and disagreements over how fans should be allowed to gather around MSG.

Zohran Mamdani and James Dolan feud grows over New York Knicks watch parties

The back-and-forth began after MSG pushed against the city’s security restrictions for Game 4, with Dolan arguing that tight crowd limits and frozen zones around the Garden were killing the celebration.

City officials had reason to be cautious after Game 3, when crowds near watch-party areas became chaotic, 21 people were taken into custody, and several officers were injured.

The city then approved a controlled, ticketed event for 999 fans rather than a wide-open street gathering. Mamdani still tried to leave Knicks fans with a rallying message after the cancellation.

“But if there’s one thing Knicks fans don’t need permission for, it’s showing up for our team wherever we may be — no matter the block or the borough. Knicks in five,” the NYC Mayor concluded.

The watch party may be gone, but the dispute is not. Dolan says the city made celebration impossible, while Mamdani says MSG asked for a permit, got it, and then cancelled anyway.

Read more:

As each individual player was introduced during the starting lineup ahead of Game 4 of the NBA Finals, one name drew more noise from the Madison Square Garden crowd than any other.

The loudest reaction wasn't the boisterous cheering for any of the Knicks stars, it was the torrential rain of boos aimed at Spurs center Victor Wembanyama.

Victor Wembanyama is introduced to the Madison Square Garden crowd before the game pic.twitter.com/umaBkYYNkJ

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) June 11, 2026

In Game 3 on Monday night, Wembanyama finally made his tremendous impact felt on this series, but not without drawing the ire of the New York faithful in the process.

For many fans, they'll remember that game not for Wembanyama's efforts to lead the Spurs to victory - scoring 32 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, dishing 6 assists, and dominating defensively with 3 blocks and 2 steals - but for his physical altercation with Knicks star guard Jalen Brunson during the first quarter.

Wembanyama was not assessed with a foul on the play, clearly a missed call by the officials. And the NBA decided not to give the Spurs center a flagrant foul upon review of the play on Tuesday.

Asked for his thoughts about the league not handing Wembanyama a retroactive Flagrant-1 foul, Knicks head coach Mike Brown said on Wednesday that the “league is gonna do what they’re gonna do” and that “you gotta live with it.”

“They ain’t gonna listen to me, they ain't gonna listen to nobody else,” Brown said, adding that he gave his thoughts on the officiating in Game 3 after the game, and, “you just hope at the end of the day, everything is consistent on both ends throughout the whole game, that’s it.

“It is what it is.”

Brown said that he spoke with his team about those situations and, during the game, to the referees that, “Stuff like that can cause a fight.” 

“Obviously, they didn’t see it," he said, adding later, “If it happens in the future, fingers crossed the officials see it and call it, but again, it’s out of my control. The officials are human; they’re gonna miss stuff. You hope that they miss stuff for both teams, but they’re gonna miss stuff.”

Following the Spurs' 115-111 victory to gain a toehold in the series, Brunson was short with his answer on the incident. "Whatever you saw is what you saw," the diminutive point guard, who scored 32 points of his own, said.

Reserve guard Jose Alvardo issued his own warning.

“I think that’s not basketball,” Alvarado said Tuesday. “That’s something that they gotta look at. But he got away with one. That’ll be the last one.”

For his part, Wembanyama clearly has no qualms about becoming public enemy number one in New York City. He smiled as he answered questions about his newfound status as the Knicks' newest villain, but also paid homage to an unforgettable fellow foe from recent playoff history, chuckling as he remarked that he is "nowhere near Trae Young's level."

Ultimately, the outcome of this series will determine where the lanky French 22-year-old lands in the pantheon of all-time Knicks villains.

Boos for Victor Wembanyama in pregame warmups pic.twitter.com/c6ZdwXG4dV

— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) June 11, 2026

Jacksonville Jaguars' second-year cornerback Jabbar Muhammad continues to garner attention from the coaching staff.

Following Tuesday's minicamp practice, head coach Liam Coen praised Muhammad's play. Then on Wednesday, defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile did the same.

"I think he's improved a ton," Campanile said. "But just watching him, he's really been super detailed with his technique. I think that's one of the things that shows up. Very, very deliberate like in the way that he's practicing and I think that's created some takeaways for him and making some plays on the ball. He just always seems to be near the action right now. So he's really done a great job and improved a bunch this spring."

John Shipley of Jaguars on SI wrote that Muhammad had a "great practice" on Wednesday, with Shipley noting that Muhammad made "several" pass breakups, one of which came in the red zone. Muhammad also had an interception, his second of minicamp.

Strong ball production isn't new for Muhammad. During his final two seasons at Oregon, he recorded 22 pass breakups and three interceptions.

We know that the top of the Jaguars' cornerback depth chart sits Travis Hunter, Montaric Brown, Jourdan Lewis, and Jarrian Jones, but the next one to two roster spots are up for grabs.

Christian Braswell may be a favorite for one of those spots, but he isn't a roster lock, while Muhammad has positioned himself very well to make a roster push this summer.

Muhammad went undrafted in 2025 and spent last season on the Jaguars' practice squad.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars CB Jabbar Muhammad catching attention of coaching staff

The SEC announced game windows for six of the nine conference games for the Texas Longhorns on Wednesday following the 11 a.m. Central kickoff set for the SEC opener against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on Sept. 26.

After the Cotton Bowl matchup during the afternoon, Texas hosts Florida on Oct. 17 for an early start with the network to be announced.

Back at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium the next week against Ole Miss, the Longhorns could have an afternoorn or evening kickoff against the Rebels.

The three-week homestand concludes with Mississippi State on the Forty Acres for a night game that will start between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Central.

On the road against Missouri to open November, Texas will have another early kickoff.

The long-awaited trip to Baton Rouge will pit Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian against his longtime friend Lane Kiffin and the Tigers for another flex start that will determine whether Texas plays in Death Valley at night or in a slightly less hostile afternoon environment.

Prior to the regular-season finale at Kyle Field against A&M set for 6:30 p.m. Central on ABC, Texas hosts Arkansas for the second straight year in an afternoon game.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Fernando Tatis Jr. was facing a 2-1 count in the bottom of the ninth inning with the game tied 4-4. Chase Petty threw him a slider, and Tatis Jr. drove it toward left field.

Did he know right away?

“No,” Tatis said immediately when asked.

Tatis Jr. started running toward first thinking, "You better get on second," but then noticed the Padres dugout going crazy. He looked toward the outfield and saw left fielder JJ Bleday had given up on the ball. It had cleared the fence for a walk-off home run to give the Padres the 5-4 victory.

As Tatis Jr. came down the line to touch home plate, he paused and danced his way home, surrounded by teammates who immediately hugged and celebrated with him.

“We have been grinding together,” Tatis Jr. said. “About time we got a serious win, and doing that way. In that fashion, it's definitely special.”

David Frerker-Imagn Images

Jun 10, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebates with teammates after hitting a walk-off homerun against the Cincinnati Reds at Petco Park.

Tatis Jr.'s walk-off secured its first series victory since May 17 against the Seattle Mariners.

Has El Niño returned for good, or just for Wednesday?

Padres third baseman Manny Machado told reporters as they spoke with Tatis Jr. after the game, “it’s called trending.” Tatis Jr. laughed and replied, “that too.”

Machado may not be wrong.

Over his last 15 games, Tatis Jr. is hitting .381 with two home runs. This could be a turning point for him.

“No secret sauce,” Tatis said of his recent success. “A lot of hard work with the hitting coaches out there. I know it hasn’t been looking pretty, but we're sticking together as a group. We're finding a way, and that’s what matters.”

His second home run of the season came at a crucial moment. The Padres entered Wednesday's game coming off a tough extra-inning loss to the Reds the night before.

“A little bit of belief,” Padres manager Craig Stammen said. “Like what I'm doing is right and what I've been doing is right, in that, yeah, ‘I am still Fernando Tatis Jr’ and he is. He can change a game at any moment, and he had some big hits today that helped us win the game.”

Looking back further, just a month ago these same Padres were in first place in the NL West and had just beaten the Dodgers 1-0. Since then, they have lost 14 games while winning only six but Wednesday's victory could be a turning point.

“It was not easy, but we keep building that momentum,” Tatis Jr. said. “We know we have it. We have been in tough places, and we're finding a way how to get out of this.”

Wednesday wasn’t entirely positive for the Padres. They found themselves in difficult situations throughout the game, and at one point it looked as though they might head into a nine-game road trip with another ugly loss.

The low-scoring offensive performances lately have not been sustainable, especially because they put pressure on the starting pitchers and relievers to be nearly perfect. Michael King wasn’t on Wednesday afternoon.

It was another rough outing for King, who allowed seven hits and three earned runs while striking out only three over 6 2/3 innings.

The Padres struck first. After a Tatis Jr. strikeout, Jackson Merrill singled to left field. Machado, who has faced scrutiny lately for his production at the plate, doubled to left, allowing Merrill to score all the way from first for a 1-0 lead.

