The Open Championship begins Thursday at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, where the winner will have his name etched on the prestigious Claret Jug as the Champion Golfer of the Year. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is back to defend his title against a field loaded with the biggest names in golf, including Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Bryson DeChambeau and Jordan Spieth, who won The Open last time Royal Birkdale hosted.
Follow along with Golfweek below for live leaderboard updates, highlights, breaking news and more from Thursday's first round of the 2026 Open Championship.
5:09 a.m. - Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth, Tommy Fleetwood
9:53 a.m. - Brooks Koepka, Shane Lowry, Aaron Rai
10:15 a.m. - Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Matt Fitzpatrick
The Open 2026 TV, streaming schedule
If you're on the West Coast, stay up late to catch the start of the tournament. Elsewhere, set your alarm clock. Here's a look at Thursday's TV and streaming schedule for The Open:
The winner of the 2026 Open Championship will receive $3.2 million, or 18 percent of the total purse, which is $17.75 million. It's the largest prize fund in the history of The Open, but remains the smallest of the four men's majors. See the full payout breakdown.
The Open weather forecast
Thursday's forecast calls for clear skies with a high temperature in the low 80s and a northeast wind at 10-15 mph. It's expected to be warm and sunny all week at Royal Birkdale, which is quite rare for an Open Championship.
Unlike the USGA and the PGA of America, who have championship sites planned out for a few decades, the R&A has announced only the next two after this year:
2027 - St. Andrews, Old Course (Scotland)
2028 - Royal Lytham & St. Annes (England)
The Open past winners
Here are the last 10 winners of The Open, including Jordan Spieth in 2017, which is the last time the event was held at Royal Birkdale.
Conor McGregor's UFC 329 octagon return on July 11 went off the rails almost immediately. The former two-division champion headlined the fight card in a rematch with former featherweight champion and BMF titleholder Max Holloway.
At the sound of the bell to start the bout, McGregor rushed across the cage and leaped into the air with a jumping switch kick. He landed awkwardly on his right leg and fell to the canvas. He fell twice more, once while throwing a kick and later a punch. The referee stepped in once it was obvious McGregor had suffered an injury. It's unknown what specific injury the Irishman fell victim to or the severity of it. But that will change on Thursday.
McGregor expects the results from scans to come back tomorrow. He also thinks the bout should be rules a no contest and all wagers place on the bout returned.
"A few notes
"1. I will have the results of the scan on my leg tomorrow. 2. The fight should be a no contest and all bets returned," he wrote on Instagram.
🎥 Controversial Argentine chant: a minute's silence for England...
The Argentine national team is back in the eye of the storm after footage of their locker-room celebrations went viral.
Although chants are common, one in particular sparked outrage among some fans, as the Scaloneta can be heard singing: "A minute of silence for England, who is dead."
The controversy is growing, as it was the same chant heard inside Atlanta Stadium while the players carried the banner: "The Malvinas belong to Argentina"
The 154th Open Championship returns to the historic Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, which hosts golf's oldest major for the 11th time.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler headlines the elite 156-player field at the challenging 7,223-yard, par-70 links course following his victory last year at Royal Portrush.
Highlighting the early groupings, Scheffler will tee off alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton, while 2017 Birkdale champion Jordan Spieth plays with local favorite Tommy Fleetwood and Jon Rahm.
Two-time major winner Rory McIlroy also enters as a top contender, grouped with defending PGA champion Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick. USA Network and NBCSN will handle early television coverage starting at 1:30 a.m. ET on Thursday and Friday, with NBC broadcasting the final weekend rounds.
Here's everything you need to know about watching the 2026 British Open, including the schedule, channels, live streams and more.
Coverage of the 2026 British Open will air live on NBC, USA Network, and NBCSN, featuring comprehensive commentary and coverage throughout the tournament rounds. Mike Tirico will host with play-by-play broadcasters Dan Hicks, Terry Gannon and Steve Sands. Kevin Kisner, Brad Faxon, Paul McGinley and Curt Byrum serve as analysts, with Jim "Bones" Mackay, Smylie Kaufman and John Wood reporting from the course.
The USA Network and NBCSN will carry portions of the primary broadcast, while NBC will broadcast main network coverage during the weekend rounds.
The primary television broadcast sections will be available to stream live via DIRECTV, while certain early morning tournament slots for the opening rounds will also be available on Peacock. Fans can also stream digital coverage online at NBCSports.com and via the NBC Sports app.
With DIRECTV, you can enjoy a risk-free 5-day free trial to stream live sports, news, and entertainment. Catch NBC, USA Network, and over 200 channels of premium programming without long-term cable commitments. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
British Open TV schedule 2026
The 2026 British Open will be held at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England.
Play begins on Thursday, July 16, and the tournament concludes on Sunday, July 19.
Kevin Durant and LeBron James have shared the NBA stage for the last 20 years, and now Durant is sharing where he wants to see the 41-year-old legend go next.
Durant and LeBron have had a somewhat fierce rivalry over their careers, spanning three NBA Finals matchups from 2011 to 2018. KD is entering his 20th season, while James will embark on a record-shattering 24th NBA season.
Durant will be on the Houston Rockets, but with James’ decision still unknown, Durant had some interesting thoughts on the matter.
Kevin Durant names two East contenders as likely LeBron James destinations
During an interview at an MLB game where Durant was appearing as a fan, the 38-year-old forward said he thinks James will be headed back to the Cleveland Cavaliers, with the Philadelphia 76ers also in the race with a ‘big chance.’
“That’s the million-dollar question, I wish I knew. In my heart of hearts, I think it’s Cleveland, but Philly got a big chance too… They say Golden State is in it, too; either way, it’s gonna be a movie. He’s gonna ball out.”
Durant considered the possibility of James heading to Golden State as well, with rumors ramping up that the Warriors are surging as a potential James destination.
James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists last season. He’d be an easy fit into the starting five of either the 76ers or the Cavaliers, with great on and off-court forces at play with each franchise in their recruiting attempts.
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
The Warriors need LeBron a lot more than he needs them, given the competitive options he already has at his disposal.
LeBron has shared no timeline on his announcement, but many expect he’ll announce his plans on Thursday or Friday while conducting a live podcast at the Fanatics Fest.
Durant suggesting Cleveland and Philly might be a way to guarantee that the pair are in opposite conferences once again after spending the last three seasons as rivals in the West.
Brock Purdy is getting a vote of confidence from someone who knew him before the San Francisco 49ers did. Xavier Hutchinson, who played receiver alongside Purdy at Iowa State, says his former college teammate belongs in the top-10 quarterback conversation.
Asked directly whether he believes Purdy is a top-10 quarterback in the league, Hutchinson didn't hesitate.
"Yeah, I don't see why not," Hutchinson said on Good Morning Football. "You have to prove it every single season, and every single game. And I think that's exactly what he's done. I'm super excited for him because I don't even think this is the best that we've seen of him. And I know that he believes that himself, too. There's so many areas that he has to work on. And I'm excited to see him put it all together. I just wish him the best, man. That's my guy."
The 26-year-old has thrown 84 career touchdown passes and 11,685 passing yards since taking over as the 49ers' starter as a rookie in 2022. His 2025 season was limited to nine starts because of toe and shoulder injuries, but he still threw for 2,167 yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in that span, along with three rushing touchdowns.
Hutchinson's comments come as Purdy heads into a pivotal fourth full season as San Francisco's starter, one that carries heavy expectations after last year's injury-shortened campaign. The 49ers spent the offseason retooling around him, and for the first time in years, Purdy could open a season with a healthy offensive line in front of him.
Running back Christian McCaffrey returns as the offense's centerpiece, and San Francisco added veteran receiver Mike Evans in free agency to give Purdy a true No. 1 target on the outside. Tight end George Kittle, who is working back from a torn Achilles suffered in the postseason, remains a question mark for the start of the year, but his eventual return would give Purdy a full complement of weapons for the first time since 2023.
With the pieces in place, 2026 shapes up as a defining season for Purdy, one where health and continuity, not talent, may determine whether he validates the top-10 billing from those who know him best.
Florida State brought one of the most talented
receivers in all of college football to the ACC Kickoff this week in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Duce Robinson took pro football’s evaluation seriously
and came back to Tallahassee for the 2026 season to build a football legacy
adorned with all that glitters is garnet and gold.
A highly-decorated pass catcher, both nationally and
in the ACC, Robinson is a dynamic possession receiver who puts pressure on
defenses. Last season, Robinson caught 56 passes for over 1,000 yards and six
touchdowns, earning first-team All-ACC honors.
At 6-foot-6, 222 pounds, he
averaged 19.3 yards per catch, which ranked him in the top ten nationally in
that category.
“A
couple of things that they had said, they would love to see me improve my game
upon, they would love to see that I can play a couple more positions, play all
over the field,” Robinson said. “Which is one of the great things about Coach Norvell and Coach
Harris' offense, is they put their play-makers in positions to win, no matter
where it might be.
“Then to go along with that, just being able to run a
little bit more of the route tree.” said Robinson. “Last year I was running a
lot of the same routes, so just being able to show that I can be a complete
receiver in myself, be successful at the next level, that's one of the main
reasons I came back.”
Robinson is known as the ultimate team player, who believes the
game of football and the team is bigger than any one player. He is a coach’s
dream and kind of guy you want in your locker room.
Robinson was asked about how he
has handled change throughout his college career, specifically the revolving
door of quarterbacks the Seminoles have trotted out onto the field the last
four seasons. His response was simply, “I think human life is about change, right?”
“We have to adjust. We have to adapt,” Robinson said. “This is going to be my fourth quarterback in four years. Ashton [Daniels] is among the
best. Ashton has been absolutely fantastic with everything he's done since the
very first day he's shown up.”
Make no mistake, this is not your daddy’s Florida
State football program. But, if Robinson and Daniels can build chemistry that translates
into big plays for big wins, that would be a gift from the football gods.
Add
the Tom Herman factor into the equation, with his ability to develop quarterbacks,
and that would be the catalyst that could change the Seminoles’ football lives
for the better.
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Michael Owen criticized Thomas Tuchel for his tactics in England’s 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semifinals last night, saying Tuchel shouldn’t have taken his foot off the gas pedal late in the match.
England went up 1-0 early in the second half after Anthony Gordon scored off Morgan Rogers’ sumptuous cross. However, just like in their comeback win against Egypt in the Round of 16, Argentina manufactured two late goals, courtesy of Lionel Messi, to snatch the victory.
“Watch Spain at 1-0 last night. That’s courage. That’s bravery. And then watch England at 1-0. What’s the difference? We are a better team than Argentina, I’ve no doubt in my mind. But we deserved to get beat in the end. In fact, it could have been 4-1,” Owen posted on X.
“Bringing on 3 defenders at 1-0 up. What message does that send? I wrote it in my Daily Mail column after the Mexico game. Until we understand that courage and bravery is controlling possession under pressure and not booting / heading it up the field 40 yards, then this will always be the end result,” he added.
July 15, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.; England’s Harry Kane looks dejected after the match. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Harry Kane explains what went wrong for England against Argentina
During his post-match interview, Harry Kane acknowledged that England lost control after taking the lead near the hour mark. The Bayern Munich striker admitted that the Three Lions stopped pressing and surrendered possession, saying that protecting their narrow lead was instinctual at the time.
“We scored and deserved to be ahead. Then, for one reason or another, we struggled to keep the ball, struggled to press, and simply allowed them to build momentum and create more danger in our defensive third. It’s a normal mentality to try to hold on and protect a one-goal lead,” Kane stated.
“When you’re that close, just over 10 minutes away, and it slips away from you like that… of course it hurts. We’re devastated,” he added. “We know how much reaching the final meant to them. Another semifinal. We always talk about knocking on the door. We’re close. We just need to find that missing piece in the final stages of tournaments.”
England will have one more game before exiting the World Cup, as they’ll take on France in the battle for third place on Saturday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The Daily Merengue is a place where you can feel free to d all things football. Do not be alarmed by the overt RMCF bias. It’s in the name! Shoutout to the mods who do a fantastic job, Ezek, Valyrian Steel, Kung_Fu_Zizou, Juninho, NeRObutBlanco and yours truly, Felipejack.
Argentina did it again…
Now, it was England time to bottle it…Despite being 1-0, they went to deep and conceded many chances to Argentina. It looked like they didn’t watched Argentina previous game, in which Messi’s team managed to win despite adversities. As Brazilian, I don’t like saying it, but Argentina deserve to reach the final yesterday and England did not. It hurts even more to recognize that Argentina’s players really fight in the pitch, very far from what Brazilians did in the tournament.
Despite Argentina fight in the pitch, what’s odd in this World Cup is how Argentina looks to be favored by referee calls in different games.
If France reminds Real Madrid of last two seasons, Argentina with heroic comebacks almost every knockout stage in the World Cup, reminds Real Madrid 21/22 UCL campaign.
Hats off to Bellingham for an amazing World Cup:
• 6 games • 7 G/A • 6 goals • 1 assist • 4 MOTM
Former English players talked about the defeat
Joe Hart: Thomas Tuchel showed that he DIDN’T BELIEVE in his team after they went 1-0 up.
Wayne Rooney: “England was PANICKING! You can’t go 1-0 up and then SURRENDER. You want to be on the FRONT FOOT. It’s ARGENTINA who are under pressure.”
Are we seriously going for Olise?
🚨🚨💣 BREAKING: Real Madrid have been INFORMED that Michael Olise wants to join the club NOW.
Not only going for him…to break the record for him, despite the clear needs to strengthen the midfield. Don’t get me wrong, Olise is a very good player, but if they have so much money to spend on a player, why the club is not willing to spend it to reinforce the midfield (besides Bernardo Silva signing)?
The work continues
While the World Cup reaches the final, Real Madrid continues its preseason. We are about one month away for the start of La Liga.
INDIANAPOLIS — They say if you don't have anything nice to say, it is better to not say anything at all.
That holds especially true when you're the coach of a WNBA team and risk being fined if you speak ill of the officials during your postgame news conference.
So when asked about a controversial second-quarter no-call during Wednesday's 88-75 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, one in which Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark hit the deck hard following a collision with Kiah Stokes underneath the basket, Fever coach Stephanie White kept her answer nice and succinct: "They said Caitlin initiated the contact."
That's all they said?
"That's all they said," she continued. "She seems to always be initiating the contact."
IndyStar Fever insider Chloe Peterson — noted co-host of Fever Insider LIVE (next episode Sunday at 11 a.m. EST) — followed up a few minutes later and as she began her question, a wry smile began forming across White's face.
You mentioned Caitlin always seems to initiate the contact. What did you see in the officiating overall tonight or just in general?
"Chloe, I'm trying to not get fined," White said. "Again, all I'll say is we just keep asking for consistency."
Neither White nor Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase were pleased with officiating throughout the game.
From the home team's perspective, the no-call on Clark was especially egregious.
"I got kneed right in the quad," a still-fuming Clark said. "That hurts. The ref can't miss that. And then I have to play with a contusion in my leg the rest of the game. It's ridiculous. You can't miss calls like that."
Postgame pressers are on the YouTube page (subscribe!). Hear from Sophie Cunningham, Caitlin Clark and coach Stephanie White: https://t.co/rGNbxVUAHO
Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar's Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. Subscribe to IndyStar TV: Fever for in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes coverage and more.
INDIANAPOLIS — They say if you don't have anything nice to say, it is better to not say anything at all.
That holds especially true when you're the coach of a WNBA team and risk being fined if you speak ill of the officials during your postgame news conference.
So when asked about a controversial second-quarter no-call during Wednesday's 88-75 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, one in which Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark hit the deck hard following a collision with Kiah Stokes underneath the basket, Fever coach Stephanie White kept her answer nice and succinct: "They said Caitlin initiated the contact."
That's all they said?
"That's all they said," she continued. "She seems to always be initiating the contact."
IndyStar Fever insider Chloe Peterson — noted co-host of Fever Insider LIVE (next episode Sunday at 11 a.m. EST) — followed up a few minutes later and as she began her question, a wry smile began forming across White's face.
You mentioned Caitlin always seems to initiate the contact. What did you see in the officiating overall tonight or just in general?
"Chloe, I'm trying to not get fined," White said. "Again, all I'll say is we just keep asking for consistency."
Neither White nor Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase were pleased with officiating throughout the game.
From the home team's perspective, the no-call on Clark was especially egregious.
"I got kneed right in the quad," a still-fuming Clark said. "That hurts. The ref can't miss that. And then I have to play with a contusion in my leg the rest of the game. It's ridiculous. You can't miss calls like that."
Postgame pressers are on the YouTube page (subscribe!). Hear from Sophie Cunningham, Caitlin Clark and coach Stephanie White: https://t.co/rGNbxVUAHO
Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar's Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. Subscribe to IndyStar TV: Fever for in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes coverage and more.
Congratulations to the Buffalo Bills, Good Karma Brands, and ESPN New York. With the announcement that ESPN New York will now be a Buffalo Bills Radio Network affiliate, I couldn’t be happier as a former sports radio programmer. For the first time, another NFL team is entering another NFL team’s home market. The walls of exclusivity have finally been broken. More importantly, a radio company has recognized that the listener should be the priority.
It goes without question that sports media rights are the most valuable property in media today. They drive viewership and advertising revenue on television. For radio, they generate additional cume, strengthen branding, and create new advertising opportunities. Teams want to own as much real estate as they can, but controlling the conversation is even more important. They don’t just want to be heard on Sundays. They want fans talking about them throughout the week.
Now, there’s been a long-standing rule in the NFL when it comes to radio networks. According to Article X of the NFL bylaws, no NFL team was permitted to broadcast a game into the home territory of another team, specifically within a 75-mile radius of that team’s stadium. If you search the distance between Buffalo and New York City, though, the gap is more than 350 miles.
The two markets aren’t exactly next-door neighbors, but the teams, in essence, are.
It’s no secret that sports fandom is no longer as localized as it once was. For generations, people grew up, lived, and rarely left the markets they called home. Today, people are far more mobile, moving from one state to another for work, family, or new opportunities. With that comes greater demand for access to the teams fans still call their own. While people may leave their hometowns, their sports allegiances rarely leave them.
While television continues to make fans jump through more hoops to watch their favorite teams, radio has an opportunity to become more accessible than ever.
That’s why you see New York Yankees radio affiliates in New Mexico. You see the Dallas Cowboys Radio Network partnering with Compass Media Networks to place affiliates in several other NFL markets. Want to listen to Lakers games in Hawaii? There’s a local radio option for that.
People are more on the go than ever before, and the demand for access has never been greater. NFL football remains America’s most popular sport, with fan loyalty running deep and rarely changing.
That’s why the Buffalo Bills, Good Karma Brands, and ESPN New York becoming partners is a change that has been needed for a long time.
Adding Value To Radio
We're excited to officially announce that 1050AM @ESPNNewYork is now part of the Buffalo Bills Radio Network!
We talk all the time about how sports radio stations need to think outside the box. They need to find more ways to attract listeners to both the radio and their streaming platforms. Roughly nine million people live in New York City. Not all of them are Giants or Jets fans. They’re also not all part of Bills Mafia.
What this move does provide is access and choice, two things sports radio stations around the country should be striving to deliver. Sports radio is no longer confined to the radio dial. Consumers expect brands to be available online, on demand, through video, podcasts, apps, and social media.
What better way to provide access than by offering more choices? That adds value to your brand, invites more cume to the station, and offers something your competitors don’t.
The era of exclusivity has steadily eroded for years. Sports media personalities are a perfect example. How often do you see talent working for networks, hosting radio shows, while also owning media companies that distribute their content elsewhere? Success today isn’t about doing one thing. It’s about being everywhere people want to consume your content.
The Buffalo Bills are no different. They want a share of the audience in New York City because there are fans there. Of course, their NFL counterparts, the Giants and Jets, may not love it, but this is exactly how teams should rethink the value of their radio properties. There’s no good reason any franchise should be prevented from offering its product to sports radio brands willing to invest in carrying it.
The Listener First
Sports media spends a lot of time talking about serving the audience, but too often the industry’s business decisions make it harder for fans to access the teams they love. Television rights continue to splinter games across broadcast networks, cable channels, streaming services, and subscription platforms, asking consumers to pay more while receiving less convenience. Radio has an opportunity to move in the opposite direction. That’s what happened here.
That’s why Good Karma Brands, the Buffalo Bills, and ESPN New York deserve credit. Instead of protecting outdated territorial boundaries, they recognized a simple reality: the listener comes first.
Fans don’t stop supporting their favorite teams because they move 300 miles away, and they shouldn’t lose easy access because of rules written for a different era. If sports radio wants to remain relevant while other platforms become increasingly fragmented, the answer isn’t creating more barriers. It’s creating more opportunities for people to listen.
This deal does exactly that, and hopefully it’s the first of many that put the fan—not market exclusivity—at the center of the conversation.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
Apr 12, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach (10) runs down the court during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
LAS VEGAS — Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach has made his presence known at this year’s NBA Summer League, delivering another standout performance Wednesday.
Apr 22, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach (10) screams after dunking against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Phoenix’s 100-88 win against the Detroit Pistons was highlighted by Maluach’s fourth consecutive double-double. He finished with 23 points, 15 rebounds, one assist and one steal as he continued one of the most impressive stretches by any player in Las Vegas.
His consistent production has, naturally, raised questions about whether Summer League is still challenging him. However, when asked by ClutchPoints’ Hayden Cilley whether he feels he may be too good to continue playing in Summer League, Maluach quickly dismissed the notion.
“I don’t think there’s such a thing as too good,” Maluach told Cilley. “Even great players like LeBron James, they still have more to learn, so I don’t think there’s such a thing like that. I just go out there and play my game. I just go out there and leave it all out on the floor.”
Maluach said his focus remains on effort rather than the numbers he puts up each game.
“I don’t think about no rebounds, I don’t think about no points because those are just numbers. I control what I control, and that’s my effort. That’s my energy and communication, and my leadership.”
Apr 8, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach (10) blocks the shot of Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell (7) in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Summer League statistics won’t always translate directly to NBA success, but Maluach’s success may be a preview of what he can produce in the Valley this upcoming season. His rim protection, rebounding instincts, finishing around the basket and willingness to run the floor have made him a standout.
Maluach’s comments about focusing more on growth than individual success reflect the type of player he wants to be — someone the team can rely on who won’t solely chase individual accolades.
Apr 22, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach (10) dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
That mindset should give the organization confidence it has a young player who embraces coaching, maximizes opportunities and understands there’s always room to improve.
If his approach matches his production, Maluach could be a player whose ceiling extends well beyond Summer League.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
Audacy’s 105.7 The Fan in Baltimore has undergone significant change over the past two years. Joe LaCroix has been there for all ot them. The lone FM sports radio outlet in the market has experienced shifts in staff, talent, and leadership. Following the departure of Chuck Sapienza in November 2024, the station brought in Scott Jameson as its new brand manager just a few months later. However, a year later, Jameson announced he planned to step away from the position for personal reasons.
The station found itself searching for a new leader once again, marking its second search in just over a year. After months of interviewing candidates from around the country, the station decided to look internally. That’s when opportunity was presented and LaCroix was elevated the station’s third brand manager in less than two years.
“I was elated, but also was a little surreal,” says LaCroix about when he officially received the news. “I didn’t start getting into radio till about eleven years ago… But if you told me a decade ago when I started here I’d be in this position, I would have trouble believing you.”
The 34-year-old programmer, with a decade of experience producing and guiding high-profile talent, now takes on a different challenge. He’s shifting away from the soundboard and phone lines to a leadership role, where he’ll continue developing a broader and more unique skill set.
Listener To Leader
Growing up listening to the station, LaCroix said he was instantly attracted to the content and the personalities behind it. After graduating with a degree in history, teaching wasn’t the right fit for his immediate future. Instead, he pursued a role at the station he had admired as a young listener.
More than a decade later, he now oversees the same brand that inspired his passion for radio years ago.
“This position wasn’t something on my radar. If I was making my goals for 2026, it wouldn’t have been on there. But after a while, it became clear to me that I was doing a lot of the things that a brand manager would be doing anyway,” explained LaCroix. “I felt like it was something I was very capable of doing despite my relative lack of experience compared to others who applied.”
LaCroix credits his experience working with established producers and talent for helping him find his voice. He chose to remain behind the scenes because of the satisfaction he gets from setting others up for success.
Following Sapienza’s departure in 2024, LaCroix said he underwent a crash course in what it takes to run a station. He described the experience as a trial by fire. Managing staff, coaching talent, writing imaging, and reinforcing relationships with market partners. That experience fueled his interest in programming, an interest that resurfaced when news of Jameson’s upcoming departure created another opportunity.
“I was somewhat surprised, but not shocked by Scott’s [Jameson] decision to leave. His family is back home. He expressed to me that he wasn’t really doing well with the aspect of being away,” said LaCroix. “As soon as the opportunity arose, I took a week to talk it over with people I know. Is this something I feel I can accomplish. After those discussions, I decided to go for it.”
Navigating The Process, Embracing Change
LaCroix said he enjoyed the interview process because it gave him an opportunity to share his vision, his goals, and what he believes the next evolution of 105.7 The Fan could become. His confidence, however, told a different story. He said after every interview, he walked away convinced it had been his worst.
When he learned he had been selected to lead the station, he immediately got to work. The transition from producer to manager, however, came with its challenges.
“It’s been a little bit of hard transition for me to let go of that [producing The Big Bad Morning Show]. Even in the six weeks I’ve been on the job, it’s become clear you can’t be singular in your focus with the role,” notes LaCroix, who has produced The Big Bad Morning Show since 2021. “I also have a love for that morning show. But this is my opportunity to try and put my fingerprints around here at the station.”
While helping transition new morning show producer Ben Hill into his role, LaCroix has also focused heavily on expanding 105.7 The Fan’s digital presence. He noted the station has lacked a strong social media presence and video strategy throughout much of his tenure as a producer.
That focus reflects a fresh perspective. LaCroix understands that being available wherever audiences consume content is essential to succeeding in today’s media landscape.
“We’re entering another phase of the station. We have to focus more on just being a terrestrial radio product,” says LaCroix about what he hopes to bring in his immediate tenure. “From Scott and Chuck, what I really learned was how to treat and deal with people. What I think I could do different is some more technical things. Maybe getting more into digital spaces than they could.”
With artificial intelligence becoming more common at radio stations around the country, LaCroix is no stranger to the technology. He views AI as a support tool and considers himself part of the “backend of the AI age.” While he doesn’t rely heavily on it today, he believes it can help the industry become more efficient and continue to evolve.
“I’m cautiously optimistic that AI won’t be a bad thing for the industry,” explains LaCroix. “It has helped us a lot in some aspects with YouTube and social media. I always try to make sure whatever we use it for; you can still tell that there’s a human touch there.”
Immediate Goals
LaCroix takes a realistic approach to change. He understands that while he has plenty of ideas for the station, meaningful progress takes time. As he adjusts to longer hours and a heavier meeting schedule, he said several top priorities are already at the forefront.
One initiative already underway is re-establishing a third voice on the station’s afternoon show, Inside Access with Tim Barbalace and Ken Weinman. Following Jason La Canfora’s departure in February, LaCroix said the future of the afternoon show became part of the interview process for the brand manager position.
“We’ve been in the process over the last couple of months that hopefully we’ll have a resolution very soon,” says LaCroix. “A trio is where we want to go with that show. That Inside Access team was a great show. Ken, Tim, and Jason. They were three of the people that when I started to take a bigger role at the station, they were there every step of the way. That was super helpful for me, and still helpful to me in this new role.”
In addition to adding a third voice to afternoon drive, LaCroix hopes to strengthen relationships with Baltimore’s professional sports teams. In addition to reinforcing the station’s role as the flagship home for Maryland athletics. After spending years in morning drive, he understands the work required to build a successful show. Now, as brand manager, he hopes to apply that experience across every daypart and position the station for long-term success.
Every programmer inherits a station. Few inherit one during a period of as much transition as 105.7 The Fan has experienced over the past two years. LaCroix knows there won’t be overnight fixes, but his priorities are clear: strengthen the station’s talent, expand its digital footprint, deepen its local connections, and preserve the personality that made Baltimore listeners embrace the brand in the first place.
It’s an ambitious to-do list, especially for someone just 34 years old stepping into the challenges of leading a major-market sports radio station. But for someone who spent years helping others succeed behind the scenes, it’s also a challenge he’s earned.
If his vision comes together, 105.7 The Fan won’t simply adapt to change. It could help define what local sports radio in Baltimore looks like for years to come.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
Did ESPN hint at LeBron James' next team? Here's why fans believe his free-agency decision may have leaked.
The NBA world remains in suspense as LeBron James continues to weigh his free-agency options. After James announced late last month that he would not return to the Los Angeles Lakers, multiple teams, including the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers, have emerged as reported frontrunners to land him.
On Wednesday, ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption” might have leaked where the four-time MVP could take his talents next.
LeBron James’ Free Agency Takes New Twist After ESPN Broadcast Raises Eyebrows
In the latest episode of PTI, the producer gave the segment a noteworthy title, “Steph Curry Behind LeBron’s Stunning Warriors Decision? Kawhi is Back…?”
While the Kawhi Leonard part was addressed, the show did not mention a potential team-up between Stephen Curry and James, prompting speculation that something might be afoot.
”Did ESPN just leak LeBron to the Warriors? Today’s PTI episode has nothing to do with Steph and LeBron, but a producer labeled the podcast with this title????” an X user wrote.
The same observer added, “Podcast released 30 min ago and the headline isn’t anywhere else, and it’s legit not a discussion during the PTI episode. Very odd….”
However, the X user conceded that there must have been a mistake somewhere, writing, “I think they used tomorrow’s podcast/episode title on today’s episode.”
Whether there was a mistake or not, NBA observers will likely check PTI’s next episode, particularly if the James-Curry story gets the spotlight.
Golden State was seemingly ahead of every team in the race to land the 22-time All-Star early on. Once Draymond Green declined his $27.7 million player option, the Dubs created salary-cap space to add James to an aging but formidable roster.
However, complications have emerged in the Warriors’ reported pursuit of their longtime rival. Some NBA insiders claimed that for James to go to Golden State, the Dubs would need to trade for Anthony Davis, whom the Washington Wizards are unwilling to move.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne also reported earlier this month that the Warriors needed a commitment from James before making other splashy moves.
While there seems to be a staring contest between the two parties, the Heat, the Cavaliers, and the 76ers have surged as strong contenders to land the NBA’s all-time scoring leader.
Until James decides, which could reportedly happen this week, speculation about where he will play next will continue to captivate the NBA world.
‘Wasn’t the Best Coach on the Market’ — NFL Analyst Gets Brutally Honest on Bills’ Joe Brady Gamble
One of the biggest surprises this offseason was the Buffalo Bills firing head coach Sean McDermott, despite the team achieving double-digit wins and reaching the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season. While the move was hinted at for several years, actually pulling the plug on the operation was still unexpected.
After all, the Bills’ goal is to win a Super Bowl, and coach McDermott had brought them to the doorstep (AFC Conference Championship) twice. Nevertheless, Buffalo decided to hit the reset button, yet they promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach.
Brady has never been an NFL head coach or even a head coach at any level before. Needless to say, the move was a big gamble. Now, the Bills’ organization is catching some flak.
Bills Criticized for Hiring Wrong Coach in Joe Brady
Boasting an NFL MVP in Josh Allen, one would have thought the Bills could pretty much get their pick of the litter among the best coaches available this offseason. We saw teams hire experienced Super Bowl winners like John Harbaugh and Mike McCarthy.
Another respected name, Mike Tomlin, stepped away from the Steelers this offseason and opted for a broadcasting role at NBC rather than a return to coaching.
Plus, there was always the chance to reach out to an old rival in Bill Belichick to see if he wanted to get revenge over the New England Patriots twice a year. Yet, the Bills went with the safe pick and promoted Brady instead.
Now, FS1’s Colin Cowherd is saying the Bills made a mistake in moving forward with Brady rather than someone else who he feels could actually lead the franchise to its first-ever Super Bowl victory.
“I looked at all the candidates they interviewed for that job, and they had no interest hiring anybody but Joe Brady,” Cowherd said. “And so I don’t think the Buffalo Bills had good coaches, had great quarterbacks, had capable GMs, have good ownership. I don’t think it’s just bad luck.”
Cowherd went on to reference the more experienced (and proven) options that were on the market. Yet, it appears as though the Bills had their heart set on Brady all along.
“There was a Harbaugh on the market. Kevin Stefanski was a two-time coach of the year. He was on the market. There was the hottest coordinator on the market, Jesse Minter, Jeff Hafley. Everybody was talking about Hafley. McCarthy won a Super Bowl. Harbaugh won a Super Bowl. They were both on the market. And they hired Joe Brady. And when I looked at who they interviewed beyond Brady, it wasn’t great. Brady is going to be fascinating because he wasn’t the best coach on the market.”
Time will tell whether the Bills truly made a mistake, or the NFL’s next great genius hire.
After seeing how successful Brady had been with Allen, it does make sense to entrust him with more responsibility. Buffalo ran the risk of messing up their offensive chemistry by picking someone other than Brady.
It’s an interesting thought experiment, as the Cleveland Browns essentially did the opposite this offseason. Boasting a good defense, they could have promoted Jim Schwartz, but they made an outside hire and lost their prized defensive coordinator in the process. Buffalo didn’t seem to want to take the same risk, so they promoted Brady, and the rest is history.
Former England defender Micah Richards was informed of the death of his father shortly before going on air as a BBC pundit for the World Cup semi-final against Argentina.
Richards, who won 13 caps for England as a player, appeared alongside Joe Hart and Wayne Rooney as Thomas Tuchel’s side slipped to a late 2-1 defeat.
However, shortly after the broadcast, he revealed that he had been told of his dad Lincoln’s death shortly before the game in Atlanta.
Writing on Instagram, Richards said: “Not long before going on air today, I received the awful news that my father Lincoln had passed away. His death was unexpected, and he has left us all too soon.
“He was my greatest fan. He barely missed a game my entire life.
“He would take me wherever I needed to go when I was a kid and he was the proudest parent possible during my professional career. It was so rare for him to not be by my side.
“I know how much watching England World Cup games means to everyone at home, and how the experience bonds families together across the generations, like nothing else.
“I know, particularly as a proud old-school Yorkshireman, dad would’ve wanted the show to go on this evening. And so it did.
“Thinking of my siblings and all my wider family today as we remember my father Lincoln, my hero and inspiration.”
Tony Reali was a fixture at ESPN for more than a quarter century. Wherever he went, classic shows followed. For a decade, he was the statistician known as Stat Boy on the long-running and still-running Pardon the Interruption (PTI) with Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon. From there, he branched off to host ESPN’s version of a sports game show, Around the Horn. Reali brought a vibrant, fun and pleasantly wisecracking style to that program and launched the ESPN careers of many commentators. A native New Yorker, Reali brought a Big Apple sensibility to everything he did.
Around the Horn ended its 23-year run in May 2025 after nearly 5,000 episodes. This week, Reali boldly returned to the airwaves with Real Deal with Tony Reali, his own podcast on iHeartRadio Podcasts.
His approach has not changed. Reali brings the same verve and nerve that marked his ESPN work. He opened his first episode with an enthusiastic walking selfie through the halls of iHeartMedia and into his studio, stopping at the entrance to gleefully greet the receptionist, Nora.
Real Deal with Tony Reali reflects on some of the greatest sports events and athletes. Analyzing them in a way that recalls the emotion and feel of the moment. In fact, that’s what the show is all about — the moments and people who make sports so special.
You can actually sense and see Reali’s deep love of sports. This is not a show about current statistics or political stances. It is about one dude sharing his joy and passion for the games and those who play them.
Come Out Swimming
It is vintage Reali, jovial and personable with everyone he meets. During his walk to the studio, he sets up the show’s topic. His first episode looked back at the 4×100 freestyle relay team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. That team worked together to pull off a huge upset of the French squad. It was the springboard for Michael Phelps and his record eight gold medals in Beijing.
Leave it to Reali to be ballsy enough to open a new show with swimming instead of one of the more mainstream sports. Moreover, this is his program, and he is going to put his stamp on it. During his work on PTI and Around the Horn, Reali made other personalities look good, but Real Deal with Tony Reali is his time to shine.
I like the show’s studio setup. Behind him is a glass window overlooking the iHeart offices. You can see people working at their desks and walking through the area. It’s pretty cool.
In this opening episode, Reali called the Beijing 4×100 relay win one of the greatest team moments in sports history. He then counted down his top sports teammate moments ever, including the Reggie Bush Push in USC’s game against Notre Dame, the Titans’ Music City Miracle featuring the lateral from Frank Wycheck to Kevin Dyson, Chris Bosh’s offensive rebound and pass to Ray Allen for his incredible shot against the Spurs in the NBA Finals, the Red Sox’s Game 4 win against the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS featuring Kevin Millar, Bill Mueller, David Ortiz and Dave Roberts, and Grant Hill’s pass to Christian Laettner for the memorable game-winning shot against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament.
Reali’s number one moment was the Beijing relay team in the 2008 Olympics.
Fittingly, the first guest on Real Deal with Tony Reali was Rowdy Gaines, a U.S. swimming icon and the man who served as NBC’s color analyst for the 2008 Olympics. During the interview, Reali told Gaines that he loves sports announcers who bring their heart and spirit outside their bodies for viewers to see. In truth, this is a perfect description of Reali himself. Real Deal with Tony Reali is aptly named because Reali is as real as it gets.
Gaines brought similar emotion back in 2008 while calling that 4×100 freestyle Olympic relay race. It was where teammates Phelps, Garrett Weber-Gale, Cullen Jones and Jason Lezak collaborated to beat the heavily favored French team with a world-record time of 3:08.24. Gaines explained that the 4×100 relay was going to be the toughest race for Phelps to complete his gold-medal sweep at those Olympics. Thanks to his teammates, he did just that.
Gaines backed up Reali’s assertions, saying the relay team consisted of four guys who came together and did not want to disappoint Phelps, each other, their fans or their country.
Reflecting On Moments Together
Podcasts like Real Deal with Tony Reali are host-driven. It is pretty much a one-shot of Reali followed by a two-shot of him and his guest. You need a special kind of host to make this work. Additionally, that’s why Reali is that guy.
I was impressed with how he handled the spotlight alone for the first time in his career as we know it. He asked Gaines some terrific questions, bringing out the same emotion he brings to the podcast. Although Gaines and Reali had never met before, by the end of the show it seemed like they had known each other for decades. It felt more like a conversation than a Q&A, and you could tell Gaines was amused by Reali’s personality.
I learned a lot from this show. Moreover, that gives me a really good feeling about Real Deal with Tony Reali. It is not going to be a run-of-the-mill podcast. To demonstrate the depth of its commitment to the subject, the production team displayed a graphic featuring the actual transcript of Gaines’ and play-by-play announcer Dan Hicks’ NBC call of that 2008 relay race. Reali recited part of the transcript with a gigantic smile and matching emotion.
Reali’s passion was contagious as Gaines sentimentally talked about how true amateur Olympic athletes capture the imagination of the American public and why we love rooting for a group of kids who reach amazing milestones and accomplish unforgettable feats. In addition, the host and guest truly bonded on the show. So much so that Reali stood up, turned to the office staff behind him and joyfully yelled that he had just made friends with Rowdy Gaines. How can you not love that?
Throughout this debut edition of Real Deal, Reali said the 2008 Olympic relay team and Gaines’ call of the victory brought about “instant tears.” I can paraphrase something similar about the first episode of Real Deal with Tony Reali. It made me an instant fan. Moreover, I am looking forward to watching the show grow and develop.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
John Molori is a weekly columnist for Barrett Sports Media. He has previously contributed to ESPNW, Patriots Football Weekly, Golf Content Network, Methuen Life Magazine, and wrote a syndicated Media Blitz column in the New England region, which was published by numerous outlets including The Boston Metro, Providence Journal, Lowell Sun, and the Eagle-Tribune. His career also includes fourteen years in television as a News and Sports Reporter, Host, Producer working for Continental Cablevision, MediaOne, and AT&T. He can be reached on Twitter @MoloriMedia.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 14: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves poses for a picture with his family during the 2026 All-Star Red Carpet Show presented by Mastercard at Independence Mall on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
It’s the “break” part of the All-Star break now, as the festivities are complete and the team doesn’t return to action until Friday. There are still select minor league games, transactions, and draft pick signings left to track, however.
Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.
Marcello Hernández, the host of Wednesday night’s ESPY Awards, jumped right into the deep end in his opening monologue with a not-so-subtle jab at last year’s host.
“I also want to shout out last year’s host, Shane Gillis. He is watching from home like a true American,” said Hernández. “On his couch, drinking a beer while a Hispanic guy does his job.”
Gillis received backlash last year after making a distasteful joke about WNBA star Caitlin Clark.
“When Caitlin Clark retires from the WNBA, she’s going to work at a Waffle House so she can continue doing what she loves most: fist-fighting Black women,” Gillis said at the time.
Aside from the Gillis joke, Hernández didn’t shy away from highlighting his heritage in his opening monologue, noting that he’s the first Hispanic to host the ESPYs in 25 years. The “SNL” cast member also took the opportunity, amid increased hostility toward immigrants in the U.S., to thank his mother, who immigrated from Cuba.
“I personally think it’s crazy that I get to host the ESPYs,” Hernández said. “This is an American dream, for a child of immigrants to host the biggest show in sports.”
“My mom came to this country by herself at 20 years old; she worked as a nanny, she lived in an efficiency, which is a room attached to a house,” he continued. “She paid her way through college by working during the day and going to school at night. And at her graduation, she was pregnant with me. And I just figured that if I had to hear it every day, you all could hear it once.”
Hernández then implored Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry to give his mother, who was seated right behind him, a hug. Curry, without hesitation, obliged Hernández’s request.
Click here to watch Hernández’s full opening monologue from Wednesday night’s show.
According to AccuWeather, weather at the Royal Birkdale will be practically perfect for golfers. With a high of 79 and low of 57, the temperature isn't the only thing making for great golfing conditions. There is a 0% chance of rain for today with minimal cloud coverage. There will be a bit of a breeze out of the green with gusts up to 21 mph.
What happens if it rains at Open Championship?
Though it's not something we have to worry about this weekend, in case it does rain play will continue on unless conditions become dangerous. The main concern at the Royal Birkdale is wind, which has greater chances for impact this weekend.
How to watch The Open on TV
All times Eastern:
Thursday, July 16:Peacock (1:30-4 a.m.) | USA Network (4 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Friday, July 17:Peacock (1:30-4 a.m.) | USA Network (4 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Saturday, July 18: USA Network (5-7 a.m.) | NBC (7 a.m.-3 p.m.)
Sunday, July 19: USA Network (4-7 a.m.) | NBC (7 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2026 British Open will broadcast via streaming on Peacock starting at 1:30 a.m. before the TV broadcast kicks in on USA Network at 4 a.m. July 16-17. Rounds 3 and 4 will start on USA at 5 a.m. July 18 and 4 a.m. July 19 before switching to NBC at 7 a.m. both days.
How to watch British Open on streaming
Featured group and hole streaming is available on Peacock throughout each round. The main TV broadcast can be streamed via Sling, which carries USA Network, and Fubo, which carries NBC.
According to AccuWeather, weather at the Royal Birkdale will be practically perfect for golfers. With a high of 79 and low of 57, the temperature isn't the only thing making for great golfing conditions. There is a 0% chance of rain for today with minimal cloud coverage. There will be a bit of a breeze out of the green with gusts up to 21 mph.
What happens if it rains at Open Championship?
Though it's not something we have to worry about this weekend, in case it does rain play will continue on unless conditions become dangerous. The main concern at the Royal Birkdale is wind, which has greater chances for impact this weekend.
How to watch The Open on TV
All times Eastern:
Thursday, July 16:Peacock (1:30-4 a.m.) | USA Network (4 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Friday, July 17:Peacock (1:30-4 a.m.) | USA Network (4 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Saturday, July 18: USA Network (5-7 a.m.) | NBC (7 a.m.-3 p.m.)
Sunday, July 19: USA Network (4-7 a.m.) | NBC (7 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2026 British Open will broadcast via streaming on Peacock starting at 1:30 a.m. before the TV broadcast kicks in on USA Network at 4 a.m. July 16-17. Rounds 3 and 4 will start on USA at 5 a.m. July 18 and 4 a.m. July 19 before switching to NBC at 7 a.m. both days.
How to watch British Open on streaming
Featured group and hole streaming is available on Peacock throughout each round. The main TV broadcast can be streamed via Sling, which carries USA Network, and Fubo, which carries NBC.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 09: Michael Olise #11 of France looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between France and Morocco at Boston Stadium on July 09, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We all knew this was going to happen — the second that France was eliminated, we would get an onslaught of rumors linking Bayern Munich star Michael Olise to Real Madrid.
It was inevitable.
Now, the first big report has dropped from Foot Mercato journo Santi Aouna, who sure makes it sound like Olise has his mind made up and also that the Bavarians are not 100% against letting him go if it becomes apparent he does not want to be at Bayern Munich:
🚨EXCL: ⚪️🇫🇷 #Liga |
✍️ Michael Olise wants to join Real Madrid THIS SUMMER.
🏆 The French international believes it’s the perfect club to continue his progression.
💰 Real Madrid wants to pull off a record transfer.
❗️Bayern’s official stance: Olise is not for sale but the truth is more nuanced.
👀 The Bavarian club would like to extend his contract, but has also been in contact in parallel with players who could come in to replace him.
⏳ Olise will discuss with his leaders after the World Cup.
At this stage, it is still way too early for fans to react to anything. The report comes out of France, which could lend some semblance of credibility, but — again — it is far too early to tell.
Because Olise is a bit aloof and does not do many media appearances, he is a tough character to read and an easy one for opportunistic reporters to make assumptions about. That is not to say Aouna is doing that here, but some of his Spanish colleagues might see that as just the chance to take this info and run with it.
Olise is a few weeks from reporting to Bayern Munich for duty and likely will keep a low profile even if he wants to sign a contract extension with the Bavarians.
So…what should you take out of this report? It is too early to truly be concerned, but not too early to at least keep an eye on the news breaking around Olise to see what the patterns become. After weeks of hot transfer news, Bayern Munich then shut it all down.
Later…there was more silence before some of the most recent reports about a potential move to Real Madrid for Olise.
We shall see what’s next! Will the Bavarians respond again? Will they scoff at yet another one of these reports and ignore it? Or…is there some legitimacy to it?
If there is one player in the World Cup who has elevated his stature tenfold, it is Spain center-back Pau Cubarsí, who has been excellent at center-back for the Spaniards. As you expect, Cubarsí is taking great pride in Spain’s defensive performance so far, especially against France:
Pau Cubarsí: “There was some talk about the defence and the goalkeeping on our side, but we have SHUT a lot of mouths. I think that one of the most important things in football now is to keep a clean sheet.”
Nathan De Cat inked a deal to play at Hoffenheim, but that does not mean Bayern Munich has lost interest in the young Belgian. In fact, this could actually help facilitate a move in the future:
Nathan De Cat is an interesting player. Bayern have watched him for months, but I always said there wouldn’t be any movement as the club is fully stocked with players in the Belgian’s position. This is why they now have the chance to see how the teenager will develop in the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim. One of the players who is considered a talent for the future, Tom Bischof, is from Hoffenheim.
FC Bayern had kept a watching brief on the footballer and were convinced they had to sign him. I’m absolutely sure that the 21-year-old will be a national player in Germany in the future. I’m sure there’s the same process going on at Bayern with De Cat. They know he has the skills they’re looking for, but at the moment, the midfield position is not a problem. So, it’s good they can keep an eye on the 17-year-old at Hoffenheim while he’s in the Bundesliga, instead of in the international market.
Another one of the young stars of the World Cup has been Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who is garnering interest from Manchester City:
🚨 Man City pushing hard for Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille. High among 18yo’s suitors (#PSG not in contention) & while others favour season on loan at #LOSC, #MCFC would integrate now. Price ~€100m + Morocco int’l expected to make decision soon @TheAthleticFC
The date (July 15th) for another club to trigger Angelo Stiller’s exit clause has come and gone. As of now, it looks like the midfielder will stay at VfB Stuttgart:
Angelo #Stiller’s exit clause at #VfB Stuttgart expires tomorrow (July 15) and will not be triggered even during the winter break. It only comes into effect again in the summer of 2027. #Manchester United observed him during the past season, but no offer was ever on the table. @BILD
Stiller did not make the kind of impact for the German national team that many expected. Could that have hurt his profile? Maybe. Stiller also got off to a slow start last season for Die Schwaben, which could have also put some doubt in the minds of his potential suitors.
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…
Over the last few days, the rumors surrounding LeBron James heading to the Indiana Pacers have picked up steam. A Sports Illustrated article suggesting a pathway to making the move happen was the start of the drama.
Tyrese Haliburton decided to troll NBA fans with a post he made on Wednesday, July 15 as well.
While speculation immediately began circulating about James taking his talents to Indiana, Haliburton's post had an entirely different meaning. He will be co-hosting a live podcast with James on Thursday, filling in for legendary point guard Steve Nash.
No, James is not coming to the Pacers.
According to a report from NBA insider Scoop B, an Indiana source has made it clear that James is not being pursued by the Pacers.
“Would it be great if we had LeBron? Yeah it would,” one Pacers source told Robinson. “But we don’t need LeBron James. We don’t need him with the youth we have on the roster. We are trying to make a name for ourselves.”
It's always good to dream. The idea of LeBron heading to Indiana actually does make sense from a basketball fit perspective. However, him playing for the Pacers doesn't.
James seems to be down to just a few teams. The Cleveland Cavaliers remain the clear front-runners for another reunion with LeBron. After the Cavaliers, the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers also seem to be in the running.
Another team to watch could be the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have been very open about their desire to sign James.
Only time will tell what James decides to do and where he chooses to take his talents. He could still shock the world and pick Indiana, but that doesn't seem close to reality at this point in time.
Expect to hear more about James' decision in the coming hours and days. A decision is likely coming near, but Pacers fans should not get their hopes up.
To put it lightly, James has a 99.9 percent chance of picking a different team when all is said and done.
McGregor (22-7) returned after a five-year hiatus in a welterweight
booking against Max
Holloway at
UFC 329 in Las Vegas. His highly anticipated return ended
anticlimactically as he injured his knee on the first kick he
threw. “Notorious” was barely able to plant both feet firmly after
the injury, leading to a stoppage loss just 69 seconds into the
first round.
Conor McGregor reflects on UFC 329 loss
McGregor now wants his defeat to Holloway to be overturned to a no
contest. The former UFC double champ also revealed that he’ll soon
have the results of the scan of his injury. Notably, McGregor wants
all bets on the fight to be returned.
“A few notes 1. I will have the results of the scan on my leg
tomorrow. 2. The fight should be a no contest and all bets
returned,” McGregor wrote on Instagram.
There’s growing discourse regarding whether McGregor entered the
bout with a pre-existing injury. He momentarily stumbled and winced
while removing his shoes before stepping into the Octagon,
prompting many to speculate that the Irishman knew his right leg
was compromised. However, his coach, John
Kavanagh and UFC CEO Dana
White have both reiterated that there was no injury going into
the fight.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: Mario Bautista of the United States lands a punch on Cory Sandhagen of the United States in their bantamweight bout during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Let’s start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
Beleniuk is a little old to be a prospect at 35, but it’s not every day an Olympic gold medalist steps into the cage.
Three-time Olympic wrestling medalist Zhan Beleniuk made his MMA debut yesterday in Ukraine, winning by first-round TKO over Haim Gozali pic.twitter.com/Mhzz4Ybsih
Footage of Kaito knocking out Yuma Yamaguchi cold in sparring during fight camp for his rematch against Mohammad Siasarani at ONE Samurai 2. 🤕⚠️#ONEChampionshippic.twitter.com/lQm0BnQFd5
Are murderous drones preferable to mosquitos? I’m willing to find out.
Extremely excited to announce our first air-to-air kill of a flying moth by an autonomous micro-drone. This is a big step towards completely eradicating mosquitoes. pic.twitter.com/UhtNqwXCQI
The Florida State men's basketball team will compete in the Ballin at Boutwell basketball tournament against Auburn in Birmingham, AL, on Oct. 14.
This will be the second consecutive season that Seminoles head coach Luke Loucks will take his team to Birmingham. Last year, the Seminoles competed in the tournament and lost their first game to the Alabama Crimson Tide 109-105.
The Seminoles are coming off a disappointing season, finishing the year 18-15, including a second-round loss to the eventual No.1 overall seed Duke, 80-79 in the ACC Tournament.
When it was announced that the Seminoles would play in this year's tournament, Loucks said, “It's a tremendous event with a great atmosphere, and it's exactly the kind of preseason challenge we're looking for. We want to compete against the best teams possible because those games prepare us for what's ahead. Opportunities like this help us evaluate where we are, expose areas we need to improve, and get our team ready for the start of the season."
— Florida State Men’s Basketball (@FSUHoops) July 15, 2026
What's Different This Year
The Seminoles lost 11 players to the transfer portal and have added five players so far as part of Loucks' attempt to rebuild his roster. The five players who are coming into the program are: Cooper Schwieger from Wake Forest, 6-foot-11 Sebastian Rancik from Colorado, Anthony Robinson II from Missouri, Kameron Taylor from UNC Asheville, and Shon Abaev from Cincinnati.
Last season, the Seminoles did not have their NIL together and lost out on key recruits. This season, the Seminoles are much better equipped due to legislation that allows for revenue sharing, and Loucks already secured a star player in Marcis Ponder, a four-star center who stands 7 feet tall.
The Seminoles were also able to sign four-star point guard Collin Paul and four-star shooting guard Brandon Bass Jr., who stands at 6-foot-5. Ponder, Paul, and Bass Jr. are all top-100 players, showing the immediate impact of the Seminoles' new NIL/revenue-sharing process.
The 2026 recruiting class is now ranked within the top ten according to most publications.
Next Season
Loucks is losing six seniors from a team that won 10 of their last 12 games, including going to the wire with the No. 1 team in the land in the ACC tournament. This shows the team got better toward the end of the season, and that Loucks might have the Seminoles headed in the right direction.
With eight new freshmen and five transfers, there are still many questions regarding what this collection of talent will yield.
The Ballin in Boutwell Tournament will be our first opportunity to see what Loucks has with his 13 new players. Loucks went 10-8 in ACC games in 2025, which was a school record for a first-year coach with as many conference wins.
Auburn is considered a preseason top 10-15 team by most reports. This will serve as a tough first step for Loucks as his unproven Seminoles will face a national power in Auburn. The other teams that are scheduled to compete are Samford, Alabama A&M, and Alabama.
Tip-off is at 8 pm at Boutwell Auditorium.
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LOVES PARK, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Put this one in the win column for the Rockford Rivets, and put an exclamation point next to it. Second baseman Jackson Forbes slugged a three-run homer in the bottom of the 9th inning to break up a 5-5 tie and give the Rivets an 8-5 walk-off win against the Traverse City Pit Spitters Wednesday night.
Forbes also had another hit. Center fielder Connor Kave had three hits. Third Baseman Beau Bloxdorf had two hits.
The Rivets now head out on the road for a single game in Kenosha Thursday night. The Rivets will then head home for three games over the weekend.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Photo by Markus Gilliar - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images
Steve Kerr has given Golden State Warriors fans around the world hope after his comments on LeBron James’ ongoing free agency.
The Warriors are among the finalists that James is said to be considering for his next stop in the NBA for a historic 24th season in the league.
Out of all interested parties, the Warriors actually need LeBron the most, and head coach Steve Kerr’s thoughts on LeBron’s decision have their fans excited.
Steve Kerr says LeBron James will join the Warriors
Kerr spoke to some fans from his car who told him they wanted LeBron to join the franchise, with Kerr responding by telling them that they’ve got him.
“Oh, we got him. Don’t put that on Twitter,”
Kerr seemed to be joking, but his flat delivery has some Warriors fans excited and many other fans outraged.
The reality of LeBron joining his biggest rivals over his career is pretty jarring, but if James values playing for a veteran organization with championship DNA seeping out of them, Golden State is the best choice.
However, every other team might be a better choice because a title with them boosts LeBron to five rings while Curry remains at four.
The Warriors might be the worst choice for LeBron James
Joining Golden State anyway doesn’t seem to be a winning move, given how far off their roster is from being competitive in the West.
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
The Warriors missed the Playoffs last season and haven’t made any impactful changes to their roster despite being without Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody for a majority of next season.
If James joins Golden State, it’s for a last hurrah surrounded by close personal friends while staying near his family in Los Angeles. It’s simply not a competitive move given what the others can offer.
The Cavaliers, Timberwolves, and 76ers present a clear plug-and-play opportunity for James in their starting five while already being much better than the Warriors roster without James even joining.
But if happiness is the goal, joining Golden State is a real possibility. Hopefully, Kerr was just joking around, or we might actually see the LeBron-Steph Curry duo over an NBA season.
(All quotes are taken directly from a transcript of the LA28 press conference I attended July 14, 2026, in Los Angeles, California.)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 14: Atmosphere at LA28 Two Years Out at Griffith Park on July 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Savion Washington/Getty Images for LA28)
Getty Images for LA28
Exactly 731 days before the Opening Ceremony of the 2028 Olympic Games, LA28 officially opened applications Tuesday for what organizers describe as one of the largest volunteer programs in Olympic history—a call for 60,000 volunteers who will ultimately become the first faces millions of athletes, spectators and visitors encounter when the world arrives in Los Angeles. The announcement, made at Griffith Park on July 14, marked another significant milestone in LA28's countdown to the Summer Games. While venue announcements, transportation plans and competition schedules often fill Olympic headlines, LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover argued that volunteers will ultimately define the experience of the Games more than any stadium or sporting venue.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 14: Reynold Hoover, LA28 CEO, speaks during LA28 Two Years Out at Griffith Park on July 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by JC Olivera - IOC/IOC Collection via Getty Images)
IOC Collection via Getty Images
"We have an opportunity here to show the world on July 14, 2028—just 731 days from today—that we can bring together more than 200 countries not in conflict but in competition," Hoover said.
The volunteer portal officially opened Tuesday after already attracting more than 300,000 expressions of interest from prospective volunteers over the past several years.
"Today is the day that we're launching our volunteer portal," Hoover said. "Across the LA region we've done 30 events, but today really is the big day. We want everybody to go to our LA28 website and sign up to be a volunteer."
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 14: A view of LA28 volunteers seen during LA28 Two Years Out at Griffith Park on July 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by JC Olivera - IOC/IOC Collection via Getty Images)
IOC Collection via Getty Images
Volunteers Become The Olympic Experience
Every Olympic Games is remembered for unforgettable athletic performances. Less visible—but equally essential—are the volunteers. From directing visitors through subway stations to helping athletes navigate venues, welcoming international guests and supporting competitions behind the scenes, Olympic volunteers often create the first and last impressions visitors take home from a host city. Hoover said watching volunteers at both the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics reinforced just how central they are to a successful Games.
ANTHOLZ-ANTERSELVA, ITALY - FEBRUARY 19: Volunteers clean the shooting range of snow for a Biathlon training session on day thirteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Anterselva Biathlon Arena on February 19, 2026 in Antholz-Anterselva, Italy. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Getty Images
"When I was in Paris and when I was in Milano Cortina, I saw firsthand the power of the volunteers," Hoover said. They're the crew behind the scenes. They're the crew behind the show. They're the crew who make it all happen. They were on every street corner. They were in every Metro stop. They were at every venue. They were always happy."
Volunteers hold signs to guide visitors at the South Paris Arena, the venue for table tennis, handball, volleyball and weightlifting events, in Paris on July 25, 2024, on the eve of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP) (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
That, Hoover believes, is the spirit Los Angeles hopes to replicate in 2028.
"Our volunteer program is going to reflect that same Olympic spirit."
Delta Sees Volunteer Program As A Lasting Legacy
Presenting sponsor Delta Air Lines views the volunteer initiative as one of the Games' most enduring legacies. Dana Debel, representing Delta, noted that Tuesday's announcement carried special symbolism. When Delta first announced its Olympic partnership with LA28 in March 2020, the event took place just up the hill at Griffith Observatory. Six years later, the airline returned to Griffith Park to launch what Debel called one of the partnership's most meaningful initiatives.
"When you talk about a legacy, it's what are you leaving behind? The ability to leave an incredible volunteer program—an incredible volunteer footprint—is something that we believe very strongly in at Delta."
She connected the Olympic movement with sports' unique ability to unite people across borders.
VENICE, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 05: LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover and Dana Debel, Managing Director of State and Local Government Affairs at Delta Air Lines, chat during the LA28 Venice Beach Clean-Up at Venice Beach on December 05, 2025 in Venice, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images for LA28)
Getty Images for LA28
"At Delta we like to say nobody better connects the world," she said. "And nothing better connects the world than sports."
Carl Lewis: Volunteers Are The People Athletes Actually Remember
Perhaps no one on stage carried greater Olympic credibility than nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis, whose four-gold-medal performance at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics became one of the defining moments in Olympic history. Yet Lewis surprised many by saying athletes rarely remember Olympic officials.
Carl Lewis at LA28 Olympic Games: 2 Years Out Press Conference held at Griffith Park on July 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Penske Media via Getty Images
They remember volunteers.
"When you go to the Olympics, you see the volunteers all the time," Lewis said. “You're not interacting with the officials very much. You're interacting with the volunteers."
For Lewis, volunteering also represents something deeply personal. He reflected on growing up watching his parents devote their lives to youth sports. Both public-school teachers, they founded a track club to provide opportunities for girls and eventually coached hundreds of children every summer.
"I realized I was watching my parents serve," Lewis said.
"All I saw was service, service, service."
That lesson shaped his understanding of the Olympic movement.
American athlete Carl Lewis, wearing a red Kappa singlet, raises his arms in triumph, competes at the 1984 Summer Olympics, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in the Exposition Park neighbourhood of Los Angeles, California, August 1984. Lewis won gold in the men's 100m, men's 200m, men's 4x100m relay, and men's long jump events at the Games. (Photo by Bongarts/Getty Images)
Getty Images
"It takes me back to 1984," Lewis said. “I never thought later in life I'd have another Olympics."
Creating 60,000 Olympic Stories
Lewis believes every volunteer will leave the Games with a story they'll tell for the rest of their lives.
"There are going to be tens of thousands of volunteers that are going to have tens of thousands of stories to tell their families, their children and people for years and years to come," he said.
Many athletes, Lewis noted, compete in only one Olympic Games. For many, a single race or competition represents a lifetime of preparation.
"Maybe they will have one shot at it," Lewis said. They'll see your faces—all the volunteers' faces—because that's who they're seeing every day."
In Lewis' view, volunteers become part of an athlete's Olympic memory.
Olympic Sports Depend On More Than TV Ratings
Lewis also used the occasion to reflect on broader challenges facing amateur athletics. As collegiate sports continue evolving through NIL compensation and conference realignment, Lewis argued that the Olympic movement survives because of people willing to serve rather than profit.
Carl Lewis at the LA28 Olympic Games: 2 Years Out Press Conference held at Griffith Park on July 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Penske Media via Getty Images
"What's going to save Olympic sports is events like this," Lewis said. “What's going to save Olympic sports is the volunteers that believe it's more than what coaches get paid, what athletes get paid or what the television ratings are."
Instead, he said, Olympic values are built through everyday acts of service.
A Volunteer From 1984 Returns At Age 90
If anyone most embodies the spirit of Olympic volunteering, it may be Paul Madwin. Madwin volunteered during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, serving as a section chief inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum during the Opening Ceremony, Closing Ceremony and track and field competition. Now approaching 90 years old, he announced he plans to volunteer once again in 2028.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 14: Paul Madwin attends LA28 Two Years Out at Griffith Park on July 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by JC Olivera - IOC/IOC Collection via Getty Images)
IOC Collection via Getty Images
"I volunteered in 1984 with people who had volunteered in 1932," Madwin said.
"I'll be volunteering in 2028 at age 90."
His message to prospective volunteers was simple.
"You can't experience it until you do it."
Madwin called volunteering one of the greatest experiences of his life.
"You will never, never forget it no matter how long you live."
Olympic volunteers receive no paycheck. Instead, they gain something far less tangible—but often far more lasting. The opportunity to stand inside one of the world's largest sporting events. To welcome visitors from more than 200 nations. To help athletes chasing lifelong dreams. And to become ambassadors for Los Angeles, California and the United States. Madwin warned that passing up the opportunity could become a lifelong regret.
"If you don't do it," he said, "you will remember not doing it for the rest of your life."
His closing challenge captured the spirit organizers hope will inspire thousands to apply over the coming months.
"Don't be a 'woulda, coulda, shoulda,'" Madwin said.
"Be an 'I did it, I loved it, and I'd do it again!'"
Reynold Hoover, Carl Lewis and Paul Madwin at the LA28 Olympic Games: 2 Years Out Press Conference held at Griffith Park on July 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Penske Media via Getty Images
Two years before the Olympic cauldron is lit in Los Angeles, LA28 has begun recruiting the volunteers who may ultimately shape how the world remembers the Games—not from a medal podium, but from an event venue entrance, a transit station, an athlete village or a city street.
These are, in fact, the places where the Olympic spirit will most come to life.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Spain supporters display a banner featuring the famous 2007 charity photo of Lionel Messi bathing 5-month-old Lamine Yamal before the UEFA Euro 2024 final against England at Berlin's Olympiastadion on July 14, 2024. The image resurfaced during the tournament and has since become one of football's most iconic photographs, taking on renewed significance ahead of Sunday's FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. Getty
The most iconic image ahead of Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final wasn’t taken this week.
It was taken nearly 19 years ago.
Long before Lamine Yamal became Spain’s teenage sensation and long before Lionel Messi cemented his place among football’s immortals, the two unknowingly shared a moment that has since become one of the sport’s most remarkable photographs.
The now-viral image of a 20-year-old Messi gently bathing a 5-month-old Yamal during a Barcelona charity photo shoot has resurfaced ahead of Argentina’s World Cup final against Spain at MetLife Stadium, giving football one of its most poetic storylines in recent memory.
What once appeared to be an ordinary charity calendar shoot has transformed into a snapshot of two generations colliding on the sport’s biggest stage.
A Charity Photoshoot Nobody Could Have Predicted
The story dates back to December 2007.
Barcelona’s foundation and Spanish newspaper Diario Sport organized a charity calendar benefiting UNICEF and other Catalan charities, pairing first-team players with local children selected through a raffle.
Yamal’s family, who lived about 25 miles northeast of Barcelona in Mataró, was among the lucky winners.
Their assigned player happened to be Messi.
Photographer Joan Monfort, who captured the now-famous images, recalled how awkward the session initially felt.
“Lionel Messi is still shy now. He was much more shy when he was starting out, and he finds himself there with a tiny baby in a plastic bath full of water,” Monfort told The Athletic. “At the start, there was not much interaction.”
Messi had only recently begun establishing himself in Barcelona’s senior squad alongside stars such as Ronaldinho, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Samuel Eto’o and Thierry Henry.
Neither he nor anyone else could have imagined the baby in the bathtub would someday inherit Barcelona’s famous No. 10 shirt.
“It’s something incredible,” Monfort said. “Back then, nobody could imagine that this baby would be who he is now — and you could not have known that Messi would become who he became, either.”
From Viral Photo to World Cup Final
The photographs remained largely forgotten for more than 16 years.
That changed during Euro 2024 when Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, shared one of the images on social media alongside the caption:
“The beginning of two legends.”
The internet quickly embraced the photo.
Additional images from the shoot surfaced, including Messi cradling baby Yamal in a towel while Yamal’s mother, Sheila Ebana, assisted during the charity session.
When shown the famous photograph after Spain reached Sunday’s World Cup final, Yamal smiled.
Messi arrives in Sunday’s final after once again rescuing Argentina on football’s biggest stage.
The 39-year-old produced the decisive assist in Argentina’s dramatic 2-1 semifinal comeback over England, tying Pelé and Antoine Griezmann for the most World Cup knockout-stage assists over the past 60 years.
Yamal, meanwhile, has completed one of football’s fastest rises, following his starring role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph by emerging as the face of La Roja’s next generation while already becoming Barcelona’s centerpiece.
Monfort believes fate played an extraordinary role.
“It’s a one-in-a-million chance that this could happen,” he told The Athletic. “It’s such good fortune.”
He called it “the most famous photo I’ve taken in my life.”
On Sunday, nearly two decades after one unknowingly held the other in a plastic bathtub, Messi and Yamal will finally stand across from each other—not for a charity calendar, but for the FIFA World Cup.
Football has produced countless unforgettable images.
Luka Doncic suffered a minor injury in the Los Angeles Lakers' first game of the 2025-26 NBA season against the Golden State Warriors. GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 19: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring a three-pointer against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 10: Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts following the Atlanta Hawks 124-112 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at State Farm Arena on March 10, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) Getty
The Los Angeles Lakers have already had one of the busiest offseasons in the NBA. LeBron Jamesâ exit was the official signal to Luka Doncic as the face of the franchise, and general manager Rob Pelinka immediately got to work.Â
After James informed the franchise he wasnât going to return for the 2026-27 season, the Lakers acquired Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz. L.A. subsequently added Colin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and most recently Ziaire Williams. The team now remains heavily involved in the Jonathan Kuminga sweepstakes.Â
Apparently, Pelinka isn’t finished just yet.
One proposed three-team trade would give the Lakers win-now piece to pair alongside Doncic (Because if you’re building around Luka, why stop at one splash?)
Lakers Pair Luka Doncic With Five-Time All-Star
GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 19: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring a three-pointer against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
Thompson might be what a lot of younger fans like to label âwashed,â but he remains one of the NBA’s best shooters. After losing Rui Hachimura, who shot nearly 60% from 3 in the 2026 playoffs, the Lakers could use a Thompson-level shooter next to Doncic. The move would also continue the Lakers’ offseason philosophy of surrounding Doncic with veterans who figure to be worthy fits.Â
Funny enough, Thompson, according to reports, was considering joining the Lakers in the 2024 offseason. But he ultimately chose to play with Doncic in Dallas. If this trade were to happen, Thompson would get Los Angeles as well as playing with Doncic again ⦠and maybe this time Doncic wonât get traded before the midseason deadline.
Klay Wonât Make L.A. The Favorite, But Heâs Worth it at the Right Price
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 10: Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts following the Atlanta Hawks 124-112 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at State Farm Arena on March 10, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
According to NBA insiders Jake Fischer and Marc Stein, the Mavs are showing interest in trading Thompson. It is unclear what kind of return Dallas is seeking for the 36-year-old former All-Star, but one would figure it wouldnât be a king’s ransom.
Last season, Thompson registered a shade under 12 points per game along with a 38.3% 3-point percentage. Those numbers rival what Hachimura â who signed with the cross-town rival Clippers earlier this offseason â produced for the Lakers last season.
Thompson isn’t the same player who helped the Golden State Warriors win four NBA championships. (That guy was scoring 60 points on more deflections than dribbles!) Injuries and age have taken their toll, and expecting him to consistently resemble the player from his prime would be unrealistic. The Lakers wouldn’t need him to be.
With Doncic orchestrating the offense and the rest of the supporting cast handling complementary roles, Thompson could find an impactful role off the bench as a knockdown shooter and someone Doncic can use as leverage to hunt 1-on-1 opportunities.Â
So would the Wolves and Mavs agree to this proposed trade?Â
Minnesota would reunite with Vanderbilt, someone who rose as a fan-favorite in his time with the franchise before arriving in L.A. via trade. Dallas, meanwhile, might be content with replacing Thompson with a younger sharpshooter in DiVincenzo, though heâll likely miss the 2026-27 season because of a torn Achilles tendon.Â
Baker Mayfield is facing tough criticism from a Philadelphia Eagles legend who’s not buying into the hype about his trash talk. The quarterback has been known to throw some testy jabs at his opponent, and his fairly respectable winning record lets him get away with it. However, LeSean McCoy thought otherwise.
“See, the problem is when dudes are regular or above average, we want to hype them up and y’all rather support and give love to dudes like Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold, but disrespect guys like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson,” LeSean McCoy said during Wednesday’s segment of the Speakeasy podcast. “So now these dudes are not on the same level; they hear y’all talking about them, and they think and feel like they can come up and say something to Quinyon Mitchell, like, ‘Who are you?’
“One dude is an All-Pro, the other guy has never been that.”
The latest season of Quarterback on Netflix gave viewers an exclusive glimpse into the lives of NFL quarterbacks. One episode featured Baker Mayfield getting into an altercation with Philadelphia Eagles’ Quinyon Mitchell during an NFC matchup in Week 4 of the last season. Mayfield can be seen saying, “Who the f*** are you, anyway?”
Things became so heated that Buccaneers linemen had to hold Mitchell down.
“I do think I play better when I trash-talk,” Mayfield says in the docu-series. “Gives me an edge. Gets me going. I’ve learned you’ve gotta have some things ready to roll. You’ve got to keep a couple in the holster. A couple in the chamber.”
But Mitchell had the last laugh. He walked away from that game with five pass deflections and five tackles, earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, and later locked up first-team All-Pro status along with his first Pro Bowl nod. The Eagles took the win 31-25, and Mayfield’s chirping did nothing to stop it.
Bold move for a guy who threw an interception and got sacked twice that same night.
Mayfield also went after defensive tackle Jalen Carter, needling him about the spitting incident that got him tossed from the Week 1 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Otherwise, the quarterback is the definition of defying odds. He became the first overall pick in his draft class after beginning his collegiate career as a walk-on. Mayfield has suited up for multiple teams in the NFL, and remains the last quarterback to win a playoff game for the Cleveland Browns. Signing with the Buccaneers meant stepping into a franchise still searching for answers at quarterback after Tom Brady’s retirement. But in the years since, Mayfield and the Bucs dominated the NFC South.
Maybe that does give him some bragging rights. But perhaps a line has to be drawn when it comes to players who were never at his level to begin with.
CHARLOTTE, NC (WFXR) – WFXR sports director Jermaine Ferrell caught up with head football coach Tony Elliott and the University of Virginia football team at the 2026 ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte to discuss the team building off of last season’s success.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) and guard Jackie Young (0) high-five one another during a WNBA game between the Las Vegas Aces and the Seattle Storm, Monday June 8, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nev.
When the All-Star Game arrives, A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young will both be placed in a strange situation: against one another.
The All-Star Game rosters have officially dropped, placing Wilson on Team Spoon for general manager Teresa Weatherspoon, while Young joins Team Coop for general manager Cynthia Cooper.
Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon was also tabbed to represent Team Coop, opposite Team Spoon and Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve.
Wilson was the second pick of Team Spoon behind second-leading vote-getter Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, while Young was the second-to-last selection for Team Coop, which features leading vote-getter Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings.
The All-Star Game this season is designed to commemorate 30 years of the WNBA, paying homage to the past while showcasing the stars of the present and future.
Wilson and Young will be set to square off when the game tips off on July 25 at United Center in Chicago.
BROOKINGS, S.D. (KELO) — The South Dakota State football team has something to prove for the first time in years, and the Jackrabbits believe last year’s disappointment could be what pushes them back into national title contention.
The Jackrabbits have won two national titles in the last five years. Those expectations haven’t changed, even with last season’s second round exit.
“There’s only so many programs that can say that they have a realistic opportunity to win a national title every year and that is a fun motivator and it’s really a reason why we all do it,” Head Coach Dan Jackson said.
Jackson believes last year wasn’t the beginning of a decline, but instead a reminder of what built the program in the first place. Years of adversity, growth and a blue collar culture that made winning championships possible.
“Last year’s roster hadn’t experienced any adversity. Now they understand what that feels like and they don’t ever want to feel that again,” Jackson said.
This lesson resonated with graduate quarterback Chase Mason, who after working his way back from injury, says the setbacks became an opportunity to grow physically and mentally.
“I think that really brought my football IQ level and my game to a whole ‘nother level. When I came back I felt more comfortable and I think I really took a step forward instead of taking a step back,” Mason said.
Mason enters this year as a captain once again, saying his role has evolved from leading with his play to leading with his voice.
“I’ve been been more of a lead by example type person but the more I’ve grown the last couple years I’ve been able to get more vocal with guys,” Mason said.
Senior defensive lineman Logan Green says the growth wasn’t limited to one player. He believes the team’s leadership group learned what it takes to keep the championship standard in tact.
“When it kind of hit the fan of like, well we’re not winning these games what’s going on? Then you really have to, you know, evaluate what you’re doing as a leader because it starts up front with you as the team leader, and we got to make sure that everyone’s better,” Green said.
The Jacks open the 2026 season on August 29th at home against Stetson.
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LENNOX, S.D. (KELO) – Runs were hard to come by in Lennox on Wednesday as Post 911 shut out Post 174, 3-0.
Post 911 struck first in the top half of the second inning on a passed ball, a lead they would not let go of behind starting pitcher Landyn Johnson. Post 174 had a chance to even the game up in the fourth inning, but a diving grab in center field robbed Mason Reischl of an RBI single.
Two more passed balls in the bottom of the sixth extended Post 911’s lead to three, and they would go on to win 3-0. It’s the first time Post 174 has lost back-to-back games since June 14 and 19. The Legion B Playoffs will begin next week.
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COLTON, S.D. (KELO) — Post 206 extended its win streak to three games with a 10-4 win over Dell Rapids on Wednesday night.
A six-run third inning was the catalyst for Colton’s big win with three singles, two errors, and a steal of home plate to put Dells on its heels. Tristen Bunde earned the win for Post 206, giving up five hits and four runs across four and two-thirds innings with four strikeouts and six walks.
Colton will face Vermillion on Friday at 7 p.m. to close out its regular season while Dell Rapids awaits postseason play.
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The New York Yankees continue to give Anthony Volpe starts despite the shortstop's shortcomings at both sides of the plate. Despite the criticism all around, Volpe seems to have the team's support and that could be an issue for the organization in the long run.
Recently, Yankees legend Derek Jeter appeared on Adam Schein's "The Schein Time" and shared Volpe's image within the organization.
"The Yankees are very high on Anthony," Jeter said. "I don't personally know him that well. We've had a couple of conversations. I don't know him well, but yeah, I think they're banking on a big upside and hopefully he can put it together here. They can put it together soon."
Before Schein could get on with his full-blown rant, he made it clear that Jeter shares no personal relationship with Volpe other than having conversations with the fellow shortstop a few times. The analyst believes that Jeter doesn't believe Volpe should be in the majors.
"A guy like that should not be in the major leagues. That's the interpretation of what Derek Jeter is telling me," Schein said.
The analyst claims Volpe is no good in any of the departments, including hitting, fielding, baserunning and other fundamentals. The Yankees' shortstop's stats support the argument. Over the last four years, he has been able to hit only .224 with an OPS of .662. It's below league-average production for an everyday player.
Schein also thinks that the only reason Volpe has the confidence of the team is that GM Brian Cashman picked him in the first round of the 2019 MLB draft. To rationalize his decision, Cashman & Co. are putting Volpe on a high pedestal.
"Brian Cashman is trying to save face and rationalize taking Volpe as high as he did in the draft and saying dumb things in the past like, 'We'll let it play out on the field, and I believe in this guy,'" Schein added. "No. Volpe is everything wrong with the New York Yankees, and that's a problem. So I think it's incumbent upon the Yankees to get rid of him so they can move on."
“He has no relationship with him? Hey Anthony, you wanna pick up the phone and call Derek Jeter? He’d return the call. He'd text you back. That's one red flag.”@adamschein has many an issue with Anthony Volpe remaining the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees. One of… pic.twitter.com/OwGZjj3Tw9
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) July 15, 2026
Braves emerge as trade deadline destination for Yankees' Anthony Volpe
The trade rumors between the Atlanta Braves and the Yankees have been going on for some time now. The NL East team wants a starting pitcher and a shortstop.
This could be a way for the Yankees to get rid of Anthony Volpe. TJ French of Heavy floated a proposal in which the Yankees would send the shortstop to the Braves in exchange for INF Jim Jarvis and RHP Garrett Baumann.
With Jose Caballero proving to be an upgrade over Volpe at shortstop, the Yankees may go ahead with the trade by trying to bargain for more draft/prospects capital.
Volpe has done little favor to himself at the plate. Aside from his defensive struggles, he has not been able to generate any momentum at the plate, only hitting .246 with one home run, six doubles, and an OPS+ of 89 over 138 at-bats this season.
The Pleasant Valley Baseball team battled Bettendorf in their Sub-state final, in the end it was the Spartans that came up with a thrilling 1-0 win in 10 innings.
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They collide in a bantamweight Muay Thai bout, which headlines the Asia primetime spectacle from Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, July 17. The card follows immediately after The Inner Circle 22, which streams exclusively to members at live.onefc.com.
A win rebuilds Kongklai’s momentum after a recent setback, while a statement victory for Benwarwar would silence a veteran with serious finishing pedigree. For either man, the outcome could also mean a significant step closer to a coveted US$100,000 main roster contract.
Here is what both knockout artists had to say ahead of their main event showdown at Lumpinee this week.
Kongklai Determined To Bounce Back In Style
Kongklai Sor Sommai returns to the weekly series unshaken despite a recent setback.
The Sor Sommai and PK Saenchai Muaythaigym representative saw his three-fight winning streak in the organization come to an end against Julio Lobo in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 152. It was a decision loss he views as nothing more than a minor setback, however.
The Thai shared:
“I messed up [in that fight against Lobo]. Once I got [handed] the eight-count, the fight was actually really close and fun. But it was already late in the third round too, so I couldn’t win.
“But it didn’t affect my confidence because I know I did my best. Confidence-wise, I’m not at a disadvantage because I’ve been fighting Muay Thai my whole life.”
Across a career that has produced an 83-23 record, wins and losses have both come and gone. One thing has remained a constant throughout: his ability to put opponents to sleep.
Inside the ring, Kongklai has finished Paedsanlek PK Saenchai with knees to the head. Deniz “Bad Boy” Demirkapu and Ferrari Fairtex, meanwhile, were knocked out cold courtesy of his missile-like left hand. In fact, all but one of his promotional triumphs arrived inside the distance.
The 27-year-old is not going to be chasing one this time around, however. He is simply focused on doing his job and letting the finish come naturally.
He said:
“Lately, I haven’t been able to finish fights or get a bonus. So, I don’t want to hope for that anymore. I figured it’s better not to expect it.
“It’s better to just do my job to the fullest. If I’m meant to get it, it will come on its own. But if my opponent comes to trade punches, it’s going to be absolute fire. I guarantee it’ll be a war just like the last fight.”
Above all, Kongklai is not walking into this matchup taking Benwarwar lightly.
The Thai has extensively studied his dance partner and has broken down exactly where he believes they stack up against one another. He did not hold back when sharing his findings.
Kongklai said:
“Adam is big, and he hits hard. He’s fast with his punches. However, [his Muay Thai] is pretty much the same as anyone else. He has great hand speed and heavy shots, but when opponents hit him back, he backs off too.
“His other weapons aren’t on my level. [But] we have a complete set of other Muay Thai weapons.”
Kongklai Sor Sommai may believe the gap in weaponry between the two men is significant, but Adam “El Capitano” Benwarwar’s most recent performance made a strong case against that theory.
The 23-year-old bounced back from a unanimous decision defeat in his promotional debut by scoring a 52-second knockout of Kendu Irving this past May, securing his 24th career win in the process.
Notably, Irving remains the only fighter to have taken Kongklai the distance across his ONE Championship victories, a detail that has not been lost on Benwarwar heading into fight night.
The Moroccan dynamo said:
“This is an important fight for me. I’ve also heard that Kongklai said that I have nothing except size and speed. So I want to prove that I have more than size.
“I want to show all the Muay Thai elements [from my arsenal] to everyone who watches this fight. I’m very, very prepared and ready for this fight.”
Every ounce of that message has been backed up by his preparation at Petchsaman Gym in Pattaya, Thailand.
Alongside sharpening his own tools, “El Capitano” has also studied his opponent closely, and the Thai veteran’s knockout reputation has done little to shake his confidence.
Benwarwar said:
“After watching some of his fights, I think his rhythms [of attacks] are very slow. Sometimes, he spends too much time trying to figure out what to do.
“As for his strengths, I don’t see many dangerous weapons from Kongklai other than his work in the clinch. He’s good there, but I’m prepared for his calf kicks, his punches, and hard hooks.”
Should everything go to plan, Benwarwar is eager to make it back-to-back highlight-reel triumphs in the weekly series, with a US$100,000 main roster contract potentially awaiting whoever comes out on top.
For the Moroccan, a finish would not just settle the argument over who owns the sharper tools, it would also make the loudest possible case for why that life-changing deal belongs to him.
He concluded:
“I’m going to find a way to knock him out. It could probably be in the first, second, or third round. It doesn’t matter.
“I’m very confident with my right hook, though. If I connect with my right hand, there is probably like a 90 percent chance that it will be a knockdown.”
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — USD football made an appearance at the second annual MVFC media day on Tuesday, including first year head coach Matt Vitzthum.
Vitzthum was named as the Coyotes head coach back in February following two seasons on staff as wide recievers coach and then as Co-Offensive Coordinator. Vitzthum, like any other head coach on the brink of a season, is confident and excited for how the Coyotes are looking leading up to August.
“Probably just like every coach and player in here today, I’m super optimistic and excited about the season,” Vitzthum said. “I feel like we have a really good team, really good coaching staff. Obviously, there’s some question marks just like every program has but excited to kind of answer those calls and excited to get going here in a couple of weeks.”
The Coyotes host Central Connecticut State on August 29 for the season opener.
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Jarron Collins accepted the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage on behalf of his late twin brother, Jason Collins, at the 2026 ESPYs
Jason was the first openly gay NBA player and passed away in May at age 47 from glioblastoma
Jarron pledged to continue sharing Jason’s story and legacy, calling him a trailblazer and an inspiration to many
Jarron Collins paid tribute to his late twin brother, Jason Collins, while accepting the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage on his behalf at the 2026 ESPYs.
Jason, the first openly gay NBA player, died in May from glioblastoma at the age of 47. Jarron accepted the posthumous award with an emotional speech on Wednesday, July 15 inside the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City.
“I miss my brother,” Jarron, 47, began. “I wish he was here standing to accept this award. But I find myself honored to be here to accept this award on his behalf.”
He added that if Jason was alive, “He would want to thank some people for their love and support throughout his life,” including his husband, film producer Brunson Green, who appeared emotional in the audience. Jarron thanked Jason’s teammates, coaches, and friends in the NBA, and “everyone else who uplifted him in his journey after coming out and his battle with glioblastoma.”
Jarron Collins at the 2026 ESPYs Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty
Jarron noted his brother’s admiration for tennis legend Arthur Ashe, the award’s namesake, who he called “a pioneer in this world.”
“These past few months I told my brother repeatedly, he was the bravest and strongest man I’ve ever known,” Jarron said. “He lived his life with authenticity, with grace, and strength and joy. The courage he showed and the way he moved in this world truly made him a trailblazer, an inspiration to so many others, and his impact will be remembered.”
“I’m grateful every time people I don’t even know come up to me and say how much of a powerful impact my brother’s decision to come out impacted their life in a powerful way,” Jarron said of his brother, who came out in a 2013 Sports Illustratedessay.
“When Jason was diagnosed with glioblastoma, he was willing to share his experience, his treatments and his plan with the hope that if not for him, then for others,” he added of Jason’s cancer treatment journey before his death. “I pledge to make sure that tonight is not the end of my brother’s legacy.”
The late Jason Collins (L) and Jarron Collins Credit: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic
“It’s just the beginning,” he continued the speech. “There are so many more people who could benefit from hearing his story and it’s our responsibility to keep telling it and carry on what he started.
Jarron shared that he and his late twin were frequently mistaken for one another growing up.
“Now, that scenario has a whole different significance to me,” he added. “I’ve never been more proud of Jason than in this moment right now. What a true accomplishment. Thank you for recognizing my brother, thank you all.”
Jason, who was from Northridge, Calif., began his NBA career in 2001 when he was drafted by the Houston Rockets. He made his NBA debut with the New Jersey Nets, playing in the NBA Finals at the end of his first season. Jason later played with the Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards.
Jarron previously played for the Utah Jazz, the Phoenix Suns, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Portland Trail Blazers. Following his retirement from the court, he began coaching, most recently serving as the assistant coach of the New Orleans Pelicans from 2021 until April.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectIMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
With every team’s opening-night matchup for the 2026-27 season now official, it’s a good time to look back at the Colorado Avalanche’s history in season openers.
Dating back to the Quebec Nordiques, the franchise owns a 27-12-1 record on opening night, along with six ties in 46 games. Its .663 points percentage ranks third in NHL history, trailing only the Vegas Golden Knights (.833 in nine games) and Tampa Bay Lightning (.667 in 33 games).
Strong starts have become the norm for Colorado. Last season, the Avalanche opened with a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings, marking their eighth opening-night win in the past 10 seasons. The only defeats during that span came in 2024-25, an 8-5 loss to Vegas, and the shortened 2020-21 campaign, when they fell 4-1 to the St. Louis Blues.
This year’s opener marks the third time the Avalanche will begin a season against Los Angeles, tied for the fourth-most frequent opening-night opponent since the franchise relocated to Denver in 1995. Only the Minnesota Wild (five), Dallas Stars (four), and Chicago Blackhawks (four) have faced Colorado more often to begin a season.
TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 6: Kazuma Okamoto (not pictured) #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays is introduced during a press conference alongside Ross Atkins, General Manager of the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on January 6, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) GettyBALTIMORE, MD - MAY 29: Austin Voth #58 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 29, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 13: Austin Voth #30 of the Seattle Mariners looks on before the game against the Chicago White Sox at T-Mobile Park on June 13, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Throughout the course of an MLB season, every organization is going to use a lot of pitchers/players to get through a 162-game campaign.
So, it’s always important to revisit familiar faces on their MLB journey and see what they are up to now. Well, one pitcher who recently pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays has been released by his current MLB team during the All-Star break.
Sitting at 45-51, the Blue Jays will open up their second half of the MLB season against the Chicago White Sox on Friday.
More MLB on Heavy: Texas Rangers Release 8-Year MLB Player Before Braves Series
Former Blue Jays Pitcher Released by Texas Rangers
GettyBALTIMORE, MD – MAY 29: Austin Voth #58 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 29, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Per multiple reports, former Blue Jays pitcher Austin Voth has been released by another MLB organization, this time by the Texas Rangers.
Voth, 34, has spent a brief period of time with the Blue Jays before being released by the Rangers.
He has pitched a total of 10 MLB innings this season (with Toronto and the Minnesota Twins). He was recently signed by the Texas Rangers.
NBCSports.com wrote (on July 15): “Voth was just signed to a minor league deal a couple of weeks ago and apparently requested the move, so weâre going to assume heâs on his way back to Asia. The 34-year-old pitched for Chiba Lotte in Japan last season, posting a 3.96 ERA in 125 innings. Heâd given up 11 earned runs in 10 innings for the Blue Jays and Twins this season.”
Across just six innings pitched with the Blue Jays this season, Voth surrendered six earned runs and struck out just one batter.
Over the 10 total innings he’s pitched this season, Austin Voth has given up 11 earned runs, while allowing three home runs and striking out just three batters.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 13: Austin Voth #30 of the Seattle Mariners looks on before the game against the Chicago White Sox at T-Mobile Park on June 13, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Austin Voth has played in parts of eight MLB seasons.
He debuted with the Washington Nationals in 2018 and has also pitched for the Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles, and Minnesota Twins.
Voth has a career pitching record of 17-20 with a lifetime ERA of 4.84 and 346 strikeouts in 370.1 total innings pitched.
In his last full body of MLB work (2024), Voth posted an ERA of 3.69 with the Mariners across 68 appearances.
He’s now eligible to sign with any MLB team, and it will be interesting to see if another team takes a flyer on him with a minors deal.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 24: Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) Getty
Formerly popular Los Angeles Lakers star Rui Hachimura made a bold move picking the rival Los Angeles Clippers over them in free agency. The Lakers opted to prioritize other free agents, and it became apparent that Hachimura would not be on the team for next season. However, no one expected him to pick the rival team in the same city until rumors started circulating about the Clippers’ interest.
Hachimura revealed one thing that he feels the Clippers do better than the Lakers when explaining his excitement for the upcoming season:
“I’ve spoken with the Clippers coaching staff, and they want me to shoot my three-pointers, of course. But also do more cutting. In my final year with the Lakers, I couldn’t really do those cuts due to our team situation.
So, they told me they want me to do more of that, which makes me really happy. I also want to focus on rebounding, grabbing the board, and pushing the pace. Like I used to back in the day. I think I can contribute in a lot of different ways.”
Hachimura referenced in the game scenarios and coaching philosophies that he believes will help his career. The Lakers used him in a limited role due to the other stars on their roster, but the Clippers have more room to see Hachimura contribute to a bigger NBA role.
Was Rui Hachimura Throwing Shade At JJ Redick?
The overall point made by Hachimura could be skewed as criticism towards Lakers head coach JJ Redick. An offense led by superstars Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James meant that Hachimura and other role players would have limitations in their roles.
Hachimura essentially turned into a three-point shooter on offense known for his ability to hit open shots led by the other stars setting him up. Previous situations with the Washington Wizards and his college career saw Hachimura scoring through more diverse manners than just the outside shot.
Clippers head coach Ty Lue has already empowered Hachimura to believe he will have a more versatile role in the offense. Redick can’t be blamed too much due to the Lakers having a much different roster than the Clippers and finding success from Hachimura for the team results this past season.
Could Rui Hachimura Be Better For Clippers?
The Lakers had to pick and choose which players were more important to their future this offseason. Reaves getting a big contract extension and trading for center Walker Kessler were the two biggest moves that saw Hachimura losing his chance of a return at a fair contract price.
The Clippers should see Hachimura doing more things on offense and it should see him contributing in a new manner. Cuts will see All-Star guard Darius Garland looking for Hachimura to score easier baskets within the flow of the offense rather than standing in the corner.
The Lakers could come off looking bad if the rival team in their city gets more out of Hachimura than they did. Winning remains the most important thing for both teams so Rui must prove his worth there to make a difference.
After snagging his second MVP title, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to ignite passionate debate following a highly competitive postseason. During a recent guest appearance on the Underground Lounge podcast, former NBA players Lou Williams and Rashad McCants clashed dramatically over whether the back-to-back MVP got “exposed” during the playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs.
“I don’t think that SGA does it the way he [Lou Williams] does it,” McCants argued. “I think that SGA looks more for the foul based on, ‘if I don’t foul you, can you still make the shot? If I don’t foul you, are you going to just fall out of bounds?”
Lou Williams’ elite foul-drawing skills made him a 3x Sixth Man of the Year. But he’s also fiercely protective of SGA. He countered that after the 2025-26 season, “I think this is the summer that he proved y’all got him f—-d up.”
When McCants claimed, “I don’t know. I think he got exposed, bro… In the finals. That’s because he didn’t have nothing else to go to,” co-host Spank Horton reminded him that the Thunder guard was playing through an injury and their next best scorer, Jalen Williams was also injured.
Irrespective of Rashad’s argument, Lou shut down the notion that his former teammate has reached his ceiling.
“No, I understand his point, but if my rook is who I think he is, he responds,” Williams asserted, fiercely defending the Thunder cornerstone.
“He evolves. He changes some pieces of his game, and y’all going to have to deal with him. And I’m saying that from a place of I’ve never seen a like in our game. You want your young star to be coachable. You want him to be a worker. You want him to be one of the guys. You want him to be the toughest. You want him to be the smartest. SGA is all of those things.”
Williams’ unwavering defense comes with deep personal context. He mentored Shai since his rookie season with the Los Angeles Clippers before the franchise executed the blockbuster trade for Paul George. Back then, most wouldn’t have seen the Clippers’ lack of foresight becoming OKC’s gain.
But Williams knew the young guard’s potential. Williams shared a locker room story of a young Shai lacing his shoes right back up for extra shooting despite seeing Williams resting with ice on his knees in a foot bath, proving he truly “wants something for himself.”
He recalled asking front office executive Lawrence Frank immediately if Shai was included in the trade package and was left “heartbroken” that SGA was traded.
Williams, who SGA publicly credits for teaching him the art of foul-drawing, is proud that his rookie won consecutive MVPs and a championship. But it’s done little to silence critics after a debatable playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs.
While critics like McCants feel that the Spurs revealed that SGA has offensive limitations, McCants still conceded that the back-to-back MVP remains undeniably “cold” as a pure shot-maker.
McCants compared the criticism to the daily scrutiny Kobe Bryant endured from 2003 to 2010 before capturing back-to-back titles. Even the most hard-headed critic finally relented that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will ultimately use the criticism and the Spurs series to sharpen his elite repertoire for subsequent title runs.
The 2025-26 Ashes was frenetic, dramatic and sometimes truly indescribable.
Now, with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and Indian Premier League in the rear-vision mirror, Test cricket is set to return for Australia with an intense period of 14 matches in just seven months.
The Sporting News outlines everything you need to know about Australia’s upcoming Test schedule.
When does Australia play its next Test match?
Australia’s red ball squad is about to reassemble for a two-Test winter series against Bangladesh to be held in northern Australian venues in August 2026.
The matches will be played in Darwin and Mackay, with Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay set to become Australia’s 12th Test venue.
When is Australia’s next away Test tour?
Following the Bangladesh series, Australia will tour South Africa and play three Test matches against the reigning ICC World Test Champions in October 2026 as well as three ODI matches.
It will be the first time Australia has toured South Africa for a Test series since the infamous ‘sandpaper gate’ match of 2018.
Who does Australia play next summer 2026-27?
Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand will tour Australia next summer playing four Tests in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney between November 2026 and January 2027.
All four Tests against the Kiwis will be played as day matches and there will be no Test held in Brisbane.
Australia Men’s Test Match Schedule for 2026
When
Opponent
Venue
13-17 August 2026
Bangladesh (First Test)
Marrara Stadium, Darwin
22-26 August 2026
Bangladesh (Second Test)
Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay
9-12 October 2026
South Africa (First Test)
Kingsmead Stadium, Durban
18-22 October 2026
South Africa (Second Test)
St. George's Park, Gqeberha
27-31 October 2026
South Africa (Third Test)
Newlands, Cape Town
November 2026
New Zealand (First Test)
Perth Stadium
December 2026
New Zealand (Second Test)
Adelaide Oval
26-30 December 2026
New Zealand (Third Test)
Melbourne Cricket Ground
January 2027
New Zealand (Fourth Test)
Sydney Cricket Ground
Following the New Zealand home series, Australia will travel to India for a five-Test away series in January and February 2027 competing for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
They will then return to Australia for the one-off 150th Anniversary Test Match against England at the MCG from 11-15 March 2027.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 15: LeBron James #23 and Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers react on the bench in the second half against the Boston Celtics during Game Two of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 15, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) Getty
Kevin Love remains available more than two weeks into NBA free agency, leaving open the possibility that the former Cleveland Cavaliers champion could eventually follow LeBron James to his next team.
That possibility has become more relevant as Cleveland’s chances of landing James have strengthened. Prediction-market traders have consistently made the Cavaliers the leading destination for James, while recent reporting has placed Cleveland among the primary teams under consideration.
Love, meanwhile, is an unrestricted free agent after spending the 2025-26 season with the Utah Jazz. The 37-year-old averaged 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 16.6 minutes over 37 appearances, shooting 37.3% from 3-point range.
His continued availability does not establish that the Cavaliers are pursuing him. But it preserves an intriguing scenario: Cleveland could potentially bring back two foundational members of the franchise’s only championship team during the same offseason.
Kevin Love Has Been Linked to LeBron James’ Decision
ESPN analyst Marc Spears reported in June that Love could potentially join James’ next team. At the time, the Los Angeles Lakers appeared to be a logical destination because James was still expected by some around the league to remain in Los Angeles.
The circumstances have since changed.
James informed the Lakers that he would not return for the 2026-27 season, beginning an open-market process that has increasingly centered on Cleveland, Miami and Philadelphia. ESPN’s Shams Charania recently identified the Cavaliers, Heat and 76ers as the leading contenders, according to a report recapping Philadelphia’s recruitment of James.
Love’s patience could therefore be connected to a larger decision that has stalled the veteran market.
A Cavaliers Return Would Be About Depth, Not Nostalgia Alone
Love would return to a significantly different basketball situation than the one he left in February 2023.
Cleveland is now built around Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, with Mitchell recently committing to another long-term extension. The Cavaliers would not need Love to function as a featured scorer or starting power forward. They would need him to supply occasional shooting, defensive rebounding, outlet passing and experienced frontcourt depth.
His 37.3% shooting from beyond the arc last season suggests he can still space the floor in limited minutes. His rebounding also remains useful on a per-minute basis. But Love played only 37 games for Utah, and his role has declined considerably from his five-time All-Star peak.
That distinction matters. A reunion would have to make basketball and financial sense after the emotional appeal wears off.
Cleveland already has two high-level starting big men in Mobley and Allen. Love would likely compete for situational minutes rather than hold a guaranteed nightly role. Any agreement would presumably need to reflect that reality, especially for a team balancing an expensive core and championship expectations.
James would represent an entirely different level of addition. Even at 41, he could address Cleveland’s need for another large playmaker and postseason shot creator. Love would be the complementary move: a familiar veteran capable of helping in selected matchups and reinforcing the locker room.
Cleveland Could Offer Love a Fitting Final Chapter
Love spent parts of nine seasons with the Cavaliers after arriving in the 2014 trade that sent Andrew Wiggins to Minnesota. He reached four consecutive NBA Finals with James and helped Cleveland overcome a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors in 2016.
His final Cavaliers season ended with a contract buyout after his rotation role disappeared. Love subsequently joined Miami and helped the Heat reach the 2023 NBA Finals.
Returning now would not erase that awkward ending, nor would it automatically improve Cleveland’s championship chances. But if James chooses the Cavaliers, Love would become one of the most logical veteran-minimum candidates to monitor.
Until James makes his decision, Love’s unsigned status is more than a routine late-summer transaction note. It leaves open the possibility that Cleveland’s next attempt at a championship could include two prominent links to its first one.
Notre Dame kind of hit the jackpot with Charlie Partridge as the new defensive line coach. He has made a strong name for himself during his time with the Pitt Panthers and in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts. As Notre Dame’s defensive staff started move around this past offseason, there was an opening for the defensive line coach — and Charlie was their man.
Since his arrival, Notre Dame nailed the transfer portal with additions of Francis Brewu, Tionne Gray, and Keon Keeley; and they have been tearing it up on the recruiting trail with blue-chip commitments from Aidan O’Neil, David Folorunsho, Jackson Vaughn, and Abraham Sesay.
Charlie Partridge is a DOG… but he also owns a dog (at least from what I can tell from a photo) and honestly, a bulldog named Meatball for a defensive line coach is right out of central casting.
So… me not knowing what dog (if any) the other Irish coaches own, I’m going to take a stab at guessing what the pairing are for coach and man’s best friend.
New Los Angeles Lakers starting center Walker Kessler is known as a prolific shot-blocker and an outstanding rebounder. But he isn't known as an offensive threat.
He can convert lob passes into layups and dunks, and he can run the floor for easy transition baskets. But other than that, he hasn't developed his offensive game in his four NBA seasons — with one slight exception.
This past season, in the five games he played before shoulder surgery sidelined him for the rest of the campaign, Kessler made six of eight 3-point attempts. That's a very small sample space, but it could've been a sign of things to come.
During his first media availability as a member of the Lakers, Kessler said that coach JJ Redick encouraged him to continue to develop his 3-point shooting.
“Coach JJ is obviously hyper-intelligent and obviously being a shooter himself we’ve talked about it and he wants me to be able to do that,” Kessler said during his recent media availability. “Because I think, for a big to be able to stretch the floor like that, or even have the threat of it, I think it makes other team’s scout really difficult. Because whether I can do that on pop, or catch on the pop, go second-side or be able to roll. Both of those things are gonna be really important.”
Teams can never have too much 3-point shooting in the NBA, and it's a skill set needed when a team is built around a wonderful passer such as Luka Doncic. The Lakers were 14th in 3-point shooting and 24th in 3-point attempts last season, and they're set to improve in both categories because they will have more outside shooting threats this coming season.
For his career so far, Kessler has averaged 9.5 points on 68.1% shooting, 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 25.3 minutes a game. It seems some are underselling or even casting doubt on the impact he will have on Los Angeles, but make no mistake — he's the type of center the team has badly needed for some time.
The 2026 Divot Derby was all about resilience for Baylor Touchstone. The Tate rising senior went from a three-shot lead going into the final round of the event to a tie for first with Rocky Bayou Christian rising sophomore Aiden Yang by the start of the back nine.
But Touchstone, who returned to courses in June after sitting out six weeks due to a broken wrist, continued to stay in the fight. Even though he wanted some holes back when the round ended, it was still enough to win the 69th Divot Derby by two strokes and clinch back-to-back titles at the event.
While the list of event winners includes future major champions like Jerry Pate and Bubba Watson, Milton graduate and former PGA golfer Heath Slocum won back-to-back Divot Derby titles in 1990-91.
“It means a lot, especially after my injury earlier this summer,” Touchstone said. “Not only is my name going to be up there with the greats. Back-to-back, it really means a lot because I did prove to myself that when you get down, you gotta get right back up and you gotta keep persevering, no matter what.”
After missing time, Touchstone said he finally got his feel back “a couple weeks ago.”
Winning the Divot Derby requires more than just feel. Golfers compete at a different course in each of the three days. What they did in the last round has no bearing on the next one, with a totally different layout awaiting them the following day.
Touchstone shot a 75 in the first round at Cypress Lakes Golf Club on July 13, tying for first with Yang. He then shot a 70 at Perdido Bay Golf Club on July 14.
The final round was a grind. Touchstone bogeyed three holes on the front, the second putting him into a tie with Yang. He pulled ahead on the 12th hole despite another bogey, as Yang quadrupled bogeyed the hole. Touchstone shot a 77 on the final day.
“I just told myself to shake it off,” Touchstone said. “To keep playing, to keep battling because the fight’s not over.”
Touchstone said he may be playing in one or two more events this summer before the high school season begins August 17. The Aggies are coming off their first district title in school history last fall, and Touchstone was the team’s highest placing golfer, tying for third with a 72.
“We have an even better squad than last year,” Touchstone said. “We know we can do some serious damage and I’m telling these guys everyday that we have an extreme opportunity and there’s no reason we absolutely shouldn’t live up to it.”
Sharron cruises to repeat girls title
Niceville rising juniot Tenley Sharron knew she was in a good spot entering the final round, entering with a nine-shot lead.
Still, she knew she could finish better after shooting a 38 on the front nine, so she decided to stay in the fight, .
Sharron shot a one-under par 35 on the back nine, finishing the day with a 73 to win the event by seven strokes over Gulf Breeze rising senior Michelle Burt.
“I was just trying to finish the race on the back (nine),” Sharron said. “I was getting tired, I was making bad swings. I was just trying to come back on the back nine with a better attitude knowing it doesn’t really matter and I just have to finish.”
Sharron led after every round, shooting a 71 at Cypress Lakes on July 13 and then a 74 at Perdido Bay on July 14.
Playing in this event is a family tradition. Sharron’s father, played junior golf with Marty Stanovich, who serves as the First Tee Executive Director for Northwest Florida. Her grandfather and uncle also played in the event. But none of them won, so now Sharron has even more bragging rights.
“I think it’s really special to win it once,” Sharron said. “But to go back-to-back is really, really cool and so I’m super happy to get it done this year.
Sharron will play at the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship at Trump-Doral later this month, then play in a match play event with Emerald Coast Junior Golf Tournament before diving into the high school season.
Last fall, she was District 1-3A runner-up, finished fifth at the Region 1-3A championship and 20th at the 3A state championship.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have long lived and died on the hill that their linebackers have built over the years. When their defense has been dominant, the play of their linebackers has led the charge. However, as we saw in 2025, when they do not have the depth or high-level play, they are at the mercy of opposing offenses.
Now, going into 2026, the team has revamped its group after the retirement of Lavonte David. They brought in Alex Anzalone in free agency and drafted Josiah Trotter. Both of them should bring new energy to the position, but it leaves SirVocea Dennis out in the cold.
That is where a trade now makes sense for the young linebacker.
Bleacher Report's Moe Moton recently wrote up one trade every NFL team should consider making and he mentioned the Bucs need to move on from Dennis. He writes, "Tampa Bay revamped its linebacker unit with the addition of Alex Anzalone, Christian Rozeboom and rookie second-rounder Josiah Trotter. Although Dennis started in 16 games, logging 101 tackles (10 for loss), three sacks and an interception with the club in the previous season, he may be expendable because of the new acquisitions. It's also worth noting the three-year pro allowed a 122 passer rating last year. Dennis' limitations on passing downs could cost him a roster spot."
Dennis has a role somewhere in 2026, it just shouldn't be with the Bucs based on their depth chart.
History repeated itself in the Queens Classic, as Gotham FC battled against the Washington Spirit in New York's Citi Field — come rain, come shine, come smoke.
In a rematch of the 2025 NWSL Championship, the two east coast rivals faced off in a star-studded matchup. And just like last fall's final, it was a lone goal from Rose Lavelle that ended up being the difference in a 1-0 win.
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 16, 2026
The match was able to kick off as scheduled, despite being threatened by smoke, heat and rain — the bad weather trifecta. Temperatures in the high 80s and plenty of humidity, and the rain storm that moved through the area a few hours before kickoff offered some early threats. But in the end, it was the smoke that was particularly concerning, as smoke from wildfires in Ontario made its way to New York City.
Under NWSL rules, an air quality index (AQI) between 150 and 180 means that the game must have two hydration breaks per half; an AQI of over 150 is considered "unhealthy" for all groups, per the EPA. According to the EPA's AirNow site, the AQI in Flushing was over 170 when the match kicked off.
Despite this, the stands were pretty full in Citi Field. The stadium reported a sold-out crowd of 42,175, though that likely represented tickets sold rather than fans in attendance. Still, it's the second-largest NWSL crowd in the league's history, and breaks a New York City record for the largest crowd at a women's professional sporting event.
(The number did fall short of the national record of 63,004, which was set by the Denver Summit at Mile High Stadium in March.)
Citi Field was modified to host a soccer field for Wednesday's game (Photo by Dustin Satloff/NWSL via Getty Images)
Dustin Satloff via Getty Images
Perhaps reflective of the weather and the smoke, the first half was a bit sluggish, with several stoppages both for hydration and for a handful of injuries. Rookie forward Jordynn Dudley exited the game early with a potential head injury, heading to the locker room in the 32nd minute; defender Jess Carter came on shortly afterwards as a concussion substitution.
Rose Lavelle then broke through in the 37th minute with a stellar goal, weaving through the Washington back line and burying a tricky shot. (Citi Field's infamous home run apple also popped up to celebrate the goal.)
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 16, 2026
The crowd was also there to see Australian forward Sam Kerr, who signed with Gotham last month but who had yet to play. In the second half of Wednesday’s game, Kerr made her return to the NWSL stage, replacing Sarah Schupansky in the 64th minute. The veteran striker made her presence known immediately, taking a shot on goal less than a minute after subbing in.
Washington had multiple chances in the final minutes, with players like Trinity Rodman and Leicy Santos getting shots on target, but the Gotham defense and keeper Ann-Katrin Berger held strong for the 1-0 win.
The game didn't quite live up to the NWSL's billing, though there were plenty of exciting points. The weather added a bit of unnecessary danger, and the modified baseball field was at times distracting, but in the end, Gotham got 42,000 fans to buy tickets for an ultimately entertaining win.
The matchup in Queens also offered a sneak preview for Gotham fans: In 2028, the team is set to join into New York City FC in Etihad Stadium, which is currently under construction.
Clatsop County Special Olympic athletes added to their growing medal collection last weekend in Corvallis at the Oregon Summer Games. The July 10 – 12 competition was the final stop on the 2026 Special Olympics summer schedule.
“Overall the athletes had a great time down in Corvallis,” Special Olympics Coordinator David McAloney said. “Our athletes competed really hard and seeing them come home with awards is a great thrill for the coaches and volunteers.”
The track and field team took home seven gold medals, nine silver medals and one bronze. The bocce team brought home a gold, a silver, two bronze medals and a sportsmanship award. In addition, some of the athletes also placed in fourth and sixth places, all getting a winner’s spot on the podium.
The performances capped off a winning summer season for local Special Olympic athletes.
2011 Astoria High School graduate Brittney Clarke and 2018 Astoria graduate Jacob McCarr recently competed in the 2026 USA Games, which took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota from June 20 to June 27. The USA Games are the National Championships of Special Olympics and they feature athletes from all 50 states. In total, the event featured 3,000 athletes. Clarke won gold in the 400 meter walk, and medaled in both the 4 x 100 meter relay and mini javelin. McCarr was also a member of the silver medal winning 4 x 100 relay team.
In Corvallis, Clatsop County’s representation was a big presence. The county sent 12 athletes to compete in the track and field portion and eight competed in bocce ball. McAloney highlighted the strength of his bocce team.
“We sent four partner teams of two and ended up getting a medal of each color,” he said. “We had one team get gold, one get silver and also received a sportsmanship award. This was big for us because one of our athletes struggles when she doesn’t get an award. We also had two teams take home bronze medals.”
The bocce team of Jesse Banks and Jerry Allen won gold, Jackie Bleech and Nikki Fletcher won silver plus the sportsmanship award. The teams of Ben Johnson/David Killion and Brandi Higgins/Angelica Lizarraga won bronze medals.
Though there were a lot of outstanding individual performances, said McAloney. But he said he was most proud of the growth shown by his athletes, and not only on the competition fields. This past weekend was the first time some of them had ever been on a bus or stayed in a dorm. Seeing athletes in his group handle that so well illustrated personal growth, he said.
“We asked a few of the athletes to get out of their comfort zone and try new things this year,” he said. “Seeing them ride the bus and stay in the dorms with us is great progress in their lives.”
In addition, there were more participants because of the addition of bocce ball to the games. McAloney said it brought out many more athletes who had never participated until this year.
“Half of the athletes on our bocce team went to the summer games for the first time,” he said. “Bocce had a 50% increase in athletes and we were able to bring half of those to the summer games,” he said. “We had 17 players at regionals — and took half of them to Corvallis.”
Track and field team stands out
The Clatsop County Special Olympics track and field team joined the bocce participants in the medal circle with a colorful performance.
Led by Mathias Costello, the track and field team took home a total of seven gold medals. Costello won gold in all three of his events. He took gold in the 100-meter manual wheelchair dash, in the 30-meter slalom and the wheelchair shot put. Other gold medalists included Nicholas Bailey in the 100-meter dash, Alex Cary in the 50-meter dash, Brittney Clarke in the 400-meter walk and Marie Kujala in the 800-meter walk.
Second place finishers included Cary in the softball throw; Blake Chick in both the 200-meter dash and 4 x 100-meter relay; Clarke in the 800-meter walk; and Jack Kain in the 400-meter walk and 4 x 100-meter relay. Other silver medalists included: Jonathan Lempea in the 4 x 100-meter relay; Beau Roth in both the mini javelin and 4 x 100-meter relay; and Megan Wilson in the 400-meter walk. Bailey wrapped things up with a bronze medal in the softball throw.
Other notable finishers were Joey Bailey who placed fourth in the softball throw and Cheyenne Valenzuela who was fourth in the shot put and also came in sixth place in the 200-meter dash.
Athletes get a break
After this weekend of competition the athletes will have about a month break until they resume competition. Next up will be the fall sports season which consists of soccer, bowling and swimming. The beginning of fall competition will coincide with the beginning of the high school sports season.
“Fall sports season will go from September to about mid-November,” McAloney said.”Then we will have about a month off before winter.”
What a special experience it was talking with the former Gonzaga Bulldogs walk-on and 1999-2000 West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Mike Nilson.
Mike talked about his son, 6-5 wing Carter Nilson from Gonzaga Prep, walking on with the upcoming team in the Lilac City, the 1999 Elite Eight run as a No. 10 seed that started it all, coach Mark Few’s Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction, and taking care of your body as an athlete.
Nelson spent 20 years as the Director of Performance and Nutrition for the Gonzaga Athletic Department and a leadership coach for the women’s basketball program. He now works as a financial advisor with TEN Capital, as well as hosts “The Compound Commitment” podcast.
Make sure to check the interview out below.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
Conor McGregor is hoping for good news soon, but he also has a couple of wild ideas about how his UFC 329 rematch against Max Holloway should be handled.
McGregor injured himself by awkwardly landing on his right knee in the first action of the fight against Holloway and was unable to fight on, despite trying. The Irishman has already had his knee examined and is expecting scan results, which can be assumed to be an MRI, on Thursday, which will reveal the extent of the damage to his knee.
Wednesday evening, McGregor shared the latest update on Instagram, while also suggesting that the fight result against Holloway be overturned to a no contest, while also taking care of bettors who gambled and lost on the fight.
"A few notes," a text image from McGregor on Instagram read. "1. I will have the results of the scan on my leg tomorrow. 2. The fight should be a no contest and all bets returned."
Both suggestions from McGregor have a near-zero chance of happening, as an injury TKO can occur at any point during a fight, whether in the first or final minute. There was also no mishandling of the result by officials, so an appeal would almost certainly fall flat.
As far as the bettors go, some daily fantasy apps offer early injury protection for sports games and can be lenient in handling customers when unfortunate outcomes occur. A fight is a different story, because the injury directly leads to a definitive result. Sportsbooks raked in loads of cash due to McGregor's loss, as an overwhelming majority of bets were placed on him to defeat Holloway. If McGregor is somehow able to convince betting establishments to refund their customers, that would be unprecedented.
Two late goals by Argentina sealed the comeback victory to punch their second ticket in a row to the World Cup Finals this Sunday. They’ll face off against Spain Sunday at 3 pm in New Jersey.
“Gutted,” said one England fan. “Absolutely gutted... It’s heartbreaking. We waited 60 years for this.”
Another added, “I’m still in shock. I’m still trying to comprehend everything... I don’t even know what to say really.”
He continued, “You go so far again. You believe, as we talked in the beginning, we thought it was coming home.”
While England fans mourned the loss on the first floor of The Greatest Bar, Argentina fans rushed downstairs from the top floors to celebrate in the streets outside.
“It’s coming home,” one Argentina fan yelled.
Another said, “I just wanted to say I never doubted it for one minute and look where we are now.”
Most England fans at The Greatest Bar Thursday told Boston 25 they’ll be rooting for Spain in the finals Sunday.
The destination on where Thanasis Antetokounmpo will be taking his basketball talents to next season is unknown, but the former Milwaukee Bucks forward took to social media Wednesday, July 15 to pay tribute to his previous home.
Now an unrestricted free agent after spending six of his seven seasons in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks, Thanasis released a video July 15 teasing his next "Thanalysis" podcast highlighting a classy farewell to Milwaukee Bucks' fans and players.
Antetokounmpo's younger brother Giannis, the former face of the Milwaukee franchise who spent 12 seasons with the Bucks, was officially traded to the Miami Heat earlier this month.
Thanasis thanked both the city of Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin in the video:
"Grateful for EVERYTHING. From the bottom of heart."
“I am grateful for everything from the bottom of my heart," he said. "Everything you’ve given to my family, for the good, bad, everything, and I only keep the good ones. You know, let everybody else talk about any other narrative and anything you want to say. You had a family, you had some kids, you watched them grow up, you watched them become men, you watched them have kids, you watched them have a family, you watched them win a championship with you, you watched them struggle, you watched them win with you."
Thanasis Antetokounmpo averaged only 2.3 points and 1.5 rebounds a game, but spent six years on the Bucks' roster and appeared to become attached to the organization. He was part of the Bucks' 2021 NBA championship roster.
“I’m not talking about just me and Giannis. I want to talk about Jrue Holiday, I want to talk about Khris Middleton. I want to talk about Pat Connaughton. I want to talk about Brooke Lopez. This kid, this everybody, Bobby Portis,” Thanasis said. “All these people, half a decade. Do you know what half a decade means?”
Thanasis Antetokounmpo averaged just 1.9 points and 0.9 rebounds in about four minutes a game last season. He ripped national NBA reporters in February after the trade deadline when despite much trade speculation from media. He appeared to take a shot at ESPN's Shams Charania who said that "Giannis was ready to find a new team."
"What happened to integrity? What happened to you know like, 'Let me ask Giannis,'" Thanasis said. "If I hear one more time 'his camp said.' We are his camp; we don’t talk to no one. I don’t understand this notion 'his camp said.'"
The destination on where Thanasis Antetokounmpo will be taking his basketball talents to next season is unknown, but the former Milwaukee Bucks forward took to social media Wednesday, July 15 to pay tribute to his previous home.
Now an unrestricted free agent after spending six of his seven seasons in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks, Thanasis released a video July 15 teasing his next "Thanalysis" podcast highlighting a classy farewell to Milwaukee Bucks' fans and players.
Antetokounmpo's younger brother Giannis, the former face of the Milwaukee franchise who spent 12 seasons with the Bucks, was officially traded to the Miami Heat earlier this month.
Thanasis thanked both the city of Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin in the video:
"Grateful for EVERYTHING. From the bottom of heart."
“I am grateful for everything from the bottom of my heart," he said. "Everything you’ve given to my family, for the good, bad, everything, and I only keep the good ones. You know, let everybody else talk about any other narrative and anything you want to say. You had a family, you had some kids, you watched them grow up, you watched them become men, you watched them have kids, you watched them have a family, you watched them win a championship with you, you watched them struggle, you watched them win with you."
Thanasis Antetokounmpo averaged only 2.3 points and 1.5 rebounds a game, but spent six years on the Bucks' roster and appeared to become attached to the organization. He was part of the Bucks' 2021 NBA championship roster.
“I’m not talking about just me and Giannis. I want to talk about Jrue Holiday, I want to talk about Khris Middleton. I want to talk about Pat Connaughton. I want to talk about Brooke Lopez. This kid, this everybody, Bobby Portis,” Thanasis said. “All these people, half a decade. Do you know what half a decade means?”
Thanasis Antetokounmpo averaged just 1.9 points and 0.9 rebounds in about four minutes a game last season. He ripped national NBA reporters in February after the trade deadline when despite much trade speculation from media. He appeared to take a shot at ESPN's Shams Charania who said that "Giannis was ready to find a new team."
"What happened to integrity? What happened to you know like, 'Let me ask Giannis,'" Thanasis said. "If I hear one more time 'his camp said.' We are his camp; we don’t talk to no one. I don’t understand this notion 'his camp said.'"
During the 2026 Playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers struggled through their first two series. However, they made it work, and they reached the Eastern Conference Finals after getting dumped out the previous season in the second round.
Unfortunately, the Cavaliers did not win a single game in the ECF against the New York Knicks. Amid the defeats, Atkinson made a comment about how they were ahead based on the analytics despite losing the games, which went viral for the wrong reasons.
Karl-Anthony makes funny jab at Kenny Atkinson's analytics comments
The Knicks completely dominated the Cavaliers in the Conference Finals, as they showed that they were ready to win the championship. They did end up winning the title with Karl-Anthony Towns playing a massive role.
During that run, the Knicks kept quiet, as they wanted to focus on their goals. However, it seems they are taking their victory lap all summer because Towns made sure to reference the Atkinson analytics comments.
Towns and the Knicks conducted themselves well, but they made sure to keep receipts. Atkinson's comments were among those, as Towns referenced them in a recent interview at the ESPY Awards.
"This city hasn't seen this in 53 years, hasn't seen the Finals in 27 years. A team that wasn't picked to be favorites, underdog in every series we played... 49 days we didn't lose, that's my pitch for Best Team. You can pick up all the analytics and statistics, analytically, we should win this one," Towns said as he was asked about his argument to be seen as the best team in sports this year.
Towns is having fun reveling in the victory he and the Knicks earned. He is not the first one to make this reference, either, as Josh Hart also made analytics jokes. It is all in good fun, but it is a reminder that these players do keep receipts all the time.
Hugo Gonzalez was supposed to be a dominant force for the Boston Celtics at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Instead, the 2025 first-round pick had been inefficient and had some struggles through three games.
If a player doesn't control proceedings in their second year of Summer League, it's often a bad sign, and it was looking like Gonzalez may simply be a player with less upside than Boston would've hoped.
Then on Wednesday night, he showed up in full force.
Gonzalez finished an 82-76 win over the Kings with these stats:
This doesn't guarantee anything for Gonzalez in the season ahead with Boston.
But this is the kind of outing he needed for his own confidence. Gonzalez belongs with a role in the NBA. He's still trying to grow into the best player he can be along the way.
O'Connor was in a similar role in Ann Arbor, as she rose to Director of Football Performance Nutrition at UM. According to Doug Samuels of FootballScoop.com, O'Connor will "oversee performance nutrition across all sports, with a stated emphasis on continuity of care for student-athletes."
While with the Wolverines for nearly a decade, O'Connor was part of the Michigan teams that made three straight trips to the College Football Playoff, concluding with a national championship in 2023. She has also worked at Minnesota and Houston.
O'Connor is a Registered Dietitian, a Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach.
The Sooners will face O'Connor's old team on the road in Week 2 on September 12th. Oklahoma won in 24-13 last season in Norman.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow Aaron on X@Aaron_Gelvin.
The Blues posted a picture of Fernandez celebrating his late equalizer at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The caption was simply the midfielder's name along with an explosion emoji.
But the post, which was shared across several social media channels, inspired a torrent of abuse from Chelsea fans who were unhappy to see the club celebrate a player who's made no secret of his desire to leave Stamford Bridge.
It also didn't help Chelsea's cause that Fernandez's goal came against England.
Fernandez scored an 85th-minute equalizer from long range to level the match. Just seven minutes later, Lautaro Martinez headed home a Lionel Messi cross to give Argentina a 2-1 win, sending them to the final against Spain on Sunday.
The 25-year-old hinted he would like to live in Spain, particularly Madrid. This came after he expressed doubts about his future at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea's elimination from the Champions League against PSG.
Earlier this month, Real Madrid released an official statement denying any interest in a transfer move for Fernandez.
"The club wishes to state that it has not made any efforts, either directly or indirectly, aimed at signing the aforementioned player and, furthermore, has no intention of pursuing such an operation," Madrid said of Fernandez.
When asked if he wanted to keep the Argentine at the club, new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso gave a one-word answer earlier this week: "Yes."
After resting during a Monday night Summer League showdown with the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics guard Hugo Gonzalez returned to action on Wednesday evening in a big way. He helped the Green Team hold off the Sacramento Kings 82-76 in Vegas with a game-high 24 points.
The soon-to-be second-year Celtic rested for just 6 minutes all game and added 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal to his impressive statline. Fellow second-year Celtic John Tonje also had a strong showing against the Kings, tallying 18 points (on 60 percent shooting) in 27 minutes. Rookie Milos Uzan — who just signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Celtics — finished with 13 points and 7 rebounds and sealed the narrow win with a tough driving layup with 29 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
As for the Kings, rookie forward (and Massachusetts native) Alex Karaban led the team with 21 points on roughly 47 percent shooting from the field. Sacramento trailed by as many as 16 points and managed a meager 4 points in the first quarter before making things close down the stretch.
The Kings still fell, though, dropping to 1-3 in Summer League play while the Celtics improved to 3-1 under head coach Amile Jefferson. Boston will have to wait to see who it'll face next, as the scoring differential of other teams with the same record will impact its upcoming matchup.
Whether it's in the playoffs or the consolation bracket, the Summer C's will play again in Sin City in the near future.
Boxing legend Mike Tyson, boxer/influencer Jake Paul and music producer DJ Khaled announced Ohtani as the winner during the show. Ohtani was not in attendance.
Ohtani has played a key role in leading the Dodgers to back-to-back World Series championships.
He was the league's leading vote-getter but withdrew from the MLB All-Star Game this week due to inflammation and irritation in his left knee. The discomfort in the knee impacted his pitching mechanics, and he was recently pulled from a scheduled start for the Dodgers.
This season, he has 98 hits, 65 runs, 22 home runs and 58 RBIs in 88 games played. On the mound, he's produced an 8-2 record in 14 starts, allowing 55 hits, 21 runs (17 earned runs) and four home runs. He has struck out 95 and walked 26.
Further Ado comes into the Haskell off an impressive win in the Matt Winn Stakes and is our top selection
Julie Clark Coady Photography
The road that leads to the Travers Stakes and then the Breeders’ Cup is running through New Jersey. The Haskell Stakes will be run at Monmouth Park in Oceanport with a cast of seven three-year-old colts competing for their share of $1 million. The winner is guaranteed a spot in the starting gates at the 2026 Breeders’ Cup Classic as this race is part of the “win and you are in” series for the year-end World Championships. Also, this mile and an eighth drive over the East coast dirt normally delivers runners to the Travers Stakes at Saratoga in late August. As is the norm, this event that was first run in 1968 offers a highly competitive group. Let’s take a look at the entrants and provide a thought on each. The horses will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line. The Haskell will be contested on July 18 and is carded as race 12 with an expected post time of 5:45 pm eastern.
1 Star Sweeper
Trainer: Louis Linder
Jockey: Luis Rivera
Odds: 30-1
This son of Rock Your World is winless in 2026, but has made his last two starts at Monmouth including a fifth-place finish in the Pegasus Stakes in his last start on June 13. Inside post means his only hope is to break well and go for the lead. Has not faced this class of horses before and it is not likely he Sweeps his way to the winner’s circle.
2 Further Ado
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Odds: 2-1
Coming in off an impressive score over a solid field in the Matt Winn Stakes on June 7. Powerful win in the Bluegrass Stakes in April made him the top selection of many in the Kentucky Derby, but he finished a non-threatening 11th. This son of Gun Runner is our top selection as his ability to stalk and pounce are made for Monmouth.
3 Baby Vino
Trainer: Lindsay Schultz
Jockey: Jorge Vargas
Odds: 15-1
A winner of two in a row including the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth means this son of Vino Rosso might get some play at the windows. Has a stalking style, but will be seeing a higher class of opposition for sure. Water is awfully deep for first foray into graded stakes company. Do not think he is the Baby here.
4 The Puma
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Jockey: Luis Saez
Odds: 7-2
Hard knocker that had to scratch from Kentucky Derby because of a minor health issue has been in top three in all four career starts. Has not raced since finishing second by a nose in Florida Derby on March 28. Jockey knows how to win big races but the question is how this son of Essential Quality comes back off the layoff. Put him in your trifecta and superfecta for sure.
5 Iron Honor
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Odds: 3-1
Skipped the Kentucky Derby after finishing seventh in the Wood Memorial as the favorite. Ran second in the Preakness as he lacked that closing kick in the stretch. Won first two races of his career and gets one of the best riders in the game. Could be there at the end but we don’t think he wins.
LAUREL, MARYLAND - MAY 16: Napoleon Solo #10 ridden by jockey Paco Lopez crosses the finish line to win the 151st Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park on May 16, 2026 in Laurel, Maryland. For the first and only time, Laurel Park is hosting the Preakness Stakes which is the second race of the Triple Crown jewel due to the traditional home of the race of the Pimlico Race Course undergoing complete renovations. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Getty Images
6 Napoleon Solo
Trainer: Chad Summers
Jockey: Paco Lopez
Odds: 5-2
Which Napoleon shows up? The Preakness winner who stalked and motored home and also won his two races as a two-year old by a combined 11 ¾ lengths…or the runner that was a dull fifth in his first two starts as a three-year-old? Recent works indicate he is ready to roll and don’t be surprised if he tries to break to the lead early and attempt to conquer in gate-to-wire fashion. One for all your multi-race and exotic tickets.
7 Ocelli
Trainer: D Whitworth Beckman
Jockey: Tyler Gafflione
Odds: 6-1
Winless in nine career starts, but has earned $829,800 on the track. Finished a respectable 3rd in the Wood Memorial, 3rdin the Kentucky Derby, 4th in the Preakness, and 2nd in the Ohio Derby. When will this son of Connect quit his door-knocking and decide to go on in? Not likely it happens here, but he is battle-tested for sure.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Sophie Cunningham often grabs headlines for her pregame outfits. Whether she wears dresses or rocks simpler looks, her fashion draws a lot of attention online. The Indiana Fever guard’s attire on Wednesday ahead of the WNBA regular-season game against the Golden State Valkyries received a lot of praise.
She wore a laid-back, sporty outfit consisting of a fitted, short-sleeved cropped T-shirt in brown shade. Cunningham paired it with relaxed, wide-leg, mid-wash blue denim jeans and cream-colored closed-toe sneakers.
The Fever posted her photo on Instagram and fans reacted to it in the comments section.
“Super abs!” a fan said.
“Sophie looking great,” one comment read.
“Sophie 🔥,” a user wrote.
“All very unique and cute ☺️ but the 4th one is the cutest 🤗,” posted another.
“Ayeeeee Sophieeeeee I see youuuu gurllll!!” one fan commented.
“Sophie 😎,” a reaction read.
Apr 30, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) stretches before the game against the Dallas Wings at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Sophie Cunningham vs. the Valkyries
Cunningham came off the bench and played 27 minutes on Wednesday. She produced 10 points, including two 3-pointers, along with two rebounds. Her production backed Kelsey Mitchell’s game-high 20 points, and Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark’s 15 and 13, respectively. However, Indiana failed to extend their winning streak to three games, losing 88-75. Six Golden State players scored in double figures, led by Gabby Williams’ 16 and Kaitlyn Chen’s 14.
The Fever will return to action on Friday for the first night of a back-to-back set. Clark could sit either game, giving Cunningham the opportunity to potentially start in her place and make a bigger impact.
Boxer Mike Tyson presented the ESPY award for best single-game performance to Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani on July 15. Just don’t ask him who Shohei Ohtani plays for, what sport he plays, or even apparently what gender Shohei Ohtani is.
After (somewhat) correctly pronouncing Ohtani’s name, Tyson turned to co-presented Logan Paul to make sure he got it right.
“Shohei could not be here tonight,” Tyson said. “He sends his gratitude and appreciation to ESPN and everyone who voted for him,” Paul said.
“Shohei’s a guy?” Tyson said, turning to Paul.
Tyson, 60, certainly would be forgiven for not following MLB on a regular basis. He sparred with Ted Barrett before Barrett became a major league umpire. Other than that, the Tyson/MLB concentric circles are separate.
It’s at least somewhat surprising that Ohtani’s name never reached Tyson’s ears. Ohtani is at least the game’s best player today, if not ever. His single-game performance against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the 2025 National League Championship Series was one for the ages.
Ohtani threw six shutout innings against the Brewers as the Dodgers’ starting pitcher, and went 3 for 3 with three home runs at the plate. Tyson said it himself: it was an award-winning performance.
The game basically clinched the NLCS MVP Award for Ohtani. Now it’s been honored across multiple sports.
Ohtani was also nominated for the ESPY award for best male athlete, an honor which might convince Tyson of Ohtani’s gender once and for all.
Baseball players rarely attend the ESPYs ceremony to receive their awards in person. The ceremony is traditionally held during MLB’s All-Star break, giving ESPN the night’s major live sports programming all to itself, but making it hard for the top MLB stars to attend.
Ohtani at least had no obvious prior obligations. He did not attend All-Star festivities in Philadelphia because of a irritation in his left knee. Perhaps he and Tyson can schedule a gentleman’s handshake down the road.
Byron Murphy is a force for the Vikings' secondary at cornerback. Isaiah Rodgers had a very good season, and bringing in James Pierre from Pittsburgh, coming off a career-best season, seems like enough for Brian Flores and the Vikings defense, right? Well, not so fast, says Moe Moton of Bleacher Report.
Coverage is such an important part of Flores' scheme and magic that he can create for his defense. Flores has such an ability to change coverage looks post-snap while sending pressure from different places to speed up the process. God forbid you turn your back to the defense. What you see will be far different than what you saw pre-snap.
Moton believes the Vikings need more reliable talent at cornerback in 2026 and has a trade idea for Minnesota.
Minnesota Vikings: Trade a late 2027 pick for Kansas City Chiefs CB Kristian Fulton
"Aside from Byron Murphy Jr., the Vikings' cornerback group is highly questionable with Isaiah Rodgers and James Pierre in line for big roles. Rodgers had a decent 2025 campaign, allowing an 88.2 passer rating in coverage. Pierre only has 13 career starts.
Minnesota should add veteran insurance to cover the boundary when Murphy lines up in the slot. Fulton could be serviceable in that role. Last year, he only appeared in eight games but allowed a solid 81.7 passer rating in coverage. The 27-year-old may be behind L'Jarius Sneed and Nohl Williams on the Chiefs' depth chart.
With 53 career starts, Fulton could take on a prominent role on the perimeter in nickel packages or provide quality depth."
Depth at any position is welcomed, provided it is reasonable. Being proactive and not reactive is a big part of a front office's job. Push comes to shove, and you'll be looking for a player in a pinch, rather than having depth and not needing it. With how important coverage is for Flores, this trade should be explored, as should any other available options at cornerback.
Still, Murphy, Jr., Rodgers, and Pierre should be enough, especially with the breakouts of Rodgers and Pierre in 2025. The Vikings have a good trio, but depth is never a problem to add.
And if they did, would they just name a podcast subtly and not do anything more about it?
But on the flip side: Why would this be the title unless someone meant it to be that way? It's a bizarre mistake otherwise.
The most likely scenario is that it's somehow a mistake, or the words simply misrepresent what the podcast actually talks about.
But it's fun to think about some larger conspiracy theory, like the idea that some people know exactly what LeBron is going to do and just don't tell anyone.
The Warriors would sure love to land James, so they'll take some truth to this one way or another.
LeBron and Steph together would be fun to watch, at least for those who haven't already built up a dislike for them through the years as an opposing fan. It'd be a special final chapter for two all-time greats.
In this latest edition of The Detroit News' Gritiron Gang podcast, Nolan Bianchi and Richard Silva are joined by Jackson native and Grand Valley State graduate Eli Ong of WGN-TV in Chicago.
Heading into the second half of the season, the Athletics, at 41-55, have dug themselves a hole. They are eight games back in the AL West, and 6.5 back for the final AL Wild Card spot, making any climb towards the postseason a difficult one.
To begin that climb, the A's have made some roster moves. The biggest one is that the club has designated Aaron Civale for assignment, a move we floated yesterday as a possibility in our trade candidates piece. The club has also optioned right-hander Mason Barnett, catcher Brian Serven, and first baseman Joey Meneses.
The A's have only announced three corresponding roster moves, to go with those four departures. The fourth player will be No. 7 prospect Tommy White.
The three that are definitely headed to Sacramento are left-hander Brady Basso, right-hander Yunior Tur, and infielder Donovan Walton, whom they claimed off waivers a couple of days ago.
This is a similar move to the one the team made in May of last season, when they optioned JJ Bleday, called up Denzel Clarke and Willie MacIver, and DFA'd Seth Brown, among other moves.
So how does the new roster fit together?
Changing Roster Means Changing Roles
One piece we were planning to write (and still may) during the break is that Jacob Lopez needs to be added back into the starting rotation. He was called up on July 7 and immediately threw 63 pitches against the Detroit Tigers in the game J.T. Ginn left early due to illness.
Just three days later, Lopez was back on the mound to serve as the opener ahead of Civale, and he went 1 ⅔ innings without giving up a hit. A's manager Mark Kotsay was impressed with that performance, really emphasizing that he thought Lopez's outing was "great."
The fact that Lopez and Civale both pitched in the same game means they're lined up for the same schedule at this point, so replacing Civale with Lopez would be the easiest route to fill that spot in the rotation.
When Barnett came up and carved out a bullpen role for himself in Las Vegas back in June, he was firing on all cylinders, posting a 1.35 ERA across 13 ⅓ innings that month. The league has figured him out a bit more recently, as the righty has posted a 13.50 ERA across six July innings with a 2.33 WHIP.
In three of his four outings this month, Barnett has allowed multiple runs. In that same span, he's given up nine hits — four home runs — and walked five while striking out just two. This option will serve as a refresh for Barnett.
Yunior Tur will be making his MLB debut when he takes the mound for the A's. The 26-year-old holds a 4.41 ERA across 51 innings (27 appearances, five starts) with a 1.31 WHIP. He's also allowed just four home runs.
Tommy White's Debut
The A's offense has been struggling just as badly as the pitching staff of late, and with both Nick Kurtz and Zack Gelof on the IL, along with DH Brent Rooker out for the season, bringing up White is the quickest way to infuse some energy into this group.
Nicknamed "Tommy Tanks," White was rumored to be the other piece coming up, though it hadn't been confirmed until Jeff Passan reported the news.
With the other A's moves, in particular optioning Serven and Meneses, the White move was expected.
Serven had been in the big leagues to serve as the club's third catcher, with Shea Langeliers and Jonah Heim finding themselves in the same lineup a bit due to the injuries to Rooker and Kurtz.
White can also serve as the club's DH while providing a glove at both first and third base.
This season he has hit .303 with a .353 OBP and an .818 OPS between both Double-A Midland and Triple-A Las Vegas. He's added 10 home runs between the two stops, with nine of those coming in Vegas.
Even with those stats, he has been a roughly league average bat in the minors this season, holding a combined 104 wRC+ (100 is league average) that included a 94 wRC+ with Vegas. This is actually what led us to suggest, just last week, that perhaps he wasn't quite ready.
We'll get our first look at him in the big leagues on Friday night in Sacramento, when the A's take on the Washington Nationals — their season hanging in the balance.
The NFL's annual Top 100 Players ranking isn't perfect, but more often than not, it has rewarded consistency. We may disagree with the order in which players are often stacked (see Lamar Jackson's finish this year), but most thought the Baltimore Ravens would be well represented.
That's exactly why Roquan Smith's latest appearance matters. Don't look now, but one of the Ravens' defensive captains cracks the list again. He lands at 65. It's another reminder that one of football's most dependable defenders continues earning the respect of those who compete against him every Sunday.
Roquan Smith continues building a remarkable resume
Every summer, new stars emerge while others disappear from the list entirely. Injuries, production, and team success all influence where players ultimately land, making longevity one of the most impressive accomplishments the ranking can recognize.
Smith's NFL journey has been defined by excellence from the very beginning. Selected eighth overall by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, he immediately established himself as one of the league's premier young linebackers, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors during his first professional season. Since then, the accolades have continued piling up.
Smith has been named a first-team All-Pro three consecutive seasons from 2022 through 2024 after earning second-team All-Pro recognition in both 2020 and 2021. He's also appeared in four straight Pro Bowls while capturing the professional Butkus Award twice, cementing his reputation as one of the NFL's premier off-ball linebackers.
That success has continued in Baltimore, where Smith has become far more than an elite tackler.
Baltimore's defensive identity starts with No. 0
The Ravens feature stars at every level of their defense. Kyle Hamilton remains one of football's most versatile defensive backs. Marlon Humphrey continues leading the secondary, while Trey Hendrickson strengthens an already dangerous pass rush. Even with all that talent, Smith remains the defense's heartbeat.
His leadership, communication, and instincts consistently place teammates in a position to succeed before the football is ever snapped. Those qualities rarely appear on a stat sheet, but they remain essential to Baltimore's defensive identity. Landing at No. 65 won't generate the same headlines as some of the league's offensive stars, and that's perfectly fitting. Smith has never built his career around attention. He's built it around consistency. Year after year, season after season, he continues proving why teammates, opponents, and fellow NFL players still view him as one of football's premier defensive leaders.
Perception is not always reality. Often, we draw assumptions on players that are simply not based in fact. Casual onlookers do that with Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
Some consider Herbert a soft quarterback. That said, if you actually watched the Chargers' on the field leader last season, you saw a player firing up his team, correcting errant play and consistently getting up after taking several hits in the pocket.
Now, the narrative involving Herbert seems to revolve around his maturity. An NFL coach said as much when asked his honest opinion of the gifted quarterback.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler interviewed NFL coaches, scouts and executives and asked them to rank and assess quarterbacks within the league. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert took the No. 7 ranking on their list.
Here's what Fowler recorded on where Herbert needs to grow to enter the league's Top 5 quarterbacks.
"Herbert's previous coordinator was Greg Roman, who is known more for his running game prowess. Over two seasons with Roman, Herbert had a very effective 2024 season but threw 13 interceptions last year, albeit while the Chargers dealt with a battered offensive line for much of the season. The offense looked disjointed in a playoff loss to New England, too. Through six NFL seasons, Herbert has zero playoff wins to show for his promise.
'He plays young,' an NFL coordinator said. 'He's incredibly talented and has made progress, but he doesn't have the maturity level of the other guys as far as how he runs the overall operation and mastery of the position.'
Regardless, his playmaking is still prolific. Herbert's 10 passing touchdowns from outside the pocket led the NFL last season."
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during minicamp at The Bolt. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
With hype and expectation comes criticism. Herbert has had his fair share of all of those since breaking out early in his NFL career. This year, it appears he will have the help he needs to achieve what he wants to achieve.
The Chargers' key additions of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and tight end David Njoku cannot be overstated. The moves shore up two lacking elements of the Los Angeles offensive attack. McDaniel brings creativity. Njoku brings reliability. Between the two, the Bolts should be able to avoid many more 16-3 defeats in the postseason.
More than that, the health of both starting tackles in Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater provide a path to the top of the AFC in 2026.
Herbert will look to make the most of his improved situation with an improved campaign this season.
While the choreography, lip-syncing, backflips and yellow uniforms may have seemed like a baffling combo to the uninitiated, Wednesday night’s ESPY Awards opener looked like business as usual for fans of the Savannah Bananas.
The on-stage spectacle also made it clear why the exhibition baseball team is popular enough to sell out Yankee Stadium and boasts more TikTok followers than any Major League Baseball clubhouse.
The Savannah Bananas brought their baseball antics to the 2026 ESPY Awards in New York on Wednesday. Mike Coppola via Getty Images
The Savannah Bananas launched in 2016 on the idea of “whatever is normal, we will do the opposite,” Joe Martinelli, the president and CEO of Visit Savannah, said that founder Jesse Cole told him. That means you can expect dingers celebrated with dance breaks, outfield acrobatics and a pitcher who stands 10 feet 9 inches tall while slinging his heaters on stilts.
The Bananas aren’t playing by MLB rules when they take the field either.
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The Savannah Bananas performed a kick line before a game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., last May. Luke Johnson via Getty Images
“Banana Ball,” as it’s called, maintains a strict two-hour time limit, with teams competing for one point per inning, making each leg of the game a battle to score the most runs. All bets are off in the ninth inning, however, when scoring is unlimited.
Waiting out four balls won’t get you a walk. Instead, batters make a full sprint around the diamond while the ball is relayed to every fielder before the defense can make a play.
“Banana Ball” has dingers, dance breaks, outfield acrobatics and a pitcher, Dakota Albritton, who stands 10 feet 9 inches tall while slinging his heaters on stilts, as is seen here at Denver’s Coors Field last August. Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images via Getty Images
Providing some true chaos at the plate, the players can even decide that they’re bored with their at-bat and steal first base on any pitch.
Foul balls are fair game no matter where they go because a catch by someone in the stands counts as an out.
Though the antics might remind some of the Harlem Globetrotters’ basketball theatrics, Banana Ball has one key difference: While wacky, the competition is real.
“We get that [comparison] a lot,” Cole told the New York Post, “but the biggest difference is that we never know the result of the game.”
The three-match ODI series between England and India resumes at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Thursday, with the tourists holding a 1-0 lead.
Having ended a miserable run of results with a commanding six-wicket win at Edgbaston, Shubman Gill's side can seal the series with a game to spare, while England must win to force a decider at Lord's on Sunday.
The picturesque Welsh venue, home to Glamorgan, has staged international cricket since 1999 and hosted marquee events including the 1999 World Cup, the 2013 and 2017 Champions Trophy, and the 2019 World Cup.
Sophia Gardens pitch report: Is it a batting or bowling wicket in Cardiff?
The pitch at Sophia Gardens offers a fair contest between bat and ball. Fast bowlers can extract swing and bounce early, especially under cloudy skies, before the surface slows and spinners come into play as the innings progresses.
The record slightly favors the chasing side. India themselves illustrated the point in the venue's most recent India fixture, and both sides will factor the toss carefully into their thinking on Thursday.
What is the average ODI score at Sophia Gardens?
Sophia Gardens has generally been a ground for competitive rather than colossal totals, with a score around 280 to 300 considered par. The venue has, however, produced several 300-plus totals in high-profile fixtures.
The most recent ODI here underlined its scoring potential. In June 2025, the West Indies posted 308 before England chased it down, reaching 312 for 7 to complete one of the higher successful pursuits seen at the ground.
The highest team total at the venue is England's 386 for 6, posted against Bangladesh during the 2019 World Cup. England won that contest by 106 runs, and the total remains comfortably clear of their own 342 for 8 against Australia in 2018.
Lowest score by a team at Sophia Gardens in ODIs
The lowest completed team total is Afghanistan's 125 all out against South Africa during the 2019 World Cup. Sri Lanka features next on the list, having twice been dismissed cheaply here, for 136 and 138, both against New Zealand.
Highest individual score at Sophia Gardens in ODIs
The individual batting record belongs to England's Joe Root, whose unbeaten 166 against West Indies in June 2025 powered a memorable chase. Jason Roy's 153 against Bangladesh in 2019 and Shaun Marsh's 131 for Australia in 2018 sit next on the list.
Most runs at Sophia Gardens in ODIs
Root also leads the run-scoring charts at the ground, having amassed 469 runs in 11 matches at an average of 46.90. Jos Buttler is close behind with 443 runs from 10 games, while Jason Roy is third with 407 runs across just five appearances.
Most wickets at Sophia Gardens in ODIs
England's Adil Rashid holds the record for the most wickets at the venue, claiming 14 in seven matches between 2016 and 2025 at an economy of 6.19. Liam Plunkett is second with 12 wickets, with Pakistan's Hasan Ali third on 10.
Best bowling figures at Sophia Gardens in ODIs
India's Ravindra Jadeja produced the finest match figures at the ground, taking 4 for 28 against England in August 2014. South Africa's Imran Tahir matched the four-wicket haul with 4 for 29 against Afghanistan during the 2019 World Cup.
India's record at Sophia Gardens
India boasts a flawless ODI record at the venue, winning both their matches here. They beat South Africa by 26 runs in the 2013 Champions Trophy and defeated England by 133 runs in 2014, a strong omen as Gill's side chase a series-sealing victory.
Rohit Sharma's powerplay strike rate has fallen from 122.57 to 86.13 since October 2025.
His powerplay boundary percentage has dropped from 20.9 to 15.5 in that span.
The slump has intensified scrutiny over his place ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Rohit Sharma before and after Champions Trophy and his declining ODI form since CT 2025 listed
Rohit Sharma's laboured 11 from 21 balls at Edgbaston reignited a debate that has followed India's veteran opener for months. As fans called for his retirement and for Yashasvi Jaiswal to take his place, the numbers behind his recent decline came sharply into focus.
A graphic shared by Cricbuzz laid the shift out in stark terms. It contrasted Rohit's powerplay output across two periods, from January 2023 up to the 2025 Champions Trophy and everything since October 2025, and the drop-off is impossible to ignore.
The most striking change is in his intent. Rohit built his modern ODI reputation on tearing into the new ball, yet the aggressive powerplay opener who defined India's approach appears to have vanished, replaced by a far more cautious version of himself.
Between January 2023 and the Champions Trophy, Rohit was among the most destructive openers in world cricket.
Across 36 innings, he plundered 1,146 runs from 935 balls at an average of 67.41, striking at a blistering 122.57 with a powerplay boundary percentage of 20.9.
The picture since October 2025 is dramatically different. In 13 innings, Rohit has scored 267 runs from 310 balls, a return that reflects both reduced output and a sharply slower tempo at the top of the order for India.
His strike rate has collapsed from 122.57 to just 86.13, a fall of more than 36 runs per hundred balls. The powerplay boundary percentage has similarly dipped from 20.9 to 15.5, evidence that the early aggression which powered India's starts has all but evaporated.
The one number offering mitigation is his average, which has held at a respectable 44.50. Rohit is still occupying the crease and contributing runs, but the manner in which he is scoring them has changed beyond recognition since the Champions Trophy.
The context makes the slump difficult to dismiss. Rohit turns 39 this year, plays only ODI cricket for India, and is building towards a 2027 World Cup in conditions where a quick start against the new ball carries enormous value for the side.
His defenders will point to that steady average and to a stellar career record, including a fifty in his final ODI against Afghanistan. One quiet series does not erase two decades of excellence, and India's think tank has shown no inclination to move him on.
Yet the trend is the concern rather than any single innings. An opener whose entire value was built on fearless powerplay batting is now among the slowest in that phase, and with Jaiswal scoring heavily and waiting, the pressure on Rohit will only intensify from here.
For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Thomas Tuchel, Manager of England, reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Football is still not coming home.
After a triumphant run to the semifinals with Thomas Tuchel at the helm and led by 90% of their goals being scored by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, England lost 2-1 to Argentina and missed out on a date to face Spain in the World Cup final in New Jersey.
After Anthony Gordon scored early on in the second half from a lovely cross in from Morgan Rogers, Tuchel made defensive changes, bringing in all of Dan Burn, Ezri Konsa, and Nico O’Reilly, waiting until the 95th minute to introduce Ivan Toney and Marcus Rashford.
From that point on Argentina were the fierce aggressors and on the front foot — and cue the Lionel Messi show. The Inter Miami man provided an assist for an Enzo Fernández belter and a then for a Lautaro Martínez header to send Argentina to their second straight World Cup final, leaving England to rue the chance to maintain control of the match after they had gone 1-0 up and falling short once again in the latter stages of an international tournament.
After the match, Tuchel admitted that his side was far too passive after Gordon’s goal, conceding far too many chances to Argentina late on and ultimately inviting them right back into proceedings. “We’re disappointed. We were so close, but we got too passive after we scored and conceded a lot of chances and could not turn the ball possession (only 12% after Gordon’s goal for England) around — and then, just conceded so many crosses, chances, and shots. We were close, but couldn’t keep the level up after we scored,” he told BBC Sport.
On the matter of the defensive changes he made in the second half holding on to the 1-0 lead, the former Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Mainz manager tried to rationalize the decisions he made in the match, trying to close gaps that Argentina were already attacking. “I did also offensive substitutions in the last games. We just tried to help the player. We conceded straight away. We decided to go a back five because the gaps were far too open. They won every header, the kept crossing and crossing. So, we went to a back five to close the gaps inside and be strong in the air because straight after our goal, there was no substitution. We just conceded way too many, way too many crosses and way too many chances, so we tried to help, but of course the responsibility is on the coach and if it doesn’t go wrong, it’s easy to say that, if it doesn’t go well it’s easy to say it was wrong.”
He was also asked if there was a thought amongst the coaching staff on trying to go for a second goal, alluding to the attacking options that were on the bench at the time that Argentina had equalized, but Tuchel felt his England side was struggling to maintain possession in their own third of the pitch. “It doesn’t help if we don’t have the ball, if we couldn’t get out (of their own half). Of course we wanted to go for the second goal, but I had not the feeling that the offensive substitutions would help. We stayed in our 4-4-2 but became passive. We couldn’t win any balls, couldn’t keep the ball. So, I think it was not a structural problem. We changed nothing after the goal, but the match changed completely. Again, it’s no problem. I can understand why these discussions are out there, and of course, millions of coaches after the game that know it better.”
He also added by saying there were “no regrets” for the effort England put forth and the decisions that were made on and off the pitch as the Three Lions came so close yet again but fell victim to an inspired Argentine finish led by Messi.
Jun 11, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) speaks during Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
On her latest Making Mosters, Taylor Doll was joined by former Chicago Bears Pro Bowler, Jerry Azumah, who previews the upcoming Bears’ season. Azumah played cornerback for seven years in Chicago, so you know he had some thoughts on the Bears’ secondary.
“I really like that group,” Azumah said about Chicago’s defensive backs. “I think the group is very athletic. Obviously, they have some veteran leadership that’s there, and they have some all-star presence that’s there as well.”
Right now, it appears the starters will be Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson at corner, Kyler Gordon at the nickel, and Coby Bryant and rookie Dillon Thieneman at safety.
“I think Thieneman is going to be a hell of an addition to the secondary, along with the Super Bowl-winning safety as well, with Coby. So I think that they’re going to be a nice one-two punch, but it’s all about gelling. It’s all brand new, but they have all the talent in the world to go out there and be successful and be dominant.”
They talk plenty more about Dennis Allen’s defense, but they also dive into Caleb Williams and the offense, and you know they hit on the third phase as well.
Make sure you check out her show in either of the embeds below for her full discussion with Zoom!
Each year since 1993, sports programming channel ESPN has hosted an annual event honoring the top athletes and sports performances of the year in an event called the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards, or ESPY Awards.
The ESPYs highlight and recognize the best male and female athletes, most influential athletes and those who have spent countless hours giving back to communities. As part of the ESPYs are the Sports Humanitarian Awards.
The Sports Humanitarian Awards recognize those who have shown an industry-wide commitment to philanthropy and public service across six major honors: Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award, Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award, Sports Philanthropist of the Year Award, Corporate Community Impact Award, the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award and Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year.
The Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry was named a recipient of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award in recognition of his community impact through the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Curry and his wife, Ayesha, in 2019.
"When we launched Eat. Learn. Play. in 2019, we saw the tremendous need that existed in our adopted hometown of Oakland and set out to use our platform and resources to work to unlock the full potential of the kids in our community," Curry said in a statement on their website.
Curry accepted the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award from the Muhammad Ali Center president and CEO, Lonnie Ali.
"Oakland gave us so much love, support and energy, and this is how we are able to continue to get back to the community that has wrapped its arms around us from the very beginning back in 2009," Curry said. "We’re just excited to meet kids where they already are every single day, because if you invest in a child, you’re investing in everything that’s possible for their future.”
Other award recipients include Philadelphia Eagles’ owner Jeffrey Lurie with the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award, co-owner of the New York Giants and Gotham FC Laurie Tisch received the Sports Philanthropist of the Year Award.
Additionally, there were three recipients of the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award — Julia Howe, Kelis Armstrong, and Sam Phillips. The Baltimore Ravens were recognized as the Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year, which was accepted by team president Sashi Brown.
Nico Collins has spent the past few seasons proving he belongs among the NFL's elite wide receivers, and the latest league-wide opinion only reinforces that belief. In Jeremy Fowler of ESPN's recent poll of anonymous NFL executives, scouts, and front office members Collins was voted the eighth-best wide receiver in football, another sign that his reputation has grown well beyond the Houston Texans.
Collins has developed into the centerpiece of the Texans' passing attack since breaking out in 2023. After years of inconsistency at quarterback early in his career, the former third-round pick found his stride alongside C.J. Stroud and has continued to establish himself as one of the league's most complete receivers. His combination of size, athleticism, and physicality has made him one of the toughest matchups for opposing defenses, and those around the league have clearly taken notice.
One anonymous NFL executive summed up Collins' game by saying, "Combination of size, strength and speed, route running, hands and ball skills. Can make plays when contested and is physical after the catch."
That description captures exactly what has made Collins such a valuable weapon for Houston. At 6-foot-4, he has the frame to win contested catches, but he is far more than a jump-ball specialist. Collins consistently creates separation with polished route running, tracks the football exceptionally well down the field, and has the strength to break tackles once the ball is in his hands. His ability to turn routine completions into explosive gains gives the Texans an element that few offenses possess.
Despite dealing with injuries during portions of his career, Collins has remained remarkably productive whenever he has been on the field. Defenses know he is Houston's top receiving threat, yet slowing him down has proven to be a difficult task. Whether the Texans need a critical third-down conversion or a game-changing deep play, Collins has repeatedly delivered.
His ranking also reflects how much respect Houston's offense has earned entering the 2026 season. With Stroud entering another year under offensive coordinator Nick Caley, the Texans are expecting their passing attack to take another step forward. Collins figures to remain the focal point of that effort while younger receivers such as Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel continue to develop around him.
Being voted the eighth-best receiver by the people who evaluate NFL talent for a living is another significant milestone for Collins. It validates what Texans fans have watched over the last three seasons: one of the league's premier playmakers continuing to elevate his game. If Houston's offense reaches the level many expect in 2026, Collins could climb even higher on next year's list.
While the Colorado Rockies have put together a steady diet of hitters in the lineup, the team really needs to look at getting some starting pitchers.
Colorado is currently three games behind the San Francisco Giants for fourth place in the National League West Division. The Rockies also are 20 games under .500. Some games that didn't go Colorado's way could have been in the win column with solid starters taking the mound.
There has been better work coming out of the bullpen, keeping the team in position to come back after being a run or two behind. Yet, there's only so much that relievers can do if they're always having to enter games in the fourth or fifth innings.
Rockies relievers are getting overtaxed
Trusting relievers with that much work puts a lot of stress on their arms. When starting pitchers have ERAs in the 4's or 5's range, that doen't look good.
In report on what all MLB teams need to focus on leading up to the MLB Trade Deadline on August 3, MLB.com broke down what Colorado should look into doing before or at that date.
"During the winter, the Rockies collected veteran starters (Michael Lorenzen, Tomoyuki Sugano and Jose Quintana to add to lefty Kyle Freeland), but the need for established starters endures," the report indicated.
"The Rockies have righties Tanner Gordon and No. 16 prospect Gabriel Hughes in the current rotation, and No. 11 prospect Sean Sullivan has bounced between the big-league rotation and Triple-A, but they could add Major League-ready starting arms.
"Also, to have a truly consistent offense, they need to add hitters who fit in the top and heart of the order -- established players or prospects who are close," the report stated.
Sugano has been one of Colorado's best starters this season, while Lorenzen hasn't been too effective.
Schaeffer might be getting frustrated over starters
Watching his starting pitchers go out and not give him much depth must frustrate Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer to no end. Schaeffer has been imparting wisdom to his players, wisdom that forces his own ideas on how a baseball team should play every single game.
Seeing his starting pitchers not go beyond the third, fourth, or fifth innings simply means that Schaeffer has to turn to the bullpen earlier than he might want to do either at Coors Field or in road games.
Should Colorado want to get a couple of veteran starters in trades, they'll probably have to give up a prospect or two. One name that probably is not in trade talks is rookie sensation Cole Carrigg. In his limited time being up at the MLB level, Carrigg has shown hustle, grit, and a bit of attitude.
Those elements are needed to push the Rockies further ahead.
Better starting pitchers will need to come and help Colorado make some type of push to get out of last place.
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INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Fever fell to the Golden State Valkyries, 88-75, on Wednesday night in their first game back at Gainbridge Fieldhouse from their West Coast road trip.
Caitlin Clark, who remained on a 25-minute restriction while coming back from her back injury, scored 13 points on 4-of-14 shooting, along with three rebounds and six assists. Kelsey Mitchell scored 20 points, and Aliyah Boston had 15 points and seven rebounds.
The Fever are now 14-10 and head into a back-to-back at home on Friday and Saturday.
Here's what I liked and disliked:
What I liked in Indiana Fever's loss vs Golden State Valkyries
Bench unit to finish first quarter: Ty Harris, Sophie Cunningham, and Makayla Timpson came into the game down 10 five minutes in, tasked with getting the Fever back in the game. And they did. Harris sank a 3-pointer early, then Cunningham sank another, and their collective defense kept the Valkyries uncomfortable to go on a 16-8 run over the final five minutes and get Fever back within two points by the end of the first quarter.
The third quarter (at times): Indiana came out of halftime down 10, but they started to fight back. Throughout part of the third, the Fever went on a 17-4 run -- which included Caitlin Clark stealing the ball, missing the 3-point shot, getting her own rebound, and doing a behind-the-back spin pass to Aliyah Boston, who sunk the 3-pointer -- to take the lead. Immediately after the Fever took the lead, however, Valkyries guard Kaitlyn Chen went on a heater, scoring 10 points in the final two minutes to cap off a 12-4 Golden State run and take a seven-point lead into the fourth.
What I didn't like in Indiana Fever's loss vs Golden State Valkyries
Down big early: The Valkyries have the No. 1 defense in the league, and they showed that early with a 12-2 run to start the game. The Fever could not get anything to fall because of Golden State's stifling defensive game, and couldn't defend Golden State's 4-of-9 start from the field. Stephanie White took a timeout four minutes into the game to stop the bleeding, and the bench unit came in to get the Fever back into the game.
Caitlin Clark limping and furious: Caitlin Clark was furious at the refs after she thought she got fouled by Kiah Stokes on a layup with five minutes left in the second quarter. Clark fell to the ground near the stanchion and got up limping, gesturing toward the refs and running slowly back on defense. At the next dead ball, she immediately swung her fist and went up to a referee, clapping her hands in their face. She continued to swear at the referee until Sophie Cunningham got in between them, then went up to the ref that was talking to Stephanie White and talked at her too. Through all of that, Clark (somehow) did not get a tech, and she briefly walked back into the Fever hallway before returning to the bench. She did not play the rest of the rest of the quarter.
Allowing Kaitlyn Chen to have a great game: This is the second time this season that the Fever have allowed Kaitlyn Chen to get essentially whatever she wants on the offensive end of the floor. Just after Indiana got its first lead of the game, Chen, coming off the bench, scored 10 straight points for the Valkyries, blowing by Indiana's defense and putting Golden State up by seven going into the fourth quarter. That stretch sullied any momentum the Fever had,
What the Indiana Fever's loss to Golden State Valkyries means
The biggest issue with the Fever, as I wrote after their dominant win over the Las Vegas Aces, is that they are not a consistent team. They showed that tonight. They beat the best team in the league by 34 just three days ago, but did not look like that team at all on Wednesday night. Yes, this loss was against the No. 1 defense in the league, but the Fever successfully limited the Aces' four-time MVP and three-time Defensive Player of the Year A'ja Wilson. Indiana has the talent to be a contender in the WNBA, but they are not consistent enough in applying that talent when they need to.
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Fever fell to the Golden State Valkyries, 88-75, on Wednesday night in their first game back at Gainbridge Fieldhouse from their West Coast road trip.
Caitlin Clark, who remained on a 25-minute restriction while coming back from her back injury, scored 13 points on 4-of-14 shooting, along with three rebounds and six assists. Kelsey Mitchell scored 20 points, and Aliyah Boston had 15 points and seven rebounds.
The Fever are now 14-10 and head into a back-to-back at home on Friday and Saturday.
Here's what I liked and disliked:
What I liked in Indiana Fever's loss vs Golden State Valkyries
Bench unit to finish first quarter: Ty Harris, Sophie Cunningham, and Makayla Timpson came into the game down 10 five minutes in, tasked with getting the Fever back in the game. And they did. Harris sank a 3-pointer early, then Cunningham sank another, and their collective defense kept the Valkyries uncomfortable to go on a 16-8 run over the final five minutes and get Fever back within two points by the end of the first quarter.
The third quarter (at times): Indiana came out of halftime down 10, but they started to fight back. Throughout part of the third, the Fever went on a 17-4 run -- which included Caitlin Clark stealing the ball, missing the 3-point shot, getting her own rebound, and doing a behind-the-back spin pass to Aliyah Boston, who sunk the 3-pointer -- to take the lead. Immediately after the Fever took the lead, however, Valkyries guard Kaitlyn Chen went on a heater, scoring 10 points in the final two minutes to cap off a 12-4 Golden State run and take a seven-point lead into the fourth.
What I didn't like in Indiana Fever's loss vs Golden State Valkyries
Down big early: The Valkyries have the No. 1 defense in the league, and they showed that early with a 12-2 run to start the game. The Fever could not get anything to fall because of Golden State's stifling defensive game, and couldn't defend Golden State's 4-of-9 start from the field. Stephanie White took a timeout four minutes into the game to stop the bleeding, and the bench unit came in to get the Fever back into the game.
Caitlin Clark limping and furious: Caitlin Clark was furious at the refs after she thought she got fouled by Kiah Stokes on a layup with five minutes left in the second quarter. Clark fell to the ground near the stanchion and got up limping, gesturing toward the refs and running slowly back on defense. At the next dead ball, she immediately swung her fist and went up to a referee, clapping her hands in their face. She continued to swear at the referee until Sophie Cunningham got in between them, then went up to the ref that was talking to Stephanie White and talked at her too. Through all of that, Clark (somehow) did not get a tech, and she briefly walked back into the Fever hallway before returning to the bench. She did not play the rest of the rest of the quarter.
Allowing Kaitlyn Chen to have a great game: This is the second time this season that the Fever have allowed Kaitlyn Chen to get essentially whatever she wants on the offensive end of the floor. Just after Indiana got its first lead of the game, Chen, coming off the bench, scored 10 straight points for the Valkyries, blowing by Indiana's defense and putting Golden State up by seven going into the fourth quarter. That stretch sullied any momentum the Fever had,
What the Indiana Fever's loss to Golden State Valkyries means
The biggest issue with the Fever, as I wrote after their dominant win over the Las Vegas Aces, is that they are not a consistent team. They showed that tonight. They beat the best team in the league by 34 just three days ago, but did not look like that team at all on Wednesday night. Yes, this loss was against the No. 1 defense in the league, but the Fever successfully limited the Aces' four-time MVP and three-time Defensive Player of the Year A'ja Wilson. Indiana has the talent to be a contender in the WNBA, but they are not consistent enough in applying that talent when they need to.
Mitchell finished with 20 points, 3-of-5 3-point shooting and 4 assists. Coming in, Mitchell averaged 22.7 points on 40.9% 3-point shooting, and she is the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
2026: Through 23 games, Mitchell averaged 22.7 points on 48.8% field goal shooting, 40.9% 3-point shooting and 86.4% free throw shooting. She adds 2.9 assists.
Mitchell's WNBA salary cap hit for 2026 is $1.4 million, according to Spotrac. She will be an unrestricted free agent in 2027. In 2025, under the previous collective bargaining agreement, she made $269,244.
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It was certainly a frustrating night for Clark all around. She never found a rhythm as another rough shooting night for her contributed to the Fever's loss to the Golden State Valkyries.
Clark is known for her reactions to calls and non-calls. She doesn't exactly hide her emotions.
She also is a fan of complaining, to be sure -- even her biggest fans would admit that.
Some players end up having more of a leash with refs than others. Their star power matters for that. So too does the frequency of their behavior -- the predictability of Clark's outburst here might've actually saved her a tech.
Either way, it was pretty astounding to see happen over the TV broadcast as it happened. Clark went ballistic, and the ref just stood and took it.
Tim Ream #13 of United States advances the ball during the first half against Paraguay during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match Credit: Erin Chang/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
Tim Ream praised the fan engagement and atmosphere during the U.S. team’s home World Cup matches in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE
The U.S. team was eliminated after a loss to Belgium on July 6
Ream hopes to build on the momentum of soccer’s popularity in the U.S. following the 2026 World Cup amid the return of MLS
U.S. Men’s National Team captain Tim Ream is sharing “the coolest thing” about playing in a home World Cup.
“It was an incredible experience, you know, I think that the guys really embraced what it is to play in a home World Cup,” Ream, 38, tells PEOPLE exclusively at the ESPY Awards at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on Wednesday, July 15, in New York City.
“I think it’s such a unique opportunity,” Ream shares. “And one that we really enjoyed. Obviously the tournament is still going on, a lot of excitement around it, but I think the coolest thing was seeing how engaged and how amazing the fan experience was over the course of the last couple of weeks.”
Belgium defeated the U.S.on July 6 in a4-1 match held in Seattle. Belgium took the lead early, scoring the first goal just nine minutes into the game.
The defeat came after FIFA reinstated U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, who previously received a red card suspension after the U.S. clinched a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1.
Balogun, 25, was initially ejected after becoming entangled with Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic, after he appeared to inadvertently step on his ankle.
Balogun was sent off and handed a one-game suspension. On July 5, FIFA overturned the initial ruling, clearing the way for Balogun to rejoin the team for what would become the U.S.’s final 2026 World Cup match.
Tim Ream #13 of USA concentrates during the international friendly match between United States and Germany at Soldier Field Credit: Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty
When asked about the return of Major League Soccer (MLS) following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, Ream, who plays center-back for Charlotte FC, says he hopes to “capitalize” on the community of soccer fans formed this summer.
“[With] how much soccer has been played here in the country, and the eyes of the world and the sport have been here, [we are] obviously looking to piggyback off of that,” Ream says.
He adds, “We’ve got the All-Star Game coming up in two weeks’ time, and it’s a great experience, and one that’s unique and one we’re going to be looking to build on.”
The Minnesota Vikings roster underwent a bit of an overhaul this offseason, leaving quite a few holes to be filled. While some will likely be filled with some of their free agent signings, Minnesota will need its rookies to step up in a big way in 2026. With opportunities to be had, are there any rookies who have a shot at starting this upcoming season?
Kevin Seifert of ESPN looked at all the rookies on the Vikings roster and went over their chances of starting this season. While starting multiple rookies could be dangerous, Seifert believes that both rookie defensive tackles, Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange, have real chances to be on the field in week one. Jake Golday and Jakobe Thomas could also see early work for Minnesota, with Thomas potentially being in the mix to replace Harrison Smith.
Minnesota made a concerted effort to get a little younger this offseason, and it worked. Now, it is time to see if the youth movement will pay off, especially on defense. This Brian Flores scheme is not one easily learned, but if the young pups can pick it up fast, Minnesota should find themself in a similar spot in the team defense rankings from a year ago.
On the sports calendar, July is marked as
the beginning of “talking season.”
Various football conferences across the
country gather for their annual media scrums sessions with beat writers and media
personalities covering their respective teams.
Florida State coach Mike Norvell arrived in Charlotte,
North Carolina on Wednesday for the ACC Kickoff, with a contingent of his
players in tow: quarterback Ashton Daniels, receiver Duce Robinson and defensive
back Ja’bril Rawls.
Norvell was the second coach to step to the podium on
Day 1, after Miami coach Mario Cristobal. Norvell praised the core of
talent that returned to the team for the upcoming season.
“Coming off disappointing results from a year ago, but
excited about the core of this football team, the guys that have returned, some
of the young players that have continued to emerge, decisions from guys to
return that had other opportunities,” Norvell said.
The Seminoles have talent all over the field. On
offense, the skill players at running back and receiver are exceptional.
Ousmane Kromah and Quintrevion Wisner can hit the holes and gain big yardage. Kromah
has slimmed down and has lost close to ten pounds, which will help with his game
speed going forward. Wisner is a transfer from Texas and led the Longhorns in
rushing with 597 yards. Samuel Singleton averaged seven yards per carry last
season.
Robinson is widely considered as one of the top
receivers in college football, and resisted the urge to jump to the NFL,
wanting instead to leave a lasting legacy at Florida State. Micahi Danzy brings
his track speed to the gridiron and creates problems for opposing defenses. Jayvan
Boggs brings his big body (6-foot-1, 211 pounds) to challenge contested catches
and create matchup problems.
On defense, Norvell secured the services of linebacker
Chris Jones via the transfer portal. Jones racked up 135 total tackles at
Southern Miss last season, and could easily be on any early Butkus Award watch
lists. Both Jones and Rawls are preseason second-team All-ACC selections,
according to Phil Steele.
“We understand the expectation,” Norvell said. “There's
no person or place that has higher expectations than we have being part of this
program, making sure we're doing things the right way, the Florida State way,
competing for championships, in all things that we do.”
Under Norvell’s watch, the Seminoles have won just
seven games the last two seasons, and just three ACC games. They did win the
2023 ACC championship after going undefeated in the regular season.
However, the College Football Playoff Committee surprisingly
left the Seminoles out of the playoff field that season. The Seminoles have posted
four losing seasons under Norvell, who has a 38-34 record entering his seventh season in Tallahassee.
“I think Ashton is a guy that can really do it all,”
Norvell said. “As we talk about
experiences, Ashton has a great deal of experience throughout his college
career. He's been put in a lot of different situations that he's had to work
through. You see somebody that's just continued to grow.”
Daniels has been named the starter for the 2026 season
by Norvell since the end of spring practice. Florida State will be Daniels third team in as many years, having
transferred from Auburn, and played at Stanford before that.
The concern in
Daniels’s passing game is ball security, or the lack thereof. During his
collegiate career, Daniels has thrown 22 interceptions to go with his 27
touchdown passes.
“We found a role and opportunity that I think he can
make a great impact in helping support this staff,” Norvell said. “Being able
to add a new perspective to things that he's done, to be able to help assist
the guys within our football team just to go and achieve at a very high level.”
Herman won 54 games over six seasons as head coach at
both Houston and Texas. In addition, he has coached some dynamic and talented
quarterbacks, like Greg Ward Jr. with the Cougars and Sam Ehlinger with the
Longhorns. That bodes well for Daniels and his continued growth as a starting
quarterback in the ACC.
At the end of a long day of questioning, Norvell gave
the coaches-speak answers that are common at these events, about improvement
and winning championships.
The lone 2023 conference championship
notwithstanding, there has been little to no improvement on the field.
Certainly, not to the expectations and traditions of Florida State football.
Will 2026 be any different? Or is Norvell a lame duck
in coach’s clothing? Inquiring minds of football fans and media types want to
know, and will find out when toe meets leather on August 29 against New Mexico
State.
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🎥 Argentines find Pickford's bottle: a clue for penalties!
Another of the night’s moments was led by the Argentina players, who during the celebrations discovered Pickford’s weapon in case the match went to penalties.
Messi and company held the cylinder in which the English team’s goalkeeper had clues on each player to be effective in goal and secure victory for England with a couple of saves.
Among the details shown in the image are the height of the shot, when to wait, when to fake, and above all, which way to dive.
Hall of Famer Chris Chelios says he knows where Patrick Kane is going to wind up in free agency this summer.
Chelios, the former Red Wings defenseman, was on 104.3 The Score in Chicago and he said the 37-year-old unrestricted free agent is leaning toward two teams and is unlikely to return to the Red Wings this year.
"I am not gonna like to you guys," Chelios said. "It is down to Buffalo and Chicago. I know that."
Chris Chelios recently spoke to free agent Patrick Kane about his interest in returning to the Blackhawks:
"I am not gonna lie to you guys, it is down to Buffalo and Chicago. I know that." pic.twitter.com/FIirxkRntc
Kane has played the past three seasons with the Red Wings, after spending the first 16-plus seasons of his NHL career with the Blackhawks.
"It's a tough decision for him, whether to go home, make it easy on his parents, his family and friends and finish like Taeser (Jonathan Toews) tried to do, or he comes back, in my opinion, as a Blackhawk," Chelios said.
"The Blackhawks, you see how tough it is to make the playoffs, it's hit or miss, there's no guarantees. With the absence of Connor (Bedard) in the beginning of the season, there's no telling when he'll be back yet.
"How great would that be? You saw the reception he got a couple of years ago during the jersey retirement. He's so beloved in Chicago. I'm hoping he leans that way. I think he's going to make his decision pretty quick now.
"He's still got some good gas in him. I think he's got two, three years left in him yet. He had a good finish in Detroit, so let's keep our fingers crossed. That'll be great news if he signs with the Hawks."
In the wake of disappointment, England manager Thomas Tuchel says he doesn't have regrets. The German manager, in his first World Cup, guided England through to the World Cup semifinals, but couldn't bring them back to that long-awaited final.
In Wednesday's match against Argentina, England tried to hold on after taking the lead in the 55th minute, but Argentina ended up getting the win, thanks to a miraculous comeback spearheaded by two Lionel Messi assists. Postgame, it was easy to point to Tuchel, who opted to take a timid tactical approach to preserve the lead rather than try and build on it.
When speaking to reporters after the game, Tuchel said that he was "disappointed" by the loss, admitting that the team "got too passive" prior to conceding two late goals in a seven-minute span. But despite repeating that the team got "so close," Tuchel said that he wouldn't change how he approached the game.
"In the moment, no regrets. The team gave everything and we were very, very close," he said, via BBC. "We deserved to be up one-nil, played one of our better matches, maybe the best match in the circumstances. Team was top, we couldn't bring it over the line."
Tuchel, though, pushed back on a question about whether the team fell short of their expectations. Even though they needed to "digest" the loss, he said, there was a lot to be proud of — given England's tough road to the semifinals, which included a stop in Mexico City and an extra time win in the blazing Miami heat.
"We played in altitude, we played with 10 men, we played the hottest game of the tournament. We gave everything, and it wasn't enough today," Tuchel said, via Fox Sports.
Tuchel had been pretty critical of his team after England's narrow quarterfinal win over Norway, though players like Jude Bellingham brushed off the criticism at the time.
But on Wednesday, it was Tuchel's turn to express his frustration with criticism, though he said he took responsibility for his mistakes.
"That's just the nature of the game. As soon as you lose, you get criticized," Tuchel said in the postgame press conference. "No one knows what would have happened if we'd made different decisions. So it makes no sense to engage in that and lose my head. I'm responsible for them, I took them, so I take the criticism, that's just the way it is."
Despite the loss, England still has one more match to play, facing France for third place on Saturday.
"We're not looking so much forward to, but there is still a match to play," Tuchel said of the matchup in his press conference.
Tuchel, who was hired by England in 2025, signed an extension through 2028 in February, and the coach said Wednesday that he planned to see it through.
"We keep on going for contract until the home Euros, and then I'm looking forward to that," Tuchel said, before adding: "Even like now, it's difficult to look that far ahead."
As of now, Tuchel still has the full support of the English FA despite the loss, per multiple reports.
Jude Bellingham and his England team-mates were dejected at the full-time whistle [Reuters]
England's years of hurt will now stretch beyond 60, but the late collapse to a World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina may just be the most painful wound of all.
The clock inside the magnificent Atlanta Stadium showed England were five minutes of normal time away from ending the wait for a men's World Cup final that stretches back to 1966, when they lifted the Jules Rimet trophy at Wembley.
England's players and head coach Thomas Tuchel had immortality in their hands as they led through Anthony Gordon's 55th-minute goal.
Their grasp, however, was being loosened by catastrophic decision making from Tuchel that instigated wave after wave of Argentina attacks orchestrated by Lionel Messi.
One goal seemed inevitable - and it came from Enzo Fernandez in the 85th minute.
Then, with England on the ropes, they were floored by Lautaro Martinez's injury-time header.
England could not come back, so a stunned football nation wakes up to another desperate near-miss from this nearly team.
Tuchel fails in England mission
Tuchel's unique selling point when he succeeded Sir Gareth Southgate was the idea he would win matches his predecessor could not.
That he would not be gripped by the caution Southgate was criticised for when losing the last two Euros finals to Italy and Spain, as well as the 2018 World Cup semi-final to Croatia.
The thinking was that Tuchel would drive England over the line, whereas Southgate supposedly retreated from it.
Instead, it will now be Tuchel getting the criticism for that decision - and rightly so.
The Football Association went for a quick-fix appointment to succeed Southgate after Euro 2024, bringing in a proven winner whose sole mission was to win the 2026 World Cup, or put "a second star on the shirt" as Tuchel called it.
A semi-final can only rank as par, and, in the harshest light, a failure, because he was brought in to make sure England did not have any more hard-luck stories or disappointments.
And, as with Southgate, Tuchel has still not guided England to victory against a side there were not high expectations they would beat.
There will be recriminations about how Tuchel engineered England's defeat mainly by his own hand, effectively repeating everything that brought Southgate so much criticism.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel is expected to lead the team into Euro 2028 [Getty Images]
Once Gordon put England ahead in this latest stormy episode of an old and bitter rivalry, Tuchel decided on a rearguard action.
That had worked for England in their knockout wins over Mexico and Norway - but it would not against a Messi-inspired Argentina.
Tuchel replaced goalscorer Gordon with defender Ezri Konsa with 18 minutes left and switched to a back five. He then brought Nico O'Reilly and Dan Burn on for Declan Rice and Reece James.
It was clear almost instantly that Tuchel had called it badly. It did nothing but invite Argentine pressure and those late goals. This one was almost all on Tuchel.
If there was one statistic that brutally condemned his approach, it was that England only had 12% possession between taking the lead and Martinez's winning goal nearly 40 minutes later.
Such was England's sudden attacking need in the closing moments that Tuchel threw on Ivan Toney after 96 minutes - his first appearance of the tournament.
Toney's "blink and you'll miss it" cap also brought some of Tuchel's selections under scrutiny. Was Toney simply picked for a penalty shootout that never came?
And the debate around Tuchel's defensive picks, especially at right-back, will continue to rage.
Tuchel gambled on the injury-prone Reece James staying fit - but when the Chelsea defender was sidelined with a hamstring issue, right-back suddenly became a problem position.
The position turned into musical chairs between Jarell Quansah - injured against Panama then sent off against Mexico - Djed Spence and Ezri Konsa before James was back for the semi-final.
All this while Trent Alexander-Arnold watched from afar, his natural gifts ignored by Tuchel on the basis of defensive frailty.
And as the ashes are raked over, Tuchel's decision to ignore the creativity of Cole Palmer and Phil Foden - easy to say with hindsight given both had poor seasons with Chelsea and Manchester City - and Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White will be revisited.
Jordan Henderson, whose tournament ended in bizarre circumstances when he broke an arm amid the celebrations after the win against Mexico, was taken for his influence around the squad but was never going to be a serious on-field performer.
If Tuchel valued his professionalism and personality so much in this area, why not take Henderson on his backroom staff and open up a place for a younger, more creative player?
This was a desperate day for England - and Tuchel and his tactical approach.
A day when it could easily have been said, as the song goes: "Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss."
England have suffered plenty of pain over the years, but as an observer covering a seventh World Cup, as well as those Euro final defeats, this felt like the worst.
This was not because it was against the old adversary Argentina, with all the history and iconic imagery that evokes, who created such obvious despair among England's players and supporters.
It was because this will be forever a World Cup semi-final of "what ifs" against an Argentina side that has looked beatable all tournament, but who simply refuse to lose.
This was the World Cup semi-final, the latest big chance to challenge for the sport's greatest prize in New Jersey on Sunday.
England were within minutes of crossing the barrier that has proved insurmountable for six decades, only to stumble again.
Gordon's goal looked to have finally given England a measure of control in an occasionally brutal game - and even after they ceded control and possession, the finishing line was in sight until they finally crumbled.
Given the stage, this is a defeat that will be pored over more - and leave more regret - than any other.
England suffered a second successive Euros final defeat under Sir Gareth Southgate in Berlin two years ago [Getty Images]
What can England take away from World Cup?
England will always have that momentous, spine-tingling night at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, when they dug deep to beat co-hosts Mexico 3-2 in the last 16.
It was one of their great World Cup wins, when Jude Bellingham proved his world-class credentials and Tuchel's changes and gameplan suggested he just might be the strategist to take England all the way.
Bellingham is joined in that elite class by captain Harry Kane, but the Bayern Munich striker will feel the pain of this exit more acutely than most because he will be 36 by the time the next World Cup comes around.
England have shown reserves of character to come from behind against DR Congo in the last 32 then Norway in the quarter-final, but the times when they truly flowed have been few and far between.
The manner of this crushing loss to Argentina will have England and their fans wondering if the major tournament curse will ever end.
The recovery will need to be quick with a Nations League fixture at home to World Cup finalists Spain - who beat the Three Lions in the Euro 2024 final - in September.
What next for Tuchel?
The FA and Tuchel's relationship was initially just to the end of this World Cup, but in February he was handed an extension to take him through to Euro 2028.
It was a surprise and a heavy financial commitment by the FA, especially as they did not know how the World Cup would work out.
Tuchel's tournament cannot be judged as a total success, but he has the FA's backing to lead the team into the next Euros.
England will have to undergo an element of rebuilding, with the outstanding John Stones surely at the end of his international career. And will Tuchel keep faith with Marcus Rashford?
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is 32 so should continue, but potential successors need to be found.
Liverpool's 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha is an England star of the future having made a big impression in the World Cup warm-up matches [Getty Images]
Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson can be the midfield bedrock for years, while a fully-fit Bukayo Saka will be another huge asset.
Tuchel still has the talents of Foden, Palmer and Gibbs-White to consider, as well as Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, while Liverpool's 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha showed what a glittering future he has in the World Cup warm-up games in Miami.
There is also the prodigious talent of Arsenal 16-year-old winger Max Dowman, another example of how England's future can be bright.
For now, however, the pain of the loss to Argentina, and the manner of it, will take some getting over for England and Tuchel.
2026: Coming in, Clark averaged 20.1 points, 7.8 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game, making 42.7% of her field goals, 33.1% of her 3-pointers and 84.8% of her free throws.
2024: 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 34.4% 3-pointers; Rookie of the Year, first-team All-WNBA
College: In four years (2020-24) at Iowa, Clark scored an NCAA-record 3,951 points, leading the Hawkeyes to two national championship games and earning two National Player of the Year honors.
Clark's WNBA salary cap hit for 2026 is $528,846, according to Spotrac. The Fever hold an option for $597,596 in 2027. She will be a restricted free agent in 2028.
In 2025, under the previous collective bargaining agreement, she made $78,066.
Get IndyStar's Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter.Subscribe to IndyStar TV: Fever for in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes coverage and more.
The Philadelphia Flyers re-signed RFA Trevor Zegras to a four-year contract on Wednesday.
The deal is worth $9.125 million annually and keeps Zegras signed through 2029-30.
One week after the Anaheim Ducks matched the Flyers' offer sheet for Zegras' former teammate, center Leo Carlsson, Philadelphia has taken care of one of its current RFAs who was scheduled for arbitration.
Zegras avoided arbitration on July 22, according to PuckPedia.
"We're thrilled to have Trevor committed to our organization for the next four years," Flyers GM Daniel Briere said in a statement. "The growth he showed this past season, proving that he is the skilled player he entered the league as, reinforced our belief that he will be an impact player for the Flyers for the years to come. He's the type of player who can help take our team to the next level, and we're excited to continue building alongside him."
The 25-year-old had a bounce-back campaign with the Flyers after they acquired him from the Ducks in June 2025. Zegras had a career-high 26 goals and 41 assists for a career-best 67 points in 81 games, up from 32 points in 57 games the season prior.
In 349 career NHL games, Zegras has 93 goals and 160 assists for 253 points. He added two goals and six points in his first 10 career playoff games this past spring with Philadelphia.
While Zegras played much of last season as a left winger on a line with Christian Dvorak and Travis Konecny, he has plenty of experience as a center.
Flyers coach Rick Tocchet could try to stick with that line this upcoming season, or he could move Zegras back to center in the hope he is the No. 1 pivot the team tried to acquire when it tendered an offer sheet to Carlsson for $18 million annually for five years on July 2.
With Zegras signed, Philadelphia still has about $20.44 million in cap space and three RFAs remaining.
Defenseman Jamie Drysdale, 24, is scheduled for arbitration on Monday, July 20. He had 32 points in 78 games this past season.
Right winger Nikita Grebenkin, 23, had four goals and 14 points in 55 games in 2025-26. He's not eligible for arbitration or an offer sheet.
Defenseman Hunter McDonald, 24, spent most of this past campaign with the AHL's Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He had six assists in 65 games.
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England went ahead in the 55th minute of Wednesday's game in Atlanta, when Anthony Gordon finished from Morgan Rogers' cross.
But late goals from Enzo Fernandez and - in the second minute of injury time - Lautaro Martinez meant the Three Lions missed out on their first men's World Cup final appearance since 1966.
And Dan Burn, who was roared on to the field as a second-half substitute with the score 1-0, summed up the feelings of the England players.
"Gutted," said the Newcastle defender. "Absolutely gutted.
"We nailed the gameplan pretty well. To go 1-0 up... then we got too passive, conceded too many crosses and too many chances.
"When you're playing a team of that quality, it is going to cost you. This will haunt me for a long time, I think."
England had produced resolute displays in the previous two rounds - beating Mexico 3-2 in the last 16 despite playing most of the second half with 10 men, then hanging on to defeat Norway 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
Asked why they had been unable to continue that run against the holders, Burn said: "I don't know.
"It is human nature [to be nervous] when you're that close to doing something you haven't done since '66 and be in a final.
"Argentina have done that and got that confidence. The last few games we have been able to defend the box so well. We thought we could do that again, but we weren't as tight in the box as we would have liked."
England must now prepare for Saturday's third-place play-off against France (22:00 BST), which will be live on the BBC.
"I am still very proud of what we have done at this World Cup," said Burn.
"I don't think anyone really gave us a chance. We have done a lot of good, and honestly I thought we were going to do it."
A similar story for devastated England
England have now lost in the semi-finals in two of the past three men's World Cups, and were beaten in the European Championship finals in 2021 and 2024.
"There's not much to say - everyone is gutted," said England captain Harry Kane.
"When you're so close, 10 minutes away, and it slips out of your hands like that, obviously the lads are devastated.
"We did so well for 60 minutes. We scored and deserved to be ahead then we struggled to keep the ball, struggled to put pressure on the ball and it allowed them to create more momentum and chances in the final third.
"We're going to have to find out how we can improve in those situations. It's been probably the missing piece now for probably the past four or five tournaments."
Bayern Munich striker Kane has scored six goals at this World Cup and could still win the Golden Boot - though both Lionel Messi, who set up both Argentina goals, and France's Kylian Mbappe are on eight.
Kane, who turns 33 later this month, refused to be drawn on whether he would still be playing by the time of the 2030 World Cup.
"It's too early to talk about that - for me it's about taking it year by year," said Kane.
"The national team is my pride and joy, it's what I love to do most.
"Four years is a long way away and I'm 33 in the summer, but as you see with Leo [Messi], he's still performing at the highest level [at 39]. For now it's about processing another tough loss."
Like Kane, Jude Bellingham has also scored six goals for England at this tournament.
"The lads did everything they could over the course of the tournament - I can't fault the effort and the fight," said the Real Madrid midfielder.
"That's the life of a footballer at this level. The more beautiful the journey, the more heartbreaking the end is. I'm really proud of all my team-mates - they put in a magnificent shift over the last few weeks.
"I wanted to be part of an England squad that finally did it and finally got it over the line. To be here telling the fans the same things they have heard for years and years, it's really gutting."
But he said he was surprised his side were unable to see the game out.
"We went 1-0 up but it totally turned the momentum in their favour," Tuchel told BBC Radio 5 Live. "They took all the risks after. They played totally free after that with all the risks and a lot of quality.
"They made offensive substitutions and suddenly had four players in the forward line and we couldn't stop the crosses. We couldn't stop the runners in the box.
"We were basically not physical enough. We couldn't win duels and we couldn't get hold of the ball. It was a total momentum shift from our goal."
Tuchel said his players had given "everything" during the tournament.
"The conviction and the self-confidence after going 1-0 up was just not there," he said.
"They played with a mindset of nothing to lose, took a lot of risks and we could not get the momentum back."
England will co-host the European Championship in 2028, though they still have to qualify.
Asked if they were capable of winning a major tournament, Tuchel said: "Yes, of course we are, even if I have no proof of that at the moment.
"In big defeats it's important to take them with respect, digest them, stick together and second of all it's about the reaction to it. Of course we feel very close and still Argentina showed the gap in the last half-an-hour.
"Unfortunately we were close and couldn't push over the line. We wanted to push over the line and that's our goal and we are very, very disappointed and will try again."
The Prince of Wales has reacted to England's World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina, writing that he is "gutted" about the 2-1 loss to Argentina.
His statement shared by Kensington Palace read: "The fight and belief you have shown has inspired us all. The most complete England team in a tournament.
"Hold your heads high," he said, signing off as "W" which indicates it came directly from Prince William, patron of the Football Association.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also said he was "gutted" about England's defeat, but added: "The passion and energy they've shown representing the badge has made us all proud."
'We had the spirit': England fans on semi-final loss to Argentina
Argentina scored two late goals to secure their spot in the final against Spain in Atlanta, after England's Anthony Gordon netted a 55th-minute goal following a scoreless first half.
The Prince of Wales has expressed a strong passion for football, often seen cheering on Aston Villa FC.
"Thank you to everyone on and off the pitch, for an incredible tournament," his statement said.
The Royal Family joined in reacting to England's loss.
"Commiserations to Harry and the team," a post on its social media read, sharing a photo of England captain Harry Kane sombrely embracing Jude Bellingham.
The statement continued: "While you Three Lions may be licking your wounds today, you remain the pride of a nation – and will rise again."
Sir Keir's final address to the House of Commons as prime minister on Wednesday had also featured multiple references to the English side's nervous build-up to the knock-out match.
"Tonight wasn't the result we all hoped for," Sir Keir said in a statement after the full-time whistle was blown. "But this England team has given it their all."
Four years ago it felt as if Lionel Messi's story was told.
He had finally won the World Cup, aged 35, in what he said was his last game in the tournament and - depending on your point of view - cemented his place as football's greatest ever player.
Four years before that, aged 31, many - including those around him - felt he had played his final World Cup game and would end his career without winning it.
And here he is at 39, having helped take England to the cleaners and send Argentina to their second World Cup final in a row.
Messi's two assists helped the South American side come from behind to win 2-1, taking him up to four assists at the 2026 World Cup - to go with his eight goals.
The joint top scorer and the second highest assister in the whole show.
Argentina will play Spain, the country where Messi has played most of his football with Barcelona, in Sunday's final in New Jersey.
"He's the best player in history, I don't know what else he would have to do to prove that. The majority of Spaniards love him," said his national team boss Lionel Scaloni.
BBC pundit Micah Richards said: "They have Lionel Messi. They have the 'GOAT'. The greatest of all time.
"[It's about] moments. We thought it could have been Jude Bellingham or Harry Kane, but this is why he is the king."
How Messi destroyed English hopes
[BBC]
Former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain forward Messi had never played England in his career before - and Thomas Tuchel and every Three Lions fan will wish that was still the case.
The veteran showed a few quality touches in an attritional first half - playing more centrally - but it was after Anthony Gordon gave England a 55th-minute lead that Argentina came to life.
As Tuchel sent on more defenders and England sat back, Argentina had 88% possession for the following 37 minutes.
And Messi had a field day after moving out to the right wing.
"Getting Messi on the wing was the key for us," said goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez afterwards.
He completed nine dribbles and assisted two goals against England - the first player on record (from 1966 onwards) to do so in a single World Cup knockout game.
The entire England team combined completed seven successful dribbles in Atlanta.
Messi had seven touches in the opposition box - the same as every English player added together. Ditto his four chances created.
He also put in a game-high nine crosses.
And by far the most important, he set up both of Argentina's goals.
The first was from a corner routine when he found Enzo Fernandez, who slammed in an 85th-minute equaliser from outside the box.
And then he crossed for Lautaro Martinez to head in an injury-time winner.
Ex-England defender Richards said: "He walks around the pitch and then he comes alive when the ball comes to his feet.
"This genius comes into play and sometimes that is just the difference."
Former England keeper Joe Hart added: "The guys went back to what they did against Mexico and Norway where they locked the door.
"What that did was free up Lionel Messi, who had the skeleton key - he absolutely ran the show for the last 15 minutes."
England captain Kane added: "For large parts of the game we dealt with him really well, but as always with the most dangerous players in the world when they have the ball they can create something. He's one of the best players ever for a reason."
Lionel Messi is Argentina's runaway international top scorer with 125 goals [Getty Images]
This summer Messi became the all-time top scorer at World Cups with 21 goals (out of his 125 Argentina goals in total).
Fifteen of those 21 have come since his 35th birthday.
Eight have been at this tournament, passing the seven he scored in 2022 - which was just one short of Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race.
This time Messi and Mbappe are level on eight goals. Mbappe's France play England on Saturday in the third-place play-off.
England's Bellingham and Kane are on six goals each and not out of the picture.
If players finish level on goals, the tie-breaker is assists - with Messi on four to Mbappe's three.
Messi could yet finish as the top assister at this summer's World Cup too - sitting one goal behind France's Michael Olise.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, speaking to the BBC, said: "He's a little magician, he really is.
"He's done it all tournament now. You look at the goals scored and the balls he's put into England's box."
Will Messi ever slow down?
It is easy to forget Messi, then at Barcelona and aged 29, actually retired from international football in 2016.
He had lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany and three Copa America finals.
Since reversing that decision he has won the Copa America twice.
When Messi - then of PSG - lifted the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, it felt as if the final piece of the jigsaw of his career was complete.
Many considered that the final thing missing from the argument over the best player ever - with many considering fellow World Cup winners Pele and Diego Maradona the greatest.
"I am very happy for finishing my journey in World Cups in a final, to play the last game in a final. That is really very gratifying," he said before the 2022 final.
"There are a lot of years from this year to the next one. I don't think I will be able to do that. To finish this way is brilliant."
And when he left Europe the next year to join Inter Miami in the MLS, it seemed like he was going to wind down.
Even during last year's Fifa Club World Cup, which he played in, it was far from clear if he would be involved this summer.
But here he is, still seemingly unstoppable - even though his game has changed.
Before the England tie, he had walked 47% of the distance he covered in this tournament, the highest percentage of any outfield player.
Tactically he has reinvented himself at least five times, says Spanish journalist Guillem Balague, who wrote a biography on Messi.
Messi has now scored or assisted in 13 consecutive matches for Inter Miami and Argentina.
If he gets involved in a goal in Sunday's final against Spain, it will equal his record set in 2011 of 14 in a row.
He will also become only the second player after Cafu to play in three World Cup finals.
Surely that will be his final World Cup game? After all, he turns 43 in 2030.
But maybe at this stage we need to stop presuming anything when it comes to the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Micah Richards has paid tribute to his father Lincoln, who died shortly before the BBC pundit went on air for England's World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina.
Former England right-back Richards was one of the experts on BBC One for the coverage of the Three Lions' 2-1 loss.
"Not long before going on air today, I received the awful news that my father Lincoln had passed away," wrote Richards on Instagram.
"His death was unexpected, and he has left us all too soon."
Richards, 38, the former Manchester City, Aston Villa and Fiorentina defender, won 13 caps for England.
He said his father "was my greatest fan" and "barely missed a game my entire life".
Richards added: "He would take me wherever I needed to go when I was a kid and he was the proudest parent possible during my professional career. It was so rare for him to not be by my side.
"I know how much watching England World Cup games means to everyone at home, and how the experience bonds families together across the generations, like nothing else.
"I know, particularly as a proud old-school Yorkshireman, dad would've wanted the show to go on this evening. And so it did.
"Thinking of my siblings and all my wider family today as we remember my father Lincoln, my hero and inspiration."
England were on the cusp of reaching their first men's World Cup final since 1966.
They were 1-0 up against reigning world champions Argentina when the clock inside Atlanta Stadium ticked to 84 minutes - and then it all went horribly wrong.
Enzo Fernandez equalised with a thumping strike in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martinez headed a 92nd-minute winner - both goals coming from assists by Lionel Messi.
Just like that, England's World Cup dreams lay in ruins.
They had worked so hard to take the lead through Anthony Gordon in the 55th minute - and then sat back and paid the price.
The decision by England boss Thomas Tuchel to go defensive backfired spectacularly.
Instead it is Argentina who go through to Sunday's showpiece against Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium (20:00 BST kick-off).
But should England have gone for the kill when they went 1-0 up?
They did not - and had just 12% of possession from going ahead to conceding the second goal.
Tuchel only sent on forwards Marcus Rashford and Ivan Toney deep into stoppage time, while defenders Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn and Nico O'Reilly were introduced after the Three Lions took the lead.
"We have crumbled," former England captain Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport.
"It started from the manager and the decisions he made. It was too passive.
"Against this team, the world champions, you will not get away with it. This has been the biggest test and we have failed it."
So why did England sit back when in control against Argentina? And are Tuchel's second-half tactics to blame for England's failure to make the final?
England have showed character at this World Cup, coming from behind to defeat both DR Congo at the last-32 stage and Norway in the quarter-finals.
"The difference is hanging on against Norway or Mexico [in the last 16], they have not got the quality this Argentina team have got in terms of the ability on the ball and the ability they have to punish you," former England captain Alan Shearer told BBC Sport.
"Tuchel played his cards very, very early and it has backfired."
England looked to have taken full control of the semi-final against their old foes when Gordon put them ahead 10 minutes into the second half.
England's fans celebrated wildly - but then the Three Lions opted to sit back and defend.
"The fact that England got themselves in front and then basically handed Argentina the initiative... that was a coaching catastrophe from Thomas Tuchel," Chris Sutton, a Premier League winner with Blackburn in 1994-95, told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"You can't expect to defend for 30 minutes against the quality Argentina had.
"It's all on the coach where I am concerned. He made the changes. He was negative, so the question which I'm going to ask is 'how can you trust Thomas Tuchel to take this team forward?'"
England have come undone against Argentina in the past.
Who can forget Diego Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' goal at the 1986 World Cup or the 1998 World Cup defeat that burns so deep.
England, however, have no-one but themselves to blame for Wednesday's loss.
"Norway and Mexico panicked against England," former England goalkeeper Joe Hart told BBC Sport.
"I didn't see one bit of panic from that Argentina side. I saw belief, I saw the realising they could free up the great man Lionel Messi in the pocket, and they were running all over England.
"Gareth Southgate took a lot of criticism for the big moments with England, when they had the lead in big games and shut up shop. I don't see that anything has changed in that big moment out there."
So what were the changes that frustrated England fans so much?
Leading 1-0, many expected Tuchel to go for another goal - but instead the German made three defensive changes.
He brought Konsa on for Gordon in the 72nd minute - switching to a back five - before bringing on further defensive reinforcements 10 minutes later in Burn and O'Reilly.
Tuchel sent on forwards Rashford and Toney in added time, but it proved too little too late.
"I felt the changes we made at 1-0, that if Argentina scored we wouldn't make extra time," added Rooney.
Former England defender Micah Richards told BBC Sport: "When England scored that first goal they should have gone for the second.
"Yes, you respect their quality, but dropping deep allowed Argentina to get into their flow."
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, said Tuchel went too deep too soon.
"I think he has got that wrong," added Robinson, who won 41 caps for England between 2003 and 2007.
"He has got a lot of decisions right, but I think trying to defend a lead against this team was a wrong choice."
'When we went 1-0 up we tried to hold on'
Even Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez admitted there was a change in momentum after the opening goal as England sat back and looked to defend.
"Sometimes when you are winning, you have to go forward," added Martinez.
"You can't change the gameplan. I think they did it and they sent on extra defenders."
Tuchel, of course, has improved on England's showing at the 2022 World Cup, when they reached the quarter-finals before bowing out to France.
But this England team is sprinkled with exceptional individual talent like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham.
England captain Kane, who will be approaching his 36th birthday at the next World Cup, suggested his side could have done more.
"When we went 1-0 up we seemed to try and hold on, which at this level is not enough," said the England captain.
"[I am] just gutted because we've worked so hard to be here and the lads have given every last bit of running, blood, sweat, tears.
"We pressed them well, we put them under loads of pressure high up the pitch which then allowed us to win balls and control the game a bit better.
"After the goal, whether it was them putting more men forward or us not being able to match them man for man, it was just wave after wave.
"The lads were putting blocks in but, in the end, it just wasn't enough."
'Tuchel got it wrong - he has to accept that'
Asked in his post-match news conference if he made wrong decisions against Argentina, Tuchel defended himself and said: "No, I believe it's just the nature of the game. As soon as you lose you get criticised, it's just what it is.
"In the moment, no regrets. The team gave everything and we were very, very close.
"We played one of our better matches, maybe our best match in the circumstances.
"The team was top, we couldn't get over the line.
"I think we saw the mentality throughout the match and the strong group. We played the matches how they were, we played against strong teams in the group, travelled a lot of miles, played at altitude, we played with 10 men, we played in the heat and we overcame every obstacle.
"We were very close today. It's not the moment to analyse the full tournament."
Despite reaching the semi-finals, Tuchel's tactics and choices will be criticised for days to come after failing to make the final, despite taking the lead.
"I love Thomas Tuchel," added former England defender Richards.
"I love how brave he is. Tonight, on the biggest stage, he got it wrong, and he has to accept that."
England head coach Thomas Tuchel retains the backing of the Football Association and is expected to lead the team into Euro 2028.
A 2-1 defeat by Argentina on Wednesday meant England's men missed out on a first World Cup final appearance since 1966.
Tuchel was criticised for his substitutions as England squandered a 1-0 lead late on, but he has the full backing of FA chief executive Mark Bullingham.
The 2028 European Championship finals are being hosted by England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, and it was said that Tuchel viewed leading the side into a home Euros as a rare opportunity.
England will face France in the bronze-medal match on Saturday (22:00 BST) - and victory will mean this is their best performance in a men's World Cup since 1966.
"It is heartbreaking to be so close," said Bullingham.
"The players and Thomas gave it everything today and the squad, coaches and staff could not have worked harder during the tournament.
"I would like to thank them all - and also give my heartfelt thanks to our wonderful fans here in the USA and at home."
Despite the disappointment of losing in the semi-final, England's progress will be viewed internally as a relative success.
Tuchel said at his post-match news conference in Atlanta: "We keep on going with the contract until the home Euros.
"I'm looking forward to that even though right now it's difficult to look that far ahead.
"Of course, it's a semi-final; a lot of big football nations are eliminated before the semi-final, so it is an achievement.
"No-one wants to hear that at the moment; me neither because we demand the most of ourselves. That's just the nature of being competitive."
Many a starting pitcher has been resistant to the idea of moving to the bullpen. Ben Davis is not one of those pitchers.
He was a starter at Booneville High School. At Itawamba Community College, he both started and relieved. Then at Mississippi State, Davis found his niche as a versatile relief pitcher, able to put out fires at any point in a game. He came to love that role.
“It’s always fun to be able to come out of the pen, big game on the line, and really being able to put an end to whatever was happening, like if it was a big inning or something like that,” Davis said. “… I’m kind of an adrenaline junkie. I’m not really big on emotion, but being on the mound kind of brings it out. That was my thing, coming out of the pen and doing my own thing.”
He’ll get to keep doing his thing at the professional level. Davis was taken by the Colorado Rockies with the first pick of the fourth round in last weekend’s Major League Baseball draft. When he got the call – while surrounded by family – Davis experienced a feeling similar to when he takes the mound.
“My agent called me, and I really wasn’t expecting a whole lot on Day 1,” he said. “But when they called me, I had a big adrenaline dump. Pretty cool. Plus everybody’s sitting there; it was really cool with everybody there.”
Davis leaves Friday for the team’s spring training facility in Phoenix. The Rockies will then decide whether to send him off to play somewhere or keep him there for some hands-on work. Either way, it’s a dream fulfilled.
Davis was a standout at Booneville as both a pitcher and a catcher. He led the Blue Devils to a state championship in 2021. In his two years at ICC, Davis won 10 games and struck out 104 batters over 104 1/3 innings.
Then MSU came calling.
“It’s surreal. You grow up, small town, you always dream of getting to play at Mississippi State. Moving on is always the next goal, but just being able to play there and moving on is awesome,” Davis said.
He became a dependable arm at State. Over two seasons, he was 4-4 with a 3.71 ERA, 118 strikeouts and six saves in 104 1/3 innings. Davis made four starts as a junior and then became a full-time reliever this past season, making 26 appearances.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder has a fastball that can touch the upper-90s, and he’s also effective with a slider and sweeper.
“He’s a big horse,” Rockies assistant general manager Tommy Tanous told the team’s website. “You watch him and you don’t want to be in the batter’s box against him.”
Davis’ specific role in the professional ranks is yet to be determined, but he’s just fine with continuing his career as a reliever.
“I feel like I’m kind of the guy that can be called on every day if needed,” he said, “and if I’m not needed, that’s whenever I can kind of rest for a couple days and do it again.”
Tupelo Christian is heading into the season with some work to do when it comes to replacing talent, but the Eagles believe they’ve reloaded.
The Eagles have hopes of going on a deep playoff run. TCPS went 23-7 last season but was bounced in the second round after making deeper playoff runs the previous two years, including a trip to the North half title match in 2024.
“Definitely a tough class to replace, though we had seven juniors on the court, too,” TCPS head coach Eric Laskowski said. “That puts us with seven seniors this year, so I feel pretty good.”
TCPS lost a lot from last year, including setter Corinne Pace, libero Maggie Oxford and outside hitter Addison Eaves, who was second on the team in kills. But returning senior Ana-Miller Coker, who had a team-high 267 kills last year, is a good starting point for this year’s team.
“We’ve added to her vertical, and her range is great from the defensive side,” Laskowski said. “Obviously, when you have somebody who’s led the team offensively and they’re back, that’s always a good sign.”
Pace had over 400 assists in each of the last two seasons, and she’ll be succeeded at setter by Addison Dixon. Dixon had 298 assists last season, so the Eagles’ offense should be in good hands.
“She’s a very strong, very solid setter,” Laskowski said. “Smart, great court vision. She can take the ball herself if she has to. She scores a lot taking the ball herself. Great hands, moves well, we’re super excited, the girls are super excited to have her back. She’s going to be huge for us, no doubt.”
Kylan Johns will be taking over at libero after Oxford registered a team-high 383 digs last year. TCPS has its work cut out for itself this season, but the Eagles have consistently been competitive in recent years. They’re in a good spot to be so again.
“It’s a very experienced squad,” Laskowski said. “This is TCPS’ first four-year class. This is my fourth season, this is the first time the kids have been with it for all four years. I’ve had them for four years, so we’re excited. We feel like our biggest limitation is ourselves.”
TCPS opens the season Aug. 1 at the Pontotoc Tournament.
It is heartbreaking reading for England fans this morning as the loss to Argentina is covered across all the papers. "England's World Cup dream over" says the Daily Telegraph, after "Argentina scores two goals in seven minutes to shatter hopes of place in final". It adds: "[Harry] Kane's men snatch defeat from jaws of victory after taking lead in second half." [BBC]"Wonderbawl", the Sun says in a nod to the Oasis dirge, featuring a compilation of devastated England players burying their heads in their hands. "It's 60 years of hurt as brave lions sunk by late Argie goals," the paper writes, as the England side fails to replicate their success at the 1966 World Cup at Wembley Stadium against West Germany. [BBC]"Kaned by Messi" is the Daily Star's recap of the semi-finals, embedding the captains Lionel Messi and Harry Kane in an awkward embrace on pitch. "We're still proud of our Lions", insists the paper. [BBC]"Just out of reach" reads the headline on the front page of the Metro, showing England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford leaping, but failing, to "stop Enzo Fernandez's equaliser". [BBC]"Shattered" is the Daily Mirror's verdict, showing a crouched, devastated Jude Bellingham. [BBC]"Night our dream finally died" is the Daily Mail's take. "Agony across the country as Harry Kane's Lions dumped out by... you know who," it says. [BBC]"Agony as our wait goes on" reads the headline on the Daily Express, an anguished Harry Kane lying on the pitch visually capturing the mood. [BBC]"Over and out" the Guardian prints above despondent England fans watching the semi-final in public. Separately, the paper leads with a story about Reform UK leader Nigel Farage telling the party "he would need 'a million a year' to cover lost earnings if he stood for parliament in the 2024 general election", citing anonymous sources. It is said to have occurred "shortly before the undeclared gift was made by Christopher Harborne" in April 2024, referring to the £5m given to Farage by the tech billionaire. Both Farage and Harborne say there were no strings attached to the personal gift. [BBC]"Burnham poised to choose Mahmood as his chancellor" is the Financial Times' lead story, writing that Andy Burnham, who is expected to replace departing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Monday, is eyeing the current Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, for the top Treasury role. It cites "three people briefed on Andy Burnham's thinking", although the Labour MP's spokesperson officially declines to comment on "speculation". Focusing on the City's reaction, the paper says: "Markets responded positively to the prospect of a chancellor coming from the right of the Labour Party." [BBC]Continuing with Burnham's prospective plans as prime minister, the Times says he "has refused to rule out imposing a wealth tax and said people may have to pay 'a little more' because of the state of the public finances". [BBC]"Care workers to get NHS-style annual pay rises" is the i Paper's top story below its World Cup coverage, reporting that the "new negotiating body includes unions and employees – and will determine pay". [BBC][BBC]
This is the fourth in a series of pieces breaking down each position group for the Bengals. Next up: Defensive line.
The Cincinnati Bengals still ranked among the worst offensive lines last year, but by the end of the season, quarterback Joe Burrow was calling it the best he’s played behind.
A slow start, while finding the best combination and chemistry, impacted the numbers behind what Cincinnati’s offensive line was doing. However, in the second half of the season, the Bengals found consistency and better protection.
Now the Bengals are running it back with the same group, as all five starters return, thanks to right guard Dalton Risner re-signing, but there is still room to improve. Orlando Brown Jr. has the most to prove, especially after signing an extension this offseason, and that’s the spot where Cincinnati should be looking for more.
Let’s take a look at the past performances of the Bengals’ offensive linemen, and how they are expected to stack up in 2026 with help from some analysis and data from Pro Football Focus.
Offensive linemen on the roster
* Projected starters: LT Orlando Brown Jr., LG Dylan Fairchild, C Ted Karras, RG Dalton Risner, RT Amarius Mims
* Reserves: Cody Ford, Connor Lew, Brian Parker II, Jalen Rivers
* Others in the mix: Liam Brown, Andrew Coker, Javon Foster, Jacob Bayer, Christian Jones, Corey Robinson
Brown Jr. by the numbers
* 2025 stats: Started all 17 games after missing six games in 2024 due to injuries; played the fifth-most snaps for an offensive tackle but allowed nine sacks, 46 pressures and 10 hits and had 10 penalties.
* PFF grades for 2025: Brown ranked 66th of 89 qualifying tackles with an offense grade of 60.3 last year. He was 64th in pass blocking grade (62.0) and 61st in run blocking grade (59.8).
* PFF ranking for 2026: PFF has not yet released individual rankings for offensive linemen.
Fairchild by the numbers
* 2025 stats: Played 15 games, all starts and allowed just two sacks, 31 pressures and five hits as a rookie.
* PFF grades for 2025: Fairchild ranked 46th of 81 qualifying guards with an offense grade of 59.1 last year. He was 25th in pass blocking grade (67.5) and 61st in run blocking grade (54.3).
* PFF ranking for 2026: PFF has not yet released individual rankings for offensive linemen.
Karras by the numbers
Risner by the numbers
* 2025 stats: Played 14 games with 11 starts after signing at the end of preseason; allowed just two sacks, four hits and 17 pressures; had four penalties.
* PFF grades for 2025: Risner ranked 26th of 81 qualifying guards with an offense grade of 69.4 last year. He was 17th in pass blocking grade (71.5) and 23rd in run blocking grade (69.0).
* PFF ranking for 2026: PFF has not yet released individual rankings for offensive linemen.
Brandon Peterson has been hired as the boys basketball coach at Northwestern.
A familiar face in Clark County, Peterson has made previous stops as a head coach at Catholic Central and Emmanuel Christian, and most recently was an assistant coach at Springfield.
“I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead the Northwestern basketball program as well as the trust AD [Steve] Tincher has in me,” Peterson said. “Northwestern has a storied tradition, a loyal fan base, and after hearing the vision from the AD, seeing the facilities and talking with some of the student athletes, I knew this is where God wanted me.”
Peterson replaces outgoing coach Ron Long, who led the program for the past three seasons and compiled a 20-50 overall record while increasing Northwestern’s win totals each campaign.
“I’m excited to build relationships with our players, families and community,” Peterson said. “We will work every day to build a program defined by discipline, toughness, unselfishness, and character.
“Our goal is to represent Northwestern with pride while pursuing excellence on and off the court. I’m excited to get started.”
The Warriors went 10-14 in the 2025-26 season, its first 10-win season since 2016-17, and finished fourth in the Central Buckeye Conference’s Mad River division. Northwestern lost to Northridge in its Division IV district tournament second round game.
The San Francisco 49ers are set to enter training camp with arguably the best situation at quarterback of any team in the league, as they have a strong starter in Brock Purdy, a more-than-capable backup in Mac Jones, a veteran third-string option in Adrian Martinez and a developmental piece in Kurtis Rourke.
We saw how important quarterback depth was last year in San Francisco, as Purdy missed eight games, Jones played through injuries and Rourke spent the season on NFI while recovering from a torn ACL.
With that, it's been frequently suggested that the 49ers should trade Jones this offseason, but general manager John Lynch has yet to pull the trigger, with reports that their asking price was too high.
Now, with less than two months before the start of the season, Bleacher Report's Moe Moton has urged the 49ers to trade Jones, but only if they can get a second-round pick in return.
San Francisco could possibly get up to a conditional third-round pick in the 2028 NFL draft if Jones leaves in free agency next offseason, so securing a second-round pick, possibly in the 2027 NFL draft, would be better compensation.
However, it's unclear if any team is willing to offer that at the moment. The 49ers may have to wait until a team loses their starter to a long-term injury before someone is willing to part with a second-round pick.
There's also a chance that the 49ers want to keep Jones around for the insurance in case Purdy gets hurt again. We've seen what he looks like in this offense, and he seems to be a great teammate, so there's really no downside to keeping him.
The Golden State Warriors have put together their teams through a variety of ways over the years, yet few approaches have proven as successful as the NBA draft. More than anything else, the most talented players to represent the Warriors have arrived in Golden State either by being selected directly in the annual draft or through trades executed on that same night.
The Golden State Warriors have taken many of their top stars through the draft, but have also landed a number of notable players over the years as well. From tiny colleges to blue blood programs, these alumni have contributed significantly to the team's roster over the years. So, we chose to take a closer look at which Dubs came from which schools over the years.
So without further ado, let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Warriors out of Oklahoma City University.
Gary Hill - guard
Draft year and position: 2nd round (3rd pick, 12th overall), 1963 NBA Draft
Seasons at Oklahoma City University: 3
Seasons played with Warriors: 2
Bud Koper - guard
Draft year and position: 2nd round (7th pick, 16th overall), 1964 NBA Draft
Seasons at Oklahoma City University: 3
Seasons played with Warriors: 1
Eddie Jackson - center
Draft year and position: 5th round (1st pick, 39th overall), 1965 NBA Draft
Seasons at Oklahoma City University: 3
Seasons played with Warriors: did not make the team
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
The Brooklyn Nets have developed their teams through a number of strategies over the decades, and their front office has put together considerable success through the NBA draft. Many of the franchise's best players have joined the Nets either by being selected directly in the annual draft or through trades made on that day.
Moreover, it is not only the star players who have been acquired by the Nets through the draft. Several prominent alumni have been selected by the team each offseason during this annual event, with certain colleges being more prominently represented than others. An analysis of the players from different schools reveals that both prestigious programs and smaller institutions have contributed top talent to the Nets' roster over the years.
So without further ado, let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Nets out of Virginia Tech.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker - guard
Draft year and position: 1st round (17th pick, 17th overall), 2019 NBA Draft
Seasons at Virginia Tech: 2
Seasons played with Nets: did not make the team
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed Tuesday that a bidding war is underway to bring the Sonics back to Seattle.
The league is targeting the 2028-2029 NBA season for the team’s potential return.
Samantha Holloway, the majority owner of the Seattle Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena, is the only known group to have publicly expressed interest in a Sonics bid. While a growing number of groups are now involved in the bidding process, fans in Seattle are reportedly experiencing some fatigue over the ongoing wait for official news regarding an NBA team’s return.
“I’ve seen [Detlef] Schrimpf play. I’ve seen Tom Chambers play,” longtime fan Jack Gerke said. “Broke my heart when DJ left. I’m going to start crying. Don’t get me started guys!”
Danny Ball of Iconic Sonics noted the prolonged discussions, saying, “It feels like I’ve been having the same conversations since March. We are more or less in the same standing...holding pattern of waiting for these guys to take a real vote on expansion.”
Holloway’s known interest, particularly given her ownership of the Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena, has been viewed by many fans as a logical fit for a potential NBA return.
However, when reached for comment regarding Commissioner Silver’s statements about the bidding war, Holloway’s spokesperson declined to comment at this time.
Despite the exhaustion from the protracted wait, fans maintain a degree of optimism.
“But there is a part of me that’s tired for sure. I would love to be talking about who we are hiring as a GM, whose going to be the head of basketball operations,” Ball said. “There’s an excitement there and we are almost in the home stretch. Get’em back by 28-29. That’ll be 20 years and pretty poetic.”
Commissioner Silver affirmed that the league should have answers regarding the expansion by the end of the year.
As there's zero chance the Cowboys are going to give Pickens a raise at this point, the fifth-year wideout is set to earn $27.3 million in salary; a mountain in comparison to what he earned across the four seasons of his second-round rookie contract signed with his original team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. And with that, Phase No. 3 of the Cowboys acquisition of Pickens is now complete. On to Phase No. 4.
First was the initial acquisition, sending a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick to acquire the former University of Georgia star. Next was getting him an opportunity to perform with a top-tier quarterback like Dak Prescott, unleashing a 1,400-yard, nine-score seasons. The third phase was slapping the franchise tag on Pickens, effectively using the same tool as a fifth-year option that is often placed on first-round draft picks.
On a recent appearance on Crown Global Media's Doing Alright podcast, NFL beat writer Jane Slater stated multiple times, the thing that gave the Cowboys pause in hitching their wagons was the breaking of team rules during their trip to face the Las Vegas Raiders, and the fact that he roped in the player whom they already paid the big contract to, CeeDee Lamb.
The pause had the Cowboys do a smart thing, placing the non-exclusive tag on Pickens and having the rest of the league prove to the player and his agent that his reputation was still in play. His performance on its own would've validated a team agreeing to a deal with Pickens and offering the Cowboys high-pedigree trade compensation, but no offers came.
Certainly, there were teams that would've paid the money by itself, but the trade kicker was too much, giving the Cowboys the upper hand for these next few phases.
The Cowboys have as much contractual control over Pickens they could want and can keep Pickens on the roster for several years at less than market value.
Combined with his $3.6 million price tag last season, the Cowboys got two years of All-Pro receiver play (projecting a similar output in 2026) for a third-round pick and $15.5 million a season.
That Average Annual Value (AAV) would rank 29th among NFL wideouts if it were a two-year deal. Even adding in a second tag in 2027, which would be for 120% or $32.8 million, Pickens would still be far below the current going rate. $63.7 million across three years is still just a $21.2 million AAV.
That's still outside the Top 20 of current wideout averages.
Puka Nacua may take that top slot, but he checked himself into rehab this spring. Is Chris Olave that guy? Likely not going to move the needle that much ahead. $47.2 million for Pickens would be outrageous in that light. But from the perspective of how much Dallas would have paid across four years since the trade?
$111 million. That's still just a $27.7 million average across four seasons.
Even if one were to look at new money from this point forward, excluding the rookie-deal 2025 salary, three franchise tags still comes up to $107.3 million across three years, or a $35.8 million average. That's steep, and clearly higher than Dallas may want to venture, but it's a year-by-year deal where there's never a commitment to future years.
Two tags? No brainer at $60 million total, $30 million per season. Would they love to spread out the cap hit across future seasons? Of course, but of all the teams who know how to manage the single-year big tag hit, it's the Cowboys.
The Cowboys can get off of the ride at anytime. They can allow Pickens to reach free agency next year, knowing his next contract would guarantee a shot at a top-100 pick in compensatory return. They can tag Pickens again next spring, have him return for 2027 or work out a trade for anything better than that comp pick; and the exchange would almost certainly be much, much better. They can even tag him a third time and keep him for 2028 if they are willing to carry that much cap hit for one player.
That isn't likely to be in the cards, but it does exist in the hand the Cowboys are holding.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 09: (R-L) Sean Strickland punches Khamzat Chimaev of Russia in the UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 328 event at Prudential Center on May 09, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Make it make sense?
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight champion Dricus du Plessisreturns to action this weekend against former Welterweight kingpin Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Oklahoma City, which goes down Sat., July 18, 2026, inside Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
It will be Du Plessis’ first appearance since losing his title at UFC 319 last year, when he was completely dominated by Khamzat Chimaev in a snoozer of a fight.
Since then, the Middleweight division has gotten weird.
“There should only be one opinion,” Du Plessis said during UFC Oklahoma City media day when asked about a Strickland vs. Chimaev rematch. “Between the two of them, they have an amazing zero title defenses. So, how do you warrant a rematch? In that case, I have two, so give me a rematch then. I have two wins over the current champion. It makes zero sense.”
Honestly, the former champion has a pretty valid point.
Du Plessis has two wins over Strickland, defended the title twice and is now trying to fight his way back into the championship mix. But even with that resume, “Stillknocks” does not believe simply beating Usman this weekend should automatically guarantee him another title shot.
For Du Plessis, it has to be about the performance.
“I don’t believe a victory alone can be enough,” Du Plessis said. “I think my resume, definitely, but I don’t believe just a victory over Usman necessarily gives me a title shot, and the same for him. The performance. Going out there and putting on a performance that eliminates any doubt that I’m the best in the world, that’s what’s going to guarantee me a shot at that title.”
So, who should get Strickland next?
Du Plessis believes the answer is Nassourdine Imavov (so does Strickland).
“Strickland will be ready at the end of the year,” Du Plessis said. “I do believe Imavov vs. Strickland is the fight to make. It’s the right fight to make.”
With the Middleweight division suddenly loaded with deserving contenders, UFC has several directions it could go.
Chimaev wants his rematch. Imavov has the best case. Du Plessis could jump right back into the mix with a big win. And Usman has a chance to blow the whole thing up this weekend.
So, yeah, things could look very different by Monday morning.
But as far as Du Plessis is concerned, Strickland vs. Chimaev 2 is not the answer.
To checkout the latest UFC Oklahoma City fight card and rumors click here.
May 17, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Ryan Jeffers (27) celebrates his solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fifth inning at Target Field. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Now in his seventh MLB season, Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers has carved out a significant role with the club, flashing immense potential throughout the 2026 campaign. The former second-round pick has posted career-best efficiency while providing notable fantasy production.
Jeffers has helped the Minnesota Twins to a 48-49 record on the season, but has garnered interest in the trade market from teams in need of a righty bat. The Twins are expected to emerge as sellers ahead of next month's trade deadline, with players like Jeffers, Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan racking up attention in the rumor mill.
Despite missing nearly 50 games due to injury, Jeffers has sustained encouraging production throughout the year. He returned to Minnesota's lineup on Friday and will likely continue that trend down the stretch of the season. He's racked up 38 hits in as many games, with 26 runs, 28 RBIs and seven home runs, slashing .292/.404/.538 from the plate.
Jeffers took a tumble in fantasy baseball rankings during his absence, but will likely make his way back up down the stretch of the year, currently sitting at No. 146 among hitters in fantasy.
By August's deadline, should Minnesota find itself outside the bubble of playoff contention, the front office will likely sell to garner future assets. Considering the team's depth at catcher, there's plenty of reason to believe Jeffers will be among those moved. Let's look at three clubs at could provide a solid fit for Jeffers, potentially bolstering his fantasy baseball outlook:
Boston Red Sox
Jul 11, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (7) slaps hands with interim third-base coach Chad Epperson (81) after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Boston Red Sox are in the hunt for a postseason spot amid a 46-48 campaign, and could look to buy at the deadline. The offense is in dire need of another key contributor, with third-year catcher Carlos Narvaez facing a plethora of inconsistency throughout the season. Jeffers fills a position of need while presenting the Red Sox's offense with a righty power bat to join the lineup. Slotted into a starting role in Boston, Jeffers' fantasy projections could take a sizable leap. He's a reliable hitter with plenty of power behind his bat, and now in the final year of his deal, Jeffers could take another fantasy baseball leap as the Red Sox look to add controllable assets at the trade deadline.
New York Yankees
Jul 12, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Yankees infielder Ben Rice (22) celebrates after hitting a two-run triple in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Entering the season with elevated expectations, the New York Yankees have posted an encouraging 54-42 record coming off the team's ALDS loss last season. As the trade deadline approaches, the Yankees will work to shore up weaknesses within the lineup and could look to add Jeffers to bolster the offense. The Yankees have already been linked to Jeffers in trade rumors, with starting catcher Austin Wells struggling mightily through the first half of the season. Jeffers' fantasy outlook will take a notable leap with a trade to New York, providing the team with a reliable bat and additional power at the plate.
Tampa Bay Rays
Apr 9, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Tampa Rays first basemen James Loney (21) at bat against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
After back-to-back postseason absences in 2024 and 2025, the Tampa Bay Rays have emerged as one of the MLB's top clubs this year. The team has managed an AL-best 56-38 record on the season thus far, and will look to improve its offense with the addition of an everyday starter at catcher. Like their AL East rivals, the Rays have already been linked to Jeffers and could greatly benefit from an upgrade at the position. Providing a valuable spark to Tampa's offense, Jeffers' fantasy ceiling likely elevates noticeably with a potential trade to the Rays.
Does a viral image prove that Argentina-England referee Ismail Elfath "asked for a photo" with Argentina's captain Lionel Messi? No, that's not true: The photo was cropped to remove the captain of the opposing team, who was posing with Messi and the referees for a standard pre-match shot. The image was produced in 2022, before a different match played by Argentina and France.
The claim appeared in a post (archived here) on X where it was published by @TheFootyFeed on July 14, 2026. It opened:
So only one referee at this World Cup has asked for a photo with Lionel Messi at the end of a game, And that referee is the one that the FIFA chose to appoint for a World Cup semifinal... You could not make this shit up 🤦♂️
This is what the image attached to the post looked like on X at the time of writing:
Image source: post by @TheFootyFeed on X.
Paired with the caption, the image could be misread as evidence that Argentina-England referee Ismail Elfath -- standing to Messi's left -- was actually "asking for a photo" with him during a Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup game.
In 2026, when the post reviewed in this fact check was published, Elfath was selected to officiate (archived here) the FIFA World Cup Argentina-England match (archived here) on July 15, 2026. However, the image did not show what the viral post claimed it did. The photo predated the game by roughly four years and was digitally cropped to remove additional context.
The full-size photo (archived here) could be found on Getty Images where it was published under the title:
Argentina v France: Final - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The description of the image continued:
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: referees and team captains from L-R: Tomasz Listkiewicz, Lionel Messi, Ismail Elfath, Szymon Marciniak, Hugo Lloris, Pawe Sokolnicki [sic] before the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Image source: Screenshot of Getty Images website.)
A search across the same stock image database for similar pictures featuring captains of two competing teams with soccer officials showed that such pre-game photos are a standard part of documenting matches, as seen, for example, here (archived here) and here (archived here).
The Texas Rangers dropped Victory+ as their direct-to-consumer distributor, an unpopular decision that left viewers wondering why it happened in-season and what the heck BZZR is.
The Texas Rangers knew the howls were coming Wednesday. They did all they could to mitigate the blowback they would receive from a decision they knew would be unpopular, especially during the course of their season.
Victory+ is no longer the team’s direct-to-consumer/streaming distributor. Something called BZZR is. Not every TV will have BZZR immediately. A seamless transfer of existing accounts didn’t go all that seamlessly for some.
After being forced two years ago to make a decision on how to watch Rangers games, those who picked what was behind Door No. 2 are now pounding at Door No. 3. It swings open Friday when the Rangers resume the 2026 following the All-Star break.
Good luck, everyone.
That’s a sincere sentiment from the Rangers, who made the announcement Wednesday morning without warning. They didn’t want to make the change midflight. While there were no signs externally of the Victory+ agreement dissolving, the possibility internally became a reality as Victory+ could not fulfill its end of the bargain.
What end? The financial end, of course. The Sports Business Journal reported on some of the money woes Victory+ is having, with the Canandian company seeking more investors to stay afloat and even expand.
As bad as viewers think it is for the Rangers to make this change, it’s not nearly as bad as what would happen if Victory+ went out of business. Having been down that road previously, the Rangers’ decision was a proactive one to avoid a calamity of the Rangers having no streaming partner at all.
It’s worth noting that Rangers minority owner Neil Leibman is a partner at BZZR, but the Rangers did reach out to other potential distributors. They were interested but needed more lead time to execute the switch than BZZR.
The Rangers felt that making the change was urgent.
It wasn’t long ago that the Rangers’ TV partners, Diamond Sports Group, failed them. Diamond was unwilling to agree to distribution agreements with YouTubeTV and Hulu, leaving many Rangers fans in DFW unable to watch games for multiple seasons.
Diamond filed for bankruptcy after customers dried up as they switched from cable to streaming. Diamond, which aired Rangers games on Bally Sports Southwest, had to renogiate its deal with the Rangers and ultimately reduced 2024 payout by at least $20 million.
Rather than stay with a reorganized Diamond, under the Main Street Sports Group name and on FanDuel Sports Network, or allow Major League Baseball to produce and distribute their games, the Rangers created Rangers Sports Network.
RSN produces the vast majority of Rangers games, with the exceptions being games televised by MLB’s national partners. Victory+ simply distributed the game streams. BZZR will do the same for the rest of the season.
There are no changes to Rangers Sports Network or where it is distributed.
The Rangers understood that there would problems with the switch. BZZR does not have an app available for all TV streaming vendors, the biggest omission being Roku. The technology is there, but the agreement to carry BZZR is pending.
Fans who don’t have BZZR on their TVs will have to either watch games on their mobile devices or cast the games from their mobile devices to their TVs. For some, it’s an easy task. For others, it’s like splitting the atom.
But, yes, there is a way to watch the Rangers on BZZR on a television. It’s a pain in the butt, but, no, the Rangers did not leave Victory+ subscribers with no way to put the games on their TVs. The casting thing is expected to be temporary.
The Rangers sent emails to existing Victory+ plan holders, and their accounts will transfer to BZZR free of charge. The Rangers and BZZR lined up ample customer support and multiple ways to reach out: on the web at bzzr.com/texasrangers and texasrangers.com/tunein, by calling BZZR at (401) 903-2997, or by email at txrangers@bzzr.com.
BZZR was also responsive on its Twitter account, @BZZRofficial.
They knew blowback was coming. The Rangers didn’t make the decision easily. In a perfect world, Victory+ would have been the club’s streaming partner for the rest of this season and beyond.
But the TV/streaming climate in baseball is far from perfect. The Rangers learned that lesson with Diamond Sports Group and didn’t want to deal with another potential disaster with Victory+.
Alysa Liu accepts the Best Breakthrough Athlete award at the 2026 ESPYS Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
Alysa Liu won gold in women’s singles and mixed team events at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan
She became the youngest U.S. National Champion at 13 and is celebrated for landing triple and quadruple Axels
Liu’s viral Olympic routine to Laufey’s “Promise” mirrored her personal journey and led to a feature in a music video
Alysa Liu has officially clinched the ESPY for Best Breakthrough Athlete!
The 20-year-old Olympic figure skater won the coveted prize on Wednesday, July 15, at the 2026 ESPYS in New York City, where she beat out Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, Las Vegas Rookie Fernando Mendoza and San Jose Shark Macklin Celebrini.
“First of all, I’m really honored to be given this award,” Liu began inside the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. “I’ve been in my sport since I was 5 years old and I had some really rough times in it, I took two years off. So, for me, this really feels like I broke through in my own way, for myself, and for my sport. I love being an athlete, I couldn’t have done it without my team.”
Alysa Liu at the 2026 Winter Olympics Credit: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto/Getty
Prior to her gold medal win, Liu helped her team win bronze at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and placed sixth overall in the women’s singles competition. She is a two time U.S. National Champion (2019 and 2020) and became the youngest woman to win that title at just 13 years old.
The ice skater is celebrated for her high-level technical skills and joyful, creative presence on the ice. She is famously among the youngest skaters to land a triple Axel in competition and landed both quadruple and triple Axel jumps during international competitions.
Liu went viral at the 2026 Winter Olympics with her performance to Laufey’s song “Promise.” The routine mirrored Liu’s personal journey of leaving competitive skating and returning on her own terms, ultimately securing her the Olympic gold.
Alysa Liu on the 2026 ESPYS red carpet Credit: Theo Wargo/WireImage
After winning two gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Liu did not return to the ice for the 2026 ISU Figure Skating World Championship.
“As some of y’all already know, I withdrew from Worlds,” she said in a since-expired post on her Instagram Stories. “There’s been a lot of exciting things happening since my return from Milan, so I’m taking some time for that. I will be cheering everyone on from afar — see y’all next season!!”
A Big Ten Network analyst believes Michigan State is the team to beat in the league this year.
National college basketball analyst Jon Rothstein posted his Big Ten preseason power rankings on Wednesday, which of course had the Spartans near the top. He had Michigan State at No. 2 in the league behind only Illinois. But a notable Big Ten Network analyst disagreed with that statement.
Rapheal Davis of the Big Ten Network responded to Rothstein's rankings with his own version of the top six teams, which was quite different. Notably for us Spartans, he had Michigan State at the top of the list, one spot ahead of rival Michigan.
You can see the complete post from Davis embedded below:
Michigan State has been ranked near the top of the nation in most polls I've came across this offseason. But most of those same polls have either Illinois or Michigan (or both) ahead of the Spartans among Big Ten teams. So seeing Davis place Michigan State as his top team in the league is definitely noteworthy.
At this point in the offseason, it's hard to truly know who will pan out and be the best in the league. But it definitely doesn't hurt to see Michigan State near the top of these lists. And in this case with Davis, as his preseason favorite to win the league.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
We are entering one of the best times on the football calendar: training camps. But this also means that you are likely preparing for your home league's fantasy football draft, which is almost as beloved as the start of camp. We spend all this time researching, looking at rankings, and trying to decide the roster we want to target for week one. While Justin Jefferson is always a target, are there any late-round fliers worth taking?
Alex Kay of Bleacher Report went over ideal late-round quarterbacks to target in fantasy football drafts for 2026 and listed Kyler Murray at the top of the list. Murray currently sits as QB17 with an ADP of 112. Here is part of what Kay had to say:
At his best, Murray is a dynamic dual-threat weapon who can dissect defenses with his arm and rack up yardage and scores with his legs. He boasts a career 67.1 percent completion rate with 20,460 yards and 121 touchdowns through the air in 87 contests. Murray's scrambling ability is what truly separates him in fantasy football, as he's picked up 400-plus rushing yards and scored at least five touchdowns on the ground in each of the four seasons he missed three or fewer games during.
Although he's only being drafted as a backup in most leagues, Murray will have a legitimate shot at putting together his best season yet. He'll be working under a renowned quarterback whisperer in Kevin O'Connell while playing alongside some of the league's top pass-catching weapons such as Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings.
Yes, Murray is likely not going to be anyone's first quarterback taken. However, if you are in a 2QB league or playing with SuperFlex, Murray is a very good flier to take. He is surrounded by the most talented he has had, with the best offensive line and coaching staff to support him. If there was a time to find the old Murray, it's this year with the Minnesota Vikings.
As we are now in the month of July, that means training camps are set to begin, and movement is about to begin in the NFL. Depth charts will shuffle, waivers will be used, and it all will lead to some new visions for teams developing.
Until then, we get to look at some final power rankings before all that shuffling begins. The latest we are looking at is from Bleacher Report's NFL department. They ranked the Bucs 16th after an offseason that was confusing, yet predictable, at times.
Their Brent Sobleski writes, "One way or another, 2026 is going to be a pivotal season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They looked like one of the top teams in the NFC early last season before a rash of significant injuries led to a late-season slide. . .Tampa will have to stay healthy, adequately replace its departed stars, and get the good version of Mayfield to reclaim its spot atop the NFC South. If those things don't happen, we could see significant changes next offseason."
The rest of the NFC South shaped up, with the Carolina Panthers being ranked 20th after their moves. The rest of the division has the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons being ranked 23rd and 26th, respectively.
Hall of Fame Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett is hosting the Las Vegas Summer League Film Festival this week. Starting on Thursday, July 16 and running until Saturday, July 18 at the Thomas and Mack center in the Strip View Pavilion in the thick of the annual NBA exhibition series action taking place in the great state of Nevada.
"This festival showcases projects from all aspects of life and the impact sports has on our society," notes the film festival's web page. "The Summer League Film Festival is not limited to basketball." KG is hyped about the event, sharing how it touches a personal aspect for him reaching all the way back to his youth in South Carolina.
To hear from the Big Ticket on why this event is such a big deal from the man himself, take a look at the clip embedded below.
Episode 149 of The Detroit News' OctoPulse podcast takes the pulse of Steve Yzerman's rebuild for the last time under Yzerman's watch.
Hired in 2019, the Red Wings' GM stepped down on Wednesday morning, leaving the team on thin ice as owner Chris Ilitch looks for his replacement.
Beat reporter Ted Kulfan said he was "shocked" at the timing of the Red Wings' decision.
"You kind of wonder why he (Ilitch) let Steve Yzerman handle the draft and free agency," Kulfan said on the podcast. "And then there's the whole Dylan Larkin saga. Was that the final straw? It doesn't look like a deal is going to get done anytime soon.
"I really thought Steve Yzerman was going to be here for at least a couple of years. He didn't show any signs of retreating in any of his press conferences."
Kulfan said candidates to replace Yzerman include assistant GMs Kris Draper and Shawn Horcoff, ex-Sabres GM Kevyn Adams and Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Pronger.
"This team's future in the near term isn't very good," Kulfan said. "They're not going to make the playoffs this year, especially with Larkin still looking for a situation where he has a chance to win.
"He's not public enemy No. 1 in Detroit, but he's definitely not one of the most popular folks in Detroit. The people would boo the heck out of him on opening night and it probably won't get any quieter as the season goes on.
"I think whoever comes in now, there's a greater possibility of sending him off somewhere for draft picks and future young players. I think there's going to be a longer leash for the new GM and you've got a valuable chip chip there. You got to get a lot of pieces for the future."
▶ D: Nate Danielson, Dave Drinkill, Jamie Drysdale, Ken Dryden, Jake Davis
▶ E: Cole Eiserman, Simon Edvinsson, Mike Emrick, Emerson Etem
▶ F: Jordan Forgione, Everett Fitzhugh, Jim Fox, John Forslund
▶ G: Cutter Gauthier, Dylan Guenther, Jerry Green, Stu Grimson, Gerard Gallant, Liam Greentree, Bruce Garrioch, John Garrett
▶ H: William Horcoff, Mark Howe, Cross Hanas, Luke Hughes, Murray Howe, Milan Hejduk, Brian Hayward, Brandon Hawkins
▶ I: Greg Innis
▶ J: Kent Johnson
▶ K: Joakim Kemell, Mark Kirton, Megan Keller, John Kelly, Mike Keenan, Emily Kaplan, Rich Kincaide, Alex Kannok Leipert, Ryan Kennedy, Hilary Knight
▶ L: Ryan Leonard, Nick Libett, Chaz Lucius, Brian Lawton, Pat Lafontaine, Nicklas Lidstrom, Craig Laughlin, Dave Legwand, Bill Lindsay
▶ M: Doug MacLean, Al Montoya, Tim Mayer, Wes McCauley, Dan Milstein, Max Namestnikov, Ken Morrow
▶ N: Ted Nolan, Frank Nazar, Dwayne Norris, Pat Nagle
▶ O: Mark O'Brien, Phil Osaer
▶ P: Madison Packer, Dave Poulin, Gabe Perreault, Jakub Petr, Doug Plagens, Cole Perfetti, Darren Pang, Zayne Parekh, Julie Petry, Chris Pronger
▶ R: Abby Roque, Jason Ross, Manon Rheaume, Lucas Raymond, Marco Rossi, Luc Robitaille, Marcus Ragnarsson, Sam Rosen, Daryl Reaugh
▶ S: Riley Sawchuk, Bob Stauffer, Will Smith, John Shannon, Paul Stewart, Moritz Seider, Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson, Craig Simpson, Kirsten Simms, Mats Sundin, Brad Stuart, Melissa Szkola, Callie Shanahan, Colin Stephenson
▶ T: Tripp Tracy, Bryan Trottier, Tim Taylor, Jacob Truscott, Amanda Thiele
▶ V: Rick Vaive
▶ W: Paul Woods, Shane Wright, Bob Wilkie
▶ Z: Rick Zombo, Trevor Zegras
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Each offseason, the NFL counts down its top 100 players from the previous season. This leads to some fun conversation and like any list, plenty of debate and controversy.
Recently, Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton was revealed as the No. 68 best player in the league in 2025. That's not offensive players, that's the best overall players. This news was likely received in many different ways. Plenty of fans were probably mystified, while those within Broncos Country were likely thrilled to see Sutton finally get some respect on a larger level.
Last season, Sutton caught 74 passes, the second-most in any season in his career, for 1,017 yards and seven touchdowns. Those numbers helped him get selected to the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career. Still, was he really the 68th-best player in the whole league last season? There may even be some Broncos fans who question that.
That will be put into further question when you consider some of the names on the list behind him, such as Lamar Jackson (69), his own teammate Zach Allen (72), Baker Mayfield (77), A.J. Brown (80), Jeffery Simmons (83) and Brock Purdy (85).
However, it's important to keep in mind that the players vote on these rankings. It's easy for those sitting on the sidelines who analyze the game to question the voting process, but the fact that these rankings are created by the players who compete against these guys is hard to argue against.
Sutton has been the consummate professional in Denver. He's overcome tough injuries to become one of the best receivers in Broncos history, but he is rarely recognized on a national scale despite being the team's No. 1 wide receiver for several seasons now.
Sutton will move into the No. 2 role this season with Jaylen Waddle joining the team, but he may be even more effective in that role as he is much better suited for it at this stage in his career.
There are going to be critics who feel that Sutton is way too high on this list, seeing him as an average possession receiver who is good, but not great. That is how he has been viewed for the majority of his career.
However, Sutton will have no apologies to make for receiving this recognition and the fact that he got it should send him into the upcoming season with his confidence riding a mile high.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Cruz Beckham, Victoria Beckham and Sir David Beckham look on prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
David Beckham took England's loss to Argentina particularly hard as he watched the semifinal game from the stands in Atlanta, Georgia. The 51-year-old was consoled by his wife, Victoria Beckham, after the South American team secured their spot in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday night against Spain.
Despite England taking the lead with Antony Gordon's goal in the 55th minute, Argentina quickly turned the game around and relentlessly attacked the Three Lions before putting the ball in the net in the 85th minute, and again just seven minutes later.
After the final whistle blew, David and Victoria could be seen with their heads in their hands, dealing with the news that it wasn't coming home this time. The couple were joined at the game by three of their four children, Romeo, 23, Harper, 15, Cruz, 21, and his girlfriend, Jackie Apostel, and Cruz was seen hugging his father after the devastating loss.
David was devastated after England's loss (dpa/picture alliance via Getty I)
David then took to Instagram to share his thoughts on the major loss. "Heartbreak for us all but memories that inspire and last forever," he wrote in the caption. "Thank you to our team, our fans & our country for what you have given us in this World Cup @england."
David has been following his national team on the World Cup circuit, with the 2026 competition marking 20 years since he last appeared on the world stage as captain. He shared his joy with fans on social media after England beat Norway 2-1 in the quarterfinals, posting a sweet family photo afterwards.
"What a moment in Miami, I'm so proud of the team tonight reaching the semi-final of the World Cup and to celebrate with my family was so special...Thank you @england for giving our country these moments," he wrote. The soccer star and his fashion designer wife went viral at the same match after Victoria displayed a subdued reaction to Jude Bellingham's winning goal.
He was joined at the match by his wife and three of his children (CameraSport via Getty Images)
Comedian Jenny Johnson caught David's attention with her social media post on the hilarious moment, writing: "There's nothing like cheering your heart out for England from home, then they cut to Victoria, and we see that classic Posh Spice smile! It's so infectious!"
Learn more about David and Victoria's children below...
"I used to think I got animated while watching sports, but Victoria blows my enthusiasm out of the water! Each time I see her I shout, 'SPICE UP YOUR LIFE!!!!' because her energy is electric!!!" Jenny quipped. David took to the comment section to defend his wife, explaining: "She was celebrating inside I promise her reactions were slightly slower than mine," alongside several laughing emojis.
The former Spice Girl told the Financial Times that, despite being married to the world's most famous soccer player, she had never particularly enjoyed the sport.
Victoria went viral for her lack of reaction to England's goal against Norway (Getty Images)
"I never enjoyed watching football. I never felt necessarily wanted [at the matches]. I'm not saying this as in, poor me, but it was never the fun that it is now," she admitted. "Now, when we're in Miami, I feel wanted. I'm friends with the families of the players."
The fashion designer is famous for her straight face on the red carpet (Getty Images for TIME)
She also spoke on her famously straight face in her eponymous Netflix documentary in 2025, sharing why she never smiles in public. "I've looked miserable for all these years because when we stand on the red carpet, this guy has always gone on the left," she said, referring to David.
"Now I didn't realize that when I smile, which I do, I smile from the left, 'cause if I smile from the right I look unwell. Consequently, I'm smiling on the inside, but no one ever sees it, so that's why I look so moody."
England's German head coach Thomas Tuchel is facing criticism for his tactics during his team's World Cup defeat to Argentina (Justin Setterfield)
Thomas Tuchel was appointed in a blaze of publicity, stating his aim was to add a second star to the England shirt with a another World Cup win.
After years of heartache and near-misses, Tuchel was viewed as the missing piece of the puzzle, the coach who could finally end the Three Lions' decades-long wait for a major title.
Predecessor Gareth Southgate had led a talented generation of England players to two major finals, a World Cup semi-final and a World Cup quarter-final.
But each of those campaigns ended in disappointment, with a recurring theme of Southgate being accused of failing to adapt his tactics quickly enough to changing circumstances within games.
Under the tactically astute Tuchel, who had memorably outfoxed Pep Guardiola's Manchester City to lead Chelsea to the Champions League title in 2021, things would be different.
Yet against Argentina in their World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, England bowed out of the tournament in painfully familiar fashion -- failing to capitalise on a 1-0 lead before inviting pressure, surrendering the initiative and losing 2-1.
It was the third time since the 2018 World Cup that England have lost a major championship semi-final or final after taking the lead.
All three defeats, including Wednesday's at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, followed the same template -- a solid start, going 1-0 up, a desperate rearguard action, and finally, capitulation.
Many critics and former players immediately pointed the finger at Tuchel for England's latest failure, accusing the German of switching to an ultra-defensive approach too early in the game after Anthony Gordon had put England ahead on 55 minutes.
Argentina spent the final stages of the game camped near the England area, bombarding their opponents' goal and finally winning with goals from Enzo Fernandez on 85 minutes and Lautaro Martinez in stoppage time.
- 'Deserved to get beat' -
Former England striker Michael Owen said the defeat was a missed opportunity, sharply criticising Tuchel's second-half changes.
"We are a better team than Argentina, I've no doubt in my mind," he wrote on X. "But we deserved to get beat in the end. In fact, it could have been 4-1.
"Bringing on 3 defenders at 1-0 up. What message does that send?... Until we understand that courage and bravery is controlling possession under pressure and not booting/heading it up the field 40 yards then this will always be the end result."
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart agreed. "I think Gareth Southgate will be at home watching this game," the BBC pundit said.
"He took a lot of criticism when it came to the big moments with England, when they had the lead, about shutting up shop. But I don't think anything has changed in that big moment out there."
While Tuchel accepted responsibility for the defeat, he pushed back on suggestions that his second-half substitutions were to blame.
The England coach, who started his job at the beginning of 2025, said the tide had turned before his tactical tweaks as Argentina grew more desperate and chased the game.
Asked if he believed he had got his tactics wrong, he replied: "No, I believe that's just the nature of the game.
"As soon as you lose, you get criticized. It's just what it is. No one knows what would have happened if we had made different decisions.
"So it makes no sense to engage in that and lose my head. I'm responsible for them. I took them, so I take the criticism."
England captain Harry Kane said the team had "just tried to hang on a little too early".
But he refused to point the finger at Tuchel's game management after another opportunity slipped away.
"There's always going to be talk now about trying to blame people or coaches," Kane said. "It's not the time for that. We win and lose together.
"We've done everything. He'd have been called a genius if it had worked. In the end, it didn't work for many different reasons.
"That's what we need to try and improve. We're close, we're knocking on the door, but as always in these final moments, we need to find that missing piece of the puzzle."
Indiana Fever star guard Caitlin Clark will play Wednesday against the Golden State Valkyries, the team announced.
Clark was considered probable for the game, but her status was in question due to a back injury.
The Fever have also been limiting her minutes to give her more rest down the stretch of the season and help prolong her availability for a possible postseason run.
Indiana is 14-9 heading into Wednesday's matchup. Clark has played in 19 of the team's games this season. She is currently averaging 29.6 minutes per game, which is the fewest of her short WNBA career.
Clark is averaging 20.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game.
This will be the third time that the Fever and Valkyries have matched up this season. They have split the season series so far, with Indiana winning the first game 90-82 and Golden State taking the second 90-88.
Against the Valkyries so far this season, Clark has combined for 38 points, 15 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 11 turnovers.
Fever head coach Stephanie White will have a decision to make about how many minutes to play Clark. While the guard averages nearly 30 minutes per game, she has played 24 and 16 minutes in her last two games.
Indiana has four games left until the All-Star break. While that will be a time for players to get rest, Clark was selected as an All-Star Game starter and will be playing in the game on July 25.
While Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith were stalwarts on the San Jose Sharks' top line during the 2025-26 season, the left wing spot rotated fairly regularly. Heading into the 2026-27 season, there are a number of options who could compete for the final spot on the first line.
Option 1: Ivar Stenberg
If we were living in the world of EA Sports NHL 26's Franchise mode, Ivar Stenberg would almost certainly jump to the top line immediately after being drafted second overall.
Compared to most 18-year-olds, Stenberg likely has a much higher chance to succeed being thrown right into the fire, as he's already proven that he can be a dynamic scorer against tough competition. He had one of the best seasons by a teenager in the history of the Swedish Hockey League, and it's hard to discount his pure skill.
With that being said, outside of Macklin Celebrini, the Sharks have taken a very cautious approach to giving their young players a substantial amount of ice time right out of the gate. We saw it with Smith during the 2024-25 season. Then Michael Misa and Sam Dickinson took a similar path this past season.
Mike Grier and Ryan Warsofsky like to ease their young players into the NHL, which is fair considering it's a major step from the collegiate or junior ranks. Stenberg is a bit different than the three aforementioned players, having already played at a professional level, so they may be willing to take a more aggressive approach with him, similar to how they handled Celebrini. At the same time, there's no major need to rush him into first line minutes.
Whether it makes sense to rush him into those minutes or not, it's hard to argue that a line with Stenberg, Celebrini, and Smith wouldn't instantly become must-see television.
Option 2: Igor Chernyshov
Had the Sharks not gotten lucky in the 2026 Draft Lottery and moved up to the second overall pick, it seemed like a real possibility that Igor Chernyshov was going to establish himself as San Jose's long-term first line left-wing in the very near future. Now, that's certainly a bit more in doubt.
Even though Chernyshov spent the majority of his season with the San Jose Barracuda during the 2025-26 campaign, when he was given opportunities at the NHL level, he didn't look out of place. According to Natural Stat Trick, Chernyshov played 304:22 while paired with Celebrini and just 78:39 without him. During that time, their line produced 20 goals and surrendered 17.
To put it bluntly, while Celebrini and Chernyshov were on the ice together, they scored at a high rate and were entertaining to watch. It's hard to ask for more than that in late March and early April when the team as a whole was struggling and playoff hopes were quickly fading.
Chernyshov is in a bit of an odd position now, as given the Sharks' number of forwards on one-way deals and their additions over the summer, there's a chance he doesn't even make the Opening Night roster which seems entirely unfair given how he played at the end of last season. Even if he doesn't start the season on Celebrini's wing, I don't think it'll take long for him to end up there one way or another during the 2026-27 campaign.
Option 3: Collin Graf
There has been no player seemingly more impacted by the Sharks' current logjam of forwards than Collin Graf. Currently, he's an unsigned restricted free agent without arbitration rights and is ineligible to sign an offer sheet. As a result, unless he's traded, he's almost certainly going to be re-signed by the Sharks. With that being said, if he doesn't end up on the first line, it's difficult to see a spot for him in the lineup given the amount of big contracts on the roster.
Graf never seemed like Warsofsky's top option to play alongside Celebrini and Smith, but he always forced his way into that role during the 2025-26 season eventually. The coaching staff would put someone else in that spot for a while, but when push came to shove, Graf always found his way back into the picture. He complements their styles very well and helps create a very effective line.
Simply put, Graf has proven that he belongs in a top-nine role at the very least. He's an effective player on both ends of the ice and especially on the penalty kill. However, Grier didn't spend boatloads of money to put Mason Marchment, Alexander Wennberg, or Kiefer Sherwood on the fourth line. If he's not on the top line, Graf will likely slot into a fourth line role, which he can certainly do, but it seems a bit wasteful to say the least.
Graf meshes well with Celebrini and Smith, his style complements them almost perfectly. While he's likely the least exciting option in terms of pure skill, he's already a proven 20-goal scorer and has been overcoming the odds throughout his entire career.
The Sharks have a number of options with their first line left-wing spot. Players like Marchment or the aging Tyler Toffoli could even spend some time in that role at some point in the season. It's hard to go wrong with any of Stenberg, Chernyshov, or Graf in that role, but that decision will have major implications on the rest of the lineup.
Bill Simmons has joked that he’d require medical attention if a Boston team lost in the way that England did to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final.
Not many onlookers regardless of just how much they are into soccer would have seen Argentina winning after England scored first in their huge game.
They may be world champions but they were not creating many chances, with Lionel Messi unusually quiet by his own high standards.
Still, England ceded control in Atlanta and allowed Argentina back into the game. They played too defensive too early and that meant perhaps their greatest footballing rival found a way to progress into the biggest game the sport has to offer.
Simmons jokes he’d be upset if a Boston team lost like England
Taking to social media platform X, Simmons wrote: “If a Boston team lost in the way England just did, I’d honestly need medical attention.”
That was certainly a painful defeat from an English perspective, so it’s easy to see what Simmons is getting at.
To be so close to reaching the World Cup final against a huge rival, only to throw it all away will take some getting over.
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images
Fans are rightly asking questions as to what happened. Though Argentina are clearly a brilliant team, the way in which the momentum turned all too quickly will live long in the memory.
The fact that Argentina keep finding a way would suggest it’s not down to luck. Yet, it’s difficult not to feel as if England threw their chance of reaching a second World Cup final away themselves.
No matter what sport one follows, to see your own team prove architects of their downfall is a painful experience.
Simmons certainly isn’t wrong here. Medical attention might be a touch dramatic but there will clearly be an awful lot of soul searching going on within English football over the next few days and weeks.
A former Spartans star had himself an impressive outing in the NBA Summer League on Wednesday.
Former Michigan State basketball guard Jase Richardson put up a stellar performance in his NBA Summer League matchup on Wednesday. Richardson scored 25 points on 10 of 15 from the field in the Orlando Magic's 97-92 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Richardson also finished the game with four assists, two rebounds and three steals.
Richardson is entering his second season in the NBA after being a first round pick by the Magic in the 2025 NBA Draft. He appeared in 54 games for the Magic this past season, averaging 4.4 points, 1.1 assists and 1.2 rebounds across 10.9 minutes per game.
Richardson played only one season with the Spartans, starring as a true freshman during the 2024-25 campaign. His stellar play helped lead Michigan State to a Big Ten championship and the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
🎙️ Messi: Like it or not, this group gets nothing handed to them
Lionel Messi blasted the haters of the Argentina national team after securing a place in the World Cup Final, following multiple speculations about help from FIFA along their path in the competition.
After the match against England, the No. 10, who led an epic comeback, said:
"It hurts whoever it hurts and say whatever they want, we proved once again on the pitch that nobody gives us anything."
"We came in under fire, with a lot of doubts, but I knew this group always competes. I was sure we would be among the final four and, thank God, we made it into the top two."
Likewise, Leo said that the only thing left for him was to beat England in his career, which made this match especially significant given the historical context the Argentinians were facing.
"If we had lost against England, people would have come out and talked some nonsense about us, but we didn’t give them the chance. We were lucky to win, to get through this, with everything this match means."
"We knew that in football we were better than them, but a lot comes into play when you play a match of this magnitude, with historical baggage involved. Still, it’s special because of everything it means, and we had to win it," he told TyC Sports. .
The youngest sons of the late Dr. Jerry Buss could soon be branching out into sports ownership of their own.
According to a report from The Athletic, Joey and Jesse Buss are pursuing ownership of a team in NBA Europe through Buss Sports Capital, their business venture launched a year ago after they were both fired from their positions in the Los Angeles Lakers front office following the $10 billion purchase of the team by Mark Walter.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced plans for the NBA's European league in 2025 and reportedly hopes to begin play in 2027 with London, Manchester, Rome, Milan, Paris, Lyon, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Munich, Athens and Istanbul identified as potential cities for licensed teams. In addition to 12 permanent cities, the league also would have four annual qualifiers to put the number of teams competing in the league at 16.
Some markets have reportedly received bids of more than $1 billion.
“We’ve had tremendous interest from multiple cities in Europe, including cities that we didn’t even ask for bids from,” Silver told reporters on July 14 at the Board of Governors meetings in Las Vegas. “We discussed with our board that we’re in the process of finalizing those bids for an initial group of cities. Many of the people who are involved in those bids, the European bidders, are actually going to be in New York for the World Cup final on Sunday.
“Given their presence in New York, I would say we’re hoping to wrap up some of those deals over the next several weeks, and then announcements will be forthcoming.”
The Buss brothers also are reportedly considering a minority stake in the San Diego Padres under their new owners, José Feliciano and Kwanza Jones.
It is this exact statement that may put Argentina in hot water with FIFA, the organization behind the World Cup.
According to The Athletic's Dan Sheldon, displaying this banner breaks a rule about political flags, slogans, and symbols being showcased for FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB), soccer's lawmakers. While any punishment would be pending review following official match reports, the door is open for a potential sanction on Argentina.
At the time of this writing, it is unclear precisely what Argentina's punishment would be, if any. A safe assumption is that it likely wouldn't affect Sunday's World Cup Final against Spain, given the short turnaround, but we will have to see about a timeline as this situation unfolds.
The ESPYs draws the best athletes from around the world each year. Sports personalities from different professional leagues like the NBA, NFL, MLB, along with top golf and tennis players, among many others, attend it annually. College golfer Kai Trump was in attendance on Wednesday at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City.
She wore a strapless, gold glitter gown. It features a form-fitting silhouette with a high slit on the side. The 19-year-old accessorized minimally with a gold necklace and a thin bracelet. She completed her look by keeping her blonde hair styled down in loose waves and was tanned.
Her red carpet moment was posted on X by the New York Post. Trump’s appearance received mixed fan reactions, with some liking her look, while others poked fun at it.
“She is beautiful and a great golfer!” one fan commented.
“She must go to the same tanning salon as grandpa,” a reaction read.
Apr 11, 2026; Miami, Florida, UNITED STATES; President of the United States Donald Trump talks with granddaughter Kai Trumo after the fight between Curtis Blaydes (red gloves) and Josh Hokit (blue gloves) during UFC 327 at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Kai Trump’s golf journey
Trump started playing golf at a young age and turned into a competitive player. She played for The Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens and joined several tournaments. The New York native won the 2022 Women’s Club Championship and the 2024 Ladies Club Championship at Trump International Palm Beach.
She committed to the Miami Hurricanes in November and will be part of the program’s golf team. Her love for the game has grown her popularity further, amassing a huge following on YouTube and her social media accounts.
SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - JULY 20: A general view of the 18th green and clubhouse during the first round of the 146th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on July 20, 2017 in Southport, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
R&A via Getty Images
The weather forecast tells the story for playing conditions for the 2026 Open Championship, held at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England. Temperatures for the week have touched the low 80s, unusually warm conditions for the western side of England. The forecast for the tournament rounds is much of the same: sunny and warm conditions, winds in the 15 mph range, with limited to no rainfall.
This type of weather will produce firm and fast playing conditions for the players competing in the 155th Open Championship. Firm fast conditions like these have not been seen since the 2018 Open Championship at Carnoustie or the 2022 Open Championship at The Old Course.
While the baked out conditions at Royal Birkdale can thin out the rough, the firm and fast conditions also make fairways and greens trickier to hold. On the playing conditions, Rory McIlroy stated during his opening press conference that, "I think all this dry weather and sun and a little bit of wind is obviously great for the course in one way, but when I was here a couple weeks ago, the rough was a lot more penal than it's going to be this week. It's definitely burnt out a lot.
“The big thing, especially off the tee here, is the fairway bunkers and avoiding those. You might see some guys being more aggressive off the tee, taking driver, trying to take the fairway bunkers out of play.
"Okay, it might be in the rough, but it's not that penal, so you get a wedge in your hand and you can figure it out from there.”
Avoiding bunkers at Royal Birkdale will be important to score this week, which will require precise iron and driving. However, with the firm fairways and the distance modern tour players hit the ball, avoiding running the ball through the fairway will also be important. This may cause some players to club down off the tee, opting for fairway woods or driving irons instead of driver. However, as McIlroy pointed out, hitting a wedge from the rough after driving it closer with driver may be a worthwhile strategy for some.
Firm and fast conditions may favor certain players over others. Players who grew up on links golf, like Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Shane Lowry may draw on experience that can advantage them over their fellow competitors.
Weather Forecast by Round
Thursday, July 16
High 80, Low 58. Partly sunny and very warm. Winds at 9 mph out of the north.
Friday, July 17
High 76, Low 57. Decreasing clouds and warm. Winds at 10 mph out of the northwest.
Saturday, July 18
High 72, Low 54. Cooling with partial sunshine. Winds at 10 mph out of the northwest.
Sunday, July 19
High 71, Low 59. Partly sunny. Winds at 10 mph out of the north-northwest.
The Golden State Valkyries have quietly become one of the best teams in the WNBA, putting the league on notice with a franchise-best, seven-game winning streak.
It's Year 2. The cat's out of the bag. This isn't just a new expansion team excited to take the court in front of thousands of fans. The Valkyries are a force to reckon with. A potential contender for the WNBA title.
In USA TODAY Sports' latest WNBA power rankings, the Valkyries lead the list, claiming the No. 1 spot, moving up from their previous second-place rank a week ago. While teams like the Minnesota Lynx and Las Vegas Aces dominate the mainstream news cycle in the W, Golden State is tiptoeing around the conversation over who's the league's best.
"I think we're growing in terms of playing all four quarters. Number one, I think we're executing the game plan on both ends," Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase told reporters just before their game against the Indiana Fever on July 15. "So, attention to detail has been better. I wouldn't say it's at, like, a high level yet, and then our communication is solid, but it does drop sometimes. And so V (Veronica Burton) and Gabby (Williams), I would say even Kaitlyn (Chen) and (Tiffany Hayes), they're doing a great job."
The Valkyries improved their overall record to 17-7 after a 79-64 win against the Connecticut Sun on July 10. Golden State is 1.5 games back of the Minnesota Lynx for best record in the league (19-6). The Valkyries are tied at second with the defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces.
They've been able to put together a nucleus that plays for each other, on both ends of the floor. The Valkyries make, and take, the most 3-point shots in the league, averaging 10.6 makes on 30.6 attempts. They rank fifth in 3-point shooting percentage at 34.6%, tied with the Portland Fire.
Defensively, they have the second-best defensive rating behind the Lynx (100.4). Golden State has the second-best plus/minus rating in the league with a +5.8 average margin. Golden State forced a season-best 20 turnovers in an 83-75 win over the Toronto Tempo on July 8. The Valkyries then bested that mark against the Connecticut Sun by forcing 22 turnovers in a 79-64 win on July 10.
"No, I think we do have an identity of toughness, grittiness, connectivity. I mean, those words kind of come to mind. I would say ultra-competitive, too," Nakase said to reporters after a June 9 win against the Phoenix Mercury.
Golden State is led by Gabby Williams, who leads the team averaging 15 points and 1.6 steals per game. Second-year forward Janelle Salaun is second on the team in points per game, averaging 13 per outing. She also ranks third in the W in most 3-point shots made with 62 total.
Veronica Burton averages 13.2 per game and leads the Valkyries in assists with 5.3 per game.
Kayla Thornton is the team's leading rebounder with 5 per game. Kiah Stokes is second in the WNBA with 1.8 blocks per game, behind Aces' All-Star center A'ja Wilson.
"I think, you know, we win these games because we have a strong depth," Thornton told reporters after their July 8 win against the Tempo. "Our bench players, I don't like calling them bench players, but you know, our other group, they do a tremendous job. ... It just flows. So I think they do a great job of coming in and doing what they have to do."
The Valkyries are a collective group of talent. There isn't one star player who's ahead of the rest. The Valkyries are made up of individuals who are selfless, and determine succuss based on the team's outcome. Depth is their superpower.
"We just got to continue to build. We still have a lot of growth that we need to learn from," Thornton said. "I think we're learning how to play through adversity. I think we're learning how to find our own energy. I think we're learning that it's gonna take each and every one of us each night to bring something."
The Valkyries will look to extend their winning streak to eight but to do so they have to take down the Indiana Fever. The Fever have the best record in the Eastern Conference at 14-9, led by Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark. Mitchell averages a team-high 22.7 points, while Clark puts up nightly numbers of 20.1 points and 7.8 assists.
Don’t look now, but the Minnesota Vikings will have one of the NFL’s most improved offenses heading into 2026, says Bleacher Report, as training camp turns white-hot in about two weeks.
BR’s Moe Moton listed all offenses by their improvement level during the offseason, and Minnesota was not ignored.
Kyler Murray and Jauan Jennings Change the Projection
Oct 24, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) against Houston Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard (52) in the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic
Vikings’ Offense Gets Kudos from BR
Moton revealed five NFL offenses that will improve this season, and he wrote about Minnesota, “Last season, J.J. McCarthy threw for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 57.6 percent completion rate. The Athletic’s Alec Lewis reported that head coach Kevin O’Connell removed over-the-middle passing concepts to simplify the signal-caller’s progression reads.”
“Yet the Vikings still didn’t get much production out of the aerial attack. Although Kyler Murray underperformed in Arizona over the last few years, he could see a career resurgence under O’Connell, who has called plays for a top-six passing offense in three of his four years with the Vikings.”
McCarthy and Murray will face off in a quarterback battle in Eagan — about two weeks from now.
“The 28-year-old signal-caller needs to stay healthy, though. Murray joined a team with a solid wide receiver duo in two-time All-Pro Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Minnesota signed Jennings, who caught 55 passes for 643 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns last season with the San Francisco 49ers,” Moton continued.
“The Vikings will have a new dynamic starting quarterback and one of the league’s best receiver trios this year. Expect this offense to rack up points as one of the top 10 scoring units.”
The Murray Upgrade
Vikings fans — and sites like Bleacher Report — can dream big about the team’s offense because of two words: Kyler Murray.
Murray averages 4,500 combined passing and rushing yards over 17 starts, along with 30 total touchdowns. The world isn’t thinking too highly of him in 2026 after the Arizona Cardinals dumped him — rather unceremoniously — which enabled Minnesota to snag him for the veteran minimum.
In Arizona, Murray didn’t suffer from a lack of weapons, but the Vikings’ arsenal is an upgrade, and Minnesota’s defense over the last few years has ranked second in the NFL per EPA/Play. The Cardinals rank 30th in defense per the same metric since 2023.
More weapons and better defense will make Murray look a whole lot better.
The Jennings Addition
For years, the Vikings have deprioritized the WR3 spot, often content with decent-but-not-great playmakers like K.J. Osborn and Jalen Nailor. Before those two, Minnesota would find WR5 types and shove them into the WR3 job, like Bisi Johnson and Chad Beebe.
Jennings is different.
In San Francisco, Jennings posted legitimate WR3 numbers, frequently crossing over as the WR2. The Vikings haven’t showcased a fancy WR trio quite like this (Jefferson, Addison, and Jennings) since Randy Moss, Cris Carter, and Jake Reed. And that was 25 years ago.
Dec 28, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) warms up before the game against the Chicago Bears at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Jennings can take Kevin O’Connell’s passing offense to a new dimension. Now, if O’Connell can figure out how to run the football at a balanced clip, the enterprise will be cooking with gas.
The Viking Age‘s Anthony Miller noted this week, “As for Jennings, while his addition wasn’t 100 percent necessary for the Vikings to be successful, he certainly helps the room out. He was one of the top receivers on the San Francisco 49ers over the years, giving the Vikings what could be one of the best receiver trios in the NFL.”
“Justin Jefferson is the star of the group, of course, and Jordan Addison can do a bit of everything needed. Jennings is a good insurance policy if anything goes wrong with Addison, but he is also a reliable receiver to turn to when defenses focus heavily on Jefferson and Addison.”
Don’t Forget about Clean Slate of OL Health
But wait, there’s more.
Last year, the Vikings envisioned an offensive line, from left to right, with Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, and Brian O’Neill. The fivesome hardly played together. Injuries ruined everything.
Minnesota Vikings offensive linemen Donovan Jackson and Christian Darrisaw align at U.S. Bank Stadium, with Sept. 21, 2025 placing the first-half scene in Minneapolis against the Cincinnati Bengals. The two blockers settle in before the snap as Minnesota’s offensive front prepares to handle Cincinnati’s rush during an early home matchup that afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
While injuries — yet again — are always possible, Minnesota is due for a season with limited offensive line injuries. Kelly is gone — he retired because of concussions — and Blake Brandel is in, but the outlook remains the same: the Vikings should have a Top 10 or Top 15 offensive line.
Plop that on top of Murray and Jennings in the house, and it’s no wonder BR is dreaming big about the purple team’s 2026 offense.
The Detroit Red Wings announced Wednesday that Steve Yzerman will transition into an advisory role while the organization begins its search for a new head of hockey operations.
Team owner Christopher Ilitch said Detroit will evaluate both internal and external candidates. If the Red Wings decide to promote from within, assistant general managers Shawn Horcoff and Kris Draper immediately emerge as the leading contenders.
Shawn Horcoff Brings Front Office Experience
Horcoff has served as one of Yzerman’s top lieutenants for several years and currently oversees the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit’s American Hockey League affiliate.
That role has allowed him to work closely with many of the organization’s top prospects as they transition toward the NHL.
A former NHL captain with the Edmonton Oilers, Horcoff has steadily climbed the executive ranks and is widely viewed as one of the organization’s most experienced front office voices. Although he has never served as an NHL general manager, his day-to-day responsibilities have prepared him for a larger leadership role.
Kris Draper Knows the Organization Inside and Out
Draper is another highly respected name within the Red Wings organization.
The former four-time Stanley Cup champion has led Detroit’s amateur scouting department and has played a significant role in shaping the organization’s prospect pipeline during Yzerman’s tenure.
Like Horcoff, Draper has never held the title of NHL general manager. However, his championship pedigree, decades-long relationship with the franchise, and extensive scouting experience make him a logical candidate if Detroit prefers continuity.
Will the Red Wings Look Outside the Organization?
While Horcoff and Draper appear to be the obvious internal options, the biggest question may be whether Christopher Ilitch wants a fresh start.
Both executives were hired or promoted under Yzerman’s leadership, meaning promoting either would largely keep Detroit’s current hockey operations structure intact.
If ownership believes the franchise needs a new direction after missing the playoffs for 10 consecutive seasons, the Red Wings could instead pursue an experienced executive from outside the organization.
That decision could ultimately determine whether Detroit continues building on Yzerman’s foundation or begins a new era with a completely different vision.
Nov 8, 2025; Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander (10) throws a pass against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Eastern Final at Hamilton Stadium. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The first six weeks of the CFL season have given us a lot of interesting information, and stacking the teams is a difficult task.
The 2026 CFL season is six weeks old, and after Week 7, one-third of the Canadian Football League schedule will already be complete. Ranking all 9 clubs is getting both easier and more difficult at the same time. Multiple teams are pulling away from the pack in both directions, but even at the top of the league, there is genuine confusion about who should be at the top. Winning a head-to-head matchup doesn’t automatically mean a team ranks higher when you have 5 games of evidence to weigh. Here’s where every CFL team stands going into Week 7.
Table of contents
9. Ottawa Redblacks
8. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
7. BC Lions
6. Toronto Argonauts
5. Calgary Stampeders
4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
3. Edmonton Elks
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders
1. Montreal Alouettes
9. Ottawa Redblacks
Coach Ryan Dinwiddie has not done enough to take this team to the next level. The hope was that quarterback Jake Maier, combined with free agent investments like running back Greg Bell and Micah Awe, would push the Redblacks toward .500 at the end of the season. That hasn’t happened, as Ottawa sits at 0-5. Dinwiddie is finding out that a high-priced running back doesn’t mean much without an offensive line to open lanes.
Maier isn't attacking downfield enough, instead throwing short before the sticks, and failing to bail the team out when things get murky. Even when the Redblacks grabbed a 10-0 lead against the Saskatchewan Roughriders thanks to a couple of turnovers, they couldn’t sustain it. Now that Dru Brown has shown he can be successful with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the question lingers: did Dinwiddie make the right call? I’m not convinced.
8. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
A couple of weeks ago, Hamilton would have been ranked 1st or 2nd. Bo Levi Mitchell was cooking, throwing as many touchdowns as incompletions across a 2-week stretch. He broke and/or dislocated his ankle against the Blue Bombers, which required surgery, and everything changed.
Jake Dolegala got the start against Saskatchewan and was terrible. The game was 18-7 at the beginning of the fourth quarter before it spiraled out of control with multiple turnovers. Coach Scott Milanovich seems confident Mitchell could return by season’s end, but if the Tiger-Cats don’t weather the storm, the playoffs won’t even be within their grasp. Despite signing this offseason to be the No. 2, Trey Ford wan't trusted enough to start, as the team chose Dolegala over him. Until Hamilton finds stability at quarterback, things will likely get worse.
7. BC Lions
Nathan Rourke has done a solid job trying to keep this team afloat despite a defense that has been dreadful. The Lions are 5th in points scored but 6th in points allowed, and that gap of scoring 30.8 while surrendering 34.3 is frustrating. Much of that damage came in a blowout loss to the Tiger-Cats, while a rouge against Saskatchewan in the season opener cost them a potential game-tying field goal. The defense needs to stop giving up big plays. If it can stabilize, Rourke, the 2025 Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian, should be able to carry the offense with James Butler, Keon Hatcher, and Justin McInnis flanking him.
The Argonauts are higher on this list than they would be on most because of what Chad Kelly is doing offensively. He is attacking vertically and exploiting coverages down the field. Unfortunately, he’s making too many mistakes and has thrown almost as many interceptions as touchdowns. Even so, the explosive passing game is this team’s calling card.
The offense is second in the league at 34.2 points per game, while the defense is the league’s worst at 36.6. If Toronto can get that number of points allowed down to around 30, the Argonauts can go on a run. It doesn't help that they won’t play a home game for another 3 weeks. Their first 7 games are all on the road, a brutal stretch partly self-inflicted by ownership’s unwillingness to invest in an alternate venue due to displacement from the World Cup.
5. Calgary Stampeders
The Stampeders have been inconsistent despite that massive game from Vernon Adams Jr. against the Argonauts, as he scored 7 total touchdowns, something Doug Flutie never did in Calgary. They are the No. 1 scoring offense, but No. 7 in scoring defense, and that inconsistency is what keeps them down this low. Right now, the Stampeders are coming off a loss to the Montreal Alouettes. The defensive line, led by Clarence Hicks, Folarin Orimolade, and Jalen Hutchings, needs to generate more pressure to make life easier on the secondary. If they put it all together, they’re a real Grey Cup contender.
This ranking is higher than it would have been before the Dru Brown game. When Brown stepped in, he was excellent: 25-of-31 for over 300 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. He would have had a second touchdown if not for a fumble inside the 5-yard line by Pokey Wilson on the opening drive.
Brown threw with touch, zip, precision, and timing. With Zach Collaros at quarterback, he wasn't doing any of those things. Winnipeg is last in the league in points scored at 22 per game. Brown’s one start? 31 points. Collaros went down with a neck injury against the Tiger-Cats, and it looks like more of a neck strain since he’s already back at practice. This defense is tied for second in the CFL at 24.4 points allowed per game. If Brown can provide offensive consistency alongside Brady Oliveira and those receivers, the Bombers are still a Grey Cup contender.
3. Edmonton Elks
Coach Mark Killam has done an outstanding job. In previous years, the Elks were starting in brutal fashion, including a 1-7 start last year. Killam’s mandate was to stop the slow starts that forced late-season surges, and he delivered. Edmonton beat the defending Grey Cup runner-up, Montreal Alouettes, and started 4-1. Cody Fajardo is not the most dynamic quarterback, but he leads an offense that is capable, gutsy, and makes the right decisions. Justin Rankin could become the first CFL player ever to record 1,000 receiving and rushing yards in the same season. The energy around this team is different. They are explosive, gritty, and mentally tough. The Elks are real Grey Cup contenders.
Edmonton Elk's RB Justin Rankin is running wild against Montreal tonight.
— Last of the Fullbacks (@TheLastFullback) June 20, 2026
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders
At 40 years old, quarterback Trevor Harris is still finding receivers down the field and attacking small windows. Kian Shaffer-Baker, Samuel Emilus, and Keshawn Johnson are arguably the best wide receiver trio in the league. A.J. Ouellette is back, and his return made a noticeable difference against the Tiger-Cats with a major explosion in the fourth quarter. The defense is third in points allowed and fourth in points scored, though it will allow opponents to sustain drives a little too often. Because so much of Harris’ game is built on pocket savvy and evasion rather than scrambling, interior pressure could be the blueprint to slow Saskatchewan down.
1. Montreal Alouettes
Davis Alexander might be winning Most Outstanding Player this year. He has been dynamite in every game, attacking vertically and finding Tyson Philpot, who has nearly 800 yards receiving through 5 games and is on pace to break records. Travis Theis has stepped up at running back, Alexander Hollins has been a capable receiver, and Tyler Snead looks like an alpha on the outside, which makes that wide receiver corps dangerous.
Defensively, Montreal is average, allowing 30.8 points per game and ranking 5th in the CFL, which is down from their previous seasons. The Alouettes are the No. 3 offense at 34 points per game, and that has been enough to win football games, mainly due to Alexander's explosive passing. They have made things harder on themselves than necessary, including needing a late stop against Ottawa in a 27-22 win. The defense, led by Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund, needs to maintain leads more consistently. Even so, this is the best team in the CFL, and it shouldn’t be much of a surprise.
Suni Lee at the 2026 ESPY Awards Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
Suni Lee revealed her gymnastics comeback was inspired by the feeling that she hadn’t reached her full potential in past Olympic games
The gymnast kept her return to the sport a secret for two years while managing an incurable kidney disease
Lee describes her journey as a “redemption tour” after winning gold and two bronze medals in Paris in 2024
Suni Lee is revealing the inspiration behind her incredible gymnastics comeback.
“Honestly, I just felt like I had so much more in the tank,” Lee tells PEOPLE on the red carpet at the 2026 EPSYS in New York City on Wednesday, July 15.
In the video, Lee walked around a gym and declared, “I know what I’m capable of,” as a montage played of clips from her career over the years. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get there,” Lee added.
“This is more than a comeback, stay tuned,” the final screen read.
In regards to the Paris games, Lee described the event as a “redemption tour” when speaking with PEOPLE shortly after snagging another gold medal and two bronze.
“This has been my redemption tour from the last Olympics, and I’ve been trying to give myself grace for not being, I guess fully back to normal Suni,” she said at the time. “But ever since I got sick, I feel like normal Suni is — she’s just a different girl now.”
As for a comeback? Lee now confirms the rumors that she’s kept it a secret for two years.
“It’s definitely been difficult. I’ve been so excited about it. Obviously I want to get back in the gym and train and just be able to talk about it freely,” she tells PEOPLE at the ESPYS of keeping her comeback under wraps.
She adds, “I’m really happy that it’s out now and I can just talk about it.”
When the brackets for the upcoming Junior American Legion State Tournament were revealed on Wednesday, Greenbrier Post 69 was not there.
That may or may not have been expected, depending on perspective. Most programs find it a challenge to gain tangible success in their first year, particularly with a roster as young as the one Post 69 was putting on the field.
But, as the adage goes, success wasn’t necessarily measured by wins and losses. In regard to the main objective, the sentiment seems to be that the mission has been accomplished.
“We're really excited to have this opportunity, especially in Greenbrier County, to get something started up,” said coach Tanner McCallister. “The importance of it all is being able to transition from (high school) season, keep these guys together, help them grow, help them to develop; we’ve got a lot of young guys on this team. And just being able to work with them throughout the summer and set expectations for the upcoming season.”
Greenbrier East coach Cory Mann got the ball rolling on the team’s creation as a way to establish continuity after the high school season is complete.
“He approached a few of us about it,” McCallister said. “He's really excited about getting it going, just to continue keeping his guys together. He's got a really good attitude towards the community, and it's really bringing our community together. And that was pretty much his main focus on kind of getting things going.”
There is certainly talent all over the field for Post 69, but youth is obvious. Many of the players are coming off success at the Little League and middle school levels but have yet to log a high school inning.
Junior Legion teams are on the young end of the American Legion spectrum, but most players are veterans compared to Post 69.
“At least half of our team is rising freshmen, so they just got done playing their eighth grade season,” McCallister said. “We have a few returners from (Greenbrier East’s) season in the spring, so these guys are just really, really trying to piece it together and understand what high school baseball looks like.”
Just a few of the rising freshmen are Michael Boothe, who has shown big bat potential, Carter Huffman, a talented outfielder and left-handed pitching option, and Colton Dehaven, who led the team in runs scored and was a top base stealer with 13 in 15 attempts.
Post 69’s season finished with a 4-13 record after both scheduled doubleheaders this week were canceled. Not desirable results, but a foundation has been set.
“Of course, we'd like to win more and the boys would like to win more, but with it being the first year, I think we're just kind of rolling with the punches, just trying to keep things together,” McCallister said. “The main focus is just for us as coaches and as a community to develop good young men, get this thing going to where we can keep them together, have them focus on something that's important to them, and develop good, God-fearing, just good men.”
Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins is going to have a new look ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
Dawkins told USA TODAY's Ralphie Aversa at the 2026 ESPYs he was feeling "good" ahead of the upcoming season. The 32-year-old tackle acknowledged that was because of a key change he made for the campaign.
"I've told [everyone] in the world that this will be the lightest season that I ever play," Dawkins said.
Dawkins was listed as weighing 320 pounds by the Bills during the 2025 NFL season. The 6-5 tackle acknowledged he had dropped 45 pounds since his peak, though it wasn't clear whether his peak was his listed weight.
What was Dawkins' goal in dropping that weight?
"To play a little faster, play a little better because something is not getting us over that hump," Dawkins said. "So I want to be at the best that I could possibly be. So I said, (expletive) it, let's lose some weight."
Dawkins noted he was still confident in his athleticism playing at a heavier weight. Still, he thought changing things up could benefit the Bills as they seek the right combination to get the team to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1994.
"I am fast heavy," Dawkins explained, "but I might be just a little bit faster, lighter. And that might be what Josh [Allen] needs to get us over that hump."
Of course, Dawkins also detailed that Allen hadn't yet seen him at the lighter weight.
"He'll probably see me and be like, 'All right, Dion, it's time to eat a little bit,'" Dawkins said. "But I would rather have that than all right Dion's time to lose a little bit. So I'd rather start super light and see how it goes."
The good news for the veteran tackle? First-year Bills coach Joe Brady is on board with his plan to drop weight.
"If I come in lighter, I get a couple of the touchdown passes," Dawkins joked when asked about Brady. "So we'll see."
Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike (30) scores a layup during a WNBA game against the Chicago Sky, Friday July 10th, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
When the lights come on in Chicago for WNBA All-Star Weekend, the Los Angeles Sparks will have representation on both sidelines.
Kelsey Plum and Nneka Ogwumike, who were both named All-Star reserves earlier this month, learned their teams during Wednesday's WNBA All-Star Draft. Plum was selected by WNBA legend Cynthia Cooper with the ninth overall reserve pick and will suit up for Team Coop, while Ogwumike was taken two picks later by Teresa Weatherspoon as the 11th reserve selection to join Team Spoon.
🌟 TEAM COOP IS SET 🌟
Introducing the official Team Cooper roster for the 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game!
While they'll be opponents for one night, it's another reminder of how important both veterans have been to the Sparks this season.
For Plum, it's another All-Star appearance in a season that hasn't been in her favor injury-wise. Injuries have sidelined the veteran guard for almost a month so far, but before going down, she was having a career season. Her ability to score from anywhere on the floor and create for teammates made her an easy choice when Cooper began filling out her roster. It is not confirmed whether she will be playing yet, as she has not returned to the court in a couple of weeks.
Ogwumike's selection felt just as fitting.
The longtime Sparks star has continued adding to an already remarkable resume in her 15th WNBA season. Over the past week alone, she became one of only five players in league history to reach 3,000 career field goals, moved into the top five in career assists, and tied Lisa Leslie for the most points in Sparks franchise history. Even as Los Angeles has battled injuries throughout the season, Ogwumike has remained the steady presence the organization has leaned on night after night.
Those accomplishments made her an easy fit for Weatherspoon's squad, where she'll join a roster headlined by some of the league's biggest stars.
The split also adds a little extra intrigue for Sparks fans. Rather than rooting for one All-Star team, they'll have a reason to watch both, with Plum and Ogwumike competing against one another instead of alongside each other. Being selected as All-Stars was the recognition that reflected the impact each has had despite the Sparks navigating a rocky first half of the season.
Now, they'll head to Chicago wearing different jerseys but representing the same franchise. Plum will look to help Team Coop come away with a win, while Ogwumike will do the same for Team Spoon. Once All-Star Weekend wraps up, the two veterans will reunite in Los Angeles as the Sparks turn their attention back to the second half of the season and a push for the playoffs.
Verse played a key role for the Rams in his first two NFL seasons, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024. But the Rams chose to part ways with the 25-year-old to acquire the league’s most elite defensive player.
The Rams traded Jared Verse to the Browns for defensive star Myles Garrett. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Though Verse was traded by the Rams in the offseason, he recalled a hilarious moment between him and 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams during his rookie year.
On NFL Network, Verse shared his welcome-to-the-NFL moment in which Williams played a leading role.
“It was against Trent Williams at SoFi Stadium. He didn’t throw me in the ground or nothing like that. He got to my outside shoulder, and usually if somebody gets on my outside shoulder I’m able to just throw him off, move him out the way, drop him to the ground,” Verse said.
49ers star Trent Williams is entering his 16th NFL season. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“You can’t do that with Trent. I tried to move his hands, it was like moving cinder blocks. I literally like move his hands, chopping, doing all this stuff to get his hands off. And I literally said like, ‘Trent, get off of me.’
“Trent’s got like a deep-ass voice. He literally just starts laughing and was like, ‘You so funny, Verse.'”
Jared Verse spent the first two seasons of his NFL career with the Rams. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Semi Final - England v Argentina - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - July 15, 2026
Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi clashes with England's Jude Bellingham at the end of the match REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
England superstar Jude Bellingham has had a dominant run through the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but that World Cup run ended in heartbreak on Wednesday with the team falling to Argentina in the semifinals. After the match, Bellingham clearly let his frustration get the best of him.
As Argentina celebrated on the field following their 2-1 victory over England on Wednesday, Bellingham was caught on camera striking an Argentina player in apparent frustration.
Bellingham Strikes Argentina Player
In the aftermath of Wednesday’s 2-1 loss, a video showed Bellingham standing on the field as Argentina players began to celebrate. After Argentinian defender Valentín Barco joined the celebration, Bellingham immediately turned and struck him on the head.
It’s not clear whether or not Barco did or said something to spark Bellingham’s reaction, but Barco responded by shoving Bellingham. The other Argentina players immediately started trying to separate the two before Bellingham’s England teammates approached to do the same.
The incident came after England suffered a frustrating 2-1 loss to Argentina, after Bellingham helped put the team ahead 1-0 in the second half with a perfectly placed cross.
Bellingham Sparks Outrage
While it’s not clear what led to this reaction from Bellingham, he was certainly the first to get physical with Barco, and fans were quick to express their outrage at the incident.
“Wait what? Why on earth has he done that?!” one fan wrote in a post on X.
“The guy literally didn’t do anything???” someone else wrote.
“They must have told him something. Even so, you have to know how to lose,” another fan wrote.
“What outrages me is that this guy went out of nowhere to attack a rival player who was just happily celebrating with his team. Good thing he was exposed for the coward he is,” someone else added.
“Something so nasty about male players getting violent the second they’re losing,” another fan wrote, adding that “the kid didn’t even touch him.”
“One of the most unlikable and insufferable players out there. Bellingham is the sorest loser you can imagine,” someone else wrote, adding a photo of him kicking a cooler in frustration on a previous occasion.
While England has been eliminated from championship contention, they do still have one more match to play as they are set to take on France in the third-place match on Saturday.
ESPN is once again commemorating a year in sports with The ESPYS, an awards show that annually celebrates achievements, athletes and moments. The 2026 ESPYS take place on Wednesday night at New York City’s David H. Koch Theater.
Flav, a Public Enemy legend, tapped into his network to provide additional members of the team access to this year’s ESPYS, plus helped set them up with travel, lodging and hair and makeup.
That story, in the lead-up to a night full of them, is heartwarming in itself.
There’s a lot more to come at an event that raises awareness and money for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, a charity founded in 1993 by ESPN and national title-winning North Carolina State head men’s basketball coach Jim Valvano.
How to watch the ESPYS?
The 2026 ESPYS begin at 8 p.m. ET. Fans can tune in on ABC, in the ESPN App and in the ESPYS streaming hub.
Who’s hosting the ESPYS?
Comedian Marcello Hernández will host this year’s ESPYS. Hernández played soccer at John Carroll University, but many recognize him from "Saturday Night Live,” on which he recently wrapped his fourth season.
Cooper Dossett was not only a well-known, high-profile high school prospect during his days playing at Har-Ber High School in Springdale, Arkansas, but he was a record-setting high school prospect; the right-hander set the Perfect Game national record by uncorking a throw from the outfield that was clocked at 100 MPH. A four-year letterman with the Wildcats, Dossett excelled on the mound as well as at the plate, with many scouts considering him one of the best overall players in the 2022 draft class from Arkansas and one of the best high school players nationally. Over the course of his Har-Ber career, he appeared in 79 games and hit .312/.432/.625 with 21 doubles, 2 triples, 10 home runs and 26 walks to 46 strikeouts while making 28 appearances on the mound and posting a 2.13 ERA in 98.2 innings, allowing 43 hits, walking 71, and striking out 188.
The two-way player had a strong commitment to the University of Arkansas and went undrafted in the 2022 MLB Draft, making his way to Fayetteville that fall. He appeared in two games out of the bullpen early in the season, but lost coach Van Horn’s confidence after allowing 4 runs in 1.2 innings and was not used again for the rest of the season during in-game situations. That’s summer, he pitched for the Green Bay Rockers of the Northwoods League to supplement his innings load, appearing in 13 games and posting a 4.83 ERA in 31.2 innings, allowing 29 hits, walking 18, and striking out 43.
In 2024, coach Van Horn gave Dossett a longer leash, but the right-hander failed to cash in on the opportunity, posting a 5.17 ERA in 15.2 innings over 14 relief appearances, allowing 7 hits, walking 7, and striking out 20. As if that were not bad enough, he injured his arm pitching in what ended up a 14-4 blowout loss against the Texas A&M Aggies on the final day of the regular season. He ended up tearing his UCL and requiring Tommy John surgery, which he got that fall. As a result of the recovery process, the right-hander missed the entire 2025 season. Draft eligible for the 2025 MLB Draft, Dossett did not hear his name called.
The right-hander returned to the mound this spring, his redshirt junior year. Appearing in 16 games, he posted a 6.88 ERA in 17.0 innings, allowing 12 hits, walking 12, and striking out 18. Following the end of the Razorbacks season, he played for the Williamsport Crosscutters of the MLB Draft League.
The right-hander throws from a three-quarters arm slot utilizing a full over-the-head wind-up, short-arming the ball. He threw from a low-three-quarters arm slot earlier in his Razorbacks career, and the mechanical changes seem to have been made in an attempt to improve his control and arm health. He utilizes a three-pitch mix consisting of a four-seam fastball, cutter, curveball, and the occasional changeup.
Dossett’s fastball sits in the low-to-mid-90s and has been clocked as high as 96 MPH this summer in the MLB Draft League. While that is barely passable velocity for a right-hander, and has an pedestrian four-seam fastball spin rate, Dossett is able to get a seam-shifted wake effect on the pitch so that it produces well above-average induced vertical break numbers, topping out as high as an elite 21.3 inches.
The right-hander’s cutter sits in the high-80s-to-low-90s, topping out at 91 MPH this summer with average horizontal glove-side boring action. His curveball sits in the low-80s and has power 1-7 break. His changeup sits in the low-80s and is very firm, little more than a change-of-pace pitch to set up something else rather than a legitimate competitive offering.
San Antonio Spurs rookie forward Jayden Quaintance underwent successful surgery on his right knee, the team announced on Wednesday.
Quaintance was limited to just four games last season at Kentucky after dealing with the effects of a torn ACL and meniscus suffered in February 2025 at Arizona State. He said after the draft that he was still managing some pain and would require another procedure.
The Spurs did their due diligence on the injury during the predraft process and were comfortable with his rehabilitation progress. They worked with his representation to determine the next step for him and will provide an update on his return as appropriate.
Before his injury setback, Quaintance averaged 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals as a freshman in 24 games with the Sun Devils. He set freshman program records for blocked shots (63) and rebounds per game.
The 6-foot-10 forward was highly touted entering the draft because of his defensive skill set and size at 255 pounds. He also showcased a growing offensive game, but it was his rim protection, physicality and upside that stood out to the Spurs perhaps the most.
Quaintance will now begin recovery from surgery with the hope of putting the injury behind him for good. He is highly thought of by the team and has the potential to be an impact player.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Expanded playoffs make it harder to predict whether Tarik Skubal and other choice acquisitions will be dealt before the Aug, 3 trade deadline.
Twenty-three of the 30 teams are within four games of a playoff position heading into the season's second half, which opens Thursday with the back-in-contention Philadelphia Phillies hosting the woeful New York Mets.
“You’ve got a lot of really good teams that were on the bubble that have gotten in and kind of made it,” Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper said. “Anybody that has an opportunity to get in, anything can happen and that’s what makes our sport great.”
Skubal, a two-time Cy Young Award winner who can become a free agent after the World Series, is the most prominent possible trade bait. The 29-year-old left-hander is 2-3 with a 3.62 ERA in six starts for the Detroit Tigers since surgery on May 6 to remove a loose body from his pitching elbow.
Detroit was 22-38 at the start of June — at 16 games under matching the 1914 Braves (12-28) as the most under .500 of a team that rebounded to reach the postseason, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The Tigers are 22-14 since and trail by 3 1/2 games for the last AL wild card, needing to overcome six teams. Their performance in 16 games before the deadline will help determine whether they are buyers or sellers.
Minnesota's Joe Ryan and the Mets' Freddy Peralta also could become available. The Mets also could deal left-handed relievers Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter to contenders and San Francisco may try to jettison second baseman Luis Arraez.
Baseball’s only division leads of more than three games are held by the Los Angeles Dodgers (11 1/2) and Milwaukee (five).
“There are some middling teams that are potentially going to finish stronger and some teams that are front-running right now that might fall back to the pack,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s what the fans wanted. It keeps everyone involved through September, as many teams as possible.”
Just seven teams of the 30 teams are more than four games out of a wild-card berth: the Athletics (6 1/2), Cincinnati (eight), Kansas City and the Los Angeles Angels (10 each), the Giants (10 1/2), the Mets (12) and Colorado (13 1/2).
“I think having more teams involved and more fan bases feeling like there’s something to play for later in the season is always good,” said Toronto pitcher Dylan Cease, the All-Star Game winner.
Phillies rebound after Mattingly becomes manager
Philadelphia fell to 9-19 when Rob Thomson was fired on April 28 and replaced by Don Mattingly. The Phillies are 44-24 since and trail NL East-leading Atlanta (55-40) by two games.
“Once we got Wheels back, I think everybody kind of took a deep breath,” Harper said. “That helped a lot of our other starting pitching kind of just fall into place.”
Despite a 46-48 record, the Red Sox trail by just a half-game for the last wild card in an AL that has just five teams with winning records.
“We've done a much better job overall with our approach,” Tracy said. “We’re taking more pitches. We’re seeing more pitches against starters. We are getting starters deep in counts earlier in games. We're scoring runs in the first five innings of the game and letting our starting rotation pitch with a lead.”
If the Red Sox struggle in the next few weeks, closer Aroldis Chapman and starter Sonny Gray could get dealt.
First-round byes at stake
Three of the four teams that had first-round byes last year advanced to League Championship Series: Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Seattle and Toronto. Among the teams emerging from Wild Card Series, only the Dodgers won their Division Series.
Having the bye allows teams to reset their rotations and assure opening the Division Series with their best starters.
Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler thought back to New York losing the AL East title and the bye to Toronto on a tiebreaker last year.
The biggest stars in sports will take center stage Wednesday night as the 2026 ESPY Awards celebrate the year’s most memorable athletes, teams, and performances from across the sports world.
Jul 15, 2026; New York, NY, USA; Marcello Hernandez arrives on the red carpet before the 2026 ESPY Awards at Lincoln Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The 2026 ESPY Awards air live on Wednesday, July 15, at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC and stream on the ESPN App. This year’s ceremony returns to New York City at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center and will be hosted by Marcello Hernández of Saturday Night Live. Top nominees include Shohei Ohtani, Lionel Messi, Rory McIlroy, Jalen Brunson, Victor Wembanyama, Myles Garrett, Mikaela Shiffrin, and Alysa Liu, while special honors will recognize inspiring achievements on and off the field.
Fans can also expect appearances from many of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, along with musical performances and celebrity presenters throughout the evening. As always, the ESPYS blend championship celebrations, unforgettable moments, and emotional tributes, making it one of the premier annual events on the sports calendar.
This is a great event that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
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In a vacuum, England manager Thomas Tuchel is right.
Despite a devastating collapse at the hands of Argentina in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday, England does, in fact, have a lot to be proud of. In case anyone wasn't aware, it is rather difficult to make it this far in the biggest tournament in professional sports! England's men's soccer team has only ever reached the final four of the World Cup on four occasions. Getting to this stage, even if you ultimately fall short of winning the World Cup, is extremely commendable because it seldom happens.
In a post-match interview, Tuchel maintained that even in the heat of a tough loss, he was proud of what England achieved at the 2026 World Cup. As he should be. But as criticism about his questionable decision to sit back on defense against the reigning World Cup champions heats up, Tuchel also said he has "no regrets" and that England simply lost a big game to a great opponent. Uh, OK?
That's probably not what I would've said if I were in Tuchel's shoes:
"No regrets, the team gave everything and we were very, very close." 💔
It's a good thing the English media is notorious for taking it easy on public figures who screw up in spectacular fashion, and is likely not at all frothing at the mouth to take Tuchel to task for England's failure with the entire sporting world watching. (Holds hand to earpiece.)
Oh. Oh, no!
Keep Tuchel in your thoughts in the coming weeks. He's likely going to need all the support he can get.
Will England fire Thomas Tuchel after World Cup loss to Argentina?
Barring another historic collapse over the next couple of years, England is expected to, at the very least, hold on to Tuchel through the 2028 European Championships, when his current contract will expire. This was Tuchel's first World Cup as England's manager. Taking England to the World Cup semifinals on his first go-around earned him a lot of brownie points and goodwill, even if it didn't end in a trophy.
Who will England play for third place at the World Cup?
England is scheduled to play France for third place in the tournament at 5:00 p.m. Eastern this Saturday, July 18th. The match will take place in Miami.
James Franklin’s Penn State tenure was defined by consistent regular-season success but disappointment in the biggest games. The team went just 4-17 against Michigan and Ohio State during Franklin’s 12 years with the team, but arguably his biggest win in that period came against the Buckeyes nearly a decade ago.
On Oct. 22, 2016, more than 100,000 fans packed Beaver Stadium and witnessed a classic game, where the Nittany Lions blocked a kick that would have put them down seven points and returned it for a touchdown to take the lead. This game is ingrained into the minds of all Penn State fans and supporters, but former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer doesn’t see it in the same light.
He revealed on his podcast that he believes a missed penalty was the real reason that Penn State won the game, along with his time mismanagement to bring the field goal unit on late.
Meyer has given the Nittany Lions a lot of time and attention as of late, using his platform to discuss new coach Matt Campbell and what the next chapter of the team looks like. While his views have been mostly optimistic, this comment is sure to boil some blood in Penn State fans.
That win is the only time the team has taken down the Buckeyes in the last 15 years, and it was arguably the brightest moment of the Franklin era. Meyer’s team gave up 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and committed a memorable special teams mistake that let Penn State back into the game. Maybe there were some questionable aspects of the blocked field goal, but the Nittany Lions played well enough to win the game, and they did.
Playing basketball at North Carolina was a dream come true for Drake Powell, who grew up in Chapel Hill and played his high school ball down the road at Northwood.
Powell suited up for UNC during its 2024-25 season, which ended in a Round of 64 NCAA Tournament loss to Ole Miss. Powell quickly earned a name for himself thanks to shutdown defense, but also for his ability to score the basketball from anywhere.
Now entering his second NBA season, Powell just enjoyed his best Summer League output on Tuesday night. Powell scored 18 points in the Brooklyn Nets' 115-83 win over the Sacramento Kings, making six of his 10 shots from the field (4-of-7 mark on 3-pointers) and his lone free throw attempt.
Originally selected 22nd overall by the Atlanta Hawks in last year's NBA Draft, Powell had his Draft Day right traded to Brooklyn. Powell had a solid rookie season, averaging 6.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists across 63 games (24 starts) while shooting 89.6 percent on free throws, but Brooklyn finished with its third-straight losing campaign and playoff absence.
The Nets upgraded their roster earlier this offseason, acquiring star power forward Julius Randle via trade and drafting point guard Mikel Brown sixth overall, while retaining former Tar Heel Day'Ron Sharpe. Powell may have to compete for starting minutes again, but his sophomore campaign should result in more victories.
Powell's lone season as a Tar Heel was the last for RJ Davis, who currently is playing Summer League ball with the Austin Spurs. Now entering Year Two, Powell is ready to further prove himself as a valuable NBA asset.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
Credit: The Dan Patrick Show / Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Dan Patrick isn’t fully on board with the swings Netflix took to dress up Monday’s Home Run Derby.
Discussing the broadcast on Tuesday’s episode of his eponymous show, Patrick said Netflix could stand to do a better job getting the word out about the star power it brought to the event, noting he had no idea names like Barry Bonds and Albert Pujols were involved until the broadcast was already underway.
“I’d like to think I’m at least socially aware of sporting events, but I had no idea,” Patrick said. “And then all of a sudden, it’s like Netflix, and then you had Will Ferrell show up, you had Bonds and Pujols, and I’m like, OK. They’re trying. Netflix is trying, trying different things. Now, sometimes you can try too hard. Sometimes you can try to dress something up, and you really don’t need to.”
That tracks with the broader reaction to Monday’s broadcast, which got the Derby’s new swing-based format right while stumbling on execution elsewhere, including a Will Ferrell-led intro segment that landed with viewers about as well as it did with Patrick.
“I didn’t need Will Ferrell on the broadcast. I think they tried too hard in what they were trying to do there,” he said. “But, still, you’re trying to do new things. Sometimes, it’s just good the way it is.”
Patrick has been down this road with Netflix before. Back in March, he tore into the streamer’s Opening Night broadcast, an hour-long pregame slog padded with celebrity cameos that pushed first pitch to 8:25 p.m. and left him feeling like he’d “tuned into a PowerPoint on Netflix” with a baseball game buried somewhere inside it.
He wasn’t uniformly critical of Monday’s broadcast, though. Patrick praised Bonds’ ability to pick out small, specific details in hitters’ swings, after previously knocking him for spending too much time rambling about his own playing days a few months prior.
Netflix gets another shot Aug. 13, when the Phillies and Twins play at the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa. Two broadcasts into the deal, Patrick has made a habit of grading its work. There’s little reason to think he sits this one out.
It’s time once again for the ESPY awards, celebrating the best athletes and moments across the sports world. But if you’re here, you might be wondering how exactly you can watch.
Well, good news! There are quite a few options this year, across streaming and cable. The ceremony is taking place live on Wednesday night, with musical performances and more. It’ll be hosted by an “SNL” favorite, with appearances by various celebrities and athletes throughout the night.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s show.
When are the 2026 ESPY Awards?
The 2026 ESPYs are taking place at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT. They will be broadcast live on ABC.
Will the 2026 ESPYs be available to stream?
Yes! In addition to watching live on ABC, fans can also stream the ceremony on the ESPN App in pattern with ABC airings across time zones. It will also be available to stream next day on Disney+, Hulu, the ESPN App and ABC Video on Demand.
Who’s hosting this year?
This year’s show will be hosted by “Saturday Night Live” star Marcello Hernandez. It will be his first time hosting the sports-centric awards show.
Who’s nominated this year?
Jalen Brunson, Myles Garrett, A’ja Wilson, Hannah Hidalgo, Alysa Liu, Rory McIlroy, Fernando Mendoza, Lionel Messi, Shohei Ohtani, Mikaela Shiffrin and Victor Wembanyama are all among the nominees this year.
The New England Patriots would probably love to have Kayshon Boutte on their roster for the 2026 season, but at the same time, they want to do right by the player.
Doing right by Boutte might mean shipping him to a different team entirely.
NFL insider Albert Breer has mentioned multiple times that Boutte could have been had for a fifth-round draft pick during the 2026 NFL Draft, but an offer never materialized for the team. Boutte sticking around after the Patriots acquired Romeo Doubs in free agency and A.J. Brown in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles would give the team one of the best receiver rooms in the NFL.
However, it would also put a cap on Boutte's opportunities in an offense where he'd probably be the No. 3 option, at best. That's a bad situation for a player hoping to run up the stat sheet and maximize his value after fulfilling the final year of his rookie contract.
"I think the plan all along has been to do right by Kayshon Boutte, and I think there was a realization when they went and traded for A.J. Brown," Breer said, via NBC Sports Boston. "That's not only bringing another receiver into the room. That's bringing an X-receiver in, and that's what Kayshon Boutte was. This, again, comes back to the climate within the building. It was so good last year, and it was such a good thing.
"Do you want a guy who now is about to play the most important season of his life, because this is where he gets the life-changing money, and you are basically screwing up his value? They've tried to do their best to find a new home for him. I've said it before, if somebody called them with a fifth-round pick over draft weekend, he's gone. Those offers just weren't there. I do think, eventually, he's going to be somewhere else."
All eyes will be on Boutte's status ahead of training camp.
Will a trade be on the horizon, or will he still be on the roster when the team returns to the practice field? More importantly, will he be willing to participate in practices if he's on the team?
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Malaki Branham #38 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on July 15, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the New Orleans Pelicans in a final score of 82-77. This concludes their scheduled games in Vegas. They will play one more consolation game, as the Cavs did not qualify for the knockout tournament.
The top four teams advance to a single-elimination tournament. Cleveland’s 2-2 record won’t be good enough.
But the summer isn’t about winning. It’s about development. Obviously, the two can go hand-in-hand, but falling short of the tournament doesn’t mean Vegas was a waste of time. On the contrary.
Cleveland shut down their rookie standout Meleek Thomas for today’s game. They chose to keep the 34th pick on the bench and away from injury. Thomas had scored 35 points in his previous game and totalled 85 points in three games this summer.
While resting second-round picks in Summer League is a bit ripe for me, I can’t deny Thomas did more than enough to prove himself. His shot-making and overall feel for the game were evident to anyone watching. He has nothing left to show in this setting.
Resting Thomas opens up the door for other players to step up. So, did anyone take the torch?
Both the Cavs and Pelicans struggled to score in the first quarter. The Cavs began 0-13 from the floor as neither team cracked double-digits until near the end of the period. That’s Summer League for ya.
Things finally got rolling in the second quarter. The rest of the game was as expected.
Malaki Branham led the Cavs with 22 points. He looked strong throughout the Summer League and was their best player in this one.
Jaxson Robinson finished with 13 points on 5-10 shooting. The 23-year-old forward has shown a knack for getting hot from downtown, like when he scored 42 points and drilled eight three-pointers for the Cleveland Charge earlier this year.
Robinson played five years in college, beginning with Texas A&M before transferring to BYU and finishing his collegiate career with the Kentucky Wildcats. Robinson averaged 13 points per game in his senior season.
I’d keep an eye on Robinson, as 6’7” three-point shooters are always worth monitoring.
Cleveland’s two-way players have shown mixed results in Vegas. Tristan Enaruna has been out since the first game due to illness. Ernest Udeh Jr., whose hustle and activity led to 8 rebounds and 3 blocked shots today, ended the game shooting 0-for-2 and scored 0 points.
Riley Minix, Cleveland’s other two-way player, struggled throughout the summer. He’s shooting below 30% from the floor and missed his first 19 three-point attempts. Minix finally connected on a three-pointer today to bring his total to 1-for-20 for the summer.
The Cavs will play their final Summer League game on either July 17, July 18, or July 19.
The Toronto Blue Jays aren't totally in the hunt, but they're close enough to the playoff picture in a messy American League to consider being a buyer at the trade deadline.
And what if they wanted to get crazy and trade to get Bo Bichette back?
It wouldn't be impossible.
The New York Mets have been awful, and they're likely to be sellers.
While Bichette signed a three-year deal there in free agency, it does have an opt-out after each season, so there's no guarantee he'll be there for the length of the contract. That could make him a trade candidate, although the deal also has an annual average value of $42 million per year, which certainly isn't cheap.
Give me your craziest trade deadline prediction..
I’ll go first: Bo Bichette will be a Blue Jay again
It's certainly a fun concept, and one that would at least make one sense.
The simple case for the Blue Jays trading for Bichette would be that they'd know who they were getting. They watched him in the clubhouse and on the field for years. There'd likely be no surprises.
This is a guy who played through a brutal knee ailment during the playoffs just to be available during the World Series, and he hit a massive home run that was nearly the lasting memory of the whole postseason before the Dodgers spoiled it.
This season, Bichette started really slow, but he's up to .255 with 10 home runs through 380 at bats. He has looked more like himself the last couple of months.
The Blue Jays would have to figure out the positional stuff with Kazuma Okamoto at third base. Would Bichette be healthy and mobile enough to move back to shortstop? Or could he play second base and have Ernie Clement and Andres Gimenez split time at short?
It may not be the perfect pairing, particularly because of the money.
But if the Blue Jays get hot in the final couple weeks before the deadline, maybe they could really consider this trade that would've seemed quite far-fetched a few months ago.
ATLANTA — At the final whistle, they were strewn across the pitch in various poses of shock and grief. England had fallen in a game it didn't have to lose, a game it was minutes away from winning, a game that would have sent them to their first World Cup final in 60 years.
As the magnitude of the defeat settled in, Jude Bellingham stood near the middle of the stadium almost frozen, hands on hips while his various teammates fell on their back, crouched to their knees or simply sat down with legs spread. All of them were forced to watch Argentina celebrate another win that felt like destiny.
And Thomas Tuchel, the England coach who has spent the entire World Cup talking about brave football and the last week playing mind games with his star player, must bear the blame.
It's not coming home. Instead, when it mattered most, Tuchel's tactics came home to roost.
"I believe that's the nature of the game," Tuchel said. "As soon as you lose, you get criticized. It's just what it is. No one knows what would have happened if we made different decisions so it makes no sense to engage in that and lose my head."
Maybe the weight of the moment was too much for the 52-year-old German, who was hired to run the English national team because of his reputation for in-game mastery and willingness to hold players accountable. Maybe he sensed his team was tiring and wanted them to conserve energy as they tried to preserve a 1-0 lead. Maybe, in respecting Argentina's comeback ability too much, he did his own team a disservice.
Whatever the reason, Tuchel decided to "park the bus" for the final 20 minutes of the game, dropping extra defenders deep in front of the goal and pretty much surrendering any hope of scoring again or even possessing the ball.
England manager Thomas Tuchel gives instructions to Jude Bellingham. (REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian)
REUTERS / REUTERS
Tuchel tried to win the game 1-0. He got the outcome his strategy deserved.
"Argentina played with more risk, with more rhythm, with a feeling that maybe they have nothing to lose anymore," Tuchel said. "Suddenly we played with a feeling we have a lot to lose so we dropped into a deep block which isn't a problem but we struggled to stay active in that deep block and defend crosses and struggled to get physical on the runners into the box. … It was difficult for us. Couldn't get the momentum back at all and they took advantage of it and won the game.”
It was a curious choice for a coach who said before the quarterfinal that, at this stage of the tournament, his team needed to "be on the front foot and be brave." They have to go for it, Tuchel said, because otherwise there would be regrets.
Did he forget his own words? Did he panic? Did he finally lose his touch with a team where friction had been building over the past several days? Or was it simply just one of those things that happens in sports where a team or an athlete gets close to a monumental victory and, for whatever reason, just can't perform the way it must to get over the finish line.
"The responsibility is on the coach, and if it doesn't go well, it's easy to say that it was wrong," Tuchel said.
England had every right to be out of gas Wednesday. The knockout-round journey had taken them from Atlanta two weeks ago to Mexico City, where England had to survive the altitude and aura of the Azteca. Then came an emotional, razor-thin quarterfinal against Norway in Miami's unrelenting heat, the reward for which was a date with Messi in front of a crowd tilted heavily toward Argentina.
But that reality only underlines the problem with how England approached the final 20 minutes. A tired team running ragged near its own goal with Argentina having free reign to possess the ball on the perimeter and Messi lurking, waiting, hunting for opportunity? A recipe for disaster.
"We deserved to be ahead and then for one reason or another we struggled to keep the ball, struggled to put pressure on the ball and it just allowed them to create more momentum and more attacks for them in our final third," England striker Harry Kane said. "It's a normal mindset to try to hang on to a one-goal lead, but 20 minutes plus stoppage time to go is always going to be a long time."
Interminably long. Eons long. Too long.
With every minute, the pressure seemed to build on the team holding the 1-0 lead. Crossing passes whizzed by the front of the goal. Shots came from all angles, a few barely missing and one hitting the post before bouncing away.
England was winning, but it felt all too familiar for a national team that seems to arrive at the same destination every time.
Since 1996, England has blown a one-goal lead in the knockout round of the World Cup or the European Championships eight times. That inability to close the game is part of what drew England to Tuchel, a mercurial figure in European football who tends to win everywhere he goes but never goes anywhere for very long. He's soccer's version of Larry Brown, burning hot and wearing out his welcome quickly while leaving a trail of fractured relationships in his wake.
We saw that begin to manifest after the quarterfinal against Norway, when Tuchel lit into his team and said it was "lucky" to win after a sloppy effort. Like former Alabama coach Nick Saban, who was known to be most critical of his team after big wins, Tuchel was trying to motivate and guard against complacency.
But when Bellingham pushed back — "Maybe he doesn't know what it's like to play in those conditions," he said — it created an unnecessary narrative heading into the most important game of their national team careers.
Is that why England lost? No, of course not. For most of the game, England played well enough to win and got in position to slam the door.
But it was Tuchel being too cute by half, which is exactly how he botched the semifinals. After taking the 1-0 lead, England needed to keep its foot on the gas. Instead, it went into a strategic turtle in hopes of preventing the very thing that cost it the game.
"The players have a responsibility," centerback Dan Burn said. "The difference for me is I feel Argentina have been there, done that, have the confidence they were going to do it. I genuinely thought we were going to do it the whole time, but when you get to this level of football it's very fine margins. It's an easy thing to say but it is."
Tuchel wasn't in the mood to talk about what-ifs. He saw a team that took a 1-0 lead, immediately started struggling and made the changes he thought would carry it to the finish line.
It didn't work. And as a result, his tenure will live in infamy.
"I don't believe so much in an English thing or curse or history repeating itself," Tuchel said. "It's different coaches, different players, different situations, different opponents. I believe in the football [explanations], which for me still as a coach cost us today because we were just not active enough in any structure."
Arsenal are bracing for William Saliba to miss up to five months of the new season after the defender aggravated a long-standing back injury during France's World Cup semi-final defeat by Spain.
Saliba, 25, lasted 30 minutes of Tuesday's 2-0 loss in Dallas before going down without contact, kicking the ball away and lowering himself to the ground.
He was replaced by Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix and left the pitch visibly emotional, having reportedly told team-mates: "My back is gone."
The Sporting News understands the Gunners expect the 25-year-old to be sidelined for several months, with surgery considered the most likely route to resolving the issue.
Further scans in the coming days will determine the exact course of treatment, but the club are preparing for the possibility of starting the season without their first-choice centre-back.
Saliba had been managing the problem since the closing stages of last season, playing through discomfort during Arsenal's Premier League title win and their run to the Champions League final.
He trained on a reduced programme and used pain relief to get through matches with France adopting the same approach at the World Cup, monitoring his workload closely and resting him for the final group game against Norway once qualification was already secured.
"I've had some minor niggles for several months," Saliba said earlier in the tournament.
"I've been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League. The World Cup comes around only once every four years, so you've got to grit your teeth. I'm not at 100%, but there are plenty of players who aren't at 100% either. You can't make excuses."
Will Arsenal look to sign a defender in the transfer window?
France boss Didier Deschamps had played down concerns over Saliba's fitness before the tournament, insisting he was fine to travel.
But the toll of a season in which he made more than 50 appearances for club and country appears to have caught up with him ahead of the new Premier League season.
His likely absence is a significant blow for Mikel Arteta as Arsenal prepare to defend their Premier League title.
Saliba has formed one of the division's most effective central-defensive partnerships alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, and the pair started the vast majority of matches together last season.
Arteta's side are already exploring defensive reinforcements as a result, and Saliba's expected recovery timeline has been raised in informal conversations with potential targets as the club assess their options before the transfer window closes.
Lionel Messi celebrates Argentina's win against England to reach the World Cup final, Lamine Yamal in action for Spain against France Credit: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto/Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal will meet in a master vs apprentice scenario in the World Cup final on Sunday.
Messi has been regarded as the greatest player of all time but is coming towards the end of his career at 39 whereas Yamal, who recently turned 19, is being tipped to become the next global superstar.
As the two prepare to do battle and carry their nation on their shoulders in the World Cup final, there is a mutual respect from one Barcelona academy graduate to another.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Lionel Messi said Lamine Yamal is ‘one of the best’
Things have changed since then and now they are both key players for their nations.
Greatness recognises greatness though and in May, Messi told Diario Sport: “There is a new generation of footballers who are very good and who have many years ahead of them, but if I have to choose one because of age, for what he has done so far and for the future he may have, it is Lamine.
“There’s no doubt, for me, he’s the best.”
Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images
Meanwhile, Yamal has previously admitted that Neymar was his hero growing up but realises that Messi is the best to do it.
“I think that in every match he shows that he is the best player in history,” Yamal said to RTVE. “If someone has doubts, it is because they are looking for them; there is nothing more to say there. For me, he is the best.”
Have Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal ever played against each other?
The World Cup final will be the first time that Messi and Yamal have ever come up against each other on the pitch.
Even when Messi was playing for Paris Saint-Germain, the two never crossed paths in the Champions League and the 39-year-old was long gone from the Camp Nou before Yamal made his debut at the age of 15.
This game won’t determine who is better out of the two, but it could be the perfect stage for one great to bow out and another to step into his shoes.
England manager Thomas Tuchel defended his tactics after Argentina came from behind to beat England in the World Cup semi-final (Justin Setterfield)
England manager Thomas Tuchel defended his tactics after the Three Lions' World Cup dream ended in an agonising late defeat to Argentina on Wednesday.
England appeared poised to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon fired them into the lead early in the second half in Atlanta.
But England then invited wave after wave of late pressure from the defending champions and goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez secured a famous 2-1 victory.
Tuchel said his team had become "too passive" after taking the lead at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
"We're disappointed, we were so close but we got too passive after we scored and conceded a lot of chances," Tuchel told the BBC.
"We could not turn the ball possession around and then conceded so many crosses, chances and shots," the German coach added.
"We were close but couldn't keep the level up after we scored."
Tuchel is likely to face serious scrutiny for his substitutions, notably the decision to bring goalscorer Gordon off for defender Ezri Konsa in the 72nd minute.
"I did also offensive substitutions in the last games, we just tried to help the players," he said.
"We conceded a chance straight away and we decided to go to a back five because the gaps were far too open.
"Straight after our goal, without any substitutions, we conceded way too many crosses and way too many chances so we tried to help."
Asked later at a press conference whether he believed he got his tactics wrong, former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain coach Tuchel replied: "No, I believe that's just the nature of the game.
"As soon as you lose, you get criticized. It's just what it is. No one knows what would have happened if we made different decisions.
"So it makes no sense to engage in that and lose my head. I'm responsible for them. I took them, so I take the criticism."
Asked why England had shied away from a more adventurous approach when leading, Tuchel replied: "Yes, but it doesn't help if you can't get the ball. We couldn't get out.
"Of course we wanted to go for the second goal but I did not have the feeling that offensive substitutions would help.
"We couldn't win any balls, we couldn't keep the ball so I think it was not a structural problem, we changed nothing. But the match changed completely."
Tuchel signed a two-year contract extension in February which lasts through to the 2028 European Championships which England is co-hosting.
Asked if he expected to remain England manager after Wednesday's defeat, the German indicated he plans to honour his contract that leads up the the 2028 European Championship.
"We keep on going for contract until the home Euros, and I'm looking forward to that. Even like now, it's difficult to look that far ahead," he said.
Veronica Burton has turned into one of the WNBA's best guards, an all-around talent shining out west for the Golden State Valkyries.
But when she points back to her roots, she can look to the Boston area, and even the New England Patriots, for part of her origin story.
Burton really broke out in the WNBA in 2025 when she became a member of the expansion Valkyries. She's the type of point guard who can chase triple-doubles and lock up the opposing team's best player, too.
She's continued her strong play into the 2026 season, showing nothing about her growth as a hooper has been a fluke.
And with that in mind, it's worth revisiting where Burton came from and just how she got here.
The roots begin in some ways with the Patriots two decades ago.
Ron Burton, Veronica's grandfather, played for the Boston Patriots in the AFL after starring collegiate at Northwestern. He was a running back.
Veronica's parents were both athletes, too. Her dad Steve was a quarterback at Northwestern, and her mom Ginni was an All-American swimmer for the Wildcats.
The siblings all could ball, as well.
Veronica's brother Austin played quarterback for UCLA.
Her sister Kendall hooped at Villanova, and her other sister Kayla played at Lehigh. Kayla now does work with NBC Sports Boston, as well.
Veronica Burton career timeline
Burton was a high school star at Newton South, averaging 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game in a senior year that had her named Boston Globe Player of the Year.
She was then named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year three years in a row while at Northwestern. In that final season, she led all of Division I with 111 regular season steals.
The Dallas Wings took Burton seventh overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft, but her breakout came when the Valkyries picked Burton in the 2025 expansion draft.
She was named Most Improved Player in the WNBA after averaging 11.9 points, 6.0 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.
The Giannis Antetokounmpo era of Milwaukee Bucks basketball is over, and it’s time to get over it!
Of course, that’s easier said than done when the era included the man who saved the franchise. It’s been less than a month since the trade that has been anticipated for the many years it’s been speculated. Nevertheless, embracing the low-stress young Bucks is something to be very excited about.
If you’re reading this, you probably have read the big Giannis article from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Go ahead and take your pick on the quotes that are most eye-opening and those that sink your heart. Who gets the blame for the downfall? That’s up to your own interpretation.
“When I own or run a team, there will be things that I do and don’t do and decisions that and I make and don’t make that I’ve learned from the experience of rising with the Milwaukee Bucks, and dare I say the experience of getting to where the Bucks are today.”
Now that fans have been given this closure, Bucks fans must look toward the positive. Yes, it’s a rebuild. The team is more than likely going to be a Play-In one, at best. Fans will be lost. Asking for the game to be put on at your local watering hole is going to be a reminiscent chore.
Except, there are things to get excited about. Things that paint over the glaring negatives that made this team so dysfunctional. Milwaukee is taking steps to ‘Own The Future’ once more!
Taylor Jenkins Is Ready to Coach
The bad man (Glenn Rivers) can no longer destroy our beloved franchise. The last time the Bucks were a “force”, Adrian Griffin was just about to get the axe. After the Bucks fired Griffin, Rivers went 97-103 while coaching at least one of the Top-75 players in NBA history.
New Head Coach Taylor Jenkins will have his hands full, that is no doubt. To some, his name will always be linked to the off-court issues involving former Memphis Grizzlies Guard Ja Morant. But Jenkins had no part in those problems, and he should instead be remembered for what he actually accomplished in Memphis.
In five full seasons as the Grizzlies’ head coach, Jenkins made it to the postseason four times. In just his third year, the Grizzlies finished second in the Western Conference and tied the franchise record for wins.
Jenkins has a proven track record of developing young talent. He turned Morant from a raw rookie into a two-time All-Star, Desmond Bane into a Most Improved Player candidate, and let’s not forget, forged a Defensive Player of the Year winner, Jaren Jackson Jr.
Patient, player-first development is exactly what the young Bucks roster needs and has needed since 2023.
Who Are the Young Bucks?
If Bucks radio play-by-play host Dave Koehn decided to bring back the once-popular, “Bango! Goes the young Buck!” phrase, this would be the year to do it. He has plenty of guys to don the slogan onto.
The incoming talent from the Giannis deal may seem underwhelming, but it has given the Bucks a gulp from the fountain of youth.
The Bucks suddenly have one of the youngest teams in the league.
Nate Ament (19) Brayden Burries (20) Kasparas Jakucionis (20) Bogoljub Markovic (20) Kel’el Ware (22) Ousmane Dieng (23) Ryan Rollins (24) Jaime Jaquez Jr. (25) Tyler Herro (26) Kevin Porter Jr. (26) AJ Green (26)
Last season, the Bucks were sixth-oldest team and it showed, equating to some of the worst stats we’ve seen in a while. The Bucks were the second-worst scoring team, gave up nearly 117 points per game, and were bottom third in the league for NET.
Kel’el Ware and Kasparas Jakucionis stand out as two young players with real long-term potential. Ware should bring much needed athleticism and defensive versatility that will finally give the Bucks a modern big man who can protect the rim.
Jakucionis brings high-IQ playmaking and poise. From his sample size in Miami, he looks like a true floor general. He recently went off in his debut for Lithuania in World Cup Qualifiers.
— FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) July 2, 2026
Jaime Jacquez will also be huge off the bench. Last season, he shot nearly 51% from the field in 75 total games. Jaime Highway also tallied the most points off the bench in the association.
As much as you might want to hate on him, you can’t sleep on the guy coming back home. Tyler Herro isn’t the most likable guy in the NBA, just ask Bam Adebayo, but he provides instant scoring, averaging 21.5 pts over the last five seasons. He’ll likely be an All-Star, and that will be huge for this team.
These guys look excited as hell to be Milwaukee Bucks. Especially Herro.
Many see Jon Horst as the man who was nowhere to be found in the impending Giannis breakup. He will certainly go down as the worst drafter in franchise history during the Giannis era. Putting those two lows together will forever be marked on his tenure.
On the other hand, things are definitely looking up.
It may be low-hanging fruit, since a blockbuster trade with a massive return is any GM’s dream-come-true situation, but Horst truthfully had his hands tied behind his back for a while.
“It felt like the decisions being made were based off the emotions of results”, saidPat Connaughton about the end of the Bucks’ era. Horst operated on eggshells due to what most SHOULD assume is because of the viscousness of Giannis’ agents, yet proceeded, silently, to get Damian Lillard and Myles Turner. Now, he’s free from the thumb of Antetokounmpo.
There is always the worry that Jimmy Haslam will have his mitts on the Bucks’ roster, but at the very least, the Bucks have a GM that has been through the fire, knows the landscape, and now has the freedom to start this soft rebuild… just don’t think about the Gary Trent contract!
So let’s don our optimism caps!
Does anyone remember how fun the 2014-15 Bucks were before Jabari got hurt & Knight got traded? They were 7 or 8 games above .500 when Knight got traded & they limped to a 41-41 finish before winning 2 games in the first rd. That was a fun team! That's how I feel about this year!
No one can take away the memory of the championship banner being raised. Now, let’s mark where the new chapter begins, come October. An “Own The Future” T-shirt or rally towel on opening night would go hard.
The Washington Wizards (2-1) lost their first game after shutting down top overall pick AJ Dybantsa and return on Wednesday night to take on the LA Clippers (1-2) in the NBA Las Vegas Summer League.
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver greets the fifth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Illinois guard Keaton Wagler after he was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Kobe Sanders, coming off his rookie season with LA, scored 18 points on Tuesday night as the Clippers dropped a 99-87 decision to the Los Angeles Lakers. No. 5 overall pick Keaton Wagler added 16 points, and second-round selection Nick Martinelli, acquired from the Houston Rockets after being picked by the New York Knicks, came off the bench for 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Free agent Chris Livingston led the Wizards with 21 points on Tuesday in their 99-87 loss to the Chicago Bulls. Undrafted free agent Seth Trimble, looking for a contract, added 13 points, and second-round pick Felix Okpara had 12 points. Free agent Kadary Richmond went for 11 points and eight rebounds in the loss.
Washington is looking to return to playoff contention with the addition of Dybantsa to veteran stars Anthony Davis and Trae Young and recent lottery picks Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, and Bub Carrington. The Clippers have a deal in place to move Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors as they look to move on from a star-powered squad that hasn’t gotten past the first round of the playoffs in the last five seasons.
This is a great NBA matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
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The manner of England’s World Cup exit against Argentina was historic, and it has some NFL fans thinking of another monumental collapse.
England were minutes away from reaching a first World Cup final in 60 years, but a remontada for the ages from the defending world champions means the Three Lions go home without the trophy once again.
Argentina summoned their usual black magic to score twice in quick succession with the clock winding down, becoming only the second team this century to come from behind and win a World Cup semi-final.
It’s drawing comparisons to another famous collapse, from the team whose NFL stadium hosted England vs Argentina on Wednesday afternoon.
Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images
England vs Argentina compared to Atlanta Falcons 28-3 Super Bowl collapse
After full-time, social media was abuzz with breakdowns of what we all just witnessed. Messi magic, a screamer from Enzo Fernandez, and post-match scenes of jubilation and despair.
One NFL enthusiast realized this all felt similar to the Atlanta Falcons infamously choking a 25-point lead at Super Bowl LI, only for Tom Brady and the New England Patriots to mount one of the greatest comebacks in sports history.
Broadcaster Jason Hagholm posted to X: “England collapse in the home of North America’s biggest collapse franchise, the Atlanta Falcons.”
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Funnily enough, it’s not the first time the 28-3 comeback has been referenced at this World Cup.
A few weeks ago, when Argentina beat even tougher odds to come from two behind against Egypt, the man behind the Super Bowl heroics, Tom Brady, made the comparison.
He said: “Yeah so that might top 28-3.”
After the semi-final, Brady again took to X, but it was a simpler reaction. He wrote: “Oh my god.”
This Argentina team has a habit of defying the odds. Their journey to the final has been far from smooth, and there were multiple occasions where they could have been sent packing, but mentality — and Messi — have got them through.
Next up is Spain, who will be favorites to win in New York on Sunday. But you can’t rule out another Patriots-style remontada from the current title holders, if that’s how events unfold.
Joe Flacco and T.J. Watt have squared off just seven times during their respective careers. And in those games, the Pittsburgh Steelers star edge defender has only sacked Flacco one time. But Watt did get one of Flacco's biggest hits of his career last season while Flacco was the quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Flacco is one of the quarterbacks on this season of Netflix's Quarterback and in the most recent episode, he recalled the huge hit Watt laid on him last season and didn't mince words about the play, even hinting that Watt might have laid a dirty hit on him.
Joe Flacco after a hit by TJ Watt:
"Man he fucked me up. He knew what he was doing too. Oh I think so, but he fucked me up. It was on my left side, but man the way he bent me up this area right here.”#steelerspic.twitter.com/1s2OzmKtKf
The New England Revolution are back on the pitch after the World Cup break.
The mid-season layoff is over for MLS teams, so the club resumed practice with a newly extended player on the training grounds.
The Revolution re-signed homegrown defender Peyton Miller to a multi-year contract extension that runs through the 2028-29 MLS season, with a club option for the following season.
Miller is from Unionville, Connecticut and is 18 years old.
“I grew up watching this club,” Miller said. “For me to re-sign another contract, it means everything to me.”
He boasts five goals and three assists in 48 games played, 39 of them starts. This season, he has scored a career-high three goals with plenty more matches to go as the Revs gear up for the second half of the schedule.
“There’s plenty of interest from around the globe on Peyton Miller,” Chris Tierney, Revolution General Manager & Chief Soccer Officer, said. “He is a really elite profile that we need to continue to develop to get him to the spot that we think he’s capable of.”
Miller has been a member of the Revolution Pro Pathway program since age 13. The club has developed him into a contributing teenager for the top side. He has seen minutes at both left back and left wing in 2026.
“He’s making great steps going forward, and with his age, he has a great amount of maturity in his game and he’s impacting our team in a really positive way,” Revolution head coach Marko Mitrovic said. “So I’m really, really happy to see the progress that Peyton is making.”
Miller was the twelfth homegrown player in Revolution history, and the first from Connecticut. He was also the youngest player in club history to sign an MLS contract.
“There’s a lot that I think I need to work on and I have so much belief in Marko (Mitrovic),” Miller said. “He holds me to high standards and expectations, so I just think that there’s a lot more for me to accomplish here and there’s stuff that I need to do.
The Revs are back in action Wednesday, July 22 when they host Toronto FC at 7:30 p.m. at Gillette Stadium.
After losing 14 players to the transfer portal and having 10 players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, Texas A&M placed a major emphasis on hauling in some of the top talent in the nation to replace the production they lost.
Third-year head coach Mike Elko did just that by signing the No. 4 portal class in college football, which includes electric playmakers, physical linemen and powerful game-wrecking athletes who will look to make a splash in their first campaign donning the Maroon and White uniform.
In 2025, transfer standouts like KC Concepcion and Mario Craver helped lead the Aggies to their first 11-0 mark since 1992 and first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff.
Here are three 2026 transfers who could make the biggest impact for Texas A&M this season:
1. Isaiah Horton (Alabama)
While Texas A&M's 2025 wide receiving corps featured no shortage of speed and elusiveness, the one aspect the Aggies lacked was a big-bodied wideout who could beat man coverage and be a massive vertical threat. At 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds, Alabama transfer Isaiah Horton could be exactly what the Aggies' offense needs in 2026.
Horton hauled in 42 receptions for 511 yards and eight touchdowns for the Crimson Tide last season, after spending his first three collegiate seasons with the Miami Hurricanes. The Nashville, Tennessee, native has the physical attributes and experience to be a breakout star for Texas A&M, alongside fellow Aggie wide receivers Mario Craver, Terry Bussey and Ashton Bethel-Roman.
If the 2025 Texas A&M WR group had one weakness, it was their lack of a big-bodied WRs who can be an outside man beater and grab 50-50 balls. New A&M WR Isaiah Horton can be that guy and led Alabama with eight receiving TDs in 2025. pic.twitter.com/Ui86ViPjcQ
Northwestern transfer edge rusher Anto Saka could be one of the most underrated players in the conference entering the 2026 season. At 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, he is a freakish athlete with elite speed and acceleration. Saka racked up 13 total tackles, three sacks and led the Wildcats with two forced fumbles during his junior campaign. Through three seasons with Northwestern, the powerful Baltimore, Maryland, native has recorded 41 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and three forced fumbles.
It is difficult to replace such an elite talent like Cashius Howell, who had historic success last year with the Aggies, but Saka has all the tools to step up and be the anchor for Texas A&M's defensive unit this season.
Texas A&M’s new DE Anto Saka might be one of the most feared pass rushers in the SEC this year and this is why ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ufWwGTxTry
Texas A&M lost five of its six starting offensive linemen to the NFL Draft this offseason, putting the position as a top priority for Elko and company entering 2026. To replace that production, the Aggies dipped into the portal and signed former LSU left tackle Tyree Adams. Despite an ankle injury that sidelined him for some time in 2025, Adams has the versatility and physicality that Elko is looking to build his offense around. Per Pro Football Focus, he allowed no sacks in 276 blocking snaps in his final season in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
His health is a factor to watch as he plays for the Maroon and White, but his athleticism and elite run-blocking could be a huge bright spot for the Aggies' offensive line this season.
Tyree Adams (#71) Texas A&M
✅ Has shown versatility by logging snaps at every spot except for center ✅ Arm length ✅ Fires off the ball as run blocker ✅ Good athleticism pic.twitter.com/b0AT5R4xVH
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
Boston hopes to tie up its third Summer League win when it takes on Sacramento this Wednesday.
Apr 12, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud (42) shoots a free throw during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
The Boston Celtics are back in action at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Wednesday when they take on Sacramento in the latest leg of their Summer League schedule. Amile Jefferson has enjoyed a positive spell coaching the team so far this summer and hopes to unseat the Kings from their throne in Nevada.
Veteran guard Derrick White has also tried his hand at the coaching gig during Summer League and oversaw Boston’s comfortable win against Charlotte on Sunday. Jefferson was back in his rightful seat for Monday’s 102-90 defeat to Atlanta, however, perhaps signaling White may be something of a good luck charm.
Second-round Draft pick Dillon Mitchell seemed to benefit in particular from White’s methods as he topped the points (24) and rebounds (eight) lists against the Hornets. The rookie forward couldn’t replicate the same output in Monday’s defeat to the Hawks and is one looking to reclaim his perch for Boston in midweek.
For Sacramento, second-year talent Maxime Raynaud has caught the eye and looked a cut above in a wide defeat to Washington over the weekend. Point guard prospect Darius Acuff Jr finished as the top scorer in the California Classic league of the off-season and hopes to make another positive impression in front of Summer League coach Chris Darnell here.
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The Philadelphia 76ers have had a busy offseason with the additions of Jaylen Brown, Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons, and Ariel Hukporti while also selecting rookie Labaron Philon Jr. Now, they have their eyes on an even bigger name: LeBron James.
James, who is set to enter his 24th season in the league, averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 51.5% from the floor and 31.7% from deep. The future Hall of Famer would bring such a huge dynamic to the Sixers as an elite playmaker, scorer, and a larger-than-life personality.
“I like it,” Edgecombe said with a grin while visiting the Sixers’ Summer League practice in Las Vegas. “It’s LeBron James. At the end of the day, despite how old he is, he’s still, to me, the greatest player of all time. If I get to play alongside LeBron, that would be amazing.
“Obviously, we know the goal — if we get LeBron or not — is a championship. So if we do get him, I’m happy. If we don’t, I’m still happy."
If James and the Sixers can come to an agreement, then it would be a huge lift for Philadelphia. He is one of the best players still in the game and he has a great relationship with Tyrese Maxey, President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey, and Edgecombe.
Matt Harmon and Justin Boone finally reunite after a month apart and the two have thoughts to share. Harmon and Boone identify 8 good fantasy players that you should draft that are on bad real life teams. One of Yahoo's newest additions, Eric Froton, also makes his YFF pod debut to promote Yahoo's new CFB fantasy leagues and provide four players you need to keep tabs on for dynasty drafts in 2027.
(1:00) Yahoo Fantasy Welcomes Josh Norris & Hayden Winks
(8:50) Teams with a projected losing record in 2026
(10:40) Brock Bowers
(19:15) Chris Olave
(22:45) Terry McLaurin
(27:45) Quinshon Judkins
(31:55) Carnell Tate
(38:00) Drake London
(46:00) Tyler Warren
(52:45) Garrett Wilson
(57:00) Yahoo Fantasy College Football Analyst Eric Froton shares 4 guys on Dynasty radar in CFB
Matt Harmon and Justin Boone finally reunite after a month apart and the two have thoughts to share. Harmon and Boone identify 8 good fantasy players that you should draft that are on bad real life teams. One of Yahoo's newest additions, Eric Froton, also makes his YFF pod debut to promote Yahoo's new CFB fantasy leagues and provide four players you need to keep tabs on for dynasty drafts in 2027.
The raucous energy quieted for about 20 minutes at the Parkville Market in Hartford after Anthony Gordon scored the opening goal for England in Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal against Argentina.
But the Argentina fans, hundreds gathered to form the overwhelming majority in the food hall, would soon return to banging their drums and blowing their horns, singing and jumping around.
“This feels like home!” one Buenos Aires native, who moved to Glastonbury in 2019, yelled out after the full-time whistle secured a 2-1 come-from-behind victory and sent the reigning World Cup champions back to the final.
The equalizer came in the 85th minute, off the boot of Enzo Fernandez from outside of the box. Lautaro Martínez netted the winner off of a deflection in the second minute of stoppage time and the scene in Hartford couldn’t have gotten louder.
Argentina will look to become the third nation to win back-to-back World Cups when it meets Spain at Metlife Stadium on Sunday.
And a large group of supporters will be back at the Parkville Market, where food from around the world and drinks are readily available. The food hall has hosted watch parties for every game of the World Cup, garnering its largest crowds for the U.S. national team and the several South American nations that make up a large part of Hartford’s demographic.
“It’s been great, it’s fantastic. We are a place that has food from all different cultures, what better place to watch the World Cup?” said Ashley McHugh, Parkville Market’s director of events and programming.
On Wednesday, it was impossible to look in any direction without seeing multiple Lionel Messi jerseys. And, until England scored the first goal, it was just as hard to find anyone representing the Three Lions.
“Anyone but Argentina,” said Emily Baldino, a Hartford-area native who wore a New York Red Bulls jersey as she watched the opening goal from the second level, which overlooked the Argentinian crowd, with friends Alice Bidoae (representing Arsenal) and Simone Locasto. “I was cheering for the U.S. … Then we were rooting for France to win before they got knocked out. But as long as it’s not Argentina, I don’t care who it is.”
But England “parked the bus.” And its defensive strategy failed to stifle Argentina’s championship form forcing Baldino to go home unhappy.
Downstairs, the sea of blue and white cheered with every defensive stand and got even louder on the counter attack. Heads dropped in hands with every English save, and then the faithful stood on chairs whenever momentum turned.
“There was never a doubt,” said German Gebhard, another Buenos Aires native who came to the U.S. just a few days ago with his wife and young son, Tomas, to visit his mother-in-law in Connecticut. He heard about the watch party after asking ChatGPT – the first result was a dud, but the backup plan was a hit.
“We’re from Ecuador, but we love Argentina. We love Messi,” said Albert Sanchez, a Naugatuck native who brought his wife, brother and two older kids to the watch party, all of them representing the game’s greatest player. “He’s a genius as a soccer player.”
Messi didn’t add to his World Cup goal record – which stands at 21 for his career, eight in this tournament alone – but he assisted on both of the Argentinian goals Wednesday, including a world-class cross to set up Martinez’ game-winning header at the back post.
Spain, which advanced after beating France, 2-0, on Tuesday, is a slight favorite heading into the final.
“I think that we have a better team than the one that we had the last World Cup, so finger’s crossed,” Gebhard said.
That said, the first half was full of ups and downs for the Boys in Blue, but they hit the break with an MLB-best record of 61-36.
We here at Dodgers Nation asked fans to help us put together our list of the best moments.
Check out some of our favorite responses below, and let us know if we missed anything!
1. Miguel Rojas’ epic throw
Let’s start with an electric defensive highlight that Lysa Stone summed up nicely: “Miggy throw, Freddie split.”
On June 5 in the Freeway Series, a hard-hit ground ball ricocheted off of Roki Sasaki’s glove.
Fortunately, Miggy Ro was there to barehand the ball and get it to first baseman Freddie Freeman, who was in a full split, narrowly beating the runner.
The Angels runner was initially called safe, though Rojas’ incredible play was confirmed to be an out upon review.
Fortunately, with the bases loaded in the seventh inning, Teo Hernandez stepped up and homered to left center field, flipping the game on its head and leading to a Dodgers win.
As Brent Schneider noted, that’s just one of several come-from-behind wins against the Padres this season, providing several results for Dodgers fans to savor.
3. Vesia’s save in front of the nurses
Shoutout to Joe Collins for bringing up this emotional moment.
Vesia and his wife, Kayla, lost their daughter during the 2025 World Series run, and for this game, the Vesias invited a few dozen healthcare workers who’d cared for their family to take in Dodger Stadium.
After the game, SportsNet LA’s Kirsten Watson pointed out the caregivers’ suite to Vesia.
That wave he shared with them was a moment not to be forgotten.
4. Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s nearly perfect game
This one was nominated by X user @yestosehunn: On June 13, Yoshinobu Yamamoto took a perfect game into the eighth inning and a no-hitter into the ninth.
A bobbled ball by Mookie Betts with two outs in the eighth inning and a solo homer in the ninth were all that stood between Yama and history, though the game was well in hand by that point.
With the near-miss performance, it seems like it could be a matter of time until Yamamoto earns that no-hitter.
As an honorable mention, we have to include Yama’s dominant performance against the Toronto Blue Jays after his World Series MVP performance last year, an achievement noted by both Daniel Schneider and Damien Garrett.
5. Dalton Rushing responds to controversy with walkoff hit
In the Dodgers first extra-innings game of the year, Rushing was the hero with an 11th inning RBI single.
“Rush getting that walk off after all the controversy. Feels good,” Jose Ortega said.
Apr 15, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Dalton Rushing celebrates after hitting a grand slam home run in the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
And an honorable mention here: Rushing’s first MLB grand slam against the New York Mets on April 15.
What did we miss?
There’s so much we didn’t even get to with this list, moments like Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts each hitting their 300th home runs, Max Muncy’s greatness and more.
Let us know what you wish we had included and perhaps we’ll have to put together a Part 2 before the regular season resumes.
Feb 7, 2026; Ames, Iowa, USA; Baylor Bears guard Cameron Carr (43) celebrates are a basket against the Iowa State Cyclones during the first half at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images
Carr, on Tuesday, July 14th, scored 23 points against the Clippers, grabbing one rebound, and dishing two assists and a block. He went 8-for-18 from the field, an understandable percentage given how Summer League tends to be a high-volume exercise.
In the opener against Oklahoma City, he had another good game, scoring 18 points, going 7-for-13 from the field.
Cameron Carr’s moment
Following Tuesday’s game, Carr was interviewed in the postgame and highlighted how hard he had been working by noting his hair was not done up too well.
“Gotta get some new braids. I aint no pretty boy, I’m here to play basketball!” he said.
Carr’s interview did not end on that comment; he said that he wants to win the entire tournament.
“We get better every single game,” Carr added in his postgame interview on Prime. “We get more and more connected every single game. We’re here to win it. We’re not here to play around. We’re here to win it. That’s what we came to do. Job not done.”
He missed the Lakers’ second summer league game due to a thumb contusion, but upon his return, Carr looked as if he had not missed a beat and felt comfortable on the court.
“I feel good. Another opportunity to step on the court,” Carr said. “It’s a blessing just to get the opportunity to play with the guys I’m around and get better.”
The Lakers play again on Thursday, July 16th, against the Chicago Bulls, with the game starting at 3 p.m. It will be streaming on Prime Video.
Cole Perfetti of the Winnipeg Jets. GettyCole Perfetti of the Winnipeg Jets. Getty
The Winnipeg Jets have been a consistent contender in the Western Conference for years now, but in 2025/26, the team were simply never able to find their rhythm as they ended their campaign with a record of 35-35-12, good for seventh place in the Central Division.
That led them to intriguing young star Viggo Bjorck in the 2026 NHL Draft, and with their team hopeful of being healthy in the season ahead, they could be candidates for a major bounce back, depending on what happens with star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. He’s not the only one whose future was up in the air, but with arbitration looming, the Jets made a decision on a key rising star, locking him up long-term.
Cole Perfetti Inks a Five-Year Extension With the Jets
GettyCole Perfetti of the Winnipeg Jets.
Another player with a contract that needed to be dealt with was former first-round pick Cole Perfetti, who has been showing immense potential since arriving in the NHL full-time five seasons ago. While he took a step back a year ago, Perfetti posted a career high of 18 goals and 50 points in 80 games back in 2024/25, and given that he’s still got all of the tools to be a star in the NHL, the team unsurprisingly wanted to sign him to a long-term deal.
However, Perfetti was an RFA coming into this off-season, and after no deal could be reached, he filed for arbitration, a move that can oftentimes destroy a relationship between a team and a player. Thankfully for both, things aren’t going to get that far, as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman announced on Wednesday that a long-term resolution has been found, with Perfetti inking a five-year deal to stay in Winnipeg for a long time to come.
Hearing Cole Perfetti and the Winnipeg Jets avoid arbitration with a 5 x $6M AAV extension
That deal carries a $6 million AAV, and while Perfetti is yet to take the leap into a genuine top-six forward at the NHL level, the team still clearly believe in him long-term, and if he takes that leap, this deal will end up as one of fantastic value.
Will the Jets be a Playoff Team in 2026/27?
With Perfetti now locked in and Viggo Bjorck a potential day one inclusion in the Jets lineup, things are looking up for this team, and with Josh Morrissey, Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Hellebuyck all there too, this is a team that has the potential to fight with the best of them in the Central Division and the Western Conference overall.
To go from being a good to a great team however, you need secondary scoring, and if Perfetti can pass 50 points again and put together a career year, this team is suddenly very dangerous. Clearly, the Jets believe that’s the type of player that Perfetti can be, and while he will still need to prove that on the ice, the team have locked him in for a long time to come with clear expectations that he becomes one of their top players in 2026/27 and beyond.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: Nneka Ogwumike #30 of the Los Angeles Sparks celebrates after the game against the New York Liberty at Crypto.com Arena on June 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Melina Pizano/Getty Images) GettyPHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 17: Nneka Ogwumike #30 of the Los Angeles Sparks leads teammates out to the court before the semifinal game three of the 2017 WNBA Playoffs at Talking Stick Resort Arena on September 17, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 17: Nneka Ogwumike #30 of the Los Angeles Sparks dribbles during a 106-96 Toronto Tempo win at Crypto.com Arena on May 17, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Getty
Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike has long been considered one of the best players in the WNBA, and she continues to try to make history.
Ogwumike came up big for the Sparks on Wednesday even though they lost to the Minnesota Lynx 96-87. She finished the game with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists.
One of the highlights of the game was Ogwumike’s shooting, as she converted 10-of-16 field goals, going 2-of-4 from the three-point line, and made her only free throw of the game. It was his final score, though, that will have more meaning than any of the other 30 made field goals by Los Angeles in the contest.
Nneka Ogwumike’s Final Score Put Her in Good Company
GettyPHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 17: Nneka Ogwumike #30 of the Los Angeles Sparks leads teammates out to the court before the semifinal game three of the 2017 WNBA Playoffs at Talking Stick Resort Arena on September 17, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Ogwumike made a two-point shot with 1:45 to go in the game, as the Sparks were down by nine points. That field goal was good enough to tie her for first on the all-time Sparks scoring list, tying Lisa Leslie with 6,263 points.
Nneka Ogwumike ties Lisa Leslie for most points in Los Angeles Sparks history 😤 pic.twitter.com/HC2qSiPyZI
The Sparks have had Ogwumike as a crucial part of the franchise since she was selected first overall in the 2012 WNBA Draft. She did have a two-year stop with the Seattle Storm in 2024 and 2025, but returned to the team this season. Ogwumike has made 11 WNBA All-Star appearances, was the 2012 Rookie of the Year, won the 2016 WNBA MVP, and also won the league title that same year.
Next Los Angeles Sparks Game Became Big for Nneka Ogwumike
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 17: Nneka Ogwumike #30 of the Los Angeles Sparks dribbles during a 106-96 Toronto Tempo win at Crypto.com Arena on May 17, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Sparks are on the edge of making the postseason, as they sit in the ninth spot with a 10-13 record and two and a half games behind the New York Liberty for the final playoff spot. That will make these next two months that much more important for the franchise.
They are set to play again on Friday against the Chicago Sky, which will be broadcast on ION. This could end up being the most important game of Ogwumike’s season, as she just needs one more point to own the top spot all-time in franchise history in points.
Ogwumike most likely won’t be thinking about the record, since her team will need that win. The Sparks have lost seven of the 10 games and are losers of two straight contests. Picking up a win will go a long way toward getting Los Angeles back on the right track and keeping it in the playoff hunt. Look for Ogwumike to play a pivotal role on the team in making that happen.
The FHSAA revealed the set-up for its new Independent Football League on Wednesday and at first glance, it appears that Windermere and Mount Dora Christian are likely favorites in the two-tiered lineup.
The new league, which consists of teams that declared their intention to compete separate from that of the FHSAA district competition, will compete for postseason play from within two “Pools.” Pool A (teams with more than 900 enrollment) and Pool B (teams with less than 859) are divided into North and South divisions in each.
The teams will vie for 16 playoff spots, eight in each division, and the postseason qualifiers will be determined by the MaxPreps power rankings. The seasons will culminate with championship games at The Villages on Dec. 4. Schools are not limited to regular-season competition within the new Independent League, although some independent teams are limited in scheduling, like some teams within Orange County Public Schools. Independent OCPS schools must face at least seven OCPS Independent foes. Windermere is excluded, and will only face one independent team — Orlando Freedom — this season.
The other OCPS Independent teams are Colonial, Cypress Creek, Innovation, Lake Buena Vista, Oak Ridge and University.
Windermere, led by fifth-year coach Riki Smith, will be putting its 20-game winning streak on the line as it heads into a season full of much more difficult competition, with the likes of 2025 playoff teams Edgewater, Dr. Phillips, St. Cloud and Winter Park on the schedule. Based on rankings from the end of last season, Windermere enters as the highest-ranked team in the Independent Pool A.
The Wolverines, coming off back-to-back 10-0 seasons, were ranked 111 at the end of last season, and were the highest-ranked team among all of the 78 Independent League teams.
Smith is quick to point out, however, that those are last year’s numbers and with the ramped-up schedule this season, things could be a lot different for the Wolverines.
“I think it’s part of the growth process, maturation process here at Windermere High. We’re playing a really tough schedule,” Smith said. “I told the players this week that true growth comes from adversity,” Smith said. “Adversity is coming. Hard is coming. So, just embrace the moment and we’re gonna attack it one day at a time and the goal is to qualify for the postseason.”
He does know, however, that the upgraded schedule will give Windermere an added boost in the rankings due to its schedule strength.
“I think it’s part of the growth process or maturation process for Windermere football,” Smith said. “If you look back to my first year, we were 2-8. We’re just building and you can’t skip steps. This is the next step.
“I’m excited now that it’s official. I’ve always wanted the players to have an opportunity to play in the postseason, and we’re thankful for that,” said. Smith, who’s back-to-back 10-0 teams did not have postseason options the past two years. “I’m thankful for that.”
Smith said the team’s hashtag for this season is #TheOcean.
“I told the kids we were in the Butler Chain (of Lakes) and we ate all the fish in the Butler Chain,” Smith said. “Now, they’re taking the shark out of the Butler Chain and dropping it in the ocean. The difference between the lake and the ocean is that there’s carnivores in there, there’s high tides, the temperature of the water changes, you can’t see the land, you don’t know what’s beneath you, so for us moving forward, it’s a challenge.
“I just told the kids to think of it as an opportunity to (face) these elite teams and become battle-tested and then qualify for the Independent playoffs.”
Mount Dora Christian finished last season 12-2 and with the second-highest ranking of all Independent teams at 143 and is the highest-ranked team among those in Pool B.
The Bulldogs moved back into FHSAA play after three seasons in the Sunshine State Athletic Association, in which they played for the 11-man championship a year ago. MDCA lost to Jupiter Christian in the final 41-19.
Fifth-year coach Kolby Tackett likes the new league, which was a big reason why the Bulldogs opted to return to FHSAA play, although he still said he thinks the separation by enrollment is an antiquated philosophy.
“I think throwing out enrollment as a measuring stick and just using MaxPreps rankings, in my opinion, that probably would have provided a little bit better competitive balance,” Tackett said. “I don’t think your enrollment dictates how good you are. Like First Academy is a 2A school by enrollment, but they can beat anybody in the state any given day.
“Enrollment is not what it used to be. In the transfer world, it’s a lot different.”
He did, however, say he thought the association did a good job dividing the teams based on its criteria.
“They did decide to go with (enrollment) and, yeah, I thought it was good. I think they did a good job listening to the needs,” Tackett said. “We’re really excited about it because we’re back under the FHSAA umbrella, which ultimately, is what we wanted to be. That was the easy motivator for us.”
Tackett welcomes the target on the Bulldogs backs, although he said it doesn’t really change things for his team.
“We definitely noticed that and I also know there are a lot of teams who might have a lower ranking, but I know what they’ve done this offseason and I know the kids they’ve brought back and developed, so I expect a few more teams to be cranked up and ready to go,” Tackett said. “I don’t put a lot of stock into (the rankings). You gotta play the games to figure out where you are.
“It’s been a change of pace here. We’ve always embraced the hunt and now I guess we’re more of the hunted. It’s been a shift in thinking but we don’t change up what we do. We’re kind of boring.”
Like Windermere, MDCA has also had a good run. Tackett is 49-20 at MDCA heading into his seventh season.
“Mount Dora Christian presented a really good picture here of what I felt was like Tennessee and Georgia, to where we have alignment. My president wants football to be good, and our head of school wants football to be good,” Tackett said of one of the smaller schools in the FHSAA, with about 270 enrollment 9-through-12. “It’s a team effort to be able to continue to have success. We take pride in that we’ve got 55 guys out for varsity football right now and 45 out for JV. Our numbers have never been better.
“Our goal is to have every boy at our school playing football and we’re dang near close to it.”
Tackett also takes pride in his ability to keep kids around, which is a huge task in this transfer era.
“In the last four years here at Mount Dora Christian, we have not lost a kid to a transfer,” Tackett said of his 17 fourth-year seniors. “We’ve added some kids, but we have not lost a single kid to a transfer.”
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback patrick Mahomes. Getty
All eyes will be on the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs when they cap off the 1st week of the 2026 regular season on Monday Night Football at Arrowhead Stadium.
The biggest question hanging over the game is singular — will Chiefs quarterback and 2-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes play or not?
Mahomes certainly seems determined to be on the field after tearing his ACL in Week 15 of the 2025 regular season, and seems more determined by who the Chiefs are playing after the Broncos ended Kansas City’s 9-year reign atop the AFC West Division in 2025.
It was the 1st major injury of Mahomes’ already-legendary career, which includes 3 Super Bowl wins and 2 more Super Bowl appearances.
“That’s my goal,” Mahomes told Yahoo Sports on Wednesday. “I’ve said that since the beginning is being ready to go Week 1. I can’t predict the future and I know that it’s a long process. It’s not just my decision, but at the same time I’m going to give the doctors and the coaches every single opportunity I can to let me be out there Week 1. I don’t want to miss that game (against the Broncos) because that’s the team that won the division while we were gone and you want to be out there and ready to go with your teammates. I’ll give every single thing I can to be out there Week 1 and hopefully the doctors and the coaches give me the green light and I’m able to go out there with my guys and compete against one of the best teams in the league.”
Mahomes’ latest comments continue what’s been a pretty straightforward recovery for the superstar, who became the highest-paid player in NFL history for the 2nd time in his career when he signed an 8-year, $504.75 million contract extension in June.
In a video posted to the Chiefs’ official social media accounts in May, Mahomes is seen dropping back and firing off a pass during OTAs, wearing a large brace on his surgically repaired left knee.
“Pretty clear Patrick Mahomes will be ready for Week 1 against the Broncos,” Broncos beat reporter Zac Stevens wrote on his official X account after the video was posted.
Mahomes is widely regarded as 1 of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history — even though he’s only been the Chiefs’ starting quarterback for 8 seasons.
Patrick Mahomes Coming Off ACL Tear in Week 15
Mahomes is returning from the 1st serious injury of his career — a torn ACL suffered in Week 15 of the 2025 regular season. There has been no concrete timetable for his return, but the NFL putting the Broncos, a Super Bowl contender, to face the Chiefs in the season opener in a primetime game seemed to be a big clue that he might be back.
The Broncos ended the Chiefs’ 9-year streak of AFC West Division titles in 2025, going 14-3 and earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC Playoffs.
The Chiefs went 6-11 and missed the playoffs for the 1st time since 2014 — 3 years before Mahomes was drafted and 4 years before he became the starting quarterback.
“You would never bet against Patrick Mahomes and the NFL certainly hasn’t,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on May 15. “The league has scheduled the Chiefs for the opening Monday night game of the year. The league doesn’t do that unless they think that there’s a realistic chance that Patrick Mahomes is going to be back. And I think the feeling is right now you have to see how the knee is progressing during the course of the summer, but the feeling right now within the organization is that he is tracking to be ready for that Monday night game against Bo Nix, who is coming off his own surgeries on his ankle, and the Denver Broncos in Kansas City.”
The New York Yankees are hunting for more pitchers as they make their second half playoff push and it appears the San Diego Padres‘ Mason Miller is at the top of the list.
As reported by The New York Post’s Jon Heyman, the Yankees’ two primary targets entering the trade deadline on Aug. 3 are Padres closer Mason Miller and Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers.
Miller just completed his second All-Star Game appearance, his second in the past three seasons. The 27-year-old has emerged as one of the game’s top closers, becoming notable for pitching an immaculate inning in a late season game in 2025 and breaking a franchise record for most consecutive scoreless innings (33 2/3 innings) earlier this season.
Miller leads the National League in a number of categories, including saves (25), games finished (34) and win probability added (3.2).
While addressing those trade rumors on a potential deal to the Yankees, Miller took it as a compliment. He did however say that he’s not a big city guy.
“It’s a compliment,” Miller told reporters of the Yankees’ potential interest. “They’re a very good team, and they’re interested in good players. It’s a big city,” Miller said. “I can’t say I’m a big city guy.”
Mason Miller No Stranger to Trade Deadline Deals
Miller is obviously no stranger to deadline deals with the Oakland Athletics previously dealing the veteran pitcher to the Padres at last season’s trade deadline. The Padres are obviously an annual contender that is expected to compete for playoffs berths every season. They’re currently 3.5 games back of the Miami Marlins for the final wild card spot in the National League and a lot will hinge on whether or not they gain ground over the next couple of weeks.
The 27-year-old pitcher’s stat line is astonishing and it’s no surprise that the Yankees would covet him as they make their own push for the playoffs. Miller’s stat line is as follows: 25 saves and a 0.91 ERA with 72 strikeouts in just 39.2 innings pitched.
The Yankees currently lead the AL Wild Card race, but they trail just three games back of the Tampa Bay Rays for the lead in the AL East.
While speaking to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, Miller detailed what it’ll take for the Padres to make a second half push.
“It’s competitive; it’s all about getting hot at the right time,” Miller said. “I think you’ll see a lot of teams probably adding and going for it, because anything can happen any given year. You’ve just got to get in.”
Padres’ Performance Will Likely Dictate Mason Miller’s Future
Feinsand went into detail about how the Padres’ play will likely dictate whether or not Miller remains in a San Diego uniform to end the season.
“Mason Miller knows all about the potential for distraction in the weeks leading up to the Deadline, having been traded from the Athletics to the Padres last July 31. San Diego, which hit the break at 48-48 to pull within 3 1/2 games of the final NL Wild Card spot, is one of those teams that could go either way between now and Aug. 3, creating a sense of urgency within the clubhouse.”
We’ll see where Miller ultimately ends up, but it’s clear he’s at the top of the list on the Yankees’ radar.
Does LeBron James migrating back to the Eastern Conference have any implications on the reigning champion Knicks? The answer hinges largely on The Decision 2.0, where LeBron chooses what could be the final destination in one of the greatest careers in NBA history.
James’ timeline is unclear, but the rest of the 2026 NBA free agency process is in a holding pattern as the now ex-Los Angeles Laker sorts through the options available for the fourth — and possibly final — stop of his Hall of Fame career.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors are among the Western Conference teams listed on his agent Rich Paul’s infamous whiteboard — the canvas of choice used to list all of LeBron’s free agency options in a recent episode of Paul’s Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman.
That whiteboard, however, also featured three Eastern Conference teams angling to dethrone the Knicks and win the East for a chance to secure the 2027 NBA title. There’s a real chance James, in Year 24 at age 42, chooses one of those three team — and tips the balance of power in a conference expected to be even more competitive next season.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
The Knicks just ended a 53-year NBA championship drought. There are five more teams who haven’t won in 40 or more years. The 76ers are one of them.
And since LeBron can’t end New York’s championship drought, the Sixers offer an opportunity to restore a starved basketball market in one of the country’s biggest sports cities.
LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers would feed families — because he’d be joining a star-studded cast of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown — who was stunningly acquired for Paul George and picks in a deal with the Boston Celtics — and V.J. Edgecombe.
The Knicks have a stacked starting five. If the Sixers were to add LeBron — a four-time champion, four-time MVP, three-time Olympic gold medalist and 22-time All-Star — they could easily have one of the best five-man lineups in NBA history, even with James in the twilight of his storied career.
But Embiid’s health is perpetually in question. Edgecombe is only in his sophomore season. Brown, even with a Finals MVP in his name, has much to prove after an embarrassing trade out of Boston. Maxey is a problem, but James may need to shoulder a load far greater than his 42-year-old frame can handle to life Philadelphia into the euphoria New York City experienced this summer.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
The fairytale ending is always going back where it all started, the kid from Akron, Ohio delivering one last title before sailing off into the sunset.
The Cavaliers made the Eastern Conference Finals. They were swept, however, by the Knicks — and a 42-year-old LeBron doesn’t solve the problems sure to plague Cleveland in their ensuing playoff runs. The Cavaliers do have an in: Brandon Weems, Cleveland’s assistant general manager and a longtime friend of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. The Cavaliers could also explore trade possibilities with James Harden, who is an unrestricted free agent also in a holding pattern while LeBron makes his decision. Paul said on his Game Over podcast his superstar client was a big fan of Darius Garland, who the Cavs traded away to the Los Angeles Clippers for Harden in the first place.
But home is where the heart is. Sometimes. LeBron has another home to choose from — a team capable of presenting far greater problems than a cast led by Harden and Donovan Mitchell.
MIAMI HEAT
This is where things get dicey in New York. Because the Heat present a unique opportunity for LeBron to sit in the passenger’s seat. In Miami, The King would be the third option to a two-time MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo and a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate who just set a new record for second-most points in a single game (83) in Bam Adebayo.
The Heat also have Andrew Wiggins, who can still play at a high level on both ends of the floor. Their size and spacing — and Giannis, of course — would pose instant problems for the Knicks, who lost Mitchell Robinson and Ariel Hukporti and will be leaning largely on Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Andre Drummond as their paint presence this season.
The Heat also have Bobby Portis and Tim Hardaway Jr. Nikola Jovic and Simone Fontecchio provide quality depth. Plus Pelle Larsson had his breakout season averaging 11 points in his sophomore NBA season.
And unlike the 76ers, who worry nightly about Embiid’s playing status, the Heat tend to be healthy at the right time.
The Cavaliers have the hometown edge. The 76ers might have the most promise. But if LeBron returns to South Beach, it’s the Heat who’d have the best chance of the three to make a run at the Knicks’ throne.
It’s why no one’s moving a muscle until James makes his decision. Almost a quarter-century into his playing career, The King still has moves on the chessboard. And his move has direct implications at Madison Square Garden.
The American League All-Stars dominated the National League yet again on Tuesday, July 14, winning 4-0 and earning their 11th victory of the last 13 Midsummer Classics.
With that out of the way, attention turns to the MLB trade deadline on Aug. 3. With less than a month away, the time has come for teams to decide whether they will buyers or sellers.
Some teams have obviously already fallen into one of those categories. The Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels are too far out of contention to be buying at this point, but each of those teams have great players that contenders would love to have for the remainder of the season.
Superstars such as Byron Buxton, back-to-back Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal and All-Star closer Mason Miller have all emerged as likely trade candidates. And of each them would instantly elevate any team they joined.
Here are our rankings of the top 10 MLB trade deadline targets:
Power ranking the ten best MLB trade deadline targets
Honorable mentions: 2B Luis Arraez, 3B Matt Chapman, RHP Casey Mize, SS CJ Abrams, RHP Sonny Gray, 1B Willson Contreras, LHP Josh Hader, RHP Jose Soriano, RHP Michael Wacha, LHP Robbie Ray, RHP Freddy Peralta
10. UTIL Casey Schmitt, Giants
Schmitt has burst onto the scene in 2026, offering solid offense and capable defense at a variety of positions. In just 2026 alone, the 27-year-old has played in the outfield and at every position on the infield. Couple that versatility in the field with 19 home runs and an OPS over .800 and that's a very solid player that any team would love to have.
Schmitt will enter his first year of arbitration in 2027, meaning he could be under team control for the next three years, albeit at likely increasing cost.
Even at 38 years old, Aroldis Chapman is showing that he can still be an incredibly valuable arm. Chapman is in the midst of his second consecutive All-Star season and has recorded a 2.20 ERA with 19 saves through the first half.
While Chapman's price tag is hefty, this is an arm that could be worth it for the postseason. Not only has Chapman won two World Series in his career, but he's boasted an outstanding 2.30 ERA in the playoffs since 2016.
Detmers' 4.38 ERA is not indicative of what he brings to the table. He is a great strikeout pitcher with a remarkable offspeed arsenal. His 3.35 FIP and 3.38 xERA point that he has been rather unlucky this year.
The biggest issue with a potential Detmers trade is the likely cost. Reports indicate that the Angels will be looking for a package similar to what the Tigers would get for Tarik Skubal, the reigning back-to-back American League Cy Young winner. That price could drive several teams away.
That said, Detmers still has two years of arbitration left, meaning he could be a top of the rotation arm that costs a fraction of what Skubal does.
2026 stats: 3-6, 4.39 ERA, 3.35 FIP, 10.2 K/9
7. OF Jung Hoo Lee, Giants
A classic top-of-the-lineup bat, Lee offers remarkable contact skills, serviceable outfield defense, and low but enough pop to the gaps to be worth his price tag of $21 million/year over the next three seasons. He's currently experiencing his best season in the bigs and is entering his prime at 27 years old.
His high batting average and low strikeout rate make for a combination that any team could use to produce runs, and moving him out of Oracle Park could see his offensive numbers improve.
An underrated arm in the big leagues for years now, Ryan is on a rather team-friendly contract with potentially another year under team control. The draw is obvious. Only six qualified pitchers have a better strikeout-to-walk ratio. His 2.85 ERA is far and away the best of his career, and he's still just 30 years old.
Ryan is a front-line starter on a team known for having enormous fire sales at the deadline. Ryan isn't just a likely candidate to be traded, he's a candidate that will draw numerous suitors and a hefty haul.
2026 stats: 6-5, 2.85 ERA, 2.77 FIP, 10.4 K/9
5. SS Jeremy Peña, Astros
Although Peña can be inconsistent when it comes to pitch selection, his plus defense and solid power/speed combo makes him an enticing option for any team struggling to find offensive production at shortstop. That said, there is a chance that the Astros hold onto Peña.
The Astros are still holding onto hope that they can contend for a World Series title despite lacking the roster to do so. Their farm system is also atrocious, meaning a trade of this magnitude could do their future good. Will they actually pull the trigger though? That's yet to be seen.
Any time a team can find value behind the plate, it provides them with a massive advantage over their opponent. The New York Yankees are the first team that comes to mind when considering who could be interested in grabbing Jeffers' services. After all, their catchers have combined for -1.1 Wins Above Average, per Baseball Reference, good for 27th in MLB.
Jeffers' .538 slugging from behind home plate would give the Yankees' offense a massive boost almost immediately. Well, it would give any offense a huge boost immediately.
When healthy, Byron Buxton is one of the best center fielders in baseball, providing an immaculate power-speed combo and incredible defense at one of the sport's toughest positions. The three-time All-Star may be 32 years old and carry a history of injury problems, but he has played in atleast 100 games in two straight years and is on pace to do so again in 2026.
At just over $15 million a year and with team control through the 2028 season, Buxton would be an absolute steal if he can remain healthy through the rest of his contract.
It's hard to determine a definitive best player at any position, but Mason Miller might be as close to a unanimous selection as anyone. Undeniably one of the premier closers in baseball, Miller boasts electric stuff. His Baseball Savant page is littered with deep red. He's in the upper echelon of pitchers in every single countable stat with a fastball averaging more than 101 mph.
Of course, the question is whether or not the Padres are going to be willing to sell Miller. The Padres have said that they are unlikely to ship their All-Star closer elsewhere, but they have admitted to being open to the idea. That alone will be enough to get a myriad of calls as the deadline approaches.
What needs to be said about someone who has won back-to-back Cy Young Awards? While Skubal will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, he's done more than enough to prove how valuable he could be to a franchise looking to make a final push into the postseason. He's a pitcher that gives your team an indescribable advantage every time he steps onto the field.
While 2026 has seen Skubal deal with some injuries, he still boasts a remarkable 3.09 ERA and 3.06 FIP. He's also boasting the best strikeout-to-walk ratio of his career.
Argentina's players display their controversial banner after their win over England [Getty Images]
Argentina face the prospect of disciplinary action from Fifa after their players celebrated the World Cup semi-final win against England with a banner in support of their country's claims to the Falkland Islands.
The defending world champions produced a dramatic late comeback in Atlanta, scoring twice to defeat Thomas Tuchel's side 2-1 and book a showdown with Spain in Sunday's final.
After the final whistle, Argentina players celebrated while holding a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas", which translates as "The Falklands are Argentine".
The Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory in the south-west Atlantic Ocean, remain the subject of a sovereignty dispute between Britain and Argentina.
The two nations went to war over the group of islands, situated 300 miles off Argentina's east coast, from April to June 1982.
The 74-day conflict led to the deaths of 655 Argentine and 255 British servicemen. Three people from the islands also died.
After Wednesday's victory, Argentina vice-president Victoria Villarruel posted on X, writing "it wasn't just another match" alongside a video of what appeared to be Argentine soldiers.
"The Falklands are Argentine," Villarruel posted. "They banned bringing them to the stadium and forgot that we carry them in our blood and our hearts."
In the build-up to the game, Villarruel had said the semi-final was "about putting the invaders in their place".
Argentina players also sang chants which referenced the Falklands and Argentina greats Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi following their dramatic 3-2 win over Egypt in the last 16.
However, before the semi-final, manager Lionel Scaloni had said he was "not going to mix" football and politics.
"The reality is that this is a football match. I can't mix things up, especially out of respect for what happened so many years ago," Scaloni had said.
"It was a very sad period in our history, and there isn't much we can do about it, that's the reality.
"Things are happening elsewhere in the world, and we criticise the existence of war. We certainly remember those people, of course. But it is a football match - we shouldn't confuse the two."
The semi-final, which England lost to late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, was held under increased security measures because of the historical tensions between the two nations.
"Enough is kind of enough," Gray said on Wednesday, July 15, in her first media availability since coming forward about the racial abuse she received on social media. "These messages are not the first of its kind. There was other stuff too ... It was just time. I got fed up with it and I just decided to share it."
Gray said she's experienced a wave of emotions since "putting myself out there" to shed light on the harassment some Black WNBA players regularly face. She hoped making the slur public would give a realistic look at what she and others experience, "so people can see it and can't ignore it," she said
"The hate directed at me and so many other Black athletes is one of the many ways systemic racism shows up in our lives," Gray wrote in a social media post shared on Wednesday afternoon. "But as athletes, there is real power in calling it out and naming it, and we have a real opportunity to create change collectively when we do so."
On Monday, Gray shared a screenshot of an Instagram message she received following the Aces' 109-75 loss to the Indiana Fever on Sunday. She captioned the Instagram Story, "People act like we just make this (stuff) up. And the audacity to tell us as athletes to 'shut up and dribble.'"
The man responsible for the racial slur was quickly identified by fans, prompting Hilton Grand Vacations to open an investigation. By Tuesday evening, the hotel chain announced the man had been fired for violating company policies.
On Wednesday, Gray said it was "really cool" to see everyone rally her around her in a positive way. She added "moments like this remind me of how much strength there is in people coming together."
"The overwhelming messages and everything that I got from people and their support and them sending emails, them messaging me and actually trying to find the person that actually said it. I was just like, it was really cool to see a bunch of athletes, a bunch of people and just human decency to see people coming together," Gray said.
Gray isn't the first WNBA player to come forward about racial abuse this season.
"I think the biggest thing is it's just about our safety. We're so concerned about the safety on the court, but time and time again, we're having people threatening our lives," Thomas said on June 30. "At some point the league needs to (take) a stand on it. … I'm sick and tired of it and it's time for (the league) to step up and have our backs.
Following Thomas' comments, Engelbert issued a statement that says the league "vehemently condemns any and all forms of hate."
“The safety and well-being of everyone in our community is always the league’s top priority," Engelbert said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. "We are aware of Alyssa Thomas’ comments, and what she and her teammates have experienced is completely unacceptable and not representative of the WNBA community. The league and our security team have been in contact with the Phoenix Mercury organization and remain committed to protecting all players.”
The league issued another statement on Wednesday in light of the incident with Gray.
"The WNBA fully supports the Las Vegas Aces' statement and stands with Chelsea (Gray) and every member of our league. We unequivocally condemn racism and all forms of hate. There is no place for this behavior in sports or anywhere, and we remain committed to protecting the players and fostering an environment built on respect and inclusion."
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
The Spurs were aware of the looming meniscus procedure when they drafted the 6-foot-9, 253-pound big man. "We do our homework and we've got a great medical team that's very thorough in their analysis and process," general manager Brian Wright said. "We spent time with his representatives going through where he is in his rehabilitation process and what the options are. We got comfortable about what that looks like today and then the long-term prognosis as well." The Spurs provided no specific timetable for Quaintance's recovery.
Jude Bellingham of England leaves the field after the team's defeat in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026. —Ryan Pierse—FIFA/Getty Images
Sixty years. That’s how long England has been waiting for its World Cup victory drought to finally run its course. Heck, England, believed to be the birthplace of soccer, the most popular game of the planet, and home to the best professional league on the globe, hasn’t even been to a World Cup final since 1966, when Geoff Hurst scored a hat trick, at Wembley against West Germany, in a victory that expected to surely usher in a glorious era for soccer royalty.
No more trophies came England’s way. But on Wednesday afternoon in Atlanta, England was a mere five minutes away, plus stoppage time, from going back to the final for the first time in six decades, and coming one precious step closer from exorcizing all its World Cup demons.
Five minutes plus stoppage time. Scant time—but enough, it turned out, for the defending champs, and the game’s greatest ever player, Lionel Messi, who with this World Cup performance, at 39, has officially ended all debate on that GOAT matter, to crush England’s soul once again.
Argentina is moving on to face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium, after beating England 2-1 in a thrilling semifinal in Atlanta. If the Spain-Argentina final offers half the combination of drama, stellar play, and heartbreak that Wednesday’s semifinal provided, the 2026 World Cup, which is already setting all kinds of attendance and viewership records, will go out on a proper high note.
England finally broke through a scoreless draw in the 55th minute, when Anthony Gordon’s difficult finish of a Morgan Rogers cross gave England the 1-0 lead. Gordon, a Barcelona winger, became a true household name in the Round of 16, when Mexico coach Javier Aguirre jokingly told him “f— you” in front of worldwide TV cameras. He’d now be known for so much more, if England could just hold on.
The Three Lions were content to stay back on their heels, and load all their players in a defensive posture to stop Argentina from tying up the game.
There’s an argument to be made—in soccer, football, basketball, and many other games—to keep attacking, even when you have an advantage. If an aggressive style got you the lead, why stop? Go with what got you there.
But England went into a prevent defense, a strategy from England manager Thomas Tuchel, a German, that will be picked apart by the English press, and in pubs, for the next hundred, two hundred years.
For Argentina kept knocking on the door. One attempt hit the post. The defending champs controlled possession for the latter part of regulation. But England could still taste survival. Until the 85th minute, when Messi, off a short corner kick, attracted three defenders while dribbling in. Messi spotted teammate Enzo Fernández, open, near the top of the box. Fernández took the Messi pass and rocketed a long-distance angular beauty into the net to tie the game.
All wasn’t yet lost for England. But just seven minutes later, in the second minute of stoppage time, a second Messi assist broke the Three Lions. A shot from Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister hit the post. Messi tracked down the loose ball, and dribbled towards the box before firing an absolutely perfect right-footed cross onto the head of Lautaro Martínez, who finished England’s dreams, and extended its pain.
Especially the particular, and sizable, portion of that pain that stems from England’s matchups against Argentina in the World Cup. In 1986, Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in the quarterfinal made the difference in England’s 2-1 loss in Mexico City. A dozen years later, wunderkind David Beckham was pilloried for receiving a red card against Argentina in the second half of their Round of 16 clash at the 1998 World Cup in France; Argentina prevailed in a shootout, and the abuse heaped on Beckham marked a sad chapter in English football history.
Can England take some consolation that, at least this time, it was Messi’s sublime playmaking that felled them?
Doubtful. At least not yet. All this history, plus a pair of finals appearances, and heartbreaking losses, in the most recent European championships is just too painful right now. England, given the potential of ending the 60 years of futility, was a sentimental favorite to emerge from the final four powers at this World Cup, which also included Argentina (who last won in 2022), France (2018) and Spain (2010). ”I've suffered so many times,” former England striker Gary Lineker, who lost at the Hand of God in 1986, said on a recent podcast. “I just want us to win it before I die. Just once, just once, please”
Poor Gary, and his fellow citizens of England. They will have to wait, and wait, and wait. Messi, meanwhile, moves on. He now has eight goals and four assists in this World Cup: he’s contributed a goal or assist in each of Argentina’s seven World Cup wins this summer. For the first time in a World Cup final, the reigning European champs (Spain) will face the reigning South American champion (Argentina). Messi and his mates will attempt to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cup titles since Brazil, who did it in 1958 and 1962.
Argentina will chase history. England will go home. Again.
ATLANTA (AP) — England desperately wanted to protect its lead as time was winding down in the World Cup semifinals. Coach Thomas Tuchel made lineup and strategy changes to build a wall in front of goal.
England led 1-0 late in the second half before Messi assisted on goals by Enzo Fernandez in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martinez in the second minute of injury time to give Argentina a wild 2-1 victory Wednesday and a spot in the World Cup final against Spain.
Tuchel's tactical choices in one of the biggest matchups in one of soccer's biggest rivalries will likely be scrutinized and criticized for years. England missed it chance to return to the World Cup final for the first time since 1966.
“We played a good game for the large majority of it. Once we went 1-0 up, we seemed to just try and hold on, which at this level is not enough," England striker Harry Kane said. "Just gutted, gutted. Because we’ve worked so hard to get here.”
England's loss marked only the second time this century that the team that scored first in a World Cup semifinal match did not reach the final, according to Opta. The other team was also England in 2018 against Croatia.
England took the lead on Anthony Gordon's goal in the 55th minute. But Argentina quickly switched the momentum with furious pressure on England's defense.
To protect the lead, England drew closer and closer to its own goal, hoping to build the sort of impenetrable wall it had when it held on to beat Mexico in the round of 16 despite being down to 10 players.
Tuchel swapped defender Reece James for Dan Burn, and midfielder Declan Rice for defender Nico O’Reilly in the 82nd minute.
Fernandez struck barely three minutes later, with a precision right-footed strike from just outside the penalty area. Messi set up the play with a pass to his teammate's feet and England defenders failed to close him down before he ripped the shot that curled past diving goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Argentina kept coming and England's wall kept crumbling. The defending champions hit the crossbar and missed another header across the mouth of the goal before Martinez finally sealed it with a powerful close-range header when England defenders lost him on a cross from Messi.
“They got tired,” Martinez said. "They pressed for 60 minutes and then just ran out of steam. They got their goal and then sat back. That gave us more composure to move the ball around and stretch the pitch.”
Harry Kane couldn't find the back of the net against Argentina as Thomas Tuchel's side was beaten by Argentina -Credit:DeFodi Images, DeFodi Images via Getty Images
England captain Harry Kane has disclosed that head coach Thomas Tuchel sent him a confidential message from the sideline before they endured a devastating late 2-1 loss to Argentina in their FIFA World Cup semifinal. The 32-year-old appeared reflective as he addressed the media following the crushing late setback, with Anthony Gordon's opening goal neutralized by Enzo Fernandez.
Substitute Lautaro Martinez then emerged in the second minute of added time to nod home the decisive goal for Argentina, who had controlled the closing stages of the match. Kane, who had an understated performance spearheading the attack for Tuchel's side, revealed what his manager communicated to him following Gordon's strike.
"The boys are always ready for any moment in the game. When we went ahead, the message was to go ahead and get another goal," Kane told BBC Sport.
-Credit:Michael Regan - FIFA, FIFA via Getty Images
"Then obviously once they scored their two goals it was to try and find something [another goal]. But we couldn't quite get the momentum back in the game."
England have now advanced to the semifinal in three of their past four major competitions, in addition to reaching the UEFA Euro 2024 final before falling to Spain. When questioned about what the squad can take away, Kane acknowledged they were lacking something when it comes to the advanced stages of tournaments, via The Mirror.
"We had a lot of good moments in this tournament, a lot of good games, another semi-final," he added. "We talk about knocking on the door, we're close, but we just need to find that missing piece in the final stages of the tournament.
"These tournaments take it out of you, so much effort, pressure and mentality. We've shown a lot of that out of the six or seven weeks we've been together. We're just missing that final piece."
Tuchel had switched to a 5-4-1 formation for the last 25 minutes of the game, sending on Dan Burn and Nico O'Reilly to defend the slender lead. As Argentina pushed further forward, the Three Lions retreated onto the edge of their own box.
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When reflecting on England's downfall, Kane declined to point the finger at Tuchel's tactical approach, instead crediting Argentina's relentless pressure as the decisive factor in their victory.
"We struggled to get pressure on the ball. Especially first half and start of the second half, we pressed them well, we put them under loads of pressure high up the pitch which then allowed us to win balls and control the game a bit better," he added.
"After the goal, whether it was them putting more men forward or us not being able to match them man for man, it was just wave after wave. Lads were putting blocks in but, in the end, it just wasn't enough."
With England now eliminated, Argentina will set their sights on becoming just the third nation ever to claim back-to-back World Cup titles, following in the footsteps of Italy and Brazil. Scaloni's squad will square off against Spain in Sunday's final, after Luis de la Fuente's side dispatched France 2-0 on Tuesday.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney said the Three Lions “didn’t know what to do” after taking the lead against Argentina as the defending World Cup 2026 champions came from behind to book their place in the final.
Argentina, meanwhile, did not panic. Lionel Messi’s side had come from a series of close games to reach the semi-final and produced another comeback with goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.
Tuchel insisted later that he had ‘no regrets’ over England’s approach (Reuters)
Tuchel faced criticism immediately after full-time, in what was an England defeat that felt painfully familiar to the 2018 World Cup semi-final against Croatia and the Euro 2020 final against Italy - games England lost after taking the lead.
“Gareth Southgate took a lot of criticism for the big moments with England, when they had the lead in big games and shutting up shop,” former England goalkeeper Joe Hart said on the BBC. “I don't see that anything has changed in that big moment out there.
“For as much praise as we have given Thomas Tuchel, for him to change it as soon as he did, that is him saying he didn't believe in his team, that he didn't think they could land any more punches on Argentina.”
What were Thomas Tuchel’s changes?
Tuchel’s first change, on 72 minutes, was to take off goalscorer and forward Anthony Gordon for defender Ezri Konsa. It brought a shift in formation from England as Tuchel shifted to a back-five, with Konsa slotting into centre-back.
By that point, England were already facing waves and waves of Argentina pressure. The holders increased the tempo with their own attacking changes, including the arrivals of Nico Gonzalez, Rodrigo De Paul and, finally, Lautaro Martinez.
A further double-change from Tuchel arrived on 82 minutes with Dan Burn and Nico O’Reilly replacing midfielder Declan Rice and injured full-back Reece James. By that point, England had six defenders on the pitch.
Kane said England holding on to 1-0 was ‘not enough’ at his level (Getty)
Fernandez’s equaliser followed in the 85th minute and it was a sucker-punch to England’s belief. Striker Martinez then scored the winner in the second minute of nine added on, and Marcus Rashford and Ivan Toney were sent on as a last resort.
England’s approach was not dissimilar to their defensive changes in the last-16 against Mexico when Tuchel’s side, after going down to 10 men, dropped deep and sat on their lead. This time, however, it wasn’t enough, with captain Harry Kane suggesting England needed to show more ambition.
"Gutted for the boys, gutted for everyone - the team, the staff, the fans,” Kane said. “We played a good game the large majority of it. When we went 1-0 up we seemed to try and hold on, which at this level is not enough.”
‘We didn’t know what to do’
Wayne Rooney said England “crumbled” after going ahead and blamed Tuchel for being too negative. “Once we got the first goal, we didn't look to go for the second goal. For the players, and for me, Thomas Tuchel made the decision, and when you make the decision it is a gamble.
“The gamble he made was to go with five at the back, which allowed them to dictate the game. The decisions that Tuchel has made cost us tonight.”
Micah Richards, meanwhile, said Tuchel had been brought in to help England take the next step, only for the same problems at the end of major tournaments to repeat themselves.
“Thomas Tuchel was brought in to be the difference,” Richards said. “Tactically, we all thought he got it wrong today. When we went to five at the back. I thought we could have kept the momentum going and brought on wingers. Ultimately, we didn't have the answers.”
(Getty)
What did Thomas Tuchel say?
Thomas Tuchel said he had “no regrets” despite England falling short, even though he accepted England were too “passive” after taking the lead. England had just 12 per cent of possession between taking the lead and going behind, and Tuchel took responsibility - but denied there was a “structural problem”.
”I did also offensive substitutions in the last games, we just tried to help the players. We conceded [a chance] straight away and we decided to go to a back five because the gaps were far too open,” he told the BBC.
"They won every header, they kept crossing and crossing so we went to a back five to close the gaps inside and be strong in the air. Straight after our goal, without any substitutions, we conceded way too many crosses and way too many chances so we tried to help.
(Getty)
"Of course we wanted to go for the second goal but I did not have the feeling that offensive substitutions would help. We stayed in our 4-4-2 but we became passive, more and more passive. We couldn't win any balls, we couldn't keep the ball so I think it was not a structural problem, we changed nothing. But the match changed completely.
"It's no problem, I can understand these discussions are out there and there are millions of coaches after the game who know it better."
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 27: Jaron 'Boots' Ennis reacts following his WBO and WBA World Super-Welterweight title victory against Xander Zayas at Barclays Center on June 27, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Following his super welterweight title win to claim two belts, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis joined Ring Magazine’s panel to discuss his career, how he views his fighting style, and where his focus is as he looks forward to the next page in his career. Check out some excerpts of what he had to say below.
Boots on how coming from a fighting family benefits him
“It adds a lot to my game. Both my brothers been around the block, my dad been around the block. They was former fighters as well, so they know, and they’ve been on the highest stages possible so they know what it takes and they been in the ring and basically whatever they say, I do. Because I know they see something I can’t see, so it’s great having them around.”
On how he would describe his style
“I feel like I’m a boxer-puncher but I really do what I want, for real. I can do whatever I want in the ring. And that’s another thing, each and every fight I’m giving ya’ll something different. This last fight I gave ya’ll some dog work, the fight before that I gave ya’ll a first round knockout, the fight when I fought Stanionis I was boxing and moving and not getting hit.
“I feel like I’m a variety bag of chips. Whatever you want, you have.”
On getting frustrated with Vergil Ortiz questions when he can’t control making the fight happen
“Everybody ask me about it all the time. I did my part. I thought the fight was done after he fought Lubin…I started training for that fight in January ‘cause we was supposed to fight in March, then we was supposed to fight in April, then we was supposed to fight in May, then we wind up fighting Zayas. So I technically kind of trained for five months for Zayas because they switched my opponent.
“Right now my task is belts…I got two belts in this division and my goal is to be undisputed and that’s what I’m going to do. So bring on these next champions.”
On Terence Crawford throwing some shade and if he still thinks about fighting him
“Let that man be happily retired. He said what he said and he said it’s the Boots’ era. So let him retire, let him enjoy himself. Of course that was a fight that I wanted — I always wanted to fight him, Errol Spence, those guys coming up, but at the end of the day it didn’t go that way.
“All the top guys back then, Errol Spence, Thurman was hot back then, like all those guys, Shawn Porter. I wanted all those guys back then but they was saying I was high risk/low reward and I got that my whole career. Everything happens for a reason, though. Perfect timing.”
The Arizona Cardinals have 14 opponents in 2026. Their Week 17 opponents are the Las Vegas Raiders, whom they face at State Farm Stadium. The Raiders, like the Cardinals, went 3-14 in 2025. They fired their coaching staff, traded their starting quarterback, acquired a veteran and selected a quarterback first overall in the 2026 NFL draft.
In a new episode of the podcast, as part of the opponent preview series, Raiders Wire lead writer Levi Damien joined me to preview the Raiders.
We spoke about their 2025 season, the coaching change, their moves in free agency, their selections in the draft and expectations for the 2026 season. We also find out what Raiders fans view that Week 17 matching with the Cardinals.
(1:00) The Raiders' 2025 season - what went well and not so well
(14:40) Hiring Klint Kubiak, moves in free agency and 2026 NFL draft picks
(27:09) Expectations for the Raiders in 2026
Enjoy the show!
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ROGGEN, Colo. – What’s it like to play an event with The Forecaddie Collective? For 44 members of the collective at Rodeo Dunes this week, it meant great golf on one of the best new courses to open in years, then even more great golf for a dozen hardy players who went back out for a bonus 18.
Rodeo Dunes was designed by the dream team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, and it hasn’t officially opened yet. No worries for The Forecaddie Collective, which had exclusive access for the day. Even on a summer day when temperatures broke 100 near Denver, a rustic course this strong keeps players swinging among the amazing sand dunes.
Want to join The Forecaddie Collective for the next event? We’ll tee it up at Streamsong’s new Bone Valley course, designed by David McLay Kidd, on Sept. 19 in Florida. And just like Rodeo Dunes, Bone Valley isn’t even fully open yet. The Forecaddie Collective members also will have the opportunity to play more rounds at Streamsong before or after Bone Valley.
Join The Forecaddie Collective for free this year, then just pay for the events you want to play. Registration is open to all. We hope to see you at Streamsong (register here). Until then, enjoy these photos of The Forecaddie Collective’s day at Rodeo Dunes.
Jason Lusk is Golfweek's travel and golf course architecture editor, as well as the magazine's creative director. He has written for and designed Golfweek for more than two decades.
A couple of weeks ago, videos emerged of a visibly out-of-shape Hill, who underwent knee surgery in the last quarter of 2025.
"Did you see how fat he is right now? So I'm not impressed," Blachowicz told Home of Fight of Hill. "We're going to see how he's going to move. I've had a lot of injuries and surgeries, and I've never looked so bad like him. So, he just eat a lot of sh*t, I think."
😭😳 Jan Blachowicz calls Jamahal Hill ‘fat’ and says he ‘eats a lot of shit’
“Did you see how fat he is right now? So I’m not impressed
I’ve had a lot of injuries and surgeries and I’ve never looked so bad like him, so he just eat a lot of shit I think.”
Blachowicz (29-11-2 MMA, 12-8-2 UFC) was scheduled to rematch Bogdan Guskov (18-3-1 MMA, 4-1-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 283 on Aug. 1 in Serbia after they battled to a majority draw in December at UFC 323. However, Guskov was pulled to replace Khalil Rountree against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Fight Night 282 on July 25 in Abu Dhabi, as Blachowicz awaits a new opponent.
England fans have been left heartbroken after the Three Lions were knocked out of the World Cup in a nail-biting 2-1 loss to Argentina.
The ecstasy after Anthony Gordon put England ahead just 10 minutes into the second half came crashing down as Enzo Fernandez equalised 85 minutes in and soured even further when Martinez put Argentina in the lead in the 92nd minute.
It followed a tense game which was littered with fouls and saw tempers flare at the Atlanta Stadium in Georgia.
England fans were left heartbroken (Getty)
At Boxpark in Wembley, north London, supporters were dejected after England failed to hold on to their lead. Pictures show fans with their head in their hands as they watched their team once again fail to grasp their chance to make it past the semi-final stage.
Luke and Vee Moore, twin brothers aged 33, were among those there. Vee said: “We fumbled it. I’m feeling disappointed, this was a great chance to win the World Cup and this was a weak Argentina team.
“If we got out-classed, I’d be like, okay, cool. England did not play a better team today. We were too defensive after we went one nil up.”
Luke said: “I’m disappointed, I thought it was coming home. Me and my friends were screaming out ‘you’ve got to bring on subs and attack’. Go for the game, counter, bring Rashford, Madueke, Saka on earlier and kill off the game.”
Leading the messages to the England team, the Prince of Wales said he was “gutted” but “proud” of Thomas Tuchel’s men.
Fans were left dejected after Argentina came from behind (Reuters)
“Gutted. England, you gave it everything and we are all so proud of you,” William wrote on Instagram.
“Thank you to everyone on and off the pitch, for an incredible tournament. The fight and belief you have shown has inspired us all. The most complete England team in a tournament. Hold your heads high.”
England fans at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester (Reuters)
Sir Keir Starmer also said he was “gutted” but praised the team’s “passion and energy”.
“Tonight wasn’t the result we all hoped for, but this England team has given it their all,” he said. “The passion and energy they’ve shown representing the badge has made us all proud.”
England fans appear dejected at Castlefield Bowl, Manchester (Cody Froggatt/PA) (PA Wire)
Fans were quick to criticise Mr Tuchel’s management after he switched to defensive substitutions once England were ahead, ultimately leaving them short after Argentina scored twice in quick succession.
“England’s manager, Tuchel, should definitely take the blame for that’s loss,” one wrote on X. “Poor tactical decision making. Decided to go defensive post Gordon scoring. Can’t expect England to defend for 30 mins straight without conceding. Completely changed the momentum of the game.”
What the Knicks and Jalen Brunson did en route to the organization's first NBA championship in 53 years was astounding, and it was made more spectacular after it was revealed that the Knicks point guard was playing a portion of the playoffs with an injury that required surgery.
Now, we know when Brunson was injured.
Speaking with ESPN Radio's Don, Hahn & Rosenberg on Wednesday, Brunson was asked about the injury. The Knicks captain couldn't pinpoint when he got hurt exactly, but knew he was hurt earlier than many believed.
“I’m good. Obviously, it’s going to take a little bit of time," Brunson said. "There isn’t a play where I remember it happening; I just remember being at the free-throw line in the third or fourth quarter of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals and my wrist is starting to feel weak.
"From that point on, it was just trying to figure out what was going on and how to proceed because I wasn’t going to get anything done during that time."
That game saw Brunson score 19 points in 40 minutes in the Knicks' 109-93 win to take a 2-0 series lead, a series they wound up sweeping. But Brunson would have bigger moments in the NBA Finals. He helped lead the improbable comeback in Game 4 and scored a franchise-record 43 points in Game 5 to clinch the title.
All with an injury to his shooting hand.
SNY's Ian Begley reported that Brunson underwent surgery to repair a left wrist/forearm injury earlier this month and that Brunson is expected to need at least two months for rehab/recovery.
Despite getting injured, Brunson wouldn't trade the experience, especially doing it in New York.
“It’s been a rollercoaster, honestly," Brunson said of life after winning the title. "Once we won and everything, everything was up high…everything after we won was amazing. And then getting back to real life, it was probably best to get surgery done for my wrist. That brought me back down. But I would do it all again."
It is a heavy time for rankings throughout the NFL. This is the case thanks to the worldwide leader. ESPN has been slow-playing their release of rankings of various position groups, an exercise they have been doing for a couple of years now (basically the new-look version of the old-school NFL Top 100).
For context it should be understood that ESPN assembles these rankings based on their sourcing of executives, coaches, and scouts throughout the league, so the thought is that these rankings are built by people who know the current game the best.
You can officially count DeMarvion Overshown among that honorable mention crew at off-ball linebacker.
DeMarvion Overshown, Dallas Cowboys: “He moves like a safety. Incredibly talented. I want to see how he does this year after the injuries.” — NFC scout
Obviously Overshown played safety early in his collegiate career at the University of Texas, so that he “moves like” one makes sense.
There is zero question that Overshown has flashed serious potential to date at this point in his career. The issue with him has unfortunately been one of injuries as he has had a difficult time staying on the field.
ESPN also listed Overshown as someone who could be a breakout player in 2026, and given that he has done so before they even termed it as a potential “re-breakout.” Him reaching the heights that we have seen in the past would go a long way towards returning this defense to a respectable form.
Here are the top 10 off-ball linebackers from the ranking, if you are curious:
Fred Warner, 49ers
Roquan Smith, Ravens
Carson Schwesinger, Browns
Zack Baun, Eagles
Jack Campbell, Lions
Azeez Al-Shaair, Texans
Jordyn Brooks, Dolphins
Nick Bolton, Chiefs
Edgerrin Cooper, Packers
Devin Lloyd, Panthers
New Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker was around the Eagles obviously, and so perhaps he has a vision for building his own version of what Zack Baun offers to Philadelphia. Along those lines, the Cowboys were connected at points this offseason to trade rumors involving both Azeez Al-Shaair and Jordyn Brooks. It seems obvious that they understand they have to improve at this spot.
Hopefully DeMarvion Overshown can be the answer. Do you think he can/will?
The dismissal came during his team’s Round of 32 match against Bosnia, with the striker still insisting that the decision was incorrect.
The controversy surrounding the red card has largely centered on U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that he intervened to have the suspension lifted. His claim has since prompted a complaint from human rights group FairSquare, which alleges that FIFA may have breached its rules on political neutrality.
Folarin Balogun Saw Controversy Coming After Trump’s Claim
Speaking with “CBS Mornings” recently, Folarin Balogun shared his feelings about seeing his Round of 32 red card suspension lifted after Trump allegedly called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to intervene.
He told host Gayle King that his initial reaction was happiness at being back in the team. However, that changed when he began reflecting on Trump’s claim and its possible implications.
“When I kind of started to reflect, I knew it was going to cause a lot of controversy,” the soccer star said. “And I could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves, because it’s something that is so unique.”
Donald Trump Admitted Calling FIFA Over Balogun’s Red Card
Ron Sachs – CNP / MEGA
Balogun received the red card during the match against Bosnia, but his one-match suspension was suspended for one year, allowing him to feature in the Round of 16 clash against Belgium.
Trump was later questioned about the decision during an interview at the White House, where he launched into a rant that began with criticism of the refereeing decision.
“I saw the play, and I’m a person that loves sports and who was a good athlete. I understand sports really well. And that wasn’t a foul. That wasn’t even an infraction,” Trump said, adding that the on-field incident was merely “two guys running with speed who happened to crash into each other.”
He then admitted that he had called Infantino and shared details of their conversation.
“All I did was ask for a review. I didn’t say, ‘you have to do this.’ This man is a smart, tough man, Gianni Infantino,” Trump continued.
FIFA Former President Sepp Blatter Slammed Trump’s Intervention
The suspension of Balogun’s red card following Trump’s alleged intervention sparked criticism from sporting bodies, fans, and respected officials.
Sepp Blatter, the predecessor to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, was among those who weighed in, delivering a scathing assessment on his X account.
“Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls,” Blatter wrote on July 6. “They are overturned by rules, evidence, and independent bodies. If a U.S. President intervenes with the FIFA President, and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match, the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis, FIFA?”
“Football must never become a playground for political power,” he further remarked.
UEFA Labeled FIFA’s Folarin Balogun Decision ‘Unjustifiable’
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
UEFA, one of FIFA’s six continental confederations, also released a statement online calling the decision “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.”
“Sometimes rules are open to interpretation. In this case, not. A minimum automatic suspension of one match following a red card is not a discretionary option,” UEFA remarked.
The organization also argued that the decision put the integrity of the competition at risk, as similar cases would now be required to receive equal treatment.
“When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake, and the credibility of a competition is undermined,” the statement read.
Folarin Balogun Maintains His Red Card Was Undeserved
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Despite the controversy caused by the decision to suspend his punishment, Balogun remains adamant that he was wrongly penalized.
“I was in shock. It wasn’t even a tackle,” the Arsenal academy product said, referencing his challenge on Bosnia player Tarik Muharemovic. “I was totally in shock; I think you could see my reaction, but I just had to accept the decision and just try to be there for my team.”
“When something’s not intentional, it should never be a red card, so it was just an unfortunate situation, and I think it put a lot more pressure on us than we needed,” he added.
For now, scrutiny over the red card continues, as human rights group FairSquare recently submitted a complaint to the International Olympic Committee accusing Infantino of repeatedly breaching the governing body’s rules on political neutrality.
Some people were on the pitch. They thought it was all over. It was then, when Lionel Messi crossed, when Lautaro Martinez headed, when the Argentina substitutes charged towards the corner flag to celebrate. England’s bid to win the World Cup was over. Sixty years of hurt, sixty years since Hurst, England still see that tackle by Moore and Nobby dancing.
But it remains the case that the only time their men won a World Cup semi-final was when Bobby belted the ball; they have not reached a final since. For half an hour, it seemed that Anthony Gordon would join Bobby Charlton in a select band, of England players to score the winner in this stage. For a quarter of an hour, it seemed like Bobby Moore’s tackle on Pele would be accompanied by mentions of Djed Spence’s thunderous challenge to prevent Giuliano Simeone from shooting.
Jordan Pickford had his Gordon Banks moment, too, a wonderful save from Nico Gonzalez. And yet, ultimately, each came in defeat; in years to come, these will be footnotes, not moments destined for English football folklore.
For Thomas Tuchel, the comparison point is not Sir Alf Ramsey, his greatest predecessor, but his immediate one and still England’s second finest ever manager, Gareth Southgate. England have had their second best decade ever; but it would have been better if they could hold on to leads on the major stages. This completed a hat-trick: after Croatia in the 2018 semi-final, after Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
Twice when it mattered, Southgate’s sides could not keep the ball. Tuchel’s team did not try. The decision was made to cede much of the pitch to Argentina, to try and reprise the heroic rearguard action in Mexico City: but with 11 men, not 10, earlier than seemed necessary.
England put their own backs against the wall. Tuchel went to a back five, but it backfired. And in a sense, it was a back six, with a sixth defender, in Nico O’Reilly, in a midfield that didn’t seem fit for purpose. They allowed Alexis Mac Allister the freedom to hit the woodwork twice, Enzo Fernandez the room to rifle in the equaliser. They liberated Messi. Just when it seemed his World Cup career was ending, he conjured two assists.
England’s tactical changes unlocked space for Lionel Messi to set up both of Argentina’s goals (Reuters)
Removing Gordon, a workaholic of a goalscorer, had a logic, given his tendency to run himself into the ground, but by replacing him with Ezri Konsa, Tuchel took away England’s threat and when, including added time, there were still 27 minutes remaining. He summoned his special-ops agent, Dan Burn, perhaps sensing Messi’s nemesis might be a man about twice his height and who can head the ball half the length of the pitch. It wasn’t.
With each change, England handed the initiative to Argentina. They needed no second invitation. A nation with a historical grudge against England, a team with a fighting spirit that meant they would not relinquish their grasp on the World Cup. Argentina have a capacity to score late goals. Ask Cape Verde. Ask Egypt. Ask Switzerland. England may have been a higher-calibre of opponent but they suffered the same fate.
So Tuchel underlined how the FA’s imported managers somehow seem to end up being more English than the English. Sven-Goran Eriksson was wedded to 4-4-2. Fabio Capello was too. Tuchel changed shape but did not believe his players could keep the ball. He just looked to defend.
Thomas Tuchel’s decision making ceded control of the game to Argentina with England one-nil up (Getty)
Different choices might not have produced a different result, but there were alternatives. Kobbie Mainoo, a passer of a midfielder, lingered unused all tournament. Adam Wharton, another, stayed at home. One winger who could have come on for Gordon, Bukayo Saka, did not get off the bench. Another, Marcus Rashford, only emerged in the 95th minute.
Tuchel could have considered the evidence from earlier on. Lionel Scaloni admitted that Switzerland’s physicality had troubled Argentina. Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero were booked for pulling back Brummies when Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham ran at them, but England stopped running at them. They ran scared, seeking sanctuary in their own box.
Argentina had sought to rile England. They provided echoes of the past by picking a Simeone, the winger showing that being an agent provocateur can run in the family. Yet Argentina prospered not by needling England, but by attacking them. Theirs was the response of champions.
England will look back on the match with regrets having let Argentina off the hook (AP)
England’s was the reaction of a team following Tuchel’s blueprint for holding on to a lead: defensive changes. Argentina could have predicted it: this was what they had done against Mexico and Norway. And, in the inquest, Tuchel may note that while Southgate was long faulted for his game management, he excelled in Euro 2024: with attacking changes, often involving Cole Palmer, another man left at home.
Maybe it is revisiting old arguments, but England ended with a limited team who showed their limitations. Leading Argentina in Atlanta was a great opportunity. For years, they will have Georgia on their mind. Perhaps for another 60 years.
DALLAS (AP) — SMU has launched a Heisman Trophy campaign for senior quarterback Kevin Jennings, and also is putting his name on a new recovery center in the school's football complex.
The third-year hometown starting quarterback, who led the Mustangs to the College Football Playoff two seasons ago, is believed to be the first player to have an area on any campus named for him while still active in his college career.
“When you started looking at a legacy that’s going to be left, every player that comes through SMU is going to see Kevin’s name up there and be reminded of the impact he had, but also what his accomplishments allow us to do to leave something that’s going to help make their experience here better,” Mustangs coach Rhett Lashlee said Wednesday.
The announcement of the Kevin Jennings Recovery Center came two days after SMU officially launched its “K7NG OF DALLAS” campaign That title is a nod to the city where the school is located and where Jennings was born and grew up, plus the two-time captain's jersey number.
SMU's only Heisman Trophy winner was halfback Doak Walker in 1948. Walker is the namesake of the annual award for the nation's top college running back.
Jennings is 19-7 as SMU’s starter with 7,709 yards and 55 touchdowns passing, well within reach of the school’s career records of 9,081 yards and 72 TDs. He completed 300 of 454 passes (66.1%) for 3,641 yards and 26 touchdowns last season, the Mustangs' second in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
“That was a no-brainer,” Lashlee said of the organized Heisman push. “He’s more than deserving of it. We've got to win games, we've got to play well. I think we've got a good team around him, but he’s earned it."
SMU's recovery center will include two dedicated spaces with state-of-the-art equipment for physical and mental recovery such as light infrared saunas, dry plunge and sleep pods. They will be in areas that will be renovated inside SMU's endzone facility that opened two years ago, and could be ready early in the upcoming season.
“It means a lot. I’m just super-excited for it,” Jennings said. “It’s honestly just a blessing being in this situation I’m in right now.”
SMU said the center inspired by Jennings' vision was made possible by financial support from alumni Ann and Malcolm Holland.
PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 18: The Rutgers Scarlet Knights logo is shown on the side of SHI Stadium before the game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Oregon Ducks on October 18, 2025 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
139 Rutgers Atheletes were named Big Ten Distinguished Scholars last Monday as the Scarlet Knight athletes continue to prove that they really do go to class. Last year, Rutgers 132 players named to the honor, but was able to surpass that as 139 were honored this time around, making this the sixth consecutive year that at least 125 athletes were honored.
The Big Ten Distinguished Scholar award was established in 2008 to supplement the Academic All-Big Ten program. Distinguished Scholar Award recipients must have earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition in the previous academic year, must have been enrolled full time at the institution for the entire previous academic year (two semesters or three quarters), and must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.70 or better during the previous academic year, excluding any summer grades. These requirements are more rigorous than the Academic All-Big Ten requirements because that only requires that an athlete maintain a 3.0 GPA.
30 Rutgers athletes earned 4.0 GPA’s last year. A link to the list including all of the athletes is available here.
Women’s rowing led the way among the programs, having 21 total athletes honored. Behind them were men’s track and field/ cross country and football tied with 14, and women’s Lacrosse and women’s track and field tied at 13.
Baloucoune scored three tries in a breakout Six Nations campaign earlier this year [Getty Images]
Fit-again wing Robert Baloucoune returns to the Ireland line-up for Saturday's much-anticipated Nations Championship game against New Zealand in Auckland.
The 28-year-old, who won the Six Nations Rising Player award after starring in his side's Triple Crown campaign earlier this year, missed the wins over Australia and Japan with a hamstring issue.
Head coach Andy Farrell has recalled a host of key players after fielding a heavily rotated team in last week's 36-20 victory over Japan, with captain Dan Sheehan, prop Tadhg Furlong and fly-half Sam Prendergast among nine changes.
Tom O'Toole, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Stuart McCloskey and Jimmy O'Brien are the six players retained in the line-up.
Having beaten the Wallabies and Brave Blossoms, Ireland aim to round out the southern hemisphere leg of their Nations Championship campaign with a statement win at Eden Park (08:10 BST).
The All Blacks, who beat France and Italy in their first two games, have not lost at the Auckland venue since 1994, a run of 52 Tests.
Having selected four debutants in an experimental squad against Japan last week, Farrell has picked a side loaded with experience - with the starting XV boasting a combined 711 caps - for the trip to Eden Park.
Hugo Keenan, outstanding against Australia, returns at full-back with O'Brien shifting wings to the left to accommodate Baloucoune's return.
Jamie Osborne and Jacob Stockdale, who started on the left wing against Australia and Japan, are not included in the matchday squad.
Garry Ringrose partners McCloskey in midfield as Robbie Henshaw drops out, while Prendergast and Jamison Gibson-Park renew their half-back pairing.
In the pack, O'Toole makes his fifth successive Test start at loose-head prop stretching back to the Six Nations, with three-time British and Irish Lion tight-head Furlong and hooker Sheehan restored to the front row.
Joe McCarthy is reinstalled in the second row alongside Ryan, meaning Beirne - who captained Ireland for the first time last week - moves to blind-side flanker. Open-side Josh van der Flier and number eight Conan complete the back row.
Thirteen of the 15 selected started against Australia, with Baloucoune and Beirne the only changes as Osborne and Cian Prendergast miss out.
Connacht back row Sean Jansen is named on the bench after his try-scoring debut against Japan last week [Getty Images]
Jeremy Loughman is picked as the loose-head cover on the bench after recovering from the head injury that ruled him out of the Japan game.
Ronan Kelleher and Thomas Clarkson provide further front-row cover, while Nick Timoney and New Zealand-born Sean Jansen - who impressed on debut against Japan - round out the five forwards on the bench.
Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley - who was handed a first Test start at fly-half last week - and Bundee Aki are named as the replacement backs.
Ireland have won six matches in a row but have lost the past three meetings with the All Blacks, including an epic 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final and November encounters in Dublin and Chicago.
Farrell's side lost 42-19 when they last visited Eden Park in 2022, but bounced back to win in Dunedin and Wellington and clinch a historic 2-1 Test series victory over the three-time world champions.
Line-up
Ireland: Keenan; Baloucoune, Ringrose, McCloskey, J O'Brien; Prendergast, Gibson-Park; O'Toole, Sheehan (capt), Furlong, McCarthy, Ryan, Beirne, Van der Flier, Conan.
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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JULY 11: Thomas Tuchel, Manager of England, reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Norway and England at Miami Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) | Getty Images
England manager Thomas Tuchel has no one but himself to blame for his team’s 1-2 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semifinals.
The former Bayern Munich coach was sitting pretty on the hour mark, having seen his team make the breakthrough through Anthony Gordon. However, instead of taking advantage of a panicky Argentina and going for the jugular, Tuchel decided to lower the tempo and invite the pressure. He made defensive-minded substitutes, and eventually put up a wall of six defenders.
However, that only gave Argentina the chance to regroup and launch an aerial bombardment of England’s defense, which started to waver and was only held steady by some strong saves from Jordan Pickford. It was only a matter of time before Argentina bore fruit, and with five minutes to go in normal time, Lionel Messi found Enzo Fernández on the outside of the penalty area. The Chelsea midfielder let loose a fiery shot that gave Pickford no chance.
England were shell-shocked, and their already lopsided formation was to spell trouble in extra time. However, Argentina made sure they didn’t even reach extra time when Messi delivered a cross (with his right foot for a change) for Lautaro Martínez to head home.
Tuchel panicked and sent on Ivan Toney and Marcus Rashford in the dying minutes, but to no avail. He thus paid the price as England’s hopes of a first World Cup final in 60 years died out with a meek whimper.
Questions will be asked of Tuchel as to why he decided to shut up shop against a fearsome Argentina attack and a Messi in red-hot form with over half an hour to go. Fans may accuse him of a cowardly approach. Whatever the truth is, only Tuchel himself will know. However, the result speaks for itself. The world champions are back in the World Cup final, while Tuchel bows out of the semifinals of another major tournament…just over two years after he did the same with Bayern.
Wednesday's World Cup semifinal between Argentina and England saw the Three Lions carry a 1-0 lead deep into the second half. But coach Thomas Tuchel's prevent defense worked out pretty much exactly the way it does in American football. Lionel Messi and company kept the Brits on their heels for 40 minutes, eventually breaking through for the equalizer in the 85th minute and eventual game-winner two minutes into stoppage time. Messi, playing in potentially his final World Cup, assisted on each goal.
It wasn't enough just to beat a longtime rival on the pitch. Argentina then made the case to bring the Islas Malvinas -- better known as the Falkland Islands, a self-governed archipelago off the southern coast of Argentina under British control -- back to the local nation that claims sovereignty over it.
The players lay down a banner on the pitch after the match that says “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas,” meaning “The Falklands Are Argentine.” pic.twitter.com/znBsPr8zm9
Players on the field placed a banner on the pitch that said "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" -- "The Malvinas are Argentine." It was a statement that left no doubt about how the history of the two nations played a role in Wednesday's game.
Argentine forces invaded the islands in 1982, leading to an undeclared war that lasted a little more than two months and ended with the United Kingdom retaining control of the archipelago. In 2013, residents voted 1,513 to three to remain an overseas territory rather than pursue sovereignty. Tensions have died down between the two nations since. Even so, the past clearly has not been forgotten -- as shown Wednesday in Atlanta.
IHRA Cancels the Rest of Its 2026 Stock Car Season After Running Exactly One Race
The International Hot Rod Association pulled the plug on the rest of its 2026 Stock Car Series this week, and the box score tells you more than the press release does. The circuit had run exactly one points race all year, on March 21 at Pulaski County Motorsports Park in Fairlawn, Virginia, before IHRA decided the smarter move was to stop scheduling races altogether.
This isn't just a Facebook statement fading quietly into the algorithm, either. IHRA's own website now carries a banner marking the previously scheduled July 25 return to that same Fairlawn track as cancelled, which means the decision is baked into the sanctioning body's official calendar and not just its social feed.
IHRA framed the move as a reset rather than a retreat, saying it wants the series to return in 2027 with a stronger and more sustainable program. The organization was candid that this is about more than trimming a couple of dates off the schedule, telling racers and fans it's about the series' long-term health and "not just a couple events in 2026." IHRA also said it plans to spend the coming months working with racers, track owners, promoters, and industry partners to build a long-term plan, and it thanked competitors, sponsors, officials, and fans for their patience during the pause.
Read between the lines and the math isn't hard to guess. Regional stock car touring series live and die on car counts, sponsor dollars, and promoter guarantees, and when any one of those legs wobbles, the whole schedule gets shaky fast. A sanctioning body still has to cover purses, insurance, and officiating whether ten cars show up or forty do, and if a date can't pencil out, canceling before the tow bills start piling up is the financially sound call, even if it's a rough look for a series trying to build momentum.
It's also the second time in 2026 that IHRA's stability has become a talking point among racers, following months of unverified chatter about the organization's plans for Atlanta Dragway. That situation remains murky, but stacked next to a stock car season that produced one race before folding, it's fair for competitors to want hard specifics before committing entry fees to whatever IHRA rolls out for 2027.
For racers who'd already budgeted a season around this series, the smart move is to hold off on non-refundable costs until IHRA actually publishes a 2027 schedule with confirmed dates and purses. That same caution applies across grassroots stock car and drag racing right now, and it echoes a lesson playing out in the small-tire world, where car values and race economics have been shifting fast enough that nobody should assume next season looks like this one.
IHRA governs drag racing, pulling, powerboating, and stock car competition under one roof, and none of those other disciplines are named in this announcement, so this reads like a targeted correction rather than an organization-wide crisis. Still, a promise to come back stronger next year is worth exactly nothing until there's an actual schedule, a real purse structure, and cars sitting in the pits to prove it.
The ESPN-produced awards show, which celebrates outstanding achievements in sports, airs Wednesday, July 15, in New York City.
"I started doing comedy 10 years ago, in Cleveland, Ohio, and I would take the train 12 hours to New York to sell comedy tickets on the street in Greenwich Village in exchange for stage time," Hernández said in a statement. "It is an honor, and frankly feels crazy to be hosting the ESPYS this year in New York. I'm sure the energy is going to be great."
Previous ESPYS hosts include Jimmy Kimmel, LeBron James and Serena Williams.
"Marcello is one of the most electric young comedians today. His genuine enthusiasm for sports and his ties to New York City make him a natural fit to host this year's ESPYS," ESPN Vice President Craig Lazarus said in a statement. "We are excited to partner with him to celebrate the best moments in sports and look forward to the fresh take he'll bring to the show."
How to watch the 2026 ESPYs
The 2026 ESPYs air at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and will stream live on the ESPN App. The ceremony will also be available to stream on Disney+, Hulu, the ESPN App and ABC Video on-demand Thursday, July 16.
How to watch the red carpet
The ESPYS red carpet show, hosted by Samantha Rivera, Harry Lyles Jr., Monica McNutt and Kimberley Martin, is at 7 p.m. ET. Fans can watch live on ESPN's YouTube and Facebook page and the ESPN App. Expect appearances from some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment.
ESPYs will bring a star-studded roster of presenters
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — The Winnipeg Jets re-signed Cole Perfetti to a five-year contract worth an average of $6 million annually, the team said Wednesday.
The 24-year-old forward had 12 goals and 20 assists with 20 penalty minutes in 68 games for the Jets last season. He set a career high with 15 minutes 37 seconds of ice time per game.
Perfetti was Winnipeg's first-round pick —10th overall — in the 2020 NHL draft. He had career highs of 50 points and 32 assists in 82 games in 2024-25 as the Jets won the Presidents’ Trophy with the best regular-season record.
He scored the latest tying goal in a Game 7 in NHL history to help Winnipeg overcome the St. Louis Blues in their first-round matchup.
Perfetti has 157 points — 59 goals, 98 assists — and 68 penalty minutes in 290 career regular-season games with Winnipeg.
Internationally, Perfetti had two goals and four assists in 10 games while helping Canada to the gold medal at the 2021 world championship.
Tyler Shough is the Saints' unquestioned starter heading into 2026. The quarterback, in only his second season, is also the team's leader.
Shough organized an outing with teammates in San Diego.
He has said Drew Brees helped set up the outing, and Shough's social media photos and video on Wednesday show the Hall of Fame quarterback.
Shough's teammates Juwan Johnson, Chris Olave, Travis Etienne, Bryce Lance, Barion Brown, Audric Estime and Noah Fant are among those in Shough’s post, per Katherine Terrell of ESPN.
In his rookie season, the second-round pick went 5-4 as a starter and completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 2,384 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions.
If prophecies were real, which they aren't, this might be the closest possible thing we'd see to one.
It is, quite frankly, mind-blowing that this photo wound up featuring the two central figures of the biggest sporting event in modern human civilization:
19 years later, Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal will meet in the World Cup final 🤯 pic.twitter.com/BytWRCWXkU
Honestly, who am I to say prophecies aren't real? Maybe they are!
When and where is the 2026 World Cup Final?
Argentina and Spain will play at 3:00 p.m Eastern on Sunday, July 19th, 2026. The match will take place at the New York Giants'/New York Jets' stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
As Iowa basketball battles for prized 2027 five-star point guard recruit Cayden Daughtry, the 6-foot-1, 155-pound point guard from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., continues to garner praise nationally.
247Sports' national basketball director Eric Bossi compared Daughtry's summer emergence to NBA greats Trae Young and Steph Curry.
"Right now, Cayden Daughtry is in the midst of, if we're talking about production-wise, one of the most incredible summers before a senior season that we've ever seen from a point guard and it is very reminiscent of Trae Young's summer of 2016 with MOKAN Elite. He absolutely blew up the EYBL circuit, won a Peach Jam...
"And with Daughtry, we're talking about a guy who is not only leading the EYBL in scoring but I also think is second in assists. He's just been tearing it up. Over Memorial Day, he was great. At the USA trials, he was fantastic," Bossi said on "The Assist with Kyle Tucker."
Eric Bossi says he sees flashes of Trae Young and Steph Curry in 5-star PG Cayden Daughtry 👀
“Right now, Cayden Daughtry is in the midst of, production-wise, one of the most incredible summers before a senior season that we’ve ever seen from a PG.” @ebosshoopspic.twitter.com/eSAFspAEBk
In his first 14 Nike EYBL games this summer, Daughtry averaged 25.6 points, 6.0 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game on 55% field goal shooting. Daughtry then went for 32 points, nine assists and seven steals in his first Peach Jam game.
"Daughtry also shows some flashes of Steph Curry in his game at times if we're being honest, especially when he's on from three. I'm not saying he's either of those guys, but you can see the influence in them," Bossi said.
On3's Joe Tipton reported last month that Daughtry will take an official visit to Iowa on Sept. 12, which is the weekend of the annual Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series football game between Iowa and Iowa State.
According to 247Sports, Daughtry is ranked as the No. 9 prospect nationally, as the No. 3 point guard and as the No. 5 player in Florida in the 2027 class.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
Roma working to convince Summerville, ready €45 mln bid
Roma are strongly targeting Summerville.
The Dutch winger is currently the Giallorossi’s top target, following recent meetings that have rekindled a trail that seemed abandoned until 20 days ago.
But Roma must now act quickly: he’s the look-ahead for Gasperini, and his value is between €40 and €45 million, a figure the Giallorossi can invest.
In fact, Gianluca Di Marzio confirms that the Giallorossi are preparing a bid of €45 million.
There is, however, another obstacle to overcome.
Namely, Summerville has so far had very high demands.
The meeting held in recent days served to confirm Summerville’s agents’ strong desire to invest in the Dutchman, who are not currently negotiating with any English clubs.
Roma must reach a financial agreement with the Dutchman. Roma’s maximum option is €4-€4.5 million, but as Alfredo Pedullà confirms, the hurdle to overcome with a non-stop negotiation is his salary. Roma can invest as much as West Ham are asking for.
Nov 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) reacts during the fourth quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
When and where: Week 3 in Chicago, Monday Night Football
Key additions: C Garrett Bradbury, S Coby Bryant, LB Devin Bush, DT Neville Gallimore
Key subtractions: WR DJ Moore, LB Tremaine Edmunds, S Kevin Byard, S Jaquan Brisker, CB Nashon Wright
Last season: A new, offensive minded head coach and a high draft pick QB he inherited won the NFC North, just like when Matt Nagy and Mitchell Trubisky did it in 2018
The question for this team: Can the Bears defy gravity?
The Bears had four straight seasons of double digit losses from 2021 to 2024, then went 11-6 in 2025. Teams that have that kind of bounce tend to fall back down the next year. That they had a new head coach and won a playoff game doesn’t give them waterproofing, the 2024 Commanders, 2022 Giants, and 2022 Jaguars are recent examples of teams with new head coaches who went from horrible to a playoff win and then right back to irrelevance the next season.
There’s an obvious major regression coming. The 2025 Bears defense led the league with 33 takeaways, including a league leading 23 interceptions, which is another way of saying that the 2025 Bears defense was incredibly lucky. Even with those stoppages, they still finished 23rd in scoring, 29th in yards, 25th in completion percentage, 28th in yards per attempt, 28th in TD%, 20th in sack rate, 22nd in pressure rate, 24th in QB hits, 29th in rushing yards per attempt, 22nd on 3rd down, 15th in the red zone…. takeaway the takeaways and this defense was garbage, it had nothing to lean on when it couldn’t get the ball.
The Bears did make some key changes, the top four defenders in snaps played all left in free agency. But none of their imports were transforming additions, and none of them address their pass rushing woes. Are some new faces in the secondary and a presumably healthier team going to be enough to negate the drop off in takeaways?
On offense, Caleb Williams needs to play better. His hero ball moments were exciting, and his fantasy football numbers were solid: 7th in yards, 6th in TDs with 388 yards and 3 TDs as a runner.
But he completed just 58.1% of his passes, half a percentage point ahead of JJ McCarthy for 32nd out of 33 qualified QBs. He was 21st in yards per attempt, and having the 4th best sack rate in 2025 is unsustainable for his style of play. He had just six games with a completion percentage in the 60s, and half of them were the first three games of the season. In two playoff games he threw five interceptions, and barely completed half his passes.
The Bears pathway to repeating as a playoff team, possibly even NFC North champs again, feels pretty easy: Caleb Williams takes a big step in year two under Ben Johnson. Their pathway to going right back to out of contention by Thanksgiving also feels pretty easy: the defense can’t stop anyone and the offense continues to rely on unsustainable hero ball moments, and they aren’t there.
Aston Villa Target £25m Galatasaray Midfielder As Tielemans Replacement
Aston Villa and Gabriel Sara, Why a €30m Move Would Make Sense
Aston Villa have been linked with Gabriel Sara again, and according to Sporx, a bid worth €30m is being prepared. Strip away the noise and this is the sort of report that immediately gets attention because the fee is serious enough to suggest intent, not gossip dressed up as transfer news.
Sara has built a reputation as a midfielder with range, technical quality and enough versatility to fit more than one role. That matters. Clubs in Villa’s position are always looking for players who can raise the floor of the squad and still offer upside. If the number really is €30m, then the question is simple, do Villa believe he is ready to impact Premier League football quickly, or are they paying for development as much as output?
Gabriel Sara Profile Fits Modern Midfield Demand
The appeal is obvious. Gabriel Sara offers energy, ball progression and creativity from deeper areas. Those attributes are expensive in the current market, especially when attached to a player entering his prime years. A club pushing for Europe does not need midfielders who only do one thing. It needs players who can adapt across a long season, handle rotation and still produce in tight matches.
Photo IMAGO
That is where this story becomes plausible. Aston Villa have shown before that they are willing to invest decisively when they identify a profile they like. €30m is not a throwaway figure, but it sits in the range of a deal that can be justified if the recruitment team believes Sara can improve the first XI and retain resale value.
Aston Villa Transfer Logic Comes Down to Timing
The hardest part of any transfer is not always the fee, it is the timing. If competition grows, the price rises. If Villa wait, they risk losing the player. If they move now, they need conviction. That is how sensible clubs operate. No drama, no posturing, just a decision on whether Gabriel Sara is the right answer for the next stage of the project.
For now, this looks like a report worth watching closely. The amount mentioned is substantial, the player profile is credible and Aston Villa’s need for quality depth in midfield is hardly a secret.
Our View
From an Aston Villa fan’s perspective, this is the type of link that feels believable because it lines up with what the squad needs. Gabriel Sara sounds like a player who could give Villa more control in midfield, more legs over a full season and a bit more quality on the ball when games become scrappy.
The €30m figure is the part that splits opinion. On one hand, that is proper money and supporters will want certainty for a fee like that. On the other, the market has moved. If Villa want players ready to contribute at a high level, they are not shopping in the bargain bin. The important thing is whether the recruitment team sees him as a genuine fit, not whether the fee looks tidy on paper.
There is also the squad balance issue. Villa have had spells where the midfield looked short of freshness and invention, especially when the fixture list gets heavy. A player like Sara could help solve that. He would not need to arrive as a headline act. He would need to arrive and make the team function better.
That is the key point. Supporters do not need glamour signings for the sake of it. They need smart ones. If this report is accurate, and if Villa really are preparing a €30m move, then it suggests the club are targeting substance over hype. That is usually a good sign.
NEW YORK – Top athletes, musicians and Hollywood stars will gather to recognize the best from the past year in sports on Wednesday, July 15 for ESPN's 2026 ESPYs.
Hosted by comedian Marcello Hernandez, ESPN's annual sports awards show brings together people from across the sports landscape to celebrate the top athletes, plays and moments from the last year. Traditionally held in Los Angeles, the awards show was moved to the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York this year.
People who have made significant contributions to their sport and community are also honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, the Pat Tillman Award for Service and the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award.
This year, as previously announced, former NBA player Jason Collins will be posthumously awarded the Arthur Ashe Award, while former MLB pitcher Jim Abbott will receive the Jimmy V Award. Scott Ruskan will be honored with the Pat Tillman award.
A torrential downpour on New York's Upper West Side has already slightly delayed festivities. Arrivals were supposed to begin at 5:30 but with the red carpet outdoors, media members are currently in a holding area. The telecast begins at 8 p.m. and as with any awards show, seat fillers will take the place of guests of honor who aren’t in the venue by the show’s start.
Garrett was bestowed the honor of Best NFL player, which was announced on NFL Live ahead of the ESPYs broadcast. Garrett generated an NFL-record 23 sacks for the Cleveland Browns last season and was traded to the Los Angeles Rams during the 2026 offseason for a package involving Jared Verse and multiple draft assets.
ESPN allowed its NBA Today crew to announce the winner of its Best NBA player award. That went to Brunson, who helped lead the New York Knicks to their first championship in 53 years while averaging 26 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game during and being named an All-Star during the regular season.
Jalen Brunson wins the 2026 ESPY Award for Best NBA Player 🏀
The ESPYS will air at 8 p.m. ET (also 8 p.m. PT), Wednesday, July 15, on ABC, and will stream on the ESPN App. It will be available to stream June 15 on Disney+, Hulu, the ESPN App and ABC Video on Demand
USA TODAY Sports had the top moments and winners from the 2026 ESPY Awards:
Harry Kane reacts after England's defeat at the hands of Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals (Odd ANDERSEN)
Harry Kane said he was "gutted" for England and their fans after his team were beaten 2-1 by defending champions Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.
Anthony Gordon's strike had put the Three Lions on the cusp of a first men's World Cup final since they lifted the 1966 trophy but Lionel Messi inspired a dramatic turnaround in Atlanta.
He set up Enzo Fernandez, who blasted home from outside the area, and provided an inch-perfect cross for Lautaro Martinez's winner in stoppage time.
"Gutted for the boys, gutted for everyone -- the team, the staff, the fans," England captain Kane told the BBC.
"We played a good game, the large majority of it. When we went 1-0 up we seemed to try and hold on, which at this level is not enough.
"So, just gutted because we've worked so hard to be here and the lads have given every last bit of running, blood, sweat, tears."
Bayern Munich forward Kane, who scored six goals during the tournament, said Thomas Tuchel's men had struggled to repel constant attacks from the defending champions.
"After the goal, whether it was them putting more men forward or us not being able to match them man for man, it was just wave after wave," he said.
"Lads were putting blocks in but, in the end, it just wasn't enough."
He said England had not planned to rely on defending after Gordon's goal.
"When we went ahead the messaging was to go again and get another goal," he added.
"Then once they scored their two goals it was to try and find something but we couldn't quite get the momentum back in the game."
The World Cup final is set, and fittingly, a clash of styles awaits. Lionel Messi — the most prolific goalscorer in the tournament's history — and defending champion Argentina will take on Spain's defensive juggernaut on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to decide the title.
Argentina is seeking its fourth title and looking to become the first back-to-back World Cup champions since Brazil pulled off the feat in 1958 and 1962. Spain is looking for its second title, after winning in 2010.
Argentina leads the tournament in goals scored — 19.
Spain leads the tournament in fewest goals allowed — one.
Something will have to give on Sunday, when the biggest World Cup ever — a 48-team, 104-match extravaganza spread out over the U.S., Canada and Mexico — comes to an end.
South American champion Argentina and European champion Spain were supposed to meet in Doha, Qatar, back in late March in Finalissima, a showdown between the teams that are led by Messi and Lamine Yamal in a prequel of the World Cup.
That game never happened. Security became an issue because of unrest in the Middle East, with Iran intensifying its attacks on neighboring countries at that time in retaliation to the aerial attacks by United States and Israel in a war that is still ongoing. The game was called off.
So, instead of playing at Lusail Stadium, the site of the epic 2022 World Cup final where Messi and Argentina won on penalty kicks over France and Kylian Mbappé, they'll play just outside of New York in soccer's biggest game.
It'll be a showdown of soccer's present versus soccer's future, not to mention a showdown of the teams that held the top two spots in FIFA's world rankings entering the World Cup — Argentina at No. 1, Spain at No. 2.
There was a famous photo taken in 2007 when Messi was part of a UNICEF program and posed with a baby.
Yamal was that baby. Like Messi (who now plays for Inter Miami), Yamal would become a left-footed star for Spanish club Barcelona. It is the most improbable of stories: from a photo together two decades ago, the two stars are set to be together again to end this year's World Cup.
A picture-perfect finish.
How Spain got here
— Record: Six wins, one draw, zero losses.
— Goals for: 13.
— Goals against: 1.
— Group stage: drew with Cape Verde 0-0, beat Saudi Arabia 4-0, beat Uruguay 1-0.
— Knockout stage: beat Austria 3-0, beat Portugal 1-0, beat Belgium 2-1, beat France 2-0.
How Argentina got here
Record: Seven wins, zero draws, zero losses.
Goals for: 19.
Goals against: 7.
Group stage: beat Algeria 3-0, beat Austria 2-0, beat Jordan 3-1.
Both teams enter the final with impressive unbeaten streaks.
— Spain is carrying a 37-match unbeaten streak across all competitions and friendlies into the final, having won 28 of those matches with nine draws in that span. Its last loss was 1-0 to Colombia in March 2024.
— Argentina is unbeaten in its last 13 World Cup matches, with 11 victories and two draws since falling to Saudi Arabia to open group play at the 2022 tournament.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second installment in a series breaking down each position ahead of the opening of Buffalo Bills training camp July 29.
ORCHARD PARK — Quarterbacks tend to make bad decisions when they have been hit enough times. There’s one decision to make on the way to the turf for a sack: don’t let go of the ball.
Seems simple enough, right?
But putting quarterbacks on the ground before the ball was thrown wasn’t a high priority during the Sean McDermott era. Instead, his defense focused on confusing quarterbacks, making them think longer than preferred and banking on them making a bad decision.
The Bills ranked in the top-10 in takeaways eight times in nine seasons under McDermott, including five in the top-five. They ranked in the top-10 in sacks once during that span.
It worked for the Bills during the regular season, ranking in the top-five five times in pass defense. But in the playoffs, it’s much harder to fool good quarterbacks and it showed in their inability to create pressure and make quarterbacks uncomfortable.
In the AFC divisional round, Denver quarterback Bo Nix was the only playoff quarterback in the last 25 years to attempt 45 passes, complete fewer than 60% of them and not get sacked. In McDermott’s playoff wins, the Bills had a 42.8% pressure rate, compared to 25.8% in losses, with average for last year’s playoff winners being 36.8%.
Enter defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, whose blitz-happy scheme is as hyper-aggressive as McDermott’s was when he first arrived in Buffalo. And the man charged with flipping Buffalo’s edge rushers from watchmen to predators is his former co-defensive coordinator at Wisconsin, Bobby April III.
The last time April coached for the Bills, the expectations were through the roof. He was the outside linebackers coach for Rex Ryan in 2015 and 2016, but the pass rush fell flat.
After getting fired with the rest of Ryan’s staff, April spent a year out of football and has since spent his time in college, most recently as Stanford’s defensive coordinator.
April has coached big-time college edge rushers like Eagles linebacker Zack Baun, Pittsburgh’s Nate Herbig and the Jets’ No. 2 overall pick David Bailey. But now he must apply it to the NFL.
“I took everything I was teaching the NFL player to the college level,” April told GNN Sports. “I felt like I was using the tools that I was using with grown men initially. … Luckily we had success. We had good kids too that bought in. … And that’s really the NFL, just having guys buying and believing what you do.”
April is tasked with elevating 2021 first-round pick Greg Rousseau, who was good enough to net a four-year, $80 million extension, but still hasn’t logged more than eight sacks in a season. April has already said the Bills intend to unleash Rousseau rather than forcing him to set the edge all the time.
Alongside Rousseau is veteran Bradley Chubb, who inked a three-year, $43.5 million contract in March. And second-round pick T.J. Parker. April says it’s like having three first-round picks and an ideal scenario.
At 30, Chubb is the veteran with two Pro Bowls on his resume. Rousseau is only 26, but he’s played 78 career games. And Parker is the hungry young upstart looking to carve a niche in the NFL.
“It’s kind of like being a foster dad a little bit,” said April, whose father was Buffalo’s special teams coach from 2004-2009. “You’ve got three big brothers and they’re all trying to compete for the same, whatever it may be. … I think there’s a fine line of turning it into a competitive I-want-to-beat-you battle to an I-want-to-get-you-better battle. And that’s where we’re at right now.”
Rousseau is playing a position similar to the one he played at the University of Miami. Chubb played for Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph when he was Denver’s head coach and Leonhard spent the last two seasons working for Joseph.
In Chubb’s experience, the Bills won’t be deploying a passive rush when the game is on the line.
“Just playing fast, playing physical, getting off the ball, putting fear in the tackle’s feet,” Chubb said. “If you’ve got guys who have been in this defense in the past like (Denver’s) Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, they do the same things. They just get off the ball and ask questions later.”
Training camp battles
Rostered outside linebackers (8): Bradley Chubb, Mike Danna, Cade Denhoff, Michael Hoecht, Andre Jones Jr., T.J. Parker, Greg Rousseau, Javon Solomon.
Chubb, Rousseau and Parker are going to get the bulk of the snaps. Hoecht, who expects to be ready to start training camp coming off a torn Achilles, may not have a big role early in the season as he continues to heal, but should eventually find a spot as an early-down edge defender and an inside rusher on passing downs.
That makes Danna’s situation intriguing. Danna isn’t a big pass-rush threat with 21 ½ sacks in 87 career games with the Kansas City Chiefs, but he can set the edge against the run. Whether Danna can play 3-4 defensive end at 261 may determine his roster fate.
Solomon is also interesting because general manager Brandon Beane mentioned him multiple times during the offseason as possibly being a better fit in the 3-4 than McDermott’s 4-3.
Solomon never found a consistent role defensively under McDermott during his first two seasons, but he was a core special teams player. That likely puts him ahead of Danna in the pecking order.
At Spa-Francorchamps, there are multiple straights, more so than the average F1 track, which is causing concerns about how much power the cars will have.
The FIA, in an attempt to unlock more power on straight sections, has announced five Straight Mode zones at the track to minimize drag.
Straight Mode allows cars to activate a setting on the front and rear wings, which unlocks a speed boost similar to DRS.
Cars, apart from needing to deal with very long straights, will need to contend with a lack of braking zones.
May 4, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem walks through the paddock after the F1 Sprint Race at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Following the British Grand Prix, which featured a similar set of problems, Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso explained why the cars will face so many challenges.
“Obviously, Silverstone and Spa, they are very thirsty on energy. You cannot deploy in all on the straights. Next week, it is going to be the same thing. If you deploy in Spa from Turn 1 to 5, it is finito for the rest of the lap,” Alonso said.
“So, you need to save a little bit there to have deployment from 14 to the bus stop [chicane]. But if you deploy in those two straights, which is the optimal deployment, then there is one minute, sector two, with no deployment at all.
“And with no deployment at all, we cannot forget that this year we have significantly less power than last year and less power than F2, that is the case when you cut the deployment. So, yes, it is a challenge.”
British Grand Prix, Saturday, Jiri Krenek during Sprint race the Formula 1 British Grand Prix 2026, 9th round of the 2026 Formula One World Championship from July 3 to 5, 2026 on the Silverstone Circuit, in Silverstone, United Kingdom – Photo Jiri Krenek / Active Pictures
How will the Belgian Grand Prix look?
For fans tuning in, they can expect a good number of overtakes, but they won’t always be based on moves; rather, some cars conserve energy while others deploy.
This can be known as a “yo-yo” effect, and it should be pronounced at Spa. However, with more overtaking zones, there should be a bit more aggression and tactics involved in this kind of racing.
However, those looking to see “pure racing” may be disappointed by how each driver is forced to attack every lap.
We are closing in on fall camp and it’s time to talk about the worst part of football: injuries. Relatively, Texas has benefitted from injury luck during the Sarkisian era, not losing any irreplaceable player for the season. That being said, there have been preseason injuries the past two seasons(Andre Cojoe, CJ Baxter). Considering that, I figured it’s time to highlight the six players I believe Texas can’t afford to lose if they want to realize their ultimate goal.
Arch Manning - QB
This goes without saying. If Arch Manning is not on the field throughout this season, Texas is not winning a National Championship. Now, that doesn’t mean KJ Lacey can’t perform in a game or two if called upon, but it can’t be in major moments. Manning fought through an injury last season and performed well down the stretch, but Texas needs him fully healthy if they want to finish the season on top.
Trevor Goosby - LT
If Arch Manning is on this list, the man protecting his blindside should be as well. Goosby is one of the best OTs in the country and Texas needs him healthy and on the field all season. He’s dealt with a shoulder injury this offseason but seems to be healthy heading into fall camp. Again, there are players that can fill in sparingly, but noone that can match Goosby over a full season.
Rasheem Biles - LB
Many have circled linebacker as the position of concern for Texas this season. One of the sole reasons it’s not a major issue is Rasheem Biles. The Pitt transfer is coming off an 100-tackle, 4.5 sack season and figures to repeat this season. If Biles goes down, not only are freshmen LB to step up but the versatility of the defense drops drastically. Biles is a chess piece for Muschamp and losing him would lower the ceiling considerably.
Jelani McDonald - S
The other position where depth is a concern is safety. McDonald and Derek Williams Jr. are the favorites to earn the starting jobs. Jordon Johnson-Rubel, Kobe Black and Xavier Filsaime will factor into the rotation as well. Like Biles, McDonald has elite versatility and without him, the secondary loses its leader and main communicator. Poor communication can lead to consistent busted coverages, a championship killer.
Cam Coleman - WR
There are many reasons Cam Coleman was regarded as one of the biggest portal pickups this offseason. The underrated one is his gravity. Every time No. 8 steps on the field, the defense will have thier eyes on him. It’s likely many defenses will commit a cornerback and a safety to him throughout the game. That gravity is as important as anything for this Texas offense and without it, the offense could fall back into stop-and-start drives.
Colin Simmons - EDGE
Finally, the most obvious statement ever: the best player on the team cannot miss major time. Simmons is the Jeremiah Smith of defense. He’s the player teams commit extra resources to stop, which opens up opportunities for other players. Losing him would make the job of opposing offensive coordinators much easier. No. 11 has been a dominant force since he stepped onto campus and Texas needs that to win a title this season.
Spain's forward #19 Lamine Yamal is fouled by France's defender #03 Lucas Digne for a penalty kick during the 2026 World Cup football tournament semi-final match between France and Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 14, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
In what is likely the strongest semifinals we have ever seen in the World Cup, there was huge potential for two thrilling matches. However, sometimes teams with such advanced tactics and brilliant players, doesn’t always lead to the beautiful game. While we didn’t see a goalfest such as in previous rounds, there was some masterclass performances that saw Spain and England advance to the World Cup finals.
Winners
Spanish defense
The Spaniards have been on a historic defensive run. Spain have now advanced to the World Cup finals after just conceding a single goal all tournament. While they had an easy group stage set of opponents, they have had to play Austria, Portugal, Belgium, and most recently, France, on their route to the finals. While France were seen as the heavy favorites in this tournament, it is time Spain got their respect.
Messi fans
Lionel Messi has been out of this world this tournament. He has excelled in nearly every relevant metric to a player in his position and has not shown any signs of slowing down, despite his age. However, Argentina have been miraculously lucky to make it this far in the tournament, based on their performances. They have scraped by against weak sides but always seem to find a way. Lionel Messi and Argentina found their magic once again in this one.
Losers
The French attack
Hailed as the world’s best attack and for good reason. Michael Olisé, Ousmane Dembele, and Kylian Mbappe is a strong enough front three to send shivers down the spine of any backline in history. However, what we saw on Tuesday was massively uncharacteristic for the trio. The attack simply couldn’t break down Spain and they failed to generate any significant chances over the 90 minutes.
Lucas Digne
The French left-back had a downright horrible game. A miscue resulting in him kicking Lamine Yamal which gave Spain the opening goal — a game winning penalty kick. It didn’t get any easier for the Frenchman as he quite simply did not have the pace to defend the left flank, having a bad showing in all aspects of the game. Theo Hernandez will be fuming he didn’t start this game over the Aston Villa defender.
England fans
England fans have been waiting a long time to see their team lift a major trophy. 60 years to be exact. Meaning majority of fans you see watching the games at the stadium or online, have never seen their country triumph at a major tournament. Sad to think, but whatever you say about England and their fans, they deserve to lift a trophy at some point.
Thomas Tuchel
Hindsight is always 20-20. It is always easy to look back and clearly see where you went wrong, but Tuchel’s substitutions were just not the right decision. Against a side that has come back late in virtually ever knockout match, you can’t make such negative subs so early. If England had fended off the Argentinian attack, he would have been hailed as a hero — Argentina seems to be inevitable. England should not have taken the foot off the gas in this one.
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 17: Jake Brendel #64 of the San Francisco 49ers and Spencer Burford #74 block during the second quarter of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 17, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Las Vegas Raiders’ offensive line struggled last season, prompting a new coaching staff to take over the group. Rick Dennison was brought in to help turn around the corps, hopefully elevate their performance, and allow Ashton Jeanty room to run and keep the quarterbacks upright.
One of the players added in free agency was guard Spencer Burford. Burford spent time in San Francisco with new head coach Klint Kubiak in 2023. Burford struggled that season, leading to his benching in the NFL Playoffs. After being a backup all of 2024, injuries hit the 49ers’ offensive line, thrusting him back into the lineup. While it wasn’t the best performance in the world, Burford played average football, which gave him a chance to hit free agency with better film at his disposal.
The Raiders signed Burford to a one-year deal in 2026, adding depth to the guard position. In OTAs, the former 49er was consistently the starting left guard, which surprised fans expecting Caleb Rogers to get a chance to start with the first team.
A big reason for this is Burford’s understanding of Kubiak’s wide zone system. He has the athletic ability to run the zone scheme effectively and has a leg up on the other offensive linemen when it comes to understanding his assignments. He is undersized at 300 pounds, which is why the wide zone is the best scheme to maximize his potential.
Burford has been a decent run blocker throughout his career. He is never in the wrong spot or takes false steps when running outside zone. A perfect example is below against the Chicago Bears. Watch Burford get up to the second on the combo block and end it with a pancake.
Of course, Pass Protection in true passing situations is where Burford will struggle the most. He just doesn’t have the feet to stay with pass rushers on passing downs to consistently keep the quarterback upright. In the play below, it is on full display as he gives up this easy pressure against the Giants, leading to a sack.
It will be hard for the other guards to beat out Burford during training camp because of his intelligence and understanding of the offense. However, if Caleb Rogers and the other guards can avoid mental mistakes and outperform Burford, everything could change.
Telemundo announcer Andrés Cantor has been the Spanish-language voice of soccer in the U.S. for decades. On Wednesday, he nearly lost that voice.
And for good reason.
The Argentina-born Cantor was on the call for Telemundo in Atlanta as Lionel Messi and Co., looked to make a second straight trip to the World Cup final. And though England took a goal lead in the second half, it was the relentless Argentina pressure that made an equalizer feel inevitable.
But just as Cantor was trying to collect himself following Enzo Fernandez's tying goal in the 85th minute, Lautaro Martínez scored the winner in stoppage time. He practically broke Cantor in the process.
This was his call of the moment.
¡¡¡GOOOOOOOOOOOOOL DE ARGENTINAAAAAAA!!! ¡¡¡GOOOOOOL EN LOS ÚLTIMOS MINUTOS!!!
Lautaro Martínez remata de cabeza dentro del área tras una asistencia de Lionel Messi.
El campeón defenderá su corona… ¡Remontada de Argentina! ¡1-2 sobre Inglaterra! pic.twitter.com/G5kXs8cWsj
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 15, 2026
Amazing.
He'll need to rest his voice for Sunday because Argentina isn't quite done yet.
This dogged campaign, that had England on the brink of their greatest moment since 1966, somehow ends as the worst yet: a 2-1 defeat to Argentina that should never have happened.
They ceded the initiative, ceded the pitch, ceded the space around their box and – finally – ceded the game. The decision to go to five at the back as early as the second-half hydration break – in the 67th minute – was inexplicable at the time and now feels like it will go down as one of the most confounding moments in English football history.
Thomas Tuchel cost England a place in the World Cup final (PA)
The hydration break saw the floodgates open for England. The criticism will rightly be scathing. There might not have been an actual trophy on the line, as in the Euro 2020 final, but the self-inflicted collapse feels all the more needless and consequently much worse.
Gareth Southgate never did this.
It only fosters the sense that it’s just never going to happen.
Is this sackable? All that money… for this?
It is honestly remarkable that a coach appointed for his tactical acumen, for his perceived ability to get over the line, actually forces England further away from it with a response that was pure football cowardice.
Tuchel’s pure football cowardice was the decisive factor (PA Wire)And Argentina were left celebrating a place in the final (Getty)
Sure, England might not have beaten Spain in the final… but it would have been nice to give themselves the chance.
Instead, Tuchel’s decision actively reduced the team’s chances. It neutered every advantage that England had over Argentina, from their pace to their greater athleticism.
At a moment when England had the lead and all momentum, the manager bizarrely went for what he did in the last-16 match against Mexico.
Except, England had 11 men on the pitch. And Argentina are not Mexico. They have the greatest player in history, who now still has the chance to win his second World Cup.
A semi-final against England was not, ultimately, to be Lionel Messi's last game in the competition.
Messi will now play in his second straight World Cup final (Getty)
Far from being the worst thing that Argentina could have imagined, it was somehow worse than anything England could have feared. There was somehow a new way to lose.
The worst part is that it didn’t come from Messi being on his best form and making it happen.
He had been a distant force for most of the game, only ever flicking at the match and struggling to cover the expanse of the England half, but Tuchel’s inexplicable shift allowed him to have the ball in the most dangerous area.
Of course, it was Messi who supplied the assists for both Argentina goals, even if one was a simple pass for a rocket.
That was just as bad, though. Enzo Fernandez had a chasm of space around him, England having vacated the entire area at the edge of the box.
Enzo Fernandez thumped home a stunning equaliser (Reuters)
Long before then, though, even those newly arriving to the game from this World Cup – let alone this great manager appointed for his genius – could see this was only going one way.
Argentina were creating too many chances. There were too many Messi-driven one-twos around the box. There were too many crosses from similar expanses of space. There were those two headers that should have been equalisers long before Fernandez’s goal, one an admittedly fine save by Jordan Pickford from Lisandro Martinez, another Alexis Mac Allister hitting the post.
It was a question of maths. It was simply not adding up for England.
Lionel Scaloni, in complete contrast to Tuchel, further changed the equation with brave subs. Every one was right. Every one further tilted it, culminating in substitute Lautaro Martinez’s winning header.
Lautaro Martinez came off the bench and nodded home the winner (Reuters)
The worst thing that actually happened for England was going ahead, as it gave Tuchel the licence to… do that.
An even greater frustration was that the opening goal was so well worked, a supreme display of discipline after an immensely difficult match.
England had been drawn into the kind of attritional game that Argentina wanted, but they held their nerve. The flowing counter that resulted in Anthony Gordon’s fine goal was the distillation of this discipline.
That it was followed by Djed Spence’s perfect and emotionally pulsating tackle made it seem like this was the day.
At one point, Messi was caught looking up at the clock on the giant screen, knowing his time in this competition was nearly up.
Anthony Gordon had given England the lead but was left bereft at the end (Getty)
Argentina had barely created a proper chance. Until Tuchel’s subs...
And, worse, having ceded the lead to Argentina, the same subs meant they had no response. This manager signed for his tactical sophistication ended up getting his players to lump the ball up to Dan Burn.
There is now so much swirling around this, from questions over Tuchel to the FA’s approach and why a hugely wealthy English football culture doesn’t have a tactical idea and still couldn’t produce their own coach – not to mention the gradual proximity to Gianni Infantino.
No one could look to refereeing decisions here, though, outside the early permissiveness. That didn’t really matter by the time Gordon scored. What mattered was Tuchel’s decisions.
Tuchel will face serious scrutiny for his decisions (Getty)
Amid all of that, there’s a lot of pop culture swirling around, all the memories of this World Cup.
Today was gonna be the day, but they'll never throw it back to you.
And since we’re in America, there’s a line that closes one of the most famous pieces of cinema, Easy Rider.
South America's champions against Europe's champions.
Arguably the greatest of all time (Messi) against the young phenom (Yamal).
It's an epic matchup for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Here are the details for the game.
What time do Argentina and Spain play in the World Cup final in Colorado?
The final is July 19 at 1 p.m. Mountain/3 p.m. Eastern. The game is at New York New Jersey Stadium (known to most as MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey).
How to watch World Cup final in Colorado
The game can be seen on Fox and Telemundo (Spanish) in the United States.
Argentina late win over England highlights trip back to final
Argentina is the defending men’s World Cup champion and back for a second due to an amazing ability to win in dramatic fashion.
Argentina trailed England in the semifinal only to score in the 85th and 92nd minutes for a 2-1 win.
Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time in the quarterfinals and came back to beat Egypt 3-2 after trailing 2-0 in the Round of 16. Argentina also beat Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time in the Round of 32.
How Spain reached the World Cup final
Spain dismantled favorite France 2-0 in the semifinals. Spain beat Belgium 2-1 in the quarterfinals, Portugal 1-0 in the Round of 16 and Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32.
Spain has conceded just one goal in the tournament.
Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal
The 39-year-old Messi is looking to further boost his “greatest of all time” argument with another World Cup title.
In it, Lionel Messi bathes a tiny baby, aged six months. A plastic tub, bubbles, a rubber duck and a cherubic smile. The baby is Lamine Yamal. Yamal is now 19 years old, a star at Messi’s old club Barcelona and the player many think is next in line to be a longtime world superstar.
“It was a difficult shot,” photographer Joan Monfort told The Athletic. “We can say I sweated some blood to take it."
In December 2007, Monfort took a photo of a 20-year-old Lionel Messi, who had begun his Barcelona career just over three years earlier, and Lamine Yamal — who… pic.twitter.com/bPKli1IHWq
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) July 6, 2026
BLOOMINGTON — Indiana basketball will take the floor at Assembly Hall on Wednesday night for a preseason exhibition game against Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf. The teams will tip off at 7 p.m. in a game being played under FIBA rules.
The new-look Hoosiers have been practicing all summer as they prepare for a trip to Peru to represent the United States in the FISU American Games.
Indiana basketball vs Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf game information
When: 7:00 p.m. ET, Wednesday, July 16, 2026
Where: Assembly Hall (17,222), Bloomington, Indiana
Indiana's exhibition against Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf tips off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday night. The doors at Assembly Hall will open at 5:30 p.m. with free parking in Gates 2, 4, 12, and 14.
Will Indiana basketball's exhibition against Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf be televised?
Indiana's exhibition on Wednesday night won't be televised or streamed, but the Hoosiers games in Peru for the FISU America Games from July 20 to August 1 — their schedule has yet to be announced — are expected to be available to stream. The competition brings 20-25 countries from North, Central and South American as well as the Caribbean together a multi-sport event.
What uniforms will Indiana basketball wear vs Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf ?
Indiana basketball plans on wearing Team USA jerseys in the exhibition on Wednesday night. The Hoosiers offered a sneak peek at their new threads in a video posted to social media. They have white and navy blue uniform combinations with the IU symbol printed on the front of the shorts.
Arrive early to SSAH tomorrow for your chance to get an autograph from select #IUFB players!
Indiana athletics planning autograph sessions for fans
Indiana basketball players will sign autographs for fans on the court after the game. Before tipoff, IU football players will be in the South Lobby at Assembly Hall for a separate signing. The list of players expected to be on hand includes:
Khobie Martin, RB
Tobi Osunsanmi, DE
Nick Marsh, WR
Shazz Preston, WR
Ryland Gandy, DB
Rolijah Hardy, LB
Chiddi Obiazor, DE
Davion Chandler, WR
Joe Brunner, DT
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
But the moment the final whistle blew, Mercedes-Benz Stadium turned into an emotional and politically charged gathering.
Decades before Wednesday’s match, England and Argentina fought in the Falklands War, after Argentina invaded and unsuccessfully tried to take over the Falklands Islands in 1982. In England, arguably the bigger sore spot with Argentina is Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal, but the two-month war looms large in Argentine memory. The islands, called “Las Malvinas” in Spanish, are frequent themes in soccer supporters’ songs, and signs littered throughout the country read “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas.”
Even Maradona called his handball goal “symbolic revenge” for the war.
After the win, as Argentine supporters sang and danced in the stands, the Argentina players laid down a banner on the pitch reading “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” (“The Falklands Are Argentine”). Thousands of fans joined the players in jumping and singing “El que no salta, es un Inglés!” (“Whoever doesn’t jump is English!”).
FIFA previously didn’t punish players for singing a popular supporters song that includes lyrics about the Falklands after the win over Egypt. FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the post-match demonstration.
Argentina is now a win away from being the first team since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win consecutive World Cups. And, perhaps more remarkably, it's also a win away from winning its fourth consecutive major tournament.
Argentina won Copa América in 2021 for Lionel Messi's first major international tournament win. A year later, it won the World Cup in penalty kicks over France.
Two years after its first World Cup win in 26 years, Argentina beat Colombia to win Copa América again.
Messi is likely already the greatest player in soccer history. A fourth straight major tournament title and second straight World Cup will cement his status as soccer's GOAT. Yes, there will be people who will still vouch for Pelé, but no one has had the sustained run that Messi is still on.
Spain simply doesn't give up goals
It's extremely hard to score on this Spain team. That's why it's a sizable favorite even though Argentina simply does not lose in this tournament. Spain has allowed just one goal over its seven World Cup games so far and that goal came in a 2-1 quarterfinal win against Belgium.
In the semifinals, Spain's ability to dominate possession absolutely controlled the game against a France side with the best attackers in the world. France simply couldn't get the ball enough to have sustained attacks. And it couldn't strike quickly on the counter, either.
Argentina is a totally different opponent than France. But Spain hasn't looked vulnerable against anyone yet.
Can Argentina continue its run of comebacks?
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente will assuredly have noticed how Argentina immediately pushed ahead when it realized England would be content to sit back and defend after Anthony Gordon scored in the 55th minute of the semifinal to give the Three Lions the lead.
Argentina has needed late goals in all of its knockout-round games this tournament and is now extremely comfortable in stressful situations. Does this team even get nervous late in games any longer?
But breaking down Spain will be an entirely different process if Argentina finds itself needing a late goal once again on Sunday. England showed no threat to go forward unless it got a sudden break on the counter-attack. Spain isn't going to play that way. It will likely still want to retain possession, even if that means pinging the ball around the middle of the park. Argentina's pressing to force a turnover will be key.
Are we in for a patient game?
Argentina's semifinal with England went over 30 minutes without an official shot on Wednesday. Don't be surprised if a similar theme unfolds on Sunday.
Both teams can be incredibly methodical. Argentina clearly dials back the intensity for stretches — sometimes to its own detriment — and Spain's ability to defend with the ball can be lull-inducing.
It may take a bit for the breakthrough goal to happen. Argentina may be comfortable sitting back at times while looking to spring Messi free on the counter and prevent Lamine Yamal from making runs down the wing.
And Spain, meanwhile, may be the team best-suited to preventing Messi from getting into dangerous areas. Rodri is again looking like the best defensive midfielder in the world and will be pivotal as an eraser in the middle of the field.
Both of Argentina's goals against England came with Messi on the right side of the field in the second half. Will he be deployed out wide more often to find space to operate as a distributor rather than a scorer
England have been eliminated every time they have faced a top 10 ranked nation in the knockout stages of the World Cup since 1998 (7/7) [Getty Images]
England missed out on a first men's World Cup final since 1966 as holders Argentina came from behind to reach back-to-back finals.
BBC Sport England reporter Alex Howell assesses how the players performed in Atlanta on Wednesday - and you can see how BBC Sport readers rated them at the bottom of the page too.
Starting XI
Jordan Pickford: The England number one was a lot more assured than in the previous match with Norway. As Argentina sat deep, Pickford had the ball at his feet a lot and could threaten in behind the defence with his kicking. One poor pass which could have ended in an Argentina attack. One excellent save from a close range header to keep England in front but then beaten by a Fernandez strike late on before England lost. 7
Reece James: It was a big call for Tuchel to bring James back in from the start but it was a decision that nearly paid off. The right-back produced a quality performance going forward and defending too but the whole defence tired before Martinez scored a stoppage-time winner. 7
John Stones: A game which highlighted why Tuchel has always been so keen to have him in the side as the England back four had a lot of possession of the ball. A calming presence in a game with extremely high levels of tension. Unfortunately for Stones he missed his header as Martinez scored the winner. 6
Marc Guehi: It was another dependable performance from Guehi who went under the radar for how solid he was throughout the match. 7
Djed Spence: Continued where he left off from his impressive substitute performance against Norway. A great one-v-one defender and his pace offered England a threat in behind when Anthony Gordon went central. Got caught out once but Pickford produced the save. A memorable last-ditch tackle to stop Simeone. 8
Elliot Anderson: Got on the ball often and kept it ticking over in the England midfield. Best in-possession game of the World Cup. Anderson took the ball in difficult areas and broke up the play too. Managed himself excellently after picking up a yellow card in the first half but it wasn't enough to get England over the line. 8
Declan Rice: Rice looked back to himself after shaking off illness. Covered a lot of ground as usual and linked up with James and Morgan Rogers on the right. His powerful run was a big reason why England took the lead. However, he could not help his side get over the line. 7
Jude Bellingham: Dealt well with the dark arts in the middle of the pitch very well. Great run to win a free-kick in a dangerous position in the first half. Bellingham looked to carry the ball up the pitch as much as possible and provided a continuous threat. An immense work-rate. 7
Morgan Rogers: Brought in on the right-hand side and pressed with real intensity alongside Gordon. His ability to run with the ball gave England an outlet when Argentina grew into the match. Provided the assist for Gordon's goal. 7
Anthony Gordon: Scored the goal which almost got England to the World Cup final. Gordon produced another performance which highlighted his incredible energy. Pressed really well from the left and provided an outlet alongside Rogers. 8
Harry Kane: Not as involved as he would like in the first half, and had the fewest touches of anyone on the pitch in the first 45, as the stop-start match halted the flow of the game. Dropped deep to find space and it was his searching ball behind the Argentinian defence that started the move for England's opener. 7
Substitutes
Ezri Konsa (72 mins): Brought on as England moved to a back five to see out the win but was part of a defence that conceded two late goals. 6
Nico O'Reilly (82 mins): Tuchel brought O'Reilly on in midfield as he looked to use the Manchester City player's height and ability to look after the ball. The change didn't work and England could not keep possession. 6
Dan Burn (82 mins): When Burn comes on it usually means England are about to secure a win but Tuchel's go-to option didn't have the desired effect today. 6
Ivan Toney (96 mins): Part of the double-substitution made as England chased the game but no chance to impact the game. 5
Marcus Rashford (96 mins): Thrown on as England chased a late equaliser after going behind. 5
No way it's as adorable as their first photo together, however.
See, Spain's teen superstar was born in the Barcelona area. In the fall of 2007, when he was 5 months old, FC Barcelona raffled off the chance for local families to have a photoshoot with one of the team's players. The photos were going to be part of a calendar that would raise funds for UNICEF, the humanitarian organization that once graced the front of Barcelona's jerseys.
A 20-year-old Messi holding a baby Lamine Yamal during a 2007 charity photoshoot is an unbelievable twist of fate pic.twitter.com/5D4A4nM4ts
Yamal's family was one of those chosen in the raffle, and Barça paired its then-up and coming star Messi with the baby for their photoshoot. But Messi, then 20, didn't just hold baby Yamal. No, he took photos with Yamal in a bathtub, as if he was bathing him.
“Messi is a pretty introverted guy, he’s shy,” Joan Monfort, the photographer who took the photos, told the Associated Press in 2024. “He was coming out of the locker room and suddenly he finds himself in another locker room with a plastic tub full of water and a baby in it. It was complicated. He didn’t even know how to hold him at first.”
🚨🚨🎙️| LAMINE YAMAL, reacting to his iconic baby photo with Messi in a bathtub: "I hope to 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥" 🌟🤩pic.twitter.com/c1bseFGVdZ
In what might be the ultimate parent-embarrassing-their-kid-by-breaking-out-baby-photos, Yamal's father posted one of the photos during the European championship two years ago.
"The beginning of two legends," Yamal's father, Mounir Nasraoui wrote.
Though Yamal had made his Barcelona debut before his 16th birthday, that tournament was Yamal's breakout. He became the youngest goal scorer in European championship history as Spain won the title.
Sure enough, the rest of the photos were soon circulating.
"It’s something incredible,” Monfort told The Athletic in a July 2024 interview. “Back then, nobody could imagine that this baby would be who he is now — and you could not have known that Messi would become who he became, either.
“We are talking about 2007. Messi was only beginning at Barca then. Destiny plays an important role in these things.”
Now the duo will come full circle, meeting in the Sunday, July 19, World Cup final. When he was shown a photo of their now-world famous photo shoot after Spain's victory over France in the semifinals, Yamal grinned.
London — The semifinal clash between England and Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday saw two bitter rivals face off in one of the most emotionally charged matches of the tournament.
The contest saw Lionel Messi, considered by many to be one of the best soccer players in the world, play against England for the first time in his long and storied career — and rack up a win, with 2-1 victory sending Argentina to the final. On the other side were England's all-time top goal scorer Harry Kane, and one of the stars of the tournament, Jude Bellingham.
Previous matches between the two countries have produced some of the sport's most iconic moments. But this rivalry goes well beyond the soccer field.
The Falklands War
Diplomatic relations between England and Argentina remain strained to this day over two small islands off Argentina's Atlantic coast. To the U.K., they are the Falklands, but Argentina calls them the Malvinas.
In the 18th century, France, Spain and Britain all tried to lay claim to the islands, establishing early colonial settlements. France agreed to leave the islands in 1766, leaving Spanish settlers to force out the British, who withdrew in 1774.
The Spanish then left in the early 19th century, leaving a newly independent government in Buenos Aires to claim the islands 300 miles off the country's coast as Argentina's own.
The sovereignty dispute reignited in 1833, however, when British forces arrived to reclaim the islands, expelling the Argentinian population and replacing it with Britons.
In 1982, an Argentinian military junta launched an attack on the islands and quickly captured the territory, sparking a 10-week war that killed 907 people, more than a third of whom were Argentinian sailors on the ARA General Belgrano cruiser that was sunk by a British submarine in a highly controversial attack.
Facing superior military force, Argentina surrendered the islands, which remain dominated more than three decades later by a British population.
Las Malvinas remain a bitter point of contention for the South American nation.
"The Hand of God"
Only four years after the conflict, Argentina and England faced off in a World Cup quarterfinal in Mexico City's gargantuan Azteca Stadium, which was packed with 114,000 people.
Early in the second half, the ball looped fortuitously to Diego Maradona, one of the sport's greatest players of all time, who leapt into the air and hit the ball with his fist into the back of the net.
The referee didn't register the hand contact, and the goal stood.
"A few minutes later, Maradona then scored possibly the greatest goal in the history of the World Cup," soccer journalist Joey D'urso told CBS News. It sealed Argentina's fate — the match finished 2-1.
Asked afterward if he had scored his first goal legally, Maradona replied that it was "a little with the head of Maradona, and a little with the hand of God."
In a 2019 documentary, he described it as "like some sort of symbolic revenge against the English" for their invasion of the Malvinas.
A year later, on the occasion of his 60th birthday, he told France Football magazine: "I dream to score another goal against the English, this time with the right hand."
In 1998, Argentina beat England on penalty shots in a game that saw David Beckham red carded and which then-England captain Alan Shearer said on Wednesday "still hurts now."
In 2002, Beckham scored a penalty to help England beat Argentina 1-0 in a World Cup group match — the two teams' last competitive fixture.
"For Malvinas, for Diego"
The Wednesday night rematch in Atlanta set the stage for Sunday's final against Spain for World Cup glory. But the historical significance of the game is inescapable.
After beating Switzerland 3-1 on Saturday, Messi — who is often compared to Maradona — and his teammates sang "The Fourth Star," the country's alternative World Cup anthem.
"For Malvinas, for Diego," they chanted.
Gary Linekar, who scored England's consolation goal in the 1986 game and is now a well-known soccer commentator in the U.K., said Tuesday that he wants "revenge this time round" for the loss.
Ahead of Wednesday's clash, Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni has tried to play down the historical significance.
"It is a football game and that is all," he said.
But Argentina forward Jose Lopez has promised that he and his teammates would "leave our lives on the field."
"Obviously, inside and outside the four lines of the pitch it's a match that has a lot of history there, a lot of pain and a lot of things behind it," he said.
England coach Thomas Tuchel said in the run-up to the game that Argentina's players "are fueled by history, it means a lot to them. … But we are also emotional. We have the grit. We have the mentality that it takes to go up against it, and we are ready for it."
"Argentina versus England has become a classic," Víctor Hugo Morales, a Uruguayan journalist whose commentary on the 1986 match has been immortalized in Argentina, told The Guardian recently. "Before 1986, it was just another match. Since then, it has carried a political and emotional weight that goes far beyond football."
The decision the entire NBA is waiting for appears to be nearing completion, with LeBron James now having heard from all of his potential suitors. James is the biggest name on the market and has effectively put the league on hold during his free agency process.
“It’s decision time for LeBron James… The Leading suitors have been CLE, MIA, GSW, PHI, and MIN…. LeBron James has made it clear privately that he wants to go somewhere he can compete for a championship. Somewhere he feels he finds that happiness from a team environment and culture that he can uplift,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said.
The entire process has been kept quiet by James, as he has not been directly involved with teams throughout free agency. There is currently no known favorite to land James, and even the organizations involved reportedly do not know where they stand.
“I’ve had Miami tell me it’s Cleveland. I’ve had Cleveland tell me it’s Miami. And the Warriors have seemingly had a lot of pessimism recently,” The Athletic’s Sam Amick said.
Regardless of how teams view their chances, only one organization will ultimately land James. If the Cleveland Cavaliers miss out on James, CBS Sports’ Robby Kalland believes they could pursue a sign-and-trade deal for Jonathan Kuminga involving Max Strus.
“One report indicated the Cavs spoke with Jonathan Kuminga early in free agency but put any conversations with the young wing on hold as they wait out a decision from James. Perhaps he becomes a target again for the Cavs, where a sign-and-trade involving Strus could interest the Atlanta Hawks,” Kalland wrote.
The Cavaliers have significant interest in adding Kuminga, who would bring valuable Finals experience to the roster. Unlike the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland has multiple options available to complete a potential sign-and-trade.
Kuminga had $46 million on his contract with the Atlanta Hawks after being traded from the Golden State Warriors, but his team option was declined this summer. Kuminga is looking for an opportunity to make an immediate impact, and Cleveland can certainly provide him with that opportunity.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina leads teammates out of the tunnel for warm ups before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
How do they keep doing it?
Through adversity, through poor performances, and through — frankly — just not playing up to their potential, Argentina is back in the World Cup final.
After dispatching an befuddled England squad 2-1, Argentina celebrated and probably scratched their heads a bit and wondered, “How did we get here?”
After escaping against Cabo Verde (?!) and Egypt (!), and somehow almost giving away the quarterfinal against Switzerland, Argentina was always just able to cross the finish line, but barely. Against England, Argentina appeared to be running on fumes and ready to succumb to the fatigue.
Still, here Argentina was down 1-0 to England with just a few minutes remaining in regulation and still not feeling like it was over or that this magical run across two World Cups was going to come to an end. Of course, Enzo Fernández, as solid a player as Argentina has in the midfield, and Lautaro Martínez, who only entered the game in the 81st minute, both scored to give Argentina yet another improbable win.
Of course, it was Lionel Messi who assisted on both goals to further cement his legacy as the G.O.A.T., but it was about more than Messi this time around. It was about the never-say-die mentality and about the ability to focus when the levels of tension and adversity were at their highest. It was about doing whatever it took to win.
Sure, Argentina is chippy, loud, cocky, and maybe even a little bit dirty, but they are one thing above all — a team. And sometimes, that is the most valuable weapon in a tournament like this.
As expected, the Dallas Cowboys and All-Pro wide receiver George Pickens remain without a contract extension as a deadline to get one done passed Wednesday.
Pickens signed his franchise tag tender on April 29. Doing so left the door open for Pickens and the Cowboys to negotiate a long-term deal ahead of a July 15 deadline to get one done. That deadline has now passed.
The lack of a deal is not unexpected. Executive vice president Stephen Jones told reporters on April 22 that the Cowboys would not engage in negotiations for a contract extension with Pickens.
"We've made a decision that we're going to have George play under the franchise tag, which won't be a first for us," Jones said at the team's pre-draft news conference. "So there won't be negotiations on a long-term deal. But that's certainly not a first for this organization and certainly won't be a first for the league in terms of this decision as we move forward."
George Pickens will make more than four times the total of his four-year rookie contract on the franchise tag. But a long-term deal will have to wait.
Ian Maule via Getty Images
Pickens appears content to play on franchise tag
Pickens has participated in mandatory offseason workouts since signing the franchise tag, signaling that he intends to play on the $27.3 million deal next season. He's given no indication that he plans to hold out from training camp.
"The tag and all that, it's football first," Pickens told reporters upon his arrival to mandatory minicamp in June. "So, definitely play football first, kind of like I did last year and then worry about. Well, let my agent worry about it, really."
Pickens, 25, joined the Cowboys last offseason via trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since joining Pittsburgh as a second-round draft pick in 2022, Pickens has been one of the league's most talented young receivers. But a series of on-field incidents in Pittsburgh appeared to add up to a breaking point for the Steelers, who traded him to the Cowboys for a relative pittance that featured third- and fifth-round draft picks ahead of the conclusion of his rookie contract.
There were largely no such issues in Pickens' first season in Dallas as he lived up to his potential en route to being named a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro for the first time. With All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb hampered most of the season by injuries, Pickens emerged as the No. 1 option for quarterback Dak Prescott en route to tallying 93 catches for 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns on the final year of his rookie contract.
It wasn't enough for the Cowboys to invest in Pickens long-term. They may want to see another year of on-field stability from him before considering a long-term deal. They also have a history of waiting until the last moment to sign stars such as Lamb and Prescott, decisions that have ultimately cost them more money and salary cap space.
Or they simply may not prioritize signing a second wide receiver to a premium contract that Pickens commands on top of Lamb's four-year, $136 million deal.
And Pickens, for now, appears content to earn this season more than four times the total value of his four-year, $6.75 million rookie contract while awaiting his long-term payday, whether it's with the Cowboys or another team.
When the Three Lions are leading a World Cup match late, Burn is a trusted substitute. They can bring him in, and he can clear the ball, again and again.
There's no one in their side who is a better winner of the ball in the air than Burn.
He also uses his lanky frame to smash the ball away whenever he gets the chance.
So if England has a lead late against Argentina, or later in the tournament, Burn could sub into the game.
Why is Dan Burn a sub for England?
Burn, from Newcastle United, simply is a remarkable clearance master.
Against Mexico as a sub, he had six clearances in less than half of the second half. It was a World Cup record for clearances in that little bit of time.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith has missed more than a month of the season so far, with what was thought to be a minor neck issue turning into a lingering problem.
Naturally, many Dodgers fans are worried about the World Series hero and are hoping for a quick return from injury, which has been diagnosed as disc inflammation.
Jul 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) in the dugout during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
For some, though, that hope is turning to despair, with some online baselessly speculating that Smith is going to miss the rest of the season.
Smith is making some progress, with Jack Harris of the California Post noting that as of July 3, he had begun hitting in the batting cages adn throwing a bit as well.
That said, those activities are a far cry from a return to action.
Once Smith recovers enough to face live pitching and resume catching again, he’ll still have to go on a rehab assignment.
Jun 3, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The longer this injury takes to heal, the longer the rehab assignment.
“It happened in Arizona, played on it a couple days, played on it at home (last Friday), and then just that third or fourth day, I kind of felt it was just getting a lot worse. Couldn’t play that day.
“It’s one of those things we thought was going to get a little better in a couple days. It’s just taking a little bit longer.”
Exactly how much longer that will be remains to be seen.
Huge crowds of England supporters have descended on Atlanta for Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina, including music superstars and sport legends.
England and Manchester United legend Sir David Beckham is once again at the match alongside his wife, Lady Victoria, and their children, Romeo and Harper, Cruz and his partner, Jackie Apostel.
Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger was also spotted in the crowd, along with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson and Tauheed Epps, the American Rapper known as 2 Chainz.
Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown shared a series of photos ahead of the game, including a selfie showing her in an England top and inside the stadium.
Beckham is enjoying the game his wife Victoria, sons Cruz and Romeo and daughter Harper (Reuters)American rapper 2 Chainz was also spotted in the crowd (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Peaky Blinders star Joe Cole also posted a photo and video from inside the stadium to his Instagram Stories.
And FIFA President Gianni Infantino was seen sitting with English Football Association President Debbie Hewitt.
The winner of Wednesday’s match will face Spain in the World Cup final set for 19 July at 8pm BST (3pm ET).
Fans expressed a cautious optimism ahead of the game, though many admitted to significant apprehension regarding the formidable presence of Lionel Messi.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and English Football Association President Debbie Hewitt (right) during the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final match at the Atlanta Stadium (Nick Potts/PA Wire)Record producer and rapper Jermaine Dupri during halftime (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
Thousands of Three Lions fans have descended upon the US city for the high-stakes clash against the defending champions. The air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium is hosting the encounter between the old rivals.
At home, supporters are flocking to bars and fan zones to watch the match – with pubs expecting to sell six million extra pints on Wednesday.
Huge crowds of England supporters have descended on Atlanta for Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina, including music superstars and sport legends.
England and Manchester United legend Sir David Beckham is once again at the match alongside his wife, Lady Victoria, and their children, Romeo and Harper, Cruz and his partner, Jackie Apostel.
Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger was also spotted in the crowd, along with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson and Tauheed Epps, the American Rapper known as 2 Chainz.
And FIFA President Gianni Infantino was seen sitting with English Football Association President Debbie Hewitt.
Beckham is enjoying the game his wife Victoria, sons Cruz and Romeo and daughter Harper (Reuters)American rapper 2 Chainz was also spotted in the crowd (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
The winner of Wednesday’s match will face Spain in the World Cup final set for 19 July at 8pm BST (3pm ET).
Fans expressed a cautious optimism ahead of the game, though many admitted to significant apprehension regarding the formidable presence of Lionel Messi.
Thousands of Three Lions fans have descended upon the US city for the high-stakes clash against the defending champions. The air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium is hosting the encounter between the old rivals.
At home, supporters are flocking to bars and fan zones to watch the match – with pubs expecting to sell six million extra pints on Wednesday.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and English Football Association President Debbie Hewitt (right) during the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final match at the Atlanta Stadium (Nick Potts/PA Wire)Record producer and rapper Jermaine Dupri during halftime (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
Alvin Kamara is staying in New Orleans another season.
The Saints are finalizing a new deal with the running back, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
The Saints tweaked Kamara’s contract earlier this offseason, creating speculation about his future with the team after New Orleans signed Travis Etienne. Kamara was scheduled to count $10.45 million against the salary cap in 2026.
The Saints drafted Kamara in 2017, and he has earned five Pro Bowls in his nine seasons.
He played 11 games in 2025, with 131 carries for a career-low 471 yards and a career-low one touchdown.
It's the eve of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England and nothing much has changed about the latest odds to win the golf season's final major championship.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler is +750 on the moneyline by BetMGM with just hours to go before the first tee time at 1:35 a.m. (EDT). Scheffler, who enters the week leading the PGA Tour in earnings and the FedEx Cup standings, won last year at Royal Portrush, tees off at 4:58 a.m., playing with LIV Golf members Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton.
The next favorite is Rory McIlroy at +900, followed by Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood, both at +1600. McIlroy is a past British Open champion, Fitzpatrick has a U.S. Open title to his name and Fleetwood is searching for his first major title.
What are other BetMGM moneylines?
Jon Rahm +2200
Viktor Hovland +2500
Chris Gotterup +2800
Xander Schauffele +2800
Collin Morikawa +3000
Justin Rose +3300
Ludvig Åberg +3300
Robert MacIntyre +3300
Hatton +3300
Wyndham Clark +3300
Cameron Young +3500
Tom Kim +5000
Patrick Reed +6000
DeChambeau +6600
Aaron Rai +6600
Brooks Koepka +6600
Jordan Spieth +6600
How to watch The Open Championship: British Open TV schedule
All times Eastern.
Thursday, July 16:Peacock (1:30-4 a.m.) | USA Network (4 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Friday, July 17:Peacock (1:30-4 a.m.) | USA Network (4 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Saturday, July 18: USA Network (5-7 a.m.) | NBC (7 a.m.-3 p.m.)
Sunday, July 19: USA Network (4-7 a.m.) | NBC (7 a.m.-2 p.m.)
After enjoying a summer filled with achievements and accolades, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has taken a step back. That's what happens when you're no longer sitting on the NBA throne. He fell short of bringing home another trophy.
Gilgeous-Alexander didn't win the ESPY 2026 NBA Player of the Year award. Instead, Jalen Brunson was named the winner. The other nominees were Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama.
The ESPY's are ESPN's annual sports award show. They're handed out every July — when most of the leagues are in the offseason. Gilgeous-Alexander won the 2025-26 MVP award — making him a rare back-to-back recipient. He also led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a league-best 64-18 regular-season record. Alas, that resume wasn't strong enough to bring home another ESPY trophy.
Instead, it goes to Brunson. He led the New York Knicks to an NBA championship. They caught fire at the right time with a historic 16-3 playoff record. They beat the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win the 2026 NBA Finals. Of course, Brunson won the 2026 NBA Finals MVP.
Well, this shouldn't be a shocker. The ESPY's have turned into awarding whoever had the best postseason performance. And while Gilgeous-Alexander was awesome through two rounds, he played below his ridiculous standards in the 2026 Western Conference Finals, which eventually led to OKC's playoff exit.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.1 points on 55.3% shooting, 6.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds in 68 regular-season games this past season. The 28-year-old remains one of the NBA's best players and is frequently in the conversation for the face of the league.
Why wouldn't Manning be a good pick? One possible reason would be a more balanced Texas offense. The Longhorns were historically bad in the running game in 2025, causing Manning to threw more than desired. That shouldn't be a problem this year with the transfer portal additions of Hollywood Smothers from NC State and Raleek Brown from Arizona State.
But that is a pretty minor concern, considering Texas also added star receiver Cam Coleman from Auburn to compliment Ryan Wingo. We should also see Manning run more in 2026, which are like bonus points in fantasy football. Most experts believe Manning will be a great fantasy pick, maybe the best.
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) July 9, 2026
Yahoo Sports’ Lead College Fantasy Football Analyst Eric Froton has ranked the top-10 fantasy quarterbacks. Arch Manning sits atop his list. In 2025, Manning had 3,163 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, just seven interceptions. He also tacked on 399 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
Manning passed for 300-plus yards three times and scored a rushing touchdown in four games. His final game may have been his best rushing the ball. The New Orleans native rushed for 155 yards and two scores.
Las Vegas Raiders star Brock Bowers was considered arguably the best tight end in the NFL as a rookie in 2024. The injury bug took its toll on him last season, but Bowers is perched atop power rankings for NFL tight ends, but also in the fantasy football sphere.
According to the FantasyPros Staff, Bowers is considered the top overall tight end for dynasty leagues this year by experts Scott Bogman and Pat Fitzmaurice.
Pat Fitzmaurice argued that Bowers has a ceiling unlike any other tight end in fantasy football. Even after an injury-marred second season that never quite found its rhythm, he believes Bowers remains capable of producing like an elite wide receiver rather than simply the top tight end.
Bowers has the youth at 23 years old, the prowess as a proven 1,000-yard receiver, and a favorable situation in Las Vegas as the team’s primary weapon in the receiving game to be the first tight end taken off the board in dynasty leagues, for team managers looking to set their teams up for potentially the next decade.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda is nominated for two awards at Wednesday night's ESPY Awards, including best athlete in women's sports. Korda is nominated alongside hockey player Hilary Knight, skier Mikaela Shiffrin and the WNBA's A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces.
Korda, who won the first two majors of the season, including the U.S. Women's Open at Riviera, is also nominated for "Best Golfer." She's joined in that category by No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and No. 2 Rory McIlroy.
The 2026 ESPYs will air on July 15 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC from the David H. Koch Theater at the Lincoln Center in New York City.
The last time an LPGA player won an ESPY was in 2022, when Korda won for Best Female Golfer. While no LPGA players will be in attendance tonight, a number of LPGA stars have made appearances in the past.
Kai Trump, granddaughter of President Donald Trump and an aspiring LPGA player who will compete at the University of Miami this fall, will be in New York for the show.
There's a massive mural covering one side of the Southport & Birkdale Sports Club, depicting Tommy Fleetwood in his Ryder Cup uniform striking a celebratory pose.
Fleetwood would like to visit but has yet to get the chance to see the mural in person, given the busy schedule this week. The English star is back in his hometown of Southport to compete for his first major title as the Open Championship tees off Thursday at Royal Birkdale Golf Club.
"I think for anybody that was lucky enough to grow up in the town of Southport, it's such a golfing town, and The Open at Birkdale holds such a special place in the area," Fleetwood said.
He's not only trying to shake the label of one of the best active golfers without a major, he's vying to become the first Englishman to win The Open since Nick Faldo in 1992. But Fleetwood shrugs off any concerns about pressure.
"It's an absolute dream to play here in my hometown in front of people that are all here to support me. There are only positives, really," he said.
"I think what you do have to deal with is how much you want it and your own expectations, but I think at the same time, I'm no different to any other person in terms of every single person that is playing in The Open dreams of winning in The Open and wants to win it."
The top 74 players in the world rankings are all on the scene as part of the 156-man field as the brisk men's major season comes to a close. To recap the previous three months: Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, England's Aaron Rai and Wyndham Clark captured the Masters, PGA Championship and U.S. Open, respectively. McIlroy will try to win two majors in the same season for the first time since 2014, the same year he lifted his only Claret Jug.
How they'll find Royal Birkdale is another story. Unseasonably hot weather in the United Kingdom has led to baked-out fairways and potentially a firm test of golf more akin to a U.S. Open.
"I think it's a double-edged sword," McIlroy said. "I think all this dry weather and sun and a little bit of wind is obviously great for the course in one way, but when I was here a couple weeks ago, the rough was a lot more penal than it's going to be this week. It's definitely burnt out a lot."
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion, having capped off a two-major year with a four-shot victory at Royal Portrush. Yet not only is Scheffler on the brink of going 0-for-4 at the majors this year, he also arrives in rare form — and not in a good way.
When Scheffler missed the cut at the Scottish Open last week, it was his first time not playing the weekend since August 2022, ending a 78-event streak.
He used the time off to his advantage.
"I played 18 (holes at Birkdale) on Sunday," Scheffler said. "Played nine holes (Monday and Tuesday), so getting used to the golf course. Yeah, you never want to have a weekend off, but going into a tournament when you're defending, there's always a bit more stuff to do. So it wasn't the worst thing in the world, albeit it was quite frustrating."
Scheffler had yet to turn pro when the par-70, 7,223-yard Birkdale last hosted The Open in 2017. Jordan Spieth collected his third major championship that week, joining a star-studded list of Open winners at Birkdale that includes Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson and Irishman Padraig Harrington.
"It's going to play quite different than the last time we were here," Spieth said. "We've had an opposite wind, too, the last couple days. … Holes that are close to being drivable become mid to long irons, and just with the wind switch, the difference into and down are so dramatic over here that picking a strategy is going to be key, and it's going to be quite different than the last time I was here."
Fifteen members of LIV Golf qualified for The Open, led by the league's biggest remaining stars, Jon Rahm of Spain and Bryson DeChambeau. While Rahm hunts for his first major win since 2023 after tying for second at the PGA Championship, just making the cut would be a great start for DeChambeau.
The two-time U.S Open winner missed the cut at the first three majors this year. DeChambeau, once nicknamed "The Scientist," is going for broke at Birkdale by debuting a full set of irons he built with a 3D printer.
The 96th Midsummer Classic at Citizens Bank Park delivered a familiar result on Tuesday night. The American League dominated in a 4-0 shutout against the National League. Powered by an early offensive ambush and a suffocating performance on the mound, the AL controlled the contest from the opening pitch.
Here is a recap of the top storylines following the game.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Cody Bellinger Claims MVP
New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger took home All-Star Game MVP honors by setting the tone in his very first at-bat. Stepping to the plate in the top of the first with the bases loaded and two outs against hometown Philadelphia Phillies ace Cristopher Sanchez, Bellinger looked to be hopeless. He fell to a 2-2 count before delivering a clutch single. The hit drove in two runs, giving the AL a lead they would never relinquish and etching Bellinger’s name into All-Star game history.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
AL Pitching Staff Looks Unstoppable
While the first-inning offense grabbed the first headlines, the AL pitching staff secured the final praise. The American League arms combined to hold the NL to just three hits and two walks. This is the least amount of hits allowed to a single team since the 1990 All-Star game where the NL had just two hits, one off of Bob Welch and one off of closer and hall of famer Denis Eckersley. The AL staff, led by Toronto Blue Jays‘ ace Dylan Cease (1 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 3 SO), showed no errors against a strong looking NL lineup. The only three hits were given up by Minnesota Twins’ Joe Ryan, Blue Jays’ Louis Varland and Tampa Bay Rays’ Bryan Baker.
Fortunately, post-game X-rays came back clean and negative for fractures. Caminero will return to play on Friday when the Rays face off against the scorching hot Boston Red Sox to open the second half of the season.
Junior Caminero: : I’m fine. Thank God nothing is broken. Will play Friday https://t.co/jTCSEmqDZB
Chicago White Sox breakout infielder Miguel Vargas replaced Caminero as a pinch-runner and later crushed an eighth-inning solo home run to seal the win.
Midsummer Dominance Continues
With Tuesday’s shutout victory, the AL improved to 11 wins in the last 13 All-Star Games and an overwhelming 23 wins and two ties in the last 30. Despite this modern success, the all-time series remains remarkably tight with the American League holding a slim 49-44-3 edge in Midsummer Classic history
Thomas Tuchel and Lionel Scaloni shared a touching moment ahead of the FIFA World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina -Credit:JUAN MABROMATA, AFP via Getty Images
Thomas Tuchel and Lionel Scaloni made their mutual admiration abundantly clear ahead of their nations' monumental showdown.
England's semifinal against Argentina at the FIFA World Cup in Atlanta Stadium got off to a feisty start, with both sides trading fouls and engaging in an intensely physical battle, reflecting the deeply complicated relationship between the two countries.
Despite the storied rivalry between the two nations — with both national anthems being drowned out by the crowd as a show of disrespect — it was evident that the animosity did not extend to the two head coaches, as they prepared for one of the most significant matches of their careers, as per The Mirror US.
Prior to kickoff, cameras caught both Tuchel and Scaloni taking a moment to seek each other out before retreating to their respective benches. Spotting Scaloni, Tuchel broke into a broad grin and pulled the Argentine coach into a warm embrace, which was enthusiastically reciprocated.
The pair then exchanged a few words, smiles spread across their faces, as they walked together with Tuchel draping his arm around his counterpart's shoulder. Scaloni rested his hand on Tuchel's midsection as the two continued their conversation ahead of the enormous contest.
For England and Argentina, their mutual animosity has been well-documented over decades. In 1966, the year England lifted the World Cup, Argentine captain Antonio Rattin was dismissed and refused to leave the field, later sitting on a red carpet reserved for the Queen.
Some 16 years later, the Falklands War saw England and Argentina clash with weapons. Four years on, Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal eliminated England from that year's tournament, with the Argentinians knocking out the David Beckham-led England squad 12 years after that.
Speaking ahead of the game, Tuchel stated that the history between the two nations is "irrelevant" and acknowledged that the squad is solely focused on what they can control and doesn't "speak about iconic moments."
To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE
"It's, in itself, iconic enough and the tension is big enough so we try exactly the opposite and try to influence the players and what we want them to do, how to behave in different situations," he told reporters in English. "We try to reduce the information.
"The bigger the stage gets, the bigger the tension grows so hopefully we can simplify the messages enough that they can execute it. We try exactly what is maybe not possible but the magnitude of the match is just what it is. I think it does not help if we engage emotionally in that."
Scaloni similarly emphasized that the game is precisely that - a showdown between two of the strongest remaining sides in the World Cup.
"The coach never thinks about what we have been given, what we were, but what we are, what we are given in the present," he told reporters. "That is what we have always done, and that is what we will do. We will see tomorrow."
Through the opening 45 minutes, the two sides combined for 19 fouls, yet the referee brandished just two yellow cards.
Maybe the least expected target, though, was Josh Giddey of the Chicago Bulls.
Giddey hasn't really been involved in trade rumors, so it was surprising to see his name in this report.
Turns out, a trade was never actually that close.
"Giddey was another big guard to potentially pair with (Anthony) Edwards, but there was little traction on talks there," Krawczynski writes.
The Timberwolves ended up feeling just fine with that, because they ended up with Ball instead.
"When it became clear Ball was available, every other option was set aside," Krawczynski writes. "In a conference dominated at the top by big backcourts in San Antonio and the Oklahoma City Thunder, Ball’s 6-foot-7 frame was a huge selling point. His shooting and passing give him an explosiveness at point guard that Edwards has not experienced in six years in Minnesota. And the Wolves believe Ball can empower McDaniels, who is coming off the best offensive season of his career, and reinvigorate Gobert, who has been waiting for a lob thrower forever."
This doesn't seem to indicate that Giddey will be on the move. Clearly, Chicago wasn't all that interested in making such a deal.
Instead, Minnesota gets Ball and will have one of the best starting lineups in basketball.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes isn't all that worried about being ranked as the second-best quarterback in the NFL by an ESPN poll of various NFL executive and coaches shared this week.
Mahomes got ranked second in the annual poll behind Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, which is understandable as the former is coming off an ACL injury and a down season (by his standards) with the Chiefs.
While talking with Yahoo Sports Daily about the ranking, Mahomes understood why he was where he was... which is, you know, still pretty dang good if you ask anyone else.
"You understand it, I mean, coming off injury," Mahomes told Yahoo Sports Daily about the poll. "We didn't play as well as we wanted to the last few years. You're going to drop in the rankings of some sort... at the same time, there's a lot of good quarterbacks on that list. I'm just happy to be a part of it."
"You understand it." 🤷
.@PatrickMahomes isn't bothered by being ranked as the NFL's No. 2 quarterback.
The three-time Super Bowl winner is obviously still one of the best quarterbacks of all time, so a second-place ranking on one poll doesn't really mean anything. He's still a lethal talent on the field who can change any game he's in just by making those plays that only he can. Allen is the best quarterback right now, but Mahomes can regain that.
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers acquired right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. and left-hander Colton Gordon from the Houston Astros on Wednesday in exchange for outfield prospect Jadyn Fielder.
Brewers general manager Matt Arnold announced the swap that included cash from Houston. Milwaukee cleared space on the 40-man roster by sending left-handed pitcher Rob Zastryzny to the 60-day injured list.
Milwaukee went into the All-Star break with a five-game lead in the NL Central. They trailed the defending NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers by 1 1/2 games in the league standings.
The Brewers own a 3.48 team ERA that ranks second in the majors — behind only the New York Yankees — but injuries to their starting rotation left them seeking depth.
Two-time All-Star Brandon Woodruff is on the 60-day injured list after an MRI exam revealed a new injury to the anterior capsule in his shoulder, which was surgically repaired after the 2023 season. Left-hander Kyle Harrison was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with tightness in his throwing forearm.
McCullers, 32, who helped Houston win the World Series in 2017 and 2022, has spent his entire career with the Astros. He is 53-40 with a 3.85 ERA over 154 games. He was an All-Star in 2017, had Tommy John surgery in November 2018 and missed the 2019 season. Surgery in June 2023 kept him out through the 2024 season.
This season, the son of former MLB reliever Lance McCullers is 2-3 with a 6.86 ERA in eight starts. Inflammation in his right shoulder landed him on the 15-day IL on May 19, and he has been on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sugar Land.
Gordon, 27, made his major league debut in 2025. He went 6-4 with a 5.34 ERA and a save in 20 games. Gordon has started one of his four appearances with Houston this season.
Fielder, 21, the son of former Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder, made his professional debut in 2025. He was in Class A before the trade.
The second finalist at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be determined this evening as defending champions Argentina take on a hungry England side looking to make history.
In order to be the best, you have to beat the best, and the Three Lions will get a chance to do just that, having to go through the reigning title-winners while seeking their first World Cup crown since 1966.
38-year-old Lionel Messi now stands in England's way, as the all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup history is in the path of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and the rest of the English squad.
The winner will take on Spain in the final on Sunday in East Rutherford, NJ, after La Roja shut down France 2-0 in a preview of the stingy test that awaits England or Argentina.
The Sporting News brings you a full list of live player ratings for the match, analyzing both team's individual performances from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.
4-2-3-1, right to left: 1. J. Pickford (GK) — 24. R. James, 5. J. Stones, 6. M. Guehi, 25. D. Spence — 4. D. Rice, 8. E. Anderson — 17. M. Rogers, 10. J. Bellingham, 18. A. Gordon — 9. H. Kane.
Argentina starting lineup:
4-4-2, right to left: 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26. N. Molina, 13. C. Romero, 6. L. Martinez, 3. N. Tagliafico — 17. G. Simeone, 20. A. Mac Allister, 5. L. Paredes (N. Gonzalez, 64'), 24. E. Fernandez — 10. L. Messi, 9. J. Alvarez.
England player ratings vs. Argentina
All ratings are on a 10-point scale.
Starters
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford — 8
Didn't have a single save to make in the first half, as Argentina had no interest in testing the goalkeeper. His distribution was solid, keeping his side out of danger amidst a slight press.
Started the second half with a great save on Julian Alvarez at his near post. Made an outlandish save in the 69th minute as he prevented a header by Nico Gonzalez from finding the back of the net.
Watch in USA:
Messi sends it into the box but the header is SAVED by Jordan Pickford 🏴
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Right-back: Reece James — 6
Did well getting forward, knowing he didn't have lots of width to deal with from Argentina. It was difficult, though, with Morgan Rogers contributing very little. Completed 17 of his 18 first-half passes, even while spending most of his time on the ball in the attacking half.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Right center-back: John Stones — 6
Didn't have lots of defending to do, as Argentina didn't look to get anyone other than Lionel Messi into the penalty area. Had one of the few chances in the first half for either side, as he put his header slightly wide at the back post on a set-piece.
Made two big clearances in the 66th minute to help England get out of jail as they were being squeezed.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Left center-back: Marc Guehi — 7
Was a machine in the first half, maintaining a high line while hitting on all 40 of his passes and contributing three defensive actions.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Left-back: Djed Spence — 9
Djed Spence was rewarded with a start at his natural left-back position for his excellent deputy work on the right throughout this tournament. He was bright early on, dribbling through defenders down the left. He nutmegged Nahuel Molina in the fifth minute down near the corner flag. Then a minute later he managed to stay on the ball amidst a heavy contest from Giuliano Simeone. 'Megged another Argentina defender 10 minutes later as he continued to cook.
Did well to begin the second half by pushing Julian Alvarez wide enough for Pickford to make a save. Made an absolutely electrictackle in the 57th minute on Giuliano Simeone to prevent a huge Argentina opportunity.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Central midfielder: Declan Rice — 6
Was completely invisible in the first half. Managed just 25 touches to Elliot Anderson's 51, leaving his midfield partner to do all the heavy lifting.
In the second half, it seemed to be going the way way, but he cropped up with a crucial contribution on the opening goal, latching onto the ball in the attacking third and feeding it to Morgan Rogers for a cross.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Central midfielder: Elliot Anderson — 8
Was a target of Argentina's early foul strategy, drawing three whistles in the opening 20 minutes and five throughout the opening half. Managed to keep his head about him and carry on, which is impressive. Drew an unfortunate yellow card when he was booked for fouling Lionel Messi, which left England furious.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Right winger: Morgan Rogers — 6
With Djed Spence cooking, Rogers played a more off-ball winger role, but he did well when he got on the ball himself, also managing to work a cross on the dribble. Unfortunately, he faded in the first half, appearing in very few England attacks overall. A poor first 45 minutes overall.
He cropped up for a beautiful assist on the opening goal,
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Attacking midfielder: Jude Bellingham — 7
Had plenty of needle early in the match, winning fouls and keeping the intensity up. Like Anderson, got kicked repeatedly in the first half-hour, but began to get on his flow after that as he dribbled past Giuliano Simeone to win a free-kick just outside the penalty area.
Past the 30-minute mark, Bellingham started to have a much bigger effect on the match, which caused Argentina to just kick him more.
Began the second half by defending Lionel Messi very well, marshaling the ball out of play by bodying Messi off it near the end line. Started to lose his impact on the goal after England went ahead, as Argentina were able to compress the pitch and squeeze England back into their own half.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Left winger: Anthony Gordon — 7
Did well to get down the left early, combining with an excitable Djed Spence, but couldn't get a shot off in the 15th minute as his dribbling allowed five defenders to swarm the England winger and smother the chance.
Faded as the first half went on, but started to get more involved early in the second half, most specifically moving into midfield for more touches on the ball.
Scored England's first goal with an exceptional back-post run by beating Nahuel Molina and latching onto Morgan Rogers' cross.
Watch in USA:
GOOOOAAL! ANTHONY GORDON GIVES ENGLAND THE LEAD OVER ARGENTINA IN THE SEMIFINALS 🏴
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Striker: Harry Kane — 5
Only 13 touches in the first half, including none in the penalty area, as Kane was unable to get involved in the match. That wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for a traditional No. 9, but for someone like Kane who likes to drop into midfield, he was unable to both aid his teammates in ushering possession forward and arrive late in the penalty area for chances on goal.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
England substitutes vs. Argentina
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and players enter the match off the bench.
England coach vs. Argentina
Thomas Tuchel: Grade pending
This section will be updated after the match with analysis and commentary once the coach's tactical approach and in-game handling can be assessed on the whole.
Did well to deal with England's early crosses, and distributed well, only missing with his three long balls in the first half.
Wasn't much Martinez could do on the England goal.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Right-back: Nahuel Molina — 6
It wasn't exactly pretty for Nahuel Molina against the combination of Anthony Gordon and Djed Spence, but it was effective, as he prevented either one from making things happen in the penalty area.
Delivered an absolutely vicious cross to the penalty area in the 54th minute that could have found a teammate but eventually was rejected from the 18-yard box. Was beaten by Anthony Gordon on England's opening goal, with his passive stance allowing Gordon to step in front of him for the finish.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Right center-back: Cristian Romero — 7
While Lisandro Martinez fumbled around next to him, Cristian Romero was fantastic defensively, playing the role of a brick wall as England tried to advance into the attacking third.
Started the second half by making a delicious play on the ball to see a pressing Anthony Gordon go flying by, but then absorbed a professional booking by bear-hugging Jude Bellingham to stop a transitional play.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Left center-back: Lisandro Martinez — 6
Solid in possession, but shaky defending in transition. Was booked in the 42nd minute for dragging Morgan Rogers back by his shirt in midfield to stop a counter.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Left-back: Nicolas Tagliafico — 8
Contributed his fair share of physicality to Argentina's approach, but also managed to keep Morgan Rogers and Reece James completely in check, winning all of his four first-half ground duels.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Right midfielder: Giuliano Simeone — 4
Was an absolute loose cannon early on, looking like he was playing at mach speed. That's not necessarily a good thing, as he was all over the place in the first quarter of the match, and it continued as he was whistled for four fouls in the opening 32 minutes.
Got free down the right before the hour mark, but was far too slow to make a decision as he charged towards the England goal, allowing Djed Spence to make a 30-yard recovery sprint and dispossess Simeone with a strong tackle.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Central midfielder: Leandro Paredes — 7
Was extremely physical early in the game, making all kinds of hard challenges in midfield to break up play with England on the ball. It was clear he was trying to get under Jude Bellingham's skin, but he was laughed off.
Provided good strength for Argentina at the base of midfield, avoiding a booking and beginning pressure. It began to have a greater effect on the game as he helped the South American side squeeze the game. It was, thusly, surprising that Paredes was hooked on the hour mark for Nico Gonzalez as Lionel Scaloni needed more attacking threat.
Central midfielder: Alexis Mac Allister — 6
Given freedom to roam and break up play, Mac Allister was a bit lost in the middle of the field, without a defined role. Looked a bit slow in the process, but managed to bust up England's build up a bit.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Left midfielder: Enzo Fernandez — 5
He has had a scatterbrained World Cup, and that continued in this match as he was all over the pitch, but not in a good way. His best moment was taking a long-distance shot that just barely fizzed wide, but otherwise he kept losing duels all over the pitch, and failed to create much up front, with most of his passing sideways.
Managed to have a greater influence on the game in the second half, helping Argentina to squeeze the game, but his creativity was still lacking.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Right forward: Lionel Messi — 6
Was slow to get going, but exploded to life when he dribbled through three players and was fouled, winning a free-kick and getting Elliot Anderson controversially booked.
Really struggled to have a consistent influence on the game. Delivered a 69th minute cross that met the head of Nico Gonzalez, but he put the effort right at Jordan Pickford.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Left forward: Julian Alvarez — 5
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and the player logs his performance on the pitch.
Argentina substitutes vs. England
65th min — Nico Gonzalez: Grade pending
Entered for Leandro Paredes with Argentina down a goal. Had a massive chance to level the score, but put his header right at the goalkeeper.
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the game progresses and players enter the match off the bench.
Argentina coach vs. England
Lionel Scaloni: 8
This section will be updated after the match with analysis and commentary once the coach's tactical approach and in-game handling can be assessed on the whole.
The opening 20 minutes of the semi-final were littered with fouls, following a big build-up to the resumption of England and Argentina’s storied rivalry.
England’s Elliot Anderson was on the receiving end of several fouls in the opening stages and was involved in a tangle with Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.
Bellingham reacts to Paredes following a challenge from the Argentina midfielder (Reuters) (Reuters)
Giuliano Simeone, son of Diego Simeone, who got David Beckham sent off in 1998, also went down after a slight push from England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Argentina’s players also looked to antagonise England’s players off the ball and Bellingham found himself in the middle of a flare-up within the first few minutes.
Then, following a fair challenge from defensive midfielder Paredes, the Argentina man appeared to have words for Bellingham during the stoppage in play.
Bellingham’s response was to laugh off the apparent aggression, however, with the semi-final goalless midway through the first half.
There were 11 fouls in the first 24 minutes, with referee Ismail Elfath showing no yellow cards.
England’s national anthem was drowned out by Argentinian boos and chants before Three Lions fans repaid the gesture as tensions boiled over before their seismic World Cup semi-final even kicked off.
The start to England v Argentina was littered with fouls (Getty)
Argentina invaded the British Overseas Territory in 1982 but emphatically lost the Falklands War in 74 days, which claimed the lives of 907 people: 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 from Britain and three Falkland Islanders.
Argentina still vehemently believe that the archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, which sits 300 miles away from its east coast, should be under its sovereignty, with the cause enshrined in much of the country’s culture, including its football.
As the players lined up around the centre-circle for the national anthems, Argentina fans were deafening with their chants of “whoever doesn't jump is English”, before heavily booing “God Save the King”.
England fans responded in toe by jeering Argentina’s anthem, setting the tone for the feisty semi-final that was being anticipated.
Midfielder Paredes spotted an opportunity to complain to referee Ismail Elfath after Kane briefly covered his mouth while talking to the United States official during what was a bruising first half in Atlanta littered with fouls.
This World Cup has seen officials enforcing a new rule, introduced before the tournament, which mandates an immediate red card for players covering their mouths during verbal confrontations with an opponent.
England's Harry Kane and Argentina's Leandro Paredes, right, during the World Cup semi-final (AP)
Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie and Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron were both sent off for covering their mouths during confrontations with opponents earlier in the tournament, in games against Mexico and Australia respectively.
Kane, however, was not involved in a confrontation with an opponent and the England captain appeared bemused as Paredes approached referee Elfath and complained that the striker had been covering his mouth.
Former England goalkeeper Hart was not impressed, either. “Pathetic,” he said. “He was talking to the referee. He was trying to be clear. It's so difficult to communicate out there. Harry Kane's just trying to have a conversation with the referee.
“I get it. Of course they're going to do anything they can to win this game. If you're going to go letter of the law and you see that, but come on, just win the game by scoring more goals.”
England were then urged to “give as good as they’ve got” against Argentina’s underhanded tactics after the holders committed a litany of fouls in the first half of their World Cup semi-final.
Argentina were guilty of 12 fouls in the first 45 minutes but were only shown one yellow card, with Lisandro Martinez the sole Argentinian to enter the book.
Thomas Tuchel’s men hardly looked like they were being bullied, however, with pundits Wayne Rooney and Hart delighted with how the Three Lions have so far reacted to the “wind-up” game of Argentina.
“Argentina would have definitely spoken about this before the game: ‘Let’s get into Jude [Bellingham], try and wind him up, try and make him get a yellow card, try and get him sent off’. It’s really important that we don’t take that bait, and we don't allow them to keep doing it, and we don't react badly to it,” said Rooney on BBC One.
“We have to be clever enough not to be involved. When there's a tackle there, go and win it with force, but do not get involved because the Argentina team, they do this a lot. They do this in other games, and they're used to it.”
Will it be Lionel Messi, leading Argentina to their second consecutive World Cup final appearance? Will it be Harry Kane, helping guide England to a chance at their first World Cup title in 60 years?
There are a lot of storylines to be interested in, including English manager Thomas Tuchel. At 56 years old, Tuchel, the German-born manager and former player is helping lead England to their former glory. Here's what to know about him.
Where is Thomas Tuchel from?
Tuchel was born on Aug. 29, 1973 in Krumbach, Germany.
Thomas Tuchel playing career
Tuchel's playing career did not last long. He was forced into retirement at just 25 years old due to a knee cartilage injury.
Tuchel spent his youth at the FC Augsburg Academy and began his professional career with the Stuttgarter Kickers in 1992 in the second tier of Bundesliga. In 1994, he dropped down to Bundesliga's third tier as a sweeper and center back with SSV Ulm. He made 68 league appearances before the knee injury forced him into retirement in 1998.
When did Thomas Tuchel become England's national team manager?
Tuchel was named the head coach of England's national team on Oct. 16, 2024.
Tuchel enjoyed immense coaching success before then, helping lead Bayern Munich to a Bundesliga title in 2023, Chelsea to a Champions League title in 2021, and Paris Saint-Germain to a Ligue 1 title in 2019.
He has enjoyed incredible success everywhere he has gone, and based on how the World Cup has gone so far, he could be in for yet another title.
Alvin Kamara is reportedly staying with the New Orleans Saints.
Per Saints reporter Nick Underhill, Kamara and the Saints are finalizing an agreement to restructure his contract to keep him in New Orleans.
The five-time Pro Bowl running back has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason, but will instead remain with the team that he’s played with for his entire nine-season NFL career.
Details of the planned restructure weren’t initially reported. Kamara was slated to play on the second year of a two-year, $24.5 million contract with a $10.5 million salary cap hit for next season.
Alvin Kamara will reportedly remain with the New Orleans Saints.
There’s no denying that the Dallas Cowboys have a high-powered offense after ranking seventh in scoring last season. Dak Prescott‘s return from injury sparked first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s offense, but one might argue the true difference-maker was George Pickens.
Pickens arrived via trade, in exchange for a second-round pick. We’re only one year removed from the deal, but it already looks like one of the best trades in franchise history. With Pickens and fellow Pro Bowl receiver CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys have one of the very best wide receiver tandems in the NFL. But how good is Pickens? Some think he’s among the best they’ve ever seen.
Pickens’ Contested Catch Ability Draws Rave Reviews
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
One area where Pickens consistently wins is with his strength and toughness. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound receiver can often be seen outmuscling his opponents while hauling in tough catches for the Cowboys. It’s one of his superpowers.
Recently, an ESPN poll surveyed NFL executives, scouts, and coaches and determined that Pickens ranked as the seventh-best receiver in the league. Lamb ranked sixth.
Yet, at least one NFL coordinator was willing to go on record and state that Pickens, not Lamb, is actually the Cowboys’ No. 1 receiver.
Meanwhile, a veteran offensive coach suggested the 25-year-old Pickens, who’s entering his fifth NFL season, still has room for more growth while offering extremely high praise.
“One of the best I’ve ever seen at the contested catch. There’s such untapped ability there. It’s just a consistency issue and where his head’s at week to week.”
Veteran NFL Offensive Coach on George Pickens
Despite coming off a career-high 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, Pickens may just be scratching the surface with the Cowboys. With Prescott, Pickens, and Lamb, the sky is the limit in Dallas. The key is keeping everyone healthy and hoping they have a competent defense to match.
Set to play on a one-year, $27.3 million contract in 2026, another Pro Bowl season from Pickens would definitely earn him a contract that makes him among the highest-paid receivers in the league. Some would argue that the Cowboys should have already given him that respect after his career year in 2025, yet they wanted him to prove it, all over again.
England have been urged to “give as good as they’ve got” against Argentina’s underhanded tactics after the holders committed a litany of fouls in the first half of their World Cup semi-final.
Argentina were guilty of 12 fouls in the first 45 minutes but were only shown one yellow card, with Lisandro Martinez the sole Argentinian to enter the book.
Thomas Tuchel’s men hardly looked like they were being bullied, however, with pundits Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart delighted with how the Three Lions have so far reacted to the “wind-up” game of Argentina.
“Argentina would have definitely spoken about this before the game: ‘Let’s get into Jude [Bellingham], try and wind him up, try and make him get a yellow card, try and get him sent off’. It’s really important that we don’t take that bait, and we don't allow them to keep doing it, and we don't react badly to it,” said Rooney on BBC One.
“We have to be clever enough not to be involved. When there's a tackle there, go and win it with force, but do not get involved because the Argentina team, they do this a lot. They do this in other games, and they're used to it.
“ If you look at the England bench, Anthony Barry’s up, Thomas Tuchel's up. They will know what was coming. If that happens, stay on the floor. Try and get them a yellow card because this is how they want to play. We have to do the same thing. We have to be as clever as they are.
“They haven’t overreacted. They've given as good as they've got. They have to hold their ground and do it back to them. Give them some back because otherwise, if you allow them to keep doing it, normally they'll come out on top.”
Hart added: “I've loved how the England players have reacted and stood up to the battle. Anderson has chased the great man Messi around the field and not given him an inch. He has moments, of course he had, but that set the tone.
Elliot Anderson goes down under the challenge of Enzo Fernandez (Reuters)
“When they get a chance, they're smacking them back. That is exactly what you need in a game like this. You have got to stand up for yourself.”
While Hart was complimentary of England’s reaction, another former Three Lions goalkeeper in Paul Robinson was left furious by the first half, blasting referee Ismail Elfath.
“That's one of the worst refereeing performances I've seen at this World Cup. He didn't get a grip of the game from the start,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“He's let so much go and the two coaches are not happy either. England have had to stick in this game because it has been tough. They have been kicked off the park at times. There's a clear game plan.
Anthony Gordon scored for the Three Lions in the 55th minute of their World Cup semifinal match against Argentina on Wednesday, July 15 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The goal makes the score 1-0.
Gordon joined Barcelona from Newcastle prior to the World Cup on a deal worth a reported €80 million, about $91.7 million.
GOOOOAAL! ANTHONY GORDON GIVES ENGLAND THE LEAD OVER ARGENTINA IN THE SEMIFINALS 🏴
This is the first time Lionel Messi has played England in his career. The two sides have a storied history. Argentina won the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals match that became known for Diego Maradona's Hand of God play. In the 1998 World Cup, David Beckham got a red card and was ejected before Argentina won in a penalty shootout.
This summer, Argentina won Group J and Messi became the all-time World Cup leading scorer. England won Group L and then defeated Mexico at Estadio Azteca before ousting Erling Haaland and Norway.
Argentina is the defending World Cup champions and has three titles. England won the 1966 World Cup on home soil.
The winner of this match will face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19.
When is World Cup final?
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Date: Sunday, July 19
Where: MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
The Golden State Warriors know that LeBron James is the biggest free agent available and want to pair him with Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and the rest of their veteran core. James has largely stayed out of the process, allowing his agent, Rich Paul, to handle phone calls and negotiations.
“Pairing him with Stephen Curry is going to be something that the Warriors are going to pursue over the next few weeks… It seemed very doubtful, it seemed low percentage, now it’s kind of questionable. Now there’s going to be some legs to this… That same source told us that Steph is planning on meeting and talking with LeBron about potentially joining the Warriors over the course of the next few weeks leading up to free agency,” NBA insider Brett Siegel said.
James has narrowed his list to five organizations he believes can compete for an NBA championship. Now, all that remains is for him to make his decision.
“It’s decision time for LeBron James… The Leading suitors have been CLE, MIA, GSW, PHI, and MIN…. LeBron James has made it clear privately that he wants to go somewhere he can compete for a championship. Somewhere he feels he finds that happiness from a team environment and culture that he can uplift,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said.
While the Warriors have done everything possible to convince James to come to the Bay Area, it no longer appears to be enough. Golden State reportedly feels like it is on the outside looking in.
“I'm kind of hearing today that the Warriors internally kind of feel like they're a dark horse at this point, that LeBron James is probably going out east,” ESPN insider Marc Spears said.
The Warriors believed they were in a strong position to land James until recently. They offered him the chance to form a generational duo with Curry, a pairing that would have immediately become one of the most feared in the NBA. James would also have had the opportunity to play alongside Green, one of his closest friends.
It is an unfortunate position for the Warriors, but the reality is they may not offer James the best opportunity to win another championship. Ultimately, that appears to be what his free agency decision will come down to.
West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville is a target for Manchester United, Arsenal are preparing an offer for Norway winger Antonio Nusa, while Everton consider moving for Manchester City's Rico Lewis.
Manchester United will target West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville, 24, if Marcus Rashford leaves this summer, with the Netherlands attacker costing about £30m. (Guardian - subscription required)
Arsenal are preparing an offer of about £34m for RB Leipzig's 21-year-old Norway winger Antonio Nusa. (Caughtoffside)
Manchester City have informed Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi they want to bring the 18-year-old Morocco midfielder straight into the first team rather than loan him back to the French club. (Teamtalk)
Manchester City are looking at Paris St-Germain's Senegal forward Ibrahim Mbaye, 18, after interest from Aston Villa and Tottenham.(FootMercato)
Sunderland are lining up a move to sign 19-year-old French defender Dayann Methalie from Toulouse.(Football Insider)
Everton are considering a move for Manchester City right-back Rico Lewis, with Nottingham Forest,Bournemouth and Fulham also interested in the 21-year-old Englishman. (Teamtalk)
Hull City are expected to finalise a move this week for Swedish winger Elliot Stroud, 24, from Mjallby in a deal worth £3m - and also hopeful of completing the signing of Olympiacos and Greece goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis, 23. (Sky Sports)
Though Fielder certainly carries notoriety, he wasn't among the Brewers' top prospects. The deal allows the Brewers to acquire pitching depth, particularly with potential starters, while Houston was able to trim costs from its roster. McCullers is in the final year of an $85 million extension over five seasons.
Though Fielder certainly carries notoriety, he wasn't among the Brewers' top prospects. The deal allows the Brewers to acquire pitching depth, particularly with potential starters, while Houston was able to trim costs from its roster. McCullers is in the final year of an $85 million extension over five seasons.
The Indiana Fever have won two straight games and will look to keep that momentum rolling Wednesday night when they host the Golden State Valkyries in one of the most intriguing matchups on the WNBA schedule.
With Indiana continuing its push up the standings and Golden State entering the game riding a seven-game winning streak, all eyes have been on the final injury report, particularly the status of Caitlin Clark and Valkyries standout Gabby Williams.
The good news for Fever fans is that Clark is expected to suit up despite continuing to manage a lingering back injury.
Caitlin Clark expected to play against Golden State
Indiana released its final injury report on Tuesday, listing Clark as probable because of her back. While the injury has appeared on recent reports, it has not prevented the All-Star guard from taking the floor. Clark has continued to play through the issue and remains one of the league's most impactful players.
Her availability is a major boost for the Fever, who enter Wednesday's contest at 14-9 after dismantling the Las Vegas Aces 109-75 on Sunday. Although Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 27 points in that victory, Clark once again helped orchestrate Indiana's offense while benefiting from another balanced performance that featured 19 points and 11 rebounds from Aliyah Boston.
The Fever have found their rhythm entering the second half of the season, and having Clark available gives them their best chance to extend their winning streak to three games.
Status Report for tomorrow's game vs. Golden State:
Golden State's injury situation is less certain. The Valkyries have listed veteran forward Gabby Williams as questionable with a back contusion after she missed the team's previous game.
Williams has been one of Golden State's most versatile players this season, providing scoring, defense and playmaking for a team that owns one of the WNBA's best records at 17-7.
If she is unable to play again, the Valkyries will continue leaning on players such as Veronica Burton, who scored 17 points with six assists in Friday's win over the Connecticut Sun, and Janelle Salaün, who added 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Golden State will also remain without Iliana Rupert, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season because of her pregnancy.
Wednesday's game features two of the hottest teams in the league. Indiana has won consecutive games, including its statement victory over Las Vegas, while Golden State has reeled off seven straight wins to strengthen its position near the top of the WNBA standings.
Clark's expected availability means fans should get another opportunity to watch one of the league's biggest stars in a matchup that could have postseason implications later this season. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, with the game airing nationally on USA Network.
T.J. Dillashaw was upset to see Cody Garbrandt go out the way he did at UFC 329.
Garbrandt (15-8 MMA, 10-8 UFC) was finished by Adrian Yanez (18-6-1 MMA, 7-3-1 UFC) in Round 1 of their bantamweight bout this past Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Five of Garbrandt's eight professional losses have come by knockout.
Dillashaw was the first to defeat Garbrandt, knocking him out in back-to-back bantamweight title fights. Having trained with Garbrandt for years at Team Alpha Male, Dillashaw knows how talented "No Love" is but points out one major flaw he needs to work on.
"For me, it's just depressing because I know how good he could be," Dillashaw said of Garbrandt on the JAXXON Podcast. "He's super fast. He hits like a truck. Even before the fight started, they talked about him working on his defense – he does not need to work on his defense when someone is throwing at him. What he needs to work on is his head motion while he's throwing.
"He throws great combos, but his head stays super tall and always in the same exact position. It never gets off the line. Like if he's throwing a right hook, his head's here (straight); left, his head's here, rather than dipping his head out of the way while he's throwing. He's getting caught in the counter. He's getting caught when he's throwing."
Garbrandt, 35, now has lost three of his past four fights, with his lone win in that stretch coming over Xiao Long at UFC 326.
As soccer mania reaches a fever pitch across the country this weekend, officials in Toy Town are inviting fans to come together and experience the biggest match in the sport on the big screen.
Winchendon will host a free World Cup final watch party on Sunday, July 19, at the Robinson-Broadhurst Performing Arts Amphitheater at 86 Ingleside Road, giving residents and visitors alike a chance to cheer on the finalists in a festive, family-friendly atmosphere.
Shaina Cunningham, coordinator for the town's Parks and Recreation Department, said the idea grew out of a desire to create a community event centered around one of the world's most-watched sporting events.
“Not a lot of local municipalities in our region are hosting World Cup final watch parties, so we marketed this on social media, not only to our local community, but also to surrounding communities,” Cunningham said. “We generally draw from Southern New Hampshire up through North Central Massachusetts for our amphitheater events.”
World Cup final to be shown at Winchendon amphitheater
The match will be shown on a large LED screen set up on the amphitheater stage, turning the venue into an outdoor soccer destination for the afternoon.
Gates open at 1 p.m., and the championship match kicks off at 3 p.m. Spain will face either England or Argentina for the World Cup title at New Jersey Stadium.
Fans who arrive early will have more than just the game to enjoy. Soccer Shots, a Massachusetts-based youth soccer program, will host a children's soccer clinic before kickoff, giving young players a chance to get in on the action before the world's best take the field.
Organizers are encouraging attendees to bring lawn chairs or blankets, find a comfortable spot and settle in for an afternoon of soccer, food and community spirit.
Cunningham said excitement has been building as the tournament has captured the attention of fans across the United States.
“I think a lot of folks think this is a wonderful idea. It’s been amazing to watch the momentum that the World Cup has brought to the U.S., so the feedback from the community has been good,” she said. “We’re really hoping to bring the community out and together.”
For Winchendon officials, the event is about more than just soccer. It's an opportunity to gather neighbors, welcome visitors and share in a global moment together, all from the heart of Toy Town.
Atalanta edge closer to Alajbegovic with new €25m plus bonus bid
Atalanta are edging closer to an agreement for Kerim Alajbegovic, with reports of a new offer worth €25m plus add-ons to Bayer Leverkusen and the player asking Sead Kolasinac for advice.
It has been said by several sources over the last few days that La Dea are making a strong bid to sign the Bosnia and Herzegovina talent.
Now Sky Sport Italia and Sport Mediaset note that a new proposal has come in worth €25m plus bonuses, which is edging close to the €30m asking price.
Atalanta want Alajbegovic
CARDIFF, WALES – MARCH 26: Kerim Alajbegovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrates after winning in the penalty shoot out in the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-off match between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Alajbegovic won’t turn 19 until September, but has already made a real name for himself both playing for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and at club level.
The attacking winger spent last season on loan at RB Salzburg, where he scored 13 goals and provided four assists in 44 competitive appearances.
Another sign of progress in the negotiations is the suggestion he has already spoken to Bosnia teammate Kolasinac to ask about life in Serie A, and specifically living in Bergamo.
CARDIFF, WALES – MARCH 26: Kerim Alajbegovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-off match between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Kolasinac has been at the club since the summer of 2023 and was part of the Atalanta squad that won the Europa League in 2024.
COMO, ITALY – OCTOBER 29: Mergim Vojvoda of Como 1907 shoots to score his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Hellas Verona FC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on October 29, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)
There had been reports of interest from the likes of Cagliari, Venezia and Monza, but it would seem as if Udinese have the upper hand.
Now it is up to the Friulani to agree personal terms with the versatile defender, who can also play in central defence, or in a more advanced position down the right flank.
He made 34 appearances for Como last season between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, scoring two goals with three assists.
Real Betis & Villarreal closing on transfer agreement
La Liga clubs Real Betis and Villarreal are inching towards an incoming agreement over the transfer of a member of the latter’s goalkeeper ranks.
This comes amid the understanding that Diego Conde is all set to take his talents to Seville for the season ahead.
The brass at Real Betis have spent recent days scouring the market for reinforcements between the posts. Following the decision of Pau López to head to La Liga 2 with FC Andorra, the signing of a new shot-stopper emerged as something of a priority.
Talks, in turn, were recently opened with the aforementioned Villarreal, over a potential deal for Diego Conde. Spaniard Conde is fresh off a disappointing campaign with the Yellow Submarine last time out, giving rise to a grand total of zero La Liga appearances.
And as alluded to above, on Wednesday, Betis appear closer than ever to landing their man. As per a report from transfer market insider Fabrizio Romano, citing journalist Matteo Moretto:
‘Real Betis are closing in on Diego Conde deal with Villarreal. He’s the replacement for Pau López.’
Tottenham Hotspur Are Willing To Launch A Move For This Bournemouth Striker: Good Fit For De Zerbi?
In a recent report, journalist Pete O’Rourke mentioned that Tottenham Hotspur are willing to launch a move for Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi. It has been claimed that Spurs are eyeing a £85m move to bring the French forward to North London this off-season.
Kroupi’s Impressive Record In English Football
Kroupi managed to catch the eye at times with his performances as the focal point of Bournemouth’s attack in the previous campaign. The 20-year-old found the back of the net 13 times in 35 matches for the Cherries last season on all fronts.
The French talent is currently among the most gifted forwards in the Premier League. Hence, Spurs would do well to lure him to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this off-season.
His current contract at the Vitality Stadium will run out in the summer of 2030, which could make it tough for Tottenham to sign him on a cut-price deal later this year.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: Eli Junior Kroupi of AFC Bournemouth warms up prior to the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Leeds United at Vitality Stadium on April 22, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Will Kroupi Be A Good Fit For Tottenham Hotspur Boss Roberto De Zerbi?
Kroupi is proficient at finding a yard of space for himself to get some strikes in at goal. He has got the vision to create some inviting chances for his teammates in the final third and is a good dribbler with the ball at his feet.
The French talent can contribute by scoring his fair share of goals up top. Kroupi is primarily a centre-forward but can also function as a left-sided wide player or play in the number ten position if needed. He is already quite familiar with the Premier League and won’t take much time to adjust to life at the North London club.
We can expect Kroupi to bring more quality and depth to Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi’s attack. He has what it takes to fight for a regular first-team spot at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next season.
At 20, Kroupi has got his best years ahead of him, which makes him a decent fit for the North London club’s needs in this transfer window. He will also help Spurs compete across all competitions over the next few years. Therefore, De Zerbi would be wise to go all out to snap him up before the end of this transfer period.
Who is Marco Di Bello, Italian VAR in England vs. Argentina World Cup semi final
Italian referee Marco Di Bello is the VAR for this evening’s World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina, with Maurizio Mariani the fourth official.
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Marco Di Bello, referee of the match talks with Enrico Delprato of Parma Calcio during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SSC Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 12, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
The winners will go on to face Spain in the Final in New Jersey on Sunday, while the losers will take on France for the bronze medal on Saturday.
Much was made of the choice of officials for the semi-finals in this tournament, with France’s Didier Deschamps criticising the appointment of Ivan Barton from El Salvador.
The pick for the second semi-final was no less obscure, Ismail Elfath originally from Morocco, but nationalised US citizen.
Italian experience with Di Bello and Mariani
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JUNE 15: Referee Maurizio Mariani (C) walks out of the tunnel with match officials for warm ups before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay at Miami Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
In the VAR booth is Di Bello, who could well be called into action, considering the tense and scrappy history between these football nations.
Di Bello turned 45 on Sunday and has officiated 189 Serie A games, 75 in Serie B and 11 in the Coppa Italia.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 01: Referee Marco Di Bello shows a red card to Matteo Guendouzi of SS Lazio as Christian Pulisic of AC Milan is shown a yellow card during the Serie A TIM match between SS Lazio and AC Milan – Serie A TIM at Stadio Olimpico on March 01, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
He was always one for discipline, flashing 822 yellow cards during his 189 Serie A matches, 31 straight red cards, and a further 17 dismissals due to double bookings.
Di Bello became an international referee in 2018 and was chosen to officiate the Final of the Cyprus Cup in May 2022.
He was a VAR at EURO 2020 and has been a FIFA Video Match Official since January 2021.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Caleb Douglas #WO19 of Texas Tech participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Miami Dolphins have reset their roster this offseason, with the wide receiver position one of the most highly turned-over position groups. Gone are players like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, leaving veteran players like Malik Washington and free agent additions Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell to headline the depth chart. Unless, that is, a rookie steps up and takes the mantle as wide receiver one.
Miami selected three wide outs during the 2026 NFL Draft, including two in the third round. The first of those, Caleb Douglas, takes center stage today as our 90-in-90 series resumes.
Biography
Name: Caleb Douglas Number: 7 Position: Wide receiver Height / Weight: 6’4” / 205 pounds Age (at start of season): 23 Experience: Rookie College: Texas Tech (transfer from Florida) Draft: 2026 3rd round (75th overall) Acquired: 2026 Draft
Games played: 14 Receptions: 54 Receiving Yards: 846 Touchdowns: 7
Douglas made the most of his second year at Texas Tech after transferring from Florida. He served as the team’s top receiver, and he used his combination of size and speed to find success – and establish himself as a second-day draft prospect. He did have a drops issue, and he can learn to use his size better, but his 2025 performance was enough to earn Second-Team All-Big12 honors, a spot in the Senior Bowl, and a Scouting Combine invite.
Douglas is a long, slender outside target with good production but uneven tape. He has enticing moments, showcasing his catch radius/ball skills on fades and deep throws. Douglas’ focus drops and an inability to win contested catches at a high enough rate can’t be overlooked, though. He shows quick acceleration for a tall receiver, but his top-end speed is relatively non-threatening to defenses. Douglas can expect to be crowded by NFL cornerbacks and forced to prove he can uncover. There are flashes to build on, but he’ll have to battle to make a roster as a backup.
Drafted: Caleb Douglas (3rd round), Chris Bell (3rd round), Kevin Coleman, Jr. (5th round)
2026 expectations
The sky is the limit for Douglas with the Dolphins this year. After years of Miami relying on smaller receivers, wanting to use speed to create separation, they have gone for size this year – but he brings plenty of speed as well. This summer, the Dolphins have to focus on getting Douglas off the line when he is pressed, something defenses will do a lot to him until he proves he can beat it, but the potential is there for Douglas to have a major role in the offense. Will he establish himself as a wide receiver one this year, or will he serve as a rotational piece behind someone like Washington? This summer will provide us with the initial signals as to who Douglas will be for Miami.
For the 11th time and first since 2017, Royal Birkdale Golf Club will play host to the Open Championship. The cream of the crop head to Southport, England from July 16-19, hoping to win the coveted Claret Jug. Prior to this year’s tournament, Royal Birkdale has undergone some significant changes on some of the holes, which will provide new challenges for the field. Sir Nick Faldo, a three-time Open champion in 1987, 1990, and 1992, breaks down the modifications that will be on display this weekend.
The first major change is at No. 4, Royal Birkdale’s first par 3. The hole was lengthened by 25 yards, and its most prominent bunker has been reshaped, making for a reduction inside. Faldo believes the modifications will allow players to “run balls up onto the green” and increase overall options. Hole No. 5, on the other hand, has been reduced by 25 yards in length, and with new fairway bunkers, players may “weigh up the risk option and reward of going for the green.” The hole’s right side has also been removed and remodeled, eliminating the blind tee shot. Lastly, a dune has been added behind the green, which poses challenges for balls which run through the putting surface.
The next set of changes come at No. 7. The tee box has moved significantly, resulting in a 45-degree change to the entire playing direction of the hole. The hole is 26 yards shorter than it was in 2017, and while the donut shape of the bunkers remain, three have been taken out completely. The green has been lifted, creating deeper runoffs on the sides, as well as varying levels of difficulty to save par.
“Significant remodeling has given this short but sweet par three extra teeth,” Faldo said.
Hole No. 13 took center stage the last time the Open was played at Royal Birkdale, when Jordan Spieth missed the fairway off-right by 100 yards from the tee box. He was able to play his next shot from the practice ground, and ultimately finished the hole with a stunning bogey, avoiding total disaster en route to an iconic victory. However, with the changes in the hole’s infrastructure, Faldo says his shot will be “impossible to recreate.” The fairway has changed slightly, and the hole now plays as a slight dogleg, or a bent golf hole. One of the bunkers has also been removed near the green, so players will have the opportunity to lay up if they struggle from the tee box.
Another pair of back nine holes that look different are Nos. 14 and 15. The old 15th is now the new 14th, with the old 14th having been replaced. The hole has been lengthened to 602 yards, 60 more than in 2017, and winds will be a big factor. This year’s No. 15 is brand-new at Royal Birkdale, and is both the longest and final par 3. Faldo describes the green as “deceptively large,” with a narrow view from the tee box.
Finally, No. 18’s tee box has been shifted slightly to the left, removing the dog leg. While there is full visibility from the tee, six fairway bunkers make the initial shot more difficult.
“It’s a suitable final test, and one that needs to be tackled carefully for those wanting to make the most famous walk in golf.”
The final men’s major of the year will kick off Thursday at 1:30 a.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN.
It may seem counterintuitive at first glance to reduce power if you’re trying to help passing, but superspeedway racing has a unique set of components which are heavily reliant on each other. The reason why these cars currently have so much drag and downforce is because of the engine package choice. In previous generations of the NASCAR Cup car, there were engines with less horsepower that were designed specifically for superspeedway racing which allowed NASCAR to create aero packages with less downforce and drag. The advent of spec racing with the Next Gen car meant that there were less choices for engines and a lower power engine option was no longer available, so the only thing NASCAR could do to slow cars down enough in order to reduce the chance of flips was to add more downforce and drag in the form of a large spoiler and underbody aero.
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Reducing engine power by the use of a tapered spacer with smaller opening now allows NASCAR to attempt to replicate an aero package that is closer to what we saw in previous generations of car and should move in the direction of how the ever-popular O’Reilly Series cars race on Saturdays.
The fans who are disappointed with the 465 horsepower output of the Cup cars in this new package will likely change their mind when they learn that the O’Reilly cars produce around 410 horsepower in their current superspeedway configuration. Earlier engine packages for the 6th generation car were right in between those two at 450 horsepower.
Those engine and aero combinations are well known, and in 2021, we saw around a 9mph differential for a car in the pack versus one running by itself at Daytona. At the Daytona 500 this year, that difference was over 13mph. The changes for the Daytona summer race aim to bring that gap to around 10 or 11 miles per hour. That is likely to be aided by transaxle changes in addition to the engine and aero changes that have been announced.
Current transaxle drop gear ratios are not optimal for a car that leaves the pack because it will often rev high enough where it wall pass over the peak of the powerband of the engine. NASCAR aims to introduce a new drop gear ratio with the update for Daytona that will allow cars that go on a single car run outside of the pack to be able to stay in the peak of their powerband for a longer period of time in order to be able to complete passes.
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford
The summary of changes that we can expect include:
-Spoiler reduction from 7 inches to 4 inches
-Underbody aero change to balance the spoiler reduction
-Engine power reduction from 510hp to 465hp
-Drop gear ratio change to optimize the power band
All of these changes can only happen in steps, so no single change can be implemented independently. In order to reduce the spoiler, you also have to change the splitter stuffers to balance the underbody aero with the overbody aero. In order to make those changes and still allow the cars to race safely, power must be reduced. The drop gear change is a nice bonus to help cars accelerate better once they leave the pack. All of these changes should entice competitors to attempt passes instead of saving fuel which should create excitement and passing similar to what we saw at Atlanta a few days ago.
Former Clemson basketball forward RJ Godfrey is part of a group lawsuit against the NCAA filed July 9 to gain a fifth year of eligibility, according to Cobb County, Georgia, court records.
If his lawsuit is successful, Godfrey likely would not return to the Tigers and coach Brad Brownell in 2026-27.
In the complaint, Godfrey is among 16 players who are arguing that the NCAA "unfairly" limited the number of games those athletes can participate in during their five-year eligibility window and "unjustifiably (restrained)" their ability to earn money through NIL.
Godfrey and others are seeking an immediate injunctive relief that would allow them to sign scholarship and revenue-sharing agreements with schools plus with third-party agreements for NIL compensation to play in the 2026-27 season.
The NCAA approved a change to its eligibility rules on June 23, giving all athletes five years of eligibility over five seasons instead of five years to play four seasons.
Under the new rules, there will be no more redshirts, and waivers will only be granted in the case of pregnancy, military service or religious missions. An athlete's five-year clock would start the academic year after their 19th birthday or upon college enrollment, whichever is earlier.
Athletes who completed their fourth year of eligibility in 2025-26, like Godfrey, were not given an extra year, though. This has created lawsuits against the NCAA as players are seeking a fifth season.
For Godfrey, who had pre-NBA draft workouts but wasn't selected or signed to an undrafted free-agent deal, it would give him another season to boost his stock. However he likely wouldn't finish his career with Clemson and would likely play in the SEC.
The lawsuit stated that Oklahoma, Arkansas and LSU all have expressed interest in Godfrey if he is awarded another year of eligibility.
He would unlikely return to Clemson as the Tigers have one roster spot available for another player and would not have the dollars to bring back that caliber of player.
Clemson also went out to replace Godfrey's production in the portal, adding Samford forward Dylan Faulkner and San Francisco forward David Fuchs. The Tigers retained starting center Carter Welling, too.
There's no guarantee that Godfrey is granted an injunction, but he hired Darren Heitner as one of his lawyers for this legal battle. Heitner helped Clemson football wide receiver Tristan Smith get another year of eligibility in a South Carolina court in June.
RJ Godfrey stats at Clemson
After spending one season in Georgia in 2024-25, Godfrey transferred back to Clemson for the 2025-26 season. He led Clemson in scoring with 12 points and was second on the team in rebounds with 5.3 per game.
With Godfrey, Clemson made the NCAA Tournament in 2024, including an Elite Eight appearance, and 2026. In his Tigers career, he averaged 7.2 points and 3.6 rebounds and shot 60% from the field over 104 games and 33 starts.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at DCarter@usatodayco.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
A general view of the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 18, 2025, in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Getty
The NASCAR Cup Series returns to North Wilkesboro Speedway this weekend for the Sunday’s Window World 450. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will also be in action with the Faith Fest 250.
The weekend begins Friday with Truck Series practice and qualifying before Saturday features the Truck race plus Cup Series practice and qualifying. Sunday’s schedule concludes with the Window World 450 under the lights.
Here’s the complete NASCAR schedule for the weekend.
Friday, July 17
Friday belongs to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as teams get their first on-track laps ahead of Saturday’s Faith Fest 250. Fans can also watch NASCAR’s Press Pass following qualifying.
Friday schedule (all times ET)
2 p.m. â NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Practice TV: FS2
3:05 p.m. â NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying TV: FS2
Saturday is the busiest day of the weekend with the Craftsman Truck Series race kicking off the afternoon before Cup Series teams take the track for practice and qualifying ahead of Sunday’s main event.
Saturday schedule (all times ET)
12:30 p.m. â Faith Fest 250 (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series) TV: FS1 Radio: NASCAR Racing Network, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Fans can watch Truck Series practice and qualifying Friday on FS2 before Saturday’s Faith Fest 250 airs on FS1. Cup Series practice and qualifying will air Saturday evening on truTV, while Sunday’s Window World 450 will be broadcast nationally on TNT Sports and streamed on HBO Max.
Amidst all the chaos surrounding them, the Oklahoma City Thunder have remained noticeably quiet in comparison. With the new CBA, it’s all about avoiding the second apron and losing future draft capital. In order to mitigate these issues, the Thunder traded key role players Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks, respectively, netting second-round draft picks in return.
Their other big move was re-signing Isaiah Hartenstein to a new contract through 2028-29, adding to what he already had in effect. He will receive an additional $47 million, totaling $134 million for his five years with the franchise, fully guaranteed.
The Thunder Battled a Post-Championship Hangover All Season
Following their spectacular championship run in 2024-25, the Thunder entered the 2025-26 campaign as the undisputed “top dog.” They played like it too, tearing through the regular season to rack up an impressive 64 wins. Winning at that clip is brutal in the modern NBA, but doing it on the heels of a grueling seven-game title run while navigating a relentless wave of injuries is nothing short of heroic.
At one point or another, 10 different rotation players missed at least 10 games. Yet, OKC kept rolling. But the wear and tear finally caught up to them in the Western Conference Finals.
— Basketball University (@UofBasketball) July 6, 2026
Facing Victor Wembanyama and the ascending San Antonio Spurs, a severely banged-up Thunder squad saw its season end in a heartbreaking seven-game series. The re-injuries to Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell during that series ultimately hobbled the offense.
The fact that a short-handed Thunder team still pushed a rising juggernaut to seven games — and could have realistically won had they secured a few crucial defensive rebounds in the second half — speaks volumes about this team’s collective talent, depth, and sheer will.
Presti is betting heavily on internal growth, draft injection, and better health. The front office added elite young depth by selecting Aday Mara (12th overall) and Bennett Stirtz (16th overall) in the draft, with both rookies expected to contribute immediately.
If JDub and Mitchell can stay healthy next May, and if the rookies flash their expected upside, Oklahoma City’s depth remains unmatched. But to truly reclaim the throne next June, the focus shifts squarely to the development of their top stars.
Gilgeous-Alexander and JDub Need to Evolve Offensively
As phenomenal as Gilgeous-Alexander was en route to his back-to-back MVP awards, the Spurs managed to bother him for prolonged stretches in the Conference Finals. Wembanyama is a singular, rim-deterring force, but the relentless perimeter ball pressure from Stephon Castle and Carter Bryant, combined with San Antonio’s shape-shifting help defense, frequently disrupted Shai’s usual rhythm.
At his best, SGA punished aggressive help looks with elite playmaking, logging a career-series-high 8.9 assists per game in the Spurs series. The Thunder found creative ways to get him downhill, utilizing screens and seals from Isaiah Hartenstein, wing-clearing cuts, and off-ball screens to space the floor. This resulted in masterclasses in Game 2 (30 points, 9 assists) and Game 7 (35 points, 9 assists).
When forced out of his comfort zone, however, things got rough. The off-the-dribble three-point proficiency SGA displayed during the regular season (39.1% on 3.4 attempts) evaporated against San Antonio’s length, plummeting to just 5-of-22 (22.7%) in the series. With Wembanyama walling off the paint and perimeter defenders aggressively loading the gaps, the midrange evaporated, leaving SGA isolated.
To dismantle a defense specifically engineered to stop him, SGA’s next evolutionary step lies in his perimeter volume and processing speed. Tightening up his pass placement, particularly on kick-outs to the corner, which occasionally drifted high or outside the shooter’s pocket, will be vital when playoff margins shrink to zero.
Williams, meanwhile, largely earns a pass after battling health limitations during the postseason.
Still, his half-court shot selection warrants monitoring. He leans heavily on the short midrange, and the question heading into next season is whether he’s choosing those looks or being forced into them by collapsing defenses. A fully healthy, multi-level scoring campaign from JDub remains OKC’s highest-upside variable.
Cason Wallace‘s Rise Could Solve the Lu Dort Dilemma
Following the slew of financial moves made by Sam Presti, guard Cason Wallace emerges as the biggest winner of all. Fresh off earning All-Defensive honors, Wallace showed stellar two-way flashes that have given OKC all the more reason to capitalize on their newly opened salary space.
In the midst of the team’s injury-riddled regular-season stretch, Wallace was handed significantly increased offensive duties. During February, when he started all 12 games, he averaged nearly 15 points and five assists. OKC went 8-4 in that stretch. When the playoffs arrived, Wallace was second on the Thunder in postseason three-pointers made, hitting them at a team-best 48.4 percent clip.
Cason Wallace led the NBA in total steals in both the regular season AND in the postseason. He is the 5th player in NBA history to accomplish that.
2026 Cason Wallace 2015 Steph Curry 2010 Rajon Rondo 2002 Jason Kidd 1975 Rick Barry pic.twitter.com/lrcDVaOSGd
Because of this rapid evolution, extending Wallace this offseason should not be a question. He enters the 2027 offseason as a restricted free agent, and waiting until the open market risks a costly bidding war that could cost the franchise millions.
That urgency ties directly to the Lu Dort situation. The Thunder opted into Dort’s final year under contract, but it is no guarantee he starts the season in Oklahoma City. With a massive cap crunch looming, the possibility of moving Dort continues to grow. Should that trade happen, a gap opens perfectly in the starting lineup. Wallace is tailor-made to fill it.
The Thunder Should Still Be Viewed as Championship Favorites
According to Fanduel, the Thunder and the Spurs make up the top two odds on favorites to win the title. This makes sense considering the amount of talent they have in comparison to everyone else. The Thunder were down two important ball handlers and still took San Antonio to seven games. As most bettors and fans see it, it’s currently a toss-up as to which team is better.
But if being the favorite means possessing the highest baseline, the most organic upside, and having the best player in the league, then the answer is yes, the Oklahoma City Thunder should be the favorites.
The margins for error have officially vanished. But Sam Presti has prepared for moments like these, stacking draft capital and doing whatever it takes to put his team in the best position to succeed.
And as it turns out, it wasn't some carefully planned act of gamesmanship. "Honestly, I just am a little sassy sometimes," Cunningham joked during an appearance on James Corden's Fox Sports World Cup show. "I've mastered getting in people's heads. It's kind of like a game within the game."
That "game within the game" produced one of the most recognizable sports memes of 2026.
Cunningham's now-iconic point came during Indiana's heated showdown with the Phoenix Mercury, a game that was already boiling over after teammate Caitlin Clark and Bonner exchanged words late in the fourth quarter. Clark was hit with a technical foul, but Cunningham believed Bonner deserved one as well.
She initially pointed to Bonner to make her case to the officials. Then Bonner fired back.
According to Cunningham, Bonner told her not to point at her. Cunningham's response was simple: she kept pointing. And pointing. And pointing.
For roughly 22 seconds, Cunningham never broke eye contact, holding the pose until a Fever staff member finally nudged her toward the bench. Both players were assessed technical fouls, but by then the damage—or, depending on your perspective, the comedy—was done.
Since that night, the image has taken on a life of its own. WWE legend John Cena has referenced it. Major brands have recreated it in social media posts. Even the White House joined the trend on social media. During Cunningham's interview, comedian Ian Karmel jokingly suggested the pose should replace the WNBA's league logo, drawing laughter from everyone on set.
Karlo Matkovic #17 of the New Orleans Pelicans stands on the court during a NBA game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Smoothie King Center. Getty
The New York Knicks, despite already adding Andre Drummond in free agency, still need some depth at center.
Mitchell Robinson’s departure to the Eastern Conference rival Boston Celtics leaves a massive hole in the Knicks’ rotation, one that Drummond will do his best to fill.
But even the departure of Ariel Hukporti will have an impact in itself, considering Karl-Anthony Towns’ propensity to commit silly fouls.
Just look at this past year’s Finals. New York regularly had to utilize their third center off the bench.
Right now, the Knicks don’t have a third center on the roster, and it’s the final addition they need to make before this offseason can be considered absolutely complete.
And while their pursuit of New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi seems to have hit a wall, there may be another big man on the Pels who could be what they’re looking for.
Knicks Trade Idea Lands Karlo Matkovic
Sports Illustrated’s Steven Simineri believes the New York Knicks should try to swing a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans for center Karlo Matkovic, who would fit under the second apron with a salary of $2.3 million.
“Matkovic went stretches without seeing any playing time, but he was always ready and efficient when called upon. The Bosnia and Herzegovina native has the versatility to serve as center or power forward. He plays above the rim on both ends and has proved, albeit on a small volume, that he can knock down outside shots,” wrote Simineri.
“Matkovic is a great vertical athlete and uses his strength and nose for the ball to grab contested rebounds. Thanks to his impressive vertical leap, Matkovic could be a real lob threat out of pick and rolls and that’s something the Knicks are lacking without Robinson’s inside presence. On the defensive side, he’s a strong rim protector for his size and can defend multiple positions.”
Matkovic could be exactly what the Knicks are looking for as a third option at center, and an insurance policy behind Drummond.
It’s unclear what the price on Matkovic would be, but with the bevvy of second-round draft picks New York picked up during the 2026 NBA Draft, several of them should be more than enough to get the job done.
Karlo Matkovic’s Fit With the Knicks
What the New York Knicks lacked with their backup centers last year was the ability to stretch the floor, as Towns does for the starting five.
Matkovic could allow the Knicks’ bench unit to not skip a step whenever he happens to be on the floor.
Last season for the New Orleans Pelicans, the former second-round draft pick shot 42.2% from deep, proving himself to be a legitimate floor spacer.
Despite only playing roughly 14 minutes per game, Matkovic averaged 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds, shooting 60.4% from the floor, and recording 1.3 stocks per game.
If the Pelicans make him available in trade talks, he’s a player the Knicks should certainly be interested in, especially if Missi is entirely off the table.
With Towns, Drummond and Matkovic as their three centers, New York should be just fine.
England soccer fans probably went into this World Cup expecting a certain level of performance from star Harry Kane, but I don't know that they expected it from Jude Bellingham.
At just 23 years old, Bellingham has scored six goals heading into the semifinal match against Argentina, including a career moment against Mexico when he scored two goals in less than two minutes. Bellingham's six goals puts him just two goals behind Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in the golden boot race.
If you're looking to rep Jude Bellingham's England jersey, your options are fairly limited. But, it's not impossible. The USA TODAY Shopping team scoured the internet for Bellingham jerseys, here's what we found:
Shop Jude Bellingham England jerseys
Jude Bellingham England Nike replica World Cup jersey
Jude Bellingham Real Madrid jersey
Jude Bellingham kids training tee from adidas
England 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule, results
June 17 - England vs. Croatia - WIN 4-2
June 23 - England vs. Ghana - DRAW 0-0
June 27 - England vs. Panama - WIN 2-0
July 1 - England vs. Congo (round of 32) - WIN 2-1
July 5 - England vs. Mexico (round of 16) - WIN 3-2
July 11 - England vs. Norway (quarterfinals) - WIN 2-1
July 15 (semifinals) - England vs. Argentina at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta - Watch LIVE
When are the semifinals for the FIFA World Cup?
The semifinals will take place on Tuesday, July 14 and Wednesday, July 15. The two games will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Tuesday, July 14 - France vs. Spain in Arlington, Texas (Spain WIN 2-0)
Wednesday, July 15 - England vs. Argentina at 3 p.m. ET in Atlanta - Watch LIVE
When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final?
The final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium just outside of New York City.
The Cleveland Browns have often “won the offseason,” as they did again this year, but their moves have rarely led to sustained success. NFL free agency is not for building a roster; instead it is about supplementing what a team has already established. Too often, the Browns have tried to take shortcuts via free agency, forgetting that there is often a reason a player is allowed to enter free agency in the first place.
There are a lot of disappointing moves made in the last 10 years of Cleveland’s free agency; these three stick out as among the worst:
Hooper earned multiple Pro Bowl selections with the Falcons before joining the Browns. His four-year, $42 million contract ultimately didn’t work out as planned. He was expected to be a star in Kevin Stefanski’s offense, yet he had only 780 receiving yards and seven touchdowns throughout the course of his two seasons before he was released. The dropped passes were frustrating for fans and left a bad taste for his time with this team.
The move to bring in Thornhill seemed like a great fit for the Cleveland defense at the time. After a disappointing stint from John Johnson III, fans were hopeful that Thornhill could come in and really make a difference. Between injuries and what may have been a poor fit, he never got settled with the Browns and was released with one year left on his contract.
Cleveland signed Britt in 2017 after he had an impressive 1,000-yard season with the Los Angeles Rams. There was a lot of excitement about the move, with many expecting him to become a focal point of the Browns’ passing offense. He ended up with just 18 receptions for 233 yards and was released from the team halfway through the season.
Let me know what you think in the comments – Who are the most disappointing Browns free agent signings of the last 10 years?
It’ll be Paige Bueckers vs. Caitlin Clark in the 2026 WNBA All-Star game, as the two leading fan vote-getters headline their teams for the midseason showcase.
WNBA legends Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon were the honorary general managers for Bueckers’ and Clark’s teams, respectively, in Wednesday’s All-Star draft. Weatherspoon had the first selection among the eight remaining starters and chose four-time MVP A’ja Wilson to build out her roster around Clark. Cooper picked first among the reserves, selecting Angel Reese.
Here are the full rosters for the 2026 All-Star Game, which will be held in Chicago on Saturday, July 25.
Sophie Cunningham has become one of the Indiana Fever's biggest fan favorites, both for her production on the court and her personality away from it. Now, just hours before Indiana returns home for another key WNBA matchup, the veteran guard is asking Fever fans to join her for a special event that extends beyond basketball games.
Fresh off one of the best performances of her season, Cunningham took to social media on Wednesday with a simple invitation for fans.
"Come hang out 🏀," she wrote while promoting her upcoming youth basketball camp.
The timing couldn't be much better. Cunningham is riding plenty of momentum after helping Indiana roll to a dominant victory over the Las Vegas Aces, and she'll look to keep that momentum going Wednesday night when the Fever host the Golden State Valkyries.
Sophie Cunningham invites young fans to Indiana basketball camp
Cunningham announced that her Sophie Cunningham Basketball ProCamp will take place on Saturday, July 19, at the Aletto Family Sports Center in Carmel, Indiana. The camp is open to boys and girls ages 6-15 and will feature basketball instruction, skill development, drills, competitions and opportunities for young players to interact with one of the WNBA's premier perimeter shooters.
With Cunningham encouraging fans to "come hang out," the event offers Fever supporters a chance to spend time with one of the team's most recognizable personalities during one of the franchise's most exciting seasons in recent memory. Community events like this have become increasingly common for Indiana players as the Fever's popularity continues to soar. Teammate Lexie Hull also hosted a successful youth basketball camp in Carmel earlier this summer, drawing young athletes from across the state.
For Cunningham, the camp is another opportunity to connect with Indiana's rapidly growing basketball community while helping inspire the next generation of players.
The timing of the announcement also comes as Cunningham continues to play some of her best basketball of the season. Through 22 games, the veteran guard is averaging 9.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting an outstanding 43.5% from three-point range, ranking among the WNBA's most efficient long-range shooters.
She was especially impressive in Sunday's 109-75 victory over the Las Vegas Aces, erupting for 20 points off the bench while knocking down six of her eight attempts from beyond the arc. Her shooting helped fuel one of Indiana's most complete performances of the year as the Fever improved to 14-9.
Cunningham's ability to stretch defenses has made her an ideal complement alongside stars Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, giving head coach Stephanie White another dangerous scoring option whenever she checks into the game.
Now, Cunningham will look to carry that hot shooting into Wednesday night's matchup against the expansion Golden State Valkyries as Indiana tries to extend its winning streak to three games. But before tipoff, she's hoping plenty of Fever fans will answer her invitation and join her on Saturday for a day focused on developing young basketball players throughout central Indiana.
Alvin Kamara isn't going anywhere. The longtime Saints running back will remain in New Orleans for the 2026 season on a reworked contract, ending months of uncertainty surrounding the veteran's future, sources tell Saints Wire. Former Saints left tackle Terron Armstead officially announced the news on his podcast and YouTube show The Set with NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill.
Kamara is entering the final year of his contract, and while the Saints signed Travis Etienne Jr. to a four-year deal earlier this offseason, the tandem has drawn comparisons to the one Kamara formed with Mark Ingram II several years ago. The addition fueled speculation that the Saints could release or trade Kamara, or that he could retire before playing another season in New Orleans.
Instead, Kamara will return for his 10th season with the franchise that selected him in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. He has repeatedly expressed that he doesn't want to play anywhere else, and he'll now get another opportunity to play in black and gold.
Kamara's return gives head coach Kellen Moore two proven playmakers in the backfield. Etienne can handle a significant portion of the rushing workload, while Kamara continues contributing as one of the league's most versatile receiving backs.
The tandem should allow the Saints to manage Kamara's workload after injuries limited him to 11 games last season. The 30-year-old averaged 3.6 yards per carry in 2025.
This story is developing. It will be updated with more details when they become available.
England and Argentina hadn't even taken the field yet for their World Cup semifinal clash in Atlanta, and we already had a chance to witness the first competitive moment between the two rivals.
It was on the bus ride to the stadium.
Though FIFA and the host cities coordinate everything about a team's hotel departure and arrival route down to the minute, the two team busses — police escort and all — awkwardly converged on the way to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The Fox pregame broadcast was following the moment, and the Argentina team bus had to wait on the freeway for the England bus to overtake it.
England's team bus really had to overtake Argentina's team bus en route to Atlanta Stadium 😅 pic.twitter.com/yUt32FRq79
We're down to the last few games of the 2026 men's World Cup. On Wednesday, we should be in for an instant classic semifinal between Argentina and England in Atlanta. However, legendary English play-by-play announcer Ian Darke unfortunately won't be calling the game. In fact, he's done announcing games altogether at this tournament.
The reason is simple.
Fox has elected to ride with its lead announcing team of John Strong and Stu Holden through the final stage of the tournament. Darke is not the lead World Cup announcer for the network. The 72-year-old actually called his last game of this World Cup between Argentina and Switzerland in Kansas City during the quarterfinals, where Argentina prevailed 3-1 in extra time. That's a huge bummer to hear about Darke, to say the least.
Will Ian Darke call another World Cup in the future?
Barring an official retirement announcement, it sure seems like Darke, who will be in his mid-70s by then, will likely be back for the 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Depending on who gets the broadcast rights for that tournament, he very well might be the lead announcer for it, too. Hearing more of Darke's voice throughout would surely be a very welcome gift for English-speaking soccer fans.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: Ryan Garcia reacts as he is introduced for a title fight against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios at T-Mobile Arena on February 21, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. His father at trainer Henry Garcia is at left. Garcia took the title by unanimous decision. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
UFC CEO, Dana White, made a special announcement for Mexican Independence Weekend — but it has nothing to do with Noche UFC 4.
Instead, White and his “sweet science” cronies recently booked the previously reported Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn boxing match for Sept. 12, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. That’s expected to push Noche UFC 4 to Sept. 19, though an official date and location have yet to be revealed.
“Alright everybody, it is official,” White announced on his social media channels. “Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn is signed and is taking place September 12th, live from T-Mobile Arena here in Las Vegas. Garcia is the world welterweight champion, Ring Magazine’s 5th-ranked welterweight in the world. He has 25 wins and 20 of those came by knockout.”
“He is facing Conor Benn, who has 25-1 with14 knockouts,” White added. “His only loss is to Eubanks Jr, and he immediately avenged that loss. These guys have been going back and forth on social media and this fight is going to be awesome. Live on Mexican Independence Weekend September 12th, live globally on Paramount+, and on DAZN in the UK and Ireland.”
Expect White to have plenty to say about this longtime rival in the lead up to the fight.
Minnesota Lynx star rookie Olivia Miles went down in Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks in the fourth quarter.
She started to grab at her ankle and had to come out of the game. Miles was checked out on the court by trainers, but was able to walk into the tunnel to the locker room on her own.
Olivia Miles walked off under her own power after suffering an injury in today's Lynx game. pic.twitter.com/NrPI7uee9X
The guard returned to the bench with about three minutes left in the game but was seen favoring her ankle and limping as she stood to cheer on her teammates.
Miles suffered the injury in the fourth quarter. At the time of her injury, the Minnesota guard had 18 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals.
She was the second overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft by Minnesota, but has been playing like a seasoned veteran.
Miles has played in 22 games so far this season and is averaging 19.4 points, 5.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game. Her performance led to her being voted as an All-Star Game starter on July 25, provided that this injury doesn’t prevent her from participating.
Expectations continue to rise for Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie Rueben Bain Jr. before he's even played his first NFL snap.
In a recent article highlighting the projected roles for every first-round rookie, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox listed Bain's initial role as the Buccaneers' starting edge rusher. Knox noted that Bain entered the 2026 NFL Draft as the top-ranked edge defender and the fifth-ranked overall prospect on Bleacher Report's draft board before unexpectedly sliding to Tampa Bay with the 15th overall pick.
Knox pointed to Tampa Bay's current edge rotation, which includes Yaya Diaby, Anthony Nelson, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and Chris Braswell, but believes Bain has already separated himself enough to earn a starting job. He also cited the early praise Bain has received from head coach Todd Bowles during offseason workouts.
That projection aligns with how the Buccaneers' current depth chart is shaping up. Bain is listed as the starting left outside linebacker opposite Diaby, giving Tampa Bay a pair of young pass rushers to build around. Veteran Anthony Nelson provides experienced depth behind Bain, while Braswell and Al-Quadin Muhammad round out one of the deeper edge groups the Buccaneers have assembled in recent years.
Knox also noted that Bain recorded 9.5 sacks during his final collegiate season and believes he has the talent to quickly become the centerpiece of Tampa Bay's pass rush. If his strong offseason continues into training camp, the rookie appears well on his way to opening Week 1 exactly where many expected him to be when the Buccaneers drafted him in the first round.
NEW YORK (AP) — The anticipation. The chase. The powdery, sugar-coated board of gum! For generations of baseball card fans, there was nothing like scrounging up some change and sprinting to the store to buy a wax pack.
Some tore the slightly tacky paper wrapper open and flipped through the cards in an insatiable instant (hence the popular phrase “ripping wax” for opening card packs even today, about 35 years since use of actual wax wrappers ceased). Others did the slow reveal: one card at a time, peeking out of a corner of the pack, or maybe upside down and reversed. However you did it, it was the right way.
“There is something inherently magic about peeling away the paper of the wax pack. There’s something visceral about it, taking the pack to your face and smelling it,” says Brian Pirrip, owner of collectible business M1NT. “It’s something about the mix of all these scents — the wax, the gum, the cardboard — that transports you back to a different time.”
Collecting and trading cards has been part of the baseball ecosystem since the 1860s. But the wax pack emerged as the delivery method in 1951 by Topps.
Opening a pack was thrilling. Who were you going to pull? Whether it was Hall-of-Famer-to-be Brooks Robinson or Sixto Lezcano, a “common” card, the feeling was the same: “an innocent joy,” Pirrip says. You’d then scale them or flip ’em, turn that pack of 15 cards into 20 through some clever trades. The cards went with you everywhere.
Fueled by history, statistics and mythmaking, baseball card collecting rode the nostalgia craze of the 1980s into big business and overproduction of cards. While saturation of the market brought down prices, the abundance of fan favorites has driven a resurgence of interest in opening wax packs.
Sure, you can open modern foil wrappers and chase high-value autos, refractors or other gimmicky cards, But there's nothing like tearing open a wax pack and chomping on the thin pink rectangle.
Pirrip has taken his love of collecting to 47 states. He has seen countless faces light up when a favorite card surfaces.
On a recent night at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, Pirrip pulled out a box of 1987 Topps cards and had guests rip some wax. Nolan Ryan, Don Mattingly, Roger Clemens and Kirby Puckett drew gasps. But it was all smiles, even for names not uttered in years.
“It instantly transports people to a happier time,” he says. “You can’t get that with anything else.”
___
Part of a recurring series, “American Objects,” marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. For more American objects, click here. For more stories on the anniversary, click here.
When Sherrone Moore was fired for conducting a relationship with executive assistant Paige Shiver, at Michigan, the university commissioned Chicago-based law firm Jenner & Block to find out what athletic department officials knew about the affair before Shiver admitted to it—and when.
The university has not yet released any public findings. But certain details first reported by The Wall Street Journal and The Athletic and confirmed by Front Office Sports suggest there was widespread speculation within the department about the relationship for more than a year, and that athletic department leadership, including AD Warde Manuel, was aware of this speculation.
Ultimately, however, the university’s board has no plans to discuss the future of athletics personnel issues at its meeting Thursday, the source said. A university spokesperson echoed these comments.
The spokesperson also referred to a statement provided to FOS Tuesday saying: “Because this matter is the subject of pending litigation, the university will not comment further on issues related to that relationship.” As for the report itself, the spokesperson said the documents were private because they were “protected by attorney-client privilege.”
Shiver’s attorney, Andrew M. Stroth, told FOS that Michigan “should immediately release the findings and recommendations from the $12 million Jenner & Block investigative report. We have been unable to get information regarding this investigation, which is why we filed several FOIAs, and why last week, Ms. Shiver filed a FOIA lawsuit against the University of Michigan. We’re just demanding transparency and accountability.”
Jenner & Block did not immediately provide comment.
Jenner & Block conducted two separate, but related, investigations into Moore’s conduct and the athletic department’s handling of the situation. The findings raise questions about whether athletic department leadership failed to take proper action on the concerns reported to them.
The investigation found that multiple members of the athletic department, including players and staffers, voiced concerns to athletic department officials about the conduct of Moore and Shiver, the source told FOS. The details were first reported by The Athletic.
The investigation also turned up a letter that Manuel had written in a note in August 2024 that he had told Moore he could not travel with Shiver, the source confirmed. The detail was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
During an interview with Good Morning Americain April, Shiver suggested that the Michigan athletics leadership knew about the affair. “He controlled everything that was going on in my life and they didn’t do anything about it,” she said.
Another source told FOS in December that the school had received a tip about the relationship and opened an investigation in November., but that there was no actionable evidence until Shiver herself admitted to the affair in December.
Over the past week, multiple reports surfaced suggesting Michigan would consider whether to part ways with Manuel. The university’s board of regents will convene for a previously scheduled meeting Thursday; there are no plans to have conversations about athletics personnel, according to the source. The university spokesperson had previously said the same to FOS; public meeting minutes also don’t show any conversations scheduled regarding Manuel’s future with the Wolverines.
Manuel said Tuesday during a local radio show that he expects to continue to be Michigan’s athletic director—though he has had conversations about his future.
Conor Benn and Ryan Garcia had to be held apart at the ceremonial weigh-in for UFC 329 on Friday [Getty Images]
Conor Benn's fight with WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on 12 September.
Britain's Benn, 29, was made the WBC's number one challenger in December despite not fighting at welterweight since February 2024.
It will be Benn's first shot at a world title as Garcia, who beat Mario Barrios to win the belt in February, makes his first defence.
Benn is now promoted by Zuffa Boxing, which is backed by UFC chief Dana White and Saudi Arabian capital.
"These guys have been going back and forth on social media and this fight is going to be awesome," said White.
Garcia is American with Mexican heritage and the fight will take place on the weekend before Mexican Independence Day.
The 27-year-old has won 25 of his 28 professional fights, losing two with one no-contest, and was suspended from boxing for a year between 2024 and 2025 after failing a drugs test.
Benn, who has lost just once in 26 fights, was also sidelined for a year amid a doping scandal.
Benn's last fight at welterweight was more than two years ago when he beat Peter Dobson by decision in Las Vegas.
He moved up two divisions in 2025 for two fights against Chris Eubank Jr at middleweight, before beating Regis Prograis in April at a catchweight - 3lb above the welterweight limit.
Benn left promoters Matchroom to sign a one-bout deal with Zuffa Boxing in February and has since penned a multi-fight deal with them.
In April, Benn told BBC Sport that Garcia was "good for boxing" but believes he is a "liability".
The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder is 27 years old and will turn 28 just before Christmas.
Where is Colton Gordon from?
He's a Florida native who attended the University of Central Florida, and the Astros selected him in the eighth round of the 2021 draft.
What are Colton Gordon's stats this year?
Gordon has pitched 14 games at AAA this year (13 starts) with a 6-3 record, 3.69 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. He last pitched July 10 in the minors, allowing no runs and four hits in six innings, with seven strikeouts. He's a former top-10 prospect in the Astros organization.
He's worked 9⅓ rough innings in the big leagues this year, all in April, allowing six home runs and three walks with an 11.57 ERA.
In 2025, when he made his big-league debut, he had a 5.34 ERA in 20 games (14 starts), with 72 strikeouts and 103 hits allowed in 86 innings.
He had a 3.38 ERA across 11 starts in 2025 and a 3.94 ERA over 24 starts in 2024. All of those appearances were with Class AAA Sugar Land. He also made six starts in 2023 for AAA, so he's a long-tenured Triple-A pitcher at this point.
Will Colton Gordon start with the Brewers in the majors or AAA?
It remains to be seen. At the time of the trade, he was in the minors, and Milwaukee's Class AAA Nashville squad has also been besieged by pitching injuries and call-ups, so he'll be a welcome addition wherever he winds up and will almost certainly see the mound in Milwaukee at some point this year, if not right away.
Gordon has one more option year remaining after this season and five years of team control.
What kind of pitches does Colton Gordon throw?
He's been heavy on four-seam fastball and sweeper at the big-league level, with a dash of sinker and changeup. He gets elite extension on the mound and gets good chase but isn't going to wow you with his velocity.
What else should you know about Colton Gordon?
Chandler Rome of The Athletic wrote a story in 2025 that chronicled how Gordon, bored and feeling isolated while he rehabbed from Tommy John surgery after he'd been drafted, walked into a pizza parlor, asked for a job and delivered pizzas for four months, even as a minor-leaguer.
He pitched for Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
He shares a birthday (Dec. 20) with another new Brewers pitching acquisition, Bryse Wilson (Wilson was born one year earlier).
The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder is 27 years old and will turn 28 just before Christmas.
Where is Colton Gordon from?
He's a Florida native who attended the University of Central Florida, and the Astros selected him in the eighth round of the 2021 draft.
What are Colton Gordon's stats this year?
Gordon has pitched 14 games at AAA this year (13 starts) with a 6-3 record, 3.69 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. He last pitched July 10 in the minors, allowing no runs and four hits in six innings, with seven strikeouts. He's a former top-10 prospect in the Astros organization.
He's worked 9⅓ rough innings in the big leagues this year, all in April, allowing six home runs and three walks with an 11.57 ERA.
In 2025, when he made his big-league debut, he had a 5.34 ERA in 20 games (14 starts), with 72 strikeouts and 103 hits allowed in 86 innings.
He had a 3.38 ERA across 11 starts in 2025 and a 3.94 ERA over 24 starts in 2024. All of those appearances were with Class AAA Sugar Land. He also made six starts in 2023 for AAA, so he's a long-tenured Triple-A pitcher at this point.
Will Colton Gordon start with the Brewers in the majors or AAA?
It remains to be seen. At the time of the trade, he was in the minors, and Milwaukee's Class AAA Nashville squad has also been besieged by pitching injuries and call-ups, so he'll be a welcome addition wherever he winds up and will almost certainly see the mound in Milwaukee at some point this year, if not right away.
Gordon has one more option year remaining after this season and five years of team control.
What kind of pitches does Colton Gordon throw?
He's been heavy on four-seam fastball and sweeper at the big-league level, with a dash of sinker and changeup. He gets elite extension on the mound and gets good chase but isn't going to wow you with his velocity.
What else should you know about Colton Gordon?
Chandler Rome of The Athletic wrote a story in 2025 that chronicled how Gordon, bored and feeling isolated while he rehabbed from Tommy John surgery after he'd been drafted, walked into a pizza parlor, asked for a job and delivered pizzas for four months, even as a minor-leaguer.
He pitched for Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
He shares a birthday (Dec. 20) with another new Brewers pitching acquisition, Bryse Wilson (Wilson was born one year earlier).
In part one, the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild and Carolina Hurricanes took spots four through seven in our ranking of the best front offices.
Each of those teams has made a few mistakes over the years, but big wins have far overshadowed the mistakes.
The Avs won big in the draft multiple times and have made adding depth through trades and free agency look easy. The Stars are the best drafting team of the past 15 years in the NHL, and have pulled off major trades for Tyler Seguin and Mikko Rantanen.
The Wild acquired their top defensive pair, Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber, by nailing multiple trades. They also drafted top-line forward Kirill Kaprizov with the 135th pick in 2015. Great moves over the years have put them at the top of the Central Division with the Avs and Stars, both powerhouses of the last five years.
The Hurricanes built their core through the draft and made one of the best coaching hires in recent memory, Rod Brind’Amour.
While those four franchises’ front offices have done a fantastic job, the top three stand out even more. These three front offices pull off the unthinkable time and time again. They consistently make moves to get the missing puzzle pieces and will find loopholes like the long-term injured reserve (LTIR).
Their choices seem questionable at times, but always turn out for the better in the long run. The success this produces, by no coincidence, also makes these three teams some of the most hated in the NHL.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are the greatest franchise of the 21st century thus far. They’ve appeared in five Stanley Cup Finals, winning three of them. Other than the two seasons impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, they haven’t had a sub-94-point season since the 2012-13 season. Their 94-point season in 2016-17 was the only time they missed the playoffs since Jon Cooper first coached a full season there, and they were only off by one point.
The building blocks of the modern Lightning dynasty were assembled in the late 2000s, when the team draftedSteven Stamkos and Victor Hedman. Stamkos was the first pick in 2008, and Hedman was the second pick in 2009.
Stamkos served as captain when the team won back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021. Meanwhile, Hedman remains a key component of the roster to this day.
Nikita Kucherov, selected by the Lightning in the 2011 NHL Draft, became one of the greatest second-round picks in NHL history. The electrifying (pun intended) right winger has been averaging a point per game for the last decade and still has juice left in the tank at 32 years old.
Later in that same draft, the Lightning selected Ondrej Palat all the way at pick 208.
In the next few years, Tampa also drafted legendary goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, along with forwards Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli. Both Point and Cirelli were third-round picks. The franchise has demonstrated skill in picking several great prospects in multiple rounds.
Perhaps most important was the man who could glue everything together, Jon Cooper. The Lightning hired Cooper as their head coach in 2013, and the franchise hasn’t looked back since. He now has a list of accolades that gives him an argument to be the greatest head coach ever.
On this day 13 years ago, Jon Cooper was hired as the TB Lightning head coach.
Among his many honors,
Highest win % in NHL history (min. 1000 GC) 3rd most reg. season wins in NHL history (616) 2nd fastest to 600 wins in NHL history (1004 GC) 2 Stanley Cups 11… pic.twitter.com/C91PdVB5Rv
Tampa’s best trades of the decade have been crucial to their championship runs. In 2017, they tradedJonathan Drouin for Mikhail Sergachev. Drouin never blossomed into a star, while Sergachev greatly improved during his time in Tampa. The Lightning also made a deal with the Rangers in 2018 to acquire Ryan McDonagh, a quality, experienced defenseman.
Furthermore, the team got forward Pat Maroon at a massive bargain. Maroon not only brought a hyper-physical presence, but championship experience too.
The Lightning’s 2022 trade to acquire Brandon Hagel was another good deal that helped the team after their cup runs. And while trading Mikhail Sergachev and letting Steven Stamkos walk in 2024 was arguably ruthless, it is the nature of the sports business. In fact, other teams have been even worse in that department (more on that later). It ultimately turned out to be the right move, as it freed up cap space to sign top forward Jake Guentzel.
The Lightning front office also abused a loophole through the LTIR to spend more on their roster. Until it was patched, teams were able to exceed the salary cap by the LTIR player(s)’ contract amount and have those players return in the playoffs.
While it felt like cheating, it was within the rules, and the innovative idea set a precedent for another team (that will be mentioned later).
2. Florida Panthers
Remember how, in part one, I said the Hurricanes’ playstyle works 90% of the time? The majority of the remaining 10% is when they play this team. The Panthers and Hurricanes matched up in the Eastern Conference Finals in both 2023 and 2025, and the Panthers were close to completing both sweeps before the Canes took Game 4 in 2025.
The Panthers have been the more physical team and have nullified the Canes’ aggressive forecheck these past few years. The result? Domination of the Eastern Conference whenever healthy.
After an injury-riddled 2026 season where captain Aleksander Barkov never played, the Panthers are favorites to win the 2027 Stanley Cup. This would mark their fourth appearance in five seasons, and their third Cup.
This Offseason Alone
The Panthers are already arguably the most physical team in the NHL. They added multiple new physical players this offseason. They acquired Brady Tkachuk, the younger brother of their second-line winger Matthew.
After failed negotiations with former star goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, they then traded for Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid. It’s crazy to think Evan Rodrigues was going to be a fourth-liner on this team after scoring some key goals for Florida the past few years. The team got their value in return by dealing him for a positional need in Markstrom.
The Panthers also traded for Radko Gudas and Garnet Hathaway. Both of whom have a history of dirty plays, especially Gudas, who endedAuston Matthews’ season with a knee-on-knee hit last season.
Florida already had three of the dirtiest players in the NHL in Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk. Their new additions can guarantee that this squad will lead the league in controversial plays in the upcoming season.
This team is built on a formula that works and has two of the past three years’ rings to show for it. They aren’t going away anytime soon.
Looking Back
The Florida Panthers have been built over 13 years of great decisions. They drafted Selke Trophy-winning captain and first-line center Aleksander Barkov in 2013 and top defenseman Aaron Ekblad in 2014.
Then came the man who doesn’t miss: Bill Zito. The Panthers hired Zito as their GM in 2020. He signed now-first-line left winger Carter Verhaeghe to a great deal after Verhaeghe never broke through in Tampa. He claimed Gustav Forsling off waivers. Forsling developed into one of the best two-way defensemen in hockey.
Zito then proceeded to fleece multiple other teams in trades. Sam Bennett, Brandon Montour, Sam Reinhart and Matthew Tkachuk all came to South Florida for a great price. While criticized at the time, Bill Zito had the insight to trust his bet that the Matthew Tkachuk trade would pan out.
Four years later, he was right. The hockey world was wrong. The Panthers know how to keep their talent too. Tkachuk has praised the organization for their roster construction and the way they take care of the players.
Zito hired Paul Maurice, who is responsible for their aggressive style that makes other aggressive teams look weak. He rented Anthony Stolarz, who became one of the best backup goalies on Earth in his one season with Florida. Bill Zito knows what it takes to win and how to get there, whether it’s in Florida or winning gold at the Olympics.
1. Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights are hands down the most ruthless front office in hockey. The franchise started in 2017 as an expansion team and immediately got to work. Marc-Andre Fleury was the franchise’s first starting goalie and led the team to a Stanley Cup appearance in their first year. The expansion draft provided the Knights with numerous crucial pieces for years to come.
The team made plenty of fantastic trades. They made a massive trade with the Ottawa Senators to bring in Mark Stone, their now-captain. Brett Howden even became a key piece after the New York Rangers dealt him to Vegas.
The Knights gambled in a trade for Jack Eichel. Their reward? One of the best puck handlers and passers in the sport. Vegas also stoleIvan Barbashev, their top-line left wing, from the St. Louis Blues. Soon after, they brought in Jonathan Quick, a legendary goalie who still had more left in the tank.
In 2024, they pulled the LTIR trick à la Tampa with Mark Stone to gain more cap space to get top-tier two-way defenseman Noah Hanifin and big-time two-way center Tomas Hertl. And with heavy anticipation, Stone magically was ready to play to start the playoffs. The internet didn’t hold back with their reactions, jokingly making posts targeting the Knights captain.
While they couldn’t get past the first round, where the Dallas Stars knocked them out in seven games, that year’s roster was one of the best ever assembled…on paper.
The next year, they pulled out a trick no one saw coming by poachingMitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs through a sign-and-trade, providing a boost to their top six.
Beyond the Trade Block
The Knights don’t only succeed on the trade block, though. While they’re notorious for trading picks, Pavel Dorofyev turned out to be a brilliant selection with the 79th pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Alex Pietrangelo was one of the team’s best free agent signings. He provided the team with size, championship experience and great defense.
Perhaps one of Vegas’ strongest points is always having the right coach. Gerard Gallant, their first coach, was able to bring the misfits together and make it all the way to the Stanley Cup in one season. When the team’s performance under him worsened, they brought in Pete DeBoer, who got the team back to the Western Conference Finals.
The team did the same when they later brought in Bruce Cassidy, who brought them a Cup. And when the team was buckling under Cassidy, they brought in John Tortorella. The Knights went from possibly missing the playoffs to winning two games in the Stanley Cup Finals. GM Kelly McCrimmon’s intuition in this regard is incredible. Now Ryan Craig is in. Don’t be surprised if he succeeds too.
Many have criticized the Knights for their lack of heart towards their players. Jonathan Marchessault won the Conn Smythe trophy en route to the Stanley Cup, notching 13 goals in the last 15 games. A year later, the Knights let him walk. They traded Alex Tuch to get Jack Eichel. These are emotionally tough moves, just like the coach firings, but in retrospect, they were the right calls.
Mistakes and Outlook
The Golden Knights have made a few mistakes in their short history. Trading Nick Suzuki for Max Pacioretty didn’t age well. Their other mistakes have been in the net. Ever since they traded Marc-Andre Fleury, their goalie rotation has been disastrous.
They committed to Robin Lehner, who later stepped away from the NHL for off-ice reasons. Adin Hill took over in the 2023 playoffs and gave the Knights a fantastic run to the championship, but that was as good as he’d get. Logan Thompson requested a trade since the Knights wouldn’t make him the starting goalie over Hill, and he has put up better numbers than Hill in both of the past two seasons for the Capitals.
The Knights still suffer a goalie problem to this day, as their goalie tandem doesn’t reflect the caliber of the rest of the roster. However, the willingness of the organization to put feelings aside and prioritize what helps the team win has made them a perennial contender. According to Statmuse, they boast the best winning percentage of any franchise since 2000. At the end of the 2027 season, expect the Knights to be in the hunt for Lord Stanley once more.
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a major change over the offseason, with veteran head coach Mike Tomlin stepping down after nearly two decades at the helm of the franchise and being replaced by former Super Bowl champion Mike McCarthy. And after a long stretch of the team's peak seemingly being narrowly advancing to the postseason followed by an early exit, fans are hoping things might get back on track.
One piece of last year's team who is returning is veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who will be back for his second season in Pittsburgh and the final of his NFL career. He will reunite with McCarthy for one final time after the pair won a Super Bowl earlier in their careers in Green Bay, and many are picturing a final grandiose run back to that stage for the duo. But one former Steelers star doesn't see it happening.
Ryan Clark, who played in Pittsburgh from 2006-2013, is now an NFL analyst with ESPN, and he recently was asked during an appearance on the network what the expectations should be for the Steelers this year. And for those fans who wanted to see Tomlin gone due to the recent string of early postseason exits, they will not be happy if the assessment comes to fruition.
"This team can be slightly above average. Aaron Rodgers can get this team to nine wins or 10 wins, and you maybe sneak into the playoffs."
"This team can be slightly above average," Clark said. "Aaron Rodgers can get this team to nine wins or 10 wins, and you maybe sneak into the playoffs."
After so many years of lackluster performances that saw the Steelers barely advance to the postseason and lose early, many fans felt a change in leadership was necessary this offseason, and they got it. So a return to the same level of play in the first year, particularly with a legendary quarterback already familiar with his head coach, would certainly be underwhelming and a disappointment for fans.
Whether they can do better than that or not will be one of the biggest storylines entering the 2026 season.
Jermaine Eluemunor has built an NFL career as one of the biggest men on the field, but his first sports dream belonged to a very different kind of football.
TMZ Sports reported that the New York Giants offensive lineman said he wanted to become a professional soccer player while growing up in England.
The London-born tackle joked that one major thing got in the way, he was simply too big.
Eluemunor Grew Up Loving Soccer
Eluemunor told TMZ Sports that he has always been a huge fan of the game. He said that as a kid in Europe, he wanted to play professionally, but his size made that path unlikely.
The Giants list Eluemunor at 6-foot-4 and 338 pounds, which helps explain why American football eventually became the better fit.
He told TMZ that he believes he was put on earth to play American football, calling it his love and passion.
Moving to America Changed His Sports Path
Eluemunor said soccer development looked very different once he came to the United States. As a kid, he said he had only played once or twice a week, but later realized that players aiming for the top level train every day.
His official Giants biography says he played soccer and rugby while growing up in London before playing American football for the first time in high school.
From there, his path led through Lackawanna College, Texas A&M and the 2017 NFL Draft, where the Baltimore Ravens selected him in the fifth round.
Even though the NFL became his career, Eluemunor has not lost his connection to the U.K. sports scene. TMZ reported that he spent part of the summer in England hosting his second annual American football camp.
He said spreading the game in England is something he cares deeply about.
The Giants’ biography also notes that Eluemunor previously met with students at an NFL Flag clinic in Germany, part of his broader connection to the league’s international growth.
The interview landed as England prepared to face Messi and Argentina in the World Cup semifinal. Eluemunor made it clear where his loyalty was, predicting that England was going to “smack” Argentina.
He also praised Norway star Erling Haaland, calling him a rare physical player and comparing his athletic profile to someone who could fit American football.
England and Argentina were scheduled to meet Wednesday, July 15, with the winner set to face Spain in the World Cup final.
On July 15, NASCAR announced updates to the Cup Series’ superspeedway package for the Coke Zero Sugar 400.
The rear spoiler will be shortened from 7 inches to 4, making it the same height as intermediate tracks, in an effort to reduce drag. The horsepower will also drop from 510 to 465 to account for reduced downforce.
NASCAR hopes the changes will provide more opportunities for drivers to pass and less reliance on fuel-saving strategies to gain positions. It expects single-car runs to be 3 mph faster while speeds for cars in a pack won’t be affected much.
The adjustments will take effect for the regular-season finale on Aug. 29. It remains undetermined whether the final superspeedway race of the season — at Talladega in October — will adopt the new practices.
Denny Hamlin, who served on a committee for the updates, broke down the reasoning.
“What we’re essentially trying to recreate is Atlanta at Daytona and Talladega,” he said on “Inside The Race.” “It happens organically at Atlanta, the space between the cars, because the cars themselves are grip-limited, and the fuel-mileage (racing) really doesn’t happen because you have to be on offense constantly. If you watch the pack, there is no saving. Guys are dicing it up the entire race.
“So this is what we’re aspiring to get to at some point. And it’s going to take chunks here and there. This is our first bite of the apple at this, so what I believe is that from the numbers that I’ve seen, it’s going to be roughly a 33% gain in the right direction.”
Isaac TeSlaa had a solid rookie season, reeling in 16 catches for 239 yards with six touchdown grabs. The Arkansas product came on late in the season and demonstrated the ability to come up with some tough, contested catches throughout the 2025 season.
But, the Lions are looking for more from TeSlaa in 2026 to pair with its two star receivers, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
Lions associate head coach and wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery is excited about TeSlaa's added athleticism heading into the 2026 season.
"He's done a good job of going and getting the football since he's been here and then now at the top of his breaks, they're so much cleaner. He's so much stronger. What I like to do is I like to watch where we were, especially from an athleticism standpoint, to where he is now. It's not even close," Montgomery said.
A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, TeSlaa finished last season by registering eight catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns in the season's final three weeks.
Montgomery and the Lions think that TeSlaa's added athleticism will help him get off the line more fluidly and help him become a more available target for quarterback Jared Goff.
"That gives him the ability in those one-on-one situations and not just win with length, but to win with quickness and length," Montgomery said. "That gives, of course, (Goff) just an even bigger window to throw the football."
Barcelona ready to offer more money in bid to beat Arsenal to attacker
Arsenal and Barcelona are competing for the signature of Julian Alvarez, with both clubs increasing their interest as the World Cup reaches its conclusion on Sunday.
Alvarez has been representing Argentina during the tournament, while his club Atletico Madrid continues to fight to keep hold of him. The Spanish side has already rejected approaches from Barcelona and Real Madrid for the forward’s signature.
Arsenal and Barcelona prepare Alvarez bids
Because Alvarez has been focused on performing for Argentina at the World Cup, there has been little movement regarding a potential transfer. However, once the competition ends, clubs with a genuine interest in signing him are expected to intensify their efforts.
Arsenal is determined to do everything possible to win the race for the attacker, but Barcelona has the same ambition. The Spanish club is also pushing to secure an agreement and believes it can compete for one of the most sought-after players available.
According to Sky Sports, Barcelona is prepared to return with an improved offer after seeing a 100 million euro bid rejected earlier in the summer. The rejection demonstrated Atletico Madrid’s determination to retain Alvarez unless a suitable proposal arrives.
Atletico Madrid set a high asking price
The decision to reject Barcelona’s offer also provides a warning to Arsenal and any other interested clubs. It shows the level of investment required to convince Atletico Madrid to allow Alvarez to leave.
The Argentine forward has become one of the most highly regarded attackers in European football, and his performances have increased interest from some of the biggest clubs.
Arsenal will need to prepare a significant offer if they want to compete with Barcelona and overcome Atletico Madrid’s resistance. With the World Cup ending soon, the transfer situation surrounding Alvarez is expected to become one of the major stories of the window.
Both Arsenal and Barcelona are ready to push for his signature, but Atletico Madrid’s position means that any successful deal will likely require a substantial financial commitment.
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Barcelona monitoring former La Masia winger as transfer interest grows – report
As reported by SPORT, FC Barcelona are keeping a close eye on developments surrounding former academy winger Estanis Pedrola, who is attracting significant interest after an impressive loan spell at UD Las Palmas during the second half of last season.
The Catalan club’s long-term strategy of including sell-on clauses when academy graduates leave has already generated substantial income in recent years.
Players such as Jean-Clair Todibo, Nico Gonzalez, Ilaix Moriba, Alex Collado, Ludovit Reis and Ferran Jutgla have all produced financial returns through future transfer percentages.
They own 40% of any future transfer fee involving Jan Virgili, 20% of Sergi Dominguez’s next sale, a smaller percentage of Sergino Dest’s rights and, notably, 50% of any future transfer involving Estanis Pedrola.
A strong finish at Las Palmas
Pedrola spent the second half of last season on loan at UD Las Palmas from Sampdoria, where he quickly became an important attacking option.
His pace, direct running and ability to play on either wing gave the team a new dimension, earning praise for his impact as a game-changer.
Comfortable with both feet and capable of creating and finishing chances, the former La Masia player showed the qualities of a modern, versatile winger. His performances have not gone unnoticed.
Several clubs interested
Although Pedrola remains under contract with Sampdoria, where he signed permanently in 2023 after triggering a purchase clause through appearances, a number of Segunda Division clubs are now exploring a move.
The Italian side paid Barcelona €3 million for the winger, while the Catalan club secured a 50% sell-on clause and a €7 million buy-back option, which expired in 2025.
Barcelona are therefore following the situation closely, knowing they could benefit financially from another transfer.
Estanis Pedrola could secure a return to Spain. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Oviedo leading the race
RCD Mallorca were strongly linked with Pedrola earlier in the summer, but their interest cooled after prioritising other wide players.
Las Palmas also hoped to bring him back following his successful loan spell, but negotiations broke down after relations between the club and president Miguel Angel Ramírez deteriorated.
That has opened the door for Real Oviedo, who are currently the club best positioned to complete the signing. Discussions are progressing well, although no final agreement has yet been reached.
Should Pedrola complete a permanent move for a fee between €1 million and €1.5 million, Barcelona would receive half of the transfer income thanks to the sell-on agreement, with Sampdoria collecting the remaining 50%.
With the winger’s contract running until 2027, this could represent Barcelona’s final realistic opportunity to generate revenue from his transfer rights.
Christos Tzolis is waiting for Arsenal, and Club Brugge is now expecting a bid from the Gunners after they sold Leandro Trossard to Besiktas, according to the BBC.
Tzolis enjoyed an outstanding season last term, demonstrating in the Belgian top flight that he has developed significantly as a player. His performances have attracted attention, and Arsenal is interested in adding him to their squad.
Arsenal consider a move for Tzolis
The Gunners view Tzolis as one of the leading attacking talents in Europe who could improve their squad. The club is prepared to make efforts to secure his signature as they continue to strengthen their attacking options.
Tzolis has been monitoring Arsenal’s interest and has reportedly decided to wait for an approach from them, despite attracting attention from other sides, including Borussia Dortmund.
The Greek forward is keen on returning to the Premier League, where he previously played for Norwich City earlier in his career. A move to Arsenal would represent a major opportunity for him.
Arsenal believes Tzolis could be an ideal addition to the squad, and the departure of Trossard has created more space on the left wing. This could encourage the Gunners to accelerate their pursuit of the attacker during the current transfer window.
Arsenal continue attacking search
Arsenal remains interested in strengthening its attack and would like to sign Bradley Barcola. However, the Frenchman would be a more difficult target because of his expected transfer cost, while PSG has made it clear that they do not want to sell him this summer.
With Barcola proving difficult to secure, Tzolis could become a more realistic option for Arsenal as they look to improve their forward options.
The Greek attacker’s desire to join the club could also help the Gunners in negotiations. Club Brugge is now waiting to see whether Arsenal follows up its interest with a formal offer after making changes to its attacking department.
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Manchester United Are Keeping A Keen Eye On This Real Madrid Midfielder: Should Carrick Go For Him?
In a recent segment on Youtube, renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano stated that Manchester United are keeping a keen eye on Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. Romano said,
“Another option, in this case only mentioned internally in the meetings, has been also Eduardo Camavinga. So Camavinga, Manu Koné, that kind of player, defensive midfielder who can run, who can help with intensity, also physical. So this is what Man United are looking for. On Camavinga, Eduardo Camavinga doesn’t want to leave Real Madrid this summer.
“Camavinga wants to stay. Camavinga wants to continue the club. Camavinga wants to be an important part of Real Madrid project next season. So the Camavinga story could only be possible if the player decides to go. But at the moment, Camavinga wants to stay at Real Madrid, so this is why the deal for Camavinga is complicated.”
Camavinga’s Impressive Form In Spanish Football
Camavinga enjoyed a good run of form at the Madrid club in the previous campaign after he produced a series of impressive displays for them in La Liga. The 23-year-old scored two goals and earned one assist in 43 matches for Los Blancos last season in multiple competitions.
The French talent is currently among the most gifted central midfielders in La Liga. Hence, it is no surprise that the Red Devils are showing interest in signing Camavinga later this year.
PAMPLONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 21: Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between CA Osasuna and Real Madrid CF at Estadio El Sadar on February 21, 2026 in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
His current contract at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium will run out in the summer of 2029, which could make it difficult for Man United to sign him on the cheap this off-season.
Should Manchester United Boss Michael Carrick Go For Camavinga?
Camavinga is a solid tackler of the ball and can sense the danger well to earn possession back for his team inside his half. He usually puts his foot through the ball when the opposition are on the front foot and is a tidy passer as well.
The French sensation is primarily a box-to-box midfielder but can also serve as a defensive midfielder or as a left-sided wide player if told to do so by his manager. Camavinga can also chip in by scoring and creating the odd goal for his team. However, there are some concerns over whether he can cope with the physicality and high intensity of the Premier League if the Red Devils manage to bring him on board later this year.
We can expect Camavinga to add more quality and depth to Man United boss Michael Carrick’s midfield department. He has what it takes to fight for a regular first-team spot at the Theatre of Dreams next season.
At 23, Camavinga has his peak years ahead of him, which makes him a worthy target for the Mancunian giants to pursue in this transfer window. With all things considered, Carrick would be wise to go for a player with his skill set later this year.
UNITED STATES - JULY 13: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This image, created on July 13, is a digital cutout composite of image numbers 2280721399, 2280721828, 2280721432, 2280721466, 2281268724, 2281268575, 2281268700 and 2281268651.) In this photo illustration, (L-R) Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Pickford, Harry Kane of England and Lionel Messi, Emiliano Martinez, Leandro Paredes and Julian Alvarez of Argentina ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina on July 13, 2026 in the United States. The match will be played at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026. (Photo by FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) | FIFA via Getty Images
It’s the 32nd day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup! We’re down to the final four teams at the tournament, with the two semifinals to be played over the next 24 hours. You ready? You better be.
Here’s the schedule of Day 32 of the World Cup in North America.
Argentina vs. England
MATCH INFO
Where: Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia.
Official kickoff time: 3 p.m. local time in Atlanta; 9 p.m. in Italy and across Europe; 8 p.m. in the United Kingdom; 3 p.m. Eastern time; 2 p.m. Central time; 12 p.m. Pacific time.
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — More than 300,000 fans will attend the British Open at Royal Birkdale this week, making it a record crowd for golf’s oldest major championship.
They’ll need to bring sun cream and some manners.
For the first time, the R&A has felt it necessary to publish a fan code of conduct, at a time when some of golf’s biggest events have been marred by unsavory and even abusive behavior by spectators.
Titled “The Open Commitment,” the code boils down to these five basic requirements of fans: respect the players, respect the links, respect each other, be aware, enjoy responsibly.
Essentially, just be a nice person. If not, the R&A says it can punish “serious or repeated breaches” by removing the guilty parties from the property “without refund.”
“I’m all for an atmosphere,” said Matt Fitzpatrick, one of the 21 English players in the field who are most likely to be cheered rather than heckled. “Obviously I don’t want it to cross a line.”
That’s what happened at last year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, when Team Europe’s players — especially Rory McIlroy — endured a torrent of personal insults and shouting on their back swings and putts. McIlroy deemed the abuse from the New York crowd “unacceptable.”
Wyndham Clark didn’t get much love at last month’s U.S. Open, with spectators cheering his mistakes — conduct that Scottie Scheffler said was “a bit much to me.”
Even the most recent British Open held on English soil — just down the road at Hoylake — didn’t escape some crowd misbehavior as American player Brian Harman defied some jeers and insults on his way to lifting the claret jug.
Clark doesn’t appear too concerned about any repeat incidents at Birkdale this week, describing British golf fans as “the best.”
“They respect the game, they respect the players and they really understand golf,” he said. “If you hit it into a tough spot and make the correct play or the smart play, the prudent play, they clap; they understand sometimes 20 feet is a great shot.”
R&A chief executive Mark Darbon said marshals, volunteers and officials have been well-briefed on what constitutes poor fan conduct.
“We feel that it’s within our gift, if someone does step over the line, to ask them to leave the venue,” Darbon said, “and I think that’s a pretty powerful display. That’s the mechanism that we’ll use rather than fining a spectator.”
The World Cup effect
Tee times for the final round at Royal Birkdale are open to change.
And it's all because of a soccer match.
The World Cup final being staged in the United States on Sunday is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. in England — just 80 minutes after organizers estimate the final putt will drop in the Open Championship, unless there's a playoff.
The big issue is that England could be in it. Its team was playing Argentina in the semifinals on Wednesday night and the R&A is waiting on the result.
Mark Darbon, the R&A's chief executive, says it would be a “great problem to have” because he's an England fan and that his organization has been thinking a lot about the schedule.
“We think that, even if we go to a three-hole playoff, we’ve got time to complete the championship,” Darbon said. “So at this stage, no plans to alter anything, but we’ll maintain that under review and finalize our position after the semifinal.”
R&A chief says links courses not required to change to keep the Open
Royal Birkdale went through a number of changes, such as eliminating the par-3 14th hole and building a new par-3 15th. Darbon said “it would be wrong” to suggest changes are driven by spectator movement.
“The changes to the golf course have been driven by the members,” he said. “Given the strength of partnership that we have with our host venues, of course we’re part of some of those discussions, and where there are things that we can do together that also help us operationally, they often make sense to do to help with the staging of the championship.”
It’s hard to imagine Royal Birkdale members wanting a new hole, leading Darbon to be asked if the members’ decision was based on concerns the Open might not return.
“At no stage would we threaten a non-return to a venue on that basis,” he said.
Darbon also pushed back on the idea the British Open is moving toward bigness, particularly attendance. Martin Slumbers, his predecessor, had said before retiring, “Big-time sport needs big-time crowds.”
“If we’re able to facilitate spectator volumes onsite, we’ll always consider that, but it’s not the primary driver for us,” Darbon said.
He cited a return to Royal Lytham & St. Annes, which has a smaller footprint than Royal Birkdale.
“We’re not taking venues off the rotation because they’re smaller than others,” he said. “But there’s a balance to be struck, too, and we think we’re getting that right.”
As for Muirfield, which last hosted the Open in 2013, Darbon said the course requires some tweaks but the R&A looks forward to returning.
Rai gets a letter from the Golden Bear
Aaron Rai might not have been aware of all the things that come with winning a major as the PGA Championship was his first one. He knew about the Wanamaker Trophy (maybe not how heavy it is) and the five-year exemption to the majors.
The surprise was in the mail.
Jack Nicklaus for years has been writing a note of congratulations to major champions.
“After the PGA I received a handwritten letter from Jack Nicklaus, which was kind of surreal when we opened the mail,” Rai said. “For someone like that to take the time to write to me after the PGA, it definitely shows the class of what Jack is about.”
Adam Scott get an inaugural award in his 25th Open appearance
The Royal & Ancient has come with a new honor, announcing Adam Scott as the first recipient of the “Spirit of Golf Award” for his contributions to golf around the world.
The award is to recognize an individual who exemplifies the spirit of the game on a global scale and displays the values, behaviors and traditions inherent to golf.
Scott is playing his 101th consecutive major at the British Open, the second-longest streak in golf behind Jack Nicklaus. Scott turns 46 on Thursday, the first round of the Open.
“As someone who has spent my entire life in the game of golf it is so meaningful to be recognized for my impact on golf across the world, not only from a playing point of view but for also upholding values which are so integral to the sport,” Scott said.
The R&A said the award would be annual, though it could also be given to a team or organization, and is not restricted to professionals.
The Dallas Cowboys have no shortage of expectations entering the 2026 NFL season. After another offseason filled with optimism, head coach Brian Schottenheimer has made it clear that simply reaching the playoffs won’t be enough for his team. Appearing on the Twins Take Podcast, Schottenheimer made a bold prediction about what he believes lies ahead for the Cowboys.
Jan 4, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer looks on before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Schottenheimer didn’t shy away from setting lofty expectations. During the interview, the Cowboys head coach expressed confidence that Dallas will be playing in the Super Bowl this season, making it clear that’s the standard the organization is striving for.
It’s an ambitious statement, especially considering the Cowboys have spent years trying to get over the postseason hump. While regular-season success has often followed the franchise, deep playoff runs have been much harder to come by.
Schottenheimer is hoping to change that narrative in his second season leading America’s Team.
Confidence or Pressure?
Nov 17, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer, wearing a t-shirt honoring Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland who tragically passed on November 6th, gestures on the sideline against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Making a prediction like that inevitably creates additional pressure. Cowboys fans already expect their team to contend every season, and now their head coach has publicly raised the bar even higher.
If Dallas gets off to a fast start, Schottenheimer’s comments will only add to the excitement surrounding the franchise.
However, if the team struggles early, those same remarks will quickly become a talking point for critics questioning whether the Cowboys were too confident heading into the season.
High Expectations in Dallas
Regardless of whether Schottenheimer made the prediction publicly, competing for a Super Bowl has always been the expectation in Dallas.
The Cowboys possess one of the league’s most recognizable brands and consistently enter seasons believing they have a roster capable of making a championship run.
Now, their head coach has openly embraced those expectations instead of trying to temper them. Only time will tell whether Dallas can back up Schottenheimer’s confidence on the field.
For now, though, one thing is certain: the Cowboys aren’t aiming to simply make the playoffs. According to their head coach, the goal is to be playing on the NFL’s biggest stage when the 2026-27 season comes to an end.
West Indies beat Ireland by 64-runs to complete a comfortable 3-0 one-day international series win in Bready.
Ireland won the toss and put the tourists, who eased to victory in the first two games of the series, into bat.
Stafanie Taylor contributed 105 off 113 deliveries for her second century of the series as West Indies ended their innings on 257 all out.
Orla Prendergast, Georgina Dempsey and Jane Maguire all claimed two wickets each for Ireland.
Captain Gaby Lewis led Ireland's chase as she hit 50 off 59 balls, including seven fours and two sixes.
Lloyd Tennant's side were eventually dismissed for 193 after 43.1 overs as Karishma Ramharack claimed her third wicket by trapping Aimee Maguire leg before wicket.
Livingstone College announced the death of 19-year-old softball player Gabriella Muñoz
Muñoz, who played 27 games for the Blue Bears last season, reportedly died while in Texas, the school said
A cause of death has not been made known and the school asked “that inaccurate information and speculation cease”
Livingstone College is mourning the loss of 19-year-old softball player Gabriella Muñoz.
The North Carolina school announced her death in a statement on Friday, July 10, with her coach calling the loss “completely heartbreaking.”
“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that Livingstone College shares the passing of our beloved student-athlete, Gabriella Muñoz, a rising junior from Katy, Texas, and a cherished member of the Blue Bear softball family,” Livingstone College said in a statement.
“Gabriella represented the very best of Livingstone College. As No. 55 on the Blue Bear softball team, she embraced her role as a versatile utility player with determination, resilience, and an unwavering team-first mentality. While her athletic abilities made her a valuable competitor, it was her bubbly personality, gentle spirit, and genuine kindness that truly distinguished her” the school added.
Muñoz reportedly died while she was in Texas, the college said, while calling out “false” reports that claimed she died while at the school.
“Reports claiming that Livingstone College student-athlete Gabriella Muñoz passed away on campus are false. Gabriella passed away while in Texas, away from campus. Out of respect for her family and our campus community, we ask that inaccurate information and speculation cease,” the school said.
A cause of death has not been made known. An obituary for Muñoz said she “left this world on July 9, 2026, just shy of her 20th birthday.”
“Gabi was born on July 26, 2006, in Katy, Texas to loving parents Brandon and Jennifer Muñoz. Her bright spirit and infectious smile touched the lives of everyone she met,” the obituary said.
Muñoz competed in 27 games and started one for the Blue Bears last season, according to Syracuse.com.
Livingstone College’s head softball coach Steve Wallace said in a statement: “I am completely heartbroken by the passing of Gabriella. She was a complete joy to have as a part of the program. A great athlete and an even better student. The program will miss her immensely and her absence will be felt.”
Livingstone will make “support resources” available to students, faculty and staff, the school said.
“Although Gabriella’s time with us was far too short, her impact will endure. She leaves behind a legacy of academic excellence, athletic determination, unwavering kindness, and Blue Bear pride that will continue to inspire our community for years to come,” the school’s statement continued, adding, “On behalf of Livingstone College and the entire Blue Bear family, we honor Gabriella’s life with gratitude and love. She will forever remain a cherished member of our Livingstone family.”
Pedro Cueto in the hospital, on the race track Credit: Pedro Cueto
NEED TO KNOW
Pedro Cueto overcame Ewing sarcoma and a leg amputation to return to competitive kart racing within months
His kart is specially modified to allow him to accelerate using his residual limb after surgery
Pedro hopes to inspire others by placing racing simulators in children’s hospitals worldwide and becoming a Formula 1 champion
The first time Pedro Cueto climbed into a rental go-kart, he didn’t want to get out.
He was around 5 years old, and although he’d only driven rental karts a handful of times for fun, he had already decided exactly what he wanted to do with his life.
“He was always saying he wanted to be a Formula 1 driver,” his mom, Laetitia Cueto, 32, tells PEOPLE exclusively. “He was always begging to go go-karting.”
As the years passed, that childhood fascination became something much bigger. While other kids bounced from one hobby to the next, Pedro spent his childhood counting down the days until he could get back behind the wheel. He memorized Formula 1 drivers, studied racing lines and dreamed of climbing motorsport’s competitive ladder all the way to Formula 1 — a journey that, for nearly every professional driver, begins in karting.
“It wasn’t ever, ‘When I grow up, I’m going to be a race car driver,’ “ Laetitia says. “He was like, ‘Nope. I’m doing everything it takes right now.’”
Pedro Cueto with a go kart Credit: Pedro Cueto
Before long, Pedro’s dream had become the rhythm of the entire family’s life.
At the time, Laetitia, her husband, Alejandro, 37, and their three sons were living in Arvada, Colo. Weekends revolved around racetracks instead of birthday parties. Family vacations were planned around competitions. Nearly every decision centered on helping Pedro pursue the dream he already treated like a career.
Looking back, Laetitia says the signs had been there long before he ever climbed into a kart.
“In preschool, every child had to bring a comfort toy for nap time,” she recalls. “Pedro didn’t want a teddy bear. He wanted a little Hot Wheels car. I actually had to explain to the teachers that his comfort item wasn’t stuffed — it was a race car.”
“When he was about 2 years old, he came to me one day holding his stomach and said, ‘Mom, my engine hurts,’ “ she adds with a laugh. “Everything in his world related back to racing.”
Pedro Cueto in a go-kart Credit: Pedro Cueto
As Pedro grew older, his natural talent behind the wheel quickly became apparent. He began competing against some of the country’s top young karting drivers, dedicating nearly every free moment to becoming faster.
Then, in September 2021, everything stopped.
Pedro was just 6 years old when he woke up complaining that his leg hurt a few days after spending hours bouncing in a bounce house during his younger brother’s birthday party.
At first, no one thought much of it.
“I told my mom my leg was really hurting,” Pedro recalls. “She thought I’d probably just jumped too much the day before.”
But when the pain refused to go away, Laetitia knew something wasn’t right. She immediately brought her son to Children’s Hospital Colorado.
“It was simply the obvious choice in my head when I took Pedro in for the pain,” she says. “I never went anywhere else.”
Pedro Cueto in the hospital Credit: Pedro Cueto
Doctors initially suspected an infection in Pedro’s knee and performed surgery to treat what they believed was the problem. Instead, further testing revealed something far more devastating: Ewing sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the disease most commonly develops in the long bones of the arms and legs, the pelvis or the chest wall.
“When your child gets diagnosed with cancer, your whole world changes,” Laetitia says. “You’re obviously terrified about whether they’re going to survive. But one of the things that broke my heart the most was wondering if he was ever going to get to live out the dreams he’d been working toward his entire life.”
Pedtro Cueto in the hospital Credit: Pedro Cueto
Almost immediately, the family’s world shifted from race weekends to hospital stays.
In October 2021, Pedro began chemotherapy at Children’s Hospital Colorado, where he endured months of intensive treatment, surgery and lengthy hospitalizations. Many treatment cycles meant spending nearly a week in the hospital before returning home just long enough to recover ahead of the next round.
Dr. Jenna Demedis, Pedro’s pediatric oncologist, still remembers meeting the family during those overwhelming first days after his diagnosis.
“Pedro’s parents were incredible advocates for him from the very beginning,” Demedis tells PEOPLE. “They never stopped asking questions or looking for ways to help him continue doing the things he loved.”
The hospital staff also found meaningful ways to preserve Pedro’s childhood amid the endless appointments and procedures.
One of the family’s best investments was a Nintendo Switch. Between chemotherapy sessions, they spent countless hours racing one another in Mario Kart, transforming long hospital days into spirited family competitions.
“We played so much Mario Kart,” Laetitia says with a laugh. “Nobody can beat Pedro anymore.”
Pedro also had another companion by his side throughout treatment: a teddy bear that underwent every procedure alongside him.
Whenever Pedro needed an IV, surgery or another medical procedure, his doctors performed the same “treatment” on the stuffed bear first, helping him better understand what was happening.
“If he was getting an IV placed or having surgery, his bear would undergo all the same procedures,” Demedis says. “It went through everything with him.”
Even in the middle of chemotherapy, the hospital staff did everything they could to accommodate Pedro’s racing schedule, recognizing that getting back behind the wheel wasn’t simply something he enjoyed — it was the goal that kept him moving forward.
“The hospital was incredible,” Pedro says. “They believed in my dream.”
Seven months after beginning treatment, Pedro reached a milestone his family had desperately hoped for. At 7 years old, he completed treatment and was declared to have no evidence of disease. But while the cancer was gone, his journey was far from over.
Doctors had reconstructed Pedro’s leg using a limb-salvage procedure, replacing part of the diseased bone with a large metal implant in hopes of preserving both the limb and his mobility. At the time, it felt like the best possible outcome.
“He kept saying, ‘I need my foot because I have to push the gas pedal,’ “ Laetitia recalls. “In his mind, there wasn’t another way.”
For a while, it seemed like that dream might still be possible. But over the months that followed, complication after complication emerged.
The implant fractured. Hardware failed. Pain became a constant part of Pedro’s daily life. Surgery followed surgery as doctors worked to repair his leg and preserve the limb they had fought so hard to save.
Instead of returning to the active childhood he had imagined after finishing treatment, Pedro found himself trapped in another cycle of hospital visits, rehabilitation and recovery.
By then, he had already undergone more than 20 surgeries. Yet through every setback, one thing never changed.
“He never complained,” Laetitia says. “He wasn’t asking, ‘Why me?’ He just wanted to know what the next step was to get him back in a race car.”
Eventually, in 2024, doctors sat down with the family to discuss the option they had hoped they’d never have to consider: amputation.
The conversation wasn’t entirely new.
When Pedro was first diagnosed, doctors had explained that removing his leg would likely offer the best long-term outcome. At the time, however, Pedro and his family believed saving the limb would give him the best chance of continuing to race.
Years of complications changed that calculation.
Around the same time, Laetitia began connecting with other families whose children had undergone amputations. They spoke with adaptive athletes and learned about advances in prosthetic technology that were allowing amputees to compete at the highest levels of motorsports.
For the first time, Pedro realized something that changed everything. He didn’t need two legs to become a race car driver.
“He basically said, ‘Okay ... let’s chop it off,’ “ Laetitia recalls with a laugh.
Pedro Cueto after his amputation Credit: Pedro Cueto
Even the timing reflected Pedro’s determination. On a Sunday, he squeezed in one final karting race in Las Vegas. Three days later, he was in the operating room.
Just 48 hours after surgery, nurses rolled a wheelchair into his hospital room so he could leave comfortably.
“They handed him the wheelchair,” Laetitia recalls. “And he said, ‘Nope. I’m using my crutches.’”
His determination only intensified from there. While many children would have spent weeks simply adjusting to life after an amputation, Pedro was back in the gym just five days later. He approached rehabilitation the same way he approached racing — with relentless discipline and an unwavering goal.
Six weeks after losing his leg, he climbed back into a kart. The comeback exceeded even his own expectations. Within months, Pedro was once again competing against many of the country’s top young karting drivers. Then, in May 2025, another opportunity changed the trajectory of his career.
The family relocated overseas so Pedro could compete in his first Italian race. Since then, they’ve been based largely in Europe, traveling the international karting circuit as Pedro races against some of the world’s top young drivers.
Pedro Cueto after his amputation Credit: Pedro Cueto
Since returning to competition, he’s collected podium finishes around the world while adapting to an entirely new way of driving.
His kart has been specially modified with a custom throttle system that allows him to accelerate using his residual limb — a setup that has continued to evolve as he’s grown and advanced through the ranks.
“It’s been working great,” Pedro says.
Once his visor comes down, however, he rarely thinks about what’s different. Instead, he focuses on what has always been the same.
“One of the reasons I love motorsport so much is that anybody can race,” he says. “When I’m on the track, I don’t like to think I’m different. I just want to race everybody else.”
Pedro Cueto in his racing suit Credit: Pedro Cueto
Then, in June 2026, came another milestone neither Pedro nor his family will ever forget.
Competing in the prestigious IAME Series Italy — one of Europe’s premier international karting championships and an important proving ground for young drivers hoping to climb the ladder toward Formula racing — Pedro crossed the finish line first.
“When the checkered flag came out and I was first,” he says, “I was just super happy.”
For a brief moment, every chemotherapy infusion, hospital room, surgery and painful step of recovery faded into the background.
Today, Pedro’s recovery is measured less by doctor’s appointments than by lap times.
Most mornings begin long before he climbs into a kart. Between competitions across Europe, he balances online school with strength training, simulator sessions and workouts designed to build the endurance and explosiveness needed to compete at the highest levels of karting.
“I’m working with a mental trainer because instead of thinking, ‘What if I crash?’ I have to think, ‘What if I win?’ “ Pedro says. “On the days I’m not racing, I work out really hard. Then it’s back to full focus on racing.”
That relentless work ethic has already begun opening doors.
Last year, Mercedes invited Pedro and his family to the Mexico City Grand Prix, where he met several Formula 1 drivers, including seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton — someone he’d admired for years while watching races from home.
For Laetitia, watching her son walk through the Formula 1 paddock felt almost surreal.
“When he was diagnosed, I was so scared he’d never get to live out his dreams,” she says. “Now, I get to watch him chase them every single weekend.”
His story is also inspiring children far beyond the racetrack.
At a children’s hospital in South Africa, videos of Pedro are shown to young amputees recovering from surgery as a reminder that losing a limb doesn’t have to mean giving up on the future they imagined for themselves.
“That meant everything to us,” Laetitia says. “Because that’s exactly why we share his story.”
Now 11, Pedro hopes to offer that same sense of hope to other children.
One of his biggest goals away from racing is to place driving simulators in children’s hospitals around the world, giving young patients something to look forward to during long hospital stays — just as racing gave him something to fight for during his own treatment.
“Even if it only makes one kid excited to come to the hospital,” he says, “that would already be incredible.”
Pedro Cueto in Las Vegas Credit: Pedro Cueto
For Laetitia, watching her son inspire others has become just as meaningful as watching him stand on podiums.
“I’m proud of the driver he’s becoming,” she says. “But I’m even more proud of the person he’s becoming.”
There was a time when she feared cancer had stolen the future her son had dreamed about since he was a little boy clutching a Hot Wheels car instead of a teddy bear.
Now, every weekend, she watches him chase that dream all over the world. Pedro, meanwhile, hasn’t changed his answer when people ask what comes next. The dream that began in a rental go-kart when he was 5 years old remains exactly the same.
“I’m going to be the first Formula 1 amputee world champion,” he says matter-of-factly. “That’s my goal, and it’ll be my goal until I win a Formula 1 world championship.”
The WNBA is denying a report that Adam Silver influenced the suspension of Alyssa Thomas following an on-court incident with Caitlin Clark.
In a statement to Front Office Sports, a WNBA spokesperson said the report that NBA commissioner Adam Silver pushed WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert to suspend Alyssa Thomas is “absolutely false.”
On Wednesday morning, Sports Business Journal reported that Silver “persuaded” Engelbert to suspend Thomas for an incident on June 24 in which the Mercury star struck Clark’s throat. Thomas was not thrown out of the game.
A day later, the league handed Thomas a Flagrant 2—which comes with a $1,000 fine—and one-game suspension for what it deemed to be a “non-basketball act.”
The level of influence the NBA has on the WNBA’s decision making is a longstanding question. The NBA holds a 42% equity stake in the WNBA, while multiple NBA owners have separate ownership stakes in the WNBA. The NBA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Silver was asked about the future of Engelbert as WNBA commissioner on Tuesday night during a press conference at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. He did not give a definitive answer, but was complimentary about Engelbert’s performance.
“I’m very pleased with where the WNBA is. We’ve made tremendous progress under her leadership over the last several years … Cathy continues doing a strong job building that league. And we’ll have ongoing discussions about what the future looks like.” Silver said.
“I do crack up how everybody’s focused on me, and you should be focused on the hundreds of amazing women, and thousands of women who run this league outside of myself,” Engelbert said.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, following a good deal of fan demand, finally announced a bobblehead honoring Andy Pages’ iconic World Series Game 7 catch.
The Dodgers have one of the best, if not the best, bobblehead promotions every year, but this one holds special meaning for fans who took in the World Series.
Coined “The Catch” bobblehead, it will be given to fans on September 6th against the Washington National.
The bobblehead captures the moment where Andy Pages rises up for a catch on a fly ball in between left and center field, while Kike Hernandez ducks under and lets him make the catch.
Both players had a big collision, but Hernandez took the brunt of it. Hernandez got up happy after finding out Pages made the catch.
In the collectible, Hernandez looks quite funny as he seemingly accepts getting run over by Pages, and honestly, it is not too dissimilar from how the moment actually happened.
The play is already incredible from Pages in any context, but with the context of it being Game 7 of a World Series, with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs, the moment takes on its own legend.
Nov 1, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages (44) makes a catch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the ninth inning for game seven of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
It was all the more special since Pages had been in an awful slump, failing to hit any pitch that came his way. He came in as a defensive substitute late in the game and pulled out a gutsy, iconic, and terrifying catch all in one go.
How much will “The Catch” bobblehead be worth?
Based on recent bobbleheads, this collectible should end up going past $100. Kike Hernandez’s pitching bobblehead, which came out very recently, resells for around $75.
“The Catch,” considering everything about the moment and what it means in modern Dodgers history, should blow well past that.
It does not have the mainstream appeal of Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Yoshi bobblehead, which goes for $170, but for any hardcore Dodgers fan, “The Catch” bobblehead is a must-have and will be in demand.
The get-in price is around $165 as of Wednesday, July 15th.
(This story is based on a recent Forbes exclusive interview with Superbowl Champion Seahawk Coach Aden Durde. All quotes are taken directly from a transcript of the interview.)
A digital display shows the game of Flag football for its feature as one of five new sports at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, during the second day of the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Mumbai on October 16, 2023. (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / AFP) (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
When the International Olympic Committee approved flag football for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games it represented the culmination of decades of quiet growth globally, and an opportunity for millions of young athletes around the world to discover American football through its fastest-growing, most accessible format.
Few people understand that journey better than Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde. Long before he became one of the NFL's highest-ranking British-born coaches, Durde was simply a teenager traveling across London for the chance to play a sport that barely existed in Britain. Today, after stops in NFL Europe, the Dallas Cowboys organization, the NFL's International Player Pathway program, the Atlanta Falcons and now Seattle, Durde sees flag football's Olympic debut as a watershed moment that could reshape football's global future.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 8: Defensive coordinator Aden Durde of the Seattle Seahawks arrives to the stadium prior to the NFL Super Bowl LX football game against the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
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His own story illustrates exactly why.
A Long Road From North London
Durde's football journey began not in packed NFL stadiums but on London's fragmented amateur football scene, where simply finding a team required determination.
"I started playing when I was young," Durde told Forbes. "Back then a team would pop up, then you wouldn't have enough coaches, people couldn't do it, and the team would shut down. I was travelling probably two hours across London to go and play," he recalled. "Sometimes financially you couldn't get there. You had to rely on people to give you lifts."
His football life became a series of relocations. One club folded. Another lost funding. Practices required hours of travel across London, often depending on rides from teammates because public transportation costs were difficult to manage. Eventually, Durde landed with the London Olympians, then one of Britain's premier American football organizations. Everything changed. The Olympians provided elite competition, leading to opportunities in NFL Europe, NFL practice squads and eventually coaching—a path few British players had ever followed, or could even imagine. Today, Durde stands as one of the NFL's most successful international coaching stories.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 02: General view inside the stadium prior to the NFL match between Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 02, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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Coaching Became The Next Challenge
Unlike many former athletes who struggle after retirement, Durde discovered something unexpected. He missed being uncomfortable. After leaving professional football, he worked conventional jobs and even started his own business. Yet something was missing.
"I missed the relentless work," he said. "I missed the structure, the accountability, the honesty, always having to push to be your best. A lot of the work is done in the office; Out on the field coaching the guys," he said. "That's what I love."
Rather than viewing football's demands as exhausting, Durde realized they were what motivated him. That mindset eventually led him through coaching roles in Britain before an internship with the Dallas Cowboys opened the door to the NFL. His work helping establish the NFL's International Player Pathway program and the NFL Academy further cemented his reputation as one of football's leading international development voices before coaching positions with the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks followed.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 25: Defensive coordinator Aden Durde talks with Derick Hall #58 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship game at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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Why Grassroots Football Matters
Durde’s coaching philosophy extends well beyond professional football. His involvement with Coach the Future, a leadership initiative designed to mentor young people through sport, reflects lessons he learned growing up.
"It's important to me about creating leaders in the community," he said. "They breathed belief into me when I probably didn't have the belief in myself. If you can spark that in someone else," Durde said, "they can give that to someone else in the community. Those are the things that help communities thrive."
As a young athlete, coaches gave him something even more valuable than football instruction. Now he hopes to provide that same confidence for the next generation. The philosophy aligns closely with the NFL's expanding international grassroots strategy, particularly as flag football participation accelerates worldwide ahead of LA28.
UNSPECIFIED: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) In this image released on August 11, Snoop Dogg performs at the LA28 Olympic Games Handover Celebration. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for LA28)
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for LA28
Why Flag Football Could Transform Player Development
For Durde, flag football’s Olympic debut is about more than medals. He believes it may become one of the best developmental tools football has ever had. Modern athletes often specialize early, learning only one position. Flag football changes that.
"You defend, you attack, you're on offense, you're on defense, you catch, you throw," Durde explained. “When I was younger everyone used to do everything," he said. "The more you can do that at grassroots level... the more rounded players they become."
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Isaiah Calhoun #11 of the US Men's Flag Football Team defends DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Wildcats FFC during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS
Those all-around skills, he believes, create more complete football players. That philosophy mirrors growing support among NFL coaches who increasingly view flag football not as an alternative to tackle football but as an important developmental pathway. The sport emphasizes agility, spatial awareness, decision-making and ball skills while minimizing physical contact.
For countries where tackle football infrastructure remains limited, flag football also dramatically lowers barriers to participation.
Why LA28 Matters
Flag football's Olympic debut arrives as the NFL aggressively expands internationally through regular-season games in Europe, South America and Australia while also investing heavily in youth participation. Durde believes the Olympics could become the sport's biggest global showcase yet.
"It's exciting," he said. "Any platform that you can get football in front of different parts of the world—they get an ability to see how cool this game is."
Unlike tackle football, flag football offers a fast-paced, television-friendly version of the sport requiring minimal equipment while showcasing speed, athleticism and creativity. Those qualities make it particularly well suited for Olympic audiences unfamiliar with traditional American football.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: (L-R) Mike Daniels, Shawn Theard Jr, Jamie Kennedy, Aamir Brown and Isaiah Calhoun of the U.S. Men’s Flag Football Team huddle up during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS)
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"I can't wait to see it," Durde said.
More Coaches Needed To Meet Global Demand
Durde's own career demonstrates what access can create. Had the opportunities available today existed when he first began playing in North London, he believes the journey might have been easier. There are now more opportunities than ever before. The challenge, he says, is developing enough qualified coaches to meet growing demand.
"There is the accessibility," Durde noted. "But there's less people that can engage and coach the sport at a level to make the game as fun as it can be."
That may become one of the lasting legacies of LA28. While Olympic medals will capture headlines, the Games could inspire thousands of new coaches, volunteers and community leaders who introduce football to future generations. For Durde, that matters every bit as much as what happens on the Olympic medal podium. His own life changed because coaches invested in him before anyone else believed he belonged. Now, as flag football prepares for its Olympic debut in Los Angeles, he sees an opportunity to multiply that impact around the world.
RENTON, WASHINGTON - JUNE 03: Defensive coordinator Aden Durde of the Seattle Seahawks speaks to the media after practice at Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 03, 2024 in Renton, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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For a coach who once spent two hours crossing London just to find a place to play, the Olympic movement today may ensure the next generation of players and coaches won't have to travel so far to discover the game.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
The 2026 college football season is nearly here, and the ACC is holding its annual ACC Kickoff this week in Charlotte, North Carolina. The FSU Seminoles spoke on Wednesday, the first day of the event.
Head coach Mike Norvell was joined by wide receiver Duce Robinson, quarterback Ashton Daniels, and cornerback Ja'Bril Rawls to preview the season. All four of them took to the main stage on Wednesday to answer questions.
Norvell, who is on the hottest seat in the country, is looking to get the Seminoles back on track after consecutive losing seasons. They will be relying on a core of returning players that they have supplemented through the transfer portal. That has been a specialty of Norvell, but they have struggled with their additions over the past two seasons.
He talked about his excitement about this team, their mentality, why fans should be excited, what Daniels brings to the team, and more. Here is everything Norvell had to say on Wednesday.
Opening statement
Appreciate everybody being here. Definitely excited for the season that's ahead, the opportunity that's in front of our football team. Grateful for the work our players have been putting in this off-season.
Coming off disappointing results from a year ago, but excited about the core of this football team, the guys that have returned, some of the young players that have continued to emerge, decisions from guys to return that had other opportunities.
The choice that they made to come be difference makers and leaders within this program.
Definitely excited about the newcomers that have joined our football team, the way they've really come in and embraced the culture. Really having a mindset to leave their mark, to be able to pour everything they have in representing this incredible football program, institution, our wonderful fan base.
Honored to be here today with three great young men that will speak on behalf of our football team, guys that have truly been through the journey. Ja'Bril Rawls, a guy that I think is going to be one of the best corners in all of college football, a guy that has been at Florida State coming out of high school. Has had his ups and downs dealing with injuries, but truly has emerged as a great player, and just a wonderful representative of what it is to be a Seminole.
Duce Robinson, I think one of the best receivers in all of college football. His choice to forego going to the NFL, to come back and leave his mark here, truly just to go and help lead this football team, be the best player that he can be.
Ashton Daniels, coming in, joining the program in January, tremendous leader, somebody that is truly all about the work, great skill set, ability. Has done a wonderful job in his short time here in Tallahassee representing this football program.
We got an exciting team, a team that I think is a very talented roster. As I mentioned earlier, it's a great combination of guys that have been here, last year we had 19 true freshmen that played 4-0 or more games. Young team, guys that got throne into the fire and had to learn on their road as we went through the highs and the lows. A year ago you lose five games by one score, there's a lot of lessons to be learned. It's about taking the lessons, the application of that moving forward to go be the best that we can be.
We understand the expectation. There's no person or place that has higher expectations than we have being part of this program, making sure we're doing things the right way, the Florida State way, competing for championships, in all things that we do.
That is our expectation as we go into this season with a very talented roster and a great coaching staff that we've been able to assemble.
You've seen the continuity within the staff when you look at Coach White coming into his second year as the defensive coordinator. Really excited about the personnel; excited about the staff under his leadership on that side of the ball. Really taking another step in our performance to what we're going to do defensively.
Offensively Coach Harris going into his second year within the program, and as our offensive coordinator has done an outstanding job putting his mark within the program as well as continuing to help develop the young men we have.
Obviously, the addition of Adam Scheier as our special teams coordinator, somebody that is extremely innovative, somebody that is going to put our guys in great positions to win in that third of the game.
It's an exciting team, one that understands all that's in front of us. We have a great opportunity, a great platform. Obviously these guys are excited to get out on the field here in this next month and prepare for it here in fall camp; ready to kick off in week zero of this college football season.
You called this an exciting team. How do you capitalize on the conflation of talent in what feels like a strike-now season?
When you look at our roster, I think in all phases, starting in the trenches of the guys up front, four of our top six defensive linemen have returned. Some guys that have great talent and ability. Be able to bring in a couple of newcomers that I think are going to be very dynamic.
You know, great leadership at the linebacker position, you know, guys that have been through it. Whether it's the transfers that have come in that have joined very productive, talented players, as well as you look in the defensive backfield. I think we have got some great play-makers in that position, and guys with versatile skill sets that will allow us to do a lot of different things.
And then offensively starting up front, we were able to bring in a good group of transfers that have joined that bring experience, coupled with the guys that we have that have continued to grow and develop as well as just an outstanding group of skill players with the receiver position, led by Duce, guys like Micahi Danzy, Jayvan Boggs, and some really impressive newcomers that have joined the program. I really love our running back room, running back and tight end room and the versatility, what we're going to be able to do. That is surrounded with the quarterback that can truly make it happen.
We want to be versatile, attack. We understand with the talent that we have, I'm not going to put any limits to what this football team can accomplish and what we can do.
The time is now; the time is today. The willingness to show up, be the best that we can be. If that's what we'll continue to do, I got a lot of confidence in the results showing up.
FSU fans aren't just asking for wins, they're asking for consistency and championships. You've obviously won one. What makes this team different and why should FSU fans be excited about this upcoming season?
I love the mentality of this group. Obviously you see throughout the journey just the margin between victory and defeat, it's a very thin line. But it's about the mentality, about the response. It's about the work that you're willing to put in, not getting caught up in all the other things that can surround you on the journey that we find ourselves on.
But this football team, yes, they are talented. What I love is their work, their camaraderie, the sacrifices that they're willing to make, the way that they challenge themselves on a daily basis.
We have won, as you mentioned. We went through a stretch where we won 19 straight games. There were still a lot of close games, one-score games. The ebb and flow of what shows up. It's the way that that team came together, the mentality they brought, how they responded throughout that journey that really set them apart.
I've seen that within this team. This is a group from the players that returned to the guys that came in, we were looking for the right type of guys, guys that were going to represent our program and perform and execute at a level that is going to make our fan base proud in all things that we're doing.
This is a team that I do believe will rise to the occasion from the coaching staff to the players, everybody involved in the program, to go make sure we're doing things to the level of our expectation and that Florida State standard.
You often talk about you know the expectation, you know what it looks like, you've seen it done, but four out of the last six years at Florida State have been losing seasons. What can you say to this fan base to make them believe that you can bring Florida State back to its traditional winning ways?
In reality, the words don't matter, it's about the action. That's our focus. I could stand up here, you could say a lot of things, but it's still about what's going to show up. That's what I believe in.
As we came into the program six years ago, there were some challenges that we faced. Those first two years, for all the different circumstances that showed up, we stayed focused on our path and the growth, the improvement, making sure we were ready for the moment. We had players that bought into that.
As you get into '22, '23 season, a couple of the best stretches that Florida State has had, 19-straight wins, being able to put ourselves in that position was something that had to be worked for. It wasn't just because we talked about it; it was about what was done.
Yes, the last two years as college football has changed, continuing to evolve, we have to be better. This past season we showed glimpses of playing at a very high level. Big wins, some great moments, but also had some disappointing results in some close games and opportunities we did not capitalize on.
It's not about me giving a great speech, trying to say things. It's about showing up and being willing to do. That's the focus of this coaching, this football team, that's my focus, is pouring everything I have into them, into this staff, into the opportunity we have in the '26 season.
As I said, I know what it looks like because we've done it. I know the steps. I know what we need to do to get back to that level. I'm very confident what's it's going to be.
A couple days ago you made a pretty good hire in Tom Herman. How important was it to you to land a guy like him as you go out there and prepare for the season knowing he has head coaching experience, a proven winner?
Being able to have the opportunity for Tom to come and join the program is something I'm excited about. He came in the spring, was able to come out to practice, visit with staff. Obviously had to compete against him years ago when he was at Houston, I was at Memphis; we have a long relationship.
For how things all transpired, we were able to visit a little bit this summer. We found a role and opportunity that I think he can make a great impact in helping support this staff, being able to add a new perspective to things that he's done, to be able to help assist the guys within our football team just to go and achieve at a very high level.
Last year you stepped back into the CEO role by nature with Gus as the play-caller. Now you're back as the primary play-caller. What did you learn last year being able to observe from the high-level view that you can apply to this year?
Yeah, I mean, I've been fortunate, going into my 11th year I guess of being a head coach. For me, most those years were as a play-caller. As college football emerged, the different aspects of personnel, being able to step back, kind of focus and address needs that I felt within the team, having a guy I trusted, was great.
And to be able to see -- you know, it wasn't unfamiliar. I had a long-lasting relationship with Gus. Was grateful for the work he did. But for me, every year's a learning process. Every year you're continuing to grow and mold, develop things for the guys that you have, putting them in the best position.
I've been fortunate throughout my career to be able to do that as a high level, being a play-caller, coach, growing up on the offensive side of the ball.
I'm excited about the group of players I get to work with every single day, the play making ability they have and the positions we're going to be able to put them in.
Transfer portal, obviously you've gone there for the quarterback these last few seasons. What did you see in Ashton Daniels and why it's important to reach into the portal?
I think Ashton is a guy that can really do it all. As we talk about experiences, Ashton has a great deal of experience throughout his college career. He's been put in a lot of different situations that he's had to work through. You see somebody that's just continued to grow.
As I did my research getting to know him, the coaches I worked with, the people around him, so many incredible qualities of the young man, the talent, the ability.
When he joined the program in January, the words then become secondary because you see it in his actions, just the passion that he has for who he gets to work with. You know, he's not somebody that comes in having to wave the towel and give a speech, but when he talks, people listen just because of all the things they see from him.
As I even watched him through 15 practices in spring ball, his continued growth. He's progressed and I think has an incredible ceiling in front of him; a guy that's a natural play-maker, can extend plays, live in the pocket, make all the different throws; a guy that has a wonderful understanding of offensive football being in a bunch of different systems. Incredible smart and an incredible worker, as well.
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CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 10: Spencer Steer #7 of the Cincinnati Reds walks out to the field during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park on July 10, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
You remember when the Cincinnati Reds hitt he rebuild button with a sledgehammer, right? Back when they shipped away Sonny Gay, Luis Castillo, Jesse Winker, & Co. in search of greener pastures and a ‘sustainable’ future?
Man, it often feels like just yesterday. It’s about to feel like tomorrow though, too.
As the last place Reds emerge from the All Star break, that rebuild is in dire need of being rebuilt again already. That 2022 season saw Cincinnati also deal away pitcher Tyler Mahle to the Minnesota Twins, a deal that commanded the since-DFA’d Christian Encarnacion-Strand as well as the infinitely versatile Spencer Steer – the latter of whom actually made his big league debut that very season.
There was initially hope that Steer would turn out to be something significant, what with his rock-solid 2023 performance. The reality, though, is that across over 2350 PA in his career, he’s the owner of an almost perfectly average 102 OPS+. Across the 2024-2026 seasons (nearly 1600 PA), that dips just a slightly below-average 98 OPS+ and 99 wRC+, numbers that are more or less in-line with what he’s doing this year (103 OPS+, 103 wRC+).
If that isn’t the definition of ‘settling into who you are as a hitter,’ I do know know what is.
He walks a bit over 9% of the time, which is good. He strikes out 21-22% of the time, which is just fine. He’s a solid baserunner, knows how to barrel a ball pretty well despite subpar bat speed, and his defense – hardly his calling card – is still somehow adaptable enough that he was a Gold Glove finalist at 1B in 2025 and found himself in CF most of last week.
Settling in as a super-utility guy is fine for a club. Most good clubs desperately need that, in fact. But the thing about ‘settling in’ when it comes to baseball is that it’s a finite experience by design – free agency inches closer, salaries jump higher, and all of a sudden teams are paying what they’d like to pay for star production for guys who are the malleable bits on the roster.
Because baseball’s arbitration process values arcane/concrete things like homers, RBI, and steals – three things that a mostly healthy Steer has compiled with aplomb despite middling rate stats over the years – he’s already making $4 million in his first arb year this year. He’ll get two raises on that in 2027 and 2028 years that he’s team-controlled, all that despite having accrued just a grand total of 3.4 fWAR/2.6 bWAR since the start of the 2024 season.
That’s hardly jumping off the page, even if it doesn’t value things like ‘you can hold your nose defensively with him at time because there’s value in him giving so many other guys a needed day-off.‘
Almost by design, the Reds have already painted over Steer. You’d almost think that if any one of the litany of hitters they acquired in the last rebuild had actually hit the ground running (i.e. CES, Noelvi Marte, Matt McLain, etc.) he might have already been traded away by now. But his work at 1B has been swallowed up by the need to play Sal Stewart there since Stewart’s ability to play 3B has been thwarted by the signing of Eugenio Suarez and the long-term acquisition of Ke’Bryan Hayes. If you can’t play a player at his best position because there’s someone better that needs to play there, well, your roster construction has hit a total snag.
TJ Friedl being horrendous, Noelvi Marte floundering again, and both Blake Dunn and Dane Myers getting hurt have opened time for Steer to be a mostly full-time OF for the time being. It’s a great showcase for ‘he’s doing it’ whether it’s actually a showcase of ‘he can do it,’ but perhaps that’s intriguing to other clubs out there. So much so that Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported earlier in the week that clubs were eyeing Steer as a potential trade target. His work against LHP this season (.333/.436/.603 in 95 PA) seems to be standing out as much as anything, as teams across the league are in desperate search for such a commodity.
Don’t believe me? Check this MLB.com preview of team needs at the deadline and search for ‘right-handed bat.’ Each of the Red Sox, Guardians, Mariners, Tigers, Marlins, and Phillies are listed with that very same need, and while each of them have openings in various places around the infield, that’s precisely what makes Steer so damn attractive right now – he can, in theory, play pretty much any of them.
Seemingly the only real case against trading him right now, barring an acceptable return, is that he’s too important to the team and he’s got two more years of team control, maybe they’ll be good by then! The latter is constantly debatable since this is the Cincinnati Reds with the same front office they’ve always had we’re talking about here. The former, though, is something of a tell – if a guy who’s the literal definition of average offensively and slightly sub-par defensively across the board is too valuable to the roster, the roster’s in a pretty damn awful state, right?
Right?
If, and only if, the Reds commit to cutting Hayes and eating that contract, if the Reds call time on Marte the way they did on CES and Rece Hinds, if the Reds non-tender TJ Friedl and concede McLain is a bench-glove, and then if they commit to spending actual good money this winter via free agency and trades to back a five-man rotation of Hunter Greene, Chase Burns, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, and Rhett Lowder heading into 2027, I will acknowledge that dealing Steer doesn’t need to happen. The only thing needy about even discussing this is that it’s the Reds we’re talking about, who won’t go spend or push in chips in trades this winter to actually try to win within the next two years – other teams with a guy like Steer at this point in his career would gladly start him 5 times a week (as many as they can against LHP) and bat him 7th or 8th and be happy about it.
That’s not the scenario in which this club operates, however. They have committed to flipping guys when they get expensive for younger ones, and Steer – who’ll turn 29 this December – has already become one of the older guys who has the league’s spotlight turned his particular way.
I don’t like advocating for it necessarily, as I do think he’s a perfectly fine complementary piece. On the Reds, though, he’s been tasked with being so much more, and that’s simply not working on a team 9 games under .500 and mired in last place. So, you move him, in my humble opinion, and begin the process of spending the ~$6 or so million you’d otherwise be spending on him next year in another way.
(For an interesting thought piece, now consider JJ Bleday, who also has two years of team control remaining after this year…)
Patrick Surtain II has built an impressive resume in just five seasons.
The Denver Broncos defensive back has made four Pro Bowls, been first-team All-Pro twice, second-team once and was only the seventh cornerback to win AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, earning the award after the 2024 season.
Surtain now has been voted the top NFL cornerback for the second straight year by The Associated Press in a preseason survey.
Surtain received seven first-place votes from a panel of eight AP pro football writers who ranked the top five players at the position, basing selections on current status entering the 2026 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.
Derek Stingley Jr. got the other first-place vote and finished second. Quinyon Mitchell and Devon Witherspoon tied for third, and Trent McDuffie and Sauce Gardner tied for fifth.
1. Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos
Surtain has become an elite player at a premier position. He allowed 31 receptions and a 66.5 passer rating when targeted by opposing quarterbacks in 2025.
Surtain had one interception, mainly because teams don’t throw his direction. He missed three games with a pec strain but returned in the playoffs to help the Broncos reach the AFC championship game.
2. Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans
Stingley earned All-Pro for the second straight season, and has developed into one of the league’s best cover cornerbacks for Houston’s stingy defense.
He had four interceptions, allowed 34 receptions in coverage and broke up nine passes in coverage last season. Opposing quarterbacks had just a 67.4 passer rating against him.
Stingley was selected one spot ahead of Sauce Gardner at No. 3 overall in the 2022 draft.
He got five second-place votes and appeared on seven ballots.
3. (tie) Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles
Mitchell earned All-Pro honors in just his second season in the NFL.
He gave up 36 catches in coverage, broke up seven passes and QBs had just a 58.4 passer rating against him. Mitchell doesn’t have an interception in the regular season but he’s snagged four picks in five playoff games for the Eagles.
Mitchell appeared on six ballots.
3. (tie) Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks
Witherspoon made his third Pro Bowl in three seasons, earned second-team All-Pro honors and helped Seattle win the Super Bowl.
He surrendered 46 receptions in coverage and QBs had a 99.8 passer rating against him. Witherspoon appeared on four ballots.
5. (tie) Trent McDuffie , Los Angeles Rams
McDuffie has been one of the league’s best slot cornerbacks in his first four seasons in Kansas City, helping the Chiefs win two Super Bowls and play in another one.
McDuffie was a first-team All-Pro slot cornerback in 2023 and a second-team choice in 2024. The Rams acquired him for a package of draft picks, including No. 29 overall in this April's draft.
He allowed 37 passes in coverage, broke up four and had one pick. He allowed a 94.7 passer rating when targeted.
McDuffie appeared on three ballots.
5. (tie) Sauce Gardner, Indianapolis Colts
The two-time All-Pro was traded from the Jets to the Colts in a blockbuster deal for two first-round picks midway through last season but played in only four games for his new team because of a calf injury.
There are a number of compelling and fresh matchups available at the top of the UFC lightweight division, and it will likely all hinge on Justin Gaethje's retirement decision.
After upsetting Ilia Topuria (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) to claim 155-pound gold at UFC Freedom 250 in June, Gaethje (28-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) has flip-flopped on the idea of walking away from the sport on a high. After initially stating retirement didn't feel right, Gaethje more recently stated his future is still in limbo.
Gaethje made it clear that he would be interested in facing Conor McGregor had he won at UFC 329, but with the Irishman suffering an early injury and TKO defeat to Max Holloway (28-9 MMA, 24-9 UFC), that option is now off the table.
Where does that leave things? Holloway, Charles Oliveira (37-11 MMA, 25-11 UFC) and Arman Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) are all in position to be granted a title shot if Gaethje stays. If he goes, though, then longtime UFC analyst Chael Sonnen believes that opens up the entire deck for UFC to play with and Paddy Pimblett in the mix.
And in his mind, there's a most desirable pairing.
"If Justin Gaethje retires and we get two guys to fight for a title, I do think Max is likely – and has a very strong case – to be one of those guys," Sonnen told MMA Junkie. "Max vs. Ilia would be great. Paddy vs. Ilia happens to work out right now. Max vs. Arman Tsarukyan would be great. Paddy vs. Tsarukyan would work out right now. But when you start to do the math, there is this outside idea nobody has brought up yet: Paddy vs. Max.
"What are they fighting for? Is that the one to do a for (a vacant) title? It's going to be very hard to carve out Arman Tsarukyan right now. But Arman will let you know he just wants to fight. He would like a belt, but there doesn't have to be. Just get him an opponent. There is actually a pretty realistic way to get Max vs. Paddy and to get it next."
Just prior to Holloway getting his hand raised in anticlimactic fashion, the co-main event of UFC 329 saw Pimblett (24-4 MMA, 8-1 UFC) steal the show with an incredible 52-second technical submission of Benoit Saint Denis. It was a huge bounce-back moment for "The Baddy," who fell short of interim gold in a thrilling bout vs. Gaethje in January.
The performance against Saint Denis was further validation that Pimblett is a legit contender at 155 pounds, and Sonnen would have no objection if he was a key part of the process in pushing the weight class to its next stage.
"Paddy is a very dangerous guy," Sonnen said. "I remember the days Paddy was just a young kid with good mic skills and a weird haircut. … Paddy really is special. There's nothing that says to me he can't be a world champion at the toughest weight class in the sport."
The Carolina Panthers have improved on defense so much that they're starting to get some actual buzz from the national media.
This offseason, it's become a common refrain for some analysts—including The Athletic's Ted Nguyen and ESPN's Mina Kimes—to predict that the Panthers will even have a top-10 scoring defense in 2026. One person, though, is going even further.
In a recent episode of NFL Live, ESPN commentator and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky forecasted that the Panthers could even have a top-five defense. Take a listen . . .
That would be quite an improvement from 2025, when they finished 16th en route to the franchise's first division title in a decade. And that'd be a near-miracle when looking back to 2024, when Carolina ranked 32nd and allowed the most points in league history.
As good as they look on paper—thanks to the free-agent additions of Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd and pass rusher Jaelan Phillips—the Panthers still have a few holes to fill on this side of the ball. If they could find upgrades over Trevin Wallace at linebacker and Nick Scott at safety, then we definitely wouldn't rule out a top-five finish.
But those are two big ifs—and for now, the organization doesn't seem to be in a hurry to replace either one.
US President Donald Trump has invoked the ire of leading radio host Chris Russo as the dust refuses to settle after the USMNT’s World Cup exit.
Though Mauricio Pochettino’s team were eliminated in relatively tame fashion against Belgium in Seattle during the last 16, the build-up to the game was shrouded in controversy.
Indeed, Trump claimed to have intervened before a FIFA disciplinary committee made the almost unprecedented decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s red card.
To say that proved controversial would be an understatement. In fact, Balogun even admitted that the drama had a negative impact on his teammates.
Russo comments on Trump involvement in the World Cup
Asked about the saga on First Take, Russo said he was of the belief that Trump had upset the “soccer gods” by getting involved.
He said: “Leave the politics out of it. If you’re the president of the United States, stay out of it.”
Before adding: “You upset the soccer gods. If you’re a sports fan, you know you leave well enough alone. The United States, as you just said, were a fun little team.
“People were completely into them, they had Belgium on the run a little bit. Then, all of a sudden, they gave Belgium a cause because FIFA listens to the president?
Photo by Maja Hitij – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Russo then said: “That’s not the way the sports pantheon works. Leave it alone, the kid you put in there [as Balogun’s replacement] might score three goals and you win the freaking game.
“Instead, you butt in and you cause all sorts of problems.”
Belgium clearly rallied after FIFA’s decision. Though it’s impossible to say what would have happened had Balogun been suspended as initially expected, it obviously lit a fire under the Belgian players.
A lot of neutrals would also have turned against Pochettino’s team as a result, even if the players themselves did nothing wrong. Changing the very fabric of the sport will do that, no matter the level of involvement those actually competing on the field actually had.
So much so, in fact, that the Belgium players mocked Trump in their locker room after beating the USMNT 4-1.
It should be said, of course, that Belgium did beat the USMNT 5-2 in a friendly as recently as March.
As such, perhaps it was no surprise that they won relatively easily again. Still, there’s little doubt that the Balogun saga did not help anyone involved with the USMNT during their World Cup campaign.
Youri Tielemans was an astute purchase as the Red Devils triggered his release clause, a move not too many people saw coming.
Both the Brazilian and the Belgian can occupy the No.6 role, but they remain fluid options capable of oscillating between the defensive midfield and central midfield positions.
United still need that specialist defensive midfielder
What the 20-time English league champions need to complete the planned overhaul is an out-and-out physical destroyer who is capable of covering space and shielding the backline.
With Aurelien Tchouameni seemingly out of the equation and a deal for Elliot Anderson not materialising, United have been linked with moves for the likes of Roma’s Manu Koné, Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga in recent days.
However, The Guardian has claimed that each of these deals will cost in the region of £60 million to £80 million, which means a move for any of the aforementioned players looks unlikely as of now.
“After signing Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans this week for a combined initial £82m, United remain intent on adding a third midfielder.
Rising costs force United to change their stance
“Michael Carrick is an admirer of Roma’s Manu Koné, Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga but each player’s asking price of £60m-£80m means a move for any of them is viewed as unlikely.”
This might all be an elaborate ruse to allow the market to cool down before United attempt deals later on in the window to force the selling club’s hand.
Player sales the current focus for United
Only time will tell if that is indeed the ploy. It must be remembered that the Old Trafford side have been slow when it comes to player sales so far, with Rasmus Hojlund the only significant departure (even that was an obligation).
Conflicting reports on status of Alhassane transfer to Bologna amid €4m demand
There are mixed reports in Italy and Spain on the status of Bologna talks for Real Oviedo left-back Rahim Alhassane, with an asking price of €4m.
The 24-year-old is a Niger international who has been at Real Oviedo since the summer of 2024.
He made 28 appearances for the club last season between LaLiga and the Copa del Rey, without contributing any assists or goals.
Alhassane a target for Bologna
VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN – JANUARY 04: Rahim Alhassane of Real Oviedo is challenged by Calebe of Deportivo Alaves during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Deportivo Alaves and Real Oviedo at Estadio de Mendizorroza on January 04, 2026 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
The suggestions in Spain via La Voz de Asturias are that negotiations are at an advanced stage and a deal could be done imminently.
He notes that although Alhassane talks are certainly on, Bologna are hoping to get an agreement reached for less than the €4m asking price set by Real Oviedo.
His current contract runs to June 2028 and the player can also do a job in central defence as well as left-back.
Yzerman took charge in 2019, immediately beginning a rebuild that fans hoped would bring the Wings back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. And though the team steadily improved with Yzerman in charge, drafting franchise cornerstones in Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider and trading for forward Alex DeBrincat, the Red Wings stretched their postseason drought to 10 years under Yzerman's stewardship – worst in the NHL, a league where half the teams advance to the playoffs.
The Red Wings looked to break that drought in the 2025-26 season, finishing with 92 points, the most under Yzerman. But a brutal finish that included six losses in their final seven games doomed them to another playoff-less finish, leading to questions about Yzerman's leadership and a trade request from team captain Dylan Larkin.
But in reality, Yzerman's tenure with the Red Wings may have been doomed way before the end of the previous season.
Here are four moves Yzerman likely wishes he could have back, listed in chronological order.
1. Anthony Mantha trade: April 12, 2021
Mantha, a 2013 first-round pick, had a solid if unspectacular first few seasons in Detroit, seeing his production dip as he missed time with various injuries from 2018-21. His trade in 2021 for Czech forward Jakub Vrána, Richard Pánik and two draft picks was initially seen as a great haul, but it did not turn out so great for the Red Wings.
For one, the first-round pick the Red Wings acquired in the trade turned into goalie Sebastian Cossa, who made one career appearance for the Wings before being traded to the Utah Mammoth at the 2026 draft. For another, Vrána and Pánik are both out of the league after disappointing runs in Detroit, while the journeyman Mantha scored a career-high 64 points for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season (albeit after stops in Washington, Vegas and Calgary before that).
This trade took a while to evolve, but several years later, it hasn't been nearly as successful as initially thought.
2. Derek Lalonde hiring: June 20, 2022
From 2005-22, the Red Wings stuck with two coaches: Mike Babcock (2005-15) and Jeff Blashill (2015-22). Yzerman made a change ahead of the 2022-23 season, hiring Lalonde, a Tampa Bay Lightning assistant, as his first coaching hire.
Lalonde's inexperience showed, however, as the Red Wings missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons from 2022-24. Yzerman didn't wait until the end of the next season to make a change, firing Lalonde in December 2024 and hiring Todd McLellan, which yielded better results despite the Red Wings falling short of the playoffs once again.
3. J.T. Compher signing: July 1, 2023
The Wings signed Compher to a five-year deal with a $5.1 million average annual value ahead of the 2023-24 season, giving him the third most-expensive contract on the team at the time.
And it initially worked out for the Wings, with Compher putting up 48 points in 77 games in his first season in Detroit. But his production dipped to 32 points in 2024-25 and 28 points in 2025-26 despite consistent playing time, making his contract look like an anchor for the next two seasons.
Compher's contract now falls below fellow forwards Raymond and DeBrincat, but so does his production, which makes this one of Yzerman's least productive free-agent signings.
4. Justin Faulk trade: March 3, 2026
It may be too soon to judge a trade from the 2026 deadline, but it certainly doesn't look good for the Wings.
Yzerman sent Justin Holl, prospect Dmitri Buchelnikov, and two 2026 draft picks (a first and a third-rounder) to the St. Louis Blues for the veteran Faulk, who appeared in 17 games for Detroit down the stretch. The Wings were 35-21-7 before trading for Faulk and 6-10-3 after trading for him.
That's not entirely Faulk's fault – but trading out of the first round for the manifestation of a dud deadline looks really bad, even if Faulk can somehow find that All-Star form he showed with Carolina early in his career.
Yzerman took charge in 2019, immediately beginning a rebuild that fans hoped would bring the Wings back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. And though the team steadily improved with Yzerman in charge, drafting franchise cornerstones in Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider and trading for forward Alex DeBrincat, the Red Wings stretched their postseason drought to 10 years under Yzerman's stewardship – worst in the NHL, a league where half the teams advance to the playoffs.
The Red Wings looked to break that drought in the 2025-26 season, finishing with 92 points, the most under Yzerman. But a brutal finish that included six losses in their final seven games doomed them to another playoff-less finish, leading to questions about Yzerman's leadership and a trade request from team captain Dylan Larkin.
But in reality, Yzerman's tenure with the Red Wings may have been doomed way before the end of the previous season.
Here are four moves Yzerman likely wishes he could have back, listed in chronological order.
1. Anthony Mantha trade: April 12, 2021
Mantha, a 2013 first-round pick, had a solid if unspectacular first few seasons in Detroit, seeing his production dip as he missed time with various injuries from 2018-21. His trade in 2021 for Czech forward Jakub Vrána, Richard Pánik and two draft picks was initially seen as a great haul, but it did not turn out so great for the Red Wings.
For one, the first-round pick the Red Wings acquired in the trade turned into goalie Sebastian Cossa, who made one career appearance for the Wings before being traded to the Utah Mammoth at the 2026 draft. For another, Vrána and Pánik are both out of the league after disappointing runs in Detroit, while the journeyman Mantha scored a career-high 64 points for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season (albeit after stops in Washington, Vegas and Calgary before that).
This trade took a while to evolve, but several years later, it hasn't been nearly as successful as initially thought.
2. Derek Lalonde hiring: June 20, 2022
From 2005-22, the Red Wings stuck with two coaches: Mike Babcock (2005-15) and Jeff Blashill (2015-22). Yzerman made a change ahead of the 2022-23 season, hiring Lalonde, a Tampa Bay Lightning assistant, as his first coaching hire.
Lalonde's inexperience showed, however, as the Red Wings missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons from 2022-24. Yzerman didn't wait until the end of the next season to make a change, firing Lalonde in December 2024 and hiring Todd McLellan, which yielded better results despite the Red Wings falling short of the playoffs once again.
The Wings signed Compher to a five-year deal with a $5.1 million average annual value ahead of the 2023-24 season, giving him the third most-expensive contract on the team at the time.
And it initially worked out for the Wings, with Compher putting up 48 points in 77 games in his first season in Detroit. But his production dipped to 32 points in 2024-25 and 28 points in 2025-26 despite consistent playing time, making his contract look like an anchor for the next two seasons.
Compher's contract now falls below fellow forwards Raymond and DeBrincat, but so does his production, which makes this one of Yzerman's least productive free-agent signings.
4. Justin Faulk trade: March 3, 2026
It may be too soon to judge a trade from the 2026 deadline, but it certainly doesn't look good for the Wings.
Yzerman sent Justin Holl, prospect Dmitri Buchelnikov, and two 2026 draft picks (a first and a third-rounder) to the St. Louis Blues for the veteran Faulk, who appeared in 17 games for Detroit down the stretch. The Wings were 35-21-7 before trading for Faulk and 6-10-3 after trading for him.
That's not entirely Faulk's fault – but trading out of the first round for the manifestation of a dud deadline looks really bad, even if Faulk can somehow find that All-Star form he showed with Carolina early in his career.
July 15 (Reuters) - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) defended its decision to provisionally lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) after nine European Union member states called on Brussels to stop funding sports bodies that have re-admitted Russian and Belarusian athletes.
In a letter to European sports commissioner Glenn Micallef, the countries urged the European Union to stop funding sporting bodies, including the IOC, World Aquatics and the International Fencing Federation, that had allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes back into competition.
The nine countries are Estonia, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Sweden.
An IOC spokesperson told Reuters that the ROC's suspension, which had been in place since October 2023, was lifted earlier this month after the organisation removed regional sports bodies from occupied Ukrainian territories from its membership, the reason it was originally sanctioned.
The IOC said the decision was provisional and did not signal a broader change in its position towards Russia.
"The IOC has to navigate the complex realities and consequences of the current geopolitical context," the IOC spokesperson said on Wednesday.
"The IOC must uphold its mission to preserve a values-based and truly global sporting platform that provides hope to the world."
The spokesperson added that the IOC would continue not to hold events in Russia or invite Russian government officials to its events. No decision has been taken on the use of Russian flags, colours or the national anthem at future Olympics.
The IOC also noted that competitions outside the Olympics fall under the authority of the relevant international federations.
The Olympic body said it had also strengthened the Olympic Charter, requiring National Olympic Committees to ensure athletes selected for the Games are chosen not only on sporting merit but also on their ability to act as role models who promote a peaceful society through sport.
The nine EU countries said allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to international competition overlooked the difficulties faced by Ukrainian athletes, many of whom have been displaced, lost access to training facilities or joined the military.
"Respect for human rights, the rule of law, and peaceful relations between nations are among the core principles underpinning international sport," the countries wrote.
They added that arguments that sport can be separated from politics were difficult to sustain given the human toll of the war in Ukraine.
(Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk and Karolos Grohmann, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
Mac Allister plays for Argentina because that's the country of his birth.
There's no confusing citizenship situation here. Mac Allister has always been Argentine.
His family had moved to the country much before the midfielder was born.
In a 2024 interview, Mac Allister explained the name's roots.
“It’s actually Irish,” Mac Allister explained on that podcast interview. “A couple of months ago I received a letter from my family in Ireland, asking me to go there one day. I would love to.”
The Athletic has also written about Mac Allister's origin, and one of his family members, Joseph McAllister (the spelling changed after the move) came to Argentina in 1865.
Two generations before that, The Athletic writes, the family had made the move from Scotland to Ireland.
So there are roots across the globe for Mac Allister.
Argentina faces England in a World Cup semifinal match that pits soccer great Lionel Messi against the young superstar Jude Bellingham.
The winner will meet Spain, whose defensive prowess and swagger allowed them to clinch a spot in the World Cup final with a 2-0 win against France on Tuesday.
Follow along for live updates, highlights and analysis as the second spot in the World Cup final is decided.
England and Argentina make lineup changes for semifinal
England coach Thomas Tuchel has selected Morgan Rogers to start in place of Noni Madueke on the right wing. Defenders Reece James and Djed Spence also will start, replacing Ezri Konsa and Nico O’Reilly.
For Argentina, coach Lionel Scaloni picked Gio Simeone in midfield over Rodrigo De Paul.
Argentine soccer federation president attends match despite investigation
Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia posted a photo on Instagram of himself sitting next to Argentina stars Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul.
Tapia is under investigation over his assets and the organization’s financial management. He received judicial authorization to travel to the World Cup despite the ongoing probes.
“Here we go again, with hope as our guiding principle, representing an entire nation. More united than ever,” Tapia wrote.
Argentina fans banned from carrying Falklands flags into World Cup match
Argentine Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva has said fans won’t be able to carry some of their flags and banners that incorporate images of the Falkland Islands into the World Cup semifinal match between Argentina and England.
Monteoliva cited FIFA’s code of conduct, which bans politically divisive content. But her comments led to a social media backlash in Buenos Aires.
England reasserted control of the Falklands in a 1982 war with Argentina. Argentines claim the British protectorate as the Malvinas and consider the South Atlantic islands essential to their national identity.
FIFA’s code of conduct also says fans cannot “curse or chant in a political, offensive and/or discriminatory manner.”
But Britain’s top representative in Atlanta has said she expects Argentines to continue with their chants that reference the Malvinas along with soccer greats Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. Consul General Rachel Galloway told Atlanta First News that although fans might sing about those issues, “we find a way to work together.”
Toronto’s World Cup fan festival canceled because of wildfires
Wildfires in Canada forced officials to call off Wednesday’s planned FIFA Fan Festival in Toronto. Thousands of people were expected to be there to watch the England-Argentina match.
“The health and safety of attendees, staff, volunteers, and emergency personnel remains our top priority,” organizers said.
More than 100 wildfires were burning in Canada on Wednesday, with wind pushing smoke southeast. Warnings about unhealthy air extended from Minnesota through Toronto and into New York.
The World Cup final will be in East Rutherford, New Jersey — just outside of New York City — on Sunday.
Argentina’s vice president calls England ‘usurping pirates’
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has tried to play down his country’s clash with England as nothing more than a soccer game.
But some Argentine politicians have not been shy about bringing up longstanding tensions between the countries.
Argentine Vice President Victoria Villarruel described the match as a fight against “usurping pirates.” That’s a reference to England’s control of the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas.
Villarruel shared a photo of an Argentine jersey draped over the grave of a soldier killed in the deadly 10-week Falklands War of 1982. She also made references to Argentine greats Diego Maradona, who led a World Cup quarterfinal victory over England in 1986, and Lionel Messi.
“This isn’t just another match. … It’s the Malvinas, it’s Diego, it’s Leo’s last one, and it’s putting the brakes on the invaders,” she said.
The race for the Golden Boot
Kylian Mbappé, one of the biggest stars of this year’s World Cup and one of the game’s greatest scorers, just couldn’t generate many chances in France’s 2-0 loss to Spain in the semifinals on Tuesday.
Through Tuesday, Mbappé and Lionel Messi remain tied atop the leaderboard with eight goals each. Mbappé, who won the Golden Boot at the last World Cup four years ago in Qatar, holds the first tiebreaker with the edge in assists. Messi has a chance to pull ahead in the race on Wednesday as Argentina faces England.
Both players will then have one more match before the award is decided. France will play the loser of the other semifinal match in the third-place game on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida. Spain will take on the winner in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in the final.
The battle of No. 10s
It’s England vs. Argentina in the World Cup semifinals. It’s also Lionel Messi vs. Jude Bellingham.
The battle of the two No. 10s could be pivotal to deciding Wednesday’s match in Atlanta.
“We know how good Messi is,” England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said of the Argentina great, whose enduring brilliance has been on show again even at the age of 39.
Messi and Bellingham have been inspirational in their teams’ respective runs to the final four. And Wednesday’s match may well be determined by which one has the biggest say on the day.
A first for Lionel Messi
He is already considered by many to be the greatest of all time — the GOAT — and his performances at what is likely his last World Cup, aged 39, have only strengthened that argument. This will be Lionel Messi’s first ever game against England.
If Messi can lead Argentina to the title, he would surpass the great Maradona by winning two World Cups for his country.
Argentina would also become the first back-to-back champion since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
Soccer great Pelé was part of those Brazil teams and also went on to win a third World Cup in 1970.
Spain awaits the winner of Argentina-England
Spain’s Pedro Porro, right, and Spain’s Lamine Yamal celebrate after the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Spain’s defensive prowess and swagger were just too much for an attacking trio led by France great Kylian Mbappé, and just enough to get the 2010 champions into another World Cup final.
The Spanish team managed a record sixth shutout in seven games so far, winning 2-0 in the semifinals Tuesday against one of the most prolific scorers in World Cup history.
Spain will face the winner of Argentina-England on Sunday at New York New Jersey stadium.
Argentina and England resume their fierce rivalry
Argentina and England have plenty of beef on and off the soccer field coming into today’s World Cup semifinal game in Atlanta.
The off-the-field tensions go back to the 1982 conflict over the Falkland Islands while the soccer rivalry also has been intense for decades.
Argentina captain Antonio Rattin, whose death was announced on Saturday, was sent off in a bad-tempered quarterfinal match against winner England in 1966. England manager Alf Ramsey tried to stop his players from swapping shirts with their opponents after a 1-0 victory.
David Beckham was sent off in 1998 for kicking out at Argentina midfielder Diego Simeone, who was predictably criticized by the English media for his reaction to what appeared to be light contact. Argentina won the round of 16 match on penalties.
Beckham got his revenge four years later by scoring a penalty in a 1-0 win that contributed to Argentina being eliminated at the group stage.
How to watch today’s match
Today’s Argentina-England matchup in Atlanta will be at 3 p.m. EDT and available in English on Fox or FS1.
For those who prefer the Spanish broadcast — Telemundo has been a very popular option.
The World Cup’s viewership in the U.S. has been strong throughout the tournament.
Fox reported more than 21.7 million tuned in to watch England’s 3-2 victory in Mexico City on July 5. That topped the previous record of the final between Argentina and France in 2022, which was seen by 16.7 million.
Every match of the tournament has been available for U.S. viewers in English on Fox or FS1, on Telemundo or Universo in Spanish. Streaming options include Fox One and Peacock.
Giuliano Simeone starts for Argentina in their World Cup semi-final against England tonight, offering a throwback to one of the fixture’s most contentious moments.
England and Argentina share a rivalry that is deeper than just the football and until this tournament have not met in a competitive match since the 2002 World Cup.
England and Argentina also played in a controversial last-16 tie at the 1998 World Cup, which saw David Beckham sent off for kicking out at Argentina’s Diego Simeone.
Diego Simeone and David Beckham in the 1998 World Cup last-16 clash (AFP/Getty)
Diego Simeone, the combustible coach of Spanish club Atletico Madrid, is the father of Giuliano Simeone, who is Argentina’s only change for tonight’s semi-final in Atalanta.
Beckham’s red card against Argentina in 1998 came after he fell into Simeone’s trap and was provoked by the midfielder, with the Englishman kicking out at him after a foul.
Beckham was sent off, in the lowest moment of his career, with 10-man England getting knocked out by Argentina on penalties.
Giuliano Simeone, 23, is a winger who plays under his father at Atletico Madrid. He will be making just his second appearance of the World Cup as a replacement for Rodrigo De Paul.
He was born in Rome while his father was playing for Italian club Lazio but grew up in Argentina before moving to Atletico Madrid to be with his father in 2019.
Diego Simeone, who made 108 appearances for his country, has been seen watching Argentina’s matches throughout this World Cup, and was even pictured smiling with Beckham in Miami.
📸 Highway to the final! Why England are 1-0 up before kick-off
Today, the second World Cup finalist will be decided. England and Argentina are battling for the last ticket.
It will come down to those famously notorious details. And in that regard, the Three Lions had already gained the first advantage before kickoff. Or rather, stumbled upon it. Because on the way from their accommodations to the stadium, a curious scene unfolded on the highway in the greater Atlanta area.
The English team bus overtook the Argentine one. Was it a little psychological game by the bus driver? In the end, of course, just a bit of fun. Because, as we all know, what matters is on the pitch!
The Pittsburgh Steelers have big plans for Roman Wilson. Getty
The Pittsburgh Steelers reimagined the wide receiver room this offseason, making roster additions via trade and through the 2026 NFL Draft, but one holdover is drawing rave reviews from the coaching staff.
Former third-round pick Roman Wilson started just four games last season. His role could grow this year. “He’s been here from Day 1,” head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters, including Brooke Pryor of ESPN. “He was one of the first men to reach out and clearly ask what the expectation was of him, how I view him, how I saw him fitting in as the roles X, F and Z. He’s doing the work.”
The Steelers added Michael Pittman in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts. The team also drafted Germie Bernard in the second round, then spent a fourth-round pick on Kaden Wetjen. It’s a much-needed influx of talent for a position corps that lacked talent beyond DK Metcalf last season. Wilson is positioning himself to stand out among the group.
“He’s had a great offseason,” McCarthy said. “I just need him to keep showing up and keep working his tail off because he’s got a skill set, there’s a lot there to work with. Roman’s done a really nice job.”
Pittsburgh Steelers Roster News: Roman Wilson Drawing Praise from Coaches
After appearing in just one game as a rookie, Wilson was slightly more involved this past year. He finished the 2025-26 campaign with 12 catches on 20 targets for 166 yards. Wilson had the best game of his season in Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers, making four grabs for 74 yards and his first career touchdown. He came into the matchup with just four catches on the season. The big outing against the Packers didn’t foreshadow more involvement for Wilson. He did make another TD grab a few weeks later, but managed more than one catch just once the rest of the season.
Pittsburgh selected Wilson out of the University of Michigan with the 84th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. He put together a storied college career with the Wolverines, including a national championship victory in 2023. Injuries cratered Wilson’s first campaign with the Steelers. He missed most of training camp and all of the preseason with an ankle injury. The issue kept him out of action for the first month of the regular season. He finally suited up in Week 6, only to go down with a significant hamstring injury soon after.
Wilson was healthy last season, but often operated behind wideout Calvin Austin III. Pittsburgh also leaned on veterans Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Adam Thielen, and Scotty Miller. A passing offense that focused on tight ends Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Darnell Washington capped the opportunities for the wide receivers.
The incoming wideouts offer plenty of versatility. As Pryor points out, Bernard is one of just two wide receivers in the SEC over the past two seasons to score from all three spots and out of the backfield. Wetjen was a kick return weapon at Iowa. Pittman has played all over the field.
“We’re not shorthanded on pass catchers,” Pittman told reporters back in May.
The Boston Celtics have signed a pair of prospects to Exhibit 10 contracts, according to recent reporting from Spotrac senior contributor Keith Smith. Per Smith, the "Celtics have signed Tucker DeVries and Milos Uzan to Exhibit 10 contracts". Smith also notes that such contracts are non-guaranteed training camp deals.
"After camp the vast majority of (Exhibit 10) signings will end up joining the franchise’s G League affiliate," adds Smith. In this case, that would be the Maine Celtics in Portland. And at least one of Uzan and DeVries has a shot at making a two way spot with Boston after their play with the Sin City Celtics in the NBA's 2026 Las Vegas Summer League.
And, at least for us, that would be Uzan, despite having considerably worse shooting numbers (32 percent from the field overall and 30.8 percent from beyond the arc) than DeVries (41.2 percent and 40 percent, respectively).
Even though his efficiency is a legitimate concern at the G League level, he was a good game settler and connector who rebounds well for his position, as evidenced by the 8.0 points, 4.3 boards, and 5.0 assists per game he logged with the Summer Celtics over three contests.
DeVries, for his part, might also merit a closer look with the 11.0 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game he put up, but likely needs to add some depth to his game to have a real shot at the NBA even as a two way player. Both will have a shot to fight for a two way roll with Boston under these deals, however, so keep your eyes peeled.
Javon Hargrave revealed that Jonathan Gannon played a big role in his decision to sign with the Packers in free agency Getty
The Green Bay Packers didn’t hesitate in March. Hours after the Minnesota Vikings released Javon Hargrave, Green Bay signed the veteran defensive lineman to a two-year, $23 million contract with a $10.5 million signing bonus.
The move reunited Hargrave with new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, hired in February after Jeff Hafley left to become the Miami Dolphins‘ head coach. Gannon ran the Philadelphia Eagles defense during Hargrave’s best seasons, and he handed the 33-year-old a significant role on a unit that will open the season without its biggest star.
With training camp opening July 29, one national analyst has given a warning to Packers fans that they won’t love.
Why Javon Hargrave’s Packers Contract Is Being Called a Gamble
CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards examined Green Bay’s roster ahead of camp and framed the signing as one of the team’s biggest gambles, hoping Hargrave will be “tapping into the fountain of youth.”
The skepticism is rooted in recent production. Hargrave played 16 games with 15 starts for the Vikings in 2025 but finished with 3.5 sacks and six quarterback hits on 53% of the defensive snaps. That came one year after a torn triceps ended his 2024 season three games in with San Francisco.
Lombardi Ave’s John Sbisa acknowledged those concerns, writing that Hargrave’s 2025 season was solid but “a far cry from his Eagles peak.”
He added: “A lackluster season in Green Bay would cast a grim light on the pre- and post-injury divide.”
That peak came under Gannon. From 2021-22, with Gannon coordinating the Eagles defense, Hargrave totaled 18.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss and 34 quarterback hits — the best two-year stretch of his career. He made the Pro Bowl in 2021 and set a career high with 11 sacks in 2022.
Gannon made his stance clear on Hargrave after his signing with the Packers.
“He works his butt off and he’s tough as nails,” the coordinator said of Hargrave, via Forbes. “When we had the ability to acquire him or the chance to acquire him, team-first guy, loves football, smart, and he works his butt off and he’s tough as nails. So, anybody that kind of checks those boxes, you want to acquire them if you can. He checked all those boxes. I’m excited to get back with him.”
Packers Need Javon Hargrave Early With Micah Parsons Out Until October
Green Bay’s pass rush can’t afford a slow start from Hargrave.
Micah Parsons underwent ACL surgery with a meniscus cleanup on December 29, and the team’s nine-month recovery rule pushes his earliest return to mid-October. Parsons is expected to open the year on the physically unable to perform list, making the Week 6 matchup with Dallas on October 18 his realistic debut target.
The interior is thin, too. The Packers sent Kenny Clark to Dallas in the Parsons trade last August and dealt Colby Wooden in the deal that brought linebacker Zaire Franklin from Indianapolis. Devonte Wyatt, meanwhile, broke his fibula and tore an ankle ligament in the Thanksgiving win over Detroit. Wyatt says he will be ready for training camp, but Hargrave’s addition allows Green Bay to ease him back into a full workload rather than rush the recovery.
Hargrave does bring one dependable trait: durability. He has played 15-plus games in nine of his 10 NFL seasons, with the 2024 triceps tear the lone exception.
If he holds up and Gannon can recreate even part of the Philadelphia formula, the signing looks smart by November. If not, the Packers will spend the fall waiting on Parsons while a $23 million bet sits quiet in the middle of their defense.
GOLF Teacher to Watch Chad Gibbs explains how you can shoot low scores without necessarily having your best swing.Getty Images
Most golfers believe they should shoot their handicap — or better — every time they tee it up. Part of golf’s magic is the belief that today could be the day you shoot a personal best. Even when someone tells you to temper your expectations, it rarely quiets the desire to play your absolute best.
One of the most common frustrations golfers express is that they can’t take their range game to the course. They flush shots during practice, only to struggle once the scorecard comes out. But expecting your range game to translate directly to the course, or believing you should beat your handicap every round, is a flawed way of thinking. Looking at your game through a different lens can help you become a more consistent scorer.
One of the biggest misconceptions among golfers is the belief that better ball striking automatically leads to better scoring. There are few feelings in golf better than flushing a shot with the exact ball flight you envisioned. But while improved swing mechanics certainly help, they don’t guarantee lower scores. A more realistic mindset creates a better opportunity for consistent, peak performance.
In any endeavor where countless variables influence the outcome, it’s important to have realistic expectations. I often compare golf to baseball when explaining this to students who love the game. A starting pitcher carries an ERA, while a golfer carries a handicap. The lower the ERA, the better the pitcher. Likewise, the lower the handicap, the better the golfer.
Even if a pitcher has been throwing well recently or has an excellent warm-up, they don’t truly know what kind of “stuff” they have until the game begins. Golf is no different. You may be a low handicap, feel great on the range or be coming off several good rounds, but you won’t know what your game looks like that day until you’re on the course. That’s where competition begins.
Tiger Woods was famous for saying he didn’t have his “A game” on days when he still managed to post excellent scores. Great players don’t rely on having perfect swings; they learn to compete with whatever they have that day. Like a pitcher settling into a game, golfers often need a few holes before they discover what kind of game they brought to the course.
The mistake to avoid is believing you should play well simply because you’ve been playing well, or because the tournament is important. Golf doesn’t reward expectations. It rewards execution. The better approach is to honestly assess what you have that day and build your strategy around it. For example, if you aren’t swinging your best, that may mean taking fewer risks, aiming for larger targets, or focusing on building confidence early in the round instead of forcing great shots.
There are numerous systems that support this type of thinking. Scott Fawcett’s DECADE Golf emphasizes smart strategy and disciplined decision-making based on probabilities rather than emotion. Another effective approach is to earn the right to become more aggressive as the round unfolds, staying patient early in the round and only firing at flags later on once you’ve established you have your best stuff that day.
Golf is ultimately more about playing and competing than producing perfect golf swings. The players who score consistently aren’t always the ones striking it the best. They’re the ones who adapt, make good decisions and compete with the game they have that day.
Learn to compete with what you have, not with what you wish you had. That’s often the difference between chasing great golf and actually playing it.
The 2026 season has presented more challenges for a Chicago Sky franchise that is continually beating back bad PR.
In April, the Sky dealt All-Star forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream for a grand total of two first-round picks. Blossoming All-Star scorer Rickea Jackson has long bee ruled out for the season with an ACL tear. Skylar Diggins has not played for the team since she revealed that she was no longer in the starting lineup.
In a season that is trending toward the lottery, the Sky's brightest spot has been the stellar play of undrafted rookie Sydney Taylor.
Taylor scored 17 points in Wednesday's 95-90 win over the Seattle Storm, as the Sky improved to 8-16 on the year.
In doing so, Taylor became the fourth rookie of the 2026 class to make at least 100 field goals. The wrinkle is that Taylor is the only one who wasn't drafted.
Rookies with 100+ FGM this season:
Azzi Fudd (No. 1 pick) Olivia Miles (No. 2 pick) Flau’jae Johnson (No. 8 pick) Sydney Taylor (undrafted) pic.twitter.com/GUqat1lYZd
The other rookies to make at least 100 shots this season all went inside the first 10 picks of the 2026 draft. They are Azzi Fudd and Olivia Miles -- the top two picks -- as well as Flau'jae Johnson, the eighth selection.
Taylor has scored in double digits for four consecutive games, and she is averaging 13.0 points per game as a rookie. The scoring guard is proving to be a shrewd pickup from a Sky front office that has been bashed for its roster management, and she could well be a vital part of Chicago's latest retool.
In a clip from "The Triple Option" show July 15, Meyer said that an uncalled penalty during an Ohio State field goal attempt prevented the Buckeyes from tying the Nittany Lions.
With OSU up 21-17 with 4:39 remaining in the fourth quarter, Meyer sent out the field goal unit on fourth-and-7 for a 45-yard attempt, but linebacker Marcus Allen blocked Tyler Durbin's kick. Penn State cornerback Grant Haley scooped up the loose ball and returned it to the end zone, turning Ohio State's three-point lead into a Penn State four-point advantage.
"By rule, you can't physically pull the field goal protector out of the way of the guy jumping through," Meyer said.
Meyer was referencing Penn State defensive tackle Ryan Bates, who appears to pull Ohio State offensive lineman Brady Taylor out from the middle of the line. The open space gave Allen a lane to jump up and block the kick.
Now down 21-24, Meyer's team had one more offensive drive to try and tie the score, but Penn State's defense forced the Buckeyes to go for it on fourth-and-23 from their own 29-yard line, and OSU failed to convert.
"I turned it in, and I didn't [expletive] a lot about it," Meyer said. "My fault that we ran the field goal unit on late."
The loss against Penn State was the Buckeyes' only regular-season loss in 2016, costing the team the Big Ten Championship. Penn State beat Wisconsin 38-31 in the conference championship game and lost a month later as the No. 5 seed to No. 9 USC 52-49 in the Rose Bowl.
Despite the loss, Ohio State qualified for the College Football Playoff semifinal as the No. 3 seed. The Buckeyes lost to eventual champion Clemson, the No. 2 seed, in the Fiesta Bowl 31-0.
"They later came back and said it could have been and should have been a penalty, if I remember right," Meyer said. "If they would've thrown that flag, obviously, we win."
Whether or not a penalty should have been called for the reasons Meyer specified, the play definitely would have been illegal a year later. Big Ten Coordinator of Football Officials Bill Carollo spoke at Big Ten media days in 2017 and said that, according to a change in the NCAA's 2017 football rulebook, Allen would have been prohibited from jumping to block the kick after he had already reached the neutral zone.
“Last year, legal. This year, illegal,” Carollo said, in a report by SB Nation.
Before the opening whistle has even blown in England and Argentina's semifinal match, World Cup fans are already complaining that FIFA is rigging the match in Lionel Messi's favor.
The topic of Argentina being the beneficiary of fixed matches has been one of the most talked-about conspiracy theories throughout the soccer world. FIFA hasn't exactly helped quell those theorists after appointing Moroccan-American referee Ismail Elfath to serve as the semifinal match's lead official.
In the past, Messi has reportedly won every match he has played with Elfath serving as the referee in some capacity, including the 2022 World Cup final against France.
Here's the rundown on Elfath, and why many soccer fans believe he's helped Messi in the past.
American referee Ismail Elfath will serve as the referee for the semifinal match between England and Argentina.
Elfath has been a FIFA referee since 2016 and served as the fourth referee during Argentina's 2022 World Cup final win over France. 2022 served as Elfath's first World Cup, debuting in a match between Portugal and Ghana and serving as the referee for a knockout stage match between Japan and Croatia.
At this year's World Cup, Elfath served as the referee for Japan vs. the Netherlands, Uruguay vs. Spain, and Brazil vs. Norway's clash in the Round of 16.
The match officials for @FIFAWorldCup match 102 have been appointed. 🤝
Elfath was born in Morocco and came over to the United States at age 18. He would eventually become a U.S citizen and has been an MLS referee since 2012.
Many World Cup fans complained about FIFA appointing Elfath to officiate the England vs. Argentina match because Messi has found vast success with Morocco native on the pitch. At the 2022 World Cup final, Elfath was the fourth official when Argentina won in a penalty shootout over France, thanks to two Messi goals.
Elfath was also the referee during Inter Miami's 2023 Leagues Cup win, a match that featured Messi scoring before a penalty shootout win over Nashville SC. Elfath has additionally refereed three other MLS wins for Messi.
Where is Ismail Elfath from?
Elfath is originally from Morocco. He moved to America as an 18-year-old after winning a U.S. government-backed diversity visa lottery, according to the BBC.
Elfath was born on March 3, 1982, in Casablanca, Morocco. The 44-year-old has officiated in the MLS since 2012, a tenure in which he has won Referee of the Year twice.
According to various reports, such as Wales Online and NY Sports Day, Messi has never lost a game that has featured Elfath as an official. In five total matches that have featured Elfath as an official, Messi has accumulated a 5-0 record, with four of those matches coming from competition at Inter Miami.
At the 2022 World Cup final, Elfath was the fourth official when Argentina won in a penalty shootout over France, thanks to two Messi goals.
He was also the referee when Inter Miami won the 2023 Leagues Cup, a match that also featured Messi scoring before his team won via a penalty shootout over Nashville SC. Additionally, Elfath has refereed three other MLS wins for Messi.
Is FIFA favoring Argentina?
While the case for FIFA favoring Messi's Argentina seems to grow through everyday, there has been no conclusive evidence of wrongdoing.
Fans began pointing even more fingers toward La Albiceleste after news broke reporting that the national team was under investigation by the FBI for money laundering and fraud in the U.S. According to CBS Sports, at least $260 million has gone through America's financial system, along with an additional $57 million in transfers that do not have a clear purpose.
Argentina has also been getting carded at a lower frequency compared to other teams in the tournament. Here is a look at where they ranked among teams in the quarterfinals:
🚨 How often do teams playing in World Cup quarterfinals get booked:
🏴 England - Card per every 7 fouls 🇲🇦 Morocco - Card per every 9,8 fouls 🇧🇪 Belgium - Card per every 10 fouls 🇨🇭 Switzerland - Card per every 11,5 fouls 🇫🇷 France - Card per every 12,2 fouls 🇳🇴 Norway - Card… pic.twitter.com/UMhGpm9lcq
Venezia unveil new 2026-27 shirt designed by Drake label NOCTA
Venezia unveiled their home jersey for the 2026/27 season upon their return to Serie A, designed by club co-owner Drake’s NOCTA label, with promise of further streetwear options.
The Lagunari have been promoted back to the top flight after winning the 2025-26 Serie B title.
Venezia release home shirt for new season
Venezia home jersey for the 2026/27 season
They are celebrating the comeback with a mainly black shirt that showcases the club’s unusual and iconic orange and green bands across the chest.
There are also orange and green accents along the collar, and on the sleeves.
As part of this collaboration, the club and NOCTA will also release a series of training, travel, fanwear and streetwear items throughout the course of the campaign.
Kappa had been the kit designers for the Stadio Penzo side until the announcement in February that NOCTA were taking over.
Norwegian Waerenskjold said it was the biggest win of his career [Getty Images]
Soren Waerenskjold caught the big guns by surprise with a long-range sprint to win the fastest-ever stage of the Tour de France.
Racing in his fourth Tour, the 26-year-old Norwegian claimed his first stage win and just the second for his team, Uno-X Mobility.
Overall race leader Tadej Pogacar remains three minutes and 36 seconds ahead of Jonas Vingegaard in the general classification standings.
The peloton completed stage 11 at an average speed of 50.9km per hour, beating the previous record of 50.3kph from 1999.
A sprint finish was expected on Wednesday, a flat 161.3km route from Vichy to Nevers, and Cees Bol made the first move as the peloton rolled into the final 500m after catching the day's breakaway.
But team-mate Olav Kooij did not follow and as the riders hesitated, Waerenskjold sneaked through a gap beside the barriers to launch a counter-attack with 400m remaining.
He charged past Bol, before Kooij and Jasper Philipsen set off in pursuit, but they had left themselves too much to do as Waerenskjold won by almost a bike's length from Kooij.
Philipsen crossed the line third but was relegated for moving in the sprint, with Milan Fretin promoted to the podium.
Waerenskjold, who was second to Tim Merlier on stage seven, said: "I thought I was too far back and then it opened up on the right side, like it usually doesn't do.
"I saw Cees Bol had a gap and I tried to sprint up to him and hold a little bit back to go from his wheel.
"Then I saw there were 250 to go. I was just waiting for the same thing to happen when Merlier passed me, but it didn't happen this time.
"It's surreal, it's unbelievable," he added. "It means everything, it's my biggest win so far.
"I just have to let it sink in and then I will probably be more happy than I look now, but it's a big surprise for myself."
Big guns still looking to find target
Waerenskjold was the last rider to cross the line on Tuesday's mountain stage having suffered a nasty crash on Bastille Day.
But he managed to regroup on an almost pan-flat route through central France, with favourable winds making the record pace possible, to upset the likes of previous green jersey winners Philipsen and Biniam Girmay.
"There are two or three guys here who are faster, but if I'm lucky and have a good sprint, like today, then it's possible," Waerenskjold added.
"Sometimes I have really good confidence, and I believe in myself, but there is many, many times where I feel super tired and like it's impossible to win here.
"It's crazy that it happened today, also after the crash. I felt really [not good] in the start, but then my body got going, and I felt better in the final with the adrenaline and everything."
Waerenskjold's stage win adds to an impressive Tour so far for Uno-X, with team-mate Torstein Traeen having worn the yellow jersey for two days in the opening week.
But the sprint stars are yet to shine. Philipsen and Girmay have 13 Tour stage wins between them but have so far failed to add to that tally this year, with Merlier (two) and Kooij winning the other sprint-friendly finishes.
With Thursday's stage also flat and looking likely to be a sprint finish, the big guns have another chance to break their drought tomorrow.
Who was the Greater Fall River area's top high school female athlete in 2025-26? The Herald News is letting readers have a say in the winner in the Fan's Choice poll.
Area athletes put on a display all season and stood out from the rest. It's time to give them the recognition they deserve.
Supporters of the schools — Atlantis Charter, Joseph Case, Diman, Durfee, Somerset Berkley and Westport — and student-athletes can visit heraldnews.com to vote for the person of their choosing.
Voting will conclude July 22 with the winner announced here and X (formerly known as Twitter). Vote early and often.
Here's a look at the nominees for the Female Athlete of the Year:
Herald News and Taunton Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @Chezsports and TikTok @ssanchezsports
The Major League Baseball draft hurt the Auburn Tigers as two of their infield stars and a high school signee were selected. Auburn baseball is working to rebuild its infield by adding a player from the transfer portal late in the cycle.
Sheff, a native of Las Vegas, hit .295 for the Rebels last season with nine home runs, 38 RBI, and five stolen bases. He recorded multiple hits in 14 games last season. He reached a season-high four hits against Washington State on April 19, one day after recording three hits against the Cougars. Sheff also smashed two of his nine home runs in a road game at Northwestern on March 8.
Auburn second baseman Chris Rembert and third baseman Eric Guevara were both selected during the 2026 MLB Draft that took place last weekend, as was high school signee Jace Matacynski. The Tigers return shortstop Brandon McCraine and first baseman Ethin Bingaman for 2027, and will look to fit Sheff and Iowa transfer Ben Swails into the mix.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
There is no denying the Alabama Crimson Tide have a number of question marks surrounding the roster entering the 2026 season. Even in spite of that, the program could still be good enough to compete for a national title this fall.
Entering Year 3 of the Kalen DeBoer era, Alabama is in an interesting spot roster-wise as it approaches fall camp. The Crimson Tide boast a team that features a number of experienced veterans, as well as some newer faces who have yet to break out at the collegiate level.
Alabama is also tasked with replacing a number of prominent starters on both sides of the ball, including at quarterback, the offensive line, and others.
There are some unknowns regarding just how good Alabama can be in 2026, though. Yes, the Crimson Tide could struggle at times, particular early in the season, but they could also be one of college football's best this fall, finding themselves making a deep run toward a title in the College Football Playoff.
Taking a look at the Crimson Tide's roster in particular, here are three reasons why Alabama could make a deep CFP run toward a national title in 2026, as well as three reasons why they might not.
Why: Alabama secondary might be college football's best
Alabama boasted one of college football's top secondaries a year ago, and with all five starters from the end of last season returning in 2026, there is certainly reason to believe the Crimson Tide's defensive back room could be the best in the country. Among that position group, Bray Hubbard, Zabien Brown, and Keon Sabb are all marquee names in college football, and the same will likely happen for both Dijon Lee Jr. and Red Morgan in 2026, if they aren't already there.
Why Not: Alabama offensive line too big of an unknown
While there is no denying the amount of talent the unit has, the Crimson Tide's offensive line is still a huge unknown entering the fall due to lack of starting experience. Time will only tell the impact that could have in 2026. A group that returns only one starter in Michael Carroll, Alabama's offensive line will have to improve in 2026 if the Crimson Tide wish to contend for a title.
Why: Quarterback can be difference-maker for Tide
In today's college football, elite play at the quarterback position is required to win a national title more times than not, and there is potential for Alabama to receive just that this fall. There is a bit of an unknown surrounding both Austin Mack and Keelon Russell due to lack of starting experience, but both have ample talent and will have a deep wide receiver room to work with. That should put the Crimson Tide in a good spot no matter who wins the starting job.
Why Not: Tide counting on huge bounce back from run game
Alabama's running game last season was one of the program's worst, ranking next to last in the SEC at an average of 104.1 yards per game. The Crimson Tide have made some additions to the group like top freshman EJ Crowell, and there is certainly reason to believe the unit could have a bounce-back 2026 campaign, but they will also be doing so behind a brand new offensive line. That makes it a huge unknown.
Why: Alabama's pass rush should be elite
Similar to strong quarterback play, an impactful pass rush can go a long way in making a team a contender, as we've seen with past Alabama title-winning teams. The Crimson Tide's unit this fall should be elite. Leading the way will be one of college football's best pass rushers in Yhonzae Pierre, while Justin Hill and South Carolina transfer Desmond Umeozulu are also featured in a group that should be very impactful.
Why Not: Inexperience at inside linebacker for Tide
Lastly, there's another position where starting experience is a question mark for the Crimson Tide, and it comes at one of the most important on defense: inside linebacker. Caleb Woodson, a transfer from Virginia Tech, could be a key player in 2026, but the Crimson Tide will need someone to emerge like QB Reese, Cayden Jones or Luke Metz, among others.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
Even elite NFL players, starters and award-winners at their positions- and therefore among the premier athletes on the planet- get starstruck, just like the rest of us. Sometimes it's by guys who do the exact same job.
A perfect example played out this week at the OL Masterminds Summit held in Frisco and hosted by offensive line guru Duke Manyweather. The annual event, now in its ninth year, brings together the game's current top offensive linemen and adds some of the best to ever do it for an intensive, hands-on clinic meant to raise the level of play across the board for guards, tackles, and centers of every team.
And everyone in attendance, it seemed, had someone else they were hoping to meet. Cowboys right tackle Terence Steele, for example, explained that he was looking forward to spending some time with the Eagles' Lane Johnson.
For Quinn Meinerz, it was Cowboys legend Zack Martin.
Meinerz, of course, isn't just some random fanboy. The sixth-year Broncos guard is himself a two-time first-team All-Pro, one of the 10 highest-earning guards in the league, and was a finalist for the NFL Protector of the Year award last season.
But when he learned Martin, the nine-time Pro Bowler who retired after the 2024 season, would be leading some of the content at this year's summit, Meinerz came prepared. A video shared on social media shows Meinerz autographing one of his jerseys and presenting it to Martin in what was a very cool moment for both players.
"I wanted to give you one of my jerseys," he tells Martin. "We never got to do a proper jersey swap."
#QuinnMeinerz (@Broncos) never got to swap with Zack Martin @thegob70 before he retired from the @dallascowboys . So they made it happen at OL Masterminds. This is what it's all about!
9x All-Pro meets 2x First-Team All-Pro. One generation honoring another. Who would you swap… pic.twitter.com/ZZ7iMfx983
Martin was clearly touched by the gesture, commenting on Meinerz's selection of the Broncos' "Orange Crush" throwback jersey and promising to return the favor with a signed Cowboys No. 70 from his own closet.
That brotherhood and camaraderie shared by offensive linemen is unique in the NFL, and a big part of why events like the OL Masterminds Summit have become so successful.
Speaking with D Magazine's Mike Piellucci and Mike Marshall at this year's gathering, Martin explained how simply being around established, top-notch offensive linemen after he joined the Cowboys as a first-round draft pick in 2014 accelerated his own growth and raised the standard for the entire group.
"I tell people all the time: what we had in our room, we had a ton of competition. Inter-room competition," Martin said on the StrongSide podcast. "When you're in there and you're watching Tyron Smith and Travis [Frederick] and Ron Leary and Doug [Free], all these guys, it's like, 'Man, I've got to do my job. I've got to pick it up a little bit; these guys are killing people.' I think the inter-competition we had in our room really brought the best out of everyone."
That's what the Masterminds Summit is doing now for linemen from all 32 locker rooms.
Not to mention giving some of them, like Quinn Meinerz, a chance to meet their heroes.
Heading into the 2026 season, few players will face more attention than Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer. The Sooners' quarterback arrived in Norman with massive expectations after a breakout season for the Washington State Cougars.
Mateer threw for 2,885 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, while rushing for 431 yards and eight scores. However, those overall numbers don't tell the full story of Mateer's first season in Norman. The first four games, he threw for 1,215 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions, while rushing for 190 yards and five scores. In the eight games following that, he threw for 1,670 yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions, while rushing for 241 yards and three scores.
The big factor behind the split was the thumb injury he suffered on his throwing hand during the fourth game of the season. The biggest question entering 2026 is whether the injury was the primary reason for his struggles or if the increased level of competition also played a role. On3's J.D. PicKell believes a healthy Mateer will be the key to unlocking Oklahoma's offense this season.
"Y'all know how I feel about John Mateer," PIcKell said. "There are so many takes out there about what he wasn't when he had the thumb injury. Hey, if he's playing like he was in September a year ago, if the vibes from the Manning Passing Academy carry over to this year, Oklahoma is going to be good on offense."
Mateer's 2026 season will likely determine how high Oklahoma's ceiling can be. The Sooners have one of the best defenses in college football, but to compete for championships in the SEC, they will need consistent production from their quarterback. If the version of Mateer from the beginning of last season returns, Oklahoma could have the offensive weapon it needs to complement its elite defense.
The questions surrounding his injury and late-season struggles will remain until he proves otherwise, but a healthy Mateer has the talent to change the entire outlook of the Sooners' season.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.
ATLANTA (AP) — Lionel Messi faces England in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday with the chance to move clear of Kylian Mbappé in the race for the golden boot.
Messi and Mbappé are tied on eight goals for the tournament. Messi is also the all-time top scorer in World Cups with 21 goals.
Stopping him is the biggest challenge for England in Atlanta.
“It’s just incredible his campaign, this tournament, how he carries that team, it’s just absolutely incredible,” England coach Thomas Tuchel said of Messi. “There are no words ... left for this kind of achievement, the responsibility and the quality that he shows again in this tournament.”
At the age of 39 this could be Messi's last World Cup and he could surpass Argentina great Diego Maradona by winning the trophy for a second time after victory in Qatar in 2022. Maradona led his country to the title in 1986 and was runner-up four years later.
Argentina is aiming to become the first team to win back-to-back titles since Brazil in 1958 and 62.
England's star players Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are also in contention for the golden boot with six goals each.
Despite France losing to Spain in the semifinals, Mbappé could still add to his goals tally if he plays in the third-place match against England or Argentina.
In a move rarely seen in the middle of a season, the Texas Rangers are changing streaming partners effective immediately.
According to a report by Dallas Morning News reporter Evan Grant, the Rangers will be dropping their streaming partnership with Victory+, which has offered a full-season streaming subscription for in-market Rangers fans since last season for a price of $100, and will switch to a startup platform called BZZR beginning with this Friday’s game against the Atlanta Braves. The move was reportedly made out of concern for Victory+’s ability to fulfill its financial obligations to the team.
Per Grant, all subscribers that had bought packages on Victory+ will have their accounts transferred over to BZZR. The move will not impact the linear distribution of Rangers Sports Network on cable and satellite services like DirecTV.
“It is unfortunate that this switch in direct-to-consumer distributors was necessary, but the decision was made in the best interest of both the Rangers and our fans,” Rangers Sports Media and Entertainment Company chairman Neil Leibman said in a statement.
The Rangers’ decision paints a grim picture for Victory+, a nascent streaming service that has staked its claim in an all-out effort to court MLB, NBA, and NHL teams to place local broadcasts on the platform. In most markets, Victory+ has introduced a free streaming model in which games are broadcast in front of a paywall and revenue is generated through advertising. The Rangers, with their $100 per season subscription, were an exception. The Dallas Stars, however, chose the free model. Per Grant, no changes have been made regarding the Stars’ local broadcast plans for next season.
Victory+ has reportedly been in the mix to secure local broadcast rights to some of the 13 NBA teams that were previously under contract with Main Street Sports Group, owner of the now-defunct FanDuel Sports Networks. So far, the streamer has not struck deals with any of those teams. Per Sports Business Journal, potential deals with the Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, and Minnesota Timberwolves all fell through after Victory+ failed to secure new financing. The three former Main Street clubs that have already announced local broadcast arrangements for next season have all chosen to partner with over-the-air broadcast networks.
If Victory+’s finances are as dire as the Rangers seem to believe, it’s difficult to envision any of the 10 remaining NBA teams looking for local broadcast solutions to choose to partner with the platform.
MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 29: Defensive end Ryan Davis #52 of the Kansas State Wildcats celebrates after a defensive stop against the Colorado Buffaloes in the first half at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Remaining Eligibility: 4-5* years (*if 5 to play 5 goes into effect or he redshirts)
Status: Preferred Walk-On
Aidan O’Neill (b. Nov. 18, 2007) is a freshman walk-on kicker from Michigan who plans on majoring in business administration. While I expect him to redshirt*, he is still likely to be the backup field goal kicker.
O’Neill prepped under head coach Justin Pintar at Clarkston (Mich.) High School, where he ranked No. 29 nationally among kickers in the Class of 2026 by Kohl’s Kicking. (Follow this link to view his camp highlights.)
Some positive comments I noted from the Kohl’s evaluators that should give us hope for the future:
O’Neill competed at the 2025 Midwest Showcase Camp in May. He scored 12/15 points on field goals and 106.25 points on kickoffs at the event. His drill work was again at the D1 level. … His “A” ball is elite! At the December 2024 Midwest Showcase Camp he won the field goal and kickoff competition at the event. He scored 110.95 points on kickoffs and 12/15 points on field goals and has made a big jump in his repeatability!
At the National Scholarship Camp he scored an impressive 27/36 points on field goals and 100.47 points on kickoffs. He has D1 tools and the next year will be an important time of development for O’Neill. He had another strong showing at the 2024 Kohl’s Midwest Spring Showcase. He showed improved command of his “A” ball on field goals and has increased his leg strength since this past winter. He scored 12/15 points in the field goal charting and produced a kickoff score of 99.70. His field goals are elite and if he can raise his kickoffs to the same level, he should continue to develop his overall ability as a college prospect.
Named to the Detroit Free Press Dream Team as a junior in addition to earning all-regional honors, O’Neill was a two-time all-state performer who finished his career going 13 of 20 on field goals and 85 of 89 on extra points, with each of his misses coming from blocked kicks, and also recorded 101 touchbacks during his prep career.
He walked on at K-State over interest from (and attending kicking camps at) Boston College, Cincinnati, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State and Nebraska. (And he can squat 455 pounds!)
*Keep in mind that starting this season, redshirted players can play in up to nine total games and retain their year of eligibility. If the 5-for-5 rule survives its court challenges, that number goes from nine to “all of them.”
It’s that time of year, Mountain West enthusiasts. Your favorite column of predictions that will inevitably be brought up in a few months to show us how wrong we were.
The over/under guessing game is back once again for 2026. If you want to take a look at the 2025 version to see if we were right or wrong, you can check that out here. Below are the current over/underbetting lines for each Mountain West team via the good people at FanDuel. Look at each team’s over/under for wins, with some thoughts on each. Feel free to share your own thoughts in the comments section.
AIR FORCE
O/U: 6.5 Wins
The Case For: Head Coach Troy Calhoun has never had three consecutive losing seasons in his 20 years with the Falcons. That is likely why the program’s win total jumped from 5.5 to 6.5 from 2025 to this upcoming season, even though they finished last year with a record of 4-8.
Your typical Air Force-style offense of running opponents over will be back in full display once again, coming off a season where they were third in the nation in rushing.
This increase in win total may also come from the new look for the MWC, in which a lot of Air Force’s losses from 2025 came from teams no longer in town, potentially opening the door for better success in 2026.
The Case Against: Defense, Defense, Defense.
Air Force allowed more than 30 points in five of their eight losses last year, including a five-game losing skid in which four games included the Falcons giving up 44 points or more.
This is now a more experienced group heading into 2026, but that is about it in terms of positive signs for this defensive unit. Pairing this with a talented but hit-or-miss offense play style, I could see the Falcons getting to 6-6 at best, but not past the 6.5 mark.
Prediction: Under
HAWAII
O/U: 7.5 Wins
Case For: The Rainbow Warriors are back after a 2025 season to remember.
Head Coach Timmy Chang found his first winning season at the helm, as Hawaii finished 9-4 with an exhilarating bowl victory against Cal.
Most of this success can be attributed to quarterback Micah Alejado, who became the first Hawaii player to earn Freshman of the Year honors.
Alejado is back on the island and ready for his sophomore campaign. It feels like the sky is the limit for Chang and Co., especially now in what is a less daunting Mountain West.
Case Against: Was 2025 just lightning in a bottle?
Few questions remain after transfer changes and a search for more stability in the trenches. It was a season to remember, but it remains just one winning season in the last five seasons.
Through it all, the Rainbow Warriors survived an offseason without taking major hits in the portal, adding and replacing as needed. Eight wins are definitely on the table.
Prediction: Over
NEVADA
O/U: 4.5 Wins
Case For: The Wolfpack haven’t found their stride since the turn of the decade, including finishing 3-9 in 2025.
That being said, there are some spark notes to potentially get excited about heading into 2026.
Luke Duncan comes in from UCLA, looking to help at QB for an offense that was very much lackluster last season.
Adding new faces to a roster with the likes of Dylan LaBarbera and DJ Asiasi, it feels like Reno’s own is due to find their footing this year.
Case Against: As MWC’s own Dominic Gutierrez said in his Nevada tight end breakdown, there are plenty of “exciting question marks”.
That could be a good slogan for the entire program. There is talent here and there are intriguing new faces, but is there too much left up in the air to make a substantial change?
I think the Pack will benefit from the new look conference, but that still leaves the ceiling around 5-6 wins, leaving me to opt for the under.
Prediction: Under
NEW MEXICO
O/U: 8.5 Wins
Case For: It is hard not to buy into what Jason Eck is building with the Lobos. In just his first season as head coach, he led UNM to their first winning season since 2016. A nine win year is rarified air in Albuquerque.
An outstanding jump on the defensive side of the ball from 2024 to 2025 led to instant success, just short of a Mountain West title game appearance.
Jaxton Eck headlines a linebacker core and defense that looks to bring the same energy to 2026.
Questions remain if Jack Layne or Luke Moga will end up leading the Lobos throughout this year under center, but either option is solid in what the Lobos did so well last year: be serviceable and complementary to their defense.
In a lighter Mountain West, who says the Lobos can’t dominate once again?
Case Against: Four one score victories for UNM turned what could have been a 5-7 season to a 9-4 year.
Is this sustainable? Is this “Eck Magic” or just a one-year pot of gold?
Whatever you may think, first-season magic can leave doubts for any program heading into the sequel.
An achilles heel of needing to run the ball, a shoddy pass defense and the exit of tight end Dorian Thomas are all reasons to potentially be wary.
But don’t scream yet, Lobo fans. I think this is a conference championship contending squad, as a November visit from the Rebels and an October trip to the island to play the Rainbow Warriors will tell us a lot, but I just don’t think I can stamp nine wins on the cherry red just yet, hovering around eight wins.
That could be about as warm a welcome as NIU will get in their MW debut.
It’s a blank slate heading into 2026, coming off a 3-9 season and a new coach in Interim Rob Harley.
While it seems daunting, it could also be positive, looking to reinvent Husky football.
An offense that definitely needs reinventing will need Telly Johnson to lead the way. Johnson ran for 712 yards last season, averaging 5.7. All they need is Brady Danielson or Jalen Macon to be complementary to such a run game.
On defense, the pass defense looks to be strong again, with Harley formerly being the defensive coordinator and a reloaded depth chart after the portal.
Case Against:
An interim coach with a team that lacks identity and scoring, joining a new conference?
Rowing up stream with no paddle, and then falling out of the canoe with no life jacket.
This roster does sport talent, but they will likely be underdogs in just about every game. NIU is the one MW team that will be facing a tougher conference schedule, moving from the MAC.
A big part of this is the travel schedule. DeKalb and San Jose aren’t exactly neighboring…
I think we will see some competitive battles, but it will be nothing more than that.
Prediction: Under
NORTH DAKOTA STATE
O/U: 8.5 Wins
Case For: North Dakota State has yet to play a Mountain West snap, but has already generated quite the buzz across the conference.
Well known as an FCS power, the Bison has finally made the move to FBS, with many talents in green and yellow making preseason lists and watch lists ahead of this fall.
Names like Donovan Woolen and Nathan Hayes highlight this bunch from the north, do they need to reinvent themselves at a new level?
If anything, it should be more of the same.
Battling in the trenches, running the ball and talent on defense has been the name of the game for the Bison through their FCS dominance. Why change now?
Case Against: You need your skill players in a move like this to the FBS, and for the Bison, that is a department that has recently been flushed.
A lot of exits on offense leave a lot of “maybes” for their scoring production, on top of handling their first ever 11 game FBS slate.
This schedule includes road games against UNLV, New Mexico and Hawaii, which is quite the gauntlet as the top three conference favorites. I see NDSU performing and being a good watch this season, hunting for a bowl, but I don’t think they cross 8.5 victories.
Prediction: Under
SAN JOSE STATE
O/U: 5.5 Wins
Case For: The state of California feels a bit empty after the MW/PAC split, but can the Spartans fill the void on the golden coast?
A 3-9 2025 record and a mass exodus of players from last year make it feel like the SJSU left the party along with their former in-state foes, but instead of heading to the PAC, they entered a fog.
Doom and gloom aside, senior quarterback Luke Weaver enters the fray as a potential light, looking to lead names like Sacramento State transfer receiver Jordan Anderson and Penn State transfer Anthony Ivey.
Weaver’s short, but successful glimpses at Hawaii last season leave the QB position better than the Spartans found it in 2025.
If this rag-tag bunch can piece it together behind him, they definitely could find themselves hunting for bowl eligibility in the new MW.
Case Against: Rag-tag roster, or island of misfit toys?
The talent is certainly on the table, but a lack of experience with basically a whole new group entering the program leaves me doubtful this fall.
Making plays when needed and holding onto leads is where SJSU struggled last season, and with not many veterans to try and rectify these wrongs, it may lead to another year of late game slips and victories turned losses.
This is a squad that is better than 3-9, but not by much, leaving them under the 5.5 mark.
Prediction: Under
UNLV
O/U: 8.5 Wins
Case For: If you ask most people, they will say it is UNLV’s conference to lose this season.
Rightfully so.
Headlined by the addition of Jackson Arnold to the QB position, the Rebels have acquired a lot of talent this past season.
There was a lot of turnover as well in the portal, but Dan Mullen’s additions have seemed to glare over that footnote.
Jai’Den Thomas does return, and he will be a pivotal piece, as the preseason all-conference first team running back rushed for over 1,000 yards last season.
Defense has always been a bit shaky since Mullen came to Sin City, but new faces like Cam Santee and Herb Gray could hopefully settle down those qualms.
Case Against:
I like the defensive additions and eye candy that UNLV has brought to the 2026 table.
But, reliability remains a question in the trenches.
Seven of the top nine tacklers from last season’s time are now gone, in a year where the Rebels allowed 28 points per game, including a 10th-ranked rush defense in conference.
The 2025 defensive page includes some crooked and ugly numbers for a team that was conference title game bound. I am not sure how sustainable that formula can be, as Mullen and Co. will look for the unit to take a major leap forward in 2026.
Still, in a weaker conference now, I think the Rebels talent and new faces will prevail.
Prediction: Over
UTEP
O/U: 3.5 Wins
Case For: It won’t be a warm welcome either for the newcoming Miners.
Coming off a 2-10 season before heading into the MW, on top of a total overhaul heading into 2026, people remain low on this El Paso crew.
However, one bright spot in Scotty Walden’s three seasons at the helm: recruiting. A very valuable asset in UTEP’s current situation.
UTEP owns the 4th best 2026 recruiting class in the Mountain West, according to 247 Sports.
Names like Kane White-Tinsley and Bodey Weaver highlight this class, adding potential to the outlook of this program. When you hit rock bottom, the only way to go is up, right?
Case Against: That climb from rock bottom may have to wait another season, as 2026 doesn’t look to be the coming out party for UTEP.
A team that lacks identity on offense will need new faces like EJ Colson to help lead the charge, on top of returns such as Kam Thomas.
Their defense features some standouts, but is it enough to get excited about when the non-conference slate features Michigan, Oklahoma and Oregon State, on top of tough conference battles versus Hawaii, at NDSU and New Mexico?
I’m not quite sure.
Prediction: Under
WYOMING
O/U: 5.5 Wins
Case For:Wyoming finds itself kind of in no man’s land for this new era of the Mountain West. (Fitting for a team from Laramie).
Early success this decade was quickly followed by the exit of Craig Bohl and now two losing seasons under Jay Sawvel.
That being said, this could be the Cowboys time to pounce.
A new look on offense starts with William & Mary transfer Tyler Hughes and returning running back Samuel Harris, adding quickness that Wyoming lacked last season, along with former Buffalo Bill coordinator Christian Taylor now with the ‘Boys as OC.
A new style of offense could finally reward a defense that has been sturdy, with Sawvel being a defensive mind, as the unit was overlooked by the offense’s inability to score.
Diore Hubbard and Eric Richardson are names that should also help reinvent the offense, and hopefully invent a way to put points on the board (to the relief of all Wyoming fans).
Case Against: Everything starts at the line of scrimmage, and that is where question marks remain for Wyoming.
Lack of experience and new faces litter both the offensive and defensive lines, making the countability of these units yet to be seen.
Hughes and Co. are here to revamp the offense, but if they don’t have protection or time, then what is the point?
A favorable schedule, especially late in the season, should still help the boys from Laramie get back to the bowl conversation, likely finishing around 6-6.
Prediction: Over
Your turn: Are you taking the over or the under for each Mountain West team this season?
Every NFL fan loves a good roster-building exercise, but this one comes with a twist. Imagine you’re tasked with constructing the ultimate Los Angeles Rams offense using only $15. Sounds easy until you realize that some of the greatest players in franchise history come with premium price tags. If you didn’t participate in last week’s offensive edition, be sure to make your squad: Build a Rams offense on a $15 budget.
The rules are simple. You must build a complete defensive unit consisting of:
1 Defensive Lineman
1 Edge Rusher
1 Linebacker
2 Defensive Backs
The challenge? You only have $15 to spend.
There may not be a single correct answer to building the ultimate Rams defense, but that’s exactly what made this $15 budget challenge so entertaining. Every selection forced a difficult decision, especially at the top of the board. Do you spend $5 on Aaron Donald, arguably the most dominant defensive player of his generation, or do you build around Deacon Jones, the legendary lineman who defined “the sack”? Choosing one means passing on another all-time great, and that’s before considering icons like Merlin Olsen, Jack Youngblood, and Dick “Night Train” Lane.
The challenge became even tougher once the budget started disappearing. Spending big on one superstar often meant searching for hidden value in the $2 and $1 tiers, where several players offered tremendous production for a fraction of the cost. That balancing act is what separated one roster from another, with fans taking completely different approaches depending on whether they valued pass rush, run defense, linebacker play, or the secondary.
One player who could be viewed as slightly overvalued is Jack Youngblood at $5. There’s no question he belongs among the greatest Rams defenders ever, but with so many elite defensive linemen available in the same price tier, some fans may prefer to allocate those dollars elsewhere and look for value at edge rusher.
On the other hand, Robert Quinn may be one of the biggest bargains on the board at just $1. A former All-Pro who recorded a 19-sack season and ranks among the franchise’s best pass rushers, Quinn gives budget-conscious players an opportunity to invest heavily at other positions without completely sacrificing production off the edge.
Ultimately, there wasn’t a wrong answer. Every roster reflected a different philosophy, and every fan likely walked away wishing they had just one more dollar to spend. That’s what made this Rams defense challenge so much fun: it celebrated decades of defensive greatness.
Who did you end up selecting for your Defense? List your five players in the chat below!
Jonathan Cannon 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K David Sandlin 5 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 3 K Mason Adams 4 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 4 BB, 5 K Zach Franklin 4 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 2 K Shane Smith 4 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 K
After back-to-back 2-4 series, the Knights took a step in the right direction with a series split against the Sounds (53-40).
Outfielder Nolan Jones, 28, was seeing the ball very well all week. Jones went 8-for-22 with three homers, a double, a walk, and 12 RBIs. The White Sox acquired Jones from Cleveland in exchange for cash considerations on June 11, and so far, Jones is slashing .230/.311/.494 in 25 games with the Knights. Jones has played 349 MLB games, and at the top level, he has slashed .247/.336/.396 (95 wRC+) and has accumulated 2.7 fWAR. Jones played for the Guardians at the top level for most of the 2025 season, but he has not appeared in the majors in 2026. If Jones has more weeks like this, he will have a strong case for a promotion.
2026 Charlotte Knights Players of the Week Korey Lee (March 27-April 5) Oliver Dunn (April 6-12) Shane Smith (April 13-19) Jarred Kelenic (April 20-26) Oliver Dunn (April 27-May 3) LaMonte Wade Jr.(May 4-10) Jacob Gonzalez(May 11-17) LaMonte Wade Jr.(May 18-24) Jacob Gonzalez(May 25-31) Braden Montgomery(June 1-7) Ryan Galanie(June 8-14) Kyle Teel(June 15-21) Korey Lee(June 22-28) Caden Connor(June 29-July 5) Nolan Jones(July 6-12)
Barons Player of the Week Dylan Campbell .368/.400/.632, 3-for-3 stolen bases, 19 at-bats
Alec Briley .280/.333/.440, 0-for-1 stolen bases, 25 at-bats Anthony DePino .227/.320/.455, 22 at-bats Boston Smith .278/.381/.611, 1-for-1 stolen bases, 18 at-bats Caleb Bonemer .235/.316/.412, 17 at-bats T.J. McCants .333/.333/.417, 2-for-2 stolen bases, 12 at-bats Colby Shelton .150/.150/.350, 1-for-1 stolen bases, 20 at-bats Samuel Zavala .214/.353/.286, 0-for-1 stolen bases, 14 at-bats
Dylan Cumming 6 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 6 K Gabe Davis 6 2/3 IP, 8 ER, 10 H, 4 BB, 7 K Lucas Gordon 5 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K Jake Palisch 4 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 4 K Jackson Kelley 3 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, 7 K
The Barons failed to keep the good vibes rolling after their 4-2 week, as they went 1-5 against the Clingstones (40-42).
Outfielder Dylan Campbell, 24, was on fire, going 7-for-19 with a homer, two doubles, a walk, and three stolen bases without being caught. The White Sox acquired Campbell from the Phillies in the Derek Hill trade on June 11. Through 24 games in the organization, all with the Barons, Campbell is slashing .233/.347/.372. Campbell got off to a slow start to the season, but he has been gradually trending in the right direction lately, and he could not be stopped this week.
Jake Curtis 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K Grant Umberger 5 2/3 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 4 H, 1 BB, 3 K Max Banks 5 IP, 2 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 2 K Justin Sinibaldi 5 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 6 BB, 3 K Drew McDaniel 4 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 6 K
The Dash picked up another series split, with this one taking place in Asheville against the Tourists (30-56).
Ryan Burrowes, 21, who plays many positions, was magnificent against the Tourists, finishing 11-for-26 with four homers, a double, five walks, five steals in six attempts, and six RBIs. Burrowes, who is flexible defensively but who has played at second more than any other position this year, is slashing .265/.387/.421. Burrowes has taken a major stride forward at the plate compared to 2025 (.255/.342/.355) and an even larger stride compared to 2024 (.220/.308/.260), when he had hardly any power to speak of. In 194 games across 2024 and 2025, Burrowes hit a total of seven homers, and he hit more than half of that total this week alone.
2026 Winston-Salem Dash Players of the Week Caleb Bonemer (April 6-12) Colby Shelton (April 13-19) Colby Shelton (April 20-26) Caleb Bonemer(April 27-May 3) Colby Shelton(May 4-10) Boston Smith(May 11-17) George Wolkow (May 18-24) Morris Austin(May 25-31) Caleb Bonemer(June 1-7) James Taussig(June 8-14) Kyle Lodise(June 15-21) George Wolkow(June 22-28) Kaleb Freeman(June 29-July 5) Ryan Burrowes (July 6-12)
Cannon Ballers Player of the Week Jaden Fauske .286/.500/.429, 3-for-3 stolen bases, 14 at-bats
Stiven Flores .438/.471/.438, 16 at-bats Nick McLain .333/.364/.444, 18 at-bats Alexander Albertus .227/.292/.455, 0-for-1 stolen bases, 22 at-bats Efren Teran .250/.333/.250, 16 at-bats
Caedmon Parker 5 IP, 3 ER, 9 H, 2 BB, 4 K Gabe Tanner 5 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K Truman Pauley 7 1/3 IP, 6 R (1 ER), 6 H, 6 BB, 10 K Alexander Martinez 4 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 K Gabriel Rodriguez 3 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 3 K Ryan Schiefer 3 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, 5 K
The Cannon Ballers got off to a flaming hot start, winning their first four games of the week. They could not keep it rolling over the weekend, but they still won the series by taking four of six against Delmarva (31-56).
Outfielder Jaden Fauske, 19, was an on-base machine against the Shorebirds, as he could hardly be retired. Fauske went 4-for-14 with two doubles, six walks, three RBIs, and three steals in as many attempts. So, Fauske reached base 10 times in 20 plate appearances, and after reaching base, he was dangerous. The South Siders drafted Fauske in the second round of the 2025 draft. Like Landon Thome, who the White Sox drafted 34th overall on Saturday, Fauske went to Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park.
2026 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Players of the Week Stiven Flores (April 6-12) Abraham Núñez (April 13-19) Javier Mogollón(April 20-26) Arxy Hernández(April 27-May 3) Javier Mogollón(May 4-10) Max Banks(May 11-17) Riley Eikhoff(May 18-24) James Taussig(May 25-31) James Taussig(June 1-7) Derek Cerda(June 8-14) Matthew Boughton(June 15-21) Ryan Schiefer(June 22-28) Christian Gonzalez(June 29-July 5) Jaden Fauske (July 6-12)
ACL White Sox Record 1-4 (last week), 14-37 (overall)
Complex Sox Player of the Week Osniel Castillo .667/.667/1.111, 1-for-2 stolen bases, nine at-bats
Yordani Soto .278/.278/.556, 18 at-bats Landon Hodge .400/.538/.900, 10 at-bats José M. Mendoza .308/.357/.462, 13 at-bats Eduardo Herrera .500/.571/.500, six at-bats
Fidel Montero 5 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 K Orlando Suarez 4 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K Justin Fuson 4 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 4 BB, 4 K Fabian Ysalla 4 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K Jefrank Silva 3 IP, 5 R (3 ER), 5 H, 2 BB, 0 K Dylan Carmouche 2 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 5 K
I feel like a broken record with this sentence, but the Complex Sox only won one out of five games this week. At least their overall win percentage (.275) still exceeds that of the 2024 White Sox (.253), but it is getting close.
Outfielder Osniel Castillo, 20, was cold in June, but he was fantastic this week. Castillo went 6-for-9 with a homer and a double, as he gave the Complex Sox an enormous spark. Castillo’s season has been topsy-turvy, as he has slashed .300/.391/.400 in May and .121/.147/.121 in June. Let’s hope Castillo is able to build on his momentum and sustain impressive numbers in July.
2026 Complex Sox Players of the Week Alexander Albertus(May 4-10) Eduardo Herrera(May 11-17) Yordani Soto (May 18-24) José M. Mendoza(May 25-31) Yordani Soto(June 1-7) Landon Hodge(June 8-14) Tommy Vail(June 15-21) Yordani Soto(June 22-28) D’Angelo Tejada(June 29-July 5) Osniel Castillo (July 6-12)
DSL White Sox Record 2-3 (last week), 11-18 (overall)
DSL White Sox Player of the Week Ronald Cardozo .462/.500/1.154, 13 at-bats
Roderic Ramírez 4 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 2 K Ronald Kelly 3 2/3 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 4 H, 1 BB, 2 K David Colmenares 3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 K Yordany Marte 3 IP, 2 R (0 ER), 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K
After the DSL White Sox’s improbable 4-1 week, they went 2-3, which is in the middle of the road for this squad.
Catcher and first baseman Ronald Cardozo, 17, was on a different level, going 6-for-13 with two homers, a triple, a double, two walks, and 12 RBIs. In Cardozo’s first 27 games of affiliated ball, he is slashing .329/.436/.598 (136 wRC+). The Dominican Summer League has an extremely high run-scoring environment, but even considering that, Cardozo has been terrific.
2026 DSL White Sox Players of the Week Carlos Vielma(June 1-7) Sebastian Romero(June 8-14) Sebastian Romero(June 15-21) Ronald Kelly(June 22-28) Orlando Patiño(June 29-July 5) Ronald Cardozo (July 6-12)
Unfortunately, our latest free poll embed software no longer functions. We will regather and decide what to use going forward, and we will likely still stick polls in this section in the near future.
DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 03: Head coach Brian Idalski of the Vancouver Goldeneyes watches the action from the bench against the Boston Fleet during the second period of the PWHL Takeover Tour game at Little Caesars Arena on January 3, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) Brian Idalski | Getty Images
After a long search, Syracuse has hired a new women’s ice hockey coach to replace Britni Smith who stepped down in the spring.
The Orange named Brian Isdalski the third Head Coach in program history.
A proven winner at all levels, Brian Idalski has been selected as the next head coach for Syracuse women's ice hockey.
Idalski brings over 400 career wins to Tennity, across the PWHL, NCAA, and International. pic.twitter.com/NmhtZLXzwD
Idalski was the Head Coach for the PWHL expansion Vancouver Goldeneyes last season. He was relieved of his duties after one season, but Idalski brings extensive NCAA head coaching experience to Syracuse.
Prior to his year in Vancouver, Idalski was the HC at St. Cloud State for three seasons, the HC of the 2022 Chinese Women’s Olympic Team and had a 10-year stint leading the University of North Dakota.
Idalski takes over a program that went 15-18-4 last season, 10-11-3 in Atlantic Hockey America conference games. Syracuse players now have a window to enter the transfer portal so we’ll keep an eye out for roster moves now that a new HC is in place.
PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 23: Taylor Rabe #68 poses for a photo during the 2026 Draft Combine at Arizona Grand Resort Phoenix on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Aryanna Frank/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Royals fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The MLB draft occurred over the weekend. It was at the same time as the Royals were losing to the Orioles, and Blake Mitchell and Kendry Chourio were having uninteresting (though at least not poor) performances in the MLB Futures Game. Only the first 10 picks were aired on TV, and, apparently, even MLB itself couldn’t be bothered to rent their space long enough or pay their workers enough to allow for their sets to be left up during the entire draft. So you can be forgiven if you aren’t particularly clear on what happened. That said, our own Matthew LaMar broke down the draft across a series of posts over the weekend, all of which can be found under the Kansas City Royals MLB Draft tag on the site.
Keith Law had an exciting breakdown of the Royals first day (the day I would argue is the only one anyone can truly know anything about this early):
The Kansas City Royals played it a little differently this year, but I also loved their draft. They took Louisville outfielder Zion Rose at No. 6, and he will probably come in under slot. He’s one of the best pure hitters in this draft class and a sneaky-good athlete for a former catcher. Then they took right-hander Taylor Rabe, a late-rising starter from Mississippi who could move pretty quickly through the minors. Their third-round pick was left-hander Maxx Yehl, who came back from Tommy John surgery to become the West Virginia Mountaineers’ best starter this year. At worst, he projects as a good reliever.
The money they might save on Rose and Yehl (a redshirt junior) will go to second-round pick Jack Slightom, one of the hottest names in my conversations with scouts the last few weeks. He’s a high school righty with a very fast arm, a big frame and good characteristics on his pitches. High school outfielder Dominic Battista, their fourth-round pick, is a sleeper among scouts who have the Chicago area, as he’s a little undersized, but some folks love the swing and potential for power.
I mentioned on the Royals Rundown podcast that I think a team should be drafting for upside instead of floor in the early rounds and that I hate underslot strategies. That said, the scout consensus I’ve seen is that there is very little difference between players taken in the first round after the first four or five, and that was especially true of college outfielders. And when the reason Zion Rose is considered a safe pick is his hitting ability rather than his fielding acumen, I think the calculus changes. I also really liked the addition of a pitcher who throws strikes but also hits 100 MPH with the supplemental pick, and Jack Slightom was a guy that several outlets think was undervalued for how much he had progressed over the previous season.
But those are just some brief thoughts on a handful of picks the Royals made. None of that tells me what I want to know today, which is: How do you feel about the Royals’ draft?
Jessica Shepard and Marina Mabrey. | Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Every year, every single WNBA player wants to improve upon how she played the season before.
Accomplishing that, however, is easier said than done. But every sesaon, a handful of players reach a level of play no one saw coming.
This 2026 WNBA campaign is no exception, and at the midway point of the season, here are the three players who are at the forefront of the Most Improved Player (MIP) conversation.
In the comments, let us know who you think is the favorite, as well as how you see the race shaping up over the second half of the season.
Jessica Shepard (Dallas Wings)
This is Jessica Shepard’s first season not playing for the Minnesota Lynx, and she is blossoming with the Dallas Wings.
She is now a walking double-double, averaging 15 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. Both are career-highs for a player who not only has gone from a reserve player with the Lynx to a starter for the Wings, but also was voted as a starter for the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game.
And she is a big reason why the Wings are currently a top-four team in the WNBA.
Considering her role, importance on the team and her production nearly doubling, Shepard is the frontrunner for the Most Improved Player award.
Carla Leite (Portland Fire)
As a rookie, Carla Leite played well with the Golden State Valkyries. But they didn’t protect her in the expansion draft, and she was picked up by the Portland Fire. This ended up being the best thing for Leite.
There has been no sophomore slump; instead, Leite has taken a leap forward.
She is averaging 15.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game, doubling her point and assist numbers from her rookie campaign. Leite is now a certified starter and has dramatically improved her 3-point shooting, going from 17.3 percent in her first year to 39.5 percent on her attempts from beyond the arc this season.
A player growing from year one to two isn’t a surprise.
How much Leite has improved, though, is impressive. Golden State did not go out of their way to ensure she remained on their roster, and she’s not only proving that decision unwise, but also showing off her untapped potential to any other skeptics.
Marina Mabrey (Toronto Tempo)
People who are locked into women’s basketball always knew Marina Mabrey was a hooper.
Now, she’s playing so loudly that everyone has been put on notice. When her shot is going, she has no peer and is unrivaled.
The best example of this was her 53-point performance in a win over the Los Angeles Sparks. She tied for the most points in a WNBA game with that total, matching the record with A’ja Wilson and Liz Cambage.
While that was a nuclear moment, she’s remained hot all year long.
Mabrey is averaging 21.6 points and shooting 40.4 percent from 3-point range; these are career-best marks for her in both categories, helping her earn her first-ever All-Star selection.
There’s still plenty of time for things to change, but right now these three players have stood out due to their improvement.
Other players are also making a case, such as Seattle Storm star sophomore Dominque Malonga, but right now it’s Shepard at the top, and everyone else is competing for second place in MIP consideration.
The goalkeeper Sergi Puig will have a first-team contract starting this season.
Girona has reached an agreement with Sergi Puig for the goalkeeper to be part of the first team squad during the 2026-27 season. After two seasons defending the goal for Girona B, the player will make the definitive leap to the first team.
Born in Premià de Mar on November 19, 1998, Sergi Puig trained at UE Vilassar de Mar before joining the FC Barcelona academy, where he completed much of his formative stage until reaching Barça Atlètic. He later gained experience with various clubs in Spanish football, including UD Las Palmas Atlético, SD Ponferradina, CE Sabadell, and Sestao River.
In the summer of 2024, he joined Girona B, where he has competed for the past two seasons, establishing himself as an important part of the team.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 14: Meleek Thomas #15 of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses for a portrait during the 2026 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at UNLV on July 14, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Meleek Thomas has been one of the best stories of Summer League.
The Cleveland Cavaliers‘ recent second-round pick has been lighting up the scoreboard through three exhibition games. His 28.3 points per game lead all Summer League participants. The impressive part is how efficient it’s been. Thomas is doing this on .500/.458/1.000 shooting splits.
That scoring onslaught was seen on Monday when he dropped 35 points against the Miami Heat. Thomas was simply able to get wherever he wanted on the court, as he found ways to efficiently score at all three levels.
The excitement of Summer League can wear off after the first weekend and three games. The last two contests can be pretty lifeless. Thomas changes that. He’s been must-see TV through three games and should be for a fourth if the Cavs decide to let him play again.
While Thomas has been impressive, you’d like to see some of his teammates step up more. Two-way player Riley Minix has really struggled to make an impact. He registered no points on 0-5 shooting against Miami and is averaging just six points on .286/.000/.500 shooting splits through three games. We’ll see if he can bounce back tonight.
Wednesday’s outing will be Cleveland’s fourth of five games. The league announced that the Cavs will wrap up their trip to Vegas on Friday when they take on the Chicago Bulls at 7 PM.
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JUNE 09: Jacksonville Jaguars defensive backs huddle during Mandatory Minicamp at Miller Electric Center on June 09, 2026 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The pads are about to come on.
On Saturday, July 25, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ rookie class will report to training camp, and the rest of the team is required to be there by Tuesday, July 28.
The team will open the gates at the Miller Electric Center for 10 public practices this year, including an in-stadium team scrimmage and joint practices against the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 17: (L-R) George Pickens #3 and CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate a touchdown during the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Cowboys’ biggest advantage on their roster at the moment is tied to who they have at wide receiver. CeeDee Lamb has been one of the better wideouts in the NFL for a few years now, and this past season George Pickens announced himself as more than just a sidekick.
Together Lamb and Pickens comprise arguably the best wide receiver group in the entire league. According to ESPN’s rankings of wide receivers – these are based on their sourcing of league executives, coaches, and scouts – they literally do have the best wide receiver group in the entire league.
Here are the top 10 in total.
Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals
Justin Jefferson, Vikings
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks
Puka Nacua, Rams
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions
CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
George Pickens, Cowboys
Nico Collins, Texans
A.J. Brown, Patriots
Davante Adams, Rams
For Lamb specifically, this is a bit of a drop from where he placed in the rankings last year.
Lamb is coming off his worst statistical season since he was a rookie in 2020. He dealt with an early-season ankle issue and never quite took off, finishing with 1,077 yards and three touchdowns. Usually an after-the-catch standout, his 322 yards after the catch were down for his standards, too. And his eight drops tied for second in the NFL behind Travis Kelce.
Even so, the goodwill he has built over six seasons helped him in the voting. He’s still a game breaker and appeared on all but one ballot.
“With his ability to separate and make big plays, the attention he demands creates opportunities for others in the offense,” an NFC scout said. “He’s still on the short list of guys who give you problems consistently.”
Lamb’s 571 receptions are the fifth most in the NFL since 2020 and already the third most in Cowboys history, as he passed Dez Bryant last season.
“I expect him to have a bounce-back year,” an NFL coordinator said. “He was never quite the same [last year] off that ankle injury.”
This all feels very fair. 2025 was a bit low for Lamb’s standards, especially on the drops front. Remember the Week 1 game in Philadelphia?
On the other side of the coin, this is clearly the best that Pickens has done in this exercise.
One NFL coordinator did not hesitate when asked which Cowboys receiver is No. 1 on opposing game plans.
“It’s Pickens,” the coordinator said. “He has emerged.”
While Lamb still attracts a lot of attention from defenses — and is ranked one spot higher on this list — Pickens broke out in 2025 with 93 catches, 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. His five games with at least 125 receiving yards tied for the most in a single season in franchise history.
“One of the best I’ve ever seen at the contested catch,” a veteran NFL offensive coach said. “There’s such untapped ability there. It’s just a consistency issue and where his head’s at week to week.”
His 10.4 yards per target ranked second in the NFL, and his 2.27 yards after first contact per possession topped all receivers with 100 or more targets. For his career, Pickens averages 16.0 yards per catch.
It is quite something to look at the entire list and think about the bargain, relatively speaking, that Pickens is for the Cowboys given how NFL minds speak about him. Maybe someday we’ll understand how the Cowboys pulled off getting him to sign the franchise tag so smoothly.
This is fantastic news for the Cowboys though as it speaks to their greatest strength. Given that the duo’s quarterback, Dak Prescott, ranked sixth in the quarterback’s rankings, this is clearly the significant strength of the team entering 2026.
Balogun: Trump's FIFA intervention 'affected team atmosphere' before US World Cup exit
Speaking to CBS Mornings after the United States' elimination from their home World Cup, Balogun acknowledged that while he felt initial relief when FIFA lifted his suspension, the political involvement created an uncomfortable atmosphere within the squad.
"The first feeling was relief and happiness," Balogun said. "But shortly after, I realized the decision would provoke great repercussion and increase pressure on the entire group. As the match approached, you could notice a certain discomfort among my teammates."
The controversial red card
The controversy began during the United States' 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, when Brazilian referee Raphael Claus showed Balogun a red card after VAR review. The striker had caught defender Muharemovic's heel while challenging for the ball.
Balogun maintains the punishment was excessive, insisting the contact was unintentional and shouldn't have warranted a foul, let alone a red card. "Red cards should only be applied in plays with clear intention to hit the opponent," he argued.
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 05: U.S. President Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, chat during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 05, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Presidential intervention sparks debate
Trump's direct contact with FIFA President Gianni Infantino requesting a case review triggered international debate about the independence of football's governing body. The Belgian Federation attempted to block Balogun's participation in the round of 16 match, but FIFA rejected their request.
According to Balogun, the external attention made proper match preparation nearly impossible. "The team had to coexist with debates and questions instead of concentrating all their energy on the elimination match," he explained.
Despite Balogun's availability for the knockout game, the United States couldn't overcome Belgium, ending the host nation's World Cup campaign amid lingering questions about whether the off-field drama contributed to their disappointing exit.
The ‘V’ in Victor Wembanyama stands for villain in New York City after the Knicks’ NBA Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
But on Saturday at Manhattan’s Javits Center, ‘Wemby’ will be back in the belly of the beast, face to face with thousands of fans at Fanatics Fest, participating in games against the general public and appearing on a live podcast.
This is the most unique element of the biggest sports convention in the world, hosted annually here in the Big Apple: Humanizing, interactive access between the biggest stars in sports and entertainment and the general public — regardless of what’s happening on the field or court.
“Wemby had a great time last year,” Lance Fensterman, CEO of Fanatics Events, said in a phone interview Tuesday. “He got to play chess with 100 fans last year. Each fan did a chess move. We think carefully about engaging in a thoughtful way. And he is a thoughtful guy.”
“To some of these fans he’ll be a villain,” Fensterman acknowledged with a laugh, “but he recognizes everything he’s doing is about having a long impactful career. And investing in fans is never a bad idea.”
Fanatics founder Michael Rubin has built his mega-company by doing exactly that: Investing in the passion of fans. So access to this kind of event obviously comes at a price.
It’s $70 per adult ticket on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and $80 on Saturday. It’s $30 per child per day all weekend. And autographs or photos with star entertainers and athletes cost more inside.
But the access to fan activations, live shows and podcasts and exclusive experiences across a million square feet of space and 12 stages basically creates a mini city of unforgettable moments.
That’s why there was fan demand to add a fourth day this year to the convention, which ran for three days in 2025. And that’s why Fensterman, who oversaw Comic-Con for years, is proud that every daily ticket to Fanatics Fest is more than just a gateway to more vendors.
“There’s more to do,” Fensterman said, “than just to buy.”
The confluence of a Knicks NBA Championship and Sunday’s World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium across the river is creating a perfect storm.
“The World Cup is coming to a head, and the Final is happening here, so we’re bringing the final teams to the show for Friday,” Fensterman said. “That’s huge.”
So look for Spain’s Lamine Yamal. Fanatics Fest will even host a massive watch party for the Final on Sunday, with the Men in Blazers podcast and other guest analysts on hand.
“Four of the Knicks’ starting five will be in the building signing and parading through the show floor with the trophy,” Fensterman said.
Jalen Brunson will appear on a King of New York panel. His autograph signing is already sold out. And the Fanatics Games, which were a huge hit in last year’s maiden voyage, are back.
That pits 50 athletes and 50 fans against each other for more than $2 million in prizes in games like the NFL clutch kick, the NBA game-winning shot, the WWE superstar entrance and more.
First place gets $1 million cash. Second place receives a Ferrari. Third place receives a rare Lionel Messi trading card. John Cena, Cam Skattebo and Novak Djokovic are among those competing this year.
Before it all kicks off, Fanatics added an exclusive window for its business partners, investors and VIPs to experience all the show has to offer before it opens to the general public. There will be 250-plus hobby shops on site, offering a haven for the booming card and collectible industry.
Then when the doors open, LeBron James is scheduled to appear Thursday afternoon on a ‘Mind the Game Live’ panel on the center stage, smack in the middle of his free agent decision, with Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Might James drop some hints on his eventual next NBA team? There just is no shortage of possibilities for the world’s biggest sports convention that keeps getting bigger.
“Fans love the different moments with athletes and influencers, and we wanted to give them more,” Fensterman said. “It nets out to more opportunities for more people fans and industry to interact with the athletes and celebrities.”
The MHSAA board voted to hold the 2026 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi Gridiron Classic Dec. 3-5 at Davis Wade Stadium. It will only be the third time in 10 years that Starkville has hosted.
Since 2016, the football championship games have been held at Mississippi State (2016, 2025), Ole Miss (2017, 2023), Southern Miss (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024) and Jackson State (2020).
Additional details, including information regarding tickets, parking, tailgating and other amenities, will be shared in the weeks leading up to the championships.
MHSAA 2026 football championship schedule
Thursday, Dec. 3: Class 4A - 4 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 3: Class 6A - 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 4: Class 2A - 4 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 4: Class 7A - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5: Class 1A - Noon
Saturday, Dec. 5: Class 3A - 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5: Class 5A - 7 p.m.
Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X @MikeSChavez or Facebook at Michael Chavez.
Colby Covington has disclosed that conversations with Triple H and WWE have taken place to make him the latest combat sports figure to publicly acknowledge contact with the wrestling promotion.
“I’ve had some calls with Triple H and the WWE, so that’s a potential possibility in the future as well. But I’m all in on RAF. I invested the hard-earned money that I earned fighting in RAF. to get a little small equity percentage, and I care about the future.”
Speaking with Unique Mazique, Covington addressed his future across multiple platforms while making clear his current priority is Real American Freestyle and his upcoming match against Arman Tsarukyan.
Dec 14, 2024; Tampa, Florida, UNITED STATES; Colby Covington (red gloves) reacts after the fight against Joaquin Buckley (blue gloves) at Amalie Arena. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
“R.A.F. is definitely somewhere I see myself ending my competitive career at,” Covington said. “Whether I entertain other fight offers and go back to the UFC and get some big fights, those are still possibilities. You never know what the future holds or what tomorrow holds. All I can do is control what I can control today and that’s just my hard training and preparing for Arman Tsarukyan, and you just never know where life will take me.”
The disclosure is notable for several reasons. Covington has spent the past year publicly distancing himself from the UFC after claiming the promotion left him without a fight for over a year and that Hunter Campbell strung him along on promises that were never fulfilled. He has been competing in Real American Freestyle, defeating Luke Rockhold and Dillon Danis in his first two appearances for the promotion, in which he also holds an equity stake.
Covington has built a public persona that translates naturally to professional wrestling — a character defined by nationalism, controversy, and an ability to generate strong reactions from a crowd. Triple H has shown a willingness to explore crossover talent in recent years, and Covington’s star power and promo ability would make him a credible addition to WWE programming in some capacity.
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) throws during the first inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
The MLB All-Star break ends tomorrow, and teams will head into the final stretch of the season. The break gave some injured players a chance to rest and hopefully get back on the field for the back half of the season fully healthy. This is our MLB injury report for pitchers coming out of the All-Star break.
SP Jacob Misiorowski, Milwaukee Brewers
The Miz is dealing with arm fatigue, and it is not awesome. He was scratched from his final start before the All-Star break and will not pitch in the first series coming off of the break. It is not clear if he will be ready to pitch next week or not. Fantasy owners need to monitor this situation and prepare as if he could miss another start.
SP Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers
Ohtani was not able to make his final start before the MLB All-Star Game due to knee inflammation and was held out of the Summer Classic. It's not clear if he will be available as a pitcher coming out of the break. He's not on the IL, so it would be a surprise if he doesn't at least DH, but we will have to keep an eye on him.
SP Max Fried, New York Yankees
Fried has been sidelined with an elbow injury, but head coach Aaron Boone has said that they expect him to begin his rehab assignment this week. Fantasy owners should be getting Fried back sooner rather than later.
SP Carlos Rodon, New York Yankees
Rodon is scheduled to throw every day this week as he works to recover from his elbow inflammation fully.
SP Jacob DeGrom, Texas Rangers
There is a chance that DeGrom lands on the IL due to a glute injury that caused him to miss his last start before the break. We should know more in the next couple of days. An IL stint would likely be retroactive to July 12, so he could be back before the end of the month if the injury isn't serious.
SP Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks
Gallen landed on the IL with elbow inflammation on July 12. Fantasy owners should prepare to be without him for the remainder of July.
SP Blake Snell, Los Angeles Dodgers
Snell has begun throwing BP sessions and should be starting a rehab assignment soon as he works his way back from an elbow injury. It looks like the rich will get richer in Los Angeles.
SP Chase Burns, Cincinnati Reds
Burns is dealing with right groin tightness, which held him out of the All-Star Game. It's not clear if this issue will impact him in the back half of the season, or if they just didn't want him pitching in an exhibition.
SP Max Scherzer, Toronto Blue Jays
Scherzer has begun his rehab assignment from back spasms during the All-Star break, and could be back as soon as next week at some point if all goes well.
SP Jameson Taillon, Chicago Cubs
Taillon had a strong rehab outing on July 11 and should be set to return when the Cubs get back on the field. Fantasy owners will hope that he gets his season back on track.
RP Edwin Diaz, Los Angeles Dodgers
Diaz has started his rehab assignment for his elbow injury and will hope to make it back as soon as possible. This is a situation for fantasy owners to monitor closely.
Real Madrid bank millions as former academy striker joins Bournemouth
Although not excessive by their standards, Real Madrid have still spent a considerable sum on new signings this summer. The Spanish defender Marc Cucurella has been the main asset on whom they have spent €55 million, and promised another €5 million in variables, while another €20 million has been paid for Denzel Dumfries.
On the other hand, the Merengues have almost recouped this amount with sales of some of the academy trained players. Most of this income has come from the sale of Nico Paz to Como, while other players like Victor Munoz have also brought in a significant sum to Los Blancos’ coffers.
Another former player from whom Real Madrid were expecting to obtain some income is the forward Alvaro Rodriguez. An agreement for his transfer from Elche to the Premier League side Bournemouth had been reached some days ago, but was not yet officially announced. The player’s medical tests were keeping this operation from being finalized.
Now, as Diario AS has reported, the remaining issues have been resolved and an official announcement of this move has come today, on Wednesday. Both the involved clubs have announced the transfer of the Spanish striker, for whom the English side will be paying €25 million fixed and another €5 million in variables.
The Merengues had retained the right to get 50% of any future transfer fee paid for him when they sold Rodriguez to Elche for €2 million last year. The player had a very good year with the La Liga side, and has now completed his move to the Premier League, and this transfer will leave around €12.5 million for Real Madrid. This sum can increase further if the player meets the variables for the other €5 million promised.
Hopefully, Alvaro Rodriguez will continue to shine and grow in England, and give the world another indication of the quality that is coming out of the Real Madrid academy.
Former Reds Prospect Shares Advice Before Liverpool Move
Fabio Carvalho, Marco Silva and the Liverpool Lesson That Still Echoes
Football has a habit of making every ascent look inevitable. A gifted young player shines early, a major club arrives, and the move is framed as the natural next step, as though development were a straight line and talent a guarantee. Fabio Carvalho’s story serves as a reminder that the game remains far less obedient than that.
In reflecting on his 2022 move to Liverpool, Carvalho has offered a revealing glimpse into the counsel he received from Marco Silva, the coach who had guided him at Fulham. As reported by A Bola, the midfielder remembered a conversation marked by warmth, realism and a certain protective instinct. “When I was about to leave for Liverpool, he came to speak to me and I’ve never forgotten his words. He told me Liverpool was a great opportunity, but warned me that sometimes the grass isn’t as green as it seems.
“That really stayed with me. His honesty and the fact he continued to care about me, showing it wasn’t only about what happened on the pitch. That’s something I value a lot.”
Photo: IMAGO
Marco Silva’s warning and Fabio Carvalho’s path
There is something deeply telling in that advice. Silva did not urge caution in the language of fear, nor did he stand in the way of ambition. He acknowledged Liverpool as an enormous opportunity while also recognising a truth that clubs, agents and supporters often prefer to ignore. Progress depends on fit as much as prestige.
For Carvalho, Liverpool offered glamour, competition and possibility. It also offered a squad environment in which minutes had to be earned against established senior players and in which tactical demands were exacting. He arrived as a young attacker of considerable subtlety, capable of finding pockets of space and changing rhythm around the box. He also arrived at a club whose attacking structure required immediate intensity, physical resilience and trust from the coaching staff.
His start could hardly have been more cinematic. That late goal against Newcastle, struck in the 98th minute, gave his Anfield story an almost storybook opening. In those moments, football encourages certainty. A debut season appears to stretch open before a player. Yet careers are shaped in the less visible hours, in training sessions, in tactical compromises, in selection meetings, in the tension between patience and momentum.
Liverpool move showed promise and peril
Carvalho never fully established himself in Liverpool’s side. Loans followed, first to RB Leipzig, then to Hull, a sequence that suggested a player in search of continuity rather than one moving steadily upwards. By the time he left permanently for Brentford in 2024, the parting felt practical for all concerned. Liverpool recouped a healthy fee, £22.5m initially with £5m in add-ons, and the player secured the chance of a more regular role elsewhere.
Seen from a distance, it was the kind of transfer cycle modern clubs increasingly accept. Recruit young, test the ceiling, and if the pathway narrows, move decisively. Yet from the player’s perspective, the picture is always more fragile. Carvalho had already spoken openly when leaving Anfield about not wanting to remain on the bench. That sentiment carried the trace of a footballer aware that time, especially in the early years, can be wasted as easily as it can be invested.
His subsequent experience has only sharpened the poignancy of Silva’s words. Brentford has not provided the reset many imagined. There was disquiet around his place there, and then came the far harsher interruption of an ACL injury last November, cutting short his season and forcing him into the lonelier work of recovery.
Fabio Carvalho’s career remains open
What Silva appears to have offered, and what Carvalho still seems to value, was a form of adult honesty that football can lack. Young players are routinely told to dream, to back themselves, to embrace the grand stage. They are less often told that a bigger club may not mean a better environment, or that the right next step is not always the most glamorous one.
That does not make Carvalho’s decision a mistake. At that age, Liverpool was a move few would reject, and perhaps none should. It does, however, underline how delicate development can be. Talent can survive detours, but it is shaped by context, trust and timing.
Carvalho is still only 23. His Liverpool chapter did not unfold as many expected, but neither did it close the book. If anything, this recollection of Silva casts his journey in a clearer light. The warning was never a prophecy of failure. It was a reminder that football’s greenest fields are not always the ones that look brightest from afar.
Our View
From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this report lands with a familiar frustration. Carvalho always looked like one of those players who could bring a little invention to a side that sometimes became too mechanical. He had quick feet, sharp instincts and a willingness to try the difficult thing in crowded spaces. For a while, it felt as though Liverpool had found a talent who could grow into something special.
The disappointment is not really about one transfer fee or one exit. It is about the recurring sense that the club, during that period, did not always create the clearest pathway for young technical players on the fringes. Carvalho was good enough to excite, but never seemed trusted enough to settle. Loans then became a holding pattern rather than a plan.
Supporters can accept that not every prospect becomes a first-team regular. What stings is the feeling that this one was never truly given the conditions to show whether he could. Silva’s warning now sounds painfully accurate. Liverpool were a huge opportunity, of course, but opportunities still need care, structure and conviction. Watching Carvalho struggle elsewhere after leaving Anfield only adds to the sense of a talent who slipped through too easily.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said during the offseason program that his goal is to be ready for Week 1, despite suffering a torn ACL in December.
With training camp just around the corner, that goal is starting to seem more and more in reach.
Mahomes reiterated his stance during an interview with Yahoo Sports Daily on Wednesday.
"That’s my goal," Mahomes said. "I've said that since the beginning, is being ready to go Week 1. I can't predict the future, and I know that it's a long process. It's not just my decision, but at the same time I'm going to give the doctors and the coaches every single opportunity I can to let me be out there Week 1.”
The Broncos being the season-opening opponent adds an extra layer of motivation for the three-time Super Bowl champion.
"I don't want to miss that game because that's the team that won the division while we were gone, and you want to be out there and ready to go with your teammates,” Mahomes said. “I'll give every single thing I can to be out there Week 1, and hopefully the doctors and the coaches give me the green light, and I'm able to go out there with my guys and compete against one of the best teams in the league."
Mahomes acknowledged that his return has been “a long process,” but feels like he’s in a good spot with training camp set to begin at the end of the month.
“[A]ll I can do is be as great as I can be every single day,” Mahomes said. “You just have to maximize that day and slowly get better and better as the year goes on.
"I'm excited to get back to training camp. I'm excited to get the guys back around. I've kind of been in the building in Kansas City by myself. Just [to] have the guys back and getting to be on the football field will get me going and get me ready for the season.”
Chiefs rookies and veterans are set to report to training camp on July 28.
Jon Gruden has coached Hall of Famers, developed elite offenses, and spent decades around some of the NFL's biggest stars. Even so, one unrealized opportunity still stands out.
Speaking with Pittsburgh Steelers veteran Cameron Heyward on his "Not Just Football with Cam Heyward" podcast, Gruden admitted that his failed attempt to coach former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown remains "one of my biggest regrets."
The Raiders acquired Brown from Pittsburgh in 2019, believing the four-time All-Pro could transform Gruden's offense. Instead, Brown never appeared in a regular-season game for the then-Oakland Raiders after a turbulent offseason filled with off-field distractions.
Looking back, Gruden said he remains convinced the move could have paid off.
"The two or three OTAs that we had him on the field, Cam, and he was running our routes, running my stuff," Gruden said. "I went home one night, opened a bottle of Asti Spumante and drank it all. I thought we were going to complete every pass."
Gruden was blown away by Brown's precision as a route runner.
"Holy s**t, I mean, this guy's running my routes better than they've ever been run before," he said.
Despite the issues that ultimately derailed the partnership, Gruden said his belief in Brown never wavered.
"I just knew he could be spectacular in our offense," Gruden said. "But what a disappointment for me."
The veteran coach acknowledged there were warning signs, saying Brown "was I think distracted by other things," but that didn't diminish his desire to make the partnership work.
Reflecting on the experience, Gruden reiterated how much the missed opportunity still lingers.
"It's one of my biggest regrets, honestly, in my career that that didn't work out," he said before later adding, "It's one of my biggest regrets, of never getting to coach him."
For Steelers fans, Brown's career will always be remembered for both extraordinary production and an abrupt ending in Pittsburgh. Gruden's comments offer another perspective, revealing just how highly one veteran coach regarded Brown's talent, and how deeply he still regrets never getting the chance to see it on Sundays.
A new report about the 2026 MLB Draft suggests the New York Yankees got fantastic value when they landed Hunter Dietz with their selection late in Round 1.
Since the days when George Steinbrenner was running the club, the Yankees have established a reputation as an organization that will go out and bring in elite talent from rival teams. Their big spending is why they were once nicknamed “The Evil Empire.” However, that overlooks the many New York legends that were developed in-house.
Joe Dimaggio, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and now Aaron Judge are just a few of the all-time greats who were produced inside the organization. While the team is always open to trading prospects to acquire stars, just like any other club, the Yankees always need to identify and develop new talent via the MLB Draft.
Well, according to The Athletic’s Keith Law, the Yankees got lucky and landed a steal in this month’s event.
“The Yankees scored one of my favorite picks from Day 1 with Arkansas left-hander Hunter Dietz (1), landing my No. 12 prospect at pick 35… He’s up to 98 and sits 94-96 with three breaking pitches in his arsenal, and he goes right after hitters with power to everything, although he put away the curveball in his last outing of the season in the NCAA Regionals. I think he’s an above-average starter if he can handle the workload.”
The prospect expert notes that the pitcher fell in the draft because he missed nearly all of the last two seasons while recovering from a stress fracture in his elbow. The injury is certainly a reason for concern. However, his potential is very high if he can fully recover and get further development from New York’s minor league coaches and instructors.
Sturbridge 11, Webster/Dudley 6; Sturbridge 7, Webster/Dudley 4: Natalie Carson belted two home runs and finished with five RBIs and three runs to help host Post 109 win the first game of a doubleheader sweep.
Sturbridge's Kingsley Gragen went 2 for 2 with three runs, Bella Coughlan had three hits and scored, and Kaelyn Pellicane notched one hit, two RBIs and two runs.
Sienna Stawiecki was 2 for 2 with two RBIs for Webster/Dudley and Meghan Baca notched two hits and a run.
Sturbridge completed the sweep by scoring four runs in the bottom of the second and three in the third.
Kingsley Gragen clubbed a grand slam in the second, while Sami Connor smacked a two-run double in the third and crossed when Mary Letendre singled to right.
Webster/Dudley attempted a late rally in the fifth when it scored four runs. Cadence Duval singled in Savannah Pratt, Brianna Landry scored on a fielder's choice and Stawiecki hit a two-run double.
BASEBALL
American Legion
Grafton 10, Cherry Valley 0: Haylan Oberg was 2 for 3 with a triple, RBI and two runs as host Post 92 (15-7) blanked Post 443 (11-11) in their season finale.
Grafton's C.J. Chagnon was also 2 for 4 with an RBI and two runs, while Zach Otis went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and a run.
Wednesday's local games
Baseball
American Legion
District 4 Playoffs
Framingham at Hudson, 7 p.m. (Riverside)
Northbridge at Shrewsbury, 7:30 p.m. (Fitton)
Main South at Cherry Valley, 8 p.m. (Rochdale)
Futures Collegiate League
Bravehearts at Nashua, 6 p.m.
Softball
Little League
Junior Division State Tournament
Round Robin
Jesse Burkett at Scituate, 6 p.m.
Schedule may change due to weather, field conditions, or postpon
Roberson baseball junior Holt Gaston is headed to play Division I baseball.
Gaston announced his commitment to North Carolina State in a post on X on July 15.
Gaston was an All-WNC second-team selection as a pitcher this past season after going 6-0 with a 3.53 ERA in eight starts and 11 appearances. He struck out 51 batters, walked 24 and held opponents to a .227 batting average. He was named the Mountain Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year.
At the plate, Gaston, who also played outfield for the Rams, batted .303 with four home runs and 26 RBIs.
Gaston will play alongside Polk County's Gunnar Alm, who affirmed his commitment to the Wolfpack after going undrafted in the MLB draft, and former West Henderson star Truitt Manuel, who just finished his redshirt freshman season with the program.
He also continues a trend of Roberson players going to the Division I level. Among players from the Rams' recent string of three state championships, pitcher Micah Simpson went to UNC-Wilmington, while first baseman Caden Davidson went the JUCO route before announcing his transfer to Florida this offseason. Several others have played at North Carolina programs like UNC Asheville and East Carolina.
Evan Gerike is the high school sports reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email him at egerike@citizentimes.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @EvanGerike.
The Miami Dolphins, after moving on from several experienced veterans, brought in a ton of new players this offseason, including a group of 13 rookies through the 2026 NFL draft.
Miami got offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor and cornerback Chris Johnson in the first round. On Day 2, they added linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, wide receiver Caleb Douglas, tight end Will Kacmarek and wide receiver Chris Bell. They then wrapped up the three-day process by taking defensive end Trey Moore, linebacker Kyle Louis, safety Michael Taaffe, wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr., tight end Seydou Traore, guard DJ Campbell and defensive end Max Llewellyn.
With training camp rapidly approaching, here's how we're ranking Miami's rookie draft picks by their potential impact during their first season with the team and first season under new head coach Jeff Hafley.
13. OL DJ Campbell
The 22-year-old spent the last four years at Texas, earning All-SEC honors once. He appeared in 49 games and started 42 for the Longhorns. In an ideal world, Campbell will serve as nothing more than a backup guard and maybe play some special teams during his rookie season.
12. DE Max Llewellyn
The 23-year-old spent five years at Iowa, appearing in 43 games and recording 64 tackles (20.5 for a loss), 14.5 sacks, 10 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries with the Hawkeyes. While Chop Robinson is really the only player in the group of edge rushers to get guaranteed reps this year, Llewellyn would have to really prove himself to make the team and earn opportunities in 2026.
11. TE Seydou Traore
Traore comes from London, England, but he spent two years at Arkansas State, where he earned All-Sun Belt honors once, and three years at Mississippi State. In 46 games, he recorded 126 receptions for 1,404 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 23-year-old will likely be fighting for the third spot in the tight end room, but with other options ahead of him, he could be fourth this year.
10. DB Michael Taaffe
Taaffe spent five seasons at Texas, recording 222 tackles (9.5 for a loss), 14 passes defensed, seven interceptions, three sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 53 career games. He earned All-SEC honors once and All-American honors twice. The Dolphins may need help at safety in 2026, but the 23-year-old has veterans that he'll need to beat out for playing time.
9. DE Trey Moore
Moore, 23, played at UTSA for three seasons, earning All-AAC honors and winning AAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, before transferring to Texas for the final two years of his career. In 57 games between the two schools, he recorded 175 tackles (50 for a loss), 30.5 sacks, 13 passes defensed, five forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and one interception. The fourth-round pick has some positional versatility to play on the edge or off the ball, so he could see some depth opportunities or special teams reps.
8. WR Kevin Coleman Jr.
Coleman was well traveled in college, spending one year each at Jackson State, Louisville, Mississippi State and Missouri. The 2022 SWAC Freshman of the Year recorded 199 receptions for 2,536 yards and 12 touchdowns in 51 games between the four schools. As the third wide receiver taken in the draft, he has a lot of work to do to move up the depth chart in training camp.
7. WR Chris Bell
Bell spent the last four years at Louisville, earning All-ACC honors in 2025. In 47 games with the Cardinals, he caught 151 passes for 2,166 yards and 12 touchdowns. The 22-year-old probably has the most potential of the drafted trio of wideouts, but it's unclear how much he'll play in 2026, as he recovers from a torn ACL.
6. DB Kyle Louis
Louis played at Pittsburgh from 2022-25, earning All-ACC honors twice and All-American honors once. In 37 games for the Panthers, he recorded 201 tackles (25.5 for a loss), 10 sacks, six interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The 22-year-old will probably start off as the fourth off-ball linebacker on the depth chart, but his ability to play safety as well could make him more impactful earlier.
5. TE Will Kacmarek
After spending three years at Ohio, Kacmarek transferred to Ohio State for the final two years of his collegiate career. In 53 games between the schools, he caught 59 passes for 713 yards and four touchdowns. Primarily a blocking tight end, he'll likely hold a similar role in the NFL. However, if he can catch the ball regularly, he could pass Ben Sims for the second spot on the depth chart.
4. WR Caleb Douglas
Douglas, 22, played at Florida from 2022-23 and at Texas Tech from 2024-25. He earned All-Big 12 honors once and in 39 career games between the two schools, he caught 135 passes for 2,031 yards and 16 touchdowns. As the top drafted wide receiver for the Dolphins, he has the best shot of finding a role in a thin room right away.
3. LB Jacob Rodriguez
Rodriguez began his collegiate career as a quarterback at Virginia before transferring to Texas Tech for the last four years and moving to linebacker. He earned All-Big 12 honors twice and All-American honors once, while also winning Big-12 Defensive Player of the Year, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award and Chuck Bednarik Award in 2025. In 56 games, he recorded 317 tackles (25.5 for a loss), 13 forced fumbles, 12 passes defensed, six sacks, six interceptions and five fumble recoveries. The 23-year-old will probably begin his camp behind Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson, but it wouldn't surprise anyone to see him starting by Week 1.
2. CB Chris Johnson
Johnson, 21, played at San Diego State from 2022-25, where he earned All-Mountain West honors once and All-American honors once. He was also named Mountain West co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2025. In 47 games with the Aztecs, he recorded 152 tackles, 14 passes defensed, six interceptions, five forced fumbles and one sack. After the team picked him in the first round, he's expected to be their top cornerback as a rookie, meaning he'll be on the field for most of their defensive snaps.
1. OL Kadyn Proctor
Proctor, 21, spent the last three seasons at Alabama, earning All-SEC honors once and All-American honors once. The 21-year-old started 39 games at left tackle for the Crimson Tide, but with the Dolphins, he's moving to left guard, where he's expected to start in Week 1.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to receive recognition for one of the strengths of their roster heading into the 2026 season.
In his rankings of the NFL's best offensive tackle duos, Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano placed Tampa Bay's pairing of Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke at No. 3 in the league. Much of that recognition starts with Wirfs, who has already built one of the most decorated résumés among active offensive linemen.
As Manzano pointed out, Wirfs is the only player in NFL history to earn Associated Press First-Team All-Pro honors at both right tackle and left tackle. After helping to protect Tom Brady during Tampa Bay's Super Bowl-winning 2020 season, Wirfs has seamlessly transitioned to protecting Baker Mayfield's blindside while continuing to perform at an elite level.
Manzano also noted that, according to Pro Football Focus, Wirfs earned top-five grades as both a pass blocker and run blocker last season, further cementing his status as one of the league's premier offensive linemen.
While Wirfs headlines the duo, Goedeke has quietly developed into a dependable starter on the right side. Since moving into the starting lineup, he has steadily improved his consistency and helped solidify one of the better tackle pairings in football. His continued development has allowed Tampa Bay to field quality protection on both edges of the offensive line rather than relying on one standout player.
With Mayfield entering a contract year and the Buccaneers looking to rebound in 2026, the offensive line will once again play a major role in the team's success. Having one of the NFL's highest-ranked tackle duos gives Tampa Bay a strong foundation as it looks to return to the postseason.
‘Shut a lot of mouths’ – Barcelona star fires back at critics after Spain’s win over France
Barcelona star Pau Cubarsí made use of the opportunity to send a message of defiance the way of his country’s critics, following Spain’s clash with France on Tuesday.
Luis de la Fuente’s troops are of course fresh off a historic outing yesterday evening.
After making the trip to Dallas to lock horns with European rivals France, La Roja utterly dominated en route to a deserved 2-0 triumph.
Spain, in turn, are facing up to a finale showdown against one of England or Argentina.
Playing a starring role in the eventual result on Tuesday was the aforementioned Pau Cubarsí, who kept alive what has been a stellar individual campaign at the World Cup with another flawless display.
And as alluded to above, speaking to the media in the game’s aftermath, the 19-year-old was quick to take aim at those to have called into question the solidity boasted by the Spanish on the defensive side of the ball:
“There was some talk about the defence and the goalkeeping on our side, but we have shut a lot of mouths. I think that one of the most important things in football now is to keep a clean sheet.”
Report: Everton ready to push hard to sign 22-year-old defender
Everton Transfers: Brooke Norton-Cuffy Emerges as Serious Right-Back Option
Everton have moved again in their pursuit of Brooke Norton-Cuffy, with fresh contact made over a deal that now looks increasingly workable for all parties. According to TeamTalk, the Merseyside club have reignited discussions over the Genoa defender, who is now open to a Premier League return.
The 22-year-old has been on Everton’s radar since January and remains firmly in the frame as the club refine their plans in the full-back positions. The reporting states that Everton have held “fresh discussions with intermediaries”, with Genoa willing to sanction a sale for “around €20million (£17m, $23m)”. For a player described internally as one of their priority targets, that figure appears achievable.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy Fits Everton Transfer Plan
Recruitment at right-back has become a clear focus. Everton are seeking a new starter in the role, a move that would free Jake O’Brien to return to centre-back, viewed as his natural position. That strategic element matters. Rather than simply adding depth, this is a signing that could have a knock-on effect across the back line.
Photo: IMAGO
Norton-Cuffy has “re-emerged as one of the leading candidates for Everton” after a strong first full season in Serie A. His development at Genoa has clearly elevated his standing, and there is now a sense that the timing aligns. The defender is “ready to return to England if the right Premier League opportunity presents itself”, and Everton seem intent on exploring whether they can be that destination.
There is also an age profile and pathway logic to this pursuit. Everton continue to look for players capable of improving immediately while retaining growth potential, and Norton-Cuffy fits that model well.
Premier League Return Holds Strong Appeal
One of the more significant details in the report is the player’s own stance. Sources indicate that “the prospect of playing regularly in the Premier League is a major attraction” and that he “believes the time is right to test himself back in English football”. That level of openness can often be decisive at this stage of a negotiation.
Everton may also be encouraged by existing connections. Norton-Cuffy is said to know Tyrique George, Tyler Dibling and Hayden Hackney from England Under-21 duty, “adding another layer of intrigue”. While relationships do not complete transfers on their own, familiarity can help a player picture the move more clearly.
Competition Remains in Everton Chase
Everton are not operating alone. Sunderland are “also monitoring Norton-Cuffy’s situation” and Fulham “have likewise kept close tabs on the versatile defender”. Even so, the current picture places Everton in a promising position. TeamTalk reports that the Toffees “appear to be leading the pursuit after reigniting talks”, encouraged both by the asking price and the player’s willingness to come back.
Other right-back options have been considered, including Djed Spence, Ben White, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Guela Doue and Raoul Bellanova, but Norton-Cuffy now looks like one to watch closely. If Everton want value, potential and tactical fit in one move, this has the feel of a deal worth serious attention.
Our View
From an Everton supporter perspective, this report is genuinely intriguing. Norton-Cuffy feels like the sort of move that makes sense on several levels. He is young, he has already gone away and played proper senior football, and he would arrive with a point to prove. For a club that needs smart recruitment rather than headline-chasing, that is appealing.
The £17m level feels reasonable in the current market, especially for a 22-year-old coming off an “impressive first full campaign in Serie A”. If the coaching staff believe he can make the right-back spot his own, then the added bonus of moving Jake O’Brien back inside could improve two positions at once.
There is always some caution with players returning from abroad, particularly when adaptation is part of the equation, but the profile is hard to ignore. He is already familiar with top young English talent and seems keen for the challenge. Hearing that he is open to the move and sees now as the right time to come back is encouraging.
Everton fans will probably also like that this does not sound like a panicked search. The club have looked at several names and appear to be narrowing in on one that suits both budget and need. If this is the level of planning behind the summer, supporters will take confidence from it. Norton-Cuffy may not be the most glamorous target, but he could be exactly the right one.
Curt Cignetti doesn't smile or laugh a lot along the sideline, with his fists often attached to his hips. But not many college football fans can work up a great hatred for him.
The national champion Indiana football coach joined the "Up and Adams" podcast, and host Kay Adams jokingly scolded him for place eighth on a recent survey of hated college football coaches.
Cignetti offered a potential reason: "Maybe I'm so cuddly and likable."
The Rotowire poll of fans listed LSU's Lane Kiffin as the most hated coach. Also "more hated" are Colorado's Deion Sanders, Clemson's Dabo Swinney, USC's Lincoln Riley, Ohio State's Ryan Day, Georgia's Kirby Smart and Miami's Mario Cristobal.
Cignetti is apparently slightly more hated than North Carolina's Bill Belichick and Texas Tech's Joey McGuire.
Cignetti, of course, doesn't have much use for that kind of poll.
"The only thing that matters is, how did your team do at the end of the year?" he said. "Did you get the most out of your team?"
IU football coach Curt Cignetti acts in State Farm commercial
The coach came to the podcast immediately after shooting a commercial for State Farm. Is he ready for his close-up?
Cignetti graded his acting skills: "C-, and that's probably being generous."
Curt Cignetti doesn't smile or laugh a lot along the sideline, with his fists often attached to his hips. But not many college football fans can work up a great hatred for him.
The national champion Indiana football coach joined the "Up and Adams" podcast, and host Kay Adams jokingly scolded him for place eighth on a recent survey of hated college football coaches.
Cignetti offered a potential reason: "Maybe I'm so cuddly and likable."
The Rotowire poll of fans listed LSU's Lane Kiffin as the most hated coach. Also "more hated" are Colorado's Deion Sanders, Clemson's Dabo Swinney, USC's Lincoln Riley, Ohio State's Ryan Day, Georgia's Kirby Smart and Miami's Mario Cristobal.
Cignetti is apparently slightly more hated than North Carolina's Bill Belichick and Texas Tech's Joey McGuire.
Cignetti, of course, doesn't have much use for that kind of poll.
"The only thing that matters is, how did your team do at the end of the year?" he said. "Did you get the most out of your team?"
IU football coach Curt Cignetti acts in State Farm commercial
The coach came to the podcast immediately after shooting a commercial for State Farm. Is he ready for his close-up?
Cignetti graded his acting skills: "C-, and that's probably being generous."
Oxford United were relegated from the Championship last season [Getty Images]
Oxford United chairman Dusan Bogdanovic has "sincerely apologised" to supporters after the U's were put under a temporary transfer embargo by the English Football League (EFL).
The League One side will not be able to register new players in the summer transfer window because they are not compliant with the EFL's salary cost management protocol (SCMP) regulations.
In an open letter to fans, Bogdanovic said: "I am acutely aware of the trust that has been placed in the shareholders and the board, and that developments of this nature can lead to the relationship we have with you being called into question.
"Our shareholders remain fully committed to the club and will continue to provide the funding and support they have consistently given throughout their ownership."
The SCMP protocols are the financial fair play rules for all League One and League Two clubs, setting limits on the proportion of a club's turnover that can be spent on player-related costs.
"I want to sincerely apologise for the uncertainty and concern that recent news regarding our registration embargo has caused," Bogdanovic wrote.
"Over the last few seasons, we had to rapidly adjust to the realities of competing in a higher division and the increase in funding that required.
"Despite our best efforts, we were unable to retain our Championship status and are now working through the challenges that higher costs, reduced revenues and new financial rules present."
Bogdanovic also reassured fans that securing a new stadium for the club remains the "cornerstone of our long-term strategy" and insisted there was reason for optimism.
"We have an outstanding head coach, a strong and talented squad, an incredible supporter base that continues to back the club, and shareholders who have demonstrated time and again their commitment to Oxford United," he added.
"Together, we have overcome challenges before, and we will do so again. The future of Oxford United is bright and our ambitions remain unchanged. This is a short-term issue that requires a pragmatic approach. By doing so, we can build back stronger."
Jul. 15—JAMESTOWN — After 16 years of playing slowpitch softball, Darren Perleberg needed a change.
"We were all on different teams and some of us wanted to try something different," Perleberg said. "I got with Cory Genter and I said, 'Let's put together a team that is competitive and doesn't have any drama,' because there was a little bit too much of that on some of the teams we were playing for at the time.
"We just wanted to have a team where it was fun to show up every week, and we didn't get our butts kicked every week," he said. "That's what we created, and that is what is still going. How we approach the game is really fun."
The team Perleberg and Genter created in 2013 was Esto Dingus. Esto competes on Wednesday nights at Jamestown's Hillcrest Softball Complex during the slowpitch softball season.
"Our retention with guys who still want to show up and have fun is pretty high," Perleberg said. "From the guys we started with, we still have about 90% of the players who were on that first team."
Esto not only plays in Jamestown's league, the team also plays in tournaments across the state and the region. The team has competed in the national tournament three times. The first year Esto competed in the national tournament, the tourney was being held in Fargo.
"You don't have to qualify for the national tournament, but you don't want to just go and throw your money away," Perleberg said. "It's extremely expensive, and you usually have to travel a little bit. ... (The first year) they needed some teams so we raised our hand and agreed to play, but that was outside our division," Perleberg said. "It was a higher level — we didn't get our butts kicked, but we didn't win any games."
The next year, the tournament was played in Fargo again.
"We played in our division that year," Perleberg said. "In 2016, we played in the national tournament down in Sioux Falls (South Dakota). If you talk to our team — some of their best memories in the last 13 years was the trip down to Sioux Falls for that national tournament. We were together the whole time and the fun we had — it's still something we talk about today."
While most of the team was involved in the trip down to Sioux Falls, there have been some lineup changes in the last 14 years.
"If somebody does move away or we see a gap in the lineup, we'll put our heads together and see if we can find somebody," Perleberg said. "Sometimes we get a little bit lucky. Our current shortstop was a college baseball player, he happened to be moving back to Jamestown. Another guy's son was in gymnastics with my daughter, and we struck up conversation, and he played high school baseball. Now he's on our team."
There's not a list of requirements to join Esto's roster.
"For us, it's not all about talent," Perleberg said. "We want to make sure they are good people. That is the No. 1 thing. It's more about if the guys can fit in personality-wise with the team and hang out afterwards and laugh with us."
To join, you don't even need much experience.
"If you look at the (Spirits) team in town, they are just loaded with former college baseball players," Perleberg said. "Up until we got this new shortstop, we didn't have anybody who played college baseball, and the majority of our guys didn't play high school baseball.
"We're not bad athletes," he said. "We had guys who were really good at basketball or football, but I think what made us gel so well was the fact that we care about each other and we don't ride one another. You can make an error, and your teammates don't point fingers or get made. It's just, shake it off, get the next one if you can. If you miss that one, who cares? Get the next one. That changes how you approach the game and how you show up every week. Guys know they don't have to deal with any of that kind of stuff."
Esto's current record is 11-7. The team is set to face off against Agroline this week. Games are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. After the team's doubleheader against Agroline, Esto will be hosting its annual "sponsor night."
"We supply everything, and it's a thank you to our sponsors and the people who show up to watch us," Perleberg said. "It's also open to our opponents and their fans, it's open to all of that. It's just a celebration of softball and the culture we have put together."
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is down to its final weekend, with the championship match set for Sunday. Ahead of that, one last game will be played in South Florida.
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, renamed the Miami Stadium for the World Cup, will host the tournament's bronze final on Saturday. France will play in the July 18 match for the bronze medal after losing to Spain in the semifinals.
Here's what fans should know about the final World Cup game being played in Miami Gardens:
When is the next Miami Gardens World Cup match?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Bronze Final is scheduled to be played on Saturday, July 18, at Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens. The kickoff is set for 5 p.m. ET.
Here are the matches that were already played in Miami:
Saudi Arabia v Uruguay | Group Stage | Monday, June 15
Uruguay v Cabo Verde | Group Stage | Sunday, June 21
Scotland v Brazil | Group Stage | Wednesday, June 24
Colombia v Portugal | Group Stage | Saturday, June 27
Match 86 | Round of 32 | Argentina v Cabo Verde | Friday, July
Match 99 | Quarterfinal | Norway v England | Saturday, July 11
Who will play in the bronze final in Miami?
Florida's bronze medal match will be played between France and either Argentina or England. France's opponent will be determined by the World Cup semifinal scheduled to be played in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 15 at 3 p.m.
The winner will advance to face Spain in the World Cup final, while the loser will compete against France.
Can I still buy tickets to Saturday World Cup match?
Last-minute tickets are still available at FIFA.com/tickets for the final game in Miami, scheduled for July 18. As of July 15, tickets for the match start at $1,500.
FIFA's site also features a marketplace where residents of "most countries" can resell their tickets, and where Mexican residents can exchange them.
According to FIFA's website, there are risks to buying tickets from third-party sites, and the organization "strongly recommend[s]" making purchases only through FIFA.com/tickets.
Where is Miami Stadium located?
The Hard Rock Stadium, renamed Miami Stadium for the World Cup, is located at 347 Don Shula Drive in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Where can I watch the World Cup 2026?
In the United States, Fox holds the broadcasting rights for all 2026 FIFA World Cup games. Of the 104 matches in the World Cup, 70 air on Fox's broadcast channel, and the other 34 air on FS1.
Since Fox holds the broadcasting rights for FIFA games in the U.S., streaming options are limited without live TV. But every match will be streamed live on Fox One and the Fox Sports App, and all matches will be broadcast in Spanish on Telemundo and streamed on Peacock.
Contributing: Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
Sarah Perkel is a South Florida Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network's Florida Connect team.Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY Network's Florida Connect Team.You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter,Florida TODAY.
Tommy Fleetwood is living the dream this week back home in Southport, the seaside town where one of the greatest English golfers of his generation grew up.
The exact nature of that dream remains open to interpretation, but Fleetwood has been soaking in the sunkissed links and the delightfully respectful applause with each swish of his club throughout his preparation. A record 300,000 spectators are expected at this week’s Open Championship, many of whom will flock to his star-studded group for rounds one and two, which includes Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth.
But it seems that his legion of fans have a slightly different dream for Fleetwood, one specifically attached to an outcome alone, with his hands holding the Claret Jug aloft on Sunday to tick off one final, meteoric box in a career packed with accolades: a major championship.
“It’s obviously very, very special,” Fleetwood remarked on the opportunity to play at Royal Birkdale in The Open. “I think for anybody that was lucky enough to grow up in the town of Southport, it’s such a golfing town.
“It’s a dream just to be competing in an Open here, so I feel very, very lucky. I’m just excited for the opportunity to play in front of everybody. It’s very rare to have an opportunity to play a tournament, let alone The Open, in the town where you grew up in front of fans that were all there to support you. So I’m very excited.”
Despite learning the game at Formby Hall, Fleetwood was eight years old when he started to dream of playing in The Open and the hallowed turf of Royal Birkdale. So much so that he joined his dad, sneaking onto the property “once or twice”. The access to the fifth hole provided a shot of adrenaline for as long as it lasted, like a fox carefully navigating its way up the lawn of a back garden it is not supposed to be in. Now he is the third favourite to win this week, behind only Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, with attention firmly fixed on his every step.
Fleetwood has twice finished runner-up in major championships (Reuters)
This Sunday, 19 July, could be Fleetwood’s time, too, with the symmetry of the World Cup final allowing many to yearn for the world No 9 to secure a maiden major merely an hour before England step onto the pitch in New Jersey.
In the only major championship outside of the United States, it is unusual for McIlroy not to be the most popular player, yet the feverish desire to see Fleetwood win may take over in the next few days. A splash of blue, an indelible mark on Fleetwood’s career from his formidable time with Europe in the Ryder Cup, covers the back of Southport and Birkdale Sports Club in a mural painted by Liverpool artist Paul Curtis.
Second in the 2018 US Open and again at The Open a year later at Portrush, behind an inspired Shane Lowry, mark Fleetwood’s best major championship finishes. Yet there is not a shade of yellow on his major record grid, the colour that famously depicts a top 10 major finish, since a tie for third at the Masters in 2024. The rollercoaster ride on the PGA Tour and, finally, a victory on American soil in last year’s Tour Championship provided a cathartic experience for himself and his fans.
But that home support can also be misleading. The familiarity is helpful, sure, bringing comfort and additional strategy not afforded to some from across the pond sampling the links for the first time, though two new holes this week at the 5th and the devilish par-three 15th provide a new wrinkle to even the most experienced players.
‘I feel like Tommy’s more level-headed than I am,’ says Rory McIlroy (PA)
McIlroy’s missed cut at Royal Portrush in 2019 offers a cautionary tale; the seismic energy that transcends across the property can work in both ways, particularly when momentum gathers pace in the wrong direction.
“It’s a great environment but tough in a way that you just feel the extra expectation on your shoulders, and you feel like you’re trying to play well for everyone else and not for yourself,” McIlroy said of the advantage of playing a major championship at a home course.
”I think there’s already enough pressure on anyone in this field to play well for themselves, so to add that extra layer on top of that is always pretty difficult.
“Yeah, like Tommy coming back here, for example, he grew up five minutes away, but I feel like Tommy’s more level-headed than I am, and he won’t fall into that trap like I did in 2019. It always seems like it takes me one good round to get it right.”
This is also where Fleetwood’s maturity enters the conversation, even beyond major championship disappointment. There was the agony of that final putt at the Travelers Championship last year and, even further back, how he absorbed a haymaker from Nick Taylor’s eagle in a playoff and the bedlam that surrounded the green as a home favourite won the 2023 Canadian Open.
Fans get to meet the local hero (Reuters)
Fleetwood has dealt with heartbreak and maybe, upon reflection, the dream is merely the moments themselves, rather than the outcome. Undoubtedly, Fleetwood failing to win a major would be a disappointment, particularly for a player of his exceptional talent. But after the deep thoughts of Scheffler last year, sometimes the journey brings as much satisfaction as the result.
“Whatever happens in my career, I’ll be able to look back and say that I gave it everything and I had an amazing time doing it,” Fleetwood concluded ahead of this year’s Open. “I would definitely much prefer to have a major or two or three on my resumé by the time my career is over. Whether that happens or not is sometimes out of your control, but I think making sure you have a great time chasing it is the ultimate thing.
“Dreams do come true, we watch it all the time. But you’ll never find out if yours will unless you chase it. Mine might come true, it might not.”
LONDON (AP) — Helped by some mid-match drama, the Wimbledon final between Linda Noskova and Karolina Muchova over the weekend was ESPN’s most-watched women’s championship match at the grass-court Grand Slam.
The all-Czech final, during which Noskova wasted five match points and a 5-2 lead in the second set before eventually winning 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 on Saturday, averaged 1.9 million viewers. That was an increase of 48% compared to last year’s women’s final: Iga Swiatek’s 6-0, 6-0 rout of Amanda Anisimova in 57 minutes.
ESPN began its coverage of Wimbledon in 2003 and has had exclusive rights since 2012.
Jannik Sinner’s four-set victory over Alexander Zverev in the men’s final on Sunday averaged 2.4 million viewers, down 16% from 2025, when Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz in four sets.
Overall, it ranked as ESPN’s second most-viewed Wimbledon, with an 18% year-over-year increase, averaging 853,000 viewers per day, the network said. This year’s numbers trailed only the 2019 edition – when Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer in a memorable five-set final and Simona Halep beat Serena Williams for the women’s trophy.
Also this year, William’s return to Grand Slam tennis after nearly four years away earned ESPN its biggest audience for a Day 2 at Wimbledon, with an average of 1.8 million viewers — despite being played on a Tuesday afternoon in the U.S.
Italian TV
In Italy, where Sinner has become the country’s most popular athlete, the final in which he earned his fifth Grand Slam title was watched by an average of 4.2 million viewers and earned a 33.8% share, Sky Italia said.
Sinner’s victory over Alcaraz last year had an average viewership in Italy of 5.7 million.
The finals started at 11 a.m. ET in the U.S. and 5 p.m. in Italy.
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 07: Christian Watson #9 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball after a catch during the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on December 07, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Packers’ offseason renovation of their wide receiver position could be seen as a repudiation of their previous approach. For years, they’ve gone with a version of the “no number one receivers” offense, and the results have been fair to middling, diminished by injuries at the position and an at times fractured offense overall.
But what if their move toward a more focused, traditional wide receiver room is simply the result of one truth? Because the reality is, the Packers may not need a bunch of wide receivers when they’ve got a couple of really good ones. In fact, if you expand the question to include all pass catchers, I think you can argue the Packers actually have one of the best groups in the NFL.
They certainly have one of the most efficiently productive. I’ve written before about how good Christian Watson is at the things he does, but he’s got company among the Packers’ pass catchers. Matthew Golden was great in small doses last year and should only improve with more reps this year, and Tucker Kraft was having an All-Pro caliber season before his knee gave out.
Between those three, the Packers are in very good shape, and we haven’t even added Jayden Reed to the mix yet.
Yes, there are limitations to looking at it this way, but it seems clear the Packers both believe in the receivers they’ve got and have the analytical backing to support that position. How it plays out on the field will be the ultimate test, but they’ve made a really solid bet.
Former Duke football quarterback Darian Mensah reflected on his college football journey on Wednesday, July 15 at ACC Football Kickoff.
Mensah, who spent time at Tulane and Duke before landing at Miami, took to the podium in Charlotte seven months after helping the Blue Devils win their eighth ACC championship and first since 1989.
"It's been a special journey to say the least," Mensah said. "Being at multiple stops, it's helped me within my own game. I've been through different OCs now, all different types of offenses. It only makes me a better player going through the transfer portal multiple times."
Mensah also said seeing Miami quarterbacks Carson Beck and Cam Ward succeed played a role in his decision to join the Hurricanes.
"That was a huge factor as far as deciding to transfer, seeing what those two guys did last year," he said. "Made an attractive decision for me. My OC, Coach Dawson, I think the way he will form the offense around the quarterback, around the stuff that he likes to do, also made it something that I wanted to be a part of."
Mensah entered the portal on the final day of its two-week window, announcing his transfer to Miami not long after. Duke originally sued Mensah, claiming a breach of his multi-year contract, but the parties ultimately reached a settlement on Jan. 27.
The Blue Devils in turn picked up San Jose State transfer Walker Eget from the transfer portal. Redshirt freshman Dan Mahan and freshman Terry Walker III are also in the quarterback room.
Manny Diaz, Nate Sheppard, Luke Mergott and Jeremiah Hasley will take the stage in Charlotte for the Blue Devils on Friday, July 17. Duke opens its season on Sept. 5 vs. Tulane.
Anna Snyder covers Duke for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at asnyder@usatodayco.com or follow her @annaesnydr on X, formerly known as Twitter.
A French tennis player has seen his ban from the sport for match-fixing extended to three years following an appeal, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed on Wednesday.
Samuel Bensoussan, 34, had initially received a ban of one year and 11 months for his involvement in fixing singles and doubles matches in lower-tier tournaments.
These illicit activities were carried out on behalf of an organised crime syndicate based in Belgium.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) increased the ban, noting that investigations had "uncovered a criminal organization that corrupted at least 181 players worldwide and involved the manipulation of at least 375 tennis matches."
The leader of this syndicate was previously sentenced to five years in prison in a Belgian criminal case.
Bensoussan's career high ranking was World No 405 in June 2018.
Bensoussan had appealed to Cas to overturn his original sanction, while the ITIA had sought a longer ban of six-and-a-half years.
The three Cas judges, however, declined to order Bensoussan to repay the €1,000 (£850) that tennis investigators claimed he received for fixing a match in 2018.
Argentina's Vice President Victoria Villaruel called England 'usurping pirates' ahead of Wednesday's FIFA World Cup semifinal -Credit:Tomas Cuesta, Getty Images
Argentina's vice president launched a scathing attack on England on the eve of the two nations' monumental FIFA World Cup semifinal, deploying the phrase 'usurping pirates' in a social media post referencing the history surrounding the Falklands War.
The turbulent history between the two countries and the Falklands War has featured prominently in the build-up to Wednesday's game in Georgia, with Victoria Villaruel, the country's VP and daughter of a Falklands veteran, firmly in the spotlight.
Her broadside on social media has sparked considerable controversy, particularly in light of comments from Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, who stated it would be 'quite wrong' to make the game about the war, via The Mirror.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has attempted to distance the game from any Falklands-based hostilities -Credit:Erick W. Rasco, Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
Villaruel posted on her X account: "Tomorrow we play against the usurping pirates. This isn't just another match. I'm not going to be politically correct or cold-hearted; against the English, it's always something more. It's the Malvinas, it's Diego, it's Leo's [Messi] last one, go Argentina! Because until our last breath, we're going to claim what's ours!"
More than 900 lives were lost during the 1982 conflict, and Argentina supporters have sung about the Falklands throughout the tournament.
However, Scaloni has sought to defuse tensions by maintaining that mixing the conflict with the match would be disrespectful. He stated: "It's a football match; I can't mix things up, out of respect for what happened so many years ago.
"It was a very sad time in our history, and there isn't much we can do about it. Mixing the two would be madness. We criticize that there was war.
To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE
"Of course, people remember history and what happened. It is a game of football, we need to keep things separate.
"Yes, we remember Argentinian people and people that were lost in the war, but let's not conflate things.
"What do the players of today have to do with many, many years ago?
"It was a sad time, we remember this, of course, but it would be quite wrong to put this into the game."
The Kentucky Wildcats basketball team's roster currently has one open spot left. However, coach Mark Pope has stated that he's happy with the team as it is, so filling the final spot isn't a priority as of now. If a recently filed lawsuit succeeds, though, there could be some intriguing options available, including a former target.
The NCAA has changed the rules of eligibility this summer, going to the five-for-five model that gives each player five years of play and eliminates redshirts and injury waivers. That did not include players who just finished their fourth seasons, though, meaning that their college careers are over. This has been challenged by a group of players suing to give them a fifth year.
One of those players is Cade Tyson, and according to rumor, if he succeeds in gaining another season, Kentucky will be interested. It would make plenty of sense.
Tyson spent his first two seasons at Belmont, where he was an instant impact player. As a sophomore, he averaged 16 points per game and shot 46% from three point range. Then he entered the transfer portal. Mark Pope made contact with him, but he chose North Carolina, but that didn't work out. Tyson averaged just 8 minutes per game and less than 3 points per game. He then headed to Minnesota, where he got back on track, averaging 19.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while shooting 41% from behind the arc.
If Tyson is granted another year of eligibility, there could be plenty of suitors, but the fit at Kentucky is solid. While Pope's third squad has talent at guard, they don't have a proven sharpshooter. Another elite shooter could boost the Wildcats into the top ten, and give them a better chance at a deep NCAA Tournament run.
First, Tyson has to win the lawsuit. It's also important to note that Kentucky's interest is just a rumor as of now. We will follow this story and provide updates as they come.
The former NFL head coach and commentator has gotten a front row seat to the next generation of quarterbacks for years, whether that was via scouting or his "Gruden's QB Camp" show ahead of the NFL draft. And he isn't a fan of what he's seeing come through the college ranks.
"I'm worried about the game to be honest with you," Gruden said. "A lot of people think the game is evolving. I think the game is dissolving."
In Gruden's mind, the main culprit is a lack of communication.
"We're just not communicating," Gruden said. "I always use these three letters 'RCE.' You got to recognize the defense, recognize the coverage, and then you start to communicate. You can change the play, you can stay with the play, but you got to be a great communicator. And if you can recognize defenses, communicate what you want to do, you got a chance to execute."
The former coach has specifically taken issue with the absence of a cadence at the college level, pointing to the installation of a clap to snap the ball. It became the subject of a viral clip prior to the 2025 NFL Draft with now-New York Giants' quarterback, Jaxson Dart.
"When you just run up to the line of scrimmage, clap your hands, and hope for the best. I can't take all these RPO bubble screens and high turbo tempo offenses with six false starts a game and no communication.
"I'd rather slam my hand in a car door than watch some of this."
As for the root of the problem, Gruden pointed to player movement in college.
"A lot of these guys are on four or five different colleges," Gruden said. "I mean they transfer from one college to another. There's no continuity and you know repetition is the mother of learning. You had to get into the same stance, do the same drills and the same defense for a period of years. And that's how you master the techniques."
Given that perspective and Gruden's desire to coach, it would seemingly make sense for him to take a job in the college ranks. The former Raiders' coach is currently in the midst of a lawsuit against the NFL, alleging that the league deliberately leaked disparaging emails he wrote.
Gruden eventually resigned from his post with the Raiders and now works for Barstool Sports.
When asked if he would consider making the transition to coaching college, Gruden left the door open and admitted he has thought about it a little bit.
"I'll be honest. I met with a couple colleges," Gruden said. "I don't know about college football, honestly, with the NIL if that's for me. I don't know if I want to spend a lot of time raising money, but who knows?
Perhaps that door to coaching on the sidelines eventually opens again. If it does, Gruden said he'll be ready for it.
"I would love to get into a locker room and start putting together some game plans again," Gruden said. "I miss it, man. But, we'll take one day at a time and and all you can do is prepare yourself for somebody to toss you the chalk and interview you.
The Badgers will face Villanova on Dec. 12 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, UW announced July 15 via social media. It did not indicate a time for the game.
The game, operated by Intersport and billed as the “Philly Hoops Showdown,” officially is a neutral-site game. It is the second half of a two-game contract after the Wildcats defeated the Badgers in overtime at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee in 2025-26.
Villanova posted a 24-9 overall record and 15-5 Big East record in 2025-26, which was Kevin Willard’s first year at the helm. The Wildcats were a No. 8 seed in March Madness and lost to Utah State in the first round.
UW denied an open-records request for other men’s basketball game contracts, and the university's public records officials have not yet responded to follow-up questions regarding the denial of records that UW and its peers have historically provided.
If the San Antonio Spurs want to make one more splash before the season starts, it feels like a move for Trey Murphy would make the most sense.
Murphy is a perfect player for the Spurs to bring in, depending on what the future looks like for some of the other young players on the roster. Aside from guys like Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle, I still envision a scenario in which San Antonio can put together a really good package without those three.
However, the problem with trading for Murphy isn't the players the Spurs would have to give up, but the picks that would need to be attached. According to the latest report, the New Orleans Pelicans are still looking for a ridiculous package for the wing.
“Trey Murphy, Pelicans. (Remaining contract: three years, $88 million.) It does look increasingly like Murphy will stay put. He is a favorite in NBA trade rumors, there are questions on how serious New Orleans would be about trading him. One exec says it will take a Desmond Bane-style offer (four first-round picks) to pry him from New Orleans, though that price has dropped a bit. Still, there’s been no movement yet,” Sean Deveney wrote.
Four first-round picks for Murphy is just absolutely outrageous, and I'm a really big fan of what he is as a player. However, in this CBA and with how important picks are, I don't really think most players are worth four picks, especially a guy who's not a No. 1 on a championship team.
At the same time, I think he'd be a legitimately perfect fit for what the Spurs currently have, so I can see them putting together a decent package to land him.
When Robert Saleh left the San Francisco 49ers for the Tennessee Titans' head coaching job this past January, Kyle Shanahan drew a clear line around one member of his defensive staff. K.J. Wright, San Francisco's defensive quality control coach from 2024 and 2025, wasn't going with him.
"It was an understanding from the beginning," Saleh told ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "Off limits."
Shanahan wanted to keep Wright, who turns 37 this month, for two reasons: He wanted to promote him to linebackers coach in 2026 and had a good feeling he'd become a top assistant for San Francisco this season and, ideally, beyond.
"He's going to be a coordinator really quick," Saleh said. "I could see him easily progressing the way DeMeco [Ryans] did. He's got the same mindset. He's got the same respect from his players. K.J.'s going to be really good."
Wright's coaching arc has mirrored Ryans' in more than one way. Both spent lengthy playing careers at linebacker before transitioning to coaching almost immediately, and both moved from quality control to a linebackers coach role within a couple of seasons. Ryans eventually rode that path from the 49ers' defensive coordinator chair to a head coaching job for the Houston Texans.
Wright, for his part, isn't ready to lean into the comparison. Wright made clear his focus stays fixed on the job in front of him rather than any long-range projection tied to Ryans' rise.
"I do want to be a really good linebackers coach, and I do know I want to be a defensive coordinator," Wright said. "I for sure know that. And so I'm working toward that. And we'll see. We'll see once it gets past that point. Ask me again once I become defensive coordinator."
For now, Shanahan's plan keeps Wright developing inside the building. Whether Wright's path continues in San Francisco after this season remains to be seen, but the 49ers made sure Saleh couldn't take a shot at finding out first.
Crystal Palace have signed forward Beth England on a free transfer.
WSL Full-Time were informed of the news via an official club press release from The Eagles earlier today.
The 32-year-old joins Crystal Palace after leaving former club Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer. She has signed a two-year deal with the South Londoners with the option of a further year.
England spent three-and-a-half years with Spurs, establishing herself as the club’s all-time record WSL goalscorer with 32 goals. She has also turned out for Doncaster Rovers Belles, Sheffield Wednesday, Liverpool and Chelsea in the past.
On the international stage, the forward has been capped by England on 26 occasions in which she has scored 11 goals. She won UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 with the Lionesses.
After joining Crystal Palace, England said “It feels great to sign for Crystal Palace. I’m very excited to be here, and I’m looking forward to meeting all the girls and getting started.
“Palace are an ambitious club. They’ve been in the WSL before, they’ve had two amazing promotions now, and I think you can see their investment in the women’s game.
“They’re really pushing to be among the best, and they’ve got amazing facilities. It’s a place where I hope that I can make a lot of good memories, score a lot of goals, and make some history for the football club.”
England is Crystal Palace’s third signing of the summer transfer window.
Real Madrid ready to meet Bayern Munich’s €200 million price tag for French international
Michael Olise endured one of his worst nights in quite a while when Spain completely outclassed France to enter the final of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
But that hasn’t stopped Real Madrid from trying to sign the Bayern Munich man, who has emerged as the club’s priority target this summer.
Real Madrid have been heavily linked with a move for Olise in the recent past, with Los Blancos unwilling to back down despite Bayern Munich being keen on keeping hold of the player.
Real Madrid ready to meet €200 million price tag
Olise could become Real Madrid’s most expensive signing. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
According to Santi Aouna on Foot Mercato, Real Madrid wants to pull off a record move for Olise this summer and are prepared to meet Bayern Munich’s hefty price tag.
The Bavarians are demanding at least €200 million for the French international, who has set the Bundesliga alight with his performances.
Real Madrid are astonishingly prepared to meet that figure, which would make Olise the second most expensive transfer in football history, just behind Neymar.
It will also make him Real Madrid’s most expensive buy – a title currently held by Jude Bellingham when he joined the club for €127 million.
Olise wants to join Real Madrid
Olise had a torrid time against Spain. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
The report adds that Olise, for his part, wants to join Real Madrid this summer after a brief spell at Bayern Munich that has seen him rack up 42 goals and 54 assists in just over 100 matches.
Following the defeat to Spain, France’s World Cup campaign has already come to an end, which means the coming weeks could be crucial as far as the attacker’s future is concerned.
Bayern Munich are ideally looking to extend the contract of Olise, in order to seal his long-term future at the Allianz Arena.
But Real Madrid’s interest, coupled with the player’s desire to move to the Bernabeu complicate things.
Among the limited assets that the Golden State Warriors have player-wise, one player who could bring them a decent return is Moses Moody.
Unfortunately, Moody went down with a gruesome knee injury a season ago, which has raised questions about his future with the organization. The hope is that the Warriors can eventually get him back from his injury and that he'll be the same type of player he once was.
However, it's also possible that Golden State understands he's one of its few remaining assets and is trying to trade him.
According to the latest, because of his contract and upside, even with this injury, there's still a feeling he can be a decent asset.
“Moses Moody, Warriors. (Remaining contract: two years, $26 million.) Moody has developed into a valuable piece for Golden State, but a nasty knee injury could keep him out for most of next season. The Warriors are short on time, so could move Moody to make room for LeBron James, or for another potential move. Even with the injury, Moody’s upside and reasonable contract make him an asset,” Sean Deveney wrote.
There were times when Moody looked like a really good player for Golden State.
There were other times when he seemed about average. He's a typical young player who has had his ups and downs, though it's important to remember that while he's been in the league for five seasons, he recently turned 24 years old, so this is still a young kid who has gotten some important minutes in big moments for Golden State.
Nashville SC, which is perched atop the Major League Soccer standings coming out of the league's summer World Cup break, is adding players to strengthen itself for a title push.
The club is finalizing the additions of Tunisian winger Elias Saad (from the Bundesliga's FC Augsburg) and 21-year-old midfielder Famara Camara of Senegal, a source confirmed to The Tennessean.
Nashville SC (10-1-3) has taken points from 13 of 14 MLS games thus far this season, though it hasn't played since May 23 with the league on hiatus. It'll return by hosting Atlanta United on July 17 at GEODIS Park.
Victor Wembanyama choosing to take a discount and leave roughly $50 million on the table in his latest contract to help the Spurs build and maintain a championship team is exactly what is wrong with the system in the eyes of David Kelly, the new executive director of the NBPA (the players' union).
"Our position would be that the system should not require a player to carry all that burden," Kelly said during his introductory press conference last week. "It should not put a player in a position where he has to carry the burden in order to keep a team together. A system that does that, we have a problem."
Kevin Love was more direct, saying the second apron has essentially become a hard cap. He referenced how Brad Stevens and Boston traded away Jaylen Brown because he felt he couldn't have two supermax players together and build out a championship roster, or how the tax is already impacting decisions for the Thunder and Spurs.
"I'll tell you, selfishly, what's really f****** stupid, these aprons are f****** with the game," Love said in an appearance on The Old Man and the Three podcast. "That's on our side, [the owners] know exactly who they are that did it…
"You're telling me Oklahoma City can't keep those three guys together because of these aprons? That's bulls***. You're telling me Sam Presti, the greatest, all the things that he's done, is handcuffed because of these f****** aprons?"
To NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, the system is working as designed.
"It's certainly not an unintended consequence," Adam Silver said when speaking to the media after the NBA Board of Governors meeting in Las Vegas on Tuesday. "When you have a salary system in place as we do, every general manager is going to need to make mixed basketball and business decisions. Frankly, they make them regardless of whether you have a cap. You see that in other sports. People manage budgets. People recognize that you can't — at some point, you can't have unlimited resources, whether it's for a team or any business....
"The purpose of the system is ultimately to create competition throughout the league, and from that standpoint, I think the system is working incredibly well. The goal isn't necessarily to have a different champion every year, but we've had eight different champions over the last eight years. As I've said previously, one of the things we were hoping to accomplish in this latest collective bargaining agreement was to dispel this notion that only certain markets were in a position to truly compete. We just saw a Finals between, essentially, the largest market in the league in New York and one of the smallest markets in San Antonio."
What the owners and Silver wanted was parity — and they got it, or at least closer to it than the league saw before. Fans may hate that the Thunder and Spurs, at the start of potential dynastic runs and an elite rivalry, are already having to get players to take discounts — OKC's Chet Holmgren took the exact same discount Wembanyama did — and think about breaking up their star trios, but the owners love that. If Boston feels it has to trade Brown, he just goes to another team and makes them better in the 30,000-foot view of the league.
There is a push in some circles to allow teams that draft and develop a max player — a guy who stays with his team — to get a salary cap discount so they can build around their homegrown star. For example, in Wembanyama's case, he could put the Rose Rule escalator in his contract and get 30% of the salary cap in his next deal (about an extra $10 million a year), but on the official team books, it would only count as 25%. That could help a team like Boston keep Brown and build around him (because both Brown and Jayson Tatum would qualify). It's something Warriors owner Joe Lacob brought up when he had Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green together (it was a selfish proposition on Lacob's part, but that doesn't mean it was wrong).
All of that will be part of the next CBA negotiations, but the owners like this current system. They wanted a hard cap, instead the owners got a second apron that is essentially the same thing (only one team was over it last season, Cleveland, and only one is now, Oklahoma City, and it may make a move to get below that number). If the players want to change it, what are they willing to give up in the next CBA negotiations?
El Paso's Noah Lopez had the opportunity of a lifetime at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 9-year-old Lopez escorted Kylian Mbappé, the star player for France, before the semifinal match between Spain and France on Tuesday, July 14, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Spain won 2-0 to advance to this weekend's championship match.
The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada. FIFA has a Player Escort Program that helps young soccer fans escort players onto the pitch.
El Paso has had other connections to the World Cup. El Pasoans Ricardo Pepi and Alejandro Zendejas both played for the United States, which reached the round of 16. The Borderland also has celebrated Mexico's Gilbert Mora, a 17-year-old who plays in a league in Juárez
Several matches have been played in Arlington and Houston.
The championship match is slated for Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
After a dominant run through the 2026 FIFA World Cup, defending champion France was denied a third consecutive trip to the final with a 2-0 loss to Spain in Tuesday’s semifinal match. It was a rather stunning end to the team’s run given the way it played throughout the tournament, but none of the players were particularly interested in talking about it.
France entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the betting favorite to lift the trophy, and it certainly looked the part through the group stage and the first three matches of the knockout round, winning every match it played by more than two goals per match on average.
The team was a perfect 6-0 in the tournament entering Tuesday’s match and had not so much as surrendered a goal through the first three matches of the knockout round, all while its high-powered offense, led by the tournament’s leading scorer Kylian Mbappé, made scoring feel inevitable.
But all that changed in Tuesday’s match. Not only did France surrender its first two goals of the knockout round, but Mbappé and company had no answers on the offensive side as they were held scoreless for the first time all tournament.
Needless to say, it was a surprising result, but France did not seem all that willing to answer for it after the match.
According to Michael J. Duarte of The California Post, no French player went through the media mix zone after the match. While not every player is required to speak to the media after matches, teams are required to designate some players to speak in the media mix zone. According to Duarte, that didn’t happen.
All of the French players refused to come through the media mix zone after the match.
FIFA will hopefully fine them.
None of the French players wanted to talk about the loss to Spain that ended their World Cup.
“All of the French players refused to come through the media mix zone after the match. FIFA will hopefully fine them. None of the French players wanted to talk about the loss to Spain that ended their World Cup,” he wrote in a post on X.
It is worth noting that Mbappé appears to have spoken to at least some members of the media in some capacity, as he is quoted in a Reuters article where he called the team’s performance “sloppy.” He also interviewed with Fox Sports reporter Jenny Taft following the match. So it’s probably not fair to say that all of the French players were entirely unwilling to speak on the loss. Whether Duarte and others got the chance to talk to French players, however, is obviously a different story. But based on FIFA’s rules, players are supposed to be made available in the mixed zone, and teams can be fined if that doesn’t happen.
After the loss, France will now take on the loser of Wednesday’s match between England and Argentina in the third-place match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday afternoon.
The Golden State Warriors, unfortunately, really don't have many assets to make a trade that makes sense for them. The Warriors could move on from players they likely don't want to trade, or from assets they don't want to trade, to get better, but something has to give to improve.
The one guy who could be impacted by that is Jimmy Butler, though, given his age and coming off an ACL injury, it's tough to see a scenario in which teams are that interested in Butler. According to a recent report, not many teams are interested in Butler.
“Jimmy Butler, Warriors. (Remaining contract: one year, $57 million.) Butler continues to be the subject od trade rumors, but it does not appear that the Warriors will look to move him. He’s the team’s main path to adding another star, as he is probably out until Christmas or later as he recovers from January ACL surgery.
“There are not many teams looking to add a rehabbing 36-year-old to their mix, and the Warriors are not likely to find a player who is better than Butler when healthy,” Sean Deveney wrote.
Butler could be used as a salary-dump player who gets moved in a deal for a player the Warriors want, if the Warriors attach other assets.
However, as Deveney touched on here, there won't be a long line outside waiting for Butler to become available.
When Mark Darbon, the chief executive of the R&A, sat down with reporters Wednesday at Royal Birkdale ahead of the 154th Open Championship, he confirmed something we learned ahead of last month’s U.S. Open: Golf’s governing bodies are considering the idea of using Model Local Rules (MLR) to curb distance at the highest levels of the sport.
That idea should sound familiar, because we’ve heard it before.
The United States Golf Association and the R&A first proposed the idea as a solution to the governing bodies stated distance problem in March, 2023, before abandoning it in favor of the universal golf-ball rollback announced in December of that year.
Now, after conversations with the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and players themselves, the pendulum appears to be swinging back.
“There’s clearly been a bit of change in the position of the PGA Tour and its players, an openness to look at some model local rules,” Darbon said Wednesday.
For golfers who have spent the last three years trying to keep track of robot testing protocols, launch conditions and endless debates about virtues and shortcomings of bifurcation, this latest twist may feel like yet another plot twist in a movie that feels like it’s running too long already. But, it could ultimately reshape professional golf far more than the rollback plan currently scheduled to begin in 2030.
First, it helps to understand what a Model Local Rule actually is.
Model Local Rules have been around for generations, and tournament organizers use them to address everything from preferred lies to out-of-bounds stakes and temporary conditions. In 2022, the USGA and R&A introduced an MLR that allowed tournaments to cap driver length at 46 inches and it was quickly adopted by the PGA Tour and LPGA.
The concept the governing bodies explored and formally proposed in 2023 was much more ambitious. Instead of changing equipment rules for everyone, tournament organizers could require elite players to use equipment tested under different, distance-reducing standards.
At the time, the focus was primarily on golf balls. The governing bodies proposed testing balls at higher swing speeds at more optimized launch conditions, creating a “competition ball” that would fly shorter in the hands of the fastest players. The testing standards for other balls would not change, so equipment used by recreational golfers would be unchanged.
There were also discussions about club regulations. The USGA and R&A researched whether Model Local Rules could be used to reduce the spring-like effect of drivers by lowering Characteristic Time, or CT, and whether driver heads should have lower limits on moment of inertia (MOI), making off-center hits less forgiving.
Then something changed.
In December, 2023, the USGA and R&A abandoned the idea and announced a universal rollback that would alter the Overall Distance Standard (ODS) for golf balls beginning in 2028 for elite players and 2030 for recreational golfers. The governing bodies said they had heard overwhelming support for one set of equipment rules across the game.
But last month, Mike Whan, the CEO of the USGA, revealed on the day before the start of the U.S. Open that the decision to abandon the Model Local Rule solution was driven by something else, too.
“Three years ago, we were told pretty point-blank that MLRs would not be implemented that are distance-related at the PGA Tour level,” Whan said. “Given that, we had a crossroads. Do we keep going down that path if they’re not going to be implemented? That’s a paper exercise then. So, we moved on from some of those.”
In other words, the governing bodies did not necessarily stop believing Model Local Rules could be a good solution to reducing distance at the elite level. They stopped believing anyone would use them.
Now, it appears the resistance to MLRs is changing.
Whan said recent meetings with PGA Tour leadership, DP World Tour officials and members of the PGA Tour Player Advisory Council revealed three things: everyone agrees distance continues to increase at the elite level; there are concerns that the current rollback plan will not do enough to slow that trend; and there is now a “collective willingness” to reconsider ideas that had been shelved.
On Wednesday, Darbon said, “There's been a lot of, I'd say, really transparent and collaborative dialogue with other stakeholders, the tours and more recently with a number of players themselves. It's of no surprise to anyone that not everyone is aligned behind the decision that was made in December 2023, and having heard the feedback from the industry, I think it would be remiss of us not to take some time to explore some of the other alternatives that may exist, particularly given that there's clearly been a bit of change in the position of the PGA Tour and its players, an openness to look at some model local rules.”
What would distance-reducing equipment look like?
If the USGA and the R&A created Model Local Rules that, if adopted, would make players use distance-reducing equipment, what might that world look like?
PGA Tour and DP World Tour players would use a shorter-flying ball, while the rest of us continued teeing up Pro V1s, Chrome Softs, TP5s, Tour B's and Z-Stars and other balls that conform to today’s standards.
Equipment trucks would carry competition-ball inventories. Tour reps would spend weeks, probably months, helping players dial in launch windows, spin rates and yardages with the new gear.
The effects would ripple through the professional game. Distances would change and invariably some long hitters might lose more ground than others.
There would also be less need to create longer courses, championship venues would require less water and fewer chemicals to maintain and some layouts would regain some of their original strategic intent.
For recreational golfers, the biggest attraction is obvious: nothing would change.
Your driver would stay legal. Your golf balls would stay legal. The 18-handicapper who struggles to clear a pond wouldn’t suddenly be hitting the ball 5 or 7 yards shorter.
Of course, none of this would come without complications.
Manufacturers would almost certainly resist MLRs and the idea of building a second category of products that many consumers would never buy or use. Designing, testing and producing competition golf balls with different specifications would add cost and complexity to an industry that already spends tens of millions of dollars each year on research and development.
There is also the question of where the line would be drawn.
Would Model Local Rules apply only to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour? The Korn Ferry Tour would likely be included, but what about the PGA Tour Champions and college golfers? And then there is the LPGA.
Someone will have to decide where the cutoff lies.
The debate would inevitably return to the word golf has been arguing about for years: bifurcation.
Critics would argue that forcing professionals to use different equipment than recreational players amounts to bifurcation, regardless of semantics. Back in 2023, however, Thomas Pagel, the USGA’s chief governance officer, disagreed.
“Our view is a single set of playing rules and a single set of equipment rules is one of the great things about the game,” Pagel said at the time. “Model Local Rules have existed forever, and we have Model Local Rules around equipment. This would just be another example of that. We don’t view it as bifurcation.”
Golf’s governing bodies spent years insisting they had moved beyond Model Local Rules. This week at Royal Birkdale, and last month at Shinnecock Hills, they effectively admitted they may be headed right back toward them.
The irony is hard to miss. After years of studies, debates and announcements, the sport may find itself standing once again at the same fork in the road it faced in 2023.
Only now, the PGA Tour appears it might be willing to take a path alongside the game’s governing bodies.
David Dusek is a senior writer at Golfweek covering golf equipment.
Ravi Shastri, Michael Vaughan, and others gave England World Cup semi-final predictions.
All four backed England to beat Argentina in Wednesday's Atlanta semi-final.
Shastri memorably merged Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham into one name.
Ravi Shastri, Michael Vaughan and ex-cricketers drop FIFA World Cup semi-final predictions
Cricket and football rarely collide as neatly as they have this fortnight. As England's cricketers prepare to chase an ODI series against India, the nation's footballers stand on the brink of history, facing reigning champions Argentina in a World Cup semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday.
The occasion was too good for the Stick to Cricket show to ignore. The popular cricket podcast messaged a string of well-known figures from the game to ask for their scoreline predictions ahead of the meeting between Harry Kane's England and Lionel Messi's Argentina.
The responses ranged from the confident to the comically confused, but they shared one overwhelming theme. Every single respondent backed England to reach only their second World Cup final and their first since lifting the trophy on home soil in 1966.
Ravi Shastri delivered the most memorable answer of the lot, correctly picking a winner while spectacularly merging two of England's biggest stars into a single player. "2-1 England. Kane Bellingham for England. Messi Argentina," the former India head coach replied.
We asked friends of the show for their England v Argentina predictions! 🏴 🇦🇷
Michael Vaughan kept his prediction simple and characteristically bullish about his country's chances. Asked for the score in the big game, the 2005 Ashes-winning captain replied "3-2 to England," backing a high-scoring victory in Atlanta.
Phil Tufnell could not resist a nod to England's tortured penalty history against Argentina, having lost the 1998 shootout in Saint-Etienne. "2-2 pens, England wins," the former spinner wrote, imagining a dramatic route to the final that few England fans would welcome.
Mark Wood offered the tightest scoreline and a cheeky assist for his fellow pundit. "1-0. Tuffers, penalty," the fast bowler replied, jokingly casting Tufnell as the man to convert a decisive spot kick for the Three Lions on the night.
The optimism is not entirely without foundation. According to Opta, England advance in 52.3 percent of the supercomputer's simulations, with Kane and Jude Bellingham having scored six goals each, the first time two players from one nation have hit that mark in a single World Cup.
Argentina, however, arrives as the tournament's form side. Messi has scored eight goals in six matches, and La Albiceleste have won all six of their games while chasing the feat of becoming the first team to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.
The rivalry needs no embellishment, taking in Diego Maradona's Hand of God in 1986 and David Beckham's red card in 1998. For all the cricketing bravado, England's players know Thomas Tuchel's side must end a 60-year wait to make the panel's predictions come true.
For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.
Ya-Sin was truly a rock in 2025, having played in all 17 games. He suffered cramps on multiple occasions, but was otherwise healthy. The only concern medically is his age, which has crossed over 30.
These were Ya-Sin’s defensive snap counts the final four games of the season
Week 14 - 89%
Week 15 - 97%
Week 16 - 98%
Week 17 - 96%
These snap counts were the highest of any Lion CB, including Reed. Ya-Sin basically had become the Lions #1 CB by the end of the season.
OUTLOOK: With his proven performance from last season, Ya-Sin likely gets a starting CB job. This knowledge probably helps him get his cramping issues under control as he can get his body properly prepared.
This 5th-round rookie is very medically clean with only a possible minor hand injury in his college career.
OUTLOOK: Many considered Abney to be a steal in the draft. We’ll see about that, but hopes are certainly high that this extremely young player can be a long-term solution somewhere in the secondary.
Given his youth, health, and cheap 4-year contract, the Lions will give Abney every chance to earn a significant role - likely as the slot CB.
Los Angeles Dodgers southpaw Justin Wrobleski pitched two innings in the All-Star game, raising some eyebrows with his performance.
Wrobleski had five strikeouts, but he made one mistake, leading to his only run allowed, which came on a home run to former Dodgers Miguel Vargas.
However, his five punch-outs were good for the most since 1999, when Pedro Martinez got six of his own.
The record, since there are so many pitchers that need a turn, is six, but Wrobleski fell just short. He also tied for the most among Dodgers pitchers at the ASG, alongside two legends, Fernando Valenzuela (1986) and Don Drysdale (1959).
Jul 14, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; National League Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski (70) reacts after giving up a home run during the eighth inning against the American League at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Wrobleski was notably down since he gave up a home run, understandably so since he is a hyper-competitive pitcher, but he did not fail to take it all in, making an unlikely All-Star appearance on his birthday.
“I’m super blessed and lucky to have the chance to do this,” Wrobleski said. “There’s not many guys in history that have had that chance. So pretty cool to play on my birthday. My family’s here. Got to talk to them all day. And yeah, it was super fun.”
Jul 14, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; National League Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski (70) throws out a pitch at the top of the seventh inning during the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Justin Wrobleski’s underdog story
Wrobleski was a journeyman college pitcher, playing at three different schools and undergoing Tommy John surgery months before getting drafted, which dinged him in the pre-draft evaluation.
Additionally, in 2021, he went through a car accident so tragic that it nearly ended his baseball career.
Despite it all, Wrobleski never lost faith.
“For whatever reason, I’ve always believed I could do it,” Wrobleski said.
“Even when it doesn’t look like it’s been something that’s possible, or hasn’t looked like this dream is going to work out, I’ve always had the belief that God’s given me the talent, and I have the ability to be able to do all this stuff. And it’s great to –– not fulfill that –– but prove that I can be really good at the major league level.”
Leeds United have officially added AC Milan’s versatile midfielder Yunus Musah to their summer recruitment shortlist, with manager Daniel Farke eager to strengthen his midfield ahead of the new campaign. Daniel Farke is at Elland Road. The West Yorkshire club’s recruitment team have maintained long-term interest in the American international and are prepared to explore a formal deal.
Musah has endured a challenging spell since his €20 million move from Valencia to San Siro in 2023. He spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Atalanta but struggled to secure regular starts, leaving him back at Milan with an uncertain future.
For Leeds, signing a dynamic midfielder like Musah is an attractive proposition. While the club’s American owners, 49ers Enterprises, are interested in the commercial appeal of pairing Musah with USMNT teammate Brenden Aaronson at Elland Road, the pursuit is firmly rooted in Farke’s tactical vision. Farke wants a high-intensity squad and believes Musah’s top-flight pedigree would add valuable depth and experience to his midfield options.
However, Leeds will have to wait before making a serious move for Musah. New Milan manager Ruben Amorim wants to assess the ‘fantastic’ 23-year-old during pre-season before making a final decision on his future.
Furthermore, Musah must consider whether a move to Elland Road would guarantee the regular starts he needs for his development, especially as he looks to compete with established midfielders like Ethan Ampadu for a place in the starting XI.
Meanwhile, Leeds are also continuing their pursuit of Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, but now face added competition from Newcastle United.
Manchester City open to loaning academy forward 12 months after arrival from Paris Saint-Germain
Man City have opened to a loan with option deal for 19-year-old striker Mahamadou Sangare
Sangare scored 15 goals in 30 appearances for Man City’s U21 side last season
Nantes, Nice and Freiburg among the clubs interested in the young forward
Manchester City have opened to a loan for U21 striker Mahamadou Sangare, with the 19-year-old available for a fee below £4.2 million should an interested club wish to make the move permanent, as per a new report from Italy.
Sangare enjoyed a prolific campaign at U21 level for Manchester City last season, scoring 15 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions – a return that has attracted attention from clubs across France, Germany and beyond as director of football Hugo Viana assesses the most appropriate next step for one of the more productive young strikers in the club’s development setup.
The teenager’s goal record at U21 level placed him among the more clinical finishers operating in that age group across City’s City Football Group network last season, and the decision to make him available on a loan-with-option structure reflects a recognition from the club that his development is best served by regular senior football rather than another campaign in the academy environment.
Manchester City striker expected to leave this summer – Ligue 1 and Bundesliga ‘most likely’
Nantes, Nice and Freiburg are among the clubs understood to have expressed an interest in Sangare ahead of the window progressing further, with the relatively accessible valuation placed on a permanent option likely to broaden the pool of potential suitors considerably as awareness of the teenager’s availability grows.
The report also notes that Italian clubs could view Sangare as a particularly attractive opportunity, suggesting the striker’s profile has already generated interest beyond the clubs specifically named and that the field of potential destinations is wider than the initial shortlist implies.
Di Natale: Sangare available on loan with option as City open talks
According to journalist Mirko Di Natale, Manchester City are open to a loan with option to buy arrangement for Sangare, with the striker’s valuation set below £4.2 million for any club wishing to activate a permanent purchase at the end of a temporary spell.
The loan-with-option structure is one Manchester City have used consistently in managing the development of young players whose talent is established but whose readiness for regular first-team football at the highest level requires further testing in a senior competitive environment before a definitive decision is made.
At 19, Sangare sits at precisely the juncture in a young striker’s development where a well-chosen loan can prove transformative – old enough to cope with the physical demands of senior football but young enough to benefit enormously from the kind of consistent exposure to competitive environments that U21 football, however productive, cannot fully replicate.
The relatively low valuation attached to the permanent option is a pragmatic acknowledgment from City that Sangare’s market value, while reflecting genuine potential, has not yet been established through senior appearances – and that the structure of the deal is designed to incentivise clubs to move for him now rather than wait for that value to rise following a successful loan.
Manchester City 2026/27 squad audit: Transfer latest on every player
What does Sangare’s availability mean for Manchester City’s academy pathway?
The decision to make Sangare available externally on loan rather than keeping him within the City Football Group’s network of clubs reflects a broader philosophy under Viana’s leadership of finding the most appropriate environment for each individual player rather than defaulting to an in-network solution regardless of whether it best serves the player’s development needs.
Freiburg’s interest is particularly noteworthy given the German club’s well-earned reputation for developing and integrating young players into senior football at a high level, with a loan there offering the kind of structured, progressive environment that a young striker with Sangare’s profile would benefit greatly from across a full season in the Bundesliga.
For new City manager Enzo Maresca, the question of how City’s development pipeline connects to the first-team is one he is addressing across multiple levels of the squad simultaneously, with the futures of development-age players like Sangare sitting alongside the far higher-profile decisions around established senior figures as the summer rebuild continues at the Etihad Stadium.
Whether Sangare’s next destination is Nantes, Nice, Freiburg or an as-yet unidentified Italian club, the 19-year-old’s availability at an accessible valuation ensures that the decision over where he spends the 2026-27 season is likely to be resolved relatively quickly once the right environment has been identified by City’s sporting structure and the player himself.
Insider Delivers 4-Word No-Nonsense Message on Rumors Around Ducks Star Cutter Gauthier
The Anaheim Ducks’ offseason took a dramatic turn when they matched the Philadelphia Flyers’ record-setting five-year, $90 million offer sheet for star center Leo Carlsson. While the move ensured the franchise kept one of its cornerstone players, it also sparked immediate speculation about what it could mean for fellow restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier.
After leading Anaheim with 41 goals last season, Gauthier suddenly became the center of contract rumors, with many wondering whether he would now demand a deal similar to Carlsson’s.
Insider Shuts Down Gauthier Contract Rumors
The speculation gained momentum after former NHL defenseman Keith Yandle claimed on Spittin’ Chiclets that he had heard Gauthier wasn’t willing to accept anything less than Carlsson’s $18 million average annual value.
However, NHL insider Jimmy Murphy quickly dismissed the rumor with a blunt four-word response: “Confirmed, this is not true!”
Murphy’s response poured cold water on the growing speculation, suggesting the reported contract demand isn’t based in reality.
The Reality Behind the Gauthier Situation With the Ducks
While the rumor generated plenty of discussion, it doesn’t align with the NHL’s contract rules.
Unlike Carlsson, Gauthier is not eligible to receive an offer sheet because he has not yet qualified for Group 2 restricted free agent status. He also does not have arbitration rights, making the rumored $18 million-per-year scenario impossible under the current collective bargaining agreement.
That said, Anaheim still faces an important negotiation.
Following his 41-goal breakout season, Gauthier is expected to receive a significant raise.
Before Carlsson’s record-setting contract, projections had Gauthier landing a long-term deal worth roughly $9.6 million annually. With the market now shifting upward, he could reasonably seek a contract in the $11-12 million range or opt for a shorter-term agreement that allows him to capitalize on another increase in the salary cap later.
Even if Gauthier signs for around $11-12 million annually, Anaheim will need to create cap space before the regular season.
That has already fueled speculation that veterans such as Alex Killorn and Frank Vatrano could become trade candidates as general manager Pat Verbeek looks to balance the books.
Negotiations may not be straightforward either. Verbeek is notoriously rigid in contract negotiations (as seen previously with Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale). However, Gauthier famously forced his way out of Philadelphia by refusing to sign his ELC, proving he is entirely comfortable digging his heels in when he feels slighted by front-office management.
The Ducks can’t afford a prolonged holdout from their top goalscorer, meaning Verbeek will likely have to swallow his pride, move a veteran asset for pennies on the dollar, and pay Gauthier his well-earned premium.
The Golden State Warriors obviously want to improve on both sides of the basketball this offseason, though they really haven't.
In fact, the Warriors are one of the only teams in the league that really hasn't done anything. Unfortunately for the Warriors, it's uncertain whether that's going to change anytime in the near future, as there's no guarantee that LeBron James will end up with the Warriors, and a trade for Anthony Davis is seeming increasingly unlikely day by day.
According to the latest report on Davis, much of that is due to the Washington Wizards being under pressure to finally turn things around. The Wizards, who have been one of the worst teams in the NBA in recent years, believe Davis will at least help them turn things around a bit.
“Speaking of Davis, one NBA executive has a pretty good reason for why he’s staying put in Washington–the Wizards are under a strict mandate to get things turned around after just 50 wins in their last three seasons. Both coach Brian Keefe and president Michael Winger have their jobs on the line this year,” Sean Deveney wrote.
On paper, the Wizards shouldn't be a terrible team with Davis, Trae Young, AJ Dybantsa, and some other really interesting young pieces. Davis obviously makes more sense on an older team like the Warriors, but if the Wizards are actually trying to win, it's unlikely he gets moved.
Dec 7, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns center Ethan Pocic (55) lies on the field with an apparent injury and head coach Kevin Stefanski looks on during the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images | Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Browns remade offensive line group has seen an impressive amount of overhaul. At this point, the current starting lineup is expected to include five new starters:
Quite a lot of change from the last few years when Jedrick Wills/Cam Robinson, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, and Jack Conklin were the starting group. Bitonio has retired, Wills took a year off from the NFL last year and is still a free agent, Teller signed with the Houston Texans, and Robinson, Pocic, and Conklin remain free agents.
According to a report, Pocic is now healthy and will be ready to participate in training camp if he signs with a team:
Browns starting center Ethan Pocic, who tore his Achilles last December, recently was cleared by Dr. Norman Waldrop to participate in training camp. Pocic is a free agent, and is said by a source to be “full go.” pic.twitter.com/yfmZ1W4SH1
Like the rest of Cleveland’s offensive line, Pocic’s 2025 season saw a decent decline in play. According to Pro Football Focus, the Browns center was the 20th-graded center among 40 that qualified.
A return to Cleveland could still be in the cards if HC Todd Monken and GM Andrew Berry believe E. Jenkins best fit is at right guard and Brailsford isn’t ready to start right away. Given Pocic’s quality play prior to last year, he could have a number of suitors around the league but could have to wait for an injury if he wants to be assured of a starting position.
Do you think the Browns should have interest in bringing Pocic back, or should they turn the page and focus on the players on the roster currently?
The 2026 MLB trade deadline is a few weeks away, but we have our first notable move of trade season.
The Houston Astros are reportedly trading veteran starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. to the Milwaukee Brewers, per The Athletic’s Chandler Rome.
McCullers had a no-trade clause in his contract, but has waived it for this move. This ends the pitcher’s 12-year tenure in Houston.
The veteran arm joins a Brewers pitching staff that posted a 3.48 ERA as a team in the season’s first half, the second-best mark in MLB behind only the New York Yankees.
Milwaukee's acquisition of McCullers comes as Brandon Woodruff was transferred from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL due to a lingering shoulder injury just before the All-Star break. Kyle Harrison was also added to the IL this week with elbow soreness.
McCullers has struggled this season and will hope that the change of scenery helps him get back on track. He heads to Milwaukee with a 2-3 record and a 6.86 ERA.
The veteran arm has had an injury-riddled career. He missed the entirety of the 2019, 2023 and 2024 seasons due to injuries. McCullers missed 2019 due to Tommy John surgery and then the 2023 and 2024 seasons due to surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his pitching arm, as well as having a bone spur removed.
Left-handed pitcher Colton Gordon is also heading to Milwaukee as part of the deal, per Jon Heyman. Gordon has made four MLB appearances this season and has an 11.57 ERA, allowing 12 earned runs over 9.1 innings.
Less than a day after going undrafted, former Longhorn Cal Higgins found a new home. The Nebraska native signed with the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday and can now focus on starting his professional career. While his career with Texas was full of ups and downs, Higgins did enough to catch the attention of the Phillies front office and scouts. During the 2026 campaign, Higgins posted a 5.56 ERA in 11.1 innings of work. While the Kearney High alum struggled to limit hard contact, he did strikeout 16 batters and added one win to his resume. Those numbers may not jump off the page, but Higgins had a solid track record before transferring to Texas.
The newest member of the Phillies organization began his college career at Western Kentucky. Higgins posted a 3.18 ERA during his sophomore season before taking his game to another level. As a junior, he recorded a 1.87 ERA in 22 games while striking out 52 batters. The talented lefty also pitched in some high-leverage situations, adding six saves to his resume.
As Higgins begins the next chapter of his baseball career, he will be around a familiar face. The Phillies used the 100th overall pick on former Longhorns ace Ruger Riojas. Having a former teammate also making the transition to the next level should make life easier for Higgins as he continues to improve his game.
Cal Higgins (@WVBlackBears) impressed with a quality three-pitch mix last night, picking up all three outs via the strikeout.🐻
— MLB Draft League Data (@draftleaguedata) June 24, 2026
Over the last few days, Longhorns baseball has had plenty to celebrate. Higgins joined Carson Tinney, Aiden Robbins, Thomas Burns, Luke Harrison, and Cody Howard as alumni who were either drafted or signed by an MLB team this year. That is not bad company to be in.
Now, for Higgins, the focus will be to show that he can be a piece of the Phillies' future as he moves closer to the majors.
For many fans, the biggest question today isn't who will win the World Cup. It's much simpler: What time is Argentina vs. England today and how do I watch it?
The answer is 3 p.m. ET, but the matchup carries far more significance than a spot on the schedule. Lionel Messi and defending champion Argentina are trying to move one step closer to another World Cup title, while England hopes to reach its first World Cup final since its championship run in 1966.
The semifinal is one of the tournament's most anticipated matches and features two of soccer's most recognizable national teams. By day's end, the World Cup final matchup will be set, as Spain already clinched their spot after yesterday's 2-0 win over France.
World Cup games today: Who plays on Wednesday, July 15?
Only one match remains before the World Cup final is set:
England vs. Argentina
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Round: Semifinal
TV: FOX
Winner advances to the World Cup final against Spain
Spain became the first finalist after defeating France 2-0 in the other semifinal.
What time is Argentina vs. England today?
England and Argentina kick off at 3 p.m. ET Wednesday, July 15 in Atlanta
The match will be broadcast nationally on FOX and streamed through available FOX platforms.
How to watch Argentina vs England in the World Cup semifinals today
Fans searching for today's World Cup game will be looking for television and streaming information as two of soccer's biggest nations battle for a spot in the final. The matchup is expected to draw one of the largest global audiences of the tournament so far.
Watching the World Cup in the U.S. remains straightforward:
Spain secured a place in Sunday's championship match by eliminating France in the first semifinal. Now England and Argentina will battle for the other spot.
A Spain-Argentina final would feature Messi attempting to defend Argentina's World Cup crown. A Spain-England final would give England a chance to end a decades-long title drought.
Can Lionel Messi reach another World Cup final?
Messi remains one of the biggest storylines of the tournament.
Argentina has survived several tense knockout matches to reach the final four, and every appearance adds another chapter to Messi's legendary international career. Argentina defeated Switzerland in the quarterfinals and now stands one victory away from a return trip to the World Cup final.
For many casual fans, today's match is as much about Messi's pursuit of another title as it is about the semifinal itself.
How did England and Argentina reach the semifinals?
England advanced after a dramatic extra-time victory over Norway in the quarterfinals, helped by another standout performance from Jude Bellingham. The Three Lions have continued to find ways to win in pressure-packed moments throughout the knockout stage.
Argentina reached the semifinals with a 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland. The defending champions have repeatedly survived close tests and remain alive in their pursuit of back-to-back World Cup titles.
Who is favored to win England vs. Argentina?
The betting markets have viewed England as a slight favorite entering the semifinal, though the margins are narrow given Argentina's experience and championship pedigree.
England enters with one of the tournament's most balanced squads, while Argentina brings experience, confidence and the presence of Messi in what could be another defining World Cup moment.
Who will win the World Cup 2026?
With France eliminated, the tournament is down to three contenders: Spain, England and Argentina. Spain has already booked its spot in the final, while England and Argentina will decide the remaining berth Wednesday.
Streaming services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and DirecTV Stream carry the same channels that will be airing the World Cup games, letting you follow the FIFA tournament in real time. FOX’s own platforms, including its app and direct-to-consumer options, also provide access to live matches.
The winner of today's semifinal advances to face Spain in Sunday's World Cup final at MetLife Stadium. With three former champions remaining, the tournament is guaranteed to crown a finalist with a rich World Cup history.
World Cup bracket: What's next after today's game?
After Argentina and England meet today, attention will shift to the third-place match on Saturday and the World Cup final on Sunday, By the end of the week, the field of 48 teams will be down to just two nations competing for soccer's biggest prize.
When is the FIFA men's World Cup 2026 final? World Cup schedule
The 2026 FIFA World Cup features a 48-team field across the United States, Canada and Mexico, running from June 11 through July 19 with 104 matches scheduled over several rounds as follows:
Group stage: June 11-June 27
Round of 32: June 28-July 3
Round of 16: July 4-7
Quarterfinals: July 9-11
Semifinals: July 14 and 15
Third-place match: July 18
World Cup final: July 19
Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist covering trending and breaking topics across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions for USA Today Network. Reach her at mfrancis@usatodayco.com.
The 2026 football season for the Auburn Tigers is on the horizon. As we anticipate the start of the season, let's introduce you to a key member of the 2026 roster.
A defensive piece that has the capability to be the next man up for the loaded Auburn linebacking room is sophomore Bryce Deas. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker saw the field 11 times this past year for the Tigers. Deas is projected to be a second-team linebacker, obviously with the two studs in junior Xavier Atkins and sophomore Elijah Melendez ahead in the depth chart.
Defensive coordinator DJ Durkin's defense has been very productive in the linebacking corps. Deas has that chance to be the next one of those guys that Durkin has gotten the best out of at the position. As a true freshman, he debuted against Baylor and recorded his first tackle-for-loss against Ball State. Throughout the season, Deas would be used in a rotational piece-type role on defense for the Tigers.
Coming out of high school, he was rated a four-star (composite industry score) and was seen as the No. 50 player at his position by 247Sports. He played at St. Francis Academy in Maryland. He led the team as a team captain and played both sides as a running back and linebacker. He excelled in track and field, where he lettered.
Learn more about Auburn linebacker Bryce Deas by checking out his 2026 Auburn football player profile below.
Bryce Deas' player profile
Position: Linebacker
Hometown: Prince George's County, Maryland
High School: St. Francis Academy
Height: 6-1
Weight: 225
Class: Sophomore
Bryce Deas as a recruit
Recruiting class: 2025
Position rank: No. 50 linebacker (247Sports)
State rank: No. 19 from Maryland (247Sports)
Rating: Four-star (Composite)
Other schools in the mix: Boston College, Colorado, Georgia Tech
Bryce Deas' career stats
YEAR
GAMES PLAYED
STARTS
TACKLES
TFL
INT
PBU
2025
11
1
12
2
0
2
TOTALS
11
1
12
2
0
2
Bryce Deas PFF report card
2025: 74.3
Strengths: Coverage (77.2 in 2025), Pressures (created 8 in 2025), Tackling (missed 4 in 185 snaps in 2025)
Photos of Bryce Deas' career
Check out our other Auburn football player previews
Auburn Wire is preparing for the 2026 season by profiling several notable players. Check out the 2026 player profile of your favorite player below.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jac on Twitter@Jac_Myrick
Lamine Yamal taunts France after reaching the final 🔥
Spanish star Lamine Yamal did not spare the French national team after Spain’s 2-0 victory in the semifinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A phenomenon on social media (with more than 52 million followers on TikTok), the player used the platform to take a jab at the eliminated rivals.
In the caption, he joked in French: "Spain in the final. Pardon" ("Spain in the final! Sorry").
The post instantly went viral, reaching 70 million views, 13 million likes, and 200,000 comments in just 10 hours.
On Instagram, the tone was more celebratory with his family and focused on the final: "New York, we’re coming for you," the athlete wrote, referring to the stage of Sunday’s big final.
It is worth noting that Yamal was a key player in the match, playing the full 90 minutes and winning the penalty that led to Spain’s first goal.
The Chicago Bears are gearing up for training camp later this month, with everyone reporting to Halas Hall by July 28 for the second summer with head coach Ben Johnson.
The Bears previously announced 10 open practices to the public, with the first scheduled for July 31, and joint practices with the Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans, both on the road ahead of their respective preseason contests. Now, they're adding another event to the calendar for fans.
Chicago announced their "Varsity Bears" initiative, where the team will hold a workout at Stevenson High School in nearby Lincolnshire, Ill., which will consist of a walkthrough practice and an array of attractions. The practice will take place Monday, Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. CT. Tickets go on sale Thursday, July 16.
Bears 2026 training camp schedule (public practices)
Friday, July 31
Saturday, August 1 (Kids Day)
Tuesday, August 4
Wednesday, August 5
Thursday, August 6
Saturday, August 8 (Celebrating Women & Girls in Sports Day)
Sunday, August 9 (Vamos Bears Day)
Monday, August 10 (Varsity Bears at Stevenson High School)
Thursday, August 13
Tuesday, August 18
Tuesday, August 25
Joint practices with Bengals, Titans
The Bears will have two joint practices this summer with a pair of preseason opponents, starting with the Cincinnati Bengals on Aug. 20, and concluding with the Tennessee Titans on Aug. 27. Both joint practices will be on the road before their respective preseason contests.
Sign-and-trade deals are a bit more confusing and uncommon than we typically see in the NBA. For that reason and more, it's tough to get a feel for what certain packages might be for a guy like Jonathan Kuminga.
The Los Angeles Lakers are certainly interested in Kuminga, though the perfect trade offer from the Atlanta Hawks isn't out there yet.
A lot of this would just be sending some assets back to Atlanta, and according to the latest, that could be a variation of Dalton Knecht, Jake LaRavia, and some picks.
“With the cap-space option off the table, Kuminga’s options are pretty well in focus, and they depend on LeBron James. That’s because the Hawks would have to sign-and-trade Kuminga to get a deal done, and there really isn’t anything on the Lakers’ roster that they value–the Lakers could offer a pick swap in 2032 or two second round picks along with some combination of Dalton Knecht, Jake LaRavia and maybe a deep-bench player,” Sean Deveney wrote.
This isn't exactly the best trade offer out there, and one could probably argue that Atlanta could even get more than what Los Angeles would be willing to offer.
However, it's not the worst ever, so it wouldn't be surprising if something like this happened.
👋 Welcome to Wednesday! From team sales to salary cap dynamics to labor battles, there’s never been a more important time to make sense of the money in sports. Tell your friends and colleagues to subscribe!
In today’s edition: The NBA’s second apron noise, dollars from the Derby, multi-million-dollar sports cards, the Lakers’ new glue guy, MLB’s labor battle lines, and more.
Time to show you the money...
🏀 TAX PLANNING
THE NBA'S STAINED APRONS
(Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
Remarkable as it may seem, a five-year deal worth $252 million can be considered a hometown discount in today’s NBA. For a player of Victor Wembanyama’s stature, however, any penny saved relative to his maximum earning power is worthy of that description.
Money on the table: Wembanyama’s extension represents the 25% maximum of the salary cap currently available to the player under the CBA. However, were Wembanyama to be named MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, or All-NBA next season (likely, if he remains healthy), he would become eligible for a higher 30% “super max” contract.
In this type of scenario, an extension would typically incorporate escalators to ensure the player is paid commensurately.
Wembanyama, however, abstained from demanding those escalators, instead prioritizing the Spurs’ ability to remain competitive as his star teammates become eligible for extensions of their own.
Based on current salary cap projections, the concession means Wembanyama will leave approximately $50 million on the table over the life of the contract.
Apron evasion: Wembanyama’s decision reflects the realities of the NBA’s current luxury tax system, where exceeding certain payroll levels is treated so punitively that star-laden teams are forced to disband within a few seasons. The system, designed to increase parity, has made long-term roster construction more complicated than ever. Most threatening are the penalties for surpassing the second luxury tax apron, set this season at $221.7 million, which decimates roster-building flexibility.
Among the second-apron penalties: Teams have no access to the midlevel exception; their first-round picks are frozen from being traded starting seven years out; they cannot use existing trade exceptions; they cannot use cash in trades; and they cannot aggregate salaries in trades. Teams that have operated above the second apron for three of the last five years have their first round pick moved to the end of the round.
Those penalties are layered on top of first-apron penalties, which eliminate sign-and-trades and reduce the ability to take back salary in trades.
Being a repeat payer of luxury taxes incurs harsh financial penalties. If a team has been a taxpayer in three of the previous four seasons, every dollar of payroll spent over the luxury tax is penalized with $3 in taxes, versus $1 for non-repeaters, and those numbers escalate with the size of the excess spend.
Unaffordable luxury: Under this system, the penalties — both financial and sporting — are too harsh to endure for an extended period. A roster of stars will operate on borrowed time, attempting to maximize the results of their window before the inevitable breakup. That demolition ensures an escape from the repeater tax before the team can spend heavily again.
It’s not you, it’s the second apron: These dynamics will force teams into unpopular decisions. The Celtics are the first team to incur the apron’s wrath, having begun the teardown last offseason. By shedding $46 million in payroll relative to what their 2024-25 roster would’ve cost, escaping the luxury tax in the process, the Celtics saved over $325 million, per an analysis from Third Apron.
“The second apron’s why those trades happened. I think that those are pretty obvious. The basketball penalties associated with those are real,” Brad Stevens said of the 2025 offseason trades. “I’m not sure I understood how real until they were staring me in the face.”
But even with that great escape, the Celtics’ reckoning with future second-apron encounters continued, as the team elected to trade Jaylen Brown rather than navigate extensions that would see Brown and Tatum combine to account for 70% of the salary cap.
What they’re saying: Wembanyama’s concession is the latest episode to raise the ire of the NBAPA toward the current system, with star players shouldering the burden of sacrifice to ensure competitiveness.
"If you get drafted to a team and you make these benchmarks, All-NBA, whatever the case may be, and that takes you to a certain percentage of the cap, it ends up being a perception of a negative,” said NBPA President Fred VanVleet.
“It should not put a player in a position where he has to carry the burden in order to keep a team together,” offered NBAPA Executive Director David Kelly, speaking at his introductory press conference before the Wembanyama news was announced. “A system that does that — we have a problem.”
Quick fix? In explaining the Brown trade, Brad Stevens offered a potential solution to the NBA’s new reality, where even teams that successfully draft and develop stars are forced to jettison those homegrown players to avoid penalty: “We may not be sitting here if there was a rule in the CBA that said guys you drafted and signed to 35% supermaxes count 25% against the cap, because that would allow you to build out toward the aprons with a lot more flexibility.”
Bottom line: In today’s NBA, basketball decisions and financial decisions are one and the same. Even at H&R Block, they don’t talk about taxes this much. Roster breakups are inevitable, and in most cases, they will not be the result of ownership frugality, but instead an effort to reset the clock in the renewed pursuit of on-court success. Tick tock, San Antonio.
💲 DOLLARS FOR DINGERS
PRICE TAGS: DERBY EDITION
(Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
$1,000,000
For Monday’s Home Run Derby triumph, Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker won the $1 million prize, which is more money than Walker will make via salary this season. Playing in his last year before arbitration, Walker is making $799,400, though a multi-year extension will likely amount to a nine-figure total. He currently leads the league in RBIs with 74 and sits 10th with 22 home runs.
(Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
$500,000
Hometown favorite Kyle Schwarber earned $500,000 for his runner-up performance. With an average annual contract value of $30 million in his newly signed contract with the Phillies, the Derby bonus is equivalent to about $1,070 for the median American. Not nothin’ for a few rounds of glorified batting practice! The rest of the Derby participants made $150,000 apiece.
(Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
$100,000
For hitting the night’s longest blast, a gargantuan 491-foot shot to left-center field, Rays slugger Junior Caminero took home a $100,000 bonus. The blast, however, fell short of both the Derby record (520 feet) and the non-Coors-Field Derby record (513 feet).
📆 CARD CURRENCY
THIS DAY IN HISTORY: SEVEN-FIGURE SPORTS CARD
(Chris Hondros/Newsmakers via Getty Images)
On Tuesday, Fanatics Collect announced that it brokered a $3,365,000 private sale of Shohei Ohtani’s 2018 Bowman Chrome Superfractor. The sale is the most expensive in history for an Ohtani card, and it’s the second multi-million-dollar Ohtani sale in the last month. The record price came just one day before a very fitting anniversary.
On this day in 2000, the first million-dollar sports card was sold, as a T206 Honus Wagner card reached a $1.265 million sale price in an eBay auction. That card, previously owned by Wayne Gretzky, had sold in 1996 for $640,500, a record at the time. It was also believed to be the first card ever graded by industry giant PSA, bearing the serial number "00000001."
Scandal ensues: In October 2013, Bill Mastro, another of the card’s prior owners and CEO of Mastro Auctions, pleaded guilty to mail fraud, admitting that he had trimmed the card to improve its appearance. The card was last purchased by supercollector Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick, who bought it for a reported $2.8 million in 2007.
Fast forward: While seven-figure territory used to be familiar grounds for only T206 Wagners and 1952 Topps Mantles, million-dollar sports card sales are now commonplace.
According to data from CardLadder, a card sales database, there have been 24 sports card sales exceeding $1 million to date in 2026. The Ohtani sale makes 25. That’s a pace of one roughly every week and a half.
The market is on pace to tally 41 sports card sales exceeding $1 million in 2026, as many as were recorded in 2025 (26), 2024 (6), and 2023 (9) combined. It would also put 2026 on par with the 2021 (42) and 2022 (41) boom years, reflecting a market that has recovered from the bust that followed the euphoria.
Cultural currency: The prevalence of high-priced sports cards reflects the growing status of sports collectibles as assets of cultural resonance, with their physical scarcity increasing their appeal in an era of digital abundance.
That appeal has captured the attention of deep-pocketed individuals and institutions alike, who recognize the financial merits of owning these assets.
The retraction of the OG Anunoby ball from a recent Sotheby’s auction is evidence that leagues and teams themselves are waking up to the value of these artifacts, whether purely historical or financial. No further Knicks memorabilia has appeared in subsequent auction events.
Proceed with caution: While the card market is once again soaring, driven by the headline sale prices of its most celebrated assets, the lessons from just a few years prior bear heeding. A downturn in the card market coincided closely with inflation-driven consumer malaise and the ensuing Fed rate-hiking cycle.
The precipitous drop in values was most pronounced in ultra-modern cards (think: active players), with CardLadder’s Ultra Modern index falling 52% from its April 2022 peak to its December 2024 trough as rampant speculative activity receded.
The peak-to-trough declines in the Pre-War Vintage (pre-1945) and Vintage (1946-1983) indices were much more modest, at 14% and 22%, respectively.
Rings true: For those still incredulous at pieces of cardboard selling for seven-figure prices, the words of Brian Siegel in 2000, after buying that first million-dollar Honus, are just as relevant today as they were then: “The fact is, this is the value of the card. It just sold at auction; everybody knew about it. The value of something is how much people are willing to pay for it.”
Bottom line: People’s willingness to pay for the market’s most coveted sports cards appears to be rising daily.
⚡ ICYMI
LIGHTNING ROUND
(Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
🏀 Leonard, Clippers investigation expanded: The scope of the NBA’s investigation into Kawhi Leonard’s Aspiration endorsement and the associated cap circumvention allegations has expanded, according to The Athletic. Wachtell Lipton, conducting the inquiry, has reportedly examined whether Leonard had expenses improperly covered by the team and whether he engaged in a previously unreported endorsement deal. Adam Silver is hopeful the investigation will be concluded this summer.
⛳ Open Championship reveals lowest purse among majors: The Open Championship announced Tuesday that this year’s tournament will feature a $17.75 million prize purse. While that’s up from last year’s $17 million, it trails the Masters and US Open by $4.75 million and the PGA Championship by $2.75 million. The shortfall is unlikely to dampen players’ desire to raise the Claret Jug.
⚽ Charlotte FC drops PSLs: In a rare about-face, Charlotte FC is eliminating its personal seat licenses for season tickets and will credit previously made PSL payments toward future season-ticket renewals. The decision comes amid declining attendance in recent seasons and represents part of an effort to reinvigorate interest after the World Cup. Sports Business Journal reports the credits could cost the team $8.5 million in season ticket revenue.
📺 Bundesliga agrees new U.S. media rights deal: The Bundesliga has inked a new U.S. media rights deal with USA Network and Fandango (yes, Fandango*), as first reported by The Athletic. The deal will pay a reported $100 million over five years, with the annual value dipping from $30 million with ESPN to $20 million with the Versant-owned properties. At least 30 games will appear on USA Network, which already airs Premier League matches.
*It’s not hard to imagine a world where a satirical version of Y! Sports Biz wrote this headline. But, no. It’s real. It’s spectacular. It’s Fandango. If you need to buy movie tickets to The Odyssey — which, by the way, sponsored Erling Haaland’s YouTube World Cup diaries — you know where to go: the U.S. home of the Bundesliga! If you connect enough dots, you inevitably arrive at a sports business story.
The NBA CBA is a complex beast, and conquering it — or at least avoiding being conquered — requires an army of minds well-versed in the legal, financial, and strategic ramifications of the sport’s bible.
Just posted: The Lakers are seeking one such mind, their Executive Director of Strategic Capabilities. While that’s among the vaguest titles in showbiz, a look under the purple-and-gold hood reveals that this individual is tasked with being the best organizational glue guy since Mark Madsen roamed the end of the bench at the Staples Center.
Many hats: Not only must the ED of Strategic Capabilities be strategically capable. They also need to equip the front office with the necessary tools, information, and data to build a winning roster. Among the most interesting job responsibilities:
Translate complex NBA salary cap rules, collective bargaining agreement (CBA) provisions, legal considerations, and player contract structures into practical strategic frameworks and technology solutions.
Partner closely with the Data Systems Development team to design and deliver technology solutions that support roster construction, trade analysis, contract modeling, salary cap planning, and transaction management.
Initiate, develop, and oversee complex salary cap strategy projects that build scalable systems supporting contract evaluation, trade simulations, free agency planning, and long-term roster management.
Monitor evolving NBA rules, CBA interpretations, and league trends, proactively incorporating changes into organizational strategy and supporting technologies.
Why is this necessary? When teams lack a firm handle on the complexities of league rules, things can go wrong to costly effect. Heck, it might have happened a few days ago.
The Pelicans signed DeAndre Jordan to a two-year, $7.9 million deal, a sum that represents the veteran’s minimum for a player of Jordan’s tenure. When a player’s minimum exceeds that of a player with two years of service, the NBA pays the difference, and the excess does not count against the cap. This ensures that the higher pay owed to veterans doesn’t disincentivize teams from signing them.
One problem: That reimbursement only applies to one-year deals. Perhaps other suitors made the second year a necessity. If not, though, an unforced error cost the Pelicans $3 million, in which case the team sure could use an Executive Director of Strategic Capabilities.
Polish those resumes: The required qualifications for this role are stringent, demanding a minimum of seven years of experience with the NBA’s CBA, salary cap rules, player contracts, and roster construction strategies. We must ask: Does extensive practice with the NBA Trade Machine count as experience in those fields? How about NBA 2K MyGM mode? No? Got it.
Secure the bag: The lucky, qualified candidate will secure compensation between $300,000 and $330,000 annually. That’s a little less than half of what the Mad Dog made for taking the early 2000s Lakers to the promised land. Or 0.63% of Luka Doncic’s 2026-27 salary. We prefer the Madsen comparison, too.
⚾️ WAR OF WORDS
BASEBALL DRAWS ITS BATTLE LINES
(Henry Russell/Yahoo Sports)
The MLB All-Star Game is meant to be a celebration of baseball, uniting the league to rejoice in the successes of America’s pastime. Instead, separate Tuesday media sessions with MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and interim MLBPA executive director Bruce Meyer more closely resembled promos for the heavyweight labor fight that hangs over the season.
Meyer, on the contradiction between MLB’s healthy momentum and its insistence that the league’s competitive balance is askew:"The league, these supposed stewards of the game, have spent an inordinate amount of time trying to convince those same fans that they don't have hope, or they shouldn't have hope, or that the product that they're paying to consume in record numbers is somehow broken.”
Manfred, on salary cap support from disillusioned fans: "I think that we need a system where fans, particularly in smaller markets, can have some hope that the players that are signed and developed by the organizations can actually stay there through free agency.”
Tale of the tape: Both sides laud the unbelievable momentum in the business. Unfortunately, that’s where the common ground begins, and that’s where it ends. One side believes the sport doesn’t need radical fixes. The other insists on improving competitive balance, positioning itself as the voice of the fans. Though it all, both extol the undying unity of their ranks against and for a salary cap, respectively.
Payoff pitch: The distance between the sides is chasmic, but perhaps they can find unity in one troublesome truth: The surest way to halt the league’s momentum is with a lockout.
Netflix aired its first Home Run Derby on Monday night, as part of a deal inked with MLB in November granting them exclusive rights to that event, Opening Night, and an annual special event game (this year, it’s the Field of Dreams game).
Question: Is the reported annual cost of that deal over or under $70 million?
Answer at the bottom…
🎽 COUNTERFEIT KITS
THREE LIONS ON A (FAKE) SHIRT
(City of Edinburgh Council)
Authorities in Edinburgh seized more than 58,000 counterfeit football kits yesterday, amounting to £5.5 million (almost $7.4 million) in goods. In total, the seized shirts weighed over nine tonnes, or nearly 20,000 pounds. Fan gear’s counterfeiting problem is serious, and it appears to be growing…
They’re not comin’ home: English and Scottish kits represented the lion’s share of the shirts, and the available supply of Harry Kane jerseys just got a whole lot lighter (figuratively and literally) the day before the Three Lions could claim their spot in the World Cup Final.
Over/Under Answer: Under!
The three-year deal is worth a reported $150 million, or an annual average of $50 million. It demonstrates Netflix’s continued exploration of the live sports landscape primarily through big events, rather than full-season rights purchases.
Yesterday we broke down how much the Atlanta Falcons are spending at each position on offense. The short version is that they're splurging on their offensive line, where they rank fifth in spending. At quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end they're not spending any more than average, though.
Let's see how Atlanta is investing its resources on the other side of the ball. Here's what the Falcons are spending at each defensive position in 2026 and where it ranks compared to the rest of the NFL.
Edge: $15.03 million - ranks 28th
Both Jalon Walker and James Pearce are on their rookie contracts, making this arguably the best bargain combo at the position right now. Walker's cap hit is just north of $4.67 million, while Pearce's is around $3.81 million. Samson Ebukam's one-year deal has a $2.63 million cap hit, Bralen Trice is around $1.34 million, while Azeez Ojulari signed for the veteran minimum ($1.2 million).
Defensive line: $21.79 million - ranks 24th
The biggest cap hit here belongs to Da'Shawn Hand, whose cap hit is just $3 million. However, the top performner for this group is Brandon Dorlus, who's giving the Falcons a sweetheart deal on his rookie contract - coming in with a cap hit of just $1.16 million in 2026. Veteran Zach Harrison is only costing them slightly more ($1,265,556) and incoming trade acquisition Maason Smith is at just $1,523,964.
Linebacker: $17.38 million - ranks 23rd
In the absence of Kaden Elliss, Atlanta's top off-ball linebacker is now Divine Deablo, who carries a cap hit of $8.92 million this year- roughly half of the team's total at the position. Their other projected starter is Christian Harris, who will be costing the Falcons $2.66 million on his one-year deal. Rookies Kendal Daniels and Harold Perkins Jr. are a little over and a little under $1 million, respectively.
Cornerback: $34.09 million - ranks 9th
The Falcons are actually paying out at cornerback, where A.J. Terrell has a team-high cap number of $13.5 million in 2026. For now, veteran Mike Hughes is at the other boundary spot, where he'll cost Atlanta $5.46 million. Terrell's younger brother Avieon will only cost $1.87 million in his rookie season. Starting nickelback Billy Bowman Jr. comes in at just $1.25 million.
Safety: $31.28 million - ranks 3rd
Finally we come to safety, where Atlanta is paying for - and getting one of the NFL's best units. Most of that amount is going to paying Jessie Bates III, who comes in with a 2026 cap number of $24.77 million. According to Over the Cap, the Falcons could save over $10 million in cap space this year by extending him. By comparison, Xavier Watts will only cost the Falcons $1.4 million in the second year of his rookie deal.
Bayern Munich star Michael Olise wants to sign for Real Madrid this summer and will talk to Bayern’s board after his vacation, according to a report from French journalist Santi Aouna. The German club do not want to sell the player and would demand at least €200 million to let him go, with Real Madrid willing to offer that sum to acquire the player.
While this report should be taken with a grain of salt, it’s true that if Olise could be moved if he manages to force Bayern’s hand. Real Madrid have the money to make this deal work, so it would all come down to Bayern’s decision.
With six weeks to go until the deadline, it looks like the Olise saga has just started.
We've been getting used to the car temperature hitting 35C and more over the past few weeks in Lincolnshire - so it wasn't too much of a shock to step into the car outside Alicante airport and see it at 37C.
For Lincoln City, Murcia in Spain is their base for this week as they continue preparation for their first crack at the second tier of English football in 65 years.
A warm weather training camp has become part of the pre-season routine for the Imps over the past few years and this year is no different. A week of training before ending with a match against Leyton Orient on Friday afternoon.
Usually, these camps are also about integrating new faces into the group but for City, that part isn't really needed this time around.
There is just one new name in the playing squad in the form of Callum Elder and no one was released when the retained list came out in May.
Yes, there's been a change in the dugout, but even that has come in the form of Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw stepping up to the top job.
The session I watched last year, they led, so that won't be too much of a difference for the players, although they do now have an added face in the form of Paul McShane, who has recently joined as first team coach.
While some Lincoln fans might worry about the lack of movement in the transfer market so far, the club have never been one to rush into bringing players in.
Two of City's most impressive performers in last season's League One title win - Ivan Varfolomeyev and Adam Reach - did not join until the end of August and start of September respectively.
Already, the club have been public in the fact they will most likely break their transfer record a couple of times this summer and with what is expected to be one of the lowest budgets in the Championship, City cannot afford to get those signings wrong.
For the players this week, it's all about getting themselves into shape ready for 8 August - for those involved in recruitment, they can wait a little longer.
Declan Rice is one of England's most important players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
As a newly minted champion of the English Premier League with Arsenal, Rice does a bit of everything in the midfield for the Three Lions.
He's a set-piece expert in addition to making plays box-to-box, and for England to hoist the trophy for the first time since 1966, Rice will have to be brilliant.
But as Rice plays, there's one thing that's a bit quirky. He has a tattoo on the front of his left leg, which isn't unusual by itself.
This tattoo, though, is just a four-digit number: 1241.
It would be fascinating to hear Rice talk a little more in depth about this. Is he paying tribute to the 1,240 that made the English squad before him by putting that number on his leg?
It likely is a reminder that he's a part of something bigger than himself.
There would certainly be an immense swath of humans filled with joy if Rice can help lead England to the World Cup. Maybe that would require a tattoo, too: 2026, with a trophy.
Voters expect Florida A&M football to be in the bottom half of the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s East division during the 2026 season, as released on Wednesday, July 15, during Media Day in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Rattlers were picked fourth out of six teams in the SWAC East in the league’s 2026 predicted order of finish. They received 70 points in the voting panel of head coaches and sports information directors.
The East, in order, is led by Alabama State (131 points, 16 first-place votes), and followed by Jackson State (122 points, seven first-place votes), Bethune-Cookman (71 points), FAMU (70 points), Alabama A&M (66 points), and Mississippi Valley State (29 points).
In contrast, the SWAC West’s six teams in order of prediction are Prairie View A&M (130 points, 19 first-place votes), Grambling State (93 points, two first-place votes), Alcorn State (90 points, one first-place vote), Texas Southern (79 points, one first-place vote), Southern (65 points, one first-place vote), and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (32 points).
That means FAMU received the eighth-most points out of the SWAC’s 12 teams.
SOUTHPORT, England — The fan village sits right of the 13th hole at the 154th Open Championship, all retail tents and corporate fortresses and vendor buggies. Rising from the open field it's an impressive sight, so long as you don't think too hard about what it replaced.
This is usually Royal Birkdale's practice range, arguably the best in the United Kingdom, unarguably one of the coolest parts of the property. It's the spot where Jordan Spieth spiritually fused with the ghost of Seve for 22 beautiful minutes, an episode that explains why the Spieth Experience™ still has gravitational pull long after his star stopped emitting light. Now, where Spieth's shot cleared the dunes and vanished into the unknown, you can buy a claret jug hat for £20.
It's one change in a wave of them at Birkdale. Each is defensible on its own. Together, they leave things unsettled. The Open, at its core, is an exercise in preserving art from a distant time. Lately it feels like the art is being altered just to get more people through the door, compromising the very reason they came.
This isn't a rant against commercialism for its own sake. The R&A is transparent that Open week funds nearly everything the organization does the rest of the year. Grassroots grants, course-access programs, sustainability research, the amateur game, women's and girls' initiatives. It’s money that reaches well past St. Andrews, into municipal courses with no connection to major championships. The R&A is not a private equity fund extracting value. It's a good steward putting the money to good use. The more this week makes, the more work it can do the other 51.
That's all well and good. It's just that the Open guards a purity that much of the rest of the professional game waved goodbye to long ago. Players historically used the same modest clubhouse lockers. You see them walking into town for dinner, unbothered, sometimes unrecognized. Get a tee time at a neighboring course at dusk and you'll find a caddie or two playing nine with a local, chasing the last of the light. Fans camp in fields a mile out and walk in at dawn. The merchandise tent, until recently, looked more like a pro shop than a flagship store. No tier system for how close to the game you were allowed to get. The competition and the people who showed up for it was the product.
For years, that was the reality. It's still the promise. It's just not entirely the experience anymore.
Players now get driven to holes in Mercedes courtesy cars. The merchandise area has grown to the size of a department store. The R&A, it seems, has done the math on what the Masters makes off sales like these. The grounds overflow with branded "experiences," from whiskey to tourism, to credit cards and insurance and watch-making. Hospitality has expanded, too, tiered now into "Signature," "Platinum," "Premium" and "Select," in descending order of how close your money gets you to the game. Signature is the top of the ladder. It buys access to "Clarets," the venue overlooking the 17th green, plus three others around the course. A reserved grandstand seat at 18. A Q&A with a past or current player. A photo with the claret jug. A fast track through the Open Shop. All-inclusive food and beverage. Early-bird pricing runs $1,344 for Wednesday, $3,286 for Sunday.
It's not that these changes are being made—this is happening at all of golf’s biggest events—but how. Only the Old Course has hosted the Open more than Royal Birkdale over the last 70 years. That legacy didn't stop the club from remaking its setup wholesale since 2017: a full redesign of the short par-4 fifth; a shortened and rebuilt par-3 seventh; the old par-3 14th erased entirely; the old par-5 15th rebuilt to become the the new 14th; a new par-3 15th that shares almost nothing with the hole it replaced. Erasing the old 14th also opened ground to carve out a short-game area that wasn't there before.
An aerial view of Royal Birkdale for this week's Open, with the spectator village located in what's the club's practice facility.
Oisin Keniry/R&A
The changes collectively feel like a betrayal of what a links is supposed to be. A proper links isn't a sequence of holes so much as a single organism. One that breathes with the land, exhales with its weather and remembers, hole to hole, what it asked of you a few holes back, the way a good novel plants a line in the opening pages and cashes it in Chapter 20. That rhythm isn't decorative, as old Scottish and English architects walked the ground until it told them where the holes already were, and then they got out of the way. It's the entire architectural philosophy separating links golf from the parkland style America perfected, where nothing is imposed and everything is discovered.
Bolt three or four new holes onto that organism, built to modern spec, with modern equipment and modern crowd-flow math in mind, and you don't get a stronger version of the same course. You get a graft that never quite takes.
Scottie Scheffler, perhaps accidentally, delivered a dagger on Tuesday, stating "I think it's pretty obvious … the one thing I found interesting is it's so obvious as to which holes had been redone. They look like they're not even on the same golf course. You look at 14, 15, 16, those green complexes and the amount of slope that they have off of them are pretty severe and quite challenging. The fifth hole is kind of like that, seventh hole as well. It was pretty obvious like, oh, these are the holes that got redone because they look like they're on a different golf course."
Christian Petersen
If you're wondering why a links tracing its roots to the 19th century made changes this drastic, it wasn't entirely for shot-making. It wasn't for tournament toughness, either. It was for crowds, crowd flow and the bottom line. In 2017, the Open drew a then-record 230,000 here. This week, that number is expected to jump 30 percent to 300,000 on the grounds. The math is simple: more tickets, more merchandise, more money.
In his annual address to the media, R&A chief Mark Darbon pushed back against the idea that Birkdale had bent to spectator demand. "Given the strength of partnership that we have with our host venues, of course we're part of some of those discussions, and where there are things that we can do together that also help us operationally, they often make sense to do to help with the staging of the championship," Darbon said of course changes he insists the members were behind. "I think it would be wrong to say that all of the changes are driven by a need to accommodate spectators."
But is there a potential price for refusing to change? Darbon says there's no threat to those that don't, but Royal Portrush had to carve out two new holes to build a fan village in 2019. Royal Liverpool did the same in 2023.
And there are the current predicaments of rota courses Muirfield and Turnberry. Both spent years on a kind of shadow probation over political entanglements—Turnberry for its ties to the Trump family, Muirfield for its no-women membership—the sort of principled stand the R&A could make and still look virtuous doing it. Now each is sidelined for other reasons. Turnberry is deemed too remote; the R&A wants new roads built to handle the traffic. Muirfield's sin is refusing to remodel itself for bigger crowds; a smaller, more intimate footprint that once read as a virtue is now treated as a disqualifier. The 2013 Open at Muirfield drew roughly 140,000 fans, less than half of what's expected this week. The same logic applies to Portmarnock, waiting in the wings for its own Open bid, already being told the local infrastructure isn't ready with not enough beds, not enough roads, fans possibly ferried in by boat.
The real test of how far this goes arrives next July, at St. Andrews, when it hosts the 2027 Open Championship. The Home of Golf is supposed to shatter this week's attendance record, drawing as many as 30,000 to 40,000 more fans than it did in 2022. Somewhere near 330,000 people funneled into a town of 17,000. That's a town problem, a roads problem, a can-this-place-physically-hold-this-many-people problem. St Andrews is the source code. If the Old Course starts getting redrawn to answer to a gate number, there's no longer a version of the Open immune from this thinking. Everything becomes negotiable once the birthplace of the game is on the table.
To be fair, the Open isn't the only one making this trade. The Masters has spent the last decade turning its hospitality operation into an arms race, expanding merchandise revenue and premium patron packages well beyond what Augusta once tolerated. The USGA has followed a similar path at the U.S. Open, layering in more corporate hospitality tiers each cycle. The Ryder Cup, run by the PGA of America, now functions as much as a hospitality event as a competition, with ticket packages becoming controversial.
Still, is there a cost to what the Open is doing? This championship has a version of the game closest to how it was actually invented. Played over land no one built, on ground fast and cruel enough that luck and skill blur into the same thing, in weather nobody controls and nobody thinks to complain about. Every other major sells controlled perfection; the Open, historically, has sold the opposite. Not pure, exactly. But the closest thing left. The Open's value was never tradition for tradition's own sake but a reminder of what this game once was and, if only for a week, can still be again.
This week, there sure feels like a lot of proverbial scaffolding.
And the thing about that is, put it up, keep it up long enough, and eventually people forget there's a building underneath at all. They start to think the scaffolding is the attraction.
If the Open gets sanded down into something more legible for a bigger gate, it won't have necessarily failed. Attendance up. Revenue up. Grants written, courses funded, good work done. But it will be another step away from why any of this matters in the first place. Nobody votes to kill an identity. They just keep trading slivers of it for next year's numbers, until one day the identity is simply gone, and no one knows why it vanished. But at least you can buy a hat at the spot where the identity once lived.
There are certain players who don't ever really make much sense to trade unless it's for an absolute steal of a package.
Not to say the San Antonio Spurs shouldn't look to make moves if it makes sense for the organization, but to me, moving on from a player like Devin Vassell right now doesn't make much sense.
Unless the Spurs truly believe they can get a better player in return, Vassell is one of those role guys who really play a big part in what San Antonio is looking to do. Perhaps his five-year, $135 million deal is playing an impact on that, but the latest trade proposal, even if San Antonio wants to move him, just wouldn't make sense.
The trade would involve Bronny James and more, with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“The Los Angeles Lakers continue to monitor all angles in trade and the open market to further complete their post-LeBron James transition. One proposed trade has them landing versatile wing Devin Vassell from the San Antonio Spurs. The Lakers would be engaging in a direct trade for this to work.
“In the trade framework, the Lakers would acquire Vassell while sending out Jarred Vanderbilt, Jaden Hardy and Bronny James to San Antonio,” Adel Ahmad wrote.
No offense to what the Lakers would be offering here, but I think this would be one of the worst possible trades San Antonio could make.
James has a lot of questions about whether he's even an NBA player, Jarred Vanderbilt is one of the worst offensive players in the league, and Jaden Hardy really hasn't done enough to suggest he's anything more than a ninth or 10th-guy off the bench.
Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg stayed hot, registering a near double-double performance with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field with nine boards, three assists and two steals in 29 minutes on Tuesday. Yet, it wasn't enough for the Golden State Warriors on their way to their first loss of the Las Vegas Summer League.
The Warriors dropped their first loss in Las Vegas in blowout fashion to the Memphis Grizzlies, 106-85. Javon Small notched 26 points while Brendan Hausen added 20 points off the bench to snap the Warriors' win streak in the desert. In a matchup with Lendeborg, Grizzlies top pick Cameron Boozer recorded 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting with seven rebounds and three assists.
Tuesday marked the first game of the Las Vegas Summer League and California Classic in which Lendeborg failed to knock down a 3-pointer. He finished the evening shooting 0-of-2 from beyond the arc.
Malevy Leons, Chance McMillian and Lajae Jones all recorded double-figures in scoring. The second-round pick, Jones, tallied 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field with five boards. Jones has now tallied 10 or more points with five or more rebounds in three straight Summer League games for the Warriors.
The Warriors will have the chance to get back in the win column on Thursday when they meet the newly crowned champion New York Knicks in Las Vegas.
England and Argentina collide in a must-win FIFA World Cup showdown in Atlanta Stadium, with a place in the final hanging in the balance. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. ET, as this pivotal playoff clash adds another chapter to one of international soccer's most storied rivalries. Before the action gets underway, follow along with this detailed England vs Argentina prediction to trade on the World Cup semifinals.
By using the latest Kalshi promo code TSN15 here, new users can secure a $15 sign-up bonus that unlocks immediately after making $10 in trades on games like England-Argentina today.
With a spot in Sunday's World Cup final on the line, these two heavyweights collide in what promises to be fireworks. Expect a fierce tactical battle on American soil as England looks to halt Argentina's formidable run and edge one step closer to World Cup glory.
England vs Argentina prediction markets for World Cup
These narrow margins illustrate what a daunting task traders face when taking a position on this fixture. Prediction markets anticipate a tightly contested battle that could go the distance.
The market prices reflect two dominant, possession-heavy squads with similar statistical profiles. Argentina enters the match averaging 58.67% ball possession. They have been ruthless in the final third, netting 17 goals across six matches on 95 total shots. Lionel Messi serves as their undisputed offensive engine, leading the tournament with an astonishing eight goals and two assists.
England counters with a 57.83% average possession and their own lethal finishing. Harry Kane (six goals, one assist) and Jude Bellingham (six goals) anchor an English side that has scored 13 times from 92 total shots, including an impressive 45 shots on target. With both nations having conceded exactly six goals so far, traders evaluating the market must weigh two elite attacks against identical defensive records.
When analyzing squad availability, key absences could shift the implied probability as kickoff approaches. England will be without midfielder Jordan Henderson due to injury and defender Jarell Quansah, who is serving a suspension. These missing pieces may force tactical adjustments in how England sets up against a relentless opponent. Meanwhile, Argentina boasts a clean bill of health with no critical absences reported, giving them a full arsenal to deploy.
The combination of Argentina's prolific scoring, supported by Lautaro Martinez's two goals, and England's potent attack fueled by Bukayo Saka's playmaking (three assists) creates a complex market requiring thorough analysis before taking a position.
England vs Argentina prediction for World Cup semifinal
Traders evaluating the prediction markets for this monumental World Cup semifinal face a highly challenging decision. The market consensus implies an incredibly tight contest with England holding a slim 53% implied probability to advance compared to Argentina's 47%. Diving deeply into the underlying team form and statistical profiles suggests taking a position on England to advance offers the most compelling angle for participants on prediction platforms.
Argentina arrives in Atlanta riding an intimidating 13-match winning streak that highlights their supreme tournament form. They have proven remarkably consistent by scoring at least one goal in 13 consecutive matches. Their offensive machine has dominated opponents across the pitch. England brings exceptional resilience of their own, boasting an eight-match unbeaten run and a current four-match winning streak. The dual threat of Kane and Bellingham ensures the designated home side can match that intensity and generate consistent scoring opportunities.
The core rationale for predicting England to advance lies in their home-side designation combined with England's tournament resilience. Both squads prefer to dictate play and control the tempo, and both nations have identical goals-against metrics in this tournament. However, England's ability to thrive in high-pressure knockout scenarios, bolstered by their historical ability to win 50% of matches when trailing 0-1 at home, gives them a crucial mental edge. The absences of Henderson and Quansah are concerning but manageable given the squad depth at Gareth Southgate's disposal.
Naturally, taking this position carries inherent risks. Argentina's elite final-third efficiency, evidenced by 38 shots on target, could prove decisive if Messi produces a moment of individual brilliance. Their 13-match winning streak demonstrates a relentless mentality that cannot be discounted. Nevertheless, considering England's slight market edge, home designation, and the depth of attacking talent available, backing the Three Lions to advance represents the most logical position in this market.
The Open Championship returns this week to Royal Birkdale, scene of some of the finest moments in Welsh golfing history.
But there will be no Welsh representation in the field as Britain's men's major gets under way on Thursday.
It has been a familiar tale in recent years, with no Welsh player featuring at the Open since Oliver Farr came through qualifying in 2023.
Wales' recent Open record is miserable, while golf's men's world rankings do not make pretty reading from a Welsh perspective either.
As it stands, Wales' highest-placed player is 29-year-old Jack Davidson, who is ranked 953rd in the world.
But at Wales Golf, the sport's governing body, there is belief that better days are ahead.
Welsh golfers (left to right) Ian Woosnam, Dai Rees, Jamie Donaldson and Phillip Price all managed top-10 major finishes during their careers, with Woosnam winning the Masters in 1991 [Getty Images]
Farr, 38, is the only Welsh player to feature in the Open – having done so in 2022 and 2023 - since Rhys Enoch qualified in 2018.
Enoch is the most recent Welshman to make the cut, having finished 67th at Carnoustie.
Wales has never produced an Open winner, though Dai Rees – with three – Dave Thomas – two – and Brian Huggett have six runner-up finishes between them and Ian Woosnam twice finished third, in 1986 and 2001.
Birkdale was the scene of two of Rees' near misses, in 1954 and 1961, while Huggett also finished second at the Southport course, in 1965.
Yet this week, Wales' golfers are left watching from afar, with Owen Edwards – the world number 1,474 – coming closest to making it through final qualifying last month only to miss out thanks to an ugly finish at Burnham & Berrow.
For Gareth Jenkins, performance director at Wales Golf, the ultimate goal is to ensure Wales is much better represented at the top end of the sport.
"My role is to look at the pathway, look at the players who are coming through, seeing where we can improve at each stage of that pathway and then trying to develop players for the future," Jenkins said.
"We would absolutely love to see more Welsh representation both on the DP World Tour all the way through to the PGA Tour and major championships moving forwards."
Oliver Farr has played in two Open Championships, but missed out in final qualifying this year [Getty Images]
Jenkins, who spent a decade working for England Golf before moving across the border in 2024, oversees the development of junior players right through to those representing Wales at senior amateur level.
He says the target for every golfer he works with is to prove through amateur success that they can progress to the professional game.
In an attempt to ensure more make it, Jenkins says much of Wales Golf's focus and investment has gone towards younger players, with new regional development programmes put in place over the last two years.
"We're seeing the fruits of that development coming through, [but] unfortunately, it does take time," he added.
"It is going to be another five or six years before we start to see some of those players moving forward into the pro ranks.
"But saying that, we've had Darcey Harry who has made it on to the LET (Ladies European Tour) and got a win on the LET last year, and Luca Thompson, Ffion Tynan [have made the tour this year]. We also have some of the great players in the States coming through the pathway.
"So it's possible - absolutely we can punch above our weight."
'Small can be beautiful'
Gareth Jenkins grew up in England, but his father is from Abertillery [Wales Golf]
Harry is Wales Golf's most recent success story.
Having played for her country at amateur level since her mid-teens, the 23-year-old flourished in the professional ranks last year after securing a first LET card.
Harry, who is 190th in the women's world rankings, believes her progress has come thanks in part to her mental approach.
"I think over-complicating it is probably the worst thing to do, thinking 'oh wow, I've stepped up the league now, I'm in professional golf'," she said.
"Because really it's the same game. You're going out there trying to do the same job."
Harry's boyfriend is Jacob Skov Olesen, a rising Danish golf star who is in his second year on the DP World Tour.
"I've been around the men's golf quite a lot now and I've noticed that they are just absolutely phenomenal at what they do," she added.
"How can we [in Wales] get people on [the men's tour]? They've got to be working on that from a young age, really working on their processes and trying to aim for it."
Jenkins hopes that is where Wales Golf's pathways come in.
He rejects the idea that, as a smaller nation, Wales should accept that it is unlikely to produce many high-class players.
"Small can be beautiful if we're all aligned, all working together from clubs all the way through, and we're starting to get there," Jenkins said.
"The talent is there, absolutely. Our under-16 group is one of the best I've seen, even when I had 10 years at England Golf.
"Our job now is to keep on making them better and better through the system."
Looking to past and current pros for help
Tredegar-born Bradley Dredge won twice on the European Tour [Getty Images]
After 22 years playing on Europe's top two tours, Stuart Manley joined Wales Golf earlier this year and will be part of their performance team from October.
Natalie Powell, a former Commonwealth Games gold medallist and two-time Olympian in judo, is also part of the staff working with Wales' young golfers.
Jenkins says Wales Golf want Welsh players who have made it to the top echelons of the game to assist in the process of bringing promising youngsters through.
One man he has in mind is Bradley Dredge. The 53-year-old, a former world top-50 player, says he offered his services to Wales Golf "a few years ago" but that they have not been in touch.
Speaking to the Golf Pod Cymru podcast earlier this month, Dredge said: "I live 25 minutes from Celtic Manor (where Wales Golf is based). I said any time you want me to come down, play with the guys, have a chat, whatever, free of charge, just give me a ring.
"Not once have I ever been asked. I just think that's crazy."
It is a situation Jenkins plans to address.
"We are really keen for older players who have vast experience and high quality to come back in and share what they do so players can actually see how good they need to be to make it on tour," he said.
"I know for example from recent podcasts that Bradley Dredge has asked to be involved.
"With Stuart's help, we are going to try to bring in past pros and current pros to support us and hopefully we can work together."
Jenkins points to 25-year-old James Ashfield, who became Wales' first Walker Cup player in six years when selected in 2023, as a player with high hopes in the professional game.
Tomi Bowen, who remains an amateur for the moment, is another who is highly regarded.
Then come a batch of younger golfers who Jenkins views as having a big chance.
"I think we've got a few players who can break into the professional ranks in the next year or two," he said.
"But the big crop of players I see now coming through… I think around five years will be a really good time."
No matter what happens at the World Cup, Harry Kane could have a new title.
In an appearance earlier this month on Jason and Travis Kelce's "New Heights" podcast, Prince William included the striker on his Mount Rushmore of English soccer players.
"Harry Kane could end up being one of the greatest English strikers we've ever seen," William said.
William, who is president of England's Football Association, also named David Beckham, Gary Lineker, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Bobby Charlton.
"Did you just knight everybody you just said?" Travis Kelce asked.
"I tried to, yeah," William responded.
Is Harry Kane a knight?
No, the England captain is not a knight. Kane was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire, or MBE, by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2018, after leading England to the semifinals of the World Cup in Russia.
That title, part of the British honors system, does not make Kane a knight. That would require him to be made either a Knight Grand Cross or Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Still, being made an MBE was a great honor, Kane said at the time. He received the award during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in March 2019.
"It's quite surreal really," Kane said after learning he'd be made an MBE.
"I'm very passionate about our country, very patriotic. It shows how good the summer was for the whole nation, not just from my point of view but what it did bringing everyone together," Kane said. "I'm extremely proud to be a part of that."
Nobby Stiles, the revered 1966 England World Cup winner, died from a brain condition directly caused by repeatedly heading a football, a coroner has concluded.
The ruling follows an inquest into the death of the former Manchester United midfielder, who passed away almost six years ago aged 78, suffering from severe dementia.
Stockport Coroner’s Court heard that Stiles had headed a football an estimated 140,000 times throughout his illustrious career. Expert analysis of his brain revealed that his severe dementia was a result of both Alzheimer’s disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition strongly linked to head trauma from heading a ball.
Neuro-pathology expert Dr Daniel Du Plessis told the court, “I’m quite convinced his heading the football that many times has caused his CTE.”
When senior coroner for South Manchester, Alison Mutch, asked for clarification, “You are saying repeated heading of the ball is the cause of his CTE?”, Dr Du Plessis unequivocally replied, “Yes.”
Norbert “Nobby” Stiles, born in Collyhurst, Manchester, in 1942, was renowned as a tough-tackling defensive midfielder. He earned 28 caps for England and made nearly 400 appearances for Manchester United. Stiles, who resided in Stretford, south Manchester, died in a care home on 30 October 2020, having been left bed-bound by his advanced dementia.
Stiles passed away at the age of 78 nearly six years ago (PA Wire)
In January 2024, his family raised the possibility of CTE contributing to his death, prompting Dr Du Plessis to examine brain tissue samples to reach his medical conclusions. Stiles’ family has been actively campaigning for football authorities to provide greater support to former players suffering from injuries they attribute to their playing days.
Stiles’ son, John, has previously stated that football had “killed” his father. During the hearing, Mr Stiles reflected on his father’s character: “My dad was very humble, he just happened to have achieved quite a lot. It never really changed him. If you went into his house, you would never know he was a footballer. He was very much a family man, football was left at the door. The family was always the first priority.”
Coroner Ms Mutch noted the poignancy of the conversation, but Mr Stiles emphasised that his father “never talked, he never bragged” about being a World Cup winner. He added: “He was proud of it but we were always much more proud of the father he was than the footballer.”
Mr Stiles told the court that his father, who joined Manchester United as an apprentice aged 15 in 1957, adored the club and the Busby Babes. He estimated that his father headed the ball around 40 times a day, five days a week, over a 17-year career, calculating a “conservative” estimate of 136,000 headers in total.
John Stiles previously said football ‘killed’ his father (PA Archive)
He also highlighted that footballs during his father’s era weighed approximately 16 ounces (28g) and became significantly heavier when wet. While modern balls no longer absorb water, studies indicate that heading even a contemporary ball is equivalent to about 80 per cent of the impact of a boxer’s punch.
Mr Stiles recounted how, in his late fifties and early sixties, his father began forgetting things and repeating himself. By 2010, he sold his winning medals to fund his care as his mental struggles intensified, leading to increasing anxiety and a profound sense of dread. “To be honest with you, he was frightened,” Mr Stiles said of his father.
John Stiles now leads the Football Families for Justice (FFJ) group, advocating for greater action from football authorities for ex-players. He is among dozens of former footballers and their families currently suing the Football Association, the Football Association of Wales, and the English Football League, alleging negligence and a breach of their duty of care towards former players. Lawyers representing the claimants argue that football bodies knew, or should have known, for decades that repeatedly heading a ball in training and matches was likely to cause brain injuries.
Stiles is still fondly remembered at Old Trafford (PA Wire)
However, in March this year, lawyers for the FA told the High Court that it has “not been established by science” that heading a ball or “occasional” concussion can lead to permanent brain damage.
The inquest into the death of former Scotland, Manchester United, and Leeds defender Gordon McQueen, who died aged 70, similarly concluded in January that heading the ball was “likely” to have contributed to a brain injury that factored in his death. McQueen was also diagnosed with CTE.
His daughter, TV presenter Hayley McQueen, remarked that England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team had been “pretty much wiped out” by neurodegenerative disease.
A 2019 study, co-funded by the FA and the Professional Footballers’ Association, found that footballers were three and a half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative disease than age-matched members of the general population. The FA is currently phasing out all heading in youth football up to under-11s by 2026.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Atlantic Coast Conference is revamping the tiebreaker format for its football championship game following a controversial finish last season that allowed a five-loss Duke team to get in over then-No. 10-ranked Miami — a situation that put the Hurricanes at risk of missing the expanded College Football Playoff.
Miami, which had been the ACC’s most dominant team during the regular season, wound up being selected for the playoff and went on to reach the national title game, where it fell short to No. 1 Indiana 27-21.
Duke beat No. 20 Virginia in the ACC championship game last year for its first outright ACC title since 1962 but was not selected for the CFP, much to the dismay of Blue Devils coach Manny Diaz.
The new football championship tiebreaker policy will take effect beginning with the 2026 season, reflecting the league’s transition to a nine-game conference schedule and ensuring a fair and equitable process for determining participants in the ACC championship game, the league said.
The updated tiebreaking procedure is built on three guiding principles:
— Head-to-head results always will matter most.
— No team will be overly rewarded or penalized based on the number of conference games it played.
— When head-to-head competition cannot separate tied teams, the team with the strongest overall body of work will earn the opportunity to compete for the ACC championship and the conference’s automatic qualifier to the College Football Playoff.
“Our game will feature the two most deserving teams,” ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said at ACC Kickoff on Wednesday in Charlotte.
Phillips said the third tier of that tiebreaker will be based on a SportSource Analytics metric used by the CFP.
The updated policy was developed to reward head-to-head results and account for the league’s teams playing an alternate number of conference games while also identifying the two most deserving teams to compete for the ACC championship and the conference’s automatic berth into the CFP.
The conference said the evaluation included more than 10,000 simulated season outcomes to ensure the model fairly addressed a wide range of championship scenarios.
The revised policy was approved following a comprehensive review by the ACC’s athletics directors.
In December, the ACC announced that 12 of its 17 football-playing members would be playing a nine-game football schedule beginning in 2026 while five teams would play eight games. That made the head-to-head tiebreakers even more complicated than in the past.
The policy will operate as a bridge to accommodate conference games already on the books, with the plan to have 16 of 17 teams playing nine football games regularly by 2027.
Any discussion about Francisco Lindor’s future with the Mets beyond this summer must start with the shortstop’s no-trade clause.
Lindor has 10-and-5 rights. Since he has more than 10 years of service time and has spent the last five-plus years with his current team, he can veto any trade.
This past winter, Brandon Nimmo agreed to waive his no-trade clause when the Mets dealt him to Texas for Marcus Semien, a deal that hasn’t worked out so far for the Mets. Would Lindor be willing to do the same? He declined to comment when asked by both The Athletic and New York Post about it on Sunday.
Suppose Lindor, 32, were open to a trade. Would that be the best decision for the Mets?
Here’s an argument for both sides.
NO
The Mets don’t have a shortstop replacement within the organization. The next-best option internally is Ronny Mauricio. The Mets have prospects that play the position — Elian Peña, Wandy Asigen and Mitch Voit — but they’re all years away in the lower levels of the Mets’ system. It’s possible they could acquire a shortstop back in a trade, but it’s unlikely he would be as good as Lindor has been with the Mets in his career.
Lindor isn’t having a great season so far this year by any means, but let’s not forget who we’re talking about here.
Lindor finished in the top-10 in the MVP race in the National League in each of the last four seasons. In that span, the switch-hitting shortstop has the fourth-highest FanGraphs WAR (25.8) in baseball. In fact, since 2015, the year Lindor debuted with Cleveland, only Mookie Betts and Aaron Judge have a higher fWAR than Lindor (60.4).
The Mets need to be in the business of stocking up on good players as they try to contend next year. When he’s at his best, Lindor is an elite shortstop. Decline is certainly a part of this conversation, but up until this season, Lindor has been durable throughout his career. It’s not like he’s 40 and has been regressing for years. Just last season, Lindor had a 129 wRC+ and .811 OPS over 160 games.
Do the Mets really want to get rid of another fan favorite? Maybe he doesn’t have a perfect relationship with Juan Soto, but winning cures all. That isn’t as big of a story going forward if president of baseball operations David Stearns builds a better team around those two superstars as the organization strives to get back into the playoff picture next year and beyond.
The Mets are +2500 to reach the postseason over on BetMGM. Our complete BetMGM Sportsbook review provides an in-depth guide on how to use their app.
Even if the Mets wanted to trade Lindor, his value is likely diminished. What would the Mets realistically get back if they traded Lindor and his contract with the way he’s been hurt and underperformed to this point? After this year, Lindor is still owed the final five years of his 10-year, $341 million deal.
And then there’s the looming collective bargaining situation and likely lockout. Is another team really going to want to add that kind of salary when it’s unclear what kind of financial restrictions or penalties are looming next season? That could be reflected in the Mets’ theoretical return.
YES
The Mets’ top priority moving forward needs to be building a roster that maximizes Soto’s prime and contends for championships. Barring a historic turnaround, the Mets will miss the playoffs in both of Soto’s first two seasons in New York. That is an unqualified disaster. To use the word Lindor used multiple times after Sunday’s dreadful loss to end the first half: it’s “unacceptable.”
As New York evaluates its veterans, it could determine that Lindor isn’t part of the best version of this club, both on the field and in the clubhouse. If that’s the case and the Mets want to make a drastic change as part of their reset, then they should move him, get as much back as possible and start fresh.
Clearly, the Mets aren’t handcuffed by sentimentality. Stearns showed this past offseason that he’s willing to dismantle a core and get rid of fan favorites like Pete Alonso and Nimmo.
Lindor is on track to be an all-time Met, but owner Steve Cohen made it clear this spring that the shortstop won’t be named captain. As the Mets build around Soto, maybe Lindor wants a change himself.
The Mets can either flip Lindor for another aging star and absorb a similar heavy contract — a change of scenery candidate — or they can eat money to acquire more top-tier prospect capital in return. Either way, change might be exactly what this organization needs after the way these last few years have gone.
Lindor turns 33 in November. In fairness, with his lengthy stint on the injured list earlier this season, it’s too early to determine that Lindor’s decline is underway. Lindor has been banged up more than ever this year, so that’s why his sample size is much smaller than his teammates’. But Father Time is undefeated, and no matter how consistently productive he’s been previously, this could go down as the beginning of that process.
It’s clear that Lindor isn’t the same player on defense. Recency bias with his costly error on what should’ve been a game-ending double play on Sunday makes that narrative even stronger. He’s batting .216 with a .671 OPS over 40 games so far this season. Lindor has also made a handful of strange mental mistakes this year.
PREDICTION
The Mets don’t trade Lindor, but they don’t hang up the phone at the trade deadline, either. They should be open to listening to offers on any player not named Soto, Nolan McLean, Carson Benge, A.J. Ewing and Christian Scott. Maybe Zach Thornton is pitching his way into that distinction as well.
As MLB takes a break from the regular season with its annual All-Star Game, the discussion around the Mets has shifted toward the trade deadline after a disastrous first half.
The Mets are 40-57, which FanGraphs calls 0.8% odds to make the playoffs. After an offseason that reconstructed their core, the question now is how much should they be willing to move by Aug. 3?
Steve Phillips, their former general manager, is in favor of selling … a lot.
“I don’t think the Mets are in a rebuild, they’ll be in a retool,” Phillips said on an episode of the New York Post’s “The Show” with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman. “I’d be selling, [Freddy] Peralta would be dealt… Luke Weaver…could have even more value because he has some controllability. I’d personally talk about Devin Williams in a trade, if somebody had interest, I’d move him. I’d be open to just about everything.”
Phillips was the Mets’ general manager from 1997-2003 and played a large part in building the 2000 team that reached the World Series. He is also responsible for trading for and then signing Hall of Famer Mike Piazza in 1998 to a seven-year $91 million contract — the largest in MLB history at the time.
The Mets are currently sitting at +1120 to win over 79.5 regular season games on FanDuel. Our FanDuel Sportsbook review provides a comprehensive guide on how to use their platform.
Now, in 2026, Phillips believes the Mets should explore trading a few of their biggest stars and high-leverage relievers.
“If somebody asked me about Lindor, I’d listen … just to see what’s out there,” Phillips said. “Clay Holmes, if he’s healthy by then, gone. I’ll trade them all.”
Despite a $365 million payroll, the Mets hold the fourth-worst record in MLB and are 12 games out of a wild-card spot in the National League. President of baseball operations David Stearns hasn’t publicly committed to a sell-off, but the subject has been raised with players.
Phillips sees a way for the Mets to simultaneously trade valuable players while improving the major-league roster.
“I’d buy right now, too, if I’m David Stearns,” Phillips said. “[He] can’t wait for the perfect timing. [He] might have to get out in front and get a guy a year early instead of waiting for the offseason. So I think he’s gotta be open to selling for sure, but also targeting some buying if it’s available to him.”
There seems to be an expectation that, sometime over the next few weeks to months, Draymond Green will return to the Golden State Warriors on a new deal. It doesn't even feel like there are any questions about that, as Green being on any other team just seems very strange to even think about.
However, according to the latest report, it seems others believe Green could leave the Warriors if they don't land LeBron James.
“Draymond Green. Green opted out of his $28 million deal for next season, but will be back with the Warriors. He is part of the team’s push to sign LeBron James, and will adjust his salary accordingly. There has been chatter that Green would leave the Warriors if they don’t land James but … that’s a longshot,” Sean Deveney wrote.
While Deveney admitted that it's a long shot, hearing any chatter about it makes things at least somewhat interesting here.
I don't think there is much chance of Green leaving, no matter what happens, but if he wants to win and Golden State no longer offers him that opportunity, perhaps it's possible.
NEW YORK (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes will raise their second Stanley Cup championship banner on Sept. 29 before hosting the Florida Panthers to kick off the NHL season.
The opener pits the most recent champions against the winners the previous two years. The Panthers look primed to contend for another title until injuries derailed them and caused them to miss the playoffs. Carolina lost only one game to get through the Eastern Conference, then defeated Vegas in the final to win it all for the first time since 2006.
The league announced home openers for all 32 clubs Wednesday. The full schedule is set to be released on Thursday.
The Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs, the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins will also face off as part of a five-game curtain raiser. The Chicago Blackhawks visit the Vegas Golden Knights in the nightcap.
Play begins before October as the league moves to an 84-game schedule for the first time since 1993-94. The 1,344 games will be the most in NHL history.
Mario Bautista wants the UFC belt, even if it means he has to go through a friend and former teammate.
Bautista (17-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC), a top contender at 135 pounds, has been knocking on the door of a title shot, and he got one step closer to his ultimate goal last Saturday with his decision win over Cory Sandhagen at UFC 329. The victory at UFC 329 not only got Bautista close to the belt, but also close to a potential fight with Sean O'Malley – whom he trained with for many years at The MMA Lab in Arizona.
Bautista is willing to fight O'Malley if that means a title opportunity.
"I haven't talked to him, but I think we both have an understanding that if it's for the No. 1 spot to be next for the title or for the title, what else could we possibly do?" Bautista told MMA Junkie Radio. "So, we just have to be ready for that scenario, I guess."
O'Malley, who expressed his happiness for Bautista in his latest win, said the situation is "tricky" and "weird" but also showed openness to the idea of the two fighting each other.
Bautista gave some further context to their current level of relationship and their past.
"We're not super close or anything, but coming up, we were both amateurs at The Lab," Bautista explained. "We were both young guys. There were three of us that were kind of stuck together – Me, Kyler (Phillips), and Sean. Just the young guys on the team that were getting beat up by the guys already in the UFC. So kind of growing up together like that, you get a close bond, and then you rise up the ranks with each other. Kyler, then Sean, and we're following each other, and that's when he made his move out of The Lab.
"I think Sean is a good friend. I think he's a good guy, and I have nothing against him. It's just, now that we're not in the same gym, we don't interact with each other as much, but I'll see him from time to time, and it's always good vibes, nothing weird."
On July 23, the Rams are scheduled to unveil two brand-new alternate uniforms during a special event exclusively for Season Ticket Members. The organization has promoted the evening as part of its annual Rams Revealed Live event, where fans will hear from players and team executives while getting the first look at the club’s newest additions to the uniform lineup.
While the Rams have kept the designs under wraps, that hasn’t stopped fans from speculating. The most popular theory is that one of the alternates will feature a white jersey with royal blue accents, paying homage to the team’s iconic uniforms from the late 1960s. Those classic looks remain among the most beloved in franchise history, representing the Fearsome Foursome era and one of the most recognizable uniforms in NFL history. A modern interpretation of that combination would likely be an instant favorite among longtime Rams supporters while also appealing to younger fans who appreciate throwback aesthetics.
The second rumored alternate has generated just as much conversation. Many believe the Rams are preparing to introduce a predominantly yellow uniform, something the franchise has never fully embraced in the modern era. Yellow has always been a defining part of the Rams’ identity, but it has traditionally been used as an accent color rather than the primary jersey color. If the speculation proves accurate, it would represent one of the boldest uniform choices the organization has ever made.
The excitement surrounding these new alternates is heightened because of last season’s debut of the NFL’s “Rivalries” uniform series. The Rams introduced their “Midnight Mode” design, featuring a dark midnight blue helmet and jersey with bright yellow horns and royal blue accents. Inspired by Los Angeles nightlife and SoFi Stadium, the uniform offered a dramatic departure from the club’s traditional color palette. While fan opinions were mixed, many appreciated that the organization was willing to experiment with something unique while still incorporating elements of Rams history.
The upcoming reveal also continues what has been an active offseason for the Rams’ visual identity. Earlier this year, the franchise unveiled a subtle but meaningful rebrand. The primary uniforms were cleaned up with simplified numbering, updated sleeve horns inspired by the Rivalries uniforms, and the removal of several gradient design elements. The team also refreshed both its primary and secondary logos, opting for a cleaner, more timeless appearance while reintroducing white pants into the regular uniform rotation. The overall objective appeared to be balancing the modern look introduced in 2020 with stronger connections to the Rams’ historic identity.
Now, all eyes turn to July 23. Whether the rumors prove accurate or the Rams have another surprise in store, the franchise has successfully built anticipation for one of the most anticipated uniform reveals in recent memory. A throwback-inspired white-and-blue set would satisfy fans longing for a classic look, while an all-yellow alternate would showcase the team’s willingness to push creative boundaries.
By this time next week, Rams fans will finally know whether the speculation was on target—or whether the organization has something entirely unexpected waiting in the wings.
Also, the last time the Rams introduced a new alternate…they won the Super Bowl. Let’s hope it becomes a trend.
The New York Giants have significant excitement surrounding their offense ahead of the 2026 season and beyond, particularly with the new coaching staff led by John Harbaugh.
As quarterback Jaxson Dart enters his sophomore season and first full year under center for Big Blue, many observers will closely watch two of his key weapons: wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo, both of whom are returning from injuries suffered last season.
CBS Sports recently published a ranking of NFL triplets, defined as each team’s best quarterback, running back, and wide receiver. The Giants landed at No. 22, with their trio consisting of Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, and Malik Nabers.
This is just too high for the Giants, who are benefiting from Dart's fantasy-football prowess, Skattebo's endearing style and Nabers' sparkling rookie year. Skattebo averaged just 4.1 yards per carry during his rookie season and is coming off a gruesome ankle injury. Nabers didn't get to play much with Dart during his second season before suffering a torn ACL, but the reports surrounding that rehab have been dreadful. There are major questions surrounding this group, especially with Matt Nagy and Greg Roman in charge of the offense in Dart's second year.
Despite the ranking, there is palpable excitement around these three young potential stars on the offensive side of the ball. Nabers played less than a full game alongside Dart before his sophomore season was cut short by injury. Meanwhile, Skattebo showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie, though his severe ankle injury remains a concern heading into 2026.
Notably, CBS Sports selected Skattebo over Tyrone Tracy Jr. as the featured running back for the list.
The Giants' triplets have the potential to climb the rankings after the upcoming season. Nabers was drafted in 2024, while Dart and Skattebo were part of the 2025 draft class. Although they checked in at 22nd, the group can improve quickly and emerge as one of the league’s best. Time will tell how different the offense looks in 2026 under the new coaching staff.
Fulham's new head coach, Alvaro Arbeloa, has given his first interview since joining the west London side.
Arbeloa, who previously spent five months in charge of Real Madrid, has spoken of how "happy and really proud" he is to have made the move to Craven Cottage.
"When I spoke with the owners and people at the club, I felt ambition, honesty and real desire to improve. This club has everything it needs to make the next step so I'm ready to work and make it happen," the Spaniard said.
On the club's transfer strategy, Arbeloa added: "If we want to be ambitious we need to sign players who can improve the squad. We lost some good players from last season so we need to replace them. We need to bring in quality players, the sooner they arrive is important because we have the first game in six weeks.
"Fulham is one of the oldest English football clubs, I want to respect that history and try to write the next chapter.
"I want a team with a clear identity. I want to see a team that plays with courage and personality. We want to be an offensive team, brave with the ball and aggressive when we lose it and ready to attack. We need to show that passion and ambition every game and show everything that we have.
"At Real Madrid I learnt winning is about a standard that you set every day, it's about mentality, self-demand, hard work and discipline. Mentality gives you the best chance of winning.
Looking ahead to the new season, the new boss said: "I think the Premier League is the best League in the world, I enjoyed it as a player so I'm looking forward to this new chapter as a coach.
"I want to build something special, a supporter can be proud of, if they are proud of me I think I will be successful."
Sunny skies? Temperatures in the mid-70s? Winds gusting no more than 10-15 mph?
That all sounds good if you're playing or walking the grounds at Royal Birkdale this week, but these are certainly not the conditions that annualy make the The Open Championship — or British Open on this side of the pond — the most unique major of the year.
TV viewers can only hope the forecasters are wrong, and that wind, rain and brutality make their way north of Liverpool to wreak some havoc on the 154th Open.
Now, let's get to our picks, which are never wrong:
Jay Busbee: Tommy Fleetwood
Total heart pick here. Tommy's got a whole mural painted in his honor at Royal Birkdale, and he's a local lad. That probably puts way too much pressure on him to win, but just suppose Fleetwood wins the Open and then, a couple hours later, England win the World Cup. The entire country wouldn't go to work for a week! Well, unless you work at a pub, then you'd be working for a week. Regardless, this needs to happen. (Head pick: Matt Fitzpatrick, for the record.)
Ryan Young: Rory McIlroy
This isn't really a fun pick. But Scottie Scheffler is off his game after missing a cut for the first time in years, and McIlroy claims to have identified the issue with his swing that was bothering him last week. So why overthink this? McIlroy will end the year with a win in the UK, and then we can all start talking about his potential Masters three-peat even earlier.
Jay Hart: Xander Schauffele
Picking the winner of a golf tournament amounts to a dart throw. Picking a player to finish in the top 10 is a lot easier, especially if you pick Xander Schauffele, who has 10 top-10 finishes in his last 15 majors. That includes a victory at The Open two years ago and a T7 last year. His worst finish in the three majors this year was a T11 a few weeks ago at Shinnecock. I don't know if he will lift the Claret Jug for a second time on Sunday, but it's a safe bet that he'll be in the hunt.
Baseball debates never truly have a finish line, especially when it comes to deciding the greatest players in history. Every generation has its legends, making it nearly impossible to compare stars across different eras. FanDuel recently took on that challenge by naming the best Major League Baseball player from every decade dating back to the 1930s. The list features Hall of Famers, record-breakers, and a current superstar who is still adding to his legacy. Here’s a look at FanDuel’s selections.
The Mickey Mantle statue is pictured in front of the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, March 22, 2022.
1930s: Lou Gehrig (New York Yankees)
1940s: Ted Williams (Boston Red Sox)
1950s: Mickey Mantle (New York Yankees)
1960s: Willie Mays (San Francisco Giants)
1970s: Joe Morgan (Cincinnati Reds)
1980s: Mike Schmidt (Philadelphia Phillies)
1990s: Barry Bonds (San Francisco Giants)
2000s: Albert Pujols (St. Louis Cardinals)
2010s: Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels)
2020s: Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers)
The list is loaded with players who not only dominated statistically but also helped define their respective eras.
Plenty of Hall of Fame Talent
Aug 18, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Former Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt during Phillies Alumni Weekend and the 20th anniversary of Citizens Bank Park before game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
It’s hard to argue against most of the selections. Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Joe Morgan, Mike Schmidt, and Albert Pujols are all considered among the greatest players to ever step onto a baseball field.
Barry Bonds remains one of the most dominant hitters in MLB history, despite the ongoing debates surrounding his career, while Mike Trout’s incredible run throughout the 2010s made him the face of baseball for nearly a decade.
Then there’s Shohei Ohtani. Although the 2020s are only halfway complete, Ohtani has already built a résumé unlike anything the sport has ever seen as both an elite hitter and pitcher, making him a logical choice for the current decade.
Which Pick Will Spark the Biggest Debate?
MLB Hall of Famer Joe Morgan waves to the fans during a pregame ceremony for the unveiling of Pete Rose’s bronze statue being installed outside the stadium before the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, June 17, 2017.
As with any all-time ranking, there are sure to be disagreements. Some fans may argue that Hank Aaron deserved consideration for the 1950s or 1960s. Others will point to Rickey Henderson in the 1980s or debate whether another superstar belongs ahead of Joe Morgan in the 1970s.
The 2020s selection will likely generate discussion as well, simply because there are still several seasons left in the decade for Ohtani—or another superstar—to strengthen their case.
Regardless of where fans stand, FanDuel’s list serves as a reminder of just how fortunate baseball has been to feature so many iconic players across nearly a century of Major League history.
Nov 22, 2025; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach James Franklin on the sidelines before the start of the game against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images | Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
You’re looking for something to fill your offseason time, ProveIt is here with an update you don’t care about on a topic you hate… without rumors, inside sources, or a YouTube podcast from my spare bedroom!
Hyphen-free timeline in start of football seasons which is the only timeline that matters in discussion conference realignment:
2025 through 2030: ACC exit fee starts at $165 million, dropping $18 million a year to $75 million in 2030, then holding at $75 million until the end of their broadcast contract.
2029: Last year of the current B1G broadcast contract
2029: VT completes university subsidies to boost AD spending
2029: The B1G signs their new broadcast contract
2030: ACC exit fee bottoms out coinciding with the 1st season of…
2030: B1G starts new broadcast contract
2030: Last year of the current B12 contract, signs their new contract
2031: B12 starts their new broadcast contract
2033: Last year of the current SEC contract, signs their new contract
2034: SEC starts their new broadcast contract
2035: Last year of the current ACC contract, signs their new contract
2036: ACC starts their new broadcast contract
It’s not a coincidence.
The current B1G contract was in place in 2022, in 2025 the ACC agreed to a new exit fee structure that bottoms out just as the B1G starts their new contract.
I suspect this was an easy sell to both sides in negotiations: The ACC members looking to lower the fee didn’t care about the exit fee after the new B1G contract, it benefits them for the exit fee to be high after this in case they get rejected by the B1G, if they go to the SEC the SEC will probably ask them to wait for the new SEC contract. The rest of the ACC still benefits from this high fee in dissuading members from considering the B12, delaying movement to the SEC, and money flowing into their pockets.
The B1G criteria
AAU affiliation isn’t a requirement: Delany said Nebraska would have been invited without being in the AAU, a B1G member voted to boot Nebraska from the AAU, the B1G at the time wanted to make the AAU a government lobbying group for academics but the AAU refused to follow suit by expanding. This came about when Delany asked what programs he should pursue for expansion ahead of adding Nebraska, he was told no “football factories,” they have to show a priority for academic achievement (you’re out Louisville), with AAU affiliation as an example.
There is the non-descript cultural fit, which along with academics may have more to do with how the University Presidents and Chancellors view each other than the student and fan base.
Otherwise it’s all about FB broadcast revenue (even for you Duke), hoopheads will have to cope and deal.
We know the B1G’s process.
The B1G doesn’t formally recruit programs for legal reasons. They might use a 3rd party for informal inquiries and talks (ND, Gordon Gee and Texas). They might string along a team for a long time (like Rutgers).
Most of the time the B1G waits for the program to inquire (PSU, Nebraska, Maryland, USC, UCLA, Oregon, Washington), performs a feasibility study, then moves to the cloak and dagger stage with tight lipped closed door meetings, meetings in remote undisclosed locations where reps travel separately and incognito, etc.
The broadcast contract drives expansion, but broadcasters have to keep some distance for legal reasons. I believe their involvement is primarily in guiding the B1G what to look at in the feasibility study stage and possibly providing raw data (with an occasional nudge and feedback).
B1G expansion costs are minimal when programs are added at the time of a new broadcast contract. Expect the existing B1G members to cover exit fees for new members, then recover by decreasing shared revenue to what they would receive if they remained in the ACC for their 1st 3 or 4 years (until their exit fee is paid up).
For each of the existing 18 B1G members, this would be a 1 time $4.2 million decrease in shared revenue for each ACC program added, with higher payouts from the conference in later years, at a time when members will be getting a shared revenue boost from a new broadcast contract.
It isn’t about the ACC exit fee, in 2024-2025:
The B1G full share conference shared revenue ranged from $76.01 million to $91.57 million, averaging $79.9 million.
The ACC highest payout was $55.1 million to Clemson, $21 million less than the LOWEST full share B1G member received.
The difference in between the B1G lowest and the ACC highest payout is more than the $18 million yearly decrease in the ACC exit fee. The ACC exit fee is not the determining factor in the timeline.
The timeline will center on the next B1G broadcast contract.
The B1G will want additions on board before inking a new contract like was done with USC-UCLA. Neither the B1G nor the new programs want to expand mid-contract like Oregon and Washington.
The B1G F’ed up by asking Oregon and Washington to wait until 2031, don’t expect this to happen again. Inquiries, informal discussions, and feasibility studies have likely already taken place for most ACC programs, the serious talks with candidate programs will be in 2028 and early 2029 as rumors fly, with formal announcements and inking occurring in mid-2029.
I don’t think the B1G is locked into an even number of members.
With all the issues of expansion, if 1 of 19+ members were to play 1 more or less conference game a year, or a program gets to choose about once every 2 decades between an additional OOC or home conference game, I don’t think it’s a problem for anyone.
There may be an inventory limit.
For example, if the B1G increased to 22 teams averaging 7 home games a year, that’s a whopping 154 games a year. Spread out over 15 weeks, it averages a manageable 10 or 11 games a week, but in conference bye weeks it would be as low as 8 and into the upper teens in OOC weeks – not the most lucrative structure.
Fox-CBS-NBC will be all for poaching the rights to the top ACC brands from ESPN, but to fully capitalize the B1G needs to find a way to spread out the inventory more evenly – OOC body bag games during conference season, more weekday games, late night weekend time slot, etc.
Expanding the number of conference games should be off the table as it could be counter-productive if members drop their quality OOC game which typically have higher ratings.
The easiest solution for the B1G would be to sell low tier time slots to an additional carrier, but I don’t know if any can afford the bidding price unless ESPN returns to the table – with the better ACC brands the B1G could typically offer games with at least 1 decent brand deep into their tier selections.
While I don’t think it’s the case, the B1G may not even have all 3 of its current partners returning – NBC’s rollercoaster B1G ratings and selling its rights to the B1G CCG could be a red flag that they plan to exit after the current deal expires, leaving the B1G scrambling to find a new broadcast partner to fill the gap, or trying to convince Fox-CBS to increase the number of games they buy.
The Candidates list is short.
Using the last time I did a deeper dive, the long term B1G average viewership would be somewhere above the Nebraska-Iowa-Sparty level of interest, so STFU about programs like GT, Pitt, NC State, etc. – you need to be higher up to warrant an invite.
It won’t be a program from the B12 or G6, if the B1G-SEC was interested in any of these programs they would have been added already. I don’t think that any conference would decline a request from the academies, but the academies aren’t going to ask to join the B1G-SEC making it a moot point.
The difference in shared revenue isn’t enough for the B1G to poach the SEC… yet.
ND fans want to remain independent in FB. ND has enough revenue to remain independent. ND will always find a conference for an ACC-like scheduling agreement. ND will remain independent.
This leaves the ACC: FSU, Miami, and Clemson are obvious. I had NC and VT as marginal, but with more recent news, I now have them as solid candidates. With the exception of maybe Clemson, I don’t think any of these would be disqualified from B1G consideration for academics or culture. See GT-Pitt-NC State, Louisville, and Duke comments above for any other ACC members. Poaching the ACC in 2029 will bring an end to B1G expansion.
VT AD spending increase is not getting nearly enough scrutiny.
In 2024-2025 VT’s AD revenue was $161.2 million. In 2025 VT announced they were increasing the AD budget annually to $212.1 million by 2028-2029, a 31% $51 million increase in 4 years.
I don’t think this is a coincidence – 2029 is when candidates whose inquiries to join the B1G will become known, a year ahead of the next broadcast contract. This feels like a little like a Rutgers trajectory where the B1G instructed Rutgers on what they needed to do to get an invite, except with VT the timing is known.
VT’s funding formally includes over $21 million increase in student fees, over $48 million from the university, and a buried additional $39.6 million from the university under the name “bridge funding,” bringing the university total contribution to about $88 million, with the claim the AD can sustain this level of income without the University contribution at the end of 4 years from growth – that’s a lot of growth in 4 years.
Initially this was thought to be a flyer to garner a B1G invite, but I have a hard time believing the university would gamble $88 million on achieving this level of growth, unless they have some additional assurances to believe they will get a huge boost in conference shared revenue, a boost that can only realistically be provided by the bold claim…
VT is already set to join the B1G for the 2030 season. Hoopheads can feel confident that if VT is on their way to the B1G, so is NC. The poaching of the ACC in 2029 will end B1G expansion unless ND becomes interested in joining a conference, or the shared revenue differential becomes substantial enough for the B1G to poach the SEC.
The B12 won’t be looking to expand. Their contract expires just 1 year behind the B1G. Their shared revenue lags the ACC now but should move about even, they can’t afford to poach the ACC. ESPN doesn’t want to pay for the same ACC program rights twice, they will get the same rights cheaper leaving the programs in a depleted ACC. The B12 is done with expansion unless their new contract is only 5 years long to expire with the ACC, but ESPN won’t leave this door open, and the B12 doesn’t have enough broadcast suitors to force the issue – ESPN wants the rights to both the ACC and B12 at the cheapest cost.
ESPN/SEC sidelined. ESPN is already in a financial bind, paying steep increases to renew other broadcast rights they currently own, and giving up rights as cord cutting continues. To poach the better ACC FB brands, ESPN would have to increase the payments for program rights they already own through the ACC, with an offer that still lags behind what the B1G will offer.
My expectation is the SEC will inform candidate programs if they will be added, they might even announce and ink the deals, but ask candidates to wait until the new contract before changing conferences, bringing an end to SEC expansion in 2033.
The remaining ACC programs won’t have any place better to move to (unless ESPN leaves the door open for movement to the B12). Their new identity will be a hoops conference that plays football well above the G6 level, but notably behind the B12. With this new identity they might add a few programs known for hoops that also play FBS FB outside the B1G-SEC-B12 (we see you UConn). 2035 will mark the end of ACC expansion.
Don’t expect federal legislation to bring an end to expansion. They might add a meaningless restriction like prohibiting conferences from merging (forget the B1G and SEC merging, they can barely reach a scheduling agreement), but there are more than enough reps in the House and Senate from the footprint of the B1G-SEC, programs hoping to join the B1G-SEC, and other programs hoping to step up in conference affiliation, to get this restriction stripped from the bill.
This long winding path of P5 expansion that exploded in 2011 with the PAC’s attempt to gut the B12, is winding down with the B1G and SEC forming the P2 because they had more to offer, the B12 surviving with a lot of hustle, while the PAC and ACC were ultimately done in by agreeing to terrible broadcast contracts.
Questions? Critiques? Thoughts? Let us know in the comments. Thanks to ProveIt, as ever, for sending this and for his patience as I rediscovered and uploaded it.
If YOU would ever like to write for OTE—whether irregularly or as one of our irregulars—drop me a line at minnesotawildcat [at] gmail [dot] com. We’d be happy to add your thoughts to the conversation. —MNW
June 16, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.; Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates after the match. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
We are almost a week into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and that means it is the perfect time to start looking at one of the big stories from this tournament every four years.
The chase for the Golden Boot.
The 2026 World Cup could see history, given the presence of Kylian Mbappe. In the history of this event, no player has ever won the Golden Boot twice. After winning the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup, Mbappe could become the first player to achieve that feat, if he were to win again this year.
Mbappe’s brace against Senegal got his campaign for a second Golden Boot off to a strong start, but Lionel Messi’s hat trick against Algeria put the Argentina legend atop the list after his opening match.
Here are the current standings in the chase for the Golden Boot. You will note that assists and minutes played are listed, as those are the two tiebreakers in determining the winner of the Golden Boot. In the case of ties, the player with the most assists is ranked ahead.
Should there still be a tie, the player with the fewest minutes played is ranked ahead.
After Spain’s 2-0 win over France, we have trimmed this list even more. Only players with four or more goals are included. For the full list you can see the FIFA website.
Note: Table last updated following France-Spain on July 14. In addition, the list has been trimmed to players with four goals or moreas noted above.
Player
Team
Goals
Assists
Minutes
Kylian Mbappé
France
8
3
667
Lionel Messi
Argentina
8
2
602
Erling Haaland
Norway
7
0
536
Jude Bellingham
England
6
1
572
Harry Kane
England
6
1
624
Ousmane Dembélé
France
5
2
595
Mikel Oyarzabal
Spain
5
1
595
Ismaila Sarr
Senegal
4
1
419
Julian Quinones
Mexico
4
1
440
Vinicius Jr.
Brazil
4
1
506
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HENDERSON, NEVADA - MAY 20: Ashton Jeanty #2 of the Las Vegas Raiders attends a news conference after an OTA offseason workout at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Health Performance Center on May 20, 2026 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Raiders fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The Las Vegas Raiders brought in Klint Kubiak to help with the offense. Kubiak’s expertise lies in the running game. The Seahawks ran the ball 5o percent of the time, and the new head coach is expected to bring that philosophy to Las Vegas.
With Ashton Jeanty as the main back it is expectedd for him to take a step up this season. Jeanty didn’t get over 1000 yards during his rookie year but displayed elements in his game that could lifteed by Kubiak. His ability to run and catch the football will make a weapon in this offense.
In this week’s SB Nation Reacts, we ask Raider Nation if Jeanty will get over 1,000 yards. Let us know in the survey below.
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 17: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers throws a pass during Mandatory Minicamp at The Bolt on June 17, 2026 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Report: Arsenal ready to push forward out of the door amid interest from European giants
Arsenal Transfer News: Gabriel Jesus Exit Edges Closer as AC Milan Lead Race
Arsenal are stepping up plans to move Gabriel Jesus on this summer, with AC Milan emerging as one of the strongest contenders for the Brazil international. According to TeamTalk, the Gunners have now made their position clear as they look to avoid losing the forward for nothing at the end of his contract.
Jesus, now 29, joined Arsenal from Manchester City in a £45 million deal in 2022, yet the current window appears to represent the club’s final realistic chance to secure a fee. Arsenal have reportedly told interested clubs they will listen to offers of around £20 million, a significant drop on their original outlay, but one shaped by both his contract status and fitness record.
Gabriel Jesus sale gathers pace
The central point in this developing situation is Arsenal’s determination to act now. The report states they are “actively trying to sell striker Gabriel Jesus in the coming weeks”, while the club are “working hard with his representatives to secure his exit”. That language points to a clear internal decision rather than a tentative market test.
Photo IMAGO
There is a footballing logic to it too. Jesus made only 14 Premier League appearances last season, scoring six goals, and he now sits behind Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz in the attacking order. Arsenal have also “made it clear to Jesus that he is not going to be first choice”, with that message said to have been repeated again over the past week.
For the player, the picture is more nuanced. He has previously spoken of “unfinished business” at the Emirates and would ideally prefer to remain. Yet the same report indicates he wants regular minutes, a perfectly understandable stance for a player entering an important stage of his career.
AC Milan and Serie A interest intensifies
Among the clubs in the frame, AC Milan appear particularly serious. They are described as being among the leading contenders and are already in contact with Arsenal. Juventus have also asked questions and are considering a £20 million proposal, while Atletico Madrid are in dialogue too.
What stands out is the sense that Italy may offer the clearest route to a solution. Serie A is described as “his most likely destination”, which aligns with Jesus’ well-known admiration for Italian football. From Arsenal’s perspective, a clean permanent sale would be the preferred outcome, especially with their squad planning still active elsewhere in the market.
There has also been movement from Turkey. Fenerbahce reportedly have Jesus high on their shortlist, although their finances have been stretched by an initial £33 million agreement for Mason Greenwood. Besiktas have made early checks as well, but Arsenal would much rather bank a transfer fee now than entertain a less favourable structure.
Arsenal finances and squad planning
The broader significance here lies in Arsenal’s market strategy. Moving Jesus out would free wages and create extra room for further additions. The report says Arsenal are “keen to move him on as soon as possible and help fund towards their own incomings”, which is a revealing line and one that fits the wider pattern of modern elite squad building.
There is still a deal to be done, and the player’s own preference matters, but Arsenal’s stance now appears firm. If AC Milan maintain their push, this could quickly become one of the more notable attacking exits of the window.
Our View
From an Arsenal supporter’s standpoint, this feels like the right call, even if it is not an easy one emotionally. Gabriel Jesus brought edge, intensity and top-level experience when he arrived, and at his best he lifted the standard of the frontline. There was a period where his movement, pressing and personality made Arsenal look sharper and more dangerous. That should not be forgotten.
At the same time, squad building at the top level demands difficult decisions. If the club truly sees him behind Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, then keeping a high-earner for sentimental reasons would make little sense. The key phrase in this report is that Arsenal have “made it clear to Jesus that he is not going to be first choice”. Once that message is delivered, a parting becomes the logical next step.
The fee matters too. Recovering around £20 million for a player in the final year of his deal would be decent business in the circumstances. Supporters will also recognise the importance of creating space for fresh attacking investment.
If he goes to Italy, there is a feeling it could suit him. Serie A may offer a rhythm and tactical structure that helps him rediscover consistency. For Arsenal, the priority is clarity, decisiveness and reinvestment. This situation now looks like one to resolve quickly.
Strasbourg's Belgian forward #07 Diego Da Silva Moreira (L) slides for the ball during the French Cup semi-final football match between RC Strasbourg Alsace and OGC Nice at the Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg, eastern France, on April 22, 2026. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
As the 2026 World Cup approaches its crescendo, the loose collection of transfer rumors we’ve sweated over for the past several weeks should start to coalesce into actual signings. Indeed, we’ve already seen several rumors that felt like near certainties a month ago fall by the wayside, giving us a clearer picture of Roma’s actual transfer targets.
With the Ides of July upon us, Gian Piero Gasperini and new Sporting Director Tony D’Amico have narrowed their focus to a select group of players: Chelsea’s Alejandro Garnacho, Brugge’s Nicolo Tresoldi, West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville, and Strasbourg’s Diego Moreira; four players would absorb most, if not all, of Roma’s rumored €100 million transfer reserves.
The chances of the Giallorossi acquiring all four of those players are slim, but they appear to be making progress on Moreira, an extremely talented and versatile 21-year-old Belgian capable of playing five to six positions. Given his ability to fill virtually any role on the flank, Moreira would be the smartest purchase on this list. Based on reports from La Repubblica, Roma is drawing closer to making that plan a reality.
According to their reports, Roma and Strasbourg (and Chelsea, which still has a contractual stake in Moreira) are working on the finer points of a €30 million deal. The sticking point, however, remains the future sell-on fee. La Repubblica reports that Roma are offering a 10% cut of any future transfer, while Strasbourg would prefer a 20% stake in Moreira.
That’s a pretty significant difference, of course, but we’ve certainly seen larger slices of the proverbial pie sacrificed to facilitate a transfer. We always wrap up these pieces by telling you to stay tuned, but now that the World Cup is drawing to a close, we may see some real traction on the transfer front very soon.
Tuesday's MLB All-Star Game was loaded with Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies had six representatives on the National League team, tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the most in the game.
All of them played, too, thanks to some skillful managing by Dave Roberts, who did his best to satisfy the Philadelphia fans at Citizens Bank Park.
Unfortunately for the NL, the Phillies players didn't perform very well in the Midsummer Classic, doing more harm than good in the NL's 4-0 defeat.
Cristopher Sanchez started for the NL and took the loss, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks in the first inning. The NL never recovered.
Jesus Luzardo and Jhoan Duran both pitched well in relief, combining for 1 2/3 scoreless innings. However, it was already too late.
The NL didn't get any run support as its lineup was stifled by the American League. Bryce Harper, Brandon Marsh and Home Run Derby runner-up Kyle Schwarber went a combined 0-for-5 with four strikeouts.
In the end, it just wasn't the NL's night, especially for Philadelphia's stars.
The Dallas Mavericks are preparing for a new chapter following significant changes in the front office and coaching staff. As the franchise moves in a different direction under its new leadership, veteran guard Klay Thompson's future with the organization appears increasingly uncertain.
Thompson is entering the final season of the three-year, $50 million contract he signed with Dallas in 2024. The contract will pay him approximately $17.5 million during the 2026-27 season.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Mavericks are actively exploring the trade market for the four-time NBA champion and have shown little desire to negotiate a buyout or risk losing him without receiving assets in return.
“The Mavericks, league sources say, continue to explore Klay Thompson's trade market, showing little interest — to this point — in buying out the four-time champion’s final remaining season ($17.5 million) of a three-year, $50 million deal with Dallas,” per Stein.
“The Miami Herald and 5 Reasons Sports'Ethan Skolnick have reported that Miami would have strong interest in Thompson if he became a free agent and there would surely be other suitors.”
Only two years after arriving in Dallas in one of the league's most talked-about free-agent moves, Thompson appears to be nearing another change of scenery. He originally joined the Mavericks with hopes of competing for a fifth NBA championship alongside Luka Doncic. However, those plans dramatically changed after the franchise traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Dallas' willingness to move Thompson is largely tied to his disappointing 2025-26 season, during which both his role and production declined significantly. For the first time in his 13-year NBA career, the veteran accepted a primary bench role, while posting career lows across several statistical categories. He finished the season averaging 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
The Mavericks are now expected to remain engaged in trade discussions, hoping to find a suitable deal for Thompson before finalizing the remainder of their roster ahead of the new season.
USC basketball upgraded its roster in Eric Musselman's second season. It wasn't quite enough to make the NCAA Tournament only because of several injuries which led to many dozens of games missed. Now Musselman sees NBA-caliber talent on his roster, giving the Trojans the ingredients they need to be a nationally relevant team. He talked to USC athletics about this point.
"In year one at Arkansas, we felt there were two really talented players in Mason Jones and Isaiah Joe. It was super important that we retained those two guys, which we did, and they ended up both being future NBA players," Musselman began. "Now, in the Big Ten, you have to have NBA players to win. At Nevada, we had NBA draft picks and guys that went on to play in the NBA, then at Arkansas, we had the first one-and-dones ever at a very historic program. They had never even had a lottery pick before. We feel like we're going to have multiple guys that put on an NBA uniform on this year's roster, which is a change from where we've been in years one and two. I can pretty much guarantee we're going to have at least one guy get drafted. But that's what happens when you're building a program: You're learning a new conference, your campus and your academic culture all before you build. Hopefully this is the year that we turn the corner."
There is little doubt that USC will be well-represented at the 2027 NBA Draft unless the Trojans get hit hard by the injury bug. There are definitely multiple NBA-quality performers on this squad, and USC has what many analysts view as a Sweet 16-caliber team which should rise to the second tier of the Big Ten this season behind the top three of Illinois, Michigan, and Michigan State.
Contact/Follow @TrojansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of USC Trojans news, notes and opinion.
The Athletic's Murat Ates revealed a number of Sabres who could factor into a deal, as part of a new article on Wednesday.
He first notes a few potential future assets.
"A first-round pick would be nice and the same applies to top prospects like Konsta Helenius or Radim Mrtka, but Winnipeg’s best outcome hinges on the quality of the top six forward they get back in the deal," Ates writes.
The first two forwards he goes on to mention are Zach Benson and Josh Doan.
"They each have ties to Winnipeg," Ates writes. "Benson starred for the WHL’s Winnipeg ICE, while Doan’s dad, Shane, started his career with the first edition of the Jets in 1995. Either one of those players would be a home run for the Jets."
Without them, it might be Ryan McLeod or Jack Quinn.
"Ryan McLeod would be a more reasonable target and has already dominated alongside Jets forward Cole Perfetti," Ates writes. "The 26-year-old playmaking center played with Perfetti on the Saginaw Spirit’s top line during their OHL playoff run in 2019. Jack Quinn and Peyton Krebs may each have appeal, too, but wouldn’t represent the same kind of home run swing. A return of McLeod and a substantial secondary piece could be viewed as a success."
The Sabres likely don't want to give up Helenius, Benson or Doan. Is there a combination of others that get it done? We'll probably find out soon enough.
Across the years, England have had plenty of highs and lows at the sport’s biggest tournament, with drama never far away.
Here, we take a look at how England have fared in previous tournaments.
Brazil 1950 – Group stage
England’s debut appearance ended in a group-stage exit after a shock defeat to the United States was followed by another loss to Spain.
Switzerland 1954 – Quarter-finals
A first taste of quarter-final heartache, Walter Winterbottom’s side lost 4-2 to Uruguay despite goals from Nat Lofthouse and Tom Finney.
Sweden 1958 – Group stage
England were unbeaten in the group stage after draws with Soviet Union, Brazil and Austria, but because they could not be separated from the Soviet Union on goals scored or conceded, the two teams met in a play-off which Winterbottom’s side lost 1-0 and were subsequently sent home.
Chile 1962 – Quarter-finals
After beating Argentina to get out of the group stage, Brazil were waiting in the last eight and England went down to a 3-1 defeat in Winterbottom’s last match as manager.
England 1966 – Winners
English football’s defining moment came on home soil as Sir Alf Ramsey’s side won the tournament, thanks largely to Sir Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick in a dramatic final against West Germany.
English football’s defining moment came on home soil as Sir Alf Ramsey’s side won the tournament (AFP/Getty)
1970 Mexico – Quarter-final
Despite losing a memorable group game against Brazil, famous for Bobby Moore’s tackle and Gordon Banks’ save, England progressed to a quarter-final against West Germany, where they blew a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 after extra time.
1982 Spain – Second group stage
After an absence of 12 years, England won all three of their group games, but then came unstuck in the second group stage, exiting after draws against West Germany and Spain.
1986 Mexico – Quarter-finals
Gary Lineker’s hat-trick against Poland helped England through to the quarter-finals against Argentina, where they were beaten by Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ and stunning individual effort in another historic moment of English football.
Italy 1990 – Semi-finals
One of England’s best runs was defined by Paul Gascoigne’s tears as Sir Bobby Robson’s men suffered a heartbreaking semi-final penalty shootout defeat to old foes West Germany.
France 1998 – Last 16
Argentina were again the enemy again as a thrilling last-16 tie saw 18-year-old Michael Owen score a wonder goal, David Beckham get sent off and Glenn Hoddle’s side lose on penalties after Paul Ince and David Batty missed.
Argentina were the enemy again as a thrilling last-16 tie saw 18-year-old Michael Owen score a wonder goal (Getty)
Japan/South Korea 2002 – Quarter-final
After Beckham’s group-stage redemption against Argentina, England, managed by Sven Goran-Eriksson, were beaten 2-1 by Brazil in the quarter-finals after Ronaldinho scored from distance.
Germany 2006 – Quarter-final
England’s golden generation flopped as they lost on penalties to Portugal after Wayne Rooney had been sent off in what proved to be the end of Eriksson’s reign.
South Africa 2010 – Last 16
Fabio Capello’s side put in a dismal showing as they finished second in a group containing the United States, Algeria and Slovenia and subsequently suffered their heaviest World Cup defeat in a 4-1 last-16 hammering against Germany, where Frank Lampard scored a ‘ghost goal’.
Brazil 2014 – Group stage
Roy Hodgson’s England were eliminated at the first hurdle after group stage defeats to Italy and Uruguay, meaning they were already out by the time they drew with Costa Rica in their third match.
Russia 2018 – Semi-final
England’s best run in 28 years saw them finally win a penalty shootout against Colombia in the last 16 before Sir Gareth Southgate’s men ran out of steam and suffered a 2-1 extra-time defeat to Croatia in the semi-final.
Sir Gareth Southgate’s men ran out of steam and suffered a 2-1 extra-time defeat to Croatia in the semi-final (Getty)
Qatar 2022 – Quarter-final
After strolling through to the last eight, England’s hopes were dashed by France as Harry Kane missed a late penalty in a 2-1 defeat.
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - JANUARY 22: Gary Russell Jr. enters the ring prior to the the WBC World Featherweight Championship fight against Mark Magsayo at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa on January 22, 2022 in Atlantic City, United States. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Gary Russell Jr just recently caught up with Fight Hub TV and talks about a few prospective matchups down the lines between the likes of Tank Davis, Devin Haney, and Shakur Stevenson. Here’s some of what he had to say on a couple of notable prospective fights.
Russell Jr on he would view a Tank vs Haney matchup
“I would lean more so towards Haney. I think Tank is a good fight but I think he’s more of a flat-footed fighter. He needs to really plant to get his punches off and stuff like that. Anyone that’s going to box and have lateral movement is going to make it a little difficult for him to find him. I think Devin Haney, he’ll stick to the script. His flaw is his biggest strength. He’s not going to sit there and try to fight you, he going to get the f—k out the way. That’s going to be his strength, he’s going to move, he’s going to box.
“Even Tank fighting a Shakur. I still leans towards a Shakur. It’s be boring as hell…but he’s going to put that stick on Tank ass. He’s going to touch him whenever he wants, move, get out the way, and it wouldn’t be too much going on. I think they’ll both beat Tank in a very long, boring fight.”
On how Haney matches up with Shakur
“I think both of them would have problems with each other. Shakur is not a go get you type of fighter. He’s going to be on the back foot, he’s going to try to block and Philly Shell. And Devin Haney is not going to try to come get you either. He’s going to box. So two boxers are going to force each other to do things outside of their comfort zone. I think that’ll be a difficult fight for both parties.
“It’ll probably be a little harder for Shakur than Devin just off the strength that Shakur has shorter arms. Because Shakur has shorter arms, in order for him to hit Devin he has to cross that threshold, and he’s not a go forward fighter.”
Dortmund bosses adopt tactical approach to pursue Sancho deal
A lot has been made of a potential return of Jadon Sancho to Borussia Dortmund, albeit the rumours have gone quiet in recent weeks.
However, as reported by Bild, there are clear parameters for the return of the prodigal son to the Westphalians who gave him his name.
After failing to make an impact in the Premier League at both Manchester United and Aston Villa, the Englishman is open to a return.
With Sancho also willing to accept a pay cut, Book and Kovač gave the green light for re-signing the 26-year-old winger:
"BVB wants to pay the Englishman a maximum base salary of five million euros, although he is currently without a club.
“BVB boss Lars Ricken and sporting director Ole Book do not want to pay Sancho a signing bonus and expect him to agree to a performance-related contract.”
Both officials watched several of the player's performances during his loan at Aston Villa, and scouts were sent to England in the spring.
According to the tabloid, there is a growing internal conviction that Sancho could rediscover his former form at BVB.
Executive Vice President and GM Steve Yzerman is moving on from his roster managerial role, the team announced the morning of July 15. Yzerman will remain with the organization as an advisor to the team's Governor and CEO Chris Ilitch and handle day-to-day operations, but the Wings are beginning the search for a new roster manager.
The move comes while star center Dylan Larkin's trade request hangs in the ether, which has proven to be difficult to comply with. Reports indicate Larkin's trade destinations list includes the Vegas Golden Knights, Minnesota Wild, and Florida Panthers, with the Dallas Stars also floated as a candidate (though the latter is unconfirmed).
Yzerman joined the organization after a wildly successful tenure with the Tampa Bay Lightning in April 2019, sparking enthusiasm among a fanbase that hadn't made the playoffs since the 2015-16 season. He failed, however, to make the postseason in his homecoming, and the historically successful Red Wings now have the longest active drought in the NHL at 10 seasons after the Buffalo Sabres ended their drought last season.
"Steve's lifetime of contributions to the Red Wings has meant more to this franchise than words can truly express, and I have the highest level of respect for his continued commitment to our organization,” Ilitch said in a statement released by the team July 15. “We are thankful for Steve’s hard work and dedication as General Manager and are grateful knowing Steve will remain where he belongs – here with the Red Wings family.”
"I am sincerely grateful to Chris and the entire Ilitch family,” Yzerman said. “This organization has given me incredible opportunities, from my time as a player to the privilege of returning as General Manager. I've appreciated every experience throughout the years, and I’m extremely proud to remain part of this great franchise.”
The New York Sack Exchange (not to be confused with the New York Stock Exchange) remains one of the NFL's most iconic nicknames. Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons, and Abdul Salaam didn't simply terrorize quarterbacks. They helped the New York Jets redefine what dominant defensive line play looked like.
No one is suggesting today's New York Jets are ready to join that conversation. They have far too much to prove first. Still, after a disappointing 2025 season, it's clear the organization has made rebuilding its pass rush one of its top priorities.
The Jets managed just 26 sacks, fewer than two per game, while struggling to affect opposing quarterbacks consistently. Will McDonald IV led the team with eight sacks, but the defense rarely generated the relentless pressure necessary to compete with the AFC's better offenses. As a result, the front office responded aggressively.
Veteran additions Joseph Ossai, Kingsley Enagbare and T'Vondre Sweat immediately strengthened the defensive front, while rookies David Bailey and Darrell Jackson Jr. added youth and upside to the rotation. Each move addressed a different need. Some were designed to improve the run defense. Others were made with one objective in mind.
Get after the quarterback.
The Jets' foundation appears stronger than it did a year ago
No one expects this group to suddenly recreate the magic of the New York Sack Exchange (but it would be nice if they eventually did. That would be an unfair comparison to one of the greatest defensive fronts in franchise history.
What the Jets can reasonably expect is progress. McDonald continues developing into a productive edge rusher. Bailey brings intriguing pass-rushing potential, while Ossai and Enagbare provide experienced depth that can keep the rotation fresh throughout a long season.
Sweat and Jackson should also help create more favorable pass-rushing situations by strengthening the interior of the defensive line. The names may be different, and the expectations should remain realistic. Still, for the first time in a while, the Jets appear to be building their defensive front with purpose rather than patching it together one offseason at a time.
Whether this group develops into one of the league's better pass-rushing units remains to be seen, but the commitment is obvious. The New York Sack Exchange earned its legendary reputation over years of dominant football. The current Jets have a long way to go before entering that conversation, but if this rebuilt defensive front performs the way New York hopes, it could become the first step toward restoring one of the franchise's proudest defensive traditions.
Jets Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 offseason.
The 100 best player ratings have surfaced for the next installment of the NFL game. As one of the consensus top teams heading into the 2026 NFL season, the Bills should see a few players in that bunch, right?
As of now, there are one two: Quarterback Josh Allen and running back James Cook.
It was already known Allen is among the game's prestigious "99 club." That is the best rating a player can have in the game and Buffalo's QB is just one of four players in "Madden 27" that will have that number attached to them.
On the Cook front, he lands at a 94 rating after leading the NFL in rushing yards last season:
The Buffalo Bills have 2 players ranked in the top 100 in Madden 27 ratings per @MUTLeaksXXVII
That still begs the question, did Buffalo's team deserve another player or two among the top 100?
The lowest rating rounding out the list is multiple players from around the NFL with an 89 overall. While players such as offensive tackle Dion Dawkins or defensive lineman Ed Oliver might be worth such a number, no other member of the Bills earned such a game standing as of now.
Bills Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 offseason.
"No one, so far, has stood out like Malachi Goodman. He was an extremely rare though overlooked piece of last year's team. The true freshman was an impressive five-star recruiting talent who picked the Nittany Lions over Alabama, Georgia and USC, arrived in State College as a 17-year-old freshman and then waited his turn, redshirting. The New Jersey native is a physical anomaly at 6-foot-6 and 331 pounds, looking long-limbed and lean, like he's at least 30 pounds lighter. Only now, after that long first college year of learning and transitioning to a new staff and teammates, he's being unleashed as the Lions' new left tackle. Goodman may be the most intriguing piece of what is arguably the most integral unit on the field. He's polite, articulate and upbeat, though more comfortable saying less than more to reporters. He's just beginning to understand his potential and power in college, it seems.
"'He put his hand through my heart today, hard. I probably bruised,' (offensive line assistant coach Ryan) Clanton said with a smile, describing a blocking drill ... He can glide. He’s long, he’s aggressive and he’s smart," Clanton said. "And he does a good job of retaining information and putting it out there on the field. He plays confident, you forget how young he is sometimes. He’s done a great job transforming his body like when you look at him, he’s 330 pounds and he lowered his body fat."
USC's defensive line has to be able to make this young and inexperienced player hesitate and doubt himself. Malachi Goodman has impressive physical tools. USC has to make him question if those tools are ready to be used properly.
PSG backed Eupen bring in experienced German-Congolese striker in bid to boost promotion push
Belgian second tier side Eupen have announced the signing of striker Ba-Muaka Simakala from Azerbaijani side Araz Naxçivan. Simakala came through the Borussia Monchengladbach youth system before going on to play for a variety of clubs before he ended up in Azerbaijan. The striker joins Eupen off the back of a decent campaign, with nine goals in 36 games.
Simakala made his one and only appearance for Borussia Monchengladbach during the 2016/2017 Bundesliga season. In 2018 he left to join Dutch side Roda, but only managed four goals in 43 games. His big breakthrough came with VFL Osnabruck, who he joined in 2021. He scored eight goals in 31 games during the sides 2 Liga campaign before exploding in his second season at the club with 19 goals in 37 games. Holstein Kiel then signed him on a free transfer, but the striker went goalless in 13 games. After a loan spell with Kaiserslautern, resulting in one goal in seven, he returned to VFL Osnaburck for the 2024/2025 campaign. Simakala scored eight goals in 24 games before joining Araz.
He joins a Eupen side that are now closely linked to PSG and have brought in the experienced Felice Mazzu as a head coach. The last time Mazzu coached in the Belgian second tier was when he won promotion with Union St Gilloise.
The San Antonio Spurs have made another adjustment to their roster as they continue shaping the team for the upcoming season. The organization originally extended a two-way qualifying offer to forward Harrison Ingram in late June, hoping to retain his restricted free agent rights. However, after Ingram did not accept the offer before the league-wide deadline, the Spurs opted to withdraw it and move in a different direction.
NBA insider Keith Smith recently reported that San Antonio officially rescinded its qualifying offer.
“The San Antonio Spurs have withdrawn the qualifying offer for Harrison Ingram, a league source told @spotrac,” Smith wrote.
The move significantly changes Ingram's free agency status. He is now an unrestricted free agent. As a result, the former second-round pick is now free to negotiate and sign with any NBA team without San Antonio having the ability to match another team's offer.
Ingram spent each of the past two seasons on two-way contracts after the Spurs selected him with the 48th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Despite showing promise, he struggled to carve out a consistent role at the NBA level. Last season, he appeared in just seven games and averaged 1.6 points per contest after posting 0.8 points per game during his rookie campaign.
While his NBA opportunities were limited, Ingram enjoyed considerable success in the G League. Last season, he averaged 16.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. Those performances could make him an attractive option for teams seeking additional frontcourt depth or looking to fill the final roster spots or two-way contracts ahead of training camp.
It is understood that Friday 24 July has been earmarked for a celebratory bank holiday if England wins the tournament, 60 years after its first and only victory in the competition.
The prime minister was reticent to confirm a bank holiday when asked about the potential celebration at the Nato summit in Ankara last week, but he hinted it was on the cards.
Sir Keir Starmer told reporters on Wednesday: “I don’t want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final.”
Inevitable: England’s Number 10 Jude Bellingham celebrates his second goal at 93” (Reuters)
The comments came a week after Andy Burnham, tipped to replace Sir Keir as prime minister, called speculation about a bank holiday if England win the World Cup “a bit premature”.
Following England’s strained win against the Democratic Republic of Congo on 1 July, he told Andrew Marr on LBC: “We do have to live in hope. I think, you know, it might be a bit premature to be speculating.
“It would be a fantastic moment, wouldn’t it, and we can hope and pray that. I’m an Evertonian, I do not ever back anything when it comes to football, I don’t do it with England either."
Kemi Badenoch said on Monday she would probably not back a bank holiday if England wins the World Cup, arguing the “private sector would still be working and the public sector would take the day off”.
“Sadly, we all know what would happen with a bank holiday – the private sector would still be working and the public sector would take the day off, and you’d all have to pay for it,” she said.
This isn’t the first time a bank holiday has been suggested as a celebration for an English football victory as fans called for one after the Lionesses won the Euros last year. The women’s team were instead celebrated with an open-top bus parade through central London and a visit to Downing Street.
England players line arms as the England fans sing and celebrate following victory on Saturday (PA)
England will still have to dispatch Argentina on Wednesday, shown from 8pm BST, to meet the winner of Spain v France in the final on 19 July. France is the narrow favourite to win over Spain on Tuesday night.
The Three Lions edged closer to the final following a nail-biting triumph over Norway last night.
Andreas Schjelderup put one past Jordan Pickford to go one up in the 36th minute, only for Jude Bellingham to equalise at 45+2” with an assist from Anthony Gordon.
A second Norwegian goal was ruled out at 57” after a VAR review. Nine minutes of stoppage time were not enough to find a winner, pushing the teams into extra time.
Jude Bellingham wasted no time in scoring again, leaving England with nearly half an hour to hold off Norway as they replaced star striker Erling Haaland with Crystal Palace’s Jørgen Strand Larsen.
Erling Haaland #9 of Norway and John Stones #5 of England on Saturday (Getty)
England fans said the result was all that mattered after describing the Three Lions’ performance against Norway as “leggy”.
Russell Osborne, 34, from Birmingham, said: “It was very leggy from the boys, but we got it done.
“As long as we sent those boys home, that’s all that matters.”
Jamie Smith, 31, also from Birmingham, said: “Shaky first half but dug deep. Jude saved us again.”
Friends Scott Bickerton and Ashley Wager said they were confident England would go all the way in the World Cup.
England fans outside Miami Stadium after the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final (PA)
Mr Bickerton said: “We’re going to win it, aren’t we? This is the year, we’re going to win it. I’m confident.”
Asked what makes him confident, Mr Bickerton said: “Bellingham. Birmingham City, world class.”
Ashley Wager added: “It’s definitely coming home. Thomas Tuchel, the big German in charge.
“We’ve got big Dan Burn at the back, last 10 minutes again, throwing everything at it.
ATLANTA — For English referees Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor, their participation at the 2026 World Cup is over.
The same goes for Argentine referee Facundo Tello.
The exclusion of the three officials isn't due to their performance at the World Cup, but instead it is because of the teams that remain in the competition.
England and Argentina will face off on Wednesday, July 15 in a semifinal, with the winner moving on to face Spain in the final on Sunday, July 19.
FIFA regulations don't allow referees to take charge of games featuring their home country, which is a no-brainer.
But there are also restrictions on matches featuring countries with a sensitive political history. This is why for the three officials, they can no longer referee at this tournament.
Though the war took place more than 40 years ago, there is still plenty of sensitivity between the two nations.
With either England or Argentina participating in all three remaining World Cup games (including the third-place match), officials from both countries will no longer be eligible.
USA TODAY Sports has reached out to FIFA for comment.
Feb 5, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Carson Schwesinger on the NFL Honors Red Carpet before Super Bowl LX at Palace of Fine Arts. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Browns roster is full of a lot of young, exciting players for the future. The 2025 NFL draft class saw a number of players produce as rookies, including LB Carson Schwesinger winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, DT Mason Graham being a force in the middle of the defense, and TE Harold Fannin Jr. and RB Quinshon Judkins being the foundation for the offense’s future.
Schwesinger was somewhat of a surprise pick for the Browns given his position and relative unknown status as a prospect. From a walk-on at UCLA to first-team All-American to DROY and making the NFL’s Top 100 list as a rookie, Schwesinger has had an interesting career so far.
According to ESPN’s survey of coaches, scouts, and executives, not only is Schwesinger the third best off-ball linebacker in the NFL, but he draws comparisons to a recently elected Hall of Famer:
“He’s [Luke] Kuechly reincarnated,” a personnel executive with an NFL team said. “Elite speed, athleticism, instincts, ball skills.”
As a rookie, Schwesinger not only popped on film but had a well-rounded box score to back it up:
In 2025, Schwesinger was one of three players with at least two sacks, two interceptions and 10 tackles for loss. The others were pass rushers — Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt and Indianapolis’ Laiatu Latu. He was the first rookie to reach that mark since Shaquille Leonard did it in 2018.
Schwesinger finished his rookie campaign with 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, 156 total tackles (11 for loss), a body of work that earned him Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Some scouts and coaches want to see him do it again before placing him in the top two, though.
Of note, the two linebackers rated above Schwesinger (Fred Warner, Roquan Smith) are both 29 years old, with Warner having missed most of last season and Smith having what many believe is a down year. If Schwesinger follows up his rookie campaign with another great season, Cleveland might have the top-ranked linebacker in the NFL at this time next year.
What do you think about Schwesinger’s ranking and the comparison to Luke Kuechly?
None of them is named Connor Hellebuyck, though -- at least not yet.
And really, that's the whole situation. Are the Sabres content with what they've got? Or will they pull off the blockbuster trade that has been rumored for a while?
It seems obvious to understand why they'd want Hellebuyck, but it's actually a layered situation.
If the Sabres didn't make a goalie trade, they'd enter next season with solid options, but maybe without certainty.
Hellebuyck, more than anything else, would bring that certainty.
The biggest win of acquiring Hellebuyck for the Sabres, beyond getting a goalie of his caliber, is simply in knowing that he's their guy.
There'd be no more questions, like there were in this past postseason run.
The Sabres would sink or swim with Hellebuyck in net.
"Hellebuyck is a rare chance at a clear upgrade," The Athletic's Matthew Fairburn wrote on Wednesday. "In the sport’s most volatile position, Hellebuyck has been a picture of consistency... With five more seasons at a reasonable $8.5 million cap hit, Hellebuyck could make a major impact in Buffalo, where he would get a chance to win and play for the same franchise that once featured Ryan Miller and Dominik Hasek. The Sabres wouldn’t have to enter the playoffs wondering who is starting in net."
If the cost isn't prohibitive, there's no reason for the Sabres not to do this deal.
Although on the flip side, the reason it isn't done yet is probably because the cost is too steep for Buffalo at the moment.
It's clear, though, that getting Hellebuyck would be a win for the Sabres
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes Arsenal's Declan Rice will be "key to England beating Argentina" on Wednesday night when the two sides face-off at Atlanta Stadium for a spot in the World Cup final.
The 27-year-old defensive midfielder has played a total of 385 minutes at the tournament so far, featuring in five of England's six matches.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Sutton said: "Rice is key to England beating Argentina because Lionel Messi is the key for them.
"I do think Thomas Tuchel will play with two number sixes, but Rice will need eyes in the back of his head because that's where Messi will look to pick the ball up.
"The key to stopping Argentina is stopping Messi - and that's what Rise has the potential to do."
Wrexham defender Conor Coady has been particularly impressed with Tuchel's "unbelievable management" of Bukayo Saka throughout the tournament.
The 24-year-old winger, who has been managing an Achilles problem since March, has featured in all of England's matches and played a total of 268 minutes so far.
"Saka has been managed really well," Coady said. "Tuchel has managed the whole situation of players coming in after really long seasons very well. I think we sometimes forget this tournament has come after a long Premier League season.
"Rice and Saka have had the seasons of their lives by the way, so he's had to do extra to manage them throughout.
"If we see Saka start on Wednesday night and score a goal or get an assist or get the winner, then he has been managed unbelievably well by Tuchel.
"Did we want to see more of Saka? Of course we did, because he is a world-class footballer, but, at the same time, the way that all of the players have been managed has been really good."
SOUTHPORT, England — R&A CEO Mark Darbon will announce the Champion Golfer of the Year on Sunday at Royal Birkdale, the honorific given to the winner of the Open Championship along with the claret jug. But moments before doing, Darbon hopes to hand out the Silver Medal awarded to the low amateur through 72 holes at the Open, a keepsake earned by such notable golfers over the years as Frank Stranahan, Joe Carr and Sir Michael Bonallack, Jose Maria Olazabal, Tiger Woods, Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick.
But that’s the catch: One of the 10 amateurs in the field this week must make the cut in order to claim the prize. For the last three years, the silver medal has grown cobwebs, after being handed out six out of the eight previous years from 2015 to 2022.
So who’s the most likely candidate to claim the award in 2026? Take a look at the 10 amateurs competing, and if you’re like us, you’ll be rooting for several of these inspiring stories.
Age: 21 Country: South Africa WAGR: 88 How he qualified: Africa Amateur champion Skinny: Was a six-shot winner of the Africa Amateur in this year. Plays college golf at USC. Attended the 2017 Open at Birkdale as a 12-year-old, where he got a signed glove from Rickie Fowler and a golf ball that Kevin Na made a hole-in-one with during a practice round.
Alejandro de Castro Piera
Alex Burstow/R&A
Age: 21 Country: Spain WAGR: 52 How he qualified: Final Qualifying Skinny: Finished his college golf career at Long Beach State, where he posted nine top-10 finishes in 12 starts and won 2026 Big West golfer of the year honors.
Stuart Grehan
Stuart Franklin/R&A
Age: 33 Country: Ireland WAGR: 19 How he qualified: British Amateur champion Skinny: Got his amateur status back early in 2025 and proceeded to win the Irish Amateur, then qualify for the 2025 GB&I Walker Cup team. Built on that momentum to win the British Amateur over American Matt Moloney at Royal Liverpool. Works as a financial advisor in Ireland.
Lev Grinberg
Oisin Keniry/R&A
Age: 18 Country: Ukraine WAGR: 40 How he qualified: Open Amateur Series winner Skinny: Was born in Kyiv, becoming the first Ukrainian-born golfer to compete in the Open. Started playing the game there, but moved to Belgium at 11 to have more access to the game. He since moved to France, and this year changed his sports nationality to France for international events.) Won the St. Andrews Links Trophy in June. His grandfather still lives in Ukraine: “I’m in contact with him every day. He’s always like, ‘Did you win?’ It was really nice at St Andrews to say that after some time that I actually won. It’s difficult, I mean now it’s much better but he’s in a safe place and he’s OK.”
David Howard
Oisin Keniry/R&A
Age: 25 Country: Ireland WAGR: 1,441 How he qualified: Final qualifying Skinny: Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age 7 and hopes to use his first appearance in the Open to inspire others. Works as a qualified mechanic for Audi.
Mason Howell
Christian Petersen
Age: 19 Country: United States WAGR: 45 How he qualified: U.S. Amateur champion Skinny: Is the first U.S. Amateur champion to take advantage of his exemption into the Open since Gunn Yang in 2015. Tied for the most major experience of any amateur in the field with Mateo Pulcini, with appearances at the Masters and U.S. Open. However, he missed the cut at both, as well as four other PGA Tour events he’s played in 2026.
Fifa Laopakdee
Augusta National
Age: 21 Country: Thailand WAGR: 23 How he qualified: Asia Pacific Amateur champion Skinny: Father’s love of soccer is how he gained the nickname Fifa. Plays college golf at Arizona State. Rallied from six shots back on the final day to win the Asia Pacific Amateur last fall.
Mateo Pulcini
Stuart Franklin/R&A
Age: 25 Country: Argentina WAGR: 78 How he qualified: Latin America Amateur champion Skinny: Oldest ever winner of the LAAC, and enjoyed the spoils of playing in the Masters and U.S. Open. Among the few at Royal Birkdale this week who hope England does not win the World Cup semifinal on Wednesday.
Nevill Ruiter
Ross Parker/R&A
Age: 24 Country: The Netherlands WAGR: 126 How he qualified: Final Qualifying Skinny: Played in the U.S. at the College of Charleston. Finished second in the European Amateur, just missing the automatic exemption into the Open for the win. Turned around then to make it through final qualifying for his first major start. Finished T-66 at the KLM Open earlier this year.
Tim Wiedemeyer
Oisin Keniry/R&A
Age: 21 Country: Germany WAGR: 10 How he qualified: European Amateur champion Skinny: A decorated German golfer who has played in his national team since 2021. Was the first golfer to win the Jacques Leglise Trophy with the continental European team three times (2021, 2022, 2023), and was unbeaten in two appearances. Plays college golf at Texas Tech and has two college wins, including the 2025 Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Invitational.
Orenthal James Simpson's fall from grace was so spectacular and visible that it will always be the first thing which comes to mind when his name is mentioned. We know that. Yet, on the field, there can be no denying he was one of the greatest college football players ever at USC. How great? Sports Illustrated put him in the all-time top-25 player list.
"Simpson was at the beginning of a colossal American life—one that would culminate with his trial and acquittal on two murder charges, as well as a prison sentence for armed robbery—when he suited up for the Trojans. However, the elements that would make him a celebrity were there, including—most crucially—his preternatural talent running the football. He led the nation with 1,415 rushing yards in 1967 and repeated the feat in 1968, winning the Heisman Trophy and scoring 22 touchdowns in just 10 games," SI wrote.
OJ Simpson won one national title and led USC within one win of back-to-back championships. His cutback touchdown run against UCLA in 1967 is arguably the greatest single play in USC history, and it is easily the greatest play in the existence of the USC-UCLA football rivalry. OJ began the eight-year period from 1967 through 1974 in which the Trojans won three national titles and came achingly close to two other championships, the height of their golden era which continued through the 1979 season. For OJ Simpson, personal dominance and team excellence went together. It's a big part of why he is rightly viewed as a top-25 college football player of all time.
Contact/Follow @TrojansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of USC Trojans news, notes and opinion.
Conor McGregor remains hopeful for another UFC comeback.
McGregor (22-7 MMA, 10-5 UFC) blew out his right knee in the first round of this past Saturday's UFC 329 main event rematch against Max Holloway (28-9 MMA, 24-9 UFC) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. "The Notorious" injured his knee on the first kick he threw and struggled to stay upright before the referee waved the fight off just 69 seconds in.
McGregor took to Instagram to promote his MAC Energy drink Tuesday on his 38th birthday. In the caption, McGregor thanks everyone for birthday wishes and writes "38, no hate! Just love!"
In the video, which also features wife Dee Devlin, McGregor declares, "We'll be back" before doing the sign of the cross. "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen, let's go."
The North London side have been in negotiations with Inter over a potential deal for Djed Spence, and have offered Romero as another option.
Spurs are keen to find a resolution to Romero's future, with the Argentina international eager to leave the club this summer. Having signed Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi as centre-back options, Spurs are willing to let Romero leave if a suitable fee arrives.
The club captain has been outspoken in his unhappiness in recent months, criticising the Spurs board on multiple occasions.
In February, he outlined his frustration after the closure of the January transfer window left an injury-hit Spurs squad depleted.
“Great effort from all my teammates yesterday, they were all incredible,” he said after a draw with Manchester City.
“I wanted to be available to help them even though I wasn’t feeling well, especially as we had only 11 players available – unbelievable but true and disgraceful.”
He had previously accused the board of 'lies' in a quickly deleted social media post.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Spurs have enquired about Inter's potential interest, amid a preference to sell the defender abroad. Manchester United had previously been linked with the 28-year-old, while Barcelona are also admirers.
Discussions are ongoing between Spurs and the Italian champions for Djed Spence, with Inter keen on a deal for the England full-back. Spence is also open to the transfer to Italy and is valued at around £40m by Spurs.
Roberto De Zerbi is prepared to let Spence leave this summer after signing Andy Robertson from Liverpool as a free agent.
The futures of both Spence and Romero are set to be determined following the conclusion of theWorld Cup. The teammates meet as England face Argentina in the semi-finals this evening.
Karl Darlow explains reason for snubbing Leeds for Man United
New Manchester United arrival Karl Darlow has opened up on the thinking behind his decision to join the club over extending his stay at old foes Leeds United.
United set out to sign a goalkeeper this summer amidst uncertainty over the futures of Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir and Radek Vitek.
Onana has already sealed a return to Trabzonspor, where he will spend another season on loan. Bayindir and Vitek are desperate for regular playing time, which is far from guaranteed at Old Trafford. There has been no shortage of interest in Bayindir and Vitek.
Darlow’s Premier League experience and availability as a free agent instantly made him an attractive option for United. He usurped Lucas Perri last season to become Leeds’ starting goalkeeper.
The Yorkshire club launched attempts to keep him by offering the 35-year-old contract extensions, but he turned them down in favour of joining Michael Carrick’s ranks.
United confirmed that Darlow will wear the number 12 shirt, which was previously held by Tyrell Malacia.
In an interview with club media, Darlow revealed that the sheer size, stature and history of United proved too good to turn down.
Darlow speaks
Asked why he chose the Red Devils, Darlow answered, “I think it’s obvious. I think the stature of the club, and obviously the history and what it brings – and [it’s] probably, in my opinion, the biggest club in the world.”
“As soon as you hear of interest from a club like Man United, then yeah, the obvious answer is yes. I’m just delighted that it’s gone through.”
On what he brings to the table, Darlow explained, “I think [it’s about] driving each other on, being supportive. We all know the role and we’ve all played in that position.”
“Sometimes it can be lonely, sometimes you feel on top of the world, so I think it’s important to have that emotional awareness of one another and also pushing on professionally, to get the best out of one another. Healthy competition is brilliant, and that’s something that I look to add.”
He continued, “I just want to embrace everything that this club is about. Obviously you see it from the outside and then you come here and Carrington is just incredible from what I’ve seen already.”
“It’s something you can’t not be excited about. I’m really pleased to be here, and looking forward to getting to work.”
United fans may get a first glimpse of Darlow this weekend when Carrick and his players face Wrexham in their first pre-season friendly.
The Olivet Boys & Girls Club is getting ready to play ball.
The organization will host a series of baseball games for current members and softball games for former members on Aug. 1 at Hoodak Stadium and Oakbrook Recreation Park.
The festivities will begin around 8:30 a.m. with a competitive baseball tournament showcasing current members and an alumni softball tournament that aims to bring former members together with staff and supporters for a day of friendly competition.
Officials of the organization said the event will celebrate the club’s lifelong impact by reconnecting alumni and giving current members the opportunity to showcase their talents on the field.
Families, friends, alumni and community members are invited to cheer on the teams, enjoy classic ballpark food and celebrate the memories.
The 2026 MLB season has reached the All-Star Game. This season has shown many players and teams having sensational seasons. Following the All-Star Game, the second half of the season will be in full swing. Here are the top relief pitchers at the midway point of the season.
Jun 18, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (44) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the ninth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
The veteran continues to be elite. He’s had hiccups, but he’s still as good as any Major League closer. By the trade deadline, he will find himself closing out games for a contending MLB team.
9. Trevor Megill, Milwaukee Brewers
Megill has been an exception for the first-place Milwaukee Brewers. He is heading for another season with 30+ saves. Megill’s career has aged like fine wine.
8. Tanner Scott, Los Angeles Dodgers
Save opportunities don’t come by often playing for a team featuring an elite offense. However, Scott has excelled when given the opportunity to close out ball games. He’s been one of the best closers in MLB.
7. Bryan Baker, Tampa Bay Rays
Jun 24, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Bryan Baker (47) throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
The veteran has been exceptional in 2026. His numbers have earned him an All-Star selection. He is close to leading the league in saves.
6. Cade Smith, Cleveland Guardians
Smith has been fantastic. He currently leads MLB in saves. He is about as electric as it gets from the closer role.
Philadelphia continues to be one of the best spots for Duran. The team is winning, and he is nearly perfect in save opportunities. By the end of the season, Duran can lead the league in saves.
4. Jacob Latz, Texas Rangers
Latz has run away with the closer role in Texas. He has been sensational. A strong second half can see him finish in the top five in saves.
3. Louis Varland, Toronto Blue Jays
May 12, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Louis Varland (77) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Varland continues to lock down games for the Blue Jays. He’s having a fantastic season. If the Blue Jays are sellers, Varland will be a hot trade commodity.
2. Josh Hader, Houston Astros
Hader has been fantastic since making his long-awaited season debut. He is perfect at saving chances. He will be vital to the team’s success following the All-Star Game.
1. Mason Miller, San Diego Padres
Mason Miller is the most electric relief pitcher in MLB. He’s been the best reliever since the first week of the season. If San Diego is a seller at the trade deadline, Miller will bring a king’s ransom back to the Padres.
Gronk is in that camp having been wowed by Haaland’s physicality, which is something that is not necessarily common in soccer.
“They asked me who my comp is in the World Cup, and it’s an easy answer, it’s Erling Haaland. He’s the only guy that is compared to me and replicates what I did on the football field and what he does on the football field,” Gronk said on The Late Run podcast.
“His size, his endurance, his strength. The way he scores goals as well, it’s similar to the way I played American Football. When that ball is near the end zone or near the goal, the red light lights up and we know that’s ours to get the job done and score.”
The Norway striker ended the World Cup with a total of six goals, but was unable to find the back of the net in the quarter-final clash against England.
Marcus Allen is one of the most decorated football players ever. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1981. He won the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Raiders. He won the Rose Bowl and the national championship at USC. He is one of football's consummate winners and champions. Sports Illustrated rightly included him among the 50 greatest college football players of all time:
"USC’s history of elite running backs is difficult for any other program to match and Allen is right near the top of any list of greatest Trojans, but he almost didn’t line up in the backfield. Allen was recruited as a defensive back and when he was initially moved to offense, it was as a fullback, with fellow Heisman winner Charles White entrenched ahead of him on the halfback depth chart. When he finally got his shot as RB1, he ran for 1,563 yards and 14 touchdowns in 1980, following it up with a sensational 2,342 yards—the first 2,000-yard season in college football—and 22 touchdowns in ‘81, earning him the Heisman. That mark stands as the USC single-season record and only four players have topped it in FBS history, with Barry Sanders’s legendary 1988 being the only better season in terms of yards per game," SI wrote.
Marcus Allen made a very difficult game look easy. His fluid and graceful running style did not prevent him from being productive or durable. It's notable that Allen was behind Charles White on the USC depth chart at one point, if only because the two men ran the ball in very different ways. White sought contact and was as physically tough a running back as USC and college football have ever seen. Marcus Allen was the running back who managed to glide past defenders and lean forward for crucial yards in traffic. Allen and White showed there isn't one way to be a hugely successful and memorable running back.
Contact/Follow @TrojansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of USC Trojans news, notes and opinion.
Current New York Rangers stars Igor Shesterkin and Vladislav Gavrikov are joining former Blueshirts forwards Artemi Panarin and Pavel Buchnevich to take part in the annual Match of the Year charity game on July 25 at SKA Arena in St. Petersburg, Russia, according to the event’s official Instagram page.
The annual event was created by Panarin and Utah Mammoth defenseman Mikhail Sergachev a few years ago. Proceeds benefit Panarin’s Arena Play sports center network and Sergachev’s Sector 98 charity foundation.
Match of the Year debuted in 2024 and takes place each summer, featuring many of Russia’s top NHL and KHL players, including future Hall of Famer Alex Ovechkin.
“I got injured and was going through rehab (in 2023-24 with the Tampa Bay Lightning). I had more free time, so I decided to call Artemi and suggest we combine our efforts,” Sergachev explained recently. “Then Artemi said, ‘Why don’t you call Ovechkin, and the three of us can organize everything together?'”
After the first two events were held in Moscow, Match of the Year makes its St. Petersburg debut this summer.
“We’re seeing just how much interest there is in the match from people all across the country, so we decided to take the event on the road,” Panarin explained.
MATCHGODA via Instagram
Unlike the previous two years, which featured NHL players against KHL stars, this year’s star-studded match introduced a draft — aside from Ovechkin, who determined his team by drawing a lottery ball. Panarin and Sergachev served as captains during the draft this past Sunday. Panarin, who was traded to the Los Angeles Kings this past February, selected former Rangers teammates Shesterkin and Gavrikov; Buchnevich, the St. Louis Blues star who was acquired from the Rangers after playing his first five NHL seasons in New York, landed on Sergachev’s team.
Panarin’s squad is loaded with NHL talent, including Kirill Kaprizov, Sergei Bobrovsky, Matvei Mitchkov, Valeri Nichushkin, and Dmitry Orlov. Team Sergachev is headlined by Ovechkin and also features Ilya Sorokin, Yaroslav Askarov, Kirill Marchenko, Aliaksei Protas, Vasily Podkolzin, and Alexander Romanov.
Hockey Hall of Famer Igor Larionov is among the coaches for the charity game. And the festivities also include musical acts and a vibe that rivals the NHL All-Star Game.
“I think you’ve got to be in the fight game to truly know, like, it’s not ‘lit’,” Joshua told Combat Evolved on Tuesday. “It’s not what people think it is, it’s not all fun and games. It’s a serious, serious, serious job, man.
“I think, when I watched that Ilia Topuria fight, and who was the other guy he fought? When I watched that fight, I stopped replying to people after that, because I said: ‘Yo, it’s not a joke.’
“I saw someone in Ilia who was ‘destined’ to win; the stars were aligned for him to be victorious. I think Ilia had beat people that Justin had lost against – you know, the odds were in his favour.
“And that’s what I’m saying: Ilia... not that it was a bad thing, but I saw him celebrating before [the fight]. He’s entitled to do what he wants, but I just took something from it, and I said: get back to being uncontactable, less accessible, because the fight game is so serious.
“You saw his face, what he went through; it’s not a joke, man.”
Joshua is set to return to the ring in Saudi Arabia on 25 July, fighting for the first time since surviving a fatal car crash in December.
Ilia Topuria (right) is taken away from the White House in a wheelchair, escorted by his brother Aleksandre (AFP/Getty)
Ten days after stopping YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami, “AJ” was involved in an accident in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of two of his teammates.
On 25 July, the former heavyweight champion will box Kristian Prenga in a warm-up fight for a long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury. That all-British super-fight is still without a date, but Wembley Stadium is the frontrunner to host the bout.
CAGLIARI, ITALY – MAY 09: Oumar Solet of Udinese warms up ahead before the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Sant’Elia on May 09, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
When Inter did come forward with proposals for Solet, they were believed to be worth €20m including add-ons, which is not enough to tempt Udinese into a sale.
UDINE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Oumar Solet of Udinese celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and US Sassuolo Calcio at Stadio Friuli on February 15, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
It is a big profit for Udinese, who picked up the Frenchman as a free agent in January 2025 after he left RB Salzburg in a contract dispute in September 2024.
A search for a new head of hockey operations is underway.
“I am sincerely grateful to Chris and the entire Ilitch family,” Yzerman said in a press release. “This organization has given me incredible opportunities, from my time as a player to the privilege of returning as General Manager. I’ve appreciated every experience throughout the years, and I’m extremely proud to remain part of this great franchise.”
Detroit says both internal and external candidates will be considered; however, who would be on the table from within the organization?
Top internal candidates to replace Steve Yzerman as Detroit Red Wings general manager
From left: Ken Holland, Steve Yzerman and Christopher Ilitch at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on April 19, 2019. Wings Conference2 (Helene St. James/Detroit Free Press)
The Red Wings waited until mid-July to make a decision on Yzerman. It seemed like the former Detroit player had another opportunity at making a difference as general manager, but that will no longer be the case. So, who are the top internal candidates to replace Yzerman as the Red Wings general manager?
Kris Draper or Shawn Horcoff as the new general manager would be wonderful for the Red Wings. Draper is the current director of amateur scouting and assistant general manager for Detroit. The 55-year-old spent 17 years in Detroit as a player and has been with the organization since 2011.
Horcoff is also an assistant general manager for Detroit; however, he might have more appeal due to his other work. The 47-year-old is the general manager of the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, which was breaking records left and right during the 2025-26 AHL season. It might not be very desirable to promote from within the organization, but Horcoff would be the best internal option.
There will be other external candidates considered as well. With Yzerman transitioning to an advisory role to Ilitch, there could be a desire to find a new voice on the outside to change the culture in Detroit. After all, the Red Wings have the longest current playoff drought in the NHL.
This was a needed change, but now the Red Wings have to find the right successor to Yzerman.
‘He Has Scared Off Teams’ — NFL Insider Slams Brandon Aiyuk’s Latest Desperate Ploy to Force 49ers-Commanders Trade
Brandon Aiyuk has repeatedly said he is interested in the Washington Commanders amid his ongoing beef with the San Francisco 49ers. While some also saw the Commanders as the top suitors for Aiyuk throughout the whole brawl, NFL insider Adam Schefter thinks the 49ers star has even ruined his chance with the Commanders for a potential trade.
Adam Schefter Explains How Brandon Aiyuk May Have Sabotaged a Move to Washington
Former 49ers star safety Donte Whitner sounded off on Aiyuk on his “The Grit Code” podcast this week, saying the wide receiver’s ego might have ended his NFL career. Even former Cincinnati Bengals star T. J. Houshmandzadeh said on the “Speakeasy” podcast that Aiyuk’s “mouth has gotten him in trouble a bit too much.”
Like Whitner, Houshmandzadeh admitted he would not be shocked if Aiyuk never plays another NFL game. Given the criticism Aiyuk has drawn across the league for his repeated social media outbursts aimed at the 49ers, that discussion is becoming harder to dismiss.
Before Aiyuk can join another team, the 49ers would first need to release him, or he would have to pursue reinstatement through the league, neither of which has happened. Meanwhile, he has continued to hint at a desire to join the Commanders, including posting Instagram stories featuring himself in Commanders’ gear.
Then again, Aiyuk also recently shared a video aimed at Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. His actions have seemed to be extremely inconsistent, leading Schefter to believe he has damaged his appeal to interested teams, including Washington.
“I honestly believe that he has scared off teams like Washington,” Schefter said. “I think they’re looking at these social media posts, repeated social media posts where he’s blasting the Niners, where he’s criticizing Jayden Daniels and saying, ‘Is this the kind of guy that we want to bring in right now and have a part of our franchise?’”
Meanwhile,Schefter also added that multiple NFL front offices have even asked him about Aiyuk, saying, “Does this guy even want to play?”
Washington seems unlikely to pursue Aiyuk, as NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported that the Commanders are not expected to have interest in acquiring the wide receiver “at this stage.”
Washington could reportedly turn its attention toward other options, such as Stefon Diggs. Fowler said that at least five wide receiver-needy teams have checked in on Diggs, while describing Dan Quinn’s Commanders as a club seeking “more of a speed option.”
Schefter also said that Aiyuk’s social media behavior could further push Washington toward signing Diggs rather than taking a chance on the 49ers receiver.
Royal Birkdale is set to be the fastest and most fiery Open Championship of recent years and that has the likes of Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler considering their strategy.
Players said fairways are as firm as Carnoustie 2018 and while Muirfield in 2013 was fast, probably the closest in terms of overall conditions and weather was 28 miles down the coast at Royal Liverpool in 2006.
Tiger Woods took one look at Hoylake’s burnt, yellow fairways baked by weeks of sun – although nothing close to the sustained highs of this summer’s heatwave – and binned his driver, using it just once over 72 holes on his way to his third and final Open victory.
Many players have already made changes to their bag, replacing seven-woods with long irons to take advantage of the extra roll-out on the fairways.
“I think it’s a double-edged sword,” said Masters champion McIlroy, chasing his second Claret Jug after success at Hoylake in 2014.
“All this dry weather and sun and a little bit of wind is obviously great for the course in one way, but when I was here a couple weeks ago the rough was a lot more penal than it’s going to be this week. It’s definitely burnt out a lot.
“The big thing, especially off the tee here, is avoiding the fairway bunkers. You might see some guys being more aggressive off the tee, taking driver, trying to take the fairway bunkers out of play.
“It might be in the rough, but it’s not that penal, so you get a wedge in your hand and you can figure it out from there.”
Defending champion Scheffler’s most recent experience of links golf saw him miss the cut – his first in four years – at last week’s Scottish Open.
And while that allowed him an extra day’s practice at Birkdale he is still fine-tuning his strategy.
“The ball’s just going to run for forever pretty much,” he said.
“There’s a lot of thinking off the tee on whether you want to just hit driver up there somewhere and play from the rough most likely or start hitting some irons, getting it in some fairways and hitting some longer shots into the greens.
“If it wasn’t as firm as it is now there wouldn’t be as much decision-making but with the firmness it creates a whole lot more challenges just to try to control your ball and figure out where it’s going to end up.”
The challenge of 21 Englishmen trying to end a drought for the country stretching back to Sir Nick Faldo in 1992 will be led by Ryder Cup team-mates Justin Rose, Southport’s own Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton and reigning US PGA champion Aaron Rai.
Rose, who in 1998 announced himself to the world here as a 17-year-old amateur by holing out at the last to finish fourth, hopes to ride the wave of home support.
“There is a bit of an X factor to that, not using it as a pressure but sort of playing with a sense of freedom with the crowd,” he said.
“You can’t force it. You can’t have that weight of expectation being a home player.
“I think the crowd really kick in when you’re on the leaderboard. There’s that real energy they provide. I think it’s having a bit of an ace up your sleeve.
“That can be worth a shot or two down the stretch that can keep you going.”
Organisers of this week’s Open currently have no plans to alter Sunday’s schedule should England reach the World Cup final.
R&A chiefs are planning for a 6.40pm (1740 GMT) finish at Royal Birkdale – should there be no need for a play-off – and believe that would allow sufficient time before the 8pm (1900 GMT) football kick-off.
However, they say they will make a final decision once the outcome of England’s semi-final against Argentina is known.
R&A chief executive Mark Darbon said: “I’m an England football fan, so it would be a great problem to have.
“But I guess also, because I’m an England football fan, we should also wait to see how the semi-final goes before we get too far ahead.
“Of course in the background, we’ve been doing a lot of thinking about this. Our final putt is currently scheduled for around 6.40pm on Sunday.
“We think that, even if we go to a three-hole play-off, we’ve got time to complete the championship.
“So at this stage, no plans to alter anything, but we’ll maintain that under review and finalise our position after the semi-final.”
Around 300,000 spectators are anticipated at the Merseyside links throughout the week, which includes four practice days as well as the championship, which starts on Thursday.
Incidents at last autumn’s Ryder Cup and June’s US Open have highlighted concerns over spectator behaviour in golf, prompting the R&A to introduce a new code of conduct.
Darbon said the organisation is generally “very proud of the way our spectators behave” at the Open but trouble-makers would be ejected.
He said: “We feel it’s within our gift, if someone does step over the line, to ask them to leave the venue.”
Players are also being made aware of the standards of behaviour expected of them.
Darbon said: “We believe that we have a responsibility to play a leadership role, to ensure that fans watching see appropriate behaviour from the world’s best players as they participate in our championship.”
Birkdale has undergone significant course changes, arranged in collaboration with the R&A, to host this week’s Open, but other venues on the rota – notably Muirfield – have been more reluctant to make similar alterations.
Darbon said changes are a matter for each course, with “a lot of the decision-making driven by” their members, with no ultimatums from the R&A.
“At no stage would we threaten a non-return to a venue on that basis,” he said.
Muirfield has not hosted the Open since 2013 and there will not be another opportunity until 2029 at the earliest.
Darbon said the East Lothian links “requires a few tweaks” both around the golf course and across the site, but there was “good dialogue” with the host club.
Darbon also confirmed discussions to add Portmarnock, near Dublin, to the rota were ongoing but there were presently “no plans beyond that”.
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Detroit Red Wings legend Steve Yzerman is out as the team’s general manager.
The team issued a press release saying Yzerman will give up his role as GM and Executive Vice President and will become senior advisor to Governor and CEO, Chris Ilitch. The search for a new Director of Hockey of Operations has already started.
According to the Red Wings, Ilitch will lead the search committee and both external and internal candidates will be considered. That would suggest that assistant general manager Kris Draper and Shawn Horcoff will be considered.
Yzerman will stay in his current role while the search will be conducted. He will advise the search committee that will also include Ilitch Sports + Entertainment President & CEO, Ryan Gustafson, along with other leaders.
The change comes after the Red Wings missed the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season and captain Dylan Larkin asked to be traded. It’s unknown whether the change in leadership will have any impact on Larkin’s decision.
Larkin has a no-trade clause in a contract that has five years remaining ($8.7 million), and he has only consented to move to three or four season. Yzerman reportedly would only trade Larkin for players who can help the team now, and not for draft picks and prospects.
“Steve’s lifetime of contributions to the Red Wings has meant more to this franchise than words can truly express, and I have the highest level of respect for his continued commitment to our organization,” said Ilitch. “We are thankful for Steve’s hard work and dedication as General Manager and are grateful knowing Steve will remain where he belongs – here with the Red Wings family.”
Said Yzerman: “This organization has given me incredible opportunities, from my time as a player to the privilege of returning as General Manager. I’ve appreciated every experience throughout the years, and I’m extremely proud to remain part of this great franchise.”
Yzerman will continue serving the organization as senior advisor to Governor and CEO, Chris Ilitc
With training camp drawing closer for the Indianapolis Colts, we typically put together a 53-man roster prediction based on what we learned during offseason programs.
We will still be doing that, but the format will be different. Rather than cramming every position group into one article, we'll devote an entire article to one unit before compiling our predictions at the end.
Roster locks: Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Jalen Travis, Jalen Farmer, Dalton Tucker
Of course, there is the Colts' projected starting five, and also a part of this group is Jalen Farmer, whom the team took in the fourth round of this year's draft.
Having Tucker as a roster lock may be a bit aggressive, but the Colts do not have an obvious backup center on the roster, and he could be the favorite to fill that role. Tucker also has experience, and there's not a lot of that on the roster beyond the starters.
Offensive tackle depth in question
Tucker and Farmer provide depth along the interior offensive line, but the tackle depth is a question mark. Freeland has played over 700 snaps, but just about all of those came in 2023. He also missed all of last season with an injury.
Tenuta played 28 snaps last season off the bench, but has played just 35 snaps in total since entering the NFL in 2022.
Nolan Rucci is an intriguing prospect, but assuming a UDFA can step in at a moment's notice comes with obvious risks.
How many offensive linemen will the Colts roster?
A lot of teams keep nine, while some will go heavy and keep 10, which the Colts have done in the past. That said, my guess is that Chris Ballard only rosters nine players this year -- I just don't think the depth is strong enough to justify keeping 10 players.
Predicting the Colts' 53-man roster at the offensive line before training camp
Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Jalen Travis, Jalen Farmer, Dalton Tucker, Luke Tenuta, Blake Freeland
I do think that Rucci could push one of Freeland or Tenuta for a roster spot. In each of the last two years, we've seen Ballard take a swing on upside and roster a UDFA. That said, for now, I'll give Tenuta and Freeland the advantage, given their experience. We need to see more from Rucci before assuming he'll earn a roster spot.
Thomas was not called for a foul for the incident but was later given a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty and a one-game suspension for "recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area" of Clark. She was also given a $1,000 fine.
SBJ reports that Engelbert initially did not plan to impose any discipline on Thomas and added that the publication's sources said that "Silver believed there was clear evidence of a flagrant foul, that he felt badly for Clark and told Engelbert she had to act."
According to WNBA rules, the league office may review and reclassify any foul not called during a game and impose a fine and/or suspension.
Silver was asked about Engelbert's job performance during an NBA Summer League news conference this week.
"Cathy and I work together, and I don’t want to speak for Cathy,” Silver said. “But I’m very pleased with where the WNBA is. We made tremendous progress under her leadership over the last several years. Cathy continues to do a strong job building the league.”
Silver was asked the same thing in March when the WNBA signed a historic new collective bargaining agreement.
"We haven't had those discussions yet with the WNBA board," Silver previously said. "I would only say Cathy has done a fantastic job since she's come to the WNBA. Obviously, you could see (that) in the results."
The 61-year-old Englebert has been WNBA commissioner since 2019, and her tenure has been rocky at times. Just this past week, she was criticized for canceling a scheduled interview with radio host Dan Patrick.
Former FSU outfielder has found his next school, and he is staying in Florida. According to Brandon Hewig of On3, Williams has signed with the UCF Knights out of the transfer portal.
Williams spent two seasons in Tallahassee, making 63 starts and playing in 69 games. He spent one season at Northwest Florida before transferring to FSU ahead of the 2025 season.
The switch hitter finished his time as a Seminole hitting .294 with two home runs, 11 doubles, three triples, 45 runs scored, and 32 RBI. The speedster stole 33 bases over the two seasons. He had a .377 on-base percentage and drew 30 walks, striking out 72 times.
Williams was at his best during the 2025 season, hitting .342 with 20 RBI and a .474 slugging percentage in 114 at-bats. He missed time in the season with a shoulder injury, but battled through it at the end of the season. That injury limited his offseason, and he was never able to get going in the 2026 season, though he did continue to play excellent defense in the outfield.
The Seminoles have added one transfer outfielder this offseason in Ty Peeples, who spent his freshman season with the Georgia Bulldogs. John Stuetzer and Brody DeLamielleure are both back, and the three will likely be the starters.
Follow us @FSUWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes, and opinions.
GUADALUPE, MEXICO - JUNE 29: Frenkie De Jong of Netherlands reacts after losing the penalty shootout in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Netherlands and Morocco at Monterrey Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Guadalupe, Mexico. (Photo by Martín Fonseca/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The injury was picked up when De Jong returned for medical checks at the start of the week. Barca are said to fear the worst and believe he could be set for several months on the sidelines.
According to AS, the medical check-up found that the “knee was completely unstable and that there could even be ligament damage.” Further tests are due to be carried out because “the internal bleeding prevented an MRI scan from being performed.”
Barcelona are pessimistic about the outcome and fear De Jong will need to go under the knife which could see him sidelined for around 4-6 months.
AS also add there is “monumental anger” at the club as they feel “misled” by the Dutch team. Barca knew De Jong had injections to play against Tunisia and Morocco at World Cup 2026 but weren’t aware of the severity of the injury.
Barcelona are also frustrated with De Jong and believe he should not have pushed himself to play through the injury which could now see him forced to undergo surgery.
Juventus eye ex-Arsenal forward Balogun as alternative to Kolo Muani deal
Juventus have added Folarin Balogun to their list of centre-forward options, with the former Arsenal striker under internal discussion as the club’s pursuit of Randal Kolo Muani reaches a critical stage.
According to Tuttosport, Kolo Muani remains Luciano Spalletti’s first choice, but prising him from PSG will require an improved offer: Juventus can get close to €40 million in total, without quite reaching it, and guaranteeing the bonus portion may be the signal needed to convince Luis Campos that the Bianconeri mean business.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 04: Randal Kolo Muani of Tottenham in action during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 04, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Balogun gives Juventus alternatives to Kolo Muani
Balogun fits the profile Spalletti has drawn up: physical, sharp in space and, above all, a finisher.
The American scored 19 goals in 43 games for Monaco last season, including a Champions League brace against PSG, and boasts an excellent availability record, missing just one match through injury.
Monaco, however, intend to fund their own market with his sale and have set a minimum price of €50 million, hoping interest builds into an auction.
Exclusive: Barcelona boss Flick likes Spain World Cup hero but move complicated
Barça Universal can exclusively report that Aymeric Laporte is one of the centre-backs most appreciated by Hansi Flick.
It must be remembered that while signing a striker remains Barcelona’s priority this summer, the club has not ruled out adding an experienced defender should the market present a favourable opportunity.
It is in this regard that the Spanish defender has appeared within the discussion at Spotify Camp Nou.
At this stage, however, the Athletic Club veteran is viewed more as a contingency option than an immediate transfer objective.
Flick values Laporte’s experience and leadership
As such, Barcelona believe Laporte possesses many qualities that Flick wants in an experienced central defender.
The Spain international has once again demonstrated his pedigree during the FIFA World Cup, forming an impressive partnership with Pau Cubarsi at the heart of Spain’s defence.
Beyond their understanding on the pitch, the pair also share a strong relationship away from football, something that has not gone unnoticed within the club.
From Barcelona’s perspective, Laporte would offer a profile similar to Inigo Martinez – an experienced, left-footed defender capable of bringing composure, leadership and balance to a young defensive unit.
Barcelona are not actively pursuing a deal
Despite Flick’s admiration, Barcelona are realistic about the obstacles involved.
The club regard any negotiations with Athletic Club as particularly difficult because Laporte is considered an important player in Bilbao and is not viewed as someone Athletic are prepared to part with easily.
Barcelona are interested in Laporte, but any potential deal has several complications. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Furthermore, his contractual situation also complicates matters. Having signed until 2028, Athletic are under no immediate pressure to negotiate.
Barcelona are therefore reluctant to commit significant resources to an operation they currently believe would be extremely difficult to complete.
For now, Barcelona’s transfer strategy continues to revolve around strengthening the attack, with the club focused on the need to bring in a proven goalscorer.
That, however, does not mean work on defensive targets has stopped.
The recruitment department continues to monitor the centre-back market in case circumstances change later in the window or an unexpected opportunity arises.
According to Fabrizio Romano, everything is now finalized for the Turkish defender’s contract renewal: the signatures have been finalized, and the exchange of documents between the parties has been completed.
The deal can therefore be considered concluded, and now all that’s left to do is wait for the Giallorossi’s announcement.
This marks a positive conclusion to negotiations that have been underway by management over the past few weeks. Celik’s previous contract, signed upon his transfer from Lille in the summer of 2022, ran until June 30, 2026.
Roma has chosen to continue with the 20-year-old, avoiding losing him after the agreement expires.
The parties had already reached a full agreement in recent days, while the final formal and bureaucratic steps were completed in the last few hours.
Celik’s permanence allows Gian Piero Gasperini to retain a reliable and versatile defensive player.
The Turkish international can be deployed both as a right-back or as part of a three-man defense, offering a variety of tactical options throughout the season.
The renewal also represents a sign of continuity from Roma, who have decided to retain a player who has grown in importance and performance during his time in the capital. Following the completion of the exchange of documents, the only thing missing is an official announcement from the club.
The 2026 MLB season has reached the All-Star Game. This season has shown many players and teams having sensational seasons. Following the All-Star Game, the second half of the season will be in full swing. Here are the top 10 outfielders at the midway point of the season.
Still on the injured list, Judge is easily a top 10 outfielder. He was posting big numbers prior to injury. A strong return to the field can have him get back into the AL MVP race.
9. Brandon Marsh, Philadelphia Phillies
May 3, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Brandon Marsh (16) stands in the dugout against the Miami Marlins during the fourth at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
The Phillies are battling for the division, and Marsh is having a career year. He has been one of the most consistent hitters in Philadelphia’s lineup. He’s earned every accolade he will receive this season.
8. Michael Harris, Atlanta Braves
Harris is having a special season. In recent years, he’s started slowly. However, this season he hit the ground running out of the gate.
7. Andy Pages, Los Angeles Dodgers
Pages continues to stand out in a star-studded lineup. He has driven in many runs for the Dodgers. He can reach 100 RBI by the end of the season.
6. Bryan Reynolds, Pittsburgh Pirates
Reynolds is having one of the best seasons of his career. He’s hit for power and average. He’s always been a special hitter, but he’s staying healthy in 2026.
Jun 20, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) hits a grand slam against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fifth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Buxton has previewed his talent ahead of the trade deadline. He is currently second in home runs among MLB outfielders. Following the All-Star Game, his days are numbered before he is traded by the Twins.
4. Jordan Walker, St. Louis Cardinals
Walker is having a tremendous season. He’s hit for power and reached base often. He earned an NL All-Star spot and won the 2026 Home Run Derby.
3. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs
A slow start is in the rearview mirror. Crow-Armstrong currently ranks tied for fourth in home runs among MLB outfielders. He has become the best hitter in Chicago’s lineup.
2. Juan Soto, New York Mets
Jul 3, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; New York Mets left fielder Juan Soto (22) acknowledges the bullpen after hitting a two-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
Soto continues to prove he’s a generational talent. He currently leads MLB outfielders in OPS. There isn’t anything he cannot do at the plate.
1. James Wood, Washington Nationals
Wood is having a great season. He’s blossomed into one of the best young power-hitting outfielders. His production earned him an NL All-Star spot.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans looks on prior to a game against the UCLA Bruins at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 29, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Scarlet Knights will have a bit of a wrinkle in the schedule this year.
Instead of beginning the year with three straight non-conference games, Rutgers will mix in USC in Week 3 in 2026.
2026 USC Football at a Glance
Name: USC Trojans
Stadium: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Cap. 93,607)
Head Coach: Lincoln Riley (5th season)
Offensive Coordinator: Luke Huard
Defensive Coordinator: Gary Patterson
2025: 9-4 (7-2 Big Ten) – 30-27 loss vs. TCU in Alamo Bowl
2025 USC Season-in-Review
The 2025 edition of the Trojans displayed another strong passing attack under Lincoln Riley.
Jayden Maiava led the conference with 3,711 yards with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He worked well with first-round pick Makai Lemon, who totaled 1,156 yards and 11 scores on 79 catches.
Despite a dynamic offense once again, USC struggled to beat the big dogs. It began the season 4-0 after wins against Purdue and Michigan State in Big Ten play before losses to Illinois and Notre Dame. A win against a less-than-impressive Michigan team was sandwiched in. USC also picked up a loss against Oregon late in the season. This came after a three-game win streak against Nebraska, Northwestern, and Iowa.
Experience, offensive line, and quarterback play jump out immediately.
USC has the most returners in the nation, including starting QB Jayden Maiava and all five offensive lineman. Maiava led the conference in passing yards and finished fifth in the country. He returns as one of the nation’s most efficient passers and has an experience group up front, along with two strong runners in Waymond Jordan and King Miller. This duo averaged 6.3 yards per carry combined last season.
Maiava will have some new faces to work with as Tanook Hines becomes the team’s No. 1 option on the outside. He will be joined by Zacharyus Williams and N.C. State transfer Terrell Anderson, who was one of the top additions in the transfer portal.
The Lincoln Riley-led Trojans have not been known as a defensive juggernaut by any means. What to look for this year is strong play in the middle. Desman Stephens II led the team with 89 tackles last season and returns to lead a trio with Jadyn Walker and Elijah Newby.
The pass-rush duo of Kameryn Crawford and Braylan Shelby combined for 10 sacks last season. Throw Penn State transfer Zuriah Fisher in the mix and all of a sudden the USC front seven is an intriguing one in a loaded Big Ten.
Weaknesses
The offense reloaded at the wide receiver position but it is never easy to replace production like the Trojans had last season, including the Biletnikoff winner.
Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane are gone after combining for 128 catches and 1,900 yards. This is where a majority of big plays came from and when those big plays weren’t hitting, the offense stalled at times. USC will work to be more balanced and keep possession by extending drives. Another year of Maiava could be key in accomplishing this goal.
On the defensive side of the ball, USC struggled to stop other teams — especially the best of the best.
That is why Gary Patterson was brought in to be the new defensive coordinator. He will work with a defense that returns a ton of talent but ranked 49th in the nation. Patterson will need to use his abilities to help the team stop third downs. Last season, USC allowed opponents to go over 40% on third down.
What to Expect?
Man, Week 3 in Piscataway, first Big Ten game of the year. This seems like a great early-season chance for Rutgers to earn a statement victory. Unfortunately, there are many questions around the Scarlet Knights this season and USC brings back the most experience in the nation. For a team that is looking to make the College Football Playoff, a loss to Rutgers in September is not ideal. On paper, the Rutgers’ defense, which was among the worst in the conference last year, will have trouble with an explosive Trojan attack. This feels like a 40+ point performance from USC at least.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 13: Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals poses with his father Derek after winning the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jordan Walker is a tough subject for Cardinals fans 2024-2025. The outfield, outside of stalwart Lars Nootbaar, had been a barren place. Jordan Walker was to at least partially fill the void from the lack of reinforcements after the tragic death of Oscar Taveras. He impressed with the bat as a rookie, and then went missing in action 2024 – 2025. Walker was expected to do much fron the begining.
Jordan Walker was born in Stone Mountain, GA in 2002. Jordan was selected 21st overall in the 2020 draft and is now 24 years old, signed through 2026. What will happen is anyone’s guess.
Accolades and Accomplishments
Selected in the first round of the 2020 MLB draft, 21st overall
1st player born in 2002 to debut in MLB, making the 2023 Opening Day roster at under 21 years of age
only Albert Pujols and Joe Medwick hit more home runs in Cardinals franchise history than Jordan Walker during his rookie age 21 season!
Tallied the first ever Cardinals hit outside of north America, in London vs the Cubs on June 24, 2023!
the Cardinals top prospect 2022-2023
5 hits September 1st, 2024 vs the Yankees
17 game hitting streak June 6th through 29th in 2023
Home Run Derby Champion 2026
After a promising rookie season in 2023 where Walker had a line of .787 OPS and 16 HR in 117 games, while still learning the ropes in right fielder, Jordan began to tank in 2024 where he spent a bulk of the season at AAA and was a below average MLB player over 51 games.
That was not the low, however. In 2025 Jordan Walker would knock through his floor and find himself the worst MLB player with at least 350 PA, worth -1.3 fWAR. There were five worse players somehow, with less plate appearances than Walker. What a year!
Jordan Walker has now matched his total plate appearances of last season, where he was unworthy of playing time. Over that same amount of playing time, it is astonishing to report that Jordan Walker is worth 4 more WAR than last season, already!
Walker’s 143 wRC+ and .380 wOBA are in the top 15 of MLB players, and are the best ratings for hitting among the Cardinals. His 22 home runs is tied with Ohtani crammed into an expanded top 10 MLB home run hitters. And no one really saw this coming. Not this big of a turnaround. The only question is if Jordan will steal 20 bases this year.
Jordan Walker is no longer a liability to strike out, and is the Major League leader in RBI. The 6’ 6” 24 year old has so much history ahead of him, a legend in the making. After just over half of a miraculous turnaround season, Jordan Walker’s career numbers are now above average as far as wRC+ and WAR go.
A work in progress 2026
courtesy baseball savant / statcast info
I think Walker should just let what he is doing this year ride, but if anything he could work on his chase and whiff rates, and improve on striking out, while taking a few more walks. Post-All Star Break tweaks! Of just keep doing what you’re doing…
1992 in Music (Heavy Metal Edition)
As I work my way through the years, researching albums I have both heard and not heard, I have found myself stuck in the year 1992. This third part covering over 50 albums total, will sum up my research and experience in 1993 music releases. In past weeks, i have covered 15 albums a week, 30 albums total, which excluded heavy metal music. But now’s the time to unleash the fury that is heavy metal 1992.
Sleep – ‘Holy Mountain’ one of the best heavy metal albums of all time, despite it being a vintage throwback to 70’s Sabbath… it is done so well on every level that it is my heavy metal album of 1992. The precursor to bands High On Fire and OM, and Sleep’s best album by several light years.
Melvins – ’name redacted’ (excerpt from album) the Melvins most sludgy album of all and perhaps their most exemplary release, named after a popular cleaning product that made them remove the name from the release, or sometimes calling it “Lice All” …full of epic heaviness and avalanches of sound, perhaps my favorite Melvins of all!
Nocturnus – ‘Thresholds’ one of those bands that were so ahead of their time but made it sound classic at the same time, defining a new subgenre: progressive death metal with keyboards! Masterpiece.
Eyehategod – ‘In The Name of Suffering’ New Orleans legends melding roasted southern Black Sabbath sounds with hardcore punk and whatever you want to call what the Melvins did in the late 80’s. I find this more punk than metal, but it’s up to the ear of the beholder. Some call it sludge.
Morpheus Descends – ‘Ritual of Infinity’ my big find that I had never heard before, magnificent!
As you can tell, death metal was all the rage in 1992. What an absolutely stacked year full of unending amounts of awesomeness. I ran out of time this week, so I couldn’t really describe all of that, but you just have to hear it anyway. Nothing out there like heavy metal from 1992.
Thanks for reading! I wish I had more this week but I have been busy watching the home run derby and all star game for the first time in years!
Jul. 15—The defending champions had their backs against the wall heading into Tuesday's final round of a tightly contested 58th annual Tribune Cup women's golf tournament at Clarkston's Red Wolf Golf Club.
Nevertheless, the six representatives of Lewiston Golf and Country Club remained undaunted.
"We had them where we wanted them: overconfident," LGCC team captain Marcy Spilker said of her rivals from Clarkston's Quail Ridge Golf Course.
Trailing by three points through the first two installments of the three-part match-play event, the LGCC team overcame both mildly adverse weather and the slight starting deficit as it surged to a cumulative total of 63 points. Quail Ridge finished with 58 points, while Red Wolf was third at 41.
Red Wolf captain Helen Henry handled hosting duties and made the final results announcement over a champagne toast during a genial post-tournament luncheon in the clubhouse.
"It doesn't matter what team you're from — we're all best of friends," Henry said. "That's what matters: we have fun."
Still in it
Teeing off in the morning, participants navigated the course in groups of three featuring one representative of each team. Under the match-play format of the Tribune Cup, players earned points by outperforming their opponents on a majority of holes, rather than necessarily completing the overall course in fewer strokes.
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"I love match play," LGCC's Kim Eimers said. "You can have a bad hole and still be in it."
Light rain in the morning and persistent winds created difficulties and sometimes carried balls astray, but many felt the weather was overall more pleasant to play in than the pounding sun and intense heat under blue skies which often characterizes the Tribune Cup.
LGCC players competed in pink checkered polo shirts, while Quail Ridge sported white-and-green dotted tops. Red Wolf followed no specific uniform or dress code, choosing instead to be "rebellious," as some attendees put it.
Quail Ridge and Lewiston Golf and Country Club had each taken a turn to host one round of the Tribune Cup over the last two months, accruing scores of 44 and 41 respectively while Red Wolf sat at 23. On Tuesday, LGCC put up 22 points in its push to the overall victory, Red Wolf scored 18 and Clarkston added 14.
Propel-ing to victory
Spilker supplied each of her teammates with a bottle of Propel sports drink for electrolytes, which they credited for their winning stamina. Eimers led the champions on the course with a perfect score of six points, attributing her success to strong long game play.
"I hit the ball well," said Eimers, a veteran who has played the Tribune Cup for decades since starting out as a member of then-participant Grangeville Golf and Country Club. "I didn't putt really well, but I hit the ball well. It put me in position to be able to be up there and miss a few putts and still be okay."
Spilker put up another 4 1/2 points. Lewis-Clark State women's golf alum Carlee Rhodes — who could sometimes be seen wearing a red LC windbreaker to "represent," as she put it — contributed four points, as did Tammy Baldus.
Julie Fisher, a former Lewiston girls basketball coach and the mother of Lewis-Clark State men's hoops signee Royce Fisher, was the rookie on LGCC's team this year.
"Go in, you dirty dog," Fisher exclaimed early on as a putt lost momentum on a slight uphill ridge, ultimately curving to the left of Hole 8.
In spite of any frustrations, she would prove that her competitive drive extends across sports, adding another 3 1/2 points on the day.
For Quail Ridge, Colleen Schilling had a perfect six of her own — calling it her "claim to fame" — while Wendy Rimmelspacher scored five. Kim Thiel, Shanna Caba and Sheila Wooley led Red Wolf with 4 1/2 points apiece.
All players queried on the matter expressed their intent to return and add further chapters to the friendly rivalry.
"Next year's threepeat," Spilker declared.
Tuesday's scores — Lewiston Golf and Country Club 22; Red Wolf 18; Quail Ridge 14.
Cumulative scores — Lewiston Golf and Country Club 63; Quail Ridge 58; Red Wolf 41.
Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson liked what he saw from Lewis Smith as the winger made his competitive debut for the Dons against Brora Rangers on Tuesday night.
The attacker, who joined from Livingston at the start of the week, was in the starting line-up as the Dons defeated Brora Rangers 2-0 in their League Cup group stage opener.
The 26-year-old played an hour before being replaced by Toyosi Olusanya.
"I'm not sure he was expecting it," Robinson told club media of the decision to start Smith.
"But we wanted to introduce him straight away, get him into our way of thinking.
"It wasn't a brilliant pitch for wingers, traveling with the ball was hard and bobbling everywhere which slows it down a little bit, but he gets 60 minutes under his belt.
"He understands now what we want from him as well in possession. Out of possession we didn't really get tested, but we're delighted to have Lewis on board and we believe him and Tony Yogane will be exciting going forward."
The Baltimore Ravens are talented enough that several players who would make other rosters comfortably may have to fight through August to secure their place.
That is the reality of a deep team with championship expectations. The starters are largely established, but the back end of the roster remains unsettled at several important spots. Wide receiver, running back, cornerback, edge rusher, and defensive line all feature players with legitimate NFL talent, but the numbers will not work for everyone. That makes preseason games more than a formality for the Ravens. They will help determine which players are trusted, which players are protected, and which players could be squeezed when the final 53-man roster is assembled.
Devontez Walker
Devontez Walker enters the preseason with a real opportunity, but also with more pressure than he had a year ago. Baltimore’s official post-draft depth chart listed Walker among the backup wide receivers behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, but the additions of Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt have changed the shape of the room and increased the competition for meaningful snaps.
Walker has the size and athletic traits to become a useful outside receiver, and the Ravens need someone behind Flowers and Bateman to become a consistent part of the passing game. His preseason should be about more than making an occasional downfield catch. He must show he can separate, finish contested opportunities, block with effort, and earn Lamar Jackson’s trust. If Walker plays well, he can strengthen his case as one of Baltimore’s top four receivers. If he is quiet while the rookies flash, the receiver math could become much more uncomfortable.
LaJohntay Wester
LaJohntay Wester’s path is different from Walker’s because his game is built more around quickness, special teams value, and the ability to create space in smaller areas. That gives him a defined route to the roster, but it also means he has to be one of the Ravens’ most useful players in those specific categories.
The preseason will matter because Baltimore has multiple young receivers trying to occupy similar depth roles. Wester does not need to become a high-volume offensive weapon to protect his spot, but he does need to prove he can help the Ravens on game day. That means clean route running, reliable hands, return value if asked, and enough toughness to handle traffic over the middle. If he becomes a trusted special teams piece while giving the offense a change-of-pace option, he can make a strong case to stay.
Rasheen Ali
Rasheen Ali may face one of the more direct roster challenges on the offense. Derrick Henry remains the center of the running game, and Justice Hill gives Baltimore a trusted veteran with third-down and special teams value. That leaves Ali battling to prove he should be part of the next layer of the backfield.
His preseason workload could be significant, and it needs to be productive. Ali must run decisively, protect the football, and show value in pass protection, because reserve running backs have to do more than carry the ball in the second half of preseason games. Baltimore also added competition to the room, and the No. 3 running back battle has been identified as one of the team’s important roster decisions. If Ali can combine burst with reliability, he can protect his spot. If he struggles with assignments or ball security, the Ravens could look elsewhere for depth.
Adisa Isaac
Adisa Isaac needs a strong preseason because Baltimore’s edge room has become more crowded and more competitive. The Ravens have invested in pass rushers, and the arrival of Trey Hendrickson changes the top of the rotation. That leaves players behind the established names competing for snaps, special teams work, and roster security.
Isaac’s challenge is proving that he can be more than a developmental edge defender. He needs to show he can set the edge against the run, convert speed into pressure, and handle special teams assignments with consistency. Preseason games are particularly important for pass rushers because splash plays can change evaluations quickly. If Isaac creates pressure and plays with discipline against the run, he can remind the coaching staff why his traits are worth keeping. If he disappears, Baltimore’s depth could work against him.
Backup cornerbacks
The Ravens’ backup cornerback competition may be one of the most important roster battles on the team. Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, and Chidobe Awuzie give Baltimore a strong foundation, but the depth behind them remains crowded and unsettled. ESPN’s depth chart lists several corners behind the top group, and Baltimore Beatdown identified the backup cornerback competition as a key battle involving young players such as Bilhal Kone, Robert Longerbeam, Keyon Martin, and Chandler Rivers.
This battle will not be decided by coverage alone. The Ravens need backup corners who can tackle, cover kicks, handle nickel or outside responsibilities, and survive preseason snaps against receivers fighting for jobs. Keyon Martin has already shown he can make a roster, and Kone has the size teams like on the outside, but no player in this group can afford a quiet August. Baltimore’s secondary has high-end talent, but the final cornerback spots may come down to who provides the best combination of coverage ability, special teams value, and dependability.
Broderick Washington
Broderick Washington is not a typical roster-bubble name, but he still needs a strong preseason to protect his role and reestablish his place in the defensive line rotation. Injuries limited him last season, and Baltimore has enough bodies up front to create legitimate competition behind the leading defensive linemen.
Washington’s value has always been tied to physicality, toughness, and the ability to absorb dirty work inside. That still matters, but the Ravens have younger linemen pushing for snaps and a front seven that could evolve with Hendrickson, Calais Campbell, Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, and others shaping the rotation. Washington does not need to produce highlight plays every week, but he does need to look healthy, hold up against the run, and prove he remains one of Baltimore’s most reliable interior depth pieces. A strong preseason would make the staff more comfortable keeping him in the rotation. A quiet one could allow younger, cheaper options to gain momentum.
The bottom line
The Ravens’ roster strength creates pressure in places that might otherwise feel settled. Walker and Wester have to hold off a deeper receiver room. Ali must prove he belongs in a crowded running back competition. Isaac needs to show his edge traits can translate into real preseason production. The backup cornerbacks have to separate through coverage and special teams. Washington must remind the Ravens that he still belongs in the defensive line rotation.
That is what preseason football is supposed to decide. The Ravens already know who their stars are. August will help determine which players are trusted to support them when the regular season begins.
Stoke City boss Mark Robins says he wants a squad that will "run through brick walls" this season as they try to meet club owner John Coates' wish for a competitive challenge for promotion.
The Potters begun pre-season in earnest last week in preparation for another shot at a Premier League return, eight years after dropping out of the top flight in 2018.
In those eight seasons since relegation, Stoke's best-placed finish in the Championship is 14th.
They ended last term in 17th position, 18 points off the play-off places despite spending much of the first half of the campaign in the top six.
The club have been busy in the transfer market this summer following sporting director Jonathan Walters' promise of "multiple signings", bringing in five new players - Ethan Galbraith, Svante Ingelsson, Djibril Soumare, Luke Graham and Josh Griffiths - as well as making Milan Smit's move permanent.
Robins said he is pleased with the business done so far.
"It's really early and we've got a long way to go, there's no doubt, but we've got some really good players in the building," he told BBC Radio Stoke.
"It's just getting them back up to speed and doing that as safe as possible whilst really grafting."
Heading into the new season, how Stoke play and shape their identity as a team has been highlighted with Walters adamant more possession and energy will be key factors.
"There's little bits that need to change," Robins agreed. "You look at the culture and what I want, we want, as a football club, to really run through brick walls for the supporters.
"You've got to get to that point gradually, you can't just do it straight away and players have got to take time and recognise that and that's something that is going to be non-negotiable.
"If you don't want to do it, you're leaving them behind. But we've got to make sure that everybody understands and is fit enough and capable enough to do it."
Stoke were one of just three Championship clubs to record a profit in 2024-25, but only did so because a £90m loan was waived by Coates to offset what otherwise would have been a £29m loss.
Under new Squad Cost Rules (SCR) in the second tier this season, clubs can spend 85% of their income on players and managers, with owners allowed to inject up to £33m over three years - providing they do not top up the kitty by more than £15m per season.
Coates' continued support has enabled Stoke to rebuild again for another shot at the big time and Robins said a return on that investment needs to seen.
"We spoke the other day and the owners made it clear, we're looking to be challenging for that top eight," he said.
"Which is a kind of pressure, but one you've got to look forward to because he's right. He's spent fortunes and got nothing apart from heartache and maybe some stick and we've got to change it.
"Which is why the ethos has got to change. People can't come here for an easy ride, so we're going to graft and they've got to get on with it because if you don't do it, you will not play - you cannot play - because we've got to do things together.
"We've got to do things right for our supporters, for everybody, the owner and we've got to make sure that comes to the fore really quickly."
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 09: Patrick Sandoval #43 of the Boston Red Sox delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field on July 09, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Boston Red Sox, for lack of a better term, have been pitching their dicks off. You know this is typed and not a live performance, right? Like, you could ask someone for a better term or at least think on it for a little while, Jake. Fine. I lied. It’s not because I lack a better term. In fact, I could think of countless. I just think pitching their dicks off sounds funny, so it’s staying in. Lay off. Stop talking to yourself and get to the point. Fair enough, let’s talk pitching.
Despite injuries ravaging the staff (Sonny Gray is the only pitcher from the opening day rotation still on the active roster) the starting pitcher seemingly works into the sixth inning or later every night, giving the team a chance to win the game. The latest pitcher to join the rotation is Patrick Sandoval.
Last Thursday, Sandoval made his first appearance in two years against the White Sox, throwing 4.1 innings, surrendering one run on five hits while striking out five and walking one. The outing was short, but for a first start in two years, I’d give him passing marks. Plus, the way the rest of the rotation has thrown the ball makes it easier on the bullpen, who were able to give the final 14 outs to secure the victory.
The question, as always, is: was the outing legit, or was it a case of good luck? Last week, I broke down Sandoval’s arsenal and was skeptical about how effective he would be. My major concerns were his changeup shape and the walks that have plagued him throughout his career. Those walks, in large part, are due to a four-seam fastball that doesn’t miss bats and is punished when thrown over the plate. On Thursday, he walked only one man and featured his four-seam 25% of the time, making it his third most-used pitch.
It worked in his first outing, for a few reasons. One of which was his fastball command.
For the most part, he kept his fastball at the top of the zone and above. A few leaked down over the plate, two of which went for hits, but he was largely near the top of the zone. The velocity was a pleasant surprise as well, reaching 96 mph a few times. Extra velocity is never a bad thing, but first-start-in-two-years-adrenaline might have had something to do with the extra oomph.
While the pitch worked in his first outing, it’s not a plus offering. The velocity helps, but if it settles in closer to 93 mph as expected, the location becomes that much more important. Even on Thursday with good location and higher velocity, it only returned 1 whiff on 12 swings. Because of that, he’ll need to find ways to keep hitters off of it, which means throwing strikes with his other pitches.
Wow, Jake, what a great segue. It’s almost as if you thought about the flow of the article and the order in which you’d relay the important information. What a nice thing to say, thank you. Here’s a look at his slider, which was his most-used pitch.
Unlike the fastball location, this isn’t what we’re looking for. The zone rate is low at 35%, and hitters weren’t expanding the zone either. Those factors, along with the one swing and miss returned, combined for a 50% strike rate. For a pitch leading his arsenal, that isn’t going to cut it. During his best years, the strike rate sat between 65 and 70%, though the swinging strike numbers were much higher.
If you’re looking for a reason to believe in his slider, allow me to give you one. Of the pitches he showcased on Thursday, the slider looked the most different from his previous seasons. The current shape has more lift and presents closer to a cutter. Hopefully, with time, he finds the feel for the pitch and can better locate on the glove side. The shape and velocity should allow it to play against both sides of the plate, but location will ultimately determine its effectiveness.
I’d like to talk about his changeup now, but I don’t have a natural way into it as I did above. That’s okay, Jake. We knew that was coming because we’re educated baseball fans. You’re right. You are smart fans. There’s no need for handholding.
The slow ball has always been Sandoval’s best pitch, and it continued to be on Thursday. He threw 18 of them, getting four whiffs, four called strikes, and two outs on three balls in play. He kept the ball down and away, and hitters couldn’t lay off. While a changeup alone can’t carry his whole arsenal, a changeup of Sandoval’s quality can do a lot of the heavy lifting. He can throw it in the zone for called strikes, but needs chases and whiffs to continue to be effective, which requires his other pitches going for strikes. The fastball managed to be good enough in his season debut, but it’s something to monitor going forward.
Here’s an example of what his changeup can do for him. Sandoval only got to four 3-ball counts on Thursday, but didn’t give in by throwing a fastball over the plate in three of them. In the bottom of the fourth, with a runner on first and nobody out, Sandoval went to 3-2 against Junior Perez. Sandoval doesn’t want to give Perez a free pass and put a runner in scoring position, but he still turned to his changeup rather than his fastball. Perez is looking for something hard and swings over it for strike three.
Sandoval’s changeup is his best pitch, and his ability and willingness to throw the pitch for a strike in any count is key in keeping hitters off his other pitches.
One sample is hardly enough to making a sweeping determination on how Sandoval’s season will go, but it did give us a look at what he’s trying to accomplish. I’m skeptical about his ability to locate his fastball and slider consistently to take some of the burden off the changeup. Given the mixture of injuries and young arms on the roster, they’ll need Sandoval to provide a few starts down the stretch to keep arms fresh if they continue to push for the postseason, so he’ll continue to get opportunities and try to earn himself some money in 2027.
I remember draft weekend in 2023 like it was yesterday. Absolutely, there was a ton of giddiness over getting Will Anderson and C.J. Stroud back to back. However, the draft also featured Tank Dell. However, one of the later picks I was most excited about was Xavier Hutchinson. Why? The answer is actually pretty simple. There are two things that people know about me if they read these features enough. Number one, I am more or less the numbers guy around these parts. Number two, I don’t watch a ton of college football.
I often joke around draft time when my colleagues geek out over specific prospects. Sure, I know many of the players in the college football playoff and the Heisman race, but I am not up on offensive line prospects or players from mid majors. What I knew about Xavier Hutchinson was that he was highly productive. How did I know that? The numbers tell me so.
He caught more than 100 balls in his senior year as the number one wide receiver at Iowa State. No, I did not expect a Pro Bowl wide receiver in the sixth round. As a Big 12 guy I know how pass happy the league is and I know those numbers were likely inflated. Still, if you ask me to pick between a productive guy and a guy that some people say “shows potential”, I will pick the productive guy every time.
Hutchinson has had moments in his three seasons. In the grand scheme of things, he has more than justified his draft posiion simply by sticking in the organization all three years. Furthermore, he has gotten measurably better in each of his three seasons. He went from 8, to 12, to 35 receptions in three seasons. Maybe even more importantly, His catch percentages and success rates have also gone up in each of those three seasons.
So, unlike Blake Fisher, this is not a case of a guy not working hard, not improving, or just being lost. He is legitimately getting better and showed himself to be a good fourth wide receiver in the offense. This is purely about numbers. At this point, it would appear that Nico Collins and Jayden Higgins have two of the three starting roles sewn up. No one can ever assume anything as far as Tank Dell is concerned, but if he is even close to what he was before the knee injuries then he is the third guy. Then, you have Jaylen Noel as a guy that could emerge as that fourth guy if he takes another step forward.
If all of those things happen then Hutchinson becomes your fifth wide receiver. The Texans also drafted Lewis Bond in the sixth round of the past draft. He had similar numbers for Boston College. There are a host of other undrafted free agent types. Jared Wayne is the most significant of those and Justin Watson is still under contract for some reason.
We should immediately start breaking down what we are talking about. When you start looking at 53 man roster crunches it becomes a lot more than who is the fifth best wide receiver. Teams have other considerations like special teams and other speciality packages that might feature a guy with particular skills. Hutchinson does not return kicks. He does not have blazing speed, so he is not that kind of speciality wide receiver. Others on the roster like Dell and Noel have shown some return ability in the past. Hutchinson could catch on as a special teams performer, but he doesn’t have the reputation as a guy you simply have to have in that role.
We also have to consider the contract situations for all of these guys. Noel is going into his second season. He is likely to get more rope. Hutchinson will be in the last year of his rookie deal, so he could be easier to cut or trade at the end of camp. Obviously, there are a lot of what ifs here. The worst scenario for Hutchinson is that both Dell and Noel show out while Hutchinson plateaus. One of the undrafted free agents or Bond could also potentially look very good.
The best scenario is for him to settle in as the first wide receiver off the bench as he did last season. Every team goes through injuries, so having a guy that can get 30 to 40 catches is huge in a long 17 game season and playoff run. There is no reason to root against a guy like Hutchinson, but there are other guys to root for too, It will be interesting to see how this competition ends up playing out.
Aaron Rodgers has committed to one final NFL season after signing a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers for 2026. The contract is worth up to $25 million, with $22 million guaranteed, and Rodgers has made it clear this will end his 22-year career.
Rodgers’ return followed Pittsburgh’s hiring of former Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy, who reunited with the quarterback for one last championship attempt.
Rodgers also embraced the moment publicly. During an offseason trip with teammates, he posted photos on Instagram with the caption, “Last Rodeo.” The Steelers hope that final run produces more than another playoff appearance after winning the AFC North before an early postseason exit last season.
Still, former Steelers safety Ryan Clark believes expectations should remain realistic despite Rodgers’ arrival.
Ryan Clark sees familiar limits for Pittsburgh
Atlanta, Georgia, USA; ESPN MNF broadcaster Ryan Clark at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Speaking on NFL on ESPN, Clark questioned whether Rodgers changes Pittsburgh’s long-term outlook. “The ceiling for this team is what we’ve been seeing the last few years, right?” Clark said. “Aaron Rodgers could get this team to nine wins or ten wins, and you maybe sneak into the playoffs or you’re fighting for a wild card.”
Clark also argued the Steelers are not built to challenge the AFC’s strongest contenders. “Nobody expects this team to compete with the New England Patriots, the Buffalo Bills, the Denver Broncos, some of the top rosters in the AFC,” he said.
His comments reflected broader concerns about Pittsburgh’s roster. Clark noted, “This team offensively still has holes. This team, from a defensive standpoint, has to get better at the linebacker position.”
Aaron Rodgers is now 42 years old
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks to throw at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
That assessment carries weight despite Rodgers’ decorated career. The 42-year-old remains one of the league’s smartest quarterbacks, but he cannot erase weaknesses across the roster. Pittsburgh chose to delay a rebuild by pursuing experienced quarterbacks instead of investing heavily in a long-term successor.
Rodgers still has meaningful goals ahead. He enters the season with 527 career touchdown passes and needs 13 more to pass Peyton Manning for third on the NFL’s all-time list. However, individual milestones will not define Pittsburgh’s season.
Clark summed up the bigger picture clearly. “We’ll be home by the divisional round thinking to themselves, ‘Are we stuck in quarterback purgatory, or is our next guy in the draft in 2027?'” Unless the supporting cast improves, Rodgers may raise the floor without lifting the Steelers beyond their familiar playoff ceiling.
Chicago Bears training camp is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest this month.
Rookies and quarterbacks are set to report to Halas Hall on July 25 with veterans following on July 28. But before that, we're unveiling our Bears 2026 training camp position previews, where we're breaking down every player by position and examining the biggest question facing the group.
One of the most important positions is in the spotlight here: Offensive line, where quarterback Caleb Williams was able to take a huge step in his development because of the protection in front of him. Injuries and retirements have opened the door for new opportunities for some young and veteran players alike, where the unit can not afford any slip ups in production. Let’s take a look at the Bears' offensive line heading into training camp:
Joe Thuney
The NFL's Protector of the Year last season, Joe Thuney was one of the biggest acquisitions in recent franchise history and carried the offensive line, and the offense, in Ben Johnson's first season last year. The Bears need to keep Thuney on the field as he turns 34 this season, which is not old by any means, but the offensive as a whole feels it will only keep improving and progressing as long as the veteran offensive guard is on the field.
Darnell Wright
Darnell Wright has become a cornerstone for the Bears offensive line and offensive unit as a whole. Ben Johnson and the coaching staff could've explored the idea of moving Wright to the left tackle spot given the lack of strength and consistency but the anchor that he brings on the right side of the offensive line is undeniable. Wright is one of multiple strong pieces in place on the offensive line, and in a league where the left tackle usually gets all the attention, he has earned the deserved distinction of one of, if not the best right tackle in the NFL.
Jonah Jackson
One of the best things about Jonah Jackson is his name is not often brought up last season, which is usually a great sign for offensive linemen. In the massive change that Chicago's unit took in 2025, Jackson is a veteran who came in having familiarity with Ben Johnson and was able to bring in consistency at the right guard position, while sharing his experience to help mold the offensive line together because of his time with Johnson.
Braxton Jones
The presumed starter at left tackle, Braxton Jones has plenty of motivation behind him to earn his old starting job back with the injury to Ozzy Trapilo keeping the door open. Jones has always been a respectable starter at the left tackle spot, but has been unable to reach that mark of a cornerstone offensive lineman, similar to his teammate on the other side, Darnell Wright at right tackle. Jones has had the job before, and he should be able to get the job back due to the door being left wide open.
Garrett Bradbury
A veteran who is immediately on notice, Garrett Bradbury was acquired to come in and take over after the abrupt retirement of center Drew Dalman this offseason. However, the Bears brought in a rookie at the same position who will ultimately compete with Bradbury in one of the most intriguing battles on the entire roster during training camp and the preseason. Bradbury comes to Chicago on a one-year deal and will have to step up in order to get a starting role.
Ozzy Trapilo
Ozzy Trapilo is a very talented young player who came in and waited for his opportunity as a rookie, only to have it end in disappointing fashion by way of a ruptured patellar tendon in the wild-card playoffs. Trapilo showed potential of becoming a cornerstone at left tackle, but he'll now have to play catchup as he recovers physically, and it could be a tough task to find a way to get him back in the starting lineup once healthy. Hopefully the injury does not derail the long-term potential of Trapilo, who the Bears have seemed to have high hopes for.
Jordan McFadden
Jordan McFadden showed his value to the organization when injuries derailed them in the playoffs, he stepped into the starting lineup and impressed. McFadden is the perfect type of veteran that every NFL team needs, he is ready when called upon and showed position versatility to be used wherever he is needed.
Logan Jones
The most intriguing player on the offensive line because as a second-round pick in this year's draft, Logan Jones could make a major impact on the Bears starting lineup this pre season. If Jones can beat out Bradbury for the starting job, it would show not only the level of talent he has, but his ability to learn Ben Johnson's offense quickly, and build trust with Caleb Williams as a rookie, would be a very big deal for this area on the football field.
Jedrick Wills Jr.
A veteran brought in to compete with Braxton Jones and others at the left tackle position, Wills is on a one-year deal for depth and insurance purposes more than anything. Wills does have the talent, when healthy, to start at the left tackle spot, so the battle could come down between him and Jones during training camp.
Kiran Amegadjie
One of the very few question marks on the offensive line, Kiran Amegadjie has not lived up to his billing as a former third-round pick. Amegadjie should be considered a depth and insurance piece in this current group of offensive linemen, and he might get a look inside this summer.
Theo Benedet
A fan favorite who is a versatile linemen with potential, Theo Benedet could be in line to find his name in the mix at the left tackle battle, but is also viewed as depth behind Darnell Wright at right tackle. "The Canadian Eagle" has shown plenty of his personality, but he'll need some things to open up for him to get more opportunities on the field.
Luke Newman
A sixth-round pick in last year's draft, Luke Newman is a depth piece for the interior offensive line, and with another year in Ben Johnson's offense, he could be a good bench piece to rely on if needed.
Caden Barnett
Known virally on social media as "The Vanilla Gorilla," Caden Barnett was signed to the Bears as an undrafted free agent this year, and has garnered a lot of hype this offseason. Given the contract Chicago signed him to, with guaranteed money, Barnett feels like he's primed for a spot on the 53-man roster.
Jaren Kump
Of all the undrafted free agents and young players on the offensive line, Jaren Kump might be one of the most intriguing players the Bears have. Throughout his six-year collegiate career, Kump played all five positions on the offensive line which continues to show the team's commitment to having versatile linemen across the roster.
Kyle Hergel
A member of the Bears practice squad who was added late in the season last year, Kyle Hergel will likely be back on the practice squad for the team this year, unless an injury elsewhere elevates him.
Mason Murphy
Another undrafted free agent signing from this year, Mason Murphy started in all 12 games for the Auburn Tigers, he's a practice squad candidate for this season.
“We really can’t wait” – Scaloni ahead of semi-final
It’s been a long and bruising campaign in their defence of the world title; the holders have had tough challenge after tough challenge since they topped their group.
Taken to extra time by Cape Verde, then having to claw back from two goals down against Egypt, Argentina had to go to extra time again to beat Switzerland in a game where they finally showed some of their quality.
For the world champions and a side that hasn’t lost a competitive game since being defeated by Brazil in 2019, Argentina have failed to look on par with the French or the Spanish during this tournament, yet they sit on the verge of another World Cup final and the chance to retain their trophy.
Manager Lionel Scaloni spoke of his excitement ahead of the fixture, which is one of the biggest in living memory for both nations.
“We are in good shape, and we really can’t wait. This is a World Cup semi-final, and our hopes are intact. We are so grateful to these players for getting us here again.”
One of the main players he and all of Argentina should be grateful for is Lionel Messi. Arguably the greatest player of all time, the 39-year-old has dragged his side through the group stages and earlier knockout rounds with eight goals and two assists in his six World Cup matches.
Messi is aiming to emulate his idol, Diego Maradona, whose two goals against England in 1986 remain a huge part of Argentinian folklore. The former Barcelona man and icon has never faced England in any of his 201 appearances for Argentina.
Scaloni was quick to reference Maradona, whose two goals have been named ‘The Hand of God’ and ‘The Goal of the Century’ as time has gone on.
”I think everyone remembers that game, and Diego’s performance, above all, the second goal, which will remain in all our hearts because it was so beautiful,” Scaloni said.
“It was a marvellous goal, and any football lover remembers it that way. And it just happened to be against England.”
Argentina will be hoping for a similar success to the one they faced in that game 40 years ago, and Scaloni believes his side’s experience in these late-stage knockout games can help see the Albiceleste through.
“We have a little bit of experience playing these games. It doesn’t necessarily give you an advantage, but perhaps it makes you calmer.”
”This is our fifth semi-final as a team, and that puts us at ease. The guys are calm and ready for the game.”
Scaloni was then asked about the talents of the England side, in particular Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who have helped carry the Three Lions to just their fourth-ever World Cup semi-final.
”We always seek to improve our team and neutralise these players in the best way possible. We might make changes, or we might repeat what we’ve done. The players don’t know what the team is yet,” Scaloni said.
”We are facing two of the best players in the world, and any head coach would be happy to have them in their squad. We have our weapons, and we’re going to do our best to neutralise them.”
Of course, this game is one of football’s most storied rivalries, but off the pitch, the rivalry has become something wholly different since the Falklands War of 1982, where 649 Argentine soldiers and 255 British soldiers, as well as 3 civilians, were killed over a 74-day conflict.
The British-overseen territory, known to Argentina as ‘Las Malvinas ‘, is still a subject of sovereignty dispute, especially in Argentina.
Both managers were asked about the effects of the politics on this already intense rivalry, ”The reality is that this is a football match. I can’t mix things up, especially out of respect for what happened so many years ago,” said Scaloni.
“It was a very sad period in our history, and there isn’t much we can do about it; that’s the reality.
“Things are happening elsewhere in the world, and we criticise the existence of war. We certainly remember those people, of course. But it is a football match; we shouldn’t confuse the two.”
Melting together history, scandal, pride and anger, this fixture has it all to be a World Cup classic on the pitch. Argentina are looking to be the first team since Brazil in ’58 and ’62 to lift the trophy back to back, whereas for England, it’s a chance for the three lions to take one step closer to their first trophy since 1966. The same tournament in which this storied battle began.
The 37-year-old striker arrived in Chicago on Monday evening and took part in his first training session with Chicago Fire on Tuesday, receiving a warm welcome from both his new teammates and coaching staff.
Head coach Gregg Berhalter greeted the Polish forward at the club’s training facility before Lewandowski joined the squad for his first workout as a Fire player.
Lewandowski remembers Barcelona fondly
Speaking at his introductory press conference, Lewandowski admitted that walking away from Barcelona was one of the toughest decisions of his career.
“I didn’t want to play for any other team in Europe than Barcelona. I couldn’t imagine it,” Lewandowski admitted, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
“It was a difficult decision for me and my family, but I’m very happy to join this team. I want to win trophies in this new stage of my career and my life,” he added.
The striker also joked about adapting to life in the United States, saying:
“After living in Barcelona, it’s not easy, but I’m from Poland, so I’ll adapt.”
A new challenge
Lewandowski leaves Barcelona after four successful seasons, during which he established himself as one of the club’s key figures and continued adding to his remarkable goalscoring record.
Despite having been at the club for only four years, the 37-year-old veteran departed the club as a legend, having helped Barça win three La Liga titles and several other domestic honours.
The striker had interest from clubs in Turkey, while AC Milan in Italy were also keen, but he opted not to continue in Europe after bringing an end to his time in Catalonia.
Lewandowski left Barcelona after four successful seasons. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Now under contract with Chicago Fire until 2028, the veteran forward is aiming to make the same impact in Major League Soccer and help guide the club back to domestic success as he embarks on a fresh challenge in the final stage of his illustrious career.
Following the break for the World Cup, the MLS season resumes this week, with Chicago Fire set to host the Vancouver Whitecaps in the early hours of Friday morning.
The match could provide an immediate reunion between Lewandowski and former Bayern Munich teammate Thomas Müller, who now plays for the Canadian club.
Whether the Polish striker makes his debut remains uncertain, as he will have completed only two training sessions before the fixture. Even if he does not feature, he is expected to be presented to supporters at Soldier Field ahead of the match.
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¡EL ENGANCHÓN DE BELLINGHAM CON LOS JUGADORES DE ARGENTINA TRAS EL FINAL!
16 PTS | 7 REB | 6 AST
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