In addition to the pressure that comes with racing in NASCAR’s premier Cup Series, Josh Berry now faces another challenge: the added pressure of looking for pastures that he hopes are a bit greener next season.

That’s because Wood Brothers Racing said Wednesday that they have decided not to keep Berry around after the season ends.

Berry Breaks His Own News

The stunning news comes days before Berry is set to make his 100^th start in the NASCAR Cup series in the Wood Brothers famous No. 21 Ford. It was also news that came as a shock to the media as well. That’s because it was Berry himself who revealed his departure during what is normally a weekly, routine, Ford media session. When asked to reflect on his career at the 100^th start milestone, Berry said it’s been an amazing ride full of ups and downs. Sadly, his future now appears to be one of those downs.

“I’ll just go ahead and put it out there that I will not be back in the 21 car next year,” he said in an almost offhanded tone. “I’m obviously disappointed about that. They’ve been amazing to work with. They’re amazing people and it’s been such a great opportunity.”

That pronouncement set off a flurry of activity that saw reporters scrambling to post to social media channels, while still trying to listen to what Berry had to say.

Moments later the team posted a statement to its own social media channels:

“Wood Brothers Racing, the longest-running active team competing in NASCAR, confirmed today that it will not exercise its option with driver Josh Berry for the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season. Currently in his second year with the team, Berry will continue to race the No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse through the balance of the 2026 season. Wood Brothers Racing will announce the new driver of the No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for the 2027 Cup Series season in the near future.

“We thank Josh Berry for all he’s done for Wood Brothers Racing and our partners over the last two seasons. Josh has been a great teammate, and we look forward to a strong finish to this season. We wish Josh all the best moving forward. We will announce who will be driving the No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in 2027 soon and we are excited for what lies ahead for Wood Brothers Racing.”

From Bank Teller To Cup Series Driver

Berry’s path to the Cup Series was anything but conventional.

The Tennessee native was racing Legends cars at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, attending community college, and working as a bank teller when he caught the attention of Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2008. The two competed against each other in an online racing league, and Earnhardt liked what he saw.

Two years later, Earnhardt hired Berry to race Late Models for JR Motorsports. Over the next decade, Berry became the winningest driver in CARS Tour history while adding ARCA and NASCAR Truck Series starts to his résumé. He eventually moved into the NASCAR Xfinity (now O’Reilly Auto Parts) Series, first part-time and then full-time with JR Motorsports in 2022 and 2023, collecting five victories in just 97 starts.

Along the way, Berry developed a reputation as one of stock car racing’s most dependable substitute drivers.

His Cup Series debut came in 2021 when COVID sidelined Spire Motorsports driver Justin Haley. An even bigger opportunity arrived in 2023 when Chase Elliott suffered a broken leg in a snowboarding accident and Hendrick Motorsports needed a replacement. Through the relationship between Hendrick Motorsports and JR Motorsports, Berry got the call.

A Dream Opportunity, Then Another Detour

The news for Berry and his growing fanbase only got better that same year when he was announced as the replacement driver for Kevin Harvick, who was retiring at the end of 2023. And so, Berry began his first full Cup season with Stewart-Haas Racing in 2024.

Unfortunately, the timing could hardly have been worse.

Early in Berry’s rookie Cup season, Stewart-Haas Racing announced it would shut down at the end of 2024, forcing him back into the driver market almost as soon as he arrived.

Thus began his tenure with NASCAR’s oldest active team. One that has fielded cars for legendary drivers such as Curtis Turner, Junior Johnson, Cale Yarborough and David Pearson.

Early on the pairing seemed to be perfect. In just his third start for the team, Berry scored his first NASCAR Cup series win in March at Las Vegas. The win helped propel the team into the playoffs, although three DNFs ultimately ended their postseason run.

Since then, it almost seems as though a dark cloud has been hovering over Berry and the Wood Brothers. In the first 15 races this season the No. 21 car has crashed out 4 times. And while Berry has scored 2 top 10 finishes, the honeymoon, it seems, is over, and Berry will need to find a new home next season.

The Question Facing Josh Berry

The obvious question becomes who takes over one of NASCAR’s most recognizable rides.

Nothing is certain at this point, but speculation seems to center on Jesse Love. Whether the 21-year-old, reigning O’Reilly Auto Parts champion will be the Chosen One, or who might be is far from certain. Finding a new driver for one of the most famous cars in the history of NASCAR, however, shouldn’t be an issue.

That leaves the bigger question: what does the future in NASCAR hold for Josh Berry? He has a loyal fan base and has already demonstrated he can win at NASCAR’s highest level.

But there’s a problem, an elephant in the room sized one.

Josh Berry will be 36 in October this year. In a sport where youth is often valued almost as highly as talent, and with relatively few Cup Series openings expected for 2027, Berry will join a long list of drivers searching for opportunities. Unlike many of the others in that line, however, he won't be able to sell teams on long-term potential.

For now, Berry still has a season to run, races he could still win, and the hopeful optimism that can only come with age.

“I still feel like I'm the same guy that won Las Vegas,” Berry said during that media session Wednesday. “I’m still the same guy that nearly won at New Hampshire in the playoffs.

“The sun came up today regardless of how bad it might have felt yesterday. It might have felt like it might not, but the sun came up this morning and it’s a new day. You land on your feet and go to work and that’s all you can do.”

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Jayden Reed. Check.

Christian Watson. Check.

Tucker Kraft. Now it’s your turn.

The Green Bay Packers have locked up wideouts Watson and Reed with contract extensions this offseason. Next in line figures to be Kraft, the Packers’ standout tight end who tore his right ACL tear on Nov. 2, 2025.

“I'd say my goal is that I want to play for this organization my entire career,” Kraft said Wednesday. “I'm spoiled to have been drafted here and this is all I know. Green and gold is all I know. So we'd like to keep it that way. And my agent and the Packers front office, they're going to be in those talks in time when it comes. You guys will find out eventually.”

“Eventually” could certainly come before training camp begins.

Kraft said Wednesday his rehab has gone “better than expected” and he expects to “start Week 1 on no pitch count.” That would be an enormous lift to Green Bay’s offense, as Kraft was having an All-Pro level season in 2025 before tearing his ACL.

Kraft would be entering the final year of his rookie contract with a base salary of $3.624 million, according to overthecap.com. The Packers were $21.6 million under the NFL’s salary cap on Thursday morning and have plenty of room to structure Kraft’s contract in a variety of ways.

Kraft would love the security of a second contract when the season begins. On the flip side, Green Bay could be hesitant to make a deal until Kraft proves he’s back to full health, but the tenacious tight end is just 25, one of the Packers’ elite workers and most respected players in the locker room.

“Certainly, the impact that he has on our football team, not only as a player but as a leader, is very important to us,” Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst said of Kraft earlier this offseason. “We’ve obviously already been in contact with him and just let him know how we feel and we’ll kind of see how it goes.”

San Francisco’s George Kittle leads NFL tight ends in average annual salary at $19.1 million per year. He’s followed by Arizona’s Trey McBride ($19.0M), Minnesota’s T.J. Hockenson ($16.5M), Atlanta’s Kyle Pitts ($15.045M) and Isaiah Likely of the New York Giants ($13.33M).

Kittle, McBride and Hockenson all signed four-year contracts, while Likely’s deal was for three years. The Falcons placed the franchise tag on Pitts last offseason, and he’ll become an unrestricted free agent in March, 2027, if the sides can’t agree on a long-term deal.

The Packers could choose to wait on a long-term deal with Kraft and make him prove he’s back to his previous form this season. If Kraft does perform like he did pre-injury, though, he could become the NFL’s highest-paid tight end next offseason and Green Bay would almost certainly place the franchise tag on him.

Instead of going down that road, a longer term deal now — one that pays Kraft in the range of perhaps $16M per season — seems reasonable for both sides.

“Tuck’s a guy that he's not going to flinch, and that's why we love him,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said the day after Kraft’s injury. “I mean, he's a hell of a player, hell of a teammate, hell of a guy.”

Kraft had 32 catches for 489 yards and six touchdowns in 6 ½ games last season before Sean Rhyan was blocked backwards and into Kraft’s knee in the third quarter of a Week 7 loss to Carolina. At the time of his injury, Kraft was the NFL’s only tight end with 30-plus receptions, 475-plus receiving yards, six-plus receiving TDs and an average of 15-plus yards per catch.

Kraft’s blocking is also elite, making him one of the league’s best two-way tight ends when healthy.

“I feel like went out at as tight end (No.) 1 in my opinion,” Kraft said. “Just the things that I do at the point of attack, where I'm at on any given play I feel like I went out at the top.

“I thought that as a combination of the do-it-all Y, which is me, that there wasn't another guy in the league that was doing it as well as I was. Some people might think I'm delusional to say that, but … as far as putting it all together I felt like I was at a great spot.”

Kraft said the swelling in his knee has been “minimal to none.” He recently hit 21.5 miles per hour during sideline sprints at minicamp. And he’s building strength back in his quad, calf and hamstring to fully support the knee.

Kraft will likely begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, work his way back gradually with a goal of being fully cleared before Week 1.

If and when that happens, Kraft expects to be the player he was pre-injury.

“I'm not really buying into the people come back off an injury and aren't the same,” Kraft said. “People come back off their injury — if you're not coming back off your injury the same, then what are you doing? What were you doing your entire rehab? Some people might not be the same, but they don't speak for me.”

No, Kraft is definitely his own man.

And he could be someone with a new contract before the 2026 campaign begins.

“There’s certain information that I'm not allowed to divulge at this point,” Kraft said. “So you can do with that comment what you will.”

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

The Los Angeles Dodgers remain near the top of the National League standings and seem all but certain to compete for a third straight World Series championship.

But if there is one thing that could derail those hopes, perhaps it is the inevitable march of time taking its toll on the team’s biggest stars.

Los Angeles Dodgers Superstar Mookie Betts Stuck In Prolonged Struggles

As veterans like Freddie Freeman and Miguel Rojas look to enjoy a few more clutch playoff performances before their careers are over, the Dodgers’ 33-year-old superstar Mookie Betts has been struggling to maintain his typical production from the plate.

“Betts is 33 and has had to change much of the routine that served as the foundation to his immensely successful career,” Katie Woo noted for The Athletic. “His trial and error certainly show up in the stat line… But he does have to put up better numbers than what he has currently.”

In a season that has included a significant stay on the injured list already, Betts is slashing just .190/.259/.365. He struggled at the plate last year as well. And as he has searched for answers, the Dodgers’ star has evidently reached out to a crosstown rival for some advice.

Los Angeles Angels Superstar Mike Trout Offers Response On Los Angeles Dodgers’ Star Mookie Betts

“Playing against Mookie all these years has been unbelievable,” Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout told AM 570 Sports’ David Vassegh in a recent interview. “He’s grinding right now, but you don’t see him taking any days off, he’s out there working hard every day. He knows what he’s capable of doing. Everybody goes through it. It’s a mental grind, he’s got to stay positive and push forward.”

Trout added that Betts reached out to him during his recent skid in search of any tips. And the Angels superstar said that he could relate to the Dodgers’ veteran during his slump.

“Baseball’s a tough game,” Trout added in the interview with Vassegh. “It will drive you crazy sometimes. It’s usually one little thought or one little tip gets you going again. Some of the stuff he feels is similar to what I was feeling, I feel when I’m not right.”

The two players became personal friends while playing for Team USA during a World Baseball Classic tournament. And they have spent more than a decade carrying enormous expectations while consistently producing at an MVP level. When either player experiences even a modest decline, it becomes a national talking point.

For the Dodgers, the encouraging part is that there appears to be little concern about Betts' work ethic or preparation. The challenge is simply helping one of baseball's most accomplished hitters rediscover the consistency that has defined his career.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

FC Barcelona icon Xavi Hernandez has essentially been banned from club activities such as its 'Legends' matches because of his opposition to President Joan Laporta according to Catalunya Radio and AS, who cited anonymous sources.

Xavi - widely-regarded as one of the Blaugrana and Spain’s greatest players of all time - hasn’t been called up to the last two Barca Legends meetings, where the likes of Ronaldinho wowed crowds in Miami and Rivaldo played in Seoul.

AS suspects that this ‘ban’ will stay in place for further Legends events, because the man behind selections is Alejandro Echevarria.

That’s Laporta’s ex-brother-in-law and right-hand man, who Xavi pointed the finger at during the explosive interview he gave to Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia earlier this year.

“Echevarria has more power than Laporta at the club,” Xavi said.

Amid touching on other touchy topics, Xavi also accused Laporta of vetoing Lionel Messi’s proposed 2023 return to the club.

The timing of these comments was especially important. They were viewed as Xavi endorsing Laporta’s main rival at the ballot box - Victor Font - during the build-up to a March election Laporta won.

“The president isn’t telling the truth there either. Leo was signed,” Xavi claimed. “In January 2023, after winning the World Cup, we got in touch and he told me he was keen to come back. We talked until March and I told him: 'Okay, when you give me the OK, I’ll tell the president because I see it as a good fit for him from a footballing perspective.’

“The president started negotiating the contract with Leo’s father and we had La Liga’s approval, but it was the president who threw everything off,” Xavi added.

FC Barcelona chief Laporta has angered Xavi

AS describes Xavi as “living this situation with anger and indignation”. He was looking forward to playing alongside former teammates and close friends such as Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Javier Mascherano in South Korea.

But as explained by Catalunya Radio, Xavi’s agents then received a call from Luis Sa, to inform them that the iconic number 6 would not be able to star in Seoul.

Once more, we have another example of a frosty relationship between Laporta and one of the head coaches of his second reign, which began in 2021.

Things were previously sour between Laporta and Ronald Koeman - another midfield playing days legend - but the Catalan and Dutchman have already announced they’ve made up.

As for Koeman’s replacement Xavi, however, who took over in late 2021, there are fences to mend.

Xavi announced he was resigning in early 2024 only to go back on his word and vow to see out his contract. After publicly stating Barca was unable to keep up with bitter rival Real Madrid financially as they closed in on a Champions League and La Liga double, however, Laporta dismissed Xavi before the close of a trophyless 2023/2024 campaign.

Xavi has always maintained he has a good relationship with Hansi Flick, who in two terms has returned FC Barcelona to domestic dominance by scooping five out of the six Spanish trophies on offer. Meanwhile, Real Madrid has won nothing since.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Incoming Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho has Bernardo Silva as his preferred new signing as soon as he takes over the reins at the Bernabeu according to AS, which cited anonymous sources.

Silva is a free agent after June 30, which is when his Manchester City contract expires.

Joining the Premier League giants in 2017, the 31-year-old enjoyed nine highly successful years at the Etihad under Pep Guardiola, lifting six English top flight crowns together and the Champions League in 2023 as part of a treble.

Silva has been heavily linked to Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona, but he has now become a priority for Mourinho after previously being offered but turned down by Madrid a couple of months ago.

Above all, Mourinho values his compatriot’s leadership and committment, not just on the pitch but also in the dressing room.

Something that could also help a potential free transfer - in addition to there being no fee or negotiations with City - is the fact that Silva and Mourinho are both represented by Jorge Mendes.

Mourinho taking over at Real Madrid is just a matter of time

Announced by Florentino Perez as the president attempted to win re-election, Mourinho should be confirmed swiftly in the near future as Real Madrid’s next manager.

Perez beat Enrique Riquelme at the polls on Sunday, and has already dismissed Alvaro Arbeloa.

Furthermore, Mourinho has bid farewell to Benfica while the Lisbon giants have done likewise with their country’s most successful manager.

We’ve already seen reports that Mourinho was left “very upset” by Madrid bidding $175 million for Julian Alvarez, as he doesn’t believe he fits in his side.

Yet Silva is a different type of player, who plays further back. At FC Barcelona, he would face competition from Lamine Yamal for the right wing. Centrally, he would’ve most probably competed for the CAM role with Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo, or Gavi, Marc Bernal and Frenkie de Jong for the right to partner Pedri.

At Real Madrid, however, those central roles are up for grabs but so too is the right flank. With Rodrygo injured, no single player has made it their own amid Endrick being sent out on loan and Franco Mastantuono failing to gel.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

To secure an outcome that once appeared impossible, OG Anunoby performed a spectacular feat on a night the New York Knicks produced many of them.

Moments after throwing an inbounds pass to the Knicks’ top closer, Anunoby darted to the basket just as Jalen Brunson threw up a 3. The ball hit the front of the rim, giving the unguarded Anunoby enough space to make one of the most spectacular plays in the Knicks’ franchise history. Anunoby cut through the lane while all five Spurs players focused on Brunson and the ball. Then, Anunoby leaped in the air and tipped the ball into the basket with 1.2 seconds left. Following their defensive stop on the Spurs’ inbounds pass, the Knicks walked off the Madison Square Garden with an unexpected prize.

The Knicks prevailed with a 107-106 win over the Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday after trailing by as many as 29 points. New York holds a 3-1 series lead and can close out in a decisive Game 5 in San Antonio on Saturday to hoist their first NBA championship trophy in 53 years. Perhaps the Spurs protect leads better in Game 5 before a supportive home crowd. Yet, the third-seeded Knicks have shown their resilience and chemistry can prevail over a Spurs team whose inexperienced mistakes have overshadowed their talented youth.

The outcome left both the courtside celebrities and upper-deck diehards displaying joy, laughter and tears. The Knicks pulled off something as dramatic as Willis Reed’s famous entrance in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals after missing Game 6 with an injured right thigh. The Knicks have shown the grittiness that they displayed in the ‘90s when they went head-to-head against Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls and Reggie Miller’s Indiana Pacers. Those Knicks almost won the 1994 NBA title over the Houston Rockets in a competitive seven-game series for the same reason.

The Spurs represent the NBA’s future, but they don’t seem ready to join the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers as the only team in NBA Finals history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit. Besides, the Knicks have become a more formidable opponent than in the 1999 NBA Finals when San Antonio’s David Robinson and Tim Duncan disposed them in five games.

It seemed fitting that Anunoby would provide the exclamation point to the Knicks’ come-back victory. This team has become a legitimate NBA title contender not because of star power, but because of collective grit, teamwork and belief.

Anunoby made his game-winning putback on the same night he posted 33 points while shooting 10-for-15 from the field, 7-for-9 from 3 and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. But Anunoby typically elevates the Knicks as one of their defensive anchors and complementary scorers. Brunson (36 points) and Karl-Anthony Towns (13 points, 10 rebounds) represent the Knicks’ stars, but they did not carry this resilient team alone. The Knicks also had to overcome Brunson’s early shooting struggles through the first half (6-for-14) and Towns early foul trouble (two of his four fouls within the game’s first 63 seconds).

No wonder the Spurs initially cruised with a 76-49 half-time lead.

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama baited Towns and Knicks center Mitchell Robinson into fouls. Wembanyama remained aggressive with shots at the rim and from 3 along with both fundamentally-sound defense when the officials watched and with unnecessary shoves when the officials looked away. San Antonio shot a collective 11-for-16 from deep, essentially sapping away any effort the Knicks made to rectify their unexpected Game 3 loss in their first Finals home in 27 years.

The Knicks still pledged to compete, and their actions validated they didn’t just give performative half-time pep talks. New York opened the second half on a 13-0 run. They forced Spurs guard Stephon Castle into collecting his fifth foul midway through the third quarter. They limited San Antonio to a 4-for-20 mark overall.

The Spurs still held a 90-75 lead leading into the fourth quarter, but the Knicks kept deflating that cushion. Just as when New York overcame a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit against Cleveland in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks imposed their will in the final period against San Antonio.

Brunson scored nine of his 36 points on a 3-for-4 clip in the final quarter. He drilled a 3 over Wembanyama to cut the Spurs’ lead to 104-103 with 2:21 remaining. On the next possession, Brunson drove past Castle and made a floating bankshot to give the Knicks their first lead of the game (105-104 with 1:22 left). In between, Brunson’s teammates filled in the gaps.

Towns scored five points midway through the fourth quarter after going scoreless for the final period through the first three Finals games. Shortly after stealing the ball and missing a fast-break layup, Knicks guard Josh Hart stopped Castle on a baseline drive and forced him out of bounds. Anunoby made a deep 3, fouled Wembanyama before he missed two crucial free throws at the 1:47 mark and blocked De’Aaron Fox’s layup with 11.1 seconds left.

Anunoby made his dramatic game-winning tipin moments later, a play that defined the Knicks’ resilience. It also inspired an impassioned franchise and fanbase that senses they can finally celebrate the end of their 53-year championship drought.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

(This story is based on a Forbes exclusive interview with Christophe Dubi June 4, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. All quotes are taken directly from a transcript of the interview.)

As Los Angeles prepares to host the world in 2028, the International Olympic Committee's top Games executive sees a city uniquely positioned to turn the Olympics into the ultimate global gathering.

The Final Countdown

With just over two years remaining until the Opening Ceremony of the 2028 Olympic Games, the countdown has entered a new phase. For Christophe Dubi, the Executive Director of the International Olympic Committee, the next six months represent the point where planning gives way to execution. It is the moment when Los Angeles moves from vision to reality.

"The steep phase begins in the next six months," Dubi said during an interview with Forbes following meetings between the IOC and LA28 leadership in downtown Los Angeles.

Olympic organizers often describe Games preparation as following an S-curve: years of careful planning followed by a sharp acceleration of activity as the event approaches. According to Dubi, LA28 is now approaching the most demanding segment of that curve. Venue agreements will be finalized. Major contracts will be signed. Staffing levels will rise dramatically. Procurement efforts will intensify. By the final six months before the Games, approximately $1 billion worth of temporary infrastructure and venue overlay will need to be installed across Southern California.

"The final two years are where costs and activity rise exponentially," Dubi explained.

For LA28, the challenge is amplified by scale. Spread across some of the most iconic venues in Southern California, the Games will be larger and more complex than any Olympic event before them. That reality, Dubi believes, makes leadership and institutional experience more valuable than ever.

"The most important thing is having the right team in place," he said.

The Olympic Games As Only Los Angeles Can Deliver Them

Every Olympic host city seeks to define itself through a unique identity. The Paris 2024 Games showcased culture and history through unforgettable imagery, including beach volleyball beneath the Eiffel Tower and an Opening Ceremony staged along the Seine River. The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics embraced Italy's geography, connecting alpine communities and urban centers through a uniquely distributed Games concept.

What, then, will define Los Angeles? According to Dubi, LA's greatest asset is not a single venue or landmark. It is the city's ability to attract the world.

"Los Angeles is a city where people come to reinvent themselves and dream bigger," he said.

Unlike Paris, which leveraged centuries of architectural grandeur, Los Angeles offers something different: a convergence of sport, entertainment, business, politics and popular culture unlike anywhere else on earth. Olympic athletes will share the stage with movie stars. Heads of state will mingle alongside technology innovators, musicians, entrepreneurs and global influencers. The result, Dubi predicts, will create a level of energy and visibility that only Los Angeles can generate.

"If you have a fear of missing out, LA28 will be the place to be," he said with a smile.

In many ways, Dubi's assessment captures a broader reality facing the Olympic Movement. The Games are no longer simply a sporting event. They are increasingly a global cultural gathering where sport, media, entertainment and digital storytelling intersect.

And no city understands that intersection better than Los Angeles.

Lessons From Italy

Before looking ahead to LA28, Dubi spent much of the past year focused on delivering the Milano Cortina Winter Games. His biggest takeaway from Italy was not technological innovation or operational efficiency. It was authenticity.

"The Games felt authentically Italian," he said.

From the sophistication of Milan to the mountain culture of Livigno and Cortina d'Ampezzo, each host region expressed its own character while remaining connected to a larger Olympic narrative. For Dubi, that lesson has direct relevance for Los Angeles. While LA28 will be centered within one metropolitan region, it will unfold across distinctly different communities. Long Beach possesses a coastal identity. Carson reflects Southern California's sporting culture. Downtown Los Angeles brings urban energy and international connectivity. The San Gabriel Valley contributes yet another layer to the city's personality. Rather than creating a uniform Olympic experience, Dubi believes each community should showcase what makes it unique.

"Long Beach, Carson, Downtown LA and the Valley must each express their own character," he said.

That approach aligns with a broader trend in Olympic planning, one that emphasizes local identity over standardized presentation.

The Athlete Experience Still Comes First

Despite praising Milano Cortina's success, Dubi remains focused on areas that require improvement. One issue stood out. Some athletes competing in remote locations felt disconnected from the larger Olympic experience. The geographical spread that helped showcase Italy's diversity also created moments of isolation for competitors who were far removed from celebration venues and fellow athletes.

"We did a good job keeping athletes at the center," Dubi said. "However, some athletes still felt isolated."

The IOC is already applying those lessons to future Games planning. For the French Alps 2030 Winter Olympics, organizers are exploring concepts that would connect athletes across multiple locations, including synchronized medal celebrations designed to create a stronger sense of unity. The goal is simple: regardless of where athletes compete, they should feel part of one Olympic community.

Why Pau Gasol Earned Athletes' Trust

Among the Olympic Movement's most influential voices today is former NBA champion and Spanish basketball legend Pau Gasol. Dubi speaks about Gasol with obvious admiration.

"People gravitate to him everywhere he goes," he said.

What impresses Dubi most, however, is not Gasol's fame but his leadership style. Thoughtful. Respectful. Curious. Collaborative. Dubi also emphasized an important distinction often overlooked by observers: Gasol was not appointed by the IOC hierarchy. Instead, he was elected by fellow athletes and subsequently chosen by his commission colleagues to serve as chair.

"The athletes made an excellent choice," Dubi said.

As athlete representation continues to expand within Olympic governance, Gasol's role reflects the growing influence competitors hold in shaping the future of the Games.

The Challenge That Matters Most

When asked what keeps him awake at night, Dubi did not mention venue construction, transportation planning or security. Operational problems, he argued, can be solved. His greatest concern is preserving the Olympic Games' relevance.

"Importance and relevance," he said.

Importance means ensuring the Games remain valuable enough that the world continues finding ways to stage them, even during periods of extraordinary disruption. The successful delivery of the Tokyo Olympics amid a global pandemic serves as a powerful example.

Relevance is a different challenge.

It means remaining meaningful to future generations, athletes, communities, broadcasters, sponsors and (increasingly) digital audiences. That evolution extends directly into media strategy. Traditional broadcasters, journalists, influencers and content creators all want access to the Games. Managing those competing demands while preserving value for rights holders is becoming one of the IOC's most delicate balancing acts. Yet Dubi views that tension as a positive sign.

"When demand exceeds supply, that's healthy," he said.

It signals that the Olympic product remains compelling in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.

Mission Accomplished—But Never Finished

Reflecting on Milano Cortina, Dubi ultimately delivered a simple verdict: The Games succeeded. Not perfectly. Not without lessons. But successfully. Athletes competed on the world's biggest stage. Communities embraced the event. Italian culture was showcased globally.

Still, perfection remains elusive.

Dubi wants athletes to feel more connected. He wants venues completed earlier. He wants fewer last-minute questions about readiness and operations. Those lessons are already informing preparations for LA28. As Los Angeles enters the steepest section of the Olympic delivery curve, the task ahead is enormous. Yet Dubi remains convinced the city possesses something no other Olympic host can replicate.

For two weeks in the summer of 2028, the world will gather in one place.

And if Dubi is right, missing out on the LA28 Games will simply not be an option.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Shohei Ohtani did not have a great outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 10. In fact, he stumbled a bit in his bid for his 7th win.

Shohei Ohtani is human, after all.

The total dominance of Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher Shohei Ohtani on the mound this season has been almost unbelievable.

Until he faced a determined Pittsburgh Pirates team on June 10, in Pittsburgh.

Ohtani has proven he is, indeed, human.

Ohtani entered the Pittsburgh game with a 6-2 record in 10 starts for the Dodgers.

Ohtani had a minuscule 0.74 ERA, and 0.78 WHIP in his 61 innings pitched.

Ohtani had struck out an average of 9.9 hitters per nine innings, while walking only 1.7 batters per nine.

Ohtani had been in total control all season on the mound.

In his June 3 start against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix, Ohtani had the Diamondbacks players totally off-balanced. He changed the eye levels of the hitters, and threw six innings of two hit baseball. He struck out six, and walked one.

In the game against Arizona, Ohtani threw 89 pitches, with 58 of them for strikes.
Fast forward to the June 10 game, and Ohtani had a much different outing.

The Pirates scored four runs, on six hits, and three walks in 6.2 innings against Shohei on June 10, in contrast to his superb Phoenix outing.

Ohtani threw 102 pitches, with 61 of them strikes.

One of the hits was a home run by right fielder Tyler Callahan. It was only the second homer yielded by Ohtani all season.

Ohtani saw his earned run average climb to 1.06, and his WHIP rose to 0.84 after the Pirates seemed to have their way with his offerings.

When Ohtani left the game, the Dodgers had a lead.

Ohtani did not get a decision in the game, as the Pirates went on to defeat Los Angels by a final score of 9-8, as they rallied for three runs in the seventh inning, and five more in the eighth.

In the five starts prior to Ohtani’s start against the Pirates, he yielded a total of three runs. That’s three runs in five starts. In three games, he yielded no runs.

He lost a game against the Houston Astros May 5, by a score of 2-1.

He defeated the San Francisco Giants May 13, 4-0.

He defeated the San Diego Padres May 20, 4-0.

He defeated the Colorado Rockies May 27, 4-1.

He defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks June 3, 7-0.

Then on Wednesday, June 10, Ohtani got the no decision in the Dodgers 9-8 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

There wasn’t anything wrong with Ohtani’s offense in the Pirates game.

He hit his 12th homer of the season in the 9th inning. It was a two-run blast off lefty Gregory Soto. He also singled, scored a run, and had two RBIs for the evening.

Ohtani’s home run in the 9th inning made the score Pittsburgh 9, Los Angeles 8. That’s how the game ended.

Conclusions Regarding Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani’s Game Against Pittsburgh:

One should not make more of the Ohtani outing against the Pirates than it was.

The game wasn’t his best on the mound.

It showed that even Shohei Ohtani can have an outing that doesn’t quite meet his norm.

He did, however, have two hits, including a two-run homer and single in the game.

There remains little doubt in this old scout’s mind that Shohei Ohtani remains the best baseball player on the planet. Ever.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

The baseball world lost a former major league pitcher this week who spent time with four different organizations and touched the lives of countless coaches, teammates and fans.

New York Mets vice president of media relations Jay Horwitz announced the news on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday.

“Wes Gardner, who pitched 30 games for the Mets in ‘84 and ‘85, passed away today at 65,” Horwitz wrote. “Gardner was in the majors for parts of eight seasons with the Mets, Red Sox, Padres and Royals. After the 1985 season he was part of a seven-player trade in which the Mets acquired Bobby Ojeda from Boston.”

Former New York Mets, Boston Red Sox Pitcher Wes Gardner Dies At 65

While Gardner's major league career spanned multiple organizations, his name remains closely connected to a blockbuster deal that helped shape a Mets championship era. Following his big-league debut with the Mets in 1984 and then his sophomore 1985 campaign, Gardner was sent to the Boston Red Sox alongside John Christensen, Calin Schiraldi and La Schelle Tarver in exchange for Bob Ojeda, Tom McCarthy, John Mitchell and Chris Bayer.

Ojeda led the Mets to a World Series championship in the 1986 season. But at the time of the trade that brought him to Queens, Red Sox general manager Lou Gorman expressed significant confidence in Gardner's future role.

"We see Gardner as a stopper out of the bullpen,” Gorman said, according to Joanne Hulbert and the Society for American Baseball Research. “We feel he's the guy to come in in the eighth or ninth and get the last four or five hitters out. He's going to be an impact pitcher."

Late New York Mets, Boston Red Sox Pitcher Wes Gardner Has Murky Past

Beyond his accomplishments on the field, Gardner was guarded about his personal history. Hulbert noted that he rarely discussed his upbringing in Benton, Arkansas, preferring instead to focus on the opportunities baseball provided.

"Wesley Brian Gardner was born in Benton, Arkansas, on April 29, 1961,” she wrote. “He never said much about his childhood other than that he had it rough. He expressed simply that baseball provided the happiest years of all."

Gardner ultimately appeared for four major league organizations, including the Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres in addition to the Mets and Red Sox. He was a respected figure among former teammates and members of the baseball community long after his playing career ended.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

A new bar has been set in the NFL.

Currently, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is the highest-paid NFL quarterback in terms of average annual value (AAV). He is on a four-year, $240 million contract, making him the only NFL quarterback to earn at least $60 million a year … for now.

On Wednesday ESPN reported that the Kansas City Chiefs have restructured the contract of quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

The three-time Super Bowl MVP will start receiving the new money for the 2027 season as part of a deal averaging $64 million per year.

Prescott was the only NFL player with an AAV reaching $60 million. Ten other quarterbacks — Matthew Stafford, Jordan Love, Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, Josh Allen, Jared Goff, Brock Purdy, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts — earn at least $50 million a year.

It is not the first time Mahomes has reset the market.

After he signed a four-year, $16.4 million rookie deal, Mahomes signed a 10-year, $450 million contract in 2020. It is the longest — and the one that represented the highest total value — of all NFL contracts.

As part of his new contract, the Chiefs have added two years to the deal, keeping him with the team through the 2033 season at a value of $504.75 million. That sum makes it the first NFL contract worth more than a half-billion dollars.

The new money on the deal is worth $239.05 million.

Mahomes’ raise indicates the confidence the Chiefs have in him despite the fact that he is coming back from season-ending torn anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments in his knee.

The early reports of his recovery from reconstructive surgery, though, have been positive.

During both organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp, which concludes on Thursday, Mahomes has been practicing.

He has participated in seven-on-seven drills but not 11-on-11 action during the non-contact practices.

“The next step will be getting with team, getting under center,” Mahomes said. “We’ll have to progress to that, and then it’ll be going out there and being live and with the guys, and then eventually you get (to) the game.”

With Mahomes already practicing, most project that he will be the starter when the Chiefs kick off their season on Monday, Sept. 14 against the rival Denver Broncos.

But whether Mahomes plays in Week One or not, the Chiefs have made a statement that he will be their quarterback well past this decade.

“Patrick has become one of the most iconic, beloved sports figures of all time,” Chiefs owner Clark Hunt told ESPN. “He has helped lead our franchise to five Super Bowl appearances and three championships. He has been instrumental in shaping the Chiefs brand and putting Kansas City on the world stage, and on top of it all, he has been an outstanding role model in the community. Patrick is a generational talent and an elite human being, and I’m so excited he will continue to lead our team into the future.”

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Real Madrid has been accused of “torpedoing” arch rival FC Barcelona's pursuit of Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez.

Madrid chief Florentino Perez made a promise to lauch a $175 million (€150 million) bid for an unnamed player if re-elected as president by members on Sunday.

After beating Enrique Riquelme at the polls, Perez kept his word by tabling an offer for Alvarez for said amount Tuesday evening.

Real Madrid confirmed this move via an official statement, while also revealing that Atleti knocked back the bid and pointed to Alvarez’s $577 million (€500 million) release clause.

Madrid are of course unlikely to trigger the clause or have that kind of money knocking around in any event. Yet Perez could’ve known exactly what he was doing here.

Perez has been accused of ‘torpedoing’ FC Barcelona’s pursuit

By outlets such as Catalan newspaper SPORT, Perez stands accused of attempting to not only use the Alvarez bid as a political weapon, but also scupper the Blaugana.

Madrid and Perez aren’t believed to have really wanted Alvarez or be serious about acquiring him.

Yet the bid shows that Perez has kept his word to members that voted for him, plus Los Blancos fans worldwide, amid announcements of Jose Mourinho incoming as new head team coach.

Furthermore, though, the offer puts Barça and Atleti in a tricky spot. Barça can’t afford Real Madrid’s fee for Alvarez in times of attempting to return to the 1:1 rule under Financial Fair Play (FFP) limits, and Atleti now can’t accept a lower sum such as the $116 million (€100 million) Joan Laporta and Co have reportedly tabled.

At the same time, though, there are possible consequences for Perez. With Kylian Mbappe and Endrick already on their books, Madrid don’t need Alvarez nor another striker.

The center of the park is an area where Los Blancos have fallen short over the past two trophylesss seasons where Barça have picked up five out of six domestic pieces of silverware on offer.

Perez has now shown that Madrid have the money to throw around, which could go on someone like Enzo Fernandez rated at $160 million (£120 million) by Chelsea, reports BBC Sport.

According to MARCA’s transfer expert Matteo Moretto, hope might not be totally lost for FC Barcelona with Alvarez. The Italian thinks it’s worth testing the waters with an offer around the $138 million (€120 million) mark, for a player that supposedly wants to leave the Metropolitano and has agreed to join Barça for five years.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

The New York Yankees have cycled through several complementary pieces around their superstar core in recent seasons, frequently turning to the trade market at midseason in hopes of finding inexpensive roster upgrades.

That seems likely to be the case again this year, as the team searches for some bullpen improvement and perhaps some position player reinforcement with Aaron Judge sidelined.

But before then, one of the team’s recent trade deadline moves, which proved to be a disappointment, has gotten a new update.

New York Yankees’ Trade Deadline Bust Gets Fresh Start With Division Rival

Last summer, the Yankees acquired veteran outfielder Austin Slater as part of a deadline push aimed at improving their roster depth against left-handed pitching.

“New York parted with Minor League right-hander Gage Ziehl (the club’s No. 18 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline) in exchange for the 32-year-old Slater, who has a strong track record against left-handed pitching and can play all three outfield positions,” MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch reported at the time. “Slater is the third position player acquired by the Yankees this week, following previous deals to import third baseman Ryan McMahon and infielder/outfielder Amed Rosario.”

While the acquisition appeared promising on paper, Slater never became a meaningful contributor in New York and quickly moved on as the Yankees continued reshaping their roster.

Now, the veteran outfielder is headed back to the major leagues with a new organization after a strong stint in Triple-A.

“Slater signed a minor league deal with Tampa Bay late last month but is now headed to the major league club as the Rays gear up for a slate of left-handed pitchers,” Steve Adams reported for MLB Trade Rumors.

The move gives Slater another opportunity to carve out a role at the highest level while joining a Rays club that currently sits atop the American League East division standings. Slater could enjoy a better debut with the Rays than he did with the Yankees, as he’s set to see some advantageous pitching matchups.

“The Rays will face Red Sox left-hander Connelly Early (on Monday) and are slated to face fellow southpaw Payton Tolle (on Tuesday),” Adams added. “The Angels’ rotation is in disarray, so it’s hard to gauge exactly who’ll be starting for them next weekend when the Rays visit Anaheim.”

Former New York Yankees Outfielder Will Be Looking To Help Rival Steal Division

Slater’s arrival with the Rays creates an interesting full-circle moment. Less than a year after the Yankees surrendered prospect capital to acquire him, Slater now finds himself with one of New York's biggest division rivals as Tampa Bay continues looking for incremental roster upgrades during a playoff race.

And he certainly seemed to earn that chance.

The 33-year-old was hitting .348/.464/.696 with five doubles, one home run and five walks in 28 plate appearances for Triple-A Durham before earning his promotion. Meanwhile, Slater owns a career .248 batting average in the big leagues and has long been known for his success against left-handed pitching, the skill that originally made him attractive to the Yankees at the trade deadline.

Whether Slater can turn that success into a lasting role remains to be seen. But after bouncing between organizations over the past several seasons, the former Yankees acquisition has earned another chance to contribute at the major-league level — this time with a first-place rival of his former club.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com