Will Wagner then hit a blooper into center field that neither the infield nor outfield could reach. Machado got a late jump and tried to score from second rather than stopping at third, but Reds catcher PJ Higgins tagged him out at the plate.

Things got rough for King in the top of the fourth inning. King started by walking Bleday. After a Sal Stewart groundout, Spencer Steer hammered his 10th home run of the season to left field for a 2-1 Cincinnati lead.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Rodolfo Durán got things going with a double to left field after Bryce Johnson struck out. The hit put a runner in scoring position, something the Padres have struggled to do lately. Tatis Jr. then singled to right field to bring Durán home and tie the game at 2-2.

“He's done a great job staying positive and smiling and being okay with failing sometimes, but I think his perseverance has showed here lately,” Stammen said.

The Padres starting pitcher nearly escaped the seventh inning unscathed, but with two outs, Bleday launched his second pitch of the at-bat over the right-field fence for his 11th home run of the season, giving Cincinnati a 3-2 lead.

King had allowed only four home runs through his first 10 starts this season. More recently, however, he has surrendered a home run in each of his last four starts, totaling six homers during that span.

“Bad, but just another battle,” King said. “Bad pitch to Steer for the homer, bad pitch to Bleday for the homer. We keep them off balance a little bit throughout the throughout the game, but still working. We’ll get there.”

Padres reliever Ron Marinaccio got the team out of the seventh inning but ran into trouble in the eighth. Reds third baseman Eugenio Suárez took Marinaccio’s cutter deep to left field for a home run. Suárez’s fifth homer of the season provided Cincinnati with what looked like valuable insurance at 4-2.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Padres offense finally showed some life. Merrill opened the inning with a double to left field and advanced to third on a Machado flyout. Gavin Sheets then doubled to bring Merrill home and cut the deficit to 4-3.

David Frerker-Imagn Images

Jun 10, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill (3) celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run during the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Petco Park.

Jase Bowen entered as a pinch-runner for Sheets, which proved to be a strategic move. Samad Taylor followed with a single to left field, bringing Bowen home to tie the game at 4-4.

Taylor has been a valuable call-up for the Padres. He is hitting .461 and has delivered multiple clutch hits and key defensive plays over the last four games.

“Like I was telling guys, I’m just riding the high as long as I can,” Taylor said. “That's it.”

After the game was tied, it was Tatis Jr. who delivered the final blow. If he can regain his 2024 form, he could help carry a Padres team that needs offensive production while players like Merrill and Machado continue working through their own struggles.

“Hopefully we all start turning the right direction this offense,” Gavin Sheets said. “It's been tough, it's been a struggle. It's been frustrating for all of us, but we're in it together.”

The Padres will have Thursday off before traveling to Baltimore for a three-game series against the Orioles beginning Friday, June 12, at 1:05 p.m. PT. Griffin Canning (0-4) is scheduled to take the mound.

James Dolan fired back at NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani while also making his feelings on Donald Trump very clear after a tense NBA Finals stretch at Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks owner has been at the center of several off-court storylines during New York’s Finals run. Trump’s Game 3 visit created boos, security issues, and political noise, while the city’s watch-party rules added another layer of friction around the Garden.

Dolan did not sound interested in smoothing that over. Instead, he questioned Mamdani’s Knicks credentials and defended the president he hosted during the series.

James Dolan says Zohran Mamdani is not a New York Knicks fan

Tommy Beer shared James Dolan’s comments on Zohran Mamdani as the Madison Square Garden owner took aim at the mayor.

“He’s not a Knicks fan,” Dolan said.

The remark came after tension between MSG and city officials over Game 4 watch-party plans. The city approved a smaller, ticketed setup after violence and arrests followed Game 3, but MSG officials pushed back against strict security measures.

That disagreement turned a fan celebration into another Dolan-versus-City Hall flashpoint. Mamdani had framed the Finals as a historic moment for New York, but Dolan’s response suggested he did not see the mayor as part of the true Knicks crowd.

James Dolan says he loves Donald Trump after Madison Square Garden boos

Dolan was far warmer when the topic turned to Trump, who attended Game 3 after being invited by the Knicks owner and watched from a suite during the loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

“I think he’s a great guy. I love him,” Dolan stated.

Dolan also described hosting the president as a huge honor and defended Trump as a real Knicks fan. He even pushed back on claims that Trump fell asleep during the game, a storyline that spread after cameras showed him sitting inside the Garden.

Trump’s appearance was met with a mixed reaction inside MSG, but the boos were loud enough to become one of the biggest stories of Game 3. His visit also brought heightened security and extra attention around an already emotional Finals night.

Dolan’s comments make clear where he stands. He rejected Mamdani’s Knicks standing, embraced Trump’s presence, and turned the owner’s suite into another headline during New York’s chase for a championship.

Read more:

The Kansas City Chiefs just can't stop giving Patrick Mahomes more money, and in doing so they've broken a Dak Prescott streak of sorts. The way things are shaping up, the Hunt family must be counting their lucky stars. Not only did they draft a multi-MVP and Super Bowl winner, but no team with a star quarterback looked to surpass what Jerry Jones gave Prescott a few years ago.

The Chiefs and Majomes agreed to a reworked contract on Wednesday, making him once again the highest-paid player in NFL history. The new money, $504 million, and years, eight, of the deal add around $63 million for those seasons, clearing Prescott's $60 million which stood up for an unexpected period of time.

Record deal: The Chiefs are adding two years to Patrick Mahomes’ contract, tying him to Kansas City through the 2033 season at a value of $504.75 million, making it the first NFL deal valued at over a half-billion dollars, per @RapSheet and me.
 
Equity Sports CEO Chris Cabott,… pic.twitter.com/7zTpxPFrLT

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 10, 2026

Mahomes originally signed a 10-year, $450 million deal in July of 2020. In September 2023, they reworked the pact to move $48 million into the next four seasons, guaranteeing $208 million and essentially giving him $52 million a season for the last four years. Now that has expired, and the sides have now worked out another massive pay raise.

Prescott signed his four-year, $240 million extension in September of 2024, clearing the then top-paid QB, Joe Burrow, by a whopping $5 million a year. Buffalo's Josh Allen, among other franchise QBs to ink extensions since Prescott, all landed at or below Burrow. It was basically the NFL owners making a referendum on the deal a cornered Jones got painted into.

It was the more-palatable cousin of the ridiculous deal the Cleveland Browns gave Deshaun Watson; no precedent was set.

Now, the rightful king of QBs has regained his perch atop the totem. Prior to Wednsday, Mahomes had technically slipped all the way down to 13th-highest paid QB.

Here's a review of the Top-10 current NFL Quarterback average salaries.

1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs: $63.1 million per year (reported)
2. Dak Prescott, Cowboys: $60 million per year
3. Joe Burrow, Bengals: $55 million per year
4. Josh Allen, Bills: $55 million per year
5. Jordan Love, Packers, $55 million per year
6. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars: $55 million per year
7. Matthew Stafford, Rams: $55 million per year
8. Jared Goff, Lions: $53 million per year
9. Brock Purdy, 49ers: $53 million per year
10. Justin Herbert, Chargers: $52.5 million per year

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Where Cowboys Prescott ranks in NFL QB salaries after Mahomes deal

Earlier this week, Real Madrid confirmed the departure of head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, whose exit had been taken for granted for a number of weeks. The 43-year-old took over from Xabi Alonso in January, but he failed to lead the club to any silverware, which meant that it was inevitable for him not to be offered a contract extension.

However, Arbeloa could be about to put the disappointment of failing to hold on to the Real Madrid job behind him, as he’s in contention to make an immediate return to the dugout. According to The Athletic, he’s held talks with Premier League club Fulham, who have a vacancy after Marco Silva left – interestingly, to join Benfica as the replacement for Jose Mourinho, who will be taking charge of Real Madrid from the summer onwards.

Arbeloa’s stock within the management circle has significant increased on the back of his spell as Real Madrid head coach – despite the fact that he failed to secure silverware. The opportunity to manage in the Premier League is likely to be one that appeals to him greatly, so if an offer came in for him to take charge at Craven Cottage, it’s one that he would surely jump at.

Arbeloa could be very busy this summer

The Fulham job isn’t the only one Arbeloa has been linked with, as he was previously mentioned as a possible candidate to take over at Bayer Leverkusen. His name was removed from consideration in that case, but there is every chance that he manages to convince Fulham to take him on as their manager.

But even if they don’t, it seems inevitable that Arbeloa will make a swift return to management. There are a number of jobs across Europe that are available or could open up in the next few weeks, and he is sure to be attentive to any and all of those situations.

