Arsenal take on Atletico Madrid bidding to reach their first men’s Champions League final in 20 years at the Emirates.

The first leg of the semi-final finished all square in Madrid last week following a tense 1-1 draw, where Arsenal were aggrieved to have been denied a late penalty at the Metropolitano.

• Arsenal v Atletico Madrid LIVE: Team news and line-ups from Champions League

But the Gunners will be flying after their 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday was followed by Manchester City dropping points against Everton in the Premier League title race last night.

Suddenly, Arsenal’s title hopes are in their hands and Mikel Arteta’s side can start to dream of a memorable Premier League-Champions League double this season.

Diego Simeone’s side will offer fierce competition, though, with the visitors set to arrive at the Emirates with a gameplan to get into Arsenal’s heads and spoil the party.

Here’s everything you need to know

When is Arsenal v Atletico Madrid?

Kick-off at the Emirates is 8pm BST on Tuesday May 5.

How can I watch it?

It will be shown on Amazon Prime Video. New customers to Amazon can take out a free Prime subscription for 30 days; after that, it is £8.99 per month. You can also sign up for just Prime Video for £5.99 per month.

What is the Arsenal team news?

Arteta will be boosted by the availability of captain Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz, who has missed the past two games with a knee injury. Bukayo Saka was removed at half-time against Fulham so is fully rested, while Viktor Gyokeres was also taken off before full-time and appears to be in contention to lead the line.

What is the Atletico Madrid team news?

Diego Simeone was able to make 11 changes for last weekend’s win at Valencia in LaLiga. Former Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez, who scored from the penalty spot and impressed last week, could not complete the first leg but looks set to overcome injury to start for Atleti.

Possible Arsenal v Atletico line-ups

Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli

Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak; Llorente, Pubill, Le Normand, Ruggeri; Simeone, Koke, Cardoso, Lookman; Alvarez, Griezmann

What have the managers said?

Mikel Arteta: “We will take to the pitch as beasts tomorrow and enjoy the moment and go for it. I can’t wait. I feel the energy among the team and our supporters. This is the moment that we want to live together. We have worked hard as a club and as a team after 20 years to be in this position again. And we are so hungry to get through to that final.“It is a feeling of huge excitement. It’s difficult to express the desire to live that moment, especially with our people in front of us.“They’ve been waiting for so long to have this kind of night. So let’s push hard tomorrow, because something amazing is going to happen.”

Diego Simeone: “As coaches, we have to think about what could happen but it is down to the players. We have to manage our emotions and play as well as possible. The game changes as soon as it kicks off. Over time, you do become patient. It is not about being passive, but calm, and that is what we need in this type of game.”

The Big Ten has established itself as college football’s preeminent conference on the field over the last three years, and it’s looking to do the same on the recruiting trail.

After back-to-back-to-back College Football Playoff national titles, the league is gaining major steam with top prospects — including at schools outside its traditional powers (Ohio State, Michigan, USC, etc.). Top recruits are flocking to the conference, and it’s showing up on the field and in the recruiting rankings.

With the release of the latest Rivals300 rankings last month, we break down where the top committed prospects in the Big Ten are currently headed:

5-star EDGE David Jacobs Jr. – Ohio State

Rivals300 Ranking: No. 12 (#1 EDGE)
School: Blessed Trinity Catholic (Ga.)
Scouting Summary: “Athletically gifted EDGE defender who thrives as an edge setter in the run game and is a multi-faceted pass rusher. Verified 6-foot-5, 235-pound defender with excellent bend and hand usage. In the run game, he is violent with his hands when shocking blockers at the point of attack. As a rusher, he wins with a great burst off the line of scrimmage that lets him get vertical in a hurry to blow by tackles with speed. But he can also convert that speed to power and bull pass protectors into the quarterback. He will need to continue harnessing his ability to gain leverage due to his below-average length, but Jacobs has the physical tools and tenacity to be an immediate impact player the moment he steps on campus. Possesses the play strength and athleticism to develop into a dominant three-down defender at the next level that can stand up or play with his hand in the dirt along the defensive front.”

5-star QB Will Mencl – Oregon

Rivals300 Ranking: No. 13 (#1 QB)
School: Chandler (Chandler, AZ)
Scouting Summary: “Hyper-accurate passer who looks like one of the more well-rounded quarterback prospects in the 2027 cycle. Measured in at around 6-foot-3, 205 pounds with 10-inch hands prior to his senior season. Turned in a strong finish to his junior season, completing over 70% of his passes for 3,815 yards and 33 touchdowns against five interceptions while leading his team to a state title berth. Touts smooth mechanics. A high-level processor who is able to locate open receivers and read defender leverage. Made tough throws over the middle of the field as a junior. Also proved to be a dangerous run threat on designed keepers, rushing for 741 yards and 17 scores. Turned in the best showing from a quarterback on the national all-star circuit at the Navy All-American Bowl prior to his senior season. Will need to continue gaining key in-game experience throughout the rest of his high school career. Arm strength is good but not overwhelming at this stage.”

5-star EDGE Mekai Brown – USC

Rivals300 Ranking: No. 17 (# EDGE)
School: Greenwich Country Day (Greenwich, CT)
Scouting Summary: “Explosive athlete gifted with a prototypical frame whose motor runs hot from off the edge all game long. Tremendous frame and build with room to fill out at the next level. Bouncy hooper on the hardwood that plays above the rim consistently. Plays with that burst and explosiveness off the edge, getting off the line of scrimmage when rushing the passer. Has the balance and body control to win in space and has tremendous change of direction in the open field. Needs to polish his hand usage and utilize his length more effectively as a rusher. Has the raw strength to shed blocks against the run but can play with poor pad level at times. One of the more gifted physical and athletic specimens for the position, but he needs to develop his technique as a rusher and continue improving his hand placement at the point of attack. Has the ability to develop into a premier three-down defender if he can continue to polish his technique and develop his pass-rush arsenal. One of the older prospects in the 2027 recruiting cycle.”

IOL Kellen Wymer – Ohio State

Rivals300 Ranking: No. 30 (#3 IOL)
School: Liberty Center (Liberty Center, OH)
Scout’s Take: “Wymer is an elite athlete on the offensive line. I think there’s a case to be made that he might be the most natural mover and explosive mover of all the offensive linemen nationally. He can really, really scoot at the second level. This is a guy who is at his best when he’s pulling and getting on linebackers and he runs like a tight end. There’s a ton to like there, and we feel like as he continues to get bigger and stronger, there’s just so much upside just with his natural athleticism and movement skills.” — — Charles Power, Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings

ATH Honor Fa’alave-Johnson – USC

Rivals300 Ranking: No. 36 (#1 ATH)
School: Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, CA)
Scouting Summary: “One of the more unique athletes to come out of the West in some time and could legitimately play four positions at the college level. He was recruited primarily as a running back and safety but we’ve seen him play receiver and corner and he’s very capable at those two positions as well. He’s a true home run threat at running back with explosive speed and 22.76 MPH on the GPS as a junior. He has some power to him as well, excellent contact balance and can run through would be tacklers. At safety, he’s smart, rangy, has excellent ball skills and plays with a mean streak. He has an edge in his game and is one of those players you love on your team but hate to play against. He brings special teams value as a return man as well and has all the talent to compete for playing time immediately at the college level.” — Rivals’ Greg Biggins

CB Ai’King Hall – Oregon

Rivals300 Ranking: No. 39 (#7 CB)
School: Dothan (Dothan, AL)
Scout’s Take: “Ai’King Hall is a corner that we continue to like at Rivals. The Oregon commit has great feet in coverage, a really good combination of reactive quickness and top-end speed. He consistently runs in the 10.8-10.9 range in the 100-meters and we’re high on his film.”

SAF Tory Pittman – Nebraska

Rivals300 Ranking: No. 43 (#3 SAF)
School: Millard North (Omaha, NE)
Scouting Summary: “Great natural feel for the position with high end football instincts. Not a big framed safety but will hot you and plays a physical game. Ability to quickly read and react jumps out on tape. Really flashes to the football, takes great angles and is one of the better open field tacklers in this year’s class. Strong track profile with back to back top 5 state finishes in the long jump and a personal bet of 23’4.5”. Has some offensive production and shows value in the return game as well. Explosive football player who just makes plays and has the type of all around game where we can see him playing early in his college career. High power 4 prospect with the talent to play for anyone and an NFL ceiling.”

Other notable top committed prospects in the Big Ten

EDGE Rashad Streets – Oregon
WR Braylon Pope – Washington
WR Jamier Brown – Ohio State
CB Monsanna Torbert – Indiana
QB Trae Taylor – Nebraska

CB Kei’Shjuan Telfair – Penn State
CB Danny Lang – USC
SAF Semaj Stanford – Oregon
WR Quentin Hale – USC
QB Blake Roskopf – Washington

DL Stanley Montgomery – Penn State
CB Juju Johnson – UCLA
WR Charles Davis – Cal
QB Kamden Lopati – Michigan
WR Roye Oliver – USC

After firing Luke Richardson in the dog days of the 2024-25 campaign, the Blackhawks led a coaching search that ended in Jeff Blashill’s hiring. With him came some new faces.

Michael Peca and Mike Velucci came along to run the special teams. Anders Sörensen, the previous interim head coach, was retained to coach the defensemen and to keep a familiar face in the room. Jimmy Waite remained as the goaltending coach.

More specifically, Peca worked with the penalty kill while Velucci ran the power play. Both of these coaches also worked closely with the forward group. Sörensen gained plenty of favor for his longtime employment with the Blackhawks and IceHogs coaching staffs. Waite, a former Blackhawks player, has held his position for over a decade and is widely considered one of the best goaltending coaches in the NHL.

Holding it all together at the top was Blashill, a former longtime Red Wings head coach. After spending some time under Jon Cooper in Tampa Bay, the Blackhawks’ front office saw a cohesive vision between Blashill and the rebuild. 

Many questions arose from the quality of the roster, which the fanbase focused on instead of the coaching. Ultimately, great coaches get the best out of their players, and they fell short in their first season as a staff.

Power Play Struggles

Although the Blackhawks had tons of offensive firepower, the unit severely struggled to capitalize. By the end of the season, they ranked fourth to last in power play percentage. This number is simply inexcusable with the young, fast, talented offensive players the Blackhawks have. 

Something the Blackhawks don’t lack in terms of personnel are goal scorers. Many are still young and figuring out the NHL’s pace of play, but they still should be able to score on the man advantage. Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, Nick Lardis, and Oliver Moore all saw power-play time. Unfortunately, they struggled to put together consistent zone entries and opportunities.

Even when Anton Frondell entered the first power play unit to end the season, the team simply could not find the back of the net very often. Although, it’s worth mentioning that their structure was solid, and they found plenty more chances.

Velucci would occasionally change who ran the point. Artyom Levshunov, Sam Rinzel, and Bedard all took that spot at different points in the season. Ultimately, there was a fundamental issue with the way the unit performed. 

To give Velucci some credit, the power play passed the eye test towards the end of the season. Adding Frondell and going to a five-forward power play with Bedard quarterbacking really helped the first unit. Unfortunately, though, the execution just was not there, and they still struggled to score.

A five percent uptick in production would put them in the middle of the league standings, but would do wonders for the overall success of the Blackhawks. Expect Velucci to really shake things up next season to find a system that works for new faces and the improved young talent. 

Is Sörensen the Guy?

Kyle Davidson has prioritized drafting defensemen. So, the man in charge of those players is one of the most important coaches on the staff. Sörensen led a lackluster playing career as a defenseman, but has carved out a coaching career built on developing players.

He started in the Chicago area as a youth hockey coach before coaching the Chicago Mission some years later. During that time, he would help develop future Blackhawks in Ryan Hartman, Vinnie Hinostroza, and Nick Schmaltz.

After a coaching stint in Sweden, Sörensen was hired by the Blackhawks as a player development coach in 2013. Fast forward thirteen years, and he is now one of the most important voices in the room. So far, his contribution has looked shaky, but hopeful.

Blackhawks D-Core

Rinzel, Levshunov, Wyatt Kaiser, Louis Crevier, and Alex Vlasic were all players who stayed relatively consistent as blue liners. Crevier and Kaiser were both excellent, unlocking pieces of their game that took their contribution to the next level. Not giving Sörensen some credit here would be a misstep.

Rinzel and Lev both have a lot of young player woes to work out. Improved consistency, decision-making, and physical strength will make these two next-level defensemen. With time, Sörensen will really be able to flex his developmental muscle with these two.

Alex Vlasic was disappointing. After a career year, Vlasic signed a deal that felt like a steal at the time. So far, he has seemed timid and simply ineffective in high-leverage areas. Even though he has his money locked up, more is needed out of a guy who is expected to wear an ‘A’ next season. 

The ‘Pronger’ Model

Hockey Hall of Famer Chris Pronger often cites a 300-game benchmark to evaluate defensemen. Across the five players mentioned above, not a single one has passed that threshold. The only player who is even close is Vlasic, who has 260 games under his belt. Ethan Del Mastro, another young hopeful, has played 45 games. Kevin Korchinski, the first draft pick of the rebuild, sits at 105.

Long story short, the defensemen are fine, at least for now. If the opinion of one of the greatest defensemen in league history holds any water, then it could take seasons to know what the Blackhawks have on their blueline. Now’s the time for Sörensen to show what he came to Chicago to do: develop.

Though the defense may be a question mark, the Blackhawks did have a few exclamation points on the year.

Peca’s Penalty Kill

The penalty kill was incredible, and at times, it felt like the Blackhawks almost wanted to be on it. Objectively, this was where the team played their best hockey.

After the trade deadline, speculation swirled on whether the unit would stay solid with Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson, arguably their two best penalty killers, being shipped off. 

Nevertheless, the Blackhawks finished at 83.6%, second-best in the league behind only Colorado. Ilya Mikheyev and Teuvo Teravainen both showed their excellent killing abilities. Ryan Greene and Landon Slaggert joined these two veterans while Vlasic, Crevier, Kaiser, and Rinzel backstopped the effort. Peca worked wonders coaching this group, and it will be interesting to see if any adjustments will be made next season.

Goaltending

Spencer Knight, in his first full season as a starting goaltender, was simply stunning. Having over a year to work with Waite, compounded with his raw talent, made him incredibly reliable. On a contending team, Knight would be in the Vezina discussion. 

Arvid Soderblöm was shaky, but for a backup goaltender on a defensively poor team, he did about the best he could. He made some marginal improvements in his rebound control and positioning, but he failed to stand on his head like Knight could. Again, on a contending team, Sodie would make for a rock-solid backup netminder.

Drew Commesso is another interesting goalie who looked awesome in his three starts. Waite could really bring out the best in him with what he has already shown. If the Blackhawks want to move on from Soderblöm, they know they have their next man up. Adam Gajan could be sneaky in the discussion, too, in a couple of seasons.

Interesting Line Combinations

Where Blashill got the most heat was in his line combinations. For much of the season, Bedard flew alongside Andre Burakovsky and Greene. It was an intriguing experiment, but not at all the answer. With the talent coming up and additions to be made this offseason, this hit to Blashill’s perception could be quickly turned around. 

To close the season, Blash finally put Bedard and Nazar on a line together. Frondell also saw time on Bedard’s wing, and Lardis eventually became a mainstay. Although they never caught true fire the way many expected to, the framework is there. Ultimately, the lines are moving in the right direction.

The Bottom Line

The coaching staff did not do enough to prove they can lead a dynasty, but they didn’t prove otherwise either. There were some bright spots and blemishes, but mostly a lot of unanswered questions.

Blashill believes in the rebuild. He believes in the potential these young players possess. Goal alignment between the coaching staff and the front office was the most important part of the search, and they got just that. Now, it’s time to see that vision turn into reality.

The post The Blackhawks’ Coaching Staff Underperformed in Year One appeared first on The Lead.

May 5—***

The list of available bowl slots following the 2026 college football season has dwindled. Most fans — not me — would say that is a positive thing.

Postseason games in Detroit, Los Angeles and the Bahamas have gone the way of the Bowl Alliance (remember that?)

Will there be more trimming in the coming years? Maybe. It depends on if the folks in charge of the College Football Playoff decide to take a bold step and expand the field to 24 teams.

Some will resist the change, fearing what it will do to the bowl system. By my count, adding 12 teams means the loss of six bowl games. I could get rid of those on the first pass with very little pain to the tradition and history of the sport.

Games in nice stadiums located in destination cities will continue to exist. And the Power Four conferences figure to have landing spots for teams that want to continue playing.

One bowl projection by CBS Sports pits Illinois against Florida State in the Duke's Mayo Bowl in Charlotte N.C. After games the past two years in Orlando and Nashville, adding a new state to the list of bowl sites would be a good thing. Illinois has not played a bowl in North Carolina.

Of course, the preference for Illinois and all teams is to be a part of the CFP. If that doesn't work, nice to know the season can still continue.

Anthony Slater: Chris Finch said Anthony Edwards’ left knee came through Game 1 well to this point: “So far, so good.” Edwards will get light work and treatment later today in San Antonio. No word on whether he can up Edwards’ minutes beyond that 25 range in Game 2

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Chris Finch on Anthony Edwards' knee after Game 1: 'So far, so good'

Fred Katz: Josh Hart on Kelly Oubre saying that Jalen Brunson has a big head: "I feel like that's something that's very well documented."

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Josh Hart on Kelly Oubre saying that Jalen Brunson has …

Lurking beneath the algorithm’s surface lives “vando_vault.” Jarred Vanderbilt’s not-so-secret second account that’s an unfiltered scrapbook of locker room life, memes, hilarious videos, and screenshots that tell the story within the story.

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J.R. Smith, 40, was at Madison Square Garden to see the Knicks dominate the Philadelphia 76ers in a 137-98 win on Monday, May 4, giving New York a 1-0 edge in the second-round series. But Smith, who played for the New York Knicks for four seasons, became a victim of the chaos as the celebrations poured into the city streets. As seen in a video shared by New York Basketball, fans became rowdy while celebrating the playoff win, and Smith got caught in the middle of the raucous.

People

“Relax man relax “

JR Smith joined the crowd outside MSG

At one point it got out of hand pic.twitter.com/LCHRWM0EJN

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) May 5, 2026

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: As seen in a video shared by New York Basketball, fans …

The dream of bringing the Premier League title back to Etihad Stadium may not be mathematically over for Pep Guardiola's squad, but Monday night's chaotic 3-3 draw at Everton felt like the moment when the cold, hard reality of squad transition finally caught up with us.

For all of Manchester City's brilliance at various points this season, they were never quite ready to win the league. The blueprint of their undoing was laid bare in a 13-minute second-half period when those on Merseyside entirely lost their heads.

Under the suffocating intensity of Hill Dickinson Stadium, Guardiola's men showed a clear inability to compose themselves.

Forced mistakes - highlighted by Marc Guehi's costly backpass error - led to a flurry of Everton goals that perhaps a peak, battle-hardened and experienced City side of years gone by would have comfortably blocked out.

But was this defensive collapse just inevitable at some stage?

Over the past 18 months, the squad has changed a lot, with a lack of experience in key positions. Expecting flawless game management in a hostile Merseyside environment was always a big ask.

There is a strong argument to suggest City might have actually overachieved this season.

That might sound far-fetched when looking at the money spent on the squad, but pushing a settled, meticulously built Arsenal side this deep into May is a commendable feat, especially when contrasted with their long-standing, work-in-progress project under Mikel Arteta.

City are rebuilding - and yet they are still competing for the biggest prize in England right until the bitter end.

If anything, a wild night against Everton was another hugely promising pointer towards a bright future, and the very shining light was Jeremy Doku.

The Belgian's performance felt like a true coming-of-age moment. As usual, he dazzled with his one-v-one traits, but he added that end product when the pressure couldn't have been greater.

This season may belong to Arsenal but, with talents like Doku evolving before our eyes, City's transitional phase will be incredibly short-lived.

Whatever the future holds on a managerial front, the greatest of trophy-winning days may only be around the corner in the grand scheme of things.

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra

Cliftonville have confirmed Northern Ireland internationals Danielle Maxwell and Louise McDaniel have returned to the club after spending last season at Burnley.

Both players played a key role Cliftonville's two title winning seasons in 2022 and 2024 before moving to England.

Maxwell scored 11 league goals and McDaniel netted the opener in the 5-0 Irish Cup final win against Lisburn Rangers as the Reds won a domestic treble and enjoyed an 'invincible' Women's Premiership campaign in 2024.

Winger Maxwell, who previously had a short stint at Blackburn Rovers, won the Women's Premiership Player of the Year award in 2023 and 2024.

The 24-year-old scored in Northern Ireland's 4-0 World Cup qualifying win over Malta at Mourneview Park last month.

McDaniel originally joined the Reds in 2021 after spells with Linfield, Hearts and Blackburn Rovers and was part of Northern Ireland's Euro 2022 squad.

Cliftonville, who relinquished the Premiership title to Glentoran last season, opened the new season with a 5-0 win over Lisburn Ladies on Friday.

Nebraska had an eye-opening run to the Sweet 16 during March Madness, and the Cornhuskers are looking to stabilize their coaching staff in order to make another bid for a deep NCAA tournament push next year.

To that end, head coach Fred Hoiberg announced that several key assistants have had their contracts extended.

“The success our program had this year is really a testament to the efforts of our entire staff, and it is important to reward them for all of their work,” Hoiberg said in a release. “The work they pour into our players is evident in their development in our program. Nate, Ernie and Luca have been vital over the last four years in helping us build a winning culture and enjoy sustained success that Nebraska basketball has not seen in a long time.  Pat stepped in seamlessly and made a significant impact on our program with his work ethic and knowledge in recruiting. He is a rising star in the coaching field.”

Nebraska announces contract extensions for its men’s basketball staff.

Nate Loenser has added the official title of associate head coach. https://t.co/lRZFxNTNVE

— Mike Sautter (@MikeSautter_) May 5, 2026

Nate Loenser, Ernie Zeigler and Pat Monaghan will remain by Hoiberg's side for the near future. General manager Luca Virgilio will also be on hand to help the Cornhuskers build for success.

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

This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Nebraska Basketball: Fred Hoiberg extends several key assistants

The Miami Dolphins, with new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley, made a change at quarterback this offseason, replacing Tua Tagovailoa with Malik Willis.

While they have faith in Willis, who signed a three-year deal, Miami shouldn't stop looking for a long-term solution at the position. And, if things go poorly this year, they'll likely have a top pick in the 2027 NFL draft, putting them in position to grab a franchise quarterback.

In a recent mock draft, CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson projected that the Dolphins will do just that, as he has them taking Oregon quarterback Dante Moore with the first-overall pick.

"Moore would've been the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft had he not decided to return to Oregon. He plays with high-end pocket composure, handles pressure well and once the play breaks down, is elite out of structure."

Moore, 20, was a five-star recruit out of Martin Luther King High School in Detroit, Michigan, before committing to UCLA and transferring to Oregon just a year later.

In 29 games between the two schools so far, he's completed 65.9% of his passes for 5,224 yards, 41 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. His 2025 season was his best by far, completing 71.8% of his passes for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on his way to All-Big Ten honors.

If Moore has another great year, he'll be around the top of the draft, where the Dolphins will likely be picking, so there's a real chance that this happens. However, there's a lot of time between now and the 2027 draft, and a lot could happen.

More Dolphins: Why Dolphins owner is knowingly sacrificing chance to host Super Bowls

This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins select franchise QB in new mock for 2027 NFL draft

Former ESPN and Fox host Marcellus Wiley responded to the latest sexual assault allegations against him by four new accusers.

The new allegations were filed in court last month, joining three existing claims of sexual assault against Wiley. The first accuser came forward in 2023, alleging Wiley raped them in 1994 while he was a football player at Columbia University in 1994. Wiley previously called those claims “B.S.,” and his lawyer similarly denied the allegations in a 2024 court filing.

Rolling Stone was first to report the latest accusations filed against Wiley last week. In the new filings, one claim was made by an ESPN production assistant, who alleged Wiley assaulted them in his hotel room while the two were coworkers in 2009. Another accuser in the new filings claimed Wiley raped her on her 18th birthday in Dallas while he was a member of the Cowboys, alleging he had been grooming her since she was 13.

Tuesday morning, Wiley went live on his YouTube channel for his regular show, which generally addresses the more salacious topics and headlines in sports. And Wiley included the allegations against him in the rundown. While Wiley didn’t address any specific allegation against him, he claimed to have evidence that would disprove his accusers.

“Pick a date, pick the encounter, pick the allegation,” Wiley said. “For every one of them, I either saw, communicated through email, text, phone, was invited by these individuals after these dates to engage, to be intimate, or all of the above. After the dates that are in question. It directly contradicts the narrative that they’re trying to present publicly.”

“I got one straightforward question for all the accusers,” Wiley continued. “Why did you continue to see or maintain friendly communication at a minimum, that can be verified, will be verified, with someone that you’re accusing after the alleged incidents?”

Wiley did not provide any records, receipts, or direct evidence during his show, but said there are tons of details he’s refraining from addressing at this time, citing “the burden is not on me to prove innocence…it is on them who are making these accusations to prove their claims are credible, prove their claims are truthful, prove that they’re supported by evidence.”

Wiley insisted he’s going to fight the allegations, noting there are no criminal charges, and claimed his accusers are using him to get to the deep pockets of ESPN and Columbia University. And because the former ESPN host and Columbia football player is not the only party named in the filings, Wiley was careful with how much information he shared. But according to Wiley, he will fight the allegations because of his son, who shares his name.

“To you, it’s about money,” Wiley said. “To me, it’s about my son’s name that he will one day Google and think this is about him, but he’s gonna know it’s about his dad. And how dare you stain the brain of my child and his hero?”

Wiley has not worked in mainstream media since leaving Fox Sports in 2022, but he has built a following on YouTube with over 500,000 subscribers to his channel. And Wiley said he will continue to do his YouTube show amid these latest court filings, just as he has since being hit with the first round of sexual assault allegations a few years ago.

The post Marcellus Wiley responds to sexual assault allegations: ‘How dare you’ appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Just one point. That is all FC Barcelona need to confirm their coronation as the champions of La Liga for the second consecutive season.

And, Hansi Flick & co. have the golden opportunity to do so against none other than their bitter rivals, Real Madrid, in the upcoming El Clasico on 10 May at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Frenkie de Jong or Gavi in midfield?

Leading up to the match on Sunday, Barcelona manager Flick is staring at a major selection in midfield, reports SPORT.

Indeed, the manager has a decision to make about who partners with Pedri in the middle of the park – Frenkie de Jong or Gavi.

De Jong has been a key figure in the starting line-up since Flick’s arrival at Barcelona. He has earned that role through his performances, not only because of his technical quality but also due to an increase in intensity that had sometimes been questioned in the past.

However, over the past two months, his presence has declined significantly. The main reason for this absence is the muscle injury he suffered in training on 26 February, which led to him missing a series of important games.

Gavi or De Jong in midfield for El Clasico? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

After missing nine matches, his return has been handled in an extremely cautious manner by Flick & co. In the last five games, he has played only 95 minutes, a limited involvement for a player of his influence.

Gavi has stepped up

Barcelona have not felt De Jong’s absence as strongly as expected, largely because it has coincided with the strong return of Gavi. In recent matches, the La Masia graduate has become indispensable for Flick.

He has taken his opportunity to show that his physical issues are behind him and that he is ready for major challenges, starting in five consecutive matches, all of which ended in victories.

As a result, De Jong’s place in the starting line-up against Real Madrid, which would normally be certain, is far from guaranteed for the upcoming match at Spotify Camp Nou.

The Dutch midfielder is fit to start, and the final decision rests with the coach, but at present Gavi appears to be the more likely option.

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse stepped away from the team on Tuesday to attend the funeral of his brother, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Steve Nurse, 62, reportedly died unexpectedly last Wednesday, the day before the Sixers’ Game 6 against the Boston Celtics in the first round. His brother’s team went on to complete a historic 3-1 comeback to reach the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Nick reportedly traveled from New York to his hometown of Carroll, Iowa, on Monday night, following the Sixers’ Game 1 loss against the New York Knicks. He is expected to rejoin the team later Tuesday.

In Nurse’s absence, the Sixers reportedly held a film session on Tuesday but did not practice. They are scheduled to face the Knicks in Game 2 on Wednesday in New York (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Nurse, who won an NBA title with the Toronto Raptors in 2018-19, is in his third season with the Sixers. This is the farthest they have been in the playoffs during his tenure after posting a 45-37 record in the regular season and advancing through the NBA play-in tournament.

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Nate Tice, Matt Harmon & Charles McDonald buy or sell the 6 NFL teams with the most interesting offseason changes. The guys kick things off by deep diving on three teams trying to lift themselves out of the dredges of the NFL: the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants and Tennessee Titans. Did they do enough this offseason to make waves in 2026?

