Jey Uso is moving on in the 2026 WWE King of the Ring tournament, and WWE fans are having none of it.

The former World Heavyweight Champion outlasted fan favorites LA Knight, Finn Balor and Royce Keys on last week’s episode of SmackDown to punch his ticket to the semifinals. Uso is now set to face Raw newcomer Je’Von Evans in the final four, and the winner of that bout will face the winner of Oba Femi vs. Dominik Mysterio in the KOTR finals at Night of Champions on June 27.

With Uso taking one step closer toward another main event singles match, WWE fans are flooding YouTube and social media with negative reactions to Uso’s latest major singles victory. The YouTube video of Uso’s big win was instantly bombarded with tens of thousands of dislikes on the site, and at the time of this writing, it sits at more than 70,000 dislikes.

If this sounds familiar, that’s because this is a surefire case of de ja vu.

This marks, at least, the third time that a YouTube video featuring a monumental victory by Uso was overwhelmed with dislikes. In fact, it notably happened twice last year. The first came in March 2025 when Uso, just two months after winning the 2025 Royal Rumble, defeated Austin Theory in less than 30 seconds on Raw. The second came when Uso won a battle royal on Raw last fall and earned the right to face CM Punk for the then-vacant World Heavyweight Championship.

Amid Uso’s soaring popularity in late 2024 and into early 2025, he became a polarizing figure in the Internet Wrestling Community. Of course, other heavily-pushed babyfaces have suffered similar fates in the past. The likes of Roman Reigns and John Cena, among others, experienced significant pushback from fans during their rise to the top of the card.

Uso’s journey, however, has been significantly different.

Cena (17 world titles) and Reigns (11 WrestleMania main events) are arguably the two most decorated singles stars in WWE history. Uso, however, has just one world titles to his name after shockingly defeating Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 41 in 2025. Uso would hold that title for just 51 days. Outside of two one-night reigns foiled by Money in the Bank cash-ins, that’s the shortest World Heavyweight title reign since the title was brought back in May 2023.

Uso caught lightning in a bottle en route to a shocking 2025 Royal Rumble win and WrestleMania victory. But it didn’t take long for WWE to end Uso’s world title push and put him back in the tag team division. By December 2025, Uso had reunited with his brother Jimmy as a tag team. Now, he’s back playing second fiddle to Reigns in The Bloodline.

Therein lies the problem, of course. WWE is once again focus heavily on The Bloodline saga, the key storyline that helped revitalize the company over the past half-decade. The Bloodline’s reunion, with Uso once again playing a key role, is, unlike last time, missing the mark.

The once-riveting storyline feels more like lather, rinse, repeat, and WWE fans are responding accordingly. Last week’s edition of Monday Night Raw bottomed out with the red brand’s lowest average viewership since it debuted on Netflix in January 2025:

One possible explanation? Fan fatigue over The Bloodline, Reigns and, perhaps, the Usos. It’s not that Uso is a terrible performer. In fact, a significant portion of WWE’s fan base loves him. It’s the wide-ranging perception that Usos is being pushed again at the expense of underappreciated stars like LA Knight, as evidenced by Uso’s win in the KOTR 4-way match that featured “The Megastar.”

While YouTube dislikes can’t be the only factor in examining Uso’s popularity or value as a singles star, social media’s negative reactions to Uso amid plummeting Raw viewership are worth considering. Pro wrestling is a fan-driven business, and despite Uso’s continued popularity in some circles, WWE must evaluate just how strongly he will be pushed.

Even Uso himself has acknowledged the recent negative reactions he’s been receiving, and though he’s taking it in stride, WWE fans aren’t so forgiving. As fan pushback to Uso remains, this may be a rare occasion in which WWE’s creative team is forced to change course.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Emiliano Vargas is the son of a boxing legend, but he is also his own man. Vargas is determined to win a world championship and the next step happens on Saturday, June 27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Vargas will take on Bryce Mills in the co-main event of a DAZN pay-per-view headlined by unified 154-pound champion Xander Zayas's title defense against Jaron "Boots" Ennis.

I spoke with Vargas about the fight with Mills, his future, his lineage and legacy.

Key Facts At A Glance

• Co-feature: Emiliano Vargas vs. Bryce Mills (Zayas vs. Ennis headlines)
• Date/venue: Saturday, June 27, 2026, Barclays Center, Brooklyn
• Bout: 10 rounds, super lightweight, for Vargas's WBC USA Silver, WBO Latino and NABF Jr. titles
• Records:Vargas 17-0 (14 KOs), Mills 22-1 (9 KOs)
• Broadcast: DAZN pay-per-view

What Does Emiliano Vargas Expect Against Bryce Mills?

Vargas is seemingly expecting Mills to try to come forward and to put the pressure on him.

"I'm going to shine. That's what God called me to do," Vargas said. "We've done everything necessary up until this point to do that. Bryce Mills, this is the biggest fight for him, and I know this is going to take me to another level."

He believes he's already on the doorstep. "I'm right in front of the door of title contention, and I'm knocking. Rank number two in the WBO, number 12 in the WBC, number seven in the WBA, if I'm not mistaken," Vargas said. "I'm going to show June 27 that there are levels. Bryce Mills isn't ready for me. There's no way, shape or form he beats me."

The matchup wasn't his first choice, and he isn't hiding it.

"I wanted a former world champion for this fight, but they didn't want to step on the line," Vargas said. “I've got to fight the next guy in front of me and take care of business. Bryce Mills is in the way of that, and I've got to steamroll him.”

How Does Vargas Plan To Beat Bryce Mills?

According to Vargas, Mills is a one-dimensional fighter. Mills' record would suggest he's not a big puncher, though he likes to bang like a slugger.

"He only knows how to fight one way, and it's coming forward. That's it," Vargas said. "For a guy with nine knockouts, he comes like he has 30-some knockouts. I'm going to pick this guy apart and show that my boxing ability is beyond reproach."

He credits the camp for his confidence. "We've done everything necessary to bring in the right guys in training camp, identical styles that I'm sparring every single day," Vargas said. "I think that's a big factor. This guy, Bryce Mills, has a rude awakening."

He even flipped Mills’ own slogan back on him. "He always puts on his strongest 'don't blink.' I'm going to tell him to take his own advice," Vargas said.

How Does Vargas Balance His Father's Legacy With His Own?

Vargas loves and respects his father, but he is adamant about establishing his own path.

"I'm the master of my career, and I'm grateful that my father gives me the opportunity to do so," Vargas said. "A lot of father-son dynamics don't work because they try to micromanage or live through their son. My father tells me, 'Live your dream. Whatever you want to do, let's do it.'"

That freedom shapes how he treats the family name. "I take the good and the bad of his career and put it into my career," Vargas said. "At the end of the day, I'm the one stepping in the ring. My parents respect that, and I'm grateful for that."

What he won't do is imitate. "I would never try to be my father. A lot of sons of successful athletes try to be like their father, but I'm in my own lane," Vargas said. "I'm not going to dye my hair blonde and do the tips. We leave that in the 90s. There's nobody like him on this planet, so I'm just going to be me." His bottom line: “You could be Muhammad Ali's grandson. Nobody's going to hand you a world title. You've got to get in there and fight.”

READ MORE about boxing:

• Dana White 'Finalizing' Massive Shakur Stevenson Deal
• Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani Results and Highlights From Tokyo Dome

What's Next For Emiliano Vargas After Bryce Mills?

Vargas wasn't too keen on looking past Mills, but he made no mistake about his long-term intentions. He's hunting for championship gold and supremacy in the weight class.

"What matters to me is whoever's in the road of me getting my world title shot, whether it's number two, three, four or five. I don't care who it is," Vargas said. "For me, it's really not about names." He framed the title as a certainty: "Comparison is the thief of joy. It's inevitable for me not to fight for a world championship because I train so hard. I'm being patient and putting my full trust in God and my team."

The dream fight has a name or maybe two. While also talking openly about a matchup with Ryan Garcia, another champion’s name kept coming up.

Vargas wants a Shakur Stevenson showdown, recalling their sparring when he was 17. "I gave him great work, better work than anybody else that day," Vargas said. "I'm not going to respect anybody I'm in there with. You're a man, you bleed the way I bleed. If that does happen, I would love for it to happen."

He had a read on the main event, too. "If Xander comes real tight, like Cotto, and just digs that body, I think he can do it," Vargas said. "Nobody's touched Jaron Ennis to the body like that. But it's all risk for Xander, two belts on the line, and Ennis has no belt on the line. My respect to Xander. He's a star."

Takes one to know one.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

The San Francisco Giants seem to have a lot to figure out if they are going to compete with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers at the top of the National League West division. But in the meantime, the team has gotten an update on a familiar face courtesy of their long-time regional foe.

As teams jockey for postseason positioning and evaluate organizational depth ahead of the stretch run toward the playoffs, the accompanying roster churn has now claimed Tyler Fitzgerald, who was a significant member of the Giants’ roster for three seasons before he joined the Dodgers in what has turned out to be a very brief run.

"The Dodgers say they released Tyler Fitzgerald, who was in (Triple-A Oklahoma City)," The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya reported on X, formerly Twitter.

Los Angeles Dodgers Cut Ties With 3-Year San Francisco Giants Infielder

The move ends a brief stint in the Los Angeles organization for Fitzgerald, who joined the Dodgers after spending the first three seasons of his major league career with the Giants. While Giants and Dodgers fans rarely find common ground, Fitzgerald's departure from San Francisco earlier this year already came as a bit of a surprise given the flashes he had shown at the major league level.

"Not so long ago, Fitzgerald seemed to be on the verge of a breakout,” Darragh McDonald wrote for MLB Trade Rumors. “With the Giants in 2024, he hit 15 home runs in 341 plate appearances and slashed .280/.334/.497 for a wRC+ of 132. Since he has the ability to play any spot on the infield or in the outfield, that was tremendously valuable."

But the Giants decided to give up on the experiment shortly before Opening Day, cutting Fitzgerald from the big-league roster and then trading him to the Toronto Blue Jays for cash.

Toronto Blue Jays Flip Former San Francisco Giants Infielder, Later Cut By Los Angeles Dodgers

Shortly after Fitzgerald arrived in their minor-league system, the Blue Jays traded him to the Dodgers for cash as well. And while he never reached the majors with Los Angeles, his performance at Triple-A suggested he had plenty to offer.

“After being acquired from the Blue Jays on April 28, Fitzgerald didn't receive a call-up to the Dodgers at any point, despite slashing an impressive .293/.400/.598 with six home runs and three stolen bases over 100 plate appearances at Triple-A Oklahoma City before landing on the 7-day injured list last week due to an unspecified injury,” CBS Sports reported. "Assuming the injury isn't anything too significant, the 28-year-old should be able to find another opportunity in short order and could even land a major-league deal on the open market."

Given Fitzgerald's defensive versatility and prior success with the Giants, it would not be surprising if another organization quickly takes a chance on him. But what once looked like a potential breakout career in San Francisco has instead become a winding journey through multiple organizations, with the latest chapter ending after a short stay in the Dodgers' system.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

The UFC Freedom 250 fight card takes place tonight, Sunday, June 14, from the South Lawn of the White House. In total, seven bouts are scheduled for the event, which begins at 8:00 p.m. ET on Paramount+. At the top of the marquee for Sunday’s fight card are two title fights. We look at the current betting odds and line movement heading into tonight’s UFC matchups.

UFC Freedom 250 Fight Card

Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje - UFC lightweight title

Alex Pereira vs. Cyril Gane - Interim UFC heavyweight title

Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi - Bantamweight

Josh Hokit vs. Derrick Lewis - Heavyweight

Michael Chandler vs. Mauricio Ruffy - Lightweight

Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus - Middleweight

Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia - Featherweight

UFC Freedom 250 Fight Card Opening Betting Odds

Ilia Topuria (-600) vs. Justin Gaethje (+425)

Alex Pereira (+170) vs. Cyril Gane (-200)

Sean O’Malley (-250) vs. Aiemann Zahabi (+210)

Josh Hokit (-400) vs. Derrick Lewis (+330)

Michael Chandler (+375) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (-500)

Bo Nickal (-300) vs. Kyle Daukaus (+250)

Diego Lopes (-300) vs. Steve Garcia (+250)

UFC Freedom 250 Fight Card Fight Day Betting Odds

Ilia Topuria (-500) vs. Justin Gaethje (+375)

Alex Pereira (-105) vs. Cyril Gane (-115)

Sean O’Malley (-450) vs. Aiemann Zahabi (+350)

Josh Hokit (-500) vs. Derrick Lewis (+375)

Michael Chandler (+425) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (-600)

Bo Nickal (-300) vs. Kyle Daukaus (+250)

Diego Lopes (-155) vs. Steve Garcia (+135)

*Odds via BetOnline

UFC Freedom 250 Main Event: Topuria Vs. Gaethje

In the main event of the UFC White House card, Ilia Topuria (17-0) puts his undefeated record and UFC lightweight title on the line against interim 155-pound titleholder Justin Gaethje (27-5).

Topuria defended the UFC featherweight title twice before moving up to 155 pounds to face Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC lightweight crown in June 2025. Topuria took home the belt that night with a first-round knockout of Oliveira. Topuria has knockouts in his past three wins, all UFC title fights.

Gaethje is a two-time interim champ. His first attempt to unify the belts came at UFC 254 in October 2020. Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted Gaethje in the second round of that contest. Gaethje earned his second interim belt in January of this year when he defeated Paddy Pimblett by decision at UFC 324.

UFC Freedom 250 Co-Main Event: Pereira Vs. Gane

In the co-main event, former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira (13-3) looks to win the interim UFC heavyweight title in his first UFC fight in the weight division. Pereira’s opponent, Ciryl Gane (13-2-0-1) is a former heavyweight interim champ with the promotion. Gane has fought for the UFC heavyweight title three times, losing to Francis Ngannou, Jon Jones and, most recenlty, having his bout opposite Tom Aspinall stopped after an eye poke left Aspinall unable to continue.

We will have more on UFC Freedom 250 as fight night approaches.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez is him. The pound-for-pound star walked through a determined Antonio Vargas en route to a sixth-round, one-punch KO to become a three-division champion on Saturday night in Glendale, Arizona.

I’ve seen some impressive performances from Bam, but this one gets a gold star from me for several reasons. Let’s talk boxing.

Bam stepped up in weight to a third division — which is just four pounds smaller than Naoya Inoue — and Vargas was prepared and gave Rodriguez all he could handle through the first four rounds. However, Bam again proved he was special with this deliciously dangerous right hand that ended the fight.

Key Facts At A Glance

• Result:Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez def. Antonio Vargas, sixth-round KO
• Title: WBA bantamweight (118 pounds)
• Records: Rodriguez 24-0 (17 KOs); Vargas 19-2-1 (11 KOs)
• Milestone: Rodriguez becomes a three-division champion (112, 115, 118)
• Venue: Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona

What Happened In Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez Vs. Antonio Vargas?

Vargas came out throwing hard combinations straight down the middle. He seemed to have an answer for Rodriguez's lateral movement and flanking. Through the first four rounds, it appeared as though he may have cracked Bam's code. Late in the fourth, Bam appeared to shift into a higher gear and in the sixth, he scored the clean KO win.

That surge changed the fight on the canvas. Rodriguez dropped Vargas in the fifth round, the knockdown that flipped a competitive contest, then closed the show a round later to seal his three-division milestone.

What Were The Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez Vs. Antonio Vargas Highlights?

Vargas' gameplan delivered some strong moments, and it's things Bam's future opponents will likely study. However, the young champion's resilience and power stole the show.

On offense, Rodriguez snapped Vargas’s head back with clean left hands and built combinations off shifting footwork and southpaw angles. The finishing right hand was the exclamation point, the same variety that carried him past Fernando Martinez and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai at 115.

READ MORE about Naoya Inoue:

• Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani Full Card: Date, Time and How To Watch
• Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani Full Card: Ringwalk Times

How Did Fans And Pundits React To Bam Rodriguez's Win?

The talk after the fight is about whether Bam should chase Inoue immediately or defend his newest title at 118 pounds. Rodriguez's trainer Robert Garcia says he wants another fight in this division.

The broader reaction cast it as an elite pound-for-pound fighter doing exactly what he should against a live underdog. There was fresh talk of Rodriguez sitting second only to Naoya Inoue among the sport’s best smaller men.

Is Naoya Inoue Next For Bam Rodriguez?

I'd say it's probably not, at least not Naoya. It is more likely Rodriguez faces Naoya's brother Takuma who holds a title at 118 pounds.

Takuma Inoue currently holds the WBC bantamweight title, having beaten Tenshin Nasukawa and Kazuto Ioka, which makes a 118-pound unification with Rodriguez a cleaner near-term fight than chasing Naoya Inoue up at 122. The Monster still looms as the eventual prize, but Bam may gather more bantamweight hardware first.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

As the final buzzer sounded Saturday night, giving the New York Knicks their first NBA title in 53 years, assistant coach Rick Brunson walked toward halfcourt at the Frost Bank Center. He hugged his son, Jalen, the star point guard who scored 45 points in the Knicks’ 94-90 Game 5 road victory over the San Antonio Spurs that long-suffering New York fans have been dreaming about for decades and will never forget. Rick then kissed Jalen on his forehead before Jalen wrapped a towel around his head.

“I felt emotional from that point on,” said Brunson, referring to the embrace with his father. “And then I just remember (teammate Josh Hart) talking into my ear, him just saying, ‘We did it. We did it.’ I was emotional for a good five, 10 minutes and then the excitement started to kick in.”

Brunson, a second round pick in 2018, wasn’t supposed to be the best player on a championship team. Heck, many thought he might not be a starter in the NBA. But he is now undoubtedly a Knicks’ legend who had one of the best performances in league history. It is the most points any Knick has scored in an NBA finals game and tied with Michael Jordan in 1998 for the most points in a clinching championship victory on the road. Brunson now may be the most beloved and decorated Knick since Walt Frazier, the point guard on championship teams in 1970 and 1973, the only other times they won the title.

Before Brunson signed as a free agent in 2022, the Knicks had made the playoffs just six times in the previous 22 years and won only one postseason series. But with Brunson leading the charge, plus the free agent signings and trades for the other starters (Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby), the Knicks gradually improved. They made the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2023 and 2024. Last season, they advanced to the conference finals for the first time since 2000. And now, they are just the third team in franchise history to win the title and will always be revered among Knicks’ fans. The Knicks won 15 of their last 16 playoff games, the lone blemish coming in Game 3 of the finals when they lost 115-111 at Madison Square Garden.

For Brunson, the win is extra special because he has known about the Knicks’ tortured history since before he entered kindergarten. His father was a little-used reserve guard on the New York teams that lost in the 1999 finals to the Spurs and in the 2000 conference finals to the Indiana Pacers. Brunson, who was born in August 1996, has fond memories from those days.

“I remember running around the locker room, running around the court after the game,” Brunson told me in 2018 when he led Villanova to the Big East tournament championship. “The little things like that.”

While Rick Brunson averaged just over three points per game in nine NBA seasons, he helped his son, especially after retiring as a player in 2006, even as Rick became an assistant and was on the road during the season. Still, Rick made sure not to push too hard.

“A lot of times, Rick would say, ‘I’m not going to be one of those parents. I don’t need him to do this. It has to be him. It has to be him,’” Sandra Brunson, Jalen’s mother, told me in 2018. “Jalen always came back. He always came back. Jalen was just adamant.”

After Brunson won two NCAA tournament championships at Villanova and the national player of the year in 2018, the Dallas Mavericks selected him with the 33rd pick in the draft. Brunson improved during his four seasons in Dallas, including averaging 16.3 points and 4.8 assists per game in the 2021-22 season. But that summer, he signed with the Knicks, which also hired his father as an assistant and made him the centerpiece, something the Mavericks would never do.

In each of the past three seasons, Brunson has averaged at least 26 points and made the All-NBA second team. He has been even better in the playoffs, averaging 29.8 points and scoring at least 40 points in 10 of his 50 postseason games with the Knicks.

Still, nothing compares with Saturday night. At the end of the first quarter, the Knicks trailed 23-13, the fewest points they scored in a quarter this series. They were down by at least 10 points in the first quarter in each game against the Spurs. All told, they were outscored 157-101 in the first quarter in the finals.

“For some reason, I feel like the game for us starts 30 minutes later than it’s supposed to,” Brunson told Ernie Johnson on the postgame podium Saturday. “We didn’t show up at 8:30. We showed up at 9:00.”

At halftime, Brunson had 16 points and made 50% of his field goals, but the Knicks were down 42-37, with the other New York players making just 21.9% of their shots. They then got into an even deeper hole, falling behind by seven at the end of the third even as Brunson scored 14 in the quarter.

Brunson started the fourth on the bench before returning with the Knicks down 81-71 with 8:51 left. But about a minute later, Brunson drew a foul on Spurs guard Stephon Castle while shooting a 3-pointer, the start of a stretch when he scored the Knicks’ next 13 points.

With 3:40 remaining, Brunson made three free throws to put New York ahead 86-85, its first lead since it was 5-4. The Knicks never trailed again. Brunson scored his final points on a floater with 1:05 left, giving the Knicks a 90-88 advantage. From there, the Knicks made just four of eight free throws, but the Spurs couldn’t convert on multiple chances to tie or take the lead.

Brunson had 45 points on 14 of 27 field goals (51.9%), 4 of 7 3’s (57.1%) and 13 of 15 free throws (86.7%), while the rest of the Knicks had 49 points on 17 of 60 field goals (28.3%), 8 of 30 3’s (26.7%) and 7 of 13 free throws (53.8%). In the second half, Brunson had 29 points on 8 of 15 shooting (53.3%), 1 of 3 on 3’s (33%) and 12 of 13 free throws (92.3%), while his teammates 27 points on 10 of 28 field goals 35.7%), 4 of 15 on 3’s (26.7%) and 4 of 8 on free throws (50%).

“I’ve known him for so long,” said Bridges, Brunson’s teammate at Villanova. “I know how much he works, how great of a person he is, how great of a basketball player he is. I’m just grateful to be on his side again.”

Said Knicks guard Landry Shamet: “He is generationally great offensively…Unbelievable performance by him. He obviously deserves all the flowers coming his way.”

Brunson, as is his custom, deflected much of the praise coming his way. He prefers to talk about the process and his teammates.

“Words can’t describe it,” Brunson said. “But I’ll say I put a lot of time and effort into trying to be the best player I can be and try to help a team win. I’m just really thankful I have the organization, the coaching staff, my teammates, to have my back every single day. I think that means the most to me.”

Throughout the postseason, Knicks coach Mike Brown has referred to Brunson as a top-three candidate for the league’s Most Valuable Player award. While he didn’t finish in the top three of the MVP voting in the regular season, he did win the finals MVP, a much more satisfying honor.

“Everybody kind of mentions his name in passing,” Brown said. “They don’t do it seriously enough. People say he’s too small. People say he’s a 1B or a 2B or whatever. He is a freakin’ 1A.”

Brown joked that he wouldn’t have taken a pay cut as Brunson did in the summer of 2024 when he signed a four-year, $156.5 million extension, $113 million less than he could have made if he had waited a year, per ESPN.

“He set the bar before he even stepped on the floor, every time it came to renegotiate a deal with him,” said Brown, who the Knicks hired last summer after firing coach Tom Thibodeau. “That set the standard. Now when you take his play into account, it’s off the charts, man.”

Hart, who has known Brunson since they were teammates at Villanova, doesn’t need any convincing about what Brunson means to the Knicks or where he stands in the NBA pantheon. And Hart understands part of why Brunson is here is because of the relationship with his father, a journeyman player who has helped his son develop into a Knicks legend, right up there with anyone who’s worn the New York uniform since the franchise’s inception 80 years ago.

“Man, it’s so cool to see that,” Hart said. “They’ve worked so hard to get to this point, both of them, respectively. When you’re able to do that with your Dad, both played on the same team, that’s something they’re going to remember for the rest of their lives.”

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Fans packed the AO Arena for the Misfits Boxing event, and Tommy Fury took care of business in the main event. Fury outboxed strongman Eddie Hall en route to a majority decision win.

The judges for the fight were Tony Bellew, Derek Chisora and Misfits heavyweight champion Chase DeMoor (59-56, 58-56, 57-57, respectively). Fury employed the same kind of strategy that his former opponent Jake Paul used against Anthony Joshua — only Fury was successful.

Fury moved around throughout the six-round fight. He aimed to gas Hall out, and it worked. Hall couldn't catch Fury, despite the rounds being two minutes instead of three. Despite that, DeMoor, who wants to fight Fury next, scored the fight for Hall.

Before you ask how that can happen, consider this is Misfits Boxing, and they play by their own rules.

The card was entertaining despite a lack of conventional boxing skill and polish. We saw consistent Misfits headliner Anthony Taylor crash out after his fight with Matty Floyd ended in a no contest.

Taylor suffered some sort of eye injury that he seemed to believe came as the result of cheating from Floyd's corner. Taylor kept yelling about Icy Hot in his eyes, which could suggest he believed some sort of substance was on Floyd's glove and got into his eyes.

There's no confirmation on that piece, but the fight did officially end in a no contest.

Here's a look at the rest of the results from a wild night of fights in Manchester.

• Armz def. Big Stacks via TKO, round 4 (heavyweight) — Contest stopped in the fourth after Armz broke through with sustained pressure and forced the referee to wave it off. This fight had one of the wildest rule sets I've ever seen in combat sports. It was all body punches, and somehow Armz still got the stoppage.
• Ibiza Final Boss def. Jordan McCann via majority decision — Close fight on the cards, with one judge seeing it level and two edging it for Ibiza Final Boss after a competitive set of rounds. McCann got away with several illegal tactics. He tried to bite Ibiza, secured a double-leg takedown and threw elbows. It was pretty disgraceful.
• Scott def. G. Rodrigues via KO/TKO, 1:48 of round 2 — One of the few stoppage wins of the event.
• Adam Brooks def. Rahim Pardesi via unanimous decision — Brooks swept the cards over Pardesi, banking rounds behind more consistent work according to the event listing. This fight was massively one-sided from the outset.

Both Fury and Hall are good fits for Misfits, although Hall would be better suited to take a Misfits MMA fight the next time around. He has trained in the sport for two years, and his size and strength are undeniable.

Fury doesn't seem to want to commit to anything besides the occasional, low-risk fight. Who knows when we'll see him back in the ring? He didn't look terrible, and perhaps that's the most frustrating thing about his boxing career.

You can't help but wonder how good he could have been if he'd taken it more seriously. As it is, he likely secured a solid payday for his efforts, and he further solidified himself as the biggest name in the promotion.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

The Chicago Cubs can hang onto hope of a return to the playoffs and a deeper run this season, but one of the biggest storylines surrounding the club has become the continued struggles of its newest star.

After signing veteran third baseman Alex Bregman away from the Boston Red Sox, the two-time World Series champion is enduring a disappointing first season in Chicago that has become increasingly difficult to ignore.

Bregman earned a $175 million contract to join the Cubs, but had slashed just .243/.327/.342 in his first 65 games, which would mark career lows across the board. And the frustration has been evident from Bregman himself.

"I've had plenty of opportunities with runners in scoring position and I need to be better," Bregman said, per MLB.com’s Zach Sweet. "Plain and simple. I need to be better for this team. They brought me here to play good baseball and I haven't played good baseball. I need to figure it out."

San Francisco Giants Star Matt Chapman Sends Alex Bregman Message As Chicago Cubs Newcomer Struggles

Now it seems that other players around the league have taken notice of Bregman’s struggles, though they might not be as hard on the veteran infielder as he is on himself.

Speaking recently about Bregman's season, San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman offered a candid assessment of where the veteran currently stands.

"Breggy still hasn't found his footing, in his opinion, probably," Chapman told the Chicago Sun-Times’ Gordon Edes. "The list goes on. A lot of guys (are) not slugging, which is weird, because that is something I've never struggled with, right?"

Chapman was referring to his own rough start to the season as he slashed just .251/.337/.372 leading up to his comment. And other star third basemen like the New York Mets’ Bo Bichette and the Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley have struggled as well, Edes noted.

San Francisco Giants’ Star Sends Contract Message On Chicago Cubs’ Alex Bregman

However, the Giants third baseman was quick to share his confidence that Bregman will be able to get his way out of the slump as one of the hardest workers in the sport.

"That's the kind of guy you feel good paying money, because you know he puts the work in," Chapman added, per Edes. "That's why you signed the guy."

The comments carry added weight coming from Chapman, who signed a six-year, $151 million extension with the Giants and has long been regarded as one of the game's most respected veterans. While Cubs fans have grown increasingly anxious about Bregman's production, Chapman suggested his underlying process will eventually pay dividends.

That perspective mirrors what many around baseball have said about Bregman throughout his career. Even during difficult stretches, he has earned a reputation as one of the sport's most diligent workers and detail-oriented hitters.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Before the combat sports world shifts its attention to UFC Freedom 250, there's a boxing event that has a chance to draw decently for DAZN. It's another crossover event, but there's some undeniable appeal. Strongman Eddie Hall climbs in the ring with Tommy Fury for a battle of heavyweights. Let's talk boxing.

Key Facts At A Glance

• Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
• Venue: AO Arena, Manchester, England
• Main event: Eddie Hall vs. Tommy Fury, six two-minute rounds at heavyweight
• Format: Exhibition bout (won't affect either man's pro record)
• Card start: 1 p.m. ET
• Ring walks: Approximately 5:30 p.m. ET
• Broadcast: DAZN pay-per-view worldwide (DAZN Ultimate tier)

What Time Does Eddie Hall Vs. Tommy Fury Start?

This one kicks off dangerously close to UFC Freedom. If you love MMA and boxing, you may miss part of one of these events unless you're like me and go the dual monitor route.

The DAZN card itself begins at 6 p.m. BST, which is 1 p.m. ET, with the first undercard bout. Fights are then slotted roughly every 20 to 30 minutes, the same staggered build these DAZN boxing cards tend to follow, so the headliners are still hours away when the broadcast opens.

When Are The Eddie Hall Vs. Tommy Fury Ring Walks?

The main event could have some crossover with the beginning of UFC Freedom, but I'd be shocked if Hall-Fury goes the distance.

Hall and Fury are expected to make their ring walks at around 10:27 to 10:32 p.m. BST, depending on how quickly the undercard moves. For North American viewers, that lands near 5:30 p.m. ET and 2:30 p.m. PT, a window that can drift the same way ring-walk times on other DAZN cards tend to.

READ MORE about crossover boxing:

• Jake Paul And Francis Ngannou Agree On Controversial Usyk Stoppage
• Eddie Hearn Accepts Dana White's $30 Million Challenge

How Can You Watch Eddie Hall Vs. Tommy Fury?

There's only one way to watch Hall-Fury, and it's through DAZN.

It streams as a DAZN pay-per-view across every market, with access also bundled into the platform’s Ultimate tier. That means either a one-off pay-per-view purchase or an Ultimate subscription to catch the full Misfits Boxing card.

What Should You Know About Eddie Hall Vs. Tommy Fury?

It’s billed as Beauty vs. The Beast playing into Fury's model looks and Hall's world-renowned strength. Can Fury stand his ground or does he plan to use his movement to stretch Hall out over a number of rounds?

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Joe Arbitello had seen enough. Multiple times Wednesday night, he turned off the television in his home in the Howard Beach neighborhood of Queens, N.Y. Arbitello, the basketball coach at Christ the King High School in Queens, was sick of the San Antonio Spurs dominating the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the NBA finals. He didn’t even want to watch Jose Alvarado, a 6-foot Knicks point guard whom Arbitello coached a decade ago.

These were the Knicks of old, a franchise that always seems to choke in the playoffs. Arbitello, who was born in 1977, has never seen the Knicks win a title. Soon, that drought may end, as the Knicks overcame a 29-point second half deficit to defeat the Spurs 107-106, take a three games to one lead and get to within one victory from their first championship in 53 years.

As the Knicks came back in the second half, Arbitello received numerous messages, so he eventually put the TV on. He saw Alvarado score eight points in the fourth quarter, making an important contribution in a game that will long live in Knicks’ lore.

When the cameras showed Alvarado sitting on the bench in the third quarter, Arbitello turned to his wife. At the time, Alvarado was scoreless and had played only a few minutes.

“I said, ‘He’s going to do something real special if he gets back in the game,’” Arbitello said. “I’ve seen that look before.”

Jose Alvarado Stars At Christ The King High School

Indeed, he had. Alvarado had a decorated career at Christ the King, a premier Catholic school whose alums include former NBA players Lamar Odom, Jayson Williams and Speedy Claxton and ex-WNBA stars Sue Bird, Chamique Holdsclaw and Tina Charles.

Alvarado, who grew up in Brooklyn and moved to Queens during high school, played on the freshman team before joining the varsity as a sophomore, where he played alongside guard Rawle Alkins, who ended up at the University of Arizona. That season, Christ the King won its third consecutive Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) city title.

When Alkins transferred to a high school in North Carolina, Alvarado became the main option as a junior, winning the CHSAA’s most valuable player award. He also helped the NY Rens grassroots team advance to the quarterfinals of the prestigious Nike EYBL Peach Jam summer tournament.

While area colleges such as Rutgers and Seton Hall showed interest, Alvarado instead committed in September 2016 to Georgia Tech, whose coach, Josh Pastner, displayed faith in Alvarado despite doubts from others. Shortly after Pastner took the Georgia Tech job in April 2016, assistant Tavaras Hardy told Pastner about Alvarado, so Pastner began asking around about Alvarado.

“Everybody was telling me he’s too slow, too short, not athletic enough,” said Pastner, who is now the coach at UNLV. “They’re like, ‘Coach, you can’t recruit this kid. You’re in the ACC.’”

Still, that summer, Pastner wanted to take a look at Alvarado. He remembers watching him play for the Rens in a tournament in Las Vegas on a Sunday morning.

“Two high-level dudes, they weren’t playing hard at all,” Pastner said. “Jose was so mad at them. He got into their grill, took them by the jersey, because he was playing so darn hard. I was like, ‘Man, I’ve got to have that kid.’”

Jose Alvarado Shines As Georgia Tech 4-Year Starter

As a freshman, Alvarado immediately joined Georgia Tech’s starting lineup, becoming the primary ball handler and averaging 12.1 points in 35 minutes per game. He sustained a season-ending elbow injury in February 2018, but he rebounded the next season and led Georgia Tech with 12.5 points, 3.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game as a sophomore. He was third-team All Atlantic Coast Conference as a junior and second team as a senior, when he was also the league’s defensive player of the year.

“He’s tough as nails,” Pastner said. “He’s a winner. Winning is more important to him than actually breathing.”

Although the NCAA granted players such as Alvarado an extra year of eligibility during the COVID-19 pandemic, he chose to enter the NBA draft. No team selected Alvarado, but he signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans in August 2021. With the Pelicans, Alvarado became a reliable backup point guard, including averaging a career-high 10.3 points and 4.6 assists per game last season.

In February, the Pelicans traded Alvarado to the Knicks, a team in the midst of an eight-game winning streak to improve to 33-18. Alvarado called his old high school coach when he found out about the deal.

“He was like, ‘This is a dream come true,’” Arbitello said.

During the regular season with the Knicks, Alvarado averaged 6.6 points and shot 41.4% from the field and was in and out of the rotation. In the playoffs, he’s had a similar role, averaging 4.4 points and shooting 46.8% in 17 games off the bench.

“Jose is just like, ‘I just want to do my job. I want to win,’” Arbitello said. “He’s getting limited minutes, and you just never hear him complain about it.”

Jose Alvarado Emerges As Knicks’ Fan Favorite

And why would he? The Knicks are in the finals for the first time since 1999, and Alvarado’s popularity in the city has exploded. Pastner spoke with Alvarado last weekend.

“He’s telling me whether it’s Ben Stiller or Timothee Chalamet, Tracy Morgan, whomever it may be, they all want pictures with him,” Pastner said. “They all want Jose’s number. They love Jose. I don’t care if you’re sitting there in the front row or you’re there in the rafters, you love Alvarado.”

For Monday’s Game 3, Christ the King held a watch party at the school for about 350 people, including Alvarado’s parents and children. Patrizia’s, a local restaurant, donated 40 pizzas, and local television stations showed up. The Knicks lost, snapping their 13-game winning streak, while Alvarado had four points in 12 minutes and didn’t score in the second half.

Two nights later, it was a different story.

In the first half, Alvarado played just three minutes and 27 seconds, committed two fouls and didn’t have a point, rebound or assist. He wasn’t alone in his struggles, as the Knicks trailed by 27 points at halftime, the third-largest deficit in finals history.

Alvarado missed another shot in the third quarter when he played only two minutes and 35 seconds. But with the Knicks trailing by 18 points with 9:46 remaining, coach Mike Brown inserted Alvarado into the lineup and kept him in nearly the rest of the way.

Thirty seconds after checking in, Alvarado made a 3-pointer. He then committed three fouls in less than three minutes, giving him five for the night. Still, Brown didn’t take him out, a move that ended up paying dividends when Alvarado made a finger roll layup to cut the Knicks’ deficit to 102-97 and a 3 to get New York within 104-100.

On the next Knicks’ possession, Alvarado passed the ball to Jalen Brunson, whose 3 cut San Antonio’s lead to one point. And when OG Anunoby blocked DeAaron Fox’s layup with about 11 seconds left, Alvarado grabbed the loose ball, dribbled past halfcourt, drew a foul and called timeout. Alvarado wasn’t on the court when Anunoby tipped-in Brunson’s missed 3 for a 107-106 lead with 1.2 seconds left. And he was on the bench when Karl-Anthony Towns deflected the Spurs’ last inbounds pass, disrupting the play and helping the Knicks escape with the improbable victory.

Still, Alvarado will never forget Wednesday night, nor will anyone watching, especially those who know Alvarado best.

Jordan McLaughlin, a 5-foot-11 Spurs’ reserve who hasn’t played a minute in the finals, is the only player in the NBA who is shorter than Alvarado, while four other NBA players are listed at 6-feet. And Alvarado may be generous with his height.

“He’s not 6-feet,” Pastner said. “He’s 5-9. Trust me.”

He added: “He’s defied all odds. People who said he wasn’t good enough, athletic enough, too slow to play in the ACC, they all said the same thing about him in the NBA, and he just continues to fight odds.”

Said Arbitello: “I thought maybe with his heart and determination he would get a shot to be on a G-League team, and maybe get on (an NBA) roster, but not to do this. Never. And anybody who says they did is lying to you. It’s just an incredible achievement.”

Jose Alvarado Remembers His New York City Roots

At Christ the King Thursday morning, where Arbitello is also the principal, everyone was talking about Alvarado and the Knicks. A colleague brought up Giants receiver David Tyree’s catch with just over a minute left in the 2008 Super Bowl as the only moment in New York sports history this century that could compare with the Knicks’ victory Wednesday night.

“I think it’s up there with the Giants,” Arbitello said.

If the Knicks win one more game and the title, this team could surpass that Giants team in the New York pantheon. After all, the Giants had won Super Bowls in the 1986 and 1990 seasons, while the Knicks’ championship drought dates back to 1973. And while there are plenty of NFL fans in the area who root for the New York Jets, almost all NBA fans in the New York region are Knicks’ supporters.

Alvarado was once of them. He still is. He hasn’t forgotten his roots.

Three days after making his Knicks’ home debut in February, Alvarado attended Christ the King’s senior night game and spoke to the team. And during an interview with a local television station recently, current Christ the King players Skye Ragoo and Johnny Magna recalled how Alvarado replied to their texts shortly after the Knicks won the Eastern Conference finals last month. Arbitello overheard the conversation.

“I thought they were lying,” Arbitello said. “That can’t be true.”

When the reporter asked to see the messages, Arbitello was proven wrong.

“That’s the kind of person he is,” Arbitello said. “He’s an amazing individual.”

Alvarado’s made millions, earned a spot in the NBA and become a New York celebrity. Still, his old coach said he hasn’t changed too much.

“I always picture Jose in his Knicks’ gear when he was a kid,” Arbitello said. “He was a Knicks fan. Jose is a true New York guy. There’s nothing phony about him.”

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

For most soccer players, a World Cup breakthrough arrives after years of development. For Lamine Yamal, it could arrive before his 19th birthday.

The Barcelona and Spain striker has already achieved more than many elite players manage over a career. He became one of the youngest stars ever to play at the highest level, helped Spain win the 2024 European Championship and established himself as one of the most exciting young talents on the planet.

Despite all of those accomplishments, the 2026 World Cup represents something entirely different. For Yamal, it’s an opportunity to move from being the game’s next superstar to being its current one.

On the field, the tournament offers Yamal the biggest stage in sport. Off it, the World Cup could transform him into one of the most valuable marketing properties on the planet.

The timing could not be better. Spain arrive in North America as one of the tournament’s most talented teams (and among the favorites) and Yamal, despite being injured earlier this season, is central to their attack. It also opens up a series of marketing opportunities and puts him in direct competition with France’s Kylian Mbappe and Nike.

Unlike in previous tournaments where he was viewed as a precocious youngster, he now enters as a player expected to influence matches and carry responsibility. Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has highlighted his importance, and even amid fitness concerns before the tournament, Yamal remains one of the team’s top players.

The tournament’s expanded 48-team format also gives stars more opportunities to shine. More games mean more exposure, more highlight-reel moments and more chances to capture global attention. That matters for a player whose game is built around flair and unpredictability.

Yamal possesses the qualities that tend to define World Cup icons. He is instantly recognizable on the field. His style is entertaining. More importantly, he creates moments that spread far beyond soccer audiences. In an era dominated by social media, a single dazzling dribble or spectacular goal can reach millions within hours.

That is where the commercial opportunity begins. The World Cup is taking place in one of the world's most valuable consumer markets. While Yamal is already famous in Europe, the tournament gives him the chance to deepen his profile in North America, where mainstream recognition remains a work in progress.

Recent stories of the teenager shopping at a Walmart in Fort Oglethrope, Georgia, near Spain’s training base without attracting much attention illustrates the gap between soccer fame and broader American celebrity.

A strong World Cup can change that almost overnight. Brands are already positioning themselves for the possibility. Adidas has prominently featured Yamal in Spain’s World Cup campaigns and merchandising efforts, reflecting his growing status as the face of a new generation.

His commercial portfolio is expanding rapidly. Visa signed him as a global ambassador for the 2026 World Cup, recognizing his appeal to younger audiences and international fans.

“We’re aligning with like-minded athletes and brands who share our vision for using football to uplift and unite,” said Andrea Fairchild, Senior Vice President of Global Sponsorship Strategy at Visa. “In Lamine’s case, it’s about honoring the sport’s legacy and giving back to the fans who power it.”

Meanwhile, American Eagle recently made Yamal a global ambassador in a long-term partnership designed to connect the brand with soccer culture. The campaign is particularly significant because it targets consumers beyond traditional sports audiences.

“American Eagle has positioned itself at the intersection of culture, and for our community, sports are a huge part of their identity,” said Jennifer Foyle, President and Executive Creative Director at American Eagle. “Soccer attracts an unrivaled global following, and our multi-year partnership with Lamine Yamal centers AE at the heart of the fandom – highlighting our commitment to him, the sport and our customers.”

That dual appeal is increasingly important in modern sports marketing. The biggest athletes today are not merely competitors, but brands. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi built commercial empires by transcending the game.

Yamal appears uniquely positioned to follow a similar path because he resonates with multiple generations at once. Younger fans see someone close to their age who plays without fear. Older fans see a generational talent emerging before their eyes.

Of course, none of this is guaranteed. World Cups can elevate reputations, but they can also expose weaknesses. Expectations will be immense and every performance highly scrutinized.

The greatest players embrace the moment when the world is watching. If Spain were to make a deep run and Yamal delivers the kind of performances he has already shown he is capable of producing, the impact could be enormous.

Clemente Lisi is the author of “The World Cup: A History of the Planet’s Biggest Sporting Event, 2026 Edition.”

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

On Sunday, June 21, the Chicago White Sox promoted switch-hitting outfielder, Braden Montgomery from Triple-A Charlotte.

Montgomery, 23, spent time at both Double-A Birmingham, and Charlotte this season.

Combined, Montgomery hit .314/.422/.548/.970, with 13 doubles, three triples, 10 home runs, and 41 RBIs in 258 plate appearances. He also stole five bases.

Montgomery joins shortstop Colson Montgomery to form a dual-threat Montgomery tandem in the surging White Sox lineup.

Colson hit cleanup in the White Sox lineup, while Braden hit right behind him in their June 12 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Chicago White Sox Braden Montgomery:

In his first two games, Montgomery got four hits in his first nine plate appearances with the White Sox. He had a single, two doubles, and a home run.

In his third game, June 12, Montgomery walked, scored a run, and drove in a run in the White Sox 8-2 victory over the Dodgers. He is hitting .333.

In his first MLB game June 9, Montgomery hit a 10th inning, walk off home run to defeat the Atlanta Braves.

Here is how si.com reported what Montgomery told reporters: “I still don’t know what to say. I hit it, (and) I thought it would at least get over his head.”

sporting news.com had this headline: “Braden Montgomery’s MLB debut is a dream come true for the White Sox phenom.”

Montgomery is 6-2, 220 pounds, with a solid, imposing frame. His physicality screams strength.

MLB.com lists Montgomery as the White Sox 2nd ranked prospect, behind only 20-year-old infielder, Caleb Bonemer.

Hitting for power, and his strong arm from right field are Montgomery’s two most refined tools. But, he also has a good overall hit tool, and is an average, to above average runner.

In 2024, the Boston Red Sox drafted Montgomery in the 1st round of the 2024 Major League Baseball draft, out of Texas A&M University.

Montgomery played two seasons at Stanford University as both a right fielder, and a pitcher, before he transferred to Texas A&M.

Montgomery fractured his right ankle while sliding in a super regional NCAA tournament game against Oregon.

Montgomery was the 12th player taken in the draft. He was given a $5 Million signing bonus by Boston.

The White Sox had the 5th selection in that year’s draft, and they chose left-handed pitcher Hagen Smith. Smith was given an $8 Million signing bonus by Chicago.

Smith may well be graduating to the parent White Sox sooner than later.

Montgomery never played for Boston, as he was traded to Chicago, along with pitcher Wikelman Gonzalez, infielder Chase Meidroth, and catcher Kyle Teel, for left-handed starter, Garrett Crochet.

It is a trade that has benefited both teams.

While Crochet is injured now, he remains an outstanding, top flight MLB starter.

Meidroth, Teel, and now Montgomery are each having an impressive impact on a White Sox club that looks to remain in the first place hunt in the American League Central Division.

Chicago White Sox Colson Montgomery Is A Team Leader:

In 2025, left-handed hitting Colson Montgomery was ranked the 4th best White Sox prospect. He fell behind only pitcher Noah Schultz (currently injured), catcher Kyle Teel, and pitcher Hagen Smith.

Now, fast forward to 2026, the 24-year old Montgomery is a consequential, game-changing player on a team that never quits in a game.

A former 1st round, 2021 draft pick himself, Montgomery adds a spark and jolt to the lineup with an outstanding hit tool, impactful power, and strong defense from shortstop or even third base.

While strikeouts remain in his hitting profile, Montgomery has the discipline to accept a walk.

Last year, Montgomery hit 21 homers as a rookie. He drove in 55 runs.

His White Sox teammates have mirrored the leadership, dedication, and hustle that Montgomery projects from his strong presence on the field.

The White Sox are already a very dangerous team. One can only imagine what they’ll be like when Munetaka Murakami, and Kyle Teel return from their injuries.

The White Sox are percentage points ahead of the Cleveland Guardians in the Central.

It appears those two teams will scratch and claw to gain the advantage all season. They play each other for the first time this season, when they get together for three games at Rate Field in Chicago, June 22-24.

And now, there are two guys named Montgomery that opposing pitchers have to deal with in the White Sox lineup. Braden and Colson. Colson and Braden.

Perhaps one day the hero will be Braden. Perhaps it will be Colson.

And consider that both are just beginning their big league careers.

Without a doubt in this old scout’s mind, both of the Chicago White Sox Montgomerys will be a handful for opposing teams.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

As World Cup fans descend on the 16 stadiums in use for the largest-ever World Cup in history, the food in each venue is meant to evoke a sense of place. From Miami to Vancouver, that means something a little different in each spot, but one thing remains constant: Fan favorites take center stage, highlighted by city-specific special-edition menu items meant to provide a jolt of energy to an already buzzing event.

“This one is a bit unique. It has been years in the making and all the vendors in the FIFA World Cup are bringing to life what they do, but respecting FIFA’s desire to have a uniformity of experience,” Belinda Oakley, Sodexo Live! CEO, tells me. And that’s distinct for a major event.

FIFA was extremely hands-on during the menu creation process. That means instead of menus changing for each match to tie directly to the teams playing—major sporting events or event concerts, such as the Taylor Swift The Eras Tour, often featured custom one-off food and beverage items themed to that day—stadiums will feature consistent World Cup-themed items. So, at Vancouver’s opening game—Australia versus Turkey—Oakley jokes she won’t be able to line the BC Place Vancouver Stadium shelves with Vegemite sandwiches, but they can lean into Vancouver, offering up a short rib poutine and a maple bacon smokie.

For every new event, Oakley says her team, which manages concessions in Vancouver and Miami for World Cup 2026, builds a menu from scratch, examining who the customer is, what they think will work based on the fans, the event and more. Oakley likened preparing for a World Cup not as being a guest in someone’s house but akin to putting someone else in your own house. It’s just different. FIFA wants to lean into fan favorites, knowing there is a mix of fans interested heavily in soccer and others there for the spectacle and the opportunity. That means the traditional top-sellers, such as French fries, pizza, soda and bottled water, will be at the ready, but there’s still an opportunity to represent place.

MORE: The Stadium History of Nachos

“You should feel the connection to the city more so than the connection to the [game] lineup,” Oakley says. “It is a nod to the city you are in and hopefully everything else is your best version.”

In Miami, that means a pan con lechon Cuban-style sandwich with slow-roasted pork and a five-pound chicken empanada Mundial, a truly Instagram-worthy creation. And Oakley expects the World Cup fan to indulge.

When it came to creating special-edition menu items, Oakley says they aimed to take ingredients synonymous with the place—surveys showed visitors from outside of Canada thought of poutine and maple syrup when thinking about Vancouver—and give the dish a twist. “We want to take something that feels familiar and do something slightly different,” she says. That’s why the maple syrup in Vancouver comes in the form of a smokie sausage topped with maple bacon onion jam in a brioche bun and the popular poutine—fries loaded with beef gravy and Canadian cheese curds—features pulled short rib.

MORE: The Stadium History of Ice Cream

“I like the fact you have the tribute to traditional poutine,” Oakley says. “We have a lot of international visitors where cheese curds aren’t typically on their flavor profile. We have that pulled short rib on the top that is going to make a big difference.”

With a once-in-a-lifetime event, buying habits may be different, giving fans a willingness to indulge. Also, doors open three hours before kickoff, a much longer lead time than a typical event. The venue remains open 90 minutes past the conclusion of the game.

With many unknowns ahead of the first games—including such a massive selling window—Oakley says there’s no reason to be frugal in the way they stock the concourse. “It is incredibly easy to underestimate the volumes you tear through,” she says. “We are loaded to bear. We will be extremely responsive in terms of movement.”

One factor in play that throws a wrinkle into the process fans may not see is the need for some venues to completely switch out ingredients. In Vancouver, Molson Coors is the beer of choice, but FIFA serves Budweiser. And gone are Pepsi product, replaced by Coca-Cola. Behind the scenes it offers a “complete transformation,” a massive change to the back of house.

With all the changes and the city-focused menu items, what remains is this is a worldwide event. “Most people appreciate this doesn’t come around in their lifetime very often and we will see incredible turnout from spectators who want to experience the World Cup every minute,” she says. “This is a World Cup. Fans will want to savor the moment.”

MORE: Finding Flavor at Indian Wells Food Paradise

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Recently, Major League Volleyball announced the addition of another expansion team in Los Angeles that will join new team locations in Northern California, Washington, DC, and Minneapolis St. Paul for the 2027 season.

The announcement comes off historic season and championship numbers for the league. ION and Scripps sports broadcasted the entire postseason and championship match, which reached nearly three million viewers across its coverage. The championship match peaked at more than 300,000 viewers and averaged 200,000 throughout the broadcast.

“The MLV Championship weekend showed just how much momentum professional volleyball has right now. From a sold-out crowd and an incredible five-set final to record viewership and digital growth, the energy around our league continues to grow in a real way”, said Jamie Weston, MLV Commissioner.

Major League Volleyball also understands the importance of being a league that is player centered and focused. For the championship win, the Dallas Pulse received a $1 million prize. In addition, all four semifinal teams received postseason bonuses, along with additional compensation for the players advancing to the final.

Overall, MLV has committed more than $1.5 million in bonuses to its players. This was intentional according to Weston who said, “That is a significant part of our investment is making sure bonuses happen, so you’re playing for something."

She continued, "This is not exhibition. There’s something on the line, whether it’s the payout, the MVP, and all the other player awards that we gave out at the end of the season at our award show, those need to be significant. They [the players] want to be a part of this and we want to reward them for that, for their play."

New Team Joining the Los Angeles Women’s Sport Scene

Another massive move for MLV is bringing a team to the Los Angeles market. Los Angeles, is a hub for women’s sports teams with the presence of the WNBA’s LA Sparks and the NWSL’s Angel City FC.

Thus, bringing a volleyball team to a state that has deep volleyball roots was paramount for majority owners Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong and Ben Priest. Soon-Shiong, owner of the LA Times, is no stranger to sport investments as he has a minority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers. Priest brings direct volleyball knowledge to this new team coming in as a MLV investor, governor and former managing partner of the Omaha Supernovas.

Weston explained why centering a team in LA was essential for the growth of the league. She said, “Adding Los Angeles is an important step in the growth of Major League Volleyball and our long-term vision for the sport in the United States.”

She continued, “LA has all the ingredients to become one of the premier professional volleyball markets in the world, including a strong volleyball community, deep ties to sport and entertainment, and fans who embrace live events and big moments.”

With the addition of Los Angeles to the league, this has allowed Weston to begin thinking about conference divisions. She detailed, “Twelve teams in the league in 2027, that is a good number to start thinking about conference division, how we want to start setting that up. We’re the major leagues and so we want to make sure that how we set this up for the future is really important. I think our growth signals we have the wind on our backs right now.”

Hiring of Former Olympian,Professional Player, and MLV Head Coach Alisha Childress

With Soon-Shiong and Priest at the helm, the duo decided to hire former Penn State Nittany Lion, USA Olympian, and professional volleyball player Alisha Childress as the team’s first head coach.

Childress has already coached in the MLV for the San Diego Mojo, a team that will be leaving the league, thus, making room for the newcomers in LA.

According to Weston, Childress taking the lead in LA is a great fit due to her background, “She had a very successful season coaching with San Diego. It was just not just her on court coaching performance, but also just off court I’d say knowledge of not only the game, but the players. She [Childress] has an elevated vision of what pro volleyball should be like in Los Angeles.”

Childress will be leaning into her former player background to run the team in LA, and her background is expansive. As a Nittany Lion, she posted a 142-5 record during her four years which included three national titles in 2007, 2008, and 2009. She was also part of the US team that won the gold medal at the 2014 World Championships, as well as took bronze in the 2016 Olympics in Rio where she was named Best Setter for the tournament.

She discussed, “I think I’m uniquely positioned to really understand the pro athlete and what they’re looking for in their team, in their league, maybe some of the pain points or things that they're hoping to work through. I think I am coming from that place that feels very real and very connected to them for those reasons.”

She continued, “And I think then it’s about creating a system that feels good for them to be in, creating a culture where they feel like they are understood and heard and feel like it’s an opportunity for them to learn and also thrive. It is important feel taken care of and they feel like they’re able to achieve the things that they want both individually and collectively.”

For Childress, LA is an opportunity to expand and hone the culture that helped lead the San Diego Mojo to third place in the league this season and make a post season run. “I think that we’re looking at this opportunity as a chance to create a team that the culture of LA and the community of LA can really get behind. I think we’re really competitive as both ownership and me as a head coach, we want this team to be as successful as we possibly can be."

She continued, “But with the understanding that starting at the ground up, it is really about who we are, that is just as important as what we do in the season. I think setting the tone with how we’re going to show up in the community, how we’re going to operate as a team, what it's going to look and feel like, so that fans can come out and feel really engaged with the athletes and understand what we're trying to build. I think that's the way that you want it to feel with a new franchise is getting everyone involved in being their team that they can champion throughout the year.”

Childress believes that the fandom and desire for women’s volleyball is in LA and the leadership team will be able to build an environment where fans want to support and follow the team, even as a newcomer to MLV. She stated, “Los Angeles deserves a pro volleyball franchise that reflects the ambition, diversity, and energy of this city. Our goal is to build a world-class environment where elite athletes can compete, grow, and inspire the next generation.”

With expansion into Los Angeles and record-setting championship momentum, Major League Volleyball enters its fourth season with growing evidence that there is both a market and an appetite for women’s professional volleyball in the United States. As the league continues to scale, its next challenge will be turning early growth into long-term staying power.

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This article was originally published on Forbes.com

A one-of-a-kind collection of jerseys worn by some of the greatest soccer players in history are on display in New York just in time for the FIFA World Cup, allowing fans the chance to get a rare look at the iconic threads.

The three-day exhibit, running now through Sunday, features an impressive lineup that includes shirts of legends such as Diego Maradona, Roberto Baggio, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe.

The pop-up was curated by MatchWornShirt, a Dutch-based company that specializes in auctioning game-worn jerseys. The company said the exhibit will get American fans in the World Cup spirit as well as turn some of them into future shirt collectors.

The World Cup, which runs through July 19, is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. The tournament features an expanded field of 48 teams and includes 104 matches.

“The next five weeks will really help soccer grow in America. It’s the biggest sporting event in the world, and even though soccer hasn't traditionally been the top priority for every American sports fan, I hope that seeing the European and Asian crowds and how passionately they celebrate the game will encourage more Americans to get on board,” said Bob Zonderwijk, who founded MatchWornShirt with his brother Tijmen. “I think that enthusiasm can be contagious.”

The jerseys on display hailed from several places, including players’ closets, museums and collectors scattered around the world. For example, the Maradona jersey, from his 1990 World Cup match against the Soviet Union, is owned by an Italian collector.

“We put a lot of effort into [the exhibit],” Zonderwijk said. “There are famous names everyone knows, like Ronaldo and Mbappe. These aren’t just random jerseys. They represent defining moments in World Cup history.”

Other notable jerseys include the one worn by Italy midfielder Marco Tardelli when he scored in the 1982 World Cup final against West Germany and Robin van Persie’s incredible leaping header against Spain at the 2014 World Cup.

On hand for the June 11 preview was former PSG and Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi, who won the World Cup in 2018 with France. Seeing Mbappe’s jersey from that final against Croatia brought back a flood of memories.

“I remember when the referee blew the final whistle at the end of the game,” he recalled. “It was a sensation I had never experienced in my life. Something special that we cannot even describe with words.”

Matuidi said his jersey from that match is at home.

“I remember it started raining and everything got very wet, but it was OK. It was a good rain,” he added. “We had time to slide on the pitch and enjoy that moment together.”

Matuidi said the exhibit was a chance for soccer fans to relive memories of World Cups past.

“Football is the best sport in the world,” he said. “I know we’re in America, but worldwide football is the best. It brings people together from all around the world to share time together and enjoy watching the best players in the world.”

For MatchWornShirt, the exhibit is also a chance to let Americans know that many jerseys from this current World Cup could be theirs. Zonderwijk said the American market for soccer jersey collecting has seen tremendous growth in recent years.

“We work with more than 20 of the participating nations, including several contenders for the title,” Zonderwijk said. “We also work with all three host nations — Mexico, Canada, and the United States — and as soon as matches begin, fans can bid on the jerseys the players are wearing in real time.”

In May 2025, MatchWornShirt signed an exclusive deal with U.S. Soccer to auction off game-worn men’s and women’s national team shirts. MatchWornShirt currently has agreements with over 300 club and national teams around the world, including back-to-back Champions League winners PSG.

While Matuidi said France has a shot at the title, Zonderwijk imagined a scenario that would make collectors salivate.

“If Ronaldo were to reach the final and potentially win his first World Cup, that would be a huge moment,” he said. “There are a lot of opportunities ahead.”

Clemente Lisi is the author of “The World Cup: A History of the Planet’s Biggest Sporting Event, 2026 Edition.”

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Given the scope of Tampa Bay’s craft beer scene combined with the region’s many waterways, it would seem a matter of time before Bryan Baker teams with a brewing company in a manner similar to when he pitched for the Baltimore Orioles.

Some of the revenue generated from sales of Shake ‘n Baker went to Blue Water Baltimore, a non-profit that does its part to keep the Charm City’s waterways free of debris. The way the righthander has been closing games for the Rays, one can be excused for thinking Baker walks on water.

Indeed, the Florida native has recorded 18 saves, a total that is tied for second in MLB. Six of those saves have come during a current stretch (through June 11) of eight straight scoreless appearances. Not bad for a pitcher who has become a first-time closer this season and was acquired for a draft pick at the 2025 trade deadline.

“It’s a pleasure to take the ball at any point, but if you’re given the opportunity to close a game down for your team and secure a ‘W,’ I think it's always special,” he said.

It has been a pleasure for his teammates to witness what the bearded No. 47 has done through the season’s first two-plus months.

“He has been doing a lot of great things for us,” said Yandy Diaz, the American League’s leading hitter. “Anytime he comes in (during a tight game), I have 100 percent confidence. He’s just been that guy for us.”

Baker does not waste pitches, which numbered a total of 25 in two innings and two saves in as many nights against Boston this week. Such economy is sure to have its benefits over the long haul.

“It makes for less stressful innings in general,” he said. “It’s such a long year and those outings of 20-plus or 25-plus pitches add up really quick. Being able to bounce back and be ready the next day is a really big part of my job. So, attacking the zone puts hitters on the defensive, but also comes into play keeping the pitch count lower so that you’re ready the next day and the day after that. That has definitely been a focus of mine.”

Baker far from alone in bullpen effectiveness

Before Baker took the mound in the ninth inning to close out the Red Sox on Tuesday evening, Kevin Kelly did some outstanding work in the eighth. Nick Martinez, who has been outstanding for the Rays this season, allowed the first three batters in the eighth to reach base. The third batter of the inning, Marcelo Mayer, drilled a two-run double that made it a 4-3 ballgame. Enter Kelly, who stranded Mayer by getting the next three batters to ground out, including Cedanne Rafaela on a sharply hit ball to Richie Palacios with the infield in and one out.

While Baker recorded the save, Kelly saved the day. The righthander has blanked opponents in 20 of his last 21 outings (through June 11) and is unscored upon in 15 appearances at Tropicana Field this season. He credits much of his success to adding a changeup to his arsenal and his work with bullpen coach Jorge Moncada for a little added zip to his sinker.

“The changeup is the biggest difference from last year, for sure,” said the 28-year-old. “As far as how I feel (about my success), nothing has changed for me. You always want to be in position to help the team win. It doesn’t really matter how I did the last time. It just matters how I do this time.”

Righthander Casey Legumina was acquired from the Mariners on April 26 for a minor league pitcher. The 28-year-old’s final three appearances with Seattle were rough (10 H, 6 ER in 4 1/3 IP), though he has been exceptional with Tampa Bay whether it has been logging two innings or needing to retire a single batter. He did the latter Wednesday afternoon at Tropicana Field when the Rays’ 5-0 lead after seven innings turned into a 5-4 close shave in the eighth inning of what was ultimately a 7-5 Tampa Bay win. Legumina was summoned to replace Steven Matz with two outs and nobody on base, and got William Contreras to ground out. A sigh of relief in the home dugout ensued.

“Since coming over here, I give him a lot of credit for the way he’s pitched,” said manager Kevin Cash. “I think what’s most impressive is his commitment to the strike zone. He’s really lengthened our bullpen and he’s gotten massive outs. He’ going to continue to do that and (Wednesday) was a big one.”

Legumina, who has recorded a 2.04 ERA in 14 appearances with Tampa Bay – 1.46 ERA in last nine outings – and lefty Cam Booser, unscored upon in three appearances (4 IP) since being promoted from Triple-A Durham on May 31, are the latest examples of the wide-ranging success the bullpen has delivered.

“It just shows that from top to bottom, when everyone’s rolling, we kind of create matchup nightmares for anybody,” said lefty Garrett Cleavinger, who sported a 2.70 ERA in his first 11 appearances following an IL (calf tightness) stint. “We’ve got a lot of different angles, a lot of different stuff coming out, which is awesome.”

This article was originally published on Forbes.com