Nick Van Exel: Would you want to guard a [expletive] who can score every time in a post or would you want to guard a [expletive] who is going to sometime make a three-point shot on the perimeter? Who you going to want to guard? Zach Randolph: I'm want to guard the three-point shooter. Van Exel: Who you going to want to guard? Tony Allen: I'm going want to guard the three-point shooter. Van Exel: There it is. It's literally that simple. Cuz think about this. You ain't got a double the Joker. Shaq a they don't have to leave off of nobody if Shaq is guarding the Joker. All he got to do is lay contest. Sometimes he's gonna go in, sometimes it's not. But on that other end, Joker can't f*ck with Shaq and Joker is cold. Joker is cold. Don’t y'all get it twisted, Joker is cold. But Joker cannot guard Shaq in the post. Like it's that simple. Allen: You saying two fouls early fourth quarter. That's how it's going. Van Exel: It's that simple. You gonna have to double team and Shaq can do this to Joker. Is Joker going to make 100 percent of the threes? Allen: Well, but if he get hot, Van Exel: OK but in a seven-game series when I'm bam, bam, bam. Allen: Yeah. wear and tear. Van Exel: What's going to happen? Allen: Wear and tear. Yeah, you about that. Van Exel: Z-Bo, you done elbowed a bunch of [expletive] with your right elbow over the shoulder. What's going to happen? Randolph: They gonna give in. Van Exel: That's what I'm saying. So, how many of them threes he gonna be making? Okay. Just say if y'all win two games, game six, how what that jumper going to be looking like? Allen: Going to be a little flat. Going to be a little flat. Going to be a little flat, man. Going to be a little flat. Van Exel: Stop playing! But Joker is cold, but I just got to take Shaq cuz you got to double team the big dog. (…) When people say like I love Draymond Green. Draymond is somebody who people love to hate. You know what I'm saying? If he’s on your team, you love him, right? If you against him, you hate him. Great defender. Draymond, you can't guard Shaq. Draymond couldn't guard Shaq. Come on.

YouTube

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Nick Van Exel: Neither Nikola Jokic nor Draymond Green could guard Shaquille O’Neal

NBA Base: De’Aaron Fox on Victor Wembanyama: "This guy could be he could be an a**hole if he wanted it to be because of the talent that he has at such a young age. And he’s nowhere near that and he’s nowhere near his potential as well. So, I mean, he’s a better person than he is basketball player. And I think that’s saying something because we know we all know how good he is as a basketball player. And he’s just selfless."

x.com

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: "This guy could be he could be an a**hole if he wanted …

Tom Petrini: Mitch on Keldon in Game 3: "I thought he played with really good energy. I thought he tried to rebound himself into the game and play good team defense, and that's what we need from him. We know he can score the basketball, and that will come with just minutes and opportunity, but his ability to rebound for us on both ends and be a strong team defender is what we need him to do."

x.com

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: "I thought he played with really good energy. I …

Tom Petrini: Mitch Johnson on getting to know Steph Castle: "A lot of times I think as coaches we ignorantly get a player and then it's like their book starts and there's so much history that you can learn about a player and a person before they get to you, and so when you look back at his time, whether it's being coached by Coach Hurley, whether that's how he's raised in his household by his mother and father, whether that's him playing off the ball and sacrificing maybe some of the on-ball opportunities that he's more than capable of at Connecticut to join a national championship team to then win another national championship, a McDonald's All-American in high school that played with the basketball. When you start peeling back the layers, the toughness is there, the discipline and the structure is there, the understanding the value of a role is there, and it's showed itself in so many different ways, and so then once you get that young man who, because you drafted him, and as a player, as a person, you then get to build your own rapport with them, but it is really helpful to understand what people and players go through before they get to you, because if you take the time to understand that, and them, I do think it sets you up to have a successful onboarding process, and kind of rhythm as you get to know them early on, and I give a lot of credit to Brian Wright and his staff for that."

x.com

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: When you start peeling back the layers, the toughness …

Tom Petrini: Mitch on Steph Castle: "He's found his rhythm because we've asked him to do every single thing that a player can be asked since he's been drafted. I know that goes back two years, not just this year, but he started, he's been brought off the bench. He's played on the ball, he's played off the ball, he's guarded primary ball creators, he's guarded bigger wings, and even some quote unquote bigger players or big guys. He's fearless, he's relentless. He probably doesn't get enough credit for his processing, and that's what allows him to do so much for us. He's in the middle of almost every single play, like Victor, and Victor, for good reason, gets discussed and gets a lot of discussion regarding that, but Steph is in just as many of the plays in terms of influencing them, and he's 21 years old, he's in his second year, and what he's doing in the Finals, I don't know, that's rare air, it's just really, really elite company, and what he's doing, and I think it gets overshadowed, and I talk about all the time, just because it's now starting to become, you expect him to do it.

x.com

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: He's played on the ball, he's played off the ball, …

The last time Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson saw Myles Garrett, Garrett sacked him four times on Nov. 16, 2025. The Ravens outlasted Garrett’s Cleveland Browns, 23-16, but Garrett ensured Jackson did not enjoy the win.

Garrett broke the NFL‘s all-time single-season sack record with 23 sacks last season and won his second AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. Jackson was on the other end of 5.5 of Garrett’s 23 sacks.

Nobody was happier than Jackson and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow when the Browns traded Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for star pass rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round draft pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick last week.

At the Ravens’ mandatory minicamp Wednesday, Jackson was asked about his initial reaction to Garrett exiting the AFC North. “I was like, ‘Yes!'” Jackson said, . “But then we got the other guy from the Rams, [Verse]. He’s good, too. Shouts out to him. Shouts out to Myles. Congratulations on that. But yes! That’s awesome!”

Nobody is Myles Garrett, but Verse has been a quarterback’s worst nightmare in his own right in his two seasons since the Rams selected him in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He won the 2024 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, and he’s a two-time Pro Bowler.

The Browns drafted Garrett with the No. 1 overall pick in 2017. He departs Cleveland with 125.5 career sacks, the most in franchise history, and arrived is Los Angeles with an opportunity to win his first Super Bowl ring.

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It was just under a week ago that a stunning report from NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman was released, in which he indicated Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade. 

The reported request set off a flurry of reactions from across the Detroit sports scene as well as the rest of the NHL, especially after Larkin's alleged trade list including a mere three clubs. 

So far, neither Larkin nor the Red Wings/GM Steve Yzerman has commented on the ongoing drama between the two sides. And just days later, a report surfaced that Larkin and Yzerman aren't in regular contact with one another, adding another layer of complexity to the already delicate situation. 

But now, former Red Wings forward Darren McCarty, who won the Stanley Cup four times with the club during his career, is weighing in on the situation. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

"I automatically think about the guys who persevered, right? The guys in St. Louis, (Aleksander) Barkov in Florida," McCarty said via Woodward Sports. "That's a great example. Ovi (Alex Ovechkin). I don't understand. Obviously, he's got his reasons, but when you bring up the fact that they haven't talked in a year and there's contention and stuff like this, what do I always say? You're either in, or in the way. So you're definitely in the way."

Detroit Red Wings Legend Darren McCarty reacts to the Dylan Larkin trade request. pic.twitter.com/l9tRQCkrEY

— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) June 9, 2026

NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun Reveals New Twist In Dylan Larkin-Red Wings SagaThere is a new development in the ongoing situation regarding Dylan Larkin's reported trade request from the Red Wings, according to top NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun.

McCarty concluded by saying he believes the situation will ultimately result in a better outcome for the Red Wings organization. 

"We can put blame on this and that, but I don't want a guy, no matter if you're the top guy or the bottom guy, I don't want you here. This, I believe, will be one of the best things to happen to the Red Wings organization."

This is an extremely unusual situation in the history of the Red Wings, and there's no telling when the next domino is going to fall. 

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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The St. Joseph Goats exit Week 2 of the Arena League season with a 2-0 record after defeating the Ozark Lunkers 77-38.

Both teams entered the game undefeated, with the Goats beating the Arkansas Diamonds on the road and the Lunkers winning against the Eau Claire Axemen 48-32 at home.

The game started playing fairly evenly. The Lunkers scored 12 points in the first quarter while the Goats answered with 13. The tide of the game turned immediately in the second quarter, with the Goats adding 37 points and the Lunkers only adding 12. Ozark never recovered, only scoring 14 points in the second half of the game while St. Joseph added 27.

Goats quarterback Angelo Trujillo threw for 454 yards, eight touchdowns and only one interception. Lunkers quarterback Tirri Jones had 407 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interception. Trujillo sole interception was the only turnover for the Goats the entire game. Ozark lost the turnover battle with a total of 6, adding 2 fumbles on top of Trujillo’s 4 interceptions.

The St. Joseph Goats, now on a two game winning streak, will face The Iowa Woo at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, on the road in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The Woo’s current record in 0-2 after losing to the Monroe Greenheads and Memphis Hound Dogs.

Alabama football has officially received the TV schedule for their 2026 SEC slate.

The Crimson Tide will face some of the top teams in all of college football throughout conference play this season. Alabama’s first SEC contest of the season will be on the road at Kroger Field against Kentucky, followed by a matchup vs. South Carolina in Tuscaloosa two weeks later.

The TV schedule for the first three games of the season were previously announced on May 27, but the Tide now have designated time slot sfor each SEC matchup in 2026 following Wednesday's reveal. 

Alabama’s SEC home opener against the Gamecocks will be a night game, scheduled for kickoff between 5-7 p.m. CT. The Oct. 3 matchup against Mississippi State will kickoff between 11-11:45 a.m. CT, while Alabama’s highly anticipated matchup vs. Georgia will begin between 5-7 p.m. CT.

The Tide will face Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville between either the 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m. CT window. Alabama could find themselves playing two night contests in a row. 

Alabama will then host the Texas A&M Aggies in Tuscaloosa in yet another flex window. That matchup could kick off between 2:30-3:30 and 5-7 p.m. CT on October 24. The Tide will also face LSU in either the late afternoon or night window, followed by a matchup against Vanderbilt on November 14 between 11-11:45 a.m. CT.

The Tide will conclude SEC play against Auburn, as the Iron Bowl is scheduled to begin between 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m. CT.

Alabama will undoubtedly need to be at their best throughout the entirety of SEC play this season, and the Tide now find themselves with multiple prime time matchups in 2026. 

Follow us at @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook, for ongoing coverage of Alabama Crimson Tide news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football officially receives TV windos for SEC slate

When Nelly Korda’s testy, 2-foot-10-inch putt slid into the hole at Riviera Country Club on Sunday, she not only achieved a lifelong dream by winning the U.S. Women’s Open but also delivered the LPGA the breakthrough moment it has needed.

Now comes the hard part.

Back in November, new LPGA commissioner Craig Kessler sat at the dais in Naples at the CME Group Tour Championship and fielded questions from reporters about his plan to elevate women’s golf in the same way that the WNBA, NWSL and other women’s sports have exploded in recent years. Kessler showed he had a vision and ways to get the wheels turning. A new T.V. deal arrived that week, putting every LPGA round on live T.V. and promising an enhanced broadcast. He brought in Aramco to sponsor a big-money event in Las Vegas, talked about reworking the schedule and moved the Chevron Championship to Memorial Park. The plan to grab and keep attention was clear.

Kessler didn’t have all the answers that week. And the biggest question concerned something he had no control over. It seemed unanswerable at the time, but it was clear it would eventually determine how successful his plan would be and the pace at which it would deliver results: Could the LPGA break through to a larger audience with depth and parity? Or would it need a star to transcend the game and reach a wider audience?

“No silver bullets to creating stars,” Kessler said that week.

“You have the best players, you have the most marketable players, and you have the ones who are actually willing to lean in and do the work. It’s the handful of players at the center of that Venn diagram that we are going to invest our resources against in order to create global superstars and create that player and fan connection.”

That Kessler faced these questions the week after Caitlin Clark, who lit the fuse for the WNBA’s explosion, played in the pro-am for the Annika was purely coincidental but it was a sign of what the LPGA likely needed to achieve the growth it desires and the women’s game deserves: a superstar who grabs eyeballs by winning, winning a lot and doing it in a way that demands attention.

The most likely candidate to do this was, of course, Nelly Korda; even her contemporaries noted how vital a resurgent Korda, who went winless in 2025, could be to the league’s popularity, especially in America. The depth and parity are great for the global health of women’s golf. But for American fans and American television audiences, especially those who aren’t golf diehards, stars sell.

“As a tour and even from a fan perspective, yes, it’s great to have somebody like Nelly that was so dominant last year,” Hall of Famer Lydia Ko said in November. “Catches a lot of attention, especially with her — in Nelly’s case, being an American player. That catches a lot of different attention. In the case of even if you don’t play golf, you know who Tiger Woods is. Like having that kind of a figure is, yes, very important.”

Seven months later, Nelly Korda has delivered on her part.

She snapped her winless drought with a 54-hole, weather-shortened win at the Tournament of Champions and then went 2-2-T2 before running away with the year’s first major. She followed that with a win in Mexico, then arrived at the U.S. Women’s Open, the women’s game’s marquee event, held at a world-renowned venue, and won when everyone expected her to and wanted her to.

She has now won the year’s first two majors and should head into the KPMG PGA Championship at the end of the month with a world of hype surrounding her. A win at the Evian or the AIG Women’s Open later this summer will give her the LPGA’s career Grand Slam (four out of five). If she wins both, she’ll be a Super Slam winner, or she’ll have what Ko and others call the real Grand Slam.

News

Nelly Korda's emotional U.S. Women's Open win was years in the making

By: Josh Schrock

Nelly Korda winning the biggest prize in women’s golf, the tournament she has long craved and seemed born to win, and doing so in dramatic fashion on a famed course is a moment for women’s golf. Per NBC, Korda’s U.S. Women’s Open win had an average of 1.3 million viewers on Sunday, peaking at 2.2 million when her final putt narrowly lipped in. That’s the second-highest-rated U.S. Women’s Open since Michelle Wie’s 2014 win at Pinehurst No. 2 (2 million). Only Allisen Corpuz’s win at Pebble Beach in 2023 (1.6 million) has had more average Sunday viewers.

Stars and venues are the LPGA’s ticket to the dance that has been the women’s sports boom of the past few years. Nelly Korda is a superstar and has been for some time. She first reached World No. 1 status five years ago, has a gold medal, now has four majors and is two points away from the Hall of Fame. She should already be a star far outside the world of golf. That she hasn’t already reached the level of Clark, A’ja Wilson, Simone Biles and others speaks to the issues within the LPGA that predate Kessler and the new brain trust — ones they are trying to remedy.

Nelly Korda is a once-in-a-generation American talent, armed with a picture-perfect swing and a charismatic personality that is coming out more and more. She’s winning everything in sight right now and just had a monumental win on a course people know well.

Now it’s up to the LPGA to make the most of the opportunity Nelly Korda’s world-beating golf has created. There should be a full-sell hype machine around Korda over the next few weeks in the lead-up to the KPMG and it should continue into the summer. Putting her on the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, the second time she has joined this year, is the type of move that’s needed to help introduce her to a larger, non-golf-centric audience that the LPGA is hunting.

Back in November, Kessler was adamant the LPGA didn’t want to put everything on one player or personality to push the game and league higher. “If we are reliant on one person, whether it’s a star or a celebrity, to carry the weight of the Tour on their backs, I think we’ve missed the boat,” Kessler said. “There’s so much magic happening on the LPGA and we have to bring all of it to life.”

That’s a long-term, big-picture view that’s reasonable and measured. The LPGA is indeed littered with great stories and talented, charismatic athletes like Charley Hull, Ko, Rose Zhang, and potential budding stars in Megha Ganne (who just turned pro) and amateurs Asterisk Talley and Kiara Romero. But as Ko noted, “everyone knows Tiger Woods.” Just like everyone knows Caitlin Clark, Michael Jordan, and many others who have elevated their sport and brought new fans into the picture by being a gateway to it.

Nelly Korda can do the same as long as women’s golf and the LPGA make the most of what her 2-foot, 10-inch putt delivered on Sunday.

The post Nelly Korda’s U.S. Women’s Open win gave LPGA moment it needed. Now comes the hard part appeared first on Golf.

WASHINGTON – Arman Tsarukyan might have some competition for his backup role at UFC Freedom 250.

Mauricio Ruffy, who competes against Michael Chandler in Sunday's event held at the White House, offered his services to be a backup for the Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje lightweight title unification bout. Although focused on Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC), Ruffy (13-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) plans to make championship weight, disregarding the one-pound allowance for non-title fights. Tsarukyan, the No. 1 contender at 155 pounds, is the official backup for the fight, and now Ruffy wants in, too.

"I'm 100 percent dedicated to this, and I'll be ready to fight for a championship," Ruffy said in Portuguese at UFC Freedom 250 media day. "The talks that I've had with the UFC, and the team has had with the UFC, has lead us to believe from recent conversations, and I'm just going to say to you guys right now that on Saturday, I'm making championship weight. In case the UFC needs me and something happens, I'll be making championship weight. I'm, of course, 100 percent focused and ready to go for my fight, but if need be, I'll be ready on championship weight on Saturday. So if something happens, I'll be ready to fight for a title."

Should his backup services not be needed, Ruffy will have to dial back in his fight against Chandler. Many are curious to see how Ruffy's wrestling and grappling defense will fare against Chandler, who's capable of offensively grappling. Ruffy's lone loss came against Benoit Saint Denis last September when he was outgrappled and eventually submitted.

"I'm an athlete, and all of us are looking to want to develop," Ruffy said. "I'm somebody who's been looking to improve and get better and evolve as a fighter and always bring new things. I've trained very hard for this, and that's what I've been able to do. I've looked for that, and I've been able to do that. The plan that Fiziev had was the same, and I was able to stifle him and perform. When you saw something like that, I was able to perform against it already."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC White House: Mauricio Ruffy offers backup services title fight

A live sports production is full of split-second decisions about how best to communicate what’s happening within the game to a viewer at home, and there are many tools at a producer’s disposal to accomplish that goal.

Within the last 10-15 years, the rules analyst has become one of the tools in that tool belt. Typically a former official themselves, rules analysts are often called upon to clarify controversial calls throughout the course of a broadcast.

Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs had plenty of controversial calls, so many that Knicks head coach Mike Brown couldn’t contain himself in his postgame press conference, yet ESPN opted to keep its rules analyst Steve Javie on the sidelines.