Next, the three hosts look at some potential playoff teams hoping to get over the hump this season. Did the Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions do enough to call themselves contenders?

Nate, Matt & Charles wrap things up with Breakout Watch, where they shout out Ashton Jeanty, Josh Downs and Jalen Redmond as potential breakout stars this fall.

(5:40) - Buying or selling offseason plans: non-playoff teams (Raiders, Titans, Giants)

(44:55) - Buying or selling offseason plans: contending teams (Ravens, Chargers, Lions)

(1:20:50) - 2026 Breakout Watch

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🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out all episodes of Football 301 with Nate Tice and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

Mark Cuban had one of the biggest assists in Indiana’s run to the national championship.

In Dec. 2024, Cuban, one of the Hoosier’s wealthiest alumni, was at IU’s first-round College Football Playoff game against Notre Dame, which the Fighting Irish won 27-17 . In the middle of the game, the former Mavericks majority owner found himself talking to athletic director Scott Dolson, a fellow IU alum, and university president, Pam Whitten.

The conversation would lead to Cuban opening his wallet for the most important player in program history: Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza

“The first thing I said to Scott was, ‘Well, at least this year you’re not having to look for another football coach,’” Cuban told FOS in a forthcoming episode of Portfolio Players. “Because that was kind of a time-honored tradition in Indiana, always looking for a football coach. And so he’s like, ‘Yeah, that’s the positive.’” 

Until then, Cuban, who is worth $6 billion, according to Forbes, had never donated to IU athletics. His charity strictly focused on academics. That’s when Dolson made his pitch to Cuban to change that.

“[Dolson]’s like, we’ve got this quarterback that we really, really like that we think would be great in Cig’s system, we just need a litttttle bit more,” Cuban recalled. “I’m like, ‘How much is a little bit?’ And so he told me, and I’m like, ‘OK, you know, we’re on a roll, I’ll put up the money to get this quarterback.’”

It didn’t hurt that both Cuban and IU coach Curt Cignetti both hail from Pittsburgh and are just three years apart. Cuban was also familiar with Mendoza’s family, as Fernando’s younger brother, Alberto, used to interact with Cuban at Heat games when they were facing the Mavericks.

“I knew [Alberto] who was already on the team, was a Heat fan and he would sit behind the Miami bench, and when I would come to go to Mavs-Heat games, he was like, ‘Oh yeah, I’m go to IU and da da da,’” Cuban said. “So we met. And so I’m like, OK, I’ll put up the money, and we can go get Fernando, and the rest is history.”

Cuban has never disclosed how much he’s given to Indiana for NIL, other than saying he increased his amount this past season amid IU’s 16–0 season that ended with a victory over Miami for the program’s first national championship. 

“Let’s just say they are happier this year than last year,” Cuban wrote in a January email to FOS. 

Mendoza was reportedly making $1.6 million in his final season at California in 2024, before netting $2.6 million to transfer to IU, according to Yahoo Sports. In addition to winning the Heisman Trophy, he led the Hoosiers to the national championship in his lone season in Bloomington. Last month, the Raiders selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Cuban reiterated that he doesn’t donate with specifications and instead lets Dolson decide where it’s best used. 

“I just give Scott money and it’s up to him,” Cuban said. “We talk a lot, we talk about approach, understanding how to put together a team. Because I did it for 20-something years. So it’s not like I have to direct him to something specific. I understand how they’re approaching things.”

The post Mark Cuban Says He Paid for Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza Deal appeared first on Front Office Sports.

It’s the night of nights for Arsenal and Atletico Madrid: a place in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League final in Budapest is at stake.

Watch all Serie BKT matches live on OneFootball for just €9.99 a month. Click here to buy the LaB Channel Monthly Pass with no automatic renewal.  

It starts again from the 1-1 draw at the Metropolitano, with the Gunners — also thanks to Manchester City’s slip-up in the Premier League yesterday — seemingly having rediscovered the confidence that had started to waver in recent days.

In the round robin, this clash, played in London, ended 4-0, but beware of underestimating Cholo Simeone’s men: this is a different stage, and what’s at stake is completely different, and we know how formidable the Colchoneros are at annihilating even the strongest opponents. Who will fly into the final? Tell us in the comments!

🔴 Article constantly updated: for live text commentary, click on the match card above.

🔥 RED-HOT atmosphere outside the Emirates Stadium

A red-hot atmosphere at the Emirates for the clash between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid. According to Sky Sports, Atletico’s bus arrived first, with a few objects thrown but no major problems. Then came Arsenal’s arrival, surrounded by red smoke and deafening chants: visibility was almost zero and the atmosphere electric.

✅ The OFFICIAL line-ups

ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Eze, Trossard, Gyökeres.

Unavailable: Timber, Merino.

ATLETICO MADRID (4-4-2): Oblak; Pubill, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Llorente, Koke, Lookman; Alvarez, Griezmann.

Unavailable: Nico Gonzalez, Barrios.

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

The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing a problem. It’s a good problem, but a problem nonetheless.

Which of your starting pitchers gets moved to make way for the returning Blake Snell?

With that in mind, Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain ranked the Dodgers’ rotation based on their performance so far this year.

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1. Shohei Ohtani

It’s hard to argue with the top choice. Ohtani has a 0.60 ERA and was recently named National League Pitcher of the Month.

That ERA would be best in the NL if Ohtani had enough qualifying innings, though he’s at 30 going into Tuesday’s start. Depending on how long he goes, he could take the NL lead outright.

That might be made a little easier by the face that Ohtani will only pitch, not hit, on Tuesday after manager Dave Roberts reversed his decision on Monday.

“Shohei Ohtani, without question, with a bullet,” McKain said. “He’s been the Dodgers’ best starting pitcher. He hasn’t been just the Dodgers’ best starting pitcher, he’s been the best starting pitcher in all of Major League Baseball and definitely the National League.”

2. Tyler Glasnow

Coming in second is Tyler Glasnow, who might be a surprise for some given the pitchers he’s topped on the list.

Through six starts, though, he has a 3-0 record with a 2.56 ERA, WHIP of 0.828 and 47 strikeouts.

“Tyler Glasnow has put together a really good start to the season,” McKain said.

3. Justin Wrobleski

Justin Wrobleski gets the third spot, which some might find odd considering he’s leading the NL with his 1.25 ERA.

Despite that incredible ERA, though, he lags behind Glasnow in other categories, with a WHIP of 1.000 and only 15 strikeouts.

“Three, I’ve got to go Justin Wrobleski. I know Wrobleski’s ERA will say he’s had a better year so far, but I think Glasnow’s bigger stuff is just better, so I’ve got to go with Glasnow,” McKain said.

4. Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Before the season, it would’ve been hard to imagine that the Dodgers’ ace and Opening Day starting pitcher would be in the bottom half of the rotation, but that’s just how strong the Dodgers’ starting pitching is.

“Yama and Glasnow are really close; it’s Yama after Glasnow though,” McKain said.

Yamamoto (3-2) has an ERA of 3.09, WHIP of 1.008 and 40 strikeouts on the season.

5. Roki Sasaki

Now we’re getting into the post-Snell-return danger zone, though Roki Sasaki’s potential puts him slightly ahead of Sheehan, according to McKain.

“I think Roki still has some more upside there,” McKain said.

Sasaki (1-3) has an ERA of 5.97, WHIP of 1.674 and 26 strikeouts.

6. Emmet Sheehan

While Sasaki may have a slightly higher potential, Sheehan’s stats, while not great, are currently better than Sasaki’s.

Sheehan (2-1) has an ERA of 5.23, WHIP of 1.323 and 36 strikeouts.

That said, Sasaki has shown some progression as the season has gone on.

Do you think Sasaki or Sheehan will be moved to make way for Snell’s return?

The Kentucky Wildcats and coach Mark Pope are on the hunt for players to fill out their 2026-27 roster. They still have three spots open, and have a need for another scoring threat and more depth at center. If Malachi Moreno stays in the NBA draft, that second need becomes even greater.

To that end, Pope recently made a trip to Israel to watch forward Marcios Santos, a 6'8" frontcourt player for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Euroleague. He has shown an ability to score and rebound, but has made 40% of his three-point shots, making him a solid fit for Kentucky's offense under Pope.

It seemed likely that Santos would become a Wildcat, but that outlook has changed, and it's now expected that he will land elsewhere. Reports seem to indicate that Santos will take a bigger offer from the LSU Tigers, making another miss for Pope.

If Santos does choose LSU, spuring Kentucky, it leaves Kentucky in a tough situation. A player like Milan Momcilovic pulling out of the draft and heading to Lexington would be a huge win, and there are a few other players available in the portal. However, time is running out, and the list of players who could make a difference is getting short. It's desperation time for Kentucky, and Pope as his seat gets hotter and hotter.

This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky basketball expected to miss on forward Marcios Santos

Brooklyn Nets rookie guard Egor Demin had a solid rookie season for the Nets as he was able to calm some of the concerns surrounding his three-point shooting and whether that would translate to the NBA. However, Brooklyn wasn't able to get a full season out of Demin as he suffered plantar fasciitis in his left foot and it's possible he may not be ready to play for the Las Vegas Summer League.

"We'll see if I play Summer League," Demin said a recent livestream after being asked by Nets fans if he would be able to play in either of the Summer Leagues. Not only are the Nets playing in the Las Vegas Summer League like every other NBA team, but they will also be playing in the California Classic Summer League that occurs prior to the Las Vegas event.

Demin's statement over whether he'll playing in either of the summer leagues had some fans concerned that he was sitting out for reasons other than those related to his recovery from his plantar fasciitis. Demin clarified that whether he plays in the summer or not will not be entirely up to him as he seems to imply that Brooklyn's medical staff could be a factor in the decision as well.

When the Nets announced in early March that they ruled out Demin for the rest of the season, the press release mentioned that the team is expecting Demin "to return to basketball activity early in the offseason and be a full participant in the summer development program." This statement could mean that Demin should be healthy enough to play in the summer leagues, but there is plenty of time between now and July when those events take place.

Demin, 20, finished the 2025-26 season with averages of 10.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 39.9% from the field and 38.5% from behind the three-point line in 52 appearances. Demin said during his exit interview that he is looking forward to this summer given that he knows where he'll be next season and that he also wants to improve as a player once his plantar fasciitis subsides.

Egor Demin on if he’ll play summer league: pic.twitter.com/3GjtOQXSih

— 3gor (@3gorDemin) May 4, 2026

Man it’s literally not my decision if I play or no what are you even talking about 😂🤦🏽

— Egor Dëmin (@whoisegor3) May 4, 2026

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets' Egor Demin addresses fans on status for Las Vegas Summer League

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are just 90 minutes away from a second-ever appearance in a Champions League final, and one of the key figures tonight is none other than Myles Lewis-Skelly.

A Gunner through and through who has brilliantly risen through the club's ranks before breaking into the senior side last season, the 19-year-old England international has been entrusted by his manager in what is one of the biggest nights in the club's history.

Despite questions being raised on whether his future remained in north London amid murmurings that he could be viewed as a sellable asset this summer, his top-class performance in midfield at the weekend against Fulham was enough to see him retain his place in the XI this evening.

With his inclusion from the first whistle tonight, MLS has closed ranks with two iconic football names as teenagers to start in a Champions League semi-final - Spain legend Iker Casillas and Nigerian icon, as well as former Gunner, Nwankwo Kanu.

With a possible place in Thomas Tuchel's England side this summer at the 2026 World Cup also on the line, another brilliant showing tonight at the Emirates could propel Lewis-Skelly to dizzying heights, perhaps he couldn't dream of.

In a recent report, Fichajes stated that Liverpool are ready to launch a move for Tottenham Hotspur star Micky van de Ven. It has been mentioned that the Reds are hoping to make a €95m offer to sign the Dutch defender this summer.

Van de Ven’s Impressive Form In English Football

Van de Ven has enjoyed a good run of form at the North London club after he produced a string of impressive displays for them on the defensive end of the field. The 25-year-old has scored seven goals and grabbed one assist in 42 matches for Tottenham this season in all competitions.

The Dutch talent is still among the best centre-backs in the Premier League when he is playing with confidence on the field. However, it is no wonder that Liverpool are showing interest in him in this upcoming transfer window.

His current contract at the North London club will run out in the summer of 2029, which could make it tough for the Reds to sign him on the cheap later this year.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MAY 03: Micky van de Ven of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park on May 03, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Should Liverpool Go For Van De Ven?

Van de Ven is a solid tackler of the ball and can scan the danger well to secure the ball back for his team inside his half. He doesn’t mind clearing his lines when the opposition are on the offensive and is proficient at playing his way out from the back.

Standing at 1.93m, the Dutch talent can use his strong frame to win his fair share of aerial duels. Van de Ven has also got the pace to get back and make some important recovery runs inside his half. He has got a wealth of experience in the Premier League and won’t take much time to settle into life at the Merseyside club.

We can expect Van de Ven to add more bite and steel to Liverpool‘s defence. He has what it takes to fight for a regular first-team spot at the Premier League club.

At 25, Van de Ven has his best years ahead of him, which makes him a worthy target for the Reds to pursue later this year. All in all, Liverpool would be wise to go for a player of his quality and skill set in this summer transfer period.

May 5—The final ranking for the Class of 2026 was published Monday. While Kansas-bound wing Tyran Stokes held on to his spot atop the class, there was some movement in the rankings.

Like future Illinois guard Quentin Coleman vaulting up the rankings to No. 15 — the first player outside the five-star recruits. Coleman became the Illini's highest-profile prospect when he committed on the eve of the Final Four, but Brad Underwood and Co. are adding another high-level recruit in Lucas Morillo, who was ranked No. 34 in Rivals' latest effort.

Coleman and Morillo headline a five-man class that also includes three-star wing and No. 135 overall prospect Zavier Zens and unranked three-stars Ethan Brown and Landon Davis. That group ranks fifth in the Big Ten and 15th nationally, per Rivals, and marks the biggest class of high school recruits for Illinois since 2018.

"I'm really excited about this group," Underwood said. "We've got every position covered in terms of the way we're trying to recruit. I like this group. As usual, we're going to rely on some of these freshmen to be instrumental pieces for us. I always hold it close to the chest a little bit until you coach them and get them on campus, but it's a very talented group and one we like a lot."

"You've got to make sure that we keep freshmen in the mix. I think we've got to make sure we keep guys who are developing, carrying over culture, and guys that keep growing in our program. Not everybody is going to come in here and be a one-and-done or, for that matter, a pro. You've got to find that right balance."

Morgan Gibbs-White might need a "miracle" to be ready for Nottingham Forest's Europa League semi-final second leg against Aston Villa - but his head coach Vitor Pereira is hopeful.

Gibbs-White and Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez both had to come off with their heads bandaged after they collided during Forest's 3-1 Premier League win at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

Forest, unbeaten in 10 matches in all competitions, take a 1-0 lead into Thursday's match at Villa Park.

"He has a deep cut, we will see, he is a fighter and we hope for a miracle," said Pereira.

"We'll see what happens. I really believe we can have him next game. I said to him: Don't head the ball, just play."

The midfielder posted a photo on social media on Monday night, thanking people for their messages and showing the stitches across his forehead and nose.

Sanchez also posted a photo of some stitches at the top of his head and added in reference to Gibbs-White: "Seen that you came out worst [worse] than me, hope you are OK big man."

Pereira said that Gibbs-White's substitution was not related to concussion, so he is not subject to strict protocols surrounding such head injuries.

That means that his availability for Thursday is only dependent on whether the cut on his face heals in time.

Had Gibbs-White been judged to be concussed, he would probably have been ruled out. Players must not return to activity for at least 24 hours before undergoing a 48-hour period of rest and a six-stage "return to play" process.

Premier League teams are permitted to make one concussion replacement per match, which do not count towards their usual substitution limits. Chelsea used that dispensation during Monday's match for youngster Jesse Derry.

The 18-year-old, who was making his debut, clashed heads with Forest's Zach Abbott and was taken to hospital. Chelsea said he was "conscious, talking and undergoing precautionary checks".

Brain injury charity Headway's chief executive Luke Griggs praised the care given to Derry and Abbott but added that the subsequent collision between Gibbs-White and Sanchez "shows that head injury protocols need to go much further".

"The use of concussion substitutions is certainly welcome, though with each team only receiving one permanent concussion substitute per game, clubs are limited as to what they can do when additional head injuries occur and frustration remains with football's unfathomable refusal to allow temporary concussion subs," said Griggs.

"Questions will rightly be asked about Gibbs-White and Sanchez not being subjected to the mandatory return-to-play protocols due to them not being replaced as concussion substitutes.

"This is not about the clubs, which clearly provided first-rate treatment to their players, it's about the laws and protocols of the game - ensuring player welfare drives decision-making."

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May 5—CHAMPAIGN — Tom Michael is returning to the University of Illinois.

Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman announced Tuesday that Michael — a former Illini men's basketball standout who is wrapping up his 12th year as athletic director at Eastern Illinois — will join the UI as deputy director of athletics. As the second-highest ranking administrative officer in the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, Michael will have a role in campus, Big Ten and NCAA governance.

He starts May 14, filling a void created by Roger Denny's hiring as the Oklahoma athletic director back in January.

The UI announced that Michael "will contribute to developing and implementing competitive strategy for the athletics program and will work closely with sport programs and student-athlete support services, including daily oversight of football and men's and women's track and field/cross country. Michael also will oversee facilities management and capital projects along with the business office."

The 55-year-old Michael was the longest-serving athletic director in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Panthers claimed 24 conference titles in his watch, including 12 during the last four years. After winning five OVC championships during the 2022-23 season, EIU won four league titles in 2023-24 to capture the OVC Commissioners Cup.

"Tom has established himself as an experienced, respected leader in Division I, having served on various conference and national committees while leading Eastern Illinois for more than a decade," Whitman said in a statement. "As a former men's basketball standout, Tom's passion for the Orange and Blue is unquestioned, and I know he will bring great pride to such an important position. Tom and I have known each other for more than 20 years, and I look forward to working closely with him to continue our program's upward trajectory."

Michael served on the President's Council to EIU President Jay Gatrell. He also served on the FCS Football Oversight Committee and was part of the FCS Playoff Selection Committee from 2021-24.

"There is so much positive momentum right now at Illinois," Michael said in a statement. "As an alum, there is a tremendous amount of pride in the success that is being achieved across the board. And as a professional, I am honored to be able to return to Champaign and work alongside the best teams, coaches and staff you will find in college athletics."

Prior to his work at EIU, Michael spent 18 years in various roles at Illinois, rising to associate athletic director in 2008 and senior associate athletic director in 2012.

Michael was a four-year letterwinner, three-time team captain and two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection in basketball under coach Lou Henson. The Carlye native played for the Illini from 1990-94 after helping lead Carlyle to a 1989 Class A state championship in Champaign. He remains the Illini school record holder for career three-point field goal percentage (.449) and single-season three-point percentage (.493).

He and his wife Shana have three children, Nicholas, Nate and Kylie. All three of his children played high school sports at St. Joseph-Ogden High School, with Nate helping the SJ-O boys' basketball team place fourth in Class 2A in 2013 and Kylie helping the SJ-O volleyball team place second in 2A in 2016. Nate is currently an assistant men's basketball coach at EIU, and Kylie, a two-time News-Gazette All-Area volleyball Player of the Year, played college volleyball at EIU.

Bob Skinner, a three-time All-Star outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates who went on to manage the Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres, died. He was 94.

MORE: Tributes pour in for Yankees broadcaster who dies at 87

“We are saddened to relay the news of the passing of former Pirates outfielder and coach Bob Skinner,” the Pirates wrote on X on May 5. “Skinner was a member of the 1960 World Series Championship Pirates and a coach on the 1979 World Series Championship team. He made his Major League debut with the Bucs in 1954 and played nine of his 12 seasons in Pittsburgh.”

Skinner played for the Pirates from 1954-63. He was an All-Star in 1958 and again twice in 1960, when MLB staged two All-Star games every summer.

MORE: Angels announce tragic death of 2002 World Series champion at 53

In 1960, Skinner helped Pittsburgh defeat the New York Yankees in a seven-game World Series. He drove in the first run with his only hit in the series early in Game 1, which the Pirates ultimately won. Skinner didn’t play again in the series until Game 7.

By 1964, Skinner had been traded for the second time in as many seasons, this time to the St. Louis Cardinals. St. Louis would go on to face the Yankees in the World Series; like the Pirates four years earlier, they won in seven games. Skinner went 2 for 3 with an RBI to collect his second and final World Series ring as a player.

Skinner retired after the 1966 season with a career batting average of .277, 103 home runs, and 531 RBIs for the Pirates, Cardinals, and Cincinnati Reds.

MORE: Dodgers announce death of former World Series champion, coach, 4-time All-Star

A La Jolla, California native, Skinner was coaching for his hometown Padres — then a minor league affiliate of the Phillies — when he was promoted to Philadelphia as a midseason replacement for Gene Mauch in 1968.

Skinner returned as the Phillies’ manager in 1969, but he was fired after going 44-64.

As a coach, Skinner went on to work for the Padres (1970-1973), Pirates (1974-1976), the Padres again (1977), the California Angels (1978), the Pirates again (1979-1985), and the Atlanta Braves (1986-1988). He collected another World Series ring as a coach with the Pirates in 1979.

Jon Rahm, thrilled at a new deal allowing him to play on the DP World Tour, said Tuesday he expects LIV Golf players must make concessions to save the series.

The 31-year-old Spaniard, a former world number one, spoke ahead of this week's LIV Golf Virginia event at Trump National Washington.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which had promised long-term support for the series, says it will pull funding after this 2026 campaign concludes.

While LIV Golf chief executive officer Scott O'Neil seeks new backers, two-time defending LIV season champion Rahm says players will likely face compromises if the series is to continue.

"It's a team effort. It's not about one person agreeing or not. We all, as captains and team owners and players involved in the league, need to in essence have a large majority to agree on for it to work," Rahm said.

"I do believe that for the business plan to change, whatever they're coming up with, there will need to be some concessions on our part."

Several big names jumped to LIV Golf from the PGA Tour, which banned those players from its events. Some players have made the move back, such as five-time major winner Brooks Koepka, but a return path for others remains uncertain.

Rahm, for his part, said he likes where he is at with LIV.

"We want to be here. It has been a lot of fun. I want to keep competing. I want to keep sharing some time with them," Rahm said.

"But only time will tell. Scott and his team have a lot of hard work to do, but obviously they're experienced in the area, and that's why they've been chosen to take this role."

Rahm, the 2021 US Open and 2023 Masters champion, jumped in 2024 and won the past two season crowns.

This year, in his final tuneup for next week's PGA Championship, Rahm has won LIV titles at Hong Kong in March and Mexico City in April.

Rahm ended a long-running issue on Tuesday as the DP World Tour announced they reached a deal with Rahm allowing him to play on the European circuit this year while paying all outstanding fines since his 2024 jump to LIV.

"There's no longer a standoff. We were able to reach an agreement," Rahm said. "There was some concessions on both sides. I offered some, they extended an olive branch. That will not be a stress anymore."

Rahm will no longer have to worry about his place on the Europe side for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Ireland or future stops.

"The Ryder Cup is still really far away, but I'm happy that hopefully I won't have to think about any worries or any predicaments (ahead of) Adare Manor then or hopefully ever," Rahm said.

"I want to support the DP World Tour. There's a lot of events I want to play."

- 'Don't see many ways out' -

When it comes to getting out of his LIV contract, Rahm said he isn't worrying about that for now.

"I have several years on my contract left and I'm pretty sure they did a pretty good job when they drafted that," Rahm said.

"I don't see many ways out, and as of right now, I'm not really thinking about it since we still have a season to play and majors to compete for."

Rahm said players had been told there would be funding for many years from PIF so learning last month of the Saudi's financial pullback was a shock.

js/amz

The NFL has introduced two rule changes this offseason that fans will notice right away. The league has approved a one-year trial allowing the replay center to correct clear errors during referee stoppages, as well as a new kickoff rule that lets teams declare an onside kick at any point, regardless of score. These changes aren’t just procedural; they give coaches new options late in games.

The onside kick rule is a more significant change than people realise

In the past, it was up to the team that was behind to decide when an onside kick could happen. Now, anyone can choose to do it. This doesn’t mean coaches will start taking unnecessary risks, but it does remove the old restrictions tied to the score. Teams will now have to consider unexpected decisions, which changes how special teams coordinators and hands units need to prepare.

Strategy evolves, not just changes

The real shift isn’t about frequency – teams won’t be declaring onside kicks every week. It’s about flexibility. Coaches now have an earlier option if they want to protect a narrow lead or steal a possession, without waiting for the typical late-game scenario. Even if it doesn’t happen often, just the possibility forces opponents to prepare differently.

Replay centre steps in for officiating stoppages

If there is an official work stoppage, the NFL has given the replay centre authority to step in and correct clear errors. This isn’t a constant presence; it’s designed as a backup plan to keep things on track if normal oversight isn’t possible.

Stronger review of ejections

That’s how the NFL finds a bit more control around what it can see and fix, whether it happens on or off the field. It is another small but useful attempt to keep the league’s decisions balanced when an official might miss something like that in the moment.

Why coaches won’t need long to notice the difference

Rules only really matter when they change the choices coaches have to make, and these ones do just that. One widens the window for taking risks with possession. The other gives referees more leeway to clean up big mistakes, even when things are getting chaotic. So, coaches are going to need to adapt early, even before there’s enough game tape to fully understand how teams are using these new rules.

Read more:

Angels' Mike Trout is on pace to break 3 personal single-season records in 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Angels have seen Mike Trout return to form this season, in one of the best developments of the season.

But Trout isn't simply back to playing well; he's actually playing better than he has in any season before in his MLB career. Despite winning MVPs, Trout's start to the season has him on pace for a few personal records.

As Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller highlighted, Trout is on pace to break personal single-season records in three key statistics: walks, runs, and, most interestingly, home runs.

Mike Trout on pace to break personal records in 3 stats

"Trout's career high for home runs in a single season is 45, while his previous best marks in runs and walks were 129 and 122, respectively," Miller writes. "But through 35 team games, he is on pace for 46 home runs, 139 runs scored, and 157 free passes."

The Angels center fielder is on pace to set career highs in a few key statistics, with the home-run record the most impressive.

Trout has 10 home runs this season through 35 games, which would have him on pace for 46.28 in a 162-game season. It's going to be difficult to maintain that pace all year, but if he does, his single-season HR record is within reach.

When it comes to runs scored, Trout has 30 in 35 games, which has him on pace for 138.85 runs scored over a 162-game season.

MORE: Aaron Judge makes baseball history never done before by Yankees player

His previous career-best is 129 runs in a season. He's well on his way to breaking this record, but it's still far from a guarantee.

Lastly, he has 34 walks in 35 games, which is the most in baseball this season, and would have him on pace for a ridiculous 157 walks on the year.

His previous record was 122 walks in a season, so while he's well on his way to breaking this record, it's hard to imagine he would have such a drastic improvement on his previous career-best from his prime.

Trout breaking his personal best in walks and runs might be possible, but his home run record might be a bit of a stretch. As good as he's been this year, the 34-year-old Trout may run out of steam a bit over the course of the year.

More MLB news:

• Three ways Pirates' Paul Skenes could lose NL Cy Young Award
• Reds' Elly De La Cruz makes baseball history not done in last 126 years
• 5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for Cardinals
• Pete Crow-Armstrong is still struggling to hit well for the Cubs
• Roman Anthony might’ve been overhyped for Red Sox

DELHI, India (AP) — Opening batter Sanju Samson smashed an unbeaten 87 off 52 balls and anchored Chennai Super Kings to an eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League on Tuesday.

Samson, who has scored two centuries this season for his new franchise, led Chennai to 159-2 with 15 balls to spare as the five-time champions continued a remarkable turnaround in the tournament with three wins in the last four games.

Delhi was limited to 155-7 with spinners Akeal Hosein (1-19) and Noor Ahmad (2-22) troubling the home team batters on a tricky wicket.

Samson was slow off the blocks and scored run-a-ball 22 before cutting loose in the latter half of the chase and smashing six sixes and seven boundaries. Kartik Sharma made an unbeaten 41 off 31 balls and together with Samson shared a match-winning partnership of 114 runs to leave Delhi at No. 7 with four wins in 10 games.

Chennai is at No. 6 with 10 points from five wins and five losses.

___

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

The Vikings' selection of Caleb Banks is going to be debated for months until he steps on the field in a regular season game. Given the injury concerns, folks will want to see how sustainable his play is, but, of course, they will hope for the best.

The Athletic's Alec Lewis wrote up some additional takeaways from the Vikings' 2026 NFL Draft class. Beyond what the fans are worried about, there is someone throwing their voice into the arena to allow fans to feel better about the selection of Caleb Banks.

His former head coach at Florida, Billy Napier, spoke to Lewis and offered up his two cents on Banks as a player. Napier told Lewis, “I would just tell you that, within the last decade or 20 years, this is a generational height, length, twitch and intelligence type of guy who also has a competitive streak that makes him different.”

Banks earning high praise from his coach should help fans feel better about the pick. Again, if Banks is healthy, this pick is going to be the steal of the draft. Once October rolls around and he has played every game, everyone can look back at this moment and laugh, right?

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Billy Napier offers his praises to Caleb Banks after the NFL Draft

Cuevas Embracing Competition in Tight End Room

There's always competition in an NFL position room—but the best players know how to turn that into something productive. For Josh Cuevas, that's exactly how he's approaching things alongside fellow tight end Matt Hibner.

When asked how the two are being used early on, Cuevas made it clear that this isn’t just about competing; it’s about growing together.

“I can't really say much about that right now. I'm still trying to fit into my role and see kind of where they see me at mostly out here. They're kind of using both of [Matt Hibner and I] everywhere, a little bit in line, a little bit spread out. But one thing's for sure, ‘Hibby’ and I are going to work off of each other, and we're going to help each other out wherever we can and see where that works out.” 

That flexibility reflects Baltimore’s broader offensive approach, where tight ends are often asked to contribute in multiple ways—blocking, receiving, and creating mismatches across the formation. Despite the natural competition, Cuevas made it clear that collaboration will be just as important.

For the Ravens, that balance between competition and cooperation could be key. As both rookies continue to develop, their ability to push each other while growing within the system may ultimately determine how the position group evolves heading into the season.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Josh Cuevas embraces tight end competition with Matt Hibner

Texas head coach Sean Miller is no stranger to the cutthroat world of college basketball recruiting. Some programs seem to have deeper pockets than others to secure the best talent, which is something that Miller was asked about on the Field of 68 show recently.

The Field of 68's Jeff Goodman and Rob Dauster wondered how many programs would spend a minimum of $20 million on their rosters next season.

"I would say that I pay close attention to the SEC, and you know, I think we competed at a very high level," Miller said. "The University of Texas is investing in our basketball program to allow us to compete for the top prize, and I think we’re in the company of about seven or eight, where guys are really along the same lines as us. But…educated guess? Sometimes you don’t have all the information. I would say 20 to 25 (teams).”

How many 20+ million dollar rosters are there in college basketball this offseason? Sean Miller's perspective:

"Educated guess? Sometimes you don't have all the information... I would say 20-25." 👀

🎥: https://t.co/kRYnhn5fpCpic.twitter.com/nG8CMfoVOg

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) May 4, 2026

Miller declined to disclose whether the Longhorns fall into that category, but it's hard to think that they wouldn't push towards that threshold considering the immense competition Texas faces in the SEC.

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

This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Texas Basketball: Sean Miller guesses number of $20 million rosters

Liverpool Transfer News: Reds Eye £52m Porto Winger

Liverpool’s search for attacking solutions may be turning towards Portugal, with Record reporting that the Reds are monitoring FC Porto winger Oskar Pietuszewski ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 17-year-old, who joined Porto from Jagiellonia Białystok in January, has made a swift impression in Portugal and is already attracting attention from several major European clubs. Record credit Liverpool with interest, while Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are also said to be watching his development.

Pietuszewski currently has a release clause worth around £52m, though Porto are reportedly keen to offer fresh terms and increase that figure. For a club with Porto’s record of developing and selling elite attacking talent, that is hardly surprising.

Diaz Departure Still Haunts Liverpool

The Luis Díaz angle makes this story particularly relevant for Liverpool. Diaz left Anfield for Bayern Munich last summer, and rather than signing a direct replacement, Liverpool placed their faith in Cody Gakpo to help carry the load from the left side of the attack.

That decision has not aged well.

Gakpo has struggled badly this season, both in terms of output and influence. At his best, the Dutchman offers intelligent movement, clean ball striking and positional flexibility. This campaign, however, he has too often looked short of rhythm, sharpness and authority in the final third.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool’s failure to replace Diaz now feels like one of the defining recruitment calls of last summer. Diaz gave the side vertical thrust, intensity, unpredictability and a capacity to beat defenders in moments when structure alone was not enough. Without him, Liverpool’s left flank has lost some of its menace.

Pietuszewski Profile Fits Liverpool’s Need

Pietuszewski has reportedly produced three goals and four assists in 14 Portuguese top flight appearances, impressive numbers for a player still only 17.

Operating mainly from the left, he is viewed as a direct, explosive winger with confidence in one against one situations. Those qualities are precisely what Liverpool have lacked since Díaz’s departure.

This is not to say Pietuszewski would arrive as an instant senior solution. At his age, any move would have to be framed as both a present squad option and a long term investment. Yet Liverpool’s issue is clear. They need more speed, more incision and more natural width in attack.

Photo: IMAGO

Summer Rebuild Requires Conviction

Arne Slot won the Premier League title in his debut season, but Liverpool’s title defence has been disappointing. Despite spending £450m last summer, the Reds sit 4th, and another busy window is expected.

That creates a delicate recruitment picture. Liverpool cannot afford another summer where a major attacking departure is not properly addressed. The Diaz exit left a gap, and trusting internal solutions has backfired.

Pietuszewski may be young, expensive and far from proven in England, but the logic behind the interest is easy to understand. Liverpool need to restore danger to their wide areas, and Record’s report suggests they are already assessing one of Europe’s more exciting emerging options.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this report lands with a mixture of interest and frustration. Oskar Pietuszewski sounds exactly like the type of player Liverpool should be tracking, young, explosive, technically sharp and already producing in senior football. But fans have heard enough about long term planning. What they need now is evidence that the club have learned from last summer’s mistake.

Luis Diaz leaving for Bayern Munich was a major moment. Liverpool chose not to replace him properly, trusted Cody Gakpo to step up, and that gamble has failed. Gakpo has looked miles off the required level this season, and the left side of Liverpool’s attack has lacked speed, aggression and spark.

That is why this story matters. Pietuszewski might be an outstanding talent, but supporters will question whether a 17-year-old with a £52m clause is the answer to a problem that already needed fixing a year ago.

Liverpool need certainty this summer, not only potential. Slot’s title win bought him time, but this season has exposed serious flaws in the squad build. If Pietuszewski is part of a wider attacking rebuild, fine. If he is the headline answer, it feels risky.

Interesting player, logical profile, but Liverpool cannot afford another half measure.

Chelsea are not expected to proceed with a move to bring Xavi Hernandez into the Stamford Bridge dugout, according to Ben Jacobs.

The Blues had contacted his camp to discuss the Spaniard replacing Liam Rosenior.

However, even though he is open to a switch to England, the West Londoners will not hire him.

Chelsea are searching for a fourth permanent head coach in four years under BlueCo, after inexplicably dismissing Enzo Maresca, who had salvaged a badly assembled squad.

A little call for backing in the transfer market and a downturn in form prompted the Club World Cup champions to part ways with Maresca and hire Rosenior.

Unfortunately, the English tactician was a disaster, leaving after 106 days with Chelsea now in danger of missing out on Champions League football for the third time in four years.

The club’s hierarchy desperately needs to get its next hiring decision right, or risk plunging this team into even more trouble than it already is.

Xavi is what the squad is crying out for. He is a fine coach who did a stellar job with Barcelona, guiding them to the league title while playing exciting football.

The 46-year-old was renowned for giving opportunities to young starlets such as Pau Cubarsi, Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Gavi, and others.

He has top experience leading the Catalan outfit out in Europe as a player and as a manager. He would be an excellent addition.

Xavi would be a much better choice for the current Chelsea squad than other names like Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva.

He has managed at a much higher level than the Premier League duo and is the kind of big-name winner these players need.

Besides Xabi Alonso, he is the only other name on the Chelsea shortlist that makes sense.

This managerial search remains open with the club hierarchy facing a make-or-break situation.

Things do not seem to be okay at all between Real Madrid and their ace goalscorer Kylian Mbappe.

Since his ill-advised trip to Italy this past week, there has been tension developing between the French superstar and the club, while reports of unrest in the dressing room have also taken centre-stage.

Some players at the Spanish capital outfit are not entirely happy with the 27-year-old forward, his attitude and the privileges he has seemingly been granted at the club.

Meanwhile, Mbappe himself has not taken too well with the club’s decision to sack Xabi Alonso midway through the season, and the club’s mishandling of his knee injury is also seen as a concern in his camp.

Not the best moment, but no exit for Mbappe

Providing the lowdown on the situation, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Real Madrid and Mbappe are not at all considering the possibility of parting ways in the summer.

Not going anywhere. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

While it is true that, at the moment, things are not at their best between the two parties, there is no doubt that the 27-year-old superstar will stay at the club and remain a part of the project next season.

The situation is described as a ‘difficult moment’, exacerbated by the fact that Real Madrid, as a club, are going through a precarious situation.

The disappointing season, the clashes inside the locker room, and the search for Alvaro Arbeloa’s replacement, have all contributed to the situation.

Mbappe’s trip to Italy, while Real Madrid are going through difficult period, was not welcomed.

However, the relationship between the player and the club is not broken and he will continue to remain an integral part of the project next season, with the Merengues set to restart from scratch after an underwhelming campaign.

Patriots' Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Breaks Silence On Mike Vrabel Scandal originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The scandal involving Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini has been a hot topic over the last few weeks, and one New England Patriots legend recently shared his thoughts.

By now, every Patriots fan knows about the pictures released of Vrabel and Russini. The pictures essentially illustrate an affair between the two that has been going on for years. Both are married, and Russini has resigned from her position at The Athletic. As for Vrabel, the NFL has noted that his actions have not violated the personal conduct policy, and the Patriots have seemed to support him as he figures things out.

Vrabel spoke to the media before the NFL Draft and noted that he is committed to coaching the Patriots and being the best version of himself. He missed Day 3 of the NFL Draft to attend counseling, which raised questions about whether the scandal would, in fact, impact his ability to do his job. Vrabel has noted that he has already addressed the team on the matter, and Rodney Harrison spoke on how that message may have been received in the locker room.

“The one saving grace, no matter what goes on in your life, has always been an NFL locker room. Those players are going through some of the same things Mike Vrabel is going through with some of the temptations, some of the things that’s out there, things they struggle with,” Harrison told MassLive's Karen Guregian. “So they have a great deal of empathy. So I think they’ll understand, and they’ll forgive Mike. I think it’ll bring the locker room even closer together.

“You still might have a few holes. A few who might be skeptical, ‘Well he said this, he said that’ but the majority in that locker room, they love Mike Vrabel and they respect him. They know he’s a human being, he’s a good person and he made a mistake. And, they’re going to forgive him.”

Harrison spent 15 years in the NFL and was with the Patriots from 2003 to 2008. He and Vrabel were teammates and won two Super Bowls together. He knows Vrabel better than most media personalities speaking on the scandal, and he also has the perspective of how things are inside a locker room.

More NFL: Insider Reveals How Mike Vrabel Scandal Has Impacted Patriots Trading For A.J. Brown

Why Penguins losing Evgeni Malkin could be especially painful for Pittsburgh originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Pittsburgh Penguins may bring Evgeni Malkin back for another season.

Or, in a move that would be tough for most involved, they could decide to move on. Malkin doesn't want to retire. He's expressed that he'd sign with a new NHL team if needed.

One of those outcomes will feel a whole lot better to Pittsburgh than the other.

The reality, though, is that Malkin is heading for free agency, and the Penguins have played a little tough to get here. They haven't rushed to give the aging Malkin a new contract before he turns 40 this summer.

MORE: Sabres' storybook season is real, and Stanley Cup dreams are valid

It's not obvious yet which way this will go in the end. What's clear is that it'll hurt if Malkin is gone.

First, on the individual level, for the captain Sidney Crosby.

"Crosby, who has one year left on his contract, has publicly said he’d like Malkin to return next season," The Athletic's Josh Yohe wrote in a new article on Tuesday.

But really, this is about so much more than Crosby. Yohe did a great job of capturing why this is a negotiation that will matter so deeply to the entire city.

"It’s worth emphasizing that this isn’t a normal case," Yohe writes. "Malkin isn’t another Hall of Famer. Very few, if any, Pittsburgh athletes have made such a strong connection with local fans. Crosby is beloved, sure, but he’s not as emotional on the ice as Malkin... Malkin is an artist in the most traditional of ways: He makes you feel. Whether you’re in awe, frustrated or right there with him when he cross-checks someone, he conjures strong emotions. So, if this is the end, it will hurt a little bit more. The guy from Russia who speaks limited English is one of us. He’s a Pittsburgher to the core."

MORE: Canadiens win a playoff game like none other in NHL history

When you consider that description, you understand how crucial it is for the Penguins to get this right.

If they let Malkin go, the team they put on the ice without him better be a good one, and he better not flourish too much somewhere else.

Everyone would be a bit happier to see 'Geno' stick around.

More NHL news:

• The trade clock is ticking for Connor McDavid
• Sabres relish in Ryan Whitney's prediction misfire
• Sidney Crosby hints at retirement plans
• How Avalanche won an absurd 9-6 playoff game
• Sabres' fans show they can handle 'O Canada' with no microphone help

Chris Clarke had gone the traditional route, pitching for three years at USC after starring at Newbury Park High, then toiling for six more seasons in the Chicago Cubs minor league system after being a fourth-round draft pick in 2019.

But his big league dream abruptly became a wake-up call last August when the Cubs released him a week before his wife gave birth to their first child. No more paychecks. No more health insurance.

So imagine how jarring it was for Clarke to take the mound in front of a record 102,000 fans in the Texas A&M football stadium Saturday, which had been converted to accommodate (sorry Dodgers) the most popular team in baseball: the Savannah Bananas.

"It was surreal," Clarke said. "In fact, it was so incredible, I didn't feel anything. My body went numb. There was a moment in the third inning when everybody was screaming. I couldn't hear myself talk."

It was the most people ever crammed into Kyle Field, the nation's fourth-largest college stadium, trailing only Michigan (107,601), Oregon (106,572) and Ohio State (102,780).

Texas A&M is ROCKING hours before the Savannah Bananas and Texas Tailgaters start the game at 8pm ET pic.twitter.com/FoY7ydGuwN

— Banana Ball (@BananaBall_) May 2, 2026

Clarke pitched for the opposing team, the Texas Tailgaters, one of five squads created by Bananas founders Jesse and Emily Cole that serve as touring partners to face the yellow-clad star attraction. All six teams practice at a complex in Savannah.

The game in College Station attracted the largest crowd in the Bananas' six-year history, and Clarke shined, striking out five in four innings. He also entertained, as all players in the Banana Ball Championship League are cheerfully required to do.

"The amount of joy it brings to fans and even people online, it's really something," Clarke said. "There definitely is a winner and a loser — which holds some weight — but for the most part, fans are there because it's a really good show."

Clarke, a 6-foot-7 right-hander, was the third overall pick in the inaugural Banana Ball draft held in November. Tailgater coaches contacted him beforehand to gauge his interest and he told them, "Pick me."

That level of bold fits right in. Banana Ball is fast-paced, hilarious and maximizes fan engagement. It features innovative rules: Fouls caught by fans count as outs, for example, and batters who walk get to run the bases until all nine defensive players have touched the ball. Choreographed dances, acrobatic tricks, a pitcher on stilts and other antics keep the entertainment flowing.

"I like to think of every game as a stepping stone to the next show," Clarke said. "Whether it goes well or is terrible, we will make it better for next time. Banana Ball is a relaxed culture, so when it comes to the entertainment stuff, there is no fear of failure. We are seeing what works and what doesn't."

Read more:Going bananas: Why Savannah Bananas tickets cost more than a Dodgers-Yankees rematch

Guest stars are frequent and on Saturday the Bananas sent Texas-grown YouTube sensation Tyler Toney, a member of the sports comedy troupe Dude Perfect, to the plate as a pinch-hitter. Clarke struck him out on four pitches: a called strike, a swinging strike, a ball Clarke purposely launched high into the stands for laughs, then strike three swinging on a cut fastball.

It was a rare humbling moment for Toney, who with fellow Dude Perfect members Cody Jones, Garrett Hilbert, and twins Cory and Coby Cotton generates more than $20 million annually from YouTube, merchandise and tours.

Clarke had watched Dude Perfect videos religiously when he was at USC and was starstruck to meet them in person.

"Dude Perfect is the reason I failed econ twice," he said. "I watched every single Dude Perfect video. To meet them and shake their hands was fun. It was the only moment in my life where I was a fanboy."

He's also a breadwinner again for his family. The burgeoning popularity of Banana Ball has made the gig more lucrative than playing in the minor leagues.

Read more:Banana Ball gets 'biggest partnership to date' with ESPN and Disney, including a trip to Disneyland

"I'm making five times as much and playing half the time," Clarke said. "My contract is also for 12 months of the year. In affiliated baseball, it's only six months. So, there's that. I've never met anyone in baseball who has had the luxury to spend time with a newborn child. To come to Banana Ball and actually feel like there is respect, a culture and guidelines, that was something I hadn't experienced."

It is also giving him notoriety. Twenty-five Banana Ball games this year are being streamed on the ESPN app and Disney+, with select games airing across ESPN networks and ABC. The first Bananas broadcast on ABC will take place at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., June 27-28. The games have been sold out since October.

Highlights from Saturday's game flooded social media and traditional outlets alike. Family friends and former teammates reached out to Clarke. What was it like pitching in front of 100,000 people? Are you improving your dance moves?

"The entertainment side of it takes pressure off performance," he said. "Performing well is still very much there, but there is a level of relaxation that makes it easier."

Clarke admits he thinks back to USC and the 2019 season when he posted a stellar earned-run average of 1.03. He also occasionally misses the heightened competition and quest to make the major leagues of affiliated baseball.

He pitched two seasons in triple-A and is only 27. Would he leave Banana Ball next year if an MLB team offered him an invite to spring training?

"I'm not in a situation to close any doors," he said. "That's the mindset that got me here. I wanted to investigate Banana Ball and I told them I'd give them a full year for us both to evaluate it. Either way, I think it's a win. Just comes down to what's best for my family."

Meanwhile, more games in packed stadiums await. In addition to a handful in football stadiums against the Bananas, the Tailgaters will play three games a week against other Banana Ball League teams through the summer, mostly in minor league baseball stadiums from Tulsa to El Paso to Nashville to Charlotte.

Exponentially larger crowds than those venues are accustomed to are a given.

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Dak Prescott pulled into wild Cowboys fan ‘curse’ on Steelers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Dallas Cowboys are heading into a rebuilding period after a disappointing 2025 season in which they failed to make the playoffs. Dak Prescott and the roster are working to break through their postseason struggles, with a major defensive overhaul designed to support the quarterback better.

In a video posted by ML Football, NFL fans were seen placing and burying a card featuring Prescott on the field at the Steelers’ stadium. The stunt seems to be a superstition-driven attempt to transfer the Cowboys’ long-standing playoff woes onto Pittsburgh. Fan curses are actually a familiar part of NFL culture, but stadium staff usually discover and remove such items during routine field upkeep.

THIS IS WILD…

These #NFL fans buried a card of #Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott at the grounds of the #Steelers stadium inside the field.

😳😳😳

These fans were attempting to curse Pittsburgh for the upcoming season. pic.twitter.com/rbA7UYZpYh

— MLFootball (@MLFootball) May 4, 2026

As for the Cowboys' postseason struggles, they remain a frequent topic of discussion in the NFL. Since their last Super Bowl title in the 1995 season, Dallas has often entered the postseason with strong records and high seeds, only to suffer early exits. The team has one of the highest regular-season winning percentages in the league over the last three decades, but it has not reached an NFC Championship Game since January 1996.

Meanwhile, the Steelers are preparing for the 2026 season under new head coach Mike McCarthy, who returns to his hometown after leaving the Cowboys following the 2024 season. He was named the 17th head coach in franchise history after posting a 49–35 record in Dallas over five seasons.

It is funny and ironic that the fan video attempts to curse Pittsburgh with Cowboys-like playoff struggles, even though the Steelers just hired the coach most associated with that very era in Dallas. Even the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2016.

More NFL news:

• Saints still have an Alvin Kamara decision to make
• What's going on with Aaron Rodgers and the Cardinals?
• Eagles might have a DeVonta Smith problem
• Patriots give another A.J. Brown signal
• From Falcons to Cardinals, Tyler Allgeier can't catch a break

British tennis player Emma Raducanu withdrew from the Italian Open shortly after doing her pre-tournament press conference.

Raducanu has been dealing with the aftereffects of a viral illness that sidelined her since Indian Wells. She posted a vague health update last week, but fans were encouraged when they saw her in Rome, spending time practicing and laughing with her peers.

With no clay court match preparation, will Raducanu play the French Open?

MORE: Aryna Sabalenka thinks players might have to boycott a future Grand Slam because of prize money

Raducanu has not been specific about her health issues

She does not owe the fans any explanation for what’s been plaguing her, but it is as perplexing as Emma Navarro‘s situation.

In both cases, we know the players are dealing with prolonged health issues that limit their ability to train and prepare correctly for competitive tennis.

MORE: Tennis players’ issues are much deeper than 2026 French Open purse

Raducanu is a WTA one slam champ

I have previously detailed the group of players who came from relative obscurity to win their one and only Grand Slam. In addition to Raducanu, Bianca Andreescu, and Marketa Vondrousova fall into this category.

All three have dealt with severe physical and mental health issues, and turbulence behind the scenes since their landmark wins.

Hopefully, we see a healthy Raducanu on the court soon, if not at the French Open, during the grass season and particularly at her home tournament, Wimbledon.

Jon Rahm said Tuesday that he doesn’t “see many ways out” of his LIV Golf contract as he spoke openly for the first time about what his options will be now that the league has announced it’s no longer funded by Saudi Arabia’s PIF and is looking for investors for it to continue.

The two-time major champion was asked in Washington, D.C., ahead of their event at Trump National, if he was able to get out of his contract with the league if he feels like it’s not suitable for him beyond this year.

“I have no idea, I couldn't tell you,” he said. “I have very few talents in my life, and reading a contract or business are not two of them.

“As of right now, I have several years on my contract left, and I'm pretty sure they did a pretty good job when they drafted that. So I don't see many ways out, and as of right now, I'm not really thinking about it since we still have a season to play and majors to compete for. So it's not something I want to think about just yet.”

He may not be thinking about it yet, but it’s something Rahm is likely going to have to deal with soon. He’s willing to see what CEO Scott O’Neil comes up with first.

“I don't think he would ask anybody to buy into anything without giving us a business plan first,” Rahm said. “Until we have that, I don't think we can really answer the rest, right? It would just be speculation at that point.”

Rahm said that the league has worked with team captains, of which he is for Legion XIII, about their respective ideas. He’s given his opinion but realizes it’s impossible to make everyone happy in a situation like this where there are 57 players and 13 teams.

For now, he’s trying to focus on playing this week in the nation’s capital. He leads the season’s individual standings, has won twice—including two weeks ago in Mexico City—and hasn’t finished worse than fifth place in six events.

But it’s not easy to focus on the golf course when there are so many distractions off of it. On Tuesday, he squashed one distraction by announcing that he and the DP World Tour have ended their dispute and he’s now eligible to play on Europe’s Ryder Cup team next year. The LIV Golf intrusions, however, do not appear to be going away soon.

“It's definitely extra noise, there's no denying it,” he said. “But I think we deal with it as athletes honestly. I think it's part of the job a lot of times, and sometimes that extra noise is internal for something that may be happening family-wise that's not public, which is much worse than this.

“We practice enough so once you get in competition mode, it doesn't matter. It might be a worry before or after, but it shouldn't be once you get to that first tee. We've said a few times, when it's so uncertain and so out of our control, there's really nothing to think about.”

Tiger Woods is officially out of the PGA Championship. Ditto for Phil Mickelson, who has played only one LIV Golf event this year as he copes with a family health matter and withdrew shortly after the list of 154 players was announced Tuesday for Aronimink Golf Club.

And the big surprise was Dustin Johnson, who was extended one of the special invitations to the PGA Championship next week despite his eligibility running out last year.

“Very excited,” Johnson said from LIV Golf Virginia, “I want to play in all the majors. I feel like my game is still good enough to compete with everyone and still can win. The PGA was nice enough to give me an invitation. So yeah, I'm very, very happy and thankful for that.”

The PGA of America held back two spots in case the winners of two PGA Tour events, the Truist Championship and the Myrtle Beach Classic, are not already eligible.

Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion at the second major of the year, which returns to Aronimink for the first time since Gary Player won in 1972.

Johnson is among 30 players who competed at Aronimink when it hosted the BMW Championship in 2018, when Keegan Bradley defeated Justin Rose in a playoff that didn't finish until Monday because of so much rain.

The PGA Championship committee is the least transparent in filling the field for its major, with 33 players receiving special invitations.

Most of them came from the top 100 in the world ranking. The PGA Championship strives to have the top 100 and often will go a few places outside the top 100 to make sure no one sneaks in in the final week before the major.

It gave invitations to Andy Sullivan of England (102), Angel Ayora of Spain (103), Keith Mitchell (104), Chandler Blanchet (106) and Billy Horschel (107).

It also has a category of its PGA points list — based on official PGA Tour money earned in the last 12 months — to fill the field beyond the top 70.

Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Canada is the leading player not eligible at No. 80. He becomes the first alternate, with a reasonable chance of getting in because only four players at the Truist Championship — Yellamaraju is one of them — are not yet in the PGA.

The alternates all came from the PGA points list.

Woods not playing was expected. He was arrested Feb. 27 on suspicion of DUI and received permission from a Florida judge to seek treatment outside the country. Woods has not played in a major since the 2024 British Open.

Mickelson has not said publicly what he's dealing with at home. His only LIV Golf event was in South Africa in March. He did not play in the Masters.

The PGA of America also awarded a spot to Ian Holt, a two-time winner this year on the Korn Ferry Tour who leads the points list, and Kota Kaneko of Japan from the Federation Ranking of tours around the world. The PGA Championship takes players from the leading three tours. Kaneko on the Japan Golf Tour was fourth.

Johnson, a former No. 1 player in the world with two majors, has been eligible for every major since the 2009 Masters. He did not play in three of them because of injury or because of taking time away from the game (2014 PGA Championship).

His 10-year exemption from winning the U.S. Open expires after this year. He is not eligible for the British Open, which historically does not offer special exemptions.

Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald of Team Europe received an invitation, which has become a PGA Championship tradition. U.S. captain Jim Furyk is not playing. Vijay Singh, a two-time PGA champion, and 2025 Senior PGA champion Angel Cabrera chose not to play.

___

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

The Pirates’ manager and a pitcher were both suspended during a recent incident during a game against the Cincinnati Reds.

The MLB announced Tuesday that pitcher Chris Devenski was suspended for three games and issued an undisclosed fine for intentionally throwing at Sal Stewart at the top of the seventh inning last Saturday. The throw led to Devenski’s ejection from the game.

The suspension, unless appealed, will begin on Tuesday — which is the start of the Pirates’ road series in Arizona. If Devenski elects to appeal, the discipline will be held until the appeals process is complete.

Kelly was suspended for one game and issued an undisclosed fine for Devenski’s actions. He will serve the suspension on Tuesday.

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Ever since Joe Hortiz stepped foot in the The Bolt as the Chargers’ new general manager, he has spouted about his love for getting the compensatory pick formula rolling as soon as possible. In each of his first three offseasons, that has largely been shown. This offseason specifically, the Chargers had several players go sign sizable contracts elsewhere, providing a nice foundation for the formula heading into 2027.

However, the Charges then went out and made some questionable signings that took those comp picks away, mainly the addition of offensive guard Cole Strange. Strange signed for $6.5 million per year which washed out one of their comp picks while signing a player many do not believe should be a starter if it wasn’t for him being familiar with Mike McDaniel’s offense system.

Add in the signing of tight end Charlie Kolar at $8.1 million (an objectively-good signing), the Bolts are essentially left with a single comp pick for edge rusher Odafe Oweh who signed for $24 million per year in Washington.

Well, even if it’s just the one pick, NFL.com’s Dan Parr currently projects that selection to come in the third round.

“The Commanders did not spend an early draft pick on an edge rusher, so I’m expecting the highly paid Oweh to play enough snaps to ensure the Bolts are awarded a third-round selection.“

As things stand at this point in the offseason, the Chargers only have five draft picks next year. They traded their 2027 sixth-round pick in exchange for offensive lineman Trevor Penning and their 2027 seventh was used to acquire offensive tackle Austin Deculus before he was cut last summer by the Texans.

However, that’s the same amount of picks they began the 2026 draft with before wheeling and dealing their way to eight used picks by the end of the weekend. I wouldn’t be shocked in the slightest if something similar happened a year from now, especially if they have an extra third (or fourth) to use in the process.

Curtis Jones Transfer Latest: Newcastle and Inter Milan Circle Liverpool Midfielder

Curtis Jones Faces Defining Liverpool Summer

Curtis Jones has always carried something more than talent at Liverpool. He carries place, accent, memory and meaning. He is the boy from the city who grew into the shirt, a midfielder shaped by academy pitches, Anfield expectation and the heavy privilege of representing your own.

According to TeamTalk, Newcastle United have now entered the race for Jones, while Inter Milan are emerging as a particularly attractive option should the Liverpool midfielder leave Anfield this summer. That alone gives this story significance. This is not simply squad housekeeping. This is about Liverpool deciding how much room remains for one of their own in Arne Slot’s evolving midfield.

Jones, still only 23, finds himself in a delicate footballing corridor. He is neither a fading veteran nor an untested prospect. He is experienced enough to demand meaningful minutes, young enough to keep improving, and versatile enough to interest clubs with serious ambition.

Photo IMAGO

Inter Milan Interest Adds European Intrigue

TeamTalk report that Inter Milan first explored a deal in January, only for Liverpool to refuse a mid-season departure. That was understandable. Clubs with title ambitions rarely weaken themselves in winter. Summer, though, changes the temperature of every conversation.

Inter’s interest feels credible in footballing terms. Serie A would test Jones differently. It would sharpen his tactical discipline, reward his ability to retain possession under pressure and place him in a league where midfielders are often asked to think before they run. For Jones, Italy may offer reinvention rather than retreat.

Liverpool must be careful. Letting homegrown talent leave can look clinical on a spreadsheet and painful from the stands. Supporters understand evolution, but they also value identity. Jones is one of the few players who visibly links the current squad to the city beyond matchday symbolism.

Newcastle and Villa Monitor Midfield Opportunity

Newcastle’s interest adds a Premier League edge. TeamTalk claim the Magpies are assessing midfield reinforcements, with Sandro Tonali expected to depart this summer. Aston Villa have also made enquiries about Jones’ availability, which suggests the market sees something Liverpool may be tempted to undervalue.

For Newcastle, Jones would bring press resistance, ball carrying and an ability to operate between lines. For Villa, he would offer control and tactical intelligence. For Liverpool, he represents both depth and sentiment, which is where the decision becomes harder.

Liverpool are reportedly targeting Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace and Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid. Both names point towards a midfield refresh built on athleticism, technical quality and long term planning. Yet recruitment should not automatically mean removal. Jones has already shown he can contribute at elite level.

Liverpool Must Weigh Value Beyond Transfer Fee

Every successful side must make ruthless decisions. Sentiment cannot pick a midfield three. Yet Liverpool should ask whether selling Jones strengthens the squad, or merely tidies the balance sheet.

If Inter offer the right project, Jones may understandably listen. If Newcastle or Villa promise central status, he may feel the pull of regular Premier League football. But Liverpool should not mistake familiarity for limitation. Sometimes the player already inside the building remains more valuable than the one admired from afar.

Jones’ future now feels open. What Liverpool do next will say plenty about Slot’s rebuild, the club’s midfield priorities and how much space still exists at Anfield for local talent with unfinished business.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a concerned Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this report should set a few alarms ringing. Curtis Jones may not be the flashiest name in the squad, but losing him would feel like another step away from the emotional core of the club. There is a difference between refreshing midfield options and casually allowing a technically gifted, homegrown player to walk away.

Jones has flaws. He can hold the ball too long, he has not always nailed down one fixed role, and injuries have interrupted momentum. Yet when Liverpool are functioning properly, he offers press resistance, composure and tactical discipline. Those qualities are not easy to replace, especially when squad rules and homegrown numbers matter.

Inter Milan would be a fascinating move for him, and perhaps even a smart one. Serie A could polish his game. Newcastle or Villa would be more uncomfortable, because watching Jones mature for a domestic rival would sting. Liverpool supporters have seen that story before with players allowed to leave too early.

The concern is not that Liverpool are planning boldly. They should be. The concern is whether they recognise what Jones still might become under Slot. Selling him should require a very strong fee, a clear midfield upgrade and absolute certainty. Anything less would feel premature.

Does it give you comfort to know that the Jays have the exact record they had last year at this time? No, me neither. If it is going to be like last year, now is the time to turn it around. In May last year they were 16-12.

Eric Lauer wasn’t throwing as hard as he did last year, not that he was the cause of the loss. The lack of offense made it very unlikely we were going to win, but if he wants to be part of the rotation when we get back Shane Bieber (but that’s no until near the end of the month). They could put him and Jose Berrios together I guess.

From Ben Nicholson-Smith game post:

The left-hander sat 90.3 m.p.h. with his fastball Monday, and he wants to see that number climb. With that in mind, he intends to throw a ‘velo pen’ this week — basically a bullpen session in which he’ll try to max out his velocity, “really try to rip it” by “building the power from the ground up.”

This is the question I’ve been asking myself:

If not Piñango, who? Davis Schneider? Normally I’d like to keep the right-handed batter, but he’s off to a really slow start. Sending him down would force another lefty batter into the lineup against left-handed starters, but then they could hardly be worse than Davis has been.

Schneider was a 1.3 bWAR player in about half a season of play, last year. I don’t believe he could have forgotten how to play over the summer. But he’s going to have to show it at some point and maybe it is time he figures it out in Buffalo.

Or Lenyn Jose could be DFAed. Same thing, he’s a right-handed batter, replacing him for a lefty means there would be one less platoon option.

Anyway, we will find out soon. Addison will be back Friday, if not sooner.

Chris Bassitt’s kids are confused about him playing for the Orioles. “They loved Ace.” I’d be confused too:

The news came down midday Monday, and it was impossible to shake. Tarik Skubal, headed to the injured list. Loose bodies in the pitching elbow. Likely a 2-3 month absence. As a fantasy baseball player and a Michigan native, this is how you ruin my day in 10 seconds.

The cooling off period has come and gone. Now it’s time to reflect, reassess, regroup and move forward.

We often talk about how starting pitchers are the running backs of fantasy baseball. When you land on the right ones — or when your stars stay healthy — life is wonderful. And when the injury gods frown at you, it can be a long season.

Healthy Christian McCaffrey has been a football cheat code in the right seasons. And he’s been a depressing pick in the wrong seasons, like in 2024, when he was hurt and mysteriously scratched Week 1, before the season even started. And fantasy baseball managers can certainly relate. 

Before Monday, the injured pitcher discussion was dominated by fallen closers. Edwin Díaz, Jhoan Duran, Raisel Iglesias, Josh Hader, Pete Fairbanks and Carlos Estévez are currently hurt. It’s exhausting to see that list, consider just how much wreckage we’ve seen at fantasy baseball’s most volatile position.

But the starting pitcher position has also seen plenty of attrition. Skubal joins Garrett Crochet and Hunter Brown on the injured list — the top-three vote-getters in last year’s AL Cy Young voting. We’re still waiting for Hunter Greene, Gerrit Cole, Nick Lodolo and Blake Snell to pitch this year. Sonny Gray, Carlos Rodón and Nick Pivetta are currently hurt. If Milwaukee's rising ace Jacob Misiorowski (hamstring) misses any time, I’m going to be in rough shape.  

We also should mention there are plenty of name pitchers currently healthy — as far as we know — but not pitching like we expect. Logan Webb, Logan Gilbert and Bryan Woo all have ERAs over 4.00. Cole Ragans and Jesús Luzardo are over 5.00. Luis Castillo can’t get anyone out. Eury Pérez hasn’t put it together yet. That's just the tip of the iceberg. 

The starting pitcher leaderboard through one month is a mix of unusual names, as it often is. Cam Schlittler has been dominant, teammate Max Fried not far behind. Chris Sale and Jacob deGrom can still do it. José Soriano has been a revelation for the Angels, though his last start was messy. Davis Martin is a fun story for the competitive White Sox. Parker Messick is a breakout star in Cleveland. Paul Skenes was rocked on Opening Day — and he’s been terrific since.

Shohei Ohtani (0.60 ERA, 0.87 WHIP) deserves his own paragraph. There are no comps for that guy.

What can fantasy baseball players do with all this pitching madness? Again, we take our cue from fantasy football. Take as many bites of the apple as possible.

Your fantasy football bench will always have a few running backs who are “one break away” from popping. Your baseball bench should similarly have speculation plays at pitcher. The shape of the breakouts are different; in football it often comes down to opportunity, while in baseball it’s more the elusive nature of growth and improvement. Pitchers are constantly changing things — their mechanics, their pitch mix, their windup, their coach, their primary catcher, how they attack the platoon disadvantage. Velocity rises and dips, ebbs and flows. Careers can take off at any moment. Often the improvement won’t be detectable until after it’s happened, but we need to pay close attention anyway.

The key with winning any intellectually-challenging game is to make good decisions. Chess, poker, fantasy sports, it’s all the same. With pitchers, we consider pedigree and we consider environment and we consider ballparks and age patterns and all that stuff. And then we hope to get a break from variance. Good decisions, everyone.

Some measures and metrics are timeless, no matter how sophisticated we get. Some version of K/BB ratio is the best place to start (if you prefer K-BB%, that’s fine too). We’d prefer pitchers in the first half of their career, less mileage, less strain (while trying to stay open to a Sale or a deGrom if they make sense). Ballparks in Seattle or Texas or Tampa Bay can hide some of your mistakes; if you pitch in Colorado or Boston or Philadelphia, your margins are slimmer.

For every Skubal share you’re sweating right now, hopefully you have a Kyle Harrison share to offset it (post-hype sleeper, good age pocket, works for a defensively-sound team). If Castillo or Ragans is hurting you, maybe a Will Warren or a Nick Martinez is coming through for you. Payton Tolle has been excellent in his three Boston starts. Maybe this Sean Burke start is real. Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo have become Ibáñez All-Stars in Kansas City, the reliable value veteran.

Head up, gamers. There’s a bunch of season left. Keep making good decisions. For everything that breaks, the next breakout is never far away. 

The Dallas Cowboys once again proved to be reliable trade partners with the Eagles. Back in 2021, a first-round trade between the two rivals delivered Micah Parsons to Dallas and DeVonta Smith to Philly. I think both teams are hoping this one will be similarly fortuitous. Here’s how the entire Dallas draft went.

Caleb Downs, Safety, Ohio State

For my money, this was the best pick of the first round. And I was pissed about it. Caleb Downs was a top player in this draft and should be an absolute monster in Christian Parker’s defense.

Not only is Downs a great athlete, but he has the skill and instincts to line up everywhere on an NFL defense: Free safety, strong safety, slot cornerback, nickel linebacker… Calling him a Swiss Army Knife feels insulting because a knife can only hurt you so much. He’s a Swiss Army Mech; a heat seeking missile who can be fired from anywhere.

But yeah, this was a great pick by Dallas and I hate them for it.

Malachi Lawrence, Edge Defender, UCF

This is a classic case of a good fit but maybe bad value. I was lower on Lawrence relative to where he was drafted but it’s easy to see his appeal to the Cowboys.

After losing Micah Parsons in a trade, Dallas went after a speedy, incredibly high motor edge defender. Lawrence is definitely a speed player more than a power player, and he would get outmuscled by stronger offensive tackles. Dallas is betting on getting Lawrence isolated on the edge with tight ends or using him on twists and stunts so he can win with speed. He should be an immediate impact player for them. 

Jaishawn Barham, Edge Defender, Michigan

Dallas double dipped on the edges. Like Lawrence, Dallas is betting on athletic traits. Three picks into their draft and there’s an obvious commitment to getting faster at every level of Christian Parker’s defense. 

Drew Shelton, Offensive Tackle, Penn State

Dallas is one of the best teams in the NFL at drafting and developing offensive lineman. Here they take a bet on a big, physical player.

Dallas doesn’t have an immediate need at offensive tackle, giving them the luxury of waiting with Shelton’s development.

Devin Moore, Cornerback, Florida 

Dallas goes defense for the fourth time in their first five picks. Anyone who watched the Cowboys last year know why.

Devin Moore is a long, speedy cornerback who needs to develop locating the ball to be an NFL level defender. They’re banking on developing his physical tools to make him a boundary player. Expect him to be a special teams contributor early in his career.

LT Overton, Edge Defender, Alabama

Dallas drafted THREE edge defenders in this class, probably in some effort to recreate Micah Parsons in the aggregate. Good luck to them on that!

But seriously, LT Overton is a different guy than their previous two picks. He’s not a flashy athlete or a dominating pass rusher. Instead he’s a steady, reliable run defender who brings a ton of energy to each snap and seems to revel in fighting through traffic to bring a running back down. An unsung, but necessary contributor on any defense. I actually felt this was great value for Dallas, even if Overton won’t provide much support on third downs.

Anthony Smith, Wide Receiver, ECU

Dallas has one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Lamb obviously does his best work in the slot while Pickens is a dynamic deep threat. Dallas definitely wants depth at perimeter receiver. 

Smith is a good late round flier. He is a proven big play receiver that combines a big frame with good athleticism to stretch the field. He is light for his height, which allowed him to get bullied by more physical cornerbacks at the college level. It’s doubtful he makes much of an impact as a rookie on offense, but his appeal in the late round is quite obvious. 

Alabama Crimson Tide star Jocelyn Briski has once again been named as the SEC's Pitcher of the Week.

Briski has been excellent throughout the entire 2026 campaign, as the star flamethrower has shown no signs of slowing down following yet another electrifying week in the circle. Briski has been named as the SEC Pitcher of the Week for the third time this season, and the Crimson Tide star could easily emerge as a top candidate for SEC Pitcher of the Year in the near future as well.

Briski has played a critical role in the Tide’s success as a whole this season, and the junior finds herself with yet another accolade under her belt following the announcement. 

Briski currently holds a team-best 1.46 ERA throughout the 2026 campaign. The star pitcher has an overall record of 20-2 with a team-high 167 strikeouts as well, as Briski will look to keep things rolling into the SEC Tournament following yet another Pitcher of the Week award. 

Briski and the Tide will enter the SEC Tournament as the No. 2 seed and will be in action on Thursday at 1 p.m. CT, as Alabama will look to make a statement throughout their time in Lexington this week. 

✅3rd Pitcher of the Week award - most in SEC
✅10th weekly award for Alabama - program record @Jocelynbriski#Team30#RollTidepic.twitter.com/FpKC5wZydY

— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) May 4, 2026

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama softball's Jocelyn Briski named SEC Pitcher of the Week

Porto have completed the signing of Jakub Kiwior from Arsenal after a successful loan spell.

The Polish international joined the club last summer and has helped Porto reclaim the Portuguese title with two games to spare. Kiwior has also been part of a solid backline that has conceded just 15 goals in 32 games so far this season, seven fewer than the nearest team (Benfica, 22 goals conceded.)

Porto have now confirmed they have exercised the purchase option for the player that sees him join for an initial €17 million (just over £14.66m), a fee that could raise by a further €5 million depending on targets.

Arsenal could also receive a future €2 million from a future transfer fee should Kiwior be sold.

The defender has signed a four-year contract with Francesco Farioli's side which includes a €70 million release clause.

It’s all about optimism here today, so we are going to keep that theme.

When Bayern Munich squares off with Paris Saint-Germain, the spotlight will naturally fall on the superstars. Names like Harry Kane, Ousmane Dembélé, and Jamal Musiala dominate headlines — and for good reason. But matches of this magnitude are often decided not by the obvious stars, but by the players who quietly tilt the balance without grabbing the glory.

So the real question is: who will be the unsung hero?

A strong candidate is Konrad Laimer. He’s not flashy, and he won’t rack up highlight-reel moments, but his ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch could be decisive. If Laimer executes his role well, he might not show up on the scoresheet—but he could help give Bayern control of the tempo.

Another under-the-radar figure is Dayot Upamecano. Central defenders rarely get “hero” status unless they score or make a last-ditch tackle, but Upamecano’s composure and positioning will be crucial. PSG thrives in transition, and limiting space for attackers like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (if involved) or Dembélé is no small task. If Upamecano can stay disciplined, avoid costly errors, and win his duels, he could quietly neutralize PSG’s most dangerous weapons.

In midfield, keep an eye on Aleksandar Pavlović. The young talent doesn’t always grab headlines, but his composure on the ball and positional intelligence could be vital in a high-pressure clash like this. If Pavlović can help Bayern play through PSG’s press, recycle possession efficiently, and make smart defensive reads, he becomes a quiet stabilizer—exactly the type of player who enables others to shine while doing the subtle work that keeps everything ticking.

Ultimately, the unsung hero won’t be the player with the most touches or the loudest highlight. It will be the one who does the dirty work, wins the unnoticed battles, and executes their role with precision under pressure.

So, what do you think? Will it be a grinder like Laimer, a defensive anchor like Upamecano, or a calming presence like Pavlović?

If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…

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On Tuesday morning, Rockford (IL) Auburn High School announced who will be their new head football coach for the 2026 season.

[ $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage ]

Per the announcement via social media on X, formerly known as Twitter, the has tabbed Hosea Harris as the program’s next head coach. Harris has already served in many capacities at the school already like as the offensive coordinator, head baseball coach and as an assistant on the boys basketball team.

With over 25 years of experience in RPS205, Coach Harris brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to our Football Program. He has served as Head Football Coach at both Middle and High school levels. Coach Harris has had a hand in growing many of Auburn’s athletic programs including previous roles as Varsity Baseball Head Coach and Varsity Football Offensive Coordinator at Auburn. He currently serves as a Student Mentor, Athletic Coordinator, and Varsity Boys Basketball Assistant Coach at Auburn.

The Knights have gone through eight straight seasons finishing at or below the .500 mark, with the last time the program had a winning record was 2017 when Auburn finished with a 8-2 mark. Now Harris will be tasked with aiming to lead the squad to a winning season this upcoming fall after only winning a game a year ago.

Auburn finished with a 1-8 record and as the No. 265 in the state, according to the final 2025 Illinois High School Football Massey Rankings.

More about Auburn High School

Auburn High School in Rockford, Illinois, is a public, coeducational high school serving around 1,800 students. Part of Rockford Public Schools, the school provides a comprehensive academic and extracurricular program, emphasizing diversity, college readiness, and community involvement. Auburn is known for its strong athletics program, with teams competing as the “Knights” in red and black, and has achieved success in sports like basketball, football, and soccer. The school also offers a rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) program, promoting a global education perspective.

How to Follow Illinois High School Football

For Illinois high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Prairie State, ensuring you never miss a moment. The Rivals High School Scoreboard serves as your primary source for tracking all the high school football excitement throughout Illinois, from thrilling finishes to outstanding performances.

After previewing each position on the offensive side of the football for the Kentucky Wildcats, we now shift our focus to the defensive side of the ball. Defensive coordinator Jay Bateman brings the total opposite philosophy to the previous regime, it is shifting from a conservative bend-but-don't-break scheme to an aggressive blitzing scheme that will see multiple pressure looks and some man coverage.

The base front is an even front, which is a big difference stylistically than the odd front we have gotten used to seeing from the Mark Stoops era. The even front allows more freedom to the edge defenders, allowing them better opportunities to get after the opposing quarterback and Kentucky has a deep rotation on the edge for 2026.

Starters

• Mi'Quise Humphrey-Grace
• Antonio O'Berry

Humphrey-Grace returns to the Wildcats coming off a productive season. The change in front directly affects him as last season in the odd front he played mostly from a 4i defensive technique, which is the inside shoulder of the offensive tackle. The even front will allow him to be a true edge defender and line up outside of the offensive tackle. It is easier to get pressure on the quarterback from this alignment because defenders have a better chance of going one-on-one with an offensive tackle instead of getting the interior offensive linemen to help block.

Humphrey-Grace a true power edge player at 6'4, 271-pounds. He will win with power on the edge as opposed to quick twitch and the ability to bend the edge. Despite a team-leading 3.5 sack season last year, that was actually his career-low in terms of sack production. Now that he returns to a true edge alignment, I would expect an increase in production this season.

Humphrey-Grace is a true power edge, which will coincide well with Gardner Webb transfer Antonio O'Berry. O'Berry has ideal length and impressive quickness to get off the line of scrimmage at his 6'6, 244-pound frame. There is a reason Ohio State was in the mix for him in the transfer portal. O'Berry has the ability to use his long arms to set the edge in the run game and get to the quarterback in pass rush situations.

Backups

• CJ Works
• Lorenzo Cowan

CJ Works and Lorenzo Cowan provide incredible depth to this edge room. Both got some much needed experience last season and are two players that can provide legitimate juice in the edge rotation. Works is 6'5, 247-pounds and has great length on the edge, similar to O'Berry. Works was a four-star recruit out of high school and is looking to take another step in his development as a true sophomore.

Cowan is similar to Works as he was a highly rated out of high school as well. Cowan made an impact last season as a redshirt freshman, posting 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. We have seen flashes from the 6'3, 250-pound edge and along with Works, seeing those flashes early on is always a positive. Works and Cowan can form a great rotation behind Humphrey-Grace and O'Berry; the ability to have four edge rushers that can make an impact is a massive plus for defensive coordinator Jay Bateman.

Sam Greene

Greene was on a similar trajectory last season to Works and Cowan, he played at USC as a redshirt freshman and then you saw flashes last season at Kentucky. Unfortunately, Greene had a season-ending injury late in the year against Florida. His timetable to return is unknown at the moment, but adding him to this four man edge rotation sometime midseason could be extremely beneficial. This edge room could be the strongest position group on the defense in terms of depth.

This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky football: Previewing the 2026 edge rusher position

Adare Manor will feature Jon Rahm after all.

There had been some discussion and/or concern around whether or not Spaniard Jon Rahm would be able to tee it up on behalf of Team Europe when the Ryder Cup visits Ireland next year. Given Rahm’s relationship with the DP World tour, how that has been fractured by his membership in LIV Golf, and a million other things in between, Rahm was facing fines that he took issue with and those fines threatened his potential to be a part of the European group.

Beyond the fines that were of issue, participation in certain DP World Tour events was seemingly a flashpoint. Whatever the case may be it would appear that all matters are resolved which ensures that Rahm will be playing in the Ryder cup.

But what of everything between now and then? With all of the rumors of LIV Golf potentially folding or changing on some level… will Rahm still be a part of it then? Will there be something to be a part of? Could he possibly be back on the PGA Tour? If some other avenue opens up for him to pursue to re-join it?

As there have been for several years now, there remain a lot of questions. Rahm discussed all relevant matters on Tuesday ahead of this week’s LIV event and specifically said that he doesn’t see “many ways out” of his contract with the league.

To be clear Rahm seemed to be talking about his contract with the league. At the moment it would seem that everyone involved is operating under the same sort of overall premise to continue on as planned until something changes. It is all, as it has been, a matter of if anything will change.

After two seasons in the World Endurance Championship, Valentino Rossi has stepped away from the series, and while it's a loss for some fans BMW believes the series is more than capable of absorbing that loss.

Rossi’s raced for BMW's customer WRT team in the LMGT3 category in both 2024 and 2025, but was absent from the entry list this year. The MotoGP legend had become a major crowd-puller for the WEC, but opted instead for a full campaign in the GT World Challenge Europe.

Rossi wanted to race fewer weekends in order to spend more time with his family and therefore had to skip GTWCE events in 2025 — aside from the 24 Hours of Spa — due to his WEC commitments.

Now, the Italian returns to GTWCE, where he competes exclusively against other GT3 cars — something he prefers over multi-class racing. While it does mean the WEC loses an icon, Andreas Roos, head of BMW M motorsport, says the championship has nothing to worry about.

“I think the championship is very stable,” Roos told Motorsport sister title Motorsport-Total.com. “Of course, a driver like Valentino Rossi is an absolute train horse. He has a huge fanbase worldwide.

“He is an icon in motorsport and two-wheeler sport. He has already proven what he can do in four-wheel racing. He has already won races there.

“It's definitely a loss in terms of fan engagement. But the championship still has great names and great manufacturers. I don't want to say it's not a loss. 

"I don't want to say it's a loss to lose Valentino Rossi from a championship. But I think the championship is a great and stable championship with all the manufacturers.”

#46 Team WRT BMW M4 LMGT3: Ahmad Al Harthy, Valentino Rossi, Kelvin Van Der Linde

Fully committed, even without Rossi

For BMW itself, the main difference is simply less crowding around the garage, where Rossi’s many fans often gathered to catch a glimpse of their hero. But the German manufacturer’s commitment to the LMGT3 class remains unchanged.

“We are 100% committed,” Roos emphasised. “With our two drivers, you can see that we are serious about fighting for the M4 GT3 Evo.

“We have already won a lot, but we don't have a championship title yet. There is only one that you can win with the GT3. That is our goal.

“We have already won a lot, but we don't have a championship title yet. There is only one that you can win with the GT3. That is our goal."

McLaren's LMDh prototype hits the track for the first time

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To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

Barring an injury, or an unforeseen opportunity to add an upgrade following training camp, the Green Bay Packers appear to have finally settled their quarterback room into the three distinct tiers after Monday's signing of veteran Tyrod Taylor.

Jordan Love is the starter. Taylor is the backup. And Kyle McCord and rookie Kyron Drones will now compete to be the developmental third quarterback likely stashed on the practice squad. The preferred hierarchy is in place.

Signing Taylor and releasing Desmond Ridder added much needed clarity to the backup situation behind Love in a post-Malik Willis era. Out is Ridder, who ended last season on the 53-man roster, and in is Taylor, who is entering Year 16 in the NFL after spending the better part of the last decade as a journeyman backup quarterback. Unless Taylor is injured at some point this summer, he will go into Week 1 of 2026 as Love's backup -- giving the Packers a highly experienced No. 2 option who was a starter and has won games as a backup.

While now 36 years old and not nearly as mobile or dangerous with his legs as Willis, Taylor is no statue at quarterback (20 career rushing touchdowns, once ran 4.51), and he's generally protected the football, throwing only 34 career interceptions over 100 career games and 62 starts.

Taylor has had recent success as a backup, too. Over a 224-dropback season with the New York Giants in 2023, Taylor averaged 7.5 yards per attempt, finished with 17 "big time throws," per PFF, and tossed only three interceptions. His PFF passer grade was 73.4. Even in spot duty behind Aaron Rodgers in 2024, he threw three touchdown passes and zero picks.

Taylor was not successful as a backup last season, but it's hard to imagine any professional quarterback succeeding in the dumpster fire situation presented by the 2025 New York Jets.

After three seasons with a developing young quarterback behind him, Love will get the luxury of an experienced veteran in the backup chair. Now a decade and a half in at the pro level, Taylor could provide valuable day to day insight for Love in a quarterback room that lost assistant coach Sean Mannion this offseason.

With Taylor all but locked in as the No. 2 quarterback in Green Bay, McCord (a sixth-round pick of the Eagles in 2025) and Drones (an undrafted free agent who visited Green Bay before 2026 draft) will battle to win the third spot. The Packers are generally patient with this role, understanding the difficulties of developing a young, inexperienced quarterback in the NFL. But it may be fluid considering McCord was jettisoned from Philadelphia after just one year on the practice squad, and Drones -- while featuring Willis-like physical abilities -- needs substantial development as a passer in a pro style system.

Just last summer, the Packers went from Sean Clifford and Taylor Elgersma battling in training camp to opening the season with Clayton Tune as the third quarterback on the practice squad. Brian Gutekunst will keep churning this roster spot if necessary.

But now the important pair -- the starter and the backup -- are locked in.

The Packers exited free agency and the draft with a fairly important question mark at quarterback, given the fact that Love has missed starts during each of the last two years. But the signing of Taylor provides answers and creates stability behind Love, and puts in place the desired hierarchy of starter, backup and developmental players at the game's most important position.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers: Tyrod Taylor signing likely locks in QB hierarchy for 2026

Manchester City has "strongly condemned" racist abuse directed at winger Antoine Semenyo during a 3-3 draw with Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, and Merseyside Police confirmed they have arrested one suspected offender.

Additional, City said, defender Marc Guéhi, was subject to racist abuse online in the aftermath of the game, which saw City's Premier League title hopes dented and Arsenal take control of its destiny in the race to the title.

"Manchester City strongly condemns the racist abuse directed towards Antoine Semenyo at yesterday’s match," the statement read. "We welcome the swift action taken by Everton and the police to identify the individual responsible.

"We are also incredibly disappointed to hear that Marc Guéhi was subject to a series of vile racist social media posts last night. We will continue to offer our full support to both Antoine and Marc and never accept discrimination of any kind in our game."

Who was arrested for racist abuse at Hill Dickinson Stadium?

Police in Merseyside, the county where Everton calls home, said in a May 5 statement that, "A 71-year-old man from Nottinghamshire was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence after supporters and stewards reported that racist abuse was shouted by a fan."

He has been bailed with conditions, among the conditions that he not go within a mile of a stadium four hours before, after or during a planned sporting event.

Everton moved to the 52,769-capacity stadium at the start of this season, and Everton has one match remaining at the venue this season, a May 17 home date with Sunderland.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man City condemns racist abuse at Everton as police arrest one

A 71-year-old soccer fan was arrested for alleged racist abuse of Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo at a Premier League game, Everton said Tuesday.

Everton said Merseyside Police arrested a 71-year-old man on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offense after supporters and Hill Dickinson Stadium staff reported the incident at the game Monday.

“Racism and discrimination in all forms are completely unacceptable,” Everton said in a statement.

Man City said it welcomed “the swift action taken by Everton and the police to identify the individual responsible.”

Semenyo was targeted in a similar incident at a previous Premier League game in the city of Liverpool, while playing for Bournemouth in the season opener.

The Ghana international, who is Black, alleged he was racially abused by a Liverpool fan while preparing to take a throw-in during Bournemouth’s 4-2 loss at Anfield in August.

That game was paused for the man to be ejected from the stadium. He is due in court later this year.

Man City also condemned online racist abuse targeted at its defender Marc Guéhi after the 3-3 draw Monday evening.

“We will continue to offer our full support to both Antoine and Marc and never accept discrimination of any kind in our game,” the club said.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

After his win over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Perth, Carlos Prates has made a big move up the welterweight rankings.

This past Saturday in Perth, Jack Della Maddalena and Carlos Prates squared off in the main event, both hoping to strengthen their claims for a future title shot.

‘The Nightmare’ put on a flawless performance, becoming the first fighter to finish Della Maddalena inside the Octagon when he stopped him in the third round.

Prates has now put himself firmly into welterweight title contention and has been rewarded with a significant boost in the rankings.

Carlos Prates climbs to No. 2 in latest welterweight rankings update

After defeating the former champion, who held the top spot going into the fight, the 32-year-old has now climbed three places up to number two.

That result has also had a knock-on effect for Ian Machado Garry, who now moves up to number one and strengthens his case as the division’s top contender.

Makhachev is reportedly set to face Garry next, with that matchup expected to headline UFC 330 in Philadelphia.

Prates may not need another fight before earning his shot at the belt following Machado Garry, with a title opportunity looking likely before year’s end.

It wasn’t just welterweight where rankings shifted. Several other fighters from UFC Perth were rewarded for their performances with moves up their respective ladders.

Salkilld entered the lightweight rankings at number 12 after stopping Beneil Dariush in the first round, jumping ahead of fighters like Michael Chandler.

Steve Erceg also made a move, returning to flyweight’s top ten after edging out Tim Elliot on points.

The heavyweight division also saw a fresh name crack the top 15. Brando Pericic took over spot number 15 after an impressive showing against Shamil Gaziev, providing a much-needed boost to that weight class.

Read more:

La Liga giants Barcelona have joined the growing list of clubs expressing a keen interest in the signing of Bournemouth star Junior Kroupi.

It is of course widespread knowledge at this point that Barcelona are on the lookout for reinforcements in the final third with a view to next season.

Amid uncertainty surrounding the futures of all of Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford, the Blaugrana are scouring the market for a player capable of making a difference in front of goal.

To date, the name most heavily linked with a Camp Nou switch has been Julián Alvarez.

In the knowledge that striking a deal with their counterparts at Atlético Madrid will prove no easy task, though, Barca are also eyeing more affordable backup options.

And as alluded to above, this week, one such option has been highlighted in the form of Junior Kroupi.

As per a report from Mundo Deportivo, citing the Daily Mail:

‘Barcelona have joined the list of major clubs interested in Kroupi. The youngster’s impressive performances have also reportedly attracted the attention of Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea.’

Deco and the Camp Nou board have long been keeping a close eye on Kroupi’s development, dating back to his days with Lorient.

Across the season to date, the attacker, still just 19, has racked up an impressive 12 goals in 30 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth.

Conor Laird – GSFN

Josep Maria Bartomeu is not a popular figure at Barcelona, at least not anymore, having been accused of multiple counts of corruption, which is coupled with the financial mismanagement of the club.

However, the former Barcelona president has never been shy about coming out in public to talk about his controversial time at the club.

In a recent interview with Cadena SER (h/t SPORT), Bartomeu talked about Messi’s time at the club and his eventual departure, as well as the Negreira case, among others.

On Messi’s stay and departure

Bartomeu was firm in his defence of the decision to keep Messi at the club despite the famous burofax requesting to leave.

“I’m very happy that Messi stayed with us; I would have kept him until the Qatar World Cup,” he said, adding that contract renewal talks had already been underway with the Argentine, who has recently purchased a stake in Spanish club Cornella.

“I tried to renew Leo Messi’s contract; it was essential to maintain our income level and because we were missing that player who brings a higher level of performance,” he added.

He also revealed that a move to Miami for both Messi and Luis Suarez had been discussed long before it eventually happened. “There had already been talk of a stint in Miami with both Messi and Luis Suarez,” he said.

Laporta wanted Messi to stay. (Photo by Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images)

On the current Barcelona squad, Bartomeu offered a telling reflection. “All these young players on the team, with Leo, would have learned faster. They are learning a lot, but they would have done so more quickly.”

“One or two more seasons at Barça, at least until the World Cup, would have been very positive for Barça,” he added. “He won a World Cup and another Ballon d’Or, and we couldn’t enjoy him as Barça fans; PSG did.”

Negreira case and his biggest mistake

Bartomeu was equally firm in distancing the club from any wrongdoing in the Negreira case, suggesting that the club only paid a company that produced reports.

“The reporting service has nothing to do with whether Barça had better or worse refereeing. We didn’t pay the vice president of the referees’ committee; we paid a company that produced reports,” he said.

Finally, Bartomeu identified one decision he would reverse. “My biggest mistake was not rising to the occasion when it came to firing Zubizarreta; if I could look back, as president I wouldn’t have made that decision,” he concluded.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has threatened a potential boycott of Grand Slam tournaments if players continue to feel they aren’t being paid what they deserve.

Sabalenka’s comments come a day after a group of top ATP and WTA players sent a letter over the weekend expressing “deep disappointment” in the French Open’s prize money pool, saying their pay didn’t reflect the increase in projected tournament revenue.

“Without us there wouldn’t be a tournament and there wouldn’t be that entertainment,” Sabalenka said Tuesday at an Italian Open press conference. “I think at some point we will boycott it. I feel like that’s going to be the only way to fight for our rights.”

“I feel like nowadays, we girls can easily get together and go for this because of some of the things I feel like it’s really unfair to the players. I think at some point it’s going to get to this,” Sabalenka continued.

Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina, the defending French and Australian Open champions, respectively, were both in support of a possible boycott as well. 

Gauff said at the Italian Open Tuesday that she could “100% see” a boycott happening if players “collectively agree on it.” She also said she thinks “few players” also agree with Sabalenka’s sentiment. 

“It’s not about me. It’s about the future of our sport and the current players who aren’t getting as much benefits as even some of the top players are getting,” Gauff said, referring to players who don’t necessarily earn millions in sponsorship money. “When you look at the 50 to 100, 50 to 200 [top ranked players], how much money each Slam makes, it’s kind of unfortunate where the 200 best tennis players are living paycheck to paycheck, whereas other sports it’s not even a discussion.”

The French Open’s prize pool for 2026 increased by $6.5 million to $72.3 million compared with 2025 which represents nearly 15% of the revenue the tournament is projected to earn. This is down from the 15.5% players said they earned in 2024. It’s also a far cry from the 22% share the players want by 2030, which is what they receive from joint ATP and WTA 1000 events like Indian Wells or the Italian Open.

Notably, prize money at the French Open increased by around 11% from 2025 to 2026 for players making the third three rounds, but just 9.8% for champions—a move the French Tennis Federation said was meant to prioritize players who exit the tournament early.

By comparison, players in major American sports leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB get nearly 50% of league revenue, while the WNBA’s player revenue share increased from roughly 9.3% to 20% after the league’s 2026 CBA agreement. 

Unmet Demands

In their letter, the players noted that they’re “receiving a declining share of the value they help create,” and “while other major international sports are modernizing governance, aligning stakeholders, and building long-term value, the Grand Slams remain resistant to change.”

Twenty players signed onto the letter, including Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Coco Gauff. The group previously sent letters to all four Grand Slams in March and then July 2025, demanding greater share of revenue, greater representation in the form of a Grand Slam Player Council, and increased investment in benefits like pensions and health insurance.

Sabalenka’s rival on the WTA tour, world No. 3 Iga Świątek, was more hesitant. Świątek said at the Italian Open that she was unaware of a possible boycott, and that doing so would be “a bit extreme kind of situation.” 

“The most important thing is to have proper communication and discussions with the governing bodies so we have some space to talk and maybe negotiate,” Świątek said.

ATP world No. 6 Ben Shelton also said he didn’t know about a boycott, but advocated for greater player representation and “a seat at the table” to discuss Grand Slam issues.

The demands made by ATP and WTA players echo those from the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), a group co-founded by Novak Djokovic which filed an antitrust lawsuit against the tours and the four Grand Slams. That lawsuit, which was settled between the PTPA and Tennis Australia in December 2025, asked for an increased share of revenue alongside several other player benefits. 

Representatives for all four Grand Slam tournaments have not responded to requests for comment. 

The post Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff Suggest Grand Slam Boycott Over Prize Money Share appeared first on Front Office Sports.

Jon Rahm will be eligible for next year's Ryder Cup in Ireland after striking a deal to continue playing on the DP World Tour and end a "stand-off."

The Spaniard had been embroiled in a long-running dispute with the European tour and had refused to pay fines for playing LIV events without official permission since he made his debut on the breakaway tour in 2024.

Rahm, 31, had become ineligible for DP World Tour events and as a member not in good standing would not have been available for Ryder Cup selection next year.

Throughout the dispute, Rahm had argued that a solution would be found.

He will now pay fines believed to be about £2m and be required to play a minimum of five DP World Tour events.

The deal comes a week after Saudi Arabia announced it would not be funding the LIV Golf League beyond the 2026 season.

"There's no longer a standoff," the two-time Major winner said.

"We were able to reach an agreement. There was some concessions on both sides. I offered some; they extended an olive branch. That will not be a stress anymore."

"The DP World Tour and Jon Rahm have come to an agreement on conditional releases to play in conflicting tournaments on LIV Golf during the remainder of its 2026 season," said a DP World Tour spokesperson.

"This involves payment of all outstanding fines accrued from 2024 to date, along with participation in agreed DP World Tour tournaments (outside the majors) in the remainder of the 2026 season."

Europe's Ryder Cup captain, Luke Donald, will be thrilled that the Spaniard will be available for the next tournament at Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland, from 17-19 September 2027.

Rahm has played four contests with the continent winning three of them including the last two in Rome and New York.

In those events he was a stalwart for Donald and forged a formidable partnership with fellow LIV star Tyrrell Hatton. They are unbeaten in five matches, celebrating four victories.

In all Rahm has played 17 matches, winning nine, losing five and halving three. In foursomes he has a perfect record, winning all six contests against American pairings.

Hatton is among eight other players who had already agreed terms with the DP World Tour to continue playing LIV events without incurring sanctions. They are required to play at least six events on the DPWT.

Laurie Canter, Tom McKibbin, Thomas Detry, Victor Perez, Adrian Meronk, David Puig and Australia's Elvis Smylie are the others to agree a deal which allows the tour to stipulate two of the tournaments they must play.

The deal struck by Rahm is said to be "akin" to what the other eight players agreed last February.

• What now for Rahm, DeChambeau and LIV's biggest names?

'I don't see many ways out of LIV contract'

Rahm joined LIV in December 2023 as the then reigning Masters champion for a reported $300m (£222m).

In two completed seasons, he has earned nearly $92.5m (£68.4m) in prize money and this season has won twice on the tour.

Speaking about his contract on Tuesday, he said: "I have several years on my contract left, and I'm pretty sure they did a pretty good job when they drafted that.

"So I don't see many ways out, and as of right now, I'm not really thinking about it since we still have a season to play and majors to compete for. So it's not something I want to think about just yet."

Rahm's DP World Tour decision comes at a time when LIV's future is shrouded in uncertainty following the withdrawal of Saudi funding.

Last week it was also announced that June's tournament in Louisiana has been postponed, citing hot weather and a date clash with the men's football World Cup being mainly held in North America.

LIV has couched the withdrawal of Saudi funding as an opportunity for "strategic evolution" and a "multi-partner investment model".

It has appointed businessmen Gene Davis and Jon Zinman who have expertise in raising investment.

The breakaway league also announced this week it has retained Ducera Partners LLC as its investment banking advisor to help secure long-term investment partners.

Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards, once and for all, put the pre-draft 'not loving basketball' narratives to rest originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

To be fair, Anthony Edwards brought the discussion about himself.

When he was an NBA Draft prospect from the University of Georgia, in the running to be the No. 1 pick but not yet chosen in that spot by the Minnesota Timberwolves, he admitted that he was "not really into" basketball.

Football, Edwards said in the pre-draft process, was his first love. 

And while Edwards also later in interviews used the word "love" alongside basketball, too, it was that first thought that made for good fodder. What were NBA teams supposed to do with the hooper who was still thinking about his football career, who said he'd leave for the NFL if drafted there?

Minnesota clearly wasn't that concerned, or they wouldn't have made him the top pick in the draft.

MORE: Why Cade Cunningham is wearing a flak jacket during the playoffs

But maybe everyone else missed the point.

Pick whatever word you want. The word is not the point. Actions speak much louder.

And on Monday night, Edwards' actions ended any final misgivings about his desire to be on a basketball court.

Because he was just nine days removed from a left knee injury that looked terrible to everyone who saw it.

The ligaments were intact, somehow -- after all, this is the quick healing, Wolverine-like Edwards.

But it was supposed to be a multi-week injury, 14 days minimum, Game 4 of the Spurs series at the earliest for a return.

Monday night was Game 1, and Edwards played. He came off the bench, a bit of a minutes limit, and a slow start.

When the fourth quarter arrived, though, so did Edwards. Two quick 3-pointers, 11 points total, a big block.

Was he 100%? No chance. Was he going to miss this game? No chance.

In his postgame article, The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski made the comparisons to Michael Jordan -- who played through all sorts of pain -- and Kobe Bryant -- who wouldn't leave the court with a torn Achilles until he made his free throws. 

Edwards' talent has always been viewed as at least approaching that level, but before he really got the chance to prove himself, doubters wondered if he had even remotely the same drive.

Turns out, that's exactly what Edwards has. He has the innate desire it takes to push up to your limits, and then leap beyond them.

Maybe when Edwards was a kid, that got him into the end zone.

On Monday night, though, it got Edwards back on the basketball court faster than anyone thought he could, and it got the Timberwolves a win.

They probably didn't even realize when they drafted Edwards that he had this inside him. But they sure are glad they did, and that he does.

More NBA news:

• Bronny James just did something Michael Jordan never did
• NBA playoffs block record gets confusion from Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell
• The LeBron omen that gives the Cavs hope
• The tricky part of the Toronto Raptors' future has arrived
• Cooper Flagg gets his best NBA news

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (AP) — The 154 players in the field for the 108th PGA Championship on May 14-17 at Aronimink Golf Club. Players listed only in the first category for which they qualified. Two spots are being held in case winners of the Truist Championship and Myrtle Beach Classic are already eligible:

PGA Champions (Lifetime)

Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Phil Mickelson, Collin Morikawa, Jimmy Walker, Jason Day, Rory McIlroy, Jason Dufner, Keegan Bradley, Martin Kaymer, Y.E. Yang, Padraig Harrington, Shaun Micheel.

Masters champions (5 years)

Jon Rahm.

U.S. Open champions (5 years)

J.J. Spaun, Bryson DeChambeau, Wyndham Clark, Matt Fitzpatrick.

British Open champions (5 years)

Brian Harman, Cameron Smith.

Players Championship winners (3 years)

Cameron Young.

Top three from Federation Ranking of the OWGR on April 27

Casey Jarvis, Travis Smyth, Kazuki Higa.

Senior PGA champion

Stewart Cink.

Top 15 and ties from the 2025 PGA Championship

Harris English, Davis Riley, Taylor Pendrith, J.T. Poston, Jhonattan Vegas, Ryan Gerard, Ben Griffin, Joe Highsmith, Si Woo Kim, Denny McCarthy, Joaquin Niemann.

Top 20 from the PGA Professional Championship

Jesse Droemer, Ben Kern, Michael Kartrude, Tyler Collet, Zach Haynes, Garrett Sapp, Austin Hurt, Braden Shattuck, Mark Geddes, Ben Polland, Michael Block, Bryce Fisher, Ryan Lenahan, Jared Jones, Francisco Bide, Chris Gabriele, Derek Berg, Ryan Vermeer, Paul McClure, Timothy Wiseman.

U.S. and European rosters from the 2025 Ryder Cup

Sam Burns, Patrick Cantlay, Russell Henley, Ludvig Aberg, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Rasmus Hojgaard, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Robert MacIntyre, Justin Rose, Sepp Straka.

PGA Tour winners dating to the 2025 Charles Schwab Challenge

Ryan Fox, Aldrich Potgieter, Brian Campbell, Chris Gotterup, William Mouw, Kurt Kitayama, Steven Fisk, Michael Brennan, Adam Schenk, Sami Valimaki, Jacob Bridgeman, Nico Echavarria, Akshay Bhatia, Ricky Castillo, Gary Woodland, Alex Fitzpatrick.

Top 70 from the PGA Championship points list (official PGA Tour money from May 11, 2025, through May 3, 2026)

Maverick McNealy, Rickie Fowler, Corey Conners, Hideki Matsuyama, Min Woo Lee, Harry Hall, Jake Knapp, Nick Taylor, Adam Scott, Daniel Berger, Sam Stevens, Matt McCarty, Nicolai Hojgaard, Jordan Spieth, Andrew Novak, Ryo Hisatsune, Max Greyserman, Alex Noren, Michael Thorbjornsen, Pierceson Coody, Alex Smalley, Bud Cauley, Patrick Rodgers, Chris Kirk, Michael Kim, Sahith Theegala, Matti Schmid, Matt Wallace, Andrew Putnam, Emiliano Grillo, David Lipsky, Rico Hoey.

Top three from the 2026 European tour Asian Swing

Mikael Lindberg, Bernd Wiesberger, Jordan Gumberg.

Special invitations

Luke Donald, Patrick Reed, Marco Penge, Aaron Rai, Kristoffer Reitan, David Puig, Thomas Detry, Jayden Schaper, Jordan Smith, Johnny Keefer, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Sungjae Im, Max McGreevy, Haotong Li, Garrick Higgo, John Parry, Austin Smotherman, Elvis Smylie, Lucas Glover, Daniel Hillier, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Daniel Brown, Stefan Jaeger, Adrien Saddier, Tom McKibbin, Dustin Johnson, Andy Sullivan, Angel Ayora, Keith Mitchell, Chandler Blanchet, Billy Horschel, Ian Holt, Kota Kaneko.

Alternates

Max Homa, Sudarshan Yellamaraju, Tom Hoge, Kevin Yu, Mac Meissner, Tony Finau, Kevin Roy, Davis Thompson.

___

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Blue Jays-Mets trade pitch sends $30M two-time All-Star, NL wins leader to Toronto amid slow start originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Mets have not gotten off to the start they expected, raising plenty of questions about the team’s early struggles. Despite that, the organization is sticking with manager Carlos Mendoza for now.

“Amid one of the worst starts in franchise history, the Mets are backing their manager," MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo wrote. "Carlos Mendoza will remain at the helm for the Mets, president of baseball operations David Stearns said Friday morning.”

If the Mets fail to turn things around and are still in a similar position by the trade deadline, they could look to move key pieces. One name that stands out is ace Freddy Peralta.

“Peralta is a prime trade chip. He’s an elite clubhouse presence and someone who is highly regarded by his teammates. He’s a high-end pitcher who has a career 3.60 ERA in nine major-league seasons. He’s also on an expiring contract and if the Mets want to get something in return in a potential lost season, then trading the right-hander should be on the table,” FanSided’s Robert Murray wrote.

If it gets to that point, the Toronto Blue Jays could be one of the first teams to show interest.

“The Blue Jays never really sniffed around the Freddy Peralta sweepstakes this past winter, but that was mostly because they'd already added two major pieces to their rotation in Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce. Ponce is now lost for the year due to knee surgery, and seemingly every other Toronto pitcher around Cease and Kevin Gausman has struggled to stay healthy as well. I still think this team will be there come September, but they're going to need some rotation reinforcements, and Peralta fits the bill beautifully if the Mets decide to sell. Yes, he'd be a rental, but we know the Jays have money to burn, and he has frontline stuff when it's clicking,” FanSided’s Chris Landers wrote.

Toronto’s pitching staff entered the season with promise but has been hit hard by injuries. Adding Peralta would be a major boost, as he could provide stability and top-end production to a struggling rotation.

Peralta is in the final year of his contract and has earned roughly $30 million over his career. Acquiring an ace of his caliber could give Toronto a legitimate chance to get back into contention and make another push toward the World Series.

More MLB news:

• Braves urged to cut ties with $13M veteran after another blunder as Raisel Iglesias returns

• Dodgers' Dave Roberts reportedly switches Shohei Ohtani plan vs. Astros after 0-17 slump

• Mets ace Freddy Peralta receives significant trade update after MLB's worst start to the season

• Braves reportedly trapped with struggling $9.5M reliever who continues to 'hurt' team every outing

Brian Kelly was fired at LSU primarily because he didn't win a national championship — something his three predecessors on the Bayou did. Nick Saban won one in 2003, Les Miles won one in 2007 and Ed Orgeron won one in 2019.

So will Kelly's successor in Baton Rouge bring the Tigers a national championship?

EXCLUSIVE: Brian Kelly says he was fired for not winning enough at LSU — not golfing too much

Kelly joined USA TODAY Sports' "Sports Seriously: College Football Show" this week and was asked: Yes or no, will Lane Kiffin win a title at LSU?

"I think so," Kelly said. "That wasn't yes... Here's why I would say yes, okay, I think that they have invested in NIL for him. They have given him the opportunity. There's a lot of good things moving in that direction. The recruiting classes are really in solid shape. And I think Lane's a really smart football coach, so I think it's in a really good place, and I believe because there's an investment in that NIL he's going to be able to be Lane Kiffin. And that's important.

"You know he's not going to take the 18-year-old kid and develop him, you know all the way through the ranks. And that's fine. And because that's what they wanted. I think with those things in place he can win the national championship. And I'm sorry, that was a long answer, but that's that's kind of how I feel."

The rest of Kelly's conversation with USA TODAY Sports' college Insiders John Brice and Blake Toppmeyer will beavailable Wednesday, May 6, on USA TODAY Sports' YouTube page and wherever you listen to podcasts (search: Sports Seriously).

Kelly was asked earlier this month if he had any advice for Kiffin. Here's what he told USA TODAY Sports' John Brice:

“Lane doesn’t need advice,” Kelly said. "He’s seen it from the NFL to SC to building a program… I don’t think I’m telling him anything he doesn’t know. “The world we live in today, Michigan just won a basketball championship with five transfers. You can do it, but there are so many moving pieces. I don’t think he needs any advice. I think you just continue to be who you are. I think that's all you can be. People are going to judge you based upon what they think, anyways. So, just be Lane Kiffin."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brian Kelly says Lane Kiffin can win a national title at LSU football

If we're being frank, Anthony Edwards has already shown what it means to be a leader. By pushing and leading his Minnesota Timberwolves to a Game 1 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in their second-round series, despite suffering a serious knee injury just nine days prior, Edwards is setting the best possible example as a basketball player. He deserves so much credit for that resolve.

Still, even with his heroics in the account, the Timberwolves star did something remarkable right after Minnesota's opening win. Rather than make excuses related to his injury or talk himself up or his team, Edwards listed off all of his clutch-time mistakes that almost allowed the Spurs to steal victory out of the jaws of defeat. In other words, rather than resting on his laurels or projecting satisfaction from an 18-point performance in 25 minutes, Edwards took accountability in a way we see so few pro athletes truly do.

The interview below is an example of what makes the All-NBA-caliber guard just so darn special:

Anthony Edwards was disappointed with himself down the stretch despite the HUGE win vs the Wolves. pic.twitter.com/zsqnRCEp48

— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) May 5, 2026

How many stars of Edwards' ability would start rattling off their mistakes instead of their successes after a huge road playoff win? I'll give you a hint: The list isn't long.

Edwards has the right mindset here. He understands that if he's going to play while hampered, he has to play better if Minnesota is to topple the Spurs and reach its third straight Western Conference Finals. We, as observers, might marvel at his heroics for playing through injury, but no one on the court is giving him brownie points or taking it easy on him just because he isn't 100 percent healthy. If you're available, simply play better. Full stop.

The Timberwolves simply need Edwards (who wasn't even all that bad in Game 1) to be better to beat a 62-win regular season, and he knows it. That's the thing. No matter his health status, when Edwards starts taking responsibility like this while vowing he'll perform better moving forward, I believe him.

He doesn't seem like the kind of superstar to break a promise to himself or his Timberwolves teammates.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Anthony Edwards was disappointed with heroic Game 1 Timberwolves effort

DC vs CSK IPL 2026 live score, toss winner, winning probability, result and highlights from Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY MATCH DETAILS:

• Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
• Captains: Axar Patel (DC), Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK)
• Toss result: Delhi Capitals have won the toss and have opted to bat
• Live Telecast: JioHotstar (India), TBD (Bangladesh), No Broadcast (Pakistan), CricLife Max, StarzPlay (UAE), Willow TV, Fubo, Willow TV app, Sling TV (USA & Canada)
• Umpires & Match officials: Amit Sharma (Match referee), Kaushik Gandhi (On-field Umpire), Tanmay Srivastava (On-field Umpire), Nitin Menon (TV Umpire), Anish Sahasrabudhe (Fourth Umpire)
• Match result: TBD.
• Player of the Match: TBD.

IPL 2026 HUB:Latest IPL News | IPL Points Table | Team Stats | IPL 2026 Squads

Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings Live Scorecard from IPL 2026

Follow along with the latest live scorecard here as the match unfolds, or click here for key text commentary updates from the action.

DC vs CSK IPL 2026 Updates

Hello everyone and welcome to the live blog for the Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The two teams met earlier in the campaign at Chennai, where CSK won by 23 runs, courtesy of an unbeaten century from Sanju Samson.

With the two sides stranded in the bottom half of the points table, the result of this match could make or break each side's playoff chances. Who will prevail?

CSK batting updates

• CSK have lost their skipper, Ruturaj Gaikwad, for just 6 runs. He was visibly struggling, and Ngidi removed him. 
• Youngster Urvil Patel bites the dust. Axar foxes him and Rahul does not miss the opportunity to stump him. 
• Samson and Kartik Sharma are the two batters at the crease. 

DC batting updates

• After six overs, DC are 37/2. Both the openers, Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul,  have been sent back, and the capital side are in trouble. 
• Nitish Rana and Karun Nair have a job at their hands. 
• There has been a mini collapse as Rana, Nair, and Patel have all departed. 
• Noor Ahmad has taken two wickets, and Gurjapneet Singh took the wicket of Axar Patel. 
• Tristan Stubbs and Sameer Rizvi have steadied the innings, and after 15 overs, DC are 97/5. 
• A late surge from DC see them put up 155 on the board. A competitive score on a tricky wicket. 

Toss result: Delhi Capitals have won the toss and have opted to bat

DC vs CSK: Win Probability

DC vs CSK IPL 2026: Playing XI

DC playing XI: KL Rahul(w), Pathum Nissanka, Karun Nair, Tristan Stubbs, Nitish Rana, Axar Patel(c), Ashutosh Sharma, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi, T Natarajan

Impact subs: Vipraj Nigam, Sameer Rizvi, Abishek Porel, Auqib Nabi Dar, David Miller

CSK playing XI: Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh

Impact Subs: Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Matthew Short, Akash Madhwal, Sarfaraz Khan

MORE: What happens if an IPL match is cancelled due to rain? Rules and refund details

Delhi weather update: Chances of rain interrupting play

Let's take a look at the hourly temperatures and the probability of rainfall in Delhi on Wednesday.

• 6:00 PM: 32°C (0% chance of rain)
• 7:00 PM: 31°C (0% chance of rain)
• 8:00 PM: 30°C (0% chance of rain)
• 9:00 PM: 29°C (0% chance of rain)
• 10:00 PM: 28°C (0% chance of rain)
• 11:00 PM: 28°C (0% chance of rain)

Key highlights and reactions: DC vs CSK IPL 2026

• CSK's IPL 2026 playoff chances detailed: Qualification scenarios, wins and points required for Chennai Super Kings

• CSK vs DC head-to-head IPL: Last 5 matches, records in Chennai & Delhi

• Will Dhoni play against DC on 5th May in next IPL 2026 match?

IPL 2026 Points Table: Latest updated standings with live DC vs CSK result

NOTE: Points table will be updated after the match.

To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics visit our Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages.

The Chicago White Sox, despite signing Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, didn’t enter the 2026 MLB season with the most lofty of expectations. The Sox were looking to establish a culture and let young players develop in a season that would serve as a building block for the future.

Through the first 45 games of the season, however, the White Sox are looking dangerous. Murakami has delivered since arriving in the Windy City, crushing 14 homers thus far, including another in Monday night’s win over the Los Angeles Angels on the West Coast.

“It was going to come sooner or later,” said Murakami of his first big league double, which also came on Monday night, through interpreter Kenzo Yagi. “So I’m really happy about the result.”

It’s not just Murakami giving opposing pitchers headaches, either.

“If you see that the whole lineup now, it’s so deep,” third baseman Miguel Vargas said, who hit his seventh home run on Monday “Any guy can give you a really good at-bat, a single, an extra base hit, a stolen base. That’s our identity right now. The hustle on the bases too has been unbelievable.”

Chicago is now 7-3 over its last 10 games, and just 0.5 GB of first place in the always tightly contested AL Central.

Most shocking of all during this stretch of success, however, might be the success the pitching rotation is seeing. The Sox have gotten arguably the best starting pitching in the MLB since early April.

The post White Sox Look Like Legitimate Threat To Win AL Central appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.

Former Paris Saint-Germain defender Joane Gadou (19) is set to join Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season, as per reports from L’Équipe and Le Parisien.

Gadou left formative club PSG back in 2024 without having made a single appearance for the senior side. Despite not making the breakthrough, he was very highly rated. He convinced Red Bull Salzburg to spend €10m to acquire his services. 

The centre-back has already made 33 appearances for RB Salzburg this season, including seven in the UEFA Europa League. But his time with the Austrian side is nearing an end, as per reports from L’Équipe and Le Parisien.

They understand that an agreement in principle has been reached between RB Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund. The latter are currently second in the Bundesliga and guaranteed to participate in next season’s UEFA Champions League. 

The deal, should it be completed, will be worth €20m, without bonuses. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

In the sixth round of the 2026 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected Ohio State defensive end Caden Curry. Let's take a closer look at Curry's game with what a few draft experts had to say in their final scouting reports.

Curry saw a big jump in production last season, posting 46 pressures and 12 sacks, according to PFF. He was also one of PFF's highest graded run defenders at this position group.

Curry also joins the Colts,with ample special teams experience at the college level, playing over 600 career snaps over four seasons.

"He's a really good, hard-playing football player," said GM Chris Ballard about Curry.

Here is what a few draft analysts think of Curry's game.

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

"The tape doesn’t quite match the production, but with only one season as a starter, Curry’s play should continue to improve. He has good size and can play edge in even or odd fronts. He uses lower-body power to help access the pocket but his rush lacks explosiveness and a healthy set of go-to moves to open the protection up. He can rush from the interior, allowing teams to get more speed on the field. He’s built to hold up at the point but would benefit from an uptick in aggression to better command both his positioning and the block. Curry is athletic dropping into space and fits the mold of a stand-up edge with special-teams value."

Pro Football Network

"Curry will likely never be an NFL starter, but he has functionality as an alignment-versatile rotational presence with high-quality run defense, a reliable leverage profile, and motorized playmaking in pursuit."

Dane Brugler, The Athletic

"Curry is a sawed-off, face-up pass rusher with a basic approach, but he plays alert and physical, and affects the game with his white-hot motor (his best attribute). He projects as a versatile NFL backup who can be moved up and down the line of scrimmage — reminiscent of John Simon, another former Ohio State edge defender."

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Scouting reports for new Colts' DE Caden Curry

Cameron Young won the 2026 Players Championship and on Sunday won a PGA Tour signature event, the Cadillac Championship, moving him to No. 3 on the Official World Golf Ranking. While his pause at the top of his swing gets a lot of attention, a recent change in his golf ball is harder to spot.

In 2024, Young was playing Titleist's Pro V1 Left Dot, a low-spin option designed to help him keep the ball down and counteract his high-spin shots that flew too high. However, he was still creating too much spin with his wedges, which resulted in distance control issues. That year, he tested the prototypes that would become the current Pro V1 and Pro V1x, and asked Titleist golf ball reps what they could do to help him because the new balls still weren't the ideal match. Eventually, while testing at Titleist's Manchester Lane facility in Massachusetts, Titleist fit Young into the Pro V1x Double Dot ball, a Custom Performance Option (CPO) that is only available to Tour pros and not the general public.

After learning the Pro V1x Double Dot ball worked for his irons and wedges, Young worked with Titleist PGA Tour reps to make sure the ball worked off the tee. Not surprisingly, the ball created a lower flight off the tee. To counteract that off the tee, Young wound up adding about 0.75 degrees of loft to your driver to get the flight he wanted, which created a "spin floor" around 2,400 rpm of spin that gives him enough carry distance. Young now plays a Titleist GT3 with 11 degrees of loft, set in the D1 hosel position, which reduces the loft by 0.75 degrees, so the club has a 10.25-degree "playing" loft.

Young added the ball at the 2025 Wyndham Championship, and he won his first PGA Tour event that week. Young went on to be a stud for the U.S. Ryder Cup team at Bethpage and has now won twice with it in 2026.

So why aren't Titleist CPO balls like the Pro V1x Double Dot available to everyone? The vast majority of golfers, according to Titleist, get good performance from the Pro V1 and Pro V1x, while a few likely benefit from the Pro V1x Left Dash. You don't swing like Cameron Young, and only a handful of players in the world do. What he needs from a ball is different than what Justin Thomas needs, what Lydia Ko needs, from what your local pro needs and what you and your friends need.

The real story here isn't that Young or other pros are playing equipment you can't get. It's that they are ideally fit with a ball that matches their game, while too many golfers play a golf ball at random. They use the same ball they've played for years, balls that were a gift or balls that have a color they like. Just like using a driver or set of irons that match your game is critical, finding and using the right golf ball can make a massive difference in your game.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: New Titleist mini driver, Bettinardi zero-torque putters

Masai Ujiri has built a reputation on bold resets.

He has torn down rosters when necessary to construct contenders and the Dallas Mavericks are betting that philosophy can stabilize a franchise at a crossroads.

Like Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Ujiri has long been viewed as a risk-taker, willing to make aggressive, franchise-altering decisions in pursuit of a title.

Dallas announced Monday that it has hired Ujiri as president of basketball operations and alternate governor, charging him with reshaping a team still dealing with the fallout from trading Luka Dončić.

Ujiri’s resume is defined by decisive moves. In 2018, he traded franchise cornerstone DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard, a one-year acquisition widely expected to leave for Los Angeles in free agency. Weeks earlier, Ujiri had dismissed coach Dwane Casey — who would go on to win NBA Coach of the Year — and elevated assistant Nick Nurse.

The gamble paid off. Before departing for the Los Angeles Clippers, Leonard led the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA championship.

Ujiri is expected to be introduced at a news conference Tuesday. Below is a timeline of his NBA career:

MASAI UJIRI | Career TimelineNew Dallas Mavericks president of basketball operations and alternate governor

BY THE NUMBERS

EARLY CAREER

Pre-2003 — Played professionally in Europe before transitioning to the front office as an international scout with the Orlando Magic.

2003 — Joined the Denver Nuggets as an international scout.

2007–08 — Hired by the Toronto Raptors as director of international scouting. Promoted to assistant GM by 2008.

2010 — Returned to Denver as GM and executive vice president of basketball operations, becoming the first African GM in major American professional sports. The Nuggets went 50-32 in his first full season.

Feb 2011 — Orchestrated the blockbuster Carmelo Anthony trade.

Knicks receive: Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter, Renaldo Balkman

Nuggets receive: Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, Raymond Felton, four draft picks (including the selection used on Jamal Murray), $3 million in cash

May 2013 — Named NBA Executive of the Year after Denver won 57 games, tied for the franchise’s best since joining the league.

TORONTO RAPTORS ERA (2013–2025)

May 2013 — Rejoined the Raptors as executive vice president and GM on a five-year, $15 million deal.

December 2013 — Traded Rudy Gay to Sacramento in a widely questioned move. Toronto responded by posting the NBA’s fourth-best record the rest of the way, kicking off a franchise-record seven consecutive playoff appearances.

July 2018 — Made his boldest move, shipping fan favorite DeMar DeRozan to San Antonio for Kawhi Leonard — a one-year rental widely expected to leave for Los Angeles. Weeks earlier, fired Coach of the Year Dwane Casey, replacing him with assistant Nick Nurse.

June 2019 — Toronto defeated Golden State in six games to win the franchise’s first NBA championship. Leonard’s buzzer-beater against Philadelphia and his Finals MVP performance validated every uncomfortable decision Ujiri had made.

2021 — Signed a five-year extension with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. The Raptors also drafted Scottie Barnes fourth overall that summer.

2023-24 — Traded O.G. Anunoby and Pascal Siakam in a retooling effort. Toronto missed the playoffs in three consecutive seasons — the longest drought of his tenure — and finished 30-52 in 2024-25.

2025 — Parted ways with Toronto Raptors.

We’re smack dab in the middle of spring high school football in the states that participate around the country, but this is a critical time for many programs when it comes to preparation for the upcoming 2026 campaign. The most important position on the field, quarterback, is often the most heavily scrutinized and always under the microscope of those who cover high school football. Rivals begins taking a look state-by-state at each state’s top 5 returning signal callers and we start with Florida high school football as we work our way around the country. Take a look at our top 5 and let us know what you think and who we may have missed.

[ $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage ]

Davin Davidson, Sarasota (FL) Cardinal Mooney

Scouting Summary: “Davin Davidson is another physically-talented 2027 passer who has seen his profile rise coming out of his junior season, as he helped Sarasota (Fla.) Cardinal Mooney to a state title. Davidson pairs immense size at around 6-foot-6, 215 pounds with a very live arm. He’s more of a fastball thrower right now and will need to continue adding nuance as a passer. The size, arm, and movement skills are very projectable and his physical upside has created a considerable buzz.” – Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings, Charles Power

Jayden Wade, Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy

Scouting Summary: “Physically-gifted quarterback prospect with a high-end combination of arm strength and athleticism. Measured in at around 6-foot-3.5, 195 pounds with 10-inch hands prior to his junior season, having added good mass to his frame over the past year. A combine standout who has been timed in the 4.4-second range in the 40-yard dash. Started at quarterback at power IMG Academy as a sophomore after serving as a backup as a freshman. Has a tight, quick throwing motion and shows the ability to throw with palpable velocity. Primarily worked as a distributor for IMG’s talented receiving corps, throwing a high percentage of RPO’s as a sophomore. Completed 73 of 119 passes for 1,376 yards and 20 touchdowns against two interceptions as a sophomore. Shows flashes of his immense physical ability but needs more quality in-game reps as a passer, as he’s relatively less experienced than most of his highly-ranked peers at this stage. Older for the cycle and will turn 18 years-old in October of his junior season.” – Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings, Charles Power

Champ Monds, Vero Beach (FL)

Scouting Summary: “Rivals’ top quarterback early on in the 2028 cycle, after turning in a strong freshman season. Has a physically-developed build, checking in at 6-foot-2.5, 220 pounds with massive 10.5-inch hands. Flashed a live arm and the ability to make high-level throws while passing for 2,234 yards and 23 touchdowns against five interceptions as a freshman. A true dual threat with good combine speed that translates to Friday nights. Is already load to tackle and rushed for 502 yards and nine touchdowns as a freshman. Despite being the most physically developed 2028 quarterback, he is also one of the youngest and few who were not held back.” – Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings, Charles Power

Neimann Lawrence, Plantation (FL) American Heritage

The Skinny: The 2028 four-star phenom quarterback move to 2025 FHSAA Class 4A state champion American Heritage from Miami Northwestern really shook up South Florida and sets the Patriots up for a chance to three-peat as state champions this fall. Lawrence in his first couple of years has been as good as anyone in the Sunshine State and his transfer to American Heritage keeps them in contention for another state title this 2026 campaign. Lawrence last Florida high school football season completed 131 of 185 passes for 1,971 yards, 32 touchdowns and just one interception, making him easily one of the most efficient at the position from the Sunshine State.

Brady Quinn, Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna

The Skinny: Another 2028 signal caller that transferred schools this off-season was Quinn, who left Naples Lely for 9-time state champion Chaminade-Madonna Prep. Quinn was very effective playing out of Southwest Florida, but should see his statistics the next couple of years soar with the playmakers he’ll have around him with the Lions. This past 2025 campaign at Naples Lely, Quinn finished the Florida high school football season completing 198 of 328 passes for 2,960 yards and 37 touchdowns. There’s little doubt whatsoever that Quinn should be able to surpass those numbers as he will have receivers like 2027 four-star Ah’Mari Stevens and 2028 four-star Tromon Isaac to throw to, respectively.

How to Follow Florida High School Football

For Florida high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the Sunshine State, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the Florida high school football excitement across the state.

"I will say it in here right now, Movsar beats Volkanovski."@GamebredFighter is calling it now 🔮 pic.twitter.com/cGueNQiCUo— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) May 4, 2026

A new report makes a Paolo Banchero trade out of Orlando this summer seem a lot more likely.

While the Orlando Magic star has not been the dominant force the team needs as a former No. 1 overall pick, the 23-year-old is still a very gifted player. He showed that with his 38 and 45-point performances in their playoff series against the Detroit Pistons. However, there is no denying he has been the face of a team ousted in the first round in three straight seasons.

As of now, head coach Jamahl Mosley is taking the blame after being fired on Monday. However, an interesting report from ESPN NBA insiders Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst isn’t a good look for Banchero.

“They’re kind of a mess. Their ceiling just isn’t very high with Paolo. Their roster construction is just off,” an East scout said. “… Having him lead your team is tough to pull off.”

If scouts feel that way about Banchero, it’s possible Magic management feels the same, especially after they played well without him during the season. If Orlando did boldly trade the 2022 No. 1 pick, let’s look at five teams that could target a trade.

Dallas Mavericks

With Masai Ujiri now installed as the new president of the Dallas Mavericks, the team is sure to be aggressive in building a roster around last year’s No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg. The Mavs have the contracts to make a deal work, but will need to throw in some future first-round picks to interest the Magic. If they do, the combo of Flagg and Banchero for the next five years will excite Dallas fans.

Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets badly need a long-term face of the franchise. Their rebuild has gone poorly thus far, and they don’t seem keen on making Michael Porter Jr. the heart of their roster. The Nets certainly have the draft assets and intriguing young talent. The big question is, does Orlando see big upside in their multiple first-round prospects from last June?

Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings will be aggressive to overhaul their roster this offseason after a disastrous campaign in 2025-26. They have two extra first-rounders in upcoming drafts, including two in 2027. What makes the Kings an intriguing trade partner is that Orlando’s return could be a future first-rounder and three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis.

Despite his age (just turned 30) and injury woes this season, the forward and a first-rounder would be a good return for Orlando. While Sactown gets a new young star in the deal.

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns made a lot of progress in 2025-26 after being one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA a season ago. New head coach Jordan Ott implemented a more defensive-minded system that would surely fit with Banchero, since he played in one for the Magic.

He won’t come cheap and will cost them a couple of future first-round picks, but a combo of Banchero and Devin Booker for the next few years could make Phoenix a force in the West.

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are in the midst of a major overhaul. They have a new leader of the front office and are in search of a replacement for head coach Billy Donovan. Chicago also needs a proven star to be the face of this new era.

They certainly don’t want to trade Josh Giddey or Matas Buzelis. But they can offer several first-round picks, including one of their two potential selects in a stacked draft next month. It may not be enough to persuade Orlando, but they can put together a very nice trade package.

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NFL Network has been dark on Comcast’s Xfinity cable systems for five days as the cable provider negotiates a fresh carriage agreement with Disney, the new owner of NFL Network.

It appears there are two primary holdups stalling negotiations, according to a new report by Austin Karp in Sports Business Journal. First, Comcast wants assurances that the NFL Network will continue to carry seven exclusive NFL games throughout the entirety of its new carriage deal. And second, Disney is seeking to return NFL Network to a more basic tier of Xfinity offerings. NFL Network has been moved to higher, more expensive packages on Xfinity in recent years.

As for the first issue, NFL Network has long guaranteed distributors like Comcast that it would carry at least seven exclusive NFL games each season. These games drive much of the value for the network when negotiating deals with distributors; without the seven-game package, NFL Network would simply be a supplemental channel filled with ancillary NFL programming rather than a must-have network with exclusive games during key portions of the NFL season.

Assurances that the network would fulfill its seven-game minimum were never much of an issue under league ownership. But under Disney ownership, it’s possible these NFL Network games could shift to other Disney-owned networks like ESPN or ABC in the future.

This won’t be an issue next season, per Karp, who reports NFL Network will be allocated a seven-game slate as normal. However, Disney has not given Comcast “a guarantee that NFL Network would continue to have a slate of seven exclusive games into the future of any longer-term carriage deal.”

The second issue, tiering, has been a common refrain in sports-focused carriage disputes recently. Comcast would like to keep NFL Network in the higher tier, where it can pay fewer per-subscriber fees to Disney and avoid passing the channel’s costs onto consumers that may not watch the network. Disney, on the other hand, likely sees NFL Network as on-par with channels like ESPN or ESPN2, both of which are included in more basic tiers, and believes it should be compensated as such.

Karp cites sources suggesting the cyclical nature of NFL Network content, particularly the fact that there is little worthwhile programming between the NFL Draft and the start of the season in September, as reason the channel should remain on the higher tier with other specialty sports channels.

That very programming gap gives Comcast quite a bit of leverage in this negotiation. The company can reasonably hold out for a few months without its customers missing any important NFL Network programming, all the while Comcast doesn’t have to pay for NFL Network during the least-important months on the football calendar. Of course, there’s no guarantee Comcast could get a better deal from Disney in August than it can right now. In fact, the opposite is likely true.

Regardless, these negotiations could well determine the future of the exclusive seven-game slate on NFL Network, which itself is important to how all NFL fans, not just Comcast customers, will consume games in the coming years.

The post Comcast concerned about future of exclusive NFL Network games amid carriage dispute appeared first on Awful Announcing.

The 2026 NFL Draft concluded nearly two weeks ago, but we still haven't finished examining grades from various media outlets. For the most part, the Atlanta Falcons' six-player draft class has not been well received around the NFL.

Since the team did not have a first-round pick, Atlanta had to wait until Day 2 to select Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell with the 48th overall pick. Then in Round 3, the team added Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch. While the Falcons were praised for these Day 2 picks, their overall draft class failed to impress.

SI released its 2026 NFL Draft grades and the Falcons were ranked 28th in the league with a "C" grade for their 2026 class.

Falcons' draft class receives C grade from SI

"Drafting Avieon Terrell and reuniting him with his brother A.J. Terrell is more than a good story," wrote SI's Justin Melo. "The Atlanta Falcons landed an instant contributor at cornerback. Third-round pick Zachariah Branch must prove he possesses the play strength required to be more than a gadget weapon. Harold Perkins Jr. was a value sixth-round selection, but the overall grade here suffers from not having a first-round pick."

The Falcons did not earn many points with their four selections on Day 3. Atlanta took safety-turned-linebacker Kendal Daniels out of Oklahoma after trading down in the fourth round, followed by Washington defensive lineman Anterio Thompson, LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. and offensive lineman Ethan Onianwa in the seventh round.

Heading into the draft, the Falcons were in a tough spot having just five total picks. Even after adding an additional sixth-round pick via trade, the team had no choice but to focus on adding depth in the first draft under general manager Ian Cunningham.

Considering the Falcons were able to land two potential starters in Terrell and Branch, they have to be happy with how the draft unfolded.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons draft grades: Atlanta receives 'C' grade from SI

Kevin Kisner has opened up on what the experience of being paired with Phil Mickelson at the Presidents Cup was like, as he revealed what the six-time major champion decided to do while Kisner prepared to hit the opening tee shot in their first match.

Mickelson had played in every single edition of the Presidents Cup leading into the 2017 event at Liberty National. Meanwhile, Kisner was making his debut in a team event for USA.

So it made some sense that Steve Stricker put the pair together for the opening session in New York. It fell to Kisner to hit the first tee shot of the match.

Unfortunately, when Kisner needed some encouragement from his partner, he realised that Mickelson was nowhere to be seen.

What Phil Mickelson was doing while Kevin Kisner prepared to hit the opening tee shot at the Presidents Cup

Speaking on the We Need A Fourth podcast, Kisner revealed what the veteran was up to while he prepared to get their match with Jason Day and Marc Leishman underway.

“The most nervous I ever was and I had to hit the shot was the first hole of the Presidents Cup. My first team event was in New York, at Liberty National, 2017. And they paired me with Phil Mickelson who obviously has played in every cup for 20 years. We get to the first hole and it’s 30 miles an hour, straight downhill, water left, out of bounds right. It’s alternate shot so I’m the one teeing off and I’m basically s——g my pants. I turn around to look for Phil for words of assurance. ‘Hey man, I need some help’. And I look up and he’s in the stands with Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush taking selfies. I told my caddie, ‘dude, we’re on two different wavelengths right here. I don’t know how I’m physically going to do this and he’s there partying with the Presidents’,” he said.

“I swung and when I hit it, I still don’t even remember making contact. But I looked up and the ball’s going straight down the middle. And I said, ‘dear lord, how did I do that?’ And he doesn’t even catch up until 50 yards off the tee. He puts his arm around me and goes, ‘how did we do, partner?’ I go, ‘you weren’t even watching? I’m over here dying’. He’s like, ‘it doesn’t matter, we’ll get them. It doesn’t matter if we lose the first hole, we’ll beat them’. He’s the most positive guy I’ve ever met.”

The incredible reaction Phil Mickelson had to one stunning approach shot at Liberty National

Mickelson is certainly a divisive figure among fans. While at the peak of his powers however, he seemed to be one of the most popular players in the game.

And it seems that Kisner could not speak high enough about his abilities on the golf course. They went unbeaten during their three matches together, winning twice. Neither man lost in the singles either as Team USA won 19-11.

Kisner went on to tell an amazing story about how Mickelson reacted after hitting a shot that only he was probably capable of.

“You wouldn’t want anybody else. It’s amazing. Him and I are so different on a human level. But to have him on your side is fascinating. I could go on for days with stories of what he said during that match,” he said.

“The third hole is blowing 50 straight into the face, long par four. I hit a tee shot. He’s got 230 yards into this par four, the pin’s just over a bunker, it’s blowing 30 in our face. And he hits this iron shot, it looks like god hit it himself. It never leaves the flag, towering two-iron straight at the flag, lands a foot over the bunker and goes to three feet. And I don’t even think anything, I was just in awe of the shot. I just start walking. And he goes, ‘hey partner’, and I turn around and he goes, ‘I made that look a lot easier than it was’.”

That would prove to be Mickelson’s final playing appearance in the Presidents Cup. He was a part of the team that travelled to France for the Ryder Cup the following year – though the less said about that, the better perhaps.

There is now a huge question mark hanging over whether Mickelson will ever return to the Presidents Cup fold as a captain.

Obviously, the event is run by the PGA Tour, so it looks considerably less likely than a Ryder Cup captaincy – which already seems extremely improbable.

The San Francisco 49ers haven’t been shy about drafting players from the same school under the current regime.

They’ve drafted a pair of Notre Dame offensive linemen in the top 50 in Aaron Banks and Mike McGlinchey. Deebo Samuel and Javon Kinlaw both came out of the University of South Carolina.

There are examples of the Niners selecting the same prospects from the same school in consecutive years, like in 2021 and 2022, when Talanoa Hufanga and Drake Jackson were drafted.

If you want to go pre-John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers drafted Curtis Taylor and Eric Reid, a pair of free safeties from LSU. Another example is Kentwan Balmer and Kentavius Street, both from North Carolina State. The most recent and closest example is this year with Enrique Cruz and Dominick Puni, both Kansas alumni. That’s as close to the same school and position in consecutive years as it gets, dating back to 2008.

You see where we’re going with this. For the first time in the Next Gen Stats database, the 49ers drafted players from the same school at the same position in consecutive years. The 49ers drafted former Ole Miss wide receivers Jordan Watkins and De’Zhaun Stribling in 2025 and 2026. Both wideouts couldn’t be more different stylistically.

Watkins is under 6′ and 200 pounds with an arm length of 29 3/8. Some of his height-weight-speed comps include KC Concepcion, Patriots receiver Kyle Williams, Makai Lemon, and Mecole Hardman.

At 6’2 1/8, Stribling’s arm length is over two inches longer, and his hands are nearly an inch bigger. His comparisons are Sammy Watkins and Christian Watson.

Both were in the 90th percentile for speed. Watkins and Stribling had the same 10-yard split of 1.53, with Stribling just edging out Watkins’ 40-time at 4.36 compared to 4.37. Their usage in college wasn’t all that different, either.

Lane Kiffin used Watkins as an outside receiver on two-thirds of the snaps with the Rebels. He occasionally played in the slot, while sparingly lining up in the backfield (13) or tight end (17). Stribling played 591 of his 778 snaps out wide last year. He had more snaps in the backfield (20) and at tight end (27), while his uptick in the slot didn’t happen until the college football playoffs.

It’s almost as if the 49ers took the receiver lining up in the same spot at the same school in consecutive seasons. There was no overlap between Watkins and Stribling, as the latter played at Oklahoma State during Watkins’ final season at Ole Miss, so they weren’t teammates.

The path for Stribling in 2026 is clearer than Watkins’s. Stribling is a 1-for-1 swap with Jauan Jennings. Watkins will likely need to battle Ricky Pearsall for playing time. In limited action last year, Watkins played 16 of his 25 snaps out wide. There were even times when Watkins was the isolated receiver. Of course, that was before Mike Evans was on the roster. Watkins may need to earn his playing time as a special teamer or returner, barring injury.

Ismael Kone has a €35 million release clause in his Sassuolo contract that is valid until the end of July, with Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus all understood to be among the clubs interested in signing one of Serie A’s standout performers this season.

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According to Fabrizio Romano, via TuttoMercatoWeb, contacts between the parties are expected before the start of the World Cup, which Koné will feature in as a key member of the Canada squad.

Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali has also addressed the situation publicly. “I haven’t spoken with Inter or Milan about Koné, but it’s also true that we have had some requests from foreign clubs,” he said. “It’s possible that an Inter-Milan derby could emerge. We need to find the best situation for him, but at the same time for us too.”

PISA, ITALY – JANUARY 31: Ismael Kone’ of US Sassuolo celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Arena Garibaldi on January 31, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Sassuolo open to Kone sale as Serie A giants circle ahead of World Cup

Milan sporting director Igli Tare has already publicly confirmed his club’s interest, and with the release clause set at a fixed figure, the race is likely to come down to the player’s preference rather than a negotiation over fee.

Inter and Juventus have also been linked with the Sassuolo man, in what promises to be a difficult battle for his signature.

As Carnevali noted, there is also interest from abroad in the Canadian, meaning Italian clubs will want to act fast to avoid missing out.

Koné will head into the summer with considerable leverage, having established himself as one of the most dynamic midfielders in Serie A this season.

The Champions League final four is often the stage for unbelievable scenarios.

From spectacular comebacks and historic thrashings to longevity records, the semi-finals have helped forge the legend of the Champions League.

Here’s a look back at the numbers and performances that have marked the competition’s history.

The biggest comeback in a Champions League semi-final

Liverpool 4-0 Barça in the second leg (0-3 in the first leg, 2018/19)

The biggest aggregate score (home and away)

Bayern Munich 7-0 Barça (4-0, 3-0) 2012/13

The biggest wins in a Champions League semi-final

Real Madrid 6-0 Zurich (07/05/1964)

Bayern Munich 4-0 Barcelona (23/04/2013)

Real Madrid 4-0 Bayern Munich (29/04/2014)

Liverpool 4-0 Barça (07/05/2019)

Manchester City 4-0 Real Madrid (17/05/2023)

Most goals scored in a Champions League semi-final

4 goals - Robert Lewandowski (Dortmund vs Real Madrid, 24/04/2013)

The oldest player in a Champions League semi-final 🦁

41 years and 206 days, Mark Schwarzer (Chelsea 1-3 Atlético), 30/04/2014

The youngest player in a Champions League semi-final

17 years and 2 days, Rayan Cherki (Lyon 0-3 Bayern, 19/08/2020)

The youngest goalscorer in a Champions League semi-final

17 years and 291 days, Lamine Yamal (Barcelona 3-3 Inter, 30/04/2025)

The oldest goalscorer in a Champions League semi-final

37 years and 148 days, Ryan Giggs (Schalke 0-2 Man United), 26/04/2011

The youngest player to score a hat-trick in a Champions League semi-final

23 years and 143 days, Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus 4-1 Monaco, 01/04/1998) 

The oldest player to score a hat-trick in a Champions League semi-final

32 years and 86 days, Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid 3-0 Atlético, 02/05/2017)

Top scorer in Champions League semi-finals

Cristiano Ronaldo - 13 goals 

Stats: UEFA

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

Romelu Lukaku’s agent, Federico Pastorello, confirms the Belgian striker will resume training with his Napoli teammates today, meeting with Antonio Conte: ‘The coach will decide what to do.’

Lukaku returns to Napoli to meet Conte

Belgium international Lukaku has returned to Naples after spending over one month in Antwerp, Belgium, for individual training sessions to regain full fitness.

Lukaku refused to return to Naples during the international break in March, remaining in Belgium without the club’s consent.

VERONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring his team second goal during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on February 28, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

He was, therefore, fined and frozen out of the team. He did return to Naples for just one day towards the end of April to meet club directors with his agent, Pastorello.

Lukaku and his representative did not sit down with Conte at the time, prompting the coach to publicly express his dissatisfaction.

“I know both [Lukaku and Conte] really well, and they both live football with great passion,” Pastorello told DAZN Belgium via TMW.

NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli reacts after missing a penalty in the penalty shootout during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

“That was not the right moment for a meeting, but they’ll do it today.”

Lukaku has now returned to Napoli’s training centre, his agent confirmed.

“Lukaku is back to Napoli, as expected, and he’ll resume training with the team now that he’s in better shape. Then the coach will decide what to do with Romelu,” Pastorello said.

Lukaku suffered a severe muscle injury at the beginning of the season, which forced him to the sidelines in the first part of the campaign.

The Belgian international, 32, has played only 64 minutes across all competitions this season, scoring one goal.

His contract at the Stadio Maradona runs out in June 2027.

Jon Rahm has reached a deal with the DP World Tour that will allow him to retain membership and be eligible for selection for next year’s Ryder Cup with the future of LIV Golf uncertain.

Rahm and the tour had appeared at an impasse after the two-time major champion turned down an offer taken by eight of his LIV colleagues to remain a member.

The 2023 Masters winner had declined to pay fines and accept a settlement that would have involved him playing a minimum of six events on the European tour, though now has reached agreement after further negotiations. It has not been confirmed how many events he will be expected to play.

A key part of the European teams that have won the last two editions of the Ryder Cup, Rahm now appears set to be available to Luke Donald again at Adare Manor next year.

“The DP World Tour and Jon Rahm have come to an agreement on conditional releases to play in conflicting tournaments on LIV Golf during the remainder of its 2026 season,” the DP World Tour confirmed in a statement.

“This involves payment of all outstanding fines accrued from 2024 to date, along with participation in agreed DP World Tour tournaments (outside the Majors) in the remainder of the 2026 season.”

News of the deal comes a week after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) confirmed that it would be ceasing its funding of LIV Golf at the end of the 2026 season. The breakaway league is now searching for alternative investors as it resumes the campaign at Trump National Golf Club near Washington DC this weekend.

Rahm joined LIV in December 2023 with a reported signing-on fee of $350m (£258m). He topped the individual standings on the series last year, and already has two victories this season.tThe 31-year-old finished in a tie for 38th at the Masters last month and is set to compete at the PGA Championship at Aronimink next weekend.

Good morning everyone, the Seattle Seahawks have woken up!

After an excruciatingly quiet stretch of offseason, the Seahawks have signed one of the most accomplished players of this free agency, bringing former first-round pick Dante Fowler in to play opposite DeMarcus Lawrence and make quarterbacks sad.

By the way, for the comp pick watchers, we’re past the deadline for any FA signings counting toward or against the formula, so this affects nothing but a roster spot and the salary cap.

This has felt like a strong possibility for a while, for a few reasons. Things became even more clear when Seattle entered and subsequently exited the 2026 draft without any drafted edge help. Additionally, Fowler overlapped with Lawrence in Dallas and Aden Durde in 2022 and 2023, and Seattle brought Fowler in for a visit. Finally, reviving 30-year old pass rushers seems to be one of the many specialties of head coach Mike Macdonald.

Fowler is not quite at the same tier as Lawrence – and the $5 million contract supports that, but he completely fits the bill for what has become the Seahawks defensive line engine.

• Versatility across the line
• Known for his high motor and nasty, disruptive playstyle
• Power rusher with high pressure rate. His 2025 was higher than any Seahawks player.
• Skilled and accomplished run defender

It’s not a pure Boye Mafe replacement in terms of skillset. He’s closer to Derick Hall, Lawrence, or even Leonard Williams in that regard.

Fowler’s career production has been a bit up and down. He only has two 10+ sack seasons, but 15 forced fumbles over 10 years is nothing to sneeze at, neither is 74 tackles for loss. His two best seasons were with the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Commanders, so we’ll just assume that the Cowboys don’t know what they’re doing, that Durde and Macdonald do, and look forward to Fowler in a Seahawks jersey soon!

In Today’s Links: another breakdown of the Jadarian Price pick, photos from the next phase of Seattle Seahawks offseason practice, takeaways from Rookie Minicamp, a look at the Macdonald Regime, thus far; and much more! Thanks for being here with us at Field Gulls. You know the rest.

#np Hold On by Alabama Shakes

Seahawks News

How many Seahawks have there been recently? – Seaside Joe
And how many more will be added to the list next year?

Brock sees similarities to RB legend in Seahawks’ Jadarian Price – Seattle Sports
The Seattle Seahawks made it through their rookie minicamp over the weekend, which allowed for the first look at first-round running back Jadarian Price in the blue and Action Green.

PHOTOS: Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba And The Seahawks Begin Phase Two Of Offseason Workouts – Seahawks.com
The Seahawks kicked off phase two of the team’s offseason workout program on Monday, May 4, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.

How Russell Wilson might fare if he joins CBS’ NFL pregame show – The Seattle Times
There are two schools of thought regarding how former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson would fare if he joins “The NFL Today” on CBS next season.

Five takeaways from Seahawks rookie camp, including Jadarian Price’s hands – The News Tribune
From top draft choice Jadarian Price through a 5-foot-6 United States Air Force lieutenant, the Seahawks brought in more guys for a rookie minicamp than they’ll have players on their roster next season.

Stock Watch: Examining Seahawks Post-Draft Winners, Losers – Emerald City Spectrum
Now more than a week removed from the 2026 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks have gotten a first look at their newest draft class via rookie minicamp, and the offseason program will soon kick into full overdrive with Phase 2 opening next week.

Lessons to learn from the Seahawks 2026 draft – Seahawks Draft Blog
Brady Henderson has published a typically excellent breakdown of the Seahawks draft, with a few very interesting nuggets included. I wanted to touch on a few things we should remember for next year.

Why the Seahawks Signing of Dante Fowler Jr. Is Perfect – si.com
Dante Fowler Jr. won’t be the best pass rusher for the Seattle Seahawks, but the team isn’t asking him to be.

Inside the Macdonald Era: Why This Isn’t an Accident – The Hawks Eye w/ Bryce Coutts
The Mike Macdonald era in Seattle didn’t happen by chance… it was built with intent.

NFC West News

NFL Supplemental draft offers a quarterback the Cardinals may consider – Revenge of the Birds
The Arizona Cardinals appear to be pretty good with their quarterback situation.

Which Day 3 pick from the 49ers’ draft will play the biggest role in 2026? – Niners Nation
Is the answer too obvious?

Ty Simpson’s opponents ranked him below Jalen Milroe – Turf Show Times
ESPN asked SEC coaches why they were surprised by Simpson pick

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg announced Tuesday that assistants Nate Loenser, Ernie Zeigler and Pat Monaghan and general manager Luca Virgilio have signed contract extensions following the best season in program history.

Hoiberg, the Associated Press national coach of the year, also named Loenser associate head coach. Contract terms were not immediately announced.

The Cornhuskers finished 28-7 overall, tied for second in the Big Ten at 15-5 and beat Troy for their first-ever NCAA Tournament win and then Vanderbilt to reach the Sweet 16. They were No. 14 in the final AP Top 25.

“The success our program had this year is really a testament to the efforts of our entire staff, and it is important to reward them for all of their work,” Hoiberg said. “The work they pour into our players is evident in their development in our program. Nate, Ernie and Luca have been vital over the last four years in helping us build a winning culture and enjoy sustained success that Nebraska basketball has not seen in a long time."

Loenser, who coordinates the defense, just completed his fifth season on the staff. Zeigler, who works with the offense and plays a major role in game planning, has been at Nebraska four seasons. Monaghan, who joined the staff in April 2025, assists in player development, game planning and recruiting.

Virgilio, who has been with Hoiberg all seven seasons at Nebraska, is in charge of roster management and retention.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

James Tarkowski comes off second best against towering Newcastle defenders

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

For two seasons, James Tarkowski has been the bedrock of the Everton defence— the "Mr Dependable" who simply doesn't miss a minute of football.

But as we dissect the fallout from last night’s chaotic 3-3 draw against Manchester City at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, a growing number of Blues are asking a difficult question: is our vice-captain becoming a liability?

The Manchester City Meltdown

Last night was a microcosm of Tarkowski's season. While the headlines will rightly praise Thierno Barry’s double and the spirit shown to come from 0-1 to lead 3-1, the defensive lapses that allowed City to escape with a point were criminal.

The most egregious moment came in the 83rd minute. Having just taken a 3-1 lead, Everton’s defence — led by the veteran duo of Tarkowski and Michael Keane — completely switched off. Erling Haaland was allowed to race onto a Mateo Kovacic pass with embarrassing ease. Tarkowski’s lack of recovery pace and positioning were exposed as Haaland lifted the ball over Pickford. To concede within seconds of our third goal suggests a leadership vacuum at the heart of the backline.

Furthermore, Tarkowski's discipline was again called into question. His 53rd-minute yellow card for a cynical foul on Jeremy Doku was his 7th of the season (depending on the source, some data suggests 6, but his disciplinary record remains a concern). It forced him to play on a tightrope for the remainder of the match, limiting his ability to be aggressive against City's late onslaught.

The Statistical Decline

While Tarkowski still dominates the air — ranking in the 96th percentile for aerial duels won — other metrics paint a more worrying picture of his 2025-26 campaign:

• Goals Conceded: Everton have conceded 39 goals with Tarkowski on the pitch this season across 33 starts.
• Errors and Penalties: He has already conceded a penalty for handball this season (against Leeds) and was cited for an error leading to a goal in the 1-2 loss at Fulham in February.
• Indirect Responsibility: Beyond "official" errors, he has been part of a defensive unit that has struggled for consistency. In recent weeks, he has recorded low match ratings in losses to West Ham (1-2) and Liverpool (1-2), with critics pointing to a decline in his mobility following previous injury layoffs.
• The Pace Deficit: With only 4 successful dribbles all season and a 41% long-pass completion rate, Tarkowski is increasingly looking like a "box-defender" in a league that demands more mobility and technical security.

Time for the O’Brien-Branthwaite Axis?

The irony of last night was that Jake O'Brien, the man many want to see partner Jarrad Branthwaite long-term, was the one who scored the towering header from an excellent James Garner corner to put us 2-1 up. O'Brien showed the dynamism and goal threat that Tarkowski has struggled to provide this term (Tarkowski has just 1 goal from 16 shots inside the box this season).

The "squad audit" is becoming clear: while Tarkowski’s experience is valuable, his high wages and declining physical stats suggest he may no longer be an automatic starter if David Moyes wants to implement a more modern, mobile defensive line next season.

Of course, Branthwaite is out for what remains of this roller-coaster season, but worryingly, Tarkowski has already been granted a 2-year contract extension running through to June 2028. So his role going forward as one of Moyes's ageing favourites seems assured for the time being.

We love "Tarky" for his heart, but in a 3-3 thriller where the Everton defence "let themselves down" (Moyes's own words), the leadership we expect from our vice-captain was nowhere to be found when the game and the full 3 points from a precious win were on the line.

Manchester United have been on a roll under caretaker manager Michael Carrick, who remains an option for the full-time position at Old Trafford. However, that has not stopped the Red Devils from being linked to several managerial candidates ahead of the summer.

INEOS have had some poor luck with their managerial appointments and will be hoping to get third time lucky this year. Former head coach Ruben Amorim was appointed by United’s minority owners after a lot of background work, but his tenure turned out to be a disappointment.

The Portuguese head coach had an underwhelming 14-month spell at the Theatre of Dreams, and left in January with the club’s top-four hopes uncertain. Amorim’s future was also subject to speculation last summer after a 15th-placed finish in the Premier League last season.

The Portuguese survived the summer but had an underwhelming start to the new campaign, prompting speculation about his future. It was during that time that Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler was named as a possible replacement for the former Sporting manager.

Hurzeler’s rise at the Amex

Hurzeler arrived at the Amex in the summer of 2024, becoming the youngest permanent coach in Premier League history. The German soon added to his reputation as one of the most exciting young coaches in the world, and transformed Brighton into a well-drilled attacking unit.

Hurzeler has already displayed tactical flexibility, with his team playing intense attacking football and working extremely hard on the pitch. United had no answer to his tactics earlier this year in the FA Cup third round, losing the game 2-1 and exiting the tournament.

Darren Fletcher was in charge for that game in mid-January as interim manager following United’s decision to sack Amorim. The English giants were looking for some stability and appointed Carrick as the Portuguese’s temporary replacement a couple of days later.

Carrick, meanwhile, has already confirmed participation in next season’s Champions League by registering 10 wins and two draws in his 14 games in charge. United are third in the league table with three games remaining, and the focus has now shifted to the managerial selection process.

Michael Carrick Managerial Career Stats

Source: Wikipedia.

Several Premier League candidates have been named as options for the role, and it now appears that Hurzeler was also in the mix.

United considered Fabian Hurzeler

According to TEAMtalk, United briefly considered Hurzeler for the permanent position, but the German is now expected to sign a new deal at the Amex. The report states: “Brighton have moved decisively to secure the long-term future of head coach Fabian Hurzeler, with TEAMtalk able to confirm that the highly-rated German has agreed a new deal with the club.”

“We can also reveal that Manchester United had also done some work on him as part of their ongoing managerial hunt, though the Red Devils’ co-owners, INEOS, have long been convinced by Michael Carrick and were simply doing due diligence on alternatives should their first choice fail.”

A recent report relayed by The Peoples Person also states that United now consider Carrick as the frontrunner for the permanent position.

Final Thoughts

Hurzeler has been a revelation for the Seagulls, but as things stand, Carrick appears to be the best candidate for the position. With Champions League qualification secure, it is hard to look beyond the Englishman at the moment.

Featured image Gareth Copley via Getty Images

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The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

As reported earlier this week, FC Barcelona are keeping tabs on AFC Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi heading into the summer transfer window.

The Blaugrana are in the market for a new centre-forward as Robert Lewandowski appears set to move on at the end of the season.

While Julian Alvarez is the priority target, his finances make the operation difficult, prompting Barça to keep an eye on alternatives, with Kroupi, 19, emerging as an option.

Eli Junior Kroupi not for sale

However, according to Lyall Thomas of Sky Sports, Bournemouth are not looking to sell Kroupi in the upcoming transfer window.

The teenage Frenchman joined the Cherries only last year, arriving from Lorient, and has enjoyed an impressive debut campaign – bagging 12 goals from 30 matches in the English top-flight.

His performances have alerted not only Barcelona, but also Manchester City and a number of other Premier League clubs.

Not for sale. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

As per the report, the Blaugrana have been tracking the France U21 international extensively this season and see him as a prospect for the long-term.

It must be remembered that the Catalans had already been monitoring Kroupi back in 2024 as well, before he had moved to Bournemouth.

Despite the interest that the young forward is attracting, Bournemouth are currently not looking to sell the player, who is tied down to a long-term contract until 2030.

So, unless the club come up with a significant offer, Barcelona’s chances of signing Kroupi in the upcoming transfer window appear to be very slim.

The teenager is not the only Premier League attacker that Deco & co. are tracking, with names like Joao Pedro of Chelsea and Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon also on the club’s radars.

The personal chef who accused former New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs of assault and attempted strangulation returned to the witness stand Tuesday before the prosecution rested its case on the second day of trial in Dedham District Court.

Watch Live: Trial of former Patriots star Stefon Diggs continues

Jamila Adams, Diggs’ former personal chef, was the first witness called by prosecutors on Monday. She remained under cross-examination by the defense on Tuesday morning, which continued challenging her credibility and version of events.

The defense called its first witnesses to the stand after Adams was dismissed.

Diggs is accused of assaulting and attempting to strangle Adams inside his Dedham home in December. He has pleaded not guilty.

On the first day of testimony, Diggs walked quickly into court without speaking to reporters.

Under questioning from prosecutors, Adams became emotional as she described the alleged assault, saying Diggs began choking her. She testified that the incident at his Dedham home on Dec. 2, 2025, followed a heated exchange of text messages between the two over payments she said she was owed.

Defense attorneys have pushed back on Adams’ account, arguing the assault never happened. They pointed out that Adams did not take photos of any alleged bruising or marks and failed to disclose to police that she and Diggs were involved in what they described as an intimate relationship.

The defense also noted Adams was upset about being excluded from a trip to Miami and suggested that anger may have played a role in her allegations.

Boston attorney Elyse Hershon, a legal analyst, said the defense aggressively highlighted inconsistencies in Adams’ testimony.

“We have to look at why she would lie about this, and the defense is bringing out information,” Hershon said. “She deleted text messages before she went to the police and showed an angry exchange between her and Diggs. That doesn’t look good. So something that doesn’t look good is something the defense will use in their closing — to really say you can’t believe her, you can’t trust her, she lied, she just wanted money.”

The trial is expected to last another one to two days. Adams is scheduled to resume testimony first thing Tuesday morning as cross-examination continues.

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The Tampa Bay Lightning competed for the majority of the 2025-26 NHL season without their veteran captain.

Defenseman Victor Hedman played in 33 games, the lowest total of his 17-year career. A pair of injuries, including a procedure on his elbow, kept him out early in the season.

Then, on March 25, the team announced the 35-year-old Hedman was taking a leave of absence for personal reasons. He missed Tampa Bay’s final 15 games of the regular season and the seven-game postseason series against the Montreal Canadiens.

MORE: Jon Cooper blames ‘hockey gods’ as Canadiens shock Lightning in Game 7

The Canadiens eliminated the Lightning with a 2-1 victory in Game 7 on Sunday, May 3, in Tampa.

On Tuesday, Hedman released a statement through the team on X addressing his absence to “focus on my mental health.”

“I’ve always believed that being a leader means doing what’s best for the team,” the statement read. “In this case, it also meant doing what was necessary to take care of myself, so I can be the best player, teammate, husband and father I expect to be.”

‘Much better place today’

Though he didn’t address the details of his mental health struggle, Hedman shared that he is doing well now.

“I’ve been fortunate to have strong support from my family, my teammates and the organization, my therapist and I’m in a much better place today,” Hedman said in the statement.

Lightning head coach Jon Cooper indicated before Game 6 that Tampa Bay may have gotten Hedman back into the lineup if the postseason had lasted longer. Hedman skated with the team during several practices during the playoffs.

The 6-foot-7, 244-pound Hedman owns a rare combination of size and skill. The Lightning selected the Swede with the No. 2 pick in the 2008 NHL Draft, and he leads the franchise in games (1,164), goals (172), assists (639) and points (811) by a defenseman.

Hedman won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the 2020 postseason, leading the Lightning to the first of two consecutive Stanley Cups. He earned the Norris Trophy for the NHL’s top defenseman in 2017-18.

Hedman closed his statement with the hope that his decision helps others address mental health concerns.

“This is something that exists in our game more than people see,” Hedman wrote. “If this moment helps make it easier for others to take care of themselves when they need to, that matters.”

May 5 (UPI) -- Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman missed the final 15 games of the regular season and playoffs to focus on mental health, he said Tuesday.

Hedman issued a statement on the hiatus through the Lightning, who lost to the Montreal Canadiens in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. He also spoke Tuesday at a news conference in Tampa, Fla.

"I spent most of my life in this game, and nearly all of my career with this organization," Hedman said in a statement. "Wearing this jersey -- and serving as captain -- is the greatest responsibility of my professional life.

"That responsibility doesn't only apply on the ice. Over the past couple of months, I made the decision to step away and focus on my mental health. It was not an easy decision, but it was the right one.

"I've always believed that being a leader means doing what's best for the team," Hedman said. "In this case, it also meant doing what was necessary to take care of myself, so I can be the best player, teammate, husband and father I expect to be."

Hedman, 35, joined the Lightning as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft. The two-time Stanley Cup winner appeared in 1,164 regular season games over the last 17 years for the franchise, including 33 in 2025-26.

"I've been fortunate to have strong support from my family, my teammates and the organization, my therapist and I'm in a much better place today," the 6-foot-7 defenseman said.

"This is something that exists in our game more than people see. If this moment helps make it easier for others to take care of themselves when they need to, that matters.

"I'm proud of this team, and I look forward to what's ahead."

Hedman totaled a goal and 16 assists this season. He underwent elbow surgery in December and missed six weeks of action. Hedman returned before the 2026 Winter Olympics and played his final game of the campaign on March 19. He practiced with the team during the first-round series with Montreal.

Hedman said it was "tough timing" and he is excited for next year.

The veteran defenseman logged 172 scores and 639 assists over his first 1,164 appearances for the Lightning. He is under contract through 2028-29.

"It's obviously a thing that's been going on for a long time and I [was] trying to work through it and find ways to get around it," Hedman said Tuesday. "I wasn't able to do that. That's where the decision came that I needed to take some time and find myself again."

Hedman advised others dealing with mental health issues to "reach out for help."

"Don't sit with your thoughts," Hedman said. "There are a lot of people out there that can help you. That's what I found out. Like I said, it's never too late, either."

"If that doesn't get given as a penalty, then it's an absolute free-for-all from now on," David Moyes said after the game.

The Everton manager wanted a spot-kick after Merlin Rohl was pulled to the ground by Bernardo Silva at an 85th-minute corner.

"I might have to start coaching my defenders how to defend differently completely," Moyes added. "It looks like now you're able to sort of grapple and wrestle on the ground if you want.

"I'm absolutely amazed."

It was checked by Paul Howard, the video assistant referee, but he ultimately decided that the foul took place before the ball was in play.

And you cannot give a free-kick or a penalty if the ball is out.

The referee can take disciplinary action, but the restart has to remain the same.

Last season, Southampton's Jack Stephens was sent off via a VAR review for pulling the hair of Chelsea's Marc Cucurella when the ball was out. The game still got under way again with a corner.

It is often why you see a lot of the pushing and shoving taking place just before a corner taker delivers the ball into the box.

There is no doubt that most of the holding was before the ball was kicked. But Everton fans argue it was still happening when James Garner kicked the ball, and that VAR should have intervened.

The VAR stats show why Everton feel so frustrated.

With three rounds to go, they are the only team in the Premier League yet to have an overturn go in their favour. In fact, no other team has fewer than two.

At the other end of the scale, Chelsea have had 11 VAR interventions go their way.

The last time the Toffees gained from a review was in January 2025, for a penalty at Brighton.

But stats from the Premier League's key match incidents panel indicate Everton have not generally been hard done by.

Everton have suffered only one error this season, when they should have been awarded a penalty on VAR review at home to Arsenal.

The Toffees have, however, benefited from four refereeing mistakes.

There was a missed VAR intervention to award a penalty to Wolves in August.

A spot-kick should have been given to the Gunners in the reverse game at Emirates Stadium, and to Chelsea in March - but neither reached the threshold for VAR.

Garner, meanwhile, should have received a second caution against Aston Villa in January.

• Read more from Dale on the officiating

Now that the 2026 NFL Draft is over, the next order of business for the Atlanta Falcons front office will be locking up some of their top assets with long-term deals.

At the top of the list is star wide receiver Drake London, who's currently scheduled to play out the 2026 season under his fifth-year option, which will cost the team just under $17 million.

The Falcons can cut into that number and create some cap space by signing London to a new contract, though. According to Over the Cap, Atlanta can save up to $12.5 million by extending him.

So, how much will a London extension cost the Falcons? According to Josh Kendall at The Athletic, London's deal will likely echo that of New York Jets receiver Garrett Wilson, which came in at four years and $130 million. The devil is of course in the details, though - especially guaranteed money.

"Wilson signed a four-year, $130 million deal last summer. If I were to guess at London’s new deal, I’d guess four years for $135 million, but the real number to watch will be the fully guaranteed money. Wilson’s total of $38.3 million fully guaranteed ranks just 15th among wide receivers in the league, according to Overthecap.com."

So far London has lived up to expectations since Atlanta picked him in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In 62 career games he's totaled 309 catches, 3,961 yards and 22 touchdowns. He missed five games with a PCL strain last season but has had no major injuries so far. London still managed to post 919 yards and seven touchdowns.

London is the best receiver the Falcons have had on their roster since Julio Jones' prime, and it's a no-brainer to give him a lucrative long-term deal with the intention of him leading their receiving game for the foreseeable future.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Drake London estimated contract terms

Alex Bowman is making up ground with 15 races left in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series regular season. Bowman sits 127 points behind the Chase bubble in the driver's standings with over half of the regular season remaining. Meanwhile, the No. 48 car is only 83 points back in the owner's standings.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver appeared to be out of the mix and while it is still a long shot, he is making up the needed ground. Bowman is on the pace to accomplish his points goal set before returning from his vertigo symptoms. The No. 48 team has a better chance at making the Chase, but Bowman can't be ruled out yet.

If Bowman can gain 8.5 points per race on the Chase bubble, he will reach the 16-driver field. It may require at least one win before September, but Bowman's two straight top-3 finishes certainly helps his case. It seemed nearly impossible two weeks ago; however, Bowman is giving himself an opportunity after two strong runs.

More: Kyle Busch could face NASCAR penalty after wreck at Texas in 2026

This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Alex Bowman making up ground on Chase bubble with 15 races remaining

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has called reports of tension with a member of the coaching staff ‘exaggerated’, as talk of malcontent with the Frenchman at the Santiago Bernabeu continues to grow. Mbappe was heavily criticised for leaving Spain during his recovery period, as he faces a race against time to be fit for El Clasico on Sunday night.

Mbappe seemed to be the target of several indirect messages sent by Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa following their 2-0 win over Espanyol, while President Florentino Perez is also frustrated with his behaviour.  It is not the only incident that has resulted in disappointment with Mbappe, The Athletic report.

Mbappe involved in tense incident with staff member

Their information is that Mbappe was involved in a ‘flare-up’ with a member of the coaching staff before Los Blancos’ 1-1 draw with Real Betis two weeks ago. It follows on from reports that Antonio Rudiger and Alvaro Carreras had an altercation of their own. During a training game, Mbappe reportedly spoke angrily to the staff member, and used insulting language after being called offside.

Mbappe camp responds to reports

The same outlet includes comment from Mbappe’s representatives on the poor atmosphere at the Real Madrid training ground, and Mbappe’s loss of temper. They said there had been some exaggeration over the reaction to Mbappe’s handling of his recovery from a hamstring injury.

“A portion of the criticism is based on an over-interpretation of elements related to a recovery period strictly supervised by the club, and does not reflect the reality of Kylian’s commitment and daily work for the team.”

The fact that Mbappe’s representatives did not feel the need to deny the moment of tension with a staff member, or the poor atmosphere at Valdebebas, will certainly raise eyebrows in the Spanish capital. Mbappe is increasingly under pressure to become the leader of this Real Madrid side, and so far, those on the ground are yet to see satisfactory evidence that it is happening.

Lakers announce Luka Doncic’s injury status for Game 1 vs. Thunder originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

LeBron James practically carried the Los Angeles Lakers into the second round of the NBA Playoffs.

Coach JJ Redick did see massive performances from Luke Kennard, Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton, but the Oklahoma City Thunder are going to be a bigger challenge. This is why many want to see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander face Luka Doncic in this series.

However, it looks like an injury will prevent that from happening.

MORE: LeBron James has never faced longer odds in his career than against the Thunder

Lakers reveal Doncic's Game 1 injury status vs. Thunder

Luka Doncic will not play in Game 1 against the Thunder.

The Lakers listed their star guard as out in the most recent status report. This means that either Jarred Vanderbilt, LeBron James, Marcus Smart or Austin Reaves will be assigned a match-up against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Doncic is dealing with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Poetically, the last game he played with the Lakers was against the Thunder back on April 2. The Lakers sent him to Europe to treat the injury, and he has since returned to the U.S. and saw LeBron James lead his team to a 4-2 series win against the Houston Rockets.

Before Game 1 against the Thunder, Brian Windhorst said that Lakers fans should not be expecting Doncic anytime soon.

"He is not close," Windhorst said. "There is a whole ramp up that is required when you are coming back from a hamstring, and he has not started that contact ramp up yet.

"I don't know where they'll be in 10 days, but do not expect to see Luka the first few games of this series."

Redick will have to rely on the same squad to either extend this NBA Playoffs series against the Thunder for Doncic's return or just get the whole thing done without any expectations of their star coming back.

More Lakers news:

• Lakers doubted again as ESPN unanimously picks Thunder series winner
• Bleacher Report picks clear side in Luka Doncic vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander debate
• JJ Redick already sounds like a coach managing expectations vs. OKC

Time to help our next door neighbours?

Sometimes your next door neighbour might ask for a favour. Can they borrow some sugar?

Do they need anything from the shop?

Will you be in to sign for a delivery?

On Sunday, Arsenal’s neighbours will be asking for a massive favour.

Sometimes you cannot control how fate falls, yet it is ironic that the club destiny has asked to help save Spurs from relegation is the one who would love to see it happen the most.

A twist of fate in the title race

A couple of months ago, the league leaders were in a position where it was possible to have the title won by this weekend. I am not saying the Gunners would have gone to the London Stadium going through the motions, but there would have been Gooners who would not have minded if that was the case.

Some would argue Tottenham fans would deserve that after how some acted two seasons ago when we needed them to get a result against Man City. Their own manager questioned the mentality of a fanbase cheering for their own side to lose, even when they still had a chance of qualifying for the Champions League. In terms of their domestic form, that would prove to be the turning point for Big Ange.

If we win at West Ham, our North London rivals kick off the next day with a chance to go four points clear of safety.

There would only then be six points left for both Spurs and the Hammers to play for. Considering their goal difference, that would be a long way back for the Irons.

(Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Karma knocking at the door

Spurs will not be grateful for our help. They will be the first to laugh if we surrender our lead at the top of the table.

Yet there is something amusing about them being embarrassed to knock on the door and admit they need us. To see them humble themselves and rely on us to bail them out.

It is not quite as fun as watching them play in the Championship.

Yet the idea of them cheering goals this weekend that could send us closer to being champions, that comforts me.

That is karma.

Dan Smith _____________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENT

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More Stories / Latest News

Are Arsenal About to Save Spurs from Relegation?

5 May 2026, 15:45

From Emery to Arteta, Could Chelsea Follow Arsenal’s Rebuild Path?

5 May 2026, 14:30

Arsenal v Atletico Madrid: Predicted Line up and Score Prediction

5 May 2026, 13:30

The 2026 Fifa World Cup will be the biggest World Cup ever in terms of size and scale, with this year’s edition set to be the single most bet-on football event in the world.

The tournament will be hosted across the USA, Canada and Mexico from June 2026, and is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and 104 matches.

Football bookmakers are preparing themselves for one of the biggest betting events of all time, so we’ve put together a list of the best World Cup betting sites on the UK market.

These sites will offer a range of pre-match and in-play markets, live streaming availability and ongoing promotions running before and throughout the six-week tournament.

Bookies will also prepare a raft of welcome offers, with updated UKGC guidelines now imposing a ban on mixed sportsbook and casino bonuses.

Read on to find our recommendations for the best sites for World Cup betting.

The best World Cup betting sites and offers for 2026

We consider a range of criteria when evaluating the best World Cup betting sites on the market.

Factors we look at include market depth for tournament betting, quality of World Cup-specific promotions, the competitiveness of the betting sign up offers and the overall mobile experience.

The table below provides a brief look at our recommendations for the best World Cup betting sites on the market:

Bet365 - best for in-play and live betting

Bet365 is our pick as the best option for in-play and live betting thanks to an unmatched range of in-play markets and live streaming of international football, including many World Cup warm-up matches and friendlies.

The brand offers great World Cup odds on a huge breadth of pre-match football markets including outright winner, top goalscorer, group winners, team to qualify, match result, both teams to score and player-specific markets.

As for other live betting features, the cash out option is particularly valuable during knockout rounds, allowing customers to lock in profit or cut losses before a match ends.

In terms of the Bet365 welcome offer, the promo is around the industry standard for value, offering £30 in free bet credits when users deposit and wager £10.

Betfred - best World Cup welcome offer value

Betfred is one of the most established bookmakers on the UK market, with a long history of World Cup coverage and customer service during major sporting events.

Betfred's Bet £10 Get £50 welcome offer is the highest value standard welcome offer among the bookmakers featured here, making it an obvious starting point for new customers signing up ahead of the tournament.

In addition to the welcome offer, Betfred run various ongoing football promotions, which extend well beyond the sign-up offer and run throughout major international tournaments, making it a great choice for World Cup betting.

The bookie also provides a wide range of World Cup markets, including group stage betting, team to qualify, golden boot, and match betting across all fixtures.

Sky Bet - best for World Cup bet builders

The first thing that makes Sky Bet catch the eye is their market-leading qualifying bet requirement, allowing users to bet as little as £0.05 to trigger the ‘Bet £0.05 Get £30 welcome offer’.

This is the most accessible threshold of any offer featured here, with users receiving 3x£10 free bets that can be used on World Cup betting across multiple group stage fixtures.

While the potential value on the offer stands out, Sky Bet is our World Cup betting site pick for bet builders thanks to the BuildABet feature, which allows customers to combine multiple selections within a single World Cup match (e.g. first goalscorer, number of cards, match result) into one bet with a combined return.

In addition to good availability on bet builders, it is likely that Sky Bet will offer World Cup price boosts on major matches throughout the tournament, making it a solid overall choice for anyone looking to bet on the World Cup.

talkSPORT BET - best for World Cup coverage

TalkSPORT BET has a unique position as the betting brand of the talkSPORT radio network. As the UK's biggest commercial sports radio station, they will carry extensive World Cup 2026 coverage throughout the tournament.

As an extension of the talkSPORT network, the World Cup betting site is a good choice for football fans already engaged with talkSPORT's media content around the sport.

The brand’s welcome offer allows new users to bet up to £40 and get up to £40 in free bets, with a minimum £20 stake and football bets placed only via the app.

While talkSPORT BET will provide a solid range of markets and competitive World Cup betting odds, the bookie also stands out for a range of football-focused ongoing promotions tied to talkSPORT's live World Cup commentary and coverage.

Coral - best for World Cup prediction games

Coral's low £5 qualifying bet makes the Bet £5 Get £30 welcome offer one of the most accessible for new customers during the tournament.

Once signed up, users will find that Coral is a great bookie for free-to-play football prediction games with cash prizes and free bets up for grabs.

Their long-running Football Super Series prediction game will likley be rebranded and repackaged for the World Cup, with rewards given for accurate predictions.

Coral will also have wide market coverage across all 104 World Cup fixtures, with competitive World Cup odds across the group and knockout stages.

And for fans of in-person betting, Coral Connect links the customer's online account to in-shop betting, which is useful for anyone who wants to follow World Cup matches in any of their high-street betting shops.

Ladbrokes - best for World Cup free bet flexibility

Ladbrokes is one of the UK's most established and recognisable bookmakers, with a reliable mobile app well-suited to live match betting.

The brand’s welcome offer offers great value as a ‘Bet £5 Get £30’ promo, and the rewards are structured as 6x £5 free bets.

This is the most granular split of any offer featured here, giving new customers maximum flexibility to spread bets across multiple World Cup group stage fixtures rather than committing to fewer, larger stakes.

In addition, Ladbrokes offer excellent international football coverage – with extensive pre-match and in-play markets across all 104 World Cup matches – as well as a great range of ongoing football promotions running throughout the tournament.

How to claim a World Cup free bet

Below, we’ve provided a step-by-step guide on how to sign up for your typical World Cup betting site:

• Step 1: Choose a bookmaker from our recommended list and click through to their website.
• Step 2: Complete the online registration form, including name, date of birth, address, email address and payment details.
• Step 3: Opt in to the welcome offer if prompted during registration, or find it in the promotions section of your account once registered.
• Step 4: Make a qualifying deposit at the minimum required amount. This varies by bookmaker, so check the T&Cs for your chosen site.
• Step 5: Place a qualifying bet on World Cup markets at the minimum required odds (typically evens (1/1) or greater, though requirements vary).
• Step 6: Once your qualifying bet has settled, free bets or bet credits will be credited to your account, usually within 24 hours.
• Step 7: Use your free bets on World Cup match betting, outright markets, or specials of your choice before the expiry date.

How we rank and review World Cup betting sites

Here are some of the key elements we look for when updating our rankings and reviews of the best World Cup betting sites:

Regulation

All the best World Cup betting sites on our list are regulated and licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).

Responsible gambling

Safe betting operators which follow responsible gambling practices and offer several responsible gambling tools.

Customer experience

We look into the customer experience across various platforms, judging football bookies for their layout, usability, loading speed and customer service.

Payment options

Football punters require a diverse range of payment options beyond debit cards and those bookies that feature on the list of Apple Pay bookmakers among others, are given preference.

Promotions

A valuable sign up offer is one thing but we want to see operators that take care of existing customers with free bets, price boosts, money back promotions and free to play games.

Responsible gambling

When having a bet on World Cup markets, it’s vital to practice responsible gambling.

Gambling can be addictive and it’s important to stay in control of your football World Cup betting.

Never treat betting as a way to make money, never wager more than you can afford and when the fun stops, stop.

Gambling sites offer punters tools, like deposit limits, profit and loss trackers and self-exclusion options, to help them stay in control.

But if you ever feel like you need help or advice on gambling addiction, don’t hesitate to contact one of the charities or organisations below.

• NHS Help
• GambleAware
• Gamblers Anonymous

FAQs on World Cup betting sites

What are the best World Cup betting odds for 2026?

All bookmakers listed in this piece carry competitive markets across all 104 fixtures. World Cup odds vary by bookmaker and will fluctuate throughout the tournament in response to team news, group draw results, and match outcomes. Outright winner markets are the most popular starting point for bettors, but punters should use odds comparison tools to find the best value on World Cup betting odds.

Can I bet on World Cup 2026 warm-up friendlies?

Most UK-licensed bookmakers offer betting on World Cup warm-up matches. Market depth is strongest for games involving major nations, and coverage of smaller nations will vary by bookmaker. All bookmakers listed here carry international friendly markets, though again the markets on games between smaller nations may be more limited.

What World Cup betting specials are available?

World Cup specials typically include top goalscorer (or golden boot winner), number of goals in the tournament, first nation eliminated, team to win each group and player-of-the-tournament markets. The range of specials expands significantly as the tournament progresses into knockout rounds.

Do World Cup free bets have wagering requirements?

Free bets from UK-licensed bookmakers do not typically require the original stake to be wagered. Only winnings from World Cup free bets are withdrawable. Under UKGC rules updated in January 2026, any wagering requirements on bonuses are capped at 10x maximum. Remember to always check individual T&Cs before claiming offers.

Is World Cup betting legal in the UK?

World Cup betting is fully legal in the UK for adults aged 18 and over using operators licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. All bookmakers recommended in this article are UKGC-licensed. When betting on any event, remember to gamble responsibly and visit BeGambleAware.org if you need additional information or support.

What are the top World Cup betting markets?

This is subjective, but generally the most popular betting markets on the World Cup are top scorer, outright winner and accumulators picking the group winners.

What are the odds for England to win the World Cup 2026?

England's World Cup winner odds are currently 13/2 second favourites behind Spain (5/1). Check the current ante-post prices directly with any of the bookmakers listed on this page, as they change regularly. All of the operators recommended here offer World Cup outright markets.

We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Event: UFC Baku: “Fiziev vs. Torres”
Date: Sat., June 27, 2026
Location: Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan
Start times: Paramount+ Prelims at 12 p.m. ET | Paramount+ Main Card at 3 p.m. ET

UFC Baku Main Event on Paramount+:

155 lbs.: Rafael Fiziev vs. Manuel Torres

UFC Baku Main Card on Paramount+ (3 p.m. ET):

185 lbs.: Shara Magomedov vs. Michel Pereira
185 lbs.: Marvin Vettori vs. Ismail Naurdiev
185 lbs.: Brunno Ferreira vs. Ikram Aliskerov
125 lbs.: Asu Almabayev vs. Charles Johnson
185 lbs.: Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Abusupiyan Magomedov

UFC Baku Preliminary Card on Paramount+ (12 p.m. ET):

265 lbs.: Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune
185 lbs.: Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Andrey Pulyaev
205 lbs.: Julius Walker vs. Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev
135 lbs.: Bekzat Almakhan vs. Jean Matsumoto
170 lbs.: Daniil Donchenko vs. Andreas Gustafsson
155 lbs.: Nazim Sadykhov vs. Matheus Camilo

*Fight card, bout order and number of fights subject to change.*

For the current UFC schedule of events click HERE.

The Vikings selected Demond Claiborne in the sixth round of the NFL draft. What is his realistic 2026 fantasy outlook, and how might his presence impact Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, and Zavier Scott?

An ideal landing spot for a late-round pick? Quite possibly. On paper, this backfield looks pretty packed. But in reality, a lot could go wrong in a hurry, which could propel the rookie to fantasy legitimacy.

Jones will turn 32 in December, will be a free agent after this season, and is fully post-prime. While Minnesota will still lean on him when possible, his durability is now a major question mark. Jones’s over/under on games played is probably around 12 or 13. Fantasy managers should be prepared to snag at least one of his backups.

Mason, of course, is the most obvious backup. At this stage of his and Jones’s careers, Mason almost certainly will be the better bargain, and his over/under on games played is closer to 15. He can manage a fairly full workload when healthy, though his modest usage in the passing game limits his ceiling.

Scott is a prototypical #3 or #4 RB, or at least his usage makes him seem that way. A former college wideout, Scott’s realistic ceiling is capped at around the top 55-60, and that assumes he gets 35+ targets.

Claiborne, Minnesota, has a college bell cow with long-term NFL appeal if he can add a little more to his frame (his listed weight is between 188 and 195 pounds). If he can leapfrog Scott on the depth chart, he should be in line for at least a few games as Mason’s handcuff (assuming Jones misses time), and that would make him a decent deep-league add after fantasy drafts.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Demond Claiborne rookie fantasy outlook and impact on RB teammates

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is the latest PGA Tour event to announce its dates for a 2027 season that is looking to be similar to this year, minus Hawaii.

The American Express in La Quinta, California, is set for the third full week in January again. The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Feb. 4-7) and WM Phoenix Open (Feb. 11-14, the week of the Super Bowl) already have announced dates on their websites.

The Masters, around which the early season revolves, is April 8-11, and again will be followed by the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town and the Zurich Classic.

The mystery remains Florida, except for The Players Championship set for March 11-14. Adding to the intrigue was the return of Doral to the schedule, which looked nothing like the Doral of old except for all the water on the course and airliners descending on nearby Miami International Airport.

Five of the top 15 players in the world were missing from the Cadillac Championship, as were the fans that used to pack the Blue Monster even when Tiger Woods wasn't winning. The PGA Tour was last at Doral in 2016. LIV Golf was there the last four years and had better crowds.

It didn't help the Cadillac Championship that Formula 1 was in Miami last weekend and attracted some 275,000 spectators over three days. The weather was dodgy on Sunday, and Cameron Young eliminated any suspense with his six-shot win.

It's looking more likely that big changes to the PGA Tour won't be ready until 2028. Still to be determined is how soon the PGA Tour will act to move the Cadillac Championship back to the Florida swing that leads to the Masters.

Florida currently has four tournaments — the Cognizant Classic at PGA National, the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, The Players and the Valspar Championship, which gets a good field despite a bad date because Innisbrook is such a proper test.

Is there room for Doral? That's more moving parts for the PGA Tour to figure out.

CEO Brian Rolapp didn't have answers last August when he announced a schedule of two majors and three signature events in a six-week span. He said of Doral, “I think we’re looking forward to bringing that back as a PGA Tour tradition.”

It clearly doesn't have much tradition the first weekend in May.

Nelly Korda and Coca-Cola

Fresh off back-to-back wins and a return to No. 1 in the world, Nelly Korda raised her profile even more with a playful appearance Monday on “The Pat McAfee Show.” That's when she revealed how Coca-Cola helped her develop that sweet golf swing.

McAfee asked how often she made changes, and Korda gave credit to longtime coach David Whelan for building her swing. She also said her father, Grand Slam tennis champion Petr Korda, played an important role.

“My parents spent so many hours with me, just working on tempo. That is the one thing they ingrained in my brain,” Korda said. “And my dad always referred to Coca-Cola.”

She moved her arms back for “Coca” and forward for “Cola.”

“It was super simple, but it was the key to have a very fluid swing,” Korda said.

She also allowed one more secret on the turnaround this year when she said, “I have higher shoes.”

“I’m trying to actually get closer to the ground with my chest,” Korda said. “I actually get a little bit steeper in my swing and I can hinge a little faster. So it’s just literally the smallest of things. But yeah, golfers are crazy. I’m crazy, just to let you know.”

Rose and Poulter going with McLaren irons

Justin Rose made a big switch and then set himself up for an easy punch line. He became the first global ambassador for McLaren Golf, the company best known for its Formula 1 race cars. He used McLaren irons at the Cadillac Championship and then got off to quite the slow start.

He was 21 shots behind after three rounds, closed with a 68 and beat two players in the 72-man field. One tournament is no measure, of course. But it's a bold move for Rose and McLaren, which has promised to “push the boundaries of equipment design and manufacturing.”

Rose says the clubs were performing well on the range, though he expects a refinement period.

He has been down this road before. Rose was No. 1 in the world when he left for Honma, winning within weeks at Torrey Pines but then falling out of the top 10 just over a year later. He left Honma 16 months into the deal.

Rose isn't the only player switching to McLaren. Ian Poulter, himself a lover of fast cars, had the McLaren irons in his bag at LIV Golf Virginia.

US Open spot up for grabs at LIV Golf

LIV Golf’s first tournament on U.S. soil this week also comes with a spot available in the U.S. Open.

Joaquin Niemann already secured one spot from LIV by finishing among the top three in last year’s points race. Another spot is available for the leading player from the top three in points on May 18, and LIV Golf Virginia is the last event before that cutoff.

Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau are set as U.S. Open champions in the last 10 years. The final spot is a close race with Thomas Detry holding down third place by 0.86 points over Elvis Smylie. Lurking and very much in range is Anthony Kim at No. 5, who is just over 14 points behind. Finishing 10th is worth 21 points, as an example.

The British Open offers one spot to the leading player not already in the field from the standings through LIV Golf Andalucia on June 7. The cutoff originally was Louisiana at the end of June, but that event has been postponed for now.

Koepka and Srixon end relationship

Brooks Koepka is back to being a free agent in the equipment market.

Koepka didn't have an equipment deal when Nike got out of the business of clubs and golf balls until he signed with Dunlop-owned Srixon in late 2021. He joined LIV Golf the next year, but then won the PGA Championship in 2023 at Oak Hill.

Dunlop Sports announced last week they had mutually agreed to end their contract.

“Over the course of their relationship, Brooks served as an exceptional ambassador for the Srixon and Cleveland Golf brands,” said a statement on the company’s website. “His commitment to competing at the highest level of the game, including a major championship victory with Srixon and Cleveland Golf equipment in play, exemplifies the performance standard both brands stand for."

The first sign of the deal ending came in late February when Koepka began using the Titleist Pro V1x golf ball. Koepka is playing the Myrtle Beach Classic this week.

Women’s TGL gets 6 more players and a logo

Three-time major champion Minjee Lee is among six women who have joined the indoor WTGL that starts later this year. The tech-infused league playing in SoFi Center also revealed Tuesday a logo — a red “

The logo was unveiled Monday for WTGL players in the field for the Mizuho Americas Open in New Jersey. The other players to join are Celine Boutier, Andrea Lee, Megan Khang, Danielle Kang and Albane Valenzuela.

WTGL now has 14 commitments from players, which includes five of the top 10 in the world, along with Michelle Wie West. Still not included for the inaugural season is top-ranked Nelly Korda.

Stat of the week

Scottie Scheffler has earned $6.75 million in his last three tournaments without winning. He was runner-up in the Masters, the RBC Heritage and the Cadillac Championship.

Final word

“Yes, I am living my best life, for sure. But golf also humbles you, so I know that I need to enjoy these moments.” — Nelly Korda after winning her second straight tournament at the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba.

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Ireland internationals Jacob Stockdale and Stuart McCloskey have emerged as injury doubts for Ulster's European Challenge Cup final against Montpellier later this month.

Outside back Stockdale must visit a maxillo-facial surgeon for a facial fracture sustained in a collision with Immanuel Fey-Waboso in Ulster's semi-final win over Exeter Chiefs last weekend.

In-form centre McCloskey will have an MRI scan to determine the extent of the hamstring problem he picked up in the Chiefs game.

Back row David McCann also requires an MRI scan after sustaining a knee injury in the 29-12 win over the Prem side.

Ulster face Montpellier in Bilbao on 22 May as the Irish province chase their first piece of silverware in 20 years.

In more positive news, Ulster boss Richie Murphy's front-row options have been boosted with props Angus Bell and Scott Wilson and hooker Rob Herring returning to training this week before Friday's United Rugby Championship game against the table-topping Stormers at Affidea Stadium (19:45 BST).

Ulster sit eighth in the URC table following back-to-back defeats by inter-provincial rivals Leinster and Munster.

Murphy's side will secure Champions Cup rugby for next season with a top-eight URC finish or by winning the Challenge Cup.

Many players believe the prize money at Grand Slams isn’t enough, and there’s even talk of a possible boycott in response.

Sam Querrey, who once reached the Wimbledon semi-finals, says players would be better off boycotting Grand Slams instead of just complaining about how much they get paid.

But where does Aryna Sabalenka, the current world number one, stand on all this?

Aryna Sabalenka says Grand Slam boycotts are likely

Sabalenka was asked about the ongoing dispute over Grand Slam prize money during her press conference at the Italian Open.

“I feel like the show is on us. I feel like without us, there wouldn’t be a tournament, and there wouldn’t be that entertainment. I feel like definitely we deserve to be paid more percentage.”

When pressed on whether she thinks players might eventually boycott Grand Slams, Sabalenka didn’t hesitate.

“I think at some point we will boycott it, yeah,” she replied.

“I feel like that’s going to be the only way to kind of fight for our rights.”

The issue isn’t just about prize money but also about how much of the total revenue players are getting.

The top players from both men’s and women’s tennis responded by releasing a joint statement after learning that French Open prize money would rise by only 9.5% from 2025 to 2026.

What exactly did players say about the Grand Slam prize money?

“Roland Garros generated €395m in revenue in 2025, a 14% year-on-year increase, yet prize money rose by only 5.4%, reducing players’ share of revenue to 14.3%,” they said.

“With estimated revenues of more than €400m for this year’s tournament, prize money as a percentage of revenue will likely still be less than 15%, far short of the 22% that players have requested to bring the grand slams into line with the ATP and WTA tours.

“As Roland Garros looks to post record revenues, players are therefore receiving a declining share of the value they help create.

“More critically, the announcement does nothing to address the structural issues that players have consistently and reasonably raised over the past year.

“There has been no engagement on player welfare and no progress towards establishing a formal mechanism for player consultation within Grand-Slam decision making.

“The Grand Slams remain resistant to change.

“The absence of player consultation and the continued lack of investment in player welfare reflect a system that does not adequately represent the interests of those who are central to the sport’s success.”

If boycotts happen, would it even impact Grand Slams?

If Aryna Sabalenka was joined by Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Coco Gauff or others when threatening to skip Roland Garros, then tournament organisers may be forced into action.

The negative publicity is also something it can’t afford either. But there must be widespread support across both tours from top stars if this was ever considered an option.

Read more:

UCLA is entering a new era under head coach Bob Chesney this season.

Chesney is in his first season as UCLA’s head coach after leading James Madison to its first ever College Football Playoff appearance last season. The Bruins’ concluded their spring practices with their annual Spring Game at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, and Chesney is earning praise for what he has done with UCLA so far.

Former USC wide receiver Travon Patterson attended two of UCLA’s spring practices and said Chesney reminds him of former USC head coach Pete Carroll.

“I talked to Travon Patterson yesterday on my drive home from a tournament I was at in San Diego,” Biggins said. “He played at USC under Pete Carroll. He’s been to two UCLA practices and he said ‘Dude, this guy reminds me of Pete Carroll. The way that UCLA practices are set up with the energy, and the vibe, and the radio, the music pumping.’ He goes ‘It’s like our old USC practices.’”

Carroll led the Trojans to a 97-19 overall record, two national championships and seven consecutive Pac-10 championships from 2001-09. He held a 34-game winning streak between 2003-05 and is considered one of the best coaches in USC history.

Carroll ultimately left USC to become the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks in 2010. With the Seahawks, he won five NFC West titles, made two Super Bowl appearances and won Super Bowl XLVIII.

After one season as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025, the franchise fired Carroll in January. Although his stint with the Raiders did not last long, his success with USC and the Seahawks is undeniable.

Chesney’s Young Staff is Helping With Recruiting Process

Chesney brought multiple former James Madison staff members with him to Westwood, like offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy and defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler.

Chesney and his young coaching staff have helped UCLA dominate in the recruiting process this offseason. The Bruins boast the No. 4 Class of 2027 in the nation and the No. 2 class in the Big Ten.

“I think Chesney also hired a really good, young staff that gets after it from a recruiting standpoint,” Biggins said. “They have to be doing a good job with NIL.”

Since taking on the role as head coach in December, Chesney has shown he has what it takes to lead UCLA towards a national championship.

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The post UCLA’s Bob Chesney Compared to Former USC Coach Pete Carroll appeared first on LA Sports Report.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — New Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon says he doesn’t consider himself a “huge rah-rah guy,” but there’s one point the former Arizona Cardinals coach is trying to make sure he gets across.

This is his message: You are under no obligation to be the person you were five minutes ago.

“I said it for the players, but it’s for us, too,” Gannon said Monday during his first media session since taking this job three months ago. “And what that’s basically saying is grow and adapt and get better. And if we all have that mindset and can continually stick to the process, we’ll get better.”

That adaptability is apparent from Gannon’s schematic approach.

The Packers had run a 4-3 defense during Jeff Hafley’s two years as coordinator before the Miami Dolphins hired him as their coach. Green Bay previously had utilized a 3-4 alignment under Joe Barry, the Packers’ defensive coordinator from 2021-23.

Gannon says he wants to adjust his scheme to reflect the strengths of his personnel.

“I don’t really get caught up in 4-3, 3-4,” Gannon said. “We’re an NFL-style defense hopefully, right? I just believe that you’ve got to be, you’ve got to continually every year try to adapt and solve problems and really with your guys in mind.”

Gannon has some specific principles he likes to utilize, but he said he’s not going to force a defense to do something that doesn’t suit its players’ talents.

“We’ve got to put them in the best positions possible, that they feel comfortable that they can go out and play the game,” Gannon said. “Before scheme, I truly believe it’s not what you play, it’s how you play.”

Gannon comes to Green Bay after an unsuccessful head coaching stint. He went 15-36 at Arizona before getting fired late in his third season.

Before going to Arizona, Gannon had a productive two seasons as the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive coordinator. The Eagles reached the Super Bowl, ranked second in the league in total defense and had a franchise-record 70 sacks — 15 more than any other NFL team — in Gannon’s final season with them.

Gannon described the interview process with Packers coach Matt LaFleur and how it made him eager to join his Green Bay staff.

“I think Matt’s a savant, so he can go from topic to topic to topic, and you’ve got to be pretty wired up or you’ll fall behind pretty quick,” Gannon said. “It was intense. I was sweating. I was in a coat and tie, and I think I was sweating a little bit. It was fun. It was fun. I got home off the plane and I told my wife, Gina, I said, ‘This is where I want to go.’"

Gannon takes over a defense that ranked 12th in yards allowed per game (311.8), ninth in yards allowed per play (5.0) and 11th in points allowed per game (21.2) last season. That defense wasn’t the same after All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons tore his anterior cruciate ligament, an injury that occurred during the first of Green Bay’s five straight losses to end the season.

Parsons has said he hopes to be back for the start of the 2026 season, but has indicated a Week 3 or Week 4 return is more likely. Gannon believes Green Bay’s defense has plenty of other productive players to go along with Parsons.

“It’s a good mix of some younger players, (and) we’ve got some vets that are some really good players — that sweet spot,” Gannon said. “(Safety Xavier) McKinney, you think he’s been playing forever because he’s such a high performing vet, but he’s still pretty young. And then you got some guys that are younger and in their first contract that have played really good football.”

Green Bay’s defense has some new faces who are familiar with Gannon. Linebacker Zaire Franklin began his NFL career in Indianapolis when Gannon was coaching the Colts’ defensive backs. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave had a career-high 11 sacks as part of Gannon’s Philadelphia defense in 2022.

Gannon knows the type of defense he wants to see. He believes the Packers have the pieces in place to play that style, no matter how they line up.

“I think that’s what a good defense looks like — a fast, violent, physical team that takes the ball away,” Gannon said.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl