ATLANTA — Players and coaches tried to downplay the emotional and political tensions ahead of the semifinal between England and Argentina.

Players said it was just a football match, and the contentious rivalry of the late-20th century was before their time.

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.

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LAS VEGAS – Hold the preorders on any LeBron James Cavaliers jerseys.

While the NBA awaits his decision—again—the league’s power brokers and media are in Las Vegas for Summer League, and his destination is a hot topic.

Some executives are skeptical of the growing narrative that a third Cleveland stint is a certainty.

Multiple Western Conference executives told Front Office Sports they expect James to sign with the Warriors over the Cavaliers for his 24th NBA season. While Cleveland has been the favorite on prediction markets—and Bill Simmons said the move was a “done deal”— some executives believe Golden State is still a real player for James’s services. 

While another league source expects James to sign with the Cavaliers, the consensus among executives polled by FOS is that James will likely pick between the Warriors and Cavaliers.

“I would be stunned if he picked a team that wasn’t Golden State or Cleveland,” a Western Conference executive said. 

The executive cited the basketball fit alongside Stephen Curry compared to the Cavaliers, who have James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley. Another executive said the proximity to James’s family in Los Angeles is another reason why they expect it to be the Warriors.  

James is also reportedly considering the Heat, Sixers, Timberwolves, and Nuggets along with the Warriors and Cavaliers. 

Both Curry and James have four championships and Curry defeated James in three Finals. James famously rallied the Cavaliers from a 3–1 deficit in 2016 to defeat Curry’s Warriors, which is the only time in Finals history a team has successfully overcome the deficit. 

“You can’t call this ring-chasing,” one Western Conference executive said to FOS. “LeBron is 41 and Steph is 38. This is an attempt to see if the old guard can get one last title.”

A wrinkle discussed by multiple teams in the mix for him is his oldest son, Bronny. The 21-year-old just finished his second NBA season with the Lakers and had his $2.2 million salary guaranteed for next season on June 29, the day before his father’s split from the Lakers was announced by both parties.

Multiple front office sources from teams in the mix for James said they have discussed acquiring Bronny should his father pick their team. 

“We wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we didn’t discuss it,” one Western Conference executive told FOS. 

LeBron and Bronny became the first father-son teammate duo in NBA history when the Lakers drafted Bronny No. 55 overall in 2024. The executives said it’s unknown if the elder James would want his new team to trade for his son. 

All the executives agreed that Bronny improved during his second NBA season and that his status will be interesting as his father’s free agency unfolds. As the Lakers get younger, Bronny fits the team’s profile and his development and team-friendly contract give the Lakers motivation to keep him. 

But if James wants to continue to play with his son, it could make for a curious negotiation. 

“They shouldn’t give him away for nothing,” one executive said. “He held his own in the playoffs this year. But would you really haggle over him continuing to play with his dad?”

The post NBA Execs Split on Where LeBron James Will End Up appeared first on Front Office Sports.

ESPN plans to end the syndicated version of NFL Network’s flagship morning program, Good Morning Football, sources told Front Office Sports.

An ESPN spokesperson declined to comment. 

Two years ago, NFL Network launched a two-hour edition of GMFB: Overtime to augment the reach of the property. Distributed by Sony Pictures, it aired on the Roku Channel and various local affiliates, including Fox owned-and-operated channels. 

ESPN, which acquired NFL Network earlier this year, is deciding not to continue the syndication for a third season, sources said. The reasons behind ESPN’s decision were not immediately available. 

The main version of Good Morning Football will continue on NFL Network. 

Good Morning Football is approaching the 10th anniversary of its August 2016 launch. The current cast includes Jamie Erdahl, Kyle Brandt, and Manti Te’o, as well as regular appearances by reporters Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, Mike Garafolo, Sherree Burruss, and Judy Battista.

FOS previously reported that ESPN is keeping Rapoport and Garafolo on new deals.

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