According to a report by Mike Mazzeo in Sports Business Journal, not bringing Javie in during those key moments came down to good old-fashioned split-second decision making in the truck. Per Mazzeo, “A source said decisions are made in the moment about when, or whether, to bring Javie into the broadcast, and the production team decided to lean on the color analysts for rules analysis in Game 3. However, Javie was available and is based at the NBA Replay Center in Secaucus, N.J.”

Among the controversial calls in Game 3 was a shove from Spurs star Victor Wembanyama on Knicks guard Jalen Brunson that went unnoticed by officials. ESPN game analyst Richard Jefferson said on the broadcast the no-call “should be a flagrant-1,” but Javie was never called upon to weigh in. Similarly, ESPN decided not to give Javie the tap during a review which resulted in Brunson being assessed a flagrant for a “reckless closeout” on the Spurs’ Julian Champagnie.

Given the attention placed on the officiating throughout the game, it’s a bit surprising ESPN opted not to include Javie at some point. But in reality, Jefferson and his analyst partner Tim Legler did a reasonable job explaining what was happening themselves. Perhaps ESPN is reserving Javie for calls that are particularly confusing.

The post ESPN opted not to utilize NBA rules analyst Steve Javie during Game 3 broadcast, per report appeared first on Awful Announcing.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — The University of Kentucky football has announced Wednesday times for the upcoming football season; some game times are subject to change, and all times are Eastern time.

• Sept. 5 – vs. Youngstown State @ 1 p.m.
• Sept. 12 – vs. Alabama @ 3:30 p.m.
• Sept. 19 – at Texas A&M @ 3:30 p.m.
• Sept. 26 – vs. South Alabama @ 12:45 p.m.
• Oct. 3 – at South Carolina @ 3:30-4:30 p.m. OR 6-8 p.m.
• Oct. 10 – vs. LSU @ 6-8 p.m.
• Oct. 17 – at Oklahoma @ 3:30-4:30 p.m. OR 6-8 p.m.
• Oct. 24 – vs. Vanderbilt @ 6-8 p.m.
• Nov. 7 – at Tennessee @ 6-8 p.m.
• Nov. 14 – vs. Florida @ 6-8 p.m.
• Nov. 21 – at Missouri @ 6-8 p.m.
• Nov. 28 – vs. Louisville @ noon-1 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.

Who is Avery Wilson? Meet Knicks' national anthem singer who has become team's 'good luck charm' in playoffs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Just about everything possible has been credited with fueling the Knicks' improbable win streak, including Karl-Anthony Towns' "The Devil Wears Prada 2" cameo. To some, the national anthem is at the heart of New York's playoff success.

The Knicks don't traditionally bring back the same national anthem singer every night, instead choosing to rotate through singers, but they have kept coming back to former "The Voice" contestant Avery Wilson throughout the playoffs.

New York is 6-0 when Wilson sings the national anthem, and their only home loss in the playoffs happened to come when a scheduling conflict prevented him from performing before a game against the Hawks.

Here's what you need to know about Wilson and why he might be the Knicks' good luck charm.

MORE:Which teams have overcome a 2-0 deficit in the NBA Finals?

Who is Avery Wilson?

Wilson, a contestant on "The Voice" seasons three and eight, is an R&B singer and actor on Broadway. He played Scarecrow in "The Wiz" on Broadway, earning a Grammy nomination for the performance.

After he was asked to perform the national anthem before the Knicks' playoff opener in April, Wilson left an impression on MSG Sports chief operating officer Jamaal Lesane and earned an invitation back.

"He closed his eyes and felt emotional hearing me sing," Wilson told the New York Daily News.

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The Connecticut-born singer wasn't able to return for Game 2 due to a scheduling conflict, but he did make it back for Game 5 as well as each of the Knicks' home games against the 76ers and Cavaliers. New York is 6-0 when he performs the anthem. 

"They refer to me as a good-luck charm," Wilson told the Daily News.

While all of the celebrities will be out for the Knicks' NBA Finals games at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks don't see any need to go bigger than what's worked so far, putting Wilson squarely in the spotlight as millions watch at home.

MORE: Where Knicks winning streak ranks in NBA history

What does Avery Wilson sing?

Wilson appeared on the Billboard Hot R&B chart with his 2015 single "If I Have To" and appeared on the charts again in 2024 with single "Kiss The Sky."

Avery Wilson Broadway plays

Wilson moved into acting in 2024, when he was cast as Scarecrow in "The Wiz" on Broadway. 

Before he earned the role, a Broadway career hadn't been on Wilson's radar for long.

"I don't know all of the history of Broadway and all the shows, but I did frequent a couple shows a little while ago, maybe two or three years ago, and I was like, 'I want to do that,' Wilson told People Magazine in 2024.

MORE:Is Donald Trump really a Knicks fan?

Is Avery Wilson a Knicks fan?

It isn't clear whether Wilson is a Knicks fan, but he is from nearby Connecticut and has talked excitedly about the team's success in games when he performs the national anthem.

If Wilson wasn't a Knicks fan before, he might not have a choice now with the way he has become such a staple of New York's historic playoff run.

Is Taylor Swift at the NBA Finals? Live updates on Travis Kelce's girlfriend's Knicks vs. Spurs Game 4 appearance originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Exit Donald Trump, enter Taylor Swift.

After the President of the United States attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, the star of the night could be perhaps the most famous woman in America.

Swift, who attended an Eastern Conference Finals game between the Knicks and Cavaliers in Cleveland, is rumored to be planning an appearance at the NBA Finals, where celebrities have been easy to spot as the Knicks chase their first championship in 53 years.

Here's what you need to know about Swift's whereabouts at Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

LIVE:Follow updates from Knicks vs. Spurs Game 4

Is Taylor Swift at the NBA Finals?

Check back for updates leading up to Game 4.

8:30 p.m. — Swift is listed on the Knicks' celebrity row list for Game 4, and she will be seated next to Este Haim and Alana Haim of the band "HAIM." 

Knicks celebrity list for Game 4 includes Rainn Wilson, Jimmy Fallon, Jerry Seinfeld and Kevin Jonas along with the Celebrity Row usuals such as Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan. pic.twitter.com/aWOddGO5qN

— Alex Schiffer (@Alex__Schiffer) June 11, 2026

Swift is planning to attend Game 4 at Madison Square Garden, according to Page Six.

While it's unclear whether Swift will be courtside or in a suite, she is expected to be watching the game "with friends," the outlet reported.

While no reports have definitively ruled out Travis Kelce from being part of Swift's contingent, the Chiefs' mandatory minicamp makes an appearance unlikely. Kelce is also a Cavaliers fan, so he doesn't have a dog in the fight in these NBA Finals.

Reports have indicated Swift and Kelce might be planning to hold their wedding at Madison Square Garden in July, so Swift could use the opportunity to scout out the venue some more.

Why is Taylor Swift at the NBA Finals?

Swift has a residence in New York and is reportedly a Knicks fan. With the NBA Finals the hottest ticket in sports right now and the series not necessarily guaranteed to return for another game at Madison Square Garden, Swift is taking advantage of the opportunity to be at what has become a massive gathering of celebrities. 

MORE:Why Mike Brown blasted refs after Game 3 loss

Who is Taylor Swift sitting with?

This section will be updated.

Swift is expected to attend Game 4 "with friends," according to Page Six, but the identity of those friends wasn't immediately clear. Kelce, who is at Chiefs minicamp, doesn't appear likely to attend.

According to the Knicks' celebrity list, Este Haim and Alana Haim of the band "HAIM" are set to sit with Swift.

Is Taylor Swift a Knicks fan?

Swift is a "huge fan" of the Knicks, according to Page Six, "and really wants to be there to support them."

While Swift didn't grow up in New York and is a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles over in the NFL, that Philadelphia fandom evidently didn't cross over to basketball — nor did her fiance's NBA fandom, as Kelce is a Cavaliers fan.

Kelce said after he and Swift attended the Eastern Conference Finals that he wasn't trying to make her a Cleveland sports fan. With Swift's roots now planted in New York, she appears to be swept up in the Knicks craze that has the entire city buzzing.

MORE: Watch Madison Square Garden's reaction to Donald Trump 

Where is Taylor Swift from?

Swift is originally from the Philadelphia area, as she was born in West Reading, Pennsylvania, about 60 miles northwest of the city. Swift and her family relocated to Tennessee when she was about 14, and her music career skyrocketed while she was in the Nashville area.

Today, Swift has a residence in New York and spends a significant amount of her rare downtime in the city. She may be a lifelong Eagles fan, but the Knicks seem to have her heart in the NBA.

Did Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit publish an open letter calling on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to resign amid growing controversy surrounding U.S. immigration policies? No, that's not true: The claim appeared in social media posts and news articles just a day before the start of the World Cup. Gullit posted a denial on his X account, saying he wanted to "make it very clear that these are not my words and I'm not affiliated with anything related to these quotes."

The claim appeared in numerous social media posts and also in an article (archived here) published by China's official news agency Xinhua on June 10, 2026, under the title "Dutch legend Ruud Gullit calls on FIFA president to resign over World Cup immigration chaos." It opened:

NEW YORK, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit published an open letter on Wednesday, a day before the start of the World Cup, calling on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to resign amid growing controversy surrounding U.S. immigration policies.

Recent days have seen a series of incidents involving teams and officials traveling to the tournament, with Iran's national team forced to move its training camp to Mexico and several support staff denied visas. Somali referee Omar Artan was reportedly refused entry into the United States, Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was held for seven hours at Chicago airport, and team photographer Talah Salah was denied entry to the country.

This is what the top section of the article looked like at the time of writing:

The article continued:

The Senegal and Uzbekistan squads were also subjected to extensive searches upon arrival in the United States, while uncertainty remains over whether fans and journalists from countries affected by U.S. travel bans will be able to attend the tournament.

'I have stayed quiet for a long time because I wanted to judge this World Cup on football matters. But the deeper we get into the preparations, the more it becomes clear that football is no longer the main story. For that reason, I believe Gianni Infantino should seriously consider stepping down as FIFA President,' wrote Gullit, who earned 66 caps for the Netherlands and is widely regarded as one of the game's greatest players.

'A World Cup should unite people. Instead, this tournament is becoming a symbol of division, political disputes, travel restrictions, and administrative failures.'

'We are hearing reports that Iranian supporters have had their ticket allocations withdrawn. We have seen the case of Somali referee Omar Artan, selected by FIFA on merit to officiate at the highest level, yet reportedly denied entry into the host country. These are not minor issues. They strike at the heart of what the World Cup is supposed to represent,' he continued.

Gullit said FIFA could not speak about football as a universal game 'while qualified supporters, officials, and participants face barriers that appear unrelated to football itself.'

'The organisation's first responsibility is to protect the integrity and accessibility of the competition,' he insisted.

He then launched a direct criticism of Infantino. 'Leadership is not about appearing in photographs with politicians or celebrating commercial success. Leadership is about taking responsibility when things go wrong. That is why I believe Mr Infantino must ask himself whether he is still the right person to lead world football.'

'The football world deserves answers, accountability, and leadership. If those cannot be provided under the current administration, then perhaps the time has come for new leadership at FIFA,' he added.

Gullit concluded by saying the World Cup 'belongs to the world, not to governments, political interests, or football administrators. It belongs to the players, the referees, and the supporters.'

Gullit replied (archived here) to one X post that repeated the claim with a denial and a demand that the post be deleted, which it was.

I want to make it very clear that these are not my words and I'm not affiliated with anything related to these quotes. The fact that you can, without verifying, attribute a quote like this to someone, shocks me.

These are not my words and I'm distancing myself from this publication. Please remove this post.

Lead Stories also reached out via email to Gullit's spokesperson, but no response was received by the time of writing. We will update this article when it is received.

Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Pierce believes the San Antonio Spurs would have a much better chance to even the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks if they made a significant lineup change.

“The Truth” spoke with his former Boston Celtics teammate, Kevin Garnett, on their recent “Ticket & the Truth” podcast about the Knicks-Spurs matchup after San Antonio won its first game of the series. According to Pierce, Dylan Harper should be in the starting lineup.

“If I’m San Antonio, I’m bringing Fox off the bench. I’ve had enough. Dylan Harper is playing too good, but on the flipside, Harper is good coming off the bench,” Pierce said, adding that De’Aaron Fox is “singlehandedly keeping the Knicks in the game” due to his recent performances on the court.

“He gotta make shots. I look at Fox as a scorer, bro. He is not hitting shots,” the Celtics legend said. “Fox has always been known as a scorer. He’s getting good looks, too. It’s not like they doing anything in the scouting report to limit Fox … He’s just not making shots.”

More news:Carmelo Anthony Praises Victor Wembanyama for Shoving Knicks’ Jalen Brunson

Garnett argued that it’s a credit to the Knicks playing good defense on him, but Pierce seemed to disagree, believing the Spurs might be running away with the series if Fox came off the bench.

Interestingly, Fox had a strong shooting and scoring performance in Game 2 of the series, which was a one-point loss in San Antonio. He shot 66.7 percent, making 8 of 12 field goals, including both 3-pointers he attempted, to finish with 20 points. Game 1 and Game 3 were much different stories, though.

He shot 23.1 percent in Game 1 and 28.6 percent in Game 3, finishing with seven and 12 points, respectively. Game 1 was a 10-point loss, while Game 3 was a Spurs’ four-point win, their first victory of the series.

It’s also worth noting that Fox, the veteran of this Spurs team, was dealing with an injury previously in his team’s playoffs run. Harper started in multiple games when Fox was unable to play or start, and performed admirably.

Still, Fox’s veteran experience likely outweighs the talented Harper’s youthful inexperience, and may be the reason Mitch Johnson prefers one player starting over the other.

More news:Knicks Players Avoided Major Punishment for Game 3 Altercation

For more about the San Antonio Spurs and the NBA, head over to Newsweek Sports.

In a Mount Carmel lineup featuring four high-major Division I recruits, it can be easy to overlook Logan Fernandez.

Fernandez, a senior outfielder, is a Triton commit. Compared to some of his teammates, he does not have the most imposing physical presence. But he’s the Caravan’s No. 3 hitter for a reason.

And he’s used to being underestimated.

“I’m just a kid from the city,” Fernandez said. “I’ve always been like that. I’ve always been surrounded by kids who have a little more of a spotlight than me. I’ve never let that faze me.

“I just go out there and play ball.”

Fernandez has been a consistent star for the Caravan (30-10), who are set to take on Libertyville (29-10-1) at 7 p.m. Friday in a Class 4A state semifinal at Slammers Stadium in Joliet.

He ranks third on the team in batting average at .385 and RBIs with 39 and is fourth in runs with 33. He also has hit seven doubles and two homers.

“I’m just keeping it simple,” Fernandez said. “It’s sticking with what works and trying not to think too much. I feel like people get caught up in their own heads and I just try to go play in dummy mode. Not thinking about it.”

A prime example of what can happen when opponents underestimate Fernandez occurred Monday in Mount Carmel’s 6-3 eight-inning win over Sandburg in the Crestwood Supersectional.

With a runner on second and two outs in the fifth, Sandburg elected to intentionally walk Illinois recruit Joey Ireland to get to Fernandez.

Fernandez responded by ripping a two-run double down the left field line. That gave Mount Carmel a 3-0 lead before the Eagles rallied late to force extra innings.

“I took that as disrespect, you know?” Fernandez said. “I didn’t like it. It’s kind of hard to intentionally walk anybody on our team the way our lineup is. One through nine, we’re all hitters and everybody can get it done.”

Mount Carmel coach Brian Hurry always has faith that Fernandez will do the job.

“Logan has been such a great hitter for us,” Hurry said. “He’s so steady and consistent and he has come through for us so many times.”

Fernandez actually started high school at Jones before transferring to Mount Carmel after his freshman year.

“I played travel ball with some of the Mount Carmel guys and I knew how good of a team they had and I was excited to be a part of it,” Fernandez said. “Now it’s like I never transferred in. It feels like I’ve been here the whole time.”

Fernandez and several other members of the senior-laden Caravan were on varsity as sophomores in 2024 when they lost to eventual 4A state champion Providence in a supersectional.

Now, they have brought the program back to state for the first time since 2015.

“It really showed that over the last two years, the boys got better,” Fernandez said. “We’re all better. We’re all seniors. This was the expected outcome for us this time.”

Mount Carmel was seeded fourth in the Brother Rice Sectional and had to knock out highly touted St. Laurence and the host Crusaders just to get to the supersectional before the wild, long night against Sandburg.

Senior pitcher Jake Matise, a Lewis recruit, knows it’s been quite a ride.

“It’s draining but we have two more to win,” Matise said. “We’re going to put everything we have into these last two games to win state.”

Fernandez, for one, is ready to play his part.

“I love this team and all these guys and it means everything to get to state with them,” he said. “We know how good of a team we have and we just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing.”

Philadelphia Eagles star named dark horse NFL MVP candidate for 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

A Philadelphia Eagles player hasn't won the NFL MVP award in a very long time

The last time an Eagle won the league's most prestigious individual award was when Norm Van Brocklin claimed the hardware in 1960. But, perhaps that will change next season. 

Jalen Hurts named dark horse NFL MVP candidate

Eagles star quarterback Jalen Hurts was recently named a dark horse MVP candidate for the 2026 season by Dan Parr of NFL.com. 

Parr thinks that Philadelphia's new-look offense under offensive coordinator Sean Mannion will provide Hurts with a perfect bounce-back opportunity after an underwhelming '25 campaign. 

From Parr: 

Hurts is getting something of a fresh start in 2026, with former NFL QB Sean Mannion replacing Kevin Patullo as offensive coordinator after Patullo’s rough lone season as the play-caller. ... The receiving corps has a much different look, with Hollywood Brown, Dontayvion Wicks and first-round pick Makai Lemon arriving this offseason.

Second-round selection Eli Stowers gives the offense a freak athlete at tight end. The offensive line remains one of the league’s best. ... The ingredients are there for Hurts to roar back on a contending team. He’ll have to be much better than the version of him we saw for much of last season, though, in an offense that will have him lining up under center more often.

Hurts is no stranger to MVP consideration. He was runner-up for the award in 2022, though he was ultimately edged out by Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. 

Hurts failed to finish in the top 10 in voting in the three seasons since, but he's clearly capable of putting up MVP-caliber numbers and he certainly impacts winning as much as anybody in the league.

If Philadelphia's offense clicks under Mannion and the team continues to win like it has since Hurts took over as a starter, he could absolutely garner some award consideration. 

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Fernando Tatis Jr. was in a slump. Home runs were tough to come by.

As of nearly two weeks ago, Tatis finally ended his home run drought and got his first of the season against the Washington Nationals on May 30.

Fast forward to June 10 where the San Diego Padres' big-time slugger just dropped off a walk-off bomb against the Cincinnatti Reds.

The Padres trailed 4-2 going into the bottom eighth inning where Jackson Merrill got things going with a double to left field. Merrill scored after Gavin Sheets hit a double at right field, giving him an RBI. Jase Bowen went in as pinch runner for Sheets. Bowen scored after a single from Samad Taylor allowed him to cross home.

The score was 4-4 going into the ninth inning. And with two outs on the board, Tatis took a swing of his bat, ate the pitch and left no crumbs in a walk-off fashion as his teammates embraced him and the victory at home plate.

The Padres won, 5-4.

More: MUST WATCH: Fernando Tatis Jr.'s first home run of 2026 is a bomb

Fernando Tatis heating up after a slow start

El Niño está calentando.

Take a glance at his batting stats alone, Tatis has looked a bit unfamiliar early in the season, but he's finding his way back. The 27-year-old has a .281 batting average and .695 OPS in 2026. He's hit two homers and is responsible for 21 RBIs.

His two homers have come in the last week, and compared to how he started the season, that's a massive improvement and a sign that good things are to come for Tatis and the Padres.

Fernando Tatis Jr. career stats

Tatis Jr. hasn't looked like the guy we remember from his breakout 2021 season. It's been that way for a couple of seasons.

It's no knock on his play. It's been solid. Consistently average, or just above. He finished 2025 with 594 plate appearances through 155 games, registering 159 hits, 25 home runs, 71 RBIs and 129 strikeouts with an .814 OPS.

He appeared in fewer games in 2024, suiting up for 102 games where Tatis Jr. saw the plate 398 times. He suffered a right quad injury that limited his games. He still batted .276 with an .833 OPS while launching 21 home runs.

A long way from 2021

However, Tatis Jr. hasn't put together a season like the 2021 season, where he was the NL home run leader with 42. His offensive numbers included a .282 batting average, .364 on-base percentage, and .611 slugging percentage with 97 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. He was third in NL MVP behind Bryce Harper and Juan Soto.

He missed the 2022 season with a broken wrist and an 80-game league suspension for testing positive for Clostebol, a performance-enhancing substance Tatis said he used to treat ringworm. It caused questions about his career in 2021.

In his MLB debut in 2019, Tatis finished the season hitting .317/.379/.590 with 22 home runs, 61 runs, and 106 hits, appearing in 84 games. He finished third in NL Rookie of the Year behind Pete Alonso and Mike Soroka. Following his rookie season, he batted .277/.366/.571 with 17 home runs and 45 RBIs in 2020.

When he returned in 2023, following the suspension and return from injury, Tatis won a Gold Glove Award after moving to right field. As for his batting stats, they weren't the astonishing numbers from 2021, but they still weren't shabby. Tatis batted .257/.322/.449 with 25 home runs and 78 runs batted in in 141 major league games.

One thing's for sure, two for certain.

Does one breakout year still cause for questioning years later? Maybe. However, based on other years that Tatis Jr. has put together, he's more than capable of turning around his 2026 season.

His walk-off home run happening a little over a week after his first homer of the season is the indicator.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. hits walk-off home run: Is he back?

The U.S. Men’s National Team will face Paraguay on Friday, June 12 in its opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The contest represents the USMNT’s first FIFA World Cup match on home soil since a narrow 1-0 loss in the Round of 16 against eventual 1994 FIFA World Cup champions Brazil at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif. on July 4, 1994.

Here’s everything you need to know about Paraguay before they face the USMNT.

WHEN IS THE USMNT VS. PARAGUAY MATCH?

The United States will open its FIFA World Cup 2026™ campaign against CONMEBOL side Paraguay on Friday, June 12 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. The match will be carried live on FOX and Telemundo.

WHAT IS THE ALL-TIME HISTORY BETWEEN THE USMNT AND PARAGUAY?

The USMNT maintains a 5W-2L-2D record against Paraguay in a series dating back to the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930. In the United States’ second group stage match of the tournament, Bert Patenaude made history by scoring the first hat trick at the FIFA World Cup, lifting the USMNT to a 3-0 victory. The pair did not meet again until a scoreless draw in St. Louis, Mo. in 1997, later matching up again in a 2-2 draw in San Diego, Calif. The USA’s first loss against Paraguay came in the form of a 3-1 loss in Venezuela at the 2007 Copa América.

The USA is riding a three-match winning streak against Paraguay, most recently defeating the side in a fiery affair in Chester, Pa. on Nov. 16, 2025. Midfielder Gio Reyna and striker Folarin Balogun – two players on Mauricio Pochettino’s current roster – scored on either side of halftime amid a five-match unbeaten streak for the USMNT against World Cup-bound and top 40-ranked nations.

WHAT IS PARAGUAY’S WORLD RANKING?

Paraguay is currently ranked 41st in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Rankings. 

WHAT IS PARAGUAY’S RECENT FORM?

Paraguay has prepared for its first FIFA World Cup appearance since 2010 by facing five quality opponents hailing from four different confederations. Following its 2-1 loss against the United States last November, Paraguay pulled a shock upset against Mexico in San Antonio, Texas to round out the year. In 2026, La Albirroja defeated Greece in Piraeus, Greece, fell to Morrocco 2-1 in Lens, France, and thumped Nicaragua 4-0 in Asunción to close out their World Cup preparations.

WHO IS PARAGUAY’S HEAD COACH?

Paraguay is led by 63-year-old Argentine Gustavo Alfaro. Alfaro—who transitioned to coaching Atlético de Rafaela in 1992 after a four-year playing career with the club—has coached several clubs and national teams across the globe. Alfaro spent the majority of his career coaching Arsenal de Sarandí, leading the Argentine side to victory in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana (2007), Primera División (2012 Clausura) and Copa Argentina (2012-13). In addition to coaching Boca Juniors (2018-20), San Lorenzo de Almagro (2005) and Rosario Central (2008-09), Alfaro has coached two additional national teams: Ecuador (2020-23) and Costa Rica (2023-24), guiding the former during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

WHO ARE KEY PARAGUAYAN PLAYERS TO WATCH?

Paraguay is led by a youthful collection of talented midfielders: 22-year-old Julio Enciso of RC Strasbourg Alsace, 23-year-old Diego Gómez of Brighton & Hove Albion FC and 24-year-old Maurício of SE Palmeiras. During the 25/26 club campaign, the trio totaled a combined 26 goals and 12 assists across all competitions. Of note, Enciso exited Paraguay’s last match against Nicaragua with an injury—his status for Friday’s match is unclear.

Four players from Paraguay’s 26-man roster currently play in Major League Soccer (MLS): Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United FC), Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Braian Ojeda (Orlando City SC), and Matías Galarza (Atlanta United FC). Cubas currently plays alongside USMNT midfielder Sebastian Berhalter in Vancouver; the pair have shared the pitch 104 times across all competitions for the ‘Caps and won the Canadian Championship on three occasions (2022-24).

Some were surprised when quarterback Mac Jones made it known he wanted to stay with the San Francisco 49ers next season instead of being traded to another place where he could probably start (and make more money).

But 49ers tight end George Kittle wasn’t one of them.

During an appearance on FanDuel TV’s “Up & Adams” on Wednesday, Kittle gave a glowing review of Jones and his decision to stay in San Francisco knowing he would be relegated to Brock Purdy’s backup.

“He’s a juice guy, he’s got all the energy in the world, and he loves life,” Kittle said. “… There’s usually one or two guys that the team loves — it’s not usually a quarterback — but that’s Mac Jones. He goes everywhere with the boys. You invite him to do anything, he’s there.

“… He’s always down to hang out with the boys and just support [us], so when you have a quarterback like that, who also works his tail off, does everything he can to play at a high level for the guys, played last year and won four or five games for us — was the only reason we made the playoffs — so the fact that you have a guy like that, wants to stay and be on the team, and he’s a glue guy, I have nothing but green flags to say about Mac Jones. And he’s a 10 out of 10.”

It didn’t take long for what Kittle said about him to make his way back to Jones, who appreciated the complements and sent a message back his tight end’s way.

“Thanks Georgie. Send me your Venmo, I’ll get you that PR consultant retainer fee sent over shortly. 😂😂😂 #GlueGuy,” Jones responded on X.

Jones signed a two-year, $7 million contract with the 49ers last offseason to be Purdy’s backup. He started eight games in relief of Purdy, winning five of them while throwing for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions with a career-high 97.4 passer rating.

Jones’ performance had everyone buzzing that he’d done enough to resurrect his career and earn a starting job somewhere else.

The 49ers even reportedly had trade offers for Jones (some analysts believed they could’ve got at least a second-round pick for him), but the former first-round pick wanted to stay put.

The Kansas City Chiefs handed Patrick Mahomes a brand new contract extension, proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that the team has all the faith in the world that No. 15 will return to form following his 2025 knee injury.

If you had any doubts about Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ ability to return to form, you’ve got 504 million reasons to throw those out the window.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs are set to add two years to Patrick Mahomes’ contract, tying him to Kansas City through the 2033 NFL season and his age-38 NFL season. The added years will bring his contract value from 2026 through 2033 to $504.75 million. He’s one step closer to being a Chief for life.

He tops his previous deal with the team, now holding the first NFL deal ever valued north of half a billion dollars. It’s a major win for quarterbacks everywhere, but it also shows the ultimate confidence in his ability to bounce back from the knee injury.

Chiefs commit to Patrick Mahomes before he has taken a single snap on his surgically-repaired knee

The Chiefs are making the biggest financial commitment in league and franchise history to a quarterback who tore his ACL and LCL in Week 15 of 2025. He hasn’t yet proven the knee on the field, but he has stunned everybody by participating during OTAs and mandatory minicamp just six months removed from the injury. He’s not yet doing 11-on-11 team drills, but the goal is to be able to participate in those by training camp in July. Being on the field and starting in Week 1 isn’t just the goal at this point, but very much a reality for No. 15 and Kansas City. This is just the cherry on top; it shows that the organization has no fear about a worst-case scenario with this injury. It is also a reward for the hard work he has put in to make an ahead-of-schedule return from injury possible.

The Chiefs’ new deal for Patrick Mahomes is also about buying salary cap flexibility for the future

This is very much a salary cap-flexibility play for Kansas City and GM Brett Veach. Adding years is a classic way to push money down the road in the NFL. The Chiefs just completed a February contract restructure that reduced Mahomes’ 2026 cap hit from $78.2M to $34.65M. Expect that this deal provides flexibility through a unique structure, pushing higher cap hits further down the line and creating greater ability to restructure his deal to create space.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: KC Chiefs show ultimate confidence in Patrick Mahomes after knee injury with extension that becomes first NFL deal to top $500M

© 2026 A to Z Sports.

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There were not many reasons to miss out on the 2026 World Cup after the tournament expanded to 48 teams. However, Wales were among those who failed to qualify for the competition.

While they no longer have names like Gareth Bale, Wales came close to earning a place. They did not perform well enough in their group, finishing behind Belgium, but they were able to reach the playoff round introduced for this edition.

A total of 16 teams were part of this round, divided into four groups that each offered one spot, with a semifinal and a final. Wales were drawn against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the semifinal, which they lost on penalties.

Wales’ World Cup history

It has not been very common for Wales to take part in this competition when looking at their record of just two appearances in their long history since the sport was created. That makes it more understandable not to see them often in the final rounds.

Their first appearance came a long time ago, when far fewer countries were able to take part in the competition, since it was in 1958 in Sweden, when just 16 teams competed for the prestigious trophy.

Their qualification for the edition played in Qatar was celebrated across the country. Their participation in the latest tournament ended a 64-year drought at the highest level.

Their best performance

Their first appearance in this competition also brought their best performance, even in a strong run in their debut. They were able to move on from the group stage as the second team behind Sweden after beating Hungary in a tie-breaker match. Wales lost 1-0 to Brazil, with a goal from Pelé.

In the list of champions, there are two teams with four titles, but one of them is missing the 2026 World Cup, as Italy has failed to qualify for the competition for the third straight time after another disappointing campaign.

The reasons why such a traditional country is not taking part may be structural, but the format explanation is very simple. Italy finished behind Norway in their group, which forced them into a playoff for a spot.

This time it was a 16-team round divided into four groups, with a semifinal and a final to determine the last places. Italy were able to beat Northern Ireland before losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties.

Italy’s World Cup history

For new fans, it may feel normal to see Italy out of the competition, as they have missed every edition since 2018. That sounds hard to believe for older fans who grew up watching excellence from them.

Their four titles are second only to Brazil’s five and tied with Germany among the countries with the most trophies, which makes this absence even more painful given their history.

They won titles early after the competition was created, lifting the trophy in 1934 and 1938. It took some time before they won it again, as their next title came in 1982 with a brilliant Paolo Rossi making his name unforgettable.

The record in finals

The tradition this country carries is clear from the six times they reached the final. In 1934, they beat Czechoslovakia 2-1 in extra time, and in 1938 they won 4-2 against Hungary. In 1970 came their most famous final, when they lost 4-0 to a legendary Brazil.

In 1982, they finished a glorious run that included Brazil and Argentina with a 3-1 win against West Germany. In 1994, they faced Brazil again in a 0-0 draw that ended in a penalty shootout loss, with Roberto Baggio’s miss still remembered by many. In 2006, they beat France in a penalty shootout in a match remembered for Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt on Marco Materazzi, which led to a red card.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played between June 11 and July 19, featuring 48 national teams and 104 matches across three countries in North America. Fans will have several ways to follow the action, including radio broadcasts.

SiriusXM will be one of the primary options in the United States for English-speaking listeners. A team of soccer analysts and commentators from Fox Sports will provide coverage of every match in the tournament, including those involving the USMNT.

Fans can access the broadcasts through SiriusXM‘s satellite channel 83, as well as through the SiriusXM app on smart devices. During the World Cup group stage, however, some matches will be played simultaneously. In those situations, one of the matches will air live on SiriusXM FC (Channel 157).

Some of the personalities who will be part of Fox Sports’ SiriusXM coverage of the 2026 World Cup include Bob Bradley, Walker Zimmerman, Wes Brown, Tony Meola, Eric Wynalda, Omar Gonzalez, Brian Dunseth and Dax McCarty.

How to listen to 2026 World Cup matches in Spanish in the United States

Fans in the United States who want to listen to live Spanish-language coverage of 2026 FIFA World Cup matches will also have an option. Coverage will be available through Futbol de Primera, the radio network that has held the broadcast rights for events of this kind for more than two decades.

Listeners will be able to access the broadcasts through the official FDP Radio website, the FDP Radio – Futbol de Primera smartphone app, and other platforms such as TuneIn and myTuner Radio.

Argentine-American broadcaster Andres Cantor will be the leading voice of Futbol de Primera‘s coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He is widely regarded as one of the most recognizable figures in Spanish-language sports media in the United States.

The Toyota C-HR+ is an instant blockbuster in Denmark.

The Danish new car market advances 6.3% year-on-year in May to 19,092 units, leading to a year-to-date volume up 12.8% to 79,549. According to Mobility Denmark, BEVs account for a stunning 78.7% share in May and 80.1% year-to-date. Toyota (+53.7%) leaps back into the brands top spot it holds year-to-date, dislodging Skoda (-0.8%) just as Tesla (+136.2%) more than doubles its sales YoY to reach #3 with 9.2% share vs. #8 and 5.6% so far this year. Denmark is one of the rare markets where Toyota’s BEVs are all successful. Citroen (+247.2%) delivers the biggest YoY gain in the Top 10 at #10, with Renault (+26.8%) and Mercedes (+19.2%) also in outstanding shape. Mazda (+139.1%), MG (+94.9%), BYD (+81.9%) and Xpeng (+81.2%) make themselves noticed below.

Model-wise, the Tesla Model Y (+52.8%) tops the charts for the first time since last December but still ranks #4 year-to-date vs. #3 over the Full Year 2025. The Skoda Enyaq (+245.5%) stays in 2nd place above the Elroq (-39.9%) still #1 YTD. The new Toyota C-HR+ confirms it is an instant blockbuster in Denmark, ranking 4th for the month and 7th YTD. The Tesla Model 3 (+974.6%) completes the Top 5 and ranks #10 YTD vs. #27 over the Full Year 2025. The Xpeng G6 (+87.8%) and VW ID.4 (-44.2%) ensure the Top 7 is entirely composed of BEVs. The Citroen C5 Aircross is the odd one out at #8 with the Audi Q4 e-Tron (stable), Toyota Urban Cruiser, bZ4X (+116.6%) and VW ID.Buzz (+17.7%) making it 11 BEVs in the Top 12.

Previous month: Denmark April 2026: Skoda manages 1-2, Mercedes CLA in Top 10

One year ago: Denmark May 2025: Skoda Elroq repeats at #1, Renault 5 up to #6

Full May 2026 Top 62 All brands and Top 235 All models below.

Denmark May 2026 – brands:

Denmark May 2026 